Hong Kong: Principal officials visit more families

Government principal officials today met more families in various districts to distribute gift bags in celebration of the Lunar New Year as part of a series of year-end care visits in the city's 18 districts co-ordinated by the Home Affairs Department.

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki met Bangladeshi and Indian families living in Tsim Sha Tsui to learn about their daily lives and needs in Hong Kong. While Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing called on the elderly and grassroots families in Lai Tak Tsuen, Tai Hang.



Meanwhile, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong went to Shek Pai Wan Estate in Southern District to meet seniors living there.

Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung was in Central & Western District seeing elderly residents. Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau called on an elderly singleton and a grassroots family living in Kwai Chung.

At Sheung Tak Estate in Tseung Kwan O, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn met singleton seniors and stopped by grassroots households.

The elderly living in Lung Hang Estate, Tai Wai, received a visit from Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong.

While Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun headed to Tai Po Market to call on elderly residents.

The principal officials will visit more grassroots families tomorrow to deliver Lunar New Year blessing bags and seasonal greetings.

This story has been published on: 2024-02-08. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Chinese, Swiss FMs hope for stronger ties, FTA upgrade

Xinhua) 08:59, February 08, 2024

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, co-chairs the third round of the China-Switzerland Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue with Swiss Federal Councilor and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the third round of the China-Switzerland Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue with Swiss Federal Councilor and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis in Beijing on Wednesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China-Switzerland relations have stood the test of time, and are exemplary, being at the forefront of China's bilateral relations with Western countries.

China is ready to work with Switzerland to open up new prospects for China-Switzerland innovative strategic partnership under the guidance of leaders of the two states, Wang added.

Cassis said that the two countries understand each other and communicated candidly, and that bilateral cooperation has not been affected by the differences between the two sides. He added that Switzerland is willing to work with China to promote the bilateral partnership to a new level.

The two sides agreed to continue to respect each other's core interests and major concerns, respect each other's choice of system and development path, and make good use of multiple inter-governmental dialogue and cooperation mechanisms. They also pledged to deepen cooperation in fields such as finance, science and innovation, education, intellectual property rights, climate change, green development and winter sports.

Expressing their satisfaction with the feasibility study on upgrading the bilateral free-trade agreement, the two sides said they are willing to officially start the upgrade negotiations as soon as possible.

Wang introduced China's positive measures to promote high-level opening-up, calling on Switzerland to offer an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises. Cassis said he appreciated China's opening-up, and that Switzerland supports free trade and opposes protectionism.

Cassis spoke highly of China's visa-free policy for Swiss citizens, saying that Switzerland warmly welcomes Chinese tourists and will provide more visa facilitation for Chinese citizens and Chinese enterprises investing in Switzerland.

The two sides agreed to make good preparations for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the China-Switzerland Year of Culture and Tourism in 2025.

The two sides affirmed their support for the core role of the United Nations in international affairs, and their commitment to stepping up multilateral communication and coordination.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Three separate tax credit bills are one step closer to the desk of Gov. Brian Kemp, thanks to recent unanimous votes in the Georgia House of Representatives.

According to lawmakers, and legislative records, House Bills 1015, 1019 and 1021 were approved in the Georgia House and Senate, setting up a series of tax relief options for Georgia residents.

Should versions pass the Georgia Senate that match the versions in the House, and Kemp approves the bills and sign them into law, Georgians income taxes will be lowered, while the amounts covered by homestead exemptions for homeowners will be increased and impacts on taxes related to dependent exemptions will see increases for families.

Heres how those bills break down.

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HB 1015 makes good on a promise by both Kemp and lawmakers to bring income tax relief to Georgians.

In December, and again during a January address of the General Assembly, Kemp said he wanted to have the states income tax lowered to 5.39%, accelerating a pre-planned tax decrease to 4.99% that was already on the books.

TRENDING STORIES:

Separately, HB 1019 would increase the exemption levels for some of the states ad valorem taxes, as they relate to homeowners. Homestead exemptions are a property tax mechanism that allows a resident to claim a property as their primary residence, effectively freezing the property tax value for the home in question while they live there.

Under HB 1019, the exemption limit is increased from $2,000 to $4,000 of the value of a homestead. Any value increase over $4,000 will remain subject to taxation, according to the bill.

Additionally, a provision of the bill adjusts how ballot referenda related to tax rates is conducted beginning in November.

Finally, HB 1021 focuses on how income taxes are affected by dependent exemptions, or the tax carve-outs for care of other individuals who are not a spouse such as a child, elder or other relatives that a household financially supports. HB 1021 increases the exemption for each dependent from $3,000 to $4,000 and applies to all taxable years starting Jan. 1, 2024.

However, reporting by the Associated Press says there are some exceptions to provisions of HB 1021. Some counties have local homestead tax legislation that doesnt allow for the statewide exemption to be added on top of the local exemption. While its unclear how many homeowners the measure would affect, House Republicans said it would save homeowners statewide less than $100 million a year.

The AP further reported that some senators are likely to counter with a plan that would cap the rate at which assessed property values could rise for tax purposes, which could limit future property tax increases.

Following the passage of the three bills in the House, Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) released the following statement, in part:

Cutting taxes and returning more money to taxpayers continues to be a priority for the Georgia House of Representatives, and todays passage of HB 1015, HB 1019, and HB 1021 will help return over a billion dollars to Georgia families, homeowners, and taxpayers alike, adding that these priorities will deliver significant relief to taxpayers across the state, put more money back into their pockets, and continue to boost our economy as the best state in the country to live, work and raise a familyand I look forward to quick passage by the Senate and signature by Governor Kemp.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Smoke is seen bellowing from a Myanmar Border Police post following fighting between Myanmar security forces and Arakan Army, an ethnic minority army, in Ghumdhum, Bandarban, Bangladesh, on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. Nearly a hundred members of Myanmar's Border Guard Police have fled their posts and taken shelter in Bangladesh during fighting between Myanmar security forces and an ethnic minority army, an official of Bangladesh's border agency said Monday. (AP Photo/Shafiqur Rahman)

NEW DELHI (AP)  About 340 members of Myanmar's Border Guard Police and soldiers have fled into Bangladesh during fighting with an ethnic minority army, Bangladesh's foreign minister said Thursday.

Hasan Mahmud said 340 security personnel had entered Bangladesh by Wednesday. He said Bangladesh is having discussions with Myanmar's government about the issue and that it is willing to take them back.

Mahmud made the comments while on a visit to India, his first since becoming foreign minister last month.

Earlier this week, Bangladesh's border agency said some Myanmar troops had entered in recent days during fighting with the Arakan Army in Myanmar's Rakhine state bordering Bangladesh. It was the first time that Myanmar forces have been known to flee into Bangladesh since an alliance of ethnic minority armies in Myanmar launched an offensive against the military government late last year.

Officials said the troops that entered had been disarmed and taken to safe places.

Mahmud said he had also raised the issue with India, which shares a 1,643-kilometer (1,020-mile) border with Myanmar and is home to thousands of refugees from Myanmar in different states. Indian officials in November estimated that thousands had entered northeastern states in India to flee heavy fighting in Myanmar's western Chin state.

Separately on Thursday, India's Home Ministry announced that it would end visa-free movement between India and Myanmar to ensure the internal security of the country. The Free Movement Regime, as it is known, is an agreement between the two countries that allows people living along the border to travel up to 16 kilometers (10 miles) inside the other country without a visa.

The Arakan Army is the military wing of the Rakhine ethnic minority that seeks autonomy from Myanmars central government. It has been attacking army outposts in the western state since November.

It is part of an alliance of ethnic minority armies called the Three Brotherhood Alliance that launched an offensive in October and gained strategic territory in Myanmars northeast bordering China. Its success was seen as a major defeat for the military government, which seized power in February 2021 from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and is now embroiled in a wide-ranging civil war.

Bangladesh shares a 271-kilometer (168-mile) border with Buddhist-dominated Myanmar and hosts more than 1 million Muslim Rohingya refugees, many of whom fled from Myanmar starting in August 2017 when its military launched a brutal clearance operation against them following attacks by an insurgent group.
North Carolinas 2024 primary elections are coming up, with multiple high-profile races for the state legislature in the Charlotte area.

In a year when theres not that many interesting primaries statewide, the lions share of the most compelling races are in districts in and around Mecklenburg County, according to Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper.

Its hard to get even one candidate from both parties to run, much less multiple candidates from the same party, he said. So the Charlotte area tends to have some of the more interesting races, meaning really some of the only competitive ones in the state, he said.

From crowded fields to heated campaigns, political experts say theres plenty to come before voters head to the polls on March 5. Here are four of the most interesting primaries to watch:

House District 105: The fight to face Cotham

In southeast Mecklenburg County, three Democrats are vying for the chance to take on incumbent Tricia Cotham in the new state House District 105.

Cotham, who made headlines when she gave Republicans a veto-proof supermajority in Raleigh by switching parties in April, is running in a newly drawn, conservative-leaning 105.

One of her challengers is a familiar name: Yolonda Holmes, who ran against Cotham for the Democratic nomination for her old district in 2022.

Nicole Sidman, a lawyer who now works for Temple Beth El, and Terry Lansdell, a longtime community advocate for transit, round out the Democratic field.

The right candidate, Democratic strategist Dan McCorkle said, will need to be well-funded and willing to take it to Cotham.

And, he added, that candidate will have to campaign hard in the primary to get their chance in November.

Its gonna be a very competitive primary, he said. Theres lots of angles.

While the district leans Republican  the newly drawn district keeps Mint Hill but stretches farther into southeastern Mecklenburg County, which leans more Republican, the News & Observer reported previously  McCorkle thinks his partys nominee could have a chance in November.

Its still a competitive district because youre gonna find very few areas in Mecklenburg County that are going to be totally favorable to a Republican, he said.

Senate District 41: Crowded field to succeed Natasha Marcus

Four Democrats are running for the chance to succeed outgoing Democratic Sen. Natasha Marcus in northern Mecklenburg. A three-term incumbent, Marcus is forgoing another term in her current position to run for state commissioner of insurance after she said she was drawn out of the district during redistricting.

Anytime you have an incumbent stepping away from a seat that is leaning this heavily towards one party, youre gonna see a competitive primary. Thats exactly what weve got going on here, Cooper said of the primary race this cycle.

Among the candidates is Caleb Theodros, former chair of the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg and a past candidate for Charlotte City Council District 3. If elected, Theodros said he would focus on economic development and mental health.

Lucille Puckett is another experienced candidate, having previously run for Charlotte mayor and the state legislature. She also has leadership experience with the Charlotte Housing Authority Board and NAACP, among other civic groups, and said she would prioritize addressing senseless gun violence, low-income housing and economic mobility if elected.

And fellow candidate Kendrick Cunningham previously ran for Charlotte City Council District 2 and has an extensive background in political and community organizing with the Democratic Party and other groups. Cunningham said he thinks the districts most pressing issues are a lack of diverse housing options available at multiple different price points, crime rates and the state of public schools.

The fourth candidate in the district is Robert Bruns, a political newcomer and retired credit union CEO. Bruns said hes focused on preserving access to abortion, competitive pay for teachers and police and improving roads in Charlotte.

McCorkle said the fact that multiple candidates have political experience and name recognition could make for a tight race.

Thats gonna be fascinating  Its gonna be a hardball contest, he said.

The winning candidate will need to get a fundraising edge and endorsements from influential local groups, McCorkle added.

House Districts 82 and 83: Republican fights in Cabarrus

On the Republican side, primaries in House District 82, in Cabarrus County, and House District 83, in Cabarrus and Rowan counties, could get interesting.

In District 82, Brian Echevarria and incumbent Kevin Crutchfield face off.

GOP strategist Larry Shaheen said Echevarria could face hurdles because of how he handled his previous run for state House office, when he lost to Democrat Diamond Staton-Williams. His 2022 campaign made headlines when he was tied to a Facebook page called Spank That Tail, which posted memes about spanking children who, among other things, were caught twerking and not going to church. Echevarria took credit for the page but said it was a joke, the Observer reported at the time.

A financial advisor, Echevarria directed the Observer to his campaign website when asked about his top issues in his 2024 candidate survey. The website says his campaign is focused on securing North Carolinas future with conservative values, promoting faith, family, and freedoms and fighting government corruption. He is a past chairman of the Cabarrus County Republican Party.

Elected in 2022, Crutchfield is the CFO and founder of CASCO Signs. He said the top issues facing the district include small business support, health care costs, fighting human trafficking, opposing abortion and protecting women in sports.

In District 83, Grant Campbell and Brad Jenkins are competing for the Republican nomination.

Although Jenkins has run for office in the district before, Shaheen said he thinks Campbells background as a veteran and doctor makes him a strong candidate.

Campbell said his top priorities if elected would include lowering taxes, expanding vocational training, increasing access to health care in rural communities and providing resources to law enforcement and prosecutors.

Jenkins is a Baptist pastor and served as chair of the Rowan Republican Party. He told the Observer Intentionally planning for the continued growth of our area and working collaboratively with local governments to ensure they have what is needed would be top priorities if elected.

Both are seats that have moved more towards the Republican party thanks to redistricting, Cooper said, which could make the GOP primaries extremely interesting.
Immigration/foreign aid deal stalled: And it's Ukraine that stands to lose.

Ukrainian military officials told The New York Times that on the eastern front, in places like Avdiivka, "the ratio of Russian to Ukrainian artillery fire is five to one," which means Ukrainian soldiers are being forced to conserve and put their own lives in danger when smaller groups of Russian forces approach. Russia, meanwhile, is being supplied by North Korea, Iran, and China.

It's an example of how American congressional haggling has a direct impact on the Zelenskyy-Putin showdown in Ukraine. Currently, America supplies about half of Ukraine's total foreign aid, to the tune of nearly $50 billion. But now, a deal that would have cracked down on the U.S.-Mexico border while supplying aid to Israel and Ukraine has collapsed in the Senate. To some, the stalled aid package is evidence that America is beginning to quench her thirst for foreign entanglements; to others, it's a gloomy sign that Ukraine may fall without continued U.S. assistance.

"Ukraine has found itself outgunned before," reports the Times. "In the first days, the military handed rifles from the backs of trucks to all willing to take them in Kyiv, as Russian troops advanced through the city's suburbs. Eventually, new American weaponry arrived, such as the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, known as HIMARS, and Patriot air defense missiles. Now, Ukraine is once again seeking ways to adapt and improvise by expanding domestic armaments manufacturing and relying more heavily on drones built from commercially available, off-the-shelf parts."

Ukraine has also self-sabotaged via its own internal corruption scandals, including one involving top defense officials allegedly embezzling some $40 million meant to buy more arms.

Milei takes some heat: Yesterday, news broke that the party of Argentine President Javier Milei, La Libertad Avanza, has introduced a bill to parliament that would ban abortion in the country.

Abortion would be criminalized for women who seek it as well as for their doctors, a repeal of the Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy Law, which currently legalizes abortion up to 14 weeks in Argentina (and forces taxpayers to pay for it so the government may provide it to anyone who wants it, free of charge).

La Libertad Avanza's bill calls for judges to have a great deal of discretion when deciding criminal penalties for abortion-seekers. Judges should consider "the reasons that prompted her to commit the crime, her subsequent attitude, and the nature of the fact" and prison terms should range from one to three years.

More on Mileithe good and the badfrom my co-conspirator Zach Weissmueller:

Javier Milei's swift action intended to transform Argentina's floundering economy provoked the country's biggest labor union to call tens of thousands to protest in Buenos Aires against his libertarian agenda. pic.twitter.com/WJn6ySB4UV  reason (@reason) January 31, 2024

(And this episode of Just Asking Questions, with the delightful Marcos Falcone, touched on abortion attitudes in Argentina, as well as Milei's possible approach.)

Scenes from Berlin:

(Liz Wolfe)

A Spielplatz (playground) in Berlin that's only for 6- to 12-year-olds. No parents allowed, no rules, no babies. A perfect free-range/free-play environment. (Reminds me of The Yard, New York's only adventure playground, on Governor's Island.) The kids had made a massive bonfire, which is part terrifying, part awesome. Can't wait to go back and visit again when my son is older.

QUICK HITS

"Those who argue that the tax code shouldn't favor parenthood treat children as a lifestyle choice or a consumption good, like a Tesla," writes Tim Carney in The Wall Street Journal. "The tax code shouldn't be pro-Tesla, but it should be pro-human, especially amid our baby bust."

Socialized healthcare isn't what people think:

All these dumb Americans who think socialized healthcare is the only metric that matters should go visit a cancer-stricken relative as they lay dying in an NHS hospital in Britain. I done that, friend, and it ain't whatever you think it is. It's not happiness and salvation.  Ben Dreyfuss (@bendreyfuss) February 8, 2024

"Former Barclays Plc Chief Executive Officer Jes Staley has long maintained that he cut off his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein once he became boss of the UK bank," reports Bloomberg. "Legal documents seen by Bloomberg News claim that he had indirect contact with the late pedophile financier for years after that" via an intermediary.

Sweet Marianne, gone but not forgotten. She will live on in our hearts.

Yes:

I wish these people spent as much time investigating the rampant fraud and corruption of our public servants as they do "exposing" the identity of anonymous fintwit meme accounts https://t.co/8S7X458c6B  Mike Solana (@micsolana) February 8, 2024

Very normal, healthy behavior: "Pakistan has suspended mobile calls and data services as millions head to the polls to vote in a new government," reports the BBC.

The regulators are coming for your paella. "A Spanish rice variety traditionally used to make paella is under threat from a fungus after the European Union banned a pesticide farmers said they relied upon, in another example of how the bloc's environmental rules are angering growers," reports Reuters.

Truly:

These ghouls always use the word "resurfaced" like it's a dead body that floated to the top of a lake. No. You searched for them, like gravediggers, picking the bones of the dead. pic.twitter.com/5beftNUUT8  Bridget Phetasy (@BridgetPhetasy) February 7, 2024

The post 5 to 1 appeared first on Reason.com.
INDEPENDENCE, Mo.  Family tells FOX4 a 7-year-old Independence girl has died Thursday after a crash earlier this week blamed on a large pothole.

The crash happened just before 5 p.m. Monday. Seven-year-old Tiler Dildine was one of three people injured in the wreck on East 23rd Street Trafficway near Stark Avenue.

Kansas City woman discovers her missing car was sold and scrapped

Tilers family said she was hit broadside after the vehicle she was riding in crossed the median, overcorrecting after hitting the pothole.

The little girl was on life support for several days after the crash. But after multiple tests showing no brain activity, she was declared dead Thursday morning, Tilers aunt Rachel McGee told FOX4.

McGee said she will be an organ donor.

The family has set up a GoFundMe for Tilers mother.

Tilers mother is also hospitalized with a potentially broken pelvis and other health issues. The driver of a F-150 truck also involved in the crash was in critical condition immediately after the crash.

Parents concerned with out-of-control fights at KCK high school

Since FOX4s reporting on this tragic crash, the Missouri Department of Transportation put up a long line of traffic cones around the pothole.

On Wednesday, MoDOT said a likely water main break will need to be repaired before the potholes can be filled. But a spokesperson for Kansas City said they do not have any water mains or ground pipes in the area.

But on Thursday, FOX4 cameras captured crews out working on filling the pothole.

Still none of this has been soothing for family members who blame the pothole for causing the crash.

Its also disturbing for Moriah Cox, who banged up her car in that same pothole about 24 hours before the wreck that has now killed the 7-year-old girl.

It was so hard, you know? Im just surprised my car went over it. Im surprised I didnt lose control, Cox said.

Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android

She called Kansas Citys 311 line and said an employee told her it could take 60 days to fix.

I understand normal potholes. But this is an issue, and especially because somebody wrecked and people are hurt, you know what I mean? Cox said.

FOX4 asked the city of Kansas City and MoDOT if they received any reports about this pothole ahead of the crash or even before then. Both said they had not.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Would you like Victoria to rate your portfolio? Email money@telegraph.co.uk with the subject line: Rate my portfolio. Please include a breakdown of your portfolio, your age and what your investing goals are. Full names will not be published.

Dear Victoria,

Myself and my wife are both retired 70-year-olds.

We have final salary pensions which meet all our living expenses and have plenty of cash savings for emergencies.

We have also built up investments over the past 40 years which are held in Isas. We want the Isas to provide an extra income for luxuries and holidays, whilst also growing in value to meet any future needs during old age and eventually inheritance for our children.

Id appreciate your thoughts on our investments.

Kind Regards,

John

Dear John,

Theres a lot to be positive about both in terms of your financial position as well as your portfolio. Its good to hear youve got plenty of cash savings as well as pensions which meet your living expenses.

And congrats on amassing an investment portfolio worth nearly 570,000 over 40 years  youre living proof of the value of long-term investing: time in the market is more important than timing the market, as they say.

On first glance, it looks like youve got some pretty good geographical diversification with funds investing in Japan, emerging markets, UK, Europe, and more.

However, on closer inspection youve actually allocated almost half of your portfolio to the UK, which in my opinion is too high. While Im all for flying the flag for UK Plc, in recent years, the London market has underperformed stock markets in the US and elsewhere in Europe, for various reasons which spooked many international investors.

Our data suggests that global portfolios have typically outperformed domestically focused equivalents in recent history, so reducing your allocation to the UK might serve you well.

Since you mentioned youre looking for income from your portfolio, the UK has some attractive dividends on offer, as you know, so keeping hold of your higher yielding stocks like L&G, yielding 7.8pc and Imperial Brands also paying 7.8pc as well as your dividend funds (Artemis Income Retail and Vanguard FTSE UK Equity Income) makes sense.

Since I dont know what you paid for each of your holdings, I cant comment on performance, but have a look through and see if there are any stocks or funds you could trim  perhaps some names that have been dragging on your performance and you dont feel particularly attached to.

Youve got a high number of total holdings anyway, so simplifying things down should give you the added benefit of a more manageable portfolio.

The next thing I notice is a vast number of small positions accounting for less than 1pc each such as Liontrust SF Global Growth, Chelverton UK Equity Growth, Jupiter Asian Income, JPMorgan Japan Fund and Jupiter India, putting you at risk of diworsification, if youll pardon the terrible pun.

These positions arent big enough to power the returns youre after. Rather than holding four small-ish positions in Japanese funds, for example, why not cut this down to one or two.

Similarly for emerging markets, you could choose one fund and allocate a meaningful amount, say 5pc of your portfolio to it.

Remember funds have in-built diversification, so you dont need to go overboard. Again, trimming your total holdings is no bad thing, and will make looking after your portfolio less timing consuming and less stressful during retirement.

Now thats freed up some cash to invest, I would focus on three things  a higher allocation to American shares, a greater exposure to bonds and more dividends.

Starting with the first, while you do have exposure to the US via your global funds, I think youre lacking in dedicated North America funds.

Theres no denying that US shares are pricey  the S&P 500 continues to scale fresh record highs, and better valuations can be found elsewhere. But US equities are expensive for good reason, given the resilience of its economy and the sheer force of the Magnificent Seven. Continued outperformance to date makes it a region thats hard to ignore.

Some options worth exploring include Vanguard S&P 500 ETF and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF, both costing 0.07pc a year to own Americas largest companies.

Another option is iShares Core MSCI World ETF, which owns around 1,500 companies in the developed world, with around 70pc invested in the US and costs 0.2pc a year. These funds will give you exposure to the artificial intelligence theme, as the US tech giants are among their top holdings.

Since you mentioned youre worried about paying a lot in fees, trackers are a great way to keep a lid on costs.

Secondly, I think a greater allocation to bonds might work well, allowing you to make the most of the higher yielding environment.

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Safe-haven bonds are also a good way to hedge yourself against the risk of a stock market sell-off.

Check out Vanguard Global Bond Index Hedged, Jupiter Strategic Bond and Rathbone Ethical Bond. Another couple of ideas for you would be to up your allocation to Royal London Money Market and switch your Vanguard Life Strategy 80pc fund to a lower equity, higher bond allocation equivalent such as either the 60pc or 40pc version in the same range.

Finally, if youre wanting to achieve greater income from your portfolio, three funds that have proven to be consistent dividend payers for decades are City of London, JPMorgan Claverhouse and Merchants Trust, which have respectively increased payouts for 57, 51 and 41 years.

Each has a dividend yield of around 5pc. For a global income idea, take a look at JPMorgan Global Growth & Income which is popular with our customers and yields 3.5pc or the Vanguard FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield ETF.

If I were you, Id focus on streamlining the portfolio down to a smaller number of total holdings, rejigging the geographical exposure a bit, and adding in some higher yielding dividend and bond funds. Best of luck!

Victoria is head of investment at Interactive Investor. Her columns should not be taken as advice or as a personal recommendation, but as a starting point for readers to undertake their own further research. You can see her previous columns here

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.
A civilian woman has been killed in the city of Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast during a Russian rocket attack on the afternoon of 8 February.

Source: Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "Another person was killed by the Russians in Avdiivka. This afternoon, the Russians launched rocket attacks on the city, killing a 72-year-old woman and damaging two houses."

Details: Filashkin stressed that over 900 residents still remain in Avdiivka, and each of them puts themselves in deadly danger every day.

"I urge everyone: be responsible! Evacuate!" Filashkin stressed.

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Richard Plaud's 23.6-foot model of the Eiffel Tower built with 706,900 matchsticks is viewed in front of a crowd on Jan. 7, 2024

A French man reached for the sky trying to build the tallest matchstick sculpture, but world record officials may have caused his dream to shatter to pieces.

Richard Plaud said he spent eight years crafting a 23.6-foot model of the Eiffel Tower using 706,900 matchsticks and over 50 pounds of glue. However, the Guinness Book of World Records said he used the wrong type of matchsticks, disqualifying Plaud from beating the standing record.

Plaud, a council worker for a local authority, said Guinness told him that because the matchsticks were not commercially available and not recognized as matchsticks, his attempt would be disqualified. He added that the organization said the matches can not be cut, disassembled or distorted beyond recognition.

"The Guinness Book judges have delivered their verdict, without actually seeing my turn," Plaud wrote in French on his a Facebook page. "BIG DISILLUSION, DISAPPOINTMENT AND INCOMPREHENSION. Tell me that the 706,900 rods stuck one by one are not matches!!?? And they are too cut to the point of being unrecognizable!!??"

The current record holder is Toufic Daher, from Lebanon, who made a matchstick Eiffel Tower that reached 21.4 feet tall in 2009 with 6 million matches. Plaud's replica is about two feet higher.

'A little heavy handed': Guinness reverses decision on modified matchstick Eiffel Tower

Guinness will review Plaud's tower afterall

However, Plaud's structure still stands tall and so does his attempt at beating the record.

Mark McKinley, director of Guinness central records services, said judges may have been too quick to dismiss the Plaud's structure, according to NBC News.

"Its the job of our records management team to be thorough and fastidious in reviewing evidence to make sure the playing field is level for everyone attempting a Guinness World Records title, however it does appear we might have been a little heavy-handed with this application," McKinley told the outlet. "We will make contact with the record holder again as well as review rules for similar records as a priority, to see what can be done."

Discussions with Guinness on revising his file are underway, Plaud confirmed to USA TODAY on Wednesday.

USA TODAY has reached out to Guinness World Records and for comment on the latest status of the review.

'Having a world record was a childhood dream'

Since December 2015, Plaud has been long at work at making the tower match by match, according to French newspaper Le Parisien. With each piece he placed and glued, he stuck to his goal of surpassing the 2009 record.

"Having a world record was a childhood dream. I always had that in the back of my mind," Plaud told Le Parisien.

Plaud initially bought his matches at the supermarket and cut off the sulfur heads of each one, a process that grew frustrating. Le Parisien reported that he eventually reached a deal with a manufacturer and received 33-pound boxes of headless matches. However, that convenience came at a cost as the matches could not be bought by regular customers, ultimately leading to the Guinness dispute.

He finally completed the project the project on Dec. 27, 2023, which notably is the 100th anniversary of French civil engineer Gustave Eiffel's death. Eiffel developed the iconic Paris tower named after him.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tallest matchstick Eiffel Tower disqualified by Guinness over matches
A storied castle where the co-founder of Abercrombie & Fitch and his family summered a century ago is seeking a new owner to write its next chapter.

David T. Abercrombies 49.6-acre estate can be yours for the princely price of $2.9 million. Its located in the town of New Castle, although the mailing address is in the town of Ossining.

Abercrombie, who opened the clothing brands first store in 1892 in Manhattan, had the imposing 25-room stone castle built in the late 1920s.

This undated photo shows the Abercrombie castle in New Castle, NY.

Nowadays, the Scottish-style castle sits boarded up and under video surveillance to keep out the curious and vandalous. The estate is listed by Christina DiMinno of Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty, who has been involved with the property since 2017.

The stone mansions design was inspired by Abercrombies wife, Lucy. Her family owned the Abbott Steel company, builder of the Monitor and the Merrimack warships and the steel reinforcements for the U.S. Capitol rotunda, according to Doug Leen, whose great-uncle was David T. Abercrombie.

Locally quarried granite and fieldstone was used to construct the castles 24-inch-thick walls, DiMinno said, and steel reinforcement beams were brought in from Pennsylvania.

The couple named their home Elda, an acronym using the first letter of their childrens names: Elizabeth, Lucy, David and Abbott.

The estate boasted trails for hiking and horseback riding, a swimming pool, shooting range, and a pond for fishing. The trails designed by David Abercrombie are still marked on the property.

The castles rustic lodge-style great room had an exposed beam ceiling, chandeliers, Persian rugs, mooseheads covering the walls and a Steinway piano, Leen said.

He was the consummate outdoorsman of the time, Leen said. Abercrombie & Fitch outfitted Admiral Byrd, Ernest Hemingway, Amelia Earhart, Jack Kennedy.

A fire in the 1940s destroyed a portion of the five-story, 4,337-square-foot castle and decimated the interior.

The structure is sound, weve had that identified, but the interior must be redone or rebuilt, DiMinno said.

Potential buyers would be an owner keen on restoring it to its former grandeur, or a developer  the property can accommodate single-family homes on 2-acre plots, she said. Its owned by international investors.

The estate comprises three parcels, two of which are undeveloped. The castle and a stone barn sit on 26.25 acres.

Abercrombie family tragedies

Abercrombie owned a three-story factory off Dale Avenue in Ossining that waterproofed canvas by melting paraffin using gasoline, according to the Ossining Historical Society.

His daughter, Lucy, died in an accident at the factory in November 1929 when the mixture was set off by a spark. She was taken to the Ossining Hospital on Spring Street (now the site of the Star of Bethlehem Church) where she died.

Abercrombies son, David, also died tragically at age 35 after he was kicked in the abdomen by a horse on his Wyoming ranch in 1937.

David T. Abercrombie, whose family once owned hundreds of acres in the vicinity, died in 1931, and his widow later sold the property.

After World War II, Elda was vacant until 1964 when Jim Harrick, president of Harrick Scientific Corp., bought the castle and his family lived there for more than 20 years, according to a 2020 article in The Journal News when the property was priced at $3.5 million.

When Leen visited Elda in 2010, it was owned by Beth Lamont, wife of Corliss Lamont, a socialist author, teacher and humanist philosopher who died at the estate in 1993. She subsequently sold the property to an investor.

When I was there it was graffitied up, Leen said. The last trip I made the fixtures were torn off the walls, doors were smashed in, hinges were stolen.

Leen, a former ranger in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, is holding out hope that this piece of family history can recapture its glory.

I would love to see this become a public park and the building restored, said Leen, whose website contains information about the estate.

The Castle Elda

Address: 249 Croton Dam Road, New Castle, NY

49.6 acres on three lots

Year built: 1927

Annual property taxes: $74,000

Robert Brum is a freelance journalist who writes about the Hudson Valley. Contact him and read his work at robertbrum.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Abercrombie & Fitch founders castle up for sale in Westchester NY
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Abilene ISD will officially allow chaplains to volunteer in schools.

AISD school board members voted on the measure during a meeting earlier this week in order to comply with Senate Bill 763, which says Texas schools must take action on the use of chaplains, by either allowing them to replace school counselors, allowing them to serve as volunteers, or not allowing them at all.

School officials argued that replacing counselors with chaplains would not be beneficial because counselors have more specialized training in child psychology and development.

Chaplains would be utilized during times of crisis and need, such as a death within the AISD student body or staff.

These chaplains would be members of the community who are qualified, usually through some sort of religious occupation, and vetted.

Potentially, chaplains who are already employed with agencies like the police and fire departments would be able to help Abilene ISD during time of crisis in a pinch, but they would not be allowed to have unsupervised access to any students.

Chaplains who will be around students unsupervised will be subjected to a thorough background check, including fingerprinting.

School board members voted unanimously to approve allowing chaplains to serve as volunteers.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  The Abilene Police Department is asking for public assistance in identifying a woman who may have information regarding a theft in south Abilene.

Courtesy of the Abilene Police Department

On December 11, 2023, a theft occurred at the Goodwill at 3850 Ridgemont Drive. Police believe the woman pictured above may have information about this investigation.

If you have any information, please get in touch with Abilene Crime Stoppers at (325) 676-8477 (TIPS). You can remain anonymous and eligible for a reward.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
An Abilene Police Department veteran with nearly a decade of service uncovered alleged wrongdoings in the training division. She reported these alleged wrongdoings to the proper oversight agency. In return, she received a reduction in pay and a division transfer. Her response was a lawsuit against the City of Abilene.

Today, at the city council meeting, council members voted in under 15 minutes to settle the lawsuit in order to avoid a jury trial. They did not release the details of the settlement that she received in recompense for the city's alleged violation of the Texas Whistleblower Act.

They voted unanimously to approve the settlement in under two minutes and were uncharacteristically tight-lipped, without asking a single question before putting it to a vote. City Manager Robert Hanna was absent from today's council meeting.

The city council voted unanimously to approve the settlement, Sharra Sampson v. City of Abilene.

"This is a whistleblower case"

The petition filed on September 14, 2020, with the Taylor County Courthouse, alleged that "this is a whistleblower case." The lawsuit, "Sharra Sampson vs. City of Abilene," alleged that the City of Abilene's former Chief of Police retaliated against for her reporting a "violation of statutes and regulations" to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)."

According to the Texas Attorney General, the Texas Whistleblower Act (TWA) protects public employees who report violations of law by their employer. An employer in return, cannot take adverse action against that reporter.

Her story

Sampson began working for the Abilene Police Department on October 10, 2011. From approximately 2017-2019, Sampson worked for "the Training Academy as Training Division Secretary."

According to court documents, she attended TCOLE training which described the nature of advisory boards in training academies. According to TCOLE standards, those boards must have "at least one-third" consist of members of the public.

After her training, Sampson emailed her Field Service Agent to "ask if Officer Chris Collins who replaced Officer Phil Sage would be considered an Advisory Board Member." Her designated agent responded to Sampson that he didn't think so "as Sage had not been considered an Advisory Board Member."

That agent forward her email to the Statewide Academy Evaluator, who oversees "the compliance of academy operations." That evaluator, Malcolm Jackson, called Sampson on November 19, 2019, and instructed her to "go through each board member's file, as well as the by-laws."

Sampson subsequently discovered that several of the current advisory board members were ineligible, as they worked for agencies with their own police departments. Members of the public cannot have "affiliation with other police departments" and Hardin-Simmons University and Abilene Christian University each have their own police force.

At the time, the APD Advisory Board included "Karin Brown (HSU), Stephanie Hamm (ACU), Lindsay Hoxsey (APD), Steven Levesque (City of Abilene), and Adam Ybarra (ACU), none of whom qualify as public members." Only Virginia Moser qualified as a public member.

Retaliation?

After Sharra Sampson reported her findings to Sgt. Nikki Hill, Training Division Sergeant, and Britney Martinez, civilian instructor at the Academy, Sampson was called into the chief's office on December 16, 2019.

There she met with Hill and then police chief Stan Stanridge, who informed her that she had "been making typographical errors," and that she wasn't the best person to represent the academy to TCOLE. Sampson was then told she was "being transferred to the Records Division" and would receive "a reduction in pay."

On December 23, 2019, Sampson filed a grievance, which resulted in an investigation. Human Resources Director Brenda Alexander presented Sampson with the investigation summary, and found that the actions of management had appeared to "be justified."

Consequences for the City's alleged wrongdoings

Sampson's lawsuit alleged that the City of Abilene had violated the Whistleblower Act. In return she sued for damages, "in the form of past and future lost wages" seeking between $200,000 and $1 million from the city. It remains to be seen how much the city council will award her in the settlement.

If the city had decided not to settle, there would have been a jury trial February 26. Potential witnesses could have numbered more than 40 to include members of the City of Abilene staff and the Abilene Police Department.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Abilene Police whistleblower lawsuit settled
FILE PHOTO: Aboriginal groups march against planned changes in heritage protection laws, in Perth

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - An Aboriginal group from Western Australia's iron ore producing region will inspect an important cultural site in the coming days after it received a notice from Rio Tinto of possible damage, the group's chief executive said.

Rio's destruction of rock shelters at Juukan Gorge in 2020 prompted a global outcry, the departure of top executives and a parliamentary enquiry that recommended an overhaul of Australia's Aboriginal heritage protection laws.

"The Robe River Kuruma Aboriginal Corporation was advised by Rio Tinto in late December of the potential impact on a rock shelter at the Mesa C Robe Valley operations," Anthony Galante, Chief Executive Officer of Robe River Kuruma Aboriginal Corporation (RRKAC) told Reuters.

"This related to potential vibration exceedances from blasting in the area and is of serious and ongoing concern to us," he said in an emailed statement late on Wednesday.

Rio Tinto has advised the group that a preliminary investigation found no damage to the shelter but it has not performed an on-ground inspection due to cultural restrictions, RRKAC said. Rio Tinto did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Last August, Rio Tinto said a blast impact had led to the fall of a Pilbara scrub tree and one square metre of rock from the overhang of a separate rock shelter estimated to have been inhabited for over 40,000 years.

Muntulgura Guruma elders walked off a heritage survey at the Nammuldi site over concerns the global miner had played down the harm it caused them.

Given that history, the RRKAC has "grave concerns" about Rio Tinto's ability to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage, Galante said.

"Members of the RRKAC will therefore be travelling to the area in coming days to carry out their own investigation."

Rio said last August it had reformed its practices since Juukan Gorge, adding the detection of the potential blast impact at the Nammuldi site was the first time in 1,800 blasts that it had detected such a disturbance.

(Reporting by Melanie Burton; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
An acclaimed North Carolina restaurant brand is expanding into Durham with its first Triangle location.

The Mexican restaurant Fonda Lupita opened in Durhams Brightleaf Square this week, launching a new counter restaurant on Main Street. Fonda Lupita grabbed local and regional headlines in 2021 when the online food publication Eater declared its tiny Sanford spot one of the countrys best new restaurants.

Owned by sisters Biridiana and Alondra Frausto, Fonda Lupita became a notable destination for authentic Mexican dishes including particularly crispy, airy griddled gorditas filled with stews; quesabirria tacos; and weekend menudo. The recipes are based on those cooked by the restaurants namesake, Lupita, the Frausto sisters mother.

Soon diners were driving from the Triangle to Sanford to sample the menu, and Fonda Lupita outgrew its tiny space. Eventually the restaurant moved to a larger location in Sanford and recently reopened the original spot as the seafood-centric Maricos No. Juan.

The new Fonda Lupita is counter service, plus a row of bar seating. The menu mirrors the Sanford original, including newer additions like birria ramen, empanadas and tortas.

The Durham Fonda Lupita is the second new restaurant to open in a changing Brightleaf Square. Last year the Greek taverna Nikos opened from Giorgios Bakatsias and two others are still in the works: a relocated Zwelis Kitchen and Emmy Squared.

Hours: Fonda Lupita is open seven days a week, starting at 11 a.m.

How Fonda Lupita believed in itself and became NCs most acclaimed new restaurant
The Eastern Military Command shot down a Russian missile over Kryvyi Rih in Dnipro Oblast, as reported by the head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration Serhiy Lysak in Telegram on Feb. 8.

Kryvyi Rih mayor Yuriy Vilkul added that explosions were heard in the city.

"No details, but everything is fine," he wrote.

Read also: Russian drone strike cutting power to Kryvyi Rih was among key infrastructure attacks in 12 months

Previously, the Air Forces warned of a missile threat to several oblasts of Ukraine. Later, the military wrote that the Russians had launched an aircraft missile, presumably an X-59, in the direction of Kryvyi Rih.

Earlier, on Feb. 3, Russian drones struck an energy infrastructure facility in Kryvyi Rih, prompting emergency blackouts in the city. During one day, power was restored.

Ukrenergo later reported that the attack on the city's energy infrastructure was one of the most massive attacks on the energy sector in a year.

Read also: Schools, hospitals, & kindergartens go dark as 100,000 lose power in RU drone strike on Kryvyi Rih

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
Air Force officials are considering bringing back warrant officers and may start creating a training program this year, reversing a decision from 65 years ago when the service ended that grade, according to a planning document obtained by Military.com.

The three-page planning order says that "great power competition" -- Defense Department lingo for escalating defense spending and resources against adversaries such as China -- is underscoring the need to resurrect warrant officers, the corps of highly technical service members who are above the enlisted ranks but below the commissioned officer ranks.

"The service must examine new ways to develop and retain a highly capable, technologically capable corps of air-minded warfighters," the document says. "To fully leverage the technical depth and breadth of talent of our airmen and cultivate the strategic advantage USAF technicians have historically provided, we will make the necessary preparations to re-establish a WO [warrant officer] corps and deliver foundational training for designated WO-1 candidates."

Read Next: New Tricare Contracts to Kick Off in 2025, Promising Improved Quality and Service for Beneficiaries

The planning order, which originated from Air University and was dated Jan. 26, was marked controlled unclassified information, a term used for unclassified but protected information.

Rose Riley, a Department of the Air Force spokeswoman, declined to comment on the document but noted that next week is the Air and Space Forces Association's Warfare Symposium in Colorado, a conference where Air Force officials often make policy announcements and speak with members of the press.

"There's nothing we have to offer on that," Riley said. "Anything related to the [secretary of the Air Force's] plans for re-optimizing for great power competition will be announced next week."

Warrant officers are used by the other service branches as highly technical subject matter experts and single-track leaders. They typically come from the enlisted ranks.

The Air Force had warrant officers when it spun off into a separate service branch in 1947, a role it had inherited from the Army.

According to the Warrant Officer Historical Foundation, the Air Force discontinued the grade in 1959.

"They determined that structure, training and retention needs were best served by eliminating their warrant officer program," the Warrant Officer Historical Foundation said on its website. "There were approximately 4,500 Air Force warrant officer authorizations when this decision was made."

The last active-duty Air Force warrant officer was CWO-4 James H. Long, who retired in 1980, according to the foundation.

The last Air Force Reserve warrant officer, CWO-4 Bob Barrow, retired from the ranks in 1992, and was honorarily promoted to CWO-5. He is still the only person in the Air Force ever to hold that grade.

It does not appear, per the document, that the new warrant officer program would be producing pilots.

The Air Force's January planning document details what it will take "to develop a concept of operations (CONOP) to establish a training pipeline to reintroduce a USAF non-aviation warrant officer (WO) program as a technical corps NLT October 2024."

The Air Force has previously shot down the idea of using warrant officers as a way to fill the ongoing pilot shortage with aviators. In 2018, Air Force officials said at a conference that the Rand Corp. think tank was tasked with looking at the idea but its study did not recommend it, Military.com reported.

If the training program is successful and occurs, it would be "effectively delivering foundational training for up to 200 junior WO-1s per year and up to 50 senior warrant officers WO-2s -- WO-5s with officer's commissions per year to build and sustain a WO corps."

Candidates to become warrant officers could come from the active-duty, Air National Guard and reserve, according to the pre-decisional document.

Related: Air Force Again Shoots Down Proposal to Make Warrant Officer Pilots
Ukraine shot down 11 Shahed-type attack drones launched by Russia overnight on Feb. 8, the Air Force said in its morning update.

The drones were launched from Cape Chauda in occupied Crimea.

Russian forces launched 17 separate attacks that mainly targeted Mykolaiv, Odesa, Vinnytsia, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts in the latest attack.

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

Drone attacks are a near daily occurrence in Ukraine, affecting various regions across the country.

Ukrainian authorities have continuously expected Russian attacks over the course of the winter, with Moscow focusing on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and other civilian sites. Overnight on Feb. 7, Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack across Ukraine that killed 5 and injured 50.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russias large-scale attack kills 5, injures 50

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Explosions have been heard in the Russian city of Belgorod and missle traces are visible in the sky, likely from air defense, reported Russian Telegram channel Zhest Belgorod on Feb. 8.

The Ministry of Defense of Russia said that 12 Ukrainian missiles were allegedly shot down over Belgorod Oblast.

Read also: Ukrainian missile attack on Russias Belgorod Oblast  Russian Defense Ministry claims

Earlier, on Feb. 8, Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said that the villages of Novaya Tavolzhanka and Rzhivka in Shebekinsky Raion came under fire. He claims that five people were injured. Gladkov also claimed that air defense shot down a UAV near the village of Bezsonovka.

The Governor blamed the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

There has been no official comments from Ukraine thus far.

Read also: Ukraine used RM-70 Vampire rockets and drones in overnight attacks on Belgorod Oblast, Russia says

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Selected departure gates at Helsinki Airport will ask passengers to weigh themselves along with their bag (Getty Images)

Passengers flying with Finnair will be asked to step onto the scales at the departure gate as part of a data-collecting initiative.

The policy at Helsinki Airport, which began on Monday and will take place in February and AprilMay, is strictly voluntary and anonymous, and the airline said that data will only be used to optimise Finnairs current aircraft balance calculations.

Gates for a number of the carriers long-haul flights and European routes will be selected for the scheme.

The Independent has contacted Finnair for further information, including how many people have agreed to take part this week. According to The Guardian, more than 600 fliers have volunteered so far.

Since 2018,

A Finnair Airbus A350 (Finnair)

has used average weights based on its own measurements, but aviation authorities require these figures to be updated every five years.

Satu Munnukka, head of ground processes at Finnair, said the weighting date is needed for the safe operation of flights and that any information collected is not linked in any way to the customers personal data.

We record the total weight and background information of the customer and their carry-on baggage, but we do not ask for the name or booking number, for example. Only the customer service agent working at the measuring point can see the total weight, so you can participate in the study with peace of mind, Munnukka added.

Once the weights are confirmed, they will be used by the airline for balance and loading calculations between 2025 and 2030.

The previous measurements saw a good number of volunteers and the airline hopes for a similar sample size this time, said Munnukka.

Last year, more than 10,000 passengers flying with Air New Zealand throughout June were asked to step onto the scales before they boarded their flights.

It was described as an essential initiative to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the aircraft, according to Air New Zealand, and was also a requirement from the countrys Civil Aviation Authority.

Two months later, passengers travelling on South Koreas largest airline, Korean Air, faced the same experience.

As The Independent has reported previously, weighing every passenger before a flight can increase safety and cut the environmental harm caused by each flight; currently, airlines use assumed mass, estimating the total weight of the passengers by using set figures.
One state lawmaker is stalling a reform that would let Arizonans see whether their doctor has committed serious misconduct on the job, like sexual abuse and violence.

Rep. Laurin Hendrix, R-Gilbert, has given little explanation for his opposition to House Bill 2312.

An Arizona Republic investigation found records about doctors who removed a patients ovaries without consent and showed up to work under the influence of alcohol  among other issues  were kept by the Arizona Medical Board.

But the board is prevented by law from posting that information online  a restriction the bill would end.

I dont see this bill solving the problem that youre describing, Hendrix said in late January.

Many members of the public seem to disagree: More than 150 citizens have expressed formal support for the measure at the Capitol.

Still, Hendrix has refused to give the bill a hearing  a critical step for any proposed legislation.

Rep. Laurin Hendrix speaks on the floor of the House of Representatives in Phoenix on Jan. 24, 2024.

I hate to disparage a colleague, said the bills sponsor, Rep. Patricia Contreras, D-Phoenix. He just is not interested in making sure that people are protected.

Hendrix wouldnt explain his reasoning further to The Republic. He didnt respond to several additional inquiries. And he expelled a reporter from his committee room on Wednesday, threatening to call security.

Stop bothering me, he said, when asked about the proposed law before a hearing on other bills. Now. Leave.

How bill would give the public more information on doctors

The state Medical Board is allowed to post records about discipline for doctors that cover only the past five years. State law also prohibits the board from posting advisory letters. The letters are the most common action that board members take for doctors accused of misconduct and also the least harsh action short of dismissing a complaint.

The boards website gives no indication of whether doctors have such letters in their files, and members of the public would have to submit a records request to obtain them.

The letters can describe vivid misbehavior. The Republic found some doctors written up for misconduct such as being impaired while on-call or inadequate removal of a brain tumor.

The bill would require the board to post records for the past 25 years and it would mandate the posting of the advisory letters for the same amount of time.

Scores of citizens formally signed on in favor of the change, and only one against, the Arizona Legislatures site showed Wednesday afternoon.

The leader of a health insurance trade association said the organization didnt have a position on the bill, but he supported greater transparency.

From my perspective, more disclosure and background in the medical profession is certainly helpful for consumers, said Chad Heinrich, president and CEO of Arizonans for Affordable Health Coverage. One of the trade associations members, UnitedHealth Group, is a donor to Hendrix.

Having easier access to that information could also be helpful for the health insurers as we do due diligence in researching the background on doctors before we put them into our network, Heinrich said.

Partisan politics could help explain the opposition  Hendrix is a Republican and the bill is sponsored by Democrats. Democrat-backed bills often fail to receive a hearing as Republicans control all of the committees due to their one-seat majority.

Get out of the way and let somebody else fix it

Contreras filed the bill after The Republics investigation of the state Medical Boards shortcomings in handling claims of sexual misconduct. The story featured the account of Meredith Younce, who said she was abused by her Casa Grande doctor at an appointment in the 1990s.

Republic investigation: Misconduct accusations against this Arizona doctor span a generation. But he kept his medical license

Younce told The Republic she also tried to reach Hendrix to ask about the bill but got no response.

You are part of the problem, she said of Hendrix. And if you dont want to fix it, get out of the way and let somebody else fix it.

Some change could still happen, though.

After The Republic highlighted the state Medical Boards shortcomings, Gov. Katie Hobbs in her budget asked for two additional investigators, which the board discussed at a recent meeting.

The boards interim deputy director also said she is working on other improvements to the handling of sexual misconduct claims. She said she is planning to shore up how the board interacts with law enforcement, including a meeting in Mesa, and plans to make a video to show patients how to file a complaint.

Protect yourself: How to check your doctor's history and other options for better health care in Arizona

Investigative reporter Andrew Ford exposes wrongdoing and prompts reform  do you know something he should write about? Email aford@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona bill to expose doctor misconduct blocked at state Capitol
Police investigating the Clapham alkali attack have raided two addresses in Tyne and Wear associated with the suspect Abdul Ezedi, the Metropolitan Police have said.

Armed officers executed two warrants at addresses associated with Ezedi in the early hours of Thursday morning. One of the addresses was a kebab shop where he had previously worked.

Scotland Yard, which is continuing to hunt for Ezedi more than a week on from the attack in south-west London, said no arrests had been made during the raids.

The Met said the two raids were carried out in a joint operation with Northumbria Police. The force said the addresses included Ezedis place of work, and that searches continue.

Staff at a convenience store three doors down from the Best Bites Pizza & Grill House, said Ezedi was a regular customer.

He was a customer and a perfectly pleasant guy, said one member of the convenience store staff.

I remember that during Ramadan he would just buy Red Bull for himself and his Turkish colleagues at the takeaway, then when he broke his fast he would buy Jaffa Cakes and chocolates in the evening.

Staff said they saw 20 officers in seven police cars close off the street. They were led from the premises as officers in chemical hazard suits searched the property.

Bethany Snowdon, 18, said she was a regular at Beat Bites and recalled Ezedi as a normal bloke, adding: Hes been working there for about a year now. I saw him on telly and thought I know him.

Ezedi, 35, is accused of pouring a strong alkali on his ex-partner and injuring her two young children, aged three and eight.

A major manhunt is under way for the suspect, with the last confirmed sighting at just before 11.30pm on Wednesday Jan 31, a few hours after the attack, as he crossed over Chelsea Bridge and entered Battersea Park in central London, then crossed back over the same bridge minutes later.

He was initially travelling around on the Tube network using his bank card and, after that, appears to have been walking a route that broadly hugged the River Thames.

The woman hurt in the attack, who may lose the sight in her right eye, remains sedated in hospital. Investigators said she had agreed to meet Ezedi on the day of the attack, and that she and her children were in a car with him when he struck.

Commenting on the continuing hunt for Ezedi Commander Jon Savell, of the Metropolitan Police, said: Our investigation team has been working tirelessly to piece together information to discover what happened.

While we still retain an open mind, it appears the motivation for this truly awful attack is the breakdown of a relationship.

The woman remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital. As we know she has very serious injuries and remains sedated and so poorly we havent yet been able to speak to her.

This was a senseless and cruel attack by a dangerous man  we urge anyone with information about Ezedis whereabouts to contact us as matter of urgency. He is wanted for attempted murder.

In a statement released to the PA news agency, friends of the attack victim, who have launched a fundraiser for the family, said: Our friend is first and foremost a devoted and loving mother.

Her children are her life. She is generous to a fault and a wonderful cook and host. All she has ever wanted is a safe home for her and her beautiful, kind little girls.

We are still coming to terms with the fact that this monstrous attack will change their lives forever. It is difficult to imagine now how they will recover, and all we want is for them to be able to rebuild their lives.

We cannot put into words how grateful we are to the heroic neighbours of Lessar Avenue [where the attack took place]. They risked their own lives to save them and we can only imagine how distressing the attack was for them too. They are angels in our eyes.

Detective Superintendent Rick Sewart, who is leading the search for the Afghan refugee, said: The medical injuries to Ezedi appear very significant from imagery that we have recovered, to the right side of his face.

Through the National Crime Agency, we have received medical interpretation which would indicate that his injuries could be potentially fatal if not treated.



Ezedi came to the UK hidden in a lorry in 2016, and was turned down twice for asylum before successfully appealing against the Home Office rejection by claiming he had converted to Christianity.



He was convicted of two sexual offences in 2018 but was allowed to stay in the UK because his crimes were not serious enough to meet the threshold for deportation.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A suspect was taken into custody Wednesday in connection with a deadly shooting in Lakeside earlier this week, authorities said.

According to the San Diego County Sheriffs Department, Lakeside patrol deputies were dispatched to the 9700 block of Cactus Street at 3:10 p.m. Tuesday after receiving reports of shots fired in the area.

Rancho Bernardo father released on bond after son allegedly threatened school shooting

A neighbor, who did not what to be identified, told FOX 5 they pulled into their apartment complex and witnessed a group of four young men acting strange. Minutes later, the resident said a gunshot was heard.

Arriving deputies found a man lying in the street and suffering from a gunshot wound, SDSO explained. Despite lifesaving efforts, the victim  identified as 26-year-old Michael Anthony Johnson  was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Thursday, Sheriffs homicide investigators arrested 26-year-old Anthony Jose Gonzales on suspicion of murder in relation to this case. He was booked into the San Diego Central Jail.

No further details surrounding the shooting have been released at this time.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330/after hours at (858) 565-5200, or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Artificial intelligence  commonly referred to it by its initials, AI  isnt just changing educational, logistical and technological landscapes. Art reflects life, and so does the presence of AI in it.

Artists from all over the world will be sharing their experiences and work using AI in art with Fresnans  digitally, that is  in a new lecture series launched by Dr. Ahran Koo, associate professor at Fresno States Department of Art, Design and Art History.

Koo has taught art in six countries, across all grade levels and has exhibited her work for 20 years. Her specialties include visual storytelling, digital narratives and community art.

AI is at everyones doorstep, Koo said. AI and advanced technologies have become more and more pervasive in art and in daily life, continuously impacting us and our surroundings.

Koo said these conversations  how to use AI and the roles it can play in aspects of life, like art  should not just happen in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, but in Fresno, too.

Fresno, the fifth-largest city in California, is an artistic city. Though not seen or talked about in the way other large cities in the state are, there is a rich, long-time history of art inspired by and created in the city.

Arte Americas, The Fresno Arts Council, The Fresno Museum of Art, independent galleries and performance stages are some of the institutions around the city encouraging artists. Theres an array of celebrated, award-winning artisists  Broadway stars, MacArthur geniuses, Fresno, California and U.S. Poet Laureates  who were are born and raised in Fresno.

For the rising and upcoming generation of artists, AI can change how they work, what they produce and the ways they go about sharing their work not only in the Central Valley, but also with the entire world.

I highly encourage people in Fresno to explore various viewpoints, Khoo said, and expand their understanding of the timely topic.

She has been specifically researching this topic  AI and its perspective in the art world  for two years. Last year, she organized a similar series related to AI with five speakers, including Refik Anadol, a Turkish artist who has had recent works of his displayed at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and projected on The Sphere in Las Vegas.

This years 10-lecture series starts this week and ends in mid-March. Those interested can sign up for one, a couple or all sessions for free. There is no charge for any lecture, but attendees are required to register to access the online meeting room.

Artist sharing their expertise are:

Feb. 8  Jun-Yan Zhu, working in Pittsburgh, PA

Feb. 9  Entangled Studios: Sofia Crespo and Feileacan K. McCormick, working in Lisbon, Portugal

Feb. 15  Jenna Sutela, working in Berlin, Germany

Feb. 16  Anna Ridler, working in London, England

Feb. 22  Sarah Meyohas, working in New York, NY

Feb 23  Mike Tyka, working in Seattle, WA and Berlin, Germany

Feb. 29  Lev Manovich, working in New York, NY and Seoul, South Korea

March 1  Simon Colton, working in in London, England and Zaragoza, Spain

March 7 - Madeline Gannon, working in Miami, FL

March 14  Eryk Salvaggio, working in Rochester, NY

At the end of each session, Koo said there will be about 20 to 30 minutes for the audience attending to ask questions directly to the speakers.

This is a very unique opportunity to learn from scholars from the globe, she said. I highly encourage to take full advantage of this series.

For more information about one or all events in this series, you can find it online at https://bit.ly/3HMdZ86.

To access the registration page for one, a couple or all lectures, you can visit https://bit.ly/3UsO9gY.
A video making the rounds on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube claims that Bayer, the German pharmaceutical company, was involved in deadly medical testing on Auschwitz prisoners during the Holocaust.

The clip is pulled from the beginning of a December episode of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast featuring guest Brigham Buhlerfounder of the virtual health care provider Ways2Well. Buhler, a critic of what he calls the medical industrial complex, referenced Bayers links to medical experimentation during World War II in a discussion with host Joe Rogan about profiteering and the stifling of innovation in the medical industry.

According to Buhler, a small medical companylater identified by Buhler as a precursor to pharmaceutical giant Bayerreached out to the Third Reich during World War II asking for 150 participants for a clinical trial, upon which the regime shipped 150 healthy Jewish women for product testing. Buhler claims that the company explained in letters to the Third Reich that all 150 women died within six months and asked for more participants to be sent.

The specific example referenced by Buhler has been alleged for decades, though Holocaust historians and other researchers have never found corroborating evidence to support it. But the precursor company to Bayer did in fact work closely with Nazi officials during World War II and facilitated a number of atrocities.

The claim to which Buhler referred initially emerged in court in 1947 as part of the sixth Subsequent Nuremberg ProceedingsThe United States of America vs. Carl Krauch, et al.against members of the German chemical pharmaceutical conglomerate I.G. Farben, the precursor to Bayer. According to research into the story by a team of anesthesiologists and historians, an affidavit given in the case by a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp claimed that a Soviet officer had requested the translation of five letters that showed correspondence between I.G. Farben and the commander of Auschwitz. The letters supposedly detailed the sale of about 150 women for use in experiments for a new soporific (anesthetic) drug. In 2019, this team, curious to see if they could confirm the use of female prisoners to test a drug used in further anesthetic practice, conducted research to determine whether any corroborating evidence existed for the sale. The team investigated the Auschwitz archives, Bayer corporate history and archives, and former Soviet Union archives, but no corroborating records could be found.

We did not find in the investigated places any proof of this purchase, Dr. Claude Lentschener, an anesthesiologist at Paris Cochin Hospital and the lead author of the study, told The Dispatch Fact Check. At the present time there is not any known proof of this affair.

Dr. Piotr Setkiewicz, director of the Centre for Research at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, expressed similar reservations about the story. I believe that the testimony cited by some other historians is unconfirmed and, considering the circumstances of the event, unlikely, he told The Dispatch Fact Check. However, there is no doubt that Bayer ordered its new experimental drugs to be tested on Auschwitz prisoners through the camp doctor SS-Obersturmfuehrer Helmuth Vetter.

Bayer itself is quite open about its predecessors involvement with the Nazi regime. I.G. Farben was directly involved in many of the National Socialist injustices, a representative of Bayers Finkelstein Foundation told The Dispatch Fact Check in an email. This includes war production, intensive use of forced laborers at its former Lower Rhine sites and use of forced laborers at Auschwitz-Monowitz for the construction of the Monowitz factory.

I.G. Farben was originally formed in 1925 from the merger of Bayer and five other German companies, and by the onset of World War II was central to Germanys war production effort. The company relied heavily on forced labor in occupied territories beginning in 1940, and in 1941 constructed a chemical factory near Auschwitz to produce a form of synthetic rubber. In 1942, I.G. Farben began building its own concentration camp, Buna-Monowitz, to accommodate additional workers. This camp relied on both Allied prisoners of war and laborers from Auschwitz. Upon Germanys surrender in 1945, I.G. Farben was dissolved and 23 of its senior managers were put on trial in Nuremberg. The modern Bayer company was formed in 1951.

Bayer has openly acknowledged its historical ties to the Third Reich, and the company has pursued a number of initiatives to explore and document its involvement in Nazi atrocities. In 2023, the company established the Hans and Berthold Finkelstein Foundationnamed after an employee of I.G. Farben who was expelled from the company due to his Jewish heritage and his son, a forced laborer in the campsin order to remember the past and to reflect on the deeds of I.G. Farben during National Socialism. The foundations mission is built on three pillarsremembrance, research, and resistanceand seeks to both shed light on the history of I.G. Farben while fighting antisemitism, racism, and totalitarianism in the present day.

As a responsible global player, we owe it to the victims and their descendants to face up to our history and learn specific lessons, the Finkelstein Foundation representative said. We cannot undo past injustices, but we understand that there remains a historical and moral responsibility for the repercussions, and we are committed to that responsibility.

If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com.

Read more at The Dispatch

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An attorney for Donald Trump said in a filing Wednesday that a judges request for comment on whether an ex-Trump Organization executive lied on the stand during the former presidents civil fraud trial was unprecedented, inappropriate and troubling.

The filing  a response to New York state Judge Arthur Engorons request for comment on allegations that former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg lied on the stand during Trumps tax fraud trial  comes after The New York Times reported last week that Weisselberg was in negotiations to plead guilty to perjury.

"The Article simply does not provide any principled basis for the Court to reopen the record or question the veracity of Mr. Weisselbergs testimony in this case," said attorney Clifford Robert, who appeared to be responding to Engoron's request on behalf of all defendants except Weisselberg and Jeffrey McConney, a former Trump Organization senior vice president. Lawyers for Weisselberg and McConney would file separately, Robert said in a footnote.

In a separate letter, Trump attorney Alina Habba said she has not spoken with the district attorney's office about "any of the matters discussed in the New York Times article."

"Further, in an abundance of caution, I have conferred with my ethics counsel and have been advised that I am constrained by my professional ethical obligations from providing any further detail," said Habba, who is serving as Weisselberg's civil counsel. "No adverse inference should be drawn from my inability to respond."

In a statement, Trump attorney Chris Kise said that "court decisions are supposed to be made based on the evidence at trial, not on media speculation."

Weisselberg's attorneys did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The other parties had not added further comment beyond their filings as of Wednesday night.

Lead prosecutor Kevin Wallace also responded to Engoron's request for comment, saying the state attorney generals office is not directly involved in any negotiations between the Manhattan district attorney and Weisselberg about allegations he lied on the stand. Lawyers from the attorney generals office have been cross-designated to work with the district attorneys office, the letter said.

The attorney general's office argued in the nine-page letter to Engoron that developments regarding allegations that Weisselberg lied on the stand should not delay his decision.

Wallace added that the court had already found defendants liable and should impose necessary measures to prevent further fraud, including industry bars and the appointment of a monitor with robust oversight. Wallace also said that if the alleged perjury by Weisselberg proves to be expansive and calls into question the veracity of testimony from other witnesses and defendants, the court can revisit it later.

Engoron sent both sides in the case an email this week asking about Weisselberg's status after the Times reported that he was close to pleading guilty to having lied on the stand during his testimony.

As the presiding magistrate, the trier of fact, and the judge of credibility, I of course want to know whether Mr. Weisselberg is now changing his tune, and whether he is admitting he lied under oath in my courtroom at trial, Engoron wrote, asking both sides to report back to him by 5 p.m. ET Wednesday.

He said he was considering whether he should disregard all of Weisselberg's testimony in his verdict, which he is expected to issue in the coming days.

There is no jury, so ultimately it is up to Engoron to decide how he will consider Weisselbergs testimony.

Weisselberg pleaded guilty to different charges in a related criminal case in 2022, when he and the Trump Organization were both charged by the Manhattan district attorney's office. In that case, Weisselberg admitted to tax fraud charges and was sentenced to five months in jail after he testified against the company. His testimony did not implicate Trump in wrongdoing, but two of his company's subsidiaries were convicted and hit with a $1.6 million penalty.

Among the $370 million in financial penalties Attorney General Letitia James is seeking to collect in the fraud case is $2 million in severance the company paid Weisselberg after he was released from jail.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
FILE - West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice delivers the State of the State address in Charleston, W.Va., on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. A Virginia bank, that is seeking to recover more than $300 million in longstanding unpaid business loans to the family of West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, is planning to auction off land at a sporting club located at the governors posh resort. (AP Photo/Chris Jackson, File)

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP)  Attorneys for the family of West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice are seeking to block a Virginia bank from plans to auction off land at the governor's posh resort to recover more than $300 million on defaulted business loans.

A complaint seeking an injunction was filed Wednesday on behalf of the Greenbrier Sporting Club in White Sulphur Springs. The filing in Greenbrier County Circuit Court said the auction would jeopardize thousands of jobs and severely damage both the club and the Greenbrier Resort, which has hosted U.S. presidents and royalty and is the county's largest employer.

The complaint asks the court to halt the planned auction until it addresses claims by the Justice family against Carter Bank & Trust of Martinsville, Virginia. It seeks a jury trial. A federal lawsuit filed by the Justice companies against the bank in November is pending.

On at least four occasions between 2021 and 2023, the Justice companies tried to steer their banking business from Carter Bank to other lenders, who were prepared to pay off all or part of their Carter Bank loans. But Carter Bank blocked or sabotaged the transfer efforts, the complaint in state court said.

Carter Bank has said it would aggressively pursue $302 million it was owed in principal debt, plus interest and fees, from companies owned by the governors family.

Banks have an obligation to their shareholders and the financial system to collect in full all amounts that are due and owing to them, the bank said in a filing last month with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Carter Bank is no different from any other bank in this regard.

A message left with the bank seeking comment on the latest court filing wasn't immediately returned Thursday.

Carter Bank published a legal notice in the Charleston Gazette-Mail on Tuesday announcing a March 5 auction involving land at the Greenbrier Sporting Club would be held outside the Greenbrier County Courthouse in Lewisburg.

The sporting club is a private equity club and residential community that opened in 2000. Justice bought the resort out of bankruptcy in 2009. The PGA Tour held a tournament at the resort from 2010 until 2019.

During a media availability Wednesday, Justice called Carter Bank beyond belief terrible. And were not going to put up with it anymore. Were going to push back."

Justice, who owns dozens of companies, also has been the subject of numerous court claims that he has been late in paying millions of dollars he owes in fines, such as for unsafe working conditions at his coal mines.

Justice, a Republican, is finishing his second term as governor this year and is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Joe Manchin. Manchin has said he is not seeking reelection.

Last year dozens of properties owned by Justice in three counties were put up for auction as payment for delinquent real estate taxes.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP)  Arkansas auditors are nearly done looking into the purchase of a $19,000 lectern for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and expect to issue a report on it by the end of March, a state official told lawmakers on Thursday.

Legislative Auditor Roger Norman told a panel that his office has interviewed 20 people about the lectern, which gained national attention and became the focus of intense scrutiny last fall. Sanders' office has faced questions about the seemingly high price of the lectern, as well as its handling of public records about the purchase.

Field work will continue at least through next week, Norman told a subcommittee of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee, which requested the audit in October. We have sought to gather all relevant communications and financial records surrounding the purchase and reimbursement of the podium.

The 3 1/4-foot-tall (1-meter-tall) blue and wood paneled lectern was bought in June with a state credit card for $19,029.25 from an events company in Virginia. The Republican Party of Arkansas reimbursed the state for the purchase on Sept. 14, and Sanders' office has called the use of the state credit card an accounting error. Sanders' office said it received the lectern in August.

Sanders, a Republican who served as press secretary for former President Donald Trump, has dismissed questions about the lectern as a manufactured controversy, and the item has not been seen at her public events. The governors office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the audit on Thursday.

It's not clear how and exactly when the report, which Norman said is being drafted, will be released to the public. Norman, who gave a brief statement on the lectern and did not take any questions from lawmakers, declined to comment after the meeting.

Norman told lawmakers that co-chairs of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee could order the report's early release. It could also be released at a special meeting ordered by either co-chair or by a request from 10 members of the panel. Otherwise the report won't be released until the committee's next regularly scheduled meeting in June.

The committee's Republican co-chairs said they had not discussed yet what route they wanted to take once they get the report. Rep. Jimmy Gazaway, a co-chair, said it's possible they could go back to auditors with additional questions they want addressed first.

It's just hard to say, I don't know at this point, Gazaway said.

The lecterns purchase emerged last year just as Sanders was urging lawmakers to broadly limit the publics access to records about her administration. Sanders ultimately signed a measure blocking release of her travel and security records after broader exemptions faced backlash from media groups and some conservatives.

The purchase was initially uncovered by Matt Campbell, a lawyer and blogger who has a long history of open records requests that have uncovered questionable spending and other misdeeds by elected officials.

Similar lectern models are listed online for $7,500 or less. Sanders has said the one purchased by the state had additional features that contributed to its cost, including a custom height and sound components. The price also included a road case, shipping, handling and a credit card fee.

The Division of Legislative Audit conducts more than 1,000 reviews of state agencies, school districts and local governments every year. The office also has subpoena power for witnesses and documents.
"It was gut-wrenching, life-changing," Dean Lundquist said of his son Jackson's diagnosis of leukemia in 2022. The first thing Dean and his wife, Lauri, asked doctors was: "Is he going to live?"

They were told he would get through it, but there would be many steps, many treatments before that would happen.

The 13-year-old was named the honor hero for this year's Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Student Visionaries of the Year for the Central Texas area.

Jackson's is the personal story the student visionaries can wrap their heads around as the 19 teams of students throughout Central Texas raise money to support research, advocacy and patient care for people with lymphoma and leukemia.

"Here in your, in our community there are kids in the middle of this fight every day," Steve Roberts, co-chair of the student visionaries program, told the students.

Jackson, who has done his own fundraising golf tournament to donate $100,000 to Dell Children's Medical Center, where he received his treatment, said he is "thankful" for the work the teens will do in seven weeks to try to raise $750,000 as a group.

LLS volunteer Steven Robert speaks with Jackson Lundquist, 13, at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Student Visionary program at the Austin Infinity dealership in North Austin in early January. Nineteen high school teams will raise money to help fund treatment, research and advocacy. Jackson was diagnosed with leukemia in 2022.

Students helping fellow students, adults

Each year, groups of teens apply to be the student visionaries in Central Texas. They form a team of supporters with their parents, other adults and fellow students. Then they launch a campaign through letter writing, asking corporate donors, holding events and using social media. The team that raises the most gets to compete on a national level.

"We feel unbelievable about the young men and women who have signed up to do this with us," Roberts said. "I can't thank you enough for the impact you are going to make."

The student team leaders apply months in advance to be part of the student visionaries program. By November, they are chosen by the LLS leadership council. Fundraising kicks off at the beginning of January. This year, it will conclude Feb. 24.

Last year, teams raised about $40,000 on average for a total of $650,000. This year the goal is to exceed that.

Learning more about philanthropy, cancer

Along the way, the student visionaries are given guidance and asked questions: How are you going to reach your goal? To whom can you reach out for donations? Whom are you asking to be on your team? They are taught how to pitch corporate sponsorships, how to write donation letters, how to build an effective presentation and how to maintain a spreadsheet.

"A big thing for us is sponsorships and working with certain companies that are helping us really raise money and placing those bigger donations," said Cameron Long, 16, from Austin High School and Team Loyal to the Cure.

"It's a very unique opportunity that this program affords students to really understand and learn about philanthropy," said Clarissa Flores, the regional executive director of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-South Central Texas.

Ava Bien of St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School competes in a rock paper scissors game against Rehan Ali of Westlake High School during the opening event of Student Visionaries of the Year for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Most important, the students are trained in the "why" of making a donation to LLS. They are given chances to learn more about blood cancers. In January, they went to St. David's South Austin Medical Center to learn about its Sarah Cannon Transplant & Cellular Therapy Program. They decorated the areas where patients receive their treatments with Valentine's Day messages and hearts.

For Caroline Shaw, 15, from Austin High School, raising money for cancer advocacy is personal. The co-leader of Team Racing for a Cure is named after her grandmother who died of a blood cancer while her father was in high school.

"I'm kind of carrying on her legacy," she said.

In addition to sending emails and letters, her team is planning giving back nights at local restaurants.

Jack Schocket, 17, from Anderson High School, participated last year as a team member before he was asked to lead a team this year.

"I think it's a great cause," he said.

His team, SCHOCK Cancer, is trying to get sponsorships, asking friends, sending letters, "just anything we can to raise a couple hundred more because anything helps."

Team members hear Jackson's story during the kickoff event. Each of the teams has its own fundraising goal, but the total goal for Central Texas' Student Visionaries program is $750,000.

How to donate

All of the Central Texas teams can be found at https://www.llsstudentvisionaries.org/soy-candidates/6826.

How to become a student visionary

The application for next year's visionary program is live. Students have to be in ninth to 12th grade in the 2024-25 school year. For more information, go to https://www.llsstudentvisionaries.org/get-involved/become-candidate.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas students team up to raise money for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Australia to allow employees to ignore work calls and emails outside working hours. People Images/Getty Images

Australia's Senate passed a new bill on Thursday giving employees the "right to disconnect" after work.

The bill allows workers to ignore unreasonable calls and emails from their bosses once they've clocked out.

Australia will join a host of countries that already have similar legislation in place.

Australia's Senate passed a bill on Thursday giving employees the "right to disconnect" after work and ignore emails and calls from their bosses during their personal time.

The bill will now return to the House of Representatives for final approval.

Employees would have the right to "refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact, or attempted contact, from an employer outside of the employee's working hours unless the refusal is unreasonable," an amendment put forward by the Australian Greens party said.

A dispute between the employee and employer regarding a refusal could be reported to Australia's Fair Work Commission to make a final decision, according to the amendment.

"The world is connected, but that has created a problem," Tony Burke, the minister for employment and workplace relations, said in an interview with Australia's national broadcaster.

"If you're in a job where you're only paid for the exact hours that you're working, some people are now constantly in a situation of getting in trouble if they're not checking their emails, it being expected to be working for a whole lot of time that they're not being paid. That's just unreasonable," he added.

Several European countries, including France and Belgium, already have similar legislation in place.

France first introduced the "right to disconnect" law in 2017 which forced companies with over 50 employees to negotiate with staff about when they can ignore emails and phone calls.

Kenya is also one of the first African countries seeking to implement an equivalent law.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Authorities are searching for a woman and a toddler who were last seen in Walnut Tuesday,

Brigette Benitez, 31, is wanted for the abduction of her 15-month-old child, Miguel Eduardo Medina, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

The critically missing toddler was taken by Benitez near the 500 block of Grand Avenue at around 9:30 a.m.

The woman was seen driving away in a 2021 black Toyota Camry with California license plate 8WAS968.

The circumstances around the toddlers abduction are unclear but authorities said the boys family is concerned for his well-being.

Benitez is described as a Hispanic woman standing 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 139 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes.

Brigette Benitez, 31, and Miguel Eduardo Medina, 15 months old, in photos from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

Brigette Benitez was seen driving away in a 2021 black Toyota Camry sedan with California license plate 8WAS968. (Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department)

Miguel Eduardo Medina, 15 months old, in a photo from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

Brigette Benitez was seen driving away in a 2021 black Toyota Camry sedan with California license plate 8WAS968. (Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department)

Brigette Benitez, 31, and Miguel Eduardo Medina, 15 months old, in photos from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

The boy is described as a Hispanic male standing 3 feet tall and weighing around 17 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a brown jacket, blue jeans, and black Adidas shoes.

Photos of Benitez and her child have been released in hopes the public may recognize them.

A critically missing person is defined as:

-A person in critical need of medical attention

-The victim of a crime or foul play

-A person who has no pattern of running away or disappearing

-The victim of a kidnapping or parental abduction

-A person who is mentally impaired to the extent that such person is unable to care for him or herself or is an immediate danger to his or her own safety or the safety of others

Anyone who may have spotted the pair or has additional information about the incident is asked to call the LASDs Walnut Station at 909-595-2264.

Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Less than two weeks after the host of WLRNs Sundial show reported allegations of discrimination and anti-Hispanic sentiment to his employers at the South Florida public radio station, WLRN canceled the show and fired host Carlos Frias and his team, Frias attorney told the Miami Herald.

Frias on Tuesday filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations and U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging WLRN discriminated against him.

Frias, 48, a former food editor at the Miami Herald, was hired by WLRN in 2022. For a little over a year, he hosted the talk show Sundial, which featured interviews with South Florida artists, writers and other prominent individuals.

Until Feb. 1, when Sergio Bustos, WLRNs vice president of news, ousted Frias, producer Leslie Ovalle Atkinson and associate producer Elisa Baena, the team behind Sundial, the discrimination filing read.

On WLRNs website, it says the program was canceled on Feb. 2.

WLRN CEO John LaBonia did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

In a statement, WLRN said its decision was based on a want to focus resources in the newsroom and expand an investigative journalism team, Axios reported.

Frias, who won two James Beard awards and was part of the Miami Herald team that won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the Surfside condo collapse, said he did not believe the loss of his show and job was from a need to shift resources but instead the product of anti-Latino comments, he wrote in the filing.

To say that a program on the culture of Miami is too Latino... of course its Latino, lawyer William R. Amlong, Frias attorney, said. Miami is Latino.

Catalina Garcia, a WLRN afternoon news anchor, resigned from the station Wednesday.

I felt very disappointed, very disillusioned with the way management has handled the whole situation, said Garcia, 55. As a Latina, I felt that I needed to stand in solidarity with Carlos and the whole Sundial team because I know the truth.

READ MORE: Latina WLRN staffer quits in solidarity with ousted Sundial employees

Sounding very Latino

In August, Caitie Munoz, Frias boss, told one of Sundials producers that the show was sounding very Latino, the filing read.

Munoz created a spreadsheet showing the ethnicity of people invited on the show but only those who mentioned having Latino or Hispanic roots during an episode, the filing read.

When Frias asked a supervisor about the ethnicity spreadsheet, Peter Maerz, WLRNs vice president of radio, said the show was making a certain group of listeners uncomfortable, Frias wrote in the filing.

[Maerz] responded that we had to be considerate of peoples cultural comfort zones, which I understood to mean white people were being made uncomfortable by how diverse our show was (as is our Miami home), Frias wrote in the filing.

Amlong told the Herald that there had been other employees in the past who complained about the station being anti-Latino.

In December, Frias wrote that he received a racist email from an anonymous listener. When he shared that on his social media as an example of the racial discrimination that comes with his job and to boast about his hard work, Frias said in the filing that he was officially reprimanded and disciplined.

Frias said Bustos scolded him for airing our dirty laundry in an email and insisted he take down the post, which Frias did.

This prompted him to file a complaint with his Human Resources representative, and in a meeting on Jan. 22, he laid out all the discrimination he alleged he and his staff have received.

A week later, Frias and his staff were let go.

Internal soul-searching

Under federal law, WLRN has up to 180 days to conduct an investigation into claims of discrimination or issue a notice of right to sue, allowing Frias to seek damages through a lawsuit.

I dont know how the litigation is going to develop, Amlong said. I would expect that there would be some internal soul-searching.

Amlong also said his team will be looking into possible First Amendment violations.
Legal experts sounded the alarm after the judge overseeing Donald Trumps classified documents case rejected special counsel Jack Smiths bid to keep government witnesses secret.

Smiths team opposed making information public that could reveal the identity or any personal identifying information of any potential witnesses in the case or any transcripts or other documents they may have provided, citing concerns about witness intimidation.

Trump-appointed U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon ruled in Trumps favor on the matter, writing: Following an independent review of the Motion and the full record, the Court determines, with limited exceptions as detailed below, that the Special Counsel has not set forth a sufficient factual or legal basis warranting deviation from the strong presumption in favor of public access to the records at issue.

Cannon questioned Smiths concern for witnesses, writing that the Special Counsels sparse and undifferentiated Response fails to provide the Court with the necessary factual basis to justify sealing.

The Press Coalition, which is comprised of major media companies, also asked the court to unseal Trumps redacted motion in unclassified form, citing public interest.

Jeremy Foley, a Berkeley College law professor who specializes in judicial ethics, told Newsweek it is "unusual for a judge to make classified documents public."

"Before doing so, Judge Cannon was required to weigh the factors favoring disclosure: potential aid to the defense and the public interest argument asserted by the media groups against those identified by the government: release of the documents could harm national security, impair an ongoing investigation, or compromise potential witnesses in the case," he said.

"If the government is concerned that the judge's order will cause harm, it can seek emergency relief from the 11th Circuit, which could stay the order pending review. We should know very soon if that happens," Foley added.

The order raised concerns among legal experts who have long worried that Cannon may be tilting the case in favor of Trump.

Judge Aileen Cannon continues to make rulings that are disturbing, former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance wrote on Substack. Perhaps wed view any one of them, on their own, as a judicial aberration. But the pattern of ruling upon ruling that is out of the legal mainstream and results in delay well past the point where this case should have been ready for trial is something that shouldnt be ignored. Judges should not put their fingers on the scales of justice either for or against a defendant or any other party. Here, its impossible to avoid the conclusion that the scales are being tipped.

Smiths best option may be to ask Cannon to reconsider, but the judges dismissive tone towards the government suggests that there is little they can do to persuade her, Vance wrote.

A big test will come next week when Cannon holds a hearing under Section 4 of the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA), where she will make rulings on what classified material in discovery can be used at trial. Trump is expected to seek additional delays in the case, asking Cannon to postpone the deadline for some pre-trial motions and revisiting his presidential immunity and Presidential Records Act claims that border on being frivolous at this point, and using them to further delay this case would be a travesty, Vance wrote.

The time for Smith to decide whether to actively seek Cannons recusal, or at least hint to the Circuit that its merited, will be after the Section 4 hearing rulings are issued, Vance noted. Forced recusals are rare. But at this late date, even if the 11th Circuit were to move quickly, as it has in the past, and force Cannon to step aside, it would take a new judge some time to get up to speed. There are no quick fixes for the damage Judge Cannon has done, she added.

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Longtime Harvard Law Prof. Laurence Tribe said he hopes Tuesdays order will trigger a motion to remove her.

The 11th Circuit might well agree this was the last straw. Compromising national security is a bridge too far, he tweeted.

It is impossible to overstate how awful and unethical is Aileen Cannon, added Norman Ornstein, emeritus scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. Clearly has no business being a judge at any level.
A woman stole a car left running outside of an Ohio pizza shop with twin babies in the back seat in 2022 before abandoning them in parking lots in two states, officials say.

On Feb. 7, 25-year-old Nalah Jackson pleaded guilty to two counts of kidnapping and faces 20 years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Southern District of Ohio.

McClatchy News reached out to Jacksons attorney Feb. 8 for comment but did not immediately hear back.

On Dec. 19, 2022, Jackson stole a black Honda Accord that was left running outside of Donatos Pizza in Columbus, officials said. The vehicles owner and mother of the 5-month-old twins in the backseat was inside picking up an order.

Jackson drove away with the boys, leaving one baby in the parking lot of Dayton International Airport, sitting in his car seat between two vehicles, according to officials. A person parking their car then spotted the baby and called security.

From there, officials say Jackson traveled to Indianapolis with the second baby still in the vehicle. She is accused of abandoning the Accord and the baby in the parking lot of a Papa Johns on Dec. 20.

Two days later, Jackson was apprehended with the help of two women who recognized her from social media posts about the kidnapping, officials said.

The same two women were helping search for the missing baby when they noticed a black Honda Accord with snow accumulated on it outside the Papa Johns, according to federal officials.

Due to an overwhelming foul smell coming from the car, and the silence of the baby, one of the women screamed, assuming the baby was deceased, officials said. Upon hearing the scream, the baby alerted and began crying.

Police took the baby, who had been in the abandoned car for two and a half days, to the hospital where he was treated for dehydration, heart abnormalities due to dehydration, extreme diaper rash and skin deterioration, officials said.

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London  Prince William returned to public royal duties Wednesday after taking about three weeks off while his wife Kate, the Princess of Wales, recovered from abdominal surgery. During that period, his father, King Charles III, was diagnosed with cancer and Buckingham Palace said the monarch would step back from his own public duties during treatment.

William attended an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle early Wednesday before attending a gala dinner for London's Air Ambulance Charity, at which he shared the limelight with actor Tom Cruise.

Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, reacts as he talks with actor Tom Cruise at the London Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner, Feb. 7, 2024 in London, England. / Credit: Daniel Leal - WPA Pool/Getty

"I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days," William said at the charity gala.

"It's fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather medical focus, so I thought I'd come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all," joked the prince.

William stepped away from public duties last month to help care for Kate and their three children after her unspecified abdominal surgery. Kate isn't expected to resume her public duties until around April.

Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales delivers a speech during the London Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner, Feb. 7, 2024 in London, England. / Credit: DANIEL LEAL/POOL/AFP/Getty

Charles' cancer diagnosis was announced Monday by Buckingham Palace, which said it was discovered during separate treatment for an enlarged prostate. Royal sources said the king does not have prostate cancer, but the palace has not given any further information about what form of cancer he does have, or what type of treatments he is undergoing.

"His absence is putting a lot of pressure on the other members of the royal family, who are certainly up to it," Sally Bedell Smith, author of Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life, told The Associated Press. "Having one of the great stars of the royal family, the Princess of Wales, in recuperation from a surgery" adds to that pressure, Smith said.

The working members of the royal family attend hundreds of events every year to mark national, regional and local occasions and to recognize members of the public.

The palace said Charles would continue with his non-public facing work, such as signing and reviewing papers, as he undergoes treatment. His in-person meetings with the British prime minister are expected to resume later in February, according to the AP.

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When some Belleville, Shiloh and Swansea voters go to the polls in the primary election, theyll be asked whether Whiteside School District 115s Board of Education should issue about $10.6 million in bonds for an addition to the elementary school.

The addition would allow Whiteside Elementary to eliminate aging mobile classrooms that currently house the early childhood and pre-K programs and bring them into the main school building, alleviating concerns related to accessibility, safety from active shooters or intruders and extreme weather, district leaders say.

These are our smallest of small students, Superintendent Mark Heuring said. If were able to get them back in our building, in a brick and mortar style building, its probably the best for them.

The trailers for the districts early childhood special needs program are located near the southeast parking lot of the elementary school, situated in a U-shape with a semi-enclosed artificial turf playground. Trailers located off the west side of the school and a playground behind them serve the morning and afternoon pre-K programs. Others on the campus serve as storage space.

The trailers were purchased in the 1990s, Heuring said, and thanks to the districts maintenance and custodial crew keeping them up to grade and passing annual inspections, they have continued to serve the elementary school well past their estimated 10-year lifespan.

Looking toward the future, however, the boards goal is to get the districts youngest students out of the mobile classrooms and into the elementary school to address the safety concerns and maintenance costs, Heuring said.

The tentative plan for the addition is to build an approximately 15,860-square-foot, L-shaped hallway on the southwest corner of the existing elementary school. The hallway would contain six classrooms, a room for therapy intervention services and additional bathrooms.

A new, 15,000-square-foot playground with soft and hard play surfaces would be added in the empty space created between the L-shaped addition and the southwest side of the existing building.

The project would also aim to improve traffic flow on the south end of the campus along Southwind Drive by adding parking spots to the existing lot on the southeast side accessible from the road, creating a new parking lot on the southwest side that would also be accessible from the road and connecting the two.

Additionally, the board is exploring the possibility of adding a solar array on the roof of the elementary school as part of the referendum to reduce the districts utility costs and carbon footprint, Heuring said. A similar effort with other funds is already underway at Whiteside Middle School. In doing so, District 115 joins others in the metro-east going solar to save money.

The early childhood mobile classrooms to the southeast of Whiteside Elementary School in Belleville, Ill., on Jan. 31, 2024.

The pre-K mobile classrooms and a storage trailer along the west side of Whiteside Elementary School in Belleville, Ill., on Jan. 31, 2024.

Tax implications

Bonds are a form of debt, similar to loans, that school districts can issue to finance capital improvement projects.

For most types of bonds, a district pays back the principal amount plus interest over a set number of years with local property taxes.

Last May, the school board voted to adopt a resolution allowing the district to issue and sell $4.5 million in general obligation bonds for its working cash fund after holding the required public hearing on the matter.

Those bonds were sold to replace the roof, install a solar array on top of the new roof to combat rising utility costs and upgrade the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at Whiteside Middle School, Heuring said. The district is also using some COVID-19 federal relief funds for the HVAC project.

Selling the bonds raised property taxes within the district by about $140 per $100,000 of a propertys fair market value every year for the seven-year repayment period, according to Heuring, resulting in a tax rate increase of about 50 cents.

In tax year 2022, Whiteside 115s tax rate was 2.5184, according to St. Clair County tax records, which was more than a dollar lower than the average of 3.5671 among elementary school districts.

If the districts bond referendum passes, it would not further increase annual property taxes, Heuring said, but the $140 hike would remain for an additional 13 years, since the referendum-related bonds have a 20-year repayment period.

What the board did from a forethought standpoint was they structured the working cash bonds so that if this referendum were to pass, there wouldnt be additional cost. It would just be additional time, Heuring said.

He said the district has been a longstanding community partner that has been frugal and tried to make wise decisions with finances over the long course of time, adding that upkeep of school buildings is an important community investment.

Elementary school building history

Whiteside School District 115 dates back to the 1850s when it began as a log building on an acre of property owned by William Lot Whiteside before it was formally established as a one-room school made of soft brick in 1865, according to a video on the districts history.

Belleville News-Democrat archives show that the current Whiteside Elementary School building at 2028 Lebanon Ave. opened its doors to students in September 1958 after the Whiteside family sold five acres of land to the school district, which passed a $75,000 bond referendum in November 1957 to construct a new school with three classrooms and a multi-purpose room.

A clip from the Belleville News-Democrats archives from Nov. 12, 1958.

Since then, the building has been added to several times as enrollment grew. That original 1958 portion of the school now serves as the library media center, computer lab and custodial office.

The original portion of Whiteside Elementary School in Belleville, Ill., as seen from Lebanon Avenue on Feb. 7, 2024.

The most recent addition to the elementary school was in 1997 when 22 classrooms were added amid booming growth, according to BND archives. A few years later in 2001, the district broke ground on the middle school at 111 Warrior Way after a successful bond referendum and with the help of a state grant.

In the April 2009 consolidated election, voters rejected a $9.75 million bond issue 712-507 for the district to build and equip a new, 49,000-square-foot building west of the elementary school for its early childhood through first-grade students.

Here is the proposition that will be on the ballot for voters who live within Whiteside School District 115:

Shall the Board of Education of Whiteside School District Number 115, St. Clair County, Illinois, build and equip a classroom addition to the Whiteside Elementary School Building for early childhood and pre-kindergarten programming, eliminate mobile classrooms and acquire and install a solar array at said School Building and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $10,608,885 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?
The stabbing of a Palestinian-American man in Austin, Texas after a pro-Palestinian protest last weekend was a hate crime, according to local police.

Zacharia Doar, 23, was sitting in his car while waiting to leave a statewide protest on Feb. 4 at the Texas Capitol with three other young Muslims when a white man on a bicycle, identified as Bert James Baker, rode up to them, attempted to tear a Palestinian keffiyeh off their car, and screamed racial slurs at the passengers, police said. Baker then allegedly slammed open the car door, ripping Doar out of the passenger seat and onto the ground where he began attacking him before ultimately stabbing him in the back, narrowly missing his heart.

Stabbing After Pro-Palestine Protest Should Be Treated as Hate Crime, CAIR Claims

Doars father told the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) that the victim was rushed to the hospital where he underwent a successful surgery, and now faces a long recovery. According to police, Baker was arrested on Sunday night and charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

The Austin Police Departments Hate Crimes Review Committee determined that the attack was bias-motivated on Wednesday, according to a press release. Police said the recommendation had been passed to the Travis County district attorneys office, which will make the final decision on whether to prosecute the case as a hate crime.

The decision was celebrated by CAIR, the leading rights advocacy group for Muslims in America. In a press release, its National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said, We welcome the swift recognition of the alleged motive for this attack and call on law enforcement authorities to bring appropriate charges in the case. Every American should be free to express their political views, wear symbols of their culture and practice their faith without fear of attack or intimidation.

The stabbing is the latest incident of bias-related attacks on Palestinian Americans since the Oct. 7 Hamas assault on Israeli villages and the retaliatory Israeli military offensive on the Gaza strip. In October, 6-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume was fatally attacked by his landlord in Illinois; in November, three college students in Vermont were shot for wearing keffiyehs and speaking Arabic in public, an attack which left one of them paralyzed.

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The Biden administration is considering taking executive action to deter illegal migration across the southern border, according to two U.S. officials.

As passing legislation on border security in Congress appears unlikely, the plans under consideration signal that the White House wants to take action before numbers at the border, which have dropped in the past month, rise again as expected.

The plans have been under consideration for months, the officials said. In December, as Congress prepared to leave town for the holidays with no border solution, illegal crossings of the southwest border hit records at more than 10,000 per day.

President Joe Biden speaks with US Customs and Border Protection officers as he visits the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas, on Jan. 8, 2023. (Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images file)

The unilateral measures under consideration might upset some progressives in Congress, the officials said, but they noted that Democratic mayors who have asked for more help from the federal government to handle the influx of migrants in their cities would be pleased. The measures are still being drafted and are not expected to take place any time soon.

On Wednesday, Senate Republicans blocked a bipartisan border bill that they had negotiated with Democrats and the Biden administration over the preceding months.

In a statement, a White House spokesperson said, The administration spent months negotiating in good faith to deliver the toughest and fairest bipartisan border security bill in decades because we need Congress to make significant policy reforms and to provide additional funding to secure our border.

Today, Congressional Republicans chose to put partisan politics ahead of our national security and voted against what border agents have said they need. No regulatory actions would accomplish what the bipartisan national security agreement would have done for border security and the immigration system at large.

Regardless of how much any executive action might appear to increase immigration enforcement both on the border and in the interior of the U.S., the officials said, it would pale in comparison to the effects that would arise if Congress had passed the border security bill.

Its a plan B, an official said. Both officials said doing nothing is not an option.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden argued the bipartisan bill would have made important fixes to our broken immigration system, calling it the toughest, fairest law on the border ever proposed.

Biden faces growing political backlash, some of it from members of his own party, over his handling of the border as he campaigns for re-election. He plans to cite the Republican turnabout on the bipartisan border legislation as proof that for political reasons the GOP does not really want to solve the problem. But he is still vulnerable on the issue, trailing his likely 2024 opponent, former President Donald Trump, by more than 30 points on securing the border and controlling immigration, according to a new NBC News poll released this week.

The Biden administration has already taken multiple unilateral actions to try to stem the flow of migrants.

In May, when Covid restrictions were set to lift at the border, the Department of Homeland Security introduced restrictions that would make more migrants eligible for speedy deportations. But overwhelming numbers meant the vast majority of migrants apprehended by border agents were still released into the U.S.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden once again mixed up European leaders, twice conflating former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl with Angela Merkel while speaking to donors at fundraisers Wednesday in New York.

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The episode echoed Biden confusing French President Emmanuel Macron with Francois Mitterrand during a campaign event over the weekend, prompting ridicule across France on social media.

The repeated missteps also come as Biden, 81, is battling concerns about his age which have weighed heavily on his reelection prospects. Three-quarters of voters said they had concerns about Bidens mental and physical health in an NBC News poll released earlier this week.

In each case, Bidens mistake occurred while he told a well-worn story about his first Group of Seven summit after taking office in 2021.

Biden has previously said that after declaring during the meeting that, America is back, Macron turned to him and asked how long the US would remain a global leader. Merkel, the German chancellor at the time, subsequently evoked the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by asking Biden what his reaction would be if a mob broke into the House of Commons to disrupt the election of a British prime minister.

But on Sunday, Biden bungled the story  conflating Macron with Mitterrand, who died in 1996  some 25 years before the summit.

Mitterrand from Germany  I mean, from France  looked at me and said You know, what  why, how long you back for? Biden said.

Earlier: GOPs Haley Takes Fresh Jabs at Trumps Age, Legal Challenges

The misstep was highlighted by the campaign of Donald Trump, the former president currently favored to win the Republican nomination, and received widespread news coverage in France.

On Wednesday, Biden erred again - but this time confusing Merkel for Kohl, who died four years before the 2021 summit.

And then Helmut Kohl turned to me and said, What would you say, Mr. President, if you picked up the London Times and learned that a thousand people had broken down the doors of the British Parliament, killed some bobbies on the way in, to deny the prime minister to take office, Biden said at the second of three Manhattan fundraisers. He repeated the mistake while telling the story again at his third stop.

The flap comes just two days before Biden is expected to welcome the current German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, to the White House for meetings on securing additional aid for Ukraine.

Biden is not alone in embarrassing gaffes.

Trump, 77, confused Hungarian leader Viktor Orban and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a campaign speech in November. Last month, Trump repeatedly substituted Republican rival Nikki Haleys name when complaining that former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had not provided adequate security at the Capitol on Jan. 6.

Biden subsequently tweaked Trump over the mistake in a post to X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter.

I dont agree with Nikki Haley on everything, but we agree on this much: She is not Nancy Pelosi, Biden wrote.

(Corrects to clarify in lead that German chancellor is not the head of state.)

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Amana Ali joins about three dozen people protesting Israel's attacks in Gaza, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 in Dearborn, Mich. The protesters gathered hoping to be heard by members of the Biden White House who were scheduled to meet in suburban Detroit with Muslim and Arab American leaders. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP)  Top Biden administration officials met Thursday with Arab American and Muslim leaders in Michigan in an effort to mend ties with a community that has an important role in deciding whether President Joe Biden can hold on to a crucial swing state in the 2024 election.

He is facing increasing backlash from Arab Americans and progressives for his vocal support of Israel's war in Gaza since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas against Israel, although Biden has insisted he is trying to minimize civilian casualties there.

More than 27,000 people, mostly women and minors, have been killed in Gaza since militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory. Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and kidnapped about 250 more, mostly civilians, in its attack.

The meetings began Thursday morning and stretched throughout the afternoon. State Rep. Abraham Aiyash, the second-ranking Democrat in the Michigan House, spoke to The Associated Press following a nearly two-hour meeting with the Biden officials Thursday afternoon in Dearborn, describing the conversations as intense but direct.

I relayed the emotions and the concerns of our community, and we gave them tangible steps, said Aiyash, who is also the states highest-ranking Arab or Muslim leader. We want to see a permanent cease-fire. We want to be able to see restrictions and conditions on any military aid that is sent to Israel. And we want to see the United States take a serious commitment towards rebuilding Gaza.

Aiyash added that there will not be engagement beyond this if we do not see any tangible changes after this discussion.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Thursday that the meetings were private.

We want to give them the space to have a meeting that certainly has candor, certainly where -- we can hear directly from them, said Jean-Pierre.

We want to hear directly from them. We want to hear their concerns. We believe its important for these leaders to be able to speak directly to officials in the White House.

Michigan holds the largest concentration of Arab Americans in the nation and more than 310,000 residents are of Middle Eastern or North African ancestry. Nearly half of Dearborns roughly 110,000 residents claim Arab ancestry.

Dearborn is one of the few places where you have Arab Americans in such a concentrated area that your vote can actually matter, said Rima Meroueh, director of the National Network for Arab American Communities. So it gets the attention of elected officials, because if they want to win the state, theyre going to have to address this population.

After Republican Donald Trump won Michigan by fewer than 11,000 votes in 2016, Wayne County and its large Muslim communities helped Biden retake the state for the Democrats in 2020 by a roughly 154,000-vote margin. Biden enjoyed a roughly 3-to-1 advantage in Dearborn and 5-1 advantage in Hamtramck, and he won Wayne County by more than 330,000 votes.

The White House  and Biden's campaign  are keenly aware of the political dynamics.

Bidens campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, and other campaign aides went to suburban Detroit late last month, but found a number of community leaders unwilling to meet with them. Biden traveled to Michigan last week to court union voters but did not meet with any Arab-American leaders.

Administration officials making the trip to Michigan on Thursday included Samantha Power, head of the U.S. Agency for International Development, principal deputy national security adviser Jon Finer and Steven Benjamin, who directs the Office of Public Engagement, a White House official said.

Dearborn's mayor, Abdullah Hammoud, met individually with administration officials for nearly two hours Thursday morning. The discussion revolved around the administration's steps towards a cease-fire, increasing oversight of military support to Israel and resuming funding to the aid agency known as UNRWA, according to Hammoud.

There was a willingness to have a conversation on every policy topic that we brought forward, Hammoud told AP.

Taking this meeting was to ensure that the White House understood very clearly from us directly where we stand on all these issues, Hammoud said. But whats most important is what comes out of this meeting. We did our duty. We met, we expressed, we described, we demanded.

In addition to Aiyash and Hammoud, the administration also met with other Arab American and Muslim leaders, including Wayne County Executive Assad I. Turfe and Arab American News publisher Osama Siblani.

Some community leaders, including Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi, said they had declined invitations from the White House.

Aiyash, Hammoud and Turfe are among more than 30 elected officials in Michigan who have signed on to a Listen to Michigan campaign and pledged to vote uncommitted in the state's Feb. 27 presidential primary. Both Hammoud and Aiyash said that Thursday's meeting did not sway their decision to vote uncommitted.

Hammoud, who turned down a meeting with Chavez Rodriguez last month, added that he would not entertain meeting with Trump's team in the near future, saying that Trump has done nothing for this community and will continue to do nothing.

Imran Salha, imam of the Islamic Center of Detroit, told reporters before a protest Thursday in Dearborn that he is calling for all people of conscience to vote uncommitted" in the state's upcoming primary.

Were going to have the conversation at the ballot, Salha said. The main thing ... its about the bombs. While people are talking, bombs are falling. The only way for us to converse is to add pressure.

About three dozen demonstrators chanting free, free Palestine and stop the genocide marched from a shopping mall parking lot to near a hotel where the meeting took place. Some walked with children or pushed kids in strollers.

Im 100% Palestinian, said Amana Ali, 31, who said she was born in the United States. I feel the need to fight for where I came from and where my people came from.

Aruba Elder of Dearborn said new words are needed to describe the atrocities being committed in Gaza by the Israeli army.

Weve passed brutality. Weve passed every word you can think of to describe a humanitarian crisis," Elder said. She said she hopes this protest and others like it continue to create awareness.

You cant give up. Its worked in the past, hasnt it? she said.

___

Associated Press writer Colleen Long in Washington contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden is sending senior aides to Michigan on Thursday to meet with Arab American and Muslim leaders, according to three people familiar with the matter, as his administrations handling of the Israel-Hamas war frustrates members of a key constituency in a 2024 battleground state.

Some community leaders invited to the meeting said they welcome the opportunity to make their case directly to top Biden aides to use the administrations leverage on Israel to press for an immediate cease-fire and allow more humanitarian relief into Gaza.

Im going into that room and making it clear that the frustrations are that a cease-fire needs to be called, said Michigan state Rep. Alabas Farhat, adding that there also needs to be a release of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

The meeting could give the administration a chance to try to mend ties with a community that has an important role in deciding whether the president can hold on to a crucial swing state in his campaign for a second term.

Biden has faced stiff criticism from the states sizable Arab American and Muslim population since the start of the war on Oct. 7. Some activists even called for members of the community not to vote for the Democrat in November.

Im for the dialogue, and I believe we owe it to our country and to our community and the people in Gaza, to listen and be heard, Osama Siblani, publisher of the Arab American News based in Dearborn, Michigan, told The Associated Press. Siblani said he was invited by the White House and planned to attend.

Administration officials making the trip to Michigan include Samantha Power, head of the U.S. Agency for International Development, principal deputy national security adviser Jon Finer and Steven Benjamin, who directs the Office of Public Engagement, a White House official said.

All who discussed the plans were not authorized to do so publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The officials did not offer any details about the community members expected to attend.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to confirm details of the Michigan meeting, but said the administration has been consistent in outreach efforts to U.S. communities impacted by the war.

Obviously, were going to listen and hear what leaders of that community have to say, Jean-Pierre said. We are open to that, having a real honest dialogue.

Others expected to attend the meeting are Tom Perez, who leads the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, as well as Mazen Basrawi, the White House liaison to American Muslim communities, and aides Jamie Citron and Dan Koh.

Bidens campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, and other campaign aides went to suburban Detroit late last month, but found a number of community leaders unwilling to meet with them.

Other community activists have gone even further as they press their disapproval of the presidents handling of the war and have formed a group called Abandon Biden, a movement discouraging voters from supporting the president in November.

Siblani, the newspaper publisher, was one of the few Arab American leaders to meet with Rodriguez when she visited Dearborn at the end of January. He told AP at the time that he felt that was important because she made the effort to come to the community and listen.

Farhat said he expected Thursdays meeting to be the first in a series and a new channel being opened up directly to the White House. While the meetings are a step forward, Farhat said, its not a substitute for a cease-fire or policy change.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., a longtime resident of Dearborn and close Biden ally, said that she believed the meetings represented important progress.

I have lived in this community for 40 years and this is the most significant White House delegation Ive seen come into Michigan in those 40 years, Dingell said in an interview Wednesday.

The White House says administration officials have been in regular contact with Muslim and Arab American leaders in Michigan and across the country.

Michigan holds the largest concentration of Arab Americans in the nation and over 310,000 residents are of Middle Eastern or North African ancestry. Nearly half of Dearborns roughly 110,000 residents claim Arab ancestry.

After Donald Trump won Michigan by fewer than 11,000 votes in 2016, Wayne County and its large Muslim communities helped Biden retake the state for the Democrats in 2020 by a roughly 154,000-vote margin. Biden enjoyed a roughly 3-to-1 advantage in Dearborn and 5-1 advantage in Hamtramck, and he won Wayne County by more than 330,000 votes.

In 2020, Muslim voters nationally supported Biden over Trump 64% to 35%, according to AP VoteCast.

Many in the community have expressed anger that Biden hasnt called for a permanent cease-fire in the 4-month-old war that has killed more than 27,000 people in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory.

Israel began its military operation after Hamas on Oct. 7 launched attacks that killed some 1,200 in Israel. More than 240 people in Israel were captured and taken into Gaza. The U.S. believes more than 100 remain in captivity.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting Tel Aviv as part of a Mideast trip visit aimed at pushing forward negotiations brokered by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar for an extended pause in fighting in exchange for the release of the remaining hostages. U.S. officials believe such a deal could set a path to end the war.

But the effort appeared to suffer a setback as Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday rejected terms set by Hamas and called their demands delusional. Hamas has called for the hostages to be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, including senior militants, and an end to the war.

Biden was in Michigan last week for a visit with union workers. He did not meet with Arab American and Muslim community members. As Biden met with the United Auto Workers, dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators stood near the UAW Region 1 building in Warren and made their frustrations clear.

During that visit, Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud said the White House had yet to have a meaningful conversation for how you change course.

Hammoud previously turned down a meeting with Bidens campaign manager, but his office said in a statement that he had accepted the White House invitation to meet with officials on Thursday.

The statement added that the mayor intended to engage in conversation about policy change, centering on the lived experiences of the people of Gaza and amplifying the demands of the Dearborn community.

Plans for the Thursday meeting were first reported by CNN.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
The special counsel investigating President Joe Biden said in a lengthy report released Thursday that he would not recommend that criminal charges be filed over his handling of sensitive documents as a private citizen, despite finding evidence that he willfully retained and even disclosed classified material.

We conclude that the evidence does not establish Mr. Bidens guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, Robert Hurs office said in the 345-page report, and that no criminal charges were warranted in the case.

After leaving the vice presidency in 2017, Biden held onto classified documents about military and foreign policy in Afghanistan, as well as notebooks containing handwritten entries about issues of national security and foreign policy implicating sensitive intelligence sources and methods, according to Hurs report.

The records were discovered in Bidens former office in Washington and his home in Delaware in November 2022. Two months later, Hur was appointed to lead an investigation into the matter by Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Hurs report noted thatunlike former President Donald Trump, who was criminally indicted after it was found he had stockpiled classified records of his own at Mar-a-LagoBiden cooperated with the investigation. His team has repeatedly noted that his lawyers swiftly notified the National Archives after the discovery of the documents.

That cooperation was likely to convince jurors in any potential criminal trial that Biden had made an innocent mistake, Hurs office wrote. Whats more, Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did to investigators, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.

The report returned to the issue of Bidens memory frequently, including in reference to what Hur said was the single most convincing piece of evidence of willful retention and disclosure: A recorded conversation from 2017 in which Biden casually mentioned all the classified stuff hed just found downstairs to a ghostwriter.

But Biden appeared to be struggling with significant memory problems even then, Hurs team wrote, as evidenced by the painfully slow pace of the conversations with the ghostwriter, with Biden struggling to remember events and straining at times to read and relay his own notebook entries.

Bidens memory was even worse while speaking to special counsel investigators. The report noted that, while sitting for an interview, he forgot when his term as vice president began and ended. He did not remember, even within several years, when his son Beau died, the report added.

Given Mr. Bidens limited precision and recall during his interviews with his ghostwriter and with our office, jurors may hesitate to place too much evidentiary weight on the 2017 conversation, the report said.

Whats more, the report noted that investigators had been unable to confirm whether this classified stuff was the sensitive material later discovered in his garage. Hurs team searched for additional, more conclusive evidence, but found it wanting.

Even given the embarrassing disclosures about the presidents memory, the White House declined to assert executive privilege over the report, allowing it to be issued just a day after Garland notified congressional leaders that it had been completed.

In a statement to The Daily Beast, White House lawyer Richard Sauber said they disagreed with a number of inaccurate and inappropriate comments in the Special Counsel's report, but did not elaborate on the alleged inaccuracies.

Still, Sauber said, the Biden administration was pleased the investigation had concluded without the need for criminal charges. He dismissed the retention of classified materials as an unfortunate and common occurrence for lawmakers leaving office, but said that Biden planned to take new, substantive action to prevent it from happening again in the future. Sauber did not say what those steps would be.

The simple truth is President Biden takes classified information seriously and strives to protect it, Sauber said.

In a letter to Hur included in the report, Sauber and Biden personal attorney Bob Bauer hit back at the characterization of the president as a doddering old man.

We do not believe that the report's treatment of President Biden's memory is accurate or appropriate, Sauber and Bauer wrote. The report uses highly prejudicial language to describe a commonplace occurrence among witnesses: a lack of recall of years-old events.

Biden highlighted his full cooperation over the course of the 15-month investigation in a statement of his own. I cooperated completely, threw up no roadblocks, and sought no delays, he said, revealing that hed spoken with investigators for five hours over two days in October, in the middle of handling an international crisisHamas Oct. 7 attacks on Israel.

I just believe thats what I owed the American people, the president said, so they could know no charges would be brought and the matter closed.

Republican lawmakers have indicated they do not consider the matter closed, however, with congressional leaders previously signaling they have no intention of halting their own investigation into the matter. On Thursday, the House Judiciary GOP blasted the decision not to prosecute Biden a DOUBLE STANDARD on X.

They didnt want to bring charges against President Biden for the classified documents case because hes too old and has a bad memory, it complained in another tweet. Theyre admitting what we all see every day.

Trump, meanwhile, is facing more than three dozen federal criminal charges after being accused of actively trying to keep the government from recovering the classified materials he hoarded at his Florida estate. He did not directly address the Hur report on Thursday, but took to Truth Social to post a Fox News clip trumpeting the finding that Biden had willfully retained the material.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The News

President Joe Biden willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency, but wont face criminal charges for his actions, special counsel Robert Hur announced Thursday.

Bidens actions present serious risks to national security, Hur wrote in the report, adding that the president came off as a well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory during the investigation.

Hur said that Bidens apparent memory loss would convince the jury that he made innocent mistakes, and he laid out clear differences compared to former President Donald Trumps own classified document case, in which Trump willfully held on to classified information even after being given multiple chances to hand them over to the National Archives.

Bidens classified materials in question include documents about military and foreign policy in Afghanistan, and notebooks with Bidens handwritten notes exposing sensitive intelligence sources, according to Hurs report.

Know More

Hurs report detailed several instances of Bidens apparent memory loss, such as not remembering when his term as vice president began and ended, and the year of his son Beaus death.

The report found no evidence that Biden shared classified information with any foreign person.

The investigators considered pressing charges against Bidens memoir ghostwriter who had reportedly deleted audio files of significant evidentiary value, but ultimately decided against it after the FBI was able to recover deleted files from the writers computer and hard drive.

The View From The White House

The Biden administration welcomed the decision to not press charges but disagreed with a number of inaccurate and inappropriate comments made in the report, said Bidens special counsel Richard Sauber.

In a letter to Hur before the reports release, Bidens lawyers said the reporters treatment of Bidens memory wasnt accurate and slammed Hur for using highly prejudicial language. The letter said that it was common not to recall years-old events and that Bidens inability to remember specific details is neither surprising nor unusual for any witness.

It was unsurprising that Hur could not refrain from investigative excess, Bob Bauer, the presidents personal counsel, said in a separate statement, blaming it on intense pressures of the current political environment.

Sauber said that it was common for administrations to make mistakes when packing up documents, adding that Biden was planning to announce actions that would prevent such mistakes in the future.

In a statement, Biden said that he was so determined to cooperate with the Special Counsels investigation that he gave five hours of in-person interviews just two days after Hamas had attacked Israel on Oct. 7 and he was in the middle of handling an international crisis.

The View From the GOP

Republicans immediately decried Hurs decision not to charge Biden, reiterating their position that his Justice Department is unfairly singling out former President Donald Trump.

This has now proven to be a two-tiered system of justice and unconstitutional selective prosecution, Trump said in a statement.

Even before the reports release, House Republicans said they would move forward with their independent probe into the matter.

Many in Trumps sphere were quick to highlight Hurs concerns with Bidens memory.

If youre too senile to stand trial, then youre too senile to be president, Alex Pfeiffer of Make America Great Again Inc. said in a statement.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Three CEOs in charge of some of the countrys biggest pharmaceutical companies were in the hot seat as lawmakers grilled them about sky-high drug prices on Capitol Hill Thursday.

The outrageous costs of prescription drugs in America means that one out of four of our people go to the doctor, get a prescription and they cannot afford to fill that prescription, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said.

Joaquin Duato, CEO of Johnson & Johnson, Robert Davis, CEO of Merck and Chris Boerner, CEO of Bristol Myers Squibb were grilled by lawmakers about drug prices during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing.

At various times in each one of your statements, you talked about your price reflecting the value of your product. And the thing is human health and life is priceless, so if thats the metric here, you will always have an excuse for charging increasing prices for these life-saving drugs, Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), said.

All three CEOs testified that they are open to lowering drug prices but offered no real solutions on how to do so.

At the same time, many Americans are struggling to afford healthcare, including prescription medicines and we are eager to find solutions to these access and affordability challenges, Davis of Merck said.

We believe we have an important role to play in prioritizing the development of medicines that will bring savings to the healthcare system and as an industry we should set a higher bar for doing just that, Boerner of Bristol Myers Squibb said.

Sen. Sanders questions focused on why prescription prices are higher in the U.S. than other countries.

Our prices are based on the value our medicines bring to patients, the health care system and society, Duato of Johnson & Johnson said.

The CEOs of Merck and Johnson & Johnson agreed to testify only after they were threatened with subpoenas.

Following testimony from CEOs, lawmakers heard from a separate panel of experts to address the same topic.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Pamela Vickrey, executive director at Utah Juvenile Defender Attorneys, left, speaks with Rep. Sahara Hayes, D-Millcreek, during a House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee meeting on HB418, Student Offender Reintegration Amendments, at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

A new bill would take victims perspectives into account when reintegrating student offenders back into the school setting.

HB418 would create an avenue for students who engage in violent felonies or sexual misconduct toward a peer to attend a school thats different than the victim-survivors school. It would also create a procedure for a student to attend a different school if a peer at that school has a protective order against them.

The bill was discussed in the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee on Wednesday.

Rep. Ashlee Matthews, D-West Jordan, said that the bill prioritizes the safety and the mental health of the victims of the crime  whether they are teachers, faculty members, or other students and taking all of those victims statements into account when determining when or if the student offender is reintegrated into their home school.

Ben Horsley, the chief of staff for Granite School District, said This will simply codify what our practice has been, explaining that sometimes the procedures havent been followed properly.

Its important when there are victims of serious crimes on school property, whether it be a sexual act or an act of violence or behavior, that if and when a student (offender) needs to be reintegrated after mitigating that through the safe school process and procedure after being suspended for a period of time and working through other mitigation, there is an opportunity for us to notify and work with the victims, Horsley said.

During the public comment portion of the committee meeting, Pamela Vickrey with the Utah Juvenile Defender Attorneys said, I think none of us want to be able to see a situation where a victim has to be forced to go to school with someone who is an offender and there cant be accommodations made to address that.

Vickrey expressed concern that every kid who got into a fight at school would have to be expelled or suspended because of how broad the language was.

Unified Police Sgt. Zack Young speaks during a House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee meeting on HB418, Student Offender Reintegration Amendments, at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Unified Police Sgt. Zach Young said that the bill in question was an effort to have a tool to allow us to protect students. He spoke about his experience supervising a unit for school resource officers and how often they deal with difficult cases. We have students who dont know how to feel safe going to their schools.

Young said he believes the bill helps educators focus on their jobs of educating young people and allows law enforcement to have the tools they need to focus on public safety.

Erin Preston, an education attorney, said the intent of the bill is good but there were some areas that she believed could result in unintended consequences. As someone who has represented a lot of rural schools and charter schools that only have one school facility, I have some particular concerns if we dont allow a student to return to that school facility and the next school is 50, 60 miles, have we not just disenfranchised that child?

Preston added that in smaller school districts, there might not be a student resource officer who has an ongoing relationship with the administration and that could also bring in some difficulties.

At the close of public comment, there was a voice amendment from Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R-Clearfield. The amendment was to change a word in the bill from restrain to prevent in the context of the following line to restrain the minor if the parent or guardian knew in advance of the minors intent to commit the repeated offense.

Lisonbee said she wanted to make this amendment because she believes parents have a responsibility over their child, but they might not be able to physically restrain their child if their child is at school. The word prevent could include calling law enforcement if they knew their child was planning on repeating the offense.

This amendment was unanimously accepted.

At the conclusion of the committees discussion, the committee voted to advance the bill and give it a favorable recommendation.
Biden wins Nevada primary as Haley loses GOP contest skipped by Trump

Xinhua) 09:06, February 08, 2024

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden won Nevada's Democratic presidential primary on Tuesday while Nikki Haley lost the state-run Republican contest skipped by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Biden's victory in Nevada came days after he easily won the South Carolina primary, the first official nominating race of the Democratic Party in the 2024 presidential election cycle.

"Thank you, Nevada! We're building a campaign that leaves no one behind," Biden, who only faces longshot challenges from U.S. Representative Dean Phillips and author Marianne Williamson, wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Let's keep up this momentum."

Biden narrowly won Nevada, a battleground state in the Western region of the United States, in the 2020 presidential election, beating Trump.

Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and South Carolina governor, lost the Nevada Republican primary on Tuesday. With 79 percent of precincts reporting early Wednesday morning, the "none of these candidates category" has more than 62 percent of the vote, with Haley at 31 percent.

Trump's name wasn't on the Nevada primary's ballot because he is set to compete in party-run caucuses on Thursday, which will award all the state's 26 delegates to the winner. Haley was barred from participating in the Nevada caucus after opting to take part in Tuesday's primary.

Trump wrote in a social media post that it was a "bad night for Nikki Haley."

Haley has been going after Trump, 77, and Biden, 81, by criticizing their ages, alleging on X that Americans "need a president who has the focus and stamina to deal with all the challenges facing our country."

Republicans kicked off their voting season with the Iowa caucus in January, followed by the primary in New Hampshire. Trump won both contests, leaving Haley as the lone challenger to him 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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
PIERRE  Despite being described as a politically motivated piece of legislation, the House State Affairs committee voted Thursday to pass a bill that would ban the spread of misleading ballot information in South Dakota.

Bethany Soye, R-Sioux Falls, in the far left-hand corner listens to Gov. Kristi Noem give the State of the State speech on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024 at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre.

HB 1239 comes from Rep. Bethany Soye, R-Sioux Falls, but it was Rep. Scott Odenbach, R-Spearfish, who spoke about an instance before the 2022 GOP primary when postcards were sent across a handful of legislative districts that left out candidates appearing on the ballot and left out key information about the election.

I want to say one of the best things about America is the right to free speech and the ability to mix it up in campaigns, Odenbach said. ...But the bill does confirm the fact that the right to free speech ends at intentionally defrauding the voters.

The bill language itself is based on a 1913 law banning the spread of misinformation on ballot measures. Soye explained her bill would expand that ban to the full ballot.

Much of the debate centered around one word, facsimile, which means an exact copy. Rep. Will Mortenson, R-Fort Pierre, had concerns that if a postcard was sent out mimicking a ballot with a checkmark next to a candidate's name, it could be considered illegal under the proposed bill.

More: Third time isn't the charm for primary nomination process for South Dakota AG, SOS

I think we got to be real careful when we're talking about limiting free speech, he said.

The bill was quickly amended, with lawmakers quipping that the audience was watching live legislating, to ban exact copies of official sample ballots that contained misleading information.

Mortenson said that while he didnt like that the bill came from a politically motivated origin, he liked the merit of the bill and encouraged the sponsor in future testimony to speak to the merits.

Two no votes came from the committee, Rep. Erin Healy, D-Sioux Falls, and Rep. Rodger Chase, R-Huron.

It's a step forward, but you're still going to see nasty-grams out there from other entities that you have no control over, Chase said.

HB 1239 passed with a 7-2 vote and now heads to the House floor for debate.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: House committee considers banning misleading ballot information for South Dakota
RICHMOND  Legislation intended to shed light on animal experiments at state-funded facilities has been heavily amended after pushback from several universities.

The original bill, from Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, and Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin, would have required the facilities to publicize information about the number of animals used for testing and how they were obtained, as well as the percentage of funds spent on animal testing. It also would have prohibited the facilities from charging more than $25 to fulfill a Freedom of Information Act submission related to federal animal welfare violations.

The amended version would now direct the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and the State Council of Higher Education to convene a task force to study potential transparency deficiencies at publicly-funded facilities that conduct animal experiments.

Boysko said she amended her bill after it became clear the original measure would not progress. During a meeting last month, the Senate Companion Animals Subcommittee heard from several universities that opposed the legislation.

I am disappointed, Boysko said Thursday. I think having sunshine and transparency for how research institutions are using our tax dollars should be a basic expectation.

Ross Grogg with Kemper Consulting addressed legislators on behalf of Eastern Virginia Medical School. He said counting every animal would be complicated.

It requires manpower, he said. Members have suggested that we could just have a grad student stand and count animals, but thats just not how this could be implemented. Counting and the cost of counting would be a significant burden on the institution.

Annie Gibson, associate vice president for governmental relations for Old Dominion University, shared similar concerns. She estimated it would cost ODU about $700,000 to comply with the bill.

In addition, we do fear a chilling effect on our recruitment of outside researchers, she said.

Connor Andrews, legislative liaison for the University of Virginia, spoke against the FOIA requirements. He said the cost of fulfilling a FOIA submission should depend on the time needed to prepare and review the information.

Stanley, a subcommittee member, argued it was important for the public to easily access information, including about how the facilities dispose of animals.

Are you putting them out into the grass or the ground or are you grinding them up or leaving them in dumpsters? Dont you think thats maybe something we should all know? Stanley asked.

Andrews said he could find out about disposal methods from researchers.

Sen. Barbara Favola, an Arlington Democrat who chairs the subcommittee, lightly scolded Stanley and urged him to be more positive.

I cant find a lot positive about the horrible experimentation of animals but thats me, Stanley said. Envigo beagles: Two words.

Severe abuses at an Envigo-owned facility in Cumberland County that bred dogs for experiments garnered national attention in 2021. Virginia subsequently passed several new laws in 2022 to strengthen protections for cats and dogs in breeding facilities.

Other groups spoke in favor of the bill.

Tabitha Treloar, spokesperson for the Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said the legislation would only make institutions follow the same rules already required of shelters.

Every shelter in Virginia, private or public, has to annually report statistical information to VDACS regarding the number and type of animals we take in and their outcomes, she said, adding that public scrutiny helps shelters improve.

Daphna Nachminovitch, senior vice president of PETAs Cruelty Investigations Department, said it was fair to expect transparency because the facilities receive public money.

The commonwealth gave five of our public universities, Virginia Tech, UVA, VCU, ODU and EVMS, more than $133 million for research and development (in 2022), she said. Is it really too much to ask our public universities how many animals they have and how much money they spend on animal vs non-animal experiments?

Boysko told the subcommittee the legislation was especially crucial in light of recent animal welfare violations.

She said five public universities in Virginia have received 88 federal animal welfare violations since 2015. Two of those universities, ODU and Eastern Virginia Medical School, are in Hampton Roads.

Amid the concerns raised by universities, Favola advised Boysko to consider altering the bill to form a work study.

Fearing her bill would otherwise be killed, Boysko told The Virginian-Pilot she agreed. The amended bill passed the Senate with unanimous support for the third time on Thursday.

I do hope (the task force) will be meaningful, she said. Its my hope that we will be able to make inroads on this.

Other animal welfare legislation this year is continuing to progress in the General Assembly. One bill in the House would ban the declawing cats and another would prohibit the use of pain-inflicting training tools on elephants, like the bullhook.

A third bill, which has already passed the Senate, would allow localities to establish public animal cruelty registries so groups or individuals selling or giving animals away could easily research whether potential new owners had animal abuse convictions.

Another Senate bill that would have created a fund to reimburse veterinarians for sterilization surgeries they perform on cats and dogs from lower-income homes was continued to next year.

Katie King, katie.king@virginiamedia.com
A critical bipartisan bill proposing $118 billion for border security and aid to Ukraine and Israel stalled in the Senate Feb. 7, unable to garner sufficient support to move forward, The Guardian reported.

Despite ongoing efforts, it was evident early in the vote that the necessary majority would not be achieved, with only 49 senators backing the bill, short of the 60 votes needed.

Read also: US Senate may consider Ukraine aid separately from border security  report

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer planned to separate the bipartisan border security deal from the Ukraine/Israel aid bill and consider those independently, The Hill reported on Feb. 7.

On Feb. 5, the US Senate unveiled a $118 billion package, including $60 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion in aid to Israel, nearly $5 billion to allies in the Asia-Pacific region, $20 billion for strengthening immigration policy, and humanitarian aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip.

US President Joe Biden urged the House to promptly pass the bill. We have now reached an agreement on a bipartisan national security deal, which includes the toughest and fairest package of border reforms in the last decade. I strongly support it, said Biden.

Read also: White House blasts Trumps intimidation tactics

The bill on funding changes in immigration policy, as well as aid to Ukraine and Israel proposed by the Senate, is even worse than we expected and wont put an end to the border catastrophe, House speaker Mike Johnson said on X (Twitter) on Feb. 5.

On Jan. 19, Johnson revealed that he often discusses border reinforcement with former US President Donald Trump, including conversations on the eve of Bidens meeting dedicated to the border and aid to Ukraine.

On Jan. 25, the Financial Times reported that Republicans, influenced by Trump, who demands the party reject a compromise on immigration, are succumbing.

On Jan. 31, in his first official address as Speaker, Johnson stated that the Senate agreement under discussion is not sufficient to prevent migrants from Mexico entering the US. He had previously hinted that he would not unblock aid to Ukraine, calling the Senate agreement absolutely dead.

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
Voters, including Republican supporters of former President Donald Trump, dont like the practice of candidates applying nicknames to their political opponents.

More than three-quarters of voters surveyed in a nationwide Florida Atlantic University poll released Wednesday said its unacceptable to call competing candidates nicknames.

And two-thirds said its unacceptable to attack competing candidates by disparaging their personal characteristics.

The questions were written to be neutral, and so didnt mention Trump by name. But theres no mistaking who has employed the practice of assigning unflattering  or nasty  nicknames to political foes.

In or out of office, Trump is the nations name-caller-in-chief.

The most interesting thing to me is that despite the fact that people say they dont like it, it doesnt seem to be determinative for who theyre voting for, said Kevin Wagner, an FAU political scientist.

In other words, many say they dont like the nicknames and personal attacks  but also support Trump.

The poll found Trump leading President Joe Biden 41% to 37%.

What looks like a disconnect between what people say they want and how they actually vote isnt unique, Wagner said. (It) is sort of consistent with the pattern we often find in negative campaigning. People say they dont like it, but tend to be influenced and often persuaded by it.

Nicknames

During the campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, Trump bestowed negative nicknames on his two principal competitors.

DeSanctimonious was Trumps label for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, starting in 2022, when it became obvious that DeSantis planned to run for the 2024 Republican nomination.

Last month, after finishing a distant second place to Trump in the Iowa caucuses, DeSantis dropped out and endorsed Trump.

In return, the former president said the name DeSanctimonious was officially retired.

Birdbrain is Trumps name for former Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina  even though when he was president he appointed her as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

She is currently Trumps last remaining rival for the party nomination.

Disapproval

Voters say they dont like the practice of calling competing candidates by nicknames.

58% of voters strongly disagree that it is acceptable to call competing candidates nicknames; another 19% somewhat agree that it is acceptable.

Only 6% strongly agree its acceptable and 12% said its somewhat acceptable.

More women strongly disapproved (64%) than men (51%).

Younger voters were much less bothered than older voters: among 18-to-34-year-olds, 46% strongly disagreed that it is acceptable to use the nicknames, compared to 35-49, 54%; 50-64, 67%; and 65+, 72%.

People who said in the survey they planned to vote for Trump were far less likely than Biden voters to find it unacceptable to call competing candidates by nicknames.

Among Trump voters, 74% said they disagree that nicknames are acceptable (48% strongly; 26% somewhat).

Among Biden voters, 85% said they disagree that nicknames are acceptable (69% strongly; 15% somewhat).

Personal characteristics

Carly Fiorina, the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard and unsuccessful candidate for the 2016 presidential nomination, was subjected to a different kind of critique.

A Rolling Stone reporter traveling with Trump described what happened when Fiorinas face appeared on a TV screen. Look at that face! Trump said. Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president?!

He added, I mean, shes a woman, and Im not sposed to say bad things, but really, folks, come on. Are we serious?

After his comments were published, Trump didnt dispute the quote, but told Fox News that the comment was jocular in manner. Probably I did say something like that about Carly, Trump said. Im talking about persona. Im not talking about look.

Surveyed voters said they dont like candidates talking about personal characteristics.

Two-thirds of voters disagreed that it is acceptable to attack the competing candidates by disparaging their personal characteristics.

A quarter said it is acceptable.

Women were much less comfortable with men making disparaging attacks based on personal characteristics.

Is it acceptable?

All voters: 44% strongly disagree, 23% somewhat disagree that its acceptable.

Women: 48% strongly disagree, 24% somewhat disagree.

Men: 39% strongly disagree, 22% somewhat disagree.

Trump voters: 34% strongly disagree, 28% somewhat disagree.

Biden voters: 54% strongly disagree, 19% somewhat disagree.

An overwhelming majority (61%) said they strongly disagree that its acceptable to attack competing candidates by disparaging their family members. Another 18% somewhat disagree.

Just 15% said they somewhat or strongly agree that attacks on family members are acceptable.

Familiar pattern

Two prominent Floridians were singed by Trump nicknames during the race for the 2016 Republican nomination, when he had many names for his foes, including fellow Republicans.

Little Marco Rubio was in reference to the U.S. senator from Florida.

Trump offered a pronunciation and spelling lesson at a rally west of Boca Raton. The label should be l-i-d-d-l-e, he said at the time. He also mocked Rubio as a choke artist.

And he decried low-energy Jeb Bush, when referring to the former Florida governor.

They werent alone. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, for example, was Lyin Ted.

Trumps 2016 Democratic opponent in the general election was Crooked Hillary Clinton. In 2020 he said he was running against Sleepy Joe Biden.

Trump switched things up last year, labeling the president Crooked Joe.

The survey

The survey was done by Mainstreet Research for Florida Atlantic Universitys PolCom Lab, which is a collaboration of the School of Communication and Multimedia Studies and Department of Political Science.

The FAU survey of 1,180 adults was conducted on Friday and Saturday by Mainstreet Research. An important caveat: The survey was conducted via text message and an online panel. That made it impossible to assign a margin of error, the survey report said, adding it was intended to represent the voting population of the U.S.

_____
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, center, sits across the table as he meets with former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief Gadi Eisenkot and former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz in Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP)  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken left the Middle East on Thursday with public divisions between the United States and Israel at perhaps their worst level since Israels war against Hamas in Gaza began in October.

Wrapping up a four-nation Mideast trip  his fifth to the region since the conflict erupted  Blinken was returning to Washington after getting a virtual slap in the face from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said the war would continue until Israel is completely victorious and appeared to reject outright a response from Hamas to a proposed cease-fire plan.

Relations between Israel and its main international ally, the United States, have been tense for months, but Netanyahu's public dismissal of a plan the U.S. says has merit, at least as a starting point for further negotiation, highlighted the divide.

Yet Blinken and other U.S. officials said they remained optimistic that progress could be made on their main goals of improving humanitarian conditions for Palestinians civilians, securing the release of hostages held by Hamas, preparing for a post-conflict Gaza and preventing the war from spreading.

Officials said Blinkens optimism was based on his first four post-Oct. 7 trips to the Middle East. None of those visits resulted in immediate visible successes, but they brought limited but significant improvements in the delivery of humanitarian aid and a weeklong cease-fire in November in which scores of hostages were released.

Clearly there are things that Hamas sent back that are absolute non-starters, Blinken said of the response the militant group delivered Tuesday to a cease-fire and hostage release proposal that was endorsed last month by Egypt, Qatar, the U.S. and Israel itself.

But, at the same time, we see space to continue to pursue an agreement, Blinken said late Wednesday. And these things are always negotiations. Its not flipping a light switch. Its not yes or no.' Theres invariably back and forth.

Shortly before Blinken spoke, though, Netanyahu took direct aim at the Hamas response, calling it delusional and vowing that Israel would fight on to achieve absolute victory over the militant group, no matter what.

Compounding Blinkens dilemma, Netanyahu also appeared to dismiss concerns from the U.S. and others about expanding Israels military operations in southern Gaza, particularly in Rafah, the area on the Egyptian border to which over a million Palestinians have fled.

On all of my previous visits here and pretty much every day in between, we have pressed Israel in concrete ways to strengthen civilian protection, to get more assistance to those who need it. And over the past four months, Israel has taken important steps to do just that, he said. And yet  the daily toll that its military operations continue to take on innocent civilians remains too high.

Netanyahu also called for the dismantlement of UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, which is the main distributor of international assistance to Gaza, because of its alleged hostility toward Israel and allegations that a dozen of its employees took part in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that ignited the war.

The U.S. and other donor nations have suspended new assistance to UNRWA pending completion of a U.N. investigation into the allegations, but Blinken has nonetheless said the agencys role is critical to getting desperately needed humanitarian supplies into Gaza.

Blinken appealed to Netanyahu and other Israelis still reeling from the Hamas attack not to allow vengeance to dictate their continued response.

Israelis were dehumanized in the most horrific way on October 7, he said. And the hostages have been dehumanized every day since. But that cannot be a license to dehumanize others.

Blinken came to Israel just hours after the receipt of the Hamas counter-proposal to the framework cease-fire agreement put forward late last month. That proposal includes a three-phase plan to de-escalate the conflict.

In Qatar on Tuesday, both Qatars prime minister and Blinken said the proposal had promise as a starting point for further negotiation.

And Blinken talked up Saudi Arabias interest in normalizing relations with Israel, provided the Gaza war ends and the Palestinians are given a clear, credible and time-bound pathway to an independent state.

We remain determined as well to pursue a diplomatic path to a just and lasting peace, and security for all in the region, and notably for Israel, Blinken said in Tel Aviv.

However, Netanyahu is opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state and has said Israel will maintain open-ended security control over Gaza.
Palestinian child sits at the site of an Israeli strike on a house in Gazas Rafah (REUTERS)

The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has left the Middle East empty-handed once again as US relations with Israel appear to be at an all time low. Driven further downwards by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissing a Gaza ceasefire plan - one the US said had merit  as delusional.

Blinken was in the closing hours of another furious visit to the region to try to broker a hostage truce, when Netanyahu declared negotiations with the Hamas militant group were going nowhere.

The Israeli premier promised they were months away from total victory and vowed his troops would press ahead with an offensive into Rafah, the last refuge for civilians in Gaza. This is despite warnings from Washington that it could trigger another devastating humanitarian crisis.

Blinken had spent days shuttling between Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar and Israel, in his fifth attempt to bring a speedy conclusion to the disastrous war. The conflict which erupted after Hamas bloody 7 October assault on southern Israel, has pushed Gaza to the brink of collapse and threatened to trigger a region-wide war between the west and Iran-backed groups across the Middle East.

Blinken acknowledged a counter-offer truce deal presented by Hamas the day before had some clear non-starters  but believed it creates space for an agreement to be reached and the US would work at that relentlessly until we get there.

He said that the daily death toll in Gaza remains too high" and that Israel must strengthen civilian protection.

Thats especially true in the case of Rafah, where there are somewhere between 1.2 million and 1.4 million people, many of them displaced from other parts of Gaza, he added.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, second on the left, with members of Israels war cabinet (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

In an apparent slap in the face, Netanyahu called the proposed deal bizarre and promised his army would push ahead in Rafah soon. On Thursday Israel bombed the southern city, which borders Egypt, killing 11 people according to residents who fear it is the start of an imminent ground offensive.

Total victory over Hamas will not take years. It will take months, Netanyahu said in his fiery speech delivered just before Blinken spoke.

Victory is within reach, he said.

Israel has imposed a crippling total siege and ferocious bombardment of Gaza yet in retaliation for the 7 October assaults by Hamas on southern Israel where they killed around 1,200 people and took over 250 people hostage.

The air and ground offensive into the tiny strip has killed more than 27,500 people according to Palestinian health ministry, the vast majority of which are women and children.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that pushing into Rafah on the border with Egypt would "increase what is already a humanitarian nightmare with untold regional consequences."

It is now home to around 1.5 million people, five times its prewar population, the vast majority of families that have been displaced from across the destroyed 42-km-long strip.

ActionAid said on Thursday that families were so desperate they were reduced to eating grass amid desperate conditions in overcrowded shelters. It said an offensive on Rafah on top of this would be disastrous as infections and diseases are running rampant in overcrowded conditions.

Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike in Rafah (AP)

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said that they had recorded the spread of suspected hepatitis A and high rates of diarrhoea as around 70 percent of the 2.3 million strong population in Gaza is drinking salty and contaminated water.

Displaced families in Rafah told The Independent that food prices had risen tenfold with a kilo of sugar now around 9.

We are living in a makeshift tent in the grounds of a school, said one young man who asked not to be named for security fears. He and his family, who are from the north of Gaza, had been displaced twice already and had no home to return to.

The only hope we have is a ceasefire.

In Israel, the families of those taken hostage by Hamas were also pushing a ceasefire fearing their loved ones were dying in the bombing.

Israeli intelligence admitted in a recent leaked report that as many as a fifth of the remaining 136 hostages believed to be in Gaza might already be dead.

Following Netanyahus statement, families of the hostages and those who had been held captive in Gaza held their own press conference in Tel Aviv and urged the authorities to agree to any deal to bring their loved ones home.

Adina Moshe, 72, who was captured from Kibbutz Nir Oz on 7 October and released after 50 days in captivity underground, said in tears If you continue with the attempt to 'dismantle Hamas, there won't be any hostages left to save."

Gil Dickmann, whose cousin Carmel, 39 is also a captive, told The Independent the families hoped that at least this proposed ceasefire deal ignites negotiations and doesnt lead to more dead hostages.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's latest round of Middle East diplomacy ended on Thursday with a meeting with Israel's war Cabinet, but he leaves the region deprived of a deal for a truce in Gaza that would have allowed for the return of hostages.

The top US diplomat, who was on his fifth trip to the Middle East since the war between Israel and Hamas erupted, said at the meeting with Cabinet officials that the focus was on the hostages and "the strong desire" both the US and Israel have "to see them returned to their families."

Blinken also informed war Cabinet members Benny Gantz and Gabi Eisenkot - both of whom have held top military posts - about his talks in the region over the past several days, the Israeli broadcaster Kan said in its report on the meeting.

His shuttle diplomacy included stops in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and the West Bank. But his efforts to secure an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas were unsuccessful.

The tensions between the US and Israeli government were on full display on Wednesday, when Blinken called on Israel to moderate its ground and air campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

He said the massacre Israel suffered at the hands of Hamas and other extremists on October 7 should not be used as a "licence to dehumanize others."

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his government's hard line, saying the only way to get the hostages released was to keep up the major military pressure on Hamas.

Netanyahu, snubbing any truce-for-hostage deal with Hamas, said he was convinced that a "total victory" over the terrorist organization is possible within a few months.

Of around 136 hostages still held by Hamas, the military's public estimate is that at most just over 100 are still alive.

But the New York Times and others, citing confidential intelligence assessments, have reported the number of hostages killed is probably higher.

Fighting continues to rage in the Gaza Strip, where the Hamas-controlled health authority said on Thursday another 130 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks within 24 hours.

Since the beginning of the war on October 7, the number of people killed in the coastal strip has risen to at least 27,840, with another 67,300 injured.

The Israeli army reported fresh heavy fighting in the west of the city of Khan Younis in the south of Gaza. It said dozens of terror suspects were in the fighting and dozens more were taken into custody.

According to the Gaza health authorities, 14 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes overnight in Rafah, at the southernmost tip of the strip.

The UN says more than 1 million people are now living in dire conditions in the city directly on the border with Egypt.

The Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance service said on Thursday that one paramedic had been killed and two others injured by Israeli fire.

The war was triggered by the worst massacre in Israel's history, in which more than 1,200 people were killed on October 7 at the hands of militants from Gaza.

Israel says 228 servicemen and women have been killed since the start of the Israeli ground offensive in Gaza at the end of October.

There were renewed rocket alerts in the Israeli border towns with the Gaza Strip on Thursday.

Despite the Israeli ground offensive, extremist Palestinians have fired more than 14,500 projectiles at Israel in the past four months, with many of them intercepted.

Meanwhile, Norway said it will provide financial support to the embattled United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

The relief organization is the backbone of all humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said

Norway is therefore transferring 275 million Norwegian kroner ($25.8 million) for the organization's work for Palestinian refugees.

Spain announced at the beginning of the week that it would support the aid organization with a special payment of 3.5 million.

Eide, however, made it clear in a statement from his ministry that they were shocked by the accusations against UNRWA employees and expected full transparency.

But he said it was wrong to penalize millions of people collectively for the alleged actions of 12 employees.

UNRWA had recently warned that it might have to stop all its work within four weeks if promised funds were not paid.

More than a dozen countries, including the largest donors, the US and Germany, have suspended payments over allegations that a dozen of the aid organization's approximately 13,000 employees in Gaza were involved in the October 7 attacks on Israel.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's talks in Israel continued on Thursday with a meeting with the country's war Cabinet, amid efforts to broker a temporary ceasefire in Gaza that could allow for the return of hostages held by Hamas militants.

The top US diplomat, who is on his fifth trip to the Middle East since the war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement erupted, said at the opening of the meeting that the focus was on the hostages and "the strong desire" both the US and Israel have "to see them returned to their families."

Blinken said he would also inform war Cabinet members Benny Gantz and Gabi Eisenkot - both of whom have held top military posts - about his talks in the region over the past several days, the Israeli broadcaster Kan said in its report on the meeting.

On Wednesday, Blinken had called on Israel to moderate its ground and air campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

He said the massacre Israel suffered at the hands of Hamas and other extremists on October 7 should not be used as a "licence to dehumanize others."

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his government's hard line, saying the only way to get the hostages released was to keep up the major military pressure on Hamas.

Netanyahu said on Wednesday night he convinced that a "total victory" over Hamas is possible within a few months.

Of around 136 hostages still held by Hamas, the military's public estimate is that at most just over 100 are still alive. But the New York Times and others, citing confidential intelligence assessments, have reported the number of hostages killed is probably higher.

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas (R) meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at his headquarters in the city of Ramallah. Thaer Ganaim/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Israeli President Isaac Herzog (R) meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the President's Residence in Jerusalem. Amos Ben-Gershom/GPO/dpa
The BMW logo can be seen on the trunk lid of a car at the Dresden branch. Robert Michael/dpa

German carmaker BMW has successfully brought a civil case alongside e-commerce giant Amazon to block the sale of counterfeit BMW parts and accessories at the European Union's Trademark Court in the Spanish city of Alicante.

The court ruled that four Spanish residents had attempted to sell counterfeit BMW parts and accessories on the online platform throughout Europe, the two companies announced in a joint statement on Thursday.

The court ordered the fraudsters to destroy the counterfeit products and pay compensation to the plaintiffs.

It is the first success of its kind in court in Spain that Amazon's Counterfeit Crimes Unit (CCU) and the BMW Group have achieved.

The four men were ruled in the civil case to have violated laws, breached Amazon's guidelines and disregarded the BMW Group's registered trademarks by attempting to sell counterfeit products such as valve caps, emblems and key rings.

The men had even submitted fake proofs of origin as part of the scheme, the court found.

Amazon said that it detected the suspicious activity using advanced machine learning technology and worked with BMW to confirm that the products in question were in fact counterfeit.
Officials in Joplin have released body camera recordings from a standoff in Kansas where a police sniper killed a 2-year-old girl, whose family later received a $1.5 million settlement.

Footage indicates that officers knew the girl was near her father, Eli Crawford, during the March 2022 incident in Baxter Springs, in southeast Kansas. Police from Joplin had been called in to assist the Baxter Springs Police Department.

Clessie Lynn Jane Crawford can be heard in the background during a phone call with negotiators.

Babys close to him, one of them says after Eli Crawford hangs up on them.

An officer calls back and continues talking to Eli Crawford. The officer asks, How can we get Clessie out of there safely?

Seven seconds later, Eli Crawford says, They just shot my baby in the head.

He apparently killed himself soon after.

In January, the City of Joplin declined to immediately release the videos after The Star sent in a records request. City Clerk Holly Nagy cited litigation filed by the sniper to redact his name from recordings or reports that can become public in Missouri once a case is closed.

That case is ongoing, but officials later changed course and released videos from five officers who were at the scene.

Took his shot

Around 7:15 p.m. on March 26, 2022, Baxter Springs police responded to a domestic disturbance at Crawfords home.

Eli Crawford, 37, opened the door and then shut it after seeing police, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation said. Clessie reopened the door and her mother Taylor Shutte ran outside. The KBI in a news release said Crawford stepped outside and fatally shot Shutte, 27.

He also shot at four responding officers, the KBI said. Police retreated and he continued shooting. Additional law enforcement responded, including Joplin polices SWAT team.

Body camera footage shows several calls with Crawford, who wants his sister to be allowed to come get Clessie.

When the negotiator tells Crawford he wants everyone to come out of this safe, Crawford says, I dont want to come out of this safe, bro. Im dead. I want my baby taken care of.

Clesslynn Crawford, 2, was shot and killed by police during a hostage situation in Baxter Springs, Kansas, officials said.

He makes several threats and says he has hand grenades. The KBI said Crawford fired more than 90 rounds throughout the standoff.

After he hangs up one of the calls, officers talk about how Eli Crawford has lost people close to him, several in violent or tragic ways.

During another call, Crawford appears to fire shots off and says, I have plenty more where that came from.

Two minutes later, the Joplin sniper who was positioned nearby in a wooded area fired into the trailer, killing Clessie.

In another video, a second sniper joins officers in an armored vehicle and says the other sniper took his shot.

As soon as that happened, probably five seconds later, there was another shot and a body hit. Like it sounded like impact.

Eventually teams of law enforcement move in, sidestepping Shuttes body and prying their way into the trailer. Inside they discover the bodies of Crawford and his daughter.

Got a child down, an officer says.

Oh f---.

Police entered a trailer during a standoff where three people, including a 2-year-old girl, were killed in Baxter Springs, Kansas.

Aftermath of shooting

In September, a review completed by then-Cherokee County Attorney Nathan Coleman ended with a decision to clear the police sniper who fired the fatal shot of criminal wrongdoing.

Considered by county prosecutors were Kansas laws governing self-defense as well as reckless actions that end in a homicide. Prosecutors concluded the sniper reasonably mistook Clessie for her 37-year-old father given the conditions of the night.

At roughly 3 feet tall, the sniper did not expect Clessie to be elevated in the camper trailer. Lights inside the trailer against the darkness of night presented the sniper with silhouettes. And the shot was taken shortly after the sniper reported a volley of gunfire from the window he was assigned to watch, according to the county attorneys report.

Ballistics and scene reconstruction determined Clessie likely stood on a small couch when she was shot. The sniper immediately saw evidence of the shot hitting a target and believed Crawford was the person struck, according to the county attorneys report.

In March, Clessies family filed a federal lawsuit claiming her civil rights were violated when she was killed by police.

The City of Joplin, City of Baxter Springs, Cherokee County and Sniper One were listed as defendants.

The lawsuit, filed in the District of Kansas, said the girl had done nothing wrong, had not violated any law, and was not suspected of any wrongdoing whatsoever, and that the defendants violated her clearly established fundamental civil rights.

Those rights include the right to be free from unreasonable seizure, the right to bodily integrity, the right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment, and the right to not be deprived of life without due process.

In November, a judge approved a $1.5 million settlement. Court documents said Joplin was responsible for paying $1.4 million while Baxter Springs and Cherokee County each paid $50,000.

Kansas City attorney Tom Porto represented Clessies grandfather, who was also Shuttes father. Porto, who viewed evidence from the scene, said he wished he could forget what he had seen.

This is truly one of the saddest cases Ive ever worked on in my life, he said.

Attorney Grant Boyd represented Clessies grandmother, who was also Crawfords mother.

We are glad that there was some sense of justice in this horrific tragedy, Boyd said in a statement.

He also said an extended family member referred to the girl as Clesslynn, which has been used in previous news stories, but her name was Clessie.

The Star asked each of the jurisdictions for comment on the settlement and if any changes to policies or training had been made as a result of the shooting.

Mike Seck, an attorney for the City of Baxter Springs, said the city was not involved in the shooting and was sued only because the event started in our City. He referred questions to Joplin.

Joplin City Attorney Peter Edwards said as a rule, the City does not comment on pending or past litigation.

An attorney for Cherokee County did not respond to a request for comment.
Police have identified the body found Tuesday afternoon just north of Dallas along U.S. 321.

Gaston County Police have confirmed the identity of Glen A. Miller, a 56-year-old Black man originally from Ohio. Given the circumstances, authorities are treating this incident as a homicide and are actively investigating, according to a press release.

The body was found along U.S. 321 northbound near Ratchford Drive shortly after 4 p.m. after a law enforcement officer from a different agency spotted the man from the road and contacted the Gaston County Police Department to take over the investigation.

Authorities say he appears to have had a pre-existing injury to his lower left leg, but a cause of death has not been determined.

Police ask anyone with information to contact Detective H. King at 704-866-3320. Tips can also be called or texted to Gaston County Crime Stoppers at 704-861-8000, the release said.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Body identified for man found along U.S. 321 in Gaston County
Use British embassies for safe and legal asylum routes to UK in new migration plan, say centrist Tories

British embassies and consulates overseas should be used to develop safe and legal asylum routes to the UK as part of a broader plan to tackle irregular migration, centrist Tories urged on Thursday.

They also stressed the need for pragmatic solutions, not Right-wing rhetoric just days after Conservative hardliners urged Rishi Sunak to toughen his immigration policy.

The Conservative European Forum published a report outlining a more comprehensive plan than the Governments blueprint with its focus on deportation flights to Rwanda.

The proposals in the study by former immigration minister Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate includes:

* Developing safe and legal asylum routes to Britain through greater use of embassies and consulates overseas.

* Reducing the rate of successful asylum claims in the UK to European norms.

* Negotiating a mutually beneficial migration agreement with the European Union similar to the one that Brussels struck with Turkey, which has seen many asylum seekers and economic migrants arriving on Greek islands returned to Turkey.

* Using carrot and stick approach to expand returns agreements, such as the one struck with Albania.

* Expanding bilateral co-operation with countries both within and outside the EU similar to that with Italy.

* Co-operating with the EU to invest upstream to deter migration at source.

* A clearer plan to invest in integration initiatives for accepted migrants.

Former Cabinet minister Sir David Lidington, chairman of the CEF, stressed the importance of Britain adhering to international standards, with Home Secretary James Cleverly unable to say whether the Governments flagship Rwanda plan would abide by human rights laws.

Sir David added: We need to address the complex issue of irregular migration, a challenge that is not unique to the United Kingdom but is shared across the European continent.

Whatever policy options our Government pursues, adherence to the European Convention on Human Rights and International Law must remain paramount at all times. Our approach must be both humane and legally sound. Importantly, we need pragmatic solutions, not Right-wing rhetoric.

His comments came just days after Right-wing Tory MPs gathered at a Popular Conservatives gathering in central London where they pushed for tougher action to tackle the small boats crisis in the Channel, with thousands of asylum seekers and economic migrants risking their lives to cross the busy shipping waterway in often unseaworthy inflatable vessels.

Some of them have argued that Britain should disregard the European Convention on Human Rights to allow more hardline policies to reduce immigration.

But Stephen Hammond, the centrist Conservative MP for Wimbledon, highlighted the need for a broad strategy.

He said: As the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary have made clear, the Rwanda policy is not a silver bullet to prevent channel crossings.

We need a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to irregular migration. The report today presents a series of constructive and balanced proposals that could support the government in stopping the boats.

The CEF stressed that the Turkey deal with the EU saw a 90 per cent reduction in sea crossings to Greek islands by migrants.

It added that the UK has one of the highest rates in Europe of successful asylum claims, at 76 per cent, compared to Germany (65 per cent), Italy (48 per cent), and France (28 per cent).

The Governments Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill aims to limit judicial challenges to its deportation plan, and seeks to compel judges to regard Rwanda as a secure haven.

But Conservative former solicitor general Lord Garnier has compared the legislation, which tries to assert Rwanda to be safe for asylum seekers from Britain, as like ruling all dogs are cats.

Peers are expected to put forward several amendments to the bill but not to block it and it is expected to clear Parliament by mid to late March.

Lord Kirkhope stressed: Dealing with irregular migration requires us to move beyond one-dimensional solutions and adopt a constructive, workable strategy.

Its like a toolbox  we need to know which tools to use, how to use them properly and when, ensuring a balanced and effective approach. A carrot and a stick approach is key.
Ukraine should not expect significant progress on its membership application at the upcoming summit in Washington, British Ambassador to NATO David Quarrey said on Feb. 8, according to Politico.

This is due to the "situation on the ground," a likely reference to Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine.

Read also: Top Ukraine officials, NATO allies to discuss securing communications, countering hackers in Kyiv

Britain is nonetheless absolutely convinced that Ukraine's "rightful place" is in NATO.

"It's a question of when, not if, and our job here is to continue supporting Ukraine as it comes ever closer to the alliance," he said.

Quarrey also commented on the EU's approval of a 50 billion ($53.7 billion) aid package for Ukraine, expressing hope that the aid would be delivered "as quickly as possible."

This assistance is important, among other things, because of the political signal it sends about the West's continued commitment to Ukraine and its desire to "see this through," he said.

Read also: State Department denies US opposition to Ukraines NATO membership

The NATO summit in Washington will be held on July 9-11.

At the last NATO summit in Vilnius, Ukraine was not invited, but the final communique stated that Ukraine no longer needs to fulfill the Membership Action Plan to join NATO.

It also noted that the Alliance sees Ukraine in NATO, but member states did not outline any clear conditions or timelines for invitation and accession, as Kyiv had demanded.

The summit also established the NATO-Ukraine Council, and the G7 countries declared a promise of future security guarantees for Ukraine in a framework document.

The Wall Street Journal cited sources as saying that some Western officials were offering Ukraine a deal on territorial concessions to end the war in exchange for joining NATO.

During a press conference on Dec. 19, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that NATO was the most powerful option for Ukraine, but that "partial" accession to the Alliance was a huge risk.



Read also: Ukraine and Germany set to sign security pact in February

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
PROVIDENCE  Sometimes disasters can bring about lucky finds, or at least finds that appear to be lucky.

Such was the case one day last week for Kyle McElroy, who lives a block off Broadway. She was driving home from the University of Rhode Island, where she's a Ph.D. student in marine affairs. Nightmare traffic from the closure of half of the Washington Bridge forced her to find a new way home, and she found herself driving down Broadway in the opposite direction from her usual route.

That's when she stumbled on it: Helen's 445, a new restaurant on the corner of Broadway and Almy Street.

"I got really excited," she told The Providence Journal. "I came home and told my partner the new place opened up. He always likes going to new places."

They started to make plans for a visit, but the hours weren't listed online.

Neither was the restaurant.

The Broadway side of "Helen's," a set for the filming of "Ella McCay."

"I couldn't find it on Google," she said.

But that didn't dampen her enthusiasm. At a Friday Pilates class, she told a friend. "Hey, I saw a new place on Broadway!"

But, when she said the new place is named Helen's, the friend had bad news. "She said, 'It's a movie set,'" McElroy recalled. "It was a little disappointing."

What looks like a new restaurant is for 'Ella McCay filming

While folks in the neighborhood might be disappointed, many in Rhode Island are excited about the project, which will be a filming location for the James L. Brooks movie now filming in Providence, "Ella McCay," starring Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis and Woody Harrelson.

A member of the crew puts some finishing touches on the interior of "Helens," apparently a set for a bar in the filming of "Ella McCay."

Producers are keeping their filming schedule confidential, but emergency no-parking signs along Broadway cover the period from Wednesday until Feb. 19. Filming for the movie started Monday in a quiet neighborhood off Blackstone Boulevard on the city's East Side. It will continue into April.

A few questions remain unanswered about the new "restaurant:"

The ground floor of this house at the corner of Almy Street and Broadway in Providence appears to be getting a makeover as a bar that will be a set in the filming of the James L. Brooks movie "Ella McCay."

Will locals ever be able to dine or drink at Helen's? What about those employed as movie extras?

What will become of the spot after filming wraps?

Will Harrelson, who won a 1989 Emmy Award for portraying bartender Woody Boyd in "Cheers," tend bar at Helen's?

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Helen's 445 on Broadway in Providence looks like a bar, but it's a movie set
Des Moines police responded to a shooting on University Avenue near Drake University in Des Moines on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022.

Two men have been charged with the shooting death of a man near Drake University that happened in December 2022, authorities said in a statement Thursday morning.

James Mikale Wiggins, 35, was charged with the murder of 35-year-old Tyrone Livon Hutchins, of Des Moines, according to a news release.

Marcell Navell Wiggins, 38, was charged with going armed with intent and felon in possession of a firearm.

Tyrone Livon Hutchins was killed in a shooting along University Avenue near Drake University on Dec. 10, 2022.

Hutchins died of gunshot wounds on the sidewalk outside Ricos Pub, 2314 University Ave, on Dec. 10, 2022. A 29-year-old woman was also shot, but recovered.

Both men charged are brothers, said Des Moines police spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek.

The brothers were armed with handguns when they had entered the bar in the Dogtown District near Drake University to confront Hutchins, the news release said. Marcell Wiggins and a third person initiated a confrontation with Hutchins.

James Wiggins shot and killed Hutchins after he attempted to leave the bar, police said.

Both brothers were found in Las Vegas with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Marcell Wiggins was taken into custody on Jan. 5 and returned to Des Moines, the statement said. He was released from the Polk County Jail on Jan. 22.

James Wiggins was taken into custody Feb. 2, the news release said. Extradition proceedings to return James to Des Moines are currently ongoing.

Jose Mendiola is a breaking news reporter for the Register. Reach him at jmendiola@dmreg.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Brothers charged in connection to 2022 murder near Drake University
The Bulgarian authorities are preparing amendments to the country's criminal code that will allow the Kremlin regime to be prosecuted for its war of aggression against Ukraine.

Source: Bulgarian Justice Minister Atanas Slavov in an interview with Euractiv, reported by European Pravda

Quote: "Our goal is for Bulgaria to be able to launch criminal proceedings, exercising universal jurisdiction, for the committed war crimes and crimes against peace and humanity in Ukraine. This will be an act of support for international efforts to investigate Russian aggression in Ukraine."

Details: According to documents seen by Euractiv and discussed at Coreper II meetings last year, Bulgaria is among the minority of EU countries that have not initiated criminal proceedings for war crimes in Ukraine or for evading EU sanctions against Russia.

"It is crucial that Bulgaria can initiate proceedings for war crimes in Ukraine, exercising universal jurisdiction, given the large number of Ukrainian refugees in the country. They can testify," Slavov said.

There are almost 100,000 Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria, many of them from areas where combat actions are taking place, such as Kherson Oblast. The Bulgarian minority in Ukraine numbers 200,000 people, many of whom may also be able to contribute to war crimes investigations following the outbreak of Russian aggression.

Once the data is collected from all European countries, this evidence could be invaluable in the establishment of a future war crimes tribunal in Ukraine.

Quote: "I would be very happy if such a step would help the future international investigation by an international tribunal, and Bulgaria would actively participate in the efforts of the international community."

More details: Many European countries have already launched investigations, some of which are questioning hundreds of thousands of people, with the Baltic republics being the most active, according to documents seen by Euractiv.

Slavov said that the future inclusion of the offence of "aggression" in Bulgaria's Criminal Code "will allow the prosecution of the military-political leadership that issued the orders for the relevant military actions in Ukraine."

"Because the evidence of war crimes on the ground often reaches a medium level. While the crime of aggression is for the high management level. At the European level, there is the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. Our idea is for Bulgaria to actively contribute to European efforts because we have committed to this."

Background:

It was revealed earlier that Bulgaria had searched the premises of the General Directorate Combating Organized Crime of the Ministry of the Interior in connection with suspicions of spying for Russia.

The Bulgarian media reported that the suspect supposedly passed classified information to a former diplomat of the Russian Embassy in Sofia, who was recently declared persona non grata.

In the second half of 2023, Bulgaria ordered that Archimandrite Vassian, a representative of the Russian Orthodox Church, and Alexander Gatsak, a propagandist from the official Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper, leave the country.

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Bulgaria is set to revise its criminal code to enable the prosecution of the Russian leadership for war crimes committed against Ukraine, announced countrys Justice Minister Atanas Slavov in an interview with Euractiv on Feb. 8.

Read also: Bulgaria works 24/7 to produce weapons for Ukraine  Bulgarian Defense Minister

Our goal is for Bulgaria to be able to launch criminal proceedings, exercising universal jurisdiction, for the committed war crimes and crimes against peace and humanity in Ukraine, said Slavov. This will be an act of support for international efforts to investigate Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Unlike most EU member states that have already started criminal investigations related to Russian military crimes in Ukraine and evasion of EU sanctions against Russia, Bulgaria has yet to initiate such proceedings, according to documents Euractiv has reviewed.

Countries in the Baltic region have been notably proactive, with investigations that have involved questioning hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian citizens. Slavov pointed out the significance of the substantial Ukrainian refugee population in Bulgaria as potential witnesses to the crimes.

Read also: Bulgarian parliament overrides presidential veto to give Ukraine 100 APCs

The aggregation of evidence from across Europe will bolster the foundation for a future tribunal dedicated to probing war crimes in Ukraine. I would be very happy if such a step would help the future international investigation by an international tribunal, and Bulgaria would actively participate in the efforts of the international community, Slavov stated.

The proposed inclusion of the crime of "aggression" in Bulgaria's Criminal Code is particularly noteworthy. It would allow for the prosecution of military and political leaders responsible for ordering operations in Ukraine, addressing a gap where evidence often implicates only mid-level personnel. Slavov highlighted the complexity of proving war crimes on the ground, which frequently involves lower-ranking figures, whereas the crime of aggression pertains to the upper echelons of leadership.

With nearly 100,000 Ukrainian refugees currently residing in Bulgaria, many from conflict zones like Kherson, and a significant Bulgarian minority of 200,000 in Ukraine, there's a substantial base of individuals who could contribute to war crimes investigations. In support of international justice, Bulgaria endorsed point 7 of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's peace formula last November, which calls for restoring justice by prosecuting crimes committed in Ukraine.

Read also: U.S. backs Hague Court investigation into Russian war crimes, says State Department

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a news conference in Oakland, Calif., on July 26, 2021. Gov. Newsom said Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, he is sending prosecutors to Oakland to help crackdown on rising crime in the San Francisco Bay Area city where brazen, broad daylight robberies have been getting national attention. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)  California's governor announced plans Thursday to send prosecutors to Oakland in his latest move to crack down on rising crime in the San Francisco Bay Area city where brazen robberies in broad daylight have drawn national attention.

Gov. Gavin Newsom days earlier said he would deploy 120 California Highway Patrol officers to also help with targeted crackdowns on criminal activity in Oakland, a city of 400,000 people across the bay from San Francisco that has seen a spike in violent crimes, including serious drug-related offenses, retail theft, and auto burglaries, even though crime in other California urban centers is falling.

The additional deputy attorneys general from the California Department of Justice and attorneys from the California National Guard would help Alameda County prosecute suspects arrested for serious and complex crimes, Newsom said. He didn't say how many prosecutors would be sent or when.

Alameda County Public Defender Brendon Woods called Newsom's plan a band-aid to fix a broken arm.

More prosecution and more police is not the solution here," Woods said in a statement. "We need housing, money for community-based organizations, higher wages, employment, as well as money for our schools, medical care and mental health.

Car break-ins where the thieves use a car-escape tool to tap a glass window and silently shatter it and then steal belongings left inside the car have become so commonplace in the Bay Area that the criminal activity has its own verb: bipping a car. Some thieves have bipped cars in broad daylight with occupants in them.

An arrest isnt enough, Newsom said in a statement. Justice demands that suspects are appropriately prosecuted. Whether its bipping or carjacking, attempted murder or fentanyl trafficking, individuals must be held accountable for their crimes using the full and appropriate weight of the law.

Woods said California has tried increased prosecution and harsher sentences and that led to mass incarceration and severe prison overcrowding.

We cant keep doing this over and over, Woods said. We need different solutions.

Oakland has been without a permanent police chief since February 2023, when Mayor Sheng Thao fired then-Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong after a probe ordered by the oversight monitor found he mishandled two misconduct cases. Armstrong sued the city of Oakland and its mayor on Monday, saying he was unlawfully terminated in retaliation for criticizing the federal court-appointed monitor overseeing the department.

Oaklands police department has been under federal oversight since 2003 after a rookie officer came forward to report abuse of power by a group of officers known as the Oakland Riders. The case resulted in the department being required to enact more than four dozen reform measures and report its progress to an outside monitor and a federal judge.
A California woman is still missing after disappearing Sunday on a hike at Mount Baldy, as an atmospheric river plagued California with heavy rain, snow and life-threatening flooding.

Lifei Huang, 22, set out for a solo hike at 2 p.m. on Sunday and has not been heard from since 4 p.m. that day. West Valley Search and Rescue began recovery efforts at 2:30 a.m. Monday, but have been limited by extremely heavy snowfall and avalanche risks, according to a Tuesday news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department.

On Wednesday, San Bernardino department spokesperson Gloria Huerta told CNN crews will resume searching when conditions become less dangerous. Huerta said crews are still stationed at trailheads in case Huang walks out on her own.

The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department recovered three other experienced hikers on the mountain after a four-hour search Monday morning, the department said in a news release. Rescuers had told the group to shelter overnight Sunday and all three were medically cleared after the rescue.

Mount Baldy has been the site of other hikes and drives gone wrong. A woman spent four nights trapped in her car after toppling to the bottom of a California canyon. British actor Julian Sands was discovered dead on the mountain in June 2023 after he went missing on a hike earlier in the year.

The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department urged residents to refrain from mountain activities during this inclement weather.

The weather has effectively buried the mountain in snow and it is highly likely hikers will get into trouble, the release said. Resources are stretched to their limits and hikers who get lost may have to wait long periods of time before help is available.

Mount San Antonio, better known as Mount Baldy, is approximately 50 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Los Angeles had its wettest day in almost 20 years on Sunday, experiencing about a typical months worth of rain in a day.

Californias rapid flood waters drove residents into dangerous situations over the last week. Fire crews rescued three people on Sunday who climbed into a tree to escape the flood in San Bernardino, and at least nine weather-related deaths have been reported in the state.

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Farmworkers report to work in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Associated Press)

California Democrats lambasted the state's workplace safety agency on Wednesday after hearing testimony from farmworkers who said they have been exposed to extreme heat and pesticides on the job and have faced wage theft and other labor law violations.

At a hearing of the Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment, farmworkers and their advocates testified that the state has repeatedly failed to enforce workplace protection laws.

The allegations come as the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal/OSHA, is grappling with a 38% employee vacancy rate. That understaffing has compounded workplace safety compliance in a high-risk industry where fear of retaliation or deportation already keeps low-wage workers from filing complaints for workplace violations, speakers said Wednesday.

"I have heard time and time again that the laws in the fields are not the laws that we are passing here at our statewide level," Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) said Wednesday. "We know that implementation is not working for our communities."

A representative from Cal/OSHA told lawmakers Wednesday that a formation of a new "agricultural enforcement unit" is underway and will prioritize recruiting employees focused on farm work.

Committee Chair Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro) said following the hearing that she was unsatisfied with the state agency's response and is calling for an audit of Cal/OSHA.

Ortega called what's happening on some of the state's farms "dangerous and illegal" and refused Wednesday to accept funding concerns as reason for subpar workplace safety compliance, pointing out that while California is currently facing a multibillion-dollar deficit, there was a budget surplus at the time when many farmworker complaints surfaced.

"To say I'm infuriated is an understatement," Ortega said Wednesday. "I don't want to hear any more excuses. It's excuse after excuse, year after year."

A potential audit could be facilitated through legislation or through a joint committee in the Legislature, which votes on issues deemed worthy of investigation. Other lawmakers, including Arambula and Sen. Dave. Cortese (D-San Jose), said they would support such an audit.

Debra Lee, chief of Cal/OSHA, said she was "very concerned" by the testimonies on Wednesday. Under the agency's new agricultural enforcement unit, an anonymous complaint hotline for farmworkers will be established and offices will be expanded in farm rich places like the San Joaquin Valley, she said.

"Our mission is worker safety and health," Lee said at Wednesday's hearing. "Workers' lives and livelihoods depend on our ability to jointly prevent injury and illness."

Agricultural work is considered among the most dangerous in the United States, and the effects of climate change are exposing outdoor laborers to life-threatening heat more than ever before.

California has laws that provide farmworkers with overtime pay and shield those who are residing in the country illegally from being punished by their employers if they file wage complaints. Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law that made it easier for farmworkers to unionize and created a program to provide free legal assistance to immigrant farmworkers who are involved in state labor investigations.

Still, enforcement of those laws is not always happening out on the field, workers, advocates and union representatives told lawmakers Wednesday. Workers said they do not trust state agencies due to deportation concerns and have faced barriers when they have tried to contact Cal/OSHA in the past.

Cristina Gonzalez, who works as a farmworker harvesting tomatoes, blueberries and figs in Madera, said that she has tried to help her colleagues file complaints with the state but could not contact someone speaking Indigenous languages such as Mixteco at Cal/OSHA.

"This makes us lose faith," Gonzalez told lawmakers.

Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria (D-Merced) said she was stunned by reports that Cal/OSHA workers have been "condescending" to farmworkers who have sought their help or ignored them altogether.

"It really infuriates me to hear that these vulnerable workers  workers that are most of the time not willing to call [Cal/OSHA] because they get treated like crap  that when they call a state agency, they're not responsive in meeting their needs," Soria said.

Lee, of Cal/OSHA, also responded to several allegations by farmworkers on Wednesday that state agency officials have tipped off farmers in the state about inspections ahead of time  a violation of labor law that could lead to imprisonment.

"If this is happening, this is something we want to know, we need to know and we will take action," she said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Homeless encampments located 500 feet from sensitive communities would be targeted for removal under a new bipartisan California Senate bill modeled on San Diegos anti-camping law.

State Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-Santee) on Monday introduced Senate Bill No. 1011, which lists Democratic Sen. Catherine Blakespear of Encinitas as a principal co-author. There are also seven Republican senators and eight Assembly members along with two Democratic Senate supporters.

California has spent $22 billion in the past six years on homelessness and what do we have to show for it? Jones said at a news conference Tuesday . Nearly a 40% increase in the homeless population, encampments filling our open spaces and sidewalks with trash, needles and human waste, children being exposed to open drug use and dangerous situations.

California has spent more than $22 billion over the last four years on combined housing and homelessness initiatives. That includes $10.7 billion allocated from the 2021-22 budget and $7.2 billion from 2022-23.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development released a report in December noting that there were 181,399 unhoused people in California. That number is more than 75,000 ahead of New York (103,200), the next closest state, and dwarfs No. 3 Florida (30,756).

Californias homeless population represents 28% of the entire unhoused community in the nation.

Jones legislation proposed to prohibit encampments within 500 feet of schools, open spaces and transit stops in order to protect vulnerable populations [such as] children, seniors, and families.

Read more: Why can't L.A. create homeless camps in vacant lots? I found out the hard way

SB 1011 would also end sidewalk camping if a homeless shelter is available, which Jones said was vital to open walkways for travel without unfairly inconveniencing homeless individuals.

The bill requires a 72-hour warning before an encampment sweep, giving homeless individuals a chance to find alternatives, according to Jones.

Enforcement officers will also be required to provide information to affected individuals in regards to sleeping arrangements, and homeless and mental health services.

Public spaces are not living spaces, Blakespear said in a statement. People deserve to live inside, and the public deserve to use their parks, sidewalks and streets as they were designed. This bill is a step toward creating that reality.

Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) said in a statement that SB 1011 struck a balance between accountability and compassion.

By compassionately clearing encampments, we aim to ensure that families can go about their daily lives without having to worry about the dangers posed by homeless individuals with mental health issues, trash, and drug paraphernalia, she said.

The law was modeled after San Diegos Unsafe Camping Ordinance , which was passed in June.

Read more: Cities crack down on homeless encampments. Advocates say thats not the answer

Those regulations allow the removal of encampments within two blocks of schools, kindergarten through high school, and shelters, along with trolley tracks and transportation hubs, in city parks and waterways.

Los Angeles passed its own controversial encampment ban, dubbed 41.18 for the municipal code section , that riled supporters of the unhoused. The ordinance banned tents from blocking sidewalks and camping within 500 feet of a school, day-care centers, public parks or libraries.

City Controller Kenneth Mejia was one of the ordinance's biggest detractors and has said the law creates additional trauma for those who live on the streets.

While Jones bill is in its infancy, its prospects will likely hinge on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a case that could determine whether cities can legally ban or restrict people sleeping on the streets or in other public places.

In the Grants Pass vs. Gloria Johnson case, officials in the Oregon city adopted an ordinance that says: No person may sleep on public sidewalks, streets, or alleyways at any time as a matter of individual and public safety. A panel of the San Francisco-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit later declared the ordinance unconstitutional.

Like Grants Pass, California cities have been the subject of federal lawsuits after passing similar restrictions. Gov. Gavin Newsom filed an amicus brief in September in the Grants Pass case, joining other city, county and state leaders who are looking to limit impediments to removing encampments.

The courts have tied the hands of state and local governments that seek to use common sense approaches to clean our streets and provide help for unhoused Californians living in inhumane conditions, Newsom wrote .

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Gov. Gavin Newsom is broadening a push to crack down on crime in Oakland, dispatching prosecutors to bolster a newly deployed force of California Highway Patrol officers.

The effort announced Thursday reflects growing public frustration in the city east of San Francisco where surging violent and property crime have roiled the political climate and fueled recall drives.

It also illustrates how rising crime concerns throughout California have become a political liability, drawing the attention of Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Democratic state legislators.

The narrative around crime and lawlessness in Oakland is out of control and it clearly got the attention of both the governor and the attorney general, said Justin Berton, a political consultant who worked for former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and lives in the city.

The national story about Oakland is horrific right now, so thats going to rub off on Rob Bonta and Gavin Newsom, and clearly their offices decided no more.

Further underscoring the political shift, San Francisco Mayor London Breed and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan on Thursday endorsed a ballot measure, spearheaded by a coalition of retailers and prosecutors, to roll back a prior voter-passed initiative, Proposition 47, by increasing penalties for property and drug crimes. Democratic mayors embraced the more stringent approach just four years after voters decisively rejected a similar ballot measure.

Those changing political dynamics are manifesting in Oakland, a city of more than 400,000 where a surge in carjackings and shootings have galvanized voters, led local businesses to close, and spurred major employers to step up security measures.

Bonta said in an interview that Mayor Sheng Thao and other local officials had asked the state for help. He noted that crime spikes in Oakland last year made the city an outlier as much of California saw decreases.

Weve been talking about this for a long time, he said. This weeks announcements come after a great number of conversations happening simultaneously among different leaders that represent Oakland.

Newsom decried the alarming and unacceptable rise in crime when he announced a surge of 120 CHP officers this week  one of the largest such operations of his tenure. Bonta, a possible contender for governor in 2026 who hails from the Oakland area, lauded the partnership between his office and local prosecutors.

The East Bay is my home, and I'm committed to ensuring that the people of Oakland can live and work in a safe community, he said in a statement.

Statewide help is arriving as local elected officials face a powerful backlash. Fed-up citizens are pushing to recall Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, who ran on a platform of reducing sentencing and incarceration.

While Price has tended to dismiss her critics as entrenched foes of rethinking criminal justice policies, she has praised state collaboration to bolster efforts against organized retail crime and fentanyl.

Prices woes have become a familiar story as a movement to overhaul criminal justice collides with crime fears. Across the bay, San Francisco voters recalled former District Attorney Chesa Boudinin 2022. Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon is slogging through a fiercely contested reelection bid after riding a racial reckoning to an upset victory in 2020.

Property crime, though still well below historic highs, is also poised to be a major focus for the Legislature this year. Democrats see the issue as a quality-of-life issue for rattled constituents.

Democratic Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas has launched a committee dedicated to retail theft and signaled he is open to making changes to Proposition 47, a measure passed by voters in 2014 that reduced penalties for some non-violent offenses.
Hikers descending the Devils Backbone trail on Mount Baldy in the San Gabriel Mountains near Los Angeles, in May 2022.

Hikers descending the Devils Backbone trail on Mount Baldy in the San Gabriel Mountains near Los Angeles, in May 2022. Photograph: trekandshoot/Alamy

Authorities in southern California are searching for a 22-year-old woman who was reported missing after going hiking alone on Sunday as an atmospheric river drenched the region.

Related: Julian Sands cause of death undetermined due to condition of his body

Lifei Huang was reported missing around 11pm on Sunday night after not returning from the Mount Baldy area of the San Gabriel mountains, the San Bernardino county sheriffs department said in a statement. She had set out around 2pm that day and was last heard from around 4pm.

The countys search and rescue team began looking for Huang at about 2.30am on Monday, but were unable to locate her, the sheriffs office said. The historic storm that hit southern California caused heavy snowfall in the mountains and crews had to suspend their search on Tuesday amid the intense weather and avalanche risks.

The teams would resume the search when it is safe to do so, the department said.

Mount Baldy is a popular spot for hiking but can be dangerous, particularly in winter conditions. The British actor Julian Sands, an experienced mountain climber, was found dead on the mountain last year, months after he disappeared. Sands was among 15 hikers who were hurt or lost on Mount Baldy in January 2023 alone  at least two others died that same month.

The freezing rain and ice that come in winter significantly change the experience of hiking on Mount Baldy, and make it more dangerous to climb the peak.

This weeks intense storm left a trail of damage across the state and southern California was hit hard by the rainy weather. The region saw over 1ft of rain, 475 mudslides around Los Angeles and hundreds of downed trees. Officials have warned residents to avoid driving into mountainous areas where there is ongoing risk for rockslides and mudslides due to the wet weather.

The sheriffs department said in a statement that it urges the public to refrain from mountain activities during this inclement weather.

The weather has effectively buried the mountain in snow and it is highly likely hikers will get into trouble, the department said. Resources are stretched to their limits and hikers who get lost may have to wait long periods of time before help is available.

Cherry Li, a friend of Huang, described her to KTLA as an adventurous solo hiker and said she texted a group of friends on Sunday to let them know of her plans for the day. She sent her boyfriend a video of the area as she began her hike and posted videos to social media before she disappeared, the outlet reported.

We just want her to come back home safe, Li said.
Californias auto regulator, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), is investigating an incident that occurred on Tuesday, where a driverless Waymo car collided with a cyclist, according to a report by Reuters.

San Francisco cops said that the cyclist suffered non-fatal injuries, as per a report by SFGate. Waymo, which is owned by Google's parent company Alphabet, said there was only one person in the car, who didnt suffer injuries. They also informed the police after the incident.

The company said that the driverless car was at a stop at a four-way intersection as a large truck was driving in the opposite direction. The car then moved into the intersection and collided with the cyclist who was behind the truck.

The cyclist was occluded by the truck and quickly followed behind it, crossing into the Waymo vehicles path. When they became fully visible, our vehicle applied heavy braking but was not able to avoid the collision, the company said in a statement.

Waymo started offering its robotaxi services to vetted riders in San Francisco in August 2021. In September 2021, the company got a regulatory nod from the California Department of Motor Vehicles to start charging for these taxi services. However, it needed a go-ahead from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in August 2022 to start the paid service.

In October, Waymo expanded its service areas in San Francisco to cater to tens of thousands of riders, people familiar with the matter told TechCrunch at that time.

Autonomous taxi companies are already under scrutiny. Last year, Cruise had to recall its entire fleet of autonomous taxis after a robotaxi ran over and dragged a pedestrian. Last month, the GM subsidiary's internal report revealed that the Department of Justice and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission are probing the company.
SAN DIEGO  Record rains have soaked California's cities, exacerbating a homelessness crisis and endangering thousands of people who are living without consistent shelter.

Amid a deluge of rain on a Sunday night, staffers at Los Angeles' Midnight Mission homeless shelter opened their doors and dining room to more than 100 unhoused people living on Skid Row.

"People are freezing to their core, so being able to come in and sleep, get clean with showers and dry clothes is a big deal," said Georgia Berkovich, a spokesperson for Midnight Mission. "For people on the street, once your clothes are wet its over."

The Southern California deluge hits unhoused people particularly hard because the region doesn't usually get this drenched. New York gets more than 45 inches of rain a year on average while Chicago gets 36 inches.

In contrast, Los Angeles typically gets about 14 inches of rain a year and San Diego just over 10 inches. These historic storms dumped half of that amount, 7 inches, in just two days, February 4 and 5, according to the National Weather Service.

Because of that, homeless communities in cities like New York and Chicago have more experience  and infrastructure  to combat the deadly effects of storms. In Southern California, it's a different story.

The Midnight Mission shelter typically sees about 30 people on a normal night, Berkovich said. But the numbers increased more than three-fold as an unprecedented six inches of rain devastated encampments across the city.

The storm also brought hundreds of landslides and mudslides in California, leaving devastation for some of the more than 181,000 people experiencing homelessness across the state  especially for those living outdoors. Mayors from Los Angeles and San Diego both declared evacuation warnings for people living in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

The rains turned dry areas wet, trickles into streams and streams into torrents. Many unhoused people in Southern California find places to camp that are hidden away to avoid police sweeps, which can mean along riverbeds that are typically dry or shallow, under bridges and in tunnels  all areas that were swamped during the storms.

Service providers told USA TODAY that an influx of people need dry, clean clothes and a warm place for refuge. And even more people are displaced after the floods ruined their homes. Now, they're in desperate need of resources to help people facing life-or-death circumstances  and asking for help.

"We always need more," Berkovich said. "We need more ponchos, water, shelter, and hygiene kits. We're doing the best with the resources and staff we have."

This record-setting winter is particularly difficult for people who are unhoused in San Diego, said Father Joe's Village Deacon Jim Vargas. The organization helps people experiencing homelessness in San Diego with meals, shelter, ponchos and other resources they need year-round and during the storms.

"We're fortunate and blessed to be able to provide additional spots for people who need it," Vargas said. But even facilities used for sheltering people from the rain during the storm have incurred damage.

"A couple of weeks ago from today we were hit with extremely heavy rain and flooding," he said Monday. "A couple of our buildings were flooded, including our health center, which was very, very challenging."

Rising waters caused by heavy rain destroy encampments along the Santa Ana River near Van Buren Street in Riverside, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024.

Officials statewide also opened up additional resources to help unhoused residents cope with the dangerous conditions, including a winter shelter hosted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.

"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," said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass before the storm system hit Los Angeles.

Atmospheric river slams California Prompting mudslide and flooding concerns: 'Do not let your guard down'

Encampments, shelters see devastation

In Los Angeles, unhoused people huddled under makeshift tarps and overhangs to escape the rain, photos in the Los Angeles Times show. On Wednesday a pregnant woman who had been living in a storm drain was rescued from a storm drain near Anaheim.

Many people lost their belongings, clothes and tents to the rain's damage, Berkovich said. And the sudden cold weather patterns can create fatal health risks for people who live outside.

Soaked clothing and bedding draws heat from the body rather than holding it in, putting those who live outside at risk.

"It's so strange. In LA we have this great climate, but people die of exposure to weather on our streets all the time," Berkovich added.

At least 14 people died from hypothermia on the streets of Los Angeles in 2021, The Guardian reported. And more unhoused people died from freezing temperatures in Los Angeles than in New York in 2019, the Los Angeles Times reported.

"And as it gets rainier, more people can develop hypothermia," Vargas said Monday.

Volunteers offer emotional support for flood victims

Rob and Amy Reardon saw the emotional toll that the flood took on unhoused people in San Diego firsthand. They've worked with the San Diego Regional Office of the Salvation Army for 26 years On Jan. 22 when torrential rains flooded city streets, Amy Reardon said that she had "a lot of people come in during the first week who just would sit down and start to cry."

Rob Reardon said apart from the pressing need for material help, mental health support for victims of the disaster was in huge demand.

It's kind of like a triage counseling session, he said of the response at the emergency centers.

The Jackie Robinson Family YMCA in Southeast San Diego also opened as a community support center in the wake of the flooding. Ariane Porras, the organization's community collaborative director, said the center first started offering hot showers in response to the crisis, but added more services over time, including an on-site mental health counselor.

"It's a lot of crisis processing," Porras said. "The concerns that they're having, these mental health crises, go anywhere from panic and shock to suicidal ideation."

"There's a lot of concern over safety and shelter and what's next," she added. "Like, what hope is there for their future?"

Both Reardons said they feared the flooding over the last few weeks would exacerbate the already dire need for more mental health support for San Diegos unhoused population.

We're all trying to do our part, but the resources are very slim, and in some places nonexistent, Rob Reardon said. The flooding, he said, could overwhelm the resources that are already in place.

Porras echoed the pressing need for more resources, especially to treat those experiencing homelessness.

"We're trying to communicate to city officials, we've been doing this, but this is above our pay grade," she said. "We literally do not have the resources to continue to do these efforts that we've been doing since January 22. So, we need them to step in."

The San Diego Regional Office of the Salvation Army distributed more than $40,000 in financial assistance, clothing items, hygiene kits, and food to the more than 1,600 people who came to seek help, according to the organization.

The reality is these floods took everything from people, Reardon said. Theres going to be a lot of grieving.

A person walks with carts in the rain near an encampment of unhoused people in Skid Row as a powerful long-duration atmospheric river storm, the second in less than a week, continues to impact Southern California on February 6, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

Flood damage leaves more Californians displaced from their homes

The floods have displaced thousands of people from their homes, including 1,000 from the Jan. 22 storm in San Diego County, according to Voice of San Diego.

Nearby Californians from Beverly Crest in Los Angeles County make up some of those displaced by the flood's wreckage, local news outlets reported.

San Diego residents displaced from their homes rallied on city streets in a cry for help, Voice of San Diego reported.

Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and the city of Los Angeles opened six additional winter shelters but Mayor Karen Bass said at a news conference Tuesday that the city is evaluating the need for more shelters.

The San Diego Housing Commission and the city of San Diego have activated the Inclement Weather Shelter Program but advocates say more is needed.

People cross the street under heavy rain in the Skid Row area, one of the largest populations of homeless people in the United States, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Los Angeles.

Contact Kayla Jimenez at kjimenez@usatoday.com. Follow her on X at @kaylajjimenez.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California floods worsen San Diego, Los Angeles homelessness crisis
A couple take photos of a rain-swollen Los Angeles River near Atwater Village, in Los Angeles. (Ringo Chiu / For The Times)

For as long as weather records have been kept, California has been defined by its highly variable climate, with dramatic and sometimes volatile swings between droughts and floods. As human-caused climate change heats up the planet, the state faces even more intense extremes, with increasingly frequent and severe droughts punctuated by stronger and wetter storms.

The disruption of the Earths climate is upending the water cycle, influencing weather patterns and affecting the storms that bring rain and snow to the western United States. As rising temperatures, driven by fossil fuel-burning and accumulating greenhouse gases, continue to heat the atmosphere and oceans, the storms that build over the Pacific and reach California are projected to change in ways that will have major implications for generations to come.

Heres a look at how humanitys heating of the planet affects Californias storms, and what scientists say about these shifts and what they will mean.

Wetter, more intense storms

Scientists have long known that as the atmosphere gets warmer, the air is able to hold more moisture. With higher temperatures, the humidity in a storm can increase to a greater degree before that water vapor condenses into rain.

In general, this allows the most intense downpours to get more intense, because there can be a greater amount of water vapor in the air, UCLA atmospheric scientist Karen McKinnon said. However, it's not yet clear if we are seeing this signal in the Western U.S. and California, although we do expect to see it in the future.

An aerial view of a Beverly Crest home that was pushed off its foundation by a mudslide caused by heavy rainfall in Los Angeles. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Much of the precipitation in California and the West comes from major storms called atmospheric rivers that sweep in from the Pacific. Scientists have projected that atmospheric rivers will grow more potent as temperatures continue to rise, and will become an even more dominant driver of Californias water supplies and flooding.

Based on well-established principles of thermodynamics, scientists say, when the atmosphere grows 1 degree warmer, the airs water-holding capacity increases by up to 3.9%. And with the increase in global average temperatures now more than 2 degrees over preindustrial times, research has shown that the increase in water vapor is leading to more extreme downpours in many parts of the world.

As the climate warms, the atmospheric rivers that churn toward California over warmer ocean waters are projected to carry more water vapor, leading to more intense precipitation. (Using simulations, researchers have estimated that a storm like the powerful 2017 atmospheric river that damaged Oroville Dam and triggered the emergency evacuation of 188,000 people could bring about 11% more precipitation because of the warming that has occurred so far.)

We expect less frequent but more intense precipitation, said Alexander Gershunov, a research meteorologist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Climate models clearly project an intensification of rain, especially from atmospheric rivers, in the future.  And that's a very high confidence expectation for a warmer future. However, we have not observed that trend yet.

Gershunov said he and other scientists are unsure why the available observational data dont yet show an increase in the intensity of atmospheric rivers on the West Coast, and its a question they plan to research further.

Even though they havent yet seen an intensification of precipitation in the data, Gershunov said that eventually, as warming continues, we expect the trend to emerge.

Debris lines the street in front of nine homes that were evacuated due to a landslide from heavy rainfall during the atmospheric river hitting in Studio City. (Carlin Stiehl / For The Times)

Another active area of research involves estimating how much the severity of a certain extreme weather event, such as a record storm, is attributable to higher temperatures caused by climate change. And how severe the climate-driven intensification becomes is expected to depend on how much more greenhouse gases humans pump into the atmosphere.

Climate scientists note that the rapid rise in global temperatures is now an ever-present factor influencing weather around the world.

Definitely climate change has made every single weather event different from how it used to be, a little bit, said Alex Hall, a UCLA climate scientist.

Read more: L.A.'s flood-control system survived epic storm. But it's losing battle with climate change

Hall and his colleagues have studied how atmospheric rivers will likely become more extreme with climate change.

Based on the warming that has occurred so far, Hall said, big rain events are generally heavier, probably somewhere around 10% juicier than in the past.

Wherever there is precipitation, it's probably getting juiced a little bit by the air being warmer and holding more moisture, Hall said. And as the climate continues to warm and as warming probably accelerates, the signal will become larger.

More rain, less snow in the mountains

Snow in the Sierra Nevada has traditionally stored a substantial portion of Californias water, enabling the snowmelt to flow dependably in the spring and summer. But scientists have documented how average mountain snowlines have been retreating higher over the last few decades because of warming, and have projected that much more of the snowpack will be lost as temperatures continue to rise.

On average, more precipitation has been falling as rain rather than snow. And where snow remains, warmer temperatures are leading to earlier and quicker melting, as well as more rain-on-snow events.

These changes are altering the timing of runoff and creating the conditions for more intense deluges streaming from the mountains.

You end up with less snow confined to higher elevations, Gershunov said. Below the snowline, it's rain, and so that runs off.

This can lead to big runoff events in winter, creating challenges for water management, in part because the states reservoirs were largely designed to capture snowmelt.

As scientists describe it, climate change is increasing the rainfall over snow ratio.

Higher rain over snow ratio, faster snowmelt, and more intense storms can significantly impact water resource management in California, said Amir AghaKouchak, a UC Irvine professor of civil and environmental engineering. A shift toward more intense rain, as opposed to snow, will strain an already water-challenged environment to its limit.

Read more: Tracking Californias water supplies

AghaKouchak has studied how the snowpack is projected to be affected under different levels of warming. He has also researched how climate change increases the risks of compound events and cascading hazards.

For example, as the snowpack shrinks and melts faster, vegetation is left drier in traditionally snow-covered areas, contributing to wildfires at higher elevations. AghaKouchaks research has found that wildfires have been occurring at higher elevations in recent decades.

Severe wildfires then leave burned areas in the mountains, which during heavy rainfall can trigger flooding and destructive flows of sediment and debris.

A January 2018 photo of homes damaged by mudflows in Montecito, Calif. (Matt Udkow / Santa Barbara County Fire Department)

In a 2020 study, AghaKouchak and other scientists also pointed to an example of cascading hazards: the disaster in 2018 in Montecito, where an extreme downpour triggered debris flows that killed 23 people and destroyed 130 homes.

As the world continues to warm, climate hazards are expected to increase in frequency and intensity, the scientists wrote. Chains of cascading events can interact with the primary event or events, which can create feedbacks that are difficult to model.

And with more intense storms and extreme runoff, experts say California must prepare for mounting flood risks.

Risks of devastating floods with more intense storms

Even as California deals with hotter, more intense droughts, the state faces worsening flood risks from increasingly extreme deluges. Factors driving the risks include changing precipitation patterns, aging infrastructure and development that has expanded in low-lying areas, including in natural floodplains along rivers and creeks.

Experts say the states flood control infrastructure, from levees to dams, urgently needs to be updated, and that flood management practices need to be rethought.

My main concern is that our infrastructure systems are aging, and many are not in good condition, AghaKouchak said, noting that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers national inventory of dams indicates that California has many dams classified as high hazard.

A January 2023 photo shows water being released from the Santa Anita Dam, in Sierra Madre. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Most of the states existing flood-control infrastructure was designed decades ago based on the climate of the past, AghaKouchak said, and much of it is no longer adequate.

The infrastructure that by and large we have today, it really wasn't built for 21st century conditions. It was built during the 20th century, during a time when the extremes were less extreme, said Edith de Guzman, a cooperative extension researcher at UCLA who focuses on water equity and adaptation policy. We need to catch up with the changes and unfortunately, our flood management isn't changing as quickly as our flood risk is changing.

Read more: How do you track an atmospheric river? Climb aboard this highflying reconnaissance jet

Research examining flood risks nationally has found that communities behind levees are disproportionately poorer and people of color.

In a 2022 study, researchers at UC Irvine found that in the Los Angeles Basin, nearly 1 million people live in areas that could be threatened in a 100-year flood, and that Black and low-income communities are especially vulnerable.

In many parts of California, experts say, low-income communities also face higher risks of flooding due to a lack of investments in flood-control infrastructure.

There are these lingering unmet needs for flood infrastructure in those communities, de Guzman said.

At the same time, scientists have found that climate change is dramatically increasing the risk of a catastrophic megaflood in California, projecting that by the latter part of the century an extreme series of storms could bring two to four times more runoff in the Sierra Nevada.

Read more: California isn't prepared for turbocharged storms like the ones we're getting this week

Researchers have also said that flood damages from warmer atmospheric rivers could triple in western states by the end of the century, but that efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions could significantly reduce the damages.

The historic series of atmospheric rivers in 2023 showed how vulnerable parts of the state are, as floodwaters inundated low-lying communities in the Central Valley and other areas after levees breached.

A March 2023 photo shows vehicles and homes engulfed by floodwaters in Pajaro after an atmospheric river. (Josh Edelson / AFP via Getty Images)

The extremely wet year followed the states driest three-year period on record  the sort of abrupt swing that experts and state officials say represents the more extreme climate whiplash California must prepare for.

Rethinking water management to adapt

The terms weather whiplash and climate whiplash are often used to describe the sudden shifts between dry and wet that California and other parts of the world are witnessing, and that are projected to become extreme as the climate heats up. Research has shown that warming is intensifying the water cycle, and scientists say this will exacerbate the already volatile swings in Californias hydroclimate.

Researchers say these profound changes demand an extensive rethinking of how California and other western states manage water, requiring investments in infrastructure to protect communities and capture stormwater, as well as new approaches that work with nature to better withstand droughts and floods.

That includes restoring natural floodplains where possible in cities and farming areas, providing outlets where floodwaters can spread out and seep into the ground to replenish aquifers.

We need to be able to capture more when it's wet to reduce the flood risk. But also that helps us to carry on when it's dry, de Guzman said.

Read more: Amid soaking storms, California turns to farmland to funnel water into depleted aquifers

She said more capacity to capture and store water is vital to adapt to those dramatic swings, and groundwater basins that have been depleted by pumping offer plenty of storage space to complement engineered reservoirs. De Guzman said the state needs a combination of large flood-control projects and nature-based solutions, including punching holes in some paved areas of cities to create room for capturing stormwater.

We now know that having opportunities to slowly spread and sink the water is part of the solution. And it could be smaller scale, but that does add up, de Guzman said.

Hall agrees. He says with Californias feast-or-famine hydrology growing more intense, the state needs the equivalent of a larger savings account, and smarter ways of banking water  such as making room for seasonal flooding among Central Valley farmlands to replenish groundwater.

It adds to our savings, Hall said. We should re-embrace the natural system as much as we can.

As global warming brings more intense storms, adapting will be costly. The states current flood protection plan for the Central Valley warns that catastrophic flooding would put many areas underwater, threatening millions of residents. The plan calls for $25 billion to $30 billion in investments over the next 30 years, outlining recommendations that include strengthening levees and restoring natural floodplains.

For scientists, there are still many unknowns about how storms and flood risks will evolve as temperatures rise. De Guzman said the intensifying extremes will also test how swiftly the state and the region can adapt.

How quickly can infrastructure be built to mitigate the worst impacts? she said. That's an unknown.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A new voter engagement campaign is targeting young voters and voters of color ahead of Novembers presidential election.

Kairos: Democracy Project plans to mobilize the two groups by highlighting advocacy and the benefits of democracy in daily life. The project will rely heavily on influencer engagement and grassroots organizing.

Founded by Michael Blake, a former White House associate director of intergovernmental affairs and public engagement, the campaign was announced at Wednesdays Black History Month reception at the White House.

We have a unique point of view on voters, especially within communities of color, who feel like the system is stacked against them and who no longer find value in being an active civic citizen or a champion for a healthy democracy, Blake said in a statement.

The core component of the campaigns is to educate and activate communities of color. The Project will use canvassing, festivals and other in-person events to reach the targeted voters.

We are clear that we need an Earth-shattering wake-up call to the decision-makers, funders and voters that the fight for our lives did not end in 2020  it is still happening every day, said Blake.

The new campaign launches as former President Trump continues to dominate GOP primaries over former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R).

But President Bidens approval rating among voters of color appears shaky.

In partnership with Future Majority, a nonpartisan research group, the Project found that among voters aged 18 to 34, Bidens job approval rating among Black women is 44 percent and 49 percent among Black men.

Still, Biden leads Trump among Black women 60 percent to 23 percent, and among Black men 51 percent to 36 percent. The same goes for Latino voters, where Biden leads Trump 54 percent to 27 percent among Latino women.

But Biden trails Trump among Latino men 48 percent to 34 percent.

The Project will continue to research the attitudes of these demographics.

From there, messengers will be sent into communities to speak with these key voting blocs. The campaign will also launch ads across television and radio stations in battleground states.

Blake said the hope is that these efforts can also help dispel misinformation.

By building a 24/7 mechanism to help push back against the barrage of misinformation  both in the traditional media and online  with diverse voices and insights, we can defend our freedom and democracy, Blake said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. (WBTW)  Shots were fired on the campus of University of North Carolina at Pembroke Wednesday afternoon, according to the university.

Officials said campus police responded to reports of shots fired near Courtyard Apartments at about 4:43 p.m.

The university said the scene has been given the all-clear and is considered safe and secure.

The incident is under investigation, and more information will be provided as it becomes available, the university said.

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.
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- A paramilitary troops person was killed when unidentified militants attacked a security forces vehicle in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Thursday, security sources said.

The attack happened at about 8:20 a.m. local time in Tank district of the province when the vehicle of the Frontier Corps was on patrol duty, the sources told Xinhua.

The militants managed to escape following the attack, and a search operation was underway in the area.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack.

The area was cordoned off for investigation. 
Nearly a year ago, residents of one of Carys last mobile home parks sounded the alarm on what might happen to them if the owner sold the property.

Most of the over 200 people in the Chatham Estates Mobile Home Park are immigrants, working class, and seniors who have made the tight-knit community their home for generations.

Rent on the 130 mobile homes behind Chatham Square at SE Maynard Road and East Chatham Street costs $400 a month.

While the park hasnt been sold yet, residents believe its inevitable. Over 100 residents and their advocates packed a Cary Town Council meeting Thursday night to support a plan they say could help.

Over 100 residents and advocates attended the Cary Town Council meeting on Feb. 8, 2024, to show their support for a new proposal, Stable Homes Cary, that will provide immediate housing assistance.

Something to call our own

A 10-year mobile home park resident, Maggie Regulas, spoke in Spanish through an interpreter, reminding leaders that they were all contributing members of the towns growth and success.

She is a community health care worker at a local organization supporting the Latino community. Shes the mother of two sons, one a student at Cary High, the other a local restaurant employee.

When my children and I moved to Chatham Estates, we were so happy to finally have a home and something to call our own, Regulas said. Despite all the challenges of being a single mom, so far I have been able to provide for my children, but thats because Ive been given the opportunity to have rent that I could afford on my own.

Advocates say teachers, firefighters, construction, retail and fast-food workers have found it increasingly difficult to live in Cary. Since 2010, the town has added about 20,000 jobs in those occupations but lost about 4,000 housing units that cost under $1,000 a month to rent, according to the towns Housing Plan.

On average, renters pay about $1,500 monthly in Cary, according to U.S. Census data. Some apartments in town, depending on square footage, bedrooms, and amenities, can range from $1,300 to over $1,900.

Now, we have to uproot our children; we have to get them out of school, pull them away from the churches, jobs, and from our community, Regulas said. This situation has caused us great concern.

Mary Kents, a member of St. Pauls Episcopal Church and a member of ONE Wake, told the council that the town is made better by having Chatham Estates residents in town.

We dont want them to leave. Their work matters to us. Their children belong in our schools. They are our future, too, she said.

Cary Town Council members plan to vote on an initiative next month that will provide immediate assistance to families displaced and needing housing assistance.

What does Cary have planned?

Town leaders want to help potentially displaced residents.

During an October ONE Wake forum, Cary Town Council candidates promised if elected to help residents find affordable housing options in the growing town.

Stable Homes Cary, a new initiative Cary has proposed, would immediately help by creating resources that residents can draw from.

Dorcas Ministries, a Cary nonprofit that provides financial and food assistance, and the town could enter into a partnership to help Chatham Estates residents fill gaps not covered by the Wake County Department of Social Services.

Dorcas helps the town with its Oasis program, which helps residents pay utility bills, and the Pay-It-Forward program, which provides scholarships for residents to participate in parks and recreation programs.

In the new partnership, Dorcas would provide emergency housing assistance, case management, referrals, and displacement support. Cary would provide $500,000 this year, $550,000 next year, and $600,000 in 2026 using money already budgeted for housing purposes.

The town could also add another $500,000 to $800,000 for displacement services.

Once residents have received written notice that the park is closing, theres a real chaotic period where often, families who are working jobs and taking care of kids, are suddenly burdened with an incredible amount of logistical challenges, said Devin Ross, a ONE Wake organizer.

Moving a mobile home can cost up to $20,000.

Kents said the investment was encouraging.

Especially since it comes with a new structure and program that could attract additional investment that would help make residents of Chatham Estates whole, she said.

The Town Council will vote on the initiative March 14.

Truly, without your support, it will be almost impossible for many of us to relocate, Regulas said.

Mayor Harold Weinbrecht thanked the residents for attending the meeting.
Joseph Halfey, a security officer at the Hollywood Casino in Kansas City, Kansas, loves his job but not the health risks that come with it.

Casinos are one of the last places in Kansas where smoking is allowed. The Kansas Indoor Clean Air Act, a 2010 law, banned most indoor smoking but included an exception for casinos.

Hafley, who founded the advocacy organization Casino Workers Against Smoking Effects, said the smoke emitted from cigarette and cigar smoke sticks on his clothes, exposing his family to harmful toxins when he gets home. Each day he worries for his health and often feels sick after inhaling smoke all day, he said.

I have a wife and a son who I want to be with for a very long time, Hafley said. Getting rid of secondhand smoke in casinos would do that.

Hafley shared his frustrations during a hearing this week of the Kansas Houses Health and Human Services Committee. The committee is considering a bill that would end smoking inside state-owned casinos.

Rep. Ford Carr, a Wichita Democrat who sponsored the bill, said smokers are unable to contain where the smoke goes, and ventilation systems are not adequate in filtering out secondhand smoke. Every Kansan should have the right to breathe free air in a public place, he added.

It just comes down to whether or not were going to allow people to infringe on the rights of others, he said.

More than 20 states ban smoking inside of casinos  including nearby Iowa, Nebraska and Colorado. Casinos in Missouri and Oklahoma, however, still allow gamblers to smoke while they play.

Opponents of the bill who spoke at the hearing  lobbyists for casinos across the state  said the bill would put state-owned casinos at a competitive disadvantage to others that allow smoking, such as Native American casinos and ones located along the borders of Missouri and Oklahoma.

They said a ban on smoking would produce serious, adverse effects, potentially jeopardizing their workforce and forcing them to endure revenue losses as large as 30%.

Supporters of a ban noted a recent report from Las Vegas-based C3 Gaming that found smoke-free casinos did not experience a significant drop in revenue and performed better than casinos that allowed smoking. They said smoke-free are likely to be more successful because they cater to a larger portion of Kansans who do not smoke.

Kevin Fowler, a lobbyist representing the Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel, refuted those claims. Since many state-owned casinos are located near other casinos that allow smoking, it would put them at a competitive disadvantage and they would lose revenue, he said.

If that were true, wed be in support of this bill, he said. In fact, if that was true this bill would not be even under consideration because every casino in the state would be smoke free. It just doesnt make logical sense.

The arguments of ban supporters centers on the adverse medical effects of second and third-hand smoke, or the chemical residue produced by smoking that latches onto dust and surfaces before remitting into the air.

Traci Kennedy, a lobbyist with American for Nonsmokers Rights, said the bill would also be beneficial to casinos who strive for responsible gaming by forcing smokers to take a break and go outside to smoke. She refuted claims by proponents that state-of-the-art ventilation systems effectively protected workers from toxins emitted from smoking.

[Secondhand smoke] particles are so small they can be breathed deeply into the lungs and cause severe health effects, she said. Before the secondhand smoke ever has a chance to get through a ventilation system, it goes through the lungs of a worker.

Opponents of the measure also pointed to the large amount of revenue state-owned casinos produce toward local and state governments. But Rep. Brenda Landwehr, a Wichita Republican who chairs the House committee, said the revenue state-owned casinos bring into the state does not hold a candle to the damage gambling addiction has done to families.

I have zero sympathy for your testimony that you provided today, Landwehr told Fowler.

She added the money toward the gambling fund had not done squat to address any damage gambling has done to Kansan families.

Rep. John Eplee, an Atchison Republican and a physician, was undecided on how he would vote, but said the bill had merit. He said he wants to represent both individuals who want to smoke and gamble while protecting others health.

The political reality doesnt always mesh with the health reality, he said. Thats where Im conflicted.

He said he would consider an amendment creating smoking and non-smoking zones in casinos, thereby catering to both populations of gamblers.

Kari Rinker, a representative with the American Heart Association, said creating separate zones for smokers and non-smokers would not help alleviate any health risks. The only solution, she said, is to outlaw smoking entirely.

There is no level of safe second hand smoke, she said. Its akin to saying youll have a peeing section of the local public swimming pool.
(CRIPPLE CREEK, Colo.)  The 21st Annual Cripple Creek Ice Festival is just over a week away and will take place from Feb. 17 through Feb. 25, 2024. The Colorado Ice Castles will also be open for the duration of the festival and tickets can be purchased, here.

We are very excited about the return of the Ice Festival this year. It is one of the most attended

events in Cripple Creek and it greatly benefits our community, said Annie Durham, Cripple

Creeks Mayor. We are also looking forward to Ice Castles participating in the Ice Carving event.

It is going to be a great Ice Festival this year!

Courtesy: FOX21 News

Courtesy: FOX21 News

Courtesy: FOX21 News

Courtesy: FOX21 News

Courtesy: FOX21 News

During the event, ice sculptures will line portions of Bennett Avenue in Cripple Creek and there will also be an ice slide. Food and retail vendors will also take part on both event weekends including Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 19, however, the festival will be closed to the public on Tuesday, Feb. 20 for an ice delivery.

Also back for 2024 are the Battle of the Blade competitions, where carvers will compete for a cash prize. According to the City of Cripple Creek, carvers will be given a theme and must complete their carving within 30 minutes in front of a live audience. The Battle of the Blade competitions will be held at noon, 1:30, and 3 p.m. on both Saturdays of the festivalFeb. 17 and Feb. 24.

The Ice Castles are also bringing one of their very own ice carvers to participate in the festival, and they will be creating interactive ice exhibits that people can sit, climb on, and pose with, wrote the City of Cripple Creek. This will usher in a unique type of ice carving that will be fun for people of all ages.

People who attend the Ice Festival can vote on their favorite sculptures by using QR codes throughout the event, and after all votes are totaled on the last day, the winning team, which will be announced on Sunday, Feb. 25 at 1 p.m., will receive a $5,000 cash prize.

Cripple Creek has been hosting the Ice Festival since 2000. The event was on a three-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic but returned in 2023.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
Residents of Boises North End neighborhood may soon see offices for Boises Roman Catholic Diocese going up on a lot thats sat vacant for years. But the local neighborhood association isnt happy.

The diocese is developing a three-story, 20,000-square-foot building at 902 N. 8th Street, which will serve as its chancery, or administrative offices. The site is across the street from the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, down the road from St. Josephs Catholic School and across the street from the Boise Co-op.

Why this spot? Very simply: It is common for the administrative headquarters of a diocese to be located next to or near the cathedral, Christian Welp, the churchs director of special projects, told the commission at a Planning and Zoning hearing on Monday.

In 2017, the lot was slated for a building that would have included 31 apartments and street-level retail. At the time, its developer went through a process with the city to get the lot rezoned  a process that resulted in an agreement about how the space would be used.

That project fell through, and the diocese bought the property in 2020. It is trying to use the same development agreement David Southers, the original developer, made with the city, but with some modifications, for what it says will be an office for 35 people, and occasionally a gathering place for diocese events.

An architects rendering of the proposed diocese office building at 902 N. 8th St.

North End Neighborhood Association objects

The move has drawn criticism from some residents and the local neighborhood association, given the changes in property ownership and type of development.

Its been six years since [the agreement] was issued, Erik Hagen, the president of the North End Neighborhood Association, told the Idaho Statesman by phone. Thats well beyond its lifetime, per city requirements. Most applications get expired within a year or two.

If a 6-year-old development agreement that was never adhered to, a change of ownership and change of product type doesnt warrant a revisit of the development agreement process, I dont know what would, Hagen said.

The church, meanwhile, argues that the proposed changes to the type of project are relatively minor  that office space was one of the possible uses allowed under the previous development agreement, and that the building itself will be close enough in size to the previous proposal.

At Mondays hearing, architects compared the dioceses project with the sites previously proposed building. The previous project fell through, but the church hopes to use the same development agreement, with modifications.

The development agreement allows for several remedies, which includes requesting a modification of the agreement from City Council, which is what the applicant is doing, City Planner David Moser argued at the hearing.

Church members back the building

At the hearing, several residents, many of whom identified themselves as members of the church, expressed support for the proposal, saying it would be visually appealing and is a logical use of the space, given the proximity to other church properties.

Others voiced concerns over the buildings proposed height  about 62 feet at its tallest point  and limited parking, saying it would loom over nearby buildings and further tax a neighborhood already beset by busy streets and parking shortages. Several questioned whether the building was an appropriate addition to an area they called the gateway to the North End.

At the hearing, commissioners came down on the side of the church. They approved a conditional-use permit to increase the buildings height and allow fewer parking spaces than zoning requires. They also recommended that the City Council approve a modified development agreement between the city and the developers about the use of the space.

The proposed development includes underground and surface parking, and plans for a shared parking agreement with nearby church properties.

Hagen said he plans to appeal the commissions approval of the permit and make a case to the City Council to deny the churchs request to use the same agreement as the previous development at the site.

I dont mind the design. I dont mind the use, Hagen said. Its just basically the process.

Craving a cocktail by the Boise River? Garden City wants to make that easier. Heres how

Save this historic building, a Boisean pleads. We want to, city says. What just happened

The Idaho Sporting Goods store was a Boise icon. Its now been demolished. This is why

Changes coming to 2 popular blocks in the heart of downtown Boise. Heres what to know
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Though this weeks rainfall may have caused some headaches for commuters, a 12-year-old elephant at the San Diego Zoo was thrilled by the wet weather.

Zoo team members caught on camera the moment Nipho, an endangered African elephant, splashed through the Elephant Odyssey habitat at the park.

How much rain has fallen in San Diego County? Here are rainfall totals

Nipho could be seen running in the rain and trumpeting water into the air, showing excitement while enjoying the rare occasion of stormy weather conditions at the San Diego Zoo.

African elephants, like Nipho, have visible tusks and their skin is very wrinkly, as explained by the zoo. They get their name from the look of their ears, which are shaped like the continent of Africa.

Another interesting fact about this species, according to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA), is that elephants never forget. Wildlife experts have said they can remember individuals and even impact life events.

For Nipho, this weeks round of rain may very well be something he looks back on.

SDZWA works with partners across Africa to rehabilitate, raise, and reintroduce to the wild orphaned African elephants. More information their efforts can be found here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Organizers in Winter Park are gearing up for the second annual Mr. Rogers Week of Kindness.

It will kick off in March.

Some of the events will include storytelling by David Newell, who played Mr. McFeely on Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.

Watch: A beautiful day in Central Florida: Mister Rogers statue unveiled at Rollins College

Organizers wanted to continue the legacy of Fred Rogers, more than two decades after his death.

And you really cant do anything like that unless its live, face-to-face, touching people. Which is what Fred was all about, said Rich Bradley, president and CEO of Buena Vista Events and Management.

Read: I think Florida was always his love: Happy little memories of Bob Ross Central Florida roots

A new addition this year is a revival of the piano concert Fred the Musical.

That will be played by Mr. Rogers nephew, Dan Crozier.

More information on the Mr. Rogers Week of Kindness can be found here.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Central High School senior Nicolas "Nic" Wetzel hugs his brother after he was named the 2024 Youth of the Year at a luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024 at the Barley House at Moon City Crossing.

At first Nicolas "Nic" Wetzel viewed the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield almost dismissively. It was just somewhere to go after school and during the summer because his parents were working long hours.

That view changed quickly and dramatically.

"It has meant almost everything to me," said Wetzel, 18. "It ended up being my favorite place to go. I met amazing people who helped me realize who I was."

The Central High School senior  who became a member at age 8  was named the 2024 Youth of the Year at a packed luncheon Wednesday at the Barley House at Moon City Crossing.

"It means that all of the years I've been at the club means something," he said at the ceremony. "I made a difference."

Central High School senior Nicolas "Nic" Wetzel gives a speech after he was named the 2024 Youth of the Year at a luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024 at the Barley House at Moon City Crossing.

The annual award includes a $16,000 scholarship, which Wetzel plans to use studying criminal psychology and forensics at Missouri State University.

Wetzel admitted he'd been suppressing worries about how to pay for college and planned to take out loans, in addition to any grants and scholarships. Now, that may not be necessary.

"This means a lot," he said. "It is going to get me through college."

This year, the club celebrated 10 Youth of the Year finalists, who have all demonstrated leadership skills, academic achievement, and community service. Along the way, they overcame obstacles.

The 2024 Youth of the Year finalists pose for a photo at a luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024 at the Barley House at Moon City Crossing.

The finalists were asked, in a video played before the award, what message they had for younger club members and Wetzel said "respect yourself" and "be who you are."

Mike Hoppman, president of Partners In Education, announced the annual award and said of Wetzel: "Nic is bright, trustworthy and he leads with integrity."

In April, he will compete at the state level in Jefferson City, where the winner will receive an additional scholarship of $2,000, and a chance to compete at the regional and national level.

Before any awards were handed out, Brandy Harris, chief executive officer of the Springfield clubs, spoke directly to all the student leaders in the room.

"You are capable. You are smart. You truly have the ability to change the world and this community," she said. "And, most important, you are enough, no matter how many times you tell yourself you're not, you are."

She also offered a personal message for each finalists for the 2024 Youth of the Year and the Junior Youth of the Year.

"I cannot wait to see how you change the world," she said. "Thank you for choosing Boys & Girls Club as your space to learn and grow."

Pershing Middle Schooler Carlee Gibson reacts after she was named the 2024 Junior Youth of the Year Award at a luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024 at the Barley House at Moon City Crossing.

Annual awards

Additional awards were given out at the 2024 Youth of the Year luncheon, including:

Youth of the Year  Nicolas "Nic" Wetzel, Central High School, $16,000 scholarship

Great Futures Award  Madison Borg, Hillcrest High School, $8,000 scholarship

Alumni Association Award  Hunter Johnson, Central High School, $2,000 scholarship

Junior Youth of the Year Award  Carlee Gibson, Pershing Middle School, $250

Junior Future Leader Award  Jazmyn Brandyberry, Pleasant View Middle School, $100

Junior Rising Star Award  Silas Dalton, Pershing Middle School, $50

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Central High senior named Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs
People visit an auto exhibition in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, Feb. 7, 2024. The exhibition, named Autoland, kicked off here on Wednesday and will last until Feb. 18. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)

People visit an auto exhibition in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, Feb. 7, 2024. The exhibition, named Autoland, kicked off here on Wednesday and will last until Feb. 18. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)

A visitor sits inside a vehicle at the booth of Chinese car brand Hongqi during an auto exhibition in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, Feb. 7, 2024. The exhibition, named Autoland, kicked off here on Wednesday and will last until Feb. 18. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)

People visit an auto exhibition in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, Feb. 7, 2024. The exhibition, named Autoland, kicked off here on Wednesday and will last until Feb. 18. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)

An artist performs near the booth of Chinese car brand Hongqi during an auto exhibition in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, Feb. 7, 2024. The exhibition, named Autoland, kicked off here on Wednesday and will last until Feb. 18. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)
SEOUL, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Five local and foreign carmakers in South Korea will voluntarily recall some 44,280 vehicles for manufacturing defects, the transport ministry said Thursday.

Hyundai Motor will recall 18,664 units of Kona SX2 subcompact SUV for a defective battery wiring protector as well as 246 units of NEXO to fix a faulty airbag inflator, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Mercedes-Benz Korea will recall 12,521 units of 22 different models, including E350 4MATIC sedan, to repair a faulty component in the fuel pump.

BMW Korea will recall 8,826 units of 19 models, including 528i, for a problematic component in the valve controlling system, while Honda Korea will repair a defective battery cable in 2,080 units of CR-V HYBRID.

MAN Truck & Bus Korea will recall 1,944 units of four models, including TGM Cargo truck, for a defective fuel filter heater.

Vehicle owners can visit repair and service centers to replace the faulty parts free of charge. 
Washington, D.C. is home to hundreds of churches; any would have been a more fitting location for a Christian church service like last weeks National Prayer Breakfast than the U.S. Capitol. In the prestigious National Cathedral, for instance, 4,000 worshippers could have enjoyed Andrea Bocellis melodious tenor and the Christian speakers, sermons, and prayers.

Unfortunately, some members of Congressoblivious or hostile to church-state separationare determined to make this annual Christian ceremony a government-run, taxpayer-funded institution, stamped with the imprimatur of Congress and the president. Essentially, a state church.

Last week, Speaker Mike Johnson, a strident Christian nationalist, moved the historically private National Prayer Breakfast into the heart of the U.S. Capitol, Statuary Hall, a blow to the separation of church and state he has long scorned.

Mike Johnson Traded Senate Endorsement for Israel VoteThen Went Back on His Word

The rationale for the National Prayer Breakfastthat our leaders must unite in Christian prayer because the challenges that face them cannot be solved in their own strengthignores a lot of history.

When the Constitutional Convention deadlocked in June 1787, for example, Ben Franklin noted that the founders rejected his proposal for a prayer as unnecessary. Maybe that was because the first congressional chaplain turned out to be a traitor; or because framers saw no need for calling in foreign aid as Alexander Hamilton, perhaps apocryphally, put it; or that there were no funds for a prayer, as one delegate argued.

Our founders were focused on something more important, the most revolutionary act they would take that summer: creating humanitys first secular government. Separation of church and state is an American original, born of the Enlightenment and implemented as a bold experiment. No other nation had sought to protect the ability of citizens to think and worship freely by divorcing religion and government. For 237 years, this Wall of Separation has succeeded spectacularly at protecting religious freedom, fostering a pluralistic democracy, and forestalling the abuses inherent in theocracies.

Christian nationalists, however, have never stopped trying to undermine it.

The National Prayer Breakfast began in 1953, part of the golden age of McCarthy-era Christian nationalism that brought the National Day of Prayer, under God in the Pledge of Allegiance, and In God We Trust as the national motto.

It was more than a response to godless communists, more than the Jesus plus nothing motto of the shadowy nonprofit (The Family) behind the breakfast; it was also about right-wing politics.

Im a Cradle Catholic. I Dont Want Christian Nationalism in My Church.

Princeton historian Kevin Kruse describes it as part of a coordinated attack on the New Deal by an unholy alliance of big business and conservative clergy. Building power and access for that alliance has defined the event ever since, as its many scandals illustrate. The breakfast has been an influence-peddling bazaar for lobbyists and foreign agents, riddled with anti-LGBTQ hatred. Last year, The Family funded a trip for 2023 Prayer Breakfast Co-Chair Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) to urge Uganda to stand firm behind its death penalty for LGBTQ people.

In a misguided damage control effort, Congress partially took over the event in 2023 and 2024. But theyve created a host of new problems by holding an exclusionary Christian ceremony in the sanctum sanctorum of secular democracy.

All faiths were supposedly welcome, but who were they kidding? Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and other non-Christians were implicitly disinvited by gathering in the spirit of Jesus and calling on the Lord in prayer, at a program indistinguishable from a Christian church service.

Nones like uspeople who identify as atheists, Humanists, agnostics, or nothing in particularwere categorically excluded. One of us, Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), Congress only Humanist, raised eyebrows by attending anyway as a quiet protest.

A congressman who loves America and wants to pray for it in his own non-religious way should never feel unwelcome in Statuary Hall. The Prayer Breakfasts exalting of Christian privilege divides America along religious lines and flouts the equality our Constitution enshrines.

Anticipating accusations of persecution (the ultimate projection of Christian privilege), let us be clear: every American, and every member of Congress, is free to be Christian. But those who arrogantly seek to impose Christianity as a national religion should consider Ben Franklins admonition: When a Religion is good, I conceive that it will support itself; and, when it cannot support itself, and God does not take care to support, so that its Professors are obliged to call for the help of the Civil Power, it is a sign, I apprehend, of its being a bad one.

Bernie Sanders: My Hero of 2023 Is the Trade Union Movement

The co-chair of this years breakfast, Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS), closed the program by proclaiming Christian prayer our heritage. Maybe for some, but not everyone.

A more universal part of our heritageone that respects diversity, protects religious freedom, and is enshrined in the Constitutionis separation of church and state. Congress should reaffirm that great American heritage by fully disassociating from the National Prayer Breakfast.

U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman represents Californias 2nd Congressional District and is a co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Freethought Caucus.

Andrew L. Seidel is a constitutional attorney, VP at Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and author of The Founding Myth and American Crusade.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  At Wednesdays meeting, the Portland City Council considered the foreclosure of six nuisance properties located throughout the city with delinquent lien payments, code enforcement issues and a history of criminal activity.

Mayor Ted Wheeler said during the meeting that all six properties are causing significant problems in their neighborhoods. Each of the six properties are set for foreclosure pending the city councils approval, Portland Foreclosure Prevention Manager Kevin Foster told commissioners. However, Wheeler said that the council would not make a final decision on the foreclosures at Wednesdays meeting.

Large North Portland warehouse fire prompts massive response

The liens were placed against the properties by the Bureau of Development Services for code enforcement violations, various nuisances, nuisance abatement and/or chronic offender violations, Wheeler said. These properties have been identified as causing significant problems for neighbors and theyre the subject of multiple and frequent police calls in numerous enforcement activities.

More nuisance properties located at 3316 SE 131st Ave. (left) 5923 N. Detroit Ave. (middle) and 3735 SE Martins St. (right). (City of Portland)

One notable property awaiting foreclosure is the site of a warehouse fire that released asbestos into the Willamette River in 2017. While the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has since abated the property, it was initially determined that the buildings roofing paper contained 90% asbestos.

Another property facing foreclosure is a now vacant lot located at 6214 Kerby Ave. The propertys foundation is all that remains from a butane hash oil explosion that completely destroyed a home and killed its previous owner in 2017.

The explosion decimated the property, Foster said. Left on the lot is the house foundation that is collapsing. The foundation is open and unprotected. Squatters are living in a tent on the property.

Multiple adults banned from Vancouver school after physical confrontation with student

As of January 19, the six properties account for 16 liens and $746,632.66 worth of debt. Foster said that the city makes multiple efforts to collect delinquent liens before foreclosing on a home and that the foreclosure process is a last resort.

Our goal is to minimize the effects and problems these properties create in the community, Foster said. The ultimate goal is to motivate the property owner to bring the property into productive use.

List of Properties facing foreclosure:

3316 SE 131st Ave.

12914 NE Halsey St.

1300 N. River Street

5923 N. Detroit Ave.

6214 N Kerby Ave.

3735 SE Martins St.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Four civil rights groups have filed a complaint with the Texas Education Agency alleging that Corpus Christi ISD's truancy practices discriminate against students with disabilities.

According to the complaint from Texas Appleseed, Texas Civil Rights Project, Disability Rights Texas and National Center for Youth Law, 13% of the students CCISD referred to truancy court during the 2021-22 school year were receiving special education services.

The complaint alleges that truancy court proceedings often push students out of school and into GED and other alternative educational options.

Unfortunately, Texas continues to use court processes for interventions that need to happen at the schoolhouse and not the courthouse, Texas Civil Rights Project legal director Dustin Rynders said. Corpus has some of the worst statistics in terms of ordering kids out of school and truancy court proceedings.

A complaint was filed this week with the Texas Education Agency regarding Corpus Christi ISD's truancy practices for students who miss too many days of school.

CCISD spokesperson Leanne Libby said in an email Wednesday that the district has not yet received notice from the TEA regarding this complaint.

We are aware of reports that a complaint has been made to the Texas Education Agency, and are glad to fully cooperate with the agency as needed, according to the districts statement. Due to student privacy laws, we cannot speak publicly regarding specific disciplinary matters.

The TEA confirmed Wednesday it has received the complaint regarding CCISD.

TEA has received a complaint related to the allegations inside Corpus Christi ISD. This is an ongoing matter and TEA cannot comment further, according to the TEA statement. TEA will review the complaint and determine appropriate next steps. Complainants will be updated of any next steps during this process.

What is truancy?

Under Texas law, students between 6 and 18 are required to attend a public school. Exceptions include if the student attends a private or parochial school, has a temporary physical or mental condition that makes attendance infeasible, is expelled or is preparing for a high school equivalency examination.

If a student fails to attend school on 10 or more days within six months in the same school year, they are in violation of compulsory attendance law. Before that, schools alert parents and initiate truancy prevention measures after three or more missed days within a four-week period.

After initiating truancy prevention measures, schools can refer students to truancy court. Schools have discretion when it comes to filing truancy complaints, defining excused and unexcused absences and determining the set number of minutes that would result in a truancy filing if a student misses part of the school day.

Judges also have discretion in which remedial measures to order as punishment.

Why does the complaint focus on Corpus Christi ISD?

Rynders described the states response to truancy as fundamentally flawed.

Rynders said that many of the students who are missing school have disabilities, are homeless or poor, have to work to support their families or are pregnant or have children.

Nothing about criminalizing a parent or requiring a student to go to court resolves any of those underlying issues that are usually the reason children are missing school, Rynders said.

The complaint cites data indicating that school districts in Nueces County refer students to truancy court at higher rates than other Texas districts.

According to the complaint, which cites Texas court data, Nueces County was responsible for 11% of all truant conduct cases in the state in 2022, despite making up only 1% of the Texas population.

The complaint compares Corpus Christi ISD to other Nueces County school districts, noting that CCISD referred 3% of students to truancy court, while West Oso ISD only referred 0.8% and Flour Bluff ISD only referred 1%.

The complaint also states that CCISD recommends students attend a GED program at a higher rate than neighboring districts.

Between 2015-2016 and 2021-22, Corpus Christi ISD referred 6,785 students to truancy court, with 780 of those students receiving special education services. During the 2021-22 school year, 13% of students referred to truancy court received special education services, according to the complaint, citing responses to public information requests.

"Whats at a different level than Ive seen at other courts is the percentage of students that the judge is encouraging, promoting or requiring to drop out of school for GEDS or to go to an alternative education program or some kind of charter program, Rynders said.

At the same time as the CCISD complaint, the groups also filed a separate complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice against Bonham ISD alleging discrimination against Black and disabled students.

What does the complaint allege about CCISD?

The complaint alleges five violations:

CCISD did not identify or evaluate students suspected of having disabilities, contrary to the requirements of IDEA and Section 504.

CCISD recommended students for GED programs without proper reevaluation.

CCISD failed to provide necessary special education and related services to address attendance issues.

CCISD did not accommodate students whose absences were related to their disabilities.

CCISD did not implement required truancy prevention measures in violation of Texas law.

According to the district, all disciplinary action should be addressed equitably.

CCISD educators are dedicated to helping all students progress in their education to the fullest extent of their capabilities, according to the CCISD statement. Additionally, CCISD addresses discipline within the Student Code of Conduct and expects all student disciplinary action to be addressed equitably.

The complaint is based on court observations, data collected through public records requests and the experiences of three students referred to truancy court by CCISD.

The students are referred to only through initials in the complaint. According to complaint, one student has dyslexia and depression, but has not been identified for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or provided with an Individualized Education Plan.

This student was not re-evaluated by the school despite receiving a discharge note from a behavioral hospital demonstrating struggles with depression. Two months after being released from the mental health hospital, CCISD filed a truancy complaint against the student.

According to the complaint, the judge in the case indicated the student would have been ordered into a GED program if they were 16 years old.

The complaint alleges that another student did not receive a special education evaluation, despite being diagnosed with depression after being removed from their home by Child Protective Services. This student was referred to truancy court and when the absences continued, the student was held in contempt.

The complaint alleges that a third student was never evaluated or offered services, despite the student having anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The student was referred to truancy court and court-ordered to complete a GED program.

The civil rights organizations say they have observed court proceedings involving CCISD students dozens of times over the past two years. According to the complaint, CCISD students are often threatened with GED orders or encouraged to enroll in a half-day charter school.

On multiple occasions, our organizations witnessed students explain in court that they wanted to remain in school and earn a high school diploma, only to have the school district recommend that the student be forced out and the court then order it, the complaint reads.

The complainants are asking that the TEA investigate CCISD and issue corrective action. The complaint also requests that CCISD revise policies and staff training protocols and provide students with compensatory education and reimbursement for fines.

Flour Bluff ISD students see canal work at Whitecap Preserve

Nueces County plans to ensure ER residency program future with or without Christus Spohn

Del Mar College to offer free EMT-training program

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Texas Education Agency asked to investigate CCISD truancy practices
Have Americans thrown out The Golden Rule: treat others as you want to be treated?

It seems so: That was the conclusion at a panel of former elected officials, a retired newspaper publisher, an advertising executive and a minister who discussed civility and rancor in the United States during a Greater Naples Leadership forum Wednesday at the Naples United Church of Christ.

"I think our democracy is in real trouble," said Dick Gephardt, a former Democratic U.S. congressman from Missouri who lives in Naples and Washington D.C.. "So many Americans hate so many other Americans because they disagree so violently on so many issues."

Former U.S. Congressman Dick Gephardt answers an audience question at the Community Forum on Civility in Collier County on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, at the Naples United Church of Christ in Naples.

"What do the foreign countries that like us and worse the foreign countries that dont perceive" when they see the fighting and arguing and inability to meet common ground on topics including U.S. speaker of the house, immigration and border control, asked Francis Rooney, a former Republican U.S. congressman who lives in Naples.

"I dont think anybody fears us because they dont think we can work our way out of a wet paper bag," Rooney said.

Former U.S. Congressman Francis Rooney answers a question at the Community Forum on Civility in Collier County on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, at the Naples United Church of Christ in Naples.

Whether it's national politics, a conversation with your neighbor, a city council meeting or a holiday dinner with family, Americans seem to have trouble communicating respectfully, listening to differing options and finding common ground. The polarization of America is a topic in national and international news. The panel at Greater Naples Leadership's "Reduce the Rancor" forum, attended by 687 people, discussed causes and ideas for a cure.

Audience members listen as panelists answer questions at the Community Forum on Civility in Collier County on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, at the Naples United Church of Christ in Naples.

Mark Williams, Naples United Church of Christ senior minister, said the attendance figure "shows the amount of interest in the topic in our community."

The church's Justice Committee thought it would be a "forum that would really connect with our faith virtues."

Insulting a person with a different opinion

"Insulting somebody who you are trying to see things your way is an interesting strategy. Hows that working for you?" said Andy Solis, a former Collier County commissioner. "As soon as something becomes personal it takes it out of the issues and makes it a personal thing. And I think that gets in the way of discussing what the issues really are."

An overloaded Internet; social media; artificial intelligence infiltration by special interest groups and foreign countries; and a failure to listen to one another were among the main reasons the panel blames for American rancor.

Gephardt said after the printing press was invented, people wondered where information came from and could it be trusted.

"Then we came up with a new profession  called journalism. We trained people to become journalists. How to report facts so they are valid, and believable and trustable," he said. "Now we have the Internet and 4.5 billion people on Earth are all journalists now. How did that work out?"

Knowing what's factual and what's not takes work

How to discern between "factual news" and "fake news" is to go to still-trusted sources, whether it is a local newspaper or national news such as BBC, The Economist, The Washington Post or The New York Times, which are "very factual," said Nick Penniman, retired newspaper publisher and lead director of NewsGuard, a company of journalists that "provides transparent tools to counter misinformation for readers, brands, and democracies."

"If you want balance, unfortunately you have to look beyond some of the media in this country," Penniman said. "Maybe you go to opinion section and you say thats polluting the news. That is not polluting the news."

Tim Love, author of "Discovering Truth: How to Navigate Between Fact & Fiction in an Overwhelming Social Media World," said to triangulate when reading or watching news, meaning, read or watch at least three different news reports.

"We cant be afraid to rethink our beliefs  thats called learning," Love said.

Former newspaper publisher Nick Penniman IV answers questions at the Community Forum on Civility in Collier County on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, at the Naples United Church of Christ in Naples.

Gephart and Rooney talked about legislative reforms to make social media companies responsible for what gets posted on their platforms.

"Its a hate machine. And we have to deal with it. In my view, it threatens humankind, and it threatens certainly our ability to have a democracy," Gephardt said. "Just like newspapers get sued for causing harm when they know better," Americans need to have the ability to sue social media platforms.

All the panelists agreed that humans need to slow down and listen and take responsibility for their actions as well.

"I believe that civil discourse requires that we have some very specific similar values," said Sharon Harris-Ewing, a minister with the Interfaith Alliance of Southwest Florida.

Those values are an affirmation in the fundamental value of every person, she said, including a curious and open mind; an open heart, which means to strive to practice humility; and valuing the process of relationships with people different from them.

"I have to maintain a humble stance. As has been said, I dont know everything. Im not always right," Harris-Ewing said. "I can learn from you even if I disagree. But if I believe Im always right, I might appear to listen, but Im not trying to understand or connect, Im just waiting for you to finish."

It's not just about being polite, she said, adding she has been at plenty of public meetings and events where "people were polite but there was no listening."

Asked about acts of antisemitism in the country, Harris-Ewing said it's unacceptable.

"Fundamental for me  respect for varied religious traditions. I would state my faith is no better than yours," she said, adding that "acts of antisemitism are increasing in this country and in this community in particular."

"We can disagree, but you may not attack or denigrate or put down the religion of another person," she said. "We can disagree but we have to respect one anothers faith."

Do unto others as you would have done to you

Getting back to The Golden Rule is key, the panel agreed.

Gephardt said: "When I was 5 in St. Louis, my mother used to get down on her knees and say to me, 'Dick, treat other people the way you would like to be treated. Before you say anything to anybody, think how you would like it said to you. Think about how you would like it done to you.

"She said Dick, love your enemies as much as you love yourself. Always be humble because you deserve to be."

Gephardt also pointed out a comment by Democratic-Republican President-to-be Thomas Jefferson in 1787, when he was minister to France.

"Someone once asked Thomas Jefferson if he had to choose between government and newspapers. He said give me newspapers. Because those trying to govern themselves needed to have valid, factual, true information  so information is everything," Gephardt said.

Jefferson wrote: "The basis of our governments being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. But I should mean that every man should receive those papers & be capable of reading them."

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Forum: Has civility disappeared in political discussion and government?
Some congressional Democrats want Clarence Thomas to recuse himself from the Colorado ballot case at the Supreme Court because of his wifes political advocacy, but she and her lawyer contend she has no influence on her husbands judicial opinions.

Virginia Ginni Thomas has argued repeatedly the 2020 election was stolen. She sent 29 texts to former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, including Do not concede. She attended Trumps Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6, 2021, but said she didnt march to the Capitol. She told the House committee investigating the Capitol riot she still thought in September 2022 the election was stolen.

On Wednesday, the head of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., urged Justice Thomas not to participate in the Colorado case.

Follow the hearing Live updates from Donald Trump's case at Supreme Court

Given questions surrounding his wifes involvement, Justice Thomas should recuse himself so theres no question of bias, Durbin, the assistant majority leader, said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Eight House Democrats led by Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., called on Thomas to recuse himself in January from the Colorado case. Johnson led another group of eight lawmakers in December who called on Thomas to recuse from any case dealing with the 2020 election because of his wifes activities.

Your wifes activities raise serious questions about your ability to be or even to appear impartial in any cases before the Supreme Court involving the 2020 election and the January 6th insurrection, the letter said.

Mark Paoletta, a lawyer representing Ginni Thomas, has argued there is no reason for her husband to recuse himself because of her activities. He noted the House committee that investigated the Capitol attack never mentioned her in its 845-page report.

Spouses are allowed to voice opinions on issues of the day, Paoletta said. This isnt even a close call.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Clarence Thomas recusal called for by Dems in Trump Supreme Court case
Coca-Cola is spicing up its flavor portfolio.

The beverage company just announced its first new permanent flavor in over three years, and its coming to a store near you this month.

Ready to quench your thirst with Coca-Colas latest release? Here's everything we know so far.

The new flavor is called Coca-Cola Spiced

Coca-Cola Spiced in cans (Courtesy Coca-Cola)

Ironically, Coca-Cola Spiced isnt spicy. Per the brand, the new flavor blends the iconic taste of Coca-Cola with a burst of refreshing notes from raspberry and spiced flavors. The company calls Coca-Cola Spiced its boldest-tasting brand innovation yet.

Coca-Cola Spiced will be available in regular and zero sugar varieties in a 12-ounce can, a 12-pack of 12-ounce cans, a 10-pack of mini cans, a 20-ounce bottle, a six-pack of 0.5-liter bottles and 2-liter bottles.

Its available in North America in mid-February

New Coca Cola Flavor Spiced (Courtesy Coca-Cola)

The new permanent flavor is part of the North American product portfolio, so you wont find it overseas. Youll start spotting Coca-Cola Spiced in most national retailers by Feb. 19. It will be similarly priced to other drinks from the brand.

Coca-Cola says the flavor is a result of consumer demand and industry trends

Apparently, Coca-Cola fans have been dreaming of a flavor like Coca-Cola Spiced for quite some time. Per the brand, the flavor is a direct response to category trends and consumer demand.

For instance, over 5 million raspberry servings were poured from Coca-Cola Freestyle machines in 2022. Coca-Cola also cited data that shows a 25% increase of consumer interest in raspberry soft drinks in the last four years.

Coca-Cola has been experimenting with nebulous limited-edition flavors

In 2022, Coca-Cola debuted a limited-edition flavor called Dreamworld as part of its Coca-Cola Creations marketing campaign, per NBC News. The brand claimed the flavor tasted like dreams and said the soda captured technicolor tastes and surrealism of the subconscious.

That same year, it launched Starlight, describing its flavor profile as reminiscent of stargazing around a campfire, as well as a cooling sensation that evokes the feeling of a cold journey to space.

The brand describes its gaming-inspired Byte, which also came out in 2022, as what pixels might taste like.

Other ambiguous flavors that have come out since then include Move, Ultimate and Y3000.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
ABIDJAN, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Ivorian authorities seek collaboration with farmers to tackle cocoa bean trafficking to neighboring countries.

"We must stop selling your cocoa to neighboring countries, because this will lead to the loss of money in Cote d'Ivoire. Through these actions, we were unable to control our production," Seydou Kiebre, president of the Central Agricultural Syndicate of Cote d'Ivoire, said during a meeting with local farmers on Wednesday in Gbangompleu, a Western town on the border with Guinea.

"It is the profit from the sale of cocoa in Cote d'Ivoire which allows the State to build infrastructure such as schools, roads, hydraulic pumps. Any planter who wants development must sell his cocoa in the country," he added, promising that efforts will continue to facilitate bean sales to Ivorian buyers.

Farmers said it is essential to repair the road connecting their town so that Ivorian buyers can reach them.

Cote d'Ivoire has been confronted with cacao beans trafficking towards Guinea, Liberia, and Togo, where the price is 200-300 CFA francs (0.3-0.5 U.S. dollars) higher per kilogram on average, according to local media.

Such practices add pressure to the Ivorian economy, the world's largest cocoa producer, as the plants' productivity has reduced due to El Nino-induced drought in the recent harvest seasons.

In December 2023, the country's Coffee-Cocoa Council, the Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry of Interior and Security jointly launched an action to strengthen the security system on borders. 
Researchers halted a clinical trial looking into the drug combo for stroke treatment after finding no apparent benefit for the first 500 participants out of the planned 1,200-patient study. Photo by Adobe Stock/HealthDay News

Adding blood thinners to clot-busting drugs does not improve outcomes for stroke patients, a new study claims.

Doctors had hoped that combining the two types of medications would improve treatment of stroke, as a similar combination has shown promise in treating heart attacks, the researchers said.

But they halted a clinical trial looking into the combo for stroke treatment after finding no apparent benefit for the first 500 participants out of the planned 1,200-patient study.

The findings were presented Wednesday at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting in Phoenix.

"When we began the trial, we believed the medications would improve outcomes, so we were surprised with the negative results," said lead researcher Dr. Opeolu Adeoye, chair of emergency medicine at Washington University's School of Medicine in St. Louis.

The clinical trial involved 57 different stroke centers throughout the United States.

All patients received a standard clot-busting drug within three hours of their stroke. They then were randomized to receive one of two blood thinners or a placebo drip of saline.

Clot-busting drugs activate an enzyme that breaks up a blood clot, while blood thinners inhibit the action of clotting factors in the blood.

"We designed the trial to allow us to efficiently answer the question for two blood-thinning medications in one trial," Adeoye said in a meeting news release.

Results did show that the combination was safe, and it did not increase the risk of brain bleeding.

Unfortunately, three months after treatment those patients that received the combo weren't doing any better than patients who only got a clot buster, researchers said.

Patients taking the blood thinner argatroban averaged 5.2 on a 10-point disability scale, and those who got the blood thinner eptifibatide averaged 6.3.

In comparison, those who got a clot buster alone averaged 6.8 on the disability scale, indicating they got the best benefit from their overall treatment.

Researchers said studies are underway to determine whether blood thinners could help prior to surgery to remove a stroke-related blood clot, if the thinners are delivered directly to the affected artery.

Because this research was presented at a medical meeting, it should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

More information

The Cleveland Clinic has more about clot-busting drugs.

Copyright  2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
The legislatures Select Committee on Retail Theft is set to hold its second hearing tomorrow, promising renewed fervor in the ongoing debate around retail theft. Its a key issue for the committee and the public, as we walk past extra security guards in stores and press buttons to call employees to unlock our toiletries.

A constant churn of headlines blaming shoplifting for store closures  from Walgreens to mom-and-pop shops  means its no surprise that legislators want to act.

No one is happy with the current situation. We want our local businesses to succeed, we want to buy toothpaste without waiting for an employee to come open a lockbox and we dont want our neighbors so desperate they resort to theft. Elected officials have a responsibility to address these concerns  but they also have a duty to pursue evidence-based solutions grounded in credible information.

Its clear the information driving media, public and legislative interest in retail theft is unreliable at best. Last month, the National Retail Federation had to retract its high-profile claim blaming organized retail theft for inventory losses, and one shopping center executive recently told lawmakers he had asked 15 retailers for data on retail theft, and none could provide it. Even the California Retailers Association has acknowledged there is no comprehensive, reliable data on theft.

Our solutions cannot be grounded in exaggerated claims of a retail theft epidemic.

Opinion

What we know is this: One report shows that despite an increase in 2022, shoplifting across California is down 8% from pre-pandemic levels. At the local level, shoplifting in some cities, such as Los Angeles, has increased in recent months while decreasing in others, such as San Francisco. Yet the public debate about retail theft, fueled by misinformation and viral smash and grab videos, misses this nuance.

For years, corporations like Walgreens and Target have claimed to be closing stores because of retail theft, only for it to be revealed that they kept nearby stores with higher incidents of crime open; struggled financially for other reasons; and, maybe, per the Walgreens finance chief, cried too much about merchandise loss.

There are consequences to these exaggerations. For Banko Brown, a 24-year-old Black trans man killed in San Francisco last April by a Walgreens security guard who accused him of shoplifting, those consequences were deadly. Anyone in favor of harsher sentences for shoplifting should also consider the awful fate of Amanda Bews, who died in 2022 in a Los Angeles County jail where she was being held after an alleged theft.

Yet legislators are barreling forward, attempting to institute harsher penalties for petty theft and roll back Proposition 47, despite voters rejecting such an attempt in 2020 and Gov. Gavin Newsoms resistance. Under Prop. 47, passed by California voters in 2014, non-violent property crimes where the value does not exceed $950 are considered misdemeanors.

The evidence indicates that rolling back Prop. 47 will not be effective, as study after study shows that neither lengthened sentences nor increased charges and punishments based on a second or third offense meaningfully deters crime. Instead, these policies would just send more Black and Latino people to prison.

Throwing the book at people isnt the answer, but we do need solutions. To break the cycle of crime and deter theft, we need to address why people shoplift. When people are arrested for crimes of desperation, connecting them to stable housing, employment and other treatment and services is a more effective intervention than arrests and jail time. When people shoplift as part of an organized retail theft operation, law enforcement should investigate and hold accountable the people who profit most from these sophisticated operations.

Finally, the best investment in a safe and enjoyable shopping experience is to hire and train more workers.

The greatest deterrent for any type of theft activity is effective customer service, says Lowes CEO Marvin Ellison, who attributes the low impact of retail theft on his chains profits to well-trained and well-compensated staff.

The Legislature should support these efforts however it can. We have the tools to solve this without resorting to harsh, ineffective punishments. Lets get to work.

Michelle Parris is the director of Vera California, an initiative of the Vera Institute of Justice.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A Memphis lawmakers proposal to add state appointees to the Memphis-Shelby County School Board is being called a terrible idea by some county commissioners and community activists.

The proposed legislation would allow Governor Bill Lee to appoint up to six members to the school board.

New plan would allow governor to add members to MSCS board

Memphis Representative Mark White said his proposal to add state-appointed members to the locally elected MSCS school board is needed to help improve student achievement.

White said students in the district scored 24% in reading proficiency, and math scores were even lower.

White said his plan would involve input from the Shelby County Commission.

Shelby County Commissioner Charlie Caswell says state involvement has been a disaster in Memphis.

I totally disagree with the idea, Caswell said. Just knowing where the state has been in the time past with the Achievement School District, they came in and thought they knew what was best for our children and families here. We saw that system fail our children in a mighty way, and it just so happens to be a community I serve in, the Frayser community, and to see them think they have the answer now, I think its a terrible idea.

Other commissioners say the state should help, but only with more dollars.

Id say I agree that something needs to be done to help the district. So, what they (the state) can do is increase the funding. As we know, we didnt get the adequate funding needed by the state for our educational system, said Commissioner Mickell Lowery.

Some community groups are also sounding off. The School Board Five, Memphis for All, The Equity Alliance, and Black Voters Matter view the plan as a state takeover.

This is a subtle form of hijacking and hostile takeover. Its an attack on our democracy and the black and brown community, said Tekeila Rucker with Memphis For All.

In a statement to WREG, MSCS School Board Chair Reverend Althea Greene said, We may have had some challenges, but more interference from the general assembly is not warranted at this time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Its official: Two rare tornadoes touched down in San Luis Obispo County this week.

Powerful winds whipped through the area on Wednesday, toppling trees, downing power lines and damaging buildings. Thousands of PG&E customers lost power.

On Thursday, the National Weather Service conducted a damage survey in Grover Beach to determine if the damage in this area was due to a tornado, or severe straight-line winds.

The weather service determined that a tornado briefly touched down in the South County and tracked through Grover Beach before dissipating.

Another weak tornado hit just east of Los Osos, the weather service said, and cut a swath of destruction in proximity to Los Osos Valley Road.

How common are tornadoes in SLO County?

Theyre not common but theyre more common than people think, local retired PG&E meteorologist John Lindsey said.

Heres what to know about the weather phenomenon:

A tree fell at Majestic Tile and Flooring in Grover Beach around 4 p.m., but was cleaned up for free by Mike Leon, who was in town at the time with his tree care tools.

What is a tornado?

The National Weather Service defines a tornado as a violently rotating column of air touching the ground, usually attached to the base of a thunderstorm.

Tornadoes can cause fatalities and devastate a neighborhood in seconds, the agency said, with winds reaching 300 mph.

Tornadoes are possible anywhere in the United States and can occur at any time of day and on any day of the year, the National Weather Service said.

However, theyre most common in the central plains east of the Rocky Mountains and west of the Appalachians, and usually occur in the late afternoon and evening during the spring and summer, according to the weather service.

Crews on 9th Street in Grover Beach work to clear debris left in the wake of a possible tornado Feb. 7, 2024.

What causes tornadoes?

According to Lindsey, tornadoes are a form of funnel clouds  rotating columns of condensed water droplets.

When funnel clouds develop over the ocean, theyre called waterspouts, he explained in a 2018 Weather Watch column in The Tribune.

As soon as they hit the ground, however, they are classified as tornadoes.

So what causes funnel clouds?

First of all, you need an unstable atmosphere with warm and/or humid air at the surface and cold air aloft, Lindsey wrote. As the air rises into the sky, it cools to the point that water vapor condenses to form visible clouds and releases tremendous amounts of latent heat.

This keeps the air rising inside the cloud, producing updrafts that can trigger thunderstorms and cause wind shear. That means the air is traveling in a different direction and speed at dissimilar heights, Lindsey explained.

The result? A spinning cylinder of air familiar to anyone whos seen The Wizard of Oz.

Toppled trees block 9th Street between West Grand and Rockaway in Grover Beach after a possible tornado hit the city on Feb. 7, 2024.

How are tornadoes rated?

Introduced by T. Theodore Fujita in 1971, the Fujita Scale is used to assess damage produced by tornadoes and then estimate associated wind speeds, according to the weather service.

Meteorologists and wind engineers eventually updated the original F-scale, and those changes were implemented in 2007.

The Enhanced Fujita Scale ranges from EF-0  meaning a weak tornado with winds of up to 72 mph  to EF-5, a violent tornado with winds of up to 318 mph.

The vast majority of tornadoes have scale ratings ranging from EF-0 to EF-3, the Weather Service said.

Both of Wednesdays tornadoes were rated EF-1 on the scale, which means they resulted in moderate damage with winds of up to 110 mph.

Amid a tornado warning on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, powerful winds knocked down trees and branches on Ramona Avenue in Grover Beach.

How often do tornadoes happen in California?

A total of 478 tornadoes have been recorded in California between January 1950 and October 2023, according to the Redding Record Searchlights analysis of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data.

Those resulted in injuries to 92 people as well as about $134.7 million in property damage and about $1.5 million in crop damage, the Record Searchlight found.

Lindsey, the meteorologist, said most of the states tornadoes occur south of Point Conception or in the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys.

Nearly all of the tornadoes reported in California have been rated low on the EF-scale, Lindsey said, but that doesnt mean the twisters are harmless.

Even a weak tornado can cause a fair amount of damage, Lindsey said.

Amid a tornado warning on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, powerful winds knocked down trees and branches on Ramona Avenue in Grover Beach.

What about SLO County?

The Record Searchlights interactive map tracking the history of twisters in California shows just three small tornadoes in or near SLO County during that time period.

All three tornadoes had ratings of EF-0, according to the map.

Heres when they happened:

May 5, 1998: A small tornado developed over the city of San Luis Obispo, damaging four homes and knocking out power to several hundred customers, the Record Searchlight wrote.

Nov. 29, 2001: A weak tornado struck in northeast Santa Maria, causing minor damage to three homes, according to the Record Searchlight.

Feb. 2, 2004: A waterspout that developed offshore of Oceano Dunes, came onshore as a weak tornado and hit a California State Parks ranger in his truck, the Record Searchlight reported. He wasnt injured.

Wednesdays tornado was the first recorded tornado in the county in 20 years, the San Luis Obispo County Office of Emergency Services said Thursday.

A funnel cloud was spotted over Los Osos on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.

However, Lindsey said a band of thunderstorms may have produced a weak tornado at Camp San Luis Obispo on April 2, 2014.

Doppler weather radar at Vandenberg Air Force Base indicated severe weather over Cayucos moving southeast through the Chorro Valley toward San Luis Obispo, he said, and numerous Cayucos residents reported seeing hailstones measuring 1 inch in diameter.

Over decades of forecasting weather along the Central Coast, Lindsey said hes noticed a pattern of post-frontal thunderstorms in the late winter and spring moving off the Pacific Ocean through the Los Osos and Chorro valleys toward San Luis Obispo that resulted in tornado-related activity.

Thats roughly the same area where Doppler radar indicated so-called tornadic activity on Wednesday afternoon, Lindsey said.

In a post on X, Lindsey said a classic signature of tornadic activity developed off the coast of Los Osos and Morro Bay around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday and another developed off the coast of Diablo Canyon Power Plant around 4 p.m.

Waterspout off Buckley Road in San Luis Obispo just now!!!

Video taken by Jorge Marianothank you for a GREAT capture!!  @NWS @weatherchannel @ReedTimmerAccu pic.twitter.com/rkzhYrCx2M  Trisha Butcher (@TrishaButcher1) February 6, 2024

Could tornadoes become more common on the Central Coast?

Lindsey said a shifting climate could mean that twisters become more common off the Central Coast.

Were seeing storms become more and more intense, he said. As the atmosphere warms, Im afraid were see more occurrences of tornadic activity along our coastline.
ATHENS, WV (WVNS)  Founders Day will be celebrated at Concord University on February 28, 2024.

A night of mystery comes to Concord University with the Moonlit Masquerade

At 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, members of the community are welcome to join Concord University students, faculty, and staff in the Anderson Family Theatre of the Alexander Fine Arts Center to celebrate 152 years of Concord University. Guests will also be able to enjoy refreshments after the presentation.

Concord University was founded in 1872 as a state Normal School for teachers. Since its founding, the University expanded the courses that were offered to teach liberal arts enthusiasts, medical professionals, business leaders, and social servants.

Presidential Excellence awards will be handed out by President Kendra Boggess to recognize students, staff, auxiliary staff, and faculty who have shown dedication to the University and the community.

Organist Daniel Spurgeon to be featured as part of Concord Universitys Artist Lecture Series

Brandon Hicks, native of Princeton, West Virginia, will be the keynote speaker during the 2024 Founders Day celebration. Brandon graduated from Concord University with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Tourism Management in 2017. He also got his West Virginia Real Estate Salesperson license while at Concord, and now holds licensures in Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida.

Hicks does not only deal with real estate, as he also founded and manages Hicks & Co. Travel, a luxury travel agency, that includes Adventure Awaits Travel, Roam Port Travel brands, and Crown to Castle Travel. Hicks is passionate about wanting the area to be successful, and has been involved with marketing and helping new citizens move here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
Republican House committee members argued Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg used large donations to mobilize Democratic voters in swing states during the 2020 general election Wednesday.

Multiple Republicans said theyd be willing to fund election administrations with taxpayer dollars while prohibiting donations like those made with Zuckerbucks, the term they used to refer to the private donations

Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan said the one-time donations to the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL) were made to provide poll-worker training, protective equipment and to expand mail-in voting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Republican committee members argued the money was funneled to Democratic-leaning districts more often than not, in an effort to mobilize voters.

These funds were intended to support poll worker recruitment efforts or the purchase of new equipment, House Administration Committee Chair Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) said. But in reality, some of these funds were used primarily for voter registration events and get-out-the-vote efforts in Democratic-leaning cities and towns.

Americans deserve to have confidence in their elections, which means elections should be free from undue private influence, Steil added.

Democratic members agreed with Republican colleagues that election administrations should be publicly funded but argued GOP lawmakers specific focus on who the private funders were drew attention from the reason for the hearing  helping underfunded local election administrations.

All of us can agree that no private funding should be funding our elections  it should be public funding, Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) said. I really have no tolerance for the unrelenting assault perpetrated by the partisan and extreme organizations represented by todays Republican witnesses.

When we are presented with hearings like this, with these types of witnesses, it really puts into question the leadership of this committee, and where we are going, and our mutual goal to try and get things done for the American people, Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.) said.

It would be unnecessary for philanthropic organizations to contribute to elections if there was adequate funding, ranking member Rep. Joseph Morelle (D-N.Y.) said.

There are more than 8,000 local election jurisdictions in the United States, all of which derive their funds from local sources, according to Zachary Mohr, associate professor at the University of Kansas.

Through auditing these jurisdictions, the University of Kansas estimates these local election administrations shoulder a collective $2 billion in cost to operate, Mohr said.

I really think that with states banning private funding  which, there may be valid reasons for that, but if thats going to be the case  elections administration has been underfunded for years. Now, it is getting critically underfunded because it doesnt have the resources it needs. We need the federal government to step in here, Mohr said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
On January 20, 2025, conservatives plan to resurrect a 150-year-old defunct law to ban abortion across the nation. This is not a secret planfar from it. Its part of the 180-Day Playbook produced by Project 2025, detailing priorities for an incoming conservative president on day one. These 900 pages lay out a Christian nationalist vision of the United States, one in which married heterosexuality is the only valid form of sexual expression and identity; all pregnancies would be carried to term, even if that requires coercion or death; and transgender and gender-nonconforming people do not exist.

Project 2025s 180-Day Playbook is driven by such ideology. Look at America under the ruling and cultural elite today, writes Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, in the documents foreword: Children suffer the toxic normalization of transgenderism with drag queens and pornography invading their school libraries. Project 2025 claims to present the consensus recommendations of the entire conservative movement for addressing purported crises like these: The first guiding principle is Restore the family as the centerpiece of American life and protect our children.

The hundreds of pages that follow lay out specific plans for each departmentfrom Health and Human Services and Education to Labor and Justice. Make no mistake: As steeped as Project 2025 is in the conspiratorial imagination of the right, its plan is comprehensive and dangerous. Health care providers, educators, employers, and the governments own civil rights enforcement apparatus, among many others, would all be marshaled to ensure our acquiescence in this dictatorial male supremacist society.

This is not the first such playbook to come out of the Heritage Foundation, which has been doing this kind of thing since Ronald Reagan. But Project 2025 isnt an empty document, nor is it solely a Heritage Foundation project: Heritage has brought in more than 90 conservative organizations as an advisory board, with some drawing their leadership from former Trump administration staff. That includes Paul Dans, who worked in Trumps Office of Personnel Management and now leads Project 2025. Alongside the playbook, Project 2025 is currently vetting thousands of conservative warriors, as Dans has called them, who can be installed quickly in all the positions required to make the playbook a reality. Dans and others have characterized Project 2025 as dismantling the power of the administrative state, but it would also concentrate power in a capacious and unchecked executive branch, operating on the premise of the unitary executive theory. As my colleague Matt Ford has written, this theory argues that the executive branchs powers reside entirely within the president; all other officials simply exercise them on his behalf and serve at his whim.

Dozens of groups behind Project 2025 have been working on this since at least 2022. Heritage announced Project 2025s advisory board on the same day the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, as if this was in some way the next logical step. That board includes many familiar names in anti-abortion rights and anti-LGBTQ rights politics, such as Alliance Defending Freedom, which brought the case that overturned Roe; America First Legal, led by former Trump adviser Stephen Miller, which sought to depose the leadership of two Texas abortion funds; the Claremont Institute (sample brief from a Claremont fellow: How Activists Use Your Tax Dollars to Sexualize Kids at School); Family Research Council (sample brief: Why Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Should Never Be Specially Protected Categories Under the Law); and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. Along with the advisory board, altogether more than 90 groups have signed onto Project 2025. Some have received substantial contributions from Heritagenearly $1 million, according to tax filings obtained by Accountable.US and reported by NBC News. That accounts for 58 percent of Heritages total giving in 2022, the year Project 2025 began. Around 40 of the Project 2025 groups have also received funding from Leonard Leolinked dark money groups, for instance more than $16.5 million from DonorsTrust in 2022.

In such a lengthy, expansive plan, it can be easy to get lost in the details. This may be intentional, bogging down discussion and complicating reporting on the projects potential impact. So lets focus on the vision of society driving the blueprint. That means beginning with Project 2025s threat to bodily autonomy: how Project 2025s drafters plan to mandate their narrowly defined and state-enforced patriarchal, heterosexual, married, procreating family and how they plan to confine people within that vision.

Here are the policies attacking bodily autonomy that Project 2025 wants the next conservative presidential administrationpresumably, Donald Trumpsto announce or set in motion on day one.





Equate legal personhood with heterosexuality, gender conformity, and compulsory motherhood by removing mention of any alternative from all laws, all government agencies, all grants and contracts, and any other official regulations. The next conservative President must make the institutions of American civil society hard targets for woke culture warriors, Project 2025s playbook states in its foreword. A hard target is a term of art in the military, security, and surveillance, referring to a secured location meant to withstand an outside threat. Hardening the target in this case, the playbook continues, starts with deleting the terms sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI), diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), gender, gender equality, gender equity, gender awareness, gender-sensitive, abortion, reproductive health, reproductive rights, and any other term used to deprive Americans of their First Amendment rights [note: the reference to First Amendment rights here is typically code for a religiously or otherwise motivated choice to discriminate] out of every federal rule, agency regulation, contract, grant, regulation, and piece of legislation that exists.

This deletion of terms is a global recommendation in the playbook. Everything else is premised on this. It is not new: The Trump administration proposed redefining sex across all federal agencies in 2018, in such a way as to exclude trans people, which could in turn result in denying trans people protections under anti-discrimination laws. A policy that allows for increased job and housing discrimination, among other forms of discrimination, allows for government-enforced poverty and homelessness for an entire generation of people who simply want to live their lives as their authentic selves, noted activist Evan Greer at the time. The end goal here is no less than the complete ostracization of transgender people from public life: This is an attempt to disappear us. When asked whether they saw these efforts as an attempt at erasing types of people, neither Project 2025 nor the Heritage Foundation responded to our emails before publication. Erasure from official records and policy often accompanies exclusion in other concrete wayswhich Project 2025 also suggests.

Establish not individuals but familiesspecifically one married mother, one father, and their biological childrenas the basis for governmental policy. Throughout the report, and in the Health and Human Services chapter especially, the family, adhering to this rigid definition, is privileged as the basis for policy. The roadmap says the next HHS secretary should proudly state that men and women are biological realities that are crucial to the advancement of life sciences and medical care and that married men and women are the ideal, natural family structure. It claims that under Biden, HHS is fraught with agenda items focusing on LGBTQ+ equity, subsidizing single-motherhood, disincentivizing work, and penalizing marriage. These policies should be repealed and replaced by policies that support the formation of stable, married, nuclear families. In addition to gutting any policy related to LGBTQ families or single-mother-led families, some of those replacement proposals include prioritiz[ing] married father engagement in health and welfare policies, emphasizing marriage in health and education programs, ending the Head Start preschool program for low-income families, and allowing child abuse prevention funds to go to marriage-promotion programming. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should be directed to eliminate programs and projects that do not respect human life and conscience rights and that undermine family formation.

Project 2025 proposes, in short, that the government do everything in its power to mandate every woman carry every pregnancy to term and marry the father of the child she births. (It also decrees that only women can become pregnant.) It says the government should do this by excluding, defunding, or eliminating any other options.

Adopt the position that abortion is murder and harms women. Strike the word abortion from all laws, policies, and regulations. The playbook says the government should pursue research on the comparative health and psychological benefits of childbirth versus the health and psychological risks of intentionally taking a human life through abortion. This research question preemptively takes the stance that the government should consider abortion to be murder. It also specifies that the CDC should ensure that it is not promoting abortion as health care. Instead, the government should create and promote a research agenda that supports pro-life policies and explores the harms, both mental and physical, that abortion has wrought on women and girls. How it will do all this without using the now-banned word abortion is unclear.

Overhaul policy and research to deny the existence of transgender and nonbinary people, and instead pursue methods of ensuring children remain the sex they were assigned at birth. The playbook states that the president should declare to education agencies and officials that sex is properly understood as a fixed biological fact. The CDC should be ordered to stop collecting data on gender identity, which legitimizes the unscientific notion that men can become women (and vice versa) and encourages the phenomenon of ever-multiplying subjective identities. The playbook suggests the president eliminate all government research involving transgender people, claiming that the National Institute for Health is at the forefront in pushing junk gender science, and recommending that the next HHS secretary should immediately put an end to the departments foray into woke transgender activism.

There is an exception: Fund studies into the short-term and long-term negative effects of cross-sex interventions, including affirmation, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgeries, and the likelihood of [desistance] if young people are given counseling that does not include medical or social interventions. That is, research on gender-nonconforming children and teenagers should be funded by the government, but only for the purpose of studying what will make them conform, such as denying them gender-affirming care and instead trying to change their identities through counseling, which is a form of conversion therapy. Related to this, the playbook says all school staff should be prohibited from referring to any student by a gender or name different from the one on their birth certificate without the written permission of the students parents or guardians. They playbook claims that data point to transgender identity being a social contagion. For this, they cite the anti-trans writer and activist Abigail Shrier.

Outlaw anything conservatives deem pornographic, treating the public presence and depictions of queer and trans people as a threat to children and families. Shut down or imprison any individual or company that discusses or shares such depictions. Pornography should be outlawed, the roadmap decrees. The people who produce and distribute it should be imprisoned. Educators and public librarians who purvey it should be classed as registered sex offenders. And telecommunications and technology firms that facilitate its spread should be shuttered.

Its important to understand what conservatives mean by pornography here. The roadmap refers (in its Foreword) to pornography, manifested today in the omnipresent propagation of transgender ideology and sexualization of children. This language suggests that the document is adopting the thesis animating right-wing threats and attacks targeting LGBTQ spaces, books, and people: the old trope that lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are out to recruit children and that depictions of their lives are meant to seduce children away from heterosexuality. This thinking holds that transgender people are evidence of a contagious ideology, at risk of infecting children. (Requests to define what was meant here by pornography sent to both Project 2025 and Kevin Roberts, president of Heritage and author of the foreword, did not get a response by time of publication.)

So what the Project 2025 playbook seems to be proposing here is that public institutions such as schools and libraries regard any presence or depiction of queer and trans life as a potential sex offense, to be reported. Similarly, social media platforms would risk government seizure if they serve as a platform for any presence or depiction of queer and trans life.

Outlaw abortion. Until then, surveil abortion in the areas in which it remains legal in order to prioritize criminal cases against chemical abortion and abortion tourism. The playbook says the president should enforce a 150-year-old law, the Comstock Act, which right-wing groups see as a way to ban abortion nationally because it outlaws the use of the mail for the purposes of sending or receiving any object that could be used for an abortion. It is the position of the playbook that mailing abortion pillswhat they call chemical abortionis already illegal in every state. (The Comstock Act is written broadly enough that any device used in abortion could be considered outlawed; when asked if they believed Comstock only banned medication abortion, neither Project 2025 or Heritage responded.) The playbook never mentions the Comstock Act by name; one reference to the law is crammed into a paragraph on China on page 285. (Instead, footnotes reference the Comstock Act by the numbers used in the U.S. criminal code.) The playbook also calls for the intensive policing of what it calls abortion tourism, in which people travel from no-access states to states where abortion is available: Because liberal states have now become sanctuaries for abortion tourism, HHS should use every available tool, including the cutting of funds, to ensure that every state reports exactly how many abortions take place within its borders, at what gestational age of the child, for what reason, the mothers state of residence, and by what method. They also want emergency rooms to collect data on miscarriages to try to determine whether patients had taken abortion pills. If you have an abortion using pills, it is the position of Project 2025 that your abortion becomes a crime on January 20, 2025.







This is the America envisioned by Project 2025: one in which gender and sexuality are not acknowledged as actually existing outside patriarchal, nuclear families. All that exists here is mothers and babies, children and families. Each family is meant to function as an extension of the state, dedicated to controlling and confining sex, gender, and sexuality, with all the coercive power and violence that would require. Full compliance could only be accomplished through self-policing under intimidation. These groups know they cannot expect people to do that completely. They know they cannot force everyone to be straight, to marry, to deny their gender, to birth a child. They know people will refuse. What they want is to use that inevitable noncompliance as a threat and a tool.

This playbook, the groups and donors behind it, the installation of ideologically motivated staff across government agencies, and the theory that the Constitution permits the executive to rule absolutely, is more than guidance for a new conservative presidential administration. It is also one of the rights most open admissions that they aim to install an authoritarian ruler and roll out a twenty-first-century American fascism. At its heart is a plan of mass reproductive and sexual coercion, casting whole populations as deviants who threaten the nation, denying them legal personhood. Historically, it has been a short step from there to plans to eliminate whole classes of people altogether.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah (ABC4)  The water at Utah Lake is approaching full levels, according to the Department of Natural Resources, resulting in a need to open the control gates and release water downstream.

The water would be released into the Jordan River, which flows into the Great Salt Lake. State Engineer Teresa Wilhelmsen said officials are just waiting for water levels to stabilize before starting to slowly release the water.

Were not certain about the final quantity of water that might be added to the Great Salt Lake as a result of opening the gates because it will largely depend on precipitation, weather and other factors, said Wilhelmsen. But its important to note that the state engineer and the water users of Utah Lake are actively managing the lake in conformance with Utah law and the directives of the Utah Lake Compromise Agreement.

Wilhelmsen said whenever Utah Lake reaches its compromise level  which is described as a lake elevation established by court order  the state engineer is required to regulate the control gates to prevent flooding both around Utah Lake and the Jordan River. That level was reached a little earlier this year thanks to last years record-breaking snowpack.

The snowpack last year combined with the conservation efforts of Salt Lake Valley and Utah Valley residents means that our reservoirs are full, said Director of the Utah Lake Water Users Association (ULWUA) Wade Tuft. Utah Lake is approaching the compromise elevation because water users are storing water from last year while it continues to snow and rain in the watersheds feeding Utah Lake.

The amount of water that could potentially reach the Great Salt Lake and the amount to be released from Utah Lake is yet to be determined. However, ULWUA estimated as much as 300 million gallons of water per day could be released while the gates are open.

Tuft said officials will be watching the weather forecasts and if precipitation keeps falling, they will be able to leave the gates open longer.

Great Salt Lake Commissioner Brian Steed said that Utah needs to maximize the amount of water that gets to the Great Salt Lake, as outlined in the newly released Great Salt Lake Strategic Plan.

The fastest way to get water to the lake is from abundant precipitation, said Steed. However, conservation helps keep water in our reservoirs and stretch the water supply.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Scattered showers remain in the forecast for Thursday as another round of widespread rain builds for Friday.

Rain showers will be isolated on Thursday, but the greater Portland, Vancouver metro area will see a wet end to the week. More persistent morning rain showers are expected Friday as snow elevations decrease.

Cooler temperatures will slowly start to work their way back into western Oregon and Washington on Thursday. Afternoon highs will sit in the upper 40s to low 50s. These slightly cooler conditions will help pull mountain snow elevations down to nearly 2,000 ft. by Friday morning. Cooler temperatures and the return of moisture will be beneficial to Oregons ski resorts. Drier and mild conditions will make for perfect skiing weather this weekend.

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Rain accumulation for the Willamette Valley and coast will be minimal on Thursday. Portland area rain gauges wont start to fill to a quarter of an inch until Friday morning. Slightly drier conditions begin to push into the area by Friday afternoon and evening. That will lead to a drier weekend.

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Sunday will remain dry around the Portland area for The Big Game. Mild conditions are also expected as highs return to the low 50s.

Sweet Hereafter announces last call after 13 years





The dry weekend comes to an end as Oregon and Washington prepare for another potential atmospheric river next week. Rain showers will start to increase on Mardi Gras, Tuesday. Valentines Day will remain soggy at times, but the atmospheric river will help push temperatures into the mid-50s by the middle of next week.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
TOKYO, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Smoke was confirmed coming out of a building at No.1 reactor of Tsuruga nuclear power plant in Fukui prefecture, central Japan, on Thursday morning, local media reported.

At around 6:30 a.m. local time, an employee at the facility reported that smoke was coming out of the reactor's turbine building, the public broadcaster NHK said, citing local firefighting authorities.

According to the fire department, no fire has been confirmed at the scene so far, and there have been no reports of injury, NHK said.

Police and the plant's operator, the Japan Atomic Power Company, were investigating in detail the circumstances of the smoke.

There has been no change in the values of monitoring posts that measure radiation levels around the power plant, according to the report.

The reactor has been undergoing decommissioning work since 2017. 
China continues to enhance public medical services

Xinhua) 09:18, February 08, 2024

BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- China's tertiary public hospitals nationwide have further enhanced accessibility of their medical services, according to an official assessment report.

The report, released on Wednesday by the National Health Commission and six other departments, was formulated based on the performance of the country's 2,817 tertiary public hospitals in 2022.

The document highlighted an improvement in the capability of these hospitals to address complex and difficult diseases.

It also noted that there's been an increase in the number of physicians across various departments, including anesthesia, pediatrics and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

China has a three-tier system to grade hospitals, with tertiary hospitals -- which have the largest number of beds and provide comprehensive medical services -- at the top of the system.

The hospitals covered in the assessment consisted of 2,112 Western medicine-based hospitals and 705 TCM hospitals.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
LANZHOU, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- At an agricultural company in northwest China's Gansu Province, workers are diligently sorting and packing plump, rosy-red apples into boxes. After customs inspection, these sweet, fragrant fruits will be transported to Thailand via Qingdao Port on China's east coast.

The approaching Spring Festival is the peak season for apple exports, according to Kang Yanwen, manager of foreign trade at Gansu Nature Farm Agriculture Co., Ltd. "The orders continue to pour in and we are shipping out every day. We don't even have enough transport vehicles," she said.

With abundant sunlight and significant temperature differences between day and night, Gansu has long been known for producing excellent apples. In recent years, an increasing number of apple growers here have sought to expand their apple sales to overseas markets.

Data from Lanzhou Customs showed that in 2023, the export value of fresh apples from Gansu reached approximately 550 million yuan (about 77.40 million U.S. dollars), representing a year-on-year increase of 21.7 percent.

Kang lives in Li County in Longnan City, a prominent apple production hub renowned in Gansu as well as across China. "My family has been involved in the apple business for generations," said Kang, adding that her father, Kang Yongliang, has always dreamed of exporting their apples.

In 2017, Kang Yongliang hired a foreign trade team to try exporting apples. However, due to various factors, the business plan didn't succeed.

In 2018, shortly after graduating from university, Kang Yanwen decided to fulfill her father's dream. She first took up a job at a foreign trade company in Shandong Province, where she started learning about foreign trade from scratch. Before long, she resigned and set up a team to manage apple exports from her hometown.

Kang Yanwen's first deal came from Dubai. Even though it was a modest order, valued at 400,000 yuan, she maintained effective communication with her client, ensured quality products and gained their trust. As a result, this Dubai distributor became a long-term partner and even introduced her to other prospective clients, helping her expand locally.

With her growing reputation and experience, Kang has forged market relations with Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and many other countries. The export value of apples from her company has increased from 2 million yuan in 2018 to 34 million yuan in 2023.

Last year, the company invested over 14 million yuan to establish an intelligent crisp production line, planning to promote apple crisps overseas in 2024.

For the new year, Kang Yanwen is filled with hope. She wants to see more international customers enjoy high-quality Chinese apples.

Other agricultural companies in Li County are similarly buzzing with activities these days. Zhao Xiaoming, a 51-year-old salesperson at Lixian Richshine Fruits & Vegetables Co., Ltd., has been putting in long hours, working from 7 a.m. to around 6 p.m. every day. He said that the company must dispatch at least one truckload containing 1,186 boxes of apples each day, requiring a minimum of 40 workers on site.

"We've been growing apples for generations, and we're deeply attached to them. It's like a dream come true seeing our apples go worldwide," Zhao said. "Now, all the apples from my family's orchard are sold abroad through company orders."

He noted that he has gradually become familiar with the preferences of the international market. "Thai people like big, red apples, while Bangladeshis prefer smaller ones. Our apples are in high demand in overseas markets."

According to the company's general manager, Zhao Liang, the past two years have seen encouraging growth in overseas sales of high-quality Chinese apples, indicating increasing recognition among overseas consumers. In 2023, the overall sales volume of his company increased by around 20 percent compared to 2022, and the number of customers has been growing at an average annual rate of 10 percent.

According to Zhou Dingtang, deputy Party secretary of Li County, the apple industry has become a pillar industry, driving local economic development and boosting the incomes of the locals. The total area of orchards in the county is 605,200 mu (about 40,346.67 hectares), yielding a total apple production of 516,000 tonnes and a total output value of 2.28 billion yuan in 2023.

He noted that efforts will be made in the future to expand the overseas market for apples from Li County to augment the global presence. 
Ashleigh Anderson was the only manager in the pharmacy when she realized that she might be having a heart attack.

On the morning she died, Ashleigh Anderson researched her symptoms.

Nausea.

Jaw pain.

Chest pain.

Cold sweats.

I think I am having a heart attack, the 41-year-old texted her longtime boyfriend from the CVS store in Seymour, Indiana, where she had just begun her shift as the sole pharmacist on duty.

It was Sept. 10, 2021. Retail pharmacy was reeling from the pressures of the pandemic, and frontline workers like Anderson were dangerously burned out. For months, they had been filling prescriptions and vaccinating patients without bathroom breaks or a bite to eat.

Andersons phone buzzed.

I hope not! replied her boyfriend, Joe Bowman, who suggested the symptoms could just as easily be indigestion, stress or something with her lungs.

Anderson was a smoker, and her job induced plenty of stress. But she had just been to the doctor two weeks earlier and, according to her family, received a clean bill of health.

Can you take a long lunch and decompress? Bowman asked.

I cant, she texted back.

The CVS in Seymour was a 24-hour store whose pharmacy counter never closed, not even for lunch. Patients came at all hours to pick up medications, ask questions and get shots. It was a relentless grind made worse by the recent departure of two staff pharmacists and the pharmacy manager. In their absence, the remaining crew struggled to fill the hundreds of prescriptions coming in each day and had soon fallen behind by more than 1,000.

Ashleigh Anderson died in 2021 after collapsing from a heart attack behind the counter of the CVS pharmacy in Seymour, Indiana, where she worked.

Tensions were especially high that week after Anderson learned her boss had assigned her the role of pharmacy manager despite her repeated refusals to take the promotion.

I am livid, she messaged a coworker four days earlier when she discovered the change in the companys HR system.

State law at the time required every pharmacy to designate a pharmacist in charge, someone to hold accountable for complying with regulations and to discipline for violations.

But Anderson didnt want the extra responsibilities. After 17 years with CVS, including previous stints as a manager, she was content being a regular staff pharmacist. She could clock in, clock out, and go home to Bowman and her beloved basset hounds without the job following her there.

If anyone could handle the gig, though, it was Anderson.

Whip-smart, selfless and dependable, she had managed one of the busiest CVS pharmacies in Indiana just a few years out of college. When a historic flood inundated her store in 2008, she kept working until the National Guard arrived in boats to rescue everyone. The following year, she won the companys highest honor, the coveted Paragon Award.

Anderson was calm amid chaos. But that morning when she texted Bowman, she was worried.

If she was having a heart attack, she needed immediate medical attention. But if she left without another pharmacist to take her place, she would have to close the counter. Prescriptions would get even more backed up. Patients would be upset. And the stores performance, closely tracked by a series of corporate metrics, would suffer more than it already had.

Anderson couldnt reach her boss, so she texted his assistant at 10:11 a.m.

I know this sounds crazy but I am having symptoms of a heart attack. Can you get someone here long enough for me to go to the ER and get checked out?

Three minutes later, the assistant called. The two spoke briefly, then hung up.

I talked to Jessica, Anderson texted Bowman, referring to the assistant. She told me to close and go, but I told her to find someone if she could.

Bowman replied: Are you coming home or going to the closest ER? Do I need to pick you up?

Home was 35 minutes to the south, in Henryville, Indiana. The closest emergency room was just down the street, at Schneck Medical Center. Anderson could drive there in three minutes.

The assistant called again, and the two spoke for 46 seconds.

Then Anderson sent Bowman what would be her final text: Bob is coming now. I will go to Schneck here. Hopefully its nothing and I will come back to work.

Fifteen minutes later, Anderson collapsed on the pharmacy floor.

On the morning she died, Ashleigh Anderson shared her concerns she was having a heart attack through a series of text messages she sent her longtime boyfriend, Joe Bowman. Their conversation is shown here in a photo illustration based on the actual messages.

A customer who happened to be a nurse raced behind the counter and started CPR while a pharmacy tech called 911, a coworker told USA TODAY.

First responders arrived within minutes. They ventilated her. They gave her chest compressions. They jolted her with a defibrillator. Nothing made a difference. They loaded her onto an ambulance and drove her to the emergency room at Schneck. Her pupils were fixed and she had no pulse.

Staff at Schneck administered three rounds of epinephrine to stimulate Andersons heart, but it had long since stopped pumping blood. Her skin became mottled.

She was gone.

An autopsy later revealed severe atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with 99% blockage of her left descending coronary artery, leading to whats referred to as a widowmaker heart attack.

If she had gone in quickly when she realized she was having a heart attack, said Dr. Eric Topol, a longtime cardiologist and the executive vice president of Scripps Research, the artery would have been opened up, and she most likely would have survived.

By waiting, Anderson had made the ultimate sacrifice to an industry that notoriously demands too much of its workers.

Corporate culture's role blamed in Anderson's death

Over the past decade, corporations like CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Walmart have steadily slashed pharmacy staffing levels while saddling remaining employees with a burgeoning list of additional duties.

Stores that once had two pharmacists and six pharmacy technicians filling an average of 500 prescriptions a day now may have half the staff and an even higher prescription volume  plus an endless crush of vaccine appointments, rapid COVID tests and patient consultation calls.

Every task is timed and measured against corporate goals that reward speed and profits. Staff who do not fill prescriptions fast enough, answer the phones quickly enough or drum up enough vaccination business can face discipline, reassignment or termination.

Read USA TODAY's investigation: Prescription for disaster: America's broken pharmacy system in revolt over burnout and errors

No chain exemplifies this ethos more than CVS, dozens of current and former pharmacists told USA TODAY. Many recalled how they have been pressured to work through sickness, physical injuries and mental breakdowns.

One pharmacist said her boss refused to give her a day off even though she was suffering a full-blown panic attack. Another said he was asked to stay behind the counter instead of taking his injured son to the emergency room. Two pharmacists said they worked while actively miscarrying because their bosses couldnt find anyone else to cover their shifts.

Youre just programmed that if youre sick or you need to go home, you cant. You have to wait until someone comes, said Wendy Lear, a former CVS pharmacist who worked while miscarrying.

Although she had never met Anderson, Lear knew her name.

They all did.

Word of Andersons death spread like wildfire among retail pharmacists. It became a cautionary tale of corporate martyrdom. It spawned a hashtag, #SheWaited, and a social media campaign that urged pharmacists to listen to their bodies, stand up to their bosses and take care of themselves.

Not long after she died, a bright orange billboard went up on Interstate 65 in Indiana, between Seymour and Henryville. It featured a photo of Anderson along with the hashtag and a simple message: Your job can wait, your heart cant.

Andersons family had paid for the sign.

Ashleigh Anderson's family paid for a billboard on Interstate 65 in Indiana to raise awareness about the pharmacist's death while waiting for backup to arrive and urging others not to make the same decision.

We were trying to get exposure to this, because we thought it would gain media attention, and CVS would have to deal with this on some level, said Larry Anderson, Ashleighs father. But unfortunately that didnt pan out.

USA TODAY interviewed Andersons father and stepmother, her long-term boyfriend and 10 former colleagues who worked with Anderson at various times during her career with CVS. Many of them described Andersons dedication to a job that, some of them believe, ultimately killed her. Some of those colleagues still work for the company and spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect their jobs.

The media organization also examined text messages and calls to and from Andersons phone the morning she died, as well as reviewed a summary of her final moments detailed in a coroners report obtained through a public records request. A reporter additionally spoke to dozens of retail pharmacists from CVS and other chains across the country about the conditions and demands of the job.

Taken together, the interviews and records paint a portrait of an industry that conditions employees to work beyond their limits and put their own needs behind those of the job. So strong is the culture that those close to Anderson say that even when she got permission to close the pharmacy, she must have decided it was in her best interest to wait for backup before seeking help.

She was, in our opinion, afraid to go to the emergency room and be told, No its not a heart attack at all, its just anxiety, said her father, Larry Anderson. Because then she would have to come back and face her bosses.

Michael DeAngelis, CVS executive director of corporate communications, called Andersons death a tragedy that never should have happened. He pushed back, though, on the notion that CVS bears responsibility for her death, noting that she was told to leave and highlighting the companys culture of safety.

Under no circumstances, he said, does CVS expect or want its employees to work when they are unwell, and it encourages them to seek medical treatment when necessary.

It's impossible for me to comment on why Ashleigh made the decision she made, DeAngelis said. I think, by and large, pharmacists are highly dedicated health care professionals, and I would not be surprised if there are pharmacists who have the mindset of, I need to keep taking care of my patients, versus Im afraid of being punished by my employer.

Although they acknowledge Anderson alone made the call to wait, Larry Anderson and his wife, Donna, still blame CVS for her death. If the company cared about its employees, Anderson said, it would have properly staffed its locations so that no one pharmacist was stuck behind the counter, reluctant to leave.

There is an intimidation factor, Larry Anderson said. You dont feel like you can take your lunch. If you have a doctors appointment, youre extremely reluctant to do it. You just cant be away from work.

Pharmacist was a rising star at CVS

Anderson grew up in and around Lafayette, Indiana, the eldest child and only daughter of Larry and his first wife, Nancy.

As a girl, Anderson was adventurous, spirited and naturally gifted. She excelled at everything, especially academics, and she had a soft spot for animals. Friends and family often called her the smartest person in any room. She didnt even have to try.

She graduated high school as class valedictorian, and attended the prestigious Purdue University, located in her hometown. Anderson could have chosen any major, but she gravitated toward medicine and especially liked the idea of becoming a veterinarian. The only problem: She hated the sight of blood.

She was maybe a year or two into college when she decided to go into pharmacy, her father said. Pharmacy was an option that allowed her to be in the medical field without seeing a lot of blood.

Anderson threw herself into her studies, learned everything she could and earned a doctorate of pharmacy in 2004. She was 24 years old. Bursting with optimism and eager to prove her worth.

Ashleigh Anderson (center) graduated from Purdue University in 2004 with a doctorate of pharmacy. She is pictured here with her parents, Larry Anderson and Nancy Rockstroh, at her graduation ceremony.

No one was surprised when she quickly landed a job. CVS was lucky to get her, they thought. Anderson felt like she was the lucky one. She loved everything about her work as a retail pharmacist  the fast pace, the stimulating environment, the patient interactions. It was endlessly challenging, and Anderson relished a challenge.

Her coworkers soon took note.

I knew right from the start that she was going to be our next boss, said Trish England, who worked as a pharmacy technician at the CVS in Columbus, Indiana, where Anderson started her career. She was a rising star. She was the best pharmacist we had. They praised her for everything she did.

CVS soon promoted Anderson to pharmacist in charge at one its busiest locations in the state. Employees working in Columbus at the time recall handling between 3,000 and 6,000 prescriptions a week.

Anderson thrived in her managerial role. She was a master of the pharmacy who could rattle off the answer to any question, efficiently clear a queue of backlogged prescriptions and make patients feel like she really cared.

She ran a tight ship, her coworkers said, and was an absolute stickler for quality control.

CVS has a thing where technicians count prescriptions out and put them in a box that takes a picture and sends it to the pharmacist to verify and look at it, said one pharmacy technician. She made us take the pills and bundle them in groups of five so she could count them herself. We all grunted, like, Why do we have to do this? But it was all for patient safety.

Andersons competency initially intimidated some of her coworkers, who said they thought she was scary or cold until they got to know her. Then they became fiercely loyal, describing her as a true friend whose warmth was surpassed only by her wit.

Managers at other stores sent their pharmacists to Columbus to train with Anderson. Around the time she won the companys Paragon Award, she was invited into its emerging leaders program, a stepping stone to upper management.

Anderson set her sights on a district leader position, a role overseeing a dozen or so pharmacies and ensuring they hit their corporate targets. She seemed a shoo-in for it.

She was one of the best pharmacists in the area, recalled a CVS pharmacist who was sent to train under Anderson. She was the kind of pharmacist people wanted other pharmacists to be.

Then, one day, Anderson stunned her coworkers by leaving it all behind.

In August 2013, she abruptly transferred from the Columbus location to a lower-volume CVS in Greensburg, Indiana, where she worked an overnight shift as a staff pharmacist. She dropped out of the emerging leaders program. She stopped talking about career advancement.

Ashleigh Anderson is buried at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens in West Lafayette, Indiana. Atop her grave sits a large headstone, upon which are etched five drawings representing the most important parts of her life. A basset hound, a golfer, a palm tree and two half-full wine glasses each appear in one of the panels four corners. Occupying the most prominent spot in the middle is a mortar and pestle  the iconic symbol of a pharmacist.

It made no sense, her colleagues said. Some figured she just needed a change. Others assumed corporate forced her out for falling short of its rising targets.

It was always numbers, numbers, numbers  you have to hit your numbers, said a pharmacist who worked with Anderson in Columbus. The district manager would come in and be like, How come you cant hit this number? How come you cant hit that number?

At the same time, he said, the stores prescription volume was exploding as staff size steadily dwindled. CVS decided not to replace a pharmacist who had recently left, and there were fewer technicians at any given time.

Working conditions just got worse and worse and worse, England recalled. The more we did, the more they expected us to do.

When the numbers fell too far behind, they took her out.

But one former colleague said Andersons performance at the store wasnt the issue. It was an ethics hotline complaint that led to her removal.

A pharmacy technician took offense at the way Anderson had handled a situation, said the former colleague, a longtime CVS administrator who worked closely with Anderson over the course of her career.

She was snappy, the colleague said of Anderson. You have to be snappy in that job, but one day she said something in the heat of the moment that she probably should not have said.

Human resources investigated the complaint, the colleague said, and determined Anderson should step down. The decision gutted Anderson, who felt she did not get a fair hearing.

They knocked her down a peg, Donna Anderson said. After that, she stopped trying to be anything more than a staff pharmacist.

Anderson spent the next several years commuting from Columbus to the CVS in Greensburg and then the one in Shelbyville and then the one in Nashville, Indiana. All were within 30 miles of her house.

When she and Bowman bought a newly constructed home in Henryville, 50 miles to the south, Anderson sought a shorter commute.

She found it in Seymour.

Anderson feared dying alone

The final CVS in Andersons career sat at the intersection of a busy commercial strip, flanked by a large parking lot, which on that late summer morning was teeming with emergency vehicles.

Khandie Tharp would have seen them had she pulled in just minutes earlier. But the pharmacy tech was late for her shift, and, by the time she arrived, the lot was eerily empty except for two crying coworkers.

One of them approached Tharp as she got out of her Mustang to tell her what had happened. Distraught, Tharp got back in her car and drove to the hospital.

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During her 18 months working at the Seymour CVS, Tharp had bonded with Anderson. The experienced pharmacist had taken the new tech under her wing and given her the support she needed to excel in an environment rife with seemingly endless tasks.

In rare lulls, the two shared details about their lives and learned they had a lot in common. As neither of them had any children, they confided in each other about their fears of dying alone.

Tharp was determined that morning not to let that happen.

She introduced herself to the emergency room receptionist and asked that someone inform Anderson of her presence. Since she was not family, staff could say nothing about her friends condition but promised to let someone know Tharp was there.

And then she waited.

I wanted her to know that somebody was there for her, Tharp said. I was there for her.

Bowman was at home when his phone rang. The call came from the CVS store in Seymour, and when he answered, he heard the rattled voice of another pharmacy tech saying Anderson had collapsed and that paramedics were on their way.

Ashleigh Anderson and her longtime boyfriend, Joe Bowman, shared a passion for golf and traveling.

Bowman jumped in his vehicle and kept a lookout for state troopers as he sped north on I-65 to Schneck Medical Center, not knowing what he would find when he got there.

Tharp greeted him when he arrived. The two had never met, but she recognized him from photos Anderson had shared. Bowman was grateful she was there.

A doctor appeared and asked Bowman to follow him into a room. Bowman knew right then that Anderson was gone. He remembers feeling his feet carry him into the room and his ears listen to the doctor explain that her heart had stopped.

The explanation ended, and Bowman was led into another room. This one held Andersons body. Bowman was given time to say goodbye.

Time passed  five minutes, an hour, an eternity  before Bowman reappeared in the waiting room. He looked at Tharp and shook his head. She knew then, too. Tharp felt her knees buckle. Bowman caught her before she fell. Then the two strangers cried together in the hospital over a woman they both loved.

It was Bowman who broke the news to Andersons parents.

When they saw his number pop up on their phone, Larry Anderson said, he and Donna figured Bowman was calling to thank them for the large patio umbrella theyd had delivered that morning to his house.

Instead, Larry Anderson said simply, What a shock.

Family seeks answers amid misunderstanding

When the shock wore off, the family wanted answers as to how a seemingly healthy, active woman in the prime of her life could collapse and die at work.

They knew CVS had expected Anderson to work through lunch breaks and bathroom breaks, that she felt pressured to come in even when she was sick. They knew her job stressed her. Now they wanted to know if it killed her.

Larry Anderson said he found the numbers for his daughters boss and his assistant and called them, but neither one would talk.

After two or three attempts, her boss finally did talk to me, but he was very careful of what he would say to me, Larry Anderson said. He said he had been instructed not to answer (questions) and said I shouldn't even be talking to you. But he was trying to be nice.

Members of Ashleigh Andersons family stand next to her gravestone in Tippecanoe Memory Gardens in West Lafayette, Ind. From left are her stepfather Mike Rockstroh, mother Nancy Rockstroh, stepbrother Jeremy Stockdale, brother Nate Anderson, father Larry Anderson and stepmother Donna Anderson.

Even the companys gesture of establishing a scholarship in his daughters name at Purdue fell flat, he said, when CVS made a one-time donation of $10,000 that December instead of sustaining it annually as the family thought it would.

DeAngelis denied that CVS avoided conversations with the family or that it ever committed to funding a scholarship beyond the one-time donation.

We regret if there was any misunderstanding, he said.

Misunderstanding was taking root online, too. Messages about Andersons death started appearing on Facebook, Reddit and Twitter. They claimed her bosses had forbidden her from seeking immediate medical attention and made her wait until a backup pharmacist arrived.

"Her name was Ashleigh Anderson. She was feeling sick and wanted to leave. Management told her she had to stay 2 hours for a relief pharmacist to show up. She died in @cvspharmacy of a heart attack."#TwitteRx #PizzaIsNotWorking   Dr. Jay Phab (@PhabPharmaDoc) November 13, 2021

Among those who saw the posts was Bled Tanoe, a former Walgreens pharmacist who amassed a large online following advocating for better retail pharmacy working conditions under the hashtag #PizzaIsNotWorking  a nod to companies hollow offerings of free pizza to appease stressed employees.

Bled Tanoe outside a Walgreens in Oklahoma City.

Andersons death struck Tanoe as further evidence of an industry that mistreats its employees, she told USA TODAY. She wanted to amplify the story and create a new hashtag around it. So she reached out to CVS pharmacists in Indiana to verify the story. They confirmed that Anderson could not leave, according to messages Tanoe shared with USA TODAY.

In October, Tanoe launched the #SheWaited hashtag, and the story exploded among retail pharmacists online. By the time Tanoe heard the details might not be correct, she said, her sources had either stopped talking or were no longer sure, and the story had already taken on a life of its own.

Regardless, Tanoe said, the message behind the movement she started remains the same.

It is established in our profession, there is a culture where you cannot put yourself first, said Tanoe, who also is the vice president of the online pharmacist advocacy community, RPhAlly. It might not be written in a handbook and they would never say it to your face, but the message, through their actions, is that the company comes first.

In the two years since her death, Andersons name has transcended social media.

It now echoes through the college classroom of Haley Howard, an assistant professor of pharmacy practice at Manchester University in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she teaches first-year students about professional self-advocacy.

Howard uses Andersons story to remind her students that they have a right to reasonable working conditions and to voice their concerns. Most importantly, she tells them, they cant fulfill their duty to care for their patients if they dont take care of themselves first.

Its one of several examples Howard includes in an accompanying slide show that shares advice with future pharmacists about how to advance their career at a time when many are leaving the profession and enrollment to pharmacy schools is in decline.

Howard, who also works as an acute care pharmacist at Cameron Memorial Community Hospital in Angola, Indiana, never met Anderson. But she said she heard about her death from a fellow pharmacist who had heard about it from somebody else. It felt, she said, like a wake-up call that more people needed to hear.

Pharmacists need to be in safe working environments, Howard said. I wanted to share with my students and say, This stuff happens in pharmacy, and it shouldnt be happening.

Emily Le Coz is a reporter on the USA TODAY investigations team. Contact her at elecoz@usatoday.com or on X @emily_lecoz.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CVS pharmacist Ashleigh Anderson's death at work becomes rallying cry
Messages in Russian about errors in the operation of remote drone control programs. Photo: DIU

Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine (DIU) has reported a successful attack on a control program for Russian drones.

Source: DIU

Quote: "Cyber specialists of the DIU of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine have conducted another successful operation against the Russian occupiers  as of 8 February 2024 the enemy complains about a large-scale failure of the drone control program. The Russians install this program to flash DJI drones firmware to make them better suited for military needs."

Details: DIU states that Russian servers stopped working due to cyber attacks.

All software is being recognized as "foreign", with the occupiers being denied access. At the moment the Russians are trying to solve the problem, mainly by switching to a manual control regime.

"TCP connections 95.183.10.61:21", with most connections refused

Photo: DIU

Messages in Russian about errors in the operation of remote drone control programs

Photo: DIU

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FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A 32-year-old man was sentenced to life in state prison without the possibility of parole on Thursday for the robbery and murder of a Mexican national, according to the Fresno County District Attorneys Office.

A Fresno County jury found 32-year-old Raymond Guido guilty at his trial, which concluded on November 28, 2023.

The DA says on December 30, 2022, officers with the Fresno Police Department were dispatched to an apartment complex at Thomas and Jackson avenues regarding a shooting.

Officials say the victim, 40-year-old Luis Castillo, died from multiple gunshot wounds. Castillo was a Mexican national who came to Fresno to work and provide for his family who still live in Mexico.

Castillo had been living with his sister in Fresno for less than three months when Guido robbed and murdered him, according to the DAs office.

Officials say at the time of the murder, Guido had been on parole for four months for an assault with a semi-automatic firearm.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
The Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office this week waived the death penalty as a possible punishment for the two defendants who are under capital murder indictment in connection with a mass shooting last year at a parking lot in the Como section of west Fort Worth.

Christopher Redic Jr., 21, and Brandon Williams, 20, fired guns upon a crowd and shot three people to death, prosecutors have alleged. Eight other people were also shot and survived.

The district attorneys office filed the waiver on Monday.

If they are convicted of capital murder, Redic and Williams would automatically be sentenced to life in prison without parole. The defendants were arrested four days after the July 3 shooting and were indicted in September. Their cases are pending in the 297th District Court in Tarrant County.

The indictments allege that Redic and Williams committed the murders of Gabriella Navarrete, 18, Cynthia Santos, 22, and Paul Willis, 18, as the defendants committed another offense, terroristic threat.

A gang quarrel motivated the shooting, Fort Worth police have said. An altercation immediately preceded the gunfire at an outdoor afterparty following a neighborhood celebration, police have said.

The 10 adults and one juvenile who were shot on Horne Street at Diaz Avenue were among several hundred people gathered about two hours after the end of ComoFest.
A fledgling startup founded by one of OpenAI's first engineering hires is looking to "redefine manufacturing," with AI-powered factories for creating bespoke precision parts.

Daedalus, as the company is called, is based in the southwestern German city of Karlsruhe, where its solo factory is currently housed. Here, Daedalus takes orders from industries such as medical devices, aerospace, defense, and semiconductors, each requiring unique components for their products. For example, a pharmaceutical company might require a customized metal casing for a valve used in the production of a particular medicine.

As it looks to ramp up operations with a view toward opening additional factories in its domestic market, Daedalus today announced it has raised $21 million in a Series A round of funding led by Nokia-funded NGP Capital, with participation from existing investors Khosla Ventures and Addition.

This takes Daedalus's total funding past the $40 million mark, with other notable investors including Y Combinator (YC), which became involved after Daedalus participated in YC's Winter 2020 program.

The Daedalus factory floor

The Daedalus factory floor. Image Credits: Daedalus

Fragmented fabrication

The manufacturing industry -- particularly as it relates to precision part fabrication -- is hugely fragmented by just about every estimation. While it's tempting to imagine that a typical manufacturing setup in 2024 is something akin to that of a large automotive assembly plant, this really only applies where high-volume products (like cars) are involved -- the reality is somewhat different when you get down to the level of precision parts used in industrial machinery.

A company that has been designing industry-specific valves for decades likely won't be manufacturing everything itself internally. It will typically rely on an old-school network of manufacturers, which may mean working with a small business consisting of a single expert "craftsman" and a handful of helpers working from a small facility.

"What this means is they're not doing much in terms of digitization, and it's difficult to change that because they're just used to working with pen and paper, basically," Daedalus founder and CEO Jonas Schneider told TechCrunch. "So you have these very low-tech manufacturers supplying the most critical components for these extremely high-end products."

Daedalus founder & CEO Jonas Schneider

Daedalus founder and CEO Jonas Schneider. Image Credits: Daedalus

Founded in 2019, Daedalus uses similar off-the-shelf hardware available to any manufacturer, but its special sauce lies in the software it deploys on top to control and optimize the "shop floor" -- that is, it automates many of the manual tasks involved in producing a particular part. So a customer will send their CAD (computer-aided design) drawings as usual, and Daedalus develops these drawings to a finished part with automation permeating the process.

"It's about orchestrating all of the workflows across the production, planning and scheduling of those running around on the factory floor doing the work," Schneider said.

For context, when production begins for a new "part" in a machine, there are typically dozens of steps and hundreds of decisions involved that impact what tooling will be needed, what settings to use to create the precise shape and dimensions of the part, and so on. And this is where Daedalus enters the fray -- its software captures the manufacturing decisions data of one "part" and uses that to guide the decisions around how a similar part is created in the future. So a slightly bigger valve, or a valve with an extra fitting, might be substantively the same as an earlier part, thus Daedalus uses pattern matching to apply that previous knowledge to configure its machines for the new part.

In many ways, Daedalus extends the basic concept of 3D printing, which has been democratizing the manufacturing process for more than a decade. But with machine learning smarts under the hood, it's taking things to the next level -- it's like 3D printing on steroids.

"The comparison is very apt -- as an outsider to this industry in the beginning, to me it seemed like custom manufacturing had [already] been solved with 3D printing. But it mostly comes down to technical limitations of the process," Schneider said. "With 3D printing, it still means that you need to design a new part specifically so that it can be 3D-printed, and that actually ends up being quite an expensive process. But for the vast majority of the industrial base, it's not really feasible, and they can't do 3D printing because it's not precise enough, or the materials are not strong enough. You can frame what we're doing, in a sense, as taking this idea from 3D printing and applying it to industrial grade, high-end parts."

The story so far

Prior to Daedalus, Schneider was technical lead at OpenAI, where he was instrumental in getting the company's robotics division off the ground in 2016. Indeed, OpenAI might be better known today for its flagship ChatGPT AI chatbot, but the company also operated a robotics unit that conducted research into things like solving a Rubik's Cube with a robotic hand, a project that Schneider was directly involved in.

OpenAI's Rubik's Cube hand

OpenAI's Rubik's Cube hand. Image Credits: OpenAI

OpenAI ultimately disbanded this team in 2021, but Schneider had spearheaded the software engineering side of operations for more than three years before he departed to start Daedalus in 2019.

While there were various reasons why Schneider ended up leaving to form his own startup, there was one experience he encountered building the Rubik's Cube hand that played a big part in his decision to launch Daedalus.

"At one point, the robot hand broke down and we had to get spare parts," Schneider said. "And guess what? They needed to be precision manufactured. So there were these machines just like ours today, but we had to wait months to get these parts. And I thought, why is it so hard to get spare parts here? All of this contributed to me looking at this whole manufacturing space a bit more."

For now, Daedalus has a single 50,000-square-foot factory factory in Karlsruhe from where it largely targets the German-speaking markets, including Austria and Switzerland. In the near term, the plan is to expand to a second factory in Germany, and then farther afield if demand is sufficient.

"This is the blueprint factory, right? This is where we're learning all of the systems and all of the knowledge and distilling it into our way of producing these parts," Schneider said. "And then in the long run, we'll put these factories wherever our customers need them."
Seemab Latif (R), an associate professor at Pakistan's National University of Sciences and Technology and director of the China-Pakistan Intelligent Systems (CPInS) lab, communicates with a student at the CPInS lab in Islamabad, Pakistan on Jan. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)

by Raheela Nazir, Deng Kaiyin, Lu Hao

ISLAMABAD/GUANGZHOU, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Collaboration on artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications is in full swing at the China-Pakistan Intelligent Systems (CPInS) lab at Pakistan's National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST).

"Liveness detection, gait recognition, automated number plate detection and recognition, and waste management employing artificial intelligence are among the projects we are working on," said Sahar Arshad, a PhD student at NUST and a researcher at CPInS lab.

Established in 2022, the lab is a collaborative effort between NUST and the Guangzhou Institute of Software Application Technology under the Chinese Academy of Science, with several of its projects focusing on developing innovative solutions personalized for Pakistan's urban challenges, according to Seemab Latif, an associate professor at NUST and director of CPInS lab.

The lab is helping Pakistan develop smart cities with efficient traffic and management systems, surveillance solutions, and infrastructure monitoring, Latif said, adding that Pakistan is able to leverage upon already tried and tested technological solutions and utilize them according to its local requirements.

"We do not need to start from scratch as China has already made huge progress in technology over the years, and is sharing it with other countries including Pakistan. Many projects are being implemented in various areas of Pakistan, and we are expanding it further to make our cities safe and sound," she said.

To make headway in the field of technology, Latif said several Pakistani students are doing their post-doctoral research in China and more will follow in coming years, supporting Pakistan to cultivate a skilled workforce proficient in cutting-edge technologies.

Muhammad Turyalai Khan, a Pakistani research fellow at CPInS lab, is pursuing his post-doctoral degree in China. Witnessing the rapid technological development in China, Khan told Xinhua that he is eager to bring advanced Chinese technologies back to Pakistan, bringing more benefits to local people.

Khan said that by leveraging the strengths and expertise of both China and Pakistan, CPInS lab exemplifies the potential of international partnerships in driving innovation and addressing shared challenges.

In a conversation with Xinhua, Wu Jun, director of CPInS lab, said that the lab brings together top scientists and outstanding teams from China and Pakistan in the technology field to deeply strengthen friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

"The China-Pakistan Intelligent Systems Laboratory has developed multiple systems based on Pakistan's actual conditions to assist urban governance and benefit local people," he said.

He added that the joint projects will help more Pakistani people experience the security and convenience brought by the application of smart systems. 

Seemab Latif (L), an associate professor at Pakistan's National University of Sciences and Technology and director of the China-Pakistan Intelligent Systems (CPInS) lab, communicates with a student at the CPInS lab in Islamabad, Pakistan on Jan. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)
The commander was killed during a strike that took place around 9:30 p.m. local time, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The United States will continue to take necessary action to protect our people, CENTCOM said in a statement. We will not hesitate to hold responsible all those who threaten our forces safety. CENTCOM said there were no civilian casualties or collateral damage from the strike. The strike hit a car in a busy section of eastern Baghdad, killing the commander and two other Kataib Hezbollah officials, according to The Associated Press. Pro-Iranian statements on Telegram and on state-run media channels named the slain commander as Abu Bakr al-Saadi, a high-ranking Kataib Hezbollah official. The strike is the latest U.S. military action against Iranian-backed militia groups, and the first attack in Iraq since Washington hit more than 85 targets last week across Iraq and Syria in response to attacks that killed three American troops in Jordan in late January, which the Biden administration said was carried out by Iranian proxies. Last weeks strikes, conducted by B-1 bomber planes, targeted Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iranian-backed militia groups. While the U.S. action was meant to deter more aggression, the Iranian proxies have continued attacking American and allied bases in the region. The U.S. officially blamed the Islamic Resistance in Iraq for the deadly attack in Jordan. But the Pentagon also suggested Kataib Hezbollah may have been behind the attack, with deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh saying the attack had the footprints of the militia group. After the Jordan attack, Kataib Hezbollah said it was suspending military operations against American forces in Iraq, to avoid embarrassment to the Iraqi government. The U.S. has continued to carry out strikes in Iraq despite repeated condemnation from the Iraqi government, which is engaged in ongoing talks with Washington on the future of the American military presence in the country. Read the full report at TheHill.com.
TEHRAN, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Tehran Abdullah bin Saud al-Anzi discussed the expansion of bilateral relations and cooperation, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

In a meeting in Tehran on Wednesday, the Iranian foreign minister expressed satisfaction with the growing trend of the bilateral relations, hoping the Tehran-Riyadh ties would improve in all areas and at all levels in a balanced manner, the ministry said in a statement.

Amir-Abdollahian said the expansion of the bilateral relations was in the interests of the two countries as well as the entire region.

The Saudi ambassador, for his part, stressed that his country's attitude towards relations with Iran was a strategic, not a tactical, one, noting that he was tasked by Saudi Arabia's leadership with the mission to improve bilateral relations in all areas.

Saudi Arabia and Iran reached in China's Beijing a groundbreaking agreement last March to resume diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies and missions.

Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran in early 2016 in response to attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran after the kingdom executed a Shiite cleric. 
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, shown testifying on Capitol Hill in 2023, insisted Thursday he will not resign even if impeached. (Stephanie Scarbrough / Associated Press)

This isnt the kind of history Alejandro N. Mayorkas wanted to make.

The son of immigrants who fled Cuba and settled in Beverly Hills when he was a child, Mayorkas was tapped in 2021 by President Biden to become the first Latino head of the nations Department of Homeland Security.

Decades earlier, he made a reputation as the countrys youngest U.S. attorney in 1998, leading the Central District of California based in Los Angeles at 38.

In recent months, however, Mayorkas, 64, has found himself in a far less flattering historical spotlight: targeted to become the first U.S. Cabinet official impeached in nearly 150 years.

"I knew I was entering an extraordinarily polarizing environment, an environment where norms were in jeopardy, where civility was not always respected," he said of his mind-set when he became secretary. "I didn't assume this. It doesn't rattle me, though."

House Republicans, eyeing chaos at the border as a path to regain control of the White House and Senate, say Mayorkas' failure to prevent record arrivals of migrants meets the constitutional bar for impeachment of "high crimes and misdemeanors.

Read more: House vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas fails, thwarted by Republican defections

Democrats call the impeachment effort a vast, politically motivated overreach, characterizing Mayorkas as a committed government servant being used as a pawn in the 2024 presidential race.

To the surprise of many, the embattled secretary on Tuesday narrowly escaped impeachment by the House when three GOP lawmakers  including one from California  broke ranks with their party and joined all Democrats to vote no.

But House Republican leaders have vowed to try again, perhaps as soon as next week, even though the Democratic-controlled Senate is certain not to convict and remove him from office.

In his first extensive, sit-down interview since the vote, Mayorkas told the Los Angeles Times on Thursday that he did not watch the impeachment proceedings. Instead, he was in a meeting in the San Francisco Bay Area discussing the agency's prioritization of artificial intelligence. He broke away for a call and was informed the vote had failed.

Mayorkas, who insists he will not resign even if impeached, says he inherited a broken and outdated immigration system that cant adequately respond to what has become a global migration crisis brought on by violence, poverty, authoritarian regimes and climate disasters.

He called the impeachment proceedings baseless, the accusations false and blamed Congress for failing to allocate enough funding to address the issue.

After devoting his life and career to public service and law enforcement, Mayorkas said the threat of impeachment, one of the rarest, most shameful rebukes a government official can face, is disappointing but has not shaken his commitment.

Respect for the law and service to democracy are themes that run deep in Mayorkas upbringing.

Read more: How a California Republican helped tank Mayorkas' impeachment vote

As a boy in Los Angeles, Mayorkas recalls his mother encouraging him to approach police officers in uniform, extend his hand and thank them. After escaping Fidel Castros regime in Cuba, American police were, to her, a symbol of safety and the rule of law.

Mayorkas was born in Havana. His Jewish Cuban father owned a steel wool factory; his mother, a Jewish Romanian, narrowly survived the Holocaust when her family caught one of the last ships to Cuba.

In Beverly Hills  where his parents were drawn because of the education system  the family lived in a two-bedroom apartment before later moving to a modest home, where Mayorkas shared a bedroom with his two younger brothers. They attended a local synagogue twice a year for High Holy Days and frequented El Colmao, a Cuban restaurant in Pico Union.

Mayorkas attended Beverly Hills High School, UC Berkeley and Loyola Law School.

As a promising young federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, Mayorkas pursued the death penalty against members of the Mexican Mafia, brought organized crime charges against a Los Angeles street gang and prosecuted Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss for tax fraud and money laundering.

Time in the courtroom, where he said defense attorneys lobbed heated verbal missiles at him, prepared him for what was to come.

"When I was in the courtroom, and the arrows are flying, what one is representing is the truth," he said. "To have to fight to have that truth prevail is, I thought, what a privilege. And the arrows? Let the arrows come. We will deflect them, and break them."

David Lash, then-chief executive officer of Bet Tzedek Legal Services, a nonprofit law firm in Los Angeles, remembers consulting with Mayorkas on a series of fraud cases targeting elderly people. Ali, as Mayorkas is known to friends, was instrumental in the success of those cases, Lash said.

Lash and Mayorkas, who lived five blocks from each other, had children around the same ages. They became close friends, getting together for backyard barbecues over the years.

Mayorkas helped recruit Lash to the pro bono program at OMelveny, the Los Angeles law firm Mayorkas joined after President Clinton left office in 2001.

Just walking to lunch might take 20 minutes, Lash recalled, because Mayorkas seemed to know every third person on the street, and would stop to shake their hands and ask how their families were doing.

I think that comes from himself being an immigrant and working in the public interest, Lash said. Its so important to him that hes just imbued with this respect for people who are everyday folks working to make a life.

President Obama appointed Mayorkas to lead U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in 2009. There he led implementation of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, the program that offered work permits and deportation protections to hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the country as children.

He also led talks with the Cuban government on import security and travel as tensions between the U.S. and Cuba thawed. In 2015, he revisited his birth country for the first time.

The trip was personally difficult. His father had made the painful decision to leave Mayorkas' grandmother, who was badly ill, when they fled Cuba and never got the chance to return. When Mayorkas visited his grandmother's grave, it was in disrepair. He asked whether he could pay for landscaping at the cemetery but was refused permission, he said.

It was a very difficult reminder of the loss and hardship of that exodus, he said.

Four years later, Mayorkas was confirmed by the Senate as deputy secretary of Homeland Security. He led the agencys response to the Ebola and Zika virus epidemics, built up the agencys cybersecurity capabilities and targeted drug cartels.

His tenure wasnt without controversy. A 2015 DHS inspector general's report accused Mayorkas of creating an appearance of favoritism and special access for politically connected businesses under a visa program that provided a path to citizenship for wealthy foreign investors.

Mayorkas returned to private practice during Trumps administration as a partner at WilmerHale. But he appeared, to his friends, unsatisfied.

He felt like there was unfinished business there, and that he could get the job done," said Jim Pasco, executive director of the national Fraternal Order of Police. He and Mayorkas have been friends since Mayorkas led the citizenship services agency.

Pasco said Mayorkas has a real reverence and affinity for law enforcement.

His whole worldview, his whole approach to life was really imprinted on him in his early childhood and early adulthood," Pasco said. "His family, particularly his mother, and his father, were very, very patriotic and raised him to be patriotic and appreciative of the things that the government did for them and the things that [it] protects them from.

Mayorkas returned to the Homeland Security Department with Biden's administration, faced with the challenge of undoing many of Trump's policies, including travel bans for people from certain Muslim-majority countries, and with the aftermath of others, such as the separations of migrant children from their parents.

Mayorkas was faced with the unprecedented arrival of migrants at the southern border, not just from Central America but now also in greater numbers from places like China, India and Afghanistan. Republicans quickly put him, and his impeachment, in their sights after taking control of the House in 2023.

Rhetoric against Mayorkas has turned ugly at times. The morning of the impeachment vote, House Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green (R-Tenn.) behind closed doors called Mayorkas a reptile with no balls because he has refused to resign, according to Politico . Several House members, including Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-New Jersey), quickly condemned the statement as antisemitic.

The attacks against Mayorkas have led even some conservatives to come to his defense.

Pascos organization, the Fraternal Order of Police, sent a letter to Congress just before the House vote Tuesday praising Mayorkas and the partnership between the DHS and local law enforcement to combat the fentanyl epidemic and violent crime. The FOP, the countrys largest police union, endorsed Trump in 2016 and 2020.

Trumps impeachment lawyer, Alan Dershowitz, urged Republicans not to apply a double standard by impeaching Mayorkas.

In a letter to his colleagues Tuesday morning, Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove) said Mayorkas policies have damaged the country, but malpractice is not an impeachable crime. Homeland Security Committee members, he said, stretch and distort the Constitution in order to hold the administration accountable for stretching and distorting the law.

Three former Homeland Security secretaries , from Democratic and Republican administrations, said the impeachment jeopardized national security and undermined the departments mission, including counterterrorism efforts.

And groups on the left, some of which have stridently criticized policies under Mayorkas, extended olive branches in support of the secretary, one of the highest ranking Latinos in government.

A coalition of 18 Latino-led civil rights and advocacy groups, including the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, wrote to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Tuesday calling the impeachment effort a sham.

While not all his decisions have been met with unanimous approval, including from the signers below and other voices within our community, we strongly urge Congress to redirect their efforts to working in a bipartisan manner toward humane and effective immigration reform that helps move the American people forward, the groups wrote .

At the same time the House was advancing impeachment proceedings against Mayorkas, the Senate released a bipartisan $118-billion border and foreign aid bill, supported by Biden and which Mayorkas consulted on.

The irony is not lost on me, said Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), who opposed the bill , in part because it failed to include a legalization component for immigrants including so-called Dreamers, as previous negotiations have. Republicans cant have it both ways, he said.

Nonetheless, Padilla said running Homeland Security is one of the toughest jobs in America, made even tougher when Congress plays politics.

Republicans, he said, cant bring forward meaningful solutions  so they pivot to trying to scapegoat somebody through the impeachment process.

Times staff writer Sarah D. Wire contributed to this report.

Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Regarding "This is what Delawareans need to know about the TransPerfect case," DelawareOnline, Jan. 26:

Delawares Chancery Court is without a doubt the most influential judiciary that most Americans have never heard of. But while many elite legal insiders defend this archaic institution, behind the Chancerys anonymity lurks a long, sordid history rife with conflicts of interest, and blatant self-dealing.

To that end, its no surprise The Delaware Bar Association would take the unprecedented step of publishing an Opinion piece in the News Journal defending the Chancery Court titled "This is what Delawareans need to know about the TransPerfect case." But readers should be warned that the fiction presented in the piece surrounding the TransPerfect matter is almost entirely untethered from reality.

A new group seeks greater accountability in Delaware.

Heres the plain truth: seven years ago, TransPerfects employees fell victim to the mass panic that the Chancery Court sowed when it baselessly granted Phil Shawe an exit strategy by public auction. It was the first time ever in U.S. history a court forced the sale of a profitable company against the wishes of the business founding owner  a gratuitous slap in the face of Americas cherished free enterprise system.

Ultimately, Shawe was able to re-acquire the business he founded by winning the auction and putting the ownership dispute to rest in 2018. But the cost was enormous, and not just because of the over $250 million in fees the case generated for Delaware law firms  a human toll was racked up as well, as TransPerfect employees lives were traumatized and upended for years with uncertain futures. Adding insult to injury, Shawe had to pay a commission fee to buy his own shares back from Credit Suisse, a financial institution working as an arm of the court.

This egregious assault stemmed from the Chancery Courts fundamental failure to judge cases on the merits over personal relationships with lawyers among Delawares white shoe elite. Even the current Chief Chancellor, Kathleen McCormick has stated that the members of the Delaware Bar have always had each others backs, weve always gone out for drinks after arguments. This begs the question, in a court where judges are routinely chosen from the same small pool of law firms that are arguing the cases, where millions of dollars in exorbitant and excessive legal fees are there for the taking how can any level of true impartiality be accomplished?

It cant. The stakes are too grand and the take is too tantalizing for the local legal establishment to resist, and the recent Opinion piece by members of the Delaware Bar Association makes that painfully clear.

In a system where hometown relationships are everything, the Chancery Court is a shining example of revolving door machinery at work. Chancellors are picked by the governor in a secret process based on recommendations from the Bar Association.

Unlike every other major court in the nation, case assignments are chosen simply by a fiat from the chief chancellor, not randomly assigned by wheelspin  as all federal case assignments are to eliminate any favoritism or appearance of impropriety. Compounding the issue, because the chief chancellor and vice chancellors each rule differently yet consistently among themselves, but consistently as a group, the chief can effectively determine the winner of a case before oral arguments even begin.

Opinion: This is how chancery court corruption threatens Delawares economic future

In a state where 80% of Delaware voters agree that judges should have to recuse themselves on cases involving former clients  and should be barred from retiring to work at companies for whom they ruled favorably  its long past time for reforms to be made.

The Federal courts have accepted wheel spin as the best practice for ensuring that assignments arent rigged. Lastly, Chancery Court has resisted common sense calls for cameras or even audio recording equipment in the courts. The fact is they would rather make up rehashed nonsense about TransPerfect than address any of the reforms that would ensure the court moved into the 21st century.

The Delaware Bar made a great show of attempting to spin the truth around the TransPerfect case, but the facts of this case are far from precedent. In fact, District Court Judge Greg William, who has actual and impartial expertise in this case, once noted that Delaware courts have historically disfavored judicial intervention in a solvent but deadlocked corporation. The TransPerfect case being a lone and notable case decided without precedent or merit.

Until the Delaware Bar Association embraces commonsense judicial reforms that the vast majority know will serve justice and fairness, people should rightly take a jaundiced view of their claims. Their editorial choice to prop up a broken status quo that only enriches its members tells you everything you need to know about where their interests truly lie. Its time for change to come to the Chancery Court and if they dont make some of these changes themselves, they will be imposed on them by frustrated elected officials representing frustrated voters. A change is coming.

Chris Coffey is executive director for Citizens for Judicial Fairness, formerly known as Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware. Keandra McDole is a Wilmington activist.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: What the Delaware Bar Association doesnt want you to know about the TransPerfect case
If sued in the U.S., it seems fair to ask who your accuser is.

Unfortunately, oftentimes you cant.

Most U.S. Federal Courts require inadequate disclosure, ignoring who funds and controls litigation. And, as it turns out, a fair chunk of lawsuits are propped-up and controlled by private investors. Usually, such third-party litigation funding, or TPLF, is anonymous; investors can finance legal disputes to the tune of $50 million dollars or more, in exchange for a share of any settlement or judgment. However, plaintiffs and their funders are not required to disclose that arrangement. As a result, the government and defendants, judges and juries are often left in the dark about who is driving the lawsuit before them.

The federal court in downtown Wilmington.

An effort to enhance transparency

These murky arrangements persisted in Delaware until Chief U.S. District Judge Colm Connolly issued two standing orders in April 2022, mandating disclosure of TPLF for all parties in his courtroom. This was particularly pressing for the District Court of Delaware, a hub for patent litigation and home to many U.S. corporations. Connolly aimed to enhance transparency for everyone involved in a case, ensuring not only that parties accused of patent infringement  or other wrongdoing  are aware of their accusers, but also who stands to benefit.

Funders and plaintiffs  claiming there was nothing to hide  balked at the standing orders and fought to conceal their funders identities. But the standing orders revealed shocking abuses of the court system. In a November 2022 memorandum, Connolly sounded the alarm over a widespread fraud on or "abuse of our courts by a shadowy entity known as IP Edge  a litigation funding group responsible for over 500 patent suits a year, mostly against small companies.

The memorandum revealed a scheme where sophisticated funders lured in average Joes with promises of passive income to serve as owners of shell companies that would really be controlled by the funders. These owners would earn a tiny cut of any proceeds from the suits (e.g., 5%), but take on 100% of the risk by acting as investors shields from legal liability for baseless suits. One owner was a food truck owner; another a paralegal; another a nail technician. And Connollys order just scratched the surface, looking at three of the companys hundreds of entities that have been filing suits for a decade.

After a year of hearings, Connolly more recently wrote a blistering criminal and civil referral to the DOJ, the state bar associations and the USPTO, quoting communications that exposed mass exploitation by funders, IP Edge and Mavexar LLC, of relatively unsophisticated individuals.

For example, the opinion detailed IP Edges coercive relationship with Sally Pugal, a surgeon's assistant from Houston, Texas, with no experience in intellectual property or patent litigation. Pugal was approached to be a shell company owner, presumably with promises of risk-free passive income. Texts to IP Edge representatives revealed her terror after being summoned to appear in court: I have nightmares almost every night thinking about it and [am] so stressed. Pugal refused to testify or appear in court, despite IP Edge constantly nagging her. Communications like this, with individuals who have limited to no knowledge of the lawsuits filed under their names, show just how much litigation funders have distorted legal processes, reaping rewards while covering their tails from any risk should things go south.

Another case uncovered a non-practicing entity  commonly known as a patent troll  receiving funding from PurpleVine IP, a little-known Chinese investment group. Foreign-based entities should not be able to clog and manipulate the U.S. legal system undetected by investing in shell company lawsuits that drive funds out of the U.S. productive economy while affecting American companies ability to compete globally.

Unsurprising opposition

Unsurprisingly, there has been opposition to Connolly's orders. A handful of companies have asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to freeze the order. The appeals court rightly refused to intervene. Notable non-practicing entities and litigation investment entities, like VLSI Technology LLC and IP Edge have now pulled back from litigation in Delaware to keep their investors hidden. Companies' resistance to transparency raises a key question: If they have a legitimate legal complaint, why are they choosing not to proceed with cases and fighting so hard to keep their funding sources a secret?

These examples underscore the many reasons why disclosure requirements are imperative. Judges should know who is appearing before them so they can make fair and impartial decisions. Defendants should know who their accusers are. Plaintiffs should be protected from unjust manipulation by their financial backers. Productive American businesses should not have the fruits of their labor sucked up by passive investors, foreign or otherwise.

Why a national transparency rule is crucial

A nationwide transparency rule is crucial, especially considering that the U.S. litigation investment industry reached at least $13.5 billion in 2022. Congressional interest is evident, with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, introducing litigation funding transparency bills. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, and Sen. Rick Scot, R-Florida, have also asked their Florida judges to adopt the Connolly rules, and a coalition of state attorneys general have requested that the Department of Justice look into threats posed by TPLF.

The Judicial Conference, the policymaking body for federal courts, should revise the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to require the disclosure of litigation investment entities, just like they do for insurance, in order to prevent further abuse. But the wheels of government creak by slowly, and until broader action is taken, judges nationwide should follow Delawares, and Connolly's, lead.

Jonathan Stroud is general counsel for Unified Patents.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Delaware court shines light on hidden abuse in patent litigation
Newly released data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services sheds light on emergency room visit lengths in Delaware and how the First State compares with the rest of the country.

By hospital, between April 2022 and March 2023, the data showed St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington had the shortest emergency room visit lengths in Delaware. Bayhealth Hospital Kent Campus in Dover had the longest.

ChristianaCare Christiana Hospital had the highest percentage of patients who left the emergency room before being seen at 7%, and Beebe Healthcare in Lewes had the lowest at 2%.

All Delaware hospitals were asked to comment on the data, but only Beebe responded.

There are many factors that can affect a persons total time in the emergency room. As a trauma center, the severity of a persons emergency needs is the leading factor in this timing," Dr. Paul Sierzenski, Beebe senior vice president, said via email. "Other factors may include the seasonal increase in demand for emergency services, which peak during the spring and summer visitor months, and again in the fall due to respiratory illnesses."

Nationwide, Delaware patients had the fifth-longest emergency department visits, according to the data. At an average of 141 minutes, Delaware followed only Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

For psychiatric/mental health patients, the wait was much longer, at an average of 396 minutes in Delaware. Only Washington, D.C., and Maryland had longer wait times for these patients.

The First State tied with Rhode Island for the second-highest percentage of patients who left the emergency room before being seen, at 6%. Washington, D.C., had the highest percentage at 8%.

Brian Frazee

Why Delaware emergency room visits take so long

"Higher acuity and long-stay patients, the behavioral health crisis, workforce and capacity challenges, and inadequate community-based supports all contribute to longer emergency department wait times in Delaware and our surrounding region," Delaware Healthcare Association President and CEO Brian Frazee said in a statement.

Long emergency room visits are frequently a symptom of healthcare "bottlenecks," Frazee said.

"In Delaware, there are more than 300 long-stay patients in hospital beds who no longer need to be there, but face barriers in being discharged to lower acuity care settings, leaving them stuck in the hospital without the appropriate rehab care that they need, and contributing to wait times," Frazee said. "This equates to about 10% of Delawares hospital capacity that is tied up because there are no facilities available to accept these patients."

More: Respiratory illnesses on the rise in Delaware: What to know

This sort of "bottleneck" is most challenging during times such as now, when hospitals and other healthcare facilities are at or near capacity due to cold and flu season, Frazee said.

In addition, the number of Delawareans without health insurance has increased, Frazee said, and "some people without health insurance coverage or without a primary care provider use hospital emergency departments to address all their health care needs, often when those needs have become most serious."

Workforce challenges also play a role.

"The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated shortages in the healthcare workforce nationally, and at the same time Delawares population is growing rapidly, increasing demands on the healthcare infrastructure," Frazee said.

Delaware hospitals are implementing innovative solutions to combat emergency room wait times, Frazee said, and working with Delaware government agencies for long-term solutions.

Residents can help reduce emergency room wait times by only using them for serious or life-threatening conditions and by getting vaccinated against flu, COVID-19, and if applicable, RSV.

Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Why ER visits take so long in Delaware, where they're shortest
The Denison University Department of Music presents the annual Bluegrass and American Roots Festival on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 16 and 17. The events are free and open to the public; however tickets are required where indicated. For ticketing questions, contact the box office at 740-587-6220.

This year, the festival will feature two nationally renowned bands, The Henhouse Prowlers and Never Come Down. The Henhouse Prowlers is a Chicago-based bluegrass powerhouse that promotes the genre worldwide through its Bluegrass Ambassadors program. Never Come Down is a five-piece group from Oregon that blends modern and traditional styles of Bluegrass and Americana music. Denisons Bluegrass and American Roots Ensemble, directed by Adam Schlenker, will open each concert with a short set.

See below for a full schedule of events:

Friday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m.: Never Come Down. Weaving together modern and traditional styles of bluegrass and Americana, Never Come Down is a Portland, Oregon-based five-piece composed of Joe Suskind (guitar), Crystal Lariza (vocals), Brian Alley (banjo), Kaden Hurst (mandolin), and Ben Ticknor (bass) in Swasey Chapel (200 Chapel Drive). Their dedication to thoughtful songwriting and dynamic arrangements highlight polished technical skills and a commitment to listening to each other. Formed in 2018, the bands self-titled debut arrived shortly thereafter, and their second album Better Late Than Never was released in 2021. Theyve toured internationally and have found acclaim from festivals and venues such as Iceland Airwaves, John Hartford Memorial Fest, Americanafest, FreshGrass, and RockyGrass. Ticketed event.

Saturday, Feb. 17, from 12-3 p.m.: Workshops with The Henhouse Prowlers and Never Come Down with a band mixer in the Eisner Center (240 W. Broadway). Each of the band members along with Denisons American Roots faculty will form pop-up bands with students and community members. Each band will rehearse for 45 minutes to work up a short set of music and then perform for each other. Musicians of all skill levels are welcome to participate and everyone is welcome to observe. No tickets required.

Saturday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m.: Henhouse Prowlers. Founded 17 years ago with the simple desire to play original and powerful bluegrass, this quartet now finds itself at the intersection of performance, diplomacy, and education in Swasey Chapel (200 Chapel Drive). On stage, the group's enthralling performances give audiences a sense of how much they love what they do. On record - including their 2021 release and ninth full-length album, The Departure - the band explores their collective life experiences through songwriting and intricate instrumentation. While bluegrass is the undeniable foundation of the Prowler's music, the band bends and squeezes the traditional form into a sound all of their own. Ticketed event.

Information submitted by Denison University.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Denison hosting annual Bluegrass and American Roots Festival
The Sacramento County Sheriffs Office arrested a suspect Thursday in connection with the shooting death of a man in south Sacramento after the two men had allegedly fought one another.

Deputies were called about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday to the 7300 block of Del Prado Court and found an unresponsive man on the street. He had a gunshot wound to his upper torso, deputies and began to render medical aid, a news release from the Sheriffs Office said.

The man died at the scene, said Sgt. Amar Gandhi, a spokesman with the Sheriffs Office. He has not been identified by the Sacramento County Coroners Office, pending next-of-kin notification.

A 45-year-old man, identified as Reinaldo Rivera, and the victim had fought in the south Sacramento residential neighborhood, deputies said, which escalated when the suspect produced a gun.

Rivera was on parole after serving time for committing lewd and lascivious acts on a child, according to deputies.

Rivera faces a murder charge and is being held without bail at downtowns Sacramento County Main Jail. His first court appearance is scheduled for Friday.
Officials are investigating after a triple shooting occurred in a Barrow County neighborhood.

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On Thursday around 5:42 a.m., Barrow County authorities responded to a 911 call regarding multiple people being shot in a home in the Kendall Park Subdivision in Winder, GA.

When deputies arrived, they found a 66-year-old woman and a 64-year-old man dead.

The sheriffs office said, the 35-year-old man who made the 911 call was injured and taken to an area hospital.

TRENDING STORIES:

The victims identities have not been released. Officials have not said what led up to the incident.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
The shot car in which was the deputy mayor of Nikopol

Unidentified persons fired at a car containing the Deputy Mayor of Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, killing him, the Office of the Prosecutor General reported on Telegram on Feb. 8.

Office of the Prosecutor General

The investigation found that unidentified persons shot at the car with an unidentified firearm. The man died on the scene.

Office of the Prosecutor General

The Prosecutor General's Office noted that a pre-trial investigation has already been initiated in a criminal proceeding over premeditated murder under the jurisdiction of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office. The offenders face seven to 15 years in prison.

Office of the Prosecutor General

Investigations are ongoing to identify the persons involved in the crime.

Read also: Cyclist on an errand killed in Russian attack on Nikopol, explosions reported in Odesa

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Despite characterizing the six months since the departure of disgraced administrator Eric Greenway as calm, Beaufort County officials will look outside for a permanent replacement.

County officials praised interim administrator John Robinson, who could still apply for the permanent position, but has decided to hire a firm to conduct a broader search. The county hopes to have someone in place by July 1.

We werent ready to start (the search) six months ago, Chairman Joe Passiment told the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette.. We had certain things we had to do. We had to do some investigations, those kinds of things.

The investigations Passiment mentioned were an audit of all county purchases and contracts since the beginning of 2023 and a review of the countys procurement codes and purchasing card system. The council ordered the investigations at the same time they voted to put Greenway on administrative leave. In July, the council hired Greenville-based law firm Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd to perform the audits. The firm is expected to give its report at the end of February, Passiment said. These audits cost the county $350,000.

On Monday, the council selected Greenville-based headhunting firm Find Great People to run its administrator search.

Its chief operations officer, Betsy Anthony, declined to answer when asked if the firm had experience handling a government administrators search and also declined to make public its presentation to council in executive session. Council must still approve the contract, which it can do at its next meeting. At that time, the firms fee should be made public.

Peaceful waters under new leadership?

On July 24, the council placed Greenway on paid leave after it was announced that he was being investigated for misconduct. Four days later, Greenways was fired with cause by the council.

In the months since Greenways leave and subsequent termination, Robinson, the assistant county administrator of public safety under Greenway, has been doing the countys top appointed job. Robinson was the calming that we needed, and put the county on a positive trajectory during his six-month tenure, Passiment said.

He (Robinson) was able to get us through all of that turmoil, Passiment added.

The county has been dogged by distractions since Greenways departure. Shortly after his firing, a mysterious purchase order for nearly $36,000 worth of weighted blankets, reportedly purchased from a company owned by then Deputy Administrator Whitney Richlands husband, surfaced. It was later discovered that the county was quietly in possession of the blankets, which were all still boxed and on the floor in a county warehouse.

As an update, Passiment told the newspapers that the blankets had been returned and were never paid for. No other large, unrevealed purchases have been discovered as of Monday, according to Passiment.

Greenways cause for termination was later revealed to be misconduct involving his hand-picked opioid-consultant-turned-county-employee, former Wellness Director Lisa Lynch. Lynch accused Greenway of sexual harassment and retaliation after she turned down his advances. Lynch also was fired.

Lynch and her attorney are awaiting the results of an investigation by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as to whether Lynch was discriminated against in her firing. Her attorney, Tim Lewis, said that he expects the EEOC will have the results of their investigation in three to six months. He expects the commission will find no discrimination. Upon an EEOC determination of no discrimination, Lynch will file a lawsuit against the county for wrongful termination, according to Lewis.

Shortly after the firings, it came to light that nearly $800,000 in playground equipment had been purchased and installed in Port Royal before ever getting needed council approval. In a 8-2 vote, the council retroactively approved the playground despite the substantial expense.

And more recently, the county has found itself caught in a fight with residents of Daufuskie Island, who have raised issues about the new contractor for the islands ferry service. Accusations of breach of contract, longer travel times, a lack of cargo space and higher prices all have been part of the rancor. In a letter to council earlier this month, residents claim the council continues to strip away any sense of reliability from the Islands public ferry.

All the while, the investigation into Greenway has been elevated to the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office, the states top prosecutor.

Through the countys public information officer, Robinson declined to speak on whether hell seek the administrators office permanently, return to his previous position under the next administrator or seek a role outside the county.
CONAKRY, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- The budget allocated to the Guinean Ministry of Technical Education and Vocational Training is estimated at 400 billion Guinean francs (about 46.5 million U.S. dollars), said an official Wednesday.

In a recent interview with local media, Minister of Technical Education and Vocational Training Alpha Bacar Barry said that this amount is included in the funding dedicated to the education sector, estimated between 14 percent to 15 percent of the national budget.

The ministry this year has been awarded 25 million U.S. dollars from the Islamic Development Bank for the construction of two new regional schools of art and crafts, and 26 million euros (about 28 million U.S. dollars) from the European Union to qualify technical education and create jobs, he said. 
The Minnesota DFL has filed a petition with the state Supreme Court seeking to strip the Legal Marijuana Now Party of its major party status after a new state law raised the bar for major parties in the state.

The petition, filed by the state party on Tuesday, alleges the Legal Marijuana Now Party failed to hold the required number of conventions in 2022 to be a major party and didn't meet leadership requirements across the state. The court can issue a declaration that the party did not meet the requirements outlined in state law.

Under a law passed by the DFL Legislature this spring, parties must submit a list of dates and locations of every convention held in 2022 in all congressional districts and in at least 45 county or legislative districts to maintain their major party status. Law also requires them to have a local chair and party officers as needed in each of Minnesota's eight congressional districts and in least 45 county or legislative districts. The DFL says the Legal Marijuana Now Party didn't meet either requirement.

"Every major party is expected to demonstrate that they are a serious organization by building their party and engaging voters in dozens of districts across Minnesota," DFL Party Chair Ken Martin said in a statement. "The Minnesota DFL and the Minnesota GOP are the only two political parties that meet that threshold."

"We did our due diligence and worked closely with the [Minnesota] secretary of state's office to comply with the rule changes recently passed to use specifically to target our party our success and silence the voices of the thousands of Americans who have voted for us," said Dennis Schuller, Chairman Legal Marijuana Now Party in a statement. "I feel sad that they the un-democratic party has chosen this path and I am confident about the information we have provided the state."

The Minnesota Secretary of State's Office rejected its major party status certification twice for failing to meet these requirements, according to the DFL. The certification was approved on the third attempt after the Legal Marijuana Now Party claimed to have held 76 conventions all on the same day within the same hour.

"Its assertion in its certification to the Secretary of State that it conducted 75 congressional district and local conventions  along with its state convention  on a single day in-person and via Zoom is implausible," read the petition.

Previously, a party could achieve major party status by maintaining a party organization and having at least one statewide candidate on the general election ballot who received at least 5% of the vote. They could also meet that requirement by recruiting a minimum number of candidates for the Legislature, Congress and statewide offices. Democrats raised the threshold to 8% of the vote in elections starting this fall.

The Legal Marijuana Now Party, which has been a major party since 2018, met the 5% threshold in the 2022 election. The Grassroots Legalize Cannabis Party recently lost its major party status.

In its petition to the court, the DFL also criticized the Legal Marijuana Now Party for putting the name of Colorado resident Krystal Gabel on its presidential nominating ballot without her consent.

Democrats have been critical of the state's two marijuana parties in past elections, alleging that Republicans recruited candidates to run under their party banner. In several of those close races, Democrats said the marijuana party pulled enough votes from their candidates to hand Republicans victory.

Martin said Democrats were the ones who successfully pushed to legalize cannabis for adults in the last legislative session.

"Fortunately, there is a major political party for legalization supporters," he said. "The party that actually legalized cannabis, the Minnesota DFL."
It's been over 20 years since John Ritter's death, but his wife is more determined than ever to honor his memory.

John Ritter's wife, Amy Yasbeck, an actor and author, has made it her mission to raise awareness about the medical condition that killed him, and she stopped by the 3rd Hour of TODAY on Wednesday to do just that.

Read on to learn more about Ritter's death and the work his widow is doing to save lives.

What caused the death of John Ritter?

John Ritter (ABC via Getty Images)

Ritter's official cause of death was an undetected aortic dissection, when the body's main artery, aka the aorta, tears. However, doctors initially thought the actor was experiencing a heart attack.

After suffering from chest pains, severe nausea and vomiting while he was on the set of "8 Simple Rules," the actor went to a nearby hospital at 6 p.m.

Following Ritter's death, his family sued a Burbank hospital for negligence. In 2008, his wife, Amy Yasbeck, spoke to TODAY about a separate wrongful death lawsuit she and her family had filed against two doctors: one who treated Ritter the night he died and one who interpreted the results of a body scan he received in 2001.

The actor's late wife explained that she believed her husband would still be alive if he had been correctly diagnosed.

John didnt have a chance, she said. He was never given that chance.

Defense attorneys in the case claimed that test results on the night of Ritter's death seemed to suggest he was having a heart attack. An aortic dissection was later detected, and Ritter died at 10:48 p.m. that night.

At what age did John Ritter die?

ABC's

Ritter died on Sept. 11, 2003, at the age of 54. He was six days shy of his 55th birthday on Sept. 17, 2003.

What is aortic dissection? How does it happen?

The Cleveland Clinic describes aortic dissection as "a tear in the inner layer of a weakened area of your aorta."

"Your aorta is the main artery that delivers oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body."

During an aortic dissection, the Cleveland Clinic notes, blood surges through the tear, causing the inner and middle layers to separate. As a result, normal blood flow can become slow or stop, and the aorta can rupture.

Per the Mayo Clinic, aortic dissection is a "life-threatening condition that requires immediate recognition," and 40% of patients "die immediately from complete rupture and bleeding out from the aorta."

Due to the severity of the condition, anyone experiencing any of the following symptoms should seek out emergency care:

Severe, sharp pain in your chest or upper back

Shortness of breath, fainting or dizziness

Low blood pressure

Muffled heart sounds

Rapid, weak pulse

Heavy sweating

Confusion

Loss of vision

Stroke symptoms, such as trouble talking and weakness/paralysis on one side of your body

Risk factors for aortic dissection include high blood pressure, having an aneurysm (when an artery becomes weak and balloons out), a buildup of artery plaque, being 60 and older, family history, injury, and certain medical conditions, such as Marfan syndrome.

Aortic dissection is typically treated with surgery or medication.

What are the Ritter rules?

Amy Yasbeck and actor John Ritter (Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

Following Ritter's death, Yasbek founded the John Ritter Foundation to help raise awareness about aortic dissection.

While appearing on the 3rd Hour of TODAY on Feb. 7, 2024 for Heart Health Awareness Month, she shared "Ritter rules," a set of basic terms that help people learn more about the condition. The rules are:

Urgency. Aortic dissection must be treated quickly to increase the risk of survival.

Pain. Severe pain in the chest, stomach, neck or back is the No. 1 symptom of aortic dissection.

Misdiagnosis. Because aortic dissection can look similar to a heart attack, it's important to consider aortic dissection as a diagnosis unless a heart attack or other diagnosis is confirmed.

Imaging. Only a CT scan, MRI, and transesophageal echocardiogram can identify an aortic dissection. Chest X-rays and EKGs are not enough to rule out the condition.

Risk factors. An aortic aneurysm increases risk of dissection, as do family history and certain genetic syndromes.

Triggers. Injury to the chest, extreme strain on the body, drug use and high blood pressure can lead to aortic dissection.

Prevention. If you're at increased risk of aortic dissection, talk to your health care provider about prevention.

Its really, really, really important that you take care of yourself and that you advocate for yourself, she said.

Yasbek recalled how her husband was treated for a heart attack instead of an aortic dissection and said this can happen if you're not vigilant about your health.

"If you have chest pain and you go into an emergency room and you don't know (if) you have a risk for it through genetics or family history, and the doctor doesn't have it on his mind, (you can be misdiagnosed)," she said.

"It's not the heart and it's not a block. It's a tear in the aorta," Yasbek explained. The aorta runs through the torso, so symptoms may pop up outside the chest area, per the Cleveland Clinic.

Knowing your family's medical history can help you get in the driver's seat when it comes to your health, Yasbek said.

"When people say aortic dissection is rare, (it's) not if it's in your family. Our CEO found out, when she had her dissection, that she was the fifth in four generations," she explained.

If you're not sure where to start, Yasbek suggested going to a family member who knows a lot about your family's medical history.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Officials in Greensboro are working on getting access to police body-camera footage from an alleged assault involving the city manager and his two adult daughters, according to WFDD, an NPR affiliate in Winston-Salem.

The Greensboro City Council filed a court order to see the footage and ensure the four officers who responded to the domestic disturbance call on Dec. 28 from City Manager Taiwo Tai Jaiyeobas home were following proper protocol.

Jaiyeoba, who once was the Charlotte planning director before being named city manager in Greensboro in 2021, did not immediately respond to The Charlotte Observers email and phone call requests for comment.

According to WFDD, the 911 caller said to the dispatcher: Hello?! My dad is an abuser!  Hes trying to say that I hit him and pushed him and his arm is broken. Hes a very powerful man!

Jaiyeoba was not arrested or charged with a crime.

A hearing will be held on Monday to determine whether the superior court judge will grant the citys request for body-cam footage.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
The News

The political fight over the Senates bipartisan border deal, which unceremoniously collapsed on Tuesday, in many ways revolved around a single question: Did Donald Trump already figure out how to solve the problem?

Critics of the proposal, from conservatives in Congress to the former president himself, argued there was no need for new legislation to fix the border, because Trump had shown it could be done through executive authority alone. All President Biden needs to do, they claim, is return to his predecessors policies.

You dont need a border bill, Trump said in a recent radio interview, as he drummed up opposition to the package. We had the safest border in the history of our country. I didnt need a bill. In a Truth Social post Tuesday, he went further: ALL A PRESIDENT HAS TO DO IS SAY, CLOSE THE BORDER, AND THE BORDER WILL BE CLOSED. A COSTLY NEW BILL IS NOT NECESSARY!

Supporters of the doomed deal argued that Trump and his allies were rewriting history. Crossings repeatedly hit new highs during Trumps presidency, they point out. Trump was also sometimes stymied by the courts when he acted unilaterally, because the right to request asylum regardless of where a person enters the U.S. is currently embedded in immigration law. At times, he demanded Congress help him get around these issues by passing new legislation.

There were times in 2019 where we had 4,000-plus people that were crossing the border illegally, and President Trump was using every lever that he had, Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., the bills lead Republican author, told reporters last week. At the time he was asking for more authorities dealing with asylum.

In a floor speech on Tuesday, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, scoffed at Trumps claim that a president could shut down the border at will. With all due respect, that didnt happen in 2017, 18, 19, and 20, he said. There were millions of people who came into the United States during those four years. Roy opposed the Senate measure, but has argued that House Republicans should push to pass their own hardline legislation.

Joseph and Jordan's View

Regrettably, there isnt a simple, cut-and-dry answer to this debate. Even some mainstream immigration experts acknowledge that Trumps policies likely helped bring down a massive spike in border crossings in 2019. And at their peak under Trump, the number of migrants arriving came nowhere near the current tally under Biden.

But conservatives also tend to exaggerate Trumps successes at the border, conveniently ignoring that crossings began to surge again in 2020. There are also reasons to question just how much can be accomplished through executive authority now, as Biden looks to contain the migrant crisis without any new legal tools.

Step Back

Despite Trumps promises to crack down on illegal immigration and an initial dip, crossings at the southern border steadily rose back to Obama-era levels during the first two years of his presidency. By 2018, he was calling on Congress to pass new legislation giving him more authority to tackle the problem.

The only long-term solution to the crisis, and the only way to ensure the endurance of our nation as a sovereign country, is for Congress to overcome open borders obstruction, Trump said in remarks at the White House. During that years midterms, migrant caravans snaking their way through Mexico figured heavily into the GOPs campaign messaging.

In 2019, the crisis suddenly escalated. By May, the monthly number of apprehensions at the border more than doubled to their highest level in over a decade, thanks in large part to an influx of Central American families seeking asylum. But during the summer and fall, the number of arrivals suddenly plunged as quickly as it had risen, until the arrival of COVID finally slowed migration across the world.

The View From Trump World

Defenders of Trumps record say his efforts were directly responsible for bringing border crossings back under control that year. In particular, they point to Remain in Mexico  the controversial policy that the president first stood up in January 2019, which required some asylum seekers to wait on the Mexican side of the southern border for their hearing with an immigration judge instead of entering the U.S.

Just under 70,000 migrants were sent back over the border under Trumps program, a small fraction of arrivals during the final two years of his term. (Many of those individuals settled in temporary camps that became symbols of the policy, and were often criticized by pro-immigrant groups as a humanitarian mess.) But conservative immigration hawks argue the impact of Remain in Mexico was much broader than those raw numbers let on.

Remain in Mexico was a complete game changer during the Trump administration, because would-be migrants learned, Oh, I cant just go to the border and say a few words of fear and thats my ticket to get into the U.S. and then disappear and not be deported, said Lora Ries, the director of border security and immigration center at the conservative Heritage Foundation. We saw the caravans just completely dwindle once Remain in Mexico was put into place.

Trump wielded other tools to crack down at the border as well. Using the threat of tariffs, for instance, he pressured the Mexican government to deploy troops to strengthen enforcement at its border with Guatemala. During the pandemic, he rolled out the emergency measure known as Title 42, which allowed for the quick expulsion of asylum seekers under the auspices of public health.

But Remain in Mexico has been a special focal point for conservatives, who have argued that President Biden should revive the policy, which he ended following a lengthy court battle during which some states sued to keep the measure in place.

In an interview with Fox Business this month, Speaker Mike Johnson said reinstating the policy would be the best way to reduce the flow of migrants. Just that one executive order alone by President Biden, which he could do this morning, would reduce the flow by 70%, he added. On Wednesday, House Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers said that if Biden wanted to unlock another round of aid to Ukraine, he would need to agree on restarting Remain in Mexico.

The View From Other Immigration Experts

Some mainstream immigration analysts also give Trumps policies credit for bringing the number of border crossings back under control in 2019, though they tend to put somewhat less weight on Remain in Mexico and more on the former presidents deal with Mexico to step up its own migration enforcement. Along with a handful of other actions, those moves had a dramatic effect on the scale of migrant arrivals, according to a January report by the Migration Policy Institute.

The caveat? Trumps approach was successful for particular periods of time, said Doris Meissner, director of the think tanks U.S. immigration program. But those policies did not have a lasting effect. By mid-2020, border crossings began to rapidly shoot up again, despite the pandemic. A large share of the new migrants were single men who tried to enter the country repeatedly after being expelled under Title 42, turning the border into something of a revolving door.

Others note that, despite his best efforts, Trump ended up allowing a large number of asylum seekers into the country while their cases were processed  exactly what Biden is criticized on the right for doing now. During its final two years, Trumps administration released 713,000 immigrants into the US, or 52% of all people crossing the border, per a recent Cato Institute analysis. By comparison, the Biden administration released 49% of migrants entering between ports of entry in the first two years, totaling 2.5 million.

The prior administration had to release hundreds of thousands of people because it lacked the ability to remove them as quickly as they were coming in, David Bier, the associate director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute and author of the analysis, told Semafor. So the idea that they solved this problem, its certainly not the case.

The View From Mexico

Though the White House is reportedly considering taking new executive actions to deal with the border, there are practical and legal reasons why it could be difficult for Biden to simply return to Trumps policies, as Republicans have suggested.

Getting cooperation from Mexico is already a challenge. The countrys government agreed to the original Remain in Mexico program, but has indicated it would resist any effort to restart the controversial program in the future. In December, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he wanted the U.S. to remove sanctions from Venezuela and Cuba in return for more help with border issues.

The View From The Courthouse

Reviving a program like Title 42 could be difficult, too, given that Trump legally justified it as an emergency public health measure during the pandemic. It would probably face some pretty significant legal challenges because of things like the fact that the government has lifted some of the other emergency declarations around COVID-19, said Rebekah Wolf, a senior advocacy strategist at the American Immigration Council.

Contra his recent tweets, Trump himself frequently found his efforts to limit asylum claims tied up in court. For instance, the administrations efforts to impose a so-called transit ban  which would effectively bar migrants from claiming asylum if they travel through a third country like Mexico on the way to the U.S.  were twice struck down by federal judges. (The cases were never settled at the Supreme Court.)

Notably, Biden is now defending his own version of the transit ban in a federal appeals court. The policy is in effect while the case plays out, much to the chagrin of pro-immigrant groups.

Biden has already taken steps to address the border that are as restrictive or more restrictive than what his predecessor took, said Keren Zwick, the litigation director of the National Immigrant Justice Center. In fact, weve seen him adopt a number of extreme anti-immigrant policies, which are as illegal under this administration as they were under the prior one.
DILLON COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  A Dillon County sheriffs deputy is accused of sending sexual texts to a woman possibly linked to a criminal investigation and warning her authorities were coming to take her cellphone, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

Anthony Inman, 41, was booked into the Dillon County Detention Center, according to SLED warrants. He was charged with misconduct in office and obstructing justice.

Inman allegedly contacted the woman earlier this month and asked her to delete information from a cellphone, including text messages between Inman and her that were sexual in nature, warrants show.

While Inman and another investigator went to collect the womans phone, he allegedly warned her that they were coming to collect it, warrants show.

Documents show Inman was fired from the sheriffs office on Monday. When asked for a statement/comment about Inmans arrest and firing, Sheriff Jamie Hamilton said the case has been referred to SLED.

News13 has filed a public records request for more information about Inmans arrest and his law enforcement background.

 Download the News13 app to stay updated on the go.

 Sign up for WBTW email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.

 Find todays top stories on WBTW.com for the Grand Strand and Pee Dee.

Count on News13 for updates.

* * *

Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Police put a fence outside of the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in Washington. The U.S. Supreme Court took oral arguments on a historic case that could decide whether Donald Trump is ineligible for the 2024 ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. | Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press

Thursday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Trump v. Anderson, the case about whether former President Donald Trump is disqualified in running for office by the 14th Amendment for his role in Jan. 6, 2021, events which Trumps attorney called shameful.

Based on how much the justices engaged with the attorneys, and the substance of their questions and statements, the most likely outcome is that the court will rule in favor of Trump, probably by a wide margin.

Every justice but perhaps one asked pointed questions of the attorneys representing the Colorado voters and the Colorado secretary of state, who have sought to disqualify Trump from the ballot. Those questions, which were often just statements, reflected skepticism of the position that Trump could be disqualified by the state.

While there was also some pushback against the attorney representing the former president, that was not as universal. And studies have shown that the quantity and quality of the engagement by the justices with the differing sides in oral argument often predicts how the justices will vote.

The historic case led to an usually long argument  over two hours. And yet, despite that length, the justices had little appetite for discussing whether Trump engaged in insurrection. Only once did a justice ask a question related to that (Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson), and that question was whether Trump was conceding that Jan. 6 was an insurrection, to which his attorney said he was not. Not once did the justices bring up the issue of whether he had engaged in insurrection.

Instead, the justices mainly focused on two technical legal issues: whether Section 3 of the 14th Amendment is self-executing (or, in other words, whether Congress must pass legislation to enforce it), and whether the president is an officer covered by Section 3.

Both of these questions are relevant to the type of insurrectionist who would be disqualified and also the office or position one can be disqualified from holding. One or both of those issues will almost certainly be the grounds for the Supreme Courts decision, with the first the most likely candidate.

Much of this discussion was focused on constitutional text, framers intent, precedent, historical context and subsequent history. But there was also discussion about some of the consequences of ruling that states may decide whether a presidential candidate has engaged in insurrection and thus can be barred from the ballot.

Two consequences in particular seemed to trouble the court. First, would a ruling in favor of the states unleash chaos, with some states barring Trump and other states barring President Joe Biden in response? Second, on a close call where the constitutional text is ambiguous, a ruling that disqualified Trump would arguably disenfranchise tens of millions of voters. On that basis, shouldnt the court err on the side of democracy?

However, the attorney for the voters urged the Supreme Court to reach the insurrection issue. He noted that numerous briefs filed by other interested parties (amici) noted that Congress, when counting electoral votes in January 2025, could decide to not count any votes for Trump if, in Congress judgment, he was disqualified under Section 3. Particularly if Trump won the Electoral College, this could cause a constitutional crisis because tens of millions of Americans would feel like Congress had hijacked the election and negated their votes.

But the justices still seemed disinterested in the insurrection issue, and, as previously noted, they would have to reach it and every other issue in the case if they are to rule against Trump.

With oral arguments now over, the burning question is when we will learn the courts decision. First, the justices will meet no later than Friday morning in conference to cast their votes. Starting with the Chief Justice and proceeding through order of seniority to the newest justice, each will state how they intend to vote. Additionally, there may be some discussion of the issues or explanation of their votes. Then, the most senior justice in the majority will assign a justice to write the majority opinion. (The chief justice is considered the most senior justice even if someone has been on the court longer.)

Normally, a case of this complexity and importance will take months to write, as there will be various versions of the majority opinion as it responds to comments from the other justices and to separate concurring or dissenting opinions, which usually arent drafted until the first draft of the majority opinion is circulated to the justices. But ballots need to be printed and primaries conducted. Given this cases urgency, the justices will likely make public their decision much sooner.

One possibility, rare but not unprecedented, would be for the court to announce its decision in the next day or so, and then state that an opinion explaining its reasoning will follow. It did this once before with a case during World War II involving the execution of Nazi spies and attempted saboteurs. Another possibility is a short, per curiam opinion (meaning no single justices name is designated as the opinions author) that is released in a week or two. The court took this route in some of the COVID-19 cases.

Should Trump prevail in the case, which seems likely after Thursdays arguments, states would not be able to remove his name from their primary ballots, and, should he win the Republican nomination, the November general election ballots.

But depending on the grounds for the Supreme Courts decision, Congress could still (at least theoretically, if practically unlikely) pass legislation implementing an enforcement mechanism that could then be used to disqualify Trump, if done quickly enough.

And if the court does not address the insurrection issue, even a victory for Trump here could leave the door open to Congress disqualifying Trump through refusing to count electoral votes for him next January.
ALGIERS, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- An Algerian Air Force helicopter crashed on Wednesday night in central El Menia province, killing all three crew members aboard, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defense Thursday.

The statement said a Mi-171 helicopter went down during a night training operation, near the El Menia airport.

Algerian Army Chief of Staff Said Chengriha has ordered an investigation of the accident. 
The operation centre of Defence Intelligence is a vast hanger filled with highly trained specialists who monitor military and terrorist activities taking place around the world in real time. A world which, they stress, is becoming ever more dangerous.

RAF Wyton, near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, houses the biggest espionage facility of among the Five Eyes security group of Britain, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Watch is kept 24 hours a day seven days a week, providing a steady stream of classified information to the government here and allies abroad.

Computer screens show checks being kept on a vast range of activities from that of HMS Richmond replacing HMS Diamond in operations against the Houthis in the Red Sea, to the movements of armed insurgent groups, the different types of drones being used by Russia in Ukraine, and even the development of hypersonic missiles the Chinese seek to keep secret.

Theres a storm in the Middle East and a hurricane in Ukraine. China is climate change. Everybody is incredibly busy, we need to be prepared for whats coming, said a senior DI official.

Hypersonic missiles are a potent aspect of the ominous climate change. They can manoeuvre in the Earths atmosphere above Mach 5, and very hard to counter when they are launched. At present, Beijing leads the field in this giving it an important edge in any future confrontation with American and Western military in the Far East, if and when it decides to invade Taiwan.

At home, DI is extensively involved in providing homeland security. It played a vital part in the Salisbury poisoning investigation, helping trace the Novichok trail and the danger it posed to the emergency services.

Unlike MI5, MI6 and GCHQ  the UKs other intelligence organisations  DI, with a staff of 4,500 headed by Adrian Bird, also helps in non-terrorist or espionage related police cases. DI drones were used to uncover incriminating footprints which helped convict the killer of the student Libby Squires, in Hull. They are also called in on raids at times on organised crime gangs to electronically check for trip hazards that could compromise the operation.

It was, however, drones being used by the Kremlin in Ukraine which were of great interest to a team of scientists and analysts at the base on Tuesday  a Russian made Orlan-10 and an Iranian Shaheed 131 which had been packaged and sent to Cambridgeshire from the battlefield.

What they discover would not only be of value to the Ukrainians, but also in the Middle East where the Houthis have a plentiful supply of Iranian weapons at their willing disposal. British ships, it is acknowledged, are vulnerable to attacks by waves of drones.

Another group was trying to decipher a new type of radio signal coming from the Yemeni coast to decide whether it was a Houthi radar set-up for directing missiles.

If youre on HMS Diamond in the Red Sea, you want to be able to characterise the threat youre coming up against. It sounds arcane, but without it you cant fly, you cant sail, you cant operate. The timescale [of investigating new signals] has moved from days to hours. It is increasingly moving to minutes as radars are updating so rapidly, thus the urgency, a defence official commented.

A team monitoring shipping helped discover that Moscow has sent 30 Orlov Trotter horses to North Korea. Its ruler, Kim Jong Un, likes being photographed riding the white mounts. Days later Pyongyang sent artillery rounds and missiles to Ukraine. A subsequent intercepted message from a Russian paratrooper officer read the grads [missiles] have arrived at the northern front from our North Korean comrades.

James Heappey, the armed forces minister, said: In a world where we can no longer take truth for granted, the work carried out by Defence Intelligence is increasingly critical to keeping our nation safe  providing insight and foresight to disrupt and counter the future threats we face from abroad and at home.

As the challenges from hostile states and terrorist groups mount the need for intelligence becomes more acute, particularly in taking preventive action.

Senior DI officials want to stress, however, that they are aware of the scope of governments misusing intelligence, pointing to Britains invasion of Iraq in 2003 as an example. The turnover of decision makers is always an issue, but you have to educate those in senior appointments. We dont know everything, but we hedge by increasing professionalism, but there definitely needs to be some humility in the intelligence world, we know that.

They also know that such intelligence is vital in a world ever more dangerous, ever more unstable.
ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia has earned 47.5 million U.S. dollars from energy exports in the first six months of the current 2023/2024 Ethiopian fiscal year that started July 8, according to the state utility firm Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP).

The EEP said in a press release issued Wednesday that the East African country made the earnings by selling electricity to Djibouti, Kenya, and Sudan. There are plans to sell electricity to another East African country, Tanzania, soon.

Ethiopia earned 102 million dollars from energy exports in the previous 2022/2023 fiscal year.

Energy export is part of Ethiopia's broader plan to economically integrate the East African region through electricity infrastructure.

The Ethiopian government has recently announced its plan to increase the country's export revenue from electric power to 400 million dollars within 10 years. 
From 2018 and 2022, cases skyrocketed by nearly 80%, totaling more than 207,000.

From 2018 and 2022, cases skyrocketed by nearly 80%, totaling more than 207,000.

Cases of syphilis have hit the highest rate of new infections since the 1950s, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. From 2018 to 2022, cases skyrocketed by nearly 80%, totaling more than 207,000.

We have long known that these infections are common, but we have not faced such severe effects of syphilis in decades, Dr. Laura Bachmann, acting director of the CDCs division of sexually transmitted disease prevention, said in the statement released with the report. It has emerged as a unique public health challenge.

Rates of the most infectious stages of syphilis  called primary and secondary  rose in all age groups and in all regions across the country, but the CDC noted that Black and Latino communities were disproportionately affected due to longstanding social inequities that often lead to health inequalities.

Another troubling finding? Among the cases reported, more than 3,700 were congenital syphilis, which is transmitted to a baby during pregnancy. Thats a 937% increase over a decade.

Congenital syphilis can be fatal to newborns and if left untreated can cause health issues later in life, said Dr. Kenosha Gleaton, a board-certified OB-GYN and medical adviser at Natalist, a womens health company that focuses on pregnancy and conception.

Its important to treat syphilis immediately, especially if youre pregnant, because it can lead to a number of issues during your pregnancy, birth and postpartum state, she told HuffPost.

Syphilis can also lead to an increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth, Gleaton said.

As for why syphilis is increasing in general, the CDC pointed to a number of reasons: lax condom use; an increase in substance abuse, which is often tied to risky sexual behavior; and people facing tremendous barriers to sexually transmitted infection prevention and health services, such as screenings. The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown strained public health programs even further.

This 1966 microscope photo shows a tissue sample with the presence of numerous corkscrew-shaped, darkly-stained Treponema pallidum spirochetes, the bacterium responsible for syphilis.

This 1966 microscope photo shows a tissue sample with the presence of numerous corkscrew-shaped, darkly-stained Treponema pallidum spirochetes, the bacterium responsible for syphilis.

And unfortunately with syphilis, the symptoms arent always easy to notice; the STI is often referred to as the great imitator, because of its ability to mimic other diseases. The elusive nature of its symptoms is why its best to go and get tested if youre concerned you may have contracted it. In its beginning stages, syphilis is easily curable with the right antibiotics.

There are four stages of syphilis, some of which tend to overlap, but its most infectious during the primary and secondary stages.

The Signs Of Primary Syphilis

When you come in contact with syphilis  usually through sex with a person who has a sore  the bacteria can live in your body for years without producing any symptoms, but thats not the norm, Gleaton said.

You generally see one or multiple small sores (which doctors call chancres) within three weeks of being exposed to the syphilis bacteria, Gleaton added.

Chancres are highly contagious and tend to show up around the penis, vagina, rectum and, less commonly, the mouth. The sores are often hard to identify because they may be hidden inside your vagina or under the foreskin. They can even be mistaken for pimples or an ingrown hair.

The sore is often painless and goes away on its own, but the syphilis bacteria will live in your body and progress over time if its left untreated, Gleaton told HuffPost.

The way your body reacts to syphilis bacteria can really vary, so I always recommend that my patients stay up to date on their STI testing, especially if they are pregnant, she said.

Hearing about the signs of syphilis may be unnerving if you suspect you might have it, but the good news is that syphilis is typically treated easily with antibiotics.

Hearing about the signs of syphilis may be unnerving if you suspect you might have it, but the good news is that syphilis is typically treated easily with antibiotics.

The Signs Of Secondary Syphilis

If syphilis is left untreated, some (but not all) people develop the secondary stage, which includes a rash, said Dr. Philip A. Chan, an associate professor at Brown University and the medical director of the Rhode Island Department of Health.

The rash can be anywhere on the body but classically involves the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet, he said. People may also experience fevers, chills, enlarged lymph nodes, malaise and other symptoms.

If your rash and those mild flu-like symptoms go away, youre not out of the woods, so you should still go get tested.

No matter how progressive the symptoms are, they will actually clear on their own without treatment, but the syphilis bacteria will continue to live in your body and can lead to health issues later in life, Gleaton said.

If left untreated, late stages of syphilis can cause blood vessel and heart problems, tumors, blindness, paralysis and even death.

How To Treat Syphilis In The Early Stages

Hearing about those early signs of syphilis  chancres, a rash and flu-like symptoms  may be unnerving, but the good news is that syphilis is easily treated with antibiotics, Gleaton said.

If youre in any way concerned, talk to your primary care doctor or another medical provider who specializes in sexual health.

Testing for syphilis generally includes a blood test, Chan said. Syphilis continues to be highly susceptible to penicillin, and treatment typically includes between one and three shots of a long-acting penicillin formulation.

While youre there, you should also be tested for other STIs, including HIV. Bottom line: Theres no shame in addressing any issues you have with your sexual health, and theres treatment that can help.

As an OB-GYN, Ive seen an uptick of STI cases at my private practice in Charleston, South Carolina, from millennials to women over 45, Gleaton said. Ive seen the fear and shame patients feel when they receive a positive STI diagnosis, but its so important that we educate and destigmatize this scenario.

Related...
U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland took a walk along the Scuppernong River Boardwalk Thursday afternoon before she announced a $1.4 million grant to overhaul it.

The Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge boardwalk was one of 206 projects the department announced Thursday as part of a $157 million investment in ecosystem restoration using money from the Bipartisan Infrastucture Law.

At a time when tackling the climate and biodiversity crises could not be more critical, these investments in clean water, clean air, wildlife habitat, cultural resources and open spaces will benefit people, wildlife and local economies for generations to come, Haaland said.

The Scuppernong River Boardwalk allows visitors to see what Haaland called pristine swamp forest and educate themselves about the biodiversity of the county theyre passing through. Last year, more than 17,000 people visited the Walter B. Jones Sr. Center for the Sounds, which opens up onto the boardwalk, said Tyrrell County Manager David Clegg.

In a county with 3,200 people in it, thats a huge economic boost, Clegg said.

The boardwalk is one of the final landmarks visitors pass on U.S. 64 en route to the Outer Banks. Its folded along the western side of the river, wending along its bank for more than half a mile.

Access points like the boardwalk help people who may not otherwise experience ecosystems like Pocosin Lakes begin to develop a connection to them, N.C. Wildlife Federation CEO Tim Gestwicki told The News & Observer.

If theres no connection or you just see it on TV or read about it in a book, why would you care about it? So outdoor experiences create the fostering of awareness and appreciation for natural resources, Gestwicki said.

How does this affect Tyrrell County?

In his remarks Thursday, Clegg emphasized just how important the Department of the Interiors various agencies are to Tyrrell County.

The county is home to two U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service national wildlife refuges that serve as vital habitat for red wolves, black bears and numerous other species. But Clegg also mentioned the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and his hopes that Tyrrell County stands to benefit if an offshore wind industry takes hold in North Carolina. And the U.S. Geological Survey is vital to helping the county cope with future flooding.

In so many of your decisions going forward, I really, not humorously, want you to think, How does this affect Tyrell County? Because so much of what you do does, Clegg said.

A timeline for when work on the boardwalk will start and finish was not immediately available.

North Carolina will be one of five states that is part of a project to build seagrass seedbanks in national parks and one of seven states where the U.S. Geological Survey works to restore mines in a way that protects environmental health, both projects funded in this round.

In previous rounds of ecosystem restoration funding, North Carolina-based projects have included $1 million to restore the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge and $33,000 for the National Park Service to detect and control feral swine.

We have an obligation to our world, and together we can build a future in which we respect nature, restore balance to our environments and value every living creature on this planet, Haaland said.

This story was produced with financial support from the Hartfield Foundation and Green South Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work. If you would like to help support local journalism, please consider signing up for a digital subscription, which you can do here.
Business calls for finalization of the draft law on mobilization before the second reading

The European Business Association (EBA) does not support the current version of the conscription bill recently passed in the first reading, and is advocating for enhancements to the legislation, the EBA said on Feb. 7.

The business community disapproves of the document in its present form, citing concerns about potential violations of the Constitution of Ukraine and the adverse consequences this may have for the country's overall economy, the statement said.

Read also: Verkhovna Rada set to review in the first reading an extensive mobilization bill on Jan. 11

Key concerns include:

The mandatory registration in the conscript's electronic portal is considered problematic, as not all Ukrainian citizens have the necessary technical means and internet access

The discrepancy between the day of summons dispatch and the day of receipt potentially allows accusations of evasion without concrete evidence

The introduction of compulsory military registration for citizens permanently residing abroad lacks clear explanations for the purpose and implementation mechanisms

The obligation for individuals to provide their data within 60 days from the mobilization start date through administrative service centers or the conscript's electronic portal (post-Feb. 24, 2022)

The requirement for enterprise heads to ensure the delivery of employee-conscript to military recruitment offices for data updates raises questions about enforcement methods

The expansion of police and territorial authorities' powers regarding conscription and military document verification poses additional burdens and inappropriate functions with potential high corruption risks

The business community emphasizes the necessity of allowing i a 12-month employee reservation term to align with critical enterprise decisions for the national economy. EBA also urges legislators to allow soldiers to update their personal data post-reservation without losing their reserved status, as well as to reevaluate measures of influence. It expressed concern that the current approach may lean more towards a corrupt and punitive measures rather than motivation, which is essential for the country.

Read also: Ukrainian IT specialists object to new conscription bill, citing economic threats and operational challenges

"The European Business Association appeals to the head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence, Oleksandr Zavitnevych, to establish a working group to refine the bill before the second reading, which should include representatives from the business community, the statement reads.

Otherwise, the consequences of the impact on the economy and the country as a whole can be irreparable, and the big question is who will be responsible for them."

The Cabinet of Ministers registered a conscription bill on Dec. 25, 2023 in the Verkhovna Rada, which received a lot of criticism.

The document was expected to be considered in the first reading on Jan. 11. The second reading, after all amendments were made, could have taken place in early February.

The EBA stated that the proposed provisions in the bill might lead to an increase in envelope salaries, unofficial employment, an outflow of foreign investments, and worsening conditions for doing business in Ukraine. The EBA sent a letter to the head of the profile committee, Zavitnevych, with proposals and asked to revise the bill.

Read also: Ukraine developing new system for mobilization deferment  Zelenskyy

The Cabinet of Ministers registered an updated conscription bill on Jan. 30.

The EBA proposed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Feb. 5 to meet, if possible, and discuss the issues that arose with the updated bill.

Ukrainian MPs supported a new conscription bill on Feb. 7 in the first reading, but before it is finally adopted, it must go through several stages, reported MP Oleksiy Honcharenko.

Changes and amendments must be made by Feb. 21. These amendments must then be considered by the National Security Committee and only then put to a vote in the Parliament.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Semafor Signals

Insights from Ecuavisa, InSight Crime, Telam, The Guardian, and Reporte Asia





The News

Ecuador  once regarded as one of the safest countries in Latin America  has been overcome by drug-related violence in recent months. Now, much of the public is rallying behind the strongman policies of newly elected President Daniel Noboa.

Since declaring a national emergency last month, Noboa has flooded Ecuadors streets with troops to combat a surge of homicides and drug trafficking. Since then, more than 6,000 people have been arrested, and hospitals are reporting a significant decrease in gunshot wound patients, the New York Times reported. The governments swift crackdown has helped Noboas administration reach a 76% approval rating.

But many observers are comparing Noboas hardline security decisions to that of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, with human rights activists warning that Noboa is walking a thin line that could ultimately erode democracy like Bukele has in El Salvador.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Noboa stresses hes different from Bukele, but they have more similarities than differences

Sources: Telam, Ecuavisa

Noboa has publicly acknowledged that his recent policy decisions have mirrored Bukeles crime crackdown over the last year. In January, he even joked about whether Ecuadors new maximum security prisons will be bigger than El Salvadors, Argentinas Telam website reported. But Noboa has stressed that his countrys problems can only be solved the Ecuador waynot the El Salvador way, framing his strongman approach as enhancing  not fighting  democracy by wiping out corruption and voter intimidation. But Noboa and Bukele have more similarities than differences, wrote journalist Daniela Maggi for Ecuavisa, arguing that Noboa has essentially copied Bukeles primary (and widely controversial) tactic of searching for and arresting young men with tattoos, which has already lead to complaints of mass, unjustified imprisonment.

Turn toward authoritarianism may only flame violence

Sources: The Guardian, InSight Crime

There are important security differences between El Salvador and Ecuador, which mean that Bukeles model isnt exportable, journalist Jordana Timerman argued for The Guardian. Unlike El Salvadors impoverished gangs, Ecuador is dealing with transnational cartels that are richer and better armed. Timerman compares the situation to Honduras, where violence spread beyond metropolitan hotspots after President Xiomara Castro also mimicked Bukekes policies, largely because well-funded gangs can still bribe corrupt police. Analysts have also noted that Noboa has not outlined any clear strategy for what would happen once the state of emergency is lifted, Timerman reported.

Chinas influence in Latin America is growing

Sources: Infobae, Foreign Policy, Voice of America, Reporte Asia

Beijings growing influence in Latin America is undeniable, with China last year becoming Ecuadors largest non-oil trading partner. But China has also taken a keen interest in the regions security crisis: The country has funneled millions into police training and surveillance operations, filling a civilian security void left by the United States, Foreign Policy reported last year. And Beijing last month formally endorsed Noboas state of emergency plan. Bukele has also touted the millions of dollars in Chinese investment that has flowed into El Salvador, helping build flashy new stadiums and food programs for the poor, which helped Bukele get re-elected earlier. As violence increased in parts of Latin America, many people there now believe an autocracy like China could solve the urgent problems of the population, Laureano Perez Izquierdo, director of Argentinas Infobae newspaper, told Reporte Asia.
PHNOM PENH, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet wrapped up his one-day official visit to Thailand, Cambodian foreign ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

In his visit to the neighboring country on Wednesday, Hun Manet held in-depth discussions with his Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin, agreeing to boost cooperation in trade, tourism, labor, energy and combating transnational crimes, among others, the statement said.

The two prime ministers "agreed to announce the elevation of bilateral ties to the level of strategic partnership," the statement added.

They also agreed to further strengthen cooperation on transboundary haze pollution to ensure clean air for the people of the two nations, it said. 
Marathon Petroleums Galveston Bay Refinery in Texas City. The EPA has adopted stricter standards nationally for particulate matter, which is generated by industry, diesel engines, power plants, wildfires and other sources. Credit: REUTERS/Erwin Seba

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday finalized a long-anticipated rule aimed at reducing the level of air pollution known as particulate matter  microscopic particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and harm peoples health.

Reducing air pollution has been a prime focus of the Biden administrations environmental agenda. The new rule tightens the amount of particulate matter, often referred to as soot, permitted in the air from 12 to 9 micrograms per cubic meter annually.

Its the first change in the limits since 2012.

These particles, which are 30 times smaller than a single strand of hair, are emitted by sources like diesel engines, wildfires, dust from construction sites, and coal-fired power plants. Some scientists call particulate matter the deadliest form of air pollution because it can cause lung and throat irritation, respiratory inflammation, irregular heartbeat and aggravate asthma.

Children, the elderly, and pregnant people are most susceptible to harm from these emissions.

The EPA projects that the new standard will prevent up to 4,500 premature deaths and 290,000 lost work days, yielding up to $46 billion in net health benefits in 2032.

This final air quality standard will save lives and make all people healthier, especially within Americas most vulnerable and overburdened communities, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a press release.

Industry groups and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce immediately criticized the new rule, saying it will be time-consuming and difficult for states to implement and arguing that wildfires and other non-industrial sources are major soot generators that have contributed to many of the regions elevated levels.

The American Petroleum Institute, a major trade group for U.S. oil and gas companies, called it a short-sighted standard with no scientific basis that will prioritize foreign energy and manufacturing from unstable regions of the world over American jobs, manufacturing, and national security.

According to EPA data, from 2020 to 2022, 10 Texas counties had particulate matter levels that would exceed the new standard, including four large urban counties: Dallas, Harris (which includes Houston), Tarrant (Fort Worth) and Travis (Austin). Four others are on the Texas-Mexico border: El Paso, Webb (Laredo), Hidalgo (McAllen) and Cameron (Harlingen and Brownsville).

Kleberg County (Kingsville) and Bowie County (Texarkana) are also on that list.

For residents in Texas and other states that will be required to comply with the new limits, it will not immediately mean cleaner air. Implementation is a slow, tedious process that will take years.

The EPA will take about two years to officially declare which regions are meeting the new standard and which are not. States will have at least two to three years to create a plan to help bring those areas into compliance, which must be submitted to the EPA for approval  a separate process that can take another two years.

Its essentially the same process that the EPA adopted in 2008 and 2015 to control ozone, another air pollutant that can make lung diseases worse, trigger asthma attacks and cause or aggravate chronic bronchitis.

More than a dozen Texas counties have been out of compliance with the 2015 federal ozone standards for nearly a decade with little improvement. Harris and Dallas counties have not met any federal ozone standard for more than three decades.

The state agency responsible for enforcing the federal standards, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, has submitted several ozone reduction plans, but the EPA has repeatedly rejected them. Last year, the EPA rejected the latest plan because the state included ongoing emissions reduction strategies and no additional reduction plans or changes.

Daniel Cohan, an associate professor in the College of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice University, calls the process a paper exercise.

We've seen from the recent steps on ozone that the state has tended to issue plans that don't really achieve much, he said.

Victoria Cann, a spokesperson with the TCEQ, said that ozone and particulate matter concentrations have declined over time even as the state's population has grown. But Cann said as air quality standards become stricter, more areas may fail to meet the rules and existing areas that fall short may continue to struggle to meet the standard for a longer time.

While cleaner air will not happen overnight, Neil Carman, a former TCEQ investigator who now works as clean air director for the Sierra Club in Texas, said in an email that the state has made some progress through its ozone reduction plans. He said the state now complies with the EPA ozone standard adopted in 1997, but has not met the stricter 2008 and 2015 standards.

Environmental advocates and health experts have said the new rule announced Wednesday will bring more of a focus on particulate matter, which has been neglected because of the attention put on ozone.

I think there is an opportunity because there will be this renewed look at particulate pollution in the state that will provide the public opportunity to demand action to address the pollution, said Paul Billings, national senior vice president for public policy at the American Lung Association.

According to the associations 2023 State of the Air report, more than 1 in 3 Americans live in counties with unhealthy air because of elevated ozone and particulate matter.

Cohan, the Rice University professor, said Texas environmental regulators will have a challenge in figuring out how to reduce particulate matter because not all state air monitors provide data that can help pinpoint individual sources.

[Particulate matter] is made of dozens of different compounds, he said. There's going to be a big learning curve in figuring out how to control particulate matter.

Cohan and environmental advocates also expect lawsuits. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons office has repeatedly sued the Biden Administration over regulations it views as overreaching or an economic threat to the energy sector.

Marvin C. Brown IV, a senior attorney for the national environmental nonprofit Earthjustice, said the most immediate impact of the new EPA rule in Texas will be in the state's permitting process. Texas companies seeking to build new industrial facilities will need to comply with new soot standards to get operating permits, he said.

Luke Metzger, executive director of Environment Texas, said in a statement that the new particulate matter standard is a welcome step toward a healthier future.

Disclosure: Rice University and U.S. Chamber of Commerce have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

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As emergency room doctors nationwide plead for help to ease patient overcrowding, the one federal program that could fix the crisis is poised to lose funding.

Across the U.S., ER patients who need to be hospitalized find themselves stuck in hallways or waiting rooms, sometimes for days or weeks, before they are able to get further care.

Marissa Long, 30, spent three days and four nights on a gurney in a busy Los Angeles ER hallway last March, separated from other sick patients just a few feet away by a thin fabric curtain.

Long, a heart transplant recipient, was showing signs of possible organ rejection: trouble breathing and falling blood pressure. She needed to be admitted to the hospital, but there were no beds available.

People were coughing and vomiting, Long said. I already have a low immune system. I was scared to get sick.

When Marissa Long went to a Los Angeles emergency department in March, she was placed in the hallway for four nights. (Courtesy Long family)

Last summer in Bangor, Maine, Michael Day had heard of ER hallways full of sick patients, hacking and sneezing; people left sitting for days on hard, plastic waiting room chairs.

He did not want to go to the emergency room, although the 75-year-old had no choice. Following a diagnosis of advanced esophageal cancer, he was rapidly declining. He was weak and jaundiced. His blood pressure was plummeting.

With no available room in the hospital, Day found himself stuck in the ER, twice.

On one visit, Day developed a bed sore from remaining stationary for more than 26 hours. During another, the ER staff started him on an IV to replenish his fluids and hooked him up to a blood pressure monitor while he waited to be seen by a doctor.

Once again, hours ticked by.

Days wife, Kathy  a former ER nurse  said they were there so long that the batteries in her husbands blood pressure monitor eventually died. His IV ran out and dried up. The staff on duty, Kathy Day said, did not notice.

At that moment, Kathy Day uttered the sentiment echoed by countless ER patients across the country: This is bulls---.

Michael Day, a Boston Red Sox fan, in New York for a baseball game in early May, a little over a month before he became ill. (Courtesy Kathy Day)

ER patients waiting for beds that don't exist

Emergency medical care is meant for one of two things: Treat a person quickly and send them home  stitch up a deep cut, perhaps, or determine that a high fever isnt a life-threatening infection, for example; or get the patient admitted into the hospital for further care.

Because Americas health care system as a whole is woefully understaffed to care for an aging population rife with chronic illnesses, or to meet increasing needs for mental health services, patients show up in the ER and, without any place else to go, stay in the ER.

There are fewer nursing home beds. There are fewer rehab beds. There are fewer psychiatric beds, said Dr. Ali Raja, deputy chair of emergency medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Our overall length of stay for inpatients has gone up. Since those patients are staying longer in the hospital, we end up having more boarders in the emergency department.

Ninety-seven percent of ER doctors said they experienced patient boarding times of more than 24 hours, according to a November 2022 survey by the American College of Emergency Physicians.

More than a quarter, 28%, of the ER doctors said patients were forced to stay in the ER for more than two weeks before getting a hospital bed.

There have been instances where patients are literally waiting for several weeks to months, Dr. Aisha Terry, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians, said during a briefing in October with reporters. Patients are leaving early, or dying waiting.

Marissa Long, pictured on a trip to Annapolis, Md., in July, is doing well after an organ rejection scare. Still, she says she worries that she will be boarded again if she needs to go back to an ER. (Courtesy Long family)

Rising health care costs have forced health systems nationwide  often in rural areas  to shutter hospitals and other medical facilities in recent decades, according to the American Hospital Association. Elder care centers have also been affected, especially during the pandemic. A report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the number of workers in nursing homes and other care facilities fell by 410,000 between February 2020 and November 2021.

Dr. Joseph Tennyson, president of the Massachusetts chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians said he recently worked an ER shift in which he had patients on oxygen support waiting hours for an ICU bed that didnt exist.

Raja said his ER has been operating at a level dubbed capacity disaster  with at least 45 patients boarded at a time  for at least a year. On Jan. 11, the Massachusetts General Hospital ER reached an unfathomable level of boarded patients: 103. The situation prompted the hospital to ask its state health department to approve an extra 94 beds to ease the overcrowding.

We dont have a clear solution, Raja said.

On Jan. 15, 229 people across the state were boarded and waiting to get a hospital bed, according to the Massachusetts chapter of the ACEP. For comparison, on Jan 17, 2022, during the Covid omicron surge, 278 people were boarded. Neither of those numbers include patients waiting for space to free up on a psychiatric care floor.

Massachusetts is unique in that it keeps very good statistics on the number of people waiting for hospital beds. Many states do not.

Dr. Doug Jeffrey, president-elect of the Texas College of Emergency Physicians, said the situation  which affects ERs across the country  has gone from our typical organized chaos to an out-of-control crisis.

Were treating people in the waiting room. Were treating people in the hallways. Its unsafe for patients, Jeffrey said.

Michael Day made several trips to the ER before passing away on Aug. 7. While his cancer was terminal, his wife Kathy, who worked 53 years as a nurse, is convinced that his condition worsened because of the delays in care.

This is not patient care, Day said. Its more like warehousing.

Hospital care at home

ER boarding has reached such a crisis point that some hospitals have begun to invest in a promising solution to ease the overcrowding crisis.

A federal program called Acute Hospital Care at Home, or Hospital at Home, is designed to free up hospital beds, allowing patients to recover in their own beds. It was started by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in 2020 to help ease hospital strain during the pandemic.

In the program, people who are sick enough to be hospitalized  but well enough to do basic daily activities, such as walk safely to a bathroom  are able to be cared for in their own home, with round-the-clock remote monitoring and twice-daily visits from medical personnel. The average length of stay is four days.

Florence Sparks, 80, of Pineville, North Carolina, jumped at the chance to be treated at home rather than stay any longer in an ER. Sparks was having trouble breathing on Jan. 15 and had already spent 17 hours in an emergency department.

Sparks has congestive heart failure  a condition in which the heart doesn't pump blood effectively  and it was clear that she needed more care than the ER could provide.

Instead of waiting for an in-patient hospital room, her doctors utilized the Hospital at Home program, run by Atrium Health in Charlotte.

A community paramedic checked in on Sparks twice a day, adjusting her IV and her medications as needed  all in collaboration with her doctor.

Atrium Health says its managing up to 60 patients a day in North Carolina through its Hospital at Home program, and aims to treat 100 patients daily by the end of 2024. Within the next 18 months, organizers project the program will free up 10% of their in-patient hospital beds.

If we did not have Hospital at Home, theres no doubt in my mind, we would have people with longer delays for getting out of emergency departments, said Matt Anderson, senior medical director, Virtual Health at Atrium. We know that theres strain.

Sparks was able to sleep in her own bed while getting hospital-level care.

I think theyre more attentive," she said. Theyre not rushed to see another patient. They give you their undivided attention.

Colleen Hole, a registered nurse and head of Atrium Healths Hospital at Home program, called it the model for the future and said it could help reduce costs up to 25%.

Its proven to be a model that works for our patients and works for our health system capacity challenges, she said.

At least 311 hospitals in 37 states have been approved to set up the program, although its unclear how many are actually using it, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

CMS funds for the program are set to run out by the end of this year, though Congress could vote to extend it for another two years.

In the meantime, many hospitals have been reluctant to invest resources in it, especially if the funding is uncertain. Hospitals bill CMS directly for Hospital at Home patients on Medicare and Medicaid.

For many hospitals, it seems like it might not be worth it, said Nancy Foster, vice president for quality and patient safety policy at the American Hospital Association.

Some private insurers have signed on, but Atrium Healths Hole said that many of the biggest commercial payers are waiting to see if the federal government continues to fund the program.

While patients languish in ER hallways, waiting for a hospital bed, the federal government has done little else to help.

The Department of Health and Human Services has promised to set up a roundtable within the next six months to identify actionable next steps and novel opportunities to chart a public-private strategy to address ED crowding and boarding, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra wrote in a letter in December to the American College of Physicians.

CMS is scheduled to present national Hospital at Home data to Congress later this year.

Our hope is that in the final quarter of 2024, we can actually introduce a bill that will become permanent, Hole said. Im anxious because were running out of time.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
UPSTATE NEW YORK (WETM)  The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is challenging people in the area to be active outside this month.

The FEBRUARY 15 Canalway Challenge is inviting New Yorkers to walk, run, hike, snowshoe, or cross-country ski 15 miles by the end of February. Participants can complete their 15 miles anywhere within the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, which includes the areas surrounding Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake. Participants can trek all of their 15 miles at once or over the course of multiple sessions.

What ever happened to the Chemung Canal?

The FEBRUARY 15 Challenge provides great incentive for people of all abilities to embrace winter and enjoy the outdoors, while working toward a fitness goal. said Bob Radliff, executive director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. The Canalway Corridor, including the many state and national parks located within it, have much to offer in every season, and we hope this challenge motivates New Yorkers to get outside in winter.

Those who finish this challenge will receive a sticker, a magnet, and a set of commemorative postcards that recognize the accomplishment. The challenge is free, and to join, New Yorkers can register on the canalways website and log their miles. Those interested can register as an individual, group, or organization.

The FEBRUARY 15 Canalway Challenge is part of the year-round Canalway Challenge. The year-round challenge gives participants the option to trek 1 mile, 15 miles, 90 miles, 180 miles, or 360 miles. For the 360-mile challenge, participants must go the entire distance of the canalway trail, which extends from Buffalo to Albany, either during one trip or one 90-mile segment at a time. While the FEBRUARY 15 Canalway Challenge wants New Yorkers to go 15 miles by foot, all other challenges can be done by biking or paddling.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
An escaped prisoner sent law enforcement on a search spanning several miles in North Carolina, officials said.

The man was working by a maintenance shed at Marion Correctional Institution when he walked off the prison grounds on Wednesday, Feb. 7, according to a news release from the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction. It wasnt until a staff member went to check on him at about 11:35 a.m. that they noticed he was missing, according to the department.

While making his escape, the Leicester man broke into a Marion womans home and abducted her, according to a Feb. 7 McDowell County Sheriffs Office news release. He then forced her to take him to Asheville, deputies said.

Once the two arrived, the man released the woman and ran into a wooded part of Asheville, according to the sheriffs office.

Responders from various agencies  U.S. Marshals Service, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and several local law enforcement departments  joined in the search for the escaped prisoner, according to the sheriffs office.

He was found in the woods in Asheville and arrested, deputies said. He was returned to prison at about 4:20 p.m. after being missing for approximately five hours, authorities said.

The man was serving a 10-year sentence for a Buncombe County drug trafficking conviction in 2022, officials said. He was considered a low level offender, according to the sheriffs office.

He was originally at the Rutherford Correctional Facility but was transferred to the Marion Correctional Institution to be a work release inmate, deputies said.

His estimated release date was April 27, 2028, according to state officials.

The man will now face escape charges as well, authorities said.

The McDowell County Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to McClatchy News request for comment on Feb. 8 about whether he would face additional charges.

The investigation into his escape is ongoing, according to the sheriffs office.

Marion is about 35 miles northeast of Asheville.

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The EU is demanding that member states' governments urgently stop the illegal flow of goods to Russia, calling on Brussels to close sanctions loopholes.

Source: Politico, reported by European Pravda

Details: In a letter sent to the EUs leaders on Wednesday, which was seen by Politico, the European Commission emphasised to countries the need for "immediate, concerted and firm action by all of us".

With patience for violators running out, EU finance chief Mairead McGuinness and trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis, who signed the letter, said they would soon share "detailed information" on the ways in which companies are evading sanctions. They said they would hold meetings with leaders by mid-April to discuss the measures to be taken.

While the sanctions themselves are agreed upon at the EU level, national governments are responsible for implementing them under the supervision of the European Commission.

Sanctioned goods from the EU enter Russia via non-EU countries, which then re-export them, as well as through subsidiaries of European companies which operate outside of its jurisdiction to supply the proscribed products, the letter said.

The items in question are usually goods and technologies that are not weapons themselves, but can be used for military purposes and end up bolstering Russias war effort.

The Commission is studying the possibility of creating an EU body to monitor compliance with sanctions, effectively taking this function over from national governments.

According to an official close to the talks, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the idea is becoming popular and could be on the agenda of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen if she is re-elected.

The letter states that exports of banned goods from the EU to non-EU countries have increased from 3 billion before the invasion of Ukraine to 5.6 billion by mid-2023. This "extremely worrying" increase compensates for the loss of legal trade in these goods with Russia before the war.

The letter urges governments to "hold accountable EU operators that have been actively undermining EU sanctions, wherever they are active" and to deter companies from exploiting sanctions loopholes.

McGuinness also advises member states to contact companies involved in the production of sanctioned goods, and encourage them to more thoroughly check their supply chains for compliance with EU sanctions rules.

It is said in the letter that national authorities should share information on non-EU companies and individuals who may be involved in exploiting sanctions loopholes, and "exercise particular vigilance" surrounding sanctions exemptions that could make the problem worse.

Background:

The media had previously reported that the EU would not be adding new import bans to its 13th tranche of sanctions against Russia.

As was stated before, despite calls from some EU countries to ban more Russian exports such as aluminium, the European Commission would propose a package that it hopes will result in minimal pushback among member states so that it can be adopted quickly.

The sanctions are expected to be adopted before the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February.

The Council of the European Union completed the process of adopting the 12th package of sanctions against Russia on Monday, 18 December.

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FILE PHOTO: Migrants wait to disembark from a fiber boat after being rescued by a Spanish coast guard vessel in the port of Arguineguin

By Joan Faus

MADRID (Reuters) -The head of the European Commission and Spain's prime minister visited Mauritania on Thursday and promised more funding for the West African country to curb irregular migration to Europe amid a jump in departures.

Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and Spain's Pedro Sanchez met President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani in the capital Nouakchott for talks focused on border controls and economic development.

"To help Mauritania face challenges in the areas of migration management, forced displacement, as well as security and development, the EU intends to strengthen its financial support," they said in a statement, adding that the EU's Frontex border agency would play a role, without elaborating.

Sanchez also announced up to 200 million euros ($215 million) of financial support from Spain in the next five years to facilitate the development of green hydrogen projects with the participation of Spanish companies.

Migration is set to dominate debate in June's European Parliament elections amid growing anti-immigration rhetoric from right-wing parties.

Mauritania's strategic importance is growing due to the increased migration pressures and instability in the Sahel region.

The number of migrants entering Spain irregularly by sea jumped nearly 300% in January, with the vast majority arriving in the Canary Islands. About 83% of the dinghy boats making it to the archipelago departed from Mauritania, say Spanish officials.

That followed a record number last year who attempted to reach Europe via the Spanish archipelago, which is located off the African coast.

Spain has deployed police officers in Mauritania since 2006, when a large inflow prompted an overhaul of migration policy to put the focus on giving financial and security aid to the boats' countries of departure.

Mauritania, home to fewer than five million people, suffers from widespread poverty and since 2012 has been dealing with the influx of tens of thousands people from neighbouring Mali.

($1 = 0.9289 euros)

(Reporting by Joan Faus, additional reporting by Gabriela Baczynska and, Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Charlie Devereux and Gareth Jones)
(Bloomberg) -- The European Union has agreed to delay additional ESG disclosure requirements by two years, as it responds to pressure from businesses leaders who warn theyre buckling under the weight of regulations.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The EUs Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive had set a June 30 deadline for companies to report on thousands of data points, to give investors insight into their conduct on environmental, social and governance issues.

But EU lawmakers and member states agreed late on Wednesday to push that timeline back to June 2026 for sector-specific reporting requirements that are still being developed. The decision doesnt affect a requirement to report general ESG data points from June this year, according to a statement.

The provisional agreement comes as industry opposition to Brussels rule-making builds. The mounting tensions between the EUs ambitious ESG agenda and realities on the ground already threaten to derail the planned implementation of Europes toughest ESG rule to date, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.

Boosting European competitiveness is a core pillar of the Belgian Presidency, and one way to achieve this objective is to reduce the administrative burden on companies, Vincent Van Peteghem, the deputy prime minister of Belgium, which holds the rotating EU presidency, said in a statement. Todays agreement limits reporting requirements to the minimum.

Read More: Rising Distress in Germany Signals a Lot More Struggles Ahead

The delay is the latest snag in the EUs agenda to address threats to the environment by requiring companies to report on their climate and biodiversity impact, as well as how they treat their own workforce and the communities in which they operate.

European firms have lobbied hard to push back against many of the EUs planned ESG rules, often yielding results. Last year, the European Commission said companies under the scope of CSRD would be free to determine for themselves what constitutes relevant ESG information for reporting purposes.

That angered many investors, who warned the relaxing the planned rules risked creating a loophole for greenwashing, making it harder for asset managers to do their jobs.

Read More: Asset Managers Rebuffed as EU Cracks Down on Use of ESG

The announced delay in implementing the additional CSRD reporting requirements still needs to be formally adopted by both the EU Council and Parliament. Companies will be expected to comply as soon as the new reporting standards are officially published, as the requirements will already have been made public.

Roughly 50,000 companies are subject to CSRD, with small and medium-sized  as well as some non-EU companies  among the last groups that will be required to comply. Some foreign firms have responded by suggesting they would delist securities now trading on EU markets, to avoid the directive.

Mairead McGuinness, EU commissioner for financial services and markets, said in a statement that the commission welcomes the provisional agreement which shows that we hear the concerns of businesses and we are responding.

While ESG reporting is critical for the green transition and for transparency toward investors and will over time become less burdensome, the current pace of change can be challenging for many companies, McGuinness said.

(Updates to add additional detail on provisional agreement)

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ULAN BATOR, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has affirmed Mongolia's long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating at "B" with a stable outlook, local media reported on Thursday, citing the agency's statement.

Mongolia's ratings are underpinned by favorable medium-term growth prospects and high per capita income relative to its "B" rated peers, Fitch said.

The Asian country's GDP grew by 6.8 percent in 2023, according to a preliminary estimate by the country's Ministry of Economy and Development.

Fitch forecast that the growth will likely slow to 4 percent in 2024 as exports stabilize, despite a pick-up in domestic demand.

The strategic Oyu Tolgoi copper mine's underground phase started production in March 2023. However, the agency said volumes will only rise significantly from 2025, adding that other mining and infrastructure projects could support medium-term growth. 
In the European Unions grand design to become a superstate, the creation of a dedicated defence and security force that can project its influence on the world stage has long been regarded as a vital component.

For decades, European leaders have outlined various proposals for the establishment of a distinctive military formation that would both protect its interests while also providing a viable alternative to Americas dominant role in the Nato alliance.

The most recent manifestation of this obsession surfaced amid celebrations in 2018 to mark the centenary of the Allied victory in the First World War  an outcome that, ironically, owed much to the belated contribution of US forces.

With exquisite timing, French President Emmanuel Macron, who once declared Nato was braindead, chose the occasion to call for the establishment of a true, European army because Russias growing military strength had shown it could be a threat, and Europe had to be able to defend itself better alone.

It could be argued that, if Natos European member states were seriously interested in enhancing their security, the obvious solution would be for them to meet the minimum Nato requirement of spending 2 per cent of the GDP on defence  a commitment most have consistently failed to meet.

But such is the strength of anti-American sentiment within the EUs policy-making elite that they find it impossible to resist any opportunity to establish military operations that can operate independently of US influence.

The latest example of the EUs desire to commit wilful acts of self-harm, in terms of safeguarding its interests, is clearly evident from the proposals currently under consideration to create its own naval force to protect commercial vessels from Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea.

Proposals for the establishment of an EU naval force are already said to be well-advanced, with final approval for its implementation due to be given at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on February 19.

The new force will certainly represent a significant upgrade in the EUs naval operations, which have previously been confined to tackling Somali pirates and disrupting illegal migrants crossing the Mediterranean.

The proposed EU mission, codenamed Aspides  Greek for shield  has, however, hardly generated much enthusiasm among the 27-member bloc, with only five countries  Belgium, France, Germany, Greece and Italy  so far sure to take part.

As EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell conceded when outlining plans for the force, not all member states will be willing to participate, but no one will obstruct.

Of more concern will be the limited rules of engagement that will be applied to the force, whose mission will be strictly limited to protecting merchant shipping in the Red Sea, rather than targeting the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels responsible for attacking vessels in the region.

According to Borrell, the EU mission will be purely defensive, and will not conduct any kind of attack against land-based Houthi targets in Yemen. Borrell is insistent that the force will not take part in any military strikes and will only operate at sea.

The EUs approach is in marked contrast to the operations currently being conducted by the US and UK, which have launched a series of air strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, and reflects the reservations many European leaders have expressed about the more robust approach being taken by Washington and London.

Their preference for forming their own force is partly motivated by their dislike of being under Washingtons command, even though the US has immensely more firepower at its disposal.

Many European leaders who initially backed Israels right to defend itself in the wake of the October 7 attacks are now having second thoughts because of the uncompromising approach the Israelis have taken in their quest to destroy Hamas. They are more concerned that the conflict will escalate to other parts of the region, with groups like the Houthis claiming they are acting in support of Hamas and other terrorist factions.

Even so, the limitations that will be imposed on the EU naval force operating in the Red Sea will simply add to the perception, especially in the US, that the Europeans are not serious about defending their interests. This attitude will only be reinforced by Britains inability to deploy its 3 billion HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier to support US operations in the region because it has a rusty propeller.

Another factor the EU has overlooked is that Europe is a great deal more dependent on the safe passage of its ships through the Red Sea than the US, as this is the route used to provide a significant proportion of its energy needs.

The EU might see itself as an emerging power, but its ineffectual response to the Red Sea crisis merely confirms the perception that its aspirations to become a dominant force in world affairs are doomed to fail.

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The EU proposes new sanctions to be implemented against 55 companies and over 60 individuals who support Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

Source: Bloomberg

Details: According to documents obtained by Bloomberg, the restrictions will affect individuals and firms involved in weapon production, as well as the supply of key technologies and electronics used by Russian defence companies to build weapons.

The proposals, which would require the approval of all member states before being implemented, would also target shipping companies that provided transportation and logistics for ammunition from North Korea to Russia. The agency recalls that North Korea supplied Russia with hundreds of thousands of artillery shells.

The sanctions package, the 13th since the full-scale invasion, is expected to be narrow in scope. A number of EU member states urged the bloc to be more ambitious and include new economic sanctions in the package.

Current proposals include adding several military and other officials, as well as politicians, to the sanctions list, including Alexei Dyumin, a former bodyguard of Russian President Vladimir Putin and current governor of Tula Oblast. The list of restrictions may change until it is approved by all member countries.

Background:

On 18 December 2023, the EU approved the 12th package of sanctions against Russia. The aggressor country's diamond industry was particularly affected by the restrictions, as were a number of goods exported to the Russian Federation.

By the second anniversary of the full-scale invasion, the European Union intends to develop a new set of sanctions against Russia. According to media reports, a key component of this package will be a ban on Russian aluminium.

The European Commission planned to hold an informal high-level meeting with EU member states on 3 February to discuss the details of the thirteenth package of sanctions against Russia for its attack on Ukraine.

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EUCLID, Ohio (WJW)  The Fox 8 I-Team has learned that Euclid City School officials and Euclid police are investigation allegations of sexual misconduct involving a substitute teacher at Euclid High School.

School officials say the substitute teacher resigned Wednesday morning before district officials were made aware of the allegations.

Officers found secret Cleveland bar behind hidden door  why no charges were filed

The district stated the nature of the allegations are extremely concerning.

Euclid police confirmed they are investigating. No charges have been filed. School district officials are cooperating with the police department.

Given the need to safeguard student privacy rights, we cannot disclose additional details, as the investigation is ongoing, a statement from the school district states. We remain committed to a thorough investigation of the situation, prioritizing the well-being and confidentiality of our students and their families.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
A New Jersey man pleaded not guilty to murder Tuesday in the brutal stabbing of a 27-year-old woman celebrated for her work in addiction recovery.

Maryrose Fealey was found unresponsive outside her familys Somerville home at about 10:20 p.m. Jan. 30 when police responded to a 911 call. She was later pronounced dead at the scene, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said Tuesday in a news release.

Maryrose Fealey was found fatally stabbed outside her home on Jan. 30.

Maryrose Fealey was found fatally stabbed outside her home on Jan. 30.

David C. Shroitman, also 27 and living in Somerville, is accused of stabbing Fealey 37 times, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by local news outlets Patch and NJ.com, after she arrived home around 9 p.m. She was discovered by a relative, authorities said, with her car door open and some of her belongings strewn on the yard.

Shroitmans relationship with Fealey was unclear, but authorities said they knew each other. Both attended Somerville High School and graduated in the class of 2014.

Though they have not reported a possible motive, authorities alleged that Shroitman had carefully planned the attack. Investigators said they found a manifesto laying out a plan step-by-step for the homicide at his apartment, according to the affidavit.

Shroitman was charged with first-degree murder, possession of a weapon, tampering with physical evidence and hindering apprehension, the prosecutor said. He pleaded not guilty to the charges Tuesday afternoon through his public defender, Patch reported, and is being held in Somerset County Jail. The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender did not respond to a request for comment from HuffPost.

Investigators obtained dashcam footage that they said shows a man matching Shroitmans description standing at the corner by Fealeys home at 8:59 p.m. Jan. 30, around the time Fealey was arriving home. A neighbors security camera also captured video of someone believed to be the same man running up and down a nearby street about 9 p.m., investigators said in the affidavit. Shortly afterward, they said, surveillance cameras captured a car resembling Shroitmans driving down the street.

Investigators said that when they first approached Shroitman on Feb. 2, he declined to speak with them, but in his car they saw a white garbage bag over the drivers seat. Police officers said they found him washing his car Sunday and said they smelled bleach in a puddle by the drivers side. The car had been doused in bleach, according to the affidavit.

Investigators said that in addition to the manifesto, they found bleach-covered clothing in his apartment that they said matched what the man in the surveillance footage was wearing.

Maryrose was many things  a visual artist, anti-drug activist, entrepreneur, champion of the underdog, philanthropist, encourager, writer, and logistician, Fealeys obituary says.

After she graduated from Rutgers Business School in 2018, according to her obituary, Fealey worked as a logistics management specialist for the Naval Surface Warfare Center but was more recently pursuing other opportunities and focusing on her lifes mission work. She founded the nonprofit 4TheYoungerMe to provide supportive and healing experiences for children impacted by grief or addiction, according to its website. She also volunteered for Empower Somerset, which promotes a drug-free community, and was a committee member of Not an Easy Fix, dedicated to spreading awareness about the opioid epidemic and fentanyl crisis.

Not an Easy Fix posted tributes to Fealey on its website and Facebook, saying that she was one of its most active team and committee members and brought positive energy, willingness, and kindness to any task at hand.

She wanted to spread awareness about the opioid epidemic and fentanyl crisis and wanted to save lives through any means possible, Not an Easy Fix said.

Fealeys brother enlisted her help to get clean after using heroin for more than a decade, which was documented in the film 21 Days. Fealey also spoke about his substance use disorder and her efforts to end the stigma surrounding opioid addiction in a July 2022 episode of the podcast Grieving Out Loud.

I had the honor of meeting Maryrose while filming documentaries about her mission to support those in recovery, Leo Hamelin wrote on Fealeys obituary tribute page. She is a creative, intelligent and kind soul, may she continue to shine her light on us.

Schroitman is scheduled to have a detention hearing Friday morning, where a judge will determine whether he is eligible for bail or must remain in jail until the case goes to trial.

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A former FBI agent was sentenced to prison after officials said he scammed a woman out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by making her believe she was on secret probation.

William Roy Stone, Jr., 65, was sentenced to seven years in prison on wire fraud charges, according to a Feb. 8 news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Texas.

In October 2015, Stone retired as an FBI agent. However, shortly after, he told a woman he was still an active agent and had been assigned to oversee her probation, according to an indictment filed in May 2021.

Stone is accused of convincing the woman that she was on secret probation for federal drug crimes. He told her as part of her probation terms, she needed to make payments to him, officials said.

Joseph Eventino DeLeon, 64, was also convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. His sentencing is March 5.

Officials say DeLeon helped Stone.

He and Mr. DeLeon told the victim that the fictitious federal judge had appointed the two of them to administer the conditions of her six year secret probation. They required her to text them written reports of her daily activities, and to compensate them for their supervisory services, as well as any expenses they incurred. Copies of the multiple six figure checks she wrote them were admitted into evidence at trial, officials said.

The woman gave Stone more than $700,000 and DeLeon more than $50,000 over an 11-month period, officials said.

They urged her to distance herself from her family, claiming her family members wanted to take her inheritance away from her, and persuaded her to transfer her inherited assets out of a trust and into an account under her own name. At one point, they claimed Judge Anderson would discharge (her) probation if (she) agreed to marry Mr. Stone, officials said.

McClatchy News reached out to Stones attorney, who said he cannot comment on the case.

DeLeons attorney, Greg Westfall, told McClatchy News that DeLeon idolized Stone and truly believed he was still an active FBI agent at the time.

Bill extorted money out of (the victim) and used Joe as an unwitting prop. It is a very strange case and I can see how the jury could get confused looking at a conspiracy charge. We have several grounds for appeal and we are hopeful that we succeed for Joe, Westfall said in an email.

As part of her probation terms, the woman was told she could not tell anyone she was on probation or she would lose her children and go to jail, according to the indictment.

In order to keep up the scam, Stone and DeLeon would monitor her cell phone communications and conduct surveillance of her, officials said. They also told her they discussed her probation with a psychiatrist, and placed fake phone calls between Stone, the woman and the fake judge.

Stone was convicted in August of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, five counts of wire fraud, one count of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from unlawful activity, and one count of false impersonation of a federal officer.

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ISLAMABAD, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- A blast hit Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province on Thursday afternoon, leaving at least two security personnel killed and eight others injured, official sources said.

A vehicle of paramilitary forces came under attack near Lijjay area of Kharan district of the province, official sources told Xinhua, adding that the personnel were deployed on the security of a polling station in the district for the ongoing general elections.

Following the attack, rescue teams, police and security forces reached the site and shifted the injured to a nearby hospital.

Local police said that an improvised explosive device was planted along the roadside and was detonated with a remote-controlled device.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. 
Retired federal Judge J. Michael Luttig said Thursday the Supreme Court has no legitimate off-ramps to avoid a decision on whether former President Trump should be kicked off the 2024 presidential ballot, as the court hears oral arguments on the issue.

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled in December that Trump is disqualified from the election because his conduct surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot qualifies as inciting insurrection and that his candidacy is thus in violation of the 14th Amendment. Trump appealed the ruling to the high court.

Luttig, a conservative who served on the 4th Circuit of Appeals for 25 years, predicted the Supreme Court is likely looking for any way to avoid a substantive ruling on the Trump disqualification case, but there really isnt one available.

The Supreme Court finds itself in a very precarious position today, Luttig said in an MSNBC interview. Undoubtedly, it doesnt want to decide this case, and it will be looking for all legitimate off-ramps to decide that the former president is disqualified. But there are no legitimate off-ramps to that decision.

Legal scholars have predicted the court could rule that the 14th Amendment clause does not apply to the presidency, or that the clause is not self-executing, as possible ways to avoid a complete ruling on the merits of the matter.

Top Stories from The Hill

Luttig, who previously said that the 14th Amendment should disqualify Trump, said a ruling on a technicality is not likely if the court reads the clause fairly.

If Section 3 doesnt disqualify the president, then in my view, it would not disqualify any person at all, he said.

This case is probably even the most historic constitutional and political case in all of American history, he continued. Section 3 of the 14th Amendment is the constitutional safety net for American democracy, and its as [if] the framers of Section 3 foresaw Jan. 6, 2021, and they provided in Section 3 that America would never experience another Jan. 6.

Multiple states have halted proceedings regarding Trumps ballot eligibility until the Supreme Court rules the Colorado case. The oral arguments Thursday could offer clues into whether certain justices are interested in pursuing such off-ramps to a full ruling.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - United Nations sanctions monitors are investigating dozens of suspected cyberattacks by North Korea that raked in $3 billion to help it further develop its nuclear weapons program, according to excerpts of an unpublished U.N. report reviewed by Reuters.

"The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) continued to flout Security Council sanctions," a panel of independent sanctions monitors reported to a Security Council committee, using North Korea's formal name.

"It further developed nuclear weapons and produced nuclear fissile materials, although its last known nuclear test took place in 2017," wrote the monitors, who also said Pyongyang had continued ballistic missile launches, put a satellite into orbit and added a "tactical nuclear attack submarine" to its arsenal.

North Korea has long been banned from conducting nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches by the 15-member Security Council. Since 2006, it has been subject to U.N. sanctions, which the council has repeatedly strengthened to try and cut off funding for its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) development.

"The panel is investigating 58 suspected DPRK cyberattacks on cryptocurrency-related companies between 2017 and 2023, valued at approximately $3 billion, which reportedly help fund DPRK's WMD development," the monitors wrote.

North Korea's mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report by the sanctions monitors. Pyongyang has previously denied allegations of hacking or other cyberattacks.

The U.N. report is due to be released publicly later this month or early next month, diplomats said.

North Korean hacking groups subordinate to the Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB) - Pyongyang's primary foreign intelligence agency - reportedly continued with a high number of cyber attacks, the sanctions monitors said.

"Trends include DPRK targeting of defense companies and supply chains, and increasingly sharing infrastructure and tools," according to the monitors, who report twice a year to the 15-member Security Council.

LUXURY GOODS

Any further action against North Korea by the council is unlikely as it had been deadlocked for several years on the issue. China and Russia instead want the sanctions to be eased to convince Pyongyang to return to denuclearization talks.

Moscow and Pyongyang also vowed last year to deepen military relations. The U.S. has accused North Korea of supplying weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine, which North Korea and Russia have denied.

"The panel is investigating reports from Member States about supplies by DPRK of conventional arms and munitions in contravention of sanctions," the sanctions monitors wrote.

The isolated Asian nation imposed a strict lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic that slashed its trade and aid access, but it slowly began to re-emerge last year.

"Trade continues to recover. The 2023 overall recorded trade volume surpassed the total for 2022, accompanied by the reappearance of a large variety of foreign consumer goods, some of which could be classified as luxury items," the sanctions monitors wrote.

The sale or transfer of luxury items to North Korea has long been banned by the Security Council. Under U.N. sanctions imposed in 2017, all countries were also required to repatriate North Koreans working abroad to stop them earning foreign currency for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's government.

"The panel investigated reports of numerous DPRK nationals working overseas earning income in violation of sanctions, including in the information technology, restaurant, and construction sectors," the sanctions monitors wrote.

They also said North Korea continues to access the international financial system and engage in illicit financial operations in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
Air Force pilot Vladyslav Rykov, who completed 385 combat sorties, was killed while performing a combat mission on 7 February 2024.

Source: 299th Tactical Aviation Brigade named after Lieutenant General Vasyl Nikiforov, with reference to Rykov's brother-in-arms Rostyslav Lazarenko

Quote from Lazarenko: "My heart was ripped out yesterday. Vladyslav Rykov, my brother-in-arms, a member of our combat family and my deputy, was killed while performing a combat mission on 7 February 2024. He flew 385 combat sorties.

He was the best pilot and commander I have ever known. He had my back since the beginning of the full-scale war, both on the ground and in the air, and trained a large number of both combat pilots and copilots."

Details: Lazarenko noted that few people knew of Vlad Rykov, but his story will be told.

"Such people should be known and remembered  he gave his life for our lives, for our freedom and for our Ukraine!" Lazarenko said.

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Vladislav Rykov, a highly experienced Ukrainian Air Force pilot, was killed in action on Feb. 7, the 299th Tactical Aviation Brigade reported on social media.

Rykov "had 385 sorties under his belt  he was the best pilot and commander I knew," fellow Air Force pilot Rostyslav Lazarenko posted on Facebook. "My heart was ripped out yesterday."

No further details about Rykov's death were provided.

A month earlier, Vladyslav Zalistovskyi, a 23-year-old MiG-29 pilot known by the call sign "Blue Helmet," was also killed during a combat mission.

He was known through his Instagram channel named Blue Helmet, where Zalistovskyi published videos of his flights. The account has amassed over 3,000 followers.

In another incident from last August, three Ukrainian pilots, including well-known aviator Andrii Pilshchykov with the call sign "Juice," died in a mid-air collision between two training jets.

Read also: F-16s for Ukraine: When will they arrive and what can they do?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- An explosion hit Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province on Thursday, killing at least two security personnel while injuring several others, police said. 
The Federal Communications Commission unanimously ruled on Thursday that robocalls containing AI-generated vocal clones are illegal under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991.The telecommunications law passed over 30 years ago now encompasses some of todays most advanced artificial intelligence programs. The February 8 decision, effective immediately, marks the FCCs strongest escalation yet in its ongoing efforts to curtail AI-aided scam and misinformation campaigns ahead of the 2024 election season.

It seems like something from the far-off future, but it is already here, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement accompanying the declaratory ruling . This technology can confuse us when we listen, view, and click, because it can trick us into thinking all kinds of fake stuff is legitimate.

[Related: A deepfake Joe Biden robocall told voters to stay home for primary election .]

The FCCs sweeping ban arrives barely two weeks after authorities reported a voter suppression campaign targeting thousands of New Hampshire residents ahead of the states presidential primary. The robocallslater confirmed to originate from a Texas-based group featured a vocal clone of President Joe Biden telling residents not to vote in the January 23 primary.

Scammers have already employed AI software for everything from creating deepfake celebrity videos to hawk fake medical benefit cards, to imitating an intended victims loved ones for fictitious kidnappings . In November, the FCC launched a public Notice of Inquiry regarding AI usage in scams, as well as how to potentially leverage the same technology in combating bad actors.

According to Rosenworcel, Thursdays announcement is meant to go a step further. Passed in 1991, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act at the time encompassed unwanted and junk calls containing artificial or prerecorded voice messages. Upon reviewing the law, the FCC (unsurprisingly) determined AI vocal clones are ostensibly just much more advanced iterations of the same spam tactics, and thereby are subject to the same prohibitions.

We all know unwanted robocalls are a scourge on our society. But I am particularly troubled by recent harmful and deceptive uses of voice cloning in robocalls, FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said in an accompanying statement . Starks continued by calling generative AI a fresh threat within voter suppression efforts ahead of the US campaign season, and thus warranted immediate action.

In addition to potentially receiving regulatory fines of more than $23,000 per call, vocal cloners are now also open to legal action from victims. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act states individuals can recover as much as $1,500 in damages per unwanted call.
Up to 25cm of snow is forecast in parts of England and Wales (PA)

The return of the Beast from the East  thats one warning about latest bout of extreme winter weather to hit the UK, which says the predicted snow, ice and rain could be as bad as the February 2018 storm.

The Met Office has issued yellow and amber weather warnings for snow and ice today, covering most of the UK from the Midlands northwards. A separate yellow weather warning for wind and rain rain is in force for all of southern England and southeast Wales from the M4 corridor southwards.

James Madden of Exacta Weather warns that the Midlands will be first to experience heavy snow, followed by northern England.

Travellers by rail, air and ferry are being warned about possible disruption due to the latest bout of severe weather, while the AA is warning drivers to exercise extreme caution.

These are the key areas of disruption.

Rail

Network Rail warns: Snow, ice and heavy rain are forecast across large parts of Britain on Thursday and Friday.

The main line between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads is blocked due to heavy rain flooding the railway between Swindon and Chippenham. Great Western Railway says services may be cancelled, delayed or diverted.

In West Yorkshire, a landslip between Shipley and Ilkley has blocked all lines, with disruption expected throughout Thursday and Friday.

Later on Thursday, LNER will curtail the evening trains from London that would normally run to Harrogate, Skipton and Bradford. They will all end their journeys at Leeds, with alternative transport currently being sourced.

The Transport for Wales lines linking Cardiff with Pencoed and Abergavenny with Hereford are flooded, with services delayed.

In Hampshire, a tree blocked the main line connecting Southampton with Portsmouth and Brighton. The obstruction has now been cleared.

Southern, which runs trains along the south coast, warns: High winds and heavy rain are expected across some coastal routes.

Wind speeds are forecast to reach 55mph.

Greater Anglia is experiencing serious problems between Norwich and Ely, which is also affecting East Midlands Railway.

Train operators say weather disruption could continue until late evening on Friday 9 February.

Air

Europes biggest budget airline, Ryanair, is warning of potential disruptions to/from the UK due to snow and ice.

The carrier says: We regret any inconvenience caused to passengers by these weather conditions, which are outside of our control and affect all airlines operating to/from the UK.

At the UKs busiest airport, London Heathrow, the worst disruption so far is being caused by the after-effects of a strike by Lufthansa ground staff. Morning departures to Frankfurt on the German airline are either cancelled or severely delayed.

Strong winds could lead to issues at Heathrow and London Gatwick, which are respectively the busiest two-runway and single-runway airports in the world. If the flow rate of arrivals is reduced because of the weather, delays and cancellations could result.

Road

The AA is warning of snow and ice impacting parts of West Midlands, northern England, Northern Ireland and some areas of Scotland during today and tomorrow.

The organisation says: Roads are likely to be hazardous, so extreme caution is advised. The cold snap is likely to affect vehicle breakdown levels, with faults such as flat batteries and wiper faults.

Ferry

In Scotland, Caledonian MacBrayne warns of disruption or cancellation at short notice due to adverse weather on several key routes, including Ullapool to Stornoway, Gourock to Dunoon and Largs to Cumbrae.

The ferry between Adrossan and the isle of Arran will be sailing from Troon instead.
An Idaho lawmaker wants to expand a law that bans cannibalism over fears about a rise in human composting.

Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, introduced a bill Thursday to expand the states cannibalism ban and told a legislative committee that shes worried about the possibility that people are eating other people.

This is going to be normalized at some point, the way our societys going and the direction were going, Scott said.

Idaho is the only state to outlaw cannibalism, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica. Other states have laws targeting abuse or desecration of a corpse, according to Cornell Law School.

Scotts bill would add to Idahos prohibition of cannibalism a ban on giving someone else the flesh or blood of a human being without that persons knowledge or consent.

Scott said she has been disturbed by the practice of human composting, which has been legalized in several states as another option for dealing with remains that may be more sustainable than other burial methods and reduce a persons carbon footprint. But she said outlawing composting would require overhauling rules for morticians, and so instead focused on deliberately giving another person human flesh.

I didnt want to see that in my Home Depot stores, Scott said.

Human composting is the practice of decomposing human remains like other organic matter and turning it into soil that can be returned to the family or used for land.

Scott said she was on an airplane over the summer and watched a clip from a television show displaying a chef feeding human flesh in sausage to contestants, which inspired her to do something about it. The clip, which she sent to the Idaho Statesman, is from a TruTV prank show, in which they pretend to feed people flesh.

They didnt tell the people, they fed it to them, Scott told the Statesman, though she noted it may have been a spoof.

Scott also sent a link to a video featuring a Chinese official denying that his country had sold canned human flesh to people in Zambia. The canning claim was a hoax, spread with fake photos of butchery, according to news reports from 2016.

Scott additionally pointed to a North Idaho man who pleaded guilty to murder last year and was initially also charged with cannibalism after investigators found postmortem mutilation and a bloodied bowl at the crime scene. The cannibalism charge was later dropped, according to the Spokesman-Review.
Feature: Festive mood fills Hong Kong's Lunar New Year fairs

Xinhua) 09:38, February 08, 2024

HONG KONG, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Lunar New Year fairs is a traditional activity in Hong Kong to welcome the new year. This year, there are a total of 15 fairs across the territory which kicked off on Sunday to sell flowers and festive goods.

The fair in Victoria Park of Hong Kong is the largest one, with flower stalls crowded with people choosing flowers and plants for home decorations to celebrate the Chinese festival. Some of them asked stall owners about the price, some discussed the planting method, and some stopped to take pictures, creating a festive atmosphere.

A Hong Kong resident surnamed Chiu went to the fair with his wife and bought two pots of kumquats. They were bright in color and had a meaning of good luck, Chiu said with a broad smile.

"In fact, flowers are a must-have for Hong Kong people during Chinese New Year," Yip Tak Ping, president of Hong Kong History and Culture Society, said, holding a copy of a Hong Kong newspaper in 1927.

The newspaper had detailed records of the Lunar New Year fairs, including how to get a license and what items to sell, which can prove that in the 1920s, the New Year fairs of a certain scale already existed in Hong Kong, Yip, also a lecturer at the Education University of Hong Kong, told Xinhua.

Yip said that in south China's Guangdong Province, where the climate is warm, people buy flowers, not only to decorate, but also take the beautiful meaning of flowers because in Cantonese, the words "flower" and "getting rich" sound similar.

In the Mong Kok flower market, a retail and wholesale place for flowers in Hong Kong, was also a popular destination for flower shoppers. Mr. Hui, an owner of the orchid store, said that orchids have a long blooming period and has always been hot items in the Lunar New Year fairs.

"This year's orchids are generally beautiful and of good quality, and the number of orders have met our expectations," Hui said.

Besides flowers, there are also Chinese New Year couplets and various decorations with the theme of the Year of the Dragon on sale at the fairs. After five years, the fair at Victoria Park has resumed stalls selling dry, wet goods and fast food, creating a one-stop platform for people to buy New Year's products.

Hong Kong resident Ms. Suen excitedly showed the reporter various kinds of flowers, Chinese New Year couplets and dried fruit preserves she bought in the Victoria Park's fair.

"I planned to spend around 5,000 Hong Kong dollars for New Year shopping," Suen said, wishing everyone a happy Chinese New Year.

This is the first Lunar New Year after the Hong Kong society has returned to normalcy, attracting many Chinese mainland tourists to visit Hong Kong. Ms. Zhao from Northeast China's Jilin Province was one of them.

"In the north, we don't have many chances to visit outdoor flower markets in winter. I'd like to get a taste of celebrating Lunar New Year in Hong Kong," Zhao said.

Since the Lunar New Year fairs have opened, stall owners have been busy restocking, sorting out new goods and packing. Although they did not get much rest, they said it was a blessing to be busy, which made them feel hopeful in the new year.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were injured in a blast in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province on Thursday, police said.

The explosion happened near a vehicle in Kohlu district of the province, said police in the area, adding that a brother of an independent candidate contesting general elections is among the injured people.

Following the blast, police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation in the surroundings to arrest the culprits.

The nature of the explosion has not been officially confirmed yet. An investigation into the incident has been kicked off to determine the nature of the blast, said the police.

No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the blast. 
A federal district court judge granted final approval Thursday to a $1.2 billion settlement between water utilities affected by forever chemicals and DuPont de Nemours, as well as spinoff firms Chemours and Corteva.

Per the terms of the settlement, the three companies will collectively establish a $1.18 billion fund for public water systems that have been contaminated by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, at any level.

Notorious for their ability to persist in the body and in the environment, PFAS have been discharged by the industry for decades and are found in certain types of firefighting foam and a variety of household products.

There are thousands of types of PFAS, many of which had been manufactured by DuPonts legacy parent  E.I. du Pont de Nemours  and two of its spinoffs, Chemours and Corteva.

The settlement in question pertains to multi-district litigation that consolidated thousands of cases against the producers of PFAS-laden, aqueous film forming foam  a material used to fight fuel-based fires at military bases, civilian airports and industrial sites.

Among the plaintiffs in the multi-district litigation  overseen by U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel in South Carolina  are water providers, municipal property owners and individuals with personal injury and medical monitoring cases.

Only the water utilities, however, were included in this first phase of what has grown to become a massive judicial undertaking.

The finalization of a separate, $10.3 billion settlement between the water providers and the company 3M is expected to occur shortly after the DuPont, Chemours and Corteva approval.

The months leading up to Thursdays authorization were not always smooth, with many voices objecting to the initial offers  which included clauses that refuted any admission of liability.

Ultimately, the corporations agreed to remove this contentious indemnity clause. Some dispute remains, however, over the fact that public water systems needed to actively opt out of the settlements, without necessarily knowing the extent of their contamination.

But on Thursday, the co-lead counsels on the executive committee for the plaintiffs  Michael London, Paul Napoli, Joe Rice, Scott Summy and Elizabeth Fegan  expressed their satisfaction with the outcome.

The DuPont final approval order signifies a critical step towards accountability and addressing PFAS-related challenges for water service providers and the communities they serve, the attorneys said in a joint statement.

We look forward to the next steps in the claims process and continued collaboration with the remaining defendants to expedite relief in this matter, they added.

The Hill has reached out to DuPont, Chemours and Corteva for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The U.S.-Mexico border is once again one of the most momentous issues of the election season.

With immigrant crossings at their highest levels in decades, Republicans are running on the issue of a border in crisis  language once considered hard-line thats been increasingly adopted by President Biden himself.

Now, with many voters citing immigration as their top concern heading into November, Congress has wrangled with  and scrapped  a sweeping border policy deal that would have drastically reduced the ability of migrants to claim asylum.

The mounting concerns and clamor for reform that engulfed the Senate for months didnt come out of nowhere: They stem from past legislative rushes that built the current immigration system and the situation at the border.

Election-year decisions

In 1996 and 2006, Congress passed the last significant border and immigration bills to date. Both were hawkish messages to voters in election years, and both have become infamous for their unintended consequences.

The current rise in crossings stems from a self-inflicted injury, according to Denise Gilman, who directs the Immigration Clinic at the University of Texas at Austin.

This is a crisis because weve made it a challenge to process these folks, Gilman said, arguing that decades of punitive border policy had forged a political controversy out of what was once a run-of-the-mill administrative question: how to process people entering the country without a visa.

Starting with the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) in 1996, Gilman said, Congress created a system that created a huge draw of resources  when [it] could have created a system that was much more humane and just and fair.

The story of that past legislation offers insight into how the border went from a fringe issue to a central political concern in just a few years  a shift also marked by the fading away from the mainstream debate of once-standard immigration reform planks such as a path to citizenship.

That legacy also offers a cautionary tale of how any new reforms could impact  and worsen  the already ailing U.S. immigration system for decades to come.

We have seen what happens when Congress moves immigration bills without sufficient input from critical stakeholders, including immigrant communities and those who represent them, said Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who was a member of the House in 1996 and was appointed to the Senate months before approval of the Secure Fence Act of 2006.

I voted against both IIRIRA and the Secure Fence Act because I believed then, as I believe now, that immigrant families most affected by these policies and elected officials that represent these communities must be a part of shaping our immigration laws.

At the time, Latino underrepresentation was the determining factor in excluding those representatives from discussions  the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) didnt have the numbers and clout it has now.

Latino underrepresentation in Congress was a capital-P problem then in a way it isnt now, said Dara Lind, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council.

But the 2023-24 Senate border negotiations excluded CHC members while focusing on border policy with only minimal elements of immigration reform.

How the border got militarized

Back in 1996, the IIRIRAs legislative process was substantially different from this weeks dead-on-arrival Senate deals, but the political incentives to come up with legislation  any legislation  were similar.

When you have a desire to pass a bill on immigration in an election year, you give up a lot of negotiating leverage if youre the incumbent president. And that means that you cant then really stand on principle on a lot of stuff because youre already out there publicly saying you want a deal to get made, Lind said.

The IIRIRA came about from a series of opportunistic moves by federal lawmakers and administrators  moves that helped create a sense of self-reinforcing crisis in many ways analogous to today, experts told The Hill.

In 1993, faced with complaints by El Paso residents annoyed by migrants moving through their Texas city, a local Border Patrol commander launched Operation Blockade  a highly popular move that President Clinton followed with Southern California-based Operation Gatekeeper in 1994.

In the narrow sense of keeping migrants out of San Diego and El Paso, the operations were a success, said Douglas Massey, who studies the sociology of immigration at Princeton University.

But in a broader sense, by militarizing the two biggest border crossings, the federal government diverted the flow of job-seeking migrants into more sparsely populated areas.

And then that creates this new issue of massive numbers of people crossing the border of Arizona, Massey said. When it was 30,000 people per week entering into a metropolis such as San Diego, they were relatively inconspicuous, but that many people crossing in Douglas, Ariz., makes a big impression  and creates the impression that the border crisis is out of control.

More border enforcement had another potent effect that lasts to this day: The more officers deployed to the border, the more migrants they were in a position to find  creating the often-false impression that migrant numbers were increasing.

From immigration reform to border security

Former President Bill Clinton listens while participating in the Clinton Global Initiative, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

In 1996, the Republicans who had taken back control of Congress seized on immigration as a winning political issue. Party members including then-Sen. Alan Simpson (Wyo.) pushed for Congress to create an expedited removal system to quickly get asylum-seekers out of the country  a measure that was softened but ultimately adopted.

The deal was signed by Clinton as part of a package to avoid a government shutdown; he was essentially dared by then-Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) to either shut down the government or shut down the border.

In many ways, the IIRIRA feels like a relic of a lost age of compromise.

There was not the kind of animosity, not the quite the political division, you see there today, said Philip Schrag of Georgetown University, who has written a seminal book on the 1996 law.

For example, Schrag said, there were several Republican senators, at that time, who were interested in moderating these proposals  and they were, in fact, moderated.

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich speaks during the America First Agenda Summit, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on July 26, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images/FILE)

But however collegial the process, the law transformed both the character of American immigration and the framing of how it was discussed.

By militarizing the U.S. border, it cut off what had once been a relatively free flow of single Mexican men seeking seasonal work  and returning home to their families for the winter  into a flow of families, as those same men realized they would not be able to return to the United States if they left their jobs there.

In prior generations, those children would have stayed in Mexico with their mothers and extended families. After 1996, hundreds of thousands came to America with their parents  where they became the group of young noncitizens later known as Dreamers.

Closing the door on refugees

The expedited removal measures in the 1996 law also marked a seminal change in how the United States treated refugees, who in subsequent years and decades would make up an increasing share of migrants, particularly as the Mexican population grew older and wealthier, driving down flows of migrants from that country.

Under the IIRIRAs expedited removal provisions, low-level officials were given the first call on whether to deport people.

For those who made it past that step to claim asylum, it created a several-step process of screenings and enforcement  requiring heightened levels of Border Patrol troops, as well as new steps of screening interviews, credible fear interviews and court hearings.

This was of a piece with the anti-crime, anti-terrorism and anti-immigrant turn in the Clinton administration, Gilman said, and a major focus was means-testing: making sure no one got in free.

This was brutally controversial at the time, and human rights organizations argued that the laws would violate refugee clauses in the 1979 Refugee Act.

A 2003 study from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom argued against expedited removal on the grounds that it would lead the U.S. to kick out people who should have been allowed to stay.

And the new removal apparatus marked a dramatic shift in resources away from processing asylum claims, according to Schrag.

Congress has starved the systems that we have for adjudicating those cases, leading to a backup in cases that itself led to more asylum-seekers spilling across the border, the Georgetown professor said.

But beyond those spending and administrative changes, the 1996 measure marked a profound shift in how Americans thought about the problem  to being less about the status and integration of foreigners in the U.S. and more about the question of whether the border was controlled.

Fencing off terror on the Rio Grande

WASHINGTON  JANUARY 23: U.S. President George W. Bush waves before the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol January 23, 2007 in Washington, DC. In addition to the war in Iraq, Bush was expected to touch on a wide range of topics including energy, education, immigration and health care. (Photo by Larry Downing/POOL)

In 2006, new legislation further bolstered the idea of the border as a zone in need of military control. In the aftermath of 9/11, Republicans pointed to the high numbers of labor migrants crossing the border to raise fears about terrorists coming through  though, as Massey points out, the 9/11 hijackers had all entered the country on tourist visas.

Under President George W. Bush  who, as a candidate, had deep connections to the Texas Hispanic community, and who had pushed for his own moderate immigration package that included a path to citizenship  Congress passed the Secure Fence Act in 2006.

Like the Gingrich legislation the decade before, the 2006 bill  the aftermath of a failed comprehensive immigration push from Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Edward Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.)  was a last-minute election year compromise package that doubled down on the idea of the border as a zone of chaos in need of barriers and well-armed law enforcement.

They passed this act quite hurriedly in October of 2006, right on the cusp of the elections, Doris Meissner, who ran the Immigration and Naturalization Service under Clinton, told The Hill last year.

I think it was a political fallback at the time, and frankly, it hasnt been taken very seriously ever since, added Meissner, who now heads the U.S. Immigration Policy Program at the Migration Policy Institute.

That bill reimagined the border for the first time as a problem  something that had to be controlled.

And it defined the ideal goal of successful operational control of the nearly 2,000-mile, sparsely populated, difficult terrain in far more ambitious terms than ever before.

Such control, the 2006 statute clarified, was only accomplished when the Border Patrol was able to keep anyone from crossing through.

The failure of reform

The 2006 bill wasnt intended to be the last word on immigration policy. Congress tried in 2007 and again in 2013 to pass legislation that combined the stick of border militarization with the carrot of reforms to the legal immigration system, as well as a path to citizenship for the large populations of undocumented immigrants living in the shadows.

But despite backing from Bush, the 2007 bill failed in the Senate amid opposition from Republican hard-liners.

The message is crystal-clear. The American people want us to start with enforcement at the border and at the workplace and dont want promises, then-Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) told The New York Times at the time.

Former Speaker of the House John Boehner. (Greg Nash)

And though the 2013 bill backed by President Obama cleared the Senate 68-32, then-Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) refused to take it up amid shifting political winds. Instead, foreshadowing the dynamics in todays House, Boehner said the lower chamber would produce its own bill, which never materialized.

That failed 2013 effort proved to be the last meaningful chance to address immigration before the character of migrant flows changed dominated less and less by job-seeking Mexicans, whose numbers had plummeted long before Donald Trump announced his 2016 candidacy, and more by whole families seeking refuge from violence, economic collapse and the impacts of global heating back home, Massey told The Hill.

Immigration reform has also become a bigger challenge institutionally for Congress, which over the past three decades has lost most members and staffers with experience legislating the successful 1996 and 2006 reforms.

That institutional knowledge is not around in 2024, Lind said, making negotiations and their aftermath more about politics than policy.

You have a politically charged issue where people dont necessarily understand the details on their own enough to form an informed opinion and ask for things because of their understanding of the issues, she said.

Which means theyre all going to have to default to Well, which is the bigger political liability for us: supporting this bill or opposing it?'

Unlike in 1996 and 2006, even election-year pressure wasnt enough to get the Senates bipartisan deal over the finish line in 2024, showcasing how much divisions on the issue have grown.

The reduction of the immigration debate to raw politics comes at a time of mass global migration.

Amid the greatest migration of refugees since the end of World War II, Congress has left border agencies few tools to efficiently process people.

This was a stark contrast to the 1970s, when the U.S. processed 1.3 million refugees from U.S.-instigated wars in Southeast Asia.

There, we felt we had the moral obligation to process the visa, and if you look at these populations now, theyre all pretty well integrated  no problem, Massey said.

But despite the significant role U.S. policy played in creating the violent conditions that new waves of Central American refugees sought to escape, by the time they began showing up, we no longer had that conscience, he said.

Doubling down on enforcement

Looking back, Gilman argued that the U.S. would have been better with a looser system that accepted that sure, youll miss a few cases, but its for the best to let some people in who shouldnt be here  rather than setting up entire system to avoid fraud, because the resources to fight fraud could have let you process people more quickly, and avoid problems with the backlog.

And Massey added that this underfunding of the asylum system also led to the acceleration of the feedback loop in which administrative delays drive asylum-seekers across the border  creating media-friendly spectacles of mass crossings, which push policymakers to rush more border guards to the border.

This in turn drives up the number of encounters  a function of the fact that there are more police to count them  and further diverts money away from processing that backlog, he said.

The Senates latest, doomed-to-fail bill, which focused almost exclusively on enforcement and drastically reduced the ability of migrants to claim asylum  doubled down on this old pattern, Menendez said.

The senator pointed back to what he portrayed as the long arc of U.S. policy that had left the immigration system in chaos decades after these laws were enacted.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A suite of water pollutants known as forever chemicals could get cleaned up sooner in New Mexico after the federal government sought to provide state authority and reclassify the substances in response to a petition from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used in myriad industrial and commercial products, are known to break down slowly when released in the environment and cause health problems in people and animals after long-term exposure.

In New Mexico, PFAS were found in groundwater supplies around Cannon and Holloman Air Force bases, likely tied to the use of firefighting foam at those facilities, according to a report from the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED).

More: Oil and gas fighting back as feds, New Mexico increase industry pollution oversight

NMED said the releases impacted local dairies, forcing owners to euthanize cows that were contaminated.

That led to legal action between NMED and the Department of Defense which recently challenged the State of New Mexicos authority to require PFAS be cleaned up under federal law.

The federal government in January 2019 filed a complaint in opposition to language in a state permit for Cannon Air Force Base that included demands the DOD clean up the PFAS contamination as hazardous waste.

More: Ellipsis U.S. Onshore grows Permian Basin oil and gas assets, industry addresses pollution

NMED filed a lawsuit in March 2019 against the DOD, arguing the agency had a duty to remediate PFAS contamination originating from the base.

And in the Environmental Protection Agencys Feb. 1 proposal to reclassify PFAS as federal hazardous waste, NMED Cabinet Secretary James Kenney said the State could gain better authority in requiring their clean up.

He said the current law does not clearly specify state and EPA authority to require the pollution be addressed.

More: Too far or not far enough? Industry, environmentalist unite to opposed oil and gas reforms

Heres what today means: New Mexico just clarified the national regulatory landscape for forever chemicals, one of the most important environmental issues of our time, Kenney said in a statement upon the EPAs announcement. Communities will benefit from these rules which require polluters to clean-up and dispose of toxic PFAS.

New Mexico Environment Secretary James Kenney said surveillance testing used by supermarkets is a proactive approach to fighting COVID-19 in New Mexico.

The two proposals would first federally clarify hazardous waste as contamination from permitted hazardous waste facilities, and then add PFAS to the list of such hazardous compounds.

That means facilities would be evaluated for potential PFAS contamination, meaning further investigations and remediation could be required by state and federal agencies.

More: Lawmakers look to send more state funds to clean up New Mexico's abandoned oil wells

Agencies could also take corrective actions for PFAS contamination under the proposal, including the treatment, storage or disposal of wastes containing PFAS.

Managing PFAS contamination under hazardous waste laws is the only sensible way to protect human health and the environment, said Scott Faber, vice president of government affairs at Environmental Working Group, a non-government organization that address chemical contamination and other environmental issues.

We applaud the EPA for taking this important step and commend New Mexico for bringing these safeguards to states across the nation.

More: Permian Basin operators face stricter regulations following New Mexico court ruling

Lujan Grisham said the EPAs proposal would help New Mexico reduce pollution and ensure polluters take responsibility for their impacts on the health of the state.

In her 2021 petition for stronger PFAS rules, Lujan Grisham wrote that the chemicals presented imminent and substantial danger to people and the environment, and federal law lacked language to prevent such impacts.

States like New Mexico are on the front lines of protecting communities from forever chemicals, and stronger federal regulations are essential in addressing such contamination, Lujan Grisham said in a statement.

More: Oil and gas supported by NM, federal subsidies in Permian Basin

EPAs proposed rules are a direct result of New Mexicos leadership in holding polluters accountable by treating PFAS like the toxic waste they are.

In May 2023, New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez filed a lawsuit against PFAS manufacturers 3M and DuPont, arguing the companies were responsible for contaminating New Mexicos water supplies.

The complaint alleged the companies knowingly marketed and advertised products containing PFAS known to harm people and the environment, while concealing the potential side effects.

More: Northern New Mexico Democrats propose fee increase, penalties on oil and gas companies

Torrez called on a court to require companies pay all costs tied to the cleanup of contamination.

I will not permit our air and water to be polluted or public health to be jeopardized by corporations who care more about quarterly profits than the well-being of our communities, Torrez said when the suit was filed.

This lawsuit will change the way large companies do business in our statethey need to know that we are watching and will fight to protect New Mexicans and our natural resources.

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: EPA proposes rules for 'forever chemicals' to aid New Mexico clean up
A Tennessee man who allegedly said he wanted to kill migrants at the border was arrested by the FBI on Monday, according to a federal criminal complaint.

The man schemed to bring explosives and sniper rifles down south to defend against a purported migrant invasion, telling undercover federal agents that patriots are going to rise up and he was going to stir up the hornets nest, federal prosecutors wrote.

Paul Faye, 55, was charged with a single count of possession of an unregistered firearm after attempting to sell an agent an illegal suppressor, according to the complaint, first reported on Tuesday by Seamus Hughes of Court Watch.

Faye first came up on the FBIs radar more than a year ago, after the indictment of Brian Perry, a Tennessee militia member. The two men had extensive contact before Perrys arrest, with Faye expressing his desire to commit acts of violence at the southern border. Faye allegedly worked on his plan for more than 18 months and, last December, told undercover agents that he hoped to coordinate with militia groups from Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee to bring explosive devices down to the border.

Faye reported that one of his roles within the group traveling to the border was to serve as a sniper and that his talent was sending rounds down range, the complaint said.

Faye also said he hoped to kick the hornets nest with his assault and incite the right kind of news coverage, according to the complaint.

The FBIs undercover employees first made contact with Faye over TikTok early last year. In April, he met up with three agents for the first time andafter confirming they were not law enforcementlaunched into discussing his belief that the government was training to take on its citizens, and more specifically, that the federal government was allowing illegal immigrants to enter the United States to help the government, according to the complaint.

The patriots are going to rise up because we are being invaded, Faye said during a recorded phone call in May. We are being invaded.

On Jan. 11, Faye allegedly sold the unregistered suppressor to an undercover agent for $100. That same day, two agents met with Faye at his home, where he showed off his so-called war room, which was filled with ammo, a bulletproof vest, radios, and firearms including multiple AR-15s and a Creedmoor rifle.

Faye is set to make his first appearance in federal court on Monday. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years behind bars if convicted.

His son, Joseph Faye, told NBC News on Wednesday that his father was full of hot air.

They think my dad is a terrorist, Joseph said. Hes not a terrorist. He talks a big game, but its all lies.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The first female space commander will be featured in a new documentary.

The story of retired NASA astronaut Eileen Collins will be retold in "Spacewoman," a documentary coming in 2025 based on Collins' memoir "Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars" (Arcade, 2021) co-written with space historian Jonathan Ward.

Collins, who flew four times in space, served as pilot on two space shuttle missions (STS-63 and STS-84 in February 1995 and May 1997, respectively) and commander of crew on another two spaceflights (STS-93 in July 1999, and STS-114 in July to August 2005).

The memoir, and the movie, recounts how Collins came from an "underprivileged childhood" in Elmira, New York to join the U.S. Air Force, acquiring experience in matters such as test piloting and commanding the C-141 aircraft before being selected as a NASA astronaut candidate in 1990. (Collins retired from NASA in 2006.)

Related: International Women's Day: Female astronauts keep making strides off Earth

The 90-minute documentary will be directed by Hannah Berryman ("Banned! The Mary Whitehouse Story"), and produced by Keith Haviland, Haviland Digital, and Natasha Dack Ojumu on behalf of Tigerlily Productions.

The Emmy-nominated Haviland in particular has produced numerous space documentaries, such as "Chasing the Moon" (2019), "Armstrong" (2019), "Indian Space Dreams" (2019), "Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo" (2017) and "The Last Man on the Moon" (2014).

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The first female and Black astronauts were only recruited in 1978 for NASA, 17 years after the first NASA space mission by Alan Shepard in 1961. Sally Ride then made the first NASA woman spaceflight in 1983. Part of the diversity issue in recruitment came because the military used to be largely made up of white men, and NASA largely drew from the military branches, but that was changing in the decade or so since Collins joined NASA.

Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman in space during a solo mission in 1963. The milestone mission, however, did not give Tereshkova command over a crew or piloting control of her Vostok spacecraft.

Collins' memoir pays tribute to women who tried to reach space in the generation before her, including the iconic Mercury 13 pilots who participated in space training but were not authorized for missions. Collins invited the seven surviving members of that group to her 2005 launch, she recounted in the book. (Of the Mercury 13, Wally Funk finally reached space in 2021 at age 82, on a private Blue Origin mission.)

"I am enormously excited to be involved with this film project," Collins said in a statement. "It is more than my personal journey through life's challenges. It also includes the thrill of flying jets, my determination to be an astronaut, commanding the space shuttle, and the many relationships I built along the way."
The Finnish government on Feb. 8 ruled to keep the border with Russia shut until April 14, according to the official press release.

Finland fully closed its border with Russia in late November 2023 to prevent an influx of migrants from entering the country via Russia. In November alone, around 900 asylum seekers from countries like Kenya, Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia, and Yemen entered Finland from Russia.

It will also not be possible to submit applications for international protection at any border with Russia.

"We have seen no signs that Russia is changing its behavior. On the contrary, the information we have received confirms our assessment that Russia is continuing its hybrid operation," Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said.

"Understandably, the continued total closure of the eastern border is distressing, especially for people with family on the Russian side. However, the temporary closure of border crossing points is the result of Russia's actions, which require Finland to put national security first."

Russia uses migration as a way to pressure Finland and other eastern EU countries.

According to the statement, the government is currently preparing measures against any illegal infiltration from Russia.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Finnish government has adopted a decision to keep checkpoints on the ground border between Finland and Russia closed until 14 April 2024 due to Russias use of migrants in its "hybrid operation".

Source: European Pravda with reference to Yle

Quote from Mari Rantanen, Minister of Internal Affairs of Finland: "The information weve obtained confirms that Russia continues its hybrid operation. There are reasons to believe that this will be a long-term situation. At least a hundred or, maybe, a thousand migrants are near the Russian border waiting for the opportunity to continue their path to Finland."

Details: The adopted decision extends the period of full closure of the eastern Finnish border for two months. The Finnish Internal Ministry explained that further closure of the border is necessary and proportional in the current situations.

The ministry thinks that this is a serious threat to the national security and civil order caused by instrumentalized immigration.

Taking into account the information from different officials, migrants will most likely continue arriving from Russia if checkpoints are open on the eastern border.

The ministry assesses that the number of migrants arriving through the eastern border would vary from 10,000 to 20,000 asylum seekers a year if there were no limitations.

Helsinki stressed that the Russian side reacted to the proposals of border guard services to hold negotiations and regulate the situation quite calmly.

Background:

Last weekend, Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland, said that the eastern Finnish border with Russia would remain closed since border security of the country is a top priority.

The Finnish-Ukrainian border was first closed in November 2023.

In January, several dozen people who then sought asylum in Finland crossed the border through rugged terrain.

None of the migrant asylum seekers who entered Finland through the border with Russia has yet received a positive decision.

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By Anne Kauranen

HELSINKI (Reuters) - Whichever of the two remaining candidates wins Finland's presidential election on Sunday, the country's new head of foreign and security policy will be a pro-European cosmopolitan and strong supporter of Ukraine.

He will take on the role from incumbent Sauli Niinisto, who is retiring, in a new era for the country within NATO after it broke with decades of non-alignment to join the Western defence alliance in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Finland's president works in close cooperation with the government and represents the country at NATO meetings, while also acting as a Commander-in-Chief of Finnish Defence Forces.

Former prime minister Alexander Stubb, of the National Coalition Party, narrowly won the first round of voting on Jan. 28, and leads former foreign minister, centre-left liberal Pekka Haavisto, by 6-8 percentage points in the polls.

"Both are characteristically urban candidates and they both have a strong international profile," the head of Finland's Centre for Parliamentary Studies Markku Jokisipila said.

Jokisipila said centre-right Stubb is the clear frontrunner, based on current poll support that shows around one third of the electorate back leftist and green political parties while the rest are more or less conservatively oriented.

If Haavisto, running for president for a third time, achieves a surprise win, he would become Finland's first openly gay president. His sexual orientation remains a factor for voters, however, with recent polls showing one in three saw the fact that he has a male partner as a reason not to back him.

DEEPER NATO COOPERATION

During the campaign, Stubb has steered away from his earlier EU federalism to appeal to a broader audience, while remaining "internationally oriented" and in favour of deep NATO cooperation, University of Helsinki political scientist Johanna Vuorelma said.

While Green Party member Haavisto said he would stick to Finland's current legislation which unambiguously prohibits nuclear weapons on Finnish territory, Stubb would allow their transportation but not storage in Finland.

"Stubb stands ready to go deeper into all the cores of NATO," the Centre for Parliamentary Studies' Jokisipila said.

He pointed out that Stubb also supports the idea of having permanent NATO troops positioned in the country, unlike Haavisto, who has said he sees no need.

The question of the limits of Finland's NATO role has been in the spotlight after the country signed a defence cooperation agreement with the U.S. in December, giving the U.S. military unimpeded access to 15 facilities and areas in Finland, where it can also store military equipment and ammunition.

Finland shares a 1,340-km (830-mile) border with Russia, which objected to the defence pact. Moscow called it "an obvious threat to us" and said it would not "leave unanswered the buildup of NATO military potential on our border".

Supporters of nationalist Finns Party candidate Jussi Halla-aho, eliminated in the first round after receiving 19% of the vote, may be alienated by both remaining candidates' international orientation, Vuorelma said.

"It could mean that many Finns Party supporters will refrain from voting, partially in protest and some because both candidates are so similar that the outcome doesn't really matter to them," she said.

(Reporting by Anne Kauranen in Helsinki, Editing by Kylie MacLellan)
A fire reportedly broke out at a gas pipeline near the village of Kuyeda in Perm Krai, Russia, injuring six people, Russian state-controlled media reported on Feb. 8.

Perm Krai Governor Dmitry Makhonin said that several houses were on fire in Kueda and six people were reportedly injured.

Local sources say the fire started following an explosion at a gas pipeline, after which three tanks on a freight train caught fire before spreading to three residential buildings.

Russian Telegram channel Mash reported that five people have been hospitalized with burns, and one teenager was treated for smoke inhalation.

The official Telegram channel of Russian Railways stated that information about a freight train fire in the area of Kuyeda "is not true" and "the incident does not relate to the railway infrastructure and does not affect the movement of trains."

Earlier this year, Russian media outlets reported a fire at an oil depot in the town of Tuapse in Russia's southern Krasnodar Krai.

Explosions and fires in several Russian regions were reported on Jan. 21 in a possible coordinated Ukrainian strike. Several days later, a fire broke out at a Novatek gas plant near St. Petersburg after an alleged drone attack, causing the plant to halt operations.

Perm Krai lies around 1,800 kilometers northeast of Ukrainian-held territory and there's no information on Ukrainian involvement in the incident.

Read also: Russian Novatek gas plant halts operations after suspected Ukrainian drone attack

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DHAKA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh's National Board of Revenue (NBR) on Thursday withdrew customs tariff and slashed regulatory duty on rice, sugar and dates, and lifted value-added tax (VAT) on edible oil with immediate effect.

In a notification, NBR withdrew a 25 percent customs duty for rice import, and lifted VAT on edible oil. It reduced the specific duty for import of raw sugar to 1,000 taka per tonne from 1,500 taka earlier.

Also, the revenue board slashed import duty for dates to 15 percent from 25 percent in an effort to keep prices affordable during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, which is to begin here on or around March 11. (1 U.S. dollar equals to about 110 taka). 
More than 230 men were looking for a place to stay Wednesday night after a fire broke at an Orlando homeless shelter.

The fire broke out around 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Coalition for the Homeless mens shelter on West Central Boulevard.

Firefighter arrived and were able to evacuate everyone inside.

Unfortunately, due to the damage inside the building is currently unlivable.

The Coalition and its nonprofit partners said the men who were displaced will be able stay at the Orlando Union Rescue Mission, The Salvation Army Orlando and All Saints Church on Wednesday night.

Read: Police: City employee involved in mentor program, accused of inappropriate relationship with child

Officials said the displacement is likely to last a minimum of three days  and possibly much longer, depending on the extent of damage.

We are incredibly fortunate that no one was injured, said Allison Krall, the coalitions president and CEO. And we know that when a crisis happens, our Central Florida community comes together. Everyone is stepping up to help, but there is still a big need.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation; however, the Coalition said it was not a result of arson.

Read: NHC to issue new experimental tropical forecast cone next hurricane season; read what that means

The Coalition is seeking financial donation as well as nonperishable food and bag lunches of sandwiches, chips, fruit and beverages to feed both the displaced men and the coalitions neighboring Center for Women and Families  whose 200-plus residents normally rely on meals cooked in a kitchen located within the damaged building.

They are also asking for items like pillows, blankets, jackets, socks and other warm clothing for the men.

If you would like to donate, CLICK HERE.

Supplies and food can be delivered to the gate at the coalition, 18 North Terry Ave. in Orlando during normal business hours.

The Coalition is likely to remain closed for at least one week as it repairs fire, smoke and water damage.

That means 81 men will return to the rescue mission Thursday night, and more than 100 men will spend the next several days at the Shiloh Baptist Church, which has agreed to open its doors.

Read: Power outage leads to 2 school closures in Brevard County

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
A firefighter was injured after battling a fire in Jamaica Plain on Thursday morning.

Around 10:15 a.m. firefighters were called to the scene of 3557 Washington Street in Jamaica Plain. Upon arrival, fire showed on the 2nd floor of the mixed occupancy building, Boston Fire said.

Fire crews were able to quickly knock down the fire and stop it from spreading throughout the building.

1 firefighter was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

3 apartments and a business were damaged by the fire and the community worked together to house the displaced said District Chief Guy Cammarata.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Acting District Chief Guy Cammarata briefs the media on the fire on Washington st. 1 Firefighter was transported by @BOSTON_EMS with a minor injury. 3 apartments & a business were damaged by the fire, the community working together to house the displaced. pic.twitter.com/ASJsVndjdL  Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) February 8, 2024

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

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First Lady Dr. Jill Biden was in Atlanta Wednesday talking about womens health and why, she says, the Biden administration launched a new womens health initiative.

Channel 2s Richard Elliot was in the motorcade as Biden attended two womens health events. Womens health, and particularly reproductive rights, are a big part of her husbands campaign.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and Clayton County Commissioner Jeff Turner greeted Biden as she got off the plane at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

From there, the motorcade went to the Georgia Aquarium for the Morehouse School of Medicines 15th Annual Womens Heart Healthy luncheon.

Then she talked to the crowd, also dressed in the traditional red, about the problems many women face with heart disease.

Because women are more likely than men to die after a heart attack, and Black women are more like to die from heart disease than women of any other race, Biden said.

TRENDING STORIES:

Biden talked about the recent White House Womens Health Initiative and about the value of public-private partnerships in developing new innovations in womens health.

Im here today because I heard about the amazing work thats happening here in Atlanta, Biden said.

From the aquarium, the First Lady traveled over to Georgia Tech for a roundtable discussion of womens health.

That subject, especially reproductive rights, is a huge issue for President Joe Bidens reelection campaign.

Vice President Kamala Harris was in Savannah on Tuesday talking about abortion and womens health as Georgia remains a key state for Democrats.

Atlanta has been doing this for decades, helping push progress forward in womens health. I know this city will remain on the forefront of this work, Biden said.

Biden will tour other southern states later this week.

In a statement, Georgia GOP Chair Josh McKoon said:

Another week. Another out-of-state Democrat comes to try to get the Biden campaign out of the ditch. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result.

No number of visits can mask what runaway inflation is costing hard-working Georgians. No flowery speeches can hide the foreign policy blunders that are costing the lives of Georgians serving in our armed services.

Georgia Republicans are looking forward to the trip the Bidens will be taking to Delaware for good in January of 2025.

IN OTHER NEWS:
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  The famed Whaling Bar is set to have its grand homecoming to the La Valencia Hotel later this month, ushering in a new era for a quintessential piece of La Jolla history.

The nautical-themed, dark-leathered lounge was an fixture of Prospect Street since 1949  about 20 years after the La Valencia, also known as San Diegos Pink Lady, opened its doors.

Over the decades, it became known as a hotbed for stars and influential San Diegans, regularly welcoming everyone from Dr. Seuss himself, Theodore Geisel, and local philanthropist Joan Kroc, to household names like Robin Williams and Tom Hanks.

Recently opened restaurants in the San Diego area

That all changed when new ownership took over the La Valencia in 2013, closing the then-aging lounge in favor of a European-style bistro during a major renovation of the property  a move that was not very well received by the La Jolla community.

Now, over 10 years later, an entirely new version of the Whaling Bar will make its debut on Feb. 16, reviving the Pink Ladys sultry hideaway for the next generation.

The SDCM Restaurant Group, known for other San Diego hotspots like Little Italys Kettner Exchange and joint speakeasies Grass Skirt and Captains Quarters, is at the helm of the $1.5 million renovation.

(Theres) a lot of pressure with that, SDCM owner Matt Spencer told FOX 5. Reopening, it almost feels like bringing someones very loving grandmother back to life  just all the eyeballs that you would have on you doing that.

When it is finished, however, Spencer explained their iteration of the Whaling Bar wont look exactly like it did during its heyday.

If you tried to bring back the actual Whaling Bar stitch for stitch, button for button, it just would be kind of a fools errand, Spencer said. So, we really went down a completely different design road.

We went to sort of recreate the vibe of the old Whaling Bar, but (to) have a new design that we hope will endure for another 10, 20, 30 years, he added.

Instead of bringing back the characteristics like its dark wood and burnt sienna walls, Spencer says their version of the Whaling Bar will weave together the intimate and moody ambiance of the 1940s cocktail lounge with an updated Moroccan-style interior by Schoos Design.

Although, there will be touches that harken back to its predecessor, including the reinstallation of the original spaces centerpiece: a 20-foot long mural, Whales Last Stand, by Wing Howard  an endeavor Spencer likened to an Indiana Jones quest.

A design rendering of The Whaling Bar in the La Valencia Hotel, which is set to return later this month, including the placement of Wing Howards Whales Last Stand. (Courtesy of Schoos Design)

A design rendering of The Whaling Bar in the La Valencia Hotel, which is set to return later this month. (Courtesy of Schoos Design)

The food and drink menu has also been crafted with nods to the original space. Cocktails like The Whaler, a favorite among the bars regulars featuring cognac, coffee liqueur and ice cream, will return, as well as a wide variety of its old-school martinis.

Four San Diego restaurants make Yelps top 100 romantic restaurants for Valentines Day

Versions of the Whaling Bars popular dishes will also be scattered throughout the food menu concocted by SDCMs head chef Brian Rezikowski, such as a version of the old-school liver and onions and an updated Twinkie-style steak tartare.

We have really kind of reached into the past as much as we can to try to see what we can do to really show respect to that, Spencer said. I think thats a big part of the history and probably the future of this place.

The Grand Reopening of the Whaling Bar at the La Valencia is set for Feb. 16. Those who would like to visit the new lounge can make already make a reservation on the hotels website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
STOCKHOLM, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Swedish government is considering participating in two naval operations in the Red Sea, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billstrom said Thursday.

Sweden plans to join the U.S.-initiated Operation Prosperity Guardian and the EU-led Operation Aspides, Billstrom told Swedish Television after a meeting with the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Defense.

Emphasizing that the operations Sweden wants to partake in are defensive and "not about attacking any ground targets," Billstrom said the main task is to protect commercial ships from the Houthi militia attacks.

The Houthis have launched over 40 attacks since the breakout of the Israel-Hamas conflict last year. They said that they only attacked those Israel-linked or Israel-bound ships to show solidarity with the Palestinians and to press Israel to stop its military actions in Gaza.

Major shipping companies like Maersk, MSC, and CMA CGM have switched to the longer Cape of Good Hope route, slashing daily transits through the Suez Canal by 39 percent and cargo tonnage by 45 percent, UN Conference on Trade and Development data have shown.

Additionally, some car manufacturers have halted production in Europe temporarily due to component shortages caused by the Red Sea crisis. 
A former Massachusetts attorney was sentenced to two years in prison for attempting to bribe a local Police Chief to obtain approval for his clients recreational marijuana business, Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy announced.

Sean ODonovan, 56, of Somerville, was convicted in October 2023 by a federal jury on two counts of honest services wire fraud and one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds.

ODonovan sought to corrupt the City of Medfords political process for selecting retail marijuana companies by attempting to influence the Medford Police Chief in connection with ODonovans clients recreational marijuana business, Levy said. At the time, the Chief was serving on a committee to rank such applications on behalf of the Mayor, who would ultimately select three applicants to open retail marijuana stores in Medford.

According to prosecutors, ODonovan approached the Chiefs relative and offered to pay as much as $50,000 in tax-free cash in exchange for the Chiefs official support for his clients application to sell recreational marijuana in Medford.

ODonovan was slated to receive a stream of income of at least $100,000 annually from his clients marijuana business if its Medford application was successful, Levy said.

After the relative informed the Chief of ODonovans corrupt offer, the Chief immediately alerted federal authorities.

Both the Chief and his relative cooperated with the investigation.

Attorney Sean ODonovan thought he was beyond the reach of the law when he orchestrated a back-door deal, funded by bribes, to line his own pockets. In doing so, he betrayed his client, and all hard-working businesses trying to play by the rules, said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division.

ODonovan will spend two years in prison followed by three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a fine of $150,000.

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

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A former Massachusetts State Police trooper who was allegedly part of a scheme to take bribes for giving passing scores on commercial driving tests pleaded not guilty in federal court Wednesday to a range of charges, his lawyer said.

Two current and two former troopers are accused of falsifying records and giving preferential treatment to at least 17 drivers from May 2019 to January 2023 who were taking their commercial drivers license or CDL test. One of the four, Calvin Butner, 63, of Halifax, Massachusetts, plead not guilty Wednesday to a range of charges, including extortion and falsifying records.

Calvin Butner was a valued member of the State Police for 40 years. We look forward to defending the charges in court, his lawyer William Connolly said in a statement.

Sgt. Gary Cederquist, 58, of Stoughton, and Trooper Joel Rogers, 54, of Bridgewater, were arrested last week. Butner and Perry Mendes, 63, of Wareham, both retired state troopers, were arrested last week in Florida. All four face more than 70 counts on a range of charges, including conspiracy to falsify records, extortion and making false statements.

Golden handshakes: MSP troopers passed failed CDL applicants in exchange for kickbacks, feds say

Two others, Eric Mathison, 47, of Boston and Scott Camara, 42, of Rehoboth, were also implicated in the scheme. Cederquist is alleged to have conspired with Mathison, who worked for a spring water company that employed drivers needing commercial licenses, to give them passing scores; and with Camera, who worked for a truck driving school in Brockton, to help four state troopers get their commercial licenses.

Both Cederquist and Rogers have been dishonorably discharged from the Massachusetts State Police.

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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KSNF/KODE  A former Mount Vernon police officer will not go to prison in an attempted rape case.

Earlier today, 35-year-old Allen Campbell entered an Alford plea for second-degree harassment and was sentenced to unsupervised probation.

Campbell was originally charged with attempted rape, kidnapping, harassment, and stalking.

All the other charges against him were dropped.

The charges stem from an incident back in November when Campbells ex-girlfriend said he was drunk and after an argument, he tried to rape her.

FOUR STATES CRIME

She told police she was able to get away, but Campbell continued to harass her out in public, making her feel unsafe.

If Campbell stays out of trouble for two years, the conviction will no longer appear on his record.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
The former director of the Chatham Housing Authority was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison Wednesday for a bid-rigging scheme that awarded contracts to friends and relatives and paid out over $200,000 for jobs that in some cases were never done.

Joanna Johnson Davis, 65, of Durham, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud that victimized the Chatham County Housing Authority, U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston of the Middle District of North Carolina announced.

Davis was ordered to pay $194,136 in restitution and will be placed under supervised release for two years after she gets out of prison, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release.

Davis had initially pleaded not guilty after she and three others were arrested in March 2023 by U.S. Marshals in Greensboro and taken into federal custody. The prosecution has evidence that stretched 8,000-plus pages not including voluminous bank record data and Excel files, The News & Observer reported last year.

How prosecutors say the scheme worked

The federally funded housing authority receives money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities find and afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing, according to the release.

Davis and others engaged in a bid-rigging, no-work jobs conspiracy between 2016 and 2020 while she led the Chatham County Housing Authority, the release stated.

Prosecutors said between 2016 and 2020 Davis steered contracts to 13 friends and relatives by creating false bids to compete with them. She and co-conspirators used stolen identities and company letterhead of actual people and businesses to make the fake bids look real, according to the release.

Davis would then select the bid proposal submitted by her friend or family member as the winner and award the CCHA contract to that individual, knowing there had been no assessment of reasonable cost, and regardless of whether that friend or family member was qualified to perform the contracted work, the release stated.

Often, no work at all was performed under these contracts, and Davis received kickbacks from those receiving the contracts., it stated.

NC Reality Check is an N&O series holding those in power accountable and shining a light on public issues that affect the Triangle or North Carolina. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email realitycheck@newsobserver.com
BAGHDAD, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi government said Thursday that the U.S. drone strike in eastern Baghdad Wednesday evening pushed the Iraqi government more than ever to end the mission of the U.S.-led coalition forces.

The drone bombarded a sport utility vehicle of paramilitary Hashd Shaabi Forces in the al-Mashtal neighborhood, killing at least three people, including Abu Baqir al-Saadi, a commander of Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed armed group in Iraq that has links to Hashd Shaabi Forces.

Yahya Rasoul, the military spokesman of the Iraqi prime minister, said in a statement that the U.S. forces once again committed a reckless assassination in the middle of a residential neighborhood in Baghdad.

"This path pushes the Iraqi government, more than ever before, to end the mission of the international coalition, which has become a factor of instability for Iraq," Rasoul said.

The U.S. Central Command said in a post on the social media platform X Thursday that the killed commander is "responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on U.S. forces in the region."

Meanwhile, Spokesman of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command Tahsin al-Khafaji said in a separate statement that the U.S. drone attack "undermines all agreements between Iraq and the United States."

"We hold the American side and the coalition forces responsible for the repercussions of these dangerous actions that threaten the security and safety of the country and clearly undermine all ongoing talks that take place between Iraq and the U.S.-led coalition," al-Khafaji said.

Iraq and the United States began the first round of dialogue on Jan. 27 to discuss ending the U.S.-led coalition's mission in Iraq. However, later in the day, three U.S. soldiers were killed in an attack on a U.S. base near Jordan's border with Syria, which the United States said was carried out by an Iranian-backed armed group named Islamic Resistance in Iraq. 
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. (WBTW)  A former University of North Carolina at Pembroke student has died following a shooting near the campus Wednesday afternoon, according to the university.

The university confirmed that 19-year-old Khalil Alford was the former student who died in the shooting.

At about 4:43 p.m., UNCP campus police responded to a shots fired incident at Courtyard Apartments near the university. Upon arrival, campus police did not encounter any shooters but did locate shell casings on the ground, the university said.

Shortly after, Robeson County deputies responded to a second incident off campus where they encountered a person in need of medical care who later died from their injuries.

The Robeson County Sheriffs office has not released the identity of the individual; however, the university confirmed that the deceased was a former UNCP student.

UNCP police, Robeson County Sheriffs Office and the State Bureau of Investigation are actively investigating the connection between the two incidents, the university said.

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.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A Fort Bliss soldier who is being accused of killing a 19-year-old woman in Juarez last year, has waived his right to extradition and will be sent to Mexico to face murder charges, according to court records obtained by KTSM.

According to court records, a federal judge signed off on the waiver of extradition and Saul Luna Villa, 23, will be facing murder charges that allegedly took place in Ciudad Juarez.

The extradition is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday Feb. 21 at the Paso Del Norte Bridge, according to court records.

As we have previously reported, Luna Villa is facing a charge of aggravated femicide after Aylin Valenzuela was found dead at the intersection of Paseo del Norte and Agustin Barbachano in the Anahuac neighborhood in Ciudad Juarez, according to court documents.

Fort Bliss soldier accused of killing woman in Juarez

Court records state Luna Villa and Valenzuela were in a four year relationship and Luna Villa was very jealous and possesive, and the couple argued very often.

Autopsy results revealed that Aylin Valenzuela was stabbed five times and shot five times.

Court records also state Luna Villa has been stationed at Fort Bliss for two years and has multiple domestic violence reports.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
ST. LOUIS  Frontier Airlines will launch new nonstop flights from St. Louis to Philadelphia later this year.

The new service from St. Louis Lambert International Airport to Philadelphia International Airport begins May 22. It will run four times a week, with intro fares available for as low as $19.

Sports team organizers charged with stealing from youth players

These new routes span much of the country and represent our continued commitment to growth from [Philadelphia], said Barry Biffle, CEO, Frontier Airlines via a news release. In fact, [Philadelphia] will see the second largest increase in daily departures on Frontier this summer among our major operational bases.

Frontier also announced new nonstop flights from St. Louis to Phoenix earlier this year, which begin in April.

The discount airline chain is also planning to bring back an all-you-can-fly pass, which would be valid for travel on any Frontier flights beginning on May 1.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Russias Federal Security Service, the FSB, is running a disinformation campaign in Africa, spreading, among others, the conspiracy theory that Western companies are using the continent for bio-experiments.

Source: an investigation by The Insider

Quote: "As The Insider can now disclose, following Prigozhin's demise the Kremlin initiated a substantial disinformation and propaganda campaign in Africa  one carried out under the supervision of the FSBs Fifth Service. Augmenting the network of political operatives and propagandists that Prigozhins efforts on the continent left behind, the Kremlin has begun developing its own."

Details: The Insider says the head of the new disinformation campaign is Artem Kureev, an experienced employee of the FSBs Fifth Service, which operates internationally.

Two months after Prigozhin's assassination, in October 2023, Kureev announced the founding of a news agency called African Initiative, followed a month later by the launch of RusAfro, a media portal whose output is translated into all of Africas major languages.

The new media outlets quickly recruited employees, focusing mainly on African students studying in Russia.

Quote: "The rhetoric of the FSB agency's publications largely echoes that of Soviet times, albeit substituting the old favourite gripe about American imperialism with the trendier term colonialism.

The information agency focuses on all topics of relevance to the Kremlin's agenda, extensively covering anti-American rallies in the Central African Republic while promoting stories about how The United States is attempting to conquer Africa with the use of Facebook, dollars, and the LGBT movement. At the same time, some of the outlets under Kureev's control have fabricated legends even more outrageous than the old Soviet propaganda [...].

A recent campaign [...] promotes a conspiracy theory alleging that Western pharmaceutical companies are using Africa for biological warfare experiments and for illicit trials of various drugs. In many respects, this campaign builds upon a previous conspiracy theory  also attributable to the FSB  that disclosed the existence of American-run bio-laboratories in Ukraine. The African campaign adds into the mix concepts of colonialism, the demonisation of Bill Gates, and horror stories about the perils of vaccination."

More details: The Insider says the FSB uses "Prigozhins network of Telegram channels in Africa". The journalists note that these channels did not stop operating after Prigozhins death, but continued to work for their new handlers.

Quote: "Assessing the potential success of the Fifth Service of the FSB in spreading disinformation campaigns across Africa proves challenging. On the one hand, the low level of media literacy predisposes the populace to easily accept conspiracy theories. On the other hand, there is no observable evidence that the efforts of propagandists are yielding a significant response. For instance, all publications from Kureev's agency across all languages over the past month have garnered fewer than 20,000 clicks, and RusAfro Media has yet to surpass five thousand.

But the efforts of the FSB should not be underestimated. Although the sites were created in the autumn, they were seldom updated in the first few months. The full-fledged disinformation campaign only got underway in February."

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A man accused of killing his girlfriend in Boston before fleeing to Kenya has escaped from a Nairobi jail, where he was awaiting extradition after his capture last week.

Kevin Kangethe, 42, was being held without bail after officials in the United States filed an extradition request for him to be returned to the US to face a murder charge.

Hes accused of killing his girlfriend, Maggie Mbitu, whose body was found in his SUV in a parking garage at Boston Logan International Airport on November 1, two days after she was reported missing. Mbitu, 31, had slash wounds on her face and neck, Massachusetts State Police said.

Authorities searched for Kangethe for three months before he was arrested January 29, when an undercover officer spotted him at a nightclub in Nairobi.

On Wednesday evening local time, a man claiming to be Kangethes attorney appeared at the law enforcement complex where he was being held and asked to speak to him, Kenyan authorities said in a statement. They were given a private room in which to talk, and Kangethe took off shortly afterward, police said.

Police said Kangethe slipped out of the police station and boarded a matutu, or public transportation bus, according to Nation, an African news outlet.

At the time of his escape, the stations commander was in a meeting with the anti-crime unit in her office, police said.

The body of Maggie Mbitu, 31, was found in an SUV in a parking garage at Boston Logan International Airport on November 1. - Ann Mbitu/GoFundMe

She was alerted by a loud noise of officers who were chasing the prisoner along Thika Super Highway but they did not manage to rearrest him, the statement said, referring to a busy eight-lane freeway bustling with cars in the capital.

The man who claimed to be Kangethes attorney has been detained, along with four officers at the station, police said.

Attorneys who represented Kangethe in court at his extradition hearing last week told CNN they have not been in contact with him since his escape and dont know where he is.

He was arrested 3 months after he boarded a flight from Boston

Kangethe was arrested in Nairobi after an undercover officer spotted someone who looked like him at a nightclub in the Kenyan capital and struck up a conversation with him, a police official told CNN.

Within hours, authorities identified him as the Boston-area fugitive who US investigators said boarded a plane to Kenya shortly after killing his girlfriend. Authorities in Massachusetts had obtained a warrant for his arrest on a murder charge.

Kangethe arrived in Kenya last fall through Nairobis Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the nations director of public prosecutions said in a statement. He went into hiding in the citys suburbs but stayed in touch via phone with his friends and relatives, including those in the United States, the statement said.

Kenya has an extradition treaty with the United States. The nations director of public prosecutions said Kenya has received a formal extradition request from the US and determined theres sufficient evidence against him.

Mbitu lived in a Boston suburb and was the youngest in a family of health care workers. Her two older sisters and her mother are all nurses.

She was reported missing in late October after she didnt show up for work. Her family notified the police and called nearby hospitals to check if she was a patient. The next evening, police made a gruesome discovery: her bloodied body, in the SUV inside a parking garage at the airport.

In a criminal complaint from the Massachusetts State Police, authorities say they were led to Mbitus boyfriend after she went missing.

The day before her body was found, Kangethe boarded flights from Boston to Kenya. Surveillance footage showed him leaving the parking garage and entering an airport terminal, police said.

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A fugitive awaiting extradition to the U.S. on a warrant alleging that he murdered his girlfriend and ditched her body in a car at a Boston airport has escaped from police custody in Kenya, local authorities said Thursday.

Kevin Kangethe, 40, is alleged to have boarded a flight to the East African country after stabbing 31-year-old Margaret Mbitu to death in October. After three months on the run, Kangethe was arrested in a Nairobi nightclub on Jan. 30but hes now a fugitive once again thanks to an escape, which has also prompted the arrest of four police officers.

Missing Nurse Found Slain in Car in Boston Airport Garage

On Wednesday afternoon, a man called John Maina Ndegwa went to a Nairobi police station and introduced himself to officers as Kangethes lawyer, according to a police report reviewed by the Associated Press. Ndegwa said he wished to speak with his client.

The officers agreed to his request and removed the prisoner from the cells and took him to (an) office ... leaving them there, the report said. After a short while the prisoner escaped by running away and left the (lawyer) behind.

The police file said that officers chased after Kangethe but they were unable to catch him before he made his getaway by jumping into a privately owned minivan. Ndegwa was detained, however. We have arrested the officers who were on duty when he escaped to explain how it happened, Nairobi Police Chief Adamson Bungei said. It is just embarrassing to us.

Massachusetts authorities had worked with Kenyan law enforcement to find Kangethe following his flight from the U.S. He had been detained pending a ruling concerning his possible extradition back to America to answer a charge of first-degree murder over Mbitus slaying. An anonymous police official told AP that Kangethe had renounced his U.S. citizenship, and that he would have been sent back to Massachusetts without a court process if he was still an American citizen.

Mbitus family had reported her missing before her body was found by Massachusetts State Police troopers stationed at the Boston airport on Oct. 31. Mibtu, who was last seen alive leaving her job in Halifax, had worked for a nonprofit that supports people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Her family said they were overjoyed at the news of Kangethes arrest last month. The long hand of the law is finally catching up with Maggies murder suspect, they said in a statement, according to CBS News. They added that they were confident that the truth will prevail and that justice for Maggie will be achieved.

Suspicions have reportedly been raised that bribes were paid to secure Kangethes release, with police in Kenya persistently ranked as one of the countrys most corrupt institutions.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Emily Rose

DOHA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israeli forces geared up on Friday for a ground assault on Hamas in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of people displaced by violence further north are trapped in desperate conditions.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the military had been told to come up with a plan to evacuate civilians but aid agencies warned that a military offensive in such a densely populated area could end up killing large numbers of innocent people.

"There is a sense of growing anxiety, growing panic in Rafah because basically people have no idea where to go," said Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA.

U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday Israel's response to the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas militants was "over the top" and Washington said it would not support any military operation mounted in Rafah without due consideration for civilians.

More than a million people driven southwards by four months of Israeli bombing of Gaza are packed into Rafah and surrounding areas on the coastal enclave's border with Egypt, which has reinforced the frontier, fearing an exodus.

Netanyahu's office said four Hamas battalions were in Rafah and Israel could not achieve its goal of eliminating the Islamist militants while they remained there. Civilians should be evacuated from the combat zone, it said.

"Therefore, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) and the security establishment to submit to the Cabinet a combined plan for evacuating the population and destroying the battalions."

The statement, issued two days after Netanyahu rejected a Hamas ceasefire proposal that also envisaged the release of hostages held by the Palestinian militant group, gave no further details.

Tal Heinrich, a spokesman for Netanyahu, told Fox News that "if Israel's hands are tied by the international community, or if we take the pressure for Hamas actions" it would be "an open invitation for more terrorism worldwide."

The United Nations said Palestinian civilians in Rafah needed to be protected, but there should not be any forced mass displacement, which it said went against international law.

"We're extremely worried about the fate of civilians in Rafah," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

'IT CROSSES ALL RED LINES', SAYS PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT

The Palestinian Presidency said what it described as Netanyahu's plans for a military escalation in Rafah aimed to displace the Palestinian people from their land.

"Taking this step threatens security and peace in the region and the world. It crosses all red lines," said the office of Mahmoud Abbas, head of the Palestinian Authority that exerts partial self-rule in the Israeli occupied West Bank.

An Israeli official who declined to be named said that Israel would try to organise for people in Rafah, most of whom fled there from the north, to be moved back northwards within Gaza ahead of any military operation there.

Israeli forces have shifted their offensive southwards towards Rafah after initially storming northern Gaza in response to the Oct. 7 rampage in southern Israel by Hamas gunmen who rule the coastal strip.

Doctors and aid workers in Rafah are struggling to supply even basic aid to those sheltering there, many of them penned up against the border fence with Egypt and living in makeshift tents.

"No war can be allowed in a gigantic refugee camp," said Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, warning of a "bloodbath" if Israeli operations expand there.

In a post on the social media platform X, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said an Israeli assault on Rafah would put the lives of Palestinians and foreign nationals, including Canadians "in grave danger" and hamper vital aid deliveries.

GAZAN CHILDREN ACUTELY MALNOURISHED

Gaza's health ministry said at least 27,947 Palestinians had been confirmed killed in the conflict, 107 of them in the previous 24 hours, and 67,459 injured.

It has said many more could be buried under rubble from Israeli attacks since Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages in the Oct. 7 attack, according to Israeli tallies.

Almost one in 10 of Gazans under five are now acutely malnourished, according to initial U.N. data from arm measurements that show physical wasting.

The charity ActionAid said some Gazans were eating grass.

"Every single person in Gaza is now hungry, and people have just 1.5 to 2 litres of unsafe water per day to meet all their needs," it said.

Hours before Netanyahu's statement, Israeli warplanes carried out new sorties in which Palestinian health officials said at least 15 people had been killed, eight of them in the Rafah area.

"We were sleeping inside and, when the strike hit, were thrown outside. After that, another rocket hit," said Mohammed al-Nahal, an elderly Palestinian standing beside the rubble of a building that had been hit.

"It destroyed the entire home. My daughter was killed. My daughter, her husband, her son, all were martyred."

BIDEN CRITICISES ISRAEL

Israel's military said its forces had been in action in the area of Khan Younis and in northern and central Gaza to eliminate militant cells and destroy militant infrastructure.

It says it takes steps to avoid civilian casualties and accuses Hamas militants of hiding among civilians, including at schools, shelters and hospitals. Hamas has denied doing so.

Biden said on Thursday he had been pushing for a deal to pause fighting to allow the release of hostages, increase the amount of humanitarian aid reaching Palestinian civilians, and normalise relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Hamas this week proposed a ceasefire of 4-1/2 months, during which remaining hostages would go free, Israel would withdraw its troops and agreement would be reached on an end to the war.

Netanyahu said Hamas' terms, offered in response to a proposal drawn up by U.S. and Israeli spy chiefs with Qatar and Egypt, were "delusional" and vowed to fight on.

A Hamas official told Reuters on Friday that a delegation from the group had concluded talks with mediators in Cairo and was now waiting for the official Israeli response to its proposal.

(Additional reporting by Emma Farge in Geneva, Maya Gebeily in Beirut, Henriette Chacar in Jerusalem, Ali Sawafta in Ramallah, Adam Makary and Ahmed Eliman in Cairo, Steve Holland in Washington and Michelle Nichols in New York; Writing by Timothy Heritage and Philippa Fletcher; Editing by Miral Fahmy, Kevin Liffey and Diane Craft)
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Homerville Police Department are asking for the publics help with an unsolved homicide.

On Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022, Homerville police officers found Trent Curtis injured after crashing his car into a power pole on South College Street.

Police say his car was riddled with bullet holes.

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

He later died at the hospital.

Police received several reports of gunfire on Robinson Street before finding Curtis.

If you have any information on a possible suspect in the deadly shooting, you are urged to contact the GBI tip line at 800-597-8477 or online at https://investigative-gbi.georgia.gov/gbi-tip-line.

Any information submitted by tipsters will stay confidential.

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By Kate Lamb, Fanny Potkin, Ananda Teresia

JAKARTA (Reuters) -Fika Juliana Putri, a 19-year-old shopkeeper in East Jakarta, plans to vote in Indonesia's presidential election next week for a once-feared former special forces commander. She likes him, she says, because he's cuddly.

A doe-eyed cartoon version of Gen. Prabowo Subianto - produced using generative AI - is emblazoned on billboards across Indonesia. It's reproduced on sweatshirts and stickers, and featured prominently on #Prabowo-tagged posts that have some 19 billion views on TikTok.

Prabowo is Indonesia's defence minister. But on social media, his chubby-cheeked AI avatar makes Korean-style finger hearts and cradles his beloved cat, Bobby, to the delight of Gen Z voters. About half of Indonesia's 205 million voters are under 40.

The general elections on Feb. 14 in Indonesia, the world's third-largest democracy, offer a glimpse of how generative AI may transform large-scale political campaigning, experts say.

The AI-generated cartoon has been central to the electoral rebranding of Prabowo, who is far ahead in polls. Instead of portraying himself as a fiery nationalist, as he did in two prior failed presidential bids, the 72-year-old's new catchphrase is "gemoy" - which is Indonesian slang for cute and cuddly.

"I'll vote for him because he's gemoy," said Putri, a first-time voter. "That's the main reason."

Prabowo - and his doppelganger created using technology from U.S. firm Midjourney Inc - is leading hundreds of candidates in using generative AI tools to create campaign art, track social media sentiment, build interactive chatbots, and target voters.

The Prabowo campaign and Midjourney, whose guidelines bar its use for political campaigning, did not respond to requests for comment.

"This is the first election we're seeing utilize these tools at scale," said Katie Harbath, who was until 2021 the top election policy official at Meta and now writes a newsletter about technology and democracy.

Harbath, who expressed surprise that AI tools had been adopted by campaigns in Indonesia so quickly, said it was too early to judge the overall electoral impact of such "unprecedented and groundbreaking" use of technology.

Reuters interviewed 26 people to assess the use of AI technology in Indonesia's campaign, including political advisors, lobbyists, tech executives, experts, and artists creating generative AI images for politicians. Some spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media.

They described vendors and campaigns pushing the boundaries of guidelines issued by providers like Midjourney and generative AI market leader, OpenAI. The Indonesian government has yet to formulate binding rules on the use of AI tools.

With countries home to one third of the world's population heading to the polls this year, including the United States and India, the elections in Indonesia are a test for how OpenAI will police its policies, according to seven political lobbyists and experts.

Many of the AI tools used in Indonesia's election are powered by OpenAI, nine senior campaign staffers told Reuters. That includes Prabowo's platform, according to his digital team's coordinator.

The ChatGPT owner, based in San Francisco, last month unveiled rules banning its use for political campaigning amid global fears of AI interfering with elections. These include prohibitions on creating images of actual people, including politicians.

OpenAI said that it was investigating political chatbots and tools identified by Reuters in Indonesia as using its technology. It said an initial review found "no evidence" of its tools being used in the election and it was committed to transparency and elevating accurate information.

Political consultant Yose Rizal said the Pemilu.AI app he developed uses OpenAI's GPT-4 and 3.5 software to craft hyper-local campaign strategies and speeches.

The Indonesian consultant said he has sold the app's services to 700 legislative candidates. Reuters was not able to independently confirm the sales.

Pemilu.AI pulls together demographic data and crawls social media and news websites, allowing it to generate speeches, slogans, and social media content tailored to a constituency.

Candidates list their political priorities and choose how they seek to be portrayed. The most desired characteristics among politicians using Pemilu.AI in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, are "humble" and "religious," said Rizal.

Asked about OpenAI's rules, Rizal said that Pemilu.AI does not engage "in the creation of political campaigns". He described it instead as a communications tool to "support the decision-making process of candidates."

NEXT STOP, INDIA

Next, Rizal plans to take the platform to India before its general election, expected by May. "Because Indonesia is before the U.S. and India  this election is a warm up," he said.

He said Pemilu.AI has cooperated closely with Microsoft, which hosts the company on its cloud service Azure, to ensure its operations complied with regulations. Microsoft, which is a major investor in OpenAI, said it does not comment on customer engagements.

Rizal said he was trialing a version of Pemilu.AI on Google's AI, after being approached by its sales team. Google confirmed that Pemilu.AI had done preliminary work using its AI and became a cloud service customer. Google said there are no restrictions on using its Bard chatbot for political campaigning, beyond a ban on misinformation.

The Indonesian elections are testing the limits of what some AI companies consider political campaigning.

OpenAI's rules, updated on Jan. 10, prohibit using its technology for any political campaigning or lobbying, including generating campaign materials personalized or targeted to specific demographics.

The same month, OpenAI banned the developer of a bot for U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful Dean Phillips, the first time it took action over such rules.

Supporters of the use of generative AI in Indonesia's election say it has given legislative candidates access to custom campaigning tools that would otherwise be reserved for major contenders with larger budgets.

The continued adoption of AI is only natural, said Razi Thalib, who runs the digital team for another presidential contender, Anies Baswedan, a former governor of Jakarta. "Perhaps the results of the election will lead to lessons learnt that will increase the adoption rate" elsewhere, he said.

An advisor to Ganjar Pranowo, the candidate of the largest party in parliament, confirmed AI was also used for his "creative campaign.

GENERAL 'GEMOY'

Prabowo, with a 20-point lead in the polls and the implicit backing of Indonesia's popular President Joko Widodo, has been the biggest beneficiary of generative AI this cycle, using it to bolster his support among Gen Z.

Millions of young voters were not alive when Prabowo was dismissed from Indonesia's military in the late 1990s amid allegations of rights abuses, which he has always denied.

Supporters can use Prabowo's campaign app to insert themselves into AI-generated scenes, such as a trek in the jungle alongside the safari-suited politician, which are then shared on social media.

"Some say AI is not good for politics, but AI gets people interested," said 25-year-old artist Adriansyah, who with his wife, Lusi Yulistia, was commissioned to make Midjourney-generated art of Prabowo and his running mate, president Widodo's 36-year-old son.

The voting age in Indonesia is 17 and a January survey by pollster Indikator Politik found that Prabowo had more than 60% of the Gen Z vote. He was also the most popular candidate among millennials, with 42% of their support.

The campaign's volunteer arm launched the PrabowoGibran.ai generative AI platform in December to help its 15,000 "cyber troop" volunteers track online sentiment and share AI-generated art on social media.

National coordinator Anthony Leong told Reuters the platform uses OpenAI technology and in-house software.

In Indonesia, political campaigns have hired creators to use text-to-art tools such as Midjourney, Leonardo AI, Microsoft Bing and Pika Labs, five artists told Reuters.

A spokesperson for Microsoft Bing, which is powered by OpenAI's DALLE text-to-image model, said public figures can request to limit the creation of images associated with their names.

LeonardoAI and Pika Labs did not respond to requests for comment.

"It's true the application has limitations regarding political content," said Lusi, referring to Midjourney. "In essence, I only use the application to change the character of the original photo into a certain theme."

AI EVERYWHERE

Anies's campaign launched in January an OpenAI-powered WhatsApp chatbot that answers questions about his policies.

That followed a similar tool from the Prabowo camp, which was taken down shortly after its December launch after it incorrectly attributed seven pillars to Indonesia's state ideology when there are only five. It has not been reinstated.

Ganjar's campaign has deployed a dashboard that uses OpenAI technology and crawls for data online to predict talking points and offer real time social-media alerts regarding the candidate, said advisor Andi Widjajanto.

One controversial instance of AI use arose in January, when the Golkar party, which backs Prabowo, released "deepfake" videos of the late strongman ruler Suharto urging voters to support its candidates. The clips containing campaign messages were marked as generated by AI.

The Advocacy Team on Elections Concerns (TAPP), a Jakarta-based nonprofit, said in a statement that the videos, which remains online, showed AI's potential for voter manipulation.

Dara Nasution, a top Golkar digital official, called the videos "positive messages."

Suharto's image was created with Midjourney and imaging app Leonardo AI, while his voice was crafted using U.S. voice cloning startup ElevenLabs's software combined with in-house technology, she said.

Leonardo AI and ElevenLabs did not answer requests for comment.

Three election watchers told Reuters they haven't seen AI used to spread misinformation and disinformation at scale during the contest.

"Disinformation has been limited compared to the 2019 election," said Aribowo Sasmito, co-founder of the Mafindo factchecking organisation.

(Reporting by Kate Lamb and Ananda Teresia in Jakarta and Fanny Potkin in Singapore; Additional reporting by Stanley Widianto; Editing by Katerina Ang)
When Silicon Valley Bank collapsed last March, Rep. Ro Khanna fought to rally Washingtons response to the economic calamity unfolding in his district.

Whos the representative for New York Community Bancorp., the latest regional lender thats alarming investors? The Office of the Third Congressional District of New York, recently vacated by George Santos.

The former Republican lawmaker was expelled from Congress in December after a series of scandals, including lying about his biography and being hit with criminal fraud charges. His district included Hicksville, New York, where NYCB is based.

"It's sad that they don't have someone that can work with them and for them because some folks just think they get to recall elections, Santos said in an interview.

The downfall of Santos deprived the New York bank of a potential conduit in Washington at a critical moment. The lender is fighting to tamp down concerns among investors and policymakers about its exposure to souring commercial real estate loans. The struggle, playing out as its share price tanks, is reviving fears of broader banking system instability less than a year after SVBs collapse. Others in New Yorks congressional delegation are beginning to sound the alarm and trying to focus the governments attention.

A spokesperson for the office formerly occupied by Santos said that we dont have any political say with this situation without a member in place. The special election for the seat is Feb. 13.

To be sure, Santos influence was hobbled well before his ouster from Congress, raising doubts about how useful he would have been to the lender and its customers if he were still in the seat. Part of his embellished biography included claims about working for Wall Street banks.

Santos said his office had outreach to NYCB after he was elected but that the relationship was impacted as his scandals came to light. He said there was always somewhat of a line of communication. (The bank did not respond to a request for comment.)

If I were there, I would be in [House Financial Services Chair] Patrick McHenrys office and [Ways and Means Chair] Jason Smiths office trying to figure out crafty ways that we can avoid another chain of events that took place in 2023, Santos said, referring to last years regional banking problems. Theres so many creative ways we can do it. Im not saying government should be bailing out banks, but theres ways we can do it to facilitate certain relief measures, and we should be working on it.

Rep. Ritchie Torres, a Bronx Democrat, is trying to bring some urgency to the issue in the absence of Santos, including raising it with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen at a Tuesday hearing. Shes expected to face further questions when she appears before the Senate on Thursday.

Torres argues that the fate of the $111 billion bank is a broader economic concern beyond the former Santos district. Its an echo of last years Silicon Valley Bank collapse, when Khanna urged the government to intervene to protect its tech company customers and their employees.

NYCB has tried to reassure investors this week that its deposits are stable and it has resources to cover customers' uninsured cash. Its share price rose by more than 6 percent Wednesday after falling by 50 percent since last week.

A failure at NYCB would destabilize not only the banking system but also the largest multifamily housing market in the country, Torres said in an interview, referring to the banks role as a major housing lender. Its an issue that extends far beyond New York Three.

Torres, a fierce critic of Santos, said its no problem that hes gone.

Its better to have no representation than George Santos, he said. He was too distracted by his own scandal to focus on stability in the banking system.

Jasper Goodman contributed reporting.
Criminal justice reform advocates are concerned the legislation will unfairly impact poor Black communities.

The role of cash bail organizations could be diminished in Georgia while more poor Black people find their way into the states jail system, thanks to a new Republican-backed bill.

The legislation  SB 63  expands the list of charges that require cash or property bail by 30, which includes non-violent misdemeanor charges like marijuana possession, intent to sell, forgery, and types of fraud. It also states that individuals, organizations, charities, and groups cannot bail out more than three people a year. Only organizations that meet the legal requirements of bail bond companies can bail out more people.

The Georgia Senate passed the bill on Feb. 1, and the states House of Representatives approved it on Tuesday. Its now awaiting a signature from Governor Brian Kemp.

The Georgia State Capitol on Aug.15, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia. The role of cash bail organizations could be diminished in Georgia while more poor Black people find their way into the states jail system, thanks to a new Republican-backed bill. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Criminal justice reform advocates in the state are concerned that the legislation will disproportionately impact poor Black communities where people already struggle to pay bail for low-level offenses.

This bill is the product of five years of pushback against bail reform since it passed in 2019. What is clearly happening is that leadership is working hard to roll back on reforms, Tiffany Roberts, the public policy director at the Southern Center for Human Rights, told theGrio. At the same time, if you expand cash bail, you increase the likelihood of convictions.

Bail is defined as the money that defendants have to pay to get out of jail while they wait for their trial to start. Research shows that Black and Latino defendants typically have higher bail amounts than white defendants, even when the crimes are similar.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Georgia said the bill is a step back from the reform advancements in the state over the past several years. Cash bail systems hurt people who cannot afford to pay and do not make communities safer. The state of Georgia is moving backward in terms of people being equal before the law regardless of how much money they have, the organization said in a press statement.

Its not just cash bail organizations that could be in legal jeopardy. Churches, drug treatment organizations, and homeless shelters bail people out, Roberts said, adding that this expansion will only make it more difficult to manage the turmoil happening in jail facilities.

Its important that people reach out to the governor and urge him not to sign this, Roberts said. This is a step in the wrong direction.

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Backlogs of pending court cases that built up during the pandemic are on the decline, Georgia Chief Justice Michael Boggs said Wednesday.

But shortages of prosecutors, public defenders, court reporters, and other court staff continue to plague the court system, Boggs told a joint session of the General Assembly during the annual State of the Judiciary address.

Judges alone cannot move criminal cases without prosecutors, he said. Nothing can be done without court reporters.

Boggs said an influx of federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 has helped judicial circuits hire more staff and upgrade technology. Forty-six of the states 50 judicial circuits have taken advantage of ARPA funding, he said.

As a result, the backlog of cases has declined by 11% on average statewide, Boggs said.

With Georgia also suffering from a shortage of judges, Boggs urged lawmakers to pass House Bill 947, which would overhaul the system for paying superior court judges, justices of the Georgia Supreme Court, justices of the state Court of Appeals, and the judge of the Georgia State-wide Business Court.

Boggs also supported proposed legislation to require that personal information on judges, such as their addresses, be kept confidential to help protect them from growing threats to judges across the nation.

These attacks and threats are meant to intimidate, he said. Georgia judges will not be threatened or intimidated into abandoning their constitutional duties.

The chief justice also cited a revision of rules the state Supreme Court approved last fall aimed at increasing the availability of lawyers in rural communities. Under the revision, spouses of active-duty service members who are lawyers will be able to obtain provisional law licenses without taking the bar exam.
The Georgia House of Representatives gave final passage Tuesday to legislation adding a long list of offenses ineligible for no-cash bail.

The Republican controlled House voted 97-69 along party lines to adopt a conference committee report on Senate Bill 63 worked out by House and Senate negotiators.

The ban on no-cash bail applies to both violent and non-violent crimes, from murder and rape to possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and white-collar crimes including forgery and financial transaction card fraud.

The Senate passed the conference committee report last week in a 30-17 vote, also along party lines. Most of the work on the bill was done last year, but the conference committee formed at the end of the 2023 legislative session couldnt reach an agreement before lawmakers adjourned for the year.

This legislation will make it clear that Georgia is not going to go down the path of other states that have (allowed) no-cash bail, Rep. Houston Gaines, R-Athens, who carried the bill in the House, said Tuesday.

Gaines said statistics show that criminal suspects who are granted no-cash bail fail to appear in court at much higher rates than those forced to post bail.

House Democrats argued the legislation punishes people who have yet to be convicted of a crime simply for being poor. In many cases, those denied no-cash bail have been charged with low-level offenses that dont even carry a jail sentence if theyre convicted, said Rep. Gregg Kennard, D-Lawrenceville.

Rep. Tanya Miller, D-Atlanta, accused Republican lawmakers of undermining criminal justice reforms then-GOP Gov. Nathan Deal championed during the last decade. Miller said forcing criminal suspects to remain in jail before their court date is counterproductive.

The more time they spend in pre-trial detention increases the probability of re-arrest, she said.

The bills opponents also complained about a provision in the bill that limits charitable organizations that raise money for bail from posting more than three cash bonds per year.

We can possibly criminalize churches that raise money to get their member out of jail, said Rep. Derrick Jackson, D-Tyrone.

Senate Bill 63 now heads to Gov. Brian Kemps desk for his signature.
The Georgia House of Representatives overwhelmingly adopted a $37.5 billion fiscal 2024 midyear budget Wednesday with a surplus-fueled $5 billion in new spending.

The midyear spending plan passed 161-2 and now moves to the state Senate.

Of the $5 billion spending increase, $2 billion would come directly from the unprecedented $16 billion in cash reserves the state has built up during the last several years.

Theres much to be proud of in this budget, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Matt Hatchett, R-Dublin, told his House colleagues before Wednesdays vote. Much good can be done with it.

Among the big-ticket spending items is $1.5 billion for transportation improvements, including $659 million for projects in the existing pipeline; $509 million for projects aimed at more efficient movement of freight; $200 million for improvements to local roads; $100 million for resurfacing projects, and $53 million in airport aid.

For the first time in memory, the proposed spending spree would let the state pay for major capital projects with cash instead of bond-issue financing.

Here are some other highlights of the budget plan:

 $450 million for a new state prison in Washington County

 $178 million for a new dental school at Georgia Southern Universitys Armstrong campus in Savannah

 $50 million for a new medical school at the University of Georgia in Athens.

 State employees and teachers will get one-time pay supplements of $1,000, an initiative Gov. Brian Kemp announced in December to help reduce turnover in public schools and state agencies.

All of those spending increases were in the mid-year budget recommendations Kemp presented to the General Assembly last month.

But the House made some additions on its own. Hatchett said the midyear budget seeks to restore some of the spending items the governor ordered state agencies to disregard last spring when he signed the fiscal 2024 budget.

We are the appropriators, Hatchett declared. We absolutely have the authority to set policy in this state.

The House version of the midyear budget would raise per-diem reimbursement to counties housing state prison inmates from $22 per day to $24.

House budget writers also added $60 million for infrastructure improvements at the states psychiatric hospitals and put $10.4 million toward a new child and adolescent crisis center to be built in Savannah.
Georgia lawmakers have voted to approve a new city in northern Gwinnett County.

The Georgia House of Representatives approved the City of Mulberry by a vote of 101-63 on Thursday. The bill is now awaiting Governor Brian Kemps signature.

House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration (R-Auburn) is helping to lead the charge toward the creation of a new city called Mulberry that would border Braselton and parts of Auburn and Dacula.

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

A major selling point for Efstration is that the city would exist without adding new taxes.

There would be no city property taxes as part of this proposal, Efstration told Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson.

The study estimates the city of Mulberry could generate $9.4 million in revenue annually.

In contrast, the study estimates the city would have yearly expenses totaling nearly $8 million.

TRENDING STORIES:

Mulberry would instantly be the second biggest city in Gwinnett County and the most affluent based on median income.

I am thankful to both my Democrat and Republican colleagues who voted in favor of this legislation in todays vote, which would create the City of Mulberry without implementing any city property taxes, said Efstration. As a resident of the proposed city, I look forward to voting in favor of granting my neighbors local control over planning and zoning in the May 21st primary.

If the bill is signed by the governor and if the city is approved by voters, Mulberry could be up and running by January of next year.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
A heartbroken Georgia mother who says UPS lost a shipment containing her late 15-year-old sons ashes will likely never have her beloved childs remains returned to her after the mail courier company told her that theyve ended their search for the package.

Tangenika Lee shared with Atlanta Black Star on Tuesday an audio recording of her call with a UPS representative, who is heard on the recording telling the emotional mother, Unfortunately, we have searched and completed a thorough investigation, we are unable to locate your package.

Oh God, no, Lee is heard saying on the recording.

Tangenika Lee says UPS lost her sons ashes. (Photos: Facebook/Tangenika Lee)

Im sorry, but at this point, we will have to close this investigation, the representative says as Lee breaks down sobbing.

UPS spokesperson Jim Mayer confirmed to Atlanta Black Star on Wednesday by phone that the company was unable to find the package and that the search for the package containing the ashes of Lees son, Deontray, has concluded.

Weve exhausted every opportunity to look for it, Mayer said. We werent able to find it. You can keep looking, but we were unable to find it, unfortunately.

The grieving mother had hoped to memorialize the life of her son, who died in 2020 from a fentanyl cocktail-related overdose, with a personalized urn for his ashes. Following his untimely death, Deontrays family placed his cremated remains in a box until they could have the custom urn created.

Four years after Deontrays death, Lee, a resident of the Atlanta suburb of Hiram, had his ashes shipped via UPS to a relative in Connecticut last month who was creating the special final resting place for Deontray.

The package, which Atlanta Black Star confirmed was labeled on its contents form as clothes, was shipped at the start of last month with a promised delivery date of Jan. 10 that was never honored.

The mother told WSB-TV that her sons ashes were last tracked to a Connecticut-based distribution center, and she intended to travel there to continue searching.

She says she was provided with a $135 check from UPS corporate as reimbursement for the lost package, which she said on her Facebook page that she does not intend to cash, Atlanta Black Star previously reported.

I dont want no $135 check. I want my sons ashes back, Lee wrote on Facebook.

Mayer shared a statement from UPS with Atlanta Black Star on Wednesday that read, We continue to extend our sympathies to the family for their loss and are deeply sorry that after working diligently, we were unable to locate the package.

We recognize that no amount of money would compensate for the loss of a loved ones ashes, which is one of the most important reasons UPS declines to transport human remains. We have reimbursed the estimated value of the packages contents, which was labeled as containing clothing, the statement said.

Georgia Mothers Hopes of Giving Late Son a Customized Urn Are Shattered After UPS Says Theyve Stopped Searching for His Lost Ashes
Georgian parliament passed a vote of confidence to appoint Irakli Kobakhidze, the former chairman of the Georgian Dream party, as the country's new Prime Minister, replacing Irakli Garibashvili.

The decision comes as Georgia's ruling party prepares for national elections in the fall.

Kobakhidze was appointed with 84 votes in favor, with 76 needed for a majority, following an 11-hour parliamentary session, involving heated debates between members of the opposition and the ruling party.

Lawmakers reportedly argued over reforms needed to open EU accession talks, the Russian occupation of two Georgian regions, poverty, and population outflow.

The parliament also agreed to replace the country's current defense minister, Juansher Burchuladze, with former Deputy Speaker Irakli Chikovani.

In his address to members of parliament, Kobakhidze, 45, announced that economic growth, protecting the church, and increasing the nation's birth rates are major priorities for his time in office. He then thanked the efforts of the Georgian Dream party for avoiding war with Russia.

Read also: Kutelia, Sikharulidze: Ending Putins wars  dont forget Georgia

The Georgian Dream party, Georgia's current ruling party, was created by Georgian billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili back in 2012. Over the years, Ivanishvili has faced accusations of corruption due to his alleged ties to Russia.

Earlier this year, Ivanishvili announced that he was returning to politics as the party's "honorary chair."

Kobakhidze reportedly aided Ivanishvili in establishing the Georgian Dream and became the party head in 2015. The Georgian official continued to rise in the party ranks over the next few years despite his increasingly polarizing reputation with the Georgian public.

Irakli Garibashvili, the country's former PM, will assume Kobakhidze's previous role as chairman of the Georgian Dream.

The ruling party has taken inconsistent positions on Russia and its full-scale war on Ukraine.

Garibashvili drew widespread criticism in May 2023 after he said that Ukraine was partially to blame for Russia's full-scale war.

Representatives from Georgian Dream did not vote for the Oct. 13 Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) resolution that declared Russia a dictatorship.

Georgia has also refrained from joining sanctions against Russia, often citing that doing so would harm its own economic interests.

Georgian Dream tried to enact a foreign agents law in 2023, characterized by some as a "kind of a copy-paste from Russia," but withdrew it from consideration after massive street protests broke out in response.

Read also: Opinion: Will the Kremlins war soon expand to a second front in Georgia?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Following the discovery of more than 400 victims buried in shallow graves in a remote forest in eastern Kenya, a cult leader has been charged with murder. Paul Mackenzie and 29 other defendants pled not guilty when they appeared in court in the coastal town of Malindi. Mackenzie is accused of torturing children, committing acts of terror, accusations that he denied.

The deceased were followers of Mackenzie, and the authorities claim that they may have perished from malnutrition, strangling, suffocation, or blunt force trauma, among other possible causes. Haunting stories are shared by survivors and the families of the departed, some of whom claim that Mackenzie had promoted fasting as a way to "meet Jesus."

When the scandal initially broke, Bishop Dr. David Oginde, who currently chairs the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Kenya and formerly served as Chair of the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya, highlighted important tenets of Christianity while warning against the ways in which heretic preachers misuse them to prey on vulnerable people.

This is a sad and most unfortunate story about yet another incident of abuse of a noble faith practice. It is a case of a cultic leader taking advantage of perhaps desperate individuals. It is most likely the consequence of religious extremism that demands extraordinary measures to experience God's favour, Oginde commented.

It has been reported that Mackenzies subjects were not allowed to leave the forest, where they suffered from extreme malnourishment and cruelty. Neema, a former member of Mackenzie's Good News International Church, is featured in a BBC Africa report describing her experience of being taken captive in the wilderness, where she was raped and starved. She explained the harsh living circumstances under which followers had to rely on foraging for food and water in order to survive. Neema and her two friends overcame the perils and stringent communication restrictions to escape, ultimately receiving assistance and medical care.

The findings from this case are still receiving a lot of attention from around the world even while investigations and court cases go on. The church was formally designated as an "organised criminal group" on January 31, 2024, by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki in a government gazette notice. It was after this notification that the inquiry into the fatalities has progressed.

Expanding on his warning against spiritual predators, Oginde noted that in various religions, fasting is observed as a regular practice.

Muslims have recently concluded Ramadhan, during which they observed prayer and fasting. Within Christianity, fasting holds a central significance. Numerous Biblical figures, including Jesus, regularly engaged in fasting. Jesus both taught and exemplified the potency of prayer and fasting, stressing that certain challenges can only be overcome through these practices, he stated.

Regrettably, this teaching has led some to erroneously believe that the more daunting the issue, the longer or more severe the fast should be. There seems to be an implicit belief that fasting is a means to compel God to act in ways He might not otherwise do for us," he added.

Some take it to extremes and even boast about the number of days they can fast and hope to attain special favour and blessings, he commented and warned that this is a terrible fallacy.

The teaching of Scripture is that God blesses or answers our prayers out of His love and mercy. His favour cannot be purchased through any of our human sacrifices. Instead, fasting is a sacrificial way through which we lay aside a critical component of life in order to humble ourselves before God. It is the taming of our bodies in order to reflect and meditate on our relationship with God, Oginde explained.

In difficult times, however, it is an unfortunate reality that those who suffer of poverty or despair easily fall prey to unscrupulous spiritual leaders whether they be pastors, cult leaders and even witchdoctors, he commented.

They promise instant breakthroughs to those who can take extreme actions such as long fasting or generous giving, he warned, and said, It behoves every one of us to be vigilant and stay away from such predators.
Joe Biden (L), President of the USA, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), pose for a group photo of the heads of state and government of the G7 countries before their working lunch on economic security during the G7 summit at the Grand Prince Hotel in Hiroshima, western Japan. They will meet in Washington on Friday. Michael Kappeler/dpa

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is to set off on Thursday for his third visit to Washington since taking office just over two years ago.

On Friday, he plans to meet US President Joe Biden at the White House to discuss military aid for Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East and the NATO summit this summer.

After his arrival on Thursday evening, Scholz first has an appointment with members of the US Congress. On Friday morning, his programme includes a breakfast with US entrepreneurs.

In the US, the primaries for presidential election due to be held in November have begun. Biden wants to run again. Former US president Donald Trump is seen as the most likely Republican challenger.
Joe Biden (L), President of the USA, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), pose for a group photo of the heads of state and government of the G7 countries before their working lunch on economic security during the G7 summit at the Grand Prince Hotel in Hiroshima, western Japan. They will meet in Washington on Friday. Michael Kappeler/dpa

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urgently called for greater military aid to Ukraine and warned of the dire consequences of a Russian victory, just before departing for Washington on Thursday to meet US President Joe Biden and congressional leaders.

In a guest column in the Wall Street Journal newspaper, Scholz warned Ukraine's allies against reducing military support for the embattled country, which has been fighting against a full-scale Russian invasion for nearly two years.

Scholz reiterated that message in Berlin, saying that Ukraine's supporters must send a clear signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin - and other aggressive leaders elsewhere in the world.

"Our message is clear: We have to do our utmost to prevent Russia from winning. If we dont, we might soon wake up in a world even more unstable, threatening and unpredictable than it was during the Cold War," Scholz wrote in the US newspaper.

"Despite our support, Ukraine could soon face serious shortages in arms and ammunition. Some financial commitments have already run out, and others need to be extended. The long-term consequences and costs of failing to stop Putin's aggression would dwarf any of the investments that we are making now."

The trip to Washington is Scholz's third since taking office just over two years ago. He is scheduled to meet with Biden at the White House on Friday to discuss military aid for Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East and the NATO summit this summer.

Scholz's visit to Washington comes as US Republican lawmakers in Congress are blocking further US aid for Ukraine. Scholz has likewise struggled to convince some European Union partners to increase their aid.

Previously approved US aid for Ukraine expired at the end of last year, leaving Ukraine's military to cope with dwindling support from the country's most important ally.

The German leader also plans to meet with members of the US Congress in Washington, and also breakfast with US business leaders on Friday morning.

"Now is the moment when we have to do what is now necessary, namely to jointly give Ukraine the opportunity to defend itself and at the same time send a very clear signal to the Russian president," Scholz said on Thursday in Berlin before departing.

Scholz praised Ukrainian troops for doing everything possible to defend the country, but added that they must have additional support from allies in order to keep up the fight.

He said that Germany has "made a very large contribution" in its upcoming 2024 budget "but it will not be enough on its own if there is not enough support everywhere."

Scholz said now is also the time to discuss strengthening the NATO alliance. He said that Germany, which for decades has fallen short of military spending goals, is "now at the forefront" of trying to rebuild defence capabilities.

In his column in the Wall Street Journal, Scholz warned that failure to adequately support Ukraine could have dire global consequences for Western democracies.

"Make no mistake: A Russian victory in Ukraine would not only be the end of Ukraine as a free, democratic and independent state, it would also dramatically change the face of Europe," Scholz wrote.

"It would deal a severe blow to the liberal world order. Russia's brutal attempt to steal territory by force could serve as a blueprint for other authoritarian leaders around the globe."

Scholz's journey to the US will be interrupted by a refuelling stop in Iceland, as Germany's only functioning long-distance government plane is currently with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Mongolia.

Scholz instead is flying with an older German Air Force Airbus A321, which has a shorter range.

Biden looks almost certain to face former president Donald Trump in elections this fall. Trump has campaigned against aid for Ukraine and also expressed scepticism about the US commitment to NATO defence in Europe, which has caused alarm in many European capitals.
GILMER, Texas (KETK)  A man accused of killing his ex-partner and her sister has been indicted for capital murder.

Man arrested for possession of child pornography in Houston County

According to the Upshur County Criminal District Attorneys Office, Alvin Pookie Charles McKnight, Jr., 41 of Gilmer, was indicted on capital murder after being arrested in November 2023 when investigators found two sisters dead.

The Upshur County Sheriffs Office said that the shooting happened at a house in the 2800 block of U.S Highway 271 South near Bluebird Road. When deputies arrived at the scene, they reportedly found Mandy Ray, 35 of Gilmer, and Dermetrica Dashaunda Waters, 37 of Gilmer, dead from apparent gunshot wounds.

Additional charges filed against 2 former Longview ISD employees in alleged abuse case

In a press conference, the sheriffs office said the two victims were sisters and that Waters had a child with McKnight and had once lived with him.

His sister, Laquesha Monique McKnight, 38 of Longview, was arrested for allegedly hindering the apprehension of Alvin. Officials said Laquesha helped Alvin escape from the Upshur County area on the night of the murders and when the sheriffs office confronted her with evidence, she was reportedly not cooperative.

McKnight was brought into custody at the Upshur County Jail after being apprehended in San Bernadino, Calif. on Nov. 15, 2023.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) on Wednesday slammed Senate Republicans over the attempted border deal, saying it was stupid for them to try to work with Democrats.

Gingrich appeared on an episode of the Cats & Cosby Show hosted by John Catsimatidis and Rita Cosby, where he said he had just recorded a podcast with Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and neither one of us can figure out how these guys talked themselves into doing something that is just stupid.

Senate Republicans voted Wednesday against advancing a bipartisan border deal that was part of a larger emergency foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Indo-Pacific security.

The deal failed in a 50-49 vote, with most of the Senate GOP conference voting against it. The development marked a dramatic shift among Republicans in the chamber, who for months said any funding intended for Ukraine must be paired with reforms for the southern border.

Anytime you try to get a bipartisan agreement with the Democrats, you are going to get ripped off because their interests are so radically different than ours, Gingrich said.

On the other hand, if you have an agreement with the American people, and the American people pressure the Democrats to be with you, then you can get a pretty good deal. But youll never get a good deal if you start by trying to work with the Democrats because its not in their interest to work with you, the former Speaker continued.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) appointed Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) to negotiate a deal with the White House and Senate Democrats to raise the standard for migrants seeking asylum and give Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas emergency power to deport migrants.

McConnell and Lankford celebrated the deal while acknowledging that it didnt get them everything they wanted. But GOP backlash came quickly after the negotiators revealed the details of the bill Sunday, ultimately leading to the failed vote Wednesday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Church of Pakistan has announced its commitment to take action on climate change in line with the Lambeth Declaration, reiterating that the climate emergency was not just a physical crisis, but also a spiritual one.

The Church of Pakistan fully agrees with the Lambeth Call that humanity needs a spiritual and cultural transformation to protect our environment. There is still a chance to turn the tide, but all nations and communities need to act together now to save our planet, which is our common home, said Church of Pakistans Moderator/President Bishop Dr Azad Marshall.

Bishop Marshall was addressing a partners meeting on climate action at the Church of Pakistans Diocese of Raiwand on Sunday. Archbishop Ian Ernest, the Archbishop of Canterburys Special Representative to the Holy See and Director of the Anglican Center Rome, who was in Pakistan on a three-day visit from Feb 2-4 also participated in the moot.

The moderator bishop emphasized the importance of instilling a spirit of stewardship, as embodied by the wisdom of the Christian tradition, to change the mindset towards the natural world.

Bishop Marshall noted with concern that though Pakistan was one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, it was unfortunate that it was also the least funded to effectively combat the crisis.

Changing seasonal weather patterns, rising temperatures, variability of monsoons, and melting of glaciers in the north  compounded with recurrent extreme weather events and natural disasters  are just some of the effects of climate change that Pakistan has been forced to contend with in recent years. Their impact has also been felt among the socially marginalized Christian community, creating an increasing sense of urgency among churches.

Pakistan produces less than 1 percent of the worlds carbon footprint yet is among the countries suffering the biggest consequences of climate change. According to the Global Climate Risk Index, Pakistan is currently the fifth most climate-vulnerable country in the world, reportedly having lost nearly ten thousand lives and suffering economic losses worth billions of dollars due to climate change throughout the years 1999 to 2022.

We need to act together to protect, restore, and safeguard the environment for ourselves and our future generations, he said.

The Church of Pakistan, comprising eight dioceses and a network of over 400 churches, has pledged to make efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, promote environmental education and awareness, support climate-resilient development and disaster risk reduction, and advocate for solidarity with the most vulnerable communities. It is the first Protestant denomination in Pakistan to do so, with other church groups expected to follow in the near future.

Bishop Marshall said that Idaara Ibadat Trust, a faith-based institution working on adult literacy under his patronage, was also poised to take on the new challenge.

Idaara Ibadat runs over 500 literacy centres across Pakistan and we have trained more than half a million people in literacy skills over the last 40 years. The vast networks we have created in communities across Pakistan will give impetus to the Church of Pakistans endeavours on raising awareness on the environmental challenges, he said.

Lauding the Church of Pakistans initiative on climate action, Archbishop Ian Ernest said he was deeply impressed by the realisation in the church for collaborating with church partners and faith-based institutions to bring about the much-needed change by raising awareness and collective action.

He commended the Church of Pakistans moderator bishop for taking the Lambeth Calls seriously and for enabling partnerships so that people could be informed not only to be aware of these problems but to act, to reflect about our responsibility because we share a common task of bringing about the values of the Kingdom.

I havent heard about the problems in Pakistan, so I think its good for you to raise your voices and to let the world know about it, he said.

The archbishop said that the environment of crisis was not something that comes only as an issue to deal with.

I think its a God-given opportunity for us to be able to change the mentality of our people and to bring about the values of the Kingdom where respect for Gods creation and respect for the other are of crucial importance. Without respecting what God has given us so freely, it would be difficult for us to be instruments of grace in the world, he concluded.

Earlier, representatives of Church of Pakistans development partner organisations  Pak Mission Society (PMS) and Idaara Ibadat Trust  shared an overview of the distressing environmental situation in Pakistan and called for cohesive action to meet the climate challenges.

Adeel Rehmat, the chief executive officer of PMS, said that they supported Bishop Marshalls vision to see the church at the forefront of the climate action campaign.

We believe that the church is a major influencer and it has a pivotal role in raising awareness on climate justice. Together with the Church of Pakistan, PMS is envisioning a Green Ecumenical Movement in Pakistan which will focus on all four components of the Lambeth Call: Awareness, Attitude, Action and Advocacy, said Rehmat.

The development expert said that PMS was looking to collaborate with the CoP in various projects, including regenerative farming, capacity building of the youth, establishing model clean areas, introducing climate curriculum developed by technical experts in schools and other institutions administered by the CoP, and establishing green church models, etc.

We are also aiming to jointly advocate for Pakistan at COP-29 and all other relevant forums, he said.

The Church of Pakistans initiative is part of a wider movement of faith-based organisations and leaders who are taking a stand on climate change, as they see the earth as a beautiful gift and a sacred trust from God. Other faith groups, such as Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, Jews, and Bahais, have also issued statements and launched campaigns on climate change.
DARLINGTON  Gov. Tony Evers said the state may seek out an independent investigation into the growing number of deaths inside Wisconsin prisons.

Questioned at an event Wednesday at Darlington Elementary School in southwestern Wisconsin, Evers said the state is waiting on internal investigations into the three deaths that occurred in recent months at one of the facilities, and if needed, the state would pursue an outside, independent investigation as well.

"We'll see," he said. "Maybe if there's a need, we'll do that."

It was Evers' first public comments on the prison situation in recent months. His office and that of Department of Corrections Secretary Kevin Carr have declined to comment on the ongoing issues.

More: Are prisoners getting visitors, showers, or fresh air? As partial lockdown persists, officials are vague on details

There has been an outcry over state prisons, run by the DOC, in recent months, with several deaths, allegations of mistreatment and months-long lockdowns that have largely confined those incarcerated to their cells.

Waupun, one of the state's five maximum-security prisons, has been the site of three in-custody deaths  one confirmed as suicide  during its monthslong state of lockdown.

In June, Dean Hoffmann, 60, died by suicide while in solitary confinement at Waupun in June.

His family spoke with the Journal Sentinel and questioned whether Hoffmann received proper medical treatment for his diagnosed bipolar disorder and if prison staff responded properly to his stated suicidal ideation. The family filed a lawsuit against the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Tuesday, alleging his civil rights were violated in the months leading up to his death.

In October, the Journal Sentinel reported a second and third death at the prison. The cause and manner of their deaths are still under investigation.

Waupun has been under lockdown for months, meaning that those incarcerated are largely confined to their cells, and have complained about a lack of access to shower facilities, and little to no opportunities to interact with loved ones outside of prison. The building itself has been a source of complaints due to its age.

More: 'Right now we're failing': Lawmakers propose prison bills in hopes of addressing lockdowns, deaths

Green Bay Correctional Institution has also been a focal point, due to an ongoing lockdown there, as well as the deterioration of the building itself. Incarcerated individuals have reported an infestation of mice, a lack of access to natural daylight, a lack of access to showers and confinement to cells so small they barely have space to move around their cell mate.

Evers and Carr have pledged to end the lockdowns and confining conditions, but advocates are critical of their claims, saying that "nothing of substance" has happened to help those incarcerated at the institutions.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Vanessa Swales contributed to this report.

Laura Schulte can be reached at leschulte@jrn.com and on X at @SchulteLaura.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Evers: Independent investigation into Wisconsin prison deaths possible
Gov. Kevin Stitt caught some lawmakers off guard Monday when he called for consolidating public colleges and universities in his State of the State speech.

Stitt offered few specific details in his speech except to say he wants to see legislation that incentivizes higher education models that fulfill state workforce needs. Colleges that arent meeting those demands should be consolidated, he said.

The governor is seeking to eliminate redundancies in higher education by encouraging smaller institutions to share some of their administrative costs and eliminate duplicative programs, Stitt spokesperson Abegail Cave said Tuesday.

There are smaller publicly funded colleges around the state that are near other similarly sized colleges, all offering similar sets of programs, she said. If two colleges are 40 minutes apart, it makes sense for them to complement each others programs, not offer all the same.

The same idea could also apply to the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, Cave said.

It doesnt make sense for OSU to offer meteorology degrees when OU has a nationally recognized meteorology program. Similarly, OU should let OSU take the lead on agriculture issues because thats where OSU excels, Cave said.

Gov. Kevin Stitt presents his State of the State address to the joint session on the first day of the Oklahoma Legislature Monday, Feb. 5, 2024

During a visit to Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton last month, Stitt encouraged the two-year college to consider sharing programs and resources with other nearby colleges, according to the McAlester News-Capital.

I want to empower our colleges and universities to be the best in the nation, Stitt said Monday. To be the best, we need to shift our focus to outcome-based higher education models and stop subsidizing institutions with low enrollment and low graduation rates.

In response to the governors speech, higher education Chancellor Allison Garrett said she appreciated Stitts comments in support of growing student enrollment to meet state workforce needs.

More: What to know about Gov. Kevin Stitt's proposed budget  and why it might be a tough sell

Our higher education institutions are always looking for ways to serve Oklahoma better and more efficiently, she said in a statement.

Oklahoma has 25 public colleges and universities.

Oklahoma lawmakers say they have some other priorities for higher education

House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, and Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said they didnt know the details of Stitts consolidation vision and wanted to hear more about his higher education plans.

House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, said state leaders should focus on investing more in higher education after years of budget cuts.

McCall said the Oklahoma Legislature typically supports consolidations that are driven by colleges and universities. Some lawmakers may resist proposals to force schools to consolidate, he said.

More: Why Democrats think Gov. Kevin Stitt is 'out of touch' with everyday Oklahomans

McCall said the University Center of Southern Oklahoma in Ardmore merged with Murray State College, which is based in Tishomingo. Through that 2021 merger, UCSO became Murray State College Ardmore.

If thats the kind of consolidation that the governor is talking about, that has been supported by the Legislature when the consolidation is voluntary, he said. If its just arbitrarily picking two-year colleges or regional universities, picking winners and losers, thats going to be a legislative fight.

Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, who leads the House committee on education funding, said there have been conversations at the Capitol about consolidating higher education institutions since he first took office in 2012.

I personally think that its something that should be looked at, he said.

Small colleges and universities are a vital part of rural Oklahoma, he said. McBride said he doesnt support closing colleges, but he questioned whether some institutions might function better if they partnered with a larger entity with more resources.

In 2017, then-Gov. Mary Fallin directed the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to develop a plan for the administrative consolidation of colleges and other higher education institutions.

The following year, the State Regents issued a report recommending the consolidation of governing boards for some schools and urged community colleges to be governed by the OU Board of Regents, Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents or the Regional University System of Oklahoma Board of Regents.

State Regent Jeff Hickman, a former speaker of the Oklahoma House who termed out of the Legislature in 2016, said some lawmakers and community colleges pushed back on that recommendation.

Citing a shortage of health care workers and engineers in Oklahoma, Hickman said the State Regents are reevaluating the higher education funding formula in a way that ensures colleges and universities are offering in-demand degree programs.

Officials at Boeing and Tinker Air Force Base have repeatedly said they could hire every engineering graduate from OU and OSU and still not have enough new employees to meet their needs, Hickman said.

Its really incumbent upon us to make sure were doing everything we can to not just produce the workforce that those employers need, but to provide those opportunities for students in Oklahoma to get that degree thats going to be life changing and that they can use to earn a wonderful living in Oklahoma without having to move to Dallas or Denver or wherever it may be, he said.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt wants higher education consolidation
The Perry High School sign reads "Bluejay Strong" on Jan. 31 on the first day of classes after the Jan. 4 shooting there.

Gov. Kim Reynolds has extended her state of disaster emergency declaration for Dallas County to further provide support as the Perry community continues to recover from the Jan. 4 shootings at its high school.

The shootings left the principal and a student dead and six others wounded. Authorities said the shooter took his own life.

More: As Perry High students returned to class after shooting, some parents want more security

The state of disaster began Jan. 8 and was set to end Wednesday. Reynolds in her extension pushed the expiration date to March 8, according to a proclamation from her office.

A message announcing the original proclamation said it "activates the emergency authorities of all state agencies, prompts enhanced coordination processes at the State Emergency Operations Center, and removes any administrative barriers to providing state resources and assistance in the days and weeks ahead."

It cited the Iowa departments of public safety, education and health and human services as being among those providing assistance to Perry.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, which is investigating the shootings, has repeatedly declined to discuss the shootings or what it may know about the shooter's motive. Assistant Director Mitch Mortvedt again declined to comment on Wednesday.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: State of disaster extended to help recovery from Perry shootings
Joel Belz, a former moderator of the Presbyterian Church in America and founder of the prominent Evangelical news organization World News Group, has died at the age of 82, following complications from Parkinsons disease.



In a press release issued Sunday, World announced that Belz had passed away, leaving behind his wife of 49 years, Carol Esther, as well as five daughters, 16 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

John Weiss, chairman of the WNG board, was quoted in the press release as describing Belz as a leader, a publisher, a visionary, a faithful servant of his Lord and a friend and mentor to all of us.

His ever-ready words of encouragement to all will be sorely missed. But we know the One in whom Joel placed his faith has now called him home to his glorious reward. For Joel the battle is over and the victory won, stated Weiss.

Belz was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, in 1941, the second of eight children. He went on to graduate from Cono Christian School, Covenant College and the University of Iowa.

In 1977, Belz moved to Asheville, North Carolina, and began working for the theologically conservative news publication The Presbyterian Journal, eventually becoming interim editor.

During the 1980s, while still with the Journal, Belz founded a middle school news publication called Its Gods World, later called Gods World News, which would be praised by prison ministry leader Chuck Colson for its influence on a rising generation of Christians.

Almost 28 years since its founding, the staff is beginning to see a generation of young adults who've been raised on God's World News. One young lady, currently a student at the University of Virginia, wrote them to say, I'd always enjoyed [the publication], but now I realize that you were teaching me to think like a Christian, wrote Colson in 2009.

It thrills me to hear that because my greatest worry at this point is the lack of worldview training for youngsters. When they go off to college or enter the workplace, the studies show that most of them lose their faith. So I've got a great idea for you for a Christmas gift for your children or grandchildren  give them a subscription to God's World News.

As the student newspaper expanded its interest, Belz was reportedly encouraged to found an adult version. As a result, in March 1986, Belz launched World magazine.

Belz was active in the PCA, regularly attending annual meetings of the denomination, and serving as moderator for the Presbyterian body when it held its General Assembly in 2003.

In 2005, after stepping down as chief executive officer of World, Belz continued in other capacities, such as the writing of approximately 1,000 columns, including a 2010 piece that was recently republished titled When politics is cover for coveting.

We sit and stew all day and wish we were as rich as our neighborand at the end of the day, even if the tax law gets changed so that rich people have to pay 40 percent of their income instead of just 30 percent, the coveters end up with virtually none of that difference, Belz wrote.

Weve gotten to the point that it doesnt matter much anymore how we change things. All the taxpayers together havent got enough money now to change the fact that weve spent ourselves into oblivion. Theres not a whole lot left to covet.



Originally published by The Christian Post




ALAMEDA COUNTY, Calif. (KRON)  Two days after announcing a 900 percent increase in California Highway Patrol officers in Oakland and the East Bay, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced plans Thursday to deploy state attorneys to the area to boost criminal prosecutions.

Deputy attorneys general from the California Department of Justice and attorneys from the California National Guard will be deployed in Oakland and Alameda County as part of a new partnership between the Alameda County District Attorneys Office and California law enforcement agencies, a statement from the governors office said. The aim of the partnership will be to increase prosecutions of violent criminals as well as prosecutions for property crimes, serious drug-related crimes, retail theft and auto burglaries.

Fired Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong files lawsuit against mayor, city

The California Department of Justice has independent prosecutorial authority, the governors office said, and will work to prosecute significant cases targeting major criminal networks in Oakland and the East Bay. Prosecutors from CalGuard will become deputized assistant district attorneys in Alameda County and provide investigative and analytical support to identify criminal networks, the announcement said.

Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price said, I welcome the support from the Governor in this fight against organized retail crime and the scourge of Fentanyl in our community. Price announced that she would assign Assistant District Attorney Michael Nieto to represent the DAs office in the partnership.

California State Attorney General Rob Bonta spoke to KRON4s Terisa Estacio about the deployment

In 2023, violent crime in Oakland increased by 21 percent, robbery increased by 38 percent, and vehicle theft rose by 45 percent, according to preliminary reports from the governors office.

The partnership is set to become operational in the coming days, the governors office said.

On Tuesday, Gov. Newsom announced plans to send 120 additional California Highway Patrol officers to Oakland and Alameda County as part of a law enforcement surge operation. The CHP officers will work with local law enforcement agencies on a targeted crackdown on crimes, including vehicle theft, retail theft and violent crime. License plate reader technology, specialized units, K-9s, and air support will also be deployed, the governors office said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
The Governments executive director of communications who is to join the UAE foreign ministry hosted a 20-person official delegation from Abu Dhabi last May.

Alex Aiken opened a day of speaking events, including how to handle crisis communications, for UAE officials in the Grade 1 listed Admiralty House.

The gathering on May 15 2023 was part of a wider visit from the UAE government which saw its foreign ministers meet James Cleverly, the then foreign secretary.

A Government insider familiar with the event said Mr Aiken had rolled out the red carpet for the UAE, which less than a year later would be announced as his new employer.

A Cabinet Office source said Mr Aiken was not approached about a job until much later.

James Cleverly, the then foreign secretary, meets with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan, the UAE minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, in May 2023 - Rory Arnold/No 10 Downing Street

The Telegraph is facing an attempted takeover by RedBird IMI, a fund 75 per cent financed by the UAE. Government ministers have the power to block the deal.

The results of an investigation by Ofcom, the media regulator, and the Competition and Markets Authority is due to be handed to the Culture Department next month.

Questions have been raised about the appropriateness of Mr Aiken, who has spent decades in political communications, taking a paid position with the UAE given the countrys lack of democracy and differing values to the UK.

The appointment became public on Wednesday, yet Mr Aiken intends to stay in his role until April. It remains unclear exactly when he will join as a communications adviser to the UAEs foreign ministry.

Restrictions in new role with UAE

New details have emerged about the restrictions said to have been placed on Mr Aiken in his new job.

Mr Aiken was told he will not be able draw on, disclose or use for the benefit of yourself or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Government, any privileged information available to you while in his UK role, according to a Cabinet Office source.

He is also barred for two years after leaving Whitehall from being directly involved in lobbying the UK Government or using his contacts gained from his past career for personal gain or for that of the UAE.

All of Mr Aikens future contacts with British civil servants must also be made through official channels only.

The event at which Mr Aiken spoke last May focused on government communications. Such gatherings are often held with the communications team of visiting foreign delegations.

Admiralty House, which is located off Horse Guards Parade in Westminster, was built in the 18th century. Winston Churchill lived there while First Lord of the Admiralty.

UK-UAE inaugural Strategic Dialogue

The event saw Mr Aiken give opening remarks before senior communications figures from other Government departments spoke to the room of UAE government officials.

The full UAE government visit had been announced around the same time, with a press release from the Foreign Office touting the UK-UAE inaugural Strategic Dialogue 2023.

Mr Aiken, as one of the most senior figures in the Governments communications team, had responsibilities for how news about national security issues was announced.

That meant he often attended so-called Cobra meetings, which can involve sensitive information being shared about military movements or responses to terrorist attacks.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said of the May 15 event: Governments regularly host routine exchanges between officials.

This event is similar to other communications exchanges held in the last year with countries including Ukraine, Singapore, the USA and Germany.

Mr Aiken has stepped back from engaging with security issues which could be a conflict of interest given his new role before he leaves in April, according to a Cabinet Office source.

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.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Last month, KSN News reported that the Care Arc Health Clinic in Eureka was closing.

CareArc said the decision to close is driven by financial challenges caused by decreasing population trends in the area. The health center is located at 1602 N. Elm St. in Eureka.

Now, Governor Laura Kelly has weighed in. She released this statement on Wednesday.

The closure of yet another rural healthcare provider shows why we must expand Medicaid immediately. Now, Kansans who relied on the Care Arc Health Clinic will have to drive farther or wait longer for basic care. Expanding Medicaid could have helped the clinic recruit and retain the workers it needed to continue serving patients.

How many more rural hospitals, health clinics, and emergency rooms must close before the Kansas Legislature takes Medicaid expansion seriously? I have proposed a commonsense bill to support our rural healthcare providers  at no additional cost to taxpayers  but legislative leaders have delayed even holding a debate on this proposal. I am once again urging legislators to hold a hearing on the Cutting Healthcare Costs for All Kansans Act as soon as possible to support the health and longevity of our rural communities.

Kansans can contact their state legislator to express support for Medicaid expansion here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
After oral arguments at the Supreme Court in Trump v. Anderson, a grand bargain that appears to make practical sense as a compromise is beginning to come into view: The Supreme Court unanimously, or nearly so, holds that Colorado does not have the power to remove Donald Trump from the ballot, but in a separate case it rejects his immunity argument and makes Trump go on trial this spring or summer on federal election subversion charges. Depending upon how the court writes its opinion, however, it could leave the door open for chaos in January, if Donald Trump appears to win the 2024 election and a Democratic Congress rejects Electoral College votes for him on grounds hes disqualified. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, however, may have seen this danger and found a way around it. If the courts going to side with Trump in the disqualification case, it should embrace Justice Jacksons rationale, even if it is not the most legally sound one.

Since the Colorado Supreme Court removed Trump from the ballot on grounds he engaged in insurrection, rendering him disqualified under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, most close observers of the U.S. Supreme Court expected a reversal: The idea that a single state could remove a leading presidential candidate from the ballot seemed both politically fraught and a bad political precedent.

It was clear from Tuesdays oral arguments that many of the justices shared this view. Chief Justice John Roberts in particular was concerned about a race to the bottom in which Republican states try to take Joe Biden off the ballot and it becomes a kind of free-for-all. More liberal Justice Elena Kagan expressed a similar view about the unique federal interest in not leaving this to the states. Justice Amy Coney Barrett flagged the first mover problem, in which whatever state disqualifies first would make factual findings that would be binding on the nation. In fact, listening closely to the questioning, I counted only one justice, Sonia Sotomayor, who might be persuaded to affirm Colorados disqualification decision. Expect a unanimous or nearly unanimous opinion for Trump.

The concern about states going their own way and creating disuniformity in a presidential election is a reasonable one, and a decision that avoids letting states remove presidential candidates for political reasons makes practical sense. And there is something of a fortuity to the fact that by Monday, Donald Trump has to come back to the Supreme Court for an emergency motion on his claim of immunity to avoid going to trial on election subversion. Trumps immunity arguments are exceptionally weak, as the unanimous decision from a bipartisan panel of D.C. Circuit judges confirmed this week. What a nice Kumbaya moment it could be for the Supreme Court to both restore Trump to the ballot in Colorado and make him go to trial on election subversion charges in Washington this spring. Together, these decisions let the voters decide if Trump really is disqualified from serving as president.

And yet, the rationale for keeping Trump on the ballot that seemed to be gelling at Thursdays oral argument could open the door to something politically dangerous down the line. Suppose the Supreme Court holds that the unique federal interest in the presidential election (or all federal elections) means that states cannot use disqualification under the 14th Amendment to remove a candidate from the ballot, perhaps absent some congressional authorization. Such a ruling would still allow Congress, our national body, to disqualify Trump.

And such congressional disqualification might not come before the election, but instead come after. As I spelled out in a Supreme Court amicus brief supporting neither party, filed with professor Edward Foley and GOP lawyer Ben Ginsberg, there is a big risk of disenfranchisement and chaos if the court issues a ruling that punts on the question of whether Trump is disqualified and leaves the question to Congress. If Trump appears to win the election in November and Democrats control Congress, there will be a serious effort to disqualify Trump when Electoral College votes are counted in January, something that would risk political instability and even violence. Kicking the can down the road in this way is dangerous.

And perhaps this is why Justice Kentanji Brown Jackson appeared to be embracing what I consider to be a weak textual argument that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment does not apply to the presidency. She noted that the president is not named explicitly as one of the offices for which disqualification applies in the amendment, and said that the history showed that the amendment was really aimed at what was going on in the Southern states after the Civil War, where local authorities were more likely to be Confederates. The argument is weak because it would be an absurd rule to disqualify insurrectionists from serving in every office in the land except for commander in chief, an issue that even Trumps lawyer Jonathan Mitchell conceded at oral argument. Its also weak as a textual matter, because the disqualification provision applies to offices of the United States, which should include the presidency.

And yet, the Justice Jackson approach has great practical appeal. A ruling along Justice Jacksons lines would say that disqualification does not apply to the presidency at all, which would make it exceedingly unlikely that congressional Democrats would try to not count any Electoral College votes for Trump cast in November.

Would the court write an opinion that relies, at least in part, on some shaky reasoning to reach a result that definitively resolves an election in a way that the justices think is the most politically expedient? Yes, weve seen this move before, where the court embraced a new and controversial equal protection rationale. See Bush v. Gore. Heck, the justices in the disqualification case could include the Roberts race to the bottom argument too, so that theres a more persuasive rationale in the opinion for reaching the result that Trump remains on the ballot. Thats like how three conservatives in the Bush v. Gore majority also embraced an alternative rationale for siding with George W. Bush in the contested 2000 election, a rationale that the Supreme Court last year appeared to embrace.

The bottom line is that if and how the court rules for Trump in the disqualification case, and as it considers sending him to trial on election subversion, it needs to keep an eye on whats going to happen in January if Trump appears to win. If theres going to be a grand bargain, the court should not forget what Congress might do.
SCOTT COUNTY, Va. (WJHL)  An incident surrounding leaked nude photographs of a Scott County Public Schools (SCPS) employee following a social media extortion scam led to a months-long investigation by police agencies and a Scott County Grand Jury into alleged sexual misconduct in the school system, a statement from the countys Commonwealths Attorneys office said.

2nd Catfish Killer lawsuit filed against Washington County, Va. Sheriffs Office

That investigation, which began in July 2023, found no sufficient evidence to bring forth recommendation of criminal charges, but did result in a list of recommendations for the school system, which includes modernizing its complaint and reporting system from sometimes handwritten and verbal notes to digitized records.

Facebook Scam Gone Wrong

The investigation began after a social media account identifying as Bernard Lancaster of Colorado posted explicit photos and videos of a SCPS employee on July 20, 2023. The account claimed to be the grandfather of a 15-year-old female student and claimed the SCPS employee had attempted to solicit sexual acts from the student, according to the Commonwealths Attorneys statement.

The statement said the Scott County Sheriffs Office and Virginia State Police (VSP) immediately launched a criminal investigation to verify and identify the specifics of the allegations against the SCPS employee.

The investigation uncovered that the SCPS employee apparently was having an online relationship with what appeared to be an adult female. As a part of this apparent relationship, [the employee] created videos and photos to send to this adult female to express his interest in her, the Commonwealths Attorney statement reads.

Investigators discovered the account posing as an adult female was actually a group of individuals located in a foreign country, who threatened to release the images unless the SCPS employee paid them. The Commonwealths Attorney did not specify the amount of money demanded.

Once the SCPS employee was unable to continue to meet the groups demands, the statement said the group then released the explicit images on Facebook alongside the false allegations under the Bernard Lancaster account.

The statement said the investigation found no evidence that the SCPS employee tried to solicit or maintain an inappropriate relationship with any current Scott County Public School students.

What Happened Next

The Commonwealths Attorneys statement said almost in tandem with the accusatory post regarding the SCPS employee on Facebook, a separate post was made by a former Scott County Public Schools student. That post garnered more than one thousand comments, some of which were multiple allegations of misconduct, including alleged sexual misconduct, between teachers/employees and underage students.

According to the statement, the sheriffs office and VSP investigated each of these claims made against SCPS staff members, identifying and speaking with, or attempting to speak with, over thirty individuals who allegedly knew of specific instances of misconduct in the SCPS system.

Former state Rep. Scotty Campbell claims he was forced to resign as part of a cover-up

Along with the VSPs and sheriffs offices investigations, Scott County Commonwealths Attorney Kyle Kilgore empaneled a Special Grand Jury to assist in investigating alleged misconduct within the school district.

Over the course of five months, the Grand Jury, consisting of ten Scott County residents, met monthly to receive updates from the sheriffs offices investigators as well as to hear testimonies and evidence from more than one dozen witnesses. A report released from the Grand Jury said members viewed over forty exhibits introduced during the investigation.

Special Grand Jurys Findings

The Commonwealths Attorneys Office said that despite numerous allegations, the Grand Jury and law enforcement were unable to corroborate prosecutable criminal activity toward a cooperative identifiable victim.

The Special Grand Jury filed and released a report given the intense local public interest in the events leading up to the investigation. The report from the Grand Jury said its members felt it was appropriate to release findings, as well as a list of recommendations for the school system, to hopefully reassure the public of the safety of our children in school.

In the report, the Grand Jury noted that many of the allegations made over social media in July 2023 were reported to have occurred several years prior.

This not only made it difficult to identify and locate potential witnesses and victims with firsthand knowledge to corroborate testimonies; if probable cause could be established related to an allegation, the Grand Jury report states, the statute of limitations has passed, barring criminal prosecution.

While we proceeded in our investigation, we were constantly battling the intertwined vines of rumor, conjecture and hearsay that had taken root over time. Scott County Special Grand Jury report

Furthermore, the Grandy Jury report states when the investigation did identify a specific victim, that victim expressed an unwillingness to proceed with criminal prosecution at this stage in the victims life.

Grand Jurys Recommendations for Scott County Public Schools

Although the investigations by the sheriffs office, VSP and the Special Grand Jury didnt result in any criminal charges filed, the Grand Jury did release a list of recommendations for Scott County Public Schools going forward.

The Grand Jury suggested that SCPS review and revise its internal policies regarding mandatory reporting, as well as training not only for staff but students as well.

In the list of recommendations, the Grand Jury describes the school systems attitude toward mandatory reporting as laissez-faire. The jurys report said one key suggestion for the school system is to enact a policy that would switch all reporting, complaints or otherwise, to an already existing electronic system to eliminate any liability issues, confusion or mistakes.

The Grand Jurys full list of recommendations for the Scott County School System following this investigation can be found below:

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Students and other demonstrators protest against the conservative Greek government's plans to legalize private universities. Socrates Baltagiannis/dpa

Thousands of students gathered in Athens on Thursday to protest against the planned admission of private universities, bringing the centre of the Greek capital to a standstill.

The conservative government plans to allow such private institutions from 2025, provided that a corresponding catalogue of criteria is met.

Students and teachers are concerned that education will become more and more elitist and that public universities could be neglected, while referring to the ban on private universities that is currently laid out in the Greek constitution.

In addition to professors, other public sector employees also took part in the protests. People also took to the streets in Thessaloniki.

In a televised interview on Thursday morning, Education Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis said that the criteria for the admission of the new universities were "the strictest in Europe."

He added that private universities would have the same so called numerus clausus admission standard as public institutions, meaning that if the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, only the best applicants will be accepted.

Regarding the accusation that the quality of the degrees could be worth less than at public universities, Pierrakakis pointed out that around 40,000 students were currently studying abroad, whose degrees would also be recognized later.

The accusation that private universities are forbidden by the constitution was refuted by the government with the argument that the country was adapting to current EU law with this step.

Many Greek families have been sending their children abroad to study if they can afford it. Young people often remain abroad after their studies.

The government is keen for young people to study in Greece and enter the domestic labour market when they graduate.
Chinese New Year celebrated at UNECA with distinctive culture activities

Xinhua) 09:42, February 08, 2024

ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese New Year celebration was held Tuesday at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, with Mandarin-speaking students at UNECA and other staff enjoying distinctive Chinese cultural activities, including songs, paper cutting and aromatic Chinese tea.

Hosted by the Chinese Mission to the African Union (AU), the celebration brought together members of the diplomatic community from China and other African countries, as well as Chinese language students at UNECA, among others.

Wishing a happy and prosperous Chinese New Year and fruitful China-Africa cooperation, Hu Changchun, head of mission of China to the AU and representative of China to the UNECA, said China will continue to work with UNECA and Africa to build a China-Africa community with a shared future under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative.

"Regardless of the changes in the world, China and Africa have always stood firmly by each other on issues involving core interests and major concerns," Hu said, adding that the language courses at UNECA will help the students better understand China's long and splendid history and culture, as well as appreciate more closely China's path to modernization.

"I hope that the Chinese language will be the window to a true, multi-dimensional and panoramic view of China," Hu said.

Appreciating the Chinese government for offering the Chinese language courses, Nita Deerpalsing, a UNECA official, said the courses are helping UN personnel expand their language base and understand the vast Chinese culture and tradition.

"Expanding the Chinese language will not only contribute to creating 'equilibrium' in the use of different languages across the world but also play a significant role in acquiring the enormous Eastern knowledge," Deerpalsing said.

Ricardo da Silva, chief of Security and Safety Services at UNECA, is one of the 15 UN personnel attending the Chinese language courses. Silva told Xinhua that he came to understand the sophisticated Chinese culture and tradition once he began attending the Chinese language courses.

"After I joined the Chinese language classes, I have begun to understand new visions and viewpoints and learn how people would be able to collaborate with each other for mutual benefits and development," said Silva.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
PROVIDENCE  The battle began anew Thursday for an assault-weapons ban and safe-storage requirements for firearms, with organized labor taking a lead role in the 2024 election-year drive.

The assault-weapons ban may still be a tough sell.

But this year 28 out of the 38 state senators have co-sponsored the companion bill to require the locked storage of guns that was born of avoidable Rhode Island tragedies, including the 2022 shooting death of a Johnston teenager at the hands of a friend showing off his uncle's unlocked guns.

"Too many American tragedies  suicides, unintentional shootings involving children, mass shootings  start with someone getting their hands on someone else's gun without permission. My bill would give gun owners a stronger incentive to take common-sense precautions that make gun ownership safer," said Rep. Justine Caldwell, the lead sponsor of the House version of the safe-storage bill in a statement about it.

"We know that 70-80% of school shootings, unintended shootings and suicides by children are from unsecured firearms at home or a known family member or friend," echoed the lead Senate sponsor, Pam Lauria.

Patrick Crowley, the secretary-treasurer of the 80,000-member R.I. AFL-CIO, also had a central role at Thursday's State House news conference to promote the bills and pledges organized labor's support.

The same dark-money forces that fund anti-union politicians also fund the gun lobby," said Crowley, citing national accounts of NRA activities.

"But gun violence is a worker-safety issue, which makes it a union issue, and thats why the Rhode Island AFL-CIO supports these important bills," Crowley said at a State House news conference co-sponsored by the National Education Association Rhode Island and others backing the renewed push by the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence (RICGV) for gun safety legislation.

The gun lobby has disputed that characterization at legislative hearings for years, asserting that neither bill would reduce gun violence in any way.

Melissa Carden, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence: "We know if we get our two bills to the floor  secure storage and an assault weapons ban  they will pass."

But Melissa Carden, the executive director of RICAGV, disagreed, saying: "We know if we get our two bills to the floor  secure storage and an assault-weapons ban  they will pass."

These are the gun bills advocates are pushing for this year

Thursday proved to be a busy day at the State House, with multiple news conferences within the same one-hour span covering payday lending, reforms to public records law and the AARP legislative agenda. Competing for attention, the gun-control advocates focused in on these bills:

House Bill 7217 to ban the possession, sale, and transfer of firearms defined as "assault weapons," with exceptions for those who already possess a legally obtained assault weapon when the proposed law takes effect, who register it with  or transfer it to  their local police department or who render it permanently inoperable.

Senate Bill 2202, House Bill 7373 to require  as Massachusetts does  the safe storage of firearms and provide civil and criminal penalties for violations. In the event the weapon is used in a crime or causes injury or death, as has happened in more than one case in Rhode Island, the gun owner could be fined up to $5,000 and imprisoned for up to five years.

What are the arguments for and against reform?

In recent years, the lawmakers heard the anguished pleas for action by the mother of 16-year-old Dillon Viens, who was killed by a friend playing with one of his uncle's unlocked guns, and the sister of Allyson Dosreis, who died by suicide with an unlocked gun belonging to her partner days after he abruptly ended their 10-year relationship.

"I believe [that] if the gun had been secured, it would have prevented my sister from acting impulsively. It would have bought some time and sometimes, when you can interrupt a suicide ... you can save a life," Allyson Dosreis' sister, Patti Alley, told legislators.

The counter-argument by gun owners at these last hearings: locking a gun up overnight make it less immediately available to confront an intruder.

"You never know when something bad is going to happen," Tonya Pereira of Cranston told lawmakers at last year's hearing. "You don't know if somebody's going to break into your house."

"If you sleep with a gun by your bedside, you have every right to do so," she said. "The government has no right to come into our private homes and tell us what we can do with these inanimate objects that we have legally purchased."

Under current Rhode Island law, a gun owner is criminally liable only if a child gets access to and discharges a gun causing injury to himself or herself or others.

Of the proposed assault weapons ban, Rep. Jason Knight said: We banned machine guns decades ago because they were a danger to society .... They are a scourge, and there is no reason why we should tolerate them in Rhode Island.

Of the proposed assault-weapons ban, Rep. Jason Knight said: We banned machine guns decades ago because they were a danger to society ... They are a scourge and there is no reason why we should tolerate them in Rhode Island.

In his turn at the microphone, Crowley drew a verbal rundown of the union members a victim would encounter at every stop were there ever to be a mass shooting in Rhode Island, from the 911 operator who answers the call to the first responders, EMTs, ambulance driver, and triage team of union nurses."

"Then the victim is rushed into the operating room, where the only person in the room who isnt a union member is the doctor ...[and they all give] it everything theyve got to keep this human being on the table in front of them alive."

And then it is quiet, Crowley said. And then someone says what time it is. And then the doctor says Ill go speak with the family.

"But the first thing that happened is that someone got their hands on a gun and did something horrible," he said, in his prepared remarks. "Pass these laws."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Could this be the year for an 'assault weapon' ban in RI?
At least five members of a rogue security brigade seeking the ouster of Haitis prime minister died Wednesday in an exchange of gunfire with police, who spent a third day beating back violent protests across the country.

Lionel Lazarre, the head of SYNAPOHA, a police union, said Haiti National Police also arrested three agents of the Protected Areas Security Brigade, known as BSAP, and confiscated one of their vehicles. Police and brigade members found themselves engaged in a deadly gun battle in Laboule, a hillside community above the capital of Port-au-Prince, early Wednesday as anti-government protests continued to rage across the country.

Agents of the state environmental brigade are supposed to protect Haitis border areas and endangered pine forests. But some have gone rogue, joining forces with a former rebel leader and political opponents of Prime Minister Ariel Henry to demand his ouster from office Wednesday, Feb. 7. During a protest through the streets of Miragone, a rural community south of the capital, a leader of the brigade confirmed the deaths of his fellow agents and warned that if Henry doesnt step down they would set fire to the country.

For now, Henry, a neurosurgeon who came to power after the July 7, 2021, assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, appeared to be holding on despite the demands for him to relinquish power. In a national address aired on Thursday after midnight, Henry called for calm and said the police is working tirelessly to curb insecurity and the government is doing everything it can to give our security forces more means, more equipment to solve the number one problem for all of us today, which is insecurity.

He added: A transition cannot lead to another transition, invoking a position expressed in recent days by the international community, which has said Haiti needs to be planning for elections and not a longer transition.

All of those who refuse the dynamic that will lead us to the election route, all those who decide to use violence to destroy people, to kill people, to take power are not working in the interest of the Haitian people, Henry said. The Haitian people need jobs, the Haitian people need to move freely throughout the country to settle their affairs. The Haitian people need their children to go to school.

The prime minister said he plans to continue speaking to Haitians across the political spectrum, along with members of civil society, grassroots organizations and the private sector to address the ongoing political deadlock and to work on improving the security situation so that Haiti can hold elections and return to democratic order.

Once the security problem begins to resolve, we will launch the electoral process so that we will turn over the power to the leaders of the Haitian people, Henry said.

Protesters set up a barricade in the street during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

Wednesday marked 38 years since Haiti expelled dictator Jean-Claude Baby Doc Duvalier and ended the familys tyrannical reign. Five years later, the country had its first democratically elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Feb. 7 has since become the date a new president assumes office, and after assuming power after Moises death, Henry had promised that he would be turning over power to an elected president on Feb. 7, 2024.

But the promise was conditioned on Haiti being able to hold elections as part of a Dec. 21, 2022, political accord Henry signed to consolidate his power in the absence of an elected president or parliament.

In the 14 months since the accord was signed, Haiti has been mired in political gridlock, with Henry and his opponents unable to expand the agreement to reach a broader political consensus to move toward elections. Many Haitians, angry over the countrys dire situation, have tried to hold the prime minister to his word.

Earlier in the week, political parties announced three days of mobilization aimed at ousting Henry. In cities around the country protesters set fire to government buildings, blocked roads with overturned vehicles and flaming barricades, looted buildings and attempted to stage a sit-in in front of the prime ministers office.

In each instance, anti-riot units of the Haiti National Police fought back, firing tear gas and in some cases shooting at protesters.

While members of the international community have downplayed the significance of Feb. 7, they also were keeping a close eye on events. On Wednesday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres continued to called for the rapid deployment of an armed international force to help the Haitis police battle armed gangs. Haiti was among the countries he mentioned during remarks to the General Assembly on priorities for 2024.

In Haiti, lawlessness is surging and millions face acute food insecurity, Guterres said. The Multinational Security Support mission must be deployed without delay and I hope all obstacles will be removed, and I also urge Member States to provide the necessary financial support.

Eight Democratic members of the U.S. Senate issued a statement outlining their worries about the ongoing political paralysis. They called on Henry and his government to take serious and concrete steps, alongside major opposition actors, to lay the groundwork for the creation of a transition consensus government capable of holding elections.

Today should have marked the presidential inauguration of the first democratically elected Haitian leader since the assassination of Jovenel Moise in July 2021 following commitments from the de facto government of Ariel Henry to hold elections in 2023 under the December 21 accord, the lawmakers said. However, rather than today being a celebration of Haitian democracy, continued waves of murders, kidnappings and sexual assaults by violent gangs  often using U.S.-made weapons  have made it impossible for the Haitian people to hold free, fair, and democratic elections.

The lawmakers are: Ben Cardin of Maryland, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois; Tim Kaine of Virginia; Jeff Merkley of Oregon; Cory Booker of New Jersey; Chris Van Hollen of Maryland; Peter Welch of Vermont, and Chris Murphy of Connecticut.
Nikki Haleys defeat in Nevadas primary on Tuesday has dealt an embarrassing blow to her candidacy as she heads toward a showdown with former President Trump in South Carolina.

Though the former U.N. ambassador has been seen as a long-shot candidate, shes benefited from a cash windfall in recent months, spurring hopes she might at least be able to close the gap with Trump in her home states primary Feb. 24.

But her loss to a none of these candidates option in the Silver State primary has ramped up pressure on the candidate to either drop out soon despite the media and donor attention shes receiving or risk a potentially humiliating defeat to Trump in her home state and beyond.

Haley had a bad night in Nevada, seemingly on track for a miserable night in South Carolina later on this month and potentially a disastrous Super Tuesday, should she choose to stay in the race, said GOP strategist Brian Seitchik, arguing the loss adds to evidence of Trumps enduring dominance over the GOP.

The none of these candidates option, which was required on ballots in the primary, was projected to win more than double Haleys votes, according to Decision Desk HQ.

A win in the state-run primary would have been merely symbolic for Haley, as the Nevada GOP plans to allocate its 26 delegates only based on the results of party-run caucuses Thursday.

But the loss stands out because Haley was the only top active name on the primary ballot, after Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and former Vice President Mike Pence dropped out.

Trump, on the other hand, will appear as the only significant candidate in the Thursday caucuses.

For people that dont understand the dynamics of Nevada politics, it does look like an embarrassment for Haley, Republican strategist Ron Bonjean said of the primary results.

The Nevada GOP sparked confusion in the states nominating process by shirking the presidential preference primary required under a new state law, charging forward instead with its long-standing caucuses  and barring any candidate whose name was on the primary ballot from participating.

Given the Nevada setup, observers have long expected Trump to have Nevadas delegates all but locked up. Haley skipped campaigning in the state, turning her focus instead to South Carolina and the Super Tuesday states that vote in March.

Asked before the primary how worried the campaign was that Haley could lose to the none ballot option, her campaign manager Betsy Ankney stressed that the team had not spent a dime nor an ounce of energy on Nevada and did not want to pay to participate in the rigged caucus system.

Even Donald Trump knows that when you play penny slots the house wins. We didnt bother to play a game rigged for Trump. Were full steam ahead in South Carolina and beyond, Haley spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas told The Hill after the primary results came in.

Bonjean noted Haleys choice not to invest in the Silver State but said the move amid Nevadas confusing system risks making it look like she has egg on her face.

While candidates couldnt take part in both contests, state law allows registered Republicans to cast ballots in both, opening the door for Trump supporters to cast protest votes against Haley. Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) said last month that he planned to select the none option in the primary and then vote for Trump in the caucuses.

Republican strategist Doug Heye said the none win is a boost for Trump.

If youve got all these candidates listed except Donald Trump, and then you have an option that says not any of these people, by default, thats Trump, said Heye.

Haleys loss is the latest sign of Trumps power in the party and points to a likely bad outcome for her in the Palmetto State, where the former president has been beating her in polls.

I understand [Haley] didnt put any resources in [Nevada] because there were no delegates to be won. All that being said, losing to none of the above is an embarrassment, Seitchik said.

The former president called Tuesday a bad night for Nikki Haley.

It has been a while since the political world was treated to such a humiliating, embarrassing, and utterly overwhelming defeat than Nikki Haley suffered yesterday in Nevada, Trumps spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement.

On the other hand, Republican strategist Rina Shah argued there wasnt much for Haley to lose in the Tuesday primary anyway.

There was nothing that could have happened in Nevada that gave her some added momentum going into South Carolina, Shah said, arguing Haley didnt need anything out of the Silver State to live to see another day in this race.

With Trump expected to take the Thursday caucuses, hes set to head into South Carolina with wins in the first three early states  after beating Haley in both Iowa and New Hampshire last month  while the former South Carolina governor struggles to narrow his lead on her home turf.

The latest polling averages from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ show Haley trailing the former president by 31 percentage points in the Palmetto State. And looking toward the dozen-plus contests on Super Tuesday, March 5, Trump is ahead of Haley by nearly 60 points in national averages.

Some strategists have suggested Haley could claim a strong showing in South Carolina if she comes within 10 or 15 points of Trump. But Bonjean argued the only way for her to avoid embarrassment is to score an unlikely outright win.

It will be a real turning point for her, if she comes in second. And the question will be: How long will she want the campaign to continue after that? Bonjean said.

Clearly, the bulk of the states have not made their decisions. She has every right to stay in. But the trend is moving in the wrong direction for her, he said.

Haley is the last candidate standing between Trump and the Republican nomination.

Top contenders such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who was long considered the top Trump alternative, exited the race as the early states began to weigh in, leaving Haley as the last long-shot bid challenging Trump for the party nod.

She saw surges of momentum last year after strong debate performances and reported a significant cash influx in January, signaling to some that she has the resources to stick it out through South Carolina and beyond.

But the former U.N. ambassadors bid has faced questions about why shes still running, given Trumps substantial polling lead. Some have guessed shes laying the groundwork for a 2028 run, while others think shes waiting for Trump to hit a snag with his various ongoing legal battles.

Some Republicans have urged her to drop out so the party can consolidate behind Trump. The former president cant become the partys presumptive nominee until he earns a certain number of delegates. Should he do that, he would then be allowed to open up joint fundraising opportunities with his campaign and the Republican National Committee.

It looks like Haley has the money to continue toward Super Tuesday, Heye suggested. And then well have to see from there.

Amid the skepticism, Haleys campaign says theyre in it for the long haul.

On Tuesday, her team rolled out a new South Carolina ad  and shes hosting a campaign event in the Super Tuesday state of California on Wednesday.

This is an unusual race, Shah said. So lets expect some funny outcomes here and there, but its not until next month, March, that we need to be worried about real embarrassment for Nikki Haley.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
GOP presidential candidate and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley maintained she is not going anywhere, despite a primary loss in Nevada earlier this this week.

Haley lost the Silver State primary to none of these candidates Tuesday evening, a significant blow to her campaigns momentum as former President Trump  the GOP front-runner  was not even on the ballot. Despite the loss, Haley vowed at a Wednesday campaign event in Los Angeles that she would stay in the race.

Im not going anywhere. Im in this for the long haul, Haley said without mentioning the Nevada loss. And this is going to be messy. And this is going to hurt, and its going to leave some bruises.

There were no delegates at stake in Tuesdays election. Instead, all 26 of Nevadas GOP delegates will be up for grabs in Thursdays caucuses, which Trump is expected to win.

Haley and Trump are the only two major candidates remaining in the Republican primary race. After losses in Iowa and New Hampshire, Haley is still trying to pull off a strong showing in South Carolina, her home state, later this month and in the Super Tuesday races in March.

Polling averages from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ show the former president leading Haley in the Palmetto State 61.2 percent to 30.3 percent. The states primary will be Feb. 24.

The former governors campaign has argued she would perform better in a head-to-head match-up with President Biden, the likely Democratic candidate, in Novembers election than Trump. She has also criticized both of their ages and has continued to push for mental competency tests.

Do we really want a country in disarray and a world on fire and have our two candidates be in their 80s? she said at the rally.  We need to have someone who can put in eight years to get the job done and get our country back on track.

Californias primary is not until Super Tuesday, which is March 5.

According to The Hill/Decision Desk HQ polling average of the California GOP primary, Haley is significantly trailing Trump with just nearly 16 percent of support. Trump has nearly a 50-point lead over the former United Nations ambassador with about 65 percent of support, according to the average.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
York County Commissioners approved spending more than half a million dollars to buy new election equipment and services for the primary and general election this year.

"We expect a high turnout this year," Gregory Monskie, chief operations officer, said during the Wednesday, Feb. 7 meeting.

All of the purchases will be covered with Act 88 funding from the state and relate to election security. No county money will be spent on it, he said.

New election equipment, training to be purchased

Here's a breakdown of the purchases that will be made:

$220,000 for secure transport carts to ICX/ADA machines from Phoenix Graphics, Inc. of Rochester, New York. "The biggest advantage is that the machine itself can be fully enclosed and locked, which would provide an additional layer of protection for any tampering, as well as any physical damage that might result during transport," Monskie said in an email.

$12,500 for inventory and tracker software from EasyVote Solutions, Inc. of Woodstock, Georgia. The county currently uses the company for its poll worker database/communications platform and for campaign finance tracking. The add-on service will help the county to better track preventative maintenance and to track security tags that prevent tampering, Monskie said in the email.

$219,300 for election support and four central count scanners from Dominion Voting Systems in Denver, Colorado. This will increase capacity for scanning mail ballots and provide backups in case any hardware issues arise, Monskie said. It will help to ensure that results get out in time. The county's in-house team will receive additional training, relating to preventative maintenance and counting accuracy.

$111,250 for two additional stacker units and associated installation hardware from Runbeck Election Services in Phoenix, Arizona. This will add capacity to the mail-in ballot sorting machine, allowing the county to sort and keep ballots by precinct, Monskie said. It will help with the state-required post-election audit.

Attention students: Design an 'I Voted!' sticker, and you could win a prize

Deadlines to register, request a mail ballot for upcoming primary

Voters will be casting ballots this year for president, Congressional leaders, and more.

Here are important dates to know:

The primary will be held on Tuesday, April 23.

The deadline to register to vote in the primary is April 8.

The last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is April 16.

To register to vote or learn more about upcoming elections, visit www.vote.pa.gov.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: York County commissioners approve new voting equipment, training
A lot of video games have a character problem, mostly in that they dont really have characters as such. The first season of the Paramount+ Halo show tried to overcome this (pretty substantial) obstacle in adapting the long-running Xbox shooter series by taking the mask off of its protagonist, Master Chiefa supersoldier best known to players for the iconic green slab of a helmet that eternally hides his face.

The result was a depiction of the character, buoyed by a committed performance by Pablo Schreiber, that turned out to be more captivating than the plot around him. Schreibers version of Master Chief was, at times, as stern and stoic as his digital counterpart and, at others, animated by a trembling arc of self-discovery whose emotional force seemed to unnerve and exhilarate him by turns.

Still, as successful as Halos first season was at turning Master Chief into a compelling, distinctly human character, it was also surprisingly talky and sober, and a bit too abashed of its hyperactive video game origins to ever feel like a total success as either a science fiction drama or an action series. Halos second season (premiering Feb. 8) initially seems to have solved this problem by leaning into spectacle. Its first episode, Sanctuary, kicks off with a straightforward and tense sequence: Master Chief and his fellow Spartans evacuating a planets population before a malevolent alien force called the Covenant blow the whole place up.

Rather than try to capture the freneticism of a video game firefight in the chaos that follows, Halo tinges its first several action scenes with horror. Hulking Covenant aliens spring out of clouds of noxious fog or emerge from the darkness of shadowy tunnels with monster-movie menace, ripping hapless marines and civilians limb from limb. As in the first season, its the violence that gives these potentially weightless CGI creatures heft. Master Chief snaps an aliens neck with a branch-breaking crack. Gouts of blood splatter from gunshots and plunged knives. The sound of thudding boots and bodies smacking against the ground is suitably impactful, grounding the digital effects with earthy muck and generous gore.

These action scenes possess a visual flair borrowed, in part, from the source material. Halo can be, at times, a very good-looking show, its establishing shots of invented planets and futuristic megacities capturing the alternately grim and inspiring future envisioned by a franchise where space marines traipse across technicolor galaxies. In one scene, alien warships rise from a sea of clouds like breaching whales. In another, were shown what plasma burns look like on a body shot dead by Covenant guns.

Paramount+

Unfortunately, as in the first season, these kinds of scenes often take a backseat to inert, meandering small-scale drama. The first four episodes made available for review include a B-plot surrounding revenge-seeking orphan Kwan Ha (Yerin Ha) that doesnt really cohere with Master Chiefs story. The dialogue can be dull and expository, though its sometimes elevated by the actors, including Bokeem Woodbine, reprising his role as former super-soldier- turned-outlaw-leader Soren-066.

Paramount+

Too often, Halo pulls focus from the immediate stakes of the human/alien war to dwell instead on rote melodrama. Schreibers Master Chief is as interesting as before. So is Natascha McElhones Dr. Halsey, a Frankenstein figure who cant help but appear delighted with the ethically dubious results of her mad science projects. But other major characters, like the wormy bureaucrat James Ackerson (Joseph Morgan), dont earn their screen time.

Out of Darkness: Cannibalism and Claustrophobia Lead Creepy New Survival Film

Beyond the disjointed plotting, Halo possesses a hard-to-ignore militarist subtext that comes into clarity as Master Chief continues to search for selfhood. In the second season, were shown duplicitous bureaucrats who override the first-hand knowledge of heroic military figures to disastrous effect, the Spartans hampered by red tape in their efforts to save lives and counter a vicious enemy. As Master Chief and his genetically engineered squad struggle to experience new emotions, like joy and empathy, the show points out that these feelings lessen their effectiveness in battle. The soldier, Halo suggests, is the figure best suited to lead society in times of peril.

Paramount+

The show may motion toward a general anti-war sentimenta captain hopes aloud for a future where humanity will be free of wars horrors; civilians caught up in battle are depicted as tragic figuresbut these small moments are overshadowed by a larger tribute to heroic soldiering free of government oversight and the transformative power of individual might.

Halo works well when its willing to be goofy, and stumbles when it gets serious. At its best, the show strikes a balance between colorful, fantastical action spectacle and smaller-scale character work; there are moments in the first half of the new season that successfully draw stray plot threads into the main thrust of the story and more enthusiastically lean into silliness. For now, though, Halo, like its identity-seeking protagonist, is still trying to find itself.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The Portland community came together Wednesday evening to discuss the plaza named in honor of an icon of the city, Darcelle XV.

The City of Portland closed the former OBryant Square back in 2018 due to structural issues. Its been fenced off and unused ever since. Until now  when its scheduled to make a comeback  and officially redubbed Darcelle XV Plaza.

PHOTOS: Firefighters battle massive blaze in North Portland

Its such a historic piece of property in downtown Portland and to have a wonderful way and a unique way to honor our dear Darcelle in another part of town, said Poison Waters, a co-host at Darcelle XV Showplace.

Friends and family of Darcelle gathered at the nightclub named after her on Northwest 3rd Avenue to talk about the new park. The former OBryant Square at Southwest Park and Harvey Milk Street will get a much-needed $4.5 million makeover.

Its a really amazing time to be a part of the energy thats going on to both public spaces, internal city government and making Portland a safe space that other areas in the country can hopefully look to and model, said Cayla McGrail, an associate planner with the City of Portlands Bureau of Planning and Sustainability.

West Linn City Councilor calls polices mishandling of sex abuse case a betrayal

The plaza sits on the edge of Portlands pink triangle, an area that has historically been home to the citys gay bars and clubs.

Walter Cole, also known as Darcelle, died last year at 92. City leaders then chose to rename the square after the late drag queen and icon. She headlined the longest-running drag show in the world for more than 50 years.

Darcelle was, of course, such an active member of the LGBTQ community, but also the entire community at large and so theyre so in love that theres a park, a public space thats open for the community to come and enjoy in her memory in her honor, Poison Waters said. Its just fabulous.

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Renderings show the plaza will feature a dog park, event stage, string lights and a Walk of Fame  in true Darcelle fashion. But its still in the planning stages.

McGrail said an important part of the process is striving to be innovative and trying out different things to see what will work best.

Its really exciting to think about how we can interpret the built environment and add queer history into the physical space, she said.

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Theres a hope that the plaza will be a draw to bring more people back into the city.

Were awakening. Downtown is busy. The hustle and bustle is so engaging to that space, its going to be like like a beacon, Poison Water said. Her legacy still lives on.

The legacy square is slated to be demolished later this month. Construction for the plaza that will replace it will start this summer and is scheduled to be finished by the end of fall.

Its not too late for community members to give input. In fact, the City of Portland has a survey people can complete online to give their feedback, found at this link.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Researchers want to know why two counties in north-central Kansas have high cancer rates compared to the rest of the state.

According to K-State Research and Extension, Russell County has the fourth highest cancer mortality rate per 100,000 population and colorectal cancer rate. Lincoln County has the highest prostate cancer rate and the third-highest lung and bronchus cancer rate.

Researchers say they have checked for the usual culprits, such as high alcohol and tobacco use or limited colon cancer screenings, and those do not appear to be the reason for the high cancer rates.

Now, they want to check for other potential causes.

We think that groundwater contamination and high radon levels might be at the center of the problem, the Johnson Cancer Research Center at K-State said in a news release.

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Research in Russell, Lincoln and Ellsworth counties

The researchers will sample water and air in Russell, Lincoln and Ellsworth counties. Ellsworth County will serve as the control in the study. It is right next to Russell and Lincoln counties but does not have high cancer rates.

Radon is a radioactive gas often found in homes. It works its way up from the ground, through cracks in the foundation, and becomes trapped in homes. It is called a silent killer because you cant see, taste or smell it.

One in four Kansas homes has high levels of radon. Click here for a map showing the counties that have higher radon levels. People in any Kansas county can get radon test kits through K-State county extension offices or SOSRadon.org. The website also includes how to reduce radon in your home.

The K-State researchers want to put radon test kits in the basements of homes in the three counties.

They also need to collect water samples from domestic wells in the three counties. Russell City Manager Jon Quinday said he spoke to one of the researchers and confirmed they would not be testing samples from public water systems.

The researchers want to collect samples from domestic wells for trace elements, as most domestic wells are not tested regularly for contaminants, Quinday said.

He pointed out that public water systems are already monitored for numerous contaminants like atrazine, coliform, asbestos, and pesticides.

Why you should test your home for this radioactive gas, officials say

Town hall meetings

K-States Johnson Cancer Research Center is holding town hall meetings in each county toward the end of the month.

Come learn more about how you can be a part of the solution to minimize cancer incidence and improve quality of life for our communities, the town hall flyer says.

Residents are encouraged to attend the meetings to learn more about the research, groundwater contaminants in domestic wells, and radon in homes.

Monday, Feb. 26 at noon: Russell Regional Hospital classroom, 200 S. Main. Enter through the lobby door.

Monday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m.: Finch Theatre, 122 E. Lincoln Avenue, Lincoln.

Tuesday, Feb. 27 at noon: Ellsworth Cunty Medical Center Admin Building, 1706 Aylward Avenue.

A light meal will be served at each location.

Getting the samples

Students in the K-State geology department will go to the three counties this spring and summer to collect water samples and distribute radon test kits.

The Johnson Cancer Research Center says the water analyses of the domestic wells may take a few months. When the results are in, the owners of the wells will get a water quality report in the mail so they will know if their water is safe to drink.

Homeowners who allow radon test kits to be placed in their homes will also get a copy of their test results.

When the whole project is concluded in the summer of 2025, K-State will share the results with the community.

Finding answers

The researchers hope to use the findings in several ways.

In the geology department, Dr. Karin Goldberg and Matt Kirk will analyze the data to investigate potential links with high cancer rates.

Dr. Helene Avocat, in the geography and geospatial sciences department, will look for connections between environmental factors and cancer types using Geographic Information System (GIS) and spatial analysis methods.

Shreepad Joglekar, in the art department, will use video and pictures to document stories of cancer survivors, family members and health professionals. Their stories would help raise awareness about the issue.

Who to contact

K-States Johnson Cancer Research Center is coordinating the project. You can reach the director, Dr. Sherry Fleming, by email at sdflemin@ksu.edu or by phone at 785-532-6130.

Dr. Goldberg is leading the water contamination research. Her email is kgoldberg@ksu.edu. Her phone number is 785-341-4454.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  The retail stores of Cloud Cannabis have been acquired by Michigan-based Stash Ventures.

Stash Ventures, headquartered in Mount Pleasant, is the parent company of Timber Cannabis Co., High Minded and High Minded Creations. It has now added Cloud Cannabis 11 Michigan retail stores, including two Grand Rapids locations, a Muskegon location and a Kalamazoo location.

Cloud Cannabiss previous owners have kept the cultivation and manufacturing operations under the name Mitten Distro, focused on the wholesale brand Mitten Extracts, while the retail spots have kept the Cloud Cannabis name.

Not much will change for Cloud Cannabis customers, chief legal and chief strategy officer for Stash Ventures Katie Wiley said, though there will be more High Minded and High Minded Creations products on the shelves.

We are thrilled to welcome all the new employees to the Stash Ventures family, she said. Weve spent time listening and learning about what they need, what they think the customers need.  Were making very few changes and if we do, were going to make them very slowly and very intentionally.

Weed war: Michigan dispensaries fight to survive

Cloud Cannabis and Stash Ventures have similar origins, both starting shortly after Michigan voters approved recreational marijuana sales. In 2019, a couple started Stash Ventures, with the goal to make the most knowledgeable and capable Midwest cannabis company, Wiley said.

The following year, Cloud Cannabis was founded by a group of friends who wanted to create an approachable option for the cannabis-curious consumer, said John McLeod, head of new markets and director of licensing for Mitten Distro and a Cloud Cannabis co-founder.

Leaders of both companies met awhile back at an industry conference and kept each other on their radars.

Ultimately last summer things kind of heated up, Wiley said. We were looking for a really strong market player throughout Michigan in the retail sense and Cloud Cannabis kept coming to mind.

Both teams liked that they had similar values, with a focus on employees and the community.

The culture that Stash leads with and the community engagement that they bring to the table and the investment in their team members was a gating item for us, before we talked about any type of an acquisition, McLeod said. The fact that they brought all those to the table in one was really just a blessing for us.

McLeod said its hard saying goodbye to Cloud Cannabis and its employees  likening it to watching a first born head to college  but said his team is excited for whats next.

Prices down, supply up for MI marijuana industry

Wiley expects to see similar moves from other businesses in the industry as companies face oversaturation in some markets.

We anticipate others in the marketplace will move towards consolidation just like we have. The customer demands have leveled off, she said. How do you create a sustainable business in the cannabis industry? is, I think, everyones top question.

The Michigan cannabis industry has seen some recent hardships. Last year in the Lansing area, Discount Buds shut down, as did a SKYMINT grow operation. SKYMINT also had to enter a receivership last year due to financial challenges.

Theres still strong demand in the market Wiley said, and McLeod noted that because only some cities allow for dispensaries, it can be easy for a municipality to become too dense.

McLeod believes theres still untapped consumers out there who just havent tried cannabis products yet, but could become regular consumers if they do.

Theres a lot of people that still  have not tried or have not experienced a good version of cannabis, he said. Theres a lot of people that have had  an aunts brownie or something at a party and it wasnt metabolized well and they got really high. Well, thats not the experience that people are having these days.

McLeod and Wiley said they hope to see a healthy industry down the road, noting how many people now rely on the cannabis industry to feed their families.

I hope its a healthy business model. I hope that our competitors and our peers in the marketplace are sustainable and doing great, Wiley said. I hope that the customer experience is healthy. I hope our communities in which we operate our business, its a healthy environment just like any other industry.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Construction of California's high-speed rail line is evident in cities across the San Joaquin Valley. Here, work continues on a viaduct in Hanford. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The piling rig was in position, ready to drive a concrete pillar 40 feet into the ground. Just beyond the rig on this winter afternoon, trucks and cars continued streaming down State Road 198 in Hanford, separated from the construction site by white dividers.

Then, the pile-driving began. Foot by foot, the rig's hammer slammed the pillar into the ground with the rhythmic beat of a metronome. With every blow, the ground shook and exhaust spewed. The beam would be one more in a network of pillars pounded deep into the earth to create the foundation for a high-speed rail line that in a matter of years will glide along tracks above the state highway, launching a new era in California's Central Valley.

From earth-moving equipment to heavy trucks ferrying massive beams and bulldozers clearing piles of debris, construction related to California's high-speed rail project is evident across the San Joaquin Valley. Farther north, crews worked atop a viaduct that will carry the high-speed line above existing freight tracks that cut across the state north to south. And in Fresnos Chinatown, restaurant and retail owners eagerly served a steady influx of construction workers, engineers and electricians, part of a broader transformation of the city's downtown and economic prospects.

Californias high-speed rail may still be a matter of carping debate in some political circles, but it's fast becoming a reality for residents of the Central Valley. This heavily farmed region  historically separated from Los Angeles, San Francisco and the California coast by both conservative politics and physical distance  is first in line to benefit from an infrastructure project being built with tens of billions of dollars in state and federal funding.

Fresno officials are banking on California's high-speed rail to be a major catalyst for economic development. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The 171-mile stretch of rail running between Merced and Bakersfield could be operational as early as 2030, with testing of the bullet trains slated to begin in 2028, according to the High-Speed Rail Authority. The project has created more than 12,000 construction jobs, with 70% of those workers coming from the Central Valley. Authority officials cited 25 active construction sites, with the Kings/Tulare station outside Hanford being the largest. The authority is closing in on finishing 22 miles of rail north of Shafter, set to be the first segment of the rail line completed .

In December, the Biden administration awarded the authority a $3.1-billion grant, the authority's biggest award to date. The funds will go toward purchase of six electric trains for testing and use, design and construction of the Fresno station and designs for the Merced and Bakersfield extensions.

Residents and local officials acknowledge there has long been dissent over the project. Some of the region's big farm interests have mounted fierce opposition, rallying conservative lawmakers to their cause.

When state voters first approved a bond issue for the project in 2008, rail officials estimated the entire 500-mile system from Los Angeles to San Francisco would cost $33 billion and be operational by 2020. That start date has repeatedly pushed back amid legal challenges, delayed environmental reviews and mismanaged contracts. And with those delays, estimated costs for the full project have spiraled to more than $110 billion. The San Joaquin Valley segment alone is now priced at $32 billion.

Still, local officials say the tenor of the conversation has changed as more jobs are created and structures go up.

When Interstate 5 was conceived in the mid-20th century as a major transportation corridor connecting California from north to south, the Central Valley's interests were not part of the equation. The route skirts the valley's rural western edge, and its major population centers  Fresno, Modesto, Bakersfield  were left out. In contrast, the high-speed rail line will cut through the heart of the valley, and Fresno and Bakersfield are key transportation hubs along the route.

The first operating segment of the high-speed line will run from Bakersfield in the south to Merced in the north. The vision is to ultimately extend service to Los Angeles and San Francisco. But even before those planned expansions, the rail line will intersect with existing passenger rail in Merced and a satellite bus network in Bakersfield to create more seamless nonauto travel options.

Local officials believe that connectivity will open all sorts of horizons: making it easier for people to live inland, where housing is relatively affordable, and still work on the coast. Access to jobs  particularly nonfarm jobs  and top-notch colleges will expand. And a region notably lacking in hospitals and healthcare professionals will have more options.

"To say I'm excited is an understatement," said Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, a Republican. "High-speed rail is a game-changer for Fresno and the Central Valley in many ways. No. 1, it will reconnect Fresno and the entire valley with the rest of the state and connect us with the California economy."

Alex Lee prepares raw fish at Central Fish Co., one of several long-time businesses in Fresno's Chinatown hoping to benefit from construction of high-speed rail. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

In Fresnos Chinatown, there is a rich history of diverse communities driven together by redlining policies.

Dating to the 1860s, Chinese migrants working on the freight railways were forced west of the tracks. Pretty much anyone who was not white migrated to what became Chinatown, and a thriving community evolved as people from Africa, the Philippines, Mexico and Japan settled in the area. All that began to unravel in the 1960s when urban renewal projects brought freeway construction that severed Chinatown from the rest of the city and forced mass displacement of residents. Businesses shuttered, buildings were abandoned, and those who remained lived amid blight.

Central Fish Co., opened in 1950, is one of the longest-standing businesses that remain. Owner Morgan Doizaki, who took over the shop from his parents, is a big proponent of the rail project. He, along with other business and property owners, formed the nonprofit Chinatown Fresno Foundation to support the rail line and advocate for the neighborhood's inclusion in Fresno's transformation. The Fresno station will be built on the site of the city's historic depot center in downtown, and related renovations involving roads and walkways will connect commuters to Chinatown.

Orlando Viloria, an employee at Central Fish Co., envisions using high-speed rail for regular day trips to visit family in Los Angeles. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The massive reconstruction is not without challenges. Carniceria y Taqueria La Nueva Reyna, which has served traditional Mexican dishes on Tulare Street for more than a decade, has put up large, colorful banners to let people know they remain open. To get inside, patrons must navigate bright orange netting, maneuvering around missing sidewalks and large machinery. While they have lost some old customers, owner Reyna Cruz said, they've also gotten new business from construction workers stopping by for lunch and beverages on their breaks. "There are good times and bad times," she said as workers streamed in to buy sodas on a Monday afternoon.

Central Fish Co. customers have to navigate a maze of road closures that sometimes box in the store, Doizaki said. Still, he is hopeful. In 2019, he purchased a building in Chinatown that he envisions turning into an apartment and retail complex.

When the time is right, well be in a position to capitalize on the states largest project ever coming into our backyard, he said. Its like a gift.

Orlando Viloria, who works for Doizaki, is also excited by the rail line's promise. He envisions day trips to Los Angeles to see his family and them zipping up to see him. Thats always been my dream, he said. I just cant wait.

Fresno City College student Domaris Cid says high-speed rail will vastly expand educational and job options for young people in Fresno. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Fresno City College student Domaris Cid is among the younger residents who see the chance to expand their educational options while still living at home. She said she loves her hometown for its hiking trails and riverfront parks along the San Joaquin River but finds the dearth of diverse educational institutions limiting.

It kind of sucks how I would have to move out of the valley to ... have an education that I want, said Cid, 18. The high-speed rail, she said, could give her access to UC Merced or UC Berkeley to continue her political science studies. "I wouldn't have to leave a place I really do like."

Not everyone in Fresno is a fan. Cids aunt, Marina Covarrubias, is among those who worry that becoming more connected to the rest of California will mean more people looking to buy homes in Fresno, which in turn could drive up housing costs and price out local folks. I don't think it's going to be the bigger cities complaining about it," Covarrubias said. "Its going to be us.

Mayor Dyer acknowledged that accommodating the state's first high-speed rail project comes with steep learning curves, not to mention the disruption and noise of construction. Later this year, he said, he plans to visit Tokyo to understand how leaders in Japan revamped cities to take advantage of high-speed rail so he can ensure Fresno becomes a "destination point."

"Short-term pain, long-term gain," he said. "Were the largest metropolitan area in all of Central California, so its largely our responsibility to lead the way."

An aerial view of construction of a high-speed rail viaduct in Hanford. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Bakersfield vice mayor Andrae Gonzales remembers the chorus of opposition when the state first proposed high-speed rail. Many area farmers objected to the state using eminent domain to buy up land for the route.

But as the pile-drivers pound away and the project takes shape, Gonzales said, What Im hearing now is that high-speed rail can be an asset and benefit to our region.

Read more: Time to get real on the bullet train: California is building it, so lets make it work

A majority of California voters agree, viewing the high-speed rail favorably, according to a 2022 poll by UC Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies and The Times. The poll found that 56% of voters support the state's current plan.

In Bakersfield, the high-speed rail station is central to the citys revitalization plans for a downtown core left moribund by suburban flight. For nearly a decade, city leaders have sought to bring it back to life.

They see an opportunity to increase housing stock near the station and create jobs around the rail operation  and at the same time to markedly ease commutes for the many residents who live in Bakersfield and work in Los Angeles, Gonzales said. Once the Bakersfield station is complete, the authority intends to establish it as a regional hub that will have specialized bus service to Los Angeles until the rail system is extended.

As a "pro-growth, pro-development and pro-business kind of person," Hanford vice mayor Mark Kairis said he, too, sees high-speed rail's potential as an economic driver for his town of 58,000, with more people willing to call Hanford home as it becomes embedded in the high-speed line's path.

The train is coming by and we have an option either to get on or stand by and watch it go on, Kairis said. We all know its coming. Its kind of exciting to see that, and see what that might bring for us.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Railway giant Eurostar is expected to have new competition as early as next year, and the move could ultimately make fast, eco-friendly travel more accessible and affordable.

As detailed by Smithsonian Magazine, Evolyn agreed to acquire 12 trains from French manufacturer Alstom in October, and if all goes according to plan, the high-speed railway startup could end a decadeslong monopoly on cross-Channel Tunnel train travel.

It would be the first time, after 30 years of Eurostars monopoly, that a competitor has entered the market, an Evolyn spokesperson told Reuters.

Rail travel has reportedly been increasing in Europe, with the European Commission also advocating for its adoption to significantly reduce harmful carbon pollution.

While walking and biking are the least polluting modes of travel, as well as amazing ways to exercise and improve mental health, trains are one of the most eco-friendly types of public transportation.

Thats particularly true for high-speed trains, which run on electricity instead of diesel fuel.

According to Our World in Data, riding a train instead of driving a gas-powered car for medium-length distances can reduce pollution by 80%, while taking a Eurostar train to France rather than a short-haul flight can cut emissions by a whopping 97%.

As Reuters pointed out, the Channel Tunnel is meant to handle nearly double the amount of rail travel it currently facilitates, so adding new competition to the mix could play a role in helping the United Kingdom and European Union meet their pollution-reduction goals without negatively impacting their economies or hindering human connection.

Evolyn stated in a press release that it intends to be fully operational by 2026 after beginning operations next year, and it has the option to eventually purchase at least four additional trains.

A competitor for Eurostar can only be a good thing! Time Out in-house train expert Ed Cunningham told his publication. Hopefully, itll mean lower prices, better services, and a wider variety of European destinations for travelers in London and the rest of the UK.

We know that the governments of the United Kingdom and France welcome a project that will allow their citizens to increase the connection options between the UK and several countries in continental Europe with a green alternative that will also contribute to decarbonization, Evolyn CEO Jorge Cosmen said in a company press release.

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(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.)  The 4th Judicial District Attorneys (DA) Office announced on Wednesday, Feb. 7 that a historic sentence had been handed down to a woman connected to the fentanyl intoxication death of her cellmate at the El Paso County Jail in 2023.

Katariina Gibson was found guilty in November 2023 of two felony charges, including Proximate Cause of Death by Unlawful Distribution and Introducing Contraband in the Second Degree. Gibson was charged with distribution of fentanyl after her cellmate, 44-year-old Renee Lowrance died of fentanyl intoxication on Jan. 20, 2023.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Woman found guilty in jail fentanyl distribution case

The 4th Judicial DAs Office said on Feb. 2, 2024, its office made Colorado history by handing down the most severe sentence for this crime28 years.

There is a point, Ms. Gibson, where this is less about you and more about protecting people from you, said Judge Samuel Evig as he addressed Gibson in the courtroom.

DA Michael Allen has made it a priority to address the alarming increase in fentanyl deaths and has directed the DAs Office to prioritize these types of cases.

Fentanyl and other opioids are causing needless deaths in our community, said DA Allen. If you distribute fentanyl anywhere in the 4th Judicial District, including within the jail, you will be held accountable.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin chose to be interviewed by Tucker Carlson  a "political commentator," if not simply an American provocateur who was fired from Fox News  because he is useful, explained Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on MSNBC news on Feb. 8.

Read also: Pro-Kremlin host Tucker Carlson appears in Moscow

Putin's decision was driven by Carlson being an anti-Ukrainian propagandist, aligning with the dictator's agenda, Clinton said commenting on the ongoing media debates regarding the ethical considerations of providing Putin a platform to spread his lies to a multi-million audience of U.S. residents.

"He is what is called a useful idiot, she said.

If you actually read translations of what is being said in the Russian media, they make fun of him. I mean, he's like a puppy dog.

Read also: Tucker Carlson to interview Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in Moscow

I would not be surprised if he emerges with a contract with a Russian outlet, because he's a useful idiot. He says things that are not true, he parrots Vladimir Putin's pack of lies about Ukraine. So, I don't see why Putin wouldn't give him an interview."



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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Because of heavy rains, a large eucalyptus tree fell, taking down some power lines in the Brentwood area Thursday, resulting in an outage and blocking road access. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

An atmospheric river storm that pummeled California with record amounts of rain knocked out power for a record number of Californians.

The storm, which dumped more than a foot of rain in some parts of Los Angeles County since Sunday, also damaged electrical equipment resulting in the highest number of outages of Pacific Gas & Electric customers from a single storm in at least 30 years, according to the utility.

At least one of the nine deaths attributed to the latest storm systems resulted from a power outage.

About 1.4 million PG&E customers statewide lost power during the storm. The bulk of the outages have affected Northern California where powerful wind gusts toppled trees, sending them crashing onto electrical equipment and into homes.

Read more: California storm: After 5 days, the rain has stopped. In its wake, 9 dead, a trail of destruction

About 30,000 PG&E customers remained without power as of Thursday morning, according to the utility that serves much of Northern California, the Central Valley and a swath of the Central Coast.

"The storm and the intensity of the winds came in much higher than any of the models forecasted. The damage has been very, very significant," PG&E Chief Operating Officer Sumeet Singh said in a video posted on the utility's website. Singh added that some areas recorded wind speeds that surpassed 90 mph.

At their peak, the outages statewide affected around 875,000 people, Brian Ferguson, spokesperson for the governor's Office of Emergency Services told The Times this week.

On Monday, a 90-year-old woman who was dependent on oxygen died after the power went out in her Los Osos home, according to San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs spokesperson Tony Cipolla.

Customers in Sonoma, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Mendocino and Santa Clara counties have been hardest hit, with between 3,000 and 6,000 customers affected. Officials anticipate most customers' power will be restored by the end of the day Friday.

The storm damaged more than 2,500 spans of powerlines, 866 power poles and 327 transformers, according to PG&E.

Read more: Here's how much it has rained in California compared to years past

Access to electrical equipment amid the relentless rain impeded repairs, officials said.

In Carmel-by-the-Sea, hundreds of customers didn't have electricity on Thursday morning, but hoped it would be restored before the day is over. Some have been without power since late Saturday, said Mayor Dave Potter.

"The outages have been significant. We were able to get power back to the majority of people within about 48 hours, but there's still some people without it," he said.

Electricity went out at Potter's home late Saturday night so his family checked into a nearby hotel. His power was restored quickly, he said, "but I still had to throw all of our food away."

PG&E partnered with food banks in Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Marin, Humbolt, Sonoma, Solano Lake, Napa, Monterey and Mendocino counties to provide meals to people who have been without power for days.

Read more: L.A.'s monster storm was even worse in some areas than the alarming forecasts

Utility equipment in Southern California has also been damaged, but outages have not been as widespread. Jeff Monford, a spokesperson for Southern California Edison said crews were staged ahead of the storm in areas across the region where roads are typically closed making access easier when issues arose.

Southern California Edison reported 75 outages as of Thursday, affecting just over 2,700 customers. The bulk of those outages were in San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties.

"At one point we had an average of 8,000 customers affected," Monford said. "But with crews being out in the field making repairs as quickly and as safely as they can, we now have many fewer customers affected."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
ALBANY, N.Y.  Democrat Tom Suozzis campaign for a bellwether special election next week is getting a boost from his former foe: Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The governor has emerged as a vocal supporter in the final days of Suozzis bid to retake the House seat he vacated two years ago  when he ran an ill-fated primary challenge against her.

But with the migrant surge and immigration seen as pivotal issues in the race, Hochul is excoriating Republicans and GOP-backed House candidate Mazi Pilip for the implosion of the border security bill this week ahead of Tuesdays special House election

And, in turn, shes making the case for Suozzi.

Hochul is among a group of blue state governors pressing for a new immigration law. She called the Republican decision to walk away from the Senate-negotiated package this week a suicide pact for battleground GOP lawmakers.

The political repercussions of the failed bill will play out in the special election next week, Hochul predicted in a CNN interview Thursday morning.

The Republicans are going to wear this, she said. It starts on Tuesday right here in the state of New York. All we have to do is realize Tom Suozzis opponent says she would not support the Senate deal.

Pilips campaign has called the Senate proposal a nonstarter and faulted it for not doing enough to stem the flow of illegal entries into the country.

I do not support what amounts to the legalization of the invasion of our country, she said in a statement.

Hochul has hyped up Suozzis candidacy and blasted Pilip after GOP lawmakers rejected the Senate-negotiated border security package  a proposal she pinned as necessary to help address the flow of as many as 3,000 migrants a week into New York.



The strong talk from Hochul in support of Suozzi, who needed her blessing to clear the field for his latest run, is another sign of the increased anxiety among Democrats that the race for the suburban swing district is becoming an increasingly tight contest.

Party leaders had initially banked on voters returning Suozzi to his old House seat on the strength of his name recognition and residual voter anger over Republican former Rep. George Santos scandal-scarred time in office.

Instead, the campaign is increasingly seen by both Republicans and Democrats as a referendum on immigration and how President Joe Biden has handled the issue.

At the moment, the race appears to be razor close.

A Siena College/Newsday poll released Thursday morning found Suozzi drawing 48 percent to Pilips 44 percent, a result within the 4.2 percentage point margin of error. The poll also found 49 percent of voters expected Pilip would do a better job of addressing the influx of migrants into the U.S. compared to 40 percent for Suozzi.

On Wednesday, Hochul sidestepped a question over whether Biden should be doing more to help Suozzi in the special election in the Queens and Long Island district.



Instead, she zeroed in on Pilip and the failed immigration bill, and she has been uncharacteristically aggressive as a surrogate for Democrats during a media blitz this week.

This should be a factor in that race, she said. Everyone should be asking where Mazi Pilip is on this.

Hochul went further in an interview on MSNBCs Morning Joe and questioned the credentials of Pilip, an Ethiopian-born Jewish refugee who served in the Israeli Defense Force and is now a Nassau County legislator.

We dont even know a thing about her. This is like George Santos all over again, Hochul said. What do we really know about her? I dont think the voters of that district are going to be fooled again.

Republicans have rolled their eyes at Hochuls attempt to help her former nemesis.

The Democrats pretend theyre supporters of women until its someone who doesnt share their viewpoint, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, a Staten Island Republican,said in an interview. I think it is unfortunate that Kathy Hochul would launch these personal attacks. Shes the gaslighting governor;everything that comes out of her mouth most of the time is not true.

The GOP has also tried to make Hochul a liability for Suozzi and link him to how Democrats are handling the migrant crisis in New York.

Last month, the NRCC pointed to Hochuls $233 billion budget proposal that boosted funding for New York City to help pay for emergency shelters while also advancing a proposal to change how education is funded in the state, resulting in cuts for more than 300 school districts. The budget, Republicans charged, put migrants ahead of school kids.

Hochul has dismissed the criticism, pointing to the money coming from disparate pots of funds in the budget and called it typical Republican attacks in an election season.

But the episode highlighted the uneasy alliance between the two moderate Democrats.

Suozzi launched a primary campaign against Hochul in 2022 when she was running for the first time after being elevated to the office following the resignation of Andrew Cuomo.

Suozzi rankled Hochul during that campaign after he called her an interim governor. He criticized her shifting stances on gun laws and prior opposition to drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants when she was a local official in Erie County.

They set their differences aside late last year, however, soon after Santos expulsion from the House, a truce brokered as Democrats push this year to regain power in the closely divided House with an estimated half-dozen swing districts in New York at stake.

Jason Elan, a former aide to both Hochul and Suozzi, said the governors efforts on behalf of her erstwhile primary opponent are sincere. But Democrats should be even more aggressive in turning the tables on the GOP over the migrant policy, he added

I think the Democrats should really attack her and go on the offense on immigration, not just sit back and explain themselves on the merits of the bill, he said he said of Pilip.

Hochul herself knows what its like to win in a special election while leveraging a national issue. She flipped a Republican-held seat in a conservative area of western New York in 2011, running in opposition to GOP-backed plans for Medicare.

Hochul is also fighting the perception, pushed in part by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, that New York Democrats were the main factor in the party losing control of the House.

The Pelosi criticism stung the governor, a New York Democratic consultant said.

There was nothing that hit her harder, the consultant, who requested anonymity to relay private discussions, said. Its less about having a favor for Suozzi as much as its this national conversation.

But Suozzi has shrugged off the potential national implications of next Tuesdays outcome.

This race is between Suozzi and Mazi, he said during a virtual news conference this week.

Democrats also doubt whether Hochul can have much of an impact in a House race in the New York City suburbs, an area where she has struggled to build support among voters.

It doesnt hurt, Austin Shafran, a Democratic consultant, said of Hochuls support for Suozzi. But in close, off-cycle elections typically turnout is based less on who is saying what on CNN and who is connecting with voters in person at their front doors.
A 2,500 square foot home resting on five acres is for sale in east Montgomery just off Bell Road. The four-bedroom design in Bellwood Estates offers a wonderful opportunity for a family to renovate and create their dream home, Realtor Stephanie Schulte said.

A large screened-in sunroom stretches across about half of the back of the brick home. The sunroom overlooks a huge lot big enough to accommodate a pool, tennis court and the plans of an ambitious gardener.

The home at 6201 Chaparral Drive in Bellwood Estates provides four bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms within 2,497 square feet of living space. The home sits on five acres and offers a great opportunity for a renovation and the creation of a dream home. The property is for sale for $230,000.

Homes in Bellwood Estates were built from the 1970s into the 1990s, yielding a wide range of architectural styles, Schulte said. Home designs include ranch, Mediterranean, Georgian, and neo-classical, she said. All homes were custom built, and every home is unique.

Bellwood Estates is located off the east side of Bell Road, between Vaughn Road and Troy Highway. Both popular public and private schools are located nearby.

Most parcels in Bellwood Estates offer beautiful mature hardwoods and trees draped with Spanish moss, Schulte said. Many homes have private ponds - its country living within the city limits. The acreage offers privacy and space.

The home at 6201 Chaparral Drive provides two and a half bathrooms within 2,497 square feet of living space. This is a home that needs to be fully renovated. Values of homes in the neighborhood can support increasing the value of this home after renovation, Schulte said. Homes in this neighborhood do not come on the market very often.

The home is situated on a 5-acre corner lot. The design includes a formal living room, formal dining room, and a spacious den with a fireplace. The property includes an abundance of parking with a circular driveway, and a separate driveway to the double car garage.

The kitchen includes granite countertops and a breakfast bar. The garage provides covered parking and extra storage. The property also has detached storage.

This property offers a blank canvas for your dream home, Schulte said. The home is a renovation opportunity in a serene, spacious setting.

The home was built in 1972. The property is on the market for $230,000.

Breaking It Down

Spacious homes, huge lots

Quiet atmosphere, privacy

Near public, private schools

Close to dog park, museum

Mature trees, natural surroundings

By The Numbers

At least one home has been sold in the past year

The home was sold for $1,150,000

At least three homes are for sale

The homes are priced in a range from $230,000 to $485,000

Homes for sale measure from 2,497 square feet to 2,935 square feet

To view properties or to inquire about any future open house dates and times, contact Realtor Stephanie Schulte at 334-220-6627.

Directions: From downtown Montgomery, drive east on Interstate 85 and take the Taylor Road exit. Take a right onto Taylor Road. Take a right onto Vaughn Road at the intersection of Vaughn and Taylor roads. Drive west on Vaughn Road and take a left onto Bell Road. Travel south on Bell Road and take a left onto Chaparral Drive to enter the neighborhood.

Source: Realtor Stephanie Schulte

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Home and 5 acres available in east Montgomery's Bellwood Estates
AUSTIN (KXAN)  When we asked Donald Montgomery, nicknamed Hippy, whether he likes living at Camp Esperanza, run by The Other Ones Foundation (TOOF), just off of Highway 183 and 171, he said the answer cant be a true yes or no.

I love it here. Especially with the new iteration, the community ispersonality is up, friendliness is up, stealing is downbut I have an itch to get a place that is under my control, he told us.

We spoke to Hippy last year, after Mayor Kirk Watson announced Austin groups fighting homelessness were getting a massive chunk of money from the state, roughly $65 million. A bulk of that funding is expected to go to TOOF to help them expand operations.

But we told you then, there were a lot of puzzle pieces that still hadnt worked their way into place, including where the expansion would happen.

That became more clear Thursday when The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced it had purchased the property adjacent to Camp Esperanza. It will be dedicated to the nonprofits expansion.

This is one of those examples, I think, of where government works. It maybe worked a little slower than some of us would have liked. But what a unique partnership, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said Thursday.

TxDOT said the property is roughly seven acres of land, previously owned by a private group. That land could nearly double the amount of property at the emergency non-congregate shelter site. But the groups are still in the very early planning stages.

Until we start getting a really good layout with the survey of how much useable land there is, that will determine what the timeline will be, said Mike Arellano, TxDOTs Austin deputy district engineer.

While there are still many unknowns, TOOF said the new space will eventually become additional non-congregate emergency shelter, the model they operate now.

The reason that we focus so much on non-congregate shelter is that its responsive to the needs of people who have historically been underserved by the homelessness response system. LGBTQIA+ individuals. People with pets. Couples. People with substance use disorder who may not be able to meet a sobriety requirement to enter a shelter, Max Moscoe, communications director at TOOF, said.

TxDOT is familiar with the area. The site Camp Esperanza is on now was also owned by TxDOT and was used as a state-sanctioned camp before being transitioned to non-congregate shelter by TOOF.

This additional capacity for temporary housing for those at risk of experiencing homelessness will allow more Texans to get the services they need at the Esperanza Community. This will help ensure TxDOT can continue the planned reconstruction of I-35 to further boost the Texas economy, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG)  Florida State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden announced Wednesday a homeless woman was sentenced to life in state prison by Judge Linda Nobles for attempted first-degree murder.

The incident occurred on March 30, 2022, at Circle K at 4501 North W St.

INCIDENT LOCATION:

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According to a release, Betty Jean McFadden poured gasoline on a store clerk and set her on fire.

Betty Jean McFadden. (Photo courtesy of the Escambia County Jail View)

It was initially reported McFadden would not stand trial after being deemed mentally unstable in September 2022.

McFadden entered a plea to Judge Nobles in November.

The Escambia County Sheriffs Office investigated the incident.

Assistant State Attorney Alvin Trey Myers prosecuted the case on behalf of Bowden Madden.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
TAUNTON  U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Michael Downing, while deployed in Afghanistan in September 2008, lost both his legs from an explosive device.

His daughter Alexandra Keilty said the custom adaptable home they received in 2010 in Middleboro, complete with fully handicapped accessible features and appliances, allowed us to be a normal family.

The home gave Downing, who died in 2020, the physical and emotional freedom to do tasks on his own, which allowed the family to have normal arguments, like whos doing the dishes or whos taking out the trash, Keilty told a gathering to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Taunton non-profit Homes for Our Troops, which gave the family the home back in 2010.

The whole experience also inspired Keilty to volunteer and eventually work for a few years with Homes for our Troops.

The family of Homes for our Troops recipient Staff Sgt. Michael Downing, from left, daughter Alexandra Keilty, wife Dawnalee Downing and daughter Samantha Bullock attend the Homes for Our Troops 20th anniversary celebration on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 at the organization's Taunton headquarters.

The organization's president and CEO, retired Brigadier General Tom Landwermeyer, bragged on" the organization's staff at the celebration on Tuesday, Feb. 6, to mark the 20th anniversary.

They are not in it for the fame or fortune. They are here for the right reasons. For this mission. For these veterans and families, he said, adding that 30% of nonprofits dont make it past 10 years, while Homes for our Troops has staff thats been employed for longer than that.

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What is Homes for Our Troops?

Founded in 2004, Homes for our Troops is a Taunton-based non-profit which funds and builds specially adapted custom homes for post-9/11 wounded and disabled military veterans across the country at no costs to the veterans. Headquartered at 6 Main St. in downtown Taunton, the organization has built homes for 373 veterans in 45 states since its inception, said Executive Director Bill Ivey.

Homes For Our Troops, seen here on Oct. 23, 2023, is located at 6 Main St. in downtown Taunton.

We are honored to have Homes for our Troops right here in Taunton. This community is dedicated to our countrys veterans. To have you here means the world to us, said Mayor Shaunna OConnell, who presented the organization with a letter of recognition by the city.

Other officials in attendance included State Sen. Marc Pacheco, State Rep. Carol Doherty, and Joseph Kennedy III, former U.S. representative and currently United States Special Envoy to Northern Ireland.

What you are seeing here is an extraordinary act of our country at its best, said Kennedy, who added he has no doubt Homes for Our Troops will reach its 400th home by the end of this year.

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Elected officials, veterans and their families are on hand to cut the cake at the 20th anniversary celebration of Homes for our Troops in the organization's Taunton headquarters on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.

Rebuilding lives

Numerous veterans and their families who received homes from Homes for Our Troops were in attendance.

Kevin Campbell, a retired staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, suffered a severe back injury in 2010 while deployed in Qatar, which worsened over the years and has since left him needing crutches or a wheelchair for mobility. An additional diagnosis of lupus, which meant avoiding all long-term sun exposure, resulted in being discharged from service.

They decided they didnt want a vampire, joked Campbell, who served for 16 years.

Homes for our Troops 2022 recipient Kevin Campbell, who served in the U.S. Air Force, came from his home in Kennebunkport, Maine to attend the organization's 20-year anniversary celebration on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.

Campbell said he was living in his mothers garage for a few years when he contacted Homes for our Troops. In 2022 he finally received his handicapped accessible, custom home in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Its top-end appliances and construction. Its amazing. They made everything about my life so much easier, Campbell said.

Homes for our Troops 2023 recipient Rebecca Mann of Mattapoisett, a U.S. Army veteran, and her service dog, Sully, attend the organization's 20-year anniversary celebration on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 in downtown Taunton.

Rebecca Mann, who was medically retired with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer in 2016 after serving 11 years in the Army, is living the rest of her life as a bilateral below-knee amputee, the result of a combination of injuries and failed medical operations.

In 2023, she received her custom home in Mattapoisett from Homes for our Troops.

Its been a complete life changer for me. I dont have to struggle so much to do daily things. I really have gotten so much of my life back, Mann said.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Homes for Our Troops marks 20th year building houses for veterans
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Do you ever drive down a road or past a building that was named after someone and wonder who it was?

NewsChannel 6s Kim Vickers does and this month she took a look at two names you will recognize if you drive in downtown Augusta C.T. Walker and R.A. Dent.

One was a minister and one was a politician. One born into slavery and the other into Jim Crow.

Reverend Charles Thomas Walker and Richard Algernon Dent made a huge impact on Augusta, the state of Georgia, and the world.

Walker was born into slavery near Hephzibah, Georgia in 1858 to Hannah and Tom Walker. His parents were founding members of the Franklin Covenant Church, a black Baptist church that was built before the Civil War. Tragically, Walker never knew his father.

Courtesy: New York Public Library Digital Collection.

Unfortunately his father dies before he is born, so he doesnt have the opportunity to meet his father. But, because hes a Walker, he is surrounded by a wide circle of very influential black men, said historian, Joyce Law.

Hannah Walker died 8 years later, just one year after being set free from enslavement. Law said what she instilled in her children is the importance of education.

Education becomes the key to progress, particularly after this period of enslavement, so that you can become literate and therefore a true grasp of freedom and independence and capability.

Walkers uncle, Nathan, was a mentor to him in his religious faith, helping him in his desire to be baptized. Nathan helped Walker further his education by enrolling him in the Augusta Baptist Institute which was located in the basement of Springfield Baptist Church.

Hometown History: Springfield Baptist Church

He has the great opportunity to attend the Augusta Baptist Institute, which we now know as Morehouse. So, hes one of this early cadre of professional men who become developmentally polished through the Morehouse Mans spirit, explained Law.

Walker only had $6 to his name when he started school, a little more than $155 today. He was very frugal with it, wanting to stay there as long as he could.

Reverend C.T. Walker at 25 years old. Courtesy: New York Public Library Digital Collection.

Eventually he ran out of money and had to leave. As he was walking out, he ran into Springfields Reverend, E.K. Love.

The principal of the school sees him leaving and they were able to get him, what we call now, a scholarship, so that he can remain. And its probably one of the very best investments that the school has made, Law said.

Walker graduated from Augusta Baptist Institute and was ordained as a minister. He became the pastor at his parents church, Franklin Covenant Church where he met and married Violette Franklin, an educator. They had four children, though only 2 lived to adulthood.

In 1885, he was called to Beulah Baptist Church. Two days later, he changed its name to Tabernacle Baptist Church.

Charles Spurgeon. Getty Images.

In 1891, Walker became the first African American, post slavery, to take a trip to the Holy Land. On the way he stopped in London to hear the great orator, Reverend Charles Spurgeon.

Reverend Walker is given the opportunity to speak. And the audience goes Mmmm. Hes the Black Spurgeon. And he keeps that affectionate moniker for the remainder of his life. So, someone may not know his actual name, but they know Black Spurgeon, Law explained.

In 1899, Walker left Augusta when President William McKinley appointed him as a chaplain when the United States occupied Cuba after the Spanish American War. His service didnt last long.

He finds himself, that military life is not for him, and he accepts the pastorship at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, said Law.

Walker spent two years at Mt. Olive in New York. After those two years, Walker found himself back in Augusta.

Hometown History: Dr. Kings final visit to Augusta

He returns back to the church he has founded, which is now recognized as Augustas largest African American congregation, Law said.

Sure. A couple thousand from where replied Kim.

Six, Law confirmed.

Six thousand. Wow, said Kim.

Walker remained at Tabernacle for the rest of his time as a pastor.

His fame as an orator and civil rights activist brought him a great deal of respect from prominent people, not just in Augusta, but across the nation. People like Booker T. Washington, John D. Rockefeller and President William H. Taft traveled to Tabernacle to hear him preach.

Walker was known as an entrepreneurial spirit.

Walker Baptist Institute. Courtesy: New York Public Library Digital Collection.

Everywhere he goes, he starts something. Hes in LaGrange. He starts LaGrange Academy. In New York City, the Harlem YMCA, Law said. And then here in Augusta, the Negro Fair, the Tabernacle Old Folks Home. C.T. Walker Post is the very first African American military organization here, named in his honor.

One of Walkers lasting legacies was Walker Baptist Institute, a private boarding school for African American men.

Education is really one of his foremost contributions to the development of the communities wherever he finds himself.

Quite a few influential African Americans attended Walker Baptist Institute.

One of those was Richard Algernon Dent. He was born in 1905 in Keysville, Georgia to Benjamin and Annie Dent. He moved with his family to Augusta where he went to both the Walker Institute and Paine College.

Richard Algernon (R.A.) Dent. Courtesy: Historic Augusta.

And he graduates from Walker Baptist Institute in 1924, so hes also very strongly imbued with the Walker spirit of being a champion and having an entrepreneurs spirit in addition to being a second generation business owner, said Law.

Dent also had a connection to Walker through his faith.

One of the people who would have had an opportunity to see Reverend Walker in action was R.A. Dent whom he was baptized by and later becoming a deacon of the church, she said.

Dent was very involved at Tabernacle where he was a lifelong member.

Hes this great tenor, and he participates with the Magnat siblings in the Tabernacle Gospel Choir. Four years in a row, they bring home the banner from the State Gospel Choir Competition. So now the senior choir here at Tabernacle Baptist Church is named in his honor, Law said.

As an adult, Dent owned a successful floor covering business for 50 years.

In 1966, he decided to try his hand at politics and he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives.

R.A. comes to become a state representative. Almost 100 years after Thomas P. Beard, as I guess the first African-American representative is ejected out of the Georgia assembly, explained Law. And so this is part of the great legacy that it took that long of a period to have an African-American to being elected back to the Georgia Assembly.

Dent served in the Georgia House of Representatives for more than 15 years, resigning in 1982.

Dent at the Georgia Capitol. Courtesy: Historic Augusta.

During that time he accomplished a lot for the state, known as a great orator who could work across the aisle to get legislation passed.

So while he was in office, there were many, manythe Equal Rights Amendment goes forth. We have Georgias Historic Preservation Act. It becomes effective in 1978, that replicates the federal act for historic preservation. So, now we see a lot of changes that are coming about, Law said.

Dent had a reputation for being a kind, generous and nurturing man. Many who knew him say he was like a father to them, including former Augusta mayor, Ed McIntyre, who gave him the nickname Papa Dent.

That reputation helped in his business and his political career, and garnered a great deal of respect from his colleagues.

Representative Dent is one of three African Americans whose picture is placed in the Georgia Dome. We have his roommate, Neil Turner, as one of the first representatives and the first African-American representative in a Georgia assembly and also one of the founders of the Republican Party here in Georgia. Ms. Lucy Craft Laney, prominently internationally known educator, and then our agent who become the first African American state representative from Augusta, Richmond County since Reconstruction Time, said Law.

Hometown History: Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch

Both men had such an impact on the community that they were honored by having roads named for them. R.A. Dent Boulevard and Laney Walker Boulevard.

Erick Montgomery with Historic Augusta said that Walkers huge influence is why his name is on so many things.

He was so well esteemed, that even in the early 20th century, they named a school after him. C.T. Walker Traditional Magnet School. Laney Walker Boulevard- the Walker part of that- he was considered worthy of having half of that name named after him. The neighborhood is known as the Laney Walker neighborhood and the National Register Historic District is known as the Laney Walker Historic District, he explained.

In 2009, Historic Augusta named the house Walker lived in for the last 16 years of his life, an endangered property.

C.T. Walker House located on Laney Walker Boulevard.

Located on Laney Walker Boulevard, not far from Tabernacle Baptist Church, it was in serious disrepair with parts of it condemned.

In 2016, the Augusta Historical Society bought it with the intention of stabilizing it and selling it.

Montgomery explained that buying the property was a long and complicated process. They had to find the heirs to the property and convince them to sell.

Finally, there were 19 heirs that were part of this process. So finally, all of them signed quit claim deeds and we were able to buy it, said Montgomery.

Over the next six years Historic Augusta worked to stabilize the structure.

We replaced the roof. We worked on the front porch, which was actually condemned by then. The house was sagging so we worked on the foundation to stabilize that. We repaired the siding. We painted it, Montgomery explained.

In 2022, Historic Augusta sold the C.T. Walker House to the Augusta Land Bank Authority as part of the revitalization of the Laney Walker neighborhood. Montgomery said preserving historic places to remember influential people is important.

Hometown History | WJBF: 70 years of excellence

I mean, I think Walker certainly worthy of being remembered. And thats why we inserted ourselves into into this. It-he- needed to be remembered. His house needed to be saved.

The C.T. Walker House now has a historical marker. It was erected 4 years ago due to efforts by C.T. Walker Magnet School and several historical societies.

Thats just part of your Hometown History.

Photojournalist: Dania Alawir.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A serious accident involving a pedestrian has closed Darrington Road in both directions between Horizon and Nunda, according to the Horizon City Police Department.

17-year-old teen dead after hit-and-run pedestrian crash

The Horizon Police released the following statement regarding the incident on their Facebook page:

Good Evening Horizon City, we wanted to inform our community that our Police Officers are investigating a serious accident involving a pedestrian at the intersection of Darrington and Pawling. Darrington Road will remain closed in both directions between Horizon and Nunda as our officers investigate this incident. We will keep you posted as more information becomes available.

This is a developing story and we will update once we learn more.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
House Republicans set a new record in 2023  and its not one to brag about, according to a new report.

Last year, GOP representatives had a 63.7% success rate for party unity votes  when majorities of both Republicans and Democrats vote in opposite ways  marking the lowest such figure in four decades, according to an analysis by Roll Call.

The last time so many party unity votes failed in the House was in 1982, when Democrats controlled the chamber and then-President Ronald Reagan was in the White House.

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One of the reasons for last years record-low success rate comes down to pure mathematics, Richard Bensel, a professor of government at Cornell University, told McClatchy News.

In 2023, the GOP only had a razor-thin majority in the House, which slipped even further after the expulsion of New York Rep. George Santos in December and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthys retirement.

When you can only lose three or four members and still win, thats a problem, Bensel said.

But, perhaps more seriously, the GOP caucus is also tremendously divided over how to properly govern, a factor that led numerous votes to fail, he said.

There is a mainstream Republican party thats more interested in pragmatic policy change than making extreme policy statements, Bensel said. They have frequently clashed with the more MAGA far-right representatives who are far more interested in making public statements and actually just media spectacles.

These divisions played out in a number of party unity votes last year, including 54 over measures to shrink salaries for government officials, according to the report.

Those votes tended to follow a pattern, with all Democrats present voting no and between 45 and 75 Republicans crossing over to join the opposition, per the report.

For example, an amendment to reduce the White House press secretarys salary to $1, sponsored by New York Rep. Claudia Tenney, a vocal supporter of Trump, failed in November after 54 Republicans sided with Democrats in opposing it.

Other failed party unity votes were over appropriations measures for federal agencies.

An amendment that would have barred the FBI from acquiring funding for a new headquarters, sponsored by Trump ally Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, floundered after 70 GOP lawmakers joined Democrats in opposition, according to NBC News.

I dont think the Lord Jesus himself could manage this group, Rep. Troy Nehls, a Texas Republican, told the outlet following the unsuccessful vote.

Additional party unity votes that caused a sizable rift among Republicans were the December vote to expel embattled Rep. George Santos and a September vote over security assistance for Ukraine, per the report.

Democrats, meanwhile, won 91.4% of party unity votes when they were in the majority in 2022, signifying significantly less division in their caucus  a trend which has carried into 2024, Bensel said.

Both Democrats and Republicans started with the same 222-213 majority in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

The Democratic party right nowis far more united than the Republicans, Bensel said, in part because of their unified opposition to former President Donald Trump, the front runner for the 2024 GOP nomination.

Part of this party unity on the Democratic side, I think, is just anxiety about the coming election, Bensel said.

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Incumbent Lloyd Pareira faces two challengers for the Merced County District 4 Supervisor seat in the upcoming March primary election.

Pareira faces opponents Jim Soria and Dennis Brazil in the district, which includes the town of Winton and the City of Gustine.

Soria, 55, was born in Merced and currently lives in Hilmar. He is a safety officer who previously served on the Livingston City Council as well as mayor of the City of Livingston.

A graduate of the Modesto Law Enforcement Police Academy, Soria holds 27 certificates/accolades in training, certification and appreciation pertaining to law enforcement and public safety.

Incumbent Lloyd Pareira was born in Merced and currently resides in the Merced and Snelling area. Pareirea, 61 graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and has also served on the Merced River School District Board.

According to Pareira, staffing at Merced County Sheriffs Office and correction facilities, along with road conditions and a rapid influx of homeless people are some of the top issues facing Merced Countys District 4.

Soria pointed to the countys budget, including a lack of recreation department, public safety and improving public roads as some of the important issues the district faces.

Brazil, 65, is a retired Ag Operations Manager and former City of Gustine Mayor who studied Agriculture/Food Business at the University of California, Davis. Brazil identified multiple issues District 4 is currently facing including public safety, county budget and water use.

The Sun-Star submitted questions to each of the candidates. Their responses are offered below.

Lloyd Pareira 61. Image courtesy of Lloyd Pareira.

Lloyd Pareira

Age: 61

Birthplace: Merced

Current town of residence: Merced/Snelling

Current Occupation: Merced County Supervisor District 4

Education: Bachelor of Science in Diary Science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Offices held: Merced River School District Board Member

Campaign website: https://m.facebook.com/SupervisorLloydPareira

Q. What do you feel are the most important issues facing your district?

a. Staffing at our Sheriffs dept. and correction facilities

b. The rapid influx of homeless people

c. Roads and their condition.

Q. What can you do if elected, to help improve the educational/economic outlook for Merced residents, young and old?

a. I will continue to work with the local colleges and support their programs to enhance skills that prepare people for upward mobility in their careers.

b. I will continue to support our Work Force Development board and their mission of job training.

c. I serve on the Castle Ad hoc committee with Supervisor McDaniel, we work hard to make connections to bring business to Merced County. There is over $70 million dollars of investment commitment over the next 5 years. With more investment commitments coming over that same time period. These investment will create at least 200 great paying jobs.

d. I will work with the Community and Economic Development dept. to continue stream lining the permitting process to facilitate our current local business to expand.

e. I will continue my fight to protect our ground water so our wells dont go dry and our farmers can produce the wonderful food we eat.

Q. What are the most important steps Merced government could take, if any, to attract new investment (jobs) to the area?

This question goes back to all of the above. Education, economics, and opportunity all go hand in hand. As those opportunities continue to arrive, people need to seize them. Everyone is responsible for their own outcomes. It is ok to have empathy and support for those that cant take care of themselves, however those that can, need to be nudged in to the direction of supporting themselves. Far to often we put in support systems that disincentives people from stepping up and taking care of themselves and those they are responsible for.

Jim Soria, 55. Image courtesy of Jim Soria.

Jim Soria

Age: 55

Birthplace: Merced

Current town of residence: Hilmar

Current Occupation: Safety Officer

Education: Modesto Law Enforcement Police Academy: Twenty seven certificates/accolades in training, certification and appreciation pertaining to law enforcement and public safety.

Offices held: Councilmember City of Livingston and City of Livingston Mayor

Q. What do you feel are the most important issues facing your district?

Public Safety: Provide adequate law enforcement, personnel, tools, and resources to combat crime. This also includes code enforcement to take on Nuisances, Blight, Graffiti

Public Roads: Many of our roads need repairing. Poor maintenance of roads is a safety hazard and danger to the public. Example: Lander at August heavily flooded during rain season, busy traffic conditions and volume of traffic with a large company nearby.

Budget: Think responsibly and budget wisely with taxpayers money

Merced County does not have a recreation department. I would like to implement youth programs and resources to areas that are unincorporated.

Q. What can you do if elected, to help improve the educational/economic outlook for Merced residents, young and old?

Promote vocational and technical training programs to help equip people with practical skills, catering to the demands of the local job market.

Develop and fund programs that focus on early childhood education to ensure a durable foundation for learning.

Implement programs that teach essential life skill such as critical thinking, problem solving and finances.

Invest in infrastructure projects to attract businesses and create job opportunities. This includes utilities, transportation, and technology infrastructure.

Develop policies that promote inclusivity and diversity, ensuring that economic opportunities are accessible to all members of the community.

Q. What are the most important steps Merced government could take, if any, to attract new investment (jobs) to the area?

Focus on streamlined permitting process. By simplifying and expediting our county permitting process we can reduce bureaucratic hurdles making it easier for businesses to set up operations start generating returns.

Support incentive programs. Implementing targeted incentive programs such as grants, tax breaks or subsidies could help encourage businesses to invest in specific regions or sectors.

Dennis Brazil, 65. Image courtesy of Dennis Brazil.

Dennis Brazil

Age: 65

Birthplace: Los Banos

Current town of residence: Gustine

Current Occupation: Retired Ag Operations Manager

Education: University of California, Davis Ag/Food Business. Los Banos High school.

Offices held: Former Gustine Mayor, Current Board President, Westside Ambulance, Current EJAG member-San Joaquin Air District, Former Board Member- San Joaquin Air District, Founding Board Member-Merced Crime Stoppers, Former Board Member CASA.

Q. What do you feel are the most important issues facing your district?

Public Safety-Sheriffs Department, County Employees Salary & Benefits, Ag Water & Urban Water, Measure V Funds. Budget. After years of multiple county supervisors being elected, our Sherriff, is still in the same predicament, short staff and short budget, how can this be? Is protecting the citizens of our county not the number one priority? County employee wages and benefits, are below the average in the area, unless we fix this, we will continue to loss our employees to surrounding aeras. Ag water still one of the most important issues for our farmers, what has the county done to protect there water? And water for Urban use. Measure V was passed by the voters in 2016, campaign sing read as follows ( Yes on V, Fix Our Roads) are your roads fixed? Measure V money has been moved to other projects, but voters were told it was to fix our roads! The county budget needs to be pro-active for the real needs of the county, not what the CEO wants, Its Want The People Want and Need!

Q. What can you do, if elected, to help improve the educational/economic outlook for Merced residents, young and old?

Having a pro-active approach and not re-active to solving the education needs of young and old. Our education system, should always be available for EVERYONE in our county. Looking for grant funding with State and Federal programs, to accomplish our needs county wide.

Q. What are the most important steps Merced government could take, if any, to attract new investment (jobs) to the area?

Having a pro-active approach to businesses that fit our county profile and make sense for doing business in our county, while creating jobs for our citizens. Looking at what works in other counties in or State and our area. Businesses are looking to come to the central valley, we need to have a business friendly county to attract there business.
FILE PHOTO: A person walks on a bridge that connects Myanmar and India at the border village of Zokhawthar

By Krishn Kaushik and Tora Agarwala

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India said on Thursday it would end a decades-old visa-free movement policy with Myanmar for their border citizens for reasons of national security and to maintain the demographic structure of its northeastern region.

The move, announced by the home minister, comes days after he said the 1,643-km (1,020 mile) border would be fenced. Currently, people living within a 16-km (10 mile) zone on either side of the border are allowed visa-free movement.

"The Ministry of Home Affairs has decided that the Free Movement Regime between India and Myanmar be scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of Indias north eastern states bordering Myanmar," Home Minister Amit Shah said in a statement.

Since a military coup in Myanmar in 2021, thousands of civilians and hundreds of troops have fled to Indian states where communities between the two countries share ethnic and familial ties. This has worried New Delhi because of risk of communal tensions spreading to India.

Some members of the Indian government have also blamed the porous international border for abetting the tense situation in India's restive Manipur state abutting Myanmar. For nearly a year Manipur has been engulfed by a civil war-like situation between two ethnic groups, one of which shares lineage with Myanmar's Chin tribe.

Addressing a weekly press conference, Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the "situation along the border is serious".

A government official, who declined to be named, said India would have to inform Myanmar of its decision to scrap the movement policy but a suspension can happen immediately.

A Myanmar junta spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Myanmar's military rulers last week extended a state of emergency in place since the coup, as they battle to contain a bloody, pro-democracy rebellion that has severely tested its ability to govern.

On Tuesday, India advised any of its citizens in Myanmar's border Rakhine state to leave immediately due to the "deteriorating security situation, disruption of means of telecommunications, including landlines, and severe scarcity of essential commodities".

Since October, more than 700 Myanmar troops have used India for safe passage. The rebels have taken control of a town near the border, pushing thousands fleeing the violence into India.

(Reporting by Krishn Kaushik in New Delhi, Tora Agarwala in Guwahati; Editing by Kim Coghill, Himani Sarkar, William Maclean)
Dr Kajal Sharma was not reappointed to her role at Portsmouth University's business and law faculty - RICHARD DONOVAN/ALAMY

A university influenced by pernicious and destructive unconscious bias when it failed to reappoint an Indian academic has been ordered to pay at least 450,000 in damages.

Dr Kajal Sharma was discriminated against by bosses at Portsmouth University when she failed in her application to carry on in her role in the Business and Law faculty, a tribunal found.

The university refused to reappoint her to a job she had been doing for five years and recruited an inexperienced white candidate instead, the panel was told.

Over a three-year period, the 41-year-old was one of only two senior lecturers at the institution to not be reappointed to their job. She was the only ethnic minority candidate to apply for reappointment during that period, while 11 out of 12 white colleagues had all been retained.

Employment Judge Catherine Rayner, awarding the compensation, said: The fact that the discrimination was not intentional or deliberate in this case does not reduce the level of hurt experienced by [Dr Sharma].

Potential biases

Unconscious bias is pernicious and destructive, and [she] was entitled to assume that senior members of academic institutions would behave with scrupulous fairness and have an awareness of the possibility of their own potential biases.

Dr Sharma was awarded at least 450,000 in compensation with the possibility of a further 300,000 depending on pension calculations after the tribunal concluded that the selection process was tainted by race discrimination.

She began her role as associate head for organisational studies and human resources management on a five-year contract at the start of 2016, the hearing heard.

She told the tribunal that she and Prof Gary Rees, her manager, had a difficult relationship and cited several examples of unfair treatment including wanting her to do university work in the aftermath of her fathers death and failing to support her while she was caring for her sick infant son.

When her contract was almost up, Prof Rees failed to tell her that her job, which she had been doing for almost five years, was being advertised, the tribunal heard.

After taking part in the selection process, she lost out to Kerry Collier, a white British woman.

She made complaints to the university that were ignored and then eventually led to an unnecessarily slow investigation which concluded she had not been treated unfairly, the tribunal heard.

Not satisfied by explanation

She then took the institution to the tribunal, claiming race discrimination and victimisation.

The tribunal said it was not convinced by Prof Reess explanation of why he had preferred Mrs Colliers candidacy over Dr Sharmas.

We have found that the burden of proof requires (the university) to fully explain why the process of selection was not motivated consciously or unconsciously by race, it said. We are not satisfied by the explanation.

On that basis we would have found that the process was tainted by race discrimination.

It added: Whilst Prof Rees is clearly a respected senior academic his reluctance to recognise the skills and abilities and aspirations of Dr Sharma, and his failure to support and encourage her in the way that he supported and encouraged other white members of staff, points towards a subconscious or unconscious bias.

Fiona Hnatow, chief people officer at Portsmouth University, told the tribunal: On behalf of the university I would like to apologise for the conduct found to have been unlawful and for the impact this has had on Dr Sharma and her family.

There are no excuses for race discrimination at the university and we recognise and accept the strength of the tribunals judgment.

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Pay Dirt is a weekly foray into the pigpen of political funding. Subscribe here to get it in your inbox every Thursday.

Weeks after the Republican presidential primary became a two-person race between Donald Trump and Nikki Haley, the outside spending groups fueling the contest disclosed their financial healthand showed tens of millions of dollars going up in smoke.

Those filings reveal that, while Trump still dominates the polls, his political machine is a cash incinerator, burning tens of millions of dollars in donor money, chiefly to subsidize his increasingly costly personal legal bills. Still, the operation supporting Trumps much-hyped former rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, fared worse by most measures, even without the additional self-imposed, self-serving burden of legal costs. DeSantis operation churned through more than $160 million only to see him quit after receiving about 23,000 votes in Iowa.

Haleys operation, however, more closely exhibited the cost-efficiency and restraint that fiscal conservatives have long demanded of their elected leaderssomething the candidate herself has preached on the trail while calling out the perceived policy excesses of her top rivals.

Nikki Haley Was Doomed in South Carolina Well Before 2024

While Trumps Save America leadership PAC has dominated recent headlines with its $50 million in legal expenses last year$5 million more than his campaign spent over the same periodthe candidates super PAC spending hasnt been as widely covered.

A review of those groupswhich operate at arms length from the candidate and can raise unlimited amounts of money from individuals and corporationsshows that Trumps legal expenses have created a ripple effect, hamstringing whats supposed to be the most powerful fundraising tool in politics.

In fact, an analysis of recent Federal Election Commission filings shows that, of the top three super PACs for the top three candidates, the pro-Haley group was the only one that spent the majority of its money actually executing its mission.

According to FEC data covering through the end of last year, the pro-Haley SFA Fund, Inc has taken a nose-to-tail approach to using its donors money, putting about 95 percent of total expenses towards efforts to reach voters. (This type of spending, called independent expenditures, is what super PACs are built for. It covers TV and radio ads, digital buys, direct mail, text message blasts, and the like.)

SFAs most recent filings reveal that it raised a nice $69 million last year, and it just about emptied its clipspending around $65 million, with nearly $62 million of that amount going to independent expenditures.

By comparison, Trumpworlds MAGA Inc super PAC put 47 percent of its total outlays last year towards independent expenditures. That total$43.8 millionwas almost the same amount as the $42.5 million that MAGA Inc had to refund another Trump PAC in order to cover the billionaires ever-ballooning legal fees. The third super PAC of the bunch, the DeSantis-aligned Never Back Downsubject of numerous reports about exorbitant consultant expenses and infightingmiraculously only applied 28 percent of its spending toward independent expenditures.

The Haleys PACs relatively prudent spending means shes in a better position to go deeper into the GOP primary, potentially giving Trump a run for his money further into the calendarif she can just start getting voter support and picking up delegates.

Her super PACs thrifty ways, however, could attract even more high-dollar donors.

Longtime Republican strategist Matt Gormanwho was a top Tim Scott staffer earlier this cycletold The Daily Beast that super PAC donors care deeply about how their money is managed. Pitching them, he said, is like a political version of Shark Tank.

Its no secret that super PAC donors are very successful businessmen and women. These are people who didnt get to where they are now by being foolish with money, and they know what to look for, Gorman said. They ask probing and tough questions, and performance is keyyou need to provide them with a certain set of metrics when it comes to overhead, spending, investing.

Trumps Legal Battles Cost His PACs Over $50 Million Last Year

Clearly, a cost-benefit comparison premised on how votes were ultimately cast inverts the relationship between SFA and MAGA IncHaley simply hasnt won any of the primary states.

But SFA spent big to woo those votes. FEC data through January shows that the super PAC invested a staggering $41.6 million in Iowa alone. That comes out to a cost of nearly $2,000 per person who voted for her, compared to MAGA Incs $210 per Trump vote in the same statea difference of nearly 10-to-1.

Haley, however, like the rest of the GOP field, was spending like an underdog. And while the super PAC behind her shelled out far more cash than MAGA Inc, it also put its donors money straight into its mission.

With the field now narrowed to a two-person race, the Haley team hopes its efficient track record will be a selling point, reassuring major donors their funds wont be wastedfunds they need to sustain potentially months of asymmetrical political battle ahead.

SFA came into 2024 with only $3.5 million on hand, but its unclear whether the super PAC has locked in major donors over the last few weeks. (The Haley campaign announced a $16.5 million haul in January.)

Asked for comment, SFA spokesperson Preya Samsundar provided a statement tying the spending to Trumps broader legaland therefore politicalliabilities.

While Donald Trumps campaign is focused on funding attorneys and legal fees, Nikki Haley is focused on winning the nomination, defeating Joe Biden and enacting conservative policies. Trumps spending is proof hes only concerned about himself and his legal bills, and why he will lose to Joe Biden for the second time in a row, Samsundar said.

Of course, Haleys stinging loss to literally none of these candidates in Nevada on Tuesday raises the possibility that her offensive pivot could be far too late, when no amount of money might make a difference.

While Haley resurrected her own old political ghosts early in the campaign by touting her spotty accounting career, for better or worse, shes not allowed to run the super PAC. They work independently of campaigns.

At the same time, Trumps various legal predicaments have escalated on seemingly every front, and with those outlays poised only to increase, his operations cost-efficiency appears to have little hope of righting itself; he has instead extended the costs of his legal burdens to his super PAC.

In fact, thats the main reason MAGA Incs efficiency appears so lowit has a built-in debt to Trump for his legal costs, and has yet to make good on it.

Inside Donald Trumps Incredible Cash Crunch

The debt comes in the form of a whopping $60 million refund that the former president demanded from MAGA Inc shortly after his first indictment last spring. Trump was recalling every last dime of the seed money that his Save America leadership PAC had planted in MAGA Inc just ahead of his candidacy announcement. Absent that refund, Save America would have gone bust months ago from his legal costs alone. (Legal experts allege that the initial Save America donations were illegal to begin with.)

Even with a $120 million head start after Trump left office, Save America only had $5.1 million on hand at the end of 2023a year that saw more than $50 million in attorney fees, and less than $10 million raised from donors. MAGA Inc chose to parcel out the refund in $5 million monthly installments, returning $42.5 million by years end. This means that, at the start of 2024, MAGA Inc had a built-in, invisible debt to Trump of $17.5 milliona commitment that canceled out roughly three of every four dollars the super PAC had in the bank, leaving about $6.5 million to call its own.

In response to a comment request, MAGA Inc spokesperson Alex Pfeiffer provided a statement dismissing the legal refund issue as an apples to oranges comparison to true spending. He instead highlighted his groups return-on-investment with voters.

MAGA Inc has been the most efficient Super PAC in terms of investing by leaps and bounds, and any honest review of the data will show that, Pfeiffer said.

FEC data shows that SFA Fund dramatically outspent MAGA Inc in both Iowa (about $41.6 million to $17 million) and New Hampshire (roughly $29.6 million to $13 million). The cost per vote shows an even wider discrepancy, with SFA putting up nearly $1,950 per vote won in Iowa to MAGA Incs $210 per vote. In New Hampshire, where Haley performed better, the breakdown comes out to about $211 per Haley vote, versus $74 per Trump vote.

Most recently she lost to no one in Nevada, Pfeiffer said. Its an embarrassment and a tremendous disservice to our conservative movement.

While MAGA Incs astronomical refunds arent exactly paymentsand in any case arent the super PACs faultits still a major and ongoing financial burden that the group must find a way to offset.

Its also a political liability.

Haley has recently begun to seize on Trumps spiraling legal expenses to score points on both policy and character. Its an indirect way that Haley can remind voters of Trumps serious legal troublesavoiding the all-in MAGA binary choice that sealed Chris Christies fatewhile also providing a real-time demonstration of the Trump administrations reckless spending that Haley has consistently slammed on the campaign trail.

Nikki Haley Drags Trump Over $83 Million E. Jean Carroll Defamation Decision

It is unconscionable to me that a candidate would spend $50 million in legal fees, Haley told CNNs Jake Tapper last week. Those costs, she said, explain why Trump has avoided the debates, because he doesnt want to talk about why hes doing it.

Still, the looming cost of an extended primary has rattled the GOP more broadly. On Wednesday, The Guardian reported that top brass at the Republican National Committeewhich has been staving off its own financial collapse amid historically low fundraisingwant Haley to drop out of the race, so the national party can legally join fundraising forces with Trump.

Last month, the RNC created a generic presidential fundraising vehicle, called The Presidential Republican Nominee Fund 2024, which this week joined the 2024 RNC Joint Victory flotilla of dozens of state party committees.

That fundraising machine could go a long way towards bailing out a cash-strapped GOP, at least temporarily.

But as long as Haley stays in the primary, the RNC cant look to Trump for salvation. If and when it can, however, Trump might be the one demanding moneyhes done it before.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Intelligence officials had warned for months of a rising risk that Iranian-made weapons would penetrate U.S. defenses in the Middle East and kill American forces  long before last week's deadly drone strike against a U.S. outpost in Jordan.

Officials in the intelligence agencies and at the Pentagon issued those warnings both internally and in briefings on Capitol Hill starting in late October, when Israel invaded Gaza and Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria ramped up their attacks on American forces in response.

Those officials claimed that it was only a matter of time before one of the Iranian-made drones targeting American forces in the region got through U.S. air defense systems and caused fatalities, according to two officials familiar with the matter. Both were granted anonymity to speak freely about sensitive internal administration discussions.

Intelligence officials also raised alarms about the potential for attacks on U.S. personnel in Jordan from Iran-backed groups, one of the officials said. Those concerns were part of a broader assessment made by the intelligence community that American troops and diplomats in the region were particularly vulnerable after the Gaza invasion.



While U.S. officials have said for years that the countrys air defenses have vulnerabilities, the latest warnings grew more urgent as Iran-backed militias stepped up their attacks in October and November.

That raises questions about whether the Pentagon could have done more to increase protections for troops at the Jordan outpost and other bases in the region in the days and weeks following Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Tower 22  the outpost where three service members were killed on Jan. 28  had already been threatened at least once by a drone from an Iran-backed militias, in October. In that case, its air defenses took out the enemy drone using electronic warfare.

In theory, DOD has had a few months to rectify the lack of defense, and it didnt, said Charles Lister, a senior fellow and the Director of the Syria and Countering Terrorism & Extremism programs at the Middle East Institute. There is a precedent for an attack on the facility. And that should have rung alarm bells, that it was insufficiently defended.

Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said in a statement to POLITICO that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin "has no higher priority than protecting our forces and taking care of our people."

"We continue to take necessary steps to safeguard our forces who serve in harms way, and continuously reevaluate our force protection measures," Singh said, declining to discuss specifics "for operations security reasons."

The U.S. has for years debated how to defend against increasingly available Iranian drones, which are difficult to detect due to their size, flight profile and small radar cross-section. The problem is that no one solution can provide 100 percent coverage, requiring many layers of capabilities that still fail to stop all of the threats.

The U.S. did take steps to reinforce defenses at Tower 22 after Israels October invasion. DOD reinforced Tower 22 with additional electronic warfare capability, increased protections for troops and conducted training rehearsals, said one DOD official with direct knowledge of the moves.



But Tower 22 may have had an additional vulnerability. Because the vast majority of attacks have been in Iraq and Syria, Tower 22 was not provided a kinetic counter-drone capability that many bases in those countries have, said the official and a second DOD official with direct knowledge of the discussions, confirming earlier reporting by the Washington Post. Instead, the base had multiple electronic warfare capabilities that enabled it to counter drones through jamming or disabling its systems.

Resources to Tower 22 were also limited because there are only so many air defense capabilities available for the region, the first DOD official said.

And its not clear that a kinetic capability would have thwarted the attack, particularly if the problem was that the drone was not even detected, said the first official.

Since the Jan. 28 attack, the Pentagon has beefed up the air defenses at the base, the officials said, declining to elaborate for operational security reasons.

Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the U.S. military is constantly short on the air defense systems it needs around the world.

If you don't have enough stuff to spread around, you're not necessarily going to have [protection] everywhere, Karako said, arguing that DOD needs to invest in improving training and strengthening bunkers in order to close the gap. Youre never going to have enough stuff.

The Pentagon is still investigating how the enemy drone evaded Tower 22s air defenses. While a friendly drone did land at the same time, investigators now do not believe this was the reason the bases air defenses missed the enemy drone, according to the first DOD official. Its possible the drone was not detected due to its low flight path, the official said.

While no air defense system is perfect, the Pentagon has gotten significantly better at countering these drones in recent years, according to Defense Department officials and experts who have spent time in the region. Most bases in Iraq and Syria are now armed with kinetic capabilities that can shoot down incoming enemy drones, said Lister of the Middle East Institute.

There have been more than 160 Iran-backed attacks on U.S. troops in Syria, Iraq and Jordan since October, and U.S. air defenses have successfully taken out most of those threats, primarily drones and rockets, causing minimal damage to infrastructure or injuries to personnel.

What happened at Tower 22, that was tragic, absolutely tragic, Singh told reporters Tuesday. But for the most part our air defenses have been able to catch or been able to destroy any impact or any incoming from  whether it be rockets or drones, at bases.

In addition to the three service members killed at Tower 22, the attacks have injured another 143 people  11 of them with serious or very serious injuries, according to Maj. Pete Nguyen, Department of Defense spokesperson.
Iowa voters would no longer have a say when local governments change their public library's board of trustees, under a bill filed and advanced this week that would allow city officials to override boards and make governing and spending decisions on their own.

The proposal comes months after the town of Pella voted to keep oversight of their library independent rather than place it in the hands of city officials, a referendum spurred by a challenge to remove "Gender Queer: A Memoir" by Maia Kobabe, a graphic novel about gender fluidity.

"Gender Queer: A Memoir" by Maia Kobabe

How would House Study Bill 678 affect Iowa libraries?

House Study Bill 678 would repeal the process requiring city officials to put any proposed change to the library board in front of voters; only after a majority vote in approval can the city proceed with the change.

With that referendum process removed, city councils could unilaterally remove and replace members of the library board. The bill would also empower them to oversee hiring a library director and decide how tax dollars for library projects and initiatives are spent.

Currently, most Iowa library boards have the authority to make spending decisions, adopt policies and hire and evaluate their district's director.

More: After federal judge's injunction on Iowa's book ban law, confusion and concerns linger

What do librarians and library boards say about House Study Bill 678?

House Republicans advanced the bill through subcommittee on a 2-1 vote over the objections of a host of librarians, administrators and residents across the state, including multiple from Pella, who said it would only increase the burden placed on city officials while opening the door for political interference on certain titles and content.

Nobody spoke in favor of the bill Thursday.

A photo from late December 2023 shows part of the book collection in Grimes' new public library, which is planned to open Jan. 30, 2024.

Almost all of those who came to speak on the bill Thursday were library directors or members of their library boards. They described the bill as an unnecessary maneuver that would at best overburden local elected officials, and at worst derail the governance of libraries.

"This bill is a train wreck," said Wade Dooley, president of the library board in Albion, who said an "activist city council" could make major decisions about the core functions of a library.

"Our city council has barely any training to be a city council, now you also want them to run a library?" Dooley said. "I'm sorry, but that's not a good idea."

Sue Woody, director of Des Moines Public Library, said the district's board was "uniquely insightful" on issues pertaining to the city, with focus on literacy and homelessness.

"We have a fantastic relationship with the city of Des Moines, and we work in tandem to address these very real issues," Woody said.

And Altoona Public Library Director Kim Keitzman argued that mechanisms for oversight already existed for library boards, pointing to the appointment process for members and referendums like last year's in Pella.

Several residents of Pella also spoke against the legislation, expressing frustration that lawmakers could in effect overturn their vote after a months-long local campaign.

"We decided not to adopt a resolution that would have done what this bill does," said Dave Timmer, a Pella resident who served on the committee to vote "no" on the local ballot question. "A lot of us feel that the goalposts are being moved now."

What do Iowa lawmakers say about the bill stripping library authority?

Rep. Carter Nordman, R-Panora, advanced the bill Thursday, acknowledging the criticism from librarians and directors but pointing to public comments he had received online from those citing personnel and service issues within their library districts.

"For me, it's not really about the content (of the books), and for the most of the city administrators and city council members I've heard from, it's not about the content," Nordman said in an interview.

"It's about the personnel issues and taxpayer dollars being spent."

State Rep. Carter Nordman, R-Panora, speaks from the House floor at the Iowa State Capitol, Monday, May 1, 2023.

Rep. Jane Bloomingdale, R-Northwood, voted to advance the bill but said she had "reservations."

And Rep. Jerome Amos Jr., D-Waterloo, a former city councilman, strongly criticized the bill before voting against advancing it.

"There's no reason in the world why we as legislators should be moving this to a city council," Amos Jr. said.

How another bill could strip away library taxes

Another proposal, Senate Study Bill 3131, was previously scheduled for a hearing earlier in the week but was tabled for further discussion.

In addition to removing the referendum process, the bill also makes it optional for a city to levy taxes to fund its library  a move that would cut off the primary source of dollars and likely force many libraries to shed staff and services.

Craig Patterson, who spoke against the bill on behalf of the Iowa Library Association, said more than 570 online comments had been submitted about the bill; as of Thursday a hearing has not been re-scheduled.

Galen Bacharier covers politics for the Register. Reach him at gbacharier@registermedia.com or (573) 219-7440, and follow him on Twitter @galenbacharier.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa bill removes library referendum process, strips board authority
Israeli President Isaac Herzog will be attending the Munich Security Conference (MSC) next week, conference director Christoph Heusgen has confirmed to dpa.

He did not yet want to say whether members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Israeli government would also be attending, however the premier will not be coming to Munich.

"Netanyahu has already been to the MSC and also made a remarkable appearance there in 2018. Now we are looking forward to seeing the president," said Heusgen.

During his speech in Munich in 2018, Netanyahu held up a piece a piece of what Israel insists was an Iranian drone that crossed into its airspace, looking to substantiate his accusation of Iranian aggression against Israel.

The escalation of the Middle East conflict caused by Hamas' coordinated attacks on Israel on October 7 will be one of the main topics at the Munich Security Conference, which takes place from February 16 to 18.

Prime ministers from Lebanon, Qatar, Iraq and Kuwait as well as the foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia and Oman are also expected to attend the conference in Munich.

"The government of Yemen is also prominently represented," said Heusgen.

A total of around 50 heads of government will be coming to Munich, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also expected to take part in the security conference, though this has not been confirmed yet.
Palestinian women react after their home was hit by an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP)  Israeli airstrikes killed at least 13 people in Rafah in the Gaza Strip after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas' cease-fire terms and vowed to expand the offensive into the southern Gaza town.

President Joe Biden called Israels military response in Gaza over the top and said he continues to work tirelessly to press Israel and Hamas to agree on an extended pause in fighting.

I am of the view, as you know, that the conduct of the response in the Gaza Strip has been over the top, Biden told reporters in an exchange on Thursday evening after delivering remarks on a special counsel report on his handling of classified documents.

Biden has been under political pressure to mend any rifts with voters he might need, especially in the Arab American community, where he has faced increased backlash for his vocal support of Israels war in Gaza. On Thursday, he sent emissaries to a suburb of Detroit, where the nations largest concentration of Arab Americans resides.

More than half of the Gaza Strip's population has fled to Rafah, a city on the mostly sealed border with Egypt that is also the main entry point for humanitarian aid. Egypt has warned that any ground operation there or mass displacement across the border would undermine its 40-year-old peace treaty with Israel.

The strikes killed at least 13 people, including two women and five children, according to the Kuwaiti Hospital, which received the bodies. At the scene of one of the strikes, residents used their cellphone flashlights as they dug through the rubble with pick-axes and their bare hands.

I wish we could collect their whole bodies instead of just pieces, said Mohammed Abu Habib, a neighbor who witnessed the strike.

Israel's 4-month-old air and ground offensive  among the most destructive in recent history  has killed over 27,000 Palestinians, driven most people from their homes and pushed a quarter of the population toward starvation.

Netanyahu has said the offensive will continue and expand until total victory over Hamas, which started the war by launching a wide-ranging attack into southern Israel on Oct. 7 in which militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took around 250 hostage.

Biden has pushed for an extended pause in the fighting to facilitate the release of the remaining hostages after brief pauses earlier that had allowed for the release of mostly women and children. More than 100 are still captive and Israel has vowed to bring them back.

Hamas, however, has demanded that Israel release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and end the war as part of a hostage deal. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to agree to those terms.

Biden said he still is hopeful that a deal can be worked out that might create a path to ending the war.

I am pushing very hard now to deal with this hostage cease-fire, Biden said. Ive been working tirelessly on this deal.

Israel's goals appear increasingly elusive, as Hamas reemerges in parts of northern Gaza, which was the first target of the offensive and has seen widespread destruction. Israel has only rescued one hostage, while Hamas says several have been killed in airstrikes or failed rescue missions.

ALARM GROWS AS ISRAEL EYES RAFAH

Netanyahu said preparations were underway to expand the offensive into Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of people who fled from other areas are crowded into squalid tent camps and overflowing U.N.-run shelters.

The Palestinian death toll from four months of war has already reached 27,840, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures but says most of the dead were women and children.

International aid organizations have warned that any major operation in Rafah would compound what is already a humanitarian catastrophe.

If they arent killed in the fighting, Palestinian children, women and men will be at risk of dying by starvation or disease. said Bob Kitchen, of the International Rescue Committee. There will no longer be a single safe area for Palestinians to go to.

Outside the hospital where bodies from the overnight strikes were brought, relatives wept as they said farewell to their loved ones. Warda Abu Warda said she felt helpless.

Where do we go after Rafah? Do we go to sea? she asked.

GAPS REMAIN IN TALKS OVER CEASE-FIRE AND HOSTAGE RELEASE

The United States, Qatar and Egypt are trying to broker another cease-fire agreement to ensure the release of the remaining hostages. But Hamas has demanded an end to the war, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants.

Netanyahu rejected those demands as delusional on Tuesday and said Israel would never agree to any deal that leaves Hamas in partial or full control of the territory it has ruled since 2007.

But visiting Secretary of State Antony Blinken said an agreement was still possible and that negotiations would continue, the latest sign of a growing divide between the two close allies on the way forward. A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Thursday for more negotiations.

Netanyahu is under mounting pressure from families of the hostages and the wider public to bring them home, even if it requires a deal with Hamas. At least one senior Israeli official has acknowledged that saving the captives and destroying Hamas might be incompatible.

Hamas is still holding over 130 hostages, but around 30 of them are believed to be dead, with the vast majority killed on Oct. 7. The group is widely believed to be holding the captives in tunnels deep underground and using them as human shields for its top leaders.

___

Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip and Chehayeb from Beirut. Aamer Madhani reported from Washington, D.C.

___

Follow APs coverage of the Israel-Hamas war at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
Experts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have suggested that with its combined strikes on Ukraine on 7 January, Russia was trying to distract the Ukrainian air defence network with one particular type of missiles so that the more powerful ones could reach their intended targets.

Source: the ISW

Quote: "The 7 February strike package is emblematic of the constant air domain offence-defence innovation-adaptation race in which Russia and Ukraine are engaged."

Details: The ISW noted that Ukrainian air defence network was able to shoot down most of the Kh-101/555/55 cruise missiles and Shahed attack drones, which may indicate that Russian forces fired these missiles and drone to distract Ukrainian air defence.

At the same time, experts pointed out that Ukrainian forces did not shoot down any Kh-22 cruise missiles, Iskander-M ballistic missiles or S-300 anti-aircraft missiles.

The ISW suggested that Russian forces might have specifically designed this strike package to distract Ukrainian air defences with a combination of Kh-type missiles and Shahed drones, allowing other missiles to reach their intended targets.

Quote: "The unconfirmed reports of 3M22 Zircon strikes are also noteworthy as Zircons are typically fired from naval vessels at other vessels or coastal targets, so Russian forces may have had to adapt the Zircon launchers to strike targets so far inland."

Details: In addition, experts noted, Russian forces appear to have incorporated North Korean missiles into their strike systems, which may have been more difficult for Ukrainian forces to detect and shoot down.

Quote: "ISW has previously assessed that Russia is experimenting with the strike packages it can launch at Ukraine to achieve the maximum desired effect, and that Ukraine in return continues efforts to adapt and respond to new Russian strike packages."

More details: It is also noted that the attack on Kyiv this time occurred during the visit of EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell to Kyiv.

In this regard, the ISW concluded that Russia probably carried out this series of strikes purposefully and targeted Kyiv to achieve an information effect in the EU and the collective West, in addition to other goals it intended to achieve in Ukraine.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 7 February:

Russian forces conducted the second largest combined drone and missile strike of 2024 on the morning of 7 February 7. The 7 February strike package is emblematic of the constant air domain offence-defence innovation-adaptation race in which Russia and Ukraine are engaged.

Russia targeted Kyiv City during the 7 February strike for the third time thus far in 2024, notably coinciding with EU High Commissioner Josep Borrells visit to Kyiv.

Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairperson of the Russian Security Council, continued his nuclear saber-rattling rhetoric likely aimed in part at deterring Western aid to Ukraine.

The Russian Federation Council approved a bill on 7 February that allows the Russian government to confiscate property from individuals convicted of spreading "fake" information about the Russian military, likely as part of ongoing censorship efforts to limit criticisms of Russias war effort ahead of the March 2024 Russian presidential election.

Yandex NV  the Dutch holding company of Russian internet technology company Yandex  announced that it will sell all of its Russian assets for 475 billion roubles (about US$5.2 billion) to a purchasing consortium consisting of five Russian companies.

Russian forces made confirmed gains west of Horlivka and in the Donetsk-Zaporizhzhia Oblast border area amid continued positional engagements along the entire frontline.

The Ukrainian Defence Intelligence stated on 7 February that Russia is mobilising citizens from Syria who come to Russia under the guise of security guard jobs at oil refineries.

Russian occupation authorities continue to militarise Ukrainian children and youth in occupied Ukraine.

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The Kremlin's ongoing threats of using nuclear weapons against Ukraine and its allies are aimed in part at deterring Western aid to Ukraine, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assessed in their daily report on Feb. 7.

In its assessment, the ISW refers to comments made by Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev on Feb. 7, in which Medvedev suggests that if a conflict between Russia and NATO were to occur, Russia would level the playing field by using ballistic and cruise missiles carrying special warheads  referring to nuclear warheads.

According to the ISW, Russia's sabre-rattling threats by top Kremlin officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, are aimed at deterring Western aid to Ukraine, as well as "domestically promoting Kremlin narratives that NATO  and the West generally  poses an existential threat to Russia."

Russia's ongoing threats persist as uncertainty surrounding U.S. aid funding to Ukraine continues.

Earlier on Feb. 7, Senate Republicans voted against a bipartisan agreement that tied a $118 billion aid funding package for Ukraine and Israel with domestic border reform. If the bill is successful in passing through the Senate, a potential showdown in the House of Representatives loom, where House Speaker Mike Johnson has vowed the bill would be "dead on arrival."

Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian officials have regularly threatened the use of tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine and against NATO allies. At times, Kremlin officials have become objects of ridicule since their numerous threats have failed to materialize.

Although unlikely, the threat of Russia using tactical nuclear weapons is "real," according to comments made by U.S. President Joe Biden.

"When I was out here about two years ago saying I worried about the Colorado River drying up, everybody looked at me like I was crazy," Biden told a group of donors in June 2023. "They looked at me like (that) when I said I worry about Putin using tactical nuclear weapons. It's real."

In May 2023, Putin signed an agreement with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to place Russian non-strategic nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory. Just last month, Belarus announced that it has updated its military doctrine, allowing for the first time the provision for the use of nuclear weapons.

According to Pentagon documents that The Telegraph obtained on Jan. 26, the U.S. plans to station nuclear weapons in the U.K. for the first time in years to counteract ongoing Russian threats.

Read also: US Senate blocks Ukraine, Israel aid bill

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ROME (Reuters) - Italy will help with the rebuilding of a cathedral in the Ukrainian city of Odesa that was badly damaged by a missile strike last year, the Italian foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Italy and UNESCO signed an agreement in Kyiv to provide 500 million euros ($539 million) towards the restoration of the roof of Odesa's Spaso-Preobrazhenskyi Cathedral, or Transfiguration Cathedral.

"Italy is very committed, through its institutions and its industrial capacity, to the reconstruction of Ukraine," ambassador Pier Francesco Zazo said, noting Italy's expertise in the restoration of places of worship and monuments.

Ukraine said the Orthodox cathedral was damaged when it was hit during a Russian missile attack on the southern port of Odesa last July. Russia denied responsibility for the attack.

The Italian involvement follows through on a commitment made in the immediate aftermath of the attack by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to provide help with rebuilding.

Meloni has been a strong supporter of Ukraine in its war with Russia and hosted a bilateral summit last April to discuss steps to rebuild the country. ($1 = 0.9283 euros)

(Writing by Keith Weir, Editing by William Maclean)
The lower house of the Italian parliament has approved a government plan to extend military aid to Ukraine through 2024, Italian news agency ANSA reported on Feb. 8.

A total of 218 MPs out of the 400-member body voted in favor of the measure, thereby extending Italy's military support for this year.

Read also: A difficult choice for Ukraine. What is the war plan for 2024, and how to procure arms?

Once again, Italy has chosen to be on the side of the freedom of nations and respect for international law, with the aim of reaching, in line with the position taken by NATO and EU allies, a just and lasting peace, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said after the government drafted the plan in December 2023.

The Italian Senate had previously passed a resolution on Jan. 24 extending permission for the transfer of military aid to Ukraine until Dec. 31, 2024.

Italy last reported in May 2023 that it was preparing a new package of military aid for Ukraine.

Read also:

In 2024, Italy is presiding over the G7 and has placed the issues of defense capability and assistance to Ukraine high on the group's agenda for the year.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
After an attack on a woman and her child in Kosmach, police in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast will be on extra patrol, said Andriy Yatskiv, communications officer for the National Police in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast in interview with Radio Svoboda on Feb. 8.

"The police will carry out intensified service in such areas, where possible, and will work with people and communities to prevent such cases in the future," he said.

Yatskiv stated that the police found that all the participants of the assembly who blocked the road were local residents. And investigators are currently interrogating the people who blocked the road. Then they will decide who to charge.

A police representative called the road blocking by the crowd of women a spontaneous rally, but the police had not received any requests hold a rally.They added that about a hundred people illegally blocked a local road and did not allow traffic to pass. Clashes subsequently broke out.

Read also: Political scientist describes classic mistakes made by Ukrainian authorities in drafting mobilization bill

"It was a spontaneous gathering of people who blocked this section of the road, he said.

They did not let people pass, and checked, according to them, passengers and drivers who might be related to the Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support or other related structures.

According to the police, the condition of the victims has not changed. They confirm that doctors diagnosed the little girl with a soft tissue bruise of the nose, and her 24-year-old mother with a suspected brain injury.

On Feb. 6, in the village of Kosmach, Ivano-Frankivsk oblast, a crowd attacked a woman and her child, claiming that she was a "military commissar's informer."

The injured woman said that she was on her way to the Nova Poshta in Kosmach when she was stopped by a crowd of "angry women". According to her, some of the people were drunk and were holding "batons, bats, and various metal objects."

Dmytro Mokhnachuk, head of the Kosmak community, said that the people who attacked the woman were blocking the road to prevent the alleged vehicles from the Territorial Center for Recruitment from passing.

According to him, since the beginning of the war, about a hundred people from the Kosmak community have gone to the front, and six heroes have died. Currently, more than 60 soldiers from the Kosmak community are on the front lines.

Read also: How can Ukrainians appeal for mobilization exemptions on health grounds

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The News

Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio is among a group of U.S. lawmakers who will travel to the Munich Security Conference in Germany later this month, where he plans to warn American allies that U.S. support for Ukraine is drying up.

The message I am going to carry is that the Europeans need to step up, Vance told Semafor on Wednesday. As were seeing today, even if this ultimately passes in the Senate, there is clearly not an appetite for more blank checks for Ukraine. He made the comments as the Senate began voting on a package that combines tens of billions in aid for Ukraine, Israel, and allies in the Asia-Pacific.

Morgans view

Vance, who has been rumored as a potential vice presidential pick for Donald Trump, is among the group of Republicans who have vocally opposed more aid to Ukraine. His views will likely stand out at the conference, but they represent a growing faction of his party that argues the U.S. should be spending less on foreign wars or focusing more on threats from China.

Vance said on CNN in December that the U.S. should be looking toward a peace settlement to end the war, even if that meant Ukraine giving up some territory to Russia.

We are getting to a place where we are going to be functionally on the hook to pay for Ukrainian pensioners, to rebuild the entire country, he said then. We need to bring the killing to a stop.

Know More

The annual Munich Security Conference, taking place in mid-February, is widely attended by U.S. and European lawmakers and officials. Russias war in Ukraine will be a dominant topic, especially as the two-year anniversary of the conflict approaches and the U.S. and Europe debate the way forward for supporting Kyiv.

The White House in October asked Congress to pass $60 billion in additional military and economic assistance for Ukraine, but the path forward for the package is in doubt after Republicans rejected a bipartisan border security deal meant to satisfy GOP lawmakers who wanted policy changes at the border in exchange for funding for Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the European Union just recently approved a 50 billion ($54 billion) package to help Ukraines economy. Officials say European countries could not replace U.S. military aid, however, because of the current lack of defense production capacity.

Notable

Nearly half of Republican voters say the U.S. is providing too much assistance to Ukraine, according to data from the Pew Research Center released in December, a figure that has been steadily increasing.

Much of the funding the White House has requested for Ukraine would be used to purchase weapons to refill the Pentagons own stocks that are being depleted to help Kyiv, Politico reported.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Officials are set to break ground on a project years in the making.

Plans to build a new YMCA in Jackson have been ongoing for almost a decade.

The new YMCA will include a 13,000-square-foot addition. There will be a new entry and commons area, a Kids Zone, a wellness space, and improved access to all the building levels.

In addition, renovations are planned to enhance the Ys track and to upgrade the HVAC system, lighting, finishes, accessibility and state-licensed childcare viability.

There will be some changes during construction. The wellness center is temporarily relocating to downtown Ys small gym, and the leadership is moving a building nearby.

The groundbreaking is set for noon. 6 News crew will be there and have coverage on air tonight.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
JACKSONVILLE, Ark.  Police in Jacksonville are investigating after an attempted theft left a man injured Thursday morning.

Officers with the JPD were called shortly before 9 a.m. to a theft at #1 Paradise Park Road.

Jacksonville police looking for vehicle in connection with deadly Friday hit-and-run

Upon arrival, officers said they were advised that while the property owner was confronting a suspect committing theft, they displayed a weapon and were shot. Police said the suspect fled into the wooded area after the incident.

Investigators said the property owner was transported to a local hospital for treatment and their injuries are non-life-threatening.

Jacksonville police looking for 16-year old in connection to stabbing of 4 teens

Police said that the suspect is a tall, slender-built white male with black hair and no facial hair possibly in their mid to late 20s wearing blue coveralls.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Jacksonville Police Department at 501-982-3191.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Attorney Thomas J. Henry at Austin Elevates in 2019. A woman who worked at his law firm alleges she was drugged and sexually assaulted by its then-CEO during the two-day art and musical festival. Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for Lawlor Media Group inc.

A former Thomas J. Henry Law employee has sued the firm alleging she was drugged and sexually assaulted at a 2019 event in Austin by its then-CEO.

The woman, 36, filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday in San Antonio seeking unspecified monetary damages from Thomas J. Henry PLLC over how it allegedly treated her in the aftermath of the event.

Through a spokeswoman, the San Antonio personal injury law firm declined to comment.

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The plaintiff, whom the Express-News is not identifying because she is an alleged victim of sexual assault, worked at the firm from 2015 until April 2022.

Accused ex-CEO John Sweeney is not a named defendant in the lawsuit. His LinkedIn page shows he served in the post from late 2018 until April 2021. He now works as chief operating officer for a San Francisco personal injury law firm and didnt respond to a message Thursday.

Its the second time in less than two years that the Henry firm has been sued by a woman alleging she was assaulted while attending Austin Elevates, a two-day art and music festival presented by Henry in November 2019. The event benefited various charities.

In the earlier case filed in federal court in Austin, a New York woman alleged she was sexually assaulted by a director hired to work on a film chronicling the festival. The suit named Henry, his law firm, director Robert Bobby T. Herrera of St. Louis, Mo., and his film company as defendants.

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They sought dismissal of all claims. A judge dismissed some of the claims while letting others proceed. Court records show the parties agreed to mediate the dispute before a retired judge last month but it doesnt appear they were able to reach a settlement.

Employment discrimination lawyer Jay D. Ellwanger of Austin is representing the plaintiffs in both cases.

Our client  like all employees  deserves a workplace free from harassment and retaliation, he said of the plaintiff in Wednesdays lawsuit. Our hope is that this lawsuit will lead to some positive change.

Unconsented contact

According to the new lawsuit, the plaintiff joined the Henry firm as an office manager and was later promoted to asset control manager.

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She alleges Sweeney provided her drinks during Austin Elevates and, despite not drinking heavily, she became incredibly intoxicated. Though she says she has no recollection of what happened, she says in the suit she was later told by colleagues she had been seen behaving sexually with Sweeney. She believes she was drugged by Mr. Sweeney.

She also alleges Henry and others in management were fully aware that Mr. Sweeney engaged in sexual contact with her at the event. The firms leadership even had a photograph of the two together.

The woman approached human resources and management officials to complain about the unconsented sexual contact but the lawsuit says the firm repeatedly stonewalled her attempts to uncover additional information despite (it) being fully aware of the facts underlying her allegations.

She was subjected to increasingly hostile mistreatment from Mr. Henry and others, her suit says. For instance, it adds, General Counsel Laura Dobson informed her she would no longer attend managers meetings.

The plaintiff also says the firm increased the quantity and scope of her workload without increasing her salary. And she says she was stripped of her office and moved to a cubicle without explanation.

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After Dobson and the human resources manager refused to acknowledge her complaint about being subjected to sex-based discrimination, harassment and retaliation, the suit says, the plaintiff felt she had no choice but to resign from such a hostile work environment.

Demands

She is suing the Henry firm over an alleged hostile work environment, discrimination, constructive discharge related to her involuntary resignation, and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964  which prohibits discrimination based on race or gender  and the Texas Employment Discrimination Act.

She is seeking back and future pay, job benefits and punitive damages of an unknown amount.

In addition, she wants a court order requiring the Henry firm to conduct training on employment discrimination. She also is asking for the court to issue an order commanding it or a federal agency to actively monitor the firms work areas to ensure compliance with discrimination policies.

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The Henry firm is among the most recognizable personal injury law firms in the state, largely due to its heavy advertising in newspapers, on television, billboards and elsewhere touting big-dollar verdicts and settlements. Among the recent financial recoveries posted on the firms website: $50 million for a trucking accident and $30 million in a product liability case.

It says on its website that it employs more than 250 attorneys and 350 support staff but its unclear if those figures are up to date. Lawyers mentioned by name on the website numbered 155 as of Thursday morning.

Sources in the San Antonio legal community reported in November that the Henry firm sacked some of its staff as part of a downsizing. Figures on the number of job cuts ranged from as few as 50 to as many as 200. The firm never responded to a request for comment on the reductions.
More than three decades after a woman's skeletal remains were found in The Acreage, Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office investigators have learned her name.

Now they want to identify her killer.

PBSO said Tuesday it has launched a homicide investigation in the death of Pati Lisa Rust, the agency's most recent cold-case victim identified through the use of forensic genealogy. A dog walker found her remains on Dec. 20, 1987, in a stand of trees near the intersection of 130th Avenue and 72nd Road North, about a mile northwest of Acreage Community Park.

For more than 30 years, her identity remained a mystery, even after her DNA was entered into the FBI's Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS, in 2005. But the sheriff's office credited its partnership with the Texas-based laboratory Othram and a 2023 state grant to its Cold Case Unit with helping to uncover Rust's identity.

Cold case cracked: PBSO uses DNA to identify 1980s murder victim, hope to find his killer next

DNA technology used to match unidentified victims to relatives

Investigators say the remains of Pati Rust were found by a passerby in Royal Palm Beach on Dec. 20, 1987. On Feb. 6, 2024, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said Rust's identity was confirmed through the use of forensic genealogy technology.

The technology has been credited in recent identifications of other cold-case victims, with forensic genealogists matching the DNA samples of unnamed victims to relatives.

PBSO in December announced the identities of two men in separate cold cases, including a man whose remains were found buried in a shallow grave near Greenacres almost four decades ago.

PBSO identified the man as Terry Ketron, with deputies saying they believed he traveled to South Florida from Kentucky in the 1980s with a woman known only to investigators as Connie or Bonnie. They still are trying to learn her identity.

'Baby June' case: What led police to drowned child's mother? Arrest report offers new details

Investigators extracted DNA from Ketron's bones and matched it with that of a distant relative. An investigative genealogist then built out the relative's family tree and found the branch that linked the family to Ketron.

The other case involved a man whose remains were found floating near the Boynton Inlet in 2003.

PBSO identified the man as Donald H. Kirk and said he took his own life by boarding a cruise ship and jumping overboard.

Who was Pati Lisa Rust? PBSO is eager to learn more.

As for Rust, investigators believe that she lived in the area of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea in Broward County in the late 1980s.

A PBSO statement released Tuesday did not give her age. However, preliminary estimates by the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office when her remains were discovered placed it in her 20s to 30s.

PBSO is asking anyone with information about Rust to call Detective John Cogburn at 561-688-4063, or email to cogburnj@pbso.org. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County at 800-458-TIPS (8477).

Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work:Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: PBSO uses DNA technology to identify woman in 1987 cold-case homicide
Special prosecutors in the murder trial of former Franklin County Sheriff's deputy Jason Meade are seeking to call a last-minute witness in the case, according to court documents filed Thursday.

The move comes on the same day the judge in the case sent the jury home for an extended weekend.

The trial is currently scheduled to resume Tuesday morning. Meade is charged with two counts of murder and one count of reckless homicide in the Dec. 4, 2020, shooting of 23-year-old Casey Goodson Jr. as he was entering his grandmother's Estates Place home.

Attorneys in the murder trial of former Franklin County Sheriff's office deputy Jason Meade are seated in a Franklin County Common Pleas courtroom during the trial. The case is scheduled to resume Tuesday.

The trial was expected to resume Thursday with additional testimony from defense witnesses, however, arguments behind closed doors between Meade's attorneys and special prosecutors assigned to the case took up most of the morning. Judge David Young called the jury into the room Thursday afternoon and dismissed them until Tuesday morning.

On Thursday, special prosecutors Tim Merkle, Gary Shroyer and assistant Montgomery County prosecutor Josh Shaw, filed a subpoena for a man named Christopher Corne.

The address listed for Corne on the documents belongs to a local heating and cooling company in Groveport. Prosecutors also subpoenaed the business' custodian of records.

Previous live coverage: Former deputy Jason Meade testifies in murder trial: 'I thought he was going to shoot me'

An employee at the heating company said Thursday afternoon when reached by The Dispatch that Corne was "still at the courthouse" and the reason he was involved in the case was "his truck was the one seen on the news."

Corne is not listed on the prosecution's witness list that was filed before the trial began last week. That list included more than 50 names.

In addition, on Thursday, Meade's attorneys filed a subpoena for Goodson's mother Tamala Payne, and Payne's civil attorney, Sean Walton, for all emails exchanged between the two over the last six months involving Corne and any depositions Corne may have given.

While cross examining the former neighbor of Goodson's grandmother, who lived on Estates Place at the time of the Dec. 4, 2020, shooting, Shroyer asked the neighbor, Sheila Staniford, about a heating and cooling van in the area.

Staniford testified the van was sitting outside her home before the shooting and said she thought someone was going to break into her house.

Neither the special prosecutors or Meade's attorneys commented Thursday when leaving court about the delay in the case.

In most criminal trials, witnesses identified late in the case are not allowed to testify because the opposing attorneys will not have had a chance to prepare to examine them, according to Ohio's rules of criminal procedure.

On Sunday, special prosecutors filed paperwork notifying Young they were providing "supplemental discovery," or additional information not previously disclosed to the other side of the case, to Meade's attorneys. It is unknown if that disclosure is related to Thursday's delay.

Prosecutors rested their case against Meade on Tuesday morning. Meade took the stand in his own defense that afternoon. The defense has not yet rested their case and can still call more witnesses. After the defense rests, the prosecution will have an opportunity to provide rebuttal evidence through witness testimony.

Dispatch reporter Jordan Laird contributed to this story.

bbruner@dispatch.com

@bethany_bruner

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Jason Meade trial: Prosecutors seeking to add last-minute witness
A New Jersey high school student who found herself the unwitting subject of AI-generated deepfake porn circulated last fall on Snapchat is fighting back against the bogus photos with a very real federal lawsuitwhich accuses one of her own classmates of perpetrating the lewd con.

In it, 15-year-old Jane Doe says a fellow pupil at Westfield High School identified as K.G. used an AI app to make her appear fully nude in perfectly innocent pictures he downloaded off social media. Doe is asking for $150,000 per intimate visual depiction, plus an injunction and temporary restraining order prohibiting K.G. from further disseminating the offending material.

Based on the timing of the events at issue in this case and the photos appearing on her Instagram account at such time, Jane Doe believes that the original photo [K.G.] used to create a nude image or images of her was taken when Jane Doe was 14 years old and depicts her posing for a picture taken by another person in a public setting in which Jane Does face and the entire front side of her (clothed) body, including her chest and pelvis, are visible, states the lawsuit, which was filed Feb. 2 and has not been previously reported.

K.G. also victimized several other minor girls with similarly manipulated nudes taken from their social media accounts, according to the lawsuit. All of them were clothed in the original images, it says.

The situation made national headlines last November, and triggered a police investigation. It also led to calls for stronger laws and regulations that would better protect unwitting targets from being victimized by nonconsensual deepfakes.

At a New Jersey high school, boys shared fake pornographic images of female classmates. Parents are in an uproar, and the police are investigating. https://t.co/Ot4PWAG1av  The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) November 2, 2023

In January, after phony nude images of Taylor Swift flooded X, formerly known as Twitter, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced a bill that would hold accountable those who are responsible for the proliferation of nonconsensual, sexually-explicit deepfake images and videos.

On Thursday, Does lawyer, Shane Vogt, told The Daily Beast that the unusually sensitive nature of the case precluded him from discussing it in detail until it has been adjudicated.

Out of respect for the court and legal process and to ensure the anonymity of everyone involved, we cannot comment on any specifics about this case but hope it is successful and will demonstrate that there is something victims can do to protect themselves from the AI pornography epidemic, Vogt said. All the girls and women being victimized by nonconsensual pornography created using artificial intelligence deserve to have someone willing to fight for them and their privacy, and we are extremely proud and humbled to have been given the responsibility to do that for our incredibly brave client in this case.

Vogt declined to say how many doctored pictures of his client he believes are out there.

Attorney Christopher Adams, who is representing K.G. and his parents, told The Daily Beast, Im the first to admit that artificial intelligence has taken us to a place that we never envisioned. But I can tell you that it has not created a federally justiciable issue. There are no laws [here] that have been broken, and no causes of action have been met. What I want to make very clear is that AI images such as those alleged here are computer-generated. Theyre not of an individual. They are generated through artificial intelligence to appear as a computer thinks they should. Its no different than CGI or anime.

Adams would not disclose K.G.s age or whether he remains a student at Westfield High.

The case can be traced back to August 2023, when Doe received a follow request from K.G. on Instagram, where she keeps her account private, according to the lawsuit. After Doe accepted, K.G. downloaded or screenshotted picturesfully clothedof Doe that she had posted, along with ones of several other minor girls from their social media accounts, the lawsuit states.

K.G. then used an AI app called Clothoff.io to artificially undress Doe and the others, according to the suit.

ClothesOff [sic] touts its ability to be used quickly and easily to undress anybody, it says. ... ClothesOff [sic] also specifically highlights its proficiency in producing nude images of women and girls from their [I]nstagram screenshots and allowing users to strip your dream girl naked.

K.G., a New Jersey high school student, used Clothoff.io to create nonconsensual deepfake nudes of several classmates, according to court filings. U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

Once K.G. created the ersatz nudes, which the lawsuit calls virtually indistinguishable from real, unaltered photos, he distributed them to his and Does classmates via a Snapchat group, it continues, arguing that a reasonable, unsuspecting viewer wouldnt have any inkling the pictures were computer-made.

Jane Doe and her parents did not learn about the existence of the Nude Photos until October 20, 2023, when Jane Does parents received an email from her school and Jane Does mother received a phone call from the schools assistant principal, the lawsuit goes on. During this phone call on October 20, 2023, Jane Does mother was informed that nude images of students generated using artificial intelligence were created and distributed amongst students and that Jane Doe was a confirmed victim of pornography being circulated.

The same day, K.G.s father contacted Does parents about what [their son] did, according to the suit. The Westfield Police Department quickly launched an investigation, which led Doe to believe that some actions would be taken to hold [K.G.] accountable for his conduct, ensure the Nude Photos had been deleted, determine the extent of their dissemination, and try to ensure that no further dissemination occurred, the lawsuit states.

However, Jane Doe and her parents were informed on January 24, 2024, that charges could not pursued at that time because the facts gathered by Jane Does school could not be used to support the investigation and because [K.G.] and other potential witnesses failed to cooperate with, speak to, or provide access to their electronic devices to law enforcement.

U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

The photos are lasting images depicting Jane Doe and the other girls, all identifiable minors, seemingly posing nude in a sexually explicit manner, which reasonably conveys the false impression that Jane Doe and the other girls depicted therein willingly posed and were photographed nude and disseminated their own nude photos to others, the suit states.

What K.G. is alleged to have done is not constitutionally protected speech, the suit contends, citing past court decisions holding that child pornography created by imposing the actual faces of real children onto the bodies of others is a criminal violation. If the court does not step in to ensure K.G. is stopped, Doe is powerless against the sense of hopelessness and fear she must endure from knowing that the nude images of her exist and will almost inevitably make their way onto the Internet (if they have not already).

There, Does sexualized image will be at the whim of others, such as pedophiles and traffickers, resulting in a sense of hopelessness and perpetual fear that at any time such images can reappear and be viewed by countless others, possibly even their friends, family members, future partners and employers, or the public at large, according to the lawsuit.

Lawyers for both sides are scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 14.

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BOSTON - Two JetBlue planes hit each other on the ground at Logan Airport in Boston early Thursday morning.

A spokesperson for Massport, which runs the airport, told WBZ-TV the two jets "made contact" while in the de-icing area.

"One wingtip touched another plane's tail. No injuries, but both flights cancelled," the spokesperson said, calling the incident "very minor."

One of the two JetBlue planes damaged in the collision at Logan Airport on February 8, 2024. / Credit: Ryan Bates

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the left winglet - the little wing at the end of the plane's wing used to reduce drag - of one plane hit the horizontal stabilizer at the back of another jet around 6:40 a.m.

One flight, JetBlue Flight 777, was heading to Las Vegas at 6 a.m. The other, JetBlue Flight 551, was leaving for Orlando, Florida at the same time.

Damage from one of the two JetBlue planes after a collision at Logan Airport on February 8, 2024. / Credit: Ryan Bates

"The event happened in an area of the tarmac that is controlled by the airline," FAA spokesperson Elizabeth Isham Cory said in a statement.

"No injuries were reported by customers or crewmembers on either aircraft," JetBlue said in a statement to WBZ. "Both aircraft will be taken out of service for repairs, and JetBlue flight 777 to Las Vegas and JetBlue flight 551 to Orlando will operate on other aircraft. Safety is JetBlue's priority, and we will work to determine how and why this incident occurred."

CBS Travel Editor Peter Greenberg said the de-icing pad at Logan and many other airports is not big enough for all the planes. He said some airports in other countries have de-icing stations at the end of each runway, instead of sharing one small space, and that could prevent incidents like what happened Thursday.

"You're dealing with tight quarters, restricted movement and sometimes limited visibility," said Greenberg. "And, of course, everybody wants to get de-iced fast as possible and get out of town and maybe somebody wasn't paying attention."

JetBlue passengers describe what happened

Mary Menna was on the Las Vegas flight, heading to the Super Bowl.

"We had a little collision," she told WBZ NewsRadio in Boston. "It was a bump. Like it wasn't a huge crash. You felt it, you felt the jolt, but it wasn't extreme and then everybody was just like (gasp) and we looked out the window and saw that we had come very close to that other plane and, in fact, tore off part of its wing."

"The plane we were in had some structural damage in our wing, but our wing was still intact, but there was definitely, it wouldn't have been able to fly," Menna said.

"It's definitely a jarring experience," passenger Ryan Bates told WBZ-TV. He was also heading to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. "A significant jolt, to the point where I thought we had actually gone off the runway."

"They're de-icing planes all the time in Boston. So, for it to happen in Boston, a place where they're so familiar with this process is a little bit, a little bit frustrating," Bates said.

"Obviously, somebody didn't negotiate the width of the plane," said passenger Tami Dristiliaris. "We heard really a bunch of loud crashing sounds. To me, it was really loud. It sounded like it was coming from under the plane and the plane shook...almost scraping the side of the plane."

Recent Logan Airport incidents

A similar incident happened nearly a year ago at Logan Airport.

In March 2023, a United Airlines jet departing for Newark Airport clipped the wing of another United plane waiting to head to Denver.

A week before that, a JetBlue flight and a Learjet had a close call at Logan. No one was hurt in either incident.

Pharma exec won't commit to selling life-saving drug in U.S. for lower price offered in Canada

Missing Marines found dead

Sebastian Maniscalco talks encore shows and teases Super Bowl picks
Attorney General Merrick Garland (pictured in 2023) on Wednesday said the special counsel investigation of classified documents found at President Joe Biden's residences has concluded with no charges likely. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

Feb. 7 (UPI) -- The special counsel investigation of classified documents found at President Joe Biden's residences has concluded with no charges likely, Attorney General Merrick Garland said Wednesday.

Special counsel Robert Hur ended his investigation and submitted his report to the Justice Department on Monday, Garland reported to House and Senate leaders.

A White House privilege review hasn't concluded, but Garland said the Justice Department will make "as much of the special counsel's report public as possible."

He said the Department of Justice will provide members of Congress with the report, appendices and Hur's letter after the White House review is done.

The investigation largely involves Biden's retention of classified documents while he was vice president and after leaving office in January 2017.

Biden allegedly retained the documents in error instead of returning them to the National Archives and Records Administration, CBS News reported.

The classified documents were placed in two storage units and eventually wound up in a private office used by Biden. Some documents also were found in boxes inside Biden's garage at his home in Wilmington, Del.

A search of Biden's Rehoboth Beach house in Delaware and at the University of Delaware did not locate more documents.

An additional 10 classified documents were found at the Penn-Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington, D.C., which prompted Garland to appoint Hur to investigate Biden's handling of classified documents in January 2023, ABC News reported.

The classified documents date to Biden's time as vice president under President Barack Obama, and several were marked as "top secret."

The investigation by Hur included interviewing about 100 former and current White House and governmental employees. Hur also interviewed Hunter Biden and spent two days interviewing the president.

Biden has told reporters he was surprised to learn of the classified documents in his possession and denied breaking any federal laws.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has been indicted on 40 counts of illegally possessing classified documents. Trump pleaded innocent to the charges against him and accused Justice Department officials of targeting Republicans.

Officials with the National Archives reported that Biden and his legal representatives cooperated with its search for missing classified documents but said Trump and his representatives intentionally withheld classified documents from investigators and the FBI.
High-profile lawyer Mikal Watts is pictured in 2021 at the Watts Guerra LLP law offices in Puerto Rico. He and other named partner Francisco Frank Guerra IV have split and started their own firms. As part of the separation, the Puerto Rico office is closing. Jose E. Jimenez Tirado, Contributor Lawyer Mikal Watts said he plans to scale back the amount of time he devotes to working on mass tort litigation. His more than decadelong partnership with Francisco Frank Guerra IV recently ended. Jose E. Jimenez Tirado, Contributor

Prominent San Antonio law firm Watts Guerra LLP, known for handling mass tort litigation and personal injury cases, has broken up after more than a decade in business.

Name partners Mikal Watts and Francisco Frank Guerra IV described the breakup as friendly. Each has already started a new firm. Watts Law Firm LLP will operate from an office in Austin and employ about 30 people, Watts said, while Guerra LLP will be based in San Antonio and employ about 85.

As part of the split, Watts Guerras Puerto Rico office is closing when its lease expires this month.

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Watts personally moved from San Antonio to Puerto Rico amid the coronavirus pandemic and established a beachhead on the island for Watts Guerra. It operated an intake department there to handle bringing in new clients and getting personal information needed to open a case. The office employed about 110 people.

When I moved to Puerto Rico, Guerra and I had two separate parts of the firm, Watts said Wednesday. Im primarily mass torts; hes primarily personal injury, individual cases. And that separation became pretty distinct as I was in Puerto Rico. He was there (in San Antonio). So we just talked about (separating operations), and it just seemed to make sense. Its all very amicable.

Guerra, in an email response to questions, agreed.

This was a very friendly restructuring process and plan, he said. There are absolutely no issues between Mikal and me.

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Watts originally had his own firm before adding Guerra and Hunter Craft as name partners in 2009. Craft left in 2013, and the firm became Watts Guerra.

Scaling back

Watts, though, said the parting of ways is also about his desire to begin scaling back and focusing more attention on his health.

He spent most of 2023 working on wildfire-related litigation  including negligence claims against Hawaiis largest electric company over the Lahaina fire in Maui last year  and ended the year reaching $550 million in combined settlements with Oregon utility Pacific Power on behalf of homeowners and timber companies over devastating wildfires in 2020.

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It just seemed like a good time to contract and work on living a normal life as opposed to working 90 hours a week, he said. Mostly, its just a lifestyle change of having a huge operation with a whole bunch of people relying on me to be on a treadmill thats 100 miles an hour. Now itll be a treadmill at 60 miles an hour.

Watts, 56, said hes having diagnostic tests done but responded lightheartedly when asked whether he was ill.

Ive got a body mass index Im not very proud of, he said with a laugh.

He also said his wife told him this year would be the last they would live in Puerto Rico, as she wants to be closer to their three grandchildren and two more expected to arrive in the spring.

Big wins

Watts has earned a reputation for taking on huge mass tort cases and scoring big dollars for his clients. His new website touts that Watts and his team have won more than $7 billion from defendants over the years.

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Besides multiple wildfire cases, Watts is among the lawyers representing Bexar County in litigation to hold opioid manufacturers and distributors accountable for costs of the addiction epidemic.

He also has filed wrongful death lawsuits against CPS Energy and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas over the 2021 winter storm that led to widespread power and water outages. And hes representing plaintiffs exposed to toxic chemicals that contaminated drinking water at the Camp Lejeune, N.C., military base and led to cancer and other diseases among Marines, their families and others.

Guerra LLP

In his email, Guerra said all other lawyers from Watts Guerras offices in San Antonio, Austin, Odessa and San Francisco made the move to his firm. He also said Alicia ONeill, Watts Guerras mass tort director, joined Guerra LLP.

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Just last week, Watts Guerra joined the Chris Pettit bankruptcy case to explore potential claims on behalf of the trustee against four banks where the disgraced ex-lawyer had accounts while still practicing. Guerras firm is handling that now.
A judge postponed a decision Wednesday over whether to transfer a Florida inmate who became pregnant while she was incarcerated from the county jail to house arrest, pending the release of medical and corrections records first.

Daisy Link, 28, has been at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County since June 2022. On Christmas Day, she called family members from jail and told them she was pregnant, according to her sister, Crystal Barreto. The circumstances that led to the pregnancy are unclear, and they have prompted an investigation by the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department.

Link is awaiting trial on a charge of second-degree murder, which her attorney, Marlene Montaner, says arose from a domestic violence incident during which Link feared for her life. She has been held without bond at the correctional center, which houses both male and female inmates, and does not have a trial date yet.

Daisy Link. (Courtesy Crystal Barreto)

At a hearing Wednesday, Montaner asked state circuit Judge Lody Jean to reconsider a previous order denying Links pretrial release, saying Link is now about 19 weeks pregnant but has received prenatal vitamins on only 19 days of her pregnancy. She suggested Link live with her sister under home confinement with electronic monitoring instead of being behind bars.

There is an alternative to her being incarcerated, Montaner said in court. My clients babys health is at risk.

Link answered several questions from the judge, agreeing when she was asked whether she consented to have her medical records introduced in court. More medical records dating to the start of her pregnancy will be turned over to the prosecution, and corrections records documenting Links requests for health treatment in jail will be turned over to the judge, who will review them to see whether they have evidentiary value and can be used by the defense.

Montaner said Links records show that she asked jail officials for a pregnancy test as early as Nov. 7 but was not granted one until late December. She said Link has also asked for, and been denied, Gatorade to help with dehydration from morning sickness.

The Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the allegations. A spokesperson for the department said that pregnant inmates receive timely and appropriate prenatal care and that the department confirmed Links pregnancy after a thorough medical exam, but it has not commented on who may have impregnated her.

While there is no evidence of sexual battery against our inmate at this time, the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy are currently under active investigation, the spokesperson said in an email in January.

Montaner said Link needs to be transferred out of jail as soon as possible.

I am very worried that we keep postponing a decision, Montaner said in a phone interview after Wednesdays hearing. The baby deserves the protection of the court and the protection of having the right care.

In court, Montaner said that it was not an assault that caused her clients pregnancy, but she did not elaborate. Barreto, Links sister, said Link has not felt comfortable sharing details over the jails recorded phone lines, and Montaner said Florida does not allow conjugal visits.

I was just trying to scare him

Links murder charge arose from a situation involving an abusive partner, said Montaner, who shared photos with NBC News that appear to show Link with blood running down her shoulder from her head. Montaner said the injuries were the result of abuse her client endured days before she fired a weapon in June 2022.

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by NBC News, the man who was killed had a gunshot wound to his right leg. The affidavit says Link told investigators, I didnt mean to shoot him; I was just trying to scare him.

The affidavit adds that Link said that she and the man had had a verbal argument earlier and that he then left the residence.

The defendant explained that she armed herself with a firearm and awaited the victims return, it says. When he came back, the two got into another argument and the man said he would lock Link out of the house, Link told investigators, according to the affidavit.

The man then began running to the residence when she subsequently shot him, the affidavit says.

Montaner has said Link was outside when the incident happened and fired a single shot in the dark out of fear.

Montaner reiterated Wednesday that she felt Link was acting in self-defense.

What I want the judge to consider is that she really wasnt a danger to anybody but the man whos deceased, Montaner said. Its not fair for her to be in jail. It wasnt fair before she got pregnant.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
50th China-Malaysia ties opportunity to boost bilateral relationship: Malaysian official

Xinhua) 09:45, February 08, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming 50th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Malaysia is an opportunity to boost ties between both countries, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia Fadillah Yusof has said.

"Malaysia looks forward to a more constructive engagement including in promoting and enhancing people-to-people connection. The recent relaxation of visa arrangements for travelers from China to Malaysia, and vice versa, is a big step in the right direction," he said during his speech at a recent event to celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year hosted by the Chinese embassy in Malaysia.

The event also saw the launch of the logo for the 50th anniversary celebration, designed as a joint effort between Malaysia and China.

The design incorporates symbols such as China's Great Wall and giant panda, along with Malaysia's Petronas Twin Towers and national flower hibiscus. It represents a lasting and inexhaustible bond, as both governments are committed to ensuring the steady and far-reaching development of China-Malaysian relations.

For his part, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing said both nations will hold hands tighter and progress faster on the way to build a better future for the China-Malaysia community with a shared future.

"We should continue to make good use of our respective comparative advantages, strengthen development strategic synergy, further implement the high-quality construction of Belt and Road programs and deepen cooperation in emerging industries of digital economy, green development and intelligent manufacturing, etc. Together, we will bring more benefits to peoples of both countries," he said.

China and Malaysia established diplomatic relations on May 31, 1974.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Wynonna Judd is part of the concert lineup this weekend at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. Jason Kempin/Getty Images

The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is up and ropin', and the concert lineup that's part of the fun there this weekend is spectacular. Here's what folks can expect from the rodeo and other events this weekend.

Today

San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo: Dripping Springs-based Midland kicks off the post-competition concerts tonight. Country music icon Wynonna Judd will give the matinee show Saturday, then superstar Brad Paisley takes over for the evening show. The weekend wraps up with Mike and the Moonpies playing the Sunday afternoon slot, and the Oak Ridge Boys playing Sunday night. Today-Sunday, Frost Bank Center, 1 Frost Bank Center Drive. $33 to $95, sarodeo.com and ticketmaster.com.

"Millennial Loteria: The LatinXperience" and "Permanencia Voluntaria": This is the first weekend folks can catch the new exhibits at Centro de Artes. "Millennial Loteria" features pieces by California artists Mike Alfaro and Gerardo Guillen parodying loteria through a Latinx lens. "Permanencia Voluntaria" marks the first time that Mexican artist Efedefroy has exhibited in the United States. The show features pieces that pair pop culture figures with those from Mexican's golden age of cinema. Through June 30, Centro de Artes, 101 S. Santa Rosa Ave. Free. Info, getcreativesanantonio.com/Galleries/Centro-de-Artes.

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Las Musas: Camerata San Antonio presents a program of works by Errollyn Wallen, Joaquin Turina and Gabriel Faure. Soprano Sarah Davis will join the ensemble for Turinas Las Musas de Andalucia. 4 p.m. today, First Presbyterian Church, 800 Jefferson St., Kerrville; 2 p.m. Sunday, Christ Episcopal Church, 510 Belknap, San Antonio. $20, cameratasa.org; 210-492-9519.

"Chicago" opens today at the Fort Sam Houston Theater. Center Stage Photography

Chicago: The Harlequin takes on the razzle-dazzle-laced tale of murder, greed, corruption, exploitation and treachery created by John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. Opens today. 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 18, Fort Sam Houston Theater, 2472 Stanley Road. $10 to $22. No reservations necessary for military; nonmilitary must make reservations by 5 p.m. Tuesdays. 210-222-9694.

Carmen Tafolla: The writer will talk about and sign copies of her work, including her latest book, Warrior Girl, as part of the Latino Bookstores Texas Author Series. 6 p.m. today, Guadalupe Latino Bookstore and Gift Shop, 1300 Guadalupe. Free. Info, guadalupeculturalarts.org.

Alamo City Tease Burlesque Festival: Haus of Erotique is staging the new event, which includes performances by Vixie St. Claire, Poppy Tart and Raquel Reed. Today-Sunday, various venues. $10 to $30 for individual events; $100 to $400 for ticket packages, hausoferotique.com.

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Magik Theatre is tackling the stage adaptation of Mo Willems delightful picture book in Dont Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!" Bobby Foxx Photography

Saturday

Writer Carmen Tafolla will take part in the Texas Authors Series at the Latino Bookstore this weekend. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

Dont Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!: Magik Theatre is tackling the stage adaptation of Mo Willems delightful picture book about a birds relentless campaign to get behind the wheel. Opens Saturday. Through March 17, Magik Theatre, 420 S. Alamo. Showtimes vary. Opening night includes a bus-themed party at Hemisfair, live music by Billy Ray Sheppard and craft projects. There also is a sensory-friendly show at 10 a.m. Feb. 24 and a pay-what-you-wish show at 3 p.m. Feb. 25. $10 to $23.50, magiktheatre.org; 210-227-2751.

Comedian Nimesh Patel will perform at the Aztec Theatre downtown this weekend. Phil Provincio

Nimesh Patel: The comedian, who was the first Indian American writer for "Saturday Night Live," is bringing his "Fast and Loose" tour to town. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary's St. $53 to $64, theaztectheatre.com.

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Xavier Omar and Melat: The R&B double bill is a standing-room only show. Doors open at 7 p.m. and showtime is 8 p.m. Saturday, Stable Hall, 307 Pearl Parkway. $30, stablehall.com.
A federal judge rejected former Trump White House aide Peter Navarros bid to remain out of prison while he appeals his criminal conviction for defying a subpoena from the Jan. 6 select committee.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said Navarros claim that he might succeed on appeal was not enough of a basis to postpone a four-month prison term that Mehta handed down last month.

The Obama-appointed judge rejected a series of arguments that Navarro offered: that he had testimonial immunity from the subpoena because of his position in the White House during the events that preceded the Jan. 6 attack at the Capitol; that he believed Trump had asserted executive privilege to block his testimony to Congress; and that the prosecution smacked of political bias.

If anything, the record demonstrates just the opposite, Mehta wrote in a 12-page opinion, sharply rejecting claims of bias. He noted that prosecutors opted not to charge Trump aides Mark Meadows and Dan Scavino, who similarly refused to testify to Congress, and played much larger roles in Trumps inner circle at the time.

Defendants cynical, self-serving claim of political bias poses no question at all, let alone a substantial one, Mehta ruled.



If the ruling holds, Navarro may be the first member of Trumps inner circle to go to prison for crimes stemming from the effort to subvert the 2020 election.

Mehta noted that the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. may still hold off Navarros sentence, but that short of a higher courts intervention, Navarro must report to the designated Bureau of Prisons facility on the date ordered by the BOP.

The opinion concludes a two-year odyssey through the district court for Navarro, who was held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after he refused to testify about his role in helping Trump attempt to overturn the 2020 election results. Navarro worked with Trump aide Steve Bannon  who was similarly convicted of contempt of Congress last year  on what they termed the Green Bay Sweep, a strategy to have members of Congress challenge the election results on Jan. 6, when they met to certify the election.

The Justice Department charged Navarro in April 2022 with two counts of contempt, one for refusing to testify and another for refusing to turn over documents. The case triggered a lengthy pretrial process in which Navarro sought to sideline the case by contending Trump had effectively blessed his recalcitrance by invoking executive privilege. But Navarro was unable to convince Mehta that such an invocation occurred, and even if he had, the judge noted, longstanding precedent barred it as a defense.

Navarro cited Nixon-era court rulings to argue that his reliance on executive privilege was a thorny enough issue that his sentence should be postponed while he appeals. But Mehta rejected the references.

If anything, President Nixon did what President Trump could have done here. Through his counsel, he unequivocally claimed executive privilege by moving to quash the grand jury subpoena, Mehta wrote. Because the court found no evidence that President Trump ever invoked the privilege, no presumption ever attached to Defendants testimony or records.
CHICAGO  A Cook County judge on Wednesday rejected a request to put a hold on a legal challenge to former President Donald Trumps place on the Illinois March 19 Republican primary ballot.

Attorneys for the former president had filed a motion to halt legal proceedings in Illinois until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on an appeal of a Colorado Supreme Court decision that found Trump disqualified from running for the presidency in that state under the insurrection clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The nations highest court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in the Colorado case on Thursday.

Judge Tracie Porter also rejected a request made by those objecting to Trumps place on the Illinois ballot for an expedited court schedule, and set a Feb. 16 hearing for an appeal of the Illinois State Board of Elections Jan. 30 decision that kept Trumps name on the ballot.

In a huge blow to the former president and a huge win for justice for all, the DC court of appeals has just ruled that Trump can be charged with crimes committed while in office. The case will now go to our nations highest court. Veuers Tony Spitz has the details.

The elections board said past Illinois Supreme Court rulings prevented it from considering complex constitutional analysis, such as whether Trump engaged in insurrection through his role in the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol to try to prevent the counting of Electoral College votes that made Democrat Joe Biden president.

Instead, the board in a bipartisan 8-0 vote rejected an accompanying challenge that alleged Trump knowingly signed a certification of candidacy stating he was qualified to be president.

The group of five voters challenging Trumps candidacy, backed by the group Free Speech for People, is appealing the boards decision. They allege the board misread state Supreme Court decisions limiting its power on constitutional issues and that it created a new legal standard whereby someone can appear on the ballot if they signed their statement of candidacy, but did so not knowing they were unqualified.

Trump attorney Adam Merrill had sought a stay of Illinois court proceedings, citing the U.S. Supreme Court consideration of the Colorado case. The Colorado court, in a 4-3 ruling, ruled Trump committed insurrection and was disqualified from holding the presidency under Section 3 of the post-Civil War era constitutional amendment.

Every single issue has been briefed and is going to be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, Merrill told Judge Porter.

It simply makes no sense for this court to be the only court in the country to continue proceedings here, he said. The stay is really the only decision that makes sense.

Merrill also said there was no need to expedite consideration of Trumps place on the GOP primary ballot under the states process of selecting nominating delegates to the Republican National Convention.

Illinois is sending 64 delegates to Milwaukee in July  13 at-large delegates that go to the winner of the statewide presidential preference vote, and three from each of the states 17 congressional districts that are directly chosen by voters. Merrill noted that while Trump would be ineligible for the 13 at-large delegates if he was removed from the presidential preference portion of the ballot, voters could still select the 51 delegates pledged to his nomination.

But Caryn Lederer, representing the Trump challengers, said whatever the U.S. Supreme Court rules, it cannot resolve Illinois state law issues.

Regardless of the Supreme Court decision of Section 3, without a ruling from this court, Donald Trump will remain on the Illinois ballot because the electoral board found that he did not knowingly lie when he said he was qualified for office, Lederer said. Even if the U.S. Supreme Court disqualifies candidate Trump from the presidency, he will remain on the Illinois ballot absent (state) court intervention.

In urging the judge to agree to an expedited schedule, Lederer said it is better for the state of Illinois for this case to be ready for a resolution up before the Illinois Supreme Court at the soonest possible moment. Otherwise it puts voters at significant risk of casting votes for a disqualified candidate, votes that will need to be disregarded, disenfranchising Illinois voters.

______
A Cook County judge on Wednesday rejected a request to put a hold on a legal challenge to former President Donald Trumps place on the Illinois March 19 Republican primary ballot.

Attorneys for the former president had filed a motion to halt legal proceedings in Illinois until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on an appeal of a Colorado Supreme Court decision that found Trump disqualified from running for the presidency in that state under the insurrection clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The nations highest court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in the Colorado case on Thursday.

Judge Tracie Porter also rejected a request made by those objecting to Trumps place on the Illinois ballot for an expedited court schedule, and set a Feb. 16 hearing for an appeal of the Illinois State Board of Elections Jan. 30 decision that kept Trumps name on the ballot.

The elections board said past Illinois Supreme Court rulings prevented it from considering complex constitutional analysis, such as whether Trump engaged in insurrection through his role in the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol to try to prevent the counting of Electoral College votes that made Democrat Joe Biden president.

Instead, the board in a bipartisan 8-0 vote rejected an accompanying challenge that alleged Trump knowingly signed a certification of candidacy stating he was qualified to be president.

The group of five voters challenging Trumps candidacy, backed by the group Free Speech for People, is appealing the boards decision. They allege the board misread state Supreme Court decisions limiting its power on constitutional issues and that it created a new legal standard whereby someone can appear on the ballot if they signed their statement of candidacy, but did so not knowing they were unqualified.

Trump attorney Adam Merrill had sought a stay of Illinois court proceedings, citing the U.S. Supreme Court consideration of the Colorado case. The Colorado court, in a 4-3 ruling, ruled Trump committed insurrection and was disqualified from holding the presidency under Section 3 of the post-Civil War era constitutional amendment.

Every single issue has been briefed and is going to be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, Merrill told Judge Porter.

It simply makes no sense for this court to be the only court in the country to continue proceedings here, he said. The stay is really the only decision that makes sense.

Merrill also said there was no need to expedite consideration of Trumps place on the GOP primary ballot under the states process of selecting nominating delegates to the Republican National Convention.

Illinois is sending 64 delegates to Milwaukee in July  13 at-large delegates that go to the winner of the statewide presidential preference vote, and three from each of the states 17 congressional districts that are directly chosen by voters. Merrill noted that while Trump would be ineligible for the 13 at-large delegates if he was removed from the presidential preference portion of the ballot, voters could still select the 51 delegates pledged to his nomination.

But Caryn Lederer, representing the Trump challengers, said whatever the U.S. Supreme Court rules, it cannot resolve Illinois state law issues.

Regardless of the Supreme Court decision of Section 3, without a ruling from this court, Donald Trump will remain on the Illinois ballot because the electoral board found that he did not knowingly lie when he said he was qualified for office, Lederer said. Even if the U.S. Supreme Court disqualifies candidate Trump from the presidency, he will remain on the Illinois ballot absent (state) court intervention.

In urging the judge to agree to an expedited schedule, Lederer said it is better for the state of Illinois for this case to be ready for a resolution up before the Illinois Supreme Court at the soonest possible moment. Otherwise it puts voters at significant risk of casting votes for a disqualified candidate, votes that will need to be disregarded, disenfranchising Illinois voters.
Julian Assanges lawyer submitted a new registration this week with the Justice Departments Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) division for his ongoing work on behalf of the embattled Australian WikiLeaks founder.

The U.S. is trying to extradite Assange from London to face criminal charges for allegedly conspiring with former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to unlawfully obtain and publish classified national security documents that could cause irreparable injury to the United States or be used to the advantage of a foreign nation, according to the 2018 federal indictment.

Human rights advocates and the New York Times Editorial Board have warned the prosecution of Assange would infringe upon press freedoms.

Assanges lawyer, Barry Pollack, a partner at Harris St. Laurent & Wechsler, is a seasoned trial lawyer who successfully secured the acquittal of a former Enron executive charged with criminal fraud following one of the biggest corporate bankruptcies in American history.

FARA carves out an exemption for legal representation of a disclosed foreign principal before any court or law or agency of the United States government.

But Pollack may engage in certain services ancillary to the representation, according to registration documents filed by Harris St. Laurent and Wechsler with the Justice Department, therefore the firm filed out of an abundance of caution.

The services that could even arguably be considered ancillary to the representation rather than part of the registration include providing briefings about the litigation to parties interested in the litigation and participating in public educational events about the litigation, according to the disclosure.

Pollack declined to comment.

Steve Roberts, a partner at Holtzman Vogel, told The Hill that the Justice Department has been increasingly narrow on its view of the legal exemption in recent years.

Theyve made it clear that it only applies to a lawyer practicing law, but not doing other activities that a lawyer might do in service of a client around those legal services, like PR work or lobbying, Roberts added.

His registration calculus was quite possibly an awareness that more scrutiny would be on his work for Assange, and registered out of an abundance of caution for the occasional media briefing, he added.

Pollack previously registered under FARA for public advocacy in conjunction with legal representation on behalf of Assange through the Law Offices of Barry J. Pollack LLC in July 2021.

He joined Harris St. Laurent and Wechsler last February, according to a press release issued by the firm, hence the new registration.

While Pollacks previous registration notes his legal and advocacy activity should be exempted under FARA, he did disclose some public appearances on behalf of his client.

Pollack disclosed meeting with Australian members of Parliament to provide background information on the case in September 2023. He also disclosed discussing Assanges case on a National Press Club panel in December 2022 and, in March 2023, attending a screening of the documentary Ithaka at the University of Marylands Merrill College of Journalism and participating in a panel discussion after the screening.

Some of the activity from last time would not clearly need to be disclosed. Outreach aimed at influencing the views of foreign audiences, for example, largely falls outside FARAs scope, Josh Rosenstein, a member at Sandler Reiff Lamb Rosenstein & Birkenstock, told The Hill.

But making speeches would generally be disclosed, he added.

Rosenstein pointed to 2020 remarks by Adam Hickey, former deputy assistant attorney general for the National Security Division, regarding limits to the lawyer exemption.

Representation of an individual client in an adjudication of that clients interests is distinguishable from advocacy to change U.S. government policies or advocacy on behalf of a foreign government or political party, Hickey said, adding that public relations work that has a tangential relationship to pending litigation would fall outside the exemption. Calling a press conference to announce a lawsuit would not.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson grilled Trump lawyer Jonathan Mitchell over his claim that the Jan. 6 Capitol attack was not an insurrection.

The court on Thursday heard arguments in the former presidents appeal of a Colorado Supreme Court ruling barring him from the states primary ballot under the Constitutions insurrection clause. Jackson noted that the Colorado court concluded that the violence at the Capitol on Jan. 6 to halt the count of electoral votes qualified as an insurrection under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

What is your argument that its not? Jackson asked Mitchell. Your reply brief says that it wasnt, because I think you say, it did not involve an organized attempt to overthrow the government.

Thats one of many reasons, Mitchell replied. But for an insurrection, there needs to be an organized, concerted effort to overthrow the government of the United States through violence.

Jackson questioned if a chaotic effort to overthrow the government is not an insurrection?

No, we didnt concede that its an effort to overthrow the government either, Mitchell said. None of these criteria were met. This was a riot. It was not an insurrection. The events were shameful, criminal, violent, all of those things. But it did not qualify as insurrection as that term is used in Section 3.

Justice Jackson: "So, your point is that a chaotic effort to overthrow the government is not an insurrection?"



Jonathan Mitchell: "We didn't conceded that it's an effort to overthrow the government either...this was a a riot. It was not an insurrection." pic.twitter.com/dq7gEX9au5  CSPAN (@cspan) February 8, 2024
Christopher Lee Powell was sentenced to 40 years in prison for killing Ibrahim Malik Suarez, 37, on April 9, 2021, after the men had a confrontation at a Circle K that escalated to a shooting on FM 78 in Converse. Courtesy of BCSO

A Killeen man convicted last week for a 2021 fatal shooting that prosecutors said was triggered by racial animosity has been sentenced to 40 years in prison.

A jury found Christopher Lee Powell, 36, guilty of murder for killing Ibrahim Malik Suarez, 37, of San Antonio after they met and argued at a gas station in Converse on April 9, 2021.

Powell, who decided to let state District Judge Frank J. Castro decide his punishment, had faced up to life in prison. Castro gave him a 40-year term Wednesday.

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Christopher Powell rolled his window down and shot and killed a man who was walking away, Bexar County District Attorney Joe D. Gonzales said in a statement. The jury told us that Mr. Suarez died needlessly and provided justice for Ibrahim Suarez and his family.

Jurors were shown video at the trial that captured the men inside a Circle K gas station and outside pumping gas. The images showed them engaged in some sort of confrontation, gesturing and mouthing words.

As Powell prepared to leave, he lowered his window. It was unclear what words were exchanged, but moments later, Suarez stuck his middle finger at Powell.

His vehicle followed Powells out of the parking lot. When Powell stopped at a traffic light at FM 78 under Loop 1604 not far away, more surveillance video recorded Suarez getting out and approaching Powells window, having a quick exchange, then walking back to his vehicle.

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Powell then rolled down his window, and something prompted Suarez to return to Powells vehicle, where he was shot three times, twice in the chest and once in the ear.

Suarez was unarmed. He was taken to Brooke Army Medical Center where he later died.

Defense attorney Albert M. Gutierrez Jr. told the jury that Powell, medically retired from the Army and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder from service in Afghanistan, acted in self-defense, shooting at the much larger Suarez because he feared for his life.

Prosecutors Jordan Brown and Melissa Rust said Powell lied to investigators several times about what occurred. The jury heard him use a racial slur when he called a 911 dispatcher to report the shooting, saying, (N-word) threatened my life, which Rust repeated loudly in her closing argument, saying the victims race was what he was concerned about that night.

Powell will have to serve at least half of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.
A Louisville steakhouse known for being the birthplace of the popular and historic J.T.S. Brown bourbon brand has been named by Yelp as one of the most romantic restaurants across the country for Valentines Day.

As part of its curated collection of the top 100 romantic restaurants nationwide, released Jan. 31, the customer review site featured Repeal Oak Fired Steakhouse at No. 100 on the list.

Repeal was the only Kentucky restaurant featured in the list by Yelp. As part of its methodology, the website said it looked at restaurants with high concentrations of customer reviews mentioning words and phrases such as romantic, date night and valentine.

Today, Repeal is known for being the only authentic oak-fired steakhouse located on Louisvilles Whiskey Row. However, its also the former site of J.T.S. Brown and Sons wholesale, warehouse and bottling operation. J.T.S. Brown bourbon is currently produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, but it got its start in 1870 on Whiskey Row.

What do Yelpers have to say about Repeal Oak Fired Steakhouse?

The restaurant has more than 400 Yelp reviews with the majority being five- or four-star reviews. Recent reviewers describe its atmosphere as dark and cozy with a lovely setting perfect for date nights.

Its a perfect place for a first date or an anniversary, one reviewer wrote in September. Its a wonderful place to people watch as there are plenty of bachelor parties and dates going on.

Read Kelly O.'s review of Repeal Oak Fired Steakhouse on Yelp

Repeal advertises itself as a tribute to the end of the Prohibition era. On its website, the restaurant describes itself as housed in the former site of J.T.S. Brown and Sons wholesale warehouse and bottling operations. Its where the family welled up with pride as their labels became staples in barrooms all over the country. Its where they fought back tears as Prohibition took everything away. Its where they soldiered on towards Repeal.

The restaurants menu features a variety of steaks and seafood cooked over the flames of reclaimed oak-aged barrels. Reviewers often recommend the bone marrow, hot stone wagyu and spicy tuna tartare appetizers.

Repeal is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Breakfast is severed from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Dinner is served from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Brunch is from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The restaurant is located at 101 West Main St. in Louisville, and reservations can be made on online.

Yelps most romantic restaurants in the US this Valentines Day

The top 10 most romantic restaurants rated by Yelp users are as follows:

Penumbra - Chicago Pane and Vino - Miami Beach, Fla. Cafe Monarch - Scottsdale, Ariz. Cesarina - San Diego La Grande Boucherie - New York Barrel 33 - Ventura, Calif. Fratellino - Coral Gables, Fla. Barrique - Venice, Calif. Uchi Houston - Houston Sorellina - Boston

Do you have a question about bourbon or dining in Kentucky for our service journalism desk? Tell us via the Know Your Kentucky form below or send us an email at ask@herald-leader.com.
Lovely One will provide readers with an inside look at Jacksons historic Supreme Court confirmation, as well as her personal life.

Ketanji Brown Jacksons debut book, her memoir, will be available for readers on Sept. 3.

According to People, Lovely One will provide readers with an inside look at Jacksons historic Supreme Court confirmation, as well as her personal life, including her familys experience with segregation, her ascent through the legal profession and how she manages a demanding career with motherhood and marriage.

Jackson herself said in a statement that the book marries the public record of my life with what is less known.

Lovely One, a personal memoir by Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman appointed to the court, is being published in September. (Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/AP, File)

Mine has been an unlikely journey, she admitted. But the path was paved by courageous women and men in whose footsteps I placed my own, road warriors like my own parents, and also luminaries in the law, whose brilliance and fortitude lit my way.

The Associated Press previously reported that Jackson was born Ketanji Onyika Brown. The title of her memoir comes from the English translation of her birth name, suggested by an aunt serving as a Peace Corps worker in West Africa.

Random House, the books publisher, describes Lovely One as an inspiring story about breaking open spaces that have been historically inaccessible.

According to the publishers website, the book will cost $35.

Following Justice Stephen Breyers retirement in 2022, President Joe Biden appointed Jackson as an associate justice to the Supreme Court, and her Senate confirmation made her the first Black woman to hold the seat.

The Harvard College and Harvard Law School alumna has held positions as a federal public defender and federal law clerk and was a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. She served as Breyers clerk from 1999 to 2000.

Jackson expressed hope that Lovely One  her journey as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, litigator and friend  would be a testament to young women, people of color and dreamers.

Especially those who nourish outsized ambitions and believe in the possibility of achieving them, she added, People reported.

Never miss a beat: Get our daily stories straight to your inbox with theGrios newsletter.

The post Ketanji Brown Jackson says memoir will be released in September appeared first on TheGrio.
Kevin Spacey has been ordered to pay $1m (791,000) to the production company behind hit drama series House of Cards, in a settlement involving sexual harassment allegations made against him by crewmembers.

The American actor, 64, was originally ordered to pay $31m in a judgment in 2021, after he was found to have breached his contract by violating a sexual harassment policy.

However, an agreement has since been reached to cut his debt by tens of millions in a new deal with production company Media Rights Capital (MRC), Puck reports.

As part of the settlement, Spacey will be invited to testify against MRCs insurers to say he had been written out of the show on grounds of illness, therefore triggering the insurance policy. The company pointed to his checking into a rehabilitation facility known to treat sex addiction at the time.

It opens a new vista in the companys complex ongoing litigation on its lost profits and increased expenses following the shortening and rewriting of the final season of House of Cards, as a result of Spaceys exit.

MRC are expecting to collect a significant sum on a $150m policy from Fireman Funds Insurance as well as punitive damages for denying its claim, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Spacey was fired from the set of the popular political drama in 2017 following claims that he had harassed multiple male crewmembers and went on to win a series of court cases relating to the accusations.

The allegations came in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal that rocked Hollywood and sparked the #MeToo movement, where sexual misconduct survivors publicly called out their abusers.

Spacey has denied all allegations against him.

Kevin Spacey speaks to press after leaving court at Southwark Crown Court on July 26, 2023 in London, England. (Getty Images)

Staff on the set of House of Cards had accused the actor of making unwanted sexual advances. He has been cleared of a number of those allegations in court.

In October 2022, he was cleared of accusations made by Anthony Rapp that the actor had molested him in 1986. He was further found not guilty of a series of sexual offences brought by four men in Southwark Crown Court in July 2023.

Spacey was met with a standing ovation following a performance at Oxford University during a lecture on cancel culture in October last year.

The American Beauty actor has been working towards a career comeback following the accusations levelled against him, securing a role in British indie thriller Control alongside Lauren Metcalfe in 2022.

Spacey in Peter Five Eight (Peter Five Eight)

He will play a charismatic serial killer in the forthcoming feature film Peter Five Eight, a new trailer for which was released this week.

The thrillers marketing tagline is: The Guilty Always Pay The Price. The movie focuses on a real estate agent living in a mountain community before Spaceys character enters his life.

If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, you can contact your nearest Rape Crisis organisation for specialist, independent and confidential support. For more information, visit their website here.
KILGORE, Texas (KETK)  Kilgore Primary School students will need to be picked up early Thursday due to a power outage.

PHOTOS: East Texas high school athletes participate in 2024 National Signing Day

School officials said a transformer is out and it will take the rest of the morning to fix it.

This is not an emergency situation, but given that the campus may be without power for an extended period of time we are asking Primary School Parents to please begin picking up their students following our normal afternoon student pick up procedures, the district said in a statement.

UT Tyler named among top 50 online graduate nursing programs

Students who may not be able to be picked up in the morning will remain on campus until arrangements can be made for pickup.

The safety of our students is our top priority and we appreciate your patience as we work through this outage, the district said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Editors Note: This is a version of CNNs Royal News, a weekly dispatch bringing you the inside track on Britains royal family. Sign up here.

There is never a good time to find out a parent has cancer. Its a particularly difficult moment for Prince William.

His fathers cancer diagnosis comes as the heir to the British throne was already navigating a health scare at home. It was only last month that his wife Catherine had abdominal surgery that will sideline her for several months.

Little is known about the Princess of Wales procedure, but her lengthy recovery signals a serious operation. With three young children to care for, Williams diary was also cleared. His priority abundantly clear: Family comes first.

With Charles candid disclosure, those plans are evolving. William is now unexpectedly needed to pick up some of his fathers public-facing responsibilities, given hes the next-in-line. Hes been thrust into a role that not too long ago Charles was doing for the late Queen Elizabeth II  stepping in as needed while the monarch was temporarily unavailable.

The demands of being the immediate heir saw William make a partial return to royal duties on Wednesday after a three-week absence. He kicked things off by hosting an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle. Dressed in his RAF uniform, he smiled warmly, charming guests while doling out honors on his fathers behalf.

The prince has an unwavering commitment to duty and service, a royal source told CNN, adding that investitures are an important part of his royal role, celebrating people up and down the country doing incredible things for their communities.

Later, he attended a gala dinner in central London as the patron of the London Air Ambulance, where he publicly addressed the royal double health scare for the first time.

Id like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days. It means a great deal to us all, William said.

He then quipped: Its fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather medical focus. So, I thought Id come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all.

William chats with with Air Ambulance pilots, doctors and paramedics on Wednesday evening. - Daniel Leal/Getty Images

Beyond those two engagements, there is nothing else scheduled for him in the days ahead. That could partly be down to a school break next week but also because the 41-year-old royal is continuing to make his family his focus.

Charles, who flew to his Sandringham home after a blink-and-you-miss-it reunion with Prince Harry on Tuesday, is still handling state matters while going through his unspecified treatments. That will give William some flexibility as it means the prince appears not to be needed to pick up any constitutional business. But that will be something his staff are carefully coordinating with Buckingham Palace.

While it could be some time before we next see him, the Prince of Wales will likely be called on to lead the family for the annual Commonwealth Day service  a staple celebration in the royal calendar that will be held at Westminster Abbey on March 11.

The developments this week will have been an eye-opener for William, with the future surely occupying some of his thoughts. The Prince of Wales has never been in a rush to be King. He knows a greater share of the royal burden falls on him with every passing year and has taken it on willingly. Hes not shy about taking on the top job one day, but he has other things he wants to do first.

Queen Camilla has been undertaking a full program of engagements and a larger public-facing role as she supports her husband through his treatment. - Arthur Edwards/Getty Images

As William himself put it during a sit-down with the BBC in 2016, he thinks its important to grow into a particular role with the right characteristics and right qualities.

He has repeatedly said and shown that he wants to be a more present parent. With his public service, he has spent the last 17 months reinventing his version of the Prince of Wales role in a way that is noticeably different to his fathers tenure.

William has narrowed in on key themes - his ambitious eco-prize and pioneering five-year plan to tackle homelessness - where he wants to bring measurable change. Hes also seen his fathers strong international relationships, and ramped up his diplomatic efforts by taking trips designed to build his own ties with Britains allies and partners.

The Kings diagnosis means William is now one of the most prominent faces of the clan - alongside Queen Camilla. As such, the demands on his time increase and he doesnt have as many working royals backing him up as he had once hoped to.

The other eight working family members are continuing their public engagements and CNN understands they could also pick up some additional duties on Charles behalf if needed.

Queen Camilla, for example, has been undertaking a full program of public duties in recent weeks, with no sign of taking her foot off the gas. Meanwhile, Princess Anne - known for her no-fuss attitude and quietly steadfast service - already stepped in this week with an investitures ceremony on Tuesday.

Williams challenge in the days and weeks ahead is how he uniquely balances his personal and professional commitments.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com


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Prince Harry took a flight from Los Angeles to London upon learning that his dad, King Charles III, had been diagnosed with cancer. And, despite the complicated relationship between father and son throughout the past few years, a source close to the family told Harpers Bazaar the king very much appreciated Harrys gesture.

Harry flew out of Los Angeles International Airport Monday, the same day Buckingham Palace announced that the monarch had been diagnosed with a form of cancer, identified during a surgical procedure to treat his benign enlarged prostate in late January.

The Duke of Sussex landed at Londons Heathrow Airport on Tuesday and headed straight to Clarence House, one of the kings royal residences in London, where Charles was staying with his wife, Queen Camilla.



Harry spent about an hour with his dad, Bazaar learned, and stayed alone overnight in a hotel nearby.

On Tuesday afternoon, the king and Camilla were seen leaving Clarence House to return to Buckingham Palace. The couple had been at the kings Sandringham country estate but returned to London on Monday so he could begin his outpatient cancer treatment.

A royal family source told Bazaar there were no plans for Harry to meet with his estranged brother, Prince William, while in London. And Wednesday, as Harry flew back home, William was busy hosting an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle in place of his father, who is taking a break from public engagements as he is treated for his cancer.

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San Antonio police on Wednesday went to Holmes High School to arrest an 18-year-old in connection with the shooting death of two men outside of a gas station last December. mbbirdy/Getty Images

San Antonio police on Wednesday went to Holmes High School to arrest an 18-year-old in connection with the shooting death of two men outside of a gas station last December.

Joshua Castro is facing a capital murder charge in the December shooting at a West Side gas station, said officer Nicholas Soliz, spokesman for the San Antonio Police Department. He said Castro was arrested at school without incident with help from the U.S. Marshals Service and Northside Independent School District.

On Dec. 6, officers investigating reports of a shooting found two men, a father and son, inside a vehicle at a Circle K in the 9800 block of Potranco Road. Both men had been shot. One was pronounced dead at the scene. The other was taken to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.

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San Antonio police on Wednesday went to Holmes High School to arrest an 18-year-old in connection with the shooting death of two men outside of a gas station last December. San Antonio Express-News

ALSO READ: Man wanted by feds in fatal shootings found dead in a San Antonio home

Castro is accused of teaming up with Sebastian Toledo, 19, to arrange a meeting with the two men and then rob them.

On Monday, U.S. marshals were watching Toledo outside of a home in the 10000 block of Cat Mountain on the West Side. Federal agents spotted Toledo picking up a package outside the front door of his home.

They knocked on the door and made entry into the home when they heard a gunshot. The agents retreated and police sent a drone into the residence, and Toledo was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the preliminary police report.

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Officials believe Castro and Toledo set up a meeting with the two men through social media to buy a firearm. Investigators discovered that Castro and Toledo exchanged messages where they agreed to rob the father and son, Soliz said.

BREAKING NEWS: News travels fast. Keep up with breaking email alerts

Through a social media account, detectives found that both Castro and Toledo were in the same car together on the morning of Dec. 6. The firearm was found posted via a social media account that belonged to either Castro or Toledo, Soliz said.

Its not clear who did the shooting. That information wasnt available, Soliz said Wednesday.

During the briefing about the arrest, Soliz advised parents to keep tabs on their children, including who they hang out with and their social media contacts.

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The King leaves Clarence House following the announcement of the cancer diagnosis on Monday evening - JAMES MANNING/PA

The King Charles effect has led to a surge in visits to a cancer charitys website.

Macmillan Cancer Support, of which the King is patron, saw a dramatic spike in visits to its information and support pages on Monday, after his cancer diagnosis was revealed.

The charity said there were 48,304 hits to its website following the announcement, a 42 per cent increase on the same day last year.

The figure also represents the highest daily number of unique page views since at least March 2020.

It is thought likely that the King will use his diagnosis to help further the cause of various cancer charities in the longer term.

On Wednesday, Buckingham Palace gave Macmillan the green light to urge others in his position to reach out for support, retweeting the charitys message on its own social media profile.

The then Prince of Wales visiting the Macmillan Cancer Support unit in University College Hospital in central London in 2013 - JOHN STILLWELL/PA

Gemma Peters, chief executive of the charity, said: Our thoughts remain with His Majesty the King and his family during what must be a very difficult time.

We hope that, by sharing his diagnosis so publicly and at such an early stage, the King will encourage others to come forward and speak to their GP if they are worried about any signs or symptoms.

She said that at Macmillan, they heard day in, day out about the huge impact a cancer diagnosis can have, on a patients life and work, as well as for their friends and family.

Just as the King wants to continue to carry out his state duties, we understand that many people either want to or have to continue to work during their treatment, she added.

Macmillan can support you with this and any other concerns you may have.

We are here in person, online and via our free, confidential support line, where you can talk to specially trained nurses who can provide practical tips and advice, support with issues around money and work, as well as a listening ear to anyone who may need it.

The then Prince of Wales cuts a cake as he hosts a reception at Clarence House to celebrate the 100th anniversary of MacMillan Cancer Support in 2011 - ANWAR HUSSEIN/GETTY IMAGES

The palace revealed on Monday that the King had been diagnosed with cancer after a separate issue of concern was noted during treatment for his benign prostate condition at the private London Clinic.

King Charles has been patron of Macmillan Cancer Support for more than 20 years, having taken up the role in 1997, and is also the patron of several other cancer charities, including Marie Curie Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now.

In a speech he gave 25 years ago, as Prince of Wales, at a Macmillan event, he said: People tell me that being diagnosed with a cancer is like suddenly finding yourself in an unknown land, with no map, no compass, no signposts and no knowledge of the language.

The treatments are complex. Many different health professionals are involved  people can see as many as 50 different doctors.

They need help to find their way in this, no doubt, alien and intimidating world.

The Prince spoke about the need to rewrite the rhetoric of cancer and to destroy the myths and misconceptions which block understanding and paralyse action.

Last month, NHS England saw a massive surge in people looking for information on melanoma skin cancer after Sarah, Duchess of York, was diagnosed with the disease.

There was one visit every 13 seconds to the NHS website for information on melanoma in the two days following the announcement.

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.
A former bookkeeper for Martin Luther King Middle School is under investigation after the school found money missing from multiple funding accounts in 2023.

According to Santa Rosa County District Schools, the King Middle School administration discovered there were "discrepancies with internal fund accounts around Sept. 27, 2023," and began an internal investigation into the missing money and school's bookkeeper.

The school district says the employee announced her resignation on Oct. 9, 2023. Administrative documents obtained by the News Journal indicate Rachelle McCary was King Middle School's bookkeeper at the time and shows her effective resignation date was Oct. 10, 2023, with her final day in paid status being Oct. 9, 2023.

After the school district was notified and began "looking further into the initial discrepancies, law enforcement was involved on Oct. 17, 2023."

"At the point the Santa Rosa Sheriff's Office became involved, the school and school district relinquished lead investigatory efforts over to the Sheriff's Office," the school district told the News Journal.

The SRSO confirmed to the News Journal that the department is investigating McCary and the fund "discrepancies."

School district arrests: Six school employees in Escambia, Santa Rosa counties arrested in 2023

SRCDS did not release how much money King Middle School discovered missing since the SRSO is now the lead investigating agency. The SRSO did not disclose the amount since the investigation is active.

The News Journal reached out to McCary, but she did not immediately respond.

Santa Rosa County Jail and court records indicate McCary has not been formally charged with any crime as of Thursday.

Gulf Breeze Middle School bookkeeper charged with stealing funds months before King Middle investigation

McCary is not the first bookkeeper to be accused of stealing money from a Santa Rosa County school.

Gulf Breeze police arrested Summer Bourland on May 15, 2023, after a judge signed her arrest warrant on multiple fraud charges.

Police initially charged Bourland, Gulf Breeze Middle School's former bookkeeper, with two counts of fraud, one count of grand theft $10,000-$20,000 and one count of passing a forged instrument after receiving a report of the school missing funds.

Court documents show that the Office of the State Attorney did not take any action on one of the fraud counts.

Bourland pleaded not guilty to the charges on Sept. 21, 2023.

Court records indicate Bourland's next court appearance is set for March 19.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: King Middle School bookkeeper Rachelle McCary under investigation
[Source]

Kumail Nanjiani recently opened up about how he was impacted by the negative reviews for Marvels Eternals, sharing that the experience left him traumatized and requiring counseling.

High expectations: Speaking to host Michael Rosenbaum on his podcast Inside of You, uploaded to YouTube on Tuesday, Nanjiani shared that Marvel initially thought that the Eternals, directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Chloe Zhao, was going to be like really well-reviewed.

That idea convinced Marvel to lift the embargo early and put the cast on a global tour to promote the film, Nanjiani told the Smallville alumnus.

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The reviews come in: The Ghostbuster: Afterlife actor noted that he was hyper-aware of the negative reviews of Eternals while the cast was on the tour, saying, I was reading every review. I was checking too much because this thing had become too much in my head.

Nanjiani pointed out that this period happened right after the COVID-19 stay-at-home order had been lifted, explaining, So were coming out after this crazy thing  everything is heightened.

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Eternals, released on Nov. 5, 2021, received a 47% score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the worst-reviewed Marvel movies ever on the review-aggregation website.

"Unfair": Nanjiani recalled the experience as being really hard and he realized at the time that this is unfair to me. Its unfair to Emily [Gordon, his wife]. I cant approach my work this way anymore. Some sh*t has got to change.

Nanjiani said he had to eventually undergo counseling following the experience and that he still talks to his therapist about it. He added, Emily says that I do have trauma from it.

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What he learned: After his experience with "The Marvels," Nanjiani realized that he cant be so result based in his work anymore [because] I really cant control it. I can control my experience, how I am to the people around me, what I learn from it and how I work. I cant control what people are going to think of it.

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Your slice of the headlines in Ukraine. Daily. Thursday, February 8, 2024.

 Casualty toll rises to 40 injured and 4 killed in massive Russian missile attack on Ukrainian capital

The number of casualties in Russias massive morning missile attack on Kyiv has risen to 40 injured and four killed, according to the updated report from the city's military administration.

 Ukraine destroys 44 of 64 Russian missiles and drones during massive Feb. 7 attack  Zaluzhnyi

Ukraine managed to intercept 44 of the 64 Russian missiles and drones launched on the morning of Feb. 7, said Ukraines Commander-in-Chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, on Telegram.



 Borrell: EU to deliver over one million artillery shells by years end

The European Union (EU) is set to provide Ukraine with more than one million artillery shells by the end of 2024, EU High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP) Josep Borrell said during his press briefing in Kyiv on Feb. 7.





 EU sugar restrictions on Ukrainian exports may force factories to close, says sugar association chairman

The introduction of restrictions on sugar exports to the EU will negatively affect Ukraines sugar industry as a whole and could lead to the closure of several sugar factories, Nazar Mykhailovin, acting chairman of the National Sugar Producers Association (Ukrtsukor), said on Feb. 7.

 US assistance to Ukraine. Will something be resolved this week?

Regarding the American aid package and the events that will take place this week  Oleshchuk

 Zelenskyy to visit Germany for Munich Security Conference on Feb. 16-18

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to visit Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 16-18, as reported by German publication Tagesspiegel on Feb. 7.



 Zaluzhnyis dismissal won't affect Western aid  Stoltenberg

Should Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ultimately decide to sack Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, it would not affect Western security assistance to Kyiv, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a press briefing on Feb. 7.



 Aviation expert on possible specifics and configuration of new Ukrainian Army branch dedicated to unmanned aerial vehicles

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ordered the Ukrainian Armed Forces to establish a separate branch  the Unmanned Systems Forces. Aviation expert and a leading researcher from Kyivs National Aviation University, Valery Romanenko, discussed possible specifics and configuration of the new troops dedicated to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with Radio NV on Feb. 7.



 New draft law on mobilization must go through several stages before final adoption

Members of the Verkhovna Rada have supported a new draft law on mobilization in the first reading, but before it is finally adopted, it must go through several stages, reports MP Oleksiy Goncharenko, on Telegram on Feb. 7.



 Ukrainian IT specialists object to new conscription bill, citing economic threats and operational challenges

The IT Ukraine Association, Lviv IT Cluster, and Kharkiv IT Cluster have expressed the IT sectors position on the new conscription bill, highlighting concerns about its impact on the Ukrainian economy in a joint statement released on Feb. 7.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The U.S. Department of Labor has secured a temporary court-ordered freeze on accounts tied to a Sewickley retirement plan administrators alleged misappropriation of trust assets.

A temporary emergency restraining order issued by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania removes Sewickley-based third-party retirement plan administrator RiversEdge Advanced Retirement Solutions and owner Paul Palguta from overseeing retirement and profit-sharing plans amid embezzlement accusations.

Accounts enmeshed in the investigation are frozen pending third-party audit, including Beaver Countys voluntary deferred compensation retirement plan enrolling more than 100 current and former county employees.

The labor department requested an injunction to protect employees retirement assets in late January after filing a complaint accusing RiversEdge and Palguta of mishandling at least $5.5 million in assets in more than a dozen retirement plans from October 2022 through January 2024 and transferring funds to a corporate bank account.

RiversEdge manages at least 240 retirement plans that hold millions in assets.

Following an Employee Benefits Security Administration probe, federal officials said the defendants violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and attempted to conceal the missing funds by issuing fraudulent account statements overstating trust assets. When retirement funds lacked sufficient assets to process transactions, the labor department said Palguta shifted funds from other trusts to cover the difference.

The complaint said Palguta made multiple transfers from retirement and profit-sharing accounts to RiversEdge bank accounts starting January 2017.

Then, in late October 2023, Palguta placed an order to buy shares for the Beaver County Deferred Compensation Plan, but did not have sufficient cash to complete the order.

Asset custodian American Trust Custody, which handles electronic transfers, contacted Palguta about the insufficient funds and Palguta said hed correct the problem. About two weeks later, Palguta notified American Trust he had handled the issue and the transaction was completed once $1.7 million was deposited into the plan account.

The transfer prompted American Trust to review RiversEdges accounts. The audit, according to the lawsuit, revealed RiversEdge was transferring cash from one trust account to another. It also found 13 federally qualified Employment Retirement Income Security Act plans and four non-ERISA plans had experienced suspicious transactions, including RiversEdges own profit-sharing plan.

Federal investigators said Palguta took that $1.7 million from six unrelated client plans throughout Pennsylvania and the United States.

Palguta is also accused of transferring more than $1.8 million to a RiversEdge bank account from October 2023 to January through dozens of transactions under $25,000 seemingly structured to evade detection, according to the labor department.

The temporary restraining order bars the defendants from further involvement with trust assets and requires an independent fiduciary to oversee an accounting of the 17 allegedly mismanaged plans.

The labor department is seeking a permanent injunction and order requiring RiversEdge to restore the missing funds and barring the defendants from serving as fiduciaries to any plan in the future.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Labor department secures restraining order in Sewickley embezzlement lawsuit
Rachel Reeves announced the green investment plan at the Labour Party Conference at a time when she deemed the policy to be affordable - STEFAN ROUSSEAU/PA

Shadow ministers have one grumble about Rachel Reeves, the woman behind Labours about-turn on green investment.

They say that every time they come up with a policy idea, it is not Sir Keir Starmer they have to impress.

The first step is to go cap in hand to the shadow chancellor, to see whether she believes it would be affordable.

Only if she gives it the seal of approval can the policy be part of its general election manifesto.

Unfortunately, Ms Reeves let one policy slip through the net  her colleague Ed Milibands pet policy of spending 28 billion a year on green investment.

Ms Reeves herself announced the plan at a Labour conference, at a time when she deemed the policy to be affordable. But she has become increasingly worried about the cost since the dramatic impact that Liz Trusss disastrous mini-budget had on the economy.

Ed Miliband and Rachel Reeves together during his stint has Labour leader from 2010 to 2015 - EDDIE MULHOLLAND

For months she has been waging a behind-the-scenes battle to get the policy scaled back. And now she has won.

Insiders say the decision, rubber-stamped by Sir Keir, illustrates her power behind the scenes.

Others say it shows just how much the Labour leader trusts his shadow chancellor, and how they will work much better together in power than Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

Ms Reeves was also behind the decision last week to scrap the promise to bring back the cap on bankers bonuses

Ms Reeves was only Sir Keirs second choice as shadow chancellor: when he won his Labour leadership battle in 2020 he appointed the relatively unknown Anneliese Dodds to the number two job.

At the start of his leadership, he was still worried about the power of the hard-Left and did not wish to antagonise them with such a well-known centrist as Ms Reeves.

He gave her a much more minor role, shadowing minister for the Cabinet Office; only promoting her as part of a bid to restore his authority after a by-election defeat in Hartlepool.

Boring, snoring

Ms Reeves had been a member of MR Milibands shadow cabinet, during which time her most famous moment was being described by BBC Newsnight editor Ian Katz as boring, snoring in a mistaken Twitter post.

But what was once seen as a downside is now seen as an advantage.

Recent research found that when asked which words they associate with her, competent comes top, followed by intelligent. (She is very good at chess).

Her tenure has also seen a huge rise in the percentage of people who trust Labour on the economy.

For the first time in a long while, the party is seen as much more trustworthy than the Tories.

Much of that is down to Ms Trusss disastrous mini-budget, which more than anything has helped destroy the Conservatives reputation for economic competence.

But it is also the result of Ms Reevess dogged insistence that any spending by a Labour government would have to pass a stringent set of fiscal rules.

Bomb proof

She and Sir Keir both want a bomb proof Labour manifesto and have been concerned by mounting Tory attacks on the 28 billion-a-year spending pledge.

Getting rid of it neutralises at one stroke a key Conservative attack: that Labour is at heart a tax-and-spend party.

Another fall-out from Thursdays about-turn is that Mr Miliband  who opponents see as an unwanted ghost of past failures  has been put in his place.

Just last June, he tweeted: Some people dont want Britain to borrow to invest in the green economy. They want us to back down.

But Keir, Rachel and I will never let that happen. Britain needs this 28 billion a year plan and that is what we are committed to.

Now he has let it happen, and will have to put a brave face on his humiliation at the hands of Ms Reeves.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  A Llano County Judge on Thursday set the murder case of Holly Marie Simmons  the 46-year-old mother of four who disappeared from her Buchanan Dam home 17 years ago  for trial on August 26, said Llano County District Attorney Sonny McAfee.

The case has a plea deadline of August 19, meaning thats the last day the judge will entertain a plea agreement, said McAfee.

Strangulation cause of death in Lady in the Lake murder as arrest made

Jimmy Don Wolfenbarger, 60, was indicted for Simmons murder in May 2021. The case sat mostly idle, with nearly a dozen status hearings being reset or canceled since then. In August of 2022, McAfee told KXAN the case could hinge on DNA evidence that was still being tested at the time. Court records show the prosecution was still waiting on DNA a year later in August 2023.

The DNA evidence has been tested and provided to the defense, said McAfee. He would not say on Thursday what that DNA evidence shows.

Wolfenbarger  with short-cropped gray hair, a goatee beard and a blue dress shirt  was present in court with his attorney Thursday. The prosecution and Wolfenbarger conferred on the trial setting outside the courtroom.

Simmons daughter, Ashley Simmons, was also present at the hearing. She said she thought it would be harder to see Wolfenbarger for the first time in nearly two decades.

I can finally breathe, Ashley said, regarding the trial being set. For 18 years, we have been fighting for justice. We can finally see the light. We finally have a date.

Holly Simmons stepmother, Virginia, was also at the hearing.

It is about damn time, Virginia said.

Wolfenbarger was Simmons landlord at the time of her disappearance. Simmons dropped Ashley, then 17 years old, at a bus stop before school on Nov. 27, 2006, and was never seen alive again, according to police. Without enough evidence to support foul play, authorities classified Simmons disappearance as a missing person case until July 2009, when recreational scuba divers found a sunken boat with her body in it beneath an old Inks Lake bridge.

The case went cold, until the Texas Rangers began reinvestigating in 2016. Wolfenbarger is suspected of using a ligature to strangle Simmons, according to the indictment.

Wolfenbarger pleaded not guilty and has remained out of jail after posting a $2 million bond.

Wolfenbargers attorney could not be immediately reached for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
I just want her to be remembered as the special little girl that she was  loving, kind and bighearted, Medina's mother said. Courtesy Jacqueline Medina

The 23-year-old man who police say confessed to the killing of Edna teen Lizbeth Medina was indicted Monday by a Jackson County grand jury on charges of capital murder, according to the Victoria Advocate.

Rafael Romero was initially arrested on murder charges on Dec. 9, but the grand jury found there was enough evidence Monday to charge Romero with capital murder, the Advocate reported.

Capital murder refers to a killing that takes place during the course of another crime such as robbery or sexual assault. It is punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty in Texas.

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Medina was discovered dead on Dec. 5 when her mother returned to their apartment to look for her daughter, who hadn't shown up to a Christmas parade she planned to attend with the rest of her cheerleading squad.

She was found in the bathtub with multiple stab wounds. Evidence presented to the grand jury on Monday indicates Medina was also struck in the head with a large object and could have been sexually assaulted, according to the Advocate.

Investigators said that Romero exhibited "stalking-like behavior" leading up to the murder, citing security footage that appeared to show his car driving through the apartment complex the night before.
The Lake County Council is putting a hold on any new appropriations until the auditors office can complete the documentation showing the countys exact cash balances.

Council President Christine Cid, D-East Chicago, said any new appropriation out of the general fund would have to be deferred when the council meets Tuesday until its March meeting to give the office more time to complete the work.

Scott Schmal, the countys financial director, said this is the first time the auditors office is trying to close the books without HTC, the consultant originally hired to transition the county to a new Oracle accounting platform.

The transition was thrown into chaos last year when the Indiana State Board of Accounts in August ended its audit of the countys finances because it did not have the required forms showing accurate cash balances for the SBOA to review.

In the aftermath, officials hired accounting firm Baker Tilly to determine what went wrong, fix the problem with the forms and create a path forward to ensure the transition and software both were working properly.

Schmal said he advised the council to give the auditors office a little more time to ensure everything is accurate before it is sent downstate. Scott said if they use a figure that is not finalized  regardless of whether it is more or less than the current cash balance  and it changes when finalized, that change has to be sent to DLGF.

This is not because Im worried we dont have the money, Schmal said. Its a credibility issue.

Any new appropriation request must be sent to the Department of Local Government Finance for approval. DLGF as part of its approval process wants the financial information and right now it is still being reconciled.

I dont want to have credibility issues with the DLGF. Right now, we dont have them with them. We want to make sure we use exact numbers, not estimated, he said.

Auditor John Petalas said the office knows the account balances as far as bank statements, but the paperwork for DLGF is not quite ready. He said the office will be ready by the councils next meeting.

Petalas said the office has been meeting with Baker Tilly every week and he feels good about the work that has been done. The firm is on target to be ready by March 1 with the forms for 2022 that are needed by the SBOA to complete its audit.

Overall, everything is going on par. Everything is going well, Petalas said. When asked how he feels about the transition to the Oracle platform Petalas said he is a thousand times better now.

cnapoleon@chicagotribune.com
James Lankford is having a bad week.

The senator from Oklahoma was once his partys lead negotiator with the Democratic majority as his party sought a compromise on border security which led to a framework that included concessions the party previously never even dreamed of winning from their political rivals.

It wasnt enough. As the legislations text was finally unveiled over last weekend, it became clear that a deal that once looked like it had a promising chance of passing the evenly divided upper chamber with 60 votes was going to fail, and fail spectacularly. The bill did so on Wednesday, with Mr Lankford, a handful of his GOP colleagues, and most of the chambers Democrats losing a procedural vote to begin debate on the legislation.

The bills fate came as little surprise: Donald Trump and his loyalists had come out against a compromise with Democrats, calling the legislation insufficient to manage the situation on the US-Mexico border and furious that Republicans would hand President Joe Biden another policy achievement to tout to voters this fall. Despite hemming and hawing from Republicans who denounced Mr Trumps efforts to kill the legislation to help his campaign, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and virtually all of his conference voted down the legislation he had once urged senators to support.

And Mr Lankford is now at the centre of a firestorm on the right, hung out to dry by his partys leaders in the upper chamber and the target of vitriol from hardline Trump loyalists.

The Oklahoma senator even revealed during a floor speech on Wednesday that a popular commentator on the right had contacted him and threatened to destroy him should his legislation make it into law.

I had a popular commentator, four weeks ago, that I talked to that told me flat out, If you try to move a bill that solves the border crisis during this presidential [election] year, I will do whatever I can to destroy you. Because I do not want you to solve this during the presidential election.

The senator added that the unnamed commentator has been faithful to their promise and has been working to destroy him, though he did not elaborate further.

Had Mr Lankfords compromise legislation (which was also set to unjam a Senate roadblock on Ukraine and Israel funding) made it through the upper chamber, it faced total opposition from the hardline Trump-loyalist Republican leadership in the House of Representatives, who over the weekend had called it dead on arrival in a joint statement.

The lower chamber also failed to impeach Alejandro Mayorkas, Joe Bidens Secretary of Homeland Security, on Wednesday, as those same hardliners have sought his public humiliation and expulsion over what they see as insufficient enforcement of immigration laws.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Metro police are searching for additional victims of a man accused of sexually assaulting a woman while operating as a masseuse.

Luis Gonzalez, 38, was arrested on Feb. 4 on one count of open and gross lewdness, records showed.

Luis Gonzalez,38, is accused of sexually assaulting a female client while operating as a masseuse. (LVMPD)

Gonzalez was arrested at his place of work in the 4100 block of South Decatur Boulevard near Flamingo Road.

Detectives believe there may be additional victims. Anyone who may have been a victim of

Gonzalez or has information about this crime is urged to contact the Sexual Assault Detail at

702-828-3421. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 702-385-5555, or at crimestoppersofnv.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Las Vegas sub accused of flipping table with special needs student on it

LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A Clark County School District substitute teacher allegedly flipped a table with a special education student standing on it and also threw a heavy backpack at another child, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained.

School district police arrested Roberta McIntyre, 66, last week on three counts of abuse and neglect, they said.

On Thursday, Feb. 1, officers responded to Robert E. Lake Elementary School for a report of a teacher who had battered a student. A staff member told police she was concerned about McIntyre because of abusive behavior she witnessed, documents said.

Earlier that week, McIntyre allegedly put her foot up in a kicking motion toward a special education student who police said was charging at her. The movement knocked the student to the ground, police said.

Roberta McIntyre, 66, was arrested on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, for three counts of abuse and neglect and booked into the Clark County Detention Center. (CCSDPD/KLAS)

The next day, McIntyre allegedly flipped a table, which another special education student was on, causing the student to fly three feet into the air and landing on her back, police said. Police noted the table broke when it too hit the ground.

McIntyre also allegedly grabbed a child by the hair and said, You like that? according to police. In another incident, McIntyre allegedly threw a 20-to-25-pound backpack at a student.

McIntyre denied the allegations but said she may have hit a student in the face with the backpack, documents said.

McIntyre has been a substitute teacher with CCSD since December 2016 and was removed from the teaching pool, school police said. She was no longer eligible to serve as a substitute within the district pending her case.

A judge did not require McIntyre to post bail to secure her release, though the judge ordered her to stay away from the school.

McIntyres arrest came one day after a CCSD bus driver was arrested on a DUI charge after he was involved in a crash while driving a school bus.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
The Bexar County Medical Examiners Office identified a man who was found dead in a submerged vehicle in Leon Creek. Tetra Images/Getty Images/Tetra images RF

The Bexar County Medical Examiners Office has identified a man who was found dead in a vehicle that was submerged in Leon Creek.

Officers were dispatched to the 14600 block of Texas 16, near Lone Star Pass, around 11 a.m. Sunday after they received a report from a passerby about a vehicle in Leon Creek. Police said they found a black vehicle completely submerged in the water.

San Antonio firefighters found the body of 23-year-old Eliazar Flores. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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The Bexar County Medical Examiners Office said Flores died of blunt force injuries and the manner of his death was an accident.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)  The Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County is inviting the community to attend their virtual workshop to learn about affordable home ownership.

The free workshop will take place Feb. 24 at 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. It will include information on affordable home ownership opportunities, down payment assistance, and how to review your credit report to determine your home-buying options.

Home repair grant applications open for Danville homeowners

If you cannot attend the Feb. 24 date, several alternative workshop dates will take place throughout the year:

March 23

May 18

June 15

Sept. 21

Oct. 19

Nov. 23

Habitat for Humanity said each date will relay similar information with different presenters.

Those interested can register by emailing family@cuhabitat.org or calling 217-819-5113. A Zoom video conference link will be provided after registration.

Visit cuhabitat.org for more information.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
The bodies of three people were recovered from a Pennsylvania home Thursday, the day after it went up in flames during a gunfight that left two police officers wounded, authorities said.

Authorities had been searching the burned down home for six members of the same family who were missing and feared dead.

The bodies of the shooter and two other people had been recovered as of Thursday afternoon. One is most likely a child. The bodies of three other people are believed to still be in the home, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said Thursday afternoon.

Officials have not publicly identified any of the people who died.

A family member identified two of the adults dead as Britni McLaughlin-Le, 37, and Xuong Le, 40. They were married 17 years and had three children.

"Our hearts are broken and we vow to cherish the memories of our loved ones and we will work to ensure that their legacies lives on," the McLaughlin family said in a statement. "We would like to express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude for your thoughts, prayers, and condolences during this difficult time."

Investigators expect they will continue to find bodies inside the house, which was so damaged that authorities were worried the walls might cave in, he said.

"What we suspect, looks like it's true, that the family has been killed inside the home," Stollsteimer said. "We think there might be three other people in the home. That's our expectation, frankly, our sad expectation."

The medical examiner will try to determine whether the people whose bodies were found died before or after the house fire, Stollsteimer said.

Going through the remains of the home will be a challenging operation that could take days, officials have warned.

The remains of the home. (Matthew Hatcher / Getty Images)

The incident started when police responded to a report that an 11-year-old girl had been shot on Lewis Avenue, a suburban street in East Lansdowne, west of Philadelphia, at 3:47 p.m. Wednesday. Stollsteimer said Thursday that the call said someone was shooting the girl inside the home.

When the two officers  one from East Lansdowne police and the other from Lansdowne police  arrived at the house, they were both shot once by someone inside and immediately returned fire, police said.

It is not known whether the 11-year-old girl mentioned in the police call or the gunman were inside the house at the time of the fire.

Both officers were dragged to safety by officers from Upper Darby Police Department, using ballistic shields as cover while gunfire continued, police said.

The DAs office identified the injured officers Thursday as Lansdowne Police Officer David Schiazza, 54, and East Lansdowne Police Officer John Meehan, 44. Both are 22-year veterans of their departments.

Schiazza suffered gunshot wound to his leg and was to be released at 3 p.m. Meehan suffered a gunshot wound to the left arm and required a lengthy surgery, the DA's office said. He was still being treated.

At least 6 people are missing, feared dead after Pennsylvania house fire and shooting (Matt Rourke / AP)

Images from the scene show the almost total destruction of the house, with just its external walls remaining. It's unclear when the fire began. Officials said that firefighters were unable to stop the blaze because of the active shooter situation.

"Officers were taking gunfire," Stollsteimer said Wednesday. "Police officers and the fire department who were out there, there was still shots coming out at the beginning of this fire scene."

Where the investigation stands now

It's unclear whether anyone other than the Le family was at the home at the time.

Huong V. Le, 74, told NBC News on Thursday that he is the owner of the burned home and that his two adult sons live there with a daughter-in-law and three grandchildren  a boy and two girls.

He said that he didnt know what happened regarding the shooting and the fire and that he visits the home at times but lives in another area.

Asked whether there were any issues among the occupants, he said, I dont know.

The William Penn School District said in a statement Thursday: We are at a loss regarding the horrific tragedy that happened in East Lansdowne yesterday and how that has affected our community. We are still awaiting additional information as this is an ongoing police investigation.

Its unclear whether any residents of the home attended school in the district, but the district said it was providing support to staff members and students.

At least 6 people are missing, feared dead after Pennsylvania house fire and shooting Image: (Matt Rourke / AP)

Witnesses heard gunshots and ducked for safety

Sharon Johnson, a crossing guard who saw the police response, described the scene to NBC Philadelphia.

"I was there, a cop came flying around the corner. He got out, and then he's in front of the house talking to two people. And then all of a sudden I heard six or seven gunshots. Cops got down on the ground, and I ran and took off," she said.

Denise Williams, who lives in the area, said she was entering her car to head to work when she heard gunshots.

I went into the car, and I had ducked a little bit because I was trying to protect myself because the shooting was going on, she told NBC News on Thursday. I see a cop on the left side on the next block. I see him got shot, actually.

Williams said she didnt see the shooter. She said that she believed up to eight people lived in the house and that most are kids she believes she had seen playing with neighbors children.

Im very emotional, because thats horrible. Its sad. Its very sad. We never had this around our neighborhood at all, she said. Ive been here almost, like, 14 years, and its never happened at all.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro thanked first responders.

Im thankful for every first responder who ran towards danger yesterday evening, including both officers who were wounded in the line of duty, he said.

CORRECTION (Feb 8, 2024, 11:22 a.m. ET): A previous version of this article misspelled the names of two police departments. They are East Lansdowne police, not East Lansdown police, and Lansdowne police, not Lansdown police.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Sailors cheer on a float carrying members of the Navy during the Armed Forces River Parade on the San Antonio Riverwalk. Charlie Blalock/ Contributor

In the latest sign that the nation's armed services are struggling to attract recruits, the Navy will accept young people who did not graduate from high school.

The Air Force has been allowing it for years, although those without diplomas make up less than 1% of all recruits.

RELATED: Air Force will now accept recruits as old as 42

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The Navy decision, announced in late January, is intended to reverse a dismal trend in recruiting. The service missed its goal for the 2023 fiscal year by 7,000 sailors.

A Navy spokeswoman, Capt. Jodie Cornell, said relaxing educational standards will expand "the potential applicant pool of highly qualified and motivated future sailors who may have been impacted by COVID-19 trends of nontraditional schooling, early exit from high school to support their family or a variety of other individual circumstances."

Recruits without diplomas are called Tier 3 applicants. Cornell said the new policy could allow as many as 2,000 of them per year to join the Navy.

They have to score 50 or higher on the 99-question Armed Forces Qualification Test.

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"Sailors who enlist under this policy change can achieve personal and professional growth by earning their GED while gaining experience in cutting-edge technologies and learning professional skills that allow them to exceed their expectations while serving in the Navy," Cornell said.

It's not the first time the Navy has recruited dropouts. It allowed Tier 3 applicants before 2000 during another difficult recruiting era. The program was discontinued then because of "the slightly higher attrition of Tier 3 recruits in the training pipeline," Cornell said.

It's been brought back because "the same past experience demonstrated that Tier 3 sailors in the fleet make excellent service members with a high level of motivation, loyalty and patriotism," she added.

Navy sailors recover debris from a Chinese surveillance balloon. Hoping to bolster recruiting, the Navy now will accept applicants who do not have high school diplomas or GEDs. Associated Press

'Maintaining quality'

The Air Force said it's always accepted some high school dropouts. Over the past five years, the service has sworn 690 Tier 3 recruits into the active-duty ranks. That was .05% of all new recruits during that period.

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Those without high school diplomas or GEDs have to score 65 or higher on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, a test designed to measure aptitude in four "domains": verbal, math, science and technical, and spatial.

The Air Force said that for all recruits, 65 is an above-average score, the average is 55 and the minimum passing score is 31.

Air Force Recruiting wants to emphasize that we are maintaining quality standards in our recruiting process by ensuring they score well on the ASVAB and meet all other accession standards, said Leslie Brown, a spokeswoman for the Air Force Recruiting Service at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph.

The Air Force also accepts what it calls Tier 2 applicants. They must have a test-based equivalency certificate, such as a GED, and score 50 or higher on the ASVAB.

Of recruits who arrive for basic training at JBSA-Lackland, 99.5% have a high school diploma or GED. According to recruiting service data, 21.5% have 15 hours or more of college, 5.6% have a bachelors degree and 0.4% have a master's.

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Still, the Air Force had a rough recruiting year in fiscal 2023, missing its target by 13%, which translated to 2,700 fewer active-duty airmen than hoped for. It was the worst performance since 1999. Recruiting for the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve fell short of their goals by 30%.

The Navy and Army, too, missed their recruitment targets. Only the Marines and the Space Command hit their numbers.

Maj. John Atari Pierce talks to an instructor pilot candidate using an immersive training device at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. Like the Navy, the Air Force has struggled to meet recruiting goals. In October, the service raised its maximum age for new recruits from 39 to 42. The change does not apply to pilots, however: They must be 33 or younger to sign up. William Luther, Staff / Staff

Hoping to reverse the trend, the Air Force in October raised the maximum age for new recruits from 39 to 42. The new ceiling applies to enlisted and officer recruits but not pilots, who must be 33 or younger to join.

"We are not lowering any of our standards," said the Air Force Recruiting Service's commander, Brig. Gen. Christopher Amrhein. "Someone who is 42 still has to meet the same accession requirements as younger applicants.

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'Definitely not'

Recruiters expect the age change to bring in only about 50 additional recruits. But every little bit helps in winning over a population that is largely uninterested in military service. Perhaps the biggest problem recruiters face is the lack of familiarity with the armed services among many young people and their parents.

Those in the military often have relatives who served: parents, aunts and uncles who acted as "influencers" and recommended military service. There are fewer influencers out there because not as many Americans have served in uniform since the end of the Cold War.

Another problem: Many people who might otherwise join are not qualified. Some have criminal records. Others can't meet height and weight requirements or are excluded because of past drug use.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  At least one person was killed during a single-vehicle crash on I-20 in Taylor County.

The crash happened on the interstate just east of Merkel around mile marker 272 right before 3:00 p.m. Thursday.

A KTAB and KRBC crew at the scene observed first responders trying to get the deceased out of a black truck. Its currently unknown if anyone else was injured during the crash.

Traffic is being diverted off the eastbound lanes of the interstate an onto the access road due to the crash.

No further information has been released.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  A joint legislative audit meeting Thursday left Arkansas with a lack of answers regarding the purchase of a lectern by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders office last year.

The governors office has faced scrutiny for a few months over the $19,000 purchase, and auditors said back in October there would be a full report at the first of the year.

Arkansas Legislative Audit does not expect to complete podium review before 2024

Now auditors are saying that their report wont be ready until next month, and the next meeting isnt until May.

The controversy over the lectern started right after the special session wrapped up a few months ago when the purchase became public on social media in documents showing the governors office used tax dollars to buy the stand.

After that revelation, the Republican Party of Arkansas then came into the picture and reimbursed the purchase.

Still, there are questions about that original receipt.

Arkansas governors $19,000 lectern remains out of sight, but not out of mind with audit underway

Legislative auditor Roger Norman told lawmakers Thursday in the audit meeting that investigators have interviewed 20 people so far about the purchase but added that the audit special report is only currently in the draft stages.

Interviews started the week of October 16, 23. Field work will continue at least through next week, Norman said during Thursdays meeting. We have sought to gather all relevant communications and financial records surrounding the purchase.

Scrutiny of Arkansas governors $19,000 lectern deepens after new records are released

Sen. Greg Leding (D-Fayetteville) believes that while many residents may have other topics they are more concerned with, the audit is still top of mind for many of his constituents.

I think most Arkansans are understandably concerned with economic issues, education issues, but at least here in the district I serve, I know people are also concerned about this ongoing audit, Leding said.

Sanders has publicly supported the audit, telling KARK 4 News earlier this year during an interview that she welcomed the findings and wanted them to be public when they are released.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders looks back on 2023 in one-on-one interview

The governor pushed back on claims of wide public interest, though, claiming that no constituents shes met have had concerns about the audit.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Liberia's new President Joseph Boakai attends his swearing-in ceremony in Monrovia

MONROVIA (Reuters) - Liberia's President Joseph Boakai has commissioned an audit of three key government institutions, including the central bank, as part of efforts to tackle graft, the presidency said on Thursday.

Boakai, who defeated his predecessor George Weah in November elections, won on the promise to tackle corruption and improve livelihoods in the West African nation.

The anti-corruption push included an audit of the former government.

In a statement on Thursday, the presidency said Boakai had asked Liberia's General Auditing Commission to carry out an audit of the central bank, the national security agency and the executive protection service.

The inspection will focus on the period from 2018 to 2023, and report its findings within three months.

It marks "the beginning of a holistic audit of government ministries and agencies" in line with Boakai's commitment to fighting graft and ensuring transparency, the statement said.

The central bank did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In August 2022, Weah suspended three government officials who were sanctioned by the United States for what it said was their ongoing involvement in public corruption.

(Reporting by Alphonso Toweh; Writing by Sofia Christensen; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Thursday on the Colorado Supreme Courts ruling disqualifying Donald Trump from the ballot under the insurrection clause. The justices, including at least a couple of the liberals, seemed inclined to overturn that decision.

If they come down that way, theyll likely coalesce behind the argument that states cant disqualify federal candidates, based on how much time they spent on that topic over the two-plus hours. Theyll have to do some contortions, though, to get around the plain reading of the text.

Catch up below:
Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Two women and five children were among at least 13 people killed as Israeli airstrikes pounded the city of Rafah on Gaza's southern border, according to the hospital that received the remains.

The overnight airstrikes came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a cease-fire proposal from the Palestinian militant group Hamas and said he would expand the offensive into Rafah.

The U.S. secretary of state, Antony Blinken, left Israel on Thursday as the divide grows between the two close allies on the way forward.

More than half of Gazas 2.3 million population has been driven by Israels military offensive toward the border with Egypt. Unable to leave the tiny Palestinian territory, many are living in makeshift tent camps or overflowing U.N.-run shelters.

The Palestinian death toll from the war has surpassed 27,840 people, the Health Ministry in Gaza said. A quarter of Gazas residents are starving.

The war began with Hamas Oct. 7 assault into Israel, in which militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250. Hamas is still holding over 130 hostages, but around 30 of them are believed to be dead.

Currently:

 Israel and Hamas are far apart on a Gaza cease-fire and hostage deal. What are the sticking points?

 Blinken ends latest Mideast mission after new Israeli snub of proposed Gaza cease-fire plan

 Family says two American brothers, 18 and 20, detained in Israeli raid in Gaza

 US conducts new airstrikes targeting Yemens Houthi rebels

 Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war.

Here's the latest:

BIDEN CALLS ISRAEL'S RESPONSE OVER THE TOP

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden on Thursday called Israels military response in Gaza over the top" and said he continues to work tirelessly to press Israel and Hamas to agree on an extended pause in fighting.

I am of the view, as you know, that the conduct of the response in the Gaza Strip has been over the top, Biden told reporters in exchange on Thursday evening after delivering remarks on a special counsel report on his handling of classified documents.

Biden added that he continues to push for an extended pause in fighting in Gaza to facilitate the release of the dozens of remaining hostages that were captured during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Hamas, however, has demanded that Israel release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and end the war as part of a hostage deal. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to agree to those terms.

But Biden said he still is hopeful a deal can be worked out that might open a path to ending the war.

I am pushing very hard now to deal with this hostage cease-fire, Biden said. Ive been working tirelessly on this deal. How can I say this without revealing  to lead to a sustained pause in the fighting in, and the actions taking place, in the Gaza Strip.

GUTERRES CALLS FOR CEASE-FIRE TO AVOID TRAGEDY IN RAFAH

UNITED NATIONS  The United Nations chief is calling for a cease-fire in Gaza before a gigantic tragedy develops in Rafah, if Israel conducts military operations in the southern city with the same intensity as elsewhere in the territory.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a news conference Thursday that more than half of Gazas 2.3 million population were pushed into Rafah looking for safety from Israels military offensive.

They have nowhere to go. They have no homes and they have no hope, he said. They are living in overcrowded makeshift shelters in unsanitary conditions without running water, electricity and adequate food supplies.

Guterres condemned violations of international humanitarian law, which include protecting civilians and ensuring that their essential needs are met, by Israel. But he also condemned violations by Hamas when the militants killed about 1,200 people and abducted 250 in their incursion into Israel on Oct. 7 that started the war.

Asked if there was a contingency plan for civilians in Rafah to go somewhere else and whether he would push for opening the border to Egypt, Guterres replied: I think that we should push to avoid the tragedy instead of pushing for things to facilitate the tragedy.

Egypt has pushed back hard against calls that it take in a mass exodus of Palestinians. It fears Israel wont allow them to return to Gaza and says it doesnt want to abet ethnic cleansing.

ISRAELI DRONE STRIKE IN SOUTHERN LEBANON WOUNDS 3

Beirut  An Israeli drone strike hit a car in the city of Nabatieh in south Lebanon on Thursday, wounding three people, Lebanese state media reported.

The site is relatively far from the conflict area on the border, where Hezbollah and Israeli forces have clashed almost daily for the past four months.

The Lebanese state-run National News Agency reported that an initial missile fired at the car missed, and two people got out before a second missile hit the vehicle. The two occupants of the car and a third person who was passing by were injured and transported to area hospitals, one of them in serious condition, it said.

Israeli media reported that two Hezbollah members were killed in a strike on a car in Nabatieh, including a field commander of the militant groups elite Radwan force in the Khiam area. The Israeli military did not publicly comment on the strike.

A Hezbollah spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment, and the group has not published a death announcement, as it usually does when one of its members is killed.

Hezbollah later announced that in response to the attack in Nabatieh, it had fired dozens of Katyusha rockets at the headquarters command of an Israeli infantry unit at the Ein Zeitim base. It was not immediately clear if there were casualties.

About 230 people have been killed in Lebanon during four months of near-daily clashes between Lebanons Hezbollah militant group and Israeli forces on the border  most of them fighters with Hezbollah and allied groups but also including more than 20 civilians, among them journalists, women and children.

Outside of the border area, Israel has launched targeted strikes on some high-ranking Hezbollah and Hamas officials in Lebanon.

Fears of an expansion of the conflict has driven a flurry of shuttle diplomacy by the U.S. and European countries in an attempt to deescalate the situation

YEMEN'S HOUTHI REBELS VOW TO KEEP UP ATTACKS

CAIRO  The leader of Yemens Houthi rebels said his forces will keep up their monthslong campaign of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea over Israels war in Gaza against Hamas.

"Food, medicine and humanitarian air should reach all different parts of Gaza. If not, we will carry on our operations, said Abdel Malek al-Houthi, a Yemeni politician who serves as the leader of the Iran-backed rebel movement, in a televised speech Thursday.

The war in Gaza has caused a humanitarian catastrophe, and northern areas remain largely cut off from humanitarian aid.

Al-Houthi said the U.S. and British militaries had launched a total of 86 air and naval strikes on Yemen this week.

However, al-Houthi said the retaliatory strikes would not achieve their intended goal of disabling the group's abilities, and said the attacks were Washington's attempt to save face.

Carrying on with strikes wont do the U.S., Britain or Israel any good, al-Houthi said.

In recent weeks, the U.S. and the U.K., backed by other allies, have launched airstrikes targeting Houthi missile arsenals and launch sites for its attacks.

The barrage of U.S., coalition and militant attacks in the Middle East are compounding fears that Israels war in Gaza could escalate into a wider regional conflict.

U.N. CALLS FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES

GENEVA  The head of a U.N.-backed panel focusing on childrens rights called Thursday for massive psychosocial support for kids and families in Gaza and for Israeli children who were victims of or witnessed the attacks by Palestinian militant fighters in Israel in October.

Ann Skelton, chair of the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child, said the 18-member panel of independent rights experts regretted that the government of Israel  which was expected to come up for a regular review by the committee last month  opted to suspend its participation. The review has now been rescheduled for September.

Speaking at a news briefing on the committees findings on six other countries, Skelton said the latest U.N. figures  largely based on statistics from the Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza  showed more than 27,000 people have died in the Israel-Hamas war since Oct. 7, out of a total casualty count of more than 100,000. Many of those were children, she said.

No child should grow up in fear, pain and hunger. Yet today, no child in Gaza is free from fear, pain and hunger, she said. In fact, theyll be considered lucky if they can even survive this war and have the chance to grow up.

Skelton cited the colossal humanitarian needs faced by more than 2 million people in Gaza. She echoed U.N. calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and an immediate cease-fire, and appealed for key donors to resume funding for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, so that humanitarian aid can reach children.

BIDEN TO HOST JORDAN'S KING AT THE WHITE HOUSE NEXT WEEK

WASHINGTON  U.S. President Joe Biden will host Jordan's king at the White House next week.

The visit by King Abdullah II on Monday comes as tensions continue to rise over the Israel-Hamas war.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement Thursday that the two will discuss Gaza and efforts to produce an enduring end to the crisis.

She said that theyll also discuss humanitarian assistance to the region. Queen Rania Al Abdullah will also attend.

ISRAELI MAN BELIEVED KIDNAPPED BY PALESTINIANS CONFIRMED DEAD

TEL AVIV, Israel  An Israeli man who was believed to have been kidnapped by Palestinian militants during Hamas Oct. 7 attack has been confirmed as being dead.

Kibbutz Beeri, the community from which Manny Goddard was abducted, said Thursday that he was likely killed during the attack and his body is being held in Gaza.

Goddards wife, Ayelet, was also killed on Oct. 7. The couple are survived by four children.

Hamas is believed to be holding more than 130 hostages, but around 30 are believed to be dead. More than 100 hostages were freed in November in exchange for 240 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

Kibbutz Beeri, near the Gaza border, was hit particularly hard in the attack. Eleven residents are still held inside Gaza, six of whom are believed to be dead.

ISRAEL SAYS A MISSILE ATTACK FROM LEBANON WOUNDED 3 SOLDIERS

TEL AVIV, Israel  The Israeli military says a missile attack from Lebanon wounded three soldiers, one of them severely.

The Israeli military says it struck infrastructure and a military compound linked to the Hezbollah militant group in retaliation for Thursdays attack, which involved an anti-tank missile.

Israel and Lebanons Hezbollah have traded fire on a daily basis since the start of the war in Gaza. Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, says it's pressuring Israel in support of the Palestinians.

In Israel, 18 people have been killed and more than 170 wounded in attacks from Lebanon. More than 200 people, mostly Hezbollah fighters but also more than 20 civilians, have been killed on the Lebanese side. 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, though neither side wants to be dragged into a wider conflict.

EGYPT URGES WORLD TO SHOULDER' RESPONSIBILITY FOR A CEASE-FIRE

NICOSIA, Cyprus  Egypts foreign minister says the international community must shoulder its responsibility to push for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and to turn up the pressure on getting larger quantities of much needed humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry says the international community and especially aid donor countries should also throw their full support behind UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees whose role in providing assistance and services to Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere in the region is indispensable.

Shoukry said after talks Thursday with Cypriot counterpart Constantinos Kombos that his country believes the UNRWAs role should not be tainted by any misactions of the few that resulted in restricting support for the organization.

The U.S. and other donor nations have suspended new assistance to UNRWA pending completion of a U.N. investigation into Israeli allegations of alleged hostility toward Israel and that a dozen of its employees took part in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that ignited the war.

Replying to a question by the Associated Press, Shoukry said providing humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza prior to any cease-fire is of fundamental importance. But that shouldnt detract from the necessity to enact an immediate cessation of hostilities which would help expedite delivery of larger aid quantities.

Egypts top diplomat said the displacement of 1.3 million Palestinians to the south of Gaza is compounding conditions of famine, lack of medical supplies and deteriorating sanitary conditions. He cited figures from the U.N. agency for children, UNICEF, which said that 17,000 children in Gaza have lost either one or both parents.

BLINKEN LEAVES THE MIDDLE EAST AFTER A 4-DAY TRIP

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken left the Middle East on Thursday with public divisions between the United States and Israel at perhaps their worst level since Israels war against Hamas in Gaza began in October.

Wrapping up a four-nation trip  his fifth to the region since the conflict erupted  Blinken was returning to Washington after getting a virtual slap in the face from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said the war would continue until Israel is completely victorious and appeared to reject outright a response from Hamas to a proposed cease-fire plan.

Relations between Israel and its main international ally, the United States, have been tense for months, but Netanyahus public dismissal of a plan the U.S. says has merit, at least as a starting point for further negotiation, highlighted the divide.

Yet Blinken and other U.S. officials said they remained optimistic that progress could be made on their main goals of improving humanitarian conditions for Palestinians civilians, securing the release of hostages held by Hamas, preparing for a post-conflict Gaza and preventing the war from spreading.

UN MIDEAST ENVOY SAYS ISRAELI OFFENSIVE INTO SOUTHERN GAZA WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC

UNITED NATIONS  The United Nations' top Mideast envoy is warning of catastrophic consequences from a looming Israeli offensive into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which would cut off the only working entry point for humanitarian aid.

Tor Wennesland told a U.N. news conference that intense discussions are taking place between Israel and Egypt on what can be done along the Philadelphia Corridor, a tiny buffer zone on Gazas border with Egypt. The corridor is demilitarized under under the terms of the 1979 Israeli-Egyptian peace accord.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month that Hamas continues to smuggle weapons under the border  a claim Egypt vehemently denies  and that the war cannot end until we close this breach, referring to the corridor.

Wennesland said he sees no way of getting out of this dispute than having the two parties sitting and talking, adding that he is certain this issue was on the agenda of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinkens recent visit to Cairo and current talks in Israel.

The U.N. special coordinator for the Middle East peace process said any agreement on a lasting ceasefire in Gaza will be incredibly difficult to set up because of the details and arrangements that need to be worked out.

Wennesland said he will be talking to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Security Council permanent members in New York and then go to Washington for meetings with U.S. officials on how we can chart a way out of this crisis and overcome the serious impediments to an agreement.
The threat of a town hall rebellion comes ahead of the Scottish Budget facing its first vote on Thursday evening - JANE BARLOW/PA

Town halls across Scotland are considering council tax hikes in defiance of Humza Yousafs pledge to freeze the levy after they rejected his attempt to impose a deadline, The Telegraph can disclose.

Local authorities, including some run by the SNP, have concluded that accepting the lump sum being offered by the First Minister in return for freezing council tax would mean deep cuts to services.

Among the councils said to be considering an increase are Falkirk, Inverclyde, Argyll and Bute, North Lanarkshire and Orkney, with rises of up to 10 per cent being mooted.

In a letter seen by The Telegraph, Shona Robison, the SNP finance secretary, tried to ramp up pressure on councils by giving them until Feb 16 to confirm whether they intended to freeze council tax.

She wrote to council leaders and chief executives last Friday offering an alternative distribution of the 144 million she has earmarked to fund the freeze. This is equivalent to the revenue from a five per cent council tax rise.

But, in a meeting on Monday, they told her the deadline could not be met as the vast majority of local authorities would not set their budgets until the weeks commencing Feb 19 or Feb 26.

Councils considering potential cap

A confidential report on the talks said she was forced to back down and asked instead that, where possible, an indication of the expected direction of travel is provided by Feb 16 and/or the date at which this information will be able to be provided.

However, the report, prepared by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), proposed that town halls reject the freeze and instead pursue the potential of a cap to council tax.

It said the cap should be set at a level of more than five per cent, even though local authorities would still receive the 144 million earmarked for the freeze. Council leaders will discuss the proposal at a meeting on Friday.

Ms Robison wrote a letter to councils trying to get them to decide by Feb 16 - KEN JACK/GETTY IMAGES

Although many of Scotlands 32 councils, including Glasgow, are expected to fall into line by implementing the freeze, a refusal by others would be deeply embarrassing for Mr Yousafs government.

The pledge is the First Ministers keystone promise to help families with the cost of living crisis and has been used to counter criticism of his governments decision to hike income tax again.

The threat of a town hall rebellion comes ahead of the 2024/25 Scottish Budget, which includes the freeze, facing its first vote at Holyrood on Thursday evening.

It is expected to pass due to the combined votes of SNP MSPs and their Scottish Green coalition partners. The Tories, Labour and Liberal Democrats confirmed they would oppose it, with the latter warning: We cannot vote for a budget that impoverishes councils.

Proposed freeze a sham

Cecil Meiklejohn, the SNP leader of Falkirk Council, told a full council meeting last week that she was prepared to write to Ms Robison warning that the proposed local government finance order is unacceptable.

James Bundy, a Tory councillor, said: The SNPs promise to freeze council tax while maintaining vital local services stands exposed as a sham.

When even the SNPs own leader in Falkirk deems the SNP governments promised funding settlement unacceptable, it is evident that their promise is bound to be shattered.

Stephen McCabe, the Labour leader of Inverclyde Council, confirmed that his local authority was among several considering rejecting the freeze and hiking bills.

In a consultation with residents launched last week, the council warned a freeze would mean finding 2 million of savings over two years, even if the levy rose to seven per cent in 2025/26.

The local authority said the shortfall would be only 440,000 if council tax rose nine per cent this year.

The council tax pledge is Mr Yousaf's keystone promise in helping with the cost of living crisis - JANE BARLOW/PA

The SNP Government are nervous about not being able to deliver what they promised and are trying to back councils into a corner, Mr McCabe said.

But what they are offering is a bad deal. They are being vague about whether this funding will be ongoing, or whether we will just be left with a bigger gap once the freeze ends.

They are claiming it will be built into recurring funding but there is a lack of trust in the Scottish Government to stick to their word.

I suspect most councils will freeze but it will bring a day of reckoning closer where we start to see councils going bankrupt like they have in England.

Lump sum in return for freeze

Stephen Kerr, a Scottish Tory MSP, said the freeze was a fraud that would mean cuts to vital services like schools, roads and waste collection to make up the difference.

In her letter last Friday, Ms Robison said that in return for freezing council tax, local authorities would receive a lump sum based on the highest figure produced by two formulas.

The first was an amount equivalent to what they would expect to obtain from a five per cent rise locally, and the second a distribution based on their share of gross national revenue.

I am, however, prepared to consider an alternative distribution if there is a different agreed proposition within Cosla, she added.

The finance secretary insisted she needed to know whether councils would agree to the freeze by Feb 16 to inform our approach to the amendment stage of the Scottish Budget process on Feb 20.

The confidential Cosla report said council leaders rejected the deadline during Mondays meeting with Ms Robison but she made clear her opposition to their plan for a cap rather than a freeze.

In a section titled Proposed Cosla Position, it said councils should continue to pursue a cap as long as a projected 63 million revenue shortfall persists.

The Cosla plan would allow local authorities to use the 144 million as flexibly as possible, on the basis that all Councils would sign up to a cap (still allowing for those who wish to freeze).

The Scottish Government was approached for comment.

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.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Following a consumer complaint, the Sedgwick County District Attorneys Office entered an $11,087 judgment against a local contractor.

A news release from the DAs office said Justin Henry, doing business as JH Industries, received a complaint of a customer who said Henry failed to deliver the fence panels she paid for in advance also failed to provide a promised refund.

Henry did not respond to a request for comment by KSN. We attempted to contact with a phone call, which was not answered and the voicemail box said it was full.

Feds shut down rail operator between Oklahoma and Kansas over safety issues

The DAs Office said in the news release the Consumer Protection Division tried to resolve the matter prior to litigation by demanding a full refund after he failed to provide evidence he performed uncompensated work for the customer.

Legal action followed after Henry failed to respond to the demand.

The DAs Office said the court found Henrys failures to be deceptive and/or unconscionable. The court ordered Henry to pay $390 in restitution to the customer, $10,000 in civil penalties as well as court costs and investigation fees.

Henry was ordered to refrain from engaging in consumer transactions in the state of Kansas until the money is paid.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
A local band is headed to Cleveland, Ohio, soon to perform at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The Band Henna is competing in the 27th annual High School Rock Off on Feb. 17.

Charlotte concerts you need to know about

Only 30 bands were selected to perform in the competition and theyre the only band from North Carolina that was chosen.

The top 12 bands will move on to the final round on March 2.

>> In the video at the top of this page, Channel 9s Elsa Gillis talks to The Band Henna about this special opportunity.

VIDEO: Lake Norman HS marching band prepares to perform in London
A Guatemalan mother says in a lawsuit that her daughter died after catching viruses at a Dilley residential center. But a defense attorney raised questions about when the toddler got sick. Pictured is a file photo of people seeking asylum at a facility in Dilley. Eric Gay/Associated Press

A Guatemalan migrant suing a private prison company over her daughters death on Wednesday disputed claims that the toddler was already sick when she arrived at an immigrant holding facility in Dilley.

Ashlee B. Hesman, an attorney for Tennessee-based CoreCivic, argued that the late Mariee Camyl Newberry Juarez was ill when she left her native country on Feb. 20, 2018, and got worse during the trip to the United States.

But her mother, Yazmin Juarez Coyoy, maintained that the child was healthy when she arrived at the South Texas Family Residential Center. She claimed crowded conditions at the Dilley facility led to her child getting sick. The pair slept in a bunk close to a boy who was congested, sneezing and coughing.

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Juarez and her daughter spent 20 days in the Dilley complex and were released March 25, 2018.

Juarez said Mariee spent six weeks after their release from Dilley at hospitals in New Jersey and Philadelphia as doctors struggled to treat complications caused by two viruses: adenovirus and parainfluenza 3. Mariee died on May 10, 2018. She was 21 months old.

It was like being dead in life, Juarez sobbed during her testimony Wednesday in federal court in San Antonio.

Juarez initially sought up to $40 million in her suit against CoreCivic. However, her lawyers have not yet told jurors how much they are seeking in damages.

Hesman tried to turn jurors' attention away from Juarezs emotional testimony. She pointed to inconsistencies in what Juarez had previously said in written statements, a deposition and her earlier court testimony.

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Juarez brushed them off as minor, immaterial details, or statements taken out of context.

Hesman also asked Juarez about a private conversation she had in April 2018 on Facebook with a cousin of Mariees estranged father. In it, Juarez said Mariee got sick in Guatemala because her father never took her to the doctor, and that she showed symptoms during the trip to the U.S.

Juarez testified that the father was immature and irresponsible, and that she left him after he beat her and pointed a gun at her head in a drunken rage at their home in Guatemala. She then decided to come to the United States and reunite with her mother, who lives in New Jersey.

Juarez said the fathers family learned Mariee was in the hospital and tried to blame me for everything that Mariee was going through.

They were trying to deflect any blame (from the father), or say that the father had no responsibility. That is not true, she said in Spanish. The father was never, ever responsible. Me, as a mother  I was full of hate towards him. I was just trying to say bad things about him. I feel that was a way to cope.

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Hesman also hammered at statements Juarez had made to at least one person in New Jersey that implied Mariee was exposed to people coughing at a Border Patrol facility in McAllen, where they were held for four days before being transferred to Dilley.

Question of liability

Once doctors told Juarez that they could do very little to save Mariees life, she had to decide whether to disconnect the medical equipment that barely kept her alive. She said she decided to stop life support and end her daughters suffering.

Juarez said she wasnt able to attend Mariees funeral in Guatemala, where her remains were flown, because of her immigration status.

Juarez has a temporary work authorization in the U.S. and is pursuing her permanent residency. Shes employed at online retailer Amazon, working in problem solving, and pays taxes, one of her lawyers, Allissa Aileen Pollard, said during opening arguments Monday.

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Hesman questioned why Juarez wasnt more proactive in seeking care for her daughter in Dilley, noting that the facilitys medical staff was available after hours. Hesman also implied Juarez and Mariee could have slept on a top bunk to put more distance between them and the sick boy.

However, Steven Conry, vice president of operations administration at CoreCivic, testified Wednesday that the facilitys rules prohibited young children from sleeping in the top bunks, for safety reasons.

Conry also said the Dilley facility was not required to comply with the state of Texas' minimum space standards for licensing of facilities that house children. It also did not have to follow minimum spacing recommendations issued by a national pediatric group.

The (state) guidelines do not reflect family residential center requirements, Conry testified. A lot of things, in that particular set of recommendations, are for childcare and education facilities, which the family residential center was not. In our family residential center, thats not something that we would have thought would have been applicable.

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CoreCivic maintains that it is not liable for Mariees death.

The Dilley facility opened in 2014 as migrants  largely from Central America  flooded the U.S. border, most of them seeking asylum.

CoreCivic runs the complex under a contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In 2021, the facility changed to only hold women migrants.

Juarez also filed a separate federal lawsuit in New Jersey in 2020 against ICE, which oversees the medical staff at the Dilley complex. That lawsuit alleges Juarez repeatedly took Mariee to the complexs clinic and pleaded for more intensive tests and treatment as the childs health worsened.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)- The Loretto Academy hosted its annual Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) exhibit, an opportunity for students to showcase their science projects.

Oscar Nieto, the director of the program, said WISE encourages students to mix everything they have learned in their English, history and science classes and do TED Talk style presentations.

Nieto said that what distinguishes WISE from other STEM focused programs is that girls are doing what they are most interested in and what they are passionate about, allowing students to choose topics that interest them.

That was the case for Victoria Sotelo, she said her project was inspired by environmental issues like pollution, which led her to create chemical free products for the body.

Sotelo said that she and her classmates made a lip balm from calendula, which is a little orange flower turning it into a lip balm.

She said she is hopeful that projects like hers encourage others to make their own things instead of buying harmful products.

For Sotelo, her main inspiration has become her science teacher, she said he encourages her to do her best and they are currently working on a greenhouse project. She said her dream is to work in making chemical free products when she grows up.

Not too far from Sotelos presentation table was 10th grader Marcela Lievano, who said her experiment was about the bodies muscular PH.

Lievano said science was not her main interest, but she became interested in the subject because she was an athlete herself and she was naturally curious about what happens to the human body when she exercises.

Lievanos tools to showcase included plastic cups with different dyed watercolors each representing the different PH levels. She said one of the things that she enjoys the most about the program is how fun her professor, Mr. Jay, makes it, and she never gets bored of science.

According to statistics from the United States Census Bureau, women continue to remain underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce.

Programs like WISE at Loretto Academy encourage young girls to do something thats out of the norm, not just a regular test. We are seeing their knowledge based on what they were able to learn on their own with guidance, of course, by the teachers, said Nieto.

Nieto says that the program was established in 2018, and there are girls that are starting scholarships at New York University (NYU), and there are some that are being looked at by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Nieto added that WISE has helped students open up to new areas that they didnt have interest in yet and they are applying themselves.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Gov. Jeff Landry will deploy Louisiana National Guard troops to Texas where they will assist in that state's efforts to control a massive influx of migrants crossing the Mexico border illegally, saying President Biden and Congress have failed to uphold their federal responsibility to seal the boundary.

Landry and other Republican governors are supporting Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in his standoff with the federal government as Abbott escalates his effort to expand Texas' authority in managing border security.

"Because the federal government will not act and President Biden won't do his job ... these states are going to act," Landry said Thursday during a press conference at the state Capitol.

Landry was surrounded by legislative leaders with whom he consulted and who said they support the decision to send the Louisiana troops to Texas.

"We stand in uniform agreement in heeding the Texas governor's call to send the National Guard to the border," Landry said.

Landry, who joined Abbott and 12 other Republican governors in Texas Sunday at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass on the Rio Grande River to be briefed on border crisis, didn't say how many troops will be sent, but he did say the deployment will likely begin in March.

Landry defended the estimated $3 million cost for the deployment, saying it will provide valuable training and help his own state slow the influx of deadly drugs like fentanyl and human traffickers.

"This money is not wasted," he said. "This is an absolute emergency."

Brig. Gen. Michael Greer concurred, saying the deployment will be "a very good training event that we benefit greatly from."

"Anytime you mobilize soldiers it builds readiness and capability," Greer said.

Greer said the Louisiana troops' duties won't include detaining any migrants crossing the border illegally.

Abbott has said he had to exercise state authority because Biden and his administration have refused to take meaningful actions to slow illegal immigration on the U.S. southern border.

But the Supreme Court recently ruled that federal border agents could cut state-installed razor wire along the Rio Grande River at Eagle Pass.

Last month Landry was among 25 Republican governors who signed a letter backing Abbott in his bitter fight against the federal government over border control.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks with several state governors, among them Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, at a press conference about border policies at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass on Sunday February 4, 2024.

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 25 Republican governors said in their letter.

Landry said Thursday that former Republican President Donald Trump, who is making a comeback bid that Landry supports, was "working to seal the border" under his administration.

"I guarantee you (Trump) would make funds available for Gov. Abbott to seal the border," Landry said.

More: Governor Jeff Landry says Louisiana owes it to victims, families to carry out death penalty

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Louisiana National Guard troops sent to Mexico border during crisis
**Related Video Above: Feral cats overpopulating in Northeast Ohio town.**

MAHONING COUNTY, Ohio (WJW)  Breakups can really stink, and thats exactly why the Animal Charity of Ohio is letting donors make a special dedication to their exes ahead of Valentines Day.

FirstEnergy issues warning after balloon causes power outage in Cleveland

For a $15 donation, Animal Charity of Ohio will write your exs name on a litter box at its facility.

Cat in litter box

Nail polish remover warning: Exploded onto her

You deserve better! the Mahoning County-based nonprofit said in a post. Treat yourself this Valentines Day by having us write your exs name on a litter box and well let our rescue cats do what they do best!

You can make a donation here.

All proceeds will go to the Animal Charity of Ohio.

This comes as an animal shelter in New Jersey is encouraging people to pay $50 to have them spay or neuter a cat in an exs honor.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Crews are searching for a missing hiker who was last seen on Mount Baldy amid a snowstorm in San Bernardino County.

The missing woman, Lifei Huang, 22, from El Monte, was last seen on Feb. 4, when she headed out on a solo hike at around 2 p.m. that day.

Hours later, however, loved ones had not heard from her. Search and rescue crews began scouring the mountainous region, but couldnt find her.

Cherry Li, a friend, describes Huang as an adventurous hiker who often likes to journey trailheads alone. Before she headed out on her Sunday hike, Huang texted a group of friends to let them know of her plans that day.

At 1:59 p.m., she sent a video to her boyfriend showing her approaching the trail parking lot on her way into the mountain.

She posted several other videos to her social media page showing a frosty trail and rain coming down as she hummed a song during her hike.

The search continues for Lifei Huang, 22, who went missing during a hike on Mt. Baldy on Feb. 4, 2024. (Lifei Huang)

Lifei Huang (on left) and her friend, Cherry Li, seen in a personal photo.

One of the last videos Lifei Huang posted to social media of her hike into Mount Baldy on Feb. 4, 2024. (Lifei Huang)

One of the last videos Lifei Huang posted to social media of her hike into Mount Baldy on Feb. 4, 2024. (Lifei Huang)

Lifei Huang was known to friends as an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast. (Lifei Huang)

Snowy, wintry conditions on Mount Baldy in the San Gabriel Mountains on Feb. 7, 2024. (Inland News)

Search and rescue crews navigate snowy, wintry conditions on Mount Baldy in the San Gabriel Mountains on Feb. 7, 2024. (Inland News)

Snowy, wintry conditions on Mount Baldy in the San Gabriel Mountains. (Inland News)

The search continues for Lifei Huang, 22, who went missing during a hike on Mt. Baldy on Feb. 4, 2024. (Lifei Huang)

Snowy, wintry conditions on Mount Baldy in the San Gabriel Mountains on Feb. 7, 2024. (Inland News)

Little did her friends know, these videos would mark the last traces of her whereabouts. Around two hours later, Huangs communication stopped and weather conditions on Mount Baldy worsened.

Her friends became concerned by Sunday night when she still hadnt called or returned home yet.

We didnt go on the trail but we tried, Li said tearfully. We couldnt do anything because we needed professional help. We got her location early in the hike from a ping from the Find My Location [app] and thats all we have.

The San Bernardino County search and rescue crews began looking for Huang at around 2:30 a.m. Monday. They found no signs of her during the search.

Authorities search for mother, abducted toddler in L.A. County

On Tuesday, crews headed out again and continued searching amid heavy snowfall. Crew members were eventually pulled off from the search due to avalanche risks, authorities said

Volunteers arrived at the trailhead again on Wednesday, but were unable to continue searching due to the dangerous wintry conditions.

I dont think shes been to the trails with snowy weather or rain, Li said. We just want her to come back home safe.

Francisco Carrillo teaches mountaineering classes and often trains for big hikes on Mount Baldy where he said conditions can turn dangerous quickly.

It can change from being 50 degrees at the parking lot to -10 degrees with 60 mile-per-hour winds at the summit, Carrillo explained. It can be a complete whiteout and youll lose visibility and get lost.

Officials are strongly urging the public to stay away from mountain activities during the dangerous storm this week.

The weather has effectively buried the mountain in snow and it is highly likely hikers will get into trouble, officials said. Resources are stretched to their limits and hikers who get lost may have to wait long periods of time before help is available.

Located in the San Gabriel Mountains, Mount Baldy presents acute dangers to hikers during the wintertime. In 2023, several hikers were found dead, including British actor Julian Sands, 65, after heading out for a hike in the area.

41 arrested in major L.A. County retail theft bust

Many hikers, experienced or novice, underestimate the steep terrain, unpredictable weather, and high winds that present themselves in our mountain areas, officials warn. Exposure to the elements and falls contribute to Mt. Baldys growing mortality rate and the risk of avalanches prolongs rescue efforts.

The search for Huang continues. On Thursday, Feb. 8, Li said volunteers located several items that may have belonged to Huang including her beanie and an empty camera bag. Family and friends of the victim also sent out their own drones to aid in the search, but have not yet located Huang.

Anyone who may have seen the missing woman or has additional information is urged to contact the Fontana Sheriffs Station at 909-356-6767. Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Loved ones gathered Wednesday to remember a woman who was shot and killed in Orange Mound as police continue to search for her killer.

Paula Appleberrys community came together in the parking lot of General Electric in Olive Branch, Mississippi where she worked. Through tears, beloved coworkers and family now comfort each other following her death.

Appleberry was shot at the intersection of Park and Pendelton Sunday night as she drove her grandchildren home from a birthday party.

One dead, woman and child injured in shooting, crash

Her children are left stunned, saying she was a woman of faith.

This was senseless. This was senseless. Theres no other way around it. No, my mother was not targeted. No, that bullet was not meant for her, said her daughter Tierney Irby. If this was a case of mistaken identity, I dont see how you could mistake someone with Gods number one fan on their tag.

Woman recalls final moments with mother during Orange Mound shooting

She was genuine. She was loyal. She was understanding. She was peaceful at times, at times but she was a mother nonetheless. said her son Jarvis Irby.

Another life is lost as the city of Memphis grapples with crime and calls for change. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee addressed the issue Tuesday.

Its our job to show Tennesseans that theres a commitment for them to live in neighborhoods that are safe, he said.

Gov. Lee pointed to the addition of more state troopers in Shelby County and said there are more to come along with $50 million that will go to various Shelby County law enforcement agencies to tackle violent crime.

We have to make an impact on crime in this city. We have to recognize that the local leadership here can partner with the state, Lee said.

So far, no one has been arrested. If you know anything that could help police, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
When President Biden reportedly calls Trump a sick fu*k he is correct in a way that he likely does not intend  and one that has a much more profound meaning than some harsh truth-telling and salty talk about a vile political rival. Trumpism, the MAGA movement and the larger neofascist project  and todays right-wing and conservative movement more broadly  have had a demonstrably profound negative impact(s) on the literal health of the American people.

As Politico recently reported, Biden is less than presidential when he discusses Trump in private. Bidens candor is good and necessary  and there needs to be much more of it in public if he is to win re-election. But it is not just that Trump is a sick fu*k (Trump the man is of little importance; he is a type of signifier and symbol). What he represents and has enabled across American society is a type of collective pathology.

For example, a range of experts recently told the Atlantics Jennifer Senior that Trumps return to power will unleash an epidemic of killer stress and other negative health outcomes on a massive scale:

What will happen to the American psyche if he wins again?" she asked rhetorically. "What will happen if we have to live in fight-or-flight mode for four more years, and possibly far beyond? Our bodies are not designed to handle chronic stress. Neuroscientists have a term for the tipping-point moment when we capitulate to itallostatic overloadand the result is almost always sickness in one form or another, whether its a mood disorder, substance abuse, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, or ulcers."

Neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky explained to Senior how Trump and other such demagogues impact our collective health: "Increase your blood pressure for a few minutes to evade a liona good thing ... increase your blood pressure every time youre in the vicinity of the alpha maleyou begin to get cardiovascular disease.

In the same essay at the Atlantic, Senior also highlighted how stress and an inability to think and focus would greatly worsen under a second Trump regime:

Another major component of our allostatic overload, notes Gloria Mark, the author of Attention Span, would be technostress, in this case brought on by the obsessive checking ofand interruptions from, and passing around ofnews, which Trump made with destructive rapidity. Human brains are not designed to handle such a helter-skelter onslaught; effective multitasking, according to Mark, is in fact a complete myth (theres always a cost to our productivity). Yet we are once again facing a news cycle that will shove our attentionas well as our output, our nerves, our sanitythrough a Cuisinart. One might reasonably ask how many Americans will truly care about the constant churn of chaos, given how many of us still walk around in a fog of political apathy. Quite a few, apparently. The American Psychological Associations annual stress survey, conducted by the Harris Poll, found that 68 percent of Americans reported that the 2020 election was a significant source of strain. Kevin B. Smith, a political-science professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, found that about 40 percent of American adults identified politics as a significant source of stress in their lives, based on YouGov surveys he commissioned in 2017 and 2020. Even more remarkably, Smith found that about 5 percent reported having had suicidal thoughts because of our politics.

In a deeply personal op-ed at CNN, Dr. Rob Davidson explains what will happen to the American people if Trump returns to office and follows through on his promise to end the American Care Act (Obamacare):

Until 2010, when the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law, many of my patients were uninsured, which meant that serious illnesses often went untreated. Thats why, of all the alarming changes former President Donald Trump has threatened if he returns to Americas highest office, none scares me more than his pledge to do away with Obamacare. In the rural country in Michigan where Ive practiced medicine for more than 20 years, many of the patients I see are barely getting by financially. The most impoverished among them used to scrimp to pay for preventative care visits at the doctors office. They would struggle to pay for the prescription drugs they needed for even common and treatable ailments. If the cost of an inhaler or insulin did not fit their budget that month, they might end up in the emergency room with completely preventable complications. Those same cash-strapped patients would often find themselves saddled with a massive bill because of that visit to the ER. That finally started to change with the passage of the ACA, a life-changing bill that more patients I treat have enrolled in with each year since its enactment. Many can better manage their chronic disease because the ACA prohibits insurance corporations from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions. A good number of my patients could end up uninsured again if Trump, as threatened, gets rid of the Affordable Care Act. That would have potentially devastating consequences.

Dr. Davidson continues:

I worry about a return to the days when so many more of my patients delay or even forgo potentially lifesaving care because they lack health insurance to pay for it. One patient whom I treated prior to the enactment of the ACA sat home for five days with chest pain instead of seeking immediate medical treatment because he didnt have insurance. By the time I saw him, we learned that a heart attack had left him with one-third of his normal coronary function. Had he had health coverage that would have allowed him to come in when his pain started, the blockage that led to his condition might have been relieved and he might have retained normal heart function. With the ACA, I see patients every day in similarly dire health situations who are able to get the treatment they need because they qualify for expanded Medicaid, or at least significant subsidies that allow low- and middle-income working families to buy quality health coverage at affordable costs. Undoing the ACA would set American health care back a generation or more and make our shared goal of a more affordable, more accessible and more patient-centered health care system even less attainable.

In a recent op-ed at the Chicago Tribune, SaraKay Smullens, who is a clinical social worker, issues this warning about what she describes as societal burnout in the Age of Trump:

Are you waking up with a lump in your throat that never used to be there? Is there an ache in your chest  best described as heartache  relatively new to you? Do you look at your children, fearing for their future and well-being? Do your eyes fill with tears, but you are not sure why? If so, I join you. We are experiencing societal burnout. We are overburdened by a perfect storm of threatening societal challenges and a fiercely divided electorate. We are overwhelmed by moral distress due to those in positions of power and influence who, rather than address grave challenges, skillfully work to pit citizens against each other, intensify fear and anxieties, and undermine the rule of law to gain control and power. In 1974, psychologist Herbert Freudenberger was the first to identify the burnout syndrome: Due to excessive demands on energy, strength and resources, a person becomes overwhelmed, exhausted and inoperative. Although they did not use the term burnout in their groundbreaking 1970 book Future Shock, Alvin and Heidi Toffler predicted that the breathtaking pace of our technological revolution would bring unsettling change, challenge and increased crime. They warned that the illiterate of the future would no longer be those who cant read or write but rather those unable to keep up with the demands of rapid change. To cope, the Tofflers stressed preparing for the future with insight and creativity, implicitly calling on leaders to bring us together rather than exacerbate division. That we as a society have failed in this effort became shockingly clear before the 2016 presidential election when client after client told me that America had forgotten them. This anger and frustration played an enormous role in the victory of Donald Trump, who was, and continues to be, seen as an ally of those who feel discarded and invisible

Smullens adds:

Many such adults become bullies and dictators. In democracies, they may assume positions of power and dominance in professional settings, on boards, and in elected or appointed office. Those without confidence or character cling to the perks their positions of power offer. Some may cling to pure fantasy: They wish to turn the clock back to a time that can never return. Still others, longing for a quality of parenting they never received, become fiercely devoted followers. Eliminating societal burnout requires recognition of the essential link between personal development and trustworthy leadership, necessary in democracies for the survival of all we hold dear. At the core of all trustworthy leadership is the ability to love. Dignity makes it possible.

Past behavior, especially with pathological individuals, groups, and movements, is an excellent if not near certain predictor of future behavior. As such, with Trump and Trumpism and the larger neofascist movement here in America and around the world, what comes next will almost always be worse. Abusers almost never stop until they are made to.

The first Trump regime was responsible for (at least) hundreds of thousands of avoidable deaths from the COVID pandemic. Many experts believe that the number is actually much higher, and that Trump and the other members of his regime are guilty of democide. It is estimated that ending the Affordable Care Act will lead to the deaths of (at least) 68,0000 Americans each year and shorten the lives of many more from untreated chronic illnesses and preventable diseases.

Trump promises to continue to take away womens reproductive rights and freedoms if he returns to power. It is estimated that 64,000 women have already been forced to give birth after being raped in the two years since the right-wing justices on the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. When access to abortions and other reproductive rights are made illegal or otherwise not readily accessible the deaths of women and girls will increase. In fact, this suffering and death is intentional, functioning as a type of patriarchal deterrent and punishment against women's agency, women's freedom, and social equality.

Hate crimes and other forms of right-wing political violence increased at historic rates during the first Trump regime. Violent crime across a number of categories also increased during Trump's time in office.

The Trump regime and the larger neofascist movements plans for a de facto dictatorship as described in the Agenda 47, Project 2025, the Red Caesar scenario, and other documents will involve martial law, occupying Americas nonwhite cities with the military and other federal forces, the creation of mass detention centers and concentration camps, mass deportations of illegal aliens and other undesirables i.e. enemies of the Trump regime, the further militarization of the US border, a massive expansion of the surveillance society, and other violations of civil rights and the Constitution. If these plans are put in place, there is the potential for the deaths of tens of thousands if not more many more people in the United States.

A large number of Americans will also die if a second Trump regime succeeds in further demolishing the social safety net and giving corporations, which instinctively and by design value profits over human life, even more power to operate with impunity. A second Trump regime will also push the world even closer to irreversible global climate disaster and ecocide.

Red state America has much higher rates of poor health outcomes and deaths from gun violence, and the so-called deaths of despair, and from a range of other preventable causes as compared to Democratic Party-led "blue state" parts of the country. Trump and the other Republican fascists and conservatives want to impose the misery of red state American and its freedom on to the rest of the country.

For a majority of Americans, a second Trump regime will be a retraumatizing and life-shortening event. The American people weathered Trumps first regime and the horrors it unleashed. It is very likely, if not certain, that many of those same people will not be able to endure a second one and what will come next.

The personal is the political is a cliche because it is so true.

The campaign commercials, talking points, and speeches almost write themselves. It is now up to President Biden and his representatives to show the American people where the bodies are buried if they want to defeat Trump, his MAGA followers, and the larger neofascist movement and white right.
A box of Tiff's Treats went missing from a North Texas family's front porch, and a little investigation found an unlikely culprit was behind the heist.

The birthday desserts were delivered for the family's 15-year-old, but no one noticed the goodies had been dropped off until the following morning. By then, all that was left was a small balloon and a container of icing, according to the Southlake Department of Public Safety.

Upon further inspection, the family found the remnants of the cookie box in the front yard and turned to doorbell footage to find out more.

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The recording showed an opossum as it followed its nose to the sweets, then grabbed the box with its teeth and scurried off into the night.

Southlake DPS posted the video to Facebook, where Tiff's Treats heard about the pilfering possum and offered to replace the birthday sweets.

"When you leave out deliveries for a while, you always risk the chance that a sneaky porch pirate might waltz up to your door and gank your stuff," Southlake DPS said.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A man is accused of stabbing three people in the neck, killing one, and threatening another with a knife in the central Las Vegas valley, according to an arrest report.

Cornelius Williams, 33, faces charges of open murder, two counts of attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon, records showed.

Cornelius Williams, 33 (LVMPD)

On Feb. 3, around 12:45 a.m., Metro police received a 911 call from a woman who said that her boyfriend was stabbed in the neck. When officers arrived at an apartment in the 440 block of Twain Avenue, they found the victim, identified as Leary Adams, suffering from a stab wound, police said.

Adams was pronounced dead at the scene.

Adams girlfriend told police that they were inside the apartment when Adams decided he wanted to go to a nearby 7-Eleven for a snack. Sometime later, Adams burst through the bedroom door holding his neck, bleeding and saying someone stabbed him, the report said.

Detectives later discovered that around 12:10 a.m., about 36 minutes before Adams girlfriend called 911, they received a report that a man had been threatened with a knife in the parking lot of his apartment complex, in the same block as the Adams apartment, according to police.

The victim told police that he had just arrived home and pulled into his parking spot when he was exiting his car and heard what he described as metal being pulled out, the report said.

The victim looked up and saw a man holding a six to 10-inch knife. The victim yelled and the man backed away and placed the knife back in a sheath in his jacket pocket, police said.

During the investigation, detectives learned of a third stabbing reported around 1:06 p.m., about 21 minutes after Adams girlfriend called 911, the report said.

A woman reported that her husband had been stabbed in the neck by an unknown man at their apartment complex in the 3800 block of Cambridge Street, a little less than one mile from Adams apartment, according to police.

The man was taken to a local hospital where he told police that he was in a public area in his apartment complex watching a video on his phone when a man walked up to him and asked for a cigarette. The victim told him that he didnt have any more and went back to watching the video, police said.

Suddenly, the victim was grabbed from behind and cut on the right side of his neck. He turned around and saw the same man who asked for a cigarette. The man then walked away and jumped over the wall into another apartment complex, according to the report.

Detectives then learned about a fourth stabbing with similar details that had been reported in the same area about two weeks earlier on Jan. 21 around 2 a.m.

Police said a woman was in the parking lot of Vegas Market in the 770 block of Twain Avenue, about 0.4 miles away from Adams apartment, when a man came behind her and cut her, the report said.

Detectives identified Williams as the suspect and learned that on Feb. 3 around 5 a.m., Sunrise Hospital trespassed him from the property, police said.

Williams was later arrested in Henderson and taken to the Clark County Detention Center.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  One man was arrested on Wednesday, February 7 after allegedly setting a paper license plate on fire in a parking lot in 2023.

Mugshot: Raymond Keele 2-7-2024

22-year-old Raymond Keele was booked into the Tom Green County Detention Center and charged with arson along with several other charges.

Records filed in Tom Green County report officers responded to the 4700 Blk of Farm to Market Road 1223 on October 22, 2023, for criminal mischief. Upon arrival, officers met with an individual who told officers that he was at Lifted Smoke and Vape Shop on North Chadbourne when he walked past Keele in the store. After walking by Keele, the individual discovered that his grey 2019 Kia Soul was on fire after another individual walked into the store, sharing that a vehicle was on fire.

SAPD takes wanted individual into custody near ASU

The victim went to his vehicle and noticed that the paper license plate had been set on fire and a vehicle sticker was burned.

Security photographs and video obtained by the victim showed Keele walking to the Kia, crouching down behind it right be the fire is started, records state. Through the security footage, officers were able to identify a potential suspect, Keele, who was on probation through El Paso County.

SAPD detectives spoke with another individual who identified Keele through the footage and photographs. She stated she was 100% sure the individual in the footage was Keele.

Detectives further learned that Keele was arrested by the Anthony Police Department on April 30, 2023. Affidavits shared body camera footage from the APD that was released to the SAPD. With the footage, detectives were able to match the identical tattoos on both subjects. Facial features, skin color and physical build were also used to identify the suspect involved in the car fire.

Keele is currently incarcerated in the Tom Green County Detention Center for arson, theft class c, possession of a controlled substance greater than one gram but less than four grams, motion to revoke aggravated robbery and violation of parole evading arrest or detention. His bond is currently set at $80444.00.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
ST. LOUIS  A St. Louis jury convicted a man on Wednesday for the murders of his ex-girlfriend and her two young daughters. The verdict came nearly three years to the day of the ghastly crime.

Kanisha Hemphill, 30, and her daughters, Journee, 8, and Jakari, 1, were found shot to death on the morning of Feb. 4, 2021, inside a residence in the 4100 block of South Grand Avenue.

A witness called 911 after hearing the gunshots and saw Ronald Marr leaving the apartment.

Prosecutors said Marr told a witness that his former girlfriend was going to die after shed recently served him with paperwork for paternity testing.

Marr bought a bus ticket to Ohio, but police and U.S. marshals apprehended him at a bus stop in Effingham, Illinois. Marr initially claimed that hed been in Effingham the entire week and that he didnt know Hemphill.

Marr, now 36, was found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder. Hell be sentenced on March 8, although it serves as a formality. The punishment for first-degree murder is life without the possibility of parole.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
A 26-year-old in Hall County is facing a litany of drug charges after crashing into an embankment during a chase.

Just after 3 a.m., deputies said 26-year-old Robert Carlos Yebra of Gainesville was seen driving on Winder Highway at Valley Creek Drive while driving under the influence.

Deputies attempted to pull him over and at that point he accelerated into the opposite lane of traffic until he veered down an embankment, which caused the car to roll.

Yebra received minor injuries but a passenger in his car was more significantly injured, according to deputies.

The passenger was not identified.

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The driver, later determined to be Yebra, failed to yield to the deputys emergency lights and siren, continuing westbound on Winder Highway and turning left onto Cedar Ridge Drive.

Yebra was charged with reckless driving, driving with a suspended/revoked license and fleeing/attempting to elude a police officer. The Georgia State Patrol has filed additional felony charges in the incident.

Yebra was transported to the Hall County Jail with no bond.

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Gov. Greg Abbott addresses a crowd in support of GOP primary candidate Caroline Fairly, who is running for Texas House District 87, on Feb. 2, 2024, in Amarillo, Texas. Courtesy of the Texans for Greg Abbott campaign

AMARILLO  Caroline Fairly cant seem to escape the question. It came up during a radio interview last week, for one, and then at a candidate forum in Amarillo, where shes running for the state House.

Is your father attempting to buy a spot in the Legislature?

My dad, Im very proud of him, Fairly told a scattered crowd at First Family Church last Thursday, responding to a submitted question.

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The thing is, my dads not running for House of Representatives, she said. Im running.

Beyond the Panhandle, the race has statewide significance as one of nearly two dozen across the state that will decide the fate of Gov. Greg Abbotts school voucher plan. Fairly is the staunchest supporter of the policy in the three-way GOP primary that also features a well-known real estate agent and an oil and gas executive who serves on the local school board.

But also looming large over the race is Fairlys father, a prominent Amarillo businessman who has donated lavishly in recent years to GOP candidates and conservative causes. Last year, Alex Fairly pledged $20 million to create an institute at West Texas A&M in Amarillo that promotes faith and family values.

Backing Caroline Fairly is a whos who of Texas Republicans, including U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson  most of whom have collected hefty donations from her father. Caroline has not received any direct donations from Alex Fairly, but her campaign has taken in tens of thousands from his political allies and employees at his companies.

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The district is bright red, so whoever wins the March 5 primary is all but certain to clinch the November election.

Putting in the work

At 25, Caroline Fairly would become the youngest Republican woman ever elected to the Texas House, according to the Texas Legislative Library  setting a new mark by about four years.

Her experience includes working in Washington for Jackson, who was supported by a super PAC that received $300,000 from Alex Fairly in 2020. She is now a medical negotiator at the OccuNet Co., one of her fathers businesses.

Caroline Fairly said the negotiating experience would help her make deals in the Legislature, and that shed observed how to be a strong leader from Jackson.

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On the campaign trail, she hammers on broad ideas popular among Republican voters, saying the border is a generational crisis, parents need to be empowered, public schools are pushing woke content on children and President Joe Biden is ruining the country.

Our faith, God, that is the only hope we have as a state or nation, she said.

The church auditorium burst into applause when she said at the candidate forum that while shes guided by her conservatism, its dwarfed in importance by her Christianity.

Her father isnt on the campaign trail with her, but his presence is felt. In a radio interview last week, she was asked to respond to a local article that points out her fathers previous campaign donations to politicians who endorsed her.

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Alex Fairly is CEO of the Fairly Group, which runs several insurance companies, and is so well known in the community, many at the candidate forum referred to him simply as Alex. A longtime staple of local politics, he opted out of running for Amarillo mayor last year, telling a local TV station he intends to be involved, but that my best place is outside the political realm.

In recent years, he has increasingly donated to statewide and national Republicans. In September, he gave $50,000 to the Ted Cruz Victory Fund and $31,700 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, federal filings show. His company DealOn LLC, has contributed $300,000 to Paxton and $350,000 to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick within the last two years, according to their campaign finance reports. He didnt respond to a request for comment made through his business.

Caroline Fairly often responds to questions about her father the same: He has not donated to her campaign; she worked hard to earn the endorsements of Paxton, Cruz and the rest; and the implication that those endorsements were bought is insulting to those men.

When I started thinking about running I knew that this would happen, Fairly said in the radio interview, going on to say that shed told her dad not to donate to her and shed only earned Cruzs support after a 40-minute interrogation.

Im putting in the miles, she said. Im putting in the work, and, frankly, the people who know me and have sat down with me, they know my heart and they know why Im running.

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Big-name endorsements

The open race for this Panhandle seat is one of 21 that could tip the scales for private school vouchers in Texas.

The seat is being vacated by Rep. Four Price, who held the office since 2011 and was among the 21 GOP rebels who defied Abbott last year by sinking his plan to let families use public dollars to pay for private school.

Abbott visited Amarillo last week to stump in person for Fairly, the only one in the race who supports his voucher plan without reservation.

There was no stage at the roped-off area in the front of Tylers Barbeque in Amarillo, so the crowd of well over 100 pressed forward, standing on tiptoes and leaning from side to side to catch glimpses of the speakers, who were illuminated by a neon red-and-white Lone Star Beer sign above them.

You can be the biggest help to me by sending reinforcements to me in the form of Caroline Fairly, Abbott said. She and I are going to work together to build a conservative bulwark to protect Texas and make sure that we keep Texas the land of opportunity and the land of freedom.

Jackson offered his own, far more personal endorsement.

Fairly was the first to join his 2020 campaign for Congress outside of his wife, Jackson said, and the three of them spent hours driving in his truck around the 40,000-square-mile district.

I believe you can tell a lot about a person in their children, Jackson told the crowd. So I can tell you a lot about my friend Alex Fairly because I know his daughter Caroline Fairly and what shes truly made of.

Jackson cast her age as a strength.

Thats good that shes young, he said. Shes energetic, shes enthusiastic, shes smart.

Sheriff Chanze Fowler of Hartley County stood near the back of the restaurant, with his height and the extra inches of lift from his cowboy boots helping him look out over the heads of the crowd.

Although Fowler came to town from the neighboring Texas House district, he said he supported Fairly. He liked how unafraid she was to acknowledge her Christian faith, and he described her as the leading candidate  because her name is out there the most.

I think shes got experience enough to do this, he said. Sometimes you need some young people with some new ideas and the energy to push it through.

Learn by doing

Before the candidate forum began Thursday night, Fairly and her two challengers stood in the entryway of the church, chatting with voters. When they passed one another, they smiled and greeted one another by name.

Cindi Bulla is a local real estate agent who has served in leadership and policy positions in the state and National Association of Realtors. Richard Beyea, an oil and gas executive, is a school board member at Perryton Independent School District.

Bulla and Beyea have each said they do not support a voucher program that would give all K-12 students public funds to spend on private education. But they said they were willing to discuss a more limited plan with extra accountability provisions.

The two said Panhandle voters appreciated that they are running clean races and avoiding invective  at least for now.

Its coming. We know its coming. But the nastiness hasnt gotten off the ground here yet, Bulla said, saying the amount of money going into the race will inevitably create conflict.

In addition to the most high-profile endorsements, Fairly far surpasses her opponents in fundraising and spending, although she and Bulla each had $113,000 cash on hand near the end of January.

Bullas biggest donation was $75,000 from the Texas Realtors PAC. Beyea reported raising zero dollars in the second half of last year.

The candidates didnt bash each other during the forum, but on stage, the tension sometimes broke through.

You read the resume  guys, you have to learn by doing, Beyea said of his own work experience, stressing the final word. None of this comes easy. We know this.

At least one person in the crowd felt Fairly had more to learn about campaigning.

The forum began with the moderator posing a doozy question: Whats your favorite color? Both Bulla and Beyea named red, the official color of the GOP. Fairly went a different direction: blue, the color of Democrats.

Afterward, an older woman in a colorful sweater approached Fairly, complimenting her on her spunk for her answer about her father.

But she had one note.
A 53-year-old man was sentenced to life, suspended down to 30 years, on Wednesday after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a 2021 rampage in which he attacked Asian American businesses, prosecutors said.

Darryl Doles pleaded guilty in September to two counts of attempted first-degree murder as well as hate crime and assault charges for the attacks, during which he was caught on surveillance footage destroying items at the liquor stores, attacking a security guard with a piece of lumber and striking two Korean sisters with a cinder block.

In a statement after Doles was sentenced, Baltimore States Attorney Ivan Bates called the string of events in May 2021 an act of heinous violence, steeped in hatred and prejudice. Doles defense attorney, Staci Pipkin, did not immediately return a request for comment.

Court documents say Doles, who is Black, was first denied entry into Linden Discount Liquors on North Avenue, where he then smashed a lottery machine. He left but returned with a piece of lumber that he used to hit the security guard with before the stores owner pulled it out of the then-50-year-olds hands. He proceeded to 40/40 Liquors on Pennsylvania Avenue, knocking down wine bottles, then to Wonderland Liquors, where the owner confronted him as he was kicking the display and knocking items over.

That stores owner began locking the door after Doles left, though he returned with a cinder block that he used strike her with three times after shoving her to the ground, police said. Doles also struck the owners sister in the head after she rushed to help her sibling and continued beating the women with the cinder block before they eventually pushed him out, according to court records. After the attack and before he was arrested that night, Doles was recorded having a conversation in which he made disparaging remarks about Asian Americans.

The sisters, then 66 and 67, were left bruised and bleeding from their faces, requiring stitches, and suffering from headaches and dizziness after the attack.

Then-Gov. Larry Hogan said he was outraged after his daughter showed him a video of the rampage, which came amid a wave of attacks on Asian Americans during the coronavirus pandemic. Then-States Attorney Marilyn Mosby joined fellow city leaders the next month to announce Doles had been indicted on hate crime charges as well as attempted murder.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A 23-year-old man has been convicted of murder over accessing alcohol underage, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg District Attorneys Office.

Escalante (Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office)

On January 29, 2024, a jury found Juan Deras Escalante guilty of first-degree murder and 4 counts of discharging a firearm into occupied property connected to the death of 41-year-old Domingo Venencio-Tapia, who was a new father.

Previous | Murder suspect in custody after 8-hour long standoff in southwest Charlotte

Escalante was sentenced to life without parole in prison for the first-degree murder charge and given between 8 years, 4 months, and 14 years for the other charges.

Officials say that on April 29, 2019, then-18-year-old Escalante and his co-defendant, then-17-year-old Gerardo Lagunes, were at a restaurant on South Boulevard and asked Domingo Venencio-Tapia to buy alcohol for them, to which Venencio-Tapia refused.

Lagunes (Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office)

According to authorities, Escalante and Lagunes then got into a car and stopped in front of the restaurant. Escalante fired five shots at the establishmentone of the shots hit and killed Venencio-Tapia.

The next day, police say they arrested Lagunes without issue. Escalante was found later that day; however, he refused to surrender to authorities, leading to an eight-hour standoff. Escalante was later taken into custody.

Now-22-year-old Gerardo Lagunes previously pleaded guilty to accessory first-degree murder after the fact and was released from prison in April 2023, according to the NC Department of Adult Corrections website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
A Border Patrol agent asks asylum-seeking migrants to line up in a makeshift, mountainous campsite after the group crossed the border with Mexico, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, near Jacumba Hot Springs, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) Gregory Bull/Associated Press WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 07: Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) arrives to a luncheon with Senate Republicans at the U.S. Capitol on February 07, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Senate failed to pass legislation consisting of immigration and border security tacked on with foreign aid for Ukraine and Israel, and are working toward passing legislation without including the border and immigration element that Senate Republicans take issue with. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images CIUDAD JUAREZ, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 01: Seen from an aerial view, immigrants pass through razor wire after crossing the Rio Grande into El Paso, Texas on February 01, 2024 from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. After getting through the wire, set by Texas National Guard troops, they are then allowed to proceed for processing by U.S. Border Patrol agents. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) John Moore/Getty Images People stay in a yard as they escaped an apartment building after Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. Authorities say Russia has fired cruise and ballistic missiles and Shahed-type drones at targets across Ukraine including the capital Kyiv. Officials said the Wednesday morning attack killed at least one civilian and injured 10 others. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Efrem Lukatsky/Associated Press WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 07: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) talks to reporters as he arrives at the U.S. Capitol ahead of votes on February 07, 2024 in Washington, DC. Cruz is one of the leading critics of the negotiated bipartisan immigration and border security legislation that was introduced on Sunday, will be voted on Wednesday and is not expected to pass. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Asylum-seeking migrants from Peru and Ecuador take shelter from the wind and rain as they wait to be processed in a makeshift, mountainous campsite after crossing the border with Mexico, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, near Jacumba Hot Springs, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) Gregory Bull/Associated Press An asylum-seeking migrant holds his daughter, a two-year-old with a fever of 103 degrees Farenheit, as she is treated by Cal Fire personnel in a makeshift, mountainous campsite after crossing the border with Mexico, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, near Jacumba Hot Springs, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) Gregory Bull/Associated Press WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 07: Thomas Hand becomes emotional as he speaks about his nine year old daughter being held captive by Hamas and then released during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol February 07, 2024 in Washington, DC. Bipartisan members of Congress hosted members Israeli Knesset and family members of hostages held by Hamas for a press conference to mark 124 days since their family members were abducted on October 7th, 2023. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, left, and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speak together in the House chamber as they await a speech by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, May 17, 2022. J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press

WASHINGTON  Texas' Republican senators helped block a bipartisan border security bill they said would do too little to slow crossings that have reached record highs during the Biden administration, effectively ending a monthslong drive to pass the first major immigration legislation in decades.

U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz joined all but four Senate Republicans who voted against beginning debate on the $118 billion package that paired an overhaul of the countrys asylum system and new presidential powers to turn away migrants at the border with aid to Ukraine, Israel and other allies. Four Democrats and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent, also voted against the proposal, which was the result of four months of negotiations and effectively died after the 49-50 vote.

This proposal is not what the country needs, wants or deserves, Cornyn, who supported the bipartisan negotiations, said in a speech on the Senate floor Tuesday. Ive said from the beginning that I would only support an agreement or a proposal that would make significant policy changes and reduce the influx of humanity coming across the border, and this proposal does not meet that requirement.

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Cruz, long a skeptic of the bipartisan talks, has railed for days against the bill, calling it a steaming pile of (expletive).

It was an awful policy that would have codified catch and release and normalized 5,000 illegal aliens being let across the border per day  1.8 million illegal aliens per year, Cruz wrote on social media ahead of the vote.

The majority of migrants crossing into states like Texas are doing so between crowded ports of entry, then turning themselves into the Border Patrol to legally claim asylum.

Cornyn and other Republicans had stressed ahead of the deal that they had a point of maximum leverage since Democrats were willing to deliver tougher border policies in exchange for aid to Ukraine.

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But the politics around the issue began to shift in recent weeks as former President Donald Trump mounted a pressure campaign against the negotiations, arguing they could deliver President Joe Biden a victory months before the presidential election when the two are likely to face each other.

House Republicans began to rally against the deal, as well, pushing back on leaked details of the negotiations and arguing Biden has the authority to secure the border, even as many of them had spent months calling for legislation.

By Monday, just hours after the bill text was unveiled, it was clear too many GOP senators had soured on it.

The deal had the backing of the Border Patrol union. It would toughen asylum standards by excluding migrants who could have found safety by resettling in their home country or another nation, and it would seek to speed up decisions in those cases by hiring more judges and creating a 15-day detention window in which they are expected to receive an initial screening. Those who clear the screening would be admitted to the country and given work permits for 90 days before a final decision.

The legislation included funding to increase detention capacity and boost deportation flights. It also would create a new emergency authority similar to Title 42 that would allow the Department of Homeland Security to immediately turn away migrants crossing between ports of entry if those crossings average 4,000 per day over seven days. It would kick in automatically if the average daily crossings tops 5,000 or if more than 8,500 crossings are logged in a single day. Crossings surpassed a record 10,000 per day in December.

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U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona independent who negotiated the bill, wrote on social media earlier this week that the authority would have been in effect every day of 2024.

In a speech before the vote, Sinema excoriated her colleagues who have crowed about the border since Biden took office but voted to block the bill.

I have a very clear message for anyone using the southern border for staged political events: Dont come to Arizona. Take your political theater to Texas, Sinema said. Do not bring it to my state, because in Arizona, were serious. We dont have time for your political games. Were not interested in you posing for the cameras.

Cornyn had pushed back on the idea that Congress should wait until after the election to pass a border bill. But Monday he said he had serious concerns with the final product of the negotiations he championed for months. It was one of the clearest early signs the bill was unlikely to get the support it needed to clear the 60-vote threshold in the Senate.

Cornyn argued, in part, that Biden could not be trusted to implement the bill properly. And he said it did not go far enough to curtail the presidents use of humanitarian parole. The Biden administration has leaned heavily on parole, including in a rule allowing thousands of migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela into the country each month.

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The fact of the matter is we have no confidence  zero confidence  that the Biden administration will enforce the law when it comes to the border, Cornyn said.

Cornyn accused Democrats of demonstrating fake outrage at Republicans pushing back on the border deal.

Are you kidding me? They now claim to be the defenders of the border, and border security? What a joke, Cornyn said.

Cruz, meanwhile, slammed Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, saying on his podcast that the bill was a massive political blunder, a total cluster by Senate Republican leadership that is going to do enormous damage.

Biden blamed Trump for tanking the deal in a speech Tuesday, saying: Every day between now and November, the American people are going to know that the only reason the border is not secure is Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican friends.

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U.S. Sen. James Lankford, an Oklahoma Republican who negotiated the bill, defended it in a speech before the vote. He touted the funding it included for border wall construction, to add 50,000 detention beds and and to double deportation flights  all measures Democrats would typically oppose.

Lankford pushed back on false talking points that have developed around details of the bill, saying his favorite was the line oft-repeated by Cruz that the bill would allow 5,000 crossings a day to become the norm.

Thats completely absurd, Lankford said. We are detaining, screening and deporting until we get to a break glass moment  and then we arent even screening anymore, were detaining and deporting.

Lankford said compromise was necessary to get the measure through a Congress in which Democrats narrowly control the Senate and the GOP holds a slim majority in the House.
OGUNQUIT, Maine  The Marginal Way Preservation Fund is raising money to help repair its namesake landmark, which was significantly battered by the two January storms.

Currently, the historic, mile-long stretch along the Ogunquit coast is closed until further notice. The storms, which hit the region on Jan. 10 and 13 pummeled and soaked the beloved path, eroding bits of pavement, strewing rocks of all sizes, and causing other significant damages.

The most significant damage to Marginal Way occurred at the Perkins Cove walkway, which has been undermined, according to Town Manager Matthew Buttrick.

Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine, is currently closed until further notice, as a result of the damages wrought by the twin storms of January 2024.

We've identified base erosion along the edges of the asphalt throughout the entire length of the Marginal Way, Buttrick said.

Such erosion extends approximately 6 inches beneath the walkways edges and compromises the pavement along the edge, he added.

If not addressed promptly, the erosion will lead to the pavement crumbling at these edges, significantly increasing the risk of pedestrian trip hazard, Buttrick said.

Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine, is closed until further notice, as a result of the two storms that damaged the beloved path in January 2024.

Marginal Way sustained $1 million in damages during the storm, according to preliminary estimates, Buttrick said. Ogunquit experienced around $2.5 million in damages overall due to the twin weather events.

Buttrick said the Ogunquit Select Board on Monday approved spending the entirety of the $350,000 in the towns natural disaster reserve to aid efforts to repair the widespread damage caused by the two January storms. However, he added, many of the repairs the town must undertake do not cover the damages along Marginal Way.

Enter the Marginal Way Preservation Fund, the local nonprofit charged with funding an endowment that finances projects that repair, preserve and beautify the coastal walkway known as Marginal Way, according to Allison Ramsey, its executive director.

The recent storms and damage caused along the beloved path is a great reminder of why the mission of our nonprofit is so important, Ramsey said.

On the preservation funds website, donors have opportunities to make one-time contributions to the cause or monthly, quarterly, or yearly ones.

The Marginal Way Preservation Fund is not just about maintaining the path for current and future generations to enjoy. Its also about preserving the walkways rich history.

Previous story: Maine coastal communities struggle to recover from storms that caused millions in damage

The story behind Ogunquit's Marginal Way

According to the organizations website, a conservationist and former state legislator named Josiah Chase, Jr. donated the mile-long coastal parcel to Ogunquit in 1925. The paved path, which begins in a corner of Oarweed Cove, wends through bayberry, honeysuckle, and bittersweet, gnarled shrubs of fragrant pink and white sea roses.

And, of course, the path offers a clear and sprawling view of the Atlantic Ocean.

Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine, is closed until further notice, as a result of the two storms that damaged the beloved path in January 2024.

According to the preservation fund, the path is called Marginal Way, or even the margin, because of the pattern in which it was developed along the edge of local cliffs.

The path has survived much during its near-century existence as a beloved public landmark  everything from hurricanes to residential and commercial development booms to local budget cuts, as the preservation fund says on its website.

More: Why Kennebunkports Colony Beach parking lot will be shut down for the summer

Why Marginal Way Preservation Fund was started

The endowment fund was established in 2007 following a storm that destroyed large sections of the path. Previously, a strong storm in 1991 also significantly damaged the property.

Buttrick said he is confident that the federal government will declare the two storms a disaster. The town is applying for relief from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Photographer Rick Barber captured this wave as it was about to strike Marginal Way during one of the two significant storms that hit Ogunquit, Maine, and many other coastal communities in the state and in neighboring New Hampshire in January 2024.

Buttrick said the town intends to begin temporary repairs and reopen Marginal Way very soon.

I am confident that the path will be fully open and safe for our upcoming season, he added, referring to the summertime when residents and tourists alike visit the community in high numbers.

Buttrick said last months storms are a reminder of the fragile location of Marginal Way.

We are committed to projects geared towards the sustainability of the pathway, whether that means moving the path, fortifying energy distribution rocks and walls, or other actions, he said.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Ogunquit's Marginal Way closed due to storm damage:
Marianne Williamson has suspended her campaign for the Democratic Partys presidential nomination after coming in second in the South Carolina primary with just 2 percent of the vote.

The self-help author challenged President Joe Biden from the left  adopting most of the last presidential platform of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)  but Williamson struggled with raising money and a lack of organization. Her campaign is in debt, and more than one dozen disgruntled staffers have been left in its wake.

The churn of Willaimsons campaign staff was constant over the course of her 2024 bid, particularly in the early months of her campaign. A mix of firings and resignations dwindled the operation to a skeleton staff, mostly focused on in-person events in early voting states.

Williamson polled higher and won more votes this time around than during her 2020 campaign, which was also plagued with staffing problems. But she was not able to build a broader coalition to threaten Bidens claim to the nomination. The Democratic National Committee chose not to host any primary debates and largely ignored Williamsons candidacy.



During the course of Williamsons campaign, she went through four campaign managers, of whom Carlos Cardona, a local New Hampshire pol, had the longest tenure. He announced his departure from the campaign after the New Hampshire primary when Williamson got 4 percent of the vote.

"I read a quote the other day that said sunsets are proof that endings can be beautiful too," Williamson said in a video message to supporters ending her campaign. "And so today, even though it is time to suspend my campaign for the presidency, I do want to see the beauty."

But like much of the campaign, even Williamsons dropout wasnt well executed.

After the New Hampshire primary contest, Williamson hosted a call with volunteers and floated the end of her presidential bid. She finished not only behind a write-in campaign to vote for Biden, who did not campaign in the state, but also Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), who only entered the race last October.

This is how Im feeling now  and please, Im asking you not to repeat this. I dont want the press to be on this.  My thoughts are now that the power move is to suspend the campaign, according to a video of the call shared by the X account OrganizerMemes.



Williamson also posted a letter announcing her withdrawal from the race on her ActBlue page, the platform Democrats use to receive political donations, screenshots of which were also shared on X.

As of today I am suspending my campaign for the Democratic nomination for the Presidency. While I hoped we could create a breakthrough in New Hampshire, in the final analysis we could not compete with million dollar SUPER PAC-funded TV and internet ad campaigns, the letter said.

It added that the ActBlue page would remain up to accept donations to pay down the campaign debts. According to the last financial disclosures, the campaign owes about $593,000. Williamson also put in about $470,000 to keep her campaign afloat.

Williamson claimed in an X post that she had been hacked and committed to staying in the race.

The author launched her second campaign for president at Union Station in Washington, D.C., where she moved after her first attempt for the Oval Office in 2020. She was the first challenger to Bidens reelection bid to register support in polls, but hit a ceiling of about 10 percent, which was about where she entered the contest.

Williamson has not said whether she will seek another run for office. But she will return to the literary world with a new book set to be released in May. Williamson delayed the publication of The Mystic Jesus: The Mind of Love last fall, when the books announcement attracted accusations that the campaign was a grift to promote the book.
WASHINGTON  Marianne Williamson ended her 2024 bid for the Democratic presidential nomination Wednesday after poor showings in the New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries.

"I read a quote the other day that said that sunsets are proof that endings can be beautiful, too," Williamson said in a video on YouTube. "And so today, even though it is time to suspend my campaign for the presidency, I do want to see the beauty, and I want all of you who so incredibly supported me on this journey  as donors, as supporters, as team and as volunteers  to see the beauty, too."

Williamson launched her long-shot White House bid in March 2023, well before even President Joe Biden had publicly declared that he planned to run for re-election.

It is our job to create a vision of justice and love that is so powerful that it will override the forces of hatred and injustice and fear, Williamson said at her kickoff event at Washington's Union Station. I, as of today, am a candidate for the office of president of the United States.

A spokesperson for Bidens campaign declined to comment.

Williamson, who has never held elected office, also ran for president in 2020. She left that race just weeks before the primary election process began.

Ahead of the New Hampshire primary, Williamson appeared to suggest to voters that former President Donald Trump would win the 2024 general election.

I do not have good feelings about what will happen in 2024, because 2024 is not going to be like 2020. 2024 is going to be like 2016, she said at a town hall event in Portsmouth.

Williamson criticized Democrats for pushing an anti-Trump narrative in the 2024 campaign, saying it wont be enough for electoral success this cycle.

Try to beat Donald Trump by saying things are going well. Really? For 20% of us, things are going well.  For 80% of Americans, the idea that things are going well economically, its like a slap in their face, said Williamson, who made socioeconomic inequality the cornerstone of her campaign.

She has presented herself as a progressive candidate, echoing some of the platforms Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., ran on in 2016.

If youre in the top 20 per cent of American earners, the economy works well, it said on her campaign website. But that 20 per cent live on an island that is surrounded by a sea of economic despair. Within that sea, a myriad of personal and societal dysfunctions breed easily  from chronic anxiety and addiction to ideological capture by genuinely psychotic, even fascist elements of our society.

For other issues during her campaign, Williamson called for creating "a legal fund for victims of police brutality," said the U.S. "must declare a national climate emergency" and called for halting all new fossil fuel projects."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
WASHINGTON The Nevada Republican caucus is underway and Donald Trump has already cinched victory in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, self-help author Marianne Williamson suspended her long-shot presidential campaign Wednesday after failing to garner support among voters in the New Hampshire and South Carolina Democratic primaries to beat President Joe Biden.

While the level of our failure is obvious to all, a level of success is real nonetheless, Williamson said in a message to her supporters. We articulated deeper, more authentic truths than those regularly acknowledged by the political establishment. And Im not only glad we did that; Im proud of it.

More: South Carolina Democratic primary OnPolitics: Joe Biden clinched victory in South Carolina. What's next?

Williamson formally kicked off her presidential campaign against Biden in March 2023. It was her second time running after she sought the White House in 2020.

We are upset about this country, were worried about this country, Williamson told voters at a kickoff event in Washington's Union Station last year. It is our job to create a vision of justice and love that is so powerful that it will override the forces of hatred and injustice and fear.

But her campaign didnt gain enough traction. She only won roughly 4% of the vote in the New Hampshire primary compared to Bidens 63.9%, and won 2.1% of the vote in the South Carolina primary compared to Bidens 96.2%.

More: New Hampshire 2024 primary New Hampshire primary replay: Donald Trump wins, but Nikki Haley vows not to quit

Williamson told USA TODAY in a May interview last year that her presidency would signify a political awakening" in the country. She campaigned on a universal healthcare system, forgiving student debt, addressing the environmental crisis and protecting abortion rights, among other things.

Her campaign was also focused on appealing to young voters. Williamson also built a strong TikTok following with over half a million followers  the most of any presidential candidate who has an official account on the platform.

With Williamson out of the race, Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., stands as the lone challenger to Biden. Though Phillips placed third in the South Carolina primary after garnering only 1.7% of votes, he defended his campaign on MSNBCs The Weekend and said challenging Biden was a mission of principle.

Contributing: Rachel Looker, Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Marianne Williamson suspends long-shot presidential campaign
Mark Robinson could become the first Black person to be elected North Carolina governor.

But his quest to make state political history may not rely on the support of people who look like him. Robinsons extreme rhetoric in public statements and social media posts have been widely condemned by other North Carolina political leaders and turned off Black voters.

Robinson, elected the states first Black lieutenant governor in 2020, suggested Martin Luther King Jr. was a communist, that the Civil Rights Movement compromised free choice, and he himself was not African-American.

Robinson also is known for controversial comments about women, LGBTQ+ people and Muslims. Hes been endorsed by former President Donald Trump and is perceived to have modeled his campaign aesthetic after him.

His ignorance is beyond reproach  we cannot have him represent North Carolina in the governors office, North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Kelly Alexander, a Democrat, said last May in reaction to what Democrats considered attacks on the Civil Rights Movement by Robinson.

But Robinson, the Greensboro native, is the Republican front-runner for governor in a GOP field with state Treasurer Dale Folwell and trial lawyer Bill Graham as other prominent candidates. If the general election plays out as political analysts project, polling shows Robinson in a close race with Democrat Josh Stein.

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson acknowledges the crowd at a rally where Robinson formally launched his gubernatorial campaign Saturday, April 22, 2023, outside the Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, N.C.

A December East Carolina University poll and a January Meredith Poll both showed Robinson leading the race to be the Republican nominee. The latest Real Clear Politics analysis has Robinson favored by 40 points over Graham to grab the partys nomination.

In a potential matchup with Stein in the general election on Nov. 5, the current attorney general has a slight edge on Robinson, according to the Meredith Poll.

North Carolina has a history of supporting Republican candidates for president and Democratic candidates for governor, Meredith Poll Director David McLennan said. The campaign is far from over, but no one should be surprised if North Carolina continues this political tradition in 2024.

To win the GOP primary, Robinson doesnt need the Black vote, a demographic that is only 3% Republican. Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper said Robinson wont have to court a large percentage of Black voters to win the general election either.

Any advantage Robinson can gain with Black voters is certainly helpful for the larger GOP movement, said Cooper in an email to The Charlotte Observer. But it is by no means necessary for victory in 2024. Robinson needs a high turnout among GOP voters and a relatively low turnout among Democrats. The Black vote is much more important to the Democratic than Republican candidates.

Robinsons campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Black voters are terrified of Robinson

For Robinson to win a larger share of Black voters in North Carolina, most of whom traditionally lean Democrat, he would have to overcome notions that the Republican party is hostile to Black people and does not align with their political or social interests.

Examples may be seen in multiple redistricting lawsuits filed in federal court challenging North Carolina district lines enacted by the Republican-controlled General Assembly for use through the 2030 elections. The lawsuits alleged illegal racial gerrymandering that targeted Black residents.

Colette Forrest is the co-founder of the Charlotte Black Voter Project. The nonpartisan organization she helped assemble wants to increase voter participation in Mecklenburg County.

In January, the group held a forum at Little Rock AME Zion Church in Charlotte and invited political party representatives from statewide races that featured at least one Black candidate on the ballot, including the governors race to speak with constituents.

Robinson did not appear at the meeting attended by 230 people at the church, and Forrest indicated that Robinson is unlikely to win over any liberal-leaning Black voters.

They are terrified of Mark Robinson because he seems so Trumpish, she said. And we, as Blacks, recognize how destructive Trump is to democracy.

That fear may lie in Robinson saying hed ban abortions in the state, being against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and suggesting the state Board of Education be eliminated.

Most Black people I talk to, are terrified of the thought of him being in the governors mansion, Forrest said.

Opinions in rural NC

Wadesboro is a town of 5,000 people located 51 miles east of Charlotte in Anson County, which voted for the Democratic gubernatorial candidate in the last five elections. The most recent U.S. Census data indicates Black residents make up 61% of Wadesboros population, one of the largest such demographic distinctions in the state for African Americans living in a single city or town.

But an appetite for political involvement is low, said longtime resident Leon Gatewood. For years, hes been motivated to educate people on the electoral process because voter apathy makes me sick, he told the Observer.

When asked to make an assessment of Robinson, who visited Wadesboro for an event held by the Anson County Republican Party on Jan. 27, Gatewood was candid about the controversial conservative.

What were learning is all skinfolk arent kinfolks, he said in reference to the Zora Neale Hurston quote that insinuates some Black people hold racial animus against their own. He hasnt said anything that I can identify with. Its not a hard decision for me.

They dont know him

North Carolina Lt. Governor Mark Robinson greets supporters after announcing his candidacy for Governor of North Carolina on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Ace Speedway in Elon, N.C.

Conversely, Robinson has the support from Black conservatives, who are smaller in numbers than Black liberals in the state.

One of them is Mecklenburg County Black Republican Club Party member and 12th Congressional District candidate Addul Ali. He said Robinson running for the states highest office could be an opportunity to show that Black people can have diverse political perspectives.

Ali touts Robinson as a candidate who can speak to common issues such as crime, education and economics, though he said Black voters could be influenced by media reporting that amplifies Robinsons inflammatory commentary and soundbites on the campaign trail and in interviews.

(Black voters) dont know him, said Ali, who encourages voters to judge Robinson on his record. As someone who has put Mark Robinson in front of everyday people, once they get to know him and question him ... that (perception) changes.

Valerie Miller, state director of Blexit North Carolina, a nonpartisan conservative group that encourages Black people to distance themselves from mainstream politics, says Robinsons lack of appeal is mystifying considering his historic rise within state government.

Its not to say that you support someone because theyre Black, but I just feel a lot of the Black race doesnt look at what he stands for, she said. If they did, they would actually support him.

Despite Robinson toning down the rhetoric to take a more moderate position these days, Steven Greene, a political science professor at NC State University, says there is still a lot of convincing he has to do to win over Black voters.

Aimy Steele, CEO of The New North Carolina Project, a group started in 2021 that aims to increase voter registration and voter turnout among minority communities, says Robinson should do one thing this election cycle.

What he can do is drop out of the race, said the former Concord educator, who lost two close state House elections in Cabarrus County in 2018 and 2020 as a Democrat.

That would be a sign of doing whats best for Black and brown people in North Carolina.

Candidates in Democratic race

Robinson is the only Republican Black gubernatorial candidate. Meanwhile, all gubernatorial candidates on the Democratic side, except front-runner Stein, are Black.

Marcus Williams, an attorney from Lumberton, is running on a political platform that is almost the complete opposite of Robinsons. He supports womens rights issues and wants to create a citizens panel to review police body-worn camera footage.

Chrelle Booker, a Tryon native has focused her campaign on womens empowerment and environmental protection.

Gary Foxx, a former police chief in Edgecombe County, has promoted progressive ideas such as common sense gun reform, diversity, equity and inclusion and an increase in the minimum wage.

But Mike Morgan, a former North Carolina Supreme Court associate justice, is considered the one Democrat who has a shot to challenge Stein in the primary. Unlike Robinson, Morgan supports green energy initiatives, gender-affirming care and abortion rights.

Could Morgan or another candidate rally enough backing from Black voters to overtake Stein and then defeat Robinson in a general election showdown?

State polling numbers cast doubt on that.

Stein retained a 31% to 4% lead over Mike Morgan for the Democratic nomination, according to the most recent Meredith Poll published earlier this month.

The problem for him and anybody else who is not Josh Stein is that its Josh Stein and everybody else, Greene said. The primary is coming up pretty soon and there isnt enough time for anyone to overcome that lead of Josh Stein.
Blinken voices hope for ceasefire deal between Israel, Hamas

Xinhua) 09:53, February 08, 2024

JERUSALEM, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Israel on Wednesday that further efforts are needed on a hostage-for-ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas but expressed optimism such a deal can be achieved.

Blinken landed in Israel on Wednesday as part of his fifth trip to the region since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, 2023.

One day following talks with negotiators in Qatar, the U.S. secretary of state aims to brief senior officials about the efforts to broker a ceasefire deal.

The Gulf country reportedly mediated a gradual agreement whereby Israel would halt military operations in exchange for the release of hostages from Gaza and Palestinian detainees from Israel.

"We're looking at it intensely, as is, I know, the government of Israel," said Blinken in joint statements alongside Israel's President Isaac Herzog.

"There's a lot of work to be done, but we are very much focused on doing that work and hopefully being able to resume the release of hostages that was interrupted," he added.

Blinken also reiterated his call for Israel to allow more aid into the Gaza Strip, where an Israeli retaliatory offensive has killed over 27,700 people, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, he raised warnings from the United Nations about an impending famine.

"We all have an obligation to do everything possible to get the necessary assistance to those who so desperately need it, and the steps that are being taken, additional steps that need to be taken, are the focus of my meetings here," said Blinken.

Earlier Wednesday, Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported that Israeli far-right protesters, along with a few family members of hostages, blocked the Kerem Shalom crossing, a passageway for vehicles between Israel and Gaza.

It was the second consecutive day that protesters blocked the crossing to prevent aid trucks from entering the Palestinian enclave.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Here is a photo of virga taken by the National Weather Service staff outside the New Braunfels office. NWS Austin/San Antonio

You may have looked up at the sky this past weekend and noticed some very strange-looking clouds. They almost look as if the cloud is falling toward the ground, and you may even notice a few raindrops if you find yourself under one.

These clouds are known as virga. The National Weather Service office in New Braunfels snapped the photo and posted it on the social media platform X, explaining that virga is rain that evaporates before reaching the ground due to very dry air below the clouds.

What look like clouds falling toward the ground are actually raindrops. As the drops encounter dry air closer to the ground, they evaporate. This creates the odd-looking cloud formation.

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It makes a lot of sense, too, when you look at the numbers. The clouds were spotted Saturday afternoon. During that time, relative humidity values were 70% to 90% at cloud level, or about 9,000 feet above the ground. However, humidity values on the ground were 35% to 40%.

Shown here was expected relative humidity in South Texas for Saturday afternoon. While San Antonios humidity was 35% to 40%, the humidity at cloud level was much higher. Pivotal Weather

While a few drops of rain often did reach the ground, most of the rain evaporated because of the layer of dry air the rain drops encountered. However, rainfall from virga is hardly ever measurable, meaning its most often less than 0.01 inch.

Sometimes, virga can even be seen on radar. This is because the radar beam is sampling the moisture high above the dry air. So you could be fooled into thinking its raining after looking at the radar, but then look outside to find only virga above.

Virga is most common in desert or arid climates, because of the drier air. In Texas, its most common in West Texas, toward the Panhandle, Permian Basin and Trans-Pecos regions. While less common in San Antonio, its not necessarily considered rare. If youre looking up at the clouds enough, youd be likely to see this phenomenon several times in San Antonio in any particular year.
What makes a likely November matchup between Joe Biden and Donald Trump so hard to handicap is not just that the early polling is close.

In the indispensable battleground of Wisconsin, the two are tied at 49% in a hypothetical general election contest, according to a new poll by the Marquette Law School.

And its not just that each of these men has already shown the ability to win the most important electoral battlegrounds. Trump did it in 2016 and Biden did it in 2020.

Marquette University Law School, Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education logo

What makes the outcome of a likely Biden-Trump race so confounding and hard to predict is that both men have such glaring  almost fatal  political weaknesses.

It makes perfect sense to view each one as unelectable  except against the other.

Both Biden and Trump have such high negatives that they cant win without the votes of lots of people who dont like them and are loath to support them.

In the new Marquette survey, roughly one in five voters has a negative view of both Biden and Trump.

While these voters would be the deciders in a Biden-Trump matchup, its foolish to predict their behavior because they hate their choices.

The Marquette poll, taken Jan. 24-31, is a parade of red flags for both candidates.

More: In the ground game to engage Black Milwaukee voters, signs of waning enthusiasm for 2020 rematch

This may be the most glaring sign of both mens liabilities: In an alternate general election match-up, Biden trails Trumps only remaining GOP rival, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, by 16 points (41% to 57%). That is much bigger than her lead in the same poll last fall.

Its also an astonishing number in a state as evenly divided as Wisconsin.

It means that Biden is so politically weak in general election terms that in this early, hypothetical snapshot, he is uncompetitive when pitted against a more traditional, non-Trump Republican, and loses independents in a landslide.

It also means that Trump is so politically weak in general election terms that he is running far worse against Biden than his only Republican rival does. Put another way, Trump has virtually no discernible advantage in Wisconsin right now against an incumbent president with awful approval ratings.

More: 'They're both dinosaurs': Concerns about age drive lack of enthusiasm for Biden and Trump

Trump is unable to take full advantage of Bidens negatives because of his own high negatives. By contrast, as Marquette pollster Charles Franklin notes, Haleys vote share against Biden (57%) is virtually the same as Bidens disapproval (58%). Unlike Trump, she can fully exploit Bidens unpopularity.

For Joe Biden and Donald Trump, historic disapproval ratings for a Marquette poll

Lets consider some of the other ugly numbers for the Democratic president and Republican ex-president in this survey of 930 registered voters in Wisconsin, starting with Biden:

Only 41% of registered voters in Wisconsin approve of the job he is doing and 58% disapprove. Since 2012, Marquette has polled on presidential approval in this state more than 70 times during the Obama, Trump and Biden presidencies. This is the single highest presidential disapproval this survey has ever recorded.

Bidens numbers are much worse than other key Wisconsin political figures in his own party. When it comes to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, 51% approve, 44% disapprove  a net job rating of plus 7. Bidens net job rating is minus 17 in this poll. Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin has a slightly negative rating in this poll (42% view her favorably, 45% view her unfavorably). But her numbers arent nearly as negative as Bidens.

Biden badly trails Trump on two central issues  the economy and immigration.

Voters overwhelmingly think Biden is too old. Among all registered voters, 61% say that too old to be president describes Biden very well, including 32% of Democrats.

And what about Trumps vulnerabilities?

The former president is viewed favorably by 40% and unfavorably by 58% of Wisconsin voters; that is slightly worse than the share who view Biden unfavorably (56%). Trumps negative rating is actually a little lower (meaning better) than it was last year. But he still has higher negatives than almost anyone else Marquette has ever asked about.

Forty-nine percent of voters say the phrase has behaved corruptly describes Trump very well and another 18% say it describes him somewhat well. A majority of voters think he behaved illegally after the 2020 election.

One in five voters in his own party views Trump unfavorably, and when matched up against Biden, Trump loses an important sliver of GOP voters who think he has behaved illegally.

While Trump appears to be headed comfortably toward the GOP nomination, his performance in the first two contested states, Iowa and New Hampshire, is open to interpretation.

Yes, they were sizable wins. But if you view him as the de facto incumbent in his party, then winning just over 50% of the vote in each state suddenly looks like a bit of a danger sign, especially when it comes to his performance with independents and college-educated voters in those contests.

But here we are, seemingly headed toward a battle over whose weaknesses are weaker, politically speaking. This is not to equate Trump and Biden on their merits. Its to say that both have huge electability issues, and its totally unclear nine months before the election which one has the bigger electability problem.

Future events and developments could easily tip the balance: a significant third-party spoiler candidacy; a health setback for either man; a Trump conviction; economic improvement or decline; more upheaval in the world or on the border.

Some voters still cant believe this is the general election we will end up with. And many others are dismayed about it.

When Marquette asked Wisconsin voters in this poll how enthusiastic they are about voting in the fall election, just under half (49%) said very enthusiastic.

That is far lower than the 70% who said four years ago they were very enthusiastic about voting in the 2020 election.

And its one of the lowest measures of enthusiasm this poll has ever captured in any election.

Craig Gilbert provides Wisconsin political analysis as a fellow with Marquette University Law School's Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education. Prior to the fellowship, Gilbert reported on politics for 35 years at the Journal Sentinel, the last 25 in its Washington Bureau. His column continues that independent reporting tradition and goes through the established Journal Sentinel editing process.



Follow him on Twitter: @Wisvoter.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Marquette poll delivers a parade of red flags for Biden and Trump
For a while, many fooled themselves into thinking there was no economic challenge that could not be surmounted by mass migration. Nearly a million job vacancies? The shortage occupation list can whittle that down, perfectly matching skilled supply to labour market demand. A social care staffing crisis? Import cheap foreign workers, even if it undermines the Brexit promise that only the best and brightest would come to Britain once we took control of our borders.

The great irony is that, while immigration was a motivating factor for many who voted to leave the EU, in the past four years we have witnessed an extraordinary liberalisation of our visa system.

The latest population projections show immigration adding six million people to the British population over the 15 years from 2021 to 2036. This has coincided with a reorientation of migration flows away from Europe and towards the rest of the world. One study, for instance, found that in the year to September 2023, fewer than 4,000 visas were issued to French nationals, compared to over 150,000 for people from India.

Politicians and bureaucrats, who may feel immensely relaxed reading the latest forecasts, have over the years convinced themselves of the unalloyed benefits of mass migration. Highly-skilled and highly-paid, they said, it would turbocharge economic growth.

That conviction was aided by the Governments failure to produce research establishing which types of migrant are fiscally positive or negative, but a close look at the data reveals the economic case for mass migration, once so compelling, is now collapsing.

Over the past five years, two million people from outside Europe arrived in Britain through net migration, a small proportion of whom came for work. The rest entered as the relatives of workers, international students, the relatives of these students, or as asylum seekers and refugees.

In 2023, 144,000 health and care visas were issued, but a further 174,000 dependants came, too. These health and care visas account for two in five of all work visas. Two-thirds of these are for care workers and fall under the least skilled occupational classification. And with all jobs on the shortage occupation list, they are being brought in to work for less.

Student migration to the UK reached an all-time high in 2022, when around 484,000 study visas were issued. This demand was driven in part by the decision to reintroduce graduate visas, opening a backdoor to the British labour market through which international students flew, some having studied for short MA courses at less selective, lower quality institutions.

But this is only one side of the ledger. The myth has long been perpetuated that, because migrants are overwhelmingly of working age, they will not be a drain on public services.

Government impact assessments seem to have overlooked that migrants still need housing, roads, transport, the NHS  just look at the queue for Bristols newest dental surgery. They may need benefits and, eventually, a state pension. As David Miles, OBR executive member, this week warned, immigrants who stay grow older and have children, so the favourable tax to spending balance does not persist.

Studies have shown that low-paid immigrants and their dependants will, over their lifetimes, be net recipients of public funds. We may find ourselves with a considerable long-term bill, one far higher than paying British workers to do the jobs, at a time when debt is already at around 100 per cent of the economy.

The trouble is, British workers cant  or wont  do the jobs. Around 4,000 people a day are now applying for sickness benefit. New estimates show more than 400,000 extra people have dropped out of the labour market amid record long-term sickness, meaning a staggering 9.25 million of those aged 16-64 are not working or looking for work. This ought to cause widespread panic, but migration covers it up, while conveniently allowing politicians to duck difficult decisions.

We are living in a false economy. One where GDP is growing at snails pace, but GDP per capita has started to click into reverse. Where British workers languish on benefits while the Government ramps up its low-skill, low-wage immigration regime.

In 2019, the Entrepreneurs Network think tank found that 49 per cent of the UKs fastest-growing companies had at least one foreign-born founder. By 2023, the figure had dropped to 39 per cent. Britain should have a functioning visa system, one that welcomes the highly-skilled and provides refuge to those genuinely seeking asylum. What we have instead is a con. No one is fooled anymore.

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.
Off the coast of Australia, an enormous sea creature with thousands of teeth approached a boat and surprised the anglers onboard. A video captured the rare visitor.

Thomas DEmilio was fishing near Kgari island when his friend Toby began feeling seasick, DEmilio told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The pair went ashore for a while, then decided to try again.

We noticed some birds, so we went over to see if there was any mackerel or tuna with them, DEmilio told the outlet. Then all of a sudden, a whale shark.

DEmilio posted a video of the rare sighting on TikTok on Feb. 6. (Warning: This video includes language that some viewers may find offensive.) The video shows the massive whale shark approach the boat and come close enough for the anglers to touch it.

I just touched a whale shark, DEmilio said in the video.

The large white-spotted animal seems unfazed by the brief touch and the nearby boat.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation shared a video of the encounter on Facebook. In it, the whale shark is seen slowly swimming around the boat.

Whale sharks are the largest fish in the world, reaching up to 46 feet and nearly 24,000 pounds, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Despite their size and more than 3,000 tiny teeth, these sharks are filter feeders and considered harmless to humans.

Although whale sharks are common in some areas of Australia, they are rarely seen near Kgari, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. The islands last sighting was four years ago.

Still cant believe it, DEmilio wrote in the caption of the TikTok video.

If (Toby) wasnt feeling seasick we would have been out further and missed it all, DEmilio told the Australian Broadcasting Company.

Kgari, sometimes called Fraser Island, is an island off the northeast coast and about 590 miles northeast of Sydney.

DEmilio did not immediately respond to McClatchy News request Feb. 8 for comment.

Extremely rare sea creature leaps out of water and stuns scientists in Australia

Splishy splashes. Watch elephant have a ball in storms aftermath at California zoo

Splishy splashes. Watch elephant have a ball in storms aftermath at California zoo
Old M65 bomb weighing 1,000 pounds from the World War II era uncovered by construction workers in Florida. The device was deemed to be inert.

Florida police officers were called to a construction site Tuesday after workers uncovered a 1,000-pound bomb from the World War II era.

According to Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis, his office received a call Tuesday afternoon from construction workers building a college near the Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport. They dug up the bomb in the northeast corner of the airport grounds. Its condition led them to believe it was inactive.

"It is likely that it's probably inert, but because it is so rusted and decayed there is certainly no way of telling," Nienhuis said, adding that they evacuated everyone within a half of a mile radius of the artifact.

The Citrus County Sheriff's Office bomb team responded to the scene later that evening, and confirmed the device was inert, Hernando County officials said.

The Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport was once a World War II military airfield, according to the airport's website. Located approximately 45 minutes north of Tampa, the military airfield was in use from 1942 until late 1945, when it was deemed a surplus.

More: 96-year-old veteran finally receives diploma after leaving high school to serve in WWII

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Bomb uncovered by construction workers

The site of today's airport was an auxiliary airfield to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, which is still active today. Laura Anderson, a spokesperson from the MacDill Air Force Base, said they have the device at the base and are exploring displaying it in a museum.

Anderson said the unexploded ordnance is essentially an empty shell that is not explosive.

She said their teams used old publications and open source device identification resources to determine it was actually an M34 bomb, contrary to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office initial determination of a M65.

According to an archival publication posted by the Borden Institute, a part of the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, the 1,000-pound M34 series was a sarin cluster bomb that was also the first major nerve agent bomb standardized by the military after World War II.

The National Museum of the United States Air Force notes the M65 was a general purpose bomb that weighed 1,000 pounds and was used against reinforced targets like major infrastructure. There is one on display in the museum's World War II gallery.

Hernando County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Denise Moloney said they believe the device had been there for a "really long time," adding that many places in the county were formerly bombing ranges.

The Citrus County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WWII-era bomb found near Brooksville-Tampa Bay Airport in Florida
Mayor Donna Deegan is weighing in on a Florida bill that would require local governments to crack down on sleeping and camping on public grounds, especially when those activities negatively impact private businesses.

Downtown on West Union street, its a common sight to see people sleeping near the sidewalk and putting up tents, but under the bill those activities would not be allowed and businesses could even sue their local government if they fail to address the issue.

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State Representative Sam Garrison (R-Fleming Island) is sponsoring the legislation.

All youve got to do is drive to a Jaguars game on a Sunday and youll be stunned, those of us who arent downtown regularly, to see the tents, to see the makeshift tent cities youre describing on our streets nowadays. And quite frankly things like that, if left unabated can kill a city, said Garrison.

The bill does allow for local governments to designate public spaces where sleeping and camping would be allowed, but theyd have to prohibit alcohol and illegal drugs in those areas, and provide security, behavioral health services, running water and restrooms.

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At a recent council meeting, Changing Homelessness estimated annual costs for such an operation could cost as much as $1.3 million for every 50 tents.

When asked about the proposal Mayor Deegan took issue with the lack of state funding provided in the bill.

Its an unfunded mandate at this point, if that is what passes, said Mayor Deegan.

But she said shes happy to see state leaders looking at creative ways of addressing the issue.

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We have to be able to be able to provide the wrap around services to create a stepped up system for them to actually get back to being productive members of society, without making it criminal to be homeless. And I think thats the balance we have to strike, said Deegan.

The Governor said earlier this week he would like to see some additional state funding for homeless shelters incorporated into the bill.

Garrison, didnt confirm whether we should expect to see that happen, but he did note the state currently funds grants for homeless services to the tune of $20 million.

He added he expects to see that number increase this year.

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Former U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores speaks at a Republican primary forum for 34th Congressional District candidates in Harlingen on Jan. 20, 2024. The event was hosted by Cameron County Young Republicans and Cameron County Republican Women. Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune

WASHINGTON  Former U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores offered a defense of detaining children at the border for prolonged periods when she advocated for mandatory DNA testing for migrants during a Turning Point USA event in Brownsville.

Right now they just want the child to be out of the facility for as fast as possible. They have removed all DNA testing so there is no more DNA testing, and I 100% think we need to bring that back, the former Republican congresswoman said at a conference Saturday. I dont care if these children are with us for months.

Flores is running to retake her seat in the 34th Congressional District from Democratic Rep. Vicente Gonzalez. Three other Republicans are running in the district, but Flores has the backing of national Republican groups and is leading in fundraising.

In her statements, she defended former President Donald Trumps zero tolerance policy at the U.S.-Mexico border, which was widely criticized as inhumane after it led to thousands of migrant children being separated from their parents or guardians, who were detained and prosecuted for illegal entry.

The previous administration, you had to do DNA testing and that is why children would stay in custody longer even though a lot of people would criticize. Why are they holding the children? Flores said. Well, because we would rather have them in custody until we are 100% sure that they are going to be with someone that they are related to.

When asked to elaborate on her comments, Flores rejected the notion that she was advocating the return of Trump-era family separations.

I completely oppose separating children from their families and the mainstream media twisting my words to fit their partisan agenda, Flores said in a text message when asked by the Tribune about her remarks.

DNA testing migrants began under Trumps administration amid concerns that adults were claiming children as their own to avoid detention. The practice continued into President Joe Bidens administration, though immigrant rights activists have raised concerns over privacy, particularly among asylum seekers fleeing repressive governments.

Federal agents collected DNA samples from over a third of migrants they detained in fiscal year 2022, according to the Government Accountability Office, but struggled with DNA collection kit shortages. In her Saturday talk, Flores suggested that problem could be resolved by detaining children until authorities can verify they are traveling with parents or legal guardians.

"Right now they are not even asking for documentation, we are just taking their word. I am sorry but in todays times, your word is not enough for me. Show me, prove to me this is your child, she said at the Turning Point event.

Turning Point USA is a national conservative youth organization with chapters at universities across the country. The group regularly hosts events with conservative speakers.

Federal law usually prohibits migrant children from being detained longer than 20 days. But under the Trump administration, thousands of children were taken into government care after being separated from their parents under the zero tolerance policy. With their parents detained, the children were treated as unaccompanied minors after the 20-day detention limit.

The federal government scrambled to find shelters or families to house the children. Eventually, the Trump administration reversed course on family separations after fierce public blowback.

Flores isnt alone in insisting on more DNA testing for migrants. Republicans in Congress have introduced legislation to codify DNA testing migrants before releasing them with children.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and U.S. Rep. Lance Gooden of Terrell were both original backers of a bill to do so, introduced by Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee last summer. That bill would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to treat a child as an unaccompanied minor if it cannot establish the childs family or legal ties with an accompanying adult.

Flores won election in the 34th district in a 2022 special election after the retirement of Democratic Rep. Filemon Vela. She is the first Mexican-born woman elected to Congress. Flores was in office for only a few months, much of that while the House was in recess. But she made a mark as being an outspoken conservative, portending greater inroads among Republicans in the traditionally Democratic South Texas.

Flores lost reelection to Gonzalez, who ran in the district after moving from the neighboring 15th Congressional District. Since redistricting, the district is heavily favored to vote Democratic; Biden would have won it by over 15 points under the new lines. Gonzalez won his 2022 race by over 8 points after national groups from both parties poured millions of dollars into the race.

Republicans are hoping to recapture the seat this year. The National Republican Congressional Committee named the 34th district its main Texas target for a flip this year.

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Former Henderson County Sheriff George Erwin and former deputies John Delk and Duane Cannon vividly remember the day Aug. 21, 1986  especially now, since the man Delk and Cannon apprehended that day is on trial this week for murder in a nearly four-decades old cold case in Lexington, South Carolina.

This is a 1986 photo of 4-year-old Jessica Gutierrez, who has never been found.

Jury was selected Feb. 5 in Lexington County on the first day of Thomas Eric McDowell's trial. Thanks to advances in forensic technology, McDowell was arrested in January 2022 and is now on trial for the murder of then 4-year-old Jessica Gutierrez.

The alleged crime happened on June 5, 1986, and Gutierrez's remains have never been found.

According to police reports, Gutierrez was asleep in a bed next to her sister, Rebecca. Investigators said an intruder entered the children's bedroom and was able to lift the sleeping Jessica out of her bed and exit the home through the front door without rousing the girls' mother, Debbie Gutierrez. The family never saw Jessica again.

Prosecutors said McDowell was dating Debbie Gutierrez at the time and that his fingerprint was found on the window of the children's bedroom.

The August 1986 arrest

Erwin said when he and the former deputies heard about McDowell's arrest for murder, it brought back memories of the August 1986 arrest.

"When we did find out about his arrest for murder, it was shocking but not surprising, due to his propensity for violence," Erwin said.

Just two months after Jessica Gutierrez disappeared, McDowell, who was 25 then, was in Polk County in North Carolina. Police reports said he had raped a woman at her home, taken her phone and stolen her car.

Erwin, who was a captain in 1986 with the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, said the victim was able to get to a neighbor's house and call 911. Cannon said the victim gave a "crystal-clear" description of the car, since it was hers.

More: Neighbor recalls horrific night of Evans Road shooting and bravery of cops

"When the BOLO (be on the lookout) call came out, I remember it was early morning. We were trying to position ourselves. We didn't know if he was going to come up (U.S.) 25 or (Interstate) 26," Cannon told the Times-News on Feb. 6.

McDowell took I-26 West, heading North to Hendersonville. Deputies were waiting, Cannon said.

"John spotted him at the Upward Exit. I was at Four Seasons Boulevard. I let John know I was one exit ahead of him," Cannon said. "So, John got behind him. We timed it out. ... I got on the interstate and got in front of him. I slowed down to try to get him to pass me. He never did, so I ended up pulling over. He passed me and officer Delk passed me. Delk then blue lighted him, and he pulled over immediately."

McDowell was arrested and taken into custody at the Polk County Detention Center, since the incident happened in Polk County, Erwin said.

Getting McDowell off the streets

Looking back now, some 38 years later, the gravity of the arrest was much larger than Henderson County officers could've imagined.

Erwin believes if they hadn't captured McDowell back in 1986, he could've still been out on the streets committing crimes and harming other people.

"He definitely would have, and no doubt other innocent people would victimized by this predator," he said. "It is always a relief and rewarding to see perpetrators brought to justice and closure for victims and their families."

Nearly a year after his capture by Henderson County deputies, on March 16, 1987, McDowell was sentenced to 27 years in prison after a jury in Polk County Superior Court found him guilty after a one-day trial. He got 12 years for the rape charge, 12 years for the sexual offense charge and three for the breaking and entering charge.

More: Former Hendersonville storeowner pleads guilty to indecent exposure, sentenced to prison

After serving time, in 2014, he was released, and he moved to Wake Forest in Wake County. He was there when he was arrested once again on Jan. 6, 2022, this time in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Jessica Gutierrez. The Lexington County Sheriff's Office arrest warrant says McDowell made "statements to other sources" that he had kidnapped the victim and killed her.

The 1986 Polk County rape victim, who later moved to Henderson County, will be testifying in court this week, Erwin said. He said like her, the Gutierrez family needs closure.

"Cold cases nationwide are being solved daily due to the technology advances in forensics and law enforcement, and this is one of those cases," he said.

Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at DHensley@gannett.com. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: McDowell cold case trial brings memories of 1986 Henderson Co. capture
A different radio tower, which has presumably not been stolen.

A different radio tower, which has presumably not been stolen. Photograph: Ryan McGinnis/Getty Images

An Alabama radio station has been forced to temporarily shut down after thieves stole a 200ft radio tower.

Related: Man who died in Alabama prison was reportedly returned to family without organs

WJLX, a station in Jasper, Alabama, was ordered to go off air by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) after thieves took the stations AM tower last week, the Guardian first learned.

In all my years of being in the business, around the business, everything like that, I have never seen anything like this, WJLXs general manager, Brett Elmore, told the Guardian.

You dont hear of a 200ft tower being stolen, he added.

Elmore said the theft was first discovered last week by a landscaping crew that regularly manages the area nearby the tower, WBRC reported.

They called me and said the tower was gone. And I said, What do you mean, the tower is gone? Elmore said.

The radio tower was previously located in a wooded area, behind a local poultry plant. Elmore said that thieves had cut the towers wires and somehow removed it. Thieves also stole the stations AM transmitter from a nearby building.

Elmore quickly reported the theft, but said that local police were equally surprised at the brazen robbery.

They were just as stunned as I was. Its unbelievable, he said.

For the small radio station, the theft has had a significant impact. Elmore said the stations property was not insured. Replacing the tower could cost the station anywhere between $100,000 to $150,000, which is more money than we have, Elmore said.

The FCC also notified WJLX on Thursday morning that the station would have to go off the air because of the theft. While WJLX still has its FM transmitter and tower, it is not allowed to operate its FM transmitter while the AM station is off the air.

This is a huge loss, Elmore said. People have reached out and asked how they can help, but I dont know how you can help unless you have a 200ft tower and an AM transmitter.

As news of the tower theft has gone viral, Elmore says that many people have reached out to him and local police with their own theories on the towers disappearance.

I had a guy from Virginia call yesterday and say, You know, I think a helicopter grabbed [the tower], Elmore said.

Elmore added that WJLX wasnt the only station to be hit by thieves. About six months ago, a nearby radio station had their air conditioning unit, copper pipes and other materials stolen.

Elmore isnt sure if the robberies are connected, but believes thieves may have targeted WJLXs tower and transmitter to make a quick buck from selling the metal.

Despite the bad news, Elmore remains hopeful that surveillance video from the nearby poultry plant or witnesses employed at the plant can help piece together who stole the stations tower.

Surely, someone saw something or heard something, Elmore said.

Elmore added that the station is working to get the AM tower up to get back on the air, but will resume their broadcasts online in the meantime.

The sad part is that Jasper has always been a radio town. They have always supported their local radio station, Elmore said.

Now were silent, but we wont be silent for long. Im gonna work tirelessly to get this thing back up and running, one way or the other.
The World Health Organisation declared Britain as having eliminated measles in 2016 - SINGJAI20/ISTOCKPHOTO

Measles cases have risen by a third in a week, despite declarations the illness had been eliminated in Britain more than seven years ago.

Health officials are increasingly concerned as the disease spreads beyond the West Midlands, where the most cases have been reported.

It comes after a man in Ireland died from the disease, it was confirmed on Wednesday, despite being the only case in the country this year.

The man, who was in his 40s, is understood to have contracted the virus while visiting Birmingham, and he was later diagnosed at a hospital in Westmeath.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said there had been a further 118 confirmed cases in England since its update last week, bringing the total since October 2023 to 465.

The number of people diagnosed with measles has risen each month. There were 17 cases in October, 42 in November, 161 in December and 240 in January.

As of February 6, there had been five cases this month, although this is likely to rise due to the lag in reporting confirmed cases.

Authorities have blamed waning measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination rates among children and young adults, with just 85 per cent of the population fully protected against the disease, which is a 10-year low.

The World Health Organisation declared Britain as having eliminated measles in 2016, but that status was lost in 2018.

It was regained in 2022 after the Covid pandemic and enforced lockdowns reduced the circulation of most viruses, including measles.

Health officials expect to lose it once again for 2023 when WHO completes its review.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, said the outbreak continues to be a concern.

MMR vaccine uptake has been falling over the last decade with 1 out of 10 children starting school in England not protected, she said. Measles is highly infectious and there is a real risk it will spread to other areas.

Parents should be aware that measles is a nasty illness for most children and sadly for some can be very serious and life changing, but it is completely preventable.

She urged anyone yet to have the vaccine to come forward.

Last month, the NHS invited more than a million teenagers and young adults who had missed their jabs, and launched a catch-up programme for those aged six to 10.

More than seven in 10 cases have occurred in the West Midlands, with Birmingham considered the epicentre of the outbreak. However, an increasing proportion of cases are being seen elsewhere around the country.

There have been 329 cases in the West Midlands, 62 in London and 32 in Yorkshire and the Humber, UKHSA said, with the remaining 33 cases coming in other regions.

Children are invited to get the vaccines at around 12 months old and then a second dose at three years and four months, which provides them with 99 per cent, lifelong protection from measles.

The highly infectious disease can be life-threatening in those without protection, and can lead to lung infections and inflammation of the brain. It can also damage and suppress the immune system, meaning children can be more vulnerable to becoming ill, according to the NHS.

Symptoms include cold-like symptoms, spots in the mouth and a rash.

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(Photo : Photo by Tor Erik Schrder / NTB / AFP) / Norway OUT (Photo by TOR ERIK SCHRDER/NTB/AFP via Getty Images)

Norwegian authorities have ordered the euthanization of the 1,300-pound walrus named Freya after they deemed that her presence was a threat to human safety. The decision immediately received widespread backlash on social media.

Norwegian authorities ordered the euthanization of the nation's beloved 1,300-pound walrus named Freya after the animal has continued to sink boats in the Oslo Fjord and her threat to human safety.

The decision on early Sunday was made based on "an overall assessment of the continued threat," said the director-general at the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, Frank Bakke-Jensen, in a news release.

Euthanization of a Walrus

The massive creature quickly became a social media star this summer, said Rune Aae, who teaches biology at the University of South-Eastern Norway and manages a Google map of Freya sightings.

The young female walrus had spent quite some time at the Oslo Fjord, which is an inlet on the country's southeastern coast. She appeared to have been unafraid of humans, unlike other walruses. Several popular videos showed the creature clambering onto small boats docked in the area just to sunbathe.

The directorate warned the public in the past week to stay away from the 1,300-pound, warning that they had observed visitors swimming with Freya, throwing objects at her, and getting dangerously close to taking photographs, as per CNN.

The spokesperson for the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, Nadia Jdaini, said that the public has continued to disregard the current recommendation to keep a clear distance from the walrus. The directorate previously said that it was considering multiple solutions to address the situation with the animal.

Read Also: Anne Heche Car Accident: Actress Declared Brain Dead, But Still on Life Support for Potential Organ Donation

These included relocating Freya out of the Oslo Fjord but this idea had such extensive complexity that forced them to conclude that it was not a viable option. Bakke-Jensen continued that they expressed their sympathies for the fact that the decision can cause reactions with the public.

Widespread Backlash

According to the Daily Beast, the animal also chased kayaks and paddleboarders in the area that got too close to her. The Norwegian agency added that the other options they considered to displace the walrus were not believed to be effective. However, a biologist called the decision "too hasty," adding that moving the animal should have been attempted first.

The large creature was previously spotted in the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, England, and Scotland. In some instances, the massive animal caused damage to small boats whenever she climbed onto them. Residents in the Netherlands first spotted her relaxing on top of a submarine.

Walruses are protected and as recently as last month officials said that they were hoping Freya would leave of her own accord and that euthanasia would be the last resort. The decision also sparked widespread backlash on social media with wildlife conservationists shaming Norwegian authorities for killing Freya without trying to move her first.

One user posted on Twitter claiming that the directorate committed a "murder" when they decided to euthanize the creature. Atlantic walruses are typically known to live in the Arctic but it is not uncommon for them to travel into the North and Baltic Seas.

Another walrus, who was nicknamed Wally, was seen last year on beaches and even on a lifeboat dock in Wales and other regions similar to how Freya was spotted near residential areas, ABC reported.



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A medical examiners office on Tuesday said that homicide was the manner of death for a Georgia baby who was decapitated during delivery, months after the boys parents claimed in a lawsuit that their hospital and doctor tried to cover up what happened.

Jessica Ross and boyfriend Treveon Isaiah Taylor filed the suit in August against Dr. Tracey St. Julian, the OB-GYN who delivered their baby in July at Southern Regional Medical Center in Riverdale. The parents accused her of failing to follow proper protocol during childbirth, saying that this resulted in the death of their baby.

In a press release shared with HuffPost, the Clayton County Medical Examiners Office said it determined that the babys death was a homicide, though the office did not accuse St. Julian of intentionally killing the baby. The babys head was severed in part due to shoulder dystocia, the release stated.

The medical examiners office added that pregnancy-induced diabetes and premature rupture of membranes were other significant conditions that contributed to the babys death.

A picture shows Jessica Ross.

A picture shows Jessica Ross.

The office said that its findings are for death investigation purposes only and police are still looking into the case. No criminal charges have been filed.

In a Wednesday statement to HuffPost, attorneys representing St. Julian claimed that the babys decapitation happened after he died, adding that an autopsy performed by state investigators did not classify a manner of death and stated that there was no sign of life upon delivery.

Dr. St. Julian was faced with a dire obstetrical emergency where the mothers life was in peril as well as the babys, the doctors attorneys stated. Once it became clear that the baby did not survive the underlying severe shoulder dystocia (an unpreventable and unpredictable complication of delivery), the priority shifted to saving the mothers life, which was thankfully accomplished.

The couples lawsuit details Ross experience on July 9, when she was admitted to Southern Regional Medical Center after her water broke. According to the suit, Ross attempted for three hours to push out her baby without success.

The lawsuit accuses St. Julian of not taking proper action to reposition the baby when he became stuck in the vaginal canal and says she applied excessive force during the attempted delivery.

The excessive force severed the babys head from the rest of his body, the lawsuit alleges, and it was only then that St. Julian decided to deliver the baby by cesarean section.

The babys legs and torso were delivered via C-section, while his head was delivered vaginally, according to the lawsuit.

In a statement released in August, a spokesperson for the familys attorney said that hospital staff members prevented the parents from touching or holding the deceased babys body, and attempted to cover up the fact that his head had been severed.

The familys attorney, Dr. Roderick Edmond, said during a press conference at the time that hospital staffers wrapped the baby tightly and propped his head on top of a blanket so that it would seem attached. According to the couples lawsuit, they only discovered that their son had been decapitated after being discharged from the hospital.

The lawsuit further alleges that the couples medical care providers encouraged them to cremate their baby instead of getting an autopsy.

In a response to the lawsuit, St. Julians attorneys said that the doctor at all times met the standard of care to resolve the obstetric emergency. Her attorneys said that the doctor had implemented numerous maneuvers to push the babys head back into the birth canal, but that the babys shoulder remained stuck.

The doctors lawyers also said it was salaciously false that St. Julian had pulled so hard that the babys head separated from his torso.

The trauma to the body and head of the fetus occurred post-mortem while Dr. St. Julian was still attempting to deliver the fetus by cesarean and save Ms. Rosss life, they wrote. Any suggestion to the contrary is false and is meant to sensationalize this tragedy and to mislead the public and potential jurors about what actually occurred.

The doctor never attempted to hide or cover up the babys decapitation from Ross or her boyfriend, her lawyers said. St. Julians attorneys also said that the doctor attempted to meet with the family soon after the delivery but was forbidden to talk with Ross by her family members.

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With his smooth black coat, white soul patch goatee and mohawk, Sgt. Bo waited patiently for the students to arrive with his head tucked between his paws on the floor of Nashville's Dodson Elementary School.

At nearly 3 years old, the dog has the look of a grizzled police veteran down pat, his dark coat highlighted with white and light tan strips, but get him around some kids, and it's a different story.

Sgt. Bo works for the Metro Nashville Police Department as a therapy dog, visiting the city's public schools and offering students and staff a caring shoulder to lean  or sometimes cry  on. He's one of the most valuable tools the department has when it comes to tackling the ongoing mental health crisis, officials said.

Tennessee ranks 41st in the country for mental health issues, according to Mental Health America, a nonprofit that promotes mental health and illness prevention.

COVID-19 was especially challenging for young people, ages 12-17, with 16.39% of those experiencing a major depressive episode, the nonprofit reports, noting that Tennessee's percentage is slightly higher at 17.32%, according to a 2023 study.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study from 2014-2018 showed that one in six students have enough behavioral or emotional mental disorders to be diagnosed with a childhood mental disorder. Among the conditions most cited for children are anxiety, depression, Tourettes Syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder and oppositional defiance disorder.

A '100% good boy'

It's Bo's job to work against these trends.

During his recent visit at Dodson Elementary, the kids were smiling, extending their hands and giggling as they entered the halls to find the dog waiting. Sgt. Bo, clad in a Metro Police vest that read 100% good boy, stood up has they asked about his white mohawk.

For many, the dog was the first thing they saw as they came to school, but the biggest smile in the hallway probably belonged to Faye Okert, who has been working with Sgt. Bo since December 2022.

The two started patrolling the halls of MNPS buildings together in January 2023.

'Another tool in the toolbox': Middle Tennessee district has therapy dogs in all schools

"He does so much more than us with two legs could ever do," Okert said, noting that the canine officer is a great listener and has seen a meteoric rise in popularity at a school district in need of a pick-me-up.

Sgt. Bo's impact has not gone unnoticed. With more than 200 school visits under his belt, Bo has attained a therapy excellence certification from the American Kennel Club. When he reaches 600 visits, he will attain the AKC's top therapy title of supreme.

And he was recently named First Responder Paws Therapy Top Dog by FHE Health, a mental health and addiction facility in Deerfield Beach, Fla.

He did it! Sgt. Bo won the @FHEHealth First Responder Paws Therapy Top Dog Award! Bo has quickly become an integral part of the community by visiting local schools with his handler, Officer Faye Okert, to give comfort to students & teachers during the day. Good job buddy! pic.twitter.com/Scr7EziqrN  Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) December 5, 2023

"It's the best thing as a police officer," Okert said of the award. "I almost didn't turn him in. I didn't think he had a chance of winning. There were dogs from different states that had been working for years."

More: Dogs at every school? TN district believes we all need a little therapy'

Bo had been on the job for less than a year when he won the award in December.

When she found out about the win, Okert teared up, recalling the series of fateful decisions that led to her pairing with Sgt. Bo. It was the best decision she's made in her 34 years of policing, she said.

Big things have small beginnings

What makes Sgt. Bo such a good boy?

"He's not judgmental," Okert said. "It doesn't matter where you came from. It doesn't matter your background. I have never seen him not like anybody."

That includes at home, where Sgt. Bo lives with Okert and her two other dogs.

And even though most of Okert's phone photo storage belongs to Sgt. Bo, the family gets along well once the officers go home and take off their police vests. That's because Sgt. Bo's path to Nashville started from meager beginnings, unlike most therapy dogs who are bred for the job.

Just two years ago, Sgt. Bo went by the name Chopper, and he was a stray dog found walking the streets of Brevard County, Fla.

Fate brought Okert to Sgt. Bo.

From patrol to detective to sex crimes, Okert has worked in various roles within the Nashville police department. For the past 17 years, she's been a school resource officer, connecting with thousands of students and seeing to the evolving needs of children.

But Okert said she was ready for change, a slow down in her career, and she was close to leaving the department for another job when something inside told her to keep going.

An unlikely duo

In April 2022, Okert heard about a new program in Florida, Paws and Stripes College, that took in dogs like Sgt. Bo and gave them second chances by training them as therapy dogs with the help of Brevard County Jail inmates. If a dog showed the right temperament and aptitude, they would finish training at Paws and Stripes College.

Okert decided to try it, but when saw a photo of Sgt. Bo, her first thought was, "I'm not taking that dog. He's ugly."

She traveled to Florida, intent on asking if she could have a different dog, but after watching Sgt. Bo train and then meeting him later that day, she immediately knew she found her new partner.

"In my mind, I had a picture of a lab or something like that," Okert said. "I judged him, and he's making me pay for that. And I tell these kids, don't judge a book by its cover, because you're going to miss out on something great. I almost missed out on something great."

Most therapy dogs are a certain bred, like a Labrador or Goldendoodle, but Sgt. Bo is a classic mutt, with a splash of several breeds, including pit bull.

One of the first official orders of business for the new partners was a name change, Okert said, adding that she thought of Sgt. Bo as a way to honor former Nashville officer Emerson "Bo" Boguskie, a 37-year-old veteran officer who died in 2022. The Boguskie family lived across the street from Okert's best friend.

Instantly, Okert decided against slowing down.

"I will be here as long as Sgt. Bo is," Okert said. The two are in MNPS buildings five days per week, helping students cope with their emotions and learn to read. There are 10 district schools the pair regularly frequents.

Caring for Covenant

After a rough start as a stray on the streets, Bo had an even tougher start to his new job as a therapy dog. He was barely two months in when a gunman entered the Covenant School in Nashville on March 27 and shot three children and three adults.

Bo and Okert were called in to help dozens of students and staff coping with tragedy in real time.

Okert remembers driving Bo to the school, not knowing how he would handle the rush of students and adults seeking consolation. Though he had never been on a full school bus before, Okert said Sgt. Bo handled the situation with ease, and he helped give Covenant students and staff the comfort they needed.

The pair has continued their visits to Covenant in the months since. They travel there once a week to offer ongoing support to a community that's still grieving.

A loving helper for adults

Deanna Noonan, a kindergarten teacher at Dodson Elementary, said the dog is just as important for the staff as he is for students. Noonan, herself, has leaned on Sgt. Bo for comfort, and now the two have a special bond, she said.

"He has really become an outlet for me," Noonan said. "And I'm obsessed with dogs in the first place, but he's something special. He has this, like, genuine personality," Noonan said.

When Sgt. Bo recently stopped by Noonan's room for a visit, his excitement was evident. He jumped on Noonan with his paws draped over her shoulders and gave her a few kisses in greeting. Noonan had been struggling with some prior students who were aggressive and lashed out physically before Bo walked into her life.

"I didn't even think about the few months left at the end of the year, (it was) just making it day-to-day," Noonan said. "I saw Bo come in, I mean, it was an escape for me ... everything shifted."

Sgt. Bo was recently gathered around Noonan's classroom as her students started their day in a reading circle. She said she immediately notices a change in her students when Sgt. Bo trots in.

Principal Tiffany Curtis has noticed the same thing, she said. She even shares an office with the pup, with a water dish under a table and a bin full of treats at the ready.

While many children might dread reading, Dodson students are ready and eager, hoping to redeem "Bo Bucks" they can use for private reading sessions with the therapy dog. Part of the fun involves reading a book about Sgt. Bo and officer O, as Okert is affectionately known, as they tackle every day situations.

Okert found a website to create the book, "Sgt. Bo and Officer O."

Noonan said the dog has brought joy to her school. He gives the children a shoulder to cry on when they need it, a companion they can pet when things are difficult at home and he's often a math and reading partner.

"Some people are afraid of dogs and ... have really gotten that out of their system," Noonan said.

Some of the students believe they're teaching Bo math or reading as they work with him on their flash cards, but the reality is, they're the ones learning, Okert said.

One student in Noonan's class had trouble with impulse control until Sgt. Bo came along. The dog helped the student learn how to properly pet a dog while controlling behavior.

"He is something special," Noonan said of Bo.

During Sgt. Bo's first school year, Okert noticed that one of the teachers seemed to be struggling with sadness. When she brought Sgt. Bo to see the teacher, Okert found out that the teacher's spouse was going through a deadly health issue.

"I knew she was sad, didn't know why. He opened up that conversation," Okert said.

There are two other dogs who work in Metro Schools, but Okert said she would love to see the district put dogs in as many schools as possible to help children and adults struggling with the stresses of school and life.

But therapy dogs can be expensive, costing around $15,000. She feels the price tag is worth it when weighed against the benefits.

"I just want to see it grow," Okert said.

Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How a Nashville therapy dog became a lifeline for school mental health
While Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula volcanic system near the fishing town of Grindavik has stabilized its eruption activity after reigniting last week, volcanologists reckoned that the rock record in recent eruptions suggested that more of such would come in the next years and decades.

Lancaster University volcanologist Dave McGarvie was quoted by The Guardian when he said that Reykjanes was "fed by five volcanic systems, many of which come to life every 800 to 1,000 years."

Read Also: One and Done? Iceland's Grindavik Volcano Weakens After Initial Eruption

Sitting on Top of a Volcano

The last time the volcano system erupted was about 1,100 years ago - during the Viking settlement of the island - and the Reykjanes Fires, as they were known, sporadically erupted for about 300 years.

Currently, the peninsula is a busy place as an airport, a geothermal plane, and a number of small towns, including Grindavik and orlakshofn, are currently sitting on top of the volcanic system or at least located near it.

If the Reykjanes volcano resumed its activity, Iceland could expect at least decades of eruptions, which Icelanders have been expecting and preparing for due to the tectonic volatility of their island nation.

Satellite Data Reveal 2023 Lava Flow Still Warm

Recently, NASA obtained data from the Thermal Infrared Sensor 2 (TIRS-2) on the Landsat 9 satellite indicating the location and extent of the recent activity. The sensor detected thermal radiation in two wavelengths, revealing the amount of heat emanating from surfaces on Earth.

The lava flows from a few weeks ago appeared to be the warmest in yellow, but it was also revealed that the lava flows from the late 2023 eruption were still as warm as the Blue Lagoon geothermal pool nearby.

An image of lava reaching the town of #Grindavik - captured on 17 January 2024 by @Copernicus #Sentinel2.



According to a news update from the Icelandic Met office @Vedurstofan (https://t.co/FwuAKk5hfB) magma accumulation continues and there is a continued likelihood that new pic.twitter.com/0R67sQb6BN  ESA Earth Observation (@ESA_EO) January 18, 2024

Meanwhile, the European Space Agency's (ESA) Sentinel2 satellite also confirmed that the new lava flows near Grindavik are inching closer to the town.

Related Article: Iceland's Grindavik Volcano Erupts Again, Destroys Fishing Town
WASHINGTON  House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. is backing some of the Republican lawmakers who helped throw the lower chamber into chaos last year by ousting former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

Johnson's move comes as one of those lawmakers is competing against a strong primary challenger  and they've all faced the ire of their congressional colleagues for voting to boot the former speaker.

Johnson is slated to swing by Knoxville, Tennessee, Friday evening to fundraise for Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., one of the eight Republicans who joined all House Democrats to eject McCarthy. The stop is part of a greater trip across the state to support Tennessee's GOP delegation.

Burchett, who could face competitive primary challenges, told USA TODAY on Monday that Johnson approached him after he was elected speaker last year and vowed to help Burchett throughout the 2024 election.

He came by and said Look, I know theyre gonna be gunning for you, and Im not gonna be supporting any of that, Burchett said. The Tennessee conservative asked the speaker to stop by his district and he agreed.

But Burchett noted that its kind of a risky proposition," as many House Republicans still revile the eight lawmakers for ejecting McCarthy and, as a result, freezing all work in the House. The speaker this week has also had embarrassing, back-to-back failures as Republicans fell short of providing aid to Israel and impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

For Johnson to throw the weight of the speakership behind some of these eight members risks drawing frustration or feelings of betrayal from the rest of the GOP conference. But one member, who was a McCarthy ally, told USA TODAY they understand the speakers situation, given the importance of the 2024 elections as Republicans try to defend their razor-thin majority in the House.

The eight are outcasts, the McCarthy ally said on the condition of anonymity to speak about the conferences dynamics. We do nothing with them but I get the speakers got to do what hes got to do.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., stands outside his office during a meeting with the Speaker of the Israeli Knesset, Amir Ohana, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.

Another one of the eight Republicans who ousted McCarthy, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., told USA TODAY Johnson has already informed her that he plans to defend her against any primary challengers.

Yeah, of course, Mace said, when asked if Johnson has assured her she will have the speakers backing.

The competition in Maces district is fierce. Her challengers hope to capitalize on her befuddling decisions in office, sometimes backing right-wing colleagues while also bucking her party. Among her opponents is her former top staffer, Dan Hanlon and Catherine Templeton, a 2018 gubernatorial candidate who was championed by former President Donald Trump.

But beyond the 2024 election, Johnsons support for some of the eight controversial GOP members undercuts McCarthy and his allies, who are still furious over his removal. POLITICO reported last week the California Republican and his inner circle have launched a revenge tour with the intent of helping primary challengers fight his antagonists.

There aren't many Republican lawmakers McCarthy could target, as some of the members who rebelled against him have their sights set beyond the House. Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., one of the eight who ousted McCarthy, announced his retirement last year and has no fears of any primary challenger.

Ultraconservative Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., has repeatedly teased a Senate bid, even as establishment Republicans are backing Tim Sheehy. The Navy SEAL is seen as a more viable candidate to take on incumbent Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.

Johnson, Punchbowl News first reported, reportedly planned to go as far as to endorse Rosendale, but the speaker pulled back from the decision after facing criticism from Senate Republicans for interfering in the race. Instead, Johnson has "committed to sending a contribution" to Rosendale's campaign, Greg Steele, a spokesperson for Johnson's political operation, said in a statement.

"Speaker Johnson and I have always had a great relationship. I am thankful for his continued support," Rosendale said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, after the stir about Johnson's potential endorsement.

Not all of McCarthys enemies have clear backing from Johnson. Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., also chair of the hard-right Freedom Caucus, declined to say whether he has asked the speaker for his support.

One of the members who removed McCarthy at least, first-term lawmaker Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., said he hasnt thought to ask Johnson for his assistance in case of any primary challenges and doesnt foresee the speaker swinging by Arizona any time soon.

Johnson, he said, has got bigger fish to fry.

Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., speaks to reporters as he departs from a House Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on February 06, 2024 in Washington, DC.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Johnson backs some of the Republicans who ousted Kevin McCarthy
A pair of unusual moves from two House Republicans drew attention in GOP circles this week: Speaker Mike Johnsons reported plans to endorse hard-right Rep. Matt Rosendales bid for Senate in Montana on Thursday, and Rosendales vote on Tuesday in favor of a standalone bill to provide aid to Israel pushed by Johnson.

Rosendale had been vocally opposed to an Israel aid bill since Johnson announced last weekend that he would put one on the floor.

Mike Johnsons Five Stages of Speakership Grief

And Johnson wasnt expected to back Rosendale in the Senate race, given that GOP brass has lined up behind former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy as their candidate to take on Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT).

As it turns out, the moves were hardly coincidental.

According to three sources familiar with the negotiations, as well as one GOP leadership aide with knowledge of the situation, Johnson traded Rosendales vote on the Israel package for an endorsement of Rosendales Senate bid.

At least, that was the plan.

After Punchbowl News reported Thursday morning that a Johnson endorsement of Rosendale was imminent, Johnson quickly heard from top Republican strategists that a Rosendale endorsement could be disastrous for GOP efforts to reclaim the Senate.

Amid the backlash of the reported endorsement, one of the sources told The Daily Beast that Johnsons staff told other chiefs of staff on the Hill that the reason for the endorsement of Rosendale was because of his vote on the Israel aid package.

But the Speaker apparently didnt hold up his end of the bargain.

Two hours after their initial news of an endorsement, Johnson received so much blowback that he called at least one senator and one congressman and told them he no longer plans to endorse Rosendale, a source familiar with the matter told The Daily Beast.

A few hours later, CNN reported that Johnson would be donating to Rosendales campaign instead of endorsing him, which The Daily Beast confirmed with Johnsons political spokesperson.

While that move arguably fulfills Johnsons commitment, Rosendale inarguably held up his end of the deal. In voting for the Israel bill, Rosendale conspicuously broke with his close allies in the GOPs right flank who opposed an aid measure that wasnt offset with other cuts. He also contradicted his own criticism of Johnson, from just the day before, over the Speakers strategy for advancing the legislation.

Peoples patience is wearing thin, Rosendale told Montana news station KYFR. We have tried to support, we have tried to encourage, and we have tried to give guidance to Speaker Johnson, but he cannot revert to suspending rules and getting more Democrats to pass legislation than Republicans.

The Israel measure ended up failing, falling short of the two-thirds majority it needed to pass under expedited consideration.

Speaker Mike Johnson addresses the media about Tuesday's failed impeachment vote on DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call-Getty Images

While sources who spoke to The Daily Beast were adamant that this horse-trading occurred, Johnsons team vehemently denied the reporting.

That's not true, a Johnson spokesperson told The Daily Beast. There was no discussion about an endorsement until after the floor was adjourned Tuesday night."

Rosendale also strongly pushed back on the story. That is 100% false, he told The Daily Beast through a spokesperson via email. It is offensive for anyone to even insinuate that my support for any legislation would be contingent upon the Speakers support. The two subjects were never discussed at the same time or in connection with each other.

In his statement, Rosendale added that while he continued to look for ways for Congress to offset the cost of aid for Israel, I will always support Israel in its effort to defend itself.

A source close to Rosendale also claimed this story was an absolute lie being pushed by Tim Sheehy and Mitch McConnell allies that are so terrified of Matt Rosendale entering the U.S. Senate race in Montana that theyd make up an absurd fantastical story based on no evidence about trading an endorsement for a vote on a bill that wasnt even close.

But if the trade is 100% false, then multiple sources familiar with the discussions are lyingand the rumors flying around Capitol Hill on Thursday are totally unfounded. After Punchbowls initial story on Thursday morning, Politico reported that Republicans had privately expressed concerns that Rosendale exchanged his vote on the Israel bill for a Johnson endorsement.

House GOP Suffers Spectacular Double Fail on Mayorkas, Israel Package

The sources who spoke to The Daily Beast, however, confirmed it was more than just bad optics.

This was the modern-day Louisiana purchase, one Republican operative who was aware of the backroom deal told The Daily Beast.

The reason why Johnson reversed himself still isnt clear, but it may have to do with a speedy outreach campaign to convince Johnson to hold off. Senate Republicans seem to think Sheehya young veteran and wealthy entrepreneur with no prior political experienceis best suited to take on Tester.

Crucially, Rosendale, a conservative agitator, has already lost to Tester once; in 2018, he was defeated by nearly three points in this typically red state.

While Rosendale has spent months teasing a Senate run, national Republicans have tried to box him out to no avail; the congressman is reportedly officially launching his campaign on Friday.

Amid the sudden backlash after Punchbowl reported the news Thursday morning, Johnson called at least one senator and one congressman and told them he no longer plans to endorse Rosendale. Its just the latest flip-flop in Johnsons short tenure as speaker, which is increasingly being defined by sudden shifts and strategic miscalculations.

Johnsons team claimed there was never an endorsement, rather he had just committed to sending a check from his leadership PAC to Congressman Rosendale.

But another source close to Rosendale relayed that they believe the whole situation reflects just how amateurish both the new Speaker and the Senate hopeful are.

These people, the source said, are impossibly dumb.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Russian forces are attempting to break through Ukrainian defenses in the Chasiv Yar area near Bakhmut, the Ground Forces' press service said on Feb. 8 after Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi's visit to military units holding defense in the Bakhmut sector.

Moscow's troops are attacking with small assault groups, supported with drones and artillery, the military said.

Chasiv Yar is located over 10 kilometers to the west of Bakhmut, the city that had become the epicenter of fighting between Ukrainian and Russian troops before falling to Russian hands in May 2023.

"The situation is tense and requires constant monitoring and prompt decision-making on the ground," the military said.

According to the report, the Russian troops are widely using "kamikaze" drones and electronic warfare assets.

Syrskyi met with brigade commanders to discuss the current situation on the battlefield. He discussed probable Russian tactics and options for further combat actions with commanders.

The general also recently visited the front-line troops of the Khortytsia group, which is commanded by Syrskyi, and awarded the defenders for their heroism.

Read also: As Bakhmut counteroffensive lags, soldiers burnt out from horrors of war

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Millions of dollars are headed to Portage County as part of a huge allocation of COVID-19 funds by the statehouse.

Ohio is sitting on $700 million in cash thanks to a federal funding tsunami during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ohio House and Ohio Senate agreed that each chamber would decide how $350 million would be spent.

The Ohio House Finance Committee on Wednesday gave its approval to House Bill 2. In addition to funding for Portage County, the bill includes $7 million for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, $22 million for the Hamilton County Convention Center District Development, $13.75 million for the Cincinnati Open Tennis Tournament and $12.5 million for upgrades to the Transportation Research Center in East Liberty.

The largest share of Portage County's funding is headed to Kent State University, which is slated to receive more than $20 million for various projects on the Kent campus and nearly $30 million throughout its eight-campus system. Kent projects include improvements to White Hall, the KSU library and elevators throughout the campus.

Other local projects in line for funding include AxessPointe location in Ravenna, improvements to Happy Trails Animal Sanctuary, and Safety Town programs, parks and historical societies.

The Ohio House proposal for spending COVID-19 federal funds includes $10 million for renovations at Kent State University's White Hall.

Kent State to receive $29 million

Kent State University is slated to receive more than $29 million, the bulk of which is concentrated on the renovation of White Hall, improvements to the KSU library and elevator and accessibility upgrades. Spokeswoman Emily Vincent said trustees recently approved several projects as part of the university's six year capital plan, which outlined 11 projects to be undertaken throughout the eight-campus system over the next two years.

The state is allocating $10 million toward renovations at White Hall, which houses KSU's College of Education, Health and Human Services. Although some mechanical systems were renovated in 2021 using capital funding, the rest of the HVAC systems in the building are more than 50 years old.

The renovation would include a quieter HVAC system, which KSU states is more conducive to teaching, work and research. The project also includes classroom improvements, according to the plan.

Kent State University is in line to get $6 million from the state to improve the main library.

The budget also calls for $6 million in funding for improvements to the main library on the Kent campus. The library, built in the 1960s, houses the campus system's collection, offices and archives.

"The vision of the University Libraries has changed with a major paradigm shift modeling the new digital landscape and a new space master plan was undertaken in 2010," the plan states. The master plan has been updated over the past decade as projects have been undertaken.

An elevator study performed in 2020 details plans for modernization of existing elevators, as well as a study for a new high-speed elevator.

A sign warns a library elevator is out of order at Kent State University. The university could get millions in state money to fund elevator modernization.

A separate $4 million project would address elevator modernization and accessibility upgrades around campus, such as stairs, ramps, toilet facilities and lecture halls. Many buildings on the campus were built in the 1960s and 1970s, before passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and don't comply with federal accessibility standards.

Other projects include more than $3 million for information technology network access enhancements in academic buildings on the Kent campus, and various upgrades planned at the Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas campuses.

AxessPointe in Ravenna

A plan for a second AxessPointe health care center in Ravenna is slated to get $1 million in state funding, said Mark Frisone, executive director of AxessPointe.

In 2022, Frisone, outlined the project to Portage County Commissioners. He said the community health care center would move into space inside a building on Oakwood Street in Ravenna that previously housed the Portage County Health District. Frisone also is CEO of Family & Community Services, which owns the Oakwood Street building,

Frisone told commissioners at the time that the move of the health district to East Main Street in Ravenna left 18,000 square feet on the second floor of the Oakwood Street facility vacant, space that already is set up for medical offices. Many people still come to the building looking for vaccines and other services that the health department provides since the move, he added. Meanwhile, he said, many clients of the AxessPointe clinic in Ravenna are from the Ravenna area.

Other Portage projects

The bill outlines a number of other projects planned for various projects in Portage County, including projects for parks, historical societies, mental health, public safety and animal rescue.

Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary, in Ravenna, takes in injured and neglected farm animals as well as owner relinquished or transferred from other shelters. Lissy Kuhn, donor stewardship coordinator, gives affection to Iris, a Belgin Draft horse with an eye infection, and Phoebe, a Draft mule. Both horses were bought at an auction in Sugar Creek.

The Happy Trails Animal Sanctuary is slated to receive $500,000 for its Welcome Center. Shalersville Park is expected to receive $225,000.

Other projects include

$700,000 to build housing for the Serenity House Residential Facility. State Rep. Gail Pavliga said the funding would provide housing for vulnerable residents

$500,000 for the Kent Fire Department

$125,000 for Kent Safety Town

$105,000 for the Freedom Historical Society for a display of working farm equipment.

$51,000 for improvements to Buchert Park in Mantua.

$40,000 for HVAC improvements at Children's Advantage.

$27,000 for improvements at the Windham Historical Society to digitize historical records.

Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com. The USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Millions of state funds slated for Kent State, health care in Portage
In Catania, Sicily, seven teenage migrants from Egypt allegedly took turns raping a 13-year-old girl in front of her boyfriend.

The attackers threatened and assaulted the couple, with some holding down the victims while others carried out the assault. Despite the victims' cries for help, bystanders did not intervene.

According to Ultimate NewsWire, the police quickly identified the attackers using surveillance footage and descriptions provided by the victims.

"I want to express my solidarity with her and her family. The state will be there and justice will be done," Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.

This situation is not an isolated case, as there have been previous reports of similar instances where foreign minor migrants have committed sexual violence against native Italians, reported the news outlet.

"Don't come and talk to me about 'tolerance' or 'error.' In the face of horrors of this kind, there can be no clemency but only one cure: chemical castration. I'm counting on the proposal presented by the League to be voted on as soon as possible," Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said.

"We remain firm in the idea that chemical castration is needed for rapists and pedophiles, life imprisonment for similar episodes, as well as greater security in our cities. For the foreigners repatriated immediately!" Italian MEP Annalisa Tardino said.

"In Egypt, they would never have allowed such behavior. The safety of our children must be a priority throughout Italy."

The Daily News further disclosed that the sexual assault took place in the Villa Bellini park at around 7.30 pm on January 30 while the teen was on a walk with her 17-year-old boyfriend.

A group of young Egyptian men, aged 15 to 19, allegedly forced the couple into a public restroom. Some of the individuals held the boyfriend back, while two others stand accused of gang-raping the girl.

How Did The Attackers Enter The Country?

Reportedly, the seven male suspects, including three who are still minors, entered Italy illegally between November 2021 and March 2023, posing as 'unaccompanied minors,' as per information from La Repubblica.

The rape went on for 30 grueling minutes until the couple could finally break free and escape. They immediately alerted the Carabinieri, who caught the group within 24 hours.

DNA evidence successfully linked one of the three minors to the rape, the prosecutor confirmed.

Italy's Deputy Prime Minister is demanding chemical castration for the attackers.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation is considering adding a military ID to the Diia state services app, but it is unlikely to happen, Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Development and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov said in an interview with Forbes on Feb. 7.

Read also: No draft notices in Diia, ever  Fedorov

"There is a certain logic there," the Minister said, adding that it would be right if the Defense Ministry were the first to announce news in this sphere.

I can't give any spoilers yet. Let's just say that there could be a military ID in Diia. However, most likely, there will not be. We are currently working on this project separately.

Fedorov said earlier that Diia does not plan to issue draft notices or hold elections, but developers from all over the world will be able to see how the app works.

Read also: Minister Fedorov announces launch of 5 new e-services on Diia app

Fedorov also announced several new services in the app. Soon, Ukrainians will be able to get married online. This will allow members of the military to get married via video. Another innovation in Diia will be the launch of a patient account. It will help Ukrainians quickly get the information they need when making an appointment with a doctor, as well as about prescriptions for medicines.

Fedorov already asserted in December that there would never be draft notices in Diia. This was in response to Defense Minister Ruslan Umerov's statement that Ukraine was considering inviting men to the military commissariats through electronic notifications.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
MINNEAPOLIS  Mayor Jacob Frey is facing some heat for a comment he made earlier this week, calling "at home" workers "losers." He has since clarified that the comments were made as "a joke."

When Frey said, if people stayed at home working for more than three months they risk becoming "losers," he says it was his way of having fun with the crowd at the Minneapolis Downtown Council annual meeting Wednesday. The comment that caught people's attention on social media: "When they stay home sitting on their coach with their nasty cat blanket, diddling on their laptop, if they do that for a few months, you become a loser. We're not losers are we?"

On Thursday morning, Frey said that the people who were in the room took it as a joke, as he intended.

"When it gets taken out of context in a social media post, things can run wild," Frey said.

And his comments certainly did run wild. Many people responded negatively on social media, but Frey insists he was joking. Frey said that his joke actually centered around a fictional study, referencing non-existent people and "coming to a conclusion that I think we can all agree would be ridiculous that no study would ever come to."

Frey then went on to say his responsibility is to bring more people to live, play and work in downtown Minneapolis. He highlighted the good points of downtown during his address, including the growth in housing units, along with the influx of people attending theatre, concerts and restaurants.

Among the things discussed during the Wednesday meeting was the fact that Target is no longer the largest employer in Downtown Minneapolis. Target has been among the employers who are still letting a number of workers work remotely, long after the crest of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The numbers show that Hennepin Healthcare is now the biggest employer in downtown Minneapolis. In total, the top 15 downtown employers reported having about 1,500 more workers than the previous year.

Meanwhile, several businesses have seen an uptick in employees coming back to work in offices downtown. About 65% of downtown workers are coming to the office at least once a week, which is up from 62% a year ago. Frey says we should build on that, instead of focusing on jokes.

"There are very serious things. We were just discussing one of them a second ago. Cat blankets are not [serious]. It was at a business luncheon and I made a joke. That's it," Frey said.

That serious thing referred to by Frey was the controversy over Minneapolis City Council overriding Frey's veto of the council resolution calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. In the wake of the council's override, Frey passed his own proclamation calling for a cease-fire.

WCCO anchor Amelia Santaniello served as emcee for Wednesday's Minneapolis Downtown Council meeting.

Pharma exec won't commit to selling life-saving drug in U.S. for lower price offered in Canada

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During the fleetingly brief 22 months that Mockingbird on Main operated in downtown Davenport, it didnt stage the classic story for which the theater was named.

Well, nearly a year after the Mockingbird was forced to leave its home (320 Main St.), on the ground floor of the building that collapsed (May 28, 2023), the itinerant company will bring To Kill a Mockingbird to Molines Black Box Theatre.

Performances will be May 16, 17, 18 and 23, 24 and 25 at 8 p.m. and May 19 and May 26 at 2 p.m. at The Black Box, 1623 5th Ave., Moline. Auditions for the play will be held at Black Box on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 11 a.m.

Based on the 1960 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Harper Lee, Christopher Sergels stage version debuted in 1991 at Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey just two years before his death in 1993.

The story (made into the iconic 1962 film starring Gregory Peck) is set in a sleepy Alabama town in the midst of the Great Depression, where Scout and her brother, Jem, live with their widowed father, Atticus Finch.

The play immerses us in a simpler time as the children play outside in the summer, act out stories and muse about their mysterious neighbor, Boo Radley, according to a synopsis. The facade of the seemingly peaceful town begins to crack when a young black man is accused of a terrible crime.

Driven by an unshakable moral conviction, lawyer Atticus defends the man in a trial that sends violent waves through the community. Timeless and lingering, this hard-hitting work explores prejudice, compassion and the courage to do what is right, the synopsis says.

Dakin Matthews, Ed Harris, Christopher Innvar and Kyle Scatliffe perform during Harper Lees To Kill A Mockingbird, a new play by Aaron Sorkin at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 26, 2020 in New York City. The performance was the first-ever Broadway play performed at Madison Square Garden with an entirely free performance for 18,000 New York City public school students. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/WireImage)

The novel was famously adapted by TV and film writer Aaron Sorkin for his 2018 Broadway version. The Sorkin adaptation is not available for licensing.

Sergels adaptation is more faithful to the book in structure and focus whereas Sorkin has thrown out the original flow and created a piece that is essentially a memory play, Mockingbird on Main co-owner Tristan Tapscott said recently. For example, Sorkins piece begins with the trial and flashes back to various moments and Sergels piece doesnt hit the trial until later in the show.

Neither Tapscott nor his wife (and Mockingbird co-owner) Savannah Bay Strandin have seen either stage version.

Its an impactful piece and Im surprised its never crossed my radar, he said. We live in a world that continues to grapple with racial injustice, inequality, division. Unfortunately, To Kill a Mockingbird still hits all these years later. The storytelling is simple, frank, a little complicated and a little funny. Its life, you know? Its a depiction of life at a certain time through the eyes of those that dont lie  and more importantly  feel love without borders: children.

To build a Mockingbird

Tapscott loved the book so much that he named his daughter Harper Leigh, who will turn 10 in March, and then he and Strandin turned their passion for the story into the name of their new cabaret-style theater, which opened July 29, 2021.

The former Mockingbird on Main, 320 N. Main, Davenport, opened July 29, 2021.

We live in an increasingly divided world, and most of us  unfortunately  hold some kind of prejudice, Tapscott said recently. They arent always major  they can be subtle  just look around at our political and social environments.

The truth is, we all have much more in common than we think, he said.  To Kill a Mockingbird is about so much  and its so important to recalibrate and remember how far we have come and how far we still have to go.

Savannah Bay Strandin and Tristan Tapscott, with his daughter Harper Leigh (named for the To Kill a Mockingbird author).

We began The Mockingbird with a vision to entertain but also support diversity on the local stage and to enact change when we could, Tapscott said. We dont have money but we have art and that can help change the world, too.

Tapscott, left, with the Mockingbird cast of The Glass Menagerie at Black Hawk College, Moline, in July 2023.

He didnt perform in any Mockingbird shows until after the building collapse, when the Mockingbird brought a production of the Tennessee Williams classic Glass Menagerie to Black Hawk College in Moline, in July 2023. Tapscott embodied the narrator, autobiographical role of Tom.

The Mockingbird next moved to Molines Black Box in August for the rollicking musical revue Big Rock Candy Mountain, featuring many classic Americana singalongs.

A hard search for new home

Tapscott and Strandin (who are veteran Circa 21 actors) have unsuccessfully searched for another permanent home for its phoenix rising from the ashes.

Strandin and Tapscott (who married in October 2022) at the former Mockingbird on Main.

Whats not to love about Lora and The Black Box? She really took us in last summer  me, personally as an artist during Hello, Dolly shortly after the building collapse, he recalled of Black Box artistic director Lora Adams. I was working on that show when it all happened and was saving me in a lot of ways.

She then took us in for Big Rock Candy Mountain and helped us keep the Mockingbird name alive. Shes always been supportive and helpful and a true saint to the arts community in the Quad Cities, Tapscott said.

Mockingbird presented Big Rock Candy Mountain at Molines Black Box in August 2023.

We had something so unique and we created a space that was distinctly ours, Strandin said of Davenports sophisticated, cozy Mockingbird, with just 40-seat capacity at tables. It had a certain vibe that we havent been able to find in other venues. The other tougher aspect is the cost; the market is not budget friendly, especially when you consider the infrastructure that would need to be built out to house a theatrical operation.

We had a fantastic deal at 324 N. Main  and now we may know why  but its not feasible with the outrageous rates we are finding elsewhere, she said of unaffordable rent/lease options for other options.

Taylor Lynn in Mockingbirds Their Town, in September 2022.

Strandin noted there are talks behind the scenes about finding another building that would benefit not only Mockingbird, but possibly other local theater companies without a home  such as the former QC Theatre Workshop and Haus of Ruckus  but those plans are in the extremely early stages and could easily fall apart, she said.

Know thisif the stars align, the entire arts community will be forever changed Strandin said.

The timing of the new To Kill a Mockingbird is very significant.

The six-story building at 324 Main St., Davenport  which housed the Mockingbird at left  partially collapsed May 28, 2023, killed three men, and was later demolished.

As we approach the year anniversary of the collapse, its important to remember its a sin to kill a mockingbird, Strandin said, quoting a famous line Atticus delivers in the story, representing the death of innocence, or putting to death an innocent man.

In the story, Lee has Miss Maudie say to Scout: Your fathers right, she said. Mockingbirds dont do one thing but make music for us to enjoybut sing their hearts out for us. Thats why its a sin to kill a mockingbird.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
In a report published by the Associated Press crews have been searching for a Marine Corps helicopter that was transporting five troops from Nevada to California.

The helicopter was reported overdue early Wednesday following what has been described as a historic storm. The helicopter was a CH-53E Super Stallion from the Creech Air Force base located Northwest of Las Vegas where they were conducting unit-level training and then heading back to the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego according to officials.

It is unknown at the time of writing what time the helicopter had left the base nor what time it was due to arrive. The five marines were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Miramar in a statement from the Marine Corps. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department was notified that the Helicopter was overdue for its arrival in Miramar at 1 am and that it was last seen near the area of Pine Valley which is a mountainous region near the Cleaveland National Forest about 35 miles east of San Diego.

The military has been coordinating search and rescue efforts with the police and the Civil Air Patrol. Regarding the storm that the helicopter was allegedly lost in The National Weather Service in San Diego predicted a heavy rainfall of up to 10 inches along with gusty winds following Tuesday's warnings of a potential tornado. However, that warning was canceled following the discovery that a twister was unable to form.

It should be noted that this is not the only report covering the rise in extreme weather patterns in recent years. HNGN has also reported on this troubling trend and in addition, even the military is looking into developing artificial reefs to boost coastal protection.
Two moms from Kentucky say they were sexually assaulted in the Bahamas during a stop on a Carnival Cruise that sailed out of Jacksonville, according to several media reports.

The women, Amber Shearer and Dongayla Dobson, both 31, told Chris Cuomo on News Nation that Carnival Cruise Lines did not make them aware of the U.S. Embassy for the island nation issuing a security alert, and the State Department issuing a travel advisory on Jan. 26, due to increased deadly violence.

The women began their cruise on Thursday, Feb. 1, leaving on the Carnival Elation out of JAXPORT, the Daily Mail reports.

WLEX-TV reports that on Sunday, the women took a taxi to a local resort in Freeport. Shearer and Dobson told WLEX that their cocktails were drugged and resort staff members sexually assaulted them.

Though Carnival offers excursions to Pirates Cove Beach Resort, Carnival said in a statement that the women were on an independent shore excursion, the Daily Mail reports.

RELATED: Practice increased vigilance: State Department issues Bahamas travel warning

Shearer and Dobson told multiple media outlets the last thing they remember is the male staff members who attacked them offering to help them find shells for their kids.

People reports that in a press release shared on Facebook, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said two men  ages 54 and 40  were arrested Sunday in Grand Bahama after being accused of sexually assaulting two women, whose identities were not made public.

READ: American woman killed in shark attack in the Bahamas

The women told WLEX-TV that they are disappointed with Bahamian police. Shearer and Dobson told WLEX that local police there failed to give them proper rape kits. They said to WLEX they later received care while back on board the cruise ship and as of Wednesday, were still waiting to speak with American law enforcement.

Even when they got back to Jacksonville, no members of law enforcement from the U.S. were there to meet my clients, the womens attorney Nicholas Gerson told Cuomo.

The same week the U.S. put out a travel warning on the Bahamas, 2 American women thought they were enjoying a drink on the beach as their Carnival cruise ship was docked, but instead, Amber Shearer and Dongayla Dobson say staff members at a resort drugged and raped them...then pic.twitter.com/LxOUM0AqBJ  Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) February 8, 2024

In a statement to UNILAD , Carnival said the following of the incident:

While ashore in Freeport, Bahamas on an independent shore excursion, two guests on Carnival Elation reported to Bahamian police that they were sexually assaulted at a local beach.

Our onboard Care Team provided support for the two guests as they sailed back to Jacksonville. Bahamian police are investigating the matter and Carnival is providing our full cooperation.

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Pirates Cove Resort shared the following statement with the Daily Mail , saying that the womens accounts do not add up and that the men accused have been fired:

Upon further review of the surveillance videos, the allegations made onsite, and in subsequent social media posts and news stories, conflict with what the time-stamped surveillance videos contain.

While there is an active police investigation into these serious allegations, we have terminated the employment of the two accused, as the behavior seen on tape by management indicates that at a minimum, they violated our zero-tolerance policy.

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The Royal Bahamas Police force stated to UNILAD :

We recognize the seriousness of such matters and handle them with the highest level of professionalism, privacy and sensitivity...

Emergency Medical Services offered medical assistance to the victims, which they declined, signing a waiver and then leaving for their cruise ship in a private vehicle.

Recognizing the gravity of the incident, our officers boarded the cruise ship, providing a sexual assault kit and hospital form to the ships medical doctor and obtained signed statements from the victims.

The RBPF is collaborating closely with the FBI in this ongoing investigation. Woman Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ms. Shanta Knowles, who oversees Grand Bahama, is personally ensuring that the investigation is conducted with the utmost level of professionalism and care.

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
By Diego Delgado

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The population of monarch butterflies in the Mexican forests where they spend the winter fell to the second-lowest figure on record this season, offering a grim snapshot of the already endangered orange-and-black insects.

The iconic butterflies' presence was only documented in 2.2 acres (0.9 hectares) of forest spanning a couple Mexican states where they traditionally hunker down for the winter, according to the latest annual study published on Wednesday and conducted by Mexico's protected natural areas commission and the Swiss-based World Wildlife Fund (WWF), an environmental group.

In the mid-1990s, monarch butterflies could be found on around 45 acres of the same forests covered largely by pine and fir trees, along the border between Michoacan and Mexico states.

The 2023-2024 winter figure marks the second-lowest since the population survey began over three decades ago, and is down nearly 60% from just the previous winter.

Biologists pin the blame for the nosedive on higher-than-usual temperatures and drought conditions where the butterfly reproduces, mostly in northwestern U.S. states like Washington, Oregon and California.

The adverse weather, made worse by climate change, translates into less milkweed, the plant where the butterflies mostly lay their eggs and what their caterpillar offspring feed on.

In one of the planet's epic wildlife migrations, the fluttering butterflies travel south as many as 2,800 miles (4,500 km) from spots as far north as Canada to eventually spend the winter in warmer Mexico, where millions cling to trees that protect them from the rain and chill.

Monarch butterfly populations fluctuate year to year, and as recently as 2021, the same survey showed a 35% uptick to cover around 7 acres.

Officials and activists called for more action to boost the species, including the need to confront threats posed by herbicides that decimate milkweed plus forest conservation.

"We can't lower our guard," Jorge Rickards, head of WWF's Mexico office, told reporters after releasing the latest data.

(Reporting by Diego Delgado; Additional reporting by Ana Isabel Martinez; Writing by David Alire Garcia; Editing by Sandra Maler)
FILE - This booking photo released by the Missoula County, Mont., Detention Facility shows Henry Phillip Muntzer on Jan. 18, 2021. The Montana appliance store owner and supporter of former President Donald Trump was convicted Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, for his role in the breach of the U.S. Capitol that interrupted Congress while it was certifying the Electoral College vote on Jan. 6, 2021. (Missoula County Detention Facility via AP, File)

HELENA, Mont. (AP)  A Montana appliance store owner and supporter of former President Donald Trump was convicted Wednesday for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol that interrupted certifying the 2020 Electoral College vote.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Montana announced the verdict.

Henry Phillip Muntzer of Dillon was arrested based on social media posts and videos taken inside the Capitol, according to court records.

Muntzer, 55, was found guilty of obstructing an official proceeding and civil disorder, both felonies, following a bench trial before U.S. District Court Judge Jia M. Cobb. Muntzer was also found guilty of four misdemeanor charges. Sentencing is set for June 20.

Prosecutors presented evidence that Muntzer and a group of friends traveled to Washington to attend the Stop the Steal" rally. After Trump's speech at the Ellipse, Muntzer joined the crowd walking to the Capitol, where he spent about 38 minutes, including time on the Senate floor. He was among the last people to leave, according to court records.

Muntzer was involved in physical confrontations with law enforcement officers in the Senate chamber and in the Capitol Rotunda, prosecutors said.

Muntzer said he was unaware that the Electoral College certification was going on that day and that in any case the Senate and House had both recessed by the time he entered the building. He argues he therefore didn't interfere with anything.

Muntzer said Wednesday that he was not allowed to present all the evidence he was aware of, including some classified documents, which he said gives him grounds to appeal.

In Dillon, Muntzer is known for a pro-QAnon mural on the building that houses his appliance store, according to the Dillon Tribune. Many QAnon followers believe in baseless conspiracy theories.
The Moon has a long, chaotic geological history almost as old as Earth itself. Every crater, rock and speck of dust on the Moon tells a story, but because it's not exactly close to our planet, this history is a little harder to study than say, the Grand Canyon.

Astronomers theorize that Moon craters were formed from celestial objects like asteroids and comets crashing into its surface. While this process also formed some of the rocks and dust  known as regolith  astronomers also know that the Moon was covered in this stuff before any impact events occurred. As such, astronomers and geologists have long dreamed of the day when they could analyze the regolith in great detail.

Now a recent study in the journal Matter and Radiation at Extremes is providing scientists with unprecedented information about the lunar regolith based on 1.73 kilograms delivered from a vast lunar plane known as the Oceanus Procellarum. In the process, they may have solved lingering mysteries about the history of the Moon itself.

The sample  collected by the Chinese mission Chang'e, which was the first to visit the Moon since the Soviet Union's final Luna mission in 1976  included the discovery of high-pressure silica polymorphs, or crystals formed from multiple molecules of the same compound. Specifically, the silica polymorphs in question were seifertite and stishovite, which are chemically identical to quartz.

At first glance this was puzzling, since high-pressure minerals like silica are rare among the lunar regolith, as the it was not believed to have experienced pressures high enough. Yet the scientists believe they solved this mystery by determining that the silica polymorph known as stishovite will turn into seifertite when experiencing high pressure before evolving into a third silica polymorph that was present in the sample: -cristobalite.

In other words, seifertite could form from -cristobalite during the compressing process, and some of the sample transformed to stishovite during the subsequent temperature-increasing process, author Wei Du of the Chinese Academy of Sciences said in a statement. As the study itself explained, the finding of high pressure silica polymorphs in that sample "highlights the potential of multiplying high-pressure minerals in lunar materials, which could provide new information about impact processes on the Moon and other planetary bodies in the early Solar System."

The Chang'e's analysis yielded other interesting discoveries as well, such as shedding light on the development of rare silica polymorphs. The researchers also discovered a new lunar mineral, appropriately dubbed Changesite-(Y). It is transparent, colorless and made primarily of phosphorus formed as columnar crystals. The sample was sufficiently well-preserved that scientists could even measured the peak pressure and impact duration (between one-tenth of a second to a second) of the collision that created the sample of this new mineral. As a result, they believe the crater which created this sample was between 3 and 32 kilometers wide, depending on the angle at which struck the lunar surface.

"New minerals discovered in lunar returned samples and lunar meteorites can also reflect their formation conditions, providing key information about the magmatic activity, thermal evolution, as well as impact history of the Moon," the authors explain in their study.

Some of the samples were analyzed using a FEI Scios dual-beam focused ion beam/scanning electronic microscope equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer. Other samples were studied using an electron probe micro-analyzer. The scientists hope this type of sophisticated equipment can be used to perform future scientific research on lunar geology.

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"These new findings emphasize the significance of studies on high-pressure minerals in lunar materials and the special nature of lunar magmatic evolution," the authors conclude in their abstract.

Other This is not the only recent study to shed light on the mysteries of the Moon's composition. A study published last month in the journal Nature Geoscience looked at the magma deposits on the Moon's surface in order to understand why they have such high concentrations of titanium. While some scientists speculated they could have derived from the Moon's mantle, scientific analysis of the magma find they do not match the composition of the Moon's magma and are too dense to be capable of eruption.

Instead, the scientists theorized that the titanium-rich magmas exist on the Moon's surface because ilmenite-bearing cumulates (an igneous rock formed by magma) partially melted, then underwent extensive modification on an elemental and isotopic level while flowing through the fluids in the lunar mantle.

At the same time, the scholars acknowledged one potentially serious limitation of their study, namely that "this model does not fully replicate lunar meltsolid interaction." Yet the recent study is nevertheless important because, as explained in a statement to SciTechDaily by co-lead author Dr. Martijn Klaver, a research fellow at the University of Munster Institute of Mineralogy, "Until now models have been unable to recreate magma compositions that match essential chemical and physical characteristics of the high-Ti basalts. It has proven particularly hard to explain their low density, which allowed them to be erupted some three and a half billion years ago."

Not all of the recent Moon-related news has been positive. Earlier this month the first Moon-landing effort since the Apollo missions experienced a "critical loss." Peregrine Mission One failed after it experienced a critical technical difficulty in their propulsion systems, which made it impossible for the Peregrine lunar lander to touch down on the lunar surface. The scientists also struggled to generate electricity for the struggling spacecraft, making it a terrible disappointment for the first attempted commercial moon landing under NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A moped rider is in critical condition after crashing into a car in the Arnold Creek neighborhood early Wednesday afternoon, according to the Portland Police Bureau.

Authorities say the crash, which took place on Southwest Boones Ferry Road and 19th Avenue, caused the rider life-threatening injuries while the driver was left unhurt. An ambulance took the rider to a hospital just after 1:47 p.m., police said.

Jefferson High School releases students early amid air quality concerns from warehouse fire

Investigators have closed Boones Ferry Road between 18th Avenue and Orchard Hill Road, and officials say traffic is also impacted at the intersections of 19th Avenue, Clara Lane, and Englewood Drive.

Those with information about this crash can email crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference Case No. 24-30844.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
More passengers started their cruise vacations from New Orleans as numbers show Port of New Orleans cruises are returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The Port of New Orleans finished 2023 with nearly 1.2 million cruise passenger movements and renewed commitments to the New Orleans cruise market from both oceangoing and river cruise lines, according to Port NOLA.

New Orleans is the sixth-largest cruise port in the United States, the website reported, and demand for cruising from the Big Easy is growing for both Caribbean and river itineraries. With destinations of Montego Bay, Jamaica, Cozumel, Mexico and Key West, the cruise lines include most Caribbean destinations and Mississippi River cruises.

Port of New Orleans Cruise Passenger Numbers Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels

Carnival Cruise Line homeports two year-round vessels from Port NOLA, and in 2024 Carnival celebrates its 30th year of cruising from New Orleans. Norwegian Cruise Line also will renew for five more years with additional sailings and a new ship.

The release also stated, Disney Cruise Line returned to the Big Easy with the Disney Magic in January, while Royal Caribbean returns with a new vessel, the Brilliance of the Seas in November 2024. The port is also seeing record growth in river cruises, with nine homeported vessels including Americas first Viking Cruise that began sailing in 2022.

Ninety percent of cruise guests travel from out-of-state, with 73% spending one or two days in New Orleans either before or after their cruise, the release said. That generates more than 300,000 hotel room nights in New Orleans and more than $125 million in local spending each year.

"New Orleans is one of the most popular pre- and post-cruise destinations in the country, which is a tribute to our excellent partners at the Port of New Orleans as well as the work of our team at New Orleans and Co., said Walter J. Leger III, President and CEO of New Orleans and Co. Travel drives our economy, but visitors dont just show up. In a highly competitive marketplace, travelers have choices, and we have to earn their business through aggressive sales and promotion."

The entire cruise industry came to a complete halt in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Topping pre-pandemic levels set in February 2020 with 154,409 passenger movements and 31 vessel calls, Port NOLA set a new passenger record in March 2023 for oceangoing and river cruises.

This is really encouraging as our cruise business drives tourism and contributes significantly to the hospitality industry," said Port NOLA President and CEO Brandy D. Christian. "We want to thank all our cruise line and hospitality partners as we work together to make cruising out of New Orleans two vacations in one."

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Cruise passengers at Port of New Orleans exceed pre-COVID levels
FILE - Rep. Emily O'Brien R-Grand Forks carries daughter Jolene Green, 3 weeks, into the House chamber, Dec. 6, 2022, in Bismarck, N.D. Last year, the state representative helped persuade her colleagues to approve $66 million in child care spending proposed by Gov. Doug Burnum, a Republican. O'Brien argued it could help the state's workforce shortage by helping more parents go to work. (Tom Stromme/The Bismarck Tribune via AP)

Like a lot of mothers, North Dakota state Rep. Emily O'Brien struggled to find infant care when her daughter Lennon was born in 2019. So O'Brien, a Republican who represents the Grand Forks region, brought Lennon along to meetings with local leaders and constituents.

O'Brien had her second daughter, Jolene, in 2022, not long before legislators were due to meet. Wanting more time to bond before returning to work, O'Brien brought the newborn with her to Bismarck, where she snoozed through Gov. Doug Burgum's State of the State address on her mother's desk.

Not long after, O'Brien persuaded her colleagues to back a plan to invest $66 million in child care, an unprecedented sum for a state that had, like others with Republican leadership, long resisted such spending. But O'Brien argued it could help the state's workforce shortage by helping more parents go to work and attracting new families to the state.

It was definitely not, you know, an easy sell, because this is probably somewhere where you dont want the government to get involved, O'Brien said. But its a workforce solution. We have people that are willing and able to work, but finding child care was an obstacle.

Republicans historically have been lukewarm about using taxpayer money for child care, even as they have embraced prekindergarten. But the pandemic, which left many child care providers in crisis, underscored how precarious the industry is and how many working parents rely on it.

In 2021, Congress passed $24 billion of pandemic aid for child care businesses, an unprecedented federal investment. Now, as that aid dries up, Republican state lawmakers across the country are embracing plans to support child care  and even making it central to their policy agendas.

To be sure, the largest investments in child care have come not from Republicans but from Democratic lawmakers. In New Mexico, the state is covering child care for most children under 5 using a trust funded by oil and natural gas production. In Vermont, Democratic state lawmakers overrode a Republican governor's veto to pass a payroll tax hike to fund child care subsidies.

Red states are following suit with more modest  but nonetheless historic  investments in child care.

In Missouri, Republican Gov. Mike Parson has proposed spending nearly $130 million to help low-income families access child care once the pandemic relief money dries up and to create tax credits to support child care providers. The House passed the tax credit legislation Thursday with bipartisan support, sending it to the Senate.

Republican state Rep. Brenda Shields, who sponsored the tax credit bill, said she tells conservative colleagues that child care accessibility is vital to grow the states economy.

Child care is a critical infrastructure, just like roads and bridges and ports and trains, Shields said. Businesses have been saying, What are you doing about child care? So Im trying to be part of the solution.

Missouri's number of child-care facilities is down 14%, and the 167,000 slots for children is about 6,000 fewer than before the coronavirus pandemic in December 2019, according to data from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Elsewhere, Louisiana last year approved an unprecedented $52 million for child care subsidies for low-income families. Alabama provided $17 million worth of incentives for child care providers to get licensed. And Texas voters approved a property tax cut for some day care centers.

More Republicans have pledged to tackle the child care crisis this year. In Missouri, Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, a Republican, said he hoped the Statehouse would focus less on culture war issues  like criminalizing drag shows and censoring library books  and more on expanding access to child care and school choice. Nebraska and Indiana have both pitched programs to make child care free for child care workers. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican who ran on a conservative education agenda, pitched boosting the state's child care and education spending by $180 million.

Child care advocates say the investments are not enough and called on Congress to authorize a new round of money to keep the child care industry afloat. Already, day care centers report they are raising tuition and losing workers because they are no longer receiving federal subsidies. Some have folded.

GOP resistance to child care spending dates to the 1970s, when President Richard Nixon vetoed a bill to establish a national child care system, invoking fears of communism and saying it had family-weakening implications. Many of those arguments persist. Some conservative lawmakers have panned child care funding as  socialist, arguing that people who cant afford day care should not have children. Two years ago, an Idaho state lawmaker apologized after he opposed federal early childhood money because it encouraged women to  come out of the home and let others raise their children.

The new and expanded funding reflects a growing sentiment that the nations broken child care system will not be fixed without public support. Families have long faced issues finding affordable, reliable child care. But during the pandemic, many child care workers left the industry for better-paying jobs, and some child care centers closed for good, exacerbating the problem.

Child care is a labor-heavy enterprise  in some states, one person may only care for four infants at once. Even before the pandemic, child care providers often had razor-thin margins. When families kept their children home during the pandemic, many day cares were barely hanging on.

Many parts of the country do not have enough child care providers to offer slots for all children. Even when slots are available, the cost is out of reach for many families. It's a problem that disproportionately affects women, who are typically the primary caregivers for children.

But a lack of child care access is also keeping people from the workforce, contributing to a labor shortage in many states. Many industries have started lobbying for states to invest more in child care. One of the strongest proponents is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which surveyed a dozen states and estimated they lost billions of dollars in economic activity because of child care gaps.

Resistance persists in many parts of the country. While North Dakota passed ground-breaking measures to support child care, Republican Gov. Kristi Noem in South Dakota said she opposed proposals to spend state dollars helping families pay for child care.

The one thing  that Im not wiling to do is to directly subsidize child care for families, Noem recently told KWAT News in Watertown, South Dakota. I just dont think its the governments job to pay or to raise peoples children for them.

___

Associated Press writers Summer Ballentine and David A. Lieb contributed to this report.

___

The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Happy Thursday, or happy Friday eve Utah! Its been a busy week of weather so far and we have more active weather to go as we round out the workweek. Today will bring scattered showers across the Beehive State with the best chance coming to central and southern Utah as a storm system moves in from our southwest.

The bottom line? Our active weather continues to round out the workweek with scattered showers expected through Friday before calmer skies settle in this weekend.

In northern Utah, showers will be a bit more hit or miss, but that potential will exist. Given that temperatures will be similar to what we had yesterday in northern Utah, there will be potential for both rain and snow showers in our valleys. Down south, most of what well see will be snow outside of lower elevations like lower Washington County where rain is expected. Outside of any wet weather skies will be partly sunny to mostly cloudy. Daytime highs across the state will mainly be in the 30s and 40s.

Theres a chance skies calm slightly into tonight, but well hold onto a chance for isolated snow showers across the state. By tomorrow another quick-moving storm drops in from the northwest to keep our wet weather potential elevated. Well see scattered showers across the state, but showers will likely be more uniform compared to just favoring the southern two-thirds of the state. Temperatures will also be a little cooler in northern Utah thanks to more of a northwesterly flow allowing valleys to mainly see the potential of snow.

There are still winter alerts in place given our moisture potential. Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect for the central and southern mountains through 5 a.m. tomorrow as an additional 6-12 of snow looks possible with higher amounts for the Pine Valleys and around Brian Head. Theres also a Winter Weather Advisory in effect for Bryce Canyon until 5 p.m. this afternoon as 3-6 of additional snow looks possible.

When it comes to accumulations through Friday night, southern and central mountains will likely do the best with 8-16 with locally up to 2 ft. Northern mountains wont see as much, but well add more snow with the Wasatch north of I-80 seeing likely 2-6 with 5-10 for the southern Wasatch. If everything comes together, there is a chance that spots in the southern Wasatch could see over a foot. Over the next couple of days, valleys may not receive any snow or up to 3 while benches will likely see 1-4 with up to 6 in a few spots. For mountain valleys and the I-15 corridor between Cedar City and Nephi, 2-6 looks possible with maybe over half a foot in a few spots.

Moisture will try to linger into the weekend, but the overall trend looks to be drying out by late Saturday on what will be a chilly weekend with temperatures running slightly below average before we go on a steady warm-up next week as skies look to remain mostly quiet.

With more active weather coming our way stay up to date with the latest both on-air and online with the ABC4, 4Warn Weather Team. We are Good4Utah!

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will attempt to pick up the pieces of the shattered proposal that was once the wartime funding bill, which recently collapsed under the weight of concessions added to appease the unappeasable.

But, despite this, Schumer will push ahead on a vote for tens of billions of dollars earmarked for Ukraine, Israel, and other allies of the United States.

Schumer planned to force Republicans to take two procedural votes, one on the $118 billion package with border enforcement measures baked in, and another for a modified deal with the border patrol portion removed. If either pass, it would take days for the Senate to reach a final vote.

"Will the Senate stand up to brutish thugs like Vladimir Putin and reassure our friends abroad that America will never abandon them in the hour of need?" Schumer asked as he opened the Senate.

Aid to Ukraine has been stalled for months because of growing opposition by Republicans in the House and Senate.

The pairing of border policies with aid for allies was first proposed by Republicans and was intended to help the deal slide through the House. But GOP senators rejected the compromise as election year politics, despite Republicans being the ones calling for said compromise.

The bill also included $14 billion for Israel and $10 billion in humanitarian aid for Ukraine, Israel, Gaza and other locations.

The White House said that President Joe Biden believes there should be new border policy but would also support moving the aid for Ukraine and Israel alone, as he has from the start.

"We support this bill which would protect America's national security interests by stopping Putin's onslaught in Ukraine before he turns to other countries, helping Israel defend itself against Hamas terrorists and delivering live-saving humanitarian aid to innocent Palestinian civilians," said White House spokesman Andrew Bates.

"Even if some congressional Republicans' commitment to border security hinges on politics, President Biden's does not."

What Else Does The Package Include?

The package would also send $20 billion to immigration enforcement, providing money to hire thousands more officers to evaluate asylum claims, more Border Patrol agents and help stop the flow of fentanyl.

In a recent update at publishing, Senate Republicans blocked a bipartisan border package on Wednesday, derailing months of negotiations with Democrats aimed at addressing the surge in illegal border crossings.

Despite supporters of the bill arguing that it represented the best compromise achievable in a divided government, many Republicans deemed it insufficient, especially in an election year.

The vote of 49-50, falling significantly short of the 60 votes required to advance the bill, occurred after the majority of Republicans signaled their opposition. This legislation also encompassed $60 billion in wartime assistance to Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel, receiving endorsement from President Joe Biden. However, GOP lawmakers insisted on linking funds for international conflicts with assistance for the U.S. border.
MURCHISON, Texas (KETK)  Murchison ISD announced that classes are cancelled on Friday due to a number of students and staff having a variety of illnesses.

Kilgore Primary School to release early due to power outage

According to the district, available staff will do a deep cleaning of the campus to try and minimize the spread of illness.

The district said they plan to have everyone back at school on Monday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Songwriter and radio personality Mojo Nixon died Wednesday at age 66, according to his family, Rolling Stone reports.

According to a family statement posted on the Facebook page for the documentary, The Mojo Manifesto: The Life and Times of Mojo Nixon, and also emailed to Rolling Stone, Nixon died while on the annual Outlaw Country Cruise, where he often hosts and performs.

"Passing after a blazing show, taking no prisoners and a good breakfast with bandmates and friends. A cardiac event on the Outlaw Country Cruise is about right ... and that's just how he did it," the statement reads.

Outlaw Country Cruise CEO Jeff Cuellar told USA Today, "We are absolutely devastated."

In 1987, Nixon released the song Elvis is Everywhere with his collaborator Skid Roper.

Nixon was a voice actor for the 1997 video game Redneck Rampage and acted in the 1993's Super Mario Bros. and 1984's Car 54 Where are You?

Nixon also hosted the show Outlaw Country on SiriusXM.
MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD)  If youre a resident of Muskegon County, you can get a free gun lock thanks to a new initiative from Trinity Health Muskegon and the Muskegon Police Department.

The gun locks are available now through March 31, unless supplies run out sooner, Trinity Health Michigan said Thursday in a release. You can have one delivered directly to you, or you can pick it up at the police department.

Its all part of an effort to reduce firearm injuries, suicides and homicides, according to Trinity Health Michigan.

By providing free gun locks and promoting safe storage practices, we aim to empower residents to take proactive steps in preventing firearm-related incidents, Chief Tim Kozal, public safety director for the city of Muskegon, said in a statement.

The initiative also coincides with Michigans new secure storage law, which goes into effect Feb. 13. Under the law, you must keep unattended weapons unloaded and locked with a device  or stored in a locked container  if its reasonably known a minor is likely to be on the premises, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The research underscores the crucial role safe firearm storage plays in safeguarding our children, families, and communities, Holly Alway, injury prevention coordinator at Trinity Health Muskegon, stated. This gun lock delivery program will help ensure a safer community for all residents.

To request a gun lock, you can visit storeitsafemuskegon.org and fill out the form.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
DAYTON, Ohio (WJW)  Flammable products that can create life-changing damage are inside every home.

Now, there is a new warning about nail polish remover, as an Ohio teen recovers from severe burns.

Horrific: Ohio teen catches fire after using nail polish remover near a candle

She was on her bed, and she was taking off her nail polish with a lit candle nearby, and it sounds like it just kind of almost exploded onto her and caught fire, shared Dr. Alice Fagin. Dr. Fagin specializes in surgery critical care at Shriners Childrens Ohio.

14-year-old Kennedy suffered burns on 13% of her body on January 5.

She was getting ready to cheer at a basketball game when vapors from the nail polish remover ignited with the open flame of the candle.

The fumes can be highly flammable, Dr. Fagin added.

Mom charged after two sets of twins die in fire

Kennedy suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns on her arm, hands, stomach and thighs.

Photo courtesy Shriners Childrens Ohio

Dr. Sara Higginson, Chief of Staff at Shriners Childrens Ohio with Kennedy. Photo courtesy Shriners Childrens Ohio

Photo courtesy Shriners Childrens Ohio

Photo courtesy Shriners Childrens Ohio

Photo courtesy Shriners Childrens Ohio

Photo courtesy Shriners Childrens Ohio

While Kennedys case sounds unique, Shriner Childrens tells FOX 8 that common burn injuries happen with ordinary products at home.

Kennedy is one of about 300 burn cases treated at Shriners Childrens each year.

Dr. Fagin says 40% of those cases are caused by scalds from hot liquids or steam.

With younger children especially, were concerned about scalds. Some of the biggest culprits are coffee, tea, and hot chocolate that toddlers may grab from a counter and pull down on themselves, share Chief of Staff Dr. Sara Higginson.

Death of baby decapitated during delivery ruled homicide

Another culprit of scalds are instant soups, Cup of Noodles or mac and cheese. These come out of the microwave very hot, and kids can easily spill them onto their hands or laps, Higgins said.

Shriners Childrens doctors also want to remind parents about common flammable liquids in the home.

Hair spray, anything aerosolized bug killer, cooking oil, grease, Dr. Fagin said.

You dont necessarily need a lot, and you dont need what you can physically see the vapor itself is flammable and can be a hazard, she added.

Candles and lighters and matches are ubiquitous in homes, and they really need to be put away, Fagin cautioned.

Kennedy is working on getting stronger and doing remarkably well.

Shriners Childrens wants to help more families by educating them on common household dangers, especially flammable liquids, as part of Burn Awareness Week.

Burn Awareness Week is a great reminder for parents to take a look at their home and be aware of the most common burn injuries in children, said Dr. Higginson.

Keyless car theft: High-tech hacks hit key fobs

Should a burn occur, the first thing parents need to do is stop the burn process. That could be stop, drop and roll, or removing the burning clothing from the child. Then run the burned skin under cool running water  never ice  and wrap with a non-adhesive bandage or clean, dry cloth, Higginson said.

Accidental injury is the number one cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatrics, Dr. Fagin told FOX 8.

Shriners Childrens Ohio has been treating pediatric burns and reconstructive surgery since the early 1960s.

The hospital can be contacted at (855)206-2096.

More safety resources here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Collier County Commissioner Rick LoCastro, of Marco Island, faces an arrest linked to an October incident where a woman says he battered her. He's shown here in a 2021 file photograph.

Authorities released additional details late Wednesday afternoon about the probe into a Collier County elected official, which began with an altercation at a Naples business.

Collier County Commissioner Rick LoCastro, of Marco Island, faces arrest warrants accusing him of domestic abuse in October.

LoCastro's attorney, Donald Day, had said Wednesday that he had not yet seen the incident reports from October where LoCastro is accused of domestic violence and said they were leaked to some media.

"I can go on the record (that) I have a substantial amount of evidence in my possession that will show this man is innocent," Day added.

Rick LoCastro: Collier County commissioner's lawyer defends LoCastro, disputes rumor linked to arrest

The incident, according to a police report

Around 10:45 p.m. Oct. 28, Naples Police responded to a 911 call from a female involved in an altercation with LoCastro.

Officers found a visibly upset female, with a laceration below her nose, bruising on both of her forearms, red markings on the back of her left shoulder, and leaves in her hair.

LoCastro appeared to have no injuries but his left pant leg was torn, police said.

Both parties denied having a physical altercation and left separately, authorities said. Officers documented the incident, and transferred the case to the Criminal Investigations Division.

Less than a week later, on Nov. 3, Naples police's Criminal Investigations Division received information from detectives at the Marco Island Police Department.

The same woman informed Marco Island authorities she was too afraid to press charges the night of Oct. 28, but she reconsidered and was willing to move forward.

During the follow-up investigation, police said, the woman explained she and LoCastro dined at The London Club, 221 Ninth St. S., when an argument ensued.

The woman told detectives they left the restaurant in a vehicle together and while driving, LoCastro became angry.

The woman said LoCastro stopped the vehicle, walked around to the passenger side, where he forcefully pulled her out of the vehicle by the arm and pushed her into a hedgerow.

She told police she landed in the bushes face first and sustained a cut above her lip.

The woman said that immediately following the incident she was in shock and was scared to tell officers what happened because of LoCastro's authority as a public figure and political influence in Southwest Florida.

During the investigation, detectives received statements from restaurant staff who advised the woman did not have any visible marks or injuries while at the restaurant or when she left.

Investigators discovered there was a very short span of time between when he left the restaurant and police officers arrived, responding to the 911 call.

The follow up investigation revealed LoCastro as the primary physical aggressor and an arrest warrant was requested for LoCastro, for the offense of dating violence-related battery.

Because of LoCastro's position as a political official in Southwest Florida, the investigation was referred to the Office of the Governor for reassignment, who then referred it to prosecutors of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, in Monroe County.

The Office of the State Attorney approved the arrest warrant on Jan. 30.

LoCastro, who was elected to the Collier board in 2020, is running for re-election this fall.

LoCastro's district encompasses East Naples, Marco Island, Goodland, Isles of Capri and Port of the Islands.

Staff reporters Liz Freeman, Laura Layden and J. Kyle Foster contributed to this report.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples police report details of incident regarding Rick LoCastro
The European Union initiated legal proceedings against Hungary's right-wing government on Wednesday, granting authorities the ability to probe and bring charges against those alleged to have undermined the nation's sovereignty.

Per The Associated Press, the "Sovereignty Protection Act" created a government entity with the authority to collect information on groups or individuals benefiting from foreign funding and influencing public discourse. The law took effect in December and permits Hungary's intelligence services to collaborate in the investigations led by this authority.

The law allows prison terms of up to three years for anyone convicted of violating it. Opponents compare the act to Russia's "foreign agent" law. They say its broad language arbitrarily targets government critics.

The notice represents the latest salvo in a long-running battle between Brussels and Budapest.

The commission, which is the EU's executive branch, blocked substantial amounts of money from Hungary in 2022 out of concern that democratic backsliding by Orban's government could put the bloc's common budget at risk.

What's Next For Hungary?

The European Commission, which monitors the application of legislation across the 27 EU member countries, said Hungary's measure "violates several provisions" of the bloc's law and sent a letter of formal notice to Budapest, the first step in legal action.

The commission raised alarms over the law, stating it endangers EU democratic values, democracy itself, and the rights of European citizens, such as privacy, data protection, freedom of expression, and association.

CNBC reported the European Commission declared that Hungary's new law, aimed at "protecting national sovereignty," breaks European Union rules. The ruling Fidesz party argued the law is needed to prevent foreign political interference.

"The setup of a new authority with wide-ranging powers and a strict regime of monitoring, enforcement, and sanctioning also risks serious harm to democracy," a Commission spokesperson said.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban continues to clash with the European Union. For months, Orban assured NATO counterparts that Hungary would not be the last to sign off on Sweden's membership. However, Orban went back on his word when Turkey ratified the Swedish bid last month, leaving Hungary as the main obstacle.

Hungary has two months to respond to the letter and address the commission's concerns.
In the latest coverage of Trump's ongoing case regarding his Presidential eligibility the Associated Press has provided a newly published report.

According to the report, the Supreme Court will be hearing Trump's appeal of a Colorado ruling that he's not eligible to run for another presidency on the grounds of his violation of the 14th Amendment which bars those who "Engaged in insurrection" from holding office. Observers expect the Supreme Court to overturn the ruling but as many have pointed out it sometimes comes down to chance when attempting to predict a Supreme Court ruling.

Section 3 of the 14th Amendment states the following "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. But Congress may by a vote of two thirds of each House, remove such disability."

Trump's Defense

However, Trump's defense lawyers are arguing that this part of the Constitution wasn't meant to apply to the Presidency. They have noted that the section mentions electors, senators, and representatives but the Presidency is left out. They have also pointed out that it says those who have taken an oath to "support" the United States are used but the Presidential oath requires the elected President to "Preserve, Protect and Defend" the Constitution. Trump's lawyers have also stated the word "officer" does not apply to the President but instead to the President's appointees. This loophole had convinced one of the Colorado district court judges who agreed that while Trump did participate in an insurrection act but did agree that it was unclear if section 3 applied to the presidency. The high court had provided the following statement "President Trump asks us to hold that Section 3 disqualifies every oath-breaking insurrectionist except the most powerful one and that it bars oath-breakers from virtually every office, both state and federal, except the highest one in the land."

The report concludes with three potential outcomes. The first is that the court upholds Colorado's ruling which would require victories for the defendants on the whole formation of Trump's defense. The second outcome would be the court could decide that Trump cannot be disqualified under Section 3 and that would end the case against him on top of other challenges that have been filed countrywide. The third option would be more ambiguous where the court doesn't decide on whether Trump is qualified for office leading to a drawn-out decision that would lead into Jan.6th, 2025 where should he win congress will need to decide whether to certify his victory or not.
On Jan. 31, 2024, Netflix released a six-part docudrama titled "Alexander: The Making of a God," detailing the life and times of the legendary Macedonian king Alexander the Great. Six minutes into the first episode, a young Alexander and his friend Hephaestion are sword-fighting. Two minutes later, they kiss. Users on X (formerly known as Twitter) went wild.

Netflix made a new documentary about Alexander The Great. Within the first 8 minutes, they turned him gay. pic.twitter.com/y56b4eDkjb  End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) February 5, 2024

First, let's get the obvious out of the way: Alexander the Great lived around 350 B.C., so we can't just ask him about his life directly. Instead, historians and archaeologists must use a variety of sources to speculate on the past, like one of several biographies of Alexander written much closer to the time he was alive (the one by Quintus Curtius Rufus, for instance).

Unfortunately, looking at the sources does not give us a definitive answer either way. Because the Netflix series is a docudrama instead of a true documentary, the filmmakers were able to dramatize aspects of Alexander's life and therefore had to choose one of the theories about his relationships to maintain a consistent narrative.

But before examining the limited evidence we have about Alexander's sexual orientation, we need to investigate same-sex relationships in ancient Greece as a whole, because what we consider "normal" would not necessarily be considered normal in 350 B.C. Examining how the ancient Greeks felt about same-sex relationships overall has given historians at least some insight into how Alexander saw the world and what he would have considered "normal" behavior.

What we know about those attitudes tells us that if he did have homosexual relationships, Alexander would never have thought of them in the way that we do now. The ancient Greeks considered how one loved, not whom one loved. Instead of dividing the relationship into gender, the Greeks divided sexual experiences into how each person participated in the act. The active role was associated with masculinity and the passive role with femininity.

It's also important to acknowledge that each Greek city-state had a different culture (think of the stereotypes of the militaristic Spartans versus the philosophical Athenians), and so their opinions on same-sex relations differed. In Athens, for instance, sources suggest that men who took on a passive and submissive role during sex were looked down upon. The crime of hubris, "the act of humiliating or dishonoring another person for ones own gratification," could be used in this manner to argue against same-sex relations. Meanwhile, in Thebes, a military unit called the Sacred Band, considered one of the most powerful armies of its time, reportedly consisted of 150 pairs of male lovers.

But regardless of what each city-state believed, we must discuss the practice of pederasty first. For an ancient Greek, pederasty was a socially acknowledged relationship between a younger man (the "erastes") and a teenage boy (the "eromenos"). In modern times, it's difficult to escape the mental connection to pedophilia and child abuse. But evidence from sources written at the time has led scholars to disagree with this connection in regards to ancient Greece.

First, we know the relationship was not always completely sexual. We have depictions of erastai giving their eromenoi gifts, and in some city-states like Sparta, the erastes was expected to help introduce the eromenos to adult society. In addition, some historians have argued that because many of these Greek cultures looked down on being penetrated during sex, a pederastic relationship would not predominantly feature penetrative sex.

Backing up some of these ideas is a whole load of classical literature. Plato and Aristophanes both mention pederastic relationships and of course, the poet Sappho was so influential that she gave us two words for female same-sex relationships: "sapphic" from her name and "lesbian" from her home, the island of Lesbos. Classicists also have turned to Greek mythology, identifying Ganymede and Zeus or Heracles and Iolaus as potential pederastic relationships. Some scholars interpret the relationship between the main hero of Homer's "Iliad," Achilles, and his friend Patroclus, in the same way, which is a perfect tie-in back to Alexander the Great.

One piece of evidence supporting a romantic same-sex relationship is that Alexander reportedly embraced comparisons of his relationship with Hephaestion to that of Achilles and Patroclus. There's also the case of Bagoas, a Persian eunuch and another of Alexander's potential lovers. If these relationships did happen, it's unclear how much they resembled the pederastic relationships common at the time.

The argument against Alexander having these relationships is simply that nobody explicitly described them as such. Critics might dismiss this as a writer assuming that everyone understood the greater context, but because time travel has not yet been invented, historians and classicists are stuck with their educated guesses.

As for the Netflix series, we repeat: "Alexander: The Making of a God" is a docudrama, not a straight documentary. There are better, more trustworthy sources to get information.

Sources:

Alexander: The Making of a God. Lion Television, LionTV, Tailfeather Productions, 2024.

Badian, E. The Eunuch Bagoas. The Classical Quarterly, vol. 8, no. 3/4, 1958, pp. 14457. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/637975.

Greek Homosexuality - Livius. https://www.livius.org/articles/concept/greek-homosexuality/. Accessed 7 Feb. 2024.

Hephaestion - Livius. https://www.livius.org/articles/person/hephaestion/. Accessed 7 Feb. 2024.

How the Ancient Greeks Viewed Pederasty and Homosexuality. Big Think, 13 Jan. 2023, https://bigthink.com/the-past/pederasty-homosexuality-ancient-greece/.

Kelleher, Brigid. Acceptance through Restriction: Male Homosexuality in Ancient Athens. Historical Perspectives: Santa Clara University Undergraduate Journal of History, Series II, vol. 16, no. 1, Dec. 2016, https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/historical-perspectives/vol16/iss1/7.

Lovers and Soldiers. The National Endowment for the Humanities, 22 June 2021, https://www.neh.gov/article/lovers-and-soldiers.

Mendelsohn, Daniel. How Gay Was Sappho? The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2015. www.newyorker.com, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/03/16/girl-interrupted.

Morales, Manuel Sanz, and Gabriel Laguna Mariscal. The Relationship between Achilles and Patroclus According to Chariton of Aphrodisias. The Classical Quarterly, vol. 53, no. 1, 2003, pp. 29295. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/3556498.

Quintus Curtius: Links to Translation. https://www.attalus.org/info/curtius.html. Accessed 7 Feb. 2024.

Review of: The Greeks and Greek Love: A Radical Reappraisal of Homosexuality in Ancient Greece. Bryn Mawr Classical Review. Bryn Mawr Classical Review, https://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2008/2008.07.20/. Accessed 7 Feb. 2024.

The Internet Classics Archive | Pelopidas by Plutarch. http://classics.mit.edu/Plutarch/pelopida.html. Accessed 7 Feb. 2024.

Upbin, Bruce. Alexander The Great: Gay or Straight? Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/sites/booked/2011/02/10/alexander-the-great-gay-or-straight/. Accessed 7 Feb. 2024.
Elon Musk's brain-computer interface company, Neuralink, has implanted into a first human patient.

Musk says the goal is for us all to control our phones and computers with our minds.

His competition from other BCI makers, who've been implanting for decades, is steep.

Elon Musk announced his brain interface company, Neuralink , implanted its first human brain chip last week. The product is called "telepathy."

"Enables control of your phone or computer, and through them almost any device, just by thinking," Musk said on X, the social media platform he owns, which is formerly and better known as Twitter.

Given all the breathless discourse about this being a "first" in human brain implantation, you'd be forgiven for assuming Musk is far ahead of the competition.

But surgically implanted brain-computer interface devices, or BCIs , have been going into people's heads for about twenty years now, ever since a pioneering surgery took place in Rhode Island in 2004. Since then, multiple companies have popped up with increasingly elegant and useful BCIs, arguably well ahead of where Neuralink stands today with a single, first surgery .

Here's how Musk's stiffest competition stacks up right now:

1. Blackrock

Blackrock's implantable electrode, called the Utah Array, is smaller than your thumbnail. Courtesy of Blackrock Neurotech

Today, most people who have a BCI implanted in their head have a Blackrock device. Precise numbers are hard to come by, but the best evidence suggests there are fewer than 50 people worldwide with a BCI implanted in their skull. About 40 of those are Blackrock products.

Blackrock Neurotech (not to be confused with the completely unrelated Blackrock investment firm) has been at this for a while. Headquartered in Utah, the company was founded in 2008.

For now, all implanted BCIs are a way for people with severe forms of paralysis to regain independence, using their thoughts to control devices and access the internet.

A couple of people with Blackrock implants can use their BCI to drive a car. Others have restored a sense of touch. But executives in this space say that in the future, applications for BCIs could look very different. Blackrock co-founder Florian Solzbacher has said the revolutionary tech may one day be used by first responders, military, or other able-bodied people looking to win a competitive edge or some extra convenience.

Blackrock CEO Marcus Gerhardt told Business Insider that, while still a ways off, "the possibility of breaking that barrier will come maybe sooner than people out there believe."

2. BrainGate

Pat Bennett was diagnosed with ALS in 2012. The neurodegenerative condition rendered key muscles in her face limp, but a BCI device is helping her communicate again. Steve Fisch/Stanford Medicine

BrainGate pioneered the very first implanted BCI for human use in 2004, building on research that started at Brown University in the late 1990s. The academic consortium's current device is typically about "the size of a baby aspirin," and is manufactured by Blackrock.

Each patient's implant consists of two or more devices, each with up to 100 thinner-than-hair electrodes. It's implanted on the surface of the brain, atop the cortex, in areas responsible for limb movements or speech.

The very first BrainGate device  which was the first-ever implanted BCI  was put into the head of Matthew Nagle, a man who was paralyzed from the neck down in a stabbing attack. Nagle became a formidable Pong video game player using his BCI, but died in 2007 after developing sepsis (unrelated to the trial.) Three more patients had the same first-generation BrainGate BCI implanted from 2004-2009.

"You don't necessarily read as much about them and they don't tend to hog the public limelight, but that's because they're focused on doing fundamental and profound research in this space," Gerhardt said of the BrainGate consortium.

BrainGate is now running a clinical trial of their second generation BCI, a device for tetraplegics like Nagle called BrainGate2. The trial, ongoing since 2009, is expected to end in 2038. So far, there are 15 people with BrainGate2 devices.

"Each amazing participant in the trial contributes an extraordinary amount to the field, often engaging in the trials with us for years and providing feedback on how these types of implantable BCIs will help other people with paralysis," BrainGate clinical trial lead Dr. Leigh Hochberg told Business Insider in an email.

3. Synchron

Synchron CEO and founder Dr. Thomas Oxley holding the company's stentrode BCI. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

Brooklyn-based Synchron has developed one of the tiniest, most minimally invasive BCIs, and implanted it successfully into several people around the world, including patients in Australia (2020) and the US (2022). Instead of being plopped on top of the brain's grey matter, like many other BCI devices, Synchron's stentrode sits inside of blood vessels in a person's head.

This BCI is funneled into the head via a tiny metallic, mesh stent. In much the same way that heart disease patients often use stents to pry open blocked arteries near their hearts, Synchron implants a small scaffolding of electrodes into key blood vessels at the top of the skull near our motor cortex, to transmit thoughts into actions. A pacemaker-like unit in the chest then translates those signals from the brain wirelessly to a computer or device.

In 2022, Musk  then reportedly frustrated by Neuralink's slow pace of development  reached out to Synchron's CEO, neurosurgeon Thomas Oxley, about investing in the company, Reuters reported. And Musk's co-founder, former Neuralink president Max Hodak, is a Synchron investor. Though Hodak once told Bloomberg he didn't want his investment in a Neuralink rival to be seen as a "knock" on his former company.

"I'm sure they will also get into humans soon," he said.

4. Academic institutions around the globe

NeuroRestore / Onward

Several other universities are also leading the BCI charge, with one-off research surgeries. Some are visible plugs that sit on top of people's heads and require a wired hookup to a computer to read brain signals. At least one man uses a backpack to transmit signals from two BCI electrode grids inside his head to another implant in his spine, helping him walk.

Canadian Ann Johnson, unable to speak for nearly 20 years after a stroke, is regaining her ability to talk with an implanted BCI from the University of California, San Francisco. Dutchman Gert-Jan Oksam is the guy with a backpack who can walk again after a biking accident hit his spinal cord, thanks to researchers at Lausanne University in Switzerland.

"I'm not walking to the grocery market yet, but I can for sure stand way better now," Oksam told reporters during a press conference in May.

"It's still hard to walk," he said. "But I'm very happy I've achieved what I achieved."

What Neuralink has to prove

Neuralink via YouTube

What Neuralink has done so far is merely a first step in pulling off an operational BCI. The Californiabased company put its "cosmetically invisible" device inside of a person's brain in late January. Musk has told reporters that he expects this first patient will be able to control a computer or phone using only their mind in about a week.

"Let Elon be Elon, and he can help us envision the future and challenge us to step outside our framework and limiting constructs and think about what might be possible one day," Gerhardt, the Blackrock CEO, said. "At the end of the day, the devil will be in the details, and we'll just have to see."

Fundamentally, Neuralink's technology isn't that different from Blackrock's. Instead of looking like a tiny comb, though, the Neuralink device has over 1,000 fine, hair-like electrodes distributed in 64 threads, likely a more formidable surgical challenge.

(Neuralink study details, posted online, say the company has designed a surgery robot "to reliably and efficiently insert the threads of the N1 Implant into the appropriate region of the brain." It's unclear how much of Neuralink's surgery procedure is done by a human.)

The next challenge is to prove this device can help someone regain some independence. For example, can this BCI help a person with ALS (or, Locked-in Syndrome) shop online?

"Initial users will be those who have lost the use of their limbs," Musk said on X. "Imagine if Stephen Hawking could communicate faster than a speed typist or auctioneer. That is the goal."

That goal isn't out of the question, but it will take some years, and some level of training. We should know a little more within the next few days or weeks about how well the first Neuralink patient is recovering.

"How we think, how we feel, how we experience  this is much more than just an engineering problem," neuroscientist Anil Seth recently told the BBC . "The kind of strategy that Musk has found so successful in building electric cars or rockets, I don't think it transfers smoothly over to this domain."

Correction: Matthew Nagle's pioneering surgery was performed in Rhode Island, not Massachusetts. This story has been corrected.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Former President Donald Trump picked up two victories on Thursday in the 2024 race for the White House.

The former president quickly notched a win over former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in the U.S. Virgin Islands' caucus. He also won Nevada's Republican race, though he and Haley dodged a head-to-head fight in the Silver State.

That's because Haley opted to participate in Nevada's Republican primary on Tuesday, where she faced an embarrassing result. More voters in the state selected a "none of these candidates" option on their ballot than the former United Nations ambassador.

The caucuses on Thursday come after Trump already saw sweeping wins in two crucial early primary states, Iowa and New Hampshire.

Catch up with the USA TODAY Network's coverage of the Nevada and Virgin Islands' caucuses.

Donald Trump looks to general election after Nevada win

While Donald Trump hasn't officially won the 2024 Republican nomination, he still looked to the general election after winning Nevada's caucus. The former president thanked Nevadans for showing up, but he warned the states voters they are essential to his chances of winning the general election in November.

This has been a tremendous state, he said, adding that we have to win the election.

Trump stressed the importance of Nevada in the general election against Joe Biden and the Democrats: If we win the state of Nevada, its over for them.

David Jackson

Donald Trump set to deliver speech in Nevada

It's official: Donald Trump wins Nevada caucuses

In the least surprising political development of the year, Donald Trump overwhelmingly won the Nevada caucuses and took all 26 of the Silver State's convention delegates.

Trump's supporters in Nevada organized the caucuses, despite a new state law requiring the parties to hold presidential primaries. Nevada's GOP responded by holding a non-binding primary and keeping its caucuses. That was a benefit to Trump, given his support among the state's Republican leadership.

Flexing their influence, many Trump Republicans used the Tuesday primary to cast ballots for "None of these candidates," a category that carried more than 63% of the vote, well ahead of candidate Nikki Haley at just more than 30%.

 David Jackson

Democrats hit Donald Trump ahead of caucus results

The Democratic National Committee on Thursday said Donald Trump can win a Republican caucus in Nevada but vowed that he will lose the Silver State in the general election this fall, just as he has done twice before.

"Nobody knows how to lose Nevada like Donald Trump  his back to back losses in 2016 and 2020 made him the first Republican in decades to lose the state twice," said DNC Rapid Response Director Alex Floyd.

 David Jackson

Nevada holds a primary, caucus and the Super Bowl

Nevada's Republican voters could participate in a primary and caucus this week, all as the state prepares to host the Super Bowl over the weekend.

While thousands of Nevada Republicans were participating in caucuses Thursday night across the state, in Las Vegas more focus was falling on the upcoming game, which is being played at the hometown Allegiant Stadium, which seats about 65,000.

Hotels are beginning to fill up, CBS broadcasters have taken over the promenade in front of the Bellagio's famous fountains, and officially sanctioned NFL ambassadors were handing out commemorative buttons and snapping photos for fans.

Las Vegas officials predict the game will bring more than 330,000 tourists and generate $600 million in revenue

 Trevor Hughes

When is the next primary? Donald Trump, Nikki Haley get ready for South Carolina

While Nevadas GOP caucus is set to hand a victory to Donald Trump, the partys next race on Nikki Haleys home turf in South Carolina could inject a bolt of energy.

Haley, a former South Carolina governor and ambassador to the United Nations, is setting her sights on the state with renewed vigor after finishing behind a disembodied none of these candidates option in the Nevada primary.

Though Haley is expected to fare better than in the Silver State, recent polling still shows Trump leading by a significant 26-point margin.

Both candidates will be in South Carolina this weekend as they prepare for the Palmetto State's election. Haley will begin a two-week-long bus tour crisscrossing her home state Saturday, while Trump will headline a rally Saturday at Coastal Carolina University near Myrtle Beach.

 Kathryn Palmer

Nevada pronunciation: Here's what to know

The state is pronounced Ne-VAD-uh not Ne-VAH-duh, according to locals. Many Nevadans are frustrated by the latter pronunciation, typically used by non-residents.

It's a controversy Donald Trump has addressed in previous campaigns. In 2016, the then-candidate told a crowd of Nevadans that they have been mispronouncing the name of their state.

"When I came out here I said nobody says it the other way. It has to be Neh-VAH-da, right?"

 Anthony Robledo

Nikki Haley baits Donald Trump by making the Indiana ballot

Nikki Haley, who is skipping the Nevada caucuses because she says they are rigged for Trump, had a low-key Thursday. But she did find time to bait her Republican rival.

On the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Haley posted a document attesting that she will be on the primary ballot in Indiana on May 7, despite Trump's insistence that she had failed to qualify.

"We are officially on the ballot in Indiana," Haley said. "Donald Trump was confused ... again."

 David Jackson

'I don't agree with everything Tom Brady says either'

In Las Vegas, caucusgoer and Trump supporter Bob Roberts, 69, said he thinks the former president should have a chance to finish the plans he started during his first term, citing the economy and immigration. Roberts, who works in construction, said he doesnt always agree with how Trump says or does things, but generally supports his policies.

We need Trump in there now to finish what he tried to do the first time," Roberts said, speaking outside the Cambridge Recreation Center a few blocks from the Strip. I don't agree with everything Tom Brady says either but hes still the best quarterback ever."

Clyda Bird, 64, echoed Roberts remarks about Trumps personality.

I wouldnt want him for a husband but I liked him as a president. I wouldnt want him to date my daughter, but I do want him to bring the price of gas down, said Bird. Im tired of living Social Security check to Social Security check. Nobody has any money.

Although the stock market has been booming, several voters said the high price of gas, food and housing costs driven up by high interest rates make them long for a return to Trump-era policies they felt were better for them personally.

Bills are higher. Its makes it really hard- the policies Biden has dont even come close to solving our problems, said church worker Watson Tanuvasa, 62. And the border- we already have so many homeless in our country and we arent doing anything for them and yet were bringing in more.

And Yolanda Amunatigui said she had more money under Trump. She said Biden's policies are steering the United States away from the core values she thinks made it so successful: "We want change to make America great again. Sounds familiar, right?"

Trevor Hughes

Nevada caucus results

It's not guaranteed when Nevada's Republican caucus results will be finalized, but the caucuses began at 5 p.m. and end at 7:30 p.m. local time. That's 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. ET. Find the results of the Nevada Republican presidential caucus on Feb. 6 when available here.

 Anthony Robledo

2024 race gets closer to a Biden vs. Trump rematch after Williamson drops out

The 2024 race is getting closer to a rematch between Donald Trump and Joe Biden after author Marianne Williamson suspended her presidential campaign Wednesday.

Williamson ended her bid after she only won roughly 4% of the vote in the New Hampshire primary compared to Bidens 63.9%. She also won 2.1% of the vote in the South Carolina Democratic primary compared to Bidens 96.2%

On the Republican side, Trump has secured victory after victory in the Iowa Caucus, New Hampshire primary and Virgin Islands caucus against opponent Nikki Haley. He is also expected to win the Nevada caucus.

 Sudiksha Kochi

Nevada caucusgoers gear up for race

At the Cambridge Recreation Center a few blocks east of the Las Vegas strip, a handful of volunteers set up tables for members of the 11 precincts meeting there at 5 p.m.Dozens of sites across the city are being used as gathering sports where Republicans who registered last month will cast paper ballots after discussing party priorities and considering policy changes.The ballots will then be counted at least twice starting at 7:30 p.m., organizers, and the results called in to party officials.The caucus site sits about two miles from the shimmering gold-windowed Trump International Hotel.Later in the evening, Trump is hosting a victory party - his win is effectively guaranteed- at the Treasure Island casino.

 Trevor Hughes

Supreme Court contemplates keeping Trumps name on Colorado ballot

While Donald Trump is seeking a sweeping victory in Nevada, he is also fighting to stay on Colorados ballot.

The U. S. Supreme Court on Thursday heard the former presidents appeal on the states ruling to disqualify him from the states primary. Under a provision of the 14th Amendment, Colorados Supreme Court has challenged Trumps eligibility for president, alleging that he engaged in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

During the just over two hours of oral arguments, U.S. justices discussed the practical implications of Colorados ruling and whether other states will be able to follow suit. Justices raised concerns about a mismatch of ballots across the country.

I think that the question that you have to confront is why a single state should decide who gets to be president of the United States, Justice Elena Kagan, told the attorney for the Colorado voters challenging Trumps eligibility.

 Anthony Robledo

Donald Trump takes Virgin Islands caucuses

Donald Trump has wrapped up his first victory of the night, winning the caucuses in the Virgin Islands.

"Pending the final canvas by the Caucus Committee, Trump received 73.98 percent of the vote compared to 26.02 percent for former Ambassador Nikki Haley," said the Virgin Islands Republican Party announcement.

Going third-in-the-nation with an unrigged caucus using ranked-choice voting not only gave every candidate a fair and equal playing field, but it resulted in unprecedented attention for the Virgin Islands, said Republican Party in the Virgin Islands chairman Gordon Ackley. Based on the results, the Virgin Islands has put Donald Trump on track to become the presumptive Republican nominee.

 David Jackson

Who is Ryan Binkley?

While Nikki Haley isn't challenging Donald Trump in Nevada's caucus, Texas businessman and pastor Ryan Binkley is competing in the race on Thursday.

Binkley announced his White House bid in April 2023, and he told the Des Moines Register he believed he could carve a lane in the GOP primary to prioritize unity and potential bipartisanship on financial, immigration and health care policy. You can learn more about him and other GOP candidates with the USA TODAY Network's voter guides.

 Marina Pitofsky

Virgin Island caucus results

Find the results for the Virgin Islands Republican Presidential Caucus Results when available here.

 Anthony Robledo

What time is the Virgin Island caucus?

The U.S. Virgin Island GOP caucuses also take place on Thursday, with both Trump and Haley appearing on the ballot. Voting for the U.S. Virgin Island caucus took place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time at the St. Croix and St. Thomas locations. Voting at the St. John site took place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. AST

The caucus will a preferential or ranked-choice voting system, where voters rank candidates based off preference.

 Anthony Robledo

What time is the Nevada caucus?

The Nevada caucuses begin at 5 p.m. and end at 7:30 p.m. local time, or 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. ET.

 Marina Pitofsky

Donald Trump prepares for Nevada caucus by stressing classified documents report on Joe Biden

Donald Trump may be preparing for his remarks tonight in Nevada, but he spent a good chunk of his flight to Las Vegas posting about a new legal report on President Joe Biden.

A special counsel said Biden took classified documents when leaving office as vice president, but criminal charges are not warranted in part because a jury might seem him as "a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory."

While mocking Biden, Trump blasted the decision not to prosecute; he also called for dismissal of the classified documents case pending against him.

 David Jackson

Who won the Nevada primary? How Nikki Haley was defeated by 'none of these candidates'

Nikki Haley opted to participate in Nevada's Republican primary, which was held on Tuesday. That means she and Donald Trump won't directly compete against each other at all in the Silver State.

But Haley still didn't see a landslide victory this week, as more primary voters cast their ballots for a 'none of these candidates' option on their ballot than the former governor. It was an bizarre result  and perhaps a trap set by the former president's allies.

 Marina Pitofsky

Is Nevada having a Democratic caucus?

No, Nevada held a Democratic primary on Tuesday. Joe Biden quickly clinched victory over his Democratic challengers.

One of those challengers, author Marianne Williamson, ended her presidential campaign on Thursday, telling her supporters "We articulated deeper, more authentic truths than those regularly acknowledged by the political establishment. And Im not only glad we did that; Im proud of it.

 Marina Pitofsky

When is Super Tuesday?

Thursday's Nevada caucus isn't part of the all-important election day known as Super Tuesday. But what is Super Tuesday?

The day which received its nickname because it marks the date when the greatest number of states hold their primaries and caucuses.

The states conducting elections on 2024's Super Tuesday, March 5, include Alabama, Arkansas, Alaska, California, Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia.

 Sudiksha Kochi and Marina Pitofsky

Why is Donald Trump participating in the Nevada caucus? Dual contests confuse voters

Washoe County Registrar of Voters Cari-Ann Burgess said there has been ongoing confusion among voters about the difference between the primary and the caucus.

"We get a lot of 'why isn't President Trump on our ballot?,'" Burgess said Tuesday morning ahead of the Nevada primary. "And the answer is he opted out of participating in the Nevada presidential preference primary. He just decided not to participate in ours, but he's in the caucus."

Under a 2021 state law, Nevada is required to hold presidential primary elections as long as there are at least two candidates for a party's nomination.

But Republican Party officials  many of whom participated in a 2020 effort to subvert the presidential election results in Trump's favor  decided last year to hold a binding caucus. They also tried unsuccessfully to stop the state from holding the primary.

Burgess said she isn't directly coordinating with the state GOP because her office is non-partisan, so her staff doesn't give out information about the caucuses. Instead, she has been trained to refer all questions to the party directly.

Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar said even his own friends called him up to complain about the dual contests, though his office alerted voters for months about the dueling contests, sending out postcards, posting signs and speaking to the media.

Nevada GOP has said previously it considered the primary election to be a waste of taxpayer dollars, and that party business should be funded and conducted by the party itself.

-Trevor Hughes

What is a caucus?

While a primary election is run by state and local governments, a caucus is run by political parties. A traditional primary election resembles the general election, with voting via private ballot.

A caucus, however, involves voters dividing themselves into groups based on the candidate they prefer and arguing for others to join them. At the end of the caucus, the number of members in each group determines how many delegates that candidate gets.

 Anna Kaufman

Where do Nikki Haley and Donald Trump stand in 2024 polls?

While Nikki Haley is trying to pick up momentum ahead of pivotal 2024 contests, she's still trailing Donald Trump, the Republican frontrunner.

In a Real Clear Politics average of polls of the Republican field, Trump garnered 74.4% support across the country. In comparison, Haley received 18.1% support, even after rivals such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and others dropped out of the GOP primary.

 Marina Pitofsky

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nevada caucus replay: Trump wins Nevada, Virgin Islands
In under two years, Ukrainian forces have devastated Russia's Black Sea Fleet of about 80 vessels.

A Ukrainian navy spokesman said at least 25 Russian warships are destroyed and 15 are under repair.

In lieu of warships, Ukraine uses unmanned drones and anti-ship missiles to thwart Russia's navy.

The Ukrainian navy has decimated the Russian Black Sea Fleet, taking out nearly a third of Russia's vessels in less than two years.

With no warships in their arsenal, Ukrainian forces have relied on unmanned maritime drones and long-range anti-ship missiles to hammer Russia's fleet.

Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesman for the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said in a public statement that the Russian Navy had approximately 80 warships at the outset of the invasion, including large warships, landing ships, submarines, patrol boats, and minesweepers.

As of earlier this week, 25 vessels have been destroyed, and 15 more are under repair, he said.

"I can say that the Black Sea Fleet operations have been greatly complicated, if not paralyzed," Pletenchuk said.

The attacks have allowed Ukraine to resume the grain shipments through the Black Sea central to its economy and forced the Black Sea Fleet to shift warships away from Crimea, its prized naval homeport.

Several Russian ships that Ukraine claimed to have destroyed have yet to be identified, but reportedly among them are Raptor-class patrol boats, a BK-16 high-speed assault boat, a Serna-class landing craft, and a Stenka-class patrol vessel.

Here are the warships Russia is known to have lost over the past two years.

March 24, 2022: The Saratov

The Saratov, a military ship from the Russian Navy heading to the Black Sea from the Sea of Marmara near Istanbul, Turkey. Onur Coban/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Commissioned in 1968, the Saratov is a large Alligator-class amphibious landing warship in the Black Sea Fleet. It was reactivated to transport supplies and support Russian military operations in Syria.

The ship could carry about 400 troops, as well as 20 main battle tanks or 45 armored vehicles.

While the ship was docked in occupied Berdiansk in Zaporizhzhia Oblast on March 24, 2022, Ukrainian forces reportedly sank it with a Soviet Tochka-U short-range ballistic missile.

Video of the incident appears to show fire erupting above the wreck of the ship near the port as other Russian warships sail to escape the flames.

April 14, 2022: The Moskva

The Moskva, a guided missile cruiser, participates in a Russian military Navy Day parade near the Ukrainian town of Sevastopol. VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP via Getty Images

In a significant blow, the Black Sea Fleet lost its flagship, the Moskva, a guided missile cruiser, after it sank on April 14, 2022. It marked the first time a Russian flagship was sunk since the Russo-Japanese War from 1904 to 1905.

At the onset of the invasion, the Moskva provided air cover for other warships and aided in capturing Snake Island in late February 2022.

Ukraine claimed to have struck the cruiser with long-range Neptune missiles launched from shore.

The 1st video of the Moskva missile cruiser before it sank, if photos posted last night are accurate. It was listing to one side & on fire inside & out, with the area around the bridge burning intensely from what Ukraine says was 2 missile strikes pic.twitter.com/0QpI1tzOrI  Alec Luhn (@AlecLuhn) April 18, 2022

June 17, 2022: The Vasily Bekh

The rescuer tugboat Spasatel Vasily Bekh of the Black Sea Fleet. Andrey Brichevsky/KCHF.RU

The Vasily Bekh, a Russian rescue tugboat, joined the Black Sea Fleet in 2017, intended to provide emergency rescue and towing of ships, evacuate maritime crews, and conduct diving operations and survey work. The Russian tugboat was also used to transport ammunition, weapons, and personnel to Snake Island.

But the rescue tug's time in the fleet came to an end on June 17, 2022, after Ukrainian forces said they struck and "successfully demilitarized" the Vasily Bekh with two Harpoon missiles. The attack marked the first time Ukraine hit a Russian vessel with Western-supplied anti-ship rockets.

August 4, 2023: The Olenegorskiy Gornyak

The Russian Navy's large landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak sets sail in the Bosphorus, on its way to the Black Sea, in Istanbul, Turkey. Murad Sezer/Reuters

The Olenegorskiy Gornyak is a Ropucha-class tank landing ship designed to quickly unload cargo and transport amphibious forces to land.

At 360 feet long, Ropucha-class warships can land up to 10 battle tanks and carry up to 350 troops.

On August 4, 2023, the Russian warship was left badly damaged after it was struck by a Ukrainian sea drone armed with explosives  the first of many ships to fall to attack drones that could reach warships out of missile range. Russia acknowledged the attack but claimed that the Olenegorskiy Gornyak was left unharmed, but video footage of the attack suggested otherwise.

In the video, the sea drone can be seen zooming toward the landing ship and slamming into the side of it before the feed cuts off after detonating.

September 13, 2023: The Minsk

Russian Navy's large landing ship Minsk is seen in the Neva River in St. Petersburg. Anton Vaganov/Reuters

A little over a month later, another Ropucha-class landing vessel was struck on September 13, 2023, while in dry-dock undergoing maintenance at the Sevmorzadov shipyard in Russian-occupied Crimea.

Open-source imagery of the aftermath showed that the Minsk has "almost certainly been functionally destroyed," the UK Ministry of Defense said. A month later, satellite imagery reportedly showed the Minsk had been dismantled.

"The Minsk may be disassembled for spare parts, if there are any left there at all," Ukrainian Navy spokesman Pletenchuk said.

A closer look at the Ropucha-class 'Minsk'. Destroyed during a recent Storm Shadow attack on Sevastopol bay. https://t.co/rC10KD0gJU pic.twitter.com/Q13cPZOSDx  NOELREPORTS   (@NOELreports) September 14, 2023

September 13, 2023: The Rostov-on-Don

Russia's Navy officers, officials, and workers attend a ceremony launching the Rostov-on-Don, a Russian diesel-electric torpedo submarine, at the Admiralteyskiye Verfi shipyard in St. Petersburg. OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images

Alongside the Minsk, the Kilo 636.3 class submarine Rostov-on-Don also "suffered catastrophic damage," the UK Defense Ministry said in an intelligence report. The submarine was also undergoing repairs at the Sevmorzadov shipyard.

"Any effort to return the submarine to service is likely to take many years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars," the ministry continued.

CIT received exclusive photos of the damaged Russian submarine Rostov-on-Don. They indicate she received two hits, one of which is not visible from the satellite imagery.



1/2 pic.twitter.com/pYJ5n4n07H  CIT (en) (@CITeam_en) September 18, 2023

November 4, 2023: The Askold

Missile ships Tsyklon and Askold are seen at the Zaliv shipyard in Kerch, Crimea. Alexei Druzhinin/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

The Russian Navy also lost one of its brand-new warships before it had the chance to join the Black Sea Fleet.

Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk, commander of Ukraine's Air Force, said Ukrainian forces targeted the Zaliv shipyard in Russian-occupied Crimea, causing significant damage to the Project 22800 Karakurt-class corvette, the Askold.

Less than a week later, two more Russian vessels were hit by Ukrainian sea drones, though it was not immediately clear which ships were targeted.

+1 destroyed russian ship.@StratCom_AFU confirmed that an Askold russian ship was destroyed during Saturdays cruise missile attack on the shipbuilding plant in Kerch. pic.twitter.com/TRhuXkouYx  Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) November 6, 2023

Russian media publish a video from Kerch in temporarily occupied Crimea.



Information also appeared that there were at least three strikes on Askold, a Rusaian small missile ship that was to the south of Kerch.



Waiting for official confirmation. pic.twitter.com/bDJJjWoUgZ  Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) November 4, 2023

December 26, 2023: The Novocherkassk

The Russian Navy's large landing ship Novocherkassk sets sail in the Bosphorus, on its way to the Mediterranean Sea, in Istanbul, Turkey. Yoruk Isik/Reuters

To cap off a devastating year for the Russian Navy, Ukrainian forces launched guided missiles at the Ropucha-class landing ship, the Novocherkassk, at the town of Feodosiya in Russian-occupied Crimea.

"Russia's fleet is getting smaller and smaller!" Oleshchuk, the air force commander, wrote on Telegram along with footage of the explosion.

A Russian-appointed governor claimed only one person was killed, and two were injured in the attack, an unlikely outcome since the ship has a crew of about 100; independent Russian journalists reported dozens were wounded or missing.

January 31, 2024: The Ivanovets

Russian Navy's Tarantul-class corvette Ivanovets is escorted by a Turkish Navy Coast Guard boat. Murad Sezer/Reuters

In the latest of Ukraine's string of attacks against the Black Sea Fleet, a Ukrainian special military unit sank a small warship, the Ivanovets, with six satellite-controlled naval drones powered by Jet Skis in an overnight operation on January 31.

The Ivanovets is a Tarantul-class missile corvette armed with supersonic anti-ship missiles and antiaircraft missiles.

Video shared by the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine appears to show the drone approaching the Ivanovets. Following a massive explosion, the vessel can be seen listing before descending stern-first into the water.

#



            



 https://t.co/b8MQb3KJrk pic.twitter.com/Tu6uuaF2rt  Defence intelligence of Ukraine (@DI_Ukraine) February 1, 2024

Read the original article on Business Insider
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday announced Californias federal request for a Major Disaster Declaration to aid San Diego County from storm damage in late January.

President Joe Biden would have to approve a Major Disaster Declaration, which offers programs and supports including housing assistance, vehicle replacement, food aid, counseling, medical services and legal services.

The late January storm saw record-breaking rain in San Diego, where the worst impacts were felt in lower-income neighborhoods. Many folks saw damage to their lifes work that cant be recovered without federal support, Newsom said.

PHOTOS: Powerful storm slams San Diego with rain, snow, thunderstorms

The historic Jan. 22 storm dumped as much as four inches on local spots in the span of only a few hours, making it the fourth overall wettest day on record in some parts of the county, according to the National Weather Service.

At least three people died due to the storm, while more than 800 homes in underserved communities, where flood insurance coverage is exceptionally low, suffered significant damage, according to the governor.

San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas responded to Newsoms federal aid request in a statement.

I want to thank Governor Newsom for his vital and decisive leadership in requesting a Major Disaster Declaration from President Biden to help San Diego County rebuild and recover from the devastating winter atmospheric river. This declaration could help secure federal support, including housing assistance, vehicle replacement, food aid, legal services, and more vital resources. As Chairwoman, I am committed to continuing to work alongside Governor Newsom as we utilize every resource possible to help our county rebuild and recover, Vargas said.

County officials declared a local emergency due to the aftermath of the storm.

This week, another storm again drenched San Diego County, bringing up to seven inches of precipitation to some areas.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced Tuesday he plans to send 120 Highway Patrol officers to Oakland and the East Bay to respond to an alarming wave of crime.

The announcement said California would temporarily increase state law enforcement personnel in Oakland and the East Bay, including sending 120 California Highway Patrol officers to conduct a targeted crackdown on criminal activity, including vehicle theft, retail theft, and violent crime.

As crime rates across California decrease  including right across the Bay in San Francisco  Oakland is seeing the opposite trend, Newsom said in a statement. Whats happening in this beautiful city and surrounding area is alarming and unacceptable.

Im sending the California Highway Patrol to assist local efforts to restore a sense of safety that the hardworking people of Oakland and the East Bay demand and deserve, he said.

The surge in law enforcement will be a 900 percent increase from the typical presence in Oakland and within Alameda County, according to the governors office. The office said officers will be targeting auto theft, cargo theft, retail crime, violent crime, and high-visibility traffic enforcement.

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said in a statement she was grateful for Newsoms assistance.

The surge of crime and violence that we are seeing in our streets is completely unacceptable, Thao said. The City of Oakland is hard at work turning the tide  increasing law enforcement investigations, increasing police recruitment, and investing in community and violence intervention efforts.

The governors office said violent crime in Oakland jumped 21 percent, robbery increased 38 percent and vehicle theft increased 45 percent in 2023, according to preliminary statistics. Newsoms office said this upward trend of crime in Oakland comes as crime is down in other areas, like Los Angeles and San Francisco.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
In a report published by Reuters two security sources have reported that a Senior Commander of Katabi Hezbollah has died in a drone strike. Hezbollah is an Iran-backed military group based in Iraq and the Pentagon has linked to an attack that killed three United States Troops.

The commander has been identified as Abu Baqir al-Saadi. One of the sources reports that three people were killed and the vehicle that was struck was used by Iraq's Popular Mobilization Force (PMF). The PMF is a state security organization that is composed of a myriad of armed groups with many of them being close with Iran.

The report from Reuters went on to reveal, "(U.S.) forces conducted a unilateral strike in Iraq in response to the attacks on U.S. service members, killing a Kataib Hezbollah commander responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on U.S. forces in the region," a statement from the military said. It did not name the commander.

Exchanging Blows

One of those said groups is Kataib Hezbollah. Following the attack, the group announced that it would be suspending strikes against United States troops within the area. Both territories of Iraq and Syria have been bearing witness to various back-and-forth attacks between the two parties since the conflict within the Gaza Strip began in October of last year. The United States did not provide the outlet with a statement regarding the attack on Wednesday. However, this attack appears to be a continuation of strikes against various Iran-backed military groups following the initial strike from Hezbollah.

Hezbollah themselves have been linked to many strikes and attacks not just to United States troops but also Israel and while the group did spurn US overtures back in January, they have stated that they wanted to keep the door open for diplomacy. In addition, there have been strikes from the Houthi Rebels another Iran-backed military group that has been conducting various strikes against cargo ships within the Red Sea. The strikes have been forcing many cargo ships to change their routes but the United States has carried out strikes against the military group within Yemen
Police sources told NV that one of the main theories surrounding the murder of Deputy Mayor of Nikopol, Vitaliy Zhuravlev, is that it was connected with a conflict with a local criminal group that has been ongoing 2017, according to an NV report on Feb. 8.

The assassins have not yet been arrested, NV's sources said.

Read also: Deputy mayor killed in car shooting incident Nikopol

On Feb. 8, in Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk oblast, unidentified persons shot at a car carrying the deputy mayor with an unidentified firearm. The man died on the spot as a result of the shooting.

Vitaliy Zhuravlev was a member of the Batkivshchyna party. He became deputy mayor of Nikopol in September 2021. According to media reports, Zhuravlev was previously the head of the Nikopol Department for Combating Organized Crime.

The Prosecutor General's Office announced the launch of a pre-trial investigation in criminal proceedings on the fact of premeditated murder under the procedural guidance of the Dnipro Regional Prosecutor's Office.

Read also:

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Miami-Dade County still has not done right by the former residents of Scott Carver housing projects after we were kicked out in 2001. Despite promises that we would have the right to return when new and improved housing was built on the site, that still has not happened for many former tenants, 22 years later. I am one of those former residents.

This month a new documentary called Razing Liberty Square has been released, documenting the demolition of another housing project, Liberty Square. One of the broken promises made to some of the residents of Liberty Square was the promise of a right to return when the new housing was built. Despite those promises, many residents were pushed out.

It was the same promise that was made to us at Scott Carver but it never materialized for those of us the system claims to have lost  or made no effort to find. Ive been here all along.

In Razing Liberty Square, tenants who were promised they could stay in Liberty City were instead given Section 8 vouchers to leave their long-time community roots and support behind. The same exact thing is happening to me now, as I hold a Section 8 voucher to live an hour away in Homestead.

In its Pulitzer-prize winning series House of Lies, the Miami Herald documented the fraud and millions of dollars wasted from the federal HOPE VI dollars earmarked for the rebuilding of Scott Carver. The Herald also documented how the county failed residents of Scott Carver and lost them.

More than 1,000 residents of Scott Carver were forced to move all over the county. It took more than 10 years, after protests and even lawsuits, for the county to really start rehousing the displaced tenants. Even then, many of us did not get a chance to return to our community.

Ive bounced around in housing from North Miami-Dade to Liberty City. When I would check in with Miami-Dades Public Housing and Community Development, I couldnt get clear answers about being able to return to Scott Carver. At one point, I gave up trying to get answers. It was so frustrating waiting in offices only to be told that they dont know what Im talking about.

I recently tried again to see about returning to the new housing eventually built at the Scott-Carver site. No, I was told by an employee with Miami-Dades public housing, that would not be possible. They said the program to return displaced Scott Carver residents to the community is long gone.

I drive past the new affordable housing built for people like me at the Scott Carver site, and wonder, how is there no place for me in Liberty City, the community I have long called home?

I get so frustrated. There was so much harm done to us by the county and fraudulent developers. Of the more than 1,000 of us kicked out of Scott Carver, maybe just under 100 returned  10 years later.

Many of us remain out here and want to come back home. The House of Lies that began 22 years ago in Scott Carver continues into Liberty Square today, but maybe, finally, there can be some truth, some delivering on the promises made. Give us the right to return. Were still here.

Deborah McCloud, former Scott Carver housing tenant, is a member of the Miami Workers Center.
The claim: WEF panelist sought to ban coffee due to CO2 after traveling in private plane, helicopter

A Jan. 29 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) shows conservative comedian JP Sears dressed as a disheveled newscaster purportedly reporting about the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

A video clip then shows WEF panelist Hubert Keller saying that 15 to 20 tons of CO2 are emitted with each ton of coffee produced and consumed.

"Every time we drink coffee, we are basically putting CO2 into the atmosphere," Keller says in the clip.

Sears then bangs on the desk and says, That gentleman, who flew in his private jet from overseas to a private jet airport in Switzerland and then took a helicopter from that airport to Davos, is morally rooted enough in his quest to reduce CO2 emissions that he was willing to take on the burden of telling the public that they cant have coffee anymore.

Commenters took the description as fact, criticizing the purported use of a private jet with comments including, "Yes, the word for that clown is hypocrisy!" and "But private jets r ok."

The post was liked more than 19,000 times in a week.

More from the Fact-Check Team: How we pick and research claims | Email newsletter | Facebook page

Our rating: False

Though the post is presented as comedy, it also makes a series of factual assertions  and they're wrong. Keller did not take a plane or a helicopter to the conference, he drove, a spokesperson said. And neither Keller nor the WEF called for a ban on coffee consumption.

Keller traveled to WEF conference by car; didn't demand a limit on coffee consumption

Keller, a senior managing partner at Swiss banking firm Lombard Odier, was one of the speakers at the WEFs Jan. 17 session Putting a Price on Nature, which focused on how businesses can better utilize natural resources.

A video of the session shows Keller talking about the carbon emissions from coffee production and consumption. But contrary to Sears claim, neither the WEF nor Keller demanded a limit on how much coffee people should consume  a claim USA TODAY previously debunked.

Keller also didn't travel to the conference by plane or helicopter. Andreas Kessler, spokesperson for Lombard Odier, said Keller traveled by car since their firm is based in Geneva, Switzerland, roughly five hours away from Davos.

There was no overseas travel to Switzerland, Kessler said.

Fact check: Costco has been selling emergency food kits for more than a decade

USA TODAY reached out to Sears for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Our fact-check sources:

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USA TODAY is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network, which requires a demonstrated commitment to nonpartisanship, fairness and transparency. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Swiss bank executive traveled to WEF by car, not air | Fact check
FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  A Timmonsville police officer who was placed on administrative leave after his DUI arrest had a blood alcohol level of 0.24, or three times the legal limit, according to a report by South Carolina Highway Patrol obtained by News13.

On January 14, 2024, at about 7:22 p.m., a trooper responded to S-Hill Rd in reference to a vehicle crashing into a ditch in Florence County. The trooper approached the driver of the vehicle who was identified as Justin D. Bostick, 33, through his South Carolina drivers license.

The trooper noted Bosticks eyes were glossy, red, and watery, the report said. As the trooper gathered more information on the vehicle, the trooper noticed an odor of an alcoholic beverage.

The trooper circled around the vehicle in an attempt to get closer to Bostick to confirm the smell. The trooper also noticed Bostick had a hard time balancing to retrieve his insurance card, the report said.

This led the trooper to perform a standard field sobriety test on Bostick to make sure he wasnt under the influence of any drugs or alcohol.

After getting Bosticks permission, the trooper asked Bostick to perform a series of tests.

First, Bostick was asked to perform the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. He was given specific instructions to follow the troopers stimulus with only his eyes. Bostick followed the stimulus by turning his head multiple times and could not keep his focus on the stimulus, the report said.

The horizontal gaze nystagmus test had to be stopped and continued many times due to Bosticks inability to focus. Bostick was finally able to properly focus, and the trooper noticed a lack of smooth pursuit in both of Bosticks eyes, the report said.

Next, Bostick was asked to perform the walk and turn test, the report said.

The trooper asked Bostick to get in start position and stay there until the trooper told him to stop. Bostick was unable to stay in the start position without moving. The trooper demonstrated the test for Bostick and allowed him to try. Bostick missed heel to toe with every step he took, the report said.

The trooper added Bostick spread his arms and used them for balance while performing the test. Bostick performed every other command correctly during the walk and turn test, the report said.

For the last test, Bostick was asked to perform the one leg stand. The trooper demonstrated the exercise to Bostick and told him to continue to the exercise until told to stop, according to the report.

Bostick put his foot down several times and asked the trooper when he was supposed to stop. Bostick also flailed his arms and could not maintain his own balance, the report said.

After failing the series of tests, the trooper placed Bostick under arrest for driving under the influence, according to the report.

In the report, the trooper said he noticed something hard protruding from Bosticks left pants pocket and pulled it out. The trooper found that the item protruding was a wallet badge.

The trooper asked Bostick was he a law enforcement officer and Bostick informed the trooper that he worked for the Timmonsville Police Department, the report said.

Bostick was placed into the patrol car and taken to the Florence County Detention Center. Bostick was later asked by the trooper to provide a breath sample.

Bostick blew a 0.24 and stated that there was no way that he was that drunk, the report said. Bostick was booked into jail and left in the custody of the Florence County Detention Center staff.

Bostick has been with the Timmonsville Police Department since Jan. 13, 2022, according to records obtained by News13 from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. He was with the Florence County Sheriffs Office from July 2015 until October 2021.

Records show Bostick was fired from the sheriffs office on Oct. 1, 2021, for violation of agency policy. He allegedly drank alcohol while operating a county vehicle.

Timmonsville police chief James Allen said Bostick was in his own vehicle at the time of arrest.

An employee was involved in an incident off-duty and not involving any town equipment. We are dealing with it as a personnel matter. He has been placed on administrative leave, Allen said in a statement to News13.

Bostick was released from jail on a $2,265 bond and the South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the incident.

* * *

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.
A new college scholarship is up for grabs for two lucky South Carolina high school students, thanks to a local nonprofit.

At Chesterfield High School, 7th Son Ministry has set up two $2,000 scholarships.

Channel 9 Gina Esposito first spoke the groups founder, Benson Ratliff, in 2020 when he giving away cash at a food pantry.

PREVIOUS: It feels good: Retired CMPD officer hands out cash to families in need

Esposito met with him again in March 2023 when Ratliff launched 7th Son Ministry.

Anyone in Mecklenburg and Union counties can apply for financial assistance as long as its an emergency and falls under his four pillars of housing, food, education, and emergency hardship.

In 2023, the nonprofit helped 268 people.

Seniors at Chesterfield High School will be able to apply for the scholarships on March 28.

(WATCH BELOW: 13-year-old killed in shooting in Chesterfield County, deputies say)
A career center in the North Hills received an $85,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education Thursday.

According to state Rep. Arvind Venkat, the grant was given to the A.W. Beattie Career Center.

The center will use the money to buy new equipment to train students through its career and technical education programs.

With this grant, we ensure that students at the A.W. Beattie Career Center have access to equipment of the highest quality while they continue their education, Venkat said. As more than 8.3 million high school students participate in career and technical education programs across the U.S., we have the opportunity to ensure students from the Avonworth, Hampton, and North Allegheny school districts and many others across Allegheny County are prepared to enter into the workforce, in turn boosting Pennsylvanias economy. Im proud to have such an innovative career and technical center in McCandless.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education awarded $4 million to provide new equipment for career and technical education programs across the commonwealth.

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On Wednesday, the US Treasury Department announced that the US imposed sanctions on Ecuador's criminal group Los Choneros and its leader, Jose Adolfo Macias.

President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador declared a 60-day state of emergency and launched a military operation on gangs last month in response to escalating violence in the country.

US Sanctions Los Choneros Gang, Leader

The authorities accused Los Choneros of controlling Ecuador's overcrowded and crime-plagued jails and have linked the group to drug trafficking, extortion, and murder.

The US move freezes any assets of the group and its leader and generally prohibits Americans from doing business with them. However, it is unclear how many US assets the gang has.

Brian Nelson, secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said, "Drug trafficking gangs such as Los Choneros, many with ties to powerful drug cartels in Mexico, threaten the lives and livelihoods of communities in Ecuador and throughout the region."

He continued that they stand in support of Ecuador in its fight to combat drug trafficking, curb the proliferation of prison gangs and prison violence, and take back its streets.

According to the Treasury, Los Choneros have been active in drug trafficking in the country since the 1990s and accused the group of being a major contributor to the rising levels of violence in Ecuador since 2020.

Macias has been on the run since disappearing from an Ecuadorean jail last month, where he was serving a 34-year sentence for crimes including drug trafficking and murder.

Noboa issued a two-month state of emergency shortly after Macias, also known as Fito, went missing.

Read Also: House GOP Fails To Impeach Mayorkas Over Border Handling

Armed Attack at Ecuadorian TV Station

A group of armed and masked men in Ecuador carried out an audacious attack on a television station during a live broadcast, exposing the nation's escalating violence following an alleged recent jailbreak.

Thousands of people watched live on TC Television on Tuesday as the men threatened presenters and studio hands with firearms and explosives that appeared to be sticks of dynamite. Shot-like noises could be heard, along with cries of agony.

Ecuador's attorney general's office said on Tuesday that the police neutralized the scene and arrested 13 people and that they could spend up to 13 years in prison if found guilty of terrorism.

According to AP News, the massacre that took place in February 2021 at the Literol Penitentiary, the nation's most violent prison, marked the beginning of the current wave of violence. It resulted in at least 79 fatalities and set off a string of horrifying incidents in Ecuadorian prisons.

The biggest prison massacre in American history occurred in September of the same year when 116 prisoners were killed in a single prison, several of them by beheading. Over 450 people have been killed in 18 jail conflicts.

Related Article: Ecuador Prosecutor Assassinated While Investigating TV Station Attack


North Korea's rubber-stamp parliament abolished laws on inter-Korean economic cooperation, state media reported Thursday, including regulations around the Mount Kumgang tourism region. This heavily fortified gate in the DMZ has blocked the road to Mount Kumgang since operations were suspended in 2008. File Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI

SEOUL, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- North Korea abolished its laws on inter-Korean economic cooperation, state-run media reported Thursday, further straining ties with South Korea as relations remain at a low point.

The move was made Wednesday at a plenary meeting of the Supreme People's Assembly, North Korea's rubber-stamp parliament, according to Korean Central News Agency.

The assembly adopted a decree on "abolishing the law of the DPRK on North-South economic cooperation," KCNA reported.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the official name of North Korea.

The SPA also scrapped a law regulating the Mount Kumgang special tourism zone, a scenic North Korean mountain resort area that was once a destination for South Koreans.

The mountain became a rare symbol of cooperation after it opened to South Korean tourists in 1998 during the "Sunshine Policy" period of inter-Korean engagement. The resort region was expanded in 2002, with much of the infrastructure developed by an affiliate of South Korea's Hyundai conglomerate.

Nearly 2 million South Koreans visited the site before operations were suspended in 2008 when a 53-year-old tourist was fatally shot by a North Korean soldier near a restricted military area.

The latest policy changes come as tensions are at their highest in years between the two Koreas, with a steady stream of fiery rhetoric and military provocations coming from the North.

Last month, North Korea publicly rejected its long-held goal of unification with the South, with leader Kim Jong Un calling for a constitutional change to define South Korea as its "primary enemy state and invariable principal enemy."

Pyongyang has conducted a flurry of weapons tests in recent weeks, including four cruise missile launches and the test-firing of a new intermediate-range solid-fuel ballistic missile with a hypersonic warhead.

In November, the North withdrew from a 2018 inter-Korean military pact meant to reduce tensions in the border area after launching its first spy satellite.

While North Korea has shown little interest in diplomatic engagement with Washington or Seoul, it has strengthened ties with Russia and is believed to be supplying artillery and missiles to Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.

Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Robert Wood said Tuesday that Russia had fired North Korean ballistic missiles at least nine times in its operations against Ukraine.

South Korea's Ministry of Unification, which oversees inter-Korean affairs, said Thursday that Seoul does not recognize the North's unilateral termination of the cross-border economic agreements, according to public broadcaster KBS.
FILE PHOTO: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the 8th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, in Pyongyang

By Jack Kim

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the country would not hesitate to use all of its military power to wipe out enemies if any of them used force against it as he marked the anniversary of the founding of its military, state media reported on Friday.

Kim made the comments during a visit to the defence ministry on Thursday, rallying soldiers to uphold the ideology of the ruling Workers' Party and defend the country with their lives, KCNA news agency reported.

"If enemies try to use force against our country, we will make the bold decision to change history and not hesitate to use all our super power to wipe them out," KCNA quoted him as saying.

Kim repeated his vow to never hold dialogue or negotiations with South Korea, which he said was his country's "enemy No. 1," and said the policy of powerful military readiness was the only way to ensure peace and security for North Korea, KCNA said.

Kim declared at a major meeting of the ruling party at the end of 2023 that peaceful reunification is impossible and his country was making a policy change on how it deals with the South, in a major shift redefining its ties with Seoul.

The KCNA report said Kim made the visit to the defence ministry with his "respected daughter," indicating he was accompanied by his daughter Ju Ae, who is expected by analysts to play a possible future role in the country's leadership.

North Korea has marked the foundation of its military on Feb. 8 and last year held a large military parade at midnight showcasing its largest intercontinental ballistic missiles.

State media made no mention of a similar large-scale event this year but said there was a parade of an honour guard for Kim at the defence ministry and that he attended a banquet with military commanders and soldiers to celebrate the anniversary.

(Reporting by Jack Kim; Editing by Chris Reese and Jamie Freed)
(Bloomberg) -- North Koreas parliament abolished laws for economic cooperation with South Korea, driving a wedge deeper between the neighbors after leader Kim Jong Un started the year by saying it was impossible to seek peaceful reunification.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The move was announced Thursday by Pyongyangs official media. While North Koreas regime operates on the whims of Kim, the laws had provided a more formal basis for the operation of a mountain resort and factory park north of the border. Both projects  once seen as models of future cooperation  have been shuttered for years due to political rancor.

An official at South Koreas Unification Ministry said the move would only isolate North Korea further, adding that Seoul had no imminent plans to respond, Yonhap News agency reported.

South Koreas so-called peace stocks, which are expected to benefit from improved inter-Korean ties, moved little on the announcement by North Korea.

Last month, North Korea demolished a large monument in Pyongyang that symbolized the hope of reunification after leader Kim began 2024 by branding South Korea as his principal enemy and testing new weapons designed to deliver nuclear strikes.

Kims dismantling of the symbols of unification and government offices dedicated to that task has put pressure on conservative South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has taken a hard line against Pyongyang and angered Kims regime by stepping up military cooperation with the US and Japan.

By harshly criticizing the policies of the Yoon administration, Kim may be trying to influence upcoming parliamentary elections in South Korea in which the progressive camp that embraces warmer ties with Pyongyang is looking to keep control of the body.

Read more: Kim Jong Uns Russia Lifeline Gives Big Reason to Avoid War

Trade between the two Koreas has dropped to virtually zero from $2.7 billion in 2015, or about 10% of North Koreas economy. Pyongyang has turned to cybercrime and the illicit transfer of goods on the high seas to earn cash, according to reports from the United Nations Security Council.

Kims regime has also transfered munitions to Russia to help President Vladimir Putin with his war on Ukraine, the US and South Korea have said. North Korea and Russia have denied the claims.

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Ecuador's National Assembly approves free trade agreement with China

Xinhua) 10:04, February 08, 2024

QUITO, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador's National Assembly on Wednesday approved the free trade agreement between Ecuador and China, according to local authorities.

China is Ecuador's second-largest trading partner. China and Ecuador formally signed the free trade agreement on May 11, 2023, making Ecuador China's 27th free trade partner.

The approval marks the completion of all legal approval procedures for the agreement on the Ecuadorian side.

According to the agreement, China and Ecuador will cancel tariffs on 90 percent of tax items from each other, of which about 60 percent will be canceled immediately after the agreement comes into effect.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
On Wednesday, the International Monetary Fund warned that the strategically-placed Indian Ocean nation of the Maldives, which has borrowed heavily from China and shifted allegiance from India, is at high risk of "debt distress."

The IMF did not provide details of the Maldives' foreign debt. However, it said there was a need for urgent policy adjustment.

Maldives Faces Foreign Debt Crisis

Beijing has increased its financial commitment to the Maldives since Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu took power in November. Muizzu thanked China for its "selfless assistance" for developing funds after a visit to Beijing last month.

After evaluating the country's economy, the IMF said that the overall fiscal deficits and public debt are projected to stay elevated without significant policy changes. It added that the Maldives remains at high risk of external and overall debt distress.

The archipelago, known for its white sand beaches and where tourism accounts for nearly a third of the economy, has recovered economically from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although an expansion of the airport and more hotels are expected to spur GDP, the IMF said that uncertainty surrounding the outlook remains high, and risks are tilted to the downside.

The former president Abdulla Yameen, who served as Muizzu's mentor, borrowed heavily from Beijing for construction projects. The World Bank, citing the Maldives' finance ministry, said that in 2021, the country owed 42% of its total foreign debt of about $3 billion to China.

Muizzu has pledged to bolster his military to protect the nation's extensive marine territory. He has requested that the Indian troops operating the three reconnaissance aircraft in the Maldives should leave by May 10.

The nation's chain of 1,192 small coral islands stretches around 800 kilometers (500 miles) across the equator and traverses global east-west shipping routes.

Read Also: Israel Military Confirms At Least 31 Remaining Hostages Dead in Gaza

Muizzu Announces Discontinue of New Development Projects

On Tuesday, Muizzu said that the nation's debt condition prevented him from launching any new development projects. According to Male-based news outlet Adhadhu, Muizzu claimed he did not want to deceive people about the economic disaster his administration "inherited."

Muizzu was forced to reveal the actual economic situation due to pressure from those dissatisfied with the nation's stalled projects.

He declared, "The next two months will be the most difficult. This is the most critical time," when touring Guraidhoo, one of the nation's islands. "It will become much easier after July. But we're starting now to do the work necessary to earn income."

Male's relationship with New Delhi has suffered since the Maldivian President took office, claiming that the government's debt and the state-owned firms' borrowings were also high. He said that he was trying to bring sustainable development to its true meaning, and it would not produce results if he set down foundation stones in the typical manner of the past without considering the reality as there is an election ahead.

Related Article: New Maldives' China-Friendly President Mohamed Muizzu Vows To Eradicate India Troops


WLRN afternoon news anchor Catalina Garcia quit her job Wednesday in solidarity with the firing of the team behind the public radio stations Sundial show, she told the Miami Herald.

I felt very disappointed, very disillusioned with the way management has handled the whole situation, said Garcia, 55. As a Latina, I felt that I needed to stand in solidarity with Carlos and the whole Sundial team because I know the truth.

Just minutes before her scheduled broadcast, WLRNs management called for a newsroom staff meeting to discuss the federal discrimination charge that former Sundial host Carlos Frias filed against the radio station on Tuesday.

After hearing what she considered lies, she quit on the spot  ending her seven-year employment with the station. Garcia is an afternoon news anchor for WLRN.

You have to stand up for what you believe in, Garcia said.

WLRN CEO John LaBonia did not respond to the Heralds request for comment Wednesday.

In his filing Tuesday, Frias detailed that two weeks after he reported anti-Latino discrimination to Human Resources, he and two colleagues who run Sundial were let go and the show was canceled.

He also alleged Caitie Munoz, WLRNs director of daily news, said the show was sounding very Latino and created a list of Latino or Hispanic guests.

READ MORE: Award-winning journalist accuses WLRN of discrimination  claiming anti-Hispanic bias

Stand up for what you believe in

During Wednesdays meeting, Garcia said executives dismissed Frias claims and justified their actions.

She went on to tell the executives that she understood the firing situation revolved around the show having too much of Latino bent. However, Garcia said the management team swiftly rebuffed that claim, contending no one said that.

That was the last straw for Garcia.

A month prior, Garcia spoke to a member of management about concerns that the Sundial programming was too Latino, she said. The claim was not refuted or argued at the time.

While Garcia has not had any of her work be perceived as overly Hispanic during her time at the station, she has heard similar sentiments from coworkers.

What I heard from management was not the truth, she said. So I told them, You know what? Im working for WLRN because I respect the station and the work that it did, but Ive lost respect for [it]. I cant work for an organization that I dont respect. So consider this my resignation.

Garcia added that the only response she received from management during the meeting  and since then  was from Munoz, who spoke two words:

Thanks, Cat.

Update: A previous version of this story had an incorrect job title for Catalina Garcia. Before resigning, she was WLRNs afternoon news anchor.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it will hold a meeting this summer to determine the probable cause of the East Palestine train derailment.

>> East Palestine Train Derailment: Exclusive sit down with Norfolk Southern CEO nearly 1 year later

A Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous material derailed in East Palestine, Ohio on Feb. 3, 2023. A few days later, a massive explosion during a controlled release of the chemicals inside the train sent heavy black smoke pluming into the air over the small town.

PHOTOS: Massive explosion at start of controlled release of chemicals at train derailment

The derailment resulted in home displacements, constant testing and health concerns from people who lived in and around the community.

>> LATEST: Some residents return to East Palestine after train derailment, others hesitant to go back

The NTSB is returning to East Palestine for our final board meeting for the same reasons we went last summer: Because the communities most affected by this tragedy deserve to hear our findings in-person and in real-time, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said.

The meeting will be held to vote on the final findings, probable cause and recommendations, the NTSB said. Its scheduled for June 25.

There will also be two community meetings held at East Palestine High School before the final board meeting. The public is invited to ask about the NTSB and its investigative process.

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Lawyers representing former President Trump and the New York attorney generals office both urged a New York judge Wednesday to disregard reports that a witness committed perjury while testifying, as the judge weighs his ruling in the case.

The New York Times reported last week that Allen Weisselberg, ex-Trump Organization chief financial officer and a defendant in the case, is negotiating a deal with the Manhattan district attorneys office to plead guilty to perjury for testimony he gave during Trumps civil fraud trial.

Days later, Judge Arthur Engoron asked Trumps legal team and the attorney generals office to bring him up to speed.

As the presiding magistrate, the trier of fact, and the judge of credibility, I of course want to know whether Mr. Weisselberg is now changing his tune, and whether he is admitting he lied under oath in my courtroom at this trial, Engoron wrote in an email to counsel Monday, according to court records.

The trial judge also warned he might choose to deem Weisselbergs entire testimony as false, asking both parties to weigh in on how he should address the matter.

State lawyer Kevin Wallace said Wednesday that the attorney generals office is not involved in any negotiations on whether Weisselberg conceded he testified falsely  though he noted other attorneys within the attorney generals office have been cross-designated to the district attorneys office on other matters, including some involving Mr. Weisselberg.

Wallace also said if Weisselberg did commit perjury, it should not impact the timeline of Engorons verdict in the case.

Negotiations over a potential plea agreement could go on indefinitely. If Mr. Weisselberg and [the New York attorney generals office] do not reach agreement, a trial on any potential perjury charges would take even longer, Wallace wrote in a letter to the court. And delaying the final determination in this action to await the outcome of plea negotiations would have the perverse effect of rewarding Defendants if Mr. Weisselberg is indeed guilty of perjury.

Clifford Robert, who represents Trumps sons, questioned the veracity of the Times report and raised issue with the judges suggestion it could influence his verdict.

We respectfully submit that the Courts request for comment on this speculative media account is unprecedented, inappropriate and troubling, Robert wrote.

He also said the judge should not deem Weisselbergs testimony false without also calling into question testimony from ex-Trump fixer Michael Cohen. On the witness stand, Cohen admitted to lying before a different judge and backtracked on key testimony during his cross-examination.

It is inconceivable that the Court would not apply falsus in uno to Mr. Cohens testimony, while musing on its applicability based on a speculative news story, Robert wrote.

And Alina Habba, who represents Weisselberg and several Trump entities, said she has not spoken with the district attorneys office about any of the matters discussed in the New York Times article, declining to comment further due to her professional ethical obligations. She urged the judge to disregard the Times report in his verdict.

In a statement to The Hill, Trump lawyer Chris Kise accused the attorney generals office of actively coordinating with the district attorney to bolster their case.

Court decisions are supposed to be made based on the evidence at trial, not on media speculation, Kise said. But realizing they have no actual evidence to support their relentless and unjustifiable pursuit of President Trump, Alvin Bragg and Letitia James have now conspired together to create a media frenzy and use it as support for their claims.

New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) sued Trump, the Trump Organization and several executives, including Trumps adult sons, in 2022 alleging they falsely altered Trumps net worth on key financial statements to receive tax and insurance benefits.

The trial ended last month after more than two months of testimony from some 40 witnesses. Before the trial began, Engoron found Trump and his business liable for fraud.

Jamess office has asked Engoron to force Trump to pay a $370 million financial penalty and to ban him from New Yorks real estate business for life.

The judge could issue his decision at any time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
An embattled former executive of a New York real estate development firm was indicted Wednesday on charges he allegedly conspired in an $86.6 million fraud scheme.

Nir Meir, the 49-year-old former managing principal of HFZ Capital Group, was indicted for tax fraud, falsifying business records, and various counts of larceny after allegedly bilking investors, subcontractors, and the city through a years-long scheme.

Meir was arrested Monday night at the 1 Hotel in South Beach, where he had been renting an apartment, New York Magazine reported. He pleaded not guilty in front of a Florida judge and is now facing extradition to New York. Prosecutors allege that Meir and others falsified construction costs, lied to investors, and inflated invoices to make it appear like several projects were further along than they actually were.

These indictments depict allegations of widespread fraud within the real estate industry primarily spearheaded by one man: Nir Meir, said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in a Wednesday statement.

Lawyers for HFZ Capital Group and Meir did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Don Omar Sues DJ Envy Associate Over Shady Real Estate Deal

The charges are the latest legal hit against HFZ, the once prominent real estate development firm in Manhattan that collapsed around 2020. Prosecutors allege that when HFZs financial difficulties became public knowledge through the mountain of lawsuits, investors demanded to inspect its books. In response, Meir allegedly directed an accountant to forge certain bank account statements to reflect millions of dollars in investor funds, when in fact, they were nearly empty.

In one instance, Meir instructed the accountant to inflate statements for an account to purport it contained more than $24.6 million, when, in fact, it contained $814, prosecutors alleged.

Since its closure, Meir has faced multiple lawsuits while living in Miami Beach, including allegations from his former business partner that accused him in a lawsuit of creating a Machiavellian scheme to enrich himself through theft, deception, and charm, New York Magazine reported. The former partner, Ziel Feldman, alleged that Meir diverted millions of the companys funds into his own pocket, stole a HFZ Capital-owned house in the Hamptons, and even hired someone to impersonate a Korean investor. Feldmans lawsuit is seeking $688 million in damages from Meir.

Israeli businessman Yoav Harlap alleged in a 2022 lawsuit that instead of paying back a delinquent loan, Meir was allegedly living a high life in Miami. The lawsuit, reported by The Real Deal, claimed Meir lived in a $150,000-a-month Miami Beach estate with his wife, chartered yachts, and even bought over $1.5 million in gold bullion while hiding his assets.

Last week, Meir filed for bankruptcy in Florida in response to Harlaps $18.5 million civil judgment, claiming he had just $50 in cash in his name. The Real Deal reported that Meir also reported having $30 million in liabilities.

Meir is also in the middle of a matrimonial battle with his wife, Ranee Bartolacci, who has previously claimed to be unaware of her estranged spouse's money troubles. Bartolacci, however, revealed in court filings that Meir was borrowing hundreds of thousands of dollars from her father while battling creditors and partying.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The American-made Patriot missile system is likely responsible for the Russian Il-76 plane crash, American officials anonymously told The New York Times. The plane was also likely carrying at least some Ukrainian prisoners, officials reported.

Russia's Il-76 military transport plane crashed in the country's Belgorod region on Jan. 24, allegedly killing everyone on board.

The cause of the crash is unclear, with Russia claiming that Ukraine's military shot the plane down as it carried 65 Ukrainian POWs. Kyiv has demanded an international probe into the incident.

Ukraine's military intelligence agency did not confirm whether prisoners were on the plane nor have they commented on what might have caused the crash.

Ukrainian officials did reveal that a prisoner exchange had been planned for that day.

Ukrainian military sources told Ukrainska Pravda that the plane was carrying S-300 missiles, regularly used by Russia to strike Kharkiv Oblast.

The Patriot air defense system is a crucial component in protecting Ukrainian air space from Russian missile attacks.

Although American officials have been unable to confirm who was on the plane, sources told the NYT that it appeared probable that at least some of the passengers were Ukrainian prisoners.

The New York Times reported that American officials would not comment on what brought down the plane publicly. According to the news outlet officials who spoke privately on the condition of anonymity said that it was in fact the Patriot missiles.

After Russia claimed that 65 Ukrainian POWs were killed in the crash, Ukraine requested that Russia return the bodies of the killed POWs home.

Russia's government never responded to the appeal. Russia also reportedly blocked the International Committee of Red Cross from investigating the circumstances of the crash.

Officials report that Ukraine likely acted on weak intelligence as the plane was previously used to transport missiles, making it a valuable target for Ukraine's military.

Read also: Russia ignores Ukraines appeal to return bodies of POWs Moscow says are killed in Il-76 crash

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The New York Times reported on 8 February, citing "US officials", that the Ilyushin-76 cargo plane which was shot down over Russia's Belgorod Oblast last month was downed by a Patriot missile.

Source: European Pravda, with reference to the New York Times

Details: The NYT writes, citing its sources, that the Il-76 was shot down by a Patriot interceptor provided by "a European partner" of the United States.

US officials have not publicly commented on what downed the plane, although those who spoke to The New York Times on condition of anonymity said that "reports of the Patriot missile being used were accurate", the article says.

The NYT article is one of the first reports on the US assessment of the incident, which took place on 24 January over Russias Belgorod Oblast.

Russias Defence Ministry claimed at the time that the plane was transporting Ukrainian prisoners of war to Belgorod for a prisoner swap and that they had allegedly been killed.

Ukraines Defence Intelligence confirmed that the swap scheduled for 24 January did not take place, but they had no information about the Ukrainian prisoners on board the Il-76. In the previous swap, prisoners had been delivered by plane, but Ukraine had been made aware of that in advance.

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British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak joked that the leader of the opposition Labour Party could not define what a woman was, which sparked criticisms during a parliamentary exchange with the murdered girl's mother on Wednesday.

A Labour MP asked Brianna Ghey's mother to attend Sunak's monthly question-and-answer session in parliament.

Sunak Criticized Over Transgender Remark

During a conversation with Labour leader Keir Starmer, who had previously claimed that Ghey's mother was watching, Sunak said "defining a woman" was on a list of Starmer's unfulfilled promises and joked that it had been "only 99% of a U-turn."

Starmer responded, "Of all the weeks to say that, when Brianna's mother is in this chamber. Shame. Parading as a man of integrity when he's got absolutely no responsibility."

In response to a question about Starmer's opinions on transgender issues last April, Starmer said that 99.9% of women "of course haven't got a penis." Sunak said, "A man is a man, and a woman is a woman," and criticized Starmer on Wednesday's jibe, saying he "still does not know what a woman, opens new tab is."

According to Sunak's press secretary, the prime minister had been listing Labour's U-turns, and to do so was "totally legitimate." She rejected the idea that the statement was transphobic.

A Labour spokesman told reporters, "We think the comments from him are deeply offensive to trans people, and he should reflect on his response... and apologize." Ghey's mother was scheduled to visit Starmer following the session.

Sunak did not address Starmer's comment or respond to other lawmakers' calls to apologize.

On Wednesday night, Sky News opened a new tab and said that Peter Spooner, the father of the murdered teenager, expressed his dismay at the prime minister's remarks and felt he should apologize for his comments.

Furthermore, Sunak honored Ghey's mother at the end of the session, saying, "What happened was an appalling and devastating catastrophe."

He continued that in the face of that, for the mother to demonstrate the compassion and empathy she did last weekend, he thought he showed the very best of humanity in the face of seeing the worst of humanity. He noted that the mother deserves all their admiration and praise for that.

Read Also: Qatar PM Says Hamas Reacts in 'Positive' Way To Gaza Ceasefire Proposal

Teenagers Arrested Over Ghey's Murder

Two teenagers were sentenced to life in prison last week for the murder of Ghey, who was stabbed 28 times with a hunting knife, killing partly motivated by her transgender identity.

Scarlett Jenkinson was given a minimum sentence of 22 years for what the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) called "one of the most disturbing cases" their attorneys had ever worked with. The judge described Jenkinson as the "driving force" behind the murder.

Eddie Ratcliffe, a quiet and reserved former champion kickboxer, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after killing Ghey, an "out and proud" transgender teenager with dreams of becoming a beauty therapist.

The 16-year-old teenagers were initially identified before punishment after the judge lifted reporting restrictions.

Sentencing, Justice Yip said that they both took part in a brutal and planned murder, which was sadistic and where a secondary motive was hostility towards Ghey because of her transgender identity.

Related Article: Brianna Ghey Killing: England Teenagers Sentenced to Life Over 'Planned' Murder of Transgender


A Republican-led effort to overturn Missouris near-total abortion ban on Thursday suspended its campaign, paving a path forward for a more expansive effort to reach the ballot.

The campaign, led by Jamie Corley, a former Republican congressional staffer, and her group The Missouri Women and Family Research Fund would have legalized abortion up to 12 weeks and added exceptions for rape and incest.

Having two initiatives on the ballot would create confusion and potentially split the vote. No one wants that, so we have decided to suspend our campaign to amend Missouris abortion law, Corley said in a statement.

Corley had pitched the proposal as a middle ground between the abortion ban and the more expansive proposals backed by a coalition of the states leading abortion rights groups. However, several abortion rights supporters were skeptical, arguing it would have given lawmakers too much room to regulate reproductive health care.

The decision to end the campaign comes after the competing abortion rights effort launched its campaign late last month and had since raised more than $3 million as of last week. Corleys campaign, by comparison, had just more than $60,000 on hand at the end of December.

The competing effort, called Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, includes the ACLU of Missouri, Abortion Action Missouri, Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes and Advocates of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri.

The coalition is pushing a measure that would enshrine the right to an abortion in the state constitution but also give lawmakers leeway to regulate the procedure after fetal viability. The campaign announced last week that more than 5,000 volunteers have joined the campaign and it hosted a series of signature-gathering events earlier this week.

Campaigners and volunteers need to collect more than 170,000 signatures from voters by May to get the proposal on the ballot. The coalitions fundraising page estimates that signature collections will cost roughly $5 million.

Corley on Thursday said she would also dismiss an ongoing lawsuit with Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft that challenged the ballot summary he wrote for the proposal. She also appeared to throw her support behind the competing measure.

It is our sincere hope that come November, this ban will be overturned and women will have access to the health care they want, need and deserve, she said.
A former engineer at a Southern California company has been apprehended on federal charges, accused of pilfering trade secret technologies developed for United States (US) government use in detecting nuclear missile launches and tracking ballistic and hypersonic missiles, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Chenguang Gong, aged 57 and residing in San Jose, California, was taken into custody Tuesday morning, the Justice Department revealed. Gong is currently detained pending a hearing.

Theft of Trade Secrets

The criminal complaint lodged against Gong alleges theft of trade secrets. According to unsealed court documents, Gong purportedly siphoned off over 3,600 files from a Los Angeles-area research and development entity--identified as the victim company--to personal storage devices during his brief tenure with the company last year.

Among the filched data were blueprints for advanced infrared sensors engineered for deployment in space-based systems to detect nuclear missile launches and monitor ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

Additionally, the pilfered materials reportedly encompassed schematics for sensors enabling US military aircraft to identify incoming heat-seeking missiles and execute countermeasures, including infrared tracking jamming.

A significant portion of these files was later discovered on storage devices seized from Gong's temporary residence in Thousand Oaks, as per an affidavit accompanying the complaint.

The Justice Department warned that the technologies purportedly purloined by Gong could pose grave risks to US national security if obtained by foreign entities.

In his role as an application-specific integrated circuit design manager at the victim company's laboratory, Gong was entrusted with overseeing the development and verification of infrared sensors.

However, beginning in late March 2023 and persisting until his termination in April 2023, Gong purportedly conducted a clandestine data exfiltration operation.

Read Also: UK, 35 Other Nations, Sign International Agreement to Combat Hackers-For-Hire, Cyber Threats

Gong's Alleged Engagements With Chinese Talent Programs

The affidavit accompanying the complaint sheds light on Gong's previous engagements with Chinese talent programs, wherein he proposed projects mirroring his work for American firms, evidently with intentions to advance Chinese military objectives.

Prior to his arrest, Gong's activities had drawn suspicion for their potential implications on national security. Court documents indicate that Gong, between 2014 and 2022, made multiple applications for "talent programs" operated by the Chinese government, all while employed at several major US technology firms and one of the world's leading defense contractors.

As per the complaint, the Chinese Talent Program Tracker is designed to pinpoint individuals residing outside China possessing expertise and insights capable of enhancing the Chinese economy and strengthening its military capacities.

In his Talent Program applications, Gong highlighted the military benefits of the converters he planned to develop, mentioning their importance for radar systems and missile navigation. In a 2019 email, he acknowledged the risk of participating due to his job at an American military company but expressed his desire to contribute to China's military technology.

According to the affidavit, Gong persisted in pursuing funding from Chinese government programs until at least March 2022. Prosecutors stated that Gong is originally from China, and obtained American citizenship in 2011.

Los Angeles US Attorney Martin Estrada emphasized the gravity of Gong's actions, noting his prior attempts to furnish China with information conducive to bolstering its military capabilities.

"We will do everything to protect our nation's security, including from foreign threats," Estrada said.

A criminal complaint, while a serious allegation, must be proven beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law. Gong faces a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment if convicted of theft of trade secrets.

Related Article: CIA Leaker Joshua Schulte Gets 40 Years Behind Bars for Espionage, Child Pornography Charges
Witnesses began to take the stand as the trial for Adam Montgomery, the New Hampshire father accused of killing his young daughter, began on Thursday.

Montgomery refused to appear in court on Thursday.

During the New Hampshire prosecutor Christopher Knowles opening statements, he argued You will hear who had motive for killing Harmony and getting rid of her. He told a friend, Harmony was evil. She was a constant reminded of her mother, Crystal, who he hated. He hated Harmony to his core.

Knowles continued, arguing that Montgomery beat and terrorized his now-estranged wife Kayla. He conditioned her through force and threats. Kayla was in a nightmare with no end as he carried Harmonys body for two months, he said. Knowles said Adam flew into a rage on December 7th, 2019, when Harmony had an accident in the car.

He looked back at Harmony as he was driving, and he said, Really harmony? Again? And he began striking her. As he was driving, holding onto the wheel he began punching this little girl repeatedly for something she had no control over, Knowles detailed.

Knowles described Harmonys last days of life as excruciatingly painful, saying she was scared, skinny, bruised, constantly exhausted and unable to control her bowels.

He looked back at Harmony as he was driving, and he said, Really harmony? Again? And he began striking her. As he was driving, holding onto the wheel he began punching this little girl repeatedly for something she had no control over, Knowles detailed.

After Montgomerys alleged attack on the young defenseless girl, the prosecutor said he did drugs for 20 to 25 minutes, displaying zero concern for the child dying just feet away from him.

Kayla was terrified to see what he had done. She could hear the moaning. Sounds that eventually stopped, the prosecutor noted.

After Harmony died, the prosecutor says Montgomery stored the body in the ceiling of the shelter, sleeping beneath her before allegedly placing her body in a restaurant freezer and moving her again to an apartment on Union Street. Montgomery allegedly bought saws and lime at Home Depot, and put in for a work order to unclog his bathroom drain, where he allegedly dismembered the body.

Im in court for opens in Adam Montgomery trial. I was told he again has refused to come to court. Yesterday he indicated he wants to plead guilty to two charges in his murder trial. @boston25 #AdamMontgomery #HarmonyMontgomery pic.twitter.com/nmSpTe8ESJ  Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) February 8, 2024

Montgomerys defense team denied Adam was at fault for his daughters death, claiming Kayla was the one responsible.

Only Kayla knows the truth, and only she benefits from all the lies that she told, the defense attorney described. The whole entire story is not true.

When called to the witness stand, Harmonys biological mother Crystal Sorey told the courtroom through tears that she last saw her daughter before Easter in 2019. Sorey says she attempted to contact Adam and Kayla through 2021 but the two blocked her and didnt allow her to see Harmony.

While DD Travers, a nurse practitioner at Catholic Medical Center, was at the stand, prosecutors revealed that Harmony weighed 35.2 pounds when she was admitted to the hospital in June 2019.

Adams uncle, Kevin Montgomery, appeared in court after being subpoenaed. He told the court that he saw Harmony with a black eye like a raccoons in July 2019. Kevin told the court he questioned Adam who allegedly replied that he exited the bathroom to find Harmony with her hands over the mouth of another child in the home.

Then Adam said, I bashed her around the f-ing house. Kevin Montgomery said. Through tears, Kevin described how told others of the incident, asking Sorey, DCF and Harmonys foster mother to get help for the girl.

Kevin Montgomery added that the last time he saw Harmony was on September 19 before Adam was evicted from the home.

Montgomery also refused to appear in court on Wednesday. Montgomery told a judge via Zoom on Wednesday that he intends to plead guilty to charges of abuse of a corpse and falsifying evidence in the death of Harmony Montgomery.

Montgomery is charged with second-degree murder and assault in connection with the death of Harmony. Authorities have also charged him with witness tampering, in addition to the criminal offenses of falsifying physical evidence (after, destroy, hide), and abuse of a corpse.

BREAKING: Adam Montgomery says he intends to plead GUILTY to charges of abuse of corpse and falsifying evidence.

Judge is talking to him in open court via Zoom. No jury in the room. @boston25 #AdamMontgomery #HarmonyMontgomery #TrueCrime  Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) February 7, 2024

It wasnt easy to select a jury, especially since the Harmony case has dominated New Hampshire news for more than two years. Messer and both sides spent hours, talking to more than 120 potential jurors before whittling down from a final pool of 27.

Harmony was last seen in December 2019. Her body has never been found.

When jury selection began Tuesday morning, photos showed Montgomery smiling with his tongue out as was ushered into court.

Before Messer began the jury selection process, she asked Montgomery if he wanted to waive his right to wear a leg brace and instead appear in court cuffed in shackles.

The trial is scheduled to continue daily when the court is open through Feb. 29. The trial will be held in Courtroom 1 of Hillsborough County Superior Court Northern District in Manchester.

Kayla Montgomery will be called to testify on Friday morning as the states star witness against her husband.

Kayla Montgomery, Adams wife, will be called to testify in his murder trial tomorrow morning starting at 9. She is states star witness against him. #AdamMontgomery #HarmonyMontgomery @boston25  Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) February 8, 2024

Adam Montgomery indicted on second-degree murder charge in death of his daughter Harmony Montgomery

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

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Vote Not

Officials say they've identified the culprit behind an AI-generated robocall featuring a fake President Joe Biden telling people not to vote  a weird bit of AI-inflected political maneuvering that could be a sign of things to come in a dirty election year.

The Washington Post reports that New Hampshire's attorney general is opening a criminal investigation into the alleged perpetrator of the calls, a Texas-based outfit called Life Corp. Also involved is a company called Lingo Telecom, which as TechCrunch notes has gone by many different names and received numerous citations from the Federal Communications Commission for illegal activity.

Held on January 23, New Hampshire's primary ballot didn't include Biden's name because the Democratic National Committee recognizes South Carolina's election, which took place last week, as the first "official" election of the presidential primary season. To work around the confusion, Biden boosters launched a write-in campaign urging potential supporters to jot down his name on their ballots anyway.

NH Democrats were targeted by the offending robocalls and urged not to write the president in because their vote "makes a difference in November, not this Tuesday."

https://twitter.com/DanWGME/status/1749519796821975198

Dark Tidings

Soon after the incident, the FCC moved to make AI robocalls illegal, and as the NH Department of Justice explained in a press release, it's working closely with the agency's enforcement bureau in its criminal probe, which will look into "potential election law violations, consumer protection act violations, and telephone consumer protection act violations."

The debacle has clearly shaken up elections experts, who are no stranger to attempts at interference.

Former federal attorney David Becker, who now leads the Center for Election Innovation and Research, told PBS last month that although "robocalls and dirty tricks go back a long ways," this instance is particularly dangerous.

"They dont need to convince us that what theyre saying, the lies theyre telling, are true," Becker said. "They just need to convince us that there is no truth, that you cant believe anything youre told."

More on AI fakery: Embattled Sheriff Caught Posting AI-Generated Headlines About How She's Awesome
Editors Note: Tim Calkins is clinical professor of marketing at Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management. He teaches courses including Marketing Strategy, Branding and Biomedical Marketing. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion on CNN.

Remember the talking baby, Andy Warhol eating a Whopper or when Amazon Alexa lost her voice? These were all among the notable Super Bowl ads of the past 20 years.

The Super Bowl is the biggest marketing event of the year; in the United States, nothing else comes close. Viewership is routinely over 100 million people, and the advertising typically costs about $7 million for each 30-second spot.

Tim Calkins - Kellogg School of Management

For the past 20 years, students at Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management have been evaluating Super Bowl ads. While many people rank them based on humor or likeability, the Kellogg panel has a different focus: business impact. Will the spot boost sales and build the brand?

The Super Bowl is a crowded environment, so standing out is difficult. The best Super Bowl ads manage to break through the clutter and communicate a benefit to potential customers in a distinctive and memorable way.

These are some of the very best Super Bowl ads over the past 20 years. All of these spots received some of the highest scores with the Kellogg panel.

Google, Parisian Love

Super Bowl XLIV in 2010 included Googles first-ever Super Bowl spot. The ad was simple: a love story told through a series of Google searches. It received the years top score from the Kellogg panel and went down in history as an outstanding Super Bowl spot.

Google ran its first-ever Super Bowl ad in 2010. - From Google/YouTube

The ad worked for a number of reasons: It was attention-grabbing, it was completely unique and perhaps most important, it demonstrated a product and the benefits of using it.

E-Trade, Talking Baby

One of the most memorable Super Bowl characters over the past 20 years has been the E-Trade baby. The character first appeared in 2008. The message: Investing with E-Trade is so easy even a baby could do it. The advertising grabs your attention: A baby talking about investing is an unusual sight, to say the least. Equally important, the benefit comes across  E-Trade makes investing easy.

E-Trade went on to use the baby in a series of Super Bowl ads. The message varied over the years, but the talking baby remained at the center of the action.

Amazon, Alexa Loses Her Voice

Amazon has been one of the most successful of all Super Bowl advertisers, at least according to the Kellogg Super Bowl Ad Review panel. For five years in a row, from 2018 to 2022, Amazon received the top grade: A. No other advertiser has managed this in the 20-year history of the Kellogg analysis.

Perhaps Amazons best spot, however, was from 2018. The ad featured Amazons Alexa device losing its voice. To fill the gap, Amazon brought in a collection of replacements including Gordon Ramsay, Cardi B and Anthony Hopkins.

Amazon's Super Bowl ad from 2018 featured a number of stars, including Cardi B, filling in for Alexa. - From TheAdsWorld/YouTube

It is odd to feature a product failure in a piece of advertising, but this spot works because it highlights all the different things Alexa does: provide the weather, make calls, play music, provide recipes.

The spot has remarkable linkage; the entire story revolves around the product. And the unexpected creative idea  using celebrities to fill in for an ailing Alexa  makes it one of the most memorable Super Bowl spots.

T-Mobile, #NSFWireless

T-Mobile has been a consistent Super Bowl advertiser. The company has used different creative ideas over the years, but the basic strategy has remained the same: Attack Verizon and position T-Mobile as a better alternative.

In 2017, T-Mobile ran an edgy spot accusing Verizon of creating wireless pain. The spot grabbed attention and communicated a benefit: You can avoid headaches by switching to T-Mobile and getting a better wireless experience. The message: Wireless pain is fine, if you are into that sort of thing. If not get T-Mobile

Kia, Give It Everything

To introduce its new SUV, the Telluride, Kia ran a stunning Super Bowl spot in 2019. The ad stood out with its portrayal of a small town in Georgia and the people living there. The ad stated: Because we are not known for who we are, we hope to be known for what we do, what we build  No, we are not famous. But we are incredible, and we make incredible things.

Kia's 2019 Super Bowl ad helped launch its new SUV, the Telluride. - From Superbowl Commercials/YouTube

The spot featured local people living modest lives. It held them up as heroes, tapping into the fact that yes, there are the high-income achievers, but there are also hard-working small-town citizens who work hard and build terrific products. The overall message: Telluride is a US-made, remarkable SUV. The spot helped launch what has become one of Kias most important vehicles.

Many Super Bowl spots fall flat because they dont stand out or deliver a message. To rank among the bottom, however, a Super Bowl ad has to go beyond that. The least effective Super Bowl spots often had a negative impact.

These are some of the worst.

Nationwide, The Boy Who Couldnt Grow Up

One of the most surprising Super Bowl spots of all time, though not in a good way, was an advertisement from Nationwide in 2015. The ad featured a small boy talking about all the things he wasnt going to do because he died in an accident.

The spot was well-intentioned: Nationwide was highlighting its efforts to reduce accidents. Unfortunately, the ad fell flat; it received a lot of attention but much of it was negative. In the middle of a festive Super Bowl afternoon, few people want to hear about a child who had passed away.

Not surprisingly, the executive responsible for the spot left the company shortly after the Super Bowl.

GoDaddy, Perfect Match

One of the most important things to consider when evaluating a Super Bowl ad is amplification. What will people take from a spot? What will stick with them? You want this to be positive and linked to the brand.

GoDaddy fell flat on this metric with its 2013 Super Bowl ad. The spot featured supermodel Bar Refaeli passionately kissing an awkward, somewhat nerdy kid. The goal was to suggest that GoDaddy has two sides: the sexy side and the smart side. Unfortunately, what stuck with viewers was the cringey imagery.

Burger King, Eat Like Andy

One would think that a spot featuring Andy Warhol footage would do well. That was not the case for Burger King. In 2019, Burger King used an old video of Warhol (who died in 1987), which featured him eating a Whopper. While there was perhaps artistry to the commercial, it didnt work. The ad created confusion, as some people didnt understand the point. More important, Warhols lack of enthusiasm for the Whopper was notable and did little to help the brand.

HomeAway, Test Baby

Vacation rental company HomeAway ran an unfortunate Super Bowl ad in 2011 that featured a baby getting thrown against a window. The goal was to dramatize the challenge of staying in a small hotel room and promote the benefit of renting a house. The unfortunate scene, however, created a huge backlash as people complained that the company was making light of head injuries and showing abused children. HomeAway quickly apologized for the ad.

Groupon, Tibet

In 2011, Groupon ran a Super Bowl spot featuring Timothy Hutton. The actor lamented the situation in Tibet, noting, The people of Tibet are in trouble. Their very culture is in jeopardy. He then noted, But they still whip up an amazing fish curry. And, even better, he had saved money by using Groupon.

The spot created an immediate backlash, as people accused Groupon of making light of a very serious situation. The company pulled the ad and apologized.

What makes the Super Bowl unique is the massive numbers of viewers each year. Companies that create strong ads that break through the clutter, deliver a benefit and communicate the brand get a huge boost. Brands that miss the mark can damage their reputation. A weak Super Bowl spot can lead to apologies and career setbacks.

The pressure on Super Bowl Sunday is intense, for the players and the advertisers. On Sunday, some marketing teams will celebrate success, as their ads resonate with consumers. Other marketers will wonder how the spots they worked on so hard failed to stand out.

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Editors Note: Tristan Snell is author of the new book Taking Down Trump: 12 Rules for Prosecuting Donald Trump by Someone Who Did it Successfully. He is a lawyer and legal commentator who has appeared on MSNBC and CNN, and he served as assistant attorney general for New York State, where he led the investigation of, and civil case against, Trump University. The views expressed here are the writers own. Read more opinion on CNN.

The Supreme Court on Thursday is weighing the question of whether former President Donald Trump has been disqualified from office by engaging in an insurrection in violation of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. The constitutional text is clear: Any official who took an oath of office is disqualified if they have engaged in insurrection against the Constitution or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.

Tristan Snell - Courtesy Tristan Snell

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled Trump to be ineligible on this basis. The ruling encompassed both the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol itself, which interfered with the certification of the Electoral College vote for president, and the former presidents overall scheme to overturn the 2020 election.

The case now comes to the Supreme Court following Trumps appeal, and it could determine whether Trump appears on the ballot in up to 35 different states where his eligibility is being challenged.

There are two factual questions at the core of this case: Was January 6 an insurrection and did Trump engage in it?

Fortunately, the Supreme Court need not look far for answers to these questions. They can simply look across the street at the Capitol, where majorities of both chambers of Congress already found that January 6 was an insurrection and that Trump not only engaged in it but incited it.

This may come as a shock. When, one might ask, did Congress ever hold such votes?

Those votes came in the second impeachment of Trump, in January and February of 2021, in which majorities of both the House and the Senate backed an article of impeachment against Trump for incitement of insurrection.

This was a finding of fact, by majorities of our elected representatives, after a full public trial in which Trump was able to mount a defense  and it should be deemed persuasive, if not conclusive, in answering the factual questions before the Supreme Court. Indeed, for the more right-wing justices, who are often fond of pontificating that courts should not make policy judgments and should instead defer to legislatures, one would think that such a clear public pronouncement from Congress on Trumps engagement in insurrection would be a compelling precedent.

To be clear, the 14th Amendment does not actually require anyone to have voted to disqualify an insurrectionist, whether thats a legislature or a jury. It certainly does not require a conviction, as some have tried to argue (and such bastardization of the plain language of a constitutional provision is exactly the opposite of what conservatives normally preach).

Legally, the insurrectionist is disqualified the moment he engages in insurrection. Though innocent until proven guilty is a familiar standard in criminal law, it shouldnt apply to disqualifying someone from public office, since holding office is a privilege, not a right. Indeed, the courts in Colorado found Trump engaged in insurrection, and that alone was legally sufficient for Trump to be ruled ineligible there.

Yet if we are going to look for some additional fact-based determination on whether Trump engaged in insurrection  especially one that can be applied nationally  Congress has already provided us with one, and the Supreme Court should look no further.

The congressional votes regarding Trump should satisfy those who say we should let the voters decide rather than applying the Constitution and removing Trump from the ballot; the voters already decided. Our elected representatives convened, heard from both sides and voted that January 6 was an insurrection and that Donald Trump not only engaged in it but incited it. This was the conclusion of 232 of 435 representatives and 57 of 100 senators.

Those majorities already represent the will of the American people. True, it was not enough for impeachment, which requires a two-thirds majority in the Senate, but it is more than enough for disqualification, where no supermajority is stipulated and thus a simple majority should suffice.

If the voters change their minds at some future date, the Constitution also provides a way to restore Trumps eligibility for office: Section 3 of the 14th Amendment allows for a disqualified official to be rehabilitated by a two-thirds vote of each house of Congress.

Without such an effort by Congress, it makes a mockery of both democracy and the Constitution to allow Trump to run again. If he is legally ineligible, he must not be on the 2024 ballot, or else the Constitution is meaningless. We cannot cherry-pick which provisions of the Constitution we feel like enforcing at any given moment and we cannot ignore provisions of the Constitution merely because they yield difficult or inconvenient outcomes.

Therein lies the greatest danger. We must not be fooled by the let the voters decide argument. It sounds democratic, but a suspension and circumvention of a clear constitutional provision could be the beginning of the end for our democracy and the rule of law. If any one part of the Constitution is set aside, no part of it is sacred.

If we let the voters decide Trumps eligibility, does that mean we should also let the voters decide whether journalists should be jailed, as Trump has called for? Should we let the voters decide to strip voting rights from other voters they disagree with? A democracy without a constitution and the rule of law will not remain a democracy for long. Instead, we must apply all the laws as written  including the 14th Amendment.

We already possess a clear determination by Congress regarding Trump and January 6, and we must not ignore it. We cannot keep holding more and more votes until Trump finds one that he can win  or overturn successfully.

The Supreme Court may be wary of disqualifying Trump based solely on their own ruling as a group of unelected judges. But they do not have to do so. They can ground their ruling in the determination that Congress has already made, thus giving their decision both legal and political legitimacy. The Constitution is clear, Congress votes are clear and Trumps disqualification is thus wholly justified. If some people disagree, they can push for Congress to reinstate Trump as provided by the Constitution.

What Congress did, Congress can undo. That is the genius of the 14th Amendment  which the Supreme Court should fully embrace.

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BERLIN  Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, changed everything for Ukraine, for Europe, and for global politics. The world entered a new era of great-power rivalry in which war could no longer be excluded. Apart from the immediate victims, Russias aggression most concerned Europe. A great power seeking to extinguish an independent smaller country by force challenges the core principles upon which the European order of states has organized itself for decades.

Russian President Vladimir Putins war stands in stark contrast to the self-dissolution of the Warsaw Pact and the Soviet Union, which occurred in a largely non-violent manner. Since the Gorbachev miracle  when the Soviet Union started pursuing liberalizing reforms in the 1980s  Europeans had begun to imagine that Immanuel Kants vision of perpetual peace on the continent might be possible. It was not.

The problem was that many Russian elites interpretation of the globally significant events of the late 1980s could not be more opposed to Kants idea. They saw the demise of the great Russian empire (which the Soviets had recreated) as a devastating defeat. Though they had no choice but to accept the humiliation, they told themselves they would do so only temporarily until the balance of power had changed. Then the great historical revision could begin.

Read also: Former Sen. Cory Gardner: Russia is a terrorist state

Thus, the 2022 attack on Ukraine should be viewed as merely the most ambitious of the revisionist wars Russia has waged since Putin came to power. We can expect many more, especially if Donald Trump returns to the White House and effectively withdraws the United States from NATO.

But Putins latest war not only changed the rules of co-existence on the European continent; it also changed the global order. By triggering a sweeping re-militarization of foreign policy, the war has seemingly returned us to a time, deep in the twentieth century, when wars of conquest were a staple of the great-power toolkit. Now, like then, might makes right.

Even during the decades-long Cold War, there was no risk of a new Sarajevo  the political fuse that detonated the first World War  because the standoff between two nuclear superpowers subordinated all other interests, ideologies, and political conflicts. What mattered were the superpowers own claims to power and stability within the territories they controlled. The risk of another world war had been replaced by the risk of mutual assured destruction, which functioned as an automatic stabilizer within the bipolar system of the Cold War.

Behind Putins war on Ukraine is the neo-imperial goal that many Russian elites share: to make Russia great again by reversing the results of the collapse of the Soviet Union. On December 8, 1991, the presidents of Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine met in Biaowieza National Park and agreed to dissolve the Soviet Union, reducing a superpower to a regional (albeit still nuclear-armed) power in the form of the Russian Federation.

No, Putin does not want to revive the communist Soviet Union. Todays Russian elite knows that the Soviet system could not be sustained. Putin has embraced autocracy, oligarchy, and empire to restore Russias status as a global power, but he also knows that Russia lacks the economic and technological prerequisites to achieve this on its own.

For its part, Ukraine wants to join the West  meaning the European Union and the transatlantic security community of NATO. Should it succeed, it would probably be lost to Russia for good, and its own embrace of Western values would pose a grave danger to Putins regime. Ukraines modernization would lead Russians to ask why their political system has consistently failed to achieve similar results. From a Great Russia perspective, it would compound the disaster of 1991. That is why the stakes in Ukraine are so high, and why it is so hard to imagine the conflict ending through compromise.

Read also: Opinion: Tucker Carlson visiting Moscow is like touring Berlin in 1940

Even in the case of an armistice along the frozen front line, neither Russia nor Ukraine will distance themselves politically from their true war aims. The Kremlin will not give up on the complete conquest and subjugation (if not annexation) of Ukraine, and Ukraine will not abandon its goal of liberating all its territory (including Crimea) and joining the EU and NATO. An armistice thus would be a volatile interim solution involving the defense of a highly dangerous line of control on which Ukraines freedom and Europes security depend.

Since Russia no longer has the economic, military, and technological capabilities to compete for the top spot on the world stage, its only option is to become a permanent junior partner to China, implying quasi-voluntary submission under a kind of second Mongol vassalage. Let us not forget: Russia survived two attacks from the West in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries  by Napoleon and Hitler, respectively. The only invaders who have conquered it were the Mongols in the winter of 1237-38. Throughout Russias history, its vulnerability in the east has had far-reaching consequences.

The main geopolitical divide of the twenty-first century will center on the Sino-American rivalry. Though Russia will hold a junior position, it nonetheless will play an important role as a supplier of raw materials and  owing to its dreams of empire  as a permanent security risk. Whether this will be enough to satisfy Russian elites self-image is an open question.

Editors Note: Copyright, Project Syndicate. This article was published by Project Syndicate on Jan. 18, 2024, and has been republished by the Kyiv Independent with permission.The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

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Editors note: Julian Zelizer, a CNN political analyst, is a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University. He is the author and editor of 25 books, including The New York Times bestseller Myth America: Historians Take on the Biggest Lies and Legends About Our Past (Basic Books). The views expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion on CNN.

Mitch McConnells future as leader of Senate Republicans seems in greater danger than at any time in recent memory. The minority leaders recent health struggles  convalescing for several weeks last year after becoming concussed from a fall and suffering mid-sentence freezing episodes  already raised questions about whether a changing of the guard was imminent. McConnell for his part has always dismissed concerns about his health.

Julian Zelizer - CNN

Now McConnell is facing rumblings from within his Senate Republican caucus over the collapse of a congressional border deal that also provides assistance to Ukraine and Israel. The border security measure, part of a deal hammered out over weeks with Democrats, was torpedoed by an unforgiving cadre of former President Donald Trump acolytes in the US Congress who have pushed the GOP further to the right. These legislators practice a smash mouth style of partisan politics and are not averse to bringing the entire government to a grinding halt to make a purely political point.

Over the years, McConnell has not done much to contain the power of the growing ranks of extremist Republicans in the Senate, confident that he could rein them in  until he couldnt. Prominent among the anti-McConnell faction in Congress is Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who is going after the GOP leader with hammer and tongs. After McConnell admitted this week that the border deal was doomed to failure, Cruz declared that it was time for his colleague to go.

In 2024, House Republicans would like to see a more aggressive leader heading the Senate GOP caucus and there can be little doubt that Cruz is trying out for the job. It was at least the second time in the past year-and-a-half that the Texas senator has called for the ouster of McConnell, who has been taking the attacks in stride. I think we can all agree that Sen. Cruz is not a fan, the Republican leader quipped when asked on Tuesday about Cruzs comments.

The collapse of the bipartisan border deal comes as no surprise to political observers, but it is nonetheless stunning, in part because the draft legislation appeared to be a massive victory for the hardline right. The agreement, crafted by Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, was exactly the deal that conservative Republicans have been asking for since at least the early 2000s. It managed to keep Democratic priorities, such as a pathway to citizenship, out of the measure. The bill would expedite the asylum screening process, expand detention capacity for captured migrants and would require that the Biden administration shut down the border if too many migrants cross illegally.

Better yet, it made none of the concessions to Democrats that Republicans appeared willing to make in previous border deals  such as the immigration plan proposed by former President George W. Bush.

But now, in a stunning turn of events, Republicans have ditched the border deal after Trump sent signals to kill it, and Speaker Mike Johnsons GOP House Caucus followed that directive. Meanwhile, many analysts agree that scuttling the bill was merely a political ploy to keep the immigration issue alive into the November election, allowing Trump to blame Biden for whatever happens at the border.

After members of his own caucus retracted their earlier support for the measure, prompting him to withdraw his as well, McConnell was left appearing weak and politically vulnerable. The Kentucky senator, whose top priority has always been partisan power at all costs, now works with a cohort that at some level is fine being in the minority, so long as they can take down their political opponents and bring government to a standstill.

But its not just Republicans in the Senate that McConnell has to be worried about. Another concern should be what is happening in the fractious House of Representatives, where a growing radicalization is taking place among a sizable number of Republicans.

Since the late 1970s, when Georgia Congressman Newt Gingrich came to Washington and persuaded his more senior colleagues to abandon concerns about governance, civility and reaching across the aisle, the GOP has become increasingly extreme, pushing the boundaries on what was permissible to do or say in pursuit of partisan power.

Years later, when the early Tea Party members began serving in Congress in 2011, they raised the temperature in the chamber and further toughened the rhetoric, making Gingrich and his cohort look tame by comparison.

The current crop of House GOP lawmakers is at least as combative and McConnell hasnt figured out a way to bring them under control. Certainly his counterpart, in the lower chamber, Speaker Johnson, has been anything but a help in that department. For the House Republican Caucus, McConnells minor nod toward traditional practice is simply too much.

The House GOP has shown that it believes it is better to keep a political issue alive than hand President Biden a potential victory, even if they end up forfeiting almost everything they wanted at the border. Even when political analysts point out that their actions could hand political ammunition to Democrats, they dont budge. Theres now a growing list  John Boehner, Paul Ryan and Kevin McCarthy so far  of Republican leaders in Congress who have all borne the brunt of the Republican shift toward obstruction and nihilism and who were all eventually pushed out of power.

To be sure, if McConnell finds himself on an island, he has nobody to blame but himself. He has been the quiet partner to the Gingrich and Tea Party generation who removed the guard rails from partisan warfare  and who proved willing to weaponize every procedure, including the confirmation of a Supreme Court Justice.

McConnell finds himself branded as too traditional to his congressional colleagues who are indifferent to the imperatives of governance. Now an expanding segment of the Senate caucus too seems to want the kind of Republican leader who will carry out orders from Trump. They want a leader who reflects the no-holds-barred ethos that Gingrich embodied and who may be more combative even than the Tea Party.

Revolutions frequently swallow their own. McConnell stands on the precipice of meeting the same fate as his predecessors in the House. While members of the GOP wrestle with their internal struggles, President Biden will certainly remind voters whenever he can about the Do-Nothing Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Democrats, meanwhile, also face a huge challenge: They are dealing with an opposition party that keeps diving deeper into the dysfunctional muck. The result is that some of our nations biggest policy challenges will remain unresolved, national and international crises unaddressed and the GOP will just keep drifting further and further to the right. If Trump is reelected in November, the convergence of his second-term priorities and the new Trumpian caucus in Congress could render governance virtually impossible.

McConnells difficulties should be a reminder to those in power that eventually the newest members of the caucus will come after them, especially when leaders once considered warriors are deemed too timid to be effective.

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, and the president of the African Development Bank Group, Akinwumi Adesina, left, during a visit at the AfricaRice Headquarters in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Blinken started the new year with a visit to Africa. | Andrew Caballero-Reynolds, Associated Press

Secretary of State Antony Blinken started the new year with a sensible, and productive, visit to Africa. In late January, he traveled to Cabo Verde, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Angola. The purpose is to pursue long-term strategic ties with African nations, with emphasis on partnership and economic development.

For many years, China has devoted sustained attention to that continent. When the Sino-Soviet split occurred in the late 1950s, Beijing made the strategic decision to focus on poor non-white nations. Prominence of China today in Africa is in part a legacy of the fundamental split more than a half-century ago between the two principal communist powers during the Cold War.

In Cabo Verde, emphasis was on the fact that the nation has completed two Millennium Challenge Corporation compacts, and is beginning a third. These involve U.S. grants for promising economic development projects. The nation has also been declared malaria-free by the World Health Organization.

In Ivory Coast, emphasis was on new regional security efforts. The nation borders three others that have suffered recent coups  Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali. Likewise, the visit to Nigeria involved security. Last July, the military in bordering Niger ousted the elected civilian leadership.

Angola is the scene of a major new agreement on private investment, which the Biden administration is treating as a priority. The Lobito Corridor rail project is financed by African and European, in addition to U.S., investment sources. The large-scale construction project is expected to be profitable, and provide a positive counterweight to some of Chinas Belt-and-Road projects, which have suffered from shoddy construction, harsh loan terms for recipient nations and commercial losses.

During the later phase of the Cold War, the U.S. government supported Angola rebels fighting a government supported by the Soviet Union and Cuba.

Historically, Americans have been absent-minded about Africa. Past presidents generally focused on other parts of the world, with notable exceptions. Then-Sen. John F. Kennedy, D-Mass., was chairman of the African Affairs Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, attentive to that responsibility and carried concern about Africa into the Oval Office.

President Jimmy Carter in office and afterwards steadfastly worked with Africa projects. The Carter Center has devoted sustained emphasis to public health and related problems of that continent. One dramatic result is the virtual eradication of guinea worm, a devastating, agonizing disease. Carter effectively leveraged his centers efforts into World Bank work targeting the disease.

Former President Bill Clinton achieved rockstar status in Africa, a popular stop in his travels on behalf of the Clinton Foundation. Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama devoted at least periodic attention to the continent while in office, reflecting the changing times.

President Kennedy deserves credit for establishing the Peace Corps, a concept promoted by former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Sen. Hubert Humphrey, D-Minn. The Peace Corps is remarkably durable today, involving selfless volunteers ranging widely in age.

Related, enormous growth in private philanthropy means there are unprecedented opportunities to raise living standards across Africa. Basic safety and security, however, sometimes is challenging.

Terrorists generate ongoing death, destruction and headlines, but have yet to demonstrate appeal to the average person in Africa  or elsewhere on the globe. By contrast, private economic development and investment, along with representative government, is slowly growing.

The world is moving in our direction.

Learn: Former first lady Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt talks with President John F. Kennedy.

Arthur I. Cyr is author of After the Cold War  American Foreign Policy, Europe and Asia. Contact acyr@carthage.edu
The Florida Supreme Court heard arguments on Wednesday over whether a proposed amendment to the state constitution creating a right to abortion in the state could appear on this November's statewide general election ballot.

A decision on the "Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion" is expected by or before April 1  the deadline for proposals to be on the ballot, the Tallahassee Democrat, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. Then it will need support from no less than 60% of Florida voters to pass and become part of the state constitution.

An attorney for Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, arguing against the amendment, told the state's seven justices that it would lead to a total abolition of all regulation of the procedure.

The proposal's backer, Floridians Protecting Freedom, submitted a ballot summary that says in part, "No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patient's healthcare provider."

Other opponents of the amendment urged the court to reject the proposal because, among other reasons, its language is misleading and overly broad. Nathan Forrester, another attorney for Moody's office, told the court the failure to define viability and healthcare provider may have legal meanings that differ from what is commonly understood.

Attorney General Ashley MoodyOs Deputy Counsel, Nathan Forrester shares his arguments on the proposed abortion amendment to the Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.

Attorney Matt Staver of Liberty Counsel, which also opposes the amendment, said it should be doomed by four of its words: "restrict, prohibit, penalize and delay," which will severely disrupt the three branches of government.

This amendment says no law shall 'restrict' ... That means ... no parental consent, that means no health and parental notification, Staver said.

Justice John Couriel told Staver his assessment made the proposal sound like a wolf about to attack abortion regulations: But it seems like our job is to answer whether its a wolf in sheeps clothing. It may be as sweeping as you say ... the question is, is this hiding the ball?

Moody: Abortion amendment will 'hoodwink' voters

Other justices peppered Forrester and Staver about why they think the language would confuse, or in Moodys words, hoodwink the state's voters.

Courtney Brewer, the lawyer for Floridians Protecting Freedom, said terms like healthcare provider and viability are commonly understood in an abortion context and won't mislead voters.

Courtney Brewer, a lawyer for the organization backing the proposed abortion amendment, shares her arguments with the Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.

When Forrester objected to the use of the word limit in the amendments title, saying it would actually prohibit government interference with abortion, Chief Justice Carlos Muniz may have telegraphed his thoughts.

That would be a misstatement of the amendments purpose, he said: The people of Florida aren't stupid. I mean, they can figure this out, later adding, however, that the amendment may have problems in other areas.

The woman justices on the panel  Jamie Grosshans, Renatha Francis and Meredith Sasso  pointedly questioned Brewer about whether there was a disconnect between the amendments intent as provided by the summary and the consequences if the amendment itself was added to the state constitution.

At one point, Grosshans and Brewer even engaged in a discussion of grammar and the placement of commas before Muniz steered the discussion into the rights of the unborn.

Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos Muniz listens to arguments on the proposed abortion amendment on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.

He said the amendments apparent assumption that the state constitution is silent on whether the unborn have any rights is kind of deceptive. Muniz also mused whether the documents use of all natural persons excludes unborn children.

I don't think that that is a question that would come before this court, Brewer answered.

Supreme Court: Gatekeeper to changing state's governing document

The Florida Supreme Court is the gatekeeper to ballot placement for proposed amendments. It can reject proposals that it finds fail to meet legal requirements to use clear language, not mislead voters, and pertain to one subject.

Five of the seven justices were appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a legal and policy conservative who last year signed a six-week abortion ban in Florida as he prepared to launch a now-suspended presidential campaign.

The case drew 10 friends of the court briefs from anti- and pro-abortion groups seeking to weigh in on whether voters should decide the fate of abortion in Florida.

Groups like Liberty Counsel and the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops sided with Moody; a group of law professors and instructors and former Republican elected officials backed the amendment.

Abortion-rights and anti-abortion activists voice their opinions outside the Florida Supreme Court after the Court heard arguments on the proposed abortion amendment Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.

About a hundred protesters on both sides of the debate gathered on the Supreme Court steps holding signs saying, Pro-life and Let Voters Decide" as the hearing took place.

Activists battled to feature their signs front and center behind speakers at the press "gaggles" that followed the hearing. Abortion opponents and abortion-rights activists moved their signs in front of each other to block the opposing sign.

Abortion-rights activists broke off from the crowd huddled behind a lectern to start chanting I believe we will win and other phrases. Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried joined in as well.

The amendment's critics moved their press conference to the far side of the steps in front of the Supreme Court to avoid the shouting.

If the Florida Supreme Court signs off, it almost certainly will spur a fierce and expensive political battle that will be fueled by another abortion challenge before the court.

More: Two Floridians charged with submitting phony signatures for abortion rights amendment

Proponents and opponents are also waiting for the justices to separately decide whether a 15-week state abortion ban imposed in 2022 is constitutional. If that ban is upheld, it would trigger implementation of a six-week ban approved in 2023.

Floridians Protecting Freedom raised and spent $15.5 million in seven months to gather nearly a million signatures to qualify the proposed constitutional amendment for the ballot after lawmakers approved and DeSantis signed the six-week ban last May.

The legal battles come in the wake of abortion rights supporters chalking a string of eight victories in the two years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which had established a right to the procedure in 1973.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida Supreme Court hears arguments on abortion rights amendment
The Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the state's arguments against the abortion rights measure that is set to appear on the November ballot.

The situation comes as several members of the conservative-leaning court questioned whether or not the measure's language made clear its potentially sweeping effects. The constitutional amendment would ask residents to "limit government interference with abortion" before a fetus is considered viable, which is roughly around 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Florida's Abortion Rights Measure

Several justices indicated that the language that summarized the initiative on the ballot is not deceptive, it would mean that it would be up to voters, not the court, to decide whether or not they agree with such a broad measure.

During a hearing in Tallahassee, Chief Justice Carlos G. Muniz said that the people of Florida are not stupid. He argued that they can figure out the matter on their own. The state, which has the third highest population across the country, was until recently a frequent destination for women coming from the South seeking an abortion, as per the New York Times.

This was primarily due to the state allowing the procedure up to about 24 weeks. However, in 2022, the state enacted a ban on abortions after 15 weeks, and last year, authorities implemented a ban after six weeks of pregnancy.

People in Florida are currently awaiting a ruling from the state's Supreme Court on the constitutionality of the 15-week ban. If the court affirms it, which is what is expected, the way would be cleared for the six-week ban to take effect.

The state court's ideological balance has already shifted in the past few years, from liberal to conservative. Five out of the seven justices were appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican who signed the two abortion bans.

The court heard arguments regarding the issue, including from Nathan Forrester, who spoke on behalf of the state attorney general's office and urged the justices to disqualify the measure. He said that voters would not understand what the amendment would do because the language that is used to describe it was too broad and had an "enormously wide range of meanings," according to The Hill.

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Discussing the Ballot Eligibility of the Measure

However, several justices immediately questioned Forrester's argument, saying that while the amendment may be sweeping in what it proposes, it should be an argument that voters should make, not the court.

On the other hand, Justice Charles Canady said that all of the issues need to be argued about in the political process. He noted that otherwise, it would be a restriction on the substance of what can be proposed.

Related Article: Record Number of Americans Facing Homelessness as Government Slow To Respond
(Bloomberg) -- Pakistan suspended mobile phone services as voters lined up to cast ballots in its general election Thursday, defending the measure as a way to maintain order even though critics said it would curb vital access to information during the controversial polls.

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The recent surge of terrorist incidents made it necessary to shut down mobile services nationwide temporarily to maintain the law and order situation and tackle threats, the interior ministry said in a statement. The move comes less than 24 hours after two bomb blasts targeting the offices of different political leaders killed at least 20 people in Pakistans northwest Balochistan province.

The Election Commission said the suspension wouldnt have an impact on its systems. Internet governance watchbog NetBlocks said multiple regions of the country are seeing internet blackouts. The party of jailed leader Imran Khan criticized the move, saying in a social media post on X that it was a deliberate suppression of citizens rights and a mockery of democracy.

This is an ominous start to the election day, Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, said in a social media post. Security concerns were greater in 2018 and 2013, and I dont recall a move like this back then.

There have been 217 militant attacks since the elections were announced in early November, according to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies. The South Asian nation has seen access to social media blocked multiple times in recent months as Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party did more online campaigning to dodge the authorities. Pakistan is also shutting its borders with Afghanistan and Iran for the day.

Polls close at 5 p.m. in an election where the most popular politician, Khan, has been sidelined, sent to prison on corruption and other charges. With him out of the race, the most likely politicians to lead the country are three-time former premier Nawaz Sharif, his brother, Shehbaz, or Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the 35-year-old scion of the Bhutto dynasty.

Whoever takes power will have to fix an economy with a heavy debt load and inflation still running at 28%. The current IMF program, Pakistans 23rd since independence in 1947, expires in March.

The new prime minister has to navigate complex ties with the US and China, rising terrorism in Pakistan and tense relations with neighbors including India, Afghanistan and Iran. The Sharifs or Bhutto will likely be friendlier to the US than Khan, who drew closer to China during his time as premier and accused Washington of conspiring with Pakistans powerful military generals to oust him in April 2022.

Whoever wins will also need to work with the generals, who have ruled directly or behind the scenes for much of Pakistans modern history. The army, which has a strong influence over foreign policy, security and  increasingly  the economy, is widely seen by analysts as favoring Nawaz Sharif.

Whoever comes to power will not have much role in the countrys foreign policy, said Shaista Tabassum, dean of arts faculty and the former head of the international relations department at the University of Karachi. Their focus will only be on domestic policies.

Investors have been positive on Pakistans markets since the country clinched the nine-month IMF bailout in late June. Pakistans dollar bonds have rallied, gaining 9% last month and making them among the best performers in the world. They returned almost 100% in 2023. The benchmark stock index has climbed more than 50%.

S&P Global Ratings said this week a government with popular support and the ability to push through economic reforms will help Pakistan get an upgrade to a B rating from CCC+ and give it a better chance of securing more financing from the IMF.

Top business leaders and political commentators say the most likely election outcome is a hung parliament and a coalition government. There are 266 directly contested seats up for grabs in the National Assembly, Pakistans lower house, meaning a party or coalition would need 134 seats to form a majority. Any party that wins about 90 seats would be in the driving seat to begin negotiations to head a government, analysts say.

A Gallup Pakistan survey published in January showed Nawaz Sharif gaining ground on Khan, who received three new jail sentences recently. Sharif returned from exile last year under a deal that analysts said was probably approved by the military. He pledges to boost infrastructure spending and cut inflation, which is running at the fastest pace in Asia.

Bhutto is banking on his relative youth and family history to draw voters in a country where people aged 18 to 35 account for more than 40% of the electorate. Both his mother, Benazir Bhutto, and grandfather, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, served as prime minister. Benazir was assassinated while Zulfikar was executed after a military coup.

Khans party is backing more than 200 independent candidates after the authorities prevented the party from fielding them under its name and took away its coveted cricket bat symbol, which had helped illiterate voters choose them in the past. Its unclear what will happen if they win a large number of seats.

Whoever comes to power will be keenly aware that they can also fall out of favor with a military that analysts say is increasingly assertive behind the scenes. No prime minister has ever completed a full five-year term in Pakistans 77-year history.

All the last prime ministers thought they were in charge until they got kicked out, said Ahmad Yunas Samad, a professor of political science at Lahore University of Management Sciences.

--With assistance from Faseeh Mangi, Khalid Qayum, Akriti Sharma, Niluksi Koswanage and Tom Redmond.

(Updates throughout)

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Semafor Signals

Insights from Nikkei, Amnesty International, Foreign Affairs, and Gallup

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Pakistani authorities temporarily suspended mobile services across the country Thursday to curb any possible threats of danger, the interior ministry said, as the nations 127 million voters headed to the polls for the general election.

At least 30 people were killed in bombings outside political offices in southwest Pakistan on Wednesday, the Associated Press reported.

The ministry said that the shutdown was prompted by recent incidents of terrorism but the move was criticized by opposition lawmakers, voters, and rights groups who accused the government of infringing on citizens basic rights.

This practice is inherently undemocratic and is known to limit the work of independent election observers and cause irregularities in the voting process, Alp Toker, the director of digital rights group NetBlocks, told AFP.

The tense election in the worlds fifth-most populous country has been marked by widespread political turmoil and doubts about the fairness of the election process, with former prime minister Imran Khan, along with many supporters of his opposition party, in jail. Nawaz Sharif, another former prime minister has returned from self-exile and is widely seen as the front-runner in the election.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Network shutdown hampered Imran Khans social media campaign and voters mobility

Sources: Nikkei, The Wall Street Journal, Amnesty International

Observers of the election had previously warned that service disruptions could get in the way of the popular and currently imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khans Movement for Justice (PTI) party to get the vote out, Nikkei reported, as the party heavily relies on social media to mobilize voters. It is also not the first time Khans party has experienced network outages during critical campaign moments.

The network shutdown may have also affected voters ability to find their polling stations  with election monitoring groups telling The Wall Street Journal that many residents found out that their registered voting locations had changed. The interim deputy director of South Asia at Amnesty International slammed officials for recklessly hampering access to information and breaching peoples fundamental rights at this critical time in Pakistan. Such blanket shutdowns, she said, impact peoples mobility, livelihood and ability to navigate through a difficult time further undermining their trust in authorities.

Pakistanis are voting at a time of record high discontentment, especially with the all-powerful military

Sources: Foreign Affairs, Gallup

Internet outages, along with the jailing and silencing of opposition members in the lead-up to elections, are not new, the Wilson Centers Michael Kugelman wrote in Foreign Affairs, accusing Pakistans all-powerful military of frequently using such tactics to weaken the parties it doesnt want in power. What is different this year, however, is that the elections are taking place amid record levels of pessimism among the population, a Gallup survey found  with Pakistans economy in dire straits, an uptick in violence, and intensifying tensions along the countrys border with Iran and Afghanistan. Protesters angry at the ousting of former prime minister Imran Khan in a no-confidence vote in 2022, allegedly at the hands of the countrys armed forces, have directed attacks  many violent  at the military. Rarely had political violence taken such direct aim at Pakistans military, which has long held a sacrosanct status, Kugelman wrote.

Jailed ex-leader uses AI-generated deepfakes to mobilize cultlike following

Sources: Reuters, The New York Times

With many of Imran Khans party members and supporters also in jail, the PTI has rolled out a two-pronged campaign strategy of secretive campaigning often led by female teacher volunteers and generative AI technology, Reuters reported, detailing the partys attempt to create a deepfake of the former prime minister urging voters to turn up for the elections. He now has a cultlike following, The New York Times wrote. Supporters see him  and by extension themselves  as wronged by the military leaders who they believe orchestrated his ouster.
Pakistan suspended mobile phone services nationwide as voters in the worlds fifth most-populous nation headed to the polls for a tumultuous general election thats been marred by violence and questions of impropriety.

A statement from the Ministry of Interior posted on X Thursday morning said in Urdu that, in response to recent incidents of terrorism in the country, cellular networks had been cut off to maintain the law and order situation and deal with possible threats. (More than two dozen people were killed in a pair of bombings on candidates offices in the southwestern region of Balochistan on Wednesday; the Islamic State claimed responsibility for those attacks.)

Read More: The Ultimate Election Year: Half of World Heads to Polls in 2024

Global online freedom watchdog NetBlocks said it detected internet blackouts in multiple regions across the country and that the disruptions follow months of digital censorship targeting the political opposition. Human rights advocacy organization Amnesty International described the shutdown as a blunt attack on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party lambasted the mobile service shutdown on X, calling it a severe assault on democracy and a cowardly attempt by those in power to stifle dissent, manipulate the elections outcome, and infringe upon the rights of the Pakistani people. The party also urged people with WiFi to remove password protection on their personal network so that others in the vicinity could access the internet on polling day.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Prime Minister candidate of the Pakistan Peoples Party, urged on X that mobile phone services be restored immediately across the country and said his party would confront the Election Commission and the courts over the issue. The Interior ministry said the suspension of services would be temporary and started to lift it in some parts by late Thursday, after the polls had closed.

Polls opened at 8 a.m. local time, and the Election Commission said in a press release hours after the mobile services suspension that its monitoring was fully operational and that the polling process was going on peacefully with no complaints from anywhere.

But that did not last long, as the military and local police reported over 50 attacks on Election Day that killed 12 and injured 39 in various parts of the country, according to the Associated Press. Its unclear yet how many of the countrys 128 million eligible voters turned out.

About 650,000 security personnel were deployed to try to ensure a peaceful process, with the country also closing its borders with Iran and Afghanistan as an added security measure. But violence aside, the election was already hardly free or fair.

Read More: Pakistans Elections Are Being Brazenly Rigged. Why Doesnt the U.S. Seem to Care?

Pakistans most popular politician, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has been jailed and barred from the ballot, and his PTI party has been systematically cracked down on by the countrys military kingmakers, paving the way for an expected victory for former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. However, resultsoriginally due early Fridaywere delayed amid initial counts in some parts showing surprising success for Khans PTI party and its affiliates, despite the cards being stacked against them.

The election comes at a critical time for the South Asian country of some 243 million people, which on top of its political unrest struggles with an ongoing economic crisis.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Supporters of Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif cheer as they gather at the party office of Pakistan Muslim League (N) at Model Town in Lahore

Supporters of Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif cheer as they gather at the party office of Pakistan Muslim League (N) at Model Town in Lahore

By Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam, Asif Shahzad, Ariba Shahid

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -Former Pakistani prime ministers and bitter rivals Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan on Friday both declared victory in elections marred by delayed results and militant attacks, throwing the country into further political turmoil.

Sharif's party won the most seats by a single party in Thursday's election, but supporters of imprisoned Khan, who ran as independents instead of as a single bloc after his party was barred from the polls, won the most seats overall.

Sharif said his party would talk to other groups to form a coalition government as it had failed to win a clear majority on its own.

Sharif's announcement came after more than three-quarters of the 265 seats had declared results, more than 24 hours after polling ended on Thursday when 28 people were killed in militant attacks.

Analysts had predicted there may be no clear winner, adding to the woes of a country struggling to recover from an economic crisis while it grapples with rising militancy in a deeply polarised political environment.

The results showed independents, most of them backed by Khan, had won the most seats - 98 of the 245 counted by 1830 GMT.

Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) won 69 while the Pakistan People's Party of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the son of assassinated premier Benazir Bhutto, got 51.

The rest were won by small parties and other independents.

"Pakistan Muslim League is the single-largest party in the country today after the elections and it is our duty to bring this country out of the whirlpool," Sharif told a crowd of supporters gathered outside his home in the eastern city of Lahore.

"Whoever has got the mandate, whether independents or parties, we respect the mandate they have got," he said. "We invite them to sit with us and help this wounded nation get back on its feet."

Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party released an audio-visual message created using artificial intelligence and shared on his X social media account.

In the message, which is usually delivered by word through his lawyers, Khan, 71, rejected Sharif's claim to victory, congratulated his supporters on "winning" the election and urged them to celebrate and protect their vote.

"I trusted that you all would come out to vote - and you honoured that trust and your massive turnout has shocked everyone," the message said, adding no one would accept Sharif's claim because he had won fewer seats and because there had been rigging in the polls.Former cricket superstar Khan has been in jail since August, and was convicted three times in six days in the leadup to the polls for 10, 14 and seven years in cases related to state secrets, graft and an unlawful marriage.

Sharif, 74, a three-time former premier, returned from four years of self-imposed exile in the United Kingdom late last year, having contested the last election from a jail cell on a graft conviction.

He was considered the front-runner to lead the country, having buried a long-running feud with the powerful military.

Sharif said his party would have preferred to win a majority of its own but in the absence of that would get in touch with others, including former President Asif Ali Zardari of PPP, to open negotiations as early as Friday night.

In its first reaction, a senior aide of Khan said PTI leaders would hold talks among themselves and also meet Khan in jail on Saturday to discuss the results, Geo News reported.

Results of the vote have been unusually delayed, which the caretaker government ascribed to the suspension of mobile phone services - a security measure ahead of the election.

Independent members cannot form a government on their own under Pakistan's complex election system which also includes reserved seats that will be allotted to parties based on their winnings.

But independents have the option to join any party after the elections.

CHALLENGES FOR COALITION

"A timely announcement of the results, leading to a smooth formation of a new government, will reduce policy and political uncertainty," Moody's Investors Service said. "This is crucial for the country that is facing very challenging macroeconomic conditions."

The delay in the announcement of results was unusual for Pakistan. Karachi's stock index and Pakistan's sovereign bonds fell because of the uncertainty.

The main electoral battle had been expected to be between candidates backed by Khan, whose PTI won the last national election, and the PML-N. Khan believes the powerful military is behind a crackdown to hound his party out of existence, while analysts and opponents say Sharif is being backed by the generals.

The military has dominated the nuclear-armed country either directly or indirectly in its 76 years of independence from Britain but for several years it has maintained it does not interfere in politics.

Analysts say a coalition government will struggle to tackle multiple challenges - foremost being seeking a new bailout programme from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after the current arrangement expires in three weeks.

A coalition government "would probably be unstable, weak" and "the big loser ... will be the army", said Marvin Weinbaum, Director of Afghanistan and Pakistan Studies at the Middle East Institute in Washington.

"Because the army really has staked its reputation on its ability to deliver this vote."

The election was expected to help resolve the crises Pakistan has been dealing with but a fractured verdict "could very well be the basis for even deeper exposure to forces which would create instability", he said.

(Additional reporting by Charlotte Greenfield in Islamabad, Mushtaq Ali in Peshawar, Salim Ahmed in Quetta, and Saud Mehsud in Dera Ismail Khan; additional reporting by Simon Lewis in Washington; Writing by YP Rajesh; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan, Lincoln Feast and Nick Macfie)
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, right, greets Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape, left, at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. (Mick Tsikas/AAP Image via AP)

SYDNEY (AP)  Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape on Thursday become the first Pacific leader to address Australias parliament, vowing nothing will come in between our two countries.

The nations announced that Australia will spend AU $100 million (US $65.3 million) on Papua New Guineas internal security, including the development of a police recruiting and investigation training facility and a police barracks.

The speech, Marape's meeting with Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, and the neighbors' release of details of a security pact signed in December, come as Pacific nations deal with Chinas growing ambitions.

Resource-rich Papua New Guinea has rebuffed overtures from China, which struck a security pact with Solomon Islands in 2022 that caused worry among some in the region.

Papua New Guinea, which is in a strategically important part of the South Pacific, struggles with tribal violence and civil unrest and wants to increase its police numbers from 6,000 officers to 26,000. Anger over high unemployment and cost of living led to rioting and looting last month in its two biggest cities.

Papua New Guinea and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to the regions existing security architecture as a key driver of security cooperation, a joint statement between Marape and Albanese said.

Papua New Guinea is a nation of mostly subsistence farmers where some 800 languages are spoken. With 10 million people, it is the most populous South Pacific nation after Australia, which is home to 26 million.

Australia Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Marapes historic speech elevated Australias relationship with the Pacific.

We know that China is a great power asserting its interests, she told reporters. What we are doing is reemphasizing our part in the Pacific family and the importance of that engagement.

After last months civil unrest, a number of Papua New Guinea ministers resigned and an under-pressure Marape may soon face a vote of no confidence.

We must become a strong country standing on our own two feet, economically independent and strong so we too can help Australia maintain democracy, preserve peace and ensure stability.... in our Pacific, he said in his speech.
French President Emmanuel Macron attended a memorial for the victims of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, paying tribute to the people who have died while also criticizing the terrorist group's attacks as the "largest antisemitic massacre of our century."

The memorial was held on Wednesday to honor the 42 French citizens who died in the initial attacks, as well as three hostages who are still believed to be in the custody of Hamas and other militants in Gaza. There were also three chairs that were left intentionally empty to symbolize their absence.

Oct. 7 Memorial

The ceremony comes after newly-appointed Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne made his first trip to the Middle East, This included travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories, where he pushed for the release of the hostages.

Four other French hostages have already been released by the terrorist group as roughly 250 people in total were taken during the initial assault. During the memorial, honor guards held photographs of each victim in front of a giant screen that showed their first name in the Invalides' monumental courtyard in Paris, as per the Associated Press.

The French president said that many of the people who were killed on Oct. 7, 2023, will never turn 30 years old, adding that their voices will resonate in Hebrew and French. Macron strongly denounced barbarity which he said feeds on antisemitism and propagates it. He added that nothing can be used to justify or excuse this terrorism.

In the wake of the Hamas group's first attack on Israel, there has been a sharp rise in antisemitic acts in the French nation. Data released by the Interior Ministry as well as the Jewish Community Protection Service watchdog showed that 1,676 antisemitic acts were reported last year, compared to only 436 in 2022.

During the memorial, the Republican Guard's orchestra played "Kaddish" by French composer Maurice Ravel, which was written in 1914 based on a traditional Hebrew melody. A relative of French Israel hostage Ofer Kalderon, Yashay Dan, said that he was hoping the ceremony could resonate globally and not only in France.

Read Also: US Treasury Sanctions Ecuador's Notorious Los Choneros Gang, Leader

Fighting Against Hatred

Macron also said that they need to fight against hatred, urging people to not give in to rampant, unbridled antisemitism. He noted that in France, a "spirit of revenge" should never be allowed to grow and that nothing should divide the people, according to The Guardian.

The president said that France would "work tirelessly" in order to respond to aspirations for peace and security in the Middle East. Macron added that in the suffering of war, all lives are equal in his country's eyes.

Several cabinet ministers and representatives of political parties attended the ceremony, which was the first to be held outside of Israel. These included members of the far-left France Unbowed (LFI).

The leader of the group, Jean-Luc Melenchon, has come under scrutiny for not labeling the Hamas group as a Terrorist organization. The militant group is proscribed as a terrorist organization by many Western governments, including the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United States, said BBC.

Related Article: Maldives at High Risk of Foreign Debt Crisis After China Borrowings
The Defense Innovation Unit awarded Anduril Industries a contract that will get its Dive family of large-diameter autonomous underwater vehicles into the hands of sailors for operations this year.

The award comes after DIU selected the Dive-LD platform to perform in a swim-off last year that put commercially available large unmanned underwater vehicles through an obstacle course to assess their maturity and applicability to conduct distributed, long-range, persistent underwater sensing and payload delivery in contested environment, according to a Feb. 8 Anduril news release.

DIU is the Pentagons commercial innovation hub.

Anduril said the U.S. Navy selected it for a follow-on contract that allows operational units to borrow the unmanned vehicles for experiments or buy them as a routine tool for their missions. The company could not disclose information about the value or duration of the contract, which was awarded through DIUs Commercial Solutions Opening process.

Andurils chief strategy officer, Chris Brose, told Defense News the company had worked on maturing and demonstrating the Dive-LD vehicle for the last two years, but the contract now provides a mechanism to get the drone into the hands of sailors across varied geographies and unit types so they can start solving a lot of different problems across the seabed and undersea domain.

The contract creates direct access between Anduril and operators. A unit that has never worked with an autonomous underwater vehicle may want to experiment with one for a couple weeks or months, while another unit with a more refined concept for how theyd use the Dive-LD vehicle may want to buy several right off the bat.

Brose said the contract allows for whatever the operators prefer, as well as payload integration and other engineering to get the units a tailor-made system to meet their specific needs.

The Navy has struggled to bring large unmanned underwater vehicles to the fleet.

It kicked off a Snakehead large-diameter unmanned underwater vehicle program in 2017, though the original research program dates to before 2015. The first Snakehead prototype wasnt christened until 2022, and the Navy and Congress agreed to cancel the program later that year. However, its been somewhat resurrected as a market research effort to identify commercially available technology that could be useful to the fleet.

The Navy also pursued an Orca extra-large UUV program, first selecting Boeing as one of two companies for a 2017 design contract and then selecting the firm as the sole winner of a 2019 contract to build four prototypes. The program has seen developmental and manufacturing delays. The company in December delivered a pre-prototype test asset but has not yet completed and delivered any of the prototypes on contract.

Brose said the Dive-LD  which Anduril acquired in early 2022 when it bought Dive Technologies  was designed for manufacturability, payload integration and artificial intelligence-powered smart operations.

The vehicle is made using advanced manufacturing processes, and the outer shell is 3D printed. Brose said this means the company can scale up production to meet demand under this DIU contract and others that may follow.

He referred to this DIU effort as a breakthrough opportunity thats led to Anduril really beginning to invest and facilitize for larger-scale production, which is something were doing in other parts of the business.

He could not speculate how many Dive-LD vehicles the company might build for Defense Department customers under this DIU contract, but he called it a really significant next step for the company.

Anduril Industries acquired the Dive-LD when it bought Dive Technologies in 2022. (Anduril Industries)

Because of the advanced manufacturing processes, Anduril can easily redesign pieces of the modular unmanned vehicle to accommodate a payload, reshape or resize the whole vehicle to fit a certain need, and more, based on what customers want.

I think the excitement for us is the ability to really start doing the things at scale that the vehicle was designed to do, he said.

In addition to this contract with DIU, Anduril signed a three-year agreement with Australia in 2022 to create something akin to an Orca XLUUV. The company, the Royal Australian Navy, and the Australian governments Defence Science and Technology Group  in a $100 million co-funding effort  will design, develop and manufacture the extra-large autonomous undersea vehicles.
One year after announcing what was intended to be a temporary pause in its operations, a Columbus tourist attraction permanently has closed.

Historic Westville, a living history museum that demonstrated 19th-century Southern culture, didnt raise the money necessary to reopen, Westville president and chairman George Singer confirmed Thursday to the Ledger-Enquirer.

In an email to the L-E, Singer said the Westville board has come to the realization that the Westville Village, as an historical attraction, can no longer be self-sustaining and is no longer financially viable.

The L-E reported in September 2021 that Westville was struggling financially after being closed for several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reopening in October 2020 with coronavirus protocols in place.

Westville not only was dealing with decreased ticket sales but also paying the $9.5 million cost of moving its 17 historic buildings from Lumpkin, about 40 miles south of Columbus, that was completed in June 2019.

The purpose of moving the Westville Village to Columbus from Lumpkin was to place it in a location where more visitors could be attracted, and the historic structures and artifacts properly maintained and displayed for years to come, Singer wrote in the email. It was felt that, as part of the critical mass of tourist attractions now located in Columbus, Georgia, Westville Village would draw sufficient visitors to pay its expenses. Because of a number of factors, not the least of which was closure due to the pandemic and the inability to attract sufficient visitors thereafter, the Board of Directors has decided to close Westville Village and dissolve the corporation.

Financial burdens of moving and COVID shutdown

Singer told the L-E last year that the museum still was recovering from the financial burdens of its move and its COVID shutdown.

Although Westville has been able to overcome the majority of costs associated with these events, they have taxed our financial resources to the point that the organization needs to close temporarily, he said then. We are hoping to use this time to raise operational funds and to evaluate how the organization can adapt and diversify revenue streams in an effort to become more sustainable.

The mock village opened in Lumpkin in 1966 on 80 acres. The current location is on 35 acres, about half a mile from the National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center outside Fort Benning and Columbus State Universitys Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center.

As of last year, Westville had 13 employees, five of them full-time, plus a group of volunteers who helped with interpretation, crafts and museum operations.

Gratitude for supporters

In an interview Thursday, Singer thanked Westvilles supporters.

Due to their support, Westville has been able to share historical experiences with thousands of people that will last a lifetime, he said. For more than six decades, this experience has been shared with visitors from around the world.

Singer also praised Westvilles employees and volunteers.

As a result of their time and their knowledge, he said, they have taught visitors life in the South during the 1850s. I also would like to thank the cities of Lumpkin and Columbus for providing Westville the opportunity to be a living history museum in the community.

Westville has been leasing the land from the Columbus Consolidated Government. As for the historic structures, which Westville owns, the board will try to find suitable organizations to take them, Singer said.

Singer declined to say how much money Westville needed to reopen. He also wouldnt specify visitation numbers, but he said in last years interview, Initial visitation on reopening was strong but slowed in winter 2019/2020 (typical) and obviously stopped for a prolonged period during COVID. Visitation post-COVID has increased in 2021/2022 and continues that trend in 2023, but has still not reached our projections.

Understanding that generations of his family have been involved with Westville for six decades, Singer explained what this news means to him.

Its incredibly tough, he said. I mean, I grew up being part of Westville, different events, volunteering, and to see all of the people that have contributed their time, money  so many people helped Westville in so many different ways. So for me, personally, its difficult to see Westville close.

Impact of Westville closing

VisitColumbusGA president and CEO Peter Bowden, who has been serving as the Westville boards treasurer and secretary, told the Ledger-Enquirer that Westville didnt have the resources to persevere through a tough convergence of headwinds.

Historic Westville will hold its Grand Opening Saturday at 3557 S. Lumpkin Rd here in Columbus. Step into the 19th century. The celebration begins at 9 a.m. Admission is $10/adults; $5/K-12 children; childre under 5 free; and $8/AD Military/College Student with ID. 706-9400057

COVID dealt Westville a perfect storm, happening right after the move and stopping the momentum when the whole travel industry changed, Bowden said. It just was unfortunate timing. Even though theres been tremendous success in the growth and development of the city, when we look at visitors coming to Columbus last fiscal year, we saw a decline overall, so were still tracking a recovery from COVID. Westville, unfortunately, is one of those injuries that happened because of this.

Westvilles origins date back to 1928, when North Georgia College history professor John West opened The Fair of 1850 in Jonesboro as the Deep Souths version of Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.

After he died in 1961, Wests project was revived. Columbus Museum curator Joseph Mahan and a group of Stewart County residents moved the buildings to Lumpkin and opened Westville in 1970.

But although Westville has deep roots, its move to Columbus returned the organization to being a startup in essence, Bowden said. The financial challenges while recovering from the COVID pandemic recession proved too much to overcome.

Other attractions in Columbus had more resiliency, he said, because they were more established.

The loss of Westville in the VisitColumbusGA portfolio might hurt other attractions in Columbus, but Bowden expressed confidence in the local tourism industrys ability to rebound.

We like to say oftentimes that a destination is just one thing, but Columbus is fortunate to have multiple attractions, such as whitewater (rafting and kayaking), world-class museums, trails, etc., he said.  When we lose a component like this, we have to look at what we offer strategically and adjust that expectation and fill the gap with other things.

Bowden acknowledged the permanent closing of Westville also eliminates a useful location for movie and television productions seeking historic settings to be filmed in Columbus. The L-E reported in June that a new Western-themed TV series titled Side Trails was planned for filming at Westville.

The prospective series is a project by Blue Heron Films, based in Canton, Georgia. Despite the closure of Westville, Blue Heron still wants to film there, company president Sue Ann Taylor told the L-E.

We are still very interested and hope something works out, but we are committed to making the series regardless, Taylor said in an email Thursday. I do think that closing it is a terrible loss to the community and to experiential history. I have visited dozens of such places to scout locations and personal interest and found Westville Village best in class. Hopefully they will reconsider.
On Tuesday, at least seven people were killed, and 31 others were injured after a landslide buried two buses carrying passengers in the southern Philippines.

The incident occurred near a gold mining site in the mountain area of Masara, in Maco in Davao de Oro province, where the buses were picking up employees of the mining operator Apex Mining.

At Least 7 People Dead, 31 Injured in Landslide

The officials reported that the workers were being collected in four 60-seater buses along with a jeep, which had a capacity for 36 passengers.

According to Davao de Oro provincial spokesperson Edward Macapili, 27 miners waiting to be driven home in two buses were among the missing. Numerous miners managed to escape by jumping out of windows.

At least 31 residents who were injured in Tuesday's night landslide were rescued by army forces, police, and volunteers. The search was put on hold overnight due to concerns of more landslides, but officials confirmed it resumed on Wednesday.

The disaster response officials said more than 750 families had been relocated to evacuation facilities.

Macapili reported that the region has seen less intense rains in recent weeks, and the weather has been clear in previous days.

"It happened so fast," he said by phone. "They suddenly saw the landslide cascading directly toward them."

Earthquakes have destroyed buildings in the southeast in recent months. The disaster response officials said that landslides and flooding have killed over a dozen locals in recent weeks.

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Philippines Floods, Landslides Kills 42

Philippine search and rescue teams recovered bodies from mud and water on Friday, raising the number of people killed in storm-related flooding and landslides to 42, with dozens more feared buried.

According to Naguib Sinarimbo, interior minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Mindanao (BARMM), at least eleven bodies were discovered in the southern province of Maguindanao, which was severely damaged by the approaching tropical storm Nalgae.

Sinarimbo said rescue and retrieval operations are temporarily suspended overnight and will resume on Saturday morning. The operation teams feared that more people were still trapped under mud and flood waters.

"Based on the assessment on the ground, at that specific site, there were many (who got buried). The number might hit 80, but we are hoping it won't reach that number," Sinarimbo said via phone.

The disaster officials reported that thousands of people have been evacuated from Nalgae's path. Nalgae is expected to land in Samar province in central Philippines on Friday night.

Furthermore, Sinarimbo said the rainfall in Maguindanao province had exceeded expectations. He added that preparations were made but said the rainfall was more than people had expected.

Images posted by the coast guard showed rescuers using rubber boats to reach people trapped in chest-deep waves in Sultan Kudarat, another province in the south.

Related Article: Philippines' Mayon Volcano Erupts, Prompting Thousands of Villagers To Evacuate


Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley committed to pursuing her presidential campaign in the wake of her devastating Nevada primary loss, where she failed to come out on top against "none of these candidates."

The Republican presidential hopeful also made a scathing claim, saying that the caucus was "rigged" for former United States President Donald Trump. Haley is now setting her eyes on the next major contest in the GOP nominating calendar, the South Carolina primary as well as on Super Tuesday in early March.

Nikki Haley Commits to Presidential Campaign

The GOP made her comments on Wednesday, a day after her brutal loss in the Nevada primary. On the other hand, Trump, the frontrunner in the GOP nomination race, was not on the ballot in the Tuesday primary.

Voters who cast ballots in the state-run Republican nominating contest could not write in Trump's name but had the option to opt for a "none of these candidates" option. Supporters of the former president at the polling station in Las Vegas during the primary said that they were casting a ballot for that option, as per Fox News.

While the former South Carolina governor's name was on the ballot, she ignored the Nevada primary altogether. She did not campaign in the state ahead of the race and has not been in the state since she spoke in late October last year at the Republican Jewish Coalition's annual leadership conference.

On Monday, Haley's campaign manager, Betsy Ankney, said that in terms of Nevada, they did not spend a dime nor an ounce of energy on the primary. She said that the state is not and never has been their focus.

Haley spoke on Wednesday during a stop in Southern California where she emphasized that months ago, they already knew that they would not spend a day or a dollar in Nevada. She said that it was not worth it and they did not even count the state.

On the other hand, Trump is closing in on the Republican Party's presidential nomination and the fact there are two contests is a result of a dispute between the GOP and Democrats in the state legislature, according to BBC.

Results of the Nevada Primary

In 2021, the legislature passed a law to switch from caucus to primary after voting delays that occurred in 2020. A caucus is a vote that requires people to attend in person at a specific time whereas a primary is held in the usual way at a polling station over a number of hours and through early voting.

All of these factors mean that the results of the Nevada primary on Tuesday were meaningless in the Republican race. In a post on social media, Trump joked about the situation, saying, "Watch, she'll soon claim Victory!"

Republican Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo previously announced that he would vote for "none of these candidates" in the Tuesday primary. Washoe County Republican Party Chair Bruce Parks reportedly told voters to select the none option over Haley.

During an interview, he said that it was due to Haley's team basically telling them that they did not care about them. He noted that selecting "none of these candidates" was in retaliation for that, said the Associated Press.



Related Article: Trump's Endeavor For President Now In The Hands Of The Supreme Court
Police failed to attend 40 per cent of shoplifting incidents where covert store staff detained the offender, research by Co-op has revealed.

Undercover Co-op guards detained 3,361 shoplifters last year but two in five of them still walked away after police failed to attend despite being called.

The disclosure came as the supermarket chain revealed it had recorded more than 330,000 shoplifting incidents last year, a 44 per cent increase on the previous year and equivalent to nearly 1,000 a day.

Co-op said police attendance to deal with shoplifting incidents had improved since a nationwide commitment by the 43 forces in England and Wales to do more to tackle the surge in thefts but two in five were still escaping justice.

Forces pledged to attend shoplifting incidents if there was violence against a store worker, a suspected thief was detained, or officers were needed to secure evidence. Police chiefs said it was not realistic for officers to respond to every shoplifting incident.

Matt Hood, managing director of Co-op Food, said: We are seeing far too many prolific offenders persistently steal large volumes of products, in our shops every day, and if they are stealing to fund addictions, the situation often becomes volatile and dangerous.

A ten-point plan, commissioned by the store from Emmeline Taylor, a criminology professor at City University of London, proposed that there should be a presumption against custodial sentences of less than six months for shoplifters.

It also recommended the rule that treats shoplifting of goods worth less than 200 as a summary offence where offenders no longer have to attend court and can plead guilty by post in the same way as a speeding motorist.

Retailers claim the move, introduced as part of the 2014 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, has led to police downgrading the crime and failing to attend incidents.

The plan also proposed that attacking a shopworker should be a stand-alone offence. The Government has rejected the plan, saying it is already treated as an aggravated offence, but Labour is backing an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill to enact the change.

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KANSAS CITY, Kan.  The Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department has identified the person killed in a head-on crash Tuesday night.

KCKPD identified the victim Thursday as 47-year-old Tommy A. Molden Jr., a resident of KCK.

Police responded to the crash just after 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, in the area of North 18th Street and Tauromee Avenue.

When police officers arrived on scene, they found several wrecked vehicles and multiple people injured.

Teen sentenced in Shawnee crash that killed 71-year-old

KCKPD said the driver of one vehicle was speeding south on 18th Street when he attempted to pass the vehicle in front of him and struck a northbound vehicle head on.

The driver of the passing vehicle, identified as Molden, was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in his vehicle was taken to an area hospital in critical condition.

Police said the driver of the northbound vehicle was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

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The incident remains under investigation at this time. Anyone with information that may help in the investigation is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Delaware State Police have identified a 35-year-old Laurel woman who died following a car crash Wednesday morning west of Millsboro.

Elysia Garin died from her injuries after arriving at an area hospital, police said.

More: Laurel woman, 35, dies after 2-car collision Wednesday morning west of Millsboro

Garin was driving a 1994 Suzuki Cappuccino east on Shiloh Church Road, when police said she turned left onto an access road and into the path of a 2008 Ford Taurus that was westbound on Shiloh Church Road.

The crash was reported to police about 6:30 a.m.

The Ford driver, a 28-year-old Maryland man, sustained minor injuries and refused treatment, police said.

Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Laurel woman killed in Millsboro-area crash identified by state police
A man who was found dead along U.S. 321 Northbound has been identified by Gaston County Police.

Glen A. Miller, 56, originally from Ohio, was identified by the police in a press release published Wednesday.

On Tuesday, shortly after 4 p.m., police said they discovered a man along the highway near Ratchford Drive, north of Dallas. The man was later identified as Miller.

The release said his death is being investigated as a homicide.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Police departments across Kent County are getting pet microchip scanners to help officers reunite lost pets with their owners.

The Kent County Animal Shelter is using part of a $4,700 grant from a local nonprofit to provide the scanners to local police departments.

Angela Hollinshead, the shelters director, said the idea emerged last year when a police agency picked up a stray dog and brought it to the animal shelter. The shelters staff scanned the animal, learned it had a microchip and contacted the owner.

We said, Hey, we have your dog at the shelter, wed love for you to come and get him,' Hollinshead recalled. The gentleman replied, Im not in a position to do that, I have a transportation barrier.'

The man lived in the outskirts of the county, Hollinshead said. Staff later learned his pet had been recovered just two doors down from his home but was taken all the way to the animal shelter in Grand Rapids.

That really got us thinking, Is there a way we can prevent things like this from happening?' she said. Is there a tool we can put in the hands of local law enforcement in the field before they get transported all the way to the shelter in Grand Rapids?

The shelter eventually decided to buy 20 microchip scanners for police departments around the county. Some of the larger departments received multiple scanners  the Grand Rapids Police Department got six, Hollinshead said  but every department has at least one.

A pet microchip on display at the Kent County Animal Shelter. (Feb. 7, 2024)

The Kent County Animal Shelter demonstrates how the device that reads pet microchips works. (Feb. 7, 2024)

When police in Kent County find stray animals, they can now use the tool to get them back home  assuming the animal has a microchip. Officers take the device and scan it over the pets microchip, which gives them a chip identification number. The number allows police to contact the manufacturer, which will then get in touch with the owner.

A lot of times, law enforcement after-hours will run across animals that are injured, Hollinshead added. Theyve been hit by cars, theyve been in fights with other animals, so time is of the essence when it comes to getting those animals help and care. If we can get them back to their families before anyone else has to make those choices for them, thats really the best solution for the pet.

Usually, police bring lost dogs to the shelter in Grand Rapids. But with the scanners, police can find the owner much sooner than that and allow them to pick up their pet nearby instead of at the shelter.

Its a win for the animal shelter because its one less animal were having to care for, Hollinshead said. Its a win for law enforcement because theyre able to do a good community service to the public, and its a win for the owner because theyre not having to miss their pet or risk not being reunited with it.

Dogs at the Kent County Animal Shelter on Feb. 7, 2024.

Dogs at the Kent County Animal Shelter on Feb. 7, 2024.

A dog at the Kent County Animal Shelter on Feb. 7, 2024.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen across the country every year. Its research found that only 22% of lost dogs entering shelters returned to their families, but that rate jumped to 52% when the dog was microchipped.

The more pets that are in the community that are microchipped, the more opportunity we have to get them back to their families before law enforcement intervention is necessary or even animal control has to bring them to the shelter, Hollinshead said.

She added that local vets can place microchips. Those interested can also visit the shelters website to learn about microchipping options, including at events hosted by local nonprofits.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Former United States President Donald Trump recommended North Carolina GOP Chair Michael Whatley to Replace Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Ronna McDaniel.

The endorsement comes as there have been reports that highlighted the change in leadership of the RNC after the South Carolina primary scheduled on Feb. 24, 2024. A source familiar with the matter said that the Republican businessman is pushing for Whatley due to him being "so powerful on election fraud" in 2020.

Trump Recommends Whatley as New RNC Chair

The recommendation comes as Whatley has served as the North Carolina GOP chair since 2019 and also serves as the general counsel for the RNC. In the 2020 election, Trump won North Carolina and the source noted that Whatley "kept the fraud down" in the state despite having a "strong Democrat governor."

They also emphasized that the former president is focused on ensuring that the votes in the 2024 general election are "safe." They added that Trump is going around saying that they do not need the votes because they have plenty, as per Fox News.

Before his work with the Republican Party, Whatley served as a federal law clerk, a senior official in the President George W. Bush administration, and as the chief of staff for former Sen. Elizabeth Dole.

He also served as a senior advisor to the Bush-Cheney campaign, Florida Recount, and Transition Teams, as well as the Trump-Pence campaign and transition teams. Trump met with McDaniel earlier this week at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.

After their meeting, the former president posted on his Truth Social that the RNC chair was a "friend" but argued that he would be urging changes at the committee after the South Carolina Republican primary.

In his post, Trump said that he would be making a decision the day after the South Carolina primary as to his recommendations for RNC growth. During an interview that was aired on Sunday, the former president said that McDaniel did great when she ran Michigan for him, according to Yahoo News.

Read Also: Ronna McDaniel Considering Stepping Down as RNC Chair Amid Pressure from Donald Trump

RNC's Strained Finances

The Republican businessman cited the RNC chair's previous tenure as chair of the Michigan GOP. When McDaniel won re-election last year, she said in an interview that it would be her last two-year term steering the national party committee.

If she does resign, her replacement would need to get the approval of the 168 RNC committee members. One member who asked to remain anonymous said that if Trump continues to win primaries, the majority of the members will follow his lead whether he picks Whatley or someone else.

The situation comes as McDaniel has faced mourning pressure for several months, a campaign from Trump-allied forces to unseat her as the RNC chair. This is because there has been growing dissatisfaction and anxiety on the former president's side about the strained finances of the RNC as the general election cycle begins early.

Whatley previously claimed without any evidence that election security efforts from Republicans in North Carolina stopped Democrats from cheating. He has also recently endorsed efforts to develop new voting laws, said the New York Times.



Related Article: Trump's Endeavor For President Now In The Hands Of The Supreme Court
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a man was arrested after sexually abusing two women in Northwest D.C. while providing massage therapy services.

Police said the incidents happened on May 29, 2023 at the 1700 block of Columbia Road and on Oct. 13, 2023 at the 1700 block of Lanier Place.

Man arrested after pretending to be rideshare driver, sexually assaulting woman, Fairfax County police say

Police arrested 50-year-old Juan Del Risco Hernandez of Northwest, D.C. on Tuesday. He was charged with first and second degree sex abuse of a client.

Anyone who has had contact with Del Risco Hernandez and believes they are a victim is encouraged to call the Sexual Assault Unit at (202) 727-3700.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
PETERSBURG  Police are looking for the man they believe robbed a fast-food restaurant at gunpoint early Thursday morning.

According to a statement from Petersburg Police, the suspect held up Kentucky Fried Chicken in the 3300 block of South Crater Road around 8:30 a.m. The suspect was wearing a gray hoodie and blue jeans, and toting a black backpack.

He was last seen fleeing south on South Crater Road.

No one was reported injured in the robbery.

Anyone who may have information about the robbery or the suspect is asked to contact Crime Solvers at (804) 861-1212 or use the P3Tips mobile app.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Fast-food restaurant in Petersburg robbed Thursday
NORTH CANTON  Police said they do not know why a man fired gunshots into a woman's car on a downtown street Wednesday afternoon.

"They didn't know each other," Police Chief Frank Kemp Jr. said Thursday of the accused shooter and the woman whose car was struck.

"There's no alcohol, drug or gang relation that we found during the investigation. We also don't have any explanation of any earlier event that occurred between the two subjects. They were two individuals that don't live in this city that were driving through town."

Suspect facing charges in North Canton drive-by shooting

The suspect in the drive-by shooting turned himself in Wednesday evening after the incident led to North Canton City Schools having a roughly 20-minute lockdown several hours before, police said.

The 25-year-old man appeared at the North Canton Police Department at City Hall around 6:20 p.m., according to a statement issued by city police.

Police charged him with two counts of improperly discharging a firearm in a school safety zone, one count of felonious assault, one count of inducing panic and one count of the discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises. He was booked into the Stark County jail, where he remained Thursday.

The defendant, who lists a Canton home address in court records, is scheduled to appear Friday morning in Canton Municipal Court. A judge will decide whether to send the case to Stark County Common Pleas Court for grand jury consideration. All the charges are felonies, which are handled in common pleas court.

The police complaint against the defendant alleges he fired multiple rounds into the victim's vehicle in the 200 block of North Main, close to North Canton Primary School and the North Canton YMCA Early Childhood Development Center. The shots are alleged to have been fired across the road.

North Canton shooting prompted school lockdown

An officer was in the area of the gunshots and discovered a Pontiac Grand Am at a gas station with damage to the vehicle, according to police. The driver door was open. The driver was inside the business uninjured.

All of the district's schools were placed on the soft lockdown around 1:25 p.m., meaning no one was allowed to enter or exit the school, North Canton City Schools Superintendent Jeff Wendorf said. The district received the all-clear signal at 1:45 p.m.

The criminal complaint against the suspect says his actions "caused a substantial risk of serious physical harm to the victim and her property."

"This caused the schools to lockdown, and parents to believe their children were in danger. The North Canton Police Department dispatch center and North Canton City Schools received numerous calls from concerned parents and citizens."

A statement from police said North Canton police detectives determined an identity of a person suspected of firing a gun. They along with Stark County sheriff's deputies unsuccessfully tried to find the suspect at his home, his place of employment and other locations that he was associated with. But then he turned up at the city police station.

North Canton police are seeking the public's assistance. Anyone with information about the case can call 330-499-5911. Anonymous tips can call the department's tip line at 330-966-3633 or download the free Tip411 app and submit the tip through the app.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Suspect, 25, charged in North Canton drive-by shooting
Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Two police officers responding to a 911 call about a girl being shot in East Lansdowne, Pa., were shot and wounded Wednesday afternoon during an active-shooter situation that remains ongoing.

The officers responded to a call claiming to be from an 11-year-old girl who said she had been shot and was inside a house in East Lansdowne at about 3:45 p.m. When the two officers arrived, someone in a nearby house began shooting and wounded them, local media reported.

The house where the officers responded caught fire while more police and a SWAT team arrived at the scene and surrounded the property.

One officer was shot in the leg and the other in the arm, and both are in stable condition at a local hospital. One officer is with the Lansdowne Police and the other East Lansdowne Police, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer told local media.

Stollsteimer said the police don't know if the shooter is still inside the home and are unsure if anyone was shot prior to the officers arriving at the scene. He said the report of an 11-year-old girl being shot might be inaccurate, but someone inside the house set fire to it after shooting the two officers.

The local fire department has the fire contained, and police intend to enter the home to investigate, Stollsteimer said. The fire appeared to be dying out early Wednesday night local time, but an armored police vehicle rammed the house while it was still burning, CNN reported.

Police and first responders were still at the scene, which was considered an active-shooter situation, as of 6 p.m. EST.
(KRON)  A new type of illicit synthetic street drug known as Pink Cocaine and Pink Panther was found in a San Jose business where investigators suspect it was being manufactured.

Luis Carrillo-Moyeda, 32, of San Jose, was arrested last month on drug charges after San Jose Police Department officers served search warrants at his home and business on Blossom Hill Road.

Images of Pink Cocaine courtesy the San Jose Police Department.

SJPD wrote, The illegal narcotics being manufactured and sold by suspect Carrillo-Moyeda, commonly known as Tusi, Pink Cocaine, Pantera Rosa, or Pink Panther, is a new synthetic drug made from a mixture of ketamine, MDMA, methamphetamine, cocaine, and opioids.

Why a police car did not stop an Apple Store theft in Emeryville

Detectives said they seized various illegal narcotics, narcotics manufacturing parts, large amounts of cash, and an unregistered firearm while searching Carrillo-Moyedas workplace and home.

Police did not release the name of the business on Blossom Hill Road.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Police who work on school campuses would need special training, but would be exempt from rules that regulate how and when educators may restrain students, under the latest proposal from DFL lawmakers seeking to quell controversy over officers stationed in schools.

Democratic leaders say the legislation is the result of meetings with law enforcement officials, educators and advocates in the months since dozens of police chiefs and sheriffs suspended school resource officer programs over concerns that a 2023 law left them liable to civil suits for routine interventions.

Rep. Cedrick Frazier, DFL-New Hope, who cowrote the new bill, said it's meant to clearly establish how police officers are supposed to interact with students in the state's public schools.

"It's a special role," Frazier said. "And at the end of the day this is about making sure that our kids are safe."

The bill would require the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to establish a series of trainings for officers stationed in schools. Those agents would be required to learn about juvenile brain development; take courses in how to work with students with disabilities or who are enrolled in special education courses; and be charged with investigating crimes committed on campuses, among other things. They would also be explicitly barred from disciplining students for breaking school rules.

Officers substituting on a school patrol would not be required to take the training unless they're on assignment for more than 60 days. The bill would also mandate the POST board adopt a model policy for school resource officers that law enforcement agencies must closely follow if they contract with a district for their services.

Critics on all sides

Sen. Zach Duckworth, R-Lakeville, who criticized the 2023 ban on student restraints and previously urged Gov. Tim Walz to call a special session to amend it, said he wants the Legislature to "hear from all of the stakeholders who are urging that a correction to the law be passed as quickly as possible."

He previously lambasted Democrats, who hold majorities in both chambers of the Legislature, of neglecting to consult law enforcement officials before adopting the ban on student restraints. Duckworth said some supporters of the legislation spread misinformation about the concerns law enforcement officials had with the law.

"As we've said from the beginning, the safety of our kids, teachers, and schools is a bipartisan priority that should bring Republicans and Democrats together," Duckworth said in a statement.

A little more than 40 law enforcement agencies suspended their school resource officer programs in the fall. Many, including those in South Washington County, Bloomington, Rochester and Minnetonka, kept officers stationed in schools. In some cases, police are expanding their on-campus presence.

Some education activists and Democratic lawmakers defended the ban on student restraints to argue that it would help close the disparities in disciplinary action between students of color and their white peers. Erin Sandsmark, program manager for Solutions Not Suspensions, said that the new bill is a step in the right direction.

But she and other members of the coalition advocating for school discipline reforms are concerned the proposed law also holds police to a different standard than educators.

"It seems their argument is that officers are not employed by the district, therefore the same rules do not apply," Sandsmark said. "The reality is that they are in the building with our students."

Sandsmark is concerned that the bill as written would allow police to place students in prone restraints in very narrow circumstances. She also worries that lawmakers have removed language that bars educators from placing students in restrictive holds unless they pose an "imminent" physical threat to themselves or others.

"We do not think it is reasonable to allow children to be put in these holds in any case, other than in the case of imminent bodily harm," Sandsmark said. "We feel that it does not hold up the humanity of our children."

Lawmakers hearing concerns

DFL lawmakers spent the week meeting with various groups ahead of the bill's first committee hearing Monday. Leslie Rosedahl, spokeswoman for the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, said the organization's leaders are reviewing the bill with its lawyers and members.

"An initial concern ... is the model POST Board language," Rosedahl said. "Unfortunately the POST Board has become more politically motivated the past few years."

She and Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association Executive Director Jeff Potts said their organizations are among those meeting with lawmakers to discuss the legislation. Potts hopes legislators will make "minor" changes to the bill but did not want to specify ahead of the meetings.

"We're just not there yet," Potts said.

Frazier said Democratic lawmakers are aiming to establish a uniform set of guidelines for every adult who works with students. He wants to bring the state's school resource officer policy in line with the sort of regulations that govern school nurses, psychologists and counselors.

"Essentially what's happening here is that we're aligning how other professionals interact with our students," Frazier said. "We're trying to be thoughtful about how people will adjust to this new reality."
Swedish authorities said that their investigation into the September 2022 explosions that shook the undersea Nord Stream gas pipes was over.

The explosions severely damaged the pipelines, which were intended to carry Russian natural gas to Germany. This raised worries about energy security and potential environmental effects, as per ABC News.

Sweden's Nord Stream Probe Ends Over Jurisdiction

The decision to terminate the Swedish probe, which was one of three investigations into the explosions alongside Denmark and Germany, underscores the complexities surrounding the incident. While the investigation in Germany is ongoing, Swedish prosecutors cited jurisdictional limitations for their decision to discontinue their inquiry.

Public prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist of the Swedish Prosecution Authority emphasized the systematic and thorough nature of the investigation but noted that Swedish jurisdiction does not extend to the matter at hand. He refrained from commenting on the specifics of the investigation's findings or implicating any individuals in the sabotage.

Indicating the exchange of relevant documents for the present German inquiry, Ljungqvist appreciated the cooperation with German authorities. Still, the cloak of secrecy surrounding international legal interaction prevented him from sharing further information.

In response to inquiries regarding the implications of Sweden's decision, German federal prosecutors maintained that their investigations are ongoing, opting not to divulge additional information at this juncture. Meanwhile, Copenhagen police, leading the Danish investigation, hinted at an imminent announcement, indicating that their probe is nearing completion, according to Express.

Read Also: Hungarian PM Orban Agrees to EU's Defense Package Deal to Ukraine

Baltic Sea Explosions Hit Nord Stream Pipelines

The explosions, occurring approximately 80 meters beneath the surface of the Baltic Sea within Sweden and Denmark's economic zones, ruptured both the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines. The incident exacerbated existing tensions amid Europe's efforts to diversify its energy sources in the aftermath of Russia's incursion into Ukraine.

The environmental fallout of the explosions was significant, with extensive damage to local wildlife and the release of substantial volumes of methane into the Baltic Sea, marking a grave ecological disaster. Despite seismic evidence pinpointing the timing of the blasts preceding the leaks, determining culpability remains elusive over a year later.

Speculation surrounding the perpetrators abounds, with unconfirmed reports implicating various actors, including Russia, the US, and Ukraine. The geopolitical ramifications of the incident are compounded by longstanding criticisms of the Nord Stream pipelines, which some argue deepen Europe's dependence on Russian gas.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and other officials have vehemently denied involvement, attributing the explosions to alleged foreign interference aimed at destabilizing Russian energy exports. Conversely, reports suggesting the involvement of a pro-Ukraine group, as surfaced in German media in March 2023, have been met with skepticism from Ukrainian authorities and cautiousness from German officials.

Swedish prosecutors have raised the possibility that the state was involved in the sabotage, but they have issued a warning that it is still difficult to identify the offender with certainty. The closing of the Swedish inquiry highlights the complicated web of legal issues and geopolitical concerns surrounding the Nord Stream pipeline explosions, even while investigations continue in Germany and Denmark, Al Jazeera reported.

Related Article: Orban Boycotts Parliament Session to Slow Sweden's NATO Bid
Thousands of farmers in Spain joined a growing trend seen across Europe by continuing their tractor demonstrations for a second day. These protests mirror similar actions taken by farmers in France, Poland, and Greece.

The protests, which seek changes in European Union agricultural policies and assistance to combat rising production costs and drought, have caused delays to transportation networks and gained widespread attention throughout the continent, as per ABC News.

Spanish Farmers' Protests Disrupt Infrastructure

The protests have resulted in the blockage of several major national highways, impeding access to key infrastructures such as the eastern port of Castellon and the southeastern Jerez airport. Notably, a convoy of 1,000 tractors slowly advanced towards the heart of Barcelona, contributing to extensive traffic congestions in Catalonia's capital.

Despite the widespread demonstrations involving thousands of participants, Spain's primary farming organizations have distanced themselves from the protests, scheduling separate demonstrations in the forthcoming days. Reports have linked many of the protests to conservative groups, underscoring the diverse range of actors involved in the movement.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez addressed the concerns of farmers in Spain's parliament, promising governmental support and advocating for their cause at the European level. Additionally, the Spanish Agriculture Ministry announced a 270 million aid package to assist 140,000 farmers grappling with the ramifications of the country's severe drought and the repercussions of Russia's conflict with Ukraine.

Attempts to address the ongoing trouble, including discussions between Agriculture Minister Luis Planas Puchades and farmers' unions, have been unsuccessful thus far, underscoring the deep-rooted grievances within the agricultural industry, according to Euronews.

Read Also: United States Marine Corps Helicopter Missing Following Extreme Weather

European Commission Reacts to Farmers' Protests

The protests coincide with similar demonstrations across Europe, prompting responses from European Commission officials. Belgium's Foreign Minister, Hadja Lahbib, called for a reevaluation of farming regulations in light of prevailing challenges, while European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic acknowledged the pressing need for action to address the concerns of farmers.

The protests, however, are a reflection of a larger dissatisfaction among farmers with EU policies that they believe restrict trade and impose unnecessary bureaucratic burdens on farms. Discontent has been stoked by worries about environmental rules and the flood of low agricultural imports from other areas, as farmer Joan Mata noted when she voiced her dissatisfaction over the differences in regulatory requirements.

In Castellon, farmers staged a symbolic blockade at the main entrance to the port, emphasizing their grievances against what they perceive as unfair competition. Despite tensions, police intervention facilitated the peaceful conclusion of the blockade, albeit underscoring the intensity of sentiments among protesters.

Union leader Unai Sordo acknowledged the legitimacy of farmers' demands, recognizing their status as entrepreneurs grappling with complex challenges. The protests have compelled swift governmental responses, with additional subsidies allocated to support farmers and policy adjustments at the EU level.

The agricultural industry is still a focal focus of unrest as demonstrations spread across Europe, proving the need for substantial changes to address the underlying issues and protect farmers' interests in the face of shifting economic and environmental dynamics, Reuters reported.

Related Article: NORAD Detects Russian Planes in Alaska's ADIZ
Qianxi in SW China's Guizhou cultivates big Miao embroidery industry

People's Daily Online) 10:26, February 08, 2024

Yang Wenli (C) and other embroiderers introduce Miao embroidery artworks in Huawu village in Qianxi city, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Photo/Guizhou Daily)

Yang Wenli, a villager from Huawu village in Qianxi city, southwest China's Guizhou Province, walked out of a Miao embroidery workshop with a pair of wax-dyed pants on her arm. This batch of 500 pairs of jeans, hand-dyed with wax and paired with hand-embroidered Miao designs, has become a hit among young people, she said.

In 2017, Yang used her savings and borrowed money to purchase a second-hand embroidery machine for 230,000 yuan ($31,955). Despite the initial lack of demand for machine-embroidered products, Yang remained determined.

For two years, she persevered and successfully created a market for Miao embroidery. In 2019, she established a Miao embroidery workshop in Huawu village, collaborating with local villagers to further expand the market for this traditional craft.

To make Miao embroidery patterns more fashionable, Yang simplified the designs and incorporated a touch of fashion. She established a research and development (R&D) team, conducted market research, and introduced innovative patterns and styles to Miao embroidery clothing. She also ventured into creating cultural and creative products like bags and scarves.

"Machine embroidery is efficient and cost-effective, making it suitable for large-scale production, while hand embroidery is time-consuming and expensive, focusing on quality. By combining the two methods, they complement each other," Yang said.

Photo shows Miao embroidery artworks in Huawu village in Qianxi city, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Photo/Guizhou Daily)

To enhance the reach and impact of Miao embroidery, it is crucial to expand the production scale. Recognizing this, the local government took proactive measures by constructing factories and offering free access to embroidery and sewing machines to embroiderers in Huawu village.

The village also sought policy support and assistance in recruiting workers. As a result of these efforts, Yang's Miao embroidery workshop experienced remarkable success in 2023, with sales surpassing 2 million yuan. Moreover, this achievement led to the creation of employment opportunities for over 40 people.

There are over 20 Miao embroidery family workshops in Huawu village, contributing to various industries such as production, exhibition, cultural studies, and tourism related to Miao embroidery.

"The strategy of establishing headquarters, an R&D center, and market in Guangdong Province, along with a production base in Guizhou has attracted 10 companies to the region. This development has created employment opportunities for over 500 people. Notably, the production of more than 2 million fashionable Miao embroidery garments has generated a total output value of approximately 40 million yuan," said Peng Yang, the person in charge of a Miao embroidery industry park project of the Colorful Guizhou Cultural Industry Investment Group Co., Ltd.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Hongyu)
A United States security bill that would reduce financing to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees is raising alarm, as right advocates claimed that the ongoing effort to dismantle the agency is gaining steam amid Israel's war on Gaza.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has been leading the humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza, where Israel's military bombardment killed over 27,708 Palestinians and caused wide-scale destruction since October 7.

US Funding for UNWRA Blocked in Senate

The proposed $118 billion bill, a draft of which (PDF) was blocked on Wednesday in the US Senate, includes a provision prohibiting Washington from providing funds to UNRWA.

Seth Binder, the advocacy director at the Middle East Democracy Center, said that this would apply to humanitarian aid included in the bill and any previously approved funds for UNRWA that have not yet been disbursed, totaling about $300,000.

"It's unclear ... where and how this specific provision may become law if it ever is able to," Binder told Al Jazeera. "But it is concerning nonetheless just given recent developments."

UNRWA came under renewed investigation last month following the Israeli government's accusation that approximately twelve of UNRWA's roughly 13,000 employees were involved in Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7, which killed 1,139 people.

Furthermore, UNRWA promptly fired the staff in question and declared that it was launching an investigation into the claims, which it described as "shocking" and "serious." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also has appointed an independent panel to investigate.

Israel has not yet offered proof for its claims, but the US and several other countries swiftly stopped funding the agency as a result. UNRWA is dependent on government funding to continue operating in the occupied Palestinian territories, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.

Ethan Mayer-Rich said at the Arab Center Washington DC that the Senate bill, which has Biden's backing, represented growing bipartisan acceptance of what previously were Republican-driven attempts to limit UNRWA.

He told Al Jazeera that they were seeing a pretty quick departure from what used to be a split down party lines. He added that it was reckless, and he thinks that history is going to see the US as complicit in what is unquestionably an incredibly tragic and dire situation.

Mayer-rich claimed that they have seen an endorsement by the highest level of office and that it is okay for Democrats to call into question UNRWA's mandate and the necessity of its mission, which has long been a Republican-guided effort. He continued that this is a message that will have a durable impact on the way that Democrats are talking about UNRWA and the necessary services it provides.

Read Also: UK PM Sunak Criticized Over Transgender Remark During Visit of Murdered Girl's Mother

Republicans Seeks To Disband UNRWA

Meanwhile, Republicans have used the accusations against UNRWA to reinvigorate their years-long attempt to deter the agency in defiance of those cautions. "This is something that they've long been trying to do, and they've really seized the moment," Mayer-Rich said.

According to a tally by the Arab Center Washington DC, Republicans in Congress have introduced at least seven bills meant to defund or dissolve UNRWA since Israel's accusations were made public.

Republican lawmakers held a weekly subcommittee meeting titled "UNRWA Exposed: Examining the Agency's Mission and Failures." A group of about two dozen Republican senators had demanded that "an immediate and permanent prohibition" be incorporated into any legislation on US funding for UNRWA.

They said "the United States must permanently stop all contributions to UNRWA" on January 31.

Less than six years have passed since US aid to UNRWA was terminated by former Republican President Donald Trump in 2018, who claimed that Washington was bearing a "disproportionate share of the burden of UNRWA's costs."

Related Article: EU Warns of Humanitarian Crisis: Funding Cuts to UNRWA Endanger Palestinian Lives


Among world leaders, Vladimir Putin is possibly the easiest to analyse. The one thing you need to keep in mind is: every single thing that Putin does, he does it for staying in power.

Cracking down on the opposition, eliminating dissent, stifling the free press and keeping businesses in check  all of this is pursuit of the sole goal: to stay in power. Even the invasion of Ukraine, which many tend to see from an imperialist or colonial angle, is rooted in domestic, not foreign policy, objectives.

In this war, Putin is exploiting Russians national trauma, resentment and nostalgia for a great Russia to boost his popularity and cement the legitimacy of his rule.

Putins propaganda machine is portraying Ukraine as a proxy of the West, Russias sworn, formidable enemy. It is the West and Nato that Putin is fighting in Ukraine, and this is how most Russians have been shaped to view this war.

But if you believe that the West is Russias existential enemy, then where does the Tucker Carlson phenomenon fit in? How come Carlson has become a darling of Russian state media and what does it do to help Putin tighten his grip on power?

Everything that Vladimir Putin does is about staying in power - Sergei Guneyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Carlsons every step on Russian soil has garnered more media coverage than any recent visit of any world leader or a pop star: Carlson is here, Carlson is there. Its a weird spectacle. But its easy to explain.

The Kremlin and its propaganda machine may be waging wars with the collective West as they call it but the Russian leadership is still dependent on public opinion in the West. Putin has been desperately seeking recognition in the West throughout his political career, and he built his legitimacy inside Russia on this recognition.

Russians undoubtedly have largely Western tastes, behaviour and consumption patterns. Russians watch Hollywood movies and love German-made cars, Italian clothes and Finnish groceries. Any Russian could easily name a Western athlete, film star or a writer - but would struggle to come up with a name for a Chinese or an Indian one.

To Russians, the West is both a bully and a role model. And Western recognition in Russia has way more traction than the domestic one, especially because Russians are well aware of how disingenuous the Russian propaganda is.

The invasion of Ukraine has pushed the West to turn its back on Russia. Putin is no longer invited to global summits. He no longer gets to host high-placed politicians in Moscow. Russian athletes have been barred from international competitions, and the Russian leadership has been slapped with international sanctions.

Putin has lost most of his fans among once Kremlin-friendly Western politicians, business leaders and journalists.

The Kremlin is hurting so much from the stonewalling by the West that it is desperate enough to resort to ridiculous means.

Russian propagandists have recently been posting plaudits for Putin in the comment sections of western media outlets under the guise of Europeans or Americans only for these comments to be shared in Russia and held up as the prevailing opinion in the West.

Putin and his regime badly lacks the validation from the West needed to bolster his legitimacy at home.

Enter Tucker Carlson. In the opening days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Carlson spent quite a bit of time on his show defending Putin and accusing the US of provoking the war, making him an instant darling for Kremlin propagandists.

All Russian TV channels  most of which are, by the way, run by Putins alleged mistress Alina Kabaeva  received orders from the Kremlin administration: use Carlsons soundbites as much as you can.

Kremlins most precious jewel

Carlson is the most precious jewel of the Kremlins propaganda machine. He parroted a Kremlin conspiracy theory about biolabs in Ukraine, condemned Zelensky for willingness to launch a nuclear strike on Russia and accused Joe Biden of trying to establish a dictatorship in the US like the one in Ukraine.

These allegations could definitely find a place in the speech of Russias president, but are not commonplace in the musings of a prominent American journalist.

At last, everything fell into place: Carlson is in Moscow to interview Putin. At this decisive moment, the self-proclaimed American patriot joined the camp of power-crazy former KGB officers and notorious Russian propagandists like Dmitry Kiselev, who famously threatened to turn the US into radioactive ash.

Carlson these days embodies Putins need for confirmation by the West, which he needs to sustain his legitimacy at home. But this need is also Putins Achilles heel which lays bare the vulnerabilities of the Russian dictator.

If Putin is that dependent on Western recognition and confirmation, then the West finally has a clear idea what to do.

Putins legitimacy at home must be undermined by refusing to recognise him as a legitimate president after the presidential elections in March.

Whats more, there is a solid legal ground to do so: as the vote for Putin is going to be held not only across Russia but also in the areas of Ukraine that Putin has unlawfully annexed.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky is a former Russian oligarch and opposition activist currently exiled in the UK

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Hours after the Senate failed to pass a border security and immigration bill that would have unlocked more than US$60 billion in aid to Ukraine, US President Joe Biden expressed concern that Kyiv's allies were withdrawing their support at a critical time.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Bloomberg

Details: Biden said that Russian President Vladimir Putin "is on the balls of his heels."

Quote from Biden: "And what are we doing? Stepping back?"

Details: Biden stated that Ukraine is at a critical stage of the war: the country's ammunition and weapons stocks are dwindling, and combat actions are expected to intensify this spring.

Quote from Biden: "The United States is viewed as  we are the essential nation. If the United States steps out of events, what happens. What happens then in the Middle East, the Taiwan Straits? What happens in Asia? What happens with Ukraine?"

More details: Bloomberg reported that former US President Donald Trump, the leader of the Republican Party, had called on Republicans in Congress to reject the bill that would have provided aid to Ukraine.

Currently, US lawmakers are negotiating a pared-down package that would exclude the immigration provisions and include aid to Ukraine and other US national security priorities, but this approach faces opposition in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

Background:

The US Senate did not find enough support for a procedural vote on a bill with a tougher migration policy that included additional funds for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

Prior to that, President Joe Biden, who supported the compromise bipartisan bill, said that Donald Trump was trying to derail its adoption.

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Vladimir Putin gave his first interview with a Western media figure since invading Ukraine.

It was with Tucker Carlson, who has long been more sympathetic to Putin than most of the US media.

The interview seems timed to further corrode US support for Ukraine.

As Tucker Carlson was hyping his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin, US support for Ukraine hit a new low.

Wednesday saw another congressional attempt to get more aid to Ukraine unceremoniously collapse  keeping a proposed $66 billion injection of aid out of reach.

The timing doesn't feel like a coincidence.

The interview with Putin, due to drop on Thursday evening, gives the Russian president a golden opportunity to erode further the likelihood that the US will pass any more funding for Ukraine.

The Biden administration tried to pass a bill that would, in one stroke, satisfy three aims: get aid to Ukraine and Israel and also enhance security at the US southern border.

The latter was meant to placate the Republican Party, meeting their demands for action at the border. But the party's hardliners still rejected it, and with it, the best chance of getting further support to Ukraine.

Without US support, Ukraine's struggles against Russia are intensifying.

It's a moment Putin has long been waiting for: Analysts have long believed that Putin has been waging a war of attrition, betting that he had more staying power than Ukraine's Western allies.

In Carlson, Putin has found an interviewer likely to be receptive to his views.

Carlson has been accused of echoing Russian propaganda and misinformation on Ukraine and has questioned why the US should be spending billions to help the country defend itself.

During his time in Russia, Carlson has already been accused of pushing falsehoods. Even the Kremlin said he was wrong to claim no other Western journalist had even tried to interview Putin.

Putin's officials said they'd just turned everybody else down.

Many took issue with Carlson's omission of other reporters whose efforts were met not with an invitation to Moscow but with a prison cell.

The Wall Street Journal's Evan Gershkovich and Radio Free Europe's Alsu Kurmasheva have been locked up for months. Many Russian journalists have fled the country for fear they, too, will be punished.

Carlson is already a celebrated figure among pro-Kremlin propagandists in Russia, with clips from his shows broadcast frequently on state TV. The BBC noted that his every move in Russia had been widely reported on.

Though Carlson is a diminished figure after his days as Fox News' highest-rated host, he still has a huge audience among the Republicans Putin is seeking to reach out to.

Putin and other Kremlin figures have long tailored their propaganda to appeal to the Republican right, seeking to portray Russia as a bastion of Christian conservative ideals.

Carlson's skepticism about Ukraine aid has also been championed by former President Donald Trump, the GOP 2024 frontrunner, and his supporters in Congress. It's fast spreading among Republican voters who previously agreed with US support for Ukraine.

With the GOP holding the fate of future Ukraine aid, Carlson is handing Putin an opportunity to address the party's supporters directly on Thursday.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Authorities have clarified that the migrants arrested at an Arizona bus stop are not the individuals accused of fleeing New York City after being implicated in the Times Square police attack, according to senior law enforcement officials.

Reports from three senior law enforcement officials conveyed to NBC News establish that the four men detained in Arizona by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) do not correspond to the identities of those involved in the Times Square incident.

Arizona Migrants Unrelated to Times Square Incident

The information surfaces after federal authorities previously identified the arrested individuals as potential suspects who had purportedly absconded the city following the abhorrent attack.

These four individuals were intercepted while en route to the Phoenix Greyhound Bus Station from El Paso, Texas, as revealed by ICE spokesperson Yasmeen Pitts O'Keefe.

O'Keefe indicated that the suspects were suspected to have been implicated in a high-profile attack targeting police officers in New York City. She remarked to KTAR News 92.3 FM, "The subjects were believed to be fleeing the state of New York from their suspected involvement in a coordinated assault on multiple New York City Police Department (NYPD) Officers."

Officials transferred the four migrants to the custody of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations to undergo processing for immigration violations. The purported attack, in which they were allegedly involved, unfolded outside a Manhattan homeless shelter on January 27. Surveillance footage from the site depicted a group of migrants engaging in altercations with police officers in Times Square.

While seven individuals were initially arrested in connection with the incident, charges against one individual were dropped by prosecutors, as reported by the Associated Press. Authorities then released five of the remaining six suspects, a move that invited criticism directed at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

On the other hand, the office of the district attorney said that their present priority is on 10 to 11 people, but that number might grow. On March 5, all five of the migrants who were freed without bond are expected back in court. But there's still no word on when their court hearing will be rescheduled, according to KTAR News.

Read Also: Baby Decapitation in Georgia Hospital Ruled Homicide After Family Files Lawsuit Claiming Medical Negligence

Phoenix Migrants Not Linked to NYPD Attack

Contrary to initial reports, ICE sources, including Fox News, revealed that a group of migrants were apprehended at a Greyhound bus station in Phoenix regarding the NYPD attack. Nevertheless, the DA's office retracted these assertions on Wednesday.

Manhattan DA Communications Director Danielle Filson stated, "To date, we have not received any indication from federal authorities that they have detained anyone related to our case."

As of Wednesday, seven suspects have been arrested, with the possibility of up to 14 individuals being involved in the attack. The captured surveillance footage from January 27 outside a Times Square homeless shelter depicted several men assaulting officers on a sidewalk, while attempting to intervene in the arrest of a man.

Although no serious injuries were reported, the imagery of officers being assaulted incited widespread public condemnation.

Mayor Adams, in recent public appearances, emphasized the majority of migrants arriving in the city are law-abiding. He cautioned against branding those striving for the American Dream as criminals.

However, in light of the Times Square incident, Adams expressed a willingness to reconsider laws impeding city-federal immigration enforcement collaboration. Noting the incident as an assault on the city's safety, Adams urged the City Council to contemplate enhanced collaboration with federal immigration authorities.

The city's sanctuary policies, enforced since 2014, restrict the police department and city jails from detaining individuals on behalf of ICE, except under specific circumstances. Such policies have raised questions regarding their influence on cases like the Times Square altercation, Fox 5 reported.

Related Article: Record Number of Americans Facing Homelessness as Government Slow To Respond
Russian dictator Vladimir Putins planned visit to Turkey to meet with the country's leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been postponed, Ukrainian newspaper ZN.ua reported on Feb. 7, citing Turkish media.

Read also: Erdogan to discuss 'new mechanism' for Ukraines Black Sea grain corridor during meeting with Putin

Russian state-run news agency TASS claims that the visit, which was originally scheduled for Feb. 12, has been delayed to a later date. The reason for the postponement has not been specified.

However, Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov insists that no specific dates have ever been announced and that preparations for the trip are ongoing.

In January, media reported that Putin would visit Turkey on Feb. 12.

On Feb. 6, Turkey's Foreign Ministry said that Putin would discuss Ukraine and the Black Sea grain deal with Erdogan.

Read also: Lithuanian FM sounds alarm, says lack of Western military aid could hand Putin 'victories'

Turkey, a NATO member state with maritime borders with Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea, seeks to maintain good relationships with both countries. It has provided military aid to Kyiv and backed its territorial integrity while refusing to endorse sanctions against Russia.

Read also: Tucker Carlson to interview Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in Moscow

Putin's potential trip to Turkey could become one of his several international visits since the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him in March 2023. Since then, Putin has managed to visit six countries: Kyrgyzstan, China, Kazakhstan, Belarus, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Turkiye is likely to take place in late April or early May.

Source: RIA Novosti, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet, with reference to a source in Ankara

Details: The two leaders are expected to meet in late April or early May after the local elections to be held on 31 March in Turkiye and the presidential elections to be held on 17 March in Russia.

On Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that preparations for Putin's meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were underway, but that the date of the visit had not yet been determined.

Moscow and Ankara will announce the dates of the visit "as soon as the dates are agreed upon, naturally, taking into account the electoral cycle in Russia and the Turkish president's busy work schedule," Peskov said.

Putin's trip, which has been postponed twice since late last year, is set to be Putin's first visit to a NATO member state since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.

Background: A Turkish official told Reuters last week that Putin will visit NATO member state Turkiye on 12 February.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said earlier this week that Putin and Erdogan would discuss the gas hub, the war in Ukraine, and grain exports from the Black Sea during their meeting.

Amid preparations for Putin's visit, the European Commission reminded Ankara that the International Criminal Court had issued an arrest warrant for the Russian President, considering him guilty of illegally deporting thousands of children from Ukraine.

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The date of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Turkey to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which was reportedly to take place in February, is "yet to be determined," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Feb. 8.

Russian state-run media outlet TASS announced on Jan. 29 that Putin was to visit Turkey in February, citing Yuri Ushakov, an advisor to Putin. State-controlled news agency RIA Novosti reported on Feb. 7 that the trip had been postponed.

The visit is now likely to take place in late April or early May, RIA Novosti said, citing a source in Ankara.

Peskov said that preparations were ongoing but the exact date will take into account "the electoral cycle in our country and the busy work schedule of the Turkish president."

Russia will hold a presidential election on March 17, while Turkey will hold local elections on March 31.

Putin's international visits have been curtailed since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant in March 2023 for his role in the deportations of Ukrainian children. Turkey is na ot party to the ICC's Rome Statute, meaning it is under no obligation to detain Putin.

Turkey, despite being a member of NATO, positions itself as a mediator between the belligerents of the war.

Ankara played a crucial role in brokering the grain deal that allowed for the resumption of maritime trade out of Ukrainian ports in July 2022. Since the agreement's collapse in July 2023 following Russia's unilateral exit, Turkey has kept in contact with Kyiv and Moscow.

Erdogan visited Russia in September 2023 and met with Putin to discuss the grain deal and other issues.

Read also: Rise and fall of an unlikely challenger. Why did Kremlin ban Nadezhdin from running against Putin?

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Puyallup police say the same security guard was assaulted twice in separate locations by the same duo of alleged female shoplifters.

Police have not arrested the women and are seeking help from the public.

The first incident happened at Walmart in Puyallup. The two women pictured were stopped from shoplifting by a security guard. One of the women then reportedly assaulted the security guard.

A few weeks later the women saw the same security guard at another location, where police say the duo assaulted him a second time.

If you recognize these women Puyallup police ask that you call their TipLine at 253-770-3343 or email them at tips@puyallupwa.gov
The Queen hands her umbrella to an aide as she arrives at Salisbury Cathedral in the wet weather - Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Pool

The King is doing extremely well under the circumstances and has been cheered by the messages of support, the Queen has said in her first words since his cancer diagnosis was revealed.

After her helicopter was grounded, Camilla, 76, took a six-hour road trip to attend a charity concert because she did not want to let her husband down.

She had arranged to attend the event, on Thursday evening at Salisbury Cathedral, before Charles, 75, was diagnosed with cancer.

On arrival in the wind and rain, the Queen told Ben Abbott, 40, from Wiltshire Air Ambulance, who asked after the King: He is doing extremely well under the circumstances. He is very touched by all of the letters and messages the public have been sending from everywhere. Thats very cheering.

The Queen arrives at a musical evening at Salisbury Cathedral - Chris Jackson

The Queen accompanied Charles from London to Sandringham on Tuesday but she was told on Wednesday night that the increasingly treacherous weather conditions would prevent her from flying from Norfolk to the concert by helicopter as planned.

However, a royal source revealed that rather than pull out, she opted to travel more than 200 miles by road, despite the weather warnings, because she had promised the King she would plough on with her official engagements.

The flight was cancelled due to the weather so she elected to go by road, which is one hell of a journey  at least six hours in these conditions, one source told The Telegraph.

She did not want to let down the King, having assured him that she would continue with her schedule of official engagements.

The Queen was also loath to let down the concert organiser, who is a friend, and the various charities due to benefit from the event, with which she enjoys a personal connection.

The Met Office warned on Thursday that a band of rain, sleet and some snow was moving northwards across the UK as it published tips for driving in severe weather.

The Queen is expected to return to Sandringham to support her husband throughout the weekend. He will return to London in the middle of next week to continue his outpatient hospital treatment.

The Queen, along with the Princess Royal, 73, has become the public face of the Royal family in recent days, stoically ploughing on with official duties despite her deeply personal concern for the King.

With the King forced to step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, the Princess of Wales out of action until Easter following abdominal surgery and Prince William opting to clear his own diary to look after her, senior royals are thin on the ground.

Although the Prince of Wales carried out an investiture and attended a fundraising gala on Wednesday, he is not expected to carry out any further official duties until the week commencing Feb 19, after half term.

Celebrating charities

The Queen smiled as she arrived at Salisbury Cathedral to celebrate the work of local charities including the Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust, the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, and Community First  Youth Action Wiltshire, as well as the regimental charities of the Grenadier Guards and the Rifles, of which she is Colonel-in-Chief.

The Queen greets representatives from charities including the Wiltshire Air Ambulance - Chris Jackson

Award-winning concert pianist Rupert Egerton-Smith was due to perform, alongside the band of the Grenadier Guards and the band and bugles of the Rifles.

Her Majesty was due to meet Rev Canon Anna Machamm, Mr Egerton-Smith, and the directors of music from the bands of the Grenadier Guards and the Rifles at a short reception before the concert.

Meanwhile, Princess Anne acknowledged support for the King and the Princess of Wales as she celebrated the 35th anniversary of Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre in west London.

The Queen already has several engagements in the diary for next week.

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BECKLEY, WV (WVNS)  Raleigh County Circuit Court Clerk R.M. Bob McComas resigned from his office on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, according to Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Ben Hatfield.

County officials said employees in McComas office alerted those in the Raleigh County court system very recently that they felt uncomfortable with their work environment because of racist and sexist statements allegedly being made by McComas.

Hon. Andrew Dimich, the chief judge at Raleigh County Circuit Court, said the position of Circuit Clerk is an important one in the judicial process, including circuit and family court.

Hugely important. For example, they are responsible for the management and administration of all jury processes in Circuit Court, he said, adding the clerk has access to West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles records. I think, like any holder of public office, they should be above reproach. They should understand their duties and fulfill them, according to statute and according to case law.

Babydog to have two surgeries, Gov. Jim Justice says

Judge Dimlich said Raleigh County Commission employs the Raleigh County Circuit Clerk, but both the Raleigh Couty Prosecuting Attorneys Office investigated alleged derogatory statements about women who work in the Circuit Clerk office, racial and ethnic groups and immigrants.

Prosecutor Hatfield said the investigation was practically completed as of Wednesday evening, but he declined to confirm details of the allegations.

This was an effort by my office, in conjunction with the Raleigh County Commission, to make sure that every single county employee has a safe and secure workplace environment, Hatfield said.

McComas, a Republican and former West Virginia State Trooper, defeated longtime Democratic incumbent Paul Flanagan in November 2022.

Route 60 closed in Rainelle, due to structure fire near Rainelle Elementary School

McComas was not in his office on Wednesday to offer a comment.

Hatfield said McComas is suspended until Monday, February 12, 2024, when his resignation becomes official.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
Amid the bustling preparations for Brazil's world-renowned Carnival celebrations, Rio de Janeiro faces a severe health crisis as Mayor Eduardo Paes declares a state of public health emergency due to an alarming surge in dengue fever cases, causing 40 deaths and an additional 265 under investigation.

The occurrence of dengue in the country has surged fourfold in January compared to the previous year. The Health Ministry said that within the initial five weeks of this year, there have been a total of 364,855 reported cases of infection in the Brazil, notably with Rio de Janeiro documenting 10,000 cases thus far in 2024, a significant escalation from the 23,000 cases reported throughout the entirety of 2023.

Actions Taken to Address Dengue

In response to the escalating crisis, Rio city hall has announced a series of urgent measures aimed at containing the spread of the disease. Ten care centers will be opened, along with the establishment of an emergency operations center.

The urgency of the situation also prompted the Brazilian Air Force to establish a 60-bed field hospital in the Federal District, aiming to alleviate the burden on emergency care units overwhelmed by dengue patients.

Furthermore, authorities will utilize "smoke cars" in areas where dengue cases are most prevalent, releasing insecticide to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

Governor Claudio Castro presented Rio state's operational plans for Carnival, including the "Against Dengue Every Day" campaign, which involves distributing repellents, stickers, bandanas, and hats with disease warnings to Carnival attendees at the iconic Sambadrome venue.

Other states, including Minas Gerais, Acre, and Goias, have also declared public health emergencies in response to rising dengue cases.

During his visit to Brazil on Wednesday, Tedros Adhanom, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), attributed the fueling of the dengue outbreak to the El Nino phenomenon, which has brought heightened rainfall to the country.

"This current dengue outbreak is part of a large global increase in dengue fever with over 500m cases and over 5,000 deaths reported last year from 80 countries in every region of the world except Europe," he explained.

Read Also: Listeria Outbreak That Caused 2 Deaths Linked to Recalled Dairy Products, CDC Says

Commencement of Dengue Vaccination in Brazil

While efforts to combat the outbreak are underway, challenges persist, including limited vaccine availability.

According to a statement from the health ministry, Brazil has purchased 5.2 million doses of the dengue vaccine Qdenga, manufactured by Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda. Additionally, the statement noted that an extra 1.32 million doses have been provided to the government at no cost.

Eder Gatti from Brazil's health ministry said that the public health service had received a limited number of doses from the Japanese laboratory. As a result, the government intends to prioritize large municipalities with high dengue transmission rates.

The local government announced on Wednesday that the country will commence vaccinating children aged 10-14 against Dengue with Qdenga starting this Friday.

Brazil approved a dengue vaccine in March 2023, becoming the first country to offer it through the public health system.

With Carnival festivities looming, authorities are racing against time to curb the spread of dengue and ensure the safety of residents and visitors alike. The Rio Carnival 2024 is slated to run from February 9 to February 17.

According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dengue affects up to 400 million people worldwide annually, making it the most common virus transmitted by mosquitoes. Dengue is a viral infection transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is known to carry the disease.

Dengue presents with symptoms including fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and a blotchy rash.

Related Article: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly: United States STD Numbers Revealed by CDC


North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly made a significant decision on Thursday, voting to annul all agreements related to economic cooperation with South Korea, according to the North's official KCNA news agency. This move comes amid a deepening deterioration of relations between the two Koreas.

The assembly, a formal body responsible for adopting policies dictated by the ruling Workers' Party, also decided to abolish laws governing economic ties with Seoul, including the special law governing the Mount Kumgang tourism project, as per Reuters.

North Korea's Escalating Hostility

The Mount Kumgang tours, which attracted nearly 2 million South Korean visitors, symbolized a period of economic cooperation that began in the early 2000s. However, the project was halted in 2008 following a tragic incident where a South Korean tourist was fatally shot by North Korean guards after inadvertently entering a restricted area.

The recent decision by North Korea reflects its escalating hostility towards South Korea, which it has declared as an enemy in a state of war. Last year, North Korea revoked a military agreement signed in 2018 aimed at reducing tensions near the military border established after the Korean War.

In response to North Korea's latest move, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed bewilderment, calling it "an extraordinary change" in North Korea's inter-Korea policy. However, he emphasized the enduring nature of North Korea's attempts to influence South Korea ideologically and its pursuit of nuclear capabilities to threaten its southern neighbor.

President Yoon, known for his tough stance against Pyongyang, reiterated his willingness to engage with North Korea, including holding a summit meeting with its leader, Kim Jong Un, and providing economic assistance. However, he voiced concerns about the rationality of the North Korean leadership.

Since assuming power in 2011, Kim Jong Un has prioritized the development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, heightening tensions with South Korea and the United States. Despite North Korea's struggling economy, Kim continues to pursue an aggressive military agenda, according to Mint.

Read Also: Chinese Embassy Denies Philippines' Cyberattack Allegations-Cracking Down on All Forms of Hacking, Says Beijing

Kim Jong Un's Factory Visit

In a separate report, KCNA announced Kim Jong Un's visit to factories responsible for manufacturing consumer goods and food. During the visit, Kim emphasized the modernization of these facilities as part of a new regional development strategy.

President Yoon reiterated South Korea's commitment to the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, warning of the economic repercussions of pursuing nuclear weapons, similar to those faced by North Korea. He emphasized the need for robust defense measures in collaboration with Washington.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have reached a critical point, with Kim Jong Un intensifying weapons tests and issuing provocative threats of nuclear conflict. South Korea has responded by enhancing military exercises with the United States and Japan and bolstering nuclear deterrence strategies.

Kim's recent declaration that North Korea is abandoning reconciliation efforts with South Korea and designating it as its most hostile foreign adversary has raised concerns about further provocations, including along the disputed western sea boundary.

Experts suggest that Kim's aggressive posture may be aimed at exerting pressure in an election year in both South Korea and the United States. Despite limited resources, North Korea's relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons has exacerbated its already struggling economy.

The President stressed the significance of adopting a local strategy for engaging with North Korea, proving the value of serious discussions and concrete outcomes prior to thinking about the top meetings, ABC News reported.

Related Article: Hezbollah Senior Commander Killed In Drone Strike
North Korea's cyberattacks are being investigated by UN sanctions monitors. This was revealed in an acquired UN report, which isn't officially published.

After the report's excerpts were reviewed, it was revealed that almost 60 cyberattacks were conducted by North Korea to steal from crypto-related firms between 2017 and 2023.

In its report, the United Nations believes that the North Korean government used the cyberattacks to fund its weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

UN Investigates North Korea's Cyberattacks Funding Nuclear Weapons Programs

A panel of independent sanctions monitors claimed that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has been disregarding the UN Security Council.

"The panel is investigating 58 suspected DPRK cyber-attacks on cryptocurrency-related companies between 2017 and 2023," said the monitors via The Guardian.

The independent sanctions monitors further stated that North Korea was able to steal around $3 billion using these malicious campaigns.

They added that the stolen fund was used to help DPRK's WMD development efforts. Before this report was leaked, North Korea was already accused of hacking and other malicious campaigns to support its nuclear weapons programs.

In 2023, CSO reported that North Korea stole around $340 million in cryptocurrency assets in 2023 alone. This doesn't include the additional $150 million that DPRK allegedly stole from blockchain transaction firm Mixin back in September 2023.

Of course, NoKor officials continue to deny these allegations against DPRK.

Read Also: UK, 35 Other Nations, Sign International Agreement to Combat Hackers-For-Hire, Cyber Threats

What North Korea's Cyberattacks Target

Aside from cryptocurrency-related firms, UN sanctions monitors also revealed that DPRK is also targeting supply chains and defense companies.

"Trends include DPRK targeting of defense companies and supply chains, and increasingly sharing infrastructure and tools," they claimed.

UN sanctions monitors also shared other ways how the North Korean government is able to fund its WMD programs despite the sanctions imposed against it.

In 2017, the United Nations required all countries to send back any NoKor nationals who were earning foreign currency just to support Kim Jong Un's regime.

"The panel investigated reports of numerous DPRK nationals working overseas earning income in violation of sanctions," they said.

Investigators said that these DPRK nationals are working in restaurants, information technology, as well as the construction sector.

Because of these illegal activities, North Korea is still able to develop nuclear weapons and produce nuclear fissile materials.

These are just some of the details revealed in the newly acquired UN sanctions monitor report. It is expected to be publicly released before February ends or in early March.

Related Article: Chinese Embassy Denies Philippines' Cyberattack Allegations-Cracking Down on All Forms of Hacking, Says Beijing
On Wednesday, Ecuador's high court legalized euthanasia and mandated lawmakers and health officials to draft rules and regulations for the procedure.

The Ecuadorian Constitutional Court rendered its ruling in response to a complaint filed by a terminally sick woman diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS, who had argued that she should be permitted to die with dignity.

Ecuador Legalizes Euthanasia

Ecuador is now the second country in Latin America after Colombia to decriminalize euthanasia.

Its constitutional court upheld the right of doctors to help a patient die by a majority of seven votes to two. The court declared that clinicians who enforce a patient's right to a dignified life will no longer be considered guilty of homicide.

Colombia was the first nation in Latin America to have decriminalized euthanasia, in which doctors use drugs to end the lives of terminally sick patients. Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, and several states in Australia allow the practice, while Chile still debates the matter.

Several states in the US and other countries allow assisted suicide, in which patients take the lethal drug themselves, usually in the form of a drink that a doctor has prescribed.

"The Court considers that the issue raised relates to the rights to a life with dignity and the free development of personality," the ruling said. "Therefore, after examining, it concludes that life admits exceptions to its inviolability when it seeks to protect other rights."

Paola Roldan filed the lawsuit in Ecuador in August 2023, claiming that "those who suffer and have suffered serious or incurable diseases" have a right to a dignified death and should be allowed to "freely and voluntarily end their life" to put an end to "intense physical or emotional pain or suffering. "

In 2020, Roldan started to exhibit symptoms of ALS, a disease that weakens muscles and impairs physical functions. He told the reporters that it was an extraordinary moment for him and thanked the court for betting on solidarity, autonomy, freedom, and dignity.

The court granted legislators and officials till the end of the year to create the rules and regulations required to carry out the order under Wednesday's ruling.

However, the court also approved Roldan's plea for quick approval to end her life, provided that a doctor performs the procedure and that she expresses explicit, understandable, and informed consent herself or through a representative if she cannot say it.

The court also stipulated that she must endure excruciating pain brought on by either an incurable sickness or a grave, irreversible physical injury.

One of Roldan's attorneys, Farith Simon, informed reporters that the court granted his client's request and that anyone may use the ruling if specific requirements were followed.

Read Also: Maldives at High Risk of Foreign Debt Crisis After China Borrowings

Netherlands: First Country To Legalize Euthanasia Worldwide

The Netherlands was the first country to allow assisted suicide and euthanasia in April 2002. It imposed stringent requirements, including that the patient must be in "full consciousness" and that they must be experiencing excruciating pain and an incurable sickness.

Under medical supervision, a fatal cocktail was administered to 3,136 individuals in 2010.

According to the Royal Dutch Medical Association, 15,000 cases of so-called palliative sedation have occurred annually since 2005, making it a common practice in hospitals. Patients whose prognosis is two weeks or fewer are placed in a medically induced coma and denied access to any food or liquids.

The legislation has sparked a heated discussion on the "right to suicide" because assisted suicide that does not meet euthanasia standards is still prohibited and is treated as a homicide.

Related Article: Australia: Woman With Terminal Illness Chooses Voluntary Assisted Death, Proving Euthanasia's Value


McDonald's Corporation is set to significantly bolster its presence in China, capitalizing on the surging demand for fast and affordable dining options amidst the country's economic challenges.

The fast-food giant has unveiled plans to launch approximately 1,000 new McDonald's outlets across China by the conclusion of 2024, aiming to reach a total of 10,000 restaurants in the country by 2028.

Chinese Consumers Seek Affordable Dining Amid Economic Woes

Chief Financial Officer Ian Borden stated in an analyst call, as reported by Bloomberg, that the expansion in China will constitute almost two-thirds of McDonald's new restaurants outside the United States.

This bold initiative follows McDonald's record-breaking growth in China during the previous year, as per the news outlet.

With nearly two-thirds of these new establishments slated for lower-tier cities, the move underscores McDonald's strategic focus on regions where demand for Western-style fast food remains robust.

"We think there's going to be an opportunity for us to continue to build out development and penetration in that market to many places where we don't really have McDonald's presence," said McDonald's Chief Executive Officer Chris Kempczinski "We're very much on track from our development aspirations, and we would expect to do something similar in 2024 from that standpoint."

The intensifying competition within China's fast-food industry is driven, in part, by ongoing economic uncertainties prompting consumers to seek budget-friendly dining options.

A recent McKinsey report highlighted Chinese consumers' inclination towards discounted offerings, triggering a proliferation of promotions and price reductions across various consumer sectors, including fast food.

Facing formidable competition from industry rivals like Yum China Holdings, the parent company of Pizza Hut and KFC in China, McDonald's remains undeterred in its expansion efforts.

With Yum China currently operating 14,000 locations and aiming for 20,000 within the next two years, the fast-food giant is doubling down on its commitment to China's burgeoning consumer market.

Read Also: Plummeting Prices in China Drive Exporters to the Edge

Chinese Market Continues to Attract American Brands

Amidst geopolitical tensions and considerations of relocating manufacturing operations, American brands view China's colossal consumer market as indispensable. Analysts suggest that China's market, boasting a population of 1.4 billion, outweighs concerns over economic volatility, particularly within the consumer-facing sector.

The recent injection of $220 million by Starbucks into manufacturing and distribution infrastructure across eastern China further highlights the enduring appeal of the Chinese market for prominent Western brands.

Howard Schultz, Starbucks' veteran leader, expressed unwavering confidence in China's long-term growth prospects despite prevailing economic challenges.

"I remain more confident than ever that we are still only in the early chapters of our growth story in China," Schultz told the Wall Street Journal last year.

While China's economic landscape may be marked by uncertainties, the robust appetite for Western fast food among Chinese consumers presents a tantalizing opportunity for McDonald's and its competitors.

Related Article: McDonald's to Launch Unprecedented Restaurant Expansion With Nearly 9,000 New Outlets by 2027
Self-help author Marianne Williamson announced that she is dropping out of the Democratic Presidential Nomination race in what was considered a long-shot attempt to challenge Joe Biden for the party's candidacy.

In a statement announcing the development, Williamson said that she was hoping that future candidates will take what works for them. She added that she and her team brought to the table some great ideas for the betterment of the lives of Americans.

Marianne Williamson Suspends Presidential Run

The 71-year-old author contemplated suspending her presidential campaign last month after she won only 5,000 votes in the New Hampshire primary. She wrote that she had to decide whether now was the time for a dignified exit or she was supposed to continue on her campaign journey.

However, Williamson ultimately opted to commit to the campaign for two more primaries, where she won 2% of the vote in South Carolina and 3% in Nevada. During her Wednesday announcement, she said that her campaign had "articulated deeper, more authentic truths than those regularly acknowledged by the political establishment," as per The Guardian.

With her departure, Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips is the only remaining nationally known Democrat who is still running against Biden. The president has secured large victories in South Carolina and Nevada and was able to easily win New Hampshire, despite not being on the ballot.

Williamson, who is a Texas native who now lives in Beverly Hills, California, is the author of more than a dozen books and previously ran an unsuccessful independent congressional campaign in her new state in 2014.

Read Also: Nikki Haley Commits to Presidential Campaign Following Nevada Loss, Calls Caucus 'Rigged'

She first ran for president in 2020 and made national headlines by calling for a "moral uprising" against former United States President Donald Trump. At the time, she proposed the creation of a Department of Peace.

During her campaign, Williamson adopted most of the last presidential platform of Sen. Bernie Sanders. However, she struggled with raising enough money to fund her efforts as well as a lack of organization. Her campaign was in debt and more than a dozen disgruntled staffers have been left in its wake, according to Politico.

Challenging Joe Biden

The churn of the author's campaign staff was constant throughout her 2024 efforts, particularly during the early stages. There was a mix of firings and resignations that dwindled the operation to a skeleton staff that was mostly focused on in-person events in early voting states.

This time around, Williamson was able to poll higher and win more votes compared to her 2020 presidential run, which also faced staffing issues. However, she has failed to build a broader coalition to properly challenge Biden's claim to the nomination.

Williamson also expressed her gratitude to all the people who accompanied her on the political journey for the last 10 months. She said that while the level of their failure was obvious to all, there was also a level of success that was real.

She said that processing the experience itself will be an ongoing journey, noting that forgiveness will guide her as she moves through it. The author noted that she would not let the torment of possibilities tie her to the past, said CNN.



Related Article: Donald Trump Recommends Michael Whatley To Replace Ronna McDaniel as RNC Chair
The Pentagon has confirmed that Iran-backed Kataeb Hezbollah's Syrian militia commander Wissam Muhammad Sabir "Abu Baqir" al-Saadi has been assassinated in a drone strike in Baghdad late Wednesday (Feb. 7).

The number of killed inside the vehicle al-Saadi was in has not yet been verified, but no civilian casualties were reported.

US defense officials added that the operation was just the beginning of Washington's retaliatory strikes for the deaths of three US military personnel in Jordan last month.

A Washington official told the New York Times that they have been tracking al-Saadi for some time, despite not naming him.

Another official made it clear that the US reserved the right to target any other Shiite militia leaders, indicating the country's response to the militia was far from done.

Both agreed to talk to reporters on the condition of anonymity.

Read Also: Netanyahu Rejects Hamas Proposal, Unyielding in Call For Total Destruction of Hamas

US Intel Reveals Iran, Houthis Cooperating in Weapons Procurement

Meanwhile, VOA reported that the US's Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) offered fresh evidence that Houthi attacks on international shipping were being carried out with Iranian weaponry, with some analysts and experts warning about the effectiveness of Washington's actions against the Houthis.

"Analysis confirms that Houthi forces have employed various Iranian-origin missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles against military and civilian targets throughout the region," the DIA said in a statement, pointing to a strengthening relationship between the Iranian regime and Houthi leadership.

"Since 2014, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force [IRGC-QF] has provided the Houthis a growing arsenal of sophisticated weapons and training," the agency added. "Iran's aid has enabled the Houthis to conduct a campaign of missile and UAV attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea since November 2023."

The findings were based on current information, with some as recent as last month, and on a "comparative analysis of publicly available images of Iranian missiles and UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] to those displayed and employed by Houthi forces."

Iran, on the other hand, repeatedly denied provisioning the Houthis with sophisticated weaponry.

"They have their own weapons," Iranian ambassador to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani told NBC News late Tuesday (Feb. 6). "They have been eight years under the war. They have a lot of experiences."

Some experts said that the DIA report's findings largely confirmed previous intelligence assessments, and it was a source of worry in terms of providing safety for international shipping.

"The DIA report underscores how the Houthis have been getting Iranian technology for over a decade and modifying it to build their own missiles and drones," Brookings Institution analyst and former CIA officer Bruce Reidel said. "The Houthis' capabilities are not highly sophisticated and can be replaced easily with materials already in Yemen."

Related Article: Hezbollah Senior Commander Killed In Drone Strike
NASA, in coordination with SpaceX, launched the $948 million Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, and Ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite that would study Earth's oceans and atmosphere.

The revolutionary new satellite will provide scientists with an unprecedented look at our planet's microscopic marine life and tiny atmospheric particles. The launch was held on Thursday at around 1:33 a.m. and the satellite flew onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

NASA's New PACE Satellite

The rocket's booster successfully landed back on Earth roughly 10 minutes after the initial launch. A bit over half an hour from liftoff, the team confirmed that the spacecraft's solar arrays had deployed and it was already receiving power.

The launch was initially set for Tuesday morning but was delayed twice because of high winds and cumulus clouds in the area. However, weather conditions were more than 95% favorable for launch on Thursday morning.

PACE project scientist Jeremy Werdell said that experts started looking for a way to better understand how oceanic and atmospheric processes shape the planet roughly 20 years ago. The new mission will shed light on how aerosols and clouds as well as phytoplankton in the ocean serve as indicators for ocean health and global warming, as per CNN.

Onboard the satellite, there are three instruments, including two polarimeters and one camera, which would capture a rainbow of data across different wavelengths of light. The director of NASA's Earth Science Division, Karen St. Germain said that this would allow them to see things that they have never been able to see before.

Read Also: Scientists Study Ancient Sea Sponges That Suggest Global Warming Crisis is Deepening

Werdell added that what they are doing with the PACE satellite is really the search for the microscopic, mostly invisible universe in the sea and the sky. While it was initially designed as a three-year mission, PACE has enough fuel to continue orbiting and studying the planet for up to a decade.

The spacecraft will join a fleet of more than two dozen NASA Earth science missions that circle the planet and gather data on oceans, land, ice, and the atmosphere. They provide more insights into how Earth's climate is changing over the years.

Studying the Planet's Oceans and Atmosphere

St. Germain said that PACE will teach them about the oceans in the same way that the James Webb Space Telescope is teaching them about the cosmos. This includes a tremendous amount of information about ocean biology, according to CBS News.

Roughly 70% of the planet's surface is covered in oceans and yet they are the least well-understood parts of the Earth system. She noted that PACE will profoundly advance their understanding of how the oceans work and how life in them is related to life on land.

NASA administrator Bill Nelson congratulated the PACE team following the mission's successful launch. He noted that the newest addition to the space agency's fleet of Earth-observing satellites will help them learn, like never before, how particles in the atmosphere and oceans can identify key factors impacting global warming.

Nelson also noted that missions such as PACE work to support the Biden-Harris administration's climate agenda. He added that they also help them answer urgent questions about the changing climate, said NASA.



Related Article: Scientists Discover Hidden Ocean Beneath Death Star-Like Moon of Saturn
Sunflower seeds from N China's Inner Mongolia blossom on global stage

People's Daily Online) 13:31, February 08, 2024

(Photo/People's Daily Online)

Wuyuan county, located in Bayannur city, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, is the country's largest sunflower planting county, accounting for approximately 14 percent of national sunflower seed production.

The primary regions for sunflower cultivation in China include Inner Mongolia, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Gansu Province, with Inner Mongolia alone contributing over 60 percent of the country's sunflower cultivation areas.

Bayannur city, situated in Inner Mongolia, is recognized as the largest area for edible sunflower cultivation in China. In 2023, the sunflower planting area in the city surpassed 4.1 million mu (273,333 hectares), yielding a total sunflower seed production of 896 million kilograms.

Wuyuan benefits from favorable natural conditions, including abundant daylight, significant temperature variations between day and night, the simultaneous occurrence of rainfall and warmth, and fertile soil.

All 2.57 million mu of Wuyuan's arable land is irrigated with water from the Yellow River, which significantly improves the quality of the sunflowers grown in the area.

In February 2016, the "Wuyuan Sunflower" was recognized as a registered geographical indication trademark in China.

To meet the stringent standards set by Wuyuan county, sunflower seeds must possess specific characteristics. They should have a consistent color, be free from scorching or impurities, and display a full and plump shape. The taste should be pure and fragrant, with a crisp texture and no impurities. Furthermore, the seeds must meet precise requirements for freshness, acidity, safety from toxins, and overall cleanliness.

(Photo/People's Daily Online)

To guarantee the quality and weed out substandard seeds, processing companies in Wuyuan implement an exhaustive selection process. This involves several steps, including the removal of stones, grading, and color sorting. After passing through nine machine selection stages and two manual inspections, only 0.2 to 0.4 kilograms of seeds are selected from every kilogram of sunflower seeds, demonstrating the stringent measures in place to ensure the superior quality of Wuyuan sunflower seeds.

The Hongding Agricultural Market, located in Wuyuan, is the largest sunflower trading market in western China. It also serves as the national center for sunflower price formation. The market's reach extends to regions such as Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, as well as Gansu, Jiangsu, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi, Shanxi, and Hebei provinces.

Today, sunflower seed products from Bayannur have become a leading export among specialty agricultural products. They are sold to over 40 countries and regions, including the U.K., the U.S., Germany, Australia, Egypt, Thailand, and Iran.

Sunflowers hold great significance in Wuyuan county, serving as both a pillar industry and a cultural symbol. Known as the "hometown of sunflowers," the county is home to the largest sunflower park in the country and a sunflower scenic area.

From July to October each year, visitors and photography enthusiasts flock here to witness the blooming sunflowers and immerse themselves in the unique beauty of the Hetao Irrigation Area.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Hongyu)
New information about the Virginian cop killer's catfishing murder case was revealed in the lawsuit filed against the Virginia State Police.

Before the nightmare incident happened, Austin Lee Edwards was a deputy hired by the Virginia Sheriff's Department. But, he did a very unexpected thing on Nov. 25.

He kidnapped a 15-year-old girl and sexually extorted her. After that, the ex-cop killed his victim's grandparents and mother. What he did was truly unforgettable.

Now, the lawsuit claims that there's already a sign that Edwards was a criminal even before he became a police.

Virginia Cop Catfishing Murder Case Update

According to Fox News' latest report, the federal lawsuit claims that two law enforcement agencies missed a red flag when they were hiring Austin Lee Edwards.

This is specifically the 2016 court action that revoked the ex-cop's gun rights after he threatened to kill his own father and tried hurting himself.

The $50 million lawsuit argues the gruesome crime that Edwards did in the city of Riverside.

"If the VSP or the WCSO had performed a background check on Edwards, neither of them would have hired Edwards," explained the lawsuit.

"A spokesperson for the VSP has admitted that the failure to perform a background check on Edwards was the result of 'human error,'" it added.

The VSP spokesperson said if they saw the red flag, they would not have hired Austin Lee Edwards or any other officer candidate with the same issue, especially if they have been detained under a temporary detention order or an emergency custody order.

Read Also: Florida Shooting: Authorities Identify Palm Bay Suspect Who Killed 1, Injured 2 Police Officers

Austin Lee Edwards' Gruesome Crime

The New York Post reported that in 2022, Austin Lee Edwards pretended to be a 17-year-old boy to catfish his 15-year-old victim.

After fooling the poor girl, he kidnapped her and killed her family. Aside from this, he also burned down their house.

When the police were trying to arrest him, a shootout happened. However, before cops were able to catch him, he took his own life.

Based on court documents, the little girl, who wasn't identified, was just 13 years old when Austin started messaging her.

The criminal asked her to send nude photos, which were confirmed by the 4,000 messages between the two that authorities acquired.

As of writing, the surviving daughter of the two grandparents that Austin killed is blaming the Virginia State Police and Washington County Sheriff's Office for what happened.

Related Article: California Granddaughter Unveils Grandfather's Dark Secrets, Reveals Sexually Assaulting Children, Linked to Unsolved Murders
Avolon CEO Andy Cronin claims that Boeing is making significant quality progress. He made this statement on Thursday, Feb. 8.

His comments were around a month after Boeing was heavily criticized due to a mid-flight blowout incident involving its 737 Max 9 passenger plane.

Despite this alarming incident, Andy Cronin still defended Boeing, saying that the American aircraft manufacturer is "undoubtedly" making progress in its quality issues.

Avolon CEO Claims Boeing Making Significant Quality Progress

For those who are not aware, Avolon is considered to be the second-largest aircraft leasing company in the world. It is also one of the major customers of Boeing.

Although the remarks made by Andy Cronin are not surprising for a Boeing client, he still explained why he thinks the American aircraft maker is making significant progress in quality issues.

"I think undoubtedly they're making significant progress on what they've been trying to achieve," said the Avolon CEO via Yahoo Finance.

He added that Boeing is not the only plane manufacturer with quality problems. Andy Cronin claimed that Avolon discovered a large number of lower-level quality issues on passenger airplanes from different manufacturers.

"As supply chains are scrambling to reinstate production, we are seeing compounding factors impacting quality and delivery but not at a level where it's impacting safety," said the Avolon official.

He said that many of the quality problems they saw were those in second and third-order type fittings (cosmetic items).

Read Also: NTSB New Report: 4 Bolts Missing from Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 Before Door Plug Blowout

Other Companies Optimistic About Boeing

Aside from Avolon, Ryanair also showed optimism towards Boeing after recently saying that it is willing to take any canceled 737 Max orders from U.S.-based airlines.

The ultra-low-cost carrier group promised that if U.S. flight companies decided to cancel the Boeing 737 Max airplanes they ordered, Ryanair would take them in their place.

"If United or any other airlines don't want to take their Max 10 orders, we will be happy to step in," said Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary via Financial Times.

Experts said that the Irish airline wants to have as many Boeing aircraft as it can since it is heavily reliant on the delivery of the Max airplanes.

They added that Ryanair needs Boeing's 737 Max airplanes to expand its business in the following years. As of writing, the Irish carrier group already has around 400 new aircraft made up of 737 Max 10s and Max 8s.

Related Article: US Airlines Canceled Boeing Orders to Be Purchased by Ryanair Despite Recent Incidents-but Why?
Manila's Binondo district is preparing to celebrate the Lunar New Year beginning Friday (Feb. 9).

Festivities for the Year of the Wooden Dragon began a week before, with the neighborhood decking the streets with lanterns and filling temples with incense.

While still recovering from the pandemic years and struggling amid global economic concerns, Chinese restaurants and shops in the area were dressed up for the occasion in the hopes of being visited by local and foreign tourists, the Associated Press reported.

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna kickstarted the festivities earlier this week by lighting a "money tree" and leading a ceremony at Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz - the district's public square - marking what she and other city officials claimed as the 430th anniversary of the establishment of Binondo, which was considered to be the oldest Chinatown in the world.

Read Also: [VIRAL] Manila Tour Guide Dresses Up Like Big Smoke from GTA San Andreas

Return of the Chinese Fiesta in Manila

The Coronavirus pandemic halted the influx of tourists in the Philippines, with Binondo being one of the hardest hit due to its connections with China and Taiwan.

However, as restrictions were phased out, crowds returned in force this week, with traffic jams and parking lots filled to capacity.

The Manila Times reported that beginning Friday midnight local time, several roads leading to and from Binondo would be closed to vehicle traffic, including the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge, a prominent crossing in the Pasig River connecting Manila's Chinatown with its Old City.

The Malacanang also declared Friday and Saturday (Feb. 9-10) special non-working holidays throughout the country, as there are also smaller Chinatowns in regional centers such as Cebu, Davao, and Iloilo.

Related Article: Philippines Fends Off Cyber Attacks From Suspected Chinese Proxies
The Sudan is currently in ruins due in large part to a 10-month war that has caused a crisis in the displacement of civilians.

On Wednesday, the United Nations set forth a proposal that it believes would alleviate a great deal of pain and suffering.

The UN is appealing for $4.1 billion to help with humanitarian needs and support those who have fled the nation to become refugees in neighboring countries as well.

The war between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Force has destroyed much of the already crumbling national infrastructure and caused millions to fall under the shadow of famine as resources continue to dwindle.

How Bad Is It?

The international governmental body believes 25 million Sudanese people need humanitarian assistance and protection. 1.5 million people have fled to nearby Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan.

In January, Reuters reported that aid groups were looking to deliver aid to Sudan via South Sudan because the lack of access to much of the country due to fighting.

Looting, and attacks on humanitarian workers, have long been a point of contention, in addition to bureaucratic roadblocks to get into Port Sudan, which is controlled by the army, and securing travel permits to access the rest of the country.

"There's a very, very difficult operating environment, very hard," Rick Brennan, regional emergencies director for the World Health Organization (WHO), said in a press briefing in Cairo on Monday.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is calling for $2.7 billion in funding for humanitarian aid for 14.7 million people.

"Sudan keeps getting forgotten by the international community," U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths told diplomats at the United Nations in Geneva.

"There is a certain kind of obscenity about the humanitarian world, which is the competition of suffering, a competition between places: 'I have more suffering than you, so I need to get more attention, so I need to get more money.'"

Griffiths added that both sides had been invited to Geneva to further speak on protecting and aiding civilians, further stating that both parties had agreed in principle, but details are still being worked on.

The aid agency's request for humanitarian support in 2023 was eventually less than half funded.
In a new report from the Associated Press, on Thursday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken departed the Middle East following escalating tensions, notably strained relations between the United States and Israel.

Blinken had returned from the region following Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that the conflict between Israel and Hamas would continue until Israel was completely victorious in addition to disregarding a response from Hamas for a potential cease-fire.

The Negotiations

The relationship between Israel and the United States has been tested because of the conflict. In addition, the UN has condemned the territory for its tactics as the death toll continues to rise. However, Blinken and other officials remain optimistic that their goals of improving the humanitarian conditions for civilians, securing hostages, and post-conflict plans for Gaza can still be met. Blinken stated, "Clearly there are things that Hamas sent back that are absolute non-starters. But, at the same time, we see space to continue to pursue an agreement. And these things are always negotiations. It's not flipping a light switch. It's not 'yes' or 'no.' There's invariably back and forth." Blinken also took time to address the toll on civilians due to the conflict "On all of my previous visits here and pretty much every day in between, we have pressed Israel in concrete ways to strengthen civilian protection, to get more assistance to those who need it. And over the past four months, Israel has taken important steps to do just that. And yet ... the daily toll that its military operations continue to take on innocent civilians remains too high."

Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu has also dismissed concerns from the United States about the expansion of its operations in the Southern Region of Gaza.

The Prime Minister has also called for the dismantling of the UNRWA, a UN agency focused on aiding Palestinian refugees, because of suspicions that several of the agency's employees played a role in the Oct.7th attack that ignited the conflict. However, no evidence has been presented at the time of writing. Despite this, the UN is investigating the matter, and the United States as well as other nations have suspended funding to the agency until further notice.

The Prime Minister is also opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state and has gone on record stating that Israel will maintain open-ended security control over the region.

The report concludes with Blinken acknowledging that Israel is still recovering from the incident in October but has also stated that Israel's response shouldn't be fueled by vengeance. Blinken's quote is as follows, "Israelis were dehumanized in the most horrific way on October 7. And the hostages have been dehumanized every day since. But that cannot be a license to dehumanize others." It remains unclear where these negotiations will result in a progressive outcome. However, optimism is a good place to start even if not all parties are on the same page.
In a report published by Reuters Maersk warned on Thursday that shipping overcapacity would hit profits more than expected this year and that it did not see a major boost from the jump in freight rates due to Red Sea, most likely due to the Houthi Rebel forces.

They have also suspended their share buyback program following this warning.

However, container shippers have been among the best-performing stocks in Europe this year despite the re-routing of vessels in the Red Sea. But Maersk's shares were down 17% percent levels that were seen before the Red Sea interruptions began in December last year. Their rival company, Hapag-Lloyd, was around 11% lower according to the report. Maersk, like many other shippers, has been diverting their ships on a longer journey around Africa leading to analysts believing that these extended journeys and higher freight weights would outweigh a boost in new container ships making their way into the market.

Words From The CEO

But Maersk's CEO, Vincent Clerc, spoke to reporters and told them that about twice as many new ships were entering the market when compared to the extra capacity needed to send vessels along the new route. The Covid-19 pandemic boost to shipping profits has led to a wave of new vessel orders. The vessels delivered at the end of last year covered the gaps that have been created by the longer journeys around Africa however the overcapacity would only come about during 2024 and only be felt in 2025 and possibly in 2026 Clerc told reporters. Clerc provided the following statement "We will see that there are too many ships in the world compared to the number of containers that need to be transported. Even if a year from now we're still sailing south of Africa, excess capacity and pressure on prices will persist."

The company has been seen as a benchmark of world trade and has stated that its expected underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization to be between $ 1 billion and $ 6 billion which could be concerning considering the company had reached $9.6 billion last year. The company has stated that one-third of its container volumes had been impacted by the conflict in the Red Sea and while the company had attempted to make its way through the oceanic territory, the United States Navy stated it could not currently guarantee safe passage through the territory. Clerc had stated "It's not going to be the case that just because nothing has happened there for a week, we can try again. We need to be sure that the day we return to the Red Sea, it's because we believe we can do it permanently."

Clerc also said that the Red Sea conflict didn't match the scale of disruption caused by the pandemic when freight rates and shipper profits were hit by lockdowns, bottlenecks, and changes in consumer behavior. He ended on a positive note with the following "In this case, it's only a longer transit time. The moment we start sailing via the Suez Canal again, prices will fall immediately."
Mojo Nixon attends the world premiere of "The Mojo Manifesto: The Life and Times of Mojo Nixon" during the 2022 SXSW Conference and Festival at Stateside Theater on March 16, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for The Mojo Manifesto) Rick Kern/Getty Images for The Mojo Manife Portrait of Mojo Nixon of Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper at the Poplar Creek Music Theater in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, July 25, 1989. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images) Paul Natkin/Getty Images Mojo Nixon circa 1997. Needletime Records

Mojo Nixon, the psychobilly legend, roots rock wild man, nemesis of Don Henley, enthusiast of Elvis Presley, the Loon in the Afternoon radio host, actor and all-around uncategorizable entertainer has died. He was 66.

The artist formerly known as Neill Kirby McMillan died on the Outlaw Country Cruise, which departed Feb. 4 from Miami. He was a featured performer on the cruise with his band the Toadliquors, which includes Houston musician keyboardist Pete Gordon. He suffered a cardiac event the day after he performed, according to a post on his official Facebook page.

A statement on his Facebook page read:

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Passing after a blazing show, a raging night, closing the bar, taking no prisoners+ a good breakfast with bandmates and friends.A cardiac event on the Outlaw Country Cruise is about right & thats just how he did it. A North Carolina native, Nixon drew notice in the 1980s with a series of brash, comically uncategorizable songs like Elvis Is Everywhere, Debbie Gibson Is Pregnant With My Two-Headed Love Child and Don Henley Must Die. His first album with musician Skid Roper yielded the single Jesus at McDonalds.

While humorous songs dont always enjoy long runs, Elvis Is Everywhere was comically reverent, while also acknowledging a cultural phenomenon that surrounded the late, great King of Rock n Roll.

Mojo Nixon Credit: Bullethead Bullethead

When I look out into your eyes out there, Nixon sang, When I look out into your faces, you know what I see? A little bit of Elvis.

The song solved the mystery of disappearing vessels in the Bermuda triangle: Elvis needs boats.

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Nixons personality permeated his recordings, but was best appreciated on stages before a crowd. On the stage of Austins Hole in the Wall in 1992 he memorably played Don Henley Must Die with an impromptu guest appearance by Henley himself.

He was too big to be contained by just music. Nixon also appeared in film, including a role in the Jerry Lee Lewis biopic Great Balls of Fire. He was referenced in songs by the Dead Milkmen and Todd Snider.

Nixon found his way to radio. And last year he was the subject of The Mojo Manifesto: The Life and Times of Mojo Nixon, a documentary film a decade in the making.

Poster for Mojo Nixon shows including at the Continental Clubs in Houston and Austin. Art by Carlos Hernandez. Carlos Hernandez

Nixon was a staple at both the Austin and the Houston Continental Clubs. He was the inaugural performer at the latter, when it opened in 2000. So a local tribute in the coming months seems likely.
Traffic on the Sam Houston Tollway near Memorial Drive on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023 in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer

No matter how much Texans try to avoid toll roads to save money, at some point or another travel on such roads becomes almost unavoidable. With more than 50 in the Lone Star State, knowing how to navigate toll roads can potentially make the difference in how much one spends traveling down them.

The Harris County Toll Road Authority System (HCTRA) operates the Hardy Toll Road, Westpark Tollway, Katy Managed Lanes, Tomball Tollway and Sam Houston Tollway, which spans approximately 128 miles combined. Other regional toll road operators in the Houston area include the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority (FBCTRA), Montgomery County Toll Road Authority (MCTRA), Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO), Blueridge Transportation Group (BTG) and the Brazoria County Toll Road Authority (BCTRA).

FINANCIAL DISAGREEMENT: Hidalgo clashes with Commissioners Court colleagues on nearly 40% raise for HCTRA director

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According to the Federal Highway Administration, toll roads emerged more than 230 years ago. Charted in 1792, the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike in Pennsylvania became the first road in America covered with a layer of crushed stone.

The boom in turnpike construction began, resulting in the incorporation of more than 50 turnpike companies in Connecticut, 67 in New York and others in Massachusetts and around the country, the Federation Highway Administration said in a news release.

Your lingering questions, answered What have you always wondered about Houston? In this Chronicle series, we aim to dig into some of the many weird, wonderful, curious questions our readers have about the greater Houston area: Why do we call them feeder roads? Is Houston really built on a swamp? If you have something youd like us to get to the bottom of, please submit your ideas here.

Purchase an electronic tag

Officials will tell you if you want to drive hassle-free, then purchasing an electronic tag will allow you to do just that. Drivers can purchase three types of tags in Texas--- TxDOTs TxTag, North Texas Tollway Authoritys TollTag (NTTA) or HCTRAs EZ TAG.

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Cash payment isnt accepted at all-electronic tolls since theres no toll booths. Therefore, drivers must have an EZ TAG or other interoperable Texas tag to use the lanes. The Sam Houston Tollway between US 59 North and SH 225, Westpark Tollway, Katy Managed Lanes and Tomball Tollway operate as all-electronic facilities and require payment at the time of transaction.

HCTRA has two options to choose from including the EZ TAG and the EZ TAG Express prefunded toll account type starting at $10. While the EZ TAG works throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, the EZ TAG Express only functions in Texas. The EZ TAG allows users to pay the lowest toll rate and the EZ TAG Express requires people to pay the non-tag toll rate. Other differences in the account types includes the vehicle limit. Its only one active vehicle per each EZ Tag Express and multiple active vehicles for an EZ TAG. Those with an EZ TAG Express account do not need a tag or transponder. However, EZ TAG users do need a transponder. In order to reload either account, drivers can use a credit card or EZ Tollpay to pay with cash at EZ TAG stores or local retailers.

RAMPING UP: Construction on interchange between Sam Houston Tollway, Texas 225 to begin next year

With just $20, travelers can open an TxTag account. In the mail, account users receive a TxTag Starter Kit containing a tag and installation instructions. By signing up for AutoPay, users credit/debit card gets automatically charged when the TxTag account dops to a preset low balance amount which depends on the number of TxTags linked to the account. For those who

dont sign up for AutoPay, TxDOT officials encourage people to monitor their account balance and add money when it gets low. A TxTag works on tolls roads in Kansas and Oklahoma.

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If a no minimum balance account sounds nice, BancPass allows consumers to pay as much as they want and when they want to do it. Use cash to reload the toll account at any participating retailer via the BancPass app with a debit or debit card or online.

Changing lanes on tolls roads

The cost for tolls roads in Harris County varies just like the types of lanes for drivers to pass through on tolls roads. EZ TAG-only lanes allow non-stop passage for those with an active EZ TAG. In this lane, tolls get automatically deducted from the EZ Tag account balance.

Anyone looking to use exact change specifically coins can use the lanes marked with the green canopy signs that reads EXACT COINS. Motorists must come to a complete stop to pay the toll and wait for the arm to raise before driving through the lane. Its also some EXACT COINS lanes that can process EZ Tag transactions. However, it must display the EZ TAG icon.

TOLL TAG RATES: Harris County EZ Tag holders will see a discount starting Monday. What to know

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Bills larger than $20 and pennies arent accepted at toll-collector attended lanes. These lanes have blue signs that read CHANGE MADE and do not accept EZ TAG for payment except for at the ones that have the EZ TAG icon displayed.

Avoiding penalties on the toll road

For toll roads operated by Harris County, pay-by-mail isnt a choice. So, logging into the online EZ Tag account to pay invoices remains the only option for customers. According to HCTRA, toll amounts become available within seven to 10 business days of a trip while out-of-state license plate transactions may take up to 30 days to post online.

HCTRA sends unpaid toll invoices to collections, which adds fees on top of the balance. Officials says those traveling in a vehicle with an outstanding invoice should not access any Harris County toll road until the balance gets paid. Additionally, accessing a toll road when prohibited violates the law and could result in criminal prosecution.

If you dont have enough money in your TxTag accounts to cover your tolls, drivers will get charged the higher pay-by-mail toll rates and receive statements by mail that include an additional $1.15 fee until the TxTag account gets replenished with funds. Users can add money to the account online, by phone, in person or by mail through a check or money order payable to "TxTag CSC" to TxTag, P.O. Box 650749, Dallas, TX 75265-0749 with the TxTag account number on the check or money order.
Michael McIlvena, left, and Henry Tracy, both 4-years-old, listen to Spanish teacher Valeria Goodall at Creme de la Creme, 2350 Research Forest Dr., Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in The Woodlands. The boys are in costume for a school event. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Alma Uziel, 3, center, and other pre-K students participate in ballet at Creme de la Creme, 2350 Research Forest Dr., Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in The Woodlands. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Carter Tingle, executive director, talks at Creme de la Creme, 2350 Research Forest Dr., Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in The Woodlands. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Children play at Creme de la Creme, 2350 Research Forest Dr., Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in The Woodlands. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Gabriela Valencia, infant teacher aide, is shown at Creme de la Creme, 2350 Research Forest Dr., Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in The Woodlands. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Carter Tingle, executive director, talks about the water park at Creme de la Creme, 2350 Research Forest Dr., Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in The Woodlands. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Spanish teacher Valeria Goodall gives a lesson at Creme de la Creme, 2350 Research Forest Dr., Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in The Woodlands. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Books are shown at Creme de la Creme, 2350 Research Forest Dr., Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in The Woodlands. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Agnesa Rexhepi, STEM teacher, works with Maddie Brady and Sienna Riley, both two-years-old, at Creme de la Creme, 2350 Research Forest Dr., Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in The Woodlands. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Carter Tingle, executive director, talks about the play area at Creme de la Creme, 2350 Research Forest Dr., Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in The Woodlands. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Gabriela Valencia, infant teacher aide, is shown at Creme de la Creme, 2350 Research Forest Dr., Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in The Woodlands. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Sophia Size, 9-months-old, is shown at Creme de la Creme, 2350 Research Forest Dr., Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in The Woodlands. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

Several big-name child care centers will open soon in the Houston area even as other day cares fold, citing an overwhelming struggle to stay afloat after federal assistance enacted due to COVID dried up last fall.

At least two North Houston day cares, including a Stay and Play location, have cited the "child care cliff," or federal funding cutoff, in their recent closures. Other locations are cutting resources, such as transportation services and staff, to stay open, Stay and Play's Sarah Englishbee said.

When thousands of day cares shut down in 2020, around 14,000 Texas child care providers received funds through the American Rescue Plan Act to help pay for staff wages, reduce tuition costs for clients and pay rent. Funding ended Sept. 30.

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The "child care cliff" could leave 305,000 children without child care in Texas alone and up to 70,000 day cares could close nationwide, according to a study from The Century Foundation, a progressive, independent think tank that studies public policy.

That hasn't deterred new child care openings. Inspired by raising their daughter, Himanshu and Roshni Patel said they will open a new Houston Lightbridge Academy to provide for working families. The couple has not identified a location for the day care.

Franchising helps keep child care stable due to brand recognition, operational assistance and shared resources, the Patels said. Lightbridge also goes above and beyond many day cares, with "whole child" programming for children ranging from science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics, or STEAM, to American Sign Language and yoga and mindfulness.

"Not only will it expand the overall child care capacity, but it will also offer parents a broader range of choices and greater convenience when seeking high-quality care for their children," the Patels said in a statement. "By establishing our center, we are committed to reducing waitlists, accommodating various scheduling needs, and providing a secure and top-notch educational child care option."

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More working parents struggled to find care without lengthy waitlists after thousands of child care centers, including 21 percent of Texas' centers, closed from March 2020 to September 2021, according to a report from The 19th.

Big Blue Marble Academy announced two new locations in The Woodlands in December 2023. The child care emphasizes global awareness and character development in its programming, CEO Jeff Wahl said in a statement.

Big Blue Marble's tuition at the Falconwing location ranges from $70 to $290 per week, or $280 to $1,160 per month.

"We believe that Big Blue Marble Academy's resilience and adaptability will enable us to continue providing excellent care for children and support for families," Wahl said. "Because of the structure of Big Blue Marble Academy and the amazing support of our growing community, we are strategically set up to continue our growth trajectory and open new schools providing early care where it is needed."

All-inclusive programs

With a bubbling koi pond and colorful Tudor-style classrooms, The Woodlands' Creme de la Creme more closely resembles Disney World than a typical daycare.

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It's a difference that both parents and children can feel, executive director Carter Tingle said.

Since opening as a Houston day care in 1982, the company has grown to 47 franchises across the United States after a 2022 KinderCare merger.

Tingle, a 25-year child care educator, started her career at Creme de la Creme's downtown Houston location at age 19. When she joined The Woodlands center five years ago, she felt as though she was returning home.

"It's the family engagement, the investment that parents have in their children and education that brings me joy," Tingle said. "If I can give my experience that I had as a teacher to other teachers and to the kids and the families here, it's a great thing."

Tingle also credits individualized, all-inclusive programming for the center's success. Children ages six weeks to 12 years old can learn Spanish and Mandarin, Chinese, hone STEAM, cooking or art skills, practice ballet and play in an on-site waterpark.

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The programs and amenities come at a steeper price. Creme de la Creme's services range from $1,695 to $1,900 per month, Tingle said  higher than the $727 state average for toddler care, according to an Annie E. Casey Foundation report based on the U.S. Census Bureau's 2022 National Database of Childcare Prices.

Tingle said parents have put an extra emphasis on high-quality early childhood education after missing crucial years during COVID.

"Sometimes the field can make you feel like you're just a babysitter, but when COVID shut (everything) down, it definitely stamped us as essential workers," Tingle said.

Another aspect to their success is low staff turnover in a time of industry churn, Carter said.

Gabriela Valencia, who has worked at Creme de la Creme for four years, said she values support from leadership.

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"The whole group is like a family because we all share things together," Valencia said through a translator.

Creme de la Creme faced a lawsuit in 2021 alleging a child was repeatedly restrained at the daycare in early 2019. The employee involved was terminated, according to the lawsuit, which predated the KinderCare merger and Tingle's tenure, Tingle said. The case was settled for $1 million in 2021, court records show.

Future legislation

A Lending Tree study using U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey and American Community Survey data found Texas parents spend 20.4 percent of their household income on child care.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers child care affordable when it costs families no more than seven percent of their household income. That means a family's monthly income should total more than $10,000 to consider the state average of $727 for a toddler to be affordable.

A potential child tax credit, part of a bipartisan package that passed through the U.S. House of Representatives Jan. 31, could be the first step in combating those issues by offering lower-income families an opportunity to pay for essentials and childcare, Parents Together's Allison Johnson said.

"What's really exciting is it could have almost an immediate effect on some of the families who most need it right now," Johnson said. "A policy that they estimate can lift 400,000 kids out of poverty feels like one that we should be all hands on deck (on.)

The Patels said more should be done to support smaller day cares and working families.
Judge Frank Aguilar listens during a hearing in the 228th District Criminal Court on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

A judge charged in January after a domestic violence allegation by his girlfriend has been suspended from the bench with pay, officials said.

The State Commission on Judicial Conduct signed a suspension order Wednesday against 228th District Court Judge Frank Aguilar about two weeks after Galveston County prosecutors charged him with misdemeanor assault. He is accused of assaulting his girlfriend at his Galveston property.

Aguilar's defense attorney, Mark Diaz, pointed to a recent affidavit that the girlfriend filed asking that prosecutors dismiss the charge, saying that the events of Dec. 31 were not as described. She wrote that she felt coerced.

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"Frank Aguilar never touch me or hit me," she wrote in a recent filing. "I fell from stairs inside house."

She said she had taken sleep medication that had an adverse effect from alcohol and caused her to walk in her sleep and fall down the stairs.

In a separate affidavit, the woman said she would not testify in his case.

Aguilar was acquitted of another domestic violence allegation years earlier. The 2010 incident involved a family member.

The judicial suspension could be lifted if prosecutors were to dismiss the charge against Aguilar or if a jury decided to acquit him of the offense.

In the wake of the charge, Harris County prosecutors filed several recusal requests asking that Aguilar step down from cases involving similar allegations. He declined and referred the matter to the Eleventh Administrative Judicial Region of Texas.

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Judge Susan Brown, who oversees the region, had not ruled on the recusal requests but is now expected to tap a visiting jurist to replace Aguilar in the wake of his suspension.

Aguilar was arrested around 3:30 a.m. Dec. 31 as the couple celebrated her birthday with others in the 9600 block of Teichman Road, where Aguilar owns a property, according to a search warrant affidavit. The woman told police that Aguilar punched her repeatedly and held his foot to her neck in their kitchen. She was unable to breathe for about a minute, but at some point managed to say she couldnt breathe, the search warrant continued.

The judge, in his own account, said the woman was "highly intoxicated" and throwing beer cans throughout the home and at him, court records show. He declined to tell the officer how the woman was injured.

Weeks before Aguilar's arrest, prosecutors accepted charges against his girlfriend in connection with an August incident at the judge's property where she allegedly struck a man identified as John Doe in court records when he refused to get out of bed and help her unload gas cans from her vehicle.

The charges do not identify the accuser as Aguilar. Documents related to a May arrest identify Aguilar and indicate both may have been drinking. She was not charged in connection with that allegation. A magistrate declined to find probable cause after her arrest, records show.
Giant panda cubs send Chinese New Year greetings from SW China

People's Daily Online) 16:30, February 07, 2024

Staff members hold giant panda cubs during an event to send Chinese New Year greetings in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Photo/Li Chuanyou)

Giant panda cubs born in 2023 recently gathered during an event held by two organizations to send Chinese New Year greetings in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province.

A total of 34 giant panda cubs were bred by the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda and the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in 2023.

Amid the festive decorations at the Shenshuping breeding base of the center and at the Beihu area of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the cubs posed for cameras to delight people from around the world as the Chinese New Year approaches.

Over the years, the two organizations have been cooperating on giant panda breeding, genetic preservation, and disease prevention and control. They have also supported the construction of the Giant Panda National Park.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Hongyu)
Explainer: Why Blinken's latest Mideast visit fail to ease regional turmoil?

Xinhua) 13:42, February 08, 2024

CAIRO, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- At the end of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's fifth visit to the Middle East since the outbreak of the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, many in the region are explicit that the U.S. top diplomat has hardly made any progress de-escalating tensions there.

Like its predecessors, the latest visit was marked by lofty rhetoric, but little headway in resolving the Gaza crisis.

WHAT DID BLINKEN DO?

Blinken's shuttle diplomacy spanned Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Israel, and the West Bank, where he faced a complex regional landscape marked by escalating violence and diplomatic impasses.

As the Gaza conflict enters its fifth month, tensions simmer across the Middle East. U.S. crackdowns on militias in Syria and Iraq coincide with a significant increase in airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, raising concerns about further regional instability.

In the first stop of his visit, Blinken met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, seeking to advance talks on Saudi-Israeli normalization. While expressing continued interest, Saudi officials reiterated that progress hinges on a credible plan for Palestinian statehood.

Analysts say the United States is pressuring Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel in exchange for Israel's agreement to a ceasefire. But the prospects of such a deal are dim as the violence in Gaza shows no signs of stopping. According to the update from the Hamas-run Health Ministry on Wednesday, the death toll among Palestinians in Gaza has surpassed 27,708.

The U.S. top diplomat also met with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to discuss a potential ceasefire plan.

However, optimism about a ceasefire was short-lived. On Wednesday, Blinken presented the ceasefire proposal to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who rejected it promptly and vowed to achieve an "absolute victory" in its military offensive in Gaza.

"The Middle East remains unchanged after Blinken's visit, except for the worsening situation of Palestinians who are dying during his diplomatic failure," said Salah Bin Laghbar, a Yemeni political analyst based in Aden.

WHY WAS BILINKEN'S DIPLOMACY FUTILE?

The United States' long-standing support for Israel and recent military operations are eroding trust in American policy across the Arab world, according to Laghbar.

He argued that instead of easing tensions, recent U.S. actions have stoked public anger among ordinary Arabs.

"Arab nations now face the challenge of addressing public sympathy for Palestine, which complicates their response to U.S. mediation efforts," Laghbar said.

He further criticized the U.S. attempt to frame the escalation as a clash between Iran's allies and Israel, calling it a deflection from the true root of the conflict: the unresolved Palestinian issue.

"The Gaza conflict remains at the heart of the region's current turmoil, rooted in long-standing injustices endured by the Palestinian people," Laghbar emphasized. "Without acknowledging this underlying issue, U.S. mediation efforts will likely face significant obstacles."

Analysts also suggested that the Biden administration's pursuit of a ceasefire is driven more by domestic political considerations in the U.S. election year, than by genuine concern for the region.

Gamal Tawfiq, a visiting professor of political studies at Suez Canal University, criticized the U.S. administration's reluctance to acknowledge the shortcomings of its policies.

"The U.S. is not serious in its efforts to reach calm or help the civilians in Palestine," Tawfiq said. "Blinken's visits to the region, however many times, are meaningless unless it pushes Israel to accept a lasting ceasefire."

PROSPECTS IN THE MIDEAST

The specter of regional escalation looms large in the Middle East, as ongoing violence in Gaza continues to claim civilian lives and ignite new flashpoints.

"New hotspots are continuously emerging around the Gaza conflict, potentially tilting the region further into instability," cautioned Laghbar.

Ding Long, a professor at Shanghai International Studies University, echoed this sentiment, expressing concerns over the ineffectiveness of U.S. policy and predicting a likely continuation of the "protracted tug-of-war" in the region. He also said that while a direct war between the U.S. and Iran is improbable, the volatility remains high.

The recent death of U.S. troops in Jordan reignites pressure on the Biden administration to retaliate against Iran, a move which is advocated by some Republicans but others caution could spiral into a full-blown war.

Adding another layer of urgency, Tawfiq said that the Gaza conflict could have dire consequences if it continues into the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is only a month away.

"If no ceasefire is achieved in Gaza during Ramadan, there will be a huge wave of rage among the Arabs," said Tawfiq.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Cynthia Miranda jokes with Khalil Frazier, 5, center and Famous Oye, 4, during a wiggle break in this photo taken on Feb. 8, 2023, at Love Elementary School in Houston. Love is among 24 schools that communicated their decision to Houston ISD on whether or not to join Superintendent Mike Miles' New Education System on Feb. 7, 2024. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

Twenty-four Houston ISD schools decided by Wednesday whether they wanted to opt into Superintendent Mike Miles' most sweeping reforms next year, a decision that could drastically reshape the classroom experience for thousands of children and has drawn mixed reactions from parents across the city.

The state-appointed leader of the Houston Independent School District announced the expansion of his New Education System in late January, adding a minimum of 26 schools that scored F's or low D's on the district's latest rankings to the 85 campuses that made up the program's inaugural cohort. Two dozen other schools that received high D ratings, he said, would have the option to decide for themselves if they wanted to enlist, a maximum 14 of which would be accepted.

Those schools needed to submit their preference by Wednesday to HISD leaders, who will decide which 14 schools to add to the system by Friday.

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While some families waited on word of their school's fate with baited breath, many others regarded the upcoming decision with ambivalence. The Houston Chronicle spoke with over two dozen parents at six eligible schools, the majority of whom were only vaguely familiar with the New Education System, if they had heard of it at all.

Girls walk out of Love Elementary School in the Heights on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, in Houston, as parents came to pick up students dismissed early because of weather related issues Karen Warren/Staff photographer Love Elementary School, photographed Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

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Each of the 24 eligible schools held meetings over the last two weeks to explain the potential changes to parents, but many said they were unaware of the meeting or unable to attend because of work or other conflicts. While the district distributed surveys to gather parents' input, the decision on whether or not to opt into the New Education System was ultimately up to school administrators, who were also asked to communicate with their staffs.

Administrators, like the rest of their staff, would stand to get raises if they opt in.

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Renesiaha Carter, principal of Reynolds Elementary School, said she chose for her campus to potentially become an NES school during the 2024-25 year because of the additional resources the school could receive, such as more support staff for teachers, premade lesson plans and curriculum, and additional compensation for teachers.

Carter said she had the choice to opt her campus into the NES program during the 2023-24 school year and ultimately chose not to because she didnt have enough information about the model. Now, after consulting with teachers and a principal at an NES-aligned school who have praised NES this year, Carter said its the right time for her school to join.

Once you actually remove all the myths and the noise around you and you just reflect on what's best for the students, not what's best for me ... you will realize that my students and the Reynolds community in Sunnyside definitely will benefit from opting into NES, Carter said. No one pressured me at all.

If a principal chooses not to opt their campus into the program, HISD spokesperson Joseph Sam said, the campus will not be required to become NES during the 2024-25 school year. Principals will also not be reassigned for choosing not to join NES, he said.

Laura Aragon, the mother of a third-grader at Peterson Elementary School in south Houston, said she would approach the upcoming school year with an open mind if Peterson were to join NES.

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"If they're paying the teachers more, well then I think that's a good thing. If I saw something I didn't like I would probably speak up, but so far I haven't heard anything to really give me pause," Aragon said. "For the moment, I'm not really for it or against it."

If they were to adopt the designation, schools would undergo a transformation that includes standardized instructional models and centrally developed curricula. Miles has positioned NES as a means of support  he says higher salaries, a new staffing model and extended hours for before and after school care, among other things, are meant to strengthen schools and help their mostly low-income, Black and brown students close the achievement gap with their peers.

Miles touted gains on NES students' midyear benchmark exams last month as evidence his reforms were working.

"This is actually good news for a lot of schools because it is about supports, and you can see the supports are working," Miles said.

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Some parents, though, say theyre well aware of the supposed benefits associated with the NES program and have zero interest in their child attending a school that is a part of the model. Some have spoken up at community meetings, emailed their principals urging them not to choose the NES program and worked to organize other parents in opposition to the changes.

Vicky Hauptman-Bryan said she was devastated to learn that Love Elementary, where her son attends kindergarten, is now eligible to become part of the NES program after the school dropped from an A rating during the 2021-2022 school year to a D last year, using methodology that has come under the scrutiny of a statewide lawsuit.

Hauptman-Bryan has been thrilled with her sons education so far at Love, where she appreciates the schools small and tight-knit community, the passion of the administrators, the warm and friendly environment and the dual-language program. All that could change for the worse under the NES model, she said.

She said she fears that the NES program could lead to high teacher and principal turnover, a stricter and more stressful climate and a standardized curriculum with no room for flexibility. She also has concerns about the future of the dual-language program under NES and whether her child will continue to receive half of their instruction in English and Spanish, though such programs appear to have largely been maintained at existing NES schools.

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I've seen how controlling those classrooms are, and I don't want that for my child, Hauptman-Bryan said. I want my child to enjoy going to school and to have teachers who are creative and love to teach, and part of that means that they are creating their own curriculum or at least using curriculum that they adore and that they are passionate about.

Like Hauptman-Bryan, Eugenio Saenz doesnt want to see Betsy Ross Elementary, the STEM magnet school his daughter attends, convert to the NES model. Saenz, who attended Ross himself, wrote a letter to his principal imploring her not to choose to have the campus join the NES program and rip the joy away from the campus.

Saenz said his daughter, who is in kindergarten, currently receives an amazing education at Ross. He worries that the activities that make the school special  such as field trips, classroom parties and ancillary engineering classes  could disappear under NES and that the scripted curriculum and other changes could drive teachers, families and students out.

We've seen in other places that ... there's lots of faults within the curriculum itself, so you're pushing this curriculum that has already been shown to be faulty, Saenz said. You claim you want the best for students that are a little bit behind, but you're teaching them poor material. That doesn't make sense.

Hauptman-Bryan and Saenz said they would not send their child back to their current school if it becomes part of the NES program, even if that meant pulling them out of the district entirely. Saenz said he wouldnt send his daughter to Ross or any NES school where a teacher has to read off of a script.

For a lot of private schools, the deadline has passed and frankly, the costs are exorbitant, so that would be a huge financial strain, Hauptman-Bryan said. I don't know if I will try to homeschool him. I don't know if we'll have to sell our house and move, but (my son) cannot go to a school where they teach children to hate learning.

Parents at other schools took a middle ground. Tiffany Taylor, the mother of a third-grader at Montgomery Elementary School in south Houston, said some aspects of the system, such as higher teacher pay, appealed to her, while others, such as the transformation of libraries into "Team Centers," did not. One of the defining characteristics of NES schools, however, is that they leave little room for deviation from the model.
Students at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar watch a women's basketball game at Education City in Doha, Qatar, on November 4, 2015. Students from the university enthusiastically supported a game against Texas A&M. VCU won. The Washington Post/The Washington Post via Getty Im Male students interact in a "majlis" -- an area designated for men (by social custom) -- at Texas A&M University at Qatar on the Education City campus in Doha, Qatar, on November 2, 2015. The building was designed by Legoretta+Legoretta -- a well regarded architectural team. Buildings across the campus were designed by famous architects. The Washington Post/The Washington Post via Getty Im Exterior of Texas A&M University at Qatar on the Education City campus in Doha, Qatar, on November 2, 2015. The building was designed by Legoretta+Legoretta -- a well regarded architectural team. Buildings across the campus were designed by famous architects. The Washington Post/The Washington Post via Getty Im A female student prays in a room designated for female prayer at Texas A&M University at Qatar on the Education City campus in Doha, Qatar, on November 2, 2015. Muslims formally pray five times a day. The building was designed by Legoretta+Legoretta -- a well regarded architectural team. Buildings across the campus were designed by famous architects. The Washington Post/The Washington Post via Getty Im Texas A&M University Interim President Mark A. Welsh III gives remarks at a news conference following an all-faculty, staff and student meeting detailing his plans for the university following an assessment of the Path Forward initiatives on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 in College Station. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

The Texas A&M University System plans to close the flagships branch campus in Qatar by 2028, ending a multi-decade partnership that has allowed students to obtain both bachelors and masters degrees in Doha.

The systems Board of Regents on Thursday authorized Texas A&M President Mark Welsh to terminate the universitys contract with the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, a state-led nonprofit in Qatar that funds the engineering-focused campus.

The board decided to reassess the contract due to heightened instability in the Middle East, system officials said in a news release. Students will be able to complete their education, university officials said, and the future of the branchs 70 faculty and 110 staff members will be discussed as the school forms a transition team.

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MORE FROM SAMANTHA KETTERER: Texas university students tread divisive climate amid Israel-Hamas war

The Board has decided that the core mission of Texas A&M should be advanced primarily within Texas and the United States, Board Chairman Bill Mahomes said in a statement. By the middle of the 21st century, the university will not necessarily need a campus infrastructure 8,000 miles away to support education and research collaborations.

The decision comes one month after A&M countered reports that scrutinized the partnership, and representatives with the Qatar Foundation on Thursday evening released a statement attributing the boards decision to a disinformation campaign. A&M System spokesman Mike Reilly then released a direct response, denying that the misinformation campaign had a bearing on the regents' vote.

Neither of the conflicting statements referenced the alleged misinformation directly, but a research organization called the Institute for Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy had sent a letter to senior U.S. officials in January, accusing Texas A&M of taking unreported and unregulated funding from Qatar. The group claimed the nation, which is considered a U.S. ally, has substantial ownership of nuclear research and sensitive weapon development rights at the university.

The organization had also published those allegations in a 17-page report, claiming that Qatar maintains ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and funds Hamas.

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A&Ms president later denied the A&M-specific allegations in a January letter to the campus community, although he did not mention the report or institute by name. Research and funding processes at the Qatar branch campus abide by state and federal research and export control regulations, Welsh said.

The president shut down the national security allegations as well, clarifying that the campus does not offer a nuclear engineering program or classes on the subject. No nuclear technology, weapons and defense or national security research is conducted there, nor does the campus have a connection to nuclear reactor research done in Texas or the Los Alamos National Lab, he said.

The insinuation that we are somehow leaking or compromising national security research data to anyone is both false and irresponsible, Welsh said at the time.

An unnamed spokesperson with the Qatar Foundation on Thursday said that disinformation became the determining factor in A&M pulling out of Doha, overlooking the positive impact the partnership has created.



It is deeply disappointing that a globally respected academic institution like Texas A&M University has fallen victim to such a campaign and allowed politics to infiltrate its decision-making processes, the spokesperson said in a statement. At no point did the Board attempt to seek out the truth from Qatar Foundation before making this misguided decision.

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Texas A&M System officials refuted the Qatar Foundations statement, again pointing to Welshs earlier denial of any national security risks.

The Qatar Foundation is jumping to an unfortunate and incorrect conclusion, Reilly said.

The misinformation campaign had no bearing on Thursdays decision by the Board of Regents, which was made following a close analysis of the universitys mission and the evolving political situation in the Middle East, he continued. Discussions about branch and remote campuses are ongoing and had begun before false information was reported about Texas A&M.

The branch campus opened in 2003 to advance education and research in chemical, mechanical and petroleum engineering, taking advantage of a location in an oil-heavy region. More than 1,500 engineering students have graduated since the A&M branchs opening, and more than 730 students currently attend.

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Contract stipulations describe the partnership as one where the Qatar Foundation provides the physical space and some research program funding while Texas A&M provides student recruitment, faculty appointments and curriculum design. The Qatar Foundation also owns intellectual property developed at the campus, except in certain approved instances, according to the contract, which was provided by Texas A&M.

A&M is one of six U.S. universities to operate a branch campus at the Qatar Foundations Education City. The school re-signed its contract with the foundation in 2021 for an expiration date in 2033.

In a motion to authorize the contract termination, Regent Mike Hernandez said that further action will be taken to complete the education of current students and treat facility staff fairly. The board passed the motion 7-1, with Regent Michael Plank voting against.

Over the last two decades, the Qatar campus has advanced ideals, graduated exceptional Aggie engineers, and is cemented as an important legacy of Texas A&M, Welsh said. As we look to the future of our land-, sea- and space-grant university, the global exchange of research and education will continue to be integral to our world-class campuses here in the U.S.

This story has been updated to include follow-up statements from the Qatar Foundation and a Texas A&M University System spokesperson, as well as details about the institutions' contract.
Giving a grade to the weather is generally not encouraged because peoples idea of what nice weather is far from consistent. But the past several days have featured plenty of sunshine and spring-like temperatures without much in the way of that nasty summertime humidity.

Compared to other first weeks of February, Houstons weather has earned as close to an A+ as you can get. That wont last much longer, though.

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Thursday morning: Clouds will continue to roll in, but dont let the chance of rain fool you into thinking itll rain from the beginning to the end of the day. While a few early morning showers cannot be ruled out, more numerous showers are expected to develop during the afternoon.

Thursday afternoon: Were not expecting heavy rainfall from Thursdays activity and certainly not rainfall heavy enough to cause flood concerns. If anything, itll be more of a nuisance rain, where the lowest windshield wiper setting is just a bit too slow but even the medium setting is too dramatic.

As for temperatures Thursday, well start the day near 60 degrees and finish with highs in the low 70s under mostly cloudy skies.

This map of Southeast Texas shows future weather radar for Thursday afternoon. In this projection, light showers will be isolated to scattered with a few pockets of heavier rainfall possible. WeatherBELL

Friday: Over the next few days, Friday is the day when rain is least likely across Southeast Texas. Despite this, we might see at least a few isolated afternoon showers because onshore winds will continue to pull in moisture-rich air from the Gulf of Mexico. There may even be enough instability in the atmosphere for a rumble or two of thunder to be heard, but no severe thunderstorms or flooding rains are expected.

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Much like Thursday, temperatures will start in the lower 60s before warming into the lower and mid-70s.

ROAD CONDITIONS: Always know what road conditions across Southeast Texas are like with our interactive maps

Saturday: Given the number of outdoor events going on this weekend, a forecast calling for heavier rainfall this weekend is not welcome news. We can all thank, or blame, the active subtropical jet stream that is a hallmark of an El Nino winter in Southeast Texas.

If you have to pick one day this weekend to spend time outdoors, Saturday would be that day. This doesnt mean Saturday will be a beautiful or even a dry day to be outside. Its just that, as forecast models appear now, Saturday features ever so slightly lower rain chances. There will be pockets of heavier rainfall, especially as a slow-moving cold front approaches from the northwest late Saturday.

Whens the best time Saturday to dodge raindrops? The earlier the better: Once cloud-filled skies turn dark after sunset, rain and storms will become more numerous.

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The Weather Prediction Centers seven-day rainfall forecast for Southeast Texas suggests heavier rainfall possible on Saturday and Sunday, but rainfall totals across the region should generally remain around an inch or less. Weather Prediction Center / Pivotal Weather

Sunday: This is the day when widespread rain looks most likely. Depending on how quickly our next cold front pushes through, this could certainly change. Were still several days from having meaningful confidence in this weekends forecast, so keep a close eye out for Friday and Saturdays forecast, as confidence will be higher in Sundays rain chances. For now, plan on periods of heavier rainfall throughout the upcoming weekend.
Alan Garza, an attorney and electrical engineer, is running in the Republican primary for Texas' 29th Congressional District. Photo courtesy of Alan Garza

Alan Garza knows a thing or two about beating long odds. And hell certainly need that knowledge in this race.

Garzas father passed away when he was 13. As the son of a single mother growing up in a hard-scrabble neighborhood near Hobby Airport, Garza, 31, was warned by high school teachers that growing up in poverty would lead him to either dropping out of high school or ending up in jail.

Garza did not succumb to that dismal narrative. He earned a degree from the University of Houston and within three years of graduating, landed a job as a project engineer for Amazon in Washington, D.C., and then as an electrical engineer for Meta. In his spare time, he pursued a law degree at Georgetown Law School. After completing his studies, he became an associate at a privacy and data law firm in San Francisco.

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And yet, running for Congress in Texas' 29th Congressional District may be Garzas most formidable challenge yet. The deep blue district includes parts of the Pasadena area, the north side of Houston and northeast Harris County. Nearly three-quarters of the district is Hispanic or Latino. The incumbent representative, Democrat Sylvia Garcia, has won each of her three congressional races with no less than 71% of the vote.

Yet Garza believes he has the right message to at least make the race competitive. Hes able to walk a fine line of critiquing his own party for its blind allegiance to tradition as well as Democrats for pushing certain policies he believes are out of touch with the mainstream.

This is a unique time where were divided on what our institutions mean, and whether we should continue to respect those institutions and the principles that the country was based on, Garza told the editorial board. Im trying to run a campaign that abandons ideology.

For Garza, that means campaigning on strengthening border security while also committing to resolving the status of Dreamers who were brought to this country illegally as children. It means leaning on his tech and law background to work with Democrats on data privacy legislation. It means being pro-life yet rejecting proposals for a nationwide abortion ban.

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VOTER GUIDE: 2024 Texas Primary

While Garzas opponents are similarly youthful and similarly inexperienced running for elected office they lack his polish and broad policy platform. Christian Garcia, 30, touts volunteer experience teaching English to immigrants and preparing taxes for low-income Houstonians at a BakerRipley community center and is campaigning on reducing crime. Jose Casares, 35, is a local activist who has worked with organizations such as the League of United Latin American Citizens. He believes Democratic policies have failed Latinos and is concerned about the U.S. funding endless wars overseas. Angel Fierro, 28, is a grants manager for a Christian nonprofit that advocates for Israel and is passionate about curbing illegal immigration and stopping human and child trafficking across the border.
The White House once again is urging Congress to extend the funding for the internet subsidy program or risk millions of Americans losing access to "affordable high-speed internet."

In a fact sheet released on Tuesday, the White House renewed its call for the approval of the proposed $6 billion fund to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program.

New applications for the program are set to close on Feb. 7, as the Federal Communications Commission expects the existing funds to run out by April.

The internet subsidies are estimated to benefit at least 23 million households across the US, or one in every six households, helping them save $30 to $75 each month from their internet bills.

Also Read: FCC: Millions Could Lose Internet Access if Subsidies Discontinued

Biden: Internet Connection is as Necessary as Water Access

One of the prominent advocates of the extended FCC fund has been US President Joe Biden who was campaigning for affordable high-speed internet as part of his "Investing in America" initiative.

Biden's senior adviser Tom Perez said the President likened the Americans' access to the internet as "an essential public necessity" similar to water.

Fast internet speeds are among the campaign promises Biden has made as he aims for a consecutive term this coming presidential election.

If the president succeeds with his petition, Biden gains an additional accomplishment he can clash with his biggest rival, former President Donald Trump, who boasts about his economic war with China.

Internet Bills Continue to Increase

The White House's petition comes in as more internet service providers announced that they will be increasing service fees for both basic and high-speed internet connections.

In a study published in 2023, Americans pay about 40% more than other countries enjoying comparable much higher internet speeds. On average, a US household is estimated to pay $114 a month.

This coincides with broadband price watchdog Cable's findings where the US is ranked 135th, one of the most expensive internet bills from Western nations.

It does not that many areas only have one or two internet service providers available, making it more difficult to access affordable internet.

Related Article: AT&T to Increase Service Fee for Unlimited Plans
The 2024 Elections are near, and so does the "fake news" and political disinformation.

Past elections have shown how misinformation has spiked since 2016 as fake accounts and "troll farms" have become prevalent on its platforms.

With the rise of AI and deepfakes, the threat of widescale election disinformation has never been more worrying.

With a large part of the voter population mainly using Facebook and Instagram, or at least 71.43% of the US population, election misinformation poses a risk of how future policies will be made.

That said, Meta has been taking steps to address these issues.

Meta Taking Steps Against Disinformation

Since last year with the rise of AI-generated images, Meta has already implemented new policies to combat both AI-powered and organic disinformation on its platforms.

Aside from introducing more independent fact-checker on its social media sites, Meta has started using AI technology to detect "harmful" content, including "fake news" and disinformation.

Just recently, Meta made it that all images generated from its AI will include visible markers in addition to an invisible watermark embedded in its metadata to help other companies identify its authenticity.

The company will also start requiring accounts to disclose whether they use AI tools for images, video, and audio recordings.

Too Little, Too Late

While the company has been addressing issues of disinformation on its platform, most have been reactionary rather than active efforts.

Just the recent AI label policy was released after its own oversight board criticized Meta for its "incomprehensible" policies against non-AI-manipulated media.

The board's scrutiny comes in as it ruled to retain an edited video of US President Joe Biden being portrayed as touching his then-18-year-old granddaughter in the chest.

One of the criticized features in its efforts to limit disinformation is the censor option for posts proven to be fake.

Current platform misinformation policies allow users to still view posts even after being tagged as false. This issue has been recently raised during Meta's appearance on the online child safety trial in Washington, DC.

For Meta's defense, the optional sensor allows researchers and other independent groups to study how disinformation works online.

It is also worth noting that Facebook and Instagram do not have their own fact-checking unit and mainly rely on a limited number of third-party contractors to verify dubious claims in the platforms.

With the amount of disinformation expected to double as the elections inch closer, it is unsure whether the current number of people under Meta is capable of handling a site with millions of people posting every second.

It does not help that the company has been among the tech firms that reduced its workers in the beginning of 2024.

Also Read: Meta Oversight Board Retains Manipulated Biden Video, Says Company's Rule 'Incoherent'

Calls for More Effort

Meta's oversight board is not the only one that has started calling for more changes in the company's current efforts on "fake news" and disinformation.

More organizations have started urging the company to improve measurements against misinformation in what is probably be one of the biggest elections in the 21st Century.

Of course, a single company cannot completely eradicate all disinformation on its platform alone. Many people see this as a chance to further push the creation of new laws that will address these worries.

So far, no law has been passed yet to directly combat disinformation or regulate AI development and distribution.

Related Article: How to Spot Election 'Fake News' on Social Media
Apple has been quietly increasing tests for its automated car on California's roads amid licensing controversies on the robocars on the West Coast.

Data from the California Department of Motor Vehicles showed that Apple has been ramping up its tests for its autonomous vehicles last year, tripling road mileage from 125,096 in 2022 to 452,744 in 2023.

The Washington Post also noted that 67 vehicles have been spotted to be equipped with Apple's autonomous box sensor roving near the tech giant's office in Cupertino, California.

Despite tripling its road mileage, Apple's autonomous car is still behind with the leading robocar services in California with Waymo recording 3.7 million testing miles and Cruise with 2.65 million miles.

Apple was among the major tech companies granted by California regulators to start testing its cars in the city as it prepares to open operations to the public.

Also Read: Apple Car is Expected to Launch By 2028 but With Reduced Autonomous Features

Residents Oppose Autonomous Car Expansion in California Cities

While more autonomous car businesses have been eyeing to expand operations in California, local residents have a different opinion regarding the matter.

The city of San Francisco has already filed a lawsuit against the California Public Utilities Commission for allowing expansions of autonomous cars in the city.

San Francisco asserted that the commission's decision contradicts its obligation "to promote public safety."

The lawsuit cited that the businesses' operations hinder first aid response due to technical delays caused by its cars during testing.

Controversies Surround Autonomous Cars in West Coast

The lawsuit follows after one of Cruise's autonomous EVs was involved in a road accident back in October where it dragged one pedestrian 20 feet after collision.

People's scrutiny was flared higher when it was revealed that Cruise hid the severity of the incident to escape

California has already revoked Cruise's permit to operate as investigations continue.

Related Article: San Francisco Sues California Regulators for Allowing Self-Driving Cars in the City
The AI race continues for tech giants and Samsung is doing well for itself. It is set to include more AI features for its upcoming phones, particularly its latest flagship, the Galaxy S24 series. For people with older models, they might even have access to some of the AI features Samsung plans to release.

Samsung's Galaxy AI Features

It's pretty normal for tech companies to save their best features for their upcoming phones so that customers would be encouraged to purchase the newer models. However, there is evidence and speculation that Samsung could be straying from that practice.

Based on a model comparison and a couple of research-backed posts from Reddit, Galaxy AI features like the Circle to Search, Live Translate, Note Assist, and Photo Assist might arrive on older Galaxy smartphones, as reported by Gizmodo.

This could serve as good news for those who prefer not to purchase Samsung's most expensive Galaxy models but still want to get the AI experience. Naturally, Google's Circle to Search feature is already on Pixel devices.

As for the other three, they will be part of the OneUI experience from Samsung, with Live Translate being available through the Dialer app, Note Assist being found in Samsung's Notes app, and Photo Assist through the device's Gallery app.

The Galaxy AI features that did not make the cut are the Generative Writing Assistance for the Samsung Keyboard, Transcript Assist for Samsung's Voice Recorder, and the Instant Slow Motion feature for the Camera app.

Furthermore, the company itself already stated that select Galaxy AI features will be coming to certain devices, although only a few models were mentioned during Samsnung's Unpacked event such as the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, and the Galaxy Tab S9.

Read Also: Samsung Planning to Release Affordable Galaxy Z Fold 6 This Year

Samsung Galaxy S24

Even without the new AI features, the latest Galaxy lineup is already impressive enough as it is. The Galaxy S24 will have a 6.2-inch screen and a Full HD+ resolution. The battery capacity is at 4,000mAh and has a memory of 8 GB.

As for the Galaxy S24+, it will have a bigger screen at 6.7 inches and will feature a QHD+ resolution. It also has a higher battery capacity at 4,900mAh. The memory is increased to 12 GB and it is equipped with Ultra Wide Band connectivity.

With its latest Vapor Chamber feature, the phone will perform better in terms of heat dissipation to keep your apps and games running optimally through an integrated liquid-type thermal interface material.

The flagship will provide users access to Chat Assist, which helps in setting the tone for messages. Just type what you want to say, and the AI assist feature will offer suggestions that can be more fitting for the scenario such as a more polite tone, or in social media format.

The Galaxy S24+ comes with two storage options at 256GB and 512GB, while the Galaxy S24 offers the 128GB option. To save on the cost of upgrading, you can trade in your old phone to gain credit for the purchase of the new Galaxy S24 or S24+.

Related: Samsung Defends 'Washed Out' Colors on Galaxy S24 Ultra, Says it's on Purpose
New Hampshire has reportedly identified where the deepfaked audio of US President Joe Biden telling residents to not attend the Democrat primary came from.

New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella, in a press conference on Tuesday, linked the AI deepfakes to two businesses in Texas: Life Corporation and Lingo Telecom.

The state has identified one Walter Monk, who currently resides in Arlington, as the owner of Life Corporation.

Formella said the state government has already sent a cease-and-desist letter to Life Corporation and has "opened a criminal investigation" to involved parties.

Lingo Telecom has already terminated all of its services with Life Corporation, Reuters reported.

Texas, a Republican-led state, has been at odds with the Biden administration following its dispute over the current government's border policies.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott previously ordered the Border Patrol to put wires on its southern border to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the US, a decision contradicted by Biden.

Also Read: Deepfake Audio of Biden Tells Democrats Not to Vote, Alarms Watchdogs

Election Deepfakes Alarm Experts, Politicians

With the 2024 Elections only a few months away, politicians and experts have been ringing the alarm on the potential dangers posed by AI deepfakes to voters' decisions on November.

Experts noted that more AI-powered disinformation may soon be seen online as top candidates aim to collect votes from swing states. New Hampshire was among critical swing states for both Democrats and Republicans.

New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone, a Democrat, has recently urged Congress to impose stricter regulations against deepfakes and AI calls to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

It is worth noting that Pallone has confirmed to be running again on New Jersey's 6th congressional district.

Related Article: Democrats Push for Gov't Crack Downs on Deepfakes, AI Robocalls

Precautions Against More Deepfakes

ElevenLabs, the AI software used to generate the Biden deepfakes, has already clarified that it has become "dedicated to preventing the misuse of audio AI tools."

Other AI firms have also started to curb bad actors from using its technology for political gains.

Most notable was OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT and DALL-E, promising to remove all chatbots and AI-generated pictures depicting or imitating real-life people, including politicians.
(Photo : Unsplash/ Firmbee.com)

Australian workers might soon have the "right to disconnect," where employers cannot demand workers to attend to emails, phone calls, or texts outside regular work hours, or they may face fines.

The "Right to Disconnect" Proposed Bill

The "right to disconnect" is one of many proposed changes to industrial relations laws by the federal government, which it says would safeguard workers' rights and promote a healthier work-life balance. Similar laws allowing employees to disconnect from work devices are also practiced in France, Spain, and other European Union countries.

According to Employment Minister Tony Burke of the ruling center-left Labor party, most senators have expressed support for the legislation in a statement on Wednesday. The provision prevents employees from unpaid overtime by allowing them to disconnect from unreasonable contact after work hours, explained Burke.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters earlier on Wednesday that someone who isn't paid around the clock shouldn't be punished if they're not online and accessible around the clock.

Additional Measures of the Proposed Bill

The bill is anticipated to be presented in Parliament later this week. It also covers additional measures such as a more defined route from temporary to permanent employment and establishing minimum standards for temporary workers and truck drivers.

Growing Discussions Around the Proposal

Some politicians, employer groups, and corporate leaders cautioned that the right-to-disconnect provision might be excessive and could weaken the trend toward flexible working, affecting competitiveness.

Discussions are still underway regarding the specifics of the changes to industrial laws, with the "right to disconnect" being a recent addition following pressure from the Greens, arguing that employees are increasingly expected to work unpaid hours as work encroaches on personal time.

The left-wing Greens, who initially proposed and supported the rule last year, view it as a significant victory for the party. Greens leader Adam Bandt announced on Twitter that a deal had been made between Labor, smaller parties, and independents to back this bill.

Bandt stated that Australians work an average of six weeks of unpaid overtime each year, which amounts to over A$92 billion ($60.13 billion) in unpaid wages across the economy, adding, "That time is yours. Not your boss'."

READ ALSO: Quiet Quitting Explained: A Coping Mechanism After Pandemic Where People Just Work for the Money

Bandt praised the chance for workers to ignore bosses when clocking off, but not everyone agrees, with some suggesting it encourages laziness or could affect their business.

Perth mayor Basil Zempilas questioned the proposal in a post on X, expressing doubts about whether it aligns with the principles to historically drive the country forward and enable hardworking individuals to succeed.

The proposed law would impose fines on those found guilty. Still, it would also include provisions allowing employers to contact staff outside of work hours if it's deemed "reasonable," such as filling a shift, explained Industrial Relations Minister Tony Burke.

RELATED ARTICLE: Physically Present but Not Engaged? Here's What You Should Know about "Resenteeism"

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Unsplash/Akson)

Whether working at the office or home, you recognize that tasks are completed more quickly when working with others. If you've ever felt like you were doing more work than others to compensate for their lack of effort, you've experienced social loafing.

What is "Social Loafing?"

People often exert less effort when working in a group compared to when they work alone or are judged individually. Individuals typically put in more effort when working alone, but when teamwork is involved, some may slack off.

Social loafing might not be apparent when you consider the overall performance of a group. It only becomes noticeable when you examine each person's performance, especially in work environments.

The Social Loafing Myth

Participating in group activities like tug of war or shouting might lower individual effort. However, findings from these studies may not directly apply to the modern workplace, and comparing simple activities to our constantly busy work environment doesn't fully capture the experience of modern knowledge workers.

Teamwork and group efforts themselves aren't the reason for decreased individual input. The main issue is a lack of clarity. When knowledge workers aren't clear about their tasks or how they contribute to the company, they struggle to prioritize and accomplish meaningful work. This lack of clarity significantly contributes to burnout, with 71% of global knowledge workers experiencing it at least once in 2020. Among them, one in three felt burnt out and overworked due to unclear tasks and roles.

If your team members appear underperforming or disengaged, it doesn't necessarily mean they're avoiding work on purpose; they might struggle. Identifying the factors affecting their productivity or motivation can assist in improving performance and create a more supportive and comfortable work environment for everyone.

READ ALSO: Ultimate Guide on How to Keep Working When You Already Feel Like Quitting

Factors Causing Social Loafing?

Here are some of the reasons why members in a group might engage in social loafing:

Reduced accountability: A group member will put in less effort if they feel less responsible for their actions.

Responsibility diffusion: A member might put in less effort if they believe someone else will handle their task.

Lack of motivation: A member may put in less effort if they lack motivation to work on a task, particularly in a group setting.

Unequal workload distribution: Members may lessen their effort if they believe others are not contributing equally.

Decreased perceived importance: In a group environment, a member could feel that their input is less significant, which would cause them to put forth less effort.

Lack of clarity: A member unclear about their roles or the group's objectives may engage in social loafing because they cannot fully comprehend their responsibilities or how their efforts fit into the bigger picture.

When team members feel empowered and held accountable, they are likelier to put in their best effort and successfully contribute to a productive outcome. Although accomplishing this requires meticulous preparation and strong teamwork, the results are well worth the effort.

RELATED ARTICLE: Trust Matters: Why is it Important to Build Trust At Work?

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
By Lee Gyu-lee

Actor Cho Jin-woong shared that his latest film Dead Man made him reconsider the weight and significance a person's name carries in their life.

There are few things we take for granted and overlook as we live our lives, and I think one of them is our names  I exist in this world with a name and I thought (this topic) was something worth thinking about, Cho told The Korea Times in an interview at a cafe in Jongno District, Seoul, Tuesday.

The new thriller crime film, which was released on Wednesday, follows Lee Man-jae (Cho Jin-woong), a man who lost his identity overnight. After going bankrupt, he gets involved in a lucrative yet illegal business, getting paid to lend his name to businesses. When he takes his last job as a titular CEO of a business before retiring, he ends up being falsely accused of embezzling 100 billion won and is abducted to a private prison in China after being forced to fake his death.

With the help of Madam Sim (Kim Hee-ae), a political consultant, he returns to Korea to find the person who framed him and reclaimt his name.

Filmmaker Hah Jun-won, who is known for co-scripting director Bong Joon-ho's "The Host" (2006), makes his directorial debut with the film.

I once read in a book that if I lose my wallet or phone, it means thats how much Ive overlooked their values. (The film) has such a deep philosophical question on whether weve undervalued so many of the things we have, especially our names, Cho said.

The director spent about five years extensively researching crimes related to the business of lending out names and delved into the criminal underworld.

Cho expressed that learning about such a criminal world felt eerie, adding that he relied on the resources from the director to create the character.

Stories of (Koreans) mysterious deaths and suicides overseas have been been covered in investigative news programs. And I just vaguely remember seeing them without paying much attention to them. But it was chilling to see such incidents being explored in our film, he said.

It was a story Ive never come across in any other work. But, such cases are happening around us. It felt terrifying to see that our life could go wrong in the blink of an eye  Of course, I've never actually experienced it nor had any way to meet someone in this type of business. So I had to create (the character) based on the script.

The actor said that the movie is about a person finding his identity through a crisis on a larger scale.

The movie, in a way, is a story of a man growing. There can be various tools to help a person grow. Political stories, corruption, embezzlement, and all those elements are major props, intertwining and connecting various characters into one, he said.

I thought the script was well woven because it uses an unfamiliar business concept, but it tells a story about an individual  In the end, it makes you think, 'What does this (name) mean? He comes so far to reach such a simple decision, which even feels somewhat anticlimactic. I think the film captures the self-blaming emotions, questioning why I hadn't cherished my name all this time.

The character faces several life-threatening incidents as he tries to right wrongs and reclaim his identity. Cho shared that he tried his best to immerse himself into the character.

Man-jae turns into an entirely different person in the story. As someone on the brink of death, there were times he had to give up his ego," he said. "And he was also not the type to step forward to solve problems. After contemplating how I should portray this character, I just decided to approach it with the mindset 'Let's throw myself into the situation.' I just felt like I couldnt make something up and prepare for it in advance."
Top YouTubers earn $640,000 a year

By Yi Whan-woo

The top 1 percent of YouTubers in Korea earned an average annual income of nearly 850 million won ($640,400), data showed, Wednesday.

Data from the National Tax Service (NTS) in 2022 also showed that their income accounted for almost 30 percent of the total revenues raised by the countrys content creators on YouTube.

The data suggests a significant wealth gap across Korean society is also witnessed within the burgeoning creator economy, said Rep. Yang Kyung-sook, a main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lawmaker.

Also a member of the National Assemblys Strategy and Finance Committee, Yang released the data after the NTS submitted it to her.

A total of 39,366 content creators were registered on YouTube in 2022, with their aggregate income amounting to 1.14 trillion won, according to the tax agency.

The number of such creators steadily increased  from 2,776 in 2019 to 20,756 in 2020 and 34,219 in 2021.

Their combined income went up over time as well, from 87.5 billion won in 2019 to 452.1 billion won in 2020 and 858.9 billion won in 2021.

The 2022 figure was also noteworthy as the aggregate income surpassed the 1 trillion won mark for the first time.

Earnings, however, were heavily concentrated to just 393 YouTubers who were in the top 1 percent bracket.

Each of the 393 raked in 848 million won on average, which accounted for 29.2 percent of the total income generated by Korean YouTubers.

The proportion of the top 1 percent of YouTubers earnings was up from 26.4 percent in 2019 when the NTS recognized content creators as an official occupation.
The U.S. special envoy for North Korean human rights called on Pyongyang Wednesday to launch a "reform" process to enhance its rights situation, stressing promoting respect for human dignity in the reclusive state remains a "top" priority for Washington.

Ambassador Julie Turner made the remarks as she marked the 10th anniversary of the release of a landmark U.N. Commission of Inquiry (COI) report that accused North Korean officials of "systematic, widespread and gross" human rights violations and made related recommendations.

"Today, 10 years later, I urge the international community to reflect on those recommendations and to consider what more can be done to carry them forward," she said in a video message released by the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea.

"We call on the DPRK to initiate a reform process to implement the recommendations of the 2014 U.N. COI report and to respect human rights," she added, referring to the North by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The COI report included recommendations that Pyongyang undertake "profound and institutional reforms without delay" to introduce checks and balances on the powers of the nation's leader and the ruling Workers' Party, including the introduction of an independent and impartial judiciary and a multiparty political system.

Turner also pointed out that Washington reinforced the COI recommendation to China and other countries to respect the principle of non-refoulement and abstain from forcibly repatriating anyone to the North "unless treatment there, verified by international monitors, markedly improves."

Noting that Pyongyang will undergo a universal periodic review later this year, she expressed hope that the review will serve as an opportunity to improve respect for human rights. The review is a mechanism that calls for each U.N. member state to go through a peer review of its human rights record every 4.5 years.

The ambassador also reiterated America's commitment to enhancing human rights for North Koreans.

"Promoting respect for human rights and human dignity in the DPRK remains a top priority for the U.S. government," she said.

Turner has been stressing the importance of human rights in the North as she has said that security and human rights are "inextricably" linked. Her thinking is that a repressive political climate allows the North Korean regime to divert public resources to its weapons programs without objection from its people.

"We remain committed to shining a spotlight on human rights abuses and violations, promoting accountability for those responsible for them, increasing access to information inside the DPRK and supporting civil society efforts," she said.

The ambassador also expressed her appreciation to those working for North Korean human rights.

"Thank you for continuing to speak out on behalf of the millions of North Koreans who are denied the right to speak out on their own behalf," she said. "To the North Korean people, we see you and we will continue to advocate for improved conditions and for your rights to be respected." (Yonhap)
North Korea has continued to engage in "malicious" cyber activities and mobilize information technology (IT) workers to bankroll its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs, a U.S. Treasury Department report said Wednesday, calling the North and Russia "highest-risk threat actors."

The department made the evaluation in its 2024 National Proliferation Financing Risk Assessment that it released along with separate assessments on money laundering and terrorist financing risks.

"The DPRK continued to conduct malicious cyber activity and deploy information technology workers to, at least in part, fund its WMD capabilities," the department said in the report

"This activity included efforts to illicitly raise revenue in fiat currency and virtual assets, including hacking of VASPs and, to a lesser extent, ransomware attacks," it added. VASP stands for the virtual assets service provider.

While the 2018 and 2022 editions of the report noted how the North used, stole and laundered virtual assets to fund its weapons programs, that activity has accelerated in the latest assessment cycle, according to the department.

Citing the 2023 Director of National Intelligence Annual Threat Assessment, the department noted the North will increase its use of methods like cyber theft and illicit trade to raise revenue to support its strategic priorities, including its WMD program.

It also called attention to a report by the U.N. panel of experts, which said the North attempted to steal as much as $2 billion between 2015 and 2019 through cyber means.

Based on a review of data since 2022, the department highlighted the North and Russia as "highest-risk threat actors" due to the "scope and sophistication of their illicit procurement and revenue-generation efforts."

"Two states in particular, Russia and the DPRK, presented a significantly higher threat," it said in the report's conclusion. "Russia's ongoing illegal war in Ukraine has accelerated that country's illicit procurement, including components produced in the United States."

In its latest assessment on money laundering, the department said that cybercrime groups linked to or receiving safe haven from Russia and North Korea have been responsible for an "overwhelming" share of recently identified ransomware-related incidents and openly attacked U.S. organizations. (Yonhap)
North Korea on Thursday urged its armed forces to be equipped with full combat readiness as the country marked the 76th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army (KPA).

In an editorial, the North's main newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, claimed the KPA is well-equipped with "overwhelming" military capability to deter war schemes by imperialist powers and called on the military to further beef up its combat power against hostile forces.

In a separate article, the newspaper said the KPA is determined to "completely devastate" the base of hostile forces should it attempt to inflict the slightest damage on the dignity of North Korea and its people.

On the domestic front, the newspaper said the KPA will take part in the struggle to implement the ruling party's policy to develop the North's regional economy.

In 2023, North Korea held a nighttime military parade where it first showcased the Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile to mark the 75th founding anniversary of the armed forces.

Signs of such major events have yet to be seen this year as the North usually marks every fifth and 10th of key anniversaries with large-scale events. (Yonhap)
The foreign ministry on Thursday called on North Korea to cease all provocations and work on improving the basic human rights of its people as this year marks the 10th anniversary of the U.N. Commission of Inquiry (COI) report.

"The government expresses deep regret over the continued violations of human rights in North Korea despite the recommendations of the report," foreign ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk told a regular press briefing.

Denouncing the North for prioritizing its unlawful nuclear and missile program, Lim urged Pyongyang to "immediately cease" all provocations and focus on protecting the basic rights of its people.

The government believes the report has contributed in raising awareness among the international community of the seriousness of the human rights situation in the North, he added.

The COI on Human Rights in North Korea was established in March 2013 to investigate the widespread human rights violations in the North.

In February 2014, the COI released its landmark report that accused North Korean officials of systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations and made related recommendations. (Yonhap)
Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul spoke by phone with his Canadian counterpart Thursday to discuss bilateral relations and ways to advance cooperation in the economy and other fields, his office said.

It was Cho's first such talks with Canada's top diplomat, Melanie Joly, since he took office as the foreign minister in January.

The two ministers agreed to continue joint efforts in carrying out the action plans to boost cooperation in five areas, including security, defense, climate change and technologies, in the follow-up to the leaders' summit last year, Cho's office said.

In the September summit, President Yoon Suk Yeol and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau elevated the bilateral status to a "comprehensive strategic partnership."

Cho and Joly also discussed North Korea's recent provocations and bellicose threats, with a particular note on the North's growing military cooperation with Russia.

Cho took note of Canada's efforts in joining South Korea and the international community in condemning North Korea's provocative acts, and its participation in the monitoring of Pyongyang's illicit ship-to-ship transfers.

In the phone talks, Cho also asked for Canada's support in South Korea's efforts to expand cooperation with the Group of Seven developed countries, according to his office. (Yonhap)
Korean and U.S. Marines have kicked off a regular combined exercise in a southeastern coastal city to improve joint combat capabilities, Korea's Marine Corps said Thursday.

The three-week exercise got under way in Pohang, 262 kilometers southeast of Seoul, last Thursday, involving some 400 Korean and U.S. Marines, as part of the U.S. Marine Corps' Korean Marine Exercise Program.

The two sides will mobilize various military equipment and assets for the drills, including amphibious assault vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, K1A2 tanks, Marineon helicopters and U.S. CH-53E choppers.

Over the past week, they staged combat firing and close-quarters battle training and plan to hold aerial assault drills, utilizing the helicopters from both sides.

Korea's Marine Corps said the exercise focuses on improving combined operational capabilities in a practical manner while building a solid alliance between the two sides.

"Our continued alliance with the ROKMC is crucial to regional security and stability," U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Joshua Burchfield was quoted as saying, using the acronym of Korea's Marine Corps. (Yonhap)
Officials say there are many positive signs after $3.2 billion deal with Saudi Arabia

By Jung Min-ho

Korea is actively pursuing the establishment and strengthening of a long-term defense partnership with a number of Arab countries. This effort comes in response to promising developments following a $3.2 billion export deal with Saudi Arabia, Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters for the first time after a trip to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar between Feb. 1 and 7, Shin said he held what he described as "extensive and productive" talks with his counterparts in those Middle Eastern countries, which he hopes would lead to stable partnerships in the area of defense and arms procurement.

I was able to see the defense ministers and their officials trust in the excellence of the Korean defense industry again. The trip helped create an environment for companies in our defense industry to grow there more stably in the long term, he said.

His press meeting comes after the ministrys announcement earlier this week that LIG Nex1, a Korean arms maker, inked a $3.2 billion contract in November 2023 to export a mid-range surface-to-air missile defense system called Cheongung M-SAM II to Saudi Arabia, the biggest importer of arms in the region.

The hit-to-kill protection system is designed to intercept ballistic missiles and aircraft attacks up to an altitude of 15 kilometers at a range of 40 kilometers. It was the companys second export of the system following a deal with the United Arab Emirates in January 2022.

Shin said the contract with Saudi Arabia is only the beginning of many more such deals.

Other than the M-SAM II deal, I discussed various cooperation projects in the defense area. I cannot disclose the details  But I can tell you that there was meaningful progress during the visit, Shin said. We are seeking to establish long-term, win-win relationships, beyond one-time seller-buyer contracts, as we work with them in the defense area.

Shin, who attended the World Defense Show held in Riyadh on Feb. 4 (local time), met his Saudi Arabian counterpart, Khalid bin Salman Al Saud. At the event, representatives of the two nations signed a memorandum of understanding to further develop partnerships in various areas through a bilateral committee, including joint research and development and production of weapons systems.

Ministry officials, who declined to be named due to the sensitive nature of their positions, said some additional good news from the region could be announced this year.

Koreas arms exports last year were estimated to have surpassed $13 billion. In close collaboration with the government, the countrys weapons makers aim to carve out a five percent share of the global defense market by 2027 to become the fourth-largest exporter after the United States, Russia and France.
A woman indicted for killing her two newborn babies and storing their bodies in a home refrigerator was sentenced to eight years in prison by a court Thursday.

The woman was charged with strangling her two babies to death shortly after their births in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and keeping their bodies in a refrigerator in her apartment in Suwon, 30 kilometers south of Seoul.

She admitted to killing the babies, one boy and one girl, due to economic hardships while raising three children, and said she lied to her husband that she had an abortion, according to police.

"The victims, just a day old since birth, were independent human beings who had to rely on the defendant, and who needed her protection," the Suwon District Court said.

The court rejected a request from her lawyer that she be tried on charges not of murder, but infanticide that carries lighter punishment and also dismissed claims that she stored the bodies, instead of concealing them, for a funeral later. (Yonhap)
By Jun Ji-hye

Over 90 percent of elementary school teachers oppose the governments plan to significantly expand after-school programs, which essentially amount to child care, to all elementary schools nationwide this year, according to an opposition lawmaker, Wednesday.

Rep. Kang Deuk-gu of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea disclosed the results of the survey conducted by a teachers group, saying, The government should go back to square one and reconsider its after-school program expansion plan.

The programs, which operate from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., provide various education programs and child care services to elementary school students with working parents.

On Monday, President Yoon Suk Yeol and the Ministry of Education announced a plan to expand the programs to 2,000 elementary schools within the first half of this year and all schools in the second half, as part of efforts to combat the countrys declining birthrate. The measure came as child care issues have been cited as one of the major reasons for young couples not having babies.

But the survey of 15,000 parents of elementary school children, 11,000 teachers and 8,000 other staff in the education sector showed that 92.4 percent of the teachers opposed the expansion plan. In contrast, 49.6 percent of the parents gave positive responses.

The survey results aligned with concerns raised by various teachers unions following the governments announcement. The unions claimed that the expansion of the programs would increase the work burden of teachers and that the issue of where the responsibility will lie in the event of accidents has yet to be established.

Regarding this, 78.8 percent of the teachers responded in the survey that local governments should take responsibility for overseeing the programs.

On the other hand, only 26.7 percent of the parents said so. Instead, 34.3 percent and 17.8 percent of the parents chose civil servants in charge of the programs and teachers, respectively, as persons who should take responsibility for the programs.

In this regard, nearly 90 percent of teachers said the expansion of the programs will result in intensifying conflicts over division of labor between various parties involved such as teachers, administrative staff and civil servants.

Education Minister Lee Ju-ho should stop pushing for the expansion plan against the will of teachers, Rep. Kang said, urging the government to carry out more consultations with those involved.

Amid growing concerns, only 5 to 6 percent of the 604 elementary schools in Seoul have applied to operate the after-school programs as of Wednesday, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.
Rebellions seeks to become first Korean startup to mass-produce AI chips for language models
The government will deploy "all means" to cope with a looming walkout by a major association of medical doctors in protest of the planned hike in the enrollment quota for medical schools, a senior official said Thursday.

Park Min-soo, second vice minister at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, made the remarks a day after the Korean Medical Association (KMA), a major lobby group of medical doctors, signaled a possible large-scale strike against the government's move to boost the number of medical students.

"By mobilizing all means defined by law, (the government) will push for a pan-government response to protect the lives and health of the people," Park told reporters.

Earlier this week, the government announced a plan to increase the enrollment quota for medical students by 2,000 next year.

The medical community has strongly protested the decision, claiming it would not help solve the chronic shortages of doctors in rural areas but aggravate problems associated with an oversupply of medical personnel in the market.

The government believes the increase in the medical student quota will help make up for the shortfall in the so-called "less popular" categories, like pediatrics and obstetrics.

But the doctors say establishing public hospitals and offering better salaries will be more effective in encouraging doctors to work outside of the metropolitan region and at public health care facilities.

In a bid to block the potential strike, the health ministry has ordered training hospitals to reject a collective submission of letters of resignation from residents, to block them from carrying out the strike as non-medical personnel by law.

Unless they step down legally as doctors, the residents must return to work if the government issues an administrative order because doctors are classified as essential workers. (Yonhap)
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has lashed out at President Yoon Suk Yeol's response to allegations surrounding the first lady, saying that his attitude was shameless and lacked an apology.

During a highly anticipated interview with broadcaster KBS on Wednesday, Yoon addressed accusations regarding first lady Kim Keon Hee's alleged acceptance of a luxury handbag in 2022, saying that she failed to "coldheartedly reject" the gift giver.

Yoon said she could have handled the situation better, but he stopped short of offering an apology.

"The president did not offer an apology in the end," said Rep. Kwon Chil-seung, the DPK's chief spokesperson, in a written press briefing Wednesday, accusing Yoon of betraying the public's expectations for a sincere apology.

Yoon suggested that the Christian Dior bag was offered as a "political maneuver," as it was rigged with a hidden camera, with the footage only surfacing last year ahead of an election year.

"The president's shameless attitude is hopeless," Kwon said.

Newly created parties also heaped criticism.

"Who was the interview for? We have witnessed the tragedy of a public broadcaster turning into a PR agency for the presidential family to explain themselves," the New Future Party led by former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said in a statement.

Yoon faced mounting pressure to address Kim's allegations, which were largely viewed as a liability for the ruling party leading up to the April 10 parliamentary elections. The incident occurred after Yoon took office as president in May 2022. (Yonhap)
TOKYO, Feb 08 (News On Japan) - In December 2023, Nippon Steel reached an agreement to acquire American steel giant US Steel in a deal worth 2 trillion yen. However, opposition has emerged from labor unions and former President Donald Trump. Unions claim that President Biden has also expressed opposition to the acquisition, potentially making it a topic of discussion in the November presidential election and increasing the headwinds facing Nippon Steel.

This move by Nippon Steel to expand its global footprint through the acquisition of US Steel, one of the largest steelmakers in the United States, has sparked a significant debate over the future of the steel industry, national security concerns, and the impact on jobs and communities. The opposition from significant political figures and labor unions highlights the complexities of international business transactions, especially those involving critical industries.

Senior Analyst Shinichiro Ozaki from Daiwa Securities and Director Takashi Imamura from Marubeni Economic Research Institute join us to discuss whether the acquisition will materialize amidst these growing challenges.

The acquisition's opposition is not just a matter of business but has quickly become a geopolitical issue, reflecting broader tensions between economic nationalism and global corporate expansion. With the presidential election on the horizon, the deal's fate could be influenced by political forces, making the path to completion uncertain for Nippon Steel.

As discussions continue, the outcome of this proposed acquisition will likely have far-reaching implications for the global steel industry, international trade relations, and the strategic positioning of major corporations within the geopolitical landscape.

Source: BIZ
OSAKA, Feb 08 (News On Japan) - Since June 2019, Isobe has been creating works that express the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through clay animation videos. This weekend, a solo exhibition "Marumushi Shoten Isobe's Clay Animation World" by Marumushi Shoten's Isobe will be held at LAUGH & PEACE ART GALLERY OSAKA.

The exhibition will showcase all 17 works, which took four and a half years to complete.

Isobe commented on the exhibition, saying, "When people hear about the SDGs, they might think it's 'difficult' or 'what on earth is that?'. I continued to create these works with the hope that they would serve as an easy-to-understand conversation starter about the SDGs for children. At the same time, I wanted to express the coexistence of animals and plants with humans on Earth, which you'll find appearing here and there in the works."

In addition to his statement about the exhibition, Isobe reflected on the creative process: "It took four and a half years to start and complete these works. As I researched each goal and target for the project, I learned how privileged I am to live my life as I do, and how many people in unknown parts of the world are enduring harsh living conditions. It was a very educational experience. While my technique in creating these works is still a work in progress, I would be delighted if many people come to see them."

Exhibition "Marumushi Shoten Isobe's Clay Animation World" Dates: February 9th (Friday) to February 12th (Monday, substitute holiday), 2024 Hours: 13:00 - 18:00 Venue: LAUGH & PEACE ART GALLERY OSAKA Admission: Free

Source: Natalie
DES MOINES  To freeze or to cap? Iowa lawmakers have introduced competing proposals aimed at addressing the increasing cost of attending college at the states public universities.

Iowa House Democrats on Wednesday filed a bill that would freeze tuition at Iowas three public universities for in-state undergraduate students, starting in the 2024-25 school year.

House Republicans, meanwhile, have proposed capping annual increases in tuition and mandatory fees at 3% for baccalaureate degrees at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa

The Democrats proposal, House File 2352, would freeze tuition and fees for incoming in-state freshmen undergraduates for all four years as they pursue a baccalaureate degree. Tuition and fees could increase for the next freshmen class, but would also be frozen at that level for four years.

The tuition freeze would not apply to out-of-state or graduate students.

For too many Iowa families, the rising costs of higher education are forcing students to take on more debt and leave Iowa for higher wages, said Rep. Adam Zabner, an Iowa City Democrat and a sponsor of the bill.

Today, there are 433,000 Iowans with student loan debt that averages over $30,000, Zabner said. And last year there were 41,300 Iowa residents at the University of Iowa, Iowa State and the University of Northern Iowa.

At the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa, in-state tuition and fees ranged between $9,700 and nearly $11,000 for the 2023-24 school year, an increase of about 3.5% from last year.

Some specialized degree programs saw higher rate hikes, as did out-of-state students at Iowa State.

Zabner noted undergraduate tuition and fees at the University of Iowa have increased sevenfold in the last two decades, from $1,453 in 2000  the year after he was born  to more than $10,000 today.

Thats too much. Thats hard for families to work out, Zabner said.

State support

Zabner and other House Democrats accused Republicans of shortchanging the states regent universities, leading to tuition increases.

Lawmakers last year denied the universities any general education increase and instead provided an additional $7.1 million tied to specific programs across the campuses.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has proposed an additional $12.3 million, a 2.5% increase, for each of Iowas public universities for the upcoming budget year. Thats well below the roughly $40 million overall increase requested by the Board of Regents in university funding.

The regents had sought $14.8 million more in general education support  in addition to special requests by each campus  with both the UI and ISU getting $4.5 million increases and UNI getting a $5.8 million hike. The UNI increase would have allowed it to keep tuition flat next year.

Zabner said House Democrats noted their bill would provide a corresponding annual budget increase to ensure ISU, UNI and the UI can freeze tuition without having to make budget cuts and compromise services.

We dont want to put them on the hook for cutting or capping tuition and not having the resources they need, House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, told reporters.

Zabner added: We want to still make sure that we are fully funding education in the state, but we also want to make sure that every Iowa family can make the choice to send their student to college, if thats what they want to do.

GOP proposal

House Republicans, who hold an agenda-setting majority, argue a tuition freeze is unsustainable.

I think that our proposal is much more sound, because it doesnt must throw money at the problem and unrealistically freeze (tuition), which will probably just be temporary, said Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis, lead sponsor of House Republicans higher education omnibus bill, House File 2327, that would cap tuition increases.

A concrete ceiling of 3% is a good amount because it does allow a little bit of growth, while at the same time controlling costs, Collins said, calling House Democrats bill a poor proposal.

Because youre just looking to throw more money at the problem, he said.   But the fact is weve seen the system just continue to consume any money that we give them.

Meanwhile administrative and tuition costs continue to grow, Collins said.

Tuition growth

Iowas regents universities have touted tuition revenue as an increasingly important piece of their operating budget.

In the 2023 budget year, tuition accounted for 60% of the universities combined operating revenue, while state appropriations accounted for about 33%.

In 2001, the reverse was true, with state funding accounting for 64% of the universities combined operating revenue, according to data from the Iowa Board Regents, the governing body overseeing Iowas three public universities.

The University of Iowa last year saw its tuition revenue increase $24.7 million over the prior year, in part because of cost increases. Iowa State Universitys tuition revenue last year came in $10.3 million over the prior year thanks to the rate hikes  even though it was $5.6 million under budget.

UI student: 'My heart broke'

Avery Dettbarn of Strawberry Point, a second-year student at the UI studying political science, spoke alongside House Democrats in support of their proposal.

Dettbarn said she found herself unable to afford a large chunk of her tuition after applying for financial aid, scholarships and federal loans.

She applied for private loans but was continuously denied because she could not find a co-signer with a suitable credit score.

My heart broke knowing that I may not be able to follow my dreams because I cannot afford the tuition to pursue those dreams, Dettbarn said.

Fortunately, Dettbarn said she was able to find a distant family member willing to loan her the money on a repayment plan.

But this is not the case for everyone, she said. Young Iowa adults are struggling to pursue their collegiate dreams because of the high and rising tuition prices. And this bill would directly impact these students and allow us to follow out dreams without the additional financial stress.

Iowas young adults deserve the fundamental right to education. And this bill is what we as students need to help our success and our future.

Konfrst, the House minority leader, said House Democrats are also working on plans to help students attending Iowas private universities and community colleges, including supporting the Iowa Tuition Grant program.

Gazette higher education reporter Vanessa Miller contributed to this report.

Trade programs, unlike other areas of higher education, are in hot demand Trade programs, unlike other areas of higher education, are in hot demand
President labels controversy 'political ploy,' defends his wife

By Lee Hyo-jin

President Yoon Suk Yeol's attempt to address the controversies surrounding his wife Kim Keon Hee's acceptance of a Christian Dior bag from a left-wing pastor has fallen short of the public's expectations, according to political observers, Thursday.

Opposition parties and critics argue that the public anticipated the president to issue a formal apology instead of downplaying the incident by merely expressing regret and reiterating the narrative that it was a political ploy involving a hidden camera.

During a pre-recorded New Year interview with local broadcaster KBS aired on Wednesday night, the president touched on the ongoing controversies about the first lady.

"(The pastor) continuously insisted on the visit. She could not cold-heartedly refuse (the visit and the gift), and that seems to be the issue, if that could be a problem. I personally feel it is a bit regrettable," Yoon said, stressing that it is important to set clearer boundaries to prevent similar incidents from occurring again.

The first lady became embroiled in controversy after a liberal YouTube-based news channel, Voice of Seoul, alleged in November of last year that she received a Dior handbag worth about 3 million won ($2,250) from a Korean American pastor in September 2022. The pastor secretly filmed the scene that took place at Kim's office, using a camera embedded in his watch.

As the issue took center stage in politics, casting a shadow over the ruling People Power Party (PPP) in the lead-up to the April 10 general elections, the president has been under pressure to address the scandal himself by offering a public apology.

But during the interview, Yoon reiterated the stance that it was a spy camera trap, saying, It was a political ploy because he filmed it secretly by using a camera disguised as a watch. Also, the footage was released a year after the incident ahead of the elections."

But experts said Yoon's comments fell short of the public's expectation of a sincere apology.

"I don't think that the president's explanation, which lacked an official apology, will alleviate public skepticism over the first lady. Plus, certain aspects of the response, like the pastor's connection to the first lady's deceased father, might have been better left unsaid," Park Sang-byeong, a political commentator and professor at Inha University, told The Korea Times, Thursday.

Yoon told KBS that the pastor was from the same hometown as Kim's father, who passed away when she was in middle school. He explained that such a connection would have made it difficult for his wife to sever ties with the pastor.

Eom Kyeong-young, director of the Zeitgeist Institute, a private political think tank, said, "Yoon's response failed to meet the public's expectations of the presidential spouse's ethical standards. Regardless of legal liabilities for accepting the handbag, he should have offered a sincere apology to address negative public sentiment."

PPP interim leader Han Dong-hoon commented that the president expressed his candid thoughts.

"I think the president spoke sincerely about it, including measures to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents ... I believe that he empathized with the public's concerns and worries," he told reporters, Thursday, when asked to comment about Yoon's remarks on the first lady the previous night.

But Kim Kyung-yul, a member of the PPP's interim leadership, who had previously urged the first lady to apologize for controversies surrounding her, expressed regret over Yoon's response.

"The president has repeatedly expressed his regrets, and I will echo the same sentiment. It is regrettable," Kim said.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) criticized Yoon for betraying the public's expectations for a sincere apology on behalf of his wife, while the minor New Future Party led by former DPK leader Lee Nak-yon accused public broadcaster KBS for becoming the president's mouthpiece.

"We have witnessed the tragedy of a public broadcaster turning into a PR agency for the president's family," the party said in a statement.

In a subtitle, KBS referred to the Dior handbag as a "pouch," in what critics viewed as the broadcaster's attempt to downplay the scandal.

Park at Inha University pointed out that Yoon's decision to bypass a New Year press conference with the presidential office pool reporters, opting instead for a pre-recorded interview with the public broadcaster, once again highlights the president's limited engagement with the public.

The 100-minute interview did not include thorny questions such as the president's recent decision to veto a special bill allowing a special probe into the Itaewon crowd crush or the failure of Busan's bid to host the 2030 World Expo.

A significant portion of the broadcast was devoted to Yoon's renewed commitments to his foreign policies, including mending ties with Japan, strengthening U.S. extended deterrence and maintaining a hawkish stance on North Korea.

This marks the second consecutive year that the president has skipped the traditional New Year press conference. Last year, Yoon gave an interview exclusively with the conservative vernacular Chosun Ilbo.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  First responders who arrived at the scene of a Russian missile attack on homes in the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa on Friday were themselves struck by a second missile, officials said. A paramedic and an emergency service worker were among the 14 people killed.
The European Investment Bank has provided 115 Mln loan to MEDZ, subsidiary of CDG Group, for the expansion and modernization of ten technopoles located in five regions of Morocco.

The funding supports the countrys advanced regionalization policy and its New Development Model and is in line the EUs Mediterranean Agenda on resilience and climate transition, said EIB in a press release issued Wednesday.

The project of Moroccos Technopoles II is expected to create up to 51,500 permanent direct jobs, contributing to the reduction of regional disparities while stimulating the countrys innovation and competitiveness.

The EIB says its funding aims to promote regional economic development and support Morocco efforts seeking to become a low-carbon and competitive industrial base.

We are proud to strengthen our partnership with CDG Group. This funding is a significant step in our fruitful collaboration and demonstrates our shared commitment to sustainable development, economic prosperity, and the decarbonisation of industry in Morocco, said EIB Vice-President Nicola Beer.

This ambitious project will contribute not only to boosting the Moroccan economy through innovation, but also to creating sustainable jobs and reducing regional disparities, while building a greener and more competitive industry, he added.

For his part, Director-General of CDG Mr. Kalid Safir praised partnership with the EIB, saying the two partners share the same objectives aimed at boosting sustainable & inclusive development and reducing territorial disparities.
Libya has expressed its willingness to restore air connectivity with Morocco and its commitment to any initiative aimed at opening a shipping line between the two countries.

This came at a meeting in Rabat between Libyan Minister of Transport Salem Al Shahoubi, and his Moroccan peer Mohammed Abdeljalil on the sidelines of the high-level ministerial conference on middle-income countries held in Rabat Feb. 5-6 under the theme Solutions to Address Development Challenges of Middle-Income Countries in a Changing World.

During the meeting, Al Shahoubi expressed his countrys willingness to reopen air connectivity with Morocco with a view to encouraging and promoting economic exchanges between the two countries, and contributing to the development of cooperation relations in various fields, the Moroccan Ministry of Transport said in a press release.

The Libyan official added that his country is ready to commit to any initiative aimed at opening a shipping line between the two countries, to promote bilateral trade and contribute to the Royal Initiative meant to enhance maritime connectivity with the countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean.

The two parties commended the excellent relations of brotherhood and cooperation binding the two countries, and underlined their shared willingness to strengthen their cooperation in the fields of transport and sustainable development, the press release said.

The two parties agreed in this vein to step up meetings of bilateral technical committees to examine ways of strengthening cooperation between Morocco and Libya, and to form a working team to draw up memorandums of understanding.

They also agreed to bolster the exchange of experience and expertise in the fields of transport, and to offer Libyan skills training in Moroccan institutions, particularly in the field of civil aviation safety.

On the sidelines of his participation in the High-Level Ministerial Conference on Middle-Income Countries, the Libyan official also conferred with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.
Conflict between one of eastern Congos most active rebel groups and the government armed forces is intensifying in the countrys Masisi territory, which has prompted residents of the regions largest city of Goma to flee the area.

As fighters from the infamous M23 rebel group are attacking a community considered the last line of defense before Goma, many of the citys residents said have chosen to hurry from fighting between the rebels and security forces, even as the former claimed they had no intention to seize it again. The M23 or the March 23 Movement rebels, with alleged ties to neighboring Rwanda, rose to prominence a decade ago by seizing what is the regions largest city and an important base for Congolese forces and for humanitarian workers. Locals say the deadly unrest has worsened in recent weeks, leaving dozens of injured and overwhelming health centers.

Far from Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the countrys eastern region has long been overrun by more than 120 armed groups seeking a share of the regions gold and other resources as they carry out mass killings. Masisi and also Rutshuru, two territories in North Kivu province, have been gripped by conflict since late 2021 as the M23 takes on government troops. This and several other armed groups have intensified attacks on civilians and tried to seize more territory as the United Nations and regional peacekeepers have started to withdraw at the governments request. Peacekeepers have been accused of failing to stop attacks on civilians. DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, who was reelected in December, has struggled to end the violence despite promises to do so.
Morocco reiterated, Thursday, adherence to the one-China policy, as a constant foundation of relations between the two countries.

This long-standing position is based on the cardinal principles of the Kingdoms foreign policy, which are characterized by constancy, responsibility, credibility, and solidarity, particularly regarding the respect for the principles of national sovereignty and territorial integrity of all member States of the United Nations, said the embassy of Morocco in Beijing in a press release sent to MAP news agency.

Morocco attaches great importance to the development and the diversification of its relations with China in all fields, in accordance with the high directives of King Mohammed VI and President Xi Jinping, who agreed to establish a multidimensional strategic partnership, on the occasion of the historic State visit of the King to Beijing in May 2016, said the embassy.

Lauding the ties of friendship and good cooperation that bind the two friendly countries, the embassy seized the opportunity of the Chinese New Year to extend its warmest congratulations and best wishes of progress and prosperity to the authorities and people of China.
Officially speaking, North Platte City Council members were tasked Tuesday night with deciding whether to grant residential zoning for the site of The Connections planned apartment complex for lower-income people.

But several of them grilled Executive Director Ashley Lewis about the projects expected residents and programs before approving R-3 zoning for the site on a 6-1 vote. Councilman Brian Flanders was absent.

That discussion proved the most time-consuming on a 21-item agenda that included extending 11 snow routes, adopting the citys next one- and six-year road plan and agreeing to seek bids for a relocated skate park.

The council also annexed two more tracts of land while giving first-round approval to another annexation. They ended Tuesdays meeting with a lengthy executive session on real-estate matters.

Before voting for an ordinance to rezone The Connections project site at 1103 and 1108 E. Francis St., the council voted 6-1 to waive the usual three yes votes for most ordinances.

Passing the rezoning immediately will help The Connection as it seeks to complete its fundraising, Planning Administrator Judy Clark said.

Councilwoman Donna Tryon voted no both times, saying in regard to the three-vote waiver that input from her Ward 1 residents indicated too few know about shelter leaders plans.

The projects $13.7 million, 40-unit first phase will be built south of an extended East Francis, on farmland purchased by the group just beyond the streets current dead end. The Connection has applied for $10 million in Nebraska Investment Finance Authority tax credits to cover the bulk of construction costs.

Lewis and Connection board member Judy Pederson previously told the Planning Commission, which unanimously recommended council approval Jan. 23, that the apartment complex wont replace their 14-year-old shelter at 414 E. Sixth St.

The Connection plans one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, offering rents at or below market rates, for shelter residents ready to try more permanent housing and lower-income people facing a variety of situations.

Lewis said the latter group could include some senior citizens, victims of domestic or sexual violence and people who have been in the criminal justice system and are transitioning back into society. Some may qualify for federal Section 8 housing vouchers.

They may also just be someone living paycheck to paycheck thats struggling to afford the apartment theyre living in right now, she told the council.

Almost every council member present asked questions, with Tryon and Councilmen Ed Rieker and Mark Woods focusing on The Connections plans for offering case management and support services and supervising occupancy limits.

I have a little working knowledge in that kind of area that were talking about here, Tryon said. And what I saw was there was a very small percentage of people who really wanted to get out and better themselves.  A lot of it is that they choose that way of life, and theyre contented with it.

Woods said he believes the project would fit its area well but hopes the end goal would be to get them to move along and not need (to be) subsidized.

Absolutely, and thats the goal of any of these apartments, Lewis replied. It wont just be shelter residents. But all of them will be provided services that are guided to help them increase their income, and then theyll be able to take over the rent themselves.

Some similar rent-supported housing units already operate in North Platte and near The Connections project site, said Council President Jim Nisley, who also represents Ward 1. Its not just a brand-new thing in this area.

Rieker, a former North Platte Housing Authority chairman, said hes concerned some residents will try to sneak more people into their units than are allowed under their leases.

Im pretty confident thats a common violation, he said. It troubles me immensely that we are offering subsidized units and if somebodys prostituting the system because they dont want to have to pay for the rent. Thats not right.

Lewis said The Connection will employ a property management team as well as case managers. All will keep tabs on units actual occupancy, which case managers also will check during in-home visits mainly meant to ensure they have food and cleaning supplies and tenants are keeping their units clean.

Our ultimate goal would be to ensure that there are minimal lease violations, including going over their occupancy, she said.

In other business on Tuesdays lengthy council agenda:

Members voted 6-0 for the package of snow-route extensions initially presented Jan. 16. New segments include portions of West 14th, 17th and 18th streets; West G Street; North Carr and Jackson avenues; North Poplar Street; South Ioke and Oak streets; Riverside Drive; and Russian Olive Road. Woods arrived as the vote was to be taken.

The council voted 7-0 to adopt the citys annual road plan. The largest project not being done either by the state or private developers will be the reconstruction of West Ninth Street from just beyond Sherman Avenue west to Buffalo Bill Avenue. Bids will be taken in three to four weeks, City Engineer Brent Burklund said.

With another 7-0 vote, council members directed Parks and Recreation Director Lyle Minshull to seek requests for proposal for a relocated skate park, the third and smallest piece of a $52.5 million package of recreation upgrades city voters approved in 2022. The $650,000 project could wind up east of the North Platte Recreation Complex or elsewhere in town, Minshull said.

Woods and Tryon again voted no as the council gave 5-2 final approval to ordinances annexing two doughnut hole areas between East Philip Avenue and the South Platte River. Theyre on either side of a cowboy-boot-shaped area, annexed Dec. 5, where a mixed-use development with about 600 housing units is being planned

That vote was duplicated after a public hearing and first-round debate on an ordinance to also bring 21.51 acres in the northwest quadrant of Interstate 80 Exit 177 inside city limits. Two more yes votes are needed for adoption.

Members gave final approval to an ordinance creating a sanitary sewer connection district along South Echo Drive north to West Walker Road and then west to Buffalo Bill.

Weathercraft Cos. won a $85,831 bid to replace a leaky roof atop the north-side Fire Station No. 2 at 1300 N. Sycamore St.

Council members voted 6-1, with Woods opposed, to approve microTIF applications for Kort Steele and Stanco Hampton Holdings LLC, each of which plans to renovate 1915 buildings near downtown as five-plex housing units. Steeles is at 303 S. Sycamore St. and Stanco Hamptons at 204 S. Chestnut St.
President Joe Biden speaks about the special counsel report in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House on Thursday night. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

The special counsel investigating Joe Biden determined in a report released Thursday that the president would not be charged with any crimes for taking classified documents to his home in Delaware in his years between the White House. Robert Hur, the former U.S. Attorney assigned to the case, also detailed in the report numerous instances when Biden appeared to have problems with his memory  and those parts of the report have drawn furious pushback from Biden and the White House.

What the special counsel said about Bidens memory

The details of Bidens classified-documents handling are likely to be overshadowed by Hurs observations about the presidents memory. In several different passages, Hur paints a picture of Biden as not only forgetful but deeply unaware of when key events in his life took place. Polls have consistently shown that Bidens age is the American publics biggest concern about him.

Hur, a former Trump-nominated U.S. Attorney, writes that during interviews with a ghostwriter in 2017 and with Hurs office in 2023, Biden seemed confused on a number of occasions. In one interview, Biden did not recall exactly when he was vice-president and could not remember the year of his son Beaus death. Hur also writes, in language that appears to editorialize, that Biden was hazy when describing the Afghanistan debate that was once so important to him.

This from the Hur report: "Mr Biden's memory also appeared to have significant limitations...."



He did not remember, even within several years, when his son Beau died, the report states: https://t.co/j50rE280hT pic.twitter.com/P0O3tV8y2E  Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) February 8, 2024

Hur even suggests that Bidens diminished faculties and faulty memory, in his words, was one of the reasons he chose not to prosecute the president. Based on our direct interactions with and observations of him, he is someone for whom many jurors will want to identify reasonable doubt, Hur wrote. It would be difficult to convince a jury that they should convict him  by then a former president well into his eighties  of a serious felony that requires a mental state of willfulness.

Hur concludes that at a possible trial, Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview of him, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory. It was a line that was immediately seized upon by Republicans to prove their point that the president is too old and doddering to be reelected.

Biden refuted and rebuked Hurs claims

Both Biden and his team were reportedly livid about the language of the report. Richard Sauber, a special counsel to the president, and Bob Bauer, his personal counsel, wrote in a letter to Hur that We do not believe that the reports treatment of President Bidens memory is accurate or appropriate. They added that the report uses highly prejudicial language to describe a commonplace occurrence among witnesses: a lack of recall of years-old events.

In a statement, Biden himself noted that he sat for five hours of in-person interviews over two days on October 8 and 9 of last year, even though Israel had just been attacked on October 7 and I was in the middle of handling an international crisis. Privately, Biden was reportedly incensed:

NEW w/ @MariannaReports: Biden blew up in a private meeting with some House Democrats earlier Thursday.



When he was asked how he was doing, he said, How the fuck could I forget the day my son died? Of course I remember everything, per two people familiar with his comments.  Tyler Pager (@tylerpager) February 9, 2024

On Thursday night, Biden held a press conference to address the contents of the report, including the questions it raised regarding his memory. In particular, Biden took issue with the claim that he didnt know when his son died. How in the hell dare he raise that, the president said:

President Biden: "There's some attention paid to some language in the report about my recollection of events. There's even reference that I don't remember when my son died. How in the hell dare he raise that?"



He adds, "I dont need anyone to remind me when he passed away." pic.twitter.com/ywKQDhABM5  CSPAN (@cspan) February 9, 2024

Im well meaning, and Im an elderly man, and I know what the hell Im doing. Ive been president and I put this country back on its feet, he also said. And he joked about his age and memory with reporters as well.

Q: "How bad is your memory? Can you continue as president?"



President Biden: "My memory is so bad I let you speak...my memory is fine." pic.twitter.com/Le4DpoqP7H  CSPAN (@cspan) February 9, 2024

Then later, while responding to a question from a reporter about the war in Gaza, he mixed up the names of the presidents of Egypt and Mexico  which is the kind of gaffe Biden has been making for decades.

What the Hur report says about Bidens handling of classified documents, and why he hasnt been charged

Hur found that Biden had taken home classified documents about military and foreign policy in Afghanistan as well as handwritten notebooks on national-security and foreign-policy issues that involved sensitive intelligence sources and methods. The FBI found these documents in the basement, garage, and office of Bidens home in Wilmington in a voluntary search last January.

Hur declined to prosecute Biden for the retention of classified documents, citing the presidents cooperation with investigators. Donald Trump, who was charged with willful retention of national-defense information, did not cooperate in several attempts to recover the material  to the point that Trump was also charged for making false statements and conspiracy to obstruct justice.

Hurs report also states that the evidence does not establish Mr. Bidens guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Several of the documents were handwritten notes related to classified information provided in the daily presidential brief and National Security Council meetings. Hur also states that Biden provided some classified material to his ghostwriter for his memoir Promise Me, Dad. In one recording from February 2017 obtained during the investigation, Biden told his ghostwriter that he just found all the classified stuff downstairs at a house he was renting in Virginia.

Hur stated that this recording was the strongest evidence for potential prosecution, but that it would be unlikely for a jury to convict him. National Archives and Records Administration officials have stated that members of every administration since Reagan have mishandled documents in some capacity. Hur wrote that vice-presidents and presidents often get used to keeping documents at home. (The audio of Biden discussing classified documents in the basement was recorded just weeks after Trumps inauguration.) Hur also stated that the badly damaged box surrounded by household detritus in Bidens garage suggests that he could have forgotten about some of the classified documents, rather than withheld them intentionally.

How Trump has responded

After the report was released, Donald Trump released a statement decrying the Justice Departments decisions to prosecute him but not Biden, claiming Biden handled documents in a much worse way than he had. Soon after, on Truth Social, Trump wrote that Biden took the Documents in his mental primetime but otherwise just echoed his previous statement. He later began reposting other peoples messages highlighting the details in the report about Bidens memory.

Trump advisers were not expecting Special Counsel Hur to charge Biden over classified docs but they were hoping to score political win  the report describing Biden as a well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory is being seen as maybe the best outcome  Hugo Lowell (@hugolowell) February 8, 2024

This post has been updated.

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Photo: @marwilliamson/X

When a self-help author like Marianne Williamson ends a campaign, youre hoping for a floral, motivational speech that mentions the sunset at least once. And, in fact, Williamsons announcement on Wednesday night that she is suspending her campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination does so in the very first sentence.

I read a quote the other day that said that sunsets are proof that endings can be beautiful, too, said Williamson, who appeared to be paraphrasing a poet on Instagram. And so today, even though it is time to suspend my campaign for the presidency, I do want to see the beauty.

Much to be grateful for pic.twitter.com/vbSP5b8yrD  Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) February 8, 2024

If you havent been paying attention to the zombie Democratic primary, Williamson ran against Biden in the early states of New Hampshire and South Carolina. She managed to come in second, earning 2,726 votes, about 123,000 short of the incumbent president. But she only placed third in Nevada on Tuesday  several thousand votes behind the ballot option of none of these candidates  which was apparently the death knell for her campaign. Among candidates running to elevate their personal platform, that leaves only Representative Dean Phillips to challenge Joe Biden for the ticket.

While the campaign did not reach the heights of her 2020 primary, which included a viral moment of clarity on the debate stage, Williamson once again ran to Bidens left, challenging the system on everything from a universal basic income to what her campaign website describes as animal protection. We laid it down in ways that we should all be proud of, Williamson said in the announcement. We did what we could to shed some light in some very darkened times. For that, I will always be so grateful. I take memories into my heart that will last forever. So will the 11,446 people who voted for her.
Not much of a contest after South Carolina. Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photos: Getty Images

Theres still limited public polling available from South Carolina, the state that will vote next in the 2024 Republican presidential nomination contest, meaning that those who want to believe in the pixie-dust possibility of a Nikki Haley upset of Donald Trump in her home state can continue to dream their Never Trump dreams. But the latest data, from a Morning Consult tracking poll, paints a bleak picture for Haley in South Carolina, followed by a vast landscape of disaster in the states voting in March.

In the Palmetto State, Morning Consult shows Trump leading Haley among registered voters (of any or no party self-identification) who say they will vote in the February 24 primary by a 68 percent to 31 percent margin. Its just one poll, to be sure, but its in line with last weeks Washington PostMonmouth survey giving Trump a smaller but still overwhelming 58 percent to 32 percent lead. That Haley is only pulling a third of potential GOP primary voters (at most; her level of support in the Post-Monmouth poll was the highest of any survey of South Carolina during the entire cycle) in the state she governed for six years has to be dispiriting to her cause. The same goes for her total reliance on crossover Democrat votes to sustain her remote hopes for an upset. The news that Haley was trounced by the none-of-these-candidates ballot line in Nevadas Trump-less beauty contest primary this week wont help her teams morale, either.

But the really bad news from Morning Consult comes from its tracking polls of the states with primaries after South Carolinas. It surveyed eight states that vote on Super Tuesday, which is March 5. Trump leads in all of them by huge margins: Alabama 87 percent to 12 percent; California 83 percent to 16 percent; Massachusetts 69 percent to 28 percent; North Carolina 77 percent to 23 percent; Oklahoma 88 percent to 11 percent; Tennessee 81 percent to 18 percent; Texas 84 percent to 15 percent; and Virginia 78 percent to 19 percent. So Haley trails by 41 points in what is by far her best Super Tuesday state, Massachusetts.

It gets even worse after Super Tuesday, according to Morning Consults numbers. I wont go through all of them, but in the bigger states voting in March and April, Trump is riding very high. In Georgia (March 12), the former presidents up 83 percent to 17 percent. In Florida (March 19), where all delegates will be awarded to the statewide winner, Trumps up 85 percent to 14 percent. In two other March 19 states, hes up 78 percent to 20 percent in Illinois and 83 percent to 16 percent in Ohio. The landslide continues in New York (April 2), where Trump leads Haley 84 percent to 15 percent.

Trumps on an all-powerful roll in both closed primary states (like Florida and New York), where only Republicans can vote, and in open primary states (like Georgia, Ohio, and Texas), where Democrats and independents can cross over and vote. Regional differences are relatively minor, though the former president is especially strong in Haleys native South. Theres just no hope on the horizon for Trumps former ambassador to the United Nations. Sure, things could change somewhat if Haley pulls off a South Carolina shocker, and the next cookie on the plate is in Michigan on February 27 (a date that violates RNC early-state rules, so a majority of GOP delegates will be awarded at congressional district caucuses on March 2). There, however, the latest poll (another survey from Washington PostMonmouth), in December, gave Trump a 50-point lead.

Sure, Haley can hang around through drubbing after drubbing and hope lightning  or a criminal conviction  strikes the Trump candidacy. But in every contest in the very near future, delegates will be elected who are loyal to Trump and will almost certainly never elevate the politician Trump calls birdbrain to the presidential nomination. She really needs to figure out her next career step.
An appeals court on Thursday upheld a two-year prison sentence for former Justice Minister Cho Kuk convicted of academic fraud involving his children and unlawful interference with a government inspection.

The Seoul High Court confirmed a lower court's ruling, finding the 58-year-old guilty of using his influence to receive academic favors, including university admissions, for his children and interfering with an inspection into a corruption case by using his power as a presidential aide.

Like the lower court, the appellate court did not place Cho under immediate detention, citing low flight risk, little chance of the destruction of evidence and the need to ensure his right of defense.

The lower court's order for Cho to forfeit 6 million won ($4,516) was also approved.

The appellate court said that Cho has not shown an attitude of admitting his crimes or repenting for his wrongdoings.

Cho, a former law professor at Seoul National University, served as the senior presidential secretary for civil affairs from 2017-19 during the Moon Jae-in presidency. He was appointed as the justice minister in September 2019 before stepping down about a month later amid the scandal.

He was indicted in December 2019 on a dozen charges, including fabricating various documents to help his two children get into universities and graduate schools and receiving a kickback worth 6 million won in the form of a scholarship for his daughter, who attended a medical school in the southeastern city of Busan.

Cho was later additionally indicted on charges of using his power as a presidential aide to end an inspection into bribery allegations involving a former Busan vice mayor. About one year ago, the Seoul Central District Court convicted Cho on most of the charges related to academic fraud but did not lock him up.

Prosecutors demanded the Seoul High Court give a five-year prison sentence to Cho in the previous trial last December.

Following the appellate court's ruling, Cho told reporters that he will appeal to the Supreme Court.

In the same ruling, the appeals court lowered a one-year prison sentence for Cho's wife, Chung Kyung-sim, convicted of serving as an accomplice in the academic fraud, to a one-year sentence suspended for two years.

Chung was released on parole in September last year after serving one-third of her four-year prison term for forging documents and academic credentials to get her daughter admitted to the Busan medical school. Prosecutors requested a two-year prison term for Chung in the preceding trial.

The latest ruling comes over four years after the outbreak of the scandal, which served as a major setback for the Moon government. Cho has recently engaged in various external activities, triggering speculation that he was seeking to expand his political influence ahead of the April 10 general elections. (Yonhap)
Portuguese police have reportedly apologised to the parents of Madeleine McCann for the way detectives investigated the case and treated the family (PA) (PA Media)

The main suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann is expected to stay silent during his upcoming trial in Germany for unrelated sexual offences, his lawyer has said.

Christian Brueckner is facing five charges for offences which allegedly took place in Portugal between 2000 and 2017, which include the rape and sexual abuse of children.

He has never formally been charged over the disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine and was first identified as a suspect by German prosecutors in 2020.

He has denied any involvement but was made a formal suspect by Portuguese prosecutors in 2022.

Madeleine was on holiday with her family at the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz in the Algarve area when she went missing from her bedroom on 3 May 2007.

Suspect Christian Brueckner, who is facing trial for unrelated sex offences (ITALIAN CARABINIERI PRESS OFFICE)

Her suspected kidnapping has attracted sustained press coverage around the world and has been known as the most heavily reported missing person case in modern history.

While her whereabouts remain unknown, German prosecutors believe she is dead.

Brueckners lawyer told the BBC via email that he did not expect his client to make substantive submissions during the upcoming trial in Braunschweig, in Lower Saxony, which could span for months.

The five charges he faces include the rape of a young woman after entering her apartment in 2004, the sexual abuse of a child on a beach in 2007 and the sexual abuse of a child in a playground in 2017.

He has also been charged over the alleged rape of a girl believed to be 14 years old at his home in Praia da Luz between 2000 and 2006, as well as the rape of an unidentified woman in her holiday home in Portugal during the same time period.

Public defender Friedrich Fulscher said: We will see whether the defendant will defend himself in silence or make statements denying individual acts. At the moment, I do not assume that there will be any substantive submissions.

Madeleine disappeared from her bedroom while on holiday with her family (METROPOLITAN POLICE/AFP via Gett)

He added that no negative conclusions could be drawn from this.

Whether a defendant declares I have nothing to do with it, I am innocent or the like, or whether he uses his right to remain silent, leads to the same result in criminal proceedings, said Mr Fulscher.

Story continues

So this does not mean that there is something to hide, but is simply due to the fact that it makes sense from a procedural point of view.

He would however be expected to confirm details such as his name and date of birth.

Brueckner is already serving a seven-year sentence for rape which he committed in Portugal in 2005.
Vicious Biscuit is determined to redefine the breakfast scene as it unleashes the next phase of its national franchise expansion strategy in Auburn.

The new breakfast franchise plans to expand its first Alabama location to Auburn in 2025. Currently, new franchise partners Brandon and Jenny Miller have signed a development deal with Vicious Biscuit, which gives them the right to do two locations in the Auburn and Opelika areas. Auburn will be their first location, and Opelika will come later on.

Residents in Auburn and surrounding areas will get to experience Vicious Biscuits over-the-top scratch-made biscuits, piled high with bold, chef-inspired ingredients and served with a generous side of Southern hospitality, according to the business.

Weve observed a real need for more quality-focused, casual dining options in Auburn, especially for breakfast and brunch, said Brandon Miller. Vicious Biscuits model of quick, casual service combined with its creative and high-quality biscuit creations is exactly what local residents and the university community have been craving.

The Millers are actively searching for an Auburn location and hope to have Vicious Biscuit operating within the next 12 to 15 months.

We will go through the list of site planning, construction, getting permits, and then actually going through the construction process, which will take about four to six months, Brandon Miller said.

Much of the process will depend on whether they need to modify a system or start from the ground up. It also includes the Millers going to Charleston County, S.C., where the franchise originated, and doing a six-week training in the restaurants to learn how to make the biscuits.

A menu of delicious items

Vicious Biscuit will have a menu of traditional brunch items and Not So Vicious options.

The Not So Vicious section of the menu leans toward the healthier side. It includes the Oatmeal Power Bowl, Egg White Omelet, Keto Bowl and more.

They have starters, called shareables, which have delicious beignets, hush puppies, fried green tomatoes and more, Brandon Miller said. The thing that they boast the most is their homemade fork and knife biscuit.

Brandon Millers favorite menu item is The Vicious, a cheddar and jalapeno biscuit with fried chicken breast, maple sausage gravy and house cowboy candy.

Jenny Miller loves the orange juice and the Gravy Train. The Gravy Train is a buttermilk biscuit smothered in maple sausage gravy.

Another thing that were excited about is that they have a commercial-grade squeezer for oranges in every restaurant, Jenny Miller said. In addition to having delicious fresh squeezed orange juice, there will also be craft cocktails like mimosas or screwdrivers.

Please visit Viciousbiscuit.com to view the full menu.

Joining Vicious Biscuit

The Millers have deep roots in the franchise industry, particularly with their successful tenure at Zaxbys. They have recognized Auburns untapped potential for a concept like Vicious Biscuit. Auburns status as a university town brings a diverse population of students, faculty, and residents, along with a bustling activity calendar, filled with university events, sports, and local celebrations.

Vicious Biscuit is not just another restaurant, Jenny Miller said. We see it as a future hotspot for brunch celebrations, family gatherings, and a regular hangout for students and faculty alike.

The decision to join the Vicious Biscuit family was fueled by a desire to bring their wealth of experience and enthusiasm to a brand poised for nationwide recognition and success.

Joining Vicious Biscuit felt like reigniting that initial spark we had with Zaxbys  the thrill of being part of something fresh and growing, Brandon Miller said. We were captivated by Vicious Biscuits unique approach to breakfast and its commitment to quality. Were thrilled to be part of a brand that values our input and experience, and we cant wait to introduce this extraordinary dining experience to our community.

The rise of Vicious Biscuit

Born from the visionary minds of veteran restaurateur George McLaughlin and biscuit innovator Michael Greeley in 2018, Vicious Biscuit serves up an unapologetically bold and delicious menu. Rooted in Southern tradition, its locations offer a warm welcome and embody its commitment to unparalleled hospitality. The award-winning biscuits have garnered numerous Best Biscuit accolades, and the fierce flavor combinations are featured on The Cooking Channels Food Paradise. To learn more about the Vicious Biscuit franchising opportunity, visit www.viciousbiscuitfranchise.com.

Emerging from the culinary epicenter of Charleston, South Carolina, Vicious Biscuit has carved a niche in breakfast and brunch excellence, striking a rebellious balance between fast-casual dining and the genuine hospitality typically associated with traditional full-service establishments. The menu, which showcases tongue-in-cheek biscuit creations like The Fat Boy, The Flame Thrower, and The Vicious, is complemented by Southern classics such as Sweet Puppies, Beignets, Shrimp & Grits and its signature jams and house-made kinds of butter. The drink menu also offers an unexpected twist, highlighting its freshly squeezed mimosas and craft cocktails for the ultimate Vicious experience.

Having successfully disrupted the breakfast fast-casual occasion with its flagship restaurant in 2018 and the opening of five additional company-owned locations, Vicious Biscuit launched its franchising program in early 2023, partnering with emerging brand accelerator Pivotal Growth Partners (PGP) to lead franchise growth and development. With seven franchisee deals totaling nearly 40 units in the works, Vicious Biscuit expects to reach 75 locations in the next five years.

Alabama is about to get a taste of something truly special with Vicious Biscuit, and we couldnt be happier to have Brandon and Jenny Miller leading the charge, says George McLaughlin, co-founder of Vicious Biscuit. Their passion for the restaurant industry, vast experience, and keen insight into the Auburn community make them the perfect duo to introduce our brand to this area. Were excited to see how their expertise will shape Vicious Biscuits presence in Alabama. For more information on franchise opportunities, visit www.viciousbiscuitfranchise.com.
Just months removed from breaking its enrollment record, Auburn University is showing no signs of slowing down as it sets a new record for applicants for the fall semester.

Auburn University announced on Monday that it received over 55,000 first-year student applications for fall 2024, setting a new all-time high for the university that was established in 1856. That number of applications is a 14% increase from the 48,000 that applied for fall 2023, which was also the record at the time.

It is exciting to once again see so many students demonstrating a strong interest in joining the Auburn Family, AUs Vice President for Enrollment Joffery Gaymon said. As we focus on efforts of greater access to underserved areas, we are working hard to build connections and further grow our applicant numbers.

Just over two years ago, Auburn announced that it eclipsed 40,000 applicants for the first time in the universitys history. That number of applicants for fall 2022 marked a 68.5% increase from 2021 applicants a 155% increase from those in fall 2020. The growth for Auburn continued in October with Auburn setting another enrollment record for fall 2023.

The fall 2024 applicant pool included more than 12,000 Alabama residents, with applicants from every county in the state and all states in the nation. In total, 39% of applicants secured admissions for fall 2024, with 34% from Alabama. In a news release, AU said that 25% of admitted students were from an underrepresented background.

In meeting with students throughout the state, we are hearing loud and clear how Auburn is the preferred choice of Alabama students, Assistant Director of Admissions Billy Fisher said. In its ongoing efforts of outreach and engagement throughout Alabama and beyond, Auburn continues to demonstrate its dedication to broadening access and enhancing affordability.

The early action application deadline for Auburn was on Feb. 1. The average ACT score for first-year students admitted in early action for the fall was 29, with an average GPA of 4.2, and 10% were admitted under the universitys test-optional pathway.

The admissions cycle for 2024 will end with a regular decision release in early March according to an Auburn news release.

When a student applies to Auburn, the admissions staff carefully reviews their academic achievement, and each application is given personal consideration, Gaymon said, adding that, Auburn recruits the best and the brightest. With Auburn being the top choice for Alabama students and a land-grant institution, we understand and embrace our responsibility to serve the citizens of the state of Alabama. We are focused on selecting successful applicants who demonstrate the greatest potential for success and can live up to the Auburn Creed.
The City of Opelika has paved the way for Golden State Foods and Miele Manufacturing to move forward with multi-million dollar projects, officials announced on Tuesday.

The Opelika City Council approved a series of tax abatements and exemptions for both companies. Golden State Foods will invest $9.4 million for automated manufacturing equipment at its food processing facility in the Northeast Opelika Industrial Park.

We are fortunate to have this thriving industry in Opelika. GSF enhances our local economy and has made a positive impact in our community. This exciting development brings new opportunity and growth to Opelika and for that we are grateful, Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller said.

Headquartered in California, GSF also made a similar investment of $2.6 million in 2023 for improvements at the 4801 Northpark Drive facility.

The council granted GSF exemptions from all state and local non-education ad valorem taxes (property taxes) and all construction related transaction taxes (sales and use taxes), except those construction-related transaction taxes levied for educational purposes or for capital improvements for education, according to the Opelika City Councils agenda.

GSF appreciates the continued support that the City of Opelika provides us. Our valued collaboration contributes to GSFs continued growth and our ability to remain competitive as a leading foodservice supplier in todays marketplace, said Nathan Murphy, Golden State Foods group vice president of Operations  Protein Products.

GSF initially announced plans to open a facility in Opelika in 2015, before finally opening its doors in 2018 and bringing in 200 jobs.

Golden State Foods is a wonderful community partner that not only continues to provide great jobs for our community, but also provides valuable assistance through their GSF Foundation to help meet our communitys needs. It is a great testament to our workforce and the business climate in Opelika that they continue to invest and grow here, said John Sweatman, Opelikas economic development director.

The City of Opelika also announced that the first developments for Miele Manufacturing, will began with renovations at a warehouse and office space located on Orr Avenue. The facility was referred to as Mieles Phase One facility in an City of Opelika news release. In December, the council approved a project agreement with the company, which plans to invest over $600 million and bring 800 jobs to Opelika.

The council approved tax abatements and exemptions for Miele, which has plans to lease a warehouse located at 175 Orr Ave. According to the agenda documents, Miele will make various modifications to the warehouse in order to accommodate the production, assembly, warehousing, and distribution needs of the company. The projects capital investment is approximately $8.7 million dollars and is expected to bring 161 jobs to Opelika.

Miele will also be leasing an office building at 155 Orr Ave. from A&P Development. A&P will be investing approximately $3.3 million in development of the property, with improvements and renovations planned for the office building before leasing the land and building to Miele. The renovations of the building will site work, paving, utilities, fencing, all new interior walls, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and elevator. The council granted tax abatements and exemptions to A&P.

Downtown Street Closures

The council approved a series of downtown street closures for major events in downtown Opelika. Ward 3 Councilman Tim Aja was absent from Tuesdays meeting.

The first approval was granted for the Nourish Wellness 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run. The Feb. 24 event will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. Ninth Street from Avenue A to B will be closed during that time, according to the Nourish foundation.

The 2024 Auburn Flyers Bicycle Race, will kick off at 8 a.m. on Feb. 25. The following streets will be closed from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.:

First Avenue from 10th Street to North Seventh Street

North Railroad Avenue from 10th Street to North Seventh Street

10th Street from First Avenue to North Railroad Avenue

North Seventh Street from First Avenue to North Railroad Avenue

The Opelika Main Street will host the On Tap Craft Beer Festival from 1-6 p.m. on April 6. The following roads will be closed:

North Railroad Avenue from North 8th Street to North Seventh Street

North Eighth Street from the railroad tracks to First Avenue

First Avenue from North Seventh Street to North Eighth Street

Burger Wars 2024 will be held from 11 a.m-2 p.m. on June 8. The following streets will be closed:

North Railroad Avenue from Seventh Street to Eighth Street

Eight Street from North Railroad Avenue to First Avenue

First Avenue from Eighth Street to Seventh Street

Other city council business

During the Mayors Communications, Fuller recognized the Opelika City Schools Teachers of the Year, as well as Opelika Middle School Principal Keith York, the 2024 Alabama Middle School Principal of the Year.

The council approved a special appropriation to Opelika City Schools in the amount of $52,000 for instruments for the Opelika High School Band. According to agenda documents, OCS had requested funding to purchase three tubas, two euphoniums, one baritone saxophone, three trombones and two flugel horns.

The council approved a purchase of 10 2024 Chevy Tahoes for the Opelika Police Department from Donohoo Chevrolet, LLC. The vehicles were purchased at a total cost of more than $495,600.

The council approved the granting of an alcohol license, retail beer off-premise license, to Tienda El Paraiso, which is located at 2356 Pepperell Pkwy. in Opelika.

The council approved two demolitions: a building located at 106 Jeter Ave. and a structure at 1113 Lake Street. The public hearings held for both items had no participants.

The council approved rezoning approximately 27,966 square feet at 1018 and 1016 Alabama Avenue from R3, GC-P (low density residential) to C-2, GC-P (office/retail). It was recommended by the planning commission with the qualification that the commission felt that most of the conditional uses allowed in the zoning would be inappropriate at the location due to the surrounding property and neighborhood.

The council reappointed three members to the Board of Zoning Adjustment: Angela George, Chris Anthony and Wilbert Payne. Their terms will last until Feb. 11, 2027. Anthony and Payne were approved unanimously while Ward 2 Councilwoman and President Pro-Tem Erica Baker Norris was the lone opposed-vote for George.

The council approved purchasing two 2023 Ford F150 Super Crew Pickup Trucks from Stivers Ford Lincoln, which is the State Contract Vendor for that make and model. The two trucks, which are for the Public Works department, will cost more than $68,400.

The council approved a three-year contract with CDW Government, LLC for Zscaler VPN, network and client security subscription licenses and maintenance services to protect internet connections for devices within the City of Opelikas network and when users leave the network, according to the agenda packet. The purchase was requested by the IT department and the contract is worth more than $162,000 over three years.

The council approved the purchasing of Telescope Casual Furniture for the Opelika Sportsplex. The furniture will be purchased from Alabama Office Supply at a cost of more than $163,800.
Splendor

Did you know that it is a tradition for ships to have a godmother (or, more recently, godparent given that now men are being invited to serve in the role)? This is true for most ships - in many Navies around the world, ships have a sponsor and Godmother, often someone related to the person the ship is named for or with connections to the place it is named for; for example, the USS Gerald R. Ford (the US aircraft carrier) is sponsored by Susan Ford, Gerald Ford's cat-loving daughter.It is bad luck for a ship to either not be christened or for the christening to go poorly. The main event - the ceremonial bottle of champagne broke across the ship's bow. Case in point - Eva Herzegova was selected in 2005 to christen the Costa Concordia but didn't successfully break the bottle. The ship proceeded to partially sink, killing 32 people, in 2012, but it should be noted that the Costa Concordia disaster was caused by a chain reaction of crew negligence started by a Captain who failed up and was involved in several scary incidents before being a negligent fool. He also got off the ship very early in the evacuation process, which you know from watching Titanic is a big no no. It's just a really weird coincidence.So, what celebrities have sponsored cruise ships in particular? Well, let us dive in...What better way to celebrate the new biggest cruise ship in the world (which carries almost 10,000 crew and passengers combined) than getting Lionel Messi to be the ship's godfather? Other famous Royal Caribbean godparents - Whoopi Goldberg forSerenade of the Seas (aka the TikTok famous world cruise ship), Alexa and Carlos PenaVega (and their son) for Symphony of the Seas (the world's first Godfamily), and a random mother from Pennsylvania selected as a Wonder Mom for Wonder of the Seas.Fun fact - I was getting on a different Celebrity ship the next day (the much older Celebrity Infinity, christened by someone named Solveig Wilhelmsen idk either) so when I got to the terminal it was still decorated for this Christening LOL. Also a special occasion because the world's most famous cruise captain, Captain Kate McCue of TikTok fame (also a noted cat lover), is the Celebrity Beyond's inaugural Captain. Other recent Celebrity Cruises godmothers include Malala Yousefzai for the Celebrity Edge, Reshma Saujani of Girls Who Code for the Celebrity Apex, and most recently Captain Sandy Yawn of Below Deck and her sister Michelle Dunham, founder of the Jacksonville School for Autism, for Celebrity Ascent.NCL flew Katy Perry to Iceland to christen to Norwegian Prima in 2022, and this shows that most cruise lines now rely on mechanical ways to ensure the bottle breaks so the ship doesn't have bad luck. Other famous NCL godmothers include Rosie O'Donnell for the Norwegian Pearl (a ship where I am too familiar with the medical center), Reba McEntire for the Norwegian Epic (aka the world's ugliest cruise ship - google it if you don't believe me), Kelly Clarkson for the Norwegian Encore, and Pitbull for the Norwegian Escape.Cunard managed to score QE2 to christen the ship named after her in 2010. She also christened the Queen Mary 2 in 2004. The now Queen Camilla christened the Queen Victoria in 2007, but GASP she didn't break the bottle (luckily they had a second one on standby and she quickly finished the job). Since Cunard only gets royals to christen their ships, chances are Camilla will get a second go this year when Queen Anne is completed. Will Queen Camilla be their next ship?The only Carnival ship without the word Carnival in its name, the Mardi Gras is actually named after Carnival's first ship (the name was announced on Wheel of Fortune of all places). Carnival doesn't seem to go all out for sponsors. Miss Dominican Republic Kimberley Jimenez was selected at the Miss Universe pageant as part of promotional tie-in with the event. She came in 4th runner-up. Carnival icon Shaquille O'Neill was also present, along with Carnival's "brand ambassador" and their most famous cruise director, John Heald. Other Carnival sponsors include Cassidy Gifford (daughter of Kathy Lee Gifford) for the Carnival Celebration (also named after one of their original ships), former US Senator from North Carolina Elizabeth Dole (and wife of Bob Dole) for Carnival Spirit, and Dame Judi Dench for Carnival Legend.Princess Cruises of Love Boat fame (fun fact - they, along with Cunard, Carnival, and several others, are owned by the Carnival Corporation, the largest cruise company on Earth) managed to score a heavily pregnant Kate to christen the Royal Princess just before she went on maternity leave to give birth to Prince George. Other Princess godparents include Adam Savage of Mythbusters fame (one of four godparents, actually) for Discovery Princess, Yao Ming and Ye Li for Majestic Princess (originally built for the Chinese market - not unusual for cruise ships (Norwegian Joy was a similar case), but repurposed after COVID and currently in Australia), and Trista Sutter and Ryan Sutter of the Bachelorette fame for Ruby Princess.Oprah Winfrey - Nieuw Statendam (Holland America)Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands - Eurodam (Holland America)Helen Mirren - Ventura (P&O)Julie Andrews - Crystal SerenitySophia Loren - Most MSC ships (since 2004 - and they have a lot)Jennifer Hudson - Disney WonderPriscilla Presley - American Queen (it's a steamboat that sails the Mississippi)Princess Fiona - Allure of the Seas (reminds me of that time they named a Panda at Zoo Atlanta Po for product placement...)ETA 2/8 - And today Gwen Stefani was named the Godmother of the Carnival Jubilee lol, so add another celeb to the list.
Last year, U.S. crude production surged to all-time high, blunting efforts by OPEC+ to keep global markets constrained, and Energy Intel has predicted that robust non-OPEC oil supply is likely to cap oil prices even in the event demand surprises to the upside.

To wit, Energy Intel predicted that non-Opec-plus supply growth would clock in at 1.5 million b/d (crude 1 million b/d) in the current year, enough to offset demand growth in the 1.5 million-2 million b/d range. This leaves OPEC with little room to unwind its production cuts.

However, another prominent agency has dispelled the view that oil markets will be heavily oversupplied this year.

Now, Standard Chartered has predicted very little incremental growth in US crude oil supply in 2024, saying y/y growth will decelerate strongly and even turn negative in December 2024 from above 1.2 million barrels per day (mb/d) in December 2023.

StanChart is not alone in this view. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is even more pessimistic on supply, and has predicted supply growth will turn negative as early as September.

The latest EIA Petroleum Supply Monthly (PSM) showed U.S. crude oil supply hit a record high of 13.308 mb/d in November 2023; however, StanChart has forecast that supply will grow from that base by just 39 kb/d by December 2024 and 175 kb/d by December 2025, implying growth of just 0.5 mb/d over six years from the November 2019 pre-pandemic peak. Related: Oil Jumps Despite Crude Inventory Build

StanChart says the deceleration in supply growth is the result of capex barely meeting high natural decline rates in shale oil production. The analysts note that oil drilling activity fell sharply in 2023, with the current U.S. rig count just enough to maintain output at current levels and not increase it  even allowing for productivity gains.

Source: Standard Chartered

StanChart's has predicted an average 2024 call on OPEC crude oil will clock in at 29.3 mb/d, 1.4 mb/d higher than 2023 output. Call on OPEC is the difference between global oil demand and oil supply by non-OPEC members. If OPEC is unable to meet this call, a deficit ensues while exceeding it leads to oversupplied markets.

OPEC belongs to the bull camp, too, and has predicted that global oil demand growth will far outpace non-OPEC supply growth over the next two years. OPEC has forecast global demand growth will clock in at 2.25 million b/d in 2024 and 1.8 million b/d in 2025 thanks in large part to a stronger Chinese economy, well above non-OPEC supply growth at 1.34 million b/d in 2024 and 1.27 million b/d in 2025.

Previously, Standard Chartered has argued that oil markets have been heavily discounting ongoing geopolitical risks. The commodity analysts have noted that the markets responded weakly to the recent drone attack that killed three and wounded more than 40 U.S. servicemen at a military base in Jordan near the Syrian border. According to StanChart, traders are betting that the U.S. will only issue a light response to the attack that likely will be limited to Iraq and Syria.

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But StanChart says that, following the attack, we are likely to see a significant change in the policy dynamic between the U.S. and Iran, with Irans surging oil production very likely to be in the crosshairs. The Biden administration had been increasingly less hostile to Iran as the U.S. and its allies hoped to strike a new nuclear deal with Tehran. Iranian oil production crashed to less than 2 mb/d in late 2020 from 3.8 million barrels per day in early 2018 following the imposition of severe sanctions by the Trump administration. However, production has once again surged to 3.2 mb/d under Biden. Ever since the Middle East conflict erupted last year, market experts have been debating whether the U.S. would allow the status quo with Iran to remain or whether the West would attempt to roll the clock back to early 2022 or even to late 2020. The latest attacks, however, leave little doubt as to the direction Washington intends to move after the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared that the Wests response will bemulti-leveled, come in stages, and be sustained over time.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com
Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden paused new licenses for LNG export projects still in the planning pipeline to give his administration time to reassess whether additional infrastructure is in the public interest in terms of the countrys energy security and climate goals.

The administration has highlighted lingering fears that shipping large volumes of U.S. gas overseas could erode Americas competitive advantage of cheap energy critical for energy-intensive industries such as steelmaking and petrochemicals and also seeks to address concerns by environmental activists who have argued that the entire LNG manufacturing, delivery and consumption cycle has a much higher carbon footprint than currently touted.

Not surprisingly, the decision has irked Republican lawmakers and rattled U.S. allies, especially in Europe due to the continents heavy reliance on American gas. With exports averaging 11.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) during the first half of 2023, the U.S. is the worlds largest LNG exporter, ~70% of exports going to Europe and much of the balance going to Asia.

Currently, the U.S. has seven operating terminals capable of producing as much as 87 million tonnes of LNG a year--enough to satisfy the needs of Germany and France. Five more projects--already approved and under construction--will add another 63 million tonnes of capacity by 2028.

Scores of Big Oil companies including Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:XOM), Chevron Corp. (NYSE:CVX), ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) and Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) will potentially be impacted by the LNG freeze after they signed long-term supply deals with Venture Global LNG due to the companys Calcasieu Pass 2 plant project. The project is part of a proposed 20 mtpa expansion of Venture Globals existing Louisiana facility. Related: Silicon Valley Startup Claims Massive Copper Discovery in Africa

But heres the good news for gas bulls: Whereas proposed LNG projects waiting for permits will probably now have to wait until 2025 due to the November elections, Energy Intelligence has reported that interest in long-term LNG projects remains robust. Earlier, energy Intel had provided estimates that around 69 million tons per year of LNG would reach Final Investment Decision (FID) in the current year, potentially the most significant year for FIDs since 2019, when more than 70 million tons/yr was sanctioned.

The energy agency says momentum remains strong following more than 40 million tons/yr in foundation supply agreements over the last two years, supporting projects that include Commonwealth, CP2 in North America, Delfin and Saguaro. The new approvals stand to increase capacity under construction by 40% and extend the next supply wave to 2028-29.

Obviously, the LNG freeze means its highly unlikely that Energy Intels forecast will be met in the current year. However, we expect the LNG momentum to continue under the next government regardless of who wins the November presidential elections due to Bidens commitment to U.S. allies and Trumps pursuit of higher fossil fuel production with the former president vowing to restart approvals on his very first day back.

The decision will not affect our forecast for U.S. LNG exports out to 2028, but after that it could affect the trajectory and pace of the sectors growth and have potential to tighten the market in the long run, Giles Farrer, head of gas and LNG asset research at Wood Mackenzie, has told the Financial Times.

That said, the LNG hiatus could complicate matters if it carries on for too long. LNG buyers would be forced to look elsewhere while buyers would struggle to get financing to reach the critical final investment decisions without buyers if the government drags its feet.

Source: Energy Intel

Source: Y-Charts

Gas Prices Lag

Back in 2022, Europes key front-month Dutch Title Transfer Facility (TTF) rocketed to an all-time high of 340 per megawatt-hour while U.S. Henry Hub gas prices hit a 15-year high of $9.24 per MMBtu around the same time European gas peaked as the continent scrambled for new gas supplies after it ditched Russian gas. Unfortunately, booming production coupled with mild weather has badly tanked gas prices, with TFF prices falling to below 30 per megawatt-hour, the lowest level since August 4th, while Henry Hub gas has now sunk to $2.02/MMBtu.

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Wall Street is predicting more pain in natural gas and LNG markets in the current year: in its report dubbed Global Gas and LNG: 5 things to look out for in 2024, Wood Mackenzie has forecast that mild Northern Hemisphere winter coupled with high storage levels in Europe will keep global gas prices subdued in 2024.

[Wood Mackenzie] has been forecasting lower 2024 prices for much of last year, especially compared to forward curves, amid weak market fundamental expectations. Global LNG supply growth will remain limited at 14 million, but with Asian LNG demand still weak, competition for LNG is unlikely to heat up, Massimo Di Odoardo, Vice President of Gas Research at Wood Mackenzie, has said.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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Crude oil prices have ticked up over 2% in the aftermath of the rejection of a ceasefire in Gaza, with Israeli forces launching new air strikes on Rafah city, and the Gaza Health Ministry saying that 130 people had been killed in the past 24 hours.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the Middle East this week, raising hopes of a ceasefire deal during his trip. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the war until victory.

Earlier this week, Hamas offered a 4--month ceasefire deal that would have resulted in a hostage swap and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, which the Israelis firmly rejected, while Blinken said there was still room for negotiation, Reuters reported.

On Thursday at 11:12 a.m. ET, Brent crude oil was trading at $80.76, up 1.96%, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was trading at $75.34, up 2% on the day.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, which is controlled by Hamas, some 27,840 Gazans have been killed in the war since October 7. According to the Israeli Defense Forces, 1,200 Israelis have been killed.

The rejection of a ceasefire deal comes a day after the U.S. launched one of a series of retaliatory strikes following the death of three American soldiers in Jordan. Wednesdays U.S. drone strike in the Iraqi capital killed a commander of Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah, even as the group has suspended attacks on U.S. targets in the wake of the Jordan incident and ostensibly under pressure from Tehran.

Also providing stimulus to prices on Thursday was a stronger-than-expected draw on U.S. gasoline and distillate stocks, from the Wednesday data release by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The EIA showed a 3.2-million-barrel draw on distillate stockpiles, while expectations were for a 1-million-barrel drop. At the same time, gasoline stockpiles drew down by 3.15 million barrels, when analysts were expecting a far smaller draw.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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As mergers and acquisitions heat up in the U.S. shale industry, U.S. oil and gas producer Devon Energy is looking to purchase Enerplus, anonymous sources told Reuters on Thursday.

The potential tie-up would see the $3 billion valued Enerplus acquired by $30 billion Devon Energy, adding to the string of other mergers and acquisitions in the North American oil and gas industry, including megadeals such as Exxons acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources and Chevrons acquisition of Hess, along with Occidentals purchase of CrownRock, Exxons purchase of Denbury, and Chevrons acquisition of PDC Energy.

The sources were clear that a deal was being discussed, but there was no certainty that a deal would for sure be reached.

Enerplus has assets in North Dakotas Bakken and Pennsylvanias Marcellus basin. Devon already has a presence in North Dakota, and an acquisition of more North Dakota assets will help spread out its reliance on other basins, such as the Delaware.

Enerplus already sold its Canadian assets back in 2022 as it shifted focus on its assets in the United Statesin retrospect a seemingly wise move that allowed it to return more than $300 million to shareholders last year. Enerplus, however, has been criticized for its high spend on maintaining current levels of production.

Devon, too, ditched its entire Canadian business back in 2019 to Canadian Natural Resourceslike Enerplus, it wanted to shift focus to the United States.

Enerplus is trading down year over year but perked up on Thursday on news of the possible deal, climbing by 7.54% on the day. Devon shares are also down from this time last year, but were trading up by nearly 2% on Thursday afternoon.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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The European Parliament and the Council of Europe this week agreed to postpone the entry into effect of sustainability reporting requirements by two years for certain industries and non-EU companies.

This will give companies more time to prepare for the EUs sustainability reporting rules, the two institutions said in a statement.

Boosting European competitiveness is a core pillar of the Belgian Presidency, and one way to achieve this objective is to reduce the administrative burden on companies, Belgiums Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance said.

Todays agreement limits reporting requirements to the minimum and gives companies time to implement the ESRS and prepare for the sectorial European Sustainability Reporting Standards.

The EUs Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive stipulates that businesses that are listed must disclose risks and opportunities arising from social and environmental issues to help investors, civil society, consumers and other stakeholders to evaluate the green and social sustainability of their activities.

Per its architects, the purpose of the standards is to boost investor confidence in sustainable products and services.

Last year, Brussels approved the broadest reporting standards in that area and then started working on sector-specific reporting requirements, business-size specific requirementsfor small and medium companiesand requirements for non-EU companies that generate turnover of over 150 million euro in the block.

Originally, the new standards were supposed to enter into effect this June but this has now been delayed to June 2026 to make it easier for companies to comply. The decision follows a recommendation along these lines made by the European Commission last month. The recommendation was embraced by the European Parliament as well.

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In addition to the delay for CSRDs entry into effect, the European Union also reached an agreement this week on how to regulate ESG ratings providers to make sure these ratings reflect actual performance.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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By William R. Jones

When I first arrived at my university chemistry department, the administrative assistant ordered 500 business cards for me, to serve as a tangible way for me to exchange contact information and to act as a marketing tool to generate business. Well, I dont know 500 people and it is unlikely that in ten years I will have very many contacts of a business nature. Also, it is useless to hand them out to faculty and staff as they already know who I am. There was a mistake on the first set of cards, so a corrected set was ordered. But, this time they sent one thousand cards. I thought of making some sort of collage; but, where to put it?

Usually get-in-touch info, like your address, is there along with your title(s), office phone and fax numbers and e-mail address. Nothing more about you. So, really these cards tell where we are, not really who we are. They identify us a bit but do not define us entirely. I want the other person to know who I am, rather than create an image of my position and title. And, I too, want to get to know the person behind his/her business card. Then, if we are to have any association whatsoever together, there will be familiarity and trust in place. It will be personal, not impersonal.

How can we place more information on the 9 cm x 5 cm area? Well, the vast majority of generic cards have nothing on the reverse side. That is where we could put a photo with a favorite quotation or slogan. We could even put a QR code (Quick-Response code) that holds within it our resume or another language that adds a personal brand or personal touch that can make you memorable to customers, clients and peers, et alia.

When the infamous coronavirus arrived in Korea in March 2020 and thrived for about 36 months, it precluded the exchange of business cards. One of the world's largest printers of traditional paper-based business cards is the signature service Vistaprint (an arm of Cimpress) which provides templates and custom printing options. It has more than seventeen million customers and business cards account for about a fourth of its sales. That's a lot, but sales dropped 70% during the pandemic as face-to-face meetings were essentially canceled.

Orders are now picking up once again, notably, with a bit of scanning technology added  a QR code that links to one's contact details in digital form. Also, the code can provide social media addresses as well as web pages. Of course, companies must pay Denso Wave of the Toyota Group a subscription fee for use of the code, which they invented and developed in 1994 which in turn will increase the cost of our batch of cards.

Despite the other digital contact apps available, business cards will not disappear because their exchange carries cultural significance. It can be a conversation starter and in countries like South Korea, Japan and China the exchange of business cards is a bit of a ceremonial ritual. Etiquette deems that it is polite to study the received card for a while before putting it away. Too, there is the additional side hobby of collecting the cards and exchanging or trading them through organizations like the American Business Card Club and International Business Card Collectors.





The author (wrjones@vsu.edu) published the novella "Beyond Harvard" and presently teaches English as a second language.








Russias newest LNG export project, Arctic 2 LNG developed by Novatek, will not be able to start shipments before March as it is still waiting for at least one ice-breaker tanker thats still in South Korea, Russian daily Kommersant reported on Thursday.

Earlier indications were that Arctic 2 LNG of Russias top LNG producer and exporter, Novatek, could begin its first cargo shipments to customers this month.

The U.S. sanctions, however, are holding the projects start-up and are slowing progress as buyers refuse to take cargoes, according to anonymous sources who spoke to Kommersant.

The first shipment would depend on when the first Arc7 ice-breaker tanker from the South Korean shipyard Hanwha Ocean would arrive at the Russian LNG site on the Gydan Peninsula, the sources with knowledge of the situation told Kommersant. The tanker is still in Korea and even if it begins its journey to Russia now, it would take a month to reach the destination, the sources added.

The U.S. sanctions on Arctic LNG 2 have upended Novateks plans for production start-up and export timelines.

In November, the U.S. Department of State designated limited liability company ARCTIC LNG 2, the operator of the Arctic LNG 2 Project, as part of additional sanctions against Russia to further target individuals and entities associated with Russias war effort and other malign activities.

This has led some minority shareholders in the project, including Frances TotalEnergies, to declare force majeure on future deliveries.

Novatek holds a 60% stake in Arctic LNG 2. The other shareholders include CNOOC of China and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), TotalEnergies, and Japanese firms Mitsui Group and Jogmec.

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Potential contract cancellations for the construction of ice-class LNG carriers and U.S. sanctions on Arctic LNG 2 could hamper Russias plans to boost LNG sales now that its pipeline route to Europe is largely cut off.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Deputy U.S. Energy Secretary David Turk is testifying on Thursday before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to defend the Biden Administrations decision to pause pending permits for LNG export projects.

The hearing, called by Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who is chairman of the committee, will examine the Administrations pause on LNG export approvals and the Department of Energys process for assessing LNG export applications.

Last month, the Biden Administration said it was pausing all pending decisions on U.S. LNG export projects until the Department of Energy can update the underlying analyses for authorizations.

During the temporary pause  which is expected to affect four planned LNG export projects  DOE will carry out a new updated review on the impact of such projects on health and communities.

Following the U.S. Administrations decision, Senator Manchin vowed to hold a hearing on LNG in the coming weeks to unveil the facts about the true state of play in the markets, this Administrations motivations, and their implications.

If the Administration has the facts to prove that additional LNG export capacity would hurt Americans, they must make that information public and clear.

But if this pause is just another political ploy to pander to keep-it-in-the-ground climate activists at the expense of American workers, businesses, and our allies in need, I will do everything in my power to end this pause immediately, Senator Manchin said.

U.S. oil and gas producers and exporters and industry associations have slammed the Biden Administrations decision as a win for Russia and a loss for American allies, U.S. jobs and global climate progress.

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The pause in new LNG export project approvals announced by the Biden Administration is a mistake as it would actually hold back global efforts to reduce emissions, ExxonMobils CFO Kathy Mikells told Bloomberg in an interview last week.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Security threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea are not abating, they are escalating instead, and disruptions to maritime trade are expected to last up to a year, according to some of the biggest shipping companies in the world.

Many container and tanker operators have been avoiding the Red Sea/Suez Canal route and diverting vessels via the Cape of Good Hope in Africa since the Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen escalated early this year missile attacks on commercial ships in the Gulf of Aden, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Red Sea.

Weve not seen the level of threat peak, to the contrary, A.P. Moller-Maersk chief executive Vincent Clerc told Bloomberg TV in an interview on Thursday.

The amount or the range of weapons that are being used for these attacks is expanding and there is no clear line of sight to when and how the international community will be able to mobilize itself and guarantee safe passage for us, Clerc added.

In its Q4 report today, the worlds top container shipper Maersk said that High uncertainty remains around the duration and degree of the Red Sea disruption with the duration from one quarter to full year reflected in the guidance range.

[W]hile the Red Sea crisis has caused immediate capacity constraints and a temporary increase in rates, eventually the oversupply in shipping capacity will lead to price pressure and impact our results, Maersk noted.

Following the warning of depressed freight rates after the Red Sea situation is defused, shares in Maersk (CPH: MAERSK-B) plunged by 17% in the early afternoon in Copenhagen.

Another shipping firm, Norden, also said today that the Red Sea situation seems to be getting worse.

You need to have a de-escalating situation, and we are not at that point yet, CEO Jan Rinbo told Bloomberg.

If anything it just seems to escalate.

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Earlier this week, Japanese shipping giant Mitsui OSK Lines warned that shipping disruptions might extend for up to a year, indicating that expectations for short-term disruptions are quickly fading.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Platinumit is a metal that energy transitions around the globe depend on. But two South African platinum producers just reported that their profits crashed over H2 2023and over 2023as prices for the critical metal continues to fall.

South African platinum producer Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd said its profitstied to the falling price of energy transition metals such as platinumfell by more than 85% in the second half of last year thanks to the falling prices of platinum, palladium, rhodium. The company also wrote down the value of assets in South Africa and Canada, which contributed to the sharp drop in profits.

Anglo American Platinum Ltd (Amplats) said its 2023 profits fell by 79%, to the lowest level in 30 years, Amplats majority owner Anglo American Plc said in December.

The profit declarations have caused shares in four of South Africa's largest platinum group metals mines all fell today, with Amplats dropping 6.8%. South Africa is responsible for 70% of the world's platinum output.

Platinum-based proton exchange membrane technologies are a critical part of the energy transition, but automakers' use of the platinum group metals has been called into question as some of the world's largest automakers pull back on their electric vehicle plans.

South Africa's platinum group metals industry is expected to cut thousands of jobs, its Minerals Council said earlier this week, as costs rise and platinum prices fall amid this uncertainty and actual weak demand out of China.

Sibanye Stillwater, South Africa's largest mining sector employer, said that it could close four loss-making platinum group metal shafts, which would trigger job losses that exceed 4,000.

"What matters is the industry's and government's ability to navigate these challenges to ensure that the industry does survive and prosper - yes with smaller direct workforces, and this is a reality that the industry is contending with right now," Anglo American's CEO Duncan Wanblad said.

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Exxons lawsuit against two activist investor groups over climate resolutions is very aggressive, according to the worlds biggest sovereign wealth fund, which is a top ten shareholder in the U.S. supermajor.

Last month, ExxonMobil sued two activist investor groups in a Texas district court, aiming to block their climate proposals from going to a vote at the annual shareholder meeting later this year in the first such direct complaint to court instead of to the SEC.

Exxon sued U.S. activist investor Arjuna Capital and shareholder activist group Follow This. Those two investors had filed a proposal for Exxons shareholders to vote to have Exxon commit to further emissions reductions, including Scope 3  emissions from the product it sells.

Even after the two investors withdrew the proposal, Exxon said last week it would pursue the lawsuit.

Commenting on this development, Nicolai Tangen, chief executive of Government Pension Fund Global, as Norways $1.5-trillion wealth fund is officially known, told the Financial Times,

We think its very aggressive and we are concerned about the implications for shareholders rights.

The fund, which is commonly referred to as Norways oil fund because it was created with oil and gas revenues, is a shareholder in many large companies in the world and has the power to influence other investors with its investment decisions.

In Exxon, the fund had a 1.35% stake valued at $5.4 billion as of the end of 2023 and is one of the top ten shareholders.

At last years annual general meetings, the Norwegian fund  contrary to Exxons management recommendation  voted in favor of climate resolutions to introduce Scope 3 emission targets. The fund sided with the climate proposals from Follow This, asking Exxon to adopt a medium-term Scope 3 emission reduction target, as The board should account for material sustainability risks facing the company, and the broader environmental and social consequences of its operations and products, the fund said at the time.

None of the climate resolutions gained enough shareholder support at Exxons AGM last year.

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A 14-year-old Omaha boy admitted to sexually assaulting two women at knifepoint last summer during a Juvenile Court appearance on Wednesday.

The teen, who was 13 years old at the time of the assaults, admitted to two counts of first-degree sexual assault, one count of terroristic threats and one count of use of a knife to commit a felony. Prosecutors dismissed nine additional charges on Wednesday, including robbery and kidnapping, as part of a plea deal.

Douglas County Juvenile Court Judge Candice Novak set another hearing for Feb. 26 to decide where the teen will be placed. He has been accepted at two residential treatment facilities for sexually offending youths: Whitehall, which is based in Lincoln, and Youth Health Associates, which has multiple locations in Utah.

Because he was 13 at the time of the assaults, the Juvenile Court will have jurisdiction over the teen until he turns 19. State law restricts prosecutors from trying juveniles younger than 14 as adults.

The teen will continue to be held at the Douglas County Youth Center until a placement is chosen by Novak. At the next hearing, representatives from Whitehall and Youth Health Associates will be asked to share information about the programs before Novak makes a decision.

Im very concerned about where were going to place him, Novak said. I need a lot more information than I have today to feel comfortable making a decision.

According to an advocate for the teen present at Wednesdays hearing, the teen has been involved in multiple fights while incarcerated at the County Youth Center and once exposed himself to another person at the facility. Novak said she wanted to make sure his potential placement was aware of the ongoing violent behavior.

At the end of the hearing, Novak addressed the teen directly.

The information before me is not good, young man, Novak said before reprimanding the teen for rolling his eyes. Since you have been at DCYC, youve continued to engage in violent criminal behavior. You dont have any self control, clearly.

According to court documents, police reports and in-court statements from prosecutors:

The teen stole a car on the morning of July 7, 2023, and was driving that car at the time of both assaults. The first assault occurred at about 4:15 p.m. near 43rd and Nicholas Streets as a woman was walking through a parking lot. The teen got out of the car before approaching the woman with a knife and demanding that she get into the car.

The woman resisted and grabbed the teens wrist. The teen then put his hand down her pants and sexually assaulted her by digital penetration. He fled from the area after a neighbor saw the commotion and yelled at him to leave.

Less than an hour later, another sexual assault was reported at Memorial Park. The woman told police that she was forced off the sidewalk and into the tree line at knifepoint before the teen took off her clothes, raped and strangled her. He also threatened to kill the woman because she saw his face, but fled after hearing police sirens and a helicopter overhead.
Early voting ballot application forms are in the mail to 160,203 people in Douglas County, launching metro Omahans on their first experience with exercising their franchise under Nebraskas new voter identification law.

Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse said he was confident that it will go well.

Were looking for pretty smooth sailing, Kruse said Wednesday. Nebraskans are smart individuals. They are able to adapt. We saw that in the pandemic, and weve seen it in other processes along the way.

But it will be an adjustment for voters. Kruse held a press conference to go over the basics for Douglas County voters Wednesday, the day his office mailed out early voting ballot request forms.

Voters should look for green postcards

Kruse focused on early voting ballot applications because thats the part of the May 14, 2024, presidential primary election thats starting now in Nebraska. People can return the applications to the Election Commission via official Douglas County ballot drop box, postal mail, email or fax. Election officials will send out the ballots in early April.

The applications, formatted as green postcards, are going to registered voters who signed up to be on the Douglas County Early Voting Request List. That includes close to half of the 354,423 people currently registered to vote in Douglas County.

Voters who dont receive green postcards can request early ballots by using a form on the Douglas County Election Commission website or in person at the commissions office, 12220 West Center Road in Omaha.

For people voting early, complying with the new law happens when they request a ballot, Kruse said.

The simplest way is to write your (Nebraska) drivers license number or Nebraska state ID card number on the request, he said.

Tidy handwriting will help with voter ID needs

Please do so legibly, Kruse said. Election Commission workers will verify the numbers through state databases.

Submitting those ID numbers is all most early voting Nebraskans will have to do in order to comply with the voter ID law. The vast majority of Nebraska adults have a Nebraska drivers license or state-issued ID card. They can be expired, but must show the voters name and photo.

If people dont have one of those IDs, they can submit a photocopy of another acceptable ID with their early voting application. Those other options are: United States passports; military IDs; tribal IDs; IDs issued by local governments in Nebraska, such as schools, counties or cities; and IDs issued by public or private colleges and universities in Nebraska. A hospital, assisted-living facility or nursing home record, known as a face sheet, can be used as well.

People dont need to submit a photocopy of their drivers license or state ID card, Kruse said. Writing the number on the ballot request will suffice.

However, if youre using one of the other forms we just discussed, we will need a photocopy of that with the request when you return it to us, he said.

People who dont have any of the accepted forms of ID and cant afford to get one can get a free state ID card for voting purposes. The ID cards are available through the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles.

Another alternative is a reasonable impediment certification. Those are available for people who have a religious objection to being photographed or who cannot get an accepted ID because of disability or illness or because they lack a birth certificate or required documents. Forms and information for the certification are available from the Douglas County Election Commission.

If you use the reasonable impediment certification, you will need to return that at the time you send in your early voting request for a by-mail ballot, Kruse said.

Several types of IDs will not be accepted, Kruse said. Voters cannot use birth certificates, Medicare or Medicaid cards, Social Security cards, out-of-state drivers licenses or state IDs, or private IDs such as Costco membership or company employee IDs.

Check instructions, use drop boxes, election official advises

If you do request a ballot to vote early by mail, we encourage you to do so sooner rather than later, he said.

He urged people to use the green postcards if they have them, and to follow all the directions, including signing it in the correct places and entering their email addresses and phone numbers where requested. Kruse said the Election Commission wont share the contact information, but need it to contact the voter. If theres a problem or something missing on the request, the Election Commission will contact the voter to help resolve it.

Kruse encouraged Douglas County voters to use one of the 13 official Election Commissions drop boxes around the county to submit their ballot requests. The drop boxes opened Tuesday.

The drop boxes are the most direct way for any election documents from the voter to us, Kruse said. You, the voter, fill this out. You, the voter, put it in the drop box. Our staff picks it up and it comes directly (to the Election Commission office).

The drop boxes are under 24-hour video camera surveillance, Kruse said.

In-person voting available in April, May

People who prefer to vote in person, either at the Election Commission office beginning April 15 or at their polling place on Election Day on May 14, will need to present an accepted form of ID.

The easiest and simplest way will be to bring your drivers license or state ID, or bring one of the other forms of acceptable ID, Kruse said. Or you can fill out a reasonable impediment certification at the polling place.

The Douglas County Election Commission website, www.votedouglascounty.com, has voter ID information and answers to many questions. The back of the green postcard has detailed instructions.

Or you can always call our office at 402-444-VOTE, Kruse said. Were happy to serve the voters and were looking forward to it.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2024
LINCOLN  A bill to raise the state sales tax by a penny found few friends at a legislative hearing Wednesday, despite the promise of using the resulting revenue to cut property taxes.

Legislative Bill 1315 would boost the tax rate to 6.5 cents, up from the current 5.5 cents, and bring in nearly half the money needed to achieve Gov. Jim Pillens goal of reducing property taxes by 40%.

State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of the Omaha area, who introduced the bill, said it is intended as part of a package aimed at rebalancing the states three-legged tax stool. Of all the taxes that Nebraskans pay, she said, property taxes currently account for the biggest share and state sales taxes are the smallest share. Income taxes fall in the middle.

But leaders of business groups and some organizations that push for lower taxes joined advocates for children, older Nebraskans and low-income families in arguing against the proposal.

Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told members of the Revenue Committee that the measure would amount to a tax shift, not a tax reduction. He said a substantial part of the state budget already goes toward property tax reduction.

Somebodys picking up the tab on the other side, he said.

Slone testified on behalf of the state and Lincoln Chambers of Commerce, as well as the Nebraska Bankers Association and Nebraska Federation of Independent Business.

Rebecca Firestone, executive director of the OpenSky Policy Institute in Lincoln, said the bill would push Nebraska into a tie for ninth-highest sales tax in the country, up from 29th-highest currently. She also said a sales tax hike would fall most heavily on the lowest-income Nebraskans.

Everyone pays sales tax in Nebraska, she said. Not everyone owns property.

Supporters say current property taxes are unsustainable

On the proponent side, Bruce Rieker spoke on behalf of the Nebraska Farm Bureau and eight other agriculture groups. He warned that recent increases in property taxes are unsustainable, especially when compared with the income tax cuts passed by lawmakers last year.

He said the tax burden in Nebraska shifted onto property taxes following what has been called the Great Recession of 2008. In the years that followed, he said state lawmakers cut aid to cities and counties and pulled back on state support for education.

Jon Cannon, executive director of the Nebraska Association of County Officials, backed the sales tax increase on condition that it be part of the broader tax package.

LB 1315 would be key to the governors plan for cutting the amount of property taxes paid by Nebraskans from $5 billion to $3 billion, although neither Pillen nor a representative from his office appeared at Wednesdays hearing.

Pillen has called for a combination of state revenue increases and stricter limits on local governments to realize that goal.

The proposed sales tax hike would bring in $466.8 million for the property tax plan during the first full year of implementation. Other bills would apply sales taxes to more goods and services, bringing in an estimated $265 million annually when fully implemented.

Another measure would sweep nearly $274 million out of 31 state agency cash funds to fill the budget gap until the new sales tax revenues come in.

Pillen also supports bills that would tighten caps on schools and other local governments, allowing them to increase property tax collections only in limited cases. Another proposal would create a new mechanism to buy down property taxes by distributing the new state revenue to local governments.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2024
The umbrella organisation for Muslims in Nigeria, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his reelection, describing it as a reward for his good character and transparent honesty.

The organisation therefore, advised the President to continue to be focused, fair, and firm in his administrations efforts to reposition the country for good.

In a statement by the chairperson of its media committe, Femi Abbas, the organisation said it would continue to pray for the Presidents success, saying his success is unequivocally the collective glory of all sincere lovers of God irrespective of their religious or ethnic persuasion.

The statement reads; In appreciation of the Almighty Allah for His boundless favours on Nigeria through Your Excellency and acknowledgement of His honour in making your re-election a success, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar, CFR, mni, congratulates you on your electoral victory and wishes you another successful tenure as President of our beloved country.

As Your Excellency is aware, you are a pride not only to us as an Ummah but also the entire black race by virtue of your unique personality and immense qualities which have endeared you to millions of minds, including those of us in the Council and our affiliate bodies. It is a sign of walaayah (friendship) with Allah that a persons love is planted in the hearts of people.

You are a refreshing source of inspiration to many people all over the world as a symbol of unimpeachable character, transparent honesty, unimpregnable integrity and unassailable righteousness. As Allah says in the Glorious Quran, is there any reward for good other than good? (Q55:66), Nigerians in their overwhelming majority have rewarded Your Excellencys goodness with a vote of confidence in you through the last February 23 presidential election.

The statement also enjoined the President to be wary of those it described as hypocritical do-gooders contriving a non-existent tension for relevance when indeed by their partisan pre-election activities, they cannot genuinely lay claim to neutrality and sincerity.

We have no doubt that you are aware that leadership is a trust and that as Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, every shepherd (leader) will be asked about his flock (followers); yet, we must enjoin you to continue to do your best in the interest of the country.

We urge you to continue to be fair and firm in leading Nigeria to where she deserves, despite the unfounded blackmail and character assassination by those whose pre-occupation is to eliminate Muslims and Islam from the public space in order to continue to use religion to exploit and extort gullible individuals. We urge you to be wary of hypocritical do-gooders contriving a non-existent tension for relevance when indeed by their partisan pre-election activities, they cannot genuinely lay claim to neutrality and sincerity.

Our prayer is that the Almighty Allah continue to grant you good health, long life and divine wisdom to steer the ship of Nigeria to the shore of greatness in peace, development, security and decorum. We also beseech Him to continue to guide and guard you in the discharge of your onerous duties so that you will remain a pre-eminent role model that you are for all incorruptible persons, the NSCIA said.
While the Federal Government is still protesting the execution of a Nigerian, Kudirat Afolabi, in Saudi Arabia for drug-related offences, another Nigerian, Saheed Ayinde Sobade, has been nabbed by the Saudi authorities while ferrying over 1,000 grams of cocaine in Jeddah.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, lamented that it is becoming clear that the hangman is already on standby to perform another duty on a second Nigerian in Saudi Arabia.

The federal government had on Thursday condemned the execution of Afolabi, a widow and mother of two, who was killed on April 1.

Dabiri-Arewa noted that the Saudi authorities have never spared any country when dealing with issues relating to drugs, she acknowledged that Nigeria only advocates for fair trial, but that the Saudi government does not tolerate drug trafficking for any reason. Offences of drug trafficking are punished with outright death penalties.

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Yoon fails to offer sincere apology for scandal

President Yoon Suk Yeol discussed upcoming state policies for the new year during an interview with broadcaster KBS on Wednesday. In the prerecorded talk show, Yoon provided details on various state matters, including foreign relations, national security, economy, and social and political issues. However, the public's attention was particularly drawn to the controversy surrounding allegations that his wife, first lady Kim Keon Hee, received a Christian Dior luxury bag from a Korean American pastor in 2022.

There was widespread anticipation that Yoon would address the scandal comprehensively and offer a sincere apology, along with specific measures to prevent such incidents from happening again. However, Yoon faced criticism for seemingly attempting to justify his wife's actions. He said, "It was somewhat regrettable that my wife couldn't cold-heartedly refuse the gift." Additionally, he mentioned that the individual involved had previously approached his wife, leveraging his relationship with her late father, who passed away when she was in middle school.

I think it was difficult (for my wife) to refuse the present, he said. Yoon described the incident as a political scheme orchestrated by a leftist pastor who used a hidden camera. The revelation emerged one year later, just before the general elections, Yoon asserted. He provided his explanation approximately 70 days after the video footage showing Kim receiving the bag was initially made public, prompting criticism of its seemingly delayed timing.

Yoon pledged to appoint a special supervisor to oversee the activities of presidential relatives and establish an office specifically dedicated to the first lady. He vowed to exhibit clear and resolute conduct in the future, learning from the recent case. However, it remains uncertain whether Yoon's explanation will alleviate the increasing public criticism. The recent incident appears to have been a premeditated scheme orchestrated by a liberal pastor in collaboration with a leftist YouTuber, known as Voice of Seoul.

Despite this, Kim cannot evade criticism for her lack of awareness as an important public figure. Her comments regarding potential involvement in state affairs, including inter-Korean relations, were highly inappropriate. Additionally, the presidential office deserves condemnation for remaining silent on Kim's misconduct and dismissing it as a hidden camera plot since late November last year when the scandal erupted.

Despite facing increasing criticism for the lack of effective communication with the media, Yoon opted for a 90-minute prerecorded broadcast instead of the traditional press conference, which would have covered most domestic and foreign media outlets. Despite Yoon's seemingly candid explanation, it failed to dispel the suspicions and concerns prevalent among the public. Yoon should have offered sincere apologies to address the negative and even hostile public sentiment instead of attempting to defend his wife. Furthermore, Yoon neglected to provide details on the whereabouts of the pouch and how to handle similar situations in the future.

Yoon missed a valuable opportunity to fully address the public's lingering suspicions during the interview regarding his spouse's issue after a prolonged period of silence. Unfortunately, he did not provide comprehensive explanations, ultimately failing to convince the people in his favor.

Fresh from the prerecording, Yoon showed news anchor Park Jang-beom a plate inscribed with the phrase The buck stops here. The plate was a gift from U.S. President Joe Biden during Yoon's visit to the U.S. It was interpreted as a demonstration of Yoon's commitment to take full responsibility for state affairs as the head of state, including addressing the dispute involving his wife.

Despite Yoon's determination and seemingly candid manner of speaking, he failed to make genuine efforts to win the public's trust during the recent broadcast by neglecting to offer a sincere apology for the luxury bag scandal. It appears that instead of taking full responsibility, he ended up passing the buck.
President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged Nigerian workers to justify the new N30,000 National Minimum wage by showing more commitments to their work.

President Buhari stated this shortly after signing the national minimum wage bill into law in Abuja on Thursday.

He also enjoined the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to show more understanding of the current socio-economic situations in the country. He said:

I expect them (workers) to be more committed to their work at whichever level. I will like the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to look at the economic situation of the country, the population, the poor infrastructure that we are trying to fix in terms of roads, rail and power. So, I wish Nigerian workers the best of luck.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Sen. Ita Enang, had earlier told State House correspondents on Thursday in Abuja that the implementation of the N30, 000 minimum wage just signed into law by President Buhari would take effect from April 18.

According to him, the bill now makes it mandatory for employers of labour in both public and private organisations to pay N30, 000 as minimum wage. He said:

You can see me smiling on behalf of Nigerian workers. President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the Minimum Wage Repel and Enactment Act, 2019. This makes it compulsory for all employers of labour in Nigeria to pay to their workers the sum of N30, 000. This excludes persons who are employing less than 25 workers, persons who work in a ship which sails out of jurisdiction and other persons who are in other kinds of regulated employment which are accepted by the Act. It also gives workers the right, if you are compelled by any circumstance to accept salary that is less than N30, 000, to sue your employer to recover the balance. It also authorises the minister of labour and any person nominated by the minister or any person designated by the minister of labour in any ministry, department or agency to on your behalf, take action in your name against such employer to recover the balance of your wages.

According to the presidential aide, the bill ensures and mandates the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission and the minister or labour, to be the chief and principal enforcers of the provisions of this law.

This law applies to all agencies, persons and bodies throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Enang enjoined Nigerian workers to continue to support the president and his administrations policies in return for the gesture.
Photo of the Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima celebrating with the Super Eagles after their victory against South Africa, has been shared online.

The picture is coming after the Super Eagles defeated South Africa In their semi final match in Cote DIvoire on Wednesday.

It is no longer news that the match between Nigeria and South Africa ended in a 1-1 draw and later proceeded to penalty shootouts.

However, photo of the Vice President of Nigeria celebrating the victory with the Super Eagles team have now surfaced.

The picture was shared by, Bashir Ahmad, one of the members of the All Progressive Congress APC and aide to former president, Muhammadu Buhari.

In the picture, the Vice President and everyone could be seen in a joyous mood.

Bashir Ahmad wrote Thank you VP KSM!.

Kindly checkout the picture that he shared on his page below.

After he made the post, below are some comments from social media users.
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria for their victory over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the semi-final stage of the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Super Eagles defeated South Africa 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 score line in regulation time.

READ ALSO: Nigeria defeats South Africa to reach Africa Cup of Nations final

I heartily congratulate our darling Super Eagles for their victory over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

The Super Eagles were a better team, displaying formidable skills, resilience, strength and determination throughout the match, securing a ticket to the finals of the competition after their 4-2 score line on penalties.

The team is just inches away from their fourth continental trophy and we are confident that they will bring the laurel home. Congratulations, champs.
Advise Olukoyede to shut out miscreants mistaking EFCC for political structure

Say latest charge against ex-Kogi Gov embarrassing, reflects victimization

Anti-Corruption Civil Society Organisations, on Wednesday, warned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, under the leadership of Ola Olukoyede, to refrain from allowing cankerworms of the previous management left in the system rubbish his credentials as the Head of the Commission.

The over 300 anti-corruption activists, under seven broad frontline organisations, noted that it was pertinent for them to sound an early note of warning in view of the fact that the misuse of the EFCC by political gladiators, as a veritable tool of victimization and score-settling, which they thought had been tackled, was suddenly rearing its head again.

The anti-corruption Civil Society Organisations advised the EFCC boss to sit up and stop the Commission from being accessed by political miscreants who think EFCC is an extension of their political structures to be manipulated at will.

They specifically referred to the Kogi State Governments press statement, which was released on Tuesday, alerting the public to an alleged fresh move by the Commission to witch-hunt the ex-Governor with spurious claims for political reasons.

The activists pointed out that the crux of the latest persecution, going by the EFCCs amended charge sheet, which featured ex-Governor Bellos name, showed a clear case of desperation for spurious claims to whip up public sentiment against the target, adding that any litigation on corruption founded on political conspiracy would always have no merits to pursue it.

While we stand solidly behind any credible anticorruption drive, we, however, oppose and condemn unequivocally any and all corruption allegations with the trappings and trademarks of political victimization as this Kogi case clearly seems to be, they declared.

They described the latest amended charge as extremely embarrassing, saying, A Court document at our disposal submitted to the Court by EFCC is alleging that the former Governor and his nephew, one Alli Bello, converted Kogi States money to the tune of over Eighty Billion Naira since September 2015!

This looks like a hurriedly prepared amendment targeted at an individual without paying much attention whatsoever to facts. Except the Commission is able to prove before the court that the duo had been involved in financial transactions with Kogi State money before Yahaya Bello assumed office in January 2016 as Kogi State Governor, then they have a lot of questions to answer Nigerians.

This is always how bad-intentioned and politically motivated allegations are exposed and it smacks of a profound dearth of professionalism on the part of the EFCC. If they come up with a nebulous excuse of typographical error, this further exposes their lack of professionalism and calls to question the competency of the EFCC leadership and legal team/department, the activists noted.

They vowed to expose political actors behind the incessant EFCC political victimization, stating, We are working with others across the country and we are ready to expose those behind this witch hunting and also expose their dirty dealings which have continued to undermine the current administrations efforts at economic revitalisation, to the public.

While referring to a recent statement by Olukoyede against the conduct of some EFCC officials, the anti-corruption activists said, If the EFCC chairman doesnt want the embarrassing public image he personally painted and actually known to all Nigerians to continue, he should sit up and get rid of all politically motivated allegations and stop the EFCC from being accessed by political miscreants who think EFCC is an extension of their political structures to be manipulated at will.

They stated, After two decades of its establishment, we believe that the EFCC should have garnered enough experience to be strictly professional. But, alas, that doesnt seem to be the case now. The Commission commits unforgivable legal and procedural faux pas that makes it lose considerable percentage of its cases in Court. For one, the Commissions agents dont seem to be thorough enough in their investigations especially in cases that have political undertones.

Due to lack of merits in those cases, oftentimes, the Commission exposes itself to unnecessary public ridicules and embarrasses itself in Court. Any litigation on corruption founded on political conspiracy will always have no merits to pursue it because the Courts wont ever be convinced otherwise.

We can see that one of the major agenda of the current administration of President Ahmed Tinubu is also to fight corruption. We doubt very much that the Commission can meet up with the expected standards as envisaged by the current administration, their statement added.

Giving a background of their age-long activities geared towards fruitful anti-corruption struggles, the frontline acitivists noted, As rights anticorruption organizations, we have been in the Vanguard of clamoring for corruption to be eliminated from Nigerias civil service and governance for years. We are convinced that corruption, above any other factor, is responsible for the myriads of developmental challenges confronting Nigeria from a long time even before now.

That was why we celebrated the establishment of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission in the year 200 and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in 2003 believing that these two elite anticorruption agencies would stamp out corruption from our system if not completely but, at least, considerably. It was a good step in a good direction.

But we have observed a disturbing trend in the operations one of these two anticorruption agencies, the EFCC, which tends towards political witchunt. Of course, this didnt start today but we have to exorcize that spirit from the soul and body of the EFCC.

There are two major disagreeable patterns in EFCCs modus operandi for a long time now that should never have been part of any anticorruption regime and these are politicization of cases and media trials through excessive sensationalism of cases under investigation.

We have witnessed occasions in this country when the EFCC arrested all members of a state assembly, whisked them to their Abuja headquarters, only for the latter to return ro their state and commence impeachment proceedings against their state Governor. Any anticorruption exercise that applies tools of intimidation and blackmail loses its integrity and public trust ultimately, including international support.

One instance would suffice here. We remember vividly how only five out of a 24-member legislature of Plateau state in 2006 met at 6:00am and impeached Governor Joshua Dariye after their alleged meeting with EFCC operatives. We cried out at that time that politicizing the operations of the Commission would kill its noble objectives. Moreover, you dont need to use extra-constitutional means in fighting the anticorruption war because you cannot use corrupt means to fight corruption successfully. There were, at least, three more instances in this regard.

After much advocacy by NGOs and other concerned activists, this trend seemed to stop for a while only to rear its ugly head again under the ignoble tenure of Mr. Rasheed Bawa. That error of judgment and the heavy corruption allegations against Bawa were mostly responsible for his premature but well-deserved removal from office last year.

We had assumed that that would be the end of such misuse of the EFCC by political gladiators who have discovered the use of the Commission as a veritable tool of political victimization and score-settling. But it does seem now that we are wrong.

We are disappointed that the current EFCC leadership seems to have decided to tow the line of the ignoble Bawa way of doing things the wrong way.

The statement was signed on behalf of others by the Director, Publicity and Research, Sustainable Initiative for Nurturing Growth, Fisayo Abayomi; Chairman, Zero Graft Coalition, Dr. Olusegun Adesanmi; and National Coordinator, Integrity Forum, Engr. Mohammed Zakari.

Others include the President, Transparency Movement of Nigeria, Barr. Esther Ezechukwu; Chairman, Stop Corruption Coalition, Arc. Samuel Ogedegbe; Executive Director, Africa Accountability Centre, Godwin Ozogula; and Comrade Isiak Aderounmu for Youthcentric Advocacy Initiative.
Nollywood actress Sharon Ooja has revealed what popular skitmaker, Sabinus should do if he wants to win her heart.

The comedian had declared his desire to date Sharon Ooja on leges online live session.

During a recent Instagram live session, the actress stated that she had two conditions for Sabinus to meet in order to demonstrate his seriousness about her.

She first requested that Sabinus record a video of himself declaring his love for her while hanging from a billboard in Lagos.

She asked Sabinus to eat twenty-five very spicy wings in twenty-five seconds, and he complied. This was her second request.

Lege Miami advised the actress, in response to her ridiculous demands, to just state that she is not into him.

Since money is not the only thing that matters, Sharon Ooja declared that she is not a materialistic girl. All she wants to know is if he is sincere.

In reaction:

Royalty said: Sharon dey ment even for inside the cruise. Small pikin sense

Z2HTV penned: Everything is not money but you want him to dangle on a billboard in Lagos.

VERIFIED homie noted: Sabinus nah mumu man em fit go do am

CHILD OF GRACE wrote: Lege sef don dey feel for Sabinus  Sharon if you no like am tell am say you no like am na

WATCH VIDEO:
Scores of women of Orji Community in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State on Saturday, February 3 staged a rally to protest against the alleged outright sale of the newly-built 193 shops at the ancestral Nkworji Market.

Clad in all-black attires and chanting songs which depicted anger, the women led by the President of Orji Women Organization, (OWO), Mrs. Prisca Mboma stormed the market and double padlocked the shops including tying the doors and iron protectors with yellowish palm fronds.

Some of the traders who occupy the affected shops were nowhere to be found as they had fled out of fear of tasting the wrath of the women.

One of the traders who summoned courage to reappear when the women reached his shop pleaded to be given a seven-day grace to evacuate goods from his shop, a wish the women granted him.

One female shop owner had to plead with the protesters to temporarily unlock her shop in order to recover her child mistakenly locked up in her shop.

The women bore placards with inscriptions such as Ndaa Developer, Leave Our Market Alone ooo; Orji Women Say We No Go Gree and We Say No To Any Developer Selling Nkworji

They disregarded claim by some traders that their double padlocked shops harboured perishable wares.

Speaking during the protest rally, the President of Orji Women Organization (OWO), Mrs. Prisca Mboma said they were not opposed to the development of the market but regretted the outright sale of the shops by the developer after the exercise.

She insisted that any arrangement that doesnt concede some shops to the original land owners is unacceptable.

According to her, Orji women should have been considered as a matter of right in the allocation of the shops.

Also speaking, Mrs. Helen Azuoma disclosed that all the 10 villages that make up Orji Community had tables and spaces in the market prior to the remodeling of the market.

She wondered why the villages were no longer considered on completion of the development of the market.

Mrs. Azuoma regretted that all entreaties made to the developer by the OWO were rebuffed leading to the women staging the protest rally.

According to her, the OWO wrote letters and reported the matter to the relevant ministry and the Imo State Amalgamated Market Traders Association (ISAMATA) which scheduled meetings between them and the developer, who refused to attend any.

She blamed the developer for the crisis, saying that he came to the community with the intention to cheat the Orji Community.

Prominent indigenes who also spoke with our correspondent insisted that the 2021 court judgement on the market must be obeyed for peace to reign in the community.

A High Court of Imo State had in 2021 directed that the 39 shops in the market belonging to the Umuachonwa family who are the original owners of the land on which the market is situated be reserved for the family.

According to the Administrator of Nfunala Development Initiative (aka Orji Aborigines Union), Chief Amanze Chidinma Paschal Njoku, the court order was neither vacated nor appealed against.

Chief Amanze Njoku like Oha Mike Njoku, Head, Orji Traditional Arbitration Council; Chief Martin Njoku, Retired Commissioner of Police (CP), Barr. Henry Njoku and Chief Emma Oguchuruba submitted that only obedience to judgement of the court will resolve the matter.

Chief Amanze Njoku further gave an insight into the matter.

He said; Around 1996, we took the old Owerri Local Government Council to court about the market and there was an agreement that the council concedes to the Umuachonwa descendants 39 shops. The council obeyed.

We developed the market and built our shops. During Rochas Okorochas time, they said they wanted to redevelop the market and tried denying us our right, we again dragged the government to court.

The court gave a verdict which was in our favour. Let them obey the law and give us our right. We are living in a lawful society.

Chief Amanze added that the time of appealing against the judgement has elapsed making it imperative that the verdict be obeyed. He however alleged that some big fraud is being committed by some elements without the knowledge of the government.

Barr Henry Njoku and Chief Oguchuruba see the Traditional Ruler of the community, Eze Innocent Opara as the brain behind the current crisis in the market. While the former CP submitted that the monarch caused the instability in the community, Chief Oguchuruba insisted that the royal father has no right to tamper with the market.

Chief Oguchuruba, who disclosed that he had resigned from the cabinet of Eze Opara when things began to go awry maintained that the natural ruler has no right to deny the Umuachonwa family their 39 shops at the market. He asserted that the Orji Community does not belong to the royal father.

A mild drama played out as the protest rally was on. Some policemen ostensibly deployed at the behest of the developer stormed the section of the market housing Igbudu Orji, the shrine of the community to effect the arrest of the president of OWO. This was also when the Ohas (priests) were petitioning the god of the community to fight for them.

Besides one of the Ohas shouting at the cops to leave the shrine premises, the women stoutly resisted the arrest.

As things stand at present, the crisis in Orji Community seems to be at its embryonic stage. It may not explode into a full-blown conflagration if the authorities rise to the occasion.

Related
A lawyer, Chris Ahumibe has accused Leader of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Ralphael Uwazuruike of resorting to a campaign of calumny in order to divert attention from his land grabbing activities.

Ahumibe regretted that Uwazuruike chose to rope in the Catholic Church and the Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma who have no hand in the legal battle to recover a land which the MASSOB leader coveted.

In a statement made available to Newsmen, Ahumibe disclosed that in 2015 some 15 men who claimed to be acting at the behest of the MASSOB leader broke into Plot No. 26 Housing Area G in New Owerri owned by one Chigoziri Elekwachi.

The lawyer added that the men were arrested and detained by the police but later released on the intervention of Uwazuruike.

According to Ahumibe, Uwazuruike thereafter rebuffed police invitation to assist with investigation since the men claimed they trespassed into the land on his instruction.

He further informed that Uwazuruike not only made calls threatening the life of Arch Amugo Ugoji, the caretaker of the property but also went ahead to build on the land.

Ahumibe disclosed that Elekwachi had to resort to the use of lawful means to resist the land grabbing and defend the brazen and wanton act of Uwazuruike including the demolition of the property wrongly built on his land.

He equally disclosed that Uwazuruike failed to appear in court to defend himself in the Suit No. HOW/616/2016 necessitating the plaintiff to seek leave of court to prove his case in 2018 two years after the suit and the necessary processes had been filed and served Uwazuruike through substituted service since he made it impossible for the bailiff to serve him in person.

He stated that the case was thereafter adjourned and hearing notice ordered to be served on the defendant to enable him to enter defence, adding that the parties were given 21 days to file final addresses and serve each other.

Ahumibe disclosed that the court delivered judgement in favour of the plaintiff on November 15, 2018 which was equally served on Uwazuruike through substituted means.

The lawyer said counsel to Uwazuruike on May 31, 2019, about one year after the court judgement filed the first process in the matter praying the court to set aside its judgement.

According to him, the court declined to set aside its judgement on July 14, 2021 paving way for the plaintiff to apply to levy execution, which the court granted on March 6, 2022.

Ahumibe further informed that the defendant purportedly approached the Court of Appeal on May 5, 2023, two years after the lower court refused to set aside its jjudgement.

Counsel for the plaintiff therefore submitted that neither the Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese nor Gov Uzodimma has any interest in the matter.

He regretted that Uwazuruike who claims to be a lawyer could have the effontery to dismiss the judgement of a High Court as jankara and oluwole.

He disclosed that his client had taken possession of his land upon the execution of court judgement by the chief bailiff of the High Court on March 6, 2022.

Uwazuruike had taken to the social media to condemn the involvement of the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri and the governor in the matter.

The MASSOB leader disclosed that at a point the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri called him on phone while Gov. Uzodimma sent a former National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Maurice Iwu to mediate on the matter.

He further claimed to have appealed the judgement of the High Court but declined to say the date he approached the Appellate Court and why he neglected the court matter for about two until judgement was entered on the matter.

Related
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the Niger State police command for applying brute force to arrest many women protesters in Minna Niger State over rising cost of living in the country.

The group in statement also kicked against the constant attempt by the Nigeria Police Force to illegally abridge, violently violate the constitutional freedoms of Nigerians including the right to freedom of peaceful assembly.

This is the clearest sign that the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may be preparing to transform into a dictatorial regime just as HURIWA is urging Nigerians to speak out loud and clear in denunciation of these brazen plots by the police to help the civilian politicians in government establish a totalitarian government whereby the rights of the people to refuse to accept evil policies of government would be established.

Nigerians must say no to police brutality and denounce police unprofessional conducts and the attempts to stop Nigerians from protesting against anti-poor, anti-people and unpopular economic measures.

READ ALSO: HURIWA berates National Assembly over silence on soaring insecurity

These bad policies have sent hundreds of Nigerians to their earliest graves due to absolute poverty and the high costs of living in Nigeria which escalated since May 29th 2023 that President Tinubu came on board and increased the pump price of petrol by over 1,000 percent, has made life unbearable, brutish, intolerable harsh and absolutely and utterly meaningless.

The group called on the Niger State government to free the arrested protesting women immediately because the police in Nigeria lacks the constitutional powers to deny the citizens of their most inalienable, universal and natural fundamental human rights domesticated in Chapter 4 of the Nigerian Constitution and recognised in a plethora of global human rights laws including the Universal Declaration of human rights, Covenant on civil and political rights and the African charter on human and peoples rights which Nigeria signed on to as a member of the United Nations and the African Union.

The police in recent times in Imo, Nasarawa and now Niger states have deployed unconstitutional means to stop Nigerians from organising peaceful protests which are permitted under the constitution. This outrageous abuse of the constitutional freedoms will lead to violent protests if the police continue to muzzle peaceful demonstrations.

HURIWA said the action of the Niger state police command to arrest peaceful protesters amounted to an unmitigated insult to the constitution of Nigeria and asked the IGP to order the immediate release of these protesters.
The 13th Asagba of Asaba in Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Prof. Joseph Chike Edozien, CFR, JP, has passed away at the age of 98.

The monarch, born on July 28, 1925, left this world just a few months shy of his 99th birthday.

Before ascending to the throne, Edozien had a distinguished career as a lecturer in both UK and Nigerian universities. He achieved the rank of professor of medicine during his academic tenure.

In an official statement on Thursday, Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, conveyed President Bola Tinubus condolences to the family of the late monarch and the Delta State traditional rulers council.

President Tinubu acknowledged and celebrated the impactful life and legacies of the late king, especially his advocacy for peaceful co-existence among Nigerians and inimitable role in forging partnerships across divides

Tinubu urged the royal family to find solace in the enduring legacies left behind by the monarch, emphasizing that His Majesty lived a life exemplifying the highest ideals of peace, unity, patriotism, honesty, and dignity.

His Majesty lived a full life defined by the loftiest ideals of peace, unity, patriotism, honesty, and dignity, Tinubu said.

This is a sad loss, coming at a time when Nigeria needs more peace-builders and bridge-builders.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has also mourned the death of Cairo Ojougboh an APC chieftain, who died while watching the semi-finals clash between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerians not to think negatively of the country, rather they should be committed to making it great.

The President made the submission on Thursday while speaking at the launch of the 3,112 housing units in FCT, Abuja.

According to Tinubu, Nigerians should be committed to seeing the greatness and hope in the country and just like the Super Eagles at the ongoing AFCON tournament, be optimistic of always winning.

He said: Dont think of your country negatively, before I left home this morning, I asked for the pledge, a page out of it and we have to relaunch it, relaunch it to be committed to the greatness, the hope of our country, it is our country!

The president added: You pledge to Nigeria your country, my country to be faithful, loyal, and honest, to serve Nigeria with all your strength, you saw it on the field of play yesterday, you are all rejoicing.

Citing an example of the Super Eagles, Tinubu submitted further that: Every one of us loves victory, we love to win when you are positive and hopeful Nigeria is winning.

The President launched the Renewed Hope Cities and Estate project at Karsana area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Tinubu flagged off the construction of 3,112 pilot housing projects, which marks the commencement of a nationwide project aimed at delivering 100,000 housing units through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiated in December 2023.

The partnership, forged between the Federal Ministry of Housing & Urban Development (FMHUD) and a consortium of companiesContinental Civil and General Construction Limited, along with Ceezali Limitedembarks on the ambitious first phase to construct 20,000 housing units across the FCT, with Karsana hosting 3,112 of these units
By Donald Kirk

The politics of American political campaigning shows the fragility of the wheeling and dealing of the Biden administration and the danger of the whole ornate structure of relationships and commitments falling apart, crashing and evaporating.

The phenomenon of Donald Trump seriously emerging as a possible, maybe likely, winner of the presidential election in November is downright alarming. Having listened to the mans campaign speeches before the New Hampshire primary, I can only think that he intends to blow apart the deals, the promises and the hopes engendered by President Bidens policies at every critical hot spot.

Can anyone seriously believe, as Trump has claimed repeatedly, that there would have been no war in Ukraine, none in Gaza and no bellicose threats from North Korea had he been president? Trump has said again and again that Biden has been the worst president in U.S. history. Looking back on his four years in the White House, Trump may be talking about himself.

It's hard to know where to begin to recount his misdeeds and failures, but lets ask, how does he think he could have stopped Russias President Putin from invading Ukraine? He has said Putin resolved to take over the whole country to keep it from posing a threat to Russia by joining the NATO alliance, but Ukraine was never a likely candidate for NATO membership.

If Ukraine had joined, the U.S. and its NATO allies would have had to send their own troops into the country to fight the Russians  a step far beyond the arms they are now providing. And if Trump had been president, cozying up to his friend Putin and denying aid to Ukraine, the country by now would be a satellite of Moscow, as it was during the era of Joseph Stalins dictatorship over the Soviet Union and its eastern European satellites.

Trumps affection for Kim Jong-un is as ridiculous as his friendship with Putin. Can he be serious in claiming the Kimster would not be raining threats on South Korea, Kims declared principal enemy, if only Trump had been around to dissuade him? Trumps three meetings with Kim, in Singapore in June 2018, then in Hanoi in February 2019 and finally, in an impromptu session in the demilitarized zone at Panmunjom four months later, got nowhere. They agreed on a vacuous say-nothing joint statement in Singapore. Trump walked out of the Hanoi summit, and nothing whatsoever came out of their meeting at the DMZ.

The danger is that Trump, if elected, would betray the renewed bond that Biden has formed not only between the U.S. and South Korea but also with South Korea and Japan. Now all three are collaborating on defense despite irreconcilable historic differences between Seoul and Tokyo. Trump as president wanted Korea and Japan, Americas long-time allies, to raise their contribution for the costs of U.S. forces and bases on their soil to ridiculous levels, and he also talked of withdrawing more troops from both countries.

Its not hard to imagine Trump again falling in love with Kim Jong-un while agreeing, as he did right after the Singapore summit, to cancel joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises. Nor is it difficult to imagine Trump weakening the regional defense network that has been worked out, during the Biden presidency, against Chinese aggression.

Would Trump weaken AUKUS, the Australian-United Kingdom-U.S. alliance thats now seen as vital for regional security? And how would he feel about the Quad, that is, the U.S., Australia, India and Japan? No, the Quad is not a military alliance, but it does provide a framework for discussion of issues, many of which have to do with standing up to China.

Trump likes to give the impression that he really defied Chinas President Xi on trade issues, that he got tough on Chinas hugely favorable trade balance with the U.S. and theft of technical and other secrets, but he jettisoned a carefully negotiated trade agreement with a number of countries that would have countered Chinas own network. Its unlikely the Trumpster has gotten any smarter about military or economic issues while pillorying Biden, claiming there would be no problem with China, Russia or North Korea had he won the 2020 election.

Oh, thats right, he did win that election but was cheated out of it. Or so he keeps telling us. Whats incredible is that millions of Trumpkins believe him. The Russians are on board with that claim too. Trumps friend Putin agrees the 2020 election was rigged, and Russian students are now taught to believe it too. The Russians dont need to know about American claims that Russia sought to interfere in the voting.

Donald Kirk (www.donaldkirk.com) writes on the confrontation of forces in the region, mainly from Seoul and Washington.
Ghali NaAbba

The House of Representatives has initiated the process of honouring the former Speaker, Ghali NaAbba, passed away on December 27, 2023, in Abuja.

The former lawmaker had died at the age of 65, after battling an undisclosed illness briefly.

However, members of the Green Chamber have decided to immortalize the respected politician.

This decision was made following a motion presented on the House floor by a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party representing Kano State, Aliyu Madaki.

The lawmakers acknowledged that NaAbba began his political journey as a student at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

During his time there, NaAbba was elected as an Executive Committee Member of the ABU Chapter of the revolutionary Peoples Redemption Party, which was established in the 2nd Republic by Mallam Aminu Kano.

The House further acknowledged that during the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1999, the late NaAbba was elected as a member of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Additionally, the late NaAbba was commended for his remarkable tenure as the Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003.

This recognition was attributed to his fearless and proactive pursuit of legislative autonomy, as well as his innovative leadership style in managing the affairs of the House.

Madaki added, NaAbba, as Speaker, embarked on a number of measures to ensure the independence of the legislature, which included but were not limited to profound scrutiny of the budget framework, making robust adjustments where necessary; strengthen House Committees; fashioned out a cohesive, inclusive, mutual, thinking and participatory house; and regulate debate on the state of the nation.

In recognition of his remarkable contributions and to ensure his lasting legacy, the House has decided to pay tribute to NaAbba by naming the National Assembly Service Commission Building after him.

To formalize this decision, the motion has been forwarded to the Senate for their agreement and concurrence, Naija News understands.
A High Court in Kano State on Thursday sentenced a 22-year-old man, Nura Sabiu, to life imprisonment for stabbing an 18-year-old to death.

The court also sentenced Dahiru Ubale, 21, to five years imprisonment.

Sabiu and Ubale were convicted on two count charges of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.

Justice Usman Naabba held that the Prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

I hereby sentence Sabiu to life imprisonment and Ubale to five years imprisonment, he held.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr Lamido Sorondinki, informed the court that the defendants committed the offence on April 17, 2017, at Jalabi Village of Bunkure Local Government Kano.

He said the defendants conspired and attacked and stabbed the deceased Abba Ismail, 18, to death.

The police said the convicts stabbed the teenager with a knife in his back because he was having a relationship with his(Sabiu) girlfriend (Zahrau).

As a result of the stabbing, the deceased sustained grievous injuries and was taken to the Rano Hospital where he was confirmed dead by a medical Doctor, he said.

The prosecutor presented three witnesses to the court to prove its case.

The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes the provisions of sections 97 and 221 of the Penal Code.

The defence counsel, Mr Umar Danbaito, presented three witnesses including the defendants.
Suraj, was alleged to have stabbed her househelp, Nafiu Hafizu, 38, on his chest and other parts of his body, which led to his death on Dec.21, 2023 at Unguwa Uku Quarters Kano

There was mild drama in a Kano State High Court on Thursday during the arraignment of Hafsat Suraj, 24, who is charged with the alleged stabbing to death of her domestic staff. She remained silent when asked if she understood the charge against her.

Suraj, was alleged to have stabbed her househelp, Nafiu Hafizu, 38, on his chest and other parts of his body, which led to his death on Dec.21, 2023 at Unguwa Uku Quarters Kano.

The offence contravenes the provisions of section 221 of Penal Code.

The presiding judge, Justice Zuwaira Yusuf, repeated the question three times but Suraj remained mute.

Following her refusal to answer, Justice Yusuf ordered that she should be mentally evaluated by a Medical Doctor at Kurmawa Correctional Centre.

Yusuf ordered the Prosecution to furnish the defence counsel with all the facilities concerning the case.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Aisha Mahmoud, urged the court to refer Suraj to a government Psychiatric hospital for mental evaluation pursuant to section 286 of ACJL 2019.

We want to know if the defendant is fit to stand trial. My lord we intend to call seven witnesses and adopt some exhibits. The Prosecution opposed the bail application made in respect of the three other defendants.



Meanwhile, Surajs husband, Dayyabu Abdullahi, Adamu Muhammad and Nasidi Muhammad were arraigned before the High Court for giving false information with intention to screen her from legal punishment on the alleged murder of Nafiu.Mahmoud alleged that the three defendants committed the offence on Dec.21, 2023, at Unguwa Uku Quarters Kano.

The defendants denied committing the offence. According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened the provisions of section 167 of the Penal Code.

The Defence Counsel, Haruna Magashi and Rabiu Abdullahi, urged the court to grant the defendants bail, pursuant to section 35 and 36(5) of the 1999 Nigeria Constitution as amended and section 168 and 172 of ACJL 2019 Kano State.

They urged the court to order the Prosecution Counsel to furnish them with all the facilities concerning the case.

NAN reports that Suraj and the three other defendants were on Dec.27, 2023 arraigned before a Kano Chief Magistrates Court over alleged murder and concealment of fact.

The court said date for ruling on bail application will be communicated to both parties.
The Deputy Bursar of Kwara State University (KWASU) Malete, Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi, has passed away. Abdullahi died while watching the semi-finals between Nigeria and South Africa in the ongoing AFCON.

It was gathered that the Deputy Bursar watched the Nigeria/South Africa match from the beginning till the end of the extra time, till it was time for a penalty kick.

He complained that he was feeling dizzy, so he said he needed to go back home and rest not knowing that his BP had gone up.

On getting home, he collapsed and was rushed to a private hospital in Sango and he was referred to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and before he could be attended to, he died. He was buried on Thursday morning according to Islamic rites.
Defendants in the case of alleged misapplication of N2.5 billion Federal Government Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme, have countered application by the prosecution to present former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed as a witness in court.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, is prosecuting the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Ishaq Kawu in a Federal High Court, Abuja, for alleged abuse of office and money laundering.

The Commission had filed a 12-count charge before Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo-Giwa, against Kawu, Lucky Omoluwa and Dipo Onifade, the Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Pinnacle Communications Limited, respectively.

In a motion filed before the court, Alex Izinyon, SAN, Counsel to Omoluwa and Onifade, opposed the listiny of the former minister and Shuaibu Sabo as additional witnesses in the trial as requested by the anti-graft body.

In the motion, the defendants are seeking the court order, disallowing/prohibiting or forbidding the complainant/respondent to lead and use the additional list of witness of one Mr Lai Mohammed filed on 2nd June 2019 at the continuation of hearing of this criminal proceeding or any other date whatsoever.

And for such further order(s) as this Honorable court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this case.

It will be recalled that the anti-graft body had said that the former Minister will serve as a prosecution witness in the alleged N2.5 billion fraud trial.

At the resumed hearing of the trial on Monday, ICPC lawyers, Henry Emore and E. A. Shogunle reminded the court of their application to call the two additional witnesses  Mohammed and Sabo.

Shogunle said that they had filed a counter affidavit to the motion by the defendants opposing their requests to call Mohammed and Sabo as additional witnesses.

On his part, Iziyon said the motion was not ripe for hearing because he would be filing a reply on point of law, to the prosecutions counter affidavit.

Meanwhile, Justice Oginbanjo-Giwa has reprimanded the ICPC for disobeying the order of the court regarding the application by the defendants seeking release of their travelling passports.

The second and third defendants had filed the application seeking the release of their international passports to enable them travel abroad for official functions.

The judge who had fixed the application for ruling on Monday said the prosecution had failed to carry out her order to verify the addresses and other particulars of the defendants and their sureties.

I cannot give the ruling now because in the course of reviewing the motion, I realised that the prosecution has not carried out the order of the court to verify the addresses of the defendants and their sureties within five days.

Counsel to the prosecution said he had done the verification and satisfied with it after the grey areas observed were addressed by the defendants.

He, however, apologised for his failure to file the report of the verification before the court.

The judge, who expressed displeasure over failure of the prosecution to file the report of the verification stood down the case for the lawyer to do so.

She stressed that she could not continue with the case while the prosecution was in disobedience of the court order.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the judge resumed the case about two hours after the prosecution had complied with the order.

Upon resumption, the defendants took fresh plea of not guilty to the amended charges brought to them by the prosecution.

The amended charges, according to ICPC lawyer were largely due to typographical errors which the lawyers to the defendants did not oppose to.

Justice Ogunbanjo-Giwa adjourned the case until July 4 to hear motions on the release of the defendants passports and that challenging the listing of Mohammed and Sabo as additional prosecution witnesses.
Mr Jelani Aliyu, the Director-General of National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has commended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) for being the first institution to produce electric car in the country.

Aliyu made the commendation in Nsukka on Monday during the unveiling of a five-seater Electric Car, named Lion Ozumba 551, produced by the Faculty of Engineering in the university, NAN reports.

He urged other universities in the country to emulate UNN in giving serious attention to issues concerning innovations and technology in order to move the country to the next level.

He said: NADDC on Feb. 6, invited UNN, University of Lagos, Usman Dan Fodio University and Metrological Institute and urged them to prepare a paper design on how to produce electric car in the country.

The council is happy that UNN is the first to prepare a paper design and produced electrical car that has been unveiled and test-run today in the university.

We urge other universities and higher institutions in the country to emulate innovation and technology spirit of UNN.

The NADDC boss, who was represented by Mr David Oyetunji, Director Finance and Account in the council, hoped that the growth in automobile industry in the country would help to create more employments and save the nations foreign reserves spent in importing cars into the country.

NADDC commends UNN, which recently produced the first gasification plant that used organic waste to generate electricity and today the same university is unveiling first electric-built car in the country, Aliyu said.

In a remark, Prof. Charles Igwe, the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the university, who was visibly excited, said his administration would continue to give innovation and technology the highest attention in order to move the university to the next level.

Igwe expressed appreciation to the immediate past VC of UNN, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, who, he said, laid the foundation for innovation and technology in the institution.

I feel happy that I inherited strong institution from Ozumba and I promised I will consolidate on his numerous achievements.

I commend the Engineering Faculty for making the university proud and naming the car after Ozumba, who ignited the fire of innovation and technology in the university.

I also commend NADDC for its encouragement as well as giving UNN a chance to show its potential, Igwe said.
With July known for the terrible rain that comes along with it, and December being the undisputed party month  with many people flocking here for the unparalleled experience  it is safe to say that each month in the Nigerian calendar has its own rather unique character.

Songs are a brilliant way of conveying certain feelings or describing moments without actually having to say much. So, for a bit of fun, we at Konbini decided to use seminal Nigerians songs from the past two decades to describe what each month of the year means to us.

January: One  Tiwa Savage

The new year is always a prayerful time for Nigerians, as the resetting of our calendars offers the semblance of a fresh start. Tiwa Savages grateful single, One is an appropriate song to sing along to, professing good fortune and many wins for the year to come.

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February: Jagga Jagga  Eedris Abdul Kareem

As the same disheartening events tend to be repeated every election cycle, this February, in particular, left Nigerians with the same sentiments Eedris Abdul Kareem crooned on the (unfortunately) ever-relevant Jagga Jagga.

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March: So Beautiful  Asa

All over the world, March is celebrated as Womens Month, with Mothers Day falling within this month as well. Asas So Beautiful is a loving ballad to our mothers and a lovely way of appreciating the wonderful women who birthed, raised and nurtured us.

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April: Alte Cruise  Odunsi (The Engine) ft. Santi & Zamir

In the past couple of years, the Easter holiday, which falls in April, has become a popping season in Nigerias commercial capital, Lagos. While not as eventful as the Christmas holiday, Easter is still a super fun time, emerging as an alternative holiday period for tourists.

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May: Tuscan Sun  234jaydaa

Stuck between the Easter holiday in April and summer in June, May is a rather idle month  one that offers a quick breather. 234jaydaas Tuscan Sun perfectly embodies what this month is about, as her glorious vocals calmly usher us into the summer.

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June: In The Music  Omawumi

Originally celebrated in France as Fete de la Musique, June 21 has now become a global day for celebrating music, colloquially dubbed (International) Music Day. Omawumis timeless bop, In The Music is a great appreciation of just how powerful and unifying music really is.

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July: Raining Outside  Santi

With Rainy Season typically reaching its peak during this month, it seems its always Raining Outside during July, so what better song to describe this stormy month than Santis phenomenal album starter?

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August: Firewood  Fresh L ft.Davido

After two solid months of living your best life comes the true test of character. While some cherish the fact that August is still considered summer, others cant wait to get back to regularly scheduled programming  which is absolutely fine because, as Davido sings, body no be firewood.

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September: Bumper To Bumper  Wande Coal

As summer draws to a close and kids head back to school, traffic on our poorly constructed Nigerian roads gets worse and worse, especially in Lagos. Here, youll definitely be going Bumper To Bumper with the car in front of you, and might possibly even find yourself in a traffic war.

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October: Ye  Burna Boy

On October 1, 1960, Nigeria gained independence from British rule. Every year since, Nigerians have felt obligated to celebrate the day. With the frustrating state of Nigeria, however, Burna Boys Ye is a more pointed expression of how Nigerians feel about the country.

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November: Iworiwo  Larry Gaaga ft. 2Baba

Theres not happening in November, besides the start of Harmattan, so this month can get pretty dry. Our advice to you is to get cuffed up quick, so that you and your bae can live like 2Baba and Annie in the romantic video for Iworiwo, where he sings Harmattan, I want to rub you lotion.

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December: Able God  Chinko Ekun ft. Lil Kesh & Zlatan

Whether youre headed back to your village of origin for the yearly family reunion, or youre immersed in Lagos and its sleepless nights, December is a distinctly jovial month in Nigeria and the seminal hit, Able God perfectly exemplifies the nations #moooood

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called on the European Union to rethink its refusal to renegotiate the Brexit deal, as he pledged to throw all his energy into making sure Britain leaves the bloc on time on October 31.

Addressing a rowdy session of Parliament for the first time since becoming prime minister, Johnson pledged on Thursday to take a new approach. Rejecting the Brexit withdrawal agreement negotiated by his fellow Conservative predecessor, Theresa May, he insisted that while he wanted a deal, the country was better prepared than widely believed to leave the bloc without one.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called on the European Union to rethink its refusal to renegotiate the Brexit deal.

I hope that the EU will be equally ready and that they will rethink their current refusal to make any changes to the Withdrawal Agreement, he said. If they do not, we will, of course, have to leave  the UK  without an agreement.

Johnson has less than 100 days to make good on his promise to deliver Brexit by October 31 after what he called three years of unfounded self-doubt under Mays government.

Yet Britain will struggle to get the blocs full attention during August, a sleepy holiday period in much of Europe.

The EU is adamant that it will not renegotiate the agreement struck with May on the terms of Britains departure and the framework of future relations. Without it, Britain faces a chaotic Brexit that economists warn would disrupt trade by imposing tariffs and customs checks between Britain and the bloc, send the value of the pound plummeting and plunge the UK into recession.

Nonetheless, Johnson is bulldozing his way forward to leave the EU at the end of October, come what may.

To accomplish that, he culled many members of Mays Cabinet within hours of taking office, replacing them with a group of loyal Brexit supporters.

The new line-up includes Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Treasury chief Sajid Javid, Home Secretary Priti Patel and House of Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg. Many of the new ministers worked with Johnson in the 2016 referendum campaign to leave the EU, as did much of Johnsons new backroom staff.

Three years after the leave campaign won that referendum by 52 per cent-48 per cent, Britain remains one of the 28 nations in the EU.

Brexiteers blame May, who resigned in defeat after failing  three times  to secure Parliaments backing for her divorce deal with the bloc. Her allies point out that it was hard-core Brexit supporters who sank the deal because they felt it kept the UK too closely bound to the EUs rules.

Johnson, who won an election of Conservative members to replace May as party leader and prime minister, has vowed to complete Brexit and silence the doubters, the doomsters, the gloomsters who believe it cant be done.

But the brash Brexit advocate faces the same problems that bedevilled May: heading a government without a parliamentary majority and with most lawmakers opposed to leaving the EU without a divorce deal.

Lawmakers who oppose a no-deal Brexit  including some of the Conservative government ministers swept away by Johnson  are vowing to put up a fight when Parliament returns from a six-week UK summer break that starts on Friday.

That has led to speculation that lawmakers could topple Johnsons government in a vote of no-confidence. Johnson could also call an early election in hopes of gaining a majority in Parliament for his plans.

The countrys next scheduled election is not until 2022 but the government can be brought down at any time before then if it does not command the confidence of the majority of the House of Commons.

We live in a parliamentary democracy, you can never rule out general elections, said Rishi Sunak, the new chief secretary to the Treasury.

In the meantime, Johnson will have to prove he can deliver on his optimistic pronouncements.

The main opposition Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, said hes anxious for Johnson to spell out how he will fund promises to bolster police, schools and local authorities.

No one underestimates this country, but the country is deeply worried that the new prime minister overestimates himself, Corbyn said.

AP
The electoral chances of the Peoples Democratic Partys presidential flag bearer, Atiku Abubakar, received a boost on Sunday as regional leaders and socio-cultural groups from the six regional zones of the country adopted him as their consensus candidate for the February 16 presidential election.

Speaking under the auspices of the Summit of Nigerian Leaders and Elders, with the theme, Elections: The search for credible, free and fair elections, the group said Atiku possessed the capability and knowledge to lead the nation.

The associations that expressed their support for the PDP candidate are the pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere; the Northern Elders Forum; Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Pan-Niger Delta Forum and the Middle Belt Forum.

Leaders of the associations, including Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, Chief Edwin Clark, Tanko Yakassai and Dr. Bitrus Pogu, asked Nigerians to vote for Atiku on February 16.

Speaking for the Igbo nation, the President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nwodo, said Nigeria was facing a momentous election that would determine the growth trajectory of the country in the next four years.

He stated that President Muhammadu Buhari had widened the ethnic cleavages in the country thus jeopardising national security, citing the banditry in parts of Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and the insurgency in Borno State.

He said, Though the APC (All Progressives Congress) set up a committee on restructuring chaired by Kaduna State Governor which presented their recommendations, nothing has been heard about it till today.

There was no bill to the National Assembly to commence the process of restructuring the country. In this order, Atiku, Bukola Saraki, Donald Duke and Kingsley Moghalu presented how they would implement their restructuring agenda. So, Ohanaeze has chosen Atiku Abubakar as its candidate.

Afenifere leader, Adebanjo, said the summit was only concerned about the unity of the country, arguing that the PDP presidential candidate believed in restructuring the country having written and delivered several papers on it.

Those of you present here will save Nigeria, so you must do everything in your power to ensure that Atiku wins; a vote for Atiku is a vote for national unity. In Afenifere, we dont follow people blindly; Atiku believes in restructuring and he has delivered papers on it, the Yoruba elder noted.

The President of NEF said his association had earlier announced that it would not support any northern politician that failed to perform in office, hence their opposition to Buhari who the body endorsed and worked for in 2015.

Abdullahi said the forum presented a document on governance to the President shortly after he came to power, but the government jettisoned the blueprint.

Based on our assessment, it is very clear the country requires a new leadership and that is why the Northern Elders Forum agreed that the leader is Atiku Abubakar, the NEF chairman said.

Ijaw leader, Clark, stated that the Niger Delta, which produced the nations wealth, was being neglected, noting that the cost of fuel was higher in the region than in other parts of the country.

I have watched and seen various political campaigns and I have seen the President Nigeria deserves. I am satisfied by our choice. I join Ohanaeze, Afenifere and the rest of us that Nigeria should have a capable, intelligent President; a President with personality. So, on behalf of the Niger Delta, Atiku is our presidential candidate, he added.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will today charge a former Director, Legal Services, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Grace Taiga, to court.

Ms Taiga is accused of complicity in the controversial contract Nigeria signed with an Irish firm, Process and Industrial Development Company (P&ID) in 2008.

Ms Taiga, who is to be arraigned on an 8-count charge, will appear before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, the EFCC said while responding.

She will become the third person to be charged by the anti-graft agency.

Information available at news time reported how the Nigerian government on Thursday arraigned two persons it said were representatives of the P&ID before a Federal High Court in Abuja on allegations of fraud.

The two suspects, Muhammad Kuchazi, said to be a commercial director of P&ID, and Adamu Usman, a director of the company in Nigeria, pleaded guilty to the 11 counts of fraudulent involvement in the contract.

The court in its ruling on Thursday convicted the suspects and ordered the firm to forfeit all its assets to the Nigerian government.

EFCC Investigation

The EFCC commenced an investigation of the contract following a British court ruling that Nigeria owed the Irish firm about $9 billion for violating terms of the contract.

The contract for gas supply and processing (GSPA) was signed by the administration of late President Umaru YarAdua and P&ID.

The company was to build gas processing facilities around Calabar, Cross River State, and the government was to supply wet gas up to 400 million standard cubic feet per day. The agreement defined wet gas as associated gas removed, during oil production, having a propane content of not less than 3.5 mol per cent and a butane content of not less than 1.8 mol content, compressed and delivered via pipeline to the site.

In turn, the company shall operate and maintain the GPFs (gas processing facilities) on a professional basis to ensure a regular supply of Lean Gas (approximately 340 MMSCuFD) for power generation. Lean gas, defined as pipeline quality gas having a composition of not less than 95 mol per cent of methane and ethane, was what the government was to take after supplying wet gas for processing by the company.

How the agreement was designed to fail as key elements necessary for its success was missing was earlier reported.

A three-member arbitration panel that reviewed the contract had ruled against Nigeria and ordered the government to pay the firm $6.6 billion as damages.

A British court last month ruled against Nigerias objection to the 2017 arbitration.

The money with interest has now accumulated to about $9 billion (approximately N3.24 trillion), over one-third of Nigerias 2019 budget.

The judgement was delivered by Justice Butcher of The High Court of Justice, Business and Property Courts of England and Wales.

Nigeria has since condemned the ruling and said it suspects that various officials involved in the negotiations did so for pecuniary reasons.
BMW Korea, Hyundai Motor and three other carmakers will recall more than 44,000 vehicles due to faulty components, the transport ministry said Thursday.

The five companies, including Honda Korea, Mercedes-Benz Korea and MAN Truck & Bus Korea, are voluntarily recalling a total of 44,281 units of 48 different models, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said in a statement.

The problems that prompted the recall include a faulty battery wiring system in Hyundai's Kona SX2 subcompact SUV, a faulty component in the fuel pump of Mercedes-Benz's E350 4MATIC sedan, a faulty battery cable in Honda's CR-V SUV and fuel filter heater problems in MAN Truck & Bus' TGM Cargo truck, the statement said.

Vehicle owners can check the government's homepage at www.car.go.kr or call 080-357-2500 to see if their vehicles are subject to the recall, the ministry said. (Yonhap)
The Federal High Court directed the boss of the secret police to comply with its directive or face grave consequences, which includes commitment to prison.

The Federal High Court, Abuja, has threatened to jail the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, over his refusal to release pro-democracy campaigner and Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore.

In a notice of disobedience to order of court issued by the court on Thursday and addressed to the DSS DG, the Federal High Court directed the boss of the secret police to comply with its directive or face grave consequences, which includes commitment to prison.

Sowore has remained in detention more than 24 hours after meeting his bail condition as set by Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday in a ruling.
Alhaji Abdu Bali

Armed men have gunned down Alhaji Abdu Bali, the Adamawa State leader of a pan-Fulani group, Tabital Pulaaku.

The gunmen also killed one of the visitors with him at the time of attack.

The other visitor sustained gunshot injuries from the attack which occurred at the Tabital Pulaaku leaders residence in the state capital, Yola, on Tuesday night.

A source close to the family said three gunmen stormed the residence in Lakare area of Yola town about 8:30 pm on Tuesday and opened gunfire on them, killing the Tabital Pulaaku leader, one of his two visitors and injuring the other.

Alhaji was inside the house with two people who were on a visit when three armed men came shooting sporadically and entering the house. They killed Alhaji and one of the visitors while the other visitor was left badly injured, the source said.

He added that the bodies of the slain men had been taken to the morgue of the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Yola.

Confirming the killing of the Fulani leader and his visitor, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Sulaiman Ngurore, said the killers were most likely hired for the act.

He said Wednesday morning in a telephone interview with DAILY POST: Yes, gunmen invaded the Tabital Pulaaku chairmans house situated in Lakare, a remote side of Shagari (Estate in Yola town) yesterday between the hours of 8.30 and 9pm and gunned him down with one of his visitors.

When we were alerted, we rushed there and found him and his visitor lying in pools of blood. We took them and another visitor who was injured to the hospital where the chairman and his other visitor were confirmed dead.

He added that mass deployment of policemen was on with a view to tracing the culprits and bringing them to justice.




Hosni Mubarak

Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak who was ousted by the military in 2011 has died in Cairo at the age of 91.

According to BBC News, Mubarak spent three decades in office before a popular uprising swept Egypt.

He was found guilty of complicity in the killing of protesters during the revolution.

That conviction was later overturned and was freed in March 2017.

His death was confirmed by Egyptian state news on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, the Al-Watan website reported that he died at a military hospital.

Mubarak underwent surgery in late January and was photographed with his grandson as he recovered.




File photo

Security operatives have apprehended a 29-year old woman, Miss Taiwo Alabi for allegedly conspiring with her lover, Samuel Arowolo, to steal a members Toyota car inside Church premises.

PM Express reports that the incident happened at Celestial Church of Christ Church located at Akesan Road, Egan area of Lagos, where both the suspects and the owner of the car, Idowu Babatunde, are Church members.

It was gathered that Miss Taiwo met the owner of the car, Babatunde, at the Church and told him that her lover, Arowolo, wanted to buy the car and asked him to bring the car worth N1.6m for her lover to see before he would pay the money.

The owner, Babatunde, agreed and brought the unregistered car to the Church premises as they had agreed with hope that they were members of the Church.

However, the suspects proved the owner wrong as Arowolo asked the owner for key to the car, which he gave it to him; he drove the car and escaped from the Church premises.

When the owner waited for Arowolo to bring back the car or pay the agreed amount to no avail, the owner reported the matter to the Police at Igando Division. Hence, Miss Taiwo was arrested to bring the suspect but she was unable to do so.

The Police later trailed and arrested Arowolo. After interrogation and having been found culpable, the Police charged him alongside his lover, Taiwo, before the Ejigbo Magistrates Court for conspiracy and stealing the car at the Church premises.

They pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Kenneth Asibor, asked the Court to give a date for hearing to enable the Police to prove that they actually committed the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. T.O. Shomade, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties in like sum.

They were remanded in prison custody pending when they will perfect their bail conditions. The matter was adjourned till 30th March, 2020.
CHICAGO  Cook County prosecutors on Wednesday dropped charges against two Northwestern students amid controversy over the decision to pursue a criminal case against them for allegedly circulating a fake page of the student newspaper to protest the school stance on the crisis in Gaza and Israel.

The charging decision, as well as the newspapers parent companys pursuit of a complaint, attracted harsh criticism from students, professors and community members, who blasted the move as an example of over-policing of Black students and an effort to silence pro-Palestinian voices that disproportionately affect people of color.

In a statement, Northwestern University said campus police acted on a complaint filed by Students Publishing Co. and investigated the distribution of fake Daily Northwestern news pages.

The University supports the Cook County States Attorneys Office, which has used its discretion to drop charges against the two individuals, Northwestern University officials said Wednesday.

In a statement, the Cook County States Attorneys Office said that in misdemeanor cases, police departments can bypass prosecutors and directly file charges.

In misdemeanor cases, the Cook County States Attorneys Office  does not review or approve the charges prior to filing in any instance, the office said. States Attorney Kim Foxx had declined to address the situation earlier this week.

The men, 20 and 22, were charged in December with theft of advertising services, a class A misdemeanor, according to Cook County court records. They were cited, but the charges were still pending as of Tuesday. Advocates pointed out that criminal charges can follow people for the rest of their lives.

These are college students that were engaging in a political protest, one might even describe it as a stunt to make a political point, Ed Yohnka, spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union Illinois, told the Tribune Monday. No one was meaningfully harmed as a result of this.

Rifqa Falaneh, a fellow at Chicago-based advocacy group Palestine Legal, said the charges were unprecedented coming out of an institution that values free speech.

It causes a chilling impact on students when theyre working for causes that they believe in, Falaneh said. There has been enormous community support  without the pressure, the charges may not have been dropped.

Falaneh, who is helping the Northwestern students responsible for the parody newspaper page with public-facing advocacy, said Palestine Legal has seen an uptick in similar cases.

Since Oct. 7, weve received more than 1,300 reports of repression and censoring targeting those voicing support for Palestinians in Gaza, she said. And nearly half of these intakes are campus related  its been an alarming amount.

The states attorneys office said it decided to dismiss the charges after a thorough review of the circumstances and engaged in discussions with the complainant, the campus newspaper publisher.

Our criminal justice system should only be utilized when there is no other recourse for accountability, the office said in a statement. Northwestern University and campus police are fully equipped to hold the involved individuals accountable, ensuring that such matters are handled in a manner that is both appropriate to the educational context and respectful of students rights.

The charges stemmed from a parody front page of the Daily Northwestern, which Students Publishing Co. said was attached to real editions of the paper and placed around campus.

On Oct. 25, students on campus could find a single-page flyer that looked similar to the popular student-run newspaper with the headline Northwestern complicit in genocide of Palestinians printed across its lower third.

A court filing accused the two men of attaching an unauthorized replica of the Daily Northwestern Newspaper to a previously distributed edition and placing copies in the newspaper stand.

The charges say they did so without a contractual agreement between the publisher and an advertiser.

In a statement on Monday, Students Publishing Company, parent company of The Daily Northwestern, said it reported the fake front page to campus police, which resulted in charges filed by the Cook County states attorneys office.

The next day, it released another statement that said it hired legal counsel to work on our behalf with the Cook County States Attorneys Office to pursue a resolution to this matter that results in nothing punitive or permanent.

In that statement, the publishing company elaborated on the events that led up to the charges, saying it contacted Northwestern police with the intent of protecting student journalists.

This co-opting of the work of our student journalists and the potential damage to the reputation of the paper built upon more than a century of hard work was the problem, the statement said. To us, it seemed no different from someone hacking into our website to post their own content and replace ours.

When police identified two people who may have been involved, the publishing company said it signed complaints. In the statement, the board of directors said they didnt understand how these complaints started a process that we could no longer control.

We have been listening to our fellow community members, and they have been heard, the statement read. We understand and recognize why we need to take action.

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CHICAGO  The long-lasting Jussie Smollett case is not quite over yet.

The former Empire actor who was convicted of falsely reporting a hate crime to Chicago police in January of 2019 is petitioning the Illinois Supreme Court to hear his case after a lower appellate court in December upheld his sentence and conviction.

The move marks the next step as Smollett works to exhaust all his appeal options after a jury in 2021 convicted him on five of six counts of disorderly conduct. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation and $130,160 in restitution.

Smolletts attorneys filed the petition to the high court on Monday, arguing that the questions raised by the case have the potential for wide-reaching implications across Illinois. The court has the discretion to decide whether to take the case, or leave the appellate courts decision in effect.

The appeals court in a 2-1 decision largely rejected a lengthy laundry list of alleged violations in the case handled by special prosecutor Dan Webb after the Cook County states attorneys office controversially dropped all charges. Smollett had argued that the original dismissal constituted a resolution in the case, given that he forfeited the $10,000 he posted for bail. Therefore, he has argued, the subsequent trial and conviction violated his double jeopardy rights.

The court, with one justice dissenting, ruled that Cook County prosecutors decision to drop charges did not constitute a non-prosecution agreement with Smollett. Justice Freddrenna Lyle disagreed, arguing that Smollett gave up something of value, community service and bond forfeiture, in exchange for a nolle of the whole indictment.

Smolletts petition to the Supreme Court argues that the lower courts opinion threatens to upend all informal and formal deferred prosecution agreements.

What should have been a straightforward case has been complicated by the intersection of politics and public outrage, the petition says.

In the early hours of Jan. 29, 2019, Smollett reported to Chicago police officers that two men attacked him in the Loop, hitting him, yelling homophobic slurs and placing a noose around his neck. But in a twist that drew frenzied international attention, prosecutors charged Smollett the following month with disorderly conduct for concocting the hoax with brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, who testified that he paid them to perpetrate the attack.

About a month after prosecutors charged Smollett, they dropped all counts against him noting that he forfeited his $10,000 bond and had done community service. Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx previously handed the case to deputies, saying she had recused herself.

Former Cook County Judge Michael Toomin appointed Webb, a former U.S. attorney, as special prosecutor amid scrutiny around the decision. Webb later refiled the charges.

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CHICAGO  New limits on lung-damaging soot proposed by President Joe Bidens administration would effectively require cleaner factories, power plants and vehicles in Chicago and several other urban industrial centers across the Midwest.

At the urging of his independent scientific advisers, Michael Regan, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is pushing to lower the annual standard for the deadly air pollutant to 9 micrograms per cubic meter of air, down from the current restriction of 12 micrograms per cubic meter.

Regan estimated during a Tuesday call with reporters that the proposed changes would provide up to $77 in health benefits nationwide in 2032 for every dollar polluters spend to clean up their operations.

Soot, also known as fine particulate matter, can penetrate deep into the lungs and trigger myriad health problems including cancer, heart disease, respiratory ailments, diabetes and brain damage, shaving years off lives. The type of soot targeted by the EPA proposal, PM2.5, is so small that thousands of the particles could fit on the period at the end of this sentence.

The impact of this pollution disproportionately affects our most vulnerable communities, including low-income communities, communities of color, children, older adults, and those who struggle with heart or lung conditions, Regan said.

In Illinois and nearby states, communities that would violate the new standard include Chicago and its suburbs; Decatur; Rockford; Milwaukee; Gary, Indianapolis and Evansville, Indiana; Detroit, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, Michigan; and the St. Louis metro area, according to a Chicago Tribune analysis of monitoring data from 2000 through 2022.

Chicago ranks 3rd in the U.S. in deaths and health costs related to diesel pollution, analysis shows

Iowa and Minnesota are the only Midwest states where all counties would meet the more stringent soot standard.

The final list of scofflaws will be based on pollution data collected during the next few years. Regan noted that soot levels generally are declining nationwide, but he said a growing body of research shows the current standard fails to adequately protect public health.

Some environment and public health groups clamored for an even tougher standard of 8 micrograms of soot per cubic meter of air. Breathing soot above that limit leads to more than 21,000 deaths and 3,000 cases of lung cancer each year, according to a study published last year in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.

The EPAs own regulatory analysis concluded that setting the limit at 8 micrograms would prevent 9,200 premature deaths annually, compared with 4,200 premature deaths prevented each year at 9 micrograms.

Any way you look at this issue, tens of thousands of people are needlessly losing their lives every year, including many in areas that meet existing (standards), Brian Urbasewski, director of environmental health programs at the Chicago-based Respiratory Health Association, told the White House Office of Management and Budget during a November meeting.

Aware that new soot regulations were on the horizon, industry groups have been airing television ads and lobbying members of Congress with many of the same arguments they made during past battles about clean air rules.

Maps produced by several trade groups depict most of the nation affected by the Biden EPAs proposal, despite monitoring data showing the dire forecast isnt grounded in readily available information.

Statements from the American Petroleum Institute and U.S. Chamber of Commerce implored the EPA to maintain the current soot standard, which both organizations insisted when it was adopted would bankrupt the U.S. economy.

Strengthening the soot standard, the oil industry trade group said, is the latest in a growing list of short-sighted policy actions that have no scientific basis and prioritize foreign energy and manufacturing from unstable regions of the world over American jobs, manufacturing, and national security.

By contrast, Earthjustice, an environmental group that backs the Biden administrations proposal, recently conducted an analysis that found cities have boosted their economies while reducing soot pollution. In the Chicago metropolitan area, for instance, annual soot levels declined by 11.5% between 2012 and 2021 while the unemployment rate declined by 3% and the gross domestic product increased by by 10.4%, the analysis showed.

Other studies have determined that reducing soot pollution would particularly benefit low-income Black and Latino communities near highways, railways and industrial facilities.

A 2014 Tribune analysis found that nearly 340,000 people, including 38,000 children younger than 7, live within a half-mile of one of the regions intermodal terminals that transfer freight between diesel locomotives and trucks. More than 80% are Black or Latino.

Diesel soot costs the region more than $3.7 billion a year in hidden health costs, according to a 2022 analysis by the Clean Air Task Force, a Boston-based nonprofit group.

At least 340 people die each year from diseases triggered or made worse by exposure to diesel soot in the metropolitan area that stretches from Kenosha to Naperville to Gary, the group estimated by using a computer model developed by EPA consultants.

Only Los Angeles and New York record more deaths and health costs from diesel soot each year, the group estimated.

When (industry groups) use these scare tactics to misrepresent the standard, said Dr. Doris Browne, past president of the National Medical Association, a trade group for Black physicians, just remember the actual tens of billions in health benefits these strengthened soot pollution limits provide and the people who will be alive because of them.

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SPRINGFIELD  After a Carlinville funeral home allegedly mishandled the remains of close to 80 people, state lawmakers are looking to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

A pair of bills have been filed in Springfield, with one making it a criminal penalty for mishandling human remains and another establishing a mandatory tagging system. The dual efforts seek to address significant criminal and regulatory gaps that have made it hard to hold funeral home officials accountable for wrongdoing.

This was criminal activity, and our laws should reflect that these are criminal acts, said state Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield, who filed the legislation establishing criminal penalties. Families who have lost a loved one have suffered enough. It is unconscionable for anyone to try to victimize them in their time of sorrow.

Last March, Morgan County Coroner Marcy Peterson found a decomposing body at Heinz Funeral Home in Carlinville and alleged the care of the remains was criminal in nature and unacceptable.

Peterson contacted the Illinois Department of Financial Professional Regulation and filed the complaint. However, IDFPR took no action against the funeral home director for the next six months, despite multiple follow-ups from the coroner and complaints from families.

Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon went public with what was happening at the funeral home in late September. From there, an investigation started and director Albert August Gus Heinz's funeral director license was revoked.

Allmon said an ongoing investigation has uncovered close to 80 families that have fallen victim to the funeral home allegedly mishandling remains. Charges have yet to be filed for the funeral home.

Working with lawmakers just to get something put on the books, so to speak, to prevent or maybe deter someone from doing this again was the goal," Allmon said. "I look forward to seeing this thing move through. I think if theres anything thats bipartisan, I think something like this should be. Its commonsense legislation.

McClures bill would make it a Class 4 felony to deliberately give inaccurate documentation of the identity of human remains, to store human remains in violation of Illinois law or to provide misidentified human remains. This would apply to people authorized to treat, transport or store human remains, such as those who operate funeral homes and crematoriums.

State Rep. Wayne Rosenthal, R-Springfield, who plans to file an identical bill in the House, said this legislation comes after the states failure to take action against the funeral director sooner.

To not investigate such allegations for months is unacceptable, Rosenthal said. For this reason, we are calling for the amendments to the criminal code that makes it a Class 4 felony for any person to knowingly and intentionally mishandle human remains.

Additionally, state Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, has filed a bill that would mandate state regulators and the states death care industry to implement a unique identification tagging system for all human remains.

The legislation would also create a chain of custody system that would track the human remains of a deceased individual whose death took place in Illinois from death to final disposition.

It is vital that we ensure no family has to receive the dreaded call that the remains they received belong to someone else, Turner said after filing the bill in November. This has become a nationwide issue that needs to be addressed.

McClures legislation has not been assigned to a substantive committee. Turners bill awaits consideration in the Senate Executive Committee.

McClure and Allmon said they support Turners legislation.

It remains unclear if McClures bill will receive serious consideration as Democrats who control the state legislature have mostly blocked in recent years any bills that create or enhance criminal penalties.

Beth Hundsdorfer of Capitol News Illinois contributed to this story.
SPRINGFIELD  The National Rifle Association, the nation's preeminent gun rights advocacy group, has endorsed incumbent Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, for reelection over Republican primary challenger Darren Bailey in Illinois' 12th Congressional District.

Randy Kozuch, chairman of the NRA's political arm, thanked Bost in a statement for his "continued opposition to the Hakeem Jeffries and Joe Biden gun control agenda of banning lawfully-owned firearms, ammunition, and magazines," referring to the pro-gun control positions of the House Democratic leader and U.S. president, respectively.

Bost has had the group's endorsement in the past. And interest groups tend to support incumbent lawmakers in good standing over primary challengers.

Nevertheless, the decision represents a blow to Bailey, who has made his support of gun rights a centerpiece of his insurgent campaign.

In several social media posts, videos and press statements, Bailey has openly and theatrically flaunted his violation of the state's assault weapons ban by failing to register his weapons as required under the law.

Bost also has said he would not register his weapons under the ban.

In a not-so-subtle dig at Bailey, Bost said in a statement accepting the endorsement that "failed politicians will make a big show out of supporting the Second Amendment, but when push comes to shove, they never deliver."

The Second Amendment is not a publicity stunt to me," Bost said. "From my work in Springfield, where I was the lead sponsor of Illinois conceal carry law, to my time in Congress, where I am standing on the frontlines against woke liberals trying to take away our guns, I will never back down. I thank the NRA and gun owners across Southern Illinois for their strong support.

The nod is another example of an organization or a person with significant conservative credentials backing Bost, a five-term incumbent facing the toughest electoral challenge of his career in Bailey, the unsuccessful 2022 Republican gubernatorial nominee who has established himself as a favorite of the conservative grassroots in southeastern Illinois.

Bailey, in a statement released by his campaign, dismissed the endorsement, though he has said during past elections that he was "proud" to have the group's support.

We said this when we announced, Bost has been loyal to the swamp, and we expect the swamp to be loyal to him," Bailey said. "Amnesty Mike worked to restrict gun rights with Never Trumper Adam Kinzinger; the people of the 12th know I'm the one in this race who will stand up and fight against both parties to protect our gun rights and fight for our freedoms.

Bailey has made gun rights one of the central issues of his campaign, gaining attention for social media posts opposing Illinois' gun laws.

On New Year's Eve, for example, a picture of Bailey sitting at a table working on a puzzle and surrounded by at least two assault rifles, a pistol and ammunition was posted to his social media accounts.

I'll be here putting together this puzzle waiting for Pritzker to knock on my door and take my guns. I will not comply. pic.twitter.com/XpUvlkzwqK  Darren Bailey (@DarrenBaileyIL) January 1, 2024

The next day, Bailey posted a video on his farm. He said that "a lot of people have been asking me if I'm going to comply with J.B.'s illegal gun registry. Well, friends, here's your answer." He proceeded to shoot several of his guns at a piece of paper taped to a tree and bearing the words "I will not comply."

Both Bost and Bailey are NRA members and have received the group's backing in the past.

The 12th Congressional District encompasses most of rural Southern Illinois. It is a heavily Republican district.

Early voting begins Thursday and the primary election will be held March 19.

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SPRINGFIELD  Illinois is setting aside $1 million to help fund a grant program for manufacturers whose products are made in the state.

Economic leaders say the program, which will provide up to $50,000 in matching grants for small- and mid-sized manufacturers for innovation and strategic advancement, will help boost the states economy while also supporting the local workforce.

Applications are open through March 31 at imec.org/madeinillinois. Eligible companies must meet the following criteria:

Be an Illinois manufacturer (as designated with a North American Industry Classification System code starting with 31-33).

Have between 5-250 employees.

Have operated in Illinois for at least 3 years.

Had sales revenue in the last 12 months prior to application date.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is partnering with the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center on the project. The two entities will provide resources including workforce support, market leadership, innovation and more through the program.

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
By Park Jae-hyuk

Leaders of major Korean conglomerates will be busy tackling pending issues related to their businesses and drawing up strategies for the future during the Lunar New Year holidays from Friday to Monday, according to industry officials, Thursday.

Amid growing uncertainties surrounding the global business environment, the business tycoons will reportedly continue their work here and overseas during the long holidays.

Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong departed for the United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, a day after he was acquitted of his alleged stock price rigging and accounting fraud related to the 2015 merger of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries.

He is expected to visit Samsung C&Ts construction site for a nuclear power plant there, strengthening his companys business networks throughout the Middle East. Samsung C&T is also participating in the project to build the NEOM smart city in Saudi Arabia.

Following his trip to the Middle East, Lee is said to be flying to Malaysia to support the construction of Samsung SDIs electric vehicle battery plant there and sales of Samsung Electronics mobile devices and home appliances in Southeast Asia.

Over the past 11 years, the chairman has checked Samsungs operations overseas and met with global business leaders on the occasions of the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays. During the Chuseok holidays last year, he toured Saudi Arabia, Israel and Egypt to inspect Samsungs operations in the Middle East and North Africa.

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won will reportedly stay in Seoul to prepare for his trip to Germany next week as the chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which will lead the Korean business delegation to the European country. He is also expected to prepare for another trip to attend the Mobile World Congress in Spain later this month.

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo seem to be at their homes as before to focus on devising business plans for the future.

Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin is expected to visit Japan to oversee the conglomerates operation there. He has often visited the country during the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays unless he has anything special on his schedule.

Employees at foreign offices of Korean companies continue their work during the Lunar New Year, so conglomerate leaders tend to encourage their employees abroad and check their foreign operations during the holidays, an industry official said.
SPRINGFIELD  After failing to pass a child tax credit last year, advocates returned to Springfield Wednesday to propose a scaled back version of the policy which they say would still reduce child poverty and spur economic growth.

The proposal, contained in House Bill 4917 and Senate Bill 3329, would create a $300 per-child refundable tax credit for families who earn less than the states median income  about $75,000 per year for couples and $50,000 for single parents.

The policy would cost the state about $300 million, according to Erion Malasi, Illinois policy director for the Economic Security Project, an advocacy group backing the proposal.

A January report from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute, a union-backed think tank, found that a $300 tax credit would cost the state about $471 million, although that estimate doesnt account for cost reductions in other state programs, like the earned income tax credit or the supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children, known as WIC  and it assumes that 100% of eligible families will claim the credit.

Frank Manzo, an economist with ILEPI and co-author of that report, said a $300 per-child credit would be lower than in the other 15 states that have similar policies. Utah, Minnesota and Oregon  which enacted a similar credit last year  all offer $1,000 or more in credits.

But it does comport with some budgetary realities in the state of Illinois, he told Capitol News Illinois on Wednesday.

In December, Gov. J.B. Pritzker urged a careful approach to next years budget after his budget office projected a $891 million deficit.

Omar Aquino, the chief Senate sponsor of the proposal, said Wednesday he hopes the program, if passed, can be scaled up in the future.

The bills, which were introduced Wednesday, await substantive committee assignments, a necessary step before they can be voted on by the full legislature.

Manufacturers agenda

Tax credits were also included in a wide-ranging legislative agenda put forth by the Illinois Manufacturers Association.

House Bill 4670 creates a pilot program to allow manufacturers to create onsite child care programs and provide tax credits to those who do.

We know that the lack of available child care is a hindrance to getting and keeping people, especially women, in the workforce, sponsor Rep. Amy Elik, R-Godfrey, said.

The IMA reaffirmed support for three bills filed last spring, including two tax credits  one sponsored by Democrats, the other by Republicans. The IMA did not provide cost estimates for the tax credits.

Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel, D-Shorewood, filed Senate Bill 1313 to create a tax credit for businesses that assist their employees in repaying student loans.

Student debt is a huge issue. This proposal would allow an employer to help offset about five thousand dollars per year, IMA President and CEO Mark Denzler said. It's a great opportunity to help those individuals struggling with college debt while also making sure we have a great workforce.

Sen. Donald DeWitte, R-St. Charles, filed Senate Bill 163 would make a temporary research and development tax credit permanent, rather than expiring every five years. The current credit will expire in 2027.

House Bill 3307 would amend graduation requirements for students entering high school in 2028, allowing them to fill the requirement of two foreign language courses with career-focused courses.

Fertility treatments

Members of the state Senate Democratic Caucus introduced three bills Wednesday aimed at increasing access to infertility treatments and fertility preservation.

If passed, the bills would require insurance companies to cover the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, certain prescription medications, and preservation of reproductive cells by amending the Illinois Insurance Code.

Senate Bill 2572 would require insurance coverage of procedures used to diagnose and treat infertility, as well as injectable medications used to treat prediabetes, gestational diabetes and obesity  all of which can make it harder to conceive and carry a baby to term.

Senate Bill 2623 would require insurers to cover the freezing of an individuals reproductive cells without restriction or exclusion.

Another measure, Senate Bill 2639, would prevent insurance companies from denying infertility treatment coverage when recommended by a physician.

Safe screens initiative

Another pair of bills introduced this week aim to create a safer online environment for children.

Sen. Sue Rezins, R-Morris, proposals mostly affect childrens data and privacy and how content is moderated.

The amended Age-Appropriate Design Code Act is a privacy law based on a similar one in California that Rezin said will help parents set stronger privacy settings and change how companies use childrens data, which she said can facilitate the development of addicting content.

Senate Bill 3355 would require social media companies to have a customer service line where concerned users can report inappropriate content that would need to be removed within 3 days.

Rezin said a third bill, which is still in development, would require social media platforms to create an identity verification process.

The senator compared social media to the tobacco and opiate industries, saying people cannot trust them to regulate themselves. She also said Illinoisans cannot wait for the federal government to take action.

Parents are mad, Rezin said. They want us to act and pass legislation to protect their children. They dont care if its a federal issue or a state issue.

Photos: Pritzker Military Archives Center
DANVILLE  An Illinois man was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday for trying to prevent the opening of an abortion clinic in downstate Danville by crashing his car into the building and attempting to set it on fire, an act that reproductive health care advocates say has been part of a spike in violence and harassment against such facilities since the end of Roe v. Wade.

Philip Buyno, 73, of Prophetstown was also ordered to pay more than $300,000 restitution, the Justice Department said in a statement. Authorities said Buyno intended to destroy the building before the clinic could open, citing his long history of abortion opposition.

On Tuesday, several Illinois abortion providers held a roundtable event in Springfield with lawmakers, urging their help to curb the surge in violence, vandalism and intimidation that has recently plagued reproductive health care statewide and across the nation.

The tactics of obstructing clinic entrances and threatening violence not only create a climate of fear but also have systemically marginalized abortion care from the broader spectrum of health care services, said Yamelsie Rodriguez, president and CEO of Advocates of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, during the roundtable.

Rodriguez, whose agency also covers southern Illinois, added that this orchestrated campaign of intimidation has had a profound effect on community perceptions and access to abortion care. She pressed legislators to partner with us providers to take whatever measures are available to ensure reproductive services are free from violence and intimidation.

Several abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood of Illinois, took part in Tuesdays discussion, as well as clinic escorts and volunteers. State Sen. Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove, and state Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights, also attended.

Michele Landeau, chief operating officer at Hope Clinic in Granite City, said last year two people who were opposed to abortion got through the clinics security barriers and entered the health care facility; she said the clinic  which is just across the border from Missouri, where abortion has been nearly banned after the end of Roe  has also historically experienced fire bombings and blockades.

Its really important to note that throughout all these incidents we did not stop caring for our patients, she said. I think that really speaks to the resilience of abortion providers.

Illinois clinics and other pro-reproductive rights groups have faced several high-profile acts of violence and vandalism since the Supreme Courts June 2022 decision to overturn Roe, which had established the right to terminate a pregnancy nationwide since 1973.

While dozens of states moved to all but ban or severely restrict abortion after Roes demise, Illinois has strengthened reproductive rights laws, drawing a spike in patients traveling from other states to have abortions here.

The year Roe fell, nearly 17,000 patients traveled to Illinois from other states for abortions, a 49% increase over the 11,000 patients who came from out of state in 2021, according to Illinois Department of Public Health data.

Because Illinois is a critical access point for abortion care in the Midwest, abortion providers are targets for violence and aggressive harassment from anti-abortion extremists, the abortion providers at the roundtable said in a joint statement Tuesday. Several abortion providers throughout the state have experienced violent attacks, and almost all providers have seen a historic increase in aggressive individuals trying to prevent patients from accessing care.

As for the violence in Danville, police in May had responded to an alarm at a the site of a proposed abortion clinic and found that Buyno had rammed his car into the front of the building and was still stuck inside.

The vehicle was full of explosive materials  cans of gasoline, flares, matches, old tires and firewood  which Buyno had intended to set on fire once inside the building, according to the Justice Department.

Buyno pleaded guilty to attempting to use fire to damage a building used in interstate commerce in September, according to the Justice Department.

The crash occurred a few weeks after the Danville City Council approved a controversial ordinance to ban the mailing and shipping of abortion pills; the measure was the subject of heated debate at a highly publicized city council meeting that drew hundreds of protesters from both sides of the abortion issue.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and civil liberties experts have said the ordinance is illegal and unenforceable in Illinois, which has strong reproductive rights protections.

The planned abortion clinic was invoked throughout the night the abortion pill ordinance was debated, with community members speaking for and against its opening in this east central Illinois city of about 30,000 people.

Authorities said Buyno had been arrested many times for anti-abortion activities, including trespassing at an abortion clinic in Peoria in 2019.

If I could sneak in with a gas can and a match, I would go in there again, Buyno told federal investigators, according to the complaint.

Buyno also told authorities that if he were released from jail, he planned to finish the job, the complaint said.

The Justice Department said Buyno has remained in federal custody since his May 20 arrest following the Danville crash.

Our office strongly condemns the defendants attempt to prevent women in our community from accessing important reproductive health services, said U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois Gregory Harris in a statement. We are committed to prosecuting such crimes and thank our federal and local law enforcement officers for their critical work in pursuing this case.

In August, another Illinois man was sentenced to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay $1.45 million in restitution for an arson at a Planned Parenthood in Peoria, which severely damaged the clinic, according to the Justice Department.

Tyler Massengill, 33, of Chillicothe maliciously set fire to that abortion clinic in January 2023 because he believed his ex-girlfriend had an abortion there, and he was angry about it, a Justice Department statement said.

Massengill believed that, if his actions caused a little delay in a person receiving services at the Peoria Health Center, his conduct may have been worth it, the statement added.

Across the country, abortion providers have faced a rise in arsons, burglaries and death threats after the fall of Roe, according to the National Abortion Federations 2022 Violence and Disruption Report, which was released in May. The report also cited a sharp increase in violence and disruption at clinics in states where abortion rights are protected.

The data is proof of what we have known to be true: anti-abortion extremists have been emboldened by the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and the cascade of abortion bans that followed, said Melissa Fowler, National Abortion Federation chief program officer, in a statement. As clinics closed in states with bans, extremists have simply shifted their focus to the states where abortion remains legal and protected, where our members have reported major increases in assaults, stalking, and burglaries.

Anti-abortion pregnancy centers and organizations nationwide had also experienced a major spike in violence and vandalism around the time Roe was overturned.

The FBI last year offered $25,000 rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for a string of attacks on reproductive services organizations across the country, which were set on fire, vandalized or defaced, most of which were anti-abortion groups.

Many of the buildings were spray painted with messages such as bans off our bodies and if abortions arent safe neither are you, FBI photos showed.

There are just some elements of this society that dont think choosing life for an unborn child is acceptable, Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, told the Tribune at the time. And theyre doing everything they can to shut down the places that provide free help to a woman who needs it. And wants it.

Photos: Pritzker Military Archives Center
Its tempting to view swatting  the deceitful practice of calling out squads of heavily armed police to peoples homes under false pretenses  as a special kind of offense, something that only a deranged individual would do. And certainly, it is despicable. And dangerous. But its also part of a larger problem.

The most recent high-profile incident of swatting in Minnesota occurred recently at the residence of U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn. A caller to emergency services said that hed killed a man in Emmers house, and that he had taken a hostage. Thankfully, neither assertion was true, but the Wright County Sheriffs Department made the right call and responded as if a serious incident was underway.

No one was hurt. No one was even at home. Such incidents do not always end so well, however. An innocent person died when shot by police during a swatting episode in 2017. Another died of a heart attack during an incident in 2020.

Paradoxically, unless they actually intend to cause someones death, the callers who send law enforcement officers on these missions are relying on the professionalism and restraint of the very people whose time and resources they are wasting. Remember, officers responding to an emergency call must assume that they may be entering a dangerous environment  possibly even a trap.

Jim Stuart, executive director of the Minnesota Sheriffs Association and former Anoka County sheriff, told an editorial writer that in a day and age when law enforcement is being ambushed, it makes it that much scarier to respond to events, not knowing what the true intent behind them is.

Theyre going to be coming in with their head on a swivel, trying to take in everything: Is there a suspicious person in a car? Is there a tricky area? Is there anybody on the roofs? Is there anybody in the trees? It sounds kind of silly, but you really are scanning everything you can, he said.

Its a very dangerous and irresponsible thing to do. It reallocates resources away from where they could be.

In some respects, swatting is similar to the old-fashioned bomb threat. A few days into the new year, Minnesotas was among more than a dozen state capitols that were temporarily shut down or evacuated due to an emailed bomb threat.

These local incidents are part of what the New York Times describes as a national "climate of intimidation." Public people and figures of controversy see their private information published on the web. Groups of demonstrators target public officials in their homes. Swatting tactics are employed against people as diverse as Nikki Haley; U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, who had ruled the 14th Amendment required that former President Donald Trump be kept off her states ballot.

And lets not forget the 2022 attack on Paul Pelosi, the husband of former U.S. Speaker Nancy Pelosi. That was not an empty threat, as swatting is, but a significant contribution to the climate of intimidation.

It is sort of comforting to note that the targets of these tactics are bipartisan. Perhaps well be spared nonsensical claims that anonymous 911 callers are merely exercising their freedom of speech.

In Minnesota, swatting is treated as a gross misdemeanor and rises to a felony if someone is hurt or killed. Nationally, the FBI has begun tracking such incidents. We hope that initiative might lead to an effective strategy for thwarting the perpetrators.

Even more, We hope the country will begin to lose its addiction to violent rhetoric in its public discourse. As long as our candidates for public office refer to their opponents as vermin or deplorables, some of their supporters will infer that they are being encouraged to do something they shouldnt.
The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia says he will abolish the e-levy, emission tax and other taxes if elected President of Ghana.



He noted that this forms a significant part of his government's reforms to boost government revenues in a proposed tax reforms.



Delivering his policy statement and priorities to Ghanaians in Accra on Wednesday February 7, 2024, Dr. Bawumia said abolishing the e-levy which is tax on mobile money transactions will boost his bid for a cashless society.



"To move towards a cashless economy however, we have to encourage the population to use electronic channels payment. To accomplish this, there will be no taxes on digital payments under my administration. The e-levy will therefore, be abolished", he declared.



He further indicated; "My administration will introduce a very simple, citizen and business friendly flat tax regime. A flat tax of a % of income for individuals and SMEs, which constitute 98% of all businesses in Ghana, with appropriate exemption thresholds set to protect the poor."



Tax Regime



While lamenting the huge loss of government revenue, which he estimated to be a whopping $24 billion forming 13% of GDP because of several people outside the tax basket, Dr. Bawumia said his new revenue generation reforms will help boost both businesses and government revenues as well as reform the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).



"The current tax regime has been with us since independence and it has failed us."



"Many individuals and businesses find our tax system cumbersome and confusing and many feel harassed by the GRA."



"Many of the wealthy do not pay taxes, including property taxes. Too much discretion results in corruption. We want a regime that is easy to understand, easy to comply with and easy to enforce and that is not subject to so much discretion."



"To increase government tax revenue, we have to reform and refocus the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) towards broadening the tax base", he said.



Dr. Bawumia noted that the current tax system puts undue pressure on GRA staff to collect revenues and makes them focus on existing taxpayers.



"Sometimes, they even have to go to sit in people's shops to monitor sales, a process known as invigilation. In fact, many businesses feel harassed by this process and the constant audits of their operations. This has to stop!"



He continued; "We must strike the right balance between collecting revenue and allowing businesses to thrive. Our job is to protect the productive forces."



"Estimates suggests revenues amounting to 13% of GDP or $24 billion in 2023 are not collected because people are outside the tax net. Even collecting half of or a quarter of this annually will be a game changer for public finances", Dr. Bawumia added.



To achieve this, Dr. Bawumia stated his government will inculcate and enforce a culture of people filing their tax returns.



"Incentives must be provided to encourage people to file their tax returns even if they will pay zero taxes. We need a fresh start", he said.



Dr. Bawumia also indicated that he will abolish the proposed 15% VAT on electricity stating "it is still on our books by January 2025".

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia says he will scrap national service for all Ghanaians if elected President during the December polls.



National Service is mandatory as every graduate is obliged to serve the nation for 2 years and during national service, the individual is posted to any Region to undertake his or her service.



Dr. Bawumia, providing his bold solutions to fix Ghana, noted during his address today at UPSA-Ghana, that his government will make national service a choice for every student.



"National Service will no longer be mandatory and students will have the option to decide whether to do national service or not. This will also encourage companies to go to the campuses to recruit annually", he emphasized.



This, he believes, is one of the key tools to accelerate the development of Ghana.



Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia outlined his vision for the nation under the theme Ghanas Next Chapter: Selfless Leadership and Bold Solutions for the Future and called on Ghanaians to vote for him to become the next President.









Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Mr. Franklin Cudjoe, the founding President of IMANI Africa, believes it was "unnerving" that the 2024 New Patriotic Party Flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, sought to sing the praise of the Bank of Ghana.



To him, considering how the Central Bank has superintendented over "the biggest fiscal hole in the Ghana's history", it would have sat well with the public if the Vice President had "promised exacting some form of accountability."



In a Facebook post hours after the NPP flagbearer had shared his vision with Ghanaians, Mr. Cudjoe explained that leadership requires that the leader carries his people along in all decisions and crucially accepts responsibility when things go wrong sometimes.



And thus called on Dr. Bawumia to accept responsibility when things go wrong.



Im just unsure about him owning up to the wrongs- which is why Im asking that he accepts the liabilities that will come along. I wish him well.



He said As far as yesterdays big push for the presidency by Dr. Bawumia went, his resolve to build an inclusive society based on a value system that rewards hardwork, incorruptible behaviour, enhance business flourishing with simple taxes such as the flat tax, deepen public-private sector partnership to construct and manage critical infrastructure, ensure governments efficiency with the very bold promise of 50 ministers and deputies, fight corruption through tighter procurement process, ensuring value for money in project management, adding value to our mineral resources are all significant game-changers.



He added that, I had reservations about how he spent the first hour of his major outing as flagbearer to recount many of his achievements with the government, because we had heard them so many times. However, I thought even if he had to repeat the positives, he needed to be balanced, because quite frankly, charting a different path as he advertised his vision was, should include acknowledging some of the grave short comings such as innumerable instances of fiscal misbehaviour that made Ghana top all the inglorious macroeconomic leagues and sped up our journey to economic meltdown with its attendant negative life-changing impact through the debt exchange programeven if one were to account for the impact of Russian-UKRAINE war and covid-19.



Praising the Bank of Ghana was particularly unnerving given the grave sins it committed in the creation of the biggest fiscal hole ever in Ghanas history. He could have promised exacting some form of accountability with some troubling money wasting projects like the cathedral and suspicious multi-million dollar telecom, oil, gold revenue monitoring and assurance systems. Not long ago, Liberians lamented, that President Weah who promised to keep them in his pre-election photograph had taken them out of the picture after winning power. President Weah disagreed; he said the pre-election photograph was intact, and that it is Liberians who had taken themselves out of the photograph. He lost the bid to be re-elected.



Leadership requires that you carry your people along in all decisions and crucially accepting responsibility when things go wrong sometimes because you or your colleague ministers may have overplayed your hands. I have no doubt Dr Bawumia intends to carry us along with all his ideas or assets if he wins the presidency, lm just unsure about he owning up to the wrongs- which is why lm asking that he accepts the liabilities that will come along. I wish him well.

Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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The Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia today visited the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi where the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is holding a durbar of Chiefs to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Sagrenti War between the Asantes and the British Colonial Army.



The commemorative durbar dubbed "Kuntunkuni" and is to commemorate the ravages of the war, had the Asantehene and traditional rulers clad in black attire to reflect the occasion.



Fresh from his impressive delivery of his policies for Ghana in Accra last night, Dr. Bawumia received tumultuous cheers as he arrived at the Manhyia Palace.



Also clad in all-black, Dr. Bawumia and his delegation including his wife Samira were mobbed by enthusiastic admirers who followed him on a procession, chanting his name and giving him adulations.



The durbar was attended by traditional rulers in the Ashanti Kingdom, former President J.A Kufuor, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, diplomats, the British High Commissioner and a representative of the British Museum who presented to Asanteman artefacts which the British took away from the Ashanti Kingdom during the Sagrenti War 150 years ago.



Also part of Dr. Bawumia's delegation to the palace were the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, Minister for Religious and Chieftaincy, Affarus Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister for Energy Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh and a host of Parliamentarians.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has extolled the Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, describing him as a man of destiny



Speaking at the University of Professional Studies (UPSA) in Accra before Vice President Bawumias address, Mr Kufuor recalled an earlier encounter where he asked Bawumia to Carry on like that and you will go far.



According to him, This man is on a mission determined by destiny; please lets all accept him to continuewe happen to be living in a time where the whole world is in flux; where quality leadership is very scarce."



He said unlike other leaders, Bawumia is endowed with abilities in both Digitalization and Geo politics as well as hallmarked by humility and the temperance requisite for the job.



Additionally, weve seen him perform loyally under President Akufo-Addo he stated.



Former President Kufuor further noted that the country is at a crossroads, hence the need to depart from regular politics and it is Bawumia who will be able to do that; combining new technology and Geo Politics.



Meanwhile, he has urged that the party focus on the nation and not itself.



We should be talking about the nation and not so much about the party. We must get competent people to work with him (Bawumia) to get us out (current challenges)...Im appealing to the whole nationI have a very strong feeling that he is the man of the moment and Ghana must accept him, he added.











Source: Peacefmonline.com









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A Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Gyampo says the Bold Solutions address by the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is promising but will have a hectic task selling it to the electorates.



He said in a post on social media that Ghanaians are fed up with political promises rather they will vote based on achievements.



But it appears great plans wouldnt matter. Available empirical survey reports show that many Ghanaians now, do not believe in political promises, as many of them are merely vote garnering gimmicks. What would therefore be the decider in the 2024 elections, would be a side-by-side comparison of the trustworthiness, credibility and achievements of the various contenders. Gyampo said.



Analysing Dr Bawumia's address, Gyampo said parts of his promises have vindicated critics of the Nana Addo-led government



Parts of the presentation were an indictment on the government of which he is part, in a manner that raises serious questions and vindicates those of us who have been critics of the government."



He highlighted the abolishment of certain taxes, including the Emissions tax, Gaming Tax, E-Levy, and VAT on electricity consumption as issues critics have urged the Nana Addo-led government to abolish.



Below is Professor Gyampos full speech



Bawumias Address  A Preliminary Analysis



1. This essentially was an articulation of achievements and vision, fundamentally in the broader area of Digitization and honestly, the various manifestations of this overarching policy, and what it can do to promote development, is indubitable and enormous. No doubt it formed the interwoven central theme of the presentation.



2. Unfortunately, Ghanaians had to wait to be told more about what digitization has done for them by the man himself, in a manner that makes many of the achievements which should have been long known, sound new. Consequently, there may be the need to fact-check many of the claims in order to be sure.



3. It appears DMB is the only one who has a firm grasp over the policy, as the party itself has either been ignorant about the claims about Digitization or has been incompetent in communicating its achievements to fester in the psyche of Ghanaians. Unless the party begins to undertake remedial tutorials about Digitization and its achievements for the purposes of political communication, the work will be difficult for DMB.



4. Despite what it can do, Digitization is not the sine qua non to development. Other key interventions such as good governance and deliberate efforts to seal the leakages and slippages, fight corruption, exemplary leadership that first tightens its belt, rather than living bourgeoisie, etc should have been emphasized more than being treated nearly as appendages.



5. Parts of the presentation was an indictment on the government of which he is part, in a manner that raises serious questions and vindicates those of us who have been critics of the government. Promising to have not more than 50 Ministers when you are part of a government of over 100 Ministers; and promising to abolish some taxes like the Emissions tax, Gaming Tax, E-Levy, VAT on electricity consumption etc makes some of us feel vindicated for criticizing and calling for downsizing of government and the abolition of such nuisance taxes. DMBs supporters came after us for such criticisms and I am wondering whether they will go after him, now that hes taken a position that responds favorably to our criticisms on the size of government and nuisance taxes.



6. But the more important question is, why do these great interventions tomorrow, instead of today that they are greatly needed? Does the answer still lie in the claim that hes not the one in charge? Well, in that case, then karma is not good at all. There was then absolutely no basis for the 170 questions posed to Veep Amissah-Arthur because, he was also a mate and wasnt in charge.



7. DMB still blames our challenges on COVID and Russian-Ukraine war and there is no doubt at all that these have had negative effects on many countries including Ghana. But a more convincing explanation could have also focused on an admission of what was done wrong domestically, and a promise to refrain from our own contributions to the challenges. It cannot be entirely accurate for us to blame all other than ourselves for our challenges.



8. Finally, there were great ideas that were espoused including the need for a national development plan, a move that was initiated by the predecessor government but was jettisoned. All the other contenders in the 2024 elections also have great plans. But it appears great plans wouldnt really matter. Available empirical survey reports show that many Ghanaians now, do not believe in political promises, as many of them are merely vote garnering gimmicks. What would therefore be the decider in the 2024 elections, would be a side by side comparison of the trustworthiness, credibility and achievements of the various contenders.



In my next post, I will now offer a sharper focus and properly interrogate some of the policy vision outlined. Where they deserve commendations, we would commend and where they must be fact-checked and critiqued, we will do so.



Yaw Gyampo

A31, Prabiw

PAV Ansah Street

Saltpond

&

Suro Nipa House

Behind Old Post Office

Larteh-Akuapim

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An artist's illustration of a supermassive black hole (SMBH.) The SMBH in a distant galaxy expelled all the material in its accretion disk, clearing out a vast area. Credit: ESA

We can't see them directly, but we know they're there. Supermassive black holes (SMBHs) likely dwell at the center of every large galaxy. Their overwhelming gravity draws material toward them, where it collects in an accretion disk, waiting its turn to cross the event horizon into oblivion.

But in one galaxy, the SMBH has choked on its meal and spit it out, sending material away at high speeds and clearing out the entire neighborhood.

We've known there's something at the heart of large galaxies since the early 1960s when astronomers discovered an unexplained radio source at the center of a giant elliptical galaxy. Astronomers thought it was a star, but its spectrum didn't make sense. And since it was so far away, about 2.4 billion light-years distant, that meant it was emitting the energy of hundreds of galaxies. The rate of light emitted by the object varied, and the term quasar (quasi-stellar object) was created to describe it.

More quasars were discovered in the following years, and eventually, astronomers realized that gas falling into a massive compact object could create what they were seeing. More studies showed that the gas forms a rotating disk around the object, called an accretion disk. Astronomers also observed stars moving strangely near the center of galaxies, and only a massive object could explain their velocities and movement.

By the 1970s, astronomers thought that there was one of these massive objects at the Milky Way's center. In 1974, astronomers discovered it and named it Sagitarrius A-star. Eventually, more and more evidence showed that most, if not all, large galaxies have SMBHs at their center. Now we understand the link between the accretion disk, the black hole, and active galactic nuclei (AGN), which are black holes that are actively consuming material and emitting lots of radiation.

So, this is our current picture of SMBHs. They're massive compact objects that lurk at the centers of galaxies. They can have hundreds of millions, even billions, of solar masses. SMBHs draw material toward them, and the material collects in an accretion disk. The disk heats up and emits radiation, and tangled magnetic fields cause astrophysical jets to shoot out of the poles.

Artists impression of a supermassive black hole with a rotating accretion disk and astrophysical jets. Credit: NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/J. da Silva

Not all of the material in the accretion disk makes it past the event horizon. SMBHs only consume a fraction of the disk material. Once they reach the Eddington Limit, the rest is sent tumbling out into space, dragging some of the gas in the galactic center with it.

Astronomers have spotted a distant SMBH in the galaxy Markarian 817 that has broken this picture. Beyond an SMBH's accretion disk, neutral gas and dust form a torus. In the same region, clouds of interstellar star-forming gas reside just beyond the SMBH's gravitational reach. The distant SMBH sent so much material from the disk out into space at high speed that it cleared out all of the gas in the region. That stifled star formation in the galactic center.

The discovery is presented in new research in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. It's titled "Fierce Feedback in an Obscured, Sub-Eddington State of the Seyfert 1.2 Markarian 817." The lead author is Miranda Zak, an undergraduate researcher at the University of Michigan.

Astronomers have found SMBHs that are driving material away from their galactic centers before. They call this "black hole wind," and they've detected it around extremely bright accretion disks that have reached the limit for how much material they can accumulate. The black hole wind throws the excess material out into space.

But in Markarian 817, the disk is not very bright. That means it shouldn't be at its Eddington Limit or mass accumulation limit. It's only "snacking" according to a press release announcing the discovery.

"You might expect very fast winds if a fan was turned on to its highest setting. In the galaxy we studied, called Markarian 817, the fan was turned on at a lower power setting, but there were still incredibly energetic winds being generated," said study co-author Miranda Zak.

In scientific terms, these winds are called ultra-fast outflows (UFOs.) UFOs have velocities of many millions of miles per hour, and astronomers have found them coming from accretion disks that have reached their Eddington Limits. But this is different.

"UFOs are often detected at or above the Eddington limit; this result signals that black hole accretion has the potential to shape host galaxies even at modest Eddington fractions," the authors write in their research.

Black hole accretion and the resulting UFOs can quench star formation near the galactic center by blowing all of the gas away. The powerful wind also carries away the SMBH's fuel, and without new gas to feed its accretion disk, it emits far less light.

"It is very uncommon to observe ultra-fast winds and even less common to detect winds that have enough energy to alter the character of their host galaxy. The fact that Markarian 817 produced these winds for around a year while not being in a particularly active state suggests that black holes may reshape their host galaxies much more than previously thought," added co-author Elias Kammoun, an astronomer at the Roma Tre University in Italy.

Multiple telescopes and observatories contributed to this discovery. When material in an accretion disk heats up, it emits X-rays. However, when researchers observed Markarian 817 with NASA's Swift observatory, the X-rays were nearly undetectable. "The X-ray signal was so faint that I was convinced I was doing something wrong!" exclaimed lead author Miranda Zak.

But Swift isn't our best X-ray observatory. So, the astronomers turned to the ESA's XMM-Newton X-ray observatory. Those observations showed that Markarian 817's UFO was blocking out X-rays from the SMBH's corona, the hole's immediate surroundings. Another X-ray observatory, NASA's NuSTAR telescope, confirmed those observations: the X-rays were there, just obscured.

Markarian 817's UFO only lasted about one year. But during that time, it reshaped the center of the galaxy. This study shows in clear detail how black holes and their host galaxies shape each other and have powerful effects on each other's evolution.

The study also sheds light on why some galactic centers, the Milky Way's included, don't exhibit much active star formation. The SMBHs at their centers have blown away the star-forming gas. But this can only happen if the UFO is both powerful enough and long-lasting enough.

SMBH accretion and feedback, and how it shapes the galaxy that hosts it, is something astrophysicists are eager to learn more about. In this instance, the ESA's XMM-Newton played a critical role in determining what was going on in Markarian 817.

Norbert Schartel is a project scientist for XMM-Newton. Though not a part of this research directly, Schartel spoke about how important XMM-Newton is to decipher what's going on near SMBHs.

"Many outstanding problems in the study of black holes are a matter of achieving detections through long observations that stretch over many hours to catch important events. This highlights the prime importance of the XMM-Newton mission for the future. No other mission can deliver the combination of its high sensitivity and its ability to make long, uninterrupted observations," said Schartel.

More information: Miranda K. Zak et al, Fierce Feedback in an Obscured, Sub-Eddington State of the Seyfert 1.2 Markarian 817, The Astrophysical Journal Letters (2024). DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/ad1407 Journal information: Astrophysical Journal Letters
By Lee Min-hyung

The nations business circle remains dissatisfied with the latest decision by an antitrust watchdog to reconsider legislation of a controversial platform act. They urged the authority to abandon the planned regulation, arguing that it has only increased unnecessary confusion across the industry over the past few months, industry officials said, Thursday.

The reaction followed the Fair Trade Commission's (FTC) announcement overnight regarding its decision to delay the enactment of the legislation. This move signifies a retreat from its previous stance of pushing for the legislation and revealing details before the Lunar New Year. The FTC's decision comes in response to increasing criticism from academic and industry circles, both domestically and internationally.

Previously, the watchdog underscored the importance of the timely enactment of the Platform Fair Competition Act, aiming to regulate large online platform firms in the areas of industry, mobile and e-commerce, so they cannot exert abusive and monopolistic influences.

But a string of clauses attached to the regulation has drawn a severe backlash from local platform firms, and even U.S. authorities. One key aspect of the act involves the pre-designation of market-dominant business players, who are then prohibited from cross-selling their online services and subject to increased regulatory scrutiny by the watchdog.

Despite the FTC's toned-down approach, industry officials continue to express concerns about the potential enactment of the legislation.

It will be virtually impossible for the authority to set a fair and clear standard for the designation of the dominant market players, at a time when the watchdog has yet to exactly figure out specific earnings by foreign big tech firms here, an official at a platform company said on condition of anonymity.

The most contentious aspect of the act revolves around concerns over potential reverse discrimination against local platform firms. Last week, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce voiced concerns over what appears to be a rushed push for the platform act by the FTC. There is a high likelihood that a group of industry-leading U.S. tech firms, including Google, Apple, and Meta, could be included in the list of pre-designated dominant market players, adding to the complexity of the issue.

The FTC is also aware of such concerns and stated its intention to conduct a further review of the pre-designation of monopolistic market players, as confirmed by the watchdog's Vice Chairman Cho Hong-sun.

We will take more time to listen to the opinions of experts and academics, rather than (hastily) sharing details of the act, Cho told reporters during a briefing, Wednesday. But we will not abolish the pre-designation policy, and will keep reviewing whether there are any other alternatives.

Another industry source also complained about the FTCs confusing gestures.

The latest gesture ended up heightening uncertainties in the market, an official at a platform company said on condition of anonymity. It became harder for us to predict whether the authority will push ahead with or drop the earlier plan for its legislation.
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Light is reflected on part of the Aral Sea outside Muynak, Uzbekistan, Sunday, June 25, 2023. The destruction of the Aral Sea in Central Asia has been labeled by the U.N. as the most staggering disaster of the 20th century. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

Toxic dust storms, anti-government protests, the fall of the Soviet Unionfor generations, none of it has deterred Nafisa Bayniyazova and her family from making a living growing melons, pumpkins and tomatoes on farms around the Aral Sea.

Bayniyazova, 50, has spent most of her life near Muynak, in northwestern Uzbekistan, tending the land. Farm life was sometimes difficult but generally reliable and productive. Even while political upheaval from the Soviet Union's collapse transformed the world around them, the family's farmland yielded crops, with water steadily flowing through canals coming from the Aral and surrounding rivers.

Now, Bayniyazova and other residents say they're facing a catastrophe they can't beat: climate change, which is accelerating the decades-long demise of the Aral, once the lifeblood for the thousands living around it.

The Aral has nearly disappeared. Decades ago, deep blue and filled with fish, it was one of the world's largest inland bodies of water. It's shrunk to less than a quarter of its former size.

Much of its early demise is due to human engineering and agricultural projects gone awry, now paired with climate change. Summers are hotter and longer; winters, shorter and bitterly cold. Water is harder to find, experts and residents like Bayniyazova say, with salinity too high for plants to properly grow.

"Everyone goes further in search of water," Bayniyazova said. "Without water, there's no life."

Nafisa Bayniyazova poses for a photo with her dog Alabai, on her farm near Muynak, Uzbekistan, Wednesday, June 28, 2023. Bayniyazova and other residents say they're facing a catastrophe they can't beat: climate change, which is accelerating the decades-long demise of the Aral Sea, once the lifeblood for the thousands living around it. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

HISTORY AND DEMISE

For decades, the Aralfed by rivers relying heavily on glacial melt, and intersecting the landlocked countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistanheld meters-long fish, caught and shipped across the Soviet Union.

The region prospered, and thousands of migrants from across Asia and Europe moved to the Aral's shores, for jobs popping up everywhere from canning factories to luxury vacation resorts.

Today, the few remaining towns sit quiet along the former seabed of the Araltechnically classified as a lake, due to its lack of a direct outlet to the ocean, though residents and officials call it a sea. Dust storms whip through, and rusted ships sit in the desert.

In the 1920s, the Soviet government began to drain the sea for irrigation of cotton and other cash crops. By the 1960s, it shrunk by half; those crops thrived. By 1987, the Aral's level was so low it split into two bodies of water: the northern and southern seas, in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, respectively.

A house decimated by sandstorms sits in the destroyed village on the edge of the dried-up Aral Sea, near Tastubek, Kazakhstan, Monday, July 3, 2023. The hazardous conditions around the Aral include toxic dust storms, towns that are swallowed by dunes, water salination and evaporation, drier winters and hotter summers. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

The United Nations Development Program calls the destruction of the Aral Sea "the most staggering disaster of the 20th century." It points to the Aral's demise as the cause of land degradation and desertification, drinking water shortages, malnutrition, and deteriorating health conditions.

National governments, international aid organizations and local groups have triedwith varying degrees of effort and success to save the sea. Efforts range from planting bushes for slowing the encroaching dunes to building multimillion-dollar dams.

But experts say climate change has only accelerated the death of the Aral, and will continue to exacerbate residents' suffering.

"ONLY US LOCALS"

Without the moderating influence of a large body of water to regulate the climate, dust storms began to blow through towns. They whipped toxic chemicals from a shuttered Soviet weapons testing facility and fertilizer from farms into the lungs and eyes of residents, contributing to increased rates of respiratory diseases and cancer, according to the U.N.

A rusting ship sits in a dried-up area of the Aral Sea in Muynak, Uzbekistan, Sunday, June 25, 2023. Decades ago, deep blue and filled with fish, it was one of the world's largest inland bodies of water. It's shrunk to less than a quarter of its former size. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

Fierce winds caused dunes to swallow entire towns, and abandoned buildings filled with sand. Residents fled. A dozen fish species went extinct, and businesses shuttered.

Madi Zhasekenov, 64, said he watched as his town's once-diverse population dwindled.

"The fish factories closed, the ships were stranded in the harbor, and the workers all left," said Zhasekenov, former director of the Aral Sea Fisherman Museum in Aralsk, Kazakhstan. "It became only us locals."

Dust storms, rising global temperatures, and wind erosion are destroying the glaciers the sea's rivers rely on, according to a U.N. report. The remaining water is getting saltier and evaporating faster.

Melting ice and changing river flows may further destabilize drinking water supply and food security, the report warns, and hydropower plants could suffer.

A man rides to his home through the area of the dried-up Aral Sea in Uzbekistan, Saturday, June 24, 2023. The demise of the once-mighty sea has affected thousands of residents and their livelihoods for decades. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

During a recent summer in the small desert village of Tastubek, Kazakhstan, farmer Akerke Molzhigitova, 33, watched as the grass her horses fed on dried up from extreme heat. To try and save thema major source of income and foodshe moved them 200 kilometers (125 miles) away.

Still, dozens died. Her neighbors, fearing the same fate, sold their animals.

CONTRAST ALONG THE ARAL

Near Sudochye Lake in Uzbekistan, Adilbay and his friends fish in the Aral's remaining water pockets. Their catch is tiny.

He holds his arms wide, the size of fish from years ago. "Now there is nothing," said Adilbay, 62, who goes by only one name.

As the water disappeared, a nearby fish processing warehouse closed. Adilbay's friends and relatives moved to Kazakhstan, seeking new jobs.

There, fisherman Serzhan Seitbenbetov, 36, and others find success. Sitting in a boat rocking in gentle waves, he pulled his net. In an hour, he hauled in a hundred fish, some 2 meters (6.5 feet) long. He'll make 5000 Kazakhstani Tenge ($10.50), he saidfive times his previous daily pay as a taxi driver in a neighboring city.

An abandoned fishing workshop is visible along the dried-up area of the Aral Sea in Uzbekistan, Saturday, June 24, 2023. Decades ago, deep blue and filled with fish, it was one of the world's largest inland bodies of water. It's shrunk to less than a quarter of its former size. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

"Now all the villagers make good money being fishermen," he said.

That's the result of an $86 million dike project led by Kazakhstan, with assistance from the World Bank, completed in 2005.

Known as the Kokaral Dam, the dike cuts across a narrow stretch of the sea, conserving and gathering water from the Syr Darya River. The dike surpassed expectations, leading to an increase of over 10 feet in water levels after seven months.

That helped restore local fisheries and affected the microclimate, causing an increase in clouds and rainstorms, according to the World Bank. Population grew.

But it couldn't replicate life before the water started drying up, said Sarah Cameron, an associate professor at the University of Maryland who's writing a book about the Aral.

"It does not support the same amount of people and the fishing industry in the same way," Cameron said.

A former military base that was destroyed and evacuated after the drying up of the Aral Sea is visible in Uzbekistan, Sunday, June 25, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

And building the dike in Kazakhstan cut off the south part of the sea in Uzbekistan from its crucial water source.

Uzbekistan has been less successful in restoration efforts. The government hasn't undertaken large projects like the Kokaral. Instead, the country planted saxaul trees and other drought-resistant plants to help prevent erosion and slow dust storms.

Agriculture, especially the export of water-intensive cotton, continued to be a main staple of the economy. Millions of people workedfor years in forced-labor campaignsin the cotton-picking industry, which further sapped water resources.

The discovery of oil and natural gas in the Aral's former seabed brought the building of gas production facilitiesand shows Uzbekistan has little interest in restoration, experts said.

"While there has been some restoration," said Kate Shields, assistant professor in environmental studies at Rhodes College, "there was a sort of an acceptance that ... the sea was not coming back."

Government officials from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan didn't respond to questions emailed by AP about restoration efforts, water scarcity and the effects of climate change.

A rusting ship sits in a dried-up area of the Aral Sea in Muynak, Uzbekistan, Sunday, June 25, 2023. The demise of the once-mighty sea has affected thousands of residents and their livelihoods for decades. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

A hill of sand is visible through a destroyed home on the edge of the dried-up Aral Sea near Tastubek, Kazakhstan, Monday, July 3, 2023. The hazardous conditions around the Aral include toxic dust storms, towns that are swallowed by dunes, water salination and evaporation, drier winters and hotter summers. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

A former military base that was destroyed and evacuated after the drying up of the Aral Sea is visible in the former Aral Sea seabed Uzbekistan, Sunday, June 25, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

A dirt road stretches through the desert that used to be the bed of the Aral Sea, on the outskirts of Muynak, Uzbekistan, Tuesday, June 27, 2023. The drying up of the once-mighty sea has affected thousands of residents and their livelihoods for decades. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

Camels gather next to a well in the desert that used to be the bed of the Aral Sea next to the village of Tastubek near Aralsk city, Kazakhstan, Monday, July 2, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

Akerke Molzhigitova prepares the food for camels early in the morning, along the dried-up Aral Sea, in the village of Tastubek near the Aralsk city, Kazakhstan, Sunday, July 1, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

Serzhan Seitbenbetov, left, and Omirserik Ibragimov fish in a part of the Aral Sea with water, far away from their village Tastubek, outside Aralsk, Kazakhstan, Sunday, July 1, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

Fish taken from the Aral Sea sit in water on the bottom of a boat outside the village of Tastubek, Kazakhstan, Sunday, July 1, 2023. Fisheries have been restored thanks to a dike that cuts across a narrow stretch of the sea, conserving and gathering water that comes from the Syr Darya. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

Omirserik Ibragimov, from the village of Tastubek, poses for a photo outside Aralsk, Kazakhstan, Sunday, July 1, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

People play cards on the way to Aralsk, Kazakhstan, Friday, June 30, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

A man waits for a train at the Aralsk city train station under a mural from the Soviet era, in Kazakhstan, Tuesday, July 4, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

Youths gather to celebrate graduation in the area that used to be the main port of the region before the Aral Sea dried up, Aralsk, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, July 5, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

A man repairs an old boat along the dried-up Aral Sea, in the village of Tastubek near the Aralsk city, Kazakhstan, Monday, July 2, 2023. The demise of the once-mighty sea has affected thousands of residents and their livelihoods for decades. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

Akerke Molzhigitova milks camels early in the morning before sending them to the desert, along the dried-up Aral Sea, in the village of Tastubek, near Aralsk, Kazakhstan, Monday, July 2, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

Children play inside a rusted dilapidated car along the dried-up Aral Sea, in the village of Tastubek near Aralsk, Kazakhstan, Monday, July 2, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

A rusted dilapidated tractor can sits along the dried-up Aral Sea, in the village of Tastubek, near Aralsk, Kazakhstan, Saturday, July 1, 2023. The demise of the once-mighty sea has affected thousands of residents and their livelihoods for decades. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

Graves, one with an anchor, are covered with sand along the dried-up Aral Sea near the city of Aralsk, Kazakhstan, Monday, July 3, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

A person works in a gas field that was built in the desert that used to be the bed of the Aral Sea, on the outskirts of Muynak, Uzbekistan, Sunday, June 25, 2023. The discovery of oil and natural gas in the Aral's former seabed brought the building of gas production facilities, and shows that Uzbekistan has little interest in restoration, experts said. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

Nafisa Bayniyazova works in her tomato greenhouse near Muynak, Uzbekistan, Wednesday, June 28, 2023. Bayniyazova and other residents say they're facing a catastrophe they can't beat: climate change, which is accelerating the decades-long demise of the Aral Sea, once the lifeblood for the thousands living around it. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

A worn-out boat sits along the dried Aral Sea, in the village of Tastubek near Aralsk, Kazakhstan, Sunday, July 2, 2023. The demise of the once-mighty sea has affected thousands of residents and their livelihoods for decades. Credit: AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

"BARELY SURVIVING"

On her Uzbekistan farm, Bayniyazova's family has dug an earthen well, hoping to hold on to the precious little water that's left.

"If there is no water, it will be very difficult for people to live," Bayniyazova said. "Now people are barely surviving."

She doesn't plan to leave her farm yet but knows more hardships are likely ahead. Her family will dig deeper wells, see smaller harvests. They'll do whatever it takes to hang on to the only life they've known.

"We'll do everything we can," she said. "Because what else can we do?"

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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The moon covers the sun during a total solar eclipse Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Cerulean, Ky. On April 8, 2024, the sun will pull another disappearing act across parts of Mexico, the United States and Canada, turning day into night for as much as 4 minutes, 28 seconds. Credit: AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File

The sun is about to pull another disappearing act across North America, turning day into night during a total solar eclipse.

The peak spectacle on April 8 will last up to 4 minutes, 28 seconds in the path of total darknesstwice as long as the total solar eclipse that dimmed U.S. skies in 2017.

This eclipse will take a different and more populated route, entering over Mexico's Pacific coast, dashing up through Texas and Oklahoma, and crisscrossing the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and New England, before exiting over eastern Canada into the Atlantic.

An estimated 44 million people live inside the 115-mile-wide (185-kilometer-wide) path of totality stretching from Mazatlan, Mexico to Newfoundland; about 32 million of them are in the U.S., guaranteeing jammed roads for the must-see celestial sensation.

The eclipse will allow many to share in the "wonder of the universe without going very far," said NASA's eclipse program manager Kelly Korreck.

Here's what to know about April's extravaganza and how to prepare:

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE?

The moon will line up perfectly between the Earth and the sun, blotting out the sunlight. It will take just a couple hours for the moon's shadow to slice a diagonal line from the southwest to the northeast across North America, briefly plunging communities along the track into darkness.

Alex Sanchez, head of engineering at Explore Scientific, prepares a sample of solar film to be sent out for safety testing from the Explore Scientific headquarters Tuesday Jan. 30, 2024, in Springdale, Ark. Special eclipse glasses are crucial for safely observing the sun as the moon marches across the late morning and afternoon sky, covering more and more and then less and less of our star. During totality when the sun is completely shrouded, its fine to remove your glasses and look with your naked eyes. But before and after, certified eclipse glasses are essential to avoid eye damage. Credit: AP Photo/Michael Woods

Fifteen U.S. states will get a piece of the action, albeit two of themTennessee and Michiganjust barely.

Among the cities smack dab in the action: Dallas; Little Rock, Arkansas; Indianapolis, Cleveland, Ohio; Buffalo, New York; and Montrealmaking for the continent's biggest eclipse crowd.

Don't fret if you don't have front-row seats. Practically everyone on the continent can catch at least a partial eclipse. The farther from the path of totality, the smaller the moon's bite will be out of the sun. In Seattle and Portland, Oregon, about as far away as you can get in the continental U.S., one-third of the sun will be swallowed.

WHY IS TOTALITY LONGER?

By a cosmic stroke of luck, the moon will make the month's closest approach to Earth the day before the total solar eclipse. That puts the moon just 223,000 miles (360,000 kilometers) away on eclipse day.

Stacks of Sun Catcher solar eclipse glasses wait to be packed and shipped from the Explore Scientific store Tuesday Jan. 30, 2024, in Springdale, Ark. Special eclipse glasses are crucial for safely observing the sun as the moon marches across the late morning and afternoon sky, covering more and more and then less and less of our star. During totality when the sun is completely shrouded, its fine to remove your glasses and look with your naked eyes. But before and after, certified eclipse glasses are essential to avoid eye damage. Credit: AP Photo/Michael Woods

The moon will appear slightly bigger in the sky thanks to that proximity, resulting in an especially long period of sun-blocked darkness.

What's more, the Earth and moon will be 93 million miles (150 million kilometers) from the sun that day, the average distance.

When a closer moon pairs up with a more distant sun, totality can last as long as an astounding 7 1/2 minutes. The last time the world saw more than seven minutes of totality was in 1973 over Africa. That won't happen again until 2150 over the Pacific.

HOW DO I SAFELY WATCH THE ECLIPSE?

Sunglasses won't cut it. Special eclipse glasses are crucial for safely observing the sun as the moon marches across the late morning and afternoon sky, covering more and more and then less and less of our star.

During totality when the sun is completely shrouded, it's fine to remove your glasses and look with your naked eyes. But before and after, certified eclipse glasses are essential to avoid eye damage. Just make sure they're not scratched or torn.

Cameras, binoculars and telescopes must be outfitted with special solar filters for safe viewing. Bottom line: Never look at an exposed sun without proper protection any day of the year.

Stacks of Sun Catcher solar eclipse glasses wait to be packed and shipped from the Explore Scientific store Tuesday Jan. 30, 2024, in Springdale, Ark. Special eclipse glasses are crucial for safely observing the sun as the moon marches across the late morning and afternoon sky, covering more and more and then less and less of our star. During totality when the sun is completely shrouded, its fine to remove your glasses and look with your naked eyes. But before and after, certified eclipse glasses are essential to avoid eye damage. Credit: AP Photo/Michael Woods

WHERE ARE SOME ECLIPSE WATCH PARTIES?

Towns up and down the path of totality are throwing star parties. Festivals, races, yoga retreats, drum circles and more will unfold at museums, fairgrounds, parks, stadiums, wineries, breweries and even one of Ohio's oldest drive-in movie theaters and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Besides looking up, you can attend a "space prom" in Texas Hill Country, get married at eclipse-themed ceremonies in Tiffin, Ohio, and Russellville, Arkansas, or brush up on moonwalking history at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta, OhioNeil Armstrong's hometown.

As the eclipse unfolds, NASA will launch small rockets with science instruments into the upper atmosphere from Virginia and chase totality's shadow from high-altitude planes. Satellites and the International Space Station crew will attempt to capture the show from space.

In this image made available by NASA, the International Space Station is silhouetted against the sun during a solar eclipse Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, as seen from Ross Lake, Northern Cascades National Park in Washington state. Full solar eclipses occur every year or two or three, often in the middle of nowhere like the South Pacific or Antarctic. The next total solar eclipse, in 2026, will grace the northern fringes of Greenland, Iceland and Spain. Credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP, File

A total solar eclipse April 8 will be visible across a swath of North America. An estimated 44 million people live inside the path of totality stretching from Mazatlan, Mexico to Newfoundland; about 32 million of them are in the U.S. Credit: AP Photo

A telescope projects an image of a partial solar eclipse onto a piece of paper, at the Astronomy Institute on the campus of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, in Mexico City, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. On April 8, 2024, the sun will pull another disappearing act across parts of Mexico, the United States and Canada, turning day into night for as much as 4 minutes, 28 seconds. Credit: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File

Blake Davis, 10, of Coral Springs, Fla., looks through solar glasses as he watches the eclipse, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Fla. After April 8, 2024, there wont be another U.S. eclipse, spanning coast to coast, until 2045. That one will stretch from Northern California all the way to Cape Canaveral, Florida. Credit: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File

A total solar eclipse April 8 will enter over Mexicos Pacific coast, dash up through Texas and Oklahoma, crisscross the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and New England, before exiting over eastern Canada into the Atlantic. Credit: AP Photo

Scott Roberts, founder and president of Explore Scientific, explains how the Sun Catcher variable large aperture solar filter works with camera and telescope lenses at the Explore Scientific store Tuesday Jan. 30, 2024, in Springdale, Ark. Cameras, binoculars and telescopes must be outfitted with special solar filters for safe viewing. Credit: AP Photo/Michael Woods

WHEN IS THE NEXT TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE?

Full solar eclipses occur every year or two or three, often in the middle of nowhere like the South Pacific or Antarctic. The next total solar eclipse, in 2026, will grace the northern fringes of Greenland, Iceland and Spain.

North America won't experience totality again until 2033, with Alaska getting sole dibs. Then that's it until 2044, when totality will be confined to Western Canada, Montana and North Dakota.

There won't be another U.S. eclipse, spanning coast to coast, until 2045. That one will stretch from Northern California all the way to Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Aside from Carbondale, Illinois, in the crosshairs of both the 2017 and 2024 eclipses, it usually takes 400 years to 1,000 years before totality returns to the same spot, according to NASA's Korreck.

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Most people keep their electricity supplier, even though it's fast and easy to switch to a cheaper competitor. Now an economist has unraveled what's holding people backand what could ensure cheaper electricity contracts for Danes.

A healthy market depends on attentive and active consumers. However, when it comes to choosing a supplier for electricity, health insurance, mortgages, credit cards or car insurance, most people are very inactive and stay with their current provider for years.

Consumer inactivity is well documented and has led economists and politicians to speculate why people don't switch companies when they can make huge savings.

"It is important to understand why consumers are inactive if you want to design policies that increase consumer activity and thus improve competition," emphasizes Christina Gravert, Associate Professor at the Center for Economic Behavior and Inequality, Department of Economics.

She has just completed a working paper titled "From Intent to Inertia: Experimental Evidence from the Retail Electricity Market" about consumers' choice of electricity company. Three percent of the Danish working-age population were invited to share their knowledge of the electricity market, their beliefs, preferencesand not least their intentions to switch providers. More than 10,000 Danes responded. Gravert has linked the survey responses with data on whether the participants have actually followed through with their intentions to change electricity company.

People postpone and forget

The study reveals a significant gap between the intention to switch electricity supplier and the actual action. The gap only widens when trial participants are given information about potential savings and offered free access to a service to help them switch provider.

"The trial's interventions have a big impact on the participants' intention to switch, but their actual behavior is barely affected," says Gravert. "Over 30% of respondents who received information on savings and how to switch planned to switch supplier following the survey but less than 4% made the switch."

Calculated annual savings at the time of the survey were between 946DKK and 2399DKK, depending on household size. The fact that so few of the participants choose to switch electricity companieseven when presented with solutions on a silver platteris not due to biased beliefs about savings, high switching costs or demographics.

"On the other hand, we can see that personality traits such as trust and risk aversionas well as one's propensity to procrastinateare important predictors of who switches," emphasizes Gravert.

The gap between intention and action can be explained mainly by the fact that people are present-biased: Only those who plan to switch immediately follow through with it. Most people put it off and quickly forget about their intentions. Therefore, it's not enough to inform consumers about the benefits of switching providers.

Guide people towards the cheapest power

According to Gravert, consumer passivity raises a fundamental question: Why should consumers actively opt out of an expensive electricity company and find a cheaper solution? Alternatively, consumers could be automatically guided to the cheapest electricity.

"One model could be that Danish households are initially assigned the cheapest provider when they move. Then they can switch companies afterwards if they wish," suggests Gravert.

Another option is to introduce a free service that can continuously selects the cheapest electricity contract for you. As an example, Gravert mentions the company Elforbundet, which once a year solicits offers for a joint agreement for Elforbundet's 23,000 subscribers.

"People can join Elforbundet's agreement for free, paying only the spot price on the power exchange. That saves a lot of subscription fees and other costs that many electricity companies charge every month. A similar auction model could also be introduced in each municipality," she says.

Gravert's research project shows that consumers strongly favor low electricity prices and pay little attention to the company's name and special services. 25% of all surveyed individuals say they would definitely use a free service that would switch them to the cheapest supplier.

"If politicians really want to give citizens cheaper electricity, they should consider introducing a system that automatically moves consumers to cheaper contracts unless they choose otherwise. This would create meaningful competition between suppliers in the electricity market," she concludes.

More information: From Intent to Inertia: Experimental Evidence from the Retail Electricity Market. www.econ.ku.dk/cebi/publikatio  rs/CEBI_WP_01-24.pdf
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On a bright December morning, three wildlife biologists waded through knee-deep water and past scribbled graffiti into a dark drainage culvert in northeast Georgia.

As the last glimmers of daylight dissipated a few hundred feet inside the tunnel, Emily Ferrall pointed her spotlight at the ceiling to reveal a now-rare sight: A single, tricolored bat asleepno bigger than a clothespinin a narrow gap in the concrete.

Tricolored bats are among the smallest in North America and were once common in Georgia. But over the last decade, their numbers have fallen off a cliff. Across the animals' historic range, spanning most of the country east of the Rocky Mountains, many colonies have declined by 90% to 100%. That precipitous drop led the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to propose listing them under the Endangered Species Act last year.

Bats are under pressure on many fronts, with climate change, human development and wind energy contributing to the decline of many species. But Ferrall, a wildlife biologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, is here looking for signs of the deadly disease that is the most significant threat to tricolored bats.

The culprit is a fungal plague known as white-nose syndrome. Named for the white fungus visible on the wings and muzzles of infected animals, it thrives in cold, damp environmentsthe same habitats preferred by hibernating bats.

As the animals slip into a winter slumber and their body temperatures drop, the fungus takes hold. The spores irritate the bats, causing them to wake up repeatedly and burn through fat stores they need to ration until warmer temperatures arrive. The result is dehydration, starvation and, in nine out 10 cases in species that are affected, death.

Experts say the quiet disappearance of tricolored bats, or Perimyotis subflavus, should be a grave concern for humans. A world without bats would be overrun by mosquitoes and other pests.

"Imagine if there was some sort of disease that affected people and 90% of us died from it," Ferrall said. "That's what's happening to these bats."

White-nose first appeared in New York in 2007 and has since spread to 40 states and eight Canadian provinces. The fungus arrived in Georgia in 2013 and began to rip through the state's caves, killing huge numbers of tricolored bats, the federally endangered northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) and other species.

The disease has now been found in bats in 15 North Georgia counties. The presence of the fungus that causes white-nose has been detected in six othersplus two more that are presumed positivethough no cases of the disease have been confirmed in bats in those counties yet.

The drainage culvert the scientists visited in early December is significant. While white-nose had been detected in Georgia's caves for years, bats in this culvert tested positive for the fungus in 2022, marking the first time the disease had been found in a manmade structure used by hibernating bats. As human development claims more of their natural habitat, researchers say the animals are often making their homes in the built environment that replaces it.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is not revealing the location of the culvert, as curious visitors could inadvertently spread the fungus to new locations.

During their December survey, Ferrall and the other DNR experts examined a few of the bats for signs of fungal growth and used a handheld spring scale to weigh them. No animals showed signs of white-nose, but that doesn't mean the site is free of the disease. Ferrall said the fungus often doesn't show up until later in winter.

Many bats in the culvert were already tagged with tiny metal bands that Georgia DNR uses to track and identify the animals over time. Ferrall said they will return to the site in early 2024, as part of a campaign to visit every cave and culvert in the state used by bats at least once every two years.

Surveys like this are critical to tracking the spread of the fungus. At the same time, efforts are ongoing to develop treatments for the disease in Georgia, and researchers are optimistic.

Since the mid-2010s, a coalition of scientists from Kennesaw State University (KSU), Georgia DNR, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners have tested treatment methods in an abandoned rail tunnel in Georgia's northeastern-most corner, Rabun County.

The site, known as the Black Diamond Tunnel, was home to more than 5,000 tricolored bats before white-nose arrived in 2014. In about three years, the colony had shrunk to only 152.

Each winter since 2016, the research team has returned to the site to treat the tunnel environment with airborne volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, that are known to inhibit fungal growth.

"Fumigation is a well-known approach to microbial control. We use it in agriculture all the time," said Chris Cornelison, an associate professor of applied microbiology at KSU, who has led the research. "So we're trying to take lessons from other fields and apply it here."

So far, the results have been promising.

Since the treatment of the site began, the bat population has grown to 272 by February 2021 and then 364 a year later, according to findings published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE. In the winter of 20222023, Cornelison said there were more than 550 bats present.

This winter is the first since 2016 that the team is not fumigating the site, but they are counting the bats to see whether the population continues on its upward trajectoryor backslides. A survey of the site in early January yielded more encouraging findings: Cornelison and his colleagues counted 720 bats, the most they've observed since their treatments began.

As they continue to gather more data, Cornelison said his team will be able to determine how much the chemical applications contributed to the bats' rebound.

Cornelison said it's widely thought that humans are responsible for bringing white-nose to North America. Now, he says, it's up to us to find a remedy.

"As a conservation biologist, I believe that when humans negatively impact a species, it's incumbent upon us to try to counterbalance thatto try to right the wrongs," he said.

2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Location of 58 active galactic nuclei on the sky along with the distribution of dust along the Milky Way. Credit: The Astrophysical Journal (2024). DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/ad11dc

When did the universe start? When and how did the first stars and galaxies form? What is the fate of the universe?

The standard cosmological model, also known as the LCDM model, can answer most of these questions. It can also explain properties of the large-scale spatial structure of the universeboth in its current form as well as in the past, when the first structures were just emerging. Furthermore, via dark energy, it can address the accelerated expansion of the universe.

Despite many successes, over the last decade, nearby type Ia supernovae measurements and the analysis of distant cosmic-microwave background data have provided inconsistent values for some cosmological parameters.

In particular, there is a significant difference in the measured value of the current expansion rate, also known as the Hubble constant, between the value determined from the distant cosmic-microwave background measurements and some values determined from nearby type Ia supernova observations.

To determine whether this difference is due to systematic problems with one or both of the datasets or whether it is a problem with the LCDM model, alternate cosmological probes are sought.

My colleagues and I considered quasars as such alternative probes. These are active nuclei at the center of galaxies that host supermassive black holes accreting matter and profusely emit energy. They can be detected from the local universe to the distant epoch when the first galaxies were just forming. Therefore, they partially bridge local measurements of type Ia supernovae with distant cosmic microwave background observations.

Can quasars help resolve current cosmological tensions?

Two methods

It may seem strange that active galactic nuclei (AGN), which are rather complicated objects containing supermassive black holes, whose masses span five orders of magnitude (a factor of 100,000) and accrete matter over a wide range of rates, might be standardized in an analogous way to pulsating Cepheid stars or exploding (type Ia supernovae) stars.

Over the last three decades, as more and better-quality, multi-wavelength data were accumulated, AGN measurements were found to obey two important correlations, both of which involve ionizing electromagnetic radiation coming from the inner accretion flow around the central black hole in the ultraviolet part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

One of these is based on the correlation between the UV and the X-ray luminosities (UV/X-ray relation). In most AGN, the luminosities of radiation emitted in the ultraviolet and X-ray parts of the electromagnetic spectrum obey a nonlinear relation. Based on this, the luminosity distance of the quasar can be determined, and for a given redshift, the Hubble diagram of AGN can be confronted with different cosmological models.

The galaxy M96 with the central dust lane. Credit: NASA/ESA/Hubble (Leo Shatz)

The second one is based on the discovery that the luminosity of the ionizing UV radiation emitted near the central black hole is correlated with the radius of the more distant region where rapidly moving clouds orbit around the central black hole. The motion of these clouds is revealed through their characteristic emission in the form of very broad emission lines whose flux is variable.

From the measurement of the time delay between the variable UV radiation and the broad-line emission, it is possible to infer the absolute luminosity. From the measured flux, we can determine the luminosity distance and subsequently test cosmological models as well.

The question remains whether it is possible to find a sample of AGN for which both relations can be studied. This would allow for a consistency check of the determined luminosity distances and cosmological models (through their determined cosmological parameter values).

Discrepancy in luminosity distances

With my colleague Narayan Khadka from Stony Brook University (formerly at Kansas State University), we identified 58 such AGN and found that the two relations (UV/X-ray and radius-luminosity) led to quite different luminosity distances to each of the sources. This should not happen unless one or both of the datasets (UV/X-ray and radius-luminosity) did not properly account for some effects. Our study was published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Moreover, the cosmological parameters obtained from these two relations were quite different, with the UV/X-ray relation preferring a larger matter content for the present-day universe in comparison with what the radius-luminosity relation favored. Additionally, the cosmological parameters values determined from the UV/X-ray relation measurements significantly differ from the values determined using standard cosmological probes. This left us with the puzzle of trying to discover the cause of the discrepancy.

Role of dust in galaxies

By comparing differences of the two luminosity distances to each of the 58 sources, it became apparent to us that the luminosity distance determined from the UV/X-ray relation is systematically larger than the luminosity distance inferred from the radiusluminosity relation. With Bozena Czerny (Center for Theoretical Physics PAS), I realized that such an effect can be caused by dust that absorbs and scatters UV as well as X-ray photons along the line of sight from the AGN to us.

Although the 58 observed quasars are located in regions of the sky away from the Milky Way dust clouds (see top figure), they are hosted in galaxies that contain numerous dust clouds through which the emitted photons must travel on their path to our telescopes.

In our recent study, published in The Astrophysical Journal, we showed explicitly that the extinction of the emitted photons due to dust always contributes to a non-zero difference between the two luminosity distances inferred from AGN correlations, being either positive or negative, depending on whether X-ray or UV photons are more affected. Since the distribution peaks are positive for all cosmological models, the extinction of X-ray emission from AGN appears to be more significant for most quasars than the extinction of UV light.

Conclusion

Dust in AGN host galaxies hinders mainly the applicability of the UV/X-ray relation in cosmology, while the radiusluminosity relation still appears viable for turning quasars into standard candles. Although the cosmological constraints from the radiusluminosity relation are still weak due to a limited sample size, the relation provides a silver lining for using quasars as cosmological probes, especially in the era of extensive sky surveys.

This story is part of Science X Dialog, where researchers can report findings from their published research articles. Visit this page for information about ScienceX Dialog and how to participate.

Dr. Michal Zajacek is a researcher at the Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic. He defended his PhD thesis in 2017 at the University of Cologne/Max Planck Institute for Radioastronomy, Germany, on the galactic center, specifically concerning stellar dynamics, star formation, and the nature of infrared-excess objects. During 20172019 he was a postdoctoral researcher at the MPIfR in Bonn, working on jet precession in blazars, and during 20192021, he was an assistant professor at the Center for Theoretical Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw, where he studied the broad-line region of intermediate-redshift quasars and their application in cosmology.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Ghana's urban population has more than tripled in the past three decades, from 4 million to nearly 14 million people. Competition for land in cities has increased among various land uses. These trends have led to encroachment in ecologically sensitive areas such as wetlands.

Kumasi, Ghana's second largest city, has a high level of encroachment and this has led to the pollution of water bodies. Kumasi's population growth has been rapid because of its central and strategic location and its functions as a major commercial, traditional and administrative center. In 2022, the population of Kumasi was 3,630,326 with a growth rate of 4.02%. The city's growth puts pressure on its natural assets.

As scholars of urban planning and chemistry, we conducted a study in the greater Kumasi metropolis to understand the extent of encroachment and pollution of two rivers, Subin and Wiwi. We wanted to understand how cities can be developed and functional without destroying natural resources. We also wanted to know more about the extent of water pollution, land-use dynamics and water resources regulations, and how they influence the quality of water resources.

We found that people were building homes in informal settlements along the rivers. Liquid and solid waste was being dumped into the rivers. People were using land on the river banks for agriculture and industrial activities, which had a negative effect on water quality.

We recommend that the city authorities monitor what is happening better and do more to prevent degradation of Kumasi's water bodies.

Effects of land use on the quality of water bodies

We discovered that, in the greater Kumasi metropolis, more land alongside the rivers was being used for industrial, residential and commercial purposes than for green spaces. City authorities were ineffective in controlling development in these areas despite the fact that Ghana's zoning guidelines say there should be a buffer of 100 feet (30 meters) along water bodies.

Land values in Kumasi are increasing due to rapid urban growth, but values are lower for wetlands. This difference has contributed to city residents building in wetlands. Also, the intense pressure of urbanization on the available land has resulted in a high level of encroachment in wetlands. The study revealed that 35.4% of the land uses within the River Wiwi buffers were residential development.

This research further confirmed that the Wiwi and Subin rivers had been heavily polluted with fecal coliforms over the years. Coliform counts are an indicator of possible fecal contamination, and reflect hygiene standards.

The mean of the coliform counts surpassed the limits of 400 total coliforms/100ml and 10 fecal coliforms/100ml allowed by the World Health Organization standard. The two rivers are extremely polluted with fecal matter.

The research also confirmed that heavy metals in the water bodies were above the WHO's recommended standard of 0.01mg/liter. For example, the average concentration of lead (Pb) recorded in the Wiwi and Subin rivers was 0.0180.031 mg/l and 0.0350.055, respectively. Exposure to lead is dangerous to health.

As a result of limited investment in sewage plants, most of the city's untreated waste water is discharged into the surface water bodies. This has implications for the quality and sustainability of these water bodies.

The study also showed that some city residents dump their waste near the city's wetlands. During heavy rains, the refuse runs off into the water, affecting water quality and flow.

The inability of city authorities to enforce land-use regulations and legislation has allowed people to carry out agricultural activities close to the rivers. The use of agrochemicals threatens aquatic habitats. Chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers are likely to seep or be washed into the rivers. The use of polluted water from the rivers for irrigation also poses a threat to human health.

The industrial activities along the water bodies include washing bays, auto-mechanical activities, welding and wood processing. These pose a threat of chemical pollution due to likely seepage of petroleum products into the water.

Time for Kumasi to wake up

The development of sustainable cities relies on the ability of city authorities to plan for social, environmental and economic growth. Urban growth can coexist with natural resources if human activities located near water bodies don't threaten their quality and continued existence.

Our study shows that Kumasi has developed with little regard for its natural assets. This is a threat to the city's sustainability. City authorities ought to put in place measures to clean the water bodies and convert buffer areas into parks and green spaces. Environmentally friendly urban agriculture can also be promoted along the water bodies.

Activities such as disposal of liquid and solid waste must be stopped. The "polluter must pay" principle must be applied to people who contravene environmental regulations.

Urban centers in Ghana need a water resource management policy. Regulatory institutions such as the Physical Planning Department and the Environmental Protection Agency should be restructured and equipped to respond to emerging complex environmental problems in cities. There should be continuous environmental monitoring and regulations must be strictly enforced. The River Thames Policing model in the UK can be adopted to ensure the continuous monitoring of the water bodies. To monitor and enforce the zoning regulations, city authorities and policy-makers must invest in technologies such as drones.

The Zoning Guideline and Planning Standards provide standard setback average distances for a buffer zone of 50100 feet from the water bodies. We recommend that the buffer should rather be 100 feet (30 meters) away from the wetland. The wetlands are an important ecosystem service that needs to be protected. Ecologically sensitive areas that are 100 feet away from wetlands should be compulsorily acquired as natural assets for the public interest.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Physical characterization. a, Pourbaix diagram of formic acid and hydrogen generation in CO 2 RR (H 2 CO 3 K a1 = 4.2  107; K a2 = 4.7  1011; SHE, standard hydrogen electrode; K a1 and K a2 are the first and second dissociation equilibrium constants of carbonic acid, respectively). b, Schematic diagram of a PEM electrolyser used for CO 2 RR. Right, cross-sectional SEM image of a fabricated cathode electrode. ce, XRD pattern (c), SEM (d) and TEM (e) images of the r-Pb catalyst. Inset in c is a digital image of the r-Pb catalyst obtained from a waste leadacid battery. Scale bars, 100 m (b), 500 nm (d), 5 nm (e); d is the lattice spacing. Credit: Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06917-5

Cutting-edge University of Auckland research has converted waste carbon dioxide into a potential precursor for chemicals and carbon-free fuel.

Dr. Ziyun Wang's researchers in the School of Chemical Sciences, in collaboration with researchers at Chinese institutions, have demonstrated a method for turning CO 2 into formic acid, reported in the journal Nature.

In benchtop experiments, a catalyst made from waste lead-acid batteries enabled a transformation which hadn't been possible using previous catalysts.

Formic acidthe same substance produced by ants ('formica' is the Latin word for ant)is a colorless and pungent liquid with the potential as a transportation fuel, to store electrical energy, and to enable the petrochemical industry to cut CO 2 emissions.

As emissions of carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas, rise each year, scientists are looking into options for the capture and storage of CO 2, for repurposing CO 2, and for pursuing a carbon-free economy.

Wang's group is one of the world leaders in research into CO 2 electrochemical reduction (CO 2 RR) using acidic rather than alkaline conditions.

"This innovation opens up exciting possibilities for carbon-neutral technologies," he says. "In the future, cars and gas stations could use repurposed carbon dioxide."

In tests, the new method efficiently converted CO 2. for more than 5,000 hours, and the researchers' calculations suggest it can be cost-effectively scaled up for industry.

The experiments used a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer. Carbon dioxide flowed into an electrochemical cell and was converted into formic acid, just like charging a battery.

More information: Wensheng Fang et al, Durable CO 2 conversion in the proton-exchange membrane system, Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06917-5
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Time series of media coverage of police brutality. Daily number of news articles mentioning "police brutality" in the 20 most-circulated newspapers in the US. A peak of 113 articles was recorded on June 13, 2020, 19 days after the death of George Floyd; activity in the wake of George Floyd's murder is highlighted in red. Credit: Communications Psychology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44271-024-00059-8

National media coverage of police brutality influences public perceptions of law enforcement more than the performance of people's local police departments, according to data analysis from NYU Tandon School of Engineering, challenging the assumption that public confidence in police depends mostly on feeling safe from local crime.

In a study published in Communications Psychology, an NYU Tandon research team tracked media coverage of police brutality in 18 metropolitan areas in the United Statesalong with coverage of local crimes and analyzed tweets from those cities to tease out positive attitudes from negative ones towards the police.

Led by Maurizio Porfiri, Institute Professor and Director of the Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP), the team found when high-profile cases of police brutality make the news, negative sentiment and distrust towards police spikes across cities, even if the incident occurred in another state.

In contrast, local media coverage of crimes in people's own cities had little sway over their views of the police. Porfiri discussed the research and its implications in a blog post.

"Our research shows that police misconduct occurring anywhere reverberates across the country, while performance of police in their own communities contribute minimally towards attitudes around those local police departments," said Rayan Succar, a Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering and CUSP who is the paper's lead author. "The pattern holds steady across diverse cities."

To reach their conclusions, researchers employed transfer entropyan advanced statistical technique that allowed them to detect causal relationships within complex systems that change over timein their analysis of more than 2.5 million geo-localized tweets. The approach allows for significantly more time-sensitive analysis of public sentiment than standard surveys which are constrained to the point in time at which they are fielded.

"By comparing this time series tracking shifts in sentiment to parallel time series documenting volumes of media coverage about local crime and national police brutality news, transfer entropy quantified causal relationships between media coverage and Twitter discourse about law enforcement," said Salvador Ramallo, Fulbright Scholar from the University of Murcia in Spain and a visiting member of CUSP who is part of the research team.

The researchers assembled their data from the period October 1, 2010 to December 31, 2020. With a time resolution of one minute, the team collected tweets in each metropolitan area that contained the words "police," "cop," or the local police department name abbreviation of the main city in the metropolitan area ("NYPD" for New York Police Department).

In that same time frame, researchers collected coverage of police brutality and of local crime from 17 of the 20 most circulated newspapers.

To better detail the interplay between media coverage and public sentiment, the researchers also zeroed in on a two-week period around the heavily-covered George Floyd murder, a notorious example of extreme police brutality. Specifically, they scraped the Twitter feeds of the top 10 most-followed newspaper profiles and created a time series of police brutality coverage from May 29, 2020 until June 13, 2020.

This highly resolved time series was examined in conjunction with the time series of negative tweets about the police for each of the 18 metropolitan areas during the same two-week time window.

"The research reveals how profoundly a single incident of police violence can rupture public trust in police everywhere," said CUSP postdoctoral fellow Roni Barak Ventura, a member of the research team. "The findings suggest that to improve perceptions, police departments may need to prioritize transparency around misconduct allegations as much as local crime fighting. More community dialogue and balanced media coverage may also help build understanding between police and the public they serve."

More information: Rayan Succar et al, Understanding the role of media in the formation of public sentiment towards the police, Communications Psychology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44271-024-00059-8
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Dr. Dhrati Patangia, University College Cork Ph.D. graduate and Teagasc Researcher. Credit: Teagasc

A series of five research publications on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) by APC Microbiome Ireland yields new data regarding the implications of antibiotic use in early life and the effects of antibiotics in standard dry cow therapy.

Lead author of these publications, Dr. Dhrati Patangia, was recruited under the APC AMR Ph.D. Fellowship program in 2018. The most recent paper, published in Microbiome provides evidence that early life exposure of infants to specific antibiotics could lead to multi-drug resistance.

A second publication, in the journal Antibiotics, suggests that antibiotic use does not benefit standard dry cow therapy. And a third article, published in Gut Microbes, discusses the influence of age, socioeconomic status, and location on the infant gut resistome.

Dr. Patangia is also lead author on two reviews. The first, in Trends in Microbiology and titled "Vertical transfer of antibiotics and antibiotic resistant strains across the mother/baby axis," reviews the mechanisms of mother to infant transmission of antibiotics and antibiotic resistant strains.

The second review, published in the journal Microbiology Open, titled "Impact of antibiotics on the human microbiome and consequences for host health," discusses the adverse effects of antibiotics on the gut microbiota and thus host health and suggests alternative approaches to antibiotic use.

Dr. Patangia is a recent Ph.D. graduate from the APC and School of Microbiology, University College Cork. While undertaking her Ph.D., she was based in Teagasc in Moorepark, Co Cork, building on the close collaborative relationship between UCC and Teagasc. Dr. Patangia was supervised by Professor Catherine Stanton, APC co-Principal Investigator, and Professor Paul Ross, Director of APC, and has won several awards including best poster prize at the 2022 Dublin University Microbiological Society focused meeting.

Dr. Patangia says, "My interest in the microbiome started in India when I chose the topic for a research module as part of my Masters program. I was delighted to discover the APC Antimicrobial Resistance Ph.D. Fellowship program which enabled me to target my Ph.D. on my interest areas: the human microbiome, antibiotic resistance, and early life. While antibiotics provide lifesaving benefits, they come at the cost of the potential development of antimicrobial resistance which could result in a lack of effective medication in certain situations."

APC Director Professor Paul Ross says "The goal of the APC Antimicrobial Resistance Ph.D. Fellowship program was to train a group of Ph.D. students with specific research skills to create an expert cohort of AMR researchers. AMR is a huge global crises with an anticipated twofold surge in resistance to last-resort antibiotics by 2035, compared to 2005 levels according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation (source WHO)."

Professor Philip Nolan, Director General, Science Foundation Ireland, said, "SFI is committed to supporting research excellence to address the future challenges. Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global public health challenge, we congratulate APC and Dr. Patangia in their recent scientific discoveries towards a better understanding of and solutions addressing antimicrobial resistance."

Vice President for Research and Innovation at UCC Professor John F. Cryan says, "UCC has a research focus on the challenges and opportunities that are shaping the future of our nation and the wider world. UCC scientists at APC are pioneering critical research to combat the global AMR crises through microbiome research."

Teagasc Senior Principal Research Officer and APC PI Catherine Stanton says, "There is no doubt that antibiotics are vital for the treatment of certain infections in infants. However, this study has shown that antibiotic exposure in early life has an immediate and persistent effect on the gut microbiome, highlighting the need for new alternatives/strategies to be developed and used where needed to restore the microbial ecosystem and maintain a healthy microenvironment, and reduce the use of prophylactic antibiotics during the crucial infancy stage."

More information: Dhrati V. Patangia et al, Early life exposure of infants to benzylpenicillin and gentamicin is associated with a persistent amplification of the gut resistome, Microbiome (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01732-6 Dhrati V. Patangia et al, Microbiota and Resistome Analysis of Colostrum and Milk from Dairy Cows Treated with and without Dry Cow Therapies, Antibiotics (2023). DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12081315 Dhrati V. Patangia et al, Influence of age, socioeconomic status, and location on the infant gut resistome across populations, Gut Microbes (2024). DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2297837 Dhrati V. Patangia et al, Vertical transfer of antibiotics and antibiotic resistant strains across the mother/baby axis, Trends in Microbiology (2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2021.05.006 Dhrati V. Patangia et al, Impact of antibiotics on the human microbiome and consequences for host health, MicrobiologyOpen (2022). DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1260 Journal information: Microbiome

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Evidence contained within an ice core shows that in one location the West Antarctic ice sheet thinned by 450 metersthat's more than the height of the Empire State Buildingin just under 200 years. Credit: University of Cambridge/British Antarctic Survey

Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the British Antarctic Survey have uncovered the first direct evidence that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet shrunk suddenly and dramatically at the end of the Last Ice Age, around eight thousand years ago.

The evidence contained within an ice core shows that in one location, the ice sheet thinned by 450 metersthat's more than the height of the Empire State Buildingin just under 200 years.

This is the first evidence anywhere in Antarctica for such a fast ice loss. Scientists are worried that today's rising temperatures might destabilize parts of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet in the future, potentially passing a tipping point and inducing a runaway collapse. The new study, published in Nature Geoscience, sheds light on how quickly Antarctic ice could melt if temperatures continue to soar.

"We now have direct evidence that this ice sheet suffered rapid ice loss in the past," said Professor Eric Wolff, senior author of the new study from Cambridge's Department of Earth Sciences. "This scenario isn't something that exists only in our model predictions and it could happen again if parts of this ice sheet become unstable."

The Antarctic ice sheets, from west to east, contain enough freshwater to raise global sea levels by around 57 meters. The West Antarctic Ice Sheet is considered particularly vulnerable because much of it sits on bedrock that lies below sea level.

Model predictions suggest that a large part of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet could disappear in the next few centuries, causing sea levels to rise. Exactly when and how quickly the ice could be lost is, however, uncertain.

Inside the drilling tent at Skytrain Ice Rise, engineers and scientists separating the inner barrel of the drill from the outer barrel between drilling runs. Credit: University of Cambridge / British Antarctic Survey

One way to train ice sheet models to make better predictions is to feed them with data on ice loss from periods of warming in Earth's history. At the peak of the Last Ice Age 20,000 years ago, Antarctic ice covered a larger area than today. As our planet thawed and temperatures slowly climbed, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet contracted to more or less its current extent.

"We wanted to know what happened to the West Antarctic Ice Sheet at the end of the Last Ice Age, when temperatures on Earth were rising, albeit at a slower rate than current anthropogenic warming," said Dr. Isobel Rowell, study co-author from the British Antarctic Survey. "Using ice cores, we can go back to that time and estimate the ice sheet's thickness and extent."

Ice cores are made up of layers of ice that formed as snow fell and were then buried and compacted into ice crystals over thousands of years. Trapped within each ice layer are bubbles of ancient air and contaminants that mixed with each year's snowfallproviding clues as to the changing climate and ice extent.

The researchers drilled a 651-meter-long ice core from Skytrain Ice Rise in 2019. This mound of ice sits at the edge of the ice sheet, near the point where grounded ice flows into the floating Ronne Ice Shelf.

After transporting the ice cores back to Cambridge at -20oC, the researchers analyzed them to reconstruct the ice thickness. First, they measured stable water isotopes, which indicate the temperature at the time the snow fell. Temperature decreases at higher altitudes (think of cold mountain air), so they were able to equate warmer temperatures with lower-lying, thinner ice.

They also measured the pressure of air bubbles trapped in the ice. Like temperature, air pressure also varies systematically with elevation. Lower-lying, thinner ice contains higher-pressure air bubbles.

the drilling and living tents at Skytrain Ice Rise. Credit: Eric Wolff

These measurements told them that ice thinned rapidly 8,000 years ago. "Once the ice thinned, it shrunk really fast," said Wolff, "this was clearly a tipping pointa runaway process."

They think this thinning was probably triggered by warm water getting underneath the edge of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, which normally sits on bedrock. This likely untethered a section of the ice from bedrock, allowing it to float suddenly and forming what is now the Ronne Ice Shelf. This then allowed neighboring Skytrain Ice Rise, no longer restrained by grounded ice, to thin rapidly.

The researchers also found that the sodium content of the ice (originating from salt in sea spray) increased about 300 years after the ice thinned. This told them that, after the ice thinned, the ice shelf shrunk back so that the sea was hundreds of kilometers nearer to their site.

"We already knew from models that the ice thinned at around this time, but the date of this was uncertain," said Rowell. Ice sheet models placed the retreat anywhere between 12,000 and 5,000 years ago and couldn't say how quickly it happened. "We now have a very precisely dated observation of that retreat, which can be built into improved models," said Rowell.

Although the West Antarctic Ice Sheet retreated quickly 8,000 years ago, it stabilized when it reached roughly its current extent. "It's now crucial to find out whether extra warmth could destabilize the ice and cause it to start retreating again," said Wolff.

More information: Eric Wolff et al, Abrupt Holocene ice loss due to thinning and ungrounding in the Weddell Sea Embayment, Nature Geoscience (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-024-01375-8. www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01375-8 Journal information: Nature Geoscience
By Park Jae-hyuk

Former POSCO President Chang In-hwa was selected on Thursday to serve as the next chairman, tasked with leading the steelmaker and other affiliates of the nation's fifth-largest business group for the next three years.

The POSCO Holdings CEO recommendation committee cited Chang's experience in the group's overall businesses and his amicable relationship with workers as key factors in its decision to nominate him as the new leader. He was also recognized for helping POSCO expand its presence in the battery materials sector.

The 68-year-old nominee started his career in 1988 as a researcher at POSCO-funded Research Institute of Industrial Science & Technology in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, and had worked for the steelmaker for more than three decades. After his resignation as POSCO's president in 2021, Chang has been serving as an adviser for the company.

He holds a doctorate degree in marine engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and master's and bachelor's degrees in naval engineering from Seoul National University.

In 2018, he competed for the chairman post with Choi Jeong-woo, incumbent chief of POSCO Group.

"The nominee is expected to enhance the global competitiveness of the steelmaking business facing calls to reduce carbon emissions, while strengthening the group's new businesses," said Seoul National Universitys mechanical engineering professor Park Heui-jae, who heads the recommendation committee.

The official appointment of the new chairman will take place after a general meeting of shareholders scheduled on March 21.

Despite speculation that an outsider could be chosen as the next chairman for the first time since POSCO's privatization in 2000, the recommendation committee opted to appoint an insider to manage the company once again. Throughout POSCO's six decades of history, Kim Man-che, who led the company from 1994 to 1998, was the only chairman who had not previously worked for the steelmaker before his appointment.

The recommendation committee interviewed six candidates from Wednesday to Thursday, including three former and incumbent POSCO executives, who were on a shortlist announced on Jan. 31.

Despite an ongoing investigation into the outgoing chairman and directors of the steelmaker's holding company regarding allegations of extravagant overseas trips funded by the company, the committee proceeded with the selection process as scheduled.

Last Friday, a civic group consisting of residents of POSCOs hometown of Pohang accused the outgoing chairman of interfering with the selection process. The company refuted the allegation and filed a defamation lawsuit against the group.

Unionized workers at POSCO also urged the recommendation committee on Tuesday to choose a candidate who is familiar with the steel industry.

In addition, the government has continued exercising its influence over the steelmaker and its affiliates through the National Pension Service, the state pension fund which is the largest shareholder of POSCO Holdings.

Just like his predecessors who were forced to step down after political transitions, the incumbent chairman has faced opposition from the ruling People Power Party, given that he was appointed under the previous Moon Jae-in administration.
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This artist's concept shows what Deep Space Station-23, a new antenna dish at the Deep Space Network's complex in Goldstone, California, will look like when complete in several years. DSS-23 will communicate with NASA's deep space missions using radio waves and lasers. Retractable covers will be able to fan out across the mirrors at the center of the dish to protect them from the elements. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

An experimental antenna has received both radio frequency and near-infrared laser signals from NASA's Psyche spacecraft as it travels through deep space. This shows it's possible for the giant dish antennas of NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN), which communicate with spacecraft via radio waves, to be retrofitted for optical or laser communications.

By packing more data into transmissions, optical communication will enable new space exploration capabilities while supporting the DSN as demand on the network grows.

The 34-meter (112-foot) radio-frequency-optical-hybrid antenna, called Deep Space Station 13, has tracked the downlink laser from NASA's Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) technology demonstration since November 2023. The tech demo's flight laser transceiver is riding with the agency's Psyche spacecraft, which launched on Oct. 13, 2023.

The hybrid antenna is located at the DSN's Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex, near Barstow, California, and isn't part of the DSOC experiment. The DSN, DSOC, and Psyche are managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.

"Our hybrid antenna has been able to successfully and reliably lock onto and track the DSOC downlink since shortly after the tech demo launched," said Amy Smith, DSN deputy manager at JPL. "It also received Psyche's radio frequency signal, so we have demonstrated synchronous radio and optical frequency deep space communications for the first time."

In late 2023, the hybrid antenna downlinked data from 20 million miles (32 million kilometers) away at a rate of 15.63 megabits per secondabout 40 times faster than radio frequency communications at that distance. On Jan. 1, 2024, the antenna downlinked a team photograph that had been uploaded to DSOC before Psyche's launch.

Two for one

In order to detect the laser's photons (quantum particles of light), seven ultra-precise segmented mirrors were attached to the inside of the hybrid antenna's curved surface. Resembling the hexagonal mirrors of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, these segments mimic the light-collecting aperture of a 3.3-foot (1-meter) aperture telescope. As the laser photons arrive at the antenna, each mirror reflects the photons and precisely redirects them into a high-exposure camera attached to the antenna's sub-reflector suspended above the center of the dish.

The laser signal collected by the camera is then transmitted through an optical fiber that feeds into a cryogenically cooled semiconducting nanowire single photon detector. Designed and built by JPL's Microdevices Laboratory, the detector is identical to the one used at Caltech's Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California, which acts as DSOC's downlink ground station.

"It's a high-tolerance optical system built on a 34-meter flexible structure," said Barzia Tehrani, communications ground systems deputy manager and delivery manager for the hybrid antenna at JPL. "We use a system of mirrors, precise sensors, and cameras to actively align and direct laser from deep space into a fiber reaching the detector."

Tehrani hopes the antenna will be sensitive enough to detect the laser signal sent from Mars at its farthest point from Earth (2  times the distance from the sun to Earth). Psyche will be at that distance in June on its way to the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter to investigate the metal-rich asteroid Psyche.

The seven-segment reflector on the antenna is a proof of concept for a scaled-up and more powerful version with 64 segmentsthe equivalent of a 26-foot (8-meter) aperture telescopethat could be used in the future.

An infrastructure solution

DSOC is paving the way for higher-data-rate communications capable of transmitting complex scientific information, video, and high-definition imagery in support of humanity's next giant leap: sending humans to Mars. The tech demo recently streamed the first ultra-high-definition video from deep space at record-setting bitrates.

Retrofitting radio frequency antennas with optical terminals and constructing purpose-built hybrid antennas could be a solution to the current lack of a dedicated optical ground infrastructure. The DSN has 14 dishes distributed across facilities in California, Madrid, and Canberra, Australia. Hybrid antennas could rely on optical communications to receive high volumes of data and use radio frequencies for less bandwidth-intensive data, such as telemetry (health and positional information).

"For decades, we have been adding new radio frequencies to the DSN's giant antennas located around the globe, so the most feasible next step is to include optical frequencies," said Tehrani. "We can have one asset doing two things at the same time; converting our communication roads into highways and saving time, money, and resources."

Provided by NASA
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Rare find: A diamond sticking out of a piece of kimberlite rock. Credit: ETH Zurich / Andrea Giuliani

Few gemstones are more difficult to find than diamonds. Geologists from ETH Zurich and the University of Melbourne have now established a link between their occurrence and the mineral olivine. This could make the search for diamonds easier in the future.

"Diamond producers sometimes wish they were mining gold, copper or some other raw material, because nothing is as complicated as finding and mining diamonds," says Andrea Giuliani, Senior Scientist at ETH Zurich's Institute of Geochemistry and Petrology. "There's no method that guarantees that you will find diamonds."

Giuliani has been studying the formation and occurrence of the gemstone since 2015. When still at the University of Melbourne, he analyzed countless samples of kimberlite, a bluish-black rock of magmatic origin.

Diamonds are only ever found where there's a kimberlite, which in turn occurs only on very old continental blocks that have remained geologically unchanged for billions of years: predominantly in Canada, South America, central and southern Africa, Australia and Siberia. "Just looking for a kimberlite is like looking for a needle in a haystack," Giuliani says. "Once you've found it, then the arduous search for diamonds really gets underway."

Lots of iron, no diamonds

Giuliani and his colleagues have now developed a method that will simplify the detection of diamond deposits. Their process relies on the chemical composition of kimberlites. Giuliani realized early on that there is a connection between the occurrence of diamonds and olivine, a mineral that makes up around half of kimberlite rock.

Olivine consists of varying proportions of magnesium and iron. The more iron olivine contains, the less magnesium it has and vice versa. "In rock samples where the olivine was very rich in iron, there were no diamonds or only very few," Giuliani says. "We started to collect more samples and data, and we always got the same result." Their investigations ultimately confirmed that olivine's iron-to-magnesium ratio is directly related to the diamond content of the kimberlite.

Giuliani took these findings back to the big diamond producer and trader De Beers, which had provided him with the kimberlite samples. De Beers was interested; it provided the scientific study with financial support and asked the researchers not to publish the results for the time being. In 2019, Giuliani came to ETH Zurich as an Ambizione Fellow and, supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation, began to look for explanations for the connection between olivine's magnesium and iron content and the presence of diamonds.

Pieces of Olivine, separated by the scientists from various kimberlites. Credit: ETH Zurich / Andrea Giuliani

Diamonds don't like stop-and-go

To this end, the ETH Zurich researchers examined how the process of metasomatism, which takes place in the Earth's interior, affects diamonds. In metasomatism, hot liquids and melts attack the rock. The minerals present in the rock react with the substances dissolved in the fluids to form other minerals.

The geologists analyzed kimberlite samples that contained olivines with a high iron contentand hence no diamonds. They discovered that olivine becomes richer in iron where melt penetrates the lithospheric mantle and changes the composition of mantle rocks significantly. And it is precisely in this layer, at a depth of around 150 kilometers, that diamonds are present.

Their paper is now published in the journal Nature Communications.

The Infiltration of the melt that makes olivine richer in iron destroys diamonds. If, on the other hand, no or only a small amount of melt from underlying layers penetrates into the lithospheric mantle and thus no metasomatism takes place, the olivine contains more magnesiumand the diamonds are preserved.

"Our study shows that diamonds remain intact only when kimberlites entrain mantle fragments on their way up that haven't extensively interacted with previous melt," Giuliani says. A key point here is that kimberlites don't normally reach the Earth's surface in one go. Rather, they begin to rise as a liquid mass, pick up fragments of the mantle on the way, cool down and then get stuck. In the next wave, more melt swells up from the depths, entrains components of the cooled mantle, rises higher, cools, gets stuck. This process can happen multiple times.

"It's a real stop-and-go process of melting, ascent and solidification. And that has a destructive effect on diamonds," Giuliani says. If, on the other hand, conditions prevail that allow kimberlites to rise directly to the surface, he explains, then this is ideal for preservation of the diamonds.

De Beers is already using olivine analysis

Olivine analysis is as reliable as previous prospecting methods, which are mainly based on the minerals clinopyroxene and garnet. However, the new method is easier and faster: it takes only a few analyses to get an idea of whether a given kimberlite field has diamonds or not.

The analysis of olivine complements previous measurements and helps to form a more complete picture. "The great thing about this new method is not only that it's simpler, but also that it finally allows us understand why the previous methods worked," Giuliani says. He adds, "De Beers is already using this new method."

More information: Andrea Giuliani et al, Diamond preservation in the lithospheric mantle recorded by olivine in kimberlites, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42888-x
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A) The bone cylinder and plug (reproduced from Groot & van Haasteren, 2017: fig. 14.14B); B) black henbane seeds (photograph by BIAX Consult). Credit: Antiquity (2024). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2024.5

A team of archaeologists led by Dr. Maaike Groot from Freie Universitat Berlin has provided the first firm evidence that the Romans deliberately collected and used the poisonous seeds of the black henbane plant.

The team analyzed seeds found in a hollowed bone discovered at the Roman-period settlement of Houten-Castellum in the Netherlands and compared them to other archaeological occurrences of the plant. The results of the study were published in the journal Antiquity.

The team's findings support the accounts of classical writers such as Pliny the Elder, who discuss the plant's medical applications as a remedy for ailments, including fever, cough and pain. "Our results indicate that Roman medical practices even extended to rural communities on the Empire's periphery," explains Groot.

Previous research suggests that the bone may have been a pipe used to smoke henbane, as the seeds are also known to produce hallucinogenic effects. However, these seeds were not singed in any way, and there was a lack of evidence for burning on the pipe. Furthermore, it would have been deadly to smoke the hundreds of seeds stored within the pipe, implying that it was instead a container for storing the seeds.

"Since black henbane can grow naturally in and around settlements, its seeds can end up in archaeological sites simply by chance. This makes it difficult to prove if it was used intentionally by humanswhether medicinally or recreationally," says Groot. "The fact that, in our case, the seeds were found inside a hollowed-out sheep or goat bone sealed with a black birch-bark tar plug indicates that the henbane was stored there intentionally, and it was not used for smoking."

There have only been four other occurrences of black henbane found by archaeologists in north-western Europe that indicate it was being used intentionally. Only one of them, from medieval Denmark, was found in a container. The seeds that Groot and her team examined represent the first example of black henbane seeds to be found in a container from the Roman period. The study makes an important contribution to the discussion of how to distinguish between weeds and cultivated plants in archaeological contexts.

More information: Maaike Groot et al, Evidence of the intentional use of black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) in the Roman Netherlands, Antiquity (2024). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2024.5
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Victorian MP Georgie Purcell recently spoke out against a digitally edited image in the news media that had altered her body and partially removed some of her clothing.

Whether or not the editing was assisted by artificial intelligence (AI), her experience demonstrates the potential sexist, discriminatory and gender-based harms that can occur when these technologies are used unchecked.

Purcell's experience also reflects a disturbing trend in which images, particularly of women and girls, are being sexualized, "deepfaked" and "nudified" without the person's knowledge or consent.

What's AI got to do with it?

The term AI can include a wide range of computer software and smartphone apps that use some level of automated processing.

While science fiction might lead us to think otherwise, much of the everyday use of AI-assisted tools is relatively simple. We teach a computer program or smartphone application what we want it to do, it learns from the data we feed it, and it applies this learning to perform the task in varying ways.

A problem with AI image editing is that these tools rely on the information our human society has generated. It is no accident that instructing a tool to edit a photograph of a woman might result in it making the subject look younger, slimmer and/or curvier, and even less clothed. A simple internet search for "women" will quickly reveal that these are the qualities our society frequently endorses.

Similar problems have emerged in AI facial recognition tools that have misidentified suspects in criminal investigations due to the racial and gender bias that is built into the software. The ghosts of sexism and racism, it seems, are literally in the machines.

Technology reflects back to us the disrespect, inequality, discrimination andin the treatment of Purcellovert sexism that we ourselves have already circulated.

Sexualized deepfakes

While anyone can be a victim of AI-facilitated image-based abuse, or sexualized deepfakes, it is no secret that there are gender inequalities in pornographic imagery found online.

Sensity AI (formerly Deeptrace Labs) has reported on online deepfake videos since December 2018 and consistently found that 9095% of them are non-consensual pornography. About 90% of them are of women.

Young women, children and teens across the globe are also being subjected to the non-consensual creation and sharing of sexualized and nudified deepfake imagery. Recent reports of faked sexualized images of teenage girls have emerged from a New Jersey high school in the United States and another high school in Almendralejo, Spain. A third instance was reported in a London high school, which contributed to a 14-year-old girl taking her own life.

Women celebrities are also a popular target of sexualized deepfake imagery. Just last month, sexualized deepfakes of Taylor Swift were openly shared across a range of digital platforms and websites without consent.

While research data on broader victimization and perpetration rates of this sort of image editing and distribution is sparse, our 2019 survey across the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand found 14.1% of respondents aged between 16 and 84 had experienced someone creating, distributing or threatening to distribute a digitally altered image representing them in a sexualized way.

Our research also shone light on the harms of this form of abuse. Victims reported experiencing psychological, social, physical, economic, and existential trauma, similar to harms identified by victims of other forms of sexual violence and image-based abuse.

This year, we have begun a new study to further explore the issue. We'll look at current victimization and perpetration rates, the consequences and harms of the non-consensual creation and sharing of sexualized deepfakes across the US, UK and Australia. We want to find out how we can improve responses, interventions and prevention.

How can we end AI-facilitated abuse?

The abuse of Swift in such a public forum has reignited a call for federal laws and platform regulations, moderation and community standards to prevent and block sexualized deepfakes from being shared.

Stunningly, while the non-consensual sharing of sexualized deepfakes is already a crime in most Australian states and territories, the laws relating to their creation are less consistent. And in the US, there is no national law criminalizing sexualized deepfakes. Fewer than half of US states have one, and state laws are highly variable in how much they protect and support victims.

But focusing on individual states or countries is not sufficient to tackle this global problem. sexualized deepfakes and AI-generated content are perpetrated internationally, highlighting the need for collective global action.

There is some hope we can learn to better detect AI-generated content through guidance in spotting fakes. But the reality is that technologies are constantly improving, so our abilities to differentiate the "real" from the digitally "faked" are increasingly limited.

The advances in technology are compounded by the increasing availability of "nudify" or "remove clothing" apps on various platforms and app stores, which are commonly advertised online. Such apps further normalize the sexist treatment and objectification of women, with no regard for how the victims themselves may feel about it.

But it would be a mistake to blame technology alone for the harms, or the sexism, disrespect and abuse that flows from it. Technology is morally neutral. It can take neither credit nor blame.

Instead, there is a clear onus on technology developers, digital platforms and websites to be more proactive by building in safety by design. In other words, putting user safety and rights front and center in the design and development of online products and services. Platforms, apps and websites also need to be made responsible for proactively preventing, disrupting and removing non-consensual content and technologies that can make such content.

Australia is leading the way with this through the Office of the eSafety Commissioner, including national laws that hold digital platforms to account.

But further global action and collaboration is needed if we truly want to address and prevent the harms of non-consensual sexualized deepfakes.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

With talks between the UK and Canada breaking down over the trade of agriculture products such as beef and cheese, what does it mean for the farming industry and domestic trading in the UK?

Iain Fraser, Professor of Agri-Environmental Economics at the University's School of Economics, explains, "The farming sector has generally been keen to maintain high animal welfare standards which means not allowing the use of growth hormones in beef production. There have also been calls by Parliament for the UK government to place food standards within the law.

"More recently in 2023 the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee launched a call for evidence on food and agricultural trade. As you might expect the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), NFU and many others were strongly advocating for maintaining high food and production standards (especially with regard to animal welfare) including not allowing the use of growth hormones in animal production.

"We also know that many within farming did not welcome the trade deals we did with Australia and New Zealandthis was less to do with the quantities of trade involved but the precedents they set for how the UK might conduct negotiations.

"This current impasse in terms of trade negotiations with Canada means that we are maintaining our position regarding animal welfare standards, at least as far as beef imports are concerned and in line with the EU standards we have retained since EU exit. UK consumers claim to value high animal welfare standards, as I have found through my research into consumer attitudes towards the use of chlorine washes and growth hormones.

"So, what does this mean for UK consumers and farmers? UK beef producers will not need to compete with cheaper imports that could reduce demand for UK beef. In turn this will likely mean that the price of beef domestically remains unchanged as opposed to possibly falling. That said, this doesn't preclude the opportunity for Canadian beef imports if produced without the use of growth hormonesbut this option is being tied to UK access to Canadian dairy produce markets (e.g. cheese). Domestic consumers tend to express a preference for domestic/locally produced food.

"In the short term, the introduction of a significant tax on UK cheese imports into Canada is clearly detrimental for UK producers as might the possible introduction of tax on motor vehicles.

"What this announcement tells us is that doing unilateral trade deals is complex and difficult. Furthermore, as the UK is now a relatively small trading nation compared to when it was part of the EU, it has less power to leverage to achieve what is wants in negotiations of this kind."
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Mechanisms of autoinhibition and substrate recognition by HACE1. a, Cartoon summarizing key insights from this study: HACE1 is autoinhibited by dimerization, with the N-helix making critical intermolecular contacts with the HECT domain at the subunit interface. The yinyang-like dimer prohibits Ub transfer from the E2 and is incompatible with the engagement of RAC1 as a substrate. HACE1 activation requires the release of the N-helix, allowing for productive interactions with the E2 and substrates, such as RAC1. The RAC1 binding mode explains how HACE1 selects for GTP-loaded over GDP-loaded RAC1. We propose that phosphorylation of linchpin sites within the N-terminal region of HACE1 may stabilize the monomeric, active state. Additionally, interaction partners may regulate the conformation of the N-helix and, thus, HACE1 activity. b, Donor Ub modeled into the cryo-EM structure of the HACE1 NRAC1 Q61L complex, based on a superposition of the HECT domain with PDB 6XZ1. Credit: Nature Structural & Molecular Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-01203-4

Ubiquitin ligases regulate many processes in living cells. Depending on how many ubiquitin molecules they attach to the target proteins and in which way, they control the protein's fate.

"The ubiquitin code can direct target proteins to specific cellular sites of action, activate them, trigger their incorporation into protein complexes or their degradation," explains Sonja Lorenz, head of the Ubiquitin Signaling Specificity research group at the MPI. It is thus crucial that ubiquitin ligases reliably recognize the corresponding proteins among tens of thousands of molecules and transmit the correct code.

How this molecular recognition works is a focus of Lorenz and her team's research. "We want to uncover the structural principles of this specific recognition and reveal how they enable different ubiquitin ligases to control specific processes," the biochemist says. This knowledge is not only important for understanding the role of ubiquitin ligases in normal or pathologically altered processes in living cells. It also helps to make the ubiquitin system more accessible for therapeutic applications.

Dynamic ubiquitin system

However, it is difficult to observe ubiquitin ligases bound to their target proteins. "The ubiquitin system is designed to be highly dynamic," Lorenz says. "The underlying interactions are therefore very weak and of short duration." Nevertheless, the group has succeeded in visualizing such an interaction between the ubiquitin ligase HACE1 and its primary target protein, the signaling mediator RAC1.

The researchers used a chemical trick to do this. "With the help of chemical crosslinking, we could stabilize the complex at just the right time to make it accessible for structural studies using cryo-electron microscopy," says the research group leader. In collaboration with the Facility for Cryo-Electron Microscopy at the MPI, headed by Christian Dienemann, the team succeeded, for the first time, in obtaining a "snapshot" of the full-length HACE1-RAC1 complex.

Through additional biophysical and functional experiments, Lorenz's team discovered that the particular architecture of the ubiquitin ligase ensures that HACE1 and its target protein interact with specificity. Their studies show that the ubiquitin ligase forms a platform on which the target protein is positioned. This enables the ligase to reliably recognize its target protein and distinguish it from other proteins. HACE1 can also determine whether RAC1 is in an active or inactive state. This is crucial because RAC1 ought to be tagged with ubiquitin only in its active form.

However, the ubiquitin ligase HACE1 itself can also adopt an active or inactive state, report Jonas During and Madita Wolter, the joint first authors of the paper now published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology. "Two HACE1 molecules can bind to each other to form a complex, a so-called dimer, and thus switch themselves off," explains During. Wolter adds, "HACE1 is only active as a single molecule. Dimerization is, therefore, an important regulatory mechanism."

"If HACE1 no longer functions correctly in the cell or is missing altogether, this can lead, for example, to developmental perturbations of the nerves that are associated with human diseases," explains Lorenz.

"Owing to the insight into the precise interaction of HACE1 and its target protein RAC1, we will be able to better understand how genetic changes in this molecular labeling machine can disrupt target protein recognition." The new findings also contribute to the understanding of related ubiquitin ligases, whose target recognition mechanisms are still poorly understood.

More information: Jonas During et al, Structural mechanisms of autoinhibition and substrate recognition by the ubiquitin ligase HACE1, Nature Structural & Molecular Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-01203-4 Journal information: Nature Structural & Molecular Biology
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The Government's Net Zero Strategy (2022) calls for more attention to community-based action to meet ambitious targets. Similarly, the recently published report of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for "left behind" neighborhoods, "A neighborhood strategy for national renewal" (October 2023) makes a strong commitment to putting local communities in the driver's seat of the leveling up agenda.

Why is it, then, that the former pays nothing more than lip service to equity and fairness in how net zero can be rolled out across the U.K. and nowhere in the latter is there any mention of the urgent need to decarbonize the economy? What opportunities are being missed and what barriers are being created by this classic case of siloed thinking by policy makers?

The problem seems to lie in a lack of research on how to bring these two urgent agendas together, as well as in an overreliance on outdated ideas about what is needed to drive effective responses to the most pressing challenges of our generation. At the Sustainable Consumption Institute at the University of Manchester, we have drawn on decades of social science research to develop a Joined-up Sustainability Transformations (JUST) approach that we argue should be adopted by the next government.

JUST entails three core ideas that together enable a shift toward principles that respond to complex social and political conditions that currently block progress towards the scale of change needed to tackle the interlocking crises of climate, care, cost of living, and more.

First, as the acronym implies, JUST rests on the belief that these crises cannot be addressed adequately unless justice is placed at the center of research, policy making and program implementation. An important step in that direction is improving understanding of the connections between social inequalities and environmental unsustainability, which requires the analysis of power relations and how axes of difference (such as class, gender and race) create structural obstacles to the pursuit of net zero.

Second, we argue for transformation rather than transition. While there is no doubt that a transition away from fossil fuels is necessary, this concept sets parameters that are too narrow for the complex challenge at hand. In the context of climate change, transformation refers to "a process of social change that challenges, and ultimately replaces, dominant development trajectories toward desirable low-carbon, climate-resilient futures."

Our approach focused on the relations between social inequalities and sustainability enables a more comprehensive picture of these transformational processes that often remain constrained by relatively narrow economic, technological, or behavioral approaches.

According to a report by the Cambridge Sustainability Commission there is an urgent need to translate insights from the wealth of technical and behavioral research, which has been dominant for long enough, into win-win pathways that respond more effectively and sensitively to social and political barriers to meeting the U.K.'s net zero agenda. JUST's approach is designed to achieve these outcomes.

Third, JUST moves our attention away from nation-wide, top-down policies to place-based, co-produced strategies for transformational change. This both addresses inequalities and marginalization where they are lived and experienced, but also goes beyond the focus on "behavior change" by mobilizing the energy of communities that are often already engaged in myriad initiatives to address inequalities and climate action simultaneously.

This activity is always located in particular places and the challenges they face, "joined-up" research and action needs to start with the potential that exists at this community level. This entails a combination of co-productive research with communities about the lived experience of daily life, with the development and use of comprehensive datasets which enable understanding at a granular level, down to the level of a terraced street, of who that lived experience shapes action and possibilities for action on sustainability.

Rather than "building back greener," as called for by the Net Zero Strategy, the JUST approach would not be limited to one color alone. Green is arguably too narrow and exclusive for inspiring popular support. What is needed instead is to set out a new social contract, with real prospects of better quality of life which is not only about jobs and income, but also about relationships, representation, leisure and care.

Various iterations of a green new deal for the U.K. provide good examples of the potential for this kind of holistic approach to transformative policy making. However, we recommend embedding a stronger element of democratic participation so that initiatives are co-designed and co-produced to respond to the needs of local communities, working with local people to deliver JUST in ways that support and empower marginalized populations in "left-behind" areas to achieve a more equitable and sustainable low-carbon future.

Politicians are keenly aware of the potential for backlash against net zero strategies such as ULEZ and LTNs. The U.K. has seen a significant rise in such "anti-net zero populism" since around 2021. This resistance is largely political and cultural in nature, generated out of mistrust in politicians, fears that green transitions hit the poor hardest, and attachments to established practices and objects like petrol cars. This means that the backlash is unlikely to be overcome by more technological innovation or stronger scientific evidence.

Our JUST approach has potential to counteract negative assumptions and fears that reduce public support for climate policy, by overcoming mistrust through participative strategies, targeting policy action to reduce not intensify inequalities, and to generate spaces for imagining and valuing new ways of living.
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A devastating climate change-driven drought has gripped parts of the Amazon basin in recent months.

Earth has endured 12 consecutive months of temperatures 1.5C hotter than the pre-industrial era for the first time on record, Europe's climate monitor said Thursday, in what scientists called a "warning to humanity".

Storms, drought and fire have lashed the planet as climate changesupercharged by the naturally-occurring El Nino weather phenomenonstoked record warming in 2023, making it likely the hottest in 100,000 years.

The extremes have continued into 2024, Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) service said, confirming that February 2023 to January 2024 saw warming of 1.52 degrees Celsius above the 19th century benchmark.

That is an alarming foretaste of future impacts even if global warming can be capped at the Paris climate deal's crucial 1.5C threshold, scientists said. It also underscores the urgent need to reduce planet-heating emissions.

But it does not signal a permanent breach of the limit, which is measured over decades.

"We are touching 1.5C and we see the costthe social costs and economic costs," said Johan Rockstrom, of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.

"1.5 is a very big number and it hurts us really badly in terms of heat waves, droughts, floods, reinforced storms, water scarcity across the entire world. That is what 2023 has taught us."

Recent months have seen a global onslaught of extremes, including devastating drought gripping the Amazon basin, sweltering winter temperatures in parts of southern Europe and deadly wildfires in Canada and South America.

"It is clearly a warning to humanity that we are moving faster than expected towards the agreed upon 1.5C limit," Rockstrom told AFP.

He said temperatures will likely fall back somewhat after the El Nino ends in coming months, but added, "we're very, very close to a longer term breach."

The UN's IPCC climate panel had already warned that the world will likely crash through 1.5C in the early 2030s.

Planet-heating emissions, mainly from the burning of fossil fuels, have risen in recent years, even as scientists say they need to fall by almost half this decade.

"Rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are the only way to stop global temperatures increasing," said Samantha Burgess, C3S deputy director.

'Off the charts'

Scientists have increasingly warned that impacts accelerate with every fraction of a degree of warming.

At just under 1.2C of warming so far, the world today has already seen a crescendo of destructive extreme weather. The most vulnerable populations have already been hit hardest.

Breaching 1.5C could signal extinctions on land and in the oceans, crop failures, and the triggering of so-called "tipping points" in the climate system, including the death of biodiversity-rich coral reefs and irreversible melting of the polar ice sheets feeding sea level rise, experts say.

Tim Lenton, an Earth system scientist at the University of Exeter, said temperatures are spiking higher than he would expect from El Nino amplifying the underlying global warming.

"This clearly is putting some elements of the climate system at greater risk of tippingfor example we saw an extraordinary area of the Canadian boreal forests burning last year, and we saw drought afflicting even what is usually the wettest (northern) part of the Amazon," he told AFP.

Scientists are concerned that the Amazon basinbeyond a certain level of warmingcould rapidly transition into a savannah-like state.

Copernicus said January was the eighth record-breaking month in a row, with temperatures 1.66C warmer overall than the January average for 1850-1900 reference period.

While parts of the world experienced an unusually wet January, swathes of North America, the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula saw drier conditions.

In Chile, which has struggled with a brutal summer heat wave and drought, the dry conditions have stoked out-of-control wildfires, Copernicus said.

Those conditions have continued into February, with fires that started on Friday whipping into a deadly inferno in the coastal Valparaiso region over the weekend leaving more than 130 people dead.

The El Nino, which warms the sea surface in the southern Pacific leading to hotter weather globally, has begun to weaken in the equatorial Pacific, Copernicus said.

Meanwhile, sea surface temperatures have continued to smash records.

Rockstrom said 2023 "is a year where ocean dynamics have simply gone berserk, it's off the charts".

Oceans cover 70 percent of the planet and have kept the Earth's surface liveable by absorbing 90 percent of the excess heat produced by the carbon pollution from human activity since the dawn of the industrial age.

Hotter oceans mean more moisture in the atmosphere, leading to increasingly erratic weather, like fierce winds and powerful rain.

 2024 AFP
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Hubble image of Markarian 817. Credit: NASA

Black holes are like temperamental toddlers. They spill food all the time, but ESA's XMM-Newton has caught a black hole in the act of "flipping over the table" during an otherwise civilized meal.

This act prevents the galaxy surrounding the black hole from forming new stars, giving us insight into how black holes and galaxies co-evolve.

At the heart of every large galaxy lies a supermassive black hole, whose immense gravity draws in gas from its surroundings. As the gas spirals inwards, it bunches up in a flat "accretion disk" around the black hole, where it heats and lights up. Over time, the gas closest to the black hole passes the point of no return and gets gobbled up.

However, black holes only consume a fraction of the gas spiraling towards them. While encircling a black hole, some matter is flung back out into space, much like how a messy toddler spills a lot of what lies on their plate.

In more dramatic episodes, a black hole will flip over the entire dinner table: Gas in the accretion disk gets flung out in all directions at such high speeds that it clears out the surrounding interstellar gas. Not only does this deprive the black hole of food, but it also means no new stars can form over a vast region, changing the structure of the galaxy.

Until now, this ultra-fast "black hole wind" had only been detected coming from extremely bright accretion disks, which are at the limit of how much matter they can draw in. This time, XMM-Newton detected ultra-fast wind in a distinctly average galaxy which you could say was "only snacking." The finding is reported in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

"You might expect very fast winds if a fan was turned on to its highest setting. In the galaxy we studied, called Markarian 817, the fan was turned on at a lower power setting, but there were still incredibly energetic winds being generated," notes undergraduate researcher Miranda Zak (University of Michigan), who played a central role in this research.

"It is very uncommon to observe ultra-fast winds, and even less common to detect winds that have enough energy to alter the character of their host galaxy. The fact that Markarian 817 produced these winds for around a year, while not being in a particularly active state, suggests that black holes may reshape their host galaxies much more than previously thought," adds co-author Elias Kammoun, astronomer at the Roma Tre University, Italy.

Artists impression of Markarian 817. Credit: The Cyprus Planetarium

X-rays blocked by the wind

Active galactic centers send out high-energy light, including X-rays. Markarian 817 stood out to the researchers because it went awfully quiet. Observing the galaxy using NASA's Swift observatory, Miranda recounts, "The X-ray signal was so faint that I was convinced I was doing something wrong."

Follow-up observations using ESA's more sensitive X-ray telescope XMM-Newton revealed what was really happening: Ultra-fast winds coming from the accretion disk were acting like a shroud, blocking out the X-rays sent out from the immediate surroundings of the black hole (called the corona). These measurements were backed up by observations made with NASA's NuSTAR telescope.

A detailed analysis of the X-ray measurements showed that, far from sending out a single "puff" of gas, the center of Markarian 817 produced a gusty storm over a wide area in the accretion disk. The wind lasted for several hundreds of days and consisted of at least three distinct components, each moving at several percent of the speed of light.

This solves an open puzzle in our understanding of how black holes and the galaxies around them influence one another. There are many galaxiesincluding the Milky Waythat appear to have large regions around their centers in which very few new stars form. This could be explained by black hole winds that clear out the star-forming gas, but this only works if the winds are fast enough, sustained for long enough, and are generated by black holes with typical levels of activity.

"Many outstanding problems in the study of black holes are a matter of achieving detections through long observations that stretch over many hours to catch important events. This highlights the prime importance of the XMM-Newton mission for the future. No other mission can deliver the combination of its high sensitivity and its ability to make long, uninterrupted observations," says Norbert Schartel, ESA's XMM-Newton project scientist.

More information: Miranda K. Zak et al, Fierce Feedback in an Obscured, Sub-Eddington State of the Seyfert 1.2 Markarian 817, The Astrophysical Journal Letters (2024). DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/ad1407 Journal information: Astrophysical Journal Letters

Provided by The Cyprus Planetarium
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It's a scenario made famous by the 1998 film "Armageddon": an asteroid is spotted on a collision course with Earth, and experts scramble to plan a space mission to rendezvous with the asteroid and mitigate the danger. It's classic science fiction, but did you know there is a very real group responsible for recommending such a response in real life? And it celebrates its tenth birthday this week.

When the Chelyabinsk asteroid struck the skies over Russia's Ural region in February 2013, it highlighted humankind's fragility.

With a mass of around 12,000 tons and a size of 19 m, the Chelyabinsk asteroid was the second-largest asteroid to strike Earth in the last century. Impacting the upper atmosphere at a shallow angle and at high speed, it disintegrated, releasing a shockwave that injured more than 1,500 people and damaged 7,300 buildings. Many people were also injured by shards of flying glass as they peered out of windows to see what was happening.

By a strange twist of fate, the Chelyabinsk asteroid struck on the same day that the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space Working Group on Near-Earth Objects met in Vienna to finalize a recommendation to the UN on how to defend Earth from possible asteroid impacts.

At this meeting, Earth's experts laid the foundations for the formation of two international bodies that would enable a truly global response to the risk of an asteroid strike: the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) and the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG; pronounced 'same page').

Keeping humankind on the 'same page'

SMPAG and IAWN are now celebrating their tenth anniversaries, with the first SMPAG meeting taking place on 6-7 February 2014 and the first IAWM meeting taking place in January of the same year.

Apophis orbit diverted by Earth's gravity. Credit: European Space Agency

IAWN is coordinated by NASA: it is a worldwide collaboration of asteroid observers, analysts, and modelers. When an asteroid is detected on a collision course with Earth, IAWN assesses the impact time, location, and severity.

It is IAWN's job to inform SMPAG and national governments via the UN and to provide the information about the asteroid needed to plan a reactive space mission and for civil disaster preparation and response agencies.

SMPAG is chaired by ESA: it serves as a forum for the world's space agencies and coordinates Earth's space-based response to the danger.

It assesses the possibility of using spacecraft missions (typically not involving oil drillers) to study, deflect, or destroy an incoming asteroid larger than 50 m in size and with an impact probability larger than 1%. It then advises decision-makers on possible actions to take.

No slowing down for ESA's planetary defenders

During the recent 22nd meeting of SMPAG on 31 January 2024, one of the major topics of discussion was the possible exchange of information between space agencies planning to explore asteroid Apophis.

Apophis is a large asteroid, estimated to be around 350 m across, that will safely fly by Earth on 13 April 2029. It will come closer to our planet than the ring of telecommunications and weather forecasting satellites in geostationary orbit.

NEOMIR - in-orbit asteroid spotter. Credit: European Space Agency

This flyby offers a unique chance to study such a large asteroid up close with a satellite mission, and space agencies intend to make the most of it. ESA is currently studying two mission concepts that would fly to Apophis as it approaches Earth in 2029.

ESA is also currently preparing to launch its Hera mission. In September 2022, NASA's DART mission demonstrated a key component of asteroid deflectionan impact in which a spacecraft deliberately crashes into an asteroid to alter its course.

Hera will launch in October 2024 and travel to the same asteroid system and measure the results. In doing so, it will help turn this novel experiment into a repeatable planetary defense approach.

However, in order to deflect an asteroid, you first have to spot it. The Minor Planet Center currently catalogs over 34,000 known near-Earth asteroids, and ESA's Near-Earth Object Coordination Centre keeps a close eye on them.

ESA's two Test-Bed Telescopes and its upcoming Flyeye telescope are part of a future automated network that will continuously scan the entire sky every night on the hunt for new, potentially dangerous space rocks. Anything this network finds will be checked by a human before being submitted to the Minor Planet Center to trigger follow-up observations.

But even this network won't be able to spot the asteroids heading towards Earth while hiding within the glare of the sun. ESA's proposed NEOMIR space-based telescope will be located outside of Earth's distorting atmosphere and, therefore, able to rely on infrared light rather than visible light. By making observations in the infrared, NEOMIR will detect the heat emitted by asteroids themselves, which isn't drowned out by sunlight.
Prosecutors on Thursday appealed a recent court acquittal of Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong in a controversial Samsung affiliate merger case, sources said.

On Monday, the Seoul Central District Court delivered a not-guilty sentence for Lee, who was charged over alleged engagement in market irregularities over the course of the controversial merger of two Samsung affiliates, Cheil Industries and Samsung C&T in 2015.

In response, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office on Thursday filed an appeal against the ruling, claiming the merger was aimed at solidifying Lee's managerial control of the firm at a lower cost, according to judicial sources.

The prosecution had demanded a five-year prison sentence for the chief of South Korea's largest conglomerate.

The merger was seen as crucial to Lee's succession as the heir of the family-controlled firm, as his father, Lee Kun-hee, had suffered a heart attack the previous year. (Yonhap)
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From a press release: Parks Heritage Federal Credit Union is excited to launch its newly refreshed brand to the greater Glens Falls community.

Parks Heritage has been a proud partner in the Glens Falls community since the credit unions inception in 1965 as the Glens Falls Hospital Employees Federal Credit Union. The further development of the credit unions membership in 2006 expanded its field of membership to include all those who served in medical service professions in Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties.

The refresh of the Parks Heritage brand symbolizes a renewed commitment to the community as the credit union has expanded its ability to serve members beyond the health care industry. Parks Heritage is now able to serve anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Essex, Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren or Washington counties.

To celebrate the credit unions new brand and expanded field of membership, a brand launch event will take place at the Parks Heritage branch in Glens Falls. The brand launch celebration will feature light refreshments, materials showcasing the updated brand, and an opportunity to meet with Parks Heritage team members. The Parks Heritage Federal Credit Union brand refresh reflects the credit unions dedication to progress to meet the changing needs of its members and the community.

The event will be held Feb. 13, 2024, 11:00 a.m.  12:00 p.m at the Parks Heritage Federal Credit Union, 5 Murray Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801.

We are thrilled to announce our newly refreshed brand and open up membership to everyone in our community, said Csilla Bell, Parks Heritage CEO. We have had the honor of serving the financial needs of the medical community exclusively for nearly 60 years and are excited to open membership to the entire community moving forward.

Join Parks Heritage in celebrating this significant milestone. For more information about the brand launch celebration event or to learn more about the brand, please contact PHFCU at (518) 926-4700 or email memberservices@parksheritagefcu.org.
From the Division of Military and Naval Affairs: New York Army National Guard Major General Joseph Biehler, a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan War, took command of the Troy, New York-based 42nd Infantry Division during a ceremony held on February 3, 2024, at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham, N.Y.

Biehler, a resident of Webster, N.Y., had been serving as the Commanding General of the 53rd Troop Command since 2021.

The 42nd Infantry Division is one of eight National Guard division headquarters.

Biehler replaces Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Thomas Spencer, who is retiring after 37 years of service in the military. Spencer took command of the division in April of 2021.

Maj. Gen. Raymond Shields, the Adjutant General of the New York National Guard, said, Joe was selected based on his leadership style, experience, and how well he takes care of his people.

You have a critical job leading one of the Armys 18 divisions. Keep focusing on our people within the organization, and you will continue to be successful, Shields told Biehler.

In his remarks, Biehler told the Soldiers present that it was a tremendous honor to be selected as commander of a division with the history of the 42nd.

This is an honorable division with a long history, Biehler said. Very few have stood where you are right where you are right now in this formation.

We are a proud, honorable, and small community, he added.

The 42nd Infantry Division, with headquarters in Troy, N.Y., has 20,000 Soldiers assigned to elements in New York, New England, and New Jersey.

During the ceremony, the flag, or colors, of the 42nd Infantry Division was transferred from Maj. Gen. Thomas Spencer to Biehler by Shields. This symbolized the transfer of authority for the men and women of the division.

The change of command ceremony also featured the colors of the brigades, which fall under the 42nd Infantry Division for training purposes.

Prior to the ceremony, Biehler was promoted from a one-star Brigadier General to the two-star Major General rank.

The 42nd Infantry Division was first organized in World War I by National Guard forces across the United States.
SUNY Adirondack President Kristine Duffy Ed. urged Warren County officials last week to advocate on the colleges behalf to gain more financial support from New York State.

The community college sector has been underfunded for over a decade now, Duffy said as she addressed the Warren County Personnel, Administration, and Higher Education Committee.

Since September 2023, community colleges in the SUNY system have been hard at work to develop a strategy on how to advocate to the state to increase their statutory requirements in supporting the sector as a whole, Duffy said.

The advocacy strategy included partnering with counties across New York to ask the state for an uptick in funding. Many counties have already passed resolutions in support of the community colleges proposal.

All the presidents and all the trustees on every single campus have signed on to this advocacy strategy. Were all on a united front, Duffy told the committee.

Community colleges in the SUNY system are funded from three primary sources: state funding, county funding, and student tuition.

When community colleges were established, it was the hope that there would be an even split, with each funding source paying a third, Duffy explained. That really has never happened.

Counties contribute about $525 million annually to the community college sector, while the state contributes about $428 million, according to Duffy.

A decline in state funding over the last decade has meant that students must bear the largest burden of the cost. Tuition revenue covers well over 40% of the schools operating budget, Duffy said.

The counties are doing their fair share. The state still remains at the lowest part of that model, she said.

SUNY community colleges are asking the state for an additional $97 million in funding to help level the playing field. More equitable funding distribution could reduce tuition costs for students whose tuition has been forced to make up for the gap in funding to operate these institutions, according to Duffy.

The New York Community College Association of Presidents are working with the state leadership, the governors office, the legislature, and SUNY in this effort.

With an additional $97 million from the state, the community colleges promised to help address the concerning workforce demand in what Duffy called the Empire State Community College Workforce Guarantee.

The Empire State Community College Workforce Guarantee would prepare students for careers in high-demand sectors including healthcare, advanced manufacturing, IT/cybersecurity, skilled trades, and green jobs, according to SUNY.

You invest in us, we will continue to invest in programs that the state is needing, Duffy said. Were saying to New York State, if you fund us equitably, well train at least 20,000 additional workers, especially in our high-cost, high-demand programs like equipment-heavy and nursing.

Last year, Warren and Washington Counties committed to a five-year plan to gradually increase their county sponsor support.

The personnel committee unanimously passed a resolution in favor of SUNY Adirondack, and it will now go before the Warren County Board of Supervisors later this month for passage.
A Mullica Township man on parole as a registered sex offender, who engaged in sex with a teenager, was convicted Wednesday, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said.

Marcelino Cruz, 34, was found guilty of sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child and possession of child sexual abuse material.

The investigation of the most recent assault, which occurred in August 2022, began when the 13-year-old's mother uncovered disturbing electronic communications with Cruz on the child's phone, the Prosecutors Office said in a news release.

After the child's disclosure, officers recovered the discussions between the minor and Cruz as evidence. Police confirmed the then 33-year-old was in communication with the child and engaged in a sex act with the minor in the first week of August 2022.

Cruz was previously convicted of endangering the welfare of a child using sex acts in 2010. He was sentenced to five years in prison in October 2019, according to the state Department of Corrections website.

He was paroled from South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton on Nov. 15, 2021. Upon his release, Cruz was ordered to undergo lifelong parole supervision, the Prosecutors Office said.

Cruz is scheduled to be sentenced May 6 before Judge Donna M. Taylor.
Two Bridgeton men who opened fire on a State Police detective at a Salem County mobile home park in April 2020 have been sentenced to prison.

Tremaine Hadden, 30, was sentenced to 37 years after being convicted of aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, riot and weapons offenses following a trial in May 2023.

Hadden fired a shot that seriously wounded Detective Richard Hershey, who has since recovered and returned to duty.

A second suspect, Najzeir Hutchings, 25, was sentenced to 13 years after pleading guilty to aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Hutchings was required to testify at trial as part of his plea agreement.

Bridgeton man gets 37 years for 2020 shooting of State Police detective A Bridgeton man convicted of shooting a State Police detective in 2020 was sentenced Tuesday to 37 years in prison, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said.

Kareem Warner, 23, of Bridgeton, also pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and was handed a seven-year prison sentence in December.

Hershey responded to the Harding Woods mobile home park in Pittsgrove Township after receiving reports of a home invasion in which a woman was assaulted and robbed, according to court records.

While at the crime scene, 15 people, armed with handguns, knives and bottles, pulled up in five vehicles about 10:30 p.m. and attempted to attack the woman and damage her home.

As Hershey tried to give commands in an effort to control the intruders, Hutchings, Hadden and Warner, who were hiding behind vehicles, fired multiple shots at him.

Investigators determined more than a dozen shots were fired at Hershey, who was struck once in the hip.
The driver accused of killing two people in a crash during an unsanctioned car rally in Wildwood last year is expected to be sentenced Thursday afternoon to 25-years in prison as part of a plea deal, according to court documents.

Gerald White, 38, of Pittsburgh, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated manslaughter and two counts of aggravated assault on Nov. 28.

White is scheduled to be sentenced in front of Cape May County Superior Court Judge Christopher J. Gibson.

White was fleeing the scene of a prior accident in a 2003 Infiniti when he struck a 2014 Honda Civic and two pedestrians at Burk and Atlantic avenues at 9:36 p.m. Sept. 24, 2022.

The accident occurred during the H2oi car rally, which brought thousands to the area and led to multiple arrests and accidents throughout Wildwood, police said. The rally was not approved by city officials.

A passenger in the Civic, Timothy Ogden, 34, of Clayton, and a pedestrian, Lindsay Weakland, 18, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, were killed as a result. A second occupant in the vehicle and another pedestrian also suffered injuries.

White attempted to evade law enforcement a second time following the accident but was quickly taken into custody. He has been in the Cape May County jail since his arrest.

White could have faced 80 years in prison on the charges if convicted at trial and will be required to serve 85% of his 25-year sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
VINELAND  In the battle between parents rights and students privacy, parents rights won Wednesday as the local Board of Education voted 7-2 to rescind the districts transgender student policy.

The only board members who voted to retain policy 5756 were Vice President Cedric Holmes and Inez Acosta.

Before the policy was repealed, Superintendent Alfonso Llano addressed what would happen if the policy was voted down.

I need to provide our district employees, our staff members with a standard operating procedure of how to address transgender students, which would look very similar to the current policy because that is the way it is written in the law, LLano said.

Llano did not describe specifically how the district will handle transgender students differently moving forward. He also did not detail what happens if students confide in district employees that they feel their gender identity is different from their assigned sex at birth but they are uncomfortable telling their parents this information.

The big sticking point was that the policy allowed someone at the school to know a students transgender or transitioning status without the students parents being aware of it.

Guidance provided to districts from the New Jersey Department of Education states that schools shall accept a students asserted gender identity and that parental consent is not required. Students do not need to meet any threshold in terms of diagnosis or treatment to have their gender identity recognized.

Board member Eugene Medio was the first board member to speak on the subject once public comment concluded.

Vineland school board considers eliminating transgender student policy A majority of the Vineland school board attempted Jan. 3 to repeal the district's transgender student policy, in place since 2014. One of the big sticking points is that the policy allows for someone at the school to know a student's transgender or transitioning status without the student's parents being aware of it.

The problem with all of this is that we are concentrating and paying attention to something that never should have come up. This is not the job of the school system, Medio said. We have a school system where discipline is a problem in the 9 and 10, 11 and 12 buildings, and we have to work on that.

Acosta gave her reasons why she was one of two board members to vote to retain the policy.

Im not in a position to say that a student who confides in a trusted teacher, a guidance counselor or school administrator should be outed for that decision to try to talk to someone that they believe that they can trust in the school district, Acosta said. I cannot take a chance or risk the life ... of any of our students.

Board President Kimberly Codispoti, who voted to repeal the policy, said the policy is non-mandated and redundant.

If a student is afraid, there are protections in place for those students. Notification and decisions will be made by central administration, Codispoti said. Simply put, parents have the right to know whats going on with their own child. They have the right to see their childs record.

Parents must sign for their children to leave school early, get working papers, go on trips, change course schedules and be given aspirin, Codispoti said.

Parents are notified if a child is depressed or threatens suicide, but they are not notified if their child wants to be referred to or wants to change sexes. It baffles me, Codispoti said.

Last month during the policys introduction, the board met for 1 hour and 47 minutes, with those in support of the policy outnumbering those against it.

Trans student policy shaping up as latest battleground at Ocean City schools A new battle line has emerged on the Ocean City Board of Education over policy related to transgender and nonbinary students.

During the past month, the policy received a great deal more attention in the community. Wednesdays meeting was 4 hours and 44 minutes with more than three hours spent on public, board and administration comments.

More self-described church members attended Wednesdays meeting than the January meeting.

Codispoti made reference to how divisive the issue has been.

Whats not OK is what several of my board members have been dealing with for the past month  intimidation, harassment, bullying, lies, attacks on our character, all because we didnt agree, Codispoti said.

The meeting featured everything from people quoting Bible verses, to the district being accused of following a woke agenda, to claims of influence on the board from the New Jersey Project, which is allegedly affiliated with Moms for Liberty, a conservative political organization that advocates against school curricula mentioning LGBTQ issues.

The board strictly enforced its three-minute limit on each speaker. Members of the public were drowned out by the audience chanting time, time, time when speakers reached their limit or went over it. Each person speaking for or against the policy received applause and cheers from some portion of the crowd.

Denise Gonzalez, the 2024 class president, said the transgender student policy holds significance for many students at the school.

I understand some board members also believe that 5756 is not necessary because there are other policies that protect every student. You value equality, which is wonderful, but this is where we need to strive for equity over equality, Gonzalez said.

Politics enter South Jersey school board races Moms for Liberty, persistent controversies and a November vote have helped bring national political issues to school board meetings and to school elections.

Melanie Martinez was one of many who wanted the policy repealed.

There are lots of reasons why keeping secrets from parents is not acceptable, and if schools expect parents to have open dialogue with them to discuss things with the school, then the school needs to discuss things with the parents, Martinez said.

After the policy was voted down, Llano encouraged everyone to take a deep breath.

We are going to support our kids. We are going to do whats right for them because it is the law. Its what we have to do, and as superintendent, we have to make sure that we are in compliance with the law, Llano said. Although we may not agree, I know we all love our kids, and that is what is important.
LOWER TOWNSHIP  A flag-raising ceremony will be held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the death of Officer David C. Douglass Sr. at 10 a.m. Feb. 18 at the Town Bank Volunteer Fire Company.

Douglass was killed after exchanging gunfire with a suspect who burglarized a home and set it on fire in February 1994.

The Township Hall and Police Department flags will be flown at half-staff, and a memorial wreath will be placed near the flagpole at 224 Town Bank Road in honor of Douglass, township officials said Thursday in a news release.

The flag-raising will be open to the public and will be followed by light refreshments at the firehouse.

A brief ceremony will take place at Douglass' gravesite in the Cold Spring Presbyterian Church cemetery at 7:15 p.m., which is the approximate time Douglass responded to his last call.

Dispatch will transmit Douglass' end-of-watch broadcast, and all fire sirens in the township will be activated in memory of Douglass, who also was a Town Bank firefighter.

Douglass was dispatched to North Cape May for a report of a suspicious person Feb. 18, 1994. While pursuing a burglary suspect on foot, the suspect shot Douglass. Douglass returned fire and struck the suspect in the hand. He made it back to his patrol car to call for assistance but did not survive.

Authorities arrested the shooter two months later in New York City.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been interviewed by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, the Kremlin confirmed Wednesday. It is Putin's first interview to a Western media figure since his full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago.

Carlson had released a video from Moscow on Tuesday in which he said he would be interviewing Putin. Carlson claimed that Western journalists had interviewed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy multiple times but could not be bothered to interview the Russian president.

The interview will be posted Thursday, according to Justin Wells, head of programming at Carlsons streaming network. It's not known what was said in the interview.

Putin has heavily limited his contact with international media since he launched the war in Ukraine in February 2022. Russian authorities have cracked down on media, forcing some independent Russian outlets to close, blocking others and ordering a number of foreign reporters to leave the country. Two journalists working for U.S. news organizations  The Wall Street Journals Evan Gershkovich and Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertys Alsu Kurmasheva  are in jail on charges they reject.

Western journalists were invited to Putins annual press conference in December  the first since the war began  but only two were given the chance to ask a question.

Putins spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters that Carlson was chosen for the interview because he has a position which differs from other English-language media.

Before his exit from Fox, Carlson repeatedly questioned the validity of U.S. support for Ukraine following the Russian invasion, and he's wondered why Americans are told to hate Putin so much. His commentaries were frequently circulated on Russian state-run media.

In his video this week, Carlson denounced corrupt American media outlets for fawning pep sessions with Zelenskyy that he said were designed to get America into a war with eastern Europe and pay for it.

Peskov also rejected Carlson's suggestion that no Western journalists had submitted requests to interview Putin. He said the Kremlin has received many requests from large Western television channels and newspapers which, he asserted, take a one-sided position." Carlsons position, Peskov said, is in no way pro-Russian, nor pro-Ukrainian, but rather pro-American.

The Associated Press is among the outlets that has requested an interview with Putin.

Does Tucker really think we journalists haven't been trying to interview President Putin every day since his full scale invasion of Ukraine? CNN's Christiane Amanpour said on X. It's absurd  we'll continue to ask for an interview, just as we have for years now.

The interview with Putin, Carlson said in his video, will be distributed for free on his website and on X, formerly known as Twitter. Carlson, who was fired by Fox News in April , announced he was starting his own streaming service in December.

Fox has offered no explanation for firing Carlson, who was its top-rated personality at the time. Like many people who leave the network that is conservative America's most popular news outlet, he has struggled to remain in the public eye.

Carlson worked at Fox News for more than a decade and hosted a show where he discussed conspiracy theories about Russia and the Jan. 6 insurrection .

Russian state media on Wednesday extensively covered Carlsons visit.

Vladimir Solovyev, one of Russias most famous television hosts, said the interview would break through the blockade and the narrative that exists in Western media which, he said, focuses on Putins unprovoked, brutal invasion of Ukraine.

Solovyev, whose show is often critical of Western media, said Carlson is feared because he does not align with that narrative. (AP)
Murder charges have been filed against a man and a woman who were arrested days after two bodies were found in a Davenport home.

Adriana Maria Prieto, also known in the Scott County District Court charging documents as Adriana Blake, 27, and Devon Braet, 34, each are charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Brian L. Goodwin and Amy Smith.

The bodies of Goodwin and Smith, both 44, were found Jan. 16 by Davenport firefighters after a fire was reported at Goodwins residence at 5210 N. Division St. They had gunshot wounds.

According to their arrest affidavits, Prieto and Braet also lived at the residence.

Prieto and Braet were each arrested Jan. 18 by Davenport police on weapons charges and other outstanding warrants. Court documents connected both of them to the case, but they had not been charged in the deaths or fire until Wednesday.

Under Iowa law, first-degree murder carries an automatic sentence of life in prison upon conviction.

Another woman also was arrested Wednesday in connection with the case. Melisa Marie Weber, 49, is charged with two counts of abuse of a corpse and one count each of accessory after the fact and second-degree arson.

According to the arrest affidavits filed by Davenport Police detectives Brandon Askew and Aric Robinson, between 4:30 and 7 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 15, Prieto and Braet killed Goodwin and Smith.

Prieto and Braet, along with Weber, then placed combustible materials inside the residence where the bodies of Goodwin and Smith were located. They then set fire to the materials in the hopes of altering the crime scene. The fire damaged the bodies of Goodwin and Smith.

The bodies of Goodwin and Smith were found by Davenport firefighters early on the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 16.

Both Prieto and Braet possessed firearms during the commission of the crimes.

When Prieto and Braet were taken into custody on Jan. 18, they had in their possession 4.3 grams of heroin and 11 grams of meth.

Braet and Prieto are charged with two counts each of first-degree murder, assault while participating in a felony causing serious injury, and abuse of a corpse. The pair also are charged with one count each of second-degree arson, going armed with intent, possession of a firearm by a felon, use of a dangerous weapon in the commission of a crime, and possession of a controlled substance.

After helping to start the fire, Weber helped Prieto and Braet avoid apprehension following the murders of Goodwin and Smith, the affidavits said.

Prieto was being held Wednesday night in the Scott County Jail on a $1 million cash-only bond. Weber was being held Wednesday night in the Scott County Jail without bond. Braet is in custody at another jail.
A Moline man accused of killing his girlfriend initially told police the shooting was accidental.

Evidence collected by police, though, did not corroborate his account, according to Rock Island County court documents.

County prosecutors have charged David Jamal McAdams, 35, with first-degree murder, concealment of a homicidal death and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, according to county court records.

Authorities accuse McAdams of killing the woman on Feb. 2, court records state.

Rock Island County Coroner Brian Gustafson identified the victim as Victoria Tillotson, 43, of Moline. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday. Her body was found in a vehicle in a parking lot of an apartment building in the 3600 block of 25th Street in Moline around 11:45 a.m. Wednesday.

She and McAdams were in a relationship, according to court records.

McAdams goes to the police

Police first learned of Tillotsons death from McAdams himself, records state.

On Wednesday he came to the Moline Police Station and told officials he had fatally shot her several days ago, according to court records.

At first McAdams told investigators his gun accidentally discharged as he and Tillotson sat in a vehicle in the parking lot of their apartment complex in the 3600 block of 25th Street, court records state.

McAdams told police that he knew immediately that Tillotson was dead, so he did not try to get help, records state. Instead, he covered her with a blanket and left her inside the vehicle.

McAdams account to police included a detailed timeline of events, records state.

Investigation says otherwise

The department tracked McAdams movements using camera images, authorities allege in court records. That evidence disputes the timeline McAdams provided.

Physical evidence, including the position of the injuries on Tillotsons body, also does not match McAdams account of what happened, court records state.

He later told investigators that he disposed of the gun, shell casings, his cell phone and a broken piece of jewelry before he went to the police station, records state.

Arrest and court

Police arrested McAdams Wednesday and he remained in custody Thursday, according to the Rock Island County Jail website.

He made his first appearance on the charges on Thursday afternoon.

His next appearance has been set for Friday, court records state.
Tracy Jones, a Davenport resident, court worker and abortion advocate, announced Wednesday she's running for a seat in the Iowa Legislature this fall.

Jones is running for the Democratic nomination for House District 94, which represents parts of Davenport, Bettendorf and Eldridge. In a news release, Jones said, she's "frustrated with politicians in Des Moines who are too busy playing politics."

She pledged to return more balance to the Iowa Legislature and support abortion rights and workers rights.

The current representative, Mike Vondran, a Davenport Republican in his first term, reached by phone Wednesday said he's planning to run for reelection this fall. Vondran owns TAG Communications. He defeated a long-time Democratic incumbent in 2022 following the decennial redrawing of legislative districts.

The primary for this fall's state races will be June 4 and the general election Nov. 5. Candidates for state and federal offices must file their paperwork for the June primary between Feb. 26 and March 15.

Jones is so far the only Democrat to announce for the seat.

Jones works for the Rock Island County Circuit Clerk's Office as lead court specialist, according to a news release. She has been a union member of AFSCME for more than 20 years, and has served as a local vice president, chief steward, and delegate to the QC Federation of Labor, according to the release.

Jones is a sister to Gregg Johnson, an Illinois state lawmaker. Both point to abortion as a uniquely personal topic for them, as their mother, Shirley Hunter Johnson, died in 1972 because of pregnancy complications when she couldn't obtain an abortion.

"I support reproductive freedom and it's a deep personal issue for me," Jones said, in the news release. "My siblings and I lost our mom in 1972  6 months prior to the passing of Roe v. Wade  because she could not obtain a life-saving abortion. My mom, Shirley, was a newly divorced woman with three young children when she became pregnant. She suffered from severe preeclampsia and realized, as the pregnancy progressed, that she needed an abortion. She traveled across the country to save her own life and be able to raise us, but she was turned away and died a few weeks later. No family should have to go through the suffering and grief that my own family went through."
The Monday after Super Bowl 58 will see Source Book Store in downtown Davenport reopen under new, but also old, management.

After three years of being retired and getting in some traveling, Dan Pekios is once again the owner of the business. He plans to open Feb. 12.

But it wasnt by choice that the 73-year-old Pekios, or longtime assistant Cindy Ketchmark, 69, took over the store again.

Carter Brown, 26, who bought the store under contract from Pekios in 2020, defaulted on his contract and has been evicted. Brown did not return a request for comment by deadline Wednesday.

Pekios and Ketchmark got the keys to the business and began a huge cleanup effort on Monday, which they expect will continue for two weeks.

Ketchmark said a person hired to run the store while she had knee surgery also let a number of vagrants use the basement to live. Blankets were used to partition off the basement into bedrooms.

It was the condition of much of the inventory in the basement that left Pekios feeling physically sick, he said.

I spent 20 years developing a Life magazine inventory, Pekios said.

The store had 4,000 to 5,000 of the magazines, inventoried and stored in a part of the basement that was kept locked, he said.

We had them all inventoried on the computer so that when people called and asked for Life magazine on a particular birthdate, we could call them up on the computer and then come down here and yank them from the box, Pekios said.

The magazines he had worked so hard to collect for resale were scattered on the basement floor or on shelves.

Look at this, he said, with a note of disgust in his voice. This was the Life Magazine collection. They just dumped them out and dug through them.

Pekios also had a Playboy collection dating back to about 1957, all in order, all bagged, all in perfect condition and inventoried so that when someone called up and said we need this issue we could pull it for them."

Pekios bought the store from his father, Robert, in 1999. Dan Pekios said the store was started by his grandfather, George Pekios, who immigrated to America when he was 10 years old. The Pekios family settled in East Moline, where there was a large Greek community.

Granddad was 15 when he had to quit school and go to work in a foundry, Dan Pekios said.

A self-educated man, his grandfather opened the store out of his house in East Moline when he was 30 in 1939. George and his wife turned the living room into the bookstore, while they and the four kids lived in the back.

He started buying books in his free time until he had enough in the living room that his wife started selling the books for him, Pekios said. He kept working for a while and he put almost 15 years in at the foundry.

He named it the Source because books were the source of all knowledge."

The store was located in two other places in Davenport before it was moved to its current location on 3rd Street in 1978-1979.

Im keeping The Source Book Store on my advertising and my signage, but in the governments eyes Im doing business as Dan Pekios Books because I dont want to be associated with his debt, Pekios said of Brown's debts.

Even the phone number the business has had for more than 80 years is gone.

Its a shame because weve had the same phone number here for more than 80 years, Pekios said. "It used to be 48941 before all the other digits were brought in.

The number in later years became 563-324-8941.

While organizing the store, Pekios also is getting internet reconnected, getting his business identification and licenses set up with the state and federal governments, and getting his business insurance in order.

While running the business again was not in his plans, Pekios said he has gotten in all of his traveling so he was looking for something to occupy some of his time. He takes care of his 93-year-old father, also.

I didnt think it would be running the store again, he said.

20 life-changing locations that inspired movies, books, and art 20 life-changing locations that inspired movies, books, and art Hammamet, Tunisia: Paul Klee London: Jimi Hendrix Lake Geneva, Switzerland: Mary Shelley Bruges, Belgium: Martin McDonagh Rishikesh, India: The Beatles Chicago: The Hairy Who Mexico City: Frida Kahlo Pacific Crest Trail: Cheryl Strayed Hydra, Greece: Leonard Cohen Walden Pond, Massachusetts: Henry David Thoreau Montserrat, Caribbean: Sir George Martin Various locations, New Mexico: Georgia O'Keefe Antebellum South: Kara Walker Mount Fuji, Japan: Katsushika Hokusai New York City: Maira Kalman Pamplona, Spain: Ernest Hemingway Paris: Meret Oppenheim Bali, Indonesia: Elizabeth Gilbert Laurel Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles: Joni Mitchell, et al. Santiago de Compostela, Spain: Paulo Coelho
Seven family members of 50-year-old Leon Lakota III spoke at his murderer's sentencing Tuesday, expressing the loss and anger stemming from Lakota's May 3, 2021 death.

"It hurts knowing that one of my good friends killed my dad," said Jennety Lakota.

Jennety said 37-year-old J.T. Myore, the man who stabbed his father to death, "chose violence, a life of crime and addiction."

"Honestly, I feel very broken," he said.

A federal jury in Rapid City found Myore guilty of second-degree murder after a three-day trial in Nov. 2023. Myore stabbed Lakota three times outside a trailer in Pine Ridge because of an allegation that was "entirely baseless," said Chief Judge Roberto Lange. One of the stab wounds pierced an artery and proved fatal.

Lange sentenced Myore to 42 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for the murder. In addition, Lange sentenced Myore to a total of 12 years in prison and five years of supervised release for his involvement in two carjackings  the first in summer 2019, and the second on May 3, 2021 before he murdered Myore.

Of the 12 years, 10 will run concurrent to the murder sentence, and three will run consecutive. In all, Myore is set to spend 45 years in prison.

Lange also ordered Myore to pay $4,488 in restitution to Lakota's son for his headstone and $2,100 in restitution for one of the carjacked vehicles.

Myore's arrest and court cases came about two months after the stabbing. Before his arrest, he made a Facebook post confessing to killing Lakota. Around the same time, he messaged various people. In one message he wrote, "I'm gonna be going for murder." Another read, "Thinking of turning myself in."

He ultimately called 911 and confessed to killing someone. The call led law enforcement to a hotel in Chamberlain where he was arrested.

Myore maintained his innocence at trial and denied killing Lakota. He did not speak at sentencing. His attorney, Thomas Diggins, said he advised Myore not to speak in order to preserve his appeal rights.

Lakota's family, however, spoke for about 45 minutes at the sentencing hearing.

His son, Craig Lakota, said his dad was an innocent man who "didn't have to die." His father worked as a firefighter, and his son said he inspired him to be a firefighter. He's since given up the endeavor after the death and depression that followed.

"It broke me," he said. "I just wish he were still alive to be here for his family."

Three of his cousins, who grew up with him, spoke highly of Lakota. Kim Carpio said he "always had respect for everybody."

"We'll always love him, and we'll always miss him," she said after asking the judge for the maximum sentence  life in prison.

Karen Carpio said Lakota was like a brother. She said one of the proudest days of his life was when he brought his oldest son Jennety home from the hospital, and he was proud of his children.

"Does it satisfy you, that you took his life?" she asked as she looked directly at Myore. "I tried hard in my heart to forgive, but I can't do that right now."

Carol Lakota, another cousin, said the grandmother who raised them taught them to walk away when there was trouble. Before he was stabbed, Lakota had walked outside of the trailer where an argument started.

"He didn't make it very far, but he tried to," she said.

Turning to Myore at the end of her remarks, she said, "What you did is between you and God now."

Lakota's niece told Myore her uncle will "never be forgotten." Lakota's oldest daughter, Angel Lakota, sobbed as she spoke about her late father.

"My dad's gone," she said. "He can't watch my kids grow up."

She said she drinks heavily since her father's death, and asked the judge to sentence him to life in prison.

"Throw him away. That's what he deserves," she said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen, who prosecuted the case at trial, asked the judge for a life sentence as well.

"The loss of Leon Lakota left a void in many people's lives," she said. "We believe the defendant has committed an unforgiveable crime."

Diggins  Myore's defense attorney  noted his client has no violent crimes in his past. The government had brought up several incidents of alleged violence in Myore's past, but he had not been convicted.

Diggins asked the judge for a 15-year sentence on the murder charge, the maximum for manslaughter. He said the circumstances, which included drinking, fit manslaughter better than they did murder.

For the carjacking incidents, Myore was convicted of carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and robbery.

Carjacking and robbery carry 15-year maximums, and the firearm charge carries a minimum of seven years in prison that must run concurrent to the primary crime  in Myore's case, the carjacking.

Diggins asked the judge for 15-year sentences on the robbery and carjacking to run concurrent to the murder sentence. In all, the defense requested 22 years.

"Twenty-two years is sufficient but not greater than necessary," Diggins said.
South Dakota Attorney Marty Jackley and other attorneys general on the nationwide Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force have written to a company that allegedly sent New Hampshire residents scam election robocalls, with the use of artificial intelligence, during the New Hampshire primary election.

Life Corporation is alleged to have used artificial intelligence to impersonate the voices of President Biden and other election officials. The fake calls provided incorrect information about elections and voting procedures.

We are growing tired of robocalls and Congressional inaction, Jackley said. This scam provides fake voting information that threatens our election system and deserves action.

The New Hampshire Attorney Generals office has issued a cease-and-desist letter against Life Corporation as part of its ongoing investigation into the matter. The Federal Communications Commissions Enforcement Bureau also issued a cease-and-desist letter against Lingo Telecom, which was identified to have originated a portion of these calls for Life Corporation, demanding that it immediately stop supporting illegal robocall traffic on its networks.

Jackley is part of the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force of 51 bipartisan attorneys general, which investigates and takes legal action against those responsible for routing significant volumes of illegal robocall traffic into and across the United States.
Valentine McGillycuddys historic Rapid City house is closer to returning to its 1880s glory. The house has been undergoing renovations recently and Historic Rapid City is hoping to complete the project by next year.

The Valentine McGillycuddy Dance this weekend is raising funds for the homes restoration and awareness about its future as a community gem.

Tickets are still available for the Valentine McGillycuddy Dance, which will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at Dahl Arts Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person or $75 per couple and can be purchased at Dahl Arts Center or at eventbrite.com.

Admission includes live music by the country and rock band Midnight Sun, with a special guest performance from DD of DD and the Fayrohs. Members of Dance Clubs of America will kick off the evening and inspire guests to dance. The event will feature charcuterie from Catering by Karen A., a silent auction, and an update on the restoration on the McGillycuddy House. Re-enactors portraying Valentine McGillycuddy and his wife, Fanny, will greet guests as they arrive at the dance.

Mayor Jason Salamun has issued an official proclamation declaring Feb. 14 as Valentine McGillycuddy Day. Dr. Valentine T. McGillycuddy was born Feb. 14, 1849, in Wisconsin. His parents, who were Irish immigrants to the United States, named their son for the patron saint of his birthdate.

He holds a distinctive place in Rapid Citys history. He served as one of the citys first mayors and was the first to hold the title of president of South Dakota Mines. McGillycuddy oversaw the construction of the first hydroelectric power plant on Rapid Creek. He also served as South Dakotas first surgeon general.

Among the many notable events in his life, McGillycuddy treated the wife of Lakota warrior Crazy Horse when she had tuberculosis. In September 1877, McGillycuddy attended the dying Crazy Horse after he was attacked at Fort Robinson, Nebraska.

McGillycuddy was a friend of Crazy Horse, and he made sure Crazy Horses relatives got his body and not the government, said Darla Drew Lerdal, executive director of Historic Rapid City.

Lets celebrate him, she said. We have interesting, wonderful people who helped develop Rapid City. McGillycuddy was a good man.

The Valentine McGillycuddy House, located at 727 South St., is the home Valentine had built for himself and Fanny in 1887. The McGillycuddys lived in their Rapid City home for 10 years. After Fanny died in 1897, Valentine accepted a job in California. He died in 1939 at age 90. His ashes were placed in a crypt in a boulder near the top of the highest peak in the Black Hills.

McGillycuddy House was purchased by Historic Rapid City in 2013. The group is in the process of fully restoring the house inside and out. Funds raised by the Valentine McGillycuddy Dance will be used to continue work on the homes exterior. Lerdal said the goal for the dance is to raise $5,000.

The house has gone through various renovations in its 137-year history, even being converted from a two-story house to a one-story bungalow in the 1940s. The McGillycuddy House is located in the West Boulevard Historic District, and Historic Rapid City hopes to get the McGillycuddy House on the National Register of Historic Places.

Historic Rapid City is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting Rapid Citys cultural heritage. The restoration of McGillycuddy House is a grassroots effort, Lerdal said. Though the City of Rapid City has assisted with acquiring land that will be used for parking behind the house, Lerdal said restoring McGillycuddy House has been a labor of love spearheaded by Historic Rapid City.

Historic Rapid City is looking for more funding sources, Lerdal said, including grants, to fund the remaining renovations. Historic Rapid City is working with artisans on some interior updates to ensure the renovations fit the era in which the home was built.

A significant piece of the renovation was rebuilding the second floor to restore the house to the way it was originally built. When finished, the upper floor will contain three bedrooms and a bathroom. One room will house Historic Rapid Citys office. The Rapid City Genealogical Society will move its records to the house.

Lerdal said Historic Rapid City is collaborating with Monument Health to create a vintage doctors office in another upstairs bedroom.

There are Monument doctors who will be raising money to convert one room into a 1900s doctors office, Lerdal said. It was a doctors home, and Rapid City doctors know doctors that have collected period office equipment from that time period that may want to contribute to this effort.

The house will be equipped and furnished with items that were either original to the house or that are from the era of the home. Jean Kessloff, president of Historic Rapid City, has many original furnishings in her basement and in storage.

Furnishings are also across the country. This surprised me, Lerdal said. People know they have pieces from the McGillycuddy House, either when (Valentine and Fanny) were there or when they rented the house out. We know theres some furnishings in Texas, some in California, and those will be brought here when the home is ready for them. There are a lot of original furnishings.

One of the most unusual pieces that will be in the house is a square grand piano.

That will be available at some point for recitals, Lerdal said. Im not sure if the piano is original to the house but its original to the time period.

Lerdal said she is hopeful the remaining restorations can be completed in a year.

Our goal is to get this place open with an interior that works for tours and events and meetings and recitals. Theres no other project like it in Rapid City. Theres no other project that has been fully funded privately, she said.

We will not do all this work to let it stand idle, Lerdal said. Its going to be part of the pantheon of tourism attractions around here.
Hamilton's February Culture Crawl will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10.

Pick up a punch card at any of the following venues and visit all of them for a chance to win a gift basket.

Chapter One Book Store, 252 Main Street, will be offering a jigsaw swap  a great opportunity for new puzzles to do at no cost to you.

Paper crafts will be offered by Open Ended Studio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Pause for Poetry, hosted by Explore the ARTS Main Street Gallery, 701 Main Street, starts the Culture Crawl at 11 a.m. to noon, featuring local writers sharing their work. Everyone is welcome to share a favorite poem or short story or just support our local poets by attending the readings. What does a new year mean to you? Please come and share a new piece of writing or something from the past that brings you joy!

Explore the ARTS is featuring work by photographer Kristi Hager this February.

Over the past 25 years Hager has worked under mandate from the Historic Buildings Survey (HABS) and Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) to photograph dams, power plants, missile sites and bridges throughout Montana in order to preserve the visual record of these historic structures.

With the assistance of the Missoula Art Museum, Hager organized a statewide traveling exhibit of 28 images from the collection, which will be at Explore the ARTS, Feb 129. Hager will give a presentation at 1:30 p.m.

Musicians Jaqueline Brazil, Pam Small, Mike Schacte, Tim Ezzell will be entertaining visitors on guitar, fiddle, mandolin, lute and piano from noon to 3 p.m. with a break at 1:30 p.m.

Clay Works! In the Bitterroot, 325 West Main, will be hosting their first throw of the year for the annual Empty Bowls event that happens in the fall. Potters are welcome to come make a bowl that will be donated to the Empty Bowls fundraiser.

You can also purchase beautiful ceramic hearts that were created last month to support HEARTism, a local nonprofit and certified autism center that is providing a safe space for children and teens to thrive in our community.

Art City, 407 West Main, is featuring their annual Art to HeART show with handmade and unique Valentines art including embroidery, crochet, wire, beads, ceramic, pot holders, ornaments, jewelry and cards  all beautiful and some humorous.

Bitterroot Public Library, 306 State Street, is hosting the Cabin Fever Book Sale in the lower level. Hosted by Friends of the Bitterroot Public Library, the sale offers a robust crop of used books in great condition for adults, young adults, and kids  all at low prices. The sale also features DVDs, audiobooks, collectible sets and ephemera across a wide range of interests. The selection is especially deep in Montana, western and outdoor-themed titles. All proceeds benefit the library. Books, DVDs and audiobooks are priced at $2/inch or $20 for a library canvas tote with as many books as will fit. Collectible books and ephemera are priced separately.
Gov. Greg Gianforte held a roundtable discussion Wednesday at East Helena High School to discuss career technical education in the state.

The roundtable was held during CTE month, which according to Gianforte is a great way for students to be exposed to the workforce.

According to the group there are 77,000 students enrolled in career technical education (CTE) programs in Montana. The roundtable discussed where it saw CTE courses going in the next three to five years based on research that has been done since the courses were offered.

East Helena High School principal Brian Kessler said he thinks his students enjoy the opportunity to take courses that involve work experience.

He said the culinary course usually fills up fast.

"We're helping students succeed," Gianforte said.

Mark Lillrose, apprenticeship coordinator for the state of Montana, said CTE programs allow students to go into apprenticeships that leave them with no debt when they finish.

He said they can enter society debt free and with an opportunity at a higher paying job.

The roundtable agreed that even if a student goes into a CTE program and they finish an apprenticeship, but decide to go into a four-year program for a bachelor's degree, "that is not failing."

Helena College President Sandra Bauman said something that needs to be constantly watched is what the industries are asking students to know so that they can adapt the curriculum to industry needs.

A "big fan" of CTE programs was Montana Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd O'Hair because it is a great way for students to be prepared for life in general.

He said that soft skills are a great focus in the programs because they teach responsibility and how to treat others in the workforce.

The soft skills can be understanding the value of giving someone their attention by looking them in the eye and shaking their hand or it can be arriving to work on time, he said.

Mike Houghton, eastern region education specialist for Dick Anderson Construction, said that he has seen multiple successful apprentices make it in the job market because of what they are taught in the programs.

He said the company is working with Jefferson High School to bring kids on-site, so they can see what it would be like in that industry.

Gianforte asked about the hours an apprentice would work while they are a student.

Houghton said they like to work with the student's schedule, but they expect four to six hours per week.

He added that in order for the programs to grow industries need to reach out to schools more often to give students exposure.

Coming into classrooms to speak with students can be helpful to let students know they exist, he said.

Adam Gilbertson, senior vice president of field technology and innovation at RDO Equipment Co., said the importance of the CTE programs in schools spans beyond just getting students proper training and jobs. It also helps companies involved with their industries.

He said his company cannot sell equipment without operators that are properly trained or technicians that can service the equipment when needed.
The future of Montanas most controversial charter school law could soon be determined, if a judge honors the request of plaintiffs to issue a decision without going to trial.

Plaintiffs, which include a group of eight residents, some of whom work in education or have children in the public school system, along with the Montana Quality Education Coalition and the League of Women Voters of Montana, filed a motion for summary judgment Tuesday. It's the latest step in a legal battle challenging the constitutionality of House Bill 562.

Under the law, community choice schools  charters by another name  are overseen by a newly-minted commission of appointed members separate from the Board of Public Education. The charters receive public funding and are exempted from the standards applied to traditional public schools in areas such as teacher licensure and curriculum.

This particular bill did not work within the system. It expressly contravenes the Constitution in these ways that are pretty conscious. They know what they are doing, said Rylee Sommers-Flanagan from Upper Seven Law, a Helena-based nonprofit law firm representing the plaintiffs. I get it, theres a difference in opinion. But you have to work within the system that exists.

Critics assert choice school networks will siphon money from traditional public schools as students and the money the state pays for their education flows to the charter, even if in the same district. Those opposed to the law also say it leaves students and families without the legal protections necessary to ensure quality education. In the latest motion, plaintiffs say the program amounts to an extra-constitutional privatized school system that uses public dollars to pay for education thats unaccountable to taxpayers.

Charter supporters say independence from the traditional structures of public education is essential to engendering innovation that better serves students being left behind.

My question to (the plaintiffs) would be what about the children that are not receiving equality of educational opportunity via their public schools? said Rep. Sue Vinton, R-Billings, the sponsor of the bill. Who would benefit from the opportunity to attend a community choice charter school?

In September 2023, Judge Christopher Abbott from the Lewis and Clark County District Court granted a partial preliminary injunction that allowed for the Community Choice School Commission to meet and plan but barred it from considering applications for charters.

During that hearing, Abbotts commentary focused primarily on whether the law oversteps by stripping the Board of Public Education of its constitutionally-sanctioned authority. He also questioned whether only parents and teachers at a charter, once approved, should be able to vote on leadership of a given campus, or if all community members should have an electoral stake.

The judge hesitated to conclude that plaintiffs had shown community choice schools were intrinsically unconstitutional, leaving the door open for the commission to continue its planning work.

Still, Abbotts partial injunction gave the plaintiffs and their legal team confidence to move forward with the motion for summary judgment, Sommers-Flanagan said. These types of motions assert there is no disagreement on the material facts of the case, and that trial and expert testimony would not change the courts ability to issue a ruling.

The State of Montana, against which the lawsuit is filed, must respond within 21 days.

I think if we go to court, I think we would prevail, and I think we deserve that opportunity, Vinton said. Its my hope that a judge will agree and will rule against this motion for summary judgment.

Charter schools are largely guided by state and local law. As charter school legislation has proliferated throughout state legislatures across the country, so too have the lawsuits against them.

North Carolina, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Washington, Colorado, and, now, Montana are among the states whose lawmakers have passed charter school legislation only to have it quickly mired in legal challenges.

Though the particulars of each case look different, there are common themes  whether charter schools should be considered public education; if taxpayer dollars should fund a service thats not subject to the same structures of public accountability; and if charters infringe on students rights to education based on state constitutions, for example.

I am not aware of any lawsuit that has succeeded in challenging a charter laws core right to exist, said Robin Lake, director of the Center of Reinventing Public Education, a nonpartisan think tank based in Arizona. I can think of many that have failed.

As for HB 562, the plaintiffs in the case are quick to point out they arent coming after the validity of charters in some form as an option in the public education landscape. Sommers-Flanagan pointed to the absence of legal challenges against House Bill 549, Montanas other bill from the 2023 legislative session that creates a pathway for public charter schools overseen by the Board of Public Education.

We arent challenging charter schools, we are challenging HB 562, she said. It is a bill that creates an unaccountable charter school system and then publicly funds it.

Should the court strike down HB 562, its unlikely that it will signal the end of the push for charters in this community choice format.

From the discussions that Ive had with other legislators and, in particular, with families interested in this opportunity, this will continue, Vinton said. If for some reason, the judge rules against us in this motion and rules in favor of the plaintiffs, then we will be back at it next session. I feel very confident in that.

During the legislative session last year, even Republican lawmakers raised concerns about the legality of charter school legislation.

"We need to get these issues resolved. We should pass this bill and let the courts decide if its valid or not," Senate Majority Leader Steve Fitzpatrick said at the time.

A spokesperson from Gov. Greg Gianforte's office said "the governor remains committed to empowering Montana parents to choose the education that best meets the individual needs of their child, including the option of public charter schools."
The owners of a property in south Richmond want to tear down three old buildings and replace them with a 5-story, 60-unit residential and commercial structure. But critics of the project worry the neighborhoods historic character will get washed away.

The plan is to remove the buildings at 1401 and 1407 Hull St. and in their place build a mixed-use facility with businesses on the ground floor, homes above and about 27 parking spaces. It would bring much-needed affordable housing to the neighborhood, said Lory Markham, a planning consultant for the owners.

Despite the concerns, the Richmond Planning Commission on Tuesday recommended the project for approval. City Council would still need to sign off.

Two of the three current buildings were completed in 1920. The city assessed the quarter-acre for $850,000, and some of the storefronts have been vacant for years.

Directly across the road is the Hull Street branch of the Richmond Public Library. Other buildings nearby have commercial uses on the ground floor and residences above.

The area is not designated as a historic district, so the owners are allowed to file permits to demolish the buildings, said Kevin Vonck, the citys director of planning. The property owners are a group that includes local architect Walter Parks.

The owners also have the right to build a 5-story building in that spot, Vonck said. The only concern here is the specific design of the building, which would abut the property line. The zoning there calls for a building that tall to be built several feet from the road, and the owners have asked the city for permission to change the rules in that spot.

In 2018, the city rezoned the area, allowing for denser housing. Bringing more residents to the block would help the nearby businesses, Markham said.

But Rebecca Rowe, a member of the planning commission, said the construction would change the historic nature of Hull Street.

I remain concerned about the historic fabric that is being lost in the city, she said.

Rowe used to live in Austin, Texas, and she said building dense housing there did not make homes more affordable.

There is no middle class left in Austin, she said. Density isnt always the answer.

Rowe voted against the measure.

Throughout Richmond, in Scotts Addition and Manchester, old stores and apartments have been replaced with modern, mixed-use buildings. Critics say the architecture is unremarkable and often repeated.

Andreas Addison, a member of city council and the planning commission, said a building like this could help revitalize a once-thriving neighborhood. The city needs more housing, and Hull Street makes sense, given the number of buses that go up and down the street each day, he said.

He also understands what it means to lose historic buildings. But ultimately, he has approved similar projects elsewhere, and it would be inconsistent for him to say no this time, he said.

Today in history: Feb. 7 1948: Omar Bradley 1962: John F. Kennedy 1964: The Beatles 1984: Spacewalk 1985: Enrique "Kiki" Camarena 1991: Jean-Bertrand Aristide 2009: Lake Erie 2014: Sochi Olympics 2018: Los Angeles Times sale 2020: Donald Trump 2021: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Richmond police said three businesses along a 1.5-mile stretch of Broad Rock Boulevard were targeted Wednesday morning in a string of daylight robberies that resulted in the fatal shooting of Marvin Ramos-Hernandez, 39, of North Chesterfield.

Yonathan Zelaya Beltran, 25, of Richmond, and Ronaldy Monterroso, 18, of North Chesterfield, were arrested Wednesday and charged with robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of the felony for a robbery that happened just blocks from where Ramos-Hernandez was shot. Police said additional charges are pending.

Officers responded at 10:20 a.m. Wednesday to the report of a robbery in the 2200 block of Broad Rock Boulevard. An employee told police they were robbed by an unknown male who fired a gun in the shop and fled in an SUV. No injuries were reported.

Ten minutes later, officers were called to the 3000 block of Broad Rock for the report of another robbery and shooting. Arriving officers found Ramos-Hernandez unresponsive and suffering from a gunshot wound. He died at the scene.

Police said Thursday that detectives have now determined a third business in the 3300 block of Broad Rock was targeted in an attempted robbery by suspects in an SUV. No one was injured.

Police said detectives were able to identify the vehicle the two suspects were operating. Then using unspecified technology, officers were able to locate it and arrest the suspects.

Police encouraged anyone with information about any of these incidents to call Major Crimes Detective P. Ripley at (804) 646-0423. Information can also be shared anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000 or by using the P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app.

Cats and dogs that need homes in the Richmond area
Hanover educators are set to receive at least a 3% pay raise in the coming year, according the Hanover County Public Schools proposed 2025 budget. That salary increase could rise to 4% depending on the amount of education funding state legislators approve in the General Assembly.

A budget is a reflection of an organizations priorities and this budget reflects our commitment to caring for those who care for our students, Superintendent Michael Gill said in the budget.

During a public hearing on Tuesday, residents and educators largely voiced support for the proposed budget.

Meanwhile, Hanover is still working on solutions for Cool Spring Elementary, which is over capacity. School Board Chair Bob May announced there will be a work session later this month to specifically address funding options for the school.

We are going to do something for Cool Spring, I promise you that, May said. We are going to do something; were going to look at a comprehensive solution as well as trying to solve an immediate solution. There are two different steps.

Cool Spring was slated for a possible learning cottage to add class space, but board members initially shot down the proposal, worried about cost. They are still considering a learning cottage, among other possibilities such as redistricting.

The school district has currently allocated funding for three instructional assistants at Cool Spring, along with a clinic assistant and a reading specialist.

Teacher pay increases

Pay increases and other capital improvements were largely supported by speakers at Tuesdays public hearing.

Both the Hanover Education Association and Hanover Professional Educators polled their members, who voted to endorse the budget. They supported the salary increases for teachers and overall increases to other job categories.

Our two associations believe the  proposed budget represents an improvement for Hanover County Public Schools, especially at a time when the state at least thus far has not done any funding for employees, said Courtney Bishop with the Hanover Education Association.

Gov. Glenn Youngkins current proposed budget at the state level includes a one-time 1% bonus for educators. Last years budget included a total 7% salary increase for teachers.

Along with base raises for teachers across the district, Hanover also proposed a targeted salary increase for job categories across the spectrum.

Teachers with 25 years or more experience are proposed to get a 2% increase, in addition to the 3-to-4% pay rise.

More significant salary increases are proposed for bus drivers and instructional assistants, both of which have been tough to hire and retain.

The budget proposes to increase salaries for bus drivers to a starting salary of $23 per hour, up from $18.77 per hour.

This remains the hardest position to staff in the school system, Gill said. The increase to $23 per hour is to be competitive both in the marketplace, not just among school divisions but other employers as well, such as Amazon, Uber Eats, Door Dash, Uber and Lyft.

Teacher assistants are also budgeted for an average 10.3% pay rise on top of the base educator salary increase.

Gill said assistants are being targeted who have more responsibilities and more training, specifically assistants working with special education students and those with high intensity special education populations.

Custodians and food service staff are also projected to have pay increases. The school system says it is also funding a significant portion of health insurance premium increases for staff. The budget also includes the funds for 18 instructional positions that were previously funded through pandemic relief funds. Those pandemic relief dollars are set to expire this year.

The 2025 budget highlights the hiring of the follow positions:

15 additional special education instructional assistants

10 additional special education teachers

Two additional English to Speakers of Other Languages teachers

One elementary reading specialist

Four middle school core reading specialists

One clinic assistant

Three instructional assistants to support Cool Spring Elementary

Clint Dowda, a pastor at Grace Community Presbyterian Church spoke in favor of increased resources for special education students. His church hosts weekly events with upwards of 100 special education students.

Capital Improvement Plan

The 2025 budget lays out $164 million in funding for new school buildings over the next five years.

Hanover is expecting to replace Washington-Henry Elementary School with a planned opening for the 2027-28 school year. Beaverdam Elementary is also receiving $27.8 million in funding for a rebuild. That money will be combined with $16 million in 2024 to improve the school. Another elementary school, Battlefield Park Elementary, is also scheduled to be rebuilt and open for the 2026-27 school year.

The superintendent also proposed the replacement of a campus-style elementary school in 2028. The candidates for replacement are Elmont, Mechanicsville and Pearsons Corner.

Ashland Elementary  set to open at the start of the 2024-25 school year  was Hanovers first new school project in over a decade. Beaverdam Elementary is set to be the second.

Cats and dogs that need homes in the Richmond area
2023 was Virginia Commonwealth Universitys best year ever on so many fronts, school President Michael Rao said Thursday, touting VCUs many accomplishments.

While Rao delivered his annual State of the University address to a room full of onlookers at the James Branch Cabell Library, eight pro-Palestinian students demonstrated by holding up their palms, which they had painted red to resemble blood. Afterward, they criticized Rao, saying they feel unsafe and unheard.

In his speech, Rao touted the universitys record freshman enrollment, its high retention of students, the schools ever-growing fundraising accomplishments, an accolade for the Massey Cancer Center, a new school for population health and the opening of two major buildings.

I could go on and on, Rao said. Even better things will happen in 2024.

But it was also a year of budget cuts that resulted in the elimination of at least 76 jobs as well as another increase in tuition. The public also learned of a failed real estate deal that VCU Health paid $73 million to exit, revealing shortcomings in the health systems governance.

It was a year, too, in which VCU began major changes to its curriculum.

Rao celebrated VCUs mission of educating first-generation, minority and low-income students. And he applauded a streamlining of the application process in which a high school student with a 3.5 grade-point average or who graduates in the top 10% of his or her class is automatically admitted to VCU.

The president looked to the future, discussing how artificial intelligence would impact education. And he stressed the need for the university to make partnerships with employers so students can link their education to their future careers. He promised that arts and humanities will remain central to the VCU experience, even as college students nationwide have increasingly chosen STEM-based majors that more easily translate into jobs.

The university got $464 million in sponsored research funding last year, its highest ever. Medicines for All, a VCU initiative started by Frank Gupton, has helped push VCU and the greater Richmond area into a budding hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing.

This is what Virginia is becoming known for, thanks to VCU and Frank Gupton and Medicines for All, Rao said.

The Massey Cancer Center received comprehensive status from the National Cancer Institute, the highest designation available. And the health system, which lost $53 million in fiscal 2022, orchestrated a significant turnaround and produced an operating margin of $36 million during the summer.

Pro-Palestinian students protest

As Rao spoke, eight students silently held up their palms, which had been painted red. One student, VCU freshman Link Alexiou, said afterward that VCU should divest from certain partnerships in Israel. VCU students study abroad at two sites in Israel, and the students say it is unclear if any money comes to the university from groups connected to Israel.

We are protesting individually as students, hoping to make a change, Alexiou said.

Another student, Zahra Jalajel, said she did not appreciate Raos statements following Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7. Rao called the murder of civilians savage and barbaric. Shortly after, he issued a second statement acknowledging the suffering on both sides. Jalajel felt Rao's words dehumanized brown people.

"Around 30,000 Palestinians have been murdered by Israel, and he would never describe Israel's genocidal actions in the way he used to describe Hamas," she said. "His message only furthered the attitude shared by much of Americans that Arabs, further more Palestinians, are terrorists and subhuman."

College campuses throughout the country have been the site of pro-Palestinian demonstrations, some much bigger than what has been seen at VCU. The presidents of Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania resigned in recent months after a congressional hearing in which they did not unequivocally say that calling for genocide of Jewish students violated their codes of conduct.

Another VCU student, Sereen Haddad, said she has felt unsupported by Rao and the administration and at times unsafe on campus. For a university that champions diversity, she feels left out.

A spokesperson for VCU did not respond Thursday afternoon to a request for comment.

Today in history: Feb. 8 1952: Queen Elizabeth II 1960: Hollywood Walk of Fame 1971: NASDAQ 1973: Watergate Committee 2007: Anna Nicole Smith 2020: Coronavirus 2021: Tesla 1693: William & Mary 1968: Orangeburg
On Virginias nonstop political calendar, its already 2025  the year of the main event: the elections for statewide office, most notably, governor.

Sure, we have to get through 2024  a presidential year, when turnout peaks and sets expectations for 2025: whether the Virginia Curse endures. Since 1976, the party that won the presidency has lost the Virginia governorship a year later. Only once  in 2013  was the curse broken. That year, Democrats won for governor the year after winning for president.

Fully underway are the important preliminaries for settling the Democratic and Republican nominations for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. It will be 16 months before Virginians pick the tickets of both parties in state-run primary elections open to all 6.1 million voters.

That would be the people primary, if you will, and it will attract a narrow slice of the electorate: those voters who are most interested in the campaign, most committed to a candidate and, regardless of their affiliation, the most partisan. These are the most motivated voters.

The last time both parties selected their gubernatorial nominees by primary was in 2017, when registration hit 5.5 million. Total turnout in the primaries was roughly 910,000  543,000 in a two-candidate Democratic contest and 366,000 in the Republicans three-way race. In the November general election, 2.6 million votes were cast, a 47% turnout.

Those primary voters  by the way, a relatively new state law apparently forces the parties to pick candidates by yall-come primaries rather than members-only conventions  are the target audience of three separate, figurative primaries: the money primary, the activist primary and the chattering-class primary.

These other primaries can be telling measures of momentum among donors, operatives and the grassroots, who is likely to have a big say in a campaign and, by extension, a gubernatorial administration. Whether a candidate is attentive of nagging details  among them messaging, hiring and coalition-building  that can make or break a gubernatorial bid.

On the Democratic side, the gubernatorial contest is between U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who is giving up her Northern Virginia-anchored congressional seat, and Richmonds two-term mayor, Levar Stoney. This race is getting more attention than the evolving GOP battle because Stoney and Spanberger are fully declared for 2025.

The presumed Republican prospects are Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and the attorney general, Jason Miyares, both elected in 2021 on the coattails of Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who is ineligible for reelection under the only-in-Virginia law banning a governor from seeking consecutive terms.

They are very publicly comporting themselves as Youngkin successors, if only by very publicly doing his bidding  whether, in Earle-Sears case, as the presiding officer of the Virginia Senate, nudging along the governors legislation, or, as with Miyares, supplying a legal basis for Youngkin policies, especially those disputed by Democrats.

The preliminaries between Earle-Sears, the first Black woman elected statewide in Virginia, and Miyares, the first Hispanic in statewide office here, are distinguished by what they are not doing: Neither is openly choreographing a gubernatorial candidacy, nor signaling a deal is in works, with one deferring to the other for the top spot.

What Miyares and Earle-Sears are doing is quietly waiting and watching, trying to determine the outcome of the presidential election and whether the Virginia Curse continues. Perhaps both are privately cheering for Joe Bidens reelection, figuring it augurs a GOP win for governor? Might Spanberger and Stoney, similarly curse-conscious, be plotting for a Trump victory?

The money primary is something of a preoccupation at this point, with Spanberger and Miyares way ahead of their rivals. In cash on hand, Spanberger, having rolled over $1 million from her congressional PAC, has $3 million. Miyares has $2 million. Earle-Sears currently holds $643,000; Stoney, just under $700,000.

In Virginia, where there are no limits on donations and spending, competition for campaign cash is akin to the nuclear arms race.

The upside is forever rising, whether because of self-financing by wealthy candidates such as Youngkin and Democrat Mark Warner, a governor-turned-U.S. senator, or deep-pocketed out-of-state interests that see the Virginia governors race  it is one of two, along with New Jersey, in the year that follows the presidential election  as a referendum on national politics.

The activist primary is not only a measure of which marquee organizations or individuals are aligning  or not  with candidates, but the scramble by emerging campaigns for professional talent, including strategists and experts in advertising, polling and mail  electronic and snail.

Some of these affiliations might seem counterintuitive or confounding. For example, Stoneys pollster is Fred Yang, who worked for Stoneys biggest backer, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe. But Yangs firm also worked for the Democrat who succeeded McAuliffe, Ralph Northam, who is supporting Spanberger.

Stoney has been endorsed by many Black political leaders, local and legislative. Spanberger is the favorite of nearly all six Democrats in the states U.S. House delegation. Both Stoney and Spanberger have enlisted elective leaders in Hampton Roads, a heavily Black region of the state where the 2025 nomination could be decided.

And there are endorsements that suggest a candidates home base isnt necessarily rock-solid for him or her. Witness: Richmond prosecutor Colette McEachin is supporting Spanberger over Stoney. In Henrico County, where Spanberger grew up and which she represented in Congress, Tyrone Nelson, chairman of the board of supervisors, favors Stoney.

Buzz, too, is a big deal.

Thats why the chattering-class primary is important, not to mention occasionally intriguing and amusing. It often plays out on social media. Whether its X, formerly Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, such platforms allow a politician to fully control his or her message, directing it to a specific audience.

Early polling showing Spanberger leading Stoney, even in Richmond, seemed to be on a continuous loop on a Democratic blog.

The other day, an appearance by Miyares before the Richmond arm of the Log Cabin Republicans, an organization of gay party activists, was spotlighted on Facebook. Its one way for him to seem attentive of a sometimes-overlooked corner of a party largely viewed as hostile on LGBTQ rights.

But Earle-Sears may have taken the cake when it comes to pre-2025 excitement, appearing last April on Real Time, the cable-television program of liberal comedian  and cannabis-legalization advocate  Bill Maher. Earle-Sears, who in November 2022 called for the GOP to move on from Trump, offered up a somewhat friendly assessment of the former president and slapped down the woke-ists.

It proved the perfect two-cushion shot: Earle-Sears not only got the attention of the left, she got a plug on the right, with Fox News  the GOPs propaganda arm  gushing over her appearance.

Close The administration expects the proposed 9-million-square-foot Virginia entertainment district at Potomac Yard to generate a combined $12 billion in economic impact for Virginia and Alexandria in the coming decades and create around 30,000 new jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkins office said in a statement. Subject to legislative approval and sign-off from the Alexandria City Council, it would break ground in 2025 and open in late 2028. 6 things we learned about $2 billion arena plan in Northern Virginia Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has a tentative agreement with the parent company of the NBAs Washington Wizards and NHLs Washington Capitals to move those teams out of D.C. to northern Virginia. The administration expects the proposed 9-million-square-foot Virginia entertainment district at Potomac Yard to generate a combined $12 billion in economic impact for Virginia and Alexandria in the coming decades and create around 30,000 new jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkins office said in a statement. Subject to legislative approval and sign-off from the Alexandria City Council, it would break ground in 2025 and open in late 2028.
A House panel on Wednesday night voted down a near-total abortion ban and another proposed abortion restriction.

House Bill 1364, carried by Del. Tim Griffin, R-Bedford, would have prohibited abortion with the life of the pregnant person as the only exception. The panel rejected it on an 8-0 vote.

House Bill 1184, carried by Del. Phillip Scott, R-Spotsylvania, would have prohibited abortions if a person sought them on the basis of the sex or race of the fetus. The panel voted it down 5-3.

Several committee members posed hypothetical situations and asked whether Griffins bill would apply  such as miscarriage care or when someone is a victim of rape.

Griffin responded that his bill is about protecting unborn children and women.

Scott expressed frustration that the panel, led by Democrats, heard his bill and Griffins at the same time. Scott said his bill was more narrow in scope.

He described situations where someone could seek to terminate a pregnancy because they didnt want the sex of the fetus or how someone could feel they couldnt have a mixed-race child.

The bills garnered support in public testimony from anti-abortion groups like the Virginia Society For Human Life and the Family Foundation. They likewise drew opposition from pro-abortion groups like Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia and ReproRising.

Though many Republicans had promised to support abortion restrictions on the campaign trail last year, few have offered proposals in the legislative session, now that Democrats control the House of Delegates as well as the state Senate.

Committee member Amanda Batten, R-James City County, asked Watts if there had yet been any instance yet in Virginia of search warrants being issued for menstrual data. Watts did not answer yes or no but called her bill preventative in a new landscape with Roe v. Wade overturned.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, had carried a version of the Simon and Watts legislation last year but it was unsuccessful with Republicans then controlling the House of Delegates. Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Arlington, has the Senate bills, which also advanced from the Courts of Justice committee Wednesday night.

With Democratic control this year, such measures could clear both chambers and get to Gov. Glenn Youngkins desk. The governor has the options of signing, vetoing or seeking to amend bills that reach his desk.

With the House and Senate closely divided, Democrats do not have the votes to override a veto.

Today in history: Feb. 7 1948: Omar Bradley 1962: John F. Kennedy 1964: The Beatles 1984: Spacewalk 1985: Enrique "Kiki" Camarena 1991: Jean-Bertrand Aristide 2009: Lake Erie 2014: Sochi Olympics 2018: Los Angeles Times sale 2020: Donald Trump 2021: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Relief could be on the way to Virginians facing big bills for receiving overpayments of unemployment benefits  through no fault of their own  during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve Senate Bill 536, proposed by Sen. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico, to require the Virginia Employment Commission to waive the repayment of excess unemployment benefits for hundreds of thousands of Virginians who were not at fault and have no way to repay the money.

Bagbys bill and House Bill 1261, proposed by Del. Kathy Tran, D-Fairfax, would restore a provision of state law that expired on July 2, 2022, leaving hundreds of thousands of Virginians facing repayment of nearly $860 million in unemployment insurance benefits they had received during the pandemic, when the VEC was deluged with more than 1.6 million unemployment claims.

The legislation Bagby and Tran proposed is expected to result in waiver of $3.6 million in overpayments a year and require the VEC to hire three people who help process waiver requests, according to a fiscal impact statement prepared by the Department of Planning and Budget. The statement says the cost would be absorbed by the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.

The two bills  one on its way to the Senate floor and the other pending before the House Appropriations Committee  would give the VEC authority to waive overpayments made since March 15, 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic. Those include waiver requests made after expiration of the program in mid-2022.

The VEC could waive overpayments only if people received them through no fault of their own after the agency had initially found them eligible, and if they could not repay the money without forgoing essential needs, such as housing and food.

Its like theyre being trapped in their one-time safety net, said Flannery ORourke, attorney at the Virginia Poverty Law Center who is leading the push for renewed waiver authority. It makes no sense for the state to waste time and money to collect from folks who dont have the ability to repay.

The Senate committee added a provision to Bagbys bill to end the revived program on July 1, 2028.

Christian Martinez, spokesman for Gov. Glenn Youngkin, would not speculate on whether the governor would sign the legislation if the General Assembly adopts it.

The governor will review any legislation that comes to his desk, but reforming the Virginia Employment Commission has been a top priority for Governor Youngkin, Martinez said. The VEC is working for all Virginians and its operations have improved to ensure they are able to detect and stop fraud and handle critical unemployment claims.

Then-Virginia Employment Commissioner Carrie Roth reported last July that Virginia had waived $259 million in overpayments, about two-thirds of it representing federal benefits. The agency had waived repayment of $81.3 million in state benefits. The state also was seeking to collect $853.2 million in non-fraud overpayments.

VEC spokesperson Kerri OBrien said Wednesday that the agency has waived $105 million in overpayments since January 2002, not including federal waivers. Previously, it waived 36,714 overpayments between March 15, 2020, and Sept. 4, 2021.

Earlier this week, the Senate approved Senate Bill 382, proposed by Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, to stop trying to collect overpayment of unemployment benefits if five years had passed, the person had died or gone into bankruptcy.

Both chambers also are considering legislation  House Bill 14, proposed by Del. Lee Ware, R-Powhatan, and Senate Bill 381, introduced by Ebbin  to improve Virginias much-disparaged unemployment system at the front end by strengthening requirements for employers to respond quickly to requests for information about unemployment claims.

A huge backlog of delayed employer reports during the pandemic contributed to overpayments to people whom the VEC initially had found eligible for benefits.

That logjam led to a big backlog in cases awaiting adjudication of disputed claims and then to appeals of those decisions that the VEC hopes to resolve. In December, almost 45,000 Virginians were waiting on resolution of their appeals, which the VEC hoped to complete by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, more than four years after the pandemic began.

The General Assembly and then-Gov. Ralph Northam created the overpayment waiver program in 2021. The state was facing a federal lawsuit brought by advocacy groups for people seeking unemployment relief because of the backlog in unresolved claims and subsequent demands for repayment of benefits that recipients thought they deserved.

It was hugely helpful and a source of tremendous relief for individuals and families struggling with these overpayments, said Pat Levy-Lavelle, attorney for the Legal Aid Justice Center, one of the organizations that sued the state in 2021.

Levy-Lavelle said Virginia should join 41 states, including many of its Southern neighbors, in making the overpayment waiver program permanent.

Its an American solution for people who already are struggling through unemployment, he said.
Insurer Prudential Malaysia said that it has rolled out four new insurance plans that are targeted especially at Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members who wish to tap into the i-Lindung programme. This comes as the programme was recently updated with a Phase 2 expansion, allowing members to now use their Akaun 2 fund to purchase coverage for their immediate family members as well.

In a statement, Prudential said that the four new insurance plans that are provided for this particular group include PRUGuard Family and PRUCare Family (conventional), as well as PruBSN Lindung Famili and PruBSN Cegah Famili (takaful). Here are some key details regarding the plans:

Plans Type Benefits Premium PRUGuard Family Conventional term life insurance  Coverage of up to RM200,000 in the event of death or total & permanent disability (TPD)

 Additional benefit of up to 300% of sum assured, paid upon accidental death Yearly premium starting from RM13.80 PruBSN Lindung Famili Takaful term life plan  Coverage of up to RM200,000 in the event of death or total & permanent disability (TPD)

 Additional benefit of up to 300% of sum assured, paid upon accidental death Yearly premium starting from RM13.80 PRUCare Family Conventional critical illness insurance  Protection against 43 critical illnesses, including cancer, stroke, and heart attack

 Coverage of up to RM200,000 upon diagnosis of critical illness or death Yearly premium starting from RM16.30 PruBSN Cegah Famili Takaful critical illness plan  Protection against 43 critical illnesses, including cancer, stroke, and heart attack

 Coverage of up to RM200,000 upon diagnosis of critical illness or death Yearly premium starting from RM16.30

Prudential said that its collaboration with the EPF for Phase 2 of the i-Lindung programme is aimed at empowering more Malaysians to be protected. This is given the fact that less than half of them have life insurance and only 54% have health insurance  a trend that has persisted over the past five years.

Malaysians who are interested in purchasing these plans from Prudential will need to log into their EPF i-Akaun mobile app, head over to the Member Protection Plan section, then select their preferred plan. Following that, you will be guided on how to make your payment through your EPF Akaun 2.

You can also find out more about the four new plans themselves  PRUGuard Family, PRUCare Family, PruBSN Lindung Famili, and PruBSN Cegah Famili  on Prudentials website. Previously, the insurer only offered individual life and critical illness plans for EPF members under the i-Lindung initiative, namely PRUGuard Life, PRUCare Life, PruBSN Lindung, and PruBSN Cegah.

For context, the i-Lindung initiative was first launched back in July 2022 so that members can purchase life and critical illness protection for themselves at an affordable price using funds from their Akaun 2. Fast forward to early this week, the i-Lindung initiative was updated with Phase 2 to enable the purchase of insurance for immediate family members (spouse and children).

(Sources: Prudential [1, 2] New Straits Times)

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FGE indites former Veracruz judge on charges of public faith

Xalapa, Veracruz  The State Attorney General in Veracruz says charges have been brought against a former state judge. Charges for crimes against public faith and trafficking of influence committed to the detriment of public faith and public service respectively have been brought against Angelica N.

In a statement, the Fiscalia General del Estado (FGE) of Veracruz reports that through the Ministerial Investigations Prosecutors Office, it obtained the indictment of Angelica N as allegedly responsible for crimes against public faith and trafficking of influence, committed to the detriment of public faith and public service respectively.

Said accusation was the result of suitable, relevant and sufficient evidence presented by this State Prosecutors Office before a control and oral criminal procedure judge of the XI judicial district of Xalapa, based in Pacho Viejo.

Within the framework of criminal process 297/2023, the judge determined to impose the precautionary measure of monthly periodic signature, economic guarantee and prohibition of leaving the country without authorization. The control judge set the continuation of the hearing.

The former judge and candidate for the Senate for MC must pay a guarantee of 200,000 pesos and will continue the process in freedom, although she denounced that she had already been charged with these crimes and indicated the matter as illegal.

Former judge Angelica N is again at the center of judicial attention after being arrested June 5 2023 in Xalapa, accused of shooting at police officers who stopped her while she was driving in her vehicle.

The governor of Veracruz has also accused her of receiving bribes to free an alleged leader of organized crime, although no criminal action was taken against her due to lack of evidence.

On June 16 of last year, she was arrested in a hotel in Mexico City by elements of the State Attorney Generals Office, accused and linked to proceedings for the crimes of influence peddling and against public faith.

On February 6, 2024, the former judge was summoned to reconsider the indictment hearing for alleged crimes against public faith and influence peddling.
Over 40 large Mexican companies join coalition to employ refugees and migrants

Mexico City, Mexico  A group of over 40 large Mexican companies have joined efforts to employ the countrys refugees and migrants. Highly relevant companies such as Chedraui, FEMSA, HSBC, Marriott International and Walmart join together to promote the labor integration of refugees and migrants in Mexico

Tent Partnership for Refugees has announced the launch of Tent Mexico, a coalition of 46 large employers who committed to hiring refugees and large-scale migrants in the country.

According to Tent, in recent years Mexico has welcomed more than 600,000 displaced people from countries such as Venezuela, Haiti and Cuba, however, many of them have not been able to find formal employment.

At the same time, 75% of Mexican business owners claim to have difficulties finding workers. COPARMEX, the Mexican Employers Association, has reported between 1.2 and 1.6 million vacancies in the Mexican labor market.

Tent Mexico is the first national coalition to be launched in Latin America, joining the existing coalitions in Canada, France, Spain and the United States. This alliance with the largest employers in Mexico seeks to close the gap, helping Mexican companies cover the high labor shortage by taking advantage of the talent of refugees and migrants who want to build a new life in Mexico.

The 46 companies that will participate in Tent Mexico include Accenture, Accor Hotels, Adecco Group, Alsea, Amazon, ARCA Continental, AT&T, Baxter, Chedraui, Chobani, Comex, Coppel, DHL Group, FEMSA, Forvia, Foundever, Globant, H&M, HEB, Hilton, HP Inc, HSBC, Hyatt, Ingenico, ISS, Kellanova, LOreal, LEAR, Manpower Group, Marriott International, Menzies Aviation, Microsoft, Orbia, Carvajal Organization, PepsiCo Foods, Pfizer, Rappi, Sanofi, SAP, Sutherland, Teleperformance, Uber, Vertical Knits, Walmart and WeWork.

Gideon Maltz, CEO of Tent, explained that they approach the refugee hiring process from a business perspective and as the Mexican economy continues to grow, companies have an incredible opportunity to meet their labor needs by incorporating refugees and migrants.

By doing so, companies will experience substantial benefits, have more loyal and committed employees, and at the same time, contribute to the autonomy and integration of refugees and migrants in their new community, he said.

Under a recently announced global partnership agreement with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Tent Mexico will work closely with the IOM to help member companies access a greater number of displaced talent throughout Mexico.

Hundreds of thousands of migrants have been granted work permits in Mexico. Photo: INM

IOM is excited to partner with Tent to open more pathways for migrants and refugees to integrate into the Mexican workforce. This is another great step to help ensure that refugees and migrants can obtain employment through access to formal work permits, said Amy Pope, IOM Director General.

A new study published in February 2024 by Tent reveals that consumers in Mexico of all age groups show strong support for companies that hire refugees with 74% of respondents more likely to buy from companies with these initiatives.

Notably, this percentage is higher than any of the other eight markets where Tent has conducted similar research, including the United States, Spain and Germany, underscoring Mexican consumers strong support for companies that help refugees.

Only 7% of respondents in Mexico reported being less likely to buy from companies that hire refugees.

Gerardo Ancira, Tents Director for Mexico, stressed that the 46 companies launching Tent Mexico are blazing a trail and demonstrating that the future of business in Mexico is increasingly diverse and inclusive, one in which refugees and migrants are not They must stay outside.

We look forward to working with these companies to hire refugees and migrants on a large scale across the country, and we encourage more companies to recognize that they can achieve the largest and most sustainable impact by integrating refugees and migrants into their workforce, he added.

Tent Mexico will offer a variety of free services to companies that want to support the large-scale hiring of refugees and migrants from different countries and will also leverage the experience of Tents global business network, which has more than 350 member companies, drawing and adapting best practices and lessons learned in a dozen countries to the Mexican labor market, ensuring that companies are prepared to efficiently and effectively implement their refugee hiring programs, Ancira said.

Mexico has received over 600,000 migrants and refugees in need of work. Photo: INM

Jose Antonio Fernandez Carbajal, President of the Board of Directors and General Director of FEMSA, said they are excited to witness the launch of Tent Mexico and feel honored to be part of this vital movement to connect refugees and migrants with a job opportunity.

At FEMSA we have hired thousands of refugees and migrants over the years and we have seen firsthand the tremendous impact they have had on our company, our collaborators, our culture and our community. We look forward to building on this success and deepening our work with Tent to welcome more refugees and migrants to the FEMSA family, he said.
Lets play a game. Even better, lets make it a reader contest. This one will be fun. It involves dollars, cents and real estate. Also, were talking about taxpayer money. That always makes it more interesting.

The question of the day is, how much has Alexander Boone agreed to pay Roanoke County schools for the Poage Farm? Right now, thats the biggest secret in Timesland. Coca-Colas closely guarded formula might be less secure.

The 54.5-acre farm is along Bent Mountain Road (U.S. 221) a few miles southwest of Electric Road (Virginia 419).

The sale hasnt yet closed, but the two parties have inked a purchase agreement. Boone, owner of ABoone Real Estate Inc., and Roanoke County Schools Superintendent Ken Nicely signed it Nov. 4.

My colleague, Jeff Sturgeon, obtained a copy under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. But the school system redacted the juiciest part  the sales price. They did the same with a 2022 appraisal the county ordered (although some tantalizing hints in that were left unredacted).

Assistant Superintendent Rhonda Stegall argued that disclosing the negotiated price (or the appraisal) before the deal closes would adversely affect the bargaining or negotiating strategy of the school board.

I dont quite understand how, but perhaps thats possible. Both numbers are exempt from disclosure under FOIA, she said. (The law gives the school system the option to release them, or keep them under wraps.)

And that leaves a pungent mystery, the best kind for a reader contest!

Basically, well crowd-source price predictions from readers, then compare the average of all the guesses to the contract price thats finally disclosed. That could be as late as July.

So, you should hazard a guess now on how much the Roanoke County School Board will realize from the deal then, assuming it goes through.

Email your numbers to dan.casey@roanoke.com, by 11:59 p.m. Sunday. Put farmland in the subject line. Include your name and locality (which we may publish) and a daytime phone number (which we wont).

Below well summarize many known facts about the Poage Farm, its sales history, appraisal information, planned utility expansions and so on.

They come from: previous stories in this newspaper; Roanoke Countys Geographic Information System; emails from Roanoke County schools officials; documents obtained via the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; online real-estate listings; the budget for the Western Virginia Water Authority and other sources.

Here you might find one or more clues that prove useful in making a prediction.

1. The 54.5 acres in question was settled by ancestors of the Poage family before the American Revolution. It includes four separate parcels near the intersection of Poage Valley Road and Bent Mountain Road. The farm straddles both roadways.

2. In 2007, the Roanoke County School Board agreed to pay the family $2.5 million cash for the land, as a potential future school site. According to county land records, deals on three of the parcels closed early in 2008. And basically, the family got to remain there and use the land until the county schools needed it. (David Poage is still working it. He needs to vacate in March.)

3. The school system acquired title to the fourth parcel in 2012. Its 1.5 acres and includes a two-story, circa 1897 farmhouse (renovated in 1967) and 1.5 surrounding acres. Online Roanoke County tax records list the 2012 transaction price as $0. Its likely the school system paid additional money in 2012 to get the house[,] elevating the total price above $2.5 million, Stegall wrote Jan. 31.

4. Its unclear whether county schools sought a real-estate appraisal for the farm before the school boards 2007 vote to purchase it. Last week under FOIA, I sought a copy of that appraisal. The document you requested, appraisals ordered by the school system before they purchased the farm, does not exist as it was not located in the files associated with the purchase of the farm, Stegall replied. (She added she would continue to look.)

5. At the time of purchase, Martin Misicko oversaw capital projects for Roanoke County schools. Now he has a similar job with Carilion Clinic. Misicko did not respond to voicemail messages I left at on his work phone Tuesday and Wednesday.

6. The need for a new school in southwest Roanoke County never materialized. And in May 2023, the Roanoke County School Board unanimously declared the land surplus. No residents spoke on the issue at a public hearing.

7. In September, Poe and Cronk Real Estate Group listed the farm on the real-estate market for the county school system. The asking price was $1.2 million. More often than not, real estate sells for under the listing.

8. Without offering specifics, Boone has said he intends to build a vibrant new community on the land, but will share details later.

9. Although school officials declined to reveal the farms total 2022 appraised value, hints were left unredacted in the document Sturgeon obtained under FOIA. It estimated each acre is worth $6,524 to $20,267. That puts the value of all 54.5 acres in a range between $355,000 and $1.1 million.

10. Several factors may limit development on the Poage Farm. For example, roughly 30 of its acres are in a flood plain. And currently, theres no access to public water or sewers.

11. The Western Virginia Water Authority has budgeted to spend $228,000 in capital expenditures this year to extend a 12-inch water main westward to Back Creek Elementary School. That would make public water accessible to the farm, which is east of the school. Construction is expected to begin in fiscal 2025.

13. The line item in the authoritys capital budget adds a notation: Indicates authoritys share of partnership with local jurisdiction. Sarah Baumgardner, spokeswoman for the water authority, said Roanoke County has obligated $3.9 million for the water line extension.

12. What about sewers? This is a water and sewer extension project, Baumgardner wrote in an email. But the aforementioned numbers relate to the water line only. The sewer project was funded only for design in [fiscal year 2023]. Construction has not been funded, she added.

13. The purchase agreement between county schools and Boone gives him 180 days (until May 7) to examine the property, as well as an option to pull out the deal and reclaim his deposit. (That amount was redacted from the contract, too.)

14. If the deal goes through, the purchase agreement says it shall close no later than 60 days after the end of the examination period. That could push the closing into early July, around the Independence Day holiday, give or take a few days. The school system wont be able to keep the sales price under wraps after closing.

So there you have most of what Ive learned in recent weeks about this transaction.

Just one of its fascinating aspects is the value of the Poage Farm. The asking price for the land in 2023 was less than half what the Roanoke County School Board paid for it in 2008.

Its quite unusual for real estate to plummet in value like that over a period 16 years. Usually, it goes in the other direction.

So how much do you think Boone has agreed to pay?

Send me your best guesses by Sunday night, and well revisit with a crowd-sourced number soon.
A jury returned guilty verdicts Wednesday against the 21-year-old Roanoke man charged with fatally shooting a customer inside the Grandin Village 7-Eleven store last spring.

Isaiah Carl Baldwin, who was 20 years old at the time of the April 2023 incident, was indicted in May on three charges: first-degree murder, using a firearm in the commission of murder and discharging a firearm in an occupied building.

After about five and a half hours of deliberation Wednesday afternoon, a Roanoke Circuit Court jury decided that Baldwins actions were not premeditated and found him guilty of second-degree murder. The jury also returned guilty verdicts on the two firearm charges.

Roanoke police reported that on April 16, officers responded to the convenience store in the 1400 block of Grandin Road Southwest. Inside the business, they found 31-year-old Steven Don Crowder, who had been fatally shot.

Assistant Commonwealths Attorneys Jack Patterson and Sheri Mason presented the jury Wednesday with surveillance videos that captured the encounter that led to Crowders death.

The videos capture Crowder approaching the store counter and speaking with Baldwin, who testified that he had been employed as a clerk for less than a month.

Baldwin testified Wednesday that he did not initially understand what Crowder said to him. The defendant said he was in [his] own world listening to music and testified that Crowder sounded like he either had a foreign accent or was intoxicated, because his words were very slurred. A forensic toxicology expert testified Wednesday that ethanol was detected in Crowders blood.

After locating the tobacco products Crowder had asked for, Baldwin testified that he asked the man for his identification card. Crowder mumbled a response, and Baldwin said he leaned closer to the customer to better hear him.

Then Crowder threw a drunken jab over the counter, Mason said. Baldwin testified Crowder struck the left side of his face. He said that because Crowder had made no previous indication that he was upset, he was shocked and confused.

I didnt know what was going on, Baldwin testified. I pulled out my firearm to defend myself.

Surveillance footage captures Baldwin reaching down and drawing a handgun, a black Taurus G2, which he was not legally permitted to carry concealed. He testified he shot Crowder, whose back was turned and was headed towards the door.

Prosecutors said during their closing arguments Wednesday that Crowder sustained six gunshot wounds, including shots to the neck, back and arms. Surveillance video captures the moment he fell to the floor just inside the store door. Seconds later, Baldwin stepped over him and left the scene.

High-tailing. Not just walking quickly. Hes gone, Patterson said. He did what he wanted to do. And he wasnt waiting around for anyone to show up.

Baldwins attorney, public defender Charles Bullen, argued that his client left the scene because he was scared. Baldwin testified that as he ran, he lost a Croc shoe and dropped several items, including the firearm. It has not been located by police.

I wanted to get to a safe place, Baldwin testified. He later tried to turn himself into police, but because there was no active warrant for his arrest, he went home, he said. Officers arrested him the next day.

Baldwin testified that while he knows surveillance video is accurate, he was surprised to learn after the incident that Crowder was shot six times, not four, as Baldwin had thought.

It didnt add up. Some parts were missing, he testified. When trauma happens, pieces come back to you. Some is false, some is true.

Bullen argued that Baldwins decision to pull out his gun and shoot Crowder was an instant reaction to a violent attack.

Real life doesnt have instant replay, Bullen said. We dont get the benefit of hindsight in real life, ... because its happening in real time.

Bullen argued against premeditation, noting that just three seconds passed between the moment Crowder punched Baldwin and the moment Baldwin fired his first shot at Crowder. Another four seconds passed before Baldwin stopped shooting.

Baldwin maintained during his testimony that he was confused and didnt know what was happening during the incident.

It all happened so fast, he said.

But Mason argued that, according to Virginia law, premeditation can occur at any time before the alleged killing occurs. She said that if Crowder had enough time in his intoxicated mind to decide that he was leaving, Baldwin had enough time to decide he was not going to let him leave that store.

The prosecutor said that Baldwin tracked Crowders movements like hes in the woods hunting a deer. By the time Baldwin fired his last shot, Mason said he was leaning over a counter firing lead into a dead body.

She also argued that if Baldwin can say that he was trying to defend himself, he clearly knew what he was doing, and so the crime was not committed in the heat of passion.

It all starts with malice, Patterson agreed. He tracks him. Hes consciously aiming. ... This isnt emotion. This is a deliberate design to kill.

This is so nonsensical, Mason said. None of this had to happen.

Baldwin continues to be held at the Roanoke City Adult Detention Center as he awaits his sentencing hearing, which Judge David Carson should be scheduled in the next eight to 10 weeks.
The nomination of Jasmine Yoon for a federal judgeship in Western Virginia sailed through a vetting hearing held Thursday by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Yoon  a Charlottesville attorney who would become the first person of color to hold a judgeship in the western district and the first Asian American jurist in Virginia  faced none of the sharp questions that are often directed at more controversial nominees.

I didnt see any red flags at all, said Carl Tobias, a University of Richmond law professor who closely follows the process.

I thought she was the nominee from central casting, said Tobias, who predicted that the full Senate will likely confirm Yoon by April or May. She was just perfect.

Yoon, a South Korean immigrant who moved to the United States with her family at the age of 14, told the committee that she was grateful for an opportunity that a young, scared but grateful non-English speaking immigrant could only imagine in her wildest dreams.

President Joe Biden nominated Yoon to fill a position that will be vacated in July when the districts chief judge, Michael Urbanski, takes senior status.

Yoon is currently vice president of corporate integrity, ethics, and investigations at Capital One Financial Corporation. She previously served as counsel to the University of Virginia and as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The federal bench for Virginias Western District  a sprawling jurisdiction that stretches from the Lynchburg area west to Lee County and all the way north to Winchester  has, with just one exception, consisted of white men since it was created in 1871.

Yoon and four other nominees who appeared before the committee Thursday reflect Bidens pledge to diversify the countrys judiciary.

If there is anything that political opponents might hold against a candidate, they usually raise it after conducting extensive research before the hearings are held. For example, Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., began his inquiry by asking one nominee point-blank: Have you always been a Marxist? Kennedy was referring to an interview the woman gave in college to what he called the feminist press.

Yoon, by comparison, was asked more general questions about treating both sides fairly, her views on ethical challenges in corporate America and the importance of diversity in the judicial system.

Members of the committee were allowed to submit additional questions in writing before the panel votes on whether to recommend the nominees for full Senate confirmation. U.S. District Court judges hold lifetime appointments.

In introducing Yoon, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., spoke about Yoons many accomplishments. As an eighth-grader new to the United States, Yoon spent her time reading the dictionary and watching American TV, and by the time she got into high school, she spoke fluent English, thanks to that ethic of hard work, Warner said.

Yoon, 43, is married to Western District U.S. Attorney Chris Kavanaugh, which would raise potential conflict of interest questions if she were to preside over cases handled by his office.

In a questionnaire submitted to the judiciary committee, Yoon wrote that if she were to be confirmed and Kavanaugh was still the head prosecutor, she would recuse herself from matters involving the office.

This country has given so much to me and my family, she told committee members. Ive received so much in my lifetime and career, and Im ready to pay it forward.
RICHMOND  Randy and Shirley Cooper share a legacy together in many respects: as husband and wife, as parents, as business leaders and now, advocates for financial equality.

In Richmond, two longstanding financial institutions have been led by the Coopers, with Randy serving as president and CEO of the Richmond Heritage Federal Credit Union and Shirley recently retiring from her role as president and CEO of the Credit Union of Richmond.

While Randy is making his own transition out of his leadership post, he is continuing to assist people with their finances by getting his Forward Thinking Vision Foundation nonprofit off the ground with Shirleys help.

I always wanted to understand money and how you get it, Randy said. More importantly, how do you keep it? Once I started to understand those things, I started to realize that this is something I really wanted to help people with.

The Coopers stories both began in Halifax County; the difference being that the Halifax Randy grew up in was located in North Carolina, while Shirleys version of Halifax was two hours away in Virginia.

Shirley Cooper, 55, is the oldest of five children. Growing up, Shirley wanted to get into modeling, even taking part in an Ivory Soap commercial, but that plan did not work out long term.

She attended Danville Community College, but mainly focused on working in various retail jobs from cashier to manager. Shirley intended on continuing her education at Virginia Commonwealth University, but those plans fell through. Her best friend lived in Richmond, however, so she still decided to move there.

While working at a grocery store, Shirley was recruited by Credit Union of Richmonds then-president who liked her personality. The Credit Union of Richmond was founded in 1923 as Richmond Postal Credit Union and is the longest continuously operating credit union in Virginia.

Shirley started at the credit union as a teller in 1995 and worked in nearly every other position on the way to becoming the first Black president and CEO of the company in 2014.

It meant a lot to me, Shirley said. It really opened up a lot of my co-workers eyes because they saw my growth. And because I was the first African American, it was really encouraging.

Randy Cooper, 55, is the youngest of 11 children that grew up in Enfield, N.C. He studied business at Nash Community College not far from home. Like Shirley, he started off working in retail. After a couple mishaps as a dishwasher and cook at KFC, he was moved into a cashier role, which turned out to be a more natural fit.

While visiting one of his brothers in Richmond, Randy enjoyed the nightlife in the bigger city and decided to move here. He went to Cloverleaf Mall and got a job at a mens clothing store.

Randy worked at a variety of places such as a gas station, convenience store and storage unit. He got into management which eventually led him into banking. In 2017, he became the fourth president and CEO of Richmond Heritage Federal Credit Union, the last Black credit union remaining in Richmond.

Richmond Heritage Federal Credit Union, formerly known as the Richmond Teachers Credit Union, was founded in 1936 by 10 Black educators, eight of them from Virginia Union University.

After speaking with the senior members at Richmond Heritage, a common theme Randy kept hearing was pride: pride in ownership, pride in building something bigger than themselves, pride in establishing a legacy.

I thought it was the most amazing story ever, Randy said about Richmond Heritages roots. When (the previous CEO) retired, I saw this as an opportunity to continue his legacy and start my own.

As president and CEO, Randy created the board leadership training program designed to share the wealth of knowledge with young people. The program will continue on outside of Richmond Heritage.

Over the years, Richmond Heritage and Virginia Union drifted apart, but when Randy took over the credit union, he helped rebuild their relationship. Now, Richmond Heritage has a presence on the Virginia Union campus, including legacy programs, ATMs and the slogan, Were the other HBCU.

One of the challenges Randy faced in running a Black credit union was the limited number of people he could work with. Because of a decades-old city charter, Richmond Heritage was only allowed to do business with negro employees of the School Board, as well as their immediate family members and associates.

Even today, Richmond Heritage can only serve the Blackwell, Manchester and Swansboro communities, placing it at a disadvantage against competing banks and credit unions with a wider reach. For those restrictions to change, the company will need to show growth.

One of the challenges that our credit union faced then and still now is that when someone would die, their family members would come in and take the money out of our credit union and take it to other banks, Randy said.

Randys goals for the credit union included growing membership, growing loans, decreasing delinquencies and slowing attrition that stemmed from having an older customer base. Richmond Heritage has been aided with support from partners like Henrico Federal Credit Union, Self Help Credit Union out of North Carolina and even Credit Union of Richmond.

As Randy moves away from his role as president and CEO, he is looking to use the Forward Thinking Vision Foundation to help close the wealth gap and positively impact the social and financial health of future generations.

That vision includes hosting four events at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, beginning with the 424 Vision Shared Legacy event on Feb. 24. The idea is that we will work together and share our legacies and help one another achieve our goals, Randy said.

The Coopers have been married for 29 years and have a daughter, Tatyana, who currently attends Longwood University. They are looking forward to focusing on their new passions in helping their community.

Closing the wealth gap for me would be honoring the generations from before, Randy said. So many of us have worked together to build up equality, but in doing so, we still have these restrictions. It would be about being a part of Martin Luther Kings dream if we could close that gap.
BLACKSBURG  Virginia Tech President Tim Sands took time during his annual State of the University address Wednesday to discuss the availability of housing, an issue that continues between the town and school.

In his speech, which included recognitions and numerous references to goals the school has achieved, Sands said that the lack of on-campus infrastructure and available housing would limit our growth in the short term in terms of enrollment.

In an interview after the address, Sands clarified the issue.

Weve got extraordinary demand for Virginia Tech, Sands said. But we just dont have the infrastructure, the housing, available right now.

Housing has been a major point of contention between Virginia Tech and nearby communities in the New River Valley, where housing prices have continuously increased in the wake of the universitys expansion.

This year will mark Sands 10th year as president. When he began, he and the administrative team set a goal of 30,000 undergraduate students enrolled. That goal was reached in 2019, according to Sands, and the university doesnt plan to expand much beyond that in the short term.

We think it will be about four years before we have enough housing to have the option of growing, Sands said.

However, Sands did say he hopes to see enrollment expand at some point in the more distant future.

As for expansion of available housing, Sands pointed to the universitys Student Life Village project, which will provide new housing for students when it is completed, though the project will not be completed for several years.

Itll take many, many years to complete it, but with three phases, Sands said. In the first phase, well create a little over 600 new beds for students.

Blacksburg Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith said recently that while the school does have its plan for the village, it also has plans to demolish a large dorm  Slusher  that will eliminate that as housing.

Sands said that he hopes to work alongside officials in Blacksburg and throughout the New River Valley to further plan what the universitys expansion will look like in coming years.

When I was at my previous institution about 12 years ago, our university and the surrounding communities got together and did a shared visioning exercise, and I thought it was very productive, Sands said, adding that he hoped to have a similar relationship with Blacksburg and other New River Valley localities.

Weve been talking with the mayor [of Blacksburg] and others, and well hopefully be able to announce something, Sands said. Weve got a few more conversations in the coming weeks, but Im excited about it, I know it worked at my previous institution, I think itll work here too.

Apart from housing, Sands also said he hoped to see Virginia Tech become more affordable in coming years. In particular, he hopes to see student access to, and enrollment in, expanded paid internships.

Paid internships, according to Sands, are a way for low-income students to come to Virginia Tech, and make money to live on while gaining skills directly related to their degree, as opposed to taking part-time jobs that dont necessarily help them succeed in the long run.

We think there are about 5,500 students on campus right now who are Virginia-resident students who are not getting the support they need, Sands said. Most of them will graduate, thats not the issue. The issue is, are they ready to launch, and the answer is often no.

Sands spent a large part of the speech discussing the universitys growing focus on research, introducing six department heads in attendance who have facilitated research in the biomedical, national security, technological and other fields.

Research is a key part of the push to make Virginia Tech one of the top 10 land grant universities in the U.S., and one of the top 100 universities in the world in rankings published by the Times Higher Education University Rankings.
One afternoon in an African village in 1960, a man summoned his young 6-year-old nephew who was herding the family goats on the edge of the village. He told the nephew to hurry to the stream, bathe and comb his hair.

He told the boy to get rid of his old dirty rags of what used to be shorts and a shirt. He was told to wear a brand new, and only, khaki school uniform, which his grandmother had purchased the previous week.

He announced that he would take the boy to school to start the first grade. The young boy was excited, nervous and apprehensive. The British colonial rulers had introduced school and it was still very new to the Zambian/African village as many parents were skeptical of its benefits.

The uncle escorted the boy on the one-mile walk to school crossing the small Denkhule creek where the boy and his friends often swam as they herded goats.

Once they reached the classroom door, the man let the little boys hand go and told him to go in. The teacher had been expecting him. The boy was nervous.

The overcrowded class of at least 40 pupils was already in session. The teacher directed the boy to sit at one of the desks, squeezing and sharing it with three other students. That little boy was this author.

In the years to come, the boy and his peers were to learn reading, writing and arithmetic. During the English period, the teacher brought the only two reading textbooks; the teacher's was a clean book and the second book which all the 40 students were going to use was in terrible shape. It had missing covers that had been torn out due to wear and tear. The rest of the book looked dirty, many pages had tears along the edges and worn out.

The teacher called the first student to read aloud to the class from the textbook the first eight sentences of the first paragraph of chapter two of the story. After that student had finished reading his or her assigned sentences aloud to the class, the student was told to hand the book to the next student who was to read the next eight sentences.

As each student haltingly read aloud, the teacher helped each student with pronunciation of English words, explained the meaning of the words, the functions of commas and periods when reading. This is how I learned to read.

During their very first meeting, the newly elected Rockingham County School Board of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia decided to remove 57 books from the shelves of the school libraries.

As I was reading many articles and letters to the editor to the Daily News-Record about the newly elected school board book banning controversy, I immediately thought about the book banning paradox.

Anything that we do in life often might start with being very good for us as individuals, families, schools, and the whole society. This could be food, sex, prayer, working out, or alcohol. When any of these good things are practiced excessively, the same actions turn into something harmful and negative.

A certain amount of fair community control on what books are made available to our children is acceptable. But when the control is seen as arbitrary and draconian then it turns into a paradox.

Moms for Liberty'' whose organization has tentacles all over the country may be reinforcing the book banning paradox. It appears as though there is already a fair system in place for parents to control what their own children read. There is a system in which books can be publicly challenged and evaluated before they are removed or banned from the library shelves.

Banning the books as being immoral when you have not yet read the books in their entirety is wrong. This is why we have to defer to experts whose job is to read all the books before they make evaluations.

Banning books because they describe the lives of minorities is wrong and unjust in a democratic plural society.

The 57 books that have been removed should be put back on the shelves until the public process of reviewing each one of them is completed.

When you are elected, it does not mean you can move into the elected positions and just impose what you want.

You have to consider the needs and interests of the entire community including the people that might not have voted for you. Since that time when I read from one textbook for a class of 40 students, I have had the luck, blessing, and privilege of reading thousands of books including the Bible.

Book banning has never done individuals and society any good. The county school board should reconsider.
Correction: In an email from the communication director for the Virginia Attorney General said that, Ceasefire Virginia and all of its marketing, including the TV ads, is being paid for with criminal asset forfeiture funds  no tax dollars are being spent.

In a previous version of this article, it was incorrectly stated that taxpayers were funding the project but it is instead funded from property that was seized for involvement with illegal activities like marijuana offenses outlined in the Virginia code. You can find more information HERE.



Last Thursday, Virginia Democrats held a press conference on addressing gun violence along with Parkland Shooting survivor David Hogg. Hogg has been an outspoken activist for preventing gun violence since the deadly school shooting in his high school in 2018. Democrats are pushing for more gun control legislation including a ban on guns that would be classified as assault weapons like AR-15.

Hogg said that wishes that he didnt have to be here. It will be six years since the Parkland shooting next week and there are still deaths from gun violence. There were 1308 deaths from firearms in Virginia, 718 of those deaths were suicide, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Meanwhile homicides from guns are on an increase with 553 in 2022 but the fact remains that the most dangerous gun is your own.

Democrats are attempting to address issues with guns that are not secured and not out of reach of reach of children by requiring gun secure storage and requiring guns to be sold with locking devices. Legislators like Senator Boysko cites the shooting of a teacher from a 6-year-old in Newport News as a reason for this legislation. Meanwhile Republicans like Senator Bill Stanley point out that the parent who irresponsibly stored her gun has been found guilty of child neglect and federal gun violations.

Another bill to address gun safety is perhaps the simplest and watered down as things can get. Senator Dave Marsden has a bill that would impose a civil fine on gun owners who leave their guns unattended. Back in November of last year, Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards testified to law makers that a total of 637 guns were stolen from vehicles in Richmond. Who needs to 3D print a gun when theres free guns laying around in cars?

Richmond Police have offered gun safes to Richmond residents. Edwards said the department gave out over 100 safes last year. Certainly, seems odd that I am promoting a program from Richmond Police but thats something that can prevent gun violence without arresting someone or limiting someone elses gun ownership. (I was able to contact the Richmond Police Department and confirm the program is still available.)

When Hogg spoke on Thursdays press conference We also need to address why does somebody pick up a gun in the first place? We have to address the systemic poverty that drives gun violence. The systemic racism, that drives gun violence and incarceration system. According to the VDH, the largest group of firearm victims are young males between the ages of 16 and 25.

Richmond Chief Edwards testified on a similar sentiment that the leading motive for murder in Richmond wasnt drugs, robberies, or gangs but steaming from arguments. While funding for law enforcement, incarceration, and prosecutors are set to raise with the states proposed budget, other ways to address gun violence are fighting for state funding.

Delegate Cia Price stressed the importance of funding community-based violence intervention. I do commend the Governor for including funds toward gun violence, but they cant be a name only and we cant let other state agencies pillage those funds for their own initiatives. We cannot fund tough guy strategies of the failed past.

Delegate Cia Price (center) at the G.A.B. February 1, 2024.

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares is offering those same tough guy strategies of the past. Most recently, the Attorney Generals office released an ad titled Its Not A Game about strong penalties for illegal guns in Virginia. Who is paying for these ads with Jason Miyares? Not from donations from Political Action Committees but from criminal asset forfeiture!

All of these proposed bills are making their way through the General Assembly with most of them expected to pass while the Democrats have a slight edge in both chambers. However, all these bills need a signature from the Governor or broad bipartisan support to override a veto. Most of these bills have only passed because the Democrats make up the majority. Senator Marsdens bill about leaving unattended guns in cars did not get one Republican Senator to vote for it.

Governor Youngkin said that he felt that the gun laws were already the strictest in the country and instead wanted more severe penalties during the State of the Commonwealth Address. Everytown USA ranked Virginia at 14thin the country for gun law strength. Certainly, a bad sign for Democrats hoping to pass any legislation which is why Democrats are hoping to draw the attention outside of the Capitol.

Not every gun bill from Democrats is without support from Republicans. A bill from newly elected Delegate Mike Jones to conform state law with federal law and ban the use of devises that turns pistols in automatics. This bill got full support from Republicans as it passed out of committee.

One of the more surreal moments in the General Assembly this year come from when gun lobbyist and Virginia Citizen Defense League President Philip Van Cleave stood up to oppose a bill that criminalizes gifting guns to a child that poses a threat of violence. Republican Senator Mark Peake from Lynchburg admonished Van Cleave when the bill was clearly addressing a problem that exists. And then everyone clapped. Gun laws will change this year, but it remains to be seen if it will be by inches or by miles.
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JOHNSONVILLE, S.C.  For 46 years the current mayor of Johnsonville, Keith Callicutt, has worked in public education, first as a teacher, then as an interim principal and all the way up to a superintendent and recipient of the Order of the Silver Crescent.

Callicutt has worked in a variety of school districts. Throughout college at Clemson University, he never saw himself entering the teaching field, but he realized after accepting his first teaching job that it was made for him.

Im one of those people who believes that God truly works in mysterious ways because I think [teaching] was intended to be my calling, Callicutt said. I fell in love with teaching almost immediately and 46 years later here I am.

Callicutt, alongside two other educators, will be inducted into the South Carolina Educator Hall of Fame on April 19 by The South Carolina Foundation for Educational Leadership, the nonprofit arm of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators.

The seventh annual gala will be held at the Columbia Marriott at 6 p.m. and will recognize seven honorees including three distinguished South Carolina public school graduates and one recipient of the South Carolina Public Education Impact award.

[The induction] is a reminder to me of how blessed I have been over my career because without a whole lot of outstanding educators who are committed to whats best for kids and teachers and administrators, I would have accomplished nothing, Callicutt said.

Callicutt began teaching in Lake City and then moved on to teaching at South Florence High School, where he later became the assistant principal. Following that, Callicutt got his first principalship at Andrew Jackson High School in Kershaw and was later the director of secondary education in Lexington County.

Callicutt says that the keynote of his career took place after he became the principal of Irmo High School. Due to the high schools attendance becoming so large, it had to be split into two high schools, which led to the creation of Dutch Fork High School  a building project that Callicutt was able to help oversee.

Callicutt was the superintendent in Johnsonville for seven years before he became the superintendent at Newberry County schools. After spending five years as the superintendent at Fort Mill, Callicutt retired for the first time.

Im one of those individuals who, I guess, had to practice retirement in order to get good at it, Callicutt said.

Callicutt came out of retirement to be the interim superintendent of Lake City, but after his stint in Lake City, he took up the position of interim superintendent in his hometown of Chester. Following four years as the executive director of the Pee Dee Education Center in Florence, Callicutt retired for the second time.

After his retirement Callicutt planned on running for a spot on Johnsonvilles City Council. Instead, some of his friends persuaded him to run for mayor and, after praying about the decision with his wife, Callicutt decided to take their advice, and was elected in November.

In all his years of teaching the one thing that Callicutt says he would do over is the amount of time he spent away from his family.

My family, I feel, made so many sacrifices over the years, Callicutt said. They deserve so much credit for anything that I mightve accomplished as an administrator because they were quite involved in a whole lot that I did.

Callicutt gives special credit to his mother-in-law who he said pushed him to get his teaching certificate, his masters degree and his doctorate.

I think she saw early on that [teaching] was something that I might have a future in and she encouraged me: encouraged me and pushed me, both at the same time, Callicutt said.

Callicutt has a bachelors degree from Clemson University in political science, a masters degree from Francis Marion University in elementary education, an educational specialist degree from Winthrop University and a doctoral degree from the University of South Carolina in educational administration.

When Callicutt is not busy working, he is spending time with his four grandchildren and going to church with his wife, whom he describes as amazing.
MAULDIN  Hillary Clinton. Nancy Pelosi. Kamala Harris. Liz Cheney. Carly Fiorina. And for now, Nikki Haley.

The former South Carolina governor is the latest in a long line of women  historically some of Republican Donald Trumps most stubborn challengers  for whom the former president saves a special playbook. Its centered around intimidation, combined with a now-familiar brand of vulgarity, nicknames and other insults he deploys for men, too.

But where he tries to emasculate his male opponents, Trump works in put-downs about the appearance of women, their emotional balance and their intelligence. He mispronounces their names. He seemed to confuse two politicians who are women. And he questions their right to challenge him.

Trumps nickname for Haley, a Republican who served as his own ambassador to the United Nations, is Birdbrain.

Who the hell was the impostor? Trump railed after the New Hampshire primary against Haley, who acknowledged his victory but has refused to drop out of the GOP presidential nomination fight. When I watched her in the fancy dress that probably wasnt so fancy, I said, Whats she doing? We won.

Haley, who lost last month in Iowa and New Hampshire but has vowed to stay in the race through her home states first-in-the-South GOP primary Feb. 24, shot back that Trump threw a tantrum because he feels threatened. Haley was swamped Tuesday in Nevadas symbolic Republican presidential primary as GOP voters resoundingly picked the none of these candidates option on the ballot. Trump didnt compete in the primary, instead focusing on caucuses that will be held Thursday.

Its not just that hes running against Nikki Haley, said Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers. Its because shes even deigning to challenge him ... He goes after women for their appearance, for their gender.

In fact, Trump has bragged about dominating women, an assumption challenged when one refuses to step aside.

You can do anything to women when youre famous, Trump said on the Access Hollywood tape that threatened his 2016 campaign. And yet Trump defeated Clinton with 39% of women voters casting their ballots for him. Trumps share of female voters increased in 2020 to 44%, even as he lost to President Joe Biden  in part because Biden gained support among men, according to a Pew Research Center survey of people confirmed to have voted in those elections.

Heres a look at Trumps approach to women he sees as obstacles and the latest reactions in the 2024 campaign.

Hillary Clinton

She was a nasty woman, didnt look presidential and her voice gave Trump a headache, according to Trump.

But the defining visual of Trumps approach to Clinton, his Democratic rival in the 2016 presidential election, came at a debate Oct. 9, 2016, in St. Louis, Missouri, two days after The Washington Post reported the contents of the Access Hollywood tape.

As Clinton answered questions during the town hall-style event, the 6-foot-3 Trump repeatedly hovered over and behind the 5-foot-5 former senator and secretary of state. He loomed so close, she wrote later, my skin crawled.

Nancy Pelosi

Trump as president called the House speaker, Crazy Nancy, refusing to shake her hand at the State of the Union address after the House had impeached him.

She called him worse things  questioning his manhood in one meeting with Democrats, as if manhood could ever be associated with him.

In 2019, she issued a smirk-and-clap to him when he arrived to deliver the State of the Union speech, a moment preserved in an iconic photo. The next year, she openly scoffed at him on-camera as he spoke. Then she ripped up a copy of his speech on-camera behind his back and held up the pieces.

Kamala Harris

Trump barely mentioned Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine when he was Clintons running mate in 2016. But four years later, the president had plenty to say about Bidens vice presidential pick, Kamala Harris.

Trump almost immediately called her nasty, and said that nobody likes Harris. That comment taps into a common standard of likability that is applied to women in leadership far more often than men. He also told voters in North Carolina it would be an insult to our country if Harris became the first female president.

Liz Cheney

Former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming continues to draw Trumps wrath even after she lost her House seat in a primary last year.

Cheney was one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump after the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol building, and shes declared it her mission to prevent Trump from returning to the presidency. Doing so, she warned late last year, would mean the U.S. could become a dictatorship. Trump called her, Crazy Liz Cheney.

Carly Fiorina

Trump mocked former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorinas appearance in a 2015 interview with Rolling Stone.

Look at that face, he said of Fiorina, who was then part of the field running for the GOP presidential nomination. Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president?

Whos running for president? See the latest rundown of major 2024 candidates Donald Trump Joe Biden Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Jill Stein Cornel West Whos dropped out?
The GIC offices in Singapore. Photographer: Lauryn Ishak/Bloomberg (Bloomberg)

By David Ramli

(Bloomberg)  Singapores sovereign wealth fund GIC Pte. reshuffled the roles of some senior executives as part of a broader leadership overhaul.

Chief operating officer Tay Lim Hock will step down and be replaced by executive Sam Kim, according to a statement Wednesday. Bryan Yeo will become the new deputy chief investment officer for GIC. The changes are effective from April 1.

The moves come as severe market turmoil and geopolitical uncertainty wreak havoc on the investment performance of many institutional investors. GIC, which does not disclose its size but is estimated to manage $770 billion, last year posted its worst five-year return since 2016.

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With this refreshed leadership bench, I am confident that we can continue to pursue excellence in our operating and investment capabilities, and navigate the investment environment, GIC Chief Executive Officer Lim Chow Kiat said in the statement.

Other changes include:

Lee Kok Sun will retire and be replaced by Deputy CIO for Real Estate Goh Chin Kiong

Mark Ong, head of Asia Pacific Equities, to become CIO for Public Equities

Boon Chin Hau will be appointed deputy CIO for Infrastructure

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
The act of giving an "ang pow" is one of the most important traditions during Chinese New Year celebrations. (Photo: Getty Images)

One of the most important Chinese New Year traditions is the giving of the ang pow or red packet. Most Malaysians, Im sure, have either given or received the ang pow.

Today, the act of giving and receiving ang pow has crossed over to the cultures of other Malaysian communities, with many Muslims and Hindus handing out duit raya and Deepavali kaasu respectively during Hari Raya Puasa and Deepavali in similar packets.

Except that the Muslims go for green-coloured packets while the Hindus are okay with any colour, although, these days, they mostly come in purple or yellow.

I suppose this is because banks print such envelopes during the major festive seasons in Malaysia and offer them free to their clients; and it is so much neater to give money in an envelope.

Growing up with Chinese New Year goodies and festivities

During my childhood, both my immediate neighbours were Chinese and so I would receive red packets from them. They would also bring over to my house trays or plates filled with food such as love letters or kuih kapit, kuih bangkit, which would come in shapes such as fish and flower, mooncakes and cookies made from peanuts.

There was also the soft, star-shaped kuih bahulu, which Im told was borrowed from the Malays. Which is well and good, as it, again, demonstrates that we share many things in common after living together in Malaysia for a couple of centuries or more.

My favourite was the crispy, crunchy love letters, and I would go to my neighbour Lee Choo Lais house to taste them as his family members were making them.

I loved the aroma emanating from them as Ah Hais (that was his house name) mother cooked or rather baked them in hot iron moulds over charcoal braziers assisted by a few women. They would fold the love letters and place them in tin containers.

Ah Hais mother was kind enough to let us taste the love letters fresh from the oven, so to speak. She was very particular about the hue of the love letters and would discard the darker coloured ones, which young ones like me were more than delighted to dispose of in our cavernous mouths.

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Later, I found out that these were called love letters because there was a time when young women would send messages to their lovers or boyfriends via these folded pastries.

It was felt that by eating it, the message would go right to the heart. Also, there would be no evidence of the message once the love letter was consumed.

What clever women, I thought when I first heard this story. I still dont know if this story is historically accurate.

I would also visit my other immediate neighbour, one of whose sons, Ong Chin Aun, was my age.

When I was in secondary school, I would visit the houses of classmates Jeff Lee Fook Leng and Ong Kim Beng, where I would be treated to lots of food and loads of friendship.

It was during these visits that I noted the penchant among the Chinese to gamble during the Chinese New Year period, whether playing mahjong or cards.

In fact, I would join in and place bets of five cents or 10 cents at the most at Kim Bengs place, as I found out that it was not about the money but about the fun and camaraderie generated.

In Form 6, several friends and I  including Jamil, Aziz, Masood and Manavalan - would cycle to the houses of classmates Chuah Hooi Hooi, Chin Seow Si and Ooi Seok Cheng, among others, to personally wish them and enjoy their company and food.

My eyes would light up whenever I saw the love letters being served. These are so thin that you can consume quite a lot at one time and still not feel full.

As I was writing this, I rang up to ask Hooi Hooi if there was any difference in the way Chinese New Year was celebrated when she was a child and now when she is a grandmother of three.

She said the tradition was largely well-preserved, except that most families bought food from outside and did not cook at home as in the past.

Even Yee Sang ingredients are bought ready-made and mixed and tossed for the new year eve compulsory family dinner.

She said people from different parts of China  and who spoke different dialects  had different ways of starting the new day.

For instance, the Hokkiens usually start the new year morning by eating mee sua soup with hard-boiled egg to signify longevity while the Cantonese usually go vegetarian for the first half of the day. The Teow Chew community also has mee sua soup as the first item of the day but they cook it a little differently.

In the past, the daughter-in-law was required to come to the husbands family home and participate in the reunion dinner and only leave for her parents house after lunch on the second day of Chinese New Year.

Although this tradition is largely relaxed these days, most Cantonese still adhere to it.

The ang pow was a big thing then, as it still is now. But to get the ang pow, the children had to serve tea made of red dates and longan to their elders. This was an act of respect for elder members of the family.

Children had to serve tea made of red dates and longan to their elders to get an ang pow. (Photo: Getty Images)

Hooi Hooi remembers getting 20 cents in her ang pow packet. Over the years, however, the amount increased and today most people place RM5 in the red packet. But how much one gets depends on how close one is to the giver.

You would naturally give more to your children than your neighbours children.

Older adults and married couples have to give ang pow to the younger ones as a gesture of blessing while working adults are required to give ang pow to their parents as an act of filial piety.

In this digital age, some people give e-ang pow but Im told that this is frowned upon by the traditionalists as there is no human contact and the act of blessing or showing respect is lost.

According to Chinese belief, the red colour of the packet symbolises not only good luck, energy and happiness, but also serves to ward off evil. The packet is usually decorated with beautiful Chinese characters and symbols.

When someone gives the ang pow, it means he or she is wishing you another safe, happy, prosperous and peaceful year.

So, Kong Hee Fatt Choy everyone. May the Year of the Dragon bring plenty of blessings.

A.Kathirasen is a veteran Malaysian journalist/editor who has been writing columns, with breaks, in newspapers and online since 1981. All views expressed are the writer's own.

Do you have a story tip? Email: malaysia.newsroom@yahooinc.com.

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The Land Transport Authority is looking into expanding the capabilities of the SimplyGo system to include motoring payments. (PHOTO: SimplyGo)

SINGAPORE The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is exploring the possibility of expanding the SimplyGo system to include motoring payments in the future.

Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat mentioned during Parliament on Monday (5 February) that the aspiration of the public transport fare payment system is to enable the SimplyGo card for use in retail, public transport, and motoring in the future.

The discussion on SimplyGo dominated February's Parliament sitting, with over 20 Members of Parliament (MPs) raising questions about LTA's handling of the matter and the planned system improvements.

In addition to SimplyGo, the parliamentary sessions also addressed areas such as "significant moves" to improve the mental health and well-being of Singaporeans, the law for indefinite imprisonment of dangerous offenders, and guidelines for public servants regarding gifts, particularly in light of former Transport Minister S. Iswaran's corruption case.

1. Plans to make SimplyGo universal card for motoring, public transport, retail

LTA is looking into extending the functionality of the SimplyGo system. Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat told Parliament, "Over time, we do want to work towards having the SimplyGo card being able to be used for retail, public transport and also for motoring."

Meanwhile, more card readers for SimplyGo will be deployed at MRT stations and bus interchanges, allowing users to check their balances conveniently. However, the Ministry of Transport has not disclosed specific details regarding the timing and locations of these enhancements.

The SimplyGo system had been making headlines since the LTA initially announced plans to make it the exclusive system for handling adult fare payments by June. Following public backlash, these plans were put on hold, with the public voicing concerns such as the inability of commuters to view fares and card balances at MRT fare gates and bus card readers.

To address these concerns, Chee emphasised that the old card-based ticketing system for adults will be extended until at least 2030, involving a $40 million investment.

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The government will also cover the costs associated with implementing SimplyGo and extending the older card-based systems for both adults and concession card holders. Chee reassured the public that these changes will not affect fares.

2. Mental health 'key priority' in national agenda

The government will make "significant moves" to improve the mental health and well-being of Singaporeans, with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong calling for a more inclusive Singapore Dream and a mindset change regarding what constitutes success on Wednesday.

He announced a series of measures including increasing capacity at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and the redeveloped Alexandra Hospital, and ramping the number of public sector psychiatrists and psychologists by 30 per cent and 40 per cent respectively.

Furthermore, there will be training for an additional 28,000 frontline personnel. Mental health services will also be introduced at all polyclinics and 900 more GP clinics. The government aims to implement these measures by 2030.

Although attitudes toward mental health issues are shifting, DPM Wong acknowledged that stigma remains. He said this "reduces a complex and difficult problem into unhelpful labels and stereotypes".

"It opens people struggling with mental health to discrimination, such as in the job market. It may cause them to be socially ostracised. It makes them feel ashamed, isolated, and stops them from seeking treatment," he added.

Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Wednesday (7 Feb) that the government will make "significant moves" to enhance the mental health and well-being of Singaporeans.(PHOTO: MCI/YouTubeScreengrab)

Criminal Procedure (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, passed on 5 Feb, introduces significant changes: Dangerous offenders in severe sexual or violent crime cases may not be automatically released post-sentence if there are signs of potential reoffending. (PHOTO: MCI/Screengrab)

3. Dangerous offenders may be jailed indefinitely

A slew of legislative changes proposed under the Criminal Procedure (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill was passed on Monday. Among these is a key change that could lead to dangerous offenders being jailed indefinitely.

Under a new sentencing regime, individuals convicted of serious violent or sexual offences may not be automatically released after serving their jail terms, especially if there are signs of potential reoffending.

The court can detain an offender under the Sentence for Enhanced Public Protection (SEPP) for a period ranging from five to 20 years. Following this minimum term, release is contingent upon an assessment by the Home Affairs minister to ensure that the individual no longer poses a threat to public safety.

SEPP is limited to those who commit serious violent offences such as culpable homicide and attempted murder, and serious sexual offences such as rape and sexual penetration of a minor.

There are around 20 sets of amendments proposed under the Bill, including a legislative framework for forensic medical examinations. Accused individuals who are required to undergo forensic medical examinations but refuse without a valid reason can face imprisonment for up to seven years and/or fined.

4. Chan Chun Sing addresses public servants' conduct on gifts

Minister-in-Charge of the Public Service Chan Chun Sing clarified the expected conduct of public servants regarding gifts in light of Iswaran's corruption case. Chan went through how public servants should handle various scenarios, such as declaring and accounting for gifts through established processes.

They can also report any wrongful or doubtful practices to the heads of their respective organisations or agencies, such as the Corruption Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).

Regarding a potential review of the rules following Iswaran's charges, Chan cautioned against a "knee-jerk reaction" to immediately tighten or add more rules.

Minister-in-Charge of the Public Service, Chan Chun Sing, sheds light on expected conduct for public servants regarding gifts in Parliament on Monday (5 Feb). (PHOTO: MCI/YouTubeScreengrab)

5. New not-for-profit private hospitals to face billing restrictions

Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung has said that restrictions on patients' bills will be imposed on private acute hospitals operating under the new not-for-profit model to prevent high costs for patients.

He said this model will primarily serve Singaporeans; if newly established, these hospitals will operate in tandem with public healthcare facilities.

Each hospital under this model will be issued with its own healthcare license, ensuring stronger governance. Ong highlighted the importance of strong oversight and control over doctors' clinical practices.

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The well-loved founder and store-runner of the popular hawker stall Nam Seng Wonton Noodles, Mdm Leong Yuet Meng, has unfortunately passed away at the age of 94.

Nam Seng Wonton Noodles made the announcement via their Facebook page on 7 Feb. Meanwhile, her obituary was posted on the Facebook group Hawkers United  Dabao 2020 on the same day by the groups founder, Melvin Chew. According to the obituary, Mdm Leongs wake will be held from 7 to 8 Feb, and her funeral procession will take place on 9 Feb.

Mdm Leong, affectionately known as Ah Po, first operated Nam Seng Wonton Noodles with her late husband in 1962 as a way to survive Singapores early years of development. The initial stall was located at the original National Library Canteen along Stamford Road.

Over the years, for 6 days a week, Mdm Leong would consistently wake up before the crack of dawn to prepare her food. Her hard work and dedication has made Nam Seng Wonton Noodles a beloved brand that has garnered a significant number of fans.

Mdm Leong would whip up classic hawker dishes like wonton noodles, fried rice, hor fun, soy sauce chicken noodles and sui gao (dumplings) at her stall.

Nam Seng Wonton Noodles was previously located in the Central Business District (CBD) within Far East Square, but shut in 2020. The stall then relocated to Toa Payoh North in 2022, where Mdm Leong continued to serve hungry customers.

News of Mdm Leongs passing was met with hundreds of comments on social media mourning the loss of this iconic figure in the local hawker scene. Many fans paid their condolences, while others thanked her for supplying them with her delicious and nostalgic noodles.

We are heartbroken by the news of Mdm Leongs passing and would like to offer our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones.

The post Beloved founder of Nam Seng Wonton Noodles hawker stall passes away at 94 appeared first on SETHLUI.com.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Aaron Pierre can name the actors who have played Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X on screen.

They also suspect those actors felt the same way they did when they began Genius: MLK/X, a limited series about the two Civil Rights leaders.

Im sure they were insecure and scared and wondering if they could do it as well, Harrison says. But I dont think they regretted it. When I took it, I was like, as hard as this may be, I dont know what Im inviting into my life, but I know when I come out of it, Im going to be a better person and my character is going to be stronger.

Harrison, cast as Martin Luther King Jr., says the series taught him plenty, particularly about the way the two behaved in their early days.

We wanted to reflect the actual ages of Dr. King and Malcolm X when they were achieving these things, says Executive Producer Gina Prince-Bythewood. Dr. King was 26 when he led the Montgomery bus boycott. When you portray them at that age, young people can see, I can achieve that, too. We needed young actors who had the courage to take on these roles and the consciousness to know you have to get this right: Find your own Malcolm and Martin inside yourself and bring that forth.

Malcolm X Malcolm X, played by Aaron Pierre, preaches in "Genius: MLK/X."

Martin Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Martin Luther King Jr. in "Genius: MLK/X."

Not so close encounters

Harrison and Prince, whos cast as Malcolm X, were part of an extensive search. Although the two had started working on a new version of The Lion King, they didnt know each other. The first time we actually met was on the set of MLK/X," Harrison says.

Surprisingly, Martin and Malcolm didnt have many encounters, either. They were on parallel tracks, but in different parts of the country with different supporters.

For Prince-Bythewood and her husband, Reggie Rock Bythewood, it was important to tell a different story than most had seen or read. We need to dispel the idea that you have to choose between Malcolm and Martin, Rock Bythewood says. Perhaps they are opposite sides of the same coin. If we embrace the messaging of both we feel theres a contemporary solution to a lot of things were seeing right now.

While the two easily could have written and directed the eight-part series, they put it in the hands of others. It was a different challenge, a different way to use our creative muscle, to allow them to have a space to bring forward what they wanted to bring, Rock Bythewood says.

Martin Martin Luther King Jr., played by Kelvin Harrison Jr., preaches in "Genius: MLK/X."

A different approach

Damione Macedon and Raphael Jackson Jr., the two charged with telling the story, say they wanted to show how they men were as parents, husbands and sons. We are humbled in what we thought we knew when we started this project and what we learned throughout, Macedon says. We felt our audience would have the same reaction, which is, I did not know that.

Harrison and Pierre studied plenty before they even started filming.

You question your abilitywhether you have the endurance or the durability and you feel exposed and vulnerable, Pierre says. We feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to serve these great men.

Because theres enough material on each, It was like there were two shows, Harrison says. We would see each other in passing and wed get whispers (about the other). It would fuel me even harder. Id hear how Aaron was approaching it and that helped mirror the experience.

Both get big preaching scenes in MLK/X, which gave them a sense of what it might have been like to be religious leaders. Its very immersive, Pierre says. We were fortunate to have phenomenal background artists join us and love on us and support us during these days.

That helped the two navigate other parts of the story, Harrison says.

It also helped them understand why the two did what they did.

Malcolm Malcolm X, played by Aaron Pierre, is escorted from Temple in "Genius:MLK/X."

Real objectives

We wanted to elevate both and show the importance of both, Prince-Bythewood says. So often in history Malcolm has been villainizedbut they followed what each other was doing. They pushed each other as they neared the end of their lives. They were actually moving closer and closer to each in the way they wanted to go about achieving the same goal.

Today, Rock Bythewood says, young Black adults have nudged Malcolm X to the forefront.

So much of what Malcolm was talking about was really the dignity of self, Prince-Bythewood says. His Pan-Africanism was a big part of his messagewe need to hear that message more than ever, particularly since some of his writings have been banned in several parts of the country.

Martin and Malcolms storylines never touched, Macedon says. We also filmed it in a way that our actors werent on set at the same time purposely so we could savor the moment they meet. It was a challenge.

Thankfully, producers had input from family members to make sure they werent missing details. I dont know if you can truly please everyone but you do the best you possibly can and, hopefully, you do it with honor and integrity.

"Genius: MLK/X" airs throughout February on the National Geographic channel.
The Nebraska Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a case over whether the state still could bring an Omaha man to trial, despite next to no evidence on the record to justify a continuance that pushed his trial beyond the speedy-trial deadline.

In a rare split-decision decision last year, the Court of Appeals said Justin Rashads right to a speedy trial had not been violated.

Were here to say that it absolutely, unequivocally was, Assistant Douglas County Public Defender Cindy Tate told the states high court Tuesday.

Following the ruling last year, the Nebraska Supreme Court granted a motion for further review in the case where the 28-year-old stands accused of shooting his father in the head.

Tate, who did not represent Rashad in the original case, said the one thing all sides agree on is that the record in the case is very thin.

But to support a finding of good cause to exceed the right, under state statute, to be brought to trial within six months of the filing of an information, it must be supported by on-the-record evidence.

The burden is on the state to produce that evidence, Tate said. And that evidence in this case is lacking.

Lots of things can stop the clock from ticking down  for instance, if a defense attorney asks for a continuance or files a motion to keep certain evidence from going in front of the jury.

But here, Rashads trial date was set for Oct. 18, 2021, until in late September of that year when District Judge Marlon Polk informed the attorneys he had another trial set and Rashads case would need to be continued.

When Rashads original attorney, Korey Taylor, objected, the Douglas County Attorneys Office asked Polk to find good cause for the continuance, which he did, and reset trial for Feb. 14, 2022, based on: the court being in trial and the availability of both counsel.

Taylor asked to clarify, pointing out he had availability in November, which still would have been within Rashads six-month speedy trial window.

But Polk stuck with the date. And on Feb. 3, 2022, Rashads attorney filed a motion to throw out the case on speedy-trial grounds, which Polk overruled.

On appeal, Tate argued that the prosecutor failed to sufficiently demonstrate good cause to continue the October trial. And, even if there was good cause to continue it, the state failed to produce evidence to show it, she said.

Instead, she said, there was a sit-down meeting recorded by a court reporter where the judge said he would be in the middle of another trial, which she said wasnt enough of a reason to postpone.

Tate said the judge didnt say which case he was trying or why it took precedent over Rashads. Or even why it couldnt be tried in November.

Justice Lindsey Miller-Lerman raised the possibility of a congested court docket, but Tate said there wasnt evidence offered to support it or why another judge couldnt have heard the case or why the prosecutor wasnt available until February. There was no affidavit to explain.

Its just so basic and fundamental, she said.

But Justice Stephanie Stacy said they needed to be sure they are lifting up rules that not only make sense but that people can follow.

If thats the one we double down on, how would folks follow that? she asked.

Tate said the rule already is in case law and precedent. The state can offer testimony from a court bailiff or court administrator. But there must be evidence.

On the other side, Assistant Attorney General Erin Tangeman said the state agrees with the Court of Appeals majority opinion, which found the trial court not clearly erroneous for finding good cause to continue the trial.

She said this wasnt a situation like during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to delayed trials and a backed-up docket and judges trying to prioritize and compare cases.

That is not what happened here, she said. Our trial was set. The prosecutor was subpoenaing witnesses and was told by the trial judge, You are getting bumped.

Tangeman said that even if the parties had been ready on that October date (when Rashads own attorney was in another trial), the judge would not have been there and the courtroom was full. The judge couldnt do a trial on that date. That had been decided, she said.

So is that good cause? Justice Jeffrey Funke asked.

Yes, she answered.

But Funke asked what evidence was on the record about it.

Tangeman said the state offered emails that showed the parties were told by the judge it was being moved.

To which Miller-Lerman interjected: Were trying to move from everybody knows to where is the evidence?.

Funke called it a comedy of errors, where there wasnt a written motion to continue or even a hearing on it until after the trial date.

Tangeman said the state could have  and obviously should have  done an affidavit explaining all that. But she argued the defense provided evidence of it in their motion for discharge.

The Supreme Court will rule later on the matter.

Photos: Nebraska wrestling hosts Illinois, Feb. 4
SIOUX CITY  The Sioux City Community School Board violated Iowa open meetings law in January 2022, District Judge Jeffrey Neary ruled Wednesday.

In January 2023, former Superintendent Paul Gausman filed a lawsuit against school board members Dan Greenwell, Jan George, Taylor Goodvin and Bob Michaelson stating they violated open meetings laws. A trial took place on Jan. 16.

The lawsuit dealt with two separate closed sessions, which Gausman claimed were illegal meetings because board members cited the wrong Iowa code sections in order to avoid notifying him of their discussion and decision to file a complaint against him with the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

Neary ruled the meeting on Jan. 24, 2022 violated open meetings law but a Nov. 30, 2022 meeting did not violate the law.

"We're pleased that the court ruled in our favor regarding the Nov. 30, 2022, meeting, and the filing of the BOEE complaint," George, who currently serves as board president, said in a statement. "Were currently reviewing our options with respect to the Jan. 24, 2022, ruling with our legal counsel regarding our future actions and affirmative defense of that meeting."

Gausman said the matter is still ongoing and cannot comment on pending litigation.

"However, even after being gone from Sioux City for over 18 months, I continue to have pride and respect for the work that was done by the team during my 14-year tenure with the Sioux City School District, staff, students, families and community, he said in a statement.

"It is because of that respect, that I felt it was important to model the behavior of standing up for myself when an illegal meeting was conducted by the Sioux City School Board. I look forward to bringing final resolution to this matter, and allowing both parties to focus on what is important providing educational opportunities for all children through service to our students and communities.

January meeting deemed violation of open meetings law

Neary said the Jan. 24 meeting went beyond its purpose of Gausmans professional evaluation.

"The Court is hard-pressed to see the discussion surrounding the filing of an ethics complaint with the IBOEE as part of a performance and competency evaluation process," Neary said in the ruling. "This Court holds that that first portion of the meeting in closed session on Jan. 24, 2022, was a violation of the [Iowa Open Meetings Act] as it did not comport with the publicly stated reason and notice of the reason for the closed session."

Neary ruled the Nov. 30 was a legal closed session as documents filed with the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners should be treated as confidential and discussed in a closed session.

Because Neary found the district did violate the open meetings law in January 2022, a second trial could be conducted to determine remedies, penalties or mitigation.

On Jan. 24, 2022, Gausman stated the board met in a closed session to discuss him and his professional qualifications and proposed to file a complaint against him with the Iowa BOE.

To go into the closed session, the board cited the Iowa Code section stating the closed session was to "evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individuals reputation."

That code section specifically states the individual being reviewed must request the closed session, Gausman claimed that did not occur.

He contended items other items were discussed. Documents reviewed in court showed the Jan. 24 meeting was set as a quarterly review of Gausmans performance while he was still the superintendent. Greenwell and Goodvin testified the meeting included a discussion of Gausman's quarterly review, as well as a discussion of the information filed in a Board of Educational Examiners complaint.

The discussion claimed Gausman attempted to bribe Michaelson and George on Nov. 17, 2021, before their official swearing-in on Nov. 22, 2022. The letter to the educational examiners stated it was an attempt to solicit their support to re-elect Perla Alarcon-Flory to the board president. If they were to support him in this, they would be able to "make any of their desired changes in school operations, programs, activities and other matters," according to the complaint.

Gausman testified he was not attempting to bribe the board members, and instead, lobby them toward voting for two individuals for board leadership based on ongoing work.

Evidence and testimony at the trial showed Gausman knew of the meeting but did not know of the conversation regarding a bribery attempt which took place during the first half hour of the meeting. Testimony showed Gausman was not in attendance for the first half hour.

"[Gausman] asserted at trial that had he known about what was to be discussed in the first half hour of the closed session on Jan. 24, 2022, he would not have agreed to the session being closed and he would have taken that opportunity to respond to the discussion with his input and perspective," Neary said in his ruling.

Neary ruled discussing the alleged bribery attempt goes beyond the general evaluation of professional competency and performance.

November meeting deemed legal

On Nov. 30, 2022, the board held another special meeting and closed session to discuss Gausman, he claimed.

The board cited another section of the state code, saying the meeting was to "review or discuss records which are required or authorized by state or federal law to be kept confidential." That code section specifically says public bodies are only allowed to discuss confidential records and Gausman claimed the school board went beyond the specification. Testimony confirmed the meeting on Nov. 30 was regarding the bribery accusations made against Gausman and the process of filing a complaint with the BOEE.

After the closed session ended and the board went into open session, Goodvin made a motion to direct Greenwell to file the BOEE complaint. Board members Monique Scarlett and Bernie Scolaro abstained from the vote. Perla Alarcon-Flory was not present. The motion did not publicly identify who the complaint was being filed against.

"The Court concludes that the complaints at issue here and which were the subject of the closed session on Nov. 30, 2022, . Are covered by the statutory protection establishing and maintaining their confidentiality," Neary said.
SIOUX CITY -- Law enforcement officers' fatal shooting of a rural Hornick, Iowa, man during an October standoff was justified to end the danger posed by a heavily armed man who had already killed his father and fired hundreds of rounds at authorities.

Woodbury County Attorney James Loomis said he reached his conclusion after reviewing the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation's probe into the Oct. 30 shooting of 44-year-old Walter Sulsberger, who had a stockpile of ammunition plus night-vision equipment and other tactical gear while holding an elevated strategic position in a cattle yard, at one point telling crisis negotiators seeking a peaceful resolution to the situation, "It's too late for that."

Sulsberger was shot after opening fire on approaching officers with a legally purchased rifle that Woodbury County Sheriff Chad Sheehan said had been illegally modified to fire automatically. An autopsy determined Sulsberger died of multiple gunshot wounds.

"The use of force was justified to put an end to that danger," Loomis said at a Thursday press conference, where he announced his findings with Sheehan. Loomis said there would be no charges filed against any of the officers involved in the shooting.

Later Thursday, the Iowa Attorney General's Office released a 13-page report in which it reached the same conclusion as Loomis. The case is now considered closed.

Sheriff's deputies initially responded to calls of cattle loose in the area of Todd Sulsberger's feedlot around 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at 2595 Old Highway 141. Half an hour later, Todd Sulsberger called 911, telling the dispatcher his son Walter "is crazy and is going to shoot us." Sulsberger said his pickup truck had already been hit. "He's going to kill me," Sulsberger said. Communications were lost, and what sounded like a single gunshot was heard about a minute and a half into the call. There were no further calls from Todd Sulsberger.

When reached on his phone by his wife, Walter Sulsberger told her he had killed his father and that he was on a hill in the cattle yard and was going to commit suicide, then hung up at about the time deputies began arriving.

In a short video Sheehan played for media Thursday, a deputy's body cam video picked up the sound of automatic gunfire as he arrived at the scene.

Sheehan activated the county's SWAT team, and the Sioux City Police Department's SWAT team also responded along with the department's armored vehicle. An Iowa State Patrol SWAT team and its armored vehicle also were summoned, and a State Patrol airplane flew overhead to locate Sulsberger, who had set several hay bales on fire in an attempt to conceal his position.

Negotiations continued with Sulsberger over the phone for five and a half hours, and he refused to surrender. Around 2 a.m., authorities, concerned about ongoing public safety risks, decided to approach Sulsberger to capture him and end the standoff.

The Sioux City Police and State Patrol armored vehicles approached from opposite ends of the road on which Sulsberger was stationed and a four-person Sioux City SWAT team approached on foot from behind to prevent an escape. Sulsberger opened fire on the armored vehicles, and in video shown Thursday, rounds could be heard striking the vehicle. Officers returned fire, and a gun battle lasting several minutes ensued until a cease fire was ordered.

Officers approaching Sulsberger found him prone in front of his truck. He was not moving and was declared dead at the scene. Investigators found Sulsberger surrounded by an AR-15 rifle with drum magazine, night vision equipment, a helmet, armored plates and large quantities of ammunition. In his truck, authorities found two handguns, ammunition, beer and empty beer cans. The autopsy determined Sulsberger's blood-alcohol content was 0.147%, well above the legal limit of 0.08%.

Shortly after the standoff ended, officers found 72-year-old Todd Sulsberger dead in his overturned truck in a ditch with a single gunshot wound to the head.

Sheehan said the intensity of the situation was unlike anything he'd experienced during his 30 years in law enforcement, and officers who had military combat experienced likened the gun battle with Sulsberger to firefights they had experienced in Iraq.

"There's no way that any video we could show could accurately show the chaos of that night," Sheehan said.

Sheehan said deputies had had no previous contacts with Sulsberger. The Attorney General's report said investigators searching Sulsberger's house found several weapons, more than 25,000 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, ammunition-loading equipment, medical equipment, gas masks, body armor and military meals ready to eat.

No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  A federal judge has denied the early termination of probation for a Sioux City man convicted of entering the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot in Washington, D.C.

District Judge Royce Lamberth said in Wednesday's ruling that Kenneth Rader is not entitled to an early dismissal because of past noncompliance with terms of his probation.

"Rader has not established that his conduct warrants early termination because he has not shown compliance with his conditions, let alone changed circumstances or exceptionally good behavior," Lamberth said in the ruling.

When filing for the early termination in December, Rader's attorney, federal public defender Brad Hansen, cited an August federal appeals court ruling in which the court ruled that prison, plus probation, is not an available sentence for petty misdemeanor charges like the one to which Rader pleaded guilty, and, therefore, was unlawful.

Hansen reiterated that stance Thursday.

"As the D.C. Circuit ruled ..., Mr. Raders initial sentence of both prison and probation was unlawful. Mr. Rader has already served his prison term and more than one year on probation, so we believe that it would be in the interests of justice to terminate the remainder of his probation. The court disagreed, and we respect that decision," Hansen said in an email to the Journal.

Hansen said he could not comment on whether he would appeal the ruling.

Rader, 55, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a capitol building and was sentenced in September 2022 to 90 days in jail, plus three years' probation and $500 restitution. Three other charges were dismissed.

He completed his prison sentence and started probation in December 2022. In his ruling, Lamberth cited probation violations that included possession and use of a controlled substance, associating with a convicted felon without his probation officer's permission and failing to show up for drug testing. In December, his probation officer alleged an additional 15 probation violations.

"Even assuming that the alleged illegality of a sentence is an appropriate basis for a motion of early termination, Rader has not established his entitlement under the statutory factors," Lamberth said.

Rader was among the hundreds of supporters of former president Donald Trump to protest the results of the November 2020 election in which Joe Biden defeated Trump. The mob gathered outside the Capitol before breaking into the building in an effort to prevent Congress from certifying the electoral college results declaring Biden the winner.

Within 90 seconds of the mob's breaching of the Capitol doors, Rader was among the first wave to enter the building. Once inside, he stopped near the Senate wing door and watched, picking up pieces of glass and plaster as souvenirs before exiting the building three minutes later.

After a family member had tipped off the FBI to Rader's participation in the riot, he was arrested on Jan. 20, 2022.
STORM LAKE, Iowa -- A Storm Lake man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for firing a gun at another man during a disturbance.

Tailor Khamtahn, 20, had pleaded guilty in Buena Vista County District Court to possession of a firearm by a felon and intimidation with a dangerous weapon, which was amended from a charge of attempted murder as part of a plea agreement. Four other charges were dismissed.

On Aug. 26, Khamtanh fired numerous shots from a 9mm pistol at another man, who was fleeing from him in the 1800 block of East Milwaukee Avenue. Two bullets struck the driver's door of the man's car, and one of those bullets penetrated the seat just beneath the victim.
WASHINGTON  Self-help author and spiritual guru Marianne Williamson on Wednesday announced the end of her long-shot Democratic challenge to President Joe Biden.

The 71-year-old onetime spiritual adviser to Oprah Winfrey contemplated suspending her campaign last month after winning just 5,000 votes in New Hampshires primary, writing that she had to decide whether now is the time for a dignified exit or continue on our campaign journey.

But Williamson ultimately opted to continue on for two more primaries. She won just 2% of the vote in South Carolina and about 3% in Nevada.

I hope future candidates will take what works for them, drinking from the well of information we prepared, Williamson wrote in announcing the end of her bid. My team and I brought to the table some great ideas, and I will take pleasure when I see them live on in campaigns and candidates yet to be created.

Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips is the last nationally known Democrat still running against Biden, who has scored blowout victories in South Carolina and Nevada and easily won in New Hampshire  despite not being on the ballot  after his allies mounted a write-in campaign.

Williamson first ran for president in 2020 and made national headlines by calling for a moral uprising against then-President Donald Trump while proposing the creation of the Department of Peace. She also argued that the federal government should pay large financial reparations to Black Americans as atonement for centuries of slavery and discrimination.

Her second White House bid featured the same nontraditional campaigning style and many of the same policy proposals. She struggled to raise money and was plagued by staff departures from her bids earliest stages.

She tweaked Biden, an avid Amtrak fan, by announcing her campaign at Washingtons Union Station. She campaigned especially hard in New Hampshire, hoping to capitalize on state Democrats frustration with the president. That followed a new plan by the Democratic National Committee, championed by Biden, that reordered the partys 2024 presidential primary calendar by leading off with South Carolina on Feb. 3.

Williamson acknowledged from the start that it was unlikely she would beat Biden, but she argued in her launch speech in March that it is our job to create a vision of justice and love that is so powerful that it will override the forces of hatred and injustice and fear.

The DNC isnt holding primary debates, and some states Democratic parties, including in North Carolina and Florida, arent even planning primaries to give Bidens challengers a chance.

A Texas native who now lives in Beverly Hills, California, Williamson is the author of more than a dozen books and ran an unsuccessful independent congressional campaign in California in 2014. She ended her 2020 presidential run shortly before the leadoff Iowa caucuses, announcing that she didnt want to take progressive support from Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who was ultimately the last candidate to drop out before Biden locked up the nomination.

In exiting this cycle's race she wrote Wednesday that "while we did not succeed at running a winning political campaign, I know in my heart that we impacted the political ethers.

As with every other aspect of my career over the last forty years, I know how ideas float through the air forming ever new designs," Williamson said in an email to supporters announcing that she was no longer running. "I will see and hear things in different situations and through different voices, and I will smile a small internal smile knowing in my heart where that came from.

Whos running for president? See the latest rundown of major 2024 candidates Donald Trump Joe Biden Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Jill Stein Cornel West Whos dropped out? Dean Phillips
WASHINGTON  Wartime aid for Ukraine was left hanging Wednesday in the Senate after Republicans blocked a bipartisan border package tied to the funding, then struggled to coalesce around a plan to salvage the aid for Kyiv.

After GOP senators scuttled months of negotiations with Democrats on legislation intended to cut back record numbers of illegal border crossings, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer tried to push ahead to a crucial test vote on a $95 billion package for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies  a modified package with the border portion stripped out.

The deeply divided Republican conference scrambled to find support for the wartime funding, a top priority for Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. It was the latest sign of the Kentucky Republican's slipping control over his conference and underscored how the traditional GOP tenet of robust foreign involvement is giving way to Donald Trump's "America First" nationalism.

At stake is the future of Ukraine's defense against Russia's invasion.

The Senate floor settled into an hourslong stall Wednesday night as Republicans huddled to see if they could gain the votes necessary to push it through. Schumer then closed the floor, saying he would "give our Republican colleagues the night to figure themselves out" ahead of a crucial test vote Thursday.

Republicans planned to meet in the morning to plot a path forward.

Some GOP senators are skeptical of sending money to Ukraine, but Schumer warned earlier Wednesday that "history will cast a permanent and shameful shadow" on those who attempt to block it.

"Will the Senate stand up to brutish thugs like (Russian President) Vladimir Putin and reassure our friends abroad that America will never abandon them in the hour of need?" Schumer asked as he opened the Senate.

The roughly $60 billion in Ukraine aid has stalled in Congress for months because of growing opposition from hard-line conservatives in the House and Senate who criticize it as wasteful and demand an exit strategy for the war.

"We still need to secure America's borders before sending another dime overseas," Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah wrote in a social media post.

The impasse means the U.S. halted arms shipments to Kyiv at a crucial point in the nearly 2-year-old conflict, leaving Ukrainian soldiers without ample ammunition and missiles as Putin mounted relentless attacks.

A pairing of border policies and aid for allies  first proposed by Republicans  was intended to help squeeze the package through the Republican-controlled House, where archconservatives hold control. But GOP senators  some within minutes of the bill's release Sunday  rejected the compromise as election-year politics set in.

Many Republicans said the compromise wasn't enough and they would rather allow the issue be decided in the presidential election. Supporters of the bill insisted it represented the most comprehensive bipartisan border proposal in years and included many Republican priorities.

The vote failed 49-50  far short of the 60 ayes needed to take up the bill  with four Republicans voting to move forward with the legislation and six Democrats, some of whom said the border compromise went too far, voting against it.

The bipartisan group of senators who negotiated the compromise for the last four months said it was a missed opportunity to try to make some progress on one of the most intractable issues in American politics.

Before the vote, Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, who crafted the proposal, said it was a chance for the Senate to decide "if we're going to do nothing, or something."

"It's an issue that's bedeviled, quite frankly, this body for decades," he said. "It's been three decades since we've passed anything into law to be able to change border security."

Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona blamed Republicans for not giving the bill a chance.

"Finally, it seemed, we had the opportunity to solve the nightmare my state has lived for over 40 years," she said, scolding Republicans for using the border for "campaign photo ops" but rejecting the chance to enact law.

"Turns out they want all talk and no action," she said. "It turns out border security is not a risk to our national security. It's just a talking point for the election."

The White House said President Joe Biden believes there should be new border policy but would also support moving the aid for Ukraine and Israel alone, as he has from the start.

"We support this bill which would protect America's national security interests by stopping Putin's onslaught in Ukraine before he turns to other countries, helping Israel defend itself against Hamas terrorists and delivering life-saving humanitarian aid to innocent Palestinian civilians," White House spokesman Andrew Bates said.

The standalone $95 billion package would invest in domestic defense manufacturing, send funding to allies in Asia, and provide $10 billion for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, Israel, Gaza and other places. The revamped package includes legislation to authorize sanctions and anti-money laundering tools against criminal enterprises that traffic fentanyl into the U.S.

Still, it was not clear whether the new plan would gain support from House Speaker Mike Johnson. House Republicans are still insisting on a border plan, even though they rejected the deal negotiated in the Senate as insufficient.

Today in history: Feb. 7 1948: Omar Bradley 1962: John F. Kennedy 1964: The Beatles 1984: Spacewalk 1985: Enrique "Kiki" Camarena 1991: Jean-Bertrand Aristide 2009: Lake Erie 2014: Sochi Olympics 2020: Donald Trump 2021: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court on Thursday heard two hours of historic arguments in a Colorado case to remove former President Donald Trump from the ballot. The justices sounded highly skeptical of the effort.

It's the first time that voters have tried to block a candidate from the presidency under a once-obscure post-Civil War constitutional provision barring those who engaged in insurrection from holding office.

Some takeaways from the arguments:

TRUMP SEEMS LIKELY STAY ON THE BALLOT

In tone and tenor, the justices' questions challenged the notion that a state court can order a presidential contender off the ballot for violating Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. That section bars those who engage in insurrection from holding office.

The case was brought by a group of Republican and independent voters, and the state of Colorado. Their argument was rooted in the idea that states have the ability to police their own ballots and bar Trump for his role in the violent insurrection on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The riot stemmed from Trump's refusal to accept the results of the presidential election that the Republican lost to Democrat Joe Biden.

From across the court's ideological divide, there was near consensus that the Colorado arguments were flawed.

Justice Elena Kagan called the issue of determining whether someone engaged in insurrection just more complicated and more contested and more political. Justices Samuel Alito, Brett Kavanagh and Chief Justice John Roberts questioned Jason Murray, the lawyer for the plaintiffs, about what would stop other states from citing Section 3 in taking aim at politicians they didn't like.

Murray gave well-rehearsed arguments that won the day in the Colorado Supreme Court, whose 4-3 ruling that Trump was ineligible got the case to Washington. Murray contended that the Capitol riot was a once-in-history sort of event and that courts would ensure that the provision isn't abused. But that line didn't not seem to persuade the justices.

A WAY OUT?

Section 3 presents a quandary for judges, who are reluctant to make decisions that reorder democratic elections, especially without a precedent. The provision doesn't spell out any procedures or even the meaning of insurrection. It just says anyone who engaged in one can't hold office.

The court's best way out may be a lookback to an 1869 case known as Griffin's case. That involved a Virginia man who argued he couldn't have been convicted of a crime because the judge who heard his case was, as a former Confederate, disqualified from office under Section 3.

Salmon Chase, who was then the chief justice of the Supreme Court, heard the case while acting as an appellate judge. He ruled that Congress had to create a mechanism for Section 3 to take effect. Congress did, but the measure expired in the 1940s.

The justices repeatedly asked about Griffin's case. Trump's lawyer have argued it is still the only rational way for Section 3 to be applied. Chase had argued previously that Section 3 took effect automatically so the plaintiffs seeking to disqualify Trump contended his ruling was not good law. But that line of argument clearly didnt carry the day.

JAN. 6 GETS LITTLE MENTION

The plaintiffs wanted this case to be about Jan. 6, not Griffins case. That sums up their problem.

They hoped for a Supreme Court affirmation that the former president did engage in insurrection and threaten the Constitution with his campaign to stay in office after his 2020 loss. But the justices werent going there.

Instead, they focused on the potential legal chaos of allowing state courts to decide who can be president. Kavanagh noted there is a federal law against insurrection and it bars those convicted from holding office. Trump has not been charged with violating that law.

Trump would like the high court to declare him not responsible for the violence on Jan. 6. There was little indication that would happen because the matter barely came up.

A DIFFERENT HISTORY

One thing that has distinguished the case is the extent of historical argument about the origins of Section 3, which has largely laid dormant since a congressional amnesty to most Confederates in 1872. Trump's main argument is that the provision isn't meant to apply to the presidency because that office isn't specifically mentioned, while senator, member of Congress and even presidential and vice presidential electors are.

The argument largely revolved around obscure issues, but Justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson, seemed curious. The plaintiffs have argued it would be absurd to bar people from all sorts of lower offices while leaving the most powerful one open. But Jackson, the first Black female justice, contended that the 14th Amendment was mainly about making sure the South will not rise again  meaning the states.

Perhaps, she continued, the provision's authors presumed that keeping insurrectionists from serving as electors would be a sufficient safeguard against an insurrectionist president. Murray noted that in the congressional debate on the provision, a senator asked why the section didn't apply to the presidency and one of its authors pointed at language intended to include that office. But it's unclear that convinced Jackson or the court.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Going into the case, the prevailing view of legal experts was the Supreme Court would keep Trump on the ballot. That's sense has grown now.

What else the court decides will have major implications for both Section 3 and potentially other constitutional provisions. The justices all sounded skeptical of letting states decide Section 3.

Murray acknowledged under questioning that there's no way to bring a federal lawsuit challenging a president's qualifications, so if the court bars state action, that would end efforts to challenge Trump's place on the ballot.

If the court rules the provision doesn't apply to presidents, it could open up other sections of the Constitution such as the emoluments clause, which prohibits officials from accepting gifts from foreign countries, to new interpretation. Lawyers had attempted to apply this to Trump during his presidency but the case was rendered moot after he left office.

If the court takes the Griffin's case route, the justices could say it's up to Congress to draw up new procedures to implement Section 3. That would likely kill all Section 3 challenges for the foreseeable future because a divided Congress is unlikely to accomplish that anytime soon.

But Justice Amy Coney Barrett raised an unsettling possibility in her questioning of Trump's lawyeer, Jonathan Mitchell.

What if, she asked, Trump is elected and a new Congress writes rules applying Section 3 to him. Would that conflict with the impeachment clause? Would it mean a reelected President Trump suddenly becomes ineligible.

Mitchell said he thought that would be legal, implying Congress could potentially remove Trump, or another president, from office.

It may be a remote possibility, but it's the sort of hypothetical that underscored another point: However much the court may want to do away with Section 3, it could come back to haunt them in a sequel.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been interviewed by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, the Kremlin confirmed Wednesday. It is Putin's first interview to a Western media figure since his full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago.

Carlson had released a video from Moscow on Tuesday in which he said he would be interviewing Putin. Carlson claimed that Western journalists had interviewed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy multiple times but could not be bothered to interview the Russian president.

The interview will be posted Thursday, according to Justin Wells, head of programming at Carlsons streaming network. It's not known what was said in the interview.

Putin has heavily limited his contact with international media since he launched the war in Ukraine in February 2022. Russian authorities have cracked down on media, forcing some independent Russian outlets to close, blocking others and ordering a number of foreign reporters to leave the country. Two journalists working for U.S. news organizations  The Wall Street Journals Evan Gershkovich and Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertys Alsu Kurmasheva  are in jail on charges they reject.

Western journalists were invited to Putins annual press conference in December  the first since the war began  but only two were given the chance to ask a question.

Putins spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters that Carlson was chosen for the interview because he has a position which differs from other English-language media.

Before his exit from Fox, Carlson repeatedly questioned the validity of U.S. support for Ukraine following the Russian invasion, and he's wondered why Americans are told to hate Putin so much. His commentaries were frequently circulated on Russian state-run media.

In his video this week, Carlson denounced corrupt American media outlets for fawning pep sessions with Zelenskyy that he said were designed to get America into a war with eastern Europe and pay for it.

Peskov also rejected Carlson's suggestion that no Western journalists had submitted requests to interview Putin. He said the Kremlin has received many requests from large Western television channels and newspapers which, he asserted, take a one-sided position." Carlsons position, Peskov said, is in no way pro-Russian, nor pro-Ukrainian, but rather pro-American.

The Associated Press is among the outlets that has requested an interview with Putin.

Does Tucker really think we journalists haven't been trying to interview President Putin every day since his full scale invasion of Ukraine? CNN's Christiane Amanpour said on X. It's absurd  we'll continue to ask for an interview, just as we have for years now.

Carlson's trip comes as he has planted himself on former President Donald Trump's side in a growing split in the Republican party over Putin and the Ukraine war. Trump has pushed to cut off aid to Ukraine, and the GOP majority controlling the House of Representatives has complied.

While many Republicans are critical of the Russian president and his invasion, Trump and others have argued the United States has no interest helping Ukraine defend itself.

Carlson has also traveled to interview Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has fashioned himself into an icon for conservative populists across the globe and been Putin's closest ally in the European Union.

The interview with Putin, Carlson said in his video, will be distributed for free on his website and on X, formerly known as Twitter. Carlson, who was fired by Fox News in April, announced he was starting his own streaming service in December.

Fox has offered no explanation for firing Carlson, who was its top-rated personality at the time. Like many people who leave the network that is conservative America's most popular news outlet, he has struggled to remain in the public eye.

Carlson worked at Fox News for more than a decade and hosted a show where he discussed conspiracy theories about Russia and the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Russian state media on Wednesday extensively covered Carlsons visit.

Vladimir Solovyev, one of Russias most famous television hosts, said the interview would break through the blockade and the narrative that exists in Western media which, he said, focuses on Putins unprovoked, brutal invasion of Ukraine.

Solovyev, whose show is often critical of Western media, said Carlson is feared because he does not align with that narrative.

Today in history: Feb. 7 1948: Omar Bradley 1962: John F. Kennedy 1964: The Beatles 1984: Spacewalk 1985: Enrique "Kiki" Camarena 1991: Jean-Bertrand Aristide 2009: Lake Erie 2014: Sochi Olympics 2020: Donald Trump 2021: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Today is Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. Let's get caught up.

Keep scrolling for celebrity birthdays and a look back at this date in history. Plus, check out our daily news podcast:

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A listener's guide to Supreme Court arguments over Trump and the ballot

The Supreme Court hears arguments Thursday over whether former President Donald Trump can be kept off the 2024 ballot because of his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, culminating in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

The justices will wrestle with whether a provision of the 14th Amendment aimed at keeping former officeholders who engaged in insurrection can be applied to Trump, the leading candidate in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

The Supreme Court has never looked at the provision, Section 3, since the 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868. But Trump appealed to the high court after Colorado's Supreme Court ruled that he could be kept off the state's primary ballot.

Here's a closer look at the details of the case and how to follow along:

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What we know about the search for five Marines after a helicopter went down in California mountains

The military said search-and-rescue efforts were continuing for five U.S. Marines after their helicopter went down during stormy weather in the Southern California mountains.

Heres what we know so far:

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Blinken ends latest Mideast mission after Israel snubs proposed Gaza ceasefire plan

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has left the Middle East with public divisions between the United States and Israel at perhaps their worst level since Israels war against Hamas in Gaza began in October.

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MORE TOP STORIES

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MORNING LISTEN

"The Ethical Life" hosts look at the ethics that help frame the debate and what responsibility the federal government has to its citizens and those who want to immigrate here.

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TODAY IN HISTORY

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TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS
ST. LOUIS  Kanisha Hemphills upstairs neighbors were worried.

They awoke early on Feb. 4, 2021, to the sound of crying and gunshots beneath them in Hemphills first-floor flat in south St. Louis. They immediately thought of Hemphill and her two young daughters and called 911.

There are children in this house, the upstairs neighbor, Quaniesha Frost, told the dispatcher.

But the minutes ticked by, and police didnt arrive. Frost began to panic. She called 911 again.

I called almost 20 minutes ago, and no one is here yet, she again told the dispatcher. Ive heard nothing.

As she spoke, her husband heard a door open downstairs. He watched the man he had seen arguing with Hemphill days earlier walk away from the house and out of sight.

Authorities later arrested that man, Ronald Marr, 100 miles away on his way to Ohio. He was convicted Wednesday of three counts of first-degree murder for fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend and the two kids inside the two-family flat at 4124 South Grand Boulevard.

And even though prosecutor Jeremy Crowley argued at trial this week that Marr had stuck around the murder scene for several minutes smoking a cigarette, Marr was still able to get half a state away before being captured.

The Frosts complaints are the latest example of frustration with slow emergency response times in St. Louis, where police are understaffed, residents sit on hold to reach a dispatcher, and injured or sick people wait for precious extra minutes for an ambulance to show up.

St. Louis Department of Public Safety did not respond to a request for comment about the delay in responding to the scene that day.

Frosts husband, Lloyd Frost Jr., said in court on Tuesday that the memory of waiting still angers him.

Were talking 25 minutes. No cops, he said. And all I could do was watch him walk  off into the distance.

Marr, 37, and Hemphill had been in an on-again-off-again relationship for roughly eight years when Hemphill requested through the court that Marr be required to take a paternity test for her infant child, Jakari.

Marr came to Hemphills house two days before the murder banging on the door and screaming. The children cried. Lloyd Frost saw the whole thing on his Ring doorbell camera and called 911.

Police arrived and spoke to Marr, who claimed he was trying to get inside the house to retrieve some of his belongings. Officers told him to leave, but he returned moments later to confront Hemphill again. Police again told him to leave so he and Hemphill could cool down. He did.

The next day, things were quieter in the first-floor flat, though Lloyd Frost said he heard the mans voice speaking with Hemphill.

The apartments, separated by wood floors, did not mask any sound, the Frosts testified. Sometimes, Quaniesha Frost played the Temptations on her TV and she could hear Hemphill singing along downstairs.

Then, at around 6 a.m. on Feb. 4, Quaniesha Frost said she woke to the sound of a baby crying. She thought it might be her own 3-month-old baby. But she realized her child was still asleep and the crying was coming from downstairs.

Just leave, she heard a woman say. Please leave.

She heard the pop of gunshots, followed by silence.

Police arrived roughly 25 minutes later, walked in through the unlocked front door and discovered the bodies of Hemphill, 8-year-old Journee and Jakari  nicknamed ReRe  in the bedroom. They were each shot twice.

Investigators got a description of Marr from the Frosts and tracked him to a local Greyhound bus station where he had used the name John Jones to purchase a one-way ticket to Columbus, Ohio.

Authorities with the U.S. Marshals Service stopped the bus at a Pilot truck stop in Effingham, Illinois, and arrested Marr. He did not have any luggage or a gun, but he was carrying an open pack of cigarettes that matched the brand of a cigarette butt found in the toilet at Hemphills home.

Marrs public defender, Matthew Mahaffey, pointed out that Marr was unarmed when police arrested him in Illinois and noted he was sporting a black jacket with a Chicago Bulls mask, not the gray sweatshirt or jacket that the Frosts had seen the suspect who left the apartment wearing that day.

He argued police had tunnel vision during their investigation and decided Marr was their man without considering other alternatives.

I ask you to be curious because theres nothing close to certainty here, Mahaffey said in closing arguments.

Prosecutors Crowley and Sydney Beecher, however, argued that Marr was clearly the man who killed his longtime girlfriend and her kids.

He made a choice each time he pulled the trigger, Crowley said.

Marr is set to be sentenced next month. He faces automatic sentences of life in prison for each count of first-degree murder, plus additional time for three counts of armed criminal action.
Nebraska has restricted foreign individuals or companies from owning land in the state dating back to the late 1880s, but those laws have gone unchanged for decades, a state senator said Tuesday.

The existing law prohibiting foreign individuals and businesses from owning land in Nebraska for more than five years has gone unchanged since 1943, Sen. Barry DeKay of Niobrara told the Legislatures Agriculture Committee.

Obviously, it is not World War II anymore, DeKay said. The current threats to our national security, food supply and agriculture sector has changed dramatically in the 81 years since these statutes were last updated.

His bill (LB1301), introduced on behalf of Gov. Jim Pillen, would modernize the statute by providing a mechanism for reviewing land purchases and establishing a process to divest foreign individuals and entities of land if they were deemed in violation of the law.

DeKay said the bill moves the burden of carrying out the law from the county attorney  which he said often do not have the time nor the manpower to enforce it  to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and the Attorney Generals Office.

It also allows anyone to report a violation or suspected violation of the law, and those who do would be eligible to receive up to 30% of the sale of the land after taxes, legal costs and liens if it is successfully divested in court.

Pillen told the Ag Committee that concerns over foreign ownership of Nebraska land were commonly raised at his town hall meetings across the state. He asked the committee to embrace the notion that food security is national security.

Its imperative we Nebraskans take stock of who owns our land, the governor said. We should be focusing on maintaining domestic ownership over the assets that provide food security of our state and our nation.

The bill would ensure foreign governments or their agents do not own agricultural land or have access to the Ogallala Aquifer, Pillen added.

DeKays bill also won support from the Nebraska Association of County Officials and the Nebraska Farmers Union, which said it provided a reasonable enforcement mechanism for the law.

But organizations representing title and escrow companies, agricultural sectors, as well as the ACLU of Nebraska said the bill had several problems that needed fixing.

Sam Cooper, president-elect of the Nebraska Land Title Association, said several sections in LB1301 seemed to conflict with one another or did not specify how certain processes would work, which could leave the law unclear to title examiners.

For example, Cooper said the bill did not state if legal challenges could be brought in the county where the property is situated or in Lancaster County, where the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office is located.

Nor did the bill spell out how the land would be sold at a public option during the divestment process, which could create problems tracking the ownership of various parcels.

DeKay said some of those concerns would be addressed in an amendment submitted to the Ag Committee before it begins deliberating on the bill.

Dylan Severino of the ACLU of Nebraska said the law prohibiting foreign ownership of Nebraska land was borne out of anti-Chinese and anti-immigrant sentiment in the 1880s, as well as anti-Japanese sentiments that were prevalent during World War II.

Severino also raised concerns about LB1301 creating a financial incentive for people to report other landowners who they believed may be foreigners, saying it promoted discrimination and was likely in violation of the U.S. Constitution.

This is a relic of Nebraskas old racist past, Severino told the committee. It will not be a part of Nebraskas future.

And Bruce Rieker, senior director of state legislative affairs for Nebraska Farm Bureau, who also represented corn and soybean growers as well as pork producers, said while he believed the intent behind the bill was good, it needed more work and time.

Instead of limiting ownership of physical land, the committee should examine ways to defend agricultural producers from cyber threats, which Rieker said were a more pressing concern for the industry.

When we vetted this bill with some of our colleagues, they said physical location was a small threat compared to cyber threats, he told the committee.

Senators did not take any action on the bill Tuesday  Day 23 of the 60-day legislative session  but DeKay said he was willing to work on the bill to address concerns.

This strictly deals with people that are foreign adversaries to us, he said. We need to eliminate the bad actors that do pose a real risk to us.

Meet the Nebraska state senators making laws in 2024
"The Sioux City St. Patrick's Day Parade has grown to be one of the biggest spring celebrations in the area and we love seeing all of the organizations, floats and families come out to celebrate," the organization's co-chair Mac Dolan said. "Everyone is invited to wear green and be Irish for the day on March 17."
This is Totally Normal Quote of the Day, a feature highlighting a statement from the news that exemplifies just how extremely normal everything has become.

Right after I was elected, I went to what they call a G7 meeting, all the NATO leaders. And it was in the South of England. And I sat down and I said, America is back. And Mitterrand, from GermanyI mean, from Francelooked at me and said, How long you back for?  President Joe Biden in Las Vegas on Feb. 4

And then Helmut Kohl turned to me and said, What would you say, Mr. President, if you picked up the London Times and learned that 1,000 people had broken down the doors of the British Parliament, killed some bobbies on the way in, to deny the prime minister from taking office?  President Biden in New York City on Feb. 7

Democrats have a few things going for them heading into Novembers presidential election. President Joe Biden, despite his poor approval ratings, is more or less even with Donald Trump in the polls. Trump may shortly begin a series of criminal trials, and many voters say they would be less likely to vote for him if hes convicted. Biden also does better in surveys of likely voters than those of registered voters, which is to say that some of the people who tell pollsters that they currently prefer Trump to Biden are judged, by those pollsters, to be unlikely to show up in the fall. Lastly, the economy has been doing well for quite a while, and you know how Americans love themselves the economy.

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On the other hand, Democrats also experience every second that Biden opens his mouth as a cliffs-edge moment of sheer terror. Each word that shoots outward from the presidential lectern is laden with the potential to feature in a viral senior moment that further persuades casual followers of the news that Uncle Joe has a bit too much gravel rattling around the old brainpan to serve as the nations chief executive. To wit, the two anecdotes above, in which Biden placed former French President Francois Mitterrand, who died in 1996, and 80s/90s German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, who died in 2017, at a gathering of world leaders held in 2021. (Biden seemingly meant to refer to current president of France Emmanuel Macron and thenleader of Germany Angela Merkel.)

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Related From Slate Well, What a Great Sign for the 2024 Election Read More

The irony, here, is that for all Bidens absent-minded slippage and age-related pronunciation difficulties, he is manifestly still in charge at the White House. There is no way a behind-the-scenes puppeteer-slash-strategist would, for instance, pull the strings to make a Democratic administration in 2024 skeptical toward the idea of unencumbered abortion rights but fully supportive of the current Israeli government. Those remain this administrations positions, though, and they bear the marks of a leader who is still treated with deference even if his ideas about what constitutes the political mainstream can sometimes be dated, with an uncomfortable precision, to the era of Kohl, Mitterrand, and a much younger Joe Biden.
It is only going to be a little bit galling when the Supreme Court, in a unanimous or near-unanimous vote, determines in a few weeks that states may not disqualify insurrectionist presidents from the ballot, because doing so would unleash mayhemor, as Donald Trumps lawyer promises, chaos and bedlamthat the nation cannot afford. During oral arguments Thursday in Trump v. Anderson, the long-awaited ballot disqualification case, almost all the justices centered their worries less on text and history than on the chilling prospect of, as Chief Justice John Roberts put it, the plain consequences of greenlighting a regime in which a goodly number of states will say, whoever the democratic candidate is, youre off the ballot.  Roberts fretted that itll come down to just a handful of states that are going to decide the presidential election, as if rogue states were not currently dictating outcomes for the rest of the country already. That, he added is a pretty daunting consequence.

Call it judicial cowardice or call it long-lost judicial humility, but the consensus view among the justices was that a lack of uniformity, coherence, and certaintyas well the fear of vexatious acts and petty mischief precluded the court from allowing the words of the 14th Amendments Section 3 to mean what they say. Historians have fallen over themselves to show that, yes, Section 3 bars insurrectionists from the White House, up to and including Trump. Yet the justices seemed terrified that disqualifying him from the ballot could unleash chaos in future elections.

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Related From Slate A Grand Bargain Is Emerging in the Supreme Courts Trump Cases, but Chaos May Be Ahead Read More

Really? Thats the off-ramp? This Supreme Court has evinced not a scintilla of concern for the real impacts of its gun decisions, voting rights decisions, or abortion decisions on real people. The fact that the justices are suddenly profoundly worried about the consequences of this case serves as a reminder that when the real-world impacts might be experienced by the justices themselves, or when they are simply too unpredictable to contemplate, its time to take them very seriously. When its literal deathslike victims of gun violence or abortion bansor a massive aggrandizement of judicial powerlike subjecting every federal regulation or gun law to close scrutinywell, if history demands it, so be it. But when its the possibility of different names on different ballots, or the court having to adjudicate what is and isnt an insurrection, good history is irrelevant, and the need for uniformity rules the day.

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Start with the chief justice. It could make you cry, the absolute gall of Roberts to offer up a vociferous cheer for federal and congressional power in enforcing the 14th Amendmentafter making it his lifes work to dismantle the Voting Rights Act in the name of states dignity. So could energetic efforts by other conservatives, most notably Justice Brett Kavanaugh, to frame a ruling for Trump as a victory for democracy. In considering the case, Kavanaugh asserted, the court should think about democracy, think about the right of the people to elect candidates of their choice, of letting the people decide. Enforcing Section 3 against Trump, the justice cautioned, has the effect of disenfranchising voters to a significant degree. Who would have thought that Kavanaugh, who spent the run-up to the 2020 election upholding voter suppression laws, would emerge as a great defender of judicial deference to democracy? Or is democracy only imperiled when a state is threatening to take Trump off the ballot?

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This opportunistic humility reared its head again as the justices dodged and weaved their way around a fundamental factual question: Did Trump engage in insurrection on Jan. 6 of 2021? The only admission that Jan. 6 was in fact a riot, a shameful, criminal, violent event came from Jonathan Mitchell, Trumps own lawyer. Otherwise, the justices conspicuously avoided discussing the attack itself, burying it under questions about standards of proof, hearsay, and whether they should be forced to watch videos from the ellipse to understand what happened that day. Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Samuel Alito were especially doubtful of the factual record compiled by the Colorado trial court. How, they asked skeptically, can we trust state courts to gather facts and adjudicate the meaning of an insurrection? Isnt that just too tall a task for lowly state judges? The singular horror of Jan. 6 appeared to be a reason for the court not to intervene judicially, as opposed to the reason that it should.

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Or perhaps the justices danced around the subject of insurrection because Justice Clarence Thomas was participating in arguments even though his wife, Ginni, attended the rally that at best precipitated, and at minimum devolved into, the Capitol attack. Ginni Thomas was even interviewed by the Jan. 6 committee due to her involvement in the events of the day. Yet there was Thomas on Thursday, asking the first question. If the court is truly incapable of seeing how Thomas participation Thursday morning hopelessly taints his, and also their own, participation in this case, we shouldnt be surprised that it also declines to decide (and also declines to defer to what a lower court decides) with respect to what an insurrection means.

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This is, please recall, a court that decides what should constitute clean water, vaccine policy, immigration rules, university admission policies, and every other major and minor question under the sun. It decides when states have dignity and when Congress may take that dignity away. It decides when a single court sets national policychaos be damnedand when uniformity matters more than a trial courts findings of fact. If, after Thursday, the high court sees fit to rediscover judicial and institutional humility, maybe we should all welcome the development. As we argued earlier this week, the obvious next step will be to evince that same institutional humility with a summary affirmance of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuits decision denying Donald Trump blanket immunity for the events of Jan. 6. Absent a similarly humble ruling in that case, the liberals collegiality over Trumps ballot access, their willingness to join with conservatives to strike a posture of humility, will have been pointless at best and disastrous at worst.

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Throughout arguments in Anderson, the justices purported to be experts at staying in their lane and avoiding interference with the political process. The immunity case puts that pose to the test. If the court lets the D.C. Circuit decision standallowing Trumps trial to move forward before Novemberit can claim at least a little credit for staying out of the 2024 election. Democracy, whatever that even means anymore, can have the last word. But if the court drags out the immunity case, delaying Trumps trial beyond November, and bars states from taking him off the ballot? Well, then well know where the court really stands on self-governance, humility, and all the values it suddenly rediscovered when Trumps fate landed in its hands.
It would be tempting to describe the negotiation over the Senates border bill, which died this week, shortly after it was introduced, as having been a pointless waste of time. That would certainly be the view of frustrated staffers and reporters who spent long hours over the past few months working on it and covering it.

It looks to me, and to most of our members, as if we have no real chance here to make a law, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday afternoon as he stuck a fork in it, following a couple of days of heated meetings in which Republicans groused about the border package that Oklahoma Sen. James Lankfordacting at McConnells beheststruck with Democrats.

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But while it wouldve been nice if the proposal could have reached this outcomeinstant deathon a more abbreviated timeline, this fruitless endeavor was still a necessary step in resolving the battle that underlies it: discovering the legislative path, if there still is one, toward getting additional military aid to Ukraine.

This saga goes back to the aftermath of the 2022 midterm elections.

Republicans took control of the House of Representatives by a far slimmer margin than they had projected, empowering a far-right faction that was always skeptical of arming Ukraine to hold disproportionate sway within the conference. Congressional leaders at the time, along with anyone who paid even vague attention to politics, could foresee the problems that Speaker Kevin McCarthy would have when he took the gavel. So, in December 2022, Senate leaders and outgoing House Democratic leaders tucked as much Ukraine funding as they could into a government funding bill that would last through September 2023.

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A lot happened when that September 2023 deadline arrived. McCarthy couldnt get enough House Republicans to pass any funding bill whatsoever on their own. So, in the eleventh hour, he put a short-term spending bill on the floor that could pass on a bipartisan basisbut he threw a bone to the far right by omitting Ukraine aid from it. McCarthy had told President Biden that he would pass separate legislation later on that allowed the administration to continue transferring weaponry to Ukraine. But there was no later on. McCarthy lost his job Oct. 3.

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When Speaker Mike Johnson took over, he informed the Democratic Senate and White House that supplemental Ukraine funding is dependent upon enactment of transformative change to our nations border security laws. That was McConnells read of his own conference too, and he agreed that Republicans are going to want something serious about the border in order to pass an international aid billwhich, by that point, also included aid to Israel following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.

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The chances of a broad immigration deal coming together, even in the best of times, are slim. And in a presidential election year, when solidifying talking points takes precedence over problem-solving, its exceptionally unlikely. But preventing a Russian takeover of Ukraine, an action that important people on both sides of the Senate view as essential to preserving Americas global standing, was a strong motivator. Democrats also saw a political upside to engaging on legislation to arrest border chaos, an issue that was stinging Bidens popularity and threatening to drag down the many Senate Democratic incumbents up for reelection in 2024.

Sensitive deals like this make it into law, though, only if both sides can convince their respective parties of a win. And too many Republicans, led by Donald Trump, convinced themselves that a bill with Democratic political upside was zero-sum. Trump wanted to run on an overwhelmed border and a broken asylum process, and this deal was an impediment to that. The near-certain Republican nominees marching orders were spread far and wide.

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I had a popular commentator four weeks ago that I talked to that told me, flat out, before they knew any of the contents of the bill, Lankford said in a Senate speech Wednesday afternoon, that If you try to move a bill that solves the border crisis during this presidential year, I will do whatever I can to destroy you. Because I do not want you to solve this during the presidential election. 

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By the way, Lankford added, they have been faithful to their promise and have done everything they can to destroy me in the past several weeks.

Shortly after Lankfords speech, most Republicans, along with a few progressive Senate Democrats, filibustered the border deal.

With that out of the way, though, the Senate began to see a way forward on Ukraine. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer proposedand McConnell agreedthat the Senate should just take the border deal out of the package and pass the aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan on its own. While there was much rending of garments within the Senate Republican ranks on Wednesday about this, its the clearest path forward. And yes, it would bring things back to square one.

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Should that bill pass the Senate after an amendment or two in the coming days, its still unclear how it would navigate its way through the House. Democrats could offer to backstop Johnsons speakership should hard-liners seek to oust him for allowing a vote on it; it could be folded into the (next) government funding bill in exchange for other concessions; members could seek to force a vote on it through a discharge petition.

Though the border bill crashed and burned in a spectacular, cynical fashion, going through that process was a necessary step toward moving Ukraine aid. It provided proof that Republicans did not want the best border security deal they could get out of a Democratic Senate and Democratic president. They wanted the political issue of border insecurity as a talking point on the campaign trail. Establishing that shaped the ground for a deal that has a flying chance. Democrats and more traditional Republicans could get Ukraine aid, while MAGA Republicans could keep the border alive as a campaign issue. If that reads as insane to you, well, of course it is. Take a look around.
An opinion piece recently came out in the New York Times looking at the ongoing debate on transgender youth. If youve read the piece, you might be forgiven for thinking that huge swaths of children are receiving surgery for gender dysphoria, and that many or even most of them regret their transitions. I realized that I had lived a lie for over five years, one destransitioning teen told the Times. Members of the trans community who track legislation and critique media coverage called the piece misleading, and even suggested it followed the climate denier playbook.

Now, I have no particular stake here. Im not trans, I dont work in that area of health care, and Im a cis man. I am, however, an epidemiologist, and I spend a lot of my time checking scientific facts that are online with the goal of helping people better understand health, science, and how the media covers those things. In this case, one key question arose from the New York Times piece that author Pamela Paul did not really answer: What proportion of people who access medical care to transition genders regret doing so?

You might answer, Why does anyone care?, which is, to be honest, not unreasonable. Some proportion of people experience regret for any medical procedure, from chemotherapy to orthopedic surgery. Nonetheless, we dont see op-eds about the awful risks of hip replacements. Its inevitable that some percentage of teens who transition will regret it; the real question is whether the medical care is beneficial on the wholenot whether the occasional person later regrets a medical choice they made in their youth.

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Its also important to note that we dont really care about the crude number of people who regret transition, we care about the rate. If more people choose to transition, then more people, in total, will regret it. If the number of people transitioning goes from (to use arbitrary numbers) 1,000 to 100,000, but the number of people regretting it goes from 50 to 100, then the rate has dropped massively and its a very good thing, even though the crude number has doubled.

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A good place to start when looking at the rate of regret for people transitioning in modern medical settings is to think about the upper and lower bounds. The highest estimate that Ive come across is this recent study of people using the U.S. military health care system. It doesnt deal with regret head-on, though. The authors looked at transgender or gender-diverse people who were using their parents or spouses military health care to access hormones for gender-related care, and looked at how many of them stopped getting these drugs over a four-year period. At the end of the study, about 30 percent of the people who started accessing hormones through this system stopped, with a lower rate for kids and higher rate for adults.

(They may have gone elsewhere for hormones, though.)

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The lowest estimate Ive seen for regret after gender-related care is based primarily on people who have had gender-affirming surgery. A recent systematic review and meta-analysisa type of study where the authors aggregate lots of papers into one big estimatethat combined such studies found an overall rate of 1 percent for regret after surgery for both transmasculine and transfeminine surgeries. This echoes other large cohorts which have found that only a tiny proportion of the people who have these surgeries eventually report regretting the procedure.

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The issue here is that neither of these extremes are reliable estimates of regret. The 30 percent figure obviously does not map onto regret. Many people stop using their parent or partners health care for reasons completely unrelated to transition regret (i.e., divorce). And the studies of surgery in the review are mostly surgeons following up with their own patients, with quite high dropout rates. Its not surprising that only 1 percent of people report to a surgeon who did an operation that they regret it!

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Theres also a problem here about how we define regret. One of the biggest studies on transition-related regret was on the Amsterdam gender clinic, including nearly 7,000 people over 43 years. These authors defined regret as a patient who came back to the clinic after surgery to access hormones that would reverse their gender transition (and who had this noted in their records). By this definition, less than 1 percent of people regretted their surgery. But this is obviously not a particularly useful definition, because it will miss all of the people who regretted their procedures but went elsewhere for their follow-up care, or simply never got back to the original clinic about their regret.

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Perhaps the most useful way to examine regret is to look at the proportion of people who cease their transition and go back to the gender they were originally. A large national study found that 13.1 percent of transgender people participating in the U.S. Transgender Survey reported detransitioning at some point in their lives. I think thats a fairly reasonable estimate of the rate of people experiencing some measure of regret around their transition experience.

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The authors of this study are careful to argue that the 13.1 percent figure isnt a measure of regret, saying that these experiences did not necessarily reflect regret regarding past gender affirmation. Most of them reported that external factors were behind their detransitiona common reason was pressure from a parentand all of them still identified as trans when they took part in the survey.

Related From Slate Detransitioners Had an Idea for Improving Trans Health Care Thats Actually Really Good Read More

However, I think that the figure in that study is useful for precisely the reasons discussed in the study itself: Neither detransition nor regret are simple concepts. Transition, as with all social phenomena, is complex. You can stop taking hormones and still be trans. You can regret taking steps that alienate you from your family, even as you wish your family would accept you living how you want to live. You can even regret some aspects of a treatment (any kind of medical treatment!) while being grateful for the knowledge you gained by trying it out. Regret doesnt always mean that people wish they hadnt transitioned, it just means that there are some parts of the story that they long to change.

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Paul published a short follow-up in the Times pushing back on criticisms of her column, arguing that we simply dont know how many trans teens will seek medical care and then go on to detransition. Its true that we dont have good U.S. data on the number of people who detransition, but other countries have fairly useful, recent papers showing that detransition is quite uncommon. Paul even cited one of these in her piece, although she dismissed it out of hand. Its possible that we dont have all the information yet, but we can consider the constellation of evidence that we do have. Whats clear from this evidence is that the vast majority of people do not experience regret, howsoever defined, after transitioning genders. Regret rates are actually much higher for a lot of medical procedures. For example, in the U.S. military study above, 26 percent of children stopped getting hormones through their parents insurance after four years; a national British study looking at antidepressant use in children across the country found that half of the kids had stopped taking these medications after just two months.

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Ultimately, the question of what proportion of kids or adults regret their transition is only important to a select group: the people who want to transition, and their clinicians. At worst, the rate of regret is still better than other treatments which dont require national debates over their use, which really begs the question of why anyone who isnt directly involved with the treatment of transgender people is even weighing in on the topic at all. Indeed, a lot of what Ive said in this piece has been raised by everyone from journalists to activists to trans folks just trying to live their lives. But as long as columnists are asking questions, maybe I can help by offering answers.
The case of an old man openly supporting Russia's invasion on social media is the first of its kind to land in court.

Pro-Russian protesters on the square outside the Presidential Palace in March 2023. (Source: SME - Marko Erd)

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Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the National Crime Agency (NAKA) warned that, in certain cases, a person could be sent to prison for 10-25 years or life for promoting war. The police added that it would appropriately search the Internet for such criminal activity.

On February 6, the Specialised Criminal Court dealt with such a case for the first time.

A 65-year-old man, who could have spent 10 years in prison for approving the invasion, avoided punishment. The verdict is not yet final. However, the case suggests that the Slovak authorities are unable to punish disseminators of Russian propaganda despite their earlier promise.

Judge Marek Filo ruled that the defendant did not commit a crime. He cited freedom of expression.

The pro-Russian presidential candidate and former judge Stefan Harabin is also facing trial for approving the Russian invasion. Id do exactly the same thing as Putin with regard to the events in UkraineIts indisputable that Putin and the Russian Federation acted in accordance with international law, Harabin said just a day after the war began.

After getting into trouble with the police, the pensioner tried to contact Harabin.
The city doesnt know if the new track will be put into use in 2024.

Bratislava mayor Matus Vallo (c) during a control day on the Petrzalka tram track construction site on February 8, 2024 in Bratislava. (Source: TASR)

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Many in Bratislava are still asking the same question: Will the new 3.9-kilometre tram track under construction in Petrzalka, the most populous Bratislava borough, be finished on time?

The citys mayor Matus Vallo is sceptical about the date.

Its no secret that the pace of construction is not what I would like it to be. For weeks Ive been trying to change that, the mayor said on Thursday, February 8.

Today, the tramway ends at the Jungmannova stop. It should continue from here up to Janikov Dvor, adding seven more stops to this tram line. The first tram should be driving people to Janikov Dvor this autumn.

My confidence that it will actually work out is low at this moment, Vallo admitted.

Track completion in 2024 questioned

Hes not the only one. Several members of the citys transport commission dont believe that the tram track will be completed by the end of this year. I dare say that the entire project wont be completed even by the end of the mayors second term, said the commissions deputy chair Martin Winkler. The track, some say, wont be finished even in early 2025.

The construction of the 70-million extended tram track began in November 2021. The track was supposed to have been completed in 2023. However, the first problems began to appear in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine and the price of building materials soared.

Bratislava councillor Jan Karman thinks the fact that the city cannot guarantee the deadline is dangerous, suggesting that the city has no full control over the project.

On Thursday, the mayor said that work on the tram track has sped up, but its not enough for the city. Although the city isnt satisfied with the pace, it hasnt fined the contractor, NS MHD Petrzalka (Aldesa Construcciones Polska and Aldesa Construcciones). Vallo doesnt want to pressure the contractor to the extent that they will decide to quit.

Visnove Tunnel [the longest Slovak tunnel, which has been under construction since 2015 and still hasnt been finished] is my nightmare. I dont want Bratislava to have its own Visnove, he said.

For this reason, the prices of building materials are adjusted every three months and the contractor can continue working on the tram track. As for the controversial tunnel, the state had to find new suppliers due to missing deadlines and increasing costs after five years. However, the problems havent vanished to date.

Read also:

Read also: Bratislava plans on investing into tram projects, including one to the airport Read more

Unexpected surprises and the Chinese ambassador

The mayor announced on Thursday that he would meet with the Chinese ambassador to Slovakia to pressure the contractor, the Sme daily writes. The Chinese state firm China Railways is the majority owner of the Spanish firm participating in the construction of the tram track. Vallo also plans to meet with the CEO of the Spanish firm.

In recent weeks, the city, in part, blamed the weather for the slowdown of construction work, which some called a weak argument. Vallo, nevertheless, also pointed to other presents.

A number of unexploded shells were found near the anti-tank wall from the Second World War on Jantarova Street, he said. Near the wall, a landfill from the 1970s, which was evaluated as an environmental burden, was also uncovered. The work will stop here until the city removes the obstacle.

Our effort and our priority is for the tram to Petrzalka to run as soon as possible, Vallo concluded.
PS politician Tomas Hellebrandt kept information about his health secret from Zilina hospital.

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When opposition MP Tomas Hellebrandt (Progresivne Slovensko) announced earlier this week that he has decided to resign, he cited a personal reason. But this wasnt self-explanatory enough for his rival, PM and Smer party leader Robert Fico.

The premier was the first to hint at a more specific reason for the now former MPs decision.

Progresivne Slovensko should explain whether Hellebrandts decision is linked to an incident in the hospital for which the facility has filed a criminal complaint against him, Fico wrote on Facebook on February 7.

How Fico managed to obtain information about Hellebrandts health, and about the criminal complaint against him (since the police didnt publish this information), is not known.

We learned this from Ficos public post, which is very disturbing to me - where did the prime minister get such information? asked opposition leader and PS chair Michal Simecka.

Hellebrandt, who is openly gay, posted on social media on Thursday, February 8, that he failed to inform the Zilina hospital about an infectious disease that he has lived with for the past 15 years. He told Simecka about his mistake before.

I didnt share this for fear that this personal information would become public and become the means of power struggle. It seems I was right, he wrote.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240207/us-military-sealift-capabilities-now-screaming-national-security-vulnerability---congressman-1116654513.html

US Military Sealift Capabilities Now 'Screaming National Security Vulnerability' - Congressman

US Military Sealift Capabilities Now 'Screaming National Security Vulnerability' - Congressman

Sputnik International

US capability to move the troops and logistics support it needs across the oceans in any conflict with Russia or China is woefully inadequate and suffering critical shortages and "screaming vulnerabilities," House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party Chairman Mike Gallagher warned on Wednesday.

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"Almost 90% of all Army and Marine Corps equipment supporting large-scale overseas operations will be transported by ship," Gallagher wrote in a letter to Transportation Command Chief General Jacqueline Van Ovost and Department of Commerce Marine Administration head Ann Phillips. A senior official responsible for US military sealift capability described the current situation as a screaming national security vulnerability," Gallagher wrote. The situation has now led to "a perfect storm" in which the United States appears unprepared to carry out major sealift operations during a crisis, Gallagher cautioned.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/us-navy-reportedly-failed-to-warn-veterans-of-radiation-exposure--1116441535.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240208/25000-artifacts-unearthed-in-historic-saudi-arabia-city--1116657223.html

25,000 Artifacts Unearthed in Historic Saudi Arabia City

25,000 Artifacts Unearthed in Historic Saudi Arabia City

Sputnik International

These findings include: more than 11,400 pieces of pottery, more than 11,300 animal bones, more than 1,700 shells, almost 700 building materials as well as 200 glass artifacts.

2024-02-08T06:16+0000

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history

archeology

saudi arabia

unesco

mecca

jeddah

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Archeologists have unearthed roughly 25,000 artifacts in the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia. These findings include: more than 11,400 pieces of pottery, more than 11,300 animal bones, more than 1,700 shells, almost 700 building materials as well as 200 glass artifacts, and approximately 70 metal artifacts, according to the Jeddah Historic District Program (JHD).The pottery fragments are dated between the 16th and 20th centuries, some of which were imported from Europe, Japan and China. These include a variety of ceramic vessels and pieces of high-quality porcelain, archeologists said, some of which were made in the Chinese province of Jiangxi.Ebony pillars that were found on the sides of the mihrab were also analyzed. Its believed that these likely date back to the 7th and 8th centuries. And the origin of the wood that was used for this part of a mosque came from the Ceylon Island, which is now known as Sri Lanka.Tombstones made from materials including Mangabi stone, marble and granite were also uncovered in different locations throughout Jeddah. The tombstones could date back to the 8th and 9th centuries AD, and display the inscriptions of names, epitaphs and verses from the Quran.Researchers first began excavating in Jeddah in January of 2020. With the goal being to unveil the historical significance of four areas: Othman bin Affan mosque, Al-Shona, a segment of the Northern Wall, and Al-Kidwah.The historic site is located on the eastern shore of the Red Sea. Beginning in the 7th century AD, it was established as a major port for Indian Ocean trade routes, as well as a gateway for Muslim pilgrims to Mecca. The sea port is protected by UNESCO and includes souks, mosques, and about 650 traditional buildings pushed together in a tight area which make up a staggering display.

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archaeology, saudi arabia, science, study, artifacts, pottery
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240208/china-urges-philippines-to-avoid-crossing-red-lines-on-taiwan-issue-1116663190.html

China Urges Philippines to Avoid Crossing 'Red Lines' on Taiwan

China Urges Philippines to Avoid Crossing 'Red Lines' on Taiwan

Sputnik International

The Philippines should understand that the Taiwan issue is a "red line" for China and cannot be crossed, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Thursday, adding that Manila should not "play with fire."

2024-02-08T10:34+0000

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2024-02-10T05:06+0000

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alexander wang

taiwan

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china

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On Wednesday, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro called for the boosting of the country's military presence on the country's northernmost island of Mavulis located between the Batanes archipelago and Taiwan. China and the Philippines are neighboring countries and friendly exchanges should remain the main focus in the history of their relations, he added. The patrol involved the USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) littoral combat ship embarked with the MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the US, and the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PS-15) ship with AW109 Helicopter (NH434) from the Philippines, the statement read.The allied forces conducted maritime communication operations to "enhance interoperability" as part of the patrol, the US fleet said.This was the third joint patrol of the US and the Philippines, following the those conducted in November and January.In January, Teodoro announced plans to increase military activities with the United States and its allies due to China's alleged "aggressive" stance. The build-up of military capabilities will help to make an effective contribution to regional stability, the defense minister said. The same month, the Philippine and Chinese foreign ministers agreed to develop cooperation and resolve incidents in the South China Sea to reduce regional tensions. Tensions between the Philippines and China in the disputed waters of the South China Sea have been on the rise since October 4, 2023, when Philippine vessels completed a resupply mission in Second Thomas Shoal despite blocking attempts by the Chinese coast guard. Additionally, the two countries have territorial disputes over a number of islands in the South China Sea.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240131/taiwan-could-turn-from-uss-pawn-to-victim-at-any-moment-1116511238.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240208/five-us-marines-confirmed-dead-in-california-helicopter-crash--marine-corps-1116667024.html

Five US Marines Confirmed Dead in California Helicopter Crash  Marine Corps

Five US Marines Confirmed Dead in California Helicopter Crash  Marine Corps

Sputnik International

The US Marine Corps confirmed on Thursday that five Marines died in a helicopter crash on February 6 in California, according to a release.

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"Five Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing have been confirmed deceased following a CH-53E helicopter crash on Feb. 6, 2024," the release stated. The Marines were killed during a training flight and there are currently efforts to recover their remains and equipment. There is also an investigation into the crash underway.The missing marines were assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing which is currently managing all search and rescue operations in coordination with San Diego Countys federal, state, and local agencies.The incident is the latest one following an F/A-18 fighter jet crash at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego that resulted in the death of a pilot.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230825/us-military-confirms-f-18-crashed-near-marine-corps-air-station-miramar-in-san-diego-1112896716.html

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Experienced trade unionist John McInally introduces Wellred Books latest publication: a fascinating biography examining Lenins life and ideas by Rob Sewell and Alan Woods. With support for communism on the rise today, we say: Lenin lives!

[Originally published at communist.red]

History will not forgive us if we do not assume power now.

This was Lenins admonition to the vacillating Bolshevik central committee just prior to the Russian Revolution  the greatest event in world history, in which the working class took power.

These words encapsulate Lenins decisive role as a revolutionary, and as the founder of the Soviet Union. And they show why he remains the most vilified and feared figure for the capitalist exploiters he dedicated his life to overthrowing.

As expected, the recent centenary of his death has prompted an avalanche of hate, lies, and distortion from liberal politicians, Marxist renegades, and celebrity historians: that clique of desiccated academics and ruling-class courtiers whose defamations aim to maintain and justify the status quo.

Class-conscious workers should study Lenins life, work, and ideas, if for no other reason than to discover why their enemies try so hard to malign his legacy.

In Defence of Lenin by Rob Sewell and Alan Woods does exactly what it says: setting the record straight on Lenins life and work.

Over two sharply-paced and highly-readable volumes its analytical depth and focus, polemical in the best Marxist tradition, is gripping and accessible, particularly for new and young activists.

Firm in principle

Born into a middle-class family, Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov was deeply affected by the death of his brother Aleksandr, who was executed for his role in the attempted assassination of Tsar Alexander II.

But Lenin rejected the method of individual terrorism in favour of Marxism  a conclusion reached through hard study and through his participation in revolutionary struggle.

His critics hostility stemmed from Lenins refusal to compromise on matters of ideological principle / Image: public domain

Recognising the working class as the motor force of revolution, he unswervingly committed to the Marxist concept of unified struggle  economic, political, and theoretical  as a prerequisite to challenging and defeating this system of exploitation and oppression.

His insistence that without revolutionary theory there can be no revolutionary movement is a fundamental truth to be learned by each generation and in every iteration of the class struggle.

Rejecting the mythical spontaneity of anarchism and ultra-leftism, he argued for a disciplined, centralised revolutionary party.

His accusers claim this method of organisation is evidence that Lenin was a cold-eyed fanatic with dictatorial tendencies. But they ignore his absolute insistence on the corrective necessity of party democracy, and his tremendous efforts to maintain unity in the Russian Social Democratic and Labour Party.

His method actually showed an extraordinary tolerance of opposing opinions. Debate provided clarity.

His critics hostility stemmed from Lenins refusal to compromise on matters of ideological principle. This could only lead to one outcome: capitulation to bourgeois pressures and ultimately to class betrayal.

Theory and practice

Lenins major works demonstrate an extraordinary dialectical unity of theory and practice. His most enduring writings were not abstract contemplations, but responses to the economic issues and political debates of the period.

Written during the First World War, his pamphlet Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism is essential reading for those grappling with current international events like the Ukraine war and the class nature of China.

Lenin explained that war is inevitable under the profit system, as a consequence of capitalisms inherent dynamics. This analysis exposed the goodies versus baddies lie that the elites deploy in order to pressure workers into sacrificing their lives for the sake of the capitalists power and profits.

This could not be more relevant today  not least in relation to the role of the labour and trade union leaders who then, as now, surrender to social chauvinism or pacifism.

Characteristically modest Lenin did not claim equality with Marx and Engels in his grasp of philosophy. But he knew of its critical importance.

His book Materialism and Empirio-criticism skewered the revisionist capitulation to subjective idealism of the time, a phenomenon that invariably arises in periods of reaction.

This same trend can be seen today, with self-appointed academic improvers of Marxism and revolutionary organisations embracing the degenerate, hyper-individualist claptrap of postmodernism.

Subjective factor

The role of the individual in history is often downplayed by those with no understanding of the living reality and forces that shape revolutionary events. In the case of Lenin, however, this subjective factor was critical. The Russian Revolution would have happened irrespective. But without him, it would not have succeeded.

In the tempest of revolution, Lenin did not just act. He studied, producing extraordinary material like State and Revolution  a razor-sharp analysis of the capitalist state and its armed bodies of men, the nature of dual power, and the art of insurrection.

A master tactician and strategist, Lenin scorned ultra-left adventurism. He knew when to retreat, as in the 1917 July Days of the Great Slander. But he also knew when to move decisively.

Those who describe the mainly bloodless October Revolution as a coup consciously and conveniently ignore Lenins clear condition for the seizure of power: The only way the [provisional capitalist] government can be overthrown is by winning a majority in the Soviets  that is, by the Bolsheviks winning over the democratic organisations that constituted the living revolutionary authority of Russias toiling masses.

Rise of Stalinism

Following the October insurrection, the Soviet republic was attacked on all sides by the capitalist powers; subjected to a civil war in which seven million perished, mainly through starvation. Liberal patriots slandered Lenin as a German spy, while themselves joining with the counter-revolution, choosing their side in the class war.

The young workers state prevailed, but at a terrible price. The working class was exhausted. Its best, most class-conscious and self-sacrificing forces were killed in defence of the revolution.

The chasm that exists between the ideas of Lenin and those of Stalinism could not be more clear / Image: public domain

The economy was in ruins. Want was generalised, with workers struggling daily for survival  a far more pressing need than their participation in politics. This, along with still-high illiteracy rates, saw the entry, through practical necessity, of alien class tendencies as administrators and specialists in service of the workers state.

Using contemporary sources, this biography presents an extremely detailed account of Lenins struggle against the rise of bureaucracy in the new Soviet state.

At the same time, the authors explain how ideological and political differences arose as a consequence of the Soviet Unions isolation and the defeat of revolutions elsewhere, most notably in Germany.

Bourgeois professors and politicians never tire of telling us that the monstrous distortions of Stalinism had their roots in Lenins approach and method. Such lazy malice is contradicted by the priority he gave to fighting the developing bureaucracy. In fact, it might be reasonably concluded that no issue concerned him more.

Lenin himself described the Soviet Union as a workers state with bureaucratic distortions. But he argued that we can fight bureaucracy to the bitter end, to a complete victory, only when the population participates in the work of government.

In defining the nature of the young Soviet state, and the need to defeat bureaucratism, his absolute commitment to workers democracy could not be clearer  not as some liberal sentiment, but as a necessity to avoid the elevation of the state over the class it was created to represent.

The chasm that exists between the ideas of Lenin and those of Stalinism, in this respect, could not be more clear.

Lenin lives!

The debate over the nature of the Soviet Union is not some abstract point of theory to be mulled over as an intellectual exercise. It is as critical a question today as when Lenin addressed the issue himself.

The collapse of the Soviet Union, with all its bureaucratic distortions, was a disaster for the working class internationally.

But it was also an opportunity to embark on a serious study of the forces  economic, political, and social  that created the conditions for the Stalinist bureaucracy to prevail. Only on this basis can we understand how capitalist restoration was possible.

Debating these issues in a comradely and honest manner is a prerequisite for any forces claiming to be Marxist; for anyone committed to defending Lenins genuine ideas and methods.

This book is an important assessment and analysis of Lenins life and work. It should be read by any communist or socialist activist serious about understanding the man, his times, and  most importantly  his ideas.

In Defence of Lenin is a vital weapon for arming workers and youth against our class enemies; against those who still dine out on the defeat of communism and the collapse of the USSR  but who are now nervously looking over their shoulders with anxiety and fear in the realisation that Lenins ideas are overdue a return, and that his best days are yet to come.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240208/germany-sends-frigate-for-possible-participation-in-eu-red-sea-mission-1116666422.html

Germany Sends Frigate for Possible Participation in EU Red Sea Mission

Germany Sends Frigate for Possible Participation in EU Red Sea Mission

Sputnik International

Germany is sending its frigate Hessen with a crew of 240 Bundeswehr soldiers on Thursday for its expected participation in a European Union naval mission in the Red Sea to protect merchant ships from attacks by Yemen's Houthis, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said.

2024-02-08T12:57+0000

2024-02-08T12:57+0000

2024-02-08T12:57+0000

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josep borrell

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houthis

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In late January, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he expected a decision to launch an EU maritime mission in the Red Sea at a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers on February 19. The ship also carries a team of two Sea Lynx helicopters, as well as a medical team, marines and a chaplain. The 143-meter-long (469-foot-long) frigate is equipped with anti-aircraft missiles and is specifically designed for escort and surveillance. According to the Bundeswehr, it can monitor airspace over an area the size of the entire North Sea with a special radar. The anti-aircraft missiles can reach targets more than 160 kilometers (99 miles) away. The Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, which controls much of Yemen's Red Sea coast, has previously warned of its intention to attack any ships linked to Israel, calling on other countries to recall their crews and stay away from them at sea. A number of shipping companies have decided to suspend traffic through the Red Sea. The Houthis have previously said that their actions in the Red Sea are aimed at helping the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, they claimed that they do not interfere with freedom of navigation in the region. Borrel emphasized that the EU mission will not participate in actions against the Houthis, but will only deal with ensuring the safety of navigation.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240206/houthis-in-yemen-attack-us-uk-merchant-ships-in-red-sea---military-spokesman-1116620269.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240208/how-natos-obsession-with-ukraine-transformed-into-existential-threat-to-russian-heartland-1116674539.html

How NATOs Obsession With Ukraine Transformed Into Existential Threat to Russian Heartland

How NATOs Obsession With Ukraine Transformed Into Existential Threat to Russian Heartland

Sputnik International

Thursday is the 30th anniversary of Ukraines membership in the Partnership for Peace program, a NATO initiative ostensibly designed to foster trust and cooperation between former Soviet bloc nations and the Western alliance. How did the PfP help set the stage for the current security crisis? Sputnik investigates.

2024-02-08T19:36+0000

2024-02-08T19:36+0000

2024-02-08T19:43+0000

analysis

nato

european union (eu)

eurasian economic union

moscow

russia

ukraine

earl rasmussen

boris yeltsin

bill clinton

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Ukraine became one of the first countries in Eastern Europe to join the Partnership for Peace program, doing so on February 8, 1994. The program was the brainchild of the Clinton administration, which began plotting ambitious eastward NATO expansion almost immediately after entering office in 1993. But to the Russians and President Boris Yeltsin, the PfP was sold by Clinton Secretary of State Warren Christopher as a potential alternative, rather than a precursor, to NATO membership.Yes, that is the case, there would not even be an associate status, Christopher assured Yeltsin at a meeting in Moscow on October 22, 1993, when queried by the Russian president on the issue. This is a brilliant idea, it is a stroke of genius! Yeltsin excitedly replied, stressing that the PfP would to dissipate tensions within Russia regarding NATOs future plans for Eastern Europe, and fears that Moscow in this situation would be left in a second class status.Christopher would later claim that Yeltsin didnt understand him, possibly because he was inebriated, and alleged that Yeltsins foreign minister, Andrei Kozyrev, failed to explain to the Russian leader that Partnership for Peace could actually lead to NATO membership.In January 1994, before arriving in Moscow for talks with Yeltsin, and less than a month before Ukraine and other countries in Eastern Europe would be invited into the PfP, Clinton met with the leaders of the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary, confirming that the program could ultimately lead in entry into the alliance.What he especially likes about the PfP, the president said, is that it lets us begin right now joint training and exercising and the introduction of NATO troops into Central and Eastern Europe and establish a track that will lead to NATO membership, Clinton was paraphrased as saying in a declassified summary of a January 11, 1994 meeting in Prague with Czech President Vaclav Havel. On the other hand, he continued, it does not draw another line dividing Europe a few hundred miles east. This point is important not only with regard to Russia but also to other states of the former Soviet Union, a summary said.Former Clinton Defense Secretary William Perry has expressed regret over the administrations rapid expansion of NATO after 1996, rather than continuing on with the Partnership for Peace program of cooperation without the prospect of joining the alliance in the medium term.UkraineNowhere were Perrys words about Russian concerns regarding proposed changes on its borders more acute than in Ukraine  a country with which Russia shared over 300 years of common history, along with extremely close economic, cultural, religious, and even blood ties.If we look at it from a historical perspective, the US has always had an interest in Ukraine, and primarily it was a mechanism to disrupt the Soviet Union, Earl Rasmussen, a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel-turned international affairs observer, told Sputnik.This process continued into the post-Cold War period, Rasmussen noted, recalling the 2004-2005 US and EU-backed Orange Revolution, the 2008 announcement at NATOs Bucharest Summit opening up dialogue on Ukrainian membership in NATO, and the fundamental policy objectives outlined by leading neocon thinkers in the US foreign policy establishment about preventing Russias resurgence and using Ukraine as a battering ram to do so.The former Army officer pointed specifically to Zbigniew Brzezinskis Grand Chessboard, a 1997 treatise in which the former Carter National Security Advisor outlined the importance of preventing Ukraine from reintegrating economically and politically with Russia.Russia began an ambitious process to incorporate Ukraine into the Eurasian Economic Union in the winter of 2013, offering Kiev a $15 billion Eurobond loan, and slashing gas prices after President Yanukovych rejected an association agreement with the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia. This ultimately culminated in EU and US forces plotting a coup, ousting Yanukovych and triggering a civil war in the Donbass.Ukraine has no strategic value as far as the defense of Europe or the United States are concerned, Rasmussen stressed, with its only use being to pursue the centuries-old imperative of weaken[ing] Russia as a nation state.Thats not to mention the economic investments Western countries and corporations have been making in Ukraine, including the buying up of Ukraines unique-in-the-world chernozem farmland, large portions of which are now privately held by Western concerns.Finally, now youve got the whole discussion of moving in with defense companies to establish a presence in there. [European Commission President Ursula] von der Leyen just the other day said that were going to integrate Ukraine defense into the greater European defense structure. Theyre still looking at Ukraine as a mechanism to weaken Russia and to ultimately get Russian resources I think as well, Rasmussen said, noting that a bonus of a weakened Russia would be a potential means to strike the final blow in containing China.Fortunately for Moscow, Rasmussen says, is the fact that the US military resources in support of Ukraine are approaching depletion, while Washington faces far more pressing problems at home, ranging from border security to healthcare and infrastructure. Despite these issues, were pumping tens of billions of dollars over to Ukraine in a losing cause. Russias won this militarily, all we are doing is extending the war and basically sacrificing hundreds of thousands  a generation of young Ukrainians. This is the result of Western ambitions, Rasmussen lamented.NATO Threat to Russian HeartlandMikael Valtersson, a former officer of the Swedish Armed Forces, former defense politician and chief of staff of the Sweden Democrats, agrees that Russia has reason to see a Ukraine affiliated with NATO as an existential threat.Neither post-Soviet Russia nor NATO find it acceptable for Ukraine to be too aligned with the other site, Valtersson said, with the pro-Western politicians in Ukraine, together with some Western interests, working to try to drag the country into the Western bloc, even though half of the population was against this. This was also a very risky endeavor since everybody knew this was a threat to Russian core security interests, culminating in the crisis facing the region today.Asked how far the US and NATO will be willing to go to absorb Ukraine into the alliance, Valtersson said it depends on the outcome of the current conflict.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220304/why-is-the-west-silent-about-ukrainian-neo-nazi-movements-azov-battalion--bandera-legacy-1093561142.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231208/biolabs-at-work-antimicrobial-resistance-sees-alarming-spike-in-ukraine---cdc-1115477113.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240208/ukrainian-armed-forces-experiencing-acute-shortage-of-infantry-morale-falling---report-1116660733.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240208/israeli-strikes-against-syrias-homs-leave-9-died-13-injured---source-1116655439.html

Israeli Strikes Against Syria's Homs Leave 9 Died, 13 Injured - Source

Israeli Strikes Against Syria's Homs Leave 9 Died, 13 Injured - Source

Sputnik International

Nine people were killed and 13 were wounded in an overnight Israeli attack on the Syrian city of Homs on Wednesday, a medical source told Sputnik.

2024-02-08T01:04+0000

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Overnight into Wednesday, Syrian state broadcaster Al Akhbar reported that Syrian air defenses had repelled an Israeli missile attack on the province of Homs. Several civilians were killed and some injured, the Syrian Defense Ministry said later in the day. Last week, Israel launched several strikes on southern Damascus, which were repelled by Syrian air defenses and caused no casualties.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240206/syrias-air-defenses-repelling-israeli-missile-attack-on-homs--reports-1116631426.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240208/multipolarity-creates-opportunities-for-justice-balance-in-global-relations---un-chief-1116673711.html

Multipolarity Creates Opportunities for Justice, Balance in Global Relations - UN Chief

Multipolarity Creates Opportunities for Justice, Balance in Global Relations - UN Chief

Sputnik International

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday that we no longer live in a bipolar world dominated by two superpowers, but rather a multipolar world which creates better opportunities for justice

2024-02-08T18:15+0000

2024-02-08T18:15+0000

2024-02-08T18:15+0000

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We are no longer in a world of two superpowers or in a unipolar world. Multipolarity creates opportunities for justice and balance in global relations, Guterres said in a press briefing at the UN. However, the absence of inclusive and effective mechanisms to govern the multipolar world, the risks are multiplied, he added. Guterres press conference follows his briefing on his priorities for 2024 to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday. The United Nations is also focusing much of its attention on the current crisis in the Gaza Strip, with many of its agencies trying to elevate the dire humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave as a result of the Israeli blockade and military operations. More than 27,700 Palestinians have been killed and some 70,000 others have been wounded since October 7.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240207/un-chief-unsc-dysfunction-is-deepening-world-needs-mechanisms-as-in-cold-war-1116646945.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240208/no-accountability-no-plan-to-victory-capitol-hill-bipartisan-bill-falls-apart-1116655510.html

No Accountability, No Plan to Victory: Capitol Hill Bipartisan Bill Falls Apart

No Accountability, No Plan to Victory: Capitol Hill Bipartisan Bill Falls Apart

Sputnik International

On Wednesday the US Senate blocked the bill, but is open to hearing a revised version of the legislation which includes Ukraine and Israel aid but not immigration reform.

2024-02-08T02:47+0000

2024-02-08T02:47+0000

2024-02-08T03:01+0000

analysis

us politics

border security

us

ukraine

alabama

republicans

fault lines

ukraine crisis

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Lawmakers in DC released a large bipartisan bill on Sunday. That bill aimed to reform immigration policy in a decade with $20 billion (out of $118 billion in total for funding for Ukraine and Israel). On Wednesday the US Senate blocked the bill, but is open to hearing a revised version of the legislation which includes Ukraine and Israel aid but not immigration reform.On Wednesday, Gerry Wilkins, a political consultant and candidate for US House Alabama District 6, spoke with Sputniks Fault Lines. Wilkins said that US voters in Alabama arent interested in aiding Ukraine with no accountability, no plan to victory.That's just a nonstarter for people in Alabama, especially when we have an invasion going on at the southern border.The political consultant sounded off the steps that he would like the US government to take in addressing security at the US-Mexico border, including an end to what is called catch and release---a system in which an illegal immigrant is released to the community while they await hearings in immigration court instead of detaining them.Wilkins then reaffirmed that there is a strong allyship between the US and Israel which has been active since the Vietnam War. Despite a difference in politics between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the US has continued to funnel billions of dollars to aid Israel in their conflict at the Gaza Strip. But now, half of US adults believe Israel has gone too far in their military campaign in Gaza as the death toll has risen to 27,000 people, with two-thirds of those victims being women and children.So clearly, you know, Israel is a separate issue from Ukraine. And I'm completely in support of helping Israel, theyre our greatest ally in the Middle East, their strategic importance to us. So, I do think that needs to be a priority for us, he said.And the fact that they're trying to say, this is a border bill when they want to send another $68 billion to Ukraine. Its ridiculous, the analyt emphasized.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240207/political-maneuver-biden-threatens-to-veto-house-gop-israel-aid-bill-1116631932.html

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us politics, house speaker mike johnson, president joe biden, immigration bill, senate bipartisan bill
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240208/russia-china-must-cooperate-closely-to-ensure-security-oppose-external-interference---xi-1116664318.html

Russia, China Must Cooperate Closely to Ensure Security, Oppose External Interference - Xi

Russia, China Must Cooperate Closely to Ensure Security, Oppose External Interference - Xi

Sputnik International

Russia and China should cooperate closely to ensure security and resolutely oppose any external interference in internal affairs, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday.

2024-02-08T11:29+0000

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xi jinping

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"The countries should carry out close strategic cooperation in order to protect their state sovereignty, security and development interests, and resolutely resist interference by external forces in internal affairs," Xi said in a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as cited by the state-run China Central Television (CCTV) broadcaster. China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Russia at the international multilateral level and advocate for inclusive economic globalization, Xi added. Xi and Putin agreed to continue close contacts in the new year. Russian-Chinese cooperation in all spheres reached fruitful results last year, Putin said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240131/china-will-continue-to-support-russia-on-ukraine-issue---chinese-defense-minister-1116512315.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240208/russia-finland-trade-has-fallen-83-in-two-years-1116662527.html

Russia-Finland Trade Has Fallen 83% in Two Years

Russia-Finland Trade Has Fallen 83% in Two Years

Sputnik International

Russia-Finland trade has decreased by 83% in two years, and the severance of ties harms the Finnish economy, Russian Ambassador to Helsinki Pavel Kuznetsov told Sputnik.

2024-02-08T10:30+0000

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"As a result of the destruction of trade and economic ties, trade turnover between our countries over the past two years has decreased almost sixfold (from approximately 12 billion euros [$12.92 billion] to 2 billion euros). If recently our country was one of Finlands three leading trade partners, then now it is already in the second ten," Kuznetsov said. Relations between Russian and Finland are completely destroyed as the political dialogue is frozen, and business ties and contacts between regions, cities and municipalities, and public organizations of the countries are completely severed, the ambassador said. The second round of the Finnish presidential election is slated for February 11. Ex-Prime Minister Alexander Stubb from the ruling center-right National Coalition Party will face former Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto of the Green League party. They received 27.2% and 25.8% of votes, respectively, during the first round on January 28. Both candidates support sealing borders with Russia, imposing sanctions against Moscow and assisting Kiev militarily. Russian-Finnish relations have deteriorated significantly since Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine in February 2022 and Finland became a member of NATO in April 2023. Finland steadily distanced itself from Russia by hosting NATO military exercises, expanding US forces' access to areas and facilities on its territory, erecting barriers on the border with Russia as well as closing all checkpoints on its border, among other things.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240207/finland-avoids-discussing-issues-on-border-with-russia--russian-foreign-ministry-1116635176.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240208/russia-ukraine-conduct-100-for-100-prisoner-swap-with-uae-mediation-1116672956.html

Russia, Ukraine Conduct 100-for-100 Prisoner Swap With UAE Mediation

Russia, Ukraine Conduct 100-for-100 Prisoner Swap With UAE Mediation

Sputnik International

Russia has returned 100 prisoners of war from the territory under Kiev's control, following negotiations, while Kiev also received 100 prisoners in exchange, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

2024-02-08T17:48+0000

2024-02-08T17:48+0000

2024-02-08T17:48+0000

military

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On February 8, 2024, in the result of a negotiating process, 100 Russian soldiers were returned from the territory under Kievs control, where they faced mortal danger. In exchange, 100 military prisoners of the Ukrainian armed forces were returned [to Kiev], the ministry said in a statement. The United Arab Emirates has played a mediation role in the exchange, the ministry said.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240208/russian-air-defenses-down-ukrainian-drone-over-crimea-1116660213.html

Russian Air Defenses Down Ukrainian Drone Over Crimea

Russian Air Defenses Down Ukrainian Drone Over Crimea

Sputnik International

Russian air defenses on duty destroyed a Ukrainian drone over the territory of Crimea, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

2024-02-08T06:38+0000

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2024-02-08T06:38+0000

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"An attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack using an aircraft-type UAV against facilities on the territory of the Russian Federation has been foiled tonight. The Ukrainian UAV was destroyed over the territory of the Republic of Crimea by the air defense systems on duty," the ministry said in a statement. Ukraine has been sending drones and missiles into the Russian territory almost daily since it launched a counteroffensive in early June. The United Nations said in August, following a botched drone strike on Moscow, that it did not want to see any targeting of civilian infrastructure.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240206/brains-for-drones-russia-unveils-first-domestically-made-onboard-uav-computer-1116620021.html

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"First of all, I want to make clear that everyone has to understand that Hungary is a sovereign country. And it's not only that everybody has to understand but everybody has to respect it. Regardless of whether it is a superpower of the East or superpower of the West or any other countries, they have to respect that Hungary is a country and the Hungarian parliament is a sovereign entity. And we will never be ready to act according to instructions coming from anywhere in the world. Never ever," Szijjarto said.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240208/szijjarto-says-unacceptable-nord-stream-blasts-not-investigated-1116669686.html

'Unacceptable': Hungarian FM Hits Out at Nord Stream Blasts Not Being Investigated

'Unacceptable': Hungarian FM Hits Out at Nord Stream Blasts Not Being Investigated

Sputnik International

The absence of any serious investigation into the Nord Stream blasts is unacceptable, and Hungary urges other countries to take this issue seriously, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told RIA Novosti after Sweden terminated its probe into the explosions.

2024-02-08T14:49+0000

2024-02-08T14:49+0000

2024-02-09T03:51+0000

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On Wednesday, the Swedish Prosecutor's Office announced the termination of its investigation into the blasts, ruling it does not belong to its jurisdiction. Sweden has handed the materials on the issue to Germany for its investigation into the matter, Swedish public prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist said. The minister called it "a terrorist attack against a strategic infrastructure in Europe."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240207/hersh-wests-hesitance-to-conclude-nord-stream-probe-implicates-culprits-1116642115.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240208/tepco-claims-contaminated-water-leak-from-fukushima-nuclear-power-plant-poses-no-risks---iaea-1116661530.html

TEPCO Claims Contaminated Water Leak From Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Poses No Risks - IAEA

TEPCO Claims Contaminated Water Leak From Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Poses No Risks - IAEA

Sputnik International

The operator of Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), has confirmed to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that a leak of contaminated water from radioactive water treatment equipment did not pose any risk to the public and environment, the IAEA said.

2024-02-08T09:17+0000

2024-02-08T09:17+0000

2024-02-08T09:17+0000

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"TEPCO has confirmed that there was no significant fluctuation in radiation measurements recorded at the site. The event does not pose any risk to the public and there is no environmental impact off-site," the IAEA said in a statement published on Wednesday. The statement also said that the leaked water was from the system filtering water "as part of the ongoing decommissioning activities at the site." The International Atomic Energy Agency remains in contact with authorities in Japan, according to the statement. The leak was detected by a station employee at 9 a.m. local time (00:00 GMT) on Wednesday during the inspection of the equipment. The employee found that 10 of the 16 valves of the station that should have been closed, were open. TEPCO estimated that the volume of water stood at 5.5 tonnes and contained radionuclides, including radioactive cesium and strontium. The content of radioactive substances is estimated at 22 billion Becquerels. A significant part of the water has been presumably absorbed into the soil. A monitoring point installed next to a nearby sewage channel does not show radiation levels changes. Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nobuhiro Yoshida apologized for the leak. China has called on Japan to facilitate the establishment of an international monitoring mechanism after a leak of contaminated water occurred at Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant, the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo said on Thursday.Beijing has also pointed to continuous incidents related to the water release from the nuclear power station, saying that they demonstrate "chaos and disorder" in the internal operation of TEPCO, the statement read.Beijing has urged Tokyo to hold consultations with all parties involved, promote the establishment of an "effective international monitoring mechanism" engaging the stakeholders, and dispose of radioactive water in "a scientific, safe and transparent manner," the statement added.Japan started releasing part of the estimated 1.34 million tonnes of Fukushima treated water into the ocean in August 2023. The entire process is expected to take at least 30 years. The International Atomic Energy Agency said that treated wastewater would have a negligible radiological impact on the marine environment and human health. However, China has banned all seafood from Japan over concerns about radioactive contamination.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20190415/fukushima-nuclear-fuel-1074134451.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240208/the-big-us-apology-1116651548.html

The Big US Apology

The Big US Apology

Sputnik International

On Tuesday, US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby apologized for incorrectly telling the press that the US had notified Iraq in advance of its recent strikes on Iraqi territory.

2024-02-08T06:29+0000

2024-02-08T06:29+0000

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On Tuesday, US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby apologized for incorrectly telling the press that the US had notified Iraq in advance of its recent strikes on Iraqi territory.In January, three US soldiers were killed in a drone strike on a US garrison on the border of Jordan and Syria. The US retaliated on February 2 by striking what it said were Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets in Syria and Iraq, which included 85 targets. Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder explained that the US chose not to give Iraq a warning of their strikes to protect American forces in the country.Iran has denied playing any role in the attack and has insisted that resistance groups in the Middle East do not receive instructions from Tehran. Iraq and Syria have condemned the US strikes on their territories, and the Iraqi parliaments Security and Defense Committee called for an agreement to withdraw the international coalition troops from the country.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240203/bidens-justification-for-hitting-iran-would-justify-russian-attacks-on-nato-1116567898.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240208/tucker-carlson-threatened-with-death-sanctions-for-putin-interview-1116656293.html

Tucker Carlson Threatened With Death, Sanctions for Putin Interview: Netizens React

Tucker Carlson Threatened With Death, Sanctions for Putin Interview: Netizens React

Sputnik International

News spread Wednesday that US journalist Tucker Carlson has been added to a Ukrainian kill list as the reporter prepares to release an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

2024-02-08T01:49+0000

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2024-02-08T09:34+0000

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News spread Wednesday that US journalist Tucker Carlson has been added to a Ukrainian kill list as the reporter prepares to release an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.The disturbing development was noted by users on social media, who shared screenshots of the entry for Carlson on the Mirotvorets webpage (actually, the prominent journalist was added to the notorious "kill list" back in 2023).The controversial site compiles the personal information of journalists and other prominent figures who are deemed to be enemies of Ukraine.Users pointed out that Carlsons entry has existed on the site for some time, but news of Carlsons interview brought renewed attention to the fact that figures associated with the Kiev regime have apparently been monitoring the journalist for over a year.Western corporate media often dismisses the significance of the Mirotvorets page, but the site is operated by figures with close connections to Ukrainian lawmakers. Journalists Vladlen Tatarsky and Darya Dugina were killed by Ukrainian terrorists after appearing on the Peace Maker section of the website. More recently, author Gonzalo Lira died in a Ukrainian prison where he was being held after engaging in prominent public criticism of the Kiev regime. The incident garnered minimal comment from the Biden administration, even though Lira was an American citizen.Although the Zelensky regime enjoys American military and financial aid, that doesn't stop Ukraine from listing US citizens on the "kill list". Meanwhile, the White House has remained mum about US citizens' presence on the assassination list.It also emerged Wednesday that Carlson may be subject to Western sanctions for conducting the interview with President Putin.Reporting in US media, based on interviews with current and former members of the European Parliament, confirmed that Carlson could be legally punished for his act of journalism. Former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, now a member of the European Parliament, described Carlson as a mouthpiece for Putin and former US President Donald Trump.Former EU parliament member Luis Garicano agreed with Verhofstadts assessment. He is no longer a newsman, but a propagandist for the most heinous regime on European soil and the one which is most dangerous to our peace and security, said Garicano.Carlsons interview with President Putin is set to be released Thursday. Stay with Sputnik for breaking news on this story as it develops.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240206/tucker-carlson-releases-video-from-moscow-explaining-why-he-is-interviewing-president-putin-1116628955.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240208/ukrainian-female-pow-reveals-extraordinary-story-of-her-rescue-by-russias-military-1116663588.html

Ukrainian Female POW Reveals Extraordinary Story of Her Rescue by Russia's Military

Ukrainian Female POW Reveals Extraordinary Story of Her Rescue by Russia's Military

Sputnik International

President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed on December 19 that the Ukrainian General Staff proposed a new draft campaign to mobilize an additional 450,000-500,000 people.

2024-02-08T11:37+0000

2024-02-08T11:37+0000

2024-02-08T11:39+0000

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A female soldier from the Ukrainian Armed Forces, who was rescued by Russian forces, shared her story on the social media network, Telegram. The Ukrainian woman revealed that she joined the military to earn money, because her husband had gone missing in early 2022. Left with three children and no means to feed them, she had no choice but to enlist.The woman has not received any compensation as promised by the Ukrainian government. She was wounded near the village of Krynki, but the military rejected her pleas to be evacuated. The Ukrainian woman was saved by soldiers from the Russian Armed Forces, who promptly provided her with the necessary medical assistance. In the time leading up to her rescue, the woman spotted a drone in the air and began waving at it. Russian servicemen swiftly approached her using an all-terrain vehicle and safely transported her away from the area.Earlier that day, the Russian military had also assisted a Ukrainian soldier, who had surrendered, in safely navigating through a dangerous minefield.

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Time finally caught up with Tour Royal.

The diminutive trotting mare with the huge heart has died, age 35, after a long and comfortable retirement in St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., owner Jacques Sarrazin said.

A star of Quebec harness racing for more than a decade, Tour Royal made more than 370 starts and won 84 of them, earning about $760,000.

Almost all of the victories came with her regular driver, Serge Turenne. Their remarkable partnership ended with his death in a racing accident at Hippodrome Trois-Rivieres in 2001, age 38.

Despite having to compete in open company at Hippodrome de Montreal for most of her career, Tour Royal (pictured above with Real and Serge Turenne) won at least twice for 12 consecutive years.

Turenne called her "incredible."

He got to drive her because his father, Real, trained the mare for the original owner and breeder, Paul Labonte, from the time she was 18 months old.

She won eight straight races as a two-year-old and was first or second in 12 of 13 starts that year.

"I'd just point her to the lead and challenge them to beat us. Most times, they couldn't get close," Turenne said.

At three, she won the richest sires stake of the year, the Coupe des Eleveurs final. At seven, she set the Hippodrome de Montreal track record for trotting mares.

Tour Royal was not as productive a broodmare as she'd been on the racetrack and Labonte eventually offered her to Sarrazin, who tried breeding her as well, with limited success. One of her foals was named Tourenne, in tribute to her late driver.

The mare lived out her final years at the farm of Xavier Limpens and Josee Morisette, who took exceptional care of her, Sarrazin said. "She was a heck of a mare, and she got the retirement she deserved."

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Tour Royal.

(A Trot Insider Exclusive by Paul Delean)
Every year, Nebraska 4-H Month brings thousands of young people, parents, volunteers, and alumni together to celebrate all the ways in which 4-H helps youth find a place where they belong. Across the state, Nebraska 4-H invites community members to celebrate:

4-H Spirit Day on Thursday, February 1

4-H Volunteer Appreciation Day on Thursday, February 8

4-H Supporters and Donors Appreciation Day on Thursday, February 15

Day of 4-H Service or Give Back to Your Community on Thursday, February 22

Leap into 4-H  Get Enrolled on 4-HOnline on Thursday, February 29

Box Butte County 4-H will observe 4-H Month this year by inviting youth to participate in the fun theme days! Even though 4-H Spirit day was the first of February, youth can wear all their favorite 4-H shirts throughout the month. For Volunteer Appreciation Day, 4-Hers are asked to share a story or highlight about a 4-H volunteer. This can come from past and present members. Visit: go.unl.edu/6974 to submit your story. At the end of 4-H month stories will be shared them through the Nebraska Extension Box Butte County Facebook page and Instagram account @bbc.4h. On Supporter and Donor Appreciation day write a thank you note or personally tell a 4-H supporter THANK YOU for all they do to help the Box Butte County 4-H Program! Without donors and supporters they would not have awards for fair, or be able to do school enrichment or afterschool programs. On Give Back to your Community Day 4-H members are encouraged to send cards to residents in the nursing home, or participate in a 4-H Club or other group or individual service project. Lastly, youth are invited to join 4-H and complete the annual enrollment process on Leap Day. Leap into 4-H by becoming enrolled members; youth have the opportunity to join a club, exhibit projects at the county and State Fair, participate in contests, and apply for special awards and recognition. Visit 4h.unl.edu/enroll to learn more.

Nebraska 4-H is dedicated to helping all youth THRIVE by helping youth find their SPARK, develop a sense of BELONGING, foster positive RELATIONSHIPS with caring adults and inclusive and safe environments, and provide quality learning ENGAGMENT for all young people, said Box Butte County 4-H Coordinator Ashley Fenning.

This 4-H month, Nebraska 4-H is also having a photography contest. Themes will be release on Mondays of February (with the exception of 4-H Spark) and submission deadlines will be the following Sundays by 10:59 p.m. Themes include: 4-H Spark, Personality and Mystery Object, Nature/Weather and Black & White, Action Picture and My Community or Hometown, and Selfie! And Reflection. To learn more please visit: 4h.unl.edu/photography-showcase.

4-H is Nebraskas largest youth development organization  empowering nearly 140,000 across the state with the skills to lead for a lifetime. With the support of 12,000 volunteers, Nebraska 4-H helps youth develop and practice life skills through clubs, camps, school enrichment, afterschool, and special interest programs. In Box Butte County, more than 200 4-H members and 50 volunteers are involved in 4-H.

To learn more about how to get involved, visit https://4h.unl.edu.

About 4-H

4-H, the nations largest youth development and empowerment organization, cultivates confident young people who tackle issues that matter most in their communities right now. In the United States, 4-H programs empower six million young people through the 110 land-grant universities and Cooperative Extension in more than 3,000 local offices serving every county and parish in the country. Outside the United States, independent, country-led 4-H organizations empower one million young people in more than 50 countries. In Nebraska, 4-H is present in all 93 counties through clubs, camps, school enrichment, afterschool programs, and special interest programs. Learn more about 4-H at 4h.unl.edu, find us on Facebook at facebook.com/nebraska4h, on Twitter at twitter.com/nebraska4h, and on Instagram at Instagram.com/nebraska4h.
A group of students at Scottsbluff High School are leading the way toward true inclusion of their classmates with disabilities through their work as peer paras. These students serve as helpers, friends and inspiration for others to step out of their comfort zone and create a welcoming classroom environment for all.

The peer para program started a few years ago after the parent of a student with a disability sat down with SHS special education coordinator Stacy Moore and expressed some concern for her daughters classroom experience.

She said that we were proud of our inclusionary practices and that all students with disabilities are included in general classroom activities, but she wanted to know if her daughter was really included in conversations, class activities and making friends, Moore said.

That challenge prompted Moore to look deeper into the student experience, and she saw that students with adult paras could often be alienated in the classroom and experience little social interaction with their peers.

Having an adult beside you in a classroom creates the most restrictive environment, she said. Nobody is going to approach you, or they wont know how to approach.

Promoting true inclusion

Moore and her team wasted no time in finding a solution. The next semester they introduced the peer para program at SHS based on similar types of programming used at younger grade levels.

We were kind of building the plane while we were flying it, she said. We had an idea of the framework, but there isnt a lot of research out there for high school peer para programs.

Two years later, the program is starting to gain attention from other educators after a presentation at the Courage to Risk Conference in January by Moore and SHS special education teacher Rebecca DeWitt.

The program initially recruited seniors with an interest in becoming educators. Those students were expected to have good attendance and serve as good role models for their peers. It didnt take long for a wide range of students to express interest in becoming peer paras for an equally wide range of reasons.(tncms-asset)4b71dae0-c45f-11ee-b340-cb2ff49c665b[0](/tncms-asset)

Some students signed up because a friend or family member of theirs lives with a disability. Others wanted to give back to their school community, help their peers or gain experience that will help them in a non-education career.

The peer paras go through a two-week training program before being matched with the student theyll work closely with. During that time, they do simulation exercises, hold in-depth discussions and learn how to use their words and actions to create a welcoming environment in their respective classrooms.

More of a friend

So what is the job of a peer para? The paras spend one class period each day with their assigned student, during which they assist with classroom activities much like an adult para would. But in their own words, they exist to build relationships first and foremost.

We go to classes with them and serve as a different outlook for them so they arent only depending on the adult para thats in the class with them, Lexxus Thrash said.

Were more of a friend than a para, Aspyn Andreas said. You also grow more confidence with other kids with special needs, so you arent friends with just one.

Those friendships persist beyond the classroom. Peer para Gabriella Moore expressed how happy she was every time she ran into the student she supported outside of class.

I ended up building a really great relationship, she said. She would run up and hug me in the hallway.

Chloe Rendon said knowing her student is looking forward to seeing her every day is what makes her want to wake up and come to school.

I wait for that class every day. I love it, Rendon said.

Teaching each other

Every peer para currently in the program said they came in with expectations that they would learn something and better themselves, but some unexpected lessons popped up through the months as well.

I wanted to develop my skills with patience and communication, which I definitely did, Amari Perkins said. I also wanted to do something that was worth my time during my senior year. I wanted to talk to kids I might not have normally talked to.

Patience and communication were key lessons echoed by Rendon, who added that many of the most important lessons she learned came directly from the student she worked alongside.(tncms-asset)4cebeb04-c45f-11ee-b24c-9717f959af09[1](/tncms-asset)

You dont just teach them, they teach you a lot, she said. They taught me that no one is the same, everyone is different.

Thrash said that spending time with her assigned peer taught her a lesson in being genuine and passionate when it came to her own goals and interests.

You always know what they want to talk about, she said. It really taught me to think about my own passions and what I want to talk about in that way.

Those communication skills arent limited to the use of words. Perkins recounted her experience working with a nonverbal student, which taught her many different ways to understand expressions of emotion and humor.

I could see based on his body language if he was in a good mood that day, or if he wasnt wanting to do his schoolwork, that might mean hes having a rough time, she said.

What no one expected was just how much of an impact a little bit of understanding and inclusivity would have on the student body as a whole.

Classroom culture shift

We wanted to help students with disabilities feel more included. What we didnt see is that it would lead to a culture change, Moore said. Now, the peer paras friends are interacting with students with disabilities in the halls and at lunch. Supported students are much more engaged in classroom activities because they arent isolated. Its beyond anything we expected.

The peer paras themselves recognized the shift as well. They said all it took was a little bit of leading by example for other students to realize that the divide they felt between themselves and others who were a little different wasnt as wide as they previously thought.

I think theyre more open to talking with them now, Thrash said. They realize that everybody is the same, and they can have a conversation with them too,

All it took was a facilitator to break the ice, Perkins said.

I think it shows them that its not that hard to include them in activities, she said. Before, they would have their own group and play their own games. Once I came in and asked them if they wanted to play together, I could take a step back and watch him (her peer) play with other kids in his grade and build connections.

That ability to build bridges between students is important, because each students peer para will not be around forever. Only seniors can fill the role, and only for a single semester, which means their time together is fairly short in the grand scheme of things.

For this reason, the peer paras are intent on sharing their experience with others. Despite their initial anxieties and discomfort, the job turned out to be simple enough for anyone to try.

Before this, I really didnt know how to talk to people with disabilities, but Ive learned that a simple hello can brighten anyones day. Just starting a conversation is good, Andreas said.

Rendon said some of her most pure and fulfilling relationships started during her time as a peer para. She never has to doubt the intentions or honesty of the friends shes made.

Friendships can be weird, but not with them, Rendon said. With them, its always real. Its a genuine friendship.

Moore said she is proud of the peer paras for the work that they do at Scottsbluff High School and beyond, citing it as motivation to continue refining the program into something that will endure and turn out incredible young adults like them.

Every time I talk to them, theres something new that I see in them, Moore said. When I see them in the hallway with their students, they dont even see the rest of the world around them. Theyre just focused on that friendship.
American Legion Post 65 welcomed their fellow veteran Larry J. Beaver to their ranks with a thank you for his service, a few gifts, and a free year-long membership to the organization.

I feel good, really good, Beaver said of the recognition from Post 65.

The Navy veteran from Statesville joined during the Korean War and served on the USS Oriskany, an Essex-class aircraft carrier. The carrier was launched in 1945 and later was awarded two battle stars during the Korean War, and 10 for service in the Vietnam War.

County Commissioner Brad Stroud Sr. and Commission Chair Melissa Neader were invited to join Post 65 1st Vice Cmdr. George Taylor, 2nd Vice Cmdr. Bob Waters and his wife Barbra, and Post Lt. Mark Armstrong for breakfast on Tuesday at Gregs BBQ in Statesville as Beaver enjoyed breakfast with his wife, Gale Beaver.

For Post 65, it was a chance to recognize their fellow veteran while also bringing in a friend to the American Legion post.

From all of us at Post 65 American Legion, we welcome you to our family, Taylor said while presenting the gifts of a Korean War veteran hat, vanity plate, Navy flag, and Beavers yearlong membership.

Post 65 meets on the second Monday of each month at Hurst Turner Post 65, 2446 Salisbury Highway East, in Statesville.
Iredell County deputies arrested a Florida man and seized 55 pounds of marijuana from a vehicle on Interstate 77, according to authorities.

Yasmani Varela-Portela, 35, of Miami, Florida, is charged with felony trafficking marijuana by possession, felony trafficking marijuana by transport, felony possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, felony maintain a vehicle for the sale of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, the Iredell County Sheriffs Office said in a news release.

On Tuesday, deputies stopped a Ford car with Florida plates along the southbound lanes of Interstate 77 near mile marker 59 for traffic violations, the sheriffs office said.

The sheriffs office said deputies talked to the driver, who stated that he was traveling from Columbus, Ohio, to Miami, Florida. The sheriffs office identified Portela as the driver.

K-9 Brandi was called to assist with the stop. The sheriffs office said K-9 Brandi indicated the presence of illegal narcotics in the vehicle.

Deputies searched the vehicle and seized 55 pounds of marijuana, the sheriffs office said.

Varela-Portela was arrested and issued a $150,000 secured bond, the sheriffs office said.

After conducting a records check on Portela, it was determined that he was in the country illegally from Cuba, the sheriffs office said. Homeland Security issued a federal detainer on Portela, the sheriffs office said.
LAS VEGAS  Even without Donald Trump on Nevada's Republican ballot, Nikki Haley was denied her first victory.

The indignity of a distant second-place finish behind "none of these candidates" was a fresh blow for Haley, facilitated by the staunch Trump allies who lead Nevada's GOP. They already maneuvered to ensure Trump has a lock on the state's 26 delegates, who will be awarded in caucuses on Thursday where he faces only token opposition.

Rarely has a none-of-the-above campaign had such muscle behind it.

Formally, the Trump campaign told supporters only to worry about Thursday, but many of his allies in state and local GOP committees made it known that they could still show support for Trump by registering their opposition to Haley.

Haley, the former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor, did not campaign in Nevada, saying Trump's allies rigged the rules in his favor.

"At the end of the day, the disrespect that Nikki Haley showed us, she just got reciprocated," Nevada GOP Chairman Michael McDonald said Tuesday night.

With 86% of the expected votes counted, "none of these candidates" was leading Haley by more than a 2-to-1 margin Tuesday night.

Nevada lawmakers added "none of these candidates" as an option in all statewide races in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal as a way for voters to participate but express dissatisfaction with their choices. "None" can't win elected office but came in first in primary congressional contests in 1976 and 1978. It also finished ahead of both George Bush and Edward Kennedy in Nevada's 1980 presidential primaries for their respective parties.

McDonald said it was left to each county GOP chair to decide if they wanted to promote "none of these candidates" on the ballot.

"I stand behind them 1,000%," he said of the GOP chairs. "When I was asked, I said 'Look, I can't tell you how you vote, (but) I can tell you how I'm voting.'"

McDonald is fiercely loyal to Trump and is one of six "fake electors" indicted by a Nevada grand jury for submitting certificates to Congress falsely declaring him the winner of the 2020 presidential election in the state.

Nevada, the third state in the 2024 field after Iowa and New Hampshire, was set to hold a state-run primary election instead of party-run caucuses after Democrats controlling the Legislature changed the law to try to boost participation.

But Nevada Republicans chose to hold party-run caucuses instead, saying they wanted certain rules in place, like a requirement that participants show a government-issued ID.

The caucuses on Thursday are the only Nevada contests that count toward the GOP's presidential nomination. But they were seen as especially skewed in favor of Trump because of the intense grassroots support they require from candidates and new state party rules that benefit him further.

Haley certainly thought so. Her campaign criticized the process, refused to pay the $55,000 fee to compete in the caucuses, and made no effort to campaign in Nevada, opting instead to go all out in her home state of South Carolina, where Republicans vote later this month.

Haley pressed ahead with a West Coast fundraising swing and rally Wednesday night in Los Angeles before Californias primary on March 5, when a large number of states vote on what is known as Super Tuesday.

She posted on social media about how Republicans keep doing the same thing and getting the same result: chaos.

A vote for Trump is a vote for more chaos, she added, echoing a line she routinely delivers at campaign speeches.

The state GOP barred candidates who registered for the primary from competing in the caucuses. Election officials reported widespread confusion as voters expecting to vote for Trump did not see him on their ballots.

I noticed that the Trump name was excluded from this particular ballot, which really disappointed me, said David Casipit, after poll workers told him the primary was not connected to any delegates.

I didnt want to vote for anybody who was opposing (Trump), he added at Fernley City Hall, a city of 23,000 in rural Lyon County.

Washoe County GOP Chair Bruce Parks, who pushed the decision to favor caucuses, said in an interview that he told voters who called his office  and Trump supporters  to participate in the primary by voting for "none of these candidates" over Haley.

"They basically told us 'they don't care about us,'" Parks said in an interview Tuesday night. "By marking 'none of these candidates,' we respond in kind  we don't care about you either."

Trump campaigned in Nevada 10 days before the primary and urged his supporters to focus on the caucuses, saying the primary "doesn't mean anything."

"Don't waste your time on the primary," he said.

But his supporters in the state ensured voters knew how to support him anyway.

"My job as a party boss is to get people to vote," said Leo Blundo, Nye County GOP chairman. "So we kept it simple for people  just vote none of the above. If you want to vote for Trump, vote none of the above, that's it. And that keeps people voting."

Live results:

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[If you are interested, here is 36. And 35.]

1. The most important part of your life is ahead of you.

2. We are not responsible to change anyone. We are just asked to love and affirm them.

3. Wives are so often unsympathetic to physical pain in their husbands.

4. The writer Walt Whitman, was a Quaker.

5. Try turning a statement into a question. It will give you a different perspective.

6. You should travel because its there. And it should not be missed.

7. We should all be taking longer lunches.

8. The point of your life is character transformation, just like in a story.

9. On his deathbed, the first thing King David told his son was: Prove yourself a man.

10. Want you family to be tidier? Go first, and say nothing.

11. The writing life is only romantic on paper.

12. If you hate your job, you are probably not in the right place.

13. People typically judge by appearances. You can use that to your advantage  if you think about it.

14. If you can attach meaning to suffering  suffering becomes sacrifice.

15. Most of the time, emotion increases with age.

16. Saddam means The Crasher.

17. If you must disappoint a few people, dont let it be your immediate family.

18. Honduras was the first Banana Republic.

19. I want this schedule.

20. Do not look for external validation. Its too subjective.
ISIS' Amaq news agency issued a statement announcing the targeting of a convoy of tankers loaded with oil belonging to the Assad regime's al-Qaterji militias.

On Tuesday, ISIS Amaq news agency issued a statement announcing the targeting of a convoy of tankers loaded with oil belonging to the Assad regimes al-Qaterji militias.

According to the statement, a group of ISIS fighters successfully targeted tankers belonging to the Qaterji group in the village of Sabah al-Khair, situated between the governorates of Raqqa and Deir-ez-Zor in northeastern Syria.

In early February, the official news agency, serving as the mouthpiece of ISIS, released a statement detailing the organizations operations within its areas of influence. It indicated that the organization had carried out five operations in Syria, resulting in the death and injury of 13 individuals.

Recently, the local Ain al-Furat network reported a significant resurgence in the activity of Qaterji militias, particularly in fuel smuggling operations from SDF-controlled areas to regime-held areas east of Deir-ez-Zor. It was revealed that the Qaterji militia took advantage of the reopening of river crossings connecting SDF and regime-controlled areas in the eastern governorate to continue their smuggling operations.

Sources added that the actions of these militias provoked widespread outrage among the local population due to the damage caused by fuel smuggling operations. This was compounded by allegations of theft and extortion perpetrated by militia members against the inhabitants of villages under regime control east of Deir-ez-Zor.

Media reports have previously highlighted an escalation in ISIS attacks in the Badia region, particularly targeting oil fields operated by companies with close ties to the regime, such as Arfada Petroleum, owned by pro-Assad businessman Hossam Qaterji.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The Jordanian army reported on Wednesday that a border guard was wounded and three smugglers were killed while intercepting an attempt to smuggle drugs from Syria.

The Jordanian army reported on Wednesday that a border guard was wounded and three smugglers were killed while intercepting an attempt to smuggle drugs from Syria.

According to a military source from the General Command of the army, the eastern military region, in collaboration with military security services and the Drug Enforcement Administration, successfully foiled an infiltration and drug smuggling operation from Syrian territory early Wednesday morning.

The operation resulted in the death of three smugglers, injuries to others, and the confiscation of significant quantities of drugs, which were subsequently handed over to the appropriate authorities. One member of the border guard sustained injuries during the confrontation with the smugglers, and his condition is reported to be critical.

Emphasizing the commitment to safeguarding Jordanian national security, the source reiterated the armed forces determination to vigorously combat any threats.

A week prior, Jordans Public Security Directorate announced the prevention of the smuggling of over 4 million Captagon pills and a quantity of crystal through the Naseeb/Jaber border crossing with Syria, attributing the attempt to regional groups and gangs.

Recent days have seen a verbal exchange between the Jordanian government and the Syrian regime, with the latter criticizing Jordanian raids in the southeastern countryside of Suweida. In response, Jordan held the regime accountable for border impunity and drug smuggling.

In January, airstrikes targeted residential areas in the neighbouring towns of Arman and Melh in the southeastern countryside of Suweida, resulting in the deaths of 10 civilians, including women and children, in Arman. Earlier, similar raids targeted homes of drug dealers and smugglers inside Syrian territory, resulting in two fatalities.

At the outset of 2024, the Jordanian army announced the deaths of five smugglers, the arrest of 15 others, and the seizure of drugs following 16 hours of armed clashes with smuggling groups attempting to breach the Jordanian border with Syria.

In December 2023, the Jordanian army thwarted six smuggling attempts within a week, involving 14-hour armed confrontations, preventing the smuggling of high-quality weapons and missiles. The clashes resulted in the death of a Jordanian officer, injuries to another, fatalities among smugglers, and several arrests.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
As February unfolds, so do the opportunities to actually catch some fish in our region. In this weeks report, I dive into the latest updates, from exploring Silver Lake crappie to the potential for excellent steelhead opportunities.

For those of you who like to fish the Willamette in Oregon, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the two-rod validation will again be in effect for spring Chinook and steelhead on the lower Willamette beginning March 1 and above the falls starting May 1.

Coast

We are beginning a new round of razor clam digging dates on coastal beaches, which began Tuesday. During the past dig, results were excellent for most people.

The first morning digs are scheduled for the second week of March. This is when I personally prefer to go clamming, as I like to get two for one trips.

Surf perch fishing is good based on the one report I received in the Beards Hollow area. Be sure to wear neoprene gloves this time of year.

Estuary crabbing is fair and should improve with the decreasing rain and snowmelt that, in excess, caused less than optimal salinity for estuary crabs.

Snag Lake, also called Radar Hill Ponds, received 25 steelhead transplants on Jan. 19 and has a year-round open season. Elevation of Snag Lake is about 1,100 feet and is stocked with 10-inch rainbow trout, and some cutthroat are also available.

Subscriber Sean sent me a report for Tokeland crabbing at the docks: We came up to Twin Harbors Saturday evening, put four pots in at the Tokeland pier around 6 a.m. (Weve) been checking about four times a day and leaving them soaking overnight, and have five crabs to show for it, which is actually quite a bit better than most that I have talked to yesterday and today.

Toledo and Castle Rock

Fishing at Silver Lake for crappie is excellent. My friend Keith and I spent last Friday fishing the canals. We caught and released about 50 crappie between us and there were a few small yellow perch in the mix.

The Tacoma Power website reports the following action on the Cowlitz River last week. Tacoma Power employees recovered 148 winter-run steelhead adults, one coho adult, and one spring Chinook adult over five days of operations at the Cowlitz salmon hatchery separator.

Reports indicate that the sea lions are as far up as Toledo. Due to the lack of steelhead and salmon, I assume they are on the hunt for the imminent smelt run. Still, the Cowlitz is falling into good shape and steelhead reports should improve in the coming weeks. It will take longer to clear up below the Toutle, as that river is still pretty brown.

Commercial smelt fisherman are in the thick of things on the Columbia and doing well. Hopefully we get an opportunity to have a dip ourselves very soon.

Riffe Lake water levels are on the rise. Mossyrock Park is the only open boat launch at this time. The dock will not be useable until water levels stabilize. The lake is currently at 738 feet. Riffe provides good fishing for landlocked coho and Chinook salmon, plus an occasional large brown trout.

Nathan at Sportsmans Warehouse in Kelso has scheduled seminars for fishing education. The kokanee fishing seminar was scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday and planned to focuses on Lake Merwin. The featured presenter was set to be local guide John Kaiser to go over gear, presentations and techniques for catching kokanee locally. The next seminars are 6 p.m. Feb. 20 on bobber fishing and 6 p.m. Feb. 27 featuring fish finder Ed Chin.

Mayfield Lake continues to fish very well for trout. One angler I heard from said a watermelon dodger and a pink micro shrimp spinner was the ticket. A reminder that if using bait for trout fishing you must keep legal size fish. Game wardens will issue tickets for failure to comply.

Kalama and Woodland

On Wednesday, the Kalama River buzzed with activity, its waters showing excellent flow and color. During my observations, I counted a total of eight drift boats navigating from the Beginners Hole downstream. After speaking with a boater at Modrow Bridge around 10 a.m., I learned that he had just begun his fishing expedition.

During conversations with other anglers, one plunker experienced a momentary thrill as his rod suddenly went off, only to be disappointed by a drive-by nibble. Fortunately, there were no encounters with sea lions, offering a positive outlook for the rivers immediate future. With the Kalama appearing optimal for the weekend ahead, I anticipate fishing activity to be heavy.

In addition to folks actually catching a few of these steelhead, Kress Lake picked up for panfish and trout on the sunny days this past week.

Local News The Guide's fishing forecast for Southwest Washington The Guide website launched in 1998 and offers fishing reports for Oregon and parts of Washington. Free reports like those in this collection a

Stopping in Kalama on my way home, I checked out Louis Rasmussen day-use park and the marina area. The one fisherman who I spoke with hadnt had any luck.

The Lewis River is finally getting into fishing shape. On Sunday the North Fork was a perfect steelhead green and is even better as of Wednesday. The Lewis escapements have been the most impressive of all local tributaries and the trend continues.

Horseshoe Lake last received some 40 steelhead transplants on Jan. 11.

La Center and Ridgefield

Crappie fishing on Lake River should be picking up, although I havent heard any reports.

Fishing at Mud Lake in early spring presents unique local opportunities for anglers seeking a variety of warmwater species. If you arent familiar with Mud Lake, there is only a small pull out for parking, and a mowed half mile trail to the lake. Its a good place for a kayak, however you may need a dolly to get your vessel to the water.

Klineline Pond received a stocking on Jan. 22 of 2,500 rainbow trout. Battleground Lake also received a booster stocking of 2,500 rainbow the same day.
To find the future use of Longviews old aluminum plant site, local leaders are taking inspiration from across the Atlantic Ocean.

The goal is to build a business park along the Columbia River where each industry uses the waste or by-product of another to reduce discarded materials and save money.

The design was first conceptualized in Denmark, where local leaders recently visited to see the sustainable model in person and visualize how the green blueprint could be used at home.

If you can sell sludge to somebody that can turn that into a biofuel, then its a win for the company that needs to get rid of the sludge and a win for the company that needs it for their projects, Cowlitz Economic Development Council President Ted Sprague said.

The plan

The economic development council is asking the state Legislature for $2.5 million to take the first design steps in creating what they call this industrial symbiosis park. The money would be split between the council and the Port of Pasco, which is planning to build a similar park roughly 230 miles up the Columbia.

The model could be used to refit an existing industrial site, but Longviews preference is housing new industries in a new business park. That is why the former Reynolds Metals site has been pitched as the potential location.

Representatives of GreenLab, the Danish company that created this model, talked to local companies in December about designing the new Longview park in a workshop held at the office of Northwest Alloys, the former aluminum plant site at 4029 Industrial Way.

The land is in the middle of a $28 million cleanup of contaminated soil by the Department of Ecology and the current owning company Alcoa, the parent company of Northwest Alloys. A spokesman for Alcoa told The Daily News the mitigation work was roughly halfway done and they were hopeful to clear the site by January 2025.

Sprague said the location would work for the scale and power needs of a green industry park. The Columbia River could be used for hydropower and the land was previously built for large-scale electricity usage. The nearby lumber and paper mills could provide their wood by-products to a company at the new park. Plus, the environmental covenant that the Washington Department of Ecology has placed on the land means the site has to remain zoned for industrial purposes.

How does it work in Denmark?

In September, Sprague and Longview Community Development Director Ann Rivers joined a group visiting GreenLab in Denmark.

GreenLab says their model is cheaper for businesses to get rid of their waste or purchase materials and creates a sustainable process by reducing the total amount of waste.

Jacob Morgensen, head of business development, said GreenLab helps figure out which companies could complement each other inside the Denmark site and how to design the park for the different uses.

Its a puzzle, he said. You have some pieces already laid out and you have a shape of an empty plot and youre trying to find out what is a good company that would fit into the profile you have at the moment.

The Denmark business park has seven companies, spread out over roughly 30 acres. Current clients include cattle and pig farms that provide manure for a biogas production company. Wind turbines at the site power a facility that grows and farms an invasive starfish species, some of which are used by a third company to create pet food.

Sprague said he isnt used to being hands-on with choosing companies to fit into local business parks, but expects that to change.

It was not something we focused on in the past and something we would do much more in the future. Based on the meetings (in December), I see that ramping up more and more, he said.

The funding request to the Legislature says the money would cover the business parks site mapping, a feasibility study for the project and an initial master plan. Longviews park would be inspired by GreenLab, and the Danish company is listed as a sponsor on the funding request.

Yet, Morgensen said the company may not have the capacity to take an active development role in any Washington projects.

What we know by experience is its quite easy to get to that stage, and say yes, we want to do this, he said. Now comes the hard part of keeping that engagement level up and having that persistence.

Green future

Since joining Longview in 2021, Rivers said her developmental focus has been on green energy projects because of the availability of state-level support.

One of the first projects she worked on after joining the city of Longview was the Divert biogas facility, which aims to turn discarded food into renewable energy and is currently under construction across from the old Reynolds site at the Mint Farm Industrial Park.

Rivers was also in discussions with the company Fortescue about a potential hydrogen energy hub in Longview before the project eventually landed in Lewis County.

While any work on the business park is still several years away, Rivers said local leaders are thinking now about tomorrow.

Cities have the reputation for delaying and stopping things and here that is not the role we are playing, Rivers said. Its better to have a plan before you need it and know the needs before the needs arise.
Police in Oregon are asking for the publics help in finding Analiesa Golde, a woman who is suspected of killing her husband.

The search expanded to Southwest Washington this week, according to the Portland Police Bureau who reports they have reason to believe she is in the Toutle and Mount St. Helens area.

Portland Police Bureau officers responded to a missing person report at a locked and secured home in the southeast part of the city the morning of Jan. 26 around 8:45 a.m. and found 37-year-old Phillip Pierce shot dead and other suspicious circumstances.

The medical examiner ruled the shooting a homicide.

After initially announcing there were no suspects, police said a few days later that Pierces wife, Golde, was the suspect and she could not be located. Prior to her being named a suspect, the family had asked for privacy.

Goldes whereabouts are unknown, police said. She may be driving a 2015 burnt orange Toyota 4Runner with Oregon license plate 501HSB.

The vehicle has a number of decals as well.

Golde should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who spots Golde is urged to call 911 immediately, police said.

She is now wanted for second-degree murder.

One neighbor told KPTV there was a bit of an age gap between the couple but that it seemed to work.

Normal, normal people. I would not have expected this, the neighbor said, after being asked how to describe Pierce and Golde.

It remains unclear who originally reported Pierce missing.

No further information or motive was released.

Editors note: The Daily News City Editor Hayley Day contributed to this article.
Washingtons state Public Disclosure Commission has closed its investigation into an unregistered group that supported the Longviews parks ballot measure last year.

The committee dismissed the issue in January, deciding no further action was needed after a group that created yard signs in support of the measure filed as a political committee.

The PDC did, however, send a warning letter to former Longview City Councilman Mike Wallin, who led the pro-parks group, in order to create a record in case there were future issues with political disclosures and filings.

What was the issue?

Longview resident Chuck Wallace filed the original complaint in early October, soon after the green Vote Yes on Parks yard signs first began appearing in the area.

The signs did not mention any campaign group that had helped design or pay for them. There was also no committee that had filed with the state to support the measure to form a local metropolitan parks district.

According to the commissions case records, Wallin had reached out to the PDC previously to ask about the reporting needed for individuals who created yard signs. Wallin told the PDC the signs were being purchased by individuals, not a group, and therefore there wasnt an entity to register.

Signs were paid for by those who wanted to pay for the signs, and they were distributed to those who wanted to display one, Wallin told The Daily News this week.

On Nov. 2 the commission wrote Wallin that the parks group had to register as a political committee and report their signs as in-kind contributions. A new group called Vote Yes Parks Longview filed its records with the state the next day.

The state disclosure website shows that a total of $3,041 ended up being spent to support the ballot measure to create a metropolitan parks district before it lost the November election. Around $500 went toward radio ads in October, while the remaining money was used to purchase yard signs. A majority of the in-kind spending came from Wallin, former Longview mayor Mark McCrady, and the Longview Parks Foundation.(tncms-asset)b31532fe-ef45-11ed-8c94-7fb6fa540fc7[2](/tncms-asset)

The letter sent to Wallin and Wallace after the investigation closed said the initial lack of filing seemed to be the result of good-faith uncertainty concerning the reporting requirements for the respondents unique method of paying for and distributing yard signs. The letter also served as a formal warning in case Wallin or Vote Yes Parks Longview had any future reporting issues.

Wallace said he felt the issue was handled and closed appropriately.

This incident puts future campaigners on notice as to what they need to do to avoid drawing attention from citizen activists looking to report political campaign non-compliance, Wallace said.

Wallin said he was also happy with the PDCs assistance in dealing with the complaint.
Artwork and creative writing pieces from two dozen students are featured in a 2024 calendar focused on preventing stormwater pollution, which affects local waterways.

The selected students will be honored at an award ceremony at 5 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Kelso City Hall council chambers, according to a city of Longview press release.

A public education campaign called Cowlitz Clean Waters, comprised of local public agencies, hosts the annual contest for grades six through eight to be featured in the calendar.

Students submitted drawings or short poems around this years calendar theme of lawn and yard care.

The free calendar can be picked up at all public libraries in the county and Longview and Kelso city halls.

Cowlitz Clean Waters is comprised of the cities of Kelso and Longview, Cowlitz County, Consolidated Drainage Improvement District 1, Kelso School District, Longview School District, Washington State University Cowlitz County Extension and Lower Columbia College.

Featured students Cora Bentson, Three Rivers Christian

Mara McComus, Cascade Middle School

Emily Nelson, Cascade Middle School

Athena Gardner, Cascade Middle School

Adiel Boaglio, Cascade Middle School

Claire Byman, Cascade Middle School

Itzel Avalos, Cascade Middle School

Hannah Sande, Cascade Middle School

Andy Severson, Cascade Middle School

Demecia Guzman-D., Cascade Middle School

Gayle Canaday, Cascade Middle School

Kennadee Albright ,Cascade Middle School

Miles Maxon, Three Rivers Christian

Jocelyn Strum, Three Rivers Christian

Natashia Kanaly, Huntington Middle School

Victoria Rodriguez, Three Rivers Christian

Rodrigo Romero-Cruz, Huntington Middle School

Noah Barney, Three Rivers Christian

Arianna Bagwill, Huntington Middle School

Cora Bentson, Three Rivers Christian

Rex Kinchiro, Huntington Middle School

Jawslynn Clough, Huntington Middle School

Jonathon Baldwin, Three Rivers Christian

Savanna Atkins, Three Rivers Christian
Campaign cash is pouring into the race for Southwest Washingtons 3rd Congressional District as candidates and voters prepare for a contentious election year.

Incumbent Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, ended 2023 with more money for her reelection campaign than Republican challengers Joe Kent of Yacolt and Leslie Lewallen of Camas combined.

With $2.1 million at the beginning of 2023, Perez has since hauled in nearly $800,000 in contributions through her official campaign committee, bringing her total to $2.9 million this election cycle, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Additionally, the Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee, closed 2023 with $121,297 on hand, records show.

Challenger Kent, a former Green Beret and Trump-endorsed candidate who narrowly lost to Perez in 2022, ended 2023 with $532,293 on hand, according to federal reports. His campaign raked in $291,146 through his official campaign committee, including $5,322 in the last quarter, bringing his total to $823,440. Meanwhile, the Joe Kent Victory Fund  a separate political committee that includes Joe Kent for Congress, KENT PAC and the Washington State Republican Party  raised $406,484 in the last quarter, bringing his net total to $1,487,334.

However, it was not immediately clear Tuesday how much money Kent had at the start of 2023, and a spokesperson was not available to clarify.

Leslie Lewallen, a fifth-generation Washingtonian and former prosecutor who serves on the Camas City Council, has raised $340,000, including about $120,000 in the last quarter. Her campaign had $140,000 on hand when the year began, records show.

Republicans are eager to regain the seat Jaime Herrera Beutler held for 12 years. Kent bested the incumbent in a 2022 primary challenge, but then lost in the general election to the unheralded Perez, a self-described moderate Democrat.

As 2024 heats up, the candidates are staking their positions and rallying their bases. Each brings a different approach to tackling Southwest Washingtons most pressing issues, such as homelessness, high housing costs, addiction and crime.

For example, on Saturday, Kent participated in the Take Our Border Back Convoy, a conservative rally in San Ysidro, Calif., protesting illegal immigration at the southern border. In a short speech, he blamed the surge in fentanyl entering Southwest Washington on the Democrats immigration policy. He called out Perez for saying her constituents dont stay awake at night worrying about the southern border on a podcast.

People stay awake at night worrying that their kid is going to relapse or that, you know, someones going to drop out of school or theyre going to lose their house, she said.

Lewallen also criticized Perez for the remark.

Perez hit back at Kent, saying hes spending too much of his time away from his district and indulging conspiracy theorists.

Im working and biking in our district today, but Joe Kents at a QAnon rally in California, she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
OLYMPIA  Washington is moving to bar police from hogtying suspects, a proposal spurred by the March 2020 death of 33-year-old Manuel Ellis, who had been hogtied and told police several times that he couldnt breathe.

The Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to pass Senate Bill 6009, which would ban the practice and classify it as excessive force. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

Three police officers charged in Ellis death were acquitted by a Pierce County jury in December.

Ellis was also punched, shocked with a Taser, placed in a neck hold, fitted with a nylon spit hood over his face, and knelt and sat on by officers. Ellis death was ruled a homicide by the Pierce County medical examiner, caused by oxygen deprivation via physical restraint.

Tacoma Police Department policies at the time of Ellis death were silent on hogtying. After Ellis death, the Police Departments collective bargaining agreement with the city was revised to prohibit hogtying. Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards recently endorsed the proposed legislation banning the practice.

The bill defines hogtying as fastening together a suspects bound or restrained ankles with their bound or restrained wrists.

The sponsor of the bill, Sen. Yasmin Trudeau, D-Tacoma, said Ellis spent the final moments of his life hogtied, pleading for breath.

He was loved, and he was somebodys family member, Trudeau said. And I think any of us on the floor would not want our family member to spend the final moments of their life in this inhumane way.

All Democrats and Republicans in the Senate voted for the proposal.

Senate Republican Leader John Braun, of Centralia, said the elimination of hogtying would not affect police officers ability to do their jobs.

We think that most law enforcement would not want to do that anymore, he said. And there are better ways to restrain folks, and safer ways  I think that is the most important thing  safer ways to do that.

Sen. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, a former state trooper and Snohomish County sheriff, described hogtying as a shameful practice.

I have lived with the shame of watching a person get hogtied, and its a shame that you have to live with, Lovick said. We know better now, and it is time for us to end the use of this dehumanizing technique.
Like millions worldwide, Southeast Asians have been trying out large language models such as Meta's Llama 2 and Mistral AI - but in their native Bahasa Indonesia or Thai. The result has usually been gibberish in English.

This leaves them at a disadvantage, tech experts warn, as generative artificial intelligence transforms education, work and governance worldwide.

A Singapore government-led initiative aims to correct the imbalance with a Southeast Asian LLM, the first in a family of models named SEA-LION - Southeast Asian Languages in One Network - trained in the region's languages and cultural norms.

Trained on data in 11 Southeast Asian languages including Vietnamese, Thai and Bahasa Indonesia, the open-sourced model is a cheaper and more efficient option for the region's businesses, governments and academia, said Leslie Teo at AI Singapore.

"Do we want to force every person in Southeast Asia to adapt to the machine, or do we want to make it more accessible so people in the region can make full use of the technology without having to be an English speaker?" he said.

"We are not trying to compete with the big LLMs; we are trying to complement them, so there can be better representation of us," Teo, senior director for AI products, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

There are over 7,000 languages spoken worldwide. Yet LLMs including Open AI's GPT-4 and Meta's Llama 2 that are used to build AI systems such as chatbots and other tools, have largely been developed for, and are trained on, the English language.

Governments and tech firms are trying to bridge this gap, with India creating datasets in local languages, an LLM in the United Arab Emirates powering generative AI tools in Arabic, and AI models in China, Japan and Vietnam in local languages.

These models can help local populations participate more equitably in the global AI economy that is largely dominated by big tech firms, said Nuurrianti Jalli, an assistant professor at Oklahoma State University's school of communications.

"Regional LLMs are also needed because they support technology self-reliance," she said. Less reliance on Western LLMs could provide better privacy for local populations, and also align better with national or regional interest.

VERIFY AND FILTER

Multilingual language models that are trained on text from several languages at once, can infer semantic and grammatical connections between high resource languages that have more data, and low resource languages, researchers say.

These models can be used in a variety of applications from translation to customer-service chatbots, to content moderation on social media platforms that have struggled to identify hate speech in low resource languages such as Burmese or Amharic.

About 13% of SEA-LION's data is sourced from Southeast Asian languages - more than any other major LLM, said Teo. More than 9% of its data is from Chinese text, and about 63% from English.

Multilingual language models often train on translated text and other poor quality data that may have errors, so AI Singapore is "careful" about the data used in training SEA-LION, Teo said in his office at the National University of Singapore.

"The age of pristine data has passed - a lot of the stuff on the internet now is material that is generated by LLMs, so we need to verify and filter," he said.

"We cannot be perfect, but we also cannot take out everything we consider to be bad," he added.

More governments are contributing data, and businesses are testing SEA-LION, which due to its smaller size can be deployed faster and is cheaper to fine-tune and adopt, Teo said.

At Indonesian e-commerce company Tokopedia, a majority of customer interactions is in Bahasa Indonesia, so models "with that local fluency will enhance our ability to connect with customers and improve their experiences," said Paul Condylis, Tokopedia's associate vice president of data science.

BIAS IN THE DATA

As more countries and regions build their own LLMs, digital and human rights experts fret that they will reproduce only the dominant views expressed online, which can be particularly problematic in nations with authoritarian governments or strict media censorship, or those lacking a strong civil society.

Chinese social media platforms, for example, censor references to the Tiananmen Square uprising and criticism of the government, while several Southeast Asian nations have enacted laws to curb content that authorities deem as misleading.

"Training models on such data risks perpetuating biased, prejudiced, incomplete and even misleading narratives," said Jalli.

"The models may fail to surface important socio-political issues like human rights abuse, corruption, or valid criticism of political powers," she said.

In response to a query on Indonesian former president Suharto, for example, Llama 2 and GPT-4 mentioned his spotty human rights record, while SEA-LION's response focused largely on his achievements.

If a model is only trained on favourable articles about a government, then the model is "likely to adopt a worldview where the government is wholly positive and leave behind dissenting viewpoints," said Aliya Bhatia, a policy analyst at the Center for Democracy & Technology, a U.S. non-profit.

"Regional LLMs may better reflect the linguistic and cultural nuances of local language speakers, but they may also have less information about the world in general," she added.

"There is a real risk of government-backed models instilling a revisionist view of history and undermining democratic values."

But the alternative - relying entirely on Western LLMs with "disproportionately large influences" from wealthy, liberal, western democracies - means perpetuating different biases related to cultural values, political beliefs and social norms, according to AI Singapore.

"These LLMs have a very particular West Coast American bias - they are very woke. They do not represent us," said Teo.

We are not saying ours is the only perspective - we are just trying to rebalance it.

Also, read these top stories today:

Cookies are crumbling! The little data files that helped companies stalk users around the web are vanishing. But that doesn't mean a return to privacy. Some interesting details in this article. Check it out here.

Meta will challenge the EU! Meta announced on Wednesday it would challenge in court an EU demand for fees under a content moderation law, which is the EU's legal weaponry to rein in Big Tech. Read all about it here.

Microsoft to cut more jobs! The FTC seeks a response after Microsoft's plans surfaced revealing that the Satya Nadella-led company aims to cut 1900 jobs from the newly acquired Activision Blizzard. Dive in here.
Leading global IT and engineering solutions provider, Techwave, announces the inauguration of its new, cutting-edge office in Brisbane, further cementing its footprint in Australia. This state-of-the-art facility not only signifies Techwaves commitment to growth and excellence in the region but also showcases a modern workspace designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and efficient delivery of its world-class services.

The new office, spanning an impressive 1,100+ square meters, represents a significant milestone for Techwave in Australia. It stands as a testament to the companys commitment to expanding its presence in the region. This spacious facility, comprising both office and warehouse spaces, is a reflection of Techwaves dedication to providing top-notch services to its clients. Designed with a modern touch, this office serves as a central hub for Techwaves growing Australian team. Its contemporary workstations blend seamlessly with collaborative areas, creating an environment that fosters creativity and teamwork. This thoughtful design ensures that various business units and teams can work cohesively, promoting synergy across diverse business operations.

Techwave specializes in providing comprehensive telecommunications solutions, including wireline, SAED wireless engineering, network design, and construction. Our services are designed to meet the complex needs of our clients, ensuring high-quality network infrastructure and connectivity.

In the Utilities sector, Techwave offers advanced solutions that include geospatial technologies, AI/ML applications, Data Managed Services, IT Solutions, and digital transformation strategies. These offerings enable our clients to improve operational efficiency and deliver exceptional customer service through the effective use of technology. Our portfolio encompasses a wide range of services such as Enterprise Solutions, Product & Platform Engineering, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Advanced Analytics, Cloud & DevOps, AI/ML, SAP, and IoT solutions.

Mr. Damodar Rao Gummadapu, Co-Founder & Chairman of Techwave, expressed his enthusiasm: The inauguration of our Brisbane office marks a pivotal step in our global strategy. This state-of-the-art facility underscores our commitment to our valued clients, and our proficient workforce will ensure that we continue to deliver unparalleled value. This strategic move not only amplifies our presence in the region but also augments our capacity to attract diverse talent, driving both efficiency and innovation.

Emphasizing the importance of the new facility, Mr. Srinivas Penmetsa, Vice President & Regional Head of Techwave Australia stated, This new office is more than just a workspace; its a testament to our forward-thinking vision and commitment to excellence. With top-tier amenities, were poised to redefine the standards of collaboration and innovation in our industry. Our commitment to our clients remains unwavering, and we believe this facility will act as a catalyst, propelling us to achieve even greater milestones.
Motorola Solutions and Google Cloud announced a strategic, multi-year agreement that will focus on innovating cloud solutions across Motorola Solutions safety and security technologies. With Google Clouds infrastructure, Motorola Solutions will prioritize the advancement of assistive intelligence, including highly accurate and reliable video content delivery, mapping and AI capabilities, to help address real-world safety challenges.

Mahesh Saptharishi, executive vice president and chief technology officer of Motorola Solutions, said, From communities to businesses, our customers rely on us to help create a safer future. This collaboration will leverage the power of sensors, data and AI to help make safety and security more accessible and actionable.

Motorola Solutions expects to deploy the newly developed capabilities across its rapidly growing cloud security solutions, including Avigilon Alta, an entirely cloud-native video suite that enables enterprise security for organizations of all sizes.

Whether its enabling better protection for schools, identifying unusual activity at businesses or more effectively securing large-scale events, real-time visibility and awareness are foundational for both public safety and enterprise security outcomes, Saptharishi said.

Will Grannis, vice president and chief technology officer of Google Cloud, said, Motorola Solutions has long demonstrated leadership in innovating the technologies that safeguard communities and enterprises. Together we will channel our latest cloud advancements to support Motorola Solutions sharpened focus on safety and security innovations via the cloud.
Nokia announced it has signed its last remaining major smartphone patent license agreement and concluded its smartphone patent licence renewal cycle which began in 2021. Nokia Technologies  Nokias licensing business  will now enter a period of stability with no major smartphone agreements expiring for a number of years.

Todays announcement follows recent agreements with Honor, OPPO, vivo, and the new agreement now concluded with a company whose license expired earlier, as well as the license agreements signed with Apple and Samsung last year, and Huawei in December 2022.

As a result, Nokia Technologies currently has an annual net sales run-rate (contracted recurring net sales) of approximately EUR 1.3 billion, excluding catch-up net sales. In addition to the remaining addressable smartphone market, it will continue to focus on opportunities to grow the annual net sales run-rate through patent licensing in areas such as automotive, consumer electronics, IoT and multimedia, to reach a run-rate of EUR 1.4-1.5 billion in the mid-term.

Considering the many agreements Nokia Technologies has signed in the quarter, its Q1 net sales are expected to benefit from significant catch-up net sales in excess of EUR 400 million related to prior periods of non-payment. This is consistent with the assumption that Nokia provided in its Financial Report for Q4 and Full Year 2023 for Nokia Technologies to generate at least EUR 1.4 billion of operating profit in 2024 including the benefit of catch up net sales.

Jenni Lukander, President of Nokia Technologies, said: We are delighted to have successfully completed our smartphone license renewal cycle. These seven major agreements demonstrate the strength of Nokias patent portfolio and the smartphone industrys continued reliance on Nokias technology in their devices. Conclusion of our smartphone license renewal cycle will enable us to focus on growing our licensing run-rate in new areas. We have already made significant progress in these growth areas and have a strong pipeline of future opportunities.

Nokias industry-leading patent portfolio is built on around 150 billion invested in R&D since 2000 and is composed of around 20,000 patent families, including over 6,000 patent families declared essential to 5G. Nokia contributes its inventions to open standards in return for the right to license them on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms. Companies can license and use these technologies without the need to make their own substantial investments in the standards, fueling innovation and the development of new products and services for consumers.
Tech Mahindra announced the implementation of the greenfield digital MVNE (Mobile Virtual Network Enabler) platform for Sunrise. Headquartered in Zurich, Sunrise is the largest private (not state-owned) telecom operator in Switzerland that offers industry-leading mobile, internet, TV, and fixed network services to private and business customers.

The cloud-native MVNE platform will enable Sunrise to drive digital-first and simplified customer journeys for MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators). The implementation will assist MVNOs in accelerating market time, optimizing technology architecture, and reducing costs. It will empower Sunrise to achieve Zero-Touch and Zero-Trouble MVNE operations. Additionally, it provides robust data protection measures, ensuring data security and integrity, aligning with the requirements of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Vikram Nair, President, EMEA Business, Tech Mahindra, said, The seamless onboarding and integration of MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) on their network is a challenge for Telcos as it is complex, tedious, and expensive to manage in the long run. The need of the hour is to leverage a truly digital, comprehensive Business Support Systems (BSS) platform using Microservices and Open API (Application Programming Interface) standards for agility, flexibility, and scalability. Our implementation of the BSS platform has supported Sunrise to reduce their onboarding time of MVNO significantly. This accomplishment further strengthens our long-standing partnership with them.

Tech Mahindra delivered the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) for this platform within a timeline of less than nine months. The platform was then commercially rolled out by Sunrise, subsequent to which they onboarded their first MVNO on this platform, a post-paid reseller.

Robert Redeleanu, Chief Business Officer at Sunrise, said, Tech Mahindra has fully fulfilled our expectations in delivering a robust and best-fit MVNE (Mobile Virtual Network Enabler) solution to kick start a new digital era for our MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) partners. The state-of-the-art solution has supported us to deliver fully digitalized customer experiences. We are looking forward to leveraging this platform within our wholesale and B2B (Business-to-business) sector to offer new products and solutions.
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Credit: The Conversation

The Biden administration has frozen pending decisions on permit applications to export liquefied natural gas, or LNG, to countries other than U.S. free trade partners. During this pause, which will last for up to 15 months, the administration has pledged to take a "hard look" at economic, environmental and national security issues associated with exporting LNG.

Environmental advocates, who have expressed alarm over the rapid growth of U.S. LNG exports and their effects on Earth's climate, praised this step. Critics, including energy companies and members of Congress, argue that it threatens European energy security and energy jobs in the U.S. Emily Grubert, associate professor of sustainable energy policy at the University of Notre Dame and a former official at the U.S. Department of Energy, explains why large-scale LNG exports raise complex questions for U.S. policymakers.

Is the US a major LNG supplier?

The U.S. is now the world's largest LNG exporter. In November 2023, the most recent month with full data, the U.S. exported about 390 billion cubic feet of LNG, a record high.

The U.S. has been a net exporter since 2017, with export volumes now equal to about 15% of our domestic consumption. This gas sells for higher prices than natural gas delivered domestically, but it also costs more to process and deliver. As of 2022, the U.S. provided 20% of total global LNG exports.

Are there plans for exporting even more LNG?

The U.S. Energy Administration projects that North American LNG export capacitylargely from the U.S.is likely to more than double from its current level by the end of 2027. In the U.S., five LNG export terminals are currently under construction, and are not affected by the current pause.

Proposed North American LNG export terminals as of July 5, 2022. Except for terminals in Alaska, Maryland and Georgia, most U.S. LNG infrastructure is already concentrated along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf coasts. Credit: U.S. Department of Energy

Applications for additional export terminals are under review. These are the applications for which decisions have been temporarily paused.

How does LNG fit into a transition away from fossil fuel?

LNG, and natural gas in general, has an uneasy place in the decarbonization transition. Natural gas is a fossil fuel. Burning it produces carbon dioxide that contributes to climate change.

Furthermore, natural gas that has been processed for use is essentially pure methane, which is itself a greenhouse gas. When natural gas leaks to the atmosphere from sources like wells, pipelines or processing plants, it adds to climate change. Since the mid-1800s, human activitiesmainly, burning fossil fuelhave raised Earth's temperature by roughly 2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 Celsius) above preindustrial levels. Methane has caused about 0.9 degrees F (0.5 C) of that warming above preindustrial global temperatures.

LNG is not a transition away from fossil fuelit is a fossil fuel. Hypothetically, substituting LNG for more carbon-intensive fuels, like coal or other natural gas supplies with higher methane emissions, could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the near term.

But there's debate over how much LNG is actually useful in that context, especially when it comes to whether LNG would actually prompt switching from coal to gas, and if so, whether the long-term lock-in of fossil gas use is worth it. Meanwhile, investing in new LNG infrastructure means either committing to operate these facilities for years, or planning to strand expensive assets by retiring them early.

LNG terminals also have significant local impacts. In addition to methane, they emit large quantities of other air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. Tanker traffic to and from them can damage marshes and waterways. Building more terminals, especially in areas where energy facilities are already concentrated, raises important health and environmental justice concerns.

The U.S. LNG export boom could offer economic benefits, but also local and global environmental damage from producing, shipping and consuming natural gas.

A transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions will require a commitment to actually shift away from fossil fuel. In my view, it's not clear that deploying LNG will achieve this goal unless it's done with an explicit plan and mechanism to ensure that the gas is only used where it is actually needed and can support an emissions phaseout.

What do you think this policy review should consider?

As I see it, the most important step is to develop a coherent national strategy for the role of natural gas in the U.S. energy system, consistent with the Biden administration's stringent goals of making the U.S. electricity supply carbon-free electricity by 2035 and achieving a net-zero greenhouse gas economy by 2050.

Such a blueprint would need to include a plan for reshaping the nation's energy infrastructure to phase out use of natural gas, along with coal and oil. In theory, it could include targeted deployment of gas resources to ensure that energy needs are being met while zero-carbon resources are deployed along the way.

I'd like to see a clear articulation of the climate, health and energy system impacts of approving additional LNG export terminals, with enforcement mechanisms in place to ensure that the U.S. will meet defined limits on climate and other pollution, and on operational conditions. I'd also like to see health and environmental justice considerations deeply embedded into energy and climate decisions in general, and especially for LNG projects.

These plants are sited mainly in communities that have suffered high rates of illness, premature deaths and environmental damage from hosting fossil fuel infrastructure for decades. Many of them have said they don't want additional LNG development. In my view, without clarity on where the U.S. is going on this issue, it will be extremely difficult to make good decisions about LNG, and about natural gas in general.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
TOKYO, Feb 08 (News On Japan) - The Taiheiyo Shiranui Orchestra is set to release their first-ever greatest hits album, "Rock de Naoshi Best," in celebration of their 20th anniversary. The band, self-proclaimed as "Japan's number one rock band," disbanded in 2015 but reunited in 2018.

The best-of album will feature a selection of their most representative songs from their previous incarnation as SAYONARA Space Age, tracks featuring their close ally Niimariko (from HOMM Yo), a newly recorded 2024 version of "Tatoeba Boku ga Uretara," and last year's "Rock de Naoshi Blues," totaling 20 tracks that encapsulate the band's past and future. The CD will also include special audio comments from the members in honor of the 20th anniversary, as well as a "top secret" bonus rare track.

Furthermore, the Taiheiyo Shiranui Orchestra will hold a solo live event on March 3rd at Shimokitazawa Rokude Monai Yoru, located on the site of the former Shimokitazawa Shelter, a live house where they have performed since their formation. The best-of album will be pre-sold at this venue and subsequently made available through mail order and record shops. The album includes 20 tracks, with Disc 1 featuring songs like "Rock de Naoshi Blues" and "Kokosei kurai," and Disc 2 including collaborations with Niimariko such as "Yoi machi with Niimariko" and "Island Feedback with Niimariko," as well as the 2024 new recording of "Tatoeba Boku ga Uretara," plus the 20th-anniversary member commentary audio.

Music Natalie (@natalie_mu) tweeted, "Taiheiyo Shiranui Orchestra announces the release of their 20th-anniversary commemorative album 'Rock de Naoshi Best' (with video)," sparking reactions from readers.

The Taiheiyo Shiranui Orchestra's "Rock de Naoshi Best" will be available for purchase on March 3, 2024, from Yanagawa Records (YNGW-039), and is a 2-CD set. The release, along with live tour information and the presence of a music video, adds to the anticipation for the band's commemorative activities.

Source: Natalie
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EU officials said negotiators struck an agreement on Thursday on rules that seek to improve conditions for those working through apps, but member states could still reject the deal.

The European Union wants to approve the world's first law covering the gig economy in a bid to give clarity to the status of millions of workers.

The draft text had already been agreed in December. But days later a France-led resistance blocked the deal during a meeting of member states' ambassadors.

EU states and lawmakers returned to talks and over several weeks held many painstaking negotiations to reach an agreement, which officials announced on Thursday.

Negotiators "just found a provisional agreement," Belgium, which holds the rotating EU presidency, said on social media. "We hope that this can be a first step towards better protection of platform workers."

The issue is not out of the woods yet. Multiple sources including EU diplomats poured cold water on any assumption that the deal would be approved by member states.

"It has to be voted on by EU countries and it's unlikely to pass. If they don't get approval by February 16, the directive is postponed until after the European elections" later this year, a source close to the matter told AFP.

EU officials hope the EU's 27 states will discuss the text on Friday, before a vote next week, and that there will be no further obstacles to formal adoption.

"Hopeful for a positive outcome... next week," said the EU's jobs and social rights commissioner, Nicolas Schmit, referring to a meeting of ambassadors on February 16 where the agreement will be on the agenda.

The text will only become law after formal adoption by states and the parliament.

'Fails to deliver'

The legislation has faced an uphill battle since last year.

Under the original deal in December, many platform workers in Europe could be reclassified as employees if they met two out of five criteria.

Thursday's agreed text removes this, meaning there are no longer European criteria. Instead, it will be up to member states to define what makes a worker an employee.

This change is, however, fraught with risks of fragmentation in the EU's single market, an EU diplomat said, since it would not mean bloc-wide criteria.

This was a compromise by negotiators after states wanted to make it more difficult to classify a worker as an employee.

Move EU, a European association of ride-hailing platforms representing companies including Uber, called on EU states to reject the agreement.

"Today's provisional agreement is not the result of more than two years of deliberations, but of a rushed process to agree to any Directive at any price, despite lack of support from many Member States," a Move EU statement said.

"The deal fails to deliver on the goals of the Directive and address the needs of drivers, platforms and passengers," it added.

There are around 28 million gig workers in Europe, and the number is expected to rise to 43 million by 2025. The parliament believes at least 5.5 million people could be wrongly classified as self-employed.

 2024 AFP
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In the months since the Federal Trade Commission sued Amazon over allegations of anti-competitive and monopolistic behavior, the two parties have debated the schedule, the scope and the rationale of the case itself.

Amazon asked a federal judge in Seattle to dismiss the case in December, arguing the business practices in question have lowered prices for consumers and are common across the retail industry. Amazon described the FTC's lawsuit as an "attack" and an "effort to hobble one of America's most consumer-focused businesses."

The FTC responded Tuesday, asking U.S. District Judge John Chun to allow the case to proceed. Taken together, Amazon's conduct creates a self-reinforcing monopoly that edges out competitors and raises prices across the Internet, the FTC argued.

The case against Amazon is "a straightforward story of illegal conduct," attorneys for the agency wrote Tuesday. "It lays out how Amazon is a monopolist ... enriching itself while harming its customers."

Acknowledging the immense impact the lawsuit could have if the FTC prevails, attorneys for Amazon wrote that the agency is seeking "structural relief that could fundamentally alter Amazon's business."

It's still not entirely clear what changes the FTC seeks, and it may take years for the case to resolve.

While Amazon says the FTC's proposed schedule doesn't provide enough time for the "excessive" amount of information the agency has requested it provide, the FTC says the case must "move forward as quickly as possible," attorneys wrote in a joint status report filed in December. "Every day that passes is another day of harm inflicted on shoppers, sellers and competition."

The two parties are also deadlocked over how many company insiders Amazon must make available for deposition. The company has asked to limit the FTC to deposing only 10 Amazon witnesses, while the FTC is seeking to talk to over 100 people.

A 'price floor'

After a years-long investigation, the FTC sued Amazon in September, alleging the company used anticompetitive practices to keep its competitors from getting a foothold in the digital retail space.

Amazon accounted for nearly 38% of the U.S. e-commerce market as of June 2022, making it the country's leading online retailer, according to Insider Intelligence. Walmart followed behind, with 6.3% market share, while Apple came in third, with 3.9%.

In the sweeping complaint, the FTC accused Amazon of replacing organic search results with paid advertisements, roping sellers into paying steep fees to use Amazon's advertising and fulfillment services, and penalizing vendors if they offered lower prices elsewhere on the Internet.

"Each element of Amazon's monopolistic strategy works to keep its rivals and potential rivals from growing, gaining momentum and achieving the scale necessary to meaningfully compete against Amazon," attorneys for the FTC wrote in the complaint. Together, those elements amplify one another, the FTC continued, "further widening the gulf between Amazon and everyone else."

Attorneys general from 17 states signed on to the lawsuit at the time it was filed. Washington was not among the states that joined.

When the lawsuit was originally filed, Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson said his office was reviewing the complaint and "keeping all options open, including future litigation."

In the most recent court status report, both Amazon and the FTC left open the possibility that more states could join the lawsuit in coming months.

In a 31-page motion filed in December, Amazon asked Judge Chun to dismiss the case entirely. Amazon contended its business practices are "pro-competitive" and pointed to an earlier court ruling that, Amazon says, applies here: That ruling determined "antitrust law does not seek to punish economic behavior that benefits consumers."

"Amazon competes every minute of every day with thousands of online and brick-and-mortar retailers," attorneys representing the company wrote. "To meet that competition, Amazon has relentlessly innovated, delivering previously unimagined benefits for consumers and pushing competitors to do likewise, all to make every penny of a consumer's purchase count for more."

For example, the FTC alleges Amazon punished sellers who offered products at a lower price elsewhere by excluding them from the "Buy Box." That yellow box enables customers to purchase an item right away and is crucial to a seller's success on the platform, the FTC said. In order to avoid any repercussions and ensure access to the Buy Box, sellers raised prices across the Internet, the FTC alleged in its original lawsuit.

Amazon disputed that claim in its motion to dismiss. It uses the Buy Box to feature only competitively priced offers, a common retail practice that benefits consumers, Amazon wrote.

In its original complaint against Amazon, the FTC said the company internally admits these tactics have a "punitive aspect" and sellers "live in constant fear of them."

On Tuesday, the FTC reiterated those claims, alleging "the price on Amazonwhich often includes Amazon's bloated feeseffectively becomes the price floor market-wide."

In another element of its sweeping lawsuit, the FTC accused Amazon of "quietly and deliberately" raising prices for shoppers using an algorithm internally called Project Nessie.

That algorithm predicted the likelihood that another online store that was currently offering a lower price on an item would match Amazon's raised price. Amazon estimated it extracted $1 billion from American households using the algorithm, according to the FTC's complaint.

In its motion to dismiss, Amazon said the claims related to Nessie were not relevant because it only used the algorithm for limited products and stopped using it in 2019.

But, the FTC said in its original complaint and again Tuesday, Amazon executives have considered turning the algorithm back on.

Fear of retaliation

As the case progresses, the FTC has asked Amazon to provide an "organized list, schematic or diagram" to show how and where the company stores its informationincluding emails, voice mails and instant messages.

The agency previously accused Amazon executives of destroying two years of communications that the FTC had requested as part of its years-long investigation into the company. Amazon has said those accusations are "baseless."

The FTC will also collect information from third-party sellers about their experiences working with Amazon and their assessment of Amazon's conduct on competition, as well as vendors' business plans and commercial agreements.

In court documents, the FTC has alleged sellers who are working with the agency are concerned about retaliation from the ecommerce giant.

"Third parties reasonably fear that Amazon will use this information for business purposes or to stifle sellers who speak out again[st] Amazon," attorneys for the FTC wrote.

The FTC asked a judge Monday to grant additional protections to sellers by preventing Amazon's in-house counsel from viewing testimony unless Amazon is able to show a specific reason for needing to do so. In the FTC's proposal, Amazon's outside counsel would still have access to the testimony but it would implement a two-tier confidentiality system to limit the material that is shared.

Amazon, in response, argued the FTC's plan is "inequitable and unreasonable."

The company has designated four Amazon-employed attorneys to participate in this case and those four people are not involved in making business decisions or negotiations with sellers, Amazon said. Any separation would prevent Amazon's legal team from fully understanding all available evidence and coordinating its response to multiple ongoing lawsuits involving similar allegations, it continued.

The same issue came up in related litigation in California, following a lawsuit from the state attorney general accusing Amazon of stifling competition and increasing prices for consumers.

In that case, an attorney for Amazon told the court that some of Amazon's competitors had expressed concerns about disclosing information to Amazon's in-house counsel because it could adversely affect their business relationships with Amazon, according to a transcript from an October hearing. The company's attorneys agreed to restrict access to some information in those proceedings.

"They are competitors of Amazon, and their concern is that this litigation would bring about the very thing that the plaintiff says it's trying to avoid, which is a reduction in competition," said Carl Metz, an attorney with Williams and Connolly representing Amazon, according to in the transcript.

In the years-long investigation leading up to the FTC's lawsuit, the agency sought documents from 130 current and former Amazon employees over a four-year period, attorneys for Amazon wrote in the December report. Amazon employed a team of over 300 "document reviewers" working full-time over the course of a year to complete the request.

That investigation resulted in more than 100 terabytes of information, Amazon said, or the equivalent of 50 million pageswhich would fill 2,000 boxes.

Amazon and the FTC meet Thursday with Judge John Chun in Seattle to set a schedule for the discovery process. Amazon expects depositions to begin by June.

The FTC has asked the court to set a deadline for parties to be trial ready in May 2026, but Amazon has asked for it to begin that December, according to court documents.

2024 The Seattle Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai speaks about Google DeepMind at a Google I/O event in Mountain View, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Google on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2024, introduced a free artificial intelligence app that will implant the technology on smartphones to enable people to quickly connect to a digital brain that can write for them, interpret what they're reading and seeing in addition to helping manage their lives. Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File

Google on Thursday introduced a free artificial intelligence app that will enable people to rely on technology instead of their own brains to write, interpret what they're reading and deal with a variety of other task in their lives.

With the advent of the Gemini app, named after an AI project unveiled late last year, Google will cast aside the Bard chatbot that it introduced a year ago in an effort to catch up with ChatGPT, the chatbot unleashed by the Microsoft-backed startup OpenAI in late 2022. Google is immediately releasing a standalone Gemini app for smartphones running on its Android software.

In a few weeks, Google will put Gemini's features into its existing search app for iPhones, where Apple would prefer people rely on its Siri voice assistant for handling various tasks.

Although the Google voice assistant that has been available for years will stick around, company executives say they expect Gemini to become the main way users apply the technology to help them think, plan and create. It marks Google's next foray down a new and potentially perilous avenue while remaining focused on its founding goal "to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful."

"We think this is one of the most profound ways we are going to advance our mission," Sissie Hsiao, a Google general manager overseeing Gemini, told reporters ahead of Thursday's announcement.

The Gemini app initially will be released in the U.S. in English before expanding to the Asia-Pacific region next week, with versions in Japanese and Korean.

Besides the free version of Gemini, Google will be selling an advanced service accessible through the new app for $20 a month. The Mountain View, California, company says it is such a sophisticated form of AI that will it be able to tutor students, provide computer programming tips to engineers, dream up ideas for projects, and then create the content for the suggestions a user likes best.

The Gemini Advanced option, which will be powered by an AI technology dubbed "Ultra 1.0," will seek to build upon the nearly 100 million worldwide subscribers that Google says it has attracted so farmost of whom pay $2 to $10 per month for additional storage to back up photos, documents and other digital material. The Gemini Advanced subscription will include 2 terabytes of storage that Google currently sells for $10 per month, meaning the company believes the AI technology is worth an additional $10 per month.

Google is offering a free two-month trial of Gemini Advanced to encourage people to try it out.

The rollout of the Gemini apps underscores the building moment to bring more AI to smartphonesdevices that accompany people everywhereas part of a trend Google began last fall when it released its latest Pixel smartphones and Samsung embraced last month with its latest Galaxy smartphones.

It also is likely to escalate the high-stakes AI showdown pitting Google against Microsoft, two of the world's most powerful companies jockeying to get the upper hand with a technology that could reshape work, entertainment and perhaps humanity itself. The battle already has contributed to a $2 trillion increase in the combined market value of Microsoft and Google's corporate parent, Alphabet Inc., since the end of 2022.

In a blog post, Google CEO Sundar Puchai predicted the technology underlying Gemini Advanced will be able to outthink even the smartest people when tackling many complex topics.

"Ultra 1.0 is the first to outperform human experts on (massive multitask language understanding), which uses a combination of 57 subjectsincluding math, physics, history, law, medicine and ethicsto test knowledge and problem-solving abilities," Pichai wrote.

But Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella made a point Wednesday of touting the capabilities of the ChatGPT-4 chatbota product released nearly a year ago after being trained by OpenAI on large-language models, or LLMs.

"We have the best model, today even," Nadella asserted during an event in Mumbai, India. He then seemingly anticipated Gemini's next-generation release, adding, "We're waiting for the competition to arrive. It'll arrive, I'm sure. But the fact is, that we have the most leading LLM out there."

The introduction of increasingly sophisticated AI is amplifying fears that the technology will malfunction and misbehave on its own, or be manipulated by people for sinister purposes such as spreading misinformation in politics or to torment their enemies. That potential has already led to the passage of rules designed to police the use of AI in Europe, and spurred similar efforts in the U.S. and other countries.

Google says the next generation of Gemini products have undergone extensive testing to ensure they are safe and were built to adhere to its AI principles, which include being socially beneficial, avoiding unfair biases and being accountable to people.

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella speaks at an event at the Chatham House think tank in London, Jan. 15, 2024. Speaking to over 1,000 computer code developers in Indias Silicon Valley Bengaluru, Thursday Nadella, asked them to use the companys artificial intelligence tools that they are deploying across their products. Credit: AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella urged in a speech to more than a thousand Indian computer code developers on Thursday that they use the company's artificial intelligence tools being deployed across its products.

Speaking in Bengaluru, India's "Silicon Valley," Nadella noted that more than 13.2 million Indian developers are currently on GitHub, an internet hosting service for software development, second only to the number from the United States, and that India is likely to move into first place by 2027 or 2028.

Nadella said Microsoft Corp. expects that use of AI can help achieve 10%, or $500 billion, of India's GDP target for 2025. He did not elaborate.

Microsoft is building its fourth data center in India near the city of Hyderabad, where Nadella grew up. It already has data centers in Mumbai, Pune and Chennai. Nadella will visit Hyderabad before returning to the United States.

"Our investments here obviously start with the raw infrastructure itself," Nadella said.

Microsoft's partnership with OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, gave it a head start in the boom involving generative AI, but the software giant faces competition from Google and other rivals. Nadella boasted in a speech in Mumbai on Wednesday that his company is still ahead on most benchmarks.

"We have the best model, today even," he said. "We're waiting for the competition to arrive. It'll arrive, I'm sure."

Earlier this week, Nadella marked his 10th year as Microsoft CEO. The company now has a market value of $3 trillion, more than any publicly traded company, including longtime rival Apple Inc.

Microsoft's India subsidiary, which is headquartered in Hyderabad, has 11 offices across the country employing nearly 18,000 people. The company has announced various programs targeting the Indian market and Indian talent, including a monthlong AI training program for 100,000 developers and an announcement in Mumbai on Wednesday that the company will offer AI skills training for 2 million Indians by 2025.

India is a key market for Microsoft. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Nadella during a visit to the U.S. last June. Microsoft said AI was among the key topics they discussed.

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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The then prince Charles visits the control room at the Joint European Torus (JET) experiment near Oxford, where scientists say they have broken a record for nuclear fusion.

Scientists in Britain announced Thursday they had smashed a record for generating fusion energy in the final experiment using the Joint European Torus (JET) machines.

Nuclear fusion is the same process that the sun uses to generate heat. Proponents believe it could one day help tackle climate change by providing an abundant, safe and clean source of energy.

A team at the JET facility near Oxford in central England generated 69 megajoules for five seconds using 0.2 milligrams of fuel, beating its previous record set in 2022 by 10 megajoules, the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) said.

That is enough to power around 41,000 homes for five seconds.

It is the final experiment to be conducted at the JET site using a donut-shaped machine called a tokamak.

Video inside the Joint European Torus tokamak of pulse #104522 from 3 October 2023, which set a new fusion energy record of 69 megajoules. Credit: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, courtesy of EUROfusion

"JET has operated as close to power-plant conditions as is possible with today's facilities, and its legacy will be pervasive in all future powerplants," said Ian Chapman, UKAEA CEO.

"JET's research findings have critical implications not only for ITER - a fusion research mega-project being built in the south of France - but also for ... other global fusion projects, pursuing a future of safe, low-carbon, and sustainable energy," he added.

Over 300 scientists and engineers from EUROfusion, a consortium of researchers across Europe, contributed to JET's landmark experiments over 40 years.

Inside JET's tokamak, 0.1 milligrams each of deuterium and tritiumboth isotopes of hydrogenwere heated to temperatures 10 times hotter than the center of the sun to create plasma.

This mixture was held in place using magnets as it spun around, fusing and releasing tremendous energy as heat.

Fusion is inherently safe in that it cannot start a run-away process.

Deuterium is freely available in seawater, while tritium can be harvested as a byproduct of nuclear fission.

Using equivalent weights, it releases nearly four million times more energy than burning coal, oil or gas, and the only waste product is helium.

Despite the new record, JET did not generate more energy than was put into producing it.

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the United States became the only facility to achieve this featthe holy grail of nuclear fusionin late 2022, using a different process involving lasers.

JET conducted its first deuterium-tritium experiments in 1997.

The results announced Thursday demonstrated the ability to create fusion for five seconds, as longer than that would cause JET's copper wire magnets to overheat.

ITER will be equipped with superconductor electromagnets which will allow the process to continue for longer, hopefully longer than 300 seconds.

If all goes well at ITER, a prototype fusion power plant could be ready by 2050.

International cooperation on fusion energy has historically been close because, unlike the nuclear fission used in atomic power plants, the technology cannot be weaponized.

The France-based megaproject also involves China, the EU, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the US.

 2024 AFP
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Tech companies have revealed decisions to slash more than 3,900 jobs in the Bay Area so far in 2024, cutbacks fueled by hundreds of staffing reductions in February that hint at a forbidding year for the crucial industry.

Salesforce, Snap, Maxar Space and Activision Blizzard are among the high-profile companies that have disclosed plans for job cuts affecting their employees in the Bay Area, according to official filings with the state Employment Development Department.

All told, tech companies have disclosed plans to eliminate 3,950 jobs in the Bay Area in 2024, according to this news organization's review of WARN notices posted by the state EDD.

Here are the details of the most recent layoff notices by tech companies and their impact in the Bay Area. All of these disclosures of job cuts were posted in February by the EDD.

Activision Blizzard, 162 job cuts, affecting workers in Novato and San Mateo. The layoffs are due to occur March 30, the video game company reported.

Flexport, 99 layoffs in San Francisco. The web-based logistics company's staffing reductions occurred on Feb. 5.

Okta, 83 staff cutbacks in San Francisco. The cloud software services firm plans to make its layoffs effective April 4.

Wayfair, 72 job cuts in Mountain View. The online home goods and home accessories retailer plans to make its cutbacks effective on March 19.

Maxar Space, 63 layoffs in Palo Alto and Mountain View. These cutbacks occurred on Feb. 2, the maker of aerospace systems and technology products reported.

Snap, 52 staff reductions in Palo Alto. The owner of the Snapchat app and maker of a wearable camera said its cutbacks occurred on Feb. 6.

Salesforce, 51 job cuts in San Francisco. The cloud-based software titan is slated to conduct these job cuts on April 23.

SMTC, one job loss in Milpitas. The provider of electronics manufacturing services said the layoff will occur on March 22.

Combined, these layoffs posted in February on the EDD site totaled 583 job losses, a review of the EDD WARN notices shows.

The companies described the respective layoffs as permanent, the WARN notices show.

In 2023, tech companies revealed plans for nearly 21,600 job cuts in the Bay area, according to the EDD WARN notices. That amount greatly exceeded the more than 10,300 layoffs of tech workers in the Bay Area during 2022.

After slightly more than five weeksor about 10% of the 52 weeks in 2024the tech layoffs so far this year in the Bay Area equate to 18% of the tech job cuts in the nine-county region for all of 2023, a review of the current pace of WARN notices shows.

2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Texas A&M University will phase out its Qatar campus and close the doors to the branch campus by 2028. Day-to-day operations and campus services will not immediately change.

The A&M System Board of Regents voted in favor Thursday to authorize A&M President Mark Welsh to terminate the contract between A&M and the Qatar Foundation, which will be a four-year process. The vote was 7-1 with Michael Plank the lone board member to vote against closing the campus. Regent Robert Albritton was not present for the vote.

System officials said A&Ms Board of Regents decided to reassess the Qatar campus last fall due to increased instability in the Middle East. Welsh has said A&M officials have been monitoring the situation in the region around Qatar since early October. 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.

The Board has decided that the core mission of Texas A&M should be advanced primarily within Texas and the United States, Bill Mahomes, chairman of A&Ms Board of Regents, said in a statement. By the middle of the 21st century, the university will not necessarily need a campus infrastructure 8,000 miles away to support education and research collaborations.

Regents discussed the matter in executive session Thursday morning, but action had to be taken in open session. No discussion was had in open session. Cesar Malave, dean of A&M at Qatar, was present for the Regents meeting Thursday but did not speak and politely declined to comment on the matter following the vote.

A&M Regent Mike Hernandez said this course of action will allow current students to complete their education and winding down operations in Qatar shall be done while treating the faculty and staff fairly. A&M administrators plan to form a team in the coming days to ensure current students can complete their education, support is given to the campus faculty and staff, and research obligations are completed.

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.

In response, Welsh wrote a letter to 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.

Over the last two decades, the Qatar campus has advanced ideals, graduated exceptional Aggie engineers, and is cemented as an important legacy of Texas A&M, Welsh said in a statement. As we look to the future of our land-, sea- and space-grant university, the global exchange of research and education will continue to be integral to our world-class campuses here in the U.S.

A spokesperson for The Qatar Foundation said A&Ms decision to end its partnership with the foundation has been influenced by a disinformation campaign aimed at harming the interests of QF.

It is disturbing that this disinformation has become the determining factor in the decision and that it has been allowed to override the core principles of education and knowledge, with no consideration to the significant positive impact that this partnership has brought for both Qatar and the US, the spokesperson added. It is deeply disappointing that a globally respected academic institution like Texas A&M University has fallen victim to such a campaign and allowed politics to infiltrate its decision-making processes. At no point did the Board attempt to seek out the truth from Qatar Foundation before making this misguided decision.

An A&M System spokesperson said Qatar Foundation officials are jumping to an unfortunate and incorrect conclusion about Thursdays decision and noted Welsh effectively and emphatically refuted the misinformation spread about the universitys work with the Foundation in a statement Jan. 9.

The misinformation campaign had no bearing on Thursdays decision by the Board of Regents, which was made following a close analysis of the universitys mission and the evolving political situation in the Middle East, the spokesperson said. Discussions about branch and remote campuses are ongoing and had begun before false information was reported about Texas A&M and Qatar.

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.

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.

Four-year bachelors degrees in chemical engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and petroleum engineering are offered at A&M at Qatar. 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 wont be the first university to close up shop in Qatar. University College London shut the doors to its Qatar satellite campus in 2020 when its contract with the Qatar Foundation ended. According to a report from Inside Higher Ed, UCL came to a joint agreement to close the campus in 2016.

The work in Qatar is great work, Mahomes said. But it is a fraction of what Texas A&M accomplishes year after year.

The university has numerous other ways to give international students opportunities to be Aggies and to give Aggies opportunities to study internationally.
Texans and cold weather dont mix, and in order to repair damages from the previous winter storms, the Brazos Transit District received a $400,000 federal grant.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, announced Wednesday that the Brazos Transit District was awarded a federal grant of $400,000 through the U.S. Department of Transportations Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program. These funds are dedicated to restoring operations to a wash bay facility after the 2021 winter storms caused equipment damage, plumbing system failures and electrical issues.

Winter storms significantly damaged public infrastructure across Texas in 2021, and some repairs still need to be made, Cornyn said in a statement. This funding will allow the Brazos Transit District to resume operations at one of its facilities and continue providing high-quality service to Texans in the area.

The Brazos Transit District serves 21 counties in Central and East Texas, covering over 14,000 square miles with a population of over one million. They receive funding through the Federal Transportation Administration and Texas Department of Transportation.
OSAKA, Feb 08 (News On Japan) - A sperm whale has made a rare appearance in Osaka Bay, estimated to be 12 meters long and weighing around 20 tons, believed to be male. First spotted on January 12th in Hyogo Prefecture, the whale has since moved to Osaka Prefecture, currently staying near the Sakai-Semboku Port area.

Takeshi Takada of the Sakai City Fisheries Cooperative Association expressed concern: "It's impossible to see at night, similar to unknowingly hitting a floating rock mass, I think it's utterly helpless. We hope it doesn't end up like the Yodo River incident."

Last year, a whale that wandered into the mouth of the Yodo River in Osaka Bay attracted significant attention. Unfortunately, it was later found dead and was sunk to the seabed.

Why does a whale appear in this area at this time? Yasunobu Nabeshima, a visiting researcher at the Osaka City Museum of Natural History, who has long studied marine life in Osaka Bay, sheds light on this. "Currently, the Kuroshio Current is meandering significantly, extending the distance from off the coasts of Wakayama and Kochi to Kuroshima. During high tide, water flows towards the Seto Inland Sea, possibly carrying the whale to shallower areas on its currents."

The situation seems grave. Nabeshima continues, "The whale appears to be quite emaciated, possibly not having eaten for about a month and a half. Its severe thinness indicates it's in a difficult predicament."

Source: ANN
A massive Texas flag, accompanied by an older man wearing a cowboy hat and playing Hank Williams I Saw the Light on guitar was the backdrop to Tuesday nights Republican candidate forum as residents entered ready to hear from prospective representatives.

The forum, hosted at the Legends Event Center in Bryan by the Bryan-College Station Tea Partys Grassroots Victory for Texas, was originally advertised as hosting all five Republican primary candidates for Texas House Districts 12 and 14. However, District 12 candidate John Harvey Slocum bowed out at the last minute due to a prior commitment in Washington County, according to the organizers.

The remaining candidates, Ben Bius and Trey Wharton for District 12, and Rick Davis and Paul Dyson for District 14, discussed their stances on key issues important to the Republican Party base. During the over two-hour forum, it became apparent that while some candidates differed slightly on a few topics, all four generally shared the same stance on major issues such as border security, election integrity and school voucher programs.

In their opening remarks, Bius and Wharton both named border security as one of their top objectives and referred to the current surge of migrants at the border as an invasion.

We have to come down and support Governor Abbott and what hes doing because its invading all of our lives, Wharton said. I think the biggest thing is to be able to equip the law enforcement to be able to handle that more readily and be able to fingerprint on site, be able to document this stuff. Then you can arrest, and you have documentation of that person, and you can get them out of here as fast as possible.

In the past month, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Biden administration to allow federal border agents to cut barbed wire set up near Eagle Pass under Abbotts orders. Since the ruling, however, Abbott has continued to add additional barbed wire and refused federal border agents access to the area.

During Bius discussion of the border, he referenced Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution  which requires the U.S. to protect all states from invasion  and accused the federal government of ignoring the border.

I believe that the delegation to Washington and the United States Congress should declare an invasion, Bius said. I believe its imperative that we identify these folks that are in our country illegally. We need to know where these potential terrorists and these folks live, reside, what theyre doing here, and make sure they show up for their hearing.

District 14 candidates Davis and Dyson shared a similar sentiment regarding the border during their discussion and also supported Abbotts current actions against the federal government.

Although only registered U.S. citizens are allowed to vote in elections, Davis said the Biden administration is willfully allowing migrants to cross the border illegally to decrease Republicans voting power.

Joe Biden is deliberately allowing an invasion, Davis said. Hes trying to bring extra people into this country so he can dilute our vote and make it increase the Democratic Party base. I support what Abbott is doing. I think its very innovative.

Dyson said illegal trafficking of fentanyl across the border proves that migrants are a threat to both Texas and the U.S. However, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the majority of fentanyl is being smuggled illegally by U.S. citizens at legal points of entry.

We have to make sure that we show that theyre the enemy thats coming across, Dyson said. I think Governor Abbott has been doing a great job of selling that. Its a fentanyl crisis thats happening. We have an invasion thats happening. We have injury that is happening.

Despite both District 12 Rep. Kyle Kacal and District 14 Rep. John Raney being against Gov. Abbotts Education Savings Accounts (ESA), three of the four candidates support ESAs.

We need to make sure that the public schools are still funded and that last bill that came out of the Senate, that the House pulled, it checked off a lot of the boxes, Wharton said. It made sure that the teachers were getting pay raises.

Davis was the only candidate to not fully endorse ESAs, but he said that he supports allowing parents to choose how their children are educated.

Parents should be able to direct funds to a school that they should choose if they know that that school is going to provide a more excellent education for their children, Davis said. My family and I went through [a] difficult time last year and I wasnt so focused on and knowledgeable about [ESAs] I would explore that issue. Id be open-minded to it.

One unique topic discussed by the candidates was whether or not Texas should establish its own gold- and silver-based monetary system for private citizens transactions.

While Davis, Dyson and Wharton were openly in favor of such a proposal, Bius said he was unsure. Bius did, however, employ a racial stereotype to criticize the federal governments spending.

Im not sure; I havent studied that thoroughly, but I do believe that our currency should be hard currency, Bius said. We shouldnt print money like drunk Indians and debase the currency of the United States of America. I believe that if Texas did have its own currency, we would have the wealth to back it up.

Bius also stood out from the other candidates on another issue  the establishment of term limits for positions like Speaker of the House.

The thing with my campaign is, lets take back Texas, Bius said. Today, that means the most important thing that I want to do is pass term limits for the Speaker of the House to one session. Thats the way it was for 120 years, and we didnt have a speaker that would create an impeachment and an embarrassment to Texas.

Although all four candidates voiced support for reducing property taxes, Davis was the only candidate to be against property taxes entirely and said that the practice needs to be eliminated and replaced by increasing consumption taxes.

Its going to be difficult; I can tell you right now, Davis said. Its unfair. Its arbitrary. Its capricious. Its whimsical.  My wife and I paid 1.5% of the value of our home on property taxes last year. We do every year. Its serfdom. We dont own our house.
YOKOHAMA, Feb 08 (News On Japan) - Once, the terminus of the Tokyu Toyoko Line on the Yokohama side was Sakuragicho Station. It has been exactly 20 years since the section between Yokohama Station and Sakuragicho Station was discontinued on January 31, 2004, due to the start of direct operations with the Yokohama Minatomirai Line. At the same time, the section between Higashi-Hakuraku Station and Yokohama Station was also moved underground.

I decided to take a walk to see what has become of the former railway tracks. "Wow, has it already been that long?" I thought. It's been precisely 20 years since the section between Yokohama Station and Sakuragicho Station on the Tokyu Toyoko Line was discontinued in January 2024.

I used to commute to a university along the Toyoko Line and lived in an apartment near Tsunashima Station. Although it's been nearly 30 years, I have many memories. Once, after a drinking party in Shibuya, I fell asleep on the train and woke up at Sakuragicho Station. I fell asleep again and didn't wake up until I returned to Shibuya, where I finally sobered up and found myself at a loss.

On January 31, 2004, the section between Yokohama Station and Sakuragicho Station was discontinued, and the section between Higashi-Hakuraku Station and Yokohama Station was moved underground, changing the landscape along the line completely. I decided to walk the path again (the current photos were taken in 2023).

The first place I headed to was Higashi-Hakuraku Station, the southernmost station of the Toyoko Line's above-ground section. The unusual place name "Hakuraku" is said to come from the fact that many horse dealers (bakuro) lived in this area, which was near Kanagawa-juku (a post station on the Tokaido). During my student days, I didn't pay much attention, but upon researching, I found place names quite interesting.

Crossing in front of Higashi-Hakuraku Station is Prefectural Road No. 12 (Yokohama Asao Road), where the Yokohama City Tram's Rokkakubashi Line once ran. The tram line was discontinued in 1968, a long time ago. Across this road is the entrance to the "Tokyu Flower Greenway," which was developed using the former above-ground Toyoko Line tracks.

Stepping onto the Greenway, I found a bit of a stream, giving it an oasis-like atmosphere in the city. As I walked further, I soon saw the opening where the Toyoko Line goes underground. Trains were being swallowed into and spit out of the dark, gaping mouth, like an entrance to another world.

The Greenway extends directly above the underground Toyoko Line toward Yokohama. As I walked along, I could occasionally hear the rumble of trains passing underground through the ventilation shafts.

About 200 meters down the Greenway, I came across a slightly wider road. If you're not careful, you might miss it, but at the corner of the intersection, there's a small signboard planted in the landscaping of a condominium, modeled after a station platform sign, reading "Shin-Otacho Station Ruins."

"Shin-Otacho" was once a station name on the Toyoko Line. The signboard is weathered, making the text difficult to read, but it says the following about Shin-Otacho Station: "The Tokyu Toyoko Line's Shin-Otacho Station was established on February 14, 1926, and was suspended from operation on June 1, 1945, due to damage from an air raid on May 29, 1945, and was abolished on May 31, 1946. Later, during the Japan Trade Fair held in nearby Tammachi in 1949, the old station was temporarily revived as "Expo-mae" Station from March 15 to June 15, 1949."

After its abolition, the station was temporarily revived, earning it the nickname "phantom station."

Continuing my walk, I found sections where rails were embedded into the boardwalk, adding to the enjoyment of a "disused line" journey.

About 300 meters from the Shin-Otacho Station ruins, before reaching Tammachi Station, there's a bridge crossing National Route 1 (Yokohama Shinmichi). This bridge (Tokyu Flower Greenway Tammachi Bridge) utilizes the former Toyoko Line railway bridge.

Passing Tammachi Station, the Takashimayama Tunnel soon comes into view. This tunnel is also a remnant of the former Toyoko Line. The "Tokyu Corporation 50-Year History" records the challenging construction of the Takashimayama Tunnel as follows: "The Takashimayama Tunnel was, at the time, an exceptional double-track tunnel with a length of 173.72 meters in the Kanto private railway sector. Initially scheduled for completion in January of Taisho 15 (1926), it was delayed due to cracks in the tunnel's crown near completion, but it was finally completed in time for the opening day on February 14."

Takashimayama (in Kanagawa-ku Takashimadai) is associated with Kaeimon Takashima (1832-1914), a Yokohama businessman and diviner (ancestor of "Takashima Easy Judgment"). Kaeimon made significant contributions to the formation of Yokohama as a city, including establishing the Western-style school "Takashima School" and starting a gas business, and is also known as one of the "benefactors of Yokohama."

Kaeimon was also deeply involved with the railways. During the construction of Japan's first railway between Shinbashi Station and Yokohama Station (now Sakuragicho Station), he played an active role. He took on the reclamation (embankment) of the sea from the area near Aoki-cho in Kanagawa-ku, which was considered a difficult construction spot called "Sodegaura," up to near the first Yokohama Station. He directed and supervised the construction from Takashimayama (then called Otsuna Mountain).

The reclaimed land created by Kaeimon was named "Takashima-cho," and the name still remains today (such as in Nishi-ku, Takashima, Yokohama). At the top of Takashimayama is Takashimayama Park, where the "Boukindai Monument" commemorates Kaeimon. After retiring from the business world, Kaeimon built a large villa on this hill, where he once directed the reclamation work, and it is said that he "healed his heart alone in pleasure" while looking at the thriving city of Yokohama.

There were three different Kanagawa Stations on the Toyoko Line. Beyond the Takashimayama Tunnel, there once was a Kanagawa Station on the Toyoko Line. When the Toyoko Line (then the Tokyo Yokohama Electric Railway) opened between Tamagawa Station (now Tamagawa Station) and Kanagawa Station in February 1926, it was the terminus station, intended to connect with the Railway Ministry line (now JR Tokaido Line) Kanagawa Station.

Both the Toyoko Line's Kanagawa Station and the Ministry line's Kanagawa Station were later abolished and no longer exist. I wonder what those stations were like.

First, the Ministry line's Kanagawa Station was established as an intermediate station when the railway between Shinbashi Station and Yokohama Station (now Sakuragicho Station) opened in 1872. It was located near the midpoint between Aokibashi and the current Yokohama Station.

However, Yokohama Station was later relocated to Takashima-cho in 1915 (the second Yokohama Station), and after the second Yokohama Station was destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of September 1923, the third Yokohama Station opened at its current location in October 1928. Due to the proximity of the third Yokohama Station, the Kanagawa Station was abolished.

The 1927 topographic map shows that the Toyoko Line's Kanagawa Station was initially placed just west of the Ministry line's Kanagawa Station. However, when the Ministry line's Kanagawa Station was abolished in October 1928, the Toyoko Line's Kanagawa Station was relocated near the exit of the Takashimayama Tunnel. Like Shin-Otacho Station, it was damaged by air raids during the war, suspended operations, and was abolished in 1950.

Keikyu Corporation still has a Kanagawa Station. The origin of Keikyu's Kanagawa Station was the Kanagawa Teisha-mae Station, established when Keihin Electric Railway (now Keikyu Corporation) extended to Kanagawa in 1905 (later renamed to Kanagawa Station).

The original Kanagawa Station was later abolished, and Aokibashi Station was renamed to Keihin Kanagawa Station and then to Kanagawa Station, continuing to exist to this day.

The entrance to the Greenway on the Yokohama Station side is a bit hard to find. About 200 meters beyond the Takashimayama Tunnel exit, the "Tokyu Flower Greenway" ends. Even a leisurely walk from Higashi-Hakuraku Station to this point takes less than an hour. However, many stations used to exist in this short section: Higashi-Hakuraku Station - Shin-Otacho Station (abandoned) - Tammachi Station - Kanagawa Station (abandoned) - Yokohama Station.

Next, let's visit the disused track between Yokohama Station, Takashima-cho Station, and Sakuragicho Station. This section has been left almost as it was when it was discontinued, with the elevated bridge remaining, and there are plans to develop it into a promenade using the elevated bridge.

However, due to the city's worsening financial situation, construction has been postponed several times, and even 20 years after the discontinuation, only a short distance (about 140 meters) from Sakuragicho Station to the Momijizaka intersection has been opened to the public.

What is the status of the planned maintenance and opening of the remaining approximately 2 kilometers from Momijizaka to Yokohama Station? When I inquired with the Urban Transportation Division of the Yokohama City Urban Development Bureau, which is responsible for the maintenance, they replied, "Upon inspecting the seismic resistance of the elevated structure, we found concrete spalling and other issues, necessitating repairs and demolition of some structures. Particularly near the former Takashima-cho Station, the structure was significantly damaged, leading to the decision to abandon its use, and demolition is currently underway in some areas. Given these circumstances, the previous plans have been reset, and a basic plan is being redeveloped from 2022 to 2024. The timing of the opening is currently undecided."

It seems unlikely that the promenade will be opened to the public anytime soon, but various railway-related remains can be found along this section.

First, within the premises of a condominium at the Takashima-cho intersection, the brick remains of the foundation of the second Yokohama Station building are open to the public. You might wonder if it's okay to enter since it's on condominium property, but there's no need to worry. It's designated as a "public open space" under Yokohama City's urban environmental design system, so you can visit freely.

The second Yokohama Station building was a stylish two-story steel-framed brick structure, similar to the Marunouchi Station building of Tokyo Station, which opened the previous year in 1914. However, it was destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake just eight years after its completion in 1923. This station is also a "phantom station."

Next, let's stop by an interesting spot near the midpoint between Takashima-cho and Sakuragicho, around the Sakuragicho Rokuchome intersection. Hidden in the shadows of the elevated structures of the old Toyoko Line, the JR Negishi Line, and the Shuto Expressway, there's a small railroad crossing.

This crossing is for the JR Takashima Line (Tsurumi Station - Higashi-Takashima Station - Sakuragicho Station), a freight-only line, and is named "Mitsubishi Dock Crossing." It's named after the main gate of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Yokohama Shipyard, affectionately known as "Hama's Dock," which used to be nearby. The development of "Minatomirai" centered around this former shipyard site.

"Mitsubishi Dock Crossing" is still bustling with people coming and going. It's a surprising sight to see freight trains rumbling through a small crossing in the corner of Yokohama's building district, but it might be said to be a typical scene of the port city of Yokohama, where freight lines connecting wharves and factories have developed.

Let's continue walking to Sakuragicho Station. It may be surprising to hear that the area around the east exit (seaside) of Sakuragicho Station was once a large freight station called Higashi-Yokohama Station (opened in 1915, closed in 1979). Currently, a monument commemorating Higashi-Yokohama Station stands in a corner of the plaza.

In addition, around Sakuragicho Station, there are several remnants that remind us of the heyday of the railways, such as the British-made "Class 110 steam locomotive (No. 110)" used at the time of the railway opening, displayed on the first floor of the station building "CIAL Sakuragicho ANNEX," the "Birthplace of the Railway" monument outside the New South Exit (City Hall Exit), and the promenade "Kishamichi" utilizing the remains of the freight line (commonly known as the Customs Line) that passed through the Shinko Pier, where the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse and others are located, and continued to the Yokohama Customs premises.

As I walk around Sakuragicho Station, amidst the hustle and bustle of people, I sometimes feel as if I can still hear the sound of the steam whistle of a land steamer.

Source: MDPR
COLUMBIA, S.C.  The field of candidates onstage for the third Republican presidential debate will be the smallest yet.

Five hopefuls will participate in Wednesday night's debate at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, according to the Republican National Committee.

To have qualified for the third debate, candidates needed at least 4% support in two national polls or 4% in one national poll as well as two polls from four of the early-voting states  Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. All the polls used for qualification must have been approved by the RNC.

The White House hopefuls also needed at least 70,000 unique donors, with at least 200 of those coming from 20 states or territories. Additionally, they had to sign an RNC pledge promising to support the party's eventual nominee.

The escalating qualification markers have become increasingly difficult for candidates to satisfy. One candidate, former Vice President Mike Pence, suspended his campaign last month, avoiding the ignominy of failing to qualify.

A look at where the candidates stand:

WHO'S IN

RON DESANTIS

Early on, the Florida governor was seen as the top rival for Donald Trump, finishing a distant second to the current GOP front-runner in both early-voting state and national polls but raising an impressive amount of money.

DeSantis has recently shifted some of his Florida-based staff to Iowa, pinning his chances of emerging as an alternative to Trump alternative squarely on the leadoff state. This week he picked up the sought-after endorsement of Gov. Kim Reynolds.

***

TIM SCOTT

The senator from South Carolina has been hoping that the debates could give his campaign a needed boost after his struggles to catch fire compared to his rivals. But there had even been some question of whether he would make the Miami stage, given its elevated polling requirements.

In a pre-debate memo shared with The Associated Press on Monday, Scott's campaign manager sought to contrast his candidate with DeSantis and Haley, saying Scott planned to ask how either could "present a contrast with Donald Trump when he made each of their political careers."

***

NIKKI HALEY

The only Republican woman onstage  and in the field  Haley has benefited from a bounce in attention following each of the previous debates, as well as the campaign's shift toward foreign policy after Hamas' surprise Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

As she and DeSantis have escalated their barbs over issues including the Israel-Hamas war and China's influence, Wednesday night's debate offers a chance for them to duke it out in person.

***

VIVEK RAMASWAMY

The political newcomer and youngest GOP hopeful has been a debate-stage target of attacks on his lack of experience  jabs that have previously helped boost both Ramaswamy's campaign coffers and his name ID in the broad Republican field.

After the second debate in September, Ramaswamy asked the RNC to change its rules for the third, requesting that participation be limited to four candidates, with a unique donor requirement of 100,000. The party kept its rules as is.

***

CHRIS CHRISTIE

As many of his GOP rivals have gone all in on Iowa ahead of the state's leadoff caucuses, the former New Jersey governor often has New Hampshire all to himself.

Christie has charted a path there as the race's most vocal critic of Trump, casting himself as the only Republican willing to directly take him on, and arguing that Trump will lose to President Joe Biden next November if he's the party's nominee.

Without Trump at the debates, Christie has been left without his intended target but has brought him up nonetheless. In September, Christie looked directly into the camera and declared that if Trump keeps skipping debates, he would deserve a new nickname: "Donald Duck."

WHO DECIDED NOT TO PARTICIPATE (AGAIN)

DONALD TRUMP

The current GOP front-runner is skipping his third straight debate, this time opting to hold a competing event of his own a half-hour away in Hialeah, Florida.

Trump says he is forgoing the debates because he does not want to elevate his lower-polling opponents by being on stage with them.

WHO QUALIFIED FOR PREVIOUS DEBATES BUT NOT THIS ONE

DOUG BURGUM

Burgum, a former software entrepreneur now in his second term as North Dakota's governor, will miss his first debate of the cycle after coming up short on the polling requirements.

ASA HUTCHINSON

The former two-term Arkansas governor participated in the first debate but failed to qualify for the second. He said in a statement after missing out on the second debate that his goal was to increase his polling numbers to 4% in an early state before Thanksgiving.

"If that goal is met, then I remain competitive and in contention for either Caucus Day or Primary Day," he wrote back in September.

___

The 2024 presidential field, in the order they've announced Donald Trump, Republican Nikki Haley, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, Republican Marianne Williamson, Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Independent Larry Elder, Republican (dropped out) President Joe Biden, Democrat Asa Hutchinson, Republican Tim Scott, Republican (dropped out) Ron DeSantis, Republican Mike Pence, Republican (dropped out) Chris Christie, Republican Doug Burgum, Republican (dropped out) Francis Suarez, Republican (dropped out) Will Hurd, Republican (dropped out)
TOKYO, Feb 08 (News On Japan) - Starting in April, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has compiled a draft operational policy for the introduction of "ridesharing," where private drivers use their own vehicles to transport passengers for a fee.

Under the proposed policy, the destination and fare would be confirmed at the time of reservation, with payments to be made cashlessly. Taxi companies, which will manage the operations, will be required to monitor the working conditions of drivers.

Ridesharing is set to be introduced in April, limited to certain regions, on the condition that taxi companies manage the operations. The ministry presented the draft policy at a meeting with experts held on the 7th. According to the draft, to prevent disputes between drivers and passengers, the departure and arrival points, as well as the fare, will be confirmed at the time of reservation, with payments to be made principally through cashless methods.

To ensure safety, taxi companies managing the operations will be required to establish a training and guidance system similar to that for professional drivers and to be aware of the working hours of private drivers who have other jobs to prevent any interference with their driving duties. Meanwhile, the regions and times when ridesharing will be applied will be designated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism based on data from ride-hailing apps. The draft policy received approval from the experts at the meeting on the 7th, and after soliciting opinions from the public, the ministry plans to make a formal decision by the end of March.

Source: NHK
A Martinsville doctor who was sentenced to 40 years in prison after prescribing more than half a million doses of highly addictive opioids in two years has been granted a new trial by a federal appeals court that found the instructions given to jurors at his trial misstated the law.

Prosecutors said during his trial that patients from five states drove hundreds of miles to see him to get prescriptions for oxycodone, fentanyl and other powerful painkillers. Authorities said Smithers headed a drug distribution ring that contributed to the opioid abuse crisis in Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

In a ruling issued Friday, a three-judge panel of the Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated Smithers convictions and ordered a new trial.

Jurors at Smithers trial were instructed that in order to find Smithers guilty of illegally prescribing drugs, they must find that he did so without a legitimate medical purpose or beyond the bounds of medical practice.

But the appeals court found that that jury instruction was improper, citing a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said a defendant must knowingly or intentionally act in an unauthorized manner to be guilty of that charge. Even though the jury convicted Smithers in 2019, his case was subject to the 2022 Supreme Court decision because his appeal was still pending when that ruling was issued.

Justice Roger Gregory, who wrote the 3-0 opinion for the 4th Circuit panel, cited Smithers testimony at his trial, when he said almost all of his patients had had significant car or workplace accidents and that he believed there was a legitimate medical purpose for each of the prescriptions he wrote.

Gregory wrote that even though a jury might very well not have believed Smithers testimony that he acted with a legitimate medical purpose, the defense provided evidence that could have led to a finding of not guilty on each of the unlawful distribution charges against Smithers.

In sum, because there was evidence upon which a jury could have reached a contrary finding, the instructional errors were not harmless, Gregory wrote.

During Smithers trial, a receptionist testified that patients would wait up to 12 hours to see Smithers, who sometimes kept his office open past midnight. Smithers did not accept insurance and took in close to $700,000 in cash and credit card payments over two years, prosecutors said.

We understand the 4th circuit decision following a recent change in the law and look forward to retrying the defendant, U.S. Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh said in a statement Monday.

Beau Brindley, an attorney for Smithers, did not immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment on the ruling.
In early 2011, Tim Royers was having his lunch as a teacher at a Millard high school when he heard "Code Red" coming through his school's intercom.

Unsure how serious the threat was, Royers said he and other teachers gathered as many panicked students as they could and hid in a storage closet to wait for the all-clear. Ultimately, his school wasn't under threat  but Millard South High School was, where a 17-year-old shooter killed assistant principal Vicki Kaspar and wounded two other employees.

In the wake of that shooting, Royers was involved with asking staff members what they wanted to change at the school. There were many suggestions, he said, but one that never came up was arming teachers.

Royers was one of several people who testified Tuesday against LB1339, which would give school boards the power to authorize staff to carry firearms on school grounds, among other things. Royers said the bill would be detrimental to teachers and students.

"I have heard plenty of (educators) tell me that a provision like this would drive them out of the profession," Royers said.

The bill, introduced by state Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, would change several aspects of existing state law regarding school security. Notably, it would authorize the governing bodies of school districts and other education institutions to adopt policies that allow qualified personnel to carry firearms on school property and at school events.

In addition, the bill removes criminal penalties for off-duty and retired law enforcement officials who carry weapons on school grounds, including concealed handguns. It also encourages schools to provide mapping data to public safety agencies to use in an emergency response.

The Nebraska Legislature's Education Committee heard testimony on the bill at a public hearing Tuesday. In all, 12 people testified in support of the bill, and 11 people testified against it, with 86 letters submitted in support of the legislation and 164 letters opposing it.

Brewer is a longtime advocate for gun rights in the Legislature. Last year, he succeeded in passing a bill that made it legal for Nebraskans who are 21 or older to carry concealed weapons without a permit.

Brewer said he introduced LB1339 to help school districts that cannot afford to hire an armed school resource officer, or that reside in an area that's far away from law enforcement. In districts like his own, Brewer said it would take too long for police to respond to a school shooting to prevent serious harm.

"Ten minutes is an eternity for kids trapped in a building with a killer," Brewer said.

Nebraska is an outlier compared to other states in its current laws on this issue, Brewer said. According to data from Giffords Law Center, Nebraska is one of seven states that do not allow people, other than law enforcement, to carry firearms on school grounds.

The measure drew support Tuesday from local gun advocates and from some school representatives. Blair MacDonald, lobbyist for the Council of Independent Nebraska Colleges, said the bill would allow colleges to arm campus safety personnel. And Zach Kassebaum, superintendent for Lincoln Christian School, said he believes the bill would act as a "peaceful deterrent" to those who would attempt violence inside schools.

Some also spoke in support of the mapping provisions in LB1339, including the Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighters Association.

Patrick Dempsey with the Omaha Police Officer's Association backed the bill, particularly the provision that would allow off-duty and retired officers to carry firearms in schools. Other law enforcement agencies, including the Nebraska Sheriffs Association, the Nebraska Police Chiefs Association and the Police Officers Association of Nebraska, were neutral.

Opponents included parents and current or former educators, who were largely concerned about this bill posing a danger to students and school staff. Though Brewer and committee members noted that the bill's provisions were voluntary for schools, opponents said any increase of guns in schools would be damaging.

Royers said research in 2021 from the National Institute of Justice stated that armed guards actually increase the rate of death and injuries in school shootings. Arming staff, he said, could act as an incentive for shooters who are suicidal.

Sharon O'Neal, a former Lincoln educator, said that even highly trained police aren't 100% accurate with their aim. Shooters often are students or appear to be students, she said, and having more guns at an incident would increase the risk of innocent people getting hurt.

"Putting more guns in schools only increases the risk of shootings," said Jennifer Hodge, a volunteer for the advocacy group Moms Demand Action.

She and others criticized the bill for not including requirements for secure firearm storage. They said that creates a greater risk of firearms being misplaced or stolen and ending in the hands of students.

Brewer said most of the opponents come from more populous counties like Douglas, Sarpy and Lancaster. He said most of the schools in those areas can afford armed security, while districts in more rural areas aren't as fortunate.

"I cannot stress more how selfish it is that you have law enforcement in your school, and then you want to go and make it so those who say they need it  can't have it," Brewer said.

Photos: Nebraska Legislature gavels in for first day of 2024 session
Learning Tools

Virginia Department of Ed Adds Lexia Literacy Tools to Tutoring Initiative

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has added two Lexia Learning literacy tools to its ALL in Tutoring reading initiative  Lexia Core5 Reading for grades 3-5 and Lexia PowerUp for grades 6-8  as part of its array of tutoring resources.

The tools are available to students participating in the tutoring initiative and who are not currently proficient in Virginia's Standards of Learning (SOL) for their grades due to pandemic losses.

The resources are based on Science of Reading standards that include personalized learning methods, using a "structured, explicit, and systematic approach," Lexia said in a news announcement. The state's [SOL] are embedded into the programs, and educators will be able to identify them both in online and offline materials, the company said.

Core5 features a three-step adaptive blended learning model, and includes an Assessment Without Testing feature that can predict a student's year-end performance. This gives teachers "ongoing norm-referenced and actionable data for prioritizing and planning instruction with supporting offline instructional materials," the company said.

Visit Lexia's Core5 web page to learn more about how it works.

Lexia noted that most of the secondary curriculum is based on reading, but only a third of eighth-grade students achieve their reading level. PowerUp helps fill in individual gaps by combining age-appropriate, student-driven, and teacher-provided lessons and activities. It also supports students learning more advanced analysis skills, the company said.

Learn more about PowerUp on this page.

Lexia said although Ignite Reading 1:1 foundational reading skills tutoring will still be available to Virginia students who require Tier 3 support, Lexia will help schools, districts, and the state to implement their own Core5 Reading and PowerUP Literacy programs.

"We already work with several school divisions within Virginia, and they will also be eligible for the additional success services  tutorials, resources, tools, and professional learning sessions  that we'll provide as part of their ALL In Tutoring reading initiative plans," said Lexia president Nick Gaehde. "Our record of success spurred the VDOE to partner with us, and we are excited to make a difference for even more students in the state."
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Two Florida truckers are accused of stealing a substantial amount of fuel from an Orangeburg County gas station.

This was quick work by my deputies for making these arrests, Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell said in a release.

Just a few minutes either way, and they would have been gone, he said.

Ravenell said 54-year-old Juan Casanova-Brito and 26-year-old Carlos Casanova-Sanchez, both of Hialeah, have each been charged with criminal conspiracy; breaking into motor vehicle or tanks, pumps where fuel lubricants are stored; malicious injury to personal property; and petit larceny.

The father and son were taken into custody Wednesday night after Orangeburg County Sheriffs deputies received a tip that fuel was being stolen at the 7-11 on Five Chop Road.

Deputies immediately converged on the station to catch the duo as they were allegedly attempting to fuel up an 18-wheeler.

The two subjects allegedly manipulated the fuel pump to alter the flow of fuel, resulting in a larger amount of fuel pumped than was billed, according to warrants.

OCSO deputies have been investigating similar fuel thefts dating back to November in which a total of more than 1,500 gallons of fuel has been stolen.

The fuel company has informed the sheriffs office of other thefts in Virginia and Newberry, S.C.

Ravenell added, We will be making contact with other law enforcement agencies across the state that have had similar cases in their areas.

Inv. Dan Howe is leading the ongoing investigation.
A 19-year-old North Charleston man is accused of trying to kill a fellow student at South Carolina State University.

Rolando Jamel Ifill Jr., of Willow Court, is charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime by S.C. State police.

Ifill is also charged with unlawful carrying of a firearm by the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety.

Ifill was a sophomore at S.C. State. He told the court Wednesday he is no longer a student.

S.C. State University Criminal Investigator Joseph Cooper claims that the Tuesday morning shooting was a result of an ongoing dispute. Cooper spoke on the issue during a Wednesday afternoon bond hearing.

Cooper claims Ifill accused a fellow male student of participating, with others, in a petit larceny incident over the weekend.

The disagreement turned physical Tuesday while Ifill and the other male were in Hodge Hall on campus, according to Cooper.

Ifill allegedly struck the male several times about his face and body.

At one point, Ifill allegedly brandished a firearm and held it to the males head.

As the male attempted to flee, Ifill allegedly fired at the males head, striking a window instead.

Shattered glass from the window struck the males face. The male found shelter in the dining hall at nearby Claflin University.

No other physical injuries were reported.

Cooper said the shooting occurred in an enclosed building that was occupied by several other students.

S.C. State and Claflin issued lockdown advisories on Tuesday following the shooting.

The Orangeburg Department of Public Safety was called to the area at 11:11 a.m., just after the shooting was reported.

ODPS Inv. Bryan Haynes arrived at Claflin University where a Claflin Department of Public Safety officer reported seeing the suspect on Boulevard Street, across the railroad tracks.

Haynes arrived on Boulevard Street, while the man, later identified as Ifill, continued toward Dutton Street.

Haynes attempted to stop Ifill, but he began running down Dutton Street, according to an incident report.

Haynes drew his weapon and ordered Ifill to stop, but he didnt, the report said.

Ifill allegedly circled around a building at the corner of Dutton and Amelia streets.

Haynes got out of his patrol car and saw Ifill quickly peeking out around the far corner of the building.

Ifill then complied with Haynes orders.

Haynes frisked Ifill and allegedly found a 9 mm Springfield Armory XD-S handgun in his left jacket pocket.

One round was in the chamber.

Ifill said he didnt have a concealed weapons permit, the report said.

A pat-down of Ifill at the Orangeburg County Detention Center, yielded a ski mask that allegedly may be consistent with the one worn during the shooting on States campus, the report states.

Officers claim they found the following in Ifills backpack: a laptop computer, numerous cigars, a computer charger, a phone charger, several condoms, a red-handled paring knife, a set of keys with a lighter key chain, various notebooks and trash.

ODPS officers collected each of the items as evidence.

The firearm was given to special agents with the S.C. Law Enforcement Division for analysis.

S.C. State Police asked to interview Ifill. While S.C. State police officers attempted to interview Ifill, he invoked his right to remain silent.

Ifill has no prior record.

He first appeared before Orangeburg Municipal Judge Chasity Avinger on Wednesday morning. ODPS charged Ifill with one count of unlawful carrying of a handgun.

Its obvious we do have concerns about this defendant, Haynes told the court.

Avinger said, Given the nature of the circumstances of the alleged incident at South Carolina State University and the circumstances surrounding Mr. Ifills arrest, including him fleeing on foot from law enforcement, I do have concerns about whether he will appear for court as well as concerns about the danger he presents to the community.

Avinger set Ifills bond at $50,000 cash or surety. She also stipulated that hes not allowed to return to the campus of S.C. State unless accompanied by law enforcement.

Ifill next appeared before Orangeburg County Magistrate Wanda Govan on the charges of attempted murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

Govan denied setting Ifills bond and deferred that decision to a circuit judge later.

If Ifill is convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison.
It was the summer of Barbie, Taylor Swift and Beyonce. Girls ran the world, and girlhood was celebrated with friendship bracelets and pink merchandise galore.

This version of girlhood has made its way into the political sphere with young girls and women flocking to see Nikki Haley, placing her as the newest women figure of this niche.

Haley signs arms at her campaign speeches, where she is offered friendship bracelets. Influencers use her standard campaign Margaret Thatcher quote If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman on TikTok.

Young girls wearing Clemson orange and purple shirts, American-themed bows and ribbons, pins with pictures of Haley on them and signs with little women for Haley, have been a popular occurrence at her rallies in the Palmetto state. For some, its not about Haleys politics at all. Many of the girls at the recent events wont even be old enough to vote, and some are too young to be talking politics with friends. But seeing a woman running for president was all they needed.

Swift, Haley and Dolly Madison have more in common than you think

Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks, Dolly Madison, Margaret Thatcher, Nana, Kimberly Hampton, women in the Marines, sisters, aunts, moms, J-Lo, Miss Colorado, Sarah Blakely, Megyn Kelly, Anne Hathaway and Taylor Swift (more than once), were all names that young girls and women at Haleys Jan. 27 Greenville campaign event said inspired them or held characteristics that they loved about Haley.

Im excited to see Nikki Haley because she might be the first woman to become a president of the United States and I support her in that, and weve never had a woman president so I dont know what its like and Im excited to know what it is like, possibly, said Nora White, a 10-year-old in fourth grade.

Nora, came to the Greenville event from Durham, North Carolina, with her sister, Ellison and their dad, Michael. He said events like Haleys are not something they get to experience very much in North Carolina, and that bringing his girls to events like hers was politics in action.

I think having two daughters, to see them have a positive role model thats a Republican woman who is running for president, I think there is nothing better than for them to see that first hand, Michael said.

Before Haley appeared, the three were on risers near the stage with signs, dancing to songs such as Holding Out for a Hero, by Bonnie Tyler and the Go-Gos We Got the Beat.

Noras sister Ellison White, 17, said its a huge deal to see a woman on stage running for president. The high school senior wants to study political science in college. She said Haley has inspired her with her American dream.

We live in a bluer county in North Carolina. So, being able to come out and be surrounded by people who are like-minded with us is a huge deal, especially with my sister only being 10 years old, Ellison said.

While a lot of her friends dont necessarily share her political views, Ellison said several of them said they would stand behind Haley because of the core American values she presents.

Its not necessarily because shes more left leaning at all, but because she stands for the traditional things written out in the Constitution, Ellison said. From where Im from, I dont see young people support Republican women.

Its super inspiring to see another woman up on stage fighting for our rights to be president of the United States, Nora said.

After the event, Nora asked Haley to sign her arm, and then hugged Haley in a photo.

Tami Uria, a teacher in Greenville, attended the event with her daughter Sofia, 7, and husband, Scott. When Haley was governor, she visited a school Uria was teaching at.

Shes always been in my mind since then, Uria said. I love seeing a powerful woman who is also very eloquent in the way she speaks and shes very educated, very smart. I just think its a great example for all of our girls, the girls that I teach, my daughters. I just think its a great example for them as well.

Alex Rogers, 16, and Mimi Sherman, 16, best friends who attend high school in Greenville, were both excited to see Haley. Decked out in red, white and blue, Rogers held an American flag while Sherman held a sign that said Nikki 2024, About Time.

Ive always been a very patriotic and Republican person, but I also am relatively a heavy feminist, so having a Republican female is one of the best things I could have hoped for for this presidency and overall our government, Rogers said.

While the girls are 16 and cannot vote yet, they definitely care about politics and both plan to join the military.

Rogers said Haley shares a lot of qualities with other Republicans that she likes. Age also plays a big role, she said, and she appreciated Haley was younger.

Its time, we need a woman president, Rogers said.

While some young girls may not be able to understand the politics, all their parents at the Jan. 27 event agreed it was vital to give them a chance to see a woman like Haley in a powerful position.

Swifts The man, but Haleys version.

Even for some teens, it was less about Haleys politics, and seemingly more about her energy and appearance as a woman running for president, especially when she went after the male candidates.

On TikTok, a mix up of the song Maneater by Nelly Furtado and Haley saying Thatchers want something done, ask a woman quote went viral, used with over 15,000 posts, including by several popular young influencers including Alix Earle.

Whether influencers or social media users intend to support Haley, they all found the sound catchy or inspiring enough to add to their own content. Other users have posted videos of Haley defending herself or snapping at some of the former male Republican candidates, including Vivek Ramaswamy and Ron DeSantis.

For all you girl dads out there, and all you strong moms, we have to raise strong girls. Strong girls become strong women. Strong women become strong leaders, Haley told the Greenville crowd.

Amanda Elliott and her daughter Vada, 3, attended the event with a friend.

Elliott said she knows Vada is young, but she feels its important to bring her out to community events. She also took Vada to a Tim Scott event and when she voted.

I wanna be able to tell her (Vada) when you were three you came to a Nikki Haley rally because she was in your backyard, and theres no excuse not to come, Elliott said.

Good Leader. Nice and funny.

Throughout the night, Haley was described in many different ways.

Jenelle Martin, 16, her sister Abby Martin, 12, came with their mom, Andrea Martin, and their neighbor Hannah McCurry, 14.

When asked what words they would use to describe Haley, the girls said strong, inspiring, moderate, and inclusive.

I thought, if she does become president, which I hope she does, I think it would be awesome to be able to say hey I met the first woman president,  Jenelle said.

Other girls, like Ruby Moon, 8, who came with her grandmother Becky Tomes, said if she could tell Haley something, she would tell her she is really nice and funny.

Reagan Scharf, a fifth-grader who attended with her parents and two siblings, said words that best encompassed Haley were confident, good leader, and incredible.

Reagans math teacher is married to Nikki Haley daughter, said Reagans mom, Megan. Reagan was excited to come see Haley because of that.

Throughout the event, everyone seemed to enjoy the playlist, but especially the children who attended.

Ana, a 5-year-old kindergartner, jumped around to Dancing Queen by ABBA while her great-uncle, Andrew Morris, and Nana Jane Morris waited for Haley to arrive.

I am 75 and I am too old to make any world decisions, Jane said. Just like those two old men. They are just old. Biden looks like that old man from 'Sesame Street,' the theater guy, oh wait, 'The Muppets.'

While Ana wasnt quite aware of who Haley was, she seemed happy to be there, and said she looked up to her mama.

The men have been in charge of the world since the beginning of time, and look what theyve done with it. Lets give a woman a chance! Jane said.
Tree trimmers are coming to town, Vance Mayor Michael Aiken Sr. said at the town councils monthly meeting on Monday, Jan. 30.

Vance oath Barbara Montgomery 9761.JPG Barbara Montgomery, center, takes the oath of office on Tuesday, Jan. 30, after being re-elected to the Vance Town Council in the municipal el

Dominion Energy contracted with a private company to trim branches that are, or soon could be, interfering with electric lines along their rights-of-way. The work will be done in 2024, likely sooner than later, he said.

The mayor also said that local officials planned to attend two events that are being sponsored by the Municipal Association of South Carolina.

Aiken and newly named Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn Bush planned to participate in the Hometown Legislative Action Day in Columbia on Feb. 6. The annual event gives municipal officials an opportunity to visit their state senators and representatives.

Vance oath Carolyn Bush 9754.JPG Carolyn Bush, center, takes the oath of office on Tuesday, Jan. 30, after being re-elected to the Vance Town Council in the municipal election

Bush and fellow council members Eugene Elmore and Barbara Montgomery planned to attend the Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government on Feb. 7. The institute empowers officials to better perform their duties.

Orangeburg County Magistrate Valerie Lawrence administered the oaths of office to Bush and Montgomery, who were re-elected last Nov. 8.

Aiken reminded attendees that senior citizens are invited to play bingo from noon until 2 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month in the Vance Family & Friends Center at 608 Camden Road.

Get The Times and Democrat app today Local news has never been this personal. Free to download. Subscribers enjoy unlimited access.

He also noted that Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College offers a two-evening defensive driving course each month.

The Vance Town Councils next monthly meeting is set for Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. in the Family & Friends Center.
Nikki Haley's allies are bracing for a big loss in her home states primary election in South Carolina this week. And there are no primary wins on the horizon in other states either. Haley tells The Associated Press that she will not leave the Republican primary election regardless of Saturdays outcome. And she is vowing to stay in the fight against Donald Trump at least until after Super Tuesdays slate of 16 contests on March 5. Haley later told supporters in a speech outlining her rationale for staying in that South Carolina will vote on Saturday. But on Sunday, Ill still be running for president. Im not going anywhere.
TOKYO, Feb 08 (News On Japan) - Nintendo announced on Wednesday that its net profit for April to December last year surged by 17.9% to a record 408 billion yen, bolstered by the depreciating yen which expanded its earnings.

In contrast, Kao reported a decrease in both revenue and profit for the last year. While domestic sales of daily necessities grew, its cosmetics business in the Chinese market slowed down. The company mentioned that the release of treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean has cast a shadow over its performance.

Tomoaki Kiuchi, an executive economist at Nomura Research Institute, commented on the situation: "The slowdown of China's economy is one factor. The political tensions between Japan and China over the past year have led to boycotts. Companies like Kao, which have significant business in China, are experiencing damage due to political influences."

This contrasting financial outcome highlights the diverse impacts of international business and political tensions on Japanese corporations. Nintendo has managed to reach new heights in profitability, leveraging favorable currency exchange rates. In contrast, Kao faces challenges in its overseas operations, particularly in China, where political tensions and consumer boycotts have negatively affected its business.

Source: ANNnewsCH
As the situation becomes tense again on the Russia-Ukraine border, a group of experts from the German Marshall Fund discuss options for the West.

Alina Inayeh: Russia is on the offensive  an offensive that is hybrid, both military and through other means, as has been the case since 2014. The Kremlin is amassing tanks and troops at the border with Ukraine and placing paratroops in Crimea, while also maintaining its area denial weapon system in the Black Sea. Moscow is not only flexing its military muscle but is also quite credibly defending President Vladimir Putins often-referenced red line.

Military actions are accompanied by various other destabilizing maneuvers. Putin presumably has some role in the refugees being led to Belarus border to Poland, creating havoc at the border and within the EU. Certainly, the resulting portrait suits the Kremlin; Poland seems harsh toward the refugees and the EU looks incapable of managing the situation. It creates the destabilization that Putin seeks. But even better: It spreads an image of the West as lacking both empathy and power.

Add to this Russias permanent gas flow blackmail, as Putin lowers and hikes prices depending on support for North Stream 2, the Russo-German gas pipeline project. Every reaction (or action) in the Black Sea by Europeans, including the UK, from arming Ukraine to flying planes in the Crimean space, is met with a response from Putin, both in discourse and in action, and again shows the weakness of a West that cannot keep its promises. The West, meanwhile, struggles to respond. Poland is in the midst of conflict with the EC over democratic setbacks, as North Stream 2 divides Europe and the EU continues to debate options of security autonomy from the United States.

For its part, Washington maintains its firmness against Russia and interest in the Black Sea, with a strategy for the Black Sea in the making. However, the predominant narrative in the region, generously fueled by Russian propaganda, is that the United States is turning away from Europes East as it focuses on its competition turned rivalry turned sharp antagonism with China.

In its search for a response, the EU (as well as the United States) needs to look not only at the humanitarian crisis of the migrants at the border or the troops being amassed near Ukraine  although both require immediate action  but at all of Russias actions in the region and beyond. How can this be accomplished? How can the EU finally get to fixing immediate crises while maintaining a coherent strategy and tactics? And can this still be done together with the United States?

Sore Points Between Moscow and Brussels

Michael Kimmage: There are many points to address. On the question of Russian motivations: Russia is not hostile to the EU per se. In some ways, it does not take the EU very seriously, because the EU commands no military power and is so robustly transnational. But for the past 10 or so years, three areas of tension have emerged between Russia and the EU.

The first was the Eastern Partnership program, which Russia interpreted as an unwanted intrusion into its neighborhood, especially where Belarus and Ukraine are concerned, a development that culminated in the Ukraine crisis of 2014 [Ed. Note: The Eastern Partnership (EaP) is a joint policy initiative that aims to deepen and strengthen relations between the EU, its member states and its six eastern neighbors: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine].

The second is EU sanctions placed on Russia for its annexation of Crimea and invasion of the Donbas, which Putin sees as of a piece with the general Western will to weaken Russia. And third is the EUs open support for the opposition to President Alyaksandr Lukashenka in Belarus, which confirms the Kremlins conviction that transatlantic policy is the encouragement of colored revolutions first on Russias periphery and eventually in Russia itself. Based on these three points of tension, as Russia construes them, Putin has pursued a range of policies intended to thwart the EU. These range from support for anti-EU politicians and movements to the incorporation of a sharp-elbowed energy policy into ongoing Russian discontent with EU policy.

On Belarus: the degree of Putins support for Lukashenka is an open question, for which there is precious little evidence one way or another. Putin knows that Lukashenka is weakening domestically and has always seen him as erratic and unpleasantly ambitious. Putin is surely exploring alternatives to Lukashenka as the leader of Belarus. It is not certain that Putin approves of the migrant crisis caused by Lukashenka or that he approves of every aspect of Lukashenkas behavior. To be sure, though, Putin has up to now tolerated Lukashenka because they share a common enemy and a common project.

That common enemy is a combination of the EU, NATO, and the United States. The common project is to retain the autonomy of Russia and Belarus vis-a-vis the West and, in particular, to shut down any political development that would threaten their rule. What ties Putin and Lukashenko together is the following assumption: that the Belarusian opposition must fail and that the EU must pay a heavy price for even thinking that it can influence political outcomes in Belarus or in Russia. The engineered crisis at the border is Lukashenkas way of making this point. Its clumsiness and probable backfiring may or may not be apparent to the Kremlin. But its intentions of taming the EU are entirely congenial to Putin, who was surely pleased that the border crisis compelled German Chancellor Angela Merkel to call Lukashenka, thus confirming his status as the leader of Belarus and changing the narrative of an opposition movement on the verge of coming to power.

In the case of Ukraine: It is clear that the status quo does not work for Russia. It affords Russia too little influence and is enabling the ever-tighter linkage of Ukraines military with the U.S. military and with NATO structures. Putin has repeatedly argued that this state of affairs crosses a crucial Russian red line; there is no doubt that Putin means what he says in this regard. What he has decided to do is hard to assess, and he may not yet have made a decision: He may watch and wait, hoping that instability within Ukraine, within the United States, or within the EU or NATO will do his work for him. He may threaten war for the sake of changing the general outlines of the situation, getting either Ukraine or the West to make concessions that would move Ukraine toward neutrality and away from partnership with the West. Or he may invade the country, as he has been giving himself the option of doing by amassing forces on the Ukrainian border, either to impose a settlement on Ukraine that would be amenable to Moscow or to divide the country in two, leaving the Western half to do what it wants regarding the EU and NATO and incorporating the eastern half under Russian sovereignty or suzerainty. The only definite conclusion that can be drawn about Putins calculus is that he will not passively accept the status quo; in one way or another, he will seek to change it.

What this means for EU policy is that the EU has to get better at self-defense. Above and beyond the territories near Belarus, it should work on its migration policy so as to strengthen the EU, to provide greater coordination among member states, and to clarify the process whereby migrants/refugees are either accepted or not accepted into the EU.

In addition, the EU needs to be tougher on Belarus. It did not impose real costs on Minsk for the airliner hijacking that was meant to be an affront to the EU. It is slow and inconsistent in sanctioning Belarus for Lukashenkas brutal instrumentalization of migrants to destabilize the EU. No doubt the U.S. and NATO can be allies on these issues, but the EU itself needs to become more capable and quicker to respond to such provocations.

Secondly, the EU needs to develop a real strategy for what had once been the Eastern Partnership program, which is surely one of the great diplomatic failures of recent years. What are the EUs strategic goals vis-a-vis Ukraine and Belarus? How does it intend to achieve them? What resources does it have at its disposal? The EU needs to dispense with airy rhetoric and get down to the hard job of addressing the countries between itself and Russia, over which there reigns an unfortunate asymmetry. Russia knows exactly what it wants, a sphere of influence, and the EU seems united only in knowing what it does not want, which is a Russian sphere of influence. In a contest between a power that knows what it wants and a power that does not know what it wants, uncertainty is a palpable disadvantage. The EU is rich and powerful, but it needs to orient its wealth and power toward coherent and reachable goals, nowhere more so than in Eastern or Central Europe. No less than the South China Sea is the space between the EU and Russia destined to be the battleground of the 21st century.

Conflict Below the Threshold

Michal Baranowski: Let me just briefly address the moment of relative quiet that we are now seeing on the border and what NATO needs, in general terms, to address this multi-domain competition with Russia.

The situation on the Polish-Belarusian border has somewhat stabilized this week after frantic diplomacy last week led by Chancellor Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron. But it is not yet over. First of all, the pressure on the EU border in Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia continues. Over the past week, the number of illegal crossings has fallen to around 200 in Poland, but it has not ceased entirely. Belarusian security services continue to instrumentalize migrants, but thankfully we are no longer seeing the scenes of the past weeks, with thousands marching on the border. So far, very few migrants have been repatriated back to their countries of origin, which means that the Lukashenka regime can again push people toward the border, if he finds it politically expedient.

Yet the crisis on the border is part of a bigger picture, as Alina pointed out in the opening. Even if Putin is not directly controlling every move of Lukashenkas regime, the two autocrats cooperate and coordinate, at the very least, in their larger conflict with the West that, for now, is happening below the threshold of war  but that has a clear goal of establishing the Kremlins sphere of influence in Eastern European countries. This would have both political and security consequences not only for these countries, but also directly for the EU and NATO.

NATO, in particular, is not yet well-prepared to deal with a conflict that happens largely below the threshold of war. But that kind of conflict will be the favorite for NATOs enemies. Russia and its puppets are now focused on conflict below the threshold largely because the alliance as a whole is so overwhelmingly superior when it comes to military capabilities. Resilience to these threats is important. NATO needs to learn how to fight in this new environment, where the adversary focuses primarily on other domains to pressure the West  energy, informational space, cyber space, migration pressure, the military dimension. NATO needs to be able to play not only defense, but also offense across these domains. The alliance needs to develop deterrence capabilities and strategies by having options to react to below-the-threshold conflict. The West is structurally stronger in these domains, but also timider  and therefore finds itself on the back foot in this conflict with Putin and Lukashenko. We need to have an open conversation within the alliance on how to actively respond to such multi-domain attacks. All is not quiet on the Eastern front.

Alina Inayeh: Not only does NATO need to adapt and respond to these challenges but so, too, does the EU. As long as European states have one policy toward Russia under the NATO umbrella and a different one under the EU, Russia will be able to continue its non-military actions quite successfully. Beyond and beside military and societal resilience, the West needs to build political resilience against actions meant to destabilize and divide. This is a tall order for a Union constantly preoccupied with its internal cohesion and design, and internal power struggles.

The EU, to underscore what Michael said, needs to treat its Eastern neighborhood with more determination, of the kind Italy and France have toward the Unions (and their) Southern neighborhood, as outlined in their recently inked Quirinale Treaty. The relevant provisions in this treaty could serve as a good source of inspiration for European policy designers toward Eastern Europe when they meet at the Eastern Partnership summit in a few days. Strengthening economic ties and building institutional and societal resilience should be the main goals of a renewed EaP, one that should starkly differentiate between societies and governments, supporting the first and conditioning behavior toward the latter on performance and good intentions.

Alina Inayeh joined GMF in 2007 as the director of the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation, a project dedicated to strengthening cooperation and fostering development in the Black Sea region. Michael Kimmage is a visiting fellow in GMFs Washington office and a professor of history at the Catholic University of America. From 2014 to 2016, he served on the secretarys policy planning staff at the U.S. Department of State, where he held the Russia/Ukraine portfolio. Michal Baranowski is the director of GMFs Warsaw office, where he provides overall strategic direction and leadership for the organizations work in Poland, the Baltic states, and the V4 countries. This article was originally published on GMFs website. Reprinted with permission.
In a Facebook post on Jan. 22, Mills Mayor Leah Juarez put out a call to citizens in the Mills, Wy public community group: If youve had any issues with the ZIP codes as a resident, please, put it in the comments.

Residents responded: Late and lost deliveries; troubles trying to validate their applications for credit cards, loans and mortgages; the confusion of having to have two addresses  a PO Box number and a house address  for many people.

Frustration. Thats how Juarez described the situation to the Star-Tribune. The solution? Give Mills its own ZIP code, she said.

The root of the problem, according to Juarez, is the fact that parts of Mills share a ZIP code with Casper: 82604. More than half of residents have to receive mail at the post office and, as Mills post office doesnt do delivery, they have to go to Casper. The catch is, however, that the PO boxes at the post office, as well as some other areas of the city, have a 82644 code.

If she tries to order something through FedEx, she said, it wont recognize her address as deliverable, because the mapping program pulls from USPS, and her home isnt recognized through that mapping program either, because FedEx uses the USPS system.

The post offices suggestion to put a residents PO Box after their name doesnt work either.

And its been a recurring thing, she said. When she moved to Mills 15 years ago, it was an immediate problem.

(City Manager Carter Napier told the Star-Tribune on Tuesday that he was not aware Mills was having these issues.)

But as residents face personal frustrations dealing with shipping things and filling out applications, the city itself faces frustration, too. The ZIP code conundrum is screwing up their franchise fees, census counts and possibly property taxes as well, Juarez told the Star-Tribune.

We just recently found out that some of our franchise fees were not getting collected at all, because there were homes that were kind of just in limbo  . The company didnt know if they were county or if they were Casper. We know that there were some that were being attributed to Casper because of the oh-four number, she said. We were not getting some of our own franchise fees for things such as Rocky Mountain Power.

We know that some of our people got sent  to Casper  because Mills doesnt have its own ZIP code identity.

Recent census count data puts Mills around 4,100 people, but Juarez thinks that the more accurate number would be closer to 5,000.

Juarez has been working on a new boundary map based on records from the assessor and comparisons to areas that the city of Mills has annexed or services utilities for. Its a little-by-little sort of thing, she said.

In letters to the U.S. Postal Service that were shared with the Star-Tribune, the fire chief in Mills and the regional business manager for Rocky Mountain Powers Mills location each expressed support for the city to receive its own ZIP code.

The fire departments new billing system uses the postal services address database to bill customers, and Wil Gay, the fire chief, had to tell them about the wrinkles in that system for Mills. Rocky Mountain Power has had difficulties assigning addresses to customers in Mills as part of their utility reimbursement, which is part of the citys requirements.

City leaders have asked the postal service to resolve this issues, but Juarez said they are resistant: Starting delivery service in Mills could cost them more money, and they dont want that.

Juarezs plan of action is to take this to members of Wyomings congressional delegation  Rep. Harriet Hageman and Sen. Cynthia Lummis. She told the Star-Tribune via text on Monday that she took the letters of support, including one she wrote with comments from residents, to Hagemans and Lummis teams. Juarez is now waiting for them to get the ball rolling, she said.
ABOUT THIS PROJECT:

After six months of reporting, more than 3,000 miles traveled in Montana alone and with support from the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalisms National Fellowship, Lee Montana newspapers published Gone Too Soon, a three-part series that examines the life expectancy gap in Montana.

In Montana, where Native Americans comprise 6.7% of the population, Indigenous people die a generation younger than their white neighbors.

From 2018 to 2022, white Montanans died, on average, at 78, while their Native American neighbors died 17 years sooner at 61. In some places, the gap widens. On the Fort Peck Reservation, Indigenous people typically die at 52  almost 30 years younger than their white counterparts.

In covering this story, Indigenous Communities Reporter Nora Mabie traveled to the Crow, Fort Peck and Fort Belknap reservations, spending meaningful time in each community.
ENERGY Minister Stuart Young has taken umbrage at comments made by Ronald Harford, former chairman of Republic Financial Holdings Ltd, as he boasted about the success of the energy sector.

Young said whenever somebody becomes a former, their mouth gets big, as he quoted from an article in Fridays Express report where Harford made critical comments.
A 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.
TOKYO, Feb 08 (News On Japan) - Renowned for his unique character roles, actor Jiro Sato recently disclosed on social media that he has been grappling with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) since his elementary school days. What exactly is this condition, and when should one consider seeking medical advice? A psychiatric specialist provides clarity on these questions.

Understanding OCD: Beyond Daily Inconveniences

According to caster Yasumi Yoshihara, the disorder Sato revealedOCDaffects daily life due to obsessive symptoms. Typically manifesting in individuals between their teens and twenties, it's a relatively common condition, occurring in 1 to 4 out of 100 people over their lifetime.

Psychiatric specialist Shinichiro Tanaka elaborates on the symptoms: repeated hand-washing without feeling clean, checking locks multiple times, stopping to check if one has accidentally hit someone while driving, or feeling unease upon seeing certain numbers like 4 or 9.

These compulsions can escalate, consuming hours for a single action, significantly hindering work and daily routines.

When Worry Becomes Excessive: Recognizing OCD

Tanaka notes symptoms such as needing to perform actions with both hands or feeling restless until actions are mirrored on both sides.

Caster Chiaki Horan queries how to differentiate between being overly cautious and having OCD. Tanaka explains the distinction lies in the individual's "trouble" with their actions, where worry might resolve in minutes, but OCD can extend over hours or require countless repetitions.

Caster Takahiro Inoue asks if such compulsions are uncontrollable. Tanaka confirms, sometimes actions are performed despite knowing they're unnecessary, varying by individual.

Legal expert Maiko Hagiya inquires about repeated actions, like multiple checks on door locks, questioning if it's merely excessive worry. Tanaka suggests such behavior might be extreme worry if it occurs a few times, but consistent repetitions indicate OCD.

Seeking Help: When and How

The difference between general worry and OCD lies in the frequency and duration of compulsions. Indicators for seeking medical consultation include disruptions to school or work, avoiding certain places, or being unable to leave the house.

Treatment typically involves medication, such as antidepressants, and cognitive-behavioral therapy to alter thoughts and behaviors. However, Tanaka warns recovery can be lengthy and challenging.

For those living with someone with OCD, understanding and proper response are crucial, especially distinguishing between "self-contained" and "involving" types of OCD, the latter requiring family support and perhaps urging medical consultation.

This detailed exploration following Sato's disclosure sheds light on OCD's complexities, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing it from mere worry and recognizing when professional help is needed.

Source: TBS
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.
Remove the rubber plug from the top of your brain and cram these in!

13  Mork & Mindy  Scripts Were Short Because of Robin Williams  Improv Paramount As the tale goes, in what is a beautiful blend of laziness and respect, writers for Mork & Mindy would regularly leave extra room in their scripts, knowing Williams would inject some of his own genius. Theyd simply write something to the effect of Mork does his thing."

12 Burger King Introduced A Left-Handed Whopper It was released, by which I mean they called regular Whoppers left-handed, as an April Fool's Prank in 1998.

11 The Collarbone Is the Most Commonly Broken Bone The collarbone, or clavicle, is the most commonly broken bone in the body due to its exposed placement, the fact that it bears the force of most falls onto the arm or shoulder and because it has almost no muscle support.

10 We Know the Size of Noah  s Ark Despite the fact that it seems like halfway to a fairy tale, actual measurements are given for the ark, and according to them, it would be 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide and 30 cubits high. In more modern measurement units, this would make it roughly 150 meters long, 25 meters wide and 15 meters high. Advertisement Advertisement

9 Mercury Was What Made Hatters Mad Public Domain The expression mad as a hatter comes from the fact that the process of turning pelts into felt for hats involved a whole lot of mercury nitrate. This, obviously, led to a high rate of mercury poisoning in the profession, which could cause mood swings and hallucinations.

8 Llamas Have, Count 'Em, Three Stomachs Llamas have a three-chambered stomach that helps them digest less-than-ideal vegetation, and threes a weird number in two ways. Obviously, its not the single stomach were more used to, but its also one less than most animals with a similar setup, like cattle. Advertisement Advertisement

7 Castaway Stopped Filming So Tom Hanks Could Get Skinny Obviously, if youre going to be in a movie where you need to look alternately perfectly well-fed and on the brink of starvation, youre going to have to do a little physical transformation. Director Robert Zemeckis actually stopped production on the film for a full year to allow Hanks to lose 50 pounds and get suitably scraggly.

6 Andre the Giant Was Samuel Beckett  s Neighbor Ethan Talk about brains and brawn. Famous playwright Beckett lived in a tiny French village named Ussy-sur-Marne at the same time as a young Andre The Giant Roussimoff. Had there been more crime there, I have no doubt they would have formed a fantastic tag team. Advertisement Advertisement

5 Cream Cheese Was NOT Invented in Philadelphia Given the near-monopoly held on the product by the Philadelphia brand, you might assume that Philly is the birthplace of cream cheese. It was actually invented by a farmer in Upstate New York, and debuted in New York City, which, given the citys love for the stuff, seems more natural. Even more confusing? We are still talking about the famous Philadelphia Cream Cheese brand we know and love, but it was named for Phillys apparent reputation for good cheese back then, not because of any actual geographic origin.

4 Fear of God, But in a Real, Scientific Sense Fear of god is a pretty common phrase for a particularly pious person. Usually, its more of a figurative description, but if someone is particularly terrified of a god or god and their vengeance, there is a scientific word for it: theophobia. Everyone in the Bible? Huge theophobes, but I think it was pretty reasonable given what hed been up to. Advertisement Advertisement

3 The Word Eclair Means Flash of Lightning Pixabay The name of the French pastry the eclair translates as flash of lightning. Its a reference to how quickly theyre eaten, and absolutely not the speed of anyone whos just eaten a couple.

2 The Unicorn Is the National Animal of Scotland Despite being an animal thats completely made-up and probably just a drunk man seeing a rhinoceros, the national animal of Scotland is the unicorn. They were likely adopted because of their reputation as strong, independent creatures that couldnt be tamed, long before they were something that youd get shoved in a locker for having on your backpack. Advertisement Advertisement
PHOENIX  A proposal allowing Arizona police to arrest and state judges to deport people who entered the country illegally was approved by a Senate committee Wednesday.

The vote came despite testimony that it runs afoul of U.S. Supreme Court precedent that says only the federal government can enforce immigration laws. That ruling struck down key parts of Arizonas Senate Bill 1070 more than a decade ago.

Republicans on the panel unanimously approved Senate Bill 1231 while all Democrats opposed the measure.

The sponsor of the bill, Sen. Janae Shamp, R-Surprise, argued that her measure is not about immigration but is aimed at protecting Arizona from what she called an invasion.

There are not any portions of (SB1070) in this bill, because this bills not about immigration and that bill was, Shamp said. This is just saying you cant come into our state unless you come through a lawful port of entry.

The bill is modeled after a Texas law enacted last year, Senate Bill 4, that has already prompted the U.S. Justice Department to sue the state. The Justice Department specifically referred to the Supreme Courts decision in the federal governments challenge to SB1070.

The Supreme Court, in Arizona v. United States, has previously confirmed that decisions relating to removal of noncitizens from the United States touch on foreign relations and must be made with one voice, said a January news release from the Justice Department announcing its lawsuit. SB 4 impedes the federal governments ability to enforce entry and removal provisions of federal law and interferes with its conduct of foreign relations.

Shamp heaped blame on the federal government, saying its inaction on immigration has directly led to a surge of immigrants pouring over the border in the last several years.

Thanks to the Biden administrations refusal to secure our border, the illegal activity, including unprecedented amount of human smuggling, drug smuggling, ladies and gentlemen, were in the thick of an invasion, Shamp told the Arizona Senate Committee on Military Affairs and Public Safety.

Our law enforcement is overwhelmed by the chaos created by Bidens open border policies, she continued. They dont have the resources or the support needed to combat the magnitude of criminal activity going on. And our communities are in danger.

Shamps proposal allows local police and sheriffs to arrest anyone who entered the country anywhere but a port of entry who has not been granted asylum or other legal right to stay in the country. And it lets  and in some cases requires  local judges to order those arrested to be returned to Mexico, regardless of their home nation.

The measure would lead to widespread racial profiling if enacted, said Marilyn Rodriguez, a lobbyist for the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona.

Unfortunately, Arizona has gone down this dark road before, she told the panel.

In the past we have seen Arizonans stopped by police because of their skin color or the languages they speak, family members arrested by local police because they cant prove their immigration status, mixed-status families reluctant to call the police when theyre victimized due to the threat of detainment or deportation, Rodriguez said. The division and anger that sprang from that period are still with us and we shouldnt be traveling through that dark path again.

Sen. Eva Burch, D-Mesa, said she does not disagree that there are serious issues at Arizonas southern border and that there may be a role for the state Legislature.

But we have to get this right, and there should be a robust bipartisan collaboration that includes voices and participation from our border personnel and from law enforcement as well as from civil rights advocates and people in the humanitarian space, Burch said. Thats not what this bill is the result of.

But Republicans on the panel praised Shamps proposal, saying that since the federal government hasnt stopped illegal immigration, the state has a duty to act.

And its high time that we rose to that occasion, said Sen. Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff.

Rogers also pushed back at the idea that racial profiling would result from the laws passage.

This is out of control, we all know it, and to have these casting aspersions that is race motivated, or that were going to be sorry for whatever image we may portray because were trying to protect ourselves is ludicrous, she said.

The measure now goes to the full Senate for consideration. If it passes there and at the House it will be up to Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs to decide whether to sign or veto the bill. A former state senator herself, Hobbs is unlikely to approve the measure.
Long-awaited bipartisan border legislation that divided Democrats and Republicans has already been rejected by GOP senators, who called the bill dead on arrival within hours of its release on Sunday.

Just before the U.S. Senate voted to kill the border-security package on Wednesday, co-author Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Arizona, said Republicans refusal to debate the bill was shameful.

We all negotiated in good faith. We delivered. We produced a bill many thought impossible, Sinema told her colleagues. Less than 24 hours after we released the bill, my Republican colleagues changed their minds. Turns out, they want all talk and no action. It turns out border security is not actually a risk to our national security; its just a talking point for the election.

Reaction to the bipartisan bill included opposition from immigrant-rights activists and progressive Democrats, who decried the bills limits on access to asylum and lack of a pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented people in the U.S.

Republican opponents in both chambers of Congress, including Arizona Rep. Juan Ciscomani, said the bill didnt go far enough.

We need a much tougher approach to stop this crisis, Ciscomani posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday. He was not available for an interview on his specific objections to the bill.

Some Arizona immigrant-rights advocates say the legislation backed by President Joe Biden highlights moderate Democrats rightward shift on immigration, embracing a level of asylum restriction that would have been unthinkable before Donald Trumps election.

"We believed that the United States is a country of welcome, said Joanna Williams, executive director of Kino Border Initiative. Its discouraging for us to see this legislation get bipartisan support, even support from people we thought might be more inclined to hear the voices of the moms and dads who are here at the border (seeking asylum). The general work we have to build a more humane and just system is such a steeper climb than what we thought it would be.

Some immigrant-rights advocates were optimistic about certain measures in the bill, such as funding for thousands more asylum officers and quicker work-permit approval for migrants granted asylum.

National Immigration Forum President and CEO Jennie Murray said in a Tuesday statement, We hope that reports of this bills death are premature. Although it has its shortcomings, the bill represents a promising effort from Republicans and Democrats to work together on serious border and immigration challenges. On the whole, we support its passage.

The bill also would have provided $60 billion in wartime aid to Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer indicated legislators would try to move forward with a modified package, excluding the border provisions, aimed at salvaging the wartime funding, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

Details of legislation

The bipartisan border bill got support from the union representing 18,000 Border Patrol agents and personnel, in a break from the groups usual alignment with Trump, who urged legislators to reject the bill.

"This will allow us to remove single adults expeditiously and without a lengthy judicial review, which historically has required the release of these individuals into the interior of the U.S., the National Border Patrol Council said in a Monday statement. This alone will drop illegal border crossings nationwide and will allow a great many of our agents to get back to detecting and apprehending those who want to cross our borders illegally and evade apprehension.

The legislation would have increased employment visas and family visas by a total of 50,000, said Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh, associate policy analyst for the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute.

"The bigger picture for us is that its worth celebrating that there was a bipartisan decision to come together and have this recognition that whats happening at the border is unsustainable and that something has to change, she said. It is really remarkable, despite the very quick downturn and potential demise that were seeing.

The bill included a new emergency expulsion authority for the Homeland Security secretary: If the number of illegal border crossings averaged more than 5,000 daily over a five-day period, any more migrants who crossed between ports of entry would be expelled without having the chance to make an asylum claim  similar to the protocol under the pandemic-era Title 42 policy, which ended last May.

Migrants could still apply for asylum at ports of entry, but capacity has long been extremely limited there, advocates say.

Opponents have misrepresented the 5,000 figure to suggest that it means 5,000 migrants a day would be allowed into the U.S.

In fact, those arrivals between ports of entry would face a higher threshold for passing their initial fear interview with asylum officers after theyre taken into custody, raising the standard from credible fear to reasonable fear.

It would also eliminate the ability for rejected asylum seekers to appeal to the immigration courts. That access to judicial review is a critical due process for asylum seekers, said Chelsea Sachau, manager attorney on the Border Action Team for the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project.

The legislation is a disgrace, she said. It really embraces extreme restrictions on asylum. Its going to not only exacerbate, but actually cause, immense human suffering at the border for anyone seeking protection in the U.S.

Even credible asylum cases can be difficult to prove, particularly for migrants who dont have a lawyer, who speak an Indigenous language with few accessible translators, or who are in the midst of deeply traumatic experiences, said Williams of the Kino Border Initiative. The Catholic-led nonprofit provides humanitarian and legal aid to migrants on the border.

"Our asylum system is already denying cases of people who are in imminent danger, Williams said. Theres already well-documented cases of people who have been sent back and experienced harm.

The 5,000-person trigger for the emergency expulsion authority will be a rollercoaster for border agents and migrants alike, trying to keep track on any given day of whether the border was open or closed to asylum claims, she said.

"The system will change every day, she said. That means for people who are vulnerable and in need of protection, the determination on their case will be based on the luck of the draw: the precise time they walk across the border.

Mexican criminal groups who control human smuggling routes to the border will respond by seeking to profit from the unpredictability at the border, she said. The legislation also doesnt account for the need for Mexico to agree to accept non-Mexican migrants that the U.S. turns away.

"When I finally read the actual text released on Sunday, my first reaction was, This is deeply impractical, Williams said.

Immigrant rights advocates say the bill is a betrayal of U.S. commitment to international treaty agreements and domestic law, which allows people to request asylum once on U.S. soil, regardless of whether they entered at a port of entry or between ports.

Currently, about 50% of asylum cases are approved, according to Syracuse University researchers who manage the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, or TRAC.

Almost 32,000 asylum petitions were granted in 2023 in the immigration courts, according to the Department of Justice. An additional 15,468 claims were approved by asylum officers with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Chief: Border agents need back up

The bipartisan border package allocated $723 million for more border agents.

Arizona stakeholders have argued that legislators and media have focused too much on the need for border agents and enforcement, and paid too little attention to ports of entry and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers who man them. CBPs officers usually wear blue shirts, while Border Patrol agents who operate between ports of entry wear green uniforms.

Experts say building out infrastructure to receive asylum seekers at the ports would relieve pressure on agents between ports of entry and reduce demand for human smugglers, who exploit the lack of legitimate avenues to request asylum at the ports.

Migration trends on the border have been evolving for a decade now: Border-crossers are no longer primarily Mexican men seeking work, but increasingly families arriving from around the world, said Adam Isacson, director for defense oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America, or WOLA, a D.C.-based research and advocacy group that promotes human rights and social justice.

Yet the immigration system hasnt evolved to meet the new reality, he said.

While stakeholders are starting to recognize the changing demographics, the system has long suffered from a lack of imagination and a lack of ability to adjust to the new reality, he said.

Border agents alone wont solve the problem, Isacson said. The number of agents has increased significantly since the 1990s, from less than 6,000 in 1996 to more than 19,000 today.

Even as the number of migrant arrivals between ports of entry has surged, Border Patrols staffing increases mean the ratio of migrant apprehension per agent is actually lower than it was in the 1990s, Isacson said.

Border Patrols Tucson Sector Chief John Modlin said while thats true, agents in the 90s faced less time-intensive processing for the migrants they apprehended, who were usually trying to evade detection and were subjected to a quick voluntary removal.

Today, agents are dealing with large numbers of migrants turning themselves in and requesting asylum. Processing those migrants can take more than 90 minutes each, keeping agents from their primary mission of apprehending those trying to evade detection, Modlin said in a Jan. 30 interview.

That processing doesnt actually require a law-enforcement background: A new civilian position within Border Patrol, that of processing coordinator, has helped to alleviate the burden on agents and could be expanded, Modlin said.

The Tucson sector has hired about 150 processing coordinators in the last nine months, and could use double that amount, he said.

"They have been a fantastic help, he said.

Its a tough job, being one of the first points of contact with migrants who may have been traumatized and assaulted on their journey, he said, but these civilian positions tend to be filled quickly when posted.

"There are just a lot of people that want to help, that believe in the mission, Modlin said. They just dont necessarily want to be in law enforcement.

The system has also long needed more resources for immigration courts to process asylum seekers who today are being released into the U.S. to await court hearings years down the road, Modlin said. The latest statistics show the immigration courts system now has a backlog of 3 million cases.

"Certainly, I would not turn down more agents in the Tucson sector, Modlin said last week. The challenge, though, is that the whole system really needs to move at the same rate, to expand at the same rate, whether its an increase in asylum officers, an increase in immigration judges, the detention space to hold people until there is a hearing. If only one part of the system is expanding, it ultimately will bottleneck and thats what youre seeing now."
The re-trial of a man accused in the 2012 kidnapping and killing of 6-year-old Isabel Celis began Wednesday morning with the prosecutor telling jurors that the defendant had written the girls name on a piece of paper after her killing, hid it under a rock then tied to use it years later as leverage to get out of an unrelated arrest.

After he was arrested on an unrelated burglary charge, Christopher Matthew Clements called his then-girlfriend and instructed her to look for the paper.

He folded it up, he put it into a plastic baggie, and he hid it under a rock in his front yard, Deputy Pima County Attorney Tracy Miller told jurors Wednesday during opening statements. And so, when he was in jail in 2017, he called (his girlfriend at the time) and said, can you go to the front yard, look under this rock, and youre going to find a piece of paper. Call the FBI and tell them I know where she is. 

Clements, 42, is charged with kidnapping, first-degree murder and burglary in connection with the killing of Celis. After a 10-day trial in Pima County Superior Court last year, jurors were unable to reach a verdict, and a mistrial was declared last March.

Four weeks have been set aside for the retrial.

Clements is a convicted sex offender with a long criminal record and is already serving a life sentence in the killing of 13-year-old Maribel Gonzales, who disappeared in June 2014 while walking to a friends house. However, jurors in this trial will not be told about Clements conviction.

Eric Kessler, Clements attorney, implicated Sergio Celis in the disappearance of his daughter.

Kessler told jurors that during the initial investigation detectives could not find any evidence of a struggle nor an overt crime scene. Specially trained dogs from the FBI were brought in, Kessler said, but they couldnt find any trace of an intruder being in the Celis home, so the investigation centered on Sergio.

Kessler said one of the girls brother was up as late as the timeframe given for the girls disappearance and the despite there being several dogs in the Celis home that barked incessantly, Sergio Celis told investigators he didnt hear anything in the house. Kessler also pointed out that girls window makes a tremendous screech when opened, raising doubt that was the way Isabel Celis was taken from her home.

Even Sergio, the father, wasnt confident, in fact I think he said it was unlikely that anyone came in through Isabels window, took her, and removed her out that window, Kessler said. (Sergio thought) it was more likely someone came through the front door of the house ... In order to get from Isabels bedroom to the front door, Isabel and anyone who was with her, would have to have walked by a sleeping Sergio.

Detectives discovered messages on the walls of Isabels closet in her handwriting, including I dont like Dad and Dads bad, Kessler said, and that there was no evidence of any kind of struggle and no evidence that anybody forcibly took Isabel from the home, Kessler told jurors.

At the time Isabel Celis vanished, investigators at the time were unable to find fingerprints off the window screen, Miller said, nor was there any DNA inside her room that they could detect. However, there were drops of Isabels blood on her bedroom floor, between her bed and the window, Miller told the jury.

About one month after Isabels disappearance, police canvassed the surrounding neighborhood. Clements, who lived nearby, was one of the people interviewed by police. Shortly after this interaction, Clements took a trip to Hawaii, the prosecution said.

About five years later, in 2017, Clements led investigators to the desert area northwest of Tucson where the remains of both girls were eventually found.

At the time, Clements told investigators he simply knew the location of the remains of Isabel Celis but had nothing to do with the killing.

Miller told jurors that Clements cell phone hit off of a cell tower in the area where Celis remains were found, shortly after her disappearance. That information made it able to determine Clements was in the general area of where Celis was found and that she noted that Clements changed his cell phone number in the days after her abduction.

Miller said that in 2017 investigators also looked through Clements and his girlfriends electronic devices.

This defendant made queries for Isabel Celis over the years, Miller said to jurors. Some web searched pulled from Clements devices included Isabel Celis sexy, and trace evidence found on body, Miller said.
Several weather systems are expected to bring scattered showers, mountain snow and gusty winds to Tucson and southeast Arizona through the weekend, forecasters say.

High temperatures in metro Tucson are expected to stay in the 50s, with lows dipping into the 30s, the National Weather Service in Tucson says.

Valley rain was expected to stay under a quarter-inch, the weather service said on Thursday.

There is a chance  between 50 percent and 70 percent  of Tucsons low temperatures dipping below freezing early Sunday and Monday, forecasters say.

Accumulating snow above 5,000 feet was expected late Thursday and late Friday night into Saturday.

Call the Pima County Sheriffs Department at (520) 351-3351 for the latest road conditions. That includes whether the Catalina Highway, the road to Mount Lemmon, will be open to the general public.
TOKYO, Feb 08 (News On Japan) - In the late-night broadcast of "Witness Variety Anta Watchman!" on TV Asahi on Tuesday, comedian Natsuko Yokozawa, who is also a mother of three, appeared and shared a touching episode from a location shoot she experienced while pregnant, which has garnered a significant response.

The show, featuring the comedy duos Sandwich Man and Untouchable, delves into the talents of established comedians and the comedy culture. In this episode, Yokozawa, who gave birth to her third child in June 2023 and has since returned to work, was invited to discuss balancing work and parenting.

During the conversation, she touched on an incident during her first pregnancy that served as a significant emotional support.

Reflecting on a location shoot in Hokkaido, Yokozawa said, "There's a time when you can't really tell people you're pregnant, right?" At that time, she had a shoot in Hokkaido. Given the location, seafood reporting was essential, but she couldn't eat raw food due to her pregnancy. Although her manager knew about her pregnancy, it was difficult to inform the staff.

After consulting with her manager, they decided to confide only in "Zakiyama," aka Hiroshi Yamazaki from Untouchable, who she was co-starring with on the shoot.

When Yokozawa approached Yamazaki and started with "I'm sorry, but actually..." he immediately understood, saying, "Yeah, I got it, it's all good," and "That's what it is, congratulations. I'm happy for you," showing his insight before she could even explain.

Yokozawa fondly recalled a scene where they were supposed to eat squid salted innards, and Yamazaki casually suggested, "Nacchan doesn't have to eat it," and even ate her portion, moving her deeply. "Ryosuke Ishihara (the other co-star) kept telling me to eat, but Yamazaki smoothly handled it. In the end, he said, 'I hope your baby grows up healthy.' I was so touched by how kind he was," she passionately expressed.

Yokozawa tearfully spoke about Yamazaki, saying, "He's truly an amazing person," "What a kind world," and "I think Zakiyama is a treasure of Japan, someone who will change our country."

This rare glimpse into Yamazaki's character resonated with viewers, prompting reactions like "Zakiyama is amazing! So cool!" "The fact that he understood everything from 'actually...' is just too awesome," and "I can't help but cry at Zakiyama's greatness, I couldn't focus on anything after that."

Source: MDPR
PHOENIX  State lawmakers voted Thursday to fix election laws to keep voters from being disenfranchised.

The House voted 56-2 for a delicately crafted compromise between Republican legislators and Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. The Senate followed suit moments later with a 28-2 vote.

Hobbs said she will sign the measure Friday.

The action comes none too soon.

Lawmakers had only through this week to change the date of the 2024 primary election, they were warned by Jennifer Marson, executive director of the Arizona Association of Counties. The legislation moves the primary up a week, to July 31.

That is designed to deal with the fact that a 2022 change in state law set up a situation where more races are going to be subject to recounts. The delay in getting final results from the primary would have left insufficient time to prepare, send and receive the ballots from overseas voters, including Arizonans serving in the military, Marson said.

Also needed was a tightening of the schedule for what happens after the Nov. 5 general election.

The possibility of more recounts meant the state ran the risk it would not have the results of the presidential race finalized in time to send the information to Congress by the Dec. 11 deadline in federal law. If that happened, Arizonas 11 electoral votes wouldnt be counted.

With a series of other changes, some technical, the legislation gives counties an extra 19 days after the primary to prepare and another 17 days after the general election, all of which Marson said will ensure all deadlines can be met and no one will be disenfranchised.

The version enacted gives GOP lawmakers several big things they sought.

One enshrines into state law the standards that county election officials must use when verifying the signatures on early ballots.

The standards exist now  but only in guidance by the Secretary of States Office, which is subject to change.

That is a major priority of our grassroots, Rep. Alexander Kolodin, R-Scottsdale, one of the lead negotiators, told his Republican colleagues. That is real, solid election integrity reform.

Hobbs and Democrats sought to have that provision excised, arguing it has nothing to do with speeding up the election process.

In fact, the governor vetoed the same language when it was sent to her last year as a stand-alone bill. She said at the time these kinds of details  which she crafted when she was secretary of state  should not be cemented in state law but instead developed by the Secretary of States Office in consultation with county election officials.

Kolodin said that was not acceptable.

He said having this signature verification in state law is particularly important given the purpose of the legislation  and the objections of Democrats, who said putting the procedures into law in a bill meant to speed up the election process might actually slow it down.

What that indicates is that the intent of this bill was to provide an excuse for rushing the signature verification process, Kolodin said. And only the codification of signature verification rules could prevent that harm from happening to the voters of Arizona.

Claims by Republicans of lax signature comparisons with voter registration records are not new. They form a key basis of the so-far-unsuccessful effort by Kari Lake to overturn her 2022 loss to Hobbs in the governors race.

But the final version of the bill clarifies that nothing in the law requires an exact match to allow a ballot to be counted.

The other victory by Republicans relates to the process of curing early ballots.

That occurs after election officials reviewing early ballots question whether the signature on the envelope matches what is in county election records.

Voters used to have five business days to fix the problem, whether in person or by phone or computer. That was shortened to five calendar days as part of the bid to tighten up election deadlines, though it ensures that county election officers will be open on the weekend to accommodate voters.

Republicans got a provision requiring counties to immediately notify all recognized parties when a ballot is set aside awaiting cure. That gives them as much time as possible to chase those ballots, contact the voters, and make sure those voters affirm to election officials that the ballot is indeed theirs.

That will ensure that every voter whose signature is not matching up, who did fill out their ballot, who wants their voice to be heard will be given the opportunity for that, said Rep. Austin Smith, R-Wittman.

The political parties will be able to get that information and immediately go to that voter and ensure that their voice is heard, he said. I believe that is a significant election integrity reform that we can all get behind.

Ballot chasing can make a difference. There is evidence that Democrat Kris Mayes managed to edge out Republican Abe Hamadeh by 280 votes in the 2022 race for attorney general because her supporters did a much better job of tracking down about 2,000 Democratic voters whose ballots had been set aside for curing.

All four votes against the bill came from Republicans: Reps. Barbara Parker and Jacqueline Parker, a mother and daughter combination out of Mesa, and Sen. Jake Hoffman of Queen Creek and Anthony Kern of Glendale. None explained their objections during Thursdays votes.

But the elder Parker had complained to colleagues the day before because the final version of the deal eliminated a provision to permanently move the primary election beginning in 2026 to the second Tuesday in May.

At some point, wisdom should prevail that in the state of Arizona we should have this moved up to May just for the health and safety of everyone, she said, referring to mid-summer temperatures during the campaigns.

Kolodin, however, said that issue was a red line for the governor that she would not negotiate. And gubernatorial press aide Christian Slater said Hobbs did not want to include anything in this legislation unrelated to solving the immediate deadline problem.

In negotiations, Hobbs also killed a proposal that would have required anyone bringing their early ballot to a polling place on Election Day to also present proof of identification. Republicans, who have had complaints about the signature verification process conducted by the counties, said that would mean fewer envelopes that would have to go through the process.

Instead, the legislation allows  but does not require  someone turning in an early ballot at a polling place to show identification and have that ballot automatically presumed verified.

Hobbs also beat back a plan to require that high schools be closed on the days of the primary and general elections and to require district officials to make space available for polling places. That disappointed Rep. Rachel Jones, R-Tucson, who said it undermines her bid to get rid of centralized vote centers and allow voters to instead only cast their ballots at local precincts, which would require additional locations.

But the final version does require that the state cooperate in finding and offering its own buildings that can be used as voting locations.

Kolodin acknowledged that the package doesnt contain everything that many rank-and-file Republicans said they wanted. Many of them complained that GOP lawmakers did not use leverage in order to get election integrity signed into law, he said.

But Kolodin told his Republican colleagues it cant all be blamed on the Democrats and on Hobbs, who vetoed many election-related bills last year. He said they need to look in a mirror.

We have acted like crabs in a bucket, letting the perfect be the enemy of the good, tearing down real attempts at election reform, Kolodin said. Weve done it to ourselves. But that ends today.

While not perfect, Kolodin said, the bill the Republican-controlled Legislature put on Hobbs desk is what our voters put us here to do.

Hobbs praised passage of the measure.
PHOENIX  Calling Satan an explicit enemy of God, a state senator is pushing to keep displays of him, by any name, off of public property.

Just Satan. Christmas trees and menorahs would still be allowed.

It is a desecration of our public property in the United States of America and in the state of Arizona for a satanic display, memorial, altar, etc., to be on public property, said Sen. Jake Hoffman, a Queen Creek Republican.

He pushed the measure through the Senate Government Committee Wednesday on a 5-1 party-line vote.

All that drew questions.

It is because its insulting to your religion? asked Sen. Juan Mendez, D-Tempe.

Hoffman said thats not his motive.

The legal issue goes beyond that.

The Satanic Temple has been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a religion and entitled to the same charitable status as any other.

I am genuinely impressed that in only 25 words this bill seems to violate three separate clauses of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, testified Micah Mangione, an individual who showed up to testify against the bill.

These, he said, are prohibiting the government from establishing a religion, barring government interference with the free exercise of religion, and guaranteeing the right to free speech. He warned the Republicans there are implications for their support of SB 1279.

If you can go after the Satanic Temple, which is a religion, what about paganism next? Mangione asked. What about Judaism next? How about Islam? How about LDS?

What the legislation does is declare that only Christian values matter, he said.

Hoffman said he doesnt see it that way.

It is legally and constitutionally suspect to argue that Satan, someone who is universally known to be an explicit enemy of God, is somehow a religion, he said. That is an absolutely ludicrous statement to make.

Another individual testifying against the bill, Tonia Francis, told Hoffman what he is proposing interferes with her First Amendment rights.

Hoffman disagreed, saying she remains free to practice whatever she wants  just as long as nothing is erected on public property. Any arguments beyond that are off base, he said.

So you think that its both legally and constitutionally OK to argue that Satan  who is universally known to be explicitly the enemy of God, antithetical to God, you think thats targeting your religion? Hoffman asked.

Universally known to you? Francis asked.

To, literally, everyone, Hoffman responded. Thats not a point thats debatable. Would you not say that Satan is the enemy of God?

No, Francis said.

Hoffman called her testimony disingenuous.

Mendez called the legislation a straight-up attack on the rights of people and religion.

Any religion that could be viewed by the sponsor or this committee, if they view it to be a desecration to Christianity, theyre no longer safe in Arizona, he said. This proposal is literally trying to erase any religious group that does not agree with your view of Christianity.

That drew an angry reaction from Hoffman.

Nobody said it was a desecration of Christianity, he said. Its a desecration of public property.

Mendez refused to back down, repeating his argument that this was about Hoffman trying to erase beliefs that that do not align with his.

I dont understand how we all dont see this as an attack on the Constitution, Mendez said.

And not just the U.S. Constitution. Mendez noted the Arizona Constitution has its own provision saying perfect toleration of religious sentiment shall be secured to every inhabitant of this state.

This proposal is up here, literally trying to molest people in their religion, Mendez said.

Sen. Janae Shamp, R-Surprise, said whats in the legislation is no different than things already happening.

Weve had plenty of situations where the Commandments have been removed from courthouses across the country, she said.

Theres been plenty of attacks on Christians, on Muslims, Shamp said. This is simply to say there will not be a display in a government building.

What Shamp did not say is that the legislation also would cover outdoor displays  and that there is a Ten Commandments display in state-owned Wesley Bolin Plaza, across from the Capitol in Phoenix. There also are Christmas displays set up at the Capitol as well as a menorah.

Hoffman said a restriction on public property is justified and does not infringe on individual rights.

I find it ironic that in Iowa you can knock over a satanic display and you go to jail for that, he said, referring to the arrest of a man who attacked and beheaded a permitted statue put up by the Satanic Temple at Iowas Capitol in December.

But, yet, at the U.S. Capitol, you could have a gay sex orgy in a government building and there is zero consequence, Hoffman said.

That refers to a congressional staffer who allegedly taped himself having sex in a Senate hearing room. While he was fired for violating policy, there was no evidence any law was broken.

Hoffman called that disparity abhorrent and disgusting.
PHOENIX  A Senate panel voted Wednesday to require teachers to contact parents if a student asks to be addressed by a pronoun that does not match their biological sex.

The measure, which now goes to the full Senate, also would require parental notification when a student asks to be addressed by something other than a first or middle name that is not listed on the official school record. The only exception would be a nickname commonly associated with the students name of record.

SB 1166 was not the only proposal dealing with transgender and other gender issues in children that cleared the Senate Education Committee Wednesday on a 4-3 party-line vote.

The panel also voted to say that students must use showers that match their biological sex. In addition, SB 1182 says if a student cant or wont use that shower, then the school has to provide a reasonable alternative, defined as either a single-occupancy shower room or a shower room used by employees.

Both measures are variants of proposals that Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed last year.

But Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, has a fallback position: He got the same committee to also approve putting both issues to voters, a move that bypasses the need for gubernatorial blessing.

His SCR 1013 does not contain a parental notification requirement. But it does preclude a teacher from using a students preferred pronoun or name unless the school first gets written permission from a parent.

The other half of that measure takes the idea about single-sex showers and extends it to include restrooms, locker rooms and, in cases of overnight trips, sleeping quarters.

Kavanagh said he is convinced Arizonans want these restrictions, regardless of what Hobbs says.

If all the polling Ive seen is correct itll probably pass with 60, 65% of the voters who dont really believe that this type of stuff should be going on in our schools, he said.

Kavanaghs measures arent the only effort to address gender issues.

Sen. Sine Kerr, R-Buckeye, has introduced SB 1628, which would replace every reference to gender in state law to sex, with the former generally referring to how people see themselves versus the latter determined by sex as assigned at birth. It would spell out that, as far as the state is concerned, there are only two sexes.

No date has been set for a hearing on that proposal.

The approval of Kavanaghs bill came after testimony from several transgender youths as well as their parents.

Samuel Kahrs described coming out at age 11.

Nothing really changed until I came out to my teachers and asked them to call me Samuel and he and him pronouns, he told lawmakers. It was not until my teachers lovingly accepted who I was that I was able to be accepted at home by at least my mother.

Kahrs said that for many transgender students, school is the only place they can feel safe.

I have seen how emotionally draining it could be to be affirmed all day at school and then go home to be dead-named and misgendered, he said. Kahrs said school can help.

I remember the first day my teachers called me by Samuel, he said. And it was the best day of my life.

Sen. Justine Wadsack, R-Tucson, said whats lost in all that is there is a Parents Bill of Rights in Arizona law.

It establishes the rights of the parents to direct the upbringing of their children, she said, including their educational, emotional, medical and mental health issues.

No other entity has a right to infringe on that right, Wadsack said. And if their child is doing something at school that could become alarming to their mental health care needs, they need to be notified so they can get involved.

She also called it just a lie that all transgender children do not have supportive parents.

Wadsack said there is no bias on her part, saying she has a gay child and that child has transgender roommates.

Gender dysphoria is real, she said, referring to the condition in which a person may have unease because of a mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity.

They require medical treatment which cannot be given to them through the schools, Wadsack said. Parents should have the ability to find out that their child has something going on so they can take them to the doctor and they can handle it.

Sen. Sally Ann Gonzales, D-Tucson, said she sees the measures through a different lens.

She told colleagues that the Senate begins each day with a prayer where lawmakers profess our Christianity.

This is not being a Christian and abiding by what the Lord wants us to do, to be respectful of every human being he made in the likeness of Himself, Gonzales said.

If we want to protect children, we have got to stop treating transgender children differently, she said. We need to treat all children with the same respect.
President Joe Biden is, right now, this very moment that you're reading this, threading the needle of diplomacy amid a sea of dangers and threats in the Middle East. With his capable military advisors, as well as his diplomatic advisors, he is showing the world our strength. America will not be pushed around! At the same time, he is sending clear messages to Iran, resulting in Iran's pulling back from association with the "independent" groups acting with Iran's blessing. Iran got the message that President Biden isn't going to fool around (crotchety old man that he is). So far, with Biden's leadership, we have been able to avoid another world war. He did the same thing in Europe, enabling NATO to build up strength to stop Putin in Ukraine. Thank you, President Biden.
An old man shuffling along downtown streets bundled up in a heavy wool overcoat -- even in 100-degree weather -- was a familiar sight to Tulsans in the 1960s.

He was Robert McBirney, a retired funeral director, philanthropist, churchman, civic worker, Boy Scout leader, patron of culture and youth supporter, who preferred to be known simply as "Brother Robert."

The old man, who died in 1968 at the age of 94, wasn't trying to keep warm, at least in the summer. He wore the coat to cushion him from falls as he walked to favorite places.

He was continuing a practice started at least four decades earlier although his pace was a little slower than his previous fast-walking gait. But he still made daily visits to hospitals, the homes of friends who were ill, to concerts, church services, art exhibits and Scout and other youth events -- or just to tell his thousands of acquaintances hello.

He still wore a red or pink rose in his lapel, a flower that had replaced the carnations he wore years earlier, and was never seen wearing a hat as he went about doing what he considered his "daily bit of good."

Born in Donaghadee, Ireland, Brother Robert was a member of a pioneer Tulsa family that helped build the city. He moved to Tulsa with his family in 1904 when his father, the Rev. Hugh McBirney, retired after 30 years as a Methodist minister in Kansas.

After working for a furniture store, Brother Robert opened a funeral business in 1909 in the unit block of West Third Street where Williams Tower 1 now stands. He later moved his funeral home to Ninth and Main and then to 11th and Boulder on land now occupied by part of the First United Methodist Church, where McBirney was a life-long member.

Brother Robert told a reporter that he developed a lifelong interest in religion and in helping young people because of his father's life as a minister.

That interest in religion led McBirney to pay for simple one-line reader ads on the front pages of the Tulsa World and Tulsa Tribune on Wednesdays -- Prayer meeting tonight -- in an era when advertisements were not printed on Page 1 of Tulsa newspapers (they're not now, either, but they had been in the 1920s and before).

Those reader ads were only a small part of Brother Robert's philanthropy toward religion. During his latter years, he supported at least 35 funds to help with the education of missionaries and ministers.

Earlier, he had paid expenses for thousands of Tulsa children to attend summer camps, by donating cabins to both the Boy Scout and Girl Scout camps. For many years, he visited every Tulsa school several times a year to make citizenship awards for the Civitan Club he helped organize and to give hundreds of books such as biographies of Lincoln, Jefferson, Franklin and Henry Ford and on science and nature studies to students.

When Cmdr. Richard Byrd spoke in Tulsa in 1927, a year after making the first flight over the North Pole and more than a year before flying over the South Pole, Brother Robert bought 1,000 tickets for the lecture and gave them to Boy Scouts. Although he didn't want it known who bought those tickets, the word leaked out and it became general knowledge.

It was believed that he had never missed a performance of the Central High School "Daze" until about 1965 when his condition became too frail for him to attend. A front-row seat was always reserved for him. He showed similar support for events at other schools and for University of Tulsa plays and concerts and for plays and concerts at Municipal Theater (now Brady Theater).

Never married, Brother Robert lived with his mother until her death, when he moved in with a sister and later lived in a nursing home. He once told a reporter that he wore the red or pink flower in his lapel in honor of his mother.

An avid reader, he visited the Tulsa World newsroom every night to go through piles of discarded wire stories (before the days of computers, those stories were transmitted by wire to Teletype machines that printed them on paper) that had not been selected for use in the next day's newspaper to take the culls home to read.

Brother Robert could have written a book about his philanthropies, civic work, cultural and other interests in which he participated during more than a half century. But he didn't like publicity about himself.

"I would rather not have a story about me," he told a World reporter a few years before his death.

Like this column? Read all the columns in the Only in Oklahoma series from the Tulsa World Archive.
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Related content City councilors visit Night Light Tulsa, properties facing code enforcement citations

The Crosbie Heights controversy over six dilapidated houses and a nearby homeless services program lives on.

City councilors voted unanimously on Wednesday to give the city three more months to work with the property owner, Stephen Buford, to figure out how to save his properties and keep City Lights Night Light Tulsa program operating nearby every Thursday night.

The unanimous vote came after a motion to reject Bufords appeals of city code enforcement violations on the property failed in a 4-5 vote.

City Council Chairwoman Jeannie Cue made the motion to extend the cases.

I want to say both organizations are great  Mr. Buford, City Lights, Cue said. This is one of the hardest decisions (in) the 12 years I have been on the council to make because we need property.

Bufords properties on Reconciliation Way, North Maybelle Avenue and North Nogales Avenue are close to the Interstate 244 bridge just northwest of downtown under which Night Light Tulsa is held.

For more than a decade, the program has provided food, clothing and other services for the citys homeless population one evening per week.

It also works to connect individuals with social services agencies that can help them secure transitional and long-term housing.

Buford, who has rehabilitated and rented 58 homes in the area, has argued that he would not be able to rent the properties at issue because of the traffic, trash and noise that comes with the weekly event.

He has refused to rehabilitate the properties as long as Night Light Tulsa remains in its current location.

On Wednesday night and in earlier appearances before the City Council, Buford explained what he sees as a contradiction central to his predicament: He is being required to rehabilitate his Crosbie Heights properties as part of the citys Vibrant Neighborhoods Partnership, which encourages the rehabilitation of properties. Yet at the same time, the city is permitting Night Light Tulsa.

Its not financial; its common sense, Buford told councilors.

When asked by councilors whether he could see himself rehabilitating the properties if Night Light Tulsa stays at its existing site, he said no.

He maintained that position after the meeting but added that he believes its always worth listening if somebody thinks its worthy of one more conversation.

Wednesday night councilors were asked to either deny or uphold Bufords appeals of city notices designating his properties as nuisances and ordering abatements. They also had the option of making other arrangements to resolve the dispute.

Councilors originally heard the case in November and agreed to visit the properties before making a final decision.

Brant Pitchford, code enforcement manager for the city, said his staff has been working with Buford for about two years to get rehabilitation or demolition.

I have been here 26 years, and weve never spent this amount of time on one set of demos, Pitchford said.

City Councilor Lori Decter Wright questioned why the city had gone to such lengths to accommodate Bufords concerns.

If a storage shed in my community in south Tulsa looked like your properties it would already have been condemned and torn down without a doubt, Wright said. So I am really struggling with why were going through all these extra accommodations.

Councilor Phil Lakin said hes a fan of Buford and the work he has done to help revitalize the neighborhood and is also a fan of Night Light Tulsa.

I dont want to say tonight that I want to demolish those homes, Lakin said. I do want those places to become homes for families that need them, though.

Speaking after the meeting, Lakin said he was not looking for a solution that would cause Night Light Tulsa to move.

Im an eternal optimist, he said, adding: So if he had a verifiable buyer, if somebody said, I will live in that house if you fix it up, and I will live there for 10 years, would that be enough?

Sarah Grounds, founder and executive director of City Lights Foundation of Oklahoma, said she is concerned about what the City Councils action could mean for organizations like hers.

We believe that adherence to regulations benefits everyone in maintaining a safe and harmonious neighborhood, Grounds said. Operating outside of those standards sets a worrisome precedent across our city.

Revitalization and poverty do not and should not have to stand in opposition to each other, and we believe with Tulsa's current housing crisis and the incredible organizations working in this effort, there should be collaborative efforts.

Grounds added that City Lights will continue its work in the neighborhood as all of our partner organizations within this block are continuing to do.

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OKLAHOMA CITY  A bill targeting state agency support of LGBTQ+ events was approved Wednesday by a House committee.

House Bill 3217 would ban state agencies from using state funds, later amended to any funds, to promote or recognize LGBTQ Pride month or events of a similar theme. It would also ban the flying of any flags representing sexual or gender orientation on any state property.

The bill advanced from the House Committee on State Powers on a 7-2 vote and heads to the House floor.

Committee Chairman Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, welcomed a packed committee room but warned against disruption of the meeting. If you feel you need to demonstrate, we have an area out in the rotunda for that, he said.

Introducing his Patriotism Not Pride Act, Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, explained that it came about due to his concern over state agencies having banners celebrating Pride Month on their websites in the past couple of years. We have a segment of the population that wants to see that and a segment that doesnt, he said.

Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa, asked what problem Wests bill was trying to solve and questioned its constitutionality.

Arent we as a state picking what we can and cannot talk about in a public setting? Waldron asked.

West said he believes that the government should step in to create guardrails for contentious issues that are dividing people. He said he thinks the issue of sexuality should be handled similarly to the issue of religion, saying the government should not take sides.

The bill passed without any votes from Democrats on the committee. The amendment that broadened the scope of the bill, prohibiting use of any funds, not just state funds, was passed without Democratic support, as well.

I just dont see the point in the legislation, said Rep. Amanda Swope, D-Tulsa. I think that if theres things that you want to tackle, theres plenty of things that you could look at. But even in the questions and the answers that were given, it was made apparent that this isnt really an issue, Swope said, explaining why she voted against the bill.

After the meeting, Waldron took issue with Wests comments about the need for guardrails when it comes to divisive issues.

But is it for the good of the general populace? Waldron asked. Or is he (West) allowing one perspective to declare this a divisive issue and therefore shield people from discussion of it? Is he saying that its divisive because people dont like it and, therefore, this community has to be invisible? Thats letting one side decide the issue.

Waldron said he spoke with a medical student who had attended the hearing. The student joked about how unlikely it is that he would choose to do his residency in Oklahoma due to perceived discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community.

Were talking about a section of the population that lives and breathes and works and achieves and dreams and aspires, Waldron said. And we keep sending signals that youre not welcome here in Oklahoma, which is why the issue of viewpoint discrimination is so important.

West said he felt comfortable comparing religion and sexuality in this circumstance because both should be kept out of governmental affairs.

What is the relevance? Quite frankly, neither one of them has to do with the agencys purpose and function, so thats where I say, you know, I just want it to be an even, level playing ground for all parties, West in an interview after the meeting.

For West, the thinking behind the bill is straightforward.

Its not necessarily that the State of Oklahoma is against this lifestyle. Its what we project when people come to our websites, you know, different things like that. What are our priorities? And I personally believe that the money is best spent offering the services that were supposed to be providing as opposed to spending money on some of the other things, West said.

Freedom Oklahoma released a statement after the bill passed through the committee, saying the Legislature is once again opposing Two Spirit people and the LGBTQ+ community.

HB 3217 is a bill with clear intentions to chill speech, while threatening public health, putting federal funding at risk, and further disrupting the ability of more than 160,000 2SLGBTQ+ Oklahomans from receiving culturally competent services from the state, said Nicole McAfee, executive director of Freedom Oklahoma.

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Artificial intelligence regulation on Wednesday became one of the first bulls out of the chute with a House of Representatives committees approval of legislation banning so-called deep fakes.

House Bill 3073, by Rep. Neil Hays, R-Checotah, would outlaw disseminating or publishing a digitization depicting another persons name, image, voice, or likeness without their written consent.

The bill specifies that the material must intend to deceive with the intent to cause emotional, financial, or physical harm.

The use of artificial intelligence, or AI, to create increasingly sophisticated false images and voice impersonation is a matter of growing concern. Recently, such images purporting to be of entertainer Taylor Swift were widely circulated.

Also, voice simulation was used to try to convince New Hampshire voters that President Joe Biden was telling them not to vote in the primary, and the estate of comedian George Carlin, who died in 2008, has sued to stop an AI version of him that has popped up on the internet.

Hays told committee members his goal is to assure that AI is not weaponized for political, personal or financial purposes.

Our goal here is not to regulate artificial intelligence but  (i)n a tech-driven world, we must commit to protecting the public from the dangers of online deception, Hays said in a press release.

HB 3073 would create a misdemeanor for a first offense and a felony punishable by at least one year in jail and a $5,000 fine for convictions thereafter.

The bill also would create a misdemeanor for failure to disclose that an image is digitally created or altered.

Rep. Jason Lowe, D-Oklahoma City, registered the lone dissent on the measure, saying he feared it could be misused in political campaigns by making false accusations against opponents.

The House Criminal Judiciary Committee also advanced several other bills, including HB 3668, by Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, which facilitates prosecution of Medicaid fraud under criminal racketeering laws. It also sets the statute of limitations at 12 years after discovery in cases of sex crimes against vulnerable adults.

HB 3002, by Rep. Rande Worthen, R-Lawton, would allow prosecutors to file double charges in cases of assault against a pregnant woman, the presumption being that more than one person was assaulted.



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Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Next Thursday, 15 February, the United Nations Security Council will hold a meeting on the situation in Libya
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Brent Swadley and two others associated with his companys involvement in renovation and operation of six state park restaurants were indicted by Oklahomas multicounty grand jury on Thursday.

The indictments charge each of the three with one felony count of conspiracy to defraud the state and five felony counts of presenting false or fraudulent claims against the state.

Named are Ronald Brent Swadley, Timothy Raymond Hooper and Curtis Ray Breuklander.

Swadley owns seven barbecue restaurants in the state and Swadleys Foggy Bottom Kitchen, which was organized to rebuild and operate the six state park restaurants. Hooper and Breuklander were Swadleys employees.

The grand jury alleges in the indictment that Swadleys Foggy Bottom Kitchen maintained two sets of invoices, one original and the other altered. These invoices, it is alleged, were then presented to the Tourism Department, which was in charge of the project.

The Tourism Department hired Swadleys in 2019 to completely revamp the six state park restaurants. Swadleys did the work, but allegations of mismanagement and questionable charges soon surfaced.

The state sued Swadleys in April 2022, and Tourism Director Jerry Winchester and several other senior managers left the department.

On Monday, perhaps in anticipation of Thursdays indictment, Swadleys asserted in a motion for the 2022 case that its still owed $2.5 million by the state. The motion says the situation is a Tourism Department scandal, not a Swadleys scandal.

Among the items mentioned in the indictment are two used smokers, allegedly marked up 30%, that have received wide publicity over the past two years.

In its filing earlier this week, Swadleys said it supplied the smokers out of its own inventory because none were available on the regular market during the pandemic.

The filing says Swadleys had trouble putting a value to the units, which accounted for more than one invoice. The filing says the Tourism Department insisted on obtaining the smokers over Swadleys objections.

In a related court proceeding, Swadleys is appealing to the Oklahoma Supreme Court the dismissal of its suit against Breuklander, a former company vice president who reportedly cooperated with investigators. The suit charges Breuklander with business disparagement and defamation. That petition says Breucklander left the company after the Swadley family refused to give him an ownership stake in it.

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The sky of Vietnams Hanoi was brilliantly lit on Wednesday evening when 2,024 multicolour drones were used to form different images and words highlighting the capitals attractive destinations as well as celebrating the coming Tet, the Lunar New Year festival.

The rehearsal began at 9:30 pm at West Lake in Tay Ho District, attracting numerous onlookers amid the exciting atmosphere of celebrating the coming traditional Tet that will fall on Saturday.

Hanoi people capture the image created by drones in the sky of Vietnams capital Hanoi on February 7, 2024. Photo: Nguyen Hien / Tuoi Tre

The event was in preparation for the artistic show entitled Hanoi Art Light Festival - Brilliant Thang Long, with a theme of One Day of the Capital - A Thousand Years of History, which will take place on Friday evening (Lunar New Year Eve) at the same place.

Along the roads along West Lake, including Trich Sai and Nguyen Dinh Thi Streets, locals and tourists enjoyed the impressive drone performances that were transmitted live to LED screens amid the space filled with the sounds of melodious music.

Khanh Linh, a young resident of Hanois Thanh Xuan District, said she interestingly and amazingly enjoyed the drone light show at the rehearsal.

The image of a dragon is created at the rehearsal for the drone light show in Hanoi, Vietnam, on February 7, 2024. Photo: Nguyen Hien / Tuoi Tre

I have viewed a lot of drone shows online, but this is the first time I have seen a live drone performance, so I feel very satisfying and enjoyable."

Tran Quang Minh, from Cau Giay District, commented that this years drone performance is very significant as it depicts the images closely associated with Hanoi, such as the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Thang Long Citadel, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi Flag Pole and Long Bien Bridge.

What impressed me most is the image of the dragon as it means a year of luck and prosperity for everyone, Minh stressed.

One among the spectacular images depicted by a multicolored drone in Vietnams Hanoi on the evening of February 7, 2024. Photo: Nguyen Hien / Tuoi Tre

The image of Thang Long Citadel is created by drones in the night sky of Hanoi, Vietnam on February 7, 2024. Photo: Nguyen Hien / Tuoi Tre

Numerous drones in various colors were used to create the image of Long Bien Bridge in Hanoi, Vietnam on February 7, 2024. Photo: Nguyen Hien / Tuoi Tre

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A group of four Vietnamese people have been detained on suspicion of shoplifting in Tokyo and seven prefectures including Osaka and Fukuoka, with the total theft losses estimated at US$135,000, Japanese police said on Tuesday.

These detainees, including two men and two women, in their 30s and 40s, were suspected of involvement in 67 thefts at Uniqlo and other clothing shops in Japan, Kyodo News reported.

One of the men is Nguyen Hoang Anh, a 38-year-old man whose residential address has yet to be known, police said.

The group is believed to have stolen a total of 5,237 items, including sweaters and down jackets, during their visits to Japan between December 2018 and October 2023.

According to investigators, Vietnam also has Uniqlo stores, which are operated by Japans Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., but the suspects may have targeted Japan where there are many self-checkout stores.

All the four admitted to the allegations and said they were facing financial difficulties.

The stolen items, valued at about 20 million Japanese yen (nearly $135,000), might have been sold online in Vietnam, investigators said.

Fukuoka Prefectural Police, who apprehended the group, have also obtained an arrest warrant for a woman in her 40s who lives in Vietnam, suspecting that she provided instructions for the four suspects.

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Police in Lam Dong province, Vietnams Central Highlands region, on Thursday announced the rapid arrest of the suspect in a bank robbery that occurred at a local branch of VietinBank on Wednesday.

Nguyen Thanh Trung, 32, was detained in the early morning of Thursday when he was riding a motorbike in Ham Thuan Bac District, Binh Thuan Province, which borders Lam Dong.

The arrest was made only more than 10 hours after the suspect committed the robbery at a VietinBank branch in Lam Dongs Duc Trong District on Wednesday afternoon.

Earlier the same day, Trung arrived at the branch on a motorbike and used a gun to threaten the offices staff to rob about VND3 billion (US$123,200), which was packed in a backpack he had brought along.

He then ran out of the branch and when he was about to leave on his motorbike, the banks security guard and some locals attempted to stop him.

At this moment, Trung opened fire at the guard, causing him to suffer bleeding.

The robber then escaped from the scene on the bike, along with the backpack.

All the developments of the robbery were recorded by the surveillance cameras inside and outside the branch.

Colonel Truong Minh Duong, director of Lam Dong Province Police, directly directed the hunt for the robber.

Through reconnaissance sources, a police officer intercepted Trung while he was fleeing on a motorbike on National Highway 1 in Binh Thuan.

On the escape, Trung changed the motorbike, clothing and helmets, and traveled on routes without security cameras to avoid detection.

All the robbed money has been recovered, police said.

According to initial investigations, Trung, hailing from north-central Ha Tinh Province, owed money to many people due to his loss-making real estate business, so he took a risk to rob a bank.

He would have fled to Cambodia if the robbery had been a success, according to investigators.

Nguyen Ngoc Phuc, deputy chairman of the Lam Dong administration, on Thursday morning gave awards to the police units participating in the search for and arrest of the bank robber.

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Politics

-- Leaders of many countries, political parties and international organizations have recently sent congratulatory letters and cards to Vietnams Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on the occasion of the coming Lunar New Year holiday  Vietnams traditional Tet, which will begin on Saturday.

-- U.S. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Susan Burns and consulate officials on Wednesday took a sightseeing of Nguyen Hue flower street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, amid the joyful atmosphere as Tet is approaching. The diplomat extended her best wishes for happiness and prosperity to the citys people and hoped the bilateral relations between the U.S. and Vietnam will reach new heights in 2024.

Business

-- The Thu Thiem Wharf was inaugurated and put into operation at a ceremony held at the Saigon Riverside park in Thu Duc District under Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday. At the same time, the wharfs investor, Ho Chi Minh City-based Daily Company Limited launched the first route of the new wharf to connect it with Bach Dang Wharf in District 1 using a two-storey tourist boat of the company.

-- Many bus routes in Ho Chi Minh City will operate throughout the coming Lunar New Year festival, which will start on Saturday, according to the municipal Public Transport Management Center. Particularly, the bus route at Tan Son Nhat International Airport will run 24/7 to serve commuters during Tet.

Society

-- Japanese police have arrested a group of four Vietnamese, two men and two women, at the ages of 30-40, for allegedly committing 67 thefts in Tokyo and seven other localities, causing a total loss of about US$135,000, Kyodo News reported. The group is believed to have stolen a total of 5,237 items during five years until October 2023.

-- The Hanoi Department of Health has announced a list of 41 public hospitals, 30 medical centers, the Hanoi 115 Emergency Center, 42 private hospitals and one private clinic in Hanoi are ready to provide emergency care around the clock throughout the Lunar New Year festival that will begin on Saturday.

-- Police in Lam Dong Province, the Central Highlands region are hunting for a man who rushed to a VietinBank branch in the provinces Duc Trong District, Lam Dong Province on Wednesday afternoon and used a gun to threaten bank staff and robbed about VND3 billion ($123,000) from the branch. He fired a shot as warning to those who attempted to prevent him from escaping from the scene on a motorbike.

-- Police in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam, said on Wednesday they had prosecuted seven suspects, including two men with Chinese nationality for their involvements in the case of harbouring prostitutes, prostitution brokerage, and buying sex from people under 18. Among the prostitutes identified in the case, two are just 14 years old.

Lifestyle

-- The annual Book Street Festival 2024 to mark Tet opened on Wednesday on Le Loi Street in Ho Chi Minh Citys downtown District 1, covering an area of 11,200 square meters. The event, with the theme of Spring of Love  Tet Reunion, will last until February 14.

-- 2,024 colourful drones that formed various images, including a dragon, lighted the sky of Vietnams capital Hanoi on Wednesday in a rehearsal for a festival that will be launched at West Lake in Hanoi's Tay Ho District on the eve of Lunar New Year  the year of the Dragon, February 10.

World News

-- Hamas has proposed a ceasefire plan that would quiet the guns in Gaza for four-and-a-half months leading to an end to the war with Israel, in response to a proposal sent last week by Qatari and Egyptian mediators and backed by the United States and Israel, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

-- Five U.S. Marines were missing on Wednesday after the wreckage of their helicopter was found in a remote area east of San Diego hours after it went missing in a mix of heavy rain and snow, according to Reuters.

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Ho Chi Minh City in recent days has welcomed throngs of tourists from other countries, with many of them enjoying the pre-Tet atmosphere in the southern city.

They have arrived in the city at a time when local residents are busy preparing for Tet, the biggest holiday in the country, with the first day of the lunar year falling on February 10.

Among them, a group of more than 350 German tourists from the MS Europa cruise ship, owned and operated by the German company Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, have had the chance to learn about the Vietnamese traditional Tet holiday while exploring the citys famous tourist attractions.

According to a representative of Saigontourist Travel which organized the two-day tour, the tourists really enjoy the atmosphere in the days ahead of Tet in Vietnam because local cultural features and beautiful scenery are showcased clearly at that time.

They have captured and posted photos of Vietnamese people celebrating Tet on social media, contributing to promoting Vietnamese tourism," he said.

In the past, foreign tourists were usually reluctant to travel to Vietnamese cities during Tet because essential services were closed and the cities turned deserted as people came back to their hometowns for the holiday.

However, more and more services remain open during Tet now.

According to Ngo Van Ha, head of the management board of Ben Thanh Market in District 1, during the peak of Tet, while the number of local visitors decreased, international visitors to the market were still remarkable and accounted for more than 60 percent of customers.

Therefore, vendors were able to sell more goods, mainly products such as coffee, macadamia nuts, candies, souvenirs, and clothing.

Tourits shop at Ben Thanh Market in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City ahead of Tet holiday. Photo: N.Binh / Tuoi Tre

After the German group, Saigontourist Travel is expected to welcome the Celebrity Cruises operated by global cruise holding company Royal Caribbean Group with 3,000 tourists from the U.S, Canada, the UK, Australia and some Asian countries.

They plan to tour across Vietnam from February 14 to 18, arriving at ports in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Nha Trang, Hue, and Ha Long.

Also in February, there will be three more cruises to Vietnam, signaling a prosperous year for Vietnamese tourism in general and cruise tourism in particular.

Local travel companies anticipated that Vietnam will continue to welcome large groups of international visitors to big cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Phu Quoc, and Phan Thiet in February, the peak season for inbound tourism.

According to experts, the number of tourists has skyrocketed thanks to favorable policies in extending visa-free stays for foreign tourists from a number of countries, as well as in granting e-visas to citizens of all countries from mid-August last year.

Tourits shop at Ben Thanh Market in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City ahead of Tet holiday. Photo: Tu Trung / Tuoi Tre

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EXCLUSIVE:

Seven News presenter Michael Usher will exit late night programme The Latest as production relocates from Sydney.

A Seven spokesperson said, In March, 7NEWS will shift production and presentation of late-night news program The Latest to its Perth headquarters to streamline efficiencies. For viewers, the format, production quality and integrity of the program will not change.

Usher has presented the show since its launch in 2018, frequently screening around 10:30pm, with Angela Cox more recently on alternate weeknights.

TV Tonight understands a small number of roles will be impacted by the change in production.

Usher previously told TV Tonight, The big point of difference with The Latest is that its content is all interviews and crosses. We dont run reporter stories. I like to think our audience has been flat out all day and evening, and we can help them catch up on the days news, and give them an idea of whats brewing in the morning, so they can go to bed up to speed.

I also always try to end The Latest on a positive note. An image of thoughts thats uplifting before the day ends.

Michael Usher will conntinue with Seven News Spotlight.
ABC, Screen Australia, Screen Tasmania and VicScreen have formally commissioned Bay of Fires for a second season.

Marta Dusseldorp returns as Stella Heikkinen, the single mother of two, forced into witness protection and relocated to Mystery Bay  a remote Tasmanian town filled with suspicious, criminally inclined individuals. As we delve into season two, Stella sees a glimmer of hope on the horizon. No one has tried to kill her for some months, and she finds herself in a position of power, juggling an array of new problems to combat. Some old. Some new. Most, entirely her fault.

ABC Head of Scripted Rachel Okine says Garnering a legion of fans, in 2023 Bay of Fires was ABCs number one Australian drama series. Featuring an array of quirky characters, twisty plotlines and the stunning backdrop of the Tasmanian wilderness, were thrilled to be partnering once again with Marta and the teams at Archipelago and Fremantle. I cant wait to share this new season with our audiences next year on ABC.

Screen Australias Director of Content Grainne Brunsdon says, Were delighted to be diving back into the fiery brilliance of Bay of Fires and supporting a second season of this hugely popular series. With a stellar cast and crew at the helm, all set against the stunning scenery of north-west Tasmania  season two promises even more entertaining twists, turns and hilarious plot developments.

Alex Sangston, Executive Manager of Screen Tasmania, says Bay of Fires is a landmark Tasmanian series and Screen Tasmania, on behalf of the Tasmanian Government, is proud to support the production of season 2. The West Coast of Tasmania is a spectacular part of the world, and were delighted to be able to showcase it around the globe. Were equally thrilled that this production will contribute so much to the Tasmanian economy and make a real impact to the community in regional Tasmania.

VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher, says Were proud to support the return of AACTA nominated series Bay of Fires. The second season will continue to work with Victorian talent, both behind and in front of the camera, with over 120 Victorians working on the production. We cant wait for audiences across the country to devour this new season.

Joining writers Andrew Knight (The Artful Dodger, Rake, Jack Irish) and Max Dann (Siam Sunset, Spotswood, Dance Academy) are Romina Accurso (The Heights, Wellmania), Josephine Dee Barrett (Love Child, Wonderland) and Hannah Samuel (The PMs Daughter).

The series is also nominated for Best Drama Series at this weekends AACTA Awards.

Season two will air in 2025.

Production credit: An Archipelago Productions and Fremantle Australia production for the ABC. Major production investment from the ABC and Screen Australia in association with Screen Tasmania and VicScreen. International sales by Fremantle. Producers: Fiona McConaghy and Marta Dusseldorp. Executive Producers: Brett Popplewell, Greg Sitch and Andrew Knight. ABC Executive Producers: Rachel Okine and Louise Smith.
February highlights on design and architecture streamer Shelter explore everyday spaces given innovative design, an iconic design company after the passing of its founder and alternative building methods for affordable & sustainable housing.

What Does It Take To Make a Building?

(27 mins) UK 2021 (Available February 5)

How and why should architecture affect and improve everyday life? Join Piers Taylor in conversation with architect Sarah Wigglesworth, and see how her work aims to improve the lives of everyday people, in their everyday worlds; in What Does it Take to Build a House. Focusing on Wigglesworths socially and environmentally minded approach to her work, encapsulated within the groundbreaking Stock Orchard Street house and studio, this short documentary captures her commitment to making everyday spaces better; through innovative design. Wigglesworth discusses her belief that architecture can be a powerful force for positive change, challenging societal models that link worthiness to affordability.

Paradigma Olivetti

(88 mins) Italy 2020 (Available February 12)

A unique, trailblazing and complex figure in the world of design, Adriano Olivetti established an industry-leading corporate culture at his company of innovation and a deep care for quality and design. And thanks to the foundations he established, the company continued to grow and innovate throughout the changes and challenges of the 20th century. Paradigma Olivetti explores the challenges the Olivetti Company faced after his passing, and the designers who dedicated their lives to continuing the Olivetti quest for excellence. In an era marked by rapid innovations; the transition from mechanical technology to electronics, and into the IT and telecommunication era, this feature-documentary follows the designers and company that merged utility and quality with the emotion senses.

No Building as Usual

(15 mins) UK 2022 (Available February 19)

Can efficient, stylish and sustainable architecture help combat the need for housing and climate change at once? No Building as Usual addresses the urgent climate challenge in architecture by documenting the construction of Nest House; a sustainable home built for two elderly individuals in the Gloucestershire countryside. This short documentary showcases a collaborative effort involving 12 students from underrepresented backgrounds with minimal construction experience. Built using the U-Build construction system, a method so simple anyone can take part using only a mallet and a drill, the students camped on site as they completed the construction.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Chairman of Libya's Therapeutic Services Support and Development Authority, Ahmed Militan, has announced the arrival of a specialist Slovakian medical team to manage the physiotherapy department of the National Centre for Artificial Organ Prostheses in the city of Misrata, 220 km east of Tripoli
Patrick Harrison for TUI BLUE

Davina McCall is definitely one of the celebs wed love to go on holiday with - and not just because she has a swimwear stash to die for.

The 56-year-old is an ambassador for holiday providers TUI BLUE, and as part of her role she has previously travelled to Turkey and Cyprus. But her most recent trip definitely tops both of those stunning locations.

Davina jetted off to the Indian Ocean to stay at a luxe hotel on South Male Atoll in The Maldives. During her stay at the TUI BLUE Olhuveli Romance she met some of the team who organise once in a lifetime excursions and itineraries for guests, as well as meeting some holidaymakers staying there.

She went snorkelling to discover the spectacular marine inhabitants of a deserted shipwreck, learned how to prepare Maldivian delicacies in a cooking class on the golden sands and - of course - got stuck into an exercise session overlooking the crystal water. Davina also went on an evening cruise to see the sunset, and saw bottlenose dolphins swimming and playing in their natural habitat.

She said: When I go on holiday, I love trying something new and challenging, as well as taking time to unwind. I was really pleased when they suggested I go behind the scenes and make holiday dreams come true with some lovely friends I invited to The Maldives.

Seeing the joy my mates got from the activities we recommended was even better than going along with them to sample some incredible experiences. And thats saying something as I got to swim with turtles in the warm clear Indian Ocean, see dolphins up close, create and sample some sensational food and work out on a fitness platform suspended overwater.

Some of the photos she shot at the resort are giving us a real itch to travel somewhere hot and sunny, ASAP. Check them out in the gallery below.

Patrick Harrison for TUI BLUE

Patrick Harrison for TUI BLUE

Patrick Harrison for TUI BLUE

Patrick Harrison for TUI BLUE

Patrick Harrison for TUI BLUE

Patrick Harrison for TUI BLUE

Patrick Harrison for TUI BLUE

Patrick Harrison for TUI BLUE

Patrick Harrison for TUI BLUE

Patrick Harrison for TUI BLUE

Patrick Harrison for TUI BLUE

Patrick Harrison for TUI BLUE

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Welcome Guest! You are here: Home  Business & Economy

2025 Kia K5 makes North American debut at Chicago Auto Show

Kia America unveiled the refreshed 2025 K5 midsize sedan at the opening of the Chicago Auto Show Thursday February 08, 2024. Read More

Thursday February 8, 2024 10:56 PM , ummid.com News Network

Irvine (California): Kia America unveiled the refreshed 2025 K5 midsize sedan at the opening of the Chicago Auto Show Thursday February 08, 2024.

The show played host to the sporty sedan's North American debut, which features a new-for-K5 2.5-liter normally aspirated engine, updated design cues inside and out, drivetrain refinements and numerous tech upgrades across five trim levels: LXS, EX, GT-Line (in front or all-wheel drive) and the hot-blooded turbocharged GT.

"The K5 can be almost anything to anyone looking for a five-passenger midsize sedan," Steven Center, COO and EVP, Kia America, said. "With a line-up of variants, including available all-wheel drive for places just like Chicago in the wintertime, the new 2025 K5 continues to offer a unique and striking alternative in an otherwise stalwart segment. The updates for 2025 position the K5 in the sweet spot for those needing room for five but prefer to make a bold statement when it comes to their vehicle", he said.

For the 2025 model year, subtle refinements highlight more standard features across the lineup with a focus on the popular EX trim. Standard items for the EX include a Bose Premium Audio System with Active Sound Design, a 10-way powered driver's seat includes two-way lumbar support. Digital Key 2, heated steering wheel, and power folding mirrors with integrated LED turn signals are all standard.

K5 Design and Features

Already a standout in the midsize sedan segment, the 2025 Kia K5's design enhancements better align with Kia's Opposites United typography. Most notable are the new standard Star Map LED front DRLs.

The standard amber positioning lights cut a striking eyebrow over the standard LED headlights and accentuate the leading edge of the front fender. Below these reside a new front fascia. While lower trims gain a darkened lower air intake opening, the GT nets dramatically flared satin-metal-look fins that angle upward, further defining the new honeycomb lower grille.

Around back, the Star Map theme continues. The taillights reach across the wide deck lid and take a decidedly angular downward turn at the corners, mimicking the aggressive nature of the front end's illuminated eyebrows. They cast a bright red glow just beneath the new trunk lid, which is highlighted by a standard integrated spoiler across all trims. The angularity continues into the new lower fascia.

Dual muffler garnish and a dark lower bumper can be found on all but the GT trim. The same satin-finish details found on the front clip of the GT make another appearance at the rear, with triangular fins complementing the dual mufflers with quad-tip garnish.

K5's wheel program includes several sporty multi-spoke alloy designs. The LXS rides on 16-inch wheels while EX and GT-Line come standard with their own unique 18-inch wheel designs.

The GT gets 19-inch wheels shod with performance-focused 245/40R-19 Pirelli P-Zero tires and the available GT1 Package found on the GT earns 19-inch Custom Gloss Black wheels. Standard on GT are eye-catching bright green brake calipers that complement the interior seat stitching.

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Welcome Guest! You are here: Home  India

Essential Commodities Prices Soaring: Cong releases black paper against Modi govt



The Congress Partys black paper against the Modi government has been released ahead of the White Paper Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced to table in the Parliament. Read More

Thursday February 8, 2024 10:01 PM , ummid.com News Network

New Delhi: The Congress Party Thursday February 08, 2024 released a black paper against the Narendra Modi government titled 10 years of injustice or 10 Saal Anyay Kaal  2014-2024.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge while releasing the black paper accused the Modi government of derailing the economy and taking the country backward.

Unemployment is rampant, states ruled by non-BJP parties are discriminated and essential commodities prices are soaring, Kharge said while addressing the press. It has been a feature of this government to exaggerate its achievements to hide the glaring failures. We have released the black paper to expose this, Kharge told the media.

The Congress party also released a number of banners highlighting Indias rank in Global Hunger Index, a comparison of diesel, petrol, LPG, mustard oil, atta, milk and prices of other essential commodities in before and after 2014 to target the economic policies of the Narendra Modi government.

The black paper released by the Congress also has crime record, rape case, data of farmers suicide in the last 10 years.

The Congress Partys black paper against the Modi government has been released ahead of the White Paper Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced to table in the Parliament.

Sitharaman said the governments white paper will be to highlight the mismanagement done by those in power before 2014.

Countering the Congress Black Paper against his government, PM Modi equated it with a "kaala tika" which will ward off the evil eye.

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Welcome Guest! You are here: Home  Education & Career

Jamia Millia, DeBox Global IT Solutions join hands to enhance student-industry interface



The platform offers a wide array of functionalities including Industry Mentorship, Events, Internships, Projects, Placements, Talent Profiles, Groups, and Knowledge Hub, among others. Read More

Thursday February 8, 2024 7:37 PM , ummid.com News Network

New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), a Central University committed to academic excellence, has partnered with DeBox Global IT Solutions Pvt Ltd (DeBox) to implement the innovative VECOSPACE platform, aimed at fostering a dynamic ecosystem connecting students, alumni, faculty, and industry professionals.

The platform will help the industry integration with the university and meet the objectives of NEP in the field of internships, Industry mentorships and industry interaction.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exchange ceremony took place in the office of University Placement Cell (UPC), JMI in the presence of Teacher Placement Coordinators. This MOU was signed with the approval of competent authority and implemented under the able leadership of officiating Vice Chancellor Prof. Eqbal Hussain.

The occasion witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries including Director of Training & Placement, Prof (Dr.) Rahela Farooqi, Director of DeBox, Syed Asim, Director  Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Prof (Dr.) Rihan Khan Suri, Deputy Director of Training and Placement, Prof. (Dr). Sabah Khan, and Teacher Placement Coordinators from various departments of the university.

Through this collaboration, JMI aims to leverage the comprehensive features of VECOSPACE to empower its student community with enhanced opportunities for growth and development.

The platform offers a wide array of functionalities including Industry Mentorship, Events, Internships, Projects, Placements, Talent Profiles, Groups, and Knowledge Hub, among others.

Prof (Dr.) Rahela Farooqi, Director of Training & Placement, JMI, formally handed over the MOU to Syed Asim, Director of DeBox, marking the beginning of a partnership poised to revolutionize student engagement and professional development within the university.

Speaking about the collaboration, Prof (Dr.) Rahela Farooqi remarked:

We are excited to embark on this journey with DeBox to introduce VECOSPACE to our student community. This platform aligns perfectly with our vision to provide holistic support and opportunities for our students to excel academically and professionally.

Asim, Director of DeBox, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating:

VECOSPACE is designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, providing students with a seamless transition into the professional world. We are thrilled to partner with JMI and contribute to the advancement of its student ecosystem.

He expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration and said that VECOSPACE is designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, providing students with a seamless transition into the professional world. We are thrilled to partner with JMI and contribute to the advancement of its student ecosystem.

During the ceremony, Dr. Rihan Suri highlighted the significant opportunities for entrepreneurship and skill development that VECOSPACE offers through its mentorship program. He emphasized the platforms potential to empower students to explore their entrepreneurial aspirations and develop essential skills for success in the professional world.

With the implementation of VECOSPACE, JMI is poised to redefine student engagement and success, fostering a collaborative environment that nurtures talent and fosters innovation.



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Welcome Guest! You are here: Home  Business & Economy

Mr Bean blamed in UK Parliament for poor sales of EVs in Britain



In a claim that may sound bizarre to some, a UK Parliamentary Committee blamed Mr Bean actor Rowan Atkinson for poor sales of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Britain. Read More

Thursday February 8, 2024 9:42 PM , ummid.com News Network

London: In a claim that may sound bizarre to some, a UK Parliamentary Committee blamed Mr Bean actor Rowan Atkinson for poor sales of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Britain.

The famous actor was name-checked in the House of Lords, the Upper House of the UK Parliament, during its Environment and Climate Change Committee meeting Tuesday February 06, 2024.

During the meeting, Green Alliance, a think-tank, termed an article written by Rowan Atkinson as the most damaging for Britains push to EV adoption and UK plans to phase out petrol and diesel cars by 2035.

The article referred to by the committee was published by The Guardian in June 2023.

"One of the most damaging articles was a comment piece written by Rowan Atkinson in The Guardian which has been roundly debunked," Sky News reported quoting the observation made during the committees meeting.

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Study says EVs not best alternative, asks govt to push Hybrid vehicles instead

"Unfortunately, fact checks never reach the same breadth of audience as the original false claim, emphasising the need to ensure high editorial standards around the net zero transition", Green Alliance reportedly told during the meeting.

In the article titled I love electric vehicles  and was an early adopter. But increasingly I feel duped, he wrote that EVs were a bit soulless and criticised the use of their lithium-ion batteries .

Rowan Atkinson has degrees in Electrical Engineering and Control Systems.

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Where is uniformity, AIMPLB asks as Uttarakhand UCC passes House



The Uttarakhand Assembly Wednesday February 07, 2024 passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill 2024 even as the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMLB) said it lacks uniformity. Read More

Thursday February 8, 2024 10:10 PM , ummid.com News Network

Dehradun/New Delhi: The Uttarakhand Assembly Wednesday February 07, 2024 passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill 2024 even as the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMLB) said it lacks uniformity.

The Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is unnecessary, inappropriate and against the diversity of the country, All India Muslim Personal Law Board said.

Asserting that the UCC has been rushed to gain political advantage, the Muslim Panel called it an eyewash and a political propaganda.

The Muslim Personal Law Board also said that the Uttarakhand UCC lacks uniformity and deals only with three aspects including marriage and divorce, succession and live-in- relationship.

While STs are already excluded in this law, for all other communities provisions are included to accommodate their customs and usages. The question that begs for an answer is then where is the uniformity? the Muslim Panel asked.

The Muslim Law Board said that banning second marriage has been done only for publicity as the cases of second marriages are declining that even the government admits.

Hindu Code

Uttarakhand Assembly passed the UCC despite protests and a strong demand by the opposition to refer it to Select Committee.

Slamming the Uttarakhand UCC, AIMIM Chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi termed it a Hindu Code imposed on all.

"The Uttarakhand UCC Bill is nothing but a Hindu Code applicable for all. Firstly, Hindu undivided family has not been touched. Why? If you want a uniform law for succession and inheritance, why are Hindus kept out of it? Can a law be uniform if it doesnt apply to the majority of your state?" Owaisi wrote on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Owaisi also said that the Uttarakhand UCC can't be called uniform if the Tribals are excluded from the code.

"There are other constitutional and legal issues. Why have Tribals been excluded? Can it be uniform if one community is exempt," he said.

Questioning in the claim of uniformity by the BJP, activist and former MP Subhashini Ali, said excluding Tribals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUF) from the UCC is the biggest loopholes in this.

If they think the UCC is good for women then why shouldnt Tribal women enjoy its benefits? she asked.

The UCC that we see in Uttarakhand has been cleverly drafted by the Manuvadi mindset, she said.

BJP manifesto

The implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) was part of the BJP manifesto and the Bill was introduced in the Assembly by Chief Minister .

The BJP government in Uttarakhand convened a Special Session of the State Assembly from February 05 to 08, 2024 to discuss a draft of what it calls a Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

A five-member committee , headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, submitted the draft of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to Pushkar Singh Dhami on February 02, 2024. The committee formed in May 2022 was given four extensions to submit its report.

The 300-page draft of the proposed UCC is titled Fostering Equality Through Uniformity and at a first glance appeared to be focusing mostly around the Muslim centric issues like Halala, Iddat, Polygamy, Triple Talaq etc.

The Bill proposes to make Halala, Iddat and Triple Talaq punishable acts but it does not directly mentioned polygamy. It however says marriage will be only accepted legal if neither husband nor wife has a living partnter.

On the other hand, the draft UCC which Uttarakhand intends to implement allows live in relationship subject to mandatory registration in the state.

Interestingly, the draft though dubbed uniform law for every citizen has exempted the tribals from the purviews of the proposed law.

The Uniform Civil Code is a contentious issue in India for decades. Though the BJP and RSS have intention to implement it in the whole country, critics say it is a difficult task considering the diverse nature of India.

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Islamabad, Feb 8 (UNI) A security official was killed in in the Tank district of Pakistan's northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amid the general elections on Thursday, Aaj News broadcaster reported, citing sources.

The attack occurred in the Kot Azam area of Tank district, the report said. Unidentified men opened fire at a security personnel's vehicle. The police said that the polling continued and another vehicle was patrolling the area of the attack. Meanwhile, Tank Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Shoaib told the broadcaster that "polling is under way in Kot Azam" and "news related to polling stopped in the area is wrong," adding that the attack did not target any polling station.

Elections for Pakistan's National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, and the country's provincial legislatures began on Thursday at 8 a.m. local time (03:00 GMT). Polling stations will remain open until 5 p.m. local time (12:00 GMT), after which the counting of votes will start. Preliminary election results are expected to be published on Thursday evening, while the official results will be summarized on Friday morning.

Voters will choose 266 candidates for the National Assembly, who will later elect the next prime minister by majority vote. At the same time, voters will also choose representatives to their provincial assemblies, which will then elect provincial heads of state through a similar process.

A total of 17,816 candidates are in the race, of whom 12,695 will contest for provincial assembly seats and 5,121 for National Assembly seats. Elections were postponed in one national and three provincial constituencies due to the deaths of contesting candidates.

Although 44 political parties are contesting for seats in the lower house, analysts predict that the main battle will be between representatives of two political forces: the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and the Pakistan People's Party.

UNI/SPUTNIK AKS
SEOUL  Viet Nam remained South Korea's third-largest trade partner for the second straight year in 2023 despite a drop in both imports and exports from the Southeast Asian country, according to the Korea International Trade Association (KITA).

Two-way trade reached US$79.43 billion last year, with Vietnamese exports shrinking 12.3 per cent year-on-year to $53.49 billion.

At the same time, imports from Viet Nam also dropped 2.9 per cent on-year to $25.94 billion, and South Korea's trade surplus shrank 19.5 per cent to $27.55 billion.

Viet Nam surpassed Japan for the second consecutive year in 2023 to retain the third position, following China with $267.66 billion and the US with $186.96 billion.

KITA blamed last year's drop in trade with and exports to Viet Nam on falling chip exports. South Korean semiconductor shipments to Viet Nam tumbled 21.6 per cent on-year to $12.73 billion in 2023.

Four other export items  flat panels and sensors, petroleum products, wireless communications equipment and synthetic resins  also went down last year, according to the data.

Bilateral trade between Viet Nam and South Korea has been growing exponentially since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992 when trade hit only $500 million.

The trade volume gained further momentum as the two nations signed a free trade agreement in 2014.

Viet Nam was the RoKs eighth-largest trading partner that year, but its ranking surged to fourth place a year later. In 2022, Viet Nam outpaced Japan to become South Koreas third-largest trading partner for the first time.  VNS
HA NOI  Ha Noi authorities will organise numerous vibrant and appealing culture activities to attract visitors to the capital city during the 2024 Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.

This is part of efforts to preserve and promote traditional cultural values, and utilise culture as a motivation for economic development, especially in the tourism industry.

Many activities and events will be held over an extended duration, offering opportunities for tourists to experience the traditional Tet atmosphere in the Hong (Red) River Delta region, including a painting exhibition at the Temple of Literature -- the first university in Viet Nam.

Tet celebration and art performance programmes in the Old Quarter, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and uong Lam Ancient Village, and the Viet Nam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism will round out the activities.

Notably, a drone light show expected to set a Southeast Asian record is scheduled to take place by the side of West Lake in Ha Noi on the eve of the Year of the Dragon on February 9.

The event is set to feature the largest number of drones for such a performance in Southeast Asia, to be accompanied with exclusively composed music and screens for live broadcasting installed around West Lake, promising a spectacular show for locals and visitors on the threshold of the Year of the Dragon.

Localities in the capital have also prepared for organising key festivals, including Huong Pagoda Festival in My uc District, Soc Temple in Soc Son District, Co Loa Festival in ong Anh District, ong a Festival in ong a District, Hai Ba Trung (Trung Sisters) Festival in Me Linh District, and Tan Vien Son Thanh (Tan Vien Mountain Saint) Festival in Ba Vi District.

In the first lunar month, the municipal Department of Tourism will collaborate with relevant units to hold tourism promotion activities, towards stipulating tourism demand in 2024.

To better serve visitors, the municipal Department of Tourism has required tourism units, businesses and organisations specialising in tourism in Ha Noi to review and improve the quality of tourism products and services and develop products meeting tourist demand. VNS
Ly Ly Cao

HA NOI  In preparation for the special demand during this time of the year, the pottery furnaces in Bat Trang Village have been ignited.

Every new year, artisans in the traditional ceramic village research and create a new product, a symbolic figure for that particular year to promote the village's exquisite handmade crafts, serving as both a gift and a display item for customers.

For the year of Dragon, from vases to tea sets, every product is designed with dragon images.

This year, artisans have created a very special dragon seal that is inspired by the Nguyen Dynastys golden imperial seals.

"This year is the Year of the Dragon, which is also a special year. We have developed a product called Sacred Dragon Imprint. Artisans have put a lot of effort into crafting this special artwork," Nguyen Van Luc, Vietnam Consumer Ceramic Association, told Viet Nam News.

The design is inspired by the lost imperial seal of the Nguyen Dynasty, which was recently returned to Vietnam and is currently exhibited in a private museum in Bac Ninh Province.

It is also created based on one of the most beautiful images of a Vietnamese Dragon, the dragon image from the Le Dynasty.

That is what makes Pham Viet Khoa, an artisan with more than 40 years' work experience in the ceramic industry, find it so fascinating to make this year's product.

"The dragon also has all the beauty of the dragon from the Le Dynasty, making it purely a Vietnamese dragon," Khoa said.

"Creating this dragon sculpture this year has been truly inspiring, as it represents a Vietnamese dragon."

The seal has three words: peace, harmony and prosperity, on it, which are the messages artisans would like to deliver to customers, hoping they have significant imprints in the year 2024.

Forming, assembling and painting this product requires a lot of effort. However, the most challenging part remains the creation of the prototype.

"We need to brainstorm to have an idea and design a prototype that is not only beautiful but also resonates with people. Once the prototype is completed, we move on to mould casting and undergo five more stages before ultimately producing the final product," Khoa added.

The special artworks are crafted in very limited quantities, so those who own them are very fortunate, said Luc.

"We primarily accept orders from our regular customers and those who appreciate handmade artistic products tailored to the specific theme of the year. As a result, the supply of dragon seals on the market is limited."

This year's economic situation has affected the industry's sales, but the introduction of the year's themed product is still welcomed by customers.

"Considering the economic and social circumstances this year, there has been a decrease in the production of crafted artworks compared to the previous year. This can be attributed to the fact that our artworks cater to the high-end segment, which has been facing economic difficulties," said Luc.

"However, there have been recent positive indicators of economic recovery in the past couple of months. And the artworks we create have been receiving positive responses from customers."

With the beautiful image and meaningful messages, people may all hope for a nice and prosperous year ahead.  VNS
HUE  Thai Hoa and Kien Trung , the two most significant palaces in the Hue Imperial Citadel, will reopen to the public during Tet (Lunar New Year) 2024 following a long period of restoration.

Thai Hoa Palace was built in 1805 during the reign of King Gia Long (1762-1820) of the Nguyen Dynasty.

The palace symbolised the power of the Nguyen Dynasty  the king's golden throne was placed inside  and served as a venue for many significant imperial events such as coronations, kings' birthdays and receptions for foreign ambassadors.

Nhat thi, nhat hoa (painting placed adjacent to poem) is a unique decorative style in Thai Hoa Palace, which has been recognised as a documentary heritage in the Asia-Pacific region by UNESCO.

After undergoing a major restoration since November 2021, the palace is about to receive visitors again. The restoration will resume after Tet, and is expected to be completed in 2025.

Kien Trung Palace will open to visitors for the first time.

It was built in 1921 by King Khai inh and became the residence of the entire family of Bao ai, son of Khai inh and the last king of the dynasty.

Kien Trung Palace showcases the amazing ceramic mosaic skills of Vietnamese craftsmen, and combines French, Italian and traditional Vietnamese architectural styles.

After the success of the August Revolution, Kien Trung Palace was where Bao ai and the Provisional Government Delegation held a meeting to discuss abdication and handing over of power to the latter.

Unfortunately, the palace was destroyed during the war in 1947. In 2019 the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre began restoration of Kien Trung Palace.

"This Lunar New Year Kien Trung Palace will open for the first time to welcome visitors, Hoang Viet Trung, the director of the centre, said.

We will display original artefacts associated with the history of the palace."

Hue Imperial Citadel, the former imperial capital of Viet Nam under the Nguyen kings, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

The Hue Imperial Citadel, including the two palaces, will be open for free entry from February 10 to 12.  VNS
HA NOI  The relationship between Russia and Viet Nam is a bond of friendship and trust, forged in the Vietnamese peoples struggle for freedom and independence, and has been tested by time, Russian Ambassador to Viet Nam G. S. Bezdetko said in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2024.

Looking back at 2023, Ambassador Bezdetko emphasised that despite many geo-political changes in the world, even tragedies, the Viet Nam-Russia relationship, founded by previous generations, remains stable and creates a foundation for the development of cooperation between the two countries in the new historical context. Cooperation between Russia and Viet Nam developed well based on its comprehensive strategic partnership. Political dialogues at high and top levels were maintained, along with the promotion of inter-parliamentary exchanges.

He said that in the past year, important events in the bilateral agenda took place, marking a start for more extensive cooperation activities in the coming time. Direct dialogues between the leaders of the two countries have contributed to boosting the implementation of many agreements, and creating new opportunities for win-win cooperation as well as solving pending problems.

There are positive signs for bilateral trade, he said, expressing his expectations that direct flights between the two countries will soon be resumed in the near future.

He said that the two sides can cooperate more deeply not only in traditional fields but also in innovative fields such as high technology, artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy sources, e-government systems, and information security.

Russia is willing to share research and development results with Vietnam, he affirmed.

Regarding cooperation opportunities to promote modern sports, the Ambassador said that Russia has recently launched an initiative to conduct competitions in the "phygital" format which combines both traditional and electronic sports.

He hoped that Viet Nam will participate in the International Multi-Sport Tournament Games of the Future that Russia will host in February and March this year in Kazan.

Regarding collaboration in culture, Bezdetko stressed that promoting cultural exchange is an important factor to further deepen the relations between the two countries. Research and promotion of languages, history, culture, traditional art genres, cinema, and cuisine are contributing to strengthening mutual understanding and making the peoples in different countries come closer to each other.

Last year, Russia organised cultural events in Viet Nam, the ambassador recalled, pointing out some prominent events including the Russian Cultural Days in Ha Noi and Ha Long City in July, and the performance of the world-famous art troupe "Turetskiy Choir" in Viet Nam in November.

He said Russia will continue to introduce to Vietnamese audiences works of famous Russian poets and writers such as A.S. Pushkin, M.Yu. Lermontov, A.P. Chekhov, L.N. Tolstoi, music composers like P.I. Chaikovskiy, M.I. Glinka, D.D. Shostakovich and contemporary Russian directors.

Besides, he assessed that Viet Nam's traditional culture and arts draw Russians' interest. Since the Soviet era, medium and short stories by well-known Vietnamese authors have been translated into Russian. Recently, "Truyen Kieu" (The Tale of Kieu) - a precious gem in Vietnamese literature - was published in Russian.

The Ambassador expected that this year, Viet Nam will participate in the second International Music Festival "Cosmic Sounds" and the Melikhovo Spring Theatre Festival organised in Russia.

As a person who has been attached to and learned about Viet Nam since he was a university student, Ambassador Bezdetko said Viet Nam has become his second homeland where he explores its diversity and richness of its culture, national identity, friendliness and hospitality of the people.

On the occasion of the New Year 2024 and Vietnamese traditional Lunar New Year celebration, he wished Vietnamese people good health, peace and prosperity. He also wished that Russia-Viet Nam relations will continue to develop strongly.  VNS
PARIS  Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), presented her credentials to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay at the organisations headquarters in Paris, France on February 7.

At the ceremony, Ambassador Anh emphasised that Viet Nam appreciated multilateralism, the role and contribution of the United Nations and UNESCO in seeking solutions to increasing global challenges, thereby contributing to maintaining peace and security, and promoting sustainable development in the world.

She highlighted Viet Nam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification, multilateralisation, as well as its policy of considering culture, science and education important driving forces for the country's rapid and sustainable development.

She expressed her joy to hold her position amidst fruitful cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO in all the fields of culture, education, natural science, social science, information and communications.

The diplomat took this occasion to thanked the UNESCO for its support and assistance, especially in implementing the Memorandum of Cooperation between Viet Nam and UNESCO for the 2021-25 period.

She expressed her wish that the UNESCO will continue supporting Viet Nam, particularly in consulting and developing new heritage documents, and preserving and promoting heritage sites recognised by UNESCO, including the project on conservation and promotion of the value of Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

She affirmed that she will do her best to deepen Viet Nam-UNESCO cooperation, thereby contributing to realising the UNESCO's goals and promoting socio-economic development of localities as well as Viet Nam.

For her part, UNESCO Director-General Azoulay thanked Viet Nam for its role, participation and contribution to the UNESCO.

She spoke highly of close and effective cooperation between Viet Nam and UNESCO in all fields, considering it a typical model of cooperation, and propose boosting cooperation with Viet Nam in other promising fields such as climate, water, ocean science, artificial intelligence, and others.

She said that more staff arranged at the UNESCO Office in Ha Noi will make an important contribution to promoting cooperation with Viet Nam in the coming time.  VNS
NEW YORK  A Vietnamese diplomat stressed that peace and stability are the prerequisite for seeking solutions to global challenges while attending a plenary session held by the UN General Assembly on February 7 to discuss UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres priorities for 2024.

In his remarks at the event, Secretary-General Guterres voiced his concern over the worsening violence, instability, geopolitical division, and conflicts threatening international peace and security.

The top priority of the UN is to promote peace and prevent wars and conflicts, he said, emphasising that to cope with such global challenges as poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, humanitarian crises, and terrorism, countries need to make joint efforts and comprehensively reform multilateral systems, from the UN Security Council to international economic - financial institutions.

Addressing the session, Ambassador ang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the UN, shared the Secretary-Generals concern about the instability and multidimensional crises facing the international community.

To seek solutions to those global challenges, he stressed peace and stability form the prerequisite, and that member states need to comply with international law and the UN Charter, refrain from the use of force, and resolve disputes by peaceful means.

Regarding the Summit of the Future  a priority of the UN for 2024, Giang said this will be a chance for enhancing international cooperation, making reforms, and implementing the international communitys common commitment to peace, prosperity, and sustainable development for future generations.

Viet Nam will actively contribute to this process with a people-centred approach, he added.

On this occasion, the ambassador highly valued Guterres leadership role in promoting international assistance for the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate finance, including the adoption of such initiatives as the SDG Stimulus and the Just Energy Transition Partnership.

Viet Nam will join other UN member states in supporting and making efforts to carry out the abovementioned initiatives of the Secretary-General for the sake of common goals, he stated.  VNS
HA NOI  Many prisoners in Viet Nam will be granted jail term reductions or early release on the occasion of the Lunar New Year.

Ha Noi City's Police Department said 173 prisoners in its Detention Centre Number 1 and Number 2 are to be selected for clemency, of which 13 will be released on parole, 67 pardoned of their remaining jail terms, and 93 granted jail term cuts ranging from two to 10 months.

Ha Noi City grants clemency to prisoners on April 30, September 2, and Tet every year. When the occasion comes, all detention centres under Ha Noi City's Police Department establish councils to review appeals for clemency.

After the review process, warders and prisoners will come together to discuss and vote by ballot to select the candidates for clemency.

"For those who made mistakes and are paying the price with years in jail, getting a reduced sentence would bring immense joy, especially during Tet," said Nguyen Manh Hung, Deputy Chief Warder of the Prisoner Supervision Division in the Detention Centre Number 1.

At the Ministry of Public Security's Gia Trung Detention Centre in Gia Lai Province, 800 prisoners have their sentences reduced for good behaviour, of which three will be commuted from life imprisonment to fixed jail terms and 33 released early.

The centre has also invited inmates' families to a gathering where they will have a year-end meal with those who had made progress in their rehabilitation.

The clemency will be granted to prisoners in many other detention centres across the country. In Binh Phuoc Province, the number of inmates to get reduced jail terms reaches 29; Vinh Long Province, 21; and Hoa Binh, 19.

The clemency granting is part of the country's policy of kind treatment towards people behind bars. It provides them with an opportunity to make things right and start afresh.  VNS
HA NOI  Members of Engineering Unit Rotation 2 of Viet Nam, who are performing duties at the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), have held a number of meaningful activities in celebration of the coming Lunar New Year (Tet) 2024.

The activities have helped enhance solidarity among the UN peacekeeping units at UNISFA as well as between them and residents in the Abyei Area, according to the Viet Nam Department of Peacekeeping Operations under the Ministry of National Defence.

Major Nguyen Mau Vu, Commissar of the Engineering Unit, said that celebrating major anniversaries and Tet is among important activities the unit has made plans on since they assumed duties at UNISFA. In particular, the recent official recognition of the Lunar New Year as a UN floating holiday holds great significance for peacekeepers like them who often celebrate Tet far away from their families.

To mark the Year of the Dragon 2024, Engineering Unit Rotation 2 has built detailed plans on each activity like making chung cakes  a signature dish of Tet, holding room decoration and cooking competitions, planting the neu pole  another symbol of Tet, and organising folk games.

The unit has also organised a volleyball exchange with residents in Abyei, presented gifts to locals, and invited them to try traditional dishes of Viet Nam.

The activities aim to help the blue beret soldiers celebrate a merrier New Year festival besides their comrades, support their spiritual life, and introduce the Vietnamese culture to locals, Vu said.

However, the entire unit hasnt neglected their duties, including preparing plans to protect security and safety for their base amid complex and unpredictable developments in Abyei, the officer added.

On behalf of the unit, he wished Vietnamese people nationwide and abroad good health, joy, happiness, and good luck in the New Year.  VNS
LAO CAI  In Lien Minh Commune, Sa Pa Town, in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai, houses have been repaired and fish farms have been rebuilt after the historic floods that killed seven people in September 2023.

Although life has not returned to normal as before the floods, local people are trying to rebuild a new village and regain trust in a better future to together welcome the new year ahead.

More than four months after the historic floods on the night of September 12, 2023 that killed seven people, injured six and damaged 61 cold-water fish farms with about 610 fish ponds, traces of the severe damage still haunt local people.

Lien Minh, a remote commune of Sa Pa Town, is located over 40 km from the town centre and is home to Mong, Dao, Tay, Xa Pho ethnic groups.

Among them, the Dao people account for the largest proportion.

Standing on uneven ground which used to be green rice fields, Tan Chan Quyen from Nam Cang Village is still shocked.

During the floods that night, he saw all of his family's properties, including 13 cold-water fish tanks, swept away without being able to do anything.

He said the land was given by his grandparents. No floods had been recorded for hundreds of years. When natural disasters hit the village last year, local people were too surprised to take any action.

"Tens of billions of ong were lost. During a difficult time that seemed impossible to recover from, my family was fortunate to receive assistance from authorities, donators and other villagers to help clean up and comfort us, he told Vietnam News Agency.

After the cleanup, he plans to borrow money from the Bank for Social Policies to rebuild a salmon farm.

Phan Lo Xeng, another villager of Nam Cang Village, will celebrate the Lunar New Year festival in a new one-floor house built thanks to the help of local authorities worth more than VN100 million.

During that terrible night, my family was having dinner when a sudden flood came. Our family survived thanks to climbing to the top of a big tree near the house, he said.

"We might have died if we had climbed three minutes later, he said.

The budget used to build the new house came from VN40 million donated by the local Fatherland Front Committee and others sourced from neighbours' donations.

According to chairman of Lien Minh Commune People's Committee Phan Phu Seng, the provincial Fatherland Front Committee handed out over VN2.8 billion and the Sa Pa Town Fatherland Front Committee supported with over VN600 million for families of those killed and affected by the floods.

They also set up savings books for four children who lost their parents due to the floods.

Seng said in order not to leave people in flooded areas without Tet, organisations handed out presents to the flood-hit families.

The locality has mobilised maximum resources to stabilise local livelihoods soon. Those who had houses damaged by the floods have been relocated to resettlement areas.

Damaged roads and bridges have been repaired. After the flood, Nam Cang stream was buried. After the embankment of the stream is completed, villagers will take the next steps to restore production, he said.

Local authorities encouraged residents to reinvest in fish farms and stay far away from areas prone to landslides and flash floods, he said.  VNS
Major pharma groups are able to offer new innovative medicines in Vietnam, photo Le Toan

Yukinori Tominaga, general director of Daiichi Sankyo Vietnam Co., Ltd. is preparing for more business of oncology products after obtaining GSP standards accreditation for cold storage in its warehouse in the Mekong Delta province of Long An last year.

Tominaga told VIR, The priorities in the companys business plans and strategies in Vietnam in 2024 is to increase more access to new medications by our new innovative pharmaceuticals to improve the quality of life for Vietnamese people. We are considering to bring oncology, pain management, and cardiovascular medicines to Vietnam from 2024 onwards.

As a global pharmaceutical company with corporate origins in Japan, Daiichi Sankyo established a Vietnamese wholly owned subsidiary in 2020 to venture further into the local market, six years after opening a representative office in Ho Chi Minh City.

Tominaga elaborated that the first importation arrived in its warehouse in December 2022 and released as wholesale of pharmaceuticals to Phytopharma in February 2023.

It is the very first time in Daiichi Sankyo history, and we have more than 100 years of history in Japan, to gain revenues in Vietnam, which is very meaningful to us. It could lead stakeholders to consider further investment here.

Expansion in focus

Similar to Daiichi Sankyo Vietnam, other multinational corporations like Novartis, Sanofi, GSK, Pfizer, MSD, and others are planning to expand here, keeping partnerships with government agencies, medical associations, and hospitals among key priorities in their strategies ahead.

Over the past year, GSK Vietnam has worked with healthcare professionals, government bodies, and local communities to ensure availability of drugs.

In 2023, we made notable progress in our key areas of vaccines and general medicines. Our paediatric vaccines portfolio continued protecting half of newborn babies in Vietnam against infectious diseases, while our general medicines treated various health conditions, especially in anti-infectives and respiratory, said GSK Vietnam president Pham Thi My Lien.

Our focus remained on positively impacting the health of the Vietnamese population, with the goal of reaching one-third of the population by 2025, she added.

For GSK, Vietnam is one of the six top-priority markets out of more than 100 markets. We are pleased to see the development of the nations health sector, and with the support of the local biopharmaceutical sector, we will continue to unite science, technology, and talent to bring innovative healthcare solutions to anyone who needs them, Lien added.

Last year also saw strategic partnerships for Pfizer in Vietnam with a number of hospitals, medical universities, and medical associations. They included deals with Cho Ray Hospital, Bach Mai Hospital, the Vietnam Paediatrics Association, the Vietnam National Heart Association, and Vietnam Vaccine JSC.

Darrell Oh, general manager of Pfizer Vietnam, said, We successfully brought two new innovative medicines to Vietnam in the anti-infectives therapeutic area. These launching activities reflect our unwavering dedication to delivering quality, safe, and valuable healthcare products, including innovative medicines, to Vietnamese patients.

He added that last year the company also had a patient-access-programme that supported breast cancer patients with access to Pfizers new innovative drugs. In 2024, which marks the 175 years since its founding, Pfizer plans to bring the newest innovative medicines and vaccines to patients in Vietnam.

Pfizer will also prioritise activities such as creating partnerships with healthcare governmental stakeholders in capability building, updating, and sharing of advanced scientific information, looking for opportunities for clinical activities in Vietnam, Oh noted.

Pfizer Vietnam will continue focusing our business where we believe we can have the greatest impact on patients and society  pursuing what we believe to be the most innovative biopharmaceutical therapies and vaccines, he continued.

Legal improvement path

In late 2023, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan held a meeting with Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam Thomas Gass to discuss cooperation in the healthcare sector in the context that the Ministry of Health looks to promote cooperation with Switzerland in pharmaceuticals.

It also expects Swiss pharmaceutical enterprises to transfer tech of production of patented drugs, vaccines, and medical biological products which Vietnam cannot yet produce.

The Swiss side has also shown interest in other contents such as the possibilities of foreign-invested enterprises participating in drug distribution, renewable of marketing authorisation (MA) and drug registration licensing, as well as the amended Law on Pharmacy (LoP).

Issues of concerns are among not only Swiss pharma firms but also other multinational corporations.

Darrell Oh of Pfizer said, We still hope that the upcoming revised LoP and other legislation will create a strong foundation for the development of the pharmaceutical industry. Specifically, this includes shortening the time for reviewing MA dossiers for new innovative drugs and vaccines and eliminating administrative obstacles so that patients can access innovative drugs and vaccines sooner and more effectively.

At the same time, Oh hopes there are adjusted regulations on the operations of pharmaceutical foreign-funded companies to encourage business development and attract more foreign direct investment in the healthcare sector.

We strongly believe that the government will consider 2024 as a pivotal year on policy change through amendments, especially the LoP, he added.

Similarly, Tominaga of Daiichi Sankyo said, We have utilised special import quotas to import edaravone to Vietnam, which is indicated for ALS treatment. We feel more comfortable to secure supply of products compared with the licence renewals matters in the past, and we do believe these risks can be mitigated more in the future.

The amended LoP will be submitted to the National Assembly for discussion in the seventh session and for approval in the eighth session later this year.

Stephane Jacqmin, evp for Emerging Markets STADA Group At present, the investment trend in Vietnams pharmaceutical industry has seen changes, focusing on innovation, research and development (R&D), clinical trials, and technology transfer. This is aligned with our development strategy which is initiated by the goal of increasing healthcare, and developing factories in Vietnam to supply products not only for Vietnam but also other markets, including the EU. We now have two factories meeting EU standards in Vietnam with the support of German specialists. We believe that technology transfer can make great impacts, contributing to developing Vietnam into a centre of the supply chain in the future. 2023 marked a special year when we opened a new office in Ho Chi Minh City, as STADA is one of the three biggest German investors in Vietnam. The company focuses development on the three pillars of healthcare products, generics, and specialities. As planned in 2024, the first batch of products will be exported to the EU market with Vietnamese origin, reaffirming the product quality of STADA Pymepharco and showing our strong commitment to helping Vietnamese people increase access to high-quality medicines at reasonable prices. We will continue to expand our product portfolio and technology transfer in the upcoming time in Vietnam as part of this effort. Dr. Nguyen Anh Van, chairwoman, Vietlife There were several outstanding events at Vietlife last year, such as kicking off construction of Thanh Xuan General Hospital. Once in operation, it will be renamed Vietlife International General Hospital, with 300 beds of 5-star international standards. We have also invested in opening two more new general clinics in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, bringing our total number of clinics to four, and increasing the total number of MRI machines to seven, ranking it first in the private clinic system in Vietnam in the number of MRI machines In addition, with our strength in researching and applying nanotechnology in the production of healthcare products, 2023 was also the year we invested much in R&D, with one product completed preparation for clinical research, along with a series of grassroot-level clinical trials for other products. Competition in the market in 2023 grew. In the healthcare sector, we see a wave of investment funds and foreign corporations pouring hundreds of millions of US dollars to acquire healthcare firms in Vietnam. The signs in 2024 show that competition tends to be more stiffening amid global uncertainties, affecting Vietnams economy, including the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector as foreign-led groups still see it a lucrative arena. To stand firm and develop more, Vietlife has priorities in our business strategies. They include persistently building and developing a team of good professional doctors; optimising and improving medical services and customers experience; and diversifying distribution and sales channels.
On June 3, 2018, just three days before the completion ceremony of the first VinFast car, Vo Quang Hue test drove the Lux SA 2.0 car to try it for himself. He was the deputy CEO of Vingroup in charge of the VinFast project.

Although he had completed test driving courses on BMWs test track in Germany and had significant test driving experience under his belt, Hue still could not help but feel excited.

I had read reports from Magna Steyr and AVL, leading automotive engineering companies who partnered with VinFast at the time. They saw excellent results when testing the cars with various methods, including in different weather conditions and temperatures. However, I still wanted to personally test drive it myself. Hue reminisced.

This was his second time test driving a car in Vietnam. At the end of 1994, on the newly opened road from Hanoi to Hoa Binh, he drove the first BMW 520i assembled in Vietnam with great enthusiasm.

Hue was born in the south, then studied and lived abroad before returning to Vietnam in 1994 to oversee a project for BMW at Vietnam Motors Corporation. At a time when Hanoi still lacked streetlights, and Noi Bai Airport had only one runway, BMW had modest plans to sell 300 cars a year in Vietnam. Back then they struggled to achieve even half of their target.

Fast forward to his second test drive in Vietnam for VinFast in 2018, tens of thousands of customers had already registered to buy their cars. These registrations started coming in even before VinFast had constructed the factories, began engineering activities and hired staff. With the growing middle class, Vietnam had become one of the most attractive consumer car markets in ASEAN.

To realise his childhood dream of manufacturing cars in Vietnam, Hue started studying automotive engineering in Germany in 1970. After successful careers at BMW and Bosch, he was invited to join Vingroup and participate in founding VinFast, a car manufacturing company bearing the Vietnamese brand.

Maintaining quality

Initial skepticism spread during the debate about how VinFast could produce and release a new car model in just two years. How could they do it when Vietnam couldnt even produce a screw? Hue remembered many people saying.

They didnt understand that the global automotive supply chain had been established for a long time, so the notion of having to produce everything in-house was outdated.

According to Hue, instead of producing all components themselves, modern car companies worldwide focus on core capabilities like unique vehicle designs, integrating new technologies, cost-saving, and branding.

He explained that companies like BMW conduct global research and seek new solutions to significantly reduce in-house manufacturing breadth, continuously outsourcing component production and pre-assembly to partners at reasonable prices while maintaining quality.

However, he admitted that VinFasts development process of 22 months was miraculous even for insiders. Everything was set up in this short span of time, including car engineering activities, factory construction, purchasing agreements, shipment and installation of all required machinery and equipment, as well as the recruitment, training, and preparation of thousands of workers for the task.

The key to our success was the determination of Vingroups leaders. I didnt expect, but gladly welcomed, daily meetings with our chairman, receiving answers from him within minutes of my messages. Such a focused sprint helped the team overcome their limits, Hue said. The team not only consisted of Vietnamese colleagues but also 180 foreigners who moved away from their families to work at VinFast.

Hue had joined VinFast after 10 years as CEO of Bosch in Vietnam. He recalled that returning to Vietnam to work for Bosch was an opportunity for him to realise his student dream of contributing to Vietnams development, which began with his involvement in the student anti-war movement in West Germany.

In 2008, as CEO of Bosch in Vietnam, Hue proudly persuaded Bosch to redirect their investment plans for an automotive components manufacturing plant from China to Vietnam. This led Bosch to set up a full-fledged commercial entity in the country, becoming one of Vietnams largest European investors. Their manufacturing, business services, and research and development (R&D) provided thousands of employment opportunities for Vietnamese workers.

About 13 years ago, Hue proposed choosing Ho Chi Minh City as the location for Bosch to invest in software technology, with the initial goal of becoming a branch of the parent company located in Bangalore, India.

Today, Ho Chi Minh Citys eTown is the headquarters of Bosch Global Software Technologies. Over 4,000 people with PhDs, engineers, and foreign experts work there, with about two-thirds of them researching and developing solutions such as autonomous driving systems, providing expertise to car manufacturers in Asia-Pacific and beyond. These are innovative projects which have been managed or implemented directly by Vietnamese engineers. Boschs embedded software system solutions for VinFast cars are in part the products of Vietnamese engineers at eTown. Hue shared.

VinFast has come a long way in just a few short years thanks to people like Vo Quang Hue

We can do it

Affirming that Boschs decision to choose Vietnam as an R&D location was indeed correct, and that their target of employing 6,000 engineers by 2025 seems highly achievable.

Upon co-initiating the Engineering center which later became Bosch Global Software Technologies, Hue and his colleagues aimed to demonstrate Vietnams We can do it attitude, showing their capability for high quality research and development even in the automotive industry.

While Hue is confident in the abilities of Vietnamese graduates, he is still concerned about creating a suitable working environment in which to train them. Establishing R&D centres like Bosch requires patience and persistence, among other factors.

After 24 years working for BMW in Germany, Southeast Asia, Mexico, and Egypt, followed by his time at Bosch Vietnam and nearly three years at VinFast, Hue has decided to stay in Vietnam to further contribute to his motherland.

Looking back at the long road travelled, including 1,000 challenging days at VinFast, Hue recalls the beginnings, milestones, and journeys throughout his career in the upcoming book titled The Miles I Walked - A Journey from BMW and Bosch to VinFast. It is expected to be published this year.

Following the launch of VinFasts first vehicle series in 2020, including four gasoline car series and three electric motorcycle series, Hue decided to leave Vingroup. He is now focused on realising his vision for Vietnam to become a global hub for R&D, training, and highly skilled talent in the age of AI.

This vision leads Hue to continue participating in the Vietnam-Germany University Council, and advising vocational training projects for the German Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam and the German Development Agency. He also shares his knowledge and experience in investments, corporate capacity building, and international collaboration with Vietnamese enterprises, especially technology startups, which now is the focus of his work.

I hope that more large and medium-sized Vietnamese companies will have an R&D department to collaborate with universities and research institutes, to become sources of innovation for new manufacturing, product, and technological development. he said.

This would be a solid foundation for Vietnams competitiveness with developed countries.

Investment opportunities for automotive component manufacturers The leading 25 automotive component manufacturers from India arrive in Vietnam from August 21 to 26 to look for investment opportunities.
Nguyen Van Hai, legal head at the Investment Promotion and Connection Agency under the Vietnam Mergers and Acquisitions Community (M&A Vietnam) met with his potential investors on January 24 to discuss new industrial property M&As after the amended Land Land was announced.

Many of them have been waiting for this moment for a long time. This law will reinforce the legal framework for industrial property M&A and increase investor confidence, including in industrial property, he said.

The M&A community is eager to make moves after the news. Previously, we worked with a number of businesses and investors who said that they will make next steps in industrial assets via M&As when the amended Land Law was passed.

He went on to say that other laws and regulations like the amended Law on Real Estate Business would support the development of the market, as well as M&A activities in the industrial property segment this year. M&A Vietnam now has more than 20,000 members globally.

Vietnams current and potential cross-border deals are helping to foster growing demand in industrial property here Photo: Le Toan

Although the property market last year saw the number of newly established companies decrease by 45 per cent from 2022, and the number of bankruptcies increased, the industrial property M&A segment was a highlight.

Vu Thi Thu Ha, director of law firm ATS, said that more than 1,000 M&A transactions were completed in the segment last year with a value of more than $3.1 billion. This figure can give us confidence that 2024 will have certain improvements, Ha said.

Le Dinh Chung, deputy general director of property developer SGO Group, added that Vietnam had signed comprehensive cooperation agreements with many countries, which would lead to an increase in foreign investment in the country and growing demands in industrial property.

This will be a year of stronger development in this segment. Many players from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong are focusing on investing, he noted. This will continue to be a trend in the years to come. The adoption of the land law will be a supporting factor to the development of the segment. However, to enable its effectiveness, enforcement should be paid due attention to ensure consistency.

Dr. Nguyen Van Tuan, partner at LNT & Partners, said that real estate M&As will be affected by a number of laws that will take effect in 2025.

The Law on Real Estate Business partly solves previous legal problems. For example, it has a new regulation, which states that parties in M&A transactions can transfer real estate projects without fulfilling financial obligations. This is an open rule, he said. It also increases transparency in real estate transactions.

Despite the improvements, the enforcement of laws remains a concern among businesses and experts.

Vu Thi Thu Ha explained that she faced many challenges because of different understanding and applications among cities, provinces, and agencies.

In many cases, it feels like I am hitting my head against a brick wall because of this different understanding and performance. Some cases are simply stuck. New laws cannot support the market much if they are not enforced properly, she said.

Jean-Jacques Bouflet, vice chairman in charge of advocacy at the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam said it endorses legal reforms to promote investments in condotels, hometels, and officetels. He also suggested including clear guidelines on land use terms and the granting of land use right certificates, which may augment the interest of foreign investors to put their money into Vietnamese real estate.

These reforms, among others, are essential to boost the real estate market and contribute to Vietnams social security, continuous growth, and increasing sustainability, Bouflet said. Additionally, to further the protection of foreign investors rights, we recommend expediting the issuance of certificates in practice. This also pertains to the publication of a foreign ownership prohibited projects list that will increase the transparency of the Vietnamese real estate market for foreign investors.

Le Na, FDI Advisory Vietnam UOB The Vietnamese market now sees the trend of buying minority or majority shares among foreign investors instead of buying 100 per cent as they did earlier. Singapores businesses are eying M&A transactions in traditional industries such as logistics, industrial park development. Sembcorp Industries is an example, with the company developing many green and smart facilities in Vietnam. In 2024, the trend will focus more on sustainable development and technology. They are seeking Vietnamese businesses that can comply with international development standards. Tuan Vu, Senior associate AGS Consulting Japans population is rapidly ageing, so they want to look to foreign markets. In Southeast Asia, Vietnam is considered a potential M&A market for Japanese investors because Vietnam has good GDP growth, stable politics, and many Japanese product lovers. In 2022, Japanese financial backers bought over 130 companies in Southeast Asia, including 48 Singaporean companies and 28 Vietnamese ones. Vietnam, thus, stands higher than Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Last year up to the end of September, they bought 78 companies in Southeast Asia, including 35 Singaporean companies and 12 Vietnamese ones. This year, the industries that are expected to draw a lot of attention from Japanese businesses include logistics; warehouses as many companies have moved factories to Vietnam, thus increasing warehouse demands; and healthcare. In the first seven months of 2023, the number of M&A deals in healthcare in Vietnam reached more than $400 million. Japanese investors see Vietnam as a potential market due to increased demands for high-tech healthcare. Lately, we have received many requests from Japanese companies who are seeking to back companies providing services to hospitals, and medical facilities. Japanese investors often strongly focus and spend a lot of time on letters of intent, and when issuing this, about 90 per cent of deals are successful. Meanwhile, Chinese and South Korean investors who issue letters of intent quickly, without legal constraints, but have a high abandonment rate. Hoang Anh Nguyen, M&A manager INMERGERS Currently, there are great M&A demands from investors, but they still find it difficult to find companies that suit their needs. There are three important points that Vietnamese businesses need to change if they want to do more M&As with foreign investors. Firstly, they should change their mindset about timing. Vietnamese enterprises often consider M&As when their businesses are in a downturn. Meanwhile, foreign investors wish to find businesses that are in the process of growth. Secondly, before any deal, they should find a consulting unit to support the process, procedures, and transaction structure to approach the most favourable investors. Thirdly, they need to ensure financial transparency to create trust for investors. They are still worried that Vietnamese businesses always have two different accounting systems, and they think that it is not transparent.

Industrial real estate witnesses robust growth in Q3 Vietnam's industrial real estate sector has shown remarkable signs of growth in the third quarter of 2023, with substantial new project launches contributing significantly to the market.

More investment expected within industrial property Industrial property has been one of the hottest segments for mergers and acquisitions over the last two years. Bich Ngoc spoke with Marco Forster, head of ASEAN Advisory at Dezan Shira & Associates, on his assessment of the sector.

Industrial property to heat up as it takes on neighbours Although it was the segment achieving the best growth in property in 2023, industrial real estate is forecast to face many uphill battles in 2024.
Lunar New Year, is a time for joyous reunions, time-honoured traditions and journeys brimming with hope for the year ahead. It is also a time when Vietnamese travel back to their hometowns to reconnect with their loved ones or travel together to create lasting memories as they usher in the Lunar New Year together.

According to Booking.coms Travel Predictions 2024 research, travellers are seeking cooler destinations to escape the heat, with 82 per cent of Vietnamese travellers citing an interest in water-centric vacations this year.

This is reflected in the top 10 most searched for destinations by Vietnamese travellers for domestic travel, where six out of the 10 are beach destinations.

Besides beaches, bustling cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi with street vendors selling numerous traditional Lunar New Year delicacies, the ancient city of Hoi An, adorned with thousands of lanterns or the mountainous terrain of Sapa with awe-inspiring rice terraces are also destinations for Vietnamese travellers this Lunar New Year.

Top 10 most searched domestic destinations by Vietnamese travellers from travel on February 8-14.

1. Dalat

2. Nha Trang

3. Danang

4. Vung Tau

5. Phu Quoc

6. Ho Chi Minh City

7. Mui Ne

8. Hanoi

9. Sapa

10. Hoi An
The Waco detective who led an investigation of a Baylor University students 2016 hit-and-run death falsely wrote in an arrest affidavit for Tammy Renee Blankenship that blood was found on her vehicle, the detective testified Wednesday in Blankenships trial.

As the defense started its case later Wednesday, expert witness Tim Lovett, who trains police officers and prosecutors on how to investigate and reconstruct vehicle wrecks, said injuries David Grotberg suffered in the wreck and the damage to the bicycle he was riding do not match the damage to a 2013 Hyundai Accent police seized from Blankenship.

This Accent is not the vehicle that hit David, Lovett told the jury.

Blankenships trial started last week on second-degree felony charges of manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid in the crash that killed Grotberg. The Baylor sophomore died after a vehicle hit him at about 10 p.m. Oct. 6, 2016, while he was riding a bicycle in the 3200 block of Franklin Avenue.

Forensics

Despite what he wrote in the affidavit, tests a state crime lab completed in late 2018 on material taken from Blankenships car actually indicated there was no blood among the material tested, Waco police Detective John Clark said. In the March 2019 affidavit for Blankenships arrest, Clark falsely wrote that blood was found under rubber molding under the front windshield and along the passenger-side mirror. He also wrote in the affidavit that tests were inconclusive as to who the blood came from.

Under cross-examination by Blankenships defense attorney, Shane Phelps, Clark said he got lab test results from a Texas Department of Public Safety crime lab in November 2018 and had a conversation in January 2019 with the DPS forensic scientist who did the tests. Both the results and his conversation with the scientist confirmed evidence submitted for DNA testing from Blankenships vehicle was not Grotbergs blood, but he forgot this at the time he was writing the arrest warrant and wrote instead that Blankenships vehicle had blood on it, Clark said.

Phelps also asked Clark about a prior incident in 1999 when he wrote a misleading arrest affidavit and hit an elderly suspect. Clark said the case he was working on was dismissed in part because of the misleading affidavit. He said he lied to his superiors in the internal investigation of that 1999 incident and received a 30-day suspension without pay.

Phelps then asked Clark about a memo from 2011 citing Clarks falsifying of government records and requiring him to have all his interviews with witnesses, victims or suspects recorded and to conduct the interviews at a police office. Clark acknowledged the requirement and said that if he had to conduct an interview in the field, he would be allowed to, provided he record it with a body-worn camera or have another officer present.

McLennan County Assistant District Attorney Will Hix asked Clark about commendations in his personnel file. Clark said that in one incident he performed CPR on a teenage suicide victim. He said she survived long enough for her parents to agree to donate her organs.

Prosecutors rested their case after Clarks testimony.

Defense expert

While Phelps displayed a photo of the bent and broken rear wheel of Grotbergs bicycle for the jury, Lovett, the defense expert, said the damage to the wheel, including the way the gear sprocket had bent and the way the rim had broken, indicates the bumper that hit it was probably about 13 inches high.

Then Phelps changed the photo to one showing the front of Blankenships Hyundai Accent. Lovett called the jurys attention to a ruler next to the front bumper showing it is five or six inches off the ground.

Lovett also said Grotbergs injuries noted in a medical examiners report do not include the type of tissue damage from tiny shards of glass that would have been expected from the way the windshield of Blankenships car had cracked.

Phelps also reminded the jury that Waco police Sgt. Keith Vaughan testified earlier that Grotberg appeared to have been dragged along the pavement by the vehicle that hit him.

Lovett said those injuries are not consistent with the lack of undercarriage damage on Blankenships Accent.

Before calling Lovett, Phelps called Kyle Walton, who was Blankenships landlord in October 2016. Walton told the jury he lived over the Phoenix Ballroom in the same building where Blankenship rented an apartment at that time and he had seen her car the morning of Oct. 7, the day after Grotbergs death.

"I was walking to the ballroom and as I had to go around her car, I noticed the cracked windshield, so I looked at it and paid closer attention, Walton said. I saw that the windshield was cracked, very cracked and spiderwebbed, but still flat. It was not caved in.

Walton also told the jury under Phelps questioning that he did not see any blood, hair or skin on the Accent that morning.

Phelps put up photos of the windshield and the passenger side of the car, and Lovett explained to the jury that the car hitting a stop sign as Blankenship told Clark in her interview could have produced the kind spiderwebbed cracking, without a cave-in, as Walton described it.

Over the three weeks between the crash and when the photos were taken at a Service King repair shop, the weight of the windshield would have bowed it into the caved-in shape Clark had said could only be caused by hitting a person, Lovett told the jury.

Phelps also showed the jury Service King photos of the roof of the car and the upper corner of the windshield on the passenger side. The roof showed a very thin red streak that Lovett described as paint transfer. The cars frame in the upper corner of the windshield could be seen to be bent in a small curve that could have been the size of a stop sign pole.

Procedural delays

Testimony resumed in Blankenships trial Wednesday after procedural delays meant no testimony or evidence was presented to the jury Tuesday.

Before the bailiff called the jury in to start the day Tuesday, prosecutors objected to evidence Phelps intended to offer. Attorneys spent the morning reviewing case law before a conference in Judge Susan Kellys office in the afternoon, with attorneys, Blankenship, a police official, another official and Kellys court reporter. An hour later the bailiff released the jury, and the attorneys packed up with no discussion in open court of what happened in the conference.

Trial testimony was also delayed Friday, when a juror called in sick after testing positive for COVID-19. Kelly recessed the trial for the day, then on Monday declared the sick juror disabled from jury service and seated the alternate juror who had been observing proceedings with the rest of the jury.

Blankenship could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
America is home to more than 33 million small businesses, and more than 5 million applications for new businesses are received every year. And this path can be quite profitable: business equity represents 34% of Americans wealth from nonfinancial assets, and the typical net worth of self-employed families is more than four times higher than for families that are workers. Postsecondary education is strongly correlated with better employment outcomes, lower poverty rates, and higher lifetime earnings. But between the earning potential for business owners and the financial and opportunity costs of college attendance, its no surprise to find that more than 7.5 million Americans who own a business never attended college. Business owners without college credentials are more common in some geographies than in others, however. Researchers ranked locations according to the share of self-employed workers who completed high school or lower.
WAVERLY  After two long years, the wait for Waverly residents to try the citys first Mexican restaurant is over.

Pending a final health inspection, El Portal will open this week at 13220 Callum Dr. in Waverly. The restaurant has two other locations in Nebraska City and Auburn.

Were very, very excited, said manager Mimi Ayala. Were ready. Its been two-and-a-half long years.

The restaurant has generated palpable buzz around town since its family of owners started renovating the former Subway space in 2021. Opening was held up by pandemic-related supply chain issues for kitchen equipment, as well as the familys need to balance running the Auburn restaurant.

Weve been commuting to Auburn every day until this place opens up, Ayala said. So were as ready as the people here are. Hopefully everythings worth the wait.

She thinks it will be. The restaurant has a vast menu that she thinks can please many palates, including Mexican seafood, steaks, enchiladas, quesadillas and more, as well as house specialties like the Poco Loco, which combines steak, shrimp, chicken, bacon, jalapenos, rice and queso blanco into one concoction.

The amount of food we have on the menu and the variety gives everyone an option, Ayala said.

Other menu items include margaritas, Hawaiian fajitas, a vegetarian menu and Mexican desserts, like fried ice cream and their homemade chimi cheesecake. In total, the menu spans eight pages.

Waverlys El Portal location is a partnership between family members who have worked together at the other El Portal locations, but never in a co-ownership arrangement.

They sought out a Lincoln-area restaurant after receiving interest from numerous Lincolnites who had made the trip to the Auburn and Nebraska City locations. They considered Hickman and Waverly as possible cities for expansion.

And then we realized that Waverly doesnt really have a lot of food options, Ayala said. Thats when we were like, Waverly it is.

She said she and her family pride themselves on fast and attentive service, and theyre often able to get customers in and out the door in less than 45 minutes. Tom Giffee, husband of restaurant manager Rosa Giffee, said hes seen people get their food in seven minutes or less.

A lot of people in Nebraska City and Auburn can come to El Portal, and they can get in and out within a 30- or 40-minute lunch break, Giffee said.

Giffee and Ayala know Waverly residents are excited to try out their new restaurant option, and multiple Waverly families couldnt stand the wait any longer, visiting the Auburn or Nebraska City El Portal locations within the past week.

Tracy Hernandez of Waverly and her husband Leo have stopped at the Nebraska City location several times since they heard El Portal would be opening in their hometown.

Every time we went by Nebraska City, we stopped, Hernandez said. The food is amazing, and it seems the people running it are equally amazing.

Giffee cautioned, though, that people should be prepared for waits in the first week or two, as the restaurant space already doesnt have much elbow room. He said expansion could be a possibility in the future.

I think were going to outgrow it, probably in the first couple days, he joked.

But once the customers are seated, Ayala said theyll receive great service. She said she has butterflies in the days leading up to the restaurants opening, and they wont go away until she gets in the groove and sees the operation gelling smoothly.

For me, thats the most important thing, making sure we have good customer service, and just making sure everything is running okay, Ayala said.

At that point, she and the other servers will do what they do best  socialize with customers and, eventually, develop real friendships with them. Ayalas sister Giselle said thats what shes looking forward to the most. Giffee said some of the restaurants Auburn customers celebrate Christmas with them, and one of Giselles Auburn customers officiated her wedding.

Were excited to meet new customers and build those friendships here, Ayala said.

El Portals hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Monday.
ST. LOUIS  Top-selling forms of dicamba, the weedkiller that has ignited widespread controversy across agriculture for much of the last decade, can no longer be sprayed over the tops of crops across the U.S., according to a federal court ruling issued in Arizona.

The ruling strips federal approvals of the product sold by three leading manufacturers  Bayer, BASF and Syngenta  forbidding it from being applied on top of soybean and cotton varieties that are engineered to withstand the herbicide and that have helped it become so widely used.

The decision, issued Tuesday, affects such dicamba use in all 34 states where it had previously been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, including many farming powerhouse states.

If it stands, the decision is sure to send shockwaves through the agriculture world  with implications for farmers who use it, and for others who have complained of wide-ranging damage to crops, plants and trees, sparked by the chemical, which is known to vaporize and drift off target.

The EPA said in an email on Wednesday that it was reviewing the decision.

Bayer  which sells both the chemical and the dicamba-tolerant seed varieties, originally developed by Monsanto  said that its path forward would largely hinge on the agencys response or guidance.

We respectfully disagree with the ruling  and we are assessing our next steps, Bayer said in an emailed statement. Our top priority is making sure growers have the approved products and support they need to safely and successfully grow their crops. We will keep our customers updated as we learn more from the EPA in advance of the 2024 growing season.

Industry experts and analysts said the chemical companies could negotiate something short of an all-out ban.

But it is an important product for Bayer, said Damien Conover, a stock analyst with Morningstar. If this case leads to them being unable to sell product in the U.S.  thats a significant setback.

Meanwhile, the ruling was cheered by food and environmental organizations, such as the Center for Food Safety and the Center for Biological Diversity, among the groups that sued to block the chemicals use.

Dicamba has plainly caused some of the worst damage (to U.S. farms) weve ever seen, Meredith Stevenson, the staff attorney leading the Center for Food Safetys involvement with the case, said in a phone interview Wednesday.

The legal clash marks merely the latest conflict in dicambas contentious, and litigious, history. Though the chemical has been around for several decades, in the past 10 years, agribusiness titans such as Monsanto catapulted it into a top option for farmers, as weeds developed resistance to alternative herbicides like Roundup.

Use of dicamba skyrocketed after the company introduced cotton and soybean varieties that were engineered to withstand it  allowing farmers to spray those crops directly. But its soaring use has accompanied damage complaints on millions of acres of other farms  and even forests  where crops and plants are susceptible to harm.

Dicamba disputes have created a substantial rift in agriculture, on one hand helping unlock major yields for many adopters, but also pitting neighbor against neighbor. The controversies have fueled a pipeline of lawsuits  spanning row crops, vineyards, orchards and beekeepers  along with state-by-state legal wrangling about how to manage the products.

One lawsuit, for instance, resulted in a jury saying that a Missouri peach farmer was entitled to a massive payout for damages to his orchard, with liability shouldered by dicamba producers like Bayer and BASF. Meanwhile, other cases  like the one in Arizona  have challenged the EPAs underlying approval of the chemical to be sprayed over the top of crops.

In the Arizona case, Judge David Bury said the EPA had improperly sidestepped legal requirements about public comments surrounding dicamba  a very serious procedural error, he wrote.

The EPA denied the public its statutory right to meaningfully weigh in during the decision-making process, Bury wrote. He added that, since 2016, groups opposed to or at risk from dicamba have not been afforded an opportunity to be heard to create a record of objections to be considered by the EPA.

More details accompanying the ruling are expected to be released in the next week or so, said Stevenson, the food center attorney. That might help explain, for instance, how to handle dicamba products that are currently for sale or that farmers may already have in their possession.

In June 2020, a similar ruling that temporarily barred dicamba products from use allowed those who had already purchased them to use them that year.

But this latest court decision  coming in February, ahead of planting  could be different and come with far narrower exceptions, if any, Stevenson said.

And this one might be lasting, she thinks, instead of quickly reversed. The 2020 decision, for instance, was negated by the EPA just four months later, when the agency reapproved over-the-top use of the dicamba in question.

Id be shocked if EPA tried it again, said Stevenson. This product is repeatedly causing national damage. ... Its just catastrophic.

Annika Merrilees of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
CEDAR FALLS  Prairie Rapids Audubon Society will host award-winning ecologist and author Connie Mutel at Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church.

Mutel is editor of the new book "Tending Iowas Land: Pathways to a Sustainable Future" (University of Iowa Press 2022). "Tending Iowas Land" is the first book to comprehensively consider challenges to Iowas soils, water, climate, and native biodiversity.

Its 28 contributing authors explain the origins of these problems and present visions for a healthier, more resilient future. By intermingling science-based chapters with essays by Iowans who are actively addressing current problems, "Tending Iowas Land" creates an energizing call to action.

Mutel's book received the 2023 Midwest Book Award for Nature. She was recently recognized as one of Iowa's Nature Champions for her efforts at writing and speaking about Iowa's natural history and environmental challenges.

A silent auction of bird- and nature-related items will held with treats and social time afterward.

The public may attend.

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WATERLOO -- The Cedar Valley Woodworkers will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Waterloo Center for the Arts.

The business meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. and at 7 p.m. members will show and describe their favorite jig or tool. Members will display items at the show-and-tell. Guests, woodworkers and the public are welcome to attend.
By SA Commercial Prop News

Leonardo developer, Legacy Group canceled the contract with construction group, Aveng in a dispute about delays.



The developer of the R3 billion Sandton skyscraper, the Leonardo, has shown the troubled construction company, Aveng, the exit door after terminating its contract.

The Leonardo is a mixed-use development and Africa's tallest building, developed by the Legacy Group and Nedbank, designed to house 254 apartments, a three-floor penthouse and five floors of office space, as well as shops and restaurants.

In a dispute about delays, Aveng said on Thursday that it had received a notice terminating its role in the construction of the Leonardo, which it has been a part of since it won the contract in 2015.

But the firm says its not going to take this lying down, because it believes the termination is ill-conceived and is a breach of contract between it and the Leonardo owners.

"Aveng has received a notice purporting to terminate the contract for the construction of the Leonardo in Sandton from Seventy Five on Maude (Pty) Limited, which is part of Mr. Bart Dorresteins Legacy Group," said Aveng in a statement published on the Stock Exchange News Service (SENS).

The company said the Leonardo owners have also called on the construction guarantee, a surety bond that Aveng put up when it signed the contract. This has put Aveng in the red by R87.4m. This will worsen an already dire situation for the company, which has lost more than 99% value of its share price in the past three years and has been recording annual losses since 2014.

The Leonardo's record height and proximity to key areas of interest such as the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the Sandton City has made it a highly anticipated project, but it suffered delays. Aveng said despite those delays, it does not believe it should be stripped off the contract because "responsibility and consequence" are being disputed.

Avengs position is that the grounds for termination relied on by the employer are incorrect, inaccurate and ill-conceived, and are accordingly denied. Furthermore, Aveng is of the view that the employer is itself in material breach of the contract, which precludes the possibility of a valid termination," said Aveng.

The construction firm said it intends to recover its damages resulting from the termination because it considers the Leonardo to be "practically complete" for its intended use. As for the call on the construction guarantee, the company said it is seeking advice on what recourse it has because it considers the action as improper too.

Aveng, a former construction giant, is quitting the troubled local construction industry, which is a shadow of itself as a result of a lack of government infrastructure spend.



The group has sold a number of noncore assets after a review of its strategy in 2018. The sold assets include Aveng Grinaker-LTA Construction which the group sold to the black-owned Laula Consortium in 2019 for R100m.
CEDAR FALLS -- The next 2nd Sunday Speaker Series event at Hartman Reserve will feature John (Andy) Anderson, Ph.D., at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Community Room at Hartman Reserve Nature Center.

Anderson will describe his climb to the top of Mount Everest and other adventures hes accomplished since the climb. In May 2017, Andy and a cousin became the first Iowans to reach the summit of Mount Everest from the north (Tibet, China).

There is no cost to attend, and no registration is necessary.

Anderson has bicycled across the USA, but is best known as a mountain climber of such notable mountains as Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and the tallest mountain in Eursia, Mount Elbrus.

Anderson is associate professor of supply chain management in the Business College at the University of Northern Iowa.

For more information, or if you have an interest in being a series speaker, call (319) 277-2187. The main entrance to Hartman Reserve Nature Center is located at 657 Reserve Drive.

Photos: Mount Everest
WAVERLY  More than 2,300 students are enrolled in the Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District this school year, a slight decrease from last year.

The districts seven schools currently have 2,281 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, compared with 2,304 during the 2022-2023 school year. The Iowa Department of Education recently released enrollment figures statewide based on an Oct. 1 count date.

Nearly all of the decrease occurred at the high school level. The combined enrollment of the high school and Greenview Alternative School was down 19 students, from 802 to 783. The middle school had three less students and enrollment dropped by one child between the four elementary schools.

Waverly-Shell Rocks budget enrollment  the per-pupil amount state funding is based on  totaled 2,183.70, a decrease of 14.03 from last year. This total includes adjustments to the actual number of students in the schools, accounting for those who come into or leave the district. Among those entering the district are home-schooled or nonpublic school students taking some district or college classes. Each of those add up to less than one pupil since theyre not full-time public school students, resulting in the budget enrollments decimal point.

Waverly-Shell Rock has 187 students open enrolled into the district and 114.9 open enrolled out of the district. That compares to 189 and 107, respectively, last year.

The district also has 122 students enrolled in its 4-year-old preschool program this year, compared to 120 a year ago.

Superintendent Ed Klamfoth said the states new education savings accounts, which allow families to use public school dollars for private school tuition, were a factor in the decline. Seventy-three students utilize ESAs in the district.

Our enrollment has increased in 14 of the last 17 years, so this one year is not a serious concern, Klamfoth said.

Photos: Waverly-Shell Rock at Forest City girls basketball, Jan. 23
CEDAR FALLS  Progress was seemingly on display at Mondays City Council meeting as it pertained to the Hearst Center for the Arts, College Hill and proposed homes north of Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School.

A planned rebuilding of the Hearst is a public project expected to largely be covered by private contributions. A future vision for College Hills revitalization will be supported by public and private projects and initiatives, but will be rolled out by city officials.

More than 50 acres may be developed for single family homes north of the school by Panther Builders, a construction firm owned Brent Dahlstrom, though 50% of the cost for the planned Arbors Drive extension to the north will be covered by the city.

None of the three undertakings are signed, sealed and approved as decisions exist down the road that may impact whether they reach their respective finish lines.

Hearst 2.0

The final report on the Hearst Center for the Arts master plan and proposed reconstruction was presented by Heather Lynxwiler, a project architect with OPN Architects, and Cory Hurless, the citys cultural programs supervisor.

No objections were voiced by councilmembers, only questions, in front of a crowd of supporters in the chambers. Up for approval next will be a fundraising feasibility and campaign study as most of the cost is expected to be covered by private contributions.

Interested people had already been introduced to the findings a few months ago at an open house.

The final design and construction contracts and plans will come at a later date, between fiscal years 2026 and 2028, on the new space to better meet the needs of the community and address building deficiencies on the same site as the current structure at 304 W. Seerley Blvd.

The adjacent lot, 224 W. Seerley Blvd., includes the Red House artist studios building and is proposed to be demolished to make way for the project. An addition and renovation would bring the footprint from 12,000 to 20,000 square feet.

A hybrid of mostly construction and some renovation of the current space is estimated to cost $6.93 million for the construction and sitework, though consideration is still being given to a complete rebuild between $7.75 million and $8 million.

That decision may hinge on the results of the fundraising study and how much is expected to be raised.

College Hill vision

The council passed in a 5-2 vote the College Hill vision plan. It had been adopted in 2021 but repealed by the council before a change in members following the November election. Former Mayor Rob Green had vetoed the councils action but was overruled by a supermajority.

Councilmembers Daryl Kruse and Dustin Ganfield opposed the plan. Theyre the remaining members of that previous council majority which voted to rescind the document out of concerns that certain initiatives, like new zoning, would be automatically drafted for the area if adopted.

The citys professional staff will bring back recommendations on next steps specific to the core of the area needing to be revitalized. That was requested by Councilmember Aaron Hawbaker.

A back-and-forth about how to proceed has plagued the council for several months now because of concerns over what an approved vision plan represents.

Lots near Aldrich

After some concern had been voiced about a buffer being reduced for new homes north of Aldrich Elementary School, 2526 Ashworth Drive, the plans were quickly clarified by officials. The hearing had been postponed last month on the proposed rezoning and land use map amendment needed to accommodate the future construction.

The unanimous vote happened so swiftly that people from the previous public discussion, on an issue of a proposed cease-fire resolution relating to the conflicts in the Middle East, were still filing out of the chambers.

Panther Builders President Kevin Fittro suggested to The Courier that action had been delayed so the council could get some better understanding on the issue largely concerning the possible impacts of the greenway on the Dry Run Creek.

The 54 acres, for approximately 130 single family lots, sits south of Greenhill Road and still needs to be platted.

In other business, the council unanimously voted to:

Schedule a Feb. 19 public hearing on a revised development agreement with Dahlstroms CV Commercial for future construction of an L-shaped, 31,200-square-foot apartment and commercial building at 2119 College, 1003 W. 22nd and 922 W. 22nd streets.

Accept the resignation of Julie Kliegl from the Human Rights Commission.

Amending the lease with MercyOne, dating back to 1997, for land at its current hospital site at 515 College St. The terms would be extended through Dec. 31, 2026. The agreement expired Dec. 1, 2021, according to a memo from Administrator Ron Gaines. MercyOne will pay $15,120 for unpaid rent and interest. Officials clarified that its only a small piece of the land where an administrative building sits. (Councilmember Chris Latta abstained).

Approving the purchase of two parcels for $66,000 from the Iowa Department of Transportation given up during the reconstruction of Iowa Highway 57/West First Street. The city is working with Habitat for Humanity to utilize the lots for affordable housing.

Executing a three-year lease agreement with Century Farms for the citys 390 acres of agricultural land, known as the Belz Farm, outside of town off West 12th Street in Black Hawk County and Grundy County. Century was the highest bidder at $401 per acre, or $128,320 annually, from eight proposals. Only 320 acres is farmable at a time. The revenue goes into the citys health trust fund.

Photos: UNI women's basketball vs. Drake, Feb. 3
WASHINGTON  Just before the Senate voted Wednesday to kill the border deal he spent the last four months negotiating, Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford climbed a set of marble stairs outside the chamber and joined his wife in the visitors' gallery.

As the Republican quietly watched from a floor above, briefly the outsider after defending his legislation in a last Senate floor speech, fellow negotiator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona was down on the floor excoriating the Republicans who abandoned Lankford, one by one, after insisting on a border deal and asking him to negotiate a compromise on one of the country's most intractable issues.

"Less than 24 hours after we released the bill, my Republican colleagues changed their minds," said Sinema, a former Democrat turned Independent. "Turns out they want all talk and no action. It turns out border security is not a risk to our national security. It's just a talking point for the election."

Walking out of the gallery with his wife close by his side, Lankford was asked by a waiting reporter if he felt betrayed by his party. He sighed, deeply, and waited a few beats.

"I'm disappointed we didn't get it done," Lankford said. "I don't know if I feel betrayed, because the issue is still there. It's not solved."

In the end, all but four Republicans voted against moving forward on the legislation  including Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who delegated Lankford to negotiate the bill combining Ukraine aid and border security and was closely involved in the negotiations.

A former youth minister in the Baptist church, Lankford, 55, is known as one of the most sincere and well-liked members of the Senate. He's a conservative who rarely votes against his party, has long championed stricter measures at the border and has been supportive of former President Donald Trump. So his colleagues' swift and outright rejection of the deal he has spent weeks and months negotiating  and their willingness to completely abandon Lankford in the process, after many of them indicated they were supportive of the direction of the talks  is all the more remarkable.

"They reacted to it like it was a poison," said Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, the third negotiator with Lankford and Sinema, of Senate Republicans who previously suggested they were supportive. "I think it's unforgiveable what they did to James."

"They really threw the man overboard," President Joe Biden said of Lankford at a fundraiser Wednesday evening.

While some Republicans were always going to vote against the compromise, arguing that no policy is better than what they saw as weak policy, others made clear they were encouraged by the talks as Lankford briefed them on the emerging details.

But his colleagues' rejection of the bill highlights the deep divides in the GOP as Trump, the party's front-runner for the 2024 presidential nomination, has made immigration a top issue. Some senators who previously were open to a deal changed their minds after Trump made his opposition clear.

It is also a sign of dysfunction and paralysis in the Senate as its traditionally bipartisan image fades in favor of more partisan, House-like battles.

When he took on the job negotiating a border compromise, Lankford laughed that "he drew the short straw." Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., joked later that if Lankford can't get a deal done: "Moses couldn't get a deal done. He's one of the most kindest, compassionate people I've met in my lifetime."

His fellow negotiators described him as an earnest, smart legislator who was willing to spend long hours digging into the intricacies of immigration law  and spent weeks away from his family in the process. Murphy said senators often negotiate the broad policies and let staff do the "dirty work" of putting the ideas into legislative text.

The Oklahoma Republican has spent the last three days desperately trying to explain the bill after many of his colleagues put out statements opposing it without even reading the full text. Some Republicans put out misleading statements about what it would do, claiming it was designed to let more people into the country.

Trump, who has strongly opposed the bill and said he doesn't want to give Democrats a win on the issue, gleefully bragged that he helped kill it.

"I think this is a very bad bill for his career, and especially in Oklahoma," Trump said of Lankford on a radio show this week.

Lankford's work on the issue could have lasting political consequences. A group of about 100 people within the Oklahoma GOP put out a statement condemning him for crafting the bill even before it was released.

In his Senate floor speech Wednesday, Lankford spoke of an unidentified "popular commentator" who told him that if he tries to move a bill to solve the border crisis, "I will do whatever I can to destroy you, because I do not want you to solve this during the presidential election."

Today in history: Feb. 8 1952: Queen Elizabeth II 1960: Hollywood Walk of Fame 1971: NASDAQ 1973: Watergate Committee 2007: Anna Nicole Smith 2020: Coronavirus 2021: Tesla 1693: William & Mary 1968: Orangeburg
WASHINGTON  A special counsel report released Thursday found evidence that President Joe Biden willfully retained and shared highly classified information when he was a private citizen, including about military and foreign policy in Afghanistan, but concluded that criminal charges were not warranted.

The report from special counsel Robert Hur resolves a criminal investigation that had shadowed Biden's presidency for the last year. But its bitingly critical assessment of his handling of sensitive government records and unflattering characterizations of his memory will spark fresh questions about his competency and age that cut at voters most deep-seated concerns about his candidacy for reelection.

Beyond that, the harsh findings will almost certainly blunt his ability to forcefully condemn Donald Trump, Biden's likely opponent in November's presidential election, over a criminal indictment charging the former president with illegally hoarding classified records at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

Despite abundant differences between the cases, Trump immediately seized on the special counsel report to portray himself as a victim of a two-tiered system of justice.

Yet even as Hur found evidence that Biden willfully held onto and shared with a ghostwriter highly classified information, the special counsel devoted much of his report to explaining why he did not believe the evidence met the standard for criminal charges, including a high probability that the Justice Department would not be able to prove Bidens intent beyond a reasonable doubt, citing among other things an advanced age that they said made him forgetful and the possibility of innocent explanations for the records that they could not refute.

In remarks at the White House, Biden denied Hur's assertion that he shared classified information, saying, "I did not share classified information. I did not share it with my ghostwriter.

He also angrily lashed out at the special counsel for questioning his recollection of his late son Beau's death from cancer. How in the hell dare he raise that?" Biden asked, saying he didn't believe it was any of Hur's business.

And in response to Hur's portrayal of him, Biden insisted to reporters that My memory is fine," and said he believes he remains the most qualified person to serve as president.

Biden's lawyers blasted the report for what they said were inaccuracies and gratuitous swipes at the president. In a statement, Biden said he was pleased Hur had reached the conclusion I believed all along they would reach  that there would be no charges brought in this case and the matter is now closed.

He pointedly noted that he had sat for five hours of in-person interviews in the immediate aftermath of Hamas's October attack on Israel, when "I was in the middle of handling an international crisis.

I just believed thats what I owed the American people so they could know no charges would be brought and the matter closed, Biden said.

The investigation into Biden is separate from special counsel Jack Smiths inquiry into the handling of classified documents by Trump after Trump left the White House. Smiths team has charged Trump with illegally retaining top secret records at his Mar-a-Lago home and then obstructing government efforts to get them back. Trump has said he did nothing wrong.

Hur, a former U.S. Attorney in the Trump administration, was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland as special counsel in January 2023 following an initial discovery by Biden staff of classified records in Washington office space. Subsequent property searches by the FBI, all coordinated voluntarily by Biden staff, that turned up additional sensitive documents from his time as vice president and senator.

Hur's report said many of the documents recovered at the Penn Biden Center in Washington, in parts of Biden's Delaware home and in his Senate papers at the University of Delaware were retained by mistake.

Biden could not have been prosecuted as a sitting president, but Hurs report states that he would not recommend charges against Biden regardless.

We would reach the same conclusion even if Department of Justice policy did not foreclose criminal charges against a sitting president, the report said.

But investigators did find evidence of willful retention and disclosure of a subset of records found in Biden's Wilmington, Delaware house, including in a garage, office and basement den. The files pertain to a troop surge in Afghanistan during the Obama administration that Biden had vigorously opposed. He kept records that documented his position, including a classified letter to Obama during the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday.

Documents found in a box in Biden's Delaware garage have classification markings up to the Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information Level and other materials of great significance to him and that he appears to have personally used and accessed. Hur, though, wrote that there was a shortage of evidence" to prove that Biden placed the documents in the box and knew they were there.

Some of the classified information related to Afghanistan was shared with a ghostwriter with whom he published memoirs in 2007 and 2017. As part of the probe, investigators reviewed a recording of a February 2017 conversation between Biden and his ghostwriter in which Biden can be heard saying that he had just found all the classified stuff downstairs.

Prosecutors believe Bidens comment, made at a time he was renting a home in Virginia, referred to the same documents FBI agents later found in his Delaware house. Though Biden sometimes skipped over presumptively classified material while reading notebook entries to his ghostwriter, the report says, at other times he read aloud classified entries verbatim."

The report said there was some evidence to suggest that Biden knew he could not keep classified handwritten notes at home after leaving office, citing his deep familiarity with the measures taken to safeguard classified information and the need for those measures to prevent harm to national security. Yet, prosecutors say, he kept notebooks containing classified information in unlocked drawers at home.

He had strong motivations to do so and to ignore the rules for properly handing the classified information in his notebooks, the report said. He consulted the notebooks liberally during hours of discussions with his ghostwriter and viewed them as highly private and valued possessions with which he was unwilling to part.

While the report removes legal jeopardy for the president, it is nonetheless an embarrassment for Biden, who placed competency and experience at the core of his rationale to voters to send him to the Oval Office. It says that Biden was known to remove and keep classified material from his briefing books for future use and that his staff struggled and sometimes failed to get those records back.

Even so, Hur took pains to note the multiple reasons why prosecutors did not believe they could prove a criminal case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Those include Bidens limited memory both during his 2017 recorded conversations with the ghostwriter and in an interview with investigators last year in which, prosecutors say, he could not immediately remember the years in which he served as vice president. Hur said it was possible Biden could have found those records at his Virginia home in 2017 and then forgotten about them soon after.

Given Mr. Bidens limited precision and recall during his interviews with his ghostwriter and with our office, jurors may hesitate to place too much evidentiary weight on a single eight-word utterance to his ghostwriter about finding classified documents in Virginia, in the absence of other, more direct evidence, the report says

We have also considered that, at trial, Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview of him, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory, investigators wrote.

In addition, prosecutors say, Biden could have plausibly believed that the notebooks were his personal property and belonged to him, even if they contained classified information.

In an interview with prosecutors, the report said, Biden was emphatic with investigators that the notebooks were my property and that every president before me has done the exact same thing.

Special counsels are required under Justice Department regulations to submit confidential reports to the attorney general at the conclusion of their work. Such reports are then typically made public. The dual appointments in the Biden and Trump cases were seen as a way to insulate the Justice Department from claims of bias and conflict by placing the probes in the hands of specially named prosecutors.

Garland has worked assiduously to challenge Republican claims of a politicized Justice Department. He has named special counsels to investigate not only the president but also his son, Hunter, in a separate tax-and-gun prosecution that has resulted in criminal charges.

But in this case, Biden's personal and White House lawyers strongly objected to the characterizations of Biden in the report and to the fact that so much derogatory information was released about an uncharged subject like the president.

Bidens personal attorney Bob Bauer accused the special counsel of violating well-established norms and trashing the president.

The special counsel could not refrain from investigative excess, perhaps unsurprising given the intense pressures of the current political environment. Whatever the impact of those pressures on the final report, it flouts department regulations and norms, he said in a statement.

But a public outcome was basically sealed once Garland appointed a special counsel.

Regulations require special counsels to produce confidential reports to the attorney general at the conclusion of their work. Those documents are then generally made public, even if they contain unflattering assessments of people not criminally charged.

Read more:
Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (8 February 2024)

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

In Kupyansk direction, the Zapad Group of Forces units repelled five attacks launched by assault groups of AFU 30th, 44th mechanised, 25th airborne, and 13th national guard brigades near Sinkovka (Kharkov region) and Terni (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 30 troops, four pick-up trucks, and one U.S.-made M777 howitzer.

In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces units improved the situation along the front line and supported by artillery repelled two attacks launched by assault groups of AFU 60th mechanised, 12th special operations brigades close to Yampolovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic) and Serebryansky forestry.

The enemy has lost up to 230 troops, three infantry fighting vehicles, and five motor vehicles.

In Donetsk direction, the Yug Group of Forces units captured more favourable line and positions, as well as inflicted fire at manpower and hardware of AFU 22nd, 92nd mechanised brigades close to Kleshcheyevka and Andreyevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 310 servicemen, one tank, and four motor vehicles.

In the course of the counterbattery fire, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system, one D-20 and one D-30 howitzers, and one MT-12 anti-tank gun.

In South Donetsk direction, the Vostok Group of Forces units and aviation hit manpower and hardware of the AFU 72nd Mechanised Brigade and the 128th Territorial Defence Brigade close to Ugledar and Makarovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemy has lost more than 155 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, one Akatsiya and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, and one D-20 howitzer.

In Kherson direction, units of the AFU 35th Marines Brigade and the 121st Territorial Defence Brigade suffered losses near Tokarevka and Zolotaya Balka (Kherson region).

The enemy losses were up to 25 troops and three motor vehicles.

In the course of the counterbattery warfare, one U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS and one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system were eliminated.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 114 areas during the day.

Fighter aviation of Russian Aerospace Forces has shot down one Su-25 aircraft of Ukrainian Air Force near Novotroitskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Air defence systems intercepted 12 Czech-made Vampire MLRS projectiles over the past 24 hours.

Moreover, 73 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been shot down close to Yagodnoye (Kharkov region), Kremennaya (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Novomikhailovka, Nikolayevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic), and Lyubimovka (Zaporozhye region).

In total, 570 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 12,040 unmanned aerial vehicles, 462 air defence missile systems, 14,938 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,218 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,995 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 18,369 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

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WtR
A Chippewa Falls Middle School student's internet searches triggered a police investigation into a "serious" threat of violence in October 2023. Parents of students at the school first learned about the incident Tuesday.

According to a redacted police report first reported by Louder with Crowder, while investigating the online searches made by the student, officers discovered a paper notebook in which the student said they took inspiration from the Columbine school shootings, said they hated girls who objectified themselves and that buying PVC pipe, duct tape, steel wool and nine-volt batteries was the first stage in their plan.

I plan to use this to kill multiple students at my school. This will be the next Columbine. I will kill the most people I can by using explosives that I make myself, the student's notebook continued. All the problems that I face will be worth it after I kill the (expletive) jocks and those (expletive) preppy (expletive) girls. They need to die, and then they will go burn in hell.

Then the author states, according to police reports, That is when I will kill myself and I will go to the void because that is what I believe.

Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District Superintendent Jeff Holmes and Chippewa Falls Middle School principal Derrick Kunsman sent a letter to parents across the district acknowledging the incident occurred in October. The email states, At no time were any of our students at risk or in harm's way, thanks to our middle school staff's dedicated efforts. Our staff is trained to be alert to threats, issues, rumors, unusual behavior, and countless other matters that may impact on school safety.

According to police reports, Dan Downey of the Chippewa Falls Police Department stated he was informed Oct. 23 by Chippewa Falls Middle School dean of students Cory Hahn of several Aristotle alerts. An Aristotle alert comes from a program that notifies school administration of certain words that are typed into school Chromebooks. These range from a variety of racial slurs to the words bomb or shooting.

The first Aristotle alert came on Oct. 22, according to the police report. It took place at about 1:30 a.m. and was titled, Complete story of Columbine shooting. Less than 10 minutes later the same user, whose name has not been released, searched how to make a pipe bomb and how to make a nail bomb, according to police reports.

There were further Aristotle alerts from said user, including visits to 13 different websites about bomb making, according to police reports. One of the videos watched by the student was on how to make improvised thermite grenades. Another was titled legal bombs how we make explosives and not go to prison.

According to a redacted police report from Nov. 1, school staff discovered a manifesto for a school threat.

A notebook was later found in the students possession, which included what the police report repeatedly refers to as a manifesto.

After reviewing the manifesto, school officials told police they believed this was a serious threat. The manifesto included detailed plans on how the student intended to massacre classmates at the school. The police report indicates a portion of the students notebook was dedicated to making a teargas bomb.

The student mentioned that they (hate) being in school and that the kids are awful and they are bullies, according to the police report.

At one point the student, according to police reports, wrote that the only solution was death, before writing, I think all preparation will be done before the end of the school year.

The student was identified and parents are working with law enforcement and school officials, according to the police report.

It was not clear whether the student is still enrolled at Chippewa Falls Middle School or whether any charges have been filed in juvenile court as a result of the investigation.

The Chippewa Herald requested the unredacted version of the police report but has yet to receive it.

The school district says its staff is proactive and intervene before problems can take hold, fester and become far more serious.

As everyone knows, a school district is prohibited under state and federal law from providing personally identifiable information about student discipline," according to a statement from the district. "We appreciate parents' concern and frustration that, at times, we cannot share as much information as we would like; we can only hope that our community will understand that we must follow the law and, if you think about it, almost any parent would want us to use the utmost discretion if it was about their child.

The letter states that student safety and welfare should not be sensationalized.

The district said that it works to protect children as if they were their own.

We can never be sure, but there is a strong possibility that our middle school staff prevented a concern from becoming a tragedy. We are grateful to them and hope you will applaud their efforts.

All our children have a right to attend our public schools. It is our job to teach them, but we also must participate in addressing students' behavior, the letter states.
Season 21 of Bravos Top Chef program, filmed in Wisconsin, will begin airing March 20, with one contestant from Milwaukee, the NBC cable network said Wednesday.

The Wisconsin season has 14 episodes, a spokeswoman from NBCUniversal said.

The episodes, 75 minutes long this season, will air from 8 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Wednesday nights. They will be available the next day on the Peacock streaming service, according to a press release.

Representatives of Top Chef, which has been airing since March 2006, said in July that it would film its upcoming season in Wisconsin, and was in Madison and Milwaukee over six weeks starting in late August.

Members of the media who sat in on some of the filming werent allowed to give away locations and werent filled in on some other details of the show until now.

The rotating judging and dining panel this season includes local chefs and restaurateurs. They are Itaru Nagano and Andrew Kroeger, chef/owners of Fairchild; Joe Papach and Shaina Robbins Papach, owners of Harvey House; and Tory Miller and Kristine Miller, co-owners of LEtoile.

Others are Wisconsin comedian Charlie Berens; Paul Bartolotta, co-founder and owner of The Bartolotta Restaurants in the Milwaukee area; and celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, who owns a number of prominent New Orleans restaurants.

From a cutthroat cheese festival featuring some of Wisconsins Award-winning cheesemakers to showcasing the versatility of Door County cherries and Wisconsin-grown cranberries, theres no room for error as the judges narrow down the competitors each week to find this seasons winner, the publication Food & Wine wrote Wednesday.

The show brought the chefs to Wisconsin, the magazine said, to show off everything the Midwest has to offer. And truly, its a season as representative of Wisconsin as it gets.

Milwaukee chef among contestants

Milwaukee chef and Chicago-native Dan Jacobs, the chef/co-owner of Milwaukees DanDan and EsterEv restaurants, will compete as one of 15 cheftestants.

Jacobs, who moved to Milwaukee in 2011, worked at the Milwaukee restaurants Roots, Wolf Peach and Odd Duck before opening his Chinese-American restaurant DanDan with chef/co-owner Dan Van Rite in 2016.

His story is made more compelling because in 2016 he was diagnosed with Kennedys disease, a neuromuscular condition commonly mistaken for ALS. It causes muscle atrophy and makes it difficult for him to swallow, speak, walk and use his hands.

Being on Top Chef has always been a dream of mine, Jacobs said in a statement. When they announced that Season 21 was taking place in Wisconsin it felt like fate. What an honor to represent our region.

Jacobs and Van Rite recently earned a sixth James Beard semifinalist nomination in the category of Best Chef: Midwest, for their work at EsterEv, their fine dining restaurant inside DanDan.

His Top Chef bio says he moved to Milwaukee with his wife, Kate, looking for a change of scenery. It says that he is on the board of the Independent Restaurant Coalition, and was one of four people to speak online to President Joe Biden on behalf of the independent restauranteurs in 2020. He was instrumental in helping the Restaurant Revitalization Fund raise $28.6 billion in 2021, it said.

Its amazing to see Milwaukee represented in such an incredible way, Jacobs said. As the only Wisconsin-based contestant on this season, I take a lot of pride in representing our incredible culinary community that has inspired me to be where I am today.

Food & Wine reported that the cheftestants who go the distance will hop a flight to board a cruise ship for the finale, in which they need to prepare an eight-course, fish-tasting menu for the penultimate episode. For the final meal, the remaining chefs are asked to prepare the best four-course meal of their lives.

Top Chef judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons and host Kristen Kish sat down with reporters when they were in town and spoke about their experiences filming in Wisconsin but didnt give away other information.

Kish, the shows Season 10 winner, is the programs new host.

Two decades in, show is an institution

In the show, which has gotten Emmy, James Beard and Critics Choice awards, chefs from across the country compete for the Top Chef title and a $250,000 prize.

Colicchio, a celebrity chef who co-founded the Gramercy Tavern in New York City, and Simmons, a Canadian-American food writer and cookbook author, are executive producers for the series. Padma Lakshmi hosted for the last 19 seasons.

The show has had many international adaptations and spinoffs in the past 18 years. It has filmed seasons in New Orleans, Boston, Kentucky and Colorado and other U.S. cities.

Season 20, World All-Stars, was based in London and brought together former Top Chef competitors from around the world.

One challenge this season takes the chefs to the home of the Milwaukee Brewers for their Famous Racing Sausages Race. The Top Chef version has them tasked with cooking and elevating five different types of sausages.

The contestants also observe an old-fashioned Door County fish boil before creating their own with some help from Top Chef alumni. In Madison, the chefs pull together a high-end, clever take on a supper club menu and visit the Dane County Farmers Market to do their shopping for a special Quickfire challenge with guest judge W. Kamau Bell, according to Bravo.

When Top Chef was filming in Madison, the community enthusiasm was unbelievable, Ellie Westman Chin, president and CEO of Destination Madison, said in a statement Wednesday. We know that when viewers see our culinary scene and our communitys passion for food, they will be amazed at what Madison and Wisconsin has to offer.
A failed light fixture is believed to be the cause of a fire that caused residents at Prairie Ridge Assisted Living Center in Waupun to be evacuated on Monday night.

No injuries were reported.

Waupun fire crews responded to Prairie Ridge Assisted Living, 819 Wilcox St., at 7 p.m. for a report of a fire in an outlet, Waupun Fire Chief B.J. DeMaa said in a press release. While en route, crews were informed that a Waupun police officer had used a fire extinguisher to put out a ceiling light that had been burning.

Prairie Ridge staff had noticed smoke coming from a light fixture and pulled the fire alarm, DeMaa said. When fire units arrived, smoke was coming from a common area of the assisted living side of the facility and residents were in the process of being evacuated by facility staff.

Crews were sent in to ensure the fire was out and to check for fire spread. Additional crews completed a search of the building and finished evacuating residents. Once crews confirmed the fire was out, ventilation was started to clear smoke from the building.

Lifestar EMS, Waupun first responders and additional fire crews assisted facility staff with moving the residents to the dining hall portion of the building, which was unaffected by the fire, and completing a roster check. All 28 residents were accounted for.

Fire personnel were at the scene for a little over an hour working on ventilation and assisting with the moving of residents. Once ventilation was complete, a walk-through of the building was conducted and all areas except for the common area in the assisted living portion of the building were cleared for residents to return.

The Prairie Ridge Assisted Living building is composed of two primary areas: an assisted living side and a community-based residential facility (CBRF) side. The incident occurred on the assisted living side of the complex, which has 27 rooms and 28 residents. Residents on the CBRF side were briefly evacuated and then told they could return as the incident did not impact that area of the building.

The facility has a sprinkler system, however, it did not activate due to the early suppression of the fire, DeMaa said.

A damage estimate was not available. Fire damage was limited to the light fixture and the carpet below the fixture in the common area.

All residents were allowed to return to their rooms for the evening.

The fire investigation indicated that a failed light fixture caused the fire.

Agencies assisting included the Waupun Police Department, Waupun first responders, Lifestar EMS and the Fond du Lac County Communications Center.

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Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel speaks during hearing on Capitol Hill in June 2020. The FCC is outlawing robocalls that contain voices generated by artificial intelligence to protect consumers and voters against scams. Alex Wong/Associated Press The Federal Communications Commission has ruled unanimously that phone calls using artificial intelligence to simulate human voices are illegal under existing law, meaning the government can issue fines, and attorneys can sue the perpetrators. Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press

Spam or robocalls that use artificial-intelligence generated voices will be banned in the United States after a unanimous ruling from the Federal Communications Commission that aims to crack down on the emerging technology used in scams and efforts to mislead voters.

The ruling comes after a company apparently using artificial intelligence faked President Joe Bidens voice during the New Hampshire primary to encourage people not to vote.

Last month, California Attorney General Rob Bontas office urged the FCC to crack down on robocalls, including those using AI-generated voices, noting they are the No. 1 consumer complaint made to the Federal Trade Commission year after year. Bonta and 25 other state attorneys general were responding to an inquiry from the federal agency about how to prevent AI being used in scam calls and texts. The attorneys general suggested fake voices could be regulated under existing law.

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Bontas office said it was pleased in an email Thursday, adding that Todays decision is important for consumer protection and election integrity. Outlawing AI-generated robocalls is a step in the right direction in preventing consumers from receiving unwanted and potentially dangerous robocalls, and in this case, to quell the spread of disinformation.

The calls are not just a nuisance. The FCC estimated that fraudulent calls and texts led to more than $1.13 billion in losses across the country in 2022. The number of phone scam victims in the U.S. nearly tripled between 2017 and 2022, according to a Truecaller/Harris Poll.

In the ruling announced today, the FCC said AI-generated voice calls fell under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, a 1991 law aimed at preventing unwanted calls using prerecorded voices. Although that law passed well before the current AI boom, the new technology falls under its parameters, the agency said.

Bonta and 50 other attorneys general announced a task force to investigate the New Hampshire robocalls earlier this week. They said the calls were made using services from two Texas companies and came at the behest of New Hampshire political officials.

In a statement, FCC Chairperson Jessica Rosenworcel condemned the technologys use to confuse voters, but also its use for other scams such as using AI-generated voices to fool elderly people into thinking their grandchildren are in danger and in need of help, commonly called the grandparents scam.

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One Bay Area family nearly fell victim to a similar scam using AI-voice cloning that tried to bilk them out of more than $15,000.

The ruling from the FCC means the agency can fine companies that use AI voices in calls and block the telecommunications providers that carry the calls. State attorneys general can also sue under this authority, as can private attorneys.

Individuals can recover $1,500 per call under existing federal law, and companies can face significantly steeper fines.

Blocking spam calls at their point of origin, AI-generated or not, has long been a point of attack for authorities confronting a growing problem that often involves calls coming from overseas.

Last year, the FCC tried to crack down on these kinds of calls coming from overseas, putting pressure on telecom companies to stop them before they reach consumers or face fines and penalties.

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Bonta and other law enforcement officials in 2022 demanded the FCC turn off that spigot of spam and scam calls they said originated from overseas but that appear to come from U.S. numbers to trick unsuspecting citizens into handing over valuable personal information or money.

Phone scams can be extremely convincing when aided by AI technology, but there are a few straightforward strategies to avoid being ripped off.
Sauk Prairie High School received a major state boost for its trade education program and revealed a revitalized technical education wing on Tuesday.

A Workforce Innovation Grant of just over $2.4 million helped fund the high schools revamped Advanced Manufacturing Lab, which features modern manufacturing and welding equipment and connects all four department rooms. The district received the grant funding through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, or WEDC, and the Department of Workforce Development in 2021.

The renovated area was completed in January and had a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday with current and former students, trade instructors, district officials, area business leaders and representatives from state government agencies.

Sauk Prairie High School already has more students in recognized apprenticeship programs than any other school in our region, district Superintendent Jeff Wright said. Many of these apprenticeships are in the trades. This new lab helps ensure that students have access to similar technology and equipment they are likely to encounter in these apprenticeships and will help expose students to the choices they have as they plan for life after high school.

Xander Crowder, a senior at Sauk Prairie High School who is looking to pursue a welding career, said he did introductory welding while in middle school at the high school lab. He said the new equipment is better than the previous welding material and the digital machines are easier to set up and use.

I feel a little bit more comfortable going into that career, Crowder said of his use of modern equipment. I feel more confident than I was before. Definitely enjoying this class now.

New equipment in the lab includes upgraded computer numerical control, or CNC, machines, digital welding devices, larger welding booths with gas lines directly linked to them, and upgraded tools. Newly-installed doors link the Advanced Manufacturing Lab with the schools automotive, wood and finishing rooms, eliminating the need to go from one room to the next via hallways.

This new classroom and equipment help us figure out what we like, sophomore Logan Ballweg said in a WEDC news release. Now I see career options I didnt think about before. Its pretty neat that we have it.

Its an opportunity for us to give them  students  the real-world experience, said Jacob Brickl, a technology and engineering instructor at Sauk Prairie High School. When our students come in here, they have an opportunity to work on the equipment they are going to see in the industry and make them more prepared for it.unded revamp, the lab was dark and dirty, school principal Chad Harnisch said. The state funding helped modernize and create a more open concept with increased room to work and roam, he said. Each new large machine was more than $10,000, Harnisch said, emphasizing the importance of the grant.

It allows us to start training kids for exactly what they need to do when they walk into the workforce tomorrow, Harnisch said, adding that modern manufacturing is largely done by programming machines instead of physically operating them.

We know that we need to equip our up-and-coming workers with the skills that they need to be successful and the skills that our employers need to remain competitive, Jennifer Sereno, assistant deputy secretary for the Department of Workforce Development, said prior to the ribbon cutting.

Students also have apprenticeship opportunities, including businesses that partnered with the school on the project such as Milwaukee Valve, which has a location in Prairie du Sac, and McFarlane Manufacturing, a farm equipment supplier in Sauk City.

Our local advanced manufacturers helped select the equipment that they felt would best prepare students for apprenticeships and long-term employment, Wright said.

Sauk Prairie High Schools new manufacturing lab is open to community members as well as students. The Workforce Innovation Grant also helped fund the schools new greenhouse and its Medical Careers Lab. Wright said community feedback drove the districts decisions for how it would spend the funds.

It has been incredible to see the way the community has come together and worked together to create these different facilities and give you all the opportunity to learn like you are, WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes said to students.
A longtime family-owned Portage business has merged with a fifth-generation family owned business from Milwaukee, with hopes to continue company growth along with providing more support and products to Central Wisconsin's building market.

Portage Lumber announced a merger with Milwaukee-based Bliffert Lumber on Feb 1.

"Partnering with Bliffert is about growth," said Kimberly Dorn, operations manager of Portage Lumber. "For us it's growing the business, for them they can expand further north. ... This will help us touch on more customers and we can have a better reach, have a better connection and have more opportunity to provide product to our customers. If we don't have it, one of our other (partner) locations will."

The Dorn Family said it attributes its strong position in the lumber market and longevity in business to its focus on customer service, which it plans to continue, as Kimberly Dorn, the former marketing director, human resource manager and general manager, represents the third generation of the Dorn familys ownership and management and will continue to run the branch as operations manager.

Though they will keep their offices at Portage Lumber, new retirees Dennis Dorn and Ron Dorn said they will be taking a big step back from their respective positions as CEO and president to become "ambassadors" for the company.

"We are in our 70s, and retirement is something Dennis and I thought about occasionally," Ron Dorn said.

"We were not a company that was struggling," Dennis Dorn said of the merger. "This was all about succession and about who we were going to partner with moving forward."

Rare Wisconsin round barn is revived, open for visitors Built more than 100 years ago, the barn was moved in 2022 to Vesperman Farms and is once again full of life, sans cows and hay.

Ron and Dennis said they considered other options -- such as owning company stock and managing the business, and owning company stock and not managing the business -- but they felt taking on a partner that could help to grow the business, and keep its family tradition intact, was ultimately their best choice.

Portage Lumber started in 1953 when Ray Dorn, the father of Ron and Dennis, became manager and part owner of a new lumberyard opening in Portage, and moved his family from nearby DeForest, where he worked as manager of a farm cooperative, the Dorn brothers said.

Bliffert Lumber started in 1904 and has been working with contractors and homeowners in the southeastern Wisconsin market for more than 120 years. The company has helped to grow its communities by supplying building materials to hospitals, stadiums, new homes and several other projects.

Bliffert has 14 locations in Wisconsin. Some of its most recent additions include the purchase of three Chase Lumberyards in the Madison area last year.

Owner and CEO Eli Bliffert said the company is excited about adding a new business to its family and is looking forward to seeing the location continue to excel.

Portage Lumber Company celebrates 70 years of business "Customer service is timeless," said Kimberly Dorn. "It will never be something people won't want and it something that kind of sets us apart from other companies nowadays."

He said Portage Lumber's current supplier will stay the same, its hardline goods will stay the same, and truck deliveries will continue to come on the same days. Blifferts' main focus will be helping to grow the business in Portage, and not to come in and start changing store operations, he added.

"What we will help with is capital stuff," said Bliffert. "We have a bunch of lumberyards, so the bulk buying power of commodities like lumber, drywall, treated wood, decking and windows will help bring the prices down some and will hopefully allow us to grow the business."

Bliffert said he expects lumber prices at Portage Lumber to decrease for customers due to the fact that its stock of lumber materials will at least double.

"That's always what we are shooting for when we move into a new market," said Eli. "Whatever we are doing, we want to double."

"It's not just a step," said Dennis Dorn. "It is a huge step. The buying power is tremendously effected by this. Even with some of the big brands, windows, doors. ... Buying those items in a big group increases our efficiency and ultimately our customer benefits from that."

Portage residents benefitting from the lumber company has always been at the forefront of Dennis' and Ron Dorn's minds -- and something Kimberly Dorn said they made sure will continue to happen.

"Ron and Dennis have always been very involved in the community," said Kimberly. "And I have tried to be as well. ... Customers are the people who are supporting you, so it is important that you give back as much as you can and get involved as much as you can. That is something Eli wants to make sure that we are able to continue to do as a company."

She said Portage Lumber plans to keep its current staff intact, as they are the people who community members are familiar with -- not necessarily the owners, who can sometimes be behind the scenes.

"It was very important to Eli that we keep the same team and keep moving in the direction that we have been going, just with more support to be able to grow," she said.
Legislative Republicans on Wednesday advanced the GOPs latest tax cut proposal, which would dramatically expand Wisconsins second income tax bracket and provide tax credits to Wisconsin retirees and parents.

The state Assembly is expected to vote on the measures Tuesday. While Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has said hell consider a tax cut that focuses on Wisconsins middle class, the governor has remained largely silent on the specific bills likely to reach his desk in the near future.

Legislative Republicans unveiled their latest tax cut plan about two weeks ago. The proposal calls for expanding Wisconsins second tax bracket, which currently covers individuals making between $14,320 and $28,640 and joint filers earning between $19,090 and $38,190.

The tax cut, paired with tax credits included in the package, would reduce Wisconsins total income tax revenue by just over $2 billion per year in fiscal 2024-25 and $1.4 billion per year after that, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

The four measures passed the Republican-controlled budget committee Wednesday on 11-4 votes, with all Democratic members opposed.

Speaking to reporters in Darlington earlier in the day, Evers said he had not yet read the bills and will offer an opinion after they reach his desk.

Havent seen them yet, so I wont begin to judge, Evers said when asked about the package of bills. Im always looking for opportunities to make our tax system more fair. Hopefully theyre doing that, but until I see the final results I cant make that judgment. I dont know what it looks like  any number of things can be put in those bills that I would not like  but well take a look.

While Evers has said hes open to tax cuts that dont prioritize the states highest earners, the governor has said increased funding for child care centers to make up for expiring federal funds remains one of his top goals.

Speaking at the Wisconsin Counties Association conference in Madison on Tuesday, Evers said hell consider one of the proposals included in the package that would provide tax credits to parents but added, that is not going to solve the issue.

The beauty of these four packages is the governor has the option to pick and choose which is of the best benefit, Rep. Terry Katsma, R-Oostburg, said Wednesday. I think theyre all good, but this gives opportunities for him to choose.

In November, Evers vetoed a Republican proposal to reduce the income tax rate from 5.3% to 4.4% for people in the states third tax bracket, a vast category covering individuals earning between $28,640 and $420,420 a year and married filers earning between $38,190 and $405,000.

He vetoed the same proposal when he signed the state budget in July. Hes likely to reject another proposal, AB 386, that proposes the same third-bracket tax cut along with a similar retirement tax exemption that was released Tuesday.

In July 2021, as Evers approached a November race for his second term in office, which he ultimately won, the governor signed the states GOP-authored budget, which included more than $2 billion in income tax cuts.

The tax cut brought down the income tax rate from 6.27% to 5.3% for individual income between about $24,000 and $263,000 a year, or between $32,000 and $351,000 for married filers.

We keep sending (Evers) tax cuts, Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August, R-Lake Geneva, said at the Wisconsin Counties Association conference on Wednesday. He continues to find excuses to veto those. So if he wants to have a serious conversation about tax cuts, Im all ears. But it seems like he only talks about tax cuts when its election time.

The package

Under the latest proposal, the 4.4% rate for that bracket would be expanded to individuals making up to $112,500 or joint filers making up to $150,000.

The average Wisconsinite would pay $454 less in taxes under that bill, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, but the amount varies depending on income.

Those making between $60,000 and $70,000 would save an average of $189, while Wisconsinites making between $250,000 and $300,000 would save an average of $965, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau found. Thats because Wisconsinites with incomes outside of the proposed tax bracket would still be paying lower taxes on the amount covered by the modified bracket.

Under the proposal, the total tax decrease in 2024 would be $742 million.

Rep. Tip McGuire, D-Kenosha, described the measure as fiscally irresponsible.

This will lead to a deadly deficit, he said.

Another bill in the package would remove taxes on up to $75,000 in retirement income from, for example, 401(k) accounts and pension funds for individuals 67 or older. For couples, the first $150,000 in retirement earnings would be exempt.

The average Wisconsinite would save $1,582 under the proposal in 2024, while tax revenue for the state would drop by about $466 million that year, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

A third proposal would expand the marriage income tax credit from $480 to $870. The average couple would save $338 under that proposal, according to a Legislative Fiscal Bureau analysis, and it would reduce the states overall tax revenue by about $160 million in 2024.

An additional proposal would increase tax credits to $10,000 for one child or dependent or $20,000 for two or more children or dependents. Annual tax revenues would go down by about $73 million in 2024, or $656 per person, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

Today in history: Feb. 7 1948: Omar Bradley 1962: John F. Kennedy 1964: The Beatles 1984: Spacewalk 1985: Enrique "Kiki" Camarena 1991: Jean-Bertrand Aristide 2009: Lake Erie 2014: Sochi Olympics 2018: Los Angeles Times sale 2020: Donald Trump 2021: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
UW-Madison aims to get all of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030 and have net-zero emissions by 2048  the universitys 200th anniversary  as part of a new sustainability plan to combat climate change.

While sustainability initiatives at UW-Madison are not new, the latest push is the first to encompass all aspects of campus.

Reaching UW-Madisons 2030 goal will take serious assistance from its energy partners, largely from Madison Gas and Electric, as space on the 900-acre campus is limited for generating the amount of renewable energy the university needs. UW-Madison also will need to develop more solar on campus as it constructs new buildings.

The net-zero emissions goal, which includes UW-Madisons electricity use and all of its heating and cooling plants, will be a heavier lift. Hence the longer timeline, said Missy Nergard, sustainability director for Facilities Planning and Management.

The next shift is going to be to something thats less carbon intensive. Were looking at electrification and different fuel sources, and solar and battery storage and micro grids, Nergard said. And theres actually a study out right now ... looking at what are the different pathways that the institution can take to decarbonize by 2048.

UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin announced the latest sustainability initiative during her second-annual speech to the UW Board of Regents on Thursday, saying the university owes it to the people of the state to be responsible stewards of the environment.

This initiative builds on UWMadisons great Wisconsin Idea, our tradition of innovation for the public good, Mnookin said. It prioritizes issues that affect the people and communities of our state ... these goals set us on our way while building on the great strides weve taken in recent years.

In addition to reducing UW-Madisons carbon footprint, the initiative also looks to establish a hub by this spring where staff can get assistance with facilitating large-scale sustainability research and connecting with others on campus interested in cross-campus collaborations.

The initiative also seeks to make UW-Madison a zero waste campus by 2-4- through improving material management systems; increase capacity in sustainability-related degree programs to meet student demand; and improve the campus environmental responsibility rating from silver to gold.

The new Computer, Data and Information Sciences building under construction will feature solar panels, rainwater collection and a green roof, where vegetation planted on the roof will reduce the buildings urban heat island effect by removing heat from the air and reducing the temperature of the roof by 30 to 40 degrees. A solar farm partnership with Alliant Energy at UW-Madisons Kegonsa Research Campus northwest of Stoughton could generate enough energy to power 450 homes, for which UW-Madison will get renewable energy credits.

UW-Madison will be playing catch-up to some of its fellow Universities of Wisconsin schools, though. UW-Stevens Point, known for its environmental science program, was the first UW system university to source all of its energy needs from renewable sources, nearly a decade ago, through purchasing energy derived from renewable sources and reducing its energy consumption.

Good stewards

The plan comes as climate change is showing tangible, and often detrimental, impacts on the states people, economy and crops.

December 2023 was the warmest in Wisconsin and many other Midwest and Great Plains states since record-keeping began in the 1880s, a report from UW-Madison state climatologist Steve Vavrus said. The average temperature was 10.9 degrees higher than the average in the past 30 years.

Developing a campuswide sustainability plan was a priority for Mnookin when she came to UW-Madison in 2022, Nergard said, and the university is building on prior progress.

UW-Madison has made strides toward its sustainability goals in recent years. Its heating plant switched away from burning coal to natural gas, as well as other biomasses, in 2012. It purchases about 5% of its electricity from a 20-megawatt, MGE-run solar farm in Fitchburg. Nergard said the university hopes to purchase additional solar power from future MGE solar farm projects.

In 2006, Facilities Planning and Management launched its We Conserve program, and in four years UW-Madison reduced its energy use by 25% by upgrading heating and cooling systems in buildings that are major energy users.

Our faculty would say the time was 50 years ago, when we started Earth Day, she said. It hasnt been just that we are doing it now  weve been doing stuff all along. I think (Mnookins) vision, and sharing that vision so everyone understands and is part of the solution, has been probably the biggest change.
Looking for a detailed comparison of AOD-9604 vs. Ipamorelin, including their research history, properties, and mechanism of action? In this comprehensive review, we look at studies that have suggested the hypothesized properties of Ipamorelin and AOD-9604, such as:

impact on muscle cell development

impact on fat tissues

impact on bone density

We will provide further information on the compound's workings as suggested by research studies. We will also provide information about the supplier we highly suggest for obtaining research-grade Ipamorelin and AOD-9604 for laboratory use.

AOD-9604 Peptide: What is it?

The substance known as Anti-Obesity Drug 9604 is an analog of growth hormone (hGH) with alterations made to its C-terminal portion. Australian business Metabolic Pharmaceuticals produced this peptide fragment in the late 1990s. Studies suggest that synthetic hGH's 191-amino-acid molecule may contain several mechanisms that produce many biological effects.

Research suggests the final fifteen amino acids of growth hormone (hGH)the C-terminal segment, also known as AOD 9401 or hGH 177-191may mediate the hormone's effects on fat burning. As previously stated, the insertion of tyrosine to the N terminus is the only change to AOD-9604 from the original hGH 177-191 fragment. Except for the disulfide bridge between the two cysteine amino acids (Cys182 and Cys189), which are located at positions 7 and 14 in the case of AOD-9604, the other portions of the structure are indistinguishable from the 177-191 amino acid sequence of hGH.

Investigations purport that when a disulfide bridge is present, the peptide may become stable and active, and tyrosine is added to the N-terminus. AOD-9604 has been studied for a range of possible applications in research:

Most of its research has focused on its potential in the context of weight. Unfortunately, due to studies' ineffectiveness, AOD 9604's development as an anti-obesity adjuvant was halted in 2007.

In experimental animal models of osteoarthritis, AOD-9604 has been evaluated for possible pain management.

The Australian pharmaceutical firm Lateral Pharma looked into the peptide in the context of neuropathic pain and migraines, but the outcomes appeared to be no different from those of a placebo.

Ipamorelin Peptide: What is it?

Ipamorelin, or NNC 26-0161, is a pentapeptide produced from GHRP-1, a growth hormone secretagogue (GHS). GHRP-1 is an opioid receptor-agnostic met-enkephalin analog. Two GH secretagogues, GHRP-1 and Ipamorelin, have been hypothesized to increase growth hormone production by binding to the pituitary gland's ghrelin receptor.

Findings imply that by inhibiting the production of other pituitary hormones, including ACTH and prolactin, Ipamorelin may promote growth hormone release more selectively than other GHS class members. It was created to replicate that action to potentially increase peristalsis in the digestive system as ghrelin does in the digestive system.

It has been suggested in laboratory research that Ipamorelin's potential to increase GH and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) may provide properties while presented. Among the theorized properties might be:

possible muscle cell development and proliferation

possible increase in contractile force

possible increase in bone mineralization and density

AOD-9604 vs. Ipamorelin

A thorough evaluation of how Ipamorelin and AOD-9604 may function suggests that Ipamorelin may increase growth hormone synthesis, and AOD-9604 might replicate some of the effects of hGH. The two compounds are believed to work differently and have different impacts. Regarding the processes by which they work:

When given to animal research models, Ipamorelin is speculated to increase hGH levels within 40 minutes by stimulating the pituitary's GHS-R1a. Studies suggest the peptide might affect hGH production during a three-hour and two-hour half-life.

Research suggests that AOD-9604 does not seem to affect the animal's production of hGH or IGF-1. Yet, via as-yet-ununderstood processes, it seems to enhance lipolysis in the organism. A preliminary study indicates these processes could be comparable to those with hGH supplementation. These may include enhanced lipolysis in adipocytes and activation of the adrenergic receptors.

Regarding the consequences that each may have:

Studies purport that Ipamorelin presentation may increase serum GH, hunger, and weight. According to preclinical research, Ipamorelin seems to cause a substantial increase in hunger and weight gain associated with both muscle and fat in the animals. Additionally, under catabolic situations, some animal studies have suggested a 54% rise in IGF-I and a decrease in muscular strength loss.

On the other hand, it seems that AOD-9604 might cause weight reduction, namely fat loss. In animal studies, it has been theorized to cause a significant reduction in body fat. One study indicated that obese Zucker rats given the peptide appeared to have 23% higher lipolytic activity, as evaluated by glycerol release from fatty tissue, and the rats seemed to have shed around half their body weight in only 19 days.

Ipamorelin has been speculated to promote weight and muscle growth, while AOD-9604 might potentially promote weight reduction.

References

[i] Valentino, M. A., Lin, J. E., & Waldman, S. A. (2010). Central and peripheral molecular targets for antiobesity pharmacotherapy. Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, 87(6), 652662. https://doi.org/10.1038/clpt.2010.57

[ii] Stier, H., Vos, E., & Kenley, D. (2013). Safety and Tolerability of the Hexadecapeptide AOD9604 in Humans. Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 3(1-2), 7-15.

[iii] Jeoung, D. I., Allen, D. L., Guller, S., Yen, V., & Sonenberg, M. (1993). Mitogenic and receptor activities of human growth hormone 108-129. The Journal of biological chemistry, 268(30), 22520 22524.

[iv] Ng, F. M., Jiang, W. J., Gianello, R., Pitt, S., & Roupas, P. (2000). Molecular and cellular actions of a structural domain of human growth hormone (AOD9401) on lipid metabolism in Zucker fatty rats. Journal of molecular endocrinology, 25(3), 287298. https://doi.org/10.1677/jme.0.0250287

[v] Heffernan, M., Summers, R. J., Thorburn, A., Ogru, E., Gianello, R., Jiang, W. J., & Ng, F. M. (2001). The Effects of Human GH and Its Lipolytic Fragment (AOD9604) on Lipid Metabolism Following Chronic Treatment in Obese Mice and 3-AR Knock-Out Mice. Endocrinology, 142(12), 5182-518

[vi] Cox, H. D., Smeal, S. J., Hughes, C. M., Cox, J. E., & Eichner, D. (2015). Detection and in vitro metabolism of AOD9604. Drug testing and analysis, 7(1), 3138. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.1715

[vii] Hartvig, R. A., Holm, N. B., Dalsgaard, P. W., Reitzel, L. A., Muller, I. B., & Linnet, K. (2014). Identification of peptide and protein doping related drug compounds confiscated in Denmark between 2007- 2013. Scandinavian Journal of Forensic Science, 20(2), 42-49.

[viii] Isidro, M. L., & Cordido, F. (2010). Approved and OffLabel Uses of Obesity Medications, and Potential New Pharmacologic Treatment Options. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 3(1), 125145. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph3010125
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Bay Area attorney Scott Rafferty has demanded that the San Francisco Unified School District shift from citywide board elections to smaller district races by November or face a lawsuit that could cost millions of dollars in legal fees. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

The San Francisco Unified School District is used to its share of political upheaval and court battles, but the legal hand grenade tossed at the district demanding a change to how school board members are elected sent shock waves across the city.

Bay Area attorney Scott Rafferty has demanded that citys school officials shift from citywide board elections to smaller district races by November or face a lawsuit that could cost millions of dollars in legal fees.

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The switch will probably influence who is elected or re-elected, with potential shifts in how the board decides divisive issues.

President Lainie Motamedi said the board will vote on the matter Tuesday and that even though the district doesnt believe its violating the California Voting Rights Act, or CVRA, we value fair and just elections and do not wish to engage in a costly lawsuit on this matter.



A Chronicle investigation published late last year showed how a small group of lawyers has earned millions in recent years by taking advantage of generous legal incentives to sue school districts and cities over the CVRA.



Heres what you need to know as the school board nears this monumental vote:

What exactly are district elections vs. the way they are now?

Currently, the seven-member school board is elected in citywide votes, with the top vote-getters winning the open spots. Four seats are up in presidential election years, with the other three elected in the even-numbered off years. The terms last four years.

Attorneys, empowered by the landmark state voting law, have been demanding cities, school districts and other public agencies using such an at-large system now convert to district-level elections, with constituents divided into separate voting areas, choosing a candidate to represent them.

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Whats the reasoning for changing to district elections?

The CVRA, which was passed in 2002, seeks to give minority voters in the state better representation. In theory, district elections give neighborhoods the ability to choose their own elected officials, ensuring those representatives better reflect the minority communities. But the Chronicles investigation found mixed results and unintended consequences.

Does the California Voting Rights Act require district elections rather than citywide voting?

No. The law favors district elections over citywide voting, but doesnt require it.

So if the school board is already majority people of color, why would the school district be in violation of the act?

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The citys school board has five minority members, but thats not the only criteria used to determine whether an elected body is in violation of the act. Voter representation is the primary criteria, so its more about whether those elected proportionally represent the city.

Critics have said cities, school districts and other elected bodies across the state are at the mercy of attorneys sending demand letters. These attorneys can get a $40,000 taxpayer-funded check for mailing one letter without even offering evidence of a violation of the law. Why arent more government agencies fighting this?

While some have raised concerns that attorneys challenging public agencies on their compliance with the CVRA are getting rich off of it, the law offers little wiggle room in terms of how to defend their citywide elections. Small discrepancies in voter representation are enough to lose in court. Few if any public agencies in the state have succeeded in such a challenge.

Santa Monica is often cited as the most significant example, with the still-unresolved case going up to the state Supreme Court and then back down again. If the city loses, it will be on the hook for $22 million and counting in legal fees to the plaintiffs attorney.

How has the switch to district elections worked out in other cities?

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The results have varied. In some cases, the elected bodies have become more diverse, as largely white members are replaced with minority officials, with the overall makeup more closely resembling the communitys demographics. In other cases, the opposite is true.

Overall, there have been more uncontested elections, given the smaller pool of possible candidates. And in other cases, the change has led some far-right candidates to victory, helping them take over school boards and pass policies that restrict LGBTQ rights.

What would it mean for the San Francisco school board?

Thats the big question. Moving to districts would very likely mean new faces on the school board, in part because some current board members live near each other and would likely be in the same district.

It could also mean an advantage for special interests, based on what has happened in other communities. Each candidate has a smaller area to focus.

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What does this mean for divisive issues facing the school district such as the budget, Algebra I in middle schools and admission at Lowell High School?

Under citywide or district elections, it all depends on who is elected. The board has shifted back and forth over these issues, depending on the makeup of the members. That would remain the case.

Doesnt the City Charter dictate how the school board is elected?

Only in terms of how many seats are up in each two-year election cycle. The city attorneys office said otherwise, its up to the district to determine whether the election is citywide or broken into districts.

How would all this work in terms of the November election?

The City Charter calls for four board seats to be up for election in presidential election years. The terms of board members Kevine Boggess, Matt Alexander, Jenny Lam and Mark Sanchez are up this year.

The law calls for the first elections under the new system to be in the districts with low voter turnout, whether incumbents live in those districts or not. The boundaries cannot be drawn to favor or discriminate against an incumbent or challenger, according to the law, although legal experts say that doing both at the same time appears to be contradictory.

The three board members not up for election would continue to represent the entire city, with the next election in 2026 completing the process and filling the seats of the remaining districts.

Didnt City College also get a demand letter? Whats happening there?

Yes. City College got a demand letter the same day as the school district. So far, school officials have not commented on whether they will respond or fight the effort.

What happens next?

The school board is scheduled to vote Tuesday on the proposal to not contest the demand. This would mean paying Rafferty for his accrued legal fees and then starting the process to create the districts.
Its not unusual for scientists to look for new uses for drugs that are already on the market for other conditions. A case in point: Various researchers have been investigating whether a drug commonly prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction could help prevent and treat Alzheimers disease. 

The results have been a bit of a roller coaster as ongoing research has emerged. Evidence suggests the drug may be working by improving blood flow in the brain and possibly other ways as well.

The evidence builds 

First, a study led by experts at Cleveland Clinic found that taking sildenafil (brand name Viagra) could dramatically reduce a persons risk of developing Alzheimers disease, though the authors said more research is needed. Sildenafil, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998, is also used to help people with pulmonary hypertension exercise more comfortably.

In the study, published in a 2021 issue of the journal Nature Aging, researchers analyzed health insurance claims from more than 7 million people and found that those who used sildenafil were 69 percent less likely to develop Alzheimers disease after six years of follow-up, compared with nonusers. Interestingly, the study found that use of sildenafil reduced the likelihood of Alzheimers in people with coronary artery disease, hypertension and type 2 diabetes  all of which are associated with an increased risk of Alzheimers  as well as in those without these high-risk medical conditions.

Using a complex network of methodologies, the study team screened a database of 1,608 FDA-approved drugs for medications that could be effective preventive agents or treatments for Alzheimers, based on their ability to interact with key proteins that play a role in creating the amyloid plaques and tau tangles that are hallmarks of the disease. Sildenafil emerged as a leader. Other medications that were investigated in the study include diltiazem and losartan (both used to treat hypertension) and glimepiride and metformin (both used to treat diabetes). In a head-to-head comparison with users of these drugs, people who took sildenafil were found to have a 55 to 65 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimers.

Study coauthor Feixiong Cheng, a researcher in Cleveland Clinics Genomic Medicine Institute, cautions that the findings highlight an association and do not prove a causal connection.

But then a study published in a 2022 issue of the journal Brain Communications  part of the National Institutes of Healths Drug Repurposing for Effective Alzheimers Medicines (DREAM) study  contradicted those promising findings. The study used data from two groups of Medicare beneficiaries with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Nearly 10,000 people were being treated with a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, including sildenafil and tadalafil (Cialis), and a comparative group of just over 3,000 people were taking other drugs to treat their hypertension. The researchers found that neither sildenafil nor tadalafil reduced the risk of Alzheimers and related dementias over time.

In 2023, the pendulum swung the other way again: In a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, a team of researchers, which included Cheng, found that use of sildenafil was associated with a reduced likelihood of developing Alzheimers disease, compared to four other antihypertensive drugs, among nearly 19 million older adults over time. And in a study published in a 2023 issue of PLoS One, researchers evaluated an association between use of sildenafil and tadalafil and Alzheimers, based on medical records for more than 1.4 million patients in an Arkansas health system. They found that both men and women 65 and older who took these drugs for pulmonary hypertension were less likely to have developed Alzheimers.

The latest research, published Feb. 7, 2024, in the journal Neurology, found that men who took sildenafil and other medications like it for erectile dysfunction were 18 percent less likely to develop Alzheimers disease than people who did not take the drugs. The association was strongest among men who were issued the most prescriptions over the five-year study period.

Study author Ruth Brauer, of the University College London, said in a news release that the results are encouraging but that they warrant further research, including a randomized controlled trial.

These observational studies are very speculative, but I think theyre interesting in terms of exploring new options and potential treatments for Alzheimers disease, says Ronald Petersen, M.D., director of the Mayo Clinic Alzheimers Disease Research Center, who was not involved in the studies. Its an example of how people are thinking more expansively about potential treatments for Alzheimers disease, he added, referring to the drug repurposing strategy. What we need is a randomized clinical trial on this.
These days you have more options for preparing your taxes than filling out forms by hand.



Mail or upload records to your accountant and let a professional handle the details.

to your accountant and let a professional handle the details. Deliver the paperwork and meet in person.

and meet in person. Put your financial information into tax software and file your own taxes  though you might have to summon a human expert along the way.

About 55 percent of people ages 50 to 64 and 59 percent of those 65 and older paid a tax preparer to file their most recent federal return, according to a 2021 IRS survey. A third of 18- to 24-year-olds did so.

But in all, 53 percent of the adults surveyed paid a human tax preparer. Some of the reason is likely a confusing tax code.

Now some tax preparation companies are looking at another alternative: artificial intelligence (AI).

AI isnt replacing your human tax expert

AI wont replace a living, breathing certified public accountant (CPA) or tax attorney anytime soon. But even if its not this year, AI will increasingly play a role in the way many folks get their taxes done.



Already two of the largest tax prep companies, H&R Block and Intuit, have added generative AI into their products and services, both behind the scenes and in ways more visible to users. 

In simple terms, generative AIs can generate text, images and other content based on how theyre prompted by a user and the massive amounts of data they were trained on.

In fall 2023, Intuit, which produces the popular TurboTax do-it-yourself software, announced a generative AI financial assistant called Intuit Assist. It works across the companys product lines, including TurboTax software and TurboTax Live.

H&R Block followed with its own AI-fueled offering. H&R Block AI Tax Assist is billed as a product designed to streamline tax preparation for individuals, the self-employed and small-business owners.

What tax questions can an AI answer?



Whether youre doing your own taxes or relying on a CPA, numerous questions are likely to pop up in the weeks ahead of the April 15 tax deadline, especially if your return is complicated.



You may be asking: What itemized deductions can I take from my home office? How will the fact that I recently qualified for Social Security affect my return? What about the income I made from a side job or rental property? How do I deal with a larger-than-expected cash windfall I received this year? Why did I get a 1099-K?
Connie Barkatali, daughter of 1979 homicide victim Theresa Pica of Hayward, says she is glad for the closure after police announced they found the man who raped and killed her mother. Kevin Fagan/The Chronicle

With the children of the victims tearfully looking on, police announced that they had used DNA to solve the long-frustrating 1970s rapes and killings of two women from Hayward and Newark.

The killer was Fred Bernard Farnham, officers said, and he died in 2007 at age 73 in a hospital in Oregon. Using DNA from his personal effects, they were able to link him to the killings of Theresa Pica in Hayward in 1979 and Nellie Hicks in Newark in 1972  cold cases that had frustrated investigators for decades and agonized the loved ones left behind.

Those loved ones said Thursday that being told their mothers killer had finally been identified was a mixed blessing.

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Learning about this was a good thing, but a bad thing because it triggered everything again for me, said Picas daughter, Jan Whelan, who at 62 is now 14 years older than her mother was at the time of her death. For most of my life, I blamed myself because I wasnt able to stop what happened, and just a few years ago I was able to finally tell myself that there was nothing I could do. But it still hurts.

Now this will help bring me closure.

Theresa Pica and Nellie Hicks were raped and killed by Fred Bernard Farnham in the 1970s, police said. Kevin Fagan/The Chronicle

Her mother, who worked at a canning factory, was raped and slain at home while three of her daughters were asleep in the house. Whelans younger sister, Connie Barkatali, now 55, found the savagely beaten woman lying on a couch with her hands tied behind her back. A blood-stained rock apparently used to kill her lay nearby.

I lean on my faith now more than ever, Barkatali said. Im reliving the experience hearing all this, but Im glad for the closure. What Im doing is taking the hurt and pain before the Lord, and Im letting him carry it.

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Hayward Police Chief Bryan Matthews said that at the time of the slayings, DNA forensics were not available. When the technology did emerge, they still couldnt make a match. It was only in December, he said, that investigators in his department, Newarks and the FBI were able to link evidence from the crime scenes to Farnhams DNA. The FBI said it used genealogical DNA technology to make the connection.

We just never gave up, Matthews said.

While they sleuthed out their own mysteries, investigators learned that Farnham had been convicted of at least three rapes in Santa Clara County in the 1950s and 60s. So now investigators are sending his DNA to the other places Farnham was known to have lived in addition to the Bay Area  Nevada, North Dakota, Idaho, Oregon and Alaska  to see whether his ID pops up in cold-case rapes or homicides there too.

Farnham bounced around all over the place, and at one point had an auto repair shop in the town of Cave Junction, Ore., where he was when he died, said Hayward detective Robert Purnell, who helped solve the Pica case. Its very rewarding to solve this for the family, but theres still more work to be done.

Hicks son David Hicks, now 76, said that for the first few years after his 59-year-old mother died, it was horrific.

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His mother, an elementary school teacher, had been raped and bludgeoned with a brick wrapped in a nylon stocking. The killer had slipped in through an unlocked rear sliding door in the early morning hours, and left Hicks draped over a chair as a family friend and one of her sons  David was not at home  slept in the bedrooms.

David Hicks says it makes your heart feel fantastic that police have identified the man who raped and killed his mother, Nellie Hicks of Newark, in 1972. Kevin Fagan/The Chronicle

Wed always check in to find out if theyd heard anything, but it was always nothing, he said. After that, we kind of had to let it go and move on.

But now? Its still hard, but it means everything and makes your heart feel fantastic that they finally know who did it.
Amagi ADS PLUS, the premium CTV advertising marketplace from the global SaaS technology leader for Connected TV and Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) services, Amagi, today has announced a strategic partnership with ShowHeroes, a prominent player in the global digital advertising space. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Amagi ADS PLUS as it further solidifies its presence and expands its reach within the European market.

ShowHeroes, known for its innovative and engaging advertising solutions, has been a trailblazer in the EU, creating unique opportunities for brands to connect with their audiences. The partnership with Amagi ADS PLUS will enhance ShowHeroes' capabilities, offering advertisers advanced solutions and an extended reach across the European region, with an emphasis on Germany, Spain, France and the UK.

Amagi has been at the forefront of technological advancements, pioneering the Commitment to Certification and higher standards in advertising by adopting the Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF). This commitment ensures that advertisers leveraging Amagi ADS PLUS benefit from a brand-safe advertising environment where user data is protected. The TCF framework aligns with industry standards, promoting a higher level of trust and accountability in the advertising ecosystem.

James Smith, Executive Vice President & General Manager ADS PLUS, Amagi, said "We are excited about our collaboration with ShowHeroes, a company that shares our passion for innovation and excellence in CTV advertising. This partnership not only strengthens our position in the European market but showcases unique native ad formats and the impact of long-form creative.

Sarah Lewis, ShowHeroes Global Director, CTV, said "The partnership with Amagi ADS PLUS is a significant step forward in our mission to deliver cutting-edge advertising solutions to our clients. By joining forces with Amagi ADS PLUS and embracing the TCF standards, we are upholding a new benchmark for quality and transparency in digital advertising. This collaboration will undoubtedly elevate the advertising experience for brands and audiences alike."

This strategic alliance between Amagi ADS PLUS and ShowHeroes not only signifies a major business milestone but also demonstrates a shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and the highest standards in the rapidly evolving world of digital advertising.

Amagi ADS PLUS and the FAST Deals marketplace are built on the foundation of Amagi's industry-leading FAST platform, which currently facilitates content creation, distribution, and ad insertion across more than 110 million hours of viewing and more than 1 billion ad impressions. ADS PLUS leverages Amagi's extensive relationships with premium CTV content owners to establish an advertising marketplace that bridges the gap between content creators and leading advertisers.
Annie is a reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. She previously was a digital producer for The Chronicles Datebook section. She graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2017 with a degree in journalism. During her time there, she spearheaded a culture column, produced radio pieces for NPR-affiliate station KCBX, and was a DJ and writer for KCPR, the campus radio station. Before joining the Chronicle, she was an associate producer at SFGATE and interned at VICE and Flood Magazine. Shes particularly interested in communities and scenes that are often misunderstood.

She can be reached at avainshtein@sfchronicle.com.
Buddy Loan, a leading loan service provider in the fintech arena, recently ranked 8th in SimilarWebs Digital 100 fastest-growing online businesses report under the personal finance category in India.

In a data-driven triumph, Buddy Loan has clinched the spotlight in SimilarWeb's Digital 100 ranking. The methodology, focused on the percentage increase in average monthly traffic from 2022 to 2023, reveals Buddy Loan's meteoric rise with 23.3 million web traffic and 1.2 million average monthly unique visitors.

Since its establishment in 2018, Buddy Loan has been dedicated to leveraging cutting-edge technology to bridge the gap between borrowers and lenders. Buddy Loan's success lies in its transparent and user-friendly lending ecosystem, in partnership with RBI-approved Banks & NBFCs. The platform's recognition among the top fintech platforms by SimilarWeb is a testament to its commitment to excellence.

Expressing enthusiasm about this accolade, Amitabh Bishnoi, President Growth & Initiatives, stated, "Our goal is to empower consumers with accessible and efficient financial solutions. This recognition validates our efforts in transforming fintech, prioritizing speed, efficiency, and consumer-centric solutions."

Buddy Loan's dedication has not only earned prestigious recognition but has also positively impacted the financial well-being of consumers. Bishnoi extends gratitude to valued customers, partners, and employees for contributing to this significant milestone. As the company continues to innovate, its unwavering commitment remains: to redefine fintech boundaries and deliver unparalleled value to users. Buddy Loan stands as a testament to fintech evolution, embodying innovation and consumer-centric solutions in every digital transaction.
Dentsu India has unveiled the dentsu Digital Report 2024, which explores the evolving landscape of the Indian advertising industry. Now in its 8th edition, the report not only forecasts the industrys growth trajectory, but also delves into emerging trends that promise to reshape the advertising landscape.

The report showcases the Indian advertising sector's resilience and vibrancy, forecasting a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.86%. The industry is poised to reach a staggering Rs 112,453 crore by 2025. An in-depth analysis of advertising spending patterns across key sectors, including FMCG, e-commerce, consumer durables, and automotive, reveals a significant shift. Digital media has emerged as the dominant medium, now constituting 44% of the total advertising expenditure, surpassing television.

The dentsu India Digital Report 2024 doesnt just stop at analysing current trends; it forecasts new avenues for growth in unconventional sectors like tourism, government, and real estate. It showcases innovative strategies that captivate audiences, emphasising the pivotal role of regional and vernacular content, influencers, and user-generated content in establishing meaningful connections with consumers.

A significant focus of the report centers on the ascent of digital advertising as the primary catalyst for industry evolution. It unveils that social media, online video, and paid search are at the forefront of digital media spending. E-retail platform advertising also commands a substantial share of the digital media market. The report sheds light on the industry's adoption of programmatic buying for digital media, leveraging advanced technologies for a more efficient and effective media procurement process.

The report envisions a new era of media innovation, where the convergence of technology and human creativity yields immersive and impactful experiences. It explores emerging trends in Artificial Intelligence (AI), extended reality (XR), and sustainability, showcasing how they will reshape the industry and open new avenues for advertisers and consumers alike.

Harsha Razdan, CEO - South Asia, dentsu, said, Indias digital revolution is more than a surge of numbers; its a wave of change that is sweeping across our lives, our industries, and our society. Artificial intelligence is the driving force behind this change, enabling our e-commerce market to reach $200 billion by 2026. But as we embrace this AI-powered era, we must also redefine our vision of success. It's not enough to aim for financial growth; we must also strive for social good. We must be human in the face of technologyempathetic, creative, and courageousshaping the future of Indian advertising with transparency, accountability, and ethics. The dentsu India Digital report 2024 is not just a snapshot; it's a call to action to join us in creating a future that is ours to shape.

Narayan Devanathan, Group Chief Strategic Advisor, dentsu India, added here, The dentsu India Digital report is a testament to our commitment to providing our clients with the best-in-class solutions and insights that help them navigate the dynamic and complex media landscape. We believe that digital media is not just a medium, but a mindset that drives innovation and creativity across all platforms and formats. The report showcases how digital media has become the dominant force in the industry, surpassing television and influencing other media as well. It also reveals the potential of emerging sectors, trends, and technologies that will shape the future of advertising and consumer engagement. We are confident that this report will serve as a valuable resource for advertisers, media owners, and industry stakeholders, as well as inspire them to embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Click here to access the full report.
Karnataka Bank, one of India's oldest and most respected Private Sector Bank, has launched its centenary campaign, Bharat Ka Karnataka Bank. This milestone campaign marks a hundred years of trust, excellence, resilience, and commitment to serving the nation.

In commemorating a century of banking legacy, Karnataka Bank has embraced the theme of adaptability and evolution. The campaign encapsulates the idea that true legacy lies in understanding the need to evolve with the times. Karnataka Bank has not only created a legacy unique to itself but has also transcended its roots in Karnataka to become a Bank that resonates with every corner of the nation.

Jointly executed by Havas Media India and Havas Worldwide India, the campaign underscores Karnataka Bank's ability to adapt to the changing times while staying true to its core values. It aims to strengthen Karnataka Bank's brand awareness, fostering a deeper connection with customers while also inviting new patrons to be a part of its storied legacy.

Karnataka Bank has not merely stayed true to its values but has also paid homage to the culture and ethos of every state it has been a part of. It is today Bharat Ka Karnataka Bank.

Talking about the association Srikrishnan H, MD & CEO, Karnataka Bank said, Karnataka Banks centenary is much more than just a celebration of a century of accomplishments; it is a bold assertion of our vision for the next hundred years. This astounding milestone exemplifies our unwavering commitment to advancing Indias agenda of national financial inclusion. Were happy to have Havas India as our trusted strategic partner as we continue to work towards this ambition.

Talking about the campaign, Sekhar Rao, Executive Director, Karnataka Bank said, "For a century, we've been more than just a bank; we've been a trusted partner in millions of people's journeys. By remaining true to our core beliefs and embracing innovation, we have remained a steadfast partner to generations of families. We're excited to launch our new brand campaign, celebrating Karnataka Bank's 100-year legacy while looking ahead as a Bank, not just Karnataka, but for Bharat - Namma Karnataka Bank, Delhi walo ka Karnataka Bank, Mumbai walo ka Karnataka Bank - Bharat ka Karnataka Bank... This campaign marks our journey towards a tech-driven future, blending tradition with cutting-edge solutions for customers and communities nationwide.

Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas India, South East Asia & North Asia (Japan & South Korea), said, I would like to congratulate Karnataka Bank as it marks a century of excellence. Amidst global financial challenges, Banks in India have displayed remarkable resilience, surpassing global counterparts in growth and profitability. Hence it is the perfect time to forge a profound partnership with one of India's premier financial institutions. We thank Karnataka Bank for placing their trust in us."

Uday Mohan, Managing Director, Havas Media India said, Creating a symphony that echoes the remarkable journey of Karnataka Bank, we have meaningfully positioned the bank's narrative via this campaign across multiple media channels. This milestone campaign not only reflects our dedication to precision, apt messaging and targeting but also ensures that every story shared resonates deeply with audiences, cementing Karnataka Bank's legacy for generations to come. We are immensely proud to be part of this centennial celebration and wish many more years of success for this iconic brand.

Anupama Ramaswamy, Chief Creative Officer, Havas Worldwide India said, It is easier to count the number of days in a hundred years than to count the relationships we've built over that time. This thought is at the heart of our campaign. A thought driven by a steadfast commitment to customer satisfaction. A thought that is also captured by showcasing real stories of real people, who have been our bedrock for close to a century now.
S4 Capital's operating brand Media.Monks, a digital-first, unitary, advertising and marketing services company, promotes Robert Godinho as Managing Director of Content India, to focus on best-in-class creative innovation, fuelled by AI and its talent hub.

Robert Godinho has been elevated from his role heading the Media.Monks India production hub and will now oversee all operations as Managing Director, Content in India, to reflect an expanded scope. It comes as the company expands its India talent base, increasing existing capabilities in AI and creative technology to service and transform leading brands in India and around the world. Media.Monks India Director Poran Malani, who was core in setting up the Media.Monks team in India will leave the company.

Bruno Lambertini, Co-CEO, of the Content practice, says: As one of the fastest growing markets in APAC, and indeed the world, we view India as an important strategic part of our own growth. The Media.Monks India business is also a hub for creative innovation, so it is well placed to help businesses harness the huge potential of AI, now. The new era for the India business, under the stewardship of Robert Godinho, is rooted in putting these capabilities into the hands of brands, be that hyper-personalisation, workflow automation or virtual production.

Godinho is ideally placed to drive Media.Monks in this new era. An entrepreneur at heart, his creative studio WhiteBalance merged with Media.Monks in 2020 for its path-breaking work in film production and creative tech innovation.

His vision for building solutions that merge art and tech inspires his innovation teams to develop solutions that can help brands automate and build assets at scale to complement their digital content creation. Some achievements include setting up a Virtual Production studio in Film City, helping brands create AI-enabled campaigns personalized for regional consumers and building assets at scale for large brands that have been deployed from India to the World.

We are building a Centre of Excellence for brands powered by insights, creativity, AI and innovation in India. This is not only to service our national clients but also international Media.Monks brands as well, through our established creative production and innovation hub. India has the opportunity to be at the epicenter of transforming brands by ensuring they are AI-friendly and AI-proof. We want to drive this by proving that AI is not a buzzword. We will do this by leading with it within our own business and handing on the learnings for clients to reap the benefits, explains Robert Godinho.

Media.Monks was named by Adweek as its first-ever AI Agency of the Year in November. The award was given for demonstrating exceptional talent, creativity, and ingenuity in the application of generative AI in both internal operations and client work.

The Media.Monks India office services local, regional and global clients through its combination of local services and a specialist technical talent hub. Under Godinhos stewardship, there will be enhanced collaboration between the two, alongside investment into talent to enhance creative, AI and technology capabilities.

Godinho reports to the recently appointed VP, Head of Content, APAC Matthew Godfrey, who joined Media.Monks in October 2023. The Data and Media divisions of Media.Monks India continue to report to Kenny Griffiths, Managing Director, APAC of DDM at Media.Monks.
NP Digital India, a leading performance driven creative digital marketing agency and Sanskriti, a dynamic cultural ecosystem, proudly announce the successful culmination of their collaborative campaign titled "Esho Hey Ram." Launched on the auspicious occasion of the Ram Mandir inauguration ceremony, this campaign aimed to present the original song, 'Esho Hey Ram' by Saptadeep Nath & Ujjaini Mukherjee, to audiences across India, with a special focus on resonating with Bengali-speaking communities in West Bengal.

To amplify the campaigns reach, Sanskriti partnered with NP Digital India. Using state-of-the-art AI visual art technology, the NPDI team produced an engaging song launch video without requiring extensive video shoots. Through the integration of AI-aided video production, the campaign seamlessly incorporated animations, ensuring broad appeal across diverse social media platforms.

Furthermore, the decision to not showcase real-time faces during the song launch was deliberate. Instead, an AI-aided video was developed, which allowed for the creation of compelling visuals without the need for live-action filming. This approach not only saved time and resources but also enhanced the campaign's reach by making it more relatable to diverse audiences.

Mr. Prady, CEO of NP Digital India, expressed his delight, stating, "We are thrilled to have partnered with Sanskriti for this culturally significant campaign. Our team at NP Digital India worked smartly to deliver a compelling song launch video and related collaterals, utilizing cutting-edge AI visual art. The success of 'Esho Hey Ram' underscores the power of innovation and collaboration in reaching and engaging audiences effectively."

The campaign exceeded expectations, with 'Esho Hey Ram' receiving impressive viewership across social media platforms:

Over 4 million Views on Facebook

Over 2.5 million Views on Instagram

Over 169,000 Views on YouTube

Keerthivasan Subramaniam, Founder of Sanskriti, shared similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of the campaign in celebrating cultural diversity and fostering artistic expression. "Sanskriti is committed to promoting global culture and artistry, and our partnership with NP Digital India exemplifies our dedication to delivering meaningful content to our audiences. 'Esho Hey Ram' has resonated deeply with viewers, reaffirming our mission to be a leading cultural platform.

The campaign's success shows that new ideas in digital marketing and content creation work well, especially when using AI technology. The success of 'Esho Hey Ram' demonstrates Sanskriti's ability to captivate audiences with innovative, AI-infused content, reinforcing its position as a leading cultural platform.
DB Corp has reported yet another quarter of stellar growth, as the media conglomerates advertising revenue registered a growth of 18.4% YOY to Rs 4,819 million from Rs 4,069 million, rounding nearly 10 quarters of consistent growth.

Speaking at a conference call recently, Pawan Agarwal, Deputy Managing Director, DB Corp, said, Over the past 10 quarters we have consistently delivered strong results, maintaining a trajectory of continuous growth. Our success can be attributed to several factors, including the sustained growth of advertisement revenue, softening trends in newsprint prices and well-executed cost control and optimisation measures.

Also read:

DB Corp ad revenue up 18.4% YOY in Q3 FY24 to Rs 4,819 mn

EBITDA grew by 102% Y-o-Y to Rs 2,031 million against Rs 1,007 million. EBITDA margin expanded by impressive 1,400 basis points to 31% from 17% last year. The average cost per newsprint has reduced from the high of Rs 63,500 per metric ton in Q2 FY2023 to around Rs 51,500 per metric ton in Q2 FY 2024 and now to approximately Rs 50,000 per metric ton in Q3 FY 2024. We do expect newsprint purchase prices to remain soften in the next 1 to 2 quarters, Pawan Agarwal added.

Highlighting the business operations of the media conglomerate, Girish Agarwal, Non-Executive Director, DB Corp, said, We are pleased to conclude yet another stellar quarter of performance, continuing our streak of consistent growth over the past 10 quarters.

He stressed that print medias dominance in the news landscape has been demonstrated with consistent growth in advertising. Dainik Bhaskars powerful brand equity as Indias No.1 newspaper is reflected in the impressive portfolio of advertisers that continue to enforce their trust and increase advertising spend every quarter. The buoyancy in the Tier 2 and 3 cities continue to drive strong local economic growth in our key markets, the auto sector saw further traction with the festive season and the new launches driving further ad spends, Girish Agarwal added.

He further pointed out that advertisers categories such as education, real estate, jewellery, government, health, BFSI, etc., continue to use print as their preferred medium and have given a very good growth in this quarter. On the cost front, DB Corp has been benefiting from the soft newsprint prices, which has helped the group improving its gross margins.

Our balance sheet is in a very healthy position, with our cash and bank balance at Rs 825 crore with zero debt, Girish Agarwal shared, adding, Our ROCE and our RONW have a healthy 24% and 18% level. Also, happy to share that our company has generated free cash flow of Rs 337 crore in last nine months.

While replying to a question on newsprint prices, Girish Agarwal informed that last year, in the same quarter, newsprint prices stood at around Rs 61,000 per ton, which came down to almost Rs 50,000 per ton in Q3 this year. And going forward, it looks like that there is a strong possibility of this going down by another 2-3%. But, Im recently told that there is an overseas freight issue happening because of the Red Sea and all that. If that doesnt create any problem, then this price should further go down by 2-3%, he conjectured.

Replying to a question on the segment-wise advertising revenue, Girish Agarwal said, In this quarter, most of the advertising categories have grown in double digit  Automobile has grown by almost 47%, FMCG has grown by almost 20-25%, Real Estate by almost 20%, Jewellery by 26%. Government had 36% growth because of the elections in these states. Hospitals and the Healthcare sector has grown by 20%. Banking and Finance and IPOs have also gone up by almost 16%.

Continuing further, he said, There are a few categories, those who have maintained their numbers, like Response is one big category for us, including Classified and Obituary. That segment has taken a slight beating by almost 3-4%. Education has gone down by 10% because this quarter is not an education quarter. But largely, another category which has taken a nosedive, unfortunately, is the Hypermarket category, which has gone down by almost 25%. However it is a very small category for us; all the other categories have shown remarkable growth.
Zomato, India's food ordering and delivery platform, announced its integration in the latest cinematic release, Fighter, featuring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone. In a scene resonating with real-world enthusiasm, Deepika humorously asks Hrithik, 'Suna hai aap ko Zomato bohot pasand hai?'



https://youtube.com/shorts/iw2uMLXGMGc?feature=share

In the film, the duo play daring fighter pilots, and this collaboration extends beyond the silver screen to pay homage to all those who deliver for our nation. From the skies to our doorsteps, 'Fighter' and Zomato celebrate the unwavering commitment of fighter pilots, army officers, healthcare heroes, sanitation workers, security personnel, and Zomatos dedicated delivery partners.

Sahibjeet Singh Sawhney, Marketing Head, Zomato, commented on the integration, We are thrilled to collaborate with 'Fighter' to honor the spirit of those who serve our country. The film is a tribute to the Indian airforce and as a brand born in India, we echo the sentiment. This integration is born out of Zomatos love and respect for the true heroes of the nation. Look out for Zomato when you watch the movie!

Mamta Anand, Producer, (Marflix Pictures), Fighter, said, Thrilled to have Zomato as 'Fighter's' brand partner. Their integration and active role in our campaigns enhance the cinematic experience, bringing an authentic touch to the characters' lives.

This partnership is echoed via billboards in Mumbai and Delhi, along with special banners within the Zomato app, delivering the powerful message that both 'Fighter' and Zomato 'Deliver for the Nation.'
Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products

Bern, 08.02.2024 - In 2023, the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) seized a total of 6,659 illegal medicinal product imports on behalf of Swissmedic, the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products. The most frequent illegal imports of medicinal products continue to be erectile stimulants, followed by sleeping tablets and tranquillisers, hormones (including melatonin), nasal sprays and laxatives. Nearly 3,000 (43%) of the consignments seized came from India. These illegal products are shipped from and manufactured in an ever-changing lineup of countries: regulatory authorities and illegal suppliers have been playing cat and mouse for years.

In 2023, the FOCBS seized 6,659 illegal consignments of medicinal products (previous year: 6,793 consignments). For years now, erectile stimulants have accounted for the vast majority of these illegal medicinal products. However, the imported medications frequently contain either no active substances or else wrongly declared active substances  and may contain harmful additives. Swissmedic regularly issues warnings about the purchase of medicinal products from dubious sources, especially online shops, because these can be hazardous to health and serve to benefit criminal networks. Furthermore, the safe use of prescription medications requires that patients first hold a personal consultation with a qualified professional.

Regulatory authorities and illegal suppliers playing cat and mouse

Last year, India was the leading country of origin for the consignments seized. However, the main players are subject to change at a moments notice, as suppliers of illegal medicinal products alter their practices on a regular basis. They change production and shipment at the last minute, depending on the rules laid down by regulatory authorities. For example, consignments seized from Eastern Europe dropped from 34% to 17% within the space of a year. This was thanks most of all to the success of an internationally coordinated campaign by Polish authorities to track down criminal networks. Subsequently, the delivery channels were moved to India, which offers the added bonus of lower shipping costs compared with Europe.

Cooperative national and international partnerships among regulatory authorities are the key to combating illegal trading in medicinal products. Through legislation, inspections, investigations and international cooperation, they work together to stop illegal trading. In Switzerland, Swissmedic works closely with the FOCBS, Swiss Sport Integrity and the cantons for this purpose. However, consumers also play an important part in blocking international criminal networks by steering clear of products with enticing names and unbelievable promises.

Destruction of illegal medicinal products and administrative proceedings

The simplified procedure was used for 90% (5,986) of the illegal consignments of medicinal products seized. It permits Swissmedic and the FOCBS to protect consumer health by seizing and destroying certain preparations and active ingredients (especially illegal erectile stimulants, slimming products and psychotropic agents). Swissmedic also undertook ordinary administrative proceedings in 185 cases, the costs of which were charged to the intended recipients. The Penal Division handled 41 prosecutions under criminal law for illegal import of medicinal products and passed a further 113 cases involving mixed packages of narcotics and other medicinal products to the competent cantonal public prosecutors. The FOCBS handled nine criminal cases and filed 263 charges with the cantonal authorities for illegal imports of medicinal products containing narcotics.

Common sense is the best medicine!

Anyone who uses medicinal products obtained through uncontrolled internet channels or via social media is putting their health at serious risk. Medicines obtained from dubious sources are almost always supplied without boxes or medicinal product information (package leaflets). Moreover, they are delivered without any information about dosage, restrictions on use or possible side effects. In the case of prescription-only medicinal products, only doctors or pharmacists can decide whether these should be used.

Address for enquiries

Swissmedic

Media Unit



+41 58 462 02 76

media@swissmedic.ch

Publisher

Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products

http://www.swissmedic.ch/?lang=2




Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Bern, 08.02.2024 - Ignazio Cassis has concluded his journey to Asia with a visit to the Philippine capital Manila. Discussions focused mainly on economic and political cooperation and the geopolitical situation. The last official visit to the Philippines by a member of the Federal Council dates back to 2008.

On 8 February, following his visits to India, the Republic of Korea and China, Mr Cassis travelled to the Philippines. His visit underscored Switzerland's interests in intensifying cooperation with this South East Asian country. The Federal Council's South East Asia Strategy 202326 outlines Switzerland's intention to further strengthen and deepen its relations with the countries of the region. This will allow Switzerland to tap into South East Asia's dynamism and at the same time contribute to the handling of regional risks. The Philippines  in terms of population the second-largest country in South East Asia  plays a pivotal role in this effort.

Strong economic dynamism

Economic relations were a central theme in the discussions between Mr Cassis and Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo. The free trade agreement between EFTA and the Philippines has been in force since 2018. The two foreign ministers agreed to work towards its implementation. "The Philippines is going through a remarkable process of modernisation and economic growth. Its important to use the opportunities offered by these developments," said Cassis.

Peace promotion is another long-standing component of bilateral relations between Switzerland and the Philippines. From 2014 to 2021, Switzerland chaired the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission, which was established to implement the peace agreement in the semi-autonomous region of Bangsamoro on the island of Mindanao. Mr Cassis and Mr Manalo discussed possibilities for continuing Switzerland's contribution to peaceful development in the Philippines.

The talks also focused on the current global situation. The two foreign ministers expressed concern about the world's increasing geopolitical fragmentation. Mr Cassis briefed Mr Manalo on Switzerland's role in the UN Security Council and its efforts to host a high-level conference on peace in Ukraine. The growing tensions in the South China Sea, which directly affect the Philippines, were also discussed.

Long history of diplomatic relations

Switzerland and the Philippines look back on a long history of diplomatic relations. The Swiss consulate in Manila (today's Swiss embassy), which was opened in 1862, was the first Swiss representation in Asia. The last visit by a Swiss federal councillor to the Philippines was by then President of the Confederation Pascal Couchepin in 2008.

Some 4,200 Swiss citizens live in the Philippine archipelago  the second largest Swiss community in Asia.

Asia-Pacific: a fast-growing region with major geopolitical significance

Mr Cassis' tour of India, the Republic of Korea, China and the Philippines reflects the growing dynamism of the AsiaPacific region and served to promote Switzerland's interests in this strategically important geopolitical part of the world. It was also an opportunity to gather the views of these four countries on the war in Ukraine and possible paths to peace. Given their political significance, their perspectives on this war are important to the organisation of a high-level conference in Switzerland on peace in Ukraine.

Address for enquiries

FDFA Communication

Federal Palace West Wing

CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland

Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55

E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch

Twitter: @SwissMFA

Publisher

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html




An 8-year-old boy was sexually assaulted by his roommate just eight days after he became a patient at a south Alabama behavioral facility for children, according to a lawsuit filed today.

The 56-pound boy awoke to his roommate performing oral sex on him and had been physically assaulted by the same child the previous day, the boys lawyers contend.

The suit was filed Thursday in Houston County. Laurel Oaks Behavioral Health Center, United Health Services and Laurel Oaks CEO Jeanette Jackson are among the defendants named in the case.

Pensacola attorney Caleb Cunningham of Levin, Papantonio & Rafferty and Birmingham attorneys Tommy James of Tommy James Law Tommy James Law and Jeremy Knowles of Morris Haynes Morris Haynes, represent the child.

Laurel Oaks Behavioral Center is located in Dothan. Efforts to obtain a comment from the facility were not immediately successful.

The suit contends that facilities like Laurel Oaks are part of the troubled teen industry, a multi-billion-dollar network of for-profit youth residential facilities where widespread allegations of abuse and neglect are increasingly coming to light.

The lawsuit states the facility advertises on its website that it provides a secure environment for children and adolescents and that children there are monitored in a safe environment 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Attorneys for the boy say this incident is yet another failure occurring at the facility, which has a history of sexual abuse. In 2014, a 17-year-old patient was charged with felony counts of first-degree sodomy. In 2011, a 40-year-old employee of the facility was convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage patient.

The 8-year-old boy was born in Coffee County in 2013. In March 2022, he was referred to Laurel Oaks, which is a state licensed and certified facility for child with psychiatric, behavioral, and emotional issues.

The boys father, according to the lawsuit, was assured his son would be in a private room and monitored at all times  except in the bathroom  by security cameras. He was also assured that boy would be well taken care of, and that his clothes would be washed.

None of those things were true, the suit states.

One week after the 8-year-old entered the facility, he was physically assaulted by his roommate, who the lawsuit says was larger and had been a facility resident for a longer period of time.

The sexual assault took place the following day, lawyers said, and the roommate admitted the assault. Still, the suit says, it took Laurel Oaks staff 12 hours to notify the boys parents and no sexual assault exam was given.

The boys father then took him to a hospital to be evaluated.

When the father demanded he be released from the facility, the suit says, an employee tried to pressure him into keeping him there.

Lawyers say not all of the boys clothes were returned, and the clothing that was returned was soiled.

The suit alleges the roommate had a history of sexual activity.

You have a clear pattern of failure to protect the children in this facility, Cunningham said. One sexual assault is a tragedy, and a responsible company would do everything in its power to make sure it never happened again.

What we have here, the third sexual incident that the public is aware of, is evidence that this is not a responsible company, he said.

James called the case deeply troubling.

What our client endured is something no child should ever face, James said. Every child entrusted to the care of facilities like Laurel Oaks deserves protection and safety, not betrayal.

Knowles said ongoing abuse in such facilities must end. The well-being and lives of our children are at stake, he said.

The legal team representing the child is calling for immediate action to combat abuse in youth residential facilities.

This tragedy was avoidable and should never have happened, James said. By seeking accountability from those responsible for failing to protect him, the child and his family hope to ensure no other child faces such harm. We are hopeful this lawsuit will highlight the urgent need for reform in youth residential facilities and spark significant change.
House manager Loren Thatcher points to a ceiling that tested positive for asbestos at the Ridge House co-op in Berkeley. Within her first year of living there, the UC Berkeley law student became concerned for the health and safety of the residents, including herself. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle House manager Loren Thatcher stands near a room that tested positive for mold at the Ridge House co-op in Berkeley. Thatcher said she believes the co-ops managers have allowed slumlike conditions to fester and failed to appropriately fix them. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle The Ridge House co-op manager says she is concerned for the health and safety of the residents and raised concerns with the city, the student co-op that owns the building, and the university. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle A 1906 photo of Ridge House, now a co-op living space in Berkeley. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

On Loren Thatchers first day in her new home, the smell of cat urine was so overwhelming that she dropped everything, including her orientation at UC Berkeley, to scrub the ancient carpet.

She had moved into Ridge House, a mansion-size rental for UC Berkeley students a block north of campus on Ridge Road.

The four-story, 118-year-old residence has water stains on the walls from leaks. A sundeck sags precariously above a room with asbestos in the ceiling and a pantry littered with rodent traps. A storage closet sits nearly empty, its emergency supplies never replaced after an overflowing bathroom destroyed them in 2022. And a mold test kit covered in brown fungus perched for months on a downstairs windowsill.

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The day I moved in, I was just shocked. I was relieved to find housing, but this was a disaster. There were holes in the ceiling. It floods all the time, said Thatcher, a transfer student studying law. You dont see that anywhere else  not at a restaurant, a hotel. Nobody allows that, except for here. These are Berkeley students. How is this where were living?

The conditions so angered Thatcher that she emailed Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin and his staff in November.

I ask that you look into the Berkeley Student Cooperative housing situation.  Last year we had a house shut down from black mold and asbestos, she wrote, referring to the Kingman Hall co-op on La Loma Avenue. My house had a rat infestation when I moved in. Others have bed bugs, cockroaches and most recently a dead body that laid there for days before anyone found it.

House manager Loren Thatcher points to a water-damaged ceiling at the Ridge House co-op in Berkeley. Within the first year of living there, she became concerned for the health and safety of the residents, including herself. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

Now the city of Berkeley wants answers, too, and has sent inspectors from four health and safety departments to see whats going on.

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Its a pretty significant inquiry, said Matthai Chakko, a city spokesperson who said officials are meeting this week to share findings.

Ridge is one of 17 houses and three apartment buildings accommodating about 1,200 student residents. Their landlord is the Berkeley Student Cooperative, a nonprofit founded by students in 1933 and unaffiliated with the university.

A 29-student board of directors makes budget and governance decisions for the co-op, whose 2021 federal tax filing, the most recent available, shows $11.6 million in revenue and net assets of $38 million. The co-op employs a staff of 35 to manage the 20 properties, including an executive director, who in 2021 earned more than $190,000.

Two consultants are temporarily sharing that role and declined to comment for this story, as did the president of the student board. Cyn Gomez, the boards vice president of external affairs and a senior who is studying social welfare, agreed to answer questions in writing.

Asked how much it would cost to make needed repairs across the Berkeley Student Cooperatives properties and whether there was enough money to do so, Gomez said, We do not have firm numbers at this time.

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The combination of missed rent payments during COVID and the members voting to (forgo) a rent increase last year due to affordability concerns, may have meant that some of our buildings need more tender, loving care, Gomez said.

Rain damage on an interior bedroom window at the Ridge House co-op in Berkeley. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

For students, the financial upside to living in the battered buildings adjacent to campus has often meant tolerating the downsides: rats, asbestos, mold, leaks or other unhealthy conditions. Rent for the furnished spaces is just $918 a month  including food, utilities and even cleaning supplies.

But Thatcher also sees in the dilapidated co-ops a question of equity.

This is where low-income, first-generation students of color are being placed when they attend UC Berkeley, she said in her email to Arreguin.

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No one is forcing students to live in the co-ops. But the university has a housing crisis, and the attraction for low-income students can be irresistible. Hundreds sign up each year, pointed there by a link on the UC Berkeley housing page and by positive word of mouth from residents.

But the Berkeley Student Cooperative is a landlord, and Thatcher wants to hold it accountable by forcing it to do a better job of maintaining the buildings and responding to student needs. The dead body she referred to was one of three people, two co-op students and a visitor, who died by suicide last semester.

Though the co-ops are independent, Thatcher emailed UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ in October to ask for help.

Although I love the idea of what the co-ops represent, I can no longer ignore the health risks they pose for future students, she wrote, adding that newcomers are excited until it slowly dawns on them that theres more problems than they couldve imagined.

Christs office responded: Unfortunately, the co-ops are not university-run housing and therefore we are unable to address these issues directly.

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The chancellors letter suggested that Thatcher could move out. But most students have few options.

A hole in the wall remains after flooding at the Ridge House co-op in Berkeley. The house has experienced problems with flooding, mold and rodents. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

UC Berkeley houses just 22% of its undergraduates  the lowest rate among University of California campuses, according to a 2024 UC analysis. Alternatives in Berkeley are scarce and expensive.

A price comparison in the Berkeley Student Cooperatives most recent annual report, from 2020, showed that for rent and food, dorm dwellers paid $17,110 that year. Those living in off-campus apartments averaged $14,404, while co-op members paid $7,446.

In exchange for working a certain number of hours each month to keep their house clean, or agreeing to be house manager as Thatcher did last semester, students gain a ready-made community. The smallest house, Kidd Hall, has 17 students. Two  Casa Zimbabwe and Cloyne Court  have more than 100 each. Most have a few dozen people.

Chakko, the city spokesperson, said the co-ops have caught the attention of four city enforcement agencies: planning, which looks at building safety; environmental health, which focuses on infestations; the fire department; and housing code enforcement.

All are doing inspections, and theyre not done yet, Chakko said.

Last semester, Kiara Fahrney, a Ridge House sophomore, kept waking up in hives all over my body and said she asked the co-op multiple times to inspect for mold. They were unresponsive. It was very frustrating.

She bought a do-it-yourself test kit  the one on the window ledge  which tested positive for mold.

A take-home mold test on a windowsill at the Ridge House co-op in Berkeley. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

In November, the co-op hired hazardous material inspectors who found asbestos in the TV room ceiling and mold in three of seven rooms sampled in the four-story house.

Molds have been associated with a variety of health effects and sensitivity varies from person to person, according to the inspectors report.

But within days, the Berkeley Student Cooperative awarded Ridge a B grade on its habitability report.

I was happy to see how clean your kitchen was, Alex Hammond, the co-ops operations supervisor, emailed house members. I imagine that is helping to keep the rodents away.

Thatcher said that each house has a mascot. Ours was the scorpion, she said. It got switched to the rat.

Gomez told the Chronicle that the asbestos found at Ridge House was stable and not a cause for concern. As for the mold, Gomez said that although it was not found to be hazardous to human health, the BSC offered to move people out of the rooms with mold and clean the areas.

Fahrney was mystified when inspectors reported no mold in her room, but she changed rooms and said her symptoms disappeared.

Meanwhile, Thatcher said she is pleased that the city is taking a closer look at the co-ops  but she wont be around to see what happens.
Legislation that imposes felonies against people who are paid to assist others with absentee ballots was approved by an Alabama Senate committee Wednesday, but not after criticism from Democratic lawmakers who felt recent changes to the bill were not given enough time to be publicly discussed.

The legislation, SB1, is considered a priority among Republicans and was touted by Gov. Kay Ivey during her State of the State address on Tuesday. But its opposed by Democratic lawmakers and was heavily criticized by a dozen speakers before the Alabama Senate State Governmental Affairs Committee voted along partisan lines to move the legislation to the full Senate floor.

Only one person, affiliated with the conservative Eagle Forum, spoke in favor of the measure during a public hearing.

The legislation makes it a misdemeanor to help a person vote by absentee ballot, with exceptions for relatives and people who live in the same household. Other exceptions include people who help voters who are blind, disabled or cannot read.

The legislation makes it a Class C felony for a third party to handle someone elses absentee ballot, and Class B felony to anyone who pays a third-party to take care of their absentee ballot.

A similar bill died last year amid Democratic opposition and from groups that provide voter education and assistance, including the League of Women Voters. The Alabama Legislature is a supermajority Republican.

This bill just doesnt erect barriers, it obliterates the bridge connecting disenfranchised citizens to their right to vote, said Tari Williams, organizing director with Greater Birmingham Ministries.

Travis Jackson, a Black Voters Matter activist, called the legislation a modern-day Black code, referring to restrictions on Black people that included property rights following the Civil War.

He added, If this authoritarian bill becomes law, there will be increased voter suppression and increased policing.

Voter fraud

Despite the strong criticism, Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, who is the sponsor of the bill, said the legislations aim is to prevent ballot harvesting, which is distributing and collecting absentee ballots by a third party.

Gudger said that such activity occurs in Alabama, though some Democratic lawmakers believe the legislation is caught up in national partisan misinformation over the 2020 presidential election.

Gudger said there are some counties in Alabama where he says he has evidence that ballot harvesting is occurring due to an inordinate percent of absentee voting compared to other counties.

We want everyone who wants to be able to vote has access, that its a secure vote, and are able to vote, Gudger said. There are illegal activities stealing elections. I have evidenced-based facts and data showing its happening.

Democratic lawmakers believe their Alabama Republican counterparts are falling for a national partisan narrative stemming from the 2020 presidential election in which former President Donald Trump claimed he was a victim of election fraud. The Trump campaign and others filed and lost 62 court cases contesting the election, with a majority of those losses due to a lack of evidence.

Alabama State Senator Merika Coleman of Birmingham speaks during a forum featuring 10 candidates (eight Democrats, and two Republicans) on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, at the Sunlight District Auditorium in Prichard, Ala.John Sharp/jsharp@al.com

State Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham, said she was uncertain if there is any evidence that ballot harvesting is a problem in Alabama. She said a voter fraud reform task force in which she was a member analyzed allegations of voter fraud in Alabama and discovered only about six cases occurring since 1986.

There are so man times in this legislative body that I ask, why are we doing this? Coleman said Its another situation where we dont have this widespread voter fraud. I hate it when Alabama gets caught up with (national issues).

Other critics of the legislation say the bill will impose penalties for assisting people who need it the most while they are voting. Gudger said the legislation includes exceptions, and that some people are allowed to receive absentee voting assistance under federal law  deaf, blind and veterans who are overseas.

Kathy Jones, president of the League of Women Voters of Alabama, said that SB1 would criminalize everyday voters who are asking friends for help with voting absentee, and that is anyone agrees to help will be guilty of a crime.

Next steps

Gudger said that substitute language would address some of the concerns from the speakers who opposed the legislation, but admitted it was not available for people to view it. The substitute language, as of Wednesday afternoon, was not available on the Legislatures website.

But that language has not been publicized, and Democratic lawmakers urged Sen. Tom Butler, R-Madison, to hold off on a committee vote until next week.

I think people need to read it and understand it, said Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham. Voting is a fundamental right. We dont want Alabama being accused of denying anyone.

Republicans on the committee pushed for the measures vote, which allows it to be moved to the Senate floor for full consideration.

Coleman-Madison said she believed it would be brought up for consideration on Thursday. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed, R-Jasper, said Tuesday that he did not anticipate a Thursday vote.

Reed released a statement after the measure moved through committee that read, No greater priority exists than ensuring integrity in our elections. We must ensure absentee ballots are handled and cast in proper ways. Voting is a right that is foundational to our democracy, and we need to make certain that legitimate votes are not being diluted by fraudulent votes. The main goal of these efforts will be to make sure that your vote counts and that those who try to cheat our system are held accountable.

This story was updated at 6:54 p.m. on Feb. 7, 2024, to include a statement from Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed.
The Alabama Attorney Generals Office is taking over the case of a former white Montgomery police who is appealing his conviction four years ago in the fatal shooting of a Black man in 2016.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth E. Gibbs filed a notice of appearance in the case Wednesday, court records show.

Attorney General Steve Marshalls Office also confirmed they would be handling the case moving forward but did not provide an explanation for that decision.

A Dale County jury in 2019 convicted Aaron Cody Smith of manslaughter in the death of Gregory Gunn after an encounter in a Montgomery neighborhood on Feb. 25, 2016. A judge sentenced Smith to 14 years in prison.

Smith, 30, is incarcerated at Limestone Correctional Facility.

The Alabama Supreme Court in 2022 rejected Smiths appeal.

Three of the six justices who agreed with the decision to reject Smiths request for a review of his case also found that Smith could have grounds for further appeals because of the failure of his lawyers to raise certain points in his defense.

Greg Gunn was was shot and killed while walking in his neighborhood by a Montgomery Police Officer on Feb. 25, 2016. (File)

Montgomery County District Attorney Daryl Bailey said he was notified earlier this week that the Attorney Generals Office would be assuming the prosecution moving forward.

I acknowledge that the Attorney General has the authority under Alabama law to remove me as the prosecutor and to assume the prosecution, Bailey said in a statement released Wednesday.

General Marshall is exercising his authority under section 36-15-14 of the Code of Alabama, and I have no choice but to comply with the Attorney Generals directive.

Our office has, from day one, pursued justice in this case with great integrity and professional responsibility, Bailey said. Despite the many obstacles that were placed in our path, we have won at every phase and brought justice to the Gunn family.

Smith has filed a Rule 32, which allows defendants to challenge their conviction. Among is claims is ineffective counsel at trial.

The Rule 32 hearing is set for March 13 in Montgomery County.

Bailey noted that the jury rejected Smiths claims of self -defense and that he was just doing his job. The jury confirmed that with a swift verdict  which was less than two hours of deliberation.

I stand by this conviction, Bailey said in the statement. As recently as a couple of weeks ago, I filed a brief to the newly appointed circuit judge that reiterated that this case was handled professionally and that the overwhelming evidence presented in court to a jury showed Smiths guilt in killing Greg Gunn.

While I am deeply disappointed that I will no longer be able to continue to fight for justice in this case for the Gunn family, I respect the laws of the State of Alabama that allow the Attorney General to assume the prosecution and I will abide by his directive, the district attorney said.

Attorney General Marshall personally told me that the decision was made with the utmost respect for myself and my staff.

Bailey said he met Tuesday with Gunns family to tell them the news.

They were naturally disappointed, Bailey wrote, but are eager to meet with the Attorney General to determine where the case goes from here.

Montgomery police officer Aaron Cody Smith, center, arrives at a court hearing in Montgomery in March 2016.

According to the Court of Criminal Appeals account summarized in one of the Supreme Court justices written opinions, Gunn was on patrol in a high-crime neighborhood about 3 a.m. when he encountered Gunn, 58, who was walking.

Smith stopped Gunn for a pat-down. Gunn initially complied but broke away and ran.

Smith called for backup and tried unsuccessfully to stop Gunn with his Taser and his baton. Gunn ran onto the front porch of a home. When Smith pursued, Gunn charged at Smith with a painters pole.

Smith shot and killed Gunn. An autopsy showed Gunn was shot at least seven times, including three in the chest.

A Montgomery County grand jury indicted Smith for murder. His trial was moved to Dale County because of pretrial publicity.

Smiths lawyers argued during the trial that Smith shot Gunn in self-defense and in the line of duty as a police officer.

Prosecutors said the evidence did not support the claim that Gunn posed a deadly threat to Smith.

Though indicted on a murder charge, the jury found Smith guilty on the lesser charge of manslaughter.
A bill in the Alabama Legislature that would criminalize some flags from being flown on public property but leaves some exceptions for the Confederate flag, was shelved for a week amid concerns raised by Democratic and Republican lawmakers.

The concerns about SB4 were raised Wednesday in the Alabama Senate State Government Affairs Committee and included worries from a Republican lawmaker about the possibility of criminalizing the owner of a business, located on publicly owned property, from flying their own flag.

The legislation is sponsored by State Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Tuscaloosa, who vowed to bring the bill back up for reconsideration next week. Its a bill that includes two purposes: Suggest a 9/11 flag be flown on public properties, while criminalizing unapproved flags from being flown at city halls, schools and other government buildings.

State Sen. Keith Kelly, R-Anniston, said he had concerns the bill would impose a misdemeanor on a business owner.

You have some public entities, going back 20 to 30 years, who provide economic development and shopping centers and things of that nature, and those businesses are on publicly owned property but they could not display their business flags, said state Sen. Keith Kelly, R-Anniston.

Sen. Gerald Allen talks with another legislator Tuesday, May 2, 2017, on the Senate floor in the Alabama State House in Montgomery, Ala. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)AP

The legislation includes a list of exceptions of flags allowed to be flown on public property without prior approval from a government body. Among them is the U.S. flag, Alabama state flag, the official flag of the Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts, American Red Cross, POW/MIA flags, and a city or county governments official flag.

Another exception includes the official flag or any nation or state that preceded the U.S. and Alabama, which could allow for the Confederate flag to be flown on public grounds.

Violations under SB4 are classified as a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to three months in jail and a $500 fine.

State Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, said she was concerned with the language that could allow for the Confederate flags public display.

I guess we will put up the Confederate flag all over the state, or is it the Spanish flag? Coleman-Madison said. Or is it the British and the French? Are we having (those) flags flying too?

She said she appreciated the bills focus on the 9/11 flag, though the legislation does not require a public body to fly that flag on the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. But she said the penalties for the other flags were concerning.

We dont want everyones flag flying, Coleman-Madison said, turning to Allen. You say you are patriotic. But this opens a can of worms.

Allen has pushed controversial bills before that preserve and protect Confederate imagery. He was the sponsor of the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017, which prohibits the removal of Confederate monuments or any structure over 40 years old unless authorized by a state committee.

Rainbow flags come out for Pride Month in the United States. (Brian Rich/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

The brief hearing before the Senate committee did not address the penalties that could be imposed if the LGBTQ Pride flag is flown on public property. Similar bills are under consideration in Florida and Tennessee. Efforts to criminalize the flying of the LGBTQ Pride flag during Pride Month in June has also emerged in cities like Huntington Beach, Calif., and Hamtramck, Mich.
Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman joined forces with a retired pastor and a Birmingham businessman to help retire millions in medical debt for thousands of Alabamians.

Siegelman met former pastor Gary Furr and McCorquodale Transfer CEO Bart McCorquodale at a health care presentation in Perry County in July when the trio got the idea to use the charity RIP Medical Debt to retire the medical bills.

McCorquodale donated about $24,000 to the charity to forgive $4,193,799.11 in medical debt for the recipients who hail from the 25 poorest zip codes in the state and mainly reside in the Black Belt.

We had the resources, and we were willing to make that investment, McCorquodale said.

Barts a very thoughtful and bright man who has enormous compassion for the Black Belt, Siegelman told AL.com.

Bart was the donor and the governor was the connection and I was kind of a facilitator in that, said Furr, a former pastor at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church who heads the nonprofit Alabama Coalition for Healthy Mothers and Children. I think all three of us have a heart for the working poor of our state.

Furr said the average debt eliminated by the donation was $775.

For some folks, its an impossible bill, he told AL.com. The greatest thing about it is that it sort of frees peoples lives.

RIP Medical Debt sent letters out a week ago informing the recipients that their medical debt is being forgiven, Furr said.

The former pastor said the trio hopes their gesture will be replicated throughout the state.

It was just a wonderful coming together and hope it inspires others to do the same thing, he said. This was really a meaningful thing to do and i think its a great way for a group of people to do something tangible to help folks.
MONTGOMERY  Alabamians wont see another decrease in the state sales tax on grocery items this year as growth in many of the states revenue streams decline.

The sugar high of record state revenues and federal COVID-19 cash infusions is ending and growth is returning to more normal patterns, Alabama lawmakers were told Tuesday, the first day of the annual legislative session.

The flattening is underway, said State Finance Director Bill Poole about state revenues.
Actor and reading advocate LeVar Burton poked fun at Alabamas ongoing debate about which books should be in school and public libraries on Jimmy Kimmel Live Tuesday evening.

Burton spoofed the popular childrens television show Reading Rainbow with a segment titled, Why Did They Ban This Book?

He showed a group of children several books, including Read Me a Story, Stella, a picture book about two siblings building a doghouse.

AL.com reported in October that Huntsville-Madison County Public librarians had mistakenly added the title to a list of potentially sexually explicit books to be moved from the children section because the authors name is Marie-Louise Gay.

What! one of the children exclaimed, placing her hands on her face when Burton explained the reasoning. Are you dead serious? another child asked. Multiple children replied at once, Because of the last name?

Seriously! Burton replied. The author isnt even gay. Shes married to a guy named David.

Theres no reason to ban it! one of the children shouted.

The Banned Book Rainbow segment begins at around 10 minutes and 50 seconds at the end of Kimmels monologue. The Read Me a Story, Stella bit is around 13 minutes and 15 seconds in. You can watch the full segment below.

At the state and local level, Alabama libraries are considering whether to move certain books, often challenged because they include LGBTQ people, to adult sections.
Its likely New Orleans police have seen just about everything in the French Quarter, particularly during Mardi Gras.

So when an officer patrolling the French Quarter late last Saturday night saw a man holding a 10-foot albino python, its hard to know whether he was surprised or not.

But others were, including Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, who posted about the snake on social media.

Recently, NOPD officers confiscated this snake in the French Quarter and safely relocated it to the Audubon Zoo.



This is great partnership between @LDWF and @NOPDnews to protect the residents of the French Quarter as well as the business owners, visitors, and tourists!#lagov pic.twitter.com/EJVLdt9pfH  Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) February 6, 2024

NOLA.com reports the snake was transported to the Audubon Zoo, where it will remain indefinitely.

Meanwhile, the man who was in possession of the snake has been cited for possession of a wild/exotic animal and exhibition without a permit. The report says Wilson was using the snake to solicit from passersby.

He was also arrested on an outstanding warrant for the same violations, as well as resisting arrest, stemming from a similar incident on Bourbon Street last November, NOLA.com reported. He was also violating a court order which prohibited him from displaying the python outside his residence.

The python, native to Southeast Asia, wont be making the Audubon Zoo its permanent home, a spokesperson told the outlet. The zoo will care for the snake until notified otherwise by police and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Ultimately, there is a possibility the man could recover the snake, if he obtains the proper permits, according to the report.
Sheffield police say one man is in custody connection following the killing Thursday of a motel owner.

Chief Ricky Terry said Pravin Raojibhai Patel, owner of the Hillcrest Motel, was gunned down this morning. A short time later, police arrested William Jeremy Moore, 34.

Terry said Moore was arrested, following a police pursuit, on 13th Avenue after officers said he was trying to break into an abandoned house.

Investigators say Moore wanted to rent a room at the motel when an altercation with Patel took place.

When searching Mr. Moore, the murder weapon was found in his possession, Terry said.

Moore is currently being held in the Sheffield City Jail until he is transferred to the Colbert County Jail.

Patels body will be transported to the Alabama Forensics Lab for an autopsy.

Sheffield City Schools said in a social media post that it has cleared its schools of a lockdown following a police pursuit of a suspect.

Schools were never in danger, nor was there any incident on campus, at approximately 9:40 a.m. Sheffield campuses acted on a directive from the Sheffield Police Department to go on a lockdown for safety precautions, the system stated.

The incident ended, and the lockdown was lifted by 10 a.m.

Police say more details will be released later.
Its been close to seven months since Jessica Ross went into labor at Southern Regional Medical Center in Clayton County, Ga. expecting to go home with a healthy baby boy. Instead, that time has been filled with grief and pain.

I want justice for my baby, Ross said Wednesday.

Ross and her boyfriend, Treveon Isaiah Taylor Sr., were awaiting the birth of their first child on July 9, but Treveon Jr. did not survive the delivery. During her delivery, the baby was decapitated, attorney Roderick Edmond said.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the infants death, the couple said they were still hurt, angry and distraught.

Its been tough on the whole family. Theyve been strong and resilient with trying to move forward with life and get back to, not normal, but a new normal, given the grief they have sustained, attorney Cory Lynch said during Wednesdays news conference.

The baby suffered a sudden and rare birth complication known as shoulder dystocia  a life-threatening condition in which one or both shoulders become locked in the mothers pelvis, preventing it from descending further into the birth canal. According to The Cleveland Clinic, the crisis can cause a baby to suffer from a potentially fatal lack of oxygen as well as fractured collarbones and limbs as the physician tries to free it for delivery.

On Tuesday, the Clayton County Medical Examiners Office ruled the death a homicide and released a report stating the cause of death as a fracture-dislocation with complete transection of the upper cervical spine and spinal cord due to shoulder dystocia, arrest of labor and fetal entrapment in the birth canal.

Edmond clarified Wednesday that the homicide ruling did not mean criminal charges will be filed. The Clayton County District Attorneys Office, which will have to make that determination, said in a statement that it has not received a file or charges from the Clayton County Police Department regarding the case.

A month after the babys death, the familys attorneys filed a lawsuit against the hospital, Dr. Tracey St. Julian and several nurses and a medical group that delivered the baby, alleging negligence and attempts to cover up details of the death.

At the time, Southern Regional Medical cited privacy laws for not being able to discuss the case but denied any wrongdoing. The hospital issued a statement, saying, this unfortunate infant death occurred in utero prior to the delivery and decapitation.

The lawsuit and a news release from the attorneys for the parents allege that St. Julian, the attending physician at the birth, applied excessive force on the babys head and neck during the attempted vaginal delivery and, as a result, the baby was decapitated.

According to the complaint, the babys legs and torso were then delivered through the C-section incision without the head. The babys head was then delivered vaginally.

Edmond said Wednesday the hospital has not been cooperative in terms of discovery. In a new statement, a hospital official said they could not comment due to pending litigation.

The attorney said they hope to start depositions soon and plan to depose everyone who was in the delivery room.

The most offensive aspect of this case deals with the lies and coverup that occurred after the decapitation, Edmond said.

The couple were not allowed to hold their child, were encouraged to have the baby cremated and were not offered a free autopsy, Edmond said.

We just want justice for our son. They lied to us, they didnt let us touch him, Taylor said.

---------

2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The parents of a 4-year-old boy who disappeared from the familys home last month have been arrested.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency on Wednesday evening said 25-year-old Shyanne Nicole Ray, of Clayton, and 39-year-old Joshua Thad Wilderson, 39, of Abbeville, are each charged with two counts of chemical endangerment of a child.

Their son, Phenix Wilkerson, disappeared from his mothers home on Jan. 12. Searchers found him two days later in a wooded area.

The parents arrest is not directly related to the childs disappearance, but the result of the ongoing investigation to the case.

Court documents state that on Jan. 12, the parents knowingly, recklessly or intentionally caused Phenix to be be exposed to, to ingest or to inhale marijuana and methamphetamine.

ALEA Sgt. Jeremy Burkett said the parents were arrested in Henry County on Wednesday, and booked into the Henry County Jail.

Phenix seemingly walked out of his familys home that Friday and spent the next two days  and nights  lost in the woods.

Phenix, who is non-verbal, was found Sunday, Jan. 14, volunteer searchers and then hospitalized for three days.

Barbour County Sheriff Tyrone Smith previously said Phenix was not currently in the custody of his mother or his father.

Ray told authorities she had left the familys camper to go walk over to her mothers residence and returned a short time later to find her son gone. Rays daughter, who is a year old than Phenix, was at her grandmothers house at that time.

A man who also lives in the familys the camper when Phenix left said he was asleep at the time. That was not the boys father.

ALEAs Fusion Center issued an Emergency Missing Child Alert on Friday, and multiple searchers  both official and volunteer  turned out to help find Phenix.

He was found about 3:15 p.m. Sunday when volunteer Markeith Williams and others in group were walking near an area where searchers believed they had seen little footprints in field on Saturday.

Williams said Phenix was about 150 yards from that field. He looked up when he heard Williams approaching.

Everybody just took off running to where he was, Williams said.

Williams said Phenix was wearing the same clothes he was reported to be wearing Friday. He did not appear to be dirty.

His feet and stuff were pretty clean, Williams said.

He said one searcher put socks on Phenixs feet, and another a coat. Phenix was given water as one of the searchers held his hand.

An officer eventually carried him to the top of the hill where Phenix was put in an ATV and taken to a waiting ambulance.

Burkett said the investigation remains ongoing. Once complete, the findings will be turned over to the Henry County District Attorneys Office.
Megan Fan Munce is a reporter who joined the San Francisco Chronicle as part of the two-year Hearst Journalism Fellowship, spending her first year of the program at the Houston Chronicle.

Munce grew up in San Jose before attending Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, graduating with a B.S. and M.S. in journalism and a second major in political science.

She previously worked as an audience engagement fellow and a reporting fellow at the Texas Tribune, as well as an audience intelligence intern for KQED.

She can be reached at Megan.Munce@sfchronicle.com.
Oak Hill, a small town incorporated in Wilcox County in 1938, was projected in a recent study to lose nine residents by the year 2100.

It doesnt sound like much, until you consider the current population of Oak Hill is 15. That means the next 80 years will see the town lose 60% of its population, if the studys findings hold.

And Oak Hill isnt alone.

Some 40 locations in Alabama are expected to lose significant portions of their populations, according to the study compiled by experts at the University of Chicago-Illinois.

The study, and the possibility for these places becoming virtual ghost towns, was first reported by Scientific American.

Each of those cities, towns or Census-designated places (CDP) will have populations of less than 100 by 2100, according to the study.

Of those 40, 13 are projected to lose half or more of their population:

Bakerhill: -61.8% to population of 81

Beatrice: -53.1% to 96

Belk: -54.6% to 85

Daviston: -60% to 70

Dayton: -53.6% to 13

Fitzpatrick: -58.2% to 33

Hissop: -64.3% to 75

Kellyton: -62.3% to 49

Myrtlewood: -56.3% to 31

Nanafalia: -52.6% to 36

Oak Hill: -53.3% to 6

Peterman: -58% to 37

Pine Apple: -62.5% to 54

Nine other small Alabama towns are expected to lose at least 40% of their population by 2100.

Several other Alabama cities are projected to see significant changes to their populations:

Anniston: 47% decline to 11,492

Bessemer: 25% decline to 19,765

Dothan: 38.8% growth to 99,211

Eufaula: 61.5% decline to 4,982

Gadsden: 28.9% decline to 24,274

Hoover: 32.7% growth to 123,588

Madison: 69.1% growth to 96,818

Northport: 56.5% growth to 49,017

Opelika: 42.5% growth to 44,448

Pelham: 49.6% growth to 36,598

Phenix City: 80.7% growth to 70,570

Prattville: 32.9% growth to 50,481

Selma: 56.8% decline to 7,809

Spanish Fort: 40.1% growth to 14,160

Sylacauga: 25.7% decline to 9,400

Troy: 34.6% growth to 42,007

Tuskegee: 20.1% decline to 7,547

Valley: 61.1% growth to 17,057

Vestavia Hills: 39.8% growth to 54,986

Alabamas four largest cities, however, are expected to see massive growth over the next eight decades.

Huntsville is expected to see a 45% jump to 313,642, with Mobile just behind with projected growth of 44.9% to 272,526.

Birminghams population is projected to grow 19.8% to 241,816 while Montgomerys would jump to 240,574 -- a 19.2% increase from its current population.

And evidently Nick Sabans retirement wont have a negative impact on Tuscaloosa, with the city projected to grow by 59.8% to a total population of 160,141.

The study used population data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau from 2000 and 2020 to identify current population trends.

They then ran those projections through five different possible futures, each with a different level of climate change impact.

The authors used the middle-of-the-road scenario to present their findings. They also factored in income level, vehicle ownership, and how city-like a town was.

In all, the study examined 593 cities, towns and CDPs in Alabama.

Some of the largest projected growth is in southern Alabama, where four Baldwin County cities have among the greatest projected population increases in the state:

Foley is expected to see a massive increase of 81.2% to a population of 37,043, while nearby Fairhope is expected to grow 80% to 40,684. Gulf Shores projection calls for a 74.6% increase to 26,370, while Orange Beach is projected to grow 68.7% to 13,744.

Based on those projections, by 2100 the population of those four cities alone will represent half of Baldwin Countys current total population of 239,294.

In all, the study found 15,000 locations across the U.S. which are expected to see significant drops in population by 2100.

The studys authors noted that severe population growth and decline each present their own set of challenges.

The implications of this massive decline in population will bring unprecedented challenges, possibly leading to disruptions in basic services like transit, clean water, electricity and internet access, the authors wrote.

Simultaneously, increasing population trends in resource-intensive suburban and periurban cities will probably take away access to much needed resources in depopulating areas, further exacerbating their challenges.
The Supreme Court on Thursday sounded broadly skeptical of efforts to kick former President Donald Trump off the 2024 ballot.

In more than two hours of arguments, both conservative and liberal justices raised questions of whether Trump can be disqualified from being president again because of his efforts to undo his loss in the 2020 election, ending with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The primary concern was whether Congress must act before states can invoke a constitutional provision that was adopted after the Civil War to prevent former officeholders who engaged in insurrection from holding office again. There also were questions about whether the president is covered by the provision.

Without such congressional legislation, Justice Elena Kagan was among several justices who wanted to know why a single state should decide who gets to be president of the United States.

Eight of the nine justices suggested that they were open to at least some of the arguments made by Jonathan Mitchell, Trumps lawyer at the Supreme Court. Trump could win his case if the court finds just one of those arguments persuasive.

Only Justice Sonia Sotomayor sounded like she might vote to uphold the Colorado Supreme Court ruling that found that Trump engaged in insurrection and is ineligible to be president. The state court ruled Trump should not be on the ballot for the states Republican primary on March 5.

In another sign of trouble for the Colorado voters who sued to remove Trump from the ballot, the justices spent almost no time talking about whether Trump actually engaged in insurrection following the 2020 election.

Lawyer Jason Murray, representing the voters, pressed the point that Trump incited the Capitol attack to prevent the peaceful handover of power for the first time in history.

Mitchell argued that the Capitol riot was not an insurrection and, even if it was, Trump did not participate.

The case marks the first time the justices are considering Section 3 of the 14th amendment.

It sets up precisely the kind of case that the court likes to avoid, one in which it is the final arbiter of a political dispute.

Chief Justice John Roberts worried that a ruling against Trump would prompt efforts to disqualify other candidates, and surely some of those will succeed.

Trumps lawyers argue that the amendment cant be used to keep Trump off the ballot for several reasons.

For one thing, they contend the Jan. 6 riot wasnt an insurrection, and even if it was, Trump did not participate. The wording of the amendment also excludes the presidency and candidates running for president, they say. Even if theyre wrong about all of that, they argue that Congress must pass legislation to reinvigorate Section 3.

The lawyers for Republican and independent voters who sued to remove Trumps name from the Colorado ballot counter that there is ample evidence that the events of Jan. 6 constituted an insurrection and that Trump incited it. They say it would be absurd to apply Section 3 to everything but the presidency or that Trump is somehow exempt. And the provision needs no enabling legislation, they argue.

A definitive ruling for Trump would largely end efforts in Colorado, Maine and elsewhere to prevent his name from appearing on the ballot.

A decision upholding the Colorado decision would amount to a declaration from the Supreme Court that Trump did engage in insurrection and is barred by the 14th Amendment from holding office again. That would allow states to keep him off the ballot and imperil his campaign.

The justices could opt for a less conclusive outcome, but with the knowledge that the issue could return to them, perhaps after the general election in November and in the midst of a full-blown constitutional crisis.

Trump is separately appealing to state court a ruling by Maines Democratic secretary of state, Shenna Bellows, that he was ineligible to appear on that states ballot over his role in the Capitol attack. Both the Colorado Supreme Court and the Maine secretary of states rulings are on hold until the appeals play out.

The court has signaled it will try to act quickly, dramatically shortening the period in which it receives written briefing and holds arguments in the courtroom.

People began lining up outside the court on Wednesday hoping to snag one of the few seats allotted to the public. This is a landmark decision and I want to be in the room where it happened, to quote Hamilton, said Susan Acker of Cincinnati, Ohio, who was in line with two friends.

The issues may be novel, but Trump is no stranger to the justices, three of whom Trump appointed when he was president. They have considered many Trump-related cases in recent years, declining to embrace his claims of fraud in the 2020 election and refusing to shield tax records from Congress and prosecutors in New York.

Before the Supreme Court is even finished deciding this case, the justices almost certainly will be dealing with another appeal from Trump, who is expected to seek an emergency order to keep his election subversion trial on hold so he can appeal lower-court rulings that he is not immune from criminal charges.

In April, the court also will hear an appeal from one of the more than 1,200 people charged in the Capitol riot. The case could upend a charge prosecutors have brought against more than 300 people, including Trump.

The court last played so central a role in presidential politics in its 5-4 decision that effectively ended the disputed 2000 election in favor of George W. Bush.

Justice Clarence Thomas is the only member of the court who also took part in Bush v. Gore. Thomas has ignored calls by some Democratic lawmakers to step aside from the case because his wife, Ginni, supported Trumps effort to overturn the 2020 election results and attended the rally that preceded the storming of the Capitol by Trump supporters.
This is a guest opinion column

Alabamians know the pain of not being able to afford the drugs they need. One AARP study found that one in three people in the state skipped taking their medication because they could no longer afford it. But those responsible for high drug prices do not want to lower prices for Alabama or anywhere else.

Big Pharma significantly raised the costs of more than 500 drugs in January. These costs came despite the recent passage of federal legislation to control skyrocketing drug prices.

The pharmaceutical industry did not need these cost increases. The industry has made record profits in recent years, including $110 billion in 2022. The drug giants cannot be relied on to contain their insatiable greed, so consumer watchdogs in the private and public sectors must do their part to reign in these out of control costs.

For one, health plan sponsors  from the government to private employers  should make increased use of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). These third-party groups negotiate with the drug companies and force them to lower their prices.

Over 90% of Americans with prescription drug insurance coverage already receive benefits though a PBM because numerous groups have studied PBMs and concluded that they help lower costs.

A 2020 study conducted by a healthcare research service determined that PBMs will save health insurance beneficiaries more than $1 trillion this decade. A study conducted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office similarly reported that PBMs obtained prices for 14 brand name drugs that were roughly 18 percent lower than what customers paid without third-party coverage. As if thats not reason enough to utilize PBMs, University of Chicago economics professor Casey Mulligan carried out an in-depth study of them in 2022 and discerned that the service, per year, yields nearly $150 billion in savings for health insurance beneficiaries.

The ordinary person cannot hope to negotiate for lower prices with the drug giants. They are stuck with the set price on their own. PBMs give regular folks the ability to leverage costs down to make them more affordable. This makes healthcare better for everyone, so American employers should make greater use of them wherever possible.

However, Alabamians cannot rely on PBMs to solve everything wrong with todays out-of-control drug prices. The government must also do more to counteract Big Pharmas stranglehold of the market.

Another reason drug prices are so high is because the major drug companies manipulate the patent system to ensure they can control the market and stifle cheaper alternatives. Congress recently introduced a bill to address this anti-competitive practice, which is known as patent thicketing, and I encourage Alabamas senators to sign onto the measure as co-sponsors.

Big Pharma also wants to prevent Alabamians from cheaper prescription drugs imported from Canada. These are the same drugs found in America; in fact, many of them are produced right here in the United States. Most of them even went through the same regulations and safety mechanisms to get on-the-shelf approval. The only difference is that the drug companies sell them for significantly higher prices in the United States because Canada imposes price controls on their list price.

After years of delays, Florida just forced the FDAs hand into approving these cheaper Canadian drugs for importation. Alabama should take advantage of this new development and consider doing the same.

The road to ensuring reasonable drug prices for the great people of this state will be a long one  one filled with many lobbyist-filled political and regulatory obstacles. That said, the longest journeys are always the most rewarding ones, and this case is of no exception.

Alabamans should not have to ration their medications due to cost concerns. They should not have to choose between paying for their prescriptions or paying for their families dinner. The time to change this dynamic is now.

Donna Skipper serves as President of the Republican Women of East Alabama.
The police killing of Steve Perkins has cast a spotlight of injustice in Alabama, according to political activist and 2024 presidential candidate Cornel West.

West, who is mounting an independent campaign for president, also called for accountability for Perkins death, in an interview that aired Wednesday with WAAY.

Decatur police officers shot and killed the 39-year-old Perkins Sept. 29 in his front yard in the 3900 Block of Ryan Drive.

The police said they were there because Perkins threatened a tow truck driver with a gun and later turned a gun on an officer.

An initial police report said Perkins refused to comply when the police asked him to drop the weapon.

Decatur Police Chief Todd Pinion had since apologized, saying the initial report mischaracterized what happened and that it was wrong to say Perkins refused to drop his gun.

The killing spurred protests throughout Decatur and led to the firing of three officers involved in the incident. Some have also called for the resignation of Mayor Tab Bowling.

His death has cast a spotlight on injustice in Alabama, West said of Perkins.

West, who initially ran as a candidate of the Green Party, said any officer involved in Perkins death should be held accountable.

Too often they get away with impunity, and we have to be able to follow through on that accountability. Why? Because a Black life has exactly the same value as any other human life, West said, according to WAAY.

The political activist, who is also a professor of philosophy and Christian practice at the Columbia University-affiliated Union Theological Seminary in New York City, shared his distrust of the police.

Ive known the police to tell all kinds of lies and in order to hide and conceal their crimes, and theres been so many cases where the police dont tell the truth. Now Im not saying police are inherently liars, but Im saying they lie too much, West said.

He also suggested Bowlings administration should convey that officers will be held accountable.

You have to have a leadership in place that sets the tone and what I mean by setting the tone is the culture of silence between the police department has to go, he said. The police have to know that when they do something they will be rendered accountable. They will be punished no matter what.
For those confused by the odd paradox of the Democrats out-raising the GOP by a 3:1 margin despite historic unpopularity at the top of their ticket, consider this anecdote from October 2017.

Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) resigned from his congressional seat after it was revealed that he had engaged in an extramarital affair. The scandal was compounded by the fact that Rep. Murphy, a staunch defender of the pro-life movement, reportedly encouraged his mistress to get an abortion when they thought she might be pregnant.

The real gut-punch of the scandal was the text that Rep. Murphy sent disavowing pro-life messages released from his own campaign. Upon his mistress calling out his hypocrisy in suggesting an abortion despite his anti-abortion advocacy at events such as March for Life, he responded: I get what you say about my March for life messages. Ive never written them. Staff does them. I read them and winced. I told staff dont write any more. I will.

Hypocrites, at the very least, know that what they are doing is wrong. They believe in the truth of their causes but are too weak to live up to their own standards. In the case of Rep. Murphy, it appeared that he didnt believe in the pro-life movement.

This anecdote is a symptom of a larger issue within the GOP: elected leaders being ineffective at best, and full-fledged leftist at worst. Indeed, this phenomenon was broadly covered in an April 2023 article by Daily Wire investigative reporter Luke Rosiak, who noted that the most left-leaning GOP state representatives on average were found in states with the largest Republican majorities, such as Utah, Wyoming, and South Carolina  a stark contrast to Democrats, who pass radical legislation even with the slimmest majorities. Too often, it seems that elections have consequences, but only when the Democrats win; the best one can hope for when voting Republican is that he can, at least temporarily, serve as a foil to the Progressives most radical policies. Running candidates who can actually win is key, of course, but at some point, conservatives need to see tangible results, actual policy victories that not only slow the tide of progressive policies, but also begin to reverse them. In this economy, donating hard-earned dollars to whatever silver tongued clean-cut businessman-veteran-Christian-family-man cookie-cutter candidate the GOP establishment trots out is too large a gamble for many to take. Weve been burned too many times.

Donald Trump is the antithesis of everything we would expect from a Republican political figure. His speaking style, though highly effective, could hardly be called eloquent. Hes a successful businessman, sure, but doesnt have the dignified political legacy of, say, the Romneys, nor can he claim a compelling rags to riches journey like a Vivek Ramaswamy. Perhaps most damning is that his personal life has been tabloid fodder for decades. And, despite his strong rhetoric, Trump is far from an ideologue, exhibiting surprising flexibility on a range of issues. To the shock of the political elite, Trump is perhaps the most resilient political figure in all of human history, as he is poised to potentially win a second term despite the two impeachments, absurd lawsuits, primary challenges, January 6, and all the other scandals the media have brewed up.

Why? Because for the first time in nearly 40 years, it feels as though the conservative movement has more to offer than just being a bulwark against the radical left. We see actual pushback, tangible progress. Trump, regardless of how he may feel personally about abortion, showed extreme political courage in getting three conservatives appointed to the Supreme Court who have been instrumental in major legal victories, most notably the overturning of Roe v. Wade. For the first time in decades, the world under Trumps leadership became more stable as his administration defied conventional foreign policy wisdom to negotiate the Abraham Accords, a stark contrast to the global chaos under nearly every other administration over the past half-century. His tax and regulatory cuts contributed to a booming economy. Perhaps most significantly, his energy policies led to energy independence for the first time in 70 years. Border crossings were at their lowest levels since 1971. These policy goals have not been unique, historically, within the Republican party; the difference is that Trump actually accomplished them. As a result, and despite his bombast and larger-than-life persona as an entertainer, Trumps visit to East Palestine, Ohio somehow seemed far more real and sincere than anything else coming out of D.C. (or, for that matter, any state capital).

That isnt to say that Trumps record is perfect. A critic may reasonably bring up, for example, his failure to cut spending. That criticism is valid, but of course no president has cut the national debt since the Coolidge administration. The U.S. response to COVID-19 is another frequent line of attack  but do you think the Republicans of elections past, the Bush/McCain/Romneys of the world, would have opened the country sooner? Or the other GOP contenders in 2016? Would some of the GOP governors who showed enough political courage to keep their states open behaved the same way if they faced re-election that fall?

I say this not to excuse any policy shortcomings from the Trump administration, but until the GOP consistently wins victories on spending cuts, such attacks seem a bit hollow.

What is most revealing, however, is the utter silence of Trumps biggest critics in the GOP  the Paul Ryans, Mitt Romneys, George Bushes, and Liz Cheneys of the world  against some of the lefts most egregious policies. George W. Bush famously ran an unapologetic Evangelical, pro-life campaign. Why isnt he on every conservative news outlet expressing outrage over the arrest of six peaceful pro-life protesters in the U.S.? The former president lamented the risk to Afghan girls following the U.S. withdrawal in Afghanistan. Why isnt he more outraged over the erasure of women here? Sen. Romney has expressed opposition to men participating in womens sports; why didnt he express outrage at his own states Republican governor for vetoing a bill that protected womens sports?

These are names that once wielded significant influence within the Republican party, and these figures still hold some sway over the more moderate factions of the base; they still have an audience on establishment media platforms, and they could help move the needle on many of the issues that used to be central to their campaign promises. The fact that they use their platform to clutch their pearls every time Trump makes an off-the-cuff remark but stand on the sidelines as the very values they claim to cherish  patriotism, religion, and family  suffer irreparable damage under Biden, demonstrates their lack of any actual core beliefs or moral clarity. The politicians with seemingly impeccable character govern as cowards, while the billionaire playboy delivers with conviction. If only the rest of the party showed half of that conviction or fight.

Despite progress and policy success under Trump, the GOP faces a turbulent future. Coming off a bitterly disappointing 2022 midterm, Trump-endorsed MAGA candidates must prove that they can win consistently to justify campaign donations. More importantly, the GOP as a whole must convince its voters that, if successful, they can actually govern effectively and implement conservative policies.

Unfortunately, the latter seems highly unlikely, considering just a few recent headlines, from the Senates weak immigration bill pushed by several high-profile Republicans to the GOPs disgraceful inability to unite long enough to impeach Alejandro Mayorkas in the House. At the state level, in Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine became the fourth Republican governor to veto legislation that banned boys from participating in womens sports. (Fortunately, this veto was overridden.) If most elected Republicans dont really believe even in fundamental issues such as border security and biological reality, one can hardly blame donors for being skittish, with or without Ronna McDaniel at the head.

J. Allen Cartwright is a chemical researcher in the energy sector. His interest is in the interplay of politics with cultural and scientific institutions. He can be followed on X at @jallencrtwright.

Image via Public Domain Pictures.
Almost everyone has heard of the Five-Second Rule, which says it never happened if you drop something on the floor and pick it up in less than five seconds. Thats how this world has long worked, especially for Democrat politicians. Stuff happens has long been their attitude. Finally, though, voters seem to be waking up.

A significant proportion of Americans, especially in government and media, believe they can live their lives differently than the way their parents or their parents parents did. They think they can completely rewrite the rules of living, prioritizing their wants and desires over their responsibilities to themselves or society and often rejecting reality entirely. Its not working.

Watch National Security Spokesmen John Kirby repeat the constant refrain that well retaliate for the death of Americans In a time and place of our choosing. That means nothing and doesnt address the fundamental problem. As Iran continues its brazen course, people will realize that stuff doesnt just happen.

Nikki Haley seemingly did well in New Hampshire, which is being used as proof that Halley has momentum. However, per The Hill, 70 percent of Haley voters in New Hampshire were not registered Republicans: CNN exit poll. The reality of her unpopularity with the base is already yesterdays news in the media, but voters are noticing.

Image by AI

For Californias governor, Gavin Newsom, it was a huge surprise to hear from a shopper at Target that the policies that sound good to him have negative consequencesand voters know it.

In New York City, DA Alvin Braggs and other politicians policies mean that illegal aliens who beat police officers were instantly released from jail. Dont expect any lasting repercussions since the perpetrators skipped town. But still, for Democrats, theres nothing to see here. The event has been scrubbed from political memory, but voters are noticing.

Two years ago, California lawmakers passed an equity law for electric bills in the state, accelerating the fact that electricity rates are up 127% over the last ten years, even as California experiences rolling brownouts. Voters are angry, but Democrats, having skated past consequences for so long, are merely perplexed.

Trump is being attacked on every front, especially in New York. Democrats were certain that they could destroy him and move on. The fact that Republicans are pushing back by choosing Trump as their chosen candidate in 2024 tells you that people will no longer say, I guess stuff happens, and move on.

Progressives were doing well by saying that, since October 7, evil Israel is worse than Hamas, until it emerged that UNRWA, funded by U.S. dollars, supported Hamas, even participating in October 7. Biden and the UN are friends of Hamas and Iran, not the US or Israel.

Biden needs you to believe that everything is hunky-dory with our economy. But the Happiness index for Americans reveals a different story. You wont hear it from the media, but Americans (particularly white Americans) are very unhappy.

Weve spent two generations dumbing down the citizenry and avoiding the truth. The Five Second Rule allowed every bad thing to be memory-holed. But now, people are seeing whats strewn on the floorthe failed policies, the deaths from drugs and crime, the broken borders, and the chaos around the worldand theyre starting to use their memories and pay attention.

Perhaps the Democrats five seconds are finally up.

God Bless America.

Author, Businessman, Thinker, and Strategist. Read more about Allan, his background, and his ideas to create a better tomorrow at www.1plus1equals2.com
Today, Joe Biden is cracking down on manufacturing, but I bet he doesnt have the scientific data to give credibility to the new policies, but he doesnt care. He is bending over for the green pushers. Heres this, from Fox News:

Bidens latest climate rules crack down on manufacturing, ignoring industry warnings of economic devastation Biden admins actions will grind permits to a halt for a large portion of our country The Biden administration finalized regulations severely tightening restrictions on fine particulate matter that the manufacturing and energy sectors are legally allowed to emit, an action that industry said would have devastating economic consequences. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled the regulations Wednesday morning in a joint announcement with environmental activists, saying limiting particulate matter known as PM2.5 or soot would have health benefits for Americans nationwide. The rulemaking lowers the annual PM2.5 standard from a level of 12 micrograms per cubic meter to a level of 9 micrograms per cubic meter.

I bet they also cant come up with scientific data that shows that CO2, a clean, non-polluting gas, at 420 PPM in the atmosphere, is any more dangerous than it was in the late 1800s, at 280 PPM. Its what makes plants and trees grow, and that is good. Yet, we are spending massive amounts of money burying carbon.

There certainly is no data that shows that the 50% rise in CO2 over the last 150 years has anything to do with temperatures since they have risen and fallen for periods of time while CO2 was rising.

Last week he was cracking down on natural gas, which is a very clean form of energy.

The push for electric cars will also not change the climate, but it will surely make the poor and middle classes poorer and more restricted.

Something everyone should notice about all these regulations is that Biden never goes through Congress to inflict on America his radical agenda; the legislative process of the founding fathers is just too cumbersome for Biden.

The executive branch is also trying to enact a new natural gas tax, even though the Constitution says only the legislative branch can impose taxes. See below:

Biden admin issues new natural gas tax in latest fossil fuel crackdown Fossil fuel industry group says proposal amounts to punitive tax increase

What we have is a dictator who is abusing his power and violating the separation of powers, and a media who cheerleads for him, while claiming that we should be scared of President Trump, who worked very hard to give power, freedom, and money back to the people is the real dictator.

The open border is also destroying the economy. Billions of dollars are being diverted to pay for illegals. Biden issued executive orders opening the border as soon as he took office, and now hes falsely claiming that he has done everything he can to close the border and blames Trump for the disaster. I dont believe Chuck Schumer has visited the border, a crisis about which he claims to care, in the last three years. Of course the media also blames Trump.

Biden campaigned on an open border, and wants an open border. The latest border bill he supports is essentially a bill to give blanket amnesty, and retain the processes that encourage illegals to flow in. It is garbage.

Someone should tell Nikki Haley, and other Never-Trumpers, that Biden is causing chaos at the border and throughout the world, not Trump.

Image: Public domain.
After her mortifying Tuesday loss in Nevada, Nikki Haley is a woman scorned, but only because Donald Trump just does everything better.

Nikki Haley loses to None of the Above



Nevada: pic.twitter.com/ymvZE99ElR  Olivia Murray (@americaliv1) February 8, 2024

My colleague Monica Showalter wrote an excellent and witty essay breaking down the details, which can be read here; and, heres how John Nolte of Breitbart explained the situation:

On Tuesday, by more than a 30-point margin, Haley lost the Nevada primary to None of These Candidates, 30.8 to 63 percent. In other words, when given a choice between Haley and no one, Nevadans chose no one by two-to-one.

In the aftermath of getting trounced by a candidate that doesnt even exist, Haley spoke to Fox News anchor Elex Michaelson, calling the Nevada system a scam and accusing Donald Trump and state GOP Chair Michael McDonald of rigging the outcome:

NEWS: @NikkiHaley responds to losing the Nevada GOP primary to "none of these candidates:"



She tells me NV's system was a "scam" that was "rigged from the start."



There were no delegates at stake so she didn't "spend a day or a dollar there."



Via @TheIssueIsShow pic.twitter.com/L5wxTHaEqO  Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) February 7, 2024

These accusations of scamming and rigging wouldnt in any way have any relation to what happened in the New Hampshire primary now would they?

I mean, its not like Trump arrogantly welcomed open primaries and took no issue with a states laxity on party hopping so voters (operatives) could exploit the process and sabotage their opponent instead of honestly throwing support behind their chosen candidate or anything, because although unfair, at least it benefited himbut still, how dare he!

While Trump earned 70% of his New Hampshire support from registered Republicans, Haleys numbers reflected almost the exact opposite; heres this, from a blog I wrote after her embarrassing loss, explaining the dynamic:

But as for Republican Nikki Haleys support? 70% of her votes came from undeclared which means only 30% came from registered Republicans, and the vast majority agreed that Joe Biden legitimately won in 2020sounds like a bunch of Democrats to me, which might explain why Haleys HQ had CNN on the big screen.

Haleys only mad now because Trump outsmarted and outplayed her, like he always does, and shes a spiteful, bitter woman. How could anybody want her as president? Is that the kind of temperament Americans want represented in the White House? No, which is why Haley just keeps losing.

Image: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, unaltered.
New Sun Hong Kong at Broadway and Columbus Avenue has reopened as 606 restaurant in San Franciscos Chinatown. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Chinatowns 606 restaurant, formerly the New Sun Hong Kong Restaurant, has opened at 606 Broadway. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

In 2020, with the coronavirus raging, the owners of New Sun Hong Kong restaurant in San Francisco were at a crossroads familiar to many Chinatown business owners of their generation.

Raymond and Mimi Owyang were nearing retirement age. Theyd spent most of their waking hours since 1989 at their Hong Kong-style restaurant at the prominent intersection of Broadway and Columbus Avenue. Their adult children gently urged them to close for good. But then their son-in-law Eugene Lau, who also comes from a longtime Chinatown restaurant family, said he wanted to save the business.

After nearly four years sitting dark, a remodeled New Sun Hong Kong reopened last week, led by the Owyangs daughter Theresa Lau, her husband, Eugene, and his brother, Alvin. Its now called 606, after its address 606 Broadway, still emblazoned on a yellow awning underneath Bill Webers famous Jazz Mural, at one of the main gateways to Chinatown.

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I wanted to continue to support the Chinatown community, especially as weve seen more and more businesses close in Chinatown, said Chelsea Hung, who now runs the beloved R&G Lounge on Kearny Street, open since 1985. I realize its up to our generation to pay it forward, to preserve the culture and food.

Mimi Owyang, Raymond Owyang, Theresa Lau, Eugene Lau and Alvin Lau at 606 restaurant in San Francisco. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

Many of the younger operators grew up in Chinatown and returned from careers in tech or other industries to continue their family businesses.

Leon Zhou was in his 20s and planning to apply to medical school when he started working more at his fathers restaurants, Lai Hong Lounge in Chinatown and the famed Hong Kong Lounge in the Outer Richmond. By late 2022, he decided to help run the restaurants full time, though his work-obsessed father, he said, has yet to step away. Zhou is also working with a chef from the three-Michelin-star Benu to open a Chinese fine-dining restaurant called the Happy Crane in San Francisco, though it wont be in Chinatown.

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To Zhou, an essential piece of history is at stake if Chinatown loses more restaurants, especially ones that specialize in regional cuisines or cooking techniques.

The restaurants that close, well lose forever, he said. Youre not going to be able to try that food again.

The salt and pepper pork chop at 606 restaurant in San Franciscos Chinatown. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

When the Owyangs opened New Sun Hong Kong in 1989, following the original and now closed Sun Hong Kong restaurant in Oaklands Chinatown, it was an event. Californias former Secretary of State March Fong Eu and former San Francisco Mayor Frank Jordan attended the grand opening.

Theresa Lau grew up in Chinatown, walking to New Sun Hong Kong after school with her older siblings. Years later, when she started dating Eugene Lau, hed jump in and help by bussing tables. His grandfather also managed several Chinatown restaurants and was a co-owner of New King Tin Restaurant on Washington Street. While Eugene Lau eventually went into a career in tech, he remained passionate about food.

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Now theyre behind the refreshed 606. They pared down the enormous menu to favorites like pan-fried Hong Kong-style noodles and salt-and-pepper pork chop, plus a few new dishes.

New Sun Hong Kong restaurant, which opened in San Franciscos Chinatown in 1989, is now being run by a younger generation, which recently remodeled it and reopened as 606 restaurant. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

A few blocks away, another notable Chinatown restaurant is being steered into the future by a younger generation. Chelsea Hung was raised in Chinatown restaurants, celebrating family milestones at R&G Lounge, which her father helped open, and her mothers longtime Washington Bakery. As an adult, she left for a tech job in New York City. But in 2018, when her mother wanted to retire, Hung moved home to take over Washington Bakery.

Washington Bakery did ultimately shutter in 2018, then became a new location of another historic Chinatown restaurant, Hons Wun-Tun House. But Hung went on to run R&G Lounge. Shes preserved the restaurants show-stopping seafood dishes like a whole, deep-fried and seasoned crab, but brought the business into the modern era with a new website and first-ever Instagram page.

Newcomers are also energizing Chinatowns food scene. Next door to R&G Lounge, an exciting new restaurant is gearing up to open this spring: Four Kings, from alums of the Michelin-starred Chinatown favorite Mister Jius. Franky Ho and Mike Long have long dreamed about opening a diner-style Cantonese restaurant. With their respective partners, Millie Boonkokua and Lucy Li, they plan to serve dishes like a deep-fried pork chop and fried squab dusted with five-spice.

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The group considered other locations but felt drawn to Chinatown, where Ho and Long met at Mister Jius and Ho grew up. Despite concerns about the neighborhoods economic recovery, they and other owners said theyre noticing business steadily picking up. Lai Hong Lounge is doing well, Zhu said, particularly thanks to locals coming in for lunch, though evenings remain slower. Nearby, the young son of the Hons Wun-Tun House owner opened a new hot pot restaurant, and the chef of celebrated Chinatown restaurant Z&Y recently debuted a spot devoted to Peking duck.
Robin DiAngelo, a white woman who has achieved extraordinary wealth and fame by insisting that America is inherently racist because white people are threatened by minorities, turns out to know nothing about the West and its culture. Instead, she is the ultimate narcissist and is, in fact, simply offended that the Western canon hasnt revolved around her.

DiAngelo has an interesting bio that goes a long way to explaining her narcissism and the ideas that flow from it. She was raised by a single mother, with the usual economic instability that accompanies single motherhood. Tragically, her mother died, after which she lived with her father. She then had a child out of wedlock (a child that, to her credit, she didnt abort), becoming herself an impoverished single mother.

That was when DiAngelo discovered academia. Suddenly, everything made sense as she got a BA in sociology and history from Seattle University and a multicultural education Ph.D. from the University of Washington. Her struggles were all the fault of the white culture in which she lived. They had nothing to do with her parents choices, her choices, or (as happened with her mother) sheer bad luck and tragedy. DiAngelo had a crusade: She would destroy the Western white infrastructure that had treated her so badly.

For a long time, DiAngelo swam about in academia, spreading her ideas in that little world and pushing them out into corporate America and K-12 education. However, once the left successfully branded Trump a racist, DiAngelos moment came. In 2018, Beacon Press published her book, White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, in which she purported to explain (at great length) that all white people are racist but are too emotionally weak to acknowledge that fact.

Suddenly, DiAngelo was a very rich, very famous, and very powerful warrior against the Wests dominant white culture. Her newfound status is notable given that DiAngelo has revealed (a) that she knows nothing about the culture she seeks to destroy and (b) that her views are grounded in a narcissism even greater than we previously understood.

A clip has emerged of DiAngelo speaking to a black podcaster. During the interview, she explains to him that the single image I use to capture the concept of white supremacy is Michelangelos Sistine Chapel God Creating Man. DiAngelo, of course, is speaking of this image, which is, indeed, deeply embedded in the Western psyche:

Photo of the fresco by Jorg Bittner Unna. CC BY 3.0.

Artistically, its dazzling, with its elegant composition and beautiful palette. In terms of storytelling, it vividly brings to life humankinds creation, as told in Genesis 2.

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel fresco between 1508 and 1512, at the height of the Renaissance. Thats when the West was exploding with ideas, energy, creativity, religious faith, and expansionism.

Of course, it still carried with it all the stuff that came beforethe cruelty, the acceptance of slavery as a human norm, and the belief that women, being less physically strong than men, deserved fewer rights than menbut it was breaking free of those concepts, a process that took centuries. When the West ran into Muslim and Asian cultures, it took their ideas (e.g., Arabic numerals, gunpowder, etc.) and expanded on them in ways those cultures had never imagined.

There is a reason, whether anyone wants to admit it, that the West ended up driving the culture of the entire world. There is a reason that the English, reflecting both Renaissance culture and the concept of individual liberties woven into their fabric by the Angles and Saxons, planted the seeds of liberty in America. And yes, when the British first came to our shores, they carried with them those old ideas about slavery, but they also carried the seeds for our eventual national maturity into a nation without slavery and one that understood that all people deserve equal rights under the law.

Notably, those ideas remained unknown in almost all parts of the world that were untouched by those white, Western beliefs.

But Robin DiAngelo looks at everything that Western culture accomplished, no matter how beneficial, and the only thing she sees is white supremacy. Thats bad. Whats worse is that she doesnt even know what shes talking about.

Thus, in the same video, when DiAngelo boasts about her denigration of Michelangelos Creation of Man, she explains that she has no idea which man God is creating. You know, where God is in a cloud, and theres all these angels, and hes reaching out and hes touchingI dont know who that is. David or something?

DiAngelo is unperturbed by her ignorance because knowing what shes destroying is irrelevant to her. The destruction is enough. This is a woman whose parents made bad choices and had bad luck and who made her own bad choices. But shes not interested in or, seemingly, capable of introspection. She can only lash out.

And, of course, at bottom, as with all leftists, it really is all about her. We know that because DiAngelo also explains that, as a Catholic, she was exposed to all this Western Christian imagery growing up, and it offended her. Why? Because it was male-centered and shes female.

The perfect convergence of white supremacy, patriarchy



Robin DiAngelo explains that Michelangelos Creation of Adam on the Sistine Chapel ceiling is the single image she uses to capture the concept of white supremacy.



She also misidentifies Adam as David. pic.twitter.com/qHpXjrYBTg  Steve McGuire (@sfmcguire79) February 6, 2024

DiAngelo was an impoverished, unhappy child who felt ignored. And now, damn it! No ones going to ignore her anymore, and shes going to destroy everybody and everything that didnt ensure that she had a life of perfection, plenty, and being noticed.
Like many big Democrat-run cities, the once mighty Chicago is reeling from high crime, high unemployment, high taxes, high debt, high corruption, high invasion of illegal aliens, high exodus of solid working class jobs and workers, etc.

So how does Chicago's Democrati City Council and Chicago's freshman Democratic mayor, Brandon Johnson, a former city schooteacher, plan to combat all these problems?

Oh, easy -- pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire between the murderous Hamas regime in Gaza and Israel bravely fighting back.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Wednesday played a pivotal role in the City Council's decision to call for an "immediate" ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas-controlled Gaza. Johnson cast the deciding vote, breaking a 23-23 tie on a resolution sponsored by Alderpersons Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez (33rd) and Daniel La Spata (1st). The resolution, which demands an immediate ceasefire, U.S.-sponsored humanitarian aid for Gaza, and the release of all hostages, was met with heated debate and public disapproval. "I will exercise my vote and my right and I vote, Aye,'" Johnson stated. During the testimony of Ald. Debra Silverstein, the only Jewish member of the City Council, Johnson cleared the City Hall chambers as protestors refused to maintain decorum. Silverstein criticized the resolution for its one-sidedness and lack of mention of Hamas' "brutal and depraved" attacks against Israel. She also questioned Mayor Johnson's administration's lobbying efforts in support of the resolution. "We all want whats best for the city," Silverstein said . "I dont understand why there was so much personal political capital put behind this when 28 alders asked for collaboration and there was absolutely no clear collaboration from the other side." Oh. On social media platform X, Ald. Ray Lopez accused Mayor Johnson of investing significant political capital behind closed doors to get the resolution passed. "Should we mention @ChicagosMayor [Brandon Johnson] is personally calling [alderpersons] offering plum committee assignments or leadership positions in exchange for yes votes for the ceasefire resolution?" Lopez wrote on X. O-o-oh! Yeah, that will solve Chicago's problems.

Meanwhile, in Orland Park, a middle class suburb of Chicago with minimal Jewish presence and an increasing population of (illegal aliens) Muslims, the mayor rejected a similar resolution, described in this WGNTV piece: Suburban mayor unapologetic, despite criticism over rejecting cease-fire resolution in Gaza

But first and foremost, Im an American. Im not a German-American. Im an American. Thats where my allegiances lie, period. End of story, he said. If youre an American citizen and you dont feel that way, in my opinion, youre entitled to that opinion. But you can certainly go and fight and go to another country and support that country and all the power to you if you choose to do that.

Oh! He's an American doing what is best for his constituents. He understands that grandstanding on an irrelevant issue to please a loud, disruptive minority is dangerous in the long run. And the short run.

What a great concept!
What are they so afraid of?

Democrats and their European Union allies are starting to top themselves in hysteria as they howl about Tucker Carlson going to Moscow to interview Russia's president, Vladimir Putin.

Most of us would find such an interview interesting, actually, given that Putin is not unknown to us and is reputedly very, very, smart and calculating. He's launched into the war on Ukraine, there's a news blackout, most of us cannot go to Russia now and most Russians cannot come here now, there's longtime historic backdrop worth exploring, and it would be interesting to hear Putin speak for himself as he remains very popular in Russia.

Putin's also a longtime observer of the U.S., and a lot of us would like to know what he thinks about us, how he compares Presidents Trump and Biden, and who he thinks is really running the country. What does he know about corruption in Ukraine, how does he see the war ending, what aim does he want to achieve that will get him to stop the war. Such information, along with the body language, the state of his appearance and health, and the way the interview is handled, could actually yield useful information to U.S. inteligence and its policymakers, even if the interview itself is largely flattering and friendly, which knowing Carlson, might not be.

But that's not how Democrats and their Eurotrash allies see this stuff. They're obviously scared to death of what Putin might say along with the possibility that Americans might just have a more positive view of him. They want him to be the devil, and we already know he's not the devil, he's a Russia-firster, but that amounts to a topic worthy of knowledge.

Here is how nutty it's gotten:

According to BigNewsNetwork, citing RT News,

Former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt, now a member of the European Parliament, has already called for Carlson to be banned from the bloc. "As Putin is a war criminal and the EU sanctions all who assist him in that effort, it seems logical that the External Action Service examine his case as well," Verhofstadt told Newsweek. The EAS is responsible for the bloc's foreign policy and can recommend sanctions, which need to be approved by the European Council. Verhofstadt is best known for having served as the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, and for championing the idea of the bloc becoming an "empire." He is not a lone voice in demanding a ban on Carlson, however. The journalist "is no longer a newsman, but a propagandist for the most heinous regime on European soil," former Spanish MEP Luis Garicano told Newsweek. The London School of Economics alumnus now teaches at two US universities. "Carlson wants to give a platform to someone accused of crimes of genocide - this is wrong," Estonian MEP Urmas Paet told the outlet, falsely characterizing the International Criminal Court (ICC) claims against the Russian president. Moscow has rejected the case as politically motivated. "So, for such propaganda for a criminal regime, you can end up on the list of sanctions. This concerns primarily a travel ban to EU countries," added Paet, the former foreign minister of the Baltic state.

Yes, I know it's a Russian state outlet, but who else is reporting this? And what kind of an idiot is this? What Carlson is doing is journalism, not treason. Anything that increases our body of knowledge is a good thing, not a bad thing. But this clown prefers to decide for us what we are to be allowed to hear, making Putin look like the reasonable one here.

The European Union has since backtracked since word of this buffoonery got out, but the damage is done.

Over on our side of the pond, the hysteria is just as telling.

According to Newsweek:

Tucker Carlson risks "bogus" prosecution under the Espionage Act for interviewing Russian President Vladimir Putin, one legal expert warns. Carlson, a former Fox News host who remains popular among conservatives, is set to interview Putin, he confirmed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday. He said that he is interviewing Russia's leader because most Americans "are not informed" about what is happening there and that it's his "duty to inform people." ... Carlson is taking a risk by interviewing Putin, lawyer Ian Corzine said in a video posted to X on Wednesday, with his analysis drawing some pushback. He said that while interviewing Putin may be legal, there may be "some big problems ahead" for Carlson, pointing to the "super broad" language of the Espionage Act, which prohibits Americans from spying on behalf of foreign countries. Corzine warned that the language of the law "could be construed to prohibit any sharing of information with another country with intent to harm the U.S." Carlson sharing questions with Putin's team before the interview, or Putin's team providing the American with evidence supporting the war with Ukraine, could be covered by the Espionage Act, Corzine said. But he explained why the case for prosecution would still be weak.

Since when is doing a journalistic interview "treason"? Tucker goes there, he asks the Russian head of state some questions, the head of states answers, and the rest of us watching can decide for ourselves. That's journalism and lots of journalists have done it. CBS's Andrea Mitchell even urged President Trump to meet with President Putin a few years back, and practically stamped her feet in fury when he didn't.

More to the point, where was the outrage when other unusual people went to interview highly elusive targets? Did they howl like this when Oliver Stone went to Caracas to interview Hugo Chavez, in his now-telling documentary called "South of the Border"? Did they scream like this when actor Sean Penn went to interview Chapo Guzman? How about all the journos who interviewed Osama bin Laden, whose 9/11 attack on the U.S. wasn't his first terrorist rodeo? He'd been doing bad stuff for years before the big one in New York, Washington and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Did my late friend, the journalist Nate Thayer, who spent 20 years in the Cambodian jungle in search of Pol Pot for an interview, and finally succeeded in 1997, do something prosecutable or sanctionable, or treasonous?

Not in the least. Nate was praised for his courage and grit. because he wanted very much to find out who this mass murderer was and what he was like -- so that history could record it. He wanted that bastard hiding out in the jungle on the record.

As for Oliver Stone, let's discuss that documentary "South of the Border." That documentary, which I saw several times, gave the most amazing insight into the sheer crumminess of South America's early-aughts socialist wave of dictators and dictator-wannabes. Stone interviewed Chavez in all his leering clown malevolent glory, along with all his pals in the region, each done in a kind flattering tone, and each coming out in the worst way. You could feel the sneakiness of the president of Paraguay. You could feel the greed and Imelda-like avarice and cheap wokester feminism of Argentina's president and his wife sidekick. You felt like you were in the presence of a thief when the president of Bolivia was interviewed. And when the president of Ecuador was interviewed, you felt like you were in the presence of a total crook and criminal.

That is valuable and Stone did the world a service by getting those interviews. The true personalities of the dictators and dictator-wannabes came through, whether they meant it or not. Policymakers could make better decisions through this video and as for the rest of us, we could make up our own minds about whether these creatures were just idealistic communists, or something sleazier.

Now Tucker has stepped up to the plate, exercising his First Amendment rights and practicing true journalism by interviewing a public figure of immense consequence. The garbage coming out from the left is just amazing. Is it jealousy? Is it a fear that Putin will expose the swamp money dynamic of funding the Ukraine war?

What are they afraid of? Maybe we ought to see this interview to find out.

Image: Twitter screen shot
Those claiming that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, ratified after the bloodiest war in American history to prevent states from packing Congress with former Confederates, now bars Trump from the ballot, argued their case before the Supreme Court today. Seemingly, it didnt go well for them. However, I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that this days argument was the culmination of a Uniparty set-up on January 6 to destroy Trump.

As a reminder, on January 6, 2021, when the Senate was to certify Electoral College votes, Trump held a rally, during which he asked people to head peacefully to Congress to let them know that they believed there was election fraud. A few significant things happened then, including:

Nancy Pelosi refused extra security at the Capitol despite warnings;

The National Guard was told to stand down as events escalated;

People who have been weirdly free from serious consequences urged them to storm the Capitol;

Masked men removed signs and fencing that would have indicated that Trump supporters were trespassing;

The Capitol police opened the magnetically sealed doors;

The Capitol police, without first warning people to disperse, fired flash bangs into the crowd, causing panic;

Trump was instantly barred from Twitter, preventing him from telling people to disperse;

The Capitols evacuation effectively prevented any pro forma objections to the vote count (of the kind Democrats routinely did for George W. Bush and Donald Trump).

Following the events of that day,

The federal government imposed a military lockdown on the Capitol, making it impossible to see if there was any popular support for Bidens inauguration;

The Democrat-run federal government embarked upon the biggest round-up of Americans since the Democrat-run federal government interned American-born Japanese citizens during WWII;

The Democrat-run federal government has sought to imprison President Donald Trump for the events on January 6;

Various states have booted Trump from their ballots by claiming that he is an insurrectionist, per Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

The United States Supreme Court is now reviewing a Colorado Supreme Court order affirming a successful NeverTrump lawsuit to boot Trump from the ballot.

The real insurrection? Picture created by editing a Tyler Merbler image. CC BY 2.0.

Jonathan Turley reported that the argument to keep Trump off the state ballot did not go well. At the end of this post, I've pasted the Thread Reader version of Turleys tweets (minus hyperlinks). The gist is that Justice Sotomayor seems enamored of the idea that the various states can just boot Trump from their ballots, but the rest of the justices are deeply skeptical.

Interestingly, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson raised a good point that those advocating for Trumps inclusion on the ballot mostly ignored. She doesnt believe presidents were meant to be included among the officers barred from service, which makes sense. While Congress didnt intend for individual southern states to pack Congress with one-time Confederate troops, it surely could not have intended to ban Americans at large from freely choosing their president.

Other justices were concerned about whether Congress, which had just squashed a states rights rebellion, intended to give the individual states so much power; why a single state should be able to decide who may or may not be president; the risk of various states systematically engaging in a tit-for-tat takedown of candidates; the problem of disenfranchising voters; and other more procedural questions.

Julie Kellys take was optimistic:

It is clear SCOTUS' decision will not even be close.



And it will represent a TOTAL HUMILIATION to so many "legal experts" and "historians" who filed amicus briefs to defend Colorado's actions. pic.twitter.com/yDGR29KmWT  Julie Kelly  (@julie_kelly2) February 8, 2024

This hearing is where everything since January 6, 2021, was going to end up, including whether there was even an insurrection on that date.

And thats a very interesting question because insurrection is not a word that has generally been part of American political culture since the Civil War itself. It first reappeared in modern political conversations during the George Floyd riots, when Trump threatened to use the Insurrection Act (18 U.S. Code  2383) against the rioters tearing apart Americas cities and attacking government buildings. This terrified the left.

And yet here we are with the Supreme Court deciding whether an obscure clause of the 14th Amendment, clearly intended to keep former Confederate soldiers out of Congress, should be used to keep Donald Trump out of the White House and his supporters in jail.

This is not an accident. Indeed, its so not an accident that the only conclusion is that the NeverTrumpers, both Democrats and Vichy Republicans, were behind the events of January 6. Sure, Donald Trump played into it by concentrating his followers in D.C. and at the Capitol, but it was always a set-up to bar Trump from politics forever.

And why do we know that? We know that because on January 6, President Biden, one of the worst legal scholars and students of history imaginable, as well as NeverTrumpers, and the entire mainstream media suddenly rediscovered the word insurrection. Each of the statements below was made or published on January 6, 2021, itself:

And the list goes on and on and on

When you consider the decades of violent leftist riots before and inside of Congress, not to mention Trumps inauguration, this unanimity of opinion about a word that was never before used regarding such protests is not a coincidence. What obviously happened was that, thanks to the George Floyd riots, the wheels in the minds of the Mark Elias types started turning when they saw Trump summon his supporters to D.C.

Currently, it seems as if the Supreme Court justices are not inclined to spark a second Civil War by banning from the ballot a hugely popular political figure, especially when the facts of the infamous date in question indicate that something very nefarious occurredand that neither Trump nor his supporters were on the side of those nefarious actions.

Jonathan Turley tweets about the Supreme Court hearing:
Google is taking proactive steps to protect Android users from the rising tide of online scams. Targeting peoples money and personal info, scammers these days employ clever software tricks to bypass security. According to a credible source, theres a new anti-fraud security feature underway to counter the issue and it will work through Google Play Protect. Heres how Googles new system protects you from scams.

Googles Anti-fraud Security Feature and How it Works

In last years iteration of Play Protects real-time scanning for third-party apps, scammers often tricked users into disabling the option. Doing so leaves their finances and personal data vulnerable. Cybercriminals frequently use social engineering tactics and convince Android users to turn off security features voluntarily.

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Google acknowledges that a major portion of malware installation (almost 95%) originates from sideloading third-party apps such as messaging or web browsers. With a solution at hand, Google has collaborated with the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) to launch a pilot program for an advanced anti-fraud system.

Googles anti-fraud system is exclusive to Singapore for now. It will automatically analyze and block the installation of apps requesting sensitive runtime permissions often abused for financial scams. Specifically, the system targets apps sideloaded from external sources. It will scrutinize if the app has four specific runtime permissions  RECEIVE_SMS, READ_SMS, BIND_Notifications, and Accessibility  commonly exploited in scams.

With the pilot program working, sideloaded apps declaring those specified permissions will be blocked. And users will receive a notification informing them that Play Protect has automatically blocked the apps installation. Googles partnership with the CSA seems productive, enhancing user protection by tackling the risks associated with sideloading.

Pilot Programs Duration and Future Plans

The duration of Googles anti-fraud pilot program in Singapore remains undisclosed. No one knows for sure when it will officialize in other regions. But one thing is certain; Google is putting a lot of effort into fortifying Android security. Their collaboration with a cybersecurity agency shows how bad online scams have become. After the pilot program ends, users worldwide should expect the features rollout via an update. Google aims to create a safer environment for Android users as soon as possible by leveraging expertise from more security agencies.
The Blue Room opens Thursday, Feb. 8, next door to Stookeys Club Moderne in Nob Hill. Courtesy Mithy Evans

A new bar and cabaret venue opens in San Francisco on Thursday, Feb. 8, from the owners of Stookeys Club Moderne, a Lower Nob Hill cocktail lounge with an eccentric post-Prohibition theme.

The Blue Room, located next door at 891 Bush St., will feature regular live music, spanning genres from jazz to punk. Under the light of a disco ball, bartenders will serve classic cocktails ($14-$16) like the French 75, Aviation and Sidecar, plus a menu of low- and no-alcohol options.

Co-owners Tim Stookey, Leslie Cole Stookey and Aaron Cole had been looking to expand beyond Stookeys Club Moderne, which opened in 2015. They found that when they hosted live musicians there, some customers didnt want to pay the cover charge for the band, or wanted a quieter place where they could talk. It just seemed like it would be better to have a separate room for the music, said Tim Stookey.

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When the address directly next door became available, they went for it, transforming the 600-square-foot space into a moody room with deep-blue floors and shimmering curtains. They decided to call it the Blue Room, which is also the name of a 1920s showtune and a famous jazz venue in Kansas City.

In addition to music, the partners also wanted their second bar to have less of a strict concept than Club Moderne, which is very closely modeled on the sort of bar that would have existed in San Francisco in the 1930s and 1940s. With an art deco aesthetic, period-appropriate cocktails and bartenders dressed in old-timey white suits, Club Moderne attempts to channel the excitement of the city after Prohibition was repealed. It has some historical bona fides: The site makes an appearance in the classic noir novel The Maltese Falcon, in which detective Sam Spade makes a phone call at an all-night pharmacy at the corner of Bush and Taylor streets, which the owners believe to be the space that Club Moderne now occupies.

Tim Stookey, seen in 2015 at Stookeys Club Moderne. Tim along with co-owners Leslie Cole Stookey and Aaron Cole is opening the jazz and cabaret venue the Blue Room next door. John Storey/Special to the Chronicle

People love it, said Aaron Cole of Club Moderne, but some people are like, eh, I dont quite understand what youre trying to do. So were trying to expose ourselves to a different segment of the market.

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Initially, the Blue Room will just serve drinks, but there are plans to add a menu of light food items. A small selection of local beers and mostly local wines will be on offer. In addition to the list of cocktail standards, the bar will serve a few house specialties like the Blue Room ($15), made with gin, lemon juice, the bitter aperitif Cocchi Americano and blue curacao.

On the Blue Rooms opening night, musician Clint Baker will perform jazz music from the 1920s, with a $10 cover charge. (The cover charge will almost always be $10, the owners said.) Next week, the bar will be open Tuesday through Sunday for Mardi Gras, but after that, the regular schedule of Wednesday-Saturday will resume.
Security patches are often spotted and patched with software updates before they ever cause an issue. However, some security flaws are actively exploited by bad actors before they are caught, and these are called zero-day vulnerabilities. Many of the biggest tech companies have suffered zero-days in the last year. Now, a report from Googles Threat Analysis Group shows that more than 60 zero-days affecting those five companies have come from commercial spyware vendors. These spyware companies often pay hackers for working exploits, and then sell them to others for greater sums.

There are many commercial spyware companies out in the wild. However, Googles TAG tracks about 40 of them. Although the company did not name all of these spyware sellers, it did name the following 11 vendors: Candiru, Cy4Gate, DSIRF, Intellexa, Negg, NSO Group, PARS Defense, QuaDream, RCS Lab, Variston, and Wintego Systems.

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To grasp how strongly commercial spyware companies cause zero-day vulnerabilities, look at these numbers. Google says that there were 25 zero-days known to have been actively explored in 2023. Within that number, 20 of them (or 80%) originated from spyware sellers. Dating back to 2016, Googles TAG says that more than 60 zero-days affecting Apple, Adobe, Google, Microsoft, and Mozilla were caused by spyware vendors.

Plus, its important to remember that these numbers only represent the attacks we know of. It doesnt include the ones we arent aware of yet, or the ones that these vendors might have exploited if they werent patched first. Put simply, a small number of spyware companies are responsible for most security issues. Google has connected a few specific zero-day flaws to spyware companies. For example, three vulnerabilities in Chrome were linked to Intellexa.

Why Googles zero-day spyware discoveries matter

To say that these spyware vendors exist in murky legal waters would be an understatement. A lot of them claim that they act within the law. In fact, many claim to be working with law enforcement to help them with legal monitoring. However, this isnt the entire truth. Some of these spyware companies have been caught working with governments that spy on political opponents for personal gain. Potential targets have included government workers, journalists, or protestors.

Googles work at the Threat Analysis Group is important because we often dont learn a lot about zero-day attacks. Since they are actively being exploited, companies put out as little information as possible about them to limit their damage. The information that does get released usually comes many months later. Now, we know that a lot of these zero-days come from a select few companies.
Google has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit brought forth by shareholders out of court. The company will pay a settlement amount of $350 million to resolve the dispute. The case is related to a data breach on its now-defunct social media platform, Google+.

Google will pay $350 million to settle a class action lawsuit by shareholders

This class action lawsuit against Google originates from a data breach that occurred between 2015 and 2018. A software glitch allowed outside developers to access the personal data of hundreds of thousands of Google+ users. An estimated 500,000 users had their names, dates of birth, occupations, emails, and addresses exposed in the breach.

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Google shareholders claimed that the company concealed the breach for months after discovering it in March 2018. The firm continued to stress its commitment to data security publicly but avoided disclosing the breach. An internal memo suggested it feared that going public about this data leak would lead to regulatory and public scrutiny, something akin to what Facebook received after the Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018.

However, the data breach eventually came to light and a court found that Google deliberately delayed its disclosure. A wave of negative media reports followed, sending the companys stock plummeting. The firm had tens of billions of dollars of market value wiped out in no time. Google denied any wrongdoing, arguing that there is no evidence of any data misuse. However, it couldnt save itself from facing lawsuits.

The incident led to two class action lawsuits against the tech giant, one each from the affected users and company shareholders. Google settled the former lawsuit in 2020, agreeing to pay $7.5 million to Google+ users affected by the breach. It has now also agreed a settlement with the shareholders. Led by Rhode Island Treasurer James Diossa, the suit was brought by the US state, whose pension fund was an investor in Google.

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The settlement requires approval by a US District Judge

A preliminary settlement filed earlier this week in San Francisco federal court states that people who purchased Google stock between April 23, 2018, and April 30, 2019, are eligible for a share of the settlement money. All eligible investors will receive an email notification. A website will also be created in due course to share more information, likely after the settlement is approved by US District Judge Trina Thompson.

Along with $350 million in the settlement amount, the shareholders lawyers may seek up to $66.5 million for fees, the court filing shows.We regularly identify and fix software issues, disclose information about them, and take these issues seriously, said Jose Castaneda, a Google spokesperson. This matter concerns a product that no longer exists and we are pleased to have it resolved.
Google appears to be working on a Pixel Tablet 2 based on the discovery of new device codenames. As you may know, device codenames can be a hint into what Google has cooking in its hardware department. Even if things are only in research and development, these codenames can signify that Google is working on and actively testing an upcoming device. Just like with Android software, Googles hardware devices each have a codename associated with them. For instance, the Pixel 8 is codenamed Shiba and the Pixel 8 Pro is codenamed Husky.

The Pixel Tablet meanwhile, is codenamed Tangorpro. So how do those old codenames lead to the possibility of Google working on a Pixel Tablet 2? Its all based on some codenames found in the code of the recent Android 14 QPR3 beta.

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New citrus-themed codenames suggest a Pixel Tabet 2 is in the works

If youre unfamiliar with where the citrus theme comes from allow us to explain. Tangor is a citrus fruit. But not just any citrus fruit. Its a hybrid between a mandarin orange and a sweet orange. This is where the new citrus-themed codenames come in. 9To5Google has been digging through the recent Android 14 QPR3 beta 1 and found references to two new device codenames  Clementine and Kiyomi  two more hybrid citrus fruits. Obviously, the presence of a codename doesnt mean Google is actually working on these new devices. Or that the company will ever release them if it is working on them.

Its also possible that the codenames in use do end up as available consumer products but with different codenames when all is said and done. There are a lot of possible scenarios here. But Google is always using the same types of codenames for specific products. Phones for example use the codenames of animals. This year its dogs, last year with the Pixel 7 series it was big cats  Cheetah and Panther.

With the tablet, so far, its been citrus. So this very likely points to Google working on a new version of the Pixel tablet. Or at the very least, putting things through a conceptual stage.
Samsung chairman Lee Jae-yong cant seem to catch a breath. Days after a South Korean court acquitted him in a stock manipulation and fraud case due to lack of evidence, prosecutors have filed an appeal against the ruling. Prosecutors originally sought a five-year jail term and a fine of KRW 500 million (approx. $376,000) for Lee.

State prosecution appeals the acquittal of Samsung chairman

In September 2020, the Korean state prosecution indicted Lee and two senior Samsung executives in a stock price manipulation and accounting fraud case connected to the merger of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries in 2015. The $8 billion merger strengthened Lees grip on the new entity. It effectively increased his chances of succeeding his father as the leader of Samsung Group.

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Prosecutors alleged that Lee took to unfair practices to facilitate the merger so he could benefit from it. The Samsung chief was accused of manipulating the stock prices of the two Samsung affiliates, disseminating false market information, and allowing accounting fraud. He denied the allegations saying the merger was part of normal business activity.

Following multiple hearings over three years, the prosecution presented a sentence request to the court in November last year. However, on Monday, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that Lee was not guilty. The other two Samsung executives were also acquitted in the case. The court said prosecutors failed to provide enough evidence to back their claims.

Even if Lees control has been strengthened, the merger, in this case, cannot be considered unfair, as long as there is a reasonable purpose for the merger, said Chief Judge Park Jung-jae. Prosecutors had until February 13 to appeal the ruling. Unsurprisingly, they took only three days to file the appeal. The hearing dates for the second trial should be known in due course.

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Lee has already served jail terms twice since 2017

This isnt the only legal battle that Lee Jae-yong has been fighting in recent years. He has already been found guilty in a separate bribery case from 2015 involving former South Korean President Park Geun-hye. The Samsung chief served two jail terms between 2017 and 2021 in this case, spending over a year in prison.

He walked out on parole in 2021 and was eventually granted a presidential pardon in 2022. There have been concerns that Lees acquittal in the second case will lower the confidence of foreign investors in the Korean legal system. It remains to be seen what comes out of the second trial. Whether Lee will avoid a third jail term, time will tell.
Samsung will fix the Galaxy S24s screen color issue, after all. An upcoming update for the phones will reportedly introduce a new color saturation slider that lets you adjust the vividness of the colors. This slider will be available when you select the Vivid color profile, which currently doesnt produce the same level of saturation we have seen on previous Samsung flagships.

Galaxy S24 users will soon get the desired screen vividness

The display experts at DXOMARK recently concluded that the Galaxy S24 Ultra has the best display ever on a smartphone. However, some users havent been happy with the screen colors. Like previous-gen models, the new flagship also comes with two color modes: Natural and Vivid. However, the color tones hardly change between the two modes.

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We tested this ourselves and found that the two color profiles on the Galaxy S24 series, all three models, are almost identical. There is a mild difference in color tones but thats it. The Vivid mode doesnt increase the color saturation as much as on older models. You can manually adjust the White Balance but some users didnt like the lack of saturation in colors.

It appeared to be a software bug, and Samsung did acknowledge the issue. However, the company later suggested that the color profiles on the Galaxy S24 series are working as intended. The firm made some changes to the Vivid mode to provide a more natural viewing experience to users. Since there is already a Natural mode, this was a weird decision from Samsung.

Unsurprisingly, users expressed disappointment over it, particularly those who preferred more saturated colors. Thankfully, the company listened and plans to let users take charge of the screens vividness. According to tipster Ice Universe, the next update for the Galaxy S24 series will add a second slider below the White Balance controller. It will let users adjust the vividness of screen colors.

Samsung will offer three levels of vividness

The upcoming vividness slider for the Galaxy S24 trio will reportedly offer three levels. The lowest level is the default color tone that you currently get with the Vivid mode. If you increase the vividness by one level, you will get color tones similar to the Galaxy S23 series, the source claims. At the highest level, the color tones will reportedly match the Galaxy S21 series. We will let you know when Samsung rolls out this update.
On January 14, 2021, Samsung announced the Galaxy S21 series, which consists of the Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra.

This is the latest series of flagship smartphones from the most prominent Android smartphone manufacturer, with the Galaxy S21 and S21+ being the latest and greatest smartphones. The Galaxy S21 Ultra is the ultimate smartphone experience, according to Samsung.

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The Galaxy S21 Series boasts a new design and one of the more radical design changes that Samsung has done in quite a few years. Perhaps, since the Galaxy S8. And it primarily revolves around the camera design. Its a new contour cut that fits seamlessly into the frame of the Galaxy S21.

How much does the Galaxy S21 series cost?

The Galaxy S21 starts at $799. Galaxy S21+ begins at $999, and the Galaxy S21 Ultra will start at $1299. We say start because there are different storage capacities available. The Galaxy S21 and S21+ will be available in 128GB by default, with an option to jump to 256 GB. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S21 Ultra will also start with 128GB, with options for 256GB and 512 GB. On the Galaxy S21 Ultra, the RAM is also increased from 12GB to 16GB if you go to 512GB of storage.

Itll cost you $50 more to jump from 128GB to 256GB of storage. Meanwhile, on the Galaxy S21 Ultra, itll cost you $180 extra to go from 12GB of RAM and 128GB of storage to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which is a pretty good deal.

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These prices are $200 lower across the board compared to their predecessors, the Galaxy S20 series. Likely due to the pandemic and economic recession seen around the world.

Should I wait for a price drop?

If you dont absolutely need a phone right now, we would recommend waiting a month or two.

Samsung smartphones always drop in price about a month or two after launch. The Galaxy S20 series dropped a couple hundred bucks in April, which was barely two months after it launched. So unless you are an early adopter and need the phone on launch day or are without a phone and need one desperately, its a good idea to wait.

What trade-in offers are available at launch?

Youll be able to get up to $700 for your current phone, and that will be put towards the price of a Galaxy S21 series device. However, its important to note that the newer the phone you are trading in, the more you will get for it. This is only for trading via Samsung.com. It is also offering some Samsung.com credit, ranging from $50 to $100, depending on the model you purchase.

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Carriers will also offer up trade-in offers, at least during the pre-order period. But typically, Samsung offers the best trade-in amount for your old phone.

Where can I buy the Galaxy S21 series?

The Galaxy S21 series of smartphones will be available virtually everywhere you can buy phones. That includes Samsung.com, AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Best Buy, Amazon, B&H Photo, and likely a few other retailers. You can find the best place to buy your Galaxy S21 smartphone by clicking here.

What carriers support the Galaxy S21 series?

All three US carriers will support the Galaxy S21 series. Both the carrier variants and the unlocked variants.

This year, all three Galaxy S21 smartphones support Sub-6 and mmWave 5G networks. Meaning that all three will work on Verizon without any issues. As well as AT&T and T-Mobile when their mmWave networks roll out a bit more.

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Which carriers will sell the Galaxy S21 series?

Additionally, all three carriers will also sell the Galaxy S21 series. However, color and storage options may be limited. Carriers typically only sell one or two colors of a specific phone. Typically, they are just the base model of storage, or they have a few upgraded models. But those are usually tough to find.

What colors are available?

The Galaxy S21 will be available in Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink, Phantom Gray, and phantom white.

Galaxy S21+ will be available in Phantom Violet, Phantom Silver, and phantom black.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy S21 Ultra will be available in phantom silver and phantom black only.

Samsung.com is offering some exclusive colors for the Galaxy S21+ and S21 Ultra. These include Phantom Gold and Phantom Red for the Galaxy S21+. As well as Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy, and Phantom Brown. Again, these colors are only available from Samsung and not the carriers or other retailers. These will also ship much later than the other colors. So make sure to take that into account.

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What are the specs of the Galaxy S21 series?

Below are the specs for all three models of the Galaxy S21 series. There are plenty of similarities between the three.

Galaxy S21 Galaxy S21+ Galaxy S21 Ultra Display 6.2-inch FHD+

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

120Hz 6.7-inch FHD+

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

120Hz 6.8-inch QHD+

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

120Hz Processor Snapdragon 888 5G Snapdragon 888 5G Snapdragon 888 5G RAM 8GB 8GB 12GB/16GB Storage 128/256GB 128/256GB 128/256/512GB Battery Capacity 4000mAh 4500mAh 4800mAh Charging Speeds Wireless Powershare,

Super Fast Charging,

Fast Wireless Charging Wireless Powershare,

Super Fast Charging,

Fast Wireless Charging Wireless Powershare,

Super Fast Charging,

Fast Wireless Charging Software Android 11, OneUI 3.0 Android 11, OneUI 3.0 Android 11, OneUI 3.0 Rear Cameras 12MP wide

64MP telephoto

12MP ultrawide 12MP wide

64MP telephoto

12MP ultrawide 108MP wide

10MP telephoto1

10MP telephoto2

12MP ultrawide Front Camera 10MP 10MP 40MP Dimensions 71.2151.77.9mm 75.6161.57.8mm 75.6165.18.9mm Weight 171g 202g 229g Price $799 $999 $1299 Colors phantom violet

phantom pink

phantom gray

phantom white phantom violet

phantom silver

phantom black phantom silver

phantom black Available January 29 January 29 January 29

What new features did Samsung unveil?

The new features for the Galaxy S21 series are mostly within the camera and have to do with UWB (Ultra Wide Band). Surprisingly, Samsung doesnt have a long list of new features with the Galaxy S21 series. And is working more on optimizing and perfecting the existing features.

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New UWB features

Samsung unveiled UWB or Ultra Wide Band last year, and it supported the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 2. Basically, its a short-range, wireless communication protocol that  like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi  uses radio waves. Apple has also integrated it into the iPhone 12 series.

Samsung is adding Digital Key Support, starting with the Galaxy S21 Ultra (itll come to Galaxy S21+ later, S21 doesnt have UWB support). This means that your phone will be able to unlock your car for you. Thats also something that Apple showed off last year in iOS 14.

Secondly, with UWB, Samsung is combining the Android Auto experience with SmartThings. This has a little less to do with UWB, actually, but it is a case of all of these technologies working together. With Android Auto, you can tell SmartThings to turn off your lights as you leave the house. Or adjust the thermostat, turn on your alarm, and so forth.

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Thats whats new with UWB on the Galaxy S20 series  mostly the Galaxy S21 Ultra though. Expect Samsung and other companies to continue to build on it. Where Samsung and Apple are already using UWB on their phones, expect competitors to also join in.

The new and improved Galaxy S21 camera system

The Galaxy S21 series boasts mostly the same camera setup as its predecessor. The biggest difference was two telephoto lenses on the Galaxy S21 Ultra versus just one on the Galaxy S20 Ultra last year. However, Samsung has worked to optimize and improve this existing hardware.

Lets start with the Galaxy S21 and S21+. You are going to get unlimited super steady video at 60fps now. It can do 4K60 on all of the cameras  front and back now. It is also bringing in a couple of new modes, like Vlogger View. So you can record on the front camera and the back camera at the same time. Creating those reaction style videos we see on TikTok.

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Portrait Mode and Single Take have gotten improvements thanks to AI. Theres an Enhanced Portrait Mode available on the Galaxy S21 series. That uses AI to improve bokeh. It also gives you different effects like adjusting studio lighting. Single Take has 5x more AI included, so it takes a look at even more frames. Giving you more content in just a few seconds. And it can even create a reel from what you shot using these cameras.

Lets move over to the Galaxy S21 Ultra. Everything we listed above applies to the Ultra, along with a few other things. The Ultra has the laser autofocus that we saw return on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra last year. For fast and accurate autofocusing, even in low light. We still have Space Zoom up to 100x. Along with optical zoom at 3x and 10x, based on the telephoto lens you are using. There is a new Zoom Lock that will allow you to get better-looking Zoom photos too.

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Thanks to a brighter sensor, the night mode has also been improved. There are not so much brighter images, but less noise in the night mode images.

S Pen support, finally

Technically, all three Galaxy S21 series smartphones will support the S Pen. But only the Galaxy S21 Ultra will have a case that can be used to store the S Pen.

At launch, S Pen support is pretty limited. It basically only works for writing on the screen. None of the Bluetooth-enabled features we see on the Galaxy Note series will work. Which means theres no charging needed. However, that might change in the future, according to Samsung.

Samsung will sell the S Pen separately, and you can also buy an S Pen case for the Galaxy S21 Ultra. Samsung also notes that older S Pens will work just fine on the Galaxy S21 Ultra (as well as the Galaxy S21 and S21+).

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What cases are available?

You can check out full list of Galaxy S21 cases by clicking here. But here are a few different options that you can check out.

Spigen Tough Armor

The Spigen Tough Armor is another one of those cases that is pretty popular and a good option for the Galaxy S21 Ultra.

This is a somewhat rugged case for the Galaxy S21 Ultra, which will provide plenty of protection for your new smartphone. It is a dual-layer case which has a soft inner layer and a hard shell that will absorb impact. It also happens to be one of the cheapest cases on this list.

Spigen Tough Armor - Amazon

Samsung Leather Cover

Protect your smartphone in style with Samsungs Leather Case option for the Galaxy S21 Ultra.

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The Leather Cover is available in two colors: black and brown. These cases look really good, and do add some bulk to your Galaxy S21 Ultra, so think about that before you purchase. But after months of use, the leather is going to look incredible, once it has weathered.

This case does not have a silo available for the S Pen, unfortunately.

Samsung Leather Cover - Samsung.com

Samsung Silicone Cover

This Silicone Cover is the same as the one listed earlier on this list, except, this does not have a S Pen. That explains why it is about $40 cheaper than the other option here.

This one comes in more colors though. Including Violet, Pink, Gray and Black. The colors that the Galaxy S21 series is available in. So it can really match up with your smartphone. Which is pretty neat.

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Samsung Silicon Cover - Samsung.com

Which Galaxy S21 should I buy?

Which Galaxy S21 device to buy really depends on your needs. If you want a smaller device, then the Galaxy S21 is a good choice. Want something a bit bigger? Theres the Galaxy S21+. And if you want the best of the best, well, theres the Galaxy S21 Ultra. It all depends on your needs and your wallet.

For most people, the Galaxy S21 or S21+ will be excellent, depending on the size of the phone you want.

All three models do stand apart quite nicely compared to the Galaxy S20 series last year. So there is something for everyone here.

Buy Samsung Galaxy S21
Several major nationwide retailers, including Costco and Trader Joes, have issued recalls for a variety of dairy products due to potential contamination with the dangerous bacteria listeria. Nati Harnik/Associated Press

Several major nationwide retailers, including Costco and Trader Joes, have issued recalls for a variety of dairy and other products due to potential contamination with the dangerous bacteria listeria.

The recent outbreak, which has claimed at least two lives, has been linked by the Food and Drug Administration to cheese and other dairy items distributed by Rizo-Lopez Foods in Modesto.

The company has voluntarily recalled approximately 60 items, encompassing cheeses and other dairy products produced in its facility. Concurrently, Trader Joes and Costco have independently initiated recalls for items that may contain Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium responsible for the infection known as listeriosis.

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported a total of 26 documented illnesses and 23 hospitalizations in connection with the ongoing nationwide outbreak, which has resulted in two deaths  one in California and one in Texas.

The recall encompasses a range of products, including cheese, sour cream and yogurt, sold under various brand names such as Tio Francisco, Don Francisco, Rizo Bros, Rio Grande, Food City, El Huache, La Ordena, San Carlos, Campesino, Santa Maria, Dos Ranchitos, Casa Cardenas and 365 Whole Foods Market.

Costcos specific items subject to recall also include, but are not limited to, the Chicken Street Taco Kit, Rojos 6 Layer Dip, Don Pancho Cilantro Lime Crema, Don Pancho Crema Trio Pack and Southwest Chicken Wrap with Sauce. Trader Joes recall list includes items like Chicken Enchiladas Verde, Cilantro Salad Dressing, Elote Chopped Salad Kit and Southwest Salad. These products contain dairy ingredients supplied by Rizo-Lopez Foods.

Both retailers recommend that customers who have purchased these products should refrain from consuming them and instead either dispose of them or return them for a full refund.

Many of the affected products were also available at retail deli counters, primarily in Spanish-language supermarkets such as El Super, Cardenas Market, Northgate Gonzalez, Superior Groceries, El Rancho, Vallarta, Food City, La Michoacana and Numero Uno Markets.

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Some of the recalled products listed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Listeria can be potentially lethal, especially for certain vulnerable groups. Symptoms of infection include vomiting, fever, headache, muscle aches, neck stiffness, fatigue, confusion, loss of balance and seizures; they typically begin within two weeks after eating contaminated foods but can start to show up on the same day.

Most at risk are adults 65 years and older, newborns and people with weakened immune systems. In pregnant individuals, it can lead to serious complications such as pregnancy loss, premature birth or life-threatening infections in newborns.

Approximately 1,600 people in the U.S. are infected with listeriosis each year.

The CDC had previously investigated listeria outbreaks at Rizo-Lopez Foods in 2017 and 2021, identifying queso fresco and similar cheeses as potential sources of contamination, though no specific brand was pinpointed. With new cases reported in December 2023, the CDC and FDA reopened the investigation, leading to the current recall.

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Smoke from a Chevron Oil refinery fire fills the sky above Richmond in 2012. Investing in the oil and gas sector generates low rates of return. Lance Iversen/The Chronicle 2012

The oil and gas sector had the lowest returns of any sector in the U.S. economy in the past decade. It also had the highest volatility. Finance students are taught that investors trade off higher risk for better returns. Why does anyone invest in a sector that offers neither?

The answer lies in the fact that most people today invest via index funds. These funds let investors ride the growth and relative stability of the economy at large, rather than having to place a bet on a specific fund manager. So much data has shown that past performance has no correlation to future results that active fund managers are falling out of favor.

More and more Americans rely on index funds like the S&P 500.

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The problem with this picture is that the historical market dynamics that led to todays mix of top 500 companies are not a good predictor of which ones will dominate the economy in the future. We are investing in todays 500 biggest companies even though it is clear that the makeup of that top 500 list will be quite different moving forward. Nowhere is that more true than in the energy sector.

The number of oil and gas companies that qualify to be in the S&P 500 has been on the decline: In 2011 there were 45 fossil fuel companies in the index, and by 2020 there were only 19. As the cost of solar, wind and batteries combined has become less expensive than fossil fuel power generation, and the popularity of electric cars has taken off, the oil and gas industry has been on the decline. And yet, we continue to invest in it because we continue to invest in index funds.

Nowhere is this more true than in 401(k) plans.

As one of us experienced when running a technology company, it took over three years and a lot of persistence to get a single climate-friendly investment option on our 401(k) plan. That meant for over three years, we were requiring all of our employees to invest in ExxonMobil and Chevron.

It turns out we werent alone. There are entire social movements of employees at big tech firms, including Apple, Microsoft and Google, who have been asking for climate-friendly investment options in their retirement plans for years. They have sent hundreds of letters to their human resources teams. They have gotten thousands of signatures on petitions.

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Why has it been so hard for employees to get an investment option that makes a lot of financial sense and also increases the likelihood that they will have a livable planet to retire on?

In 401(k)s and 403(b)s, generally called defined contribution plans, there is a lively culture of class-action lawsuits that puts pressure on employers to offer the types of rock-bottom prices and benchmark-correlated returns that only index funds can provide. The result is that anyone who invests via a corporate retirement plan has to invest about 5% of their savings in the oil and gas industry, the worst-performing and most risky sector in the economy.

We believe it is time to question that status quo. While index funds like the S&P 500 have served us well in reducing costs, they now prevent us from protecting our life savings from the decline of the fossil fuel industry.

In the past few years, several products have come on the market that make it possible for employers to offer low-price, benchmark-correlated funds that are climate-friendly. Those options have grown in popularity as employees have requested them.

Fossil fuel companies have noticed. In the past year, they have poured money into a new anti-ESG (environmental, social and governance investing) campaign that has resulted in the House and Senate voting to pass a bill that outlaws climate-friendly investing in 401(k)s, and 18 red states passed laws outlawing climate-friendly investing in state pension plans. The 401(k) bill was only prevented from becoming law by the first veto of President Joe Bidens career.

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Ironically, these bills that fossil-fuel-industry-funded politicians frame as putting investment returns ahead of values-based decision-making have threatened to cost hundreds of millions of dollars to state agencies and pensioners, and have forced investment managers to choose between making the right decision as fiduciaries and breaking the law. In one of those 18 red states, the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System decided to break the new anti-ESG law rather than risk losing $10 million of pensioner money. Where the fossil fuel industry would like to frame the problem as choosing between investing with progressive values or investing for good returns, the data shows that those progressive values and good returns often go hand-in-hand.

When it comes to long-term retirement investing, requiring Americans to put their hard-earned savings into an industry in decline just doesnt make sense. If politicians required Americans to invest in the horse-and-buggy industry 100 years ago when automobiles were on the rise, we would see that as insanity. We should wake up to the fact that the same is true for oil and gas companies today.
The Princess Royal has acknowledged words of support for the King and Princess of Wales as she celebrated the 35th anniversary of a pony club.

Anne nodded and smiled as she was told, We wish you and your family well at this time by Sister Mary Joy Langdon, founder and chief executive of the Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre in west London that hosted the royal visit.

The Kings sister is the latest member of the royal family to receive the support of the public in person after the Prince of Wales acknowledged on Wednesday evening well-wishers who have sent messages for Charles and Kate.

Charles is staying at Sandringham following his first bout of cancer treatment after the announcement of his diagnosis on Monday, while Kate is convalescing at home in Windsor after planned major abdominal surgery.

James Hick, chief executive officer of the British Horse Society (BHS) which supports the west London pony club, told Anne: On behalf of all of us here I would also like to pass on our sincere thoughts to His Majesty the King at this time, and to your family.

Mr Hick was by the Princess Royals side as she met young riders from west London and chatted to BHS staff and supporters of the Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre.

Anne met young riders and chatted to BHS staff and supporters during her visit to the Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre (James Manning/PA)

After the visit, he said about Anne: I think she is always very grateful for our concerns and thoughts for her.

Shes somebody whos quite private with her thoughts as well, but equally she was grateful for all of us, and feels that love that we have for the family at a very important time.

TV star Martin Clunes, who is patron of the Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre and BHS president, joined Anne for the tour of the centre.

Sister Mary Joy Langdon, the centres founder and chief executive, wished Anne and the royal family well (James Manning/PA)

He said after the visit: She knew our thoughts were with the King, but I think this was a bit of relief  I imagine you guys, the press have been badgering her.

Stephen Fry has praised the King for revealing his cancer diagnosis to the public, but told BBCs Today Podcast he was anxious for him.

The 66-year-old actor and comedian, who had prostate cancer in 2018, said Charless very swift modernising of the monarchy now included an openness about something as personal and indelicate as a cancer.

The Princess Royal watched a pony display and handed out medals at the centre (James Manning/PA)

He told the podcast: I am anxious, of course  anxious for his well-being, and anxious that, having sort of been in the wings all this time and to have such a short time on centre stage, if he were to be seriously ill, would be really, really sad, because he has a lot to do and a lot he wants to do.

Charles has postponed all public-facing duties, but is continuing with behind-the-scenes work on his red boxes of state papers.

William may step in to represent his father at an event, but no engagements are scheduled at the moment and the royal palaces will make arrangements if the need arises.

Kate left hospital last Monday and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be reunited with her three children, but the 42-year-old is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter.

TV star Martin Clunes, left, looked on as the Princess Royal cut a cake during her visit (James Manning/PA)

After watching a pony display and handing out medals to the young riders, Anne cut a chocolate-and-gold sponge cake that celebrated the centres 35th anniversary.

The princess made the guests laugh when she said: I hope youve all had a chance to see this cake because it really is stunning, the instructions on it are you will eat it, if I cut it because otherwise its just legalised vandalism  enjoy the cake.

The visit came as a downpour hit the capital and the Kings sister was dressed practically, wearing wellies, a raincoat, gloves and carrying an umbrella.

She seemed relaxed and, as a proficient horsewoman and the BHSs vice patron, who has spent her life in the equine world, happy to be surrounded by ponies and young riders.
Armed police have executed two raids at addresses in Newcastle as part of their search for Clapham alkali attack suspect Abdul Ezedi.

The Metropolitan Police said the warrants, including one at Ezedis place of work, were carried out in the early hours of Thursday.

No arrests have been made following the raids, which were a joint operation between the Met and Northumbria Police.

Ezedi, 35, is accused of pouring a strong alkali on his ex-partner, and injuring her two young children, aged three and eight, on Wednesday January 31 in Clapham, south London.

A major manhunt is under way for the suspect, with the last confirmed sighting now at just before 11.30pm that evening, a few hours after the attack, as he crossed over Chelsea Bridge and entered Battersea Park in central London, then crossed back over the same bridge minutes later.

He was initially travelling around on the Tube network using his bank card and, after that, appears to have been walking a route that broadly hugged the River Thames.

Injuries to the right side of Abdul Ezedis face are clearly visible in CCTV images in the hours after the attack (Metropolitan Police/PA)

The woman hurt in the attack, who may lose the sight in her right eye, remains sedated in hospital and is still too ill to speak to police.

It comes after police revealed the woman had been in a relationship with Ezedi, with the breakdown of the relationship a possible motive for the attack.

Investigators said that she had agreed to meet him on the day of the attack, and that she and her children were in a car with Ezedi when he struck.

Metropolitan Police Commander Jon Savell said on Wednesday the manhunt for Ezedi is an incredibly high-priority attempted murder investigation.

He added on Thursday: Todays early morning activity involved armed officers targeting addresses linked to Ezedi as our investigation continues to find this dangerous man.

This is just part of our work, a team of 100 officers in London are continuing to progress a range of inquiries, linking in with other forces and agencies. This includes meticulous work to examine CCTV footage, and we have now traced Ezedis movements for another 30 minutes.

He thanked members of the public who have given information and said officers handed out 250 leaflets at the scene of the attack on Wednesday evening, visited local Afghan restaurants and spoke to members of the local residents association.

Ezedi, who is not the father of the children who were hurt, suffered significant facial injuries that could prove fatal if left untreated.

(PA Graphics)

Detective Superintendent Rick Sewart, who is leading the hunt for the Afghan refugee, said: The medical injuries to Ezedi appear very significant from imagery that we have recovered, to the right side of his face.

And through the National Crime Agency we have received medical interpretation which would indicate that his injuries could be potentially fatal if not treated.

Ezedi came to the UK hidden in a lorry in 2016, and was turned down twice for asylum before successfully appealing against the Home Office rejection by claiming he had converted to Christianity.

He was convicted of two sexual offences in 2018 but was allowed to stay in the UK because his crimes were not serious enough to meet the threshold for deportation.

A tribunal judge is understood to have ruled in favour of his asylum claim in 2020 after a retired Baptist church minister confirmed he had converted to Christianity, reportedly describing Ezedi as wholly committed to his new religion.

Police attend the scene in Lessar Avenue near Clapham Common, south London, where the mother and her children were hurt (Metropolitan Police/PA)

On Wednesday, a Baptist church in Tyne and Wear confirmed it was aware of a connection it had with the suspect.

In a statement, the church in Jarrow said: Grange Road Baptist Church brings together and welcomes people from all walks of life and from many different nations.

We are aware of the connection Abdul Shakoor Ezedi has had with our church.

As soon as we became aware of the current situation, we made contact with and are co-operating with the relevant authorities. We are praying for all those affected by the situation.

Investigators say they are keeping an open mind as to whether Ezedi is dead, possibly after jumping in the river, or whether he is being helped to stay hidden.

Details of Ezedi were circulated to all UK forces and ports at an early stage.

Darius Nasimi, from the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association charity, called on anyone in the community who may be helping him to contact police.
A housing association illegally evicted a man who was stranded abroad due to Covid and then sublet the property to a staff members boyfriend, the High Court has heard.

Filippe Scalora claims he was evicted from his one-bedroom flat in Chelsea, west London, by Clarion Housing Association while trapped in Australia in 2020, despite having a lifelong assured tenancy agreement on the property due to a health condition.

The 43-year-old alleges that when he returned in 2022, he found someone else living in his flat and using his belongings.

His lawyers told a court in London on Thursday that a then-Clarion employee had moved her boyfriend into the property and clearly forged emails to suggest Mr Scalora had ended his tenancy voluntarily.

Mr Scalora, who has since lived in a studio flat and a hotel, is taking legal action against Clarion Homes to get a court order declaring the move illegal and for damages totalling around 1.1 million.

Clarion denies the allegations, claiming the emails were genuine and sent by Mr Scalora, who was complicit with the employee over what happened.

SanMari Martins, for Mr Scalora, said: That experience was one that no one should have to endure.

What has happened here is terrible.

The court was told that Mr Scalora travelled to India for a holiday in December 2019, leaving his belongings at the London property, which he still considers his home.

He informed Clarion he would be travelling for an extended period in line with his tenancy agreement, but was trapped in Australia in February 2020 when Covid lockdown measures were implemented.

It is claimed that a Clarion employee, Alecia Miller  who no longer works for the company  told Mr Scalora the company would need access to the property for gas inspections while he was away, and he sent her a set of keys.

Ms Martins said Ms Miller falsely told Mr Scalora that the local council, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, wished to accommodate another tenant in the property while he was away, and needed to remove his belongings as a result.

Mr Scalora claims he was promised by Ms Miller that he would be rehomed once he returned to the UK. A new tenant, Cyril Brown, then moved in.

When Mr Scalora returned to his home in April 2022, he found his opened mail in the kitchen and Mr Brown using his belongings, including a mattress, towels, cutlery and a computer.

He alerted Clarion and was told the companys records did not reflect the details given to him by Ms Miller, the court was told.

It is alleged that Ms Miller had tampered with emails to suggest Mr Scalora had voluntarily ended his tenancy, with the messages described as clearly forged and highly suspicious.

In written submissions, Ms Martins said staff members at Clarion claimed in interviews that it was not unheard of staff members, as employed by Clarion, misusing their position for subletting purposes.

The defendant (Clarion) cannot assert, on the law, that the claimant had surrendered unequivocally, or even vaguely, that the claimant (Mr Scalora) took steps to terminate his tenancy, she added.

Ms Martins told the court a possession order had been sought by Clarion against Mr Brown, which was granted on February 6, but Mr Scalora does not want to return to the property even if he wins his case.

Michelle Caney, for Clarion, said in written arguments that any allegedly deceitful conduct by Ms Miller was not authorised by the company.

She also said Mr Brown paid Mr Scalora 400 for a washing machine, which showed a connection between the pair which had previously been denied.

She said: The claimant ended his tenancy by giving the defendant at least one calendar months written notice in accordance with his tenancy.

Consequently, there can be no claim for unlawful eviction and the matter ends there.

For the avoidance of doubt, insofar as the claimant relies on allegedly deceitful conduct by Ms Miller, this was not authorised by the defendant and was not within her actual or ostensible authority.

On the contrary, it would seem that the claimant was complicit with Ms Miller.

The fact that the claimant was out of the country for over two years, paid no rent to the defendant and travelled to various countries between December 2019 and April 2022 speaks for itself.

The trial before Judge Jonathan Simpkiss is due to conclude on Tuesday, with a judgment expected at a later date.
DUP Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan has urged Sinn Fein to focus on delivering in the newly re-established Northern Ireland Assembly, and not on a border poll on the regions constitutional future.

Sinn Fein president Mary-Lou McDonald earlier predicted that a border poll will be held before 2030.

Ms McDonalds comments expressing confidence of referenda on both sides of the border within six years come amid increased focus on the prospects of reunification following the appointment of Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill as Northern Irelands first nationalist First Minister.

I envisage us having the referendums in this decade, she told Sky News.

First Minister Michelle ONeill (Liam McBurney/PA)

Asked to clarify if that meant before 2030, she replied: Yes, and let me say that it is not so far away, so theres an awful lot of work that needs to be done.

Ive said consistently to the government in Dublin that they really need to take possession of this conversation thats now under way right across Ireland.

They need to give it a structure and a place and, of course, it has to be inclusive.

We want to hear from every voice, including those for whom reunification would not be their first option, those who go out and campaign for the Union.

Nevertheless, we all live together, thats never going to change. We share Ireland, we love Ireland, and we want whats best for our children, for our grandchildren.

I think thats the strongest, most powerful common ground that we all share.

However, Mr Givan responded by saying former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said there would be a united Ireland by 2016.

Speaking during a visit to Rathmore Grammar School in Belfast on Thursday morning, Mr Givan told the PA news agency that he regrets the pivot to talk of a border poll.

Its regrettable that when it comes to elections, Sinn Fein immediately pivot towards this issue of a border poll. I indicated before Michelle ONeill became the First Minister to resist the temptation to go down the path of talking about border polls when we need to be focused on health, education and all of those bread-and-butter issues, he said.

The public want us to get on with the job of delivering on those issues, not to be distracted by those constitutional questions.

Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, a border poll should be called by the incumbent Northern Ireland Secretary when they believe there is evidence that public opinion in the region has shifted in favour of constitutional change.

Successive UK governments have consistently declined to specify publicly what criteria will be applied when measuring public sentiment on the issue.

Last week, Ms McDonald said unification was within touching distance  a claim that prompted DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to remark that his political rival must have the longest arms on this island.

Sir Jeffrey rejected suggestions of a poll within the next decade, insisting we are nowhere near a united Ireland.

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald passes DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and DUP deputy leader Gavin Robinson at Stormont (Liam McBurney/PA)

Ms McDonald responded to his comments on Thursday.

When I say unity is within touching distance, I said in historic terms, I dont mean that its happening next week, or next month, she said.

So you dont have to have those long arms that Jeffrey refers to. But what I am saying, what I firmly believe, is in this decade we will have those referendums and its my job and the job of people like me who believe in reunification to convince, to win hearts and minds and to convince people of that opportunity.

Ms ONeill, who is in London with her party president, later accused Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris of ignoring the reality on the issue of constitutional change.

Earlier this week, Mr Heaton-Harris said he did not expect a border poll within his lifetime.

I think Chris Heaton-Harris, with all due respect, thats a bit of an ostrich mentality, sticking your head in the sand and refusing to see whats actually happening all around you, she told ITV.

Ms ONeill added: I think hes ignoring the reality. My election speaks to the change thats happening across the island.

My parents and grandparents never believed this day would come, that this change would never come about because the north is built in such a way that someone from my background was never supposed to be in a position of first minister.

You know, all the old certainties of the past, of that state that they were born into, are gone.

So I actually think that my appointment actually does reflect the change thats happening.
The Home Secretary has apologised and offered compensation to a Bahraini human rights activist who was unlawfully detained at Gatwick Airport last year.

Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei was stopped by the UK Border Force on September 29 upon his return from addressing the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

The director of the London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy said the experience of being detained at Gatwick for two-and-a-half hours was terrifying.

The Home Office has admitted that the detention was unlawful and offered at least 1,000 in compensation to Mr Alwadaei.

Mr Alwadaei said the timing of the detention was problematic as it came less than three months after Bahrain pledged to invest 1 billion in the UK and the Government removed the Persian Gulf kingdom from its list of human rights priority countries.

The activist said he was very concerned about the UK Governments relationship with the Bahraini regime.

Mr Alwadaei told the PA news agency: When I was in Geneva, part of what I stated was about how Bahrain is emboldened and empowered to violate international law and human rights because they are able to do so due to the support they receive from the British government.

He added that his family had suffered reprisals for his activism and said his brother-in-law was currently in prison in Bahrain.

Mr Alwadaeis lawyer filed a letter to the Home Office in December arguing that the detention at Gatwick was unlawful.

In response to the claim, the Home Office accepted the detention was unlawful and offered an apology and compensation.

In its letter dated December 22, the Government Legal Department said: Following your clients complaint, the SSHD [Secretary of State for the Home Department] has reviewed his records and accepts that your client was unlawfully detained.

The SSHD apologises to your client for the actions of his officials and offers [] compensation for the distress caused.

Mr Alwadaei was granted asylum in the UK in 2012 after fleeing persecution in Bahrain and was accorded indefinite leave to remain in 2019.

The human rights activists Bahraini citizenship was stripped in 2015, leaving Mr Alwadaei and his UK-born daughter stateless.

Mr Alwadaei said: For years, I have been stopped at UK airports without explanation, but I am relieved that, on this occasion, the Home Office admitted it was unlawful to detain me.

The UK Government must abide by its laws, ensuring that nobody is unjustly detained, particularly those advocating for human rights.

Maya Foa, director of the human rights organisation Reprieve, said that the detention was extremely alarming and that it raised troubling questions about the extent of Bahraini influence over the UK Government.

She added: Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei is a courageous human rights defender who was granted asylum in the UK after being tortured and beaten for his activism in Bahrain.

Ministers must urgently confirm whether action against Sayed was brought about by pressure from the Bahraini authorities.

In November, Beckenham MP Bob Stewart, formerly of the Conservative Party, was found guilty at Westminster Magistrates Court of racially abusing Mr Alwadaei by telling him to go back to Bahrain.

A Home Office spokesperson said: Border Forces number one priority is to keep our borders safe and secure, and we will never compromise on this.

Officers may stop any arriving passenger for the purposes of further examination where they are not immediately satisfied that they qualify for entry.
David and Angela Arnold with their daughters, Emily and Alice, in 1999. (NHSBT)

Looking for love? Your nearest blood donation centre might just be the place to meet The One - while doing a worthwhile deed.

Thats how David and Angela Arnold, parents to Emily and Alice Arnold, began their love story. In October 1992, David went to donate blood for the first time and laid eyes on Angela, who was a regular donor already.

Emily, 28, tells Yahoo UK: "They were sat next to one another while donating blood and started talking, they really hit it off."

Although David, 59, wanted to get Angela's number, he missed the opportunity to ask for it during the blood donation.

Instead, he came up with a rather novel solution that involved waiting to see her car turn up at a local council office. "He knew she worked at the local council and would go and look for her car wanting to leave a piece of paper with his phone number under her windshield," Alice, 24, says.

"Then one day as he was driving in one direction, he saw her driving in the opposite direction, so he turned around and managed to catch up with her to give her the piece of paper himself.

"They still have that paper to this day!"

David and Angela Arnold on their wedding day in May 1996. (NHSBT)

Because of their parents unique love story, Emily and Alice were brought up around them giving blood and understood it as a good thing to do. Both sisters now donate blood regularly, too, and are encouraging young people to do the same.

It comes as NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) has revealed that, for the first time in five years, there are more donors over the age of 45 than under. Older people now make up more than half (51%) of regular donors, while the proportion of younger donors has shrunk with only half as many 17 to 24-year-olds giving blood now compared to 2018.

NHSBT is calling for more under-35s to donate blood and has launched the latest phase of its Giving Types recruitment campaign.

Emily and Alice hope the story of how their parents met will convince people that they might just meet the love of their lives at a blood donation centre. The sisters also understand how crucial it is to keep donating, as Angela, 58, had to have a blood transfusion due to a medical condition.

Although Angela is no longer able to donate blood due to a medical condition, David still goes regularly - and so do both their daughters. Emily, who lives closer to their parents in Doncaster, donates together with David and treats the hour they spend giving blood as a catch-up session with him.

(From left to right): Angela, Emily, Alice and David Arnold. The whole family regularly donates blood. (NHSBT)

She says it took her longer to start donating blood because she was initially afraid of needles, but now isnt fazed by the procedure. She cherishes the time she gets to spend with her father, and loves the staff at the donation centre.

In fact, Emily has convinced her partner and his father to go and donate blood for the first time at her next appointment in March. "Itll be like a party," she says. "My partners dad told me he always thought about it but didnt have anyone to go with. Now all four of us are going! I think its important to have someone to go with, so it doesnt seem as scary."

Alice started donating blood as soon as she became eligible at 17. She kept going regularly throughout university, and still goes on her own where she lives in Coalville, Leicestershire.

"When I was at university, I would bring it up with my course mates or post about it on Facebook, in hopes people would be curious about it and want to come with me," she tells Yahoo UK. "I have managed to encourage quite a lot of people to start donating blood, its just so important."

Reflecting on the low numbers of young blood donors, Alice says she thinks that the fear of the unknown is what stops many people from giving blood. "I think if they knew what happens at the procedure and have someone to go with who is already familiar with it, there would be less fear and worry."

Sisters Emily and Alice Arnold want to encourage young people to start donating blood. (NHSBT)

Both sisters say the staff at blood donation centres are friendly and kind, and the atmosphere is often fun and relaxing, with plenty of good music and chats with staff and other donors.

If you have never donated blood before, you must first check your eligibility and register with the NHSBT online, and then you can make an appointment.

On the day of your appointment, Alice explains what happens: "You check in and fill out a form, then sit down and have a drink of water while you wait. Then you'll be called into the consultation room, where they go over your form and check your iron levels using a pinprick blood test to make sure you're healthy to donate.

"Then you sit down and they get you set up with a needle in your arm, and you just wait until they've taken the blood needed. After everything, you get to have a biscuit and a cup of tea before heading off to continue your day!"

Highlighting the importance of donating blood, Dr Jo Farrar, chief executive of NHSBT, said: "Because lifesaving blood only has a short shelf life, we need to constantly collect it and need a steady stream of new donors.

"For the first time in five years, we have more donors who are aged over 45 than under, so it has never been more important for younger people to become lifesavers by giving blood.

"Giving blood feels great. In just one hour you can save up to three lives. Please register and book your first appointment today."
Up to 25cm of snow is forecast in parts of England and Wales on Thursday, as the Met Office issued weather alerts and warned of disruption to travel.

Amber weather warnings for snow have been issued for parts of northern England and north Wales, while a mixture of yellow rain and snow warnings will be in force across the four nations.

The amber warning across the Peak District and south Pennines is in place from noon until 6pm on Thursday, with up to 25cm of snow forecast across high ground above 300 metres.

(PA Graphics)

The Met Office said strong and gusty easterly winds may lead to some drifting in places, and that 10-15cm of snow is expected quite widely across the warning area.

A separate amber warning for snow and ice will be in place between 8am and 3pm on Thursday across north Wales and north-west Shropshire, with 20-25cm of snow forecast in areas above 200 metres.

The Met Office said that as milder air begins to arrive from the south, there is a chance that snow could turn to freezing rain across some higher routes above 200 metres.

An amber weather warning means travel delays on roads are likely; public transport vehicles and cars could be stranded; power cuts are possible; and some rural communities could be cut off temporarily.

In the area covered by the snow and ice warning, the Met Office said untreated pavements and cycle paths could be impassable.

Some impactful weather is on its way tomorrow, take a look at the #4cast for a quick summary  pic.twitter.com/tnAM0FuECH  Met Office (@metoffice) February 7, 2024

Met Office meteorologist Amy Bokota said an easterly wind meant that places inland and higher up were likely to see the most snow.

She said it was unlikely that significant levels of snow would be on the ground for days, but added it could lead to difficult driving conditions on Thursday.

Ms Bokota said: The snow could cause some pretty poor driving conditions for parts of the Pennines and Wales, particularly through the afternoon and early evening.

The forecaster added that most places would see a return to milder conditions by the end of Thursday.

She said: It will be quite a short-lived cold snap for much of the UK, but continuing on a little bit longer through parts of northern England and Scotland into the early hours of Friday and the start of the weekend.

A yellow rain warning covering much of southern England and south-east Wales  including London and Cardiff  has been issued from 2am on Thursday to 6am on Friday, with 15-25mm likely and up to 45mm on higher routes.

Further yellow snow and ice warnings cover southern and central Scotland from 6pm on Thursday to 3pm on Friday, and from 10am on Thursday until 6pm on Friday in Northern Ireland.

The Met Office said up to 8cm of snow could fall in Northern Ireland and up to 10cm in parts of Scotland, with 1-3cm more widely in both regions.

Another yellow warning for snow and ice is in place in northern Scotland from 4pm on Wednesday to 10am on Thursday.

Chris Wood, from the AA, said: If you need to travel, reduce your speed to account for the conditions and leave plenty of space behind other vehicles, and try to use main roads where possible as these are more likely to have been gritted.

Allow extra time as its likely your journey will take longer than usual, and ensure you have plenty of fuel or electrical charge if driving an electric vehicle.

The cold snap is likely to affect vehicle breakdown levels, with faults such as flat batteries and wiper faults.
Workers at The Pensions Regulator (TPR) are to stage a series of fresh strikes in a dispute over pay.

Around 400 members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) will walk out for 12 days between February 28 and March 20.

The workers have already taken more than 10 weeks of action.

Breaking New strike dates announced at the Pensions Regulator PCS members will take 12 more days of strike action as they continue to fight for fair pay following the imposition of an unacceptable pay deal. More: https://t.co/zsxjgIQguJ#PCSonStrike pic.twitter.com/VBTVAJoS4x  PCS Union (@pcs_union) February 8, 2024

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: Our hard-working members are angry at being told TPR cant afford to give them a pay rise to help them through the cost-of-living crisis but they can afford to pay 6 million to consultants, splash out almost 200,000 on fees and expenses for its chair and part-time board members, and spend more than 1 million on other expenses, including accommodation.

Its time for TPR to invest in its staff, not on jollies and outsourcing.

A spokesman for The Pensions Regulator said: We are disappointed by the announcement of further industrial action. What we pay staff is fair, and this year our lowest-paid workers received a pay rise of 6.25%.

After months of meetings, we have now exhausted negotiations for last years pay and are now looking ahead to next year.
More than 100 schools in England with collapse-risk concrete will have blocks rebuilt or refurbished under the Governments rebuilding programme.

The Department for Education (DfE) has published details on how it will permanently remove reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) from all the affected schools and colleges across the country.

It comes after a school leaders union called on the Government to provide more financial support to schools facing ongoing issues as a result of Raac.

A total of 234 education settings in England have been identified as having Raac in some areas of their buildings, which is a slight rise on 231 on November 27.

The DfE has said that 119 of these schools will have one or more buildings rebuilt or refurbished through the Governments School Rebuilding Programme as works to remove Raac are more extensive or complex.

A further 110 schools and colleges  where works will typically be smaller in scale  will receive a grant to help them remove Raac from their buildings.

Five schools and colleges have alternative arrangements in place to address the removal of Raac, the DfE said.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: Nothing is more important to me than the safety of every child and member of staff in school.

We will continue to work closely with schools and colleges as we take the next step to permanently remove Raac from affected buildings.

The DfE has said its Raac identification programme is now complete as 100% of schools and colleges with blocks built in the target era have responded to their questionnaire.

Earlier this week, Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), sent an open letter to the Education Secretary calling for schools with Raac to be exempt from Ofsted inspections until they were fully operational.

A school or college that has confirmed Raac on site will be eligible for an inspection this term, but they can ask for an inspection to be deferred.

In a letter to Ms Keegan, Mr Barton said managing Raac was still creating major issues for schools  including lack of access to specialist equipment and limited or no catering facilities.

Last month, the ASCL called on Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to introduce in his spring Budget a new recovery funding stream  which could be used for catch-up provision  for all the schools affected by Raac.

The union warned in its submission to the Treasury that an unacceptable wait for mitigation works at Raac-affected schools meant parents were withdrawing their children and moving them to different schools, and applications for September 2024 for these affected schools were down.

Following the DfEs announcement on Thursday, Mr Barton said: We welcome this much-needed clarity on the nature of the work to remove Raac from the schools and colleges affected.

This is an important step, but it is only one step towards solving this crisis and a number of unanswered questions remain.

Given the severe pressures on the school estate as a whole, we need assurances that this work will be funded wholly through additional capital expenditure and money will not be diverted from other sources.

There must also be clear timelines set out for when this work is going to be completed.

We continue to urge the Government to provide better support for schools while they wait for Raac to be removed, including through the introduction of a new recovery funding stream to enable catch-up provision for pupils whose learning has been impacted.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders union the NAHT, said: This announcement doesnt contain any new money from the Treasury, but it does set out how those schools currently identified as being affected by Raac will receive the costs they require for the building work needed to fix it. That will be welcome information for those schools.

However, there is still a concern that we dont know the full extent of all the schools affected, as not all surveys have been completed successfully.

And while dealing with Raac is crucial, we really need to see more ambitious investment from the Government in bringing the schools estate up to scratch overall  from Raac, to asbestos, to general disrepair  they need a plan to tackle all school building issues before they become the next big crisis. That cant happen without more money from the Treasury.

Catherine McKinnell, shadow schools minister, said: After many months of inaction and delay, with children learning in draughty Portakabins and bused to neighbouring schools, it appears the Government may finally have woken up to the need to deal with this crisis.

The unacceptable delays are symptomatic of a Conservative Government that simply does not prioritise the education and needs of children.

Ministers still have questions to answer about the timetable for completion of these works to finally bring an end to this chaos.
A fire which broke out inside the Old Bailey is not being treated as suspicious despite the buildings status as a high-value terrorism target.

On Wednesday morning, 1,500 people were evacuated and two had to be rescued from lifts after a fire broke out inside the Central Criminal Court in central London.

The building, which houses 18 courtrooms, remained closed for emergency works on Thursday and London Fire Brigade confirmed the cause is being treated as accidental.

UK Power Networks said the incident in one of its electricity substations at the Old Bailey was being investigated.

Police officers outside the Old Bailey after it was evacuated due to a fire alert (Emily Pennink/PA)

However, a terrorism expert told the PA news agency of a recent trend among far-right extremists to advocate infrastructural attacks on nuclear, electricity and water supplies.

Professor Matthew Feldman said: Some neo-Nazi revolutionaries have turned towards infrastructural attacks as potentially less guarded and secure and something that could set off wider societal breakdown after which they can take control.

A year ago, neo-Nazi Brandon Russell, who has links with far-right extremists in the UK, was charged with the Baltimore power grid plot in the United States while he was on parole for explosive offences.

Whether it is just a coincidence or something that does have some causality about it, there is no doubt this is something that is being increasingly advocated by neo-Nazi revolutionaries.

The Old Bailey is the worlds most famous criminal court and has high levels of security as it hears major criminal cases, including murder and terrorism trials.

In the past, it has been identified as a high-value terror target and was badly damaged in an IRA car bomb attack in 1973.

On Wednesday morning, a member of security staff had raised the alarm after hearing a loud explosion, the London Fire Brigade said.

The lights went out, plunging some windowless courtrooms into complete darkness, as acrid black smoke was seen billowing from the rear of the building in Warwick Lane.

Four fire engines and 25 firefighters were called to the scene as a crowds of barristers in black gowns and wigs gathered at the front of the building.

Later, defendants were seen being escorted by police out of a side exit and into waiting prison vans to be returned to jail.

Staff members outside the Old Bailey amid the fire alert (Emily Pennink/PA)

A London Fire Brigade spokesman confirmed the blaze started within the Old Bailey building and said the likely cause was accidental.

He told PA: We can confirm that the fire was within the Old Bailey office block.

There was a security officer that initially described hearing an explosion from an electricity substation on the ground floor and that was the first of seven emergency calls to London Fire Brigade.

Four fire engines were involved in tackling the fire, with 1,500 people evacuated.

He said firefighters had to wait for UK Power Networks before they could safely enter the area to tackle the blaze.

He added: Following an assessment, the fire was found to have burnt itself out within the substation.

He said the incident is being treated as accidental due to an electrical fault.

An electrical event has taken place associated with the substation. There was nothing suspicious about the fire, he said.

He added: Because the electrical supply went down, we led two people stuck in lifts to safety. We did assist two people. They were absolutely fine.

It looks like damage was contained to just the substation.

Cases which had been due to be heard at the Central Criminal Court on Thursday were put off.

They included the ongoing trial of Constance Marten and her partner, Mark Gordon, for the manslaughter of their baby daughter, and the televised sentencing of three people for the sadistic murder of Shakira Spencer.

Urgent bail hearings at the Old Bailey were moved to Southwark Crown Court, a Ministry of Justice spokesman said.

A spokesman for UK Power Networks told PA that it would be investigating the electrical fault in its substation.

In a statement, the company said: UK Power Networks engineers were called to Paternoster Square in London at 11.10am yesterday after a fire was reported which has affected power supplies.

We are working in conjunction with the customer, whose preference was for a permanent repair rather than a temporary fix.

Our teams are working safely, round the clock to replace electrical equipment which was substantially damaged by the fire, which will take several days to replace.

On Wednesday, temporary chief inspector Tom Fisher, of City of London Police, said: There is no indication at this stage that this is anything other than an incident involving an electrical sub station.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed is joining forces with Republicans to back a campaign to roll back parts of a law that aimed to reduce jail populations but that critics say has emboldened thieves. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

San Francisco Mayor London Breed is joining a Republican-led campaign to roll back parts of a law that aimed to reduce jail populations but that critics say has emboldened thieves.

Breed on Thursday threw her support behind the proposal to increase jail time for dealing large quantities of fentanyl, make it easier to charge drug dealers with murder, and increase jail time for repeat thefts and organized retail theft. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan also announced his support for the measure Thursday morning.

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Theyre among a wave of Democrats this year who are backing efforts to overhaul or reform Proposition 47, a 2014 law approved by voters that reduced punishments for drug possession and theft of property worth less than $950.

Breed said she initially supported Prop. 47. But she said shes seeing some of the unintended consequences of the measure as she tries to crack down on illegal drugs and thefts in San Francisco.

Our goal is not to keep people locked up, she said. But when there are no real consequences for crimes that are committed in this city, thats a real problem.

Breed, who is campaigning for reelection, is under pressure to combat what many residents view as a scourge of crime in San Francisco, even though data shows some of the characterizations of lawlessness in the city are exaggerated.

Supporters of the proposal shes backing are collecting signatures to place it on the ballot in November. They must collect more than half a million signatures by April 23. The campaigns top donors are Walmart, Target, Macys and a powerful California prison guards union, the California Correctional Peace Officers Association.

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California Republicans have long been the harshest critics of the law and have repeatedly tried to overturn it. They argue it has emboldened people to steal without fear of consequences. The initiatives chief proponent and campaign chair are both Republicans. Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin (Placer County), who introduced an unsuccessful measure as a state lawmaker to roll back Prop. 47, hosted an event last week encouraging supporters to sign the petition to put the measure on the ballot. Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and Assembly Member Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, have also announced their support. State Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, has contributed $15,000 to the effort, according to campaign finance filings.

Supporters of Prop. 47, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, argued that reducing jail time for lower-level offenses would be good for communities and save the state money that could be used for education and other government programs aimed at keeping people from committing crimes in the first place.

Newsom reaffirmed his support for the measure last month when asked about efforts to revamp the law. He pointed out that the $950 threshold for felony theft in the law is actually one of the lowest in the country. Texas, for example, has a minimum felony theft threshold of $2,500.

Everyone is rushing to reform Prop. 47 to raise the threshold, he told reporters at a news conference last month. Thats not the fundamental issue.

Instead of reforming Prop. 47, Newsom said the state needs to do more to crack down on organized retail theft, which he said has become a major problem.

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Newsom is also taking a more tough-on-crime approach to governing, recently sending more state police officers to crack down on theft and violence in Oakland and drug dealing in San Francisco. Last month, he called for lawmakers to send him legislation to increase punishments for people who steal, including by making it easier for police to arrest suspects even if they did not witness them stealing and imposing harsher penalties for car thieves and people who resell stolen goods. Hes also calling for changes to the law that would make it easier for prosecutors to show a person met the $950 threshold for stolen goods.

Though most Democrats have backed Prop. 47, there has been some support for overhauling the proposition among the partys moderates for years. But the endorsement of the ballot measure by Mahan and Breed indicates distaste for the law is growing among Democrats. They join San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, a fellow Democrat who said the law needs to be changed during his State of the City address earlier this month.

That law may have made sense at the time, he said. However, since it was implemented, weve seen criminals exploit these reforms.
A review into the use of WhatsApp and informal communications announced by Scotlands First Minister could be widened to include the UK Government and the devolved administrations in Wales and Northern Ireland.

Humza Yousaf said his Deputy First Minister Shona Robison has written to the other administrations to urge them to be part of the review.

He announced the review after it emerged senior Scottish Government figures  including former first minister Nicola Sturgeon  had deleted their WhatsApp messages from the time of the Covid pandemic.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack told the UK Covid-19 Inquiry he too had deleted his messages, explaining he had wiped all WhatsApps to free up space on the mobile phone he had at the time.

Nicola Sturgeon was questioned about her deleted WhatsApp messages when she appeared before the UK Covid-19 Inquiry (UK Covid-19 Inquiry/PA)

Mr Yousaf hit out at the UK Government over its failure to hand over WhatsApp messages to the inquiry, as he revealed the review could be widened.

Speaking in Holyrood, he said: Given that we have heard the former prime minister, the current Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Scotland were unable to provide the UK Covid Inquiry with any WhatsApps due to them having been deleted, the Deputy First Minister has written to the UK Government, the Welsh Government and the new Northern Irish Executive to invite them to participate in this externally-led review.

He also vowed his Government will fully co-operate with work by Scottish Information Commissioner David Hamilton, who recently launched his own investigation into WhatsApp and informal messages.

Mr Hamilton announced the action as he said the failure to retain or even record a complete set of the decision-making processes had not only deprived the inquiry of information but had also more generally undermined the spirit of freedom of information.

The Scottish Information Commissioner has announced a new intervention into the Scottish Government's use of informal communication tools, such as WhatsApp: https://t.co/CDFviWrbx3 pic.twitter.com/ffXy7IGRdb  Scottish Information Commissioner (@FOIScotland) February 4, 2024

Mr Yousaf confirmed the Scottish Government had received details of the commissioners request on Wednesday afternoon.

Speaking at First Ministers Questions, he told MSPs: We will of course fully co-operate with the commissioners office once we have considered its content fully.

His comments come in the wake of criticism of the Scottish Government over the deletion of messages by key figures, including Ms Sturgeon, former deputy first minister John Swinney and national clinical director Professor Jason Leitch.

Giving her evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry when it sat in Edinburgh, Ms Sturgeon said that from 2007  the year the SNP came into power at Holyrood  she did not keep messages on her phone for security reasons.

This, she insisted, was in line with Scottish Government policy, with the key points from the messages placed on the Governments official record.

However other ministers, including Mr Yousaf, have been able to supply messages to the inquiry.
Schools shut as snow falls across parts of the UK  and warnings continue

Schools have been shut and major travel disruption was reported as snow fell across parts of the UK  and weather warnings are set to last for days.

Dozens of schools closed in northern England and north Wales and travel disruption was reported throughout the day as amber weather warnings were issued.

About 10cm of snow was measured by the Met Office in Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland, on Thursday, while 9cm was recorded in Bingley, West Yorkshire.

A total of 43.2mm of rainfall was measured in Harbertonford, South Devon, almost half of the average the area usually sees in February.

Disruption was also reported by Great Western Railway on the line between Bath and Swindon due to flooding.

Amber weather warnings were issued for Wales and across the Pennines on Thursday which have passed but a mixture of yellow rain and snow warnings are still in force across the four nations.

Snow in Worrall in South Yorkshire as up to 25cm of snow was forecast in parts of England and Wales (Dave Higgens/PA)

Yellow warnings will continue across most of the UK on Friday and Scotland on Saturday with the Met Office urging people to be cautious.

Met Office operational meteorologist Dan Stroud said overnight temperatures had reached a low of minus 13.8C in Altnaharra, in the Scottish Highlands, while in Exeter temperatures were at a high of 13.6C.

He said: Weve still got rain and many have snow making its way northwards, we have got further weather warnings in force.

Temperatures are recovering a little, across the far south its generally mild.

A snowplough clears a path at Hall Bank in Buxton in the Peak District (Peter Byrne/PA)

Weve got a second band of cloud and rain moving northwards, it makes for challenging driving conditions.

Weve had the worst of it but its still not completely clear. Where we have falling snow we see there is a risk of a few icy patches on roads.

The focus is probably starting to shift more towards ice, people should still be cautious.

(PA Graphics)

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) had activated a cold health alert for the Midlands and north of England, warning of the impacts on health and social care until 8pm on Thursday.

School closures have been reported in Wales, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Cumbria.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, is urging older people to do all they can to keep warm and safe as the temperature drops.

She said: High energy bills and food prices mean it is understandable that some may think they have to cut back on food and turn their heating off, but prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can have a serious impact on their health, especially if they are already managing existing illnesses.

As we get older our bodies find it harder to adjust to big changes in temperature, particularly if we are also coping with ill health or mobility issues. The cold raises blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

The charity gave a number of tips including plenty of hot food and drinks, wrapping up warm outside and sleeping with the windows closed at night. It also advised people to keep an eye on older relatives, friends and neighbours.
Authorities believe they have recovered the bodies of all five family members from a burned-out home near Philadelphia, along with the remains of the relative suspected of unleashing gunfire there Wednesday as police arrived, a prosecutor said Friday.

A grandmother identified her son  Canh Le, 43  as the man who began firing with relatives in the home, she told CNN affiliate WPVI.

Our assumption is that they were shot by gunfire and then there was a fire set, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said during a news conference.

If the torso recovered with the firearm is, in fact, (the shooter), the criminal investigation will be closed because we will have found the person we believe at least killed one person in this home and probably killed all the others himself, Stollsteimer said Friday.

A medical examiner now will use DNA and dental records to try to identify each set of remains, along with the manner and cause of death, and the home in East Lansdowne will be handed over the city and torn down, Stollsteimer added.

Le on Wednesday argued with and told his 13-year-old niece he was going to get a gun, Chin Le told CNN affiliate WPVI. Then, his mother and her husband left the house, and he called 911, she told WPVI.

Three adults and three children had been feared dead, Stollsteimer said Thursday. Canh Le, along with Chin Les other son, Xuong Le, and his wife, Britni Le, were believed to have died, along with their children: NaKayla, 13, NaTalya, 17, and Xavier, 10, the grandmother told WPVI.

Officials had believed the person who shot at the officers responding to a report a child had been shot at the home was among those in the home, Stollsteimer said in a Wednesday news conference and an interview with CNN affiliate KYW-TV.

Authorities Thursday recovered the torso and a rifle from the unstable home as detectives methodically combed the crime scene with excavation experts and a drone, the district attorney said. Nobody had been left alive inside, he said.

Firefighters work Wednesday at the shooting and fire scene in East Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. - Matt Rourke/AP

The recovery process may take hours or even days, Stollsteimer said Thursday.

Authorities had been working to nail down whether or not an 11-year-old girl was or was not shot, as well as who shot the officers, Stollsteimer said Wednesday. Also among the lingering questions is how and when the fire started  and who started it.

A chaotic scene unfolded in and around the home Wednesday as flames swallowed most of the structure, leaving nothing but a charred shell that released massive black smoke plumes, footage from CNN affiliate WPVI shows.

With the fire still raging, an armored vehicle at one point rammed the house, WPVI footage shows.

I heard a lot of gunshots  and I just (saw) cops running from everywhere, one neighbor told WPVI, adding they heard authorities yelling about an active shooter.

The family had lived in the house for at least five years, a neighbor told CNN.

Responding officers met by gunfire

Police walk at the crime scene Wednesday. - Matt Rourke/AP

Earlier Wednesday, a person had been barricaded in the house, a Delaware County law enforcement source told CNN.

Authorities then got a 911 call just before 3:50 p.m. Wednesday reporting an 11-year-old girl had been shot at the home in a borough a few miles west of downtown Philadelphia, Stollsteimer said at the news conference.

Someone claiming to be a child apparently called police and said they had been shot, another source briefed on the situation told CNN, adding it was unclear whether a child had actually been shot.

Officers from three agencies responded and were immediately met by gunfire, Stollsteimer said. Two officers were struck and dragged out of danger by colleagues, he said.

Officer David Schiazza, 54, of the Lansdowne Police Department, suffered a gunshot wound to his leg, Stollsteimer said; he was released Thursday afternoon from a Philadelphia hospital. Officer John Meehan, 44, of the East Lansdowne Police Department, suffered a gunshot wound to his left arm that required a lengthy surgery, he said; he was expected to be released by Friday. Both are 22-year veterans with their respective departments, he said.

After officers responded, the house was set ablaze, Stollsteimer said. The block was emptied of people and the fire brought mostly under control, though it still smoldered Wednesday night, Stollsteimer said at that time.

The William Penn School District is providing counselors to support students and staff, it said in a statement. This is a time when we need to be there for each other and to provide reassurance for our students, as it is impossible to make sense of what occurred, the district said.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Alisha Ebrahimji, Amy Simonson, Yan Kaner, Christina Maxouris and Kristina Sgueglia contributed to this report.

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The five U.S. Marines who died after a military helicopter went down in the mountains near San Diego have been identified, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said Friday.

They were all in their 20s and had been conducting routine flight training, said Capt. Stephanie Leguizamon, a U.S. Marine Corps spokesperson.

The five men have been identified as Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21; Sgt. Alec Langen, 23; Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27; Capt. Jack Casey, 26, and Capt. Miguel Nava, 28.

Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21, of Olathe, Kansas, a CH-53E helicopter crew chief. Donovan Davis enlisted in the Marine Corps on Sept. 3, 2019, and was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on Jan. 1, 2024. His decorations include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

They had all been assigned to Miramars Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Miramar.

Our top priority now is supporting the families of our fallen heroes, and we ask for your respect and understanding as they grieve," Lt. Col. Nicholas J. Harvey, commanding officer of HMH-361, said Friday. "The Flying Tigers family stands strong and includes the friends and community who have supported our squadron during this challenging time."

In a Friday statement, the U.S. Marine Corps said Moulton and Casey had been promoted to the rank of captain last year. All five men had decorated careers, the Marine Corps said, including several National Defense Service Medals and Global War on Terrorism Service Medals among the group.

Capt. Jack Casey, 26, of Dover, New Hampshire, a CH-53E helicopter pilot. Jack Casey commissioned in the Marine Corps on May 16, 2019, and was promoted to the rank of Captain on Sept. 1, 2023. His decorations include the National Defense Service Medal.

The CH-53E Super Stallion was reported missing Tuesday night during a "routine training flight" from Creech Air Force Base, northwest of Las Vegas, to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, according to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The aircraft was found Wednesday morning near Pine Valley, about 45 miles east of San Diego.

"It is with a heavy heart and a profound sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines," Maj. Gen. Michael Borgschulte, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said in a statement. "To the families of our fallen Marines, we send our deepest condolences and commit to ensuring your support and care during this incredibly difficult time."

Sgt. Alec Langen, 23, of Chandler, Arizona, a CH-53E helicopter crew chief. Alec Langen enlisted in the Marine Corps on Sept. 14, 2017, and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on Oct. 1, 2022. His decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.

The cause of the crash remains unknown.

As the investigation into the crash was ongoing earlier this week, Marines were stationed at the scene to stay with the remains, according to Col. James C. Ford, operations officer with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego.

Capt. Miguel Nava commissioned in the Marine Corps on May 26, 2017, and was promoted to the rank of Captain on Nov. 1, 2021. His decorations include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Their fellow Marines have remained by their side as Marines do and took shifts throughout the night at the mishap site, keeping watch over our fallen despite the hazardous weather conditions, Ford said. Our fellow Marines were and continue to be guarded by their brothers and sisters.

Learn more: Graphics and maps show flight, crash site.

President Joe Biden said in a statement that he and first lady Jill Biden were heartbroken over the deaths of the Marines.

Capt. Benjamin Moulton commissioned in the Marine Corps on March 29, 2019, and was promoted to the rank of Captain on Aug. 1, 2023. His decorations include the National Defense Service Medal.

As the Department of Defense continues to assess what occurred, we extend our deepest condolences to their families, their squadron, and the U.S. Marine Corps as we grieve the loss of five of our nations finest warriors," Biden said. Our service members represent the very best of our nation and these five Marines were no exception."

Recovery efforts hindered by heavy snowfall

Local, state and federal authorities began a search early Wednesday and discovered the aircraft in Pine Valley, California just after 9 a.m. PST. The condition of the aircraft has not been released, nor the time the Marines departed from Nevada or when they were scheduled to land at the base in San Diego.

The last known contact with the helicopter was at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Cal Fires spokesperson Capt. Mike Cornette told CBS 8 news. Its location was based on a "ping" reported to a Cal Fire dispatch center.

Harsh conditions and heavy snow from a historic storm that hit California this week made it difficult for rescue crews to access the area, said Cal Fire and the San Diego County Fire Protection District. The storm pummeled the region with record-setting rainfall beginning over the weekend and lasting through Tuesday, when the helicopter was scheduled to arrive in San Diego. The "atmospheric river" storm also brought heavy snow across the region's mountains.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department, along with the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Border Patrol Search, Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) Unit, Cal Fire San Diego and the U.S. Forest Service, were involved in the sweeping search. Jeeps and drones were used to manage the difficult terrain.

Ford said ground recovery efforts will take place over coming weeks, citing the hazardous terrain and weather at the scene. Capt. Stephanie Leguizamon, a spokesperson for the wing, also noted that recovery efforts were challenged by snowfall and the cold weather.

The Marine helicopter crashed late Tuesday in a mountainous region east of San Diego.

CH-53E Super Stallion involved in several deadly incidents

The CH-53E Super Stallion is the largest and heaviest helicopter used in the U.S. military. Described as a "heavy-lift helicopter," it's capable of carrying troops, equipment and supplies from ship to shore and can launch amphibious assaults, according to the Naval Air Systems Command website.

The aircraft, made to withstand harsh conditions such as moving over rugged terrain in bad weather, has been involved in several deadly crashes.

In April 2018, four crew members were killed when their CH-53E Super Stallion crashed a few miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. The helicopter was also with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing out of the Miramar air station in San Diego.

Two years earlier, 12 Marines died when two Super Stallion helicopters collided off the coast of Oahu in Hawaii. In 2005, 31 people died when a CH-53E crashed in Iraq during a sandstorm.

Rich Martindell, a former aircraft accident investigator in the Air Force, told USA TODAY the accident rate of CH-53 helicopters is more than double that of other Marine aircraft. He said that from 1984 to 2008, the CH-53 had an average of 5.96 accidents per 100,000 hours of flight, while other helicopters had an average of 2.26 per 100,000 hours.

Martindell, who has helped investigate more than 300 aircraft accidents, said the accident rate of the CH-53E will be one of the many factors considered by the investigative board.

"They're very unique helicopters that can haul tremendous loads and are very useful," he said. "But now it's a matter of seeing if you can mitigate the risk of using it."

Contributing: The Associated Press; N'dea Yancey-Bragg and Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 5 Marines killed in California helicopter crash identified
The five Marines who went missing while traveling aboard a helicopter from Nevada to California have been found dead, officials said Thursday morning.

Officials said Thursday that the Marines were conducting a training exercise and flying a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from Creech Air Force Base in Clark County, Nevada to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California. The helicopter reported its last-known location at around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, and was reported overdue at around 1 a.m. Wednesday morning, according to the Marine Corps.

The crashed helicopter was found in a mountainous, rugged area east of San Diego at around 9 a.m. on Wednesday, officials said. Search and rescue crews and federal and local agencies looked for the Marines as rain and snow lashed the area. The weather conditions complicated the search efforts, with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department saying that heavy cloud cover early Wednesday morning prevented it from deploying its helicopter. The U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Border Patrol also contributed to the search effort, since the area where the helicopter crashed is near the U.S.-Mexico border.

A CH-53E Super Stallion aircraft secures the area around the USS Boxer in the Arabian Sea off Oman, July 17, 2019. / Credit: Reuters/Ahmed Jadallah

The five Marines were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, the Marine Corps said. Their identities have not been shared as part of a standard military procedure to not identify deceased service members until 24 hours after all next-of-kin notifications have been made.

Those notifications were made in person on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, Marine Col. James Ford said during a Thursday news conference.

"It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines from 3d Marine Aircraft Wing and the "Flying Tigers" while conducting a training flight last night," said Maj. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, commanding general of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, in a statement provided to CBS News. "These pilots and crewmembers were serving a calling greater than self and were proud to do so. We will forever be grateful for their call to duty and selfless service. To the families of our fallen Marines, we send our deepest condolences and commit to ensuring your support and care during this incredibly difficult time."

Rescue personnel meet at a command center, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, in Kitchen Creek, Calif. A Marine Corps helicopter that had been missing with five troops aboard as an historic storm continued drenching California crashed in a mountainous area outside San Diego. / Credit: Denis Poroy / AP

President Joe Biden addressed the crash in a statement on Thursday morning, saying that he and first lady Jill Biden are "heartbroken" at the loss of the Marines.

"As the Department of Defense continues to assess what occurred, we extend our deepest condolences to their families, their squadron, and the U.S. Marine Corps as we grieve the loss of five of our nation's finest warriors," Mr. Biden said, in part. "Our service members represent the very best of our nationand these five Marines were no exception. Today, as we mourn this profound loss, we honor their selfless service and ultimate sacrificeand reaffirm the sacred obligation we bear to all those who wear the uniform and their families."

Officials said that efforts to recover the bodies of the Marines and the equipment from the helicopter are underway. An investigation into the crash is also ongoing.

San Diego County Sheriff's Office aircraft, Marine Corps planes and helicopters, National Guard drones, Civil Air Patrol equipment and crews, and Marine ground crews "specifically trained in aircraft mishap recovery operations" have been involved in the recovery, Ford said Thursday.

"Due to the hazardous terrain and weather, we are currently conducting a ground recovery," Ford said.

Following tradition, fellow Marines have been guarding the remains of the dead since they were located, Ford said.

Pharma exec won't commit to selling life-saving drug in U.S. for lower price offered in Canada

Eye Opener: 5 Marines found dead after helicopter crash in California

Missing Marines found dead
President Joe Biden on Wednesday gave his clearest sign yet that his reelection strategy will hinge on making this falls vote a referendum on Donald Trump.

As he traversed New York City for a series of fundraisers, Biden labeled his predecessor  and likeliest rival this year  an existential threat who has wrestled the Republican Party into a stranglehold, intensifying his direct criticisms of the former president and offering one of the starkest windows yet into how he regards the stakes of Novembers contest.

There is one existential threat, its Donald Trump, Biden told Democratic donors in New York, where he was on a three-stop fundraising swing.

Its not about me, Biden said, its about Trump.

Later in the day, Biden told another group of donors that Trumps brand of politics was dangerous.

Its not that Im so good. But you have to have someone to beat somebody, he said.

After spending the last year working to promote his own record  and seeing little improvement in his approval ratings  Biden is now increasingly going after Trump, the Republican front-runner, as a threat to democracy, a danger to personal freedoms and, lately, as a Svengali-like leader of the GOP.

He was given a fresh opening this week after congressional Republicans torpedoed a bipartisan immigration bill following Trumps intervention, a move Biden said exposed toxic election year politics and the GOPs fealty to its de facto leader.

On Wednesday, he took harsh aim at Republicans lawmakers, using the partys dysfunction on Capitol Hill to accuse his rivals of blind adherence to the former president.

Biden said Trump would rather weaponize the issue than actually solve it, referring to the failed border compromise package.

Republicans have to decide who they serve, Biden said. Are they here to solve problems or just weaponize them?

He said this weeks collapse of a border deal illustrated the depths to which the GOP has fallen.

I tell you, Ive been around, said Biden, who spent 36 years as a senator. Never thought I would see something like Im seeing in the House.

He said even Republicans whod previously supported the provisions included in the border bill were now walking away at the last minute because Donald Trump called them and threatened them with retribution if they stick to their position.

The remarks, delivered behind closed doors to donors on Manhattans Upper West Side, were a preview of how Biden plans to use the failed border vote to his political advantage in the months ahead.

It was also a sign that Biden hopes to weaponize the current state of the Republican Party as he looks to discredit Trump on the campaign trail. In addition to the border legislation that collapsed following Trumps intercession, House Republicans brought up an impeachment vote against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Tuesday that failed, and a standalone funding package for Israel that similarly did not gain enough votes for passage.

The leader of the Republican National Committee, Ronna McDaniel, has also offered to leave her position following the South Carolina primary later this month to allow Trump to install his own party chair, two party advisers told CNN, despite having been the former presidents pick to lead the party years ago.

Watching from the White House, Biden has been paying close attention to the developments, often wondering aloud what has happened to the GOP.

The consolidation of the party around Trump isnt a new phenomenon. But the extent of Republicans subservience has allowed Biden to open a fresh line of attack, accusing the party this week of lacking a backbone.

The presidents advisers believe the more this years contest becomes a choice between Biden and Trump, the more voters will come to recognize the high stakes and look past their serious concerns about a second Biden term.

Polling bears out some of that belief. In a CNN poll conducted by SSRS taken in late January, 68% of Biden supporters say theyd be voting against Trump rather than for Biden, while 60% of Trump supporters say theyd be voting more for him than against Biden.

Speaking Tuesday, Biden said from the White House that Republicans owe it to the American people to show some spine and do what they know to be right.

He said he would be taking his argument to the American people in the run-up to the election.

Every day between now and November, the American people are going to know that the only reason the border is not secure is Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican friends, he said.

In total, Biden used Trumps name 10 times during his speech from the State Dining Room  one of the most forceful condemnations of his predecessor hes ever delivered from the White House, and a remarkable moment for a president who once avoided even saying Trumps name out loud.

Officials said Biden was intent on delivering a speech that clearly laid out the stakes of the bill and of Trumps involvement in its demise,and asked for it to be toughened up to go after the former president more directly.

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Former Republican state lawmaker Norma Anderson, the first female majority leader in Colorados state legislature, is the lead plaintiff in a case that could see Donald Trump removed from the states ballots in 2024. (REUTERS)

There are two names in the title of one of the most consequential cases in front of the US Supreme Court in modern American history. One is Donald Trump. The other is Norma Anderson.

Ms Anderson, 91, is a retired Republican state lawmaker who broke ground as the first woman to serve as a majority leader in Colorados legislature. Shes now the unlikely face of a Supreme Court case that could have a seismic impact on the 2024 presidential election.

That case, Trump v Anderson, will be heard by the Supreme Court on February 8. It follows a mammoth ruling from Colorado Supreme Court justices that found the former president ineligible for the presidency under the scope of the 14th Amendment, which bars anyone who has sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution and engaged in insurrection or rebellion from holding public office.

The Colorado courts ruling, which the former president appealed to the nations highest court, would prevent his name from appearing on the states ballots. Similar challenges were filed in more than a dozen other states.

Like millions of Americans, Ms Anderson was staring at a television screen in disbelief on January 6, 2021, when a mob fuelled by then-President Trumps baseless election fraud claims breached the US Capitol.

We dont overturn elections in the United States, she tells The Independent. I mean, my goodness. Unbelievable. ... He urged the mob in this speech. Theres no doubt about it. ... We have a democracy and we depend upon the vote of the people to elect our officials, and you dont change it by force.

His threats and pressure campaigns against lawmakers, election officials and his vice president; his failure to stop rioters from breaking into the halls of Congress; and his persistent lie that the election was stolen or rigged against him present a grave threat to American democracy, she says.

And when you go against the Constitution and create an insurrection on the Capitol to overturn an election, that is not democracy, she tells The Independent. As Ben Franklin said: We are a republic, if you can keep it. And boy, I think about those words right now.

Ms Anderson, speaking from her home in Lakewood, Colorado, has watched Trump consume the Republican Party and, she believes, turn it into a group that values fealty to the former president above all else. She briefly left the GOP in 2018. At the time, she summed up her reason for doing so: The Republicans nominated an oversexed playboy who has spent his entire career lying to people.

I dont remember everything Ive said about him, she says now, laughing, but thats what it was.

The former president is a bigot who lives by the motto that if you tell a lie often enough people believe it, she says. Well, thats whats happened with the Republicans.

Among the 91 criminal charges facing Trump are state and federal indictments concerning his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, culminating in the mob he failed to stop. He has given no indication that he would do anything differently should he lose his partys nomination or the general election in November.

Thats what worries me so much, Ms Anderson says. Im worried, very simple. Im very worried.

Rioters in Washington DC on 6 January, 2021 flood the US Capitol grounds. (AP)

Ms Anderson was the first woman in Colorado to serve as the majority leader in the both the states House and Senate. She won her first election to Colorados House in 1986, four years after she lost her first campaign for a seat in the state legislature, and she served in the Colorado Senate from 1999 until 2006.

I mean, at this point, Im older than both of them, she says of Trump and President Joe Biden. Ive been through a lot of presidents.  What has worried me  and its been going on before Trump, but Trump has made it worse  is the division in the country, the hatred.

The 14th Amendment was among a suite of civil rights amendments enacted in the volatile aftermath of the US Civil War. It was intended to grant equal protection under the law to all citizens, including formerly enslaved people, with a broadly written clause aimed at preventing Confederates from returning to a government they were in rebellion against.

A September lawsuit filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington on behalf of a group of five Republican and independent voters in Colorado  including Ms Anderson  argued that Trump failed that test, rendering him constitutionally ineligible to appear on any Colorado ballot as a candidate for federal or state office.

Following a trial and argument from both parties in state court, Colorado District Judge Sarah Wallace determined that Trump not only engaged with insurrection, he also acted with the specific intent to incite political violence and direct it at the Capitol with the purpose of disrupting the electoral certification.

Judge Wallaces decision, however, did not knock Trump off the ballot, and plaintiffs appealed to the states Supreme Court.

In December, Colorado justices wrote in a 4-3 majority opinion that Trump did not merely incite the insurrection.

Even when the siege on the Capitol was fully underway, he continued to support it, they continued. These actions constituted overt, voluntary, and direct participation in the insurrection.

Trump appealed that decision to the Supreme Court, which agreed to hear the case on February 8.

Donald Trump speaks to reporters in Washington DC on 9 January. (AP)

A ruling from the high court would likely apply to all 50 states. But a ruling that would let Colorados decision stand, without applying more broadly to all ballots in every state, could allow states to continue drafting their own election rules. Similar challenges would then inevitably play out.

The 14th Amendments insurrection clause was mostly used for only a brief period following its ratification and the enactment of the Amnesty Act in 1872, according to a report from the Congressional Research Service. But Trump v Anderson is not entirely without recent precedent. Republican US Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene faced a legal challenge over her eligibility for office under Section 3. So did former Republican US Rep. Madison Cawthorn, whose case was declared moot after he lost a primary election.

Last year, Couy Griffin, a county commissioner in New Mexico who was convicted for his role in the January 6 attack, was permanently removed from office under a Section 3 insurrection challenge, marking the first successful attempt to disqualify a public official from holding office in more than 100 years.

Lawyers for the former president have repeatedly argued that his actions on January 6 arent insurrection, and even if they were, Section 3 doesnt cover the office of the presidency. Only congressional action could determine his eligibility, they claim.

Dozens of constitutional scholars, authoritarianism and democracy experts, retired judges, Capitol Police officers and civil rights groups have filed briefs to the Supreme Court to establish a bulk of the historical foundation for the case, one that Ms Anderson sees as a straightforward reading of a single sentence in the Constitution.

Trumps actions in the wake of his election loss in November 2020 are alarmingly similar to activities that have destroyed democracies in other countries, according to a brief from Rachel Kleinfeld, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Yale Universitys Tim Snyder.

The violence of January 6 did not shock President Trump into altering his behavior to avoid rousing his followers to violence, they wrote. Instead, his continuing messages to supporters evoke a technique researchers call stochastic terrorism  when a figure with a large following publicly demonizes a target, knowing that it is impossible to predict who among the followers will act violently, but almost a certain probability that someone will aim for the desired mark.

Meanwhile, Ms Anderson has faced harassment and abuse from Trumps supporters. Those supporters include her states own Republican Party, which labeled the Colorado trailblazer and other plaintiffs Never-Trumpers, RINOs, and Democrats who are colluding to stop Trump from getting on the ballot.

The Republican Party itself thinks its terrible. But thats not the Republican Party that I was raised in and have represented my whole life, she tells The Independent. When you just bow to one man? Thats not what democracy is about.  Our forefathers are probably rolling over in their graves.

But if the Supreme Court rules against Ms Anderson and other Colorado voters, I just have to accept it, she says.
The words chaos and bedlam are now synonymous with Jan. 6, 2021. That is also what Donald Trumps lawyers argue will ensue if the U.S. Supreme Court allows any state to kick the former president off the 2024 ballot for his role in attempting to block the peaceful transfer of power. Trumps eligibility to return to the White House hinges on one paragraph in the U.S. Constitution that is far from a model of clarity. Heres what it says and doesnt say and why it matters as the case moves forward.

What does Section 3 of the 14th Amendment say?

Section 3 of the 14th Amendment contains one very long sentence laying out the circumstances under which someone can be disqualified from holding public office, but it raises many tough questions that have gone largely unanswered since the amendment was enacted more than 150 years. It says:

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. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

English translation: If you took an oath to support the Constitution, and you break that oath by engaging in an insurrection  then you dont get to hold public office again. But Section 3 is silent about whether the president or presidency are included here, what counts as an insurrection, and who exactly is supposed to enforce all of this.

The provision was driven by a concern among the 14th Amendments framers that ex-Confederate leaders would get voted back into office after the Civil War. But theres a fair amount of legal murkiness in the text itself, along with a dearth of past cases to draw on as precedent, all of which has led to the hotly debated legal fight over Trumps eligibility to run for president again.

Where do things stand right now?

Colorados Supreme Court handed down a lengthy decision in December that found that the former president should be removed from the states primary ballot on every possible ground under the 14th Amendment. Undoubtedly knowing the decision would prove controversial and prompt an appeal, the states high court put the removal of Trump from the states ballot on hold, giving Trump time to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Because the decision remains frozen until a final ruling from the justices, Trump currently remains on the Colorado ballot and elsewhere. Officials in Maine have also sought to remove Trump from the states ballot but are also awaiting the Supreme Courts decision in the Colorado case.

What are Trumps arguments to stay on the ballot?

Trumps team has raised a host of different legal challenges to the Colorado ruling, but it primarily argues that:

Trump is not covered by the ballot disqualification provision of the 14th Amendment at all because the president is not an officer of the United States, his actions leading up to and on Jan. 6 do not constitute an insurrection or rebellion and only Congress can enforce this provision, not state courts.

These are likely some of the key issues that the Supreme Court justices could grapple with now that the case has landed at their feet, or they could focus on only one. How deeply the high court decides to wade into the merits of what the former president has been accused of remains to be seen.

What happens if the Supreme Court rules in Trumps favor?

It depends on exactly how Trump wins the case. If he prevails on any one of the different legal arguments outlined above, the entire case goes away and hell remain on the ballot. Some legal commentators have argued that the justices could rule that Trump is free to keep running for office now but is barred from holding office again, citing the exact text of the 14th Amendment. That type of ruling, though, would merely kick the can down the road, forcing the high court to return to this issue if he wins the election in November.

What happens if the Supreme Court rules against Trump?

If the Supreme Court agrees that states can lawfully kick Trump off the ballot under the 14th Amendment, he wont be immediately disqualified in every state. Instead, the issue will return to individual states.

Colorado and Maine have signaled that they would remove Trump from the ballot. But time is on Trumps side. Barring a quick ruling by the Supreme Court that prevents Trump from running, he will likely remain on the Republican primary ballot for Super Tuesday on March 5. A ruling against Trump could also potentially prompt more litigation and further appeals to the Supreme Court.
Jason Koerner/Getty Images

Robert De Niro is opening up about his grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguezs death.

During a Wednesday, February 7, interview with People, De Niro, 80, recalled feeling disbelief after learning Leandro had died at age 19 in July 2023. Its just a shock, he said. [I] never thought it would happen.

One month after Leandros death, New York Citys chief medical examiner told TMZ that the teenager had fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine and cocaine in his system, ruling his death an accidental overdose.

I just then started thinking about all the things I could have, should have done maybe with him, Robert said of Leandro, who was the son of his eldest daughter, Drena De Niro. I dont know if that wouldve made a difference. And so thats always playing through my mind.  It shouldnt have happened.

Meet Robert De Niros 7 Children and Their Moms

The actor previously said that he was deeply distressed by the passing of [his] beloved grandson in a July 2023 statement to Us Weekly. Drena, 56, who Robert adopted while he was married to her mother, Diahnne Abbott, has also spoken out about the heartbreaking loss.

My beautiful sweet angel. I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly, she wrote via Instagram after his death. I dont know how to live without you but Ill try to go on and spread the love and light that you so made me feel in getting to be your mama. You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish that love alone could have saved you



.

Courtesy of Drena De Niro/Instagram

After Leandros cause of death was revealed in August 2023, Drena took to social media to slam trolls who spread vitriol and pain in response to the circumstances of her sons passing.

Most Shocking Celebrity Deaths of All Time

As long as we keep blaming the addict and person suffering mental illness we are going to continue to see more of this, she wrote. When you decide to comment on peoples misfortune and loss, at least really think about the emotional and mental fragility of the people youre attacking online. We are all human beings in the end.

Drena added that Leandro suffered tremendously through the pandemic before his addiction took over in the last year and eventually killed him.

In addition to Drena, Robert shares son Raphael, 47, with Abbott, 78, twin sons Julian and Aaron, 28, with ex Toukie Smith, son Elliot, 25, and daughter Helen, 12, with ex-wife Grace Hightower and daughter Gia, 10 months, with girlfriend Tiffany Chen.

The Oscar winner called his youngest child an adorable baby on Wednesday. So sweet. [When I] look at her, everything else goes away. So, its a great joy and relief to just be with her in the moment.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
By Xinhua Writers Cheng Yunjie, Cui Enhui, Zhong Qun, Wu Maohui and Chen Kaizi HAIKOU, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Normally it would take three to five years for a foreign medical product or device to enter China's market, but in Lecheng, the country's only special medical zone on the southern tropical island of Hainan, the process takes just a few months. The accelerators are two key preferential policies granted by the central government solely to the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in the city of Qionghai, allowing patients there to use medical devices and pharmaceuticals licensed abroad but not yet available in China. It also allows overseas manufacturers to gather real world data as local clinical evidence to support national registration approval. A typical example is the Rezum System from Boston Scientific, an innovative minimally invasive therapy designed to treat the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Through the pathway supported by real world evidence, it took approximately four months for the company to complete the application and approval procedures, more than two and a half years quicker than the conventional pathway, and the therapy has been applied in more than 100 Chinese hospitals. So far more than 370 original new overseas pharmaceuticals and medical devices from over 130 companies in 17 countries have been put to pilot use in Lecheng, as they are of clinical urgency and cannot be replaced by alternatives that are already available. The new pharmaceuticals and medical devices cover 28 disciplines including ophthalmology, otolaryngology, cardiology and rehabilitation. In addition, 13 medical products and devices have been approved for sale in the Chinese market thanks to the use of real world data as an auxiliary means of clinical assessment, according to the pilot administration. A PATHWAY LIKE NO OTHER Jia Ning, director of the pilot zone administration, said the introduction of the new approval pathway in 2019 has raised the city's profile. "Lecheng has had higher visibility in the industry," he said. "We have established a very important and unique pathway for international innovative medicines and medical devices to quickly enter China." In early November, leading global biopharmaceutical company MSD, with its global headquarters in the United States, inaugurated a subsidiary in Lecheng, the first of its kind established by a wholly foreign-invested firm in Hainan. MSD China President Anna Van Acker said the company is hoping to make full use of the favorable policies of the Hainan Free Trade Port to bring more of the latest original innovative drugs to China's market. The pilot practices in Lecheng are part of the broader blueprint for Hainan, which aims to be a globally influential and high-level free-trade port by the middle of the century. At its current stage of development, Lecheng has already demonstrated something that is unique within China and rare in the world. Britain, the United States and the European Union have been conducting similar explorations of using real world evidence generated from real world data to support decision-making on regulatory and healthcare technology assessment, with the relevant policies still at the pilot stage. "At this point, it's safe to say we are advancing real world study side by side with overseas peers, if not taking the lead," Jia said. Since 2021, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has established 14 scientific research bases for drug oversight across China. Lecheng is among them, but it appears unconventional, as the others are all institutions of higher education. It is its experiment with the real world data applications that has made Lecheng exceptional, Jia noted. The approach being tested in Lecheng will lay a solid foundation for the NMPA to decide how to use real-world data for regulatory decision-making in the clinical evaluation of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and the formulation of relevant guidelines, he said. Real world study has an absolute advantage over traditional methods, because it is easier to operate and involves a shorter time-span, said Zhao Jun from the drug evaluation center of the NMPA. New opportunities also arise for pharmaceutical companies, he said. Through real world study, companies can systematically understand broad features of patient population and clinical medication, and better identify and manage market segments and collect high-quality information on product promotion. In the opinion of Gao Guobiao, deputy chief of the medical device evaluation center of the NMPA, the new approach is expected to bring down the research and development costs of innovative medicines and medical devices. Such support from the regulatory authority has brightened the prospects of the pilot zone. At present, 28 medical institutions including public, private and foreign invested ones, have launched and begun operations in Lecheng, with another 20 medical institutions under construction or being planned. GRAND VISION, SOLID EFFORT Under a development plan for Lecheng issued in November 2019, by 2025, medical techniques, medical devices and pharmaceuticals used or developed at the pilot zone will be on a par with international best standards. By 2030, the area will become a world-class medical tourism destination and medical technology innovation center, the plan states. Unlike the crowded and bustling hospitals commonly seen elsewhere in China, the medical institutions in Lecheng are relatively pleasing and spacious, and some high-end equipment can be spotted here. "Lecheng's advantages lie in providing full-process solutions to support the exploration of Chinese and foreign pharmaceutical and medical device companies in China's healthcare market, such as research and development, medical product industrialization, review and production of new drugs, and innovative medical devices," Jia said. "This is what many industrial leaders have become aware of." As doctors are relieved of the great pressure of seeing outpatients waiting in line, they have more time and energy for research and development, according to local hospital staff. BeiGene, a science-driven biotechnology company, is preparing to launch a laboratory in Lecheng, while the Beijing Genomics Institute, a leader in genetic research, is also about to start a project here. Before heading the pilot zone administration, Jia Ning spent years working in medical-product supervision. "Almost no foreign pharmaceutical companies came to us before the preferential policies were launched in 2019. The reasons? They had no local production, for one thing, no problems were found in pre-market quality inspection, for another," Jia recalled. These days, the director and his colleagues are working to a tight schedule, meeting representatives of foreign medical firms, research institutions and hospitals worldwide. At the sixth China International Import Expo in Shanghai in November 2023, a delegation from Lecheng had a very hectic week, getting acquainted with new partners from big-names like Grifols, FANCL and Cordis, as well as catching up with old friends from Novartis, Sanofi, Bayer, Roche, Johnson & Johnson, Gilead, Pfizer, Roche Diagnostics, Intuitive Surgical and Allergan. In 2023, Lecheng has sent delegations to the United States, Singapore, Italy, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland, reaping some fruitful results. China's enticing huge market is a powerful driver of such activity. Carrie Xiao, a Deloitte consulting partner, noted that, by 2030, China is expected to become the world's second largest medical-devices market after the United States, with the growth mainly driven by the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, as well as increasing healthcare expenditure due to income growth and the proliferation of healthcare providers across China. CATERING TO PATIENT DEMAND For Lecheng, an immediate challenge is to tap into the country's large market and keep bringing in more patients whose healthcare needs cannot be met elsewhere. That's why on top of the innovative pharmaceuticals and medical devices that have no alternatives elsewhere across the country, the pilot zone administration has also devoted itself to adding another major benefit: good treatment experience. Easing the anxiety of waiting is the first thing to be tackled. The pilot zone has put in place an independent regulatory regime to streamline the approval procedures. Nowadays, the waiting time has been slashed from 27 working days to three for first-time applications, while for non-first-time uses, the average wait is less than two working days. At the country's first bonded warehouse for imported medications and medical devices in Lecheng, storage keeper Zeng Zhaoming said that, at peak time, he can handle 20,000 to 30,000 items each month. Customs clearance at the bonded warehouse now takes less than an hour thanks to streamlined procedures, according to Lin Yong, deputy chief of the Boao Airport customs in Lecheng. Greater efficiency in approval and customs clearance, combined with the rising fame of the pilot zone, has boosted demand for the specially licensed medications and devices. In 2023, the bonded warehouse posted 509 million yuan (about 71.6 million U.S. dollars) in aggregate value of goods. The number of users increased by 40 percent year on year. Official data shows that the pilot zone received 302,500 medical tourists in 2023, up 60.1 percent year on year. The number of patients using specially licensed pharmaceuticals and medical devices at medical institutions within the zone surged 79.2 percent to 17,853 in 2022. The figure for 2023 jumped 60.5 percent year on year to 28,646. In March 2020, to meet the growing medication demand from patients, the provincial drug regulatory authority established a temporary method for managing the use of the urgently needed imported medications outside the pilot zone. In June 2022, the method was revised to ease relevant rules. So far, more than 10,300 patients have benefited from the policy of taking the specially licensed medications away from the zone. Not a single case of malpractice has been found in the use of these pharmaceuticals and medical devices, thanks to a unique management mechanism that can ensure the whole-process traceability of the products, said Jia.


Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta are sending prosecutors from the California National Guard and the states Department of Justice to help prosecute crimes in Alameda County amid a crime surge. Getty Images, Contributor / Getty Images

Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta are sending prosecutors from the California National Guard and the states Department of Justice to help prosecute crimes in Alameda County amid a crime surge.

The Thursday announcement comes just two days after Newsom said he was sending 120 state police officers to the county to help local police in Oakland deal with violence and thefts. The officers began work Tuesday and the attorneys will start work in a few days, said Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon.

Violent crime surged in the East Bay city in last year. Reports of violent incidents in Oakland in 2023 rose 21% compared with 2022. Robberies increased 38% and burglaries rose 23%.

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In a statement, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price said, This new partnership signals that state and county law enforcement are seizing the moment to work together in aggressively prosecuting people who do harm to folks who live, work, and play in Alameda County.

The partnership will boost her office's capacity to prosecute any additional cases as a result of the work of the additional CHP officers in Alameda County, Price said.

She told reporters the support "regrettably is not a large operation." She said she anticipates three "deputies" will work under the leadership of a career prosecutor in her office.

Newsom said the added officers and attorneys will help Oakland and Alameda County investigate and prosecute violent crimes, thefts, carjackings and fentanyl trafficking, with a focus on major criminal networks.

An arrest isnt enough, Newsom said in a statement. Justice demands that suspects are appropriately prosecuted.

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Alameda County Chief Public Defender Brendon Woods criticized the move. Although Newsom isn't providing any additional money to Woods' office, by increasing prosecutions he will add to the workload of public defenders, who represent people accused of crimes who can't afford lawyers. Facing a state budget deficit, Newsom has actually proposed cutting $40 million in funding previously allocated to public defenders' offices to implement recent state laws that allow some people to seek more lenient sentences for past convictions.

Locking more people in jail won't make the community safer, Woods said.

People turn to crime because they have a sense of hopelessness, he wrote in a statement. Locking them up, taking away their prospects for employment and making their families lives difficult actually makes our communities less safe in the long run.

The announcement is the latest example of Newsom taking a more tough-on-crime approach to governing.

Last month, he called for lawmakers to send him legislation to increase punishments for people who steal, including by making it easier for police to arrest suspects even if they did not witness them stealing, and imposing harsher penalties for car thieves and people who resell stolen goods. He has also deployed state police to San Francisco to help crack down on fentanyl dealing.
The Federal Communications Commission said Thursday it is immediately outlawing scam robocalls featuring fake, artificial intelligence-created voices, cracking down on so-called deepfake technology that experts say could undermine election security or supercharge fraud.

The unanimous FCC vote extends anti-robocall rules to cover unsolicited AI deepfake calls by recognizing those voices as artificial under a federal law governing telemarketing and robocalling.

The FCCs move gives state attorneys general more legal tools to pursue illegal robocallers that use AI-generated voices to fool Americans, the FCC said.

Bad actors are using AI-generated voices in unsolicited robocalls to extort vulnerable family members, imitate celebrities, and misinform voters, said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a statement. Were putting the fraudsters behind these robocalls on notice.

The decision to interpret the 1991 Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) more broadly to include AI-generated voices comes weeks after a fake robocall that impersonated President Joe Biden targeted thousands of New Hampshire voters and urged them not to participate in the states primary.

Authorities said this week they had linked those fake calls to a Texas man and two companies in an ongoing investigation that could lead to civil and criminal penalties.

In its announcement Thursday, the FCC said those who wish to send robocalls must obtain prior express consent from the called party before making a call that utilizes artificial or prerecorded voice simulated or generated through AI technology.

With Thursdays change, scam robocalls featuring cloned voices would be subject to the same fines and consequences associated with illegal robocalls that do not use the technology. The FCC had announced it was considering the proposal last week.

Violations of the TCPA can carry stiff civil penalties. In 2021, the FCC announced a $5 million proposed fine against right-wing operatives Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman for allegedly using illegal robocalls to discourage voting in the 2020 election.

The number of robocalls placed in the US peaked at around 58.5 billion in 2019, according to estimates by YouMail, a robocall blocking service. Last year, the figure was closer to 55 billion.

As the FCC updates its interpretation of federal law, some US lawmakers have proposed revising the law directly to further deter illegal robocallers. House Democrats unveiled legislation this year that would double the TCPAs maximum penalties when a robocall violation involves the use of AI.

Andrew Schwartzman, senior counselor at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, called the FCCs move an important step forward.

No one should think that this will stop bad actors from doing bad things, he said, but it gives the FCC tools to act quickly and to deter the companies that facilitate these practices.

Phone providers that persistently facilitate illegal robocalls can and have been forcibly disconnected from the US telephone network by FCC order, as part of a wider crackdown on illegal robocalls by state and federal officials.

Dan Jasnow, a partner in the law firm ArentFox Schiffs AI, Metaverse and Blockchain industry group, said that while the ruling makes it crystal clear that AI-powered voice cloning in scam calls are illegal, it isnt enough.

Protecting our elections and reducing AI-related scams will require a combined effort of government and industry, he said, including watermarking of AI-generated content, more robust consumer consent and disclosure mechanisms and a commitment by utilities and telecom providers to act quickly in response to notices of fraudulent and deceptive conduct.

This story has been updated.

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A shopper looks at a new Series 9 watch on display at the Apple Store in Berlin on Sept. 22, 2023. Credit - Krisztian BocsiBloomberg/Getty Images

In a win for Apple, a U.S. federal appeals court earlier this week dismissed a lawsuit claiming that the tech giant had illegally monopolized the U.S. market for heart-monitoring apps for the Apple Watch. The lawsuit, filed by medical technology startup AliveCor, comes amid years of legal tussle between the two companies, centered around claims of antitrust and intellectual property infringement by Apple.

AliveCors lawsuit challenged Apples ability to improve important capabilities of the Apple Watch that consumers and developers rely on, and todays outcome confirms that is not anticompetitive, Apple said in a statement provided to media outlets.

The details of the judgment made Tuesday remain sealed, but a redacted version is expected to be made public in the coming weeks.

AliveCor said it plans to appeal the ruling, saying in a statement provided to media outlets that it will continue to vigorously protect our intellectual property to benefit our consumers and promote innovation.

The ruling brings temporary reprieve to Apple, which in recent weeks has faced separate legal setbacks over its watch technology. The Apple Watch, one of the companys best-selling products and a frontrunner in the global wearable medical device market, which is predicted to be worth $132.5 billion by 2031, has faced years of legal challenges.

But despite one ruling forcing Apple to disable the blood-oxygen-monitoring feature in two of its newest models, it does not seem like the company will be turning away from the watch business anytime soon. CEO Tim Cook recently told CNBC that theres lots of reasons to buy the watch even without the blood oxygen sensor, one of the health features most scrutinized by courts and competitors, AppleInsider reported.

Heres what to know about the biggest legal disputes surrounding the Apple Watch:

AliveCor

In 2021, AliveCor filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple over the heart-monitoring technology used in the Apple Watch, claiming that Apple had abused its monopolistic power with the electrocardiogram (ECG) technology. Apples tactics in the heartrate analysis market, have injured competition, reduced consumer choice, and potentially damaged public health, AliveCor CEO Priya Abani said in a statement at the time.

AliveCor had previously filed separate patent infringement suits against Apple, and in 2021 it also filed a complaint with the International Trade Commission (ITC) seeking to ban the import of Apple Watches in the U.S.

AliveCor claims that, during a 2015 meeting its cofounder had with Apple executives to demonstrate AliveCors heart-monitoring device KardiaBand, it was told Apple wanted to collaborate on the technology. Apple countered that it has hosted hundreds of such meetings without promises of partnership.

According to the antitrust lawsuit, Apple announced the heart health feature for its Apple Watch more than a year after the meeting and just hours after AliveCor informed them of the Kardiaband launch date. The Apple Watch went on to dominate the market and, according to AliveCor, to effectively prevent third parties from offering competing heart-rate-monitoring apps on the device.

Masimo

In 2020, medical technology company Masimo sued Apple for infringing on 10 of its patents, including technology to measure blood oxygen levels and heart rate. In December, the ITC imposed a ban on the Series 9 and Ultra 2 models of the Apple Watch after finalizing its decision that the blood oxygen sensors in the devices did indeed infringe on patents owned by Masimo and its subsidiary Cercacor Laboratories.

That ban was paused after just one day, on Dec. 27, by a federal appeals court, allowing the watches to go back on sale. But the court decided to reinstate the ban in Januarya move welcomed by Masimo.

It affirms that even the largest and most powerful companies must respect the intellectual rights of American inventors and must deal with the consequences when they are caught infringing others patents, Joe Kiani, Founder and CEO of Masimo, said of the reinstated ban in a statement.

To get around the import ban, Apple redesigned the Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches, dropping blood oxygen features for the two models. While the redesigned watches, which have been on sale in the U.S. since Jan. 18, still include the blood-oxygen-monitoring sensor, it has been made not functional, pending an appeal.

Masimo has been feuding with Apple since 2013, when the latter hired an engineer who was previously the chief technical officer of Cercacor Laboratories, followed by about 20 other ex-employees from Masimo. Masimo accused Apple of poaching its staff to steal its patented technology.

Other notable lawsuits related to the Apple Watch

Its not just companies that are going up against Apple. Individuals have also engaged in David vs. Goliath-style legal battles with the tech giant.

In 2019, Apple was sued by Joseph Wiesel, a New York cardiologist, in a federal court alleging that the company used his patented monitoring toolto detect heartbeat irregularities. A trial date has not been set yet for that case, with the court granting Apples application for a stay of the proceedings in 2021, pending a decision from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Apples request for a reexamination.

And in a 2021 lawsuit not to do anything with cardio technology, an app developer and former Pinterest engineer alleged that Apple had banned his app for a FlickType watch keyboard from the App Store but later allowed competing keyboard apps that ripped off the FlickType keyboard, which led to the plummeting of FlickTypes revenue. That lawsuit was settled with undisclosed terms in 2022.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Quincy's Gadsden Arts has landed an American artistic master for a traveling exhibit opening in February.

Jacob Lawrence is a widely celebrated artist from the 20th century who has captivated viewers worldwide since his work was first acquired by major museums in 1940. Lawrence created artworks that share important chapters in human history through his colorful, emotionally evocative style.

The Gadsden Arts Center & Museum will be exhibiting three famous series of prints by Lawrence from Feb. 17-May 4, 2024, with a public Opening Reception from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, and an informative talk at 5:30 p.m.

Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000), The Opener: Toussaint LOuveture Series, 1997, silk screen print on Rising Two Ply Rag paper, 28 12 x 38 12 inches, Image Courtesy Landau Traveling Exhibitions  2024 The Jacob and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence Foundation, Seattle / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. The Gadsden Arts Center & Museum in Quincy will be exhibiting three famous series of prints by Lawrence from Feb. 17 - May 4, 2024.

Early start in art

Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, (Sept. 7, 1917-June 9, 2000 ), Jacob Lawrence faced early challenges.

His mother worked as a domestic employee, and his father worked as a railroad cook and coal miner. He was only 7 years old when his parents separated, and his mother, unable to care for three children, placed them in foster care. Lawrence reunited with his mother in Harlem in 1930, at the age of 13.

Lawrence did not enjoy school, so to keep him out of trouble, his mother enrolled him in after-school art classes. Despite dropping out of high school at age 16, Lawrence received art training through government sponsored workshops in Harlem.

Artist Jacob Lawrence stands among his paintings from the "Migration Series" at New York's Payson Gallery on Nov. 19, 1993.

He furthered his education at the American Artists School in New York, and later taught art. Lawrence pioneered the use of series of paintings to tell stories, and in 1940, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., purchased a 60-painting series by Lawrence.

He was at that time only 23 years old, and his place of honor in the realm of art history was established.

About the series

This exhibition presents three well known series of prints by Lawrence.

The Genesis series illustrates the King James version of the book of Genesis. Lawrence was heavily influenced by religion in his childhood, attending Sunday school and listening to the passionate sermons relating to the Creation by the ministers in his church. The series is a product of these sermons from Lawrences perspective.

The Hiroshima series was born when Lawrence was asked by the Limited Editions Club of New York to illustrate a book of his choosing. Lawrence chose the book "Hiroshima" by John Hersey, and depicted a series of events that were taking place as the bomb was dropped. He used settings like a marketplace, a playground, and a park to show the stark contrast between everyday life and the impact of a weapon of mass destruction.

The Toussaint LOuverture series shares the history of Haitis fight for independence from the tyranny of Napoleon Bonaparte and his army. Toussaint LOuverture was a leader in the Haitian revolution, rising from slave to commander of the revolutionary army.

LOuverture helped draft Haitis first democratic constitution, and then was imprisoned and killed the following year. Lawrence highlighted LOuvertures contribution to Haitis independence, which they achieved in 1804.

Traveling exhibit

To this day, Jacob Lawrences work stands the test of time. It remains culturally relevant and visually powerful. The works on loan to Gadsden Arts are from the collections of Dr. and Mrs. Leon Banks and Alitash Kebede. "Jacob Lawrence: Three Series of Prints" is organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions.

Major Exhibitions like Jacob Lawrence are made possible by the Impact Fund and Watson Arts Fund, and Gadsden Art sponsors, FSU College of Medicine and Black Fig. Additional support for the exhibition and related programs is provided by The Florida Council on Arts and Culture, National Endowment for the Arts, City of Quincy, Gadsden County Tourist Development Council, and National Hookup of Black Women-Gadsden.

Gadsden Arts Center & Museum is at 13 N. Madison St. in downtown Quincy, Fla.

If you go

What: Opening reception of Jacob Lawrence: Three Series of Prints

When 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, with refreshments and an educational talk at 5:30 p.m. Exhibit continues through May 4

Where: Gadsden Arts, 13 N. Madison St., Quincy; 20 miles from Tallahassee

Hours: Visitor hours are Tuesdays-Saturdays 10 a.m.  5 p.m. The ArtZone Family Studio is open every Saturday. Exhibition admission is free formuseum members, children aged 17 and under, families visiting the ArtZone, and childrens groups, and $5 for adult non-members. For Field Trip reservations for a childrens or adult group, call 850-627-5023. Visit gadsdenarts.org.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Gadsden Arts hosts exhibit by great American artist Jacob Lawrence
Google (GOOG, GOOGL) is bringing big changes to its generative AI bot Bard, rebranding the software as Gemini to match the underlying AI model that powers it and announcing a new premium version for consumers.

Gemini Advanced is a paid version of the companys bot that gives users access to Googles largest AI model, Gemini Ultra, for $19.99 per month as part of the companys Google One AI Premium plan.

In addition to access to Gemini Ultra, the subscription includes 2TB of Google Cloud storage and, in a future update, adds Gemini in Google Docs, Gmail, Slides, and Sheets.

What you're seeing is really a phase of maturation for Google's holistic approach to AI, explained Google senior product director Jack Krawczyk. And Gemini is really the most direct way to access it.

Google's Gemini is a new AI model meant to take on the likes of OpenAI's GPT-4. (Image: Google) (Google)

Google launched Bard last March as an AI platform that allows users to type in text prompts and get replies as text, code, and images. In December, Google debuted its Gemini AI model, with more advanced multimodal capabilities, including the ability to recognize text, images, video, and code, and began running Bard on the software.

Now Google is fully rebranding Bard as Gemini as the company seeks to build out an ecosystem around the platform. Gemini is available in three versions: Gemini Nano, designed to run on smartphones; Gemini Pro, for businesses; and Gemini Ultra, for high-end AI applications like the Gemini chatbot.

As an example of Geminis improved capabilities, Krawczyk offered a situation in which a user got a flat tire on their car. A person could then take a photo of the tire, upload it to Gemini, and ask how to change the tire. The bot would then provide step-by-step instructions for how to put on a doughnut.

Android users will be able to access Gemini via the new Gemini app through the Google Play store or by pulling up the Google Assistant and opting into using Gemini rather than Google Assistant.

If you want to go back to using Google Assistant, you cant opt out of Gemini.

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If youve got an iPhone, youll be able to use Gemini via the Google app and use the toggle at the top of the screen to switch over to the bot. On the web you can go to Geminis website.

At first, Gemini will be available in the US in English and then launch in Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Africa.

While the rebranding of Bard to Gemini is important, its the availability of a paid version that is most intriguing. It serves as a new revenue source for Google, as it looks to monetize its increased investment in generative AI.

The move also puts Googles consumer offering into direct competition with Microsofts (MSFT) Copilot Pro AI bot for consumers. That platform also costs $19.99.

Google and Microsoft already compete in the enterprise space via their respective generative AI bots, which they attach to their productivity suits. Adding the consumer edition sets up yet another battleground for the AI giants to square off.

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.

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By Frank Nieuwenhuis and Stine Jacobsen

NORTH OF SYLINGARFELL, Iceland (Reuters) -A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted on Thursday for the third time since December, spraying streams of lava up to 80 metres (260 feet) into the air and triggering an emergency warning as thousands of households lost heating in the middle of winter.

Bright orange molten rock spewed from cracks in the ground in the Reykjanes peninsula and lava crossed a road near the Blue Lagoon - a luxury geothermal spa - which had to close due to the eruption.

The intensity of the outbreak had eased by Thursday afternoon, said the Icelandic Met Office which is tasked with monitoring volcanoes.

Still, the lava flow hit water pipes in the region just south of the capital, disrupting the supply of geothermally-heated water used to warm homes and leading the Civil Protection Agency to raise its alert level to emergency status.

Reykjavik's Keflavik Airport also lost access to hot water but said it had otherwise maintained operations as usual.

The temperature in the area stood at -7 degrees Celsius (19 Fahrenheit) and was forecast to drop to -10 C (14 F) in the evening.

Rikke Pedersen, who heads the Nordic Volcanological Centre research group based in Reykjavik, said more than 20,000 people had lost access to hot water.

The Civil Protection Agency asked people in the affected area to only use one small electrical heater per households to prevent blackouts.

Restoring hot water via an emergency pipeline that was already under construction could take days, it said.

Volcanic outbreaks in the Reykjanes peninsula are so-called fissure eruptions, which do not usually cause large explosions or significant dispersal of ash into the stratosphere.

However, scientists fear they could continue for years, and Icelandic authorities have started building dykes to divert burning lava flows away from homes and critical infrastructure.

The lava stream also came within 1 km (0.6 miles) of the peninsula's Svartsengi geothermal power plant, Pedersen said.

As the lava flowed, workers were trying to fill in gaps in the protective dykes built along the road.

"So they are really doing all they can to prevent lava reaching the power plant," she said.

HISTORY OF ERUPTIONS

The latest eruptive fissure, the sixth outbreak since 2021, was roughly 3 km (2 miles) long, Iceland's meteorological office said. Intense earthquake activity began around 5:30 a.m. and the eruption itself 30 minutes later.

A plume of smoke rose 3 km into the air, according to the Met Office.

Reykjanesbaer, Iceland's fifth largest municipality, said it would close all kindergardens and schools on Friday.

The previous eruption in the area started on Jan. 14 and lasted roughly two days, with lava flows reaching the outskirts of the Grindavik fishing town, whose nearly 4,000 inhabitants had been evacuated, where some houses were set alight.

Thursday's eruption took place some way from Grindavik and was unlikely to pose a direct threat to the town, Icelandic geophysicist Ari Trausti Gudmundsson told Reuters.

Iceland's President Gudni Johannesson posted an image of flames and smoke in the distance on social media, saying that was the view from his residence.

"As before, our thoughts are with the people of Grindavik who cannot reside in their beautiful town. This too shall pass," Johannesson wrote.

Despite downgrading the volcanic system's threat level, authorities have warned of further eruptions as land continued to rise in the area due to magma accumulating underground.

The Reykjanes peninsula alone has six active volcanic systems and could see eruptions on-and-off for decades or potentially even centuries, Gudmundsson said.

Other parts of the country have more powerful volcanoes.

In 2010, ash clouds from eruptions at Eyafjallajokull in the south of Iceland spread over large parts of Europe, grounding some 100,000 flights and forcing hundreds of Icelanders to evacuate homes.

But unlike Eyafjallajokull, the Reykjanes volcano systems are not trapped under glaciers and are thus not expected to cause similar-sized ash clouds.

Iceland, which is roughly the size of the U.S. state of Kentucky, boasts more than 30 active volcanoes, making the north European island a prime destination for volcano tourism - a niche segment that attracts thousands of thrill seekers.

(Reporting by Frank Nieuwenhuis in Iceland, Stine Jacobsen and Tom Little in Copenhagen, writing by Terje Solsvik; Editing by Toby Chopra)
A Palestinian-American woman was pulled out of bed in her family's home in the West Bank and arrested earlier this week. Now her family in the U.S. and the Biden administration are seeking information about her case.

Israel's military says Samaher Esmail, 46, of Gretna, Louisiana, was arrested for "incitement on social media."

Her son, who is in Louisiana, told CBS News on Wednesday that IDF soldiers forced their way into the family home in the town of Silwad, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, late Monday and took her. The son said he has not heard from her since.

Samaher Esmail in a photo shared by her family. Esmail was arrested late Monday in the West Bank and has been accused by Israel of

A video posted to social media by her son shows what the family said were armored IDF vehicles outside their home in the West Bank. Pictures and videos shared with CBS News show the aftermath of Esmail's arrest, which left windows broken and belongings strewn across a bedroom.

"They took her out without her hijab, her headscarf," Samaher's son Ibrahim Hamed told CBS News. "It's like they didn't even respect her."

The IDF told CBS News in a statement on Wednesday that Esmail was arrested for "incitement on social media" and that she had been "transferred to the security forces for further questioning." They said she was being held by Israeli police, not the military.

A video posted to social media by Samaher Esmail's son shows what the family said were armored IDF vehicles outside their home in the West Bank. / Credit: Image provided by Samaher Esmail's family

Some of Esmail's posts on social media reference Hamas. Her son Hamed said his mother's social media posts simply call for "an end to the occupation" and do not support Hamas specifically.

"A lot of Palestinians don't support Hamas, they want to end the occupation. It's not promoting violence to say, 'We are strong, we're going to go past this occupation,'" Hamed added.

The IDF said it could not provide any further information on the social media activity that led to her arrest.

Esmail's sister, Sana Esmail, told CBS News in the West Bank that she was deeply concerned because Esmail has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and needs medication.

The U.S. State Department said Wednesday that it was aware of reports of an American national being arrested in the West Bank and that it was seeking additional information and stood ready "to provide all appropriate consular assistance."

Esmail's sister, Sana Esmail, told CBS News in an interview in the West Bank she was deeply concerned because Esmail has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and needs medication. / Credit: CBS News

As they seek further information about her whereabouts, Esmail's family has called on the U.S. government to do whatever it can to guarantee her safety.

"We don't know what prison she's in," Hamed told CBS News. "We don't know that much. A lot of [the information] is hearsay."

Lawyers and human rights organizations in Israel have been sounding alarm bells since shortly after the start of Israel's operations against Hamas in Gaza over what they describe as an erosion of free speech in the country and in the occupied West Bank.

Pictures and videos shared with CBS News show the aftermath of Samaher Esmail's arrest in the family home in the town of Silwad, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which left windows broken and belongings strewn across a bedroom. / Credit: Photo provided by Samaher Esmail's family

Esmail is from the same town in Louisiana as a Palestinian-American teenager, Tawfic Abdel Jabbar, who was recently killed by Israeli fire in a village near Silwad. The State Department has said it was "devastated" by the killing of 17-year-old Jabbar in the West Bank on Jan. 19.

"We continue to engage urgently with the Government of Israel surrounding the nature of Mr. Jabbar's death, which was alarming," a State Department spokesperson told CBS News. "We understand the Israeli government is currently investigating the incident. We urge that it be conducted expeditiously and are eager to see the findings as soon as possible, including any appropriate accountability measures that will be taken."

Israeli police confirmed to CBS News that it was investigating the killing, which it said involved a report of a "concerning firearm discharge, ostensibly involving an off-duty law enforcement officer, a soldier, and a civilian. This discharge was directed towards a perceived threat, individuals purportedly engaged in rock-throwing activities along Highway 60."

The police said "additional information indicated the potential fatality of a 17-year-old Palestinian due to gunfire."

No findings from the police investigation had been released as of Wednesday evening in Israel.

Meanwhile, Esmail's family also remains desperate for more information. "We've been fighting our whole lives," Hamed said. "Where is the humanity?"

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TOKYO  Chiyuki Fujii held a ream of 500 papers outside of the Tokyo Dome on night two of the 2024 Eras Tour. The Japanese fan with a VIP lanyard planned to distribute the pieces of paper to concertgoers with floor seats. On each sheet were the words, "Karma is the queen on the stage!!"

"This is our fan project surprise for Taylor," Fujii said. "She sang, 'Karma is the guy on the Chiefs' and we changed the lyrics and we'll show these all four nights in Tokyo."

A QR code in the corner of the sheet led fans to a linktree website with instructions in Japanese and English, a printable banner and a video explainer. The mission is to hold one side of the paper up for the show closing song, "Karma," and then hold the other side up, "We'll stand by you forever," during Swift's song "Long Live."

When asked what she would say to the superstar if she had the chance, Fujii became overwhelmed with happy tears and said, "I really, really love you Taylor." She gave permission to post the emotional video on TikTok hoping Swift or her team would see it.

Chiyuki Fujii (in green) and her four friends organized a "Long Live Fan Project."

Swift has two more nights in Tokyo before heading to Melbourne, Australia, for stop two of the 2024 leg of the Eras Tour.

Follow Bryan West, the USA TODAY Network's Taylor Swift reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @BryanWestTV.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Japanese fans organize to hold 500 signs for Taylor Swift at Eras Tour
Last month's global temperatures led to the warmest January on record, continuing a pattern of eight consecutive hottest months on record, according to scientists.

The average surface air temperature on Earth in January was 13.14 degrees Celsius, or 55.65 degrees Fahrenheit -- about 1.26 degrees Fahrenheit above the 1991 to 2020 average for January and 0.22 degrees Fahrenheit above the previous record, set in January 2020, according to the monthly report released Wednesday by Copernicus, the European Union's climate change service.

MORE: 2023 is officially the hottest year on record as global temperatures close in on warming limit: Copernicus report

The month as a whole was 1.66 degrees Celsius (or 2.99 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than an estimate of the January average for 1850 to 1900, the designated pre-industrial reference period, the report, which highlights changes observed in global surface air temperature, sea ice cover and hydrological variables, found.

February 2023 through January 2024 was the warmest 12-month stretch on record with the global mean temperature measuring at 1.52 degrees Celsius -- or 2.74 degrees Fahrenheit -- above the 1850 to 1900 pre-industrial average, according to the researchers. The Paris Agreement, a collective climate change agreement among the majority of the world's countries, aims to keep global temperatures below 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming since the Industrial Revolution.

PHOTO: Pedestrians walk up 6th Avenue as the sun rises along 42nd Street, Jan. 2, 2024, in New York. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

A strong El Nino event has been helping to push global temperatures to new highs -- even in a month that traditionally sees some of the coldest temperatures in much of the world, according to Copernicus' report.

"2024 starts with another record-breaking month  not only is it the warmest January on record but we have also just experienced a 12-month period of more than 1.5 [degrees Celsius] above the pre-industrial reference period," Samantha Burgess, deputy director of Copernicus, said in a statement.

MORE: 2023 was the year of record heat temperatures

Even with El Nino conditions beginning to weaken, global sea surface temperatures across a majority of the worlds oceans are currently hitting unprecedented levels as marine heatwaves persist around the globe, the report found.

Each day since Jan. 31, global daily sea surface temperatures between the coordinates 60S and 60N -- which include the majority of the worlds oceans -- have been hitting new all-time highs. The average global sea surface temperature for January in this area was 20.97 degrees Celsius (69.75 degrees Fahrenheit), the highest on record for the month. This beat the previous record set in January 2016 by 0.26 degrees Celsius (0.47 degrees Fahrenheit).

PHOTO: People run on the National Mall, Jan. 26, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

These new records beat the previous highest values set just last summer on Aug. 23 and Aug. 24. The last time Earth recorded a colder-than-average year was in 1976, according to NOAA.

The month of January also featured drier-than-average conditions in Australia and Chile. The dry conditions, largely fueled by El Nino, contributed to wildfires that scorched parts of both nations, according to Wednesday's report.

Along with the El Nino conditions over the equatorial eastern Pacific, greenhouse gas emissions are also playing a role in Earth reaching new global temperature records. The warming will not cease until emissions, which trap the heat that is causing global warming, are drastically reduced, Burgess said.

"Rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are the only way to stop global temperatures from increasing," Burgess said.

MORE: Effects of climate change worsening in every part of the US, report says

Researchers are trying to figure out why the past eight months have been the hottest by a large margin.

NASAs newest Earth-observing satellite, called PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem), will help to map aerosols around the globe by putting two polarimeters, measurement instruments, into orbit, Gavin Schmidt, director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, told ABC News.

PHOTO: A view of damage as houses are destroyed after a forest fire that affected the hills of Vina del Mar, Chile, on Feb. 3, 2024. (Lucas Aguayo Araos/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The tool will monitor what the aerosols are actually doing and what kind there are -- whether they are sea salt, dust from deserts, soot from fires, nitrates from agriculture or sulfates from coal and oil, according to NASA. As aerosols are tracked, researchers will be able to apply them to climate modeling as well, Schmidt said.

Aerosols are not the only variable researchers are working on to understand the recent global heat, Schmidt said, describing the past eight months as a "puzzle."

"Scientists don't like puzzles to be left unsolved, so we want to figure it out," he said.

Last month was the warmest January on record. NASA expert explains how new technology will investigate the remarkable warming trend. originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Between six and eight members of the same family are missing and feared dead after a house fire in Pennsylvania broke out during a gunfight Wednesday that left two police officers wounded, authorities said.

As of Thursday morning, the house "has been burned down whole" and the search for the missing has turned into "a recovery operation," Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer told NBC News correspondent George Solis Thursday morning.

Going through what remains will be a challenging operation that could take days, Stollsteimer said.

The incident started when police responded to a report that an 11-year-old girl had been shot in Lewis Avenue, a suburban street in East Lansdowne, west of Philadelphia, at 3:47 p.m. Stollsteimer said Thursday that the call said someone was shooting the girl inside the home.

When the two officers  one from East Lansdowne police and one from Lansdowne police  arrived at the house, they were both shot once by someone inside and immediately returned fire, police said.

It is not known whether the 11-year-old girl mentioned in the police call or the gunman were inside the house at the time of the fire.

Both officers were dragged to safety by officers from Upper Darby Police Department, using ballistic shields as cover while gunfire continued, police said.

The injured officers were identified by the DA's office Thursday as: Lansdowne police officer David Schiazza, 54, and East Lansdowne police officer John Meehan, 44. Both are 22-year veterans of their departments.

Schiazza suffered gunshot wound to his leg and will be released today at a 3 p.m. Meehan suffered a gunshot wound to the left arm and required a lengthy surgery, the DA's office said. Hes still being treated.

In a news conference Wednesday night, Stollsteimer said: "We are aware that there are at least six to eight people who are unaccounted for from that family. It is our terrible fear that they may be inside that house when it was burned," noting that children were known to live in the house.

No deaths will be confirmed until investigators can gain access to the property, which smoldered overnight.

At least 6 people are missing, feared dead after Pennsylvania house fire and shooting (Matt Rourke / AP)

Images from the scene show the almost total destruction of the house, with just its external walls remaining. It's unclear when the fire began, but officials said that firefighters were unable to stop the blaze because of the active shooter situation.

"Officers were taking gunfire," Stollsteimer said Wednesday. "Police officers and the fire department who were out there, there was still shots coming out at the beginning of this fire scene."

Where the investigation stands now

As of Thursday morning, authorities are trying to safely enter the destroyed home to discover and recover any bodies inside, Stollsteimer said.

Theres nobody alive in that house right now. Anybody who is in there is deceased. The question is how many people are in there and how long its going to take us to safely go in and recover the bodies, he said Thursday. Its also a crime scene. Were aware of that as well. There may never be any charges filed if the person who was the shooter is also deceased.

He said to his knowledge at least two children live in the home, as well as adults, but its unclear if more people were there at the time.

Theyre all unaccounted for at this point. Our fear is that they were inside that home, he said.

What's left of the home is utter destruction: the roof collapsed, walls are gone, and there's multiple feet of water in the basement, Stollsteimer said.

"It's really unstable," he added.

At least 6 people are missing, feared dead after Pennsylvania house fire and shooting Image: (Matt Rourke / AP)

Witnesses heard gunshots and ducked for safety

Sharon Johnson, a crossing guard who saw the police response, described the scene to NBC Philadelphia.

"I was there, a cop came flying around the corner. He got out and then he's in front of the house talking to two people. And then all of a sudden I heard six or seven gunshots. Cops got down on the ground and I ran and took off," she said.

Denise Williams, a resident in the area, said she was entering her car to head to work when she heard gunshots.

I went into the car, and I had ducked a little bit because I was trying to protect myself because the shooting was going on, she told NBC News Thursday. I see a cop on the left side on the next block, I see him got shot actually, she said.

Williams said she did not see the shooter. She said she believed up to eight people lived in the house and most are kids she believes she previously saw play with neighbors children.

Im very emotional because thats horrible. Its sad, its very sad. We never had this around our neighborhood at all, she said. Ive been here almost like 14 years and its never happened at all.

CORRECTION (Feb 8, 2024, 11:22 a.m. ET): A previous version of this article misspelled the names of two police departments. They are East Lansdowne police, not East Lansdown police, and Lansdowne police, not Lansdown police.
Three nurses allege in a lawsuit that the city fails to provide nurses with adequate meal and rest breaks; two of them work at San Francisco General Hospital. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

San Francisco fails to provide nurses at city hospitals with meal and rest breaks or the compensation required by law for missed breaks, three nurses say in a proposed class-action suit seeking damages for their 2,200 colleagues.

State law entitles workers to 30-minute meal breaks after every five hours of work and 10-minute rest breaks after four hours, and to an hour of additional pay for each day that a break is not provided. A law that took effect in January 2023 extended the requirement to government health care agencies, which had previously been exempted.

The City provides no first meal period or provides a short, late, or interrupted meal period, or a meal period in which (nurses) are not relieved of all duty, lawyers for the three nurses wrote in a suit filed Tuesday in San Francisco Superior Court. One reason, they said, is the chronic understaffing of city hospitals.

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As a result, the lawsuit said, nurses at public hospitals often delay eating, eat while working, or even work an entire shift without being able to sit down or use the bathroom. A nurse may spend her entire shift in a patients room while the patient is in labor, or in the operating room while the patient has a C-section.

Alex Barrett-Shorter, a spokesperson for City Attorney David Chiu, said the office had not seen the lawsuit and had no immediate comment.

Two plaintiffs work at San Francisco General Hospital and the third is at Laguna Honda Hospital. Susannah Levy, who has been a nurse at S.F. General for 28 years, has had to work 8.5-hour shifts without being able to eat or use the bathroom once, and has also been required to work additional overnight shifts after her regular work hours, the suit said.

Service Employees International Union Local 1021, which represents the nurses, signed a two-year contract with the city in 2022 requiring meal and rest breaks and payment for missed breaks. But the 2023 state law requires additional break periods and compensation.

Although the law allows health care workers to waive their rights to those added benefits by written agreement, that has not happened in this case, Caitlin Gray, an attorney for the nurses, said Thursday.

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The suit also said the city had often failed to make even the lesser payments mandated by the union contract.

Another group of nurses, represented by the same law firm, sued the city in federal court in 2020, saying they had been illegally denied overtime pay for weeks in which they worked more than 40 hours.
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Consider this your warning: Valentine's Day is a week away. If you haven't yet grabbed a something cute for your grandkids or for him, you have a few days left to order something online that'll still arrive on time.

Best of all, you don't have to break the brand for a thoughtful Valentine's Day gift. You can't go wrong with their favorite candy, whether it's heart-shaped Reese's or a coffee-flavored candy that's his new favorite. Pair the candy with something special, like a new bedtime book for the little one, a "Date Night" scented candle for her, or some fancy woodgrain-looking soap for him.

It doesn't matter whether you're shopping for him, her, kids and anyone else you want to show some love to this holiday  all of these last-minute gifts are under $25.

In this story: Under $5 | Under $10 | Under $15 | Under $20 | Under $25

Under $5

Reese's Reese's Hearts Why do Reese's in other shapes  hearts, Easter eggs, or Christmas trees  somehow taste better than the originals? This Valentine's Day, give the gift of superior flavor. $10 at Amazon $11 at Walmart

Bali's Best Bali's Best Coffee Candy (42 pieces) For the coffee-loving guy, gift him something unexpected rather than another coffee mug or gadget he'll only use once. This coffee candy taste like a sugary cup of dark coffee, with a hint of milk and caramel. It'll satisfy his sweet tooth and his coffee craving in one go. $6 at Amazon

Gift Republic Retro Vinyl Record Coasters These retro vinyl record coasters come in a pack of six different record label designs. Its the perfect gift for the man or woman who insists records sound better than Spotify. $4 at Amazon

Under $10

Paris Hilton Paris Hilton Heart French Press Coffee Maker This heart French press has been trending on social media, therefore it's been in and out of stock in the lead-up to Valentine's Day. Fortunately, it looks like it's back in stock now  just in time for a last-minute gift idea for the gal who loves a perfect brew. $10 at Walmart

onn. onn. Portable Battery For the guy who always forgets to charge his phone overnight, at under $10 this spare charger is a large blessing in a small size. $9 at Walmart

fukkuda Electric Candle Lighter She might already have a ton of candles, but does she have a fun electric candle lighter? This flameless lighter is well-reviewed, with more than 8,000 ratings. $10 at Amazon

HIGHEVER Magnetic Tool Wristband If hes the handyman around the house, he might benefit from this magnetic wristband that holds screws, nails and other small tools so he can keep his hands free while working on projects. Reviewers say that its a great gift and that their husband loves it. $10 at Amazon

Gritin LED Rechargeable Book Light The perfect gift for those who like to read before bed. Plus, it's a surefire way to make latest page-turner doesn't also keep their partner awake all night. $9 at Amazon

Carhartt Carhartt Knit Cuffed Beanie Give him the gift of a beanie with over 150,000 five-star reviews! This Carhartt mens knit cuffed beanie is designed for warmth and comfort. It includes a sewn Carhartt label on the front cuff and is made with a stretchable rib-knit construction. It comes in over 35 colors, as well. $13 at Amazon $20 at Zappos$20 at Lowe's

LULUSILK Mulberry Silk Sleep Eye Mask Shell love this mulberry silk eye mask that looks a lot more expensive than it actually is. It also includes a silk-wrapped elastic band that won't pull hair while sleeping, which can happen with eye-masks that are designed with Velcro closures. $10 at Amazon

Lightening Baby Spill-Proof Dinnerware Set Don't forget the littlest member of the family this Valentine's Day. If they're obsessed with trucks and diggers, they'll enjoy digging in with this spill-proof dinnerware set. $10 at Amazon

Under $15

HMH Books for Young Readers Little Blue Truck's Valentine Join Little Blue Truck as he delivers Valentine's Day cards to all his farm animal friends. But as Blue beeps along, he starts to wonder: Will he get any cards of his own? $10 at Amazon

Under $20

Caswell-Massey Caswell-Massey Centuries Sandalwood Luxury Bar Soap Upgrade his shower experience with a new luxury soap. This one from centuries-old American brand Caswell-Massey has a richly warm scent of sandalwood for "a deeply spicy sensory experience." It's also designed with a woodgrain look. $16 at Amazon

Walmart Cate & Chloe Ariel 18K White Gold Plated Silver Halo Stud Earrings These will surely become her go-to pair, as they are the perfect size for everyday wear. The halo style adds extra shimmer to enhance the 18-karat white gold plated finish. Plus, they're hypoallergenic and come packaged in a giftable box  perfect for Valentine's Day. $18 at Walmart

Parima Personalized Travel Jewelry Case Teens love a monogram. If you're looking for a gift for your daughter or granddaughter, help her keep her favorite earrings and necklaces organized with this cute monogrammed jewelry case. $16 at Amazon

Old Navy Old Navy Men's Flannel PJ Set Refresh his PJ drawer with a brand new set of flannel PJs. This set from Old Navy includes a matching top and bottom made of cozy and soft brushed flannel. They're tailored with a stylish spread collar and notched sleeves. The pants have an elasticized drawstring waistband, faux fly and pockets. $17 at Old Navy

Patagonia Patagonia Fitz Roy Horizons Trucker Hat For the guy who's never seen without a hat, he'll appreciate a new piece for his collection. This (on sale!) style from Patagonia is made of an organic cotton front and a recycled polyester mesh back. It's from Patagonia's NetPlus collection of products made of 100% recycled fishing nets. $19 at Patagonia

Under $25

Amazon ZimaSilk 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase (Queen) Silk pillowcases have been a favorite among those with curly hair for a long time, but they've been mainstreamed recently as a must-have for beauty lovers and skin care obsessives. Out of more than 44,000 reviewers, many say they "highly recommend" this pillowcase, and that it's good quality. Choose from over 30 prints and colors. $20 at Amazon

Yirilan Expandable Bathtub Tray Caddy Level up her once-in-a-blue-moon bath with this expandable bathtub tray and caddy. It's made of water- and mold-resistant bamboo and has nonslip silicone to keep the tray in place. It includes holders for your phone, wine glass and a candle, as well as two removable spa trays, a tablet or book holder. Plus, it comes with a free soap holder. $22 at Amazon

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A California man with ties to China has been arrested in connection with a plot to steal blueprints of nuclear missile launch sensors developed for the United States government, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.

The files allegedly stolen by Chenguang Gong included trade secrets on technology used to detect nuclear missile launches and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles, which would be dangerous to U.S. national security if obtained by international actors, court documents obtained by USA TODAY said.

Two of three storage devices Gong allegedly transferred files onto still havent been found, Federal Bureau of Investigation agent Igor Neyman said in an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

U.S. attorney Martin Estrada said Gong previously attempted to provide China with information to aid its military.

We know that foreign actors, including the PRC (Peoples Republic of China), are actively seeking to steal our technology, but we will remain vigilant against this threat by safeguarding the innovations of American businesses and researchers, Estrada said.

Gong, 57, of San Jose, was charged Tuesday with theft of trade secrets, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.

FBI: Two hard drives with trade secrets still not found

In January 2023, Gong began working at a company based in Malibu, California that develops technology used to detect nuclear missile launches and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles for the Department of Defense and other U.S. government contractors, Neyman said in his affidavit.

Between March and April 2023, Gong allegedly transferred more than 3,600 files from his work laptop to three personal storage devices, including files with trade secrets on technology for the military.

These files describe the methods, designs, techniques, processes, specifications, testing, and manufacture of these technologies and would be extremely damaging economically if obtained by the Victim Companys competitors, and would be dangerous to U.S. national security if obtained by international actors, Neyman said.

In early April, as Gong continued transferring classified files, he accepted a job at a competitor company, Neyman said. Later that month, the company he was stealing files from terminated his employment after finding a flash drive, one of three storage devices Gong allegedly used to illicitly transfer files, according to the affidavit.

Seven days after starting a job at the competitor company, the FBI executed a search warrant at Gong's temporary residence in Thousand Oaks, California, where agents found the companys files on some of his devices, Neyman said. But the two hard drives Gong allegedly transferred trade secrets on still have not been located, according to the affidavit, and Gong has denied knowing of the two devices, though he admitted to transferring some files to the flash drive previously found.

Man employed by defense contractor, indictment says

From 2014 to 2022, Gong allegedly submitted several applications to talent programs administered by the Chinese government, according to the affidavit. Neyman said China has established talent programs to find people outside of China who have special skills and knowledge that could boost the countrys economy, including its military.

During the same period, Neyman said Gong was employed by several major technology companies in the U.S. and one of the worlds largest defense contractors. In applications to China's programs, Gong allegedly proposed projects that mirrored his work for U.S. companies and said they would be useful to Chinas military.

The theft of trade secrets, especially of sensitive military technology, undermines our national security, erodes U.S. competitiveness in the global market, and harms the businesses and individuals who have invested time, resources, and creativity into developing innovative technologies, said Donald Alway, assistant director in charge of the FBI Los Angeles field office.

"Our actions today send a strong message that anyone willing to steal proprietary information from U.S. businesses will face consequences in the criminal justice system," Alway said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Man charged in theft of US nuclear missile launch sensors
WASHINGTON  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., on Thursday called for an investigation into Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis over claims that Willis, the prosecutor pursuing charges against former President Donald Trump in the Georgia election interference case, has flouted state transparency and ethics rules.

Greene, a conservative firebrand and staunch Trump supporter, said in a complaint filed with the Georgia State Ethics Commission that Willis had failed to file personal financial disclosure statements in the years after she opened the high-profile Trump investigation, violating Georgia campaign finance and ethics rules and leaving Georgians in the dark about possible undue influence.

The Georgia Campaign Finance Act exists to ensure that public officials are transparent and open about their dealings, influences, and motivations. And that is exactly what Fani Willis has sought to avoid at every turn: transparency, the complaint says. Georgians have a right to know who exerts undue and unfair influence over their elected officials.

Greene slammed the omissions, which occurred in 2021 and 2022, as intentional, or [demonstrating] at least a wanton disregard for her duties and the law, and said Willis relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade had illegally tainted the prosecution. Willis also failed to file a financial disclosure statement after she ran for a judgeship in 2018, the complaint says. Her 2020 filing is publicly available.

For that reason, Fani Willis alleged failures to disclose these suspicious relationships and transactions must be fully investigated and, if proven true, punished in order to vindicate these rights and restore Georgians confidence in the intentions of their leaders, the filing says.

The district attorney's office declined to comment on Greene's complaint.

Greene has encountered her own campaign finance problems. In January, reports emerged that the Federal Election Commission fined her $12,000 in December for soliciting donations to a super PAC.

Greene's complaint against Willis refers to earlier claims by Trump co-defendant Michael Roman that Willis may have personally benefited by hiring Wade amid accusations that the two have traveled together to destinations such as the Caribbean and Napa Valley, California. Willis moved in a motion Wednesday to quash a subpoena to testify at an evidentiary hearing next week about the allegations against her and Wade.

The Georgia Campaign Finance Act mandates transparency from public officials, Greene said in a statement to NBC News. Willis refusal to disclose her relationships and financial transactions demonstrates a blatant disregard for the law and ethical standards. Georgians deserve leaders who prioritize transparency and accountability.

She said the accusations against Willis are a scandal of epic proportions.

The complaint also alleges that Wade, whom Willis hired, earned a significantly higher hourly rate than another prosecutor on the team with considerable experience with the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, the statute under which Trump and his associates were charged. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Greene said Wade billed the district attorneys office nearly $700,000 in official funds and filed an invoice that included a billing on Nov. 5, 2021, for 24 hours on a single day, as well as another for two trips to Washington, D.C., details that surfaced in expense reports last month. Lawyers for Trump are seeking more information about Wades billing records, which list a Interview with DC/White House in November 2022.

Fani Willis, DA for Fulton County Georgia, in New York (Natalie Keyssar for NBC News)

Greene earlier called for a criminal probe of Willis amid allegations that she benefited improperly from a relationship with Wade, the special prosecutor.

Willis referred to Greene days later in remarks at a historic Black church in Atlanta.

Dear God, I do not want to be like those that attacked me, she said. I never want to be a Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has never met me but has allowed her spirit to be filled with hate. How does this woman, who has the honor of being a leader in my state, how is it that she has not reached out to me?

How did such a woman come to think that it was normal and normalized that another woman was worthy of such cruelty? I would never wish for her to have the experiences or the threats that I receive, the derogatory name calling, the being doxxed multiple times, she added.

In a 176-page filing last week, Willis admitted to a relationship with Wade but pushed back against the accusations of misconduct and sought to dismiss the case. Details have surfaced as part of Romans filing and in divorce proceedings for Wade.

In her statement to NBC News, Greene accused Willis of partisan and unethical conduct and urged a full investigation in light of the accusations.

Inappropriate, unethical, and potentially illegal behavior has plagued her investigation from the outset, Greene said, claiming that Willis cant be trusted to fulfill her duties impartially.

She described Willis' case as a political prosecution against Trump and asked, How can the public trust a prosecutor who abuses her office for personal gain while targeting her political opponents?

The allegations against Willis first appeared in a filing by Roman, one of Trumps 18 co-defendants, who is seeking to dismiss the charges against him in the indictment and disqualify Willis from the case. Trump has joined Roman with a legal motion to dismiss the indictment and remove Willis from the case.

Greene, a campaign surrogate for Trump, has been floated in the media as a potential running mate for him.
Colorado will make headlines across the world this week as the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case challenging Donald's Trump eligibility to run for office in the Centennial State. The lead plaintiff in the case is a 91-year-old former state lawmaker and diehard Republican. Norma Anderson says she never dreamed she would be part of an effort to keep her own party's leading candidate off the ballot. That is, until Jan. 6, 2021.

/ Credit: CBS

Anderson says the attack on the U.S. Capitol on that day was an attack on democracy and the consequences for that, she says, are spelled out in an obscure clause in the Constitution. It hasn't been used in more than 100 years, but on Thursday it will be front and center in the nation's highest court, where justices will parse every word. Anderson will be sitting only a few feet away.

The judicial review of the unprecedented case comes less than two months after a ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court scrambled the 2024 election. At issue is whether former President Donald Trump should be on the state's primary ballot. Six Colorado voters -- four Republicans and two unaffiliated -- brought the lawsuit, arguing Trump is ineligible to hold office because he engaged in an insurrection. The state supreme court agreed, prompting Trump to make his federal appeal.

For nearly 20 years, Anderson made headlines at the Colorado State Capitol. The former state lawmaker and diehard Republican was the nation's first female majority leader in state politics. She led creation of the department of transportation and helped write the Public School Finance Act. Now she's making headlines again, this time as the lead petitioner in a case that could upend the 2024 election.

"Our democracy is too precious to let a Donald Trump be president and destroy it," she said this week at her Lakewood home.

Anderson says the Founding Fathers contemplated a candidate like Trump. When he did nothing to stop the attack on the capitol, she says she knew he was ineligible to run again.

"I knew he fit under Section 3," she said.

Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, the Constitution's insurrection clause, states that any officer of the United States who engages in an insurrection after taking an oath to uphold the Constitution can't hold office again.

"Trump wanted to overturn an election. That's insurrection, and that's where 14th Amendment comes in," she said.

Anderson had already made the connection when she got a call asking if she would join the lawsuit. She didn't hesitate.

"If you read your Constitution, you know what should be done and what should not be done," Anderson said.

Section 3 of the 14th Amendment was originally written to keep Confederates from holding office after the Civil War. It has never before been tested. Trump's legal team argues the clause -- which doesn't specifically reference the presidency -- doesn't apply to the executive branch and that can't be enforced without an act of Congress. During an interview with CBS News Colorado Political Specialist Shaun Boyd, Boyd asked Anderson for her response to what Trump's team says.

CBS News Colorado Political Specialist Shaun Boyd interviews Norma Anderson. / Credit: CBS

"Oh bull. Pardon me. Yes, it does. If you go back and read Hamilton and some what he wrote, he refers to the president as an officer," she said.

If the conservative-leaning high court sticks to the Constitution, she says, its decision should be easy.

"Do I think I'll win? I don't know. It's like shooting craps. You never know what you'll get," she said.

/ Credit: CBS

Either way, she says she has no regrets. For all her political endeavors, she says Trump v. Anderson may be the most profound.

"I feel like I'm saving our country. Not I. The attorneys, all of us. But I'm a part of that," she said.

Anderson says the case is about far more than keeping Trump off Colorado's ballot. She says it's about setting a precedent other states can follow.

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A Marine CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter flies during training at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. A Marine Corps helicopter, like the one pictured, had been missing with five troops aboard in a mountainous area outside San Diego.

SAN DIEGO  Rescue crews are battling heavy snow Wednesday as they try to reach a Marine Corps helicopter carrying five troops that went down in the mountains near San Diego.

The five Marines were aboard a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter that departed from Creech Air Force Base, northwest of Las Vegas, where they were doing a routine training flight, defense officials said. They were returning home to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego when the aircraft was reported overdue.

Teams in several states began a search and the aircraft was located by civil authorities in Pine Valley, California, about 45 miles east of San Diego, just after 9 a.m. on Wednesday. The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said in a statement it is managing search-and-rescue efforts and "using ground and aviation assets to locate the aircrew in coordination with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department and multiple federal, state and local agencies."

Harsh conditions and heavy snow from the historic storm that hit California this week made it challenging for rescue crews to access the area, said Cal Fire and the San Diego County Fire Protection District.

The last known contact with the helicopter was at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Cal Fires spokesperson Capt. Mike Cornette told CBS 8 news. Its location was based on a "ping" reported to a Cal Fire dispatch center.

The five Marines are assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Miramar, the Marine Corps said in a statement. An agency spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY about the condition of the helicopter and the identities of the Marines.

President Joe Biden was briefed on the situation, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Air Force One Wednesday.

"Were watching this closely and again our thoughts are for the best," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

Marine helicopter no longer missing. Maps take you to crash site near San Diego.

Military helicopter went missing amid heavy rainfall, snow

It was not immediately known what time the helicopter left Nevada nor what time the five Marines were due to arrive in San Diego.

The incident occurred at the tail end of one of the wettest storms in Southern California history. Bursts of rainfall had hit the region throughout the night as heavy snow fell in the area's mountains.

Cal Fire said the helicopter was reported missing in the area north of Interstate 8 and Kitchen Creek Road, located southeast of Pine Valley, in the Cuyamaca Mountains. Pine Valley is also near the Cleveland National Forest, which covers 720 square miles that includes steep, rocky mountains with limited trails.

"Multiple agencies are searching the area covered in snow making it hard to access," Cal Fire and the San Diego County Fire Protection District said on X, formerly Twitter.

The CH-53E Super Stallion is about 99 feet long and is described as "heavy-lift helicopter" capable of transporting troops, equipment and supplies from ships to shore and launching amphibious assaults, according to the Naval Air Systems Command website. The aircraft is able to withstand harsh conditions, such as moving over rugged terrain in bad weather.

News developing into the night: For more updates, sign up for USA TODAY's Evening Briefing.

Search-and-rescue operation underway

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department said on X it received a call about the missing military helicopter around 1 a.m. Wednesday and began the ground search hours later.

The department said it is assisting the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Border Patrol Search, Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) Unit, Cal Fire San Diego and the U.S. Forest Service in the search and "will continue joint operations in our steadfast attempts to locate the missing crew." The sheriff's department said it is using 4x4 Jeeps to search the area "due to the difficult terrain."

Cornette said officials are also searching the area with drones and hope to get additional aircraft to help with the search. But visibility is near zero and it is snowing fairly heavily, Cornette said.

According to National Weather service meteorologist Casey Oswant, the area was experiencing light rain and wind between about 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. A nearby weather station also reported that snow likely began around 6 a.m., with 6 to 8 inches accumulating within hours.

The National Weather Service said on X more rain and mountain snow is coming to Southern California after a brief respite from the record-setting storm system that pummeled the region.

Anyone with information about the aircraft or the missing marines is asked to contact San Diego authorities.

Latest helicopter incident in Southern California

Last month, a Navy helicopter crashed in the ocean off of Coronado, California, a resort city on a peninsula in the bay south of downtown San Diego. Military officials confirmed that all six people on board survived and were rescued by federal firefighters.

"Due to the nature of the training, a safety boat was on location" according to a statement released to USA TODAY from Naval Air Station North Island spokesperson Commander Beth Teach.

In 2018, a CH-53E Super Stallion crashed near El Centro, California, a few miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. The incident occurred during a training mission and all four crew members were believed to have died, the military said.

Contributing: Michael Collins and Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Missing Marine helicopter en route from Nevada to California found
Oscar statuettes backstage at the 85th Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

There will soon be one more category to fill out on your Oscar ballots.

On Thursday, the motion picture academy's board of governors announced the creation of a new competitive Oscar for achievement in casting. The award will be given out annually beginning in 2026 with the 98th Academy Awards for films released in 2025.

Though casting has been an integral part of the filmmaking process since the advent of the studio system, the academy only established a branch for casting directors in 2013. With nearly 160 current members, the branch is one of the smallest in the organization, which has a total membership of more than 10,800.

The announcement follows the British film and TV academy's decision to add a casting award in 2020.

Casting directors play an essential role in filmmaking and as the Academy evolves, we are proud to add casting to the disciplines that we recognize and celebrate, academy Chief Executive Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang said in a joint statement announcing the award. We congratulate our Casting Directors Branch members on this exciting milestone and for their commitment and diligence throughout this process.

Read more:The 2024 Oscar nominations: Full list

The casting award is the first new Oscars category introduced since the best animated feature film category was established in 2001 and, barring any other changes, will bring the number of competitive Oscar categories to 24.

Oscar categories have evolved and fluctuated significantly over the years. The first Academy Awards ceremony included only 12 awards, and over the ensuing decades categories have at times been added, subtracted, split and combined. In 2018, the academy announced the creation of a new best popular film award only to scrap the idea following a blowback. Meanwhile, the stunt community has long lobbied for its own Oscar but has so far been unsuccessful in its campaign.

Casting director David Rubin served as the organization's president from 2019 to 2022. Speaking to The Times shortly after being elected, Rubin said he was not focused on trying to create an Oscar for casting but was thrilled that the BAFTAs were adding such an award. "It will likely serve to increase awareness of our involvement in the collaborative art of filmmaking," he said. "But other than that, I would say lets just see what the future brings."

In a joint statement Thursday, current academy casting directors branch governors Richard Hicks, Kim Taylor-Coleman and Debra Zane called the award "a deserved acknowledgment of our casting directors exceptional talents and a testament to the dedicated efforts of our branch."

Category rules for eligibility and voting for the new award will be announced in 2025.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The mystery of an AI-generated robocall imitating President Joe Bidens voice  which election security officials fear signals a new frontier in the disinformation battle ahead of the 2024 presidential election  has been traced back by authorities to a nondescript strip mall in the Dallas suburbs.

The New Hampshire attorney general identified Walter Monk and his company Life Corporation as being behind the fake call, which authorities have estimated went to more than 20,000 people and urged Democrats not to vote in the states primary.

Monk is a serial entrepreneur whose long list of companies have been working in the political robocalling industry for nearly two decades, according to a CNN review of campaign finance data and other records.

On Wednesday, 24 hours after authorities accused Life Corporation of being behind the fake Biden call, no one answered the door at the Arlington, Texas, office the company operates  which shares a small strip mall with a bubble tea shop, a dollar store and a blood donation center.

In a sign of Monks sprawling corporate ties, the Life Corporation office lobby  visible through the locked door  lists eight additional company names on its wall. A multi-state anti-robocall task force identified Monk as the founding owner of Life Corporation in a letter this week, and Monk has described himself as an owner or principal of some of the other companies in interviews or on their websites. Others share the same officers, including Monks daughter, according to Texas corporate records.

Monk, 71, and other executives of the companies could not be reached for comment Wednesday. A person who answered the phone at one of Monks ventures Tuesday said he was very busy and that the company is undecided on whether to issue a statement.

On his LinkedIn page, Monk wrote that hes obsessed (or is it possessed?) with starting new businesses. Hes told local news outlets that he ran an eclectic series of companies  from a lobster fishing outfit in Hawaii to a bar in South Dakota to a beef jerky plant in Minnesota  and decided to get into the political polling business after a discussion with a political consultant during one of his sons soccer games.

According to Federal Election Commission records, about 140 federal campaigns and political action committees reported paying companies tied to Monk between 2004 and 2022, spending about $770,000 in total. The companies made the most money from federal politics during the 2018 election cycle, and the spending has trailed off since then, with no campaign disbursements reported to any of the firms so far during the 2024 campaign cycle.

Most of the spending is described in campaign records as being for robocalls, polling, marketing, texting, or similar purposes. The companies received payments from both Republican and Democratic PACs and campaigns, although the top spenders were associated with the GOP.

The largest spender was Americas PAC, which works to convince minority voters to support Republicans and is largely funded by conservative megadonor Richard Uihlein. Americas PAC spent more than $100,000 for polling and research from Monk-associated company Voice Broadcasting between 2016 and 2018, but hasnt reported working with the firm since then.

Other political customers of Monk-tied companies include the Gun Owners of America PAC, former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaios Senate campaign, and the Texas Democratic Party. And in addition to federal politics, the companies have also been paid by various state-level campaigns, records show.

In one interview with a Fort Worth business publication, Monk claimed that his company was sending millions of text messages and phone calls for both the Trump and Biden campaigns in 2020 as well as thousands of smaller races throughout the U.S. and Canada, with the firm taking in millions of dollars in sales. But neither the Trump or Biden campaigns reported any spending going directly to Voice Broadcasting or another company associated with Monk  although its possible they could have served as subcontractors to other campaign vendors.

A sign on the wall of Life Corporations strip mall office lists various other companies its tied to, several of which have a long history of involvement in politics. - CNN

The New Hampshire attorney general said in a statement this week that its office is continuing to investigate whether Life Corporation worked with or at the direction of any other persons or entities when it sent the AI-generated robocalls.

In 2003, Life Corporation and Monk were sued by then-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott over calling people on the states do-not-call list, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. Monk told the newspaper that we dont know what theyre talking about for sure, and the outcome of the case is unclear. The same year, the Federal Communications Commission issued Monk and Life Corporation, along with nine other individuals, a citation over unsolicited advertising calls.

According to the New Hampshire attorney general, Life Corporation used a Texas-based provider named Lingo Telecom to send the AI-generated robocalls, and Lingo suspended its services to Life Corporation after it learned the calls were being investigated.

Alex Valenci, Lingos chief compliance officer, said in a statement that the company had no involvement whatsoever in the production of the call content and is cooperating with state and federal investigators.

The fake audio was created using an AI voice creation tool named ElevenLabs, according to two separate analyses by the security company Pindrop and by digital forensic experts at University of California, Berkeley.

ElevenLabs told CNN in a statement that it is dedicated to preventing the misuse of audio AI tools and that it takes appropriate action in response to reports by authorities, but declined to comment on the specific Biden deepfake call.

Hany Farid, a digital forensics expert and UC Berkeley professor who has studied artificial intelligence, said the robocall showed that authorities needed to take the threat of AI disinformation in politics seriously as the technology becomes more easily accessible.

This attempt to interfere with our election was clumsy and it still took two weeks to track down those responsible, Farid said. What is going to happen when the attack is more sophisticated and better financed and is launched 24 hours before Election Day?

CNNs Yahya Abou-Ghazala and Allison Gordon contributed to this report.

Editors Note: This story has been updated to include a statement from Lingo.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  How it began: President Joe Biden was urgently seeking more money from Congress to aid Ukraine and Israel. He took a gamble by seizing on GOP demands to simultaneously address one of his biggest political liabilities  illegal migration at the U.S.-Mexico border.

How it ended: Biden came close to succeeding, before it all fell apart spectacularly. Now the president is trying to make the best of it after a major congressional deal was scuttled once Republican front-runner Donald Trump got involved. And Biden is intent on showing that the former president and his Make America Great Again" Republican acolytes in Congress aren't really interested in solutions.

In between: There is a story of a president willing to anger his own partys activist class in an election year, rare hope for bipartisan progress on one of the third rails of American politics, and a sudden, stunning collapse publicly engineered by Trump that Biden's team now sees as a political gift.

This account of Biden's big gamble is based on interviews with more than a dozen White House aides, lawmakers, Biden administration officials and congressional aides, some of whom spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the back and forth over the collapsed deal, and what happens next.

The bipartisan legislative deal announced Sunday evening was the culmination of more than four months of negotiations that started with Senate Democrats and Republicans, and later included top Biden aides and Cabinet officials. It came after Republicans, led by then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, backed a temporary spending deal that kept the government operating but delivered no new funding for Ukraine.

McCarthy had insisted to the White House that any effort to continue U.S. funding for Ukraine needed to be linked to significant steps to secure the U.S.-Mexico border, long a GOP priority. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Biden's most valuable Republican ally when it came to Ukraine aid, also began appealing to senior administration officials for the spending measure to include border provisions.

Inside the White House, there was no shortage of grumbling that Republicans were insisting on unrelated policy changes and holding up badly needed money for the Ukrainian armed forces.

But Biden and his advisers saw a potential upside as well, at a time when the president's handling of immigration was one of his biggest political vulnerabilities and there were chaotic scenes at the border and in major Democratic-run cities where migrants are sleeping in police station foyers, bus stations and hotels.

Before long McCarthy was ousted and it took weeks to elect a replacement. New House Speaker Mike Johnson, elected Oct. 25, made clear that he, too, wanted to pair border security with any new Ukraine funding.

While the House was in disarray, a group of bipartisan senators quietly got to work.

The White House kept its distance until senior officials felt it was the right time to get directly involved, but there was also pressure from Republicans for them to join the talks. GOP lawmakers insisted it was necessary for Biden to expend some political capital and embrace a border compromise that could be unpopular with parts of his own party.

On Dec. 12, the White House dispatched senior officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, to join the negotiations. The idea was to underscore Bidens seriousness about cutting a deal with Republicans.

Immediately after the Republicans demanded that the administration show up, they showed up, said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., one the negotiators.

Difficult negotiations stretched into 2024. But there were signs of progress and Biden was optimistic. So much so that on Jan. 18, he said he didn't think there were any sticking points left.

In an effort to push the bill forward, Biden even adopted Trumps own language saying hed shut down the border if given the power  a stunning admission from a Democrat that was quickly and loudly condemned by activists in his own party.

The deal that emerged would have overhauled the asylum system to provide faster and tougher immigration enforcement, as well as given presidents new powers to immediately expel migrants if authorities become overwhelmed with the number of people applying for asylum. It also would have added $20 billion in funding, a huge influx of cash.

It was never entirely clear what the White House strategy was to advance the border compromise in the House should it make it out of the Senate. Johnson repeatedly voiced resistance to how the agreement was shaping up. Asked why the administration was choosing to hash out a deal with the Senate and not the House, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre regularly pointed out that House Republicans left for the holidays in mid-December while talks were ongoing.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., said it was a mistake that the White House didnt negotiate with House Republicans directly, but that even so, if the deal "actually sealed the border, it couldve sailed through.

Enter the former president. He had been occupied for weeks by a defamation trial in New York City and fending off GOP challenges from Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley in Iowa and New Hampshire.

At a rally in Nevada on Jan. 27  after solidifying his position as the far and away GOP front-runner  he said his piece: As the leader of our party, there is zero chance I will support this horrible open borders betrayal of America. Ill fight it all the way.

A lot of the senators are trying to say, respectfully, theyre blaming it on me, Trump added, followed by the 10 words that made Biden aides light up: "I say, thats OK. Please blame it on me. Please.

By the time the text of the bill was released last Sunday, the pile-up of Republicans willing to block it already appeared insurmountable. GOP lawmakers claimed Biden already could fix the situation at the border with existing authority. But some in Congress publicly echoed Trump in saying they didn't want to give Biden a political win on an issue that they see as key to their 2024 hopes.

With that, the deal that the White House and many in the Senate thought would pass was headed for failure. In a stern address this week, the president vowed to make sure that voters understand why it foundered.

Ill be taking this issue to the country, and the voters are going to know that just at the moment we were going to secure the border and fund these other programs, the MAGA Republicans said no because theyre afraid of Donald Trump, Biden said.

The rapid collapse of Republican backing for the border compromise stunned even those who worked most closely on the agreement. Murphy said that even as late as Sunday, he had counted 20 to 25 GOP senators as potential votes in favor of the deal.

I am still shocked at how every single one of these Republicans, including many Republicans that were like, literally in the room with us - like, hours after helping us try to get the final product, they were declaring they were against it, Murphy said. Ive never seen anything like this in my time in Washington.

To Biden aides, it was public validation of the argument the president had been making about Trump and his allies  that they had their own interests at heart, not the countrys.

Even in failure, the bipartisan agreement in principle was the closest Washington has come to significant revisions to border policy in two decades. And Biden allies are intent on making Republicans take the hit for any further scenes of chaos at the border.

Its far from assured that Bidens efforts to pin the blame on Trump will stick. His GOP critics will no doubt continue their relentless efforts to saddle the current Oval Office occupant with the countrys immigration woes. And the president still has to contend with sore feelings among progressive Democrats who feel the president sold them out by going all-in on tougher measures and language that had previously been a nonstarter for the party.

Biden, though, has his plan: Every day between now and November, the American people are going to know that the only reason the border is not secure is Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican friends."
By Lisandra Paraguassu, Ricardo Brito and Gabriel Stargardter

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazilian police on Thursday confiscated former President Jair Bolsonaro's passport and accused him of editing a draft decree to overturn election results, pressuring military chiefs to join a coup attempt and plotting to jail a Supreme Court justice.

Thursday's operation included search warrants against four ex-ministers and the arrest of four former aides. Bolsonaro's inner circle is under investigation for allegedly plotting a military coup after his electoral loss to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in 2022.

The confiscation of Bolsonaro's passport augurs badly for the former leader, a far-right populist often likened to former U.S. President Donald Trump. A federal police source directly involved in Thursday's operation said seized passports can indicate the possibility of future arrests, as suspects are forced to stay in Brazil to face any potential charges.

Bolsonaro was at his beach house in Rio de Janeiro state when police arrived early on Thursday morning, demanding the document. Brazil's federal police are now in possession of the passport, which was in the capital Brasilia, Bolsonaro family spokesman Fabio Wajngarten said on social media.

According to the decision by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes that triggered Thursday's operation, Bolsonaro in November 2022 received a draft decree prepared by his aides to overturn electoral results and issue arrest warrants for Moraes, fellow Supreme Court Justice Gilmar Mendes and Senate leader Rodrigo Pacheco.

At Bolsonaro's request, the draft decree was modified, but the arrest of Moraes and a requirement for new elections remained, said the court order, citing police investigations.

After tweaking the decree, Bolsonaro summoned military commanders and pressured them to support a putsch, according to the police account, based on phone records and plea bargain testimony from the ex-president's former aide-de-camp.

Bolsonaro's lawyer, Paulo Bueno, had no immediate comment.

"I left the government more than a year ago and I'm still suffering relentless persecution," Bolsonaro told the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper on Thursday. "Forget about me. Someone else is running the country now."

Bolsonaro has already been ruled politically ineligible until 2030 for spreading election falsehoods, and faces several other criminal probes that could land him in jail. He has denied wrongdoing and calls the investigations politically motivated.

Last week, federal police searched properties linked to his son, Carlos Bolsonaro, on suspicions he used data illegally collected by spy agency Abin to attack his father's rivals. He has denied wrongdoing.

'LEGITIMIZE A MILITARY INTERVENTION'

Thursday's operation targeted some of Bolsonaro's closest allies - until recently among Brazil's most powerful men.

Search warrants were issued for properties linked to Walter Braga Netto, Bolsonaro's former running mate; Augusto Heleno, his former national security adviser; former Defense Minister Paulo Nogueira Batista and former Justice Minister Anderson Torres, among others.

The president of Bolsonaro's right-wing political party, Valdemar Costa Neto, was arrested when a search of his Brasilia home turned up an unregistered firearm, according to sources.

Bolsonaro's former international affairs adviser Filipe Martins was one of four other people arrested, the sources said. A lawyer for Martins said he was awaiting access to the warrant and supporting evidence before commenting.

Reuters attempted to contact other targets of the police operation and their lawyers, but received no immediate response.

The federal police said in a statement that the suspects were accused of participating in "a criminal organization that acted in an attempted coup d'etat" aimed at "keeping the then-President of the Republic in power."

They were spreading claims of electoral fraud "even before the election took place" to "legitimize a military intervention," the statement said.

Lula said the coup attempt had to be investigated to keep it from happening again.

"Without Bolsonaro there would have been no coup attempt," Lula said in a radio interview.

(Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu and Ricardo Brito; Writing by Anthony Boadle and Gabriel Stargardter; Editing by Brad Haynes, Jonathan Oatis and Rosalba O'Brien)
A parcel of land at the corner of Haight Street and Octavia Boulevard that is planned for affordable housing has been stalled but is seeking new funding to restart the development. J.K. Dineen / The Chronicle

Two years after construction was halted because of a dispute with an adjacent church, the 63-unit, low-income development at 78 Haight St. in San Francisco is seeking $10.5 million in additional funding in order to get the project back on track.

The additional funding, which will bring the total project cost to $61.5 million  nearly $1 million per unit  would cover structural and foundation repairs as well as any escalation in construction and operating costs for the project at large, according to Anne Stanley, spokesperson for the Mayors Office of Housing and Community Development.

The funding request will be heard at the Board of Supervisors Budget and Finance Committee next week before it goes to the full board for final approval.

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If approved, the allocation would end a two-year delay for a project slated to include 63 low-income housing units, half of which would accommodate young adults, ages 18-24, who are transitioning out of public services, such as foster care.

Supervisor Matt Dorsey, who represents that corner of Hayes Valley, said the additional costs are frustrating, but that he supports the project.

Its disappointing to see costs rise on this project, which is, in part, a predictable result of delays, he said. Still, this is a necessary amendment to get a good project moving forward. We need to build housing, and we especially need to build affordable housing. We also have to keep in mind how expensive the consequences will be if we fail to build enough housing  given the possible loss of state funding if we fall short on the commitments of our Housing Element.

Under the state-mandated housing element, San Francisco is on the hook to produce 82,000 units by 2031, of which 46,000 are supposed to be affordable to low- and moderate-income households.

In April 2022, Mayor London Breed and other politicians gathered at an already excavated construction site to celebrate the development at 78 Haight St. At the time, Supervisor Dean Preston said the project represented the kind of work that changes lives, while Breed said the project demonstrated the citys commitment to building a city that is more equitable and affordable for all of our residents, especially our most vulnerable young people.

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Yet, just days after the ceremony, work quietly stopped on the project because of complaints from an abutting neighbor, the Mt. Trinity Baptist Church, which said the construction was compromising the foundation of its building at 68 Haight St.

The contractor removed its backhoes and pile drivers and the slender parcel at Octavia and Haight became another in the citys growing collection of blighted properties  a partially excavated, fenced-in site with no activity but for a small homeless encampment along the perimeter. Since construction started, there have been about two dozen 311 complaints about encampments at the property.

Jen Laska, board president of the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association, said the developer, Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corp., has reached out to let the neighborhood know that work could be resuming. A representative from the company will be briefing the neighborhood group at its March meeting.

Laska said neighbors have struggled to stay on top of the encampments on that block, and that, at one point, there were tents pitched inside of the construction fence.

We are very much looking forward to construction starting up again, she said.

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The transitional housing in the development will be managed by Larkin Street Youth Services. At the time of the groundbreaking in April 2022, Larkin Street Executive Director Sherilyn Adams said, A safe and stable place to call home opens doors to the future for young people.

Young people ages 18-24 make up about 20% of the population experiencing homelessness in San Francisco. Recent point in time homeless counts have found about 1,500 of the citys 8,000 unhoused are in this age group.
A federal jury awarded E. Jean Carroll more than $80 million last month in her defamation lawsuit against former President Donald Trump. The path to that verdict was anything but straightforward, thanks to claims presented in two separate but related lawsuits.

The strikingly different verdicts returned by the two juries raise a question: Will the second, $83 million verdict be reduced?

What prompted Carrolls first lawsuit?

The basis for Carrolls initial lawsuit was that in late 1995 or early 1996, Carroll, then a 52-year-old journalist, TV commentator, and advice columnist for Elle magazine, encountered Donald J. Trump, then a 49-year-old businessman, in the Bergdorf Goodman department store in New York City. After some banter about shopping advice from the advice lady and which one of them would try on an item of ladies lingerie, Trump suddenly pushed Carroll against a wall in an unoccupied dressing room and forcibly sexually assaulted her, penetrating her vagina with both a finger and his penis, she later testified.

Carroll did not go public with her accusations until June 2019, when New York magazine published an excerpt from her then-upcoming book, What Do We Need Men For?, that featured a detailed account of the assault. Trump, who was by then more than halfway through his term as president, responded later the same day and in the ensuing days, publicly denying that he had ever even met Carroll, and charging that she had fabricated the story to increase book sales and advance a political agenda.

In November 2019, Carroll sued Trump in state court in New York. The suit, referred to as Carroll I, sought damages for defamation only, because a suit for assault and battery had long been barred by the applicable statute of limitations. The following September, while Donald Trump was still president, the Department of Justice asked to remove the case from state court to the United States District for the Southern District of New York, asserting that it was really a suit against the United States since speaking to the public and the media on matters of public concern were within the scope of Trumps employment as a government official.

When a case is removed from state to federal court, there is a change of courthouses only, not the applicable law. Accordingly, when Carroll I was eventually assigned to Senior Judge Lewis Kaplan, he based his later rulings in the case on New York rather than federal law.

What led to Carrolls second lawsuit?

Litigation over who was the proper defendant (as well as whether Donald Trump could claim immunity from the suit) continued well into 2023.

Meanwhile, in October 2022, Trumpby this time out of the White House and back to being a private citizenpublished a lengthy post on Truth Social doubling down on his verbal attacks on Carroll. He referred to Carroll I as the Ms. Bergdorf Goodman case, and said it was a complete con job, a hoax, and a lie. He tripled down by saying in a deposition that Carroll was a nut job, and again denying that he had met her or even knew who she was before the first suit was filed.

On November 24, 2022, Carroll filed her second defamation suit, referred to as Carroll II, in federal court. Suing in federal court at the outset was appropriate this time, because Carroll was still a New Yorker, while defendant Trump had become a resident of Florida. In such a diversity of citizenship case, New York state law rather than federal law would again apply. The second Carroll v. Trump case was also assigned to Judge Kaplan.

Because of a recently enacted New York statute, the Adult Survivors Act (ASA), there was a major substantive difference between Carroll I and Carroll II. The ASA, signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2022, created a one-year lookback window that allowed plaintiffs to file civil claims for sexual assault for which the statute of limitations had already expired. In her second lawsuit, therefore, Carroll was able to sue Trump for both the 2022 defamation and the 1996 sexual assault, in federal court but under New York law.

What was the verdict in Carroll II?

With Carroll I still tied up in satellite litigation, Carroll II was tried first, beginning on April 25, 2023. On May 9, 2023, after three hours of deliberation, the anonymous nine-person jury delivered a unanimous special verdictwritten answers to a series of narrow and logically sequenced questions that Judge Kaplan had posed. These answers showed that the jury had found at least these facts: 1) During the Bergdorf Goodman incident, Trump penetrated Carrolls vagina with one or more of his fingers; 2) Carroll did not consent to this penetration; and 3) Trumps assertions in 2022 that Carroll had fabricated her entire account was false, and Trump knew it was false.

Although the jury had not been convinced that Trump had penetrated Carroll with his penis (which would constitute rape under New York law), its special verdict meant that she had prevailed on both of her substantive claimssexual abuse and defamation. The jury then answered another set of questions to explain how it reached its damages awarda total of $5 million, which included both compensatory damages and punitive damages, for both the assault and the defamation. That verdict is on appeal, but it cast a large shadow on the proceedings of Carroll I when it came to trial last month.

Why was the second verdict in Carroll I so large?

Trial in the original defamation-only case was finally set to begin in mid-January 2024. In September 2023, however, Judge Kaplan ruled that the jury in Carroll II had conclusively determined all the issues in Carroll I except the amount of the damages that Trump would owe. Under the doctrine of collateral estoppel, which is essentially a you dont get two bites at the same apple rule, Trump would be precluded from arguing that he did not sexually assault Carroll in the dressing room at Bergdorf Goodmans, and he (therefore) would also be precluded from arguing that he told the truth when he repeatedly insisted that she had fabricated the whole incident.

Although this meant that the jury would go about its work with Trumps liability already established and not subject to challenge, that liability was limited to the defamation only, not the sexual attack (which formed no part of the claims in Carroll I.) Moreover, to avoid double-dipping by Carroll, the jury would not be allowed to consider any injury that Trumps 2022 defamatory statements might have caused.

This made the jurys eventual January 26 verdict all the more astonishing. Instructed to consider only the defamation and not the sexual assault, the jury awarded E. Jean Carroll $7.3 million for the emotional harm and $11 million for injury to her reputation (including monies needed to mount a public relations campaign to restore it). Punitive damages were set at $65 millionagain pursuant to instructions prohibiting consideration of the sexual assault.

Will the verdict stand?

Trump has indicated he will appeal the eye-popping numbers. He will likely argue that more than $18 million in compensatory damages for defamation only was excessive and the result of passion and prejudice. After all, he could say, the first jury awarded only a total of $5 million for compensatory damages and punitive damages, for both defamation and the sexual assault. He could also assert that the jurors could not have reached that compensatory award without considering the sexual assault and thus violating the courts instructions.

Regarding punitive damages, Trump would probably argue that $65 million is so far out of the norm that it can only be explained by an unreasonable urge to soak the rich. He will also point to a line of Supreme Court cases holding that grossly excessive punitive damages can violate the Due Process Clause of the federal Constitution as well.

The upshot of all this will likely be a remittitur by Judge Kaplan, which is a reduction in the jury awards to the highest amount that would not be excessive. That would give Carroll a choice: accept the Kaplans reduction in awards or face a new trial (which would again be limited to a determination of damages only). If Carroll accepted the reduced awards, Trump could still appeal, but his appeal would be correspondingly weaker.

Trial court judges are given a great deal of discretion in crafting remittiturs, because they heard every word that the jurors heard during the trial and watched each witnesss demeanor during testimony. In this case, Kaplan will probably consider some combination of the following factors.

First, with respect to compensatory damages, it might be said that being defamed from the bully pulpit of the White House (as in Carroll I) is more fraught than being defamed by a prominent and controversial private citizen (as in Carroll II). That could justify a higher award in the former case, but perhaps not as high as the jurys award. Second, with respect to punitive damages, it might be said that although defamationthe only claim at issue in Carroll Iis not as reprehensible as sexual assault, abusing the powers of the presidency to target a private citizen is sufficiently egregious to merit a higher award than in the case of a wealthy private citizen, although again not without limits. Finally, in setting an award that will send both a punitive and a prophylactic messagewhich is the mission of punitive damages, after allKaplan may take into account Trumps misconduct in the presence of the jury, when he disrupted Carrolls testimony by audibly objecting and protesting from his seat in the courtroom.

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Where do you want to be when youre 40? Emma Morley asks Dexter Mayhew in the opening episode of Netflixs new 14-part adaptation of One Day, David Nicholls 2009 bestseller.

Dexter glibly replies that he wants to be famous, while Emma wants to change the world  not the whole world, just my own tiny corner of it.

Ambika Mod, the 28 year-old actress who plays Emma, is well on her way to achieving both characters ambitions ahead of schedule.

After a breakout turn in the acclaimed BBC miniseries This Is Going to Hurt, Mod is now taking on her first leading role as one half of the star-crossed lover-come-best friend duo at the heart of One Day.

Like the novel  and the 2011 film adaptation, which starred Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess  the series checks in on the lives of Emma and Dexter for one day each year on July 15, St. Swithins Day.

Every episode kind of felt standalone, Mod explained to CNN. Its like the accumulation of moments and experiences and failures and successes that make up a person.

Its so much more than just a Romance, its the whole spectrum of life and growing up.

Mod made her start in the industry in live comedy, performing for several years at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, first with university sketch troupe the Durham Revue and then alongside Andrew Shires in comedy duo Megan from HR. (Full disclosure: I attended university with Mod, where we became friends.)

That comedy background shines through in abundance in the character of Emma, whose whip-smart, acerbic humor masks a much gentler and more fragile soul.

Mod (left) and Woodall (right) filmed on location in Greece, Paris, Edinburgh and London for "One Day." - Courtesy Netflix

Like Emma, Mod also studied English at university, only to spend her early twenties in jobs she didnt really want. But despite characteristic similarities, her route to the part was far from straightforward.

When I first got asked to audition, I said no to it several times. I thought it was a waste of everyones time for me to even consider it, she said.

First of all, shes written as a White woman. Second of all, I would just never have seen myself ever playing romantic leads. I got the message very early on from Western television that that just wasnt the vibe.

Her impostor syndrome was only fuelled by the types of role she was being offered after This Is Going to Hurt aired in 2022.

I didnt really feel like a lot of the roles and auditions that were coming to me were that right next step up, she explained.

It kind of just felt like I was being put in my lane a bit as a brown woman. It was a lot of South Asian women in professional jobs, very much assisting the plot in a procedural way. Ive auditioned for a lot of doctors, policewomen and lawyers.

Eventually, Mod decided One Day was too good an opportunity to pass on, and after two days intensively preparing Emmas Yorkshire accent, submitted a self-tape audition.

"One Day" is the first time either Mod or Woodall have played the lead in a TV show, after both had breakout supporting roles in 2022. - Courtesy Netflix

What followed was a month-long process of auditions and screen tests with her soon-to-be co-star Leo Woodall, who at the time was awaiting his own TV breakout as Jack, the mysterious nephew of Tom Hollanders character in the second season of HBOs The White Lotus.

One Day is a sweeping love story at its heart, which takes Emma and Dexter from Edinburgh to Greece, and Paris to Wolverhampton. So with the two leads at the center of every episode, the shows success relies almost entirely on the palpable chemistry between them.

If the chemistry wasnt there, it wouldnt work, Woodall told CNN. I think we were both just kind of lucky  we clicked early, and then when we were cast and started filming we were pals. We would do icebreaker games in between takes, and so pretty early we just had a good sense of camaraderie.

The writing really helped us, Mod added. But you cant fake or manufacture chemistry  its either there or its not, so we were just lucky that things flowed creatively from very early on.

One Day is available on Netflix from February 8.

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A former engineer was arrested on federal charges alleging he stole trade secret technology that was developed by the U.S. government to detect nuclear missile launches and to track ballistic and hypersonic missiles, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.

Chenguang Gong, 57, of San Jose, California, was arrested Tuesday morning and charged with theft of trade secrets, the Justice Department said in a news release. Gong is a native of China and became a U.S. citizen in 2011, the Justice Department said.

Gong appeared in court Wednesday and was released on $2.5 million bond with location monitoring and a curfew, a spokesperson for the U.S. attorney's office in Los Angeles said.

At the hearing, which took place in San Jose, he was represented by a deputy federal public defender. He was ordered to make a court appearance in Los Angeles by Feb. 20, and it remains unclear who will represent him in that hearing, the spokesperson said.

While he was briefly working at a Los Angeles-area research and development company  from March 30 to April 26  Gong transferred 3,600 files from his work laptop to personal storage devices, court documents allege. Some of the files were later discovered on devices taken from Gong's temporary residence in Thousand Oaks, California, the Justice Department said, citing an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint.

Gong transferred more than 1,800 files after he had already accepted a new job at a main competitor of the company on April 5, the Justice Department said.

The files are said to include "blueprints for sophisticated infrared sensors designed for use in space-based systems to detect nuclear missile launches and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles, as well as blueprints for sensors designed to enable U.S. military aircraft to detect incoming heat-seeking missiles and take countermeasures, including by jamming the missiles infrared tracking ability," according to the Justice Department.

The U.S. government and the company Gong worked for, listed as the "victim company" in the Justice Department's release and court documents, invested tens of millions of dollars a year for more than seven years to develop the technology Gong is accused of stealing, the Justice Department said, citing the affidavit.

It added that it would be "damaging economically" for the company if competitors got their hands on the technology and that it would also be a danger to U.S. national security if it were obtained by "international actors."

The information Gong is alleged to have stolen was "among the victim company's most important trade secrets worth hundreds of millions of dollars," the Justice Department said, citing court documents. Many of the stolen files were marked, in all capital letters, "[victim company] proprietary," "for official use only," "proprietary information" and "export controlled."

"We will do everything to protect our nations security, including from foreign threats, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said.

Estrada said Gong had previously tried to provide China with information to aid its military and "stole sensitive and confidential information related to detecting nuclear missile launches and tracking ballistic and hypersonic missiles."

"We know that foreign actors, including the [People's Republic of China], are actively seeking to steal our technology, but we will remain vigilant against this threat by safeguarding the innovations of American businesses and researchers," Estrada said.

As it was investigating Gong, the Justice Department said, the FBI found he applied a number of times to "Talent Programs" run by China from 2014 to 2022, all while employed by major U.S. tech companies.

The programs identify people who don't live in China but have skills, abilities and knowledge that would aid its economy and military, the Justice Department said.

A 2014 application submitted by Gong revealed a plan to create products similar to those produced by the company he worked for at the time, the Justice Department said. The FBI uncovered hundreds of confidential documents from that company in executing a search warrant on May 8, the Justice Department added.

Gong made a similar proposal in a 2020 application and traveled to China multiple times in search of funding for his proposals, which he continued to seek until March 2022, the Justice Department said.

In a 2019 email, it said, Gong acknowledged he "'took a risk" by traveling to China to participate in the Talent Programs "'because [he] worked for  an American military industry company' and thought he could 'do something' to contribute to Chinas 'high-end military integrated circuits.'"

If he is convicted, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison.
KYIV (Reuters) - Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, who has led Ukraine's ground forces since 2019, was promoted to commander of the armed forces on Thursday as the war with Russia nears its third year. He replaces Valeriy Zaluzhnyi.

Here are some facts about Syrskyi, already a key Ukrainian figure throughout Russia's full-scale invasion.

EARLY YEARS

Syrskyi was born in July 1965 in Russia's Vladimir region, which was then part of the Soviet Union. He has lived in Ukraine since the 1980s. Like many people of his age in Ukraine's armed forces, he studied in Moscow - at the Higher Military Command School - among peers who have since become Russian commanders, graduating in 1986 and serving for five years in the Soviet Artillery Corps. Some military analysts believe his battlefield tactics reflect his hierarchical Soviet training.

THE SNOW LEOPARD

Syrskyi became head of Ukraine's land forces in 2019. He had previously commanded Ukrainian troops fighting a Moscow-backed insurgency in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions that began in 2014, and was given the call sign "Snow leopard".

BIGGEST VICTORIES

Some of Ukraine's biggest victories of Russia's full-scale invasion were overseen by Syrskyi. He led the successful defence of the capital Kyiv in the early months and was named a Hero of Ukraine, the country's highest honour, in April 2022. In July 2022, Syrskyi planned and executed a lightning counteroffensive that pushed Russian troops away from the city of Kharkiv and retook swathes of land to the east and southeast.

BAKHMUT

Early last year, Syrskyi led Ukraine's defence of the eastern city of Bakhmut, where thousands of soldiers on both sides were killed in one of the bloodiest battles of the war so far. Some military analysts questioned whether fighting for a ruined city was worth so many dead and wounded. Syrskyi said Ukraine's dogged defence of Bakhmut had damaged Russia's overall war effort by tying down the Wagner mercenary group.

TROOP MORALE

Syrskyi says his priority is the morale of his troops, whom he is regularly pictured visiting at the front. He has told Western media that he sleeps four-and-a-half hours a night and relaxes by going to the gym. Syrskyi is married and has two sons.

(Reporting by Olena Harmash and Yuliia Dysa; editing by Tom Balmforth and Jon Boyle)
People outside the Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday in Tallahassee. (Brendan Farrington/AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The Florida Supreme Court is weighing whether a proposed amendment to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution can appear on the states November ballot.

At a hearing on Wednesday, the courts seven conservative-leaning justices  five of whom were appointed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis  heard arguments from attorneys representing the Florida attorney general and Florida Voters Against Extremism, which oppose the language in the ballot summary, and the amendments sponsor, Floridians Protecting Freedom, which maintains that its ballot summary language is clear.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which established abortion as a constitutional right, in 2022 and left it to states to decide on the issue, abortion rights supporters have focused on enshrining reproductive health rights in state constitutions through ballot initiatives.

In the six instances that abortion-related amendments have been put on the ballot so far, voters have sided with abortion rights supporters every time, including in red states like Kansas and Kentucky. Passage of the measure under consideration in Florida would mark another win for abortion rights advocates, signaling that the Republican Partys victory in overturning Roe is being undone one state at a time.

What are Floridas current abortion laws?

As of Feb. 7, abortion is legal in Florida until 15 weeks of pregnancy and there are no exceptions for victims of rape or incest. But the state Supreme Court is weighing whether a more restrictive six-week ban can take effect.

If passed, what would the amendment do?

The amendment would overturn Floridas abortion restrictions, including limits on how far along into a persons pregnancy they can have the procedure and other cumbersome requirements like waiting periods and forced ultrasounds before the procedure. Under the amendment, minors seeking an abortion would still need to get their parents to sign off on it.

If the amendment is passed, it could also expand abortion access beyond Florida, as neighboring states like Georgia and Alabama have laws either banning abortion completely or after six weeks, which is before many women even know they are pregnant.

What is the Florida Supreme Court being asked to do?

The justices are being asked to consider whether the measure pertains to a single issue and whether the summary that would appear on the ballot clearly describes what the proposed amendment would do, as Florida state law requires.

Attorney Nathan Forrester, representing Floridas attorney general, said in his opening statement, The proposed amendment here should not be placed on the ballot because it is misleading in multiple respects and urged the justices to disqualify the amendment.

The peoples right to amend their states constitution is fundamental to our states democracy, said Courtney Brewer, the attorney representing Floridians Protecting Freedom. This amendment follows the directive given by the U.S. Supreme Court in Dobbs that the people should decide how their state may govern abortion.

How would the ballot initiative be presented to voters?

The initiative, if allowed to move forward, would appear on the Florida ballot under the title Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion. Below that, voters would be presented with the following summary of the amendment theyre being asked to vote on: No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patients health, as determined by the patients healthcare provider. This amendment does not change the Legislatures constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.

Marking yes on the ballot would indicate support for establishing a state constitutional right to abortion before a fetus is viable.

Marking no on the ballot would indicate opposition to establishing a state constitutional right to abortion before a fetus is viable.

The full text of the proposed amendment can be read here.

What are the arguments from both sides?

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody argues that the ballot summary doesnt clearly state what the sweeping implications would be if voters approved the amendment.

The ballot summary vastly understates the potentially sweeping scope of the amendment, by failing to explain what viability, health, or healthcare provider means, and by not disclosing that a healthcare provider might have power to determine when a baby is viable, Moody stated in her initial brief.

Viability is generally understood to be at about 24 weeks of pregnancy, when a fetus could survive outside of the womb, but it can vary depending on the health conditions of the fetus or parent.

Meanwhile, Floridians Protecting Freedom maintains that its proposed amendment is clear enough for Florida voters to understand the implications of the ballot measure.

There is no question that voters understand what viability means in the abortion context, Brewer told the justices. Its meaning [has] become a part of the cultural fabric of our nation ... I think that the voters are perfectly capable of reading this language and understanding it.

What other states could have abortion measures on the 2024 ballot?

Voters in New York and Maryland will decide on constitutional amendments to enshrine reproductive health rights in their state constitutions.

Nine other states, including Arkansas and South Dakota, could also have abortion measures on the ballot this November.

Whats next?

The Florida Supreme Court will need to make a decision on the matter by April 1.

If the abortion measure ends up making it onto the ballot, a 60% supermajority is needed in order for the amendment to be added to the state constitution.
Armstrong claims he was retaliated against and unlawfully terminated

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)  A former California police chief fired from his post last year has sued the city of Oakland and its mayor, saying he was unlawfully terminated in retaliation for criticizing the federal court-appointed monitor overseeing the department.

LeRonne Armstrong filed his lawsuit in Alameda County Superior Court on Monday. He seeks reinstatement as police chief, the post Mayor Sheng Thao fired him from in February 2023 after a probe ordered by the oversight monitor found he mishandled two misconduct cases.

Former Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong (above) is pictured. (Photo: Screenshot/YouTube.com/KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco)

Oakland has been without a permanent police chief since, even as violent crime, robbery, and vehicle theft climbed in the city of 400,000 across the bay from San Francisco. On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced he will deploy 120 California Highway Patrol officers to Oakland to assist with targeted crackdowns on criminal activity, including vehicle and retail theft.

Preliminary data shows that crime rose in Oakland last year despite falling in other California urban centers, Newsoms office said. Last month, In-N-Out Burger announced it will close its first location in its 75-year history due to car break-ins, property damage, theft, and robberies at its only restaurant in Oakland.

Oaklands police department has been under federal oversight since 2003 after a rookie officer came forward to report abuse of power by a group of officers known as the Oakland Riders. The case resulted in the department being required to enact more than four dozen reform measures and report its progress to an outside monitor and a federal judge.

The mayor said in firing Armstrong last February that she had lost confidence in the police chief after he and the department failed to properly investigate and discipline a sergeant who was involved in a hit-and-run with his patrol car and who, in a separate incident, fired his service weapon inside an elevator at police headquarters.

In his complaint, Armstrong says the department had made great strides and was on track to regain its independence when the federal monitor said there were problems with police leadership and ordered the outside investigation into the sergeant. Armstrong says the monitor and his team transformed routine instances of lower-level misconduct into a complete indictment of the department and chief.

Armstrong said in his complaint that the mayor, who was newly elected at the time, was intimidated by the oversight monitor and buckled to pressure.

Thaos office on Wednesday referred requests for comment to the city attorneys office, which said in a statement that it had not been served with the complaint.

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An attorney representing a Georgia couple whose baby was decapitated during delivery last year said Wednesday that the hospital and their obstetrician were not forthcoming about the babys cause of death, reiterating allegations from a lawsuit filed last year.

The Clayton County Medical Examiners Office said in a news release Tuesday that the babys death had been ruled a homicide.

Roderick Edmond, the attorney representing parents Jessica Ross and Treveon Isaiah Taylor, accused the couples obstetrician at the time, Dr. Tracey St. Julian, of failing to inform them that their baby was decapitated after delivery, according to the couples lawsuit.

Every aspect of the evidence that shows what happened is traumatizing, Edmond said at a news conference. Its something Ive never seen in my life.

Ross and Taylor sued Southern Regional Medical Center and their obstetrician, St. Julian, in August, alleging she used ridiculously excessive force while trying to deliver their son, who was decapitated, Edmond has told NBC News. At the news conference, Edmond said the lawsuit was still in the early stages of discovery.

The medical examiners office ruled the babys death a homicide caused by actions of another person, according to its news release. The babys death directly resulted from a fracture of cervical vertebrae in the spine, it said.

Attorney Roderick Edmond, left, speaks alongside Treveon Isaiah Taylor, Sr., center, Jessica Ross and attorney Cory Lynch, in Atlanta on Aug. 9, 2023. (Sudhin Thanawala / AP file)

Taylor, the babys father, spoke publicly for the first time at Wednesdays news event, saying he and his girlfriend were lied to and prevented from touching their son.

We just want justice for our son, Taylor said.

The baby, whom the couple named Treveon Isaiah Taylor Jr., did not properly descend during delivery, most likely because of shoulder dystocia, a condition that occurs when a babys shoulder gets stuck behind the mothers pubic bone during labor. Ross labor began on July 9.

Ross asked for a cesarean section while her son was viable and was denied one, according to the couples lawsuit. Instead, she pushed for three hours without delivering her baby. The pushing phase of childbirth generally ranges from 30 minutes to three hours, according to the Journal of Midwifery and Womens Health. According to the lawsuit, St. Julian, who is a member of a private practice and not employed by the hospital, tried to deliver the baby vaginally through various methods, including applying traction to the babys head. That resulted in decapitation and other injuries, including multiple skull and facial bone fractures, according to the lawsuit. The babys body was delivered through an emergency C-section.

Betty Honey, the medical examiners chief investigator, became involved in the case after a funeral home overseeing the babys services reported it was unusual that the medical examiners office had not yet been involved, the examiner said in a news release.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigations Medical Examiners Office performed another autopsy on July 14. Honey and Brian Byars, the medical examiners office director, consulted with OB-GYNs in October for independent feedback. Honey also contacted a private forensic pathologist on Jan. 18 to review findings to determine the babys cause of death, the release says.

A spokesperson for Southern Regional Medical Center said the hospital could not comment on the ruling due to the ongoing litigation. In August, the medical center said in a statement that it denies the allegations of wrongdoing and that this unfortunate infant death occurred in utero prior to the delivery and decapitation. The hospital also said it voluntarily reported the death to the Clayton County Medical Examiners Office and is cooperating with all investigations.

Neither St. Julian nor her practice responded to a request for comment on the medical examiners announcement.

The lawsuit alleged that St. Julian and nurses at Southern Regional Medical Center did not meet the standards of care. Ross and Taylor also said in the lawsuit that they did not get an opportunity to hold their child.

Were going to depose everybody who was in the room, Edmond said at the news conference. All the nurses, all the scrub techs  everybody  to find out, essentially, what the hell happened.

Maj. Frank Thomas, a Clayton County police spokesperson, said the case is still under investigation and did not provide further details. The case could be referred to the Clayton County district attorneys office, according to the medical examiners offices release.

It has been tough on the whole family, and the couple has sought counseling, Cory Lynch, another attorney representing the couple, said at the conference.

They have been strong and resilient with trying to move forward with life and get back to not normal, but a new normal, given the grief that they have sustained, he said.

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Republican voters turned out to vote against Nikki Haley in Nevada on Tuesday, delivering the sole remaining challenger to Donald Trumps bid for the GOP nomination an embarrassing night of headlines.

The night was essentially a worst-case scenario for Ms Haley; her campaign chose not to compete in Nevadas caucuses, set for Thursday, and instead put Ms Haley up against three rivals who had already departed the primary before Tuesday. The result? Instead of losing to Donald Trump in a contest her team blasted as rigged, the former governor found herself finishing second behind none of these candidates as vote totals came in.

Her campaign, with apparent knowledge of how the state was trending, reminded reporters in a memo earlier this week that the campaign had not run ads or invested any serious effort in Nevada; Ms Haley herself hasnt been in the state this year, and has instead focused her energy on campaigning in her home state of South Carolina.

Nevada is not and has never been our focus, Haley campaign manager Betsy Ankey had said on Monday. Im truly not sure what the Trump team is up to out there but they seem pretty spun up about it.

But that doesnt change the fact that Mr Trumps support in the GOP remains strong enough to deliver a defeat to Ms Haley even when he isnt on the ballot. Thanks to rules allowing voters to participate in both the primary and caucus this year, Ms Haley is now caught in the middle of a one-two punch: Mr Trump will win his uncontested caucus tomorrow, delivering another round of uncomfortable headlines for his rival.

Nevada was never going to change anything. The state Republican party relegated itself to near-irrelevance this year by refusing to go along with Nevadas shift from a caucus to a primary system, and successfully scared away any candidates from investing any serious time or money in the state this cycle. What it was always going to be, and what it has turned out to embody, is a speed bump for the Haley campaign as she searches for momentum in South Carolina, which votes on 24 February. She desperately needs a victory or very close finish in second place to remain a relevant candidate going ahead into Super Tuesday and beyond.

On Wednesday, with California on the daily agenda, the Haley campaign began rolling out the first part of its Super Tuesday strategy. A press release outlined her selection of leadership teams in several states  Washington, Utah, and Massachusetts.

South Carolina remains a make-or-break moment for the Haley campaign, and this week launched a new ad across the state attacking her opponent in some of her strongest rhetoric yet. The short spot paints an image of a Donald Trump consumed by desires for revenge and losing a step thanks to age, two burdens she argues the Republican Party cannot afford in the fall. Shes also more recently turned her fire on DC Republicans who have lined up in support of the frontrunner, her attacks emboldened by the unworkable chaos that has consumed the House Republican caucus for months and the apparent collapse of the grown-up contingent within the Senate Republican leadership team.

She appeared on Fox News on Monday to beat up House Republicans on their home turf. [E]verybodys tired of a do-nothing Congress. I mean, can they do anything? she asked host Neil Cavuto.

Because weve seen nothing, out of Republicans or Democrats, they have an inability to get anything done.

[Y]ou cant have Trump sitting there saying, dont do anything until the election. We have a completely open border,

We need this fixed now, she said. We need congressional members to stay in DC and not leave until they figure this out.

Her remarks did little to halt lawmakers in the GOP from blowing up the bipartisan Senate compromise on border security and funding for Israel/Ukraine, which occurred on Wednesday as the lead GOP negotiator torched his own party for acting unserious about tightening border controls and playing politics. The House, meanwhile, tripped over its own feet once again Tuesday evening as the Republican majority in the lower chamber put up articles of impeachment against Alejandro Mayorkas, Joe Bidens secretary of Homeland Security, only to watch the vote fail.

With Nevada (almost) in the mirror, Ms Haley now faces a simple question: will a late-game shift towards criticising Mr Trump convince enough Republicans to leave his camp in time for a victory in South Carolina? If not, this thing is basically decided. Open and semi-open primaries aside, Nikki Haley will not be the Republican nominee for president unless she gets more Republicans to vote for her. In New Hampshire, that didnt happen. Her home state may, at the end of the day, be her best opportunity to reverse her fortunes. But it still may not be enough.
West Coast satellite view on Wednesday. (NOAA)

Parts of Southern California have seen record rainfall in the past week after two atmospheric rivers pelted the region.

As the clouds began to lift, new projections from a modeling company were providing a visual representation of the scale of the flooding.

The projections, from Floodbase, show dramatic differences in accumulated water between late January and this week.

Below is greater Los Angeles on Jan. 28 (left) and Feb. 6 (right). On Jan. 28, much of the water is dark blue, indicating permanent water.

On Feb. 6, light blue floodwater surrounds waterways like the L.A. River and can be seen accumulating at the base of the Santa Monica and Verdugo mountains.

Public satellites haven't yet flown over the areas hit by the storm, and private satellites have only targeted a few areas, said Floodbase co-founder Bessie Schwarz.

The Floodbase data is "simulating what the satellites would have seen," she said.

Floodbase uses an AI model trained on decades of satellite images, along with physical models from hydrologic, land surface and hydraulic data to predict what a satellite would see through the clouds.

According to the images, the flooding was at its peak around Los Angeles on Feb. 6, whereas in Santa Barbara County, it was most significant the previous day.

The image below uses the same methodology to show flooding in Santa Barbara County on Jan. 28 (left) and again on Feb. 5 (right).

On Jan. 28, the data show modest flooding near Lompoc and some water in the Santa Ynez Mountains.

By Feb. 6, dry riverbeds passing through Lompoc and Santa Maria were heavily flooded. The mountains above Santa Barbara were also flooded.

The atmospheric river storms of the past week killed at least nine people and caused significant flooding and property damage along the California coast.

Read more:Here's how much it has rained in California compared to years past

After four days of rain, the skies were clearing Wednesday morning, leaving officials and property owners to sift through damage from nearly 500 landslides in Los Angeles County alone. Several locations got more than a foot of rain in a few days. One more dollop of rain was expected Wednesday night.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
HealthRight 360 Vice President of Policy & Public Affairs Gary McCoy speaks Thursday alongside UCSF Dr. Marlena Martin, left, during a press conference launching an opposition campaign against Proposition F, San Francisco Mayor London Breeds measure to mandate drug screenings for welfare recipients. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Dr. Marlena Martin, director of the addiction care team at UCSF, said at Thursdays press conference launching an opposition campaign against Proposition F that decades worth of research supports incentive-based treatment practices over punitive approaches. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Handouts outlining points for the opposition campaign against Proposition F, Mayor London Breeds measure to mandate drug screenings for welfare recipients, sit on a table during a press conference in San Francisco on Thursday. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Prop Fs potential for harm is undeniable, said Gary McCoy, a spokesperson for HealthRight 360, San Franciscos largest addiction treatment provider. ... It blurs the line between care and punishment. It hurts people for their illness and dangerously undermines overdose prevention and recovery. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

A group of San Francisco addiction treatment providers and medical professionals are fighting Mayor London Breeds ballot measure to mandate drug screenings for welfare recipients, calling it a cynical ploy to shift blame onto the poorest San Franciscans. The group launched an opposition campaign Thursday.

Prop Fs potential for harm is undeniable, said Gary McCoy, a spokesperson for HealthRight 360, the citys largest addiction treatment provider. It blurs the line between care and punishment. It hurts people for their illness and dangerously undermines overdose prevention and recovery.

The measure on the March ballot, known as Proposition F, would require adults who receive cash assistance from the city to undergo screening and enroll in a free treatment program if theyre determined to be drug users. The welfare recipients would not be required to test negative for drugs but would need to actively participate in treatment.

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Those who fail to engage in treatment would be stripped of city-funded cash assistance, though they would still be eligible for food stamps and medical benefits from the state.

Opponents of the measure include HealthRight 360, State Assembly Member Matt Haney, the San Francisco Democratic Party and the League of Women Voters.

Breed, who is seeking reelection, proposed Prop. F in response to mounting public pressure to curb public drug use and better address the citys worsening opioid epidemic.

San Francisco last year surpassed its deadliest year for accidental overdose deaths, recording 806 fatalities. Four out of every five of those overdoses involved fentanyl.

Over the past few years, Breed has struggled to get more people into treatment. In 2022, she opened up the controversial Tenderloin Clinic in hopes of getting homeless people dealing with addiction connected to treatment. Although staff at the center reversed more than 300 overdoses, fewer than 1% of visits resulted in linkages to mental health or drug treatment.



Prop. F, which requires a simple majority of voter support to pass, would apply to about 5,200 San Francisco residents who receive monthly cash payments through the County Adult Assistance Program. The program provides up to $712 per month for housed residents and $109 for unhoused people. The citys Human Services Agency estimates that about a third of the recipients have a substance use disorder and would be required to engage in treatment.

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Proponents of Prop. F have raised $324,000, including $150,000 from crypto billionaire Chris Larsen. Opponents have not yet reported any fundraising with the city.

Critics of the mayors measure argue that coercing drug users into treatment is not effective and a waste of health care resources.

Decades worth of research supports incentive-based treatment practices over punitive approaches, said Dr. Marlene Martin, director of the addiction care team at UCSF. Martin pointed to contingency management  a type of treatment for substance use disorders that offers a drug user incentives to quit  that paired with medication has proved effective in helping people get clean.

I have seen addiction and overdose worsen when people lose support systems and that is what Proposition F threatens to do, Martin said.

Opponents like Martin also worry that it could prompt more people to fatally overdose.

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That fear applies to people who may try to hide their addiction for fear of repercussions and those who may attempt to go through treatment when they are not ready. If an individual relapses, their tolerance will be lower and using the same amount of drugs as before could cause them to more easily overdose and die, critics argue.

Trent Rhorer, director of the San Francisco Human Services Agency, which would oversee the program if it passes, disagrees. If someone loses their cash assistance, he said they will also lose their ability to buy illegal drugs.

We dont want a lot of cash anymore going to people who are addicted and using it to buy fentanyl and eventually killing themselves, Rhorer said. At a minimum, we know that the initiative will help that.

Breed recently told the Chronicles Editorial Board that she designed Prop. F to help to save lives.

I get that everyone is, you know, afraid of the controversy around all this, she said. But if youve grown up around drug addicts your whole life, there is nothing better than when that person who suffered from addiction is alive and clean and sober.

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Breed, whose sister died of an overdose, said she crafted the measure based partly in response to conversations with those recovering from addiction. Another central argument of the opposition campaign is that people who lose benefits due to their addiction will also be at risk of losing their housing or shelter.

Rhorer insists that will not happen. Rather than the welfare recipient paying a portion of their benefits to rent, the city will pay the housing provider directly, according to Rhorer.

But as critics point out, that is not written into the language of the measure. The measure states that people who do not comply will receive a housing stipend or access to in-kind shelter for 30 days with possible extensions as necessary.

The city can say whatever the city would like to say, but there has been no implementation plan released, McCoy said. What people are voting on opens up a Pandoras box.
(Reuters) -India is close to finalizing a trade deal that could see a small group of European nations invest as much as $100 billion over 15 years for easier trade access to the country, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday.

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, made a commitment as part of a trade pact that is in final negotiations, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The investment in India from the EFTA countries will see more than 1 million jobs created in the country, the report said, adding that the investment would be aimed at existing and new manufacturing projects, and will mostly come from state-sponsored organizations and private businesses.

The trade deal will ensure market access for some agricultural projects, and guarantee easier movement of Indian professionals to EFTA countries, Bloomberg said.

India's Commerce Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment and EFTA declined to comment on the report.

Last month, the country's Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told Reuters India is eyeing $100 billion in annual foreign direct investment (FDI) "in the next few years".

India has been attracting investments from several countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, which is considering investing as much as $50 billion in the country.

(Reporting by Chandni Shah in BengaluruEditing by Gareth Jones)
By Saud Mehsud

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (Reuters) - Rehmat Ullah Mehsud, 59, and three of his relatives are taking a perilous road journey to the most dangerous place in Pakistan to cast votes on Thursday in the general election.

Mehsud said he and the others will travel over 150 km (95 miles) to his hometown in the South Waziristan region from Dera Ismail Khan city, where his family moved 20 years ago to escape an area that had become a hotbed of Islamist militancy. Tens of thousands of other residents have also fled the region, because of the militants and harsh military crackdowns.

"There is fear in the whole country, which place is safe?" Mehsud told Reuters as he boarded a sedan on Wednesday for the three-hour journey to the area where the family is registered as voters. He said the family would stay overnight, vote early on Thursday and return immediately.

"I will vote because the conditions and policies that have been going on for 20 years can change if a good candidate is elected," he said.

South Waziristan, with its rocky mountains and sparse forests dotted with dry creeks and ravines, was the destination for global Islamist militant groups such as al Qaeda after the 2001 U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan drove them into Pakistan's tribal areas.

They have now been joined by home-grown militants who are making Waziristan and other areas bordering Afghanistan the epicentre of an insurgency that has spread across the northwest province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

Pakistan's general election is being held amidst a resurgence of violence by Islamist militants, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and rising concerns over security for the process.

Ethnic militants in Balochistan province in the southwest have also stepped up attacks, and at least 26 people were killed there on Wednesday in two bomb blasts targeting political party offices.

Dera Ismail Khan, from where Mehsud was travelling, is also in KP province and not much safer. A TTP attack near the city earlier this week killed 10 policemen. In December 2023, a six-man suicide squad drove an explosive-laden truck into a military camp nearby, killing 23 soldiers.

'ALLAH WILL PROTECT US'

There have been more than eighteen attacks on political leaders and workers across Pakistan since elections were announced in November, with ten of them in KP alone, data from the Pak Institute for Peace Studies showed.

"We don't have any security, Allah will protect us. We are just taking some necessary medicine and dry food with us," said Amjad Khan, a resident of Dera Ismail Khan also on his way to South Waziristan. Like Khan, many others are going without any additional protective measures.

While law enforcement authorities have increased security provisions for polling stations, there is no additional security for voters making the journey to vote.

Over 91,000 policemen will be on election duty in the province on Thursday, along with 18,000 military and paramilitary personnel, backed by over 1,000 members of the army's Quick Response Force, the province's home ministry said.

The TTP militants say they do not believe in democracy and are fighting to impose a system in line with their version of Islamic teachings.

Ahead of elections, in January, the TTP said in a statement said that they would target the army and other security forces, warning political parties and people to stay away from places where the armed forces and security forces have any presence.

But despite the threat, many others like Mehsud are also planning to travel back to their conflict-struck hometowns to vote.

Maulana Raheem Ullah, 39, said many of his friends and family were going to make the trip in vehicles rented specially for the day.

"These vehicles include buses, high-roofs, wagons and pickups, some people will go in their own cars and motorcycles," he told Reuters.

With tens of thousands displaced from the tribal regions, most candidates vying to represent constituencies there have campaigned in other cities such as Dera Ismail Khan.

"Due to the war, people's houses were destroyed," Moulana Jamal Uddin, a candidate from South Waziristan, told Reuters by phone.

He said his team was arranging food and accommodation for voters coming from other areas. "I appeal to the people of South Waziristan to vote," he said.

Khan Ullah, a 42-year-old shop owner, said he has avoided political gatherings in Dera Ismail Khan because he feared an attack on them was a real possibility.

"But," he said, "I will go to vote."

(Reporting by Saud Mehsud in Dera Ismail Khan; writing by Ariba Shahid in Karachi; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
WASHINGTON  Marianne Williamson ended her 2024 bid for the Democratic presidential nomination Wednesday after poor showings in the New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries.

"I read a quote the other day that said that sunsets are proof that endings can be beautiful, too," Williamson said in a video on YouTube. "And so today, even though it is time to suspend my campaign for the presidency, I do want to see the beauty, and I want all of you who so incredibly supported me on this journey  as donors, as supporters, as team and as volunteers  to see the beauty, too."

Williamson launched her long-shot White House bid in March 2023, well before even President Joe Biden had publicly declared that he planned to run for re-election.

It is our job to create a vision of justice and love that is so powerful that it will override the forces of hatred and injustice and fear, Williamson said at her kickoff event at Washington's Union Station. I, as of today, am a candidate for the office of president of the United States.

A spokesperson for Bidens campaign declined to comment.

Williamson, who has never held elected office, also ran for president in 2020. She left that race just weeks before the primary election process began.

Ahead of the New Hampshire primary, Williamson appeared to suggest to voters that former President Donald Trump would win the 2024 general election.

I do not have good feelings about what will happen in 2024, because 2024 is not going to be like 2020. 2024 is going to be like 2016, she said at a town hall event in Portsmouth.

Williamson criticized Democrats for pushing an anti-Trump narrative in the 2024 campaign, saying it wont be enough for electoral success this cycle.

Try to beat Donald Trump by saying things are going well. Really? For 20% of us, things are going well.  For 80% of Americans, the idea that things are going well economically, its like a slap in their face, said Williamson, who made socioeconomic inequality the cornerstone of her campaign.

She has presented herself as a progressive candidate, echoing some of the platforms Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., ran on in 2016.

If youre in the top 20 per cent of American earners, the economy works well, it said on her campaign website. But that 20 per cent live on an island that is surrounded by a sea of economic despair. Within that sea, a myriad of personal and societal dysfunctions breed easily  from chronic anxiety and addiction to ideological capture by genuinely psychotic, even fascist elements of our society.

For other issues during her campaign, Williamson called for creating "a legal fund for victims of police brutality," said the U.S. "must declare a national climate emergency" and called for halting all new fossil fuel projects."
LANSING, Mich. (AP)  Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday presented a $80.7 billion budget Wednesday that aims to boost education spending and deliver on her promise to provide students free education from preschool through community college.

The second-term Democratic governor unveiled her budget proposal in a joint session between the House and Senate appropriations committees. It follows a State of the State speech last month where Whitmer concentrated on initiatives such as free community college for all high school graduates, free preschool for 4-year-olds and continuing a free breakfast and lunch program for all students.

My budget today will deliver on the vision I outlined a couple weeks ago, Whitmer told lawmakers. Lowering costs, improving education and ensuring that anyone and everyone can make it here in Michigan.

Whitmer asked for $63.5 million to expand free pre-K to 4-year-olds and $30 million for the free community college program. Continuing to provide free breakfast and lunch would cost $200 million this year, according to the governor.

In addition to prioritizing more money for education, Whitmer also proposed increases to address the ongoing repairs of roads and bridges, provide tax credits for family caregivers and expand subsidies aimed at attracting businesses to Michigan.

Republican Senate Leader Aric Nesbitt criticized Whitmers budget, labeling it as mere public relations talking points." He said it prioritizes excessive tax incentives for businesses while neglecting support for families.

Its unfair to force Michigan families to pay billions in government corporate handouts as they struggle to deal with higher grocery bills and energy prices, Republican Senate Leader Aric Nesbitt said in a statement.

Whitmer said that the two priorities that guided her budget proposal this year were lowering people's costs and growing Michigans economy. Her office estimates that free breakfast and lunch for Michigans 1.4 million public school students will save families an average of $850 a year and free community college will save families an average of $4,820.

The $80.7 billion budget is a slight decline from the current fiscal year's $82 billion budget. Jen Flood, the state budget director, described the proposal as a return to normal after the state experienced large surpluses as a result of COVID-era funds.

Lawmakers will now work over the next several months to pass their own budget, with a self-imposed July 1 deadline. The 2025 fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

Michigan's Legislature worked at a historic speed last year to pass pent-up policy demands after Democrats gained full control of the state government for the first time in decades. But the state House will be deadlocked 54-54  with no tie-breaker  until at least April, when special elections for two open seats are set to be held.

So far, there have been no signs that Republicans will help pass Whitmer and other Democrats' priorities.

Republican House Leader Matt Hall slammed Whitmer's budget proposal as being out of step with the people of Michigan and for not providing real value for their tax dollars.
Two electric radiators were not enough to keep Russian pensioner Elena Grezkaya-Silko from shivering in her one-bedroom apartment.

After two major utility network accidents last month, she struggled to stay warm at home in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, where temperatures regularly dip below minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit in January.

After the first accident Jan. 11, due to what authorities said was a defect in the main heating network, the heating batteries inside her apartment went cold, with only lukewarm and intermittent heating in her bathroom and kitchen. Then, a hot water pipe burst on the street near her building Jan. 17, sending a geyser of hot water and steam into the air.

Her bedroom remained icy cold after that, she told NBC News in a phone interview last month.

It forced Grezkaya-Silko, 51, to seek warmth in the nearby shopping center during the day and stick close to her homes heaters in the evening, wrapping both herself and her cat in blankets. I go there for the whole day  I warm up there, I eat there, she said of the shopping center. I come back home, turn the heaters on, we warm up with the cat and then we go to bed.

The heating had finally come back, she said days later, after frequent calls to local authorities.

But her freezing frustrations are far from unique: Across Russia, creaking infrastructure and a wave of accidents have plunged households into the cold in the depth of winter, fueling rare showings of anger and irritation in a country where public criticism has been increasingly quashed.

Russia Heating System Breakdown (Alexandr Kryazhev / Sputnik via AP)

Throughout late December and early January, Russian media was awash with coverage of accidents involving the countrys sprawling utility networks, which consist of heating and hot water mains.

It offered a jolt to the Kremlin ahead of the March presidential election, in which President Vladimir Putin is expected to easily secure another term despite the mounting costs of his war in Ukraine. While the Russian military has sought to target the energy infrastructure of its neighbor to turn up the pressure in the war, the Kremlin has had to contend with energy problems of its own at home.

The crisis has renewed a focus on the Soviet-era infrastructure still in use across Russia, which has not been uniformly modernized. And with the economy now firmly directed on the war in Ukraine, funding for such repairs is only scheduled to fall over the next couple of years.

A considerable part of these networks was built during the Soviet era  the 70s and 80s, Russian economist Igor Lipsits told NBC News. So they are extremely worn out.

When an accident in a centralized heating system causes heat and hot water to be cut off in extreme cold, the pipes in peoples homes freeze, leading to damage and cracks. When the heat comes back on, apartments and homes can become flooded, with boiling water often spewing out of radiators.

Its a pretty clumsy system, Lipsits said. There is an understanding that you have to move away from it toward boilers in peoples buildings and apartments. But its money, its investment, its work  so nobody is doing it. They are saving the old system. But its worn-out, its bursting.

Russia Heating System Breakdown (Alexandr Kryazhev / Sputnik via AP)

Numerous videos shared online in late December and January showed boiling hot water and rolls of steam escaping burst pipes inside peoples homes and apartment buildings. People also shared photos of low thermometer readings inside their homes and even frost build-up on their windows amid heating outages caused by the accidents. Several videos also showed burst mains outside in freezing temperatures, with water sprouting onto the streets, forming thick steam clouds.

Residents of the Moscow region town of Khimki, where there was a main pipeline accident in early January, held up SOS banners as they complained about a lack of heat in bitter cold, asking Putin and the regional governor to intervene in a video. We are freezing, a woman says in the video.

And in the Moscow region town of Podolsk, 170 apartment buildings were left without heat in minus 6 degree weather in early January after a break in the heating main, Tass reported. Putin reportedly did get involved in this case, ordering the nationalization of the utility plant whose boilers caused havoc there, according to the regions governor, Andrei Vorobyev.

Several incidents, including the ones in Podolsk and one in Nizhny Novgorod that led to 12 people being burned from a burst pipe, saw criminal proceedings opened.

A bitterly cold December and January is not a novelty in most of Russia, although the Kremlin still tried to blame the crisis on what spokesman Dmitry Peskov called abnormal frosts when asked about it last month.

But Peskov admitted that despite all the titanic efforts to update all housing and communal services systems, a certain part of them remains in a rather dilapidated state, and it was impossible to update everything in 10 or even 15 years.

According to Russias Construction and Communal Services Ministry, there are plans to invest at least 4.5 trillion rubles (more than $49 billion) in modernizing utility infrastructure up to 2030, but the reality on the ground means the number of accidents continues to grow. During a 2022 meeting, it was reported that 31% of heating supply networks, more than 45% of sewage networks and over 43% of water supply networks across Russia needed to be replaced, according to the Kremlin.

At the peak of the crisis, Putin himself said that it was important not to neglect problems with the communal services and to be proactive.

Still, the Kremlin would have preferred to avoid any hints of internal dissent less than two months before the election, especially when it could raise questions about government spending priorities amid the colossal costs of Putins war in Ukraine.

Cities are freezing. Who is to blame? Boris Nadezhdin, who emerged as a prominent anti-war figure but was barred Thursday from running in the presidential election, said of the crisis last month. The huge amount of money spent and reserved for the special military operation could have been invested in improving the quality of life of my fellow citizens, he said in a post on the Telegram messaging app.

Putins economy has largely weathered Western sanctions imposed because of the war, but its now more military-oriented than ever. More than 10.7 trillion rubles ($118 billion) was allocated to national defense this year, according to a report by the Russian finance ministry.

The same report shows that funding for housing and communal services was 881 billion rubles ($9.7 billion) this year, up from 593 billion ($6.5 billion) in 2021, but the budgeted allocation is supposed to go down to 381 billion ($4.2 billion) in 2026.

Lipsits said the reality is that fixing the existing utility networks would take tens of billions of dollars, money that is not there because its going to the war in Ukraine.

Its a slightly apocalyptic picture, but it reflects that Russia is a complicated country, Lipsits said of the Soviet-era infrastructure. A lot of money needed to be invested in it for peaceful purposes  to fix it up and make it suitable for life in the 21st century, he added. But instead of this, the money went to the war.
President Joe Biden on Wednesday twice referred to the late German chancellor Helmut Kohl instead of former Chancellor Angela Merkel while detailing a 2021 conversation at campaign events.

It was the second time this week that Biden had recalled speaking with a European leader who had died years earlier.

Biden's gaffes Wednesday came at a series of fundraisers in New York as he described conversations he said he had with European leaders at a meeting of the Group of Seven industrialized nations in the U.K. in 2021, months after the Jan. 6 riot.

Biden said at both events that "Helmut Kohl," who died in 2017, had asked him how he would respond if he read about people storming the British Parliament and killing officers "to stop the election of a prime minister." Merkel attended the 2021 summit in the U.K.

The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

The remarks weren't Biden's first mix-up of European leaders this week.

Speaking at an event in North Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday, Biden confused Francois Mitterrand, the former French president who died in 1996, for French President Emmanuel Macron in retelling an encounter with the French leader at a summit during his first year in office.

Biden's likely 2024 opponent, former President Donald Trump, has also had recent slip-ups.

At a campaign rally last month, Trump railed at length against GOP rival Nikki Haley, but he appeared to have Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on his mind. Trump  who has accused Pelosi of turning down 10,000 soldiers on Jan. 6, when she was the House speaker, in a claim that has been debunked  said at the rally that Haley was in charge of security the day the Capitol was attacked.

Haley seized on Trump's gaffe, questioning his mental fitness. In a campaign ad last week, she criticized both Trump, 77, and Biden, 81, about their ages, referring to them as "grumpy old men."

An NBC News poll conducted last month found that 76% of voters, including half of Democrats, say they have concerns about Bidens mental and physical health. The national poll also found that 48% of voters have concerns about Trump's mental and physical health.
By Ju-min Park

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's intelligence agency says poor conditions for North Koreans working overseas have led to "incidents and accidents", while researchers report rare protests and unrest in China among workers from a North Korean military-linked trading company.

Fed up with unpaid wages and lingering pandemic lockdowns, as many as 3,000 North Korean workers in China staged protests last month, according to two South Korean government-affiliated researchers, including a former North Korean diplomat.

Reuters could not independently confirm the protests.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said they were "not aware" of the issue when asked about it at a daily briefing Thursday. The North Korean embassy in Beijing and its consular office in the Chinese border city of Dandong did not respond to calls from Reuters seeking comment.

Large-scale protests by North Koreans are virtually unheard of, and the researchers said it suggests these labourers are caught in a disagreement over their fate: China wants to send them home to comply with UN resolutions and avoid defections, but North Korea wants to maintain the number of labourers there.

Pyongyang exerts tight control over its overseas workers, including seizing as much as 90% of their wages for government funding, according to the 2023 U.S. State Department Trafficking in Persons Report, which said they often face "conditions amounting to forced labour".

For some workers, wages are withheld until they return to North Korea, increasing their vulnerability to coercion and exploitation by authorities, the report said.

Recent moves appear to have worsened conditions, according to the researchers.

Cho Han-bum, a senior researcher at a South Korean government-run think tank, Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU), said in an interview that North Korean workers at more than 10 textile factories in Helong, a city in Jilin province near the border, staged violent protests over unpaid wages.

The wages totalled about $10 million over four to seven years, according to Cho, adding that North Korean government officials paid several months' worth of salaries to the disgruntled workers to end the dispute.

Ko Young-hwan, a North Korean diplomat-turned-defector who now advises the South Korean unification minister, said in an interview that officials from the North Korean consulate in China had been sent to Jilin province and were trying to keep the situation under control after angry workers held some managers hostage.

"Various incidents and accidents have been happening due to poor living conditions of North Korean workers dispatched overseas, so we are checking on related movements," South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) said in a statement responding to Reuters' questions about unrest, without elaborating.

A 2017 U.N. Security Council resolution, which China backed, demanded that countries repatriate all North Korean workers by December 2019, on the grounds that their labour was exploited to earn foreign currency for North Korea's banned nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

At the time, Beijing said it had repatriated more than half but did not specify a figure. There are an estimated 20,000-100,000 North Koreans working in China, primarily in restaurants and factories, according to the U.S. State Department.

South Korea's unification ministry said in a report last year that China and Russia were hosting North Korean workers despite the sanctions. The Russian government has said COVID restrictions were making repatriations difficult.

Cho and Ko declined to identify their sources due to security reasons, but Ko said his sources included North Korean bureaucrats based in China.

The dissatisfied North Korean workers, dispatched by a trading company operated by the country's military, have been unable to return home from China for several years because of COVID border lockdowns, they said.

The NIS said that discussions between China and North Korea appeared to be under way and that the agency was monitoring any relevant movement, without providing further details.

"Discontent among those workers has been brewing," Cho said. "Now that the border is reopening, those workers want to go home. That's not easy now, given the North Korean regime wants to keep them in China to raise money for the government."

(Reporting by Ju-min Park; additional reporting by Jimin Jung and Josh Smith in Seoul, and Eduardo Baptista, Antoni Slodkowski and Laurie Chen in Beijing; Editing by Gerry Doyle)
Rappers Snoop Dogg and Master P are suing Post Foods and Walmart, accusing them of intentionally leaving the musicians cereal off store shelves and hiding it in stockrooms to sabotage it.

Calvin Broadus, better known as Snoop Dogg, and Percy Miller, commonly known as Master P, rejected a proposal by Post Foods to buy the cereal outright, according to the lawsuit filed Tuesday in Dakota County, Minnesota. After they eventually entered into an agreement in 2022, Post did not treat Snoop Cereal "equally as its own brand," even though it sold well when it was placed on store shelves, the suit says.

The rappers began Broadus Foods in 2022 in hope of inspiring and creating opportunities for minority-owned food products, according to the suit. A big product under Broadus Foods is Snoop Cereal, sold in flavors that include "Fruity Hoops with Marshmallows Frosted Drizzlers and Cinnamon Toasteez.

Snoop Dogg and Master P approached Post Consumer Brands, which the lawsuit calls a breakfast juggernaut, seeking a partnership. They strived to get Snoop Cereal in stores where Post cereals were sold, the suit says.

After talks with Post began, the company initially offered to buy Snoop Cereal outright, Snoop Dogg and Master P rejected because it would go against their companys goal to promote minority-owned businesses, according to the suit. Agreeing to sell the brand would also stop the artists from leaving the company to their families as a legacy business, the suit says.

On Dec. 13, 2022, Broadus Foods did sign a contract with Post to take over all aspects of production of Snoop Cereal, including manufacturing, packaging, retail, sales, distribution and transportation, the suit says.

As part of the agreement, it says, Broadus Foods and Post would split profits, and Post agreed to treat Snoop Cereal as one of its own brands and distribute it to the major retailers including Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Amazon.

Because the largest seller of Posts products is Walmart, Snoop Cereal should have been placed on Walmarts shelves right next to the dozens of other Post branded cereals, the suit continues. "Unbeknownst to Broadus Foods, Post was not on board with their goals and dreams and had no intention of treating Snoop Cereal equally as its own brand."

Essentially, because Snoop Dogg and Master P refused to sell Snoop Cereal in totality, Post entered a false arrangement where they could choke Broadus Foods out of the market, thereby preventing Snoop Cereal from being sold or produced by any competitor," the suit says.

Snoop cereal on an orange background. (Broadus Foods)

According to the lawsuit, when it was placed on shelves, Snoop Cereal was popular and sold well. However, the products were quickly taken off the shelves, leaving shoppers wondering where to find them, the suit says.

According to the lawsuit, shelf placement is key to selling cereals, and Post and Walmart knew that.

Walmart and Post agree on the exact aisle, shelf, and position each box will reside on that store floor," according to the suit. "This joint venture results in each store being told exactly where they are to put each cereal brand down to the nearest millimeter.

The suit gives several examples of frustrated consumers showing up at stores for Snoop Cereal, asking how to find it and being told there was none, only for boxes of it to turn up in stockrooms.

In an example cited in the lawsuit, 200 boxes of Snoop Cereal that had been at a Walmart in New Berlin, Wisconsin, for months were never placed in the cereal aisle.

In November and December 2023, Walmart stores consistently showed that they did not have Snoop Cereal in stock and online showed that it could not be purchased, according to the suit. The Walmart store managers told customers that they did not have any Snoop Cereal in their store.

Walmart is responsible for coding each box to where it will be placed on shelves, the lawsuit says. Walmart can also code cereal by marking boxes no location, which means it will remain in the stockroom. After they sit in the stockroom for months, boxes are thrown out or sold at significant discounts, the suit alleges.

Some of the claims in the lawsuit include breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, negligent misrepresentation, fraud and collusion and conspiracy.

Post Consumer Brands did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday afternoon.

However, in a statement to NBC Los Angeles, it said it "was excited to partner with Broadus Foods and we made substantial investments in the business. We were equally disappointed that consumer demand did not meet expectations.

In its own statement, Walmart said that it values its relationships with suppliers and that "many factors," including consumer demand and seasonality, affect the sales of any given product. "We will respond as appropriate with the Court once we are served with the complaint," the company said.

At a media briefing Tuesday announcing the lawsuit, Master P said the suit "is about minority-owned companies getting a fair share.

Snoop Dogg said, We aint build this brand to sell it."

The rappers are being represented by high-profile civil rights attorney Ben Crump. They are seeking a jury trial, damages exceeding $50,000, covering the cost of the lawsuit, attorneys fees and further relief determined by the Court.
Some 100 people  Black and white, from elementary school-aged children to adults in their 80s  filed into the Agape Perfecting Praise and Worship Center in Orlando in October. They were there for a lesson in Black history from LaVon Bracy, the director of democracy at Faith in Florida, an Orlando-based religious nonprofit. Bracy, who has a Ph.D. in education, spoke to the crowd about the forced journey enslaved Africans took from their homeland to America during the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

Shed visited Africa a couple of times and brought back soil, Sharon Riley, a pastor at Agape, said of Bracy who, along with her granddaughters, filled tiny vials of soil and distributed the soil at the end of the class.

Those in attendance were engaged, with the children excitedly asking questions, Riley said.

Lavon Bracy walks the floor prior to the start of the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 25, 2016, in Philadelphia (Joe Raedle / Getty Images)

Agape is just one of nearly 300 churches in Florida that have launched Black history lessons for their communities in recent months. From Jacksonville to Miami, Black church leaders are inviting community members  regardless of whether they attend church or are Christians  to learn about everything from the Civil Rights Movement to Juneteenth to mass incarceration. This effort is in direct response to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis statewide crusade to restrict how race and other subjects are taught in public schools and colleges. DeSantis, a Republican, blocked the teaching of Advanced Placement African American history in state high schools, signed the Stop WOKE Act in 2022 to severely limit schools from teaching race-inclusive education, and pushed new public school standards that teach that enslaved Africans benefited from slavery.

Fed up, Faith in Florida created an online toolkit with books, videos and other resources about Black history. Its goal? To push back on these Republican-led attacks on education. The toolkits include dozens of books like Ta-Nehisi Coates Between the World and Me and Michelle Alexanders The New Jim Crow; documentaries like Ava DuVernays 13th and CBS News Trayvon Martin: 10 Years Later; and videos for children like clips from the popular YouTube channel, Gracies Corner. The toolkit also lists national and local museums on Black history and culture across the country.

I believe we have an opportunity to play a role in meeting a need that was created by our legislature, Riley said. Agape holds its Black history lessons once a month and, Riley said, more and more community members are showing up or watching online. The more we are able to educate the people we come in contact with, we can empower communities.

Some 230 miles south, the Rev. Alphonso Jackson, executive pastor at New Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Miami, said it was a no brainer to join the Faith in Florida movement in the wake of attacks on education. The Miami church, whose congregation is majority Black, was founded in 1938.

He said Faith in Floridas toolkit was the perfect resource to help guide the churchs lessons. Dozens of people of all ages piled into the churchs packed fellowship room for its first Black history lesson in November.

There was excitement in the room, he added. You saw it on peoples faces. They were looking forward to the lesson. You definitely felt that as soon as you walked in.

In the coming months, Jackson said he plans to enlist professors, historians and theologians to teach the classes. But he taught the first class, speaking with attendees about the importance of connecting their faith to Black history, and the ways faith has been integral to many Black-led movements throughout history. Black people have always had a unique connection to God and spiritual matters, he said.

Street view of New Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Miami. (Google Maps)

Jackson said he feels righteously angry about the states education restrictions. Thats why, he said, it was necessary for New Shiloh to start its own formal Black history lessons. We didnt want the state, or any outside agency for that matter, to control our heritage, he said.

Rhonda Thomas, executive director of Faith in Florida, said she decided to work with the organizations researchers to put together the Black history toolkit after state Board of Education officials rebuffed her attempts to meet last year. So in July, the same month DeSantis signed a bill to quell diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and the Board of Education established the restrictive standards on lessons about slavery, Faith in Florida launched the toolkit.

Board of Education officials did not respond to a request for comment from NBC News.

Thomas said it wasnt difficult to get churches to join the new education effort, starting with her own. Thomas serves as reverend at New Generation Baptist Church under her husband, Ranzer Thomas Sr., who is senior pastor.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at a news conference in Miami. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images)

There are 391 religious organizations across the country  including Christian, Muslim, Hindu communities  that use Faith in Floridas resources for Black history lessons, according to data by Faith in Florida. Florida churches account for 290 of those organizations.

History has always been taught in the church in some form or fashion because history still sits in our pews. This has united the Black church in a way I have not seen since the Civil Rights Movement, Thomas said. Were looking like the church we once was. That strength has always been in the Black church. They gave us a bag of lemons and Faith in Florida turned those lemons into lemonade.

Khalil Muhammad, the Harvard Kennedy Schools Ford Foundation professor of history, race and public policy, shared similar sentiments about Black communities in the United States more broadly. He said in an interview that Black people have historically prioritized teaching about their history and culture in the face of erasure and restrictions in traditional education institutions.

Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad delivered the Keynote Address during the 54th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast on Jan. 15, 2024. (Jessica Rinaldi / The Boston Globe via Getty Images file)

He cited civil rights leader Septima Clarks work with the Highlander Folk School, a social justice-focused grassroots education center in Tennessee, in the 1950s and the Freedom Schools run by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, a direct-action civil rights group largely active during the 1960s.

But Black churches have always played a central role in Black life and justice efforts in the country. Black ministers spoke out against slavery and championed abolition during the slave era. During the Reconstruction era that followed the Civil War, Black churches in the North organized to establish schools, and helped former slaves find their families and acclimate to life post-slavery. Years later, churches played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, with churches serving as meeting places to plan protests and other demonstrations. Black ministers, like Martin Luther King Jr., helped to spearhead civil rights groups like the anti-segregation Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Today, Floridas Black churches are adding another chapter to this long history of working toward justice.

Reverend Dr. Gaston Smith during a service at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Liberty City, Fla. (Bryan Cereijo / The Washington Post via Getty Images file)

These churches are lifting up a tradition of social justice activism that has deep roots in the Black church, and they are adjusting to the very dire reality that the Republican Party is at war with Black people, Muhammad said. They are tapping into a very long tradition of resistance in terms of being able to communicate history lessons that are crucial for our survival.

The Rev. Gaston Smith, leader of Miamis Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, founded in 1929, knows this full well. Long before Smith began leading the church, the late Rev. James E. Jenkins served as pastor beginning in the 1960s, during the Civil Rights Movement. Through the church, Jenkins championed integration and spoke out against urban renewal. Smith said the churchs current Black history lessons, usually held during its Wednesday night Bible study, are a continuation of Jenkins work.

Its part of continuing his legacy, Smith said. We made the decision that whenever you come to Friendship, any time during the month, you would get some form of Black history. Whether that was in a sermon, in a Sunday school lesson, whether that was in Bible study, in our announcements, we would keep Black history alive.

Reverend Dr. Gaston Smith gives a speech at a service at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Liberty City. (Bryan Cereijo / The Washington Post via Getty Images file)

Friendship Missionary was one of the first churches to join Faith in Floridas efforts last year, and Smith has been pivotal in recruiting more churches to join the movement, according to both Smith and Thomas. Smith said he persuaded New Shiloh, St. Paul AME Church in Miami, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Pierce, and others to hold their own Black history lessons using Faith in Floridas toolkit.

Florida is just one of several states to implement broad education restrictions in recent years. Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama and others have all passed legislation since 2021 limiting what educators can teach about race in public schools. Republican lawmakers in several states have even moved to ban certain books that center race, gender and identity from school libraries. Dozens of churches using Faith in Floridas resources outside of Florida are in states that have such education restrictions.

History education has long been a part of First Missionary Baptist Churchs 142-year history, said its leader, the Rev. Clifton Dollison. By joining Faith in Floridas efforts, Dollison said the church plans to expand that work beyond its annual Heritage Day and Sunday School lessons for children.

Weve been doing what we can do because we recognize there is an assault against teaching our history and our heritage, Dollison said, and that is something we cant allow to happen.

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By Kenneth Li

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Thomson Reuters Corp on Thursday reported higher-than-expected quarterly profit, helped by lower costs and demand for AI-enhanced products for legal and other professional clients.

It also said it struck deals to license its news content to help train large AI language models.

The Toronto-based news and information provider reported adjusted fourth-quarter earnings of 98 cents per share. Wall Street expected 90 cents per share, according to LSEG data, and a year ago, the comparable figure was 75 cents a share.

Revenue rose 3% to $1.8 billion, largely in line with analyst estimates, according to LSEG data.

We're in growth and investment mode. 2024 is an investment year for us," Steve Hasker, CEO of Thomson Reuters said in an interview on Thursday, highlighting increases in capital expenditure this year. "We see growth opportunities in 2025, 26 and beyond around generative AI, but not exclusively generative AI."

Shares rose about 2% in both U.S. and Canadian trading.

Generative AI, deployed across Thomson Reuters' product portfolio, is expected to play a bigger role in results this and upcoming years, executives said.

Hasker added, "It is not a cost-cutting year."

The company said it expected to end its $1 billion share buyback by the end of the second quarter and will increase its annualized dividend by 10% to $2.16 per share.

Thomson Reuters anticipates 2024 organic revenue, excluding gains from acquisitions, to rise by about 6%, or slightly ahead of estimates of 5.7%, according to LSEG data. Organic revenue could rise 6.5% to 8% in the 2025 and 2026 period.

Organic operating profit, excluding one-time gains, rose 12% from higher revenue and lower costs.

Revenue at three of the five divisions of Thomson Reuters rose in the quarter with a decline in the legal segment, impacted by the sale of business management software company Elite in 2023.

Reuters News revenue rose 11% and adjusted earnings before tax, depreciation and amortization rose 56%, in part from generative AI-related content licensing revenue, the company said.

Thomson Reuters did not specify the companies it has licensed its content to, nor the financial details of the deals.

LICENSING NEWS ARCHIVE

Hasker said deals to license the Reuters News archive reflect "the need for large language models to learn from accurate and unbiased information that's been produced by the world's best newsrooms and in accordance with the Trust Principles."

The Reuters Trust Principles is a set of obligations on Reuters and its employees to act at all times with integrity, independence and freedom from bias.

News organizations have demanded payment from tech companies over the use of copyrighted content to train AI models. The New York Times sued OpenAI and Microsoft Corp, accusing the tech companies of the unauthorized use of copyrighted works to train chatbots.

Thomson Reuters, which also owns the Westlaw legal database and the Checkpoint tax and accounting service, has earmarked $10 billion for acquisitions and about $100 million annually to invest further in AI.

In January, Thomson Reuters acquired a majority stake in Pagero Group AB, an e-invoicing tax company and also announced the purchase of World Business Media, a subscription-based provider of news and analysis on the insurance and reinsurance market.

Last year, it purchased legal AI firm Casetext for $650 million.

Executives said the company has spent about $2.1 billion to acquire companies and now has about another $8 billion to spend over the next three years.

(Reporting by Kenneth Li in New YorkEditing by Nick Zieminski)
State Sen. Scott Wiener has introduced legislation that would require companies to submit their AI models to testing before they can be released to the public. Some experts say thats not yet feasible. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

In a bid to regulate the rapidly emerging artificial intelligence industry in California, state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, introduced a bill Thursday that would require companies building the largest and most powerful AI models to test them for safety before releasing them to the public.

The bill would require companies working on AI technology to disclose their safety protocols to the states technology department and would permit the state to sue under certain circumstances if the technology runs awry. It exempts smaller startups.

Wieners plan, which he announced in broad strokes last year, would also authorize the creation of a large public cloud computing cluster called CalCompute meant to provide researchers and others a platform for developing and testing AI technology.

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Large-scale artificial intelligence has the potential to produce an incredible range of benefits for Californians and our economy  from advances in medicine and climate science to improved wildfire forecasting and clean power development, Wiener said in a statement.

It also gives us an opportunity to apply hard lessons learned over the last decade, as weve seen the consequences of allowing the unchecked growth of new technology without evaluating, understanding, or mitigating the risks, he added.

The bill, SB1047, sets out clear standards for developers of extremely powerful AI systems, Wieners office said. It would target AI models that cost more than $100 million to train, and that are substantially more powerful than any system that exists today, his office added in a statement.

The AI market is dominated by a handful of corporate actors and this essential legislation takes the first critical step in fostering greater innovation and openness to serve the public interest, said Teri Olle, director of Economic Security California, which is also sponsoring the bill, in a statement. With the development of a public cloud like CalCompute, we can harness the potential of AI for good.

The symbolic weight of Wieners bill is difficult to ignore, with the text itself noting that California leads the world in artificial intelligence innovation and research via companies large and small, as well as through our remarkable public and private universities.

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California has this unique opportunity to lead in both the technology and the policy, said Meredith Lee of UC Berkeleys College of Computing, Data Science and Society. AI is already changing how we find information and communicate, she said.

Many of the largest companies working on generative AI models are based in San Francisco and the Bay Area. San Francisco-based OpenAIs ChatGPT bot launched the current AI wave, and researchers at Anthropic, working on the Claude series of chatbots, are also based in the city, as are many smaller startups.

Bay Area tech giants including Google and Meta have also released chatbot models of their own.

America must set the standards for the responsible development and deployment of AI for the world, said Dylan Hoffman, executive director for California and the Southwest for TechNet, a trade association that lobbies for tech companies.

We look forward to reviewing the legislation and working with Senator Wiener to ensure any AI policies benefit all Californians, address any risks, and strengthen our global competitiveness.

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California and the greater Bay Area are the epicenter for continued policy development on AI, said Ahmad Thomas, CEO of Silicon Valley Leadership Group, in a statement. The business organization also has its own responsible AI working group. We look forward to continuing our conversations with Senator Wiener and other leaders in the legislature around how to most effectively establish a sensible policy and regulatory framework that promotes continued innovation and reflects core responsible AI principles, Thomas said.

Wieners bill would require companies to test their tools for unsafe behavior  worries about models divulging bomb-building instructions abound, for example  and harden them against hacking. The legislation would also require a fail-safe for the models to be shut down in case of emergency.

All those requirements would have to be implemented before a model could be released.

The issue of so-called algorithmic destruction has been around in AI circles for years. It arose again recently because of copyright concerns in how AI programs are trained. Last year, the nonprofit Center for AI Safety said in a statement that the risks posed by unchecked AI development resemble those posed by pandemics and nuclear weapons.

The legislation would also create a so-called Frontier Model Division within the California Department of Technology to focus on and regulate AI technology. That division would be responsible for overseeing large AI models and assessing the safety guardrails in place.

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Meta and other companies working on so-called foundational AI models claim to extensively red team their technology, meaning they put it through stress tests to determine how it might respond to user prompts trying to get the software to do something it should not.

Up to now there has been no federal legislation that takes direct aim at the technology, although the heads of many large AI companies have been called to speak in front of Congress.

President Joe Biden previously released an executive order requiring federal agencies to appoint a point person for AI. It also directed some departments to investigate how the technology might be used to further defense and other aims. Agency heads were also told to secure critical infrastructure from AI-driven attacks, among other provisions.

Wieners bill shares much in common with the Biden order, which requires companies to conduct safety testing on their models and share those results with the federal government.

The bill would require developers to reasonably rule out that their technology could create a hazard, taking into account a margin of error and the ability to update their software. Its no coincidence that the legislation would create more state computing resources to test safety, as the two issues are closely linked.

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Huge amounts of computing power are required to create and train AI models, as well as to test how the complex and unpredictable programs perform under different circumstances, such as asking them to produce instructions to build a weapon or generate and spread disinformation.

Beefing up the states computing power would make it possible to test the models. Arati Prabhakar, one of President Bidens top AI advisers, told the Chronicle last month that the technology to test increasingly complex models barely existed.

Prabhakar also underlined the need for clearer guardrails, and the difficulty in knowing how effective they might be.

Will it generate cyberattacks if prompted, or will it not? Will it help you build a bioweapon? Is it much more dangerous than just doing a search? Those are unanswered questions, she said at the time.

Asked whether technology exists to assess the safety of AI programs, UC Berkeleys Lee said, I think we have to try. We do have that need and shared responsibility to get very clear about what we can accomplish now, despite the rapid pace of AI program development.

Gov. Gavin Newsom also signed an executive order last year ordering civil servants to begin experimenting with the technology within certain boundaries. More recently the state released a report on how AI might help its daily operations  and the risks posed by implementing it.

Another California bill, SB942, which State Sen. Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park, plans to introduce this session, would require companies that build generative AI technology to watermark images, videos, audio and potentially other content created by their models.
By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Chinese online social media platform TikTok has challenged a supervisory fee amounting to 0.05% of its annual worldwide net income to cover EU regulators' costs of monitoring compliance with new EU rules, the second company to do so after Meta Platforms.

Under the Digital Services Act (DSA), 20 very large online platforms, including TikTok, Meta, Google, Apple and two very large online search engines are required to pay the annual charge.

The size of the fee accounts for the average monthly active users for each company and whether it posts a profit or loss in the preceding financial year.

"We disagree with the fee and are appealing on a number of grounds, including the use of flawed third party estimates of our monthly active user numbers as a basis for calculating the total amount," a TikTok spokesperson said.

The European Commission will defend its position in court, a spokesperson for the EU executive said in a statement.

"Our decision and methodology are solid," the spokesperson said.

"The fees were due by 31 December 2023. We can confirm that all Very Large Online Platforms / Search Engines in question honoured their commitments."

Amazon and Elon Musk's X, both of which posted losses in 2022 are not expected to pay the 2023 fee though the former will have to cough up for this year as it returned to a profit last year.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Josie Kao)
Tucker Carlson was fired from Fox News at the height of his powers. He was the face of the most-watched cable news show in the country, with an audience that included presidents, former presidents, hate-watching liberals, rank-and-file conservatives and every Republican lawmaker under the sun. He was even considered a potential presidential candidate.

Ten months on from his ignominious departure, none of those things are still true. Carlson is still producing the kind of content that led the New York Times to suggest that his Fox show may be the most racist show in the history of cable news  albeit for a different kind of audience on Elon Musks X  but he does not command the same authority or attention.

That is, perhaps, until now. The far-right agitator announced on Tuesday that he would interview Russian president Vladimir Putin about the war in Ukraine, following years of heaping effusive praise on one of the worlds leading jailors of journalists.

Anyone not glued to the internet in the intervening time between his departure from Fox News and landing at the steps of the Kremlin may be wondering where Carlson has been all this time.

Here is a brief rundown.

Same content, but weirder

Tucker Carlson found success on Fox by going further than any of his predecessors beyond the bounds of acceptability. From his primetime perch, he spewed bigotry, parroted white nationalist talking points and promoted conspiracies and falsehoods from behind a facade of journalistic inquiry.

After many years at the top spot, he left Fox News in a cloud of scandal and lawsuits. The abrupt decision to fire its top-rated host was said to have come directly from Rupert Murdoch in April last year.

The network said in a statement that it had agreed to part ways with Carlson days after it agreed to pay $787.5m to settle a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems .

Fox News had been severely embarrassed by revelations in pre-trial court filings about its coverage in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential elections.

Carlson and fellow hosts Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham privately mocked regular guests including Donald Trumps attorneys Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell, while continuing to promote their lies and conspiracy theories to their audience.

Carlson called Mr Trump a demonic force, and said that hated the former president passionately in text messages to an unknown Fox employee two days before the 6 January riots, court documents showed.

It was perhaps inevitable that the most perennially online person at Fox News would end up spending all of his time on Twitter after his firing. Carlson was said to have received offers from far and wide  including from Russian state TV  before eventually settling on X. Tucker on Twitter features the same culture war topics that earned him notoriety at Fox, just much weirder.

His interview with Hungarys nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban would not have seemed out of place on Fox News. His interview with Larry Sinclair, however, succinctly titled Larry Sinclair says he had a night of crack cocaine-fueled sex with Barack Obama, and that Obama came back for more the next day, suggested that the Fox News producers may have had some kind of restraining effect on Carlson.

Tucker Carlson and Alex Jones (@TuckerCarlon via Twitter)

His first appearance on X was a rambling 10-minute monologue in which he praised Vladimir Putin and declared that UFOs and extraterrestrial life are actually real.

Carlson first announced his plan to partner with Musk and X in a post in which he lashed out at other media outlets, calling them purveyors of thinly disguised propaganda. Carlson, who regularly promoted conspiracy theories and fake news on his Fox News show, added: The news you consume is a lie, a lie of the stealthiest and most insidious kind.

But no sooner had he posted his first episode than he heard from his former employers again in the form of a cease and desist letter. The letter, sent by Fox News general counsel Bernard Gugar to Carlsons lawyers, claimed that the host "is in breach" of his contract agreement. It continued that Carlson is "prohibited from rendering services of any type whatsoever, whether over the internet via streaming or similar distribution, or other digital distribution whether now known or hereafter devised. That dispute is still ongoing.

Both Musk and Carlson seemed happy with their agreement. Musk, who himself has fallen down a rabbit hole of the same kind of conspiracy theories and right wing grievances propagated by Carlson, went so far as to claim that views for the show on X now exceed the population of the United States.

The number of views on Carlsons videos would become a hotly debated topic. Carlsons viewership at Fox News hovered around 3 million viewers, but it is unclear how many people actually watch his X videos because that data is not publicly available. The only metric available to the public is the number of times the post appeared in someones feed on the app or browser.

Carlson was still able to attract big names in his new home  most notably he interviewed Donald Trump on the night the former president skipped a primary debate. He also interviewed many subjects his Fox News audience may have struggled to recognise, such as the prolific right wing X user known as Catturd .

Going his own way

After a few months on X, Carlson was looking for a way to start his own subscription service. In December, he announced plans to launch a $9 per month streaming service. He announced the move in typical grandiose style with another video monologue apparently aimed at scaring the impressionable.

"Whats true and whats a lie? Sometimes its hard to know. Theres so much deception," he said. "Big media companies wont help. Their job is to manipulate you. The government? Please. When was the last time you believed a word they said? Probably before COVID.

Carlson had explored the idea of launching the service on X, according to the Wall Street Journal , but the company could not build the infrastructure required in time.

In many ways, Carlsons interview with Putin is a return to form. For years, Carlson expressed an affinity with the Russian leader. In 2022, after the Russian leader launched an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Carlson wondered aloud why he should oppose the attempt to annex parts of Ukraine.

It may be worth asking yourself, since it is getting pretty serious, what is this really about? Why do I hate Putin so much? Has Putin ever called me a racist? Has he threatened to get me fired for disagreeing with him? These are fair questions, and the answer to all of them is: No. Vladimir Putin didnt do any of that, he said on his Fox News show .

In announcing his interview on Tuesday, Carlson accused the Western media of engaging in fawning pep sessions with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky , whom he has previously called a dictator and likened to a rat, while confidently asserting that not a single Western journalist has bothered to interview the president of the other country involved in this conflict: Vladimir Putin.

That claim was quickly corrected by the Kremlin.

Mr Carlson is not correct. In fact, theres no way he could know this, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday, adding that the president receives numerous requests for interviews from Western media, which are all denied because the Kremlin does not deem the media outlets impartial.

Additional reporting by Bevan Hurley
Students admitted to UCLA who completed their intent to enroll win cheers from campus members in 2020. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

The University of California and California State University announced Wednesday they are extending the May 1 deadline for students to accept their admission offers for fall 2024, citing delays applicants are facing in completing a new federal financial aid form.

The extension affects tens of thousands of California students who will be accepted to UC and CSU, largely beginning in March. A May 15 deadline will apply to first-year students at all nine undergraduate UC campuses; CSUs deadline is no earlier than May 15 for all 23 of its campuses.

A new version of the form, known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, was unveiled late last year with the promise that it would be simpler to complete and would increase the amount of financial aid available for many students. The form is used by colleges to determine financial need and craft an aid offer.

But significant delays in the federal governments release of the new form, along with numerous glitches in using it, have created havoc at many high schools, which are reporting a dramatic decline in the number ofstudents who have so far successfully completed the form.

Its a disaster, said Lynda McGee, a counselor at Downtown Magnets High School near the Los Angeles civic center. The students who will be most hurt are our low-income and first-generation students.

At Downtown Magnets, which often wins honors from L.A. Unified for high rates of FAFSA completion, only one-third of seniors had completed the form as of Jan. 26 compared with the number on that date last year, according to federal data.

Without college financial aid offers, which are typically sent out with an acceptance letter, students and families cant evaluate which campus is most affordable.

Los Angeles Unified schools Supt. Alberto Carvalho said the delays and glitches in the process are especially harmful for students in his system: About 80% of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals at school. Many students start off as English learners; many parents either dont speak English or have limited education or both.

We have such a disproportionate number of students who absolutely depend on this type of financial assistance for college support, Carvalho said. This really has created a bottleneck and a significant reduction in the number of FAFSA submissions  by as much as 50%. And if very specific actions are not taken quickly that issue may not necessarily be remediated.

He would like all colleges to follow the lead of those that have extended deadlines for students. An extension of one or two months might be necessary, he said.

Not only necessary, but morally required, Carvalho added.

UC officials pledged to ensure that all students, especially those from underserved communities, will have enough time to receive and evaluate their financial aid packages. More than half of UC undergraduates pay no tuition and 70% qualify for grants or scholarships totaling an average of $18,000 per year, thanks to the states Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship programs, along with university institutional aid.

UC has not yet sent out admission offers for fall 2024; last year, the nine undergraduate campuses admitted 88,285 first-year California applicants and 41,400 students from other states and countries for fall 2023.

As a public university, our mission is to keep a world-class education within reach of talented students from a broad range of backgrounds and lived experiences, Han Mi Yoon-Wu, associate vice provost for undergraduate admissions at the UC Office of the President, said in a statement.

By extending the decision window, we aim to ensure California students, particularly those from low-income and first-generation backgrounds, have the time and space to fully assess their options and, ultimately, unlock college opportunities they might not have thought possible.

In the case of UC Berkeley only, the new deadline does not yet apply to out-of-state and international first-year undergraduate students, as that campus needs more time to evaluate the situation.

Read more:UC enrolls record number of California undergrads in fall 2023, cuts out-of-state students

CSU officials encouraged students not to give up on the financial aid process. Students who have not applied for financial aid are encouraged to do so, as more than 80% of CSU students receive some form of financial aid, CSU said in a release.

More than 60% of Cal State undergraduates have their tuition fully covered by aid that does not include loans.

But timing matters. Students will be at a disadvantage for receiving aid if they dont file their FAFSA by April 2, the university system said.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Education announced that higher education institutions will not begin receiving students financial aid information from the FAFSA until mid-March.

Should the current FAFSA schedule change, UC said it would reassess its plans, make changes as necessary based on the circumstances, and communicate changes to prospective students and families.

A May 15 commitment deadline for first-year students will allow UC campuses to admit additional students promptly through the waitlist process if needed and not prolong the uncertainty of waitlisted students any longer than necessary, UC said. Officials said students should have ample time to secure housing and visit campuses.

"The University wants to reassure students and their families that despite any FAFSA delays, we remain committed to helping them successfully navigate the financial aid process and access the state, federal and University resources they are entitled to, Shawn Brick, UC executive director of student financial support, said in a statement.

In addition to the general delays, students and counselors have reported complications with the new form  such as the inability of U.S. citizen students to submit the FAFSA if their parents or guardians dont have a Social Security number.

On the previous form, those without Social Security numbers would fill the space with zeroes. The new form doesnt provide that option, McGee said.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona acknowledged the problems in a statement Monday  even as he defended the form as transformational.

We are determined to get this right, he said in a statement. We must, and we will. Our hope is that these steps were announcing today are going to go a long way toward helping colleges and universities make the most of the Better FAFSA.

The Department pledged to provide additional personnel, funding, technology and other resources to help schools and students complete the new FAFSA and to help colleges prepare to process student applications for aid.

Those efforts will focus on lower-resourced schools that may have a smaller number of administrative staff and may utilize older software systems, the department said, including historically Black colleges and universities and tribal colleges and universities.

Cardona also said he hopes to help colleges through a newly allocated $50 million in federal funding for nonprofit groups that specialize in financial aid support and services.

Federal officials also are providing a status report to high schools and K-12 school districts. The department has just released data by high school on students who have submitted the FAFSA. There will be weekly updates to allow high schools to track progress and assist students. And a new resource, StudentAid.gov/fafsatips, gives FAFSA applicants and contributors tips to help them successfully complete and submit the form.

The department also encouraged colleges to provide students and families as much flexibility as possible and as much time as possible to review aid offers to make enrollment decisions.





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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By Andrew Chung, John Kruzel and Andrew Goudsward

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Donald Trump appeared to be headed for a big legal victory at the U.S. Supreme Court as the justices on Thursday signaled their readiness to reject a judicial decision kicking the former president off the ballot in Colorado for taking part in an insurrection during the 2021 Capitol attack.

The nine justices heard about two hours of arguments in Trump's appeal of a Dec. 19 ruling by Colorado's top court to disqualify him from the state's Republican March 5 primary ballot under the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment after finding that he participated in an insurrection.

The ruling in the case promises major implications for the Nov. 5 election. Trump, who did not attend the arguments, is the overwhelming frontrunner for the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden.

Section 3 of the 14th Amendment bars from holding public office any "officer of the United States" who took an oath "to support the Constitution of the United States" and then "engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof."

Justices - conservatives and liberals alike - expressed concern during the argument about states taking sweeping actions that could impact a presidential election nationwide. They pondered how states can properly enforce the Section 3 disqualification language against candidates, with several wondering whether Congress must first pass legislation do enable that.

The Supreme Court's 6-3 conservative majority includes three justices appointed by Trump.

Conservative Chief Justice John Roberts told Jason Murray, the lawyer representing four Republican voters and two unaffiliated voters who sued to keep Trump off the Colorado ballot, that if the judicial decision were to be upheld, other states would proceed with disqualification proceedings of their own against either Democratic or Republican candidates.

"It'll come down to just a handful of states that are going to decide the presidential election. That's a pretty daunting consequence," Roberts said.

Anti-Trump forces have sought to disqualify him in more than two dozen other states - a mostly unsuccessful effort - over his actions relating to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. But Maine also has barred Trump from its ballot, a decision on hold pending the Supreme Court's Colorado ruling.

"I think that the question that you have to confront is why a single state should decide who gets to be president of the United States," liberal Justice Elena Kagan told Murray. "This question of whether a former president is disqualified for insurrection to be president again ... it sounds awfully national to me."

Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a Trump appointee, focused on the impact to democracy if states under Section 3 can block candidates from their ballots under Section 3.

"Think about the right of the people to elect candidates of their choice, of letting the people decide, because your position has the effect of disenfranchising voters to a significant degree," Kavanaugh told Murray.

Murray offered a blunt reply: "The reason we're here is that President Trump tried to disenfranchise 80 million Americans who voted against him, and the Constitution doesn't require that he be given another chance."

Trump supporters attacked police and swarmed the Capitol in a bid to prevent Congress from certifying Biden's 2020 election victory. Trump gave an incendiary speech to supporters beforehand, telling them to go to the Capitol and "fight like hell." He then for hours rebuffed requests that he urge the mob to stop.

The 14th Amendment was ratified following the American Civil War of 1861-1865 in which seceding Southern states that allowed the practice of slavery rebelled against the U.S. government.

"The framers of Section 3 knew from painful experience that those who had violently broken their oaths to the Constitution," Murray said, referring to the officials of the seceding states, "couldn't be trusted to hold power again because they could dismantle our constitutional democracy from within."

Roberts asked Jonathan Mitchell, Trump's lawyer, whether a state's top elections official could disqualify a candidate who comes forward and says he took the oath mentioned in the provision and engaged in an insurrection.

"If the candidate is an admitted insurrectionist, Section 3 still allows the candidate to run for office and even win election to office - and then see whether Congress lifts that disability after the election," Mitchell said.

'I'M A BELIEVER'

Following the arguments, Trump in remarks in Florida said he listened to the proceedings and "thought our arguments were very, very strong." Trump, who sought to portray the case as part of a broader effort by Democrats to keep him off the ballot, indicated he felt disqualification was unlikely.

"I'm a believer in our country and I'm a believer of the Supreme Court," Trump said.

The Supreme Court last played such a central role in a presidential contest in 2000, when its landmark Bush v. Gore decision handed Republican George W. Bush the presidency over Democrat Al Gore.

The justices debated the applicability of an 1869 decision authored by then-Chief Justice Salmon Chase - albeit while he presided on a lower court - in determining how a Section 3 disqualification may now be enforced. Kavanaugh suggested to Mitchell that Chase's decision, which found that congressional legislation was necessary to enforce Section 3, is "highly probative" of Section 3's meaning.

The justices spent little time on Jan. 6 or Trump's role in those events, though liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson did press Mitchell on whether the attack was an insurrection.

"Your point is that a chaotic effort to overthrow the government is not an insurrection?" Jackson asked.

"This was a riot. It was not an insurrection," Mitchell told Jackson. "The events were shameful, criminal, violent, all of those things, but did not qualify as an insurrection as that term is used in Section 3."

(Reporting by Andrew Chung, John Kruzel and Andrew Goudsward and Nathan Layne; Editing by Will Dunham and Scott Malone)
As former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley continues on in her quest to try to take down former President Donald Trump in the Republican nominating race, after three straight losses so far, she is focusing on states where non-Republicans can vote -- and targeting voters outside of a GOP base that still overwhelmingly favors her rival.

"We want to bring in as many people as we can," Haley told ABC News. "I'm going to be serving everybody, so whoever cares enough about this election and wants to be involved? We want their support."

Despite her repeated defeats, Haley has described her campaign against Trump as about building "momentum" on her way to South Carolinas Feb. 24 primary and touted her increasing numbers from Iowa to New Hampshire, the first two states to vote for the 2024 Republican nomination.

After Haley placed a distant third in the Iowa caucuses in January, she got to 43% in New Hampshire about a week later.

Exit polls in New Hampshire showed her doing especially well with undeclared voters, who were able to vote in the Republican primary. She also got strong backing from self-described moderates, just as she did in the Iowa caucuses, where she won about one-third of self-described independents, exit polling found.

By contrast, Trump has so far handily beaten her with conservative and evangelical voters. For example, in Tuesday's primary in Nevada, in which only registered Republicans can vote, Haley only got 30% of the vote and actually lost out to the quirky option "none of these candidates."

And while South Carolinas open primary means registered voters are able to cast their ballot in either the Democratic or GOP primaries regardless of their party -- but not both -- the state has many more active Republican voters than Democratic ones. And it doesnt have New Hampshires tradition of independent voters swinging back and forth.

Polling still has Trump ahead of Haley in South Carolina by more than 30 points, according to 538.

The entrance and exit polling from Iowa and New Hampshire also shows Haley handily lost to Trump with purely Republican-identified voters.

Haley's campaign is making it clear that her plan to keep competing against Trump includes attracting a wider range of voters -- not just in South Carolina's open primary but in the 10 more states with open and semi-open primaries coming up in the next month as well. (Unlike open primaries, semi-open primaries require voters to cast a party-specific ballot when they vote. In a third kind of primary, semi-closed, voters must affiliate with a party before casting their ballot.)

Although the Haley campaign is not outwardly saying they are targeting Democrats, it's not stopping some of those voters from considering supporting her.

PHOTO: A voter prepares to cast their ballot in the Democratic Primary at the Cordesville Rural Fire Department, Feb. 3, 2024, in Cordesville, S.C. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Dale Bowling and Georgia Koss, who said they have supported Democratic presidential candidates since the '90s, told ABC News that they're planning on voting for Haley in South Carolina's GOP primary after attending a rally for her in Conway in late January.

The two women both voted for President Joe Biden in 2020 but are now undecided, they said. They're concerned with the president's age and believe it's time for new blood in the White House.

"I think Biden's a little too old, honestly," Bowling told ABC News.

"I just think that we need somebody young and fresh, lots of new ideas," Koss added.

After hearing Haley speak, the pair told ABC News that they would be voting for her in the state's GOP primary.

Haley's campaign insists they see opportunity in trying to persuade the many non-primary voters who identify as Republicans but may not identify as the highly engaged members of their party's base, who reliably turn out for every vote.

Primaries have historically low turnouts, especially relative to general elections.

"We are looking primarily at independents who can participate in primaries and we are also looking at expanding the people who do participate in these primaries," Haley's campaign manager, Betsy Ankney, told reporters on Monday. "There are a lot of general election Republican voters who do not participate in primaries typically."

Can that boost Haley's chances? Some aren't persuaded.

"The Trump phenomenon is still very much a thing in South Carolina," Mark Sanford, a former South Carolina congressman and governor who preceded Haley in office, told ABC News. "The demographics of the base South Carolina Republican voter align well with the Trump voter and may be one and the same."

Sanford lost the 2018 GOP primary for his Charleston-area congressional seat to a Trump-backed opponent, after he repeatedly criticized Trump's fiscal policies.

"He's become a proxy going against the system. And a lot of rank-and-file Republican types feel like the system has failed them," Sanford added. "Never mind the fact that Trump didn't do anything about the debt when he was there, they see him as someone who will fight for them and fight against a system rigged against them."

PHOTO:Republican presidential candidate, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks during a campaign rally at the Indigo Hall and Events venue, Feb. 5, 2024, in Spartanburg, S.C. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Activists urge a vote for Haley is a vote against Trump

For some voters and activists, their goal for this election cycle is to ensure that Trump never returns to the White House, leading them to try to block his path to the Oval Office in the primary by putting all of their efforts behind Haley.

Primary Pivot, an anti-Trump group that describes itself as focused on democracy, has been encouraging voters across the political spectrum to vote for Haley in open and semi-open GOP primaries as the field has essentially narrowed to a two-person race.

Robert Schwartz, who leads Primary Pivot, told ABC News that although he's wary of Haley's chances of beating Trump in South Carolina, he hopes she "survives" so she can stay in the race to compete in more "favorable states."

And Primary Pivot is still investing resources in South Carolina, including having staffers on the ground and reaching out to voters of different political ideologies to support Haley.

The group said they have sent out more than 200,000 text messages encouraging people to think about their options, suggesting that Biden would win the state's Democratic primary and that the Republican race is more competitive.

"[Haley] is catching up in the polls. Please make your vote count," the texts read.

Schwartz told ABC News they plan on setting aside resources for several states leading up to Super Tuesday on March 5, when many states will hold simultaneous primaries.

Kelley Johnson a Democrat from Summerville, South Carolina, said she thinks a general election without Trump would allow voters to focus on the issues.

"I think it's good for the country, because it'll be a much more civil election," Johnson told ABC News. "It'll be fought on the policies rather than who's just listening to Trump and trying to figure out what is going to come out of his mouth next."

But some Democrats who don't want to see a Republican win the election are critical of this strategy, because of how recent polling shows Haley beating Biden in a hypothetical matchup in the general election.

In a recent Quinnipiac poll, for example, Haley would defeat Biden 47-42%.

"I very much hope that it is just a one-on-one match between Biden and Donald Trump. Because I feel like it gives Joe Biden the best chance to prevail," said Waring Hewe Jr., a voter from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

Jaunita Miton from Summerville, South Carolina said that although Haley brings up some valid issues, she, too, would prefer Biden to face Trump.

"If I have to choose obviously, I'm gonna choose the weaker candidate and that's Trump," Miton said.

But 21-year-old student Lilli Taylor, of Columbia, South Carolina, who voted for Biden in 2020, said not everyone is thinking that way.

"I do have a lot of friends who identify as Democrats or liberals, but a lot of them do like Nikki and so it's not necessarily just a vote against Trump," Taylor said. "I think a lot of them generally do see a lot of potential in Nikki."

'I don't know what state she can win'

Some major Democrats have played down the chance that Democratic voters could really sway the course of the Republican primary race against Trump.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a surrogate for Biden's reelection campaign, told ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl in a recent interview that he doesn't believe Haley can win over enough non-Republican voters to win anywhere.

"We've seen that game played over and over and over and over again. ... I just don't think you're going to stack enough votes in that -- I don't know what state she can win, including her own state," Newsom said.

But, he suggested, Haley sticking in the race and going after Trump could have other ramifications.

"Watching her ... take shots at Trump, that didn't leave me wanting. I was enjoying that. Meaning, she was saying a lot of the same things I've been saying about Trump," Newsom said, "and so I don't think it's unhealthy in that respect."

Nikki Haley's plan to fight Trump for the Republican nomination? Win over non-Republicans originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
When Suhaib Shah and his wife saw two people hunched over a third person in the street near the University of Texas at Austin campus last weekend, they thought the group was administering CPR. But in a matter of seconds, Shah realized a man was being pinned down against his will.

Shah said he saw a truck with a broken flagpole that had been flying the Palestinian flag in its bed. There was also a Palestinian keffiyeh tied to the rearview mirror.

Then, a man with wide eyes approached him, Shah told the Austin American-Statesman, part of the USA TODAY Network.

"'That guy stabbed me in the lungs,'" said the victim, identified by authorities as 23-year-old Zacharia Doar, a Palestinian American from the Dallas area who attended a pro-Palestinian rally at the Texas capitol building earlier that day.

The stabbing that targeted Doar has since been deemed a hate crime by the Austin police department's Hate Crime Review Commission and the Council on Arab-Islamic Relations.

Shaimaa Zayan, left, holds Odi Doar, the mother of stabbing victim Zacharia Doar, during a news conference Tuesday. The guy that did this out of hate  its ruining people's lives, Odi Doar told the American-Statesman about the attack on her son.

More: Palestinian American targeted in West Campus stabbing, Islamic advocacy group says

UT alums help save victim after 'extremely terrifying' stabbing

Shah said he used the Palestinian keffiyeh, a scarf, to quickly try to apply pressure to Doar's chest and stop the bleeding, which was coming out of the man's rib area and pooling in his chest, according to Shah.

On Sunday, Shah and his wife, Maryam Khawar, both UT alums, were in the right place at the right time, and tried to provide comfort as well as medical help to Doar, they said.

"In that moment, it was just extremely terrifying," said Shah, who described himself as a Pakistani Muslim American. "Just seeing the amount of pain that this guy was in who had been stabbed and how much he was bleeding and just seeing how distraught the kids were."

While Shah and Khawar stayed with Doar awaiting help Sunday, Khawar helped him recite Islamic prayers such as the Shahada, which she said is a prayer Muslims say when they're in a dangerous situation.

"I wanted to give him something to hold on to that was kind of close to him, and that would give him some strength in that moment," Khawar said.

Stabbing event was hate crime, authorities say

The Austin Police Department said in a statement Wednesday the Hate Crime Review Commission determined a hate crime occurred Sunday evening. The finding will be sent to the county district attorney's office, which will determine whether to charge the suspect with a hate crime.

A probable cause arrest affidavit says a man identified as Bert Baker rode up on a bike to Doar and three others at about 7 p.m. in UT's West Campus area and opened the tailgate of Doar's group's truck and two passenger doors, yelling racial slurs at them to provoke a fight.

The four people in the car got out and a fight began. Baker eventually pulled out a knife and stabbed Doar in the rib, according to the affidavit.

Doar has since had surgery and is now in recovery, his mother said during a news conference Tuesday.

Stabbing latest instance of violence over Israel-Hamas war, UT alum says

Shah and Khawar, who both graduated from the University of Texas, expressed concerns about the current state of hostility directed against Muslim and Arab students on or near college campuses at a time when tensions remain high over the deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas.

They both expressed anger over the fact that the UT Police Department, in a social media notification sent nearly 12 hours after the attack, did not mention that the attack might have been a hate crime.

University spokesperson Mike Rosen said the UT Police Department is not leading the investigation, as the crime happened in the Austin Police Department's jurisdiction, and that it fell to Austin police to alert the public to the possibility of a hate crime.

Brian Davis, another UT spokesperson, said the university has increased patrols in West Campus since October, and he also pointed to the West Campus Ambassadors program as a measure to ensure students remain safe in the area adjacent to the college.

Davis referred the Statesman to a past statement by university President Jay Hartzell addressing the rising concerns of antisemitism and Islamophobia amid the Israel-Hamas war.

"I have zero tolerance for the antisemitic actions targeting our Jewish community or the hate-filled actions targeting our Palestinian and Muslim communities," Hartzell said in a written message Oct. 17. "Speech is protected on our campus, violence is not."

Even though Doar was not a student and the incident happened off UT's campus, Shah and Khawar said the threats faced by Muslim and Arab students on campus  and across the country  are something university officials should address to create a safe environment.

"This incident is not an isolated one," Khawar said. "The failure to recognize it as a targeted act of hatred and violence really further endangers Arab and Muslim students on campus as well as the broader Arab and Muslim community in the United States."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: UT Austin West Campus hate crime stabbing: Alum helped save victim
Rain and hail stopped the Annexus Pro-Am at Waste Management Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona on Feb. 7, 2024.

The storm system that impacted parts of California on Wednesday will bring possible isolated flooding along the Mogollon Rim of northern Arizona through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Precipitation will remain in Utah with more snow reaching lower elevations as colder air filters in and brings the possibility of rain in the Salt Lake Valley, forecasters said.

Light rain is also possible for areas of eastern Texas on Thursday before showers spread across the Mississippi Valley by Friday as a cold front slowly heads eastward, AccuWeather forecasters reported.

Meanwhile, the northern Plains can expect to see up to 6 inches of snow from a system crossing the region and the upper Midwest on Thursday. The system heading toward James Bay, Canada, will bring heavier snowfall of up to a foot over parts of Montana.

Rain showers and isolated storms are also expected across eastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois through the afternoon and evening. The service said lightning, hail and gusty winds are the primary hazards from the system.

Here is the weather forecast for Feb. 8, 2024.

Arizona weather map

US weather watches and warnings

National weather radar

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rainfall expected in Four Corners, snowfall in northern Plains
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) speaks with reporters after meeting with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) at the U.S. Capitol January 16, 2024 in Washington, DC.

WASHINGTON  Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., walked into the Senate chamber Wednesday afternoon and cast a "yes" vote on a $118 billion piece of legislation he spent Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day crafting. He was one of only four Republicans to do so.

It was the conclusion of a monthslong, bipartisan project to broker a massive border security and foreign aid deal that was derailed when former President Donald Trump  with an eye on his 2024 presidential campaign  began publicly slamming the bill before it was even released.

By the time it was unveiled Sunday night, the writing was on the wall. It was rejected by Senate Republicans less than 48 hours later when Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., declared there was "no real chance" it would become law. Even McConnell  who tapped Lankford to negotiate the deal  voted against it, and it died on the Senate floor.

It was a stunning turnaround from just three months earlier when Republicans demanded Democrats agree to a conservative border policy in exchange for additional aid for Ukraine.

During that time, Trump commanded sweeping victories in the Iowa and New Hampshire Republican presidential primaries, consolidating his control over the party. He made it clear he planned to run on immigration and came out against the deal, and many Republicans in both chambers quickly aligned behind his criticism.

The sudden pivot put Lankford in the crosshairs, from the top of the party to the grassroots.

His efforts as the lead GOP negotiator were called into question as Trump called the bill a horrible, open borders betrayal of America and House Speaker Mike Johnson pledged it was dead on arrival.

A group of more than 170 Oklahoma Republicans voted to condemn him in an unsanctioned meeting last month, accusing him of playing fast and loose with Democrats to forge a deal. Conservative commentators are portraying him as an intentionally bad actor or as a poor dupe."

"I had a popular commentator, four weeks ago that I talked to, that told me flat out... if you try to move a bill that solves the border crisis during this presidential year, I will do whatever I can to destroy you," Lankford said on the Senate floor Wednesday. "By the way, they have been faithful to their promise."

And on Monday, Trump specifically targeted Lankford, telling "The Dan Bongino Show" he did not endorse the Oklahoma lawmaker in 2022, even though he did. This is a very bad bill for his career, he said. This is lunacy, this bill.

Lankford snapped back, telling CNN: His job right now is running for president... Obviously, a chaotic border is helpful to him.

Lankford isn't the first Republican lawmaker to be burned after working across the aisle in recent months: A handful of conservative rebels ousted former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. last year as he worked with Democrats to dodge a government shutdown. McConnell also got heat from his caucus for supporting the border deal, though there's little appetite for a similar coup in the Senate.

The Senate GOP's sudden shift has underscored the power Trump still holds over the party he has transformed since he won the presidency in 2016. And it is an unusual position for the senior senator from Oklahoma, who has for years been a steady conservative presence in the Senate.

I feel like the guy standing in the middle of a field in a thunderstorm holding up a metal stick, he said last week.

He said he was surprised by his fellow conservatives reaction to the proposal that, at the time, they still hadnt seen. Once unveiled, the reaction was swift  within the first day of its release, at least half of the Republicans in the Senate said they oppose it or could only support it with changes.

This is a really intense thing. Its been divisive  thats why we havent done anything in 30 years on this. Because its difficult to be able to do and its divisive.

'Checks a lot of Republican boxes'

The wiry, red-headed senator  who before serving in Congress was a Baptist minister who led a youth camp  has a reputation as a level-headed lawmaker who is willing to work across the aisle.

Immigration policy became his specialization during his tenure in Congress, and McConnell last year selected him to represent the GOP in negotiations as the top-ranking Republican on the Homeland Security panels Government Operations and Border Management Subcommittee.

So I was the short straw when it came time to negotiate all this, he told reporters. The other lead negotiators were Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., as well as Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and representatives from the White House.

Experts say what the group delivered is one of the most conservative border policy proposals to emerge in decades, even with Democrats and independent voices at the table.

The $118 billion package would have implemented massive changes to U.S. border policy, vastly expanding detention capacity and making it harder for people to qualify for humanitarian asylum, though the process would have been limited to six months and allowed migrants to work in the country while their claim is processed.

It also would have created a new mechanism to temporarily shut down the border if illegal crossings reached a certain threshold, forced the Biden administration to continue building a border wall, and funded anti-fentanyl enforcement. The bill also allotted new aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies, a longstanding request of Biden.

Meanwhile, the package left out traditional Democratic demands in immigration bills, such as a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants already in the country or expanded protections for asylum seekers. However, it would have allowed migrants to work in the U.S. while they await a decision on their case. It was slammed by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and progressive members of Congress as merely an "enforcement" bill that could add to the chaos on the southern border.

Historically, looking at what both parties have wanted in a deal like this, this checks a lot of Republican boxes, said Casey Burgat, director of the legislative affairs program at George Washington Universitys Graduate School of Political Management.

A decade ago, the deal Lankford brokered would likely have been considered a victory by the GOP base. But in the politics of 2024  where bipartisanship is often seen as a weakness and polarization has reached new heights  the end was in sight as soon as Trump began publicly criticizing it.

Many Republicans began arguing that the deal would have allowed thousands of migrants into the country per day and that Biden should close the border without Congress' help, though that is legally murky.

"We keep learning over and over that (Trump's) sway with a broad swath of Republicans is almost absolute," Burgat said. "When he speaks out on an issue there is a rush of people to support it."

Some Republicans stand by Lankford

All but four of the Senate's 49 Republicans voted on Wednesday to block the border deal they requested in November, effectively ending its chances of becoming law this year.

As opposition to the bill solidified over the last week, Lankfords allies in the Senate were still quick to defend his reputation, even if they acknowledged that his efforts were likely to fall flat.

Sometimes I hurt for (Lankford) because I know hes working as hard as he can, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., told USA TODAY last week.

She said there were stirrings of concern before Trump weighed in, so maybe he hit a vulnerable chord within the conference. She argued that the proposal would codify some of Trumps own policies, making it harder for Biden or other presidents to pull them back.

I think it would be a victory for Trump policies, but hes obviously not buying what Im selling, I guess," she said last week. She ultimately voted against the proposal after getting "overwhelming feedback" from her constituents.

Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. said Lankford has strong conservative principles and convictions hes unflappable, hes professional.

Asked whether the lawmaker has become a cautionary tale for Republicans who want to forge bipartisan deals, Cramer said that the phenomenon of Trumps wrath derailing policy is not anything new for all of us.

Its not an insignificant consideration for a political party trying to gain control in an election year to consider the desire of their presumptive nominee. (But) I dont take a hiatus from policymaking because its inconvenient politically, he said last week. From that standpoint, it is kind of discouraging. But its also a reflection of just how narrowly divided this country is.

Even senators who have publicly slammed the bill have tried not to pin the blame on Lankford, or shifted it to McConnell: He was between a rock and a hard place, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said Monday, adding the package wont get anything done and wont get his vote.

Still, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said that the flameout of the border deal wont stop future Republicans from reaching for a bipartisan deal: I dont think it has any influence on the next one  for the players involved, maybe. But not for the institution.

Lankford may already be proving him right. He spent Monday on the television circuit, pitching Americans on the deal he had lost many sleepless nights over. That evening, he emerged from a two-hour meeting acknowledging that his peers would likely kill the bill. Hes not taking the criticism personally, but said hes not eager to seek the spotlight again.

And on Wednesday, as he headed to the Senate floor to watch his colleagues vote against his bill, Lankford said its demise reflects a problem that goes far beyond Capitol Hill.

"This is where we are as a country, more than the country wants to admit," he said. "We are a mirror... A lot of people want to solve things, but there are people on the left and the right that aren't talking to each other anymore."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The GOP tapped him to negotiate a border bill, only to tear him apart
WASHINGTON  The Senate voted Thursday afternoon to proceed to a stripped-down bill that would provide aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, one day after Republicans in the chamber rejected a bipartisan border security and foreign aid bill.

The vote of 67-32 means the Senate can begin consideration of the $95 billion package, although the next steps are uncertain and it's not yet clear it will the votes for final passage in the chamber.

This is a good first step. This bill is essential for our national security, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the floor after the vote. Failure to pass this bill would only embolden autocrats like Putin and Xi, who want nothing more than Americas decline. Now that we are on the bill, we hope to reach an amendment with our Republican colleagues on amendments.

He said the Senate would keep at it until the job is done.

While nearly all Democrats favor passage, Senate Republicans are divided on whether to approve the bill or filibuster it. They held a morning meeting to discuss their options and potential demands for amendments to wrap up passage speedily.

I think if we get on it, we should use every lever we can to get the right amendment votes, said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. Either way, its not going to be quick.

Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., who voted to proceed with the bill after opposing it on Wednesday, said Republicans discussed trying to add border amendments to the new deal, but clearly on our side of the aisle theres a lot of people that feel that the former presidents comments meant that he really didnt want to see something like that at this time. And thats held a huge amount of weight on our side.

Some senators indicated that the chamber could stay over the weekend to finish it. And Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has vowed to prevent the Senate from speeding up the process, which would require unanimous consent from all 100 senators.

You got to bring it to a conclusion and then we as a conference will have to own the outcome if we choose to halt it, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said. I think Schumer would be right to keep us here until we dispose of it. These people say we need to cool off or take a few weeks off  I dont get that.

The current effort could be the last chance to approve aid to Ukraine in the foreseeable future, a high priority for President Joe Biden that is backed by many lawmakers in Congress but opposed by a large faction of conservatives in both chambers.

If the bill passes the Democratic-led Senate, it would go to the GOP-controlled House, where prospects are also uncertain. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., did not indicate on Wednesday whether he would allow a floor vote, saying, Well see what the Senate does.

Senators prefer to wrap up the aid package before a two-week recess is scheduled to begin next week. After that, Congresss priority will be a government funding deadline in early March.

The Senate blocked the border bill in a 49-50 vote Wednesday afternoon, with just four GOP senators voting for it. Republicans filibustered the agreement they struck, saying it wouldn't do enough to combat record-high migrant crossings at the southern border after having initially called for border provisions in the bill. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., then sought to move forward with a standalone Israel and Ukraine aid package, without the border provisions.

We will adjourn until tomorrow and give our Republican colleagues the night to figure themselves out," Schumer said Wednesday evening before adjourning the Senate. "We will be coming back tomorrow at noon and hopefully that will give the Republicans the time they need. We will have this vote tomorrow.

In addition to foreign aid, the pared-down package would also include provisions targeting fentanyl trafficking, a Senate Democratic aide said.

The new foreign aid bill was met with skepticism from Senate Republicans during a lunch earlier Wednesday, three sources in the room said.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., predicted earlier Thursday the procedural vote on an aid bill would pass, without clarity on what comes next.

Then were on a midnight train to nowhere, he said.
Jessica Flores is a reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. Before joining The Chronicle in 2021, she worked for USA Today, NPR affiliate KPCC and Curbed LA. Originally from L.A., she received her masters degree in journalism from the University of Southern California and a bachelors degree from Mount Saint Marys University in Los Angeles.

She can be reached at Jessica.Flores@sfchronicle.com.
Six family members, including three children, are feared dead in a suburban Philadelphia house fire investigators believe was intentionally set ablaze during a shooting that left two police officers injured, an official said Thursday.

Police responded to a call Wednesday afternoon that an 11-year-old child had been shot in East Lansdowne, just outside Philadelphia. They were met with gunfire when they arrived at the house, and two officers sustained gunshot wounds.

Then, smoke and flames erupted at the house  a blaze authorities believe was deliberately set.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer called the search for remains in the house "gruesome," describing it as a recovery operation.

Firefighters work at the scene where two police officers were injured while responding to an incident in East Lansdowne, Pa., on Feb. 7, 2024.

What happened at the house in East Lansdowne?

Firefighters remained on the scene Thursday morning as wisps of smoke were visible from the charred remains of the house. An excavator was being used to tear down the walls left standing and scooping debris to be sifted by investigators.

Stollsteimer said it was unclear whether the initial report of an 11-year-old child being shot was authentic or a ruse to draw officers to the house. The Philadelphia Inquirer, citing law enforcement sources, reported Thursday that the shooter was likely the person who called 911; it also reported that two families related to one another lived in the house and had no prior contact with law enforcement.

"It's a crime scene, but it's a recovery operation," Stollsteimer said, adding that the investigation into who might have been in the home could take "hours, even days."

The basement of the three-story house was flooded with about six feet of water from firefighters' efforts, which were delayed until police were sure the active shooter situation was over and no additional responders would be endangered.

Authorities believe the home was set on fire by someone inside. Flames were initially seen rising from the roof and top floor before spreading to the lower levels. The fire did so much damage it may not ever be possible to determine how it started or who committed the shooting, Stollsteimer said.

Who lived at the home?

At a news conference Thursday afternoon, Stollsteimer said the Le family lived in the home and that three adults and three children were presumed dead inside. Authorities said earlier up to eight people may have been in the house.

Detectives doing what the district attorney called the "awful, horrible work of trying to find out where everybody is discovered one human torso and one rifle, Stollsteimer said. Authorities likely will have to rely on dental records to identify the dead, he said.

"It will be a gruesome, time-consuming process," he said.

Two family members whom Stollsteimer identified as the grandparents of the children and parents of two adults living in the home were outside the home when the fire broke out.

A woman identified as the grandmother of the children told 6ABC that the incident stemmed from a dispute between her son and his 13-year-old niece and that her husband took her from the house when the argument escalated. The station reported that she told them her grandchildren, ages 10, 13 and 17 were all dead.

2 police officers were shot when responding to the scene

"Two of our members were shot today in the line of duty," the Delaware County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 27 posted on social media Wednesday night. "... Our thoughts are with the officers, their friends and family as we hope for a speedy recovery. Thank you to the members who conducted a tactical rescue under fire to save the officers."

The Delaware County District Attorney's Office identified the officers Thursday.

Lansdowne Police officer David Schiazza, 54, suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and was to be released later Thursday afternoon. East Lansdowne Police officer John Meehan, 44, was shot in his left arm that required "a lengthy surgery," the agency said. His release date was still unknown as he continued to undergo treatment. Both officers are 22-year law enforcement veterans.

Lansdowne Borough Mayor Magda Byrne called the incident "one of the most tragic and scary events I have ever experienced in my 10 years as an elected official," vowing her borough's support for its neighboring town and offering thanks and support for the injured officers.

"Please hug your families a little tighter today," she added. "While you are at it, hug your neighbors too because they may need it."

Contributing: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pennsylvania house fire and shooting: 6 family members feared dead
By Steve Gorman and Brendan O'Brien

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -A final burst of heavy rain from a deadly atmospheric river storm doused California's Central Coast on Wednesday as it headed for Los Angeles, bringing a renewed threat of mudslides and floods to a region soaked for days by record downpours.

The storm's last gasp in California came as the confirmed number of storm-related fatalities statewide rose to at least six, according to the governor's Office of Emergency Services.

Up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) of rain was forecast for the Los Angeles area from the impending late-evening blast, on top of 6-13 inches that fell during a four-day stretch ending at midday Wednesday as the storm's center moved through Arizona, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

Flood-watch advisories and warnings remain posted for much of Southern California, with forecasters saying it would take little additional rain to unleash a dangerous new round of debris flows and collapsing hillsides.

"On any other day, it would be no big deal, but because the ground is so wet, we're concerned," Ryan Kittell, an NWS forecaster in Los Angeles, said of the last bit of precipitation expected late on Wednesday.

As of Tuesday evening, Los Angeles municipal officials said storm crews had responded to reports of 475 mudslides and nearly 400 toppled trees within the nation's second-most-populous city.

Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said at least three dozen buildings required inspection due to mudslide damage and hillside slope failures, with seven structures deemed unsafe for occupancy.

The onslaught of rain, coupled with heavy snow in mountain areas, will go down as one of the wettest storms to hit Southern California in more than 150 years, according to meteorologists.

Rainfall in downtown Los Angeles from Sunday through Tuesday measured more than 8.5 inches, the second-highest consecutive three-day total since records there began in 1877, according to the NWS.

The previous record was 9.2 inches in the winter of 1938. The latest three-day sum represents 60% of downtown L.A.'s yearly average rainfall, 14.25 inches.

Rainfall across the region varied markedly. The rain gauge at the University of California, Los Angeles, located in the hills of Bel Air, recorded more than a foot over three days.

Storm damage, road closures, traffic collisions and evacuations across Southern California extended far beyond the Los Angeles city limits, encompassing a sprawling seven-county area of some 21 million residents.

Some 68,000 homes and businesses in California remained without electricity as of Wednesday, according to online utility tracking service Poweroutage.us.

The storm was the product of a weather phenomenon called an atmospheric river, a vast airborne current of dense moisture funneled inland from the ocean. The latest tempest kicked off with heavy rains and powerful winds across northern and central California on Saturday before spreading to the south on Sunday.

At least three people were killed when wind toppled trees on Sunday in Sacramento, Santa Cruz and Sutter counties, authorities confirmed earlier this week.

A fourth fallen-tree death, from Sacramento County on Saturday, was added to the official tally issued on Wednesday by the Office of Emergency Services (OES), along with two vehicle fatalities on Monday in San Bernardino County, bringing the total to six.

OES also reported three deaths dating from last Thursday and Friday, apparently attributed to a weaker, shorter-lived atmospheric river that preceded the latest storm - a river drowning in San Diego, a hospice patient who died in a San Luis Obispo County power outage, and a car crash in San Mateo County.

Rain and snow from the storm also hampered attempts early on Wednesday to locate five crew members from a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter that crashed east of San Diego during a routine training flight. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department said it was not able to reach the area with its own helicopter due to the rough weather.

(Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles and Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Leslie Adler)
WASHINGTON  Special counsel Robert Hur has declined to prosecute President Joe Biden for his handling of classified documents but said in a report released Thursday that Bidens practices present serious risks to national security and added that part of the reason he wouldn't charge Biden was that the president could portray himself as an "elderly man with a poor memory" who would be sympathetic to a jury.

Our investigation uncovered evidence that President Biden willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen, the report said, but added that the evidence does not establish Mr. Bidens guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The report from Hur  who previously appointed by former President Donald Trump as one of the country's top federal prosecutors  also made clear the "material distinctions" between a theoretical case against Biden and the pending case against Trump for his handling of classified documents, noting the "serious aggravating facts" in Trump's case.

Biden said in remarks from the White House after the report was made public that he was pleased that the report cleared him.

"The decision to decline criminal charges was straightforward," Biden said.

He also said: My memorys fine.

Hurs report included several shocking lines about Bidens memory, which the report said was significantly limited during his 2023 interviews with the special counsel. Bidens age and presentation would make it more difficult to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that the now-81-year-old was guilty of willfully committing a crime.

We have also considered that, at trial, Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview of him, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory, it said. Based on our direct interactions with and observations of him, he is someone for whom many jurors will want to identify reasonable doubt. It would be difficult to convince a jury that they should convict him  by then a former president well into his eighties  of a serious felony that requires a mental state of willfulness.

Later in the report, the special counsel said that the presidents memory was worse during an interview with him than it was in recorded conversations from 2017.

He did not remember when he was vice president, forgetting on the first day of the interview when his term ended (if it was 2013  when did I stop being Vice President?), and forgetting on the second day of the interview when his term began (in 2009, am I still Vice President?), the report said.

Biden also had difficulty remembering the timing of his son Beaus death, as well as a debate about Afghanistan, the report said.

He did not remember, even within several years, when his son Beau died, the report said.

Defenders of the president quickly pointed out that he sat for the interview in the days after Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Biden, giving previously scheduled remarks on Thursday, appeared to nod to that, saying, I was in the middle of handling an international crisis.

He also added that he was especially pleased that the special counsel made clear the stark differences between this case and Donald Trump.

Andrew Weissman, who served on special counsel Robert Muellers team, said Thursday on MSNBC that Hurs decision to lodge criticisms of Bidens memory problems was gratuitous and reminded him of when former FBI Director James Comey held a news conference criticizing Hillary Clinton in the months before the 2016 election.

This is not being charged. And yet a person goes out and gives their opinion with adjectives and adverbs about what they think, entirely inappropriate, he said. I think a really fair criticism of this is, unfortunately, were seeing a redux of what we saw with respect to James Comey at the FBI with respect to Hillary Clinton in terms of really not adhering to what I think are the highest ideals of the Department of Justice.

page 131 photo hur report (Hur Report)

In a Monday letter to Hur and his deputy special counsel, Richard Sauber and Bob Bauer, Bidens personal counsel, disputed how the report characterized the presidents memory.

We do not believe that the reports treatment of President Bidens memory is accurate or appropriate, Sauber and Bauer wrote in the letter, which was also released on Thursday. The report uses highly prejudicial language to describe a commonplace occurrence among witnesses: a lack of recall of years-old events.

Separately, Sauber responded to the report by saying the White House is pleased it has concluded and that there were no criminal charges.

As the Special Counsel report recognizes, the President fully cooperated from day one, he said in a statement. His team promptly self-reported the classified documents that were found to ensure that these documents were immediately returned to the government because the President knows thats where they belong.

Sauber went on to appear to criticize the report but raised no specific points.

We disagree with a number of inaccurate and inappropriate comments in the Special Counsels report, Sauber said in his statement. Nonetheless, the most important decision the Special Counsel made  that no charges are warranted  is firmly based on the facts and evidence.

Hurs report said there were clear material distinctions between a potential case against Biden and the pending case against Trump, noting that unlike the evidence involving Mr. Biden, the allegations set forth in the indictment of Mr. Trump, if proven, would present serious aggravating facts.

hur report Pg. 126, 127, 128 SEVERAL PHOTOS OF BOXES IN WILMINGTON, DEL GARAGE Among the places Mr. Biden's lawyers found classified documents in the garage was a damaged, opened box containing numerous hanging folders, file folders, and binders.537 The box, which was labeled

Most notably, the report said, after being given multiple chances to return classified documents and avoid prosecution, Mr. Trump allegedly did the opposite. In contrast, it said, Mr. Biden turned in classified documents to the National Archives and the Department of Justice, consented to the search of multiple locations including his homes, sat for a voluntary interview, and in other ways cooperated with the investigation.

Some of the report focuses on documents about Afghanistan, from early in Barack Obamas presidency. About a month after Biden left office as vice president, in a recorded conversation with his ghostwriter in February 2017, Biden remarked that he just found all this classified stuff downstairs, the report said. He told him, Some of this may be classified, so be careful," in one recording. Biden was believed to have been referring to classified documents about the Afghanistan troop surge in 2009, which Biden opposed.

The announcement tops off a lengthy saga that began in November 2022, after one of Bidens personal attorneys found classified documents that appeared to be from the Obama administration at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, which Biden had used as a personal office after his vice presidential term concluded. Classified documents were later also found at Bidens Delaware home.

The existence of classified documents at Bidens home and former office were first reported in January 2023. CBS News first reported the existence of the documents at the Penn Biden Center.

Attorney General Merrick Garland in January 2023 announced that he would appoint Hur as special counsel to oversee the investigation into Biden, saying the appointment authorized him to investigate whether any person or entity violated the law in connection with this matter.

Biden was interviewed in October as part of the investigation, the White House said. The interview was voluntary, according to White House spokesman Ian Sams.

As we have said from the beginning, the President and the White House are cooperating with this investigation, and as it has been appropriate, we have provided relevant updates publicly, being as transparent as we can consistent with protecting and preserving the integrity of the investigation, Sams said at the time.

NBC News has also previously reported that the special counsel had interviewed Hunter Biden as well, according to a source familiar with the matter.

With Hurs announcement, Donald Trump remains the only president in history to face criminal charges, which include seven criminal charges in connection with mishandling classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago. According to the indictment in that case, Trump had more than 100 classified documents at his Florida home, including documents with Top Secret classification markings.
The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) will be the third state or territory to hold its Republican caucuses, along with Nevada, on Feb. 8. But because St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas voters will cast their ballots in an earlier time zone, their caucuses will wrap up earlier than Nevada.

Because USVI is a U.S. territory and not a state, its citizens may not vote in presidential elections. However, as U.S. citizens, the islands' residents may participate in the primaries.

Puerto Rico and the 2024 Republican presidential primaries



The U.S. territory has a total of four delegates. A winner with over 50% of the votes will get all of the delegates. If he or she wins with under 50%, the delegates will be divided proportionally.

To qualify for the ballot, candidates must pay a $20,000 fee before Sep. 30. After the deadline, additional candidates may qualify but must pay a $50,000 late fee.

Presently, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott, former President Donald Trump and Perry Johnson have all qualified for the USVI ballot.

The campaigns of former Vice President Mike Pence and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson were notified of the fee three months ago but have not qualified because they haven't paid the fee, the USVI GOP spokesperson told CBS News.

"Mike Pence didn't file in the Virgin Islands, not because they didn't know about it, but because they don't have the money," USVI GOP spokesperson Dennis Lennox told CBS News.

CBS News contacted both campaigns to ask if they plan to pay the late fee to be on the ballot. Pence's campaign said it plans to pay the fee. Hutchinson's campaign has not responded.

Editor's note: The USVI allocates four GOP delegates. An earlier version of this report said that it allocated nine.

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KYIV (Reuters) -President Volodymyr Zelenskiy replaced Ukraine's popular army chief with his ground forces commander on Thursday, a huge gamble at a time when Russian forces are gaining the upper hand nearly two years into their war.

The shakeup ushering in a new military leadership follows months of speculation about a rift between Zelenskiy and army chief General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, who many Ukrainians see as a national hero.

"As of today, a new management team takes over the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," Zelenskiy said in a statement.

He named Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi as the new head of the Armed Forces.

Syrskyi, commander of the ground forces, takes the helm amid deep uncertainty as Kyiv awaits vital military aid from the United States that has been delayed by political infighting there for months.

With Ukraine struggling to rapidly reform its army mobilisation programme, the sacking of Zaluzhnyi could deal a blow to the morale of troops on a 1,000 km front. It could also backfire politically, hurting Zelenskiy's ratings.

Polling surveys put the public's trust in Zaluzhnyi, known by some as the "Iron General", at over 90% - significantly higher than Zelenskiy's 77% late last year.

The military shakeup unfolded over a series of statements in which Zelenskiy said he had met Zaluzhnyi to discuss changes to the military leadership. He had asked the general to remain "on his team," he said.

In his own statement, Zaluzhnyi said he had an "important and serious conversation" with Zelenskiy and that a decision had been made to change battlefield tactics and strategy.

"The tasks of 2022 are different from the tasks of 2024. Therefore, everyone must change and adapt to new realities as well. To win together too," his statement said.

The two statements were published within moments of one another, suggesting that the two most prominent wartime figures in Ukraine had coordinated closely to put on a display of unity.

(Reporting by Olena Harmash and Dan Peleschuk; Tom Balmforth; editing by Angus MacSwan)
Chuck Schumer at the US Capitol building in Washington on Tuesday. Photograph: Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/Reuters

The Senate on Thursday advanced a wartime aid package for Ukraine and Israel, reviving an effort that had stalled amid Republican opposition to a border security bill they demanded and later abandoned.

A day after blocking a measure that would have paired harsh new border restrictions with security assistance for Ukraine, Israel and other US allies, the Senate voted 67 to 32 to begin consideration of the $95bn emergency aid bill. Several Republicans who voted to block the broader border package agreed to open debate on the foreign policy-only version of the measure after securing the opportunity to propose changes, including the immigration enforcement measures that were stripped out.

With Kyiv begging Washington for help battling Russian forces on the frontline, the Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer, hailed the preliminary vote as a good first step. But its prospects remained unclear as Republicans threatened to force a lengthy amendment process.

Failure to pass this bill would only embolden autocrats like [Russias Vladimir] Putin and [Chinas] Xi [Jinping], who want nothing more than Americas decline, Schumer said following the vote. He added: We are going to keep working on this bill until the job is done.

But numerous hurdles remain before the bill can pass the Senate. Some hard-right Republicans, who opposed both the bipartisan border bill and the standalone foreign aid package, made clear that they would not allow the Senate to fast-track the proposal. Their procedural maneuvering could push the timeline for the bills passage into next week.

Ill object to anything speeding up this rotten foreign spending bills passage, Senator Rand Paul, a Republican of Kentucky, said on X. Its a terrible idea to put forward and pass a bill that tries to secure other countries borders before we secure our own. We need to address our problems here at home in a REAL way.

If the Senate passes the bill, it would face further uncertainty in the House, where Republicans hold a slim majority and have been increasingly opposed to sending additional aid to Ukraine. The House Democratic leader, Hakeem Jeffries of New York, said that his caucus members were prepared to use every available legislative tool to make sure we get comprehensive national security legislation over the finish line.

The time has come for extreme Maga [Make America Great Again] Republicans and the pro-Putin caucus to end the political stunts and come together in a bipartisan manner to support Americas national security priorities, Jeffries said.

Related: Republicans standalone Israel aid bill fails in House vote

The Thursday session came a day after the Senate voted 49 to 50 against advancing the bipartisan border bill. Sixty votes were required to start debate on the bill, but 44 Senate Republicans and six of their Democratic colleagues blocked the legislation from moving forward. Just four Senate Republicans  including James Lankford, a Republican of Oklahoma, who helped broker the border deal  supported advancing the bill.

Schumer initially supported the bills advancement, but he then changed his vote, a procedural maneuver that would allow him to take up the legislation again later. In a floor speech delivered on Wednesday before the vote, Schumer criticized Republicans for opposing the bipartisan bill and accused them of doing Donald Trumps political bidding. The former president had called on Republicans to oppose the border deal out of concern for how it might affect the presidential race and his campaigns focus on the issue of immigration.

Donald Trump doesnt like that the Senate finally reached a bipartisan border deal. So he has demanded Republicans kill it, Schumer said. He thinks its far better to keep the border in chaos so he can exploit it for personal political gains. And Senate Republicans  vertebrae nowhere to be found  are ready to blunder away our best chance of fixing the border in order to elevate what they see as the interests of Donald Trump above the interests of the country.

Many Democrats expressed exasperation with Republicans insistence that the foreign aid package include border security provisions just one day after they killed a proposal that would address both issues. Following the failed vote on Wednesday, the senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat of Connecticut and a member of the negotiating team, attacked Republicans as dysfunctional.

The American people want us to solve tough problems like fixing the broken asylum system, and its shameful Republicans would rather yell about the border on cable news than pass legislation, Murphy said. But the future of global stability and desperately needed humanitarian aid hangs in the balance, so I am ready to pass a supplemental funding bill with or without the border provisions.
The US supreme court appeared skeptical of a Colorado decision removing Donald Trump from the states primary ballot during nearly two hours of oral arguments on Thursday. It seems poised to rule Trump is not constitutionally disqualified from running for president.

The case is perhaps the most high-stakes legal dispute to arrive at the court this century and thrusts the court to the center of a politically charged election. A majority of justices, including some from the courts liberal wing, voiced concern about the chaos that would ensue if they allowed states to decide whether to disqualify candidates from the ballot.

What do you do with the, what would seem to be, the big, plain consequences of your position? If Colorados position is upheld, surely there will be disqualification proceedings on the other side and some of those will succeed, the chief justice, John Roberts, asked Jason Murray, the lawyer who argued on behalf of the Colorado voters.

I would expect that a goodly number of states will say whoever the Democratic candidate is, youre off the ballot, and others, for the Republican candidate, youre off the ballot. It will come down to just a handful of states that are going to decide the presidential election. Thats a pretty daunting consequence, Roberts added.

Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, two of the courts liberal justices, echoed Roberts line of questioning. While the constitution grants states an enormous amount of power, Kagan said to Murray, there are some national questions where states are not the responsitory of authority. Whats a state doing deciding who other citizens get to vote for for president?, she said.

The case, Donald J Trump v Norma Anderson et al, came about after six Colorado voters filed a lawsuit last year alleging Trump was ineligible to run for president under a little-used provision of the constitutions 14th amendment. The provision says that any member of Congress or officer of the United States who takes an oath to defend the constitution and subsequently engages in insurrection is barred from holding office. The ban can only be overridden by a two-thirds vote by both chambers of Congress.

Related: Republican National Committee wants Nikki Haley to drop out to boost funds

Trumps conduct during the January 6 Capitol attack disqualifies him from holding federal office, the Colorado voters claimed in their suit, filed last year in state court. After a five-day trial, a judge found Trump had engaged in insurrection, but was not an officer of the United States and declined to remove him from the ballot. In a 4-3 decision in December, the Colorado supreme court reversed that ruling and barred him from the ballot. The US supreme court agreed to hear the case in January.

Much of Thursdays argument focused on whether states have the power to enforce section 3 on their own and exclude a candidate from the ballot without Congress first passing a statute with an enforcement mechanism.

Aside from a single question from Jackson, there was no discussion of Trumps conduct on 6 January 2021 and whether it constituted an insurrection. Instead, nearly all of the justices suggested that a state could not disqualify Trump from the ballot absent some action from Congress.

I guess my question is why the framers would have designed a system that could result in interim disuniformity in this way where we have elections pending and different states suddenly saying, you are eligible, youre not on the basis of this kind of thing, Jackson said.

While there have been several suits seeking to remove Trump from the ballot, only Colorado and Maine have done so thus far. A Maine judge last month ordered the secretary of state there to hold off on excluding Trump until the US supreme court issued a decision.

It is generally believed that Trump has the upper hand at the court, where conservatives have a 6-3 supermajority and Trump nominated three of the justices.

In their briefing to the supreme court, Trumps lawyers have claimed there will be chaos and bedlam in the US if a leading presidential candidate is blocked from the ballot. They gave an array of arguments to the justices for why he should not be disqualified, including that the word officer does not apply to the president and that he did not engage in insurrection.

A decision upholding the Colorado supreme courts ruling would not automatically remove Trump from the ballot across the country. While some states have rebuffed efforts to remove Trump from the primary ballot, a supreme court saying Trump can be disqualified would probably set off a flurry of fast challenges in state courts and other tribunals to disqualify him from the ballot in the general election.

In our system of government of the people, by the people, [and] for the people, the American people  not courts or election officials  should choose the next President of the United States, Trumps lawyers wrote.

The Colorado voters, backed by the left-leaning non-profit Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (Crew), argue that it is absurd to claim the 14th amendment does not apply to the presidency and that it would be a danger to democracy to allow him to hold office again.

The reason were here is [Trump tried] to disenfranchise 80 million Americans who voted against him, and the constitution doesnt require that you be given another chance, Murray said.

The 14th amendment was enacted after the civil war to bar former Confederates from holding office and has never been used to bar a presidential candidate. In 2022, the amendment was used to remove a New Mexico county commissioner from office, the first time it had been used that way in a century.

The case marks the courts most direct intervention in a presidential election since its controversial decision in Bush v Gore in 2000. Seeking to preserve its reputation as an apolitical body, the court is usually hesitant to get involved in heated political disputes, but the arrival of the Trump case makes the courts intervention in the most controversial of political cases unavoidable. It comes as public confidence in the court continues to decline amid a series of ethics scandals and politically charged decisions.

While the court appeared poised to allow Trump to remain on the ballot, the rationale it chooses will be significant. A decision on procedural grounds that does not definitively say whether or not Trump is disqualified could lead to chaos after the election if Trump wins, Murray warned.

If this court concludes that Colorado did not have the authority to exclude President Trump from the presidential ballot on procedural grounds, I think this case would be done, but I think it could come back with a vengeance, he said. Because ultimately members of Congress may have to make the determination after an election if President Trump wins, about whether or not hes disqualified from office and whether to count votes cast for him.
Vornado is recalling two million garment steamers sold by retailers nationwide because they can spew hot water while heating or in use, posing a serious burn hazard to those nearby.

The recall involves Steamfast, Vornado and Sharper Image-branded steamers sold at retailers including Bed Bath & Beyond, Walmart and Amazon, according to the notice posted Thursday by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Vornado has received 122 reports of hot water spraying or spitting from the steam nozzle, including 23 reports of burn injuries, the Andover, Kansas-based importer of the products manufactured in China stated.

Sold for between $14 and $35 from July 2009 to January 2024, the recalled steamers include:

Steamfast model numbers SF-425, SF-435, SF-440, SF-445, and SF-447Vornado model number VS-410Sharper Image model number SI-428

/ Credit: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

People who purchased the recalled products should stop using them and contact Vornado for a refund or a replacement steamer, depending on the model. The company can be reached at 888-240-2768 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at vornado.com/recalls/hhgs.

In addition to the roughly 2 million steamers sold in the United States, another roughly 13,000 were sold in Canada, according to the company.

Vornado in December recalled an additional 1.75 million Steamfast travel steam irons due to fire, burn and shock hazards, adding to about 275,000 previously recalled in April.

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The teens elected to the Missouri Girls State mock Supreme Court take a celebratory selfie in the documentary "Girls State."

An eagerly-awaited lineup of coming attractions is here, with the True/False Film Fest revealing its 2024 roster of films Wednesday afternoon.

This year's festival, to be held Feb. 29-March 3 in venues around downtown Columbia, will present 31 feature-length films and 25 shorts, curated from around 1400 submissions and "hundreds more scouted from festivals around the world," True/False said in a news release.

Entering its 21st year, True/False has earned a reputation for curating a deep and wide program of nonfiction films; here, more conventional documentaries mingle with artful dodgers playing in and around categories of empirical and emotional truth.

"These films all carry the fingerprints of their authors and use the nonfiction form to reflect on the breadth of the human experience, whether that be on a macro or micro scale," artistic director Chloe Trayner said in the release.

"These filmmakers all utilize their gaze in surprising and transformative ways, and this manifests in a multitude of forms; by bearing witness, acting as a catalyst, pushing for accountability or offering reconciliation. These films are full of heart, prompts and paradoxes, and we cant wait to share them with our audiences."

More: True/False Film Fest is less than a month away. Here's what to know before you go

While True/False historically isn't caught up in the race to premiere films, this year's fest counts six world premieres, one international premiere and eight American premieres.

Among the world premieres: director Lance Oppenheim's "Spermworld," self-described as "a road movie set inside the new wild west of baby making"; Rachel Elizabeth Seed's "A Photographic Memory," which brushes against matters of family, memory and art within the world of photography; Elizabeth Nichols' "Flying Lessons," about the life of artist-activist Philly Abe; and Michael Toledano's "Yintah," about a First Nations leader pushing back against the encroaching oil and gas industry.

As is its custom, True/False also turns to titles already making waves in the documentary world. Angela Patton and Natalie Rae's "Daughters" received the U.S. Documentary Audience Award and Festival Favorite Award at this year's Sundance Film Festival; the film follows four girls preparing "for a special Daddy Daughter Dance with their incarcerated fathers, as part of a unique fatherhood program in a Washington D.C. jail," Sundance noted.

"Union," from veteran fest directors Stephen Maing ("Crime and Punishment") and Brett Story ("The Hottest August"), won this year's U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for the Art of Change at Sundance.

"Without oversimplifying the struggle  both inner and outer  this film reminds us that we do have a choice, that we can organize and fight for what is just," the Sundance jury said of the labor film.

Director Jazmin Jones seeks the whereabouts of the Haitian-born cover model of a popular typing game from the 1980s and '90s in the documentary "Seeking Mavis Beacon," which will play this year's True/False Film Fest.

Films will arrive in Columbia from locations across the globe, including Iran, Germany, Denmark, Brazil and more.

As previously announced, several True/False films and filmmakers will receive special attention. Set in Missouri, "Girls State" is the natural follow-up to directors Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss' acclaimed "Boys State" and is this year's Show Me True/False film.

This year's True Life Fund film, which draws viewers into a significant story and then asks them to aid the subject through tangible means, is director Yousef Srouji's "Three Promises."

And Madagascar-born filmmaker Michael Andrianaly will bring his latest, "Gwetto," as well as previous work as part of his designation as this year's True Vision awardee.

More:Here's a closer look and listen at this year's True/False Film Fest music roster

Of the 65 filmmakers who will be represented at this year's festival, "35 self-identify as women or non-binary filmmakers, and 30 of the filmmakers self-identify as people of color," the fest noted.

True/False pass-holders will be able to reserve seats for screenings, beginning Sunday, depending on their pass level. The reservation queue is as follows:

Feb. 11 : Super Circle reservations

Feb. 13: Silver Circle

Feb. 14: Center and Stay Up Late (the latter is music showcases only)

Feb. 16: Spring

Feb. 17: Classic

Once pass-holders take turns, tickets will go public to general audiences at 10 a.m. Feb. 19. To find a full film program, and learn more, visit https://truefalse.org/.

Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731. He's on Twitter/X @aarikdanielsen.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: True/False Film Fest announces deep, wide 2024 lineup
On February 3, in a major development in the North of Ireland, Sinn Fein leader Michelle ONeill was named as the First Minister as part of a power-sharing agreement that ended a two-year-long political impasse.

The political legislature, the Stormont, was in limbo for over two years due to a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) boycott over a disagreement with the UK governments post-Brexit trade agreement, the Northern Ireland Protocol (NIP). Paul Givan, the then-first minister from the DUP, resigned on February 3, 2022, in protest against the NIP.





Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill speaks at a party conference on Irish unity in Dublin. Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters





In the elections for the Stormont held shortly after, on May 5, 2022, Sinn Fein emerged as the largest party with 27 seats, ahead of the DUP, which slid to second place with 25 seats.





Since then, the DUP, in a bid to save face, has decided not to participate in talks on government formation until the Tory government passed the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill in the UK Parliament. The pro-UK, loyalist DUP desperately pressed the Conservative national government to make legal interventions to bypass parts of the NIP, which came into effect as part of Brexit.





Emma Little-Pengelly of the DUP was nominated as deputy first minister, and former DUP leader Edwin Poots was elected as Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Matthew OToole from the Social Democratic and Labor Party was confirmed as leader of the official opposition.





ONeill is the first Irish nationalist to lead the United Kingdom-controlled territory since it was partitioned from Ireland in 1921.





from the Peoples Dispatch / Globetrotter News Service


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YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 8, ARMENPRESS. Armenia exported goods worth over $8,4 billion in 2023, a 55,3% growth compared to 2022.

Exports to fellow Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) countries grew, while exports to EU countries dropped, according to the Statistical Committee.

Armenian exports to EEU countries grew 40,8% and comprised over $3,6 billion, and exports to EU countries dropped 8,2%, comprising $709,5 million.

Most of the exports went to Russia ($3,4 billion, an increase of 38,8%).

Exports to other EEU countries also grew; exports to Kyrgyzstan stood at $27,3 million (4,8 times growth), exports to Kazakhstan stood at $71,3 million (3,8 times growth), and exports to Belarus stood at $91,9 million (19,5% growth).

Despite the overall drop, exports to individual EU countries grew significantly. The Netherlands is Armenias 4th top export destination (after Russia, UAE and China), with exports comprising $234,1 million (9% growth).

Armenian exports to Slovakia stood at $42,9 million (75,8% growth). Exports to Lithuania doubled and stood at $22,6 million. Exports to Spain, Cyprus, Hungary, Czechia, Sweden and Portugal also grew. However, exports to France dropped 3,2% and stood at $9,5 million. Armenian exports to Germany dropped 17,4% and comprised $87,5 million. Exports to Italy and Poland also dropped in 2023.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 8, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has met in The Hague with the Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Hanke Bruins Slot.

The foreign ministers exchanged views around prospects of expanding the Armenian-Dutch bilateral agenda and political dialogue, the foreign ministry said in a readout.

The steps made in the direction of strengthening democracy and the rule of law in Armenia and the readiness for further bilateral cooperation in this direction were underscored. Armenias accession to the ICC was noted with satisfaction in this context, as well as in context of fighting impunity.

Issues pertaining to the Armenia-EU partnership were discussed.

FM Mirzoyan attached importance to the continuous development of partnership in various directions, including for further strengthening of Armenias resilience.

The FMs also discussed the latest developments and the general security situation in the South Caucasus.

Foreign Minister Mirzoyan presented to his Dutch counterpart Armenias vision of establishing stability and peace in the region. Speaking about the course of the work around the draft peace treaty, FM Mirzoyan said that the process requires not only Armenias but also Azerbaijans unambiguous commitment around key issues. FM Mirzoyan underscored the fundamental principles for Armenia in the normalization process with Azerbaijan, namely the importance of unwavering adherence to territorial integrity and inviolability of borders. In context of the unblocking of transport and economic routes in the region and Armenias agenda of peace, FM Mirzoyan highlighted the well-known principles of the Crossroads of Peace project.

The Armenian and Dutch foreign ministers agreed to continue active contacts and discussions around all issues of mutual interest.
U.S. and British forces carried out nearly a dozen airstrikes inside Yemen on February 4, targeting the capital Sanaa and the Hudaydah port. The fresh round of attacks followed dozens of strikes on February 3, and deadly attacks on Syria and Iraq on February 2.

Yahya Saree, the spokesperson of the Yemeni armed forces, said that on February 3, at least 48 airstrikes targeted locations in Sanaa, Hudaydah, Taiz, and Saada, among other places in the Ansarallah-governed areas of the country.





A guard sits on the rubble of the house of Brigadier Fouad al-Emad, an army commander loyal to the Houthis, after air strikes destroyed it in Sanaa, Yemen on June 15, 2015.Khaled Abdullah / Reuters





U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) acknowledged the February 4 attacks inside Yemen, claiming that these actions will protect freedom of navigation and announced that their forces had identified Yemeni missile launch sites and determined that they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. Earlier, CENTCOM stated that 36 strikes were carried out on 13 different locations inside Yemen on February 3.





Saree warned that the Yemeni armed forces would retaliate. He also reiterated the Yemeni position that no amount of attacks by the U.S. and the UK would dissuade them from their moral, religious, and humanitarian stance in solidarity with the resilient Palestinian people in Gaza.





Ansarallah has been targeting Israel-bound ships passing through Bab-al-Mandab and the Red Sea since November, following the start of the Israeli offensive against Gaza. It has repeatedly stated that it would not end the attacks on Israel-bound ships until the war on Gaza stops.





from the Peoples Dispatch / Globetrotter News Service
Modi also commended Singh's dedication to his duties, citing the example of him coming to the House on a wheelchair to cast his vote

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the significant contributions of his predecessor, former prime minister Manmohan Singh and emphasised Singh's enduring impact on the House and the nation. "I would especially like to remember Dr. Manmohan Singh ji. For six times he has been a member of this House and has made a huge contribution to this House with his valuable thoughtsAs a leader and also as the Leader of the Opposition, he has made a very big contribution.whenever our democracy will be discussed, he will be one of those few esteemed members whose contribution will always be remembered, Modi said.

Modi also commended Singh's dedication to his duties, citing the inspiring example of him coming to the House on a wheelchair to cast his vote. Singh, who has served six terms in the Rajya Sabha since 1991, is currently representing Rajasthan, with his term set to conclude on April 3, 2024.

I believe he came to impart strength to democracy, Modi said, as he conveyed his good wishes for the former prime minister's long and healthy life.

He urged both incumbent and future members of Parliament to seek guidance from their senior counterparts and learn from their life experiences and career accomplishments. The occasion marked the bidding adieu to members retiring from the Rajya Sabha, with Modi praising their contributions and highlighting the legacy they leave behind.

The Prime Minister lauded the commitment of MPs during the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic, praising their dedication to the functioning of the House despite uncertainties. He also expressed condolences for those members who lost their lives to the virus, highlighting the House's resilience and determination to move forward.

Quoting ancient scriptures, Modi emphasised the importance of surrounding oneself with good company, which fosters positive qualities and virtues. He recounted personal experiences shared by other ministers, including recollections of guidance from late Arun Jaitley and lessons in parliamentary discipline from senior politicians like K.C. Tyagi.

Retiring member Jaya Bachchan fondly remarked on the sense of family she experienced during her tenure, while former Union minister Prakash Javadekar highlighted achievements in clearing defence projects pending due to environmental clearances. Union minister Bhupender Yadav called for future strengthening of committee workings in the Upper House to foster political consensus.

Minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan expressed gratitude to the party leadership and the Maharashtra legislature for his nomination to the Rajya Sabha, citing it as a testament to Prime Minister Modi's admiration and affection towards Kerala.
Congress attacked the government on rising prices, unemployment, subversion of institutions and "discrimination" against the non-BJP states

Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikajun Kharge speaks during the Budget session of Parliament. (PTI)

New Delhi: Congress president Malllikarjun Kharge on Thursday released a 54-page "black paper" indicting the Centre of 10 years' of "injustice". In its "chargesheet", the Congress attacked the government on rising prices, unemployment, subversion of institutions and "discrimination" against the non-BJP states. Responding, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his characteristic style, took a swipe at the Congress and referred to the black paper as "kaala teeka" to ward off the evil eye from the good work being done by his government.

We are bringing out a black paper against the government. Whenever Mr Modi presents his views in Parliament, he hides his failures. At the same time, when we speak about the failures of the government, it is not given importance. Therefore, we thought of bringing out a black paper and telling the public about the failures of the government," Mr Kharge, who was flanked by party leaders Pawan Khera and Syed Naseer Hussain, said at a press conference at his residence here.

The black paper highlights social, economic and political "injustices" committed during the Modi government's tenure. "The Modi government's 10 years in power have devastated the country's economy, aggravated unemployment, destroyed the country's agricultural sector, abetted crimes against women and committed grave injustices against minorities in the country," the Congress alleged in its black paper.

Under the "economic injustice" segment, the black paper talks about the "unemployment crisis", lack of jobs and low labour force participation. "The Modi government is silent on price rise...The prices of petrol, diesel and daily essentials have reached record levels," the black paper claims.

Terming the 2016 demonetisation move as a blunder, the party said, "Even seven years after the disastrous demonetisation, its economic effects continue to haunt the country."

Attacking Mr Modi, Mr Kharge said he talks of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi when asked about the price rise, but they are ruling now and they should answer what they have done".

The Congress president pointed out that it was Modi's guarantee to provide 2-crore jobs and ensure MSP for farmers. Since he has failed, now the Prime Minister should say he could not do it, but instead he has come up with new guarantees.

"The Congress ensured the country's Independence and in 2024, it will take the country out of the BJP's 'darkness of injustice'," he said.

Accusing the BJP government of "finishing democracy", Mr Kharge said, "There is a danger to democracy in the country."

The Congress president accused the BJP of attempting and also toppling elected governments. "They tried to do this in Jharkhand also, but we stopped them," he said, alleging that the Modi government discriminated against the non-BJP states over the last decade.

Hitting back, Mr Modi said: "The country has reached new heights in the last 10 years. We take it (black paper) as kala teeka to help ward off the evil eye."

Mr Modi said Mr Kharge, being an elder, has put this kaala teeka for the good work being done by our government in the country's progress.

Referring to the black robes earlier worn by the Opposition MPs in the House as a mark of protest, Mr Modi said, "We also saw a fashion parade in the Rajya Sabha when some members came in black clothes."
Kejriwal joins protest, Congress missing

From left to right, Communist party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Communist party of India leader D. Raja and National Conference party President Farooq Abdullah participate in protest against the alleged attacks on federalism, in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. (AP Photo)

New Delhi: Accusing the Centre of allocating lesser funds and violating the federal structure by interfering in the governance of states through governors and L-Gs and harassing the Opposition chief ministers and leaders through Central agencies, the I.N.D.I.A. bloc parties came together on Thursday in the national capital to protest against the BJP-led Central government. The BJP termed the protest a political drama with the intention of creating a South versus North narrative.

On Wednesday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaiah protested against the Union government's Budget allocation. The Congress, which raised similar issues at their protest a day earlier, was absent, raising questions over the Opposition unity and future of INDIA bloc ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

On Thursday, the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, barring the Congress, gathered at the same venue to protest against the Centre's fiscal policy. Among those present at the protest at Jantar Mantar were leaders and lawmakers from the Left Democratic Front of Kerala led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwat Mann, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, DMK leaders Tiruchi Siva and Palanivel Thiagarajan, Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary Sitaram Yechury and Communist Party of India general secretary D. Raja and Samajwadi Party-backed independent Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibbal.

The DMK MPs also protested within the Parliament complex by wearing black clothes.

Speaking at the protest, Kejriwal accused the BJP-led Central government of harassing the Opposition chief ministers by obstructing work through governors and L-Gs, stopping funds and using Central agencies to harass.

The Centre has waged a war against the Opposition governments that represent 70-crore people in the country, Kejriwal said.

The Delhi Chief Minister added that the protest is not for "begging or asking for anything for our families". He said: "I have come here to ask for the rights of 2-crore people. If you do not give us funds, how will we build roads, provide electricity and work for development?"

Citing Punjab's instance, the AAP national convener said the state government had to go to the Supreme Court for the release of rural development funds.

Kejriwal alleged that the governors are meddling with state subjects in the Opposition-ruled states and agencies like the ED are being used to frame the Opposition leaders.

"They have arrested Hemant Soren; now they can arrest even me. They can arrest anyone and send him to jail to topple the government. I want to ask the BJP not to be arrogant. A time can come when we will be there (in power) and you will be here (in Opposition) and the same laws can come to haunt you," Kejriwal said.

The Kerala chief minister also accused the Central government of not giving states their due share of taxes and using governors in the Opposition-ruled states to disrupt the functioning of the governments. Speaking at the protest, Vijayan said their protest was to save federalism in the country and to ensure that the interests of the people of the state are protected.

"We have all come together to register our strong protest against this and to preserve the federal structure of India. Today we are marking the beginning of a renewed fight that will herald a dawn of ensuring equitable treatment of the states. Over the years, the Union has been making laws that encroach upon the states' powers and duties in several sectors, even on law and order," he said.

Vijayan said that in the Opposition-ruled states, governors are acting at the "behest" of the Union government and disrupting the state government's work.

"We have seen gubernatorial excesses in Punjab, West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and so on. In many states, including Kerala, we have seen governors trying to overreach their constitutional mandate by meddling with the autonomy of the legislature," the Kerala CM said.

This is a democratic protest against discrimination against states. Taking into account the interests of our people, we can't be quiet. All these issues need to be addressed in such a way that India flourishes in a union of states, not a Union over states, he said.

On the Kerala CM's protest against the Union government alleging unequal devolution of taxes to the southern states, Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, "A political drama is being enacted in a coordinated effort by the three partners of the I.N.D.I.A. alliance... Their single-point agenda is to create a narrative of South vs North... This is nothing but a political drama to cover up their incompetence and corruption. Kerala is the most economically mismanaged state in the country. By their own admission in the Supreme Court, they have admitted that between 2016 and 2023, Kerala has run up a loss of `1,10,000 crores... Kerala is on the verge of bankruptcy. Because without Middle East remittances, Kerala's economy will be worse than the Sri Lankan economic crisis..."

"Is this I.N.D.I.A. alliance or a "deemak alliance" or a corrupt alliance? A few months back Rs 352 crores was seized by the I-T department from the premises of Congress MP Dhiraj Sahu. But neither Mallikarjun Kharge nor Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi uttered a word. After that, former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren received 10 ED summonses for land scams and forgery in excise records. A BMW car was seized from the Delhi residence of Soren. Now, it is reported that the BMW car was registered under the name of Sahu. All these corrupt people are colluding. They think that when they come together, the strong and honest government and the Central agencies will be scared..." said BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia.

Siva, who participated on behalf of the DMK and Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin, to show solidarity for the protest, said, The BJP-led Union government is behaving with an authoritarian approach and suppressing the states ruled by the Opposition parties... The Union government is assuming more and more powers... Even the unanimously passed legislation from Assemblies isn't getting the assent of governors.

The Union government is trying to strangulate the states financially and politically. We are all united in resisting and defeating the anti-federal, anti-secular RSS-BJP to protect the secular, democratic character of our Republic,
BJP's relentless expansion, alleged election rigging & strategic political moves cast shadow on democratic integrity & opposition resilience

The BJP is, of course, a party in a hurry. Not content with the tag of becoming the worlds largest party, it still wants to spread far and wide in every nook and corner of the country. That too at breakneck speed. Like the late Dhirubhai Ambanis Only Vimal punchline for his textile brand, the worlds largest democracy should have Only BJP, or so goes the underlying understated argument.

This causes accidents, as happened in the Chandigarh mayoral election recently. The BJP won the controversial election, but the AAP and the Congress have alleged that it was rigged as eight of their votes had been declared invalid. The matter has gone to the Supreme Court, and the Chief Justice of India and other judges had some harsh things to say about the conduct of the returning officer. A hearing is coming up in the apex court later this month. The Opposition fears that if the BJP can go to such an extent in a mayoral election, what would it do in the Lok Sabha polls that is looming ahead. A tainted election has cast a shadow on the conduct of the Lok Sabha election. Trust goes for a toss when an election becomes tainted.

Interestingly, all accidents do not happen accidentally. Everything is fair in love, war and elections, or so goes the ruling partys belief ever since Narendra Modi emerged on the national scene a decade back.

A prominent Opposition party sought an appointment with the Election Commission on the EVM issue, but has yet to get time for the past four months. There are reports that a state-owned undertaking which makes EVMs has four leaders from the BJP as directors.

The Prime Minister needs a third term almost as a right. The Opposition looks like a babe in the woods caught in a deep dark web. The BJPs bulldozer strategy is aimed at seeing itself entrenched in power even till 2047, when India celebrates 100 years of Independence. The pot is being kept boiling after the inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir. The Gyanvapi Masjid is back in the news, and a puja is being allowed in some parts of it. The Uniform Civil Code issue is being hotted up in some BJP-ruled states, while the government says implementation of the controversial CAA will soon start. The PM will also inaugurate a temple in Abu Dhabi this month, which will be used as a booster to Ayodhya.

Despite the ED, CBI, I-T department and other investigative agencies working overtime, the likes of Mamata Banerjee, Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav and Arvind Kejriwal are busy protecting their turf, unconcerned or unaware about the big picture. Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Sorens forced resignation, and arrest by the ED, has given quite a few anxious moments to the Opposition.

Whether true or false, Arvind Kejriwal claims he is being harassed for not joining the BJP bandwagon. The BJPs dream of total domination is sought to be realised by tightening the screws on non-BJP governments.

Those who never participated in the freedom struggle now feel it is childs play to divide and rule till eternity. It is a strange and chilling thought in a parliamentary democracy.

The Centre has spent over Rs 1.5 crore on setting up photo booths at railway stations where the public can take selfies with images of Narendra Modi, apparently aimed at showing to the world that there is only one leader around when India is at the cusp of change.

The media, especially television, is bent on virtually ignoring the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, lest the message go out that an effort, however feeble, is on to build an alternative narrative.

At such a challenging time, Bihar, which has always stood with anti-establishment politics, has turned topsy-turvy. Known for its politically intense character, the state has now become the key base for the ruling establishment, with chief minister Nitish Kumar changing sides almost overnight. The Paltu Ram from Patna is poking fun at the Opposition, whose PM candidate he had sought to become not too long ago.

Mr Kumar, despite having the tag of the longest-serving Bihar CM, might go down in history as the slimiest character in socialist politics, who colluded with the ruling establishment when much was at stake for Indian democracy. His departure is a huge blow for the Oppositions INDIA bloc which, paradoxically, he had initially helped to establish.

Some claim that Mr Kumar, a loner, is unwell and that is affecting the health of Indian democracy. If true, that is a much deeper tragedy.

There is a method in the madness of what has happened in Maharashtra over a year back and still looks like a work in progress. Two regional parties in the state have been split to allow greater leverage for the BJP in the state. The BJPs problem is that despite catapulting from No. 4 position to No. 1 in the wake of the emergence of Narendra Modi on the national scene in May 2014, it has failed to come to power on its own in the state. The Hindu Hriday Samrat from neighbouring Gujarat is unable to make deep inroads in Maharashtra, which has long remained Congress-minded.

Hence, the Shiv Sena, the oldest ideological ally of the BJP, is sought to be decimated, decapitated and demolished bit by bit through the rebellion of Eknath Shinde, now chief minister. The fault of Uddhav Thackeray was that instead of remaining a satellite in the Modi-led BJP, he tried the experiment of tying up with the Congress through Sharad Pawar. Both are now marked men for the BJP in Maharashtra and so the situation is becoming messier by the day.

Bihar, like Maharashtra, has been a difficult nut to crack for the BJP despite getting substantial numbers in the Lok Sabha in the past decade. The inability to throw up a state leader so far has brought the BJP to the door of Nitish Kumar over the past two decades. Mr Kumar and his party are at their lowest ebb since the last Assembly polls and therefore it is time for the BJP to make the most of the situation through the new arrangement in the Lok Sabha polls.

It has long been the BJPs dream to turn Bihar and Maharashtra like their neighbours Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. The Mumbai-Chandigarh via Patna Express shows that the battle for dominance is intensifying every day.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Olzas Bektenov, 43 years old and close to President Tokaev, has been appointed to take the place of the recently disolved government. Astana aims for 'renewal', drawing a line under period that began woth 'bloody January' of 2022 that had led to the appointment of Alikhan Smailov as premier. The unknown of the delicate relations with Moscow and Beijing.

Astana (AsiaNews) - After the sudden resignation of the entire Astana government by President Kasym-Zomart Tokaev, the ruling Amanat party has equally unexpectedly proposed the candidacy of Olzas Bektenov as prime minister. Initially, the outgoing prime minister Alikhan Smailov was replaced by his deputy, the Ukrainian Roman Skljar; but there wasn't even time to question the relationship between the acting president and the president, before the figure of the 43-year-old head of the presidential administration emerged, evidently one of the people closest to Tokaev himself.

As many commentators observe, Bektenov is known for his very decisive and uncompromising positions, and now a large turnover of the ministers themselves is expected. The promotions of several other protagonists of Kazakh politics had been hypothesized, such as the akim (mayor) of Almaty Erbolat Dosaev, the ex-energy minister Kanat Bozumbaev or the deputy prime minister Serik Zumangarin, but also the speaker of the Mazilis Erlan Kosanov, Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, the akim of Astana Zenis Kasymbek or the governor of the Mangistau region, Nurlan Nogaev.

Olzas Bektenov is first and foremost a general of the anti-corruption service, and his appointment indicates a clear desire to do "big cleansing" at all levels of state administrations. As head of the presidential structure, he further distinguished himself as an excellent organizer, and his promotion was also driven by news in recent days of new investigations which also reach members of the government, such as the one concerning the deputy minister for ecology and Natural Resources Mansur Osarbaev.

The president's move aims to give further acceleration to the much-vaunted construction of the "new Kazakhstan", which risked remaining mired in the struggles between the various castes of power and evildoing. Bektenov has already achieved many successes in the search and confiscation of the assets of high officials hidden abroad, and brought back to his homeland to a considerable extent, and we await the assignment of new powers to the tax and police bodies. The new government is expected to be decidedly more streamlined, reducing the number of deputy prime ministers (up to now there were six) and the ministries themselves.

However, some doubt the new prime minister's abilities in the economic and geopolitical fields, given the delicate relations with the member countries of organizations such as the EAES and the SCO, where Russia and China dominate, and where too rigid political lines cannot be imposed. Kazakhstan's modernization often clashes with the different conditions of ongoing conflicts and conflicting interests between world powers and the Central Asian countries themselves.

Bektenov's appointment also takes on a symbolic value, as the definitive closure of the Kandy Kantar period, the "Bloody January" 2022, which led to the appointment of Alikhan Smailov as prime minister. The now ex-premier was still a trusted man of the "eternal president" Nursultan Nazarbaev, who somehow still seemed to control the situation through him. Now the resigning prime minister thanks Tokaev for "having directed the government's work towards reforms, guaranteeing safe and stable social and economic development for the country".

The government's initial move to pacify Kazakh society in 2022 was the imposition of a fixed fuel price, maintained for 180 days, given that the Kantar riots were born from that factor. In these two years, however, many problems have remained unresolved, such as that of the unstable functioning of heating systems, which has left several regions freezing in recent months, or the negotiations with the Arcelor Mittal company, after the accidents that caused dozens of victims. A turning point is needed, and we will see how much "strongman" Bektenov will be able to ensure unity between the president, the government and the population.
by Arundathie Abeysinghe

The environmentalists' denounce the destruction of the Palaviya area destroyed due to the negligence (and connivance) of the ruling class over the past 20 years. An environmental excellence, with an outstanding variety of flora and fauna. At least 4,000 hectares of plantation have been lost since 2010. Also a ring of false documents behind the allocation of (protected) land for cultivation.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - Environmentalist groups accuse the authorities and ruling class for the destruction of the mangroves in the Palaviya area, part of the Puttalam lagoon, near the Old Hamilton Canal, guilty of negligence because in the last 20 years they have done nothing to prevent the havoc.

Despite the damage, the area still remains one of the most characteristic lagoon systems in Sri Lanka, with a variety of fish of the highest order. All around the area you can also find 16 authentic varieties of mangroves and 12 other plants belonging to the mangrove community. For environmentalists, immediate intervention by the Forestry Department is necessary to curb destruction that could have devastating consequences.

Mangroves are an important coastal ecosystem that has an impact on human life and nourishes biodiversity, as a nursery for numerous coastal and marine species, as well as guaranteeing support for fishing.

They also provide a buffer to coastal communities against extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes, stabilize coastlines and provide a shield against the effects of climate change, including coastal erosion and sea level rise. In addition, they provide housing, protection and food for all types of species, including fish, conserve coral and nourish sea grass.

Officials from the Center for Environmental Justice (CEJ) report that mangrove cover in Sri Lanka has drastically reduced over the last decade. According to a 2010 survey, there were up to 12 thousand hectares of plantations in the country, but with the progressive uprooting recorded over the years, the coverage has been reduced to 8 thousand hectares.

Since 2010, several incidents of destruction have been reported, especially in Batticaloa, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Wanathawilluwa and Negombo.

Environmentalists Gihan Amarasekera and Nishnatha Punchihewa tell AsiaNews that "with the approval of the authorities, those who once deforested these mangrove areas for shrimp farming are now systematically clearing the sites for the salt industry. In doing so, the Puttalam lagoon system has been severely damaged by various destructive activities, even though the authorities turn a blind eye to large-scale destruction.

In the meantime, they continue, "in addition to the destruction caused to the mangroves, most likely for shellfish farming, accusations also emerge regarding other areas cleared and assigned with false documents to families in the mangrove areas of the Puttalam-Kalpitiya lagoon.

Although these areas are not among those protected by the Ramsar Convention (on wetlands of international importance), they remain governed by the Forest Conservation Ordinance. The environmental damage caused by the authorization - specify Gihan and Nishnatha - has yet to be assessed.

According to Ajith Gihan, president of the NGO Wayamba Hada in Puttalam, in recent years "ecological groups have appealed to the authorities to take measures to protect the remaining mangrove systems".

However, they denounce, these repeated appeals "were not listened to". Shehan Nanayakkara, Dilini Gamage and Mudiyanse Samarajeewa, from the Karamba area, report that "the mangroves represented an obstacle to leasing the government-owned area" and "appear to have been cut secretly".

Concerns have been raised - they continue - about the involvement of some senior officials, given that the nearby mangroves had been repeatedly cut down in recent years.

Senior officials from the Ministry of the Environment confirm an "increase" in the phenomenon of "illegal deforestation" and, in some cases, there would be the involvement of local politicians but official evidence is lacking.

In this context several incidents of destruction have been reported in Kalpitiya, where a large area of mangroves has been cleared for shrimp farming with the assistance of a local politician.
Today's news: Netanyahu rejects Hamas' truce proposal and orders troops to head for Rafah; Kataib Hezbollah commander in Iraq killed in US raid; Pyongyang rips up all trade and cooperation agreements with Seoul; In Uttarakhand, the Civil Code is standardised, eliminating distinctions between believers of different religions.

PAKISTAN

Voting operations have begun in Pakistan for the general elections marked by blood following the serious attack in the south-western province of Belochistan yesterday claimed by ISIS which caused dozens of deaths. Islamabad temporarily blocked some land borders and suspended mobile phone services. Tens of thousands of army troops deployed in polling stations, strategic areas and sensitive points.

ISRAEL - PALESTINE

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the ceasefire terms proposed by Hamas, calling them inadmissible and at the same time relaunching the goal of "total victory" in Gaza within a few months. The optimism of Qatar, mediator of a possible agreement aimed at a truce and the release of prisoners together with Egypt, was disavowed in a few hours. However, mediation continues as Israeli troops head towards Rafah and the extreme south of the Strip where 85% of the population is now gathered.

IRAQ - USA

A commander of Kataib Hezbollah, a pro-Iranian armed group active in Iraq and responsible, according to the Pentagon, for the attack on US troops, was killed yesterday in an attack launched by the United States. Security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, report that the militiaman hit was Abu Baqir al-Saadi, hit by a drone attack on a vehicle in the eastern part of Baghdad.

KOREA

The Pyongyang regime has given a mandate to tear up all past agreements with South Korea regarding economic and commercial collaboration, further confirming a block in relations between the two countries. The decision was voted by the Supreme People's Assembly, the country's puppet "Parliament", and concerns the promotion of cooperative relations.

INDIA

The deputies of Uttarakhand, governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have approved a law of "historic" importance which harmonizes the Civil Code without making "ad personam" distinctions between religions. A rule that Muslims consider oppressive and discriminatory, because it clearly outlaws some practices of the Islamic faith, including polygamy.

RUSSIA - CHINA - IRAN

Joint maritime military exercises between Moscow, Tehran and Beijing will begin in the coming weeks. This was announced by the rear admiral of the Islamic Republic Shahram Irani to the Tasnim agency, starting from the maritime base in the Iranian city of Menjil, and will continue until the end of the year according to the Iranian calendar, March 19, inviting several other states.

LAOS - ORTHODOX

With the blessing of the Russian Orthodox exarch for South-East Asia, the Metropolitan of Singapore Sergij (Casin), the celebrations of the new Russian parish of St. Alexander Nevskij in Vientiane in Laos have begun. The functions take place in a domestic chapel where some priests will guarantee - for the first time ever, because it has never happened in history - continuous service to the faithful.

TAJIKISTAN

In the suburban villages that were incorporated into the territory of the capital Dusanbe three years ago, the period of permission to keep farmyard animals has ended. From now on, chickens, cows, sheep and other specimens will therefore have to be evacuated and relocated, with the risk of no longer having any family income, as no alternative jobs have been offered to small farmers.
February 7, 2024: While fighting Russian electronic warfare (EW), Ukrainian forces have developed new electronic warfare systems faster than Russia can create countermeasures or attack methods. The objective of EW is to tap into enemy electronic signals and hijack or block them while preventing the enemy from doing the same to you. The electronic signals here chiefly involve radio for communicating with or controlling UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). These signals can be blocked by the enemy or even hijacked so the enemy can take control of your UAVs. This can be done so that the owner of the UAV doesnt realize it until the enemy suddenly takes control and uses your UAV against you.

The same method can be used with radar to either manipulate the signal so that it makes the enemy radar user believe nothing is out there or that what the enemy radar shows is not where it actually is or that there are multiple items indicated when there is actually only one. Radar jamming has become increasingly sophisticated, and aircraft can carry a container of EW equipment, like a bomb underneath a wing. These EW pods contain a wide variety of EW options. These pods are often updated to detect and manipulate certain signals. The Americans obtained current Russian EW equipment and scrutinized them. Their findings were shared with the Ukrainians and some NATO allies.

Combat operations are often thrown into chaos for those who are not prepared to handle all the EW operations they encounter. Ukrainian forces managed to cope and deal with the considerable EW capabilities the Russians used. This cost the Russians the element of surprise in some future encounter with the Americans or other NATO countries. The United States developed a lot of EW equipment and techniques during the Cold War but had little use for that since the 1990s. The Ukrainians receive military support from the Americans and other NATO countries, and this led the United States to bring back its Cold War era EW technology and, with Ukrainian help, update it.

During the Cold War the Russians built vehicles that carried a large assortment of EW equipment, as well as generators to produce enough power to keep EW equipment going. After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Russia continued developing EW devices and techniques. The best and most powerful EW equipment were only used in situations where the opposition was dependent on electronic signals for communications, control, or surveillance. No matter what the situation, Russia employed some EW to gain an advantage.

In 2010 Russia deployed the Krasukha-4, truck mounted EW system and sent them to Syria and where the Krasukha-4 used its directed energy sonic cannon during 2018 to damage the electronics of an American AH-64 helicopter gunship, forcing the helicopter to land. In 2021 Israeli units operating near the Lebanese and Syrian borders had problems with Krasukha-4 signals and the more compact Sapphire EW system. In 2023 Russia began exporting Krasukha and Sapphire EW systems. After the Russians invaded Ukraine in 2022, the Ukrainians captured a damaged Krasukha system and gave it to the Americans, who sent it back to the United States for further investigation.

Since 2015 Russia has been using eastern Ukraine and Syria for testing new EW equipment and techniques under combat conditions to discover weaknesses and promote export sales as combat proven. Equipment still in development is also tested and sometimes modified on the spot. A recent example of that is the truck mounted Tirada-2 orbital jamming system that recently showed up in eastern Ukraine. Tirada-2 was seeking to hack the control signals and video feeds from American RQ-4B Global Hawk UAVs that regularly operated over eastern Ukraine. This would provide a look at what these UAVs see when they monitor Russian activity. Some RQ-4Bs are equipped with space satellite quality electronic sensors and the Russians were hoping to get an opportunity to monitor and perhaps hack those systems. Ukrainian and Western intelligence was aware of the existence of Tirada-2 if only because a less capable export model was being offered for sale. But now the more capable non-export Tirada-2 appears to have shown up in Eastern Ukraine but, as one would expect, no one was providing any details of who has been able to do what to whom.

Hacking and jamming satellites is nothing new. Even Islamic terrorists are active in this area. For example, in early 2015 TV5, a major French TV network was hijacked by hackers working for an Islamic terrorist group. Calling themselves CyberCaliphate, this group had apparently spent weeks getting past the formidable network security and did some major damage. TV5 satellite feeds sends programming to over 250 million households and businesses worldwide. All eleven TV5 channels were dark for three hours before a temporary data feed was established to put something on customer TV screens. It took over a week to clean the network of all the hacker malware and begin work on improving security. Other French media companies were informed of the threat and joint efforts were underway to improve security. Whatever enthusiasm there was for better security will probably not last because this was not the first time something like this has happened.

Its not that the threat was ignored or underestimated. Officially the hacker threat is taken very seriously by media companies, especially those who broadcast via satellite. Starting in the late 1990s, growing reliance on data networks and satellite distribution of programming resulted in more and more attacks on these networks by groups seeking to get some attention by briefly seizing control of or shutting down these systems.

These attacks reached something of a crescendo in 2007 when a Chinese satellite television channel was taken over by hackers. For about 90 minutes, the government had no control over the feed, which was replaced by anti-government material. The Chinese government tried to keep details of how this happened out of the news but because over 130 million Chinese then had access to the Internet, and even more had cell phones, it was impossible to completely black out details of what happened. Senior officials were quite upset, especially because since 2002 there had been over a dozen incidents worldwide of hijacking satellite television signals. Several of these took place in China, but until 2007 the government assured everyone that the problem was fixed. Eventually the problem was fixed, at least to the extent that large scale attacks no longer took place.

After 2000 the increasing number of incidents of space satellites being hacked was believed to be largely the result of an increase in the number of satellites up there, and the number of ground stations broadcasting information up into the sky. Many of these early hacks turned out to be satellite signals interfering with one another. Same with cases where people believe their GPS or satellite communications signals were being jammed. On further investigation, the real reasons tend to be less interesting and a lot more technical. All this usually had a large element of human error mixed in. But some of the disruptions were deliberate.

The 2007 China incident clearly indicated a security problem. If you have the proper passwords and security information, you can send commands to the satellite and do whatever you want. The Chinese had a security problem and to Chinese rulers that was more frightening than, well, just about anything. China has since greatly improved its satellite security but as TV5 discovered that is not always enough. Russian EW developers watched all this with great interest and considered the possibility of improving and weaponizing these hacking capabilities.

All of the accidental jamming demonstrated to hackers how easy it was to do it on purpose. There were a growing number of examples of that. In response, the U.S. Air Force has for decades been developing electronic tools for attacking and defending satellite communications, and the satellites operators themselves were already training people to attack and defend space satellites. This effort involved figuring out new or improved ways to jam satellites. Then you keep that information secret in case potential enemies have not figured this out themselves. Next, you work on ways to defeat the weapons developed. Most of this is playing around with the signals. You can unjam a jamming signal with another signal. However, a lot of trial and error is required, and you want to get that done way in advance of any actual war. When you do have to use this work for real, you have to expect that the enemy may well have come up with some angle you missed. Thus, there will be some rapid improvisation, and you will have more time and resources for this if you have worked out, ahead of time, the details of disasters you have already anticipated. No one releases much information about this, for obvious reasons. There isn't much discussion from any government unless there is a terrorist attack using these techniques. Now that has happened in a very public fashion, and it was done using clever and determined hacking of the ground-based networks that control the programming and the satellites.

Some satellite hacking problems have been solved. For example, it has been shown that if there is government jamming that could be identified as such. This was demonstrated back in 2003 and several times subsequently that when satellite broadcasters transmitting television shows to Iran found their signals being jammed. The source of the jamming was quickly traced to Cuba. A satellite signal is very difficult to jam as it comes down from the satellite. But if you are close to the ground station that beams the signal up to the satellite, you can more easily interfere with that. At first, it was thought that the Cuban government, using an old Soviet era electronic eavesdropping facility outside Havana, was doing the jamming as a favor to Iran, which bought Cuban support with supplies of cut-rate oil. Back then the Chinese had already paid Cuba a lot of money to take over and revive the old Soviet electronic monitoring facility. The Cuban government denied it had anything to do with the jamming and said it would find out where the jamming was coming from, and they did. Soon the Cuban government reported that they had traced the jamming signal to a suburban compound owned by the Iranian embassy. The Cubans ordered that jamming to be stopped, and it was.

There have been few additional efforts like this, mainly because it was obvious that you could not easily hide a jammer. Satellite broadcasters also took measures to make such jamming much more difficult to do. There were also efforts to improve defense against hackers, but for TV5 the defenses were not robust enough.

Russia quietly worked on ways to not only hack satellite control and data signals but to easily eavesdrop and monitor them. Encrypted signals can be decrypted and if you can do that you do not talk about it. But now the Russian satellite signal monitoring and hacking equipment is coming out of the development shadows and practicing on American equipment.
by Steve Suwannarat

Smog, particulate matter reach record levels in the Thai capital and even the north. Artificial rain, halting vehicular circulation in urban centres, and cleaning of roads in areas with the greatest dust accumulation have been of little avail. More decisive measures are needed, such as renewing the car fleet and getting businesses to reduce energy use.

Bangkok (AsiaNews)  Chinese New Year is also celebrated in Thailand. The holiday is very popular in the country, attracting locals and tourists alike, especially in regions home to some seven million people of Chinese origin who settled in the kingdom in the past.

However, there is a downside. The event generates too much smog in many parts of the country, so much so that the government is urging people to stop or limit the use of incense, fireworks, and burning fake money during the Lunar New Year celebrations.

In a statement yesterday, Deputy Government spokesman Karom Phonphonklang stressed the seriousness of the situation and the need to contain it by any means.

High levels of fine dust, equal to 2.5 microns or less, are particularly harmful to health. High concentrations from vehicular and industrial emissions have kept the capital Bangkok on a state of alert for weeks.

The emergency has not spared the north of the country, especially its largest city, Chiang Mai, which is heavily affected by the burning of harvest residues.

Even this winter, artificially induced rain, restrictions on vehicular traffic in cities, and regular clean-up of streets and roads in areas of high dust accumulation have not been enough. Such measures are temporary and have had a limited impact on pollution.

More permanent action is required, like changes to the car fleet, which is constantly growing and almost exclusively made up of highly polluting combustion engine vehicles; and incentives to businesses in favour of energy conversion, machinery with a lower environmental impact, and less harmful chemical products.

However, few people in government want to implement unpopular measures. Instead, the authorities tend to adopt the same response, namely postpone implementation, and meet businesses request for five-year extensions allowing them to put off turning to less polluting sources of energy and productions.

The need for "development continues to largely ignore environmental compatibility, despite serious forms of air pollution affecting up to 20 million inhabitants, just under a third of the countrys population.

Another example is the practice of open incineration of waste. While this is declining with respect to construction materials, in agriculture, demand for ever-greater output relies on "slash and burn" to free up land after harvests. This is the case of maize production with hundreds of thousands of dedicated hectares added each year.
by Angeline Tan

Philip Chan, 59, is the first to come under the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act, adopted in 2022 to deal with growing pressure from the People's Republic of China (PRC). A real estate developer linked to a Shenzhen-based group, Chan attended the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Beijing last year.

Singapore (AsiaNews)  For the first time since it came into force in July 2022, Singapores Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act has been used to classify a 59-year-old businessman born in Hong Kong, Philip Chan Man Ping, as a "politically relevant person.

The Registrar has assessed that Chan has shown susceptibility to be influenced by foreign actors, and willingness to advance their interests, reads a statement released by the Home Affairs Ministry on 2 February.

While the government did not say which foreign country's interest Chan was pushing in Singapore, Chan was among 30 overseas Chinese who in March last year participated in the yearly session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Beijing, a largely ceremonial advisory body of China's parliament.

At the time, he told local media that representatives from the overseas Chinese community should form an alliance and tell the China story well.

In 2019, Chan was warned for facilitating a meeting at a restaurant he owns to discuss the Hong Kong anti-government protests, reported The Straits Times.

As a politically relevant person, Chan must disclose annually political donations of S, 000 or more, that he receives and accepts, foreign affiliations, and migration benefits.

In response to a query from The Straits Times, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on 5 February that Mr Chan, as president of the Hong Kong Singapore Business Association (HSBA), has promoted cooperation between Hong Kong and Singapore.

China has always refrained from interfering in the internal affairs of other countries and has no intention of commenting on this specific matter, added the spokesperson in a written response.

Meanwhile, Chan resigned from the HSBA, effective 2 February. We extend our deepest gratitude to Mr Chan for his invaluable contributions, dedication, and leadership during his tenure, said the HSBA, which connects business communities in Singapore and Hong Kong, and seeks to boost industry and commerce between the two cities and China.

This decision was made with the understanding that his term would naturally conclude in June 2024, and, as part of the succession planning, it was anticipated that a new president would be selected and voted in by the end of his term, HSBA added.

Chan is a real estate investor by profession and president of the Kowloon Club, which helps new immigrants settle into Singapore.

He is the managing director of Singapore's Wen Way Investments Pte Ltd, the real estate investment arm of Shenzhen-headquartered Amer International Group.

Chan now has 14 days from 2 February to submit representations to the Registrar of Foreign and Political Disclosures. If he is designated as a politically relevant person, he can appeal against the registrars decision to Singapore's Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam.

The businessman said he had no statements to make, nor will he make public his presentations to the registrar.

The incident has renewed debate on China's clout in Singapore.

Veteran diplomat Ong Keng Yong, who is the executive deputy chairman of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said the ease of doing business and operating among foreign corporations and organisations via Singapore, has emboldened Chinese companies and entities to use Singapore to extend their clout in the region and beyond.

From this perspective, efforts have been made to cultivate relevant opinion makers and policy people. The idea is to have a PRC-friendly constituency, said Ong. Hence, the pool of Chinese expatriates or naturalised Singaporean citizens of Chinese origin is important.

Initially, cultivation efforts revolved around business and some ancestry ties. This has now become more obvious and those inside this circle have become bolder and outgoing, he added, noting that Chan is one such individual.

RED LANTERNS IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO CHINA. TO RECEIVE A WEEKLY UPDATE EVERY THURSDAY, CLICK HERE.
kW

Photo: Renault

That is not the big announcement, though, as according to Renault, the new model will be called the Symbioz. Does it sound familiar? It is probably because you remember The Apprentice. Either that, or Renault's 2017 eponymous concept , the self-driving demo shown that same year, or maybe both.The press release that announces the upcoming model's name refers to it as being a "new C-segment compact family SUV," stating that it measures 4.41 meters (173.6 inches) long. This places it above the subcompact Captur, which is 4,228 mm (166.5) from bumper to bumper, and under the 4,470 mm (in) long Scenic E-Tech and the larger Austral.Thus, it will rival the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and other compact crossovers sold in the Old Continent. What else do we know about the upcoming Renault Symbioz? That it will tip the scales at under 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs), that it will feature an E-Tech electrified powertrain with 145 ps (143 hp/107), and will have a new trick panoramic glass roof that can become opaque at the flick of a switch.So, there you have it: it is not fully electric and does not have autonomous driving capabilities like the previous Renaults that wore this moniker. But where did its name come from? From the French word 'symbiose' (symbiosis in English), in turn, derived from the ancient Greek 'symbiosis,' which means 'living together.' And together it will live with Renault's modern-day high-riders when it premieres sometime this spring.According to Sylvia Dos Santos, who is the brand's chief of naming strategy, the name wanted to evoke "the close bond between a family and their car," and " Symbioz perfectly illustrates life with our vehicle, a place where passengers are as one with their vehicle and the environment." These are big words for yet another compact crossover that packs a partially electrified powertrain and probably won't be anywhere near as exciting as Renault makes it sound.On a final note, the diamond brand has also released a teaser pic of the upcoming car. It partially shows the back end with the name proudly displayed under the corporate logo. We can also see the left taillamp to some extent and some of the rear windscreen, which looks very arched. Assuming we haven't bored you to death with this story, we will remind you that the Renault Symbioz is due this spring and will likely be a Europe-only product.
Theres a treasure trove of classics in Boothbay, Maine, where a secluded band of gearheads plot one of the greatest motor conspiracies ever concocted on the East Coast of the United States of Automobile. The 3,000 or so happy souls living in the small, quiet fishing town pretend they know nothing about the piston Alladin's cave lurking in barns. But here they are, on camera, in great condition, and long-time onwed and used.

What would a 61 bubbletop Impala and a 67 Belvedere II have in common? Drag racing, impeccable stance, splendid condition, and longtime ownership. Not from the same man, but thats not the point. Both cars sit comfortably together under the same roof in the excellent care of a car nut who gently offers winter storage for his fellow gearheads classics.The Chevy and the Plymouth need little introduction  the Impala is one of the most iconic nameplates in the postwar history of carmaking America. 1961 introduced the SS badge of performance, but this example featured here is not of the rare 142 examples built that year. It is, however, one of the 177,969 Sport Coupe examples  the famous bubbletop  that rolled off the line that year.Whats special about it is what lies under the sexy hardtop body: three deuces and, a four-speed and a 348. All right, this comparison is a bit off and not period-correct since the lyrics referred to the 64 GTO from the sister division Pontiac. However, the Super Turbo-Thrust V8 fitted in this Impala is not the regular 348-cubic-inch motor (5.7-liter) that delivered only 280 hp (284 PS), but the gym-going version with 350 hp (355 PS) for special uses. Thats how Chevrolet advertised the muscle option for the not-yet-muscle-car Impala.

This car has a four-speed now, but it originally came with a three-speed manual (the standard transmission back then). And yes, it was a drag racer from day one, hence the 25,000 miles on the odometer. The story with the other racer, the 67 Belvedere II, is a bit different  its original engine is on a stand.The owner mentions a 360, which wouldnt be accurate if the V8 is the factory-fitted unit: in 1967, a Belvedere II would come with a choice of either a 318-cubic-inch (5.2-liter) or a 383 (6.3-liter). Even more so, Mopar didnt have a 360 V8 motor, but a 361-incher (5.9-liter) that was retired at the end of 1966. The other V8 in 67 would have made this car a unicorn: the 426-cube (7.0-liter) Street HEMI.But the car actually does have hemispherical heads on top of its current powerplant, and the engine displaces the same 426 cubic inches as the famous second-generation legend of the 60s. Courtesy of Ray Burton Racing Engines, the modern dual-quad hemi puts down around 650 hp (659 PS), and the Plymouth gets monthly sessions of quarter-mile leg stretching.Another fine-looking Chrysler is a pre-war Special Deluxe woody (vintage 1941) that the owner bought in the eighties and now serves as a wedding limousine for brides and grooms. The barn where all these jewels slumber during Maine winters is also home to two Fords, a 1932 truck, and a 1965 Shelby Mustang GT 350.The lineup continues with a Rocket 88 Oldsmobile and a 53 Cadillac with a 331 cubic-inch V8 (5.4-liter) that turned 30,000 miles (48,000 kilometers) when the video below was shot, and the original paint on it. The second-generation Barracuda with the 318 V8 (5.2-liter) is another reason for the curator to play his favorite drag racing tune.The man is in the good habit of putting classics under cover for the rusty season, keeping them safe for their owners to enjoy during the cruise-friendly days of summer. Thats their Maine reason (pun intended) to put the car in the barn: to enjoy them for as long as possible.Possibly the most epic find in the small town is drop-dead gorgeous and sublimely rare: a 1934 Harley-Davidson VFD Solo, one in five ever built. The story is equally captivating. During WWII, a Harley owner went to Europe to fight the Germans, leaving his Knucklehead in the care of his teen brother. After returning home, the veteran urged his young brother to get a motorcycle and spare the old Harley.In 1944, the avid biker  still in his teens  found and bought this gem with its original owner. He kept it until 2016 when his widow sold it to the man smiling next to it in the video. As we can see, the 1,200-CC V-twin cranks up without batting an eyelash. This piece of history is a burgundy-white Harley, but its a repaint performed in the 2000s. In 1934, the American brand debuted the two-color liveries, and this crazy-rare example is solid proof.It wasnt the only novelty the new models sported: the stylized fuel tank debuted on a production Harley , and the VFD models switched from the traditional rounded fenders to somewhat flattened shapes. Twin headlamps were dropped in favor of the Cycleray curved lens units. The total motor oil loss system also made its final appearance that year.Amazingly, one of those impossibly rare motorbikes is located in this small coastal town in Maine. Another one has been found in Melbourne, Australia, and auctioned in 2021 for $56,000. It had been sitting for half a century in a house in a suburb of the metropole. One more example is in Finland, apparently  it has lived its entire 90-year life in Scandinavia. At least, thats what a viewer of the video claims, so take this info with some precaution.The young man who runs a restoration shop in the town of Boothbay, Maine, also owns a 1981 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit that he bought for $350. That wasnt back in 84, but just a few years ago. The riddle is cracked when Philip Reinhardt, the young owner of the luxury British automobile, tells the whole story of the car.At one point, it was heavily damaged in a fire that burnt the life out of the engine. The 6.75-liter V8 is mated to a Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 three-speed automatic gearbox (yes, that was the standard transmission in the majestically overpriced English luxury car of the early 80s).A V8 with a GM tranny can quickly be brought back to life by dropping another GM V8 in it  or so the owner intends. A small-block Chevy would probably not be up to Rolls-Royces motoring standards, but then again, neither would be the 350-bucks aluminum-bodied lemon with that Spirit of Ecstasy radiator grille ornament on it.
Back at the beginning of this month NASA and Sierra Space opened the gates of the Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio for the media, in a bid to give everyone interested in the topic a closer look at the Dream Chaser spaceplane. And boy, isn't it an impressive sight?

Photo: Benny Kirk/autoevolution

Photo: Benny Kirk/autoevolution

The Dream Chaser is the latest in a series of spacecraft designed by private companies to serve, first and foremost, the needs of the International Space Station (ISS), but also other space endeavors of various organizations.Unlike the ships designed by others (like SpaceX's Dragon and the Boeing Starliner), which come across as simple capsules the likes of which we used to get back in the early days of space exploration, the Dream Chaser has proper spacecraft looks, with a lifting body design and short and stocky wings to either side.That's because the thing pretty much picks up from where the HL-20, a spacecraft the American space agency was researching back in the 1960s, at the height of the original space race, left off. And it kind of has a lot of Space Shuttle vibes, too.As it stands, the Dream Chaser is scheduled to lift off and reach the ISS later in April. It will travel to the station loaded, meaning it will move with the cargo module called Shooting Star attached, in its turn packing supplies for the station.We've seen the spacecraft in its full glory several times before, but most of the time in renderings. The February 1 media event gave us the first true look at the Dream Chaser standing nose-up on a pad, 55 feet (17 meters) tall, but most importantly fully stacked, meaning in the configuration it will use to launch into space.The spaceplane is at the Armstrong Test Facility not solely to be shown to the media, but to undergo crucial testing to see if it can survive the hardships of going to orbit, but also the extremes of space.The facility NASA operates in Ohio is home to the world's most powerful shaker system. That's a piece of hardware meant to rattle spacecraft to their core, in a bid to simulate the vibrations they will experience during launch and re-entry. The Dream Chaser has already gone through it, and nothing fell off.Now that this crucial step is out of the way, NASA will move the plane in a huge vacuum chamber, this time in a bid to simulate the coldness and emptiness of space, complete with low pressure, low temperatures, and dynamic solar heating.If all goes well the ship will eventually move to the Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida for launch. It will reach the pad installed in the fairing of a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket, the same kind that was used for the first time in January to launch the failed Peregrine lunar lander.Dream Chaser's first mission will see it perform all sorts of tests to validate its systems. On approach to the ISS, it will perform far-field and near-field procedures to test its attitude control, translational maneuvers, and abort capabilities.The ship will travel to the station complete with the cargo module, which will be captured by a robotic arm on the ISS and docked at either the Unity or Harmony modules. Although the flight is a test one, NASA is actually using it to transport cargo to the station.When fully operational the Dream Chaser will be capable of carrying to orbit as much as 11,500 pounds (5,200 kg) of cargo. For this first run it will not be, of course, loaded to capacity, but it will still transport 7,800 pounds (3,500 kg) of supplies for the astronauts presently floating in space.The ship will spend a total of 45 days attached to the ISS during this first trip, almost half of the time it is technically capable of withstanding in space. Upon return, it will land in an aircraft-like manner at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch and Landing Facility, just like the Space Shuttle used to do.The Dream Chaser has been envisioned as a reusable spacecraft that can stay in space for as much as 75 days. A single example could technically be used for as much as 15 times (the cargo module, however, is disposable and can only be used once), making it a solid competitor for what SpaceX is presently offering.Sierra Space is also working on a crewed version of the spaceplane, but there is no word yet on when we'll get to see people flying to space inside this thing.Before we learn of Dream Chaser's next moves, make sure to have a look at how the ship felt up close and personal over in Ohio. autoevolution was there for the media presentation, and you can have a look at how the entire experience felt like right here
Photo: Behance | Nihar Mazumdar

SUV

That's about to change in a little under a month when the company's brand-new muscle car will reportedly premiere. Supposedly christened the Dodge Charger (Daytona?), it will take on the latest-gen Ford Mustang with a twin-turbo 3.0L straight-six, joined by an assortment of electric powertrains, the punchiest of which being quicker than the marvelous Hellcat series.Things weren't always this dodgy (pun intended) for the Stellantis-owned brand , as there was a time when multiple low-slung models made up its range. We'll cast the virtual light on the Intrepid this time for a good reason, as it was just brought back to life using multiple mouse clicks. It calls Fantasy Land home, as it is nothing more than a digital revival, yet more on that in a few moments, as first we have to remind ourselves about the real thing.Introduced in 1992, the first generation Dodge Intrepid was a family sedan that had models such as the Ford Taurus and Chevrolet Lumina in its sight. It was built on the same platform as the Eagle Vision, Chrysler New Yorker, Concorde, and LHS, packing a pair of V6s and a four-speed automatic transmission. It measured over 201 inches (5,100+ mm) from bumper to bumper and had 113 inches (2,720 mm) between the axles.Production lasted until 1997, when the second generation came out. Made exclusively at Brampton in Canada, unlike its predecessor that also came to life at the Newark facility in Delaware, it brought more modern looks to the party and additional engines, all of which were V6s. It still featured a four-speed automatic transmission, and beneath the skin lied the same architecture as the era's Chrysler LHS, 300M, and Concorde. It also grew in size a bit and stayed in production until 2003, when it was dropped for good.The Intrepid had no direct successor, and the car crowd hasn't missed it at all. Nevertheless, it has been brought back to life several times over the last two decades, with one of the latest unofficial rendering sets being signed by Nihar Mazumdar on Behance. It kind of sends modern-day Toyota Crown vibes from certain angles. The model features soft lines all around, an intricate face, and an interesting back end.Also, as you have noticed, it is now a five-door estate with a tall ground clearance, so it would be a cure for the crossover itch. But would you really kick that brand-new crossover/out of bed for it if Dodge gave it another shot in a similar guise, or do you think it looks ridiculous and should stay buried? Your opinion is important to us, so let us know your thoughts below.
In the eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) world, it's not just how impressive your design looks on paper but whether it's certifiable and compatible with large-scale manufacturing. Archer Aviation wants to become one of the industry trailblazers in terms of bringing its commercial aircraft to the market.

The first-ever conforming Midnight electric aircraft is set to roll out in the next weeks. Archer 's manufacturing facility in San Jose, California, will be in charge of the final assembly. The first, but not the only one, this aircraft will soon be followed by two more units. Together, these will be Archer's first conforming aircraft.Conforming means that they'll each feature all the components and systems according to the type design. Unlike the prototype known as the Maker, the Midnight conforming aircraft is exactly what the commercial version will look like and operate. Once these three units are assembled, a new set of flight tests is coming up later this year.In the end, they will conduct what is known as "for credit" flight testing with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), which is the green light for commercialization.When this final stage begins, Archer might become the first in the industry to achieve this milestone. Flying a conforming aircraft shows how far electric aviation has come and how close we are to a new era of urban, emission-free air mobility.Archer also believes to be one of the first in the industry to have reached this point so quickly. While others still have years ahead before certification, Archer is determined to begin the final piloted flight tests before the end of this year.It certainly helps to be backed by an automotive giant (Stellantis) and to have a prestigious customer base that includes names like United Airlines. On the other hand, the Midnight aircraft also caught the eye of the US Air Force . Last summer, the eVTOL maker signed new contracts with the Department of Defense worth a total of $142 million. Based on those contracts, Archer is set to deliver six units of the Midnight aircraft to the DoD, along with pilot training, maintenance, and repair services.Archer's planned commercial success is also relying on the right manufacturing location and capacity. Last year, Covington, Georgia, was confirmed as the location of a new manufacturing facility. It will start with an initial surface of 350,000 square feet (32,500 square meters) and eventually expand to 900,000 square feet (83,600 square meters). In terms of capacity, this will translate to going from 650 units per year to a massive 2,000 aircraft-per-year target, which would place Archer at the top of the industry.Midnight is a four-seat passenger eVTOL designed for zero-emission, piloted flights with a fast turnaround.
Everywhere around the world, with maybe the exception of China, the automotive situation is pretty dire for passenger cars  and it's all due to the rising passion for crossovers, SUVs, and trucks.

SUV

EV

In Europe, for example, CUV anddeliveries covered no less than 51% of the new vehicle sales quotation last year, rising 19% compared to 2022. In America, the first seven best-selling nameplates are trucks and SUVs, with only the eternal Toyota Camry mid-size sedan punching into the top ten. After it, the next passenger car only comes in 12th place  Tesla's Model 3, which keeps it company, from a distance, to fifth-placed Model Y.However, some automakers obstinately invest in passenger cars. Of course, some are helped by their wider margins, so it's easy to understand why premium brands still keep a relatively big cluster of passenger cars. Curiously, some of them also shell out the big bucks to make high-performance versions in formats that are currently almost on life support. Let's take a look at Audi and BMW for a quick CGI second because they just released information about their latest station wagon heroes.The Ingolstadt-based automaker has just 660 examples prepared for the RS 6 Avant GT special edition on a worldwide level, so maybe there's a chance that it will also arrive in the United States. Meanwhile, BMW also shared the first look at its all-new 5 Series Touring, and the big estate can also be had in the i5 Touring flavor. Of course, some people might ask what Audi's RS 6 Avant GT has to do with BMW's more relaxed i5 Touring.Well, two things. For starters, the GT special edition keeps the same 4.0-liter turbo V8 credentials as the RS 6 Avant performance variant, including 621 horsepower and 625 pound-feet of torque (850 Nm), which is enough to shoot to 124 mph (200 kph) in 11.5 seconds and a maximum speed of 190 mph (305 kph). On the other hand, BMW also has an i5 Touring that's eerily coming close to that level of performance  the i5 Touring M60 xDrive, which churns out a combinedoutput of 593 hp and 605 lb-ft (820 Nm), so it needs just 3.9 seconds to hit 62 mph!Secondly, they have both attracted  and for good measure  the attention of the imaginative realm of digital car content creators. More precisely, Nikita Chuicko, the virtual artist better known as kelsonik on social media, thinks now is the right time to work on a couple of cool station wagons  and he's absolutely right. Between the Audi RS 6 Avant GT and the BMW i5 Touring M60 xDrive, you could teach a lesson or two to any crossover or SUV out there.Even better, the pixel master worked his subtle CGI magic again  treating the RS 6 GT to five new colors, tinted windows and taillights, and 23-inch Brixton Forged CM10 aftermarket lightweight wheels. Just for good measure, he also reworked the i5 Touring M60 with a redesigned front lip and a nice set of modern Y-spoke aftermarket wheels. So, which of these two would you take home if money is no object of concern (after all, the RS 6 GT costs $236k in Europe, and the i5 Touring should be way cheaper) and why?
February 7, 2024: China has a new plan for conquering Taiwan, and it involves numerous false attacks followed by one that is real. This is another example of misdirection, which is a popular but difficult to carry out military strategy. China has other problems, like armed forces with no experience in combat and corruption in the military that is rarely revealed until the military is ordered to fight. Taiwan is also a difficult target because the Taiwanese have spent decades preparing to repel an invasion. As the defender, the Taiwanese have an edge. One of the lesser appreciated factors is that Taiwan was not part of the Chinese empire until 1683, and that was only because Chinese people had been moving to the island since the 1200s and, by the 1600s, were numerous enough to dominate the native population. The Chinese empire then ruled Taiwan until they transferred it to Japan in 1895 after losing a brief, about a year, war with Japan.

The Japanese managed Taiwan more efficiently than the Chinese and by World War II the Taiwanese were generally pro-Japan. This was noted when American military planners were ordered in 1944 to prepare a plan for invading and conquering Taiwan, to use it as a base for warplanes bombing Japan and Japanese troops in China. General MacArthur was commanding forces approaching from the south and pointed out that the Philippines would be easier to invade and conquer than Taiwan while achieving the same strategic objectives. American military planners found that MacArthur was right. Taiwan was and is a nightmare for anyone staging an amphibious operation. The island is only 394 kilometers long and 144 kilometers wide at its widest point. The terrain is rugged with 258 mountains over 3,000 meters high. Many key highways are built in the many valleys and that creates a lot of narrow choke points that can be easily defended, often with the help of tunnels dug into nearby hills and mountains. This makes it very difficult for an invading force to get off the beaches.

Taiwan has few, about a dozen, useful invasion beaches and lots of high ground behind those beaches. Since World War II the population has quadrupled to 24 million. Most live in built up urban areas and this is a nightmare for any invader because all those structures favor the defender. Taiwan has built several air and naval bases that make use of tunnels built into nearby mountains. Many urban areas have built tunnels to protect the population during major storms, and against soldiers during an attempt to invade and conquer the island. Taiwan is also surrounded by about a hundred small islands, most of them uninhabited but large enough to support some troops armed with artillery and anti-ship missiles.

The unique geography of Taiwan is one reason why post-World War II Taiwan emphasized manufacturing and a highly educated population. That led to Taiwan becoming a major provider of electronic and other high-tech items that most industrialized nations, especially China and the United States, depend on. If China seeks to conquer Taiwan, they must avoid destroying the many areas containing manufacturing operations that the Chinese economy depends on.

Currently, Taiwan can confront any invasion with nearly half a million troops. While the active-duty force is only 190,000, Taiwan has two million men with military experience in the reserves and 10-15 ten percent of these are kept at a higher state of readiness to quickly join the active-duty forces in the event of an invasion. Most of the men in the reserves are former conscripts who serve four months of active duty when they turn 18 and then continue serving in the reserves until they are 36. Conscript active-duty service was recently increased to a year.

As the Chinese invasion threat increased over the last two decades, reserve duty has been regarded as more essential to the survival and an independent and more prosperous than China Taiwanese democracy. This means that more reservists are willing to continue serving after 36 and this increases the number of experienced men in the reserves. Taiwanese see themselves as an island version of Switzerland, Israel, or Sweden, all of them dependent on a large, well trained, reserve force to deal with any invasion. These three Western nations have used this mobilization system very successfully, for centuries in the case of Switzerland. China noted how rapidly mobilized Ukrainian forces defeated a 2022 Russian invasion. Ukraine is largely flat terrain with some rivers to provide defensive barriers. But nothing beats an island with few invasion beaches and lots of mountains defended by a well-armed and determined population.

The current Taiwanese reserve system was developed in the last two decades and there is little public data on how well armed and equipped the reservists are. Switzerland has long mandated that reservists keep their rifle, now assault rifle, and ammunition at home. This has worked. Heavier weapons are kept at numerous storage sites throughout the country. Taiwanese military spending has grown considerably over the last six years and a lot of that has gone to the reserve forces to increase the ability to put armed reservists into action more quickly.

The increased military budgets have also improved intelligence devoted to the Chinese military and what they are capable of. This also involves dealing with the growing Chinese use of spies and Taiwanese military officials who have been bribed or blackmailed into secretly working for China.

As a democracy, Taiwan gets a new government periodically and some of those governments are more supportive of defenses against Chinese invasion than others. Since the 1990s the Chinese economy has grown enormously and that was done with the help of existing Taiwanese firms looking to expand into China. That gave China an opportunity to influence Taiwanese politics and elections. The influence is currently less effective for China because most Taiwanese realize that China is determined to make Taiwan part of China once more. Most Taiwanese agree that this is not desirable and as long as the Chinese insist on submission, Taiwan will have to maintain its defenses.

A recent example of this was the 2023 purchase of fourteen M126 Ground Volcano mine dispensing systems. These cost about $13 million each and deliveries are underway but wont be completed until 2026. Each Ground Volcano system is mounted on a 10-ton truck where short-range mortar tubes are used to launch canisters of mostly anti-vehicle mines designed to disable a vehicle by blowing off a tire or breaking the track on a tank. Each canister contains some anti-personnel mines to make it more difficult for enemy troops to quickly clear the anti-vehicle mines out of the way. Before using Volcano, you can set the self-destruct time for the mines for anything between 4 hours to 15 days. This prevents anyone from retrieving, disarming, and reusing the mines. Ground Volcano dispensers mounted on trucks take from four to twelve minutes to dispense 960 mines that create a mined area 1,100 meters wide and 120 meters deep. Taiwan has about a dozen useful invasion beaches and lots of high ground behind those beaches. The Volcano trucks can be based nearby each beach in a protected, from pre-invasion missile strikes location, and move to its beach and disperse the mines when a Chinese invasion is imminent. There is also Air Volcano in which the dispensers are carried by a UH-60 helicopter that can dispense 960 mines in any terrain in less than a minute.

Volcano was developed in the late 1980s for Cold War type battles against Russian attacks employing hundreds or thousands of armored vehicles. Volcano got some limited use in the 1990s but was put into storage after 2001. In 2017 the U.S. Army took its M126 truck mounted and M139 helicopter mounted Volcano mine dispenser systems out of storage and put them back in active service. Originally each U.S. Army aviation brigade had three of the Air Volcano systems, which were seen as an ideal weapon when you had to quickly weaken and slow down an advancing enemy armor force. Ground Volcano systems were assigned to engineer units to create minefields when more time was available.

For over a decade Taiwan has been trying to come up with a strategy that would enable the small island state to withstand a threatened Chinese attack. Taiwan has once more used those qualities to come up with a unique and apparently successful strategy to deal with any Chinese attack plans. As is their custom, the Taiwanese do not publicize their military plans or weapons development activities. There is enough public information about Taiwanese procurement plans, and what China has aimed at them, to figure it out.

One Taiwanese defense practice is to buy a variety of modern weapons, which makes it more difficult for China to come up with countermeasures. For example, during the last decade Taiwan has purchased a wide variety of weapons In 2019 Taiwan ordered eleven HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) rocket launchers and 135 AGM-84K SLAM-ERSLAM-ER Standoff Land Attack Missile - Expanded Response missiles from the United States. Taiwan already had hundreds of locally produced Hsiung Feng missiles that are like the Harpoon but faster. Taiwan could not produce locally what they needed for their new strategy. It was clear that Taiwan was putting a lot of anti-ship missiles on trucks that could also launch them.

HIMARS rocket launcher vehicles are a useful addition to the anti-ship missile force because they fire GPS guided rockets at targets 80 kilometers distant. Half of these HIMARS use heavier trucks with armor added. These heavy trucks are normally used as wreckers for retrieving vehicles that get stuck. The Taiwanese order included 65 pods each with six GMLRS rockers and 90 pods with shorter range and cheaper practice rockets. The order also includes spares, maintenance equipment and technical support and training.

HIMARS is a cheaper and lighter version of the original American MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System. HIMARS is a truck mounted launcher, with each vehicle carrying only one six rocket pod instead of two in the original MLRS. The 16-ton truck can fit into a C-130 transport unlike the 22-ton tracked MLRS vehicle. The first of the initial 900 HIMARS vehicles were issued to American combat units in 2004. The U.S. Army is using most of the HIMARS, with the marines getting the rest. A growing number of American allies have become export customers for HIMARS. The key to the combat success of HIMARS is its use of the 227mm diameter 309 kg GMLRS Guided Multiple Launch Rocket system GPS guided rocket.

GMLRS was first used in 2004. Most users buy rockets equipped with an 82 kg high explosive warhead. The next version of GMLRS will be more accurate and have a range of over a hundred kilometers. These longer range ER GMLRS have a range of 150 kilometers. The U.S. Army has bought over 100,000 GMLRS rockets so far, and this weapon has been used with great success in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. The guided rocket is, obviously, much more effective than the older, unguided, version and has replaced it.

Longer range weapons include the AGM-84K SLAM-ER which entered service in 2002. It is a 725 kg cruise missile with a range of 270 kilometers, a speed of 855 kilometers an hour and GPS/shape recognition guidance system that has proved very accurate. Launched from aircraft, the pilot of the aircraft carrying the AGM-84K target can change the target or abort a launched missile remotely at any time. SLAM-ER costs nearly over two million dollars each and has a 220 kg warhead based on the one used on the Tomahawk cruise missile. AGM-84K SLAM-ER is a scaled-up RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile. Taiwan also has the similar land-based RGM-84L that can be truck mounted and launched with four missiles per vehicle. These missiles have a range of 124 kilometers. Taiwan adopted the truck mounted concept for its Hsiung Feng III ship or ground launched supersonic anti-ship missiles. Taiwan is planning to have 400 truck launchers with 1,200 Harpoon and Hsiung Feng anti-ship missiles. Denmark pioneered this concept in 1988 and several other nations have adopted it, including Russia.

A large force of Taiwanese mobile, truck mounted anti-ship missiles is seen as the only counter to planned Chinese use of hundreds of short-range ballistic missiles with explosive warheads that can carry out a surprise attack on Taiwan air and naval bases. The truck mounted missiles and a smaller number of truck mounted radars can locate the incoming Chinese invasion fleet and cripple it with an overwhelming number of anti-ship weapons.

Taiwan is also dispersing and hardening its airfields, including basing some aircraft on highways during a crisis. A Chinese invasion would not come as a complete surprise as ships of the invasion fleet would have to be gathered and load troops and vehicles. To give maximum warning Taiwan also purchased dozens of American reconnaissance pods that enable an aircraft flying over Taiwan to record, in detail, what is going on across the 300 kilometers Taiwan Strait that separates China from Taiwan. The United States, Japan and South Korea have taken a keen interest in these Taiwanese preparations because China, along with North Korea, is threatening these two nations as well.

China responded to these Taiwanese tactics by basing their longer-range non-nuclear ballistic missiles away from the coast and practicing launching airstrikes on Taiwan from more distant bases. There is still the problem of concealing the assembling of the invasion fleet. China increased its airborne force and number of civilian ferries that were built to be quickly shifted to military use in wartime.

Currently Taiwan has the advantage because a Chinese attack must succeed, or the Chinese government and economy are in big trouble. Thats because the aftermath of an invasion attempt would be a blockade of Chinese ports and all the exports and imports China depends on to keep its economy going. Taiwan knows that it does not have to make a successful invasion impossible, but simply too risky for any Chinese leader to attempt.
Tesla has not opened the Cybertruck orders book in Europe, but you can still buy one if you have enough money to burn. A Cybertruck AWD imported from the US is listed on a classifieds platform in Germany for half a million euros. The seller says the truck has undergone modifications and is now road-legal in Germany.

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EV

@adinross bought his from some guy in NA for 350k including shipping, so doubt theyd get 485  Ro (@m8nimal) February 7, 2024

When Tesla announced the Cybertruck in 2019, it allowed people from around the globe to place a reservation. These included Chinese and European customers. However, in May 2022, it stopped taking orders in these regions. One of the reasons was that local regulations would make it difficult for Tesla to get the Cybertruck road-legal. Both Europe and China favor smaller cars, and the roads and parking spaces are designed to suit these. The sheer size and weight of the Cybertruck would also make it a danger to other drivers and pedestrians.Things haven't changed now that the Cybertruck has started production and deliveries. Elon Musk recently confirmed that making the Cybertruck road legal in China would be "very difficult." While he hasn't made a similar statement about Europe, I don't see how that would be any different. This made Tesla fans in these regions jealous, as many would've liked to order one. Some already placed a reservation in the early days and are waiting for Tesla to send them an invite. This might never happen, though.Tesla may not be selling the Cybertruck outside North America, but that didn't stop it from touring the electric pickup truck in China and Europe. The Cybertruck proved quite popular during these events, as shown in social media posts from China. People flocked to the locations where the Cybertruck was on display, showing Tesla how successful the Cybertruck might be in the local market. People think that the same will happen in Europe when the Cybertruck arrives.We now know that Tesla is planning similar PR events involving the Cybertruck, not only in Europe but also in Japan. Rumors indicate that the electric pickup will be displayed this spring at the Stuttgart Holzgerlingen delivery center, the automaker's largest in Europe. People wondered why Tesla would bring the Cybertruck to Europe if it couldn't sell it there. Well, the Cybertruck proved a valuable marketing tool, driving up brand awareness, and Tesla wants as much of this as possible.Even though Tesla cannot sell you a Cybertruck in Europe, it doesn't mean you cannot buy one. It's not easy or cheap, but, as they say, when there is a will, there is a way. A Foundation Series Cybertruckis listed on the Kleinanzeigen classifieds platform in Germany for the eye-watering price of 485,000 euros ($522,000). The seller justifies the outrageous price by the costs of the individual homologation required to make the Cybertruck road legal. The electric pickup also needed modifications to allow registration in Germany, raising the price.I suspect a huge chunk of the price is owed to Tesla, courtesy of the no-resale clause in the Foundation Series sales contract. Tesla wants all the money a Cybertruck owner makes from selling the truck within the first year from delivery, or at least $50,000. Rumor has it that streamer Adin Ross bought his Cybertruck this way for $350,000, including $100,000 to cover the no-resale penalty. Considering the shipping and homologation costs, this makes the Cybertruck offer in Germany a steal.The sales ad mentions some modifications operated to the Cybertruck to pass the individual homologation in Germany. These included new headlights and front protection, not to mention replacing the charging port to make it compatible with the European Superchargers. Tesla uses a CCS2 port in Europe, like all othermakers and charging stations.
8 February 2024 09:15 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

Extraordinary presidential elections in Azerbaijan have ended successfully. Victorious Azerbaijani people decided to guarantee their reliable future once again by voting for their most trusted candidate - Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev.

The leader of all Azerbaijani nation, President Ilham Aliyev, who achieved the greatest victory in the history of Azerbaijan, the liberation of the entire territories of Garabagh, was re-elected as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for a period of 7 years with over 92% majority of votes.

First of all, when talking about the snap presidential elections and its superb results in Azerbaijan, it would be more logical to look at the last 20 years. In other words, this would have given a kind of answer to the question, "Why do the Azerbaijani people wanted to see Ilham Aliyev as president again?"

Briefly, President Ilham Aliyev's presidency since 2003 has been marked by important events, and achievements, such as the prosperity of Azerbaijan, the strengthening of its economic potential, and, most importantly, the end of the occupation.

When President Ilham Aliyev was performing his new presidential duties back in early 2000s, Azerbaijan's territories were under occupation, and Western forces were putting pressure on the country from various directions and were eager to freeze the Garabagh conflict. The fact that Azerbaijan has wide economic opportunities was useful for some forces, but it made other parties jealous. For this reason, some forces tried to prevent the restoration of the country's full sovereignty in various ways.

When President Ilham Aliyev said in his interview with local television channels that he wanted the extraordinary election, he meant the beginning of a new era in which Azerbaijan has full control over its territory.

He pointed out that polls would be held for the first time in the Garabagh region, finally after the complete cessation of separatism.

So, the presidential elections were held in Garabagh as well as in Khankendi, where separatism once raged. The winning leader, Ilham Aliyev, used his right to vote and took part in the voting at the polling station in Khankendi with his family.

There is a popular saying: appreciate what you have and who you have. It is not difficult to feel the difference between Azerbaijan thirty years ago and Azerbaijan today. It is obvious where we came from.

Today, the Armenian invaders who wanted to stain our name and honour are watching the important events happening in Azerbaijan from different corners of the world. In the past, the separatist leaders who said "Come and get Garabagh if you can", today they appeal to the country's leadership to participate in those presidential elections. We came and liberated Garabagh from your invasion; we even got you, and now you are where you deserve to be.

It should be recalled that in November of last year, President Ilham Aliyev, while speaking at a parade in Khankendi, said: "We showed the whole world the strength, determination, and indomitable spirit of the Azerbaijani people."

Yes, this is the unshakable power of the Azerbaijani people, which also chooses its victorious leader in Khankendi, the apple of Azerbaijan's eye and the home of the Khan.

Today, many Western forces are trying to overshadow both the presidential elections and the achievement of Azerbaijan's sovereignty. Even before the elections, PACE and other pro-Armenian parliamentary representatives of Europe started applying pressure against Azerbaijan. Although some European MPs supported the imposition of embargoes on Azerbaijan, they later realised how severe the logical consequences would be. Because they knew that it was impossible to defeat the will of Azerbaijan with plain words and promises behind the scene for Armenians.

Azerbaijan is entering a new era by making the right decision and electing its own leader. This period already creates opportunities to advance Azerbaijan towards greater goals. Now is the time to think about the broader economic outlook. Because the most difficult days for Azerbaijan are behind, and more serious decisions are yet to be made.

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Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews Deputy Editor-in-Chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 February 2024 17:15 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

Although the fact that the European Union Mission and especially Olivier Decottignies, the ambassador of France to Armenia, are standing guard day and night near the borders of Armenia with Azerbaijan is a beacon of hope for Yerevan, it cannot be considered a very pleasant event for the atmosphere of the South Caucasus. It is known that in the region, Yerevan has always been the most proactive country in involving third parties when it comes to the security of its border, or, literally, its territorial integrity. This has always raised questions among the states of the region, especially for Azerbaijan, which is in a state of conflict.

The question is, what can the EU observer mission do in the Armenian village of Norabak, 4 km away from the border?

The Armenian side notes that the presence of European observers, and especially the French ambassador Olivier Decottignies, whose name has recently become popular in social networks in a negative sense, supposedly gives comfort to the "isolated and vulnerable population" in the area.

We wonder what sort of comfort Ambassador Decottignies, whom the Armenian blogger debunked and shared his embarrassing photos, gives to the poor Armenian community.

We are sure that the Armenian side will say the following about bringing the EU Mission group near the border: this is the sovereign territory of Armenia, and this is our affair.

However, the purpose is not to discuss what is happening on the territory of Armenia but to discuss its final results. Usually, third parties take a neutral and impartial position to reduce tensions and spread peace in the region or between parties. However, the processes have taken such a picture that the third party somehow loves Armenia more than itself and even shows special antipathy towards Azerbaijan. For example, we wouldn't be wrong if we said that we saw this last time at the PACE winter session.

We know that Armenia is not sure what it is working for in the region, but we are sure that the EU mission group, as well as the French side, is trying to establish its entire strategy for purposes that are not in favour of Azerbaijan by establishing itself in Armenia. The sale of lethal weapons to Armenia and the military agreement between Yerevan and Paris do not indicate a well-intentioned step.

In short, the European Union Mission is more worried than Armenia that Azerbaijan will suddenly move one step further from the borders of Armenia. This is just the spontaneous thinking of the forces supporting the occupation. Azerbaijan has never set eyes on the territories of neighbouring states. On the contrary, it showed restraint on the empty promises made regarding the liberation of the occupied territories for thirty years.

However, the results seen today make Azerbaijan take more decisive steps. Therefore, neither the mission group nor the French delegation should waste their time around the border.

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Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews Deputy Editor-in-Chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 February 2024 14:16 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

In January 2024, Azerbaijan's total exports amounted to $1.8 bln, while non-oil exports amounted to $222 mln, Azernews reports, citing the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communications.

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The International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation has presented a new publication titled "We Stand With You,Turkiye!".

The anthology compiles poems from renowned poets of the Turkic states and the vast Turkic geography, dedicated to the bright memory of the victims of the terrible earthquake that struck Turkiye on February 6, 2023, taking the lives of over 50,000 people, Azernews reports.

The book includes poems by Turkish poets Gulsum Cingiz, Omar Mehmetoglu, and Abdurrahim Kucuk; Azerbaijani poets Salim Babullaoglu and Farid Huseyn; Kazakh poets Sayat Kamshiger and Kayirbek Shagir; Kyrgyz poets Mark-Abay Aamatov, Dalmira Tilepbergenova, and Begidjan Akhmetov; Uzbek poets Khurshid Davran and Khasiyat Rustam; Turkmen poets Akmurat Rajabov, Gulshirin Hanova, and Muhammetgurban Orazov; as well as many other poets from the Turkic world.

Interestingly, the poems in the anthology are written as photographs that convey the pain and sorrow of the terrible tragedy.

The idea for the book and the foreword were authored by the First President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, Gunay Afandiyeva, who addressed the book presentation.

"We wanted to say, 'We stand with you, Turkiye!' at every step. Thus, the idea of this project was born, and as a result, this anthology of poems was prepared. The edition, consisting of poems by poets from Turkic countries and from Turkic geography as a whole, is distinguished by its unique concept. Each poem in the book is dedicated to a specific photograph taken during the earthquake. This large collection could be called a 'poetic communion' of the Turkic world. Each poem carries pain and sorrow, but also hope and faith in the future. Most importantly, the poetic samples convey the unshakeable, resilient spirit of the Turk, who has endured the trials of history and nature. I am confident that this unshakeable, resilient spirit will always be with the Turkic world," she said.

The publication was translated and edited by Secretary of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union Selim Babullaoglu, with consultative support from Omer Mehmetoglu, Shemseddin Kuzeci, Mai Saparov, Zera Bekirov, and Albina Borisov. The design and layout were done by Javid Kishiev.

In his speech, Selim Babullaoglu stressed that the anthology successfully fulfilled its noble mission, being at the same time a serious poetic anthology.

"Among the poems are truly serious poetic texts. And the photographs, expressing the pain and grief of the people, also make the book an important document. It was with great satisfaction, yet simultaneously with pain, that I translated these texts. I thank the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, as well as all colleagues who responded to my proposal to write poems with fraternal sensitivity and the professionalism of a poet," said Selim Babullaoglu.

Initiated in 2012, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation focuses on the preservation of the Turkic heritage in member countries as well as conducting projects in collaboration with partners in third nations.

The foundation provides assistance in the protection, study, and promotion of Turkic culture and heritage through supporting and funding various activities, projects, and programs.

The organisation carries out its activities in cooperation with TURKSOY and the Turkic Academy.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
8 February 2024 17:58 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Azerbaijani musicologist Aida Tagizade has made an incredible contribution to the national music scene.

Honoured Art Worker has been working at the Baku Music Academy (BMA) since 1958.

She is the author of about 100 articles published in various newspapers and magazines.

The main topics of the articles are the legacies of such Azerbaijani composers as Uzeyir Hajibayli, Gara Garayev, Fikrat Amirov, Arif Malikov, and many others.

In her 1979 monograph "Light," dedicated to Jovdat Hajiyev, Aida Tagizade analyses his five symphonies, the symphonic poem "For Peace", chamber-instrumental music, and "Music Sheets" for piano at a highly professional level.

Aida's books and brochures dedicated to the works of Azerbaijani composers are a contribution to Azerbaijani musicology.

Honoured art worker Aida Tagizade turns 90 this year. The Azerbaijan Composers' Union has solemnly celebrated the birthday of a prominent musicologist.

Chairman of the Azerbaijan Composers' Union, People's Artist Frangiz Alizade, addressed the event.

In her speech, Frangiz Alizade stressed that Aida Taghizade has significantly contributed to national musicology through her creative and scientific activities.

Her research on the works of Uzeyir Hajibayli, Jovdat Hajiyev, Soltan Hajibayov, and Akshin Alizade takes pride of place in modern musical science.

Frangiz Alizade underlined that Aida Taghizade's articles about Gara Garayev, Fikrat Amirov, and Arif Malikov are distinguished by a high level of professional skill and artistic expressiveness of style.

Aida Tagizade has always taken an active part in the activities of the Azerbaijan Composers' Union. She also gave lectures on Azerbaijani music at international symposiums and seminars.

Having been engaged in teaching activities at the Azerbaijan Conservatory for many years, Aida Tagizade has trained many young musicologists who today are actively working in various areas of the musical culture of the republic.

Aida Tagizade also made a great contribution to music education in Turkiye, where she taught the history of world music at Bilkent University.

Having completed her speech, Frangiz Alizade presented the hero of the day with a greeting address.

Rector of the Baku Music Academy People's Artist of the USSR, Professor Farhad Badalbayli, conveyed best wishes from the teaching staff of the academy.

On the initiative of the Azerbaijan Composers' Union, a brochure was prepared and published for the anniversary of Aida Tagizade, which reflected the extensive activities of the famous musicologist.

This brochure, as well as a number of books written by the hero of the day in different years, were presented at a stand specially installed in the hall of the Union of Composers.

At the event, reports were heard that revealed the main facets of Aida Tagizade's creativity.

Secretary of the Azerbaijan Composers` Union, Honoured Artist, Professor Zemfira Gafarova, spoke about Aida Tagizade's contribution to national musical science.

A speech by the honourable artist, Professor Zumrud Dadashzade, was dedicated to the scientific and pedagogical activities of the musicologist.

Greetings to the hero of the day were also made by the Vice-Rector of the National Conservatory, Honoured Artist, Professor Lala Huseynova, composer, Honoured Artist, Professor Elnara Dadasheva, Honored Cultural Worker, Doctor of Philosophy in Art History Seadet Tahmirazgizi, and Director of the Music College named after. S. Hajibayov in Sumgayit Sabina Mehdiyeva.

The musical program featured piano works by classics of Azerbaijani music, to whose work A. Tagizade devoted her research.

People's Artist Ulviya Hajibayova performed Soltan Hajibeyov's Adagio, while laureate of the international competition Sabina Mehdiyeva delighted the audience with Jovdat Hajiyev's Ballada.

At the end of the evening, the hero of the day herself spoke, greeted with prolonged applause.

Aida Tagizade thanked the leadership of the Azerbaijan Composers' Union for the attention shown to her and the excellent organisation of the anniversary event.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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8 February 2024 00:42 (UTC+04:00)

The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi has congratulated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on his recent victory in the snap presidential elections held in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

The congratulatory letter reads:

His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Honorable Mr. President,

I convey to you my most sincere congratulations on the successful presidential election held in the Republic of Azerbaijan and the re-election of Your Excellency as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The importance of this election, held across the entire territory of your country for the first time since the restoration of the sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan, is immense.

The ancient historical, religious and cultural commonalities and deep spiritual bonds between the peoples of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan, two neighboring and Muslim countries, along with our shared interests of the two countries in various areas, have created a strong foundation for the expansion of relations between our states. I am convinced that during Your Excellency`s presidency, we will again witness the steady development of friendly and fraternal relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

In conclusion, I pray to Almighty Allah to grant you good health, success, and happiness and memorable days to the people of the brotherly Republic of Azerbaijan.

Respectfully yours,

Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
7 February 2024 22:38 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic has congratulated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on his recent victory in the snap presidential elections held in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

"

His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Excellency, distinguished Mr. President,

It is my pleasure to extend my wholehearted congratulations on your resounding victory in the early presidential election in the Republic of Azerbaijan which reflects the enormous trust that the citizens of Azerbaijan have in your leadership. Such an outcome is also an acknowledgement for the extraordinary results you have achieved in internal, regional and international frameworks during the last twenty years, building on the foundations set by the great Heydar Aliyev.

As a result of your strategic policy and commitment, Azerbaijan has made impressive strides towards social and economic development, ensuring security, prosperity and well-being to all its citizens, it has grown into a regional leader and gained an enviable reputation in the international arena.

Serbia attaches special importance to its relations with Azerbaijan, always bearing in mind that, on numerous occasions, your country has proven a true friend and advocate of our positions and vital national interests. Allow me to use this opportunity as well to express my sincere gratitude for Azerbaijan's consistent position regarding the observance of the principles of international law and the UN Charter and support for our country's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

I am pleased to notice that our strategic cooperation and ties have expanded in many aspects in the political, economic and humanitarian sphere, and I am fully confident that, under your continued wise guidance and leadership, the long-standing and close partnership between Serbia and Azerbaijan will be further strengthened and enhanced to our mutual benefit. For our part, you may rest assured that we remain firmly committed to working towards our more fruitful and prosperous collaboration, implementation of new joint projects and ideas, guided by the principles of friendship, mutual respect, trust and support in all areas.

Your Excellency, my dear friend, I wish you good health and success in tackling the responsibilities and challenges of your high office, as well as peace and prosperity to the brotherly people of Azerbaijan.

Please Excellency, accept my cordial regards and the assurances of my highest consideration.

Sincerely,

Aleksandar Vucic

President of the Republic of Serbia"

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8 February 2024 01:29 (UTC+04:00)

President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping congratulated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on his recent victory in the snap presidential elections held in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

The congratulatory letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of the Government and people of China, as well as personally, I extend my sincere congratulations on your re-election as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. I am confident that under your leadership, Azerbaijan will achieve new successes in all its state-building initiatives.

Over the past years, the development of China-Azerbaijan relations has been characterized as exemplary and stable. A high-level political trust environment has been established, progress has been made in the joint implementation of the "One Belt, One Road" initiative, and close mutual cooperation is observed in international relations.

I place great emphasis on China-Azerbaijan relations and highly value our working relations and personal friendship. I am ready to collaborate with you to further enhance our bilateral relations and elevate our cooperation to a new level across all domains.

I extend my wishes for your strong health and success in your responsibilities.

I wish progress to friendly Azerbaijan and happiness and peace to your people.

Respectfully,

Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China"

---

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8 February 2024 11:06 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Akkan Suver, representative of the delegation of the Turkish Marmara Foundation, said that after the Garabagh dastan, Azerbaijan entered a period of even more glorious history, Azernews reports.

"It changed the whole history of the Caucasus," he said.

Regarding the elections, Akkan Suver said Azerbaijan has demonstrated the basics of democracy for the whole world. There is no difference between the elections held in Azerbaijan and those held in developed and democratic countries around the world.

The representatives of the delegation said they were especially impressed by the favourable reception they received in friendly and brotherly Azerbaijan. They wished that these elections would serve to further development not only for Azerbaijan but also for the whole Turkic world.

The election process in Azerbaijan was held as transparently as possible, and people demonstrated their trust in the current government.

Head of the delegation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Salma Jeveria, also said that the election process in Azerbaijan was as transparent as possible and people demonstrated their trust in the current government.

Thanking the Azerbaijani leadership for their trust and friendship towards Pakistan, she expressed confidence that these elections will spur further development in Azerbaijan.

Regarding the relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, Salma Zheveria believes that now is the right time to make an additional analysis of the relations and identify areas for further, more active cooperation between the countries.

The head of the OIC delegation said she visited several polling stations. Upon learning that the observers came from Pakistan, people hugged them and expressed their love for the country.

Salama Jeveria thanked the Azerbaijani leadership for trust and friendship towards Pakistan and said her country regularly demonstrates its commitment to democracy in the world.

---

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In a huge show of cultural unity, Finland and Estonia are hosting a series of events to mark the Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival in China, which falls on Saturday.

Fifteen events including six performances, three photo exhibitions and three workshops showcasing Chinese culture are being held as part of the "Happy Chinese New Year" celebrations in the two European nations.

The festivities, which started on Monday and run through Saturday, feature folk artists, dancers and musicians from Beijing.

Liu Weizhi, deputy director of the Beijing Overseas Cultural Exchange Center, the organizer of the events, said the Chinese New Year celebrations have become an annual program in the two countries. While Finland is hosting the 18th edition of "Happy Chinese New Year", Estonia is hosting the 15th.

"This Spring Festival marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, which is a symbol of courage, vitality and good fortune in traditional Chinese culture. ... The ongoing events in the two countries have a lot of elements that feature the mythical creature," Liu said.

Helsinki, the capital of Finland, and Beijing became sister cities in 2006, and in 2007, "Happy Chinese New Year" events were held in Helsinki for the first time. One of the highlights was the dragon dance, featuring two 18-meter-long "dragons", performed by artists from Beijing.

Like the lion dance, the dragon dance is also a Chinese folk art form, in which performers maneuver the "dragon" using poles.

The lead performers skillfully raise, lower, thrust and sweep the dragon's head, creating an engaging visual spectacle. All the performers work in tandem to maneuver the dragon's body, synchronizing the movements with the rhythmic beats of the accompanying percussion instruments played by a live band.

"Since 2007, artists from Beijing have traveled to Finland to teach dragon dance to locals interested in the Chinese folk art form," Liu said.

In 2019, a 10-day dragon dance workshop was held in Helsinki. "This year, locals who were trained by artists from Beijing are participating in the dragon dance shows along with eight performers from Beijing," Liu added.

Di Tianyao, project producer of the overseas cultural exchange center, said that in addition to dragon dance performers, Chinese folk musicians and handicraft artists, lantern maker Luan Xianwen and kite maker Zhang Lei have joined the new year events in Finland and Estonia.

Musicians from the Inner Mongolia autonomous region are showcasing folk instruments and techniques, including the morin khuur, or "the fiddle with a horse head", and khoomei, or "throat harmony".

The morin khuur is a two-string fiddle, the significance of which extends beyond its function as a musical instrument, for it was traditionally an integral part of rituals and everyday activities of the Mongolian nomads.

Khoomei, which translates as "the root of the palate", is a special vocal technique in which one person produces multiple pitches simultaneously.

Di said that in 2020, they brought Haya  a unique band devoted to making world music based on Mongolian ethnic musical traditions  to Finland during the Chinese New Year festivities.

"Haya received great feedback from the local audiences, especially young people," he said, adding that the Chinese New Year celebrations have returned to Finland after the pandemic, and they aim to offer local audiences "more great musical traditions from Inner Mongolia".
February 7, 2024: Russia is facing a financial crisis because its main export item, petroleum, has declined in value while Russia, because of sanctions, has more difficulty getting cut-rate petroleum to buyers. For example, in the second half of 2023, Russian oil income hit a record low of $14.4 billion while the control over oil prices of OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, had started to unravel after 64 years of controlling the oil market. A growing number of new oil exporters do not join OPEC. This further degrades OPECs ability to control oil prices and keep them high.

Economic sanctions imposed on Russia for invading Ukraine have also made it difficult for Russia to deliver oil to customers, so Russia then cut its oil prices. This made the illegal Russian oil imports attractive because it protected the importer against losses from sanctioned shipments that were detected and blocked by one or more of the many nations supporting the sanctions. At the same time OPEC has been losing its ability to control oil production because of the increasing number of new oil exporting nations that did not join OPEC and sell their oil on the open market for whatever they can get. This trend is overwhelming OPECs ability to control prices and reduces Russian oil income more each year. This is all part of a growing assortment of economic problems imposed on Russia. Soon after Russia invaded Ukraine, Western countries united in imposing severe economic sanctions on Russia. This did some damage to the Russian economy, but not as much as the sanctioning countries expected. This is because there are always other countries with current or previous experience evading sanctions. Outlaw states tend to cooperate, or at least share sanction evasion techniques with each other. Russia found that nearby Iran, which has been under varying degrees of sanctions for decades, was a good source of advice on evading sanctions. Even before Russia went total outlaw in Ukraine, they had been cooperating with Iran, North Korea, and several other heavily sanctioned nations.

Russian oil exports, which for decades have been about eight million BPD or Barrels Per Day, vary in value depending on the world price for oil. In the last decade there have been two instances of sanctions related declines in Russian oil exports. The first was in 2014, in response to the Russian occupation of Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine. Russian oil exports fell about ten percent from their normal level. Russian oil exports recovered quickly to their previous levels, but oil income remained lower because Russia had to use discounts to get past the oil sanctions. This was because nations caught obtaining sanctioned oil could themselves be sanctioned. In 2022, Russia was hit with even heavier sanctions that caused oil income for 2022 to decline by over 20 percent compared to the previous year.

Russian oil exports cannot be ignored because Russia is the second largest oil exporter, behind Saudi Arabia. During periods when Russian oil exports are sanctioned, the primary impact is Russia receiving less for its oil. Russia managed to quickly deal with the new sanctions because of its close relationships with Iran, which was a veteran practitioner of how best to evade sanctions.

Iran has become quite skilled at evading sanctions. Since the U.S. revived economic sanctions against Iran in 2017, there has been an even larger and better organized effort to defeat the many methods Iran has developed over the years to conceal its smuggling efforts. Everyone involved tried to keep details of these Iranian schemes and American countermeasures out of the news, and not just because the Iranian methods were usually illegal, but also because the U.S. and its allies didnt want Iran to know the full extent of the new countermeasures being used. That veil of secrecy began to shred at the start of 2019 when a storm off the Syrian coast ran an Indian tanker, the Tour 2, ashore. The tanker had just delivered Iranian oil to Syria and went to sea hurriedly using the bad weather to evade detection. Tugs did not arrive until April to pull the tanker off the beach near the Syrian port of Latakia. It soon became clear what happened here. During late December 2018, Tour 2 loaded its oil cargo in an Iranian port and after it exited the Suez Canal it ghosted or ran dark. That is, the tanker turned off its AIS Automated Identification System, which allows ship owners and their customers, as well as any nearby vessels, to track the progress of large ships. With the Indian shipping company exposed as illegally smuggling oil to Syria, the extent of the increased American scrutiny of ships making deliveries to Syria forced Iran to be more resourceful. Iranian plans for more illegal oil tanker visits to Syria had to be hastily revised. Iran found that most of its old ploys and too many of its new schemes to carry out illegal oil movements no longer worked, at least not regularly. For months after the Tour 2 grounding, there was a very visible oil shortage in most of Syria. Iran has resorted to smuggling oil via truck from Iran through Iraq to Syria, but this is not sufficient to make up for the deliveries via sea going tankers.

Iran also noted that the American/Israeli surveillance of economic activity in Syria was more thorough and robust than anticipated. Any improvement in the Syrian oil situation triggered more international countermoves to block Iranian efforts to find a tanker that could deliver to Syria. The new countermeasures include monitoring the nations that provide ship registry services while maritime insurance companies have their own array of regulations regarding who can have access to insurance coverage and who cannot. This is about more than ship owners being covered against accidents at sea or in port. Ships without proper coverage, especially for vessels carrying dangerous cargo, like petroleum and natural gas, cannot enter many major ports or the territorial waters of most nations if they do not have proper insurance. By mid-2019 Iran found it more difficult to conceal what its hundred or so Iranian owned tankers and cargo ships were doing as more and more shipping companies and nations refused to do business with Iran. Iran tried to rely on Chinese tankers using Iranian techniques. For example, a Chinese tanker in the Indian Ocean using ghosting and, while its AIS was off, changed its ship registration to hide delivery of Iranian oil to a banned customer. Now the Americans are threatening to seize Chinese tankers if China does not enforce the terms of the Iranian sanctions.

All this is happening because once more Iranian oil exports are hobbled by sanctions and Iran is reviving its usual array of deceptions to try and hide illegal exports to customers willing to risk discovery and punishment when the Iranian deceptions fail. The last time Iran got hit by an oil export ban, shipments dropped from 2.6 million barrels per day to a million barrels per day. After the sanctions were once more imposed in late 2018, Iranian exports quickly fell from 2.8 million barrels per day to 1.8 million barrels. By April 2019 legal shipments had declined to under a million barrels per day. By mid-2019 oil shipments were often down to less than half a million barrels a day. The decline delay was, in part, caused by exemptions given to eight export customers who needed time to shift to another supplier. Some of the exemptions are permanent which is why the exports never hit zero.

There are plenty of other suppliers because there has been a world oil glut since 2010 because of fracking in North America and elsewhere. The OPEC oil cartel has restricted production to try and drive the oil price up, but that only worked for a while and only partially. Even before Iranian oil sanctions were revived the oil price was declining again. There were plenty of oil producers willing and able to replace Iranian exports. Illegal Iranian oil exports are sold at a lower price because of the risk of financial costs if caught and that also contributes to keeping oil prices low. But if scrutiny is too intense the smugglers find they cannot reach many customers. By mid-2019 Iran was again threatening to close the entrance to the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea entrance as well. The Hormuz threats were a bluff because Iran would be hurt more than anyone else, in the short term as well as going forward. A more immediate problem was Iran losing the cloak of secrecy that had long kept its smuggling methods out of the news.

Iran not only revived its usual techniques to hide ship movements but was shown to have expanded them. One reason the oil sanctions returned was that after most sanctions were lifted in 2015 is that Iran continued to smuggle weapons by sea, using the same deceptions it employed to try and get around the oil export ban. The difference was that most of the ships Iran used for arms smuggling were under 300 tons and not legally required to carry an electronic beacon. But some larger Iranian weapons smuggling ships illegally turned off their AIS beacon and, as the saying goes, ghosted. It was this continued smuggling and other unfriendly activity that brought back the sanctions and the oil embargo.

Iran now found that its opponents, mainly the U.S. and Israel, developed more effective methods of tracking its use of smaller ships so those were no longer as successful. Other old standbys, like bribes and corruption of officials involved in monitoring maritime cargo in ports and at sea, were also under greater scrutiny.

For a long time, the primary technical deception was having ships carrying contraband turn off their AIS transponder. AIS was originally developed to make it easier to track ships at sea and was rapidly adopted by most large commercial vessels in the 1990s. AIS is essentially an automatic transponder or radio beacon that, when it receives a signal from a nearby AIS equipped ship, responds with the ship's identity, course, and speed. This is meant to enable AIS ships to avoid collisions with each other. The original AIS only had a range of 20-35 kilometers but by 2006 space satellites were developed that could track AIS transmissions worldwide. Commercial ships have become very dependent on AIS, which has greatly reduced collisions and crew anxiety at sea. After 2000 international agreements mandated that ships larger than 300 tons, and all passenger ships carry and use AIS at all times.

While this made it practical to track all high seas commercial traffic, it was also exploited by smugglers and pirates. Some ships traveled in violation of international law with AIS and other trackers turned off. Usually, only criminals turned these devices off, and this was often discovered when navies spotted one of these ships ghosting at sea. It didnt take long for some intelligence agencies, at least those with ocean surveillance space satellites and lots of ships and subs at sea, to exploit the silent AIS ploy to create better ways to track smugglers by noting when some ships turn off their trackers and then turn them on again as they are about to enter a port or some other area where AIS use is mandatory. Some nations, like Iran and North Korea, have tankers and cargo ships that are often found running dark. Naturally, intelligence agencies developed methods to take advantage of this and a growing number of smugglers, usually North Korean, are detected and tracked because of AIS manipulation. Iran had an easier time concealing arms smuggling because they could use smaller ships. Actually, for getting arms to Shia rebels in Yemen Iran used a lot of small ships that are not required to use AIS. These could be, and were, tracked by satellite but it was more difficult. Oil smuggling is another matter as large ships, especially tankers, are used and they are easier to spot from orbital space or by recon aircraft and UAVs.

AIS monitoring has been combined with analyzing the thousands of satellite photos available each day from commercial satellites. Using software that can scan these digital photos and match ship position data with current AIS data, it is easier to identify who is misbehaving and go after them. This has been bad news for Iranian oil smuggling efforts and so far, the Iranians have not come up with effective countermeasures.

Before AIS came along, most large ships carried, and still carry INMARSAT, which enables shipping companies to keep track of their vessels no matter where they are on the planet. INMARSAT became available in the 1980s and uses a system of satellites which transmit AIS-like signals to anywhere on the oceans. It only costs a few cents to send an INMARSAT signal to one of your ships, and a few cents more to receive a reply. The trackers and satellite-based navigation systems in general soon proved invaluable by preventing collisions or running into reefs, rocks, or when there is bad weather, near coastal areas.

The smugglers soon responded to intel agency tracking of AIS activity with new tricks. Back in 2012, Iran was caught hacking AIS signals. Iran was sending false AIS signals to assist its smuggling operations. After 2012 security researchers found even more ways to hack AIS and have been calling for changes in the AIS software to make it more difficult to spoof. Iran is expected to try this again, despite the increased security measures in the AIS software.

Iran has been working for some time to come up with ways to confuse the international ship tracking system, mainly to support their arms smuggling activities. These maritime security technologies were developed as a safety feature and have proved valuable in other ways as well by providing the positions of ships caught in storms or taken by pirates. All ships now use GPS coordinates to record location and constantly report that back to the home office. Iran exploited this by having two of its ships trade INMARSAT IDs while they were near each other, leaving the U.S., or anyone else checking INMARSAT data, unable to track ships that have been switched. Well, for a while at least. Once the intel people caught onto this scam, they developed ways to counter it. This is very much a matter of move and counter move when it comes to exploiting or creating AIS vulnerabilities.

Because these tracking systems were, after 2000, required by international agreements for all seagoing vessels, this new tech was particularly useful in counter-terror operations. Coast guards the world over have also found the systems a big help. But apparently pirates in some areas have gained access to the systems via bribes or theft and a large number of pirate attacks appear to have been helped by technology meant to safeguard ships at sea. But overall, the tracking systems have done far more good than bad. By 2012 counter-piracy operations improved and better security inside the AIS operation made it much more difficult to be a pirate via stolen AIS data.

Iranian abuse of the AIS system was not appreciated by the shipping companies and ship crews. The Iranians have been found moving tankers around the Persian Gulf with AIS turned off. The Iranians do this in other parts of the world where there is a lot of ship traffic. This puts ships of many nations at risk and despite Iranian denials, there are enough ships reporting encounters with Iranian ships running dark to confirm what Iran is doing. All this outlaw activity turned more and more former allies, or neutrals, against Iran.

The bad reputation Iran has made for itself in the maritime shipping community caught up with them in 2019. Nations that registered ships, the flags of convenience, were no longer as convenient for Iran and the Iranians were surprised to find out how many ship registering nations, even the small ones with a reputation for serving shady customers, were no longer willing to register Iranian ships and were able to spot, with American help, Iranian efforts to use deception to get one of their ships registered. Insurance companies work closely with ship registrars to spot fraudulent activities and Iran soon found many of its ships could not get insurance and without it could not enter many foreign ports. At this point, Iran finds itself on the defensive. The Americans had built up a larger arsenal of countermeasures than Iran expected, and that disturbing revelation came at a very inconvenient time.

Because Russian oil exports represented a larger portion of oil exports, Russia found more major oil purchasers willing to cooperate in evading sanctions for the discounted Russian oil. Iran was also a major supplier of munitions to Russia after Ukraine was invaded and Russia found it needed more ammunition than expected. Russia expected a short war. This is a common delusion with aggressor states and now Russia finds itself taking major losses in Ukraine and unable to find an easy way out.
8 February 2024 11:46 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

In accordance with the combat training plan for the 2024 academic year, classes are held in the Separate Combined Armed Forces Army, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijan Ministry of Defence.

Learning the duties, clarification of the tasks of the units, units' withdrawal to the assembly areas on alert, covert management, and execution of suddenly emerging tasks are worked out while bringing the troops to various levels of combat readiness in the lessons and classes held following the "Combat Training Plan of the 2024 Training Year of the Combined Arms Army".

The lessons and classes held in order to increase the knowledge and skills of the personnel, to maintain the high-level combat readiness of the units, and to ensure stable, uninterrupted, and operative management will be continued regularly during the training year.

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8 February 2024 11:27 (UTC+04:00)

"The observations we conducted on February 7 in Azerbaijan suggest that the presidential elections were held in a democratic, free, and transparent environment. This is the democracy holiday of the Azerbaijani people," Ali Asghar Mohammadi Sijani, Deputy Secretary General of the Parliamentary Union of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (PUIC), said at a press conference held in Baku, Azernews reports, citing Secki-2024.az.

He noted that Azerbaijan demonstrated an example of transparent elections.

"We witnessed the organization of the election process at a high level in the precincts we observed. We congratulate you on the occasion of the democratic elections," Asgar said

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8 February 2024 12:45 (UTC+04:00)

"During my observations, I witnessed that the election process on February 7 was conducted completely transparently and actively," the head of the Moldova-Azerbaijan interparliamentary working group, Vitaliy Jakot, said at a briefing on the presidential elections, Azernews reports, citing secki-2024.az.

The representative of Moldova noted that he monitored the election process in the city of Khankendi, which was liberated from occupation.

"I was in Shusha two years ago. I saw the destroyed monuments and mosques. It affected me very badly. However, all monuments, including churches, were restored without any damage. When I went to Khankendi yesterday, my counterparts were very emotional along the way. It was a familiar sight to me.

I also had the opportunity to talk with people living in the liberated areas. There were people who became refugees from Khankendi and later returned to their land. They seemed very confident and optimistic. This feeling of certainty and confidence can overcome many things. In general, during our observations, we saw that the election process was fully transparent and active," he stressed.

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8 February 2024 08:50 (UTC+04:00)

The President of the Republic of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko has congratulated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on his recent victory in the snap presidential elections held in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

The congratulatory letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dear Ilham Heydarovich,

I extend my sincerest congratulations to you on your resounding victory in the presidential election of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which was conducted across the entire territory of the country for the first time in its period of independence.

The overwhelming support demonstrated by the voters during the election once again eloquently reaffirmed the unity of society and your esteemed authority among the people of Azerbaijan.

Over the past 20 years, your determination, high political culture, and ability to heed the voices of your people have been instrumental in building a strong, independent state, which enjoys international prestige. Your name is rightfully synonymous with economic progress, the advancement of citizens' welfare, the consolidation of sovereignty, and the elevation of Baku's standing on the international stage.

In Belarus, you have a reliable friend who shares approaches to building fair and equal relations between countries, strengthening security, dialogue, and trust.

From the bottom of my heart, I wish you, esteemed Ilham Heydarovich, good health and much strength to implement all your plans for the benefit of the friendly people of Azerbaijan.

I am always glad to welcome you to the hospitable land of Belarus.

Respectfully,

Aleksandr Lukashenko,

President of the Republic of Belarus"

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8 February 2024 12:02 (UTC+04:00)

Head of the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation Ramzan Kadyrov has congratulated President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on his confident victory in the snap presidential election, Azernews reports.

Ramzan Kadyrov made a post about it on its X account.

The post reads: "I cordially congratulate the esteemed Ilham Aliyev on his election to the post of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The preliminary results of the election have become known, and Ilham Heydarovich confidently takes the leading position. Azerbaijani citizens` support manifests that Ilham Heydarovich is a devoted leader of his people. High professionalism and moral capabilities, experience, and the ability to adopt complicated decisions have turned him into an irreplaceable leader in the country`s political and social life."

Ramzan Kadyrov underscored Ilham Aliyev's fruitful domestic policy, which embraces the development of vital social and economic domains.

"Ilham Aliyev works tirelessly to strengthen diplomatic relations with partner countries, especially Russia. It helps to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation. I am confident that under the leadership of Ilham Heydarovich, the country will continue its dynamic development and further increase its authority towards rapid progress, Ramzan Kadyrov posted.

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8 February 2024 14:07 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

"Frank Schwabe, a member of the German Bundestag, recently spoke out against Azerbaijan as a clown," a statement from the Western Azerbaijan Community says, Azernews reports.

The statement also said:

"The anger of a loser like F. Schwabe shows once again that Azerbaijan has defeated not only the invading Armenia but also all the forces behind it, and it is for this reason that these circles now want to take revenge on Azerbaijan.

But history shows that such crusaders as F. Schwabe cannot influence the will of Azerbaijan in the slightest degree".

Recall that Azerbaijan's president has said that his country may consider leaving top European bodies, such as the Council of Europe (CoE) and the European Court of Human Rights.

The warning came soon after the country's delegation quit the CoE's parliamentary assembly (PACE) as the body was about to reject its credentials, and amid general crises with the West.

On February 1, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Martin Chungong. The IPU is a union of national parliaments of countries around the world.

In remarks at the meeting quoted by the presidential website, Aliyev reacted for the first time to PACE's move to push out the Azerbaijani delegation. He called the move "anti-Azerbaijani" and said that it was initiated by a minority group "which does not serve dialogue and is overall in opposition to the traditions of a parliamentary platform."

The idea to vote the Azerbaijani delegation out was raised by German MP Frank Schwabe and supported by thirty members of the Assembly.

Aliyev said that if the rights of the Azerbaijani delegation at PACE are not restored, Baku will consider pulling out altogether from the CoE and the European Court of Human Rights, according to the website.

In voting out the Azerbaijani delegation on January 24, PACE concluded that the country has "not fulfilled major commitments" stemming from its joining the Council of Europe in 2001.

"Very serious concerns remain as to [Azerbaijan's] ability to conduct free and fair elections, the separation of powers, the weakness of its legislature vis-a-vis the executive, the independence of the judiciary and respect for human rights, as illustrated by numerous judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and opinions of the Venice Commission," PACE said in its resolution.

The decision only concerns Azerbaijan's parliamentary delegation and the country remains a member of the CoE - for now.

Aliyev's threat to quit the CoE and human rights court comes amid deteriorating relations with Western countries and institutions.

In late December, the French ambassador to Azerbaijan was summoned to the foreign ministry, and two embassy employees were declared persona non grata and expelled "for actions incompatible with their diplomatic status and which contradicted the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations." France rejected the allegation and retaliated the following day by expelling two Azerbaijani diplomats.

While Azerbaijani officials did not specify what the French diplomats had supposedly done wrong, pro-government media earlier asserted that the country's law enforcement had exposed a spy network working for France.

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8 February 2024 14:21 (UTC+04:00)

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International observer and Deputy Chairman of the Republican Council of the Parliament of Belarus, Valery Belsky, at a briefing on the results of monitoring the extraordinary presidential elections held in Azerbaijan, calls on PACE to learn from Azerbaijan how to conduct elections, Azernews reports.

Belsky emphasised that PACE expresses its opinion to other countries about the electoral process in these countries, trying to teach them. They believe they have the right to do so.

"I invite these people who created legislation through the media to Azerbaijan. I invite them here to see how elections should be held," he added.

Valery Belsky wished Azerbaijan success in the upcoming parliamentary elections as well as in the organisation of such a prestigious event as COP29.

Recall that voting took place in the presidential elections in Azerbaijan on February 7.

The candidate from the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, Ilham Aliyev, self-nominated candidates Zahid Oruj and Fuad Aliyev, the candidate from the National Front Party, Razi Nurullayev, the candidate from the Great Creation Party, Fazil Mustafa, and the candidate from the Great Azerbaijan Party, Elshad Musayev, fought for the post of President. United Popular Front of Azerbaijan - Gudrat Hasanguliyev.

Besides, there are 6 million, 478 thousand, and 623 people on the voter list. They voted at 6,537 polling stations throughout the country.

For Azerbaijani citizens abroad, 49 polling stations were created in the embassies and consulates of 37 countries.

More than 90 thousand observers were registered to observe the elections.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, elections covered the entire territory of the country, including lands liberated from occupation. 26 polling stations were created in the territories liberated from occupation.

According to the US-based Oracle Advisory Group organisation, some 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev in the presidential election.

The American Oracle Advisory Group and Citizens' Labour Rights Protection League have jointly released the results of an exit poll conducted during the presidential election in Azerbaijan.

The organisation reported that Zahid Oruj received 1.8 percent of the votes, Fazil Mustafa received 1.5 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev received 1.2 percent, Razi Nurullayev received 0.9 percent, Elshad Musayev received 0.4 percent, and Fuad Aliyev received 0.3 percent.

The election took place across the entire territory of Azerbaijan, including recently liberated territories.

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8 February 2024 15:47 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

A mass grave has been discovered in the Asgaran settlement of the Khojaly district. At least 8 human remains were found in a grave discovered near Askeran fortress, Azernews reports.

It is worth recalling that, after the liberation of Garabagh and adjacent regions, several mass graves have been found so far. Taking into account the fact that 3,890 Azerbaijani citizens went missing during the first Garabagh War, it is expected that the number of mass graves will increase.

The Azerbaijani State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages, and Missing Citizens notes that of the missing people, 71 were children, 267 were women, and 326 were elderly people. Armenia refuses to provide information to Azerbaijan about the mass graves of Azerbaijanis from the first Garabagh war.

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8 February 2024 16:04 (UTC+04:00)

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The mission of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) officially recognises that the extraordinary elections in Azerbaijan were held following international standards in this field. This is stated in a statement issued by this organization, Azernews reports.

The OTS mission consisted of representatives of the organisation's secretariat. Starting on February 4, members of the mission held meetings with Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, head of the Central Election Commission Mazahir Panahov, and other foreign missions in Azerbaijan.

The focus was on the correct organisation of electoral choice. Plus, meetings with all presidential candidates were held.

Election observation was conducted in 22 polling stations in Baku, Shusha, and Khojaly.

During the observation process, no administrative or other offences were observed. Voters were fully empowered to freely exercise their right to choose.

In this regard, the OTS mission states that the elections in Azerbaijan were held in a free atmosphere and fully in line with international standards. There was no influence on the voters.

At the same time, it was noted that conditions were created for people with disabilities to express their right to choose, and in this regard, the polling stations were provided with appropriate technical devices.

Thus, the OTS recognises that the presidential elections in Azerbaijan were held in a fully transparent environment.

The statement concludes by saying that the results of these elections will strengthen peace and friendship in the Turkic world and will contribute to the further development of democracy throughout the Turkic space.

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8 February 2024 17:10 (UTC+04:00)

Candidates who participated in the presidential election of the Republic of Azerbaijan - Gudrat Hasanguliyev, the Chairman of the Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, Fazil Mustafa, the Chairman of the Great Establishment Party, Elshad Musayev, the Chairman of the Great Azerbaijan Party, Razi Nurullayev, the Chairman of the National Front Party, as well as independent candidates Zahid Oruj and Fuad Aliyev - made phone calls to President Ilham Aliyev, who won the election with the great trust of the people of Azerbaijan.

Each candidate sincerely congratulated the re-elect President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on his resounding victory in the democratically, transparently, and fairly conducted election. They emphasized that the results of the voting were a clear expression of the Azerbaijani people's confidence and trust in their head of state, as well as a manifestation of the high value and support given to the country's resolute policies towards socio-economic development and the welfare of its citizens.

The candidates noted that holding this election across the entire territory of the country, which has fully restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty, is a significant historical event. As a visual indicator of this, they emphasized that the Presidents casting his vote at the polling station located in the city of Khankendi, together with his family members, carries great political and symbolic significance.

The candidates wished President Ilham Aliyev good health and success in achieving all his goals for the prosperity and progress of Azerbaijan and further strengthening its global reputation. They also extended their wishes for new successes and achievements in his endeavors for the tranquility, prosperity, and progress of the people of Azerbaijan.

The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan thanked them for their congratulations. The head of state positively evaluated the demonstration of a political culture based on constructive dialogue among the candidates participating in the presidential election and noted that a number of proposals voiced by the candidates during the pre-election campaign process will be taken into consideration.

President Ilham Aliyev wished the candidates, who participated in the election, success in their future endeavors.

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February 8, 2024: The Ukrainian Blackjack internet hackers group, working in cooperation with the Ukrainian Security Service and the Defense Intelligence organization, carried out an extensive online attack on Russian networks in late 2023. This effort downloaded data on construction plans for more than 500 military bases in Russia and occupied Ukraine and erased the original Russian data files. This essential data was gone for good until there was time for it to be reconstructed. Also obtained was data on the plans and operations for Russian military headquarters at hundreds of bases. The facilities were located throughout Russia and included air-defense installations and arsenals where weapons are assembled and stored. Blackjack also stole massive amounts of data on Russian military plans and proposals as well as after-action reports on completed projects and operations. Again, all the original files were erased. The damage was restricted to assets useful to the Russian military. Outside the military there were vast quantities of untouched material that could, with some effort, be adapted to military use. Blackjack also destroyed large amounts of other Russian data stored online, along with most of the backups. This caused chaos among Russian construction supervisors. Work on projects was disrupted, interrupted, or put on hold because crucial information was missing or partially erased. Seven computer servers were corrupted as well as the computers used by 150 Russian individuals working for the military. The Ukrainians were primarily interested in how all this data destruction aided the Ukrainian war effort. It did so by eliminating assets the Russians used to fight Ukrainians.

The Russians have had some success with their own internet hacks. For example, Russian hackers obtained access to surveillance cameras in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. This enabled precise selection of targets for missile attacks. Both sides hackers also carry out operations in the combat zone. For example, Ukrainian hackers hacked into the encrypted video feed from Russian FPV (First Person View) UAVs, providing the Ukrainians with real time information on where Russian troops are. FPV involves the UAV operator wearing a device on their face that enables them to see what the camera on the UAV sees and operate the UAV using that information for surveillance to fly an UAV carrying explosives into its target. The operator then takes control of another armed UAV and does the same again and again. Skilled FPV UAV operators are outside the combat zone and can freely move around if it is suspected that the enemy is tracking and targeting FPV UAV operators. Both sides use this technology. The Russian video camera operators see what is headed their way as they fly towards Ukrainian forces.

One complication is that military and civilian networks are generally separate and use different technology so that they are not interchangeable. That separation was revealed back in 2016, shortly after Russia had created a separate, encrypted Internet for its military. They call it CTDT for Closed Data Transfer Segment and it was tested in combat for the first time that year in Syria. This is similar to the classified Internet used by the American military. The U.S. Department of Defense has two private Internets using Internet technology, but not directly connected to the public Internet. NIPRNET (Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network) is unclassified, and the primary network for American military personnel. SIPRNET (Secure Internet Protocol Router Network) is classified, and all traffic is encrypted so you can use it to send top secret material. NIPRNET is the largest private network on the planet, with over four million authorized users and over three times as many devices, including PCs, tablets, smart phones, and other electronic equipment connected. NIPRNET has grown steadily since it was created from the earlier MILNET in the 1980s.

In 2010 the U.S. Department of Defense spent $10 million to have a civilian firm create a roadmap for NIPRNET. This was an admission that, in effect, NIPRNET had gotten a little out of control and the roadmap program was meant to find out how big it had gotten, and exactly what was in there. The survey also sought to find any instances where unauthorized users had quietly joined the net. This was suspected and the survey was the start of a major effort to clean interlopers out. The survey also looked for weakness in security. The Department of Defense has made several major efforts since 2005 to improve network security. But those efforts also revealed that weaknesses can show up in the strangest places and that was another reason to keep many aspects of the investigations and subsequent fixes secret.

Russia has apparently learned from American problems with SIPRNET and got a major assist from a former NSA contractor, Edward Snowden. He had access to SIPRNET, stole large quantities of classified data from it and then fled to Russia in 2013. Because of that and what else Snowden told Russia about SIPRNET, CTDT has had a lot of additional security built in. Russia has not provided details but using CTDT in a combat zone for over a year was a challenge to the Americans and Israelis to have a crack at penetrating the new Russian network. Because of the intense secrecy there is nothing to report on that front, which is not to say anything has happened. In situations like this details become public much later.

The Department of Defense continues efforts to keep SIPRNET secure. You could say that effort got into high gear during 2008 when the Department of Defense banned the use of USB thumb drive data devices on their computers. This was all because they were having more problems keeping hackers out of its private Internet. But a year later the USB devices were allowed back, but only if they use new versions that have security built in. Military network software was modified to recognize the secure USB memory sticks and continue to block unauthorized devices.

The original panic about this began when a worm program got on to SIPRNET via a USB device. The problem in question was hacker programs called worms that automatically copy themselves to rewritable CDs and DVDs as well as memory sticks. Then, the next time a CD/DVD/memory stick is read by another program, the worm program copies itself onto that computer, and tries to secretly take over, and enable hackers to gain access and steal stuff. The existence of worms was a major threat to network security and the military promptly told troops to not use memory sticks on military computers. This caused problems in the combat zone, where there is not a lot of Internet capacity bandwidth for moving information around. Troops prefer to keep a lot of material on memory sticks. When the troops rebelled against these restrictions, that sometimes resulted in physically sealing USB ports on some machines. In the end, the troops won this round.

These worm programs could do all sorts of damage on the closed SIPRNET, and even presented the possibility of getting secret information off the secure net by copying data to a hacker program that then attempts to copy itself to other memory devices, and then PCs hooked up to the Internet, and then transmit the secret material back to the hacker, or spy.

Before the Internet came along, programs that automatically copied themselves were a common method for viruses and other malware to get around, slowly, but useful data did travel that way. NIPRNET is also vulnerable. Even though the Department of Defense installed new hardware, especially customized routers, and software to increase security, the worms were still getting into portions of their networks. Oddly enough the Department of Defense does not appear to have paid as much attention to a user simply copying data from SIPRNET and delivering the material to someone not authorized to have it.

The military was a major user of the public Internet from the beginning, and they have discovered that most of the intrusions via hacks and viruses were the result of poor configuration. This was mainly about not keeping the hardware and software set up correctly to defeat known vulnerabilities, or not installing patches and security updates in time. The rest of the intrusions come from more mundane problems, like using an easily cracked password, or no password at all. Network security has always been a people problem, and these recent incidents are a sharp reminder of that.

It's easy for troops to be doing something on SIPRNET, then switch to the Internet, and forget that they are now on an unsecure network. Warnings to users about the switch and subsequent vulnerability did not cure the problem. The Internet is very useful for the troops, especially for discussing technical and tactical matters with other soldiers. The army has tried to control the problem by monitoring military accounts, those ending in .mil, but the troops quickly became aware of that, and opened another account with Yahoo or Google, for their more casual web surfing, and for discussions with other troops.

The Internet has been a major benefit for combat soldiers, enabling them to share firsthand information quickly, and accurately. That's why the troops were warned that the enemy is actively searching for anything they post, and this material has been found at terrorist websites, and on captured enemy laptops. In reality, information spreads among terrorists much more slowly than among American troops. But if soldiers discuss tactics and techniques in an open venue, including posting pictures and videos, the enemy will eventually find and download it. The terrorists could speed up this process if they could get the right hackware inside American military computers. But right now, the enemy just Googles for useful chatter from Western troops.
8 February 2024 18:49 (UTC+04:00)

On February 8, President of the Republic of Albania Bajram Begaj made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Bajram Begaj congratulated the head of state on his victory in the election and wished him success in his presidential activities.

The head of state thanked Bajram Begaj for his attention and congratulations.

The heads of state commended the development of Azerbaijan-Albania bilateral relations and expressed their confidence that the cooperation would continue to expand.

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8 February 2024 18:56 (UTC+04:00)

On February 8, Head of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Nechirvan Barzani made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Nechirvan Barzani offered his congratulations to Ilham Aliyev on his victory in the presidential election, wishing him success in his activities.

The head of state expressed his gratitude for the congratulations.

Fondly recalling their past meetings, President Ilham Aliyev and Nechirvan Barzani emphasized that these interactions contributed to the expansion of cooperation.

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8 February 2024 19:55 (UTC+04:00)

On February 8, President of the European Council Charles Michel made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Charles Michel congratulated President Ilham Aliyev on his victory in the February 7 elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan and wished the head of state success in implementing his new mandate.

During the phone conversation, they thoroughly discussed various aspects of relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union, particularly cooperation in the energy and transport sectors. Charles Michel emphasized that the European Union initiates specific projects aimed at developing ties with countries in the region in the field of transport and communications.

The parties also touched upon Azerbaijan`s hosting COP29 and cooperation between the European Union and Azerbaijan in this context.

Charles Michel asked President Ilham Aliyev to outline his position on the resumption of meetings between Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the European Union in a trilateral format in Brussels.

President Ilham Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan always supports trilateral meetings held in Brussels at the initiative of Charles Michel.

During the conversation, they exchanged their opinions on peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan and emphasized that the joint statement, adopted on a bilateral basis on December 7 between the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia, is an important step forward.

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The President of the Republic of Croatia has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on his victory in the presidential election, Azernews reports.

The congratulatory letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Croatia and on my behalf, I am pleased to extend warm congratulations on your re-election to the office of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

I wish you much success in discharging this responsible duty and trust that you will continue to work dedicatedly for the overall progress of your state and the well-being of all its citizens.

The friendly relations between Croatia and Azerbaijan have been successfully developing over the past thirty years. I am confident that in your new term we will continue to work on strengthening and deepening our overall relations. Our economic cooperation holds particular significance, with substantial potential enhancement. I believe that it is especially important to encourage closer collaboration between Croatian and Azerbaijani companies, as well as to bolster interest in mutual investments.

Please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Sincerely,

Zoran Milanovic

President of the Republic of Croatia"

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8 February 2024 20:07 (UTC+04:00)

The President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on his victory in the presidential election, Azernews reports.

The congratulatory letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dear Mr. Ilham Heydar oglu,

Please accept my most sincere congratulations on the occasion of your convincing victory in the presidential election in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The results of the vote testify to the high level of trust and support of the people of Azerbaijan for the course you are pursuing towards strengthening the statehood and socioeconomic development of the country. I am confident that this important event will contribute to the further development of the Republic of Azerbaijan and improve the well-being of its citizens.

It is gratifying to note the effective nature of brotherly relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan. We are confident that these relations will continue to develop and deepen for the benefit of the peoples of our two countries. We are grateful for your personal attention and great support for the development of good-neighborly relations between our countries.

Dear Ilham Heydar oglu, I would like to wish you good health, happiness and success in your responsible activities as head of state, and the brotherly people of Azerbaijan peace, well-being and prosperity.

With deep respect,

Serdar Berdimuhamedov

President of Turkmenistan"

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8 February 2024 19:24 (UTC+04:00)

President of Russia Vladimir Putin has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on his victory in the presidential election, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dear Ilham Heydarovich,

Please accept my sincere congratulations on your re-election as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The election results fully confirm your high political authority and the nationwide support for the course you are leading towards accelerated socio-economic development of Azerbaijan and strengthening its positions on the global stage.

We place significant importance on our allied relations with Baku. I am confident that we will continue our active joint work to bolster fruitful bilateral cooperation across all domains and expand partnership to address pressing issues on the international agenda. This undoubtedly serves the interests of our friendly peoples and contributes to the consolidation of stability and security in the South Caucasus and the Caspian region.

I sincerely wish you, esteemed Ilham Heydarovich, success in your responsible role as the head of state, as well as good health and well-being.

Respectfully,

Vladimir Putin

President of the Russian Federation"
8 February 2024 20:51 (UTC+04:00)

Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenkovic has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on his victory in the presidential election, Azernews reports.

The congratulatory letter reads:

His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and in my personal capacity, I would like to extend to you my sincere congratulations on your re-election as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Over the past thirty years, Croatia and Azerbaijan have achieved a high level of bilateral cooperation. I am glad that in our meeting in Baku in November 2023, we had a chance to discuss how to enhance our overall cooperation, especially in the fields of trade and energy security. In the period ahead, we remain committed to working closely with you and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan on further advancement of our political, economic and cultural relations.

Wishing you much success in your future endeavours for the benefit of the people of Azerbaijan, please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Sincerely,

Andrej Plenkovic

Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia

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8 February 2024 07:30 (UTC+04:00)

By Sehr Rushmeen

In the heart of South Asia, Pakistan is on the threshold of a defining moment as it gears up for its General Elections 2024. This occasion is more than a routine electoral exercise; it's a vibrant demonstration of democratic commitment in the face of diverse challenges. With the entire nation mobilized, from the bustling streets of Karachi to the serene valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan, these elections are a critical juncture for a country that has been a beacon of resilience and determination.

The political arena is buzzing with activity as Pakistan prepares to welcome its 24th Prime Minister to be elected after the dynamic polls on 8 February. This landmark event is a testament to the enduring trust of the Pakistani populace in the electoral system. The enthusiasm is palpable, with the airwaves filled with the sounds of democratic engagement, from spirited debates to the echo of political rallies. The elections are a reflection of the nation's maturity, where dissent is not just tolerated but valued as an essential component of a healthy democracy.

In an unprecedented move to underscore transparency and engage with the global community, Pakistan has extended invitations to a significant number of international journalists from across the globe. This gesture highlights the Government's intent to facilitate a transparent view into the electoral process, reaffirming Pakistan's position as a country of significant strategic importance, not just in the Islamic world but also in the broader regional context. This will also put at ease the deliberate attempts of external factions that always paint Pakistans election process as undemocratic.

The pre-election surveys and assessments paint a picture of a highly competitive political landscape. The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN), the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are at the forefront of this electoral battle, each vying for a chance to shape the country's future. According to a Government organization's analysis, PMLN is poised to lead, potentially securing a commanding presence in the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures. This data-driven insight and analysis has been carried out on the basis of information collected from Police sources, Revenue Department, Labor Unions and interviews with professionals in different fields, adds a layer of anticipation to the electoral proceedings.

The journey to these elections has been fraught with obstacles. External and internal entities, driven by their own agendas, have sought to destabilize Pakistan's quest for political stability and economic prosperity. Through a concerted effort to malign Pakistan in the international arena, these adversaries have underestimated the resolve of a nation that has consistently demonstrated its ability to rise above challenges. With Pakistan standing on the brink of another democratic milestone, it does so with the confidence that the collective will of its people will guide it through to a peaceful and prosperous future.

The significance of these elections transcends national boundaries, impacting regional geopolitics and the broader narrative of Islamic solidarity. In this context, Pakistan's political stability is not merely a domestic concern but a matter of international consequence. To maintain law and order in the country, a three-tiered security system has been instituted. Police, Civil Armed Forces and Armed Forces will be deployed to ensure process of elections takes place in free, fair and peaceful manner. It is essential in order to deter any threat that external and internal non state factions may ensue to hamper the smooth polling process.

As the nation prepares to cast its votes, it does so with the hope of ushering in a new era of governance, one that reflects the diverse aspirations and challenges of its people. This electoral process is a reaffirmation of Pakistan's commitment to democracy, a pledge to uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and inclusivity. The country has seen its share of tremendous trajectories in all directions and it is the need of the hour to welcome an era of a stable political environment for growth and national progress.

Hence, the upcoming polls are a critical milestone for Pakistan, embodying the hopes and dreams of its citizens for a brighter, more prosperous future. It's a moment for the country to demonstrate its democratic resilience, to engage with the global community openly, and to take a decisive step towards securing its rightful place on the world stage. These elections are not merely about choosing leaders; they're about reaffirming Pakistan's enduring commitment to the democratic ethos and its unwavering resolve to forge a path of progress and stability for all its citizens.

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Sehr Rushmeen is an Islamabad-based freelance researcher with an area of research interest in strategic nuclear studies, artificial intelligence in warfare, the South China Sea, and South Asian politics. She tweets on @rushmeentweets and can be reached on [email protected]

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8 February 2024 19:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Sara Nazir

Pakistan, a nation of 240 million with over 128 million eligible voters, is all set to conduct General Elections on February 8, 2024. In greater national interest, it is essential that the maximum number of people come out of their houses and exercise their right to vote for their favourite candidates, who can subsequently represent them in legislative assemblies and the Parliament. Nestled in a complicated political landscape, Pakistan is a democratic, peace-loving, and resilient nation that defies all odds it confronts. This nation, founded on principles of democracy, has a long history of holding elections that exhibit the core principles of political transformation. The continuation of the democratic process illustrates Pakistan's dedication to providing individuals with a forum to express legitimate issues through their elected candidates.

In an effort to demonstrate openness and transparency, the Pakistani Government has invited hundreds of international journalists from twenty different nations to witness and report on the election process. This strategic choice is not merely to alleviate foreign scepticism but to highlight the government's commitment to democratic principles. Some external groups with vested interests recently embarked on a smear campaign on international media forums with support and backing from certain domestic political quarters across Pakistan's political milieu. The fundamental goal of this sinister effort was to degrade Pakistan's reputation and that of its Armed Forces around the globe. This smear campaign, sponsored by those opposed to Pakistans growth, will confront a powerful opponent on February 8, when the Pakistani people exercise their democratic right to vote and prove their resilience one more time.

The political fervour surrounding the elections remained evident, with significant political parties such as Pakistan Muslim League (N), the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) actively participating in the political campaigns. Traditional political rallies, processions, corner meetings, and public interaction afforded the campaigners an atmosphere for the electoral system, which remains central to Pakistan's democratic values. From a security standpoint, to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful voting process, the government has developed a strong three-tiered security structure, including the Police, Civil Armed Forces, and Armed Forces in their respective tiers.

The demographics, which include a significant number of young people, represent vitality and the potential to foster positive growth. The active participation of youngsters reflects the nation's dedication to diversity and representation. The recurrent transfer of power through democratic methods, as symbolized by Pakistan's forthcoming 24th Prime Minister, strengthens the stability and continuity of the democratic institutions.

The makeup of the National Assembly and the four provincial assembliesPunjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistanwill be determined by General Elections. The National Assembly has 336 representative seats, with 266 directly elected by single-member constituencies under the first-past-the-post system. Additionally, 60 seats are reserved for women and 10 for minorities. The allocation of women's reserved seats among parties is proportionate to their province seat total, whereas minority seats are distributed based on each party's overall seat count. Following that, provincial assemblies elect 100 members of the Senate, Pakistan's upper chamber of Parliament. The party or alliance that wins the most seats in the National Assembly gets to choose its leader, who proceeds on to serve as the next Prime Minister.

An interesting assessment report from a Government Institution offers an interesting insight into the likely political scenario following the elections. The survey forecasts that the PML-N will come out as the single largest party, securing approximately 115 to 132 seats in the National Assembly. The estimate indicates to a stronghold for the PML-N in the Punjab Assembly, where it is expected to win around 190 of 297 seats, potentially forming a Government with a controlling two-thirds majority in the entirety of Punjab. Beyond Punjab, the estimate sees the PML-N playing a key role in Coalition Governments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. On the other side, the PPP is expected to win 35 to 40 seats, setting itself for control in Sindh. The PTI's independent candidates are expected to win 23 to 29 seats, while the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q), and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) will play a variety of roles in the National Assembly.

As the country goes to the polls tomorrow, it will not only resist coordinated efforts to malign its image, but it will also elect representatives who will reflect the true concerns of the people in Parliament and other legislative assemblies. The tolerance of divergent opinions is symptomatic of the growth of Pakistan's democratic culture. A strong democracy promotes differed viewpoints, ensuring that each citizen's voice is heard.

Most significantly, the election results will not only shape Pakistan's political landscape but will also have profound implications for stability of the region and Muslim world. The challenging democratic road reflects Pakistan's will to persevere and proclaim its democratic values in the face of difficulties. Through the ballot, Pakistanis will be able to elect members who will voice their real concerns in parliamentary and legislative assemblies, supporting the country's true democracy.

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The author is a gold medalist in Strategic Studies from Air University Islamabad and currently teaching as visiting faculty in a university based in Islamabad. She regularly writes on South Asian security and strategic issues.

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8 February 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

The Turkish media outlets have widely covered the snap presidential election held in Azerbaijan on Wednesday.

Headlined "Azerbaijani President Aliyev cast his vote in Khankendi, which was liberated from occupation", the article by the Turkish "Beyaz Gazete" media organization emphasized that polling stations were set up in Karabakh for the first time in 30 years.

More than 23,000 voters cast their ballots in Shusha, the cultural capital of Karabakh, as well as at 26 polling stations set up in Khankendi, Khojaly, Khojavand, Aghdara, Aghdam, Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Gubadli, Lachin and Kalbajar districts, the article said.

Anadolu Agency also published several articles, including an analytical article providing insights into Azerbaijans snap presidential election.

The articles, headlined "Declaration of Azerbaijan's sovereignty: polling stations are set up in Karabakh" and "People show great interest in the presidential elections in Azerbaijans Fuzuli, liberated from occupation", praised the high voter turnout in the elections, as well as the establishment of polling stations in the liberated territories.

TRT Haber also posted a number of articles highlighting President Ilham Aliyevs casting his vote in Khankendi, as well as the Azerbaijani citizens enthusiastic and active participation in the elections in the liberated territories.

A total of 37 polling stations were set up at the Azerbaijani embassies and consulates across 49 countries regarding the snap presidential election, the article noted.

The Turkish media outlets have widely covered the snap presidential election held in Azerbaijan on Wednesday.

Headlined "Azerbaijani President Aliyev cast his vote in Khankendi, which was liberated from occupation", the article by the Turkish "Beyaz Gazete" media organization emphasized that polling stations were set up in Karabakh for the first time in 30 years.

More than 23,000 voters cast their ballots in Shusha, the cultural capital of Karabakh, as well as at 26 polling stations set up in Khankendi, Khojaly, Khojavand, Aghdara, Aghdam, Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Gubadli, Lachin and Kalbajar districts, the article said.

Anadolu Agency also published several articles, including an analytical article providing insights into Azerbaijans snap presidential election.

The articles, headlined "Declaration of Azerbaijan's sovereignty: polling stations are set up in Karabakh" and "People show great interest in the presidential elections in Azerbaijans Fuzuli, liberated from occupation", praised the high voter turnout in the elections, as well as the establishment of polling stations in the liberated territories.

TRT Haber also posted a number of articles highlighting President Ilham Aliyevs casting his vote in Khankendi, as well as the Azerbaijani citizens enthusiastic and active participation in the elections in the liberated territories.

A total of 37 polling stations were set up at the Azerbaijani embassies and consulates across 49 countries regarding the snap presidential election, the article noted.

The article, published on Hurriyet.com web portal, hailed the fact that the voting is being monitored by 790 international observers representing 72 international organizations and citizens of 89 countries, with the total number of observers exceeding 90,000.

"Haber Global" also posted an article highlighting the snap presidential election in Azerbaijan.

The author drew attention to President Ilham Aliyev's casting his vote in Khankendi, the excellent organization of the voting process at all the polling stations established in Karabakh after 30 years, the high voter turnout, as well as the provision of all necessary conditions for observers to monitor the election process.

Headlined "Azerbaijan elects its president, the article by "Haber7com" website, stressed that the elections were monitored by a large number of international organizations. The author underscored that President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and their family members had also cast their votes in Khankendi.

The article, posted on the "Haberler.com" website, featured the interviews with voters, who demonstrated a high level of enthusiasm in the elections.

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by Austin Bay February 7, 2024

Ayatollah Iran treats the world as a war zone.

Here's a list of regional battlegrounds: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Persian Gulf Arab nations, Yemen and Jordan. On Jan. 28, a drone launched by an Iranian proxy militia operating in Iraq struck the U.S.-manned Tower 22 observation outpost in northeastern Jordan. The explosion killed three U.S. Army soldiers and injured at least three dozen more service members.

Yemen's Houthis, an Iranian proxy army, wage war on global shipping. Their attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean spike maritime insurance rates. That increases prices for everything, even food. Iran plays the same dirty game with oil prices when it threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the oil-producing Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean.

Venezuela's socialist dictatorship aligns with Tehran. For the past six months, Venezuela's Maduro regime has been threatening to attack neighboring Guyana. On Feb. 5, the AP reported the U.S. is "increasing its urgent military assistance to Guyana." In strategic terms, this means we face an Iranian proxy front in the Western Hemisphere. It's also an oil war with potential global economic consequences. Venezuela has around 400 billion barrels of oil; Guyana has a large field -- perfect targets for ayatollah meddling.

Since the 1990s, Iran's Khomeinist regime has waged a global Aryan nationalist holy war.

Iran is Aryanistan. Land of the Aryans. Check it out. The Iran Aryans despise Semites; Arabs and Jews are Semites. Ishmael, Arab progenitor, was a son of Abraham. That's one deep reason Donald Trump's Abraham Accords had traction.

Khomeinist refers to followers of Khomeinism, the violent ideology of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini who toppled the Shah in 1979. Khomeini was a bitter old man who liked to write love-laced pleasure-enthused Persian poetry when he wasn't despising Western civilization.

Failed artist turning to revolution -- that's a deadly history. Karl Marx was a failed German poet. Marx wanted to be Novalis (a brilliant German Romantic poet and polymath -- check him out). Adolf Hitler (a self-proclaimed Aryan Fuhrer) was a failed painter. I'm told Khomeini's poems are ersatz Omar Khayyam but at times show signs of merit.

Blunt poetry: Khomeini dubbed America the Great Satan.

Khomeinists wage slow war on America and its allies. In 1984, the State Department put Iran on its list of state sponsors of terrorism. It's still on it. Iran uses human trafficking to facilitate and fund destabilizing activities. Regime intelligence and special operations agencies are involved in drug trafficking.

In 2011, an Iranian operative was arrested before he could assassinate a Saudi diplomat in Washington, D.C. The Iranian operative intended to kill the diplomat with a bomb. An America with open borders is an easy target.

Alas, Iran's corrupt and cynical fanatics rule an educated nation-state that has the petrodollars to turn nuclear knowledge into weapons. And they are doing so. Israel's Stuxnet malware did more to delay Iran's nuclear program than the Obama administration's delusional Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The JCPOA put money in the ayatollahs' coffers.

Iranian leaders still refer to Israel as a "one bomb state." That refers to one large nuclear weapon striking Tel Aviv.

So far, the U.S. has responded to the deadly Jan. 28 Tower 22 attack by striking back at Iranian proxies -- at Iraqi, Syrian and Houthi proxies.

I've no doubt that the air and missile strikes have had tactical success -- destroyed launch facilities and munitions dumps, killed a few proxy fighters.

These tactical strikes, however, ignore the strategic problem -- an inimical regime that is no longer deterred by U.S. might.

At some point, the Iranian regime itself must suffer a heavy and deadly military blow.

One option: a "simultaneous strategic bombing strike" (SSBS, first described by StrategyPage.com in 2003). In a short time frame, aircraft, cruise missiles, drones and perhaps ballistic missiles with conventional warheads deliver hundreds of precision weapons, hitting regime nuclear targets, Iranian Al-Quds special forces and Revolutionary Guard command and control facilities, air defense sites, ballistic missile sites and intelligence agency facilities.

U.S. forces can do this if the president gives the order.

In August 2010, NBC's "Meet the Press" panel asked Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen if the Pentagon had a plan for attacking Iran. Mullen replied, "We do." He added, "Military actions have been on the table and remain on the table."

It's time for action.
8 February 2024 22:50 (UTC+04:00)

With the participation of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay and EU Commission Member Responsible for Harmonization and Reforms Elisa Ferreira, a bilateral authorization agreement was signed regarding the 400 million euro grant package committed by the EU due to earthquakes.

Speaking after the signing, Bozay said that Turkiye had signed a deal on support from the EU for the earthquake in Turkiye last year.

"We signed the agreement that will mobilise 400 million euros from the EU Solidarity Fund to Turkey, representing the largest part of the EU's commitment.".

Reminding that Turkiye was shaken in an unprecedented way by two devastating earthquakes in February 2023, Bozay said, "The strong solidarity shown by our friends was our consolation. The EU and its member countries were among the first to lend a helping hand. We are grateful for the support they provided after the earthquake. We are grateful for the recovery efforts of our European friends in the earthquake hit regions. We were also deeply impressed by his solidarity in helping".

Bozay noted that the necessary preparatory work has been carried out regarding the details of what will be done with the support to be provided.

"I would like to express our hope that the commitments made by all countries at the conference will be implemented in the coming days."

Bozay stated that, considering the extent of the destruction, the amount to be released with this agreement will only cover a small part of the comprehensive reconstruction efforts.

"The allocated funds are for various purposes, including the construction of schools and hospitals in the regions affected by the earthquake, as well as the restoration of structures within the scope of cultural heritage," Bozay said.

Bozay invited EU Commission member Ferreira to Turkiye to see the work on site and emphasized that the priorities are concrete projects that will improve the conditions in the region.

Elisa Ferreira, EU Commission Member Responsible for Cohesion and Reforms, said: "Yesterday was the first anniversary of the devastating earthquakes centered in Turkiye. One of the most severe disasters ever recorded in the region shocked us all. There was great sadness for the lives lost and the destroyed houses in Europe."

On this occasion, expressing her condolences once again on behalf of the EU Commission, Ferreira said, "The EU is in solidarity with Turkiye and has promised to provide assistance. Today marks one of the milestones of this commitment."

Ferreira stated that the 400 million euros to be provided from the EU Solidarity Fund is the largest amount ever given to a candidate country and that Turkiye has received support from this fund for the first time.

The damage was done in a nightmarish 65 seconds, but rebuilding will take years," said Ferreira, emphasising that the EU is ready to provide guidance and support throughout the implementation period.

Ferreira said: "I regret to say that natural disasters caused by climate change are increasing. That is why the EU Commission proposed to increase the size of the Solidarity Fund. Last week, this was adopted by the EU Council. This will respond more adequately to the increasing needs wherever they are."

In response to the AA correspondent's question about the importance of the agreement, Ferreira said, "It is important that we help ourselves within Europe, and candidate countries are of course given special treatment in this regard. Therefore, we hope that this symbol of solidarity will help strengthen mutual trust with an important country like Turkiye."

Turkiye's Permanent Representative to the EU, Ambassador Faruk Kaymakc, and EU Commission officials attended the signing ceremony.

Deputy Minister Bozay stated that they appreciated the leading role of the EU in organising the International Donors Conference held in Brussels on March 20, 2023, and said, "Today, we are here to announce an important step towards fulfilling the EU's 1 billion euro commitment at the conference."

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8 February 2024 23:30 (UTC+04:00)

By Zeynep Karcga

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu met with Iraqi Minister of Transport Rezzak Muheybes es-Sadavi and his accompanying delegation, who paid an official visit to Turkiye, at the ministry.

Minister Uraloglu and his Iraqi counterpart, Rezzak Muheybes es-Sadavi, made statements to the press after the bilateral and inter-delegation meetings.

Uraloglu stated that they discussed regional issues and cooperation with Iraq during the meeting.

Our most important topic is the development of a road corridor. We exchanged information between mutual delegations and in bilateral meetings about the point we had reached regarding it. We had a very useful meeting," the minister said.

Providing information about the latest situation in the Development Road Project, Minister Uraloglu said, They told us that they have made serious progress in both railway and highway projects on the development road. We also follow it closely. Hopefully, we will see the developments regarding the financing and tender of this place during the year, hopefully in the coming months".

Minister Uraloglu stated that they mutually discussed that some decisions could be taken during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Iraq and said: As a Turkish side, we informed them about the work we need to do in our country in the continuation of the development path. So we execute them quickly. We know that there is ship traffic circling the Cape of Good Hope, especially due to certain events in the Red Sea. We know that shipping, which today takes about 45 days from the Cape of Good Hope and about 35 days from the Red Sea, can be done in just 25 days when we complete the development path. We are aware of how valuable it is. And we continue our work day and night. Our delegations continue to work closely together in both countries. I would like to thank Minister and his delegation for their visit to our country.

Iraqi Minister of Transport Rezzak Muheybes es-Sadavi stated that they talked about the Development Road Project and the work done in Faw Port and said, The development road consists of 3 main issues. We have now completed 85 percent of the Great Faw port. The second wing is the railway network. 55 percent of this has been completed. The third leg is the road and highway. It has been implemented by 35 percent. Our efforts as Iraq continue".

Stating that some expropriation incidents are on the agenda along the route of the development road, Iraqi Minister Muheybes al-Sadawi said, Agreements have now been completed with 9 of the 11 Iraqi provinces through which the route passes. We have named and determined the location of the connection between the two countries".

Muheybes es-Sadavi stated that the financial and economic issues of the project are also on the agenda and said:

Ground survey work on the 1000-kilometer section continues. Our negotiations continue with international companies that are renowned for operating international ports. The matter of the operation and operation of the Great Faw Port. Negotiations are continuing to establish the necessary tools and equipment for the operation of the port. We reached an agreement to open mutual offices in both countries. Turkey will have an office in Baghdad and Iraq will have an office in Turkiye. They will only work to deal with the Development Path. We also put the issue of negotiations with Turkish companies that are renowned and skilled in railways and ports on the agenda. As Iraq, we would like to benefit from the experiences of these companies. The issue of transportation was also on the agenda. We agree to facilitate and improve transportation between Iraq and Turkiye.

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8 February 2024 23:55 (UTC+04:00)

On February 7 of this year, the Investment, Industry and Trade Minister of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov took part in the Second Forum of the regions of Uzbekistan and Belarus, which was held in Tashkent, Azernews reports, citing foreign media outlets.

The Uzbek delegation was headed by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khojaev, and the Belarusian delegation was headed by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Leonid Zayats.

It is reported that the plenary session of the Forum noted the stable dynamics of the growth of bilateral trade in recent years, but revealed the huge unrealized potential of the economies of the two countries.

The importance of developing investment cooperation and trade relations between the regions of both countries aimed at producing high-demand products and developing new markets was emphasized.

The speakers called on regional representatives of Uzbek and Belarusian business circles to actively cooperate and confirmed the readiness of governments to support joint initiatives. The prospects for joint cooperation include the creation of a trading house, preferential purchases and supplies of timber and food products, as well as the development of cooperation in the fields of agriculture, healthcare and education.

The Forum program included panel sessions to discuss various aspects of practical cooperation in the fields of agriculture and the food industry, investment, sports, tourism, health and youth policy.

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8 February 2024 16:54 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Presidential elections in Azerbaijan in 2024 were held in democratic and fair conditions, Sanya Praseuth, chairman of the committee of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, told journalists, Azernews reports, citing secki-2024.az.

"The presidential elections held in Azerbaijan in 2024 were successful, free, fair and gave an opportunity to Azerbaijan citizens who have the active suffrage right and have reached the age of 18, to exercise their citizenship and political rights," he said.

He also noted that the polling stations were well organised, and voters were given the opportunity to express their choices freely and fully. There was a transparent system that allowed observers from political parties and local and international observers to closely monitor the entire election process.

"The elections were held in comfortable and peaceful conditions. After the polling stations were closed, the representative of the delegation participated in observing the process of counting votes and calculating the results in various polling stations, and the elections were held openly and transparently. The voting process was organised following the Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan and was technically efficient," he concluded.

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8 February 2024 20:40 (UTC+04:00)

The Afghan power company Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat announced the clearance of a $627 million debt for electricity imports to Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, Azernews reports, citing Kun.uz news agency.

The company emphasized that the accumulated debt, spanning more than two years, remained from the previous government and has now been paid in full.
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?
Dragon Oil Company, wholly owned by the Government of Dubai, will begin next December the process of exploring the first well within Block 19 in Turkmenistan, as a culmination of the MoU signed with the Turkmennebit State Concern of Turkmenistan, which included the expansion of Dragon Oils investments in the oil sector aimed at production of oil and gas from three new oil fields within Block 19 at the Turkmenistan Sector of the Caspian Sea.

On the other hand, the two parties agreed, during the recent visit that led the companys delegation to Turkmenistan, to exchange technical information between the two parties.

This includes information related to two wells that the company requested and will obtain within the next week, which will help to design the exploratory well, reduce costs, and other positive matters of this agreement.

In line with the efforts led by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Companys Board of Directors, through the World Green Economy Summit, Dragon Oil is working to implement many sustainable development projects, such as stopping gas burning, reducing emissions, and a project to plant more than 10,000 trees at the operating site in the city of Hazar and other areas. Sustainability projects that never stop, by the Sustainable Development Goals and COP28 outcomes, it stated.

As a culmination of the strong relations that bring together the two countries with the support of the wise leadership of the two countries, and as an extension of the recent meeting in Dubai, the companys technical delegation visited Turkmenistan to implement the terms of the memorandum of understanding signed in Dubai in January, and this step is an embodiment of a series of meetings between the governments of the two countries, the most recent of which is the visit of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan and National Leader of the Turkmen People, and before that the meetings held with Serdar Berdimuhamedow, President of Turkmenistan, on the sidelines of the COP 28 Conference of the Parties in Dubai.

Ali Rashid Al Jarwan, CEO of Dragon Oil Company, said, The first phase includes exploring carbonaceous materials in the oil and gas well, in Block 19, which has an area of 3,800 sq km, as preliminary data indicate that it contains a lot of carbonaceous materials due to their occurrence in a rich geological area. 

Al Jarwan said: "After exploration, we will enter the field-testing phase and aim to extract 20,000 barrels per day of oil, and if the initial explorations are positive regarding the abundance of hydrocarbon materials, we will develop an integrated plan to develop the field."

"The exploration process will begin next December and continue for three months. With the examination, it will increase to four months, after which Dragon Oil will begin developing the field for the benefit of both parties," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Billings (Mont.) Clinic's contract with long-time anesthesia partner, Billings Anesthesiology, is set to expire on Feb. 9, according to a Feb. 7 report from local news affiliate KTVQ.

After contracting with Billings Anesthesiology for several decades, the hospital has decided to form its own fully staffed anesthesia department.

The change is causing some concern among hospital employees, who fear that the loss of contract workers will create gaps in service as the hospital struggles to find workers, according to the report.

The hospital has already been battling an anesthesiologist shortage, employees told the news outlet.

Billings Clinic recently obtained the state's first level 1 trauma designation from the American College of Surgeons, meaning the hospital can accept emergency patients from across the region.

"Anesthesia was the only major service line that was not an employee of the clinic," Dusty Richardson, MD, president of medical staff, told the outlet. "So, bringing them on as members of the clinic really allows us to plan with them, offer better patient care and better patient safety."

To fully staff the department, Billings Clinic will need to hire 30 to 40 anesthesiologists. Until the department is fully staffed, Dr. Richardson said they will rely on traveling anesthesiologists or other contracted workers.

"Just like any major change in healthcare, it's going to take some time," he said. "There's always growing pains, so do I think we'll be able to build? Absolutely."
Malpractice awards are getting higher and higher for physicians and hospitals nationwide, Medscape reported Feb. 2.

In the U.S., there were 57 medical malpractice verdicts of $10 million or more during 2023. More than half of those verdicts hit $25 million or more, according to TransRe, an international reinsurance company that tracks large verdicts.

"2023 blew away every record previously set among high medical malpractice verdicts," Richard Henderson, senior vice president for TransRe, told Medscape. "If we look at the 50 largest verdicts in 2023 and average them out, we have a higher monetary amount than any other year."

So why are these expensive malpractice verdicts becoming so common?

Robert White Jr., president of TDC Group and the Doctors Company, a national medical liability insurer for physicians, told Medscape that a rollback of tort reforms could be a factor.

The majority of malpractice cases are settled or dropped before trial, and the claims that do end up before a jury typically go in the physician's favor, according to Medscape. However, a cycle can be created where plaintiffs' attorneys seek higher and higher settlement payouts based on past verdicts.

Though these multimillion-dollar verdicts are definitely eye catching, they typically get reduced on appeal.

There is no one cause behind the rise in hefty malpractice verdicts. Medscape mentions some possible reasons, including, "people emerged from the pandemic angrier" or plaintiffs' attorneys letting "loose with high-demand claims when courts returned to normal" after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Optum, the country's largest employer of physicians and parent company of ASC chain SCA Health, is focusing on a different type of growth: hiring employees instead of building facilities.

The company has seen soaring growth in the last year, adding nearly 20,000 physicians in 2023 and inking deals with physician groups, hospitals and even Uber.

Optum is not focusing on ownership of inpatient facilities. Instead, it is looking to health system partnerships that outsource administrative functions to Optum. These deals add affiliated employees to Optum's ranks while it manages macro-level functions such as revenue cycle management, information technology, informatics, analytics and inpatient care management. The company has inked at least nine health system partnerships as of 2024.

This wider-lens outlook correlates to its ASC strategy as well. SCA Health has a portfolio of 320 ASCs, second only to Tenet Healthcare's ASC giant, United Surgical Partners International, which has more than 480.

In May 2022, Optum's ASC arm, previously known as Surgical Care Affiliates, rebranded to SCA Health, with intentions to expand beyond ASC management.

Then-SCA Health CEO Caitlin Zulla told Becker's at the time the rebranding represents the company's transition to "support physician specialists more holistically across the specialty care continuum," rather than an ASC company "singularly focused on partnering with surgeons in their ASCs.

Optum has doubled down on value-based care and its physician strategy while SCA Health is expanding its focus to the larger care continuum, rather than just ASCs.

"Value-based care for us is a proven way of overcoming many of the widely recognized shortcomings of a fee-for-service-based health system such as fragmented consumer experiences and incentives, that can emphasize volume over quality," UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty said in a Jan. 12 earnings call transcribed by Seeking Alpha. "Our value-based offerings empower physicians to provide more connected, coordinated and comprehensive care, align incentives among consumers, care providers and health plans, deliver better health outcomes and improve costs."

While hospital acquisitions are not a part of Optum's game plan, the company is looking to physician groups. The company is looking to acquire Baton Rouge, La.-based home health provider Amedisys, and it acquired Middletown, N.Y.-based multispecialty physician group Crystal Run and home health company LHC Group last year. The company is also eyeing the acquisition of the physician-owned Corvallis (Ore.) Clinic, which operates 11 locations and an ASC.

Many leaders, however, are concerned about the company's rapid growth.

"The trend that currently concerns me most is the vertical integration sweeping the healthcare industry. Physician practices are being bought out or acquired in a trend that is sweeping across this nation (now 90,000 strong) with Optum," Udaya Bhaskar Padakandla, MD, president of the Texas Society of Anesthesiologists, told Becker's. "Two things about it bother me more than any other: This increasingly leads to loss of independence in the decision-making ability of physicians in patients' best interest, and second, government watchdogs (like the FTC) are passive onlookers to this dominance of the physician workforce by a monopolizing entity. But at the same time, much smaller physician groups (with 3,000 to 5,000 physicians) get sued by the same entity for 'monopolizing' the marketplace."






Optometrists at four University of California campuses held a two-day strike Feb. 6 and 7 after negotiations with the health system failed, according to a Feb. 6 report from KQED.

Employees were striking over alleged labor law violations by their employer during salary and benefits negotiations, according to the report. They held a picket line outside UC medical centers in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Davis.

UC and the University Professional and Technical Employees, Communication Workers of America Local 9119 have failed to agree on contract terms for more than 80 optometrists who joined the union in 2022.

Both parties have filed unfair labor practice charges against one another, with the union contending UC did not disclose essential data for bargaining on pay and that it withheld contact information for new members. Union representatives also claim that low compensation and a lack of career growth opportunities have left the UC system understaffed.

Some patients are forced to wait six to eight months for an appointment at the clinic, one optometrist told KQED. UCSF optometrists see 12 to 14 patients per day.

Since January 2023, the union and UC representatives have met nearly a dozen times to discuss contracts.

"The University of California respects the rights of employees to organize and is committed to good-faith bargaining across our system with unions, including the University Professional and Technical Employees Union," a UC spokesperson told KQED. "The University believes the planned UPTE action related to this limited group of employees is an unlawful exercise by the union."

The two parties had reached tentative agreements on incentive compensation and other issues during the bargaining process, according to the spokesperson.
An overwhelming majority of emergency department physicians say they have experienced boarding times in their facilities exceeding 24 hours. While hospital-at-home programs have been shown to be a tool to ease the boarding crisis, experts worry the problem may worsen if CMS funds for the program run dry by the end of the year, NBC News reported Feb. 7.

CMS created the Acute Hospital Care at Home program in 2020. More than 300 hospitals have since been approved to stand up the program, though it's unclear how many are regularly using or investing resources in it.

"For many hospitals, it seems like it might not be worth it," amid uncertainties over CMS funding, Nancy Foster, vice president for quality and patient safety policy at the American Hospital Association, told NBC.

CMS funding for hospital-at-home programs is set to run out by the end of the year unless Congress votes to extend it for two more years. Hospital officials told the news outlet that while some private payers have signed on to the program, the majority of the funding comes from CMS and some are concerned scaling back such programs could worsen overcrowding and boarding in emergency departments.

ED boarding  when patients awaiting admission are held in the emergency department due to a lack of available inpatient beds  has been a persistent challenge for hospitals. In 2022, the American Medical Association and American Nurses Association were among dozens of medical groups who sent a letter to the Biden administration, calling attention to how staffing shortages had pushed boarding to a "crisis point." Discharge delays due a lack of beds in nursing homes and other long term care facilities are a key factor driving boarding challenges.

In December, HHS secretary Xavier Becerra wrote a letter saying it had tasked the Agency for Healthcare Research to convene a multistakeholder roundtable to "identify actionable next steps and novel opportunities" to combat overcrowding and boarding in emergency departments. Mr. Becerra said he anticipated the round table could be convened within six months.
Sacramento, Calif.-based UC Davis Health is launching a new digital care program designed to support patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention, a minimally invasive procedure to open blocked coronary arteries.

The digital care program utilizes CliniiMobile Technology, providing enrolled patients with a weight scale, blood pressure kit and a 4G hub, according to a Feb. 8 news release from UC Davis Health. These devices transmit data directly to a clinical team, allowing real-time monitoring and intervention when needed.

The program also uses the UC-NOW text-messaging platform, allowing patients to continue to receive care even after they leave the hospital.

"The combination of automated text messaging to guide patients and a proactive monitoring program is set to significantly impact patient care post-PCI," Vimal Mishra, MD, associate chief medical officer of UC Davis Health, said in the release. "This offers a more personalized, digitally enabled and responsive healthcare experience."

The program, supported by the American College of Cardiology and the Rosenfeld Foundation, will monitor the data of 200 patients daily and aims to improve health outcomes, enhance patient-provider interactions and potentially reduce hospital readmissions, according to the news release.
New York City-based NYU Langone Health suspended two physicians last year for social media comments about the Israel-Hamas war. Since then, their career paths have gone in two vastly different directions, The New York Times reported.

Zaki Masoud, MD, a resident at an NYU Langone hospital in Long Island, N.Y., and Benjamin Neel, MD, PhD, director of the Perlmutter Cancer Center, were removed from their posts after commenting about the Middle East conflict. Dr. Neel was later fired from his $1.04 million position and sued the health system for unlawful termination.

In a court filing, Dr. Neel claimed that Dr. Masoud was "reinstated surreptitiously" to his job because of an online petition that has gotten nearly 100,000 signatures, according to the Feb. 1 Times story. The newspaper could not confirm that Dr. Masoud had reclaimed his position. An NYU Langone Health spokesperson declined to comment to Becker's, citing the pending litigation.

Other health systems have reprimanded employees for social media posts on the conflict, with varying degrees of punishment, illustrating the complexities of policing employees' online behavior. In the lawsuit, Dr. Neel claimed his posts represented a legal "recreational activity," while the health system asserted that he wasn't fired "for the act of posting on social media, but rather, for the content of his posts," the Times reported.

Dr. Neel's reposted anti-Hamas cartoons that contained "offensive caricatures of Arab people," while Dr. Masoud was accused of defending the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre of roughly 1,200 Israelis on Instagram as "liberation" and "decolonization," according to the story.
Orlando (Fla.) Health ended the 2023 fiscal year with an 8.1% operating margin, one of the highest margins among both for-profit and nonprofit health systems.

The health system reported an operating income of $491.3 million in fiscal 2023, a 14.4% improvement from the previous year. It also has an "AA-" rating and stable outlook with Fitch Ratings, reflecting its strong and consistent operating performance and a growing presence in a demographically favorable market.

Here are 10 things to know about Orlando Health:

1. David Strong has served as president and CEO of Orlando Health since April, 2015. Prior to joining the system, Mr. Strong served as president of Raleigh, N.C.-based Rex Healthcare and COO for system affiliations at the University of North Carolina Health Care System in Chapel Hill. He has a Master of Hospital and Health Administration degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati.

2. Leslie Flake, BSN, has served as CFO of the system since June 2022. Ms. Flake previously served as senior vice president of finance at Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Spectrum Health and CFO and chief compliance officer for Phoenix-based Banner Health Medical Group. She has a Master of Business Administration from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

3. The 3,888-bed comprises 16 hospitals and 10 freestanding emergency departments, with another three hospitals and three freestanding EDs under construction. Projects in the works include:

Orlando Health Lake Mary Hospital, a 124-bed facility, set to open in 2025.

Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital (300-beds) and Orlando Health Lakeland Highlands Hospital (302 beds) projected to open in 2026.

Freestanding emergency departments in Lutz, North Lakeland and Waterford Lakes are expected to open in 2025.

4. Orlando Health on Nov. 1 became Walmart's first health system partner to provide patients with care not offered at the retailer's clinics. Walmart Health has 48 healthcare centers adjacent to its stores across five states, offering primary, behavioral and dental care. Twenty-three of them are in Florida  the most of any state  with eight in the Orlando market. Under the care coordination agreement, Orlando Health and Walmart Health will work together to coordinate care for the retailer's patients who are admitted to the health system's hospitals or need specialty care.

5. Over the last decade, many parts of Florida have experienced tremendous population growth, with freestanding emergency departments becoming a key part of the health system's growth strategy. "The demand for convenient access to a wider range of choices in healthcare services has been increasing and continues to grow in this area," Matt Taylor, senior vice president of asset strategy at Orlando Health said. The more health systems expand ambulatory and grow in the right locations, the more they can increase market share, which brings more inpatient care back to their hospitals.

6. Florida's population boom, tax-friendly nature and aging population also all contribute to it becoming a key battleground for orthopedics. With this in mind, Orlando Health recently opened Florida's first orthopedic specialty hospital, which is expected to provide care for 250,000 patients a year. The Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute, a $300 million facility, comprises a 375,000-square-foot downtown complex with a medical pavilion and a full-service orthopedic hospital. Carlos Carrasco serves as president of the institute.

7. Overall, the system has $9.6 billion of assets under management with facilities across Central Florida and Puerto Rico. Orlando Health recently marked its expansion into Puerto Rico after acquiring Sabanera Health Dorado, an acute care hospital. The partnership has grown to include four hospitals and a freestanding emergency department on the island.

8. Orlando Health has cemented various strategic partnerships in recent years, including the acquisition of Florida Medical Clinic on Aug. 1. The Tampa-based multispecialty group has 54 locations and more than 2,000 employees, including over 350 providers. The partners aim to work together to open a hospital in Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel, Fla.

9. With more than 1,400 physicians and 400 advanced practice providers, Orlando Health Medical Group consists of more than 55 practice specialties. The group has more than 200 practice locations that cover a wide geographic footprint  from as far south as Palm Beach to as far west as Tampa and St. Petersburg, and as far north as Daytona Beach and St. Augustine.

10. The health system has a venture capital arm that focuses on early-stage companies creating disruptive healthcare technologies that align with its strategy. Orlando Health Ventures was founded in 2018 with $20 million and is led by managing director Bobby Helmedag. Notable exits include data analytics provider Health Catalyst, which went public in 2019, and health IT company Phynd, which was bought by healthcare software developer symplr in 2021.
A new president and CEO is coming to AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, a 504-bed hospital in Merriam, Kan.

Alan Verrill, MD, will take the helm Feb. 25, according to a news release from AdventHealth. Dr. Verrill, an internal medicine physician, currently serves as president and CEO of AdventHealth South Overland Park (Kan.), which opened with limited services in 2017 and fully launched in 2021.

He will report to Sam Huenergardt, regional president and CEO of AdventHealth's Mid-America region. The health system is based in Altamonte Springs, Fla.
Terre Haute-based Indiana State University's physician assistant program has submitted a plan to an accreditation commission to end its probation and resume enrolling students, NBC affiliate WAWV reported Feb. 7.

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant put the program on probation in September due to the low number of faculty and an incomplete diversity, equity and inclusion plan.

The probation prevented more students from entering the program. The school has submitted its plan and anticipates it can begin enrolling students into the program again in 2025.

"We're working on both of these primary issues, including the recent launch of a search for a new full-time faculty member and completion of a revised DEI plan," Christopher Olsen, Indiana State Vice president of academic affairs, told WAWV. "Our initial response was submitted to the accreditors on Feb. 1 and we are awaiting their response."

The formal review of probation is scheduled for September 2025, but Mr. Olsen said he hopes the school will begin to accept students again starting in January 2025.
Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, marked the graduation of the 2nd cohort of 'The Pioneers Leadership Development Programme with a total of 22 staff members from different divisions of the company.

The graduation ceremony was held in collaboration with the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) and attended by Dr Jeffrey Goh, Gulf Air Group Holding (GFG) CEO, Dr Ahmed Abdul Ghani Al Shaikh, CEO of the BIBF, along with a number of key executives.

The six-month programme, launched by Gulf Air in collaboration with BIBF in 2022, aims to empower and support promising talents within the company and prepare them for leadership opportunities.

The programme focuses on building their capabilities, enhancing their skills, and equipping them with the necessary knowledge to efficiently take on larger responsibilities, enabling them to lead and contribute to their teams even better.

The 2nd cohort of the programme that comprises 22 staff members, will bring the total number of participants in the two cohorts to 44 graduates from various divisions of the company, including information technology, finance, engineering, maintenance, operations, marketing, and human resources.

The programme involved leadership training, personal skills development, specialized workshops, and interactive training sessions, with a focus on hands-on training, which was carefully tailored to cater to all participants. There were also discussions on global aviation-related topics.

Additionally, the participants were provided with a set of tools that enables them to plan and execute tasks efficiently within their respective scope of work.

CEO Goh, while congratulating the 2nd batch of 'The Pioneers Leadership Development Programme', expressed his pride in the partnership with the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) in launching and implementing the programme since its inception in 2022, reflecting the companys commitment to provide promising employees with programmes aimed at leadership development.

"Gulf Air Group (GFG) is firmly committed to enhancing the capabilities of Bahraini talents to lead the aviation sector in the Kingdom. Gulf Air has always played a vital role in contributing to the development of the aviation sector through its strategic investment in future industry leaders.

Dr Al Shaikh, extended congratulations to all programme participants for the successful completion of the leadership programme. He expressed pride in the collaboration with Gulf Air, emphasising the significance of this distinguished initiative in enhancing professional capabilities within the aviation sector in Bahrain.

"This programme underscores the Institute's commitment to equipping the labour market with leadership competencies across diverse sectors, thereby contributing to the advancement of economic development in the Kingdom."  TradeArabia News Service
Some health systems have decided that providing hospital-at-home care "might not be worth it," NBC News reported.

While "hospital at home" has exploded in popularity in recent years, particularly since CMS started reimbursing for it, some systems have been reluctant to partake in the trend because the CMS waiver expires at the end of 2024, according to the Feb. 7 story.

"For many hospitals, it seems like it might not be worth it," Nancy Foster, vice president for quality and patient safety policy at the American Hospital Association, told the news outlet. Some commercial payers are also waiting on the government's next move before deciding whether to reimburse for the care model.

Hospital-at-home leaders told Becker's for a December story that the uncertainty is causing some health systems to take a wait-and-see approach, but most of them expect Congress to extend the waiver or make it permanent.

"Would you give up Amazon tomorrow and just go back to department stores?" Michael Maniaci, MD, physician lead for Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic's hospital-at-home program, told Becker's. "The genie's out of the box."
A patient drove off in an ambulance outside of Alpena-based MyMichigan Medical Center on Feb. 6, sparking an hourlong police chase, WSBT reported.

Michael Erickson, the hospital's president, discussed the incident in a Feb. 7 interview with the local CBS affiliate.

According to Mr. Erickson, EMTs were in the emergency bay preparing to move a patient to a different facility. Another patient walked up, got into the running vehicle, and drove off. The patient awaiting a transfer was not in the ambulance at the time.

Due to HIPAA laws, Mr. Erickson could not provide further information about the patient who stole the vehicle, including what he was being treated for and which unit he came from.

He stated that hospital leadership was aware of the situation immediately, as employees could see it occurring from the emergency department. They immediately called 911 and coordinated with the EMS supervisor, who has access to GPS data in all vehicles and could track the stolen ambulance in real time.

Law enforcement tracked the patient for about 50 miles before cornering the vehicle in a neighboring county. The patient and ambulance were returned to the hospital unscathed.

Hospital staff has already adjusted protocol to prevent a recurrence, Mr. Erickson said.

"The standard used to be, you'd have [the ambulance] running and have it open, so that's not the case any longer," Mr. Erickson said. "They're now going to retain the fob on-person and lock the doors."



Becker's connected with a spokesperson from MyMichigan Health, who declined to add to Mr. Erickson's statements. Local police have also declined to speak with members of the press or release security footage.
Seven health systems were named to a list of the "best and brightest" companies to work for.

The National Association of Business Resources and Best and Brightest Programs selects the finalists after evaluating nominees and benchmarking them against competitors on such factors as work-life balance, communication and retention.

MSU Health Care CEO Seth Ciabotti said in a February news release that the honor "reflects our dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment, where our team members can thrive and excel."

Here are the health systems that made the 2023 list:

Elite

University of Michigan Health-West (Wyoming, Mich.): Large Business "Best of Best" Award

Moffitt Cancer Center (Tampa, Fla.): Work-Life Blend

Top 101 Winners

Bronson Healthcare (Kalamazoo, Mich.)

Gillette Children's (St. Paul, Minn.)

Michigan Medicine (Ann Arbor)

Winners

MSU Health Care (East Lansing, Mich.)

NewYork-Presbyterian (New York City)
Phoenix-based Barrow Brain in Spine opened an office at HonorHealth Sonoran Crossing Medical Center in the same city, AZ Big Media reported Feb. 8.

The new space is 7,161 square feet and includes clinical and administrative space, the report said. Spine surgeon Bryan Lee, MD, is the medical director for the new location.



In 2023 Barrow Brain and Spine also moved into a space in Phoenix's Deer Valley neighborhood. The practice employs 300 workers and performs more than 9,000 cases annually.
The news that heater manufacturer Glen Dimplexs Portadown site is to be shut down next year with the loss of 200 jobs has been described as devastating for workers and the local economy.

Unions are seeking an urgent meeting with the management of manufacturer Glen Dimplex after the companys announcement that work will be shifting to Lithuania.

Founded by Irish businessman Martin Naughton, Glen Dimplex will make 300 redundancies Ireland-wide between late 2024 and 2026, it said today.

Its cutting site numbers from five sites to three, with the Portadown operation closing down, though it said its investing heavily in other sites, including its Newry facility.

In a statement, Glen Dimplex said it will invest around 25m in its Newry site, turning it into a centre for the manufacture of zero carbon, renewable heating solutions including heat pumps.

But it added: Panel and storage heating manufacturing will transfer from the groups sites in Newry and Portadown to its existing manufacturing site in Lithuania.

"Under this proposal, the Portadown site will close, most likely in 2025, with some staff redeploying to Newry whose operations will also evolve significantly.

A spokesperson added: Subject to the outcome of a staff consultation process, up to 300 net redundancies are expected between late 2024 and 2026.

"Approximately two thirds of these losses will be in Northern Ireland and one third in Republic of Ireland and similarly, the new roles created will reflect the same spilt. Redundancies are not expected for at least six months. Glen Dimplex will now start a consultation process with staff regarding its proposals.

SIPTU organiser Alan Clark has requested an urgent meeting with management at the company to discuss fully what it has described as its restructuring plan and evaluate the impact it will have on our members.

Glen Dimplex is an Irish company and its operations play an important role in the local communities in which they are based. Any loss of employment will have a detrimental impact not only on the workers directly affected and their families but also the local economy, he said.

Unite the union regional officer Neil Moore said: Workers were brought together to hear this mornings announcement without any warning. Many have been employed at the site for decades and the impact on them will be devastating.

"Shutting this factory will strike hard at the economy throughout the Portadown area."

Read more New expert sought for Casement Park rebuild ahead of Euro 2028

DUP MP for the area Carla Lockhart said: This is a devastating blow for those who today received notification of redundancy. With the potential of 200 job losses it will undoubtedly have a major impact on many local families and indeed the local economy.

Glen Dimplex has been part of the fabric of the Portadown area for many years and is known internationally for is expertise in heating, ventilation, flame, precision cooling and customer appliances.

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Margaret Tinsley, said: Todays announcement by Glen Dimplex of the proposed plans to close the Portadown site over the next two years as part of their reorganisation, will be devastating news for employees and their families.

Kieran Donoghue, chief executive of economic development agency Invest NI, said: The news of Glen Dimplexs plans to wind down its facility in Portadown over the next two years will be deeply upsetting for staff.

"We will work with the company and those affected to identify alternative employment opportunities and to pursue reskilling opportunities as appropriate.

"We will also work closely with the Department for the Economy and the Department for Communities to support the employees impacted by this decision.

The company has been clear that the decision to consolidate its operations in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is for commercial reasons.

"This restructuring will support its ultimate growth plans and potentially see the firm expand its business in Northern Ireland out of its second site in Newry. We will continue to work with the company to capture opportunities for further investment and job creation at this facility.

The company said the site closures were the result of a transition to focus on low carbon electric heating and ventilation solutions for homes and businesses.

It said it would invest 50m in new and upgraded facilities as existing plants reach end of life, with 40m invested island-wide.

And while it said overall employment would increase by over 200 roles by 2029, there would be job losses in the meantime.

It said employee numbers on the island of Ireland would reach 1,000 staff in five years, a rise of 20%. At the moment, Glen Dimplex employs over 8,000 people globally and 800 here.

The group has manufacturing locations in Newry and Portadown, two sites in Dunleer and a sales and distribution operation in Cloghran near Dublin Airport. One of the Dunleer sites is to close as manufacture of flame products moves from Dunleer to China.

The company said: Employees at all Glen Dimplex sites were briefed today about the proposed reorganisation and investment programme that will be implemented on a phased basis from late 2024 through 2026.

"There will be no redundancies as part of the planned reorganisation of operations for at least six months. Management will work with employee representatives, union groups and training agencies to ensure the planned transitions are as seamless as possible, and that appropriate outplacement and training supports are provided.

Fergal Leamy, Glen Dimplex Group CEO, said: Our proposed 50m investment will reorientate our operations on this island so that they are environmentally and economically sustainable and a major driving force in the next chapter of growth at Glen Dimplex.

"Our transition will bring significant change and challenge in the near term but also phenomenal opportunities for the next generation and beyond. One thing is clear; the status quo is not an option as consumer demand and public policy chart course for zero carbon future.
Belfast rap trio Kneecap has accused the government of efforts to "silence" them after it blocked a British Phonographic Industry (BPI) funding award.

The award supports the expansion of bands in global markets under the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS), which looks to boost British music exports, and had been signed off by an independent selection board.

In a statement posted in X, formerly Twitter, Kneecap described the funding as significant.

They said their application was was independently approved and signed off by [the] selection board. It was then blocked directly by the British government who overruled the independent selection board".

Kneecap: Critics rave over film but unionists rage over its funding

They added: "Were told that our 2019 Farewell to the Union poster p***ed off the Tories. Once again the British government is trying to silence voices from West Belfast - once again it will fail!

They concluded their statement with the message fight censorship, and congratulated the artists who received funding.

The scheme is funded by the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, with investment from the UK music industry.

A spokesperson for Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said: We fully support freedom of speech, but its hardly surprising that we dont want to hand out UK taxpayers money to people that oppose the United Kingdom itself.

Next month, the group is set to go on tour in the US and Canada, following a sold out North American tour last autumn.

The Belfast Telegraph has contacted the British Phonographic Industry for a response.
A long-distance love story: Six decades, 200 letters and a proposal after 13 hours

David and Christine Mahony were forbidden from writing to each other after striking up a long-distance relationship and faced untold hardships in their decades-long romance. This is their incredible story

David and Christine on their wedding day

Amy Donohoe Thu 8 Feb 2024 at 20:13

In a world of emails, FaceTime, DMs and voice notes, its rare we put pen to paper once we finish school. But not for David Mahony, an Essex man who is turning 85 this year. Mr Mahony wrote a letter to the Irish Independent explaining his love to his wife of 59 years. The handwritten letter was 31 pages, but it wasnt the first letter he sent to Dublin.
Whilst Valentines Day is a familiar date on our calendars for February, the lesser-known Galentines is becoming more and more popular.

Falling on February 13, the eve of Valentines Day, Galentines is all about celebrating female friendship  whether youre single, married or in a relationship.

The idea originated from the American sitcom Parks and Recreation back in 2010, during an episode entitled Galentines Day. Amy Poehlers character coined the term, announcing: Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies.

Finance student and content creator, Shokooh Piryaee (23), nicknamed Shoukkapr, has celebrated Galentines for as long as she can remember. This year shes already marked the occasion with her girlfriends with a night away in a cosy cottage, and she plans to take her mum out for afternoon tea or for a shopping trip later this month to celebrate.

Having moved to Belfast five years ago from Iran, Shokooh says her girlfriends have helped her settle into a new country and make it feel like home.

Female friendships are very important to me, especially because I dont have a sister, she explains.

They can be really good in helping you with everything, especially if youre new to a country, they can introduce you to their culture, and can help you slowly feel like youre at home. You learn things from them and you teach them a few things, she adds.

From buying each other gifts to pampering sessions or bottomless brunch, there are many different ways to celebrate Galentines. This year Shokooh went for the ultimate girly sleepover with her friends in a quaint cottage away from the city.

Shokooh Piryaee

When we arrived we brought some balloons and decorations just to make it very Valentinesy and girlie. We all had very girlie pyjamas, we wore very comfortable clothes to just be present and be comfortable. We watched romcoms and just chatted about life, we made pasta together and listened to the music that we all love and sang along to it.

We played a special card game called Were Not Really Strangers its a really fun game because everyone gets to know each other a lot more and people open up about things that they wouldnt normally talk about on a daily basis.

Theres no judgement, its a safe space for everyone to just get to know each other more and the more we talk as girls together and the shared experiences that we have, we realise, oh this other person had that experience, it brings us closer, she explains.

In the morning we had this gorgeous breakfast set up with flowers and chocolates, and we had a chat there, and then we all did our skincare and makeup together  just like girls when they get together, she adds.

Shokooh Galentine's breakfast

Shokooh celebrated the day a little early because getting a time that suits everyone to come together with work and university commitments can be difficult. But even if its not practical to get all your besties together for a night out or a trip away, there are more and more events taking place with opportunities for women to get out and celebrate Galentines with other women.

Rachel Craig recently set up an all-female walking group in Bangor and has organised a Galentines event for the women to enjoy  whether they rock up on their own or bring a friend. It will be a paint-and-sip evening with Prosecco and a few treats and conversation starters to bring everyone together.

Rachel has celebrated Galentines with her friends for the last two years.

I hadnt really heard about it until I went to uni in England and then I celebrated it with my friends that I lived with, we just went for drinks and did bottomless brunch.

I think its definitely becoming more of a thing. I think people are celebrating female friendships a lot more which is really lovely. I know myself, I always had male friends at school, and more recently Ive been developing these really beautiful female friendships. I think people are seeking new female friendships a lot more which is lovely.

I think its like solidarity. Weve got girls who are spending their first Valentines alone in a number of years, and the girls on the group chat are saying, you dont need a man, youve got us, and its that support system I think that weve developed within the group, she adds.

Maura Gilmore

For fitness instructor Maura Gilmore (48), Galentines Day is all about taking some time out to truly celebrate yourself as well as the important women in your life.

The date marks eleven years since the single mum-of-two had a bilateral mastectomy  a time which changed her whole outlook on life.

My attitude now, ever since the cancer experience, is put yourself first, love yourself above all else, dont look for somebody else for love or for validation, love yourself more than you love anybody. I literally celebrate me, she says.

Maura is running a special Clubbersize night for Galentines (a dance fitness class with a nightclub atmosphere), where shes planning to blast out uplifting songs and spoil the women with goodie bags that are carefully filled with items to encourage self-care and self-love.

Theres a lot of mums come to my class and the whole thing is [being a mum] youre always giving, giving, giving to your kids. You always put everybody else before yourself.

Theres no kids come to my class, this is a day for women to come together where theyre not mums, theyre not employees, theyre not employers, she adds.

Maura's Clubbersize group shot

Some of Mauras friends will be going to her fitness class on Galentines, but for others that cant make it she puts in the effort to catch up with them for a lunch date or to connect online.

Id be lost without my girlfriends. I have different groups from different places and different things. Ive two really good friends and we do a Zoom at half six every morning. We just touch base with each other and we do 10 minutes of gratitude and journaling, just to get the day started, and then we chat about whats going on, she explains.

When Im having a bad day I need to phone one of these two, so theyre my two if something happens. Were all there for each other.

When you get into a circle with people who have the same interests, you know the people who are there to support you. Theres women in your life you just need. You might not see them for a long time but you know theyre there for you.
A Co Antrim man was today ordered to stand trial accused of stealing jewellery from a vulnerable neighbour.

Appearing at Ballymena Magistrates Court by videolink from prison, 26-year-old Kurt Graham confirmed that he was aware of the three charges against him and that he did not object to his case being returned to the Crown Court.

Graham, with an address at Holland Park in Ballymena but previously at an address at Main Street in Ahoghill, is charged with the aggravated burglary of a neighbouring flat on Main Street where he was armed with a knife and stole jewellery worth at least 1,000.

He is also charged with fraud by false representation and possessing a bladed article, namely a knife, on Mill Street in Ballymena.

None of the facts of the case were opened today, but when Graham was initially charged last July, a Detective Constable outlined how the complainant, a 63-year-old partially deaf woman, reported to police that on July 24 she awoke to find Graham standing at her bedroom entrance and he showed her a black coloured handgun.

According to the alleged victim, Graham asked her for a lift to Adairs Jewellers in Ballymena and she did so, but on the way back, she spotted jewellery she owned falling out of a tobacco pouch the defendant had.

She challenged him about the jewellery, said the officer, adding that when she went back to the jewellers, she was able to identify some items which belonged to her.

Those items were seized by the police.

The alleged victim also found a knife lying in her car which was also handed to police, said the Detective Constable, adding that the complainant is 63 and has been left extremely frightened, upset and tearful by this incident.

In court today, Grahams defence lawyer conceded there was a case for the alleged thief to answer. Graham himself declined to comment on the charges or to call evidence on his own behalf.

Remanding Graham back into custody and returning the case to Antrim Crown Court for trial, District Judge Nigel Broderick granted legal aid and scheduled the arraignment to be heard on March 7.
Islamabad, Feb 8 (UNI) A blast hit Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province on Thursday afternoon, leaving at least two security personnel killed and eight others injured, official sources said.

A vehicle of paramilitary forces came under attack near Lijjay area of Kharan district of the province, official sources told Xinhua, adding that the personnel were deployed on the security of a polling station in the district for the ongoing general elections.

Following the attack, rescue teams, police and security forces reached the site and shifted the injured to a nearby hospital.

Local police said that an improvised explosive device was planted along the roadside and was detonated with a remote-controlled device.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

UNI/XINHUA ARN
The goods were found following a search of the sailor's cabin

A sailor who stole 15,000 worth of electrical goods being transported to Belfast on board a ship claimed he found them sitting on the deck, a court heard today.

Arturs Strauts, 32, received a four-month suspended sentence for the theft of iPads, laptops and mobile phones belonging to high street retailer Currys.

Belfast Magistrates Court heard an investigation was launched amid suspicious activity on the vessel in October last year.

Strauts, a Latvian national of no fixed abode, was questioned by the captain but could not provide any proper explanation.

When a search of his cabin was ordered, staff discovered the electrical goods with a total value of 15,000.

The defendant made full admissions but said he found them on one of the decks, A prosecution lawyer disclosed.

Although ownership of the items was initially uncertain, checks established they were being shipped over to Belfast on a lorry by Currys.

Defence solicitor Eoghan McKenna claimed the case was related to separate theft investigations in other jurisdictions.

It looks like (Strauts) is a very small part of a wider problem on that particular boat, he contended.

Mr McKenna confirmed his client spent five weeks in custody before securing bail.

As a sailor hes used to being lonely, but he has struggled being away from his wife and children, the lawyer added.

District Judge Anne Marshall declared that it was a significant theft which clearly crossed the threshold for imposing a custodial sentence.

But based on the time Strauts has already spent behind bars and his previous good character, she suspended the four-month term for a period of two years.
The Department of Health has began a roll out of a measles vaccination while a man has died 40s has died from the infection in Ireland (Stock image)

The first case of measles has been diagnosed in Northern Ireland for seven years .

An adult was diagnosed with the disease  and the Public Health Agency (PHA) said all close contacts have been notified and public health actions undertaken.

However, for many it will be a worrying time.

The recent death of a man in his 40s after infection with measles in the Republic of Ireland  has sparked questions about this once-common, now vaccine-preventable disease.

Here we have broken down the most common questions about measles.

Read more Irish man (40s) dies after contracting measles

What have health officials said?

Given the high number of cases in the UK and Europe it was expected that Northern Ireland would see cases.

The Public Health Agency, which issued an alert last week, has undertaken preparatory work and implemented a proactive plan to address the emerging threat of measles.

What are measles?

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially serious infectious disease caused by the measles virus. It primarily affects children but can infect anyone without immunity.

The first known diagnosis dates back to the 9th century, when a Persian doctor published one of the first written accounts of measles disease.

According to the Centre for Disease Prevention in 1912, it became a nationally notifiable disease in the United States, requiring US healthcare providers and laboratories to report all diagnosed cases.

In the first decade of reporting, an average of 6,000 measles-related deaths were reported each year.

What causes measles?

Measles is caused by a single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus with 1 serotype, and is formally a member of the genus Morbillivirus in the Paramyxoviridae family.

Its transmitted through the air by coughing, sneezing, or close contact with someone infected. The virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours.

Humans are actually the only natural hosts of the measles virus as its not found in animals.

Measles is on the rise  what do you need to know?

How can you tell if you have measles?

Symptoms typically appear 7-14 days after exposure and include:

A high fever

Cough

Runny nose

Watery eyes

Sore throat

Small white spots in the mouth (Koplik spots).

The most common and notable symptom of measles is a rash which typically starts 3-5 days after initial symptoms. It normally appears on the face and hairline, spreading to the rest of the body. It appears as flat red spots that become raised bumps and may join together.

Is there a cure for measles?

No, there is no specific cure. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms like fever and pain with medication and rest. Most people recover within 7-10 days without complications. Simply, the virus has to run its course.

Are there any complications from measles?

Yes, measles can lead to serious complications, especially in young children and adults without immunity. These include ear infections, pneumonia (serious lung infection, encephalitis (brain inflammation) and even seizures.

Death is rare, but it can happen typically caused by pneumonia.

Chief Medical Officer discusses the importance of the MMR vaccine in preventing measles

Read more Health minister urges parents to vaccinate children against measles

Is there a vaccine for measles?

Yes, in Northern Ireland it is typically given as the MMR Vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella). Children should receive one dose after their first birthday and another when they are aged three years and four months old.

Health trusts and the Public Health Agency across Northern Ireland are now offering catch-up MMR vaccines, with clinics during February and March aimed at ensuring everyone aged from 6 - 25 has received both doses to ensure they are fully protected.

More information can be found here.

Why are so many cases of measles common now?

Misinformation around vaccines has contributed to an increase of measles cases. This means more of the population is now susceptible to infection which can spread.

Experts from around the world, including the World Health Organization (WHO), agree that there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism

According to the World Health Organisation, a 30-fold rise of measles was detected in Europe in 2023, however, this also included countries where the MMR vaccine was not widely available.

Experts said vaccination is the best way to prevent yourself from getting measles.
Executive is under pressure from London to raise more revenues but has been warned of the likely impact on already struggling families and businesses

Umbrella body the NI Local Government Association (Nilga) has warned the proposal, first suggested by Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris, could cause great financial difficulty

Councils here have voiced alarm over the potential impact of huge rates rises on families and businesses.

With the new Executive expected to decide soon on revenue raising proposals, officials have warned their task of deciding local rates rises is being hampered.

Councils are preparing to strike their district rates in the next few weeks amid speculation the regional rate, which is set by Stormont, could be around 15%.

Such a rise would be one way of boosting revenue to plug the gap the five main parties say remains despite the UK Governments 3.3 billion package.

Stormont departments are currently considering other revenue-raising measures, such as separate water charges, higher university tuition fees and prescription charges, although they are not expected to be introduced in the next financial year.

Umbrella body the NI Local Government Association (Nilga) has warned the proposal, first suggested by Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris, could cause great financial difficulty.

In a letter to the Department of Finance, Nilga said there is little to no information about the potential impact.

The wider cumulative context could include a proposed 15% hike in the regional rate, and we are unsure at present if that figure will include water charges, it added.

Nilga is of the view that these revenue raising consultations are poorly timed in the context of the wider cost-of-living crisis, with the potential to cause great financial difficulty for people and businesses across Northern Ireland should the proposals for revenue raising be brought to bear.

It added it wanted to highlight the alarm expressed by councillors and senior council officers regarding the proposed 15% increase to the regional rate and its potential local impact, which we firmly believe would hamper councils in setting a reasonable district rate.

Any change of the magnitude of 15% would require a substantial lead-in period, within a timeframe cognisant of the legal timeline and framework for district rates setting.

It is noted that if councils reduce their rate correspondingly to minimise the impact on ratepayers, they would effectively be subsidising the regional rate.

There is already a great deal of uncertainty for councils in trying to establish what their district rate should be.

The situation is very difficult for councils who are being asked to make decisions in the absence of a more complete financial picture, with no clarity at present, including on how these proposals are going to impact on ratepayers.

There is insufficient information at present about where this is going to land.

The letter is signed by councillors Matt Garrett (Sinn Fein), Alison Bennington (DUP), Billy Webb (Alliance), Hazel Legge (UUP) and Brian Tierney (SDLP).

Last year the regional rate was set by Mr Heaton-Harris  a domestic tariff rise of 6%.

The councils went on to announce their highest increases since 2015, ranging from 4.9% in Antrim and Newtownabbey to 7.99% in Belfast.

At the time Nilga said the absence of the Assembly had further complicated the picture with the cuts to the rates support grant placing greater pressure on the least well-off council areas.
Michelle ONeill has told journalist Andrew Marr that she believes Hamas will eventually be regarded as a partner for peace in the Middle East.

In an interview for Mr Marrs drivetime LBC radio show, the First Minister stressed the importance of communication, comparing it to peace talks within Northern Ireland, adding: You only have to look at our own example to know that how important dialogue is.

The Sinn Fein vice president also called for a ceasefire in Gaza, warning that the warzone is the graveyard for children, let it not be the graveyard for international law.

Andrew Marr asked Ms ONeill: A long time ago, the IRA was seen as a terrorist organisation that the British government and everybody else could not ever talk to. And yet we know what followed from that. Do you think that Hamas, although regarded as a terrorist organisation by many people around the world, are going to be eventually a partner for peace, have to be a partner for peace?"

She replied: Yes, I think you only have to look to our own example, to know that how important dialogue is, and it is the only way you're going to ever bring an end to conflict. If the British government didn't talk to republicans or republicans didn't talk to the British government in the past, in Ireland, we would not be in the scenario that we are in today enjoying a peaceful and far more equal society.

"So, what we need to see in the Middle East, in particular, in relation to Palestine is that we need to see a ceasefire now. And we need the international community, to be singing in chorus and harmony in terms of ceasefire now.

Michelle O'Neill on Tonight with Andrew Marr. Credit: LBC

The newly appointed First Minister further does not think anybody can stretch Israel's position of being one of defence because this is bombardment, day after day, slaughter of the Palestinian people.

"This needs to stop and we need the international community to stand strong and to stay firm in the court of international law. That's where everybody must be, she said.

"And I really only hope that in the coming days and weeks that we can get to a point where we see a ceasefire in the first instance, that we have dialogue, and that we get to the ultimate position of having the Palestinian state recognised and a two-state solution that the international community stands for.

Ms ONeill urged Hamas again, as I do everybody, to please be around the table and to be part of the conversation and the solution.

"From day one, we've said that what happened on October 7 was wrong, and that does not apply in international law in any shape or fashion, the hostages taken was wrong, she said.

"So, I make that case again today, but I still use every opportunity that I have to have a voice on this issue to please call for a ceasefire. The slaughter of innocent Palestinian people, the graveyard for children, let it not be the graveyard for international law.

Asked if she shares the Scottish First Ministers criticism of Westminsters failure to call for a ceasefire, Ms ONeill said: I do. And we actually took the opportunity this week, whenever we had a party political meeting with Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, myself Mary Lou McDonald, our party President made a very, very firm case in terms of the need for a ceasefire now, that that's where everybody needs to be focused, all energy, all effort, everybody should be spoken to, we should leave no stone unturned.

"This needs to stop now, and we need to apply every bit of energy and effort that we have to ensure that's the case.

Ms ONeill also confirmed that her partys elected MPs will still not take up their parliamentary seats in Westminster.

No, we have a very proud abstentionist policy and that will remain.

Stormont Return: Sam McBride and David McCann on how's it going

On Thursday, Sinn Fein declined to comment directly on an incident, filmed and circulated online, which appeared to show a number of Palestinian activists being thrown out of the partys Solidarity Rally for Palestine event in Belfast, which took place on Wednesday night at the Europa Hotel.

It had been billed as a special meeting to mobilise support and solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Activists shouted: Boycott the White House as a number of people appeared to usher them towards the door as members of the audience applauded.

A Sinn Fein spokesperson did not directly address the incident, but said the partys focus was on giving voice to the plight of the Palestinian people.

"Hundreds of people attended a rally in the Europa Hotel to extend solidarity to the Palestinian people and to call for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the occupation, they said.

"The event was addressed by a number of speakers from Palestine and Ireland, including the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland and Mustafa Barghouti who joined the meeting live from the West Bank

"Sinn Feins entire focus is on maximising positive solidarity with, and giving voice to the plight of the Palestinian people.

Michelle ONeills full interview will air on Tonight with Andrew Marr on LBC at 6pm.
The activists called on the party to boycott the annual St Patricks Day visit to the USA.

The event took place in Belfast last night

Sinn Fein has declined to comment directly on an incident, filmed and circulated online, which appeared to show a number of Palestinian activists being thrown out of the partys Solidarity Rally for Palestine event in Belfast.

The event  which took place on Wednesday night at the Europa Hotel  had been billed as a special meeting to mobilise support and solidarity with the Palestinian people.

This is an opportunity to demonstrate that Ireland stands with the people of Gaza and the West Bank and to reiterate calls for an immediate ceasefire, and an end to the occupation, said South Antrim MLA Declan Kearney.

"The Israeli military onslaught against the Palestinian people is barbaric and in clear violation of international humanitarian law. An unconditional ceasefire must be urgently called and Israel must be held accountable for its actions.

A range of speakers were present at the event, including Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, with member of the Palestinian Legislative Council Mustafa Barghouti joining on video link.

The Ambassador was interrupted during her speech by a number of activists, who proceeded to film the interaction.

"Sorry to interrupt you being a mouthpiece for the Palestinian authorities. They are a corrupt dictatorship who have not had an election since 2006, said one activist.

South Antrim Sinn Fein MLA Declan Kearney

The intervention drew a series of jeers from the crowd, before the activists continued: Were Palestinians. He is from Gaza. Please listen to us. Were all from Palestine. Weve got family in Gaza right now. Boycott the White House! Do not go on St Patricks Day.

The activist continued their chants of Boycott the White House as a number of people appeared to usher them towards the door as members of the audience applauded.

Two others held a Palestinian flag aloft as they were escorted towards the back door.

"Youre throwing out Palestinians; shame on you, the activist can be heard saying.

A Sinn Fein spokesperson did not directly address the incident, but said the partys focus was on giving voice to the plight of the Palestinian people.

"Hundreds of people attended a rally in the Europa Hotel to extend solidarity to the Palestinian people and to call for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the occupation, they said.

"The event was addressed by a number of speakers from Palestine and Ireland, including the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland and Mustafa Barghouti who joined the meeting live from the West Bank

"Sinn Feins entire focus is on maximising positive solidarity with, and giving voice to the plight of the Palestinian people.

It comes as the party continue to face calls to boycott the annual St Patricks Day celebrations in Washington DC.

Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has said the calls are inconsistent.

"Some folks are saying the Sinn Fein leadership shouldnt meet with the American political system," he said.

"They are not saying we shouldnt meet with the British political system. The Brits are up to their neck in this. We dont agree with US foreign policy, and neither should we. What is important for us in the USA is Irish-America.
First Minister Michelle O'Neill has said the world needs more hugs after a shock embrace from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Appearing on ITV's Good Morning Britain programme this morning, Michelle O'Neill said she was surprised by the hug on Monday as Mr Sunak and the Taoiseach visited Belfast to celebrate the restoration of devolved government.

In a picture shared from a meeting with politicians, Mr Sunak is seen giving Ms ONeill a warm embrace.

But she said it was welcome. The world needs more hugs, let's be real."

Ms O'Neill disagrees with the Conservative's politics but said: "I can make all those points to him. We're all human at the end of the day."

The meeting was imbued with a sense of relief as devolved government got underway again.

After two years of being unable to take up her post as First Minister, Michelle ONeill said "there's a sense of finally, we got to this moment".

During the interview with presenters Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway, Ms ONeill said its important to be chilled around terminology in Northern Ireland.

"I think it's important that I can say lets be chilled about it - I say north of Ireland, others say Northern Ireland, lets just give each other the space," said Ms O'Neill. "It's about understanding we can all be different."

Ms O'Neill said she considers herself an Irish person but said respect is paramount. She said she considers herself one of the Good Friday Agreement generation. "One of the beauties [of that] is you can be British, Irish, both or none," she said.

But she said Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris is sticking his head in the sand" over Irish unity and accused him of having an ostrich mentality around the issue.

It's after recent comments made by Northern Ireland's Secretary of State in which he said he didn't predict the conditions emerging for a poll in his lifetime.

"All the certainties of the past are gone. My election does speak to the change that's happening. I think that's a bit of an ostrich mentality, sticking your head in the sand and refusing to see what's happening all around you," she said.

Ms O'Neill, who will on Saturday mark a week in her post, said it's been "a bit of a whirlwind" and said she's not even sure what day it is.

Ms O'Neill said day-to-day work can go on in Northern Ireland while also considering the possibility of a border poll.

"I think we can do two things at the one time," she said. "That's the beauty of the Good Friday Agreement - work on day-to-day issues can go on alongside "mature" considerations around the future, she added.

Big challenges lie ahead after the "historic moment" when she was confirmed as Northern Ireland's First Minister.

And she lauded the late Queen, who in 2011, became the first British monarch to visit the Republic of Ireland and also shook hands with Martin McGuinness.

Ms O'Neill said she "didn't think that much into" the handshake but added "there was a real deliberate attempt on her part to try and heal some of the relationship breaks we've had in the past".

A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Office said: "The Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement is clear that any change to the constitutional position of Northern Ireland would require the consent of a majority of its people.

"In accordance with the Principle of Consent, Northern Ireland will remain part of the UK for as long as its people wish for it to be.

"We are absolutely clear that there is no basis to suggest that a majority of people in Northern Ireland wish to separate from the United Kingdom.
Measles is on the rise  what do you need to know?

A man in his late forties has died after he contracted measles, the HSE has confirmed.

The man, who comes from the Westmeath area, is believed to have travelled to the Birmingham region of the UK recently.

There have been a outbreaks in this area and the man was diagnosed after he presented to a hospital in the Midlands when he returned to Ireland.

Questioned last night by the Irish Independent, the HSE issued a statement saying the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre has been notified of the death of an adult with confirmed measles.

This is the first confirmed measles case notified in Ireland in 2024.

It said that HSE public health teams, along with the HSE Measles National Incident Management Team (IMT), are taking all necessary public health actions in relation to the case.

The HSE Measles IMT was established in response to a recent rise in measles cases in the UK and Europe. Measles is highly contagious.

It is understood that hospital doctors and GPs have been notified of the case.

Contacts of the man are being traced although it is unclear if it will be possible to contact all people who could have been put at risk.

Health officials will keep the public informed of further measures and, in the meantime, anyone with concerns should contact their GP.

There were four measles cases reported in Ireland in 2023, two case reported in 2022, no cases were reported in 2021 and five cases were reported in 2020. There were no deaths reported in any of those years.

It said that measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious complications, particularly in children under one year of age, pregnant women, and the immunosuppressed.

The symptoms of measles include:

 Cold-like symptoms such as aches and pains, a runny nose, sneezing and a cough

 Sore red eyes that may be sensitive to light

 A temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above, which may reach around 40 degrees Celsius

 Small greyish-white spots in your mouth

 Loss of appetite

 Tiredness, irritability and a general lack of energy

 Rash, which usually appears on head and neck first and spreads to rest of body

Further information about measles symptoms is available from the NHS.

Measles is on the rise  what do you need to know?

If you have these symptoms, please seek medical advice. Phone ahead prior to attending your GP, Emergency Department or other healthcare provider to inform the healthcare professionals that you have these symptoms, so they can make necessary arrangements. In addition, please alert medical staff if you have been in contact with someone who has measles or if you have recently travelled to an area where you know measles has been spreading.

The HSE said that MMR vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others from measles. Two doses of MMR vaccine are necessary to be considered fully vaccinated.

Parents are encouraged to check that their childrens vaccines are up-to-date. If your child has missed either or both of their MMR vaccines, please contact your GP practice to arrange a catch-up vaccine.

Serious complications of measles include pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain); one in five infected may need to go to hospital and it can be fatal.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported a resurgence of measles in England in 2023 particularly in the West Midlands and London, however all regions of England have reported cases.
Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald has predicted a border poll on Northern Irelands constitutional future will be held before 2030.

Ms McDonald comments expressing confidence of referenda on both sides of the border within six years come amid increased focus on the prospects of the reunification following the appointment of Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill as Northern Irelands first nationalist first minister.

I envisage us having the referendums in this decade, she told Sky News.

First Minister Michelle ONeill (Liam McBurney/PA)

Asked to clarify if that meant before 2030, she replied: Yes, and let me say that it is not so far away, so theres an awful lot of work that needs to be done.

Ive said consistently to the government in Dublin that they really need to take possession of this conversation thats now under way right across Ireland.

They need to give it a structure and a place and, of course, it has to be inclusive.

We want to hear from every voice, including those for whom reunification would not be their first option, those who go out and campaign for the union.

Nevertheless, we all live together, thats never going to change. We share Ireland, we love Ireland, and we want whats best for our children, for our grandchildren.

I think thats the strongest, most powerful common ground that we all share.

Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, a border poll should be called by the incumbent Northern Ireland Secretary when he/she believes there is evidence that public opinion in the region has shifted in favour of constitutional change.

Successive UK governments have consistently declined to specify publicly what criteria will be applied when measuring public sentiment on the issue.

Last week, Ms McDonald said unification was within touching distance  a claim that prompted DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to remark that his political rival must have the longest arms on this island.

Sir Jeffrey rejected suggestions of a poll within the next decade, insisting we are nowhere near a united Ireland.

Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald passes DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP (left) and DUP deputy leader Gavin Robinson MP (second left) at Stormont (Liam McBurney/PA)

Ms McDonald came back on his comments on Thursday.

When I say unity is within touching distance, I said in historic terms, I dont mean that its happening next week, or next month, she said.

So you dont have to have those long arms that Jeffrey refers to. But what I am saying, what I firmly believe, is in this decade we will have those referendums and its my job and the job of people like me who believe in reunification to convince, to win hearts and minds and to convince people of that opportunity.

Ms ONeill, who is in London with her party president, later accused Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris of ignoring the reality on the issue of constitutional change.

Earlier this week, Mr Heaton-Harris said he did not expect a border poll within his lifetime.

I think Chris Heaton-Harris, with all due respect, thats a bit of an ostrich mentality, sticking your head in the sand and refusing to see whats actually happening all around you, she told ITV.

Ms ONeill added: I think hes ignoring the reality. My election speaks to the change thats happening across the island.

My parents and grandparents never believed this day would come, that this change would never come about because the north is built in such a way that someone from my background was never supposed to be in a position of first minister.

You know, all the old certainties of the past, of that state that they were born into, are gone.

So I actually think that my appointment actually does reflect the change thats happening.
The Minister for Finance has warned there is a real risk of someone being killed in an arson attack, as the gardai and government grapple with a series of incidents on premises rumoured to be used for asylum seekers.

It comes as the government was accused of doing almost nothing in response to the escalation of attacks on properties earmarked for housing refugees.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said there have been 26 arson attacks in the last five years against premises rumoured to be used for asylum seekers.

Speaking in the Dail, Mr Murphy said that ordinary people must take a stand against the terrorism of the far right.

He said rumours emerge online suggesting a property is going to be used and far rights activists arrive in the area, and a few days later the property is burned down.

People Before Profits Paul Murphy (Brian Lawless/PA)

Mr Murphy named several individuals who he said are quick to the scene at buildings which are rumoured to house refugees, but later said he was not linking those people to the arson attacks.

We should call what we are seeing what it is. We are witnessing a campaign of far right terrorism in this state, Mr Murphy said.

And what has been the response? Almost nothing. Nobody charged, fiddling while the country burns. We finally have three arrests this morning for the arson in Ringsend.

However, Michael McGrath said gardai are doing everything to address the heinous crimes, but said that arson attacks are difficult to solve.

We utterly condemn any criminal act, where properties are being deliberately set on fire. It is arson. It is a criminal act and the gardai are investigating, the Minister for Finance told the Dail.

Youve acknowledged arrests have been made today in one particular case, but the best thing that we can do is to reaffirm our support for the work of An Garda Siochana, that we will give them the necessary resources and whatever support that they need to do their work.

These are difficult crimes to solve, lets be honest, but they will do everything they possibly can to solve them and to send files to the DPP and ultimately achieve conviction.

I think its important that we do stand together and provide our support because these are heinous crimes that could not just end up in damaging or destroying property, but could end up taking human life and that is the real risk that we are very concerned about.

I know you are concerned about it as well. As a government we have responded as comprehensively as we can with the support of the people to a wave of migration that we have had to respond to because of the war in Ukraine.

Mr Murphy lay the blame of social inequalities with the government, accusing Fine Gael and Fianna Fail of neglecting communities.

The reason we have a housing crisis is not because of immigration, but its because you push the profits of big developers and landlords ahead of peoples need for a home, the Dublin South West TD said.

We have a health crisis because you put the private hospitals and the insurance companies first.

We have deep inequalities, we have neglected communities because of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael which have run the stage ever since its foundation.

That is why ordinary people need to take a stand against the terrorism of the far right, against the racism, homophobia, sexism and hate that they tried to spread and against the housing crisis and inequality that you have created.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar delivers the keynote address at the Shared Island Forum in Dublin Castle (Brian Lawless/PA)

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he is optimistic there will be a genuine effort to ensure the restored Stormont Executive will tackle practical problems facing people in Northern Ireland.

Welcoming the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive last weekend, Mr Varadkar said it gave renewed hope for cooperation on difficulties in the health service and public sector pay disputes.

However, he said there had been lost opportunities within the two-year period that the Executive had not been functioning.

A DUP boycott of Stormonts key institutions in protest over post-Brexit trading arrangements ended on Saturday following a new agreement with the UK Government.

First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly (Oliver McVeigh/PA)

Speaking on Thursday, Mr Varadkar said he believes lessons have been learned and there is a lot of good faith between the new Executive members to make powersharing work.

He said he was hopeful that the Executive would last through the upcoming elections in Ireland as well as to the House of Commons.

The Taoiseach was speaking at a Shared Island Forum at Dublin Castle, where he said the Irish Government would commit unprecedented funding to enable major cross-border investment.

He said his Government would do everything it could to support the new Executive.

He said he looked forward to working with First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly as well as arranging an early plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh.

Mr Varadkar said: This is a new opportunity with the Executive and Assembly now up and running to represent and to make decisions on behalf of all sections of society.

Good governance will make real the principles of partnership on parity of esteem. No identity nor constitutional aspiration should be diminished by working for the collective good.

The Taoiseach said there is some way to go before mutual trust and reconciliation between the islands different traditions is achieved.

He added: And I believe words can only take us so far. We need actions as well. A shared island needs a shared infrastructure, an all-island economy, a shared set of dreams about what we can achieve when we work together.

Mr Varadkar said the Irish Governments Shared Island initiative involves a commitment to work with all communities and political traditions to create a more connected, sustainable and prosperous island for all.

In 2020, the Irish Government committed one billion euro to the Shared Island Fund to be spent across the decade.

So far, approximately 250 million euro has been allocated to 15 major projects and multiannual programmes including the restoration of the Ulster Canal and the construction of an academic building at Ulster University in Londonderry.

Mr Varadkar said he firmly believed that all-island initiatives and east-west cooperation could improve business, trade and innovation.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar delivers the keynote address at the Shared Island Forum in Dublin Castle (Brian Lawless/PA)

He said there were deep and vibrant connections north and south but added that cross-border interactions are still much less than they should be.

The Irish premier said this included insufficient cross-border trade, travel, tourism and student mobility.

Mr Varadkar said the long-awaited A5 upgrade for connectivity in the north west of the island could commence this year, partly resourced by the Shared Island Fund.

Additionally, he said investment in the Narrow Water Bridge to enhance tourism between Mourne Mountains in Co Down and the Cooley Peninsula in Co Louth would be a powerful symbol of what can be achieved.

The Irish Government also wants to use the fund to invest in an hourly rail connection between Dublin and Belfast, as well as redeveloping Casement Park in Belfast for use in the Euro 2028 tournament.

He said there is no reason why Northern Ireland cant be the most prosperous part of the United Kingdom.
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Avanti West Coast has been told to do better by the rail minister amid warnings that HS2 cutbacks could badly hit Glasgow and Manchester services.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who represents Chorley, criticised the appalling service on the West Coast Main Line, while MPs heard that one Manchester business owner often travels to London the night before a meeting because he cant rely on Avanti.

Rail minister Huw Merriman said Avantis performance had improved dramatically when the Government last year decided to renew its operating contract for up to nine years.

In response to Labour MP Jeff Smith (Manchester Withington) asking if the Government regretted the premature decision, Mr Merriman also told the Commons: Avanti are in the process of hiring 70 drivers per year.

I have spoken to Avanti about matters that were raised in the chamber today and also about their recent service. We know they need to do better, we are holding them to account to ensure that they do.

Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh earlier said: What does the Secretary of State think it says about the performance standards in the contracts he signed with failing operators that senior executives at Avanti, whose cancellations now run at 17%, could boast about the free money thats too good to be true from the taxpayer?

Transport Secretary Mark Harper replied: Avanti havent got any money under the performance regime because they havent delivered appropriate enough quality, demonstrating we only pay for good performance.

On the specific issue she raises, I and the rail minister have raised that with Avanti. Senior executives at First have agreed with us that those comments were appalling and they are taking steps to deal with that issue within the company.

Ms Haigh countered: They were disgraceful from Avanti, but the problem goes to the contracts that he is signing with such failing operators.

Avanti last month apologised for the isolated incident.

Elsewhere at Transport questions, shadow transport minister Stephen Morgan said a leaked document shows the decision to cut parts of HS2 will reduce capacity on the West Coast Main Line.

In October last year, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cancelled the plan to extend HS2 between the West Midlands and Manchester amid spiralling costs.

Mr Morgan said: When the Prime Minister made the decision to scrap HS2, his department said the plan would lead to increased capacity on the West Coast Main Line. But, minister, thats not correct, is it?

I have a leaked document from his own officials that proves it. In it, they admit that this decision will mean fewer seats than today, with Glasgow and Manchester badly hit  Does he accept he will be the high-speed rail minister who left behind slower trains and fewer seats?

Shadow transport minister Stephen Morgan said a leaked document shows the decision to cut parts of HS2 will reduce capacity on the West Coast Main Line (Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/PA)

Mr Merriman said: We dont comment on documents that may or may not have been leaked  the HS2 train design was always to have a capacity for 500 seats.

If those trains are doubled up to 400 metres, then, of course, thats 1,000 seats. The Network North document committed half a billion pounds to look at capacity and how further capacity can be unlocked.

He said the HS2 line being built to Birmingham will reduce the journey times to Birmingham as well as to Manchester and Liverpool.

An Avanti West Coast spokesman said in a statement: We would like to apologise to our customers who had their journeys affected by previous cancellations on our network and thank them for their patience.

In December, we experienced a shortage of train crew due to historic leave agreements, elevated sickness levels and ongoing industrial disputes.

As with all operators, we also experienced issues during this period with infrastructure and weather-related challenges on the network, meaning that we had to cancel an increased number of services. This had a bearing on our previously improved levels of performance.

The company expects timetable changes and driver recruitment and training to help in the long term, and cancellations for which it is responsible have decreased to below 5% in the last four-week period.
British-born actor Christian Bale has broken ground on a project he has been pursuing for 16 years  the building of a dozen homes and a community centre in Los Angeles County intended to keep siblings in foster care together.

The Oscar winner stood with a grin and a shovel full of dirt alongside local politicians and donors in the decidedly non-Hollywood city of Palmdale, 60 miles north and across the San Gabriel Mountains from Los Angeles.

But Bale, who was Batman in director Christopher Nolans Dark Knight trilogy, was not just playing Bruce Wayne and lending his name and money to a charitable cause.

The project was his brainchild and one he has long lent his labour to, getting his hands dirty and on Wednesday standing in actual mud after a historic storm on a hard-won site he had visited many times before.

I would have done it all if it was just me by myself here, Bale told The Associated Press in an interview on the large vacant lot between a public park and a bowling alley.

Bale has lived in California since the early 1990s and sought to build the community after hearing about the huge number of foster children in LA County, and learning how many brothers and sisters had to be separated in the system.

That was around 2008, the time of The Dark Knight, when his now college-age daughter was three years old.

I didnt think it was going to take that long, the actor said.

I had a very naive idea about kind of getting a piece of land and then bringing kids in and the brothers and sisters living together and sort of singing songs like the Von Trapp family in The Sound Of Music. 

But he then learned its way more complex. These are peoples lives. And we need to be able to have them land on their feet when they age out. Theres so much involved in this.

Bale visited Chicago and spent several days in children and family services meetings.

From there, he recruited Tim McCormick, who had set up a similar programme, to head the organisation that became known as Together California, a group Bale would co-found with UCLA doctor Eric Esrailian, a producer on one of his films.

He said weve got to do this in California, Mr McCormick said.

To his credit, through all sorts of challenges, Covid and everything else, he never gave up.

The men eventually found a sympathetic leader in LA County supervisor Kathryn Barger, and in Palmdale, a semi-rural city of about 165,000 people, found a city with both a need and a willingness to take part.

The 12 homes, anchored by the community centre, are set to be finished in April 2025.

Its something that is incredibly satisfying for me, and I want to be involved every step of the way, Bale said.

Maybe this is the first one, and maybe this is the only one, and that would be great. But Im quietly hoping that therell be many of these.

The 50-year-old, who began acting as a child in films including Steven Spielbergs Empire Of The Sun and the Disney musical Newsies, won an Oscar for best supporting actor for 2010s The Fighter.

He has also starred in American Psycho, Vice and Ford V Ferrari.
The statement followed days of speculation spurred by local media reports that Mr Zelensky would sack Valerii Zaluzhnyi, pictured (AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has replaced his top army general in a major shake-up of the countrys war strategy as the conflict with Russia grinds into its third year.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Zelensky thanked Valerii Zaluzhnyi for his two years of service and discussed possible replacements for the top military job.

The time for such a renewal is now, Mr Zelensky said.

The move amounts to the most serious shake-up of the top military brass since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine (AP)

Mr Zelensky then appointed Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraines ground forces, to lead the army. Colonel General Syrskyi, 58, has been involved in the Ukrainian armys effort to adopt Nato standards since 2013.

In a Telegram message, General Zaluzhnyi did not announce he had stepped down but said he accepted that everyone must change and adapt to new realities and agreed that there is a need to change approaches and strategy in the war.

The move followed days of speculation spurred by local media reports that Mr Zelensky would sack General Zaluzhnyi, who was highly regarded by his troops and by foreign military officials. Mr Zelenskys office and the Defence Ministry denied the rumours.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Colonel General Oleksandr Syrsky, right, look at a map during their visit to the front line city of Kupiansk (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

Some analysts have warned that General Zaluzhnyis exit could bring unwelcome disruption, potentially driving a wedge between the Ukrainian army and politicians, and fuelling uncertainty among Kyivs Western allies.

Born into a family of Soviet servicemen, General Zaluzhnyi is credited with modernising the Ukrainian army along Nato lines. He took charge seven months before Russias full-scale invasion.

He earned broad public support after the successful defence of Kyiv in the early days of the war, followed by a triumphant counter-offensive in the Kharkiv region and the liberation of Kherson.

We are on our land and we will not give it up, General Zaluzhnyi said on the first day of the war.

Retired Australian major general Mick Ryan, a fellow of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington, described General Zaluzhnyi as a charismatic and popular military leader who would be hard to replace.

His replacement will have to build personal relationships with US and Nato military chiefs while the perception of government instability is a real danger area for Mr Zelensky, Mr Ryan wrote recently in an article posted online.
East Timorese take to the streets to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 1991 Santa Cruz massacre when Indonesian troops opened fire on a peaceful protest killing more than 200 people.

The bloody and rapacious occupation of East Timor by Indonesia from 1975 to 1999, when nearly a quarter of the population died of famine and violence, is not the responsibility of the current Indonesian government.

But Prabowo Subianto has been widely accused of some of the atrocities that led to the carnage, and most surveys show the Indonesian people are set to elect him as their new president this month.

What are we supposed to make of this?

Ought we say for shame on the hundreds of millions of people who will vote for an alleged war criminal who, until very recently, was said to have been blacklisted by Washington?

Should this election force Indonesia into a historical reckoning with its past, tearing open the wounds that many had been happy to cauterize after the Suharto dictatorship fell in 1998??



At home, Prabowos brutality is better known for the reactionary repression of the protests that helped topple Suharto, once his father-in-law.

The army threw him out in 1998 after it found he was implicated in the kidnapping of nine activists  13 are still missing  a claim Prabowo vehemently denied.

In 2014, though, he admitted to media group Al Jazeera that he participated in the abductions, and added that he was just following orders. But no charges have ever been filed against him nor have the allegations against him been tried in court.

Many Indonesians apparently do not know that their likely future premier (and their defense minister since 2019) had been accused of bloodying his hands decades earlier  in East Timor.

The Indonesian media has been silent on this rather lengthy period of Prabowos life.

Prabowo served as commander of Kopassandha, Indonesias special forces that later became known as Kopassus, from 1995.

Then Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto (left) poses with Maj. Gen. Muchdi Purwopranjono who succeeded him to become chief of Indonesia's special forces (Kopassus) after the hand-over ceremony, Jakarta, March 28, 1998. [Reuters]

A post-imperial truth and reconciliation commission found that the Indonesian armed forces (and Kopassus, especially) were responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity during the 24-year occupation of Timor-Leste.

Indeed, because of this, Prabowo was banned from entering the United States until recently, after he became defense minister.

When The Jakarta Post reminded readers in 2013 of Prabowos alleged atrocities, he replied with a letter claiming it was all an unproven allegation.

Since the 1990s, he has claimed that what happened in Timor-Leste was an internal conflict. And he says he wasnt even in Timor-Leste in 1999 when Indonesian troops brutally massacred hundreds of East Timorese to subvert the successful United Nations referendum on the countrys independence.

(In fact, its more accurate to say that the Indonesian troops massacred hundreds in revenge for the East Timorese bravery in proclaiming their own liberty.)

Even if Prabowo wasnt present in 1999, subsequent investigations found that the events of that year werent an aberration.

The Joint Indonesia/Timor-Leste Commission for Truth and Friendship argued that the crimes of 1999 cannot be understood in isolation from the longer period of conflict. It also stated that the nature of the violence that occurred in 1999 was shaped by previous patterns of conflict.

According to the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor, Prabowos Kopassandha/ Kopassus was responsible for the largest number of human rights violations.

East Timorese youth carry the then-territory's flag and shout Long Live East Timor as they enter the Austrian embassy in Jakarta demanding a meeting with the then-U.N. special envoy for East Timor, March 25. [Reuters]

While Jakarta is quick to evoke imperialism and colonialism in rebuffing global policies it finds unsuitable  it called the European Unions new environmental rules regulatory imperialism  no Indonesian president has ever apologized to the East Timorese.

The closest one came was after a bilateral truth commission report said that Indonesian soldiers, police and civil authorities engaged in an organized campaign of violence against East Timorese independence supporters.

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the Indonesian president at the time, could only muster: We convey our deep regret over what happened and expressed remorse.

And with the solipsism that characterizes Indonesian statements on this matter, he added: Let us not forget those who were victimized during this dark period in our past.

He was referring to the Indonesians killed during dictator Suhartos regime.

Indonesians alive during Suhartos regime never voted for him.

Yet, because of the atrocities committed in Timor-Leste, Indonesians suffered international condemnation in the 1990s, particularly from Western democracies. Its for others to say whether their response to this criticism elicited soul-searching or merely more rally-around-the-flag anger at Indonesias foreign critics.

Many brave Indonesians did, however, oppose their countrys imperialist venture at the time and assisted the pro-independence East Timorese diaspora in Jakarta.

And the median age of Indonesians now is 29.4 years, so half the population was barely in school by the time the troops left Timor-Leste.

East Timors Defense Minister Donaciano do Rosario da Costa Gomes (right) is welcomed by his Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto as he arrives for the 17th ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM) in Jakarta, Nov. 15, 2023. [Tatan Syuflana/Pool/AFP]

Historical wounds should be allowed to heal without being constantly picked at. But there must be some distinction between putting the past to rest and resurrecting it by electing a leader who was widely accused of being responsible for those past atrocities.

From the 1970s until the 1990s, the Indonesian public had no real say over what their government and military did. However, today they do have a say, and theyre using it to potentially elect an alleged war criminal.

Clearly, the fact that Prabowo has been repeatedly accused of such horrors in Timor-Leste does not seem to bother most voters.

Indonesia needs a truth-telling process, Pat Walsh, an adviser to the East Timor truth commissions, wrote in December.

Because it doesnt have such a process, a person with demonstrated disregard for the rule of law, of both the domestic and international kind, and regarded by many as a war criminal, may be elected Indonesias next president, Walsh, whos also a co-founder of Inside Indonesia magazine, added.

The country next door is watching, and Walsh didnt mince words about what a Prabowo presidency would mean for the East Timorese.

Neither is it fair for East Timorese victims of crimes against humanity to have to accommodate their tormentor as leader of the important neighbor their country needs to work with, he wrote in January.

But the Timorese can take some comfort in knowing that as Indonesia seems to be hurtling backwards towards autocracy (an opposition-free country in the hands of a bloodstained general from the bad old days. So much for reformasi, as the Economist put it), Timor-Leste is safely Southeast Asias best democracy.

David Hutt is a research fellow at the Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS) and Southeast Asia columnist at The Diplomat. The views expressed here are his own and do not reflect the position of the U.S. Department of Defense, CEIAS or BenarNews.
The Arakan Army displays weapons seized after the capture of the Myanmar armys Light Infantry Battalion 379 in Minbya township, Jan. 30, 2024.

Arakan Army insurgents have captured two key military units in western Myanmars Rakhine state, giving the group effective control of Minbya township and putting it in a position to challenge junta control of the state capital Sittwe, according to an ethnic rebel alliance and regional sources.

On Tuesday morning, the Arakan Army, or AA, routed Light Infantry Battalions 379 and 541  the two junta battalions that remained in Minbya after the ethnic rebels captured the 380th battalion on Jan. 28  the Three Brotherhood Alliance, of which the AA is a member, said in a statement.

All junta soldiers surrendered to the AA, said a resident who, like others interviewed for this report, spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns. It wasnt clear how many soldiers this entailed, but the latest estimates by military experts suggest most battalions in the Burmese Army have around 200 men.

The takeover means the AA now controls Minbya, he said. People are worried about possible airstrikes by the military and dont dare go outside.

The capture of the two units are the latest in a series of victories for the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which launched a campaign in October on junta forces in the northern and western parts of the country.

In northern Rakhine and neighboring Chin state, the AA seized arms and ammunition during several attacks on junta positions in January.

The latest gains by the AA rebels followed their capture of a junta-affiliated Border Guard Police camp in Maungdaw township at the weekend that led to droves of BGP members abandoning their posts and fleeing across the border into neighboring Bangladesh.

As of late Thursday, as many as 330 BGP members who had crossed over, were sheltering in the southeastern Bangladesh districts of Bandarban and Coxs Bazar as they waited to be repatriated by Myanmars military government.

On Jan. 16, nearly 300 junta troops surrendered to the AA after it took control of two major military junta encampments in Kyauktaw township. And on Jan. 24, the Three Brotherhood Alliance said in a statement that the AA had won full control of Pauktaw, a port city just 16 miles (25 kilometers) east of the Rakhine capital Sittwe.

The takeovers follow the AAs occupation of the entirety of western Chins Paletwa region  a mere 18 kilometers (11 miles) from the border with Bangladesh  in November, after it ended a ceasefire that had been in place with the junta since the militarys Feb. 1, 2021, coup detat.

In a statement late Tuesday, the alliance claimed that the AA had now captured all but two of the 10 light infantry battalions under the aegis of the No. 9 Military Operations Command in Kyauktaw. They include the 379th, 380th and 541th battalions in Minbya; the 374th, 376th and 539th in Kyauktaw; and 378th and 540th in Mrauk-U township  the last two of which were also taken on Tuesday morning, the alliance said.

The two remaining light infantry battalions under the No. 9 Military Operations Command are 377th in Mrauk-U and 375th in Kyautaw, according to the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which added that the AA had also taken control of Artillery Battalion 377 in Kyauktaw.

Central Rakhine offensive

The No. 9 Military Operations Command in central Rakhines Kyauktaw township is one of three junta command centers in the state, the other two being No. 5 in southern Rakhines Toungup township and No. 15 in northern Rakhines Buthidaung township.

A Rakhine-based military observer told Radio Free Asia (RFA) that the AA was focusing on taking control of No. 9 Military Operations Command so that it could launch offensives from the region against battalions under No. 5 and No. 15.

If the AA can capture the [Operations Command] in Kyauktaw, then they will control the central area of the state, the observer said. This area is important for military offensives, so the AA could use it to launch strategic attacks on the military in other areas.

The observer noted that the junta is ceding battalions and townships despite its use of the air force, navy and ground troops, suggesting that it no longer has the capacity to counter AA offensives.

Arakan Army forces display arms and equipment seized after the capture of the Myanmar armys Light Infantry Battalion 540 in Minbya, Feb. 2, 2024. [AA Info Desk]

He also suggested that if the AA was able to take complete control of Mrauk-U and Kyauktaw, it would likely push on to fight for control of the capital Sittwe and Ann township, where the juntas Western Military Headquarters is located.

If the junta loses these towns, it can be assumed that the next phase of battles will occur in Sittwe  and Ann, he said. It may then spread further to Buthidaung and Rathedaung townships.

The AA had yet to issue any statements about the junta battalions they have captured, casualties suffered in the fighting, or the number of military troops who have surrendered.

Rapid gains

Another resident monitoring the military situation in Rakhine told RFA that the AA could assume control of as many as five townships in the north of the state by the end of February, before advancing south.

We earlier thought that the AA would proceed with attacks in southern Rakhine only in 2025, after first taking control of the north, he said. However, they have made significant gains in Ramree and Toungup townships in a short span of time. The junta soldiers have fled [across the borders] to Bangladesh and India, and more soldiers will surrender soon.

In its statement on Tuesday, the Three Brotherhood Alliance said it also expected that the AA would fully capture the Taung Pyo Let Wei and Taung Pyo Let Yar border outposts north of Rakhines Maungdaw township along the border with Bangladesh, days after launching attacks on the two areas.

The alliance claimed that AA fighters had located the bodies of several members of the junta-affiliated Border Guard Forces killed in the fighting and confiscated a large cache of arms and ammunition, adding that more than 200 junta soldiers fled the area to Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, fighting remains fierce in Ramree township, where the AA launched attacks on a military outpost in December, residents of the area said. More than 10,000 civilians have fled the clashes and at least 60 homes were destroyed in military airstrikes and artillery attacks, they said.

The junta has yet to release any statements related to the military situation in Rakhine state.

Attempts by RFA to contact junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun and AA spokesman Khaing Thukha went unanswered Wednesday.

In the three months since the AA ended its ceasefire, more than 110 civilians have been killed and at least 250 injured in fighting in Rakhine state, according to data compiled by RFA.

Radio Free Asia, a news organization affiliated with BenarNews, produced this report.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (second from right) speaks to the press with the Marshall Islands Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Jack Ading (left), Federated States of Micronesia President Wesley Simina (second from left) and Palau President Surangel Whipps (right) ahead of a meeting at the State Department in Washington, Sept. 26, 2023.

UPDATED at 9:08 a.m. ET on 2024-02-08

Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, which occupy a militarily strategic expanse of the western Pacific, have warned that delays to U.S. financial assistance have created opportunities for competitive political actors in the region.

Micronesian President Wesley Simina on Thursday released a letter the three countries had sent to Senate leaders, President Joe Biden and other U.S. officials after funding for the island nations wasnt included as expected in a budget bill sent to the Senate this month.

Although we understand the delay in the legislations approval, it has generated uncertainty among our peoples, the letter said. As much as they identify with and appreciate the United States, which formerly governed our islands, this has resulted in undesirable opportunities for economic exploitation by competitive political actors active in the Pacific.

The Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Palau, under agreements known as compacts of free association, give the U.S. military access to their vast ocean territories in exchange for funding and the right for their citizens to live and work in the U.S. The agreements also allow the U.S. to deny other countries access to the waters.

Amid increased U.S.-China rivalry in the Pacific, the three island nations last year signed new economic assistance agreements with the U.S. that were significantly more generous. Budget battles between Democrats and Republicans have delayed implementation despite bipartisan support for the compacts.

The supplemental budget bill sent to the Senate earlier this month faces many obstacles, with or without compact funding as part of it, due to partisan differences over other funding plans.

The letter didnt name China but its inroads with Pacific island nations, including a security pact with the Solomon Islands in 2022, have recently galvanized renewed U.S. attention on the region.

Chinas government has courted Pacific island nations as it seeks to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and gain allies in international institutions. Beijing regards Taiwan, a democracy and globally important tech manufacturing center, as a renegade province that must be reunited with the mainland.

This handout photo from the U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll taken on Jan. 21, 2024 shows an aerial view of a surge of unexpected waves swamping the island of Roi-Namur in the Marshall Islands. [U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll/AFP]

Last month Nauru, a Pacific island nation of 10,000 people, severed longstanding ties with Taiwan and recognized Beijing. The Solomon Islands and Kiribati switched their diplomatic recognition to Beijing from Taiwan in 2019. The Pacific island nations of Palau, the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu represent a quarter of Taiwans remaining diplomatic allies.

The letter dated Feb. 6 from Simina, Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. and Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine highlights the military importance for the United States of the countries combined ocean territories.

Our free associations effectively expand the United States for defense purposes to cover an expanse of the Pacific larger than the 48 contiguous United States, stretching from west of Hawaii to the Philippines and Indonesia, the letter said.

Our partnerships also enable the U.S. to base missiles and its earliest warning radars trained on Asia in Palau and a facility that the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff says is the worlds premier range for ICBM testing and military space operations in the Marshall Islands. They also make it possible for the U.S. to conduct military exercises in the Federated States of Micronesia, the presidents of the three Pacific-island countries added in their letter.

The U.S. military is building an over-the-horizon radar station in Palau while the Marshall Islands hosts a U.S. ballistic missile testing and space surveillance range on Kwajalein Atoll.

The letter from the island leaders says they cannot overstate the importance to all our nations of final approval by the U.S. Congress of legislation for the renewed compacts.

U.S. analysts have recently warned that failure to secure compact funding would be an enormous blunder for Washington and an opportunity for China to undermine American military dominance in the Pacific.

Micronesias previous president, David Panuelo, last year warned of aggressive efforts by Chinas diplomats to gain influence in the country, alleging use of bribes and other tactics that he characterized as political warfare.

This report has been updated to add more details from the letter from the presidents of Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands.
Miner Julius Santolan sheds tears as he joins search efforts to find his wife and three children, Feb. 8, 2024. [Mark Navales/BenarNews]

The entrance of the mine near where the landslide struck is seen near Masara village in Maco municipality, Davao de Oro province, southern Philippines, Feb. 7, 2024. [Jeoffrey Maitem/BenarNews]

Jenny Cano (seated, center) and others wait for the remains of their loved ones to be carried out from the site of the landslide, Feb. 7, 2024. [Jeoffrey Maitem/BenarNews]

Hopes of finding more survivors are fading two days after a mudslide engulfed buses carrying dozens of miners in a gold-mining community in the southern Philippines, with unstable ground posing an added danger for rescuers.

As of late Thursday afternoon, the official number of those missing was 49, 10 dead and more than 30 injured from the landslide in this mountainous section of Davao de Oro province, according to disaster officials. Two buses used for transporting mine workers were buried in the moving mud, along with some buildings. Heavy rain had unleashed the landslide.

Edward Macapili, a spokesman for the local disaster unit in the town of Maco where the landslide occurred at 7 p.m. Tuesday, announced 49 as the official number of people missing. National police, meanwhile, said there could be more than twice as many.

Macapili said rescuers were trying to remain optimistic, noting that one survivor was pulled from rubble on Wednesday after being trapped for 11 hours.

We are not losing hope that there could still be people alive, he said when reporters asked him about this, but he added that efforts had already shifted to search and retrieval.

We have 10 dead so far, he said, noting that rescuers were rushing against time because every second counts when it comes to human life.

Rescuers reach a bus that was buried by the landslide, Feb. 8, 2024. [Mark Navales/BenarNews]

BenarNews reporters who accompanied rescuers said they were advised to tread carefully because the ground was shifting. While earth moving equipment had been dispatched to the area, workers had to first dig with their hands and shovels.

Tears at mountain site

For miner Julius Santolan, 36, each passing second was critical. His wife, Meeryniza, and their three children between the ages of 4 and 9 were missing. He broke down in tears while recalling the moments before his family disappeared.

He said he was at a neighbors house when the dirt crashed into the community with a thunderous sound from the mountain.

That was followed by eerie quiet and when he turned to look at his house, all he could see was brown sludge.

I have had no sleep and no appetite for three days now. From where I stand, our house was here but was covered with mud, he said, as he accompanied rescuers on the second day of operations.

I hope they are all together now in heaven, Santolan said even as he held out hope that they had survived.

Miner Julius Santolan sheds tears as he joins search efforts to find his wife and three children, Feb. 8, 2024. [Mark Navales/BenarNews]

Nearby, Jenny Cano, 35, widow of a mini-bus driver contracted by the Apex Mining Co. whose body was recovered on Wednesday, said her husband used to call her minutes before he returned home from work.

But on Tuesday, the call from Jundie, 32, never came.

His mobile phone couldnt be reached already. Then I was just informed by his relative that hes gone and it was confirmed that his body was here, Cano said.

Crews carried victims remains to a tent covered with black tarpaulin to offer survivors a sense of privacy.

Lt. Col. Wildemar Tiu, Davao del Norte provincial mobile police force commander, said Philippine Coast Guard dogs were scouring the mound of earth that used to be homes.

We are doing everything to locate all the missing miners and residents, he said.

Jon Bonifacio, national coordinator of the environmental group Kalikasan Peoples Network for the Environment (KPNE), has called for an investigation of APEX mining operations.

Once again, were seeing how the worsening impacts of climate change are intersecting with corporate negligence and impunity in the Philippines, he said.

We call for immediate and adequate aid for the affected families and for a swift and thorough investigation to be conducted to determine the full extent of accountability of Apex Mining and other large-scale mining operations,  in relation to the landslide and the massive floods affecting the region, Bonifacio said.

Police and rescue volunteers carry a corpse recovered from the landslide, Feb. 8, 2024. [Mark Navales/BenarNews]

APEX issued a statement that it was working with the government to locate and rescue those missing, the state-run Philippine News Agency reported. The statement noted that the landslide occurred at an area where buses ferry employees to the mine site and not at the site itself.

Just before the landslide, there were four 60-seater buses and one 36 pax-capacity jeep waiting for the outgoing employees. One bus had left for Mawab while the rest were still waiting when the landslide occurred, its debris covering the terminal, it said, according to PNA.

The Philippines, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire and in the Pacific typhoon belt, is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world.

A combination of mountainous terrain and heavy rainfall also makes the archipelago particularly susceptible to landslides.

In September 2018, more than 70 people in the northern mining town of Itogon died as a result of a mudslide caused by Typhoon Mangkhut.

The nations deadliest landslide occurred on Feb. 17, 2006, following a 10-day downpour in the province of Southern Leyte. It buried the entire community of Guinsaugon village there, killing more than 1,000 people.
Bengal: Cash strapped Govt presents Rs 3.6 lakh crore budget

Kolkata, Feb 8 (UNI) Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya on Thursday presented a Rs 3.6 lakh crore budget for West Bengal for 2024-25 with a slew of benefits expanding assistance to the poor and common people ahead of the Lok Sabha election.

Presenting the budget, Minister of State for Finance (Independent) Chandrima Bhattacharya said among other things there is

an additional four per cent of dearness allowance (da) for state government employees, a separate fund for fishermen, increase in financial assistance for

women in the ongoing Lakshmi Bhandar, trainee apprentices, artisans and weavers as well as 50 days minimum work guarantee for job card holders in Bengal.

A special centre for the minorities culture development was proposed in the budget and the government was considering revising the provisions

of land ceiling under the West Bengal Land and Land Reforms Act.

The monthly financial assistance under the Lakhsmir Bhandar scheme was raised to Rs 1,200 for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities, whereas for other categories, it has been increased to Rs 1,000.

" Though the Union government has stopped financial share of the state for years, We will not bow down to the Centre and will continue to carry out

help to the common with our resources, " said Bhattacharya.

" The state's dues from the Union government is about Rs 1.18 lakh crore, " the FM alleged.

An additional 4 pc DA for the state government employees from May, in addition to the 4 pc that was declared in January, she elaborated.

The state government also announced a 'Gender and Child Budget Statement' in this year's Budget.

The budget presentation happened amid slogans from the opposition (BJP) as they began singing the national anthem simultaneously

as Speaker Biman Banerjee instructed the officials to play the State song Banglar Mati Banglar Jal before the beginning of the budget session.

UNI PC KK
Ecuador's Parliament ratifies free trade agreement with China

Quito, Feb 8 (UNI) The National Assembly of Ecuador, the country's unicameral legislature, on Wednesday ratified a free trade agreement with China.

"Promoting the expansion and diversification of trade between Ecuador and China, eliminating trade barriers and facilitating the cross-border circulation of goods are the goals of the free trade agreement approved by the National Assembly," the legislature said in a statement.

The agreement includes over 800 agreed exemptions to protect Ecuadorian industry. The agreement is expected to create more than 50,000 jobs and cover 71% of the country's exports to China by small business.
PITTSFIELD  The Pearl, Pittsfields new shelter for those facing housing insecurity, is starting to look a bit more like home.

The shelter at 21 Pearl St. has been open since Jan. 22, but Erin Forbush, director of shelter operations for ServiceNet, said its just like any other move: The team there is still tweaking the spaces amenities and working out the kinks.

By and large, things are in place. The shelter, formerly at St. Joseph's Central High School, has traded in cots for beds, and an open-air gymnasium for a dining hall with round tables that it shares with its host, First United Methodist Church. Three dorm rooms house 40 residents who sleep on bunks and have access to a connected bathroom. The restroom facilities are newly done, as is most of the plumbing.

Importantly, the space is much more colorful. The walls throughout the building are an inviting sky blue, an upgrade from the muted beige tones of St. Joseph's.

Color was a big piece that people identified as being beneficial to their waking up and enjoying the day, Forbush said.

As residents have moved in, and added their own personal touches to the building, they have added color too, she said.

Theres a number of new improvements at The Pearl, including new laundry machines that were absent at St. Joes.

A number of accessibility upgrades, including an elevator and handicap-accessible shower, make the building wholly available to people with disabilities.

New safety improvements are being added, too. Forbush said a motion sensor in the bathrooms will be installed to detect an absence of movement on a timer. If someone who enters the bathroom stops moving or is unresponsive for any reason, staff will check on them when alerted.

The Pearl is currently at capacity, with a waitlist of over 30 people, Forbush said. Its opened after some delay with help from the city of Pittsfield, which has contributed Community Development Block Grants and $354,500 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to its completion.

As part of a walkthrough at the shelter Wednesday, Mayor Peter Marchetti said his administration has been involved in talks to better serve the homeless population in Pittsfield.

Every meeting that we have goes back to ensuring that people are being treated like humans, Marchetti said, adding that stigma surrounding homelessness has led to a dehumanization of those experiencing it.

He sees The Pearl as a step in the right direction for that sentiment.

The shelters occupants, much like its staff, are still settling in. But as case workers attempt to find them permanent housing, residents are making the Pearl their own.

Matt Jacobs is a resident at The Pearl, and has needed a place to stay for about three months. Jacobs stays with his girlfriend, Samantha Lee, who said that shes glad to be out of the temporary emergency shelter at St. Joes, which now stands idle at 22 Maplewood Ave.

That shelter, in the now-defunct high school, was in use for the past three years as a stopgap during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lee said that the building's condition  a crumbling roof, problems with mold and other issues that arent present at The Pearl  made it difficult to stay there.

Here, its better, healthier, safer, Lee said.

The space is also segmented and offers more amenities. There are two community rooms, each with a television set and a desktop computer for residents to use.

We actually have a community room upstairs and downstairs, versus being in the gym and watching TV with two TVs, one on each side of the gym, Lee said. Thats hard to do, if youre trying to watch a movie.

The community rooms are also where overflow residents stay, Forbush said. The site functions as a warming center for Pittsfield residents who need a place to stay from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., when businesses are not open, she said.

The shelters occupants are happy to have more activities during the day. Pierre Abellie, the site manager at The Pearl, formulates a chore list for residents to help keep the space clean. Residents take turns cooking meals in the community dining space, Forbush said, with two at a time volunteering their services.

Theres more to do here than there was at St. Joes, Lee said. At St. Joes, we didnt have to do anything."

All around, its a lot better here than St. Joes, Lee said.

Theres an increased sense of ownership for residents at The Pearl, Forbush said. The current occupants helped to facilitate the move from St. Joes and get the shelter established in its new home.

Jacobs echoed that residents are motivated to maintain The Pearl.

We see something on the floor, we pick it up, Jacobs said. If the bathroom needs to be cleaned, one of us just picks up a mop and we clean it.

Jacobs sees the upkeep at the shelter as part of his responsibility, since the staff at the shelter is helping him out in return. Its just how he was raised, he said.

We all work as a family here, Jacobs said. We work together to make sure everythings clean, and picked up. We work like its our own home here. Theyre giving us help that we need, so we give back.

Jacobs ultimately wants to find suitable long-term housing for him and Lee, who has a disability. Until then, he hopes to foster a community with his fellow residents so that they can all be hard-working members of society, he said.

Abellie said that the shelters more consistent population helps to create deeper bonds among residents, and makes it easier to facilitate community spaces.

At St. Joes we had more space and we could have a turnaround of 20 new people on any given day, Abellie said. So it was much harder at St. Joes to create that sense of camaraderie and stuff like that. Here, its easier to do so.

That community can be crucial for people when they eventually find housing of their choosing, Forbush said, hence the emphasis on trying to facilitate it.

We all need community, even when we leave the space that were in, Forbush said. Thats the bigger piece  we try to really connect people, because thats where we all have success in our lives, is to have connections outside of ourselves.
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This winter has been warmer than most, leading to a freeze-thaw cycle that has impacted various sectors in the region. This has been illustrated by two recent Eagle articles exploring how Bousquet Mountain Ski Area has had to cope with little snowfall and how Pittsfield has contended with an increase in damaged roadways.

The warmer winter can be attributed to both climate change but also El Nino conditions, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

"Climate change can exacerbate or mitigate certain impacts related to El Nino. For example, El Nino could lead to new records for temperatures, particularly in areas that already experience above-average temperatures during El Nino, NOAA Climate Prediction Center climate scientist Michelle LHeureux said in a June report after this seasons El Nino emerged.

Last year, the state and region saw record temperatures, as 2023 was the warmest year on record for Massachusetts and the second-warmest for the Berkshires. While that resulted in a warmer winter that were still experiencing, it also led to volatile weather. In June, North Adams experienced hail, flooding and a likely dust devil. Later in July, a dangerous storm flooded North County, causing millions of dollars in damage, for which 10 Berkshire cities and towns were recently slated to receive state relief.

Increasingly, the best way to describe the weather is temperamental and hard to predict. Parts of September brought sweltering summerlike temperatures, with Pittsfield High School even clocking an internal temperature of 104 degrees, which caused crayons to melt. Winter barely materialized in 2023, with significant snowfall only coming last month. Last summer was exceptionally wet  2023 was apparently the states seventh-wettest year ever recorded.

All this erratic weather disrupted the county, but it could be worse, as the deadly wildfires in Maui and widespread flooding in Vermont last year can attest to. For the latter, the Berkshires were also impacted by flooding in that same torrential July storm that NOAA reports caused more than $2 billion in damages, but images from our neighbors to the north reflected more severe outcomes: people canoeing across the submerged streets of Montpellier, tops of cars barely visible above the floodwaters. In fact, the NOAA reported that the wide scale flooding in Vermont was similar to the flood impacts from Hurricane Irene in 2011.

Beyond being costly and disruptive, its also worth noting that these extreme weather events can be deadly. The Associated Press reported on Jan. 18 that the icy blast that covered the country contributed to more than 40 deaths nationwide, many of whom died of hyperthermia and in motor vehicle crashes. During bad weather, everything outside can be a hazard, from temperatures to road conditions to anything that can fall and cause significant damage like trees and power lines. One of the most notable incidents of that storm was when a plane in Rochester, N.Y., slipped off a runway as it was landing at Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport; thankfully no one was hurt.

Extreme weather is nothing to take lightly, and thanks to climate change, its likely well experience it at an increased frequency and intensity. If the world becomes more volatile and hostile toward human life, as bizarre as it sounds, we might look back fondly at the last few years in the future, given that climate change is only going to get worse unless were able to curb our behaviors that cause it.

Following the current trajectory in a few years time the record-breaking year of 2023 will probably be remembered as a cold year, Carlo Buontempo, director of the European climate agency Copernicus told The Associated Press in an article about 2023 being the hottest year on record.

Since I moved from Windsor to the lower-elevation areas of Dalton about 10 years ago and then to Pittsfield a year later, the weather for me seems to have lost some of its intensity, especially in the winter. But even Pittsfield is not a safe haven from extreme weather, especially flooding, as last summer exemplified.

Its hard to remain optimistic in the face of overwhelmingly negative changes to our climate, at least from the human perspective. (As George Carlin once said: The planet isnt going anywhere. We are!) What will the future look like for our generations and those who come after? How long will the world still be livable? How much time does the human race have left?

These are unknowable questions that might be best left unanswered. And there is still much we can do to brighten the outlook for humanity. But like most issues, it requires a consistent commitment to getting better and an unbreakable desire to disengage in practices that are worsening it.

In other words, the human race as a collective has to choose to help itself; it has to choose to live.
New Delhi, Feb 8 (UNI) The 17th Indian Navy (IN) and French Navy (FN) held discussions and agreed to enhance collaboration and interoperability in the maritime domain.



The staff meetings were held on February 6 and 7 and co-chaired by Rear Admiral Nirbhay Bapna, ACNS (FCI) and Rear Admiral Jean Marc Durandau, Director International Engagements, FN, an official statement said here on Thursday.



The talks witnessed active participation from both sides. Major discussions included operational, training, SME exchanges, etc. Both sides also acknowledged the growing cooperation between the two Navies and agreed to enhance collaboration and interoperability in the maritime domain.



On the sidelines of the Staff Talks, Rear Admiral Jean Marc Durandau, Director International Engagements, also called on Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff and underscored the high level of synergy and interoperability between the navies of India and France. He also visited IFC - IOR.

UNI RBE CS1614
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Major domestic theme park player Overseas Chinese Town will launch art performances, intangible cultural heritage experiences and festive cuisines, among other fun elements, to spice up travelers experiences during Spring Festival.

Bonfire gala, lion dance and distinctive folk opera will be staged in its Happy Valley theme parks in Chengdu, Sichuan province, and Chongqing, while music performance and fireworks will be available to visitors in OCT theme parks in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, and Tianjin.

Large-scale dance and singing performances will be held in OCTs operations in Yunnan province, and art exhibitions are planned in Shenzhen, Guangdong province.

Visitors will also have access to distinctive local cuisines at multiple OCT facilities.

According to data from Mafengwo, searches for where to go during Spring Festival have surged as the holiday is around the corner.

Traditional customs such as lantern festivals, temple fairs, and intangible cultural heritage activities have remained the center of Spring Festival travel.




Pak to close border with Iran, Afghanistan on election day

Islamabad, Feb 7 (UNI) Pakistan has announced that its borders with Iran and Afghanistan will be closed during the general elections on Thursday for security purposes.

"To ensure full security during the general elections, to be held in Pakistan on Feb. 8, 2024, border crossings with Afghanistan and Iran would remain closed both for cargo and pedestrians," foreign ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in a statement on Wednesday.

Normal operations at the borders will resume on Feb. 9, the spokesperson added.
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Hollywood star Hugh Jackman has paid another visit to Ireland, sharing snippets of his trip on social media, including a video of him enjoying a customary pint of the black stuff.

The Greatest Showman star (55) was in Dublin recently, but made sure to stay on track with his workout routine, being spotted getting a sweat on at a gym in Portobello.

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Jackman took to Instagram to share images of his time here, describing it as "one of the most beautiful places in all the land".

As well as taking in the sites of the city, including a visit to the Long Room at Trinity College, Jackman also took a spin south to Co Wicklow to Glendalough and Glenmacnass Waterfall.

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Sharing a number of snaps of the beautiful scenery there, some social media users poked fun at the Australian in the comments for captioning the post: 'A coupla more memories from Dublin'.

"We'll excuse you for your geography this time," one commenter joked.
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DUP Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan has urged Sinn Fein to focus on delivering in the newly re-established Northern Ireland Assembly, and not on a border poll on the regions constitutional future.

Sinn Fein president Mary-Lou McDonald earlier predicted that a border poll will be held before 2030.

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Ms McDonalds comments expressing confidence of referenda on both sides of the border within six years come amid increased focus on the prospects of reunification following the appointment of Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill as Northern Irelands first nationalist First Minister.

I envisage us having the referendums in this decade, she told Sky News.

First Minister Michelle ONeill (Liam McBurney/PA)

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Asked to clarify if that meant before 2030, she replied: Yes, and let me say that it is not so far away, so theres an awful lot of work that needs to be done.

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Ive said consistently to the government in Dublin that they really need to take possession of this conversation thats now under way right across Ireland.

They need to give it a structure and a place and, of course, it has to be inclusive.

We want to hear from every voice, including those for whom reunification would not be their first option, those who go out and campaign for the Union.

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Nevertheless, we all live together, thats never going to change. We share Ireland, we love Ireland, and we want whats best for our children, for our grandchildren.

I think thats the strongest, most powerful common ground that we all share.

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However, Mr Givan responded by saying former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said there would be a united Ireland by 2016.

Speaking during a visit to Rathmore Grammar School in Belfast on Thursday morning, Mr Givan told the PA news agency that he regrets the pivot to talk of a border poll.

Its regrettable that when it comes to elections, Sinn Fein immediately pivot towards this issue of a border poll. I indicated before Michelle ONeill became the First Minister to resist the temptation to go down the path of talking about border polls when we need to be focused on health, education and all of those bread-and-butter issues, he said.

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The public want us to get on with the job of delivering on those issues, not to be distracted by those constitutional questions.

Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, a border poll should be called by the incumbent Northern Ireland Secretary when they believe there is evidence that public opinion in the region has shifted in favour of constitutional change.

Successive UK governments have consistently declined to specify publicly what criteria will be applied when measuring public sentiment on the issue.

Last week, Ms McDonald said unification was within touching distance  a claim that prompted DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson to remark that his political rival must have the longest arms on this island.

Mr Donaldson rejected suggestions of a poll within the next decade, insisting we are nowhere near a united Ireland.

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald passes DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson and DUP deputy leader Gavin Robinson at Stormont (Liam McBurney/PA)

Ms McDonald responded to his comments on Thursday.

When I say unity is within touching distance, I said in historic terms, I dont mean that its happening next week, or next month, she said.

So you dont have to have those long arms that Jeffrey refers to. But what I am saying, what I firmly believe, is in this decade we will have those referendums and its my job and the job of people like me who believe in reunification to convince, to win hearts and minds and to convince people of that opportunity.

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Ms ONeill, who is in London with her party president, later accused Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris of ignoring the reality on the issue of constitutional change.

Earlier this week, Mr Heaton-Harris said he did not expect a border poll within his lifetime.

I think Chris Heaton-Harris, with all due respect, thats a bit of an ostrich mentality, sticking your head in the sand and refusing to see whats actually happening all around you, she told ITV.

Ms ONeill added: I think hes ignoring reality. My election speaks to the change thats happening across the island.

My parents and grandparents never believed this day would come, that this change would never come about because the north is built in such a way that someone from my background was never supposed to be in a position of first minister.

You know, all the old certainties of the past, of that state that they were born into, are gone.

So I actually think that my appointment actually does reflect the change thats happening.
A young man who signed up in this country to work as a seasonal farmworker abroad but who suffered catastrophic injuries when his arm was sucked into a combine harvester on a New Zealand farm, has been awarded 3.4 million by the High Court.

Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds said the young farmer Padraig Lowry, whose arm was amputated to four inches below his right elbow had suffered a lifelong, life-altering and disabling injury when he was 22.

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The injuries she said have had devastating and life-changing consequences for him and his ability to run the 251-acre family farm in Co Laois has been significantly impaired.

Padraig Lowry, now 29, of Cappalinnan, Rathdowney, Co Laois, had sued Daryl Thompson of Invercargill, New Zealand and D.Thompson Contracting Ltd, also of Invercargill, New Zealand, as a result of the incident in January 2015.

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Mr Lowry had been trying to deal with an oats blockage in the combine harvester chute when his arm was sucked into the moving parts of the machine.

The Irish High Court had been asked to assess damages in the case, where judgement had already been granted in default of appearance by the New Zealand side.

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Mr Lowrys solicitor, Margaret Cordial, of Smithwicks Solicitors, Kilkenny, will now have to seek to have the 3.4 million judgement of the Irish High Court enforced in New Zealand.

The court previously heard how the 22-year-old had met a representative of the New Zealand company in a Co Meath hotel and was offered a job to start in October 2014.

Three months later the incident occurred on the rural New Zealand farm and the court heard Irish coworkers used their belts to tourniquet Mr Lowrys arm, which was pumping blood.

Just five hours after the incident, Mr Lowry was airlifted to hospital, the court heard the harvester was released to continue the work on the farm at Dipton, Southland.

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Ms Justice Reynolds said it was clear from the evidence that the contract of employment was entered between Mr Lowry and the New Zealand company in Co Meath.

He is now left with a permanent disability and will require ongoing medical care. He has suffered and continues to suffer significant pain and discomfort at the site of the injury. His ability to carry out his farming duties has been curtailed and he requires specialised machinery to carry out heavy-duty activities, the judge said.

She added: His quality of life has been significantly impaired, and he has been precluded from returning to many of his pre-accident recreational activities.

In the proceedings, it was claimed it was an express or implied term of the contract that Mr Lowry would be provided with a safe place of work, a safe system of work and safe equipment and machinery.

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It was claimed he was required to operate a machine that was dangerous and defective and the blades on the machine were allegedly permitted to be blunt, which it is claimed resulted in the crop being cut too long and therefore blocking the chute.

It was also claimed the wind-down alarm on the machine was disconnected or not operating so as to warn Mr Lowry that the blades were still moving.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he is optimistic there will be a genuine effort to ensure the restored Stormont Executive will tackle practical problems facing people in Northern Ireland.

Welcoming the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive last weekend, Mr Varadkar said it gave renewed hope for cooperation on difficulties in the health service and public sector pay disputes.

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However, he said there had been lost opportunities within the two-year period that the Executive had not been functioning.

A DUP boycott of Stormonts key institutions in protest over post-Brexit trading arrangements ended on Saturday following a new agreement with the UK government.

First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly. Photo: Oliver McVeigh/PA.

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Speaking on Thursday, Mr Varadkar said he believes lessons have been learned and there is a lot of good faith between the new Executive members to make powersharing work.

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He said he was hopeful that the Executive would last through the upcoming elections in Ireland as well as to the House of Commons.

The Taoiseach was speaking at a Shared Island Forum at Dublin Castle, where he said the Government would commit unprecedented funding to enable major cross-border investment.

He said his Government would do everything it could to support the new Executive.

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He said he looked forward to working with First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly as well as arranging an early plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh.

Mr Varadkar said: This is a new opportunity with the Executive and Assembly now up and running to represent and to make decisions on behalf of all sections of society.

Good governance will make real the principles of partnership on parity of esteem. No identity nor constitutional aspiration should be diminished by working for the collective good.

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The Taoiseach said there is some way to go before mutual trust and reconciliation between the islands different traditions is achieved.

He added: And I believe words can only take us so far. We need actions as well. A shared island needs a shared infrastructure, an all-island economy, a shared set of dreams about what we can achieve when we work together.

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Mr Varadkar said the Irish Governments Shared Island initiative involves a commitment to work with all communities and political traditions to create a more connected, sustainable and prosperous island for all.

In 2020, the Government committed 1 billion to the Shared Island Fund to be spent across the decade.

So far, approximately 250 million has been allocated to 15 major projects and multiannual programmes including the restoration of the Ulster Canal and the construction of an academic building at Ulster University in Derry.

Mr Varadkar said he firmly believed that all-island initiatives and east-west cooperation could improve business, trade and innovation.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar delivers the keynote address at the Shared Island Forum in Dublin Castle. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.

He said there were deep and vibrant connections north and south, but added that cross-border interactions are still much less than they should be.

The Taoiseach said this included insufficient cross-border trade, travel, tourism and student mobility.

Mr Varadkar said the long-awaited A5 upgrade for connectivity in the north-west of the island could commence this year, partly resourced by the Shared Island Fund.

Additionally, he said investment in the Narrow Water Bridge to enhance tourism between Mourne Mountains in Co Down and the Cooley Peninsula in Co Louth would be a powerful symbol of what can be achieved.

The Government also wants to use the fund to invest in an hourly rail connection between Dublin and Belfast, as well as redeveloping Casement Park in Belfast for use in the Euro 2028 tournament.

He said there is no reason why Northern Ireland cant be the most prosperous part of the United Kingdom.
Thursday's front pages focus on a range of stories from a new poll showing support for Sinn Fein has hit its lowest level in three years to a man dying of measles in an Irish hospital.

The Irish Times reports that support for Sinn Fein has slumped in the latest Irish Times/Ipsos B&A opinion poll, with the party falling to its lowest level in three years.

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The Irish Examiner lead with a piece that a man has died in the first reported case of measles this year in Ireland.

The Echo report that Gardai have begun a murder investigation into the circumstances around the death of 61-year-old Michael Foley in Macroom.

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Morning readers. Here's the front page of today's Belfast Telegraph 

And you can read today's front page lead story in full here: https://t.co/UoXR4DftVS pic.twitter.com/0FpXVmXb4O Advertisement Advertisement  Belfast Telegraph (@BelTel) February 8, 2024

In the UK, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks transgender comment in the House of Commons and the Prince of Wales return to public appearances feature on the front pages of Britains papers.

The Independent and the Daily Mirror report on the uproar about the British Prime Ministers callous joke in the House of Commons while the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey was visiting Parliament.

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The Daily Express asks if Rishi Sunak has opened the door for Boris Johnson to return to politics.

Thursday's front page: Has PM opened door to an amazing Boris comeback?#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/S06aOzisi7  Daily Express (@Daily_Express) February 7, 2024

The Sun and the Daily Mail lead with Britain's Prince Williams first outing since his fathers cancer diagnosis, as he was joined by Tom Cruise at a fundraiser and thanked the public for their support.

On tomorrow's front page: Prince William was joined by Top Gun actor Tom Cruise at a fund-raiser and told of his gratitude at public support for his dad and wifehttps://t.co/OehvMUiyJr pic.twitter.com/xs8wMsPznu Advertisement  The Sun (@TheSun) February 7, 2024

Thursday's DAILY MAIL: Thank you so much for all your kindness#tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/1BPNS3tf5q  Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) February 7, 2024

The Metro focuses on the divide between William and the Duke of Sussex, who left the country after a short visit with the King.

Tomorrow's Paper Today 



DUTY CALLS: KINGS CANCER DIVIDES BROTHERS



 Flying visit: Harry was driven back to Heathrow

William throws himself back into work early#TomorrowsPaperToday pic.twitter.com/E0gVLTXQKe  Metro (@MetroUK) February 7, 2024

The Times says an alleged Russian spy lied to gain asylum into the UK before going on to work for the Foreign Office and meet the future King.

The Daily Telegraph relays words from the UK budget watchdog, which says migration will not save the UK from a debt crisis.

The Guardian says Conservative peer Michelle Mone told the Government she would not benefit from a PPE company before 29 million of its profits were transferred into a trust for her benefit.

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Thursday's GUARDIAN: Revealed: Mone told government she wouldn't benefit from PPE deal#tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/IBAyN8sOyJ  Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) February 7, 2024

Barratt has become the UKs largest housebuilder after agreeing to buy their rival Redrow for 2.5 billion, according to the Financial Times.

Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Thursday 8 February https://t.co/sxomeJJmHT pic.twitter.com/oEtqpCoHgG  Financial Times (@FT) February 7, 2024

The i leads with a study that found the drug Viagra could reduce the risk of developing Alzheimers.

Wednesday's front page: Viagra reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's by 18%, study suggests#TomorrowsPapersToday



Latest by @BawdenTom: https://t.co/gB0Yd1Xa16 pic.twitter.com/pNtvahMmru  i newspaper (@theipaper) February 7, 2024

And the Daily Star warns readers to brace yourself for a storm that will bring snow and ice.
Israeli air strikes killed more than a dozen people overnight and into Thursday in Rafah in the Gaza Strip, hours after Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu rejected Hamass ceasefire terms and vowed to expand the offensive into the southern Gaza town.

More than half of the strips population has fled to Rafah, on the mostly sealed border with Egypt, which is also the main entry point for humanitarian aid.

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Egypt has warned that any ground operation there or mass displacement across the border would undermine its four-decade-old peace treaty with Israel.

The overnight strikes killed at least 13 people, including two women and five children, according to the Kuwaiti Hospital, which received the bodies.

Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip (Fatima Shbair/AP)

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At the scene of one of the strikes, residents used their mobile phone torches as they dug through the rubble with pickaxes and their bare hands.

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I wish we could collect their whole bodies instead of just pieces, said Mohammed Abu Habib, a neighbour who witnessed the strike.

Israels four-month-old air and ground offensive  among the most destructive in recent history  has killed more than 27,000 Palestinians, driven most people from their homes and pushed a quarter of the population towards starvation.

Mr Netanyahu has said the offensive will continue and expand until total victory over Hamas, which started the war by launching a wide-ranging attack into southern Israel on October 7th in which militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took around 250 hostage.

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Israel has also vowed to bring back the more than 100 captives still held by Hamas after most of the rest were freed during a ceasefire in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

But both of those goals appear increasingly elusive, as Hamas re-emerges in parts of northern Gaza, which was the first target of the offensive and suffered widespread destruction.

Israel has only rescued one hostage, while Hamas says several have been killed in air strikes or failed rescue missions.

Mr Netanyahu said preparations were under way to expand the offensive into Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of people who fled from other areas are crowded into squalid tent camps and overflowing UN-run shelters.

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Palestinian women react after their home was hit by an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip (Fatima Shbair/AP)

The Palestinian death toll from four months of war has already reached 27,840, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures but says most of the dead have been women and children.

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International aid organisations have warned that any major operation in Rafah would compound what is already a humanitarian catastrophe in the besieged coastal enclave.

If they arent killed in the fighting, Palestinian children, women and men will be at risk of dying by starvation or disease. said Bob Kitchen, of the International Rescue Committee.

There will no longer be a single safe area for Palestinians to go to.

The United States, Qatar and Egypt are trying to broker another ceasefire agreement to ensure the release of the remaining hostages.

But Hamas has demanded an end to the war, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants.

Mr Netanyahu rejected those demands as delusional on Tuesday and said Israel would never agree to any deal that leaves Hamas in partial or full control of the territory it has ruled since 2007.

Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP)

But visiting US secretary of state Antony Blinken said an agreement was still possible and that negotiations would continue, the latest sign of a growing divide between the two close allies on the way forward.

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A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Thursday for more negotiations.

Mr Netanyahu is under mounting pressure from families of the hostages and the wider public to bring them home, even if it requires a deal with Hamas.

At least one senior Israeli official has acknowledged that saving the captives and destroying Hamas might be incompatible.

Hamas is still holding more than 130 hostages, but around 30 of them are believed to be dead, with the vast majority killed on October 7th.

The group is widely believed to be holding the captives in tunnels deep underground and using them as human shields for its top leaders.
US president Joe Biden mistakenly referred to a conversation he had with Angela Merkel in 2021 as having taken place with the late German chancellor Helmut Kohl, who died in 2017, on Wednesday night, his second such mix-up this week.

At a New York reception that raised money for his re-election bid, the 81-year-old Biden changed a story that is a staple of his stump speech to include Mr Kohl instead of Angela Merkel, who was in power at the time of the reported conversation, the G7 summit in 2021.

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The reference occurred when Mr Biden was talking about the January 6th, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by supporters of then-president Donald Trump, who is running for the Republican presidential nomination this year.

When I first got elected president, I went to a G7 meeting with the seven heads of state in Europe and Great Britain. I sat down, and I said, Well, Americas back and the president of France looked at me and said, for how long?' I never thought of it this way," Mr Biden said.

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"Then Helmut Kohl of Germany looked at me and said, What would you say Mr President, if you picked up the London Times tomorrow morning and learned that 1,000 people had broken down the doors, the doors of the British Parliament and killed some on the way in,'" Mr Biden said.

The White House had no immediate comment about the mix-up.

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Earlier this week, while talking about the 2021 G7 summit, Mr Biden mixed up French president Emmanuel Macron with the late Francois Mitterrand, who was in power from 1981 to 1995 and died in 1996.

Mr Trump, 77, has misidentified people as well, recently confusing Republican opponent Nikki Haley with Nancy Pelosi, the California Democrat who was speaker of the House of Representatives when he was in power.
Long-standing concerns over US president Joe Bidens age and memory intensified following the release of a special counsels report investigating his possession of classified documents.

The report, which was published on Thursday, described the 81-year-old Democrats memory as hazy, fuzzy, faulty, poor and having significant limitations.

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It noted that Mr Biden could not recall defining milestones in his own life.

Former US president Donald Trump, the current Republican front-runner, has boasted of his own vast memory but has also at times said in legal proceedings that he does not recall certain events (Jane Barlow/PA)

He did not remember when he was vice president, forgetting on the first day of the interview when his term ended (if it was 2013  when did I stop being vice president?), and forgetting on the second day of the interview when his term began (in 2009, am I still vice president?), the report said.

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He did not remember, even within several years, when his son Beau died.

While Mr Biden will not face charges for mishandling classified documents, the reports assertions about his memory could undermine his message to voters that he can manage the government and safeguard the country.

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Voters are already going into this years election with severe misgivings about the presidents age, having scrutinised his gaffes, coughing, slow walking and even a summer tumble off his bicycle.

In ruling out a prosecution of Mr Biden over his retention of highly classified materials as a private citizen, the report suggested he would seem too feeble to prosecute: It would be difficult to convince a jury that they should convict him  by then a former president well into his 80s  of a serious felony that requires a mental state of wilfulness.

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The White House pushed back on the characterisations of Mr Bidens memory in a letter from the presidents lawyers that was published in special counsel Robert Hurs report.

The letter argues that Mr Bidens inability to recall dates or details of events that happened years ago is neither surprising nor unusual, particularly about when certain documents were packed or moved.

We do not believe that the reports treatment of President Bidens memory is accurate or appropriate, the letter said.

The report uses highly prejudicial language to describe a commonplace occurrence among witnesses: a lack of recall of years-old events. Such comments have no place in a Department of Justice report.

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It is not unusual for the subjects of government investigations to say they dont recall an event or a conversation in order to avoid issues such as perjury.

The special counsel did not release the transcript of the interviews with Mr Biden, so some context is unclear.

Former US president Donald Trump, the current Republican front-runner, has boasted of his own vast memory but has also at times said in legal proceedings that he does not recall certain events.

Mr Biden noted in a statement issued on Thursday that he had sat for five hours of interviews with Mr Hurs team over two days on October 8th and 9th, even though Israel had just been attacked on October 7th, and I was in the middle of handling an international crisis.

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In an August poll by The Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs, 77 per cent of US adults said Mr Biden is too old to be effective for four more years.

It was one of the rare sources of bipartisan agreement during a politically polarised era, with 89 per cent of Republicans and 69 per cent of Democrats saying Mr Bidens age is a problem.

The release of the report overlapped with recent Biden speeches in which he mistakenly claimed to talk with European leaders  Frances Francois Mitterand and Germanys Helmut Kohl  who had not held office since the 1990s and in fact had died several years ago.
Britain's Queen Camilla has described King Charles as doing extremely well under the circumstances following his cancer diagnosis, as she celebrated the work of charities.

Camilla said her husband, who has undergone his first bout of cancer treatment earlier this week, was very touched by all the messages of support he has been receiving from the public.

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Charles has been spending his time at Sandringham following his diagnosis which was announced by Buckingham Palace on Monday.

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He hosted a whirlwind visit from his son Prince Harry on Monday and the royal family have received many messages of support from the public during royal events over the past few days.

Camilla left Charles at Sandringham to fulfil her royal engagement at Salisbury Cathedral and among the first people she met were medical staff from Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

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Ben Abbott, 40, a critical care paramedic, said: I do hope His Majesty is doing well Maam, were all really sad to hear the news.

Camilla replied: Well hes doing extremely well under the circumstances, hes very touched by all the letters and the messages the public have been sending from everywhere  thats very cheering.

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Camilla, centre right, at Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA)

Charles has postponed all public-facing duties, but is continuing with behind-the-scenes work on his red boxes of state papers.

William may step in to represent his father at an event, but no engagements are scheduled at the moment and the royal palaces will make arrangements if the need arises.

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Kate left hospital last Monday after abdominal surgery and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be reunited with her three children, but the 42-year-old is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter.

Camilla has a home in Lacock, Wiltshire, and she chatted with the air ambulance medics about their work.

Mr Abbott said: I told her we always wave when we fly over Lacock and she said she always waves back.

Camilla also met representatives from a number of other charities including the Colonels Fund, Grenadier Guards before enjoying a private musical concert with guests, compered by Paul Martin, host of BBCs Flog It!.

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Prince William was the first member of the royal family to speak about Charles' diagnosis when he gave a speech at a gala fundraising dinner in London on Wednesday night.

William said: Id like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days.

It means a great deal to us all.
Two boys have been held in northern Spain after their mother was found dead, gagged with a bag over her head in the back seat of her car.

Police are treating the death of the 48-year-old woman, named locally as Silvia Lopez Gayubas, as a murder. The two boys allegedly tried to disguise her death as an attempted kidnap.

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A regional government spokesperson confirmed the victims older child, a 15-year-old boy, was arrested and is expected to appear at a youth court on Thursday.

The younger boy, a 13-year-old, cannot face prosecution because he is under the age of criminal responsibility in Spain. However, he has instead been identified and placed in a child protection centre.

The pair were held in a park in the town of Castro Urdiales, near the port city of Santander, at around 2.15am on Thursday morning.

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Hours earlier, police had started hunting for them after finding their mothers body in a car in a garage near the family home in the resort town.

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Ms Lopez Gayubas is believed to have been killed in the vehicle and is said to have suffered a stab wound to the neck, as well as injuries caused by violent blows.

Initial reports said her body had been discovered in the boot of her car, but local media subsequently reported she was in the back seat, and had been gagged and had a rubbish bag placed over her head.

'Kidnapped'

The local reports also said the boys grandmother had called 999 after the pair phoned her on Wednesday night to say they were being kidnapped.

Investigators are understood to be attempting to confirm their suspicions that the boys fabricated the abduction before disconnecting their mobiles.

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Officials have described the boys as the victims children, with local reports claiming the pair were adopted by Ms Lopez Gayubas, and are originally from Eastern Europe.

Responding to news of Ms Lopez Gayubas death, the mayor of Castro Urdiales, Susana Herran, said: Our feeling is one of absolute sadness. It is awful that things like this happen.

She added that the boys father was working in the neighbouring Basque Country when the alleged incident occurred.

Speaking at a press conference, regional government spokesperson Maria Gomez Eugenia de Diego said: We want to express our most sincere condolences to the victims family and friends at this terrible time for them.

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The loss of a person in these circumstances is a devastating blow for the community.

Yesterday afternoon, around 8.45pm in Castro Urdiales, the Civil Guard confirmed a 48-year-old woman had died. She had signs of violence on her and was found inside a vehicle.

She added: The investigation carried out so far points to the apparent involvement of the children of the woman who has died.

They were located around 2.15am this morning in the same town of Castro Urdiales.

One, a youngster aged 15, was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the victims death, and the other, a youngster aged 13, was formally identified.

This incident confronts us with the harsh reality of the implication of children in acts of extreme seriousness. The Civil Guard investigators are fully focused on establishing all the circumstances revolving around this case.
The US Supreme Court seems poised to reject attempts to kick former US president Donald Trump off the 2024 ballot.

A definitive ruling for Trump, the leading Republican candidate for president, would largely end efforts in Colorado, Maine and elsewhere to prevent his name from appearing on the ballot.

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Conservative and liberal justices alike questioned during arguments on Thursday whether Trump can be disqualified from being president again because of his efforts to undo his loss in the 2020 election to Democrat Joe Biden, ending with attack on the US Capitol on January 6th, 2021.

People protest outside the US Supreme Court in Washington (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

Their main concern was whether Congress must act before states can invoke a constitutional provision that was adopted after the Civil War to prevent former officeholders who engaged in insurrection from holding office again. There also were questions about whether the president is covered by the provision.

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Without such congressional legislation, Justice Elena Kagan was among several justices who wanted to know why a single state should decide who gets to be president of the United States.

The outcome could reflect a broad consensus of the court, and it could come quickly.

Eight of the nine justices suggested that they were open to at least some of the arguments made by Jonathan Mitchell, Trumps lawyer at the Supreme Court.

Trump could win his case if the court finds just one of those arguments persuasive.

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Only Justice Sonia Sotomayor sounded like she might vote to uphold the Colorado Supreme Court ruling that found that Trump engaged in insurrection and is ineligible to be president. The state court ruled Trump should not be on the ballot for the states Republican primary on March 5th.

In another sign of trouble for the Colorado voters who sued to remove Trump from the ballot, the justices spent almost no time talking about whether Trump actually engaged in insurrection following the 2020 election.

Lawyer Jason Murray, representing the voters, pressed the point that Trump incited the Capitol attack to prevent the peaceful handover of power for the first time in history.

Mitchell argued that the Capitol riot was not an insurrection and, even if it was, Trump did not participate.

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Trump, speaking to reporters after the proceedings, called the Supreme Court argument a beautiful thing to watch in many respects, even as he complained about the case being brought in the first place.

I hope that democracy in this country will continue, he told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.

The justices heard more than two hours of history-laden arguments in their first case considering section 3 of the 14th amendment.

The case marks the first time the justices will be considering a constitutional provision that was adopted after the Civil War to prevent former officeholders who engaged in insurrection from holding office again.

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It sets up precisely the kind of case that the court likes to avoid, one in which it is the final arbiter of a political dispute.

People wait in line outside the US Supreme Court in Washington (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

A definitive ruling for Mr Trump would largely end efforts in Colorado, Maine and elsewhere to prevent his name from appearing on the ballot.

A decision upholding the Colorado decision would amount to a declaration from the Supreme Court that Mr Trump did engage in insurrection and is barred by the 14th Amendment from holding office again.

That would allow states to keep him off the ballot and imperil his campaign.

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The justices could opt for a less conclusive outcome, but with the knowledge that the issue could return to them, perhaps after the general election in November and in the midst of a full-blown constitutional crisis.

Mr Trump is separately appealing to state court over a ruling by Maines Democratic secretary of state, Shenna Bellows, that he was ineligible to appear on that states ballot over his role in the Capitol attack.

Both the Colorado Supreme Court and the Maine secretary of states rulings are on hold until the appeals play out.

The court has signalled it will try to act quickly, dramatically shortening the period in which it receives written briefing and holds arguments in the courtroom.

People wait in line outside the Supreme Court (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

People began lining up outside the court on Wednesday hoping to snag one of the few seats allotted to the public.

This is a landmark decision and I want to be in the room where it happened, to quote Hamilton, said Susan Acker of Cincinnati, Ohio, who was in line with two friends.

The issues may be novel, but Mr Trump is no stranger to the justices, three of whom Mr Trump appointed when he was president.

They have considered many Trump-related cases in recent years, declining to embrace his claims of fraud in the 2020 election and refusing to shield tax records from Congress and prosecutors in New York.

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Before the Supreme Court is even finished deciding this case, the justices will almost certainly be dealing with another appeal from Mr Trump, who is expected to seek an emergency order to keep his election subversion trial on hold so he can appeal against lower court rulings that he is not immune from criminal charges.

In April, the court will also hear an appeal from one of the more than 1,200 people charged over the Capitol riot.

The case could upend a charge prosecutors have brought against more than 300 people, including Mr Trump.

The court last played so central a role in presidential politics in its 5-4 decision that effectively ended the disputed 2000 election in favour of George W Bush.

Justice Clarence Thomas is the only member of the court who also took part in Bush v Gore.

Justice Thomas has ignored calls by some Democratic legislators to step aside from the case because his wife, Ginni, supported Mr Trumps effort to overturn the 2020 election results and attended the rally that preceded the storming of the Capitol by Trump supporters.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has replaced his top army general in a major shake-up of the countrys war strategy as the conflict with Russia grinds into its third year.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Zelensky thanked Valerii Zaluzhnyi for his two years of service and discussed possible replacements for the top military job.

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The time for such a renewal is now, Mr Zelensky said.



The move amounts to the most serious shake-up of the top military brass since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine (AP)

Mr Zelensky then appointed Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraines ground forces, to lead the army. Colonel General Syrskyi, 58, has been involved in the Ukrainian armys effort to adopt Nato standards since 2013.

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In a Telegram message, General Zaluzhnyi did not announce he had stepped down but said he accepted that everyone must change and adapt to new realities and agreed that there is a need to change approaches and strategy in the war.

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The move followed days of speculation spurred by local media reports that Mr Zelensky would sack General Zaluzhnyi, who was highly regarded by his troops and by foreign military officials. Mr Zelenskys office and the Defence Ministry denied the rumours.



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Colonel General Oleksandr Syrsky, right, look at a map during their visit to the front line city of Kupiansk (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

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Some analysts have warned that General Zaluzhnyis exit could bring unwelcome disruption, potentially driving a wedge between the Ukrainian army and politicians, and fuelling uncertainty among Kyivs Western allies.

Born into a family of Soviet servicemen, General Zaluzhnyi is credited with modernising the Ukrainian army along Nato lines. He took charge seven months before Russias full-scale invasion.

He earned broad public support after the successful defence of Kyiv in the early days of the war, followed by a triumphant counter-offensive in the Kharkiv region and the liberation of Kherson.

We are on our land and we will not give it up, General Zaluzhnyi said on the first day of the war.

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Retired Australian major general Mick Ryan, a fellow of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington, described General Zaluzhnyi as a charismatic and popular military leader who would be hard to replace.

His replacement will have to build personal relationships with US and Nato military chiefs while the perception of government instability is a real danger area for Mr Zelensky, Mr Ryan wrote recently in an article posted online.
Freedom Heart | INOV8 PR

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (February 6, 2024)  Today marks a significant moment in the music industry as the inspirational artist Freedom Heart releases her latest single, "Before It Happens," to Christian AC, Hot AC, and CHR formats. This soul-stirring track, written by the talented trio Lin Yi L Chen, Nicholas William Lewkowski, and Sophie Lockhart, is being introduced as a standalone single, showcasing Freedom Heart's unique blend of resilience and faith through music.

"Before It Happens" is a song that encapsulates the essence of anticipation and faith, encouraging listeners to hold on to belief even before their hopes and dreams manifest. Produced by Nick Lewkowski, this single aims to uplift and inspire, making it a perfect addition to the Christian radio landscape.

Freedom Heart, the musical persona of Lynn Yi L Chen, has been a beacon of hope and truth in the music world, drawing from personal experiences of overcoming adversity and embracing one's calling. With influences ranging from Whitney Houston to Dua Lipa, and a deep appreciation for worship music artists like Brooke Ligertwood, Freedom Heart's music resonates with a wide audience. Her achievements include 180K YouTube views, 270K Spotify streams, and a notable performance for a 700-strong audience in South Africa, showcasing her growing influence and appeal.

The release of "Before It Happens" is not just an addition to Freedom Heart's discography but a testament to her journey of faith and perseverance. It reflects the journey of many who are waiting for their breakthrough, making it a timely and relevant anthem for today's world.

As an independent artist, Freedom Heart's ability to connect and inspire through her music has carved a unique niche for her in the industry. This latest single is anticipated to not only enrich her existing catalog but also to reach and inspire new audiences across the globe.

Listeners are encouraged to tune into their local Christian radio stations to experience the uplifting message of "Before It Happens." The song is also available on all streaming outlets.

Connect with Freedom Heart:

https://freedom-heart.com/

https://www.facebook.com/freedomheartlc/

https://www.instagram.com/freedomheartlc

https://twitter.com/freedomheartlc

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrEZlRzJmuj_BsyolJaz45Q

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7qqT8ozIHSwBGL3KfIw1WE?si=bzSo2hIzR06Y_B_7hW60DQ
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Review Eating outVictoria Park Bless the noodle whisperers: This Perth restaurant is one of the planets few serving bamboo pole noods Come to Yip for outstanding handmade southern Chinese noodles: stay for outstanding roast meats, dumplings and a fiery noodle soup to be reckoned with. Max Veenhuyzen February 9, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

1 / 8 A thrilling suburban restaurant keeping one of the worlds rarest handmade noodles alive. Duncan Wright 2 / 8 Erich Wong is a Perth noodle whisperer. Duncan Wright 3 / 8 The stars of the Yip menu are the house-made thin noodles. Duncan Wright 4 / 8 Great food at Yip. Duncan Wright 5 / 8 A base serve of noodles gets you change out a tenner. Duncan Wright 6 / 8 Hand-made noods. Duncan Wright 7 / 8 Creating magic. Duncan Wright 8 / 8 Inside the hidden gem. Duncan Wright Previous Slide Next Slide Good Food hat 15 / 20 How we score Chinese$$$

Blessed are the noodle whisperers and the joy that they bring to our lives. In January, I had the fortune of meeting two emerging flour power Samaritans. Their names were Leila Norris and Alice Norris, co-creators of ramen soyannaise: a delicious, resourceful dish starring instant noodles slicked with Kewpie mayo and soya sauce that the teenage duo whipped up on a camp stove using shelf-stable ingredients. While Im sure the Norris sisters would gladly share their recipe with me, Im okay with soyannaise remaining a secret. After all, whats the fun in knowing how a magician performs their magic?

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Yip is a restaurant built for efficiency. Duncan Wright Erich Wong is another Perth noodle whisperer and is (sorry Leila, sorry Alice) a little better known in dining circles. You might remember Wong from Noodle Forum, a squeezy CBD noodle bar that the (now) 66-year-old chef opened in 2014. Noodle Forum was a smash, thanks largely to a strategically placed kitchen window that let those in the queue  there was always a queue  watch as Wong seesawed on a bamboo pole to make the toothsome, increasingly rare southern Chinese noodle, zu sheng mian. (According to Wong there are very few shops on the planet making noodles this way: a claim that Google searches in both English and Chinese seem to verify.) After quietly slipping off the handmade noodle radar, he resurfaced in October when Wong, wife Chee Ling Low and son Everson rebooted a former lending agents office in East Vic Park into Yip: a fresh-faced 60-seat restaurant named for Wongs father and bamboo noodle-making teacher, Yip Kee. Its easy to miss Yips understated shopfront among the grey and mushroom jumble of Albany Highway. Thankfully the throng of eaters queuing on weekends is an excellent beacon for first timers to look for. While regulars will arrive 15 minutes before opening to maximise their chances of sitting down right away, its worth preparing yourself for some sort of wait. It might be short. It might be long. But it will be worth it.

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Wong absolutely sends it when it comes to his noods. Erich Wong in his noodle restaurant Yip. Duncan Wright The stars of the Yip menu are the house-made thin noodles (maybe you know it as the spaghettini-esque wonton mee?) and their fat and crinkly thick counterpart, mee pok. Both are southern Chinese in origin and made with nowt but flour, eggs, salt and the proverbial elbow grease of a skilled artisan bounding up and down on a bamboo pole to work the flours gluten and gradually develop the spring and tensile strength in the dough. Gosh these are a great time. If youre looking for an example of what commitment to craft and half-a-century of muscle memory tastes like, go directly to Yip. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. You wont need it. A base serve of noodles gets you change out a tenner, plus a choice of enjoying your noods dry or in a soup.

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For those going dry, I dig the way the springy mee pok takes to the caramelly, Hong Kong-style dark sauce. Just as people reach for spaghetti when making aglio eolio, marinara and other oil-based pastas, those spindly thin noodles work best with the Kuala Lumpur-influenced light option: a lush one-two of rendered pork fat and light soya sauce. White pepper shakers on the table let you tune spice levels. I cant remember the last time I had my mind blown by a dish with a per-unit cost of less than $1.50 (you get six dumplings for $7.80) in Perth. Maybe its not a 41-degree day like today and youre in the mood for soup? The

house broth is all slow-simmered pork and chicken comfort and zero dry-mouth that comes from an overreliance on MSG. An earthy, prawny baseline underpins the spicy, coconutty laksa: if you can, spring the extra dollars for the main-sized

Malaysian curry laksa bowl which features jangly house-made Hokkien egg

noodles, thin bee hoon rice noodles (not house-made), chicken, prawn and fish

cake. A new challenger has entered the great-laksas-of-Perth arena. Impressively, benchmark noods arent the only dish that Wong can stake a bona fide best-in-breed claim on. The buttery char siu  one of 13 meats you can beef up your noodles with  made with pork belly and lacquered with a heroic amount of Shaoxing wine, for one, is a compelling reason to visit. Ditto the compact, ultra-juicy roast pork belly and its alternating layers of blistered skin, fat and meat that underscore why the cuts poetic Southern Chinese street name is five-flower meat. What is tonkatsu? The Japanese soul food at the heart of this new Victoria Park restaurant

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Finally, there are the dumplings. In yet another example of Yips love of binary

choices, the menu features both comet-like wontons and torpedo-shaped shui jiao dumplings. Theyre available either lolling in soup which emphasises their suppleness or deep-fried, so the dumplings delicate skin metamorphises, its golden, barely-there skin disintegrating in the mouth like a communion wafer. I cant remember the last time I had my mind blown by a dish with a per-unit cost of less than $1.50 (you get six dumplings for $7.80) in Perth: you? At this price point, there are, understandably, some concessions with the dining

experience. Yip is a restaurant built for efficiency and guests help themselves to

chopsticks, cups of water, napkins and side bowls from a communal bench. There

are also QR ordering codes on tables, although youre also free to buy your food

from a real-life human at the counter. (Other real-life humans are also stationed

throughout the space, running dishes, checking in on guests and generally practising the very human art of hospitality). It must be said that theres a ubiquitous, mall-like quality to the room, but personal flourishes such as murals and framed letters from guests ensure Yip doesnt feel like some ChatGPT restaurant design experiment gone awry. Wong says there are very few places making noodles this way. Duncan Wright

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The biggest of these flourishes is unquestionably Wong himself. A natural showman, he times his bamboo-bouncing routine in Yips air-conditioned custom-built noodle room for midday and at the start of dinner: peak times for the dining room. When hes not pressing sheets of dough, hes pressing the flesh in the restaurant, sweet-talking tables, greeting guests and sharing cooking tips with those that ask. He doesnt reveal everything, of course, but just enough to let guests  even if just for a moment  behind the curtain. (His roast meats, for instance, arent cooked in a space-age duck oven, but in a domestic turbo broiler, a cooking appliance commonplace in Asian households.) After all, whats the fun in knowing how a magician performs their magic? The low-down Vibe: A thrilling suburban restaurant keeping one of the worlds rarest handmade noodles alive. Go-to dish: Thin noodles in pork oil; Malaysian curry laksa. Drinks: Soft drinks, tea and hot and chilled Malaysian and Singaporean kopitiam drinks including teh tarik, kopi and cham (a mix of teh tarik and kopi).
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Review Eating outDarlinghurst Sydney, if youre going to spend $24 on a drink, make it a memorable one like this The Waratah is the smart neighbourhood boozer this neck of the neighbourhood needed. Callan Boys February 8, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

1 / 6 The Waratahs street-level bar overhauls its cocktail menu on a regular basis. Jennifer Soo 2 / 6 Smoked pork skewers. Jennifer Soo 3 / 6 Daintree vanilla flan with amaro caramel. Jennifer Soo 4 / 6 Cacao & Cherry cocktail. Jennifer Soo 5 / 6 Raw albacore tuna. Jennifer Soo 6 / 6 The neighbourhood boozers upstairs balcony area. Jennifer Soo Previous Slide Next Slide 14.5 / 20 How we score Modern Australian$$$ To visit The Waratah and not order cocktails would be like eating a meat pie without the sauce. Like watching West Side Story with the sound off or a Baz Luhrmann film in black and white. Theres every chance youd still have a perfectly fine time, but youd be missing out on a lot of the fun, which is The Waratahs reason to exist. Youd be missing out on drinks like a deliciously sharp Mai Tai ($23), starring passionfruit, rum and house-made cherry-pit liqueur. Business partners Evan Stroeve and Cynthia Litster opened The Waratah, opposite Darlinghursts old Green Park Hotel (RIP), in December. Roughly 120 seats are squeezed into two levels, with a dining room and terrace upstairs and a walk-in bar with outdoor seating on the ground. Top to bottom, its an attractive place, sporting jade-green tiles, native flowers (in both mural and fresh form), warm lights and soft timber. In short, its the smart neighbourhood boozer this neck of the neighbourhood needed.

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You may have experienced Stroeves seasonal produce-championing cocktails when he was general manager at Circular Quays Bulletin Place, arguably the best bar in Sydney for most of its nine-year run. Bulletin Places drink specials would be overhauled on a weekly basis, and The Waratahs street-level bar works to a similar program. This is terrific for giving creative bartenders a chance to try new ideas, but it also means youve already missed out on the refreshing whisky and apple highball ($18) I enjoyed two weeks ago. It might have been the first highball ever infused with yarrow, too, the ancient Greeks favourite bitter medicinal herb. Achilles would have been right into it. If youre going to spend $24 on a drink, I say make it the kind of cocktail youre going to remember. In the (rather loud and somewhat squishy) upstairs dining room, however, the cocktail list will only change with each new calendar season. Stroeve is currently showcasing ingredients from the Daintree rainforest and its been a long time since Ive sipped on anything as compelling as the Cacao & Cherry ($24). Essentially, a negroni twist featuring dry gin, Campari-macerated cherries and an inky-sweet lambrusco fortified with distilled chocolate, it finishes what the Black Forest Cake started. Cacao & Cherry cocktail. Jennifer Soo

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Then theres the balanced-but-thumping Coffee & Honey ($24), where Atherton Tablelands coffee is teamed with Australian whisky, Kangaroo Island honey, kombu and cacao husk. End-of-meal drinks dont get much better, especially when theres a vanilla flan ($16) in play, sticky with an amaro caramel enhanced by Wollombi Valley-grown citrus hybrid poor mans orange. Chef Lewin White helms the kitchen, and the mid-sized restaurant menu isnt short on native ingredients and nostalgia. Lemon-myrtle butter glosses butterflied prawns (two for $30); rock oysters ($7 each) are splashed with rosella mignonette; fairy bread inspires the ice-cream sandwich ($14). Continuing their push from fish-and-chip shops into the big league, thick-cut potato scallops (three for $18) are seasoned overnight in a fermented koji marinade to be battered and fried and topped with diced scallop (the seafood kind). Ive seen the scallop-on-scallop trick employed at other restaurants but to better effect. The Waratahs version has flavour to spare, but the batter on my visit was a little overworked, more Pluto Pup-thick than crisp and craggy. Raw albacore tuna with crisps (bottom left). Jennifer Soo Ulladulla-caught albacore tuna ($28) is a slicker way to snack, served raw and sharpened with pickled rose petals that dont overwhelm. House-made crisps are provided for scooping.

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Smoked-pork cheek skewers (two for $17) are supernaturally soft and dialled up with bunya nut miso, while wagyu rump cap ($55) is beautifully rested and charred, accompanied by an extra-savoury rendition of diane sauce. (This is going to be dianes year, I can feel it.) Juicy, bronze-skinned chicken ($38) is cooked Tuscan-style under a brick and scattered with a crunch of saltbush leaves. Top marks for the chooks sticky, not-too-sweet honey gravy, although the menu could do with another starchy side to soak it up. There are only $12 fries dusted with something called bush salt. Is The Waratah essential eating? Not quite, but its a good bit of fun with the right intentions, and I look forward to seeing how the menu evolves. Is it essential drinking? Absolutely. Its also worth noting that the front bar is dog-friendly, offers a towering burger with the lot and all classics are shaken or stirred to the highest level. Cocktail prices have skyrocketed over the past few years, so if youre going to spend $24 on a drink, I say make it the kind of drink youre going to remember.

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The low-down Vibe: Cosy, loud and Australian produce-proud Go-to dish: Cacao & Cherry cocktail ($24) Drinks: Short, sharp domestic wine list and some of the best cocktails in Sydney Cost: About $150 for two, excluding drinks This review was originally published in Good Weekend magazine
February brings a reprieve from the pressures that come with the start of the year. The steady stream of gym advertisements eases up. Dry January ends, and bars get more of their customers back. For those of us already thinking about abandoning our New Years resolutions, the arrival of February may seem like tacit permission to give up.

If you havent made as much progress on your resolutions as you might like, psychologists stress that you shouldnt be hard on yourself. Life is about consistent, attainable healthy habits, or adding things into your life in manageable pieces, says Thea Gallagher, a clinical psychologist and associate professor at NYU Langone Health.

Regardless of what resolution youre trying to make, February is the perfect time to stop and reflect. Credit: iStock

Heres how to keep working toward your goals, in February and throughout the year.

Reflect on your resolutions
I am not a Zionist, I have never been a Zionist, I am just a Jewish woman trying to go about my life. This is a group of any Jew they know the name of. I cant believe it is happening. Feminist author Clementine Ford was among several pro-Palestinian activists who published a link to the leaked zionist group chat on Thursday. This is a group of creatives working to silence voices calling for Palestinian liberation, Ford told her more than 250,000 Instagram followers. When asked why she published the material, Ford replied: I would say that people whose livelihoods and professional reputations are mendaciously  and successfully  targeted in secret by others invested in silencing their criticism of a genocide are entitled to defend themselves. The doxxing incident comes amid months of pro-Palestinian protests over the ongoing war in Gaza which has killed more than 27,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities.

This masthead previously revealed that some members of the J.E.W.I.S.H creatives and academics group and a separate WhatsApp group of Jewish lawyers wrote to ABC managing director David Anderson and chair Ita Buttrose demanding they sack broadcaster Antoinette Lattouf. The ABC has been gripped by conflict between union staff and management since it sacked Lattouf for reposting a Human Rights Watch report on social media that was critical of Israel. Lattouf has taken legal action, claiming unlawful termination on the grounds of her race and political opinion. Anderson has insisted that the corporation was not influenced by external pressure in its sacking of Lattouf. Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the widely disseminated Jew list, as he described it, was designed to damage the reputation and professional careers of people who had spoken against the rise of antisemitism following the October 7 attacks by Hamas, which killed about 1200 people in southern Israel. These people have painstakingly collected the names, faces, professions and other personal information of a group of Australians whose sole common trait is that they are Jews, Ryvchin said. They are telling those who chant Wheres the Jews? exactly who and where the Jews are.

Shortly after the October 7 attacks, pro-Palestinian protesters were filmed chanting Wheres the Jews? and other slogans outside the Sydney Opera House. Loading It is a Jew list drawn up and published in a menacing manner intended to inflict maximum emotional damage and professional loss, Ryvchin said. Lee Kofman, a Melbourne-based Jewish author who administered the creatives and academics WhatsApp group, said the group was formed in October last year to support and advocate for Jewish people who felt alienated or isolated from their professional peers because of the war. She said the group was not a political lobby and rejected its characterisation as a secret Zionist cabal with influence in high places.

This is absurd and offensive, and feeds directly into the ancient and hateful antisemitic tropes about the Jews controlling, or trying to control, the world, she said. Loading Instead, we try to oppose: professional discrimination we are experiencing, like loss of work or workplace safety; silencing of our voices; overt racism weve experienced from some peers; media coverage of issues affecting our community that we feel is unfair or untrue. Kofman confirmed that some members of the group had exercised their democratic right to complain to government, media and institutions. This included some members petitioning ABC management about Lattouf, a broadcaster highly critical of Israel who was contracted as a fill-in host on Sydney radio for five days in December. She was removed from air with two days left to run on her contract.
Kurtley Beales barrister has labelled his sexual assault accuser a manipulative woman who threw the Wallabies player under the bus with a false allegation amid problems in her own relationship.

Margaret Cunneen, SC, delivered her closing address for the defence case to the jury of seven women and five men on Thursday afternoon. Beale, 35, has pleaded not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent and two counts of sexual touching.

Wallabies player Kurtley Beale arrives at Downing Centre District Court on Thursday to hear closing addresses in his sexual assault trial. Credit: Rhett Wyman

Prosecutors allege Beale groped a 28-year-old womans buttock in the Beach Road Hotel on December 17, 2022, forced her to perform oral sex in the mens bathrooms and grabbed her by the hips and spun her around. The defence argues the sexual act inside the cubicle was consensual.

Cunneen began her final remarks by noting sexual assault was a dreadful and abhorrent crime and there were three terrible, serious allegations levelled at Beale, but said what is also terrible  is a false allegation of sexual assault.
A wave of respiratory illnesses spreading among young people has helped drive a surge in school-age children with pneumonia presenting to emergency departments in NSW.

There was a steep climb in the number of children aged 5 to 16 who presented to emergency departments due to pneumonia in December, NSW Health data published on Thursday showed.

The number of children with pneumonia who presented to emergency departments in NSW shot up in December. Credit: NSW Health

The figures showed 43 children went to emergency with pneumonia  an infection of the lungs typically caused by bacteria or a virus  in the week to November 4. The number of presentations then doubled, jumping from 56 children in the week to December 2 to 112 in the week to December 30.

The number of presentations dipped at the start of February, but remained more than double that for the same month in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Benj Edwards in Ars Technica:

On Sunday, a report from the South China Morning Post revealed a significant financial loss suffered by a multinational companys Hong Kong office, amounting to HK$200 million (US$25.6 million), due to a sophisticated scam involving deepfake technology. The scam featured a digitally recreated version of the companys chief financial officer, along with other employees, who appeared in a video conference call instructing an employee to transfer funds.

Due to an ongoing investigation, Hong Kong police did not release details of which company was scammed.

Deepfakes utilize AI tools to create highly convincing fake videos or audio recordings, posing significant challenges for individuals and organizations to discern real from fabricated content.

More here.
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 Aristotle, born 2400-odd years ago, is a pillar of Western civilisation and one of the most revered thinkers in history. Shakespeare is the king of the literary canon, and widely regarded as the greatest English language writer of all time. Taylor Swift is a 34-year-old pop star best known for her break-up songs. Yet, the study of Swifts great works, alongside those of Shakespeare and Aristotle, is becoming a fixture of courses at Australias top universities, as academics challenge entrenched ideas about what constitutes worthy art. The study of Swifts great works, alongside those of Aristotle and Shakespeare, is becoming a fixture of courses at Australias top universities. Credit: Marija Ercegovac At Sydney University, Swifts Midnights is being compared with The Bards sonnets. At the Australian National University, Swift is taught alongside Homer in a course on the canon. And an upcoming philosophy book will argue Aristotle and Swift have much in common when it comes to the way they embrace the emotional self. Next week, art and social science academics from all around the world will gather in Melbourne to discuss the implications of the Swift phenomenon on disciplines ranging from gender and music studies to economics and alt-right disinformation. One of the keynote speakers at the Swiftposium will be sociologist Georgia Carroll, who remembers raised eyebrows when she elected to do her PhD on Swift fans. It was titled, Oh My God, how did I spend all that money?: Lived experiences in two commodified fandom communities.

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Ive always faced hurdles, and people questioning it as a valid area of study, she says. The study of celebrity is questioned in a way in which the study of things like sport, which have established homes in university faculties, are not questioned. Theres still that gendered view of, why should celebrity and fans be studied? Arent they all frivolous people? These things are relevant to [students] lives, not some dead man from the 1800s saying something about culture. Academia doesnt have to be boring or a chore. In his Shakespeare and modernity class this year, Sydney University medieval literature Professor Liam Semler will ask students to compare the Bards sonnets  short poetic pieces in which Shakespeare reflects on his world  with Swifts 2022 album Midnights. Midnights focuses very much on the strains and tensions and flaws within the self; the idea is you get these different facets of the artistic personality, he says. Snapshots of moments in the life of the artist. You can look at the sonnets the same way. The issues addressed in the sonnets  love, rivalries, revenge, flaws, self-identity within a relentless, overwhelming industry  are the same as those mulled upon almost five centuries later by Swift, says Semler, who has written a soon-to-be-published journal article on the subject.

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Songs are a form of poetry, he says, noting that Swifts next album will be called The Tortured Poets Department. We tend to think poems have to be high culture, or somehow elite or crystallised, whereas I think its obvious that a lot of pop songs are poetic, he says. He is not the first to compare Swift and the sonnets; last year, videos of students being asked whether a line of poetry was a sonnet or a Swift song trended on TikTok. Australian National University senior English lecturer Claire Hansen also included Swifts work in a course last year on great writers and the literary canon, which is a notional list of the most important, influential or definitive works in history. The course critiqued the canon  who is worthy of inclusion, and who gets to choose?  and looked at a range of authors, from foundational ancient Greek poet Homer to modern Indigenous author Alexis Wright. Swift was the most controversial. Swift is a great example because shes so contemporary, and quite a contentious figure to introduce in a course of this nature, Hansen says. In the first few weeks, there were a few students who thought that was a strange choice to be making. But they were able to see that, whether you like it or not, she does have an impact on contemporary culture. It makes them think about what makes something a great work, and what authors such as Shakespeare and Swift say about what it means to be human.

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Sydney University Associate Professor Luke Russell specialises in the philosophy of forgiveness, and will argue in an upcoming book that Swift epitomises a counter-cultural approach to forgiveness, which is that its OK to refuse it. Globally, two powerful, culturally dominant groups  Christians and self-help gurus, including Oprah  argue that unconditional forgiveness is important because its either godly or in our own interests, as it releases us from the burden of resentment. [Swifts] view, in a nutshell, is sometimes you shouldnt forgive, and we shouldnt be morally pressuring victims of wrongdoing to forgive, says Russell, who will be discussing his work at next weeks conference. Loading [Considering Swift is] a philosophically fruitful approach; when youre thinking about something like forgiveness, dont just look at what philosophers said, but look at the way people talk about it in our current culture. His colleague Emily Hulme, a specialist in ancient Greek philosophers and a lifelong Swiftie, has studied the overlap between Swifts songs and reflections of Aristotle, the so-called father of Western logic who was born in 384 BC.

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The champagne corks are not quite popping around the Gabba, but the local community members who have campaigned against the $2.7 billion rebuild for almost three years are upbeat after the Australian Olympic Committee effectively killed off the idea.

The AOCs intervention has given the adjacent East Brisbane State School a possible reprieve from oblivion, as the rebuilt stadiums footprint was set to squeeze the school out of its site.

The red-brick, heritage-listed buildings at East Brisbane State School. The Gabba looms large over the school. Credit: Tony Moore

As it stood, Education Queensland planned to move the school to a site next to Coorparoo Secondary College. A spokesman for Education Minister Di Farmer said it was too early to comment on the ramifications of a Gabba policy reversal, given it had not been confirmed.

Ultimately, that would be determined by former Brisbane LNP lord mayor Graham Quirk, who is conducting a 60-day review into Olympic venues on the Labor state governments behalf.
Which iconic Aussie chocolate bar just turned 100? Take the Brisbane Times Quiz

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A second of Como restaurant owner Alberto Nicolettis alleged victims gave evidence on day three of his four-week trial that she was assaulted by him at Paramount nightclub in 2017 leaving her feeling dirty and disgusting.

Nicoletti is on trial in the WA District Court defending allegations he sexually assaulted the woman as well as seven others  including a woman in a Scarborough toilet cubicle with his friend Vincenzo Mineo, who is also on trial  over 4 1/2 years from 2016 to 2021.

Alberto Nicoletti is facing sexual penetration charges. Credit: Facebook

The woman, who cannot be named to protect her identity, gave evidence on Thursday that she had first met Nicoletti at his Como restaurant Lago Di Como when she had dinner there with friends as a 21-year-old in July 2017.

The woman gave evidence that Nicoletti asked, have I seen you before? during the dinner, which she said she knew wasnt a genuine question which made her feel uncomfortable.
World champion surfer Tom Carroll is calling on the Albanese government to deliver an election promise to stop a controversial proposal to drill for gas off the NSW coastline, which the state government needs federal co-operation to end.

The Minns government on Tuesday said it would create new laws to ban Petroleum Exploration Permit 11 (PEP11), but Carroll said there had been deafening silence from the federal government since the 2022 election.

Two-time world champion surfer Tom Carroll says coastal communities need to know if the federal government is serious about PEP11. Credit: Brook Mitchell

While in opposition, Anthony Albanese vowed to rule out PEP11 if elected  Unequivocal. Full stop  but Resources Minister Madeleine King said on Thursday it was still working through the decision.

Scott Morrison rejected a two-year extension of PEP11 in February 2022, after secretly swearing himself in as resources minister while prime minister.
Washington: The US Supreme Court appears set to keep Donald Trump in the race for the 2024 election, warning that state-based attempts to disqualify him on the grounds he incited an insurrection could lead to daunting consequences.

In a historic legal showdown that Trumps lawyers say could disenfranchise millions of Americans, the nations highest court heard oral arguments on Thursday (Friday AEDT) to determine if the former president should be removed from the ballot in Colorados Republican primary contest, which takes place next month.

Demonstrators hold a banner outside of the US Supreme Court where the hearing was taking place. Credit: AP

While the legal challenge relates specifically to that state, finding Trump ineligible would have sweeping national implications because many other states have also sought to disqualify him using the same argument: that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment bars those who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion from holding office.

However, Trumps lawyer John Mitchell argued the former presidents actions surrounding the January 6 Capitol riots in 2021  which aimed to stop Joe Bidens election victory from being certified  did not amount to anything that can plausibly be characterised as an insurrection.
Most of our members are small businesses that contribute so much, and we will burden them with additional constraints and costs. These costs will be passed on to the community or result in the loss of jobs. Or both. Small business owners are already subject to a bewildering array of bureaucratic constraints, and this legislation will further bind them in red tape, the statement said.
REA has delivered an outstanding result driven by strong yield growth and the benefit of a more normalised listings environment, said CEO Owen Wilson (pictured above). This resulted in a strong uptake of our premium products as customers sought to leverage our leading audience to maximise their campaigns in the strengthening market.
Kim Jong Un makes North Korea's nuclear status "irreversible" (Photo: Edgar Su/Reuters)

Recent reports suggest an unprecedented wave of unrest among North Korean workers stationed in China, indicating a rare pushback against the stringent control typically exerted by Pyongyang over its citizens abroad. South Korea's intelligence agency and researchers, including defectors with intimate knowledge of North Korea's operations, have highlighted incidents of protests and dissatisfaction among these workers, attributed to unpaid wages and the prolonged impact of pandemic-induced lockdowns, as reported by Reuters.

In a striking departure from the norm, as many as 3,000 North Korean laborers, associated with a military-linked trading company, reportedly staged protests last month in China, expressing their discontent over years of withheld earnings. Such large-scale expressions of dissent are virtually unheard of among North Korean nationals, given the state's rigorous suppression of any form of public dissent, which can carry severe repercussions.

The root of the unrest seems to stem from a complex interplay of international sanctions, COVID-19 border restrictions, and the North Korean regime's exploitative labor practices. According to the 2023 U.S. State Department Trafficking in Persons Report, North Korea seizes up to 90% of overseas workers' wages, a policy that often results in "conditions amounting to forced labor." The pandemic has exacerbated these issues, trapping workers in China and preventing them from returning home, thereby amplifying their grievances.

Cho Han-bum, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU), highlighted a specific instance where workers at over ten textile factories in Helong, a city near the China-North Korea border, engaged in violent protests over approximately $10 million in unpaid wages accumulated over four to seven years. The situation escalated to the point where North Korean officials had to intervene, paying several months' worth of salaries to quell the dispute.

This unrest coincides with a 2017 U.N. Security Council resolution, supported by China, demanding the repatriation of all North Korean workers by December 2019 to curb the flow of foreign currency into North Korea's sanctioned nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Despite these directives, significant numbers of North Korean workers remain in China, contributing to a secretive yet crucial source of income for the cash-strapped regime in Pyongyang.

The incidents in China reflect a broader pattern of exploitation and desperation among North Korean workers abroad, many of whom have been cut off from their homeland due to stringent COVID-19 border closures. Reports from defectors and individuals familiar with the situation paint a grim picture of life for these workers, who endure grueling conditions with the promise of wages that are often withheld or significantly reduced.

The international community, particularly South Korea and the United States, is closely monitoring these developments, which pose a diplomatic challenge for China. Beijing finds itself in a precarious position, needing to balance its enforcement of U.N. sanctions with its strategic relationship with North Korea. As the border begins to reopen, the fate of these workers remains uncertain, with Pyongyang keen on keeping them abroad to continue funneling money into the regime, despite growing discontent and the potential for further unrest.
Britain's Prince Harry delivers a statement before meeting Graca Machel, the widow of the late Nelson Mandela, at the British High Commissioner's residence, Johannesburg, South Africa, October 2, 2019. (Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)

Prince Harry's fleeting visit to the United Kingdom to see his father, King Charles, after the monarch's recent cancer diagnosis has unfolded amid a backdrop of complex family dynamics and public intrigue. The Duke of Sussex, making the transatlantic journey from the United States, spent a mere 45 minutes at Clarence House, marking their first interaction in 15 months.

According to body language expert Judi James, Prince Harry's demeanor upon departing the UK suggested a positive outcome from the brief encounter. "Harry's relieved-looking body language here will hopefully provide some positive clues about his father's current condition," James analyzed, speaking to the Mirror.

She described Harry as displaying a "sense of reassurance," evidenced by his relaxed posture and animated interactions, which hinted at an encouraging meeting with the King.

However, the visit, swift and devoid of broader family engagements, has prompted speculation among royal commentators. Robert Jobson, a seasoned royal author, posited that Harry's impromptu visit might not have been wholly welcomed, potentially disrupting pre-existing plans. "The King was unhappy about what amounted to a fait accompli served up by an emotional but well-meaning son," Jobson wrote in the Daily Mail.

He suggested that the uninvited nature of Harry's visit, coupled with its abrupt timing, might have left the King and Queen Consort in a holding pattern at Clarence House, delaying their intended departure to Sandringham.

Despite the seemingly positive interaction between Harry and Charles, the visit did not extend to other family members, notably Prince William. With the Prince of Wales recently focused on his wife Kate's recovery from surgery, there was no reported meeting between the brothers.

A source close to Harry mentioned, "The Duke [of Sussex]'s primary reason to travel to the UK is to visit his father. If the opportunity were to arise to see the Prince of Wales, then the Duke would have gladly accepted it," highlighting the missed chance for a broader family reunion.

Meanwhile, Business Times previously reported that Prince Harry is expected to visit the U.K. again with his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to spend quality time with their ailing grandfather, King Charles. But the Palace has responded to the report.

This whirlwind visit, laden with personal and public significance, underscores the ongoing narrative of reconciliation and tension within the British royal family. As King Charles navigates his health challenges, the interactions among the Windsors remain a focal point for observers, reflecting the enduring interplay between royal duties, familial bonds, and the relentless public gaze.
British American Tobacco plc (BAT plc) is actively working on monetising some of its shareholding in the diversified ITC, but will keep a level of influence in the Kolkata-headquartered firm.

BAT is the largest shareholder in the cigarettes-to-hotel major with a holding of 29.03 per cent, worth Rs 1.5 trillion. Click here to follow our WhatsApp channel

On Thursday, the maker of Dunhill and Lucky Strike said while announcing its results for the year ended December: We continue to pursue all opportunities to enhance balance sheet flexibility and, as part of this, we regularly review our stake in ITC.

We recognise that we have a significant shareholding which offers us the opportunity to release and reallocate some capital. Our shareholding in ITC has existed in one way or another since the early 1900s and is subject to numerous share capital changes and regulatory restrictions, BAT Chief Executive Tadeo Marroco said in the press release.

He added: We have been actively working for some time on completing the regulatory process required to give us the flexibility to monetise some of our shareholding.

The news sent shares of BAT soaring by more than 7 per cent. The ITC stock, on the other hand, slipped more than 4 per cent.

In a post-results call, Marroco told investors: We want to keep a level of influence in ITC, which is transforming itself.

Based on local legislation, he said, a minimum of 25 per cent shareholding was required to keep veto rights. This means that given the fact we have above 29 per cent, there is space for us to reduce our shareholding.

However, Marreco said it was very difficult to give a timeline and indicated the process was complicated. He said the company had been working for some time with people on the ground closer to the authorities, mainly the central bank, and with the help of ITC trying to reconstruct the history of shareholders of BAT, which dates back a hundred years.





It had been facing questions over its stake in ITC since.

BAT aims to deleverage further towards the middle of 2-3x adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA over the medium term. On Thursday, the company reported a loss of 15.8 billion pound compared to a profit in 2022 of 10.5 billion pound, driven by impairment charges of US cigarette brands. BAT, which had borrowings of 39.73 billion pounds on December 31, 2023, has been actively deleveraging and opted against a buyback programme last year.

Marreco told investors that it was very supportive of its shareholding in ITC. "It is a fantastic company, well-run, well managed, very fast growing company in a very fast growing market with the most populous country in the world."

He also pointed out that it has been accretive for BAT in terms of earnings and cash because it has a very good policy in terms of dividend payout. Also he pointed out that the share price of ITC had doubled in the last three years.

ITC is in the process of demerging its hotel business. To a question on whether ITC would be disposing of its holding in the proposed hotel company, Marreco said, "There is no strategic intent from BAT to be a minority shareholder of a hotel (company) in an Indian market."

The decision of what to do with the stake would be taken by the board when it comes to the time, he added.
Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das on Thursday addressed the elephant in the room, Paytm and said that the action on this individual entity was a supervisory action. He further added that there is no worry about the system, we are only talking about a specific payments bank.



Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das began a press conference after the monetary policy meeting. During the MPC meet, the repo rate was unchanged for the sixth consecutive time at 6.5 per cent. The MPC also maintained its stance of 'withdrawal of accommodation', while the retail inflation for FY24 was projected at 5.4 per cent.



Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das begins announcing the decision made by the six-member monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting which was held from February 6-February 8. For the sixth consecutive time, the MPC has decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.5 per cent and it has also maintained its stance of withdrawal of accommodation. The MPC has projected retail inflation for the current fiscal at 5.4 per cent and for FY24-25 at 4.5 per cent.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) held its first monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting of 2024 from February 6-February 8. It is also the first MPC meet post the announcement of the interim Budget by the Modi government ahead of the general elections. The MPC is expected to hold the repo rate or interest rate steady for the sixth consecutive time. Governor Shaktikanta Das will announce the minutes of the meeting today.
By Tim Culpan



If India wants to build a robust computer and electronics manufacturing industry, it needs to shift focus, fast. Instead of concentrating on the domestic market, it should become regionally competitive and export-driven. That means recognising that Vietnam, not China, is its biggest rival.



The latest reminder of this urgency came last week with a US appeal for New Delhi to make the business environment easier and more transparent to navigate, or keep losing out on foreign direct investment. Cutting import duties ought to be high on the list, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti told the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce on Jan 30.

If you tax inputs, you are taxing your outputs, Garcetti noted. You are not taxing us, you are not protecting the market. What you are doing is limiting a market.

A day later, the Indian government reduced tariffs on a range of imported components including battery covers, lenses, antennae and mechanical parts to 10 per cent from 15 per cent. The timing might look like New Delhi was following orders, but its more likely a coincidence and even possible that Washington knew it was coming.

The US constantly pushes foreign leaders to open up their markets and to make life easier for international companies. Its not alone. In July, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi requested cooperation to improve the investment environment during a visit to India that included a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Many countries including the US, Japan, and Australia  all fellow members of the Quad security grouping  want the worlds most-populous nation to succeed for reasons that boil down to one simple hope: To build a viable alternative to China. Through this lens, all sides view a rising Indian industrial base as a win-win. New Delhi should take the advice to properly open its markets as being genuine rather than mere self-interest.

Though India is getting a lot of overseas investment, Foxconn Technology Groups announcement last month that it will spend $100 million on a new plant in Vietnam is a reminder that it doesnt hold a monopoly over business migration away from China. Mexico, Thailand, Indonesia and Czech Republic are also in the running to secure additional funding to build out the supply chains of the global computer and electronics makers.

Most nations offer a similar mix of incentives to lure investors. These include tax breaks, dedicated free-trade or industrial zones, discounted utilities like water and electricity, free land and commitments to supply workers. But India stands out among peers in implementing higher import taxes, which motivate companies to set up in the country to supply local consumers but makes them less competitive in the export market.





The Modi governments Make In India policy launched a decade ago looks at first to have achieved its desired result. The government raised tariffs on manufactured products, which in turn spurred spurred companies like Foxconn and Pegatron Corp. to expand operations there to skirt those duties.

That early success is a false signal. Making in India solely for India is simply not viable. One need only compare with China, boasting more than 1 billion smartphone users, to see that a domestic market alone isnt enough to sustain large and complicated electronics supply chains. Much of whats manufactured in China is exported.

For India to succeed, it needs to start thinking outward, which means understanding that the investment and business environment there isnt competitive. Research shows that for more than 85 per cent of the tariff categories within electronics, Indias duties are higher than each of China, Mexico, Thailand and Vietnam.

Vietnam isnt perfect either. Though its tariff regime is lower, the nation has numerous barriers including a complicated process for obtaining work permits, consumption taxes that can negate the benefits of free-trade agreements, restrictions on land use by foreign entities and weak intellectual-property enforcement. In most countries, domestic politics makes eliminating hurdles like these slow and complicated.

Yet the sooner New Delhi understands that its competing for investment dollars to drive export manufacturing, and that its own business environment doesnt compare well with regional rivals like Vietnam, the quicker it can get to work paving the way for the nations success. The clearest signal the government can give to show foreign investors that India is ready for business is to eliminate tariffs.
India will replace military personnel at aviation platforms in the Maldives with competent Indian technical personnel, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.

The Mohamed Muizzu-led Maldives government has formally requested that India withdraw its troops from Male.

In this regard, a second high-level group meeting took place in New Delhi on February 2 and a third meeting is scheduled to be held later this month.

Addressing a weekly press briefing in the national capital, MEA spokesperson Randir Jaiswal said, "What we had to say, we made it out in the press release. This was done after the second high-level core group meeting. We also said that the third core group meeting will be subsequently held."

"I would like to say, the present personnel will be replaced by competent Indian technical personnel," Jaiswal said.

After the second meeting, the Maldives Foreign Ministry in a statement said that India will replace its military personnel in one of the three aviation platforms in the Maldives by March 10 and will complete the replacement by May 10.

"Both sides agreed that the Government of India will replace the military personnel in one of the three aviation platform by March 10, 2024, and will complete replacing military personnel in the other two platforms by 10 May 2024," the statement read.

Notably, the Ministry of External Affairs stated in its statement that both India and Maldives have agreed on a set of mutually workable solutions to enable the continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medvac services to the people of Maldives.

"Both sides also agreed on a set of mutually workable solutions to enable continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medvac services to the people of Maldives," it stated.

Previously, Maldives local media had reported that President Mohamed Muizzu had asked the Indian government to withdraw the Indian troops from the island nation before March 15.

Notably, the removal of Indian troops from the country was the main election campaign of Muizzu's party. Currently, there are around 70 Indian troops, along with Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters, stationed in the Maldives.

A MEA spokesperson also spoke on the speculations regarding budgetary allocation to Maldives in the Interim Budget 2024-25.

Jaiswal said that Rs 779 crore has been allocated for the Maldives as against Rs 600 crore as projected earlier and New Delhi continues to be a "committed development partner" for Male.

"There are many conflicting ways, in which people are this budgetary. I saw some media reports saying that the allocation has gone up, some are saying it has gone down. Certain amount of money is allocated and then revisions are made, and thereafter there is a phase of revision, during that phase of revision, new proposals are considered," the MEA spokesperson said.

He added, "The allocation for Maldives this time is Rs 779 crore as against Rs 600 crore projected earlier. The new figures will also be revised when we have more clarity on what sort of forward movement is happening. We remain a committed development partner for Maldives.
Abhishek Ghosalkar, the son of a Shiv Sena UBT leader, was shot by a man with while doing a Facebook live with him. The attacker then turned the gun on himself. The shooting was caught on camera during the Facebook live. Ghosalkar and his attacker are both dead. Ghosalkar was the son of Vinod Ghosalkar, a former councillor of the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena.

Sebi orders action against 15 guest experts of Zee Business channel for unlawful trading.



Parliament approves interim Budget for 2024-25.



India on Thursday strongly rejected as "baseless" allegations of its interference in Canadian elections and asserted that the core issue has been Ottawa's meddling in New Delhi's internal affairs. According to Canadian media reports, Canada's federal commission of inquiry into foreign interference is looking to examine allegations of meddling by India in the last two general elections. "We have seen media reports about the Canadian commission enquiring into ...We strongly reject all such baseless allegations of Indian interference in Canadian elections," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. The Canadian federal commission's terms of reference is primarily to examine the possible interference by China, Russia and other foreign states or non-state actors in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections, the CTV News reported. Sebi orders action against 15 guest experts of Zee Business channel for unlawful trading.Parliament approves interim Budget for 2024-25.India on Thursday strongly rejected as "baseless" allegations of its interference in Canadian elections and asserted that the core issue has been Ottawa's meddling in New Delhi's internal affairs. According to Canadian media reports, Canada's federal commission of inquiry into foreign interference is looking to examine allegations of meddling by India in the last two general elections. "We have seen media reports about the Canadian commission enquiring into ...We strongly reject all such baseless allegations of Indian interference in Canadian elections," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. The Canadian federal commission's terms of reference is primarily to examine the possible interference by China, Russia and other foreign states or non-state actors in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections, the CTV News reported.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday moved the Finance Bill 2024 for consideration in the Rajya Sabha. The Finance Bill 2024 will be considered for returning to the Lok Sabha which passed the bill on Wednesday. The finance minister also moved a bill related to Jammu and Kashmir budget bill and appropriation Bill authorising the government to meet expenses for four months in the next financial year. "I move that the bill to continue the existing rates of income tax for the financial year 2024-25 and to provide for certain relief to taxpayers and to make amendments in certain enactments as passed by Lok sabha be taken into consideration," Sitharaman said while introducing the Finance Bill 2024-25. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday moved the Finance Bill 2024 for consideration in the Rajya Sabha. The Finance Bill 2024 will be considered for returning to the Lok Sabha which passed the bill on Wednesday. The finance minister also moved a bill related to Jammu and Kashmir budget bill and appropriation Bill authorising the government to meet expenses for four months in the next financial year. "I move that the bill to continue the existing rates of income tax for the financial year 2024-25 and to provide for certain relief to taxpayers and to make amendments in certain enactments as passed by Lok sabha be taken into consideration," Sitharaman said while introducing the Finance Bill 2024-25.

Govt tables 'White paper' detailing economy's performance under NDA 1 and 2. According to the White paper, inflation raged between 2009 and 2014 and the common man bore the brunt. "Under the UPA government, foreign exchange reserves had declined from around $294 billion in July 2011 to around $256 billion in August 2013," says the White paper on Forex. The Amrit Kaal has just begun and our destination is "India a developed nation by 2047". "It is our Kartavya Kaal," says 'White paper'.As Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge released "Black Paper," he said that democracy under threat under BJP government. Kharge spoke of BJP's attempts at toppling state governments. He also said that BJP took 411 MLAs of other parties.





Pakistan is all set to hold elections on Thursday, February 8, as the country faces political uncertainty and economic crisis. So far, the elections are characterised by violence in various parts of the country. While Pakistani citizens will vote, the economic prospects of the country are likely to remain gloomy even after a new government takes seat. Former Prime Minister of Pakistan and chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), Imran Khan has been imprisoned on multiple charges.Responding to the ' White Paper' the BJP govt is preparing to table in the parliament on the ten years of UPA govt's economic journey, the Congress is planning to present a 'Black Paper' on Modi government's ten year rule, according to an ANI post on X, formerly Twitter. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is likely to present the 'Black Paper', according to ANI. BJP govt's 'White Paper' is likely to present the steps taken during the UPA government and how they affected the country's economy. BJP leader have claimed that UPA's policies ruined country's economy during the ten year period from 2004-2014. Congress has said that they are prepared to respond to any 'White Paper' the govt presents in the parliament.According to a report by International Monetary Fund (IMF), Maldives reamains at a "high risk" of external and overall debt distress as its fiscal deficits and public debt rise. The report said that the Maldivian economy grew by 13.9 per cent in 2022 and is likely to grow at 4.4 per cent in 2023. Considering the expected rise in tourists' arrival, the IMF report estimates a growth of 5.2 per cent for Maldives' economy.
He expressed readiness to discuss the issue with the officers of the state government and officials of NHAI to find a solution to the problems in speeding up the project | (Photo: PTI)

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said the Chennai-Bengaluru greenfield expressway was likely to be completed by December this year.

Responding to supplementaries in the Lok Sabha, Gadkari urged the governments of Tamil Nadu and Kerala to help the National Highway Authority of India in making available construction material such as aggregates and fly ash for the projects in the respective states.

"I am giving confidence to the House ... that we are trying our level best to complete the highway before December. The distance between Chennai and Bengaluru can be covered within two hours," the minister said.

Gadkari said he had also spoken to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and conveyed to him the problems faced by the NHAI in the construction of highways in the state.

"I do not want to politicise the issue. But without getting aggregate, without getting all the things that we need for the road construction, how is it possible for us to complete the road," Gadkari said in response to a question raised by DMK member Dayanidhi Maran.

He expressed readiness to discuss the issue with the officers of the state government and officials of NHAI to find a solution to the problems in speeding up the project.

On the NH-774 greenfield highway connecting Kollam in Kerala with Madurai in Tamil Nadu, Gadkari said the Kerala government had accepted the Centre's proposal to bear 25 per cent of the land acquisition costs for the project, instead of 50 per cent as agreed earlier, and was also ready to forego the state GST of 9 per cent.

"He (Kerala CM) had accepted that but we are awaiting a formal reply from the Kerala government," Gadkari said in response to a question by RSP member N K Premachandran.

"We need cooperation from the state governments, particularly the responsibilities related to the state governments regarding giving aggregate and other permissions for mining is very essential," the minister said.

Premachandran also sought to know whether the Centre was ready to bear the entire cost to the project if the state government refused to contribute its share.

"The Chief Minister has agreed to our proposal. We are awaiting a formal reply from the Kerala government," Gadkari said.
Star Cement rallied 4.61% to Rs 196.40 after the cement maker's consolidated net profit grew 39.06% to Rs 73.52 crore in Q3 FY24 as against Rs 52.87 crore in Q3 FY23.

Profit before tax stood at Rs 113.41 crore during the third quarter, registering a growth of 37.02% from 82.77 crore posted in the same quarter last year.

Cost of materials consumed increased 8% YoY to Rs 155.77 crore while employee benefit expenses jumped 20.56% YoY to Rs 54.53 crore in the quarter under review.

On nine-month basis, the company's consolidated net profit climbed 36.93% to Rs 207.44 crore on 6.47% rise in net sales to Rs 1,997.13 crore in 9M FY24 over 9M FY23.

Star Cement is the leading cement company in North-Eastern India and one of the fastest growing cement brand in West Bengal & Bihar. The company has its 1.67 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) integrated cement plant in a strategic location in the idyllic town of Lumshnong in Meghalaya.

The scrip hit a life-time high of Rs 198.15 in todays intraday session.

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Revenue from operations rose 5.54% year on year (YoY) to Rs 651.40 crore in the quarter ended 31 December 2023.
Zomato advanced 2.42% to Rs 144 after the online food delivery platform reported consolidated net profit of Rs 138 crore in Q3 FY24 as against a net loss of Rs 343 crore posted in Q3 FY23.

Revenue from operations jumped 68.78% to Rs 3,288 crore in Q3 FY24 as compared with Rs 1,948 crore posted in corresponding quarter last year.

Adjusted revenue stood at Rs 3,609 crore in Q3 FY24, up 12% QoQ and up 53% YoY.

Total adjusted EBITDA stood at 125 crore and improved by Rs 390 crore in the third quarter of FY24 as compared with EBITDA loss of Rs 175 crore in Q3 FY23.

In the food delivery business, Gross Order Value (GOV) growth was 27% YoY to Rs 8,486 crore during the period under review. Adjusted revenue stood at Rs 2,025 crore in Q3 FY24, registering a growth of 29.39% YoY.

Average monthly transacting customers grew 2.17% to 18.8 million in Q3 FY24 as compared to 18.4 million in Q2 FY24.

In a letter to shareholders, Akshant Goyal, chief financial officer, said, We continued to build on the momentum in the first two quarters of FY24. GOV across our B2C businesses grew 47% YoY (13% QoQ) to Rs 12,886 crore. On an annualised basis, we have now crossed Rs 50,000 crore of GOV in our B2C businesses. Food delivery GOV grew 27% YoY (6.3% QoQ), quick commerce GOV grew 103% YoY (28% QoQ) and Going-out GOV grew 154% YoY (26% QoQ).

Moving on to Blinkit, Zomato said, , GOV grew 28% QoQ (103% YoY) largely driven by the robust uptick in demand that we witnessed due to the multiple festivals and occasions in the quarter. This growth was also fuelled by having the right assortment which addressed the most pertinent needs of our customers. The team also ensured consistently high service levels through minimal stock-outs and adequate delivery partner availability during periods of peak demand.

While most of the GOV growth was order volume-led, part of it was also driven by an increase in average order value, which continued to benefit from a higher mix of high ASP (average selling price) categories such as electronics, festive needs, home dor, among others.

We also added 40 net new stores this quarter, taking the total store count to 451 as at the end of the quarter. Despite the increase in store count, our average GOV per day, per store grew 17% QoQ reflecting healthy same store sales growth.

The cash balance on a consolidated basis as at the end of 31 December 2023 was Rs 12,015 crore as compared to Rs 11,546 crore as at the end of 31 December 2022.

Our business and industry structure are still young and nascent. At this point we want to keep a strong balance sheet. I would say that it is safe to assume that we may not do any buyback or dividend distribution in FY24 or FY25, the company stated in exchange filing.

Zomato connects customers, restaurant partners and delivery partners. Customers use Zomato to search and discover restaurants, read and write customer generated reviews and view and upload photos, order food delivery, book a table and make payments while dining-out at restaurants. On the other hand, it provides restaurant partners with industry-specific marketing tools which enable them to engage and acquire customers to grow their business while also providing a reliable and efficient last mile delivery service. The company also operates a one-stop procurement solution, Hyperpure, which supplies high quality ingredients and kitchen products to restaurant partners.

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During the quarter, net profit soared 283.33% from Rs 36 crore posted in Q2 FY24.
The rupee settled on a flat note at 82.96 (provisional) against the US dollar on Thursday, after the Reserve Bank decided to keep the key policy rate unchanged for the sixth time in a row to maintain a tight vigil on inflation.

Forex traders said a negative trend in domestic equities weighed on investor sentiments.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 82.94 against the dollar and moved in a narrow range and settled for the day at 82.96 against the American currency, as the central bank retained the repo rate at 6.5 pc for the sixth consecutive time.

During the day, the rupee touched an intraday high of 82.89 and a low of 83 against the US dollar.

On Wednesday, the rupee appreciated 9 paise to close at 82.96 against the dollar.

The Indian rupee remained flat as RBI maintained status quo in its monetary policy for the sixth consecutive time and left Repo Rate unchanged at 6.5 per cent, in line with street expectations.

The central bank revised FY24 GDP projections higher at 7.3 per cent from 7 per cent and projected FY25 GDP at 7 per cent. It also projected CPI (consumer price-based inflation) in FY25 lower at 4.5 per cent.

However, the rupee lost earlier gains as domestic markets declined and US dollar also recovered.

"We expect rupee to trade with a slight negative bias on expectations that US dollar may recover amid hawkish US Fed speak and geopolitical tensions," said Anuj Choudhary, Research Analyst, Sharekhan by BNP Paribas.

Israeli Prime Minister rejected a peace proposal by Hamas which may also lead to rise in crude oil prices.

However, positive global markets may support rupee at lower levels. Traders may take cues from weekly unemployment claims data from US and speeches by various Fed officials. USD-INR spot price is expected to trade in a range of Rs 82.70 to Rs 83.30.

Announcing the bi-monthly monetary policy, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das on Thursday said the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will remain watchful of food inflation so that the benefits gained are not frittered away.

The RBI on Thursday projected a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 7 per cent for 2024-25, which is lower than the 7.3 per cent expansion estimated for the current fiscal.

Das said rural demand continues to gather pace, urban consumption remains strong and investment cycle is gaining steam on the back of increased capex.

He said there are signs of revival in private investments.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.03 per cent higher at 104.08.

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.16 per cent to USD 79.34 per barrel.

In the domestic equity market, the 30-share BSE Sensex closed 723.57 points, or 1 per cent, lower at 71,428.43. The broader NSE Nifty declined 212.55 points, or 0.97 per cent, to 21,717.95.

Foreign institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital markets on Wednesday as they offloaded shares worth Rs 1,691.02 crore, according to exchange data.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday hit out at the BJP-led Centre, accusing it of waging a war against state governments led by opposition parties.

Leaders and lawmakers from the Left Democratic Front of Kerala, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, staged a protest against the Union government at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Thursday. Kejriwal participated in the protest.

"Opposition parties represent 700 million people in the country. The BJP has waged a war against the opposition-ruled states. The Centre is using all the tactics to harass the opposition governments," Kejriwal said at the protest.

He added, "It is depriving them of valid funds, obstructs work through Governors and LGs. They are also harassing them by using central agencies to arrest opposition leaders."



He said the protesters were not "here to beg or ask for anything for our families."



"I have come here to ask for the right of 20 million people. If you do not give us funds how will we build roads, provide electricity and work for development," the Aam Aadmi Party National Convener said.

Citing Punjab's instance, he said the state government had to go to the Supreme Court for release of rural development fund.

The governors are meddling with state subjects in opposition-ruled states and agencies like ED are being used to frame opposition leaders, he alleged.

"They have arrested Hemant Soren, now they can arrest even me. They can arrest anyone and send him jail to topple government.

"I want to ask BJP not to be arrogant. A time can come when we will be there (in power) and you will be here (in opposition) and the same laws can come to haunt you," Kejriwal said.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has said that internet services will remain functional on Thursday as the people are voting to elect a new government.

The PTA in a statement on Wednesday said it had not yet received any instructions from the government to shut internet and that services would work without any interruption on Thursday.

Pakistanis on Thursday began voting in the general elections to elect a new government to rule the cash-strapped country.

The polling started at 8.00 AM and will continue without any break till 5.00 PM. A countrywide public holiday has been declared to enable a total of 128,585,760 registered voters to cast their votes.

The authority's statement came a day after caretaker Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz on Tuesday hinted at the possible suspension of internet services in case of security issues in any area on election day.

Many non-governmental organisations, including Amnesty International, had called for uninterrupted internet access across the country during the polling process.

Ejaz had said the government would consider suspending the internet service on February 8 only if it received a request from a district or province owing to the security situation.

In an open letter, Amnesty International urged the authorities to guarantee uninterrupted access to the internet and digital communication platforms for everyone across Pakistan throughout the polling process.

We, the undersigned organisations and members of the #KeepItOn coalition - a global network of over 300 organisations from 105 countries working to end internet shutdowns - appeal to you, Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, to publicly commit to ensuring that the people of Pakistan have unfettered access to the internet, social media platforms, and all other communication channels throughout the upcoming general election on February 8, 2024, the London-based NGO said.

It noted as people prepared to vote, the authorities must adopt and prioritise measures that advanced rights by enabling unrestricted access to information and avenues for freedom of expression, assembly, and association - both offline and online.

In a related development, the Sindh High Court on Tuesday, yet again, directed the federal authorities concerned to ensure the provision of smooth, uninterrupted internet service and access to social media platforms unless the relevant laws were invoked till February 21.
The surge in immigration will help bolster the US economy by about $7 trillion over the next decade by swelling the labor force and increasing demand, the Congressional Budget Office said on Wednesday.



The stronger growth will be good for the federal government, lifting revenues by about $1 trillion more than otherwise over the period, according to the non-partisan agency. Wages, however, will rise more slowly, in part reflecting the increase in the number of lower skilled workers, in the CBOs estimation.

Increases in the population boost the demand for goods, services, and housing, the CBO said in its budget and economic outlook for the next 10 years. They also expand the productive capacity of the economy by increasing the size of the labor force.

The increased migration stems mainly from people entering the US illegally and from those released by Customs and Border Protection officials with humanitarian parole or with a notice to appear before an immigration judge. After a lag, many of those migrants join the labor force.

The agencys estimates come amid a fierce political debate in Washington over the surge of migration at the US-Mexico border and what should be done to control it.

The Senate Wednesday delivered a death blow to efforts to impose new border restrictions, blocking a carefully negotiated bipartisan compromise backed by President Joe Biden after his predecessor Donald Trump and House Republican leaders denounced the deal.

The CBO report underscores some of the economic advantages that can be gained from increased immigration  a point that Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell made in a CBS News 60 Minutes interview broadcast on Feb. 4.

The US economy has benefited from immigration over time, Powell said, while stressing that he wasnt telling Congress what should be done regarding the issue.

The CBO projects that the increase in immigration will lift the growth of inflation-adjusted gross domestic product by an average of 0.2 percentage points a year from 2024 to 2034, leaving it roughly 2% larger in 2034 than otherwise.

In its report, the CBO raised its estimate of the labor force in 2033 by 5.2 million people, mostly because of higher net inflows from outside the country.

The expanded workforce will put downward pressure on average inflation-adjusted wages, according to the agency. That effect is projected to partly reverse after 2027, but wages are still expected to be slightly lower than otherwise in 2034 in the CBOs estimation.

Wages are depressed in part because many migrants are expected to work in lower-paying jobs, thus lowering the average salary. But an increase in the supply of labor also plays a role, according to the report.

The CBO has stressed that its population projections are highly uncertain, especially in later years. Its assuming that the surge in immigration that began in 2022 continues through 2026, then subsides.

In a briefing for reporters, CBO Director Phil Swagel said the agency did not take account of housing and other costs states and localities are confronting because of the surge in migration as those are outside the agencys purview.

He also steered clear of commenting on the efforts in Congress to tighten the flow of migrants into the US.
MidOcean Energy (MidOcean), an LNG company formed and managed by EIG, a leading institutional investor in the global energy and infrastructure sectors, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with SK Earthon (SK) to acquire SKs 20 percent interest in Peru LNG (PLNG).

PLNG owns and operates the first LNG export plant in South America, located in Pampa Melchorita, 170km south of Lima, Peru. PLNGs assets comprise a natural gas liquefaction plant with 4.45 mmtpa processing capacity, a fully-owned 408km-long pipeline with 1,290 mmcf/d capacity, two 130,000 m3 storage tanks, a fully-owned 1.4 km-long marine terminal and a truck loading facility with capacity of up to 19.2 mmcf/d. PLNG is operated by Hunt Oil Company and is one of only two LNG production facilities in Latin America.

We believe PLNG is a highly strategic asset to the Peruvian natural gas sector, providing a key route to monetise its natural gas resources via export. It also plays an important role in supplying LNG to residential and industrial customers as well as CNG-powered vehicles in various cities across the country. The natural gas sector has become an increasingly important part of the Peruvian energy mix, underpinning electricity generation for the industrial sector as well as various applications across the residential sector.

De la Rey Venter, MidOcean Energy CEO, said, Were excited about this acquisition as it reflects another notable step in MidOceans strategy to create a global, diversified and resilient LNG portfolio. PLNG is an asset we know and admire, with sound long-term fundamentals, a strong management team and reliable operations. We look forward to joining the PLNG partnership and contributing to the long-term prosperity of that venture and its work toward being a positive role in the Peruvian energy market.

MidOcean also is in the process of completing its acquisition of Tokyo Gas interests in four Australian LNG projects for US$2.15 billion, which is targeted to close at the end of February.

The PLNG transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.

Morgan Stanley acted as exclusive financial advisor to MidOcean on the transaction.

About EIG

EIG is a leading institutional investor in the global energy and infrastructure sectors with $22.9 billion under management as of December 31, 2023. EIG specializes in private investments in energy and energy-related infrastructure on a global basis. During its 41-year history, EIG has committed over $47.1 billion to the energy sector through over 405 projects or companies in 42 countries on six continents. EIGs clients include many of the leading pension plans, insurance companies, endowments, foundations and sovereign wealth funds in the U.S., Asia and Europe. EIG is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Houston, London, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong and Seoul.

About MidOcean Energy

MidOcean Energy, an LNG company formed and managed by EIG, seeks to build a diversified, resilient, cost and carbon competitive global LNG portfolio. It reflects EIGs belief in LNG as a critical enabler of the energy transition and the growing importance of LNG as a geopolitically strategic energy resource. MidOcean Energy is headed by De la Rey Venter, a 26-year industry veteran who has held a variety of senior executive roles, including Global Head of LNG for Shell Plc. For additional information, please visit EIGs website at www.eigpartners.com or MidOcean Energys website at www.midoceanenergy.com.

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Health Care Global Enterprises Ltd. (HCG)

News Summary

HCG Cancer Centre, Bangalore, commemorated the World Cancer Day by hosting various initiatives, under the campaign The Power of Good Wishes, inspired by the poignant belief, Jo dawa nahi kar paati, wo dua kar paati hai (what medicine cannot achieve, blessings can).
MSCI Inc. (NYSE: MSCI), a leading provider of mission-critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community, today announced it has signed a purchase agreement to acquire Foxberry, a London-based provider of front-office index technology for investors.

Foxberry was founded in 2014 with the mission of building and delivering investment solutions that are driven by technology, account for a specific set of criteria, and increase the value-add for end-users. These solutions are enabled by Foxberrys foxf9 platform, a comprehensive index and analytics platform designed to tackle the most complex index construction and risk-modelling applications. The platform focuses on index and strategy creation through hyper customization, extensive back-testing and simulation capabilities, sustainability criteria, and reporting.

The strategic integration of Foxberry and the foxf9 indexing and analytics toolset will strengthen MSCIs existing suite of index customization solutions. By providing a new client-centric, interactive experience, MSCI will further scale its ability to deliver client ideation through simulation and analysis and introduce new features relevant for a wide variety of investors.

Investors face the challenge of balancing competing investment objectives. This acquisition will allow MSCI to better meet demand for customized portfolios that reflect unique views and meet specific outcomes, emphasizing our commitment to providing tailored index solutions, said Jana Haines, Head of Index, MSCI.

The merger of Foxberry with MSCI will greatly improve the feedback loops for our clients within all areas relating to index R&D, said Henrik Brunlid, Co-founder and CEO, Foxberry. We are truly excited to join MSCI for the next part of our journey in building the next generation of indexing technology.

Foxberry built its foxf9 technology to enable indexing hyper customization. Together with MSCI, a world leader in indexing, we look forward to strengthening and scaling index innovation, leveraging MSCIs world class data and optimizers, added Peter Fors, Co-founder and CTO, Foxberry.

The terms of the transaction were not disclosed, and the financial impact of the transaction is not expected to be material to MSCI. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2024, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Foxberrys financial results will be presented as part of MSCIs Index reportable segment.

About MSCI Inc.

MSCI is a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community. With over 50 years of expertise in research, data, and technology, we power better investment decisions by enabling clients to understand and analyze key drivers of risk and return and confidently build more effective portfolios. We create industry-leading research-enhanced solutions that clients use to gain insight into and improve transparency across the investment process. To learn more, please visit www.msci.com. MSCI#IR

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including without limitation, statements relating to the planned acquisition and prospects for the newly acquired business. These forward-looking statements relate to future events or to future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as may, could, expect, intend, plan, seek, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential or continue, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond MSCIs control and that could materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

Other factors that could materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements can be found in MSCIs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 10, 2023 and in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed or furnished with the SEC. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if MSCIs underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from what MSCI projected. Any forward-looking statement in this press release reflects MSCIs current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to MSCIs operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. MSCI assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

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You could say that a lot is riding on the Lexus LBX. Not only is it Lexus first three-letter named model after the LFA supercar, but becaus...
Carter Centers Georgia Mental Health Parity Campaign Elevates Awareness of Mental Health Rights in Savannah and Albany

ATLANTA  At a press conference held during its inaugural Mental Health Parity Day today at Georgias State Capitol, The Carter Center released results of its first Georgia mental health parity awareness campaign. The campaign, funded by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, targeted underserved communities in Albany and Savannah in fall 2023. The goal of the campaign was to increase the publics knowledge of their legal right to insurance coverage of treatment for mental illness and substance use disorders following the unanimous passage of the bipartisan Georgia Mental Health Parity Act of 2022. Surveys taken before and after the campaign demonstrated a significant increase in public awareness of their mental health rights.

We are heartened by the results of the first mental health parity awareness campaign in Georgia, said Carter Center Mental Health Program Director Dr. Eve Byrd. The campaign shows that, while passing the historic Mental Health Parity Act in 2022 was a vital step, we need to continue to educate the public about their mental health rights and closely monitor the implementation of the parity components of the law. We also encourage the public and all mental health stakeholders to stay engaged in the monitoring and implementation of this historic health law and, most importantly, seek care for your mental health as you would for all other health conditions.

As the leader of the Georgia Parity Collaborative, The Carter Center works closely with the state agencies responsible for enforcing parity lawsthe Georgia Department of Insurance and the Georgia Department of Community Healthto assist in facilitating effective rollout of the law, communicating with the commissioners regularly, and providing recommendations on behalf of consumers. The goal is to make the implementation process transparent so that Georgians understand their rights under the parity law.

Rosalynn Carter left us a clear mandate. She spent more than half a century working to advance policies that ensure equitable access to mental health care for all Americans. This work is an extension of that legacy, said Carter Center Chief Executive Officer Paige Alexander.

We will remain vigilant to ensure that the Mental Health Parity Act is implemented across the state and every Georgian understands their right to mental health care.

As part of the campaign, The Carter Center worked with the communications agency Allison to deliver a multipronged, targeted campaign to educate the public in Albany and Savannah about their right to access mental health care. Mental health stakeholders and consumers of mental health services in both cities were asked to share input on the campaign and share challenges and barriers to the implementation of the law.

Surveys conducted in both cities showed that the campaign increased awareness about Georgians right to insurance coverage of treatment for mental illnesses and addiction. From September through November, the Center deployed a wide variety of resources in English and Spanish, including launching the website www.GeorgiaMentalHealth.com, running social media ads, displaying billboards, airing radio spots, sending targeted emails, and running newspaper print ads, digital displays on news websites, and sharing branded content.

Key findings in the post-campaign survey showed:

Nearly half of the residents of Savannah and Albany recalled the campaign, or say they have seen, read, or heard about it.

The campaign resulted in a significant increase in awareness of rights to coverage under the parity law among women, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities. Before the campaign, 40% of women cited insurance as a barrier to mental health care. After the campaign, only 10% said insurance was a barrier, representing an improvement of approximately 75%.

Perceptions of barriers to care decreased throughout the campaign. Respondents who worried that insurance would not pay for their mental health treatment dropped from 30% pre-campaign to only 13% post-campaign.

The campaign led to an increased interest in seeking mental health care for children and dependents. The percentage of respondents making health care decisions for a child or dependent who said they would look for this type of care if needed increased from 38% pre-campaign to 59% post-campaign.

The percentage of BIPOC respondents who said they were interested in but could not get mental health care or had not looked for it dropped from 34% before the campaign to 21% after the campaign. The percentage of BIPOC respondents who said insurance was a key barrier to them looking for mental health care dropped from 30% pre-campaign to 15% post-campaign.

The Carter Center held a press conference at the Georgia State Capitol following a series of panels discussing mental health parity at Central Presbyterian Church across the street from the Capitol.

Both events are part of the Centers inaugural annual Mental Health Parity Day event. Speakers at the press event included Carter Center CEO Paige Alexander, Carter Center Mental Health Program staffers Dr. Eve Byrd and Sarah Phillips, Laura Colbert, Executive Director of Georgians for a Healthy Future, Representative Mary Margaret Oliver, Georgia House of Representatives, 82nd District and Representative Todd Jones, Georgia House of Representatives, 25th District.

More information and speakers from both events can be found here. The Carter Center plans to hold another public event on Georgias mental health policy work on May 14, 2024. Details will be provided on cartercenter.org.



Contact: Rennie Sloan, rennie.sloan@cartercenter.org.

###

The Carter Center

Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope.

A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.
During a mostly positive earnings call on Wednesday, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that the company will release the animated feature Moana 2 on Wednesday, November 27 this year, a day before Thanksgiving.

The Moana sequel was initially developed as a series but has been retooled by the company for a theatrical release. According to Iger, We were impressed with what we saw, and we knew it deserved a theatrical release. The original Moana film from 2016 recently crossed 1 billion hours streamed on Disney+ and was the most streamed movie of 2023 on any platform in the U.S.

Due to the change-up, Moana 2 will mark the theatrical feature debut of director David G. Derrick Jr., a Calarts grad who served as a story artist on the first Moana film and was helming the series adaptation. At Disney, he has also worked as a board artist on the cg remake of The Lion King, Raya and the Last Dragon, and Encanto. Before that, Derrick spent nearly a decade at Dreamworks Animation, where he storyboarded on films including How to Train Your Dragon, Rise of the Guardians, Megamind, Bee Movie, and Flushed Away.

When the Moana series was announced, Derrick explained, Working on Moana was a gift, personally and professionally. The film Moana caught and shared the spirit of Polynesia with the world. I am honored to continue her story and to celebrate the rich and beautiful cultures of the Pacific Islands.

Moana 2 will feature music by Abigail Barlow, Emily Bear, Opetaia Foai, and Mark Mancina. No casting details have been announced yet, but Iger did say Moana and Maui would appear in the film. Aulii Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson voiced those characters in the original movie.

A brief logline for Moana 2 reads:

After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything shes ever faced.

In addition to making the Moana 2 announcement during Wednesdays call, Iger confirmed that Pixars Elio and Disneys Zootopia 2 are on track for theatrical releases next year. The CEO also mentioned that Frozen 3 and a new Toy Story film are both part of the companys plans for the future.
Independently produced American animated features are a precious thing, so were thrilled to offer an exclusive first look at Boys Go to Jupiter, the self-produced debut feature from Pittsburgh-based indie superstar Julian Glander.

Glander previously helmed projects for Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, HBO Max, and Disney, created the cult video game ART SQOOL, contributed cg artwork to The New York Times and The New Yorker, and had an extraordinarily memorable appearance on Jeopardy, where he sang the alphabet in reverse, phonetically. Glander also made the delightful experimental short film Plant Room with fellow indie filmmaker Jeron Braxton, who is currently working on his own feature debut.

Boys Go to Jupiter is animated entirely in Blender and billed as a surreal, animated coming-of-age story told using the signature style and color palette that Glander has built his career on. In addition to directing, Glander is self-financing the film, which is executive-produced by Peisin Yang Lazo.

The film unspools in Florida amidst the gloom that accompanies the day after Christmas. There, Billy 5000, an aimless teenager content to waste his potential and fill his days working as a delivery driver, is ripped from an easy routine by fate. After being tasked with caring for a mysterious egg from another world, things spiral out of control, and Billy is forced to make seismic decisions about life, love, and money.

Boys Go to Jupiter was mainly a two-person endeavor shared by Glander and Lazo. Speaking with Cartoon Brew, Glander explained:

Each of us did the jobs of 100 people. I have no complaints  its been a lot of work, but it feels really good to make a movie independently. To not have meetings about everything and really own every creative decision.

Although the two did the brunt of the heavy lifting for the film, they did have some important help along the way. Fellow Pittsbugh-based animator Nate Dibert worked on the film for a few months as a character animator, and Glander convinced his idol, Jordan Speer, to contribute a few seconds of animation.

This being Glanders debut feature, we asked him how he has had to adapt his workflow to accommodate such an ambitious project.

I finally embraced organization and time management. With an illustration or even a short animation, you can pretty much just push through it without planning, but obviously, if you do that on a feature, it all falls apart. My to-do list for the last stage of revisions had 500 notes on it, and I tackled 20 a day for a month. That might be the secret to a big project: taking that big-picture vision and cutting it up into tiny, digestible pieces.

Although he was forced to adopt some new habits for the films production, he says other familiar ways of working endured:

Im still not a big storyboarding fan, and I prefer to work off of a script. Some of the scenes have stick-figure boards, but for the most part, I animated entire scenes in a wide shot and then chose close-up and insert shots by moving the camera around in Blender. [It was] almost more like shooting a live-action movie or a three-camera sitcom. That really helped keep things moving. Of course, I need to shout out Blender, which is an incredible program with a really vibrant community. Every single time I ran into a technical problem, I could just go to Youtube and find someone who had already figured it out. Not sure this film would have been possible without that resource.

Glander says that working on a project this size became quite relaxing once he found his groove. According to him, the most stressful part was filling out the films voice cast because their recording schedule ran right up to the start of last years actors strike, giving them an unignorable deadline.

In the end, Glander got the actors he hoped for. The film features a voice cast of comedy and musical talent that includes Jack Corbett, Elsie Fisher, Tabi Gevinson, Julio Torres, Sarah Sherman, Joe Pera, Grace Kuhlenschmidt, Miya Folick, Chris Fleming, Cole Escola, River L. Ramirez, Eva Victor, and Max Wittert.

Work on Boys Go to Jupiter is 95% finished, a bittersweet fact that has perhaps subconsciously injected a degree of procrastination into Glanders routine:

Ive really loved working on it, so letting go of it is surprisingly emotional. Its at the stage where Im opening things up, tinkering, and making small changes that dont make the film better or worse. Yesterday, I spent three hours trying out different colors for a car in the background of one shot.

When Glander does finish the film, fans of bold, original, creator-driven work should keep an eye out for this one. We certainly cant wait to see it.
Saint-Gobain signs energy PPA in Italy

08 February 2024

Saint-Gobain has signed a 10-year renewable electricity supply contract in Italy with Axpo Italia. The power purchase agreement (PPA) covers the purchase of electricity generated by a newly-built wind farm in the Puglia region.

Axpo Italia will provide around 22GWh of green electricity per year, or 11 per cent of Saint-Gobains electricity needs in Italy.

This contract is the fifth PPA signed by Saint-Gobain in Italy. Combined, the five projects are expected to cover more than 20 per cent of Saint-Gobains electricity needs in the country and contribute to reducing Saint-Gobains Scope 2 CO 2 emissions in Italy by around 40 per cent in 2024 compared with 2017.

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Holcim expands Solutions & Products business

08 February 2024

Holcim has acquired ZinCo, a leader in advanced green roofing systems based in Germany with global operations across Europe, Asia and the Americas. The deal forms part of Holcim's efforts to advance its Solutions & Products business to 30 per cent of group net sales by 2025, entering the most attractive segments of construction, from roofing systems to insulation and renovation.

According to Holcim, with its integrated green and solar roofing systems, ZinCo is expanding Holcims specification selling approach. Working with partners across the value chain, ZinCos tailored solutions are able to bring more nature into cities, improving urban wellbeing from reducing heat island effects to improving air quality.

Jamie Gentoso, global head, Solutions & Products: Im delighted to welcome ZinCo into the Holcim family to advance our range of sustainable roofing systems and bring more nature into cities. ZinCo is recognised as a leader in advanced green roofing systems with a well-established network across the value chain, from architects and developers to distributors and contractors. This acquisition extends our leadership in advanced roofing systems and broadens the innovative and sustainable building envelope solutions available to our customers.

ZinCos roofing expertise, from urban farming to stormwater management and biodiversity, is highly complementary to Holcims existing roofing business and its overall mission to lead the transition to sustainable building. ZinCo, which will retain its brand name post-acquisition, has provided sustainable roofing solutions for a wide variety of projects, including the High Line in New York City and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens.





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Xi extends Spring Festival greetings to non-CPC members

Xinhua) 08:07, February 08, 2024

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, takes part in an annual gathering with non-CPC members ahead of the Spring Festival at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 7, 2024. The reception was also attended by Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Cai Qi, director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Ding Xuexiang, vice premier of the State Council. They are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Wednesday extended festive greetings to people from non-CPC political parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), personages without party affiliation, and other members of the united front ahead of the Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, sent the greetings when he took part in an annual gathering with non-CPC members at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The reception was also attended by Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Cai Qi, director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Ding Xuexiang, vice premier of the State Council. They are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

The year 2023 was an extraordinary year, Xi said. He noted that through the year, the CPC Central Committee led the whole Party and the Chinese people to fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and act on the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability.

We stood up to external pressure and overcame domestic difficulties, made all-out efforts to boost economic recovery and development, and had successfully achieved the main projected targets of economic and social development, said Xi.

We got off to a good start, and there are many highlights in our endeavor, Xi said, pointing out that new breakthroughs have been achieved in the field of sci-tech innovation.

In the meantime, we effectively took countermeasures against a series of natural disasters, Xi added.

These achievements resulted from not only the strong leadership of the CPC, but also the tenacious endeavor and joint efforts of people from all sectors of society, including non-CPC political parties, the ACFIC, and personages without party affiliation, said Xi.

Xi noted that non-CPC political parties and personages without party affiliation have continued to strengthen ideological and political consensus for multiparty cooperation over the past year.

He said that they have voiced their views and given advice on key and thorny problems in the process of promoting Chinese modernization, and made new progress in serving economic and social development.

Xi then expressed gratitude on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.

Noting that the year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Xi said that it is a crucial year for the fulfillment of the goals and tasks set out in the country's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025).

Non-CPC political parties, the ACFIC and personages without party affiliation should work to fully grasp the major decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, and contribute their wisdom and strength to advancing Chinese modernization, Xi said.

He called on them to strengthen confidence in China's path and faithfully uphold, develop and improve the country's new type of political party system.

He also urged them to build broad consensus, add to the momentum of Chinese modernization, and further strengthen political guidance and self-improvement.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, takes part in an annual gathering with non-CPC members ahead of the Spring Festival and poses for a group photo with the attendees at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 7, 2024. The reception was also attended by Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Cai Qi, director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Ding Xuexiang, vice premier of the State Council. They are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
On February 7th, Bei'an Town, Shexian County in Anhui held a "village gala," where local villagers gathered together in a lively atmosphere to appreciate intangible cultural heritage and folk customs, watch the Zhanqi Fish Lantern, and immerse themselves in folk culture to welcome the arrival of the Chinese New Year.

Source: Anhui Daily


Southern Adventist University welcomes Paul Nelson, PhD, a biology philosopher involved in the

intelligent design debate internationally for three decades, to speak for the annual Origins Convocation on Thursday, Feb. 22, at 11 a.m. in Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists on campus.

Currently a senior fellow of Seattles Discovery Institute in Washington and adjunct faculty member in the graduate program of Science and Religion at Biola University in California, Nelson organized the Mere Creation Conference, where the modern intelligent design research community first formed in 1996. His research interests include the relationship between developmental biology and our knowledge of the history of life, the theory of intelligent design, and the interaction of science and theology. He lectures frequently at colleges and universities throughout the United States and globally, speaks on American and Italian national public radio, and writes for popular publications as varied as Oslo Dagbladet and Christian Research Journal.

Nelsons scholarly articles have appeared in journals and book chapters, he co-authored the biology

textbook Explore Evolution, and he has appeared in several films on intelligent design for Illustra

Media.

This free event is open to the public. Visit southern.edu/southernevents for livestream options

and additional information.

What: Origins Convocation Featuring Paul Nelson

When: Thursday, February 22, 11 a.m.

Where: Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists

4829 College Drive East

Collegedale, Tn. 37315
Renowned vocalist Marc Broussard is set to perform at The Walker Theatre on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m. to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of his breakthrough album Carencro. The Louisiana native will perform the album in its entirety, along with fan-favorite songs from his S.O.S. Save Our Soul series.

Click here for tickets and more information.

Review for Marc Broussard:

Released in 2004 on Island Records, Carencro marked Broussard's major label debut and breakthrough, reaching the Top 30 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart. Featuring the centerpiece hit "Home," the album has proven to be among Broussard's most beloved and enduring collections. "Home" became a Top-40 AC hit and catapulted Broussard into the national spotlight. The Louisiana-born and raised artist has created a wide range of music in his career. Carencro laid the groundwork with unequaled style, illustrating his knack for modern soul music and setting the stage for his long and distinguished career. His success continues today, with his recent philanthropic album S.O.S. 4: Blues for Your Soul, recorded and co-produced with Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, debuting at number 1 on the Billboard Blues Albums Chart.
Chattanooga Police have made an arrest in the murder of Justin Glover.

Police said 36-year-old Marquel Lane, of 8013 Harper Road, threatened the apparently unarmed victim, pursued him and shot him in the back, then continued to shoot him.

Lane was charged with first-degree murder, reckless endangerment, and unlawful possession of a firearm and has been booked at the Hamilton County Jail.

The charges are in connection with the homicide investigation in the 700 block of E. 48th Street that occurred last Thursday.

Police responded to a report of a person shot at approximately 8 p.m. The victim was outside an apartment with a gunshot wound to the back.

He was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

Investigators found multiple pistol casings at the scene as well as bloody clothing taken off the victim while life-saving efforts were being attempted.

Witnesses said the victim was shot by a light-skinned black male with reddish hair and beard. A number of witnesses said Lane was the shooter after there was an extended disorder. They said Lane had ties to that location.

Police said they were able to obtain video and audio of the incident that was witnessed by numerous people.

Police said Lane was not suppose to be carrying a gun because of prior domestic assault cases.
photo by John Shearer photo by John Shearer photo by John Shearer photo by John Shearer photo by John Shearer photo by John Shearer Previous Next

Like many Chattanoogans, I heeded the call Wednesday afternoon to stand alongside the funeral procession and pay tribute to Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Larry Taylor, who had died on Jan. 28 at the age of 81 of cancer complications.

While it was about 80 or 90 percent patriotism in thanking this Vietnam veteran for heroism in carrying four soldiers to safety with his heroic helicopter rescue in that faraway Southeast Asian land in 1968, it was also about 10 percent nosy reporter. That is, even though I was not planning on writing anything.

But it seemed like such a unique and worthwhile event that I was inspired after being out there on the equally uplifting day of perfectly sunny and mild February weather.

I had done enough of the important activities I needed to do by about 2 p.m., so I headed out from my home in the Northgate Mall area to Bailey Avenue not too far from the National Cemetery, where he was to be buried. I was thinking that if there were a big crowd already there, I could maybe park at Warner Park and walk a couple of blocks over.

But I turned right on Bailey Avenue from Holtzclaw Avenue after coming via Amnicola Highway, and I saw the Chattanooga Area Schools Federal Credit Union off Spruce Street with an open parking lot. I decided to park there and sit and grade some papers I had brought from the adjunct journalism class I teach up at the University of Tennessee. I was also hoping no one would come out and tell me to leave.

They did not, so I eventually got out and crossed over the side Spruce Street and sat on the short wall of a long-gone homesite and continued grading papers. It was a wonderful and peaceful setting next to this empty-but-grass-covered lot. In fact, I actually thought I had gone back in time with the numerous old homes around me. It could have even been a World War II event if not for all the late-model automobiles and the handful of newer office buildings.

As the time reached between about 2:45 and 3 p.m., I decided to cross over Bailey, which had a car of maybe someone like an auxiliary policeman sitting horizontally and keeping people from going east toward Holtzclaw. I stood near the cemetery wall and fence and, after noticing for the first time a simply beautiful and large tree in front of the Southeast Financial Credit Union diagonally across the street, realized I was evidently going to witness an important part of the ceremony.

There where the old entrance gates were open on this rare occasion stood a glass-covered carriage with two large horses of differing breeds. Several people stood around them, and I could tell the two women and man and others taking care of the horses had friendly manners and did not mind people coming up and talking to them. There were no comments telling people to get away as you sometimes see at such events.

I did hear one of the young women say the horses were maybe tired of standing for an hour or more.

Also standing around this area and waiting were white people, black people, older and younger people, and even a few people wearing Tennessee Vols clothing, perhaps an ode to Capt. Taylors alma mater. It was a nice mix of various Chattanoogans. They were evidently united by Capt. Taylors valor to uphold the freedoms and opportunities in America.

As the traffic that had been coming down Bailey Avenue ceased about 3 p.m. or shortly after, I knew something was getting ready to happen. I have forgotten the order, but at different times came about five cars with flashing blue lights, another single vehicle with a flashing light, too, and going at an extremely high rate of speed, and several police motorcyclists stopping traffic from entering the side roads.

Then came a long line of the procession led by some more motorcycle law officers, and there was something beautiful about it all to me. In fact, I got a little choked up. And that included when the horse-drawn carriage pulled out onto Bailey Avenue to rendezvous with the Lane Funeral Home hearse carrying Capt. Taylors cremated remains.

I must admit that as a non-veteran or non-law officer, I was not sure what I was supposed to do, so I alternated just standing still, putting my arm over my heart, and sneaking in a few photos  as most of the 10 or 15 people in that area were doing as well.

When the hearse stopped behind the horse carriage, four soldiers in slow precision that resembled slow motion took the small casket-like wooden container out of the back and slowly marched over and placed it in the glass container of the horse carriage.

Then, with one or two of the young women walking beside them, the two horses very powerfully pulled the carriage now carrying his remains at a seemingly fast-walking clip around to Holtzclaw Avenue and into the cemetery for the committal service. As they had headed to Holtzclaw, the horses amidst the backdrop of a giant American flag being draped over the intersection by two cranes made for an impressive scene.

A dozen or more vehicles carrying family members and close friends in bus-like vans and other cars soon followed, after being stopped in traffic briefly for the transfer of the remains. A bus carrying some Vietnam veterans was also in the caravan.

Soon, however, Bailey Avenue returned to normal. The end had come for this procession that was, due to Capt. Taylors long and fruitful life, seemingly much happier than it might be for someone killed on the field of battle at a young age.

Capt. Larry Taylor had long ago carried four soldiers to safety in enemy territory, and now a carriage was carrying his remains to his final resting place at the National Cemetery in his beloved and friendly hometown and country.

And plenty of others  including me - were carrying thankful thoughts of him in their hearts.

* * *

Jcshearer2@comcast.net
Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report:

ARELLANO ALEJO, OMAR

1432 THRASHER PK HIXSON, 37343

Age at Arrest: 27 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

OPEN CONTAINER LAW

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY



AUSTIN, JOSHUA GLENN

2318 LYNDON REDBAN, 37415

Age at Arrest: 35 years old

Arresting Agency: Red Bank

PETITION TO REVOKE SIMPLE POSSESION



BROWN, GINGER A

219 THOMAS STREET SODDY DAISY, 37379

Age at Arrest: 48 years old

Arresting Agency: Soddy Daisy

PUBLIC INTOXICATION



BROWN, PATRICK MICHAEL

5145 CIT STATION DRIVE APT 207 OOLTEWAH, 373632903

Age at Arrest: 40 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



BULLOCK, DAVID CHRISTOPHER

1031 MCCALLIE FERRY RD SODDYDAISY, 37379

Age at Arrest: 37 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

SCHEDULE II DRUG VIOLATION



BUNDY, JIMMIE RAY

429 NORTH JENKINS RD ROSSVILE,

Age at Arrest: 34 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

IN TRANSIT



COUSIN, EBONY FAYE

1217 3RD AVENUE CHATTANOOGA, 37411

Age at Arrest: 29 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



DUNIGAN, FRANCIS THOMAS

3491 OLD GRAYSVILLE RD DAYTON, 37321

Age at Arrest: 40 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY



DUNNIGAN, LYNDELL DECARR MORRIS

1103 WHEELER AVE CHATTANOOGA, 374063261

Age at Arrest: 27 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE)

BURGLARY



DYE, JOHN ADAM

313 W MIDVALE AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37405

Age at Arrest: 38 years old

Arresting Agency: Red Bank

DOMESTIC ASSAULT



FLERL, DAVID LAMAR

5815 PATRICK PL CHATTANOOGA, 374212936

Age at Arrest: 60 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

PUBLIC INTOXICATION



HARDEN, TANIQUE SHEKITA

2206 IVY ST CHATTANOOGA, 37409

Age at Arrest: 32 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



HENDERSON, JOE EDWARD

9593 BILL REED RD OOLTEWAH, 37363

Age at Arrest: 47 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

THEFT OF PROPERTY



HENSLEY, RICHARD ERIC

1011 GADD RD APT 613 HICKSON, 37343

Age at Arrest: 46 years old

Arresting Agency: Soddy Daisy

DOMESTIC ASSAULT



HILL, BRANDON EDWARD

HOMELESS ROSSVILLE, 30741

Age at Arrest: 36 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

FUGITIVE (ARREST FOR CRIME IN ANOTHER STATE)



HILL, JARED LEVI

9840 HIGHWAY 58 OOLTEWAH, 373639631

Age at Arrest: 35 years old

Arresting Agency: Red Bank

POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE II

SIMPLE POSSESSION (MARIJAUNA)

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES SCHEDULE IV

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE



JACKSON, JERRELL EUGENE

3305 CRESTONE CIR CHATTANOOGA, 37411

Age at Arrest: 36 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



JOHNSON, NIGIL STORMN

2300 NORTHBRIAR LANE CHATTANOOGA, 37406

Age at Arrest: 23 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (VANDALISM)



KILGORE, CHRISROPHER RAY

4260 MOUNT WHITWILL, 373745009

Age at Arrest: 52 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

US MARSHALS HOLD



KNIGHT, PHILLIP TOBIN

17 DEE VUE LANE ROSSVILLE, 307414906

Age at Arrest: 33 years old

Arresting Agency: East Ridge

PUBLIC INTOXICATION

POSSESSION OF FOR RESALE



LOGAN, JEREMY LEE

125 NEW MURRAYTOWN RD NW CLEVELAND, 37312

Age at Arrest: 37 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS VIOLATION

EVADING ARREST

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

EVADING ARREST

EVADING ARREST

POSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL.

OR MANUFACTURING)RECKLESS ENDANGERMENTRECKLESS ENDANGERMENTRECKLESS ENDANGERMENTRECKLESS DRIVINGDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSESPEEDINGSEAT BELT LAW VIOLATIONDRIVING ON ROADWAYS LANED FOR TRAFFIC, VIOLATIONFAILURE TO SIGNAL TURNSTOP SIGN VIOLATIONTRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS VIOLATIONVANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEFDRIVING LEFT OF CENTER LINEDRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CAREMANN, TRAVIS ANVROUS8650 SPRINGFIELD RD SODDY DAISY, 37379Age at Arrest: 41 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffFUGITIVE (ARREST FOR CRIME IN FANNIN COUNTY GA)MAROUF, NAJI SALEH1914 TARA PL DALTON, 30720Age at Arrest: 40 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffFUGITIVE (ARREST FOR CRIME IN CATOOSA COUNTY GA)MAY, BILL RANDY1217 LOVELADY LEIWS RD SODDY DAISY, 37379Age at Arrest: 36 years oldArresting Agency: Soddy DaisyDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSENAIL, JOHN THOMASHOMELESS CHATTANOOGA, 37411Age at Arrest: 34 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDCRIMINAL TRESPASSINGPAYNE, DAMON MATTHEW4116 12TH AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37404Age at Arrest: 38 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDASSAULTPOINTER, BRANDON LEEJUAN2202 DUNCAN AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37404Age at Arrest: 32 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffVIOLATION OF PROBATION (DOMESTIC ASSAULT)PONCE-BELTRAN, JOSE DE JESUS900 AIRPORT RD APT 109 CHATTANOOGA, 37421Age at Arrest: 26 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffVIOLATION OF PROBATION (DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCFAILURE TO APPEARPURYEAR, STARYA JAMESE1902 S WATKINS ST CHATTANOOGA, 37408Age at Arrest: 33 years oldArresting Agency: Chatt Housing AuthAGGRAVATED BURGLARYAGGRAVATED CRIMINAL TRESPASSPOSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCEPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIARODRIGUEZ, JAMES MATTHEW329 RUSSELL STREET APT 5 DUNLAP, 37327Age at Arrest: 41 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffFAILURE TO APPEARSERRA, LAZAROHOMELESS ,Age at Arrest: 49 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDCAMPING ON PUBLIC PROPERTYSMITH, ASHTON THOMAS4025 OAKWOOD DR CHATTANOOGA, 37406Age at Arrest: 22 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDTHEFT OF PROPERTYSTEWART, JOSEPH C204 BLAINE SMITH RD GRAYSVILLE, 37338Age at Arrest: 31 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSETHOMAS, IRA DEVON905 N CHAMBERLAIN AVE CHATTANOOGA, 374064117Age at Arrest: 32 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)TOCKNELL, THOMAS JOHN214 1/2 MORRISON SPRING ROAD CHATTANOOGA, 37415Age at Arrest: 61 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)TOWE, ROBERT H2205 CENTERPOINT RD HENDERSONVILLE, 370752063Age at Arrest: 57 years oldArresting Agency: Soddy DaisyFAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANEDRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCEVAUGHN, LARRY727 E 11TH ST CHATTANOOGA, 374033104Age at Arrest: 57 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDAGGRAVATED BURGLARY (OCCUPIED HABITATION)VELASQUEZ BAUTISTA, CANDELARIA1111 MCBREIN ROAD APT A CHATTANOOGA, 37412Age at Arrest: 29 years oldArresting Agency: East RidgeEVADING ARRESTSPEEDINGDRIVING WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSE / EXPIRED LICENSEWHATLEY, BERNARD EARL727 E 11TH ST CHATTANOOGA, 37403Age at Arrest: 63 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffPOSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCECONTRABAND IN PENAL INSTITUTIONSWHITAKER, DOUGLAS JAMES4829 STAG RD RED BANK, 374151836Age at Arrest: 52 years oldArresting Agency: Red BankVIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION

Here are the mug shots:

ARELLANO ALEJO, OMAR

Age at Arrest: 27

Date of Birth: 12/20/1996

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

OPEN CONTAINER LAW

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AUSTIN, JOSHUA GLENN

Age at Arrest: 35

Date of Birth: 05/02/1988

Arresting Agency: Red Bank



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

PETITION TO REVOKE SIMPLE POSSESION BROWN, GINGER A

Age at Arrest: 48

Date of Birth: 07/12/1975

Arresting Agency: Soddy Daisy



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

PUBLIC INTOXICATION BROWN, PATRICK MICHAEL

Age at Arrest: 40

Date of Birth: 01/26/1984

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

BUNDY, JIMMIE RAY

Age at Arrest: 34

Date of Birth: 02/05/1990

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

IN TRANSIT DUNIGAN, FRANCIS THOMAS

Age at Arrest: 40

Date of Birth: 07/31/1983

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY DYE, JOHN ADAM

Age at Arrest: 38

Date of Birth: 12/10/1984

Arresting Agency: Red Bank



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT FLERL, DAVID LAMAR

Age at Arrest: 60

Date of Birth: 03/24/1963

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

PUBLIC INTOXICATION HAMPTON, MELVIN LABRON

Age at Arrest: 44

Date of Birth: 12/20/1979

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER LINE

DRIVING ON ROADWAYS LANED FOR TRAFFIC, VIOLATION

OPEN CONTAINER LAW HARDEN, TANIQUE SHEKITA

Age at Arrest: 32

Date of Birth: 06/28/1991

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



HENDERSON, JOE EDWARD

Age at Arrest: 47

Date of Birth: 10/21/1976

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY HENSLEY, RICHARD ERIC

Age at Arrest: 46

Date of Birth: 11/03/1977

Arresting Agency: Soddy Daisy



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT HILL, JARED LEVI

Age at Arrest: 35

Date of Birth: 12/05/1988

Arresting Agency: Red Bank



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE II

SIMPLE POSSESSION (MARIJAUNA)

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES SCHEDULE IV

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE JACKSON, JERRELL EUGENE

Age at Arrest: 36

Date of Birth: 03/22/1987

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

JARRETT, SHAWN MITCHELL

Age at Arrest: 34

Date of Birth: 09/14/1988

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

FUGITIVE (CATOOSA COUNTY GA) JOHNSON, NIGIL STORMN

Age at Arrest: 23

Date of Birth: 06/20/2000

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (VANDALISM) KILGORE, CHRISROPHER RAY

Age at Arrest: 52

Date of Birth: 06/12/1971

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

US MARSHALS HOLD KNIGHT, PHILLIP TOBIN

Age at Arrest: 33

Date of Birth: 12/17/1990

Arresting Agency: East Ridge



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

PUBLIC INTOXICATION

POSSESSION OF FOR RESALE LOGAN, JEREMY LEE

Age at Arrest: 37

Date of Birth: 05/20/1986

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS VIOLATION

EVADING ARREST

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

EVADING ARREST

EVADING ARREST

POSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING)

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT

RECKLESS DRIVING

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

SPEEDING

SEAT BELT LAW VIOLATION

DRIVING ON ROADWAYS LANED FOR TRAFFIC, VIOLATION

FAILURE TO SIGNAL TURN

STOP SIGN VIOLATION

TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS VIOLATION

VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF

DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER LINE

DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE MANN, TRAVIS ANVROUS

Age at Arrest: 41

Date of Birth: 06/04/1982

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

FUGITIVE (ARREST FOR CRIME IN FANNIN COUNTY GA)

MAROUF, NAJI SALEH

Age at Arrest: 40

Date of Birth: 10/04/1983

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

FUGITIVE (ARREST FOR CRIME IN CATOOSA COUNTY GA) NAIL, JOHN THOMAS

Age at Arrest: 34

Date of Birth: 01/20/1990

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

CRIMINAL TRESPASSING PAYNE, DAMON MATTHEW

Age at Arrest: 38

Date of Birth: 12/16/1985

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

ASSAULT PENDERGRASS, CALEB BLAINE

Age at Arrest: 29

Date of Birth: 01/10/1995

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT POINTER, BRANDON LEEJUAN

Age at Arrest: 32

Date of Birth: 09/04/1991

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (DOMESTIC ASSAULT) PONCE-BELTRAN, JOSE DE JESUS

Age at Arrest: 26

Date of Birth: 12/22/1997

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENC

FAILURE TO APPEAR PRICE, MONTREL DARRIEL

Age at Arrest: 49

Date of Birth: 12/11/1973

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

RAPE PURYEAR, STARYA JAMESE

Age at Arrest: 33

Date of Birth: 04/07/1990

Arresting Agency: Chatt Housing Auth



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

AGGRAVATED BURGLARY

AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL TRESPASS

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA RODRIGUEZ, JAMES MATTHEW

Age at Arrest: 41

Date of Birth: 05/24/1982

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

FAILURE TO APPEAR SMITH, ASHTON THOMAS

Age at Arrest: 22

Date of Birth: 05/22/2001

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY

STEWART, JOSEPH C

Age at Arrest: 31

Date of Birth: 03/19/1992

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE THOMAS, IRA DEVON

Age at Arrest: 32

Date of Birth: 07/01/1991

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

TOCKNELL, THOMAS JOHN

Age at Arrest: 61

Date of Birth: 04/27/1962

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

TROTT, SHANNON LYNN

Age at Arrest: 39

Date of Birth: 10/27/1984

Arresting Agency: East Ridge



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

FUGITIVE (ARREST FOR CRIME IN ANOTHER STATE) WHATLEY, BERNARD EARL

Age at Arrest: 63

Date of Birth: 01/08/1961

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

CONTRABAND IN PENAL INSTITUTIONS WHITAKER, DOUGLAS JAMES

Age at Arrest: 52

Date of Birth: 02/06/1972

Arresting Agency: Red Bank



Last Date of Arrest: 02/07/2024

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION




The upcoming Chattanooga Live Music events are scheduled through Feb. 15.

Send your event co-host invites to Chattanooga Live Music to amplify your events.



8-Feb Farm To Fork - Gary Hemstreet at 7 PM

8-Feb The Feed co. Table & Tavern - Gino Fanelli at 6 PM

8-Feb Cherry Street Tavern - Channing Wilson at 6 PM

8-Feb Cherry Street Tavern - Brownie Lee Hamilton at Friends at 9 PM

8-Feb The Comedy Catch Night - Next Level Comedy at 7 PM

8-Feb Gate 11 Distillery - Josh Wheeler at

8-Feb The Diving Mouse (Cleveland) MC DiFro Open Mic/Stage at 8 PM

8-Feb Puckett's Chattanooga - Jason Lyles at 7 PM

9-Feb Catoosa Colonnade (Ringgold) - Hullenders Faith Family and Friends 7 PM

9-Feb Puckett's Chattanooga - Brandon Maddox at 8 PM

9-Feb The Dark Roast - Foxbat W/ Witch Hunter and Avian Theory at 7 PM

9-Feb The Chattanoogan Hotel  12th Annual Mardi Gras Gala at 7 PM

9-Feb Cherry Street Tavern - 7th Street Band at 6 PM

9-Feb Cherry Street Tavern - Greg Shingleton & Camden Smith at 9 PM

9-Feb Gate 11 Distillery  5th Anniversary with Jason Lyles & The Legitimizers at 7 PM

9-Feb Farm To Fork - DR Vibe at 8:30 PM

9-Feb Cabanas Night Club (Rossville Ave)- Latino Live Music & Dance at 8 PM

9-Feb WoodShop (St Elmo) Presents: Jeffrey Martin & Tommy Alexander at 8 PM

9-Feb Barrelhouse -The Hip Abduction with Of Good Nature at 8 PM

9-Feb Creekside Grill (Ooltewah) - Jesse Black at 6 PM

9-Feb JJ's Bohemia  The Scarlet Love Conspiracy, The ExLaws, and Uncle Lightnin 9 PM

9-Feb Whiskey Cowgirl -The Cosmic Strangers at 10 PM

9-Feb Hi-Fi Clyde's on Main St - Fresh Mind at 9 PM

9-Feb Wood Shop (St Elmo) Presents: Jeffrey Martin + Tommy Alexander at 8 PM

9-Feb The Comedy Catch Night #1 w/ John Hastings at 7:30 & 9:45 PM

9-Feb Memorial Auditorium - Black Jacket Symphony Presents Journey's 'Escape' at 8 PM

9-Feb Buds Sports Bar Night #1 w/ Aunt Betty Band at 10 PM

10-Feb Buds Sports Bar Night #2 w/ Aunt Betty Band at 10 PM

10-Feb Redbud Venue -Lori Mast & High Gravity w/ South Soul at 7 PM

10-Feb Hi-Fi Clyde's on Main St - The Fix'ins at 9 PM

10-Feb Walker Theatre  Memorial Auditorium - Dwight Yoakam at 8 PM

10-Feb Walker Theatre - Steep Canyon Rangers at 8 PM

10-Feb Cherry Street Tavern - Hot Line TNT - 9 PM SOLD OUT

10-Feb Barrelhouse - Boot Scootin' Boogie Nights at 9M

10-Feb Wanderlinger Brewing - Prophet DJ - All About Love at 9 PM

10-Feb The Comedy Catch Night #2 w/ John Hastings at 7:30 & 9:45 PM

10-Feb Farm To Fork - Sexy Beast at 8:30 PM

10-Feb The Diving Mouse - Up The Dose at 9 PM

10-Feb The Signal - The Emo Night Tour at 8 PM

10-Feb Puckett's on Market - Ram -O- Ram Club at 8 PM

10-Feb Whiskey Cowgirl - Mary Kate Farmer at 10 PM

10-Feb Gate 11 Distillery - Distillery Divas at

10-Feb Honey Seed - Jay Dee at 5 PM

10-Feb Memorial Auditorium - Dwight Yoakam at 8 PM

11-Feb Cherry Street Tavern - Electric Jazz at 9 PM

11-Feb Wanderlinger Brunch with Gino Fanelli at Noon.

12-Feb Farm To Fork - Galentines Day ?? 6 PM

12-Feb Barrelhouse Ballroom - Hits 96 Galentines Day with KNOX / Lilac Line at 7 PM

12-Feb Gate 11 Distillery - Robin Baker Blues Jam at 8 PM

13-Feb Farm To Fork - Open Mic w/ Courtney & Ivan at 7 PM

13-Feb Tremont Tavern - Open Mic with Mike McDade at 8 PM

13-Feb Parkway Pourhouse - Smokin' Weir-dgrass at the Mardi Party at 5:30 PM

13-Feb Wanderlinger Brewing - Mardi Gras at 6 PM

14-Feb Barking Legs Theater - Valentine's Special with David Walters & Rishard 7:30 PM

14-Feb The Comedy Catch w/ MUTZIE at 8 PM

15-Feb The FEED co.

Table & Tavern w/ Jordan Hallquist at 7 PM15-Feb The Diving Mouse (Cleveland) MC DiFro Open Mic/Stage at 8 PM15-Feb Barrel House Ballroom Randall King w/ Kylie Frey at 8 PM15-Feb The Dark Roast - Goth Night W/ General Trust and Pippi Maraschino at 9 PM
Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp on Thursday announced the county is rescinding the request to rezone parcels of land at McDonald Farm in Sale Creek.Hamilton County planning officials moved to rezone hundreds of acres in November to provide maximum flexibility for Hamilton County Parks and Recreation and for potential industrial development. After thorough analysis and valuable input from Sale Creek residents, the county will pull the request and evaluate alternative options, it was stated.After conversations with Commissioner Gene-O Shipley and residents in the north end of the county, we believe its in the best interest of Hamilton County to delay this rezoning request and to consider alternative proposals to ensure that Hamilton County government is aligned with its citizens, said Mayor Wamp.We intend to utilize the farm to its highest and best use while preserving its rich history, but this important process need not be rushed.Officials said, "The request will be delayed for 90 days as county officials and consultants explore additional zoning options that fulfill the county and communitys shared desire for additional recreational space, as well as prepare the site for industrial possibilities in the years ahead. The county is also awaiting results from a study commissioned by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency (RPA) about potential uses for the site.The original proposal included a request for 871 acres to be rezoned as M-1, which was proposed for maximum flexibility with the land and to position the site for state investment. The county and RPA, with input from key community stakeholders, anticipate presenting a revised request with a more detailed plan."I have asked Mayor Wamp to delay this request as the community begins to learn about the limitless possibilities at McDonald Farm, said Commissioner Shipley, who represents Sale Creek. We need to be intentional with our next steps and respect the citizens who have helped shape this community for generations to make it a desirable place to live, work, and raise a family."Hamilton County was recently awarded $3 million from the state of Tennessee to be used for essential water infrastructure at McDonald Farm. This request will not impact that commitment," officials said.
IRONMAN has announced the results of its 2023 Athletes Choice Awards, releasing the Top 5 scoring events globally in a variety of categories based solely on post-event athlete surveys from all of its 2023 IRONMAN races.

Out of 40-plus IRONMAN series events that took place across the world in 2023, IRONMAN Chattanooga, part of the VinFast IRONMAN North America Series receives global accolades, ranking 2nd Best Overall Race, 2nd Most Recommended Race, 2nd Overall Swim Course, and 3rd Overall Bike Course in the North America Region. It also ranked 2nd Overall Swim Course, 5th Overall Race, and 5th Most Recommended Race Globally among the other IRONMAN triathlons. Results for the 2023 Global Athletes Choice Awards were gathered from post event surveys sent to all athletes who completed an IRONMAN triathlon across the globe.

IRONMAN Chattanooga, part of the VinFast IRONMAN North America Series takes athletes on an award-winning, fast 2.4-mile point swim down the Tennessee River. The unique, legendary 116-mile bike course crosses into North Georgia offers incredible views of Lookout Mountain and historic Chickamauga. Athletes will have the chance to see the Scenic City as they complete two loops on their 26.2-mile run course through downtown Chattanooga, The Tennessee Riverwalk, Veterans Bridge, North Shore, Walnut Street Bridge, and the beautiful Riverfront Parkway. The final stretch will bring athletes down Riverfront Parkway towards a spectacular finish at Rosss Landing along the Tennessee River.

Additional details regarding the 2023 Athletes Choice Awards and IRONMAN Chattanooga, part of the VinFast IRONMAN North America Series:

For every IRONMAN race, event surveys were sent post event to all athletes who completed the race. Based on the cumulative results, the Top 5 events globally were ranked, as well as separate rankings for the top 3, regionally.

Survey questions asked were on a five-point satisfaction scale. Most Recommended Race, Overall Swim Experience, Overall Bike Experience, Overall Run Experience, and Overall Satisfaction.

The Awards serve to recognize exceptional event aspects within an already curated series of events, helping triathletes to select their future race destinations using peer-based recommendations or fan-favorites.



The 10th Year of IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon, part of the VinFast IRONMAN North America Series will take place on Sept. 29. Visit www.ironman.com/im-chattanooga for more information.

To view the full list of global and regional 2023 Athletes Choice Award results, please visit www.ironman.com/global-athletes-choice.

For more information on the IRONMAN brand and global event series, visit www.ironman.com.
Prince Harry visited King Charles at Clarence House in London, England, on Feb. 6, 2024, before departing for the U.S. a day later.

Prince Harrys return to the U.K. to see King Charles III in the wake of the monarchs cancer diagnosis couldve very nearly caused a problem. According to a royal commentator, the Duke of Sussex risked igniting worry among the public with his visit.

Harry saw his father after arriving in England on Feb. 6

It seems Harry, 39, didnt waste any time after Buckingham Palace announced King Charless cancer diagnosis on Feb. 5, 2024. In the hours following the palaces statement, he left Montecito, California, where he and Meghan Markle live with their two children, Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 2, and boarded a flight for London, England.

Harry reportedly touched down in London the following afternoon, on Feb. 6, 2024, where he went directly from Heathrow Airport to see King Charles.

Cameras spotted Harry arriving at Clarence House, the king and Queen Camillas longtime London residence, shortly before 3 p.m. local time. He left approximately an hour later after spending whats believed to have been 45 minutes with his father.

As for what happened later in the day, Harrys reported to have spent the night in a luxury hotel because he doesnt have a U.K. home. He and Meghans former U.K. residence, Frogmore Cottage, hasnt been theirs since the summer of 2023, when the last of their belongings were removed.

On Feb. 7, 2024, Harry headed back to Heathrow Airport, meaning he spent less than 24 hours in the U.K. before boarding a return flight (via Express).

A long visit wouldve made people start to worry about the seriousness of the kings cancer

According to royal expert Pauline Maclaran, chances werent high Harry would hang around in the U.K. for very long. The reason, she shared with Express US, was two-fold.

Firstly, Harry will want to get back to his family, she told the outlet after Harrys arrival. But also, were he to make this a longer visit, people would start to worry about the seriousness of King Charless diagnosis.

So, the longer the visit, the more serious the kings condition would appear. Thats something the palace wouldnt want. Especially after announcing the 75-year-old would continue with his usual work, i.e., government paperwork, apart from public appearances during treatment.

Prince Harrys short visit to see King Charles suggests it wasnt successful

Spending less than 24 hours in the U.K. wasnt encouraging amid speculation the father and son may soon reconcile.

That tells me this was not a successful visit in terms of being able to spend more time with his father, royal expert Marlene Koenig said.

Additionally, the Duke of Sussex has a big event on his calendar coming up soon. He and the Duchess of Sussex are expected in Canada to mark the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.

One Year to Go events are scheduled throughout the week of Feb. 12-16, 2024, in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada.
According to one royal commentator, Prince William's Instagram post was an insult directed at Prince Harry. The brothers reportedly have not met during Harry's U.K. visit.

Prince William appears to have taken a naughty swipe at Prince Harry on Instagram on the heels of his brothers U.K. visit. The princes camp shared a photograph of the royal family member with Tom Cruise, a member of an exclusive club Harry was inducted into just weeks prior.

Royal commentator Daniela Elser of News.com.au called a new Instagram post by Prince Williams team naughty. She believes it was a swipe at his brother, Prince Harry. He made a 24-hour turnaround trip to the U.K. to visit their father, King Charles.

His Kensington Palace social media accounts wasted no time throwing up posts to toot about the meeting. A meeting that came on the same day his brother Prince Harry had also been in town, Elser wrote.

The post continued, Subtext: With Harry still somewhere over the Atlantic and regretting having ordered the fish, here was Team William busy demonstrating that the Prince of Wales could make time for one anointed Living Legend of Aviation but not the most recent addition to this august list, i.e. Hazza.

Prince Harry was honored as a Living Legend of Aviation at the organizations 2024 awards. However, Tom Cruise was a no-show at that event despite being inducted in 2010.

Would Prince William have met Prince Harry during his brief U.K. trip?

Prince Harry was barely in the United Kingdom for 24 hours, and Prince William was already scheduled to attend a charity event. However, sources close to the duke told The Mirrors Russell Myers, The Dukes primary reason to travel to the UK is to visit his father. If the opportunity arose to see the Prince of Wales, then the Duke would have gladly accepted it.

A source continued, The princes main focus is for his wife, who is recovering from surgery. And his three children, and now his father. There are no plans for Harrys visit to act as a vehicle for reconciliation.

Prince William said in his speech the past 2 weeks of his life have had a medical focus

In a speech delivered to attendees of the London Air Ambulance fundraiser, Prince William began by sharing his thanks for the well-wishes for his wife, Kate Middleton, and father, King Charles. He then made a remark that revealed just how difficult the past several weeks have been within the royal family.

Thank you for the kind messages of support for Catherine and my father, especially in recent days. It means a great deal to us all, William began.

Its fair to say that the past couple of weeks have had a medical focus. So I thought Id come to an air ambulance function to escape it all, the Prince of Wales joked.

William then shared his thanks for the work that the London Air Ambulance does for the community. As a former pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance, I know just how vital the work of air ambulance teams across the country is. The truly lifesaving difference it makes to deliver urgent medical care wherever injury strikes.

Prince William has returned to public duties after his wife Kate Middletons abdominal surgery. Prince Harry spent 24 hours in the U.K. before heading home to California, where he lives with wife Meghan.
The Beatles didn't like that their fans screamed throughout their concerts. When they had a quiet audience, though, they weren't happy either.

During The Beatles touring years, they rarely could hear how they sounded live. The band played to large audiences who screamed all the way through their shows; they could hardly even hear their own instruments, let alone their bandmates. They often complained about this, but when they finally played a show to a quiet audience, they didnt like what they heard.

The Beatles did not like what they heard while playing a live show

In 1966, The Beatles traveled to Japan on their tour. They had recently received death threats, which the Japanese police took very seriously. They confined the band to their hotel and closely monitored the audience at the concerts.

There were 3,000 police for 10,000 fans, road manager Neil Aspinall said in The Beatles Anthology. The police were all over the place, keeping them under control.

The show was far quieter than what the band had experienced before.

Peeping from behind the stage to watch the place fill up, we saw police walk in from either side and fill the whole of the front row, upstairs and downstairs. After them, the crowd was allowed to come in, Paul McCartney said. They were very well behaved compared to what wed seen of Western crowds, but they seemed to enjoy it.

The Beatles | Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Because the audience was not screaming the entire show, the band could actually hear themselves play. They didnt like what they heard.

For the first time in a long while the audience could hear, Aspinall said. There was no loud screaming, which came as a surprise: the band suddenly realized they were out of tune and they had to get their act together. The second show was pretty good  they had got it together by then  but the first one, in the afternoon, was a bit of a shock.

The Beatles thought not being able to hear themselves live made them worse performers

The Beatles out-of-tune playing proved correct something they had feared about their live performances: touring was making them worse. Ringo Starr believed their touring schedule was harming their talent.

It was wrecking our playing, he said, per The Beatles: The Authorized Biography by Hunter Davies. The noise of the people just drowned anything. Eventually I just used to play the off beat, instead of a constant beat. I couldnt hear myself half the time, even on the amps, with all the noise.

He explained that because they knew nobody could hear them, they sometimes could even pretend to sing.

No one eventually enjoyed touring, Starr said. You cant really. Once youve got to manufacture it, it doesnt work. Youve got to give to receive. Some nights wed feel it had been terrible. We didnt give anything. That was when we decided we should give it up, before others started disliking it as well.

The band stopped touring in 1966

By 1966, The Beatles decided theyd had enough of touring. They played the last show of their touring career at San Franciscos Candlestick Park. According to George Harrison, who had grown particularly weary of live shows, the concert came as a relief.

There was a certain amount of relief after that Candlestick Park concert, he told Rolling Stone. Before one of the last numbers, we actually set up this camera  I think it had a fisheye, a very wide-angle lens. We set it up on the amplifier, and Ringo came off the drums, and we stood with our backs to the audience and posed for a photograph, because we knew that was the last show.
We often only realize that we are living through historic events by looking back on them.

Consider the Moravians. In 1727, this group of Christians fleeing persecution in the modern-day Czech Republic began a 24-7 prayer vigil. They couldnt foresee that their non-stop prayer session would ultimately last for 100 years and launch a global missions movement.

Or take the example of John Wesley and George Whitefield. In 1738, in a New Years prayer meeting, where the men and others were gathered, at about three in the morning, as we were continuing instant in prayer, the power of God came mightily upon us, insomuch that many cried out for exceeding joy later wrote Wesley in his diary. The preachers likely had little idea that in the ensuing months, they would start traveling across the UK teaching the word of God, a campaign that would mark the beginning of the Wesleyan revival and the First Great Awakening in the US.

Church history has taught us to never underestimate the long-term impact when Gods tangible presence comes upon a group of people; this understanding has led me to closely track the aftermath of the 2023 outpouring at Asbury University.

For those who need a refresher: One year ago this week, as a seemingly ordinary Wednesday morning chapel ended, 18 or 19 students lingered to worship and pray. Though the school in rural Kentucky has a history of revivals, few likely believed that this meeting would continue for the following 16 days, drawing over 60,000 people, including students from 300 university campuses and Christians from almost every continent.

While we have yet to see a global revival since Asburys concluded, there is more going on than our eyes can see. I believe that we have entered a season of spiritual preparation. Ive observed parallels between this event and a biblical preacher who also hailed from the countryside and who also drew a crowd: John the Baptist.

Prophesied by Isaiah as the voice of one calling in the wilderness (John 1:23; Is. 40:3), John called the people to repentance and consecration. He was the embodiment of answered prayer and devoted his ministry to proclaiming that something greater would soon be following him. Seeing evidence of these elements all around the world provokes me to wonder what next global move Asbury might have heralded.

A call to repentance and consecration

From the wilderness, John the Baptist earned his nickname by preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4). Crowds followed him into the desert to confess their sins, get baptized, and reconcile themselves to God.

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In a similar way, crowds entering Hughes Auditorium were confronted with the state of their own hearts. Here is how David Thomas, who was in the core leadership team stewarding the outpouring, described it to me in an email interview:

For the first few days of the Outpouring, it seemed that repentance and forgiveness were almost all we could do. All over the room, people were making their way to another, tumbling over one another to make the first move of offering apologies, owning mistakes, forgiving grievances, and explaining misunderstandings. The front steps of Hughes were populated by people on their phones sending texts of reconciliation and restoration.

Thomass remarks were echoed by one of the transatlantic visitors. Al Gordon, a London pastor, reported feeling a weight in the air even in the parking lot.

I was met with an overwhelming sense that I have to get right with Jesus, he recounted. Before I stepped into the chapel, I was crying out in repentance, confessing my pride, humbling myself before God.

Asbury students led the way in modeling this wave of repentance. From the stage, hundreds shared their testimonies. Their stories would vary from simple things like, I sensed Jesus inviting me to text a friend asking forgiveness for something in our relationship that was not quite right, to dramatic transformations such as, Three days ago I renounced witchcraft and gave my life to Jesus.

Student leaders would also not allow anyone to lead worship who was not authentically right with Jesus, said Thomas. Instead of offering them and the guest speakers who came a standard green room, they created a consecration room where they were asked to receive prayer and ask for Gods forgiveness for any sins, prior to sharing anything from the platform.

A call to prayer

John the Baptist was born out of prayer, specifically those of his elderly parents. When the angel appeared to his father, Zechariah, his first words were, Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard (Luke 1:13).

In the same way, there was an unwavering conviction among the Asbury leadership that everything that happened in Hughes Auditorium those 16 days was the fruit of prayer, said Thomas. When people entered the space in small-town Kentucky from other cities or continents, he would thank them for coming. But they would correct him. Dont thank me. I had to come. I had to get here and put my eyes on what I have been praying for all these years!

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People from all over had been praying, and this story was theirs, Thomas shared.

The prayer temperature globally has increased significantly this last year. The Asbury outpouring released fresh hunger and fresh hope in the life of Pete Greig, the founder of 24-7 Prayer, as well as among the ministry itself, which has 25,000 prayer rooms in 78 nations.

Theres a rise in prayer, Grieg said. Theres a deeper expectancy.

In New York City, Church of the City is organizing prayer events every morning, afternoon, and evening, Monday through Friday. Its pastor, Jon Tyson, visited the outpouring himself and was deeply impacted by it.

It was extraordinary, he said. Having studied revivals extensively, I witnessed what I only had read about.

This hunger for awakening has also been felt across the ocean. Three London churches have organized all-night prayer evenings held every other month, where around 1,000 students and young adults have shown up and called out to God for revival. The atmosphere is so dense with the presence of God, you could light the air with a match, said Al Gordon, one of their pastors. Another pastor, Pete Hughes, remarked, And weve committed to keep going until we see an awakening in our city.

A similar longing is seen on other continents. Here in Australia, Asbury has caught many peoples attention, said Mark Sayers, a writer and the pastor of Red Church in Melbourne. As a response to Asbury, the congregation opened a prayer room.

After several months, one evening the room filled with the most tangible sense of Gods presence, he said. No one wanted to leave. Quiet, peaceful, unlike anything I have experienced in a prayer meeting or service. That moment radically changed a number of people who were there and significantly deepened our churchs spiritual life.

Pointing to something bigger yet to come

John the Baptist was always clear that his role was to point to the one coming after him: He must become greater; I must become less (John 3:30). He was also keenly aware that his ministry was a preparation for a movement that would follow.

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In the same way, Asbury kept Jesus at the forefront with a countercultural message of no celebrity except Jesus.

Asbury leadership hopes that their experience will one day be part of a plethora of chapters about how many met God.

We look forward to a day soon when there will be another outpouring story that will eclipse this one at Asbury, said Thomas. I hope that story will come from where you areyour city, your campus, your church and family, your own life.

The leadership pointed to Asbury as being the opposite of Las Vegas. The saying goes that what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. But what happens at Asbury should not stay in Asbury. Instead, they called for the revival to go across campuses, churches, streets, and society.

If it doesnt get to the streets, if it doesnt get to the nations, it didnt get where it was meant to be, stated Thomas.

From Asbury to the world

The crowds who visited John the Baptist in the wilderness foreshadowed multitudes listening to Jesus in Galilee and the church taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. Only a year has passed since Asbury, but already Christians across the globe, particularly university students, are hungry to learn from those central to Asburys outpouring.

At the most recent Passion Conference, which drew 55,000 young people earlier this year, Louie Giglio shared openly about the impact of Asbury in his life, and the conference had various times of lingering in worship, with students spontaneously singing the chorus of Agnus Dei a cappella for more than 15 minutes. After Zach Meerkreebs, the preacher at that first Wednesday Asbury chapel service, shared about the outpouring from the stage, students gathered in small groups asking God for an awakening on their own campuses.

A similar longing can be seen across the pond in Europe. At the most recent Revive Europe conference, which gathers about 3,000 university students from 87 nations across the continent, students spontaneously sang a cappella the same chorus of Agnus Dei for 40 minutes. Revive Europe has also been hosting the Asbury leaders in their gatherings to learn from them and to stir faith in what God can do.

At Arise Asia, a conference which brought together 1,700 students from nearly every Asian country, Asbury Theological Seminarys president Timothy Tennent shared a message, which included extended times of worship and prayer for revival. When the Lausanne Movement convenes 5,000 leaders of the global church in Seoul for its 50th anniversary in September, Tennent will also teach about the role of the Holy Spirit in the mission of the church.

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The hunger in this generation is palpable. Jennie Allen, the founder of the IF:Gathering, who herself was deeply impacted by Asbury, says, I could weep right now for an hour about what God is doing in and with Gen Z.

Allen goes on to share that she had been preaching at Auburn University on a Tuesday night some months ago. At the end, one girl wanted to be baptized. I said, Would anybody else like to be baptized? We baptized over 200 students! It was crazy! We finally had to stop at midnight.

No more business as usual

It is easier to recognize the beginnings of a movement of God when we are centuries removed. But what if we are in the midst of a new beginning? If God sends a global revival in our generation, surely you and I dont want to miss it.

This is not a time for business as usual. It is an invitation to wherever God placed us, to prepare the way for the King. It is a call for repentance and to get straight with God in our personal lives, our ministries, and our vocations. How are we preparing the way in the places where God has placed us? How are our university campuses, local churches, and mission organizations preparing the way? For those of us in the marketplace and businesses, what are we doing to be sensitive to a work of God?

God is closer than we think and more ready to move than our faith would often allow for, wrote Gordon, the London pastor who attended the outpouring. The ceiling is thinner than our eyes can see, and at some point its going to break open.

One year has passed. And it is only just beginning. Will the global church be ready to make way for the King?

Sarah Breuel is the executive director of Revive Europe and serves on the board of directors of the Lausanne Movement.

[ This article is also available in Indonesian. ]
It would be natural to assume that Brian Zahnd, most recently the author of The Wood Between the Worlds: A Poetic Theology of the Cross, is a megachurch pastor. After all, hes published half a dozen popular books and has a large following online.

But the gigantic parking lot of Zahnds church in Missouri was desolate when journalist Tim Alberta visited while researching his own recent book. There must have been spaces for 800 vehicles, Alberta observed, but maybe a tenth were occupied.

The short explanation for the decimation of Zahnds congregation, as Alberta tells it, is faithfulness. Years into his pastoral career, leading what was then a megachurch, Zahnd felt God calling him into a deeper and more demanding Christian life. He dove into theological study, especially of early church fathers like Irenaeus and Augustine, and emerged with a changed faithnot backsliding, he told Alberta, but front-sliding, becoming more committed to Jesus than [hed] ever been.

That included a newfound commitment to Christian nonviolence and a rejection of politicized Christianity, which in Zahnds contexta red state during George W. Bushs first presidential term, with the Iraq War under active debate and a re-election campaign in full swingmeant the near-complete integration of many evangelicals Republican and American identities with their faith. God raised up Jesus, not America, Zahnd recalled telling his congregation. They got it. And they left.

Two decades later, the Zahnd of The Wood Between the Worlds is no less dogged in his sheer enthusiasm for Jesus. Even his punctuation is excited about Christ. (This is what God is like! one section header trumpets.) And the subtitle is apt, insofar as this is the most cross-centered book Ive read in yearsa worthwhile meditation on theodicy, atonement, and the shape of a cruciform life. But Zahnds poetic mode of theology leads to occasional imprecision and, as a result, some questionable theological moves.

Followers of a suffering God

Early in the book, Zahnd writes, The most emotive and persuasive argument against Judeo-Christian faith is not an argument against the existence of God, but an argument against the goodness of God. He bolsters his case with accountsinspired by true storiesof the torture and murder of small children in Fyodor Dostoevskys The Brothers Karamazov.

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Its a sickeningly effective illustration, but perhaps unnecessary in an era when news of evils across the world is broadcast so constantly and rapidly. Footage of disastrous earthquakes reaches us in real time; terrorists livestream their abductions and rapes; any casual scroll through Facebook is likely to turn up an online alms collection for a toddler with cancer.

Such horrors tend to result less in a confident atheism than in a weary, vaguely spiritual preoccupation with injustice and a decided lack of interest in any God who tolerates it. And much of what is trotted out as biblical theodicy, Zahnd argues, is nothing of the sort. The Psalms regret the suffering of innocents but dont really explain it. The Book of Job models trust in God in our most vulnerable ignorance, but it too leaves the central question of evil unanswered.

So where, asks Zahnd, is God in unspeakable human suffering? He is there too, the book concludes, in the solidarity of the Cross. The only theodicy I know is that God too has hung, suffered, and died, he writes. When we see Christ in agony upon the cross, we see a suffering God who refuses to allow his beloved creatures to suffer alone. This same God is not dead but alive, not defeated but victorious, and he will one day bring justice and restoration to all things (Acts 3:21).

This is not only theodicy for the 21st century, of course. It is also theology proper. It tells us, as that enthusiastic section header puts it, what God is like! And Zahnds engagement with atonement theories has a similar end. How we explain the Cross is of utmost importance, he correctly observes, because the Crucifixion is the pinnacle of divine self-disclosure (Col. 1:1520), and our understanding of God necessarily shapes our understanding of what God wants of us.

Zahnd doesnt advocate any single theory of the Cross, though he favors Rene Girards scapegoat theory and the ancient family of metaphors (ransom, recapitulation, redemption, etc.) we collect as the Christus Victor model. For Anselms satisfaction theory and John Calvins penal substitution model, Zahnd issues a fierce critique, arguing that they present a sub-Christian, paganized soteriology that import[s] an unspeakable violence into the Trinity. (Ill return momentarily to the farthest point Zahnd reaches in repudiation of these theories.)

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Atonement models that emphasize how Christ suffers and dies for his enemies rather than killing them (Rom. 5:10) are foundational to Zahnds understanding of what it means to live as a follower of Christ. Readers who disagree with him on atonement may at this point expect Zahnd to be some sort of theological liberal: soft on sin, perhaps, or inclined to teach exclusively from the red letters that land comfortably with modern social justice types.

A fair reading doesnt permit that conclusion. On the contrary, he rebukes liberal theology [that tries] to separate the teaching ministry of Jesus from his suffering and death, making the Cross nothing but a tragic catastrophe and Jesus merely an unfortunate victim of the machinations of bad religion and cruel empire.

Zahnd vehemently rejects bad religion and cruel empire, to be sure. (He has ties to the neo-Anabaptist movement.) But he does so quoting theologian Sren Kierkegaards bracing insight that Christs life is a demand. He does so calling Christians to a cruciform life that renounces war, idolatry, and fornicationto a life of following Jesus even if it gets us killed or empties our gigantic church parking lots.

Poetry or precision?

Not all theological language is the same, Zahnd writes in a short prelude:

Though in modernity we have a penchant for technical prose when engaging in theological conversation, earlier agesand the Bible itselfhave a fondness for the less precise but also less limiting language of poetry. Theopoetics is, in part, an attempt to speak of the divine in more poetic language. It is an attempt to rise above the dull and prosaic world of matter-of-fact dogma that tends to shut down further conversation. If in this book I occasionally veer away from prose to employ slightly more poetic language in how I see the cross, this should not be regarded as fanciful, but as the best recourse I could find to describe the truth I believe the Spirit is helping me to see.

Two notes are necessary here. First, in this sense, Im very modern. I like the straightforward arguments of the Epistles. I value the precision of prose. But I dont want to render a theological verdict on what may mostly be a difference of personality, so let me disclose this bias.

Second, most of The Wood Between the Worlds is prose. Zahnd talks of theopoetics and quotes some hymns and poems, but its only in a final, unnumbered chapter that he fully shifts into a theopoetic mode himself. In the prose that makes up the bulk of the book, Zahnd is extremely precise when he wants to be (on points like the divinity of Christ, the necessity of the Cross, and the reality of the Resurrection). And there are points where hes deliberately more freewheeling, hoping to provoke thought, raise questions, and leave readers with a spiritually productive lack of resolution.

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But there are also points where Zahnds chosen style raises questions that feel less productivemore in need of a concrete answer. Two in particular stood out.

First was his repeated description of the story of Cain and Abel as a founding moment. Pilate couldnt understand Christs kingdom, Zahnd says, because it is not of this world, which is the one founded by Cain through the slaughter of brother called other and enemy (emphasis mine). Similar constructions pop up several times. Because Cain was the founder of the first city, Zahnd contends, his founding murder of Abel was the cornerstone of human civilization.

As someone who basically shares Zahnds convictions about nonviolence (which he graciously explained in an interview for my first book in 2018), Im sympathetic to what hes attempting here. But the New Testament doesnt use the story of Cain this way; it is content to cite the Fall as a sufficient narrative explanation for evil in our world, violence included.

There may well be a persuasive case for interpreting the Cain story this way. Zahnd is almost certainly drawing on Augustine, who describes Cain-as-murderer as the founder of the earthly city. The idea of Cains murder as an original violence is echoed by Thomas Hobbes, Girard, and modern scholarship, and Zanhd is likely influenced at least by Girard. But he doesnt share any of that background with readers, foregoing an explanation for why violence is a special sin with its own Fall.

The second case, where Augustine cant be marshaled in defense, is more likely to get Zahnd in hot water. In his critique of the satisfaction and penal substitution theories of the Atonement, his main objection is the role he sees these views assigning to God the Father. Christus Victor makes the Devil the obstacle to reconciliation between God and people; to choose one metaphor, it is the Devil who demands a ransom for humanitys freedom (Heb. 2:1415, 9:15). But these later theories swap things around, portraying the Father as the one demanding satisfaction or punishment before reconciliation may occur. In Zahnds view, this suggests a God who inflicts pain and suffering upon the Son.

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Pushing back on this notion, Zahnd approvingly quotes a Russian Orthodox theologian, Sergius Bulgakov, who wrote that in the human crucifixion of the Son and the divine co-crucifixion of the Father, love itself is co-crucified. Two pages later, Zahnd himself acknowledges that to speak of the entire Holy Trinity as co-crucified with the Son is daring language, to be sure, but it is far more theologically sound than doing violence to the Trinity by positing the Son as an object of the Fathers wrath.

Once again, I am sympathetic to Zahnds aims here. I too prefer the Christus Victor model, and on similar grounds. But the concept of co-crucifixion of the whole Trinity is not simply daring. It at least approaches the ancient Trinitarian heresy of patripassianism (which says God the Father suffered on the cross) and associated heresies like modalism (which describes the three members of the Trinity as different revelations, or modes, of a single person).

To be clear: I dont think Zahnd is a modalist, and I doubt he could be fairly labeled a patripassian. But slightly more precise and, yes, prosaic language could have made the same points about the Trinitys loving unity of purpose in the project of redemption without introducing the same uncertainty about the Trinitys nature.

That imprecision is the matter of a few pages, and the great bulk of The Wood Between the Worlds rests on surer ground. Zahnd writes as a Christian who has long resolved to know nothing  except Jesus Christ and him crucified (1 Cor. 2:2), and he has ably invited his readers to do the same.

Bonnie Kristian is the editorial director of ideas and books at Christianity Today.
On todays episode Heather gets to sit down with author, speaker, and activist Ally Henny to discuss Allys latest book, I Wont Shut Up: Finding Your Voice When the World Tries to Silence You. Citing studies and anecdotal experience, Ally explains that in our society Black women are often made to feel like their very existence is too loud. Ally then walks us through some of the societal ways in which women are silenced, invites us to think critically about the presentations of women in Scripture, and challenges us to find our voice when the world tries to squelch it.

This episode is Part 2 of our three-part Listening to Black Creators series and speaking candidly to the Viral Jesus community in our Social Toolkit segment, Heather discusses the obstacles and injustices facing many Black creators on digital canvases such as TikTok and YouTube. From being cheated out of proper credit for their ideas to pay discrepancies in the field, Black creators are routinely dealing with the same systemic inequities that exist offline in their social networks. Heather challenges us to be mindful of erasure.

Guest Bio

Ally Henny is a writer, speaker, advocate-minister, and vice president of The Witness: A Black Christian Collective, an organization committed to encouraging, engaging, and empowering Black Christians toward liberation from racism. She completed her MDiv from Fuller Seminary with an emphasis in race, cultural identity, and reconciliation, and she hopes to lead a church someday. Ally has been leading conversations about race on her social media and blog, The Armchair Commentary, since 2014, and her posts reach millions each month. She is a proud Chicago Southsider.

Also Mentioned in This Episode

Heres some backstory on how the Black teen creator of the Renegade dance was denied proper credit for her IP.

The Renegade dance scandal was first exposed by journalist Taylor Lorenz, who specializes in the digital culture and social media beats. She appeared on Viral Jesus last fall.

Check out Part 1 of the Listening to Black Creators series for Heathers conversation with K.A. Ellis.

Host Bio

Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of eight books, including Ill See You Tomorrow and Its Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on X, the app formerly known as Twitter, at @HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday. Get Heathers weekly inspirational email delivered to your inbox every Friday night at 7 p.m. EST. Sign up now at: www.heatherthompsonday.com/links.

Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today

Host and creator: Heather Thompson Day

Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath

Producer: Loren Joseph

Mix Engineer: Alex Carter

Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper
Home News 14-year-old Christian teen killed by Muslim gunmen in Pakistan

LAHORE, Pakistan  Muslim gunmen shouting threats against Christians shot a 14-year-old Christian dead on Monday in Pakistan, sources said.

Sunil Masih and other Christians were standing in a market in the Mandiala Warraich area of Gujranwala District, Punjab Province, on Monday evening when six Muslim men armed with pistols arrived on motorcycles and opened fire on them, said the slain boys uncle, Mehboob Gill.

We were talking to each other when suddenly Zaman Butt and his accomplices Anas Yaseen, Adil Abdul Rehman, Ashraf Inayat Ullah and two unidentified men came there on motorcycles, Gill said. Adil shouted that no Christian in the area should be left alive, after which Zaman opened fire on Sunil with his pistol, hitting him in the chest.

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Yaseen shot at another Christian boy, identified only as Jamshed, with the bullet only grazing him, Gill said.

The other assailants also opened fire on us with their weapons, but we managed to save ourselves by taking cover of a wall, Gill stated in the First Information Report (FIR No. 226/24) registered with the Gujranwala Cantt Police Station.

The gunmen fled the scene while hurling threats at the Christians and so far have not been arrested.

We rushed Sunil to a local hospital, but he succumbed to his bullet wound before doctors could begin their treatment, Gill said, adding that his nephew was an eighth-grade student whose father, George Masih, works at a local car shop.

The Rev. Numan Matto of the Gondalanwala Presbyterian Church in Gujranwala said the murder was religiously motivated.

In May 2023, some Muslim youths disrupted a marriage ceremony of Christians and also attacked a church, Matto told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. However, police and the district administration did not take any action against the influential accused, despite several protests by the Christian community.

Between 400 to 450 Christians have lived in the area peaceably for decades, but recently the environment has turned hostile toward religious minorities, he said.

If the police had taken stern action against the accused involved in the attack on the church last year, our young child would not have died at the hands of these criminals, Matto said.

Fearing more attacks, he urged senior police and district administration officials to ensure the protection of the areas Christians.

Sunils murderers are at large, and the audacity of their attack shows that they will not hesitate to strike again, he said. The police will be responsible for any more loss of life of Christians if they do not take adequate security measures.

The killing of Sunil was the second deadly attack in Punjab Province in three months.

On Nov. 9, a 20-year-old Christian medical technician student, Farhan Ul Qamar, was shot to death by a Muslim in his house in Talwandi Inayat Khan village, Pasrur tehsil of Sialkot District, Punjab Province, in the presence of family members.

The slain Christians father, Noor Ul Qamar, said the killer, Muhammad Zubair, showed hatred for Christians and Jews, mistakenly referring to the family as Jews as he ranted at them.

Zubair held the family hostage at gunpoint for nearly 40 minutes, refusing to let them go near their fatally injured son, Ul Qamar said.

My son was struggling for his life, bleeding profusely from the bullet wounds, but his murderer, Muhammad Zubair, did not allow us to even give him some water, let alone comfort him, Ul Qamar said at the time. He repeatedly called us Jews as he cursed and waved his weapon at us. We all watched helplessly, pleading with him to leave, but he wouldnt go.

Farhan Ul Qamar was the youngest of four children. Zubair was arrested hours later from his house, where he was sleeping peacefully.

Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, as it was the previous year.
Home News Eastview Christian Church names former staffer Brandon Grant as new pastor

Eleven months after the resignation of their longtime senior pastor Mike Baker over a sexual misconduct scandal involving his son, Caleb Baker, Eastview Christian Church in Illinois announced that they have hired Pastor Brandon Grant, a former staff member, to replace him.

Grant, who once led Eastview Christian Churchs ministry for college students and young adults, called Fuel, left the megachurch 11 years ago to plant Rise City Church in San Diego, California.

The church revealed in a recent video announcement posted on YouTube that Grant was selected from a field of 40 candidates. He will be joined by his wife, Jamie, and their four children, Elyse, 13, Shepherd, 11, Hope, 9, and Connor, 7.

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We are so excited and humbled to be able to be named the next lead pastor of Eastview Christian Church, said Grant in the announcement explaining thats where he met his wife.

Brandon opened the door for me the very first time I went to Fuel, which is the college ministry that he ended up leading for six years after we got married, Jamie Grant explained.

The couple explained that in their time at Rise City Church, which has more than 1,200 members, they helped plant 13 other churches thanks to the generosity of their members.

The people of Rise City are so generous we've been able to give millions of dollars away to different ministry endeavors and so it is bittersweet to say goodbye. But it's also so exciting for what's to come and moving back now from the West to the Midwest here to be the lead pastor of Eastview, Grant said. And we're really excited about that.

Jamie Grant explained that even though their time at Rise City was a sweet season, she and her husband are excited to return to the megachurch because we believe that God is doing some really sweet things here and we're excited to be a part of them.

It really is an honor and Eastview has been so much a part of our story and it's so many parts of so many stories of thousands of people for decades of ministry, said Grant.

To join in that is incredible but to be a part of the next chapter being written, we believe that God has just some incredible things that He wants to do in and through Eastview to draw us closer to His heartbeat, to draw us closer to one another in relationship and then, to just express our gifts and talents and things that God has given us to do in ministry in this community and beyond, he added. We believe that the best is yet to come both at Rise City as well as at Eastview Christian Church and so we cannot wait to be here.

Rise City announced in an update that Grant will step down as their lead pastor effective March 31.

Last June, independent investigators for Eastview Christian Church concluded that former Senior Pastor Mike Baker likely used his position in the church to cover up his son, then-pastor Caleb, allegedly using his position in the church to "persuade women to engage in sexual activity."

The conclusions were made public in an 11-page report produced by attorneys from the law firm Wagenmaker & Oberly about three months after being hired by the church to investigate Caleb Baker's alleged sexual misconduct, the alleged cover-up and the impact of power dynamics upon staff and the congregation from Mike Baker and Eastview's upper-level leadership.

The investigators were also asked to assess Eastview's policies and make recommendations to provide guidance on improvements moving forward.

"While he worked for Eastview, leadership seemed largely unaware that Caleb used his position, role, or influence as a pastor to persuade women to engage in sexual activity. However, the individuals we were able to interview that had had sexual experiences with Caleb shared credibly that he did so," the investigators state.

The allegations that Mike Baker covered up his son's sexual misconduct erupted in February 2023 after Central Christian Church in Arizona announced Caleb Baker's firing after he was caught in an extramarital affair with another church staffer.

Six months after he resigned as senior pastor of Eastview Christian Church, Pastor Mike Baker launched the Song & Sword Church after his online ministry and began meeting at The Chateau Hotel and Conference Center in Bloomington on Sept. 10, 2023.
Home News EU lawmakers urge sanctions, travel ban against Tucker Carlson over Putin interview EU spokesperson claims 'no discussions' to ban Tucker

Some current and former members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are calling for conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson to be slapped with sanctions for having interviewed Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week.

Why I'm interviewing Vladimir Putin. pic.twitter.com/hqvXUZqvHX  Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) February 6, 2024

Peter Stano, who serves as EU Commission spokesperson for foreign affairs, pushed back Thursday against reports that the EU was considering sanctions against the former Fox News host, according to Politico.

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"Currently there are no discussions in the relevant EU bodies linked to [Carlson]," Stano told reporters, but added that the bloc can sanction "propagandists" with a "track record" of "[undermining] the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and to promote the illegal and brutal aggression by Putin.

The story emerged after Guy Verhofstadt and other current or former MEPs told Newsweek that Carlson should face a travel ban to EU countries for being the first Western journalist to interview Putin since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Verhofstadt, a former Belgian prime minister who has represented the country in the parliament since 2009, was himself banned from entering Russia in 2015, according to media reports.

In 2018, Verhofstadt condemned what he described as a "circle of evil around our continent" emanating from then-President Donald Trump, Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Verhofstadt brought up Trump again in his recent comments to Newsweek, alleging to the outlet that Carlson is a "mouthpiece" for both Trump and Putin.

"As Putin is a war criminal and the EU sanctions all who assist him in that effort, it seems logical that the External Action Service examine his case as well," he said.

The External Action Service (EAS) is the diplomatic arm of the EU, and serves as its combined foreign and defense ministry. If the EAS finds sufficient reason to issue sanctions against an individual, it presents the case to European national leaders on the European Council for approval.

Urmas Paet, an MEP from Estonia, also expressed support for banning Carlson from the EU, claiming to Newsweek that "Carlson wants to give a platform to someone accused of crimes of genocide."

"If Putin has something to say he needs to say it in front of the ICC," Paet said. "At the same time Carlson is not being a real journalist since he has clearly expressed his sympathy for the Russian regime and Putin and has constantly disparaged Ukraine, the victim of Russian aggression."

"So, for such propaganda for a criminal regime, you can end up on the list of sanctions. This concerns primarily a travel ban to E.U. countries," Paet added.

Like Verhofstadt, Paet has also been publicly critical of Trump, claiming in 2018 that he was "breaking apart cooperation in the democratic world," according to Agency France-Presse.

Former Spanish MEP Luis Garicano claimed Carlson is "no longer a newsman, but a propagandist for the most heinous regime on European soil and the one which is most dangerous to our peace and security."

Polish MEP Witold Waszczykowski, by contrast, urged Verhofstadt and the others to focus less on an American journalist and more on politicians in the EU who continue to engage with Putin.

"Here in the EU, we have top politicians [such] as [French President Emmanuel] Macron and [German Chancellor Olaf] Scholz who keep talking with Putin," Waszczykowski told Newsweek. "I would like rather Mr. Verhofstadt to take care of those European politicians who keep searching for how to appease Russia instead of helping Ukraine to win the war."

Carlson confirmed Tuesday in an announcement on X that he had traveled to Moscow for an interview with Putin, which is slated to premiere on the platform Thursday at 6 p.m. EST.

"Most Americans have no idea why Putin invaded Ukraine or what his goals are now," Carlson said in his announcement.

"We are not here because we love Vladimir Putin," he also said. "We are not encouraging you to agree with what Putin may say in this interview, but we are urging you to watch it. You should know as much as you can."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Newsweek that they had granted an interview to Carlson because his "position is different from the others.

"It is in no way pro-Russian, it is not pro-Ukrainian, it is pro-American, but at least it contrasts with the position of the traditional Anglo-Saxon media," Peskov said.

In 2021, Carlson said on his Fox News show that a whistleblower in Washington, D.C., had informed him that the National Security Agency (NSA) had been spying on his texts regarding a planned trip to Russia, which he claimed the NSA had planned to leak to media outlets in an attempt to have his show taken off the air.

The NSA publicly denied Carlson's allegation, though Carlson maintained on the Full Send Podcast in March 2023 that the NSA had admitted to Congress that they had been spying on his encrypted messages on Signal.

"Congress asked NSA, and NSA was like, 'Yes, we did this, but for good reason!' What would be a good reason to read [my texts]? ... Everyone's in on it  Republicans and Democrats are all in on it," he said.

"And by 'it,' I mean the assumption that there's no privacy whatsoever, that they have a right to know everything you're saying. And that's just not a right, as far as I'm concerned. If you have no privacy, you have no freedom."
Home News Minister requests medical examiner hand over bodies of 5 late-term aborted babies for burial

A Presbyterian minister and his wife asked the D.C. Medical Examiner for the bodies of five full-term aborted babies recovered by a progressive pro-life group after the U.S. Department of Justice advised the medical examiner to dispose of the remains.

On behalf of Rev. Patrick and Katie Mahoney, the American Center for Law and Justice sent a letter to Dr. Francisco J. Diaz, chief medical examiner for the District of Columbia, on Tuesday. A copy of the letter was provided to The Christian Post.

In the letter, ACLJ outlines the Mahoneys' request under D.C. Code  3-413 that they be given the rights of next of kin for the five babies currently at the medical examiner's office. Despite the publicity surrounding the 2022 discovery of the remains, the document noted that no one has come forward to claim the babies.

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The story of the discovery made headlines in March 2022 after the pro-life group Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising claimed to recover the bodies alongside 110 other human remains from the Washington Surgi-Clinic.

The group asserted that the five full-term babies may have been aborted in a manner that violated the law, and PAAU made repeated calls for an autopsy of the remains.

The organization was also in the news again last year after its director of activism, Lauren Handy, was found guilty, alongside several other pro-life activists, of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The DOJ charged Handy and the other activists with violating the FACE Act after obstructing access to the Washington Surgi-Clinic in 2020.

The Mahoneys are now requesting that they be allowed to determine what to do with the remains as well as the location of their internment and funeral arrangements. The letter noted that Mahoney, the director of the Christian Defense Coalition, has been an ordained Reformed Presbyterian minister for 47 years. He has also presided over funerals and memorial services.

"Our hearts break as we consider this unspeakable betrayal of human rights and justice through late-term abortion violence against these five innocent children," Mahoney stated. "Our hope would first be these children are not destroyed, but remain as evidence in a potential federal crime of infanticide through partial-birth abortion."

"However, if the Washington, DC Medical Examiner decides to discard these innocent children, we would ask under DC code and law that they would be given to us so we could ensure they receive a proper and dignified burial," the minister continued. "It is critical we honor their lives and embrace the simple truth that all human life has value, purpose, and meaning."

The Department of Justice declined to comment on the situation. The D.C. Medical Examiner did not immediately respond to The Christian Post's request for comment.

As The Daily Signal reported Monday, Martin Cannon, senior counsel at Thomas More Society, confirmed that the medical examiner's office called to inform him that the DOJ had advised them not to continue holding onto the five babies' remains.

Cannon is one of the attorneys representing Handy after the DOJ charged the activist with violating the FACE Act.

"And the medical examiner's office accordingly tells me that if we don't have an order to the contrary, by the end of this week, a court order, they will dispose of the babies."

On Tuesday, PAAU Founder Terrisa Bukovinac shared on X that the group visited Capitol Hill this week to demand "immediate congressional action" regarding the remains. PAAU's requests included a call for Congress to issue letters to the D.C. Medical Examiner and Attorney General Merrick Garland, demanding that the preservation of the five babies' remains.

The group is also calling for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which PAAU hopes will lead to accountability for Washington Surgi-Clinic abortionist Cesare Santangelo.

"Every office visited today had been inundated with calls, texts, and tweets demanding justice for these children," Bukovinac stated. "Members of both the House and the Senate have vowed to take action. Thank you to everyone who's reached out, and keep the calls coming until they do!"
Home News Supreme Court weighs if Colorado can ban Trump from 2024 ballot

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Thursday surrounding the question of whether former President Donald Trump can be legitimately removed from Colorado's election ballot.

The case of Donald Trump v. Norma Anderson et al. centers on whether Colorado has the right to ban Trump from the 2024 ballot based on his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, even though he has not been convicted in court.

In December, the Colorado Supreme Court cited Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits individuals from holding office who had sworn an oath to defend the Constitution who had "engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof."

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Former Texas Solicitor General Jonathan Mitchell argued the case for Trump, telling the justices in his opening remarks that the 14th Amendment doesn't apply to Trump because he was "not an officer of the United States as that term is used throughout the Constitution."

"'Officer of the United States' refers only to appointed officials, and it does not encompass elected individuals, such as the president or members of Congress," argued Mitchell.

"Section 3 cannot be used to exclude a presidential candidate from the ballot even if that candidate is disqualified from serving as president under Section 3, because Congress can lift that disability after the candidate is elected, but before he takes office."

Mitchell cited as authoritative an 1860s case surrounding Caesar Griffin, a man who argued that his murder conviction should be tossed because the judge who oversaw his case was a Confederate who had previously made an oath to support the Constitution as a Virginia state legislator.

Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase ruled that "legislation by Congress is necessary" for the judge to be disqualified under the 14th Amendment, thus preventing the decision from being overturned.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor was critical of Mitchell's argument that there is a difference between an officer and the office of president, saying that it was "a bit of a gerrymandered rule, isn't it? Designed to benefit your client."

Justice Elena Kagan questioned how the reasoning of the amendment could be "that an insurrectionist cannot hold the whole panoply of offices in the United States, but we're perfectly fine with that insurrectionist being president?"

Mitchell refused to label the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot an "insurrection," saying that while the events were "shameful, criminal, violent," they "did not qualify as insurrection, as that term is used in Section 3."

Jason Murray argued on behalf of the Colorado voters wanting Trump removed from the ballot that Trump's actions on Jan. 6, 2021, fit the definition of an insurrection and thus barred him from holding office.

"By engaging in insurrection against the Constitution, President Trump disqualified himself from public office," said Murray. "Section 3 uses deliberately broad language to cover all positions of federal power requiring an oath to the Constitution."

Regarding the attempted distinction between "office under" and "officer of," Murray said the "two phrases are two sides of the same coin, referring to any federal office or to anyone who holds one."

"Under Article 2 and the 10th Amendment, states have the power to ensure that their citizen's electoral votes are not wasted on a candidate who is constitutionally barred from holding office," he continued.

During Murray's arguments, Chief Justice John Roberts and Kagan questioned whether states had the power to enforce the 14th Amendment and if this would interfere with the wishes of other states.

Roberts asked Murray about what would hypothetically stop more conservative states from disqualifying President Joe Biden based on their own interpretations of what constituted insurrection.

"There's a reason [that] has been dormant for 150 years, and it's because we haven't seen anything like Jan. 6 since Reconstruction," Murray replied. "Insurrection against the Constitution is something extraordinary."

"It really requires a concerted group effort to resist through violence, not some ordinary application of state or federal law, but the functions mandated by the Constitution itself."

Colorado Solicitor General Shannon Stevenson represented the state government, arguing that the state was within its rights to exercise authority over whether Trump could be on the ballot.

When Justice Samuel Alito asked Stevenson about the possibility of other states removing candidates their leaders do not like from the ballot, she replied that "we have to have faith in our system."

"That people will follow their election processes appropriately, that they will take realistic views of what insurrection is under the 14th Amendment," Stevenson added. "I don't think that this court should take those threats too seriously."

In December, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that Trump cannot be placed on the ballot for the 2024 presidential election, citing his alleged incitement of the Capitol riot.

"We do not reach these conclusions lightly. We are mindful of the magnitude and weight of the questions now before us," the per curiam opinion read.

"We are likewise mindful of our solemn duty to apply the law, without fear or favor, and without being swayed by public reaction to the decisions that the law mandates we reach."

Colorado Chief Justice Brian Boatwright authored a dissent, arguing in part that the court went beyond its scope when it concluded that Trump had engaged in insurrection.

"Unlike qualifications such as age and place of birth, an application of Section Three requires courts to define complex terms, determine legislative intent from over 150 years ago, and make factual findings foreign to our election code," wrote Boatwright.

"Dismissal is particularly appropriate here because the Electors brought their challenge without a determination from a proceeding (e.g., a prosecution for an insurrection-related offense) with more rigorous procedures to ensure adequate due process."

Trump appealed the decision. Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a miscellaneous order agreeing to hear oral arguments in the litigation.

Trump has had a strong showing in the Republican primary season thus far, winning the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary. Many of his Republican challengers have suspended their campaigns and endorsed him.
Home News Modi has taken 'good steps' to establish India's alliance with US amid rise in persecution: D'Souza

WASHINGTON  A prominent Christian leader in India believes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken "good steps" to establish a strong relationship with the United States, which he views as necessary to address concerns about violations of religious freedom in the country.

Bishop Joseph D'Souza, the president of the All India Christian Council, discussed concerns about religious persecution in his home country in an interview with The Christian Post at the 2024 International Religious Freedom Summit last week.

The missionary and activist weighed in on the performances of both U.S. President Joe Biden and Modi when it comes to responding to the high level of persecution against Christians in his country. Both governments have been accused of overlooking the plight of religious minorities in India as they build an alliance between the world's two largest democracies to stand against the global influence of China.

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"The Biden administration, according to reports and statements made by the Biden administration, I would say has been vocal about the situation in India," he said. "And I think the Biden administration is keenly aware about issues of justice and human rights everywhere. And Secretary of State [Antony] Blinken has openly brought up the issue on the breakdown of religious freedom in India."

D'Souza stressed that "most Indians and most Americans support and want to continue to support a very strong Indian-American relationship and alliance."

"India under Modi has taken good steps in expressing and building [a] strategic alliance with the U.S., including the military alliance," he said.

While insisting that "there is very little in today's world that any foreign state can do in another state," he called on "all people who believe in democracy and basic civil rights to express their concern because India has a major role and has grown into a major role in the world's democratic system."

He said it is "in India's interest that these religious extremists who are defaming India are brought under control and the country has peace."

"The world is following what's going on in India," D'Souza added. "The problem for us is that the kind of freedom and harmony that we have experienced since independence has been systematically eroded."

D'Souza cited "the situation in Manipur" as "the main issue that we are concerned about at this time." The Indian state has been in the midst of a conflict for the past nine months as "the Kuki Christians, who are about 40% of the population there, are under siege," he said.

The religious leader recalled that when the violence began in Manipur, "about 400 churches and Christian institutions were destroyed in the Manipur Valley."

"Tens of thousands of Kuki Christians were displaced and  because the violence has  continued unabated, some of the Kuki groups have resorted to arming themselves and defending themselves, so this has become a hotspot now in Northeast India."

"The local government, which is Hindu-dominated in that state, is falsely accusing the Kuki Christians of being involved in some kind of terrorist activity or working with the king in Myanmar," he explained. "We know that is not true, and there is a breakdown of constitutional machinery there."

D'Souza highlighted the "rise of this violent armed group known as the Harambi Meiteis who now will not even respect the constitutional state machinery that has been established there" as a major concern.

He told CP that the group asked local legislators to vote "on the vision and demands of this violent armed group," which include "the displacement of Kukis."

"Christians across India and the northeast are committed to the integrity and unity of India and are more than willing to make sure that the age-old problems in the northeast of secessionism  do not rise up again," D'Souza insisted.

He characterized the Christian minority groups in India as "very well integrated into India," vowing that "this is the last time that anybody wants division based on ethnicity or religion."

Describing Manipur as a "beautiful state," D'Souza remarked, "the Manipuri people, whether they are Hindus or Muslims or Christians or other tribals, are beautiful people and somehow we wish and pray for peace in that area."

While D'Souza maintained a degree of confidence in the current leadership in India, several other religious freedom activists have warned for years that violence and persecution of Christians have exponentially increased in the decade since Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party rose to power.

Some feel the rise of the BJP, which has close ideological ties to the Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh organization, has emboldened Hindu extremists to persecute religious minorities.

The United Christian Forum has documented a significant rise in attacks against Christians in India since 2014, after the BJP won the national election, noting there were 720 incidents of violence and persecution against Christians in India in 2023.

David Curry, president and CEO of the religious freedom watchdog group Global Christian Relief, criticized Modi in an op-ed for The Christian Post published last year.

"Modi is a supporter of Hindutva, an extreme political ideology that says someone must be Hindu to be truly Indian," he wrote.

"His administration has jailed critics en masse, enforced anti-minority laws, and taken over the courts," Curry asserted. "Modi's extremist allies like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have repeatedly called for the genocide of religious minorities."

"The State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom has accused Modi's government of arbitrary killings, restrictions on freedom of expression, and violent targeting of religious minorities," Curry added.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom criticized the U.S. State Department last month after the agency again failed to place India on its list of countries of particular concern for religious freedom violations.

Countries designated as CPC face the possibility of negative consequences, including potential crippling sanctions.

USCIRF, a bipartisan committee tasked with advising the federal government on religious freedom matters, called for a hearing over the government's failure to designate India and Nigeria.

"In India, in addition to perpetrating egregious religious freedom violations within its borders, the government has increased its transnational repression activities targeting religious minorities abroad and those advocating on their behalf," USCIRF Chair Abraham Cooper and Vice Chair Frederick A. Davie said in a joint statement.

D'Souza also acknowledged that because "the process of justice so slow and it looks like there is inertia," "there's a lot of frustration" as people want "the courts and other judicial authorities to act." He clarified that Christians are not the only minority faith facing "hatred and demonization" in India, asserting that Muslims face religious persecution as well

Although D'Souza spoke favorably of Modi's efforts to buttress a diplomatic relationship with the U.S., he maintained that "the Indian government needs to act quick and fast to ensure "the integrity and unity of India" as well as "the rights of Kukis" and "other tribes in the area."
Home News Israel says over a fifth of Hamas hostages are dead, more than previously thought

Israeli intelligence officers have concluded that more than a fifth of the 136 individuals still held hostage by Hamas in Gaza are dead, according to a confidential assessment which found more captives have been killed than expected.

The Israeli military confirmed the deaths of at least 30 of the more than 130 remaining hostages, according to a copy of the intelligence report reviewed by The New York Times. Meanwhile, unverified intelligence indicates that around 20 other captives may also be dead if unconfirmed reports prove to be true, four officials told the outlet.

The NYT reported Tuesday that the Israeli military said some of the deceased individuals were killed on Oct. 7, the day that Hamas launched its surprise attack against Israel. The assessment didn't state whether hostages were killed by Israeli airstrikes.

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After breaking through the border, Hamas terrorists slaughtered at least 1,200 people, a majority of them civilians, and abducted more than 240 others.

In response, Israel declared itself in a state of war, launching an offensive in Gaza to eradicate Hamas, a terror group that has controlled Gaza since 2007, and secure the release of the hostages. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says at least 27,000 people have died in Gaza since the war began. It is unclear how many of those killed are combatants and civilians.

While Hamas released several hostages during a temporary ceasefire in November, dozens remain in captivity.

Richard Goldberg, a senior advisor at the Washington-based nonpartisan think tank Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told The Christian Post in a statement that he is not surprised by the news.

"Sadly this has been rumored for quite some time and is not unexpected given both injuries sustained on October 7th and previous leaked intelligence showing Hamas murdered hostages while in captivity," he stated. "This should serve as a reminder of the kind of evil Israel is confronting  and reaffirm U.S. support for Israel finishing its military campaign to destroy Hamas."

The Israeli military told the NYT that it is "deploying all available resources to locate and retrieve as much information as possible regarding the hostages currently held by Hamas."

Israel Defense Forces Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said during a press conference that the IDF had notified the families of 31 hostages about the deaths of their loved ones, according to The Times of Israel. The spokesman stated that IDF is "working in all ways to return [the hostages] home, and exhausting all information about them and their conditions."

"The IDF is accompanying the families of the hostages in these complex and difficult days, and our representatives are providing the families with any confirmed information on their loved ones," Hagari stated.

The latest news about the hostages comes as Hamas has proposed a ceasefire agreement that would include three phases for the captives' release, with each stage lasting 45 days. The proposal is a response to Qatari and Egyptian mediators supported by the United States and Israel.

A draft of the proposal seen by Reuters proposes the release of all Israeli women hostages, males under 19 and the elderly and sick during the first phase. The second would include the release of the remaining male hostages, while the third would consist of the exchange of bodies and remains.

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the proposal "delusional," stressing his government's commitment to eradicate Hamas.

"Capitulating to Hamas' delusional demands will not lead to the release of the hostages but only invite another massacre and another catastrophe for Israel," Netanyahu said during a press conference.

Under the agreement, Israel would have to release Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails and withdraw troops from populated areas, according to the draft. In an addendum to the proposal, Hamas demanded the release of 1,500 prisoners from Israeli jails. The second phase would not begin until "indirect talks over the requirements needed to end the mutual military operations and return to complete calm," according to Reuters.

Earlier this week, the prime minister visited the 8104th Battalion of the 179th Brigade at the IDF Armored Corps Memorial, where he stated that "total victory" in the war with Hamas is "essential."

"I told your commanders that several days ago, I received a cap with two words on it: 'Total victory.' This is the essence of our policy  total victory over Hamas," Netanyahu said.

"Total victory is essential because it ensures the security of Israel. Total victory is the only way in which we can ensure additional historic peace agreements, which await," he continued. "Total victory will strike a mortal blow against the axis of evil: Iran, Hezbollah, the Houthis and  of course  Hamas."
Home News Marilyn Mosby found guilty of mortgage fraud charge pastor once claimed was 'demonic attack'

The former State's Attorney for Baltimore, Maryland, who rose to national prominence after she brought charges against police officers accused of killing Freddie Gray after his arrest but who were later acquitted or saw their charges dropped, has been found guilty of mortgage fraud.

Marilyn Mosby, who served as states attorney from 2015 to 2023, was found guilty of one count of mortgage fraud by a jury but was found not guilty by a split decision on a second count of mortgage fraud.

Specifically, the jury found her guilty of making a false mortgage application while serving as states attorney regarding the purchase of a condominium in Long Boat Key, Florida. The other charge was centered on her purchase of a property in Kissimmee, Florida.

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The 44-year-old Mosby had previously been convicted on two counts of perjury last November, with sentencing for her convictions last year yet to be scheduled.

She could face as much as 30 years in prison for the false mortgage conviction and a maximum of five years for each of the two convictions on perjury from last year.

United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron commended the work of federal investigators in a statement released Tuesday in response to the jury's verdict.

We humbly respect the courts considered rulings, opposing counsels zealous advocacy, and the wisdom of both jury verdicts in this case and we remain focused on our mission to uphold the rule of law, stated Barron.

Mosby, who received millions in campaign funding from donor George Soros, served two terms as states attorney, becoming nationally known for her progressive policies, such as refusing to prosecute certain low-level crimes and allowing violent criminals to be released on bail. Her successor has since reversed her policies, reported The Associated Press.

Mosby brought charges against the police officers tied to the 2015 death of African American Freddie Gray, which had occurred while Gray was in custody. However, none of the officers were convicted, with some seeing their charges dropped while others were acquitted on all charges.

In January 2022, Mosby was indicted on fraud and perjury charges related to making false statements on applications for loans, claiming that she had experienced adverse financial consequences due to the COVID-19 pandemic when seeking to do a one-time withdrawal from her retirement account.

Mosby also faced charges for failing to report that she and her then-husband owed the Internal Revenue Service tens of thousands of dollars in taxes when applying for mortgages for properties in Kissimmee and Longboat Key.

Shortly after the indictment, Mosby attended a service at Empowerment Temple, an African Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore, where the Rev. Robert Turner called Mosby a dear servant and a community champion and labeled the indictment a "demonic attack.

We surround her physically now but spiritually forevermore as we intercede on her behalf, Turner prayed over Mosby at the 2022 service.

We plead the blood of Jesus over her life from those that seek to kill her and destroy her and remove her legacy and diminish your glory over her life.
Home News Pope Francis rips those who oppose blessing same-sex couples: hypocrisy

Pope Francis is accusing those opposed to the Vaticans declaration allowing priests to bless same-sex couples of hypocrisy as the Holy See continues to face blowback over that decision.

The pontiff spoke with the Italian weekly magazine Credere for an interview that will be published in the Feb. 8 issue of the periodical. Vatican News reported on some of Francis' remarks in the interview ahead of its publication Wednesday.

The Dec. 18 declaration Fiducia Supplicans, issued by the Vaticans Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, has resulted in a lot of pushback within Catholic circles and Francis addressed it in his interview with Credere. The document permits pastoral blessings of same-sex couples without officially validating their status or changing in any way the Churchs perennial teaching on marriage.

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The pope responded to the most common criticisms of Fiducia Supplicans that it blesses homosexual behavior and homosexual relationships in contradiction to Catholic Church teaching. I do not bless a homosexual marriage; I bless two people who love each other, and I also ask them to pray for me, he said.

Always in confessions, when these situations arrive  homosexual people, remarried people  I always pray and bless, he added. The blessing is not to be denied to anyone. Everyone, everyone. Mind you, I am talking about people: those who are capable of receiving baptism.

After identifying the gravest sins as those that disguise themselves with a more angelic appearance, he lamented that no one is scandalized if I give a blessing to an entrepreneur who perhaps exploits people: and this is a very serious sin. He suggested that on the other hand, people are scandalized if I give it to a homosexual.

This is hypocrisy! he proclaimed. We must all respect each other. Everyone! The heart of the document is welcome.

The interview with Credere constitutes one of several occasions in which the Vatican and/or Pope Francis have defended Fiducia Supplicans either directly or indirectly. In remarks three days after the Vatican published the declaration, Francis advised Vatican officials to remain vigilant against rigid ideological positions that often, under the guise of good intentions, separate us from reality and prevent us from moving forward.

Two weeks after Fiducia Supplicans was published, the Vaticans Prefect for the Doctrine of the Congregation of the Faith Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez issued a statement clarifying that the non-ritualized form of a blessing does not intend to justify anything that is not morally acceptable. He also asserted that the blessing constitutes neither an approval nor a marriage but rather a response of a pastor towards two persons who ask for Gods help.

Speaking at the plenary session for the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith late last month, Francis attempted to assuage concerns about the document by proclaiming these blessings, outside of any liturgical context and form, do not demand moral perfection in order to be received. He also insisted that one does not bless the union, but simply the people who have required it together, summarizing the blessings as designed for Not the union, but the people.

The belief that Fiducia Supplicans runs afoul of Catholic Church teaching has led to calls for the resignation of both Francis and Fernandez. A letter first published last week by Catholic pastors, clergy, scholars, professors and doctors called on Francis to withdraw the document.

While 92 individuals signed the letter at the time of its initial publication, more signatories are expected. Qualified individuals can provide their name, qualifications, position and location to filialappeal@gmail.com by Feb. 15 to ensure placement on an updated list of signatories slated for release on Feb. 17.

Although Fiducia Supplicans has generated backlash from conservative Catholics, others have praised it as a step forward that is in keeping not only with Pope Franciss desire to accompany people pastorally but Jesuss desire to be present to all people who desire grace and support. Meanwhile, pro-life activist and practicing Catholic Lila Rose has pushed back on the idea that Fiducia Supplicans amounts to a new development.

The Pope has not approved blessings for same-sex sexual relationships, she stated in an X post the day after Fiducia Supplicans was published. Lamenting that Those running headlines saying as much are either confused themselves or intentionally misleading others to cause confusion, she noted that blessings have always been freely given to any person  and never to sin.
Home Opinion Rip Curls wipeout shows that fed-up Americans are winning

Its been a week to forget for surf company Rip Curl, the latest brand to risk consumers wrath with a pro-transgender marketing campaign. Their January post urging people to meet waterwoman Sasha Lowerson, a biological man in a bikini, lit a literal fire under fans, who took to the internet to burn everything from surf booties to boards.

Days after deleting the reel, with international outrage at a peak, headquarters decided to do something that Bud Light still hasnt: apologize.

In a revealing move, management issued a mea culpa late Wednesday night, just five days into the dustup. Our recent post has landed us in the divisive space around transgender participation in competitive sport, a spokesman told Shop-Eat-Surf late Wednesday night. We want to promote surfing for everyone in a respectful way, but recognize we upset a lot of people with our post and for that, we are sorry. To clarify, the surfer featured has not replaced anyone on the Rip Curl team and is not a sponsored athlete.

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If Americans want to know whos winning the war with corporate bullies, look no further! A reversal like this is majorly significant  not only because of how intense the backlash was, but how quickly executives responded. If anything, the wave of corporate pushback that was sparked by Bud Light has only intensified over time. In fact, its so powerful that even the media is starting to admit that the grassroots may actually be winning this fight. Big corporates may finally be learning that Go woke, go broke is real, commentator Nicolle Flint pointed out.

 [T]he once iconic Australian surf brand is living proof that women are finally fighting back against companies using transgender women to promote products for women and girls, she wrote. What is most significant about the Rip Curl campaign featuring Sasha Lowerson that was removed from Instagram just five days after being posted, is that this is the first time a major brand has responded to female backlash  Whether the company woke up soon enough to the fact that the backlash from women was serious and potentially financially damaging remains to be seen.

Thats a blow to the companys relatively new CEO, who, pre-Bud Light, told The Sydney Morning Herald when she was hired in 2021 that her goal was to drift left. You still want to be cool enough to recruit that next generation, Brooke Farris said, but I think by approaching it from a place of inclusivity, people will be attracted to that.

Turns out, people were not attracted to that  and willing to sink her brand to prove it.

Meanwhile, Bethany Hamilton, the courageous face of Rip Curl from 1999 to 2023, is surely looking on with satisfaction. A year into her renewed contract with the company, the two sides abruptly parted ways last year, almost certainly because of Hamiltons opposition to the new rules allowing biological men to compete in womens surfing. The devoted Christian and shark-attack survivor, whose comeback story inspired the world, reiterated her stand at the height of the Rip Curl controversy, posting, Male bodied athletes should not be competing in womens sports. Period.

Amazingly, those mainstream views have still made Hamilton a public target. Most recently, a mob of LGBT activists tried  and failed  to have Bethany disinvited from a speaking engagement at a Wisconsin fundraiser for underserved girls. In a three-page missive signed by 200 trans allies, they demand that the Womens Fund of the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation take all possible steps to remove and replace Bethany Hamilton as Power of the Purse keynote speaker lest she creates more discrimination, distrust, division, and harm.

In another sign that activists are fighting a losing battle, the Foundation refused to be intimidated. Leaders released a statement to local outlet WHBY insisting the event will go on as planned.

Over the years, the Womens Fund Power of the Purse event has hosted a wide range of powerful speakers from all backgrounds whose diverse experiences and perspectives have imparted impactful lessons of hope, and perseverance  and Bethany Hamilton is no different. Both a world-renowned athlete and survivor, Ms. Hamilton will share her own story with our community of overcoming obstacles, facing fears and triumphing as an individual. Although her scheduled appearance has been met with some criticism due to her reported personal views on transgender athletes  we still very much believe her inspirational message of determination and resilience can transcend our differences.

For a corporate culture used to flaunting its extremism without consequences, Rip Curls regret proves one thing: there are choppy waters ahead for woke business.

Originally published at The Washington Stand.
Baptists respond to claims about Clapham attacker's conversion

Baptists Together has refused to confirm whether the conversion claim of Clapham attacker, Abdul Ezedi, was endorsed by a Baptist priest.

The suggestion was made in a Daily Mail report quoting a government source as saying that the priest's testimony was crucial in the decision of an immigration tribunal to grant Ezedi asylum after having been twice refused.

Ezedi is the sole suspect in last week's acid attack on a woman and two children in the Clapham area of south London and has been on the run since.

Baptists Together said it could not comment on claims that Ezedi converted in a Baptist church because of the ongoing police investigation but said that its churches would continue to "welcome the stranger".

"We are fully aware of the questions being asked of our churches surrounding Abdul Shokoor Ezedi and broader queries around supporting asylum seekers," it said.

"One of the most consistent and explicit teachings in the Bible is to 'welcome the stranger'. In recognition of this, Baptist churches around the UK and across the world have always, and will always, adopt a posture of welcome and compassion to those fleeing war, persecution, famine and the consequences of climate change, irrespective of any intention to convert to Christianity."

The denomination went on to say that "due care" is taken with all expressions of interest in becoming Christian.

The statement added: "Whenever anyone, asylum seeker or otherwise, explores Christian faith in a Baptist church, due care will be taken to ensure those wanting to profess Christian faith understand the deep commitment they are making and specifically the need to turn away from wrongdoing and seek to follow Christ in his ways of love," the spokesperson said.

"Welcoming those in need, having ears to hear their stories of the past, extending an invitation to journey alongside them into their future, and sharing the Christian faith to all who are interested in hearing it, are central practices to the identity of the Christian church.

"We will continue to offer support to our local churches through our regional associations and are praying for all those affected by the terrible events in Clapham."
Pope Francis accuses critics of same-sex blessings of 'hypocrisy'

(CP) Pope Francis is accusing those opposed to the Vatican's declaration allowing priests to bless same-sex couples of hypocrisy as the Holy See continues to face blowback over that decision.

The pontiff spoke with the Italian weekly magazine Credere for an interview that will be published in the Feb. 8 issue of the periodical. Vatican News reported on some of Francis' remarks in the interview ahead of its publication Wednesday.

The Dec. 18 declaration "Fiducia Supplicans," issued by the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, has resulted in a lot of pushback within Catholic circles and Francis addressed it in his interview with Credere. The document permits pastoral blessings of "same-sex couples without officially validating their status or changing in any way the Church's perennial teaching on marriage."

The pope responded to the most common criticisms of Fiducia Supplicans that it blesses homosexual behavior and homosexual relationships in contradiction to Catholic Church teaching. "I do not bless a 'homosexual marriage'; I bless two people who love each other, and I also ask them to pray for me," he said.

"Always in confessions, when these situations arrive  homosexual people, remarried people  I always pray and bless," he added. "The blessing is not to be denied to anyone. Everyone, everyone. Mind you, I am talking about people: those who are capable of receiving baptism."

After identifying "the gravest sins" as "those that disguise themselves with a more 'angelic' appearance," he lamented that "no one is scandalized if I give a blessing to an entrepreneur who perhaps exploits people: and this is a very serious sin." He suggested that on the other hand, people "are scandalized if I give it to a homosexual."

"This is hypocrisy!" he proclaimed. "We must all respect each other. Everyone! The heart of the document is welcome."

The interview with Credere constitutes one of several occasions in which the Vatican and/or Pope Francis have defended Fiducia Supplicans either directly or indirectly. In remarks three days after the Vatican published the declaration, Francis advised Vatican officials to "remain vigilant against rigid ideological positions that often, under the guise of good intentions, separate us from reality and prevent us from moving forward."

Two weeks after Fiducia Supplicans was published, the Vatican's Prefect for the Doctrine of the Congregation of the Faith Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez issued a statement clarifying that the "non-ritualized" form of a blessing "does not intend to justify anything that is not morally acceptable." He also asserted that the blessing constitutes neither an "approval" nor a marriage but rather "a response of a pastor towards two persons who ask for God's help."

Speaking at the plenary session for the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith late last month, Francis attempted to assuage concerns about the document by proclaiming "these blessings, outside of any liturgical context and form, do not demand moral perfection in order to be received." He also insisted that "one does not bless the union, but simply the people who have required it together," summarizing the blessings as designed for "Not the union, but the people."

The belief that Fiducia Supplicans runs afoul of Catholic Church teaching has led to calls for the resignation of both Francis and Fernandez. A letter first published last week by Catholic pastors, clergy, scholars, professors and doctors called on Francis to withdraw the document.

While 92 individuals signed the letter at the time of its initial publication, more signatories are expected. "Qualified individuals" can provide their "name, qualifications, position and location" to filialappeal@gmail.com by Feb. 15 to ensure placement on an updated list of signatories slated for release on Feb. 17.

Although Fiducia Supplicans has generated backlash from conservative Catholics, others have praised it as a "step forward" that is "in keeping not only with Pope Francis's desire to accompany people pastorally but Jesus's desire to be present to all people who desire grace and support." Meanwhile, pro-life activist and practicing Catholic Lila Rose has pushed back on the idea that "Fiducia Supplicans" amounts to a new development.

"The Pope has not approved blessings for same-sex sexual relationships," she stated in an X post the day after Fiducia Supplicans was published. Lamenting that "Those running headlines saying as much are either confused themselves or intentionally misleading others to cause confusion," she noted that "blessings have always been freely given to any person  and never to sin."

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Spreading the Gospel or facilitating hatred?

You can imagine some of the discussion on boats carrying illegal migrants over the Channel, can't you? "Look, my friend, things are tightening up over there, but if we go along to the nearest church once we've landed and 'convert' to Christianity, we'll have a much better chance of getting asylum!" Certainly, with reports that 40 of the 300 residents currently aboard the Bibby Stockholm now apparently seeking baptism, one has an unwelcome suspicion that this is exactly the type of conversation that has been taking place

And yes, I know this may sound overly cynical, but we perhaps do well to remember that 'taqiyya' or dissimulation to advance the cause of Islam, and/or to achieve one's own ends, is actively encouraged in Sharia law (see, for example, Surah 3:28, "Let believers not take for friends and allies infidels instead of believers. Whoever does this shall have no relationship left with Allah  unless you but guard yourselves against them, taking precautions.").

At the same time, genuine conversion from Islam is condemned as apostasy and in some places carries the death penalty  as we see all too frequently still carried out in Muslim countries today. Which means that no Muslim will renounce his or her faith lightly. But illegal migrants know that conversion, carrying with it the threat of dire retribution, will immeasurably help with the asylum application and, if Allah approves, well then ....

To our shame, many human rights activists, desperate to preserve the fantasy that so-called Western liberal democracy is humanity's supreme achievement, with which all must agree once they experience it for themselves, collude with this deceit. How could anyone not want to convert, they say! But this is not good enough, and as Christians we have a duty to uphold the truth. Yes, we are called to make disciples of all nations, but at the same time we are called to exercise discernment and caution, and we must defend our faith against covert attack. As exhorted in 1 John 4, we must not 'believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God...'

In the latest horrific case of the acid attack in Clapham, allegedly carried out by Abdul Ezedi, it's reported that Ezedi, a convicted sex offender here in the UK, was granted asylum only after purportedly converting to Christianity. Two prior appeals, we hear, had already failed, and the immigration tribunal judge on the last occasion was apparently persuaded only by the testimony of a local priest, who testified that Ezedi was 'wholly committed' to his new faith, and vouched 100 per cent for his conversion.

Yet friends of Ezedi, back in Newcastle, apparently described him as 'a good Muslim', who bought Halal meat and avoided alcohol, and intended at some point to return 'home' to find a suitable wife. One might justifiably feel a little confused here. Asylum, after all, is the granting of refuge to someone who cannot safely remain to their own country for fear of persecution, torture and death. Yet if the reports are true, Ezedi appears to have had no such fears, because on the testimony of his friends, he was intending to go back 'home' and find himself a wife, and then bring her back with him to enjoy life in the UK.

This, I fear, is the reality of many asylum claims today, that they are indeed bogus and are being deliberately bolstered by fake claims of conversion to Christianity. And I fear that many of those applying for asylum are really 'economic migrants' simply looking for a better life.

Certainly some are hostile to our values, and their aim is nothing less than to take over, replacing Western democracy with their own belief system, and ultimately imposing absolute control. The rise in anti-Semitism is indeed both testimony and warning of this, and must be resisted.

The conversion of a few migrants will doubtless be genuine and, where that is the case, such converts must be protected. But there must be evidence that they fully embrace Christian belief and practice, and we must not be gulled by those of dishonest or malign intent, whose goal is to abuse or destroy.

In the last sixty or so years, the face of society has changed radically  indeed, the world order has changed radically  and the perhaps unpalatable truth is that our culture, founded as it is upon Christian tradition and belief, is now under major attack. Which, increasingly, we seem unable to resist. We have been complacent, but let us not now be stupid.

Suella Braverman has accused churches of 'facilitating industrial-scale bogus asylum claims by their spurious claims to be converting migrants'. There has been pushback against this claim by the Church but I feel that, alas, she is right - and the problem runs deeper. Over the last century, the UK Church has abandoned its call to uphold Christian truth and defend the flock, preferring instead a half-baked mantra of multicultural, multifaith diversity, that, in the current climate, won't cause offence. This must change. The Church must recover its voice, and we must once again act to protect our borders and way of life.

Despite ideological pressure, the UK remains a Christian country. Our established Church remains the Church of England, and our traditions and laws are all founded on Christian belief. For our nation now to have any hope of preserving the values we hold dear, that faith must once again become reality, and we must have the courage to stand up for it. The Church must be faithful to its call and shine light into the darkness. It must uphold truth, and defend the people of God.

Rev Lynda Rose is founder of Voice for Justice UK, a group which works to uphold the moral values of the Bible in society.
'We are seeing genuine conversions,' says church leader

Contrary to suggestions in the media, the leader of a UK evangelical church network has said there has not been any "significant influx" of asylum seekers turning to the Christian faith.

The question of conversion claims by asylum seekers has come to the fore after last week's acid attack in Clapham. The suspect, Abdul Ezedi, was granted asylum after claiming to have converted to Christianity.

The attack led to Suella Braverman writing in The Telegraph that during her time as home secretary she "became aware of churches around the country facilitating industrial-scale bogus asylum claims".

The Church has been forced to respond to accusations from politicians that it is helping asylum seekers game the asylum system with fake conversion claims.

Affinity leader, Graham Nicholls, writing in a blog for the church network's website, admitted it was a "challenging area" and said it was important for church leaders to be discerning and act with "integrity and wisdom".

While there have been instances of some people "faking it", other experiences of conversion among foreigners have been "genuine", he insisted.

"Churches do not run the asylum system and it is not for us to decide whether it is right for any individual to stay here. Our duty as church leaders is to address this matter with both compassion and a commitment to truth, guided by the principles embodied by Christ," he said.

"Contrary to claims of widespread abuse, our personal experiences with asylum seekers seeking refuge in Christianity have not revealed a significant influx.

"However, I do know of situations where there have been conversions from people coming from other countries with sincere spiritual hunger who are now living well as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ."

Nicholls said it was important for church leaders to demonstrate "sympathy rather than cynicism" towards people coming to them for help, and that they should "extend compassion" to anyone showing a "sincere" interest in the Christian faith, especially those for whom such an interest puts them in danger.

He admitted there was a need for "heightened vigilance" and that church leaders should look out for "red flags", but he insisted this was true for all people showing an interest in the Christian faith.

"Yet  just as we should for anyone saying they are Christians  we recognise the importance of discernment. It is our duty to test the authenticity of individuals' beliefs and observe how they live out their new faith. Sadly, in some cases, we may have decided that for whatever reason they are 'faking it'," he said.

"In certain contexts, we acknowledge the need for heightened vigilance, recognising potential 'red flags' that may suggest insincerity.

"We love heartfelt conversions to Christ from all religions and none, and we are dedicated to providing a welcoming environment for those genuinely at risk in their home countries. However, we are also committed to acting with integrity and wisdom. Pray for all Christian leaders as they navigate this challenging area."
For 15 years, Stack Overflow has enabled developers and technologists to build and innovate faster. Blending a historic technical knowledge base of more than 59+ million questions and answers with a global platform to connect with and learn from peers and experts, Stack Overflow is the workspace developers and technologists use to stay at the cutting edge.

Lets be clear, if coding was easy, the world wouldnt need senior developers or Stack Overflow.

And like senior developers, the Stack Overflow knowledge base and community provides real-time, accurate, and sourced solutions to technical challenges. As technology evolves, individuals and the community collaborate to keep pace.

No doubt, AI was the cutting-edge technology in 2023 that everyone was trying to keep pace with. People across industries envisioned AI as being the fuel for thousands of hours of time saved, replacing jobs to reduce costs, and unlocking innovation at a scale we have never before seen. AI is like the discovery of fireits a great tool if you know how to use it, but if you dont use it responsibly (or use a model built responsibly), it will burn you.

As a company, Stack Overflows products are built for the developer and for enterprises, so we understand the needs of developers and the needs of the thousands of enterprises they work for. Developers need tools and resources to produce quality, safe, and secure products, while enterprises need to trust the tools and resources to not introduce risk to their business.

For the last year, Stack Overflow and members of its community have been some of the few voices of balanced reason in the crowded AI space calling for quality sources of information with community attribution at the heart of this accuracy. From the vision of Community + AI to the findings of our annual Developer Survey to the launch of OverflowAI at WeAreDevelopers in Berlin. We continue to stand firm on our non-negotiablesquality and attribution of AI outputs are the only way to ensure accuracy and trust going forward and drive real-time savings for developers.

Stack Overflow, as a company, strongly believes that the community of the worlds most engaged developers and technologists and the answers they share are what will ensure the success of AIs future. We believe AI has evolved from being a tool of developers to being a part of the community itself. AIs are more than the base knowledge or underlying data layer of the LLM or its experience layer. Interacting with AI data or experiences in silos introduces risk and increases inefficiencies because its kept separate. If, instead, individuals interacted with AIs like they were any other community member, transparently collaborating, building, and contributing knowledge, the entire community benefits. It is by combining data, human experience, and community that we are able to support developer needs.

Stack Overflow is now on a journey to create a new era in the practice of AI: the era of social responsibility. As we prioritize the continued growth of Stack Overflow for Teams accelerated by our GenAI offering, OverflowAI, the addition of time-saving new experiences on the Stack Overflow public platform through OverflowAI, and the expansion of our strategic partnershipsit is all through the lenses of developer flexibility, data quality/accuracy, and community attribution.

Looking forward to what were using as our foundation for product development,

Quality, accurate, sourced data will be central to how technology solutions are built. Our goal with the recent introduction of OverflowAI is to ensure developers are not only contributing to the foundation of what GenAI is today, they are also an integral part of building its future.

The global tech community and societal pressures are driving LLM developers to consider their impact on the data sources used to generate answers. We believe LLM developers have an obligation to contribute back to the communities that create the data they leverage.

In 2024, were looking at how we can continue to enable developers and technologists by welcoming AIs into our ecosystem and providing paths for everyone to collaborate with AIs. Our alpha testers are trying out an early experiment, conversational search, and were looking at doing more. AIs will become another member of the communityand the community can decide the quality, accuracy, and value of their contributions.

Our north star is offering a true collaboration between the individual, AIs, and a global communityworking in unison to solve problems, save time/frustration for developers, and speed up innovation responsibly. Now is not the time for moving fast and breaking things because the people left fixing the broken things are the developers.

Through the next year, in addition to the AI focus, well also be focusing on improving how users onboard, engage, and benefit faster, expanding the types of content and experiences we have on our public platform, and multiple quality-of-life improvements for both Stack Overflow and Stack Overflow for Teams.

Keep an eye on Stack Overflow Labs, our hub for innovation and experimentation, for more details as we build out our roadmap and share insights into what is coming next on this new journey.
Microsoft is in talks with Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe (CISPE) to settle the trade bodys complaint about its cloud software licensing practices in the European Union (EU).

Today, CISPE confirms that it has opened discussions with Microsoft aimed at resolving ongoing issues related to unfair software licensing for cloud infrastructure providers and their customers in Europe, the trade body said in a statement, adding that both parties are exploring potential remedies.

The trade body, which consists of 26 small cloud providers in EU member countries and Amazon Web Services, had filed a complaint with the EUs antitrust authority, the European Commission, in November 2022 claiming that Microsofts new cloud software licensing terms published in October that year were bad for the EUs cloud ecosystem.

It is concerned that they favor Microsofts own Azure service, and could adversely affect competition in cloud services including desktop virtualization and application hosting, limiting CIOs options for where they run certain workloads.

Microsoft published the new cloud licensing terms for its software in an effort to avoid another complaint brought on by German software provider NextCloud, Frances OVHcloud, Italian cloud service provider Aruba and a Danish association of cloud service providers.

These companies and the association had alleged to the Commission that some of the companies practices in the EU were anti-competitive in nature.
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A jigsaw puzzle with two pieces that have 'health' and 'safety' written on them By kenary820 / Adobe

There has been growing concern regarding protecting public safety and the prevention of terrorist attacks. This has in part been driven by the Manchester Arena attack in 2017 and subsequent smaller-scale terrorist activity in the UK. In fact, in the last six years there have been 14 individual terror attacks across the UK and the threat landscape is complex and evolving.

Following the death of Martyn Hett in the Manchester Arena attack, his mother Figen Murray kick-started a campaign to urge the government to introduce Martyns Law. The new law will aim to improve the security of British venues and events and keep the public as safe as possible from terrorism. The bill will bring about new requirements which will see organisations needing to take necessary steps to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack and have incident response protocols in place.
Fundraising jobs could be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI), according to the findings of a newly published report.

Artificial intelligence and fundraising ethics , produced by Rogare, explores the ethical issues involved in using the technology in the fundraising profession.

It warns that AI could reduce the fundraising workforce, particularly at smaller organisations which may decide to spend limited fundraising budgets on AI rather than fundraisers.

However, it adds there are potential workforce benefits from the incorporation of AI into fundraising practice.

It says AI may facilitate the production of more fundraising copy more quickly and cheaply, helping charities to become more competitive.

AI could also free up fundraisers to concentrate on building personal relationships with donors, it adds.

But the research warns that an overreliance on AI risks eroding fundraising expertise through deskilling and losing human capital.

AI is going to transform fundraising

The project was led by Cherian Koshy, vice president of software firm iWave. Koshy and the founder of think tank Rogare, Ian MacQuillin, discussed the findings in an exclusive article for Fundraising Magazine published today .

Everyone can agree that AI is going to transform fundraising, they wrote.

This is because every one of our stakeholders, including donors, beneficiaries, and volunteers, will be impacted by AI in many aspects of their personal lives. There will be fundraising before AI, and fundraising after AI. And the two will be quite different.

The research discusses how AI could introduce embedded biases around race, gender, income and more, and propel this through automated work. Therefore, data sources and algorithms should be audited for bias.

It suggests that charities must regulate the technology and clarify where there might be responsibility gapsm such as liability for mistakes.

For example, if an AI chatbot provided inappropriate responses to donors or beneficiaries, the research asks whether the charity using the technology would be held responsible.

In the Fundraising Magazine article, Koshy and MacQuillin answer whether AI be used to solve ethical dilemmas in fundraising.

They wrote AI engines such as ChatGPT are not yet equipped to give sophisticated answers to questions about ethical dilemmas in fundraising, but it may be possible in future to train AI on ethical decision-making rules to tackle ethical dilemmas in fundraising.

At this point, we would strongly caution fundraisers against relying on AI for decision-making and instead use it as part of a larger process of assessment, such as a system to walk the fundraiser through a set of specific questions (an example of this might be the process for deciding whether to accept or refuse potentially problematic donations), the piece reads.

Fundraising Magazine is a practical and inspiring magazine that provides fundraising professionals with the tools to unlock new revenue streams, yield better results from campaigns and boost donor income. Subscribe today to receive 10 issues per year and access to premium fundraising content on civilsociety.co.uk. Find more information here and subscribe today! is a practical and inspiring magazine that provides fundraising professionals with the tools to unlock new revenue streams, yield better results from campaigns and boost donor income. Subscribe today to receive 10 issues per year and access to premium fundraising content on civilsociety.co.uk.
The Charity Commission has emphasised its independence from government in response to a new report, which raises concerns over the appointments of regulatory leaders.

Published today, the Industry and Regulators Committees report says that the appointments of regulatory leaders are sometimes hampered by political interference, undermining the independence of regulators.

It cites the appointments of Tina Stowell as chair of the Charity Commission in 2018 and Orlando Fraser in 2022 despite the relevant select committee not endorsing either candidate.

Stowell was a Conservative peer when controversially appointed to chair the regulator while Fraser previously ran as a Conservative candidate .

In its submission to the Industry and Regulators Committee , the Commission wrote: Independence  not just from government, but from our regulated community and other stakeholders  is one of our core regulatory values.

The committees report says: Many regulators were keen to stress their independence from the government.

In practice, however, the level of independence of the UKs regulators varies, and there are concerns in some quarters at the governments ability to interfere in some of their operations.

Where regulators are insufficiently independent, or perceived as such, it undermines their ability to regulate objectively, free from undue political influence and accountable to the public interest.

This results in a loss of trust on the part of both consumers and regulated entities.

Some regulatory appointments reflect political loyalties

The committee received oral and written evidence from 15 of the UKs regulators, including the Commission.

On the appointment of regulatory leaders, the report says: Were concerned at the perception that the appointment and reappointment of some regulatory leaders reflects their political loyalties more than their suitability for the role.

Similar concerns apply where senior staff or board members havent been reappointed because of differences with the government of the day.

Given these concerns, it would be desirable for select committees to play a greater role in scrutinising public appointments to regulatory positions.

While some regulatory appointments are subject to pre-appointment hearings and scrutiny, this isnt the case for all appointments and varies between regulators.

Its also concerning that the government has taken regulatory appointments forward in cases where the relevant select committee has refused to endorse a candidate.

The report also criticises the delays of appointments to regulators boards, saying that they impact the governance of regulators and make these positions less attractive.

Charity Commission: Independence is among our core regulatory values

A spokesperson for the Charity Commission said in response to the report: We welcomed the opportunity to provide evidence to the committee as part of this inquiry, and will consider the resulting report with interest.

As our submission to the inquiry emphasises, independence  both from government, and the sector we regulate  is among the commissions core regulatory values.

This is central to our ability to regulate in a way that inspires public trust and confidence in the charity sector in England and Wales.

Our independence is reflected in our non-ministerial status, protected by law, and upheld in our relationship with our sponsoring department.

Regulators face resourcing challenge

The report also says that some regulators do not have sufficient resources to carry out their functions in an effective way and urges the government to consider granting them powers to raise revenues.

Unlike some other regulators, the Commission negotiates its annual funding settlement with the Treasury.

The report reads: Some regulators can raise their own revenues through levies and charges. However, others depend on the government for their funding. Those funding decisions inevitably influence regulators ability to carry out their functions independently.

Were concerned that a number of regulators appear not to have sufficient resources to carry out their existing functions effectively, while others have had their responsibilities extended without an increase in resources to match.

Regulators cannot regulate efficiently and effectively without adequate funding, which in turn risks hampering the success of the industries they regulate.

The report adds that several regulators are facing staff shortages due to current funding regimes and payscales and should be allowed greater discretion to move outside of those.

Even where regulators have revenue raising powers, they can still find it challenging to recruit staff with the skills they need because of the higher pay on offer in the private sector, particularly in relation to digital and technological skills.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
Last week, executives from some of the worlds largest social platformsMeta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, as well as TikTok, Snap, Discord, and X, formerly known as Twittertestified at a Senate hearing about childrens safety online. The session featured the sort of grandstanding by senators that often occurs in such hearings, including a bizarre detour into whether Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of TikTok (which is based in China), is a member of the Chinese Communist Party (even though he is from Singapore). One particularly striking moment came after Josh Hawley, the Republican senator from Missouri, asked Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, to apologize to some of the families present at the hearing, including Maurine Molak, whose son David died by suicide at sixteen after he was cyberbullied, and Todd and Mia Minor, whose son Matthew died at twelve after he took part in an online blackout challenge. Zuckerberg complied. No one should have to go through the things that your families have suffered, he said.

Parents in the viewers gallery, including Molak and the Minors, werent just there for an apology from Zuckerberg or the other executives, but to pressure legislators to pass the Kids Online Safety Act, a law that, according to its supporters, could help prevent the kinds of dangers that their children were exposed to. Molak told NBC News that she and other parents are up against a billion-dollar lobby campaign funded by the tech platforms and aimed at blocking the legislation. She added that she and the other parents in attendance are sick and tired of [tech platforms] deploying all of these people to crush the work that were doing.

KOSA was first proposed in 2022 by Richard Blumenthal, the Democratic senator from Connecticut, and Marsha Blackburn, the Republican senator from Tennessee. Blumenthal has said that he was inspired to craft the legislation after Frances Haugena former Facebook staffer turned whistleblower, whose disclosures from inside the company were widely covered by numerous major news outlets in 2021appeared before Congress that year. As part of her testimony, Haugen submitted internal documents that appeared to show that bosses at Meta knew that Facebook and Instagram were harming teenagers, by encouraging emotionally or physically harmful behavior, but had taken little or no action to prevent by way of mitigation. Blumenthal said that KOSA was necessary because Haugen had showed that Facebook knowingly exploited teens using powerful algorithms that amplified their insecurities.

As soon as it was introduced, however, the bill faced significant opposition from a number of digital-rights advocates and child safety organizations, which argued that its approach to protecting children online was both vague and in some ways misdirected. Others said that implementing the bill could do more harm than goodin 2022, more than ninety human rights and LGBTQ advocacy groups signed a letter arguing that it would make kids less safe, and could be weaponized to smother the discussion of contentious social topics. Others still said that the bills tracking protocolsintended to identify children using social mediaamounted to an infringement of privacy, and that its restrictions on certain kinds of speech were in breach of the First Amendment.

Following discussions with KOSAs most virulent critics, Blumenthal and Blackburn introduced a modified version of the bill that removed some of the more contentious requirements. But it has continued to face an uphill battle. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has argued that despite the modifications, KOSA is still troubling, since it would effectively require surveillance of anyone under the age of sixteen, and would put the tools of censorship in the hands of state attorneys general while endangering the rights and safety of young people online. According to the EFF, the bill would hold platforms liable if they do not prevent and mitigate societal ills such as anxiety, depression, bullying, and suicidal behaviorbut deciding which aspect of a service is contributing to these ills would be up to the Federal Trade Commission and attorneys general in each state. The EFF says that this would put the platforms in an impossible situation, lacking clear guidance as to which aspects of their services infringe what demands of the law and thus making them more likely to censor any discussions that could hypothetically get them into trouble.

(Similar criticisms have dogged the UKs new Online Safety Bill, which became law in September. That law forces any large social platform that hosts user-generated content in the UK to remove and prevent illegal material, including posts relating to terrorism and hate crimes as well as any harmful and age-inappropriate content that might be accessed by children. Platforms that dont comply with the law can be fined up to the equivalent of twenty-three million US dollars or 10 percent of their global annual revenue, depending on which figure is higher. The Center for Strategic and International Studies has noted that while childrens-advocacy groups have celebrated the law, civil liberties groups and tech companies have said that its provisions on content moderation will limit freedom of expression, since the severe penalties for noncompliance could cause platforms to err on the side of overmoderating.)

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Back in the US, KOSAs critics have included danah boyd, a researcher with Microsoft (who spells her name without capital letters). Boyd has studied childrens online behavior since the days of MySpace, and wrote in a recent blog post that bills such as KOSA pretend to be focused on helping young people when theyre really anti-tech bills that are using children for political agendas. According to boyd, laws like KOSA will do little to change the fact that suicidal ideation and suicide completion rates among young people are increasing, as are depression and anxiety. Such laws presume that tech is the cause of all young peoples problems, boyd saysand more than that, presume that if tech companies were simply forced to design better, they could fix those problems. For boyd, this attitude constitutes a form of technological solutionism.

Mike Masnick of Techdirt, meanwhile, has pointed out that there isnt even a consensus among experts as to whether being online is harmful to children at all. Last fall, a study by the Pew Research Center found that for a majority of teens, social media was more helpful than harmful, while a report from the American Psychological Association found no causal link between social media and harm. A similar report from the US surgeon general also found no causal link between social media and harms to teens, and an Oxford University study of nearly a million people in more than seventy countries found no evidence that social media leads to psychological harm. A recent report from the Journal of Pediatrics looked at decades of research into young people and mental health. It, too, found no data to support the claim that social media was a part of the problem.

And one of the risks with KOSA, critics say, is that state attorneys general will exploit its vague language around online safety to censor content that they feel is inappropriate for children, including discussions of homosexuality, trans rights, and race. The EFF notes that Blackburn has previously referred to education about racial discrimination as dangerous for kids. (At one point, she suggested that KOSA would help protect minor children from the transgender, though a spokesperson said that her comments were taken out of context.) The conservative Heritage Foundation supports the bill because it believes that censoring LGBTQ content is necessary to protect children. And a number of states have already passed laws limiting public education about the history of race-, gender-, and sexuality-based discrimination. If KOSA passes, the EFF argues, platforms are likely to preemptively block conversations that discuss these topics.

Some social platforms and tech companies have been among KOSAs critics. But on the eve of the Senate hearing last week, Microsoft announced that it supports the proposed legislation. Brad Smith, the companys president and vice-chairman, said that the bill provides a reasonable, impactful approach to address the online safety of children. Masnick argues that Microsofts public support for KOSA is an easy way to cozy up with Congress, and carries little risk because the company doesnt own a social network. Linda Yaccarino, the CEO of X, told the committee that her company is also in favor of the bill, as did Evan Spiegel, the CEO of Snap. Some critics believe that they did so for a similar reasonto curry favor with regulatorsthough unlike Smith, they do, of course, work for social networks. Zuckerberg, for his part, said that he agrees with the basic spirit of the bill, but declined to endorse it.

Ari Cohn of TechFreedom, a nonprofit think tank that focuses on technology issues, has argued that one of the biggest challenges for KOSA is likely to derive from the First Amendment: the law places a duty of care on the platforms to militate against the harmful effects of certain kinds of speech, and yet the overwhelming majority of this speech is constitutionally protected. The courts, Cohn says, have so far refused to impose vague, expansive, and inherently unmeetable duties of care on platforms or other entities that disseminate constitutionally protected expression, because doing so would chill First Amendment activity. That could turn out to be a significant hurdle for KOSAunless, of course, the courts decide that teenagers dont have any First Amendment rights. But this seems unlikely.



Other notable stories:

Phyllis Zorna reporter at the Marion County Record, the Kansas paper that was raided by police last year after Zorn used a state database to access a public record, touching off a national outcryis suing the city of Marion and a clutch of current and former officials, claiming that the raid violated her First and Fourth Amendment rights and affected her physical and mental health. Zorns lawsuit alleges that Gideon Cody, then the police chief, offered Zorn investment to found a competitor to the Record after finding out that the paper was investigating his past, then put Zorn on his enemies list after she laughed at the suggestion. The Kansas City Stars Katie Moore has more.

Last week, WLRN, a public radio station in Miami, abruptly canceled Sundial, a popular show, and laid off the team behind it, including Carlos Frias, the host. Yesterday, Frias filed a federal complainta precursor to a likely lawsuitalleging that he was fired after complaining internally about discrimination at the station. Among other things, Frias alleges that an editor said that Sundial was sounding very Latino and started tracking the ethnicity of the shows guests, while a higher-up said that producers needed to consider listeners cultural comfort zones. Martin Vassolo has more for Axios Miami.

In yesterdays newsletter, we noted that two students at Northwestern University in Illinois were facing charges under an obscure law after producing and distributing a parody cover of the student paper that accused the university of complicity in the genocide of Palestinians. Following protests by student groups and the student papers own editorial board, however, the papers parent company, which had initially taken the matter to the police, backed off; now prosecutors have dropped the charges.

The Posts Ashley Fetters Maloy spoke with five top editors of fashion magazines to find out how the roleonce associated with jet-setting, luxury offices, and other glamorous perkshas changed. Some of these perks still exist, Fetters Maloy writes. But as the magazine industry has entered the leaner, faster-paced internet era, a diverse and dynamic class of millennial women has risen to the top of fashion media.

And Wireds Kate Knibbs spoke with Nebojsa Vujinovic Vujo, a Serbian AI entrepreneur who has built a business snapping up abandoned news outlets and other websites and stuffing them full of algorithmically generated articles. Vujo gets why writers are unhappy that their work has been erased and replaced by clickbait, Knibbs writes, but still argues that his life has been tougher than that of the average American blogger.

ICYMI: Dahlia Lithwick on the Colorado case, the election, and the press

Mathew Ingram is CJRs chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg.
Carole Baskin, who became a pop culture sensation due to Netflixs docuseries Tiger King, has asked the Florida Supreme Court to review an appellate courts ruling that said she isnt protected from a defamation lawsuit brought by a former assistant.

Baskin last week asked the high court to reconsider its earlier denial of her appeal in the defamation case brought by Anne McQueen, a former assistant to her missing husband. A provision of the Florida Constitution and the U.S. Constitution conflicts with the appellate courts ruling, Baskin said in her filing with the Florida Supreme Court.

The lawsuit said that Baskin defamed McQueen by posting video diary entries on YouTube and on a website in 2020, claiming McQueen embezzled money from her and her then-husband, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances more than two decades ago.

Baskin argued that McQueens case was without merit because she was protected by free speech provisions, her entries werent defamatory, and McQueen failed to provide proper notice of her intent to sue as required in lawsuits against publications, broadcasters and other media.

A trial judge ruled in favor of Baskin and dismissed the case, saying that Baskin was a media defendant and that her statements were protected by free speech provisions under state law.

An appellate court reversed parts of that decision, saying it wasnt protected speech and that Baskins postings and video entries fell short of what is considered a media defendant in the way newspapers and broadcasters are protected.

The Tiger King documentary was about Joseph Maldonado-Passage, also known as Joe Exotic, a former Oklahoma zookeeper. He was convicted of trying to hire someone to kill Baskin, who had tried to shut him down, accusing the Oklahoma zoo of abusing animals and selling big cat cubs.

Baskin also was a contestant on the show, Dancing With The Stars in 2020.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
War underwriters have raised the premiums they charge to U.S., British and Israeli firms by as high as 50% for ships transiting the Red Sea and some providers are avoiding such business due to targeting of the vessels by Yemens Houthis, sources said.

Attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthis since November have slowed trade between Asia and Europe and alarmed major powers. The Houthis say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians as Israels war against Hamas militants in Gaza grinds on.

Many companies have opted to re-route ships around southern Africa although some vessels are still sailing via the Red Sea.

Ships with a link to the U.S., Britain or Israel are now paying 25-50% more in war risk premium than other ships to navigate the Red Sea, said David Smith, head of hull and marine liabilities at insurance broker McGill and Partners.

Two insurance industry sources said ships with U.S., UK or Israeli links would be quoted a higher rate, even above 50%.

The ships that have so far had problems, almost all of them have got some element of Israeli or U.S. or UK ownership in there somewhere, said Marcus Baker, global head of marine and cargo with insurance broker Marsh.

Baker said there was exclusionary language being introduced for cover involving UK, U.S. and Israeli interests.

We are seeing this, but its not everywhere because there are certainly markets out there that are not putting that language on.

The two sources said some underwriters were avoiding covering such business for now.

In one of the most serious incidents, a tanker operated by a UK-based company whose cargo was owned by global commodities trader Trafigura was hit by a missile that caused a fire onboard which was put out.

COSTLY

Insurance industry sources said that war risk premiums being quoted for Red Sea voyages had hovered around 1% of the value of a ship in the past 10 days, up from around 0.7% previously with various discounts applied by underwriters.

This translates into hundreds of thousands of dollars of additional costs for a seven-day voyage.

The apparent safe passage offered by Houthis to vessels flagged or owned by Russia, China  including Hong Kong  and Iran is designed to provide a degree of assurance to commercial markets associated with those countries, said Munro Anderson, head of operations at marine war risk and insurance specialist Vessel Protect, part of Pen Underwriting.

Ships are also adding messages to their public ship tracking profiles indicating they have Chinese crew onboard or have no links to UK, U.S. or Israeli companies, shipping data showed.

Israeli container line Zim has said it has been diverting its vessels away from the Red Sea.

British maritime risk advisory and security company Dryad Global has advised its clients to avoid the region until further notice.

I am surprised that U.S. and U.K.-flagged or operated ships are still transiting within the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. They represent the highest risk categories of vessels for the potential of an attack within this region, said Dryad Globals CEO Corey Ranslem.

Ships from Iran, Russia and China are the only flagged and operated vessels that could potentially safely transit through this region. The Iranian-backed Houthis will not attack ships with those flags or associations as both Russia and China are sympathetic to Iran.

There are growing concerns of a spillover which could hit other ships.

The threat level to ships with Israeli, United Kingdom and United States interests remains high, a Feb 5 advisory note issued by major shipping associations said.

However, all owners, operators, and crews should be cognisant their vessel could be misidentified and understand their risk of collateral damage.

(Reporting by Jonathan Saul and Carolyn CohnEditing by Gareth Jones)
A dramatic accident on an Alaska Airlines flight last month was apparently triggered by a door plug that hadnt been properly attached before the plane was delivered by Boeing Co., US investigators said Tuesday.

Four bolts that acted as a fail-safe mechanism to hold a panel in place werent installed on the Boeing 737 Max 9 jet, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board.

The incident has become the biggest crisis for Boeing since its entire fleet of Max jets was grounded worldwide in 2019 following two fatal crashes. Max 9 planes with the same door configuration as the Alaska jet were grounded for weeks until they could be inspected, and regulators are poring over Boeings manufacturing processes and ratcheting up pressure on the companys management.

The evidence from the recovered door and the fuselage indicate that the four bolts were missing, the NTSB report said. The report reaches no conclusions about what caused the Jan. 5 failure, but it is an unusually detailed account of the safety boards initial fact gathering. It contains photos of the panel that later failed that were taken on the Boeing shop floor.

The panel had been worked on during final assembly, but NTSB is still reviewing what was done and why. The safety board can take a year or longer to conclude its formal findings.

The investigation continues to determine what manufacturing documents were used to authorize the opening and closing of the left MED plug during the rivet rework, the report said in reference to the panel that failed.

Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc., Boeings most important supplier, has also been under scrutiny in the wake of the accident.

The incident occurred when a panel that seals an unused door opening on the left side of the Alaska Air Group Inc. jet blew open shortly after take off from Portland, causing it to violently lose pressure and subjecting passengers and flight crew to high winds and noise as it returned for an emergency landing. No serious injuries were reported.

The panel, known as a door plug, is held in place by 12 braces that withstand the massive pressure differential between the cabin and the thin air at altitude. A separate set of four bolts are designed lock it in place. The panel opens by sliding upward and the bolts, which include pins to prevent them from inadvertently loosening, prevent that movement.

Issues with Boeings work on the Max family of aircraft continue to emerge. On Feb. 4, the company disclosed that it had discovered manufacturing flaws with rivet holes in about 50 undelivered 737s. The problem originated with Spirit, a spokesman for that company said.

The problem disclosed Feb. 4 is the latest in a series of glitches originating with Boeings former aerostructures unit. A drilling mishap on an aft pressure bulkhead supplied by Spirit Aero slowed deliveries of the 737 Max last year, the planemakers most important generator of cash flow. A separate issue with tail-fin fittings affected output earlier in 2023.

Boeing will also have to contend with the possibility of labor disruption later this year. Boeings largest union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, will demand a 40% pay raise over three or four years, emboldened by a resurgent US labor movement, a scarcity of qualified aerospace workers and pressure on Boeing to stabilize work in its factories.

The Federal Aviation Administration is also conducting enhanced oversight of Boeing and Spirit. The agency is about halfway through its review and expects to release findings and possible recommendations as soon as this month, Jodi Baker, FAA deputy associate administrator for aviation safety, said Monday.

Top photo: An NTSB Investigator-in-Charge examines the fuselage plug area of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 Boeing 737-9 MAX on January 7, 2024 in Portland, Oregon. Photographer: Handout/Getty Images North America.

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Mojo Nixon, a beloved and off-beat musician, actor and DJ who scored an underground hit with Elvis is Everywhere, died Wednesday at the age of 66 while participating on the Outlaw Country Cruise, reports say.

Nixons death was announced on his Facebook page, saying Mojo has left the building. He had performed Tuesday night on the cruise with his band, The Toad Toadliquors, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Mojo Nixon was full-tilt, wide-open, rock hard, root hog, corner on two wheels + on fire, the post says. Passing after a blazing show, a raging night, closing the bar, taking no prisoners + a good breakfast with bandmates and friends.

A cardiac event on the Outlaw Country Cruise is about right  & thats just how he did it.

Nixon was born Neill Kirby McMillan Jr. on Aug. 2, 1957, in Chapel Hill, N.C. He graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in 1979 before moving to San Diego in 1980.

Vulture reports that he recorded six albums with musician Skid Roper. In 1987, they had their biggest hit with Elvis is Everywhere, which was popular on MTV, Rolling Stone reports. They were known for their satirical songs, including Burn Down the Malls, Jesus at McDonalds, and Debbie Gibson Is Pregnant With My Two-Headed Love Child.

As a solo performer, Nixon released Don Henley Must Die, which was popular on alternative radio. Vulture reports that Henley also was a fan of the song.

We are absolutely devastated, Jeff Cuellar, CEO of Sixthman, which organized the Outlaw Country Cruise, tells Rolling Stone. Our thoughts and hearts are with Mojos family and the Outlaw community.

Nixon appeared in movies and also was a DJ on SiriusXMs Outlaw Country channel, known as The Loon in the Afternoon, Rolling Stone reports. His influence was wide and he was name-dropped in Punk Rock Girl, a hit by the Dead Milkmen.

If we just lost Mojo Nixon then this world could use some fixin, comedian Patton Oswalt said in a post online.

Oh man, this is a bummer, comedian Frank Conniff said in a post online. Mojo Nixon was a regular call-in guest on the @JohnFugelsang radio show when I was there. A fun, entertaining, hilarious blast of subversive energy every time. He will be missed. Rest In peace.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Ten years ago this month, United Airlines shocked the city with this announcement: The carrier was closing its long-time hub at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, slashing flights and destinations.

The immediate aftermath was despair. For decades, Cleveland travelers had enjoyed the benefits of hub status, which provided an outsized number of daily flights and destinations, a boon, especially, to the business community.

But fast forward 10 years, and the result of the closure hasnt been entirely negative.

Fares at Cleveland Hopkins, once among the highest in the nation, have come down dramatically in the past 10 years.

And the number of travelers using the airport currently exceeds the number of passengers during the late hub years.

Despite some positive benefits, many business travelers remain deeply dissatisfied with the options at Hopkins. With fewer nonstop flights and more time-consuming connections, business trips that could previously be done in a day now take two or three.

Closing the hub was very sad and makes living in Northeast Ohio difficult when you travel for work, said frequent flier Richard Catalano. I miss the days of nonstops to many parts of the country. Todays reality is more connections, more hassle, more potential delays.

Catalano, an auto industry consultant, does concede one benefit of the hubs closure: I guess whats better is flying to Florida for $19.

But he adds, Id cheerfully give that up for the hub.

Net benefit or net loss? It probably depends on whats most important to you as a traveler.

Here are numerous ways the hub closure in 2014 has changed air travel to and from Northeast Ohio:

Number of nonstop destinations

In 2013, the year before the hub closed, United operated nonstop flights to 68 cities from Cleveland; today, that number is 14.

Interestingly, some of the routes that United cut from CLE in 2014 are back on the carriers roster  including popular leisure routes to Tampa, Fort Myers and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, plus Phoenix and Las Vegas.

Some notable destinations are still missing, however, including flights to Kansas City, Montreal, Portland, Oregon and Richmond, Virginia.

The beauty of a hub is that it brings demand in from other places, said Brett Snyder, who follows the airline industry at crankyflier.com. There are more destinations and more flights than a city could support on its own.

Overall in Cleveland, the airport offers nonstop flights to 40 nonstop markets in 2024. That compares to 73 in early 2014.

New airlines

United Airlines was by far the most dominant carrier in Cleveland a decade ago, accounting for about 67% of passengers who flew in or out of Hopkins.

Today, the carrier is still the largest airline at Cleveland, serving 2.4 million passengers in 2023, or about 25% of the total.

The cutbacks by United allowed numerous new airlines to enter the market, including Spirit, JetBlue and Alaska, which are all flying to destinations from Cleveland that United previously served.

The expansion of low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines, which had a very small presence in Cleveland before the hub closure, has been the most dramatic.

In 2023, Frontier served 1.7 million passengers at Cleveland Hopkins  the third largest carrier in Cleveland, behind United and American.

Frontier currently flies to 20 destinations from Cleveland  more than any other carrier. The airline has picked up several destinations previously served by United, including San Juan, Puerto Rico, and San Diego, as well as some destinations new to Clevelanders, including Montego Bay, Jamaica, a route that starts next month.

Frontier announced in November that it was establishing a crew base in Cleveland, with more than 400 new jobs, including pilots, flight attendants and aircraft maintenance workers. The crew base, which opens in March, should mean more nonstop flights, as well.

United, despite the hub closure, still maintains a crew base in Cleveland, with hundreds of flight attendants and pilots based in Northeast Ohio.

And despite cutbacks, Cleveland remains one of Uniteds largest non-hub airports, in terms of both passenger numbers and flights.

Cost of flying

These new airlines  particularly the low-cost carriers including Frontier and Spirit  have dramatically driven down airfares in Cleveland.

In 2013, CLE fares were among the highest in the nation. In the third quarter of 2013, for example, only four large-city airports had fares higher than Cleveland  Cincinnati, Newark, Washington Dulles and Houston Bush.

In the third quarter of 2023, fares at Hopkins averaged $335.47, according to U.S. Department of Transportation -- well under the national average of $368. Only 13 large-city airports were cheaper (among them  Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas and New Orleans).

Fares to leisure destinations, in particular, can be quite inexpensive. A quick check of flights to Orlando from Cleveland in early March found fares under $125 roundtrip on three different airlines.

But dont forget: Many of these carriers charge extra for carry-on bags and advanced seat assignments, so the cheap fares arent the whole story.

Passenger numbers

The number of passengers at Cleveland Hopkins dropped dramatically as a result of the hub closure, but the airport didnt take long to recover.

By 2017, the number of travelers at Hopkins exceeded 2013 numbers. In 2023, the airport welcomed 9.9 million passengers, the second most since 2008 and well above the 9.1 million passengers who traveled through Hopkins in the last year of the United hub.

But the mix of passengers today is very different.

In 2013, one-third of all passengers at CLE were connecting  merely passing through the airport en route from Grand Rapids to Fort Myers, for example, or Milwaukee to Richmond.

Today, almost all the passengers are travelers who start or end their trips in Cleveland.

In addition, Cleveland Hopkins has lured many Northeast Ohio travelers who used to drive to the Akron-Canton Airport for lower fares.

In the 10 years since the closing of the hub, the number of travelers using the Akron-Canton Airport has dropped dramatically  from 1.7 million in 2013 to 687,000 in 2023. Many of those travelers now fly from Cleveland Hopkins instead.

Where passengers come from makes a big difference in terms of airport services.

Passengers who live in Northeast Ohio need amenities including more parking, security screening and ticket counters. Connecting passengers dont need any of those things.

The change in passenger mix is one reason why the city is planning a major rebuilding of the aging terminal  with more space for security, customs, baggage drop-off and other features.

Construction on the $3 billion project is expected to break ground in late 2025 or early 2026.

Read more: Cleveland Hopkins hires Texas firm to lead planning for $3 billion airport terminal rebuild

Cleveland Hopkins airport welcomed 9.9 million passengers in 2023, just shy of pre-pandemic volume

Number of flights

The total number of flights at Hopkins has declined dramatically in the past 10 years  but thats not entirely a function of the United cutbacks.

In 2013, there were an average of 227 daily departures, according to Hopkins figures. In 2023, the number of daily departures is about 121. And remember -- thats despite the fact there are more passengers today than a decade ago.

Fewer flights mean travelers have fewer choices when it comes to departure times.

Business travelers, in particular, like added frequency on a route  so if they miss a flight because a meeting runs long, they can catch another flight an hour or two later.

In the years since the hub closure, all airlines  including United  have reduced their use of small, regional airplanes for economic reasons.

So instead of flying an average of 14 daily flights to Chicago, for example, on 50-seat regional planes, United now flies five or daily flights to OHare on much bigger jets.

Other effects: Concourse D and fees

Cleveland Hopkins newest addition, Concourse D, was built in 1999 for Continental Airlines, which merged with United in 2010.

The structure, connected via an underground tunnel to the airports main terminal, has 16 gates and was built to serve smaller, regional jets. It was mothballed in 2014 and has been empty and unused since then.

United continues to pay down debt on the building, which is scheduled to be paid off in 2027.

There are no plans to use Concourse D in the new terminal construction project. Officials have said the building is obsolete and would be too expensive to reconfigure for larger planes. It is slated to be torn down in the coming years.

Meanwhile, the fees that the airport charges airlines to use its space have come down dramatically in the past decade.

All airports charge the airlines to use their facilities. Those charges include landing fees, which are based on weight, rent for ticketing space, gate areas and other factors.

Fees are sometimes reported as a single cost per enplaned passenger, or CPE. Its the total amount of fees charged to an airline divided by the total number of passengers served. Its not the same for every airline, although its reported to the federal government by the airport as an average.

In 2013, the CPE at Hopkins was $14.21, which spiked to $21.25 in 2014 as the number of passengers dropped. In 2022, the most recent year available, the cost per enplanement was $8.76, according to a federal database.

Airport officials are currently in the process of negotiating with the airlines on a new fee structure that will pay for much of the new terminal project.

And just to bring things full circle  that new terminal is needed, in large part, because of the many changes that have occurred at Cleveland Hopkins and in air travel since United closed its hub 10 years ago.
WASHINGTON  The U.S. budget deficit will grow by an estimated $1 trillion over the next 10 years, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projected in a new report Wednesday.

Part of that growth will be driven by unexpectedly high costs related to President Joe Biden's signature policy goal: Reorienting the U.S. economy towards greener energy, the CBO found.

"I came to office determined to ... face the existential threat of climate and still grow, to fundamentally change our economy, and to transition this country to a clean energy future," Biden said last October.

The CBO projections offer a new window into how much Biden's green energy agenda is going to cost the federal government to fully implement over the next decade.

Taken together, CBO estimates that the impact of new emissions standards, clean energy tax credits and falling gas tax revenue as people buy less gas, will add $25 billion to the budget deficit this year. Over a decade, CBO projects they will add $428 billion to the cumulative deficit.

More than half of that, $224 billion, is from "projections of amounts claimed for clean vehicle tax credits and of [lower] revenues from excise taxes on gasoline."

"The costs of energy-related tax provisions are much higher than ... originally projected," said CBO director Philip Swagel at a press event Wednesday. "Those costs reflect new emissions standards, market developments, and actions taken by the administration to implement the tax provisions."

Hours before the CBO report was released, the Environmental Protection Agency announced just such an action: Final emissions standards that lower the maximum allowable levels of fine particles, or soot.

The CBO also noted that there are still many unknowns about how green energy will impact the economy and the federal budget longer term. As a result "the budgetary effects of energy-related tax provisions remain highly uncertain."
Ark Invest's Cathie Wood said Wednesday she's standing by her bullish thesis on Tesla and is buying the dip in the electric vehicle company as the stock sold off. "Tesla is going through a low right now related to the cycle," Wood said on CNBC's " Last Call. " "But when autonomous taxi networks, platforms kick in, as we think they will within the next two years ... then what we're talking about with Tesla is a reacceleration in growth and a huge increase in margins." Tesla has certainly had a tough start in 2024. The EV stock has tumbled nearly 25% in five weeks. Its latest earnings report missed expectations and included a warning of stagnant vehicle volume growth . In reaction, several analysts slashed their investment ratings and lowered their price targets on the stock. Wood has been a longtime Tesla bull as the Elon Musk company is her flagship Innovation fund (ARKK )'s second biggest holding. Her conviction is centered around an accelerated shift to EVs as well as Tesla's artificial intelligence capabilities. "We have been buying Tesla. There is so much negative psychology in the stock right now," Wood said. "We think electric vehicles are going to continue to gain share and really take over the market in the next five years. And beyond that, robotaxis are going to change the landscape entirely." TSLA 6M mountain Tesla shares over the past six months. The popular investor said she's sticking with her call that her EV darling could hit $2,000 in five years, and she added that she is going to update the target. That valuation would translate into a more than $5 trillion market cap for Tesla. Wood is also confident that her other big holdings have more room to go. Some of her biggest holdings, including Coinbase , Roku, UiPath and Block , rallied significantly last year. "Our own stocks, which mostly are not the Magnificent 6 ... they have corrected tremendously. They're now starting to show earnings momentum and surprises on the upside, not just revenue, but also earnings," Wood said. "We think they have a long way to catch up."
After blowing past Wall Street's expectations for earnings, E.l.f. Beauty CEO Tarang Amin told CNBC's Jim Cramer how the cosmetics company is growing quickly and expanding its consumer base across multiple countries and age groups.

Amin lauded E.l.f.'s successful marketing and social media strategy, in particular highlighting how it helped bring about global success. He said international business was up 119% last quarter, with strength in the U.K., Canada and Italy.

The company raised its guidance for the third time in a row on Tuesday after it posted 85% sales growth during its holiday quarter.

"Last quarter we entered Italy with DOUGLAS in Italy, and quickly became their number one brand, not only in the mass side, but also across prestige," Amin said. "We found two things. One, our value proposition resonates all over the world. And second, given our strength in social media, the Italian consumer already knew about E.l.f. long before we got there."

Amin said E.l.f. is popular not only with Gen Z, but with Gen X and Millennials, adding that the company is even broadening its audience to Gen Alpha. E.l.f. found viral success on TikTok, and Amin said it has also done well on streaming platform Twitch and with its game on Roblox. E.l.f also incorporates more traditional advertising, and last year released a Super Bowl commercial featuring actor Jennifer Coolidge. The company will also have a commercial this year which includes Judge Judy and the cast of television show "Suits."

"Our strategy is we want to live and follow where our community lives, and so we're always looking at what is engaging them, where are they spending their time," Amin said.
Democratic Presidential hopeful Marianne Williamson speaks at the California Democratic Party 2019 Fall Endorsing Convention in Long Beach, California on November 16, 2019.

Author Marianne Williamson announced her exit from the 2024 presidential race.

"As of today we are suspending our campaign," she wrote Wednesday evening in a message to supporters.

"While the level of our failure is obvious to all, a level of success is real nonetheless," she wrote. "We articulated deeper, more authentic truths than those regularly acknowledged by the political establishment."

Williamson was one of few Democratic challengers to incumbent President Joe Biden, along with House Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn. She and Phillips both consistently polled with single-digit margins.

Williamson won roughly 2% of the vote in South Carolina's Democratic primary last weekend.

The self-help guru campaigned on an anti-establishment platform, looking to "Disrupt the System," according to one of her slogans. This was her second presidential bid, after a failed primary campaign in 2020.

Williamson, 71, said that she was running for president to "course-correct" the damage of former President Donald Trump and prevent him from winning a second term.

But the Texas native mainly entered the race to be an alternative to Biden, during a time when early polling showed the president lagging on key issues like the economy and losing support among core Democratic voting blocs, like Latino voters.

Biden's perceived weak spots created an opportunity for candidates like Williamson and Phillips to campaign primarily as Biden substitutes.

"Biden will not win. I will," Williamson wrote in an X post hours before the results of the Nevada Democratic primary on Tuesday.

As the primary season gor underway, it quickly became clear that Williamson's enthusiasm and often spiritual message did not resonate with voters any more this year, than it had in 2020.

Biden clinched victories in New Hampshire as a write-in candidate and in South Carolina's primary, squeezing Williamson even farther into the margins of the field.

Her best shot at picking up votes was in New Hampshire's Democratic primary, where Biden's name was not officially on the ballot. New Hampshire voters pride themselves on their independence from the strict two-party system, and outsider candidates tend to fare better in the Granite State than they do anywhere else.

Despite the structural advantages New Hampshire offered a candidate like Williamson, ultimately she secured just 4% of Democratic primary votes.

"While we did not succeed at running a winning political campaign, I know in my heart that we impacted the political ethers," Williamson wrote Wednesday.

"We spoke for those most ignored in America today and whose wounds are most in need of healing. I wish I could have reached them," she wrote.
This story is part of CNBC Make It's Millennial Money series, which details how people around the world earn, spend and save their money. In early 2021, Chisom Okwulehie had just given birth to her daughter and was looking for some extra cash to supplement her income as an architect at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. While she made six figures at her job, she figured a side hustle would help cover the mortgage costs for the duplex in Cliffside Park, New Jersey, she splits with her husband, Ikenna. "My parents always told me that if you're going to purchase a home and [your spouse] dies, you have to be able to cover the mortgage," Okwulehie tells CNBC Make It.

Chisom Okwulehie in her home. Zach Green | CNBC Make It

At Port Authority, Okwulehie works mostly on infrastructure projects for train stations and airports, including upgrades to Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and a soon-to-open modernized train station entrance in Harrison, New Jersey. However, she wanted to do more design work on the side, so she founded Juntero with her husband, a cybersecurity specialist. The consulting firm offers a variety of services for mostly residential projects, including architectural and interior design. By the end of 2021, her business had pulled in $55,000 in revenue. In 2022, Juntero took on more clients and the revenue increased to roughly $206,000. "I didn't expect to receive many projects as quickly as I did," Okwulehie says. To keep up with the growing number of projects, Okwulehie began to delegate much of the work to a team of contract designers: "It's basically an agency where I manage a bunch of talent and then give them work." In 2023, Juntero worked with about 60 clients and brought in $414,000 in revenue  all while Okwulehie maintained her full-time job at Port Authority. Last year, Okwulehie earned a roughly $126,000 salary from Port Authority and paid herself $37,500 from Juntero. She put the rest of the company's profits of nearly $173,000 into savings. Here's how she manages it all.

Becoming an architect

Okwulehie is a second-generation immigrant in a family "very driven" by academic achievement, she says. Her father came to the U.S. in 1970 as a teenage refugee from the Nigerian Civil War. He graduated with a master's in chemical engineering at Columbia University in New York City, which led to a career as a chemical engineer. "Growing up in a Nigerian household, it was emphasized to us to either become an engineer, a doctor or a lawyer," says Okwulehie, the oldest of four children. Despite that, she was the only one who didn't study to become an engineer. Instead, Okwulehie showed a keen interest in making art from an early age. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, her parents encouraged her artistic talents by enrolling her in the San Francisco High School of the Arts, where she focused on drawing, painting and sculpting.

Chisom Okwulehie outside of Harrison Station in Harrison, New Jersey. Zach Green | CNBC Make It

It was Okwulehie's high school principal who suggested a career in architecture, which led to her graduating with two concurrent bachelor's degrees in architecture and public policy from the University of Southern California in 2012. A master's in advanced architectural design from Columbia University followed in 2014. That same year, she got her first full-time job as an architect at the New York City office of Perkins Eastman, one of the largest private architectural firms in the world, where her first big project was designing a boathouse at the San Francisco Airport. Okwulehie continued to gain valuable experience in architectural and interior design, as well as urban planning, but the work hours grew longer as she took on more responsibilities. Working 12-hour days, she sometimes wouldn't see daylight during her work day. "I needed a change in lifestyle," she says. "Work-life balance was very important to me, so I decided to move to the public sector."

Chisom Okwulehie driving in Cliffside Park, New Jersey. Zach Green | CNBC Make It

In 2017, she took on the role of architect at Port Authority, working her way up to senior architect in 2022. Working on billion-dollar infrastructure projects like the Harrison train station in New Jersey, Okwulehie's role has become more focused on project management and quality assurance. This prepared her to run Juntero as a side hustle, she says.

Running her side hustle: 'My company is different'

While Juntero brought in $414,000 in 2023, including nearly $173,000 in profit, it had humble beginnings. The company's first project in 2021 was designing an ad for Indeed.com for $20. Bigger projects followed, including Juntero's first architectural job creating a simple floor plan for a dentist's office. As her client list grew, Okwulehie was able to raise her rates every six months or so, she says. To attract clients, she initially charged $60 per hour, then raised it to $80 in 2022. She now charges $100 per hour, but will sometimes offer fixed-rate prices, depending on the scope of the project. Over time, she found a niche in creating photorealistic 3D renderings of potential designs. These visualizations caught on with real estate developers who market new, unbuilt properties to potential buyers. "Some architectural firms spend money on renderings, but a lot of times those renderings are very conceptual," says Okwulehie. "My company is different, it actually looks real. If a client is based in China and they want to purchase a home in, say, Texas, I can create that home and actually have the client walk through that home in 3D."

Chisom Okwulehie in her home office. Zach Green | CNBC Make It

In September 2023, Okwulehie gave birth to her son, but kept Juntero running while she was on maternity leave, and the business kept growing. To keep her workload manageable, Okwulehie oversees a team of over 30 credentialed architects, interior designers and 3D modelers, many of whom live abroad. "On a typical week, I spend about five to 10 hours working on Juntero," she says. Her work is mostly focused on dealing with clients, marketing and overseeing the work being done by her team of designers. Okwulehie works from home, with much of the work assigned on Slack or WhatsApp. "My team will see projects come in, assign themselves and start working," she says, "And when they're done, they'll send it to me before it's shared with a client." Aside from her salary, most of Juntero's business profits are put into two high-yield savings accounts.

How she spends her money

Here's how Okwulehie spent her money in December 2023.

Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards

Housing: $3,493 for mortgages on both her primary home and land for a second home

$3,493 for mortgages on both her primary home and land for a second home Child care : $2,333

: $2,333 Debt repayment: $1,969 for student loan and credit card payments

$1,969 for student loan and credit card payments Pension and savings: $663

$663 Discretionary: $655 for Christmas gifts, beauty products, church donations and indoor playground admission

$655 for Christmas gifts, beauty products, church donations and indoor playground admission Utilities: $298 for Wi-Fi, gas, electricity, water

$298 for Wi-Fi, gas, electricity, water Car lease: $255

$255 Food: $243

$243 Health care: $220 for family co-pays

$220 for family co-pays Insurance: $176 for car and home insurance

$176 for car and home insurance Subscriptions and memberships: $52 for Amazon Prime and home security Okwulehie and her husband split almost all of their expenses, with Ikenna managing the family's investments, while she manages child-care costs. In the next few years, Okwulehie and Ikenna plan to use the $312,076 they have in savings to build a house on a plot of land they bought for $450,000 in Upper Nyack, New York, in 2017. In addition to their liquid savings, the couple has more than $200,000 invested between a taxable brokerage account and various retirement accounts. Much of the family's insurance costs are covered by Ikenna's employer, including health, dental and vision insurance. Okwulehie doesn't typically splurge on discretionary expenses, but in December she spent $570 on Christmas gifts and beauty services, like nails and hair. In terms of debt, Okwulehie owes about $173,000 in student loan debt and roughly $1,100 in credit card debt. Some good news though: As a public service employee, she hopes to qualify for loan forgiveness in 2027 as part of the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Looking ahead

So far, Juntero's biggest client is a property developer that used the company's renderings to sell a collection of homes for millions of dollars. Going forward, Okwulehie hopes to continue growing Juntero through partnerships with developers across the United States. That doesn't mean she's quitting her day job, however. "I still see myself working at Port Authority full-time," she says. "I do learn a lot in terms of management, which is helping the business."

Chisom Okwulehie at home. Zach Green | CNBC Make It
When Gregg Renfrew was a year out of college and racking up credit card debt, she called her mom for help  only to be told, bluntly, "Well, it's time to get a new job."

The tough-love lesson in financial independence pushed her to be more mindful of her spending and income, says Renfrew, 55, the CEO and founder of billion-dollar clean beauty startup Beautycounter. "Living in fear of not being able to pay my bills  having literally no idea  it forced me to start hustling," she tells CNBC Make It.

Upon graduating from the University of Vermont in 1990, Renfrew's mother gave her two gifts, she says: a monogrammed black briefcase and a check for $5,000. The check was enough to cover "first and last month's rent on an apartment in New York," along with some work clothes and other odds and ends for someone just starting a career, she says.

Renfrew was free to do whatever she wanted with the money, but her mother was adamant that she wouldn't receive any more financial support.

Less than a year after moving to the city, she "immediately racked up credit card bills," owing more than $1,000 on her American Express card, she says. Her mother, a real estate executive at the time, "absolutely could have bailed me out," she adds.

Instead, her mom instructed her to find a way to make enough money to pay off her own debts. While Renfrew was "frustrated" with that response at the time, she now says she was lucky to get any sort of head start from her parents.

"I was fortunate to have a debt-free education and to receive any money," says Renfrew. "A lot of people don't have either of those things."
President Joe Biden "willfully retained and disclosed classified materials" kept in unsecured locations after his vice presidency, which presented "serious risks to national security," a Department of Justice special counsel said in a report released Thursday. But the special counsel, Robert Hur, also said that he would not criminally prosecute Biden for his handling of that material. Hur among other things cited the president's allegedly poor memory, which the special counsel said would make him sympathetic to a jury, in deciding not to prosecute him. The FBI found classified documents, which by law should have been given back to the U.S. government when Biden ended his second term as vice president in January 2017, in the garage, office, and basement den of his Wilmington, Delaware, home, Hur's report said. The documents included classified material about military and foreign policy in Afghanistan, and notebooks containing Biden's entries about national security.

US President Joe Biden's Delaware garage with classified documents on December 21, 2022. Source: U.S. Department of Justice

"Our investigation uncovered evidence that President Biden willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen," Hur wrote in his nearly 400-page report. "He knew he kept classified information in notebooks stored in his house and he knew he was not allowed to do so," the special counsel said. Biden even shared some classified information with his ghostwriter for his second memoir, "Promise Me, Dad," published in 2017, which Hur said did not appear to contain any classified information. "The practices of retaining classified material in unsecured locations and reading classified material to one's ghostwriter present serious risks to national security, given the vulnerability of extraordinarily sensitive information to loss or compromise to America's adversaries" Hur's report said. The special counsel noted that the DOJ "routinely highlights such risks when pursuing classified mishandling prosecutions. But addressing those risks through criminal charges, the only means available to this office, is not the proper remedy here." Hur said that the evidence "does not establish Mr. Biden's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt." "We have also considered that, at trial, Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview of him, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory," the special counsel said. "We conclude that no criminal charges are warranted in this matter," the report said. "We reach the same conclusion even if Department of Justice policy did not foreclose criminal charges against a sitting president." Biden, in a statement on the report, said, "I was pleased to see they reached the conclusion I believed all along they would reach  that there would be no charges brought in this case and the matter is now closed." "I cooperated completely, threw up no roadblocks, and sought no delays," the president said. In a nationally televised address hours later, Biden blasted the special counsel for claiming his memory was poor. Biden also pointed out several parts of Hur's report that contradicted the claim he "willfully" retained classified material, including one section about a subset of documents where "the evidence suggests that Mr. Biden did not willfully retain these documents and that they could plausibly have been brought to these locations by mistake."

US President Joe Biden's Delaware garage with classified documents on December 21, 2022. Source: U.S. Department of Justice

'Hazy' Memory

Hur's bluntly detailed lapses in Biden's memory when he was questioned for the probe. "In his interview with our office, Mr. Biden's memory was worse," Hur wrote. "He did not remember when he was vice president, forgetting on the first day of the interview when his term ended ('if it was 2013 - when did I stop being Vice President?'), and forgetting on the second day of the interview when his term began ('in 2009, am I still Vice President?')," the report said. "He did not remember, even within several years, when his son Beau died," the special counsel said. "And his memory appeared hazy when describing the Afghanistan debate that was once so important to him." "Among other things, he mistakenly said he "had a real difference" of opinion with General Karl Eikenberry, when, in fact, Eikenberry was an ally whom Mr. Biden cited approvingly in his Thanksgiving memo to President Obama." Hur said that he expected that Biden's lawyers would use these memory gaps as a defense if he were prosecuted. "In a case where the government must prove that Mr. Biden knew he had possession of the classified Afghanistan documents after the vice presidency and chose to keep those documents, knowing he was violating the law, we expect that at trial, his attorneys would emphasize these limitations in his recall," the special counsel wrote. In a letter attached to the report, Biden's lawyers complained to Hur about what they called his "prejudicial and inflammatory" description of the president's "inability to recall dates or details of events that happened years ago." They that Biden's failure to remember certain information was to be expected given the passage of time. The lawyers wrote that Hur had not used "denigrating" language to describe other witnesses' failure to recall years-old events.

Biden vs. Trump

The report comes nearly 13 months after Attorney General Merrick Garland named Hur special counsel to lead the probe into classified records that were found in late 2022 at the president's former private office in Washington and residence. The report was released in the middle of a presidential race that was already laden with legal intrigue, and outrage. Biden, a Democrat, faces a likely rematch this fall against former President Donald Trump, a Republican whom he defeated in the 2020 election. Trump is being criminally prosecuted for retaining classified documents at his Florida home after he left the White House in January 2021. When officials noticed some of those documents were missing from the National Archives and asked Trump to return them, he refused, prosecutors have said. Trump was charged last June with 37 felonies, including willful retention of national defense information, a violation of the Espionage Act. He has pleaded not guilty in the case, which is being prosecuted in federal court in south Florida. Hur in his report Thursday drew a distinction between Biden's conduct and Trump's. "With one exception, there is no record of the Department of Justice prosecuting a former president or vice president for mishandling classified documents from his own administration," wrote Hur. "The exception is former President Trump. It is not our role to assess the criminal charges pending against Mr. Trump, but several material distinctions between Mr. Trump's case and Mr. Biden's are clear," wrote Hur, who as Trump's appointee served as U.S. attorney for Maryland from 2018 through 2021. "Unlike the evidence involving Mr. Biden, the allegations set forth in the indictment of Mr. Trump, if proven, would clearly establish not only Mr. Trump's willfulness but also serious aggravating facts." Trump had hundreds more classified documents in his possession than Biden did  more than 300 in total, including 102 that were seized during an FBI raid on Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort home in August 2022. DOJ special counsel Jack Smith, who is prosecuting the former president, has alleged that Trump took steps with others to try to hide those documents from government officials who earlier searched the property. But Trump in a statement Thursday seized on Hur's decision not to charge Biden as evidence of a "two-tiered system of justice," saying that he was the victim of "unconstitutional selective prosecution." "The Biden Documents case is 100 times more different and more severe than mine," Trump said. "I did nothing wrong and I cooperated far more."

US President Joe Biden's Delaware garage with classified documents on December 21, 2022. Source: U.S. Department of Justice

A 'historic figure'

Hur's report said that the materials recovered from Biden's home spanned his career in national office from 1973 when he became a U.S. senator from Delaware, and through his two terms as vice president under former President Barack Obama, from 2009 through early 2017. Biden during his career "has long seen himself as a historic figure," and during that time collected papers and artifacts that were connected to "significant issues and events in his career," the report said. "He used these materials to write memoirs published in 2007 and 2017, to document his legacy, and to cite as evidence that he was a man of presidential timber," Hur wrote. "As vice president, Mr. Biden received and stored classified materials at the White House, his official residence at the Naval Observatory, his private home in Delaware, and  very briefly  his rental home in Virginia," the report said. "He relied on staff to help deliver, store, and retrieve these classified materials. "Mr. Biden was known to remove and keep classified material from his briefing books for future use, and his staff struggled  and sometimes failed  to retrieve these materials," Hur wrote. "These gaps in the tracking and retrieval of Mr. Biden's classified materials made it more difficult to determine when, how, and why many of the classified documents later found in Mr. Biden's home and think tank ended up where they did not belong." The report contains photos of Biden's cluttered garage at his Wilmington home, where some of the classified material was found in cardboard boxes. "The Afghanistan documents were ultimately found in Mr. Biden's Delaware home: in a badly damaged box in the garage, near a collapsed dog crate, a dog bed, a Zappos box, an empty bucket, a broken lamp wrapped with duct tape, potting soil, and synthetic firewood," the report said.

US President Joe Biden's Delaware garage with classified documents on December 21, 2022. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
A coffee shop at Beijing Capital Airport shows customers can use Visa, Mastercard, the digital Chinese yuan and other payment methods.

BEIJING  China is encouraging banks and local businesses to accept foreign bank cards and is considering other steps to make mobile pay for international visitors even easier, said Zhang Qingsong, deputy governor of the People's Bank of China.

"Banks and vendors (such as hotels, restaurants, department stores and even coffee shops) are encouraged to accept foreign bankcards," Zhang said.

His written comments, exclusive to CNBC, come as Beijing has stepped up efforts to encourage visits from foreign tourists and business people. In the last few months, authorities have enacted visa-free travel policies for residents of several European and Southeast Asian countries  after stringent border controls during the pandemic.

Mobile pay took off in China in the last several years. But while it's been convenient for locals to scan a QR code with a smartphone to pay, financial system restrictions have also meant foreigners often found it difficult to make payments. Shopping malls have increasingly preferred not to accept foreign credit cards.

But that's started to change in recent months.

Last summer, the two dominant mobile pay apps WeChat and AliPay started allowing verified users to connect their international credit cards  such as those from Visa . Tencent owns WeChat, while AliPay is operated by Alibaba affiliate Ant Group.

"We are fully aware that foreign visitors care very much about their privacy," Zhang said "We take this issue seriously and have put in place measures for information protection."

"Now, when using Alipay or WeChat Pay, foreign visitors do not need to provide ID information if their total annual transaction volume is under $500," he said. "It is estimated that over 80% transactions are below this threshold. We are also looking at the possibility of raising the $500 threshold in the future."
A bank employee count Chinas renminbi (RMB) or yuan notes next to U.S. dollar notes at a Kasikornbank in Bangkok, Thailand, January 26, 2023. Athit Perawongmetha | Reuters

BEIJING  Venture capitalists in China that once rose to fame with giant U.S. IPOs of consumer companies are under pressure to drastically change their strategy. The urgency to adapt their playbook to a newer environment has increased in the last few years with stricter regulations in China as well as the U.S., tensions between the two countries and slowdown in the world's second-largest economy. Here are the three shifts that are underway:

1. From U.S. dollars to Chinese yuan

The business model for well-known venture capital funds in China such as Sequoia and Hillhouse typically involved raising dollars from university endowments, pension funds and other sources in the U.S.  known in the industry as limited partners. That money then went into startups in China, which eventually sought initial public offerings in the U.S., generating returns for investors. Now many of those limited partners have paused investing in China, as Washington increases its scrutiny of U.S. money backing advanced Chinese tech and it gets harder for Chinese companies to list in the U.S. A slowdown in the Asian country has further dampened investor sentiment. That means venture capitalists in China need to look to alternative sources, such as the Middle East, or, increasingly, funds tied to local government coffers. The shift toward domestic channels also means a change in currency.

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In 2023, the total venture capital funds raised in China dropped to their lowest since 2015, with the share of U.S. dollars falling to 5.3% from 8.4% in the prior year, according to Xiniu Data, an industry research firm. That's far less than in the previous years  the share of U.S. dollars in total VC funds raised was around 15% for the years 2018 to 2021, the data showed. The remaining share was in Chinese yuan.

Currently, many USD funds are shifting their focus to government-backed hard tech companies, which typically aim for A share exits rather than U.S. listings Liao Ming PAC

For foreign investors, high U.S. interest rates and the relative attractiveness of markets such as India and Japan also factor into decisions around whether to invest in China. "VCs have definitely changed their view on Greater China from a couple years ago," Kyle Stanford, lead VC analyst at Pitchbook, said in an email. "Greater China private markets still have a lot of capital available, whether it be from local funds, or from areas such as the Middle East, but in general the view on China growth and VC returns has changed," he said.

2. China investments, China exits

Washington and Beijing in 2022 resolved a long-standing audit dispute that reduced the risk of Chinese companies having to delist from U.S. stock exchanges. But following the fallout over Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi's U.S. listing in the summer of 2021, the two countries have increased scrutiny of China-based companies wanting to go public in New York. Beijing now requires companies with large amounts of user data  essentially any internet-based consumer-facing business in China  to receive approval from the cybersecurity regulator, among other measures, before they can list in Hong Kong or the U.S. Washington has also tightened restrictions on American money going into high-tech Chinese companies. A few large VCs have separated their China operations from those in the U.S. under new names. Last year, Sequoia most famously rebranded in China as HongShan. "USD funds in China can still invest in non-sensitive sectors for A share IPOs, but have the challenge of local enterprise preferring capital from RMB [Chinese yuan] funds," said Liao Ming, founding partner of Beijing-based Prospect Avenue Capital, which has focused on U.S. dollar funds. Stocks listed in the mainland Chinese market are known as A shares. "The trend is shifting towards investing in parallel entity overseas assets, marking a strategic move 'from long China to long Chinese," he said. "With U.S. IPOs no longer being a viable exit strategy for China assets, investors should target local exits in their respective capital marketsin other words, China exits for China assets, and U.S. exits for overseas assets," Liao said.

Only a handful of China-based companies  and barely any large ones  have listed in the U.S. since Didi's IPO. The company went public on the New York Stock Exchange in the summer of 2021, despite reported regulatory concerns. Beijing promptly ordered an investigation that forced Didi to temporarily suspend new user registrations and app downloads. The company delisted later that year. The probe, which has since ended, came alongside Beijing's crackdown on alleged monopolistic practices by internet tech companies such as Alibaba. The clampdown also covered after-school tutoring, minors' access to video games and real estate developers' high reliance on debt for growth.

3. VC-government alignment, larger deals

Instead of consumer-facing sectors, Chinese authorities have emphasized support for industrial development, such as high-end manufacturing and renewable energy. "Currently, many USD funds are shifting their focus to government-backed hard tech companies, which typically aim for A share exits rather than U.S. listings," Liao said, noting that it aligns with Beijing's preferences as well. These companies include developers of new materials for renewable energy and factory automation components. In 2023, the 20 largest VC deals for China-headquartered companies were mostly in manufacturing and included no e-commerce business, according to PitchBook data. In pre-pandemic 2019, the top deals included a few online shopping or internet-based consumer product companies, and some electric car start-ups. The change is even more stark when compared with the boom around the time online shopping giant Alibaba went public in 2014. The 20 largest VC deals for China-headquartered companies in 2013 were predominantly in e-commerce and software services, according to PitchBook data.

... the venture capital scene has become even more state-concentrated and focused on government priorities. Camille Boullenois Rhodium Group
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Disney shares spiked more than 11% Thursday, headed for the stock's best day since December 2020, after the company's fiscal first-quarter earnings beat estimates and it announced a slew of major deals and upcoming events. In its most eye-catching news, CEO Bob Iger said the company would take its biggest step yet into gaming with a $1.5 billion stake in Epic Games, the maker of blockbuster Fortnite. Disney said the partnership will see it work together with Epic to create new games using its intellectual property, including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and Avatar. The company also said it would launch an ESPN streaming service in 2025; stream an exclusive version of musician Taylor Swift's Eras Tour movie on Disney+; and release a sequel to hit "Moana" this year.

Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Allianz Parque on November 24, 2023 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Buda Mendes | Getty Images

Disney's earnings per share for the first quarter came in at $1.22 adjusted, versus a forecast of 99 cents, despite revenue missing estimates and remaining roughly flat year on year. The company also announced a dividend of 45 cents a share, payable in July, which is 50% higher than its January payout. Disney lost customers on streaming platform Disney+, but revenue was higher due to a hike in subscription costs. The company also updated investors on its plan to cut costs by at least $7.5 billion by the end of fiscal 2024, and forecast earnings per share for the year of around $4.60.

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Walt Disney Company share price.

The results show stable revenue and effective cost management, according to Ben Barringer, technology analyst at investment manager Quilter Cheviot. The Epic Games partnership could prove fruitful but is likely to be a "slow burn," he said in a note. "Disney anticipates modest revenue growth while maintaining a focus on cost discipline to ensure returns for shareholders. This strategy will garner support from its activist shareholders, despite ongoing challenges in the Parks business and a continued decline in linear television," he added. Disney and Iger have been under pressure from activist investor Nelson Peltz to improve results. Peltz's investment firm told CNBC in a statement Wednesday, "We saw this movie last year, and we didn't like the ending."

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Hawaiian Airlines is rolling out complimentary Wi-Fi via SpaceX's Starlink on board commercial flights this week, the companies told CNBC, the first major U.S. airline to offer the satellite-based service.

"SpaceX has really cracked the code  literally, in terms of the technology  to be able to deliver a wide bandwidth of very high quality connectivity to an airplane with a global reach," Peter Ingram, Hawaiian Airlines CEO, told CNBC.

Hawaiian's plan for complimentary Wi-Fi comes as airlines ramp up their offerings for high-speed connectivity. JetBlue Airways offers Wi-Fi on board for free, and last year Delta Air Lines launched onboard internet free of charge for members of its loyalty program, after years of planning.

Hawaiian has an extensive network of flights over the Pacific Ocean, serving the mainland U.S., Japan, Australia and New Zealand, among other destinations, from Hawaii.

"It really feels like an experience that should not be possible when you get on a commercial airline flight. And you're able to connect to the internet and experience it in a way that's similar, if not better, than what you can experience in your own home," Chad Gibbs, SpaceX's vice president of Starlink business operations, told CNBC.

"We now have a totally different paradigm, which is that we have incredible amounts of capacity and bandwidth that we can bring to the plane," Gibbs added.

Hawaiian signed an agreement with SpaceX in April 2022, looking to utilize the Starlink network  which consists of more than 5,000 satellites in low Earth orbit and boasts more than 2.3 million customers worldwide. The airline didn't previously offer inflight Wi-Fi.
If living and working in Japan is on your bucket list, mark your calendar.

Japan plans to start offering a six-month digital nomad visa at the end of March, according to The Japan Times. The Immigration Services Agency announced that to take advantage of the visa, digital nomads must make an annual income of 10 million or $67,556.80 USD.

The visa will be offered to visitors from 49 countries and territories, including the U.S., Australia and Singapore. In addition to the income requirement, Japan also requires digital nomads to have private health insurance. Spouses and children will also be allowed to stay in Japan.

Japan will not provide residency cards to those holding a digital nomad visa and visas can't be renewed immediately. Visa holders can reapply but only six months after leaving the country, The Japan Times reports.
LONDON  Shares of Danish shipping giant Maersk slumped nearly 15% in morning trade Thursday after it flagged "high uncertainty" in its 2024 earnings outlook amid Red Sea disruptions and an oversupply of shipping vessels.

The company also said that it would be suspending share buybacks on the back of the uncertainty.

Maersk said it expected underlying EBITDA (or earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) of between $1 billion and $6 billion this year, compared to the $9.6 billion recorded in 2023.

Shares were trading 14.69% lower at 2:00 p.m. London time.

"The impact of this situation is causing new uncertainty for how this is going to play out from an earnings perspective throughout the year," CEO Vincent Clerc told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe."

"We have very little visibility as to whether this is a situation that will resolve in a matter of weeks or months, or whether this is something that is going to be with us for the full year," he added.

In a statement, the company added that its board had decided to "immediately suspend the share buy-back programme, with a re-initiation to be reviewed once market conditions in Ocean [division] have settled."
Palestinians wait to fill containers with fuel from a petrol station in Gaza city.

Crude oil futures prices rose for the fourth day in a row Thursday after the U.S. killed a militant commander in Iraq and Israel rejected a ceasefire proposal by Hamas.

The West Texas Intermediate futures contract added $2.36, or 3.2%, to settle at $76.22 a barrel. The Brent contract for April gained $2.42, or 3.06%, to trade at $81.63 a barrel.

U.S. crude and the global benchmark are up 3.25% and 3.72% respectively for the week as the Middle East teeters between another round of violent escalation and a possible truce in the Gaza war.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on a diplomatic tour of the region this week in an effort to secure an extended humanitarian pause in Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages by Hamas.

Blinken met Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday to discuss a counterproposal by Hamas that demands a permanent end to the fighting.
Kosovo Police continue to uphold security with search, patrol and control activities in the region after the clash which led by Kosovo Serb politician Milan Radoicic in Banjska northern town of the country, on Sept. 24 in Zvecan, Kosovo on October 3, 2023. The clash broke out in the village when a group of armed Serbs blocked a bridge with two trucks. A shootout erupted after the group opened fire on police, leaving one police officer dead and another injured. (Photo by Vudi Xhymshiti/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images

Davos, SWITZERLAND  With Europe's attention centered on the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, peace and stability is far from guaranteed in another of the region's most volatile conflict zones, according to a top EU diplomat. Relations between Serbia and Kosovo, which have been fraught since the pair's brutal conflict in the 1990s, remain delicate one year on from a tentative agreement on a new path to normalization. "The stability is fragile. We cannot take peace and stability for granted," Miroslav Lajcak, EU special representative for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and Western Balkans, told CNBC in Davos last month. The Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is a series of talks facilitated by the European Union designed to ease hostilities between the neighboring southeastern European countries.

In February 2023, a path to normalization was agreed upon by Serbia and Kosovo, marking a major step forward for the longtime adversaries, whose decadeslong friction centers on territorial disputes and ethnic divisions. But that progress was later marred by a resurgence in violence in northern Kosovo, including a deadly shootout between a heavily armed group of ethnic Serbs and Kosovo special police forces in the village of Banjska.

'No way back'

Northern Kosovo has an ethnic Serb majority and Belgrade thus claims it as its southern province. Kosovo as a whole, meanwhile, is around 93% ethnic Albanian and Pristina declared independence in 2008. Years of conflict between the pair have left Europe highly divided on the path forward, with several EU members  Spain, Slovakia, Cyprus, Romania and Greece  and other non-EU neighbors disputing Kosovo's claim to independence. However, Lajcak said that the normalization agreement had advanced the situation "like never before" and noted that the focus was now on implementation. Normalization measures include the development of "normal, good-neighbourly relations" and restraint from the "threat or use of force" in future disputes. "There is no way back," he said. "There is no way before these agreements because these agreements are accepted by both parties."

Normalization will also depend on how directly and closely they are linked to Kosovo and Serbia's EU path. Miroslav Lajcak EU special representative for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and Western Balkans

Both the EU and the U.S. are heavily invested in the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo, even as they contend with other rapidly evolving international conflicts between Israel and Hamas and Russia and Ukraine. But the clock is ticking. With elections due this summer in the European Parliament and later in the year in the U.S., progress on normalization talks will be critical before the issue is deprioritized. "What will start before the EU and U.S. go into elections will continue throughout the electoral process," Lajcak said. "But what will not start before, I will have my doubts that it will start after."

Kosovo police officers and NATO's Peacekeeping Force in Kosovo (KFOR) continue to ensure security with search, patrol and control activities in the region after the incidents in Banjska in the north of the country on September 24 in Zvecan, Kosovo on September 30, 2023. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images
Snoop Dogg & Master P, seen at the 2017 Essence Festival at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, July 2, 2017, in New Orleans.

Rappers Snoop Dogg and Master P are suing Post Foods and Walmart , accusing them of intentionally leaving the musicians' cereal off store shelves and hiding it in stockrooms to sabotage it.

Calvin Broadus, better known as Snoop Dogg, and Percy Miller, commonly known as Master P, rejected a proposal by Post Foods to buy the cereal outright, according to the lawsuit filed Tuesday in Dakota County, Minnesota. After they eventually entered into an agreement in 2022, Post did not treat Snoop Cereal "equally as its own brand," even though it sold well when it was placed on store shelves, the suit says.

The rappers began Broadus Foods in 2022 in hope of "inspiring and creating opportunities" for minority-owned food products, according to the suit. A big product under Broadus Foods is Snoop Cereal, sold in flavors that include "Fruity Hoops with Marshmallows" "Frosted Drizzlers" and "Cinnamon Toasteez."

Snoop Dogg and Master P approached Post Consumer Brands, which the lawsuit calls a "breakfast juggernaut," seeking a partnership. They strived to get Snoop Cereal in stores where Post cereals were sold, the suit says.

After talks with Post began, the company initially offered to buy Snoop Cereal outright, Snoop Dogg and Master P rejected because it would go against their company's goal to promote minority-owned businesses, according to the suit. Agreeing to sell the brand would also stop the artists from leaving the company to their families as a legacy business, the suit says.

On Dec. 13, 2022, Broadus Foods did sign a contract with Post to take over all aspects of production of Snoop Cereal, including manufacturing, packaging, retail, sales, distribution and transportation, the suit says.

As part of the agreement, it says, Broadus Foods and Post would split profits, and Post agreed to "treat Snoop Cereal as one of its own brands" and distribute it to "the major retailers including Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Amazon."

"Because the largest seller of Post's products is Walmart, Snoop Cereal should have been placed on Walmart's shelves right next to the dozens of other Post branded" cereals, the suit continues. "Unbeknownst to Broadus Foods, Post was not on board with their goals and dreams and had no intention of treating Snoop Cereal equally as its own brand."

"Essentially, because Snoop Dogg and Master P refused to sell Snoop Cereal in totality, Post entered a false arrangement where they could choke Broadus Foods out of the market, thereby preventing Snoop Cereal from being sold or produced by any competitor," the suit says.

According to the lawsuit, when it was placed on shelves, Snoop Cereal was popular and sold well. However, the products were quickly taken off the shelves, leaving shoppers wondering where to find them, the suit says.

According to the lawsuit, shelf placement is key to selling cereals, and Post and Walmart knew that.

"Walmart and Post agree on the exact aisle, shelf, and position each box will reside on that store floor," according to the suit. "This joint venture results in each store being told exactly where they are to put each cereal brand down to the nearest millimeter."

The suit gives several examples of frustrated consumers showing up at stores for Snoop Cereal, asking how to find it and being told there was none, only for boxes of it to turn up in stockrooms.

In an example cited in the lawsuit, 200 boxes of Snoop Cereal that had been at a Walmart in New Berlin, Wisconsin, for months were never placed in the cereal aisle.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference held at Mar-a-Lago on February 08, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida.

The Supreme Court on Thursday strongly questioned a ruling by Colorado's top court that barred Donald Trump from the state's Republican presidential primary ballot.

A number of Supreme Court justices, among them two liberal justices, were skeptical of the rationale and process that the Colorado Supreme Court used to disqualify Trump from that ballot.

"I think that the question that you have to confront is why a single state should decide who gets to be president of the United States," Justice Elena Kagan, one of those liberals, told a lawyer for Colorado voters who sought Trump's disqualification.

She and other justices expressed concern about a lack of consistency across states in which some ban a federal candidate, while others allow the same candidate to remain on their ballots.

Oral arguments in the case, where Trump is seeking a reversal of the Colorado ban, ended after about two hours. It is not clear when the U.S. Supreme Court will issue its ruling.

Jason Murray, the lawyer for the Colorado voters, told the justices that Trump disqualified himself from becoming president again because he engaged in insurrection in his attempt to remain in the White House after losing the 2020 election.

"We are here because, for the first time since the War of 1812, our nation's capital came under violent assault," said Murray.

"For the first time in history, the attack was incited by a sitting president of the United States to disrupt the peaceful transfer of presidential power by engaging in insurrection against the Constitution," Murray said.

"President Trump disqualified himself from public office," the attorney said. As we heard earlier, President Trump's main argument is that this Court should create a special exemption to section three that would apply to him and to him alone."

But Murray was pressed by several justices on whether Colorado courts had failed to give Trump due process in litigating the case, and the potential problems from having one or more states barring candidates from ballots while other states kept those same candidates on their ballots.

Earlier Thursday, Trump's attorney Jonathan Mitchell opened the hearing by telling the court's nine justices that a president is not "an officer of the United States," and therefore is not subject to the provision in the Constitution that Colorado's Supreme Court cited in its ruling banning Trump from the ballot.

"Officer of the United States refers only to appointed officials and it does not encompass elected individuals such as the president or members of Congress," Mitchell said.

He later argued that the Colorado Supreme Court had incorrectly found that the Jan. 6, 2021, invasion of the U.S. Capitol, which Trump had incited, was an insurrection that the former president engaged in.

"For an insurrection, there needs to be an organized, concerted effort to overthrow the government through violence," Mitchell said. "This was a riot."

Justice Clarence Thomas asked the first question of the hearing, about Mitchell's argument that the constitutional provision is "not self-executing," and requires a separate finding by Congress that someone engaged in insurrection.

Another justice, Sonia Sotomayor, later pressed the attorney on whether his argument against Colorado's authority to review the qualifications of presidential candidates was "setting up" a later claim that a president could seek a third term in the White House without a state blocking such a candidacy. Third terms are explicitly barred by the Constitution.

Mitchell said, "Of course not," to Sotomayor's question.

Justice Samuel Alito asked Mitchell if any state before Colorado had used the constitutional provision to block a candidate for federal office from their ballot. The attorney said that no state had done so.

The arguments come as Trump has a commanding lead in the national GOP primary race, with a long-shot bid from former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley appearing to be the only potential stumbling block to him securing the party's nomination this summer. The Colorado GOP presidential primary is scheduled to be held March 5, which is known as Super Tuesday.

The Colorado Supreme Court in December ruled that Trump is disqualified from holding the office of president because he "engaged in insurrection" by inciting the 2021 Capitol riot as part of his effort to reverse his loss to President Joe Biden in the 2020 election.

That bombshell 4-3 ruling was based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states "no person" can serve as an officer of the United States who, having previously taken an oath of federal office, "engaged in insurrection or rebellion" against the U.S.
U.S. Deputy Secretary Of Energy David M. Turk speaks at the Green Energy Africa Summit at Cape Town International Convention Centre in Cape Town, South Africa, October 5, 2022.

A top U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) official on Thursday defended President Joe Biden's pause on approvals of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports at a Senate hearing called by a fellow Democrat who said he will investigate the decision.

Biden paused the approvals late last month so his administration can take a "hard look" at the environmental and economic impacts of the booming industry.

Deputy U.S. Energy Secretary David Turk told the Senate energy committee that the DOE will finish the review as quickly as possible but it he could not predict a timeline other than it would take "months, not years."

"It will not affect our ability to supply our allies," Turk said, adding that it does not affect already approved exports.

A U.S. official earlier on Thursday told Reuters "I don't think we're concerned at all about our ability to meet (European) demand." The review needs to analyze among other things whether more U.S. LNG exports could slow the adoption abroad of green hydrogen - where hydrogen fuel production would be powered by renewable energy instead of gas, the official said.

The United States became the world's top LNG exporter last year amid strong demand from Europe following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the shipments are expected to double by the end of the decade and keep growing rapidly after that on projects already approved.

Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat from natural gas producer West Virginia who called the hearing, said the pause sends the wrong signal to allies in Europe and Asia. The pause signals "the wrong direction for our country, a very wrong direction," Manchin said.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a new top team for the Ukrainian Armed forces Thursday, writing in a post on Telegram.

General Oleksandr Syrskyi was named as the new commander-in-chief.

See the full post below translated by NBC News:

I am grateful to General Zaluzhnyy for two years of defense. I am thankful for every victory we have achieved together and thanks to all Ukrainian soldiers who heroically bear this war on themselves. We openly discussed today what changes are needed in the army. Urgent changes. I proposed to General Zaluzhny to continue together in the team of the Ukrainian state. I will be grateful for his consent.

Starting today, a new management team is taking over the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I want the vision of the war to be unified among our soldiers in Robotyne or Avdiivka, as well as in the General Staff and at the Headquarters. I have had dozens of conversations with commanders of various levels. In particular, today I spoke with Brigadier Generals Andriy Hnatov, Mykhailo Drapaty, Ihor Skybiuk, and Colonels Pavlo Palysia and Vadym Sukharevskyy. They are all considered for leadership positions in the army and will serve under the leadership of the most experienced Ukrainian commander. He has successful experience in defense - he led the Kyiv Defense Operation. He also has successful experience in offense - the Kharkiv Liberation Operation. I have appointed Lieutenant General Syrskyy as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Today, I also spoke with Generals Moisyuk and Zabrodskyy. Their experience is in service to the state.

2024 can be successful for Ukraine only if effective changes are made in the foundation of our defense, which is the Armed Forces of Ukraine
ACCRA, Ghana - ECOWAS flag with member flags at the second extraordinary summit on the political situation in Burkina Faso, in Accra, Ghana, on February 3, 2022. Photo by NIPAH DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images

Three West African countries currently under the rule of military juntas have announced plans to exit the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in a further sign of fragmentation across the region. Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, all of which are ruled by military leaders that seized power in a spate of coups over the last three years, have been embroiled in fractious talks with ECOWAS over plans to return to constitutional order and hold elections. Led by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, the regional bloc imposed punitive sanctions to push the juntas into declaring timelines on a return power to democratically elected civilian administrations, but negotiations have failed to yield substantial results. The interim leaders of the three nations on Jan. 28 announced that they would leave ECOWAS "without delay" and join forces to form an "Alliance of Sahel States," but the departure may not be that simple. ECOWAS rules require a year's written notice of intention to leave, and there is historical precedent. Mauritania left the bloc in 2000, reducing its membership to 15 countries.

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso - Jan. 20, 2023: A banner of Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen during a protest to support the Burkina Faso President Captain Ibrahim Traore and to demand the departure of France's ambassador and military forces. OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT/AFP via Getty Images

Alex Vines, director of the Africa Programme at Chatham House, told CNBC that no formal paperwork had yet been submitted to the ECOWAS secretariat, and that the timing of the announcement is "clearly very political." "I think the juntas were worried that there'd been some significant traffic, including to France, where you had President Tinubu of Nigeria, President Ouattara of Cote d'Ivoire, and then the chief of army staff from Algeria  the first time at that level anyone from Algeria has been to France for about 17 years  and Algerians are playing an important role in mediating also in Niger and Mali," he said. Vines suggested that ECOWAS pressure on Burkinabe and Malian juntas to declare a timeline for return to constitutional rule, when they "don't seem to be in any hurry to leave," may have motivated their sudden insistence on national sovereignty. Regional disintegration bolsters Russia The countries with military administrations were subject to severe, nationwide economic sanctions from ECOWAS in response to the coups, rather than targeted measures against the junta leaders themselves. Sanctions were loosened on Mali in exchange for a declaration of a timetable for return to constitutional rule, but this timetable was not being followed in Bamako. Mucahid Durmaz, senior West Africa analyst at risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft, suggested that the hardship caused by these sanctions may have helped to solidify the juntas' power and galvanize public opinion against the regional bloc. "Their exit highlights the growing ideological rift between the Western-allied elected governments and military-run countries that are seeking warmer ties with Russia," Durmaz said. "The split will likely harm cross-border military cooperation between the two camps and heighten the threat of spill over violence into Ghana, Togo, Benin and Cote D'Ivoire."

NIAMEY, NIGER - JULY 30: Coup supporters take to the streets after the army seized power in Niamey, Niger on July 30, 2023. (Photo by Balima Boureima/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

Durmaz highlighted how disintegration at a regional level is heightening geopolitical competition between Russia and the West. Russia continues to expand its political and military engagement with countries in the Sahel, which has been beset by insecurity and Islamist insurgencies for several years. Meanwhile, the U.S. and France have been shifting focus toward bolstering militaries in coastal West African states, with an eye on the risk of insecurity spreading to democratic ally states. Russia's mercenary Wagner Group has a well-documented presence in Mali and is believed to be seeking to establish itself in Burkina Faso, both of which alongside Niger have ousted the French military to leave a vacuum for foreign military assistance to repel jihadist threats. However, Vines highlighted that Russian military interests may face a more complicated path to partnership with forces in Niger, given that the country still hosts a U.S. drone base. He also expressed some surprise that Niger had joined Mali and Burkina Faso in the breakaway group, since negotiations in Niger had been progressing in the wake of biting sanctions, and the coup was "more of an old-fashioned style palace coup" rather than one driven by a deteriorating security situation. French troops and its ambassador began their withdrawal from Niger in October, and crowds in the streets supporting the military takeover proudly displayed Russian flags and anti-French messages, reflecting many years of mounting anger against the former colonial power. Burkina Faso in January last year gave France one month to withdraw its troops, ending a military accord that enabled French troops to help national forces combat Islamist insurgents. This followed a similar withdrawal from Mali in 2022 after a nine-year operation. Much like the ECOWAS withdrawal, the juntas cited a desire to defend themselves as sovereign independent states, but the looming specter of Moscow was difficult to avoid. No 'economic sense' Vines suggested the union of the three Sahel states and splitting off from the western portion of West Africa "doesn't make any economic sense." "They don't really impact ECOWAS economically, they only represent 8% of ECOWAS GDP, and they're all landlocked countries, so if you're not ECOWAS, you lose freedom of travel and movement and you potentially face having visa restrictions," he said. All three nations are members of the largely Francophone West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) and use the CFA franc currency, which is pegged to the euro, adding additional complexity to the process of collective economic separation. Mali has ruled out leaving WAEMU, while Burkina Faso is considering it.

A screen grab captured from a video shows the soldiers who appeared on national TV to announce the ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger, on July 27, 2023. Calling themselves the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CLSP), they read a coup statement in a video they shot and broadcast on state television ORTN. Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

Durmaz agreed that the ECOWAS exits of the three landlocked countries would "deepen economic challenges and heighten food insecurity," since all three depend on coastal neighbors' ports for international trade. "Their departure will severely damage regional integration and cross-border trade, as the exit risks triggering an increase in tariffs and restrictions on the movement of people, goods and financial flows," he said via email. "Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger will likely draw on the extractive sector to improve their weak economies. Burkina Faso and Mali have plans to build local gold refineries to retain more of the value of their gold production, while Niger will soon export its first barrels of crude oil through Africa's longest oil pipeline that ends in the Beninese port of Seme." 'Buyer's remorse' Recalibrating economic and trade ties and infrastructure at a time when the three countries are already suffering from rampant poverty and insecurity may limit the grace period afforded the juntas by their respective populations. A recent UN Development Programme report surveyed 5,000 people who had directly experienced a recent coup or unconstitutional change of government, including citizens of Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Mali and Sudan. Their views were assessed against those of 3,000 citizens of fellow African countries on a path of democratic transition or consolidation, namely The Gambia, Ghana and Tanzania. The research highlighted a growing intolerance of "states that fail to deliver on their democratic promise of inclusive economic growth, improved security and real measures for curbing corruption."

Opposition supporters react to the news of a possible mutiny of soldiers in the military base in Kati, outside the capital Bamako, at Independence Square in Bamako, Mali August 18, 2020. The sign reads: 'Down with France and its governor." Rey Byhre | Reuters
The Biden administration recently announced it would look to forgive the student debt of borrowers experiencing "financial hardship."

So, who might be eligible?

It's still uncertain, but there are clues from the U.S. Department of Education and in other programs that aim to help the same group of borrowers.

Since the Supreme Court struck down President Joe Biden's original plan to cancel up to $400 billion in student debt, his administration has tried to rework its relief package to make it legally viable. To do so, it has sought to narrow the aid by focusing on certain groups, including those with balances greater than what they originally borrowed and students from schools of questionable quality.

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The U.S. Department of Education now says it will hold an additional rulemaking session on its "Plan B" for student loan forgiveness on Feb. 22 and 23, during which the negotiators will focus exclusively on financially strapped borrowers.

That category may be challenging to define.

But the department is looking for ways for people to get their debt forgiven based on hardship that remains after other benefits are exhausted, according to a source familiar with its plans.

Here's who might be eligible.
Grabbing a drink with your co-workers at the local bar after a long, productive day at work may be losing its draw, workers say.

According to a recent report by Gympass, a hub used by corporations to extend wellness activities to their employees, working out is the new "happy hour" for professionals.

The company analyzed millions of "check-ins," indicators that employees are using their services, of over two million subscribers, and compiled a report called "Year in Motion" that includes data from professionals across nine industries like finance, retail and tech in 2023.

DON'T MISS: Gen Z wants to prioritize staying healthy in 2024, new Instagram survey saysheres what else they care about

One of the biggest findings in the report is that the hour that employees preferred the most to engage in fitness activities last year was from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The next most popular time to allot to fitness was 5 p.m.

The only employees that stood out as being early birds for fitness were those in the finance industry who leaned more towards morning workouts at 6 a.m., the third most popular time.

Additionally, Saturdays and Sundays were the least popular days when people logged that they were doing something wellness-related, according to the report. Mondays were also not a crowd favorite for workouts.

Tuesday was the most popular day that people noted they were going to the gym, attending fitness classes and other wellness services. Wednesdays and Thursdays were the No. 2 and No. 3 most popular days to engage in wellness activities, respectively.

The shift to less happy hours and more time for fitness tracks with the trend that we're seeing to a higher emphasis on wellness.

Gen Zers are prioritizing staying healthy this year and shifting their overall approach to work culture. And many Americans want to drink less in 2024, and some have already cut the habit altogether.

Want to land your dream job in 2024? Take CNBC's new online course How to Ace Your Job Interview to learn what hiring managers are really looking for, body language techniques, what to say and not to say, and the best way to talk about pay.
Google on Thursday announced it has reconstructed and renamed its Bard chatbot  now called Gemini  to offer enterprises and consumers the industry's first multimodal generative AI (genAI) platform that no longer relies only on text to provide human-like responses.

The release of Gemini represents a direct challenge to Microsofts Copilot, which is based on OpenAI's ChatGPT, and every other chatbot based only on large language model (LLM) technology.

It [Gemini] is currently the only native multimodal generative AI model available, said Chirag Dekate, a vice president analyst at Gartner. Google is no longer playing catch-up. Now, it is the other way around.

Dekate called Gemini a really big deal because with a multimodal model, a single genAI engine performs individual tasks more accurately because its learning from a vastly larger body of knowledge. It essentially catapults Google to the head of the genAI pack.

Google first unveiled its Gemini AI model in December, touting multimodal capabilities that allow it to combine different types of information  inputs and outputs  including text, code, audio, images, and video.

Unlike LLM-only AI engines such as OpenAIs GPT, Metas Llama 2, or even Googles own PaLM 2  all of which power todays chatbots  Gemini doesnt rely on that same technology. Instead, it can be trained using all types of media and content.

That matters because an enterprise can now create a chatbot that'is no longer confined to loading answers to queries from text on which its LLM has been trained.

When I watch a movie, I am watching the video, I am reading the text (subtitles), I am listening to the audio, and its all happening simultaneously creating a hyper immersive experience," Dekate said. This is multimodality in a nutshell. Compare this to experiencing a movie by reading its script alone (LLM); this is the difference between LLM and multimodality.

Last year, Dekate said, was a year of ideation as enterprises and consumers learned about genAI and chatbots in the wake of ChatGPTs release in late 2022. Now, enterprises better understand the possibilities of genAI and are opening their wallets to spend a significant amount to infuse back-end and front-end systems with it.

If youre a healthcare company, for example, trying to design a more immersive chatbot for physicians, a multimodal genAI engine can ingest a physicians audio snippets, radiological images, and MRI video scans to create vastly more accurate prognoses and treatment outcomes.

This creates a hyper-immersive, personal experience. None of this is possible using a simple LLM experience, Dekate said. If Google can enable enterprises and consumers to experience this multimodal experience, then Google has the chance to change the marketshare.

In 2024, spending on genAI solutions is expected to reach $40 billion, up from $19.4 billion in 2023. By 2027, genAI spending is expected to hit $143 billion, with a five-year compound annual growth rate of 73.3%, according to research firm IDC.

What we saw last year was the emergence of task-specific models  text-to-text, text-to-image, text-to-video, image-to -ext, etc., Dekate said. Each task had its own model. So, if you have a narrow task of text-to-text, then LLMs perform well.

Googles $20-per month Gemini subscription model also appears aimed at taking market share from leader Microsoft.

US customers can subscribe for $19.99 a month to access Gemini Advanced, which includes a more powerful Ultra 1.0 AI model. Subscribers will receive two terabytes of cloud storage that typically cost $9.99 a month, and will soon gain access to Gemini in Gmail and Google's productivity suite.

Google's new One AI Premium plan is its answer to Microsoft and its genAI partner OpenAI, which developed the GPT LLM that powers ChatGPT.

"Part of it is competing with Microsoft, and part of it is to offer premium services to its premium [customers], mostly business office users who are already paying," said Jack Gold principal analyst at J.Gold Associates. "Also, if you charge a fee, you limit the number of users that would have signed on for free. That gives you the opportunity to fix any problems seen by a more limited number of users, and provides a revenue stream to keep up the engineering, rather than relying on ads to pay for it."

There is also the issue of cost for Google, because it's not cheap to train a large AI model in data centers.

"Not sure how they get paid with running all that AI in the background, which takes a lot more processing power, and power is one of the biggest expenses of running a cloud/data center," Gold said.

Whats amazing about Gemini is that its so good at so many things, said Googles DeepMind CEO Dennis Hassabis. As we started getting to end of the training, we started to see that Gemini was better than any other model out there on these very important benchmarks. For example, each of the 50 different subject areas that we tested on, its as good as the best expert human in those areas.

OpenAI's ChatGPT Plus a year ago pioneered the market for buying early access to AI models and other features, while Microsoft recently announced a competing subscription for AI in programs such as Word and Excel. Both subscriptions cost $20 a month in the United States.
Hollywood actress Emma Stone has opened up about her mental health.

In a recent interview with National Public Radio for her in "Poor Things," Emma Stone shared her battle with childhood anxiety.

She revealed that her first panic attack struck at 7 years old. Despite evidence to the contrary, she vividly remembered feeling her friend's house was on fire. Therapy became a vital tool at age 8, as leaving home for school became a difficult task for her, clouded by fear of panic attacks.

"I started in therapy, I think around age 8, because it was getting really hard for me to leave the house to go to school. I sort of lived in fear of these panic attacks," she said.

How acting helped her anxiety as a child

Turning to acting at 11, Stone found solace in the craft, enabling her to stay present and escape the past or future anxieties. Her experience is a concrete example of how drama therapy can be an effective tool for some people.

Drama therapy is a type of psychotherapy that uses theatrical elements to explore and address emotional and psychological challenges. Through creative expression, individuals engage in therapeutic processes to enhance self-awareness and promote healing. In Stone's case, acting served as an escape where her intense emotions were not only acknowledged but also deemed productive.

Using anxiety as a superpower

Stone sees anxiety as a creative superpower, urging individuals to view it as a unique gift rather than a flaw. This coping mechanism is not uncommon since the emotions behind anxiety and excitement are similar. Anyone can transform their anxiety into an exciting motivational tool. Stone believes anxiety offers valuable tools for managing emotions, emphasizing its potential to serve as rocket fuel for creative pursuits.

"I've told a lot of younger people that struggle with anxiety, that in many ways I see it as kind of a superpower. ... Just because we might have a funny thing going on in our amygdala, and our fight-or-flight response is maybe a little bit out of whack in comparison to many people's brain chemistry, it doesn't make it wrong. It doesn't make it bad. It just means we have these tools to manage," the actress said.

She continued, "And if you can use it for productive things, if you can use all of those feelings in those synapses that are firing for something creative, or something that you're passionate about, or something interesting, anxiety is like rocket fuel because you can't help but get out of bed and do things, do things, do things because you've got all of this energy within you. And that's really a gift."

Parental support

Reflecting on the role of her parents in her journey, Stone acknowledged in the interview the exceptional support she received to pursue acting. Their belief in taking bold steps and the financial stability to facilitate her move to Los Angeles played a significant role in her success.

Ultimately, parental support plays a big role in managing anxiety in children. It provides a foundation for emotional well-being while building resilience and confidence. Parents are a key factor in achieving personal and professional success for children struggling with anxiety.
Do you want the long-lasting effects and scars to fade? Find the best scar gel to lessen scars and enhance skin texture. Choose the best-performing ones for skin that looks more even and smoother.

Scars from skin trauma, such as cuts or surgery, might not go away. Scar gel or cream, which is frequently silicone-based, flattens scars and reduces redness and pain while moisturizing and creating a protective barrier.

Here are 5 scar gel options that can lighten and brighten scars and dry wounds.

Aside from the fact that it is light and non-greasy, the MURASAKI Silicone Scar Gel also has a crystal-like texture. After application, it quickly becomes a part of the skin and effectively treats scars. The ageless nature of this lotion is beneficial to all skin types.

What's more, a wide range of uses, including post-operative healing, cuts and scrapes, burns, acne, hypertrophic scars, keloids, wounds and sprains, C-sections, and others, have been clinically tested with this silicone scar gel.

Physicians who specialize in burn treatment, dermatology, and cosmetic surgery rely on this medical-grade silicone scar gel sheeting. It helps hasten the healing process following heart failure surgery and is appropriate for people of all ages and skin types.

Cross polymer, one of the ingredients that American doctors most frequently suggest for the treatment of scars from things like acne, C-sections, pregnancy, and other traumatic experiences, is a key component of this composition.

With 30 milliliters of nutrient-rich, patented Ovasome Technology, Heal Fast Scar Prevention Cream works like a miracle on scars. Its protein, vitamins, and minerals will aid in skin regeneration and restore its natural appearance.

You can apply this self-drying solution to any exposed or difficult-to-reach area of your face or body. It was tested on animals, contains no artificial colors or fragrances, and is paraben-free.

4. Earthborne Labs Advanced Silicone Scar Gel

Discover the many benefits of using Earthborne Labs' Advanced Silicone Scar Gel, which contains their unique Collaxyl. Allantoin and silicone combine in a revolutionary method to improve the color, feel, and look of scars. Because panthenol, a kind of vitamin B5, is included, it contributes to increased skin hydration and suppleness.

The three clinical trials supporting the safe and effective Collaxyl technology can help people of all skin types.

Finally, Scarx Silicone Scar Gel provides the powerful restorative properties of esterified vitamin C with the benefits of popular silicone scar removal treatments to promote skin recovery. Scarx silicone gel's high vitamin C content helps cure burns, surgeries, and accidents by promoting collagen synthesis and healing, which reduces the visibility of scars, both old and new. Beyond its ability to promote healing, Scarx Silicone Scar Gel has additional benefits for treating scars.

Over the scar, the gel creates a barrier to keep out substances that might impede healing. This barrier helps to seal in moisture while also preventing the scar from drying out and becoming unpleasant. Because Scarx Silicone Scar Gel dissolves fast into the skin, you can use it every day without worrying about it seeming oily.

Remember that not everyone gets great results from scar gel or scar cream. Your scar's type and degree will determine which scar gel or cream is best for you. Consultation with a dermatologist or other certified healthcare expert is necessary to determine the best scar treatment technique for your specific scar.
When President Joe Biden and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump square off in the general election later this year, how many South Park fans will skip the polling booth because they dont want to choose between a douche and a turd?

Trey Parker and Matt Stone have long avoided political affiliation beyond the vague label assigned to them as libertarian-adjacent. However, during every election cycle thats happened since the debut of South Park in 1997, Parker and Stone have chimed in with their iconoclastic, satirical take on the candidates and the competition between them for the most important job in the world. Sometimes, the election episode is allegorical, as was the case in the aforementioned Douche and Turd episode. In other instances, South Park characters are active competitors in the race  see the unfortunately ill-prepared President Garrison arc. But in every such election plot line, Parker and Stone avoid putting all their support behind a single candidate and choose instead to mock every participant from the sidelines.

Here are all the major South Park presidential election plot lines, starting with.

Bush v. Gore Becomes Ike v. Fillmore The real story of how the courts decided the 2000 election is much, much more complicated than the kindergarteners process for picking Ike Broflovski as their class president, but theres probably never been a single politician whom Parker and Stone hated more than Al Gore, so this plot line was stupidly simple. When Mr. Garrison chooses Ike to run for class president in Trapper Keeper, the election comes down to the vote of Flora (very subtle) who chooses the eventual victor Ike in a result thats contested by both Ikes opponent and Rosie ODonnell. Advertisement

George Bush and John Kerry Are Just As Bad As A Giant Douche and A Turd Sandwich This is essentially just the Simpsons Treehouse of Horror storyline where Kang and Kodos assume the identities of Bill Clinton and Bob Dole, prompting the iconic line, Dont blame me, I voted for Kodos. However, Douche and Turd delivered its message with a heavier hand as, when Stan finally casts his vote for school mascot between two equally unattractive options only for the Cow to be reinstated, the episode leaves South Park fans with the explicit lesson that voting doesnt matter. Advertisement Advertisement

Barack Obama and John McCain Join Forces for An Oceans 11 Style Jewel Heist Its almost quaint how, in 2008, the division between the right and left over the results of the presidential election seemed hysterically apocalyptic to Parker and Stone. In About Last Night the dramatic reactions to Obamas victory were the perfect diversion for his and McCains true plan  stealing the Hope Diamond from the Smithsonian with the help of Michelle Obama and Sarah Palin. Only the president-elect could pull off such a perfect crime. Advertisement Advertisement

Obamas Re-Election Revolves Around the Star Wars Sequels Despite only originally winning the presidency for the purposes of swindling the Smithsonian, South Parks President Obama seemingly decided that staying in the White House was worth a dirty deal with the Chinese government that would cede control of the future of Star Wars to the CCP. Meanwhile, Cartmans meddling in the electoral process nearly scores him a part in the Chinese sequel trilogy, but, as is usually the case in South Park and in real life, Mickey Mouse comes out on top and Disney walks away with the IP. Advertisement Advertisement

President Garrison South Parks coverage of the campaign trail leading up to the 2016 election backfired almost as badly as Hillary Clintons private email servers. Parker and Stone thought that Clintons victory over Donald Trump was such a foregone conclusion that they didnt even have a backup plotline on deck in case Mr. Garrison had to come out on top in their first post-election episode Oh, Jeez, leading to one of the sloppiest storylines in recent South Park. Advertisement Advertisement
US cybersecurity officials, alongside their counterparts in Australia, Canada, the UK, and New Zealand, have published a warning that the China state-sponsored hacking group Volt Typhoon is preparing a wave of attacks against critical infrastructure should relations between Beijing and Washington worsen.

US agencies confirmed in a recent alert that Volt Typhoon had compromised the IT environments of multiple critical infrastructure organizations. They wrote that the group is pre-positioning itself on IT networks for potential disruptive attacks, not typical espionage, amid future geopolitical conflicts.

Officials urged the public and IT infrastructure stakeholders to counter the threat by patching vulnerable systems, enabling phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication, and centralizing log storage for enhanced security.

Officials warned that should an attack take place, critical infrastructure in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand would also be targeted.

This announcement comes shortly after a Russian state-sponsored hacker group called Cozy Bear breached HPEs corporate emails, accessing data from a small percentage of mailboxes, in an incident connected to a broader pattern of cyberattacks targeting US tech firms, including a recent breach of Microsoft leaderships inboxes.

Volt Typhoon changes tactics

Recently, US officials reported that they had thwarted a China-sponsored hacking effort by Volt Typhoon using the KV Botnet malware in routers used by small offices to target critical infrastructure.
A group of attackers have compromised accounts on the SendGrid email delivery platform and are using them to launch phishing attacks against other SendGrid customers. The campaign is likely an attempt to collect credentials for a mass email service with a good reputation that would help attackers bypass spam filters in other attacks.

The campaign observed uses a variety of complex lures, such as claiming the victims account has been suspended while its sending practices are reviewed or that the victims account is marked for removal due to a recent payment failure, combined with other SendGrid features to mask the actual destination of any malicious links, researchers from threat intelligence firm Netcraft said in a new report.

SendGrid is a cloud-based email delivery platform owned by Twilio. It helps companies run email marketing campaigns at scale with a high deliverability rate and analytics. The company claims to have over 80,000 customers including popular brands like Uber, Spotify, AirBnB, and Yelp. With even legitimate companies sometimes struggling to deliver emails to users inboxes successfully, it is easy to see how using SendGrid for phishing campaigns is attractive to criminals, the Netcraft researchers said.

The phishing emails masquerading as SendGrind notifications were sent through the SendGrind SMTP servers, but the email addresses in their From field were from other domains, not sendgrid.com. Thats because the attackers used the domain names that the compromised SendGrid customers had configured to be able to send email through the platform for their own campaigns.

Netcraft observed at least nine such domains belonging to companies from a range of industries including cloud hosting, energy, healthcare, education, property, recruitment, and publishing. Because those domains had been configured to use SendGrid for email delivery, the phishing emails passed all the usual anti-spoofing security features like DKIM and SPF as those domains had the correct DNS policies set up. The use of compromised SendGrid accounts explains why SendGrid is targeted by the phishing campaign: The criminals can use the compromised accounts to compromise further SendGrid accounts in a cycle, providing them with a steady supply of fresh SendGrid accounts, the Netcraft researchers said.

Aside from the suspicious addresses in the From field, there is little else to make the rogue emails appear not authentic to a recipient. The link behind the button included in the email is masked using SendGrids click-tracking feature. This means the URL points to a script hosted on sendgrid.net, which then performs a redirect to the phishing page set up by the attackers. However, the URL of the phishing page is passed to the SendGrid script as an encoded parameter so its not visible to the user as clear text when hovering over the button.
The Kremlin doesnt roll out the red carpet for visiting Americans at the best of times. However, since populist firebrand U.S. broadcaster Tucker Carlson arrived a week ago, hes been treated like a major celebrity.

As he and his team have been chauffeured around town in a blacked-out Mercedes, Russian state media has breathlessly covered his every move  snapping him breakfasting at his smart hotel restaurant, attending the ballet Spartacus at the Bolshoi and even visiting a supermarket.

His VIP treatment is particularly shocking because, until a year ago, Carlson was one of the biggest stars on US cable news as a presenter on Fox News. And Vladimir Putin tends to take a dim view of journalists with their unhelpful questions about his brutal invasion of Ukraine and myriad human rights abuses.

To his critics, though, Carlson isnt a journalist at all  hes a propagandist whose fawning support for the Putin regime and contempt for Ukraine could have devastating consequences as Republicans hold up aid for Kyivs embattled forces.

Tucker Carlson (pictured) used to be a presenter on the US's Fox News but now hosts his own show online, which has 11.6 million followers

Yesterday, the Russian government confirmed that Putin had generously overcome his misgivings about the Western media and granted Carlson an interview. It was the first the Russian president has given to the American media since ordering the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

For his part, Carlson insisted its his duty to tell the truth about Ukraine: Two years into a war thats reshaping the world, most Americans are not informed.

He then went on to say that they particularly need to know that the conflict is not good for the U.S., as it has upended the world economy and threatened the dominance of the U.S. dollar. Carlson said he was in Russia because I wanted to talk to people and look around and see how its doing  and its doing very well.

The interview could be aired as soon as today on Carlsons show on the social network X (formerly Twitter), where he has 11.6 million followers, and probably on Russian state media, too.

Ever since Carlson, 54, arrived in Russia and dropped heavy hints hed be meeting Putin, the howls of fury back home have been deafening. Some, including former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger, have called him a traitor, while Bill Kristol, former chief of staff to Dan Quayle when he was George W. Bushs vice president, declared he should be barred from re-entering the U.S.

A long-term stay in icy Moscow wouldnt appeal to Carlson, the privileged son of a journalist father who became one of Ronald Reagans Cold War propaganda chiefs and an heiress stepmother. But being held up at the border would play right into his hands.

For years, Carlson has boosted his media following  most of them Trump diehards  by endlessly peddling conspiracy theories and shameless misinformation, first on Fox News and then on his X show. Covering everything from Covid-19 (hes an anti-vaxxer) to the 2020 election, the January 6 Capitol riots and the Ukraine war, they often revolve around sinister deep state machinations by the American establishment.

Then US president Donald Trump and Russia's president Vladimir Putin talk during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit in 2017

American conspiracy theorist Tucker Carlson (circled) is spotted at a hotel in Moscow this week

One Carlson conspiracy is that his beloved Donald Trump will be the target of an assassination attempt. In return, Trump has mooted the idea of Carlson being his running mate in this years presidential election. Shortly before he was sacked from Fox, Carlson referred to Ukraine as a primitive country where  he claimed  the U.S. government operated secret biolabs and kept sensitive nuclear technology.

Little wonder it was reported last year that Russias information and telecommunications ministry advises state-run media outlets to use as many clips from Carlsons broadcasts as possible, so useful are they to Putins cause.

A measure of Carlsons disdain for accuracy can be gleaned from the fact that he insisted this week that no other Western journalist had bothered to interview the Russian leader and get his perspective on the Ukraine invasion.

CNNs Christiane Amanpour dismissed his claim as absurd as her colleagues had been trying to interview Putin every day since his full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The BBCs Russia editor Steve Rosenberg said they had lodged several requests with the Kremlin in the last 18 months  always a no for us, while Wall Street Journal chief foreign affairs correspondent Yaroslav Trofimov scoffed: Poor, poor Vladimir Putin. Until now, nobody in the West has had the chance to hear him explain all the excellent reasons for why he had to invade Ukraine.

Even the Kremlin corrected him: Mr Carlson is wrong. We receive many requests for interviews with the president. A spokesman said Putin chose Carlson because his position is different.

It certainly is. And for the Putin regime, Carlsons appearance in Russia and his popularity among Trump supporters couldnt have come at a better time as resistance grows in America to the provision of military aid for Ukraine.

Only this week, Trump and his Republican Party followers were blamed by President Biden for sinking a Bill that should have delivered billions of desperately needed dollars to the country.

So concerned is Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell about Carlsons influence over his party  both in Congress and in the wider population  that he declared it disturbing.

His cosy chat with Putin is also important to Carlson as he struggles to rebuild his brand as Americas most influential conservative commentator after being shown the door at Fox News last April.

Insiders say the channels owners, the Murdoch family, tired of his high-handed behaviour and his increasingly extreme positions that, say critics, marked him out as a white supremacist. Its claimed the last straw came when he sent a text to a colleague bemoaning a video of three Trump supporters attacking a Left-wing agitator because three-against-one was not how white men fight.

Carlson and the company were also sued by former Fox producer Abby Grossberg, alleging that Carlson  who regularly liked to refer to people using the c word  presided over misogynistic working conditions on his show. Her lawyer said Grossberg settled the lawsuits for 9.5 million.

Putins macho image, as well as the way the president portrays himself as a true guardian of traditional conservative values  he passed a law in December increasing restrictions on what he called LGBT propaganda, for example  is one reason Carlson and his Make America Great Again fans admire the Russian leader.

Another, perhaps, is Carlsons moneyed but eccentric upbringing in California by his father which gave him a lack of respect for convention. Dick Carlson divorced his mother, an artist, when Tucker was five, winning full custody after citing her alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine abuse that left her incapable of properly caring for the children. Tucker and his younger brother, whose father went on to marry a frozen food heiress who lived next door, never saw their mother again.

Dicks idea of childcare was also sometimes questionable: he would take the two boys with him in his work as a reporter, even once showing them a bloodied corpse at a murder scene and bringing them for Sunday lunch to the home of a notorious mobster accused of a killing.

Carlson Sr later became President Reagans director of Voice Of America, a radio station pumping out the U.S. line around the world, and became the U.S. ambassador to the Seychelles.

Tucker Carlson was sent to a boarding school in Switzerland but was expelled, so went to another in Rhode Island, where he met his future wife, Susan, the headmasters daughter. It was there that he picked up an often-mocked penchant for wearing bow ties, a habit he only dropped on air in 2006. After university, he tried to join the CIA, but opted for journalism when his father told him theyll take anybody.

Opponents cite Carlsons early journalistic years working for Left-wing publications and broadcasters as proof that hes just an opportunistic dilettante whose politics shift with the wind.

Although people close to him insist hes always been a conservative at heart, they still have to explain the current loyalties of a man who once described Trump as the single most repulsive person on the planet.

But thats all in the past. Carlson is smart and his agenda is clear, Russia analyst Janis Kluge told the Washington Post. He and Putin will work together brilliantly to reinforce the false narrative about Ukraine, weaken Biden, and strengthen Trump.

This co-production of theirs may be the most effective and toxic propaganda clip yet created.
Has any recent Budget been so eagerly awaited as the one Jeremy Hunt will unveil in less than four weeks time?

It will be the last of this Parliament, and very possibly the last that a Tory Chancellor will deliver for many years. Lets hope its one to remember.

Many people, myself included, yearn for tax cuts. Some say reduce stamp duty. Others want the so-called tourist tax abolished. Still others yearn for the end of inheritance tax. How wonderful if we could have them all!

Yet, as far as I am aware, no one has been urging Mr Hunt to turn his attention on Budget Day to what is surely the most pressing issue of our age. I mean the lamentable  embarrassing might be a more apt word  state of our defences, as all around there is talk of looming war.

In a recent speech, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps declared that we are moving from a post-war to pre-war world and that our adversaries are now more connected with each other. He was thinking of increasingly menacing countries such as Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.

If you declare that we are living in a pre-war world, it suggests you think war is not likely but certain. It is a very dramatic thing to say. Presumably Mr Shapps was reflecting the view of the Ministry of Defence, to which he moved only last August. He was also speaking on behalf of the Government.

Jeremy Hunt (pictured on last year's Spring Budget day) is due to unveil his latest plan for the country's finances early next month. 'Many people, myself included, yearn for tax cuts,' Stephen Glover writes, but argues perhaps the Chancellor's attention should be on defence

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps (pictured) declared we are moving from a post-war to pre-war world and that our adversaries are now more connected with each other

If Mr Shapps meant what he said  and we must assume he did, since this was a much-heralded speech  one would expect the Government to be straining every muscle to reverse the 30-year whittling away of our military capabilities, which has left us, in the view of many experts, unable to defend ourselves.

Earlier this week, the House of Commons Defence Select Committee published a report warning that our depleted Armed Forces may be unable to fight an all-out war. It adds that a chronic shortage of troops and equipment are being concealed by a veil of secrecy.

Last month, Carlos Del Toro, the U.S. Navy Secretary, said the UK should consider more investment in the Royal Navy and reinforcing the Army. This advice, diplomatically phrased, came a day after the head of the Army, General Sir Patrick Sanders, warned that we have too few troops to fight an all-out war without conscription.

Anyone who knows anything about these matters realises that we are woefully unprepared. You only have to read the Press. On Monday, one of our aircraft carriers broke down, as did the other one not long ago. Neither has anything approaching their proper complement of fighter jets.

Meanwhile, it is reported that our six Type 45 warships, designed to accommodate a system to launch cruise missiles, havent been provided with one on grounds of cost. The ships consequently lack firepower, as HMS Diamond has discovered in the Red Sea, finding itself unable to attack Houthi targets on land.

The space intended for a launch system in Type 45 warships has been turned into a gym instead. Dear God.

How should a Defence Secretary who believes that war is around the corner properly react to all this? He should be battering on the door of No 11 Downing Street, demanding from Mr Hunt an immediate increase in defence expenditure. He should be reminding the Chancellor that Russia is putting itself on a war footing, having more than doubled its spending on defence since 2021.

Perhaps Mr Shapps is working behind the scenes, but the most we have heard from him in public is an aspiration, rather than a commitment, that defence expenditure should increase from its present 2.1 per cent of Gross National Product to 2.5 per cent.

During the 1980s, when the Cold War was at its most intense, defence spending varied between 4 and 5 per cent of GDP. At that time, war with the Soviet Union seemed possible, but no one in their right mind would have said that we were in a pre-war world.

If we are now in that world, as we almost certainly are, an increase to 2.5 per cent would be nowhere near enough. Former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton was probably right when he said recently that the UK should increase defence expenditure as a proportion of GDP to between 5 and 6 per cent.

Nor should we assume that the United States with its vast resources will always defend us. Isolationist tendencies are already evident in America, and they could burst out if Donald Trump is re-elected. Britain and Europe must learn to defend themselves.

Naturally we all want tax cuts in next months Budget, and I believe there should be some. We need them to boost the economy. But, given the dangers we face  and the Governments apparent appreciation of them  it would be unforgivable if the Chancellor ignored defence.

The defence budget is about 46 billion a year. The welfare budget, including pensions, is five times larger, at 231 billion. Total government expenditure is almost 1,200 billion. Are we really to believe that, at a time of global crisis, we cant find enough savings to help us defend ourselves?

Jeremy Hunt should know this in his heart. As the son of an admiral, who grew up in a Forces home, he must realise better than most politicians the importance of defence. Indeed, when he threw his cap into the ring to be PM after Boris Johnson was jettisoned, he proposed increasing spending on defence to 3 per cent of GDP. Since then, the world has become an even more dangerous place.

Strengthening defence capability takes time. Finding and training new recruits, and developing new armaments, are the work of years. If he has the vision and courage, Mr Hunt will seize the opportunity on March 6 to set a programme in motion.

And there is this consideration. Labour, if it wins the election, can easily reverse tax cuts. But in the present climate, having already criticised the Tories for not spending enough on defence  though, typically, without daring to pledge to spend more  it could hardly undo what this Government had started.

Even more than Mr Hunt, the key is Rishi Sunak. Its easy to see him as far more at ease in the plush offices of a high-end bank than on the battlefield. Moreover, hes 14 years younger than the Chancellor and, besides having no connections with the Armed Forces, cant recollect the brutal realities of the Cold War.

Mr Sunak probably thinks that last-minute tax cuts are his best bet for winning the election. I wonder. People are increasingly aware of the growing shadow of war. They might have greater respect for a Prime Minister who put the security of his country first.

At last Octobers Tory Party Conference, Rishi Sunak made much of his vision and the need to make hard decisions and look ahead. Will history think of him as a leader who shamefully neglected defence  or remember him as a man with true vision, who bequeathed this country a precious legacy?
Since October 7, many people have taken to the streets to stand up for what they believe to be right. Thousands have done this peacefully.

However, alongside this we have seen some truly disgusting and hateful behaviour.

The public were rightly outraged at footage of a protester climbing the Royal Artillery Memorial in Hyde Park and of fireworks being fired at and injuring police officers and horses.

I share that outrage and I will not stand by and allow the small minority to incite hatred and commit criminal behaviour  undermining the peaceful protests of others.

That is why since I became Home Secretary, I have been working with police chiefs to identify what changes need to be made to stamp out this violent and dangerous disorder.

Since October 7, many people have taken to the streets to stand up for what they believe to be right. Thousands have done this peacefully. However, alongside this we have seen some truly disgusting and hateful behaviour

The public were rightly outraged at footage of a protester climbing the Royal Artillery Memorial in Hyde Park and of fireworks being fired at and injuring police officers and horses

James Cleverly: The people that war memorials honour gave their lives to protect our freedoms. Nobody can reasonably claim that attacking such monuments represents the legitimate exercise of free speech

Today, we have announced a package of measures to put a stop to this behaviour, once and for all.

Firstly, we are removing the ability to cite the right to protest as a reasonable or lawful excuse to carry out disruptive or even criminal behaviour. There can be no justification for the British public to be prevented from getting to work or from visiting a loved one in hospital by protesters.

It is not right for roads to be blocked, preventing ambulances from getting to hospital and people from attending funerals, and people should not be able to use protest as an excuse for doing so.

But we are doing more.

Under our plans, climbing on a war memorial will carry a prison sentence of up to three months and the possibility of a fine.

The people that war memorials honour gave their lives to protect our freedoms. Nobody can reasonably claim that attacking such monuments represents the legitimate exercise of free speech.

And police will be able to arrest protesters using face coverings to conceal their identities at designated protests. We cannot have individuals hurling abusive, extremist rhetoric and hiding behind a mask. There will be no more hiding from justice.

We are also putting an end to people attempting to carry flares and other pyrotechnics on a march. It poses a significant risk of injury to the wider public.

A new offence will ban the possession of flares, fireworks, and any other pyrotechnics at public processions and assemblies for protest. Those who transgress may face a hefty fine.

These changes are proportionate and sensible, and fully in keeping with what most people would consider to be the proper bounds of free speech. Public spaces and monuments belong to all of us, not just to a minority of selfish thugs or extremists seeking to undermine our democracy.

Of course, the right to protest is profoundly important, free expression is vital to our democracy, and people must be able to speak freely and express themselves.

But the freedom to speak does not mean the freedom to incite hatred and commit criminal behaviour. It is not an absolute right, and for good reason. It does not permit violence or intimidation; it does not permit harassment or abuse.

We have laws against vocally supporting terror organisations for a reason. I am pleased to see those who cross the line arrested, charged, and prosecuted. Furthermore, in the last month, I proscribed Hizb ut Tahrir as a terrorist organisation, a group that celebrated and praised the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel, calling Hamas heroes, on the streets of London.

The changes we have announced today build on the legislation we brought in last year to help the police tackle the public nuisance and serious disruption caused by protesters. Since the passing of our Public Order Act last year, I am proud that 638 protesters attempting this kind of disruption have been arrested.

I am clear that I will not tolerate hateful, dangerous and intimidating behaviour on our streets, and we will make sure we are doing all we can to stand with communities who feel threatened.
When Strictly hoofer Johannes Radebe met Queen Camilla last week he gushed that he was 'beside myself' with happiness that she watches the show.

Camilla gave a Buck House tea party for Strictly, sat in the audience and once recorded a video message for the final.

She is not the only royal viewer. Co-presenter Tess Daly has indiscreetly revealed that King Charles is also a fan claiming: 'They watch religiously.'

With Strictly currently off air have Camilla and Charles been spared the prattlings of Bradley Walsh on Gladiators?

Queen Camilla meets Strictly dancer Johannes Radebe during a visit to the newly opened Meadows Community Centre in Cambridge

Queen Camilla is presented with a pair of tap shoes by dancer Johannes Radebe

Dancers Johannes Radebe and Tasha Ghouri perform for Queen Camilla

Piers Morgan's disclosure that Rishi Sunak telephoned his mother Gabrielle after learning of her seven-hour ordeal on an A&E trolley after suffering a heart attack prompts recollection of late PM Margaret Thatcher's frequent surprise visits to the hospital bedsides of disaster survivors.

In the midst of her Florence Nightingale phase one Comedy Club wannabe claimed that his hospitalised father had added to his doctor's Do Not Resuscitate form: 'Maggie Free Zone.'

Spare a smidgen of sympathy for Zara Tindall, pictured, who has to indulge in the occasional smooch with husband Mike knowing that he allows his brindle boxer Blink to kiss him on the mouth.

'Yes I do because boxers have the softest muzzles and they're so nice,' explains Mike on the Oh My Dog! podcast.

'Zara hates it when I do it, but I would be lying if I said it hasn't happened'. Banish him to the doghouse Zara!

On yesterday's ITVX PMQs show Tom Bradby asked his fellow presenter Robert Peston what advice the Prime Minister might get from an adviser.

Peston replied: 'Oh my God. What the f**k are we going to do?'

ITV's political editor now joins boorish Miriam Margolyes in the ranks of those who have uttered live on TV the word that starts with F and rhymes with duck.

Robert Peston pictured on his ITV talk show Peston in July 2023

The Queen has feted writers including my colleague Robert Hardman for producing miniature books for the library in Queen Mary's Dolls' House.

Tom Stoppard and Alan Bennett also obliged unlike George Bernard Shaw and Edward Elgar who refused to donate works when the house was built in 1924.

And society painter Sir John Lavery demanded five guineas in payment for a miniature portrait. Big money then for a little picture.

Saucy saucier Prue Leith recalls making good use of a bucket of sheep's testicles gifted by a neighbouring farmer.

She fed them to her mother, the actress Peggy Inglis. 'I served the marble-sized pale-pink testicles like sweetbreads, in a cream sauce on toast,' says Prue.

'My mother had two helpings. She was spitting feathers when I told her what she'd eaten.'

Where did the feathers come from Prue?
The murder of transgender girl Brianna Ghey by two sadistic, deeply disturbed schoolchildren was so horrific it almost defied comprehension.

The dignity shown by the 16-year-old's devastated mother Esther has been extraordinary and moving. Why then did Sir Keir Starmer deliberately and cynically drag her into a political storm?

For Labour's leader to weaponise this tragedy in order to shut down discussion of gender ideology was truly reprehensible.

This paper has always said that people have every right to identify as whatever gender they feel comfortable with.

But that does not extend to men who self-identify as women automatically being given access to safe female spaces such as changing rooms.

Esther Ghey meets with Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer in the House of Commons on February 7, 2024

Brianna Ghey, 16, was found dead in Culcheth Linear Park, near Warrington, Cheshire, shortly after 3pm on Saturday February 11, 2023

When Rishi Sunak sought to highlight his opponent's endless policy flip-flopping, he mocked Sir Keir's difficulty in 'defining a woman'.

Adopting a tone of disgust, Labour's leader said it was offensive to raise the issue when Ms Ghey was in the Commons campaigning for child safety and demanded the Prime Minister apologise.

His confected outrage (with the BBC and Sky also getting into a lather on his behalf) is as transparent as it is risible.

It is disingenuous to accuse the PM of being disrespectful.

Perhaps he was slightly tactless. But it is perfectly reasonable to condemn Brianna's murder while arguing that biological reality should be respected.

Sir Keir accuses Mr Sunak of insensitivity, but he is the one exploiting a family's bereavement for base political motives. For someone who claims to lead a compassionate party, it is the worst kind of opportunism.

Crackdown on chaos

After the police complained of having insufficient powers to stop protesters wreaking havoc on people's everyday lives, the Home Secretary has responded.

The public is sick of groups such as Just Stop Oil blocking roads and pro-Palestinian agitators screaming for the destruction of Israel, intimidating passers-by and desecrating war memorials.

So we welcome James Cleverly's crackdown on disruption.

Just Stop Oil protestors hold banners while stood in the middle of the road in Parliament Sqaure, London

A new law will overturn a Supreme Court human rights ruling that has almost given carte blanche to activists to stop traffic.

Another will hit demonstrators who clamber on war memorials, wear masks or let off fireworks with punitive fines or even jail.

As Mr Cleverly writes in today's Mail: 'Public spaces belong to us all not just to a minority of selfish thugs or extremists.'

To safeguard our democracy, he must deliver not just promise.

A housing solution?

No one can be surprised by the observation from Michael Gove that Britain is struggling to build anywhere near enough homes to meet demand.

After all, the Tories  supposedly champions of property ownership  have repeatedly caved in to well-off Nimby activists and watered down building targets.

But with refreshing candour, the housing minister admits that without curbing immigration, a lasting solution to the crisis will remain elusive.

The huge influx is a major factor in soaring prices. If the young can't afford to buy, they will never vote Tory.

The reality is, we can either have mass migration or affordable homes.

It's difficult to see how we can have both.

Michael Gove arrives in Downing Street to attend the weekly Cabinet meeting in London, United Kingdom on February 6, 2024

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey's attempt to squirm out of blame for the Post Office IT scandal is pathetic.

He argues that in 2010, he became the first minister to meet the innocent sub-postmasters.

Now we know why. Not over fears they were the victims of injustice, but because journalists were investigating and he wanted to avoid bad publicity.

He'd earlier snubbed a meeting, saying it wouldn't serve 'any useful purpose'. With this stain on his record, does he?
A chilling new Netflix documentary titled Lover, Stalker, Killer will premiere on the platform on Friday February 9.

The true-crime documentary examines a love triangle that encompasses harassment, digital deception and murder.

But who exactly is Shanna 'Liz' Golyar? What happened to her and where is she now?

Read on below for everything you need to know about the killer and why she murdered Cari Farver.

Shanna Golyar allegedly killed Cari Farver due to what was perceived as jealousy because the latter was dating Kroupa after he rejected advances from Shanna

What happened to Shanna 'Liz' Golyar?

Shanna 'Liz' Golyar, of Omaha, Nebraska met a man named Dave Kroupa in 2012 through a dating app.

Although they spoke to one another online, Mr Kroupa claims he informed the mother-of-two that he was only interested in a casual relationship, which Golyar initially appeared to accept without a problem.

Things took a turn for the worse after Kroupa met Cari Farver at his auto repair shop in Macedonia, Iowa, and asked her if she would be in a relationship with him, to which he obliged.

Golyar then met Farver in the hallway of Kroupa's apartment building when the former had arrived unannounced to pick up her belongings.

Why did Shanna 'Liz' Golyar kill Cari Farver?

Shanna 'Liz' Golyar allegedly killed Cari Farver due to what was perceived as jealousy because the latter was dating Kroupa after he rejected advances from Shanna.

Ms Farver was last seen on November 13 2012 by Kroupa when she left his apartment and went to work.

A few hours later, Kroupa received a text message from Cari asking to move in together, despite the two wanting to remain casual.

Having rejected Cari's request, he received another message, which read: 'Fine. I hate you. I'm dating someone else. I don't want to see you anymore. Go away.'

No one saw Cari again, but Kroupa continued to receive texts from her years later, ranging from stalking to threats.

Farver's mother Nancy Raney said she also received dozens of messages that were seemingly from her missing daughter

By 2015, no one had seen Cari for two and a half years and, intrigued by the case, it was taken up by Pottawattamie County Sheriffs Office investigator Ryan Avis and Sergeant Jim Doty.

The investigation found that Golyar had not only murdered Farver but also kept her phone to impersonate her online.

In doing so, she made an error that was key in helping the police track Golyar down, as she took a photo of what appeared to be a tied up, decomposing body on her tablet.

Another photo, which helped to removed any further doubt, showed a foot with a tattoo of a Chinese symbol that matched the one Farver had on her body.

It was subsequently determined that Golar stabbed Farver to death 24 hours before her disappearance.

What prison is Shanna 'Liz' Golyar in?

On December 22 2016 Golyar was charged with the first-degree murder of Cari Farver and was found guilty of the crime on August 15 2017.

She is currently serving a life sentence at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women.

Digital forensics administrator Anthony Kava estimated that Golyar must have spent about 40 to 50 hours a week impersonating Farver.
The victim had an allergic reaction after having food products thrown at her

She was at the University of Albany when a hazing ritual went wrong

A sorority sister who was arrested and charged for hazing has revealed the extent of the manipulation that occurs during Greek Life pledge season as well as the lasting psychological and physical trauma.

Monica Vitagliano was arrested in 2016 at the age of 19 after a hazing went wrong when a pledging sister had an allergic reaction to a food product that was dumped on her.

The now 26-year-old, from Long Island, appeared on the We're All Insane podcast, admitting she 'had no idea' what she was about to get into when she decided to join the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority.

The former University of Albany student revealed just some of the horrors pledging sisters faced before getting accepted into the exclusive group which included being covered in rotten food down, forced to sleep on a front porch in February and subjected to physical punishments.

Monica Vitagliano, 26, from Long Island, admitted she 'had no idea' what she was about to get into' when she decided to join a Alpha Omicron Pi sorority as a freshman

She appeared on the We're All Insane podcast where she revealed the extent of the manipulation that occurs during Greek Life pledges as well as the lasting trauma

Monica was one of seven sorority sisters to be arrested and charged with hazing in 2016 when she was just 19 years old

'I remember when I got there I was really excited to make friends,' Monica recalled to podcast host Devorah Roloff.

'I wasn't really focused so much on classes,' she continued. 'I was more really focused on what my social life was going to be like.'

Monica explained she wanted to join a sorority after seeing it in pop culture and considered it to be an opportunity to have an in-built group of friends.

'I know that sounds silly because it's like a social group, but it just felt like a sense of security,' she added.

The ex-student explained how the accommodation at her school was laid out - with freshman and sophomore students living in dorms around the campus which was uptown.

Juniors and seniors were allowed to live off campus - which is where the college parties would take place, and it was at these parties that older sorority members would try to recruit girls.

'At these parties upper classman girls will come up to you and they'll make friends with you, and of course you're anxious to make friends so you're thrilled,' she recalled. 'They'll just kind of take you under their wing.'

Monica described their behavior as a 'little predatory,' as people are 'so vulnerable' in the early years of college, explaining that there was a slightly sinister meaning behind the upperclassman making friends with freshmen.

The ex-student explained how the accommodation at her school was laid out - with freshman and sophomore students living in dorms around the campus which was uptown

Juniors and seniors were allowed to live off campus - which is where the college parties would take place, and it was at these parties that older sorority members would try to recruit girls

'These girls will get your social media, they'll get your number and they'll text you like they're your friends,' the sorority sister explained. 'Of course you expect that they are your friend [but] these girls are in sororities and they're trying to recruit you because that's their job.'

Monica went on to explained how she was 'roped in' by a senior at a party, describing her as 'incredibly nice' and a 'free spirit.'

'I had no idea what I was about to get into, and she also did this with [I think] five other girls - so there was six girls in what was called my pledge class,' she said.

Monica explained that agreeing to pledge the sorority means you want to join, and are agreeing to the requirements for getting into the group.

'But you don't know what those things are until move forward with it,' the woman added. 'That's where the hazing comes in.'

From an outside perspective, she said being a sorority just looked like 'meeting people, meeting guys, going out [and] having some elite access to a social life.'

'I really didn't understand that it's not supposed to be that way - it's supposed to be about philanthropy and being part of something that's supposed to help propel your career in the future,' the former sorority sister explained.

'The social aspect is really supposed to aid in more of a philanthropic [way].'

She admitted that as an only child, she was sucked in immediately to the idea.

'I was like oh my God that sounds so cool, these are the sisters that I never had,' she gushed. 'Everything just seems like sunshine and rainbows.

'[The girl who was trying to recruit me] was essentially saying, "You can have all of this - all you need to do is pledge the sorority,"' Monica continued. 'And to me, I was like that's a no-brainer. I want all of this.'

She explained that she wouldn't be pledging to a sorority until after her first year, so just spent the rest of the semester partying and going out, adding she got 'really close' to some of the other girls she'd be pledging with over the summer.

When they got back after the fall semester break however, and were getting ready to pledge to the sorority, the upperclassmen who had taken them under their wings had completely changed their attitude.

'[It was very much], "We're not your friend, we don't like you guys, and you need to earn our respect" - everything became extremely intense,' she explained.

Monica then detailed the grueling hazing that they underwent in order to be a part of Greek Life organization.

'They called us to a house downtown and they were like, "You guys have to be here by 8pm," and they were giving us these strange rules like sit down on the floor cross-legged, close your eyes, line up based on your height,' she recalled.

'One girl gives us this speech saying, "We're not your friend, until you guys cross (pledge). You're not one of us. We don't like you guys."'

The girls were told they could 'drop' - a word used for those who ultimately choose not to join a sorority during the pledge process - but it would mean they were blacklisted from other sororities which would ultimately impact their social lives.

Albany Police Department previously issued a statement regarding the sorority sisters' arrests in 2016

Social media users were horrified by Monica's reaction to the incident, many commenting that she doesn't appear to have much remorse

Monica estimated the pledge process lasts around eight weeks, starting around 7pm or 8pm until the girls went to sleep. The older girls would make them clean and address them in ways to 'degrade and make fun' of them, as well as give them physical punishments like sit ups and push ups.

'You're too scared to drop out of it because you're so scared that your social life will be [ruined],' she shared.

Another brutal pledge was when the girls were forced to line up in the basement of a house and told to fall on their faces.

'They make you flop on the floor like a fish,' she said, describing the incident.

'You literally fall down on the front side of your body but it's a normal human reaction to put your hands up so that you don't hit your face,' she continued.

'If we did that they would scream at us and of course we're going to do that because no one's going to break their face, [then] they started putting things on the floor that we had to fall on.'

While Monica was preparing for her social life to thrive, her school work fell by the wayside, because she was no longer going to any classes.

After being accepted into the organization, she was horrified by her end-of-semester grades, discovering she was almost failing.

'I was so depressed. My brain chemistry was just so off. I was struggling to get a grip on my grades [because] I had prioritized my social life,' the former sorority sister admitted.

But the demands didn't die down even once she was accepted, with everyone being given a 'job' - usually being designated as a recruit or assigned roles to play in the hazing process.

Monica explained that the level of hazing was determined by how many semesters you had been in the sorority for.

'They would send videos of the girls and what they were doing to them and they would laugh about it,' she revealed. 'At this point I was just very indifferent because you almost forget the trauma of what happened.'

The incident that ended with her and several of her sisters being arrested happened on one of the final nights of the incoming pledging period.

Monica was in the basement with the incoming pledges, and had been pouring food products over them, when they started hearing screaming and someone yelling: 'Everybody put your hands up.'

Turning around, they saw about 10 officers who handcuffed them and took them to the police station.

There, they discovered hazing is a misdemeanor in the state of New York and that the police had been called by some other girls living in the house upstairs who were not in the sorority, but had heard screaming.

According to the ex-sorority sister, one of of the girls who was pledging had had an allergic reaction to a food product thrown on her, as she was allergic to dairy.

'They charged us [and] we had to appear in court the next morning,' she said. 'I had no idea that this was a punishable offense.'

The next day, Monica woke to a media storm, describing the public humiliation as 'the most traumatizing thing' out of this whole incident.

She was initially suspended and moved home, enrolling in a community college on Long Island then Hofstra University.

'I decided once I came home that I was going to work, because I was like you know I need to get a job I need to straighten out my life,' she shared.

According to Monica, the girls arrested got given community service and the matter was dismissed after that.

'So it's no longer on our record which is great, but again it's still all over the internet,' she pointed out.

Although YouTube comments were turned off, many people were outraged by Monica's story and slammed her for not appearing empathetic or remorseful for her actions on snippets of the interview posted to TikTok and Instagram.

'This guest lacked so much self awareness and empathy. It was a hard watch and I was surprised she didn't get any pushback during the interview,' one user on TikTok commented.

'This girl cared more about the attention she was getting after getting caught than the morality of doing it in the first place,' agreed another.

In articles published about the incident at the time, one of the pledging sisters required immediate medical attention.

She was then transported to Albany Medical Center to be treated for a severe allergic reaction, which left her with shortness of breath, redness to her face, chest burning and swelling to her eyes, as reported the Albany Times Union.

A spokesman for the university later said that Alpha Omicron Pi is not a recognized sorority at the school, and it has not had a chapter there since 2014.
An American woman has been ridiculed online after answering trivia questions about British history when asked by her boyfriend.

Posting the humorous incident to his TikTok account, Luke Tandy asked his partner seven questions in the clip, which has been viewed more than 100,000 times.

Beginning the quiz, Luke started off with what might be considered an easy question, as he asked: 'Who is the Prime Minister of the UK?'

Surprisingly, his girlfriend was completely clueless, and answered: 'King Charles, King Williams, Prince Williams' - not only managing to confuse Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with members of the royal family, but also stumbling over the Prince of Wales' name.

Posting the humorous incident to his TikTok account, Luke Tandy asked his partner seven questions in the clip, which has been viewed over 100,000 times

Next up, Luke threw in a slightly trickier question, asking: 'What countries make up Great Britain?'

In response, his partner successfully guessed England, Wales and Scotland, and correctly left out Northern Ireland, which is not part of Great Britain, but is only in fact part of the United Kingdom.

She managed to get two in a row right, correctly answering that the pound sterling is the currency of the United Kingdom, before stating that London is the capital of England.

Her streak of correct answers came to an end when she was asked to guess the time zone used in the UK - which is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in winter and British Summer Time (BST) in summer - comically guessing the cities of Bristol and Newcastle as answers instead.

She was also befuddled by her partner's next question: 'Which British chocolatier created the Creme Egg?'

Thinking he meant a person rather than a brand, she hazarded a guess at 'Sir Edward Charles'.

The first filled chocolate egg was created by the Cadbury brothers, John and Benjamin, but the one in its current form was actually manufactured by Fry's in 1961, before it was later made by Cadbury from 1973.

Luke rounded off the video with a 'true or false' category, asking if the following cities are in the UK,: London, Nottingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Marbella.

The first filled chocolate egg was created by the Cadbury brothers, John and Benjamin, but the one in its current form was actually manufactured by Fry's in 1961, before it was later made by iconic brand Cadbury from 1973

She got all of them right, apart from stumbling over Nottingham, which she said was not in the UK, while she believed Cairo - the capital of Egypt - was a British city.

Reacting to the video, other users were incredulous at some of her answers.

One wrote: 'Not knowing who the Prime Minister is is acceptable but to think its the King is absurd'.

Another scorned: 'Imagine thinking Cairo is in England.'

A third joked: 'To be fair to her we have changed Prime Minister a lot recently'.

A fourth remarked: 'Fry's created the creme egg, [it is] now made by Cadbury though!'
A good design can actually help sell a product - but when executed badly it can create a real headache for companies.

People from around the world have shared the worst design fails they have seen in a hilarious thread and Cheezburger.com collated some of the best.

They include a store which advertised selling two items for the price of three and one item for the price of two.

Elsewhere, someone spotted a carton of watermelon in the supermarket, however the packaging said it 'served one' and was also 'perfect for sharing'.

Meanwhile, a worrying sign was spotted in a building asking residents to 'not turn off the lights' as the switch also operates the elevator.

People from around the world have shared the worst design fails they have seen in a hilarious thread and Cheezburger.com collated the best - including a store which advertised selling two items for the rice of three and one item for the price of two

Another photograph showed a hilarious advert to promote an inflatable camper mat showed the model lying next to it.

Meanwhile, another person spotted a no smoking symbol stuck to the bottom of an ashtray.

Here, FEMAIL takes a look at some of the worst designs from around the world...

Meanwhile, another person spotted a no smoking symbol stuck to the bottom of an ashtray

Elsewhere, someone spotted a carton of watermelon in the supermarket, however the packaging said it 'served one' and was 'perfect for sharing'

A hilarious advert to promote an inflatable camper mat showed the model lying next to it

Meanwhile a worrying sign was spotted in a building asking residents to 'not turn off the lights' as the switch also operates the elevator

Elsewhere this confusing product is apparently a 'hair bleaching kit', however it seemingly looks like kids cereal

Another person spotted a plunger at the end of a toilet brush scrubber meaning when you use either end you have to touch the other side

This tote bag is supposed to say 'glitter' however it looks more like a fashion accessory dedicated to Hitler

Elsewhere these bins, in Wellington Zoo, New Zealand, look like they are teaching children that animals like to be fed rubbish
A woman has proudly showcased her enormous black birthmark that stretches across her neck and torso in a bid to raise awareness.

Gloria Aste, from Loveland, Colorado, has a rare skin condition called giant congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN) - which people often confuse for a blackout tattoo.

The 20-year-old regularly receives hateful comments but continues to flaunt her unique feature online.

She told People: 'My goal with social media is to just make differences more mainstream because they can be beautiful.'

Gloria Aste, from Loveland, Colorado, has a rare skin condition called giant congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN) - which people often confuse for a blackout tattoo

She told People: 'My goal with social media is to just make differences more mainstream because they can be beautiful'

Gloria was born with the rare condition that occurs once in only 50,000 births, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).

Giant CMNs are described as 'benign, tumor-like malformations resulting from faulty development of pigment cell precursors in the embryo.'

The social media star explained they 'aren't on your skin, but are your skin.'

She candidly told the publication: 'I grew up with people constantly asking me questions about my skin. The questions used to be more like "did you color on yourself?"

'However, as I have gotten older, most people assume that it's a blackout tattoo, which actually happens pretty often.'

She continued: 'I wanted to be open about my birthmark on social media because what I have is pretty rare and I grew up without seeing anyone that looked like me on anything.

'I want to make people aware of it and I'd love to see more people who have it embrace it.'

Gloria confessed that there are downsides of being so candid online as she revealed she often receives hateful and inappropriate comments.

The 20-year-old regularly receives hateful comments but continues to flaunt her unique feature online

Gloria recently took to TikTok, where she has more than 65,200 followers, to respond to one such comment that read: 'Nice blackout tattoo'

But she concluded: 'I think that there's just a lot of ignorance and lack of education that push people to say these things to me.

'I honestly don't get bothered much by the meaner comments because I think it's easy to hide behind a screen and say whatever you want with no consequences.'

Gloria recently took to TikTok, where she has more than 65,200 followers, to respond to one such comment that read: 'Nice blackout tattoo.'

She flaunted her feature in a cropped crochet knit top and jeans as she posed playfully for the camera.

The content creator added a sarcastic voiceover in the clip from the movie Precious which stated: 'Since you got your degree and you know every f**king thing.'

Gloria captioned the clip: 'Just an educational opportunity for people.'

And she was quickly flooded with supportive comments.

One person related to her content and wrote: 'Girl, I'm baffled every time someone asks me if mine is a blackout tattoo.'

Another person wrote: 'So hot,' while another follower added: 'You are beautiful.'

A fourth commenter added: 'I know they aren't the same things, but I have to say, you've made me feel more confident with my skin graft.

'I got to help heal a quarter of my body after a burn accident... scars and all. Thank you.'
I always assumed I would have children  in the same unthinking way I assumed I would make the same money as my parents or live in the same kind of house.

But, as the years ticked by, motherhood never presented itself as an option. Ive been single most of my life. At 30, I moved to New York and was far too distracted to hear the tick-tock of my biological clock.

It wasnt until I landed back in England, at the age of 33, that I looked around, stunned, to see a handful of friends with babies in their arms and toddlers yanking at their legs.

For the first time I felt that sense of an absence in my life. Reading childrens stories with my two-year-old goddaughter Hettie perched on my lap made my heart ache. At a concert I was transfixed by the little girl in front of me, hoisted high on her mothers shoulders, deliciously plump arms swaying in time to the music.

But now, at 35, with no partner and without the funds to support another human being, Im pretty sure Im not going to become a mother.

And, despite that murmuring broodiness, Ive made my peace with it. I dont lie in bed worrying about whether Im going to have a baby or not and I certainly dont feel the desire for a child strongly enough to become a single mother via IVF or adoption.

'I dont lie in bed worrying about whether Im going to have a baby or not,' Isolde Walters (pictured) writes, adding: 'I certainly dont feel the desire for a child strongly enough to become a single mother via IVF or adoption.'

Yes, I am missing out on an undeniable joy, but there is plenty to be said for life without children: Ill have time to travel, invest in friendships, hobbies and work. Ill be a loving aunt and godmother.

And I will hardly be unusual. Opting to be childless (or childfree, as some prefer to call it) is an increasingly popular choice for UK women.

The birth rate has dropped to its lowest level in 20 years. Among mothers born in the UK, the number of births has fallen by an astonishing 22 per cent in a decade.

This decline isnt unique to Britain. The average American woman had three children in 1950, and now has about 1.6, significantly lower than the replacement rate of 2.1 children required to keep the population stable.

Its the same story across Europe. Italy, a country known for its culture of extended families gathered around a boisterous dinner table, has seen the birth rate take such a nose dive that there are now 12 deaths for every seven babies born.

Last week Spain recorded its lowest birth rate in history, with fewer than 300,000 children born in the first 11 months of 2023, and even in China, the population is shrinking for the first time since the 1960s.

With the decline in births in developed parts of the world  economists have dubbed it the Great People Shortage some are warning of a looming demographic crisis, with unfilled jobs in key sectors and young taxpayers outnumbered by ailing pensioners.

Lisa Evans says she always thought she would have children, but last year, after ending a relationship and taking up salsa dancing, her mind began to change

In the UK, Conservative MP Miriam Cates  seen as a rising star on the right of the Tory party  calls the falling birthrate the most pressing policy issue of a generation.

Blaming it on the devaluing of the crucial role of motherhood, high numbers of young people building up debt and career ambition by going to university, she condemns the fact that having babies is seen as a lifestyle choice rather than a socially valuable endeavour which is fundamental for survival.

But is she right? And why am I and so many of my friends not having children?

Undoubtedly, one reason is the crippling cost.

The average annual fee for a full-time nursery place for a child under two in Britain is now a staggering 14,836, according to a report by childrens charity Coram, with one in four parents saying the cost of childcare is now more than 75 per cent of their take-home pay. In London, a friend pays 2,600 a month for her toddlers spot at nursery, totalling 31,200 over the year.

I simply couldnt afford those kinds of fees. University debt adds to the financial burden for millennials like me  in my last job, 250 of every monthly salary went to paying off my student loan  but we also have pensions to save for and ever-rising bills to stretch to. Even if I had a partner, I struggle to see how I could make it work financially.

Catess answer to this is that babies should be at home with their biological mothers and not in nursery at all.

Tara Marguilles has never felt the maternal instinct and watching friends become mothers left her even more convinced. Its beautiful to see them so happy but, for myself, I couldnt think of anything worse,' she says

But for my generation that feels like a serious backward step. All the women I know who dont want children have jobs they enjoy and are invested in.

One friend, who is deliberating on whether to have a second child, says: The thing is, I just really love working.

I watched as my mother gave up her career as a solicitor when she had three children, and I dont want that.

Yet I look at what working mums have to put up with too and I shudder. The motherhood penalty women pay at work is still as stiff and unfair as ever. While new fathers can expect a boost to their income, new mothers find themselves diverted onto different paths with lower salaries and promotion prospects, according to research by Cornell University and charity Pregnant Then Screwed. Indeed, Ive watched it in action in the past few years as mothers have been pushed out of offices until theres only working dads and childless women left.

Then theres the problem of where to live. Traditionally, couples waited until they owned their own place before starting a family, but as people return to live with parents or in house shares because they cant afford a place on their own, parenthood is delayed or missed entirely.

One friend of 39 has bought a flat with her boyfriend. What if Id got this place when I was 33? she asked. I might have had a five-year-old running around by now.

Since the age of 21, Ive lived in ten different properties with 18 different flatmates. Many of these households were caring homes  but none of them would have been the place to raise an infant.

Last summer, with the help of an inheritance and a massive withdrawal from the bank of mum and dad, I bought a two-bedroom flat in South London. At the back of my mind, I pictured a cot in the second bedroom at some point but, a year later, I am still single and with no immediate prospect of finding a partner.

Indeed, the way we date now is surely playing a part in the freefall of the birth rate. Swipe through Hinge or Bumble and theres an apparent endless sea of prospective suitors out there  but too much choice leads to paralysis.

Its hard to settle down when you have a sneaking suspicion someone better may be a few swipes away. Id also add that for young men, who lets face it have always prioritised fun not fatherhood, theres an even greater reluctance to commit.

Ive dated a couple of these commitment-phobes. One told me he was too wrapped up in his work for anything serious and the other made it clear he was more interested in sowing his wild oats than settling down. But its not just men  Ive backed out of serious relationships with some who cared about me and would have made fabulous fathers because I wasnt interested in being tied down. Add a new working-from-home culture which eliminates the office, that tried-and-tested breeding ground for relationships, and it is easy to see why so many more of us are single.

Just this week, the Office for National Statistics revealed less than half of adults are in marriages and civil partnerships, while census figures show that a hefty 58.9 per cent of adults between 30 and 34 were unmarried in 2021.

No wonder the egg-freezing industry is booming with young women hoping they can hedge their bets and use a sperm donor if they cant find a long-term partner in time to concieve naturally.

I am not among them. Im saving for a three-month trip to South America instead. But how I envy men in this regard. A man is able to wake up at 50, decide he wants children and adjust his age settings for potential partners on the apps accordingly.

Give me 15 more years and then, perhaps, Id be ready to have a baby too. Or would I? For its also true that women are increasingly choosing a future without children for its own sake.

Take 26-year-old computer graphics artist Lisa Evans, from London. She always thought she would have children, but last year, after ending a relationship and taking up salsa dancing, her mind began to change.

I had a very rigid view of what I wanted to be and I think a lot of that comes from societal expectations for women about what you should do, she said. The salsa dancing community has this free-spirited, almost hedonistic, attitude of embracing life and not worrying too much about what your family is expecting you to do. It really broadened my horizons in terms of thinking about what I wanted my future to look like.

She realised she had been working to a subconscious time frame: married by 26, first baby at 28.

I stayed in relationships because I needed to settle down with someone, but then I asked myself: do I actually want to spend my life with this person or did I just pick them because they happened to come along within the time frame? When she pictures her future now, children are conspicuously absent. Im hoping for a lot of travel and a lot of freedom in my life  that is something that I would be worried to give up if I had children.

I want the opportunity to change and evolve as a person outside of a box that I sometimes feel motherhood confines you to.

Were often told that young people are not having children because of fears about climate change, but I suspect this is overstated. Citing altruistic concern for the planet sounds better than saying you dont want to be a mother because youd prefer to go on holiday.

Tara Margulies is another woman whos adamant she wont start a family.

If someone gave me a million quid, I still wouldnt have a kid, the 30-year-old digital marketer and entrepreneur says.

She informed her now husband Sam, 38, on just their second date that she had no interest in becoming a mother. He was showing me pictures of his two-year-old niece. I said: Yeah, cute, but I dont want kids.

He told me it was a bold thing to say on a second date. But I would never want to go into a relationship with someone and not be on the same page about something as big as this.

Tara, who lives in North London, has never felt the maternal instinct and watching friends become mothers left her even more convinced.

Its beautiful to see them so happy but, for myself, I couldnt think of anything worse.

READ MORE: SOFIA VERGARA reveals the family tragedy that inspired her to play Griselda in Netflix hit... and why not wanting more children led to her divorce from Joe Manganiello Advertisement

Life is so good right now. I can do whatever I want with my time and be spontaneous. Im starting businesses, Im making new friends, I wouldnt want to give that up to have a child. The pros dont outweigh the cons.

That includes the sense of purpose children are alleged to bring. The young women I talk to either dismiss it as a myth or say they will find it elsewhere, for example in work, hobbies or travelling.

I just think that we are on this earth to have a nice time, says Tara. I dont feel like I need purpose as long as life is good, and Im happy.

On her Instagram account @movewithtara, Tara displays this child-free lifestyle in videos of glamorous parties, Ibiza retreats and Italian road-trips.

Has she has ever been called selfish for not having children? Politicians such as Cates say women must have babies to prop up an ageing nations economy, after all.

Yes, she has been called selfish, but she doesnt care. I think its important to be selfish when making this decision, she says.

We only have one life and this, in my opinion, is the biggest decision youll ever make. If youre not making it for yourself and based on what you want, then theres something wrong.

Meanwhile, governments around the world are trying to influence that decision. President Macron announced this week that France will offer free fertility tests to 25-year-olds in an attempt to reverse Frances falling birth rate. In Italy, Right-wing prime minister Giorgia Meloni has halved the VAT on nappies and baby milk to encourage Italians to procreate.

Phoebe Arslanagic-Little, head of the New Deal For Parents at centre-right thinktank UK Onward, insists there is plenty that could be done to boost Britains birth rate and make the country more parent-friendly.

Changes to the tax-benefit system, in particular tackling child benefit anomalies which campaigners argue penalise single-income families, would economically ease the way for parents, while fertility treatments such as IVF should be made more accessible to people on the NHS.

Perhaps these policies would nudge the dial. But I think the problem goes deeper than that.

Bringing a baby into the world is an act of hope. Its a signal of faith in the future. Pope Francis described the birth rate as the main indicator for measuring the hope of a people. And the problem is, theres not much hope around right now.

Prices are rising, home ownership is plummeting, terrible conflicts are breaking out across the world. Is it all that surprising that Im not desperate to bring a baby into a world that looks so bleak?

Will I regret it? Perhaps. But as every single woman I spoke to for this piece told me, Id rather regret not having kids than regret having them.

When Miriam Cates and all the other politicians telling women to have more babies, can promise us a stable world, affordable childcare, committed fathers and the guarantee that our careers wont take a hit, then we might change our minds.

As it is, I value my freedom too much to risk it.
As Prince William returned to royal duties following several weeks out of the spotlight on Wednesday night, he was joined by a very famous face.

The Prince of Wales, 41, attended a gala for the London Air Ambulance Charity in his first day back at work - and to the delight of royal fans, he teamed up with Hollywood actor Tom Cruise to attend the event at the Old War Office.

The pair, both looking sharp in tuxedos, beamed as they stood side-by-side in a snap posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales's X/Twitter account, with the caption: 'Fancy seeing you here!'

But for the more eagle-eyed royal watchers, Cruise's appearance at a royal event may not be much of a surprise at all - indeed, the 61-year-old Hollywood legend has attended a number of events with the royals over the years and has had starring roles in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, as well as the Coronation Concert.

He has known to rub shoulders with the Prince and Princess of Wales, Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, and Princess Diana - and has even said King Charles can be his 'wingman'.

Tom Cruise's cosy appearance with Prince William at the London Air Ambulance gala on Wednesday is not his first royal connection

Appearing at the London Air Ambulance event in the nation's capital on Wednesday, the famed Scientologist twinned with Prince William in black tie - and the royal even made a nod to Cruise, who has donated millions to the charity, in his speech.

'Here in London, the current aircraft have served magnificently. But our capital city needs a new fleet.

'And we are Up Against Time. The clue really is in the Appeal's name. By September, we need the two new red birds - decked with the latest kit such as night vision - in our skies.

'I should also take this opportunity to give a mention to my - our - fellow pilot, Tom Cruise. Tom, huge thanks for supporting us tonight.

The 61-year-old movie star famously took the Princess of Wales's hand as he led her up the stairs at the Top Gun: Maverick premiere

'And if you wouldn't mind not borrowing either of the new helicopters for the next Mission : Impossible, it would be appreciated.

'We have all seen on our screens that - how can I put it - you seem to have a different take on 'normal wear and tear' to the rest of us.

'It's not the kind that buffs out, that's for sure.'

Cruise has continued to bond with members of the royal family with a love of flying over the years - not least, Her late Majesty the Queen.

In the late monarch's final weeks at Windsor Castle before travelling to Balmoral where she died, she invited Cruise for tea at the royal residence.

She was said to have been disappointed that she had not met the star during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, which had taken place earlier that summer.

Despite not seeing the Queen during the week of celebrations, Cruise appeared in a segment of the at the Jubilee, and said of her: 'She's a woman I greatly admire. She has tremendous dignity and I admire her devotion. What she has accomplished has been historic.'

Insiders said the pair 'really hit it off' during their meeting and the late Queen 'loved seeing him' - and she even allowed him to land his helicopter on the lawn of the Castle.

Cruise was even invited back for lunch - but the Queen sadly passed away before he could return.

The Hollywood star, who had been filming his latest Mission Impossible film in the UK, said: 'She's just a woman that I greatly admire. I think she is someone who has tremendous dignity and I admire her devotion.

'What she has accomplished has been historic. I just remember always as a kid seeing photos of her.'

A source told The Times: 'The Queen let it be known she was really disappointed not to have met Tom at the pageant.

'So he was invited to have a special tour of Windsor Castle with everything laid on for him. Afterwards, just the two of them had tea together.

'She loved seeing him and they really hit it off, so much so that she invited him back for lunch.'

Cruise met Princess Dian several times during the 1990s - including in 1992 at the charity premiere of Far and Away

Despite missing out on the Platinum Jubilee celebrations that June, Cruise flew to London later in the month for his Top Gun: Maverick premiere - and invited two very special royal guests along.

The star was accompanied by the Prince and Princess of Wales on the red carpet - and during the appearance, the Hollywood star noted he has 'a lot in common' with the royal.

Speaking about the royal couple, he praised 'what they do for their country'.

He continued: 'We have a lot in common. We love England, we're both aviators, so it's just going to be a really wonderful evening.'

During the red carpet appearance, the actor even held out his hand for Kate in a gesture of chivalry as they ascended the steps to the stage.

At the time, a PR expert speculated that Cruise's decision to invite the royals to his premiere, which was also a charity event, might have been part of a little-known industry trick known as 'brand halo' in which people in the public eye associate themselves with something positive in the hope the glossy sheen rubs off on their own image.

'We see people hang around celebrities, want to be photographed at high profile events, and to be seemingly 'endorsed' by well-liked entities online,' Lida Citroen said.

The late Queen is said to have been disappointed she was unable to meet Cruise during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations and invited him for tea at Windsor Castle shortly before she died

'It's possible this is the strategy behind Cruise's promotion of his new movie with an institution as popular and well-recognised as the Royal Family.'

Although naysayers may dismiss Cruise's association with the royals as a PR stunt, his connection to the family goes back a long way - and he was even friends with Princess Diana.

In 1992, when he was married to Nicole Kidman, Cruise invited Diana to another London premiere of Far and Away.

However, it has been reported that Diana might not have been quite so enamored with the actor as he was with the royal family.

Former royal chef Darren McGrady once recalled how Princess Diana said Cruise was 'off the list' in terms of dating options because he was 'too short'.

The royal had met with Cruise again on the set of Mission: Impossible, and brought Prince Harry and Prince William along.

Despite the occasional reported 'snub', Cruise's love of the royals has endured - and he even made a cameo at the King's Coronation Concert.

The Hollywood star appeared in a VT played during the concert from his fighter jet - where he delivered a special message for King Charles.

He said: 'Pilot to pilot, Your Majesty. 'You can be my wingman.'
Jenna Ortega, 21, has made headlines for her racy sex scene with Martin Freeman, 52, in their new movie, Miller's Girl, after viewers branded the raunchy on-screen moment as 'gross'.

But this isn't the first time the Disney star has performed such a scene with a much older man.

She previously stripped off for a sex scene with American rapper Kid Cudi in the 2022 horror film X when she was 19 and he was 37, under the guidance of intimacy coordinator Tandi Wright.

Wednesday star Jenna described Tandi as 'the sweetest, kindest intimacy coordinator in the world' during an interview with IndieWire.

The slasher movie, which received generally positive reviews from critics, follows a group of young filmmakers set out to make an adult film in rural Texas, but soon find themselves fighting for their lives.

Jenna, who took on the role of Lorraine, starred alongside Mia Goth, who played Maxine, and Brittany Snow, portraying the character Bobby-Lynne - and all three women praised the film's intimacy coordinator.

Set in 1979, the film follows strip-club owner Wayne (Martin Henderson) who gathers a group of friends and employees, including his girlfriend Maxine (Mia Goth), to make a low-budget adult film, titled The Farmer's Daughter, in rural Texas.

In order to save money on a location, the cast and crew stay and shoot at a remote farmhouse owned by a reclusive, elderly couple, but when their hosts catch them in the act, the filmmakers find themselves fighting for their lives.

Jenna plays shy Lorraine, the cameraman's girlfriend who is initially horrified by the pornographic scenes, being filmed, but later becomes intrigued and wants to get involved.

The director agrees and shoots her stripping off and climbing into bed with Jackson - played by Kid Cudi.

At the time, former Disney star Jenna was 19, while American rapper Kid Cudi was 37 - 19 years her junior - but she said she felt comfortable thanks to intimacy coordinator Tandi Wright who worked closely with the actors and producers on set.

Tandi received praise from all three leading ladies for maintaining their comfort during filming and allowing them to be in full control of the intimate scenes.

In an interview with IndieWire, Jenna said the script was 'super enticing', explaining: 'I was really eager to do something that I had never done before and put myself in an environment that was so different from anything I've ever filmed.'

Jenna Ortega was 19 when she starred in the 2022 movie X

Jenna, who was 19 at the time, was involved in a racy sex scene with Kid Cudi, then 37

Jenna Ortega, who plays Maxine, strips off before being joined by Kid Cudi, portraying Jackson

Lorraine (Jenna Ortega) seduces Jackson (Kid Cudi) in bed - in front of a filming crew

Tandi and Jenna maintained regular communication to discuss scenes and their execution.

Similarly, intimacy coordinator Kristina Arjona, who worked on Jenna's new film Miller's Girl, exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com that the actress was involved in decisions about the curation of the racy moments.

Kristina insisted the actress was 'sure of what she wanted to do' for her X-rated sex scene with Martin Freeman and that at no point were any 'boundaries surpassed'.

Jenna, 21, plays 18-year-old student Cairo Sweet in the age-gap drama, while Martin, 52, takes on the role of her teacher Jonathan Miller.

And viewers were quick to express their unease at watching the Wednesday actress engaging in 'uncomfortable' sexual scenes with the Sherlock star who is 31 years her senior.

'There was many, many people throughout this process, engaging with [Jenna] to make sure that it was consistent with what she was comfortable with, and she was very determined and very sure of what she wanted to do,' Kristina said.

An X-rated sex scene between Jenna Ortega and Martin Freeman in new film Miller's Girl has been branded 'gross' by viewers due to their 31-year age gap

The intimacy coordinator who worked with both actors has confirmed that Jenna was 'very determined and very sure of what she wanted to do'

Kristina Arjona told DailyMail.com that 'informed consent' was 'consistent' throughout filming with both Martin and Jenna

'Part of my job too is supporting her decisions. I adapt to whatever is the comfort level of my actors, especially on a production like this where there is a large age gap between the actors.

'I'm hyper aware of both of my talent and making sure that we're consistently checking in and that at no point are any of their boundaries being surpassed. And again, making sure - especially with someone who's significantly younger - that they are giving continuous consent.'

The film sees Cairo and Jonathan become entangled in a very complex and inappropriate relationship, with Cairo choosing to pen a sex story after being given a creative writing assignment by her tutor-turned-love interest.

Kristina discussed the 'level of nudity' with Jenna and Martin, as well as which 'simulated sex scenes' were required, before talking them through modesty garments and the 'additional barriers' they could use to ensure an 'appropriate distance' was maintained.

This information was also given to the actors in a written format 48 hours before the scenes were filmed, but Kristina stressed that they 'also have the option on the day to change their mind if they don't want to do any of the elements that we've discussed.'

She revealed there were ample discussions between cast and crew before the scenes were shot and that test audiences were used to give bosses an idea of what was 'too much.'

'For this film, in particular, because of the sensitivity of the content, they had some different variations of how they wanted to shoot these scenes so that audiences could watch them at test screenings to see what was too much.'

Martin plays a teacher named Jonathan Miller who forms a very close relationship with his student Cairo Sweet, played by Jenna

Kristina revealed that there were ample discussions between cast and crew before any scenes were filmed and when the cameras did roll, various alternatives were shot

Sherlock actor Martin bulked out for the film and had noticeably bigger biceps to play the role

Jenna's character is seen smoking in quite a lot of scenes as she forms a complex relationship with her older teacher

However, viewers were quick to voice their disdain for the intimate scenes that ultimately ended up in the movie, with one simply writing: 'I'm uncomfortable.'

Another wrote: 'I think I am finally done watching these age gap movies. They are all gross and I am tired of it. No amount of Jenna Ortega or Martin Freeman could save this one for me [sic].'

Others defended the film - which was directed and written by Hollywood newcomer Jade Halley Bartlett, with one writing: 'An erotic thriller starring Martin Freeman and Jenna Ortega lol like what were people expecting.'

Another wrote: 'Apparently people are freaking out because Jenna Ortega kisses a girl in once scene, and assumes the doggy style position with Martin Freeman in another. Like guys, it's a movie, she's acting. Chill.'

A source also told DailyMail.com: 'People need to get over the fact that Jenna is not Wednesday Adams and that she is a grown woman who is exploring serious roles as a talented actress.

'The fact that this stirred the pot and is being labelled as gross is incredibly misogynistic.'

Director Jade Halley Bartlett pictured with Jenna and Martin at the world premiere screening of Miller's Girl at the 35th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival last month

Martin's role as a desirable teacher is a far cry from his previous acting credits, including the hapless Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit

Jenna appeared much more childlike when she took on the role of Wednesday Addams in the hit Netflix series Wednesday

Martin plays the part of a failed writer who turned to teaching after his attempts to find success as a published author fell short.

He sees a huge amount of untapped talent in Jenna's Cairo, and, despite her increasingly inappropriate pursuits of him, chooses to risk his career and his marriage in order to try and help her succeed where he failed.

Jade has spent years trying to bring the movie to life - having earned a 2016 spot on the Black List, a platform that highlights unproduced screenplays and helps writers and producers to get their work on the big screen.

The film, which was written initially as a play by Jade in 2011, was released by Lionsgate in theaters on January 26, having premiered at the Palm Springs International Film Festival earlier this year.
Debate broke out on GMB today as plus-size model and broadcaster clashed over whether passengers should be weighed before a flight.

American actress and plus-size model Hayley Hasselhoff, 31, said 'it's triggering to people with eating disorders', while Mental Health Campaigner and broadcaster Neev Spencer said 'weighing yourself is a good thing, as it can highlight issues.'

The debate comes after Finnair has announced it will begin weighing passengers with their carry-on luggage to better estimate the plane's weight before take-off.

Hayley said: 'I have had friends going to airports in the last couple of hours and not knowing they are going to be weighed, that's triggering.

'There are 3.4 million people in the UK suffering with an eating disorder, either suffering or recovering. So going to an airline and checking in and finding out you will have to be weighed, being in a vulnerable state and having to put your weight out there, that is a lot.'

Debate broke out on GMB today as plus-size model and broadcaster clash over whether passengers should be weighed before a flight. Hayley Hasselhoff, 31, said 'its triggering to people with eating disorders'

'There needs to be a disclaimer, because if there is going to be Finnair saying: "We are doing it in a more affordable approach because it's less fuel cost for us", then of course people will book it and not read the fine print.'

Neev argued that it's a safety precaution and could be beneficial for nervous flyers.

She said: 'For me as a nervous flyer, safety is paramount, Finnair are forward thinking in what they do. This is about operational strategy, if the engineers say this is safe I am for it.'

'Sorry to say this, but if you are larger than you are infringing on someone else's space. That's a whole issue in itself.

'I think they are doing it for operational efficiency. But I'm going to say this and it's controversial, weighing yourself, whether you're underweight or overweight, can be a good thing, it it can highlight issues.'

However Hayley said the airline needs to make sure to warn passengers before they get to the airport that they will be weighed.

She said: 'They need to take responsibility and say when you come to the airport we are going to be weighing you, to let people know what they are getting into.

'Your body your choice, your flight your choice, I'm here for it of someone thinks it's a better safety precaution for them to be weighed that's fine. However, they should have that choice before they get to the airport.

The debate comes after Finnair has announced it will begin weighing passengers with their carry-on luggage to better estimate the plane's weight before take-off

Mental Health Campaigner and broadcaster Neev Spencer said 'weighing yourself is a good thing, it can highlight issues'

'The concern is that it's going to continue on and be a profitable margin and I think that is something that we have seen in the plus size community for very very long.'

Neev added: 'Not making it public I hear you but they do make it private, that is what they are saying.'

Viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their own thoughts on the controversial topic.

One person said: 'If youre so sensitive about this then youre probably over weight!'

Another said: 'No way, absolutely unacceptable. Estimate it another way, my weight is my private business.'

Viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their own thoughts on the controversial topic

Someone else joked: 'Ive struggled for years to find the motivation to work out and eat healthier. I have a flight coming up with Finnair shortly. Im writing this from a treadmill while preparing salad! Thank you Finnair!!'

While a fourth said: 'I agree, given the increase of obesity in society, its the only safe way of ensuring the plane is safe to fly. Its not about shaming, its about safety'

The airline announced it will begin weighing passengers with their carry-on luggage in order to better estimate the plane's weight before take-off.

Finnish carrier Finnair told media they began 'measuring' passengers departing from Helsinki on Monday.

'So far, more than 500 volunteer customers have participated in the weigh-ins,' spokeswoman Kaisa Tikkanen said.

Finnair, which services the UK with budget flights to and from Finland, noted in a statement airlines work out the weight of the plane, its interior and passengers on board to balance the flight and make for safe transit.

Airlines may use average weights provided by aviation authorities - assumed to be 88kg - or collect their own data, it said.

Finnair assured potential passengers that collected data is not linked 'in any way' to customers' personal data in their statement.

'Only the customer service agent working at the measuring point can see the total weight, so you can participate in the study with peace of mind,' said Satu Munnukka, head of ground processes at Finnair.
Paula Hudgell, from Kent, adopted Tony with her husband Mark Hudgell in 2016

Paula Hudgell has marked the anniversary of welcoming her adoptive son Tony into her family by sharing a selection of heartwarming photographs.

In 2014, Tony was 41 days old when he was rushed to hospital with multiple organ failure, numerous fractures and sepsis following horrific abuse at the hands of his parents, Jody Simpson and Tony Smith.

Incredibly, Tony fought back and was placed into the foster care of Paula and Mark Hudgell, from Kent.

The couple officially adopted him at 17 months in 2016 and he had both legs amputated aged three, due to the severity of his injuries from the abuse.

Now at nine years old and a Pride of Britain winner, Tony raises money walking vast distances on prosthetics and has also struck up a special relationship with the Princess of Wales.

Paula Hudgell commemorated the day she welcomed Tony (pictured) into her family by sharing a selection of Tony's baby pictures on X, formerly Twitter

Paula, who has since become an OBE for her services for childcare, said she wouldn't changing a thing about adopting Tony. Pictured: Paula and Tony

Paula celebrated the journey on social media and explained she 'wouldn't change a thing'.

Taking to X, Paula wrote: 'Nine years ago today you came into our lives as a tiny broken 4 month old baby.

'Your eyes so deep with pain that no child should ever endure.

'That day started off as a job but ended with you being our family #wouldntchangeathing #fostercarer #adoption.'

Tony was admitted to the Evelina London Children's in Southwark, south east London, in 2015 after being tortured by his birth parents Jody Simpson and Tony Smith, of Whitstable, Kent.

He had been attacked by his parents and left with broken fingers and toes, plus torn ligaments in his legs.

He was then left untreated and in pain for ten days.

In 2018, Simpson and Smith were both convicted of child cruelty and received a ten-year jail sentence.

Tony's adoptive mother, Paula Hudgell, successfully campaigned for Tony's law in order to increase sentences for those found guilty causing 'serious harm' to a child from ten to 14 years.

Tony and his mother Paula met the Princess of Wales for the second time at the Day Centre at the Westminster Hospital in December 2023

Just 41 days after his birth, Tony was rushed to hospital after suffering horrific abuse at the hands of his birth parents

Paula made an emotional tribute to Tony and explained that his eyes were 'so deep in pain that no child should endure'

Causing the death of a child rose from 14 years to life under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.

Tony also won a Pride of Britain award in 2022 for raising 1.7million for the Evelina London Children's Hospital hospital.

And last year he became the youngest ever recipient of a New Year's Honour for his efforts in preventing child abuse.

While reading the letter which confirmed his honour, Tony told Sky News that the medal 'meant a lot' to him, before sweetly asking: 'Will it be heavy or not?'

Tony, who raises money walking vast distances on prosthetics, has also struck up a special relationship with the Princess of Wales.

Tony has blossomed into an inspirational young boy, and in 2022 he won a Pride of Britain award

At Kate's first Christmas Carol Concert, held in December 2021, the young fundraiser met the Prince and Princess of Wales for the first time and reportedly spent 'ages' chatting to them.

He met Kate for the second time at Evelina London Children's Hospital earlier this month where she asked him to write her a story.

Mrs Hudgell broke down in tears after Kate posed for a photo with the family and she was hugged by the royal, saying afterwards: 'I'm just emotional and overwhelmed, she just makes such an impact and she's just so kind and has such a big heart.'

The Government believes Tony is the youngest-ever honours recipient, although it does not hold all the historical data to be able to confirm it.

It's believed the record was previously held by fundraiser Tobias Weller, who was 11 when he received a BEM two years ago.

Tony's Law: an amendment to Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that introduced tougher sentences for child cruelty Tony's Law is an amendment to Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that was voted by ministers on November 30 2021. It is named after Tony Hudgell, who was abused by his parents as an infant and suffered life-changing injuries. His parents, Tony Smith and Jody Simpson, were both jailed for ten years, which was the maximum sentence at the time. The amendment will increase the maximum penalty for causing or allowing serious physical harm to a child from ten to 14 years, while causing the death of a child will rise from 14 years to life. The tougher planned sentences could mean that anyone who causes or allows the death of a child or vulnerable adult in their care will face up to life imprisonment, rather than the current 14-year maximum. Advertisement

Reacting to the news at the time, a family spokesperson said: 'Tony, Paula, Mark and the Hudgell family are thrilled by the news today of Tony being the youngest person ever to be honoured on the New Year Honours list and recognised this weekend.

'Tony launched his foundation over two years ago supporting and helping many other children in need of wheelchairs and vital equipment. Tony really is a great role model to other children and is going from strength to strength, and all he wants to do is help people.

'The Hudgell family feel very honoured Tony has been recognised after mother Paula also received her OBE earlier this year and say a big thank you to the Cabinet and the royal family for their continued support over the last five years.'

Tony's first challenge came when he was inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore raising 38.9 million for the NHS.

The youngster decided to try to raise 509 by walking 10km on his prosthetic legs, with the money going to the Evelina Children's Hospital in central London, which had saved him when he was brought in with his injuries.

His challenge captured hearts and minds, and he smashed his fundraising target, raising more than 1.3 million for the hospital in the process.
Walkers has launched two new crisp flavours that are sure to excite fans of the much-loved brand.

The crisp giant has launched two new flavours of Sensations, much to the delight of foodies across the UK.

Fans can now get their hands on crushed Sea Salt and Black Peppercorn and Mature Cheddar and Chilli Chutney.

Senior marketing director of Walkers Wayne Newton said: 'We know that consumers continue to look for premium products to treat themselves with, despite the current economic challenges.

'With the launch of these new products, we wanted to tap into those classic favourite flavours of cheese and salt and add in a bit of a modern twist through the addition of chilli chutney and black peppercorn to offer something a little different.

Fans can now get their hands on crushed Sea Salt and Black Peppercorn and Mature Cheddar and Chilli Chutney

The new flavours have been spotted by shoppers across the UK and come after a Christmas Pudding flavour was unveiled in the run-up to the festive period.

They will be priced at just 1 per 40g bag, rising to 2.50 for a larger 150g bag.

After one snack food fan shared images of the new items to Facebook group Ultimate Food & Snack Finds UK, other members of the group were quick to express their excitement.

One user wrote: 'Love sea salt or cracked pepper just to get the taste buds going.'

A second added: 'The cheddar and chilli chutney are banging'.

Another enthused: 'Love the cheddar cheese one love them eat a whole pack if not careful.'

It comes after Walkers axed its much-love Beef & Onion flavour, which was met with sadness from crisp fans.

One user begged: 'Bring back Beef and Onion flavour there were the best.'

Another pleaded: 'Please bring back BBQ Rib flavour and Beef & Onion.'

Walkers has launched two new crisp flavours that are sure to excite fans of the much-loved brand

A third chimed in: 'Im sure I speak for many when I say Beef and Onion was my favourite flavour.'

It comes after Walkers revealed they've changed the recipe for the popular Thai Sweet Chilli Sensations, much to the disappointment of many fans.

Fans of the crisp giant have said they will never buy the flavoursome snack again, claiming they are no longer the 'best crisps of all time'.

The brand said the new recipe was intended to give the product 'more punch' - but many fans have said its been ruined.

One fan who picked up on the change angrily wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, '@walkers_crisps why in God's name has the recipe for Thai Sweet Chilli sensations been changed?!

'You had already created perfection in crisp form. This new recipe is not the one!'

It comes after Walkers have revealed they've changed the recipe for the popular Thai Sweet Chilli Sensations, much to the disappointment of many fans

The snack giant replied 'We recently updated the recipe to give the flavour a little more punch.

'Were sorry to hear youre not a fan but we appreciate you letting us know what you think!'

Others were quick to give their verdict, chiming in with 'Unfortunately that punch tastes like chicken' and 'They are gross wont be buying them again'.

Disappointed, another penned 'Everything about the flavour is wrong now. These used to be a top tier crisp. I seriously doubt I'll ever buy them again.'

Meanwhile, someone else added 'Punch? They're bland! Give us back our Chilli crisps!,' alongside a chilli emoji.

As more customers come to the realisation their favourite snack doesn't taste the same anymore, they're taking to X to plead with the brand to return the original flavour.

Fans wrote 'They were my fav crisp and now Im v sad' and 'Its so annoying'.

Someone else concluded 'I knew I wasn't going mad. These were my best crisps for years. Not buying anymore until they change it back.'
Princess Anne looked in her element as she visited Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre, in west London, to mark the 35th anniversary of the centre.

The Princess Royal, 73, donned a beige Musto raincoat and Wellington boots and carried her own umbrella to stay dry as she arrived at the pony centre that homes 17 horses, two donkeys, three cats and two dogs.

The centre is a registered charity, providing riding and equine therapy for children, specialising in those with special needs and physical disabilities.

Keen equestrian Anne toured the riding school before cutting a celebratory chocolate cake, joking that it came with instructions.

'You will eat it, if I cut it,' she said.

Keen equestrian Anne toured the riding school before cutting a celebratory chocolate cake, joking that it came with instructions. 'You will eat it, if I cut it,' she said

Princess Anne, who is Vice Patron of the British Horse Society, continues to carry out royal duties following King Charles' cancer diagnosis.

Anne wrapped up against the chill in a pink paisley scarf and suede gloves, while her hair was swept back into her signature voluminous style.

The mother-of-two toured the pony centre, which she has visited on numerous occasions, before cutting a celebratory chocolate cake in front of volunteers.

'I hope you've all had a chance to see this cake because it really is stunning,' Anne said.

In a light-hearted manner, she then instructed the volunteers to consume it all.

'You will eat it, if I cut it. Otherwise it's just legalised vandalism. So, enjoy the cake!'

For the occasion, Anne donned a shin-length, beige Musto raincoat and Wellington boots.

She showcased natural make-up, elevated by a red lip, and accessorised with dainty pearl stud earrings.

Martin Clunes (left) and Sister Mary-Joy Langdon (second left) look on as Princess Anne cuts a cake during a visit to Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre

The Princess Royal, Vice Patron of the British Horse Society, during a visit to Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre, London, to mark the 35th anniversary of the centre

The heavens opened as Anne arrived at Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre in south west London

Anne appeared in high spirits as she spoke to volunteers at the renowned centre

The royal also gave a speech thanking Sister Mary-Joy Langdon for her contributions to the centre over the years.

'Thank you for being such a steadfast part of that development for 35 years,' she said. 'For never really taking a backwards step in terms of the challenges that everybody faces, and creating a very, very exceptional place'.

The royal failed to mention the King's health, but a number of individuals sent well-wishes to her brother and she thanked them.

Among the well-wishers was the charity's chief executive, James, Hick, who told her: 'On behalf of all of us here I would like to pass on our sincere thoughts to His Majesty the King at this time, and to your family.'

The sovereign's sister appeared in good spirits, just three days after the King announced his shock cancer diagnosis.

She was the latest member of the Royal Family to receive the support of the public in person, after the Prince of Wales acknowledged well-wishers for both his wife and father at a charity gala on Wednesday evening.

During her engagement at the pony club, however, the Princess Royal kept the focus on the work of its founder, Sister Mary Joy Langdon, and the celebration of the charity's 35th anniversary.

She paid tribute to Sister Mary Joy in a two minute speech, describing her contribution and commitment as 'exceptional', before she unveiled a plaque commemorating the visit.

Anne, who is Vice Patron of the British Horse Society, spent time speaking to riders

The royal donned a beige Musto raincoat and Wellington boots at the pony centre

Anne toured the centre, which provides riding and equine therapy for children

'We owe her a debt of gratitude for that commitment here,' the Princess said, 'It was a pretty muddy field then, and probably still quite a muddy field now.

'But all of the things that have happened since then are a testament to her understanding of people and of the ponies and the horses that work together with them. Nobody really understands it better.'

She appeared grateful when Sister Mary Joy told her: 'We wish you and your family well at this time.'

Anne also toured around the Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre with BHS President Martin Clunes, from Doc Martin, and BHS chief executive Mr Hick.

They were able to see how the centre is benefiting hundreds of children and people in the local area through riding and equine therapy.

Clunes is patron of the BHS-approved centre and is a keen horse breeder and rider himself.

He said: 'What [Sister Mary Joy] has done here is literally change the fortune of thousands of children - literally in their thousands.

'Kids who had been consigned to tiny little wheelchairs because they had such catastrophic disabilities, then she'll say get that kid off the chair and stick it on a pony, and they're walking now, [it's happened] more than once.

The actor added: 'I think the Princess does [like it here] because of course, she's forgotten more than most people will ever know about horsesWe were just yakking about horses - I just got a new one three weeks ago that I was very keen to tell her about.'

On the subject of the King's health, he said that 'lots of people' had sent their good wishes to her while she had been touring the centre.

'She knew our thoughts were with the King,' he added.

Speaking after Anne had left, Mr Hick said: 'People were talking about the news about the King and saying we all wish him well.

'It literally peppered around every conversation we had, it was such a warmth for the Royal family. [The BHS] has obviously got such a close connection and support from the royal family his Majesty the King is somebody who is very close to our hearts and we wish him well and we touch wood that he is going to be good.'

He added: '[The Princess Royal] was grateful for our concern and our thoughts for her brothershe feels that love that we have for the family.'

Princess Anne's visit marked the centre's 35th anniversary

During the tour, the Princess met with the club's volunteers and riders, watched a display in the indoor arena and handed out participation medals to riders as well as to teenagers whose lives have been changed by a BHS-led initiative.

The initiative, titled Changing Lives Through Horses, is a programme for disengaged children to develop life skills by caring for and being around the animals.

The Princess made a group of teenagers who have taken part in the initiative laugh after she asked whether they had signed up for the course or been dragged along by their friend.

Marcus Barrett, 17, told her that he had been hearing his friend Leo discuss the benefits of the initiative for two years before he decided to join him. 'We learn a lot of skills and meet people with similar interests,' he said.

Speaking after the event, Sister Mary Joy revealed that she used to ride in the same competitions as the Princess Royal when they were younger, and she recalled a story from an Under 23 competition where the pair joked 'who's going to be the Princess today' when they both appeared riding grey horses.

She said that having Anne visit had been an 'outstanding' way to celebrate 35 years at the helm of Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre.

'It was a great day, very special, to have the Princess Royal go around the place - and she spent personal time with peopleshe gave time to everybody and I can tell you this, she met a lot more people than she was meant to have met,' she added.

'I do believe that she loves this place and it gives us, I hope, good roots for their future. My determination is that we have a lasting legacy here.'

Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre was founded in 1989, with the mission of improving the lives of inner city children and young people, including those with physical disabilities and learning difficulties.

Martin Clunes (right) also visited Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre, London, on Thursday

Over the years, the centre has grown from three ponies and hand-built stables to a professional establishment with a traditional stable yard that contains 17 horses and two donkeys.

The charity is run by a small team of experienced and qualified staff, who are supported by many dedicated volunteers.

It comes after Princess Anne paid a touching tribute to her mother as she sported Queen Elizabeth II's purple check coat for an engagement in Nottingham earlier this week.

The Princess Royal looked sophisticated as she carried out a full day of royal engagements while donning the chic coat, which was previously worn by the late monarch.

The Queen - who passed away in September 2022 - wore the purple coat as she disembarked the Hebridean Princess after a cruise with the royal family in 2010.

Anne paired the striking coat with a matching skirt and completed the ensemble with 413 Fairfax and Favor black suede boots,

It was a poignant decision by Anne to keep her late mother close, amid a turbulent time for the royals after King Charles' cancer diagnosis.
Griselda Blanco, also known as the Cocaine Godmother, whose criminal career has been made into a Netflix series, tried to kill one of her boyfriends when he cheated on her.

Charles Cosby, an ex-partner of the Colombian drug boss, who operated in Miami, Florida from the 1970s until the early 2000s, spoke to This Morning today about life with cartels boss who was assassinated in 2012.

Charles, also a former cocaine dealer from Oakland, California, revealed Griselda tried to have him assassinated after he was unfaithful.

He said: 'She tried to have me killed because I cheated on her. She hired an investigator to track me who uncovered my web of lies and deceit and betrayal, so she tried to have me killed.

'After that, I forgave her. She apologised and it was business as usual.'

Speaking about the day of the assassination he revealed a bulletproof vest actually saved his life.

He said: 'I was in my Corvette, I was about two miles from my mom's house in California and two guys pulled up beside me in a Mustang and started shooting at me. Luckily, I was wearing a bulletproof vest and it absorbed four bullets.'

He continued: 'When we spoke four days after the incident, she told me that she was in a jealous rage. Her thing was, she really didn't like white woman, and I was dating a white woman - cheating on Griselda with a blonde haired, blue eyed white woman - so it fuelled her anger more.'

Charles went onto say Sofia Vergara, who plays Griselda in the biographical Netflix series, did a great job.

He said: 'I had a chance to watch all six episodes. There is some fiction there but as far as Sofia Vergara, she nailed the role. She took on Griselda's mannerisms and basically morphed into Griselda Blanco.

'When I saw the series it was like I was looking at Griselda Blanco all over again.'

Griselda was making $80 million a month at the height of her drug career, while they were dating she helped Charles widen the horizons of his own drug business, helping him generate huge profits and create a name for himself in the industry.

Griselda Blanco's ex boyfriend Charles Cosby, who was also a former cocaine dealer from Oakland, California, revealed she tried to have him assassinated after he cheated on her

Charles Cosby spoke to This Morning today about life with the most profitable cartels in history before her assassination in 2012

The career criminal, who was only five feet tall, was involved with pickpocketing and prostitution from a young age - but it didn't take long before her crimes began to escalate as she rose to infamous prominence in the crime world.

Having been plunged into the cocaine industry by her second husband, who she later killed, Griselda built a thriving drugs empire.

Rumors have even circulated that she helped kidnap a small boy when she was just 11 years old.

The tale states that she then took it upon herself to fatally shoot the boy after his wealthy parents refused to pay the ransom.

She went on to marry a small-time criminal when she was still a teen and the couple went on to have three children together.

The pair later divorced and she is said to have ordered her ex-husband's murder in the wake of their split.

But she went on to find love again with drug trafficker Alberto Bravo who soon got her caught up in the cocaine industry.

The couple used New York as their base as they smuggled drugs into the US - and Griselda appeared to have a knack for it.

She used every trick in the book to ensure a profitable trade and her methods even included having lingerie made with secret compartments to hide drugs in.

Modern Family star Sofia is being sued by her estate who want to block the new Netflix series over its alleged 'unauthorized use of their family's likeness'

When asked if he had ever asked Griselda why she tried to have him assassinated he said it was because he cheated on her with a white woman

But it was not all plain sailing.

Griselda soon found herself facing drugs charges and so fled to Columbia in 1975 to avoid US authorities.

Later that year, she began to suspect that Bravo was stealing money from her and the pair got caught up in a shoot out that resulted in his death.

Little detail is known about her third husband but he was also reportedly killed by her hand - earning her the Black Widow moniker.

By the late 1970s, Griselda had moved to back to the US and settled in Miami where she continued trading and became known as The Godmother of Cocaine.

She became increasingly protective of her illicit empire and sought to eliminate any competition by whatever means necessary.

Reflecting on the case in 1993, The Drug Enforcement Administration said: 'Griselda loved killings. Bodies lined the streets of Miami as a result of her feuds.

'She gathered around her a group of henchmen known as the Pistoleros. Initiation into the group was earned by killing someone and cutting off a body part as proof of the deed...

'She not only killed rivals and wayward lovers, but used murder as a means of cancelling debts she didn't want to pay. A particularly bloody massacre that took place in July 1979 in a Miami shopping center became known as the Dadeland Massacre.'

It was claimed that Griselda got caught up on a path of pickpocketing and prostitution with rumors even circulating that she helped kidnap a small boy when she was just 11 years old

And, as a result, the drugs baron is believed to have been responsible for more than 200 deaths - usually carried out in broad daylight by gunmen on motorcycles.

The ruthless violence escalated in the area and plunged the state into an unsettled period coined as the 'Cocaine Cowboy Wars'.

But all the volatility ultimately worked in Griselda's favor.

As she continued to remove her competition from the market, she became one of the wealthiest drug traffickers in the world.

She smuggled more than three tons of cocaine into America every year and raked in more than $80 million per month, according to reports.

And the criminal mastermind did not shy away from outwardly splashing the cash, reportedly shelling out on luxury homes and hedonistic parties.

She also brazenly named her son Michael Corleone - after the crime boss in The Godfather film series with the first instalment released in 1972.

Business began to take a downturn after Griselda was found guilty of drugs charges in 1985 and incarcerated.

She received the maximum sentence of 15 years but was still able to run her empire from behind bars.

However, the conviction spurred authorities to attempt to press additional charges against the career criminal - including more than 200 murders.

By 1994, one of her former hitmen - Jorge Ayala - agreed to testify against her and Griselda was charged with three murders.

One of them was that of a two-year-old boy who was fatally shot during a failed assassination attempt of his father - who was one of Griselda's former enforcers.

The investigation stalled but the drug baron decided to plead guilty in 1998 in a bid to reduce her sentence.

Giselda's son Michael Corleone Blanco (left) claims he has been doing interviews for years to try and get his and his mother's life story on paper in the hopes of developing into a production

Following her release after 10 years in prison, she was deported to Colombia where she is said to have 'retired' from her life of crime.

But it appeared her past caught up with her and, in 2012, Griselda was shot and killed as she stepped out of a butcher shop in Medellin aged 69.

She still ranks among the most notorious drug lords in history and has been a central figure in documentaries such Cocaine Cowboys (2006) and Cocaine Cowboys 2: Hustlin' with the Godmother (2008) - as well as film The Cocaine Godmother (2017) starring Catherine Zeta Jones.

Griselda went on to serve 10 years behind bars before being deported back to Colombia where she was shot and killed at 69 as she stepped out of a butchers.

Netflix recently release its six-part drama that explores how 'Blanco's lethal blend of unsuspected savagery and charm helped her expertly navigate between business and family'.

Modern Family star Sofia, who was slammed by the son of the 'Cocaine Godmother', is being sued by her estate who wanted to block the new Netflix series over its alleged 'unauthorized use of their family's likeness.'

A lawsuit obtained by TMZ and launched by Blanco's adult kids acting as representatives for her estate, names Vergara as a defendant and Netflix - with the estate suing both parties over what they claim is the unauthorized use of their family's image and likeness in this upcoming series.

Giselda's son Michael Corleone Blanco claims he has been doing interviews for years to try and get his and his mother's life story on paper in the hopes of developing into a production.

Netflix's Griselda was released on 25 January 2024.
As the British royals are facing the challenges brought on by a bout of ill health, Japan's Imperial Household are also dealing with a similar crisis.

Princess Kiko, 57, recently contracted a mystery gastrointestinal illness with reports last month saying she was 'unable to eat normal meals', and she remains on leave from royal duties.

Kiko's bout of ill health has left her husband, Crown Prince Akishino, 58, carrying out royal duties solo and is unable to call on their daughter, Princess Mako to help.

She was forced to renounce her title and moved to New York after marrying a commoner, in echoes of Megxit.

Elsewhere, Emperor Naruhito's daughter Princess Aiko, 22, has stepped up to fill the void and will host a lunch for the Kenyan president and his wife tomorrow after Kiko cancelled due to her illness, according to NNN.

It has been reported that Crown Princess Kiko of Japan (pictured) has cancelled a luncheon with the President of Kenya and his wife tomorrow due to gastrointestinal issues

Concern for Princess Kiko heightened after news broke that she is suffering from a mystery gastrointestinal illness.

The royal has experienced painful symptoms related to the gastrointestinal system, which has left her unable to eat normal meals.

She reportedly had an endoscopy at Tokyo hospital earlier this year, but no abnormalities were discovered.

The mother-of-three has been advised to 'rest and focus on recovering,' according to The Mainichi.

While doctors have advised Kiko to rest, they have suggested that she might be dealing with painful symptoms for the next couple of months.

Princess Aiko (pictured) will instead host the luncheon, marking the first foreign visit that the 22-year-old has hosted

Crown Prince Akishino (pictured) has previously spoken out about the current state of the Japanese royal family and said that it requires some kind of reform

Former Princess Mako of Japan (pictured) moved to New York after marrying her commoner husband and renouncing her title

And just yesterday, it was reported by NNN news that Kiko had cancelled an upcoming luncheon with the Kenyan president and his wife due to her gastrointestinal illness.

Consequently, Kiko's niece, Princess Aiko, 22, is stepping up and hosting the dinner.

The event marks Aiko's debut appearance at a luncheon with foreign guests and her first official dinner of this kind.

Princess Aiko, who is the oldest daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, is expected to attend more official events in the future.

Princess Kiko has been suffering with a mystery stomach illness since last year, it has been reported

Only male heirs descended from a male emperor are eligible for the throne. The family currently has three male heirs: Crown Prince Akishino, Prince Hisahito and Prince Hitachi

Elsewhere, in instances where Kiko is unable to attend events due to her ill health it is though that her husband, Crown Prince Akishino, 58, will attend solo.

Akishino has recently spoken out about the slimmed down state of the Japanese monarchy due to male primogeniture rules, meaning only male members of the royal family can succeed the throne.

In November last year, Akishino called for a review of official duties because members are either leaving due to age or marrying a commoner, according to the Japan Times.

'It would be difficult to pass on (official duties) if the number (of imperial family members) decreases,' the crown prince told journalists in Tokyo.

Indeed, the family has shrunk in recent times because female members must renounce their royal status up if they choose to marry a commoner.

As it stands, the current total of family members in the royal household in 17, with 12 of them being female.

The former Princess Mako has since relocated to New York with her husband after renouncing her royal title

Princess Mako being the most recent example. In October 2021, she gave up her royal title to marry her commoner boyfriend in a move that has sharply divided public opinion.

Mako, the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and niece of reigning Emperor Naruhito, tied the knot with university sweetheart Kei Komuro, a commoner, in Tokyo after an eight-year engagement.

Japan's strict laws of succession forbid women from ascending to the Chrysanthemum Throne and force them to give up their titles if they marry commoners.

The low-key ceremony was met with protests, and was held behind closed doors without any of the pomp and pageantry of other Japanese royal weddings, which traditionally include a reception and banquet.

Her aunt and uncle, the reigning Emperor and his wife, also enjoyed a parade through the streets of Tokyo on their wedding day.

Mako, 30, the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and niece of reigning Emperor Naruhito, tied the knot with university sweetheart Kei Komuro, a commoner, in Tokyo after an eight-year engagement

The decision has led to comparisons with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who also turned their backs on royal duties to live privately in the US.

Formerly the Princess of Akishino, Mako, who previously held a high profile position within the royal family, has now taken her husband's name and will go by Mako Komuro - the first time in her life that she has had a surname.

Mako and Komuro met at Tokyo's International Christian University in 2013 and became engaged in secret, before announcing their intention to marry in September 2017.

But the wedding was delayed following a financial scandal involving an unpaid debt allegedly owed by Kei's mother and suggestions he was marrying for money.

Eventually he said he would repay it, although it is not known whether the money has been returned.

The dispute involves whether money his mother received from her former fiance was a loan or a gift. Makos father asked Komuro to clarify, and he wrote a statement defending himself, but it is still unclear if the dispute has been fully resolved.

In the wake of the scandal, he moved to the US to study law and recently graduated from Fordham University in New York, where he now works for a law firm.

As part of the wedding announcement, the royal household said Mako would forgo all traditional ceremonies and surrender a 1million payment she was entitled to according to Japanese tradition.

She is the first imperial family member since World War II to not receive the payment while marrying a commoner and chose to do so because of the criticism over her marrying a man some consider unfit for the princess.
Netflix has dropped the trailer for its scandalous new show about the world's most famous porn star - and the internet has mixed reactions to the extremely raunchy first look.

Supersex, which will lay bare the story of how Italian actor Rocco Siffredi left his humble beginnings behind to become one of the most prominent porn stars on the globe, is set to premiere on March 6.

The streaming giant shared a glimpse into the upcoming biographical drama - which still star Alessandro Borghi, Jasmine Trinca, and Adriano Giannini - on Thursday morning, but it was met with a fierce response from viewers.

While some were excited for the show, others were left uncomfortable by the numerous X-rated scenes sprinkled throughout the teaser.

Netflix has dropped the trailer for its scandalous new show about the world's most famous porn star - and the internet has mixed reactions to the extremely raunchy first look

Supersex will lay bare the story of how Italian actor Rocco Siffredi (seen in 2001) left his humble beginnings behind to become one of the most prominent porn stars on the globe

The streaming giant shared a glimpse into the upcoming biographical drama - which still star Alessandro Borghi as Rocco (seen left in the trailer and right in real life) - on Thursday morning

But it was met with a fierce response from viewers. While some were excited for the show, others were left uncomfortable by the numerous X-rated scenes sprinkled throughout

The show is set to premiere on March 6

The trailer begins by showing Rocco arriving to an awards show as paparazzi swarm him.

He wins the accolade for Best European Actor, before it flashes back to him as a young boy in Italy.

'The more I became Rocco Siffredi, the more I realized the price I'd have to pay,' he says in a voiceover.

Rocco then explains how his older brother Tommy was his 'teacher' as a kid, before it shows Tommy explaining to a young Rocco that 'men and women have dynamite between their legs.'

He adds, 'This is the energy that drives the world, Rocco.'

A montage of clips then show Rocco as a child being entranced by a woman dancing, longingly starring at another sunbathing in her bikini, and watching his brother get intimate with his partner.

As the trailer continues, it flashes forward to Rocco as a teen, and it quickly begins to heat up.

One moment shows him running his hand up a woman's thigh and another features him laying in bed shirtless with someone on top of him.

The trailer begins by showing Rocco arriving to an awards show. He wins the accolade for Best European Actor, before it flashes back to him as a young boy in Italy

Rocco then explains how his older brother Tommy was his 'teacher' as a kid, before it shows Tommy explaining to a young Rocco that 'men and women have dynamite between their legs'

A montage of clips then show Rocco as a child being entranced by a woman dancing (left) and longingly starring at another sunbathing in her bikini (right)

As the trailer continues, it flashes forward to Rocco as a teen, and it quickly begins to heat up

One moment shows him running his hand up a woman's thigh (seen) and another features him laying in bed shirtless with someone on top of him

It then sees him visit a strip club where he's told that 'everyone can do what they like there' before women begin to rub him all over.

'I've never been so free or so happy,' he reflects afterwards of his experience.

It then sees him visit a strip club where he's told that 'everyone can do what they like there' before women begin to rub him all over

The first look then cuts to Rocco as an adult after entering the porn industry, and it shows him filming a woman who is pleasuring herself.

An array of clips flash in quick succession that feature tons more smooching, touching - and even licking - as well as women dancing sensually and taking off their clothes.

It also hints that it will delve deeper into Rocco's personal life, which based off the trailer, crumbled as his career flourished.

'You know how to f**k but you don't know how to make love,' someone is seen telling a clearly distraught Rocco in it.

Another person says to him, 'Pioneers are all alone. That's the price we pay to be free.'

The first look then cuts to Rocco as an adult after entering the porn industry, and it shows him filming a woman who is pleasuring herself

It also hints that it will delve deeper into Rocco's personal life, which based off the trailer, crumbled as his career flourished

'You know how to f**k but you don't know how to make love,' someone is seen telling a clearly distraught Rocco in it

An array of clips flash in quick succession that feature tons more smooching, touching - and even licking - as well as women dancing sensually and taking off their clothes

The racy trailer sparked a slew of comments from viewers, some of whom praised the upcoming Netflix drama - and others who slammed it.

'I'm definitely adding this to my [must watch] list,' one person wrote.

'The man, the myth, the legend,' replied another. Someone else joked, 'Finally, a [show] that guys like me can relate to.'

One social media user, however, bashed the network for making a movie about a porn star where there's 'so many' other 'inspiring stories' they could have focused on.

'Y'all are out of ideas,' commented another disgruntled viewer.

'Why does Netflix keep funding this s**t?' asked a different one.

'Who asked for this?' read a sixth comment. A seventh simply said, 'I'll pass. Thanks.'

Many others were quick to bring up that Netflix has canceled numerous series in recent months - in fact, 14 were axed in 2023 alone.

'Not sure why Netflix decided to produce this considering the writing is bad and they probably canceled a bunch of shows to create/buy this one,' slammed someone else.

The racy trailer sparked a slew of comments from viewers, some of whom praised the upcoming Netflix drama - and others who slammed it

Many others were quick to bring up that Netflix has canceled numerous series in recent months - in fact, 14 were axed in 2023 alone

'I still can't believe Netflix canceled Daredevil, Mindhunter, Lockwood and Co., Marco Polo, etc. to promote garbage like this,' scathed another person.

A different user replied, 'That's Netflix for you, they don't believe in content, they believe in "money making."'

Actor Alessandro, who will portray Ricco, previously spoke out about some of the scrutiny he has received for being involved in the show to The Republic.

But he said he was determined to 'bring ethical respect to Rocco Siffredi.'

'The bigotry of this country [Italy] is annoying: porn exists, there are those who like it and those who dont,' he dished.

'There are those who dont consider it a part of society, those who denied us locations [while filming] because it was a series about Siffredi, then in the evening they go home and watch porn.'

He also revealed that 'out of 95 days' on set, 50 of those involved filming sex scenes.

'But the story of porn is a narrative junction, it marks an emotional change in the character. This is perhaps the great intuition of the series,' he added.
The royal, 33, spent a couple of hours at the Walmer Castle pub with her pals

It's been a tough time for Princess Eugenie with both her mother Sarah Ferguson and uncle King Charles dealing with cancer diagnoses.

However, the royal, 33, who is the younger daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, appeared in good spirits as she joined her close pal Cressida Bonas for a pub trip.

Eugenie was the one who introduced her cousin Prince Harry to Cressida, and they dated between 2012 and 2014, with Eugenie and the actress and mother-of-one remaining close after the break-up.

The princess donned a stylish dark green tartan-print coat for her outing in west London, adding a grey beanie hat and Adidas trainers for a casual look.

Eugenie and Cressida shared a hug outside the Walmer Castle pub, as they made their way home around 10pm.

Princess Eugenie broke cover for the first time since news of King Charles's cancer diagnosis as she spent time in Notting Hill on Wednesday evening

Actress and model Cressida, 34, has a son, Wilbur, with her husband, property investor Harry Wentworth-Stanley.

They appeared deep in conversation after enjoying a drink together for a couple of hours.

Eugenie, who shares sons August and Ernest with her husband Jack Brookshank, seemed to make a brisk departure as she headed home.

It is the first time she has been seen in public since Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer earlier this week.

The news will come as a heavy blow for the princess and her sister Beatrice after their mother Sarah Ferguson revealed she had been diagnosed with a form of skin cancer in December - her second cancer diagnosis in a year.

In a similar process to the King, it was during reconstructive surgery that the duchess had a series of moles removed for analysis, one of which was found to be cancerous.

She told royal fans the second diagnosis was a 'shock' but that she remained in 'good spirits' as she praised doctors for identifying the issue early.

It came just months after undergoing a second bout of reconstructive surgery following her breast cancer diagnosis.

At the time of her diagnosis, the Duchess posted on Instagram: 'I have been taking some time to myself as I have been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer, my second cancer diagnosis within a year after I was diagnosed with breast cancer this summer and underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.

Eugenie was snapped with her close pal Cressida Bonas, who is also Prince Harry's ex-girlfriend

Cressida and Eugenie showed how close their friendship remains as they shared a hug outside the Walmer Castle pub

The royal, 33, who is the daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, appeared in good spirits as she headed back

Eugenie was supported by her friends after a difficult week as news broke of her uncle's cancer diagnosis

It was announced earlier this week that King Charles (pictured in November) had been diagnosed with cancer

'It was thanks to the great vigilance of my dermatologist that the melanoma was detected when it was.

'Naturally another cancer diagnosis has been a shock but I'm in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support.

'I believe my experience underlines the importance of checking the size, shape, colour and texture and emergence of new moles that can be a sign of melanoma and urge anyone who is reading this to be diligent.'

Meanwhile, Beatrice and Eugenie may be expected to 'step up' to support the royal family, with King Charles out of action and Princess Kate recovering from surgery.

'All of a sudden with these health problems we have it's looking very, very threadbare,' royal commentator Phil Dampier told MailOnline earlier this week.

Eugenie looked stylish in a dark green curtain coat, which she paired with casual trainers

She added a beanie hat to keep warm, while Cressida opted for a black puffer jacket

Eugenie is believed to have set up Cressida with her cousin Prince Harry - and they have remained close

The group spent a couple of hours catching up over a drink at the Walmer Castle pub on Wednesday

With other working royals such as Queen Camilla and the Princess Royal being in their mid-70s, he fears there are few younger royals able to pick up the slack.

'It's all fallen really to a great extent to William and Kate and you do sometimes wonder if the stress of that knowledge and all the problems with Harry and Meghan have contributed to the pressure that Kate has felt under,' he said.

Mr Dampier said that although Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie could be brought in 'for minor duties', their father Prince Andrew's ties to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein make their involvement 'more difficult' for the family.

Instead, he praised the Duchess of Edinburgh Sophie for a doing a 'very good job', adding he would like to see her 'upping her game and doing a bit more'.

'I certainly think there could be a very good role for their daughter Louise Windsor, who has previously chosen not to take a title,' he added.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau 're-partnered' with an Ottawa pediatric surgeon months before her shock separation from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was announced, according to allegations in a divorce claim made against the doctor.

The Trudeaus revealed on August 2, 2023, that they had legally separated after 18 years of marriage and three children together.

Their reasons for splitting were not made clear, however, the couple said at the time that it came after 'many difficult conversations'.

However, it has since been reported by Canadian media, including The National Post, that by the time their decision to part ways was announced to the world, Sophie had already started a relationship with Ottawa-based pediatric surgeon Dr. Marcos Bettolli.

In a divorce petition filed on April 26, 2023, Dr Bettolli's ex-wife Ana Remonda claimed that he had 're-partnered with a high-profile individual who attracts significant media attention, and presents significant security considerations'.

Sophie Gregoire Trudeau 're-partnered' with an Ottawa pediatric surgeon months before her shock separation from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (pictured together in 2017) was announced, according to allegations in a divorce claim against the doctor

The person was not named in the court documents, but The National Post claimed it had been confirmed that Ms Remonda's allegation refers to 48-year-old Sophie.

Dr Bettolli, 48, works at the Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and also teaches at the University of Ottawas medical school.

He completed his medical studies at the Catholic University of Cordoba, Argentina, according to his biography on the University of Ottawa website.

The doctor moved to Canada in 2004 before becoming the educational leader for the Pediatric Surgery undergraduate program at the university in 2010.

In 2014, he was promoted to Associate Professor and earned his distinction as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC).

His ex-wife Ms Remonda, who is a stay-at-home mother, reportedly said in her divorce petition that she takes 'no position' on her former partner's personal life.

However, she insisted the new relationship had resulted in unspecified security concerns 'to which the children are exposed while in their fathers care' and requested a court order to secure their two children's privacy and protection.

'Ana had thought the parties had reached an agreement that the (children) would not interact with the new partner, but Marcos has not respected that and it has caused the (children) discomfort and anxiety,' she is said to have claimed in the petition.

Now it's been reported by Canadian media such as The National Post that by the time their decision to part ways was announced to the world, Sophie had already started a relationship with Ottawa pediatric surgeon Dr. Marcos Bettolli (thought to be pictured)

The Trudeaus (pictured in 2016) revealed on August 2, 2023, that they had legally separated after 18 years of marriage and three children together

But Dr Bettolli reportedly insisted his ex-wife's attitude toward his relationship with Sophie is 'not in the children's best interest' in his reply to the divorce claim.

He is said to have claimed that Ms Remonda threatened to return to Argentina, where they were both born, if the new relationship was revealed.

Dr Bettolli and his ex-wife separated in January 2020 after 22 years of marriage.

The National Post's report in October made clear that none of the allegations in the divorce filing have been proved in court and that the case is ongoing. It's unclear if any progress has been made at the time of writing.

Ms Remondas lawyer, Katherine Cooligan, and Dr. Bettollis lawyer, Gil Rumstein, declined to comment to the publication, while Sophie could not be reached for comment.

MailOnline has contacted Katherine Cooligan, Dr.Bettolli, Gil Rumstein and the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada for comment.

In April, Sophie, who became 'fast friends' with Meghan Markle in 2016 when the Duchess of Sussex was living in Canada, will be teaching yoga at a solar eclipse wellness retreat weekend in Ontario.

The tickets cost from 450 for two nights and the event promises to bring guests 'closer together as Mother Nature will show us the beauty of darkness', according to The Times.

The retreat will also include meditation and mantra chants with a spiritual practitioner, according to The National Post.

Meanwhile, following their split, the Trudeaus' three children will continue living with the Prime Minister at Rideau Cottage while Sophie has moved to another home in Ottawa.

Their reasons for splitting were not made clear, however, the couple said it came after 'many difficult conversations'

They vowed to 'remain a close family with deep love and respect for one another and for everything they had built' in their statement

Over the years, the couple have publicly shared candid reflections on the 'challenges' of marriage and difficulties balancing family with the demands of the top job.

Some have speculated that such statements - as well as a series of awkward exchanges between the pair on television - may have hinted at trouble in the PM's marriage.

After the announcement, a video went viral on social media appearing to show an awkward exchange between the Prime Minister and his wife.

The video shows the two kissing in front of a camera, sharing a Canada Day message from the Ottawa Food Bank Farm in 2020.

At the end of the video, the pair look at each other and Justin leans in for a kiss. He whispers something to his wife as she leans in. She kisses him back, but quickly turns and looks at something off camera.

Justin also steps back, looking around and opening his stance before the clip cuts.

In another moment in front of cameras, Sophie was seen brushing off her husband's offered hand while getting her Covid jab.

The two were filmed together in April 2021 receiving their first dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine in Ottawa.

Gregoire and Trudeau share three children together. Two sons, Xavier, 15, Hadrien, 9 and daughter Ella-Grace, 14

Justin received his shot first, with his wife firmly gripping his hand throughout. As Sophie's arm was prepared for the injection, her husband offered a hand in support.

Sophie turned, with the hand on her leg, and smiled - but waved her hand dismissively. The Prime Minister retracted his hand and looked at the camera with open palms.

The couple laughed off the interaction, and the playful encounter still received a positive reception online.

Two years later, Justin and his wife were seen together at the King's Coronation. As they walked hand in hand, the Prime Minister looked over at his wife and appeared to ask her to smile. She looked away with a slight smile on her face.

It came six months after a podcast interview with Meghan Markle, in which the host introduced Sophie as knowing all about 'crushing the guilt of expectations' in her role.

Sophie had a 'full plate,' while being a parent and a spouse in the public eye after being married to Justin for 18 years, the Duchess claimed in the podcast.

Sophie agreed and said about the guilt of being a woman and having to take on multiple roles: 'I think we've learned to self-impose it. A little girl is not born feeling guilty for being a girl.

'We learn it. And that's completely unacceptable. When I started becoming an older girl in an early adult stage, I realized that we often define 'freedom' as a way to be free from the world, but it's really a way to be free in the world.'

She added: 'Women across this planet are still the nucleus of the family, they still carry most of the load for housework, contributing to the family's well-being and most decisions concerning the kids.

'But I think we're all that lioness, we all have that inside of us, and we all long to be free in who we are.' During the roughly hour-long podcast, Sophie never indicated any marital strife.

In the past, the couple were often very candid with their posts on Instagram, sharing tender reflections on the challenges of long-term relationships.

In a September 2020 post on Instagram, Sophie wrote: 'Our first date was 17 years ago... we are not that young anymore, but what an adventure it's been.

'Through all the ups and the downs, you're still my person. I love you. #TBT to a quiet moment we shared somewhere along the way.'

The pair had been married since 2005 and share three children, the youngest of whom is nine.

Sophie was a childhood friend and classmate of Justin's younger brother Michel, who died in an avalanche in 1998 aged 23.

Justin and Sophie began dating in 2003 after reconnecting as adults and were engaged a short time afterwards.
Meghan Markle will not appear in the upcoming Suits reboot - despite writers creating a 'perfect role' for her - but she did try and get her company Archewell involved in the production.

News hit the web last month that a spin-off series entitled Suits: LA was in the works, four years after the original show that propelled Meghan into the spotlight came to an end - and immediately, speculation about whether or not the Duchess of Sussex would be involved ensued.

Now, sources close to the new show have confirmed exclusively to DailyMail.com that Prince Harry's wife has no plans to act in the series, even though it features a character who appeared to be tailor-made for her.

While mom-of-two Meghan, 42, has not opted to join the new project as on-screen talent, the insider suggested that that she might have been interested in getting involved another way - as an executive producer, via her production company Archewell.

Meghan Markle will not appear in the upcoming Suits reboot - despite writers creating a 'perfect role' for her - but did she consider getting involved as a producer via Archewell?

News hit the web last week that a spin-off series entitled Suits: LA was in the works, four years after the original show that propelled Meghan into the spotlight came to an end

Immediately, speculation about whether or not the Duchess of Sussex would be involved ensued. But now, sources have confirmed that she has no plans to act in the series

'Meghan was clear that she didnt want to be involved as an actor. But Archewell was trying to wiggle its way in as a production company on the spin-off,' they claimed. 'NBC have killed that idea.'

Separate sources close to Archewell deny this vigorously however, and say that the company would never have been involved in a reboot.

Meghan played paralegal Rachel Zane in the original show, which premiered in 2011 and came to an end in 2019, but she left in 2017 after her romance with Prince Harry took off.

While Meghan, 42, has not opted to join the new project as on-screen talent, the insider claimed that she was interested in getting involved another way - as executive producer - but Archewell sources denied this

Last summer, the legal drama unexpectedly became the most streamed show in the US for 12 weeks straight after it was added to Netflix.

Soon after, rumors began to spread that it was going to be rebooted after Patrick J. Adams - who played Michael James Ross, Meghan's love-interest in the series -started sharing a slew of never-before-seen shots from when he was making the show.

The actor posted a carousel of throwback behind-the-scene images of himself and his fellow Suits stars - including many intimate shots of the Duchess of Sussex - which he captioned, 'I miss my friends.'

He shared some more in another post the next day, writing, 'This well is deep.' Both posts were later deleted, as Patrick said they posed as a 'distraction' from the actors' strike.

At the time, however, many speculated that his posts were a clue that the hit series was going to make a comeback.

Meghan played paralegal Rachel Zane in the original show, which premiered in 2011 and came to an end in 2019, but she left in 2017 after her romance with Prince Harry took off

In September, rumors began to spread that it was going to be rebooted after Patrick J. Adams started sharing a slew of never-before-seen shots from when he was making the show

One month later, it was revealed that a spinoff series was in development at NBCUniversal.

Suits creator Aaron Korsh has returned to develop the new show, serving as writer and executive producer alongside David Bartis and Dog Liman for Hypnotic, and Gene Klein.

Entitled Suits: LA, it will be set in the same world as the original, but will feature new characters and take place in Los Angeles rather than New York City.

The actor posted a carousel of throwback behind-the-scene images of himself and his fellow Suits stars - including many intimate shots of the Duchess of Sussex - which he captioned, 'I miss my friends'

It's set to follow Ted Black, a former federal prosecutor from New York, who has reinvented himself representing the most powerful clients in Los Angeles, with production slated to start in Vancouver in late March, per Variety.

A synopsis reads: 'His firm is at a crisis point, and in order to survive he must embrace a role he held in contempt his entire career.

'Ted is surrounded by a stellar group of characters who test their loyalties to both Ted and each other while they cant help but mix their personal and professional lives.

'All of this is going on while events from years ago slowly unravel that led Ted to leave behind everything and everyone he loved.'

Aaron has created a character, named Erica, who appears tailor-made to be played by Meghan.

Erica is an African-American career-focused Californian girl in her 30s who is 'smarter than everyone' and enjoys an eventful personal life.

Meghan reacted to her show's resurgence at the end of last year, telling Variety that she had 'no idea' what prompted it but added, 'Good shows are everlasting.'

'It's hard to find a show you can binge-watch that many episodes of these days,' she continued. 'So that could have something to do with it.'

Many of the original Suits stars reunited at the Golden Globes earlier in January, including Patrick, Gina Torres, Sarah Rafferty, and Gabriel Macht - but Meghan was conspicuously absent.

Gina, who was once so close to Meghan that she was among the guests at St Georges Chapel in Windsor for the royal wedding in 2018, made a shocking admission about her relationship with the Duchess during the event.

She admitted: 'We dont have her number. We just dont,' adding that the rest of the cast kept in touch via a WhatsApp group.

While chatting with E! News on the red carpet at the event, Patrick also discussed the upcoming spinoff.

'I'm totally astounded it's found a second life. I feel honored,' he said. 'When you walk away from a show, you think that's it and you're going to move on to something else and just to know that a whole new generation of people are finding it and loving it - loving it almost more than they loved it the first time around, it's incredible.'

One month later, it was revealed that a spinoff series entitled Suits: LA was in development at NBCUniversal. Suits creator Aaron Korsh (seen) has returned to develop the new show

Many of the original Suits stars reunited at the Golden Globes earlier in January , including Patrick, Gina Torres, Sarah Rafferty, and Gabriel Macht

In addition, it was recently revealed that Gina, Sarah, and Rick Hoffman had came together for an upcoming Super Bowl commercial for the beauty brand E.l.f. Cosmetics

And Patrick was eager to express his willingness to reprise his role in a potential reboot, adding: 'Let's go, I'd do it. I'm ready. Mike and Rachel in Seattle.'

In addition, it was recently revealed that Gina, Sarah, and Rick Hoffman had came together for an upcoming Super Bowl commercial for the beauty brand E.l.f. Cosmetics.

The makeup company shared a sneak peak of the ad last week, which will air on CBS during the Super Bowl on February 11.

While chatting with People about it, Rick said working with his former costars again was 'peak happiness,' while Sarah described it like 'coming home.'

They added that Patrick couldn't appear in the commercial because he was busy 'shooting a film in South Africa,' but they did not mention Meghan.

When the first eight seasons of the series were added to Netflix last year, the show dominated the top of the streaming charts for months - and ultimately broke the record for the most ever number one appearances on the American Nielsen ratings chart.

Gina told People that the sudden spotlight on the show has been 'kind of odd and wonderful.'

'It's like, "Oh, right. They're still here. They did incredible work,"' she said. 'Everybody in the industry that maybe relegated us to, "Oh, that's that cute cable show."'

Meghan and Harry have a development deal at Netflix which is due to run out in September 2025.

So far they have made a tell-all documentary about their lives (called Harry & Meghan), plus a documentary about the Invictus Games.

Last year, Archewell acquired the rights to a romantic novel, Meet Me At The Lake, which the couple plan to adapt into a movie.

Netflixs chief content officer Bela Bajaria said last week that there was a film and a series 'in very early development' from the Sussexes, and added that they have 'a couple of unscripted things theyre working on,' but did not share any more details about what those may be.
Cheryl Hines is curbing her enthusiasm when it comes the idea of First Lady fashion.

While a First Lady's wardrobe is usually carefully curated and styled, Hines, 58, says if she becomes First Lady it will be a more casual affair.

Hines appeared on SiriusXM's Literally With Rob Lowe, discussing the possibility of her presidential candidate husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, winning the election.

The actress-turned-politician's wife, who is known for playing Larry David's spouse on Curb Your Enthusiasm, has been married to the independent candidate since 2014.

The actress, 58, discussed the idea of becoming the First Lady if her presidential candidate husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, wins the election

Cheryl Hines has sometimes distanced herself from her husband's most controversial views

'I'm being honest with you, once in a while, I think what really goes on in that White House, you know what I mean? Is anybody walking around in slippers, in a bathrobe? Because that is what I'm usually wearing when I'm home,' Hines joked to Lowe.

'I just, I don't know how that would go over, you know what I mean?'

Lowe admitted his knowledge of the White House's residency comes from his time on the West Wing, speculating on whether there would be the freedom to make something simple like a sandwich for yourself; or if someone else would insist on making it for you.

'I think you can. You clearly can, but there's probably like a valet there,' Lowe pondered.

Hines quipped: 'And then you say, no, no, I'll do it, cause I know how much mayonnaise.

'And they're like, just tell me how much mayonnaise. And then by the time you're just like, you know what, forget it.'

Many of the First Ladies of the United States - such as Jackie Kennedy and Michelle Obama - have become style icons while their husbands held the position as leader of the free world.

However, Hines joked she may not follow suit, exchanging ideas with Lowe about how she'd handle the position.

'What if I became the First Lady, and every time I walked out of my room, I was in a different outfit and it was designer head to toe, and I was just like, hello, I'm here,' she joked.

'When I wake up in the morning, you know, I'll sleep in my ratty pajamas, but when I walk out into the main living area, yes, I'll put on my Armani silk pajamas and prance around.'

Hines says her husband should have Secret Service protection, given what happened to his father and uncle

The actress is known for playing Larry David's wife on Curb Your Enthusiasm (pictured together)

'When I wake up in the morning, I'll sleep in my ratty pajamas, but when I walk out into the main living area, yes, I'll put on my Armani silk pajamas and prance around,' Hines joked

Hines has spoken about the possibility of being a First Lady in the past, admitting it has never been her 'dream.'

She and the politician often gushed over one another online - but Cheryl made it clear in 2022 after RFK Jr. came under fierce fire for making a series of anti-vax comments that they don't agree on everything.

At the time, she wanted everyone to know that her husband's 'opinions are not a reflection of her own' and that their thoughts on 'current issues' often 'differ.'

In a previous interview with The Hollywood Reporter last year, she shared her thoughts on being First Lady, revealing she was horrified her husband's high-profile political role hadn't come with Secret Service protection.

'You would think that instance, plus the fact that his father and uncle were both assassinated, would qualify him,' she said.

RFK Jr is the son of Robert F. Kennedy, who served as attorney general and senator before being gunned down in 1968, and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963.

In October 2023, a mentally ill man was arrested at the couple's Los Angeles home after climbing the fence and reaching the second floor.
Jenna Bush Hager has revealed that she and her husband, Henry Hager, still sleep on the same mattress they bought on layaway when they got married nearly 16 years ago.

The Today star, who was fresh off a girls' trip to Florida, waxed poetic about her 'matronly' bed on Wednesday's show while discussing Sofia Vergara's Architectural Digest tour of her Los Angeles home.

Bush Hager, 42, recalled how the mattress was their 'biggest investment' after they wed at her family's Prairie Chapel Ranch near Crawford, Texas, on May 10, 2008.

'By the way, we bought a bed, Henry and I, the first year we got married,' she told her co-host Hoda Kotb. 'It was a Tempur-Pedic, it was called "The Celebrity Bed." We've had it since we got married. That's almost 20 years.'

Jenna Bush Hager, 42, opened up about her 'matronly' bed on the Today show Wednesday

The morning show host revealed that she and her husband, Henry Hager, still sleep on the same Tempur-Pedic mattress they bought when they got married nearly 16 years ago

'But aren't the indentations too deep?' Kotb, 59, asked.

'It probably is,' Bush Hager replied, 'but it was our biggest investment of whatever year it was. We paid it off on layaway. Henry got a pay plan for our mattress.'

A mattress should be replaced around every seven years, according to the Better Sleep Council. However, it may last longer depending on the materials, usage, and care.

The Tempur-Pedic Celebrity Bed model is no longer in production, but the pillowtop foam mattress reportedly cost $3,600 for a queen when it was released in 2008.

Although the mattress was not cheap, it was a splurge that paid off for Bush Hager and her husband, Henry, who continue to sleep on it nearly two decades later.

'We still have her; she's lovely,' the former first daughter reiterated. 'And again, she's gotten older, but she's just beautiful.'

Bush Hager couldn't resist pointing out that she and Kotb view their beds differently than Vergara does.

'Do you like how Sofia Vergara talks about how her bed is sexy, and we talk about it [as being] just straight-up practical,' she asked. 'Her bed is sexy and our bed is matronly.'

Bush Hager and her co-star Hoda Kotb talked about their mattress preferences while discussing Sofia Vergara's Architectural Digest tour of her Los Angeles home

Bush Hager explained that their mattress was their 'biggest investment' the year they got married, saying they bought it on layaway

Bush Hager wed her husband, Henry, at her family's Prairie Chapel Ranch near Crawford, Texas, on May 10, 2008

'Because thats who we are. Our bed is for sleeping,' Kotb said with a laugh.

'Her bed is wearing a negligee and some tights, and our bed is wearing long-sleeve flannel pajamas,' Bush Hager joked.

Kotb added that they both love their beds before describing the feeling of getting under the covers after bathing and curling up with a book until you fall asleep.

The Today stars recently celebrated Bush Hager's four-year-old son, Hal, graduating to a 'big boy bed' after she was 'shamed' over him sleeping in a crib.

A few months ago, the mother of three caused an uproar on the show when she admitted that her youngest child was still in a crib and wanted to stay in it until he was in kindergarten.

Bush Hager said she tried to nudge Hal into his bed after facing backlash over him sleeping in a crib.

Bush Hager and her husband, Henry, have three children, Mila, ten, Poppy, eight, and Hal, four

The mother of three recently celebrated her only son graduating to a 'big boy bed' after she was 'shamed' over him sleeping in a crib

'Yall had shamed me, and really the whole community had shamed me for the fact that he was in a crib. You all shamed me a little,' she recalled.

'And I said, "Okay, Hal, I think its time, some friends have said its time to move!" And he was not ready, he was scared.'

Bush Hager said she was 'quarantined' in her room with COVID-19 when Hal decided it was time to say goodbye to his crib.

She shared how her husband ran into their son's room after hearing him yell, 'Daddy!'

'He went in and [Hal] said, "I'm ready." And Henry said, "You're ready for what?" He said, "I need to move into my big boy bed."'

She explained that her son's bed had been in his room 'for about two years' before he was willing to sleep in it.

'It all happened without his mothers help! And it leaves me to wonder if Im too overbearing when it comes just to him,' she said.

Bush Hager is also mom to two daughters, Mila, ten, and Poppy, eight.
Queen Camilla was supported by those closest to her as she attended her first public outing since King Charles's cancer diagnosis was revealed.

The royal, 76, took a five-hour drive from her husband's side at Sandringham to Wiltshire to the charity musical evening at Salisbury Cathedral, after the local helipad flooded.

As she arrived at the event, she was flanked by Sarah Troughton, Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire and one of her companions, and the Marchioness of Lansdowne, Fiona Petty-Fitzmaurice, who was also by her side at the Coronation last year.

At the event, Camilla said King Charles, 75, who underwent his first bout of treatment earlier this week, was 'very touched' by all the messages of support he has been receiving from around the world.

Ben Abbott, 40, a critical care paramedic for Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: 'I do hope His Majesty is doing well Ma'am, we're all really sad to hear the news.'

Queen Camilla was supported by her companion Sarah Troughton (left) and the Marchioness of Lansdowne, Fiona Petty-Fitzmaurice (right)

Her Majesty replied: He is doing extremely well under the circumstances. He is very touched by all of the letters and messages the public have been sending from everywhere. Thats very cheering.

Camilla, who hasnt left her husbands side since his diagnosis, has been with him in Norfolk all week as he recuperates.

As she made her first public engagement since Buckingham Palace revealed news of his diagnosis, the Queen was supported by two of her closest confidantes.

Marchioness Lansdowne has long been a friend of the Queen's and supported her during the 1990s when details of her relationship with Charles emerged.

She was also by her side as Camilla was crowned alongside her husband last May. The Marchioness spoke out in support of her friend after Prince Harry's biography, Spare, was published.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Fiona, the Marchioness of Lansdowne, said Prince Harry's comments had 'hurt' the Queen.

She said: 'Of course it bothers her, of course it hurts. But she doesn't let it get to her. 'Her philosophy is always, "Don't make a thing of it and it will settle down  least said, soonest mended."'

Meanwhile, Sarah is one of the Queen's six 'companions' and has been Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire since 2012 and is the first woman ever to have held the position since it was created in the 16th century.

Sarah, who is the second cousin of the King, is one of the Queen's 'companions' and provides support to her

The Marchioness has been close with the Queen for many years and was by her side at the Coronation in May last year

Sarah was beside Camilla's side as the musical evening progressed, and Camilla stayed for the duration of the two-hour event

Sarah has been Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire since 2012 and is the first woman ever to have held the position since it was created in the 16th century

Camilla managed a smile as she arrived at the musical evening at Salisbury Cathedral, which is being held to celebrate the work of local charities

The Queen looked radiant in her first outing since the news of her husband's diagnosis

Sarah is the second cousin of the King as her grandfather was the brother of Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. She also has experience as a lady-in-waiting for Katharine, Duchess of Kent.

The mother-of-three is married to Peter Troughton, who is a trustee of the Royal Collection and also a pro-chancellor at Bath University.

Sarah herself is a trustee of the Community Foundation for Wiltshire and Swindon, where she lives.

Since assuming the role of Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Sarah's duties have included overseeing the arrangements for royal visits to Wiltshire by members of the Royal Family.

She also represents the monarch and presents awards and medals on his behalf, and liaises with the Wiltshire units of the Armed Forces.

Speaking about Camilla previously on Good Morning Britain, Sarah said: 'I don't think there's much that will surprise you, all I can tell you is that she's the nicest, kindest, most amusing friend one could possibly have, to all generations, that includes our children.'

In November 2022 it was revealed that Camilla had ditched the traditional 'Ladies In Waiting' title for her companions.

Instead she announced her six 'Queen's companions', who provide Her Majesty with support and company.

Camilla and Lord-Lieutenant of Wilshire, Mrs Sarah Troughton, attend a church service together in Wiltshire in 2021

Queen Camilla pictured with her close friend Lady Fiona Lansdowne at her home Bowood House in July 2002

The Queen had long been scheduled to attend the musical evening to celebrate the work of three Wiltshire charities and travelled five hours from her husbands side at Sandringham to be there.

A source said: Its been a tough week but Her Majesty was determined not to let people down. She knows the organisers personally and the charities are three she is very much involved in.

Plus she was concerned that if she cancelled at the last minute it would spark all sorts of alarm about His Majesty, who is actually doing well.

Shes always been a trouper and decided that if a 400-odd mile, 10-hour round trip was the only way to do it, then thats what she would do.

The Queen has a home in Lacock, Wiltshire, and she chatted with the air ambulance medics about their work. Mr Abbott said: 'I told her we always wave when we fly over Lacock and she said she always waves back.'
Harry spent just one full day in the UK, during which time he had a brief meeting with his father at Clarence House; he is not thought to have seen Prince William

Prince Harry has been pictured arriving in back in Los Angeles after making a lightning-quick trip back to the UK to meet with his cancer-stricken father King Charles.

The 39-year-old Duke of Sussex was seen outside LAX airport on Wednesday evening, around 12 hours after he was spotted at Heathrow Airport in London - where he is understood to have made a last-minute change to his flight plans when his original plane was delayed.

He made the decision to travel to the UK shortly after learning that his father had been diagnosed with an unspecified type of cancer while undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate. The King is said to have informed both of his sons about his illness personally - prompting a quick dash across the Atlantic by his youngest son.

Upon his arrival back in LA, Harry was seen being escorted to a waiting SUV that was arranged for him by pricey travel concierge service PS, which offers its wealthy customers an array of special treatments, including a private airport suite - and a private car to chauffeur you to and from the airport.

Prince Harry has been pictured arriving in back in Los Angeles after making a lightning-quick trip back to the UK to meet with his cancer-stricken father King Charles

The 39-year-old Duke of Sussex was seen outside LAX airport on Wednesday evening, around 12 hours after he was spotted at Heathrow Airport in London

Upon his arrival back in LA, Harry was seen being escorted to a waiting SUV that was arranged for him by pricey travel concierge service PS

PS offers its wealthy customers an array of special treatments, including a private airport suite - and a private car to chauffeur you to and from the airport

Harry, who is understood to have spent just 45 minutes with his father, 75, during a brief meeting at Clarence House on Wednesday, is said to have changed from a British Airways flight to a Delta plane in order to avoid delaying his return home to Meghan Markle and their children.

It's understood that he switched to the Delta flight because the British Airways flight he was supposed to take was 'delayed by two hours', The Express reported earlier today.

Flight records show that the British airways flight 269 that he was expected to take was due to depart Heathrow at 3.05pm local time, but actually left at 5.19pm.

No doubt Harry was eager to return to his wife and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, who did not make the journey over to the UK with the Duke.

Instead, Meghan remained at home with their kids, and was seen on Wednesday driving around Los Angeles in the couple's Range Rover, with a wide smile on her face, while sipping a beverage from a white mug.

During Harry's trip to London, Meghan remained at home with their children while all of Southern California was under flash flood advisories and watches.

The historic Pineapple Express weather system dumped a record amount of rain over parts of Los Angeles on Monday, sending mud and boulders down hillsides dotted with multimillion-dollar homes.

The storm is causing chaos over several regions including the star-studded Beverly Hills, Malibu and the Sussexes' Montecito neighborhood.

Harry was seen at Heathrow Airport earlier in the day - when it was reported that he changed his flights in order to avoid delaying his return home to Meghan Markle and the kids

On Tuesday, Charles was seen for the first time since his cancer diagnosis was made public when he was driven away from Clarence House following a brief meeting with Harry

The Duke of Sussex, seen arriving at Clarence House to meet his father, is understood to have spent just 45 minutes with the King. He is not thought to have visited Prince William

Harry and Meghan, George Clooney, Lady Gaga and Halle Berry are among the celebrities whose multi-million-dollar mansions were all under threat from the severe storms although none were reported to have been evacuated.

The Sussexes' $14.65million Montecito mansion was under a 'flood watch' warning for 28 hours, while their surrounding county, Santa Barbara, was deluged with inches of rain on Monday.

Harry had flown more than 5,000 miles from Los Angeles to London after his father informed him of his devastating cancer diagnosis.

He flew into London on a ten-hour flight and arrived at Clarence House at 2.42pm local time on Tuesday before spending around 45 minutes with Charles.

They held a 'brief meeting' before the King and Camilla were driven to Buckingham Palace where a helicopter was waiting to take them back to Sandringham in Norfolk.

It is thought that Harry stayed in a luxury hotel during his trip to London, having technically been made homeless in the UK since the Sussexes' eviction from Frogmore Cottage last year.

The Duke is not thought to have seen his brother William or sister-in-law Kate Middleton, who is recovering from her abdominal surgery and on extended leave from her public-facing duties.

Meghan was all smiles as she drove around near the couple's $14.65 million Montecito home on Wednesday

The Duchess was out and about while waiting for her husband Prince Harry to return from London where he was visiting his cancer-stricken father King Charles

During his brief UK trip, Harry is not thought to have seen his brother, Prince William, who attended a glittering gala event with Tom Cruise on Wednesday night

Charles was seen in public for the first time since his cancer diagnosis was made public when he left his offices at Clarence House after the brief reunion with Harry.

Harry's arrival back in the UK came as his stepmother, Queen Consort Camilla, issued her first public statement on her husband's health during a public engagement at a charity concert.

Speaking to well-wishers who had gathered outside Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire, Camilla assured them that Charles was 'doing extremely well under the circumstances'.

Camilla said King Charles, who underwent his first bout of treatment earlier this week, was 'very touched' by all the messages of support he has been receiving from around the world.

He is doing extremely well under the circumstances,' she said when told by one onlooker that he was 'very sad to hear the news' of Charles' diagnosis.

'He is very touched by all of the letters and messages the public have been sending from everywhere. Thats very cheering.'

Buckingham Palace announced the King was undergoing treatment for unspecified cancer on Monday.

Doctors discovered the cancer whilst treating the monarch for an enlarged prostate just over a week prior, according to the Palace.
Butter chicken is one of the most popular Indian dishes globally with millions of Brits regularly tucking in to the tandoori chicken mixed in a deliciously creamy spiced tomato gravy.

But the the dish, also known as murgh makhani, has become the subject of a gritty court case as two duelling restaurants are both claiming to have invented it.

It is a story that dates back a century to pre-independence India and a furious feud between families.

The lawsuit - which has become a hot topic in India - was brought by the family behind Moti Mahal, a famed Delhi restaurant brand that has counted late US President Richard Nixon and India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru among its guests.

The lawsuit - which has become a hot topic in India - was brought by the family behind Moti Mahal, a famed Delhi restaurant brand that has counted late US President Richard Nixon and India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru among its guests. Monish Gujral, the owner of Moti Mahal is pictured

In a 2,752-page court filing it has sued rival chain Daryaganj, accusing it of falsely claiming to have invented the dish as well as dal makhani, a popular lentil dish cooked in a similar fashion. The restaurant is pictured

The dish is one of India's most famous exports and is enjoyed all over the world

It claims restaurant founder, Kundan Lal Gujral, created the curry in the 1930s when the restaurant first opened in Peshawar before it moved to Delhi.

In a 2,752-page court filing it has sued rival chain Daryaganj, accusing it of falsely claiming to have invented the dish as well as dal makhani, a popular lentil dish cooked in a similar fashion.

The Gujral family is seeking 20 million rupees (190,180) in damages, also alleging that Daryaganj has copied the layout of Moti Mahal's website and 'the look and feel' of its restaurants.

'You cannot take away somebody's legacy...

'The dish was invented when our grandfather was in Pakistan,' said Monish Gujral, managing director at Moti Mahal said.

The owners of Daryaganj - which opened in 2019 - claim that a late family member, Kundan Lal Jaggi, had partnered with Gujral to open the Delhi restaurant in 1947, and the dish was invented there.

The dispute has captured the nation's attention with Indian TV broadcasters running segments on the history of the dish and debate raging on social media.

'It's an offbeat, unique case. You really don't know who created the first dish of butter chicken.

'The court will be hard pressed and will need to rely on circumstantial evidence,' said Ameet Datta, an intellectual property lawyer at India's Saikrishna & Associates.

Testimonies of people who can link the brand to the dish they consumed decades ago could be critical proof, Datta added.

The Gujral family is seeking 20 million rupees (190,180) in damages, also alleging that Daryaganj has copied the layout of Moti Mahal's website and 'the look and feel' of its restaurants. A Moti Mahal waiter is pictured

The dispute has captured the nation's attention with Indian TV broadcasters running segments on the history of the dish and debate raging on social media

Guests eat at Moti Mahalin New Delhi

Made with tandoor-cooked chicken pieces mixed in a tomato gravy with dollops of cream and butter, the dish was ranked 43rd in a list of world's 'best dishes' by TasteAtlas as rated by nearly 400,000 users.

It was the second-ranked Indian food after butter garlic naan bread. The two are often paired together.

The case was first heard by the Delhi High Court last week and the next hearing is scheduled for May.

Daryaganj's owners said they were studying the petition before filing their reply.

'It's a well-documented fact globally that we are the inventors of butter chicken and dal makhani,' Monish, 57, told AFP on a busy afternoon at one of his outlets in Delhi.

'We are not claiming that you can't serve butter chicken in your restaurant,' Monish added.

'But don't say you invented the dish. I would not allow anyone to take our legacy away.'

Monish Gujral, the owner of Moti Mahal, prepares butter chicken at his restaurant

Jewellery designer Rubina Kapoor (pictured) travelled from London to Delhi to eat the dish

According to Monish, his grandfather Kundan Lal Gujral learned to cook in a sweet and sherbet shop in Peshawar, in today's Pakistan, before opening a restaurant in 1920.

He experimented with various dishes, including, according to Moti Mahal, adding a creamy sauce to 'bits of tandoori chicken that were in danger of drying out'.

In 1947, in the chaos as the subcontinent was partitioned between India and Pakistan, Kundan Lal Gujral left for Delhi.

There, the dramatically mustachioed chef opened the first Moti Mahal restaurant and built it into a culinary institution.

Regular customers included former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru - always greeted with a traditional cardamom garland - and independence activist Maulana Azad.

Regular customers included former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru - always greeted with a traditional cardamom garland - and independence activist Maulana Azad. A waiter is pictured serving guests

Monish Gujral, the owner of Moti Mahal says he has historical pictures and has been in business more than 100 years

Other guests have reportedly included former US president Richard Nixon and former first lady Jackie Kennedy.

But it was Kundan Lal Gujral's appointment of his cousin Kundan Lal Jaggi as a partner that would lead to acrimony decades later.

The latter's heirs - who would later found the Daryaganj chain - insist it was he who invented butter chicken in 1947 to serve a table of customers who turned up just as the kitchen was closing.

As Daryaganj tells the story, Jaggi had only a few pieces of tandoori chicken left, so one diner suggested he add a gravy 'so that everyone could have a hearty meal'.

Monish insists his rivals just ripped off his family's story.

'We have been in the business for 100 years,' he said, showing black and white photos of dignitaries on the restaurant's walls.

'They have copied our feel and look.'

This is not the first row over the origins of a well-known dish in India.

In 2018, the Delhi High Court dealt a blow to copycat claimants of a popular kebab dish called 'Tunday Kababi'.

And the states of Odisha and West Bengal both lay claim to rasgulla, a syrup-soaked cheese ball dessert.

Globally, there have been fights over kimchi - a pungent pickled cabbage - to hummus, biryani, jollof rice and chicken Kiev.

But for diners like Rubina Kapoor, it doesn't make a difference who invented the dish.

'I have travelled all the way from London to eat butter chicken here,' the jewellery designer said, scooping up a spoonful of the creamy gravy at Moti Mahal.

'For me butter chicken is love, it's childhood memories. Nothing else matters.'
Thousands have slammed an 'entitled' and 'unorganised' boss for pestering his employee while on annual leave.

The worker was at the airport on his way to Spain when his manager started berating him over text asking why he wasn't at his desk and to jump on a Zoom call.

He said he didn't know his employee was on holiday despite signing off on the leave months before and receiving a reminder email.

The tense exchange angered thousands online including businessman Ben Askins who labelled the boss's management style as 'abysmal'.

The employee received a message from his manager reading: 'Where are you? Haven't seen you at your desk today, need to run something by you.'

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Thousands are up in arms after an employee shared a frustrating exchange he had with his boss asking him to work while on annual leave

He said he didn't know the man was on holiday despite signing off on the leave months before and receiving a reminder email

He said he was on holiday in Spain for the week but graciously offered to give his boss a phone call when he was on the bus from the airport to his hotel.

'Would prefer to do this in person as I need to go through the slides with you. Any chance we can jump on a Zoom call when you get to your hotel?' the manager replied.

Ben, who shared the exchange in an online video, said the manager shouldn't have even reached out to the holidaying employee let alone ask him to take time out of his vacation for a Zoom call, dubbing the behaviour 'unacceptable'.

'Sorry not really possible, we have a really packed schedule,' the worker replied to his boss though Ben said he should 'just stop responding'.

'Damn wish you had told me that you were on annual leave,' the manager said.

The man reminded his manager he had signed off his leave two months prior and it was 'in the system' but he came back saying: 'Lol as if I would remember that. It is poor form for you to not remind me.'

'It's your job to remember that, it's not his fault you're just being unbelievably shocking at yours,' Ben quipped.

Clearly confused, the employee told his manager he sent an email to the whole team about his absence as part of his handover.

'You know I don't really read those. You should have messaged me specifically,' the boss argued.

'This is so bad, this poor employee has done everything right; he's got it signed off two months in advance, he's done all the handover, he's done everything he could have done,' Ben ranted.

'Because the manger is shocking, it's now impacting the employee's holiday. I just hate it when that happens.'

The man replied saying he wasn't sure what his boss wanted him to do and offered to give him a call or leave the matter until next week.

'Fine, let's just do it then, I guess,' the boss sulked.

Ben, a self-described 'champion of younger gens in the workplace' said the heated chat showed the boss's 'really poor' form and 'abysmal management'.

'What are you doing being so unorganised? Because the problem when an unorganised manager happens it hits down to the team below him - what the hell he's playing at? I have no idea,' he said.

'Fair play for the team member to try and get involved but honestly just ignore it.'

He gave his 'genuine advice' saying those is a similar situation should ignore demanding messages form employers while on annual leave they're entitled to.

'Just go, 'Sorry didn't see it, wasn't checking my phone, needed a bit of a switch off,' he suggested.

Ben's clip was viewed more than 2.3million and had users fired up.

'I block my employers number when annual leave starts,' one woman said.

'The only acceptable answer from the boss 'Oh! Sorry! Totally forgot, have a great holiday'',' a second wrote.

'Normalise not reading texts from work outside of business hours,' replied another.

'What self respecting manager doesn't put it on their own calendar? I have reminders starting weeks out so I can plan around my team being off,' someone added.
Read more: The amount of sunscreen you should be wearing in Australia

Taylor Nunez, 21, said she was unaware about the 'hole in the ozone layer'

An American traveller has issued a grim warning about the brutal nature of the Australian sun.

Taylor Nunez, from California, is visiting Sydney for the first time and spent three hours laying on the beach in the sun, only applying suncream on her face.

The 21-year-old told FEMAIL she didn't expect the sun to be so harsh and the UV level on January 29 was 12.

'I'm in Sydney Australia for the first time and didn't realise the ozone layer is non-existent here,' she said in a now-viral TikTok video.

Consequently the brunette beauty was left with horrific sunburn on her legs and arms which started peeling.

Taylor Nunez, from California, (left) was left with severe sunburn on her hands and arms after visiting Sydney for the first time. The 21-year-old wasn't aware of the hole in the ozone layer Australia has (sunburn pictured right)

On January 29 the brunette beauty had been laying on the beach in the sun for three hours

Taylor said she only applied sunscreen on her face - as she does daily - and the UV levels were sitting at eight earlier on in the day.

However, her skin fell victim to the savage Australian sun and she shared what the sunburn looked like in a TikTok video almost a week later.

'How does this happen? I think I added about 15 years of ageing onto my legs due to this,' she said in the clip.

'My arm is not much better either, or my chest, or the back of my legs, it's all really bad.

'If you have any tips beside aloe, it would be greatly appreciated, because I need all the help I can get.'

'I'm in Sydney Australia for the first time and didn't realise the ozone layer is non-existent here,' she said in a now-viral TikTok video

The video has since been viewed a staggering 6.3million times and the burns left others in disbelief.

'Oh my god I never seen a burn that bad and Im Australian!' one person commented.

'That looks so painful,' another said, a third added: 'Girl the sun here is no joke, SPF always,'

Now Taylor's on a mission to encourage other travellers to wear SPF 50+ when Down Under.

'When visiting Australia you should buy Australian sunscreen and be much more cautious about the sun,' Taylor told FEMAIL.

'The hole in the ozone layer makes the UV much stronger which my skin is not acclimated to, even from coming from the California sun.'

Read more: I went to a music festival and left with second degree sunburn Advertisement

Cancer Council recommends applying sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors and again every two hours.

When UV levels are three or above, most Australians get enough vitamin D with just a few minutes of sun exposure while completing day-to-day tasks such as walking to the local shops.

As sunscreen can be easily wiped off, lost through perspiration you should also reapply after swimming, sweating or towel drying.

Too much sun exposure can increase your chance of developing life-threatening skin cancer.
The pain was appalling: It felt like I had cheese-wire cutting away inside me, says Nikki Davis.

For 17 gruelling years, the mother of two from Redruth in Cornwall endured this agonising pain as well as crippling, chronic urinary infections  and at one point, severe bleeds.

These problems not only ruined her sex life and broke up her marriage, but destroyed her well-paid career as a retail manager and have left her relying on benefits.

The cause was an operation in 2007 to treat the stress urinary incontinence she had developed after delivering her two babies.

But unbeknown to Nikki at the time, surgeons had used a polypropylene mesh tape placed inside her pelvis to support her bladder  with disastrous consequences: the mesh cut into her tissues and organs and triggered chronic infections. It didnt even banish her urinary incontinence.

NIkki Davis says mesh problems ruined her sex life and destroyed her marriage and career

But instead of blaming the mesh and removing it, surgeons later removed Nikkis womb and said her problems were solved.

When she continued to complain of crippling pains and infections, for years doctors told her that the problems were all in her head.

It was only last year  16 years after the original surgery  that a specialist finally told Nikki, now 54, that all her agonising troubles stemmed from the mesh, known as transvaginal tape, implanted during her incontinence op nearly two decades ago.

Nikki is one of tens of thousands of women harmed by TVT, a net-like material inserted into the vaginal wall to act as a scaffold for organs such as the bladder and the womb to treat urinary incontinence and prolapse.

Scandalously, many of those affected were often dismissed for many years, gaslighted by doctors who brushed off their symptoms.

But overwhelming evidence shows that this mesh tape can slice into womens pelvic organs and nerves.

Following a campaign backed by the Mail, a pause on the surgery was introduced in 2018, following by a report by Baroness Cumberlege in 2020 that officially recognised the surgical mesh had caused catastrophic harm to tens of thousands of women and called for them promptly to be compensated for injuries that often have proved life-changing.

Doctors told me the risks were negligible ... they were wrong Mesh was presented to me as this amazing thing that doctors could do to help women in my situation, says Rachael Collins, 54, a mother of three from Eastleigh, Hampshire. The doctors said the risk of post-op issues was negligible. Rachael, an administrator for the South Central Ambulance Service, had the surgery in 2014 for stress incontinence following childbirth. As she recovered from the operation, she quickly realised something was badly wrong. When I tried to stand and move around I felt considerable pain below my abdomen, she says. The staff dismissed this as a temporary effect of the op. Rachael Collins says medics gaslit her The damage was anything but temporary. For the next nine years Rachael suffered constant urinary tract infections  at one point, she had to self-catheterise for two years in order to pass water. All the time she has suffered pains in her bladder, bowel and legs. Often the pain would get so bad that even strong painkillers wouldnt work and Id have to go to bed, she says. In common with many of the mesh victims the Mail has spoken to over the years, Rachael was effectively gaslit by medics who routinely denied that her problems were either real or even possible. I made the link between the mesh and my problems straightaway, but the medical staff were so dismissive I just gave up mentioning it, she says. They just gave me repeat prescriptions of antibiotics for the infections. But these problems persisted, along with the original incontinence. After enduring the agonies and stonewalling for eight years, Rachael became so desperate that she borrowed 12,000 from family members to pay for a private operation to remove the mesh, at the Spire Hospital in Bristol, in March 2022. The surgeons told me that the mesh they removed was massively infected, she says. After the operation she no longer experiences the pain or infections  but because of nerve damage, Im left with numbness on the top of my legs and my pelvic area, and I still suffer from urinary incontinence. Rachael still owes the money borrowed for the op. It is a massive weight on my mind. My mum, for example, gave me all her savings and I desperately want to pay her back. she says. She says a 25,000 payment would definitely help as I could finally pay back my family. If you add in all the huge expenses Ive spent on managing my condition, attending appointments and so on, I might just break even. But that sum certainly wouldnt cover damages for what Ive been put through. Im still living with the after-effects of mesh and realistically thats never going to change. Im not going to be bitter however, she says. Im one of the lucky ones  I can still walk around and hold down a job. So many other women have been driven over the edge by all their pain and infections. Mesh has led to deaths, Im sure of it. Advertisement

The review called for a financial-redress system for compensating victims that should not feel like a battle, by saving them from the further anguish and trauma having to fight through the courts.

Its taken four years but finally today an official follow-up report sets out how this should be done. The reports author  patient safety commissioner Henrietta Hughes  recommends the Government sets up a two-stage redress scheme.

The initial stage would involve identifying all the women in England who have been harmed by mesh and providing them long overdue financial redress quickly, a sum of 25,000.

Dr Hughes, a GP who works clinically one day a week, decided this figure on the basis of her consultations with mesh victims.

This initial payment may be followed by a further main scheme payout, based on the individual needs of each patient.

The report also calls for mesh-afflicted women to be given non-financial redress in the form of support with practical problems such as housing and securing benefits.

Dr Hughes said today: My report could not be clearer  the case for redress has been made.

It highlights in detail the daily problems that impact on those who have been harmed, who have seen their lives destroyed by pelvic mesh.

She called on the Government to act immediately, saying: If it does not accept my recommendations, it would be a cruel and callous disregard for the many vulnerable people who have suffered through no fault of their own.

The Government would be signalling that they do not care about the women that had their lives destroyed after being told they were receiving a gold-standard procedure.

The compensation report is a victory for the Mail and mesh campaigners, who broadly welcome it.

But there are concerning elements, says Kath Sansom, who founded the Sling The Mesh campaign group in 2015 after falling victim to a TVT mesh tape op.

The initial sum of 25,000 is disappointingly low. We hope the second-stage payments will compensate for that, she says.

Her sentiments are echoed by Michelle Harper, legal director at Lime Solicitors, which has represented mesh victims, who said: Some of the compensation being discussed is insulting. It falls short of the suffering caused by these treatments, which result in patients likely to have expensive lifelong care needs or extensive disabilities.

The report applies only to procedures and medication prescribed in England to patients who were resident in England at the time of treatment, Dr Hughes told Good Health  not Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Kath Sansom is concerned, too, that finding all women directly harmed by mesh may prove a vastly challenging task, given that an estimated 200,000 have received mesh implants; a good proportion of them  like Nikki  were never even told that theyd had the mesh inserted.

Nikkis mesh traumas began after she had delivered her second child and went to see her GP about worsening urinary incontinence.

At the age of 37, she was sent for a simple operation at her nearby hospital. Trouble occurred straight after the operation, she says.

I started having water infection after water infection, pretty much continuously. I was constantly getting shooting pains down below and my incontinence was never fully solved.

Then her problems got worse, as she experienced severe bleeds.

A year after her incontinence surgery, in 2008, surgeons said she needed a hysterectomy to address this.

It was a big operation, Nikki recalls. In 2009 I had an infection from the hysterectomy. The surgical wounds all opened up. They had to put me on an antibiotic drip in hospital.

Despite her continuing problems, Nikki finally managed to return to work in retail management in 2010.

I was trying to get on with normal life. I learnt to shut out the pain  I thought it was my body adjusting to everything that had happened, she says.

But her agonies  the pain and infections  persisted for years on end.

In 2019, after repeatedly seeing her GP, she was sent for investigations 165 miles away at Bristol Royal Infirmary, where two surgical clips were found wrongly attached to her bladder.

These seem to have been inserted as part of her original mesh operation. Even after the clips were removed her pain and the infections continued. And still no one suggested mesh tape as the cause.

At this point, Nikki hit breaking point.

I felt that I could not go on any longer, she says. I got stress and anxiety and then began self-harming. It was the only way for me to deal with the pain and infections. I felt like I was mad.

She says that following her original operation, she didnt want sex. Her problems also took their toll on her marriage of 24 years, and she is now divorced.

Finally, after repeatedly complaining to doctors, in 2023 Nikki was told by a specialist at the hospital where shed had the TVT mesh tape implanted, was that it was causing all her problems.

She sent me to Bristol to have my mesh removed, Nikki recalls. This was done last November but she still suffers incontinence and constant pain like Im being ripped apart inside.

She adds: I have another appointment in Bristol in the next couple of months to see if anything more can be done. But I dont know if I can handle travelling there again.

I recently told my mum that I cant do this any longer. Ive lost my job because of the time I had to take off for the mesh-removal operation.

Mesh is used as a scaffold for internal organs to treat urinary incontinence and prolapse

I was a retail manager and on good pay. Now I am on Universal Credit. I feel like my life is going backwards not forwards. How much more can I take?

As for the patient safety commissioners recommendation, Nikki sighs with frustration: Recognition of the wrong done to women like me is welcome, but frankly 25,000 for a lifetime of pain feels like an insult.

I earned more than that a year when I was able to work, and thus have lost a great deal more.

As for going through a further stage of making my case for more compensation, Im not sure I could bear it.

And worryingly, as we reveal, TVT mesh-insertion incontinence ops are still being performed in NHS hospitals, despite an official pause (and strict guidelines about exceptions to this pause) being introduced in July 2018. And thats still supposed to be in force, according to Dr Hughess report.

NHS figures seen by the Mail for mesh-insertion surgery for stress urinary incontinence or prolapse from April 2021 to March 2022 in England alone indicate that 1,905 were performed during this period.

But we cant check if this figure is right, as NHS England has stopped releasing new statistics for mesh-insertion operations and says all previous stats should not be trusted because its own data is in a mess.

A spokesman told the Mail: We are aware some NHS trusts miscoded these procedures in the information used to produce these statistics.

The decision has been made to stop releasing this data to prevent misinformation until the data quality for reporting these procedures improves.

For Kath Sansom, this means that damage from mesh-implants will only continue.

NHS surgeons are still merrily implanting this mesh, she says. The new redress scheme could end up like the magic porridge pot, constantly re-filling to meet never-ending need. Sadly this scandal is far from ended.
A retired couple who've spent three years desperately trying to get an appointment with an NHS dentist have resorted to 'keeping our fingers crossed that nothing will go wrong'.

Ann and Peter Flello, of Stafford, have been forced to forgo regular check-ups ever since their dental practice stopped treating NHS patients.

The unnamed practice had its only remaining practitioner offering NHS appointments move away, and has since only offered private appointments.

The Flellos are among the thousands of Brits struggling to access affordable dental care.

The scale of crisis was illustrated perfectly by hundreds of patients queuing outside a newly-opened NHS dental practice in Bristol this week. Some stood in the cold for six hours in the hope of being signed on.

Ann and Peter Flello have been forced to forgo regular dental checkups for three years, and among the thousands of regular Brits struggling to access affordable dental care

Mrs Flello, 70, told MailOnline she has only ever seen NHS dentists since she was a child.

'We used to go every 12 months,' she said. 'Now we haven't had any check-ups at all.

'We've been keeping our fingers crossed that nothing will go wrong and keeping up with our oral hygiene.'

The couple have now been stuck on the practice's NHS patient waiting list for three years, with no spaces having yet emerged.

Despite multiple promises that an NHS dentist will be arriving soon, they have never manifested, and so the couple have been stuck in limbo.

How much does NHS dentistry cost? There are 3 NHS charge bands: Band 1: 25.80 Covers an examination, diagnosis and advice. If necessary, it also includes X-rays, a scale and polish, and planning for further treatment. Band 2: 70.70 Covers all treatment included in Band 1, plus additional treatment, such as fillings, root canal treatment and removing teeth (extractions). Band 3: 306.80 Covers all treatment included in Bands 1 and 2, plus more complex procedures, such as crowns, dentures and bridges. For comparison, check-ups can cost between 20 and 120 at private dentists, according to Which?. Dentures and bridges can also cost up to 2,520, the consumer watchdog says. Advertisement

Mrs Flello, who previously worked as a checkout supervisor in a supermarket, said the practice has offered to bump them up to their private list, for a fee of 40 per month.

'It doesn't seem a lot but if you have to keep paying this 40 for your checkups and things like that it does work out to be quite expensive,' she said.

Despite hoping they wouldn't need any emergency dental work, like many others, inevitably they did.

Mr Flello had a crown on one of his teeth fall out, and so they naturally called their dentist for help.

Mrs Flello said: 'They said "No, we can't do it on the NHS but if you come down later, we can get you in private" as quick as you like.'

Knowing it couldn't wait, the couple paid 120 to get the crown repaired privately.

The amount is over four times the equivalent charge of 25.80 that the NHS charges for such a procedure.

'It had to be done so that was that,' Ann said.

Just this week, the couple tried another dentist in Stafford after being told it was taking on NHS patients.

But their hopes were dashed when they learnt that, while the dentist was taking on NHS patients, appointments had been reserved for people receiving benefits.

Mrs Flello said she had been struck by the unfairness of the situation and urged ministers to act to help people like them.

'You work all your life, you pay all your NHS payments, and for what?' she said.

'If you sit at home and you've never bothered to work and get all these benefits and credits you can just walk in and get what you want.

The crisis in NHS dentistry has been brewing for years, with some Brits forced to pull out their own teeth with pliers or travel abroad to see a dentist due to a lack of slots in the UK. Others have queued from 4am to gain a spot at dentistry practices that have opened up their list to NHS patients. Pictured, the line of people yesterday outside of Saint Pauls Dental Practice, in St Paul's, Bristol, which police were forced to break up

More patients longing for an NHS dentist turned up today but were met with a sign on the door saying: 'We are not enrolling anymore patients.' Pictured, the sign outside St Pauls Dental Practice this morning

'Both of us worked, brought up children, then carried on working to get where we are today with retirement, so you don't have to rely on anybody.

'But when you want a dentist, you can't get one because you're not claiming anything.'

The couple have been told to wait and 'try again in the summer' to get but past experience has taught them not to get their hopes up.

'They didn't even have a waiting list, it's 'first come first serve',' she said.

The Flellos are not alone in their dental woes. Other Brits have shared how they have taken drastic measures amid the NHS dental crisis.

Some have described living off painkillers and soup after being unable to get their crowns looked at affordably.

Brits have even flown out to war-torn Ukraine for private dental work, unable to afford the equivalent procedures in the UK.

The Government yesterday finally unveiled its long-awaited NHS dental recovery plan, described as 'putting NHS dentistry on a sustainable footing'.

Latest national figures show only 43 per cent of over-18s were seen by a dentist in the 24 months to June this year, compared to more than half in the same period before the pandemic struck, though some regions have fared worse than others

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Under PM Rishi Sunak's bold blueprint to fix the appointments crisis plaguing millions, dentists will be offered up to 50 to see patients who haven't had a check-up in the last two years.

Additionally up to 240 dentists willing to relocate to 'dental deserts' will be paid a 20,000 'golden hello'.

The Government is also planning to controversially add fluoride to the drinking water of millions of Brits in a bid to passively protect their oral health.

But the overall plan  unveiled 10 months after it was promised  was slammed by dental bosses and politicians for not going far enough.

The British Dental Association said that all it amounted to was 'rearranging the deckchairs' and it won't bring the desired, and much-needed, change.

Health leaders instead called for 'radical reform' of the dental contract, accusing Mr Sunak of U-turning on his pledge to restore the crippled industry.

The crisis has led to the rise of DIY dentistry where desperate Brits have resorted to using household implements like pliers to pull out rotting teeth.

Experts have also raised the terrifying prospect that cases of mouth cancer, which are typically spotted in their earliest, and most treatable, stages during routine dental check-ups, are going missed.
Millions more Brits will get fluoride added to their drinking water under Government plans.

As part of the long-awaited dental recovery plan, ministers have vowed to embark on the biggest fluoridation expansion since the 1980s.

Around 1.6million people in the North East will, if the contentious proposals are given the go ahead, get the mineral added to their water supplies initially.

Ministers say their long-term ambition is to bring fluoride to more of the country with a 'particular focus' on deprived areas.

Fluoride helps strengthen the hard outer protective layer of teeth, called the enamel, which in turn protects teeth from damage and wear and tear.

Millions more Brits will get fluoride added to tap water in a Government plan to improve their oral health (stock image)

Just 6.1million Britons  around 10 per cent of the population  currently received water with fluoride levels sufficient to benefit oral health, according to the British Fluoridation Society. These areas include Hartlepool, Easington, parts of North Hampshire and South Berkshire

But adding fluoride to water supplies isn't without controversy.

Some studies have linked excessive quantities of the mineral to babies being born with Down's syndrome, as well as kidney stones and some cancers.

However, the NHS and experts like the Government's chief medical officer Sir Chris Whitty say these claims are not backed up by evidence, with the latter previously describing them as 'exaggerated and unevidenced'.

Around 5.8million Britons live in areas where fluoride - also added to toothpastes and mouthwashes - is already placed in tap water.

And 300,000 drink supplies naturally fluoridated by rocks in the ground.

In total, only 10 per cent of the UK's population currently get water with sufficient fluoride levels, according to the British Fluoridation Society.

What is included under the NHS Dentistry Recovery Plan? The measures announced by the government include: An extra 15 for dentists on top of the standard payment of 28 for seeing a patient who has not visited a dentist for two years

An increase of up to 50 per patient needing complex work

Up to 240 NHS dentists  around 1 per cent of the workforce  will be paid a 20,000 golden hello bonus to encourage them to work in under-served areas for three years

Mobile dental teams will visit schools in deprived areas to provide advice and deliver fluoride varnish treatments to more than 165,000 pupils

Mobile dental services in rural and coastal areas with poor dental coverage

Expansion of water fluoridation to new parts of the country to help prevent tooth decay

Family hubs will educate parents on how to protect their babys gums and milk teeth.

Nurseries will teach children to see toothbrushing as part of their daily routine, as part of a Smile for Life scheme Advertisement

Health bosses have estimated that adding fluoride to more water supplies could prevent two-thirds of hospital admissions for tooth decay, an issuing costing the NHS, and by extension the taxpayer, millions.

While adding fluoride to water, a process called fluoridation, has been done before in the UK, expansion of the scheme has largely stalled since the 1980s.

Modern attempts to bring to British communities have largely failed during the consultation stage, with the public not convinced of the benefits compared to the perceived risk.

Fluoridation is a flashpoint issue in the US, with Presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr earlier this week labelling it a 'neurotoxic' and vowing to remove it from drinking supplies if elected.

The Government's dental recovery plan, published this week, includes fluoridation as a core component.

'Under new legislation, we have made it simpler to start new water fluoridation schemes,' it reads.

'Our long-term ambition is to systematically bring fluoridation to more of the country, with a particular focus on the most deprived areas, which stand to benefit most from fluoridation.'

The plan also states that despite the benefits of fluoridation to public dental health, there has been no 'significant' expansion of the scheme since the 1980s.

It noted that only one in 10 people in England are drinking water containing the mineral, compared to almost three in four in Ireland and the US, and 9 in 10 Australians.

In 2021, Professor Whitty and colleagues said if all five-year-olds with drinking water containing less than 0.2 milligram per litre (mg/l) of fluoride started drinking water boosted to 0.7 mg/l, the number with cavities would fall by up to 28 per cent among the poorest communities.

Fluoridation is a flashpoint issue in the US, with Presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr earlier this week labelling it a 'neurotoxic' and vowing to remove it from drinking supplies if elected

Fluoridation is considered to be a low cost high impact public health initiative as it is passive and not reliant on people actively changing their behaviour compared to encouraging them to stop smoking, exercise more or eat healthier food.

But some experts have argued that since fluoride is now added to a number of toothpastes and mouthwashes adding it to tap water is not as beneficial as it once was.

While the more serious dangers of fluoridation are a point of contention, one minor risk that is known is fluorosis.

This where a child has too much fluoride while their teeth are developing, causing very white lines to appear on the tooth when when mild and discolouration of the teeth when severe.

It is partly for this reason that the World Health Organization recommends that fluoride in drinking supply should not go above 1.5 mg/l.

The risk of fluorosis in the UK is considered low due because fluoride levels in drinking water are carefully monitored in Britain.

About 25 countries around the world already add fluoride to tap water, including Ireland, the majority of the US and Australia.

Other parts of PM Rishi Sunaks bold blueprint plan to to improve dental care in England include fixing the NHS dentist appointments crisis plaguing millions.

Under the plan dentists will be offered up to 50 to see patients who haven't had a check-up in the last two years.

Up to 240 dentists willing relocate to the nation's 'dental deserts', where people struggle to get appointments, will also be paid a 20,000 'golden hello' to do so.

But the plan  unveiled 10 months after it was promised  has been slammed by dental bosses and politicians for not going far enough, with one saying that it amounted to 'rearranging the deckchairs'.

Health leaders instead called for 'radical reform' of the dental contract, which governs how much dentists are paid for doing NHS work, accusing Mr Sunak of U-turning on his pledge to restore the crippled industry.

The crisis in NHS dentistry has been brewing for years, with some Brits forced to pull out their own teeth with pliers or travel abroad to see a dentist due to a lack of slots in the UK.

One even went to war-stricken Ukraine because it was half the price of paying privately.

Others have queued from 4am to gain a spot at dentistry practices that have opened up their list to NHS patients.

Shocking pictures of hundreds of desperate Brits queuing outside a newly-opened practice in Bristol this week were described as being 'reminiscent of Soviet-era Eastern Europe'.

The queue, which lasted for six hours on its first day and then continued for a second day, eventually saw dozens of patients turned away as the practice had run out of patient slots.
Pregnant women must be warned about the risks of the trend of 'freebirthing', say doctors.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) said women should be supported to have the birth they choose.

But it insisted that 'safety is paramount' and families need to be aware of the risks of going it alone, without the help of a medic or midwife.

'Freebirths', or unassisted births, are thought to be on the rise in the wake of Covid, when many mums-to-be were feared attending hospitals over risks of catching the virus.

Although risky, the practice is legal as women have the right to decline care during their pregnancy and delivery.

But medics warn that some women are unaware of just how risky 'freebirthing' can be.

Medics have warned about the rise of the 'freebirthing' trend, where woman give birth without any help from a medic or midwife, saying many are unaware of the risks going tit alone poses (stock image)

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has said it is in the early stages of collaboration with the Chief Midwifery Officer's teams, the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and the Department of Health to better understand professional concerns about freebirthing and what organisations may need to do.

The RCM also confirmed it is looking at the issue.

Its statement on unassisted births supports women's choice but notes that 'midwives are understandably concerned about women giving birth at home without assistance, as it brings with it increased risks to both the mother and baby'.

It also states that women need to be informed that a midwife may not be available to be sent out to their home during labour if they change their mind and wish to have help.

Professor Asma Khalil, vice president of the RCOG, added: 'Women and people should have the right to give birth in an environment in which they feel comfortable, and should be supported in their birth choice.

Timeline of the NHS maternity scandals A swathe of scandals have hit NHS maternity care. An inquiry into failings at Morecambe Bay NHS Trust  where 11 babies and one mother suffered avoidable deaths  found a group of midwives' overzealous pursuit of natural childbirth had 'led at times to inappropriate and unsafe care'. The investigation report, published in March 2015, revealed 20 'serious and shocking' major failures had occurred between 2004 and 2013. An October 2021 report revealed that a third of stillborn babies may have survived if there were not serious mistakes at Llantrisant's Royal Glamorgan and Merthyr Tydfil's Prince Charles hospitals in south Wales. The inquiry was launched in 2019 after the maternity services at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board were put into special measures. Another probe into Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust, led by midwifery expert Donna Ockenden, found that 300 babies had died or been left brain-damaged due to 'repeated errors in care'. The two-year investigation, published in March 2022, highlighted staffing and training gaps as well as midwives being determined to keep caesarean section rates low as causes of some deaths. Another report published in October 2022 exposed the failures of two hospitals which are part of East Kent Hospitals Trust. It revealed there were 12 cases where a baby suffered brain damage due to getting insufficient oxygen, but there could have been a different outcome had the baby received better care. An investigation at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, which started in September 2022, is looking into 1,700 similar cases. A final report is due in 2024. Already reports claim there were dozens of deaths, stillbirths and babies left with brain damaged after mistakes. Nottinghamshire police announced in September 2023 that they are launched a criminal probe into failings. Advertisement

'However, safety is paramount and, while most births are uncomplicated, advising women about the potential risks is crucial for informed decision-making.

'Women opting for unassisted births need awareness of the potential challenges and delays in accessing medical assistance if complications arise, as emergency intervention may be necessary, even for those at low risk.

'Home births, supported by a midwife, may be suitable for healthy, low-risk women who are having a second or subsequent child and have had a straightforward pregnancy.

'However, for women having their first baby, evidence shows a home birth slightly increases the risk of a poor outcome for the baby.

'Some degree of anxiety about giving birth is common in many expectant mothers.

'Women should be given the opportunity to address their fears and past traumas via open discussions with their midwife or obstetrician."

The Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust has recently reviewed its policy on unassisted birth and tells women they will need to go to hospital if they find they need help with an unassisted delivery.

A spokesperson for the Trust said: 'While we fully respect women's rights to decline maternity care throughout pregnancy, as healthcare professionals we have a duty to provide information about the associated risks and offer them the opportunity to engage with care at any point in their pregnancy journey.

'If we are contacted to help a woman in labour who is not booked for care with us, we will assess the best way for her to come to the hospital and support the process to achieve safe transfer.

'We will provide all care required to the best of our abilities within our maternity service on arrival, ensuring the safest care for mothers and babies.'

According to the trust, any woman who contacts it in an emergency situation during labour who has not received routine maternity care will be advised to go to hospital, where staff and equipment are available to manage any difficulties.

A story published earlier this week in the Health Service Journal suggested other NHS trusts have also raised concerns about a rise in freebirths.

The Birthrights charity was contacted for comment.

A rise in 'freebirthing' comes as data shows an alarming spike in women dying in childbirth in the UK.

Data published just last month shows British women are dying in childbirth at the same rates as two decades ago.

The review recorded a total 293 women died during pregnancy and within six weeks of giving birth between 2020 and 2022.

This equates 14 in every 100,000 women died during or in the weeks following childbirth in 2022, roughly the same rates as in 2004, the data shows.

The data is still preliminary, so it is not known what proportion of women died in hospital or at home, or how each of the UK countries compare.

The graphic shows the NHS trusts in England that have logged the biggest drop in midwives between September 2022 and July 2023  the latest data available. Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust has seen its midwife workforce drop 12.8 per cent over this nine-month period, while Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust has 8.8 per cent fewer staff compared to 10 months earlier, NHS workforce data shows

Experts said the upward trend is the most compelling evidence yet that failures in care now span 'across the entire maternity system'.

They blamed NHS pressures alongside public health factors including rising obesity levels and poorer overall health of mothers, for reversing progress made over the last two decades.

Blood clots were the leading cause of deaths among new mothers, followed by Covid, heart disease and mental health issues.

The data also showed stark inequalities with women in deprived areas twice as likely to die than those in wealthy areas, and black women three times more likely to die than white women.

Britain has been rocked by a series of maternity scandals in the NHS in recent years that revealed hundreds of babies and mothers suffered shocking failures in care that have resulted in deaths and lifelong injuries.
Data suggests the UK has one of the lowest dentists to patient ratios in Europe

Queuing up in the rain from 4am out of desperation. Flying to war-torn Ukraine to avoid paying hefty private bills. Pulling out teeth with pliers to stop the pain.

That's the reality of the ever-worsening NHS dentistry crisis, which affects millions across the country.

Yesterday ministers vowed to finally get a grip on the escalating situation, with Rishi Sunak unveiling a blockbuster plan to free up millions of NHS appointments.

But dental experts and MPs immediately warned it wouldn't work.

So what is behind the crisis? MailOnline's series of fascinating charts explain the ins-and-outs of why you can't see and NHS dentist when you want.

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Declining numbers of Brits seen by NHS dentists

Fewer adults are seeing NHS dentists in recent years, startling data shows.

The latest figures, for June last year, show roughly 26million adults (about 60 per cent of the population) haven't had a check-up in the last two years.

This is one of the lowest proportions since modern records start in 2006.

Children haven't fared any better.

Under-18s are entitled to completely free NHS dental care, with health bosses recognising giving children a good start in oral health helps avoid potential issues like tooth extractions further down the line.

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: We've spent three years trying to get an NHS appointment - why can't we get one? Retired couple say they're 'keeping our fingers crossed that nothing will go wrong' Ann and Peter Flello have been forced to forgo regular dental checkups for three years, and among the thousands of regular Brits struggling to access affordable dental care Advertisement

Nearly 8million children saw an NHS dentist within 12 months in 2006, equivalent to about 70 per cent of the population at the time.

The latest data shows this has fallen to about 50 per cent, with only 6million being seen within the year.

Experts blame the lack of appointments on 100 children a day being admitted to hospital last year to have their teeth pulled out under general anaesthetic.

This is equivalent to one child having a rotten tooth pulled every 11 minutes last year.

NHS dentist attendance figures for both adults and children dived off a cliff during the Covid pandemic as practices shut as part of lockdown rules and stopped offering treatments.

But it has failed to bounce back despite the darkest days of the pandemic being well into the past.

Industry experts suggest this is because offering NHS treatment is not as lucrative as going private.

Old NHS contracts for dentists paid them for batches of work carried out rather than for individual treatments, regardless how complicated a particular case might be.

In practice, this meant NHS dentists were paid the same for treating a patient that needed 10 fillings as for a patient that needed just one.

This resulted in dentists on some occasions losing money from treating NHS patients as the remuneration didn't cover the costs of doing the procedure.

While this contact has now been reformed, the British Dental Association (BDA) estimates thousands of NHS dentists abandoned or vastly scaled back their NHS work post-pandemic.

Estimates from consumer representation Which? show the price of private dentistry is often double, sometimes even triple, the equivalent cost of the NHS.

A routine check up on the NHS costs 25.80, but privately it can cost you nearly triple at up to 75.

Prices increases with the extent of the procedure. A dental crown will cost you 306.80 on the NHS and up to 950 privately.

Compounding the problem is that as more dentists ditch or vastly reduce their NHS work, those who remain risk become overwhelmed.

A BDA post-pandemic survey of dentists in 2022 suggested three quarters were experiencing burnout, feeling unable to spend sufficient time with their patients to give them the care they needed.

The crisis in NHS dentistry has been brewing for years, with some Brits forced to pull out their own teeth with pliers or travel abroad to see a dentist due to a lack of slots in the UK. Others have queued from 4am to gain a spot at dentistry practices that have opened up their list to NHS patients. Pictured, the line of people outside of Saint Pauls Dental Practice, in St Paul's, Bristol, which police were forced to break up earlier this week

More patients longing for an NHS dentist turned up today but were met with a sign on the door saying: 'We are not enrolling anymore patients.' Pictured, the sign outside St Pauls Dental Practice earlier this week

And, much like with the GP appointments crisis, as patients struggle to get access frustrations can boil over.

The same BDA survey found 86 per cent of dentists said their practice had received physical or verbal abuse from patients.

Thinktanks have called for dentists to be lured back from the private sector and the Government plan published this week included some polices to address this.

Under PM Rishi Sunak's blueprint, dentists will be offered up to 50 to see patients who haven't had a check-up in the last two years.

Additionally, up to 240 dentists willing to relocate to England's 'dental deserts', where access to NHS dentists is most limited, will also be paid a 20,000 'golden hello'.

The exodus of NHS dentists and the paradox of official figures

Industry experts have repeatedly warned the NHS is 'haemorrhaging' its dentists, leaving the service in a 'perilous' position.

They have even suggested it must just be limited to check-ups, pain management and emergency treatment in future.

Figures show 24,151 dentists took on NHS work in England in 2022-23, down from 24,272 in the previous financial year  a drop of 121 year on year.

The total is also roughly 500 fewer than the number of dentists carrying out NHS work in 2019-20, the last year before the Covid pandemic struck.

READ MORE: Millions will get fluoride added to their tap water in biggest expansion of controversial scheme since the 1980s Millions more Brits will get fluoride added to tap water in a Government plan to improve their oral health (stock image) Advertisement

The BDA fears numbers could drop even further to below 24,000, a figure not recorded since 2014-15.

But, at the same time, ministers have publicly boasted about providing Brits with more dentists than over a decade ago.

A Government announcement in September last year hailed how there were now 1,352 more dentists doing NHS work in 2022-23 than in 2010-11.

And at first glance this is correct.

MailOnline's analysis of NHS dental workforce numbers compared to official population estimates for England show the ratio of dentists doing NHS work to patients is better than in 2006-7, the last year of former PM Tony Blair's reign.

Figures for today show there are 2,365 patients per dentist in England compared to 2,528 back in 2006-7.

So, with 200 fewer patients per NHS dentist, why is seemingly harder to get an appointment as official data shows?

This is because the Government figure is a headcount of dentists carrying out NHS work and doesn't reflect how much taxpayer-funded work these dentists are actually doing.

In practice it means that, in the figures, a dentist who saw a single NHS patient the entire year counts just the same as one that only saw NHS patients in that period.

And, as previously discussed, with more on dentists scaling back their taxpayer funded work in favour of the more lucrative private sector, boasting about the headcount of NHS dentists is meaningless.

According to the BDA, practices are even struggling to fill dentist vacancies, which, in a further blow to the sector, means they face fines for not hitting their NHS targets.

It estimates practices will have to pay back more than 400million for missing targets this year.

The UK lags behind most of Europe when it comes to dentists numbers

The NHS dental crisis has shown the decline of British taxpayer-funded dentistry in harsh light.

But the UK is even a poor performer when it comes to dentist patient ratios across Europe, losing out to countries like Bulgaria.

Data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows Britian has an estimated 5 dentists per 10,000 population.

Latest national figures show only 43 per cent of over-18s were seen by a dentist in the 24 months to June this year, compared to more than half in the same period before the pandemic struck, though some regions have fared worse than others

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In comparison, Bulgaria recorded double this amount at 11 dentists per 10,000 head of population.

The UK, in fact, was the third worst performer when it came to dentist to patient ratios in Europe.

Only Ireland and Switzerland performed worse on this metric, recording about 4.5 and 4 dentists per 10,000 people respectively.

Industry experts have told MailOnline it is difficult to estimate exactly how many more NHS dentists the UK needs given the headcount problem with official statistics.

However, they have said they would like to see dentist to patient ratios closer to that of Germany and France which in the OECD data have 7.5 and 6.5 dentists per 10,000 people respectively.

It should be noted that given healthcare systems and access to public funded dentistry varies across Europe, such international comparisons are limited.

However, experts say such figures provide a reasonable benchmark in how the UK compares to its neighbours.

Public satisfaction with NHS dentists plummets

Unsurprisingly, patient satisfaction with NHS dentistry has plummeted amid the appointments crisis.

The British Social Attitudes survey (BSA), an annual questionnaire which has run since 1983 and is considered a 'gold standard' by analysts, shows only 27 per cent of Brits were satisfied with NHS dentistry in 2022.

This was a record low, with dissatisfaction with public funded dentistry increasing in tandem to a record high of 42 per cent.

Almost one in four of the 3,300-plus British adults surveyed said they were 'very dissatisfied', marking the highest figure for any NHS service in the survey.

The decline in BSA satisfaction with NHS dental services has been rapid and seemingly tied to the disruption and failure to bounce back from the Covid pandemic.

In 2019, the year before the Covid pandemic and lockdown, 60 per cent of Brits reported being satisfied with the state of taxpayer-funded dentistry.

Separate data from NHS England's GP Patient Survey for 2023, where patients are also asked about their access to NHS dental services, also shows how Brits are struggling to get appointments.

Of those surveyed, one in four had failed to get an NHS dentist appointment in the last 24 months.

One in 10 said they had been told they couldn't an appointment as the dental practice they were seeking help from was not taking on any more NHS patients.

But the majority of those who did manage to get an NHS appointment rated their experience highly.

Of those surveyed 70 per cent said they were happy with the care they had received.
It was a story that was as baffling as it was shocking. Last week, a four-year-old became the second child this year to be hospitalised after consuming a slushy.

The brightly-coloured iced drinks are sold in corner shops, cinemas and fun fairs  and are seen as a family-favourite sweet treat.

Albie Green from Warwickshire reportedly became severely unwell  hallucinating and clawing at his face  after downing a small strawberry-flavoured slushy at an after-school bowling party.

It was suggested his illness was an adverse reaction to glycerol, the artificial sweetener used in the drinks which help keep them from freezing solid.

Although Albie recovered, many parents have been understandably wondering whether their children are at risk.

Now, The Mail can reveal that scientists are exploring an intriguing theory: that some children carry a genetic mutation which makes glycerol toxic to them.

In July 2023, a major supplier of slushies, the British company Nichols, which produces two of the most popular brands, Slush Puppie and Starlush, removed the sweetener from its products out of precaution for the safety of children, we have learned.

Beth Green faced a parent's worst nightmare when her four-year-old son Albie became unresponsive after drinking a small strawberry-flavoured slushy

However, glycerol is still present in the majority of slushies available on British high streets and used in a wide variety of confectionary as well as cereal bars.

Experts are now calling on local health authorities to warn parents of the dangers of slushies, which contain a large amount of glycerol, in order to prevent further hospitalisations and even possible deaths.

Alongside glycerol, or E422, slushies typically also include citric acid used a preservative, artificial fruit flavouring, food colouring, salt, and water.

But experts agree that glycerol is most likely to blame for the two recent cases of children falling unwell  and last year the Governments Food Standards Agency advised retailers not to sell slushies to children under four, and not offer free refill promotions to under 10s.

It came after two previous cases of children in Scotland being hospitalised after drinking slushies, in 2021 and 2022.

So just how worried should parents be?

Beth, 24, from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, feared unconscious Albie would die an hour after downing the iced slushy drink

Alongside its use as a sugar substitute glycerol is used in medical treatments  taken to help tackle eye disease glaucoma and alleviate constipation.

Experts believe that glycerol in food and drinks is essentially harmless for adults.

Jaffa Cakes, Angel Slices, and Cherry Bakewells all contain small amounts of glycerol  which is also listed in the ingredients as glycerine  to ensure the outside of these treats remains moist and soft.

Cereal bars like Nature Valley and Alpen  which are often promoted as a natural alternative to sweet treats  also contain glycerol for the same purpose.

The majority of these food items appear to contain very small traces of glycerol but companies are not required to state how much appears in their products.

However, the additive has become more common in beverages since 2018, when the Government introduced the sugar tax on soft drinks.

The tax is estimated to have saved thousands of children from tooth extractions, as sugar is one of the main causes of tooth decay in children.

However, the concentration of glycerol now in soft drinks such as slushies can be dangerous for some younger children.

Last month, three-year-old Angus Anderson was taken to hospital when he unexpectedly collapsed 30 minutes after drinking a raspberry-flavoured slushy bought from a local corner shop.

His mother, 29-year-old Victoria from Inverclyde, Scotland, described how Anguss eyes rolled into the back of his head and his body went stone cold.

Angus was the third child in Scotland to be hospitalised after drinking a slushy, where the beverage appears to particularly popular.

In 2022, the supermarket SPAR Scotland announced a partnership with the frozen dessert brand Calippo to install glycerol-containing slushy machines in all its 320 shops across the nation.

Ms Anderson, who has since called for a ban on slushies, was told by doctors at Glasgow Childrens Hospital that her son had suffered glycerol toxicity  where overconsumption of glycerol can trigger headaches, sickness, and loss of consciousness.

However, why this condition occurs is debated amongst experts.

In August 2023, the Food Standards Agency said that, in rare circumstances, slushies can be dangerous for under-fours. Just one 350ml drink could tip them over the safe threshold

One argument is that glycerol leaves children dehydrated and lowers their blood-sugar.

Glycerol is very effective at absorbing excess water in the body, thats why its used to treat glaucoma, which is caused by a build-up of fluid in the eye, says Professor James Caulson, a toxicology expert at Cardiff University.

This water is then carried with the glycerol out of the body. However, glycerol can sometimes also absorb a lot of sugar from the bloodstream during this process.

That sudden loss of water can leave people with headaches and the loss of sugar can have a significant effect on the body.

Prof Caulson says that children who consume a large amount of glycerol can suffer hypoglycaemia  a low blood sugar condition usually associated with diabetes which leads to trembling, dizziness and even seizures.

He added: So its no surprise that small children can end up unwell from consuming a lot of glycerol.

Worryingly, experts also say slushies can significantly vary in glycerol content depending on where they are sold.

According to the Food Standards Agency most slushies contain around 16 grams  or around four teaspoons  of glycerol.

However, there is no maximum amount of glycerol that manufacturers have to legally adhere to. Most brands also do not state how much glycerol is in each slushy.

These products can really vary in how much glycerol ends up in them, says Professor Caulson.

There have been reports in the past of factory errors that have led to similar products containing far more glycerol than expected, which have put children in the hospital.

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But other experts say this theory does not explain why only some children have ended up severely unwell from products which are consumed by thousands of young people every day.

Lots of children drink slushies, but these horrible side effects appear to be quite rare, says Prof Alan Boobis, a toxicology expert at Imperial College London and Government advisor.

Instead, Prof Boobis argues that it is possible that the children who have suffered severe reactions after drinking slushies may have a rare genetic disorder which means their bodies cannot process glycerol.

For example, some children are born with a condition called fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase deficiency, which means they cannot produce enough of a certain enzyme that the body uses to break down glycerol and turn it into glucose  or sugar.

The rare condition can occur at any point in life and can lead to a range of symptoms depending on its severity, including drowsiness, hypoglycaemia and seizures.

Many people may never realise they have the problem.

Prof Boobis believes that a small child with this condition could become severely unwell if they consumed a large portion of glycerol.

In this situation, consuming a lot of glycerol could overwhelm the body and cause a health crisis, he says.

Because the body could not process the glycerol, this could block the production of all glucose in the body, and the child would experience severe hypoglycaemia.

Prof Boobis stresses that his assessment is currently only a theory and wants more research to be carried out to see if it explains the rise in slushy-related hospitalisations, particularly in Scotland.

Its feasible that all those affected might share the same genes or be related in some way, he says.

If he is right, given the rarity of this genetic disorder, a significant rise in reports of children suffering severe reactions to slushies is unlikely.

However, he warns that the majority of children with the condition would be undiagnosed, meaning there is no way for parents to know if their children are at risk or not.

Banning slushies would be an extreme measure because youd be depriving thousands of people something that, for them, is safe and enjoyable, to protect a small handful of children who are at risk, says Prof Boobis.

However, it should be the responsibility of local health authorities to warn parents of the risks of the beverages.

If [the adverse reactions] are triggered by a genetic disorder, then its unlikely youll know your child is at risk until they get sick.
Dr Anthony Fauci has announced he is releasing a memoir reflecting on his 40 years in government.

The book will look back at his long career as an infectious disease expert and the many outbreaks he contended with, from HIV/AIDS to the Covid pandemic that shot him to fame.

Book publisher Viking announced Thursday that Fauci's 'On Call: A Doctor's Journey in Public Service' will be available from June 18.

Back in March 2023, it was reported that Penguin Random House, the parent company of Viking, snapped up Fauci's memoir for 'just under $5 million.'

'I hope that this memoir will serve as a personalized document for the reader to understand better the daunting challenges that we have faced in public health over the past 40 years,' Fauci said in a statement.

Book publisher Viking announced Thursday that Fauci's 'On Call: A Doctor's Journey in Public Service' will be available from June 18

Fauci speaking at the III International AIDS Conference Washington DC, June 1987

Dr Fauci arrived at the Capitol on Tuesday for his second seven-hour stretch of grilling by a House subcommittee over the government's pandemic response and Fauci's outsized role in it

'I would also like to inspire younger individuals in particular to consider careers in public health and public service.'

Fauci was represented in the book deal by Washington attorney Robert Barnett, whose clients have included and former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W Bush.

Fauci, 83, was director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health for nearly 40 years, and was President Joe Biden's chief medical advisor until his retirement, in 2022.

Fauci served under seven presidents, starting with Ronald Reagan, but he is best known for his time during Donald Trump's administration, when he and the White House often clashed over how to respond to the coronavirus.

Millions regarded Fauci, with his raspy voice and plainspoken style, as the government's trusted point man during the heights of the pandemic.

But he would become increasingly estranged from Trump, who favored a faster return to normal life and advocated unproven treatments.

Republicans and anti-vaxxers have since criticized him relentlessly on a wide range of issues and have written books attacking him, including Sen. Rand Paul's 'Deception: The Great Covid Cover-Up' and Robert F. Kennedy Jr's 'The Real Anthony Fauci.'

Fauci had been involved in controversy before. In the 1980s, the activist group ACT UP condemned Fauci for what it called his indifferent response to the spread of AIDS.

But he would win over many of his critics, meeting with ACT UP members and agreeing to such requests as letting people with HIV serve on research committees and accelerating the process of finding treatments.

During President George W. Bush's administration, Fauci helped develop PEPFAR, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

In 2008, Bush awarded Fauci the Presidential Medal of Freedom for 'his efforts to advance the understanding and treatment of HIV/AIDS.'

Last month, Fauci underwent a two-day grilling by Congress, during which he confessed that the lab leak - the idea Covid was engineered and accidentally released from a lab in Wuhan - was 'not a conspiracy theory.'

The U-turn was significant because Fauci was the chief architect of a 2020 paper that discounted the theory.

His friends and former colleagues also spearheaded a paper in the Lancet that called believers conspiracy theorists and racists.
Cancer patients face a 'desperate situation' after the number waiting more than a month to start treatment hit a record high last year, charities warn.

Over 30,000 people waited more than a month after being told they needed the likes of surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, 'alarming' new data from NHS England reveals.

This is the highest annual figure since current records began in 2009 and more than three-times as many people as just five year ago.

It comes amid heightened focus on NHS cancer services, following King Charles' revelation this week that he is being treated for an unspecified form of the disease.

Gemma Peters, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: 'Today's data confirms the shocking truth that 2023 was the worst year yet for cancer treatment delays.

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Over 30,000 people waited more than a month after being told they needed the likes of surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, 'alarming' new data from NHS England reveals

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'These alarming figures mark a new low and highlight the desperate situation for people living with cancer.

'Behind the figures are real lives being turned upside down, with thousands of people waiting far too long to find out if they have cancer and to begin their treatment, causing additional anxiety at what is already a very difficult time.

'With over 3million people in the UK living with cancer and an ageing population, this is only set to rise.

'We want to see a long-term cancer strategy to ensure cancer care is fit for the future ensuring everybody with a cancer diagnosis gets the timely and quality care they so desperately need and deserve.'

The NHS figures also show there has been a sharp rise in people facing long waits in A&E, though the overall NHS waiting list continues to fall.

What do the latest NHS figures show? The overall waiting list shrunk by 6,266 to 7.6million in December. There were 282 people waiting more than two years to start, up from 227 in November. The number of people waiting more than a year to start hospital treatment was 337,450, down slightly on the 355,412 in the previous month. Some 54,308 people had to wait more than 12 hours in A&E departments in England in January. The figure is up from 44,045 in December. A total of 158,721 people waited at least four hours from the decision to admit to admission in January, up from 148,282 in December. Just 70.3 per cent of patients were seen within four hours at A&Es last month. NHS standards set out that 95 per cent should be admitted, transferred or discharged within the four-hour window. Advertisement

An estimated 7.6million treatments were waiting to be carried out in England at the end of December, relating to 6.37million patients.

This is down slightly from 7.61million treatments and 6.39million patients at the end of November and the third consecutive month that the list has fallen.

But the number of people waiting more than 12 hours in A&E departments from a decision to admit them to actually being admitted hit 54,308 in January, up sharply from 44,045 in December.

This is the second highest figure on record, just below the record 54,573 in December 2022.

NHS England said A&E and ambulance services experienced their busiest ever January.

Junior doctors in England staged the longest strike in NHS history last month, for six full days from January 3 to January 9.

Rishi Sunak admitted earlier this week that the Government has failed on its pledge to cut the overall NHS waiting list.

The Prime Minister said the Government had 'not made enough progress' but that industrial action in the health service 'has had an impact'.

Other NHS figures show cancer services improved slightly in December, compared with November, but performance continues to languish well below target levels.

A total of 74.2 per cent of patients urgently referred for suspected cancer in December 2023 were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days, up from 71.9 per cent the previous month but below the target of 75 per cent.

The proportion of patients waiting longer than 62 days in December from an urgent suspected cancer referral or consultant upgrade to their first definitive treatment for cancer was 65.9 per cent, up slightly from 65.2 per cent in November but also below the target of 85 per cent.

Brett Hill, head of health and protection at consultancy firm Broadstone, said: 'The King's shock cancer diagnosis has refocused attention towards the importance of early detection and prompt treatment for serious medical conditions.

'With more and more people unable to access timely treatment and diagnosis for their health concerns, it is an unfortunate reality that opportunities are being missed to catch some serious conditions at an early stage, which ultimately will lead to longer, more complex treatment needs and poorer outcomes.'

And Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: 'Thousands of cancer patients across England face unacceptable waits to be diagnosed and treated.

'This week, the UK Government admitted that they have not made enough progress on their pledge to cut NHS waiting lists - patients and hardworking staff continue to suffer as a result.

'The UK Government must take urgent action and provide additional investment for the NHS, coupled with reform to cancer services, so that cancer patients receive the level of care that they deserve.'

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'These figures also show we saw record numbers of urgent cancer referrals last year, and record numbers of patients received a cancer diagnosis or all-clear within four weeks.

'We have invested 2.3billion speeding up diagnosis and launched 153 Community Diagnostic Centres across England, which will help us achieve our aim of catching 75 per cent of all cancers at stage 1 or 2 by 2028.'
A cancer charity has seen a 'King Charles effect' with a surge in visits to its website.

Macmillan Cancer Support said Charles's openness about his cancer diagnosis meant its information and support pages saw 48,304 hits on Monday, when the news broke.

This represents a 42 per cent increase on the same day last year and is the highest daily figure since at least March 2020.

Buckingham Palace revealed King Charles had been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer after it was found during treatment for his enlarged prostate.

The 75-year-old doesn't have prostate cancer  the most common type among elderly men.

Macmillan Cancer Support said Charles's openness about his cancer diagnosis meant its information and support pages saw 48,304 hits on Monday, when the news broke. Pictured, King Charles at a Clarence House reception to mark the 100th anniversary of MacMillan Cancer Support in 2011

Buckingham Palace revealed King Charles had been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer after it was found during treatment for his enlarged prostate. The 75-year-old doesn't have prostate cancer  the most common type among elderly men. Pictured: Charles was last seen waving to well-wishers as he attended a service with his wife Queen Camilla at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Sunday

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Charles has been patron of Macmillan for more than 20 years, having taken up the role in 1997.

The charity's chief executive, Gemma Peters, said: 'Our thoughts remain with His Majesty The King and his family during what must be a very difficult time.

'We hope that, by sharing his diagnosis so publicly and at such an early stage, the King will encourage others to come forward and speak to their GP if they are worried about any signs or symptoms.

'At Macmillan, we hear day in, day out about the huge impact a cancer diagnosis can have on all areas of a person's life, their work, as well as their friends and family.

'Just as the King wants to continue to carry out his state duties, we understand that many people either want to or have to continue to work during their treatment.

'Macmillan can support you with this and any other concerns you may have.

'We are here in person, online and via our free, confidential support line, where you can talk to specially trained nurses who can provide practical tips and advice, support with issues around money and work, as well as a listening ear to anyone who may need it.'

The first sign that anything was amiss with King Charles' health came on January 17 when Buckingham Palace made a surprise announcement that the King had 'sought treatment' for an enlarged prostate.

He chose to go public about his prostate treatment, with the aim of encouraging more men to get prostate checks, the palace said at the time.

Yesterday, palace officials also revealed he chose to share his cancer diagnosis in the hope it would 'assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer'.

Last month Sarah Ferguson (pictured in December) revealed she had been diagnosed with malignant melanoma. The Duchess of York , 64, is said to be in 'good spirits' despite the 'distressing' news which marks her second cancer diagnosis in six months after she was treated for breast cancer last year

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No further details on Charles' condition have been shared, other than he remains 'wholly positive' and is looking forward to returning to full public duties.

Family and friends were said to be amazed by the King's determination to carry on with 'business as usual'.

Last month, NHS England saw a massive surge in people looking for information on melanoma, the fifth most common type of cancer, after Sarah, Duchess of York, was diagnosed with the disease.

The Duchess of York, 64, is said to be in 'good spirits' despite the 'distressing' news, which marked her second cancer diagnosis in six months after she was treated for breast cancer last year.

There was one visit every 13 seconds to the NHS website for information on melanoma in the two days following the announcement.

Figures suggest around one in two people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime.

According to Cancer Research UK, a third of all cases in the UK are preventable.

Last year bowel cancer overtook lung to become the third most common type of the disease, striking 41,000 patients in 2021 in England.

Only breast (almost 50,000) and prostate (43,000) sickened more.
he Prime Minister met staff and patients at Gentle Dental in Newquay today

A dental practice visited by Rishi Sunak today to promote the Government's long-awaited recovery plan is not accepting new adult NHS patients.

The PM met staff and patients at Gentle Dental in Newquay, where he boasted he was taking 'very significant' action to end the ever-worsening appointment crisis.

His blueprint  which involves giving dentists 'golden hellos' worth up to 20,000 to move to 'deserts  marked a 'very significant new investment in dentistry' allowing everyone to 'get the access they need', he said.

But the practice's own website states it is not taking on new adult NHS patients or those entitled to free dental care.

The crisis in NHS dentistry has been brewing for years, with some Brits forced to pull out their own teeth with pliers or travel abroad for treatment.

rishi Sunak met staff and patients at Gentle Dental in Newquay (pictured), where he boasted he was taking 'very significant' action to end the ever-worsening appointment crisis

His blueprint  which involves giving dentists 'golden hellos' worth up to 20,000 to move to 'deserts  marked a 'very significant new investment in dentistry' allowing everyone to 'get the access they need', he said. Pictured, Mr Sunak at Gentle Dental today

But Gentle Dental's own website states it is not taking on new adult NHS patients or those entitled to free dental care. Pictured, Gentle Dental in Newquay

Others have queued from 4am to gain a spot at dentistry practices that have opened up their list to NHS patients in scenes described as being 'reminiscent of Soviet-era Eastern Europe'.

Under Mr Sunak's plan to fix the appointments crisis plaguing millions, dentists will be offered up to 50 to see patients who haven't had a check-up in two years.

Around 240 dentists  roughly one per cent of the workforce  will be given a one-off bonus of up to 20,000 for working in under-served areas for up to three years.

'Dental vans' will also be rolled out in rural and coastal areas so people in the most isolated communities will still be able to access help.

What is included under the NHS Dentistry Recovery Plan? The measures announced by the government include: An extra 15 for dentists on top of the standard payment of 28 for seeing a patient who has not visited a dentist for two years

An increase of up to 50 per patient needing complex work

Up to 240 NHS dentists  around 1 per cent of the workforce  will be paid a 20,000 'golden hello' bonus to encourage them to work in under-served areas for three years

Mobile dental teams will visit schools in deprived areas to provide advice and deliver fluoride varnish treatments to more than 165,000 pupils

Mobile dental services in rural and coastal areas with poor dental coverage

Expansion of water fluoridation to new parts of the country to help prevent tooth decay

Family hubs will educate parents on how to protect their baby's gums and milk teeth.

Nurseries will teach children to see toothbrushing as part of their daily routine, as part of a 'Smile for Life' scheme Advertisement

The Government is also planning to controversially add fluoride to the drinking water of millions of Brits in a bid to passively protect their oral health.

Officials hope the measures could see up to 2.5million additional NHS appointments delivered for patients over the next 12 months.

But the plan  unveiled 10 months after it was promised  was slammed by dental bosses and politicians for not going far enough, with one saying that it amounted to 'rearranging the deckchairs'.

Health leaders instead called for 'radical reform' of the dental contract, accusing Mr Sunak of U-turning on his pledge to restore the crippled industry.

Speaking to journalists during his visit to Gentle Dental, Mr Sunak said: 'The new funding that we've announced will, I think, make a significant difference, and soon.

'This is going to be rolled out imminently and two and a half million more appointments to take us up to pre-Covid levels of NHS dentistry, I think, is a significant step.'

He acknowledged it 'had not been easy for people to access NHS dentistry over the past couple of years'.

However, he did not say whether he could guarantee everyone access to an NHS dentist.

Chair of the British Dental Association (BDA), Eddie Crouch, said: 'Rishi Sunak is seeing what life is like for millions across this country.

'The difference is he has options.

'The PM won't have to queue around the block to get an appointment.

'He won't face travelling hundreds of miles for care. He'll never find himself reaching for a set of pliers.

This chart shows the number of dentists who carried out NHS activity each year, the figure dropped sharply during the Covid pandemic but has slightly recovered to just over 24,000 according to the latest data

Latest figures show only 43 per cent of over-18s were seen by a dentist in the 24 months to June this year, compared to more than half in the same period before the pandemic struck

NHS dental services for children have also suffered, with only 56 per cent seeing a dentist within the last year, 700,000 fewer than pre-pandemic

'The paucity of the Government's plan means many patients will keep facing these horrific choices.'

Downing Street, however, suggested the decision to visit a dentist that was not accepting patients was 'deliberate' in order to hear from a surgery that has 'experienced barriers' to providing appointments for patients.

A Number 10 spokeswoman said: 'As I understand this was a deliberate choice, wanting to speak to a surgery to hear from them about the challenges that they're facing so they can take on more NHS patients.

'Obviously we want to make sure that everyone who wants an NHS appointment is able to get one.'

In December, NHS figures revealed eight in 10 dentists in England were not accepting new adult patients.

Of the 4,969 dental surgeries across the country who have recently updated their status, 82 per cent were not adding new over-18s to their list.

Another 71 per cent weren't taking new children.

Latest NHS figures also show roughly 26million adults  roughly 60 per cent of the population  haven't had a check-up in the last two years.

This is one of the lowest proportions since modern records start in 2006.

NHS dentistry has been in crisis for years, with leaders claiming the sector has been chronically underfunded, making it financially unviable to carry out treatments.

Exacerbating the problem is that, as more dentists leave the NHS, those that remain become swamped by more and more patients.

Overall, 18.1million adults saw their dentist in the two years to June 2023, up from 16.4million in the 24 months to June 2022. But it is still well below the 21million seen in the two years to June 2020

Hundreds of would-be patients were pictured queuing outside a newly-opened NHS dental surgery in Bristol this week. Video shows hundreds of people, including children and the elderly, queuing in the wind and rain outside St Pauls Dental Practice, with some using walking sticks for to stand in line, while others seemed to have brought along their own chairs. Pictured, patients outside St Pauls Dental Practice on Wednesday

On the third day of queues they were met with a sign on the door saying: 'We are not enrolling anymore patients.' Police were even forced to turn some patients away earlier in the week, cutting off a line which snaked hundreds of metres. Pictured, the line of people on Tuesday outside of St Pauls Dental Practice

Brits have also told how they have been sat on waiting lists for months and travel abroad to see a dentist after finding it impossible to get an NHS appointment, slamming the system as 'Victorian'.

Hundreds of would-be patients were pictured queuing outside a newly-opened NHS dental surgery in Bristol this week.

Video shows hundreds of people, including children and the elderly, queuing in the wind and rain outside St Pauls Dental Practice, with some using walking sticks for to stand in line, while others seemed to have brought along their own chairs.

But on the third day of queues they were met with a sign on the door saying: 'We are not enrolling anymore patients.'

Police were even forced to turn some patients away earlier in the week, cutting off a line which snaked hundreds of metres.

Experts said the queues would be replicated around the country if more practices were taking on NHS patients.
Anne Darwin shocked the nation when she helped her husband fake his death so they could cash in on his life insurance.

She told all in her book published in 2016. Here, in the final part of our fascinating series, she describes the trauma of facing her deceived sons in court  and how grateful she is that they slowly built bridges to mend their relationship...

Spending a night in a police cell is a frightening experience. When you have no idea what the future holds, wondering just how many more similar nights lie ahead consumes your mind.

Would anyone ever forgive me? My sons had put out a statement through Cleveland Police saying that if the claims were true, they wanted nothing further to do with either John or me.

I had always warned my husband that wed both end up behind bars, but I never really thought it would actually come to this. I was about to pay the harshest possible price for my utter stupidity and blind loyalty to a man who didnt deserve it.

After a second night in a police cell and a day of intense questioning by two detectives, I received the news Id been dreading. When the days interviews were over, I would be going to prison.

Anne attends her son Anthony's (left) wedding in Basingstoke, Hampshire, in September 2003

Brothers Mark (front) and Anthony leave Teeside Crown Court in Middlesbrough during their parents' court case

That afternoon, Tuesday, December 11, 2007, my shame was complete as I was led out of Hartlepool police station in handcuffs, locked in an individual cell in the back of a prison van and driven the 45 minutes to HMP Low Newton, a few miles outside Durham city centre.

My new home was to be a maximum security all-female Category A prison, housing notorious murderers and violent offenders  among them Rosemary West and the mother of Baby P, Tracey Connelly. Before all this Id never been in trouble with the police. In fact, Id only ever had one parking ticket in my whole life.

But John had worked as a prison officer and Id heard stories of the sort of awful things that went on inside. Would I be attacked? How could I keep myself safe?

As the prison gates and the outside world closed behind us, I was led into the jails reception area and strip searched. I was no longer Anne Darwin: mother, friendly neighbour, pillar of the community, doctors receptionist. I was Prisoner KP4801.

That evening a huge cheer went up when I walked into the main dining room. Only days later did I discover that it was the prisoners way of welcoming a notorious or high-profile inmate. All the women there had read about me and my story in the newspapers, and were desperate to quiz me on every last detail.

I remember nothing about that meal, nor even if I ate anything. Shortly before 7pm we made our way back to our cells for lock-up, where wed remain until eight oclock the following morning. And thus my prison life began.

Given the vast amount of evidence the police had, I had assumed that pleading guilty and taking whatever punishment came my way was the only option.

So I was taken aback when my lawyers told me there was one possible defence to the charges I was facing, and that was marital coercion. It was so rarely used that there had only been about five reported cases in the last 100 years, they said.

Basically, it involved proving that my wishes had been overridden to such an extent by my husband that he had had total control over my actions. It was far from certain to succeed, they warned, but if it did I would walk free.

John and Anne Darwin with agent Mario in Panama in July 2006, when everyone thought he was dead

The downside  which was considerable  was that there would be a very public trial, played out in front of my family and the world.

So my choice was this: plead guilty and face a certain prison sentence of up to three years; or plead not guilty, using marital coercion as a defence, and have a glimmer of hope of being freed.

If, however, I was found guilty, the sentence was likely to be much longer: possibly up to four and a half years.

It was a horrible decision to have to make, and for weeks my mind was all over the place as I went over and over the pros and cons.

At that stage, I hadnt even considered that my children would be called by the prosecution to give evidence against me.

That this later happened would turn out to be one of the most truly horrendous experiences of my life. I will never, ever forgive myself for making my sons give evidence against their own mother in court. It is a decision I bitterly regret.

Towards the end of February, a prison officer came to my cell and handed me a page from a newspaper. I knew it could only be bad news, as indeed it was. There, in front of me, was a huge picture of John, and a photograph of a letter hed written on prison paper to another woman  presumably some sort of pen pal.

Anne arriving at Manchester Airport, where she was arrested by Cleveland Police after their cover was blown

What really shocked me was the sexual content of the letter. It was disgusting, to say the least. I knew how important sex was to John and how frustrated he must be by now, but there was absolutely no excuse for the filth he came out with.

I went back to my cell and quietly sobbed. I felt absolutely devastated, and wondered what the poor boys would make of their own father, whom they had always adored and admired, writing such obscene material.

And I worried about whether the letter would appear on TV and have an effect on my trial. Would this nightmare ever end?

The following day was Mothers Day. How lovely it would have been to receive a card from Mark and Anthony, from whom I had heard not a word since the story of our lies and double life had broken. But of course there was nothing. I could only hope that I would briefly enter their thoughts. They were in mine every day.

Three weeks or so later, John and I appeared at Leeds Crown Court to enter our pleas.

We stood side by side as the charges were read out, and we were asked in turn for our response.

Anne arriving at Manchester Airport, where she was arrested

John said Guilty while I, having had a last long talk with my lawyers, pleaded Not Guilty. If John was surprised, he didnt say anything, and we were driven back to our respective prisons.

On July 14, 2008, at Teesside Crown Court in Middlesbrough, using the defence of marital coercion, I denied nine charges of money laundering and nine of deception. John, for once in his life having taken the sensible option, had already admitted seven charges of obtaining cash by deception and a separate passport offence. Nine charges of using criminal property were allowed to lie on file.

As the trial started and the whole sorry saga of our greed, deception and lies was outlined in graphic detail, what little faith I had in my case quickly dissipated.

In truth, I dont think my defence ever stood a chance. There was plenty of evidence to prove that John had not even been in the same country as me when some aspects of the crime were committed, so there was no way he could have been at my side coercing me.

And the prosecution also produced a string of loving emails between us, undermining any possibility that he was being overbearing or bullying. There was no way of proving that I wasnt totally committed to John and the fraud.

Day after day the judge and jury listened as I wriggled and squirmed and the prosecution described how I was prepared to lie, lie, then lie again in a bid to evade justice  which, painful as it is to admit it, had been entirely true.

I hadnt seen the boys since I had moved to Panama the previous October and, despite the appalling circumstances, I was desperate for a sight of them. After all, they were my sons and I loved them both dearly.

John and Anne Darwin with their sons Mark and Anthony

Mark, dressed in a dark blue suit, was first into the witness box but not once did he look in my direction.

I couldnt believe the fact she knew he was alive all this time, and that I had been lied to for God knows how long, he said, as I hung my head in shame. It crushed my world.

It was only as he was leaving the box that, for a fleeting second, our eyes met, and I was totally shocked at how dark and full of anger they were. Im not quite sure why I thought it would possibly be otherwise, but it jolted me dreadfully.

Then came Anthony, who said that after the picture of John and me with the estate agent in Panama came to light, he thought it was faked and must have been doctored by an internet prankster. It was only after he read my newspaper confession that he realised he had been so cruelly duped. With Anthony, there was no eye contact at all. I didnt know which was worse: angry eyes, or no eyes at all.

Nine days after the start of my trial, I was led back into the courtroom to hear the jury foreman pronounce the verdict: that I was guilty on each and every count.

Anne Darwin feared her sons would never forgive her

I knew the sentences would be tough, but I could never have expected for a moment quite how severe they would be. John would serve six years and three months, while I, who had tried to shift all the blame onto him, would be in prison for six years and six months.

I felt numb as I listened to the judges comments. The duration of the offending, and in particular the grief inflicted over the years to those who, in truth, were the real victims, your own sons, whose lives you crushed, make this a case which merits a particularly severe sentence, he said.

My sons probably thought we got what we deserved, and I couldnt blame them. I was sure now that they would never speak to me again.

On the advice of our lawyers, we both appealed against the length of our sentences. What we did not know, until much later, was that Mark had already written to the Court of Appeal on our behalf, asking for leniency.

I was astonished when my legal team told me. After everything we had put him through, it was such an incredibly generous thing to do.

I wrote immediately to thank him and, although I heard nothing back, it did at least give me some hope. Maybe everything wasnt quite lost.

Mark Darwin (red top) and Anthony Darwin on the beach where their father went 'missing'

And then, thank God, Mark wrote to me. His letter arrived on August 14 and I had to keep re-reading his words to make sure I wasnt imagining them. My many tearful prayers had been answered.

It was only a short letter, but he asked if he could visit the following month. I lay awake at night wondering whether he would come alone or bring his girlfriend Flick with him  and whether or not he would show any forgiveness.

As soon as I saw my son and Flick walk into the visiting room, I burst into tears. They both had tears in their eyes, too, as Mark, perhaps a little frostily, said: Hello, Mum.

After about ten minutes, and after a lot more crying, he said: Weve got something to tell you, and he broke the wonderful news that they were getting married. I was thrilled for them, although of course I would not, through my own utter stupidity, be able to be a part of it.

When it was time to go, we all hugged, which we hadnt done when they arrived, and Mark promised to stay in touch. To have him talking to me again was more than I could ever have wished for.

A week later I received a short letter from Anthony. It didnt say a great deal, just that he and his wife Louise were fine, and that he hoped I was coping. But it was the breakthrough I had been praying for, and I clutched it close to my heart. Words could not describe how happy I was to be included, in some small way, in both my sons lives again.

But Christmas came and went, and as the weeks passed I grew upset at not hearing any more from Mark or Anthony. They had both given me a ray of hope but now that seemed to have disappeared. I knew they were busy trying to rebuild their lives and wondered if theyd changed their minds about being in contact with me.

If only I knew that for sure, I thought, I wouldnt have to spend every day praying for letters that would never arrive. It was agony not knowing and it was eating away at me.

Many days, I felt like crying all the time. When I woke up, my pillow was often damp from my tears.

The beach in Seaton Carew where John Darwin went missing, feared dead by authorities

Then Shrove Tuesday arrived with some wonderful news: a letter from Mark saying he was coming to visit the following month.

He arrived smiling and relaxed. He proudly showed me his wedding ring, and said getting married was the best thing he and Flick had done. They were buying a new house, and Anthony and Louise were moving too.

He also said that John and I had both been good parents  obviously not taking the last few years into account. I told him I took enormous comfort from that.

Less than a fortnight later, Flick wrote me a lovely letter, and said that if I wanted to correspond with Anthony and Louise I would have to send my letters via her and Mark, at least for the time being.

I knew I had to be patient, and at least he hadnt completely cut me out of his life.

In May 2010, Anthony made his first visit to see me. It was the first time Id seen him and Louise in more than two years  since the horror and humiliation of my trial.

It was a very emotional visit. They were both clearly still very angry and wanted to know why we had caused so much pain. All I could do was to say how sorry I was. I didnt have a suitable explanation.

It was then I learned that theyd had a baby, my first grandchild.

I will never forget the question asked by Louise: How could you do this to your sons? As a mother, surely, you want to do everything you can to protect your children?

I was so overcome with shame and emotion, I couldnt speak.

A few months later, after Id been transferred to an open prison, I got some wonderful news. Anthony wrote saying hed like to visit me again and take me out for the day.

I was thrilled. As I walked out to meet him, my heart suddenly missed a beat. There, standing by the car, was Louise  and she was holding my grandson.

It was such an overwhelming moment I burst into tears. Louise came over and passed the baby to me, and I cradled my first grandchild in my arms. It was the most wonderful moment imaginable.

It was having tasted this new-found freedom that I finally plucked up the courage, in November 2010, to tell John what I should have told him years earlier: that our 37-year marriage was over.

Id served two-and-a-half years in prison and I now knew that Id be detained until 9 March 2011. That would mark the end of my custodial sentence. The remaining 1,186 days would be served on the outside, on licence, but under close supervision from the Probation Service.

My husband was angry and belligerent, telling me not to be daft and that we could work things out.

No, John, youre not listening, I told him. I dont want to be with you when I get out of here. Its over.

Id known him since I was 11 years old, but now, after years of doing his bidding, I had to make a fresh start on my own.

John Darwin, the back-from-the-dead canoeist, leaving Hartlepool Magistrates court after police were given another 36 hours for further questioning

Through my lawyers, I continued to co-operate with Cleveland Polices asset-recovery team. All the money from the Panama bank accounts was in the process of, or had been returned to, the UK.

The flat in Panama City was in the process of being sold; and the land, really nothing more than nearly 500 acres of uninhabitable jungle, was up for sale, although there wasnt exactly a rush of get-rich-quick investors queuing to buy it. I suppose the likes of the pipe-dreaming Darwins didnt come along every day of the week.

My marriage to John was ended on January 11, 2012, the day the decree absolute was declared. I have never heard from him again. He is now married to a Filipina girl and living in the Philippines.

Home for me now is a small but comfortable flat in a pretty village just a few miles from York. If my neighbours know about my past, they are kind enough not to say.

I work five days a week for the RSPCA, having first started as a volunteer while in open prison. The people at work know about my background, obviously, but they have accepted me for who I am now and not who I was.

Im sure many people will wonder whether I really deserve a second chance. My sons decided I did, and to me thats the only thing that matters. It means everything to me to be part of their lives once more, and to be able to know and love my four grandchildren.

Over the past decade, I have learned so much: above all, that while I need my family, I dont need a husband. I know how obvious it will sound to some, but it took me 37 years of marriage and a six-and-a-half-year jail sentence to discover this.

It was only after I hit rock bottom that I managed to turn my life around. But if I can do it, I believe anyone can.

Anne Darwin will donate proceeds from the book to the RNLI and the RSPCA.
About ten years ago the experimental novelist Tom McCarthy gave an interview in which he mocked Thomas Hardy, author of Victorian classics Far From The Madding Crowd and Jude The Obscure, as sentimental claptrap: Wessex, country fairs and all that c**p.

What rot!

Paula Byrnes new doorstopper of a biography reminds us how Hardys sexually candid novels scandalised 19th-century readers, railing against the strait-laced conventions of the day by portraying ordinary lives crushed under the weight of religious and social norms.

His best known novel, Tess Of The DUrbervilles  no less powerful today  describes the agonisingly unjust punishment meted out to a guileless young milkmaid driven to murder by her brutal treatment at the hands of a lecherous playboy aristocrat.

Gemma Arterton and Nastassja Kinski (in Roman Polanskis 1979 film adaptation) have been among the stars to play the role on screen.

Far from the madding crowd: Gemma Arterton as Tess

Byrne shows us how the roots of the heart-wrenching story lay in Hardys teens in mid-Victorian Dorset, when he bunked off work as an architects apprentice in order to witness the hanging of Elizabeth Martha Brown, who killed her violent husband with an axe.

The spectacle, which Hardy never forgot, fuelled a lifelong sympathy for the downtrodden that had been instilled early on by his mother, Jemima  a tough-sounding servant who avenged her sisters domestic abuse by marching into her brother-in-laws home to beat him until he begged for mercy and swore that he would not hurt his wife again.

Reviewers of Hardys early novels at first assumed that he himself was a woman on account of what one called his novels close acquaintance with the mysteries of the female toilette.

One young female reader of Tess sent him a fan letter awestruck by what she called his complete understanding of a womans soul.

Yet for all that women admired Hardy for how he portrayed them in his work, his off-page relations with them seldom ran smoothly.

After the death of his first wife, Emma, Hardy discovered a notebook in which she had privately recorded what she thought of him.

He understands only the women he invents  the others not at all. Such was her damning verdict.

They were married for more than 40 years but their different social backgrounds  he was the class-crossing son of a builder, she was a solicitors daughter  were a constant source of aggravation.

She apparently barred his family from visiting the purpose-built villa where they lived in Dorset.

Towards the end of her life she was drinking and taking opium for chronic back pain as well as suffering from schizotypal personality disorder, or so Byrne speculates.

Hardy with Florence

Things certainly took a dark turn when she believed Hardy was the spitting image of the notorious killer Dr Crippen, hanged for murdering his wife in 1910 after he embarked on an affair with Ethel Clare Le Neve, the young typist he moved into his home.

On her mind, perhaps, was a brewing menage a trois involving her own husbands young typist, Florence Dugdale, whom Hardy moved into their home after meeting her in 1902, when she was 26.

When Emma asked Florence if shed ever noticed her employers resemblance to Crippen, was it a leading question? Either way, Florence made her excuses and left the room before Emma could ask if I didnt think I resembled Miss Le Neve.

Whatever the awkwardness of the set-up, it didnt stop Florence becoming the second Mrs Hardy shortly after Emmas death in 1912  yet she too would soon have grounds for jealousy.

Hardy, now in his 80s, developed a maddening crush on teenage actor Gertrude Bugler, cast as the lead in a stage version of Tess (floating around on YouTube theres a magnetically captivating ITV interview with Bugler, recorded in 1990, two years before she died, in which she remembers Hardy as a quiet, smiling old gentleman).

More worrying for Florence was the spectacular outpouring of elegiac love poetry that Emma inspired in Hardy after her death.

The speaker of At Castle Boterel (1913) looks back at his time with a lost love and declares:  . . . was there ever / A time of such quality, since or before . . . I shall traverse old loves domain / Never again. Ominous words to read from your husband.

Hardys verse rivals his fiction as his enduring achievement  the war poet Siegfried Sassoon, a friend in later life, believed he was the writer of his day nearest to Shakespeare.

His career was built on youthful drive: as an apprentice, he rose daily at 5am to read three hours of Greek and Latin before work.

He ended his life as a metropolitan celebrity courted by the great and the good, even if hoity-toity peers such as Henry James and Robert Louis Stevenson did bitch about his books behind his back.

His arrival on the London literary scene in the mid-1870s widened his romantic horizons at just the moment he pledged to marry Emma.

A friendship with Anne Thackeray, daughter of Vanity Fair author William, might have been something more; ditto, a collaboration with Helen Paterson, a talented watercolourist who was admired by Vincent Van Gogh and who illustrated Hardys early hits.

Byrnes bite-sized chapters, each named after a woman in Hardys life  the ones he wrote about as well as the ones he knew  are a neat way to structure this great big womb-to-tomb narrative, generously cushioned by plot summaries of the novels.

But in truth, Byrne struggles to come up with real dirt here.

The one thing Hardy could never forgive himself for (or so he told a friend before his death in 1928) was a quarrel with a girl he fancied as a young schoolboy; he pushed her into a stove, burning her hands.

The anecdotes, more than the arguments, are what keep us reading.

I found myself stifling a laugh when Byrne reports somewhat solemnly that Hardy was susceptible to feminine beauty.

I bet he was! Because writers are made of flesh and blood, not ink.
Stephen Gold on mediators: If the animosity is intense, they may prefer to avoid damage to the furniture by keeping you apart, running messages from one room to another

Stephen Gold is a retired judge and author who has written popular series for This is Money on how to be a successful executor, writing a will, bankruptcy and consumer rights.

In part one of his new guide on the cost of taking legal action he explained court fees and in part two he looked at ways to cut bills.

Today, he turns to how to settle a case before it even reaches court if you can, and the way mediation works in civil and family cases.

As ugly and unreasonable as you find your opponent, try to settle with them.

You can do that before starting a court case. Or you can do it after the case has started and at any point before the judge has opened their mouth to deliver judgment.

It is a fantasy to think that inviting your opponent in for a cuppa and a slice of fruit cake will achieve a settlement although you can always try.

More likely to be worth a shot is one of a handful of different forms of resolution which are independent of the court and the main one is mediation.

That is the process by which someone trained in getting parties at war to settle their differences applies their skills to you and your opponent and bangs your heads together, albeit ever so lightly to ensure no skull fractures.

The mediator could see you separately and then together.

If the animosity between you is intense, they may prefer to avoid damage to the furniture by keeping you apart under the same roof, running messages from one room to another.

Alternatively, the mediation could be conducted remotely.

They could try and rubbish the case being put forward by both of you so as to extract a bit of compromise here and a bit of compromise there until  eureka, an agreement!

They will have their individual styles. One mediator I know attempts to puts his parties at ease and in a conciliatory mood by serving them up coffees with smoked salmon bagels before uttering a word about the dispute.

How to be a successful executor and win compensation from bungling banks and businesses In a three-part series, retired judge Stephen Gold explains the frustrating process that eventually saw him force a string of banks, finance firms and institutions - including the probate service - to pay compensation. After successfully adding many hundreds of pounds more to his late aunt's estate, he offers a guide to follow for any readers facing the ordeal of sorting out a deceased loved one's finances. > How to survive being an executor

Can you be forced into mediation? Thou shalt attempt to settle

Two months ago three senior judges in the Court of Appeal, spearheaded by Lady Chief Justice Carr, ruled that in a civil case parties could be compelled to enter into dispute resolution, including mediation.

For 19 years it had been supposed that compulsion was not possible.

That was as a result of what had been said by other judges in another Court of Appeal case.

'Forget that. It was by the way and isnt binding on us.' Thats effectively what was recently held, and it will have a massive impact.

You can actually be ordered to go off and mediate, whether you like it or not but, of course, only in a case that is already before the court.

Apart from county court small claims, that will not happen every time one or all of the parties protest that the chances of reaching an agreement are as strong as Crossroads returning to the screens.

Mediation and any directions about it which are given by the court must not impair the parties right to have the case fully heard by a judge if settlement proves impossible.

And compulsion must be a proportionate thing to impose bearing in mind what should be the aim of everyone to see the dispute settled fairly, quickly and at reasonable cost.

Mediation in county court cases

I expect the Court of Appeals decision to operate differently in county court small claims.

There, contested cases are taking far too long to be dealt with and often one of the parties is intent on having their day in court and giving the other side a right going-over in cross-examination after they have cursed them in the waiting room.

Compulsory mediation could easily become the default position. That, however, runs the risk of reducing the band of small claims mediators to their knees.

Mediation in small claims operates differently from other cases. You dont have to find the mediator: they are found for you. And the service is free.

Although the team of mediators work for the courts, they act independently. They speak to each side separately by telephone, without having read any of the case papers, and sound them out about a compromise.

Mediation: 'Someone trained in getting parties at war to settle their differences applies their skills to you and your opponent'

They switch from one side to the other and so there is no direct interaction (or swearing) between the parties.

What is said in the course of the mediation will not reach the ears of the judge if it is unsuccessful and a full hearing proceeds.

If you wish, you can appoint somebody else to participate in the mediation on your behalf.

Drumroll for a confession. After I had retired, my brother appointed me to represent him on a small claims mediation in his case against an airline.

There was nothing improper about this. I found the mediator over keen to get a settlement agreed and unaccepting on a couple of legal points I put to her without at any time disclosing my background.

The airline was intransigent over its defence and the best they came up with was an offer of a few million airmails which translated into about five new pence.

But to be fair, the settlement rate from these small claims mediations is relatively high. I fancy that too many litigants give too much away with mediator encouragement.

What is always possible when the mediation closes without an agreement is for you to go back to the opposition and have your own second crack at settlement, building on what strong points you were able to get over through the mediator.

When mediation does not come free, whats the damage? The Civil Mediation Council maintains a list of professional mediators who can be used at a fixed fee which will depend on how much is in dispute and the duration of the mediation session.

For example, where anything between 15,000 and 50,000 is involved, you are looking at 445 plus VAT for each side in return for a four hour session.

There are other organisations which can offer mediation services such as the Centre for Effective Resolution (online at 900 plus vat, usually shared equally) and the London Chamber of Arbitration and Mediation (remote or in person at 250 plus VAT for each side for half a day or 350 plus vat for each side for a full day).

What if you refuse mediation

Lets take this scenario. The court orders you and your opponent to enter into mediation but you refuse. Will you be let off with a clip round the ear?

Far worse, unless you have a brilliant excuse for the refusal. The case will be halted for the mediation to take place.

What then happens if you fail to cooperate within a specified or reasonable period depends on your status in the proceedings.

If you are the claimant, the court is likely to throw out the case. If you are the defendant, you are likely to be debarred from contesting the case any longer, with a court judgment being given in favour of the claimant.

Whichever party has defaulted can expect to have to pick up the legal costs and expenses of the other party.

What about mediation in family cases?

The Court of Appeals recent decision in civil cases does not automatically extend to family cases and the Government has just announced that it does not intend to legislate to make mediation compulsory in this area.

That doesnt mean that a judge somewhere, sometime, who is exasperated by, say, a divorcing couples refusal to talk to each other, in or out of mediation, will not compel it.

We shall wait and see. What is certain is that family legislation currently stops short of mediation compulsion while, nevertheless, actively encouraging it.

And the encouragement is looking like turning into arm twisting with legislative changes coming into force on 29 April 2024.

Ever heard of a MIAM? No. I am not surprised. It stands for Mediation and Assessment Meeting and is something you have to go along with before you can start most family cases involving the welfare of a child or finances on relationship breakdown.

It provides you with information about how a case might be settled through mediation instead of a court punch up and the pros and cons.

You can go along separately or with the other party and it is possible to participate remotely.

The cost will be in the region of 95 for a session likely to last around 45 minutes but if either of you on a low income qualifies for legal aid, it will be free for both.

If mediation can avoid the acrimony and expense of court proceedings by achieving a settlement or, at least, a reduction in the issues, that has to be a good thing.

Family mediation costs money, though. Different mediators charge different fees. For a 90-minute session, the norm is around 150 for each party.

But how many sessions might it take?! A Government scheme which has so far helped over 24,600 couples resolve their issues without resorting to court, currently makes available a contribution of 500 for a couple towards mediation costs.

You get a voucher collected by the mediator and not the cash and so cannot accept it and spend the money on a night out in Macclesfield.

A MIAM is not required as a pre-requisite for bringing a divorce, civil partnership dissolution or nullity case which is a pity. There arent enough mediators around to cope!

How will family mediation change from this April

There are some exceptions to the requirement that you must participate in a MIAM before starting a family court case.

Among them are that you are a victim of domestic abuse, there are child protection concerns or the case is urgent.

Changes coming in on 29 April include a tightening up of the exceptions: in particular, another exception which lets you off if you do not have the contact details of the other party.

In relation to the conduct of the MIAM, the mediator will now have to engage in some triaging by considering with you the benefits of other forms of out-of-court dispute resolution.

Some of them might not relish this with the risk they might lose the opportunity of earning some dosh through mediation if you opt for another resolution avenue.

What are the other avenues? In money and property disputes, my favourite would be a private financial dispute resolution appointment at which the person conducting it will give an indication on how they assess the case should settle and encourage a settlement along those lines.

When you go through the court, you get one of these anyway but before a judge. This one is before a specialist lawyer who the parties can pick from a pool of barristers and solicitors who advertise their availability to accept this role.

At a price? Yes. How much? You ought to be able to negotiate a fee of around 2,000 plus VAT but it very much depends on the seniority of the lawyer.

Solicitors tend to charge less then barristers. You could both organise this private appointment without court proceedings being in progress or during proceedings but before what could prove to be a pricy and lengthy final hearing.

Retired judge and writer Stephen Gold Ex-judge Stephen Gold is the author of The Return of Breaking Law, published by Bath Publishing, an irreverent guide to your legal rights and winning in court or losing well. It gives more information on the topics covered in this series and is full of tips and templates. Among the numerous other areas featured are divorce, pre-nups, making a will, battling with a seller, creditor, domestic abuser, lender and landlord - and how Stephen coped as lawyer to the Kray Twins.

Why favour the private appointment over the appointment available with a judge? Because with the judge, it could take nine months plus to come about by which time the costs cash register will have been rung up many times.

Another alternative to mediation is a process called collaborative law. My least favourite.

Each side appoints a lawyer to try and thrash out an agreement. It will involve four-way meetings and probably meetings between the lawyers beforehand.

If the process fails, then each lawyer will drop out of the picture and new ones would have to be appointed for the court battle.

The process can be costly, and the money spent on it goes down the drain if no agreement is reached. In one case I tried as a judge, the parties had expended over 18,000 on the process by which time they had agreed... nothing.

Another change coming in on 29 April relates to the courts duty to consider dispute resolution with the parties once a family case has been started.

This duty is being fortified by a new power to order a party to come up with a written statement setting out their views on dispute resolution.

The court can take the initiative over this, or one party faced with a partner who they reckon is being unreasonable in resisting dispute resolution can apply to the judge to order a statement and give suitable direction on the topic.

And if outright refusal to go along with out-of-court-resolution persists, what then?

That refusal can be taken into account at the end of the case  as can a party who refused to attend a MIAM before the case started - when the court considers whether the refusing party should pay or contribute towards the other sides legal costs.

IN PART FOUR... Stephen Gold explores further strategies to reach a settlement.
More than half of Britain's workforce are working overtime every day as employees' changing work patterns hit their work-life balance, new data shows.

Roughly one in five UK employees are working at least two hours over their contracted hours on a daily basis, while 51 per cent worked at least 30 minutes, research from insurance firm Canada Life claims.

For those working unpaid overtime, this extra work adds up, and leaves employees out of pocket.

Almost a fifth of workers are workings two hours more than their contracted work day

Based on an average hourly wage of 17.40 per hour, Canada Life calculates that employees working an extra two hours per day, or 520 hours over a year, are missing out on 9,048 per year compared with if they had been paid for surpassing their contracted hours.

'While overtime is an occasional necessity in many jobs, well-rested employees are key to a productive working environment,' said Dan Crook, protection sales director at Canada Life.

The onus, Crook added, is on employers to keep overtime in check.

'Employers have an active role to play in encouraging - and enabling - their staff to take the time they need to rest and recover from illness and switch off entirely from the daily grind,' he said.

'Employers should create an environment where employees who find themselves consistently working overtime can speak to them about their concerns.'

'A candid conversation with the boss is often all that is needed to reset workloads and agree priorities,' Crook added.

The data comes alongside a shift in working habits following the pandemic, which has seen a mass shift towards remote and hybrid working, with 39 per cent of people working from home for at least part of the week, according to the Office for National Statistics.

This compares to just 12 per cent of respondents prior to the beginning of the pandemic.

While the rise in hybrid working has improved the work-life balance of many, freeing time for those with long commutes and cutting costs on childcare, others report that they feel they must always be reachable for their colleagues, even out of working hours.

'The "always on" work culture we've adopted over the last few decades came to a head during the pandemic, as we set up home desks and new hybrid ways of working,' Crook said.

'But, while the novelty of being able to work from home has worn off, the "always on" hangover remains.'

A tenth of works said they can't switch off from their jobs during downtime, while 16 per cent said they check their work emails and chats more regularly outside of work.

Even at work, employees are less focused on their own wellbeing, with 12 per cent taking fewer breaks and 11 per cent starting work earlier than they need to.

Coinciding with this, the ongoing cost of living crisis is also weighing on employees, with a quarter saying that tighter finances have made them more stressed about their jobs.

More than two thirds of workers have continued to work while being unwell, Canada Life said. Almost a fifth these said they were worried about the financial consequences of taking sick leave.

A tenth of employees said they are worried that they won't get paid if they take time off, while one in 20 said they fear being made redundant.
The emergence of Arm Holdings as an Artificial Intelligence champion shows that Britain is capable of nurturing high-tech winners.

The shame is that Theresa Mays government succumbed to the entreaties of Masayoshi Son of SoftBank in 2016 and the incumbents on Downing Street failed to persuade Arm to list in London when it refloated last year.

Now, all the spoils accrue to New York and SoftBank, following an impressive update on Arms prospects.

As a brilliant designer of smart chips, the opportunities for Arm were always promising.

It is among the reasons that US chip maker Nvidia, which now has a market value of 1.4trillion, wanted Arms coding skills and was a cornerstone investor when it floated.

Tech jewel: Arm forecast final quarter sales and profits way above expectations amid soaring licensing and royalty revenues on the back of its AI skills

Arm forecast final quarter sales and profits way above expectations amid soaring licensing and royalty revenues on the back of its AI skills.

Chief executive Rene Haas says it is benefiting from the profound opportunity presented by the demand for new AI applications required by the tech industry.

No longer is Arm largely a one-trick pony with most of its income derived from chips embedded in smartphones.

AI skills mean Arm-licensed processors increasingly are being used with Nvidia graphics and devices such as mobile phones and laptops.

The stock market response to Arms upbeat progress was remarkable, with the shares rocketing 60 per cent in latest trading.

Its shares have more than doubled from the price at the time of the September initial public offering when SoftBank hung on to 90 per cent of the stock.

Masayoshi Son will be gleeful at how he managed to whisk Arm and its intellectual property, developed in Cambridge, away from the UK and buy back a 25 per cent stake from the Saudi Arabia-backed Vision Fund before the float.

Much of the R&D and development of Arm architecture is still in Cambridge. But the effective HQ moved to the US and the temptation of Silicon Valley is likely to be a vacuum cleaner for skills as chip developers move closer to market.

Britains pallid politicians should hang their heads in shame for not fighting harder for an AI trendsetter which could have propelled a tech revolution.

Life lines

Arm is the one that got away. But no thanks to former chancellor George Osborne, who favoured a sale to Pfizer, life sciences pioneer AstraZeneca remains firmly implanted in the UK.

In 2021 chief executive Pascal Soriot, hero of the pandemic, felt sufficiently alienated to choose Ireland over the UK for a 285million plant investment.

So it is terrific that he is changing his mind. He argues that the environment for big pharma in the UK has improved, pointing to investment-friendly tax policies (are you listening CBI?) and a better climate within the NHS for clinical trials.

Soriot always saw Brexit as an opportunity to use the NHS as a test bed and for an enhanced MHRA (the UKs medical regulator) to steal a march on the sclerotic European regulator.

Astra shares slipped in latest trading in spite of a pick-up in final-quarter sales.

The disappointment stemmed from higher-than-expected R&D spend and lower prices for medicines in emerging markets.

In my book, both are good happenings.

The portfolio of oncology drugs continues to outperform most peers with sales of lung cancer treatment tagrisso up 9 per cent, leukaemia medicine calquence up 23 per cent and gall bladder drug imfinzi up a whopping 55 per cent.

Astra also continues to perform well in China where many UK firms have encountered banana skins.

With a market value of 151billion, it vies with Shell for top slot in the FTSE 100. Phew!

Speak up

Unilevers new boss, Dutchman Hein Schumacher is refreshingly honest about how performance needs to improve.

His focus on innovation, as the leading-edge consumer products group concentrates on 30 brands, is auspicious.

New share buybacks worth 1.3billion will be welcome. His failure to confront geopolitical realities is more disappointing.

Unilever remains in Russia in spite of its war on Ukraine and Western values.

And he has failed to confront the board of ice cream brand Ben & Jerrys over its calls for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

Courage, please.
Demand for low and non alcoholic drinks continues to rise as consumers stay dry beyond January, says Ocado.

Data shared with This Is Money shows that searches throughout January for alcohol alternatives were up significantly from the previous year.

Searches for low alcohol lager increased by 102 per cent between January 2023 and January 2024, while low alcohol red wine rose by 48 per cent.

Ocado says searches for low or no alcoholic drinks have soared since January 2023

Searches for non-alcoholic white wine soared 119 per cent while non-alcoholic drinks in general were up 40 per cent.

There has been a steady decline in the number of Britons drinking alcohol in recent years.

A recent report by hospitality research organisation KAM found 5.2million fewer UK adults drank weekly in 2023 than in 2021.

Young people are also increasingly moderating their intake, or shunning alcohol completely - with two in five aged under 25 saying they are non-drinkers.

There are now more alternatives than ever, and Ocado said it has increased its own range by a third over the past 18 months to cater to increased demand.

A survey commissioned by Ocado found that almost half of consumers plan to continue drinking alcohol alternatives beyond the end of January.

One in three said the increased choice had been a key factor in decreasing their alcohol intake.

Adnams Brewery told This Is Money that Ghost Ship 0.5 per cent, which it launched in 2018, now accounts for 26 per cent of sales of the ale.

Sales have surged so much it is now the second-best selling beer in its entire range, only behind the 4.5 per cent version of Ghost Ship.

Similarly, Guinness Zero has proved a hit with drinkers. Last summer, owner Diageo announced it would aim to triple production of its zero-alcohol brand in response to changing tastes.

The drink, which launched in 2021, is on course to account for 10 per cent of all Guinness sales in Ireland in the coming years.

It was also the top alcohol alternative drink for Ocado shoppers, with searches up 50 per cent year-on-year.

Sales of the product increased by 12 per cent over the period.

It was followed by Lucky Saint lager, the UK's largest dedicated alcohol-free beer brand, and Beck's Blue.

Overall low and no-beer volumes were up 23 per cent year-on-year, while low to no-cider increased 12 per cent.

Oscar Biggs, buyer for No/Low at Ocado Retail said: 'Dry January used to mean moderation for a month before moving back into old habits, but this is no longer the case.

'We've increased our range of no/low drinks by 21 per cent year-on-year, in response to customer demand for alcohol-free alternatives.

'Sales of alcoholic products remain strong but the gap to no/low is closing, so we're continuing to grow our range of both no/low alcohol and alcoholic beers, ciders, wines and spirits to ensure Ocado has something for everyone.'
The boss of drug maker AstraZeneca said Britain is a better place to do business than it was a year ago  but he warned that more improvements are needed.

In what could be seen as a warning to the major parties ahead of a general election, French chief executive Pascal Soriot said that there was work to do to boost investment in innovation.

But he was more positive about the UK than he was last year when he called it a very unattractive place to do business.

In April he blasted high taxes in Britain, saying it was a difficult country in which to establish pharmaceutical manufacturing bases as he touted China as the next big growth region.

But yesterday he said: We are certainly looking at what future investments we could do in the UK and elsewhere.

Upbeat: Astrazeneca's French chief exec Pascal Soriot (pictured) is more positive about the UK than he was last year when he called it a 'very unattractive' place to do business

The FTSE 100 boss said it was now easier to carry out clinical trials and praised the Chancellor for introducing tax policies to incentivise companies to invest.

The environment in the UK for life sciences today is different from what it was almost a year ago, said Soriot, who was appointed in 2012. The ability to do clinical trials has improved a lot.

The Government and NHS have done a lot to facilitate clinical trials. The chancellor has introduced tax policies helping incentivise companies to invest.

Finally, the industry and the Government have found a compromise in terms of those rebates that were really affecting companies and reducing incentives to invest.

There is more to do to increase investment in innovation in the UK but clearly we are moving in the right direction and in a much better environment. There is more to come.

It came as the Anglo-Swedish pharma giant more than doubled annual profits last year thanks to bumper sales of cancer treatments.

Profits hit 5.5billion in 2023, up from 1.9billion the year before, as sales rose 3 per cent to 36.3billion. Excluding Covid drugs, sales were up 13 per cent.

Cancer drug sales jumped 19 per cent to 14.6billion and account for 40 per cent of revenues compared with 35 per cent in 2022.

And the London-listed firm said revenue and earnings this year would be lifted by blockbuster oncology medicines.

Revenue and core earnings per share  a measure of profit  is expected to rise by a low double-digit to low teens percentage in 2024.

But shares fell 6.4 per cent, or 667p, to 9823p as results for the final three months of the year were not as strong as expected.

It reported profits of 712million between October and December, 15 per cent higher than a year earlier but less than analysts had expected  the miss due to a step-up in research and development spending and price reductions for some medicines in emerging markets.

Pharma companies typically prosper from having a mixture of blockbuster products, treatments with limited or no competition, and a healthy pipeline of new drugs, said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.

Astra is under constant pressure to keep driving growth. That means success in the lab as well as products on the market. Its pipeline looks busy, but success is never guaranteed.
British American Tobacco shares gained the most in nearly four years after it revealed it was looking to dump some of its 15billion stake in Indias largest cigarette firm.

The Lucky Strike and Dunhill maker said it planned to offload a chunk of its 30 per cent holding in ITC.

BAT chief executive Tadeu Marroco said the potential sell-off offers us the opportunity to release and reallocate some capital.

The company has owned a stake in ITC for over 100 years and the shareholding has been subjected to numerous regulatory restrictions, he added.

The prospect of a sell-off sent the shares up amid hopes that it will free up cash to hand out to investors.

BAT chief exec Tadeu Marroco (pictured) said the potential sell-off offers us the opportunity to release and reallocate some capital

The stock ended the day up 7.1 per cent, or 165p, at 2484p.

BAT last launched a 2billion share repurchase programme in February 2022 but decided not to renew it last year.

This would be a big positive, bringing the all-important share buyback timeline closer for investors, said RBC Capital Markets analyst James Edwardes Jones.

Rival Big Tobacco players have been looking to sweeten investors.

London-listed Imperial Brands has an ongoing 1.1billion share buyback scheme, while Altria announced an 800million buyback last week.

BATs rally came as it posted a loss of 15.8billion for 2023 against profits of 10.5billion the previous year. It followed a 27.3billion writedown on US cigarette brands.

The company said in December that Camel, Natural American Spirit, Newport and Pall Mall  brands acquired in a 40billion takeover of the cigarette giant Reynolds American in 2017  are worth far less than anticipated.

Yet the charge was higher than the 25billion hit it originally warned of.

The company blamed this on currency movements. Cigarette firms in general have suffered as consumers shift towards vapes.

Revenues at BAT were 27billion for the year, down 1.3 per cent from the year before.

Its smoke-free business, which includes vapes and nicotine pouches, was profitable for the first time, raking in 398million.

Sales of BATs vape products rose about 7 per cent in 2023 while nicotine pouch sales climbed by more than a third.

It looked to stub out concerns surrounding the UKs incoming disposable vape ban, which is aimed at tackling the rise in young people vaping.

Marroco said this would not have a huge impact thanks to his firms refillable vape products including Vuse.

Because we have a modest share in disposable vapes, we would be in a stronger position, because we are leaders in refillable, he said.

Looking ahead, BAT said global tobacco sales are expected to be down 3pc, driven by a weak performance in the US.
Republican voters by a huge margin say former South Carolina Gov Nikki Haley should drop her bid for the GOP presidential nomination, as her chances of catching up to front-runner Donald Trump are 'negligible.'

Fully 57 percent of registered Republican primary voters say Haley should exit the race, our DailyMail.com/TIPP poll shows. Less than a third say she should keep running; another 13 percent said they were not sure.

Our nationwide survey of nearly 600 GOP primary voters was carried out earlier this month, after Haley's losses in Iowa and New Hampshire, but before her humiliating showing in Nevada's primary on Wednesday.

In the Silver State's primary, voters by a wide margin selected 'none of these candidates' over Haley, who called the confusing primary-caucus combo a 'scam,' and vowed to press ahead with her campaign.

Nikki Haley fares slightly better among women and young adult GOP voters, out poll shows

MAGA supporters took to social media to urge Haley to drop out.

'She's still hanging around as if she's going to pull a path to victory out of a hat,' posted X/Twitter user John Sandor.

'When will she get it? We just don't like her.'

Others called her a 'birdbrain' with a 'room temperature IQ' who is 'vindictive, evil, short-sighted and psychotic' but more importantly 'losing big' in her White House race.

The X/Twitter user Silent Silas said her campaign was 'utterly embarrassing for modern day American politics.'

Haley responded to her critics and 'trolls,' saying 'there are always going to be haters and doubters' and vowing to keep her struggling campaign afloat.

She admits she is trailing far behind former president Trump among Republican primary voters, but says she's better placed to defeat the Democratic incumbent Joe Biden in November's contest.

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley called Nevada's odd primary-caucus combo a 'scam' after she was defeated in the primary by 'none of these candidates' a symbolic vote for President Donald Trump who is participating in Thursday's Nevada caucuses instead

A woman is seen voting in Tuesday's Nevada primary. 'We always knew Nevada was a scam,' Haley told Fox Business' Charles Payne. 'Trump had it rigged from the very beginning, there are multiple press stories on that'

Our survey suggests she has a mountain to climb.

GOP voters from all regions of the US said Haley should simply call it a day and withdraw.

All respondents aged 25 and above overwhelmingly said she should exit the race.

Women GOP voters were slightly more favorable to Haley  55 percent of them said she should quit running, compared to 59 percent of men.

Still, they did not offer a ringing endorsement.

A fifth of women respondents said they were 'not sure' what the former UN ambassador should do next.

Haley, for her part, says she's gunning for a better showing in South Carolina's primary on February 24  even though she trails Trump in polls for her home state.

Nikki Haley campaigned for the first time in California Wednesday, making a stop at the Wild Goose Tavern in Costa Mesa. She'll headline a Los Angeles rally Wednesday night

Republican primary voters say Haley's chances of topping Trump are 'negligible,' our poll shows

Michigan's GOP primary will be held three days later on February 27.

And then 15 states and one territory will vote on Super Tuesday on March 5.

Super Tuesday looks to be Haley's last chance to stop Trump's march to the Republican nomination, as a number of states have some version of winner-take-all rules, which would make the ex-president's delegate lead insurmountable.

'Our focus is on South Carolina, going into Michigan, going into Super Tuesday, those are the places that we're worried about,' Haley said.

'We're not focused on Nevada, we never were.'

On Wednesday, Haley was forging ahead with her campaign, making multiple stops in California, including an evening Los Angeles rally.

Currently, Trump has 33 delegates to Haley's 17, but he's on the cusp of picking up another 26 in Thursday evening's Nevada Republican caucus, while Haley won't earn any.
Thames Valley Police has double the misconduct allegations per employee than Britain's largest police force, the Met.

According to data from the Independent Office for Police Conduct, Thames Valley Police - covering the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire - received 3,808 allegations.

In total, it had the second highest amount of any force - with London's Met Police taking the top spot.

But there were 747 per 1,000 employees in the force for 2022-2023 - almost double the amount of the Met Police, which received 423 per 1,000.

The level of those registered under 'sexual conduct' and 'discriminatory behaviour' were an especially stark contrast to other forces.

The average amount of discriminatory behaviour allegations of all the police forces last year was 92 - but Thames Valley Police received 254.

For sexual conduct, the average number was seven - and Thames Valley Police had 24.

Officers found guilty of misconduct include a serving PC who drove for over an hour to meet a teenage girl for sex, another sexually assaulting a junior colleague and a Sergeant who assaulted a child in custody - striking him in the face and removing his clothes.

Thames Valley Police has double the misconduct allegations per employee than other forces

Former PC Luke Christopher Horner travelled to meet a teenager for sex in 2013

Thames Valley Police officer Craig Finch was handed a four-month suspended sentence

PC Oliver Perry-Smith was charged following an investigation by the IOPC in 2019

Across ten different categories - plus one for 'other' - there were only four in which Thames Valley didn't top the list, excluding the large Met Police force.

These were for 'handling of or damage to property/premises', 'use of police vehicles', 'abuse of position/corruption' and 'individual behaviours'.

But for 'delivery of duties and service', 'police powers, policies and procedures' and 'access and/or disclosure of information', the Thames Valley force's total number of allegations was only beaten by the Met.

However, when the number of allegations per category was compared to the number of employees in the respective forces, Thames Valley ranked higher than the Met.

The data refers to allegations against both officers and staff members - but the IOPC said that overall, 84 per cent of complaints are made against officers - which it clarifies is to be expected considering the amount of contact with the public.

It follows Assistant Chief Constable of the force, Dennis Murray, announcing his officers are being educated on race equality to improve things in the future.

He admitted to the BBC that the force had been disproportionate when stopping and searching black people.

This comes just a week after it was revealed that three Thames Valley Police officers were reported for making 'sickening' comments about an assault victim's body - but were only referred to the IOPC after an investigation by the BBC.

In 2021, the Met Police was labelled 'rotten from top to bottom' by Priti Patel after the public outcry which followed the case of Sarah Everard, murdered by Met officer Wayne Couzens.

In 2022, Dame Cressida Dick quit as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police after presiding over a litany of scandals.

Last year, a damning report found that Scotland Yard is 'broken' and riddled with racism, misogyny and homophobia.

Baroness Casey said in the report that the murder of Ms Everard by serving firearms officer Couzens should have been like a 'plane falling out of the sky' for Scotland Yard.

Sarah Everard (pictured) was murdered by Met police officer Wayne Couzens in 2021

But instead it 'preferred to pretend that their own perpetrators of unconscionable crimes were just 'bad apples', or not police officers at all'.

Soon after, the Home Office announced plans to tackle rogue police officers as public trust plummeted.

However, Government sources estimate some 2,000 police officers who are still in the ranks despite being accused of crimes including sexual assault and corruption could be sacked under the measures, The Mail reported previously.

And it's not just the Met Police which is struggling with misconduct in its ranks.

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: 'We take all complaint reports incredibly seriously and encourage the public and our own workforce to let us know when behaviour has fallen below our high standards.

'We deliberately apply a low threshold for recording complaints in order to ensure a consistently thorough response and ensure every allegation is properly understood.

'Whilst this inevitably may make our complaint recording figures higher than other forces, this stance is important to be transparent and maintain the trust and confidence of our communities.

'Compared with other forces, we have one of the highest figures for investigating allegations and one of the lowest dissatisfaction ratings from the public in relation to the initial handling of complaints.

'Through accurate recording and thorough investigation we ensure we maintain the highest possible policing standards, because we understand this is important to maintain public trust.

'We have more than one million contacts with members of the public each and every year and the vast majority of our officers and staff carry out their duties with great professionalism and diligence in order to protect our communities.

'However, we are not complacent and constantly strive to improve. We are also working hard to increase the diversity and inclusion of the force and treat everyone fairly and with respect to improve the public's trust and confidence so that we are a force trusted by all our communities.'

Three Thames Valley Police officers made 'sickening' comments about an assault victim while watching a body-worn video of her having a seizure with her groin and chest exposed in a police van in Newbury, Berkshire, it was revealed last week.

The incident happened when the victim was arrested, handcuffed and held in leg restraints after officers believed she had committed an assault, despite having been assaulted herself.

The victim was recorded on body-worn video vomiting and losing consciousness, before suffering from the seizure and exposing herself, it was revealed by the BBC.

The next day, a female officer watched the video while reviewing CCTV footage at her desk at Newbury Police Station.

The three male officers, one of whom was the student officer's tutor, then joined the female officer and made 'sickening comments' about the victim's body.

One of the officers described the women as having 'crusty' or 'manky' breasts, while another officer asked to see her 'minge'.

A fourth male colleague also joined a discussion about how much money officers would need to be paid to have sex with her.

There is no public evidence that any of the officers involved faced a misconduct hearing, while the student officer who reported them was later dismissed.

Thames Valley Police said the remarks caught in the recording were 'unacceptable' and had reported the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

However, the force did not voluntarily refer the officers' ridiculing of the woman at the time of the incident, something the IOPC says it would have expected them to do.

Thames Valley Police - covering the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire - received 3,808 allegations. Pictured is the Thames Valley Police HQ

In a seperate case, while serving as a constable, Luke Horner, 24, drove an hour from his home in Aylesbury to Rushden, Northamptonshire, to meet a 13-year-old girl on June 11, 2013.

The officer, who was based in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, was suspended by Thames Valley Police after his arrest in June and later resigned.

Appeared at Northampton Crown Court on August 3, 2023, to plead guilty to one count of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a child aged 13-15.

He was sentenced to six years and four months in prison.

Thames Valley Police made an immediate referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which decided that the matter should be subject to a local investigation by the force.

An Accelerated Misconduct Meeting took place on 4 September 2023, where it was found that Horner's behaviour amounted to gross misconduct.

READ MORE - Police officer who recorded himself sexually assaulting girl, 13, using her mobile phone while off duty is jailed for more than six years Advertisement

Former PC Horner would have been dismissed if he were still serving and he is to be placed on the Barred List, meaning he is prevented from re-entering the police service.

The force was criticised after it emerged he had contacted them to ask if he had been reported.

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) found that Thames Valley Police could not have reasonably anticipated Horner's crimes.

But it found that the force missed five chances to take action against him.

The inspectorate discovered that the force's counter-corruption unit made just one attempt to contact the Crimestoppers tipster who first reported Horner for begging a schoolgirl for nude photos.

In another case, Former Detective Chief Inspector James Senior was found guilty of gross misconduct following a party he attended alongside colleague former Sergeant Anish Sharma of the Met Police, who was accused of sexual misconduct.

At the party - in July 2021 - Sharma was accused of touching a woman's thigh and indecently exposing himself.

The woman then told Senior of Sharma's behaviour, and he told her to 'go home and sleep on it,' and 'have a think about what you want to do as we all have careers,' according to OxfordshireLive.

Senior was also found to have told Sharma of the claims made against him and allowing him to leave the party.

An Inspector, James Humphries was found by a misconduct panel to have committed gross misconduct in a different case.

The hearing in November 2023 heard Humphries was discussing missing children with a newly appointed female Violence Reduction Coordinator.

OxfordshireLive reported that he said about male puberty that 'boys get hairy and things get bigger'.

She nervously laughed and he told her she had a 'dirty mind'.

DC Neil Smith was convicted of common assault at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court (pictured)

When discussing how a police officer would know if a child was menstruating at the time of a strip search, the Inspector asked the female colleague, 'You could be menstruating right now and I wouldn't know, would I?

When explaining different police departments to her, Inspector Humphries was reported to have said: 'If you were raped it would go to Force Crime'.

He received a final written warning and was described as 'apologetic' and a 'diligent police officer'.

In a separate case, PC David Arnaud was said to have abused his position for sexual gain.

READ MORE - Custody officer who hit a 16-year-old suspect in the face before making him strip and locking him in a cell naked is convicted of battery Advertisement

At a misconduct hearing in August last year, it was heard he repeatedly placed his hands around a female colleagues waist.

He also rubbed her bottom and tried to kiss her when she was just four days into her job.

While off-duty in August 2022, DC Neil Smith followed a member of the public to work in his car and pushed him several times on the chest.

He was convicted of common assault at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court in July of last year.

Smith was ordered to pay a fine, compensation to the CPS and the victim, and a victim surcharge.

At a misconduct hearing, he was given a final written warning.

A Police Sergeant, Matthew Myers, 49, was accused of assaulting a 16-year-old boy in custody on 4 January 2020.

Appearing at Luton Magistrates' Court on February 23, 2021, he was charged with battery.

CCTV footage showed him striking the 16-year-old boy on the face and then removing his clothing  leaving him naked until the detention officer came into the cell to help him.

At court, PS Myers was ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work.

He was suspended from the police force and later resigned.

IOPC regional director Graham Beesley said at the time: 'PS Myers abused his position as a custody sergeant to assault a child and he has now been convicted of that offence.

'His primary duty is to ensure the safety and welfare of all those who are detained and assaulting a looked-after child who was vulnerable, where English was not his first language, is the exact opposite of what the officer should have been doing.

'The sentence shows that officers are not above the law and this kind of behaviour is not acceptable.'

In September 2022, Craig Finch was found to be in possession of an SD card containing five videos 'which portrayed act of serious injury to a person's anus, breasts or genitals', in an explicit and realistic way, court documents revealed.

READ MORE - Thames Valley police officer, 38, who was found with cache of grossly offensive and obscene porn avoids jail Advertisement

The videos were 'grossly offensive, disgusting or otherwise of an obscene character' and any 'reasonable person' would believe the person in the image was 'real', the charge added.

Finch was told the offence was 'aggravated' by concerns over 'undermining public confidence' in the police, as he was handed a four-month suspended sentence at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court.

Finch, from Oxfordshire, previously pleaded guilty to one count of possessing extreme pornography at an earlier hearing.

Sentencing, District Judge Arvind Sharma said 'extreme images are not to be equated with the same level of seriousness as children' but possessing them was 'not a victimless crime'.

District Judge Sharma said it was a 'significant aggravating factor' that Finch was a police officer at the time.

However, he said he opted for a suspended sentence 'because of your previous good character and, to a limited extent, you have lost your job because of your own doing'.

High Wycombe Magistrates' Court heard Finch possessed an SD card containing five videos

The court heard the videos were found among more than 400 other pieces of pornographic material and there was 'a suggestion of a background problem with pornography' in a pre-sentence report.

Finch resigned as a police officer before a misconduct hearing which concluded he would have been fired, the court heard.

Another Thames Valley officer, PC Perry Greenhalf, resigned after he was found guilty of gross misconduct.

It was found he told a colleague: 'Pakistan is a dirty, smelly country' and made homophobic comments about a child.

Greenhalf, who did not attend the hearing, denied gross misconduct but admitted using some of the language.

He was reported by colleagues after he allegedly made the comments in their company while on duty.

He said: 'Pakistan is a dirty, smelly country' when he attended a residential address over an alleged breach of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions in October 2020.

Greenhalf, who did not attend the hearing, denied gross misconduct but admitted using some of the language.

He was reported by colleagues after he allegedly made the comments in their company while on duty.

PC Oliver Perry-Smith, a married father-of-one from Newbury, was jailed for three years and six months at Reading Crown Court in April 2022.

He was charged following an investigation by the IOPC in 2019 and pleaded guilty to three charges of misconduct in a public office and to two charges of computer misuse at a hearing.

The court heard he tracked one potential sexual partner's address from her registration plate after he parked next to her in a police car.

He visited her flat and claimed he was there following reports of a cannabis smell nearby.

In 2015, while interviewing a victim of domestic violence, he ran a finger down her leg and told her she was 'very attractive'.

IOPC regional director Graham Beesley said at the time: 'Perry-Smith was a sexual predator and his conduct caused significant distress to the women involved.

'He was prolific in the abuse of his position over a five-year period and his acts were intentional, deliberate, targeted and planned.'

He resigned a day before his misconduct hearing, where if it had been found he had committed gross misconduct, he would have been dismissed.
Elizabeth II always kept one of her favourite photos on her writing desk. It shows her father King George VI with the future Charles III on the young princes third birthday.

Neither the queen nor her father realised at the time that the king was dying from cancer.

Fast forward seven decades and we are experiencing a sea-change in how the royals deal with sensitive health issues amongst themselves, as well as how they communicate it to the rest of us.

There is even an enormous difference in where the royal family undergo medical procedures.

Her Late Majesty, The Queen in her study at Balmoral in 1972. On her desk, propped up at the back, is a favourite picture of her father with three-year-old Prince Charles

King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend the Sunday service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate. The King has been discharged from hospital following a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate. However, while there, it was established that he has a form of cancer. He is now undergoing treatment

The Queen Mother leaves King Edward VII's Hospital after a hip replacement operation

King George VI, visibly unwell, after travelling from Balmoral to London for a medical assessment. The picture is taken in September 1951, just five months before his death. No one in the family, including the King himself, had been told he had lung cancer

King George VI speaks to Princess Margaret at London airport in May 1951 before a flight to Scotland and Balmoral. Margaret had believed her father was on the mend when he passed away in February 1952

With her father's untimely death, Elizabeth is now Queen. This sad portrait shows the 25-year-old as she driven back to London after cutting short a visit to Kenya and the Commonwealth

King Charles will naturally have his treatment in hospital, but King George had his left lung removed at Buckingham Palace where the Buhl Room was converted to a makeshift surgery.

It sounds an amateurish procedure but staff from Westminster Hospital transformed the room (where also Prince Charles had been born)it into a fully equipped operating theatre.

The operating table, made by the Genito-Urinary Manufacturing Co Ltd, was gifted to the Science Museum in 1984 where a plaque records with gratitude the recovery of His Majesty King George VI from an operation.

In fact, there was very little chance of a recovery since the kings right lung was also infected and he could only have survived for a maximum of two years at most.

In the end it was a coronary thrombosis, which ended the kings life peacefully in his sleep on 6 February 1952.

The truth behind the kings illness was kept from both press and public. A bulletin released by the palace announced the king had undergone a lung resection.

This perplexed many people including the Opposition Leader, Winston Churchill, who quizzed his doctor, Charles Moran.

The latter told him that the use a bronchoscope during the diagnosis and the specialities of the surgeons implied cancer to him.

As was common in those days the patient himself was kept in the dark. The kings official biographer, John Wheeler-Bennett, writes: He was not told that he was suffering from cancer  nor, in so far as is known, did he ever know it.

Crowds outside Buckingham Palace read the latest bulletin, fixed to the railings on the King's health

Crowds outside Buckingham Palace gather to hear news of King George VI who is to have an operation on his lung. One room at the palace has been turned into an operating theatre

The word 'cancer' wasn't used, although Prime Minister Winston Churchill suspected the truth

His family didnt know either. Princess Margaret told a friend that her father had died just as he was starting to get better and the new monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, wrote to Dwight D Eisenhower, whom the king had known when he was Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe: It is difficult to grasp the fact that he has left us; he was so much better, and so full of ideas and plans for the future.

Perhaps later she regretted she had not been fully informed about the severity of her fathers illness.

It is interesting that decades into her reign she commemorated the link between her fathers death and cancer on two major occasions.

On 6 February 1992, she marked the 40th anniversary of his death by visiting Tapping House, a hospice support group in Norfolk that cared for cancer patients.

Ten years later on the same day she marked the start of her Golden Jubilee year by opening the 1.2 million Macmillan Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn.

The Queen Mother had an operation for colon cancer in December 1966 but chose to remain evasive about it for the rest of her life.

The first the public knew was when it was announced she had gone into the King Edward VII Hospital in Marylebone for observation. Four days later a bulletin claimed she had undergone a procedure for the relief of a partial bowel obstruction.

A persistent myth is that she had had a colostomy  a rumour that even appeared in her obituary in The Times in 2002.

Her official biographer William Shawcross wrote this was not true though he added that nevertheless the cancer from which she had suffered was serious. She of course made a full recovery, there was no recurrence of cancer, and she was undertaking royal duties for another 34 years.

The public was also kept in the dark about the declining health of the Duke of Windsor.

His impending death in May 1972 had daily news items in the worlds press though, even 24 hours before Edwards death, his private secretary John Utter denied rumours the Duke had cancer.

This was presumably an attempt to protect the exiled kings privacy and following his death on 28 May it was made clear he had indeed died from cancer of the throat.

The Prince and Princess of Wales attend a ceremonial welcome for the President and First Lady of South Korea last autumn. Catherine has since undergone abdominal surgery, although the details of the operation have remained private

King Charless willingness to share his cancer diagnosis, even if the specific nature of it remains unclear, is not only a welcome sign of transparency in how the palace communicates such sensitive news but it also highlights particular health issues.

When in January it was announced that the king would undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate the following morning the NHS websites page on the topic received eleven times more visits than on the previous day with a total of 16,410 hits.

If because of that and his cancer announcement more men contact their own doctor, and even a single life is saved, then the king for one will be delighted he can be a force for good.
How have YOU been affected?

How have YOU been affected? Email freya.barnes@mailonline.co.uk

Hundreds of householders face losing their homes after signing up to a controversial 'no win no fee' legal firm which has collapsed owing 48m.

Around 1,500 home-owners were offered free legal representation by SSB Law which said it would help them win compensation for dodgy cavity wall insulation.

However the Sheffield-based firm went into administration in January leaving many of their clients liable for huge court fees.

The company also faces a probe by legal and financial watchdogs.

Devastated Sharon Lord, 47, who felt 'manipulated' into pursuing a claim with the firm, fears she'll be left homeless after becoming liable for 17,000 in court costs.

How have YOU been affected? Email freya.barnes@mailonline.co.uk

Sharon Lord, 47, (pictured) a Benefits Assessor from Burnley, stood outsider her home

Ms Lord points out the areas her home is damaged from the cavity wall

Ms Lord fears she'll be left homeless after becoming liable for 17,000 in court costs

The company's collapse left her footing the bill for their failed attempts to win her case - and she now faces threats from bailiffs and County Court Judgements (CCJs).

Lifting the lid on SSB Law's tactics, which she said made her feel she had 'no choice' but to pursue a claim, she said: 'All I can think about is I'm going to lose my home.

'Everything that is keeping my children in a stable way of life is going to go. It's beyond devastating. There's no aspect of my life it doesn't touch.'

Sharon said the firm had approached her four years ago after targeting residents with cavity wall insulation in terraced properties.

And she was heartbroken when a surveyor they sent to her property reported that without substantial corrections, her 65,000 home would be rendered 'worthless'.

Ms Lord (pictured) holding toys belonging to her children, as she is worried bailiffs will come and take everything in her home

Areas from the exterior of the house which have been damaged from the cavity wall

Mother-of-two Sharon said she felt she had 'no option' but to pursue a no win no fee case through SSB Law to claw back the cash for the removal of the insulation and repairs.

But in January, she received an email saying it had gone into liquidation, and she was liable to pay the costs of opposition solicitors who took on the firm.

Sharon, who was hoping to go to university next year so she could change careers, now lives in fear that her children's possessions will soon be targeted by debt collectors.

She said: 'I am terrified that the bailiffs are going to turn up at my door.

'My children have things but I don't have things. They have things that I've bought them, things that their dad bought them, presents mainly.

'I've spent two and half years at college, trying to build a new career for a better life for me and my family, and it's gone because I won't get student finance.

'I feel like I've had the carpet swept from underneath me. I've had to come out of work. I can't even remember my name most of the time at the moment.

'The money we do have is not going to cover this, so I risk the house - and there's the fact that if I've got a CCJ on there, I can't even get out of this.'

Sharon, who lives in Burnley, Lancashire, said her cavity wall insulation work was completed on her home in 2014 as part of a government-funded scheme.

But within a few years, she had a serious damp problem in the property, which left water 'running down the walls' of the converted gable end terrace.

In 2020, she said a canvasser from SSB Law, part of SSB Group Ltd, knocked on her door and asked if she wished to pursue a claim for the removal of it and repair work.

And she had felt 'pressured' into going ahead with it when a surveyor declared it would cost 65,132.21 to correct the problem - more than the value of her house.

Sharon said: 'I had a catch-up telephone call from the solicitors. I said 'Where does this leave me? How would that affect me if I ever wanted to move?'

'They said, 'Well, basically, you'd just be handing your keys back over to your mortgage company, because your house is worthless'.

'I can't even think of the words about how that makes you feel. But Looking back in hindsight, that was all a trap to keep me in this claim.

'I felt really pressured, like there was no escape. And in the end of the day, you put your faith in these people - they are lawyers.'

A close-up of the damage to the exterior of Ms Lord's home

The mother-of-two Sharon said she felt she had 'no option' but to pursue a no win no fee case through SSB Law to claw back the cash for the removal of the insulation and repairs

Sharon said SSB Law first tried to sue her builders but then took on the government instead after finding out that their company had gone bankrupt.

And over the next four years, she said the firm had advised her not to carry out any repairs on her slowly crumbling home while the case progressed.

She said: 'I was letting my house go to neglect, not by choice, but because that's what I had been told to do.

'I'm very house-proud. I had rebuilt this house and to see it going into disrepair was not just stressful but heartbreaking.

'When they wanted documents, they wanted them yesterday from me. They were quite abrupt in some of the calls.

'I think it was a form of bullying tactics just to keep me hooked into the scheme.'

Sharon said after years of legal wrangling, a second surveyor visited her property in August last year.

She said SSB Law claimed that this was needed as her initial assessor had now moved to South Africa and therefore would not testify as part of her claim in court.

Roughly two weeks later, she got a call from SSB Law telling her to drop her case as the initial assessment of the damage had been incorrect.

Sharon said she felt furious but was still assured that she would not pay a penny towards the failed lawsuit as the firm's insurance would cover it.

But on January 12, she received an email saying SSB Law had gone into liquidation, so she was now liable for 17,000 in court costs - and it was too late to appeal.

She said: 'It had gone to court on January 2, and they wanted 17,000 by February 27. There was 16,500 to be paid to the opposing team and 500 in court costs.

'I didn't have time to appeal because you only have seven days. I was in absolute panic mode by the time I got all the paperwork through.'

Sharon's experiences echo many other cases where residents have suddenly been given huge bills due to the collapse of the heavily indebted law firm.

Ms Lord said: 'I've spent two and half years at college, trying to build a new career for a better life for me and my family, and it's gone because I won't get student finance'

Ms Lord added: 'I feel like I've had the carpet swept from underneath me. I've had to come out of work. I can't even remember my name most of the time at the moment'

Another customer, Liz Wilkes, 77, also from Burnley, said she was facing 'sleepless nights' after she received a court demand for 18,000 after the firm went bust.

She had similarly pursued a claim for compensation regarding her cavity wall insulation on a no-win no-fee basis and hadn't expected to pay a penny.

While Yusuf Patel, from Blackburn, Lancashire, who made an almost identical claim, recently received a charging order for 27,500 following SSB Law's demise.

Sharon said she knew of hundreds of other people through social media who were facing eye-watering legal fees and possible financial ruin.

She added: 'I'm not the only one  and I think at the moment that's the only thing that's keeping me going. I know there are so many of us out there.

'I feel like it's a case of someone just wanting to make a quick buck somewhere and I get left with the bill and interest.

'I think I've gone passed angry. The hatred I feel for these people at this moment in time is surreal.'

The former clients of SSB Law are being represented by expert law firm Hugh James as they seek compensation.

Hugh James are also litigating for 150 ex-clients of Liverpool firm Pure Legal concerning similar circumstances of failed CWI claims and adverse costs orders.

Hugh James told MailOnline they believe there could be 'in excess' of 1500 Cavity Wall Insulation claims connected to SSB Law that have failed.

They have suggested that the company's ex-clients will now face legal bills mounting up to 35,000 on average or more - which are not covered by insurance.

Erich Kurtz from their financial Mis-selling team told MailOnline: 'The clients we're representing have previously been informed that they were protected from adverse costs and had ATE insurance to meet any adverse costs they might face.

'But it is now clear every ex-client we have spoken to is facing significant and unexpected legal bills as a result.

'We're assisting them in seeking a reduction in these adverse costs and helping them reach a compromise on enforcement proceedings to avoid where possible, bailiffs, charging orders or threats of insolvency.

'Simultaneously we're pursuing a professional negligence claim against SSB Law's professional indemnity insurers to discharge the adverse costs they face.'

A spokesperson from the Solicitors Regulation Authority confirmed that they were now investigating a range of complaints resulting from SSB Law's collapse.

They said: 'We are aware of the concerns of many householders and are investigating these issues.

'We understand a number have already contacted both the Legal Ombudsman and Financial Services Ombudsman to complain about the standard of service they have received.'

Ms Lord said SSB Law first tried to sue her builders but then took on the government instead after finding out that their company had gone bankrupt

Ms Lord (pictured) said she knew of hundreds of other people through social media who were facing eye-watering legal fees and possible financial ruin

SSB Law was co-founded in 2007 by ex-police officer and the firm's CEO Jeremy Brooke.

It became part of SSB Group Ltd in 2018, which encompassed several other wings, including SSB Funding, SSB Insurance, SSB Financial and SSB Compliance.

Brooke told The Law Society Gazette in 2021 that his team liked taking on 'complex legal argumentsthat other solicitors have looked at but then not proceeded with.'

The same year, the business expanded when it purchased Pure Legal, following its collapse, which came with an estimated 13,500 cavity wall insulation cases.

However, in November last year, SSB Group Ltd said it had filed for administration.

The company's statement read: 'Directors of the company are currently working with the proposed administrators to facilitate an acceptable outcome for clients and the company is in contact with the Solicitors Regulation Authority to ensure all standards and regulations are met.

'All clients will be contacted in due course and are not required to take any further action.'

This was completed on January 4 when insolvency firm FRP Advisory was brought in to manage the company - which is now understood to be closed.

A note on the company's website told customers: 'The services previously provided by SSB Group Limited have been passed to a number of different legal firms.

'The relevant firm will be in touch in due course with more information and next steps.'

MailOnline has approached SSB Group Ltd. for comment.

How have YOU been affected? Email freya.barnes@mailonline.co.uk
The plundering of European battlefields for the teeth of fallen soldiers to make dentures was a 'major phenomenon' until as late as the 1830s, a new study has said.

Soldiers' front teeth were collected from war dead for use by dentists following Napoleonic-era battles, including at Leipzig and the 1815 Battle of Waterloo.

They were also likely taken from morgues, cemeteries and execution sites in Britain, the paper by respected German archaeologist Arne Homann said.

Although the phenomenon of 'Waterloo teeth' has been well-known for decades, Mr Homann's study is the most comprehensive investigation that has ever taken place into the subject.

He draws from dozens of sources to reveal the extent of the gruesome practice, but also demonstrates how the mention of the Battle of Waterloo in the sale of dental implants was an effective marketing tool that often masked more mundane origins of re-purposed human teeth.

The plundering of European battlefields for the teeth of fallen soldiers to make dentures was a 'major phenomenon' until as late as the 1830s, a new study has said. Above: A set of dentures featuring real human teeth that could have come from soldiers killed at the Battle of Waterloo

Mr Homann's paper features in a landmark new academic book that details the industrial exploitation of human remains in the 18th and 19th centuries.

MailOnline revealed in 2022 how the bones of the fallen at Waterloo - where the Duke of Wellington led a triumph over the forces of France's Napoleon Bonaparte - were ground down and used in the sugar industry or to make fertiliser.

The editors of the new book, Belgian expert Professor Bernard Wilkin and German historian Robin Schafer, were intimately involved in the previous research.

Mr Schafer told MailOnline: 'What Arne has written is the most definitive investigation that has been carried out on the subject so far.

'The most important thing is that it was a worldwide phenomenon.

'It was not limited to Waterloo. It had happened long before it, as well as after it, and on a wider scale than most people thought.'

The dentures were needed at a time when oral health was poorly understood and tooth decay was being made dramatically worse by high consumption of sugary foods from the 18th century onwards.

Affordable dentures, which were made from porcelain, started to become available from around 1800.

Their take-up increased from the 1840s onwards. Until then, real human teeth and other materials - such as ivory - were used.

However, it was front teeth that were largely used because they were so much easier to remove intact from corpses and skeletons.

It meant that back teeth would would be made from ivory or another material.

Mr Homann, who is the the director of the Schloss Salder Municipal Museum in Salzgitter, Germany, quoted from a series of previously forgotten sources in his new research.

In 1781, London 'surgeon dentist' Paul Eurialus Jullion was charging two pounds and two shillings for 'fitting and fixing a human tooth'.

Fitting a full row of human teeth would cost a customer 31 pounds and 10 shillings, whilst a complete set was worth a staggering 73 - the equivalent to around four years' worth of wages for an unskilled labourer.

Mr Homann writes: 'In 18th and early 19th century Great Britain, most of the raw material for denture making was supplied by "resurrectionists", or "body snatchers" who traded in all kinds of human remains  among them whole bodies that were sold to medical practitioners, anatomists and universities or medical schools for dissection.

The study by German archaeologist Arne Homann draws from dozens of sources to reveal the extent of the gruesome practice, but also demonstrates how the mention of the Battle of Waterloo in the sale of dental implants was an effective marketing tool that often masked more mundane origins of re-purposed human teeth. Above: A depiction of the Duke of Wellington leading troops in battle at Waterloo

The earliest known accounts about the harvesting of teeth from dead soldiers refer to the aftermath of the 1813 Battle of Leipzig, where Napoleon's forces were defeated by a coalition that included troops from Russia, Austria and Prussia, as well as Britain

'Teeth, next of those extracted from still very much alive, but poor, donors, usually came from burial grounds, morgues or execution sites.'

The earliest known accounts about the harvesting of teeth from dead soldiers refer to the aftermath of the 1813 Battle of Leipzig, where Napoleon's forces were defeated by a coalition that included troops from Russia, Austria and Prussia, as well as Britain.

One German account, from 1815, reads: 'Among all these loot-seekers, the most peculiar were those who broke open the jaws of the dead and tore out the most beautiful and whitest teeth, in order to subsequently sell them for implantation.

'The author heard that such teeth, which are seldom to be had, and in their place one must always make do with calves' teeth, are very dearly paid for.'

Three years later, university student Karl Ludwig Sand - who was infamously executed for the murder of dramatist August Friedrich Ferdinand von Kotzebue in 1820 - visited the Leipzig battlefield.

He recalled shortly afterwards: 'When we asked about the graves of our brothers, some peasants thought we were tooth-breakers who would break out the nice teeth of the skulls of the dead to implant them again in the city and stated that we would not find anything, because too many had already been there.'

A third retrospective account from 1866 was from a German surgeon.

Remembering an episode from his youth, he told how one classmate had 'very beautiful' front teeth that had been 'pulled out of dead Cossacks after the battle of Leipzig and had been inserted into his mouth.'

The practice was also prevalent following the Battle of Waterloo, where British forces led by the Duke of Wellington helped to vanquish Napoleon's forces once again.

British diarist Henry Crabb Robinson recounted a visit to the dentist in 1816. He told how the dentist 'assured' him that the 'natural tooth' he installed 'came from Waterloo, and promised me it should outlast twelve artificial teeth.'

At the time, Robinson had only just returned from a visit to Waterloo.

By the 1820s, knowledge of the practice of digging up of battlefield graves for teeth was widespread.

In 1824, German dentistry academic Karl Joseph Ringelmann wrote: The only thing that must be done is to use the teeth of young, healthy and violently perished subjects, but not of subjects who have died of any disease.

'On the battlefields many corpses are robbed of their teeth for this purpose, and the trade in them is not unknown.'

A decade after the Battle of Waterloo, American inventor Zachariah Allen visited Waterloo and afterwards noted how he was offered freshly pulled teeth from a skeleton discovered during the construction of the Lion's Mound memorial.

He said: 'While I was standing near the labourers, who were engaged in excavating the earth to be conveyed in carts to the top of the mound, one of the workmen turned up a human skeleton with his shovel.

'He began diligently to extract the teeth, and immediately brought me a handful of them for sale.

'The guide observed to me that whilst the teeth were fresh and in good order, they formed a considerable article of trade to supply the English and French dentists.'

This lower denture set is made of elephant ivory with human anteriors, which are significantly decayed. The age of the set suggests they could have come from Waterloo, or another more mundane source

A denture set with real human teeth dating from around 1820. It is held by the dental museum near Colditz in Germany

Mr Homann adds: 'Human teeth from dead soldiers on European battlefields for the purposes of dentistry seems to have been a major phenomenon of the later Napoleonic Wars of 1813-1815 and the decades up to the 1830s.

'It may have happened earlier, but the lack of sources makes it impossible to date it with any certainty.'

However, he also cast doubt on the authenticity of many of the claims about 'Waterloo teeth'.

Branding it 'marketing' that traded off patriotism surrounding Britain's role in the victory at Waterloo, he says it was 'by no means a reliable certificate of origin.'

'Instead, the objects of trade, at least as far as the British market was concerned, were much more likely to have come from your very ordinary British neighbourhood cemetery, mortuary or execution site,' he writes.

The use of human teeth for dentures ultimately declined when the manufacture of artificial teeth from porcelain became more widely available from the 1840s onwards.

Today, dentures are typically made from acrylic, nylon or metal.

Bones of Contention: The Industrial Exploitation of Human Bones in the Modern Age, edited by Bernard Wilkin and Robin Schafer, is published next month by the Belgian State Archives.

Bones of Contention: The Industrial Exploitation of Human Bones in the Modern Age, edited by Bernard Wilkin and Robin Schafer, is published next month by the Belgian State Archives
But police refuse to prosecute - instead saying there is 'insufficient evidence'

A family of shopkeepers from Luton have been sending CCTV evidence to police

Thieves have become increasingly 'brazen' because they know 'nothing is going to happen' with police, a shopkeeper has complained.

A shopkeeping family from Luton said it had even handed police video proof on a 10 memory stick of the shoplifters in action - only for the police to do nothing.

Molly Patel owns two convenience stores that are regularly targeted by shoplifters.

But she has stopped reporting most incidents because the process is time-consuming and expensive, while police have never arrested a suspect.

Last year her daughter Holly, who works as a supervisor, handed police CCTV of a suspect, as well as their name and address, only to be told there was 'insufficient evidence' to proceed with the case.

Retail store owners Molly Patel and Holly Patel have said the police refuse to prosecute even when they are handed clear evidence. Picture shows thieves grabbing items from shelves at the BP Fourways Garage and M&S Store, Cottingham Road, Corby

The businesswomen have even taken the step of posting footage of the thieves stealing along with their names and identity to police - only to hear there is 'insufficient evidence'. Picture shows an incident involving a group of masked men stealing alcohol from behind a supermarket counter in 2023

Entrepreneur Mrs Patel, who also owns a Hallmark gift shop and Post Office in the town, doesn't employ a security guard (stock photo) because it 'doesn't deter anyone'

Holly, 33, has to purchase a memory stick, download incriminating CCTV onto it, and post it by special delivery to Bedfordshire Police whenever they want to report an incident.

The process takes several hours and typically costs around 10 each time  and there is no way to simply upload the information via the internet.

'We've got photos on the wall  a Wall of Shame  but they're just brazen because they know nothing is going to happen to them,' said Mrs Patel, 61.

'They come in and take what they want. The staff do stand up to them and say "You've put something in your pocket".

'Sometimes you get it back but the majority of the time they just say they're taking it. What can you do?'

Widow Mrs Patel opened her first Molly's Supermarket in Luton in 1992 and another in 2002.

She employs around 35 people and the businesses get glowing online ratings from locals who shop there.

But the stores average at least one shoplifting incident each week, with some people sprinting away with baskets full of goods.

More items have been getting security tagged by supermarkets in a bid to crackdown on the shoplifting epidemic

Holly said: 'It's frustrating and there's nothing you can do. I know there are more serious crimes but we're trying to run a business and we're losing money'. Picture shows stock photo of shoplifter

'We don't do it as often as we were because we don't get anywhere. We're getting to the stage where we're thinking is there any point?' said Holly, whose brother Cory, 31, is also a supervisor at the stores.

'It's frustrating and there's nothing you can do. I know there are more serious crimes but we're trying to run a business and we're losing money.'

Describing the police response after handing over a raft of incriminating evidence about the shoplifter in May last year including his name and where he lived, she added: 'We heard nothing back from the police.

'Then they rang about something else, so I said 'Because you're on the phone can you tell me about this case?' The person I was speaking to told me it said 'insufficient evidence' on the computer.

'I said 'How can you tell me that? The one thing I haven't done is arrest him myself. I've done everything else for you'. We've heard nothing since.'

The suspect, who is well known to other shopkeepers in the town, got away with around 60 of goods, including meat, energy drinks and laundering products.

Entrepreneur Mrs Patel, who also owns a Hallmark gift shop and Post Office in the town, doesn't employ a security guard because it 'doesn't deter anyone'.

MailOnline's sister organisation, the Mail on Sunday, has campaigned for police to get tough on shoplifting, which is costing 1 billion a year.

Costs are ultimately handed on to customers and shop staff are left fearing for their safety.

The crime epidemic in Britain's shops  which saw the number of unsolved shoplifting cases soar by a third to 205,676 in the year to July last year, according to Home Office data  has prompted calls for more investment in frontline policing and tougher sentencing.

Police forces have blamed tight budgets and the need to target resources elsewhere.

Chief Inspector Mike Chand said: 'We have received eight reports of shoplifting in the Lewsey area over the last six months, which is significantly lower than other areas in Luton  which is why we would call on shop owners to report such incidents to us as often as they occur, so we can take the most appropriate action.'

Chief Inspector Chand added officers from the Luton community policing team visited Mrs Patels shop and others in the area on Wednesday morning to offer reassurance on our activity, as well as crime prevention advice they can take to protect their stores.

The force has recently begun Operation Belville which is intended to reduce retail crime across the county, he added. The scheme is targeting the top ten shoplifters and 'using tactics like CCTV'.
You can get a street view of almost anywhere in the world, making you feel as if you are almost there, thanks to Google Maps.

But, if you were to stumble upon the blurred out home of 108 (formerly 112) Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York, on Google, it may just send a tingle down your spine - especially if you're well aware of the Amityville Horror phenomenon.

It has been 50 years since the murder of a family in the Dutch Colonial home led to later claims of experiences by the Lutz family, but what's the real - and far from obvious - reason the home has been blurred from view on the internet?

On November 13, 1974, Ronald DeFeo Jr. shot and killed six members of his family at 112 Ocean Avenue, a large house situated in a suburban neighborhood in Amityville, on the south shore of Long Island, New York.

The chilling case shocked the nation - but the property gained even more notoriety three years later when its new owners were forced to flee, claiming they were terrorised by paranormal phenomena while living there.

You would have to type 108 instead of 112 Ocean Avenue to stumble across the Horror House - but, even more eerily, you will only discover a blurred out image of the property

Real estate photograph of a house located at 112 Ocean Avenue in the town of Amityville, New York March 31, 2005

George and Kathy Lutz, who fled the home after only 28 days of living there, reported witnessing levitations, floating pigs (with blood-red eyes), green slime dripping down walls, and a priest suffering blisters on his hands as he entered the home.

The events inspired a slew of books and films that have made the house one of the most infamous in the United States.

And now, the second episode of a new four-part BBC Two documentary on the killings is set to air tomorrow (Friday 9 February) at 9pm, named Amityville: An Origin Story.

The docuseries delves into the perplexing case with input from Christopher Lutz - who was a child when his family moved into the allegedly haunted home, and says 'its time to set the record straight.'

If curiosity gets the better of you and you were to search 112 Ocean Avenue into Google Maps, you will find it no longer exists.

Instead, you would have to type 108 Ocean Avenue to stumble across the Horror House - but, even more eerily, you will only discover a blurred out image of the property.

That's because the address was changed to 108 Ocean Avenue to protect the privacy of the home's current occupants while deterring tourists.

After going on the market four different times since the murders, in September 2022, the four-bedroom, five-bathroom Toms River property was listed for $1.7 million (over 1.3 million) and later sold in October to the highest bidder.

The reason the home is blurred is because the address was changed from 112 to 108 Ocean Avenue to protect the privacy of the home's current occupants while deterring tourists

Flanked by two Suffolk County Homicide Squad detectives, 24 year-old Ronald DeFeo is led to his booking on multiple murder charges in Hauppauge, New York on Nov. 11, 1974

DeFoe slaughtered his family members, who were all in bed at the time - dad Ronald DeFeo Sr., 43, mom Louise DeFeo, 43, and siblings Dawn, 18, Allison, 13, Marc, 12, and John, nine

On Reddit, several people discussed their eerie Google Maps discovery, prompting a number of theories as to why the property had been blurred from view

Although the house is now inhabited by a new set of owners, there have been no further reports of alleged paranormal activity.

On Reddit, several people discussed their eerie Google Maps discovery, prompting a number of theories as to why the property had been blurred from view.

In a post on the subreddit r/googlemapsshenanigans in 2022, one Reddit user @Yusuke___Urameshi asked: 'The Infamous Amityville Horror home has been blurred out, wonder why?'

One person responded, 'Address has been changed,' while another said, 'Perhaps the owner wanted privacy.'

A third claimed: 'I think they tried to change the house number itself so that people would stay away. I don't blame them. It's a nice neighbourhood, not a busy street or anything!'

Amityville: An Origin Story will air tomorrow (Friday 9 February) at 9pm on BBC Two - watch the full series on BBC iPlayer.
The woman arrested for the brazen theft of a French Bulldog in an incident that saw the pooch's owner desperately cling to the hood of a speeding car was released after less than one day in jail, DailyMail.com can reveal.

Now dog owner Ali Zacharias is demanding an explanation as the hunt for her one-year-old dog named Onyx continues.

'I'm horrified that this woman is out on bail,' said Zacharias, 44, who only found out about the suspect's surprise release when informed by DailyMail.com.

'This woman almost killed me. She wasn't driving the car, but her boyfriend was behind the wheel,' she claimed. 'Why hasn't he been brought in for questioning and more importantly - where is my dog?'

Dog owner Ali Zacharias was seen on video flinging herself on the hood of the car of the thieves who stole her pooch

Sadie Slater, 21, was arrested for allegedly stealing Zacharias' French Bulldog last week in Los Angeles and was released one day later

Zacharias is demanding an explanation as the hunt for her one-year-old pooch named Onyx continues

Video of Zacharias' terrifying ordeal went viral after a bystander filmed her on the car. She was eventually flung off when the driver made a sharp right turn.

Miraculously she only suffered minor injuries.

U.S. Marshals arrested and booked Sadie Slater, 21, on February 2 in the Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood.

She was charged with felony robbery. But within one day, the suspect - who has had prior run-ins with the law - was released after posting bail set at $70,000.

'I was able to identify her at the police station when I was given a row of mugshots to look at and there she was,' Zacharias told DailyMail.com.

'I was so relieved when they made the arrest, but now I am beside myself. She's out free, walking around? Where's the justice in this?' said Zacharias, who was given Onyx as a gift from her boyfriend when the dog was just two months old.

Photos of Slater's arrest were made available on the US Marshal's page on X, formerly Twitter.

In one photo, Slater can be seen standing next to a shirtless man with braids, both have their hands cuffed behind their backs.

Only Slater was arrested.

LAPD Public Information Officer Rosario Cervantes told DailyMail.com: 'During an arrest, it's common practice for police officers to handcuff all possible suspects for their own safety.

'If during the investigation, officers find no reason to arrest someone, even if they were handcuffed, they are free to go.'

Photos of Slater's arrest were made available on the US Marshal's page on X, formerly Twitter. In one photo, Slater can be seen standing next to a shirtless man with braids, both have their hands handcuffed behind their backs

DailyMail.com has exclusively obtained a screenshot of a photo that shows Slater holding Onyx on her lap in what appears to be a car. The text message from Slater to an unidentified person says, 'Do yuh know who would want to buy him for 2500 or 200'

Zacharias is offering a 'big reward' for anyone who can help find Onyx. If anyone has any information please contact the number on the stolen dog flyer or contact Central Area Robbery Detective Mazzacano, or Detective Stanziale, at (213) 996-1877

Zacharias says she wants answers.

'This guy could very well be her boyfriend, the one driving the car,' Zacharias, a clothing manufacturer, claims.

DailyMail.com has exclusively obtained a screenshot that shows Slater holding Onyx on her lap in what appears to be a car.

The text message from Slater to an unidentified person says, 'Do yuh know who would want to buy him for 2500 or 200.'

The person responded, 'I have no idea' with an emoji. The time stamp on the thread is 5:19am.

'I have a really hard time looking at that photo. I just want him to be safe and his happy little self. I want this nightmare over,' Zacharias told DailyMail.com.

Another photo exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com shows Slater with a man in braids behind her.

The caption on the Instagram post says 'Happy Birthday BB! Right here in this dark place, all your secrets are safe with me. No other place I'd rather be.'

The other photo shows Slater exhaling smoke with the numbers 9/16 displayed over a red heart.

The Instagram account named 'mssnoogood' has since been made private and all posts have been deleted.

The thief jumped into a waiting car and Zacharias tried to block their way, but they sped off and hit her. She clung onto the hood for a few blocks before they made a sharp turn and threw her off

'All I want is my dog back. I am not giving up. He's out there somewhere,' Zacharias said of Onyx

Onyx was stolen in broad daylight on January 18 in the outdoor dining area of a Whole Foods store in downtown Los Angeles, where Zacharias was eating lunch alone.

She was feeding Onyx some of her meatball when a woman  allegedly Slater  walked towards her and snatched the friendly dog from underneath her table.

'The adrenaline just kicked in and I was like ''no way are you taking my dog.'' I ran towards the car that she jumped into, and attempted to get in. When I couldn't, I ran in front of the car to try to stop them,' Zacharias explained.

Within seconds, the car with four suspects drove smack into Zacharias causing her to fall on to the hood where she held on for dear life until the vehicle made a turn and threw her to the ground.

'All I want is my dog back. I am not giving up. He's out there somewhere,' she said.

Video of Zacharias clinging to the hood of the white Kia went viral after it was released just ten days later on January 28 by a local who captured the terrifying scene on his cell phone.

Onyx is a one-year-old black merle  irregular blotches on fur  French Bulldog.

Slater has a court appearance set for February 28 in Los Angles Municipal Court.

If anyone has any information please contact the number on the stolen dog flyer or contact Central Area Robbery Detective Mazzacano, or Detective Stanziale, at (213) 996-1877.
Russia and China have stepped up cooperation in the Artic ever since Russian forces invaded Ukrainian, according to a new private intelligence report, which warns that the U.S. is falling far behind Moscow in its efforts to develop the region.

At one time Russia sought to limit the role of the People's Republic of China in the Arctic, says the report by Strider Technologies.

That has changed as Moscow found itself isolated in the wake of the war in Ukraine.

'Russias increasing willingness to allow the PRC in the Arctic demonstrates the realness of their "no-limits" partnership and its potential counterbalance to U.S.-led alliances,' it concludes.

The result is that the West may never catch up, and could forever cede control of the Atlantic to China and Russia.

Russia has become increasingly isolated after invading Ukraine, and it will soon be the only non-NATO nation in the Arctic. It is plugging the gap by working more with China, according to to a report by Strider Technologies, a private intelligence group

The Russian '50 Years of Victory' nuclear-powered icebreaker is seen at the North Pole on August 18, 2021

In particular the report, based on open-source intelligence, reveals how Moscow is increasingly reliant on Chinese companies to help develop the Northern Sea Route - the shortest route between European ports and the Far East - and energy infrastructure.

The warning comes at a time of great uncertainty and opportunity in the Arctic region. Climate change is opening up a massive new frontier for geopolitical rivalries to play out, unlocking a treasure trove of untapped natural resources and trade routes.

The report illustrates how an increasingly isolated Russia has had to find new partners to develop the region, fill gaps created by sanctions.

In particular, once Sweden becomes a member of NATO, U.S. allies will surround the Artic Circle, apart from the stretch controlled by Russia.

And the seven other countries that make up the Artic Council have all ended their cooperation with Moscow.

That meant Russia had been forced to look to China, according to Eric Levesque co-founder of Strider, allowing it to reduce its own spending in the region as it funnels cash to its war effort.

'This pivot underscores the diplomatic and economic isolation Moscow is experiencing in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine and growing reliance on the P.R.C. for its economic development and security goals,' he said.

'However, Russia's adept use of cross-border partnerships and private sector engagement in Arctic development demonstrates a more effective approach than that of its Western counterparts, staying true to its historical reliance on private enterprises to bolster state initiatives.'

The survey found that in the 18 months up to June 2023, 234 P.R.C.-owned companies registered to operate in Russia-controlled Arctic territory. That represented an 87 percent increase on the two years before that.

Russia's Admiral Gorshkov frigate fires a hypersonic Tsirkon missile in the Barents Sea

Image shows Russia's new nuclear submarine during a flag-rising ceremony led by Vladimir Putin at the Arctic port of Severodvinsk on December 11, 2023

The 50 Let Pobedy [50th Anniversary of Victory] nuclear-powered icebreaker operated by Atomflot makes its way through the frozen waters of the Gulf of Ob, the Kara Sea

Chinese companies had also stepped into fill the gap left by Western companies after the invasion of Ukraine.

In particular, companies including the China National Petroleum Corporation and China National Offshore Oil Corporation stepped into keep the Arctic LNG2 Project afloat (which will produce almost 20 million metric tons of liquified natural gas a year) while others provided key technologies such as gas turbines.

Meanwhile, although Russian defense spending plunged by 90 percent ahead of the invasion, it has been replaced by a surge in activity by private-sector companies and entrepreneurs.

Use of the Northern Sea Route is also accelerating. In 2023, at least 11 ships transported Russian crude oil to the P.R.C. via this route through the Arctic, after just one transit in 2022.

Levesque said the U.S. was being left behind.

'The Arctic for the U.S. consistently seems to be an afterthought,' he told NBC News. 'U.S. has not been prioritizing it. Russia is probably 10 years or more ahead of the U.S.

'We have, like, one functional icebreaker, and it was built in the 70s.'

The distance from a northwestern European port to the Far East along the Northeast Sea Route is almost 40% shorter than the traditional route via the Suez Canal. Other sea routes are becoming more accessible for more of the year

Lawmakers share those concerns about growing Chinese-Russian cooperation. The issue was examined at a hearing of the House Homeland Security Committee last year

'We must respond to bolster our presence, both military and civilian, to make sure that we can protect our national security interests, economic security interests, energy security interests and environmental security interests that are so critical to our national security, said Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska.

The Strider report concludes that Western policymakers need to work harder than ever to understand the region's changing dynamics.

'These stakeholders need to look beyond the Russian rhetoric and identify the key players spearheading Russias Arctic strategy,' it says.

'The West is already trailing Russias Arctic development, but without this knowledge, the West may never catch up and the Arctic region will find itself completely within Russia and the P.R.C.'s sphere of influence.;
Terrifying footage of a machete wielding gang raiding a Co-op store have been released to highlight a shop crime tsunami.

The gang of three masked men, clad in black, is seen leaping over a counter wielding the weapons and grabbing packs of cigarettes and vapes.

Details were released amid the launch of a new campaign demanding that attacks on shop staff be treated as a new standalone offence.

New figures reveal a 44 per cent increase in theft, abuse and attacks on staff up to a record 336,270 at Co-op stores alone in 2023.

The company, which runs 2,400 community stores, saw a 37 per cent surge in incidents of anti-social behaviour and verbal abuse, taking the figure to 41,875.

The terrifying footage shows the machete wielding gang robbing a Co-op store. The footage has been released by the Co-op amid the launch of a new campaign demanding that attacks on shop staff be treated as a new standalone offence

The gang of three masked men, clad in black, is seen leaping over a counter wielding the weapons and grabbing packs of cigarettes and vapes. New figures reveal a 44 per cent increase in theft, abuse and attacks on staff up to a record 336,270 at Co-op stores alone in 2023

And there was a 34 per cent rise in physical assaults taking them up to 1,375, which equates to almost four a day.

Scotland already has a law that treats attacks on shop staff as a specific crime with stiff penalties, and MPs are under pressure to extend this to England and Wales.

The Co-op in partnership with experts in criminology say the offence should be central to new efforts to combat what they called a 'tsunami of shop crime'.

The footage of the shop raid detailed an attack on a Co-op in London. Staff were threatened by the machete wielding criminals and there was also a store worker behind the kiosk when the raid began.

Last year, the retailer reported that Police failed to attend in 79 per cent of incidents where a criminal had been detained by store security staff.

The non-attendance rate has improved to 38 per cent under a Retail Crime Action Plan. However, this still means that two-in-five criminals detained by store security staff are walking away.

It is hoped that making attacks on staff as standalone offence will put greater pressure on the police to give shop crime a higher priority.

The Co-op said: 'With an estimated 70 per cent of shop theft committed by frequent users of Class A drugs who are stealing to fund a drug addiction, the crimes they commit become more volatile, desperate, and potentially violent.

'These repeat offenders steal persistently, at volume. Effectively tackling this group of repeat offenders will have a large impact on reducing retail crime, and its pervasive impact on society.'

The managing director of Co-op Food, Matt Hood, said: 'We are seeing far too many prolific offenders persistently steal large volumes of products, in our shops every day, and, if they are stealing to fund addictions, the situation often becomes volatile and dangerous.'

A Co-op store in London (stockimage). The company, which runs 2,400 community stores, saw a 37 per cent surge in incidents of anti-social behaviour and verbal abuse last year

Co-op Food's managing director, Matt Hood. He said: 'We are seeing far too many prolific offenders persistently steal large volumes of products, in our shops every day, and, if they are stealing to fund addictions, the situation often becomes volatile and dangerous'

He is calling on MPs to support an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, which would make attacks on shop staff a crime, that is currently going through Parliament.

Professor of Criminology at City, University of London, Emmeline Taylor, said: 'Retail crime not only impacts on a business's ability to operate safely and profitably but also causes serious harm to shop workers, both physically and mentally, and to communities that are blighted by persistent offending.

'The police in England and Wales have lost grip on the scale and severity of acquisitive crime, and, in turn, retailers have lost confidence in them and the wider criminal justice system.

'By taking decisive action to tackle high-volume, high-impact retail crime, the police and retail industry can work together to create safer communities in which to live, work and shop.'

General Secretary of the shopworkers' union, USDAW, Paddy Lillis, said: 'Retail crime is not victimless and has long been a major flashpoint for violence and abuse against shopworkers.

'Having to deal with repeated and persistent offenders can cause anxiety, fear and in some cases physical harm to retail workers.

'We urge Tory MPs and Ministers to end their long-held opposition to a protection of shopworkers law, which has already exists in Scotland and has led to over 500 convictions.'
Residents in Western Australia are in for more hot weather as a severe to extreme heatwave grips parts of the state, with temperatures set to exceed 40C.

After a mild start to the week, heat will rebuild across much of Australia's west, with temperatures forecast to be five to 15C above average.

Friday and into the weekend, temperatures will continue to build and intensify, with the mercury remaining in the high 30s to low 40s.

Temperatures are set to exceed 40C in Perth and close to 50C in the Gascoyne region.

Meanwhile, on the country's east coast, a mild to warm weekend awaits, with temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to the low 30s in Melbourne and Sydney.

Adelaide will see a hot and sunny weekend, while in Darwin, a wet and warm weekend awaits as showers and maximum temperatures of 31C are forecast for four consecutive days.

Residents in Western Australia are in for more hot weather as a severe to extreme heat wave grips parts of the state

Western Australia

Weatherzone said a high-pressure system located south of Australia will direct hot and dry air towards the west coast over the next few days.

This weather pattern is typical for this time of year and is set to cause a 'prolonged spell of very warm days and nights' over a broad area of Western Australia.

A severe to extreme heatwave warning has been issued over much of the state's coast and adjacent inland, including Perth.

Daytime maximum temperatures in Perth are forecast to reach at least 38C from Thursday until at least next Tuesday - with the mercury reaching a sweltering 41C on Friday and Saturday.

Further north, temperatures are forecasted to be in the high forties, with the Gascoyne Junction set to reach 48C between Sunday and Tuesday - which is not far off its record of 48.8C.

Residents are being urged to stay hydrated, remain indoors where possible and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms of heat-related illnesses.

Temperatures in Perth are set to reach 41C on Friday and Saturday, while the Gascoyne is set for a sweltering almost 50C (pictured, beachgoers at Bondi Beach, Sydney)

South Australia

Adelaide residents will have a dry and hot rest of the week, with temperatures intensifying over the weekend.

Temperatures are forecast to reach a maximum of 29C on Thursday and Friday, 31C to 33C on the weekend before heating up to 36C on Monday.

Residents will have to wait till next Wednesday for a reprieve to the hot weather, with temperatures set to drop to a cooler 23C.

Northern Territory

Severe heatwave conditions should ease over the Northern Territory by Thursday, but temperatures will remain in the low 30s for the rest of the week and into the weekend.

Showers and thunderstorms are on the cards from Thursday, with rainfall totals set to increase daily through mid-next week.

Thursday and Friday are forecast to receive 10mm and 15mm. Over Saturday and Sunday, 50mm of rain is set to hit.

Heavier showers are expected from early to mid next week, with 50mm, 70mm and 60mm of rain set for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

Residents in Adelaide are also set for a hot weekend, with temperatures set to reach between the low 30s before heating up to 36C on Monday

Queensland

The chance of showers is forecast Brisbane from Thursday through to Monday next week.

Temperatures will remain balmy, with maximums ranging between 29C and 31C.

New South Wales

Sydney temperatures will remain steady with maximums reaching the mid 20s from Thursday through to Sunday.

Showers are expected on Saturday, with up to 4mm of rainfall before clearing on Sunday.

Then the mercury is set to heat up, with maximum temperatures reaching 29C on Monday and 31C for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Australian Capital Territory

Canberra has a cooler 24C maximum on Thursday before heating up to 28C on Friday.

Residents can look forward to a pleasant weekend - dry and with temperatures hovering in the mid 20s.

Temperatures will warm up once again from Monday through to Wednesday, with maximums ranging between 29C and 30C.

A milder rest of the week and weekend is forecast for the east coast of Australia. However, temperatures are set to heat up again by early to mid next week

Victoria

Residents in Melbourne will experience a warm rest of the week, with some cloud cover.

Temperatures will fall to 22C on Friday before rising to the low to mid 30s over the weekend.

The mercury will hit a sweltering 35C on Tuesday before drastically dropping more than 10C to a cooler 21C on Wednesday.

Tasmania

A mild rest of the week is forecast for residents in Hobart, with temperatures ranging between 20C and 25C from Thursday through to Sunday.

Temperatures are set to heat up early next week, reaching a hot 28C on Monday and 30C on Tuesday, before dropping to a drastically cooler 19C on Wednesday.
An Australian renter has discovered a tradesman filming inside her apartment while she was not at home, with her 'petcam' recording the footage.

The Queensland woman recently took to the 'Don't rent me' Facebook group to ask for advice on what action to take on the unwanted intrusion.

The tradesman is the partner of her property manager and handles maintenance for the building - but the tenant had no clue why he was filming in her home.

The woman was in the process of moving out and agreed to let the property manager show prospective tenants around while she was at work, but the tradesman apparently stayed after one of the inspections.

'I was at work and not present for the viewing ... Is this allowed? I'm confused as to why he was filming,' the tenant wrote.

A Queensland renter discovered a tradie appeared to film her apartment while she was not there after she checked her 'petcam' footage

Commenters on the post said they were also stumped as to why he would be going about getting footage of the property as there would be time to do a thorough inspection when she moved out.

'This is unacceptable,' one said.

'I'd be emailing those photos and asking for an explanation from the building manager and their partner,' another said.

'I'd also be asking why he was allowed to stay inside the property after the viewing.'

'Totally unlawful,' a third said.

According to Tenants Queensland solicitor Julie Bartlett, depending on the circumstances, it could indeed be illegal.

'Taking photos or filming the tenant's possessions without their consent would be seen as a breach of the tenant's quiet enjoyment by the agent in permitting the filming to occur, and also an offence under the Act,' Ms Bartlett told Yahoo News.

Commenters on social media said it was 'unacceptable' and the tenant should ask for an explanation from the property manager

Ms Bartlett said the tenant would need to give permission for any footage or pictures to be used by the agent or property manager.

'The (pet) camera (is) some good evidence for a possible complaint to the RTA's compliance and enforcement team regarding any offences that might have occurred around unlawful entries, quiet enjoyment or using pictures of the tenant's possessions without consent,' she said.

Any breaches of the law in these areas could result in hefty fines, she added.
Humza Yousafs fractured SNP is continuing to slump amid a series of scandals, two new polls reveal.

The beleaguered First Ministers party appears to be haemorrhaging support.

The most recent poll, carried out last weekend after Nicola Sturgeons appearance at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, put Labour ahead of the SNP in voting intentions for the general election.

Redfield & Wilton Strategies put the two parties neck-and-neck on 35 per cent last month, but it now has Labour down one percentage point on 34 per cent and the SNP down two percentage points on 33 per cent.

The Conservatives are up one point at 18 per cent, with the Lib Dems down one on 8 per cent.

Slump in support: More bad news for beleaguered First Minister Humza Yousaf

It also found Mr Yousafs own approval ratings have collapsed, with a new low of -17 per cent. A separate poll by Ipsos still had the SNP in first place on 39 per cent and Labour second on 32 per cent.

However, support for the SNP has declined since December 2022, when it stood at 51 per cent, while Labour support has increased in four consecutive polls.

Lib Dem MP Christine Jardine said: Its no surprise that the SNP is haemorrhaging support. On everything from the economy to health and education, people dont trust the Nationalists to deliver.

A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: This poll, like others, demonstrates that only the Scottish Conservatives can beat the scandal-ridden, independence-obsessed SNP in swathes of seats.

Labour gaining ground: Emily Gray of Ipsos in Scotland said 'the direction of travel will worry the SNP'

Support for the SNP is 12 points lower than in the 2019 general election, when it secured 45 per cent of the vote and won 48 seats.

Two-thirds of voters cite the economy as the one of the three most important issues for them, while 59 per cent selected the NHS and for 21 per cent it was independence or the Union.

The SNP is also losing out in Holyrood voting intentions, with support down by two points on the constituency vote, to 35 per cent, although on the regional list it gained two points, to 27 per cent.

On the constituency vote, Labour has 33 per cent, the Conservatives 18 per cent, and the Lib Dems 8. On the regional list, Labour is two points ahead of the SNP on 29 percent with the Tories on 16.

Emily Gray, managing director of Ipsos in Scotland, said: The direction of travel will worry the SNP, as Labour has been gaining ground across a range of policy issues, while trust in the SNP has been on the wane.

The Nationalists deputy leader Keith Brown said: The SNP will never take a single vote for granted and will keep delivering for people across Scotland every day by focusing on their priorities.
A notorious Ecuadorian gang leader was busted living in a lavish two-story jail cell that included its own living room and a flat-screen TV.

Los Lobos leader Alvaro 'Palanqueta' Montano enjoyed his stay at the Turi maximum-security prison in the southern city of Azuay by reconfiguring his living quarters with five rooms, living room, kitchen and bathroom.

He slept in the comfort of a queen-sized bed in one of the rooms and kept up with his favorite programming by installing a flat screen television on a wall.

The cell also featured brand new sofas, a dining table with chairs, lamps and the painting of a wolf on one of the walls.

And despite that Christmas had already passed, the feared gang leader was still in a festive mood and kept a fully decorated Christmas tree in a corner.

An Ecuadorian soldier inspects the jail cell of Los Lobos leader Alvaro 'Palanqueta' Montano at the Turi maximum-security prison in the southern city of Azuay. Montano's spent his time in a two-story cell that had five rooms, a living room and kitchen

Alvaro Montano petitioned to serve the remaining time of his sentence under home confinement, arguing that his health was deteriorating due to 'wounds that have resulted from torture and beatings by the uniformed officers'

The shocking discovery was revealed by the Ecuadorian Armed Forces on Wednesday, just five days after Montano and three other Los Lobos leaders were transferred from Turi to the notorious El Litoral penitentiary in Guayaquil, where 119 prisoners were massacred in 2021.

While he and his gang ran amok at Turi prison, Montano submitted an application for habeas corpus on January 22 in hopes of having the remaining time of his jail sentence served under home confinement.

His defense team claimed that his health was deteriorating due to 'wounds that have resulted from torture and beatings by the uniformed officers.'

Montano's prison transfer is part of the Ecuadorian government's crackdown on gangs and 60-day state of emergency that has granted the military permission to carry out operations inside prisons.

Los Lobos leader Alvaro Montano kept his Christmas spirit with a fully adorned artificial tree inside his jail cell, which also featured a flat screen television and a new sofa

Ecuador's military revealed Wednesday the two-story jail cell of Los Lobos leader Alvaro Montano that was reconfigured with five rooms

Los Lobos is the second largest criminal organization in Ecuador and has about 8,000 members.

The gang's influence in the penitentiary system grew, the police estimated, between 2021 and 2023 when its leaders were jailed across 10 prisons.

The group is linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of Mexico's two most powerful drug cartels, and is also involved in human trafficking and illegal mining.

'The main source of income for the Lobos originates from the transfer of cocaine shipments for Colombian and Mexican groups that move the merchandise through Ecuador,' according to organized crime think tank Insight Crime.

Los Choneros, considered the second most powerful criminal structure in the South American country, was sanctioned by the United States Treasury Department on Wednesday.

Alvaro 'Palanqueta' Montano was transferred last Friday to the El Litoral prison in Guayaquil, where 119 prisoners were massacred in a riot between rival gangs in 2021

Handout picture released by the Ecuador's Armed Forces showing Jose 'Fito' Macias, leader of the Los Choneros criminal gang, while being transferred to The Rock maximum-security complex inside the Zonal Penitentiary No 8 in Guayaquil, Ecuador on August 12, 2023. Macias is said to have fled from prison guards who escorted him to a doctor's visit on December 25

Authorities accused the gang of trafficking drug in Ecuador since the 1990s and is blamed for fueling violence in the country since 2020.

Los Choneros, whose leader Alfonso 'Fito' Macias has been missing since January 7, have been also linked to extortion and murder.

The U.S. Treasury department accuses it of controlling Ecuador's crime-plagued and overcrowded prisons.

'Drug trafficking gangs such as Los Choneros, many with ties to powerful drug cartels in Mexico, threaten the lives and livelihoods of communities in Ecuador and throughout the region,' Treasury's Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, said in the statement.
It is a favourite seaside pastime enjoyed by many a beachgoer.

But officials now want to stop people collecting driftwood and pebbles from one picturesque Scottish beach because it is having a detrimental impact on the coastline.

The removal of timber from the shore at Kingston on Spey, Moray, a site of special scientific interest, is thought to be driven by an increase in the number of homes with wood-burning stoves.

But the practice of gathering wood and pebbles is damaging a shingle ridge and could increase the risk of coastal erosion.

A meeting of Moray Councils economic development committee on Tuesday heard there had been significant erosion at Kingston in the past 18 months, which has caused hazardous debris to spill onto the beach.

Burning issue: The removal of timber is driven by the rise in homes with wood-burning stoves

Kingston on Spey, Moray, is a site of special scientific interest

Shona Morrison, SNP councillor for Fochabers Lhanbryde, told the meeting that the displacement of driftwood and timber on the beach had been raised by several of her constituents.

She added: Obviously there has been a surge of households that now have wood-burning stoves.

A lot of the timber and driftwood that had previously been scattered around the beach, perhaps forming some sort of structure within the shingle, has been removed and those areas are pretty much picked clean.

So Im just really wondering from an officers point of view what sort of impact that has on the stability of the shingle and if its a negative consequence then is there anything we could consider doing?

Senior engineer Will Burnish told the meeting that the council had spoken to experts at Scottish Government agency NatureScot and that collecting wood and pebbles was causing a problem.

He said: We believe it is having an impact that is a detrimental impact, removing the driftwood from the beach because it forms an integral part of the site of special scientific interest.

We will be looking as part of this project to do some community engagement with regard to the importance of not removing the driftwood and ensuring it stays in that area, along with not removing the pebbles as well, which we know are being picked up in that area.

Among the problems being caused by coastal erosion is an increased risk of injury from sharp materials from a former concrete works which are being exposed and spilling onto the beach.

It is also causing the sea to creep closer to the council-owned Lein car park and green amenity spaces in the village, which is set behind a tidal lagoon on the River Spey where it meets the Moray Firth.

The Scottish Government is poised to provide 75,600 from its coastal change adaptation fund for a project to install a 20in-high shingle ridge along the edge of the coastline.

The shingle will be sourced from within the site of special scientific interest and the effectiveness of the ridge will be assessed to see whether it could be replicated elsewhere in Scotland.

Demand for wood-burning stoves has increased as households have viewed them as an alternative to central heating as energy prices have soared.

Many residents in rural areas are also not connected to mains gas and rely on solid fuel or oil to heat their homes.
Bosses are fuming at the Albanese government's new 'right to disconnect' rules that will see companies fined if they contact employees out of hours to do unpaid labour.

The provisions have been inserted in the government's 'Closing Loopholes' Bill in order to get the required support from the Greens, and so will be passed by parliament this week, after Senate crossbencher David Pocock also backed the new laws.

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Andrew McKellar called the new laws 'ridiculous' and 'a triumph of stupidity over common sense', arguing that after-hours contact was best left to be decided by employers and employees.

'This is a bit of a thought bubble from the Greens,' Mr McKellar told Sky News host Christ Kenny on Wednesday night.

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Andrew McKellar says the 'right to disconnect' provisions in Labor's new workplace laws 'are ridiculous'

''It's obvious this should be something that is able to be discussed between employers and employees.

'In many enterprise agreements now we are seeing that there are perfectly sensible provisions, arrangements for how these sorts of contact arrangements should be made.

'We've got to get the balance right but clearly there's no need for government to be imposing itself here with legislation with penalties.'

Mr McKellar argued the new provisions would particularly hamper small to medium-sized businesses.

'The world of work is changing. We've seen huge transformation coming out of the pandemic and the response to that,' he said.

'We need to look at, how we're going to innovate in this space. But then to be trying to tie businesses, small businesses, medium-sized businesses in knots, over how they manage these things...'

Perth Lord Mayor and aspiring state Liberal candidate Basil Zempilas also weighed into the debate.

Perth Lord Mayor and aspiring state Liberal candidate Basil Zempilas made it clear he is also not a fan of the new laws

'Is this the way to drive our country forward?,' he tweeted as a comment about the new laws being spruiked by Greens leader Adam Bandt.

'Is this the spirit with which we built our great nation? Is this the attitude which has meant good people can work hard and get ahead? I think not.'

Mr Bandt set out his arguments for the 'right to disconnect' on X (formerly Twitter).

'Your boss shouldnt be able to unreasonably contact you 24/7 if you're not paid for it,' he tweeted.

'We know its bad for stress, health, & relationships - which is why France and over 20 other countries have legislated to protect work-life balance.

'Were about to do the same.

'Australians work an average of 6 weeks unpaid overtime each year, equal to over $92 billion in unpaid wages across the economy. That time is yours. Not your boss's.'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also defended the right to disconnect provisions on Wednesday.

'Someone who isn't being paid 24 hours a day shouldn't be penalised if they're not online and available 24 hours a day,' Mr Albanese said.

While workers currently face being disciplined or fired for ignoring their bosses, the new law will protect their jobs if they are unresponsive outside of working hours.

Under the proposed new laws, employers that demand their workers do unpaid overtime could be fined

Employers that breach the rule will face fines.

Similar laws giving employees a right to switch off their devices are already in place in France, Spain, Ireland and other countries in the European Union.

However, Business Council of Australia chief executive Bran Black argued that in Australia such legislation could cause difficulties for employers with staff working in different time zones.

'This could be devastating for businesses across Australia and cause chaos for Western Australian businesses particularly if employees could only have communication with east coast colleagues in the narrow window between east coast business hours and those in the west,' Mr Black told the Australian Financial Review.

'Imagine if employees in Sydney or Melbourne were banned from emailing an employee in Perth until midday to align with WA time, or if a Perth manager would be breaching the law in providing an update to his or her east coast colleagues after 2pm.'

Employee Matters workplace expert Natasha Hawker claimed there is no groundswell of sentiment among workers for these kind of laws.

'So many Australian workers at the moment are really happy about working from home and they realise that flexibility works both ways. And so therefore, they're quite happy to have that,' Mr Hawker told Sunrise.

Ms Hawker also warned about the extra administration it would force onto businesses due to a 'double up', with legislation already introduced last year forcing every business to survey their employees.

She said if out-of-work hours contact was a problem 'that would come out of the survey if this was an issue and then you would deal with it then and most employers haven't actually done that survey yet', adding that already put employers 'at risk of fines'.

The expert added that since Covid '(the power in the workplace has) changed'.

'We're in the tightest applicant market we've been in for many years,' she said.

'So employees that don't get what they want, actually vote with their feet and they leave and we are still finding it incredibly difficult to recruit at the moment for top talent.'

Because of the tight hiring market, Ms Hawker said businesses that contact employees out of hours too often could find that 'it may work against them in the end'.

Ultimately, she said 'this is just another piece of legislation that they're going to have to get their head around and comply with if it, if it passes'.
Missing Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy was wearing what appears to be an Apple Watch when she went disappeared, sparking hope the device might help detectives locate her.

The missing mum-of-three, 51, vanished on Sunday after leaving her home on Eureka Street, East Ballarat, to go for a run through a forest at 7.16am.

CCTV footage of Ms Murphy, captured on her own security system, shows the keen runner wearing black half-length leggings, a maroon/brown singlet and what appears to be an Apple Watch on her left wrist, while carrying a dog poo bag.

The small potential clue has triggered speculation online.

'She was (thought to be) wearing her Apple Watch which should have pinged for the first 24 hours on any calls/text (battery life) even without her phone,' wrote one person.

CCTV footage of Ms Murphy, captured on her own security system, shows the keen runner wearing black half-length leggings, a purple singlet and what appears to be an Apple Watch on her left hand while carrying a dog poo bag (pictured)

Samantha Murphy left her Ballarat home at 7am on Sunday to go for a run in the nearby Woowookarung Regional Park and did not return home, nor has she been seen since

The search for missing Samantha Murphy (pictured) enters its fifth day on Thursday

Another suggested detectives could use the 'Find My' feature to try to locate her Apple Watch.

If it is marked in 'Lost Mode', then detectives would be notified if it came back online.

While it remains unclear whether she was wearing the watch on her run, the device is capable of sending out an SOS signal if the user's heart rate drops.

Apple Watch SE or Apple Watch Series 4 or later can detect a 'hard fall' and can contact emergency services if the user has enabled the feature.

Pressing and holding the side button can also call emergency services on some models.

The speculation comes as the family of Ms Murphy hit back at cruel trolls running a whispering campaign against her husband, Michael.

'For those questioning Samantha's husband, you need not worry,' the family said in a statement released to the Facebook group set up to help in the hunt.

'He is in more pain than anyone and would be the last person to suspect in any of this.'

The family said they were keen to stamp out the attacks on Ms Murphy's husband and also wanted to set the record straight on other claims circulating online.

Michael Murphy, the husband of missing mum Samantha Murphy, drove to the crime scene in Ballarat East at about 1.45pm on Wednesday. He appeared visible shocked speaking to officers

Victoria Police on Wednesday night confirmed the search would wind down at nightfall but resume at first light on Thursday morning (pictured, SES personnel search a property)

READ MORE: Missing mum Samantha Murphy's family break their silence over her disappearance and address 'malicious' rumours about her husband - as desperate search enters fifth day Ms Murphy's family has angrily lashed out at those implicating her husband Michael (pictured at the scene on Wednesday) as the search for the mother-of-three drags into its fifth day Advertisement

'I've been seeing some misinformation been spread on all platforms that I want to inform people about,' the statement added.

'Samantha's phone pinging that far away from home is not usual.

'Yes, she walked in different directions, but she kept to the paths, never went for more than 10km total roughly and would let family know if she was walking further.'

On Wednesday, Mr Murphy explained why he has remained mostly tight-lipped about his wife's mysterious disappearance.

'I've been speaking with the police and I've been advised not to say anything,' Mr Murphy told the Herald Sun.

The panel beater said he was doing 'ok' and wasn't worried about the commentary surrounding the search because he doesn't 'even look online'.

Earlier, he visited the bush area at Woowookarung Regional Park at about 1.45pm and spoke briefly to police officers through a car window.

Mr Murphy appeared visibly stunned and was turned away.

It's not suggested Mr Murphy played any role in his wife's disappearance, only that he came to see what authorities had found.

Earlier on Wednesday, items discovered during a search were found not to be relevant to Ms Murphy's disappearance in a heartbreaking update.

The search for the mum-of-three was rocked after possible evidence was found near a walking trail at about 12.30pm - giving her family hope that police were closing in on her whereabouts.

Officers were seen looking closely at a plastic tree guard before a section of bushland was cordoned off after items were located in shrubs.

However, detectives now believe the evidence is not relevant to the search.

'Items located today during the search for Samantha have been assessed and at this time are not believed to be related to her whereabouts,' a police spokesperson said.

New CCTV vision shows Ms Murphy leaving her Ballarat property at 7am on Sunday

A signboard for spontaneous volunteers outlining search areas for Ms Murphy is seen displayed in the Buningyong Police station on Wednesday

SES personnel are seen searching farmland in Ballarat as the search entered its fourth day

Police haven't ruled out the possibility that Ms Murphy left one of the routes, some of which are surrounded by hundreds of deep mine shafts dating back to the Gold Rush, and fringed by dense bushland.

It comes as the large-scale search expanded to a fresh section of Ballarat on Mount Helen, a southern suburb of the city fringed by bushland popular with runners and cyclists.

Meanwhile, Ms Murphy's teenage daughter has hit back at 'malicious' comments surrounding her mother's disappearance on Facebook.

'You have no idea what you are talking about,' she wrote.

'Be quiet and think before you post.'

A friend also leapt to the defence of the Murphy family, saying she was defending them against 'trolls' posting 'malicious' comments.

Exclusive photos captured Mr Murphy speaking to a police officer at the boundary of the search area, where he was turned away

Mr Murphy owns a smash repairs business with his wife, who works in admin.

Daily Mail Australia has been told media who approached the Ballarat East business on Tuesday were given a frosty reception.

Ms Murphy was known to be fit and run almost daily in the state forest.

Temperatures soared to a scorching 36C on Sunday and it's unknown whether Ms Murphy had food or water with her.

Ms Murphy is described as Caucasian, about 173cm tall, with a slim build and shoulder-length blonde hair.
President Joe Biden called Donald Trump an 'existential threat' who will 'try to undo everything we've done' as he courted wealthy donors for his re-election bid.

Speaking to supporters in New York City, the president blamed Trump for the Republican chaos on Capitol Hill after GOP lawmakers killed a deal on border security and tanked an effort to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Republicans are 'walking away because they've got Donald Trump calling and threatening them,' Biden said on Wednesday afternoon.

'There is one existential threat: it's Donald Trump,' he added. 'He'll try to undo everything we've done. Make no mistake.'

President Joe Biden arrives in New York City to participate in three fundraisers for his re-election campaign

He then asked for their support: 'We can't let that happen.'

Biden was in New York City to attend a trio of fundraisers for his re-election campaign.

His comments came as the bipartisan border security bill officially fell apart in the Senate after conservative Republicans trashed the long-negotiated compromise legislation.

They argue the bill didn't go far enough to secure the border. Trump, who is Biden's likely competition in November's election, had been lobbying against it, calling it a 'death wish' for the Republican Party.

Both sides are trying to turn the issue into election year fodder.

Biden originally supported the bill to try and take the border issue off the table as he gears up for the 2024 general election. But Trump wanted to keep the issue alive so he can hammer Biden on it.

But now Biden is hammering the former president and his Republicans on their failure to support the legislation that was negotiated with the guidance of GOP leaders.

Republicans' efforts to use the border against Biden are rapidly turning into a farce and the president is moving to hit the GOP on an issue that has dogged his administration since day one.

On Tuesday, Biden said congressional Republicans were 'caving' to Trump on the issue and urged them to 'show some spine' by backing a border security deal.

With a record number of migrants crossing the border, Biden has struggled to deal with the issue. Even some of his Democrats were pushing him to do more.

But now Republicans have handed him a way to flip the switch.

'I'll be taking this issue to the country, and the voters are going to know that it's not just a moment  just at the moment we were going to secure the border and fund these other programs, Trump and the MAGA Republicans said no because they're afraid of Donald Trump,' Biden said Tuesday at the White House.

'Every day between now and November,' he added, 'the American people are going to know that the only reason the border is not secure is Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican friends.'

Donald Trump called the border compromise deal a 'death wish' for the Republican Party

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in the Capitol on Wednesday as his party's chaos ended up tanking a border bill

The $118 billion deal, backed by the White House, included $14 billion in aid to Israel, $60 billion to Ukraine and also $20 billion for securing the southern border amid a massive increase in illegal migration.

Shortly after it was released, many Republicans promptly rejected it, making it the victim of election-year politics.

Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson attempted a stand-alone vote on $17 billion in aide to Israel but it failed on the House floor after Democrats joined hardline Republicans to tank the measure.

And, only minutes before, Republicans tanked a vote on articles of impeachment for Secretary Mayorkas, dealing Johnson an embarrassing blow.

After weeks of buildup a resolution to impeach Mayorkas failed Tuesday night when Democrats pulled off an upset by wheeling in Texas Democrat Al Green, who had just had surgery.

The move seemingly caught Republicans by surprise.

'Their floor director was literally telling our floor director that Al was not going to be here,' Republican Whip Tom Emmer told DailyMail.com.

Republicans were then down one vote - with Majority Leader Steve Scalise out to recover from cancer treatment - and the resolution failed.

Biden seem flabbergasted by the House Republicans.

'Never thought I'd see something like I'm seeing now,' he told donors on Wednesday.
Oklahoma state Senator Dusty Deevers filed Senate Bill 1729, also known as the Abolition of Abortion Act

An Oklahoma senator has put forward a bill that would charge women who get an abortion with murder.

Rookie state senator Dusty Deevers (R-Elgin) filed Senate Bill 1729, also known as the Abolition of Abortion. The state already has one of the strictest abortion bans in the country, only allowing the procedure in cases where the life of the mother is at risk.

'It's very simple. It seeks to take the exception for prenatal homicide, which is abortion, out of the homicide code and make it give equal protection under the law to all lives from the moment of conception to natural death,' Deevers, who is a Baptist pastor, told Oklahoma News 4.

The bill would punish most instances of abortion including in cases of rape and incest. The only exception would be if an abortion would save the life of the mother.

Deevers' proposals come just weeks after he filed another bill seeking to ban sending nude pictures outside of marriage.

Rookie state senator Dusty Deevers (R-Elgin) filed Senate Bill 1729, also known as the Abolition of Abortion, that would see women who get an abortion charged with murder

'It's very simple. It seeks to take the exception for prenatal homicide, which is abortion, out of the homicide code and make it give equal protection under the law to all lives from the moment of conception to natural death,' Deevers, who is a Baptist pastor, said

The only exception would be if an abortion would save the life of the mother

Deevers argues in his newest bill that abortion does not constitute health care.

Last year, the state's Attorney General issued an opinion stating that women could not be punished for seeking an abortion and that doctors should be given 'significant leeway'.

Abortion providers stopped performing the procedure in Oklahoma in May 2022 after Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the abortion ban into law.

About a month later, the U.S. Supreme Court stripped away womens constitutional protections for abortion, which led to abortion bans in more than 20 states.

The number of abortions performed in Oklahoma immediately dropped dramatically, falling from about 4,145 in 2021 to 898 in 2022, according to statistics from the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

In at least 66 cases in 2022, the abortion was necessary to avert the death of the mother, the statistics show.

'We want people to get the care they need. But when we create these very limited and dangerous bills, with these limited exceptions, we know that has a true impact on just health care in general and pregnancy outcomes,' the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma Executive Director and Chair for the Oklahoma Call for Reproductive Rights, Tamaya Cox-Toure, told News 4.

Representative Mickey Dollens, D-OKC, added: 'If life and death isn't a health care issue, then what is? When we have doctors who are telling patients to go into the parking lot and wait until you bleed more so we can confidently say that you're close enough to death to save your life  is that not a health care issue?'

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt speaks after signing into law a bill making it a felony to perform an abortion, punishable by up to 10 years in prison

After the Oklahoma abortion ban went into place, the number of abortions performed in Oklahoma immediately dropped dramatically, falling from about 4,145 in 2021 to 898 in 2022

Last month, Deevers made headlines when he proposed a selfie ban unless the couple is married.

Deevers wrote the law, which would make viewing 'obscene materials' a felony.

It would ban watching or producing sexual content that 'lacks serious literary, artistic, educational, political, or scientific purposes or value.' His suggested law would restrict the distribution and production of 'unlawful porn' and enforcement would be possible through criminal prosecution and private lawsuits.

The law also reads that any 'lewd exhibition of the uncovered genitals, buttocks, or, if such person is female, the breast, for the purpose of sexual stimulation of the viewer.'

It defines 'obscene material' as the illustration or description of 'acts of sexual intercourse' and this includes 'normal or perverted, actual or simulated.'

Anything that depicts sodomy and masturbation would be prohibited as well as movies, videos, games and messages which show 'sadomasochistic abuse' and 'acts of excretion in a sexual context.'

Married couples are exempt from the ban proposed in the bill if they only share content they created with each other.

The ban would prohibit hardcore pornography but the definition is so broad it could include relatively tame photos and videos.

It could include erotic drawings, strip clubs, burlesque and drag.

Anyone who violates the bill surrounding obscene materials or unlawful pornography will be charged with a misdemeanor and faces up to a year in prison and a $2,000 fine.

It would also allow anyone who produces or promotes the content to be sued by any resident in the state for up to $10,000.

The buying, viewing and possessing offense would be a felony that is punishable by up to 20 years in prison or a fine of up to $25,000.
The deadly Pineapple Express storm in California has caused a shocking eight million gallons of raw sewage to spill on to Los Angeles streets and triggered more than 500 mudslides.

Heavy rain has battered the state with half of the rainfall typically seen in a year falling over several days.

The atmospheric river  a weather pattern made from plumes of moisture that can produce torrential amounts of rain- has killed at least nine people, washed away dozens of homes and led to an enormous sewage spill in Los Angeles County.

Health officials have warned residents in the area to stay away from coastal waters as eight million gallons of sewage spilled into the Dominguez Channel. Raw sewage can lead to a host of diseases including Hepatitis A, E. Coli and dysentery.

Sanitation crews in the area have struggled to contain the sewage, which has flowed down major streets and into storm drainage systems.

The deadly Pineapple Express storm in California has caused a shocking eight million gallons of raw sewage to spill on to Los Angeles streets and triggered more than 500 mudslides

Heavy rain has battered the state with half of the rainfall typically seen in a year falling over several days

The atmospheric river  a weather pattern made from plumes of moisture that can produce torrential amounts of rain- has killed at least nine people, washed away dozens of homes and led to an enormous sewage spill in Los Angeles county

A major sewage spill happened in Rancho Dominguez, which is 10 miles north of Long Beach, on Monday and spewed millions of gallons of waste out of manholes.

'The problem has been an extremely unusual amount of rainwater leaking into the county sewer system causing more flow than some sewer pipelines can handle,' LA County Sanitation District spokesman Bryan Langpap told the Los Angeles Times.

Just a day later, more sewage escaped manholes around 20 miles downtown of Los Angeles and the solid waste went into the Dominguez Channel and Compton Creek.

A warning was then sent out by public health officials for people to avoid beaches in the area.

Around seven million Americans become ill from exposure to raw sewage every single year and seven percent of cases are fatal or severe.

Waste can lead to a host of diseases as it can carry viruses, bacteria and parasites.

The water close to Cabrillo Beach is being tested for bacteria that can survive in saltwater for up to three days and can cause diarrhea and other health issues.

'Water contact during a rain advisory may cause illness, especially in children, the elderly and susceptible people,' public health officials said.

'Bacteria levels may take 72 hours or more to return to normal after heavy rainfall.

'At all times, beach users are cautioned to avoid water contact near flowing creeks and storm drains.'

On Wednesday afternoon, around 2.5 million people in Los Angeles, including Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills, were still under a flash flood warning.

Health officials have warned residents in the area to stay away from coastal waters as eight million gallons of sewage spilled into the Dominguez Channel

Sanitation crews near the Dominguez Channel have struggled to contain the sewage, which has flowed down major streets and into storm drainage systems

On Wednesday afternoon, around 2.5 million people in Los Angeles, including Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills, were still under a flash flood warning

The storm, fueled by the second of back-to-back atmospheric rivers to hit California in days, came ashore last weekend in the state's north before it moved down the coast and parked itself over the south for days.

It has turned roads into rivers, causing hundreds of landslides and killing at least nine people.

The storm dumped more than a foot of rain in some areas, making it one of the wettest periods on record for Southern California.

One final drenching was expected Wednesday before the system gave way to fair weather for most of the state by the weekend. But even after the rain, authorities warned of the ongoing threat of collapsing hillsides.

After all of the rain and snow of the past week, it wouldnt take much for more water, mud and boulders to sluice down fragile hillsides, experts said.

There have been at least 520 mudslides in Los Angeles alone.

The system dumped heavy rain and mountain snow in San Diego County overnight before giving way to scattered showers. Winter storm warnings and advisories continued in Southern California mountains and to the north in the Sierra Nevada.

It has turned roads into rivers, causing hundreds of landslides and killing at least nine people

The storm dumped more than a foot of rain in some areas, making it one of the wettest periods on record for the Southern California

Around 430 trees fell in Los Angeles alone, the city said, and work crews have struggled to deal with the storm's aftermath

There have been at least 520 mudslides in Los Angeles alone

Around 430 trees fell in Los Angeles alone, the city said, and work crews have struggled to deal with the storm's aftermath.

Electrical outages on Wednesday had been substantially reduced from their peak levels, but there were still more than 71,000 customers without power, mostly in northern and central parts of the state, according to Poweroutage.us.

People were urged to avoid touching downed lines and to steer clear of roads that are at-risk of flooding and mud. During the storm, at least 50 stranded motorists in Los Angeles were rescued from fast-moving swollen creeks, rivers, roads and storm channels, fire officials said.

Four of the nine people killed by the storm were hit by falling trees or limbs, according to Brian Ferguson, a spokesperson for the Governors Office of Emergency Services.

Another died when power failed and she lost her oxygen supply, one drowned in the Tijuana River near the U.S.-Mexico border and three died in vehicle crashes, he said.

Atmospheric rivers also pummeled the state last year and caused at least 20 deaths.
The first female mayor of a tiny Illinois village slammed her critics at a public meeting after she caused outrage by taking a $300,000 salary.

Glamorous Tiffany Henyard was elected leader of Dolton, a village of 20,000, in 2021, but has since come under fire for what many see as her excessive spending.

'You all should be ashamed of yourselves because you all are black. You all are black! And you all sitting up here beating and attacking a black woman that's in power,' she said at a Monday meeting trying to point to her status as the first female mayor. 'You all should be ashamed of yourselves.

She regularly engages the services of a professional hair and makeup team and stylist before public appearances and photo shoots for the county's taxpayer-funded billboards, with more recent reporting showing she's spent tens of thousands on multiple first-class trips around the country.

Glamorous Tiffany Henyard was elected leader of Dolton, a village of 20,000, in 2021, but has since come under fire for what many see as her excessive spending

Henyard also tried to lay down the law against village trustees who say she's misusing funds.

'You all forget I'm the leader. They want to hear from the mayor. You all ain't learned that yet,' she said. 'The mayor, not the trustees that don't do nothing. They only run their mouth. You all don't do no work, no work!'

Since the initial reporting on Henyard's spending, it's been revealed she and other officials spent more than $67,000 on trips to Portland, Austin, Atlanta and New York City on the village's dime, according to WGN.

Many of the flights were first-class, while Henyard's team spent $13,000 in public money staying in New York.

Things have gotten worse for Henyard in the past few weeks, as budget cuts were blamed for water main breaks and a mass shooting took place in the village last week.

'It's unfortunate that politics are being played. What's happened is a million dollars out of my budget have been cut because of politics,' Dolton Police Chief Lewis Lacey said.

Henyard doesn't understand the criticism, as she believes she's working to better everyone's lives.

'Everything we do is for the people. But we're under attack. We get scrutinized by the media,' she said. 'For what? Loving on the people? Showing that they matter to us? We going through the fires for you all.'

At a public meeting Monday night, Henyard attempted to shame the trustees by pointing out her status as the first female mayor of the village and as a black woman

Dolton is a village in Illinois of just around 20,000 people

The village board says the problem is a matter of trust, with citizens and trustees being unable to vet her spending.

'At the end of the day, vendors aren't being paid. The board approved it, but vendors aren't being paid,' Dolton trustee Jason House said.

Fellow trustee Brittney Norwood added: 'How about you be a good leader and bring [proposals] to the forefront so not just us, but residents and everyone else in America know how the money is being spent.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Mayor Henyard for comment.

Henyard is always snapped in tasteful, expensive looking outfits. She has posted photos of herself getting out of chauffeur driven SUVS, with one Instagram post even appearing to show her with a dog laden with jewelry.

Henyard, who often refers to herself as 'God's favorite', has now sparked further outrage by proposing a new law that would cap the next mayor's salary at $25,000, unless she remains in the role, Fox 32 reports.

Many believe the proposal, which has been branded 'illegal' is an attempt to dissuade anyone from running against her in the 2025 race. Now trustees in her town have filed a lawsuit against her alleging forgery and claiming she withheld financial records.

Henyard has been slammed for 'living like a royal' with extravagant spending. She earns $300,000-a-year but is seeking to lower her successor's salary to $25,000 in what critics claim is a bit to dissuade anyone from running against her

Henyard is pictured stepping out of a chauffeured SUV in one of her stylish outfits. She's been blasted for spending taxpayer cash on security, as well as professional hair and makeup artists

In one photo posted to Instagram, Henyard even appeared to pose with a dog laden with jewelry

The scandal is just the latest to hit the beleaguered mayor, after she was slammed for hiring her former campaign worker as the town's code enforcement officer despite the fact he is a convicted child rapist.

She also raised eyebrows after spending hundreds of thousands of tax dollars of security details, including one for an event with senior citizens and another occasion where she pulled cops off the street to perform a protection outfit.

Questions have emerged over how she funds her apparently lavish lifestyle, especially since she has repeatedly swerved questions and dismissed criticism by branding trustees for the township as 'haters' in TikTok videos.

Dolton trustees say she has not explained the need for her eye-watering security budget. They also claim she issued checks without proper authorization.

'I see no justification whatsoever. And more than that it's really a detriment to the citizens of Dolton,' trustee Jason House told Fox 32.

'If we were to take the same money and put it on officers patrolling the streets, then the residents will see a much better presence and public safety will be better.'

Heynard, a Democrat, was sworn in as mayor in May, becoming the first woman and the youngest person to occupy that post in Dolton's 128-year history.

Henyard uses professional stylists as well and hair and makeup teams prior to events but is not forthcoming about how they are funded

Heynard, the first female and youngest mayor of Dolton, Illinois, is under fire for hiring her former campaign worker Lavelle Redmond (pictured together, left) as a code enforcement officer. The 46-year-old is a registered child sex offender

After a recall bid failed, Henyard posted this defiant image on Instagram declaring she 'forever will be Dolton's mayor'

A year after her election, Dolton residents triggered a recall process largely due to her hiring of convicted sex offender Lavelle Redmond into a role that would require him to enter people's homes.

According to reporting at the time, the then-16-year-old Redmond and three others kidnapped and sexually assaulted two girls, ages 13 and 14.

At age 17, Redmond was sentenced to 50 years in prison but was paroled in 2016 and required to register as a sex offender. At the time Henyard defended the move, stating that convicts who have served time deserve a second chance.

However, the recall failed on a technicality and Henyard remained in post, turning up to the next board meeting blasting a disco song and dancing on the podium.

Following the verdict, she also posted a defiant picture on Instagram proclaiming herself the 'People's Mayor' with the caption, 'I am and forever will be Dolton's Mayor.'

The post is one of hundreds on the politicians profile that feature glamorous headshots of her promoting various town events and holidays.

She also features heavily on professional stylist Brandon K Momom's account, sporting various ensembles handpicked for her public appearances.

Visitors to Henyard's website are greeted by a huge selfie and encouraged to offer donations.

Her antics have earned comparisons to the show Parks and Recreation, a comedy which pokes fun at local government employees.
An international airline has immediately cancelled one route and will start rolling back another out of Adelaide Airport.

Batik Air Malaysia announced it would be stopping all flights between Adelaide and Kuala Lumpur from Thursday while also reducing the amount of weekly flights between the South Australian capital and Bali from four to two.

Batik Air Malaysia's non-stop service between Kuala Lumpur and Adelaide had only been operating since July.

The airline's last flight from the Malaysian capital to Adelaide landed on Wednesday, to the dismay of customers who relied on the route.

An Adelaide Airport spokesperson confirmed Batik was suspending the flightpath because of 'ongoing operational constraints'.

It comes just days after the city celebrated the return of daily flights to Dubai with Emirates from October 28, a return to pre-Covid flight frequencies.

Batik Air Malaysia have announced it will suspend all flights between Adelaide and Kuala Lumpur, blaming 'ongoing operational costs' (pictured, Batik Air Malaysia aircraft)

An Adelaide Airport spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that it will 'continue discussions with Batik Air Malaysia with a view to reinstating the service'.

'Adelaide travellers can still travel direct between Adelaide and Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines  currently operating five services a week,' the spokesperson said.

Landing in Adelaide on a flight with Batik Air Malaysia, Matthew Conahan said he was frustrated with the airline for cancelling the route between the city and Kuala Lumpur.

'It is annoying, but we're in a small city I guess,' Mr Conahan told The Advertiser.

'I was surprised to see this many people coming to Adelaide when I was at Kuala Lumpur, I thought the plane would be nearly empty, but it was pretty packed.'

Batik also confirmed it will be rolling back flights between Adelaide and Bali.

'(It's) common to lessen the number of flights to Indonesia this time of year despite knowing that 200,000 South Australians travelled there last year,' a statement from the airline reads.

The airline will also reduce the amount of flights between Bali and Adelaide Airport (pictured) from four to two per week

While South Australians will find it harder to fly to Malaysia and Indonesia, they will be able to fly to and from Dubai daily with Emirates later this year.

The move is expected to bring $160million in tourism to the state while also creating more than 315 full-time jobs in the industry.

Adelaide Airport's Managing Director, Brenton Cox, said they are 'grateful' for Emirates' return to the airport to connect South Australians with other international destinations.

'Were delighted that Emirates will immediately return to daily services... which is a real sign of confidence in the Adelaide market,' Mr Cox said in a statement.

South Australian Premier, Peter Malinauskas, said the returning daily flights had been a 'key priority for the state government'.

'Emirates once again flying daily direct into Adelaide will further drive South Australias economic growth,' he said.
The 'Venezuelan migrant shoplifter' a vigilante group tackled in Times Square during a live TV interview was actually an American from the Bronx.

Failed New York City mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa was speaking to Sean Hannity on Fox News with his 'Guardian Angels' on Tuesday when his men rushed off.

'Our guys have just taken down one of the migrant guys right here on the corner of 42nd and 7th while all this is taking place,' he said, alone on the screen at 9.30pm.

Hannity asked for the camera to be aimed at the action, and it panned to see the Guardian Angels shoving and then tackling a man to the ground.

However, the NYPD said the man was neither a migrant nor a shoplifter, and was charged with disorderly conduct for trying to disrupt the interview.

Failed New York City mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa was speaking to Sean Hannity on Fox News with his 'Guardian Angels' when his men suddenly rushed off

Instead, he was a 23-year-old American citizen who moved to the US when he was 10, and lives in the Bronx.

'Police responded to a 911 call of a disorderly male... upon arrival officers observed a male being detained by bystanders,' the NYPD told DailyMail.com.

'Officers were informed that the male had repeatedly attempted to interfere with and disrupt a live television interview. The male was issued a summons for disorderly conduct.'

Police did not say whether any of the Guardian Angels were arrested for roughing up the man, among the three-dozen arrests around Times Square that night.

Silwa later claimed the man was tackled because he hit a female member of his group in the face, but provided no evidence.

'There's like three guys rumbling with people in the crowd. But then they come up to the location of the broadcast as the broadcast is going on,' he told NBC.

'Then the one guy socks a female Guardian Angel. Everyone who is behind me now goes rushing toward the location and they take down the person who hit the Guardian Angel.'

He said he claimed on camera the man was a shoplifter based solely on other people in the crowd said, and because he supposedly had a backpack with 'baby clothes with tags on them' inside.

Hannity asked for the camera to be aimed at the action, and it panned to see the Guardian Angels shoving then tackling a man to the ground

Sliwa later in the Fox News broadcast claimed the man was seen shoplifting, and they roughly threw him to the ground when he 'resisted'.

'The Guardian Angels spotted him, stopped him, he resisted, and let's just say we gave him a little pain compliance,' he said.

'His mother back in Venezuela felt the vibrations. He's sucking concrete, the cops scraped him off the asphalt, he's on his way to jail, but they'll cut him loose.'

'We gotta take 42nd Street back. These illegals think they own this street, they think they rule the night. This is our country, if they can't abide by the rules, then we're gonna kick 'em back from where they came.'

Sliwa complained the NYPD were taking a 'hands off' approach to crime, and, despite not being law enforcement officers, they would make migrants 'pay'.

'You shoplift, you commit crime, you assault people, you don't belong in our country and we're gonna make sure you pay a price for that,' he said.

'We gotta fight for what we know is right and you saw a little bit of this. They got a little bit of taste of what the Guardian Angels are gonna do to liberate Times Square from them.'

Sliwa was recently on the wrong side of the law himself, arrested at an anti-immigration rally outside Mayor Eric Adams' office last August.

His group was involved in a brawl between protesters and counter-protesters, and crossed police barriers after being warned not to do so.

Police officers were attacked when they tried to disperse a disorderly group in front of 220 West 42 Street about 8.30pm on January 27

JHoan Boada is released from Manhattan Criminal Court after he was arraigned for allegedly beating up two cops in Times Square with a group of others

A week earlier, he was arrested during another anti-immigration protest outside a new asylum-seeker shelter.

Sliwa, in 1992, admitted he faked at least six crimes that his group supposedly foiled, including a mugging, to gain publicity.

The NYC landmark was the site of other ugly scenes in recent months, sometimes involving confirmed migrants.

Police officers were attacked when they tried to disperse a disorderly group in front of 220 West 42 Street around 8.30pm on January 27.

According to the NYPD, the migrants then started to attack them, kicking them in the head and body while the two officers tried to pin down one of the men, tearing off his sweatshirt.

The migrants then ran away, leaving the police officers on the ground while they made their getaway east on 42nd Street toward Seventh Avenue.

Darwin Andres Gomez Izquiel, 19, Kelvin Servita Arocha, 19, Wilson Juarez, 21, Yorman Reveron, 24, Jhoan Boada, 22, and Yohenry Brito, 24, were all later arrested.

They were charged with assault on a police officer, gang assault, obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct but were released without bail.

The moment a migrant on a moped dragged a woman along a New York City street to steal her phone was caught in horrifying footage shared by police

The same group has also been connected to a migrant crime spree that targeted more than 60 women and stealing their phones. One of the thefts involved a woman being dragged by a moped as suspects grabbed her phone.

Seven migrants were arrested by the NYPD after they allegedly went on a crime spree that saw them stealing wallets and phones from at least 62 women across the city's five boroughs.

Police arrested at least seven migrants, all believed to be from Venezuela, in a safe house in the Bronx after executing a search warrant.

Police believe the gang is led by Venezuelan ringleader Victor Parra, 30, who had a tech guy hack the phones, use the devices to make fraudulent purchases and clear out victim's bank accounts before sending them to Colombia.

'Like you saw with yesterday's [robbery ring bust]  where the proceeds are being shipped to Miami, Houston and eventually Colombia  they're a little more sophisticated in that they're hacking into the phones, stealing people's banking records,' NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.

Kenny added the gangs were able to gain access to people's Venmo, Zelle and other money transfer accounts before making purchases, transfer money to other accounts or withdraw cash.

Once the accounts are wiped clean, they then ship the phones overseas and sell them, Kenny said.
An alleged Russian spy met with Prince Charles and Prince William after working for MI6 having been granted asylum in the UK by lying that he was fleeing the Taliban in Afghanistan, reports claimed last night.

The alleged spy  who also claims to have worked for the Foreign Office, the Ministry of Defence and GCHQ  is said to have gained access to 'top secret' documents.

He obtained both Russian and British citizenship and worked under prime ministers Gordon Brown and David Cameron, a court heard.

He also met Prince Charles and Prince William when he made visits to Afghanistan while working for the Foreign Office in the late 2000s.

After the refugee, identified only as C2, arrived in the UK in 2000 the Home Office granted him the right to remain after he suggested he fled Afghanistan directly from the Taliban.

The alleged spy  who also claims to have worked for the Foreign Office, the Ministry of Defence and GCHQ  is said to have gained access to 'top secret' documents (Pictured: Aerial view of GCHQ)

The refugee, identified as C2, met Prince Charles and Prince William when he made visits to Afghanistan while working for the Foreign Office in the late 2000s

But he is accused of claiming asylum under false pretences, as he previously lived in Russia for six years, the Times reported.

In 2019 he was stripped of his British citizenship and kicked out of the country because MI5 believed he was an agent for the GRU, the Russian military intelligence agency.

British officials argue that he is a risk to national security if he is let back into Britain.

At a Special Immigration Appeals Commission hearing C2 has admitted lying in his asylum application but vehemently denied any accusations of spying and posing a threat to national security.

C2 admitted in court on Tuesday he exchanged naked pictures of women to Russian military officials before passing them cash bribes, as well as copies of his ID card which he said was not confidential.

MI5 later told him were working for GRU.

Addressing C2, Mr Justice Jay said: 'I think it is being suggested to you that you would have to be pretty naive to think that someone like him [one of the GRU assets] was not a Russian military agent.'

His barrister Robert Palmer KC emphasised his 'track record of loyalty to the UK'.

C2 had lived in Russia since 1994 having paid a people smuggler to get him into the country from Afghanistan after the Soviet-backed government fell two years earlier.

Over the next six years he learnt to speak Russian and married a Russian citizen.

In 2000 a smuggler bought him a Caribbean holiday package and gave him a fake Russian passport which he used to transit through London Heathrow.

In 2019 he was stripped of his British citizenship and kicked out of the country because MI5 believed he was an agent for the GRU, the Russian military intelligence agency.

He obtained both Russian and British citizenship and worked under prime ministers Gordon Brown (right) and David Cameron (left)

But whilst at the airport he went to Border Force officials and claimed asylum where he lied that he was fleeing from the Taliban.

C2 was given exceptional leave to stay in the UK and after working as a self-employed interpreter for the police, courts and Home Office, he landed a job at GCHQ, the court was told.

He moved back to Afghanistan in the late 2000s while working for the Foreign Office which is where he met royalty and politicians - including the then Prince Charles and heir to the throne Prince William.

C2 claims while there the Pakistani intelligence services, ISI, tried to hire him and were 'fishing for information' to 'find out what weapons we used'.

He stayed and carried on working in the country when his employment ended at the Foreign Office, where he is said to have come into close contact with Russian officials and visited Russia six times.
When it comes to the art of living beautifully, no nation has mastered it quite so well as the Italians.

So much so that it seems two-thirds of adults in Britain want to 'be more Italian' in their approach to life.

A poll of 2,000 adults found that 67 per cent are keen to adopt aspects of 'la dolce vita', or the sweet life.

According to the survey, 44 per cent want to emulate the way Italians take time to enjoy food.

Almost half, 49 per cent, would like to eat more fresh, local produce, while 31 per cent would like to spend more time in the countryside.

A poll of 2,000 adults found that 67 per cent are keen to adopt aspects of 'la dolce vita', or the sweet life (Stock Photo)

Almost half, 49 per cent, would like to eat more fresh, local produce and 44 per cent want to emulate the way Italians take time to enjoy food (Stock Photo)

Some 26 per cent want to take the same pride in their cultural heritage as Italians do, 33 per cent would like to spend more time with family, and 16 per cent would like to have the same passion for style.

The research was conducted for Italian car giant Fiat, whose Giuseppe Cava said: 'We are slightly biased but we certainly wouldn't dispute the findings.'
The migrants arrested at an Arizona bus stop are not the men accused of fleeing New York City after being charged in the Times Square police attack, authorities said.

Four men arrested in Arizona by Immigration and Customs Enforcement do not match the identities of the people involved in the Times Square attack, three senior law enforcement officials told NBC News.

That is after federal officials previously identified the arrested men as being suspects who fled the city in the wake of the heinous attack.

'The four individuals they took into custody were not affiliated with the New York City investigation,' a spokesperson for the Manhattan district attorney's office said.

'To date, we have not received any indication from federal authorities that they have detained anyone related to our case.'

Police sources previously said four of the migrants charged in the Times Square attack - Darwin Andres Gomez, 19; Kelvin Servita Arocha, 19; Wilson Juarez, 21, and Yorman Reveron, 24 - may have fled the city after using fake names to obtain tickets from a charity that helps migrants.

The migrants arrested (pictured) in Arizona on Tuesday do not match the identities of the people involved in the Times Square attack, sources said

Police sources previously said that four of the migrants charged in the Times Square attack may have fled the city after using fake names to obtain tickets from a charity that helps migrants

In total, six people have been arrested in connection to the vicious attack on NYPD officers in Times Square on January 27, and police said as many as 14 people were involved.

Venezuelan national Yohenry Brito, 24, was arraigned in Manhattan criminal court on Thursday and is the only one of the suspects being held on bail at Rikers Island.

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.'

Brito was already known to police over a series of past offenses, including charges of petty larceny for stealing $275 worth of goods from Bergdorf Goodman in October and $139 of clothing from Macy's.

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office said the $15,000 cash bail or a $50,000 bond was warranted for him alone, because Brito had been positively identified in video of the attack through a 'distinct tattoo.'

The sixth suspect charged, Jhoan Boada, 22, is thought to have remained in New York City.

Boada was photographed sticking his middle finger up at the press waiting outside court after his release.

Darwin Andres Gomez (left) and Kelvin Servita Arocha were released without bail and are thought to have tried to flee

Wilson Juarez (left) and Yorman Reveron also fled: they are charged with ganging up on two cops in Times Square

Jhoan Boada, 22, was arrested in connection to the attack and was pictured leaving the courthouse with his middle fingers up at reporters and smirked

A 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. He remains in Rikers Island

Jandry Barros, 21, a seventh suspect who was arrested, was let go without charges for lack of evidence. He also has a previous record with authorities.

On Monday, migrants who allegedly stole wallets and cellphones from at least 62 women were arrested in a raid.

Police arrested at least seven migrants, all believed to be from Venezuela, in a safe house in the Bronx after executing a search warrant.

One of the most shocking thefts involved a migrant on a moped dragged a 52-year-old woman along a Big Apple street to steal her phone - a robbery caught on surveillance footage.

Police are searching for the leader of a group of migrant 'ghost criminals' believed to be behind the ring of criminals robbing people.

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.

Mayor Eric Adams has said the cost of the migrant crisis in New York City is an eye-watering $4.6 billion as he begs the state for more money

On Monday, migrants who allegedly stole wallets and cellphones from at least 62 women were arrested in a raid. One of the most shocking thefts involved a migrant on a moped dragged a 52-year-old woman along a Big Apple street to steal her phone (pictured)

Mayor Eric Adams has said the cost of the migrant crisis in New York City is an eye-watering $4.6 billion as he begs the state for more money.

New York state governor Kathy Hochul pledged to commit $2.4 billion to the crisis last month, which is more than double last year's proposal.

But Adams claims this still isn't enough to cover the cost of caring for tens of thousands of people who continue pouring in to the Big Apple 'sanctuary city'.

'We're the economic engine of the state,' Mr. Adams told lawmakers at the State Capitol in Albany on Tuesday.

'And we've always been here for the state. We need the state now to be here for us in the city.'
Missing mum Samantha Murphy was notably absent from her family's traditional summer holiday on Victoria's surf coast in the weeks before she vanished.

Ms Murphy, 51, has not been seen since she was leaving her home at Ballarat East at 7am on Sunday to go for a run in a state forest on the outskirts of the regional town, west of Melbourne.

Daily Mail Australia can reveal Ms Murphy and her family had holidayed together at a Torquay caravan park - the gateway to Victoria's iconic Great Ocean Road - for almost a decade.

Samantha Murphy had enjoyed annual holidays with her family in Torquay but was no-where to be seen during the most recent summer break

Mick Murphy went on holiday without his wife in January after she was struck down by Covid-19. Above, with the couple's distressed oldest daughter Jess at a media conference on Thursday

But this year park dwellers noticed only her husband Mick and their children attended the park, where they stay in a luxury cabin.

'They usually spend most of January down here,' a source told Daily Mail Australia.

She was going out for brunch (the morning she disappeared) Close friend Virginia

While described as friendly, Ms Murphy was observed to mostly keep to herself while attending the park, which enjoys an active community of regular summer holidayers.

'They have a nice cabin ... she keeps to herself. But Mick is always so nice. Always stops and says hello. We wondered where she was this year.'

On Thursday, Mr Murphy fronted media to call on the public for any information which might help find his wife alive.

'People just dont vanish into thin air. Someone has got to know something ... whether it be any little thing that you might think is relevant, just call the police, let them know,' he said.

'Itll give us a bit of peace of mind if we get some hope.'

A cabin similar to the one used by the Murphy family each summer in Torquay

While Mr Murphy did not take any questions from the media, his wife's childhood friend Virginia O'Loughlan told Daily Mail Australia that Ms Murphy missed the traditional family holiday after becoming sick with Covid-19.

'There was nothing suspicious about it. There was no family feud. I can understand why people can start to think that, but she definitely had Covid. Another friend of ours had Covid too and they were both talking about it and when they get better they were going to catch up,' she said.

'She would have definitely been down there but she didn't want anyone to get Covid.'

Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Mr Murphy is involved in his wife's mysterious disappearance, and police have not suggested any foul play.

Ms O'Loughlan said Ms Murphy had been due to catch-up with friends for brunch at 11am on the day she went missing.

Torquay is just down the road from Australia's iconic Bells Beach (pictured)

On the morning Ms Murphy vanished, she was captured on her own CCTV system wearing a maroon/brown singlet and black half-length leggings.

She was later spotted on a neighbour's camera running past their property about 7.16am on Eureka Street in Ballarat East, near the intersection of Warrenheip Rd.

That was quarter of an hour after she began her Sunday run.

It showed her running northeast towards Yankee Flat Road.

Ms O'Loughlan said she did not believe her friend would have ventured into the rugged area where her phone was last 'pinged'.

'There's no way she would have run that far. Absolutely no way. I'm confident of that,' she said.

On Thursday, State Emergency Services volunteers and police again entered the bush in an area between the Canadian Plantation and Yankee Flat Road - about 15kms from Ms Murphy's home.

'I believe she was going out for brunch that morning so I believe she would have been home by 9 or 10am,' she said.

Virginia O'Loughlan told Daily Mail Australia Ms Murphy had missed the traditional family holiday after becoming sick with Covid-19

CCTV of Ms Murphy was captured about 7.16am on Eureka Street in Ballarat East, near the intersection of Warrenheip Rd.

Ms Murphy - an avid Richmond supporter and fitness fanatic - had been more than familiar with the routes that she routinely ran along.

'Sam is the most strongest person both mentally and physically that I do believe we are going to find her,' Ms O'Loughlan said.

'It's incredible that we haven't found a skerrick of anything related to this. We've been combing sides of roads ... my mind is going into over about what may have happened to Sam,' she said.

'I'm open to anything at this point. The fact that nothing has been found I find really bizarre.'

On Thursday, Inspector Lisa McDougall maintained Ms Murphy's disappearance was not suspicious.

'There are no suspicious circumstances that we've identified at this stage,' she told a media pack.

But when pressed if police had even contemplated foul play, Inspector McDougall conceded it had not been ruled out.

'We're keeping an open mind,' she said.

On Wednesday, police believed they had found an item of interest in bushland not far from Ms Murphy's home before declaring it had been a false alarm.

Jess Murphy is comforted by her father Mick on Thursday outside Ballarat West Police Station

Inspector McDougall said drones were now being used in the extensive search.

'We have 40 resources on the ground at the moment and they are both Victoria Police resources and CFA and SES,' she said.

'We have used various assets internally so that includes things like mountain branch over the last few days and search and rescue.

'Weve also had police air up assisting us with the search today. We also have some drones up assisting us.'

Ms O'Loughlan said her friend had no known enemies as far as she understood and could think of no reason anyone would want to do her harm.

'Everyone absolutely adores Sam because Sam is like a backbone of a lot of community organisations. Sam just doesn't do anything half-hearted and Sam throws herself in 150 percent,' she said.

Ms O'Loughlan, who is a trained psychologist, said she believed Ms Murphy would have been determined to make that brunch appointment.

'She'd be going out for brunch, she'd be wanting to get herself organised. She had her hair pulled back. She'd have wanted her hair to have been done nicely, she likes to present herself nicely,' she said.

'She'd be thinking "a quick run, freshen up, get the kids breakfast if Mick hasn't already done it'. She wouldn't have run that far.'

SES volunteers plan their search outside a Ballarat police station on Thursday

Searchers continued to comb through the Woowookarung National Park looking for clues to the disappearance of Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy on Thursday

Ms O'Loughlan described Ms Murphy as the head of her family.

'She's the front of their family. Mick will be floundering at the moment. They're not media people at all,' she said.

It is understood Mr Murphy was home when his wife was captured on CCTV leaving their property and later raised the alarm to police when she didn't return.

On Thursday, Ms Murphy's daughter Jess delivered a gut-wrenching message to her missing mum begging for her to come home.

'Mum, we love you so much, and we miss you. We need you at home with us. Please come home soon. I can't wait to see you and to give you the biggest hug when I do,' Jess said.

'And to tell you off for giving us so much stress. I love you.'

Ms Murphy is described as white, about 173cm tall, with a slim build and shoulder-length blonde hair.

Anyone who sees her has been urged to contact police immediately.
The husband of missing woman Samantha Murphy is in 'more pain than anyone' over her disappearance, her family have claimed, as the search for the mother-of-three continues for a fifth day.

Michael Murphy was seen speaking to police officers in a bush area on Wednesday afternoon, following his wife's disappearance in Victoria's Woowookarung Regional Park on Sunday morning.

Ms Murphy, 51, had set off from her home in Ballarat East for a run in the state forest at about 7am but never returned home.

A major search has been ongoing since her disappearance, involving police, SES volunteers, family and friends.

The search for missing Samantha Murphy (pictured) enters its fifth day on Thursday

Michael Murphy, the husband of missing mum Samantha Murphy, drove to the crime scene in Ballarat East at about 1.45pm on Wednesday. He appeared visible shocked speaking to officers

Who is Samantha Murphy's husband Michael Murphy?

Ms Murphy and her husband both own a car repair business called Inland Motor Body Works.

Mr Murphy has 23 years of experience in the industry while his wife handles the books and administration of the office, along with 'keeping Mick in line'.

The business describes itself as Ballarat's 'leading smash repairs specialist'.

On the third day of his wife's disappearance, Mr Murphy said he was feeling 'not too bad under the circumstances'.

'It's just up in the air, we don't know,' he told the Herald Sun.

'It's just a whole time thing, at the end of the day.'

Mr Murphy had also told Nine News he would not be joining the search as he preferred to keep his mind occupied with other matters while he waited for an update.

Ms Murphy and her husband (pictured together) both own a car repair business called Inland Motor Body Works

Samantha Murphy left her Ballarat home at 7am on Sunday to go for a run in the nearby Woowookarung Regional Park and did not return home, nor has she been seen since

Following commentary online about why he was being so quiet about his wife's disappearance, Mr Murphy said on Wednesday he had been advised to do so.

'I've been speaking with the police and I've been advised not to say anything,' Mr Murphy told the Herald Sun.

READ MORE: CCTV released of missing mum-of-three Samantha Murphy vanished without a trace after going on a 20km run through the national park Advertisement

He added he was doing 'ok' and was not worried about the various theories of what lay behind his wife's disappearance; saying he doesn't 'even look online'.

Mr Murphy also visited the bush area at Woowookarung Regional Park at about 1.45pm on Wednesday and spoke briefly to police officers through a car window after possible evidence was found.

He appeared visibly stunned and was turned away.

There is no suggestion Mr Murphy played any role in his wife's disappearance, only that he came to see what authorities had found.

His family has also come out in his defence after he was targeted by cruel trolls online.

'For those questioning Samantha's husband, you need not worry,' the family said in a statement released to the Facebook group set up to help in the search.

'He is in more pain than anyone and would be the last person to suspect in any of this.'

The family said they were keen to stamp out the attacks on Ms Murphy's husband and also wanted to set the record straight on other claims circulating online.

Her phone had pinged in Buninyong, about 11kilometres south of Ballarat.

'I've been seeing some misinformation been spread on all platforms that I want to inform people about,' the statement added.

'Samantha's phone pinging that far away from home is not usual.

'Yes, she walked in different directions, but she kept to the paths, never went for more than 10km total roughly and would let family know if she was walking further.'

Mr Murphy and his daughter Jess pleaded for their wife and mother to come home in a heartbreaking message on Thursday outside Ballarat West Police Station

'People just don't vanish into thin air. Someone's got to know something,' Mr Murphy said.

'Whether it be any little thing that you might think is relevant, just call the police and let them know. It'll give us a bit of peace of mind, some hope'.

Michael Murphy is seen near a crime scene in relation to his wife's disappearance

The search continues

Thursday marks the fifth day in the search for Ms Murphy.

Earlier on Wednesday, items discovered during a search were found not to be relevant to her disappearance.

'Items located today during the search for Samantha have been assessed and at this time are not believed to be related to her whereabouts,' a police spokesperson said.

A large-scale search has involved the Search and Rescue Squad, local police, and more than 100 specialised officers from the dog squad, mounted branch, and air wing.

SES crews and teams from Forest Fire Management Australia and Parks Victoria have also joined the search efforts.

Some locals have expressed fear that Ms Murphy's running path may have taken her past several hard-to-see mine shafts.

Temperatures also soared to 36C on the day she vanished.
A young woman has been killed one and three others injured after two cars collided head-on on a country highway.

The crash between a Hyundai Elantra and a Holden Colorado occurred along the Leichhardt Highway at The Gums, in Queensland's Western Downs, about 2.10pm on Wednesday.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and found the driver and sole passenger of the Hyundai, a 21-year-old female from New South Wales, had died.

A 56-year-old male passenger of the Holden was airlifted to Toowoomba Hospital in a stable condition.

The ute's driver, a 54-year-old woman, and another male passenger, 60, were taken to Tara Hospital having sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The Forensic Crash Unit attended the scene as police open investigations into the crash.

Anyone with information or relevant dashcam footage has been urged to contact police.
China has made 'dramatic advances' in hypersonic missiles that fly too fast to be intercepted, intelligence officials warn.

They said the DF-17  and its successor the DF-27  reach speeds approaching some 6,500 miles per hour and they are almost impossible to stop.

China has designed these weapons to destroy aircraft carriers, such as Britain's flagship vessels HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, over a range of up to 5,000 miles.

The UK, Australia and the United States, who formed the AUKUS alliance, are frantically looking for some sort of preventative measures.

The Chinese 'Hypersonic Glide Vehicles' fly on lower trajectory than intercontinental ballistic missiles, making them harder to intercept.

Graphic showing the dangers of the DF-17 missile which fly too fast to be intercepted

DF-17 missile is seen during a military parade to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 2019

Chinese navy troops marching past Tiananmen Square during a military parade

One concerned official said: 'The buzz phrase here is that "speed is the new stealth".

'China has prioritised this capability and has generated the world's leading arsenal of HGVs.

'It has made dramatic advances in this area in the 2020s. Countering this threat is a priority for AUKUS.

'Countering the delivery mechanism, which fires the missile, is more effective than countering the missile itself. We would have to hit the bases, hit the launch systems.'

Britain does not have hypersonic missiles while the US is only testing these weapons.

Russia has been utilising much less sophisticated versions of the Chinese HGVs during the conflict in Ukraine.

China's missiles are capable of carrying nuclear payloads. It is considered likely Beijing would seek to use its HGVs against US and UK navies in the South China Sea.
Eco-zealots who block the roads will be rapidly dragged away by police under changes in the law unveiled today.

James Cleverly will close a legal loophole which currently allows traffic-obstructing protesters to dodge arrest.

The Home Secretary will bring in laws to overturn a controversial Supreme Court human rights ruling exploited by groups such as Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion.

The judgment slows down officers' attempts to remove 'human roadblocks'.

Mr Cleverly, writing exclusively for the Mail today, says: 'Public spaces... belong to all of us, not just to a minority of selfish thugs or extremists seeking to undermine our democracy.'

'Just Stop Oil' protesters block a road in London. The Home Secretary will bring in laws to overturn a controversial Supreme Court human rights ruling exploited by groups such as Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion . The judgment slows down officers' attempts to remove 'human roadblocks'

Palestinian flag-waving protesters climbed on the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park. Other measures will make it a public order offence to climb on war memorials. Offenders will face jail of up to three months and a 1,000 fine

The Home Secretary James Cleverley. Mr Cleverly's changes are designed to make it easier for police to remove road-blocking protesters

The Supreme Court's so-called 'Ziegler' ruling says protesters may have a 'lawful excuse' defence against the offence of obstructing a highway thanks to the European Convention on Human Rights, which was enshrined in UK law by Labour's Human Rights Act.

It is named after Nora Ziegler, an anti-arms trade protester who, along with three others, blocked a road leading to east London's ExCel Centre while it hosted an arms fair in September 2017.

In June 2021 the Supreme Court overturned their convictions.

The ruling means officers policing a demo must go through a multi-stage process before making an arrest, and the ruling can even be used to avoid conviction.

Mr Cleverly's changes are designed to make it easier for police to remove road-blocking protesters.

The Home Office last night confirmed measures will be included as amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill currently going through Parliament, meaning the new powers could be in place within a couple of months.

Other measures will make it a public order offence to climb on war memorials. Offenders will face jail of up to three months and a 1,000 fine.

It comes after pro-Palestinian marchers clambered on to the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner last November.

It will also be an offence for protesters to wear face coverings. Those who disregard orders to remove a mask can be arrested and could face up to a month behind bars and a 1,000 fine.

Flares, fireworks and other pyrotechnics will be banned from marches, following incidents where they have been fired at police.
A boy who suffered life-threatening injuries and multiple broken bones after being thrown 100ft off the 10th floor of the Tate Modern by a stranger is now learning to swim, his family have revealed.

Sharing an update on his condition, they added that he adopted a golden retriever and was making progress with his walking and balance.

He has also been doing well at school and improved on his reading and writing, they said.

The latest update from his family shows just how much of an uphill battle the now 10-year-old has been through to regain a sense of normality after he was thrown off the viewing platform at the London art gallery in August 2019.

The French youngster was six whilst visiting the Tate on the South Bank with his family when disturbed teen Jonty Bravery, then 17, singled him out, grabbing him and throwing him off the outside space at the famous London landmark.

The victim, visiting the London museum with his French family, fell 100ft on to a roof five floors below (pictured, the aftermath)

Jonty Bravery (pictured) was convicted of attempted murder in 2020 and jailed for 15 years

Bravery, who has autism, was in supported accommodation at the time of the attack, but was allowed out unsupervised. He had intended to select and kill someone at random, a court was later told.

READ MORE: Family of French schoolboy who cheated death after being pushed from 10th floor of London's Tate Modern and plunged 100ft provide update on his recovery Advertisement

The boy has spent much of the last three years in a wheelchair and with splints on his legs and left arm - which has earned him the moniker 'little knight' among loved ones.

In an update on the boy's condition posted on a GoFundMe set up for the family, it was said they had finally found an instructor willing to teach their son to swim.

They explained: 'The aim is to enable him to gain autonomy in the water, despite his limitations.

'Our sonis rediscovering old sensations and is very happy with the progress he is able to make (he managed to touch up the bottom of the small pool bath with one hand, like before!).'

They said their new dog was also bringing 'joy and life' into their home, adding: 'Our son loves playing with him and is pleased to note the dog does a lot more mischief than him.'

As for school, they said: 'He is always delighted to go to school and works hard to try to make up for his shortcomings. Our little knight is still so courageous!'

London nurse Vicky Diplacto, whose brother was paralysed after an accident overseas, set up the GoFundMe appeal to help the family and share recent updates from them.

Emergency crews attend a scene at the Tate Modern art gallery on August 4, 2019, where a young boy was pushed

Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Jonty Bravery who has pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to attempted murder after throwing a six-year-old boy from the tenth-storey viewing platform of the Tate Modern in August 2019

Bravery was convicted of attempted murder in 2020 and jailed for life with a minimum of 15 years.

On the day of the incident, teen Jonty Bravery was lying in wait and hoping to pick on someone to kill, a court was later told.

The boy suffered a bleed on the brain, broken legs and arms and a fractured spine, but amazingly survived the fall at the art gallery.

Bravery, who was 17 and living in supported accommodation in Northolt, West London, at the time he attacked the young boy, and had a history of violence against staff.

Despite this, he was allowed to leave home, unsupervised, for up to four hours at a time.

In April 2019, Bravery punched a care worker and a member of Burger King restaurant staff whilst on a supervised trip to Brighton.

Following his arrest, he assaulted a custody officer and urinated in the waiting room.

The judge said Bravery's autism spectrum disorder (ASD) did not explain the attack, and acknowledged expert evidence he presents 'a grave and immediate risk to the public'.
The family of Kelso Cochrane - Britain's 'first racist murder victim' - have been left 'devastated' by the decision not to allow them access to police files on his unsolved killing.

The black aspiring lawyer, 32, who was from Antigua, was stabbed to death by a white youth in Notting Hill, west London in 1959.

No one was ever charged with the murder although a book in 2011 claimed 20-year-old caterer Patrick Digby had confessed to being the killer. It was also alleged the murder weapon was still hidden under the floorboards of his former home.

Now Mr Cochrane's family have been hit with a further blow after the National Archives refused to hand over the documents as the Met Police says the case is still open.

The files are due to be released in 2054.

Kelso Cochrane, 32, died after being stabbed in the heart when he was ambushed by a group of five or six white youths as he walked home through Notting Hill in 1959

A demonstration in Whitehall, London, organised by the Coloured People's Progressive Association. The protesters carry posters and placards including a picture of Mr Cochrane

A blue plaque marks the spot in Golborne Road where carpenter Mr Chochrane was killed. He was walking home from Paddington General hospital after having treatment for his thumb which he had injured at work when a mob of five or six white youths attacked him with one jumping on his back.

Two Jamaican men witnessed the attack and ran to help him and were able to get him into a taxi which took him to St Charles' Hospital in nearby North Kensington.

He had been stabbed in the heart and died an hour after he arrived at hospital.

Mr Cochrane's daughter Josephine lives in New York and told The Mirror that all the family wants is justice.

While his cousin Millicent Christian said the refusal had left the family devastated and deflated.

'It's clear to see the reasons given for refusing was a cut and paste exercise without considering the legal principles and the factual basis of the application,' she said.

'It's very disappointing. What are they hiding from the family? We need to know.'

The family's lawyer Daniel Machover has been left baffled by the decision as there are no surviving suspects and 'no chance at all of any homicide charges'. He has requested an internal review.

The National Archives said: ''Disclosure of this information into the public domain would prejudice a future investigation or prosecution.'

A few months before there had been violent scenes in the area and relationships between different groups of people were still tense.

BBC documentary maker, Mark Olden, claimed in his 2011 book, Murder In Notting Hill, that Digby had confessed to the killing to a group of friends.

One of Digby's friends said: 'He told me he'd done it and they'd never get him.'

Mr Cochrane's brother, Stanley, called for a cold case review in 2003 but that was hampered by the destruction of his brother's clothes in 1968, destroying vital forensic evidence

No one was ever charged with the murder although a book in 2011 claimed 20-year-old caterer Patrick Digby (pictured) had confessed to being the killer. He died in 2007 from a heart attack

More than 1,200 people attended his funeral which became a mass demonstration against racism in Notting Hill

People gathered outside St Michael and All Angels church in Ladbroke Grove for the funeral

A crowd of mourners at the funeral of Mr Cochrane at Kensal Green Cemetery, in London

The black community in Notting Hill say they have known who the killer is and that it was something of an 'open secret', but there are also allegations of institutional racism within the police who feared a violent backlash if a white man was sentenced to death over the murder of a black man.

A few months before there had been violent scenes in the area and relationships between different groups of people in the area were still tense.

He was set upon close to his home in Notting Hill by white youths before being taken to hospital where he later died. More than 1,200 people attended his funeral.

Cochranes murder was greeted with outrage among the black community, some of whom marched down Whitehall holding protest banners.

His family has long sought justice for his death. His brother Stanley travelled from Antigua to England for the first time in 2006 in attempt to find out who murdered his sibling and was followed by a BBC documentary team.

Stanley called for a cold case review in 2003 but that was hampered by the destruction of his brother's clothes in 1968, destroying vital forensic evidence.

Digby, who went on to become a painter and decorator, was not questioned during the review and died aged 69 in 2007 from a heart attack.
Six inches of snow are expected to fall across much of Britain today as an unseasonably mild start to the month draws to a close.

Amber weather warnings for snow and ice have been issued for parts of northern England and north Wales, while a mixture of yellow rain and snow warnings will be in force across the four nations of the UK.

Commuters have been warned of travel mayhem with snow affecting major towns and cities from Birmingham and Leicester northwards, while forecasters warn some rural communities could be 'cut off'.

As much as 10 inches of snow is forecast across high ground above 300 metres but more widely, around six inches is expected, with the Met Office warning of gusty winds and blizzards, leading to 'some drifting in places'.

The return of winter comes after February kicked off with mild temperatures around double the average expected this time of year of 7C (45F).

Just 11 days ago, Kinlochewe in the Scottish Highlands, set a UK record high for January of 19.6C, warmer on the day than Rome or the Cote d'Azur.

Commuters have been warned of travel mayhem with snow affecting major towns and cities from Birmingham and Leicester northwards

Very cold air clashing with a band of rain heading north is likely to cause blizzard conditions and 'significant' snowfall in much of Wales, the Midlands and northern England.

An amber weather warning means travel delays on roads are likely; public transport vehicles and cars could be stranded; power cuts are possible; and some rural communities could be cut off temporarily.

In the area covered by the snow and ice warning, the Met Office said untreated pavements and cycle paths could be impassable.

The amber warning across the Peak District and south Pennines is in place from noon until 6pm on Thursday, with almost 10 inches of snow forecast across high ground above 300 metres.

There could also be freezing rain causing treacherous driving conditions.

Daytime temperatures were predicted to plummet to just above freezing in areas as far south as the Peak District today and tomorrow.

The West Midlands was forecast to drop to 2C today compared with 12C on Tuesday.

Southern areas of England and Wales are set to remain mild until later this week when wintry conditions will grip the entire country.

Very cold air clashing with a band of rain heading north is likely to cause blizzard conditions and 'significant' snowfall in much of Wales, the Midlands and northern England

A separate amber warning for snow and ice will be in place between 8am and 3pm on Thursday across north Wales and north-west Shropshire, with eight to 10 inches of snow forecast in areas above 200 metres.

A yellow rain warning covering much of southern England and south-east Wales - including London and Cardiff - has been issued from 2am on Thursday to 6am on Friday, with an inch of rain likely and up to almost two inches on higher routes.

Further yellow snow and ice warnings cover southern and central Scotland from 6pm on Thursday to 3pm on Friday, and from 10am on Thursday until 6pm on Friday in Northern Ireland.

The Met Office said up to three inches of snow could fall in Northern Ireland and up to 10cm in parts of Scotland.

Another yellow warning for snow and ice is in place in northern Scotland from 4pm on Wednesday to 10am on Thursday.

Amber weather warnings for snow and ice have been issued for parts of northern England and north Wales, while a mixture of yellow rain and snow warnings will be in force across the four nations

Met Office meteorologist Amy Bokota said an easterly wind meant that places 'inland and higher up' were likely to see the most snow.

She said it was 'unlikely' that significant levels of snow would be on the ground for days, but added it could lead to difficult driving conditions on Thursday.

Ms Bokota said: 'The snow could cause some pretty poor driving conditions for parts of the Pennines and Wales, particularly through the afternoon and early evening.'

The forecaster added that most places would see a return to milder conditions by the end of Thursday.

She said: 'It will be quite a short-lived cold snap for much of the UK, but continuing on a little bit longer through parts of northern England and Scotland into the early hours of Friday and the start of the weekend.'

In the area covered by the snow and ice warning, the Met Office said untreated pavements and cycle paths could be impassable

Chris Wood, from the AA, said: 'If you need to travel, reduce your speed to account for the conditions and leave plenty of space behind other vehicles, and try to use main roads where possible as these are more likely to have been gritted.

'Allow extra time as it's likely your journey will take longer than usual, and ensure you have plenty of fuel or electrical charge if driving an electric vehicle.

'The cold snap is likely to affect vehicle breakdown levels, with faults such as flat batteries and wiper faults.'

Chris Almond, Met Office deputy chief meteorologist, said: 'While the early part of this week will see some rain, at times heavy, gradually sinking southwards, there's an increased signal for wintry hazards as we move through the week as cold air from the north moves over the UK.

'It's from tomorrow that the snow risk becomes more potentially impactful, as mild air attempts to move back in from the south, bumping into the cold air and increasing the chance of snow developing on the leading edge.'

The wintry weather will bring a return of harsh frosts in the north, with -4C predicted on high ground in some areas of northern England tonight.

By the end of the week, the Met Office said 'the trend is for the colder conditions with more scattered wintry showers to spread south, reaching most parts of the UK over the weekend'.

It added: 'There will be plenty of sunshine between times  but this will lead to some frost by night'.
The Post Office allegedly continued to threaten two sisters for 34,000 even after the criminal case was dropped because of bugs in the Horizon system.

Jacquie El Kasaby and Rose Stewart were told they would be pursued by debt collectors if they did not pay up.

Prosecutor Angus Crawford rejected the case a decade ago because of 'issues' with the Horizon computer system and said there would be no prosecution.

But the Post Office reportedly did not inform Jacquie or Rose of the reason why the case was dropped, BBC Scotland reported.

The pair were fired from from their jobs at Gorbals Post Office in Glasgow and agreed to paid 10,000 to settle the debt, despite not taking any funds.

'I was in a dark place and it was the guilt. I knew I hadn't taken the money,' Rose said, adding that the ordeal made her feel like she was a 'piece of dirt'.

Jacquie El Kasaby said she suffered serious mental health problems due to losing her business, income and being labelled guilty

Rose Stewart she sold her home to help her family paid off debts

Her sister, Jacquie, said: 'I would say I'm a strong woman. The Post Office took that away from me.'

The downward spiral of losing her job, her income and being seen as guilty when she was innocent caused her to suffer serious mental health problems.

Auditors showed up to to their branch in 2006 and informed them that the accounts were down by 34,000.

Rose said she had been disguising the discrepancies for months but had not informed anyone.

She told the BBC: 'I just thought: 'This is going to sort itself out. It must.' There's no money going anywhere, so it must be in this system somewhere.'

They were both suspended and the Post Office launched an investigation into the 'missing' cash.

Rose said: 'It started off [like] "why did you take the money?" and [I said] "I never took the money" and they were saying things like "we can get people who can read your body language and they'll know you're lying".

'Just trying to get me to admit that I had taken the money'.

Jacquie said she had pooled all of her savings into buying the Post Office and Rose said she sold her home to help her family paid off debts.

The sisters said they have been through 'years of torture' and did not tell anyone about it because they were 'so ashamed and embarrassed' about being pursued.

More than 700 sub-postmasters were prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 after faults with Fujitsu's Horizon system used in Post Office branches made it appear that money was missing.

Rose and Jacquie are pictured heading back to Gorbals Post Office in Glasgow for the first time since they were fired

It emerged last month that Fujitsu had signed 200 contracts worth 6.7billion in total to supply IT solutions to the Government over the last decade.

They include a 19million deal to run England's flood alert system and as the Mail revealed, the Post Office recently awarded a contract worth more than 36million to Fujitsu to extend the use of Horizon until spring 2025.

Another postmaster, Lee Castleton from Bridlington, was found to have a 25,000 shortfall at his branch after losing his fight with the Post Office.

He was left 'traumatised' and had to sell his shop and home when he was ordered to pay back money and legal costs to the tune of 321,000 despite doing nothing wrong.

Mr Castleton was called 'a nasty chap' by Peter Sewell, who was part of the Post Office Account Security Team at Fujitsu.

MailOnline has contacted the Post Office for comment.
Baroness Mone assured officials she would not gain personally from a 200million PPE deal in the pandemic, leaked documents allege.

Emails to the Cabinet Office reveal the Tory peer insisted she did not have any financial benefit whatsoever from PPE Medpro, owned by her husband Doug Barrowman.

Her declaration, leaked to The Guardian, that she had no conflict of interest was sent in 2020  five months before 29million was allegedly moved to a trust for her benefit.

Lady Mone  nicknamed Baroness Bra because of her lingerie company  eventually admitted that she stands to benefit from PPE Medpro.

The Conservative peer and Ultimo bra tycoon has been embroiled in controversy surrounding 'Covid VIP lane' contracts worth more than 200million that were awarded to the company during the pandemic

Emails to the Cabinet Office reveal the Tory peer insisted she did not have any financial benefit whatsoever from PPE Medpro, owned by her husband Doug Barrowman (right)

Baroness Mone in the House of Lords before the State Opening Of Parliament at Houses of Parliament in 2017

She had stated in the emails: My role is to help the NHS deliver on its PPE targets and to ultimately save lives.

Lady Mone, 52, claimed her husband, 58, was passionate about the NHS and during the crisis wanted to help by negotiating lower prices.

Accounts linked to Mr Barrowman are said to have been paid 65million from profits of the NHS deal. The National Crime Agency has launched a probe. The couple deny wrongdoing.

It comes after anti-corruption investigators froze 75million in assets linked to Mone and her husband.
Muriel McKay's family have been given fresh hope of finding her body after Scotland Yard said the new evidence about where she is buried was 'compelling'.

Detective Superintendent Katherine Goodwin, who led the hunt to catch Sarah Everard's killer Wayne Couzens, met with Mrs McKay's daughter, Dianne, 84, and other relatives on Wednesday to tell them officers could start digging 'in the next few months'.

Muriel's killer, Nizamodeen Hosein, met with the family last month to show them on a map where he claimed to have buried her body in 1969.

He told Dianne that he buried her mother at a farm in Stocking Pelham, Hertfordshire, where he had held her ransom.

After being presented with the evidence, Goodwin told the family: 'What you have come back with is compelling and is making me question whether we have reached the threshold of whether this is good enough [to start digging].

'I feel from what we're seeing that he [Hosein] is being quite specific [about the location of the body].'

Muriel's daughter, Dianne (pictured, left), has for years fought to learn the truth of her mother's murder, travelling recently to Trinidad to speak with one of her killers, Nizamodeen Hosein (pictured, centre)

Landowner Ian Marsh, a banker, pushed back against requests to dig up his farm in Hertfordshire (pictured)

A portrait of Muriel Frieda Mckay, 55, wife of the deputy chairman of the News of the World

According to the Times, the family played Goodwin and her team of officers a video of Hosein telling Dianne McKay: 'Go through the kitchen door, come through the open land, turn left and it's two feet from the hedge, by the old manure heap.

'The ground was hard because it was winter but it was softer by the manure heap due to its warmth so I buried her there.'

Dianne travelled with her son Mark Dyer, 59, to Hoesin's homeland of Trinidad last month. He had been deported to the Caribbean island after spending 20 years in jail.

More than 54 years ago, the now-76-year-old and his brother Arthur mistakenly snatched Muriel and demanded a 1million ransom from media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

The pair believed they had taken his first wife, Anna, and inflicted torturous cruelty on their helpless victim.

But Murdoch and Anna had loaned their chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce to Mrs McKay's husband Alick, an executive at News Limited and deputy to Murdoch's deputy, while they were on holiday, unaware a 1million kidnap plot was under way.

They denied killing Mrs McKay, 55, and refused to say where her body was buried, before being convicted in what was one of the first murder trials without a body.

Hosein had told Dianne that her mother died after collapsing while they were watching a news bulletin about the kidnap and she never regained consciousness.

Last week, Ian Marsh, a banker, pushed back against requests to dig up his farm in Hertfordshire, following Hosein's claims that Muriel was buried there.

Marsh said he would not let anyone dig up the land on his farm in Stocking Pelham without a warrant, as the area Hosein indicated has since had a barn built on top of it.

But he said in a letter to the McKay family: 'The Marsh family understand the desire of the deceased Mrs McKay's family to have a resolution to this matter.

'We have been patient with the multiple requests that we have received and repeat our position: we will co-operate with the police if they determine that a further search of our property is required.

'We believe that the police will attest to the fact that the Marsh family have done everything, to date, that the police have asked of them.

'If asked by the police to give access to our land because they have compelling evidence of the whereabouts of the remains of Mrs McKay we will consent to giving the police full access to our land, no warrants will be required.

'We believe that it is important that due process and procedure is completed by the police to corroborate any evidence, including any new evidence that is being provided by the family of the deceased and/or the perpetrator.

'We are not in a position to judge that evidence, that has to be a matter for the police. I hope you understand that our trust is in the police, and we rely on them to examine all the information provided.'

He claimed that he is now trying his best to help as he hasn't got much time left

Nizamodeen Hosein, pictured at the age of 22

Brothers Arthur, left, and Nazamodeen Hosein were found guilty of her murder

Hosein pointed to a spot on a photograph of the farm where Muriel was held, and told her daughter: 'This is where I buried her.'

The abduction is believed to have involved a case of mistaken identity - with the kidnappers intending to seize Anna Murdoch, first wife of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch

Before drawing an area of where to dig, Detective Goodwin, who tracked down Wayne Couzens, told the family she would take the footage away and watch it.

She added: 'Of course we need to do it properly, make sure it covers the right area, make sure the landowners agree and if not go back to them with a warrant.'

The kidnapping scheme was the brainchild of Arthur Hosein, who had arrived in Britain in the 1960s and borrowed heavily to buy his farmhouse.

His brother Nizam, 12 years younger, followed him here in summer 1969 and became embroiled in the kidnap plan.

The pair spent several days following the Rolls-Royce, thinking they were tracking Anna Murdoch - but instead seized Muriel as she returned to her home from dropping off her cleaning lady on December 29.

Her husband arrived later to find the front door open, lights on and no sign of his wife - while in the hallway, the phone had been pulled from the wall.

The contents of his wife's handbag were strewn across the stairs and a rusty meat cleaver was on the floor.

Mrs McKay's daughter Dianne, then 29 and a mother of two young children, took a phone call the following day from a man she now knows was Nizamodeen.

He told her they were 'the mafia' and had Dianne's mother, before the family then received a scribbled note in Mrs McKay's handwriting begging them to 'do something to get me home' and a ransom letter demanding 1 million.

After a bodged attempt to pick up a suitcase of ransom money, the kidnappers were arrested at the farm in January - but there was no sign of Mrs McKay.

For years, the Hosein brothers refused to say where she was, leading to grisly speculation that her body had been fed to the pigs on the farm - and when they took the stand at their Old Bailey trial in September 1970, each tried to blame the other.

Both were found guilty of kidnapping and murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, though Nizamodeen was released in 1990 and deported.

He says he panicked and buried her body under a dung heap behind the farmhouse.

The family of murder victim Mrs McKay, pictured, have been pushing for new information about where her body might have been left

Nizamodeen Hosein served 20 years in prison before being deported to his native Trinidad

Alick McKay makes an appeal from his home in Wimbledon for the safe return of his missing wife Muriel, on 9th January 1970. He is accompanied by his son Ian and daughters Jennifer (left) and Dianne (right)

Police had searched an area of the farm in 2022, but Hosein claims they searched the wrong area.

The Metropolitan Police said earlier this month: 'We most recently met some members of Muriel's family in May 2023 and continue to keep in contact with them.

'An extensive search for Muriel's remains was conducted in March 2022 at a site in Hertfordshire, unfortunately it concluded unsuccessfully.

'We continue to review any opportunities to recover Muriel's body and return her to her family.'
The eldest daughter of missing mother-of-three Samantha Murphy has broken down in tears as she pleaded for her mum to come home - five days after she disappeared.

Jess Murphy joined Samantha's husband, Mick, in addressing the disappearance of the East Ballarat woman, who vanished after going for a jog near her home at 7am on Sunday.

'Mum's a really strong woman, and she's far too determined to give up this fight,' Jess said.

Mick Murphy comforts his daughter Jess during a press conference in Ballarat West on Thursday

Samantha Murphy was caught on CCTV leaving her home on Sunday.

Ms Murphy, 51, has not been seen since she left her home at Ballarat East at 7am on Sunday to go for a run in a state forest on the outskirts of the regional town, west of Melbourne.

'Mum, we love you so much, and we miss you. We need you at home with us. Please come home soon. I can't wait to see you and to give you the biggest hug when I do,' Jess said.

'And to tell you off for giving us so much stress. I love you.'

Moments earlier, her father made an impassioned plea for information from the public that may assist in finding his wife.

'People just don't vanish into thin air. Someone's got to know something,' he said.

'Whether it be any little thing that you might think is relevant, just call the police and let them know. It'll give us a bit of peace of mind, some hope'.

Jess broke into tears as she bravely faced the media pack outside Ballarat West Police Station.

Her father placed his hand on her shoulder to comfort her as she read from a statement contained on her phone.

Jess Murphy broke down in tears as she addressed the media on Thursday

Mick Murphy addresses the media on Thursday

Jess said she still held high hopes her mother would be found alive and well despite the search now dragging on into its fifth day.

'Mum is a really strong woman and she's far too determined to give up this fight,' she said.

'I know she's out there somewhere, so if you could please continue to search for her to give us something to work with, we would really appreciate it.'

Addressing the media before the Murphy family, Acting Inspector Lisa McDougall said Ms Murphy's disappearance was not being treated as suspicious, but refused to say why.

The inspector repeated to provide 'no comment' answers as reporters pressed her for information on how or why police think the doting mum vanished.

'There are no suspicious circumstances that we've identified at this stage,' she said.

Mick Murphy reassured his daughter as she faced the media pack

Inspector McDougall also refused to say if police had obtained any further information from Ms Murphy's phone, airpods or watch.

'I won't comment on any of that particular detail but I will say that that forms all of the investigation and the information that we're using to direct our search.'

Inspector McDougall further declined to say if Ms Murphy had accessed her bank accounts since Sunday and would not speculate on why Ms Murphy may not want to be found.

'There's nothing I can comment on at this time,' she said.

Pressed if police had even contemplated foul play, Inspector McDougall conceded it had not been ruled out.

'We're keeping an open mind,' she said.

Inspector McDougall suggested women thinking about going out in the Ballarat area alone ought feel comfortable doing so.

'I'm not going to say what people can and can't do,' she said.

'At the moment there are no suspicious circumstances that have been identified. It's up to people to assess their safety and comfort levels.'

Acting Inspector Lisa McDougall maintained there was nothing suspicious about the suspicious about the disappearance of Samantha Murphy

On Wednesday night, police issued new CCTV footage they believe is Ms Murphy running past a neighbour's house.

The footage, which is unclear, was captured about 7.16am on Eureka Street in Ballarat East, near the intersection of Warrenheip Rd.

That was quarter of an hour after the 51-year-old began her Sunday run.

It showed her running northeast towards Yankee Flat Road.

However, the direction she was running was opposite to where police have focused their searches in an area between the Canadian Plantation and Yankee Flat Rd.

'That CCTV is being examined and analysed to see if it is relevant and we're still waiting on absolute confirmation that that is Sam,' Inspector McDougall said.

CCTV footage police believe may be Samantha Murphy on her last jog

The search for Samantha Murphy continues

Police again called on the public for any other footage they may have obtained off home cameras and dashcams to come forward.

A large-scale search has involved the Search and Rescue Squad, local police, more than 100 specialised officers from the dog squad, mounted branch, solo unit and air wing .

SES crews and teams from Forest Fire Management Australia and Parks Victoria have also joined the search.

The Ballarat community has rallied together, with a growing number of residents and Ms Murphy's friends joining the search efforts.

Ms Murphy is described as white, about 173cm tall, with a slim build and shoulder-length blonde hair.

Anyone who sees her has been urged to contact police immediately.
The mysterious disappearance of mother-of-three Samantha Murphy has spawned a slew of conspiracy theories, ranging from the wild and offensive to the plausible and possible.

Ms Murphy, 51, vanished while out for a 7.30am jog in the Woowookarung Regional Park beauty spot near Ballarat, Victoria, last Sunday.

Police, SES volunteers and an army of locals have scoured huge areas of bushland for the last five days - but haven't found a single trace of her.

Her home's CCTV caught her on camera as she left for the run, and she was also thought to be a tiny figure in the background of other CCTV footage - but that was later discounted when it turned out to be someone else.

Her mobile phone pinged a local cell phone tower around 5pm on Sunday, which can only locate her anywhere within 17km of nearby Buninyong - but there the trail of clues runs cold.

'We're going to continue to search and we've been keeping an open mind considering all possibilities,' said Acting Inspector Lisa McDougall.

'We're being extremely thorough and methodical with that investigation.'

Now armchair detectives and trolls have gone into overdrive as speculation explodes about the beloved mother's fate, with 10 key theories now emerging.

Samantha Murphy, 51, (pictured) vanished while out for a 7.30am jog in the Woowookarung Regional Park beauty spot near Ballarat, Victoria last Sunday and hasn't been seen since

Ms Murphy's family have attacked the online trolls who have been falsely alleging Ms Murphy's husband Mick (pictured at the search scene) was behind her disappearance

FALSE CLAIMS 'HER HUSBAND WAS INVOLVED'

On Thursday, Ms Murphy's family attacked the online trolls who have been falsely alleging Ms Murphy's husband Mick was behind her disappearance.

'For those questioning Samantha's husband, you need not worry,' said a statement to the Facebook group set up to help in the hunt and said to be from a family member.

'He is in more pain than anyone and would be the last person to suspect in any of this.'

The couple run the Inland Motor Body Works smash repairs business in Ballarat and on Wednesday he was seen looking distraught in his car at the search location.

He broke his silence at a police press conference on Thursday to thank the community for their support and beg for any new information.

'People just don't vanish into thin air,' he added. 'Someone's got to know something.'

Samantha Murphy left her Ballarat home at 7am on Sunday to go for a run in the nearby state forest and did not return home, nor has she been seen since

A LOCAL DID IT

Another wild claim alleges Ms Murphy was involved in an ongoing dispute with a local who took their revenge while she was out on her regular run.

The theory was shot down by police on Thursday who say they have no evidence so far of any criminal intent behind Ms Murphy's disappearance.

'At the moment there are no suspicious circumstances that we've identified at this stage,' said acting Inspector McDougall.

There is no suggestion Ms Murphy had any ongoing dispute with any neighbours or locals.

Locals say the bushland where Samantha Murphy vanished is notorious for snakes, with many of the searchers spotting several while out hunting for her this week.

TRAGIC ACCIDENT

One of the most plausible theories is that Ms Murphy may have had an accident while out on the run through the area known locally as Canadian Forest.

Locals say the bushland there is notorious for snakes, with many of the searchers spotting several while out hunting for Ms Murphy this week.

She may also have tripped over rocks or branches in the rugged countryside or taken ill, leaving her badly injured and unable to return.

The concern is that time may be running out for Ms Murphy if she is trapped or disabled in the open, with temperatures hitting 36C since she vanished.

Sissy Austin posted photos of herself before and after last year's attack by a man armed with a rock tied to a stick

BRUTAL ATTACK BY A STRANGER

Locals say the area is notorious for drug users, while search parties have also found evidence of homeless encampments deep within the bush.

Greens senator candidate Sissy Austin was savagely attacked a year ago while on a run just 20km away from where Ms Murphy vanished, sparking fears of a similar attack.

Ms Austin was running along a similar track when she was smashed in the face by a random stranger wielding a rock tied to the end of a stick.

The blow knocked her unconscious and left her face bloodied and bruised when she finally came to, but had to stagger 4km before she could raise the alarm.

Her white male attacker had vanished when she woke up, and no-one was ever caught in connection with the attack.

Police, locals and SES volunteers scoured this stretch of bushland on Thursday which is more than 7km long and more than 2km wide

LOST IN THE FOREST

Ms Murphy is said to have occasionally suffered from low blood pressure which may have combined with the high temperatures on the day she vanished.

Some have speculated she may have also run out of water while jogging which may have caused her to then become disorientated and lose her way in the forest.

They fear she may still be wandering aimlessly through the parkland or remained in a remote location awaiting rescue by the search parties.

SES volunteers and police have checked the verges along the key routes Samantha Murphy might have taken to the forest in case she was the victim of a hit and run

HIT AND RUN

The route to the forest mountain trails where she regularly runs requires her to walk or jog along country roads, sparking fears she may have been involved in a traffic accident.

It's feared she may have been the victim of a callous hit and run which has sent her flying into the verge or roadside bushes where she has remained unseen.

However locals report the SES and police have already checked the verges along the key routes she might have taken to the forest.

This map shows the location of the scores of treacherous mines and mineshafts dotting the Goldfields countryside around Ballarat, including the area currently being searched

FALLEN DOWN A MINESHAFT

The Goldfields countryside around Ballarat is littered with abandoned mines and treacherous mineshafts where the unwitting could easily fall into.

Ms Murphy would have had to have left her usual running trails to stumble and fall into one of the shafts, but it is possible if she had somehow become disorientated.

More sinisterly, the mineshafts would also prove an ideal hiding place for anyone trying to hide a body.

An extreme and unlikely theory suggests Samantha Murphy may have had a mental health episode on the Sunday she vanished

MENTAL HEALTH EPISODE

Although there is nothing to suggest this is likely, a mental health episode cannot be completely discounted as at least a possibility.

The theory suggests Ms Murphy may have been facing some inner mental turmoil although there is no evidence to support that.

But under those circumstances, it's possible she may have vanished to give herself space and time to address the issues, or tragically chosen to take her own life.

Samantha Murphy ran the financial side of the family's Inland Motor Body Works smash repairs business and could theoretically have been a target for extortion

KIDNAPPED AND ABDUCTED

Almost as unlikely is the possibility that she has been abducted off the street and held for ransom.

As a prominent local businesswoman - who ran the financial side of the family smash repairs business - she could theoretically have been a target for extortion.

But the mammoth scale of the police operation suggests they believe Ms Murphy is somewhere in the nearby bush and not being held for ransom at another location.

The wildest theory of all is that middle-aged mum of three Samantha Murphy (pictured as she left home on Sunday) has abandoned her family to embark on a new life in secret

FLED FOR A NEW LIFE

The wildest theory of all is that the middle-aged mum of three has abandoned her family to embark on a new life under a new identity in a new city.

There is nothing to suggest that may be true.

On Thursday, Ms Murphy's eldest daughter Jess made a tearful plea to the community and paid tribute to her mother, begging for her to 'come home soon'.

Eldest daughter Jess Murphy made a tearful plea to the community on Thursday and paid tribute to her mother, begging for her to 'come home soon'

'I'd just really like to thank our family and friends for their continuous love and support,' she said.

'It's really helping us to get through and to keep us strong and to keep us motivated to keep looking and keep moving forward.

'Mum's a really strong woman, and she's far too determined to give up this fight. I know she's out there somewhere.

'Please continue to search for her and give us something to work with. We really appreciate it.'

And in a direct personal message to her beloved mother, she added: 'Mum, we love you so much. We miss you. We need you at home with us.

'Please come home soon. I can't wait to see you - and to give you the biggest hug when I do...and to tell you off for giving us so much stress.'
Detroit style pizza is a rectangular pan pizza characterized by a thick, often crisp and chewy crust

National Pizza Day is February 9 and Motown is looking to become America's favorite pie

National Pizza Day is on February 9 and one midwestern city is prepared to take the helm as America's favorite slice.

Pizza restaurant sales reached an all-time high of $46.9 billion in 2022, according to Statista. In the first quarter of 2023, a survey found pizza was the most ordered type of fast food in the United States and the most ordered type among all age groups.

While many of the leading chains such as Domino's, Pizza Hut and Little Caesars sell round pies ranging from New York style to Chicago deep dish, one Michigan city style pizza is gaining popularity.

Detroit style pizza is a rectangular pan pizza characterized by a thick, often crisp and chewy crust.

The pie is said to be invented over 75 years ago at Buddy's Pizza in the Motor City, by Gus Guerra and a group of friends.

Detroit style pizza is a rectangular pan pizza characterized by a thick, often crisp and chewy crust

In 1946, Buddy's baked the pies in forged steel pans borrowed from local automotive plants.

'Influenced by square Sicilian style pizza, Detroit Style Pizza consistently impresses pizza lovers due to its unique layering structure and stunning presentation,' said the restaurant's website.

'The style flips traditional pizza on its head by beginning with double-proofed dough perfectly fit to a square pan  a process that allows the dough to rise and be stretched twice  followed by the backwards layering of toppings.'

The toppings are placed directly on the dough, then topped with a blend of Wisconsin brick cheese created specifically for Buddy's.

According to the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, 'When young, brick cheese is deliciously mild with just a tiny bit of nuttiness. Give it some time to age though, and it ambles into more complex, pungent, even tangy territory.'

Finally, three stripes of sauce are swiped across the pizza before it is put in the oven to bake.

Chicago style pizzas can be prepared in several ways including the common deep dish (pictured) or stuffed pie, as well as a thin-crust version

New York style pies are large hand-tossed thin crust pizzas that are pliable enough to fold

'[It's] probably the crispy, crunchy edges and bottom with the pillowy soft inner dough. It's such a great vehicle to bring the pizza to the people,' Jeremy Damaske, owner of Pie Sci Pizza in Detroit, which sells 700 to 1,000 Detroit style pies weekly, told the website Wealth of Geeks.

'We get a lot of out-of-town folks who come in specifically to have the Detroit style pizza. I would say the vast majority of reactions are very positive,' said Damaske.

Motown style pizzas can be found all across the country and has earned its rank as a top pizza destination.

The average American consumes a staggering 288 slices every year, according to a report released by Pizza Hut.

Overall, people indulge in pizza three times a month in the US, with North Dakota leading the way at 3.5 times per month.

The report was commissioned by Pizza Hut between December 22, 2023 and January 5, 2024, surveying 5,000 American adults.

St. Louis pizza is made with a thin crust and cut into squares instead of wedges

California pizzas are a take on New York style that uses toppings from Golden State cuisine

Other beloved slices include New York style, Chicago deep dish, California pizza and a St. Louis pie.

New York style pies are large hand-tossed thin crust pizzas that are pliable enough to fold.

Chicago style pizzas can be prepared in several ways including the common deep dish or stuffed pie, as well as a thin-crust version.

California pizzas are a take on New York style that uses toppings from Golden State cuisine.

St. Louis pizza is made with a thin crust and cut into squares instead of wedges.
The parents of a public schoolboy who died after plunging into the Thames from a balcony opposite the MI6 HQ have accused the Met Police of 'victim blaming' and failing to properly investigate the circumstances of their son's death.

Zac Brettler, 19, plummeted from a luxury Thames-side apartment development in 2019 - with his fall captured on the MI6 building's CCTV across the river.

The teenager had become enamoured with wealth during his time at Mill Hill School in north London, an exclusive 30,000-a-year boarding school where many pupils were the children of Russian oligarchs.

In order to play up his connections, he had adopted multiple different identities, including that of a Kazakh man, a friend of Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and the son of a Russian oligarch.

Before the tragedy, Zac had spent the night with the son of a Tory donor and the man's friend, the gangster Dave Sharma. Sharma - known as Indian Dave in underground circles - had previously been arrested in 2002 for a heroin smuggling operation and was linked to a consequent gangland murder.

CCTV and phone records showed that Sharma and the second man probably knew Zac had fallen from a fifth floor balcony into the Thames at just after 2am on November 28, The Times reported.

The Tory donor's son had messaged a friend at 10.30pm saying he had been 'heating up knives and cleaning the blood', before adding in a voice note: 'S**t's about to go wrong. Wrong!'

Zac Brettler, 19, plummeted from a luxury Thames-side apartment building in 2019 - where his fall was captured on the MI6 building's CCTV across the river

A mocked-up version of a message sent by the Tory donor's son on the night Zac died

Zac's parents, Rachelle and Matthew Brettler, only found out about these messages from the police nearly two years after their son's death.

The couple, both 61, have now accused the Met of 'victim blaming' as they say they were too quick to pursue the suspicion that Zac killed himself.

'The omissions are highly suggestive of a degree of incompetence that it's very hard to get one's head around. You think, surely they can't be that bad,' Matthew Brettler, the director of a financial services company, told The Times.

'My major criticism of the police is that there was no smoking gun and that then required them to do the hard yards in terms of detective work and they never showed a real appetite for it.'

The couple also gave an interview to The New Yorker, which first reported the story.

Describing her grief, Rachelle said: 'I was living on that balcony with Zac, in my head. I literally had a stomach ache for months after he died, because you're having to digest grief.'

The heartbroken parents believe their son jumped from the building in an effort to save himself from what was inside.

They deny that he was suicidal - saying he emailed his mother on the night he died about booking a driving test and his overnight bag contained enough clothes to last several days.

And they have questioned why detectives did not interview key witnesses who knew what had happened in the run up to his death, according to The Times.

Two days before he died, Zac told a friend that someone had threatened his family and searched for information about witness protection on the same day, the newspaper reported.

Zac's parents, Rachelle and Matthew Brettler, only found out about the messages from the police nearly two years after their son's death

Prior to his death, Zac was calling himself Zac Ismailov.

He told new friends that he had recently inherited his late father's fortune but he was being blocked from accessing it by his mother, who lived in Dubai.

He got to know the Tory donor's son after they agreed to become prospective business partners.

He then put Zac in touch with gangster Dave Sharma, who lived alone in an apartment at the Riverwalk development, in the hope he could give the teenager a home while he resolved his 'inheritance dispute.

Zac briefly lived at the apartment before returning to visit with the Tory donor's son on the night of his death.

Messages in the run up to Zac's death showed Sharma was getting more and more interested in the teenager's wealth, writing on the morning of the tragedy: 'I'm thinking f*** this little kid.'

The teenager was eventually found at the base of the tower block with a broken jaw - the cause of which could not be determined - and injuries to his hip, which smashed into the embankment wall, according to The Times.

This image shows the Riverwalk development on the left and the MI6 building on the other side of the river

Police reportedly only visited the apartment four days after his death - and did not forensically test smears resembling blood on the walls.

Sharma and the Tory donor's son were arrested for murder. He said he had spent parts of the night asleep, although this was later disproved by a log of calls and messaged, according to The Times.

He claimed that their last night with Zac had been an emotional one, where he had confessed to having a secret heroin addiction, the newspaper also reported.

No trace of the drug was found in his system by the pathologist and his parents deny that he would do this.

Poplar coroner's court recorded an open verdict in 2022.

Sharma was found dead in the same apartment in 2020 after an apparent drug overdose.

Zac's fall was captured on the MI6 building's CCTV across the river (seen here bottom right). Pictured main in this picture is the building he jumped from

A Met Police spokesperson said: 'Our sincere condolences remain with Zac Brettler's family, and we understand the uncertainty about how their son died must continue to be the cause of unimaginable pain.

'Whenever someone dies unexpectedly in London, we have established policing protocols to follow, and the investigation into Zac's death was led by an experienced detective.

'The team worked hard to explore every possible hypothesis, which were shared with Zac's family, but ultimately we were not able to provide fuller answers.

'The case was also reviewed by specialist homicide detectives to ensure every line of enquiry had been exhausted.

'As with any case, we would always encourage anyone who they believes they have additional information or evidence to contact police. Any new information will be examined on its own merit by a team led by experienced detectives.'
The family of a white grandmother allegedly stabbed to death by a South Sudanese boy has joined forces with the local African community to demand calm as racial tensions erupt in crime-ridden Queensland.

Vyleen White was allegedly murdered in front of her six-year-old granddaughter at Redbank Plains Town Square, outside Ipswich, south-west of Brisbane, at 6.10pm on Saturday as the pair was buying snacks for Bible study.

Five teenagers, aged between 15 and 16, have been arrested in connection with the incident.

A 16-year-old boy from Bellbird Park in Ipswich, who moved to Australia from South Sudan as a baby, has been charged with murder, unlawful use of a vehicle and stealing.

On Thursday, Mrs White's daughter Cindy Micallef joined the Queensland African Communities Council (QACC) to call for 'peace' following reports of abuse and harassment towards Ipswich's African community.

Cindy Micallef (pictured), the daughter of alleged murder victim Vyleen White, stood alongside the African community on Thursday calling for calm after racial tensions escalated

Queensland African Communities Council president Beny Bol said the families of the teens arrested in relation to Ms White's case were 'heartbroken' and felt 'judged, misunderstood'

Ms White said her family had been 'torn apart from the heart', but she did not want the community to react in anger towards innocent families.

'Mum's legacy will live on in peace. She was never one to be prejudiced, she always looked for the best in people,' she said at a media conference in Redbank Plains alongside QACC president Beny Bol OAM.

Mr Bol said he was 'moved' by Ms Micallef's decision to join him in appealing for peace and unity.

'We are united, and we want to make sure that no other families go through the same pain again,' he said.



Cindy Micallef said her mother's legacy would 'live on pin peace' and that she didn't want Vyleen's name to be associated with racial prejudice

Vyleen White's blind husband Victor (centre) lambasted Queensland Premier Steven Miles' handling of youth crime and branded him a 'jellyfish'

'This is not about race or religion, we are here because if somebody out there in our community - and I'm talking about the Australian community - and they care and they're grieving and they want to see Vyleen's legacy shine on, you need to join us. You need to be with us.

'The best way we can honour her legacy is for us to preach peace, unity, justice and accountability, and make sure the people who do wrong things are held accountable individually.'

Mr Bol said the families of the teenagers arrested in relation to Ms White's alleged murder and theft of her car were 'heartbroken' and felt 'judged, misunderstood'.

'People don't know what they're going through,' he said. 'They came [to Australia] because of their children, they wanted a future for their children.

'These are parents and families who want to see everybody happy, living in peace, and children growing up in peace and enjoying life they feel so disempowered and confused.'

Vyleen White (pictured) was stabbed to death in the underground car park of Town Square Redbank Plains Shopping Centre on Saturday

Mr Bol said since Mrs White's death, African-Australians in places further afield than Ipswich had received 'a lot of verbal abuse' and trolling attacks on social media.

The attacks included people saying 'go back', 'you're monkeys', 'you shouldn't be in this country' and 'pack all of your stuff and go back to your country'.

Ms Micallef said she had spoken to families of African origin who were 'scared to take their kids to school' in the wake of the attack on her mother.

'You're always going to have rogue kids,' she said, but called on Queensland Premier Steven Miles to take stronger action on crime prevention.

'He promised to protect the community and make changes,' she told the press conference. 'There's no substance to what he says.

'If this government isn't going to make a change move over, because we're going to get someone in to make the changes we need.'

South Sudanese Community Association of Queensland (SSCAQ) President Peter Garang Kooch said there had been a spike in aggression levelled at members of his community - both in public and online - in the days since Mrs White's death.

Pictured: Peter Garang Kooch, the President of the South Sudanese Community Association of Queensland

He said he was aware of at least three reports being made to police within the Ipswich area about concerning intimidation incidents.

'There has been verbal abuse and some [people] are threatening to physically attack, so they [members of the community] have had to run away for their safety,' Mr Kooch told Daily Mail Australia.

'Now, everybody in my community is scared that something will happen to us in a shopping centre or gathering place - especially women and children are frightened.'

The SSCAQ has become the target of hateful comments online

Mr Kooch said the family of the boys charged were particularly frightened.

In recent days, hateful comments have amassed on the SSCAQ Facebook page, with some people calling for the accused teenagers to be 'deported' - despite them spending the majority of their lives in Australia.

Mr Kooch said the SSCAQ had also been 'comforted' to receive support from other members of the Australian community who have reached to rally behind them after seeing some of the cruel taunts posted online.

As tensions rise, he said police had agreed to attend a pre-planned community event scheduled for Saturday to ensure no trouble erupts with possible gatecrashers.

Akwol Pajok, who is originally from South Sudan and has lived in the Redbank Plains area for four years, told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday she was shocked to hear about the alleged murder

Local woman Melissa Halliday is pictured visiting a memorial at the supermarket on Tuesday as residents call on the government to address youth crime

Mr Kooch said when children were expelled from school, instead of studying elsewhere they became bored at home and were were recruited online to commit crime.

He said he believed a secondary driver of youth crime was children being placed into detention centres, where they learned criminal behaviour from other inmates to them back with them into the outside world.

Ms Micallef's press conference comes after Mrs White's blind husband Victor White devised an insulting new nickname for the under-fire Queensland premier.

Mr White said Miles - who made headlines for appearing to laugh at a press conference about the alleged murder, which he said was 'unavoidable' - should be called 'jellyfish' because of his lack of spine.

Mr White - who told Miles face to face 'you have the power to fix all this rubbish, this is about you having no backbone' - said on 2GB on Thursday that Miles was 'no better than a jellyfish, the bloke is spineless, he can change his name to "jellyfish".'

Mrs White's husband of almost 50 years, who relied heavily on his 70-year-old wife due to his blindness, said he believed the alleged murder was 'a calculated attack' and 'technically a professional kill'.

However, police have insisted this was not the case. They said the motive behind the fatal stabbing in the shopping centre car park was 'to steal a Hyundai Getz'.

Victor White said he believed a group of youths had been at the shopping centre 'all day stealing things, alcohol' a when his wife 'came back to the car park at the wrong time'.
Sir Billy Connolly has revealed that despite having been sober for over 40 years, the 81-year-old Scottish comedian still has to be careful round booze, particularly at breakfast time.

The retired stand-up comedian, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2013 and retired from live performances in 2018, said that a specialty porridge with a boozy twist, that's he'd unknowingly ordered, almost threw him off the wagon.

Speaking to the Mirror, the actor said that he ordered the breakfast item while stay at a hotel in Arran in the Cylde at a time when he'd already stopped drinking for about a year, but candidly admitted that he was 'still missing it'.

He continued: 'So I was waiting for my porridge royale, wondering what it included, and when it came, I had a spoonful - and it was porridge made with whisky!'

The musician said that every nerve on his body went, 'get it down you,' before the comedian came to his senses and realised that he would have to opt for an booze-free breakfast or he would be back for more.

The retired stand-up comedian said that a specialty porridge with a boozy twist, that's he'd unknowingly ordered, almost threw him off the wagon

The 81-year-old, who grew up in Glasgow, attributes his relationship with booze to his Celtic heritage owed to his Irish and Scottish ancestry

Speaking about his past behaviour under the influence of alcohol, the comedian admitted that he once almost caused a bus to crash over a cliff, nearly killing Sir Michael Caine, after a particularly heavy session of boozing during a 'crazy night in Saint Lucia'.

Thinking it would be funny, Connolly covered the driver's eyes, which almost send the bus over the edge, before Caine intervened.

The 81-year-old, who grew up in Glasgow, attributes his relationship with booze to his Celtic heritage owed to his Irish and Scottish ancestry.

He told The Mirror: '[Celtic races have] got a want - a need - for that fiery liquid'.

The comedy legend has previously penned details of his drinking sessions, admitting that alcohol played a 'central role' in his life, 'in keeping with Glaswegian culture in the 1960s'.

Sir Billy Connolly has revealed that despite having been sober for over 40 years, the 81-year-old Scottish comedian still has to be careful round booze

He said that he neither he or his partner at the time, Iris, could see that they were 'overdoing it and heading for trouble'.

The Scottish star added: 'We were both drunks. Neither of us was happy. Its amazing how you can kind of know something but dont entirely admit it to yourself.

None of it was fair on the kids  I think they missed out. I was never there, which must have been very hard on Iris.

'I didnt know how to be a good family man. With my difficult upbringing, I had never learned that. I was stumbling from disaster to disaster'.

't was around this time that the comedian met his current wife, Pamela Stephenson.
A probe into President Joe Biden's handling of classified documents has been completed, but witnesses are reportedly not being allowed to review the report.

The Justice Department expects to release the report to Congress and the public soon, Attorney General Merrick Garland told lawmakers in a letter Wednesday.

Garland did not detail the conclusions of the report from special counsel Robert Hur, but said he was committed to disclosing as much of the document as possible once the White House completes a review for potential executive privilege concerns.

The process is expected to be completed by the end of the week, said Ian Sams, a spokesman for the White House counsel's office.

However, witnesses who cooperated in the case who asked Hur to allow them to review the documents prior to publication have had their requests denied, ABC News reports.

The reluctance to allow anyone to review the report has sparked fears in the White House that its contents could be damning for the president, 81.

The Justice Department special counsel investigating President Joe Biden's handling of classified documents has completed his inquiry and a report is expected to be made public soon

However, witnesses who contributed to the investigation said that they have been pleading to be allowed to review it prior to publication

Attorney Michael Bromwich said he has repeatedly suggested to Hur's team that he could miss 'proper factual context' unless his clients are allowed to review. However, the lawyer claims his requests have fallen on deaf ears.

The year-long investigation centered on the improper retention of classified documents by Biden from his time as a U.S. senator and as vice president.

Sensitive records were found at his Delaware home and at a private office that he used in between his service in the Obama administration and becoming president.

The resolution of the investigation arrives in a pivotal year for the president, as he pursues reelection in a deeply polarized political climate.

Though the probe's outcome is expected to lift a legal cloud over Biden, criticism of his handling of classified records could blunt his ability to attack Donald Trump - his presumptive opponent in November - over a pending indictment charging the former president with hoarding top-secret files at his Mar-a-Lago estate and obstructing FBI efforts to get them back.

Trump and other Republicans are likely to challenge the legitimacy of the investigation by noting that it was launched by the Biden Justice Department.

But Garland sought to insulate the department from claims of bias and conflicts of interest by last year appointing Hur, a former U.S. attorney for Maryland during the Trump administration, to handle the Biden investigation and by naming a different special counsel, Jack Smith, to oversee investigations into Trump.

Special Counsel Robert Hur is conducted the probe and is said to have refused requests from witnesses seeking to review the report prior to its release

President Joe Biden arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, to travel to Manhattan to attend fundraisers

Documents with classified markings from Biden's time as Vice President were found at his Wilmington home following a 13-hour FBI search

While the Trump investigation resulted in dozens of felony charges against the ex-president last year, the outcome of the Biden probe is expected to be different.

Justice Department policy prohibits the indictment of a sitting president and, unlike in the Trump investigation, no evidence has emerged to suggest that Biden engaged in comparable conduct or willfully held onto records he wasnt supposed to have.

But the White House's response to the discovery of classified documents early last year was delayed and incomplete.

The White House did not disclose the Justice Departments investigation until January 2023, when it acknowledged the discovery two months earlier of a 'small number' of classified documents by Biden's lawyers as they closed an office at the Penn Biden Center, a think tank affiliated with the Ivy League school.

Biden has said he was surprised by the initial trove discovered by his lawyers.

The FBI subsequently conducted a 13-hour, top-to-bottom check of his Wilmington, Delaware, home, where agents located documents with classified markings from his time as a vice president and senator and took possession of some of his handwritten notes.

Bidens personal lawyers have also revealed that they had found a document bearing classified markings while searching the Wilmington property but said they had not found others during a separate inspection of his Rehoboth Beach home.

The looming conclusion of the investigation had been foreshadowed last fall when Biden sat for a voluntary interview at the White House with Hur's team. Interviews of key subjects in an investigation are often done near the end.

Justice Department regulations require Congress to be notified of any investigative steps or proposed actions by a special counsel that were rejected by department leadership. 'There were no such actions,' Garland wrote.
Tucker Carlson's interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin will air on Thursday evening on X and his own website, while Hillary Clinton called him a 'useful idiot' for doing so.

In a Wednesday Instagram post, Carlson said the sit-down, which has already been recorded, would be broadcast at 6 p.m. Eastern on his website and the social media platform.

The former Fox News host, a key ally of 2024 election candidate Donald Trump and a vocal opponent of US military aid for Ukraine, traveled to Moscow for Putin's first interview with a Western journalist since Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Hillary Clinton, speaking on MSNBC Wednesday, joked that she 'would not be surprised if he emerges with a contract with a Russian outlet, because he is a useful idiot' in response to the news.

Carlson's access to Putin is a huge contrast with restraints on other foreign journalists in Russia, where two US citizens - Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Radio Free Europe's Alsu Kurmasheva - are currently imprisoned.

Tucker Carlson 's interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin will air on Thursday on X and his own website at 6pm

Carlson's hit show on Fox came to an end in April, days after the right-wing cable network paid a settlement approaching $800 million to end a defamation case over false allegations that ballot-counting company Dominion Voting Systems had helped steal the 2020 presidential election from Trump.

He has since broadcasted shows on X, formerly Twitter, but his interview with Putin represents his biggest score since his departure from Fox.

Carlson's surprise scoop also comes as US aid to Ukraine has dried up due to Republican opposition in Washington, leaving Ukrainian forces scrambling for ammunition.

Democrats in the US Senate are due to make a fresh attempt Thursday to restore US military funding to Ukraine, after a first vote on a multibillion-dollar aid package failed amid Republican chaos.

But the package's future is unclear in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

Clinton, speaking to Alex Wagner on the left-leaning network, said it made perfect sense why Putin would do the interview.

'He says things that are not true. He parrots Vladimir Putin's pack of lies about Ukraine, so I don't see why Putin wouldn't give him an interview,' she said.

Despite her opining that Carlson has a future at a Russian outlet, she believes the country's media looks down at him.

The former Fox News host, a key ally of 2024 election candidate Donald Trump and a vocal opponent of US military aid for Ukraine, traveled to Moscow for Putin's first interview with a Western journalist since Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine

Hilary Clinton, speaking on MSNBC Wednesday, joked that she 'would not be surprised if he emerges with a contract with a Russian outlet, because he is a useful idiot' in response to the news

Hillary Clinton on Tucker Carlson's Putin interview: 'He is a useful idiot'



Watch more of Alex Wagner's interview with Clinton tonight!



9pmET on MSNBC pic.twitter.com/936lATJBAm  Alex Wagner Tonight (@WagnerTonight) February 7, 2024

'If you actually read translations of what is being said on Russian media, they make fun of him he's like a puppy dog', Clinton said.

Carlson, 54, previously said the interview would air 'unedited' on his website, without a paywall, and on X, making him the first American to interview Putin since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

'Two years into a war that's reshaping the entire world, most Americans are not informed,' the conservative commentator said of the conflict in Ukraine. 'They have no real idea what's happening in this region. But they should know, they're paying for much of it in ways they might not fully perceive.'

Russian state media outlet Sputnik aired footage on Monday that showed Carlson's car leaving the Kremlin.

'Americans have a right to know all they can about a war they're implicated in,' Carlson added in the four-minute clip taken in Moscow.

He went on to call the world's English-language media corrupt, claiming they 'lie to their readers and viewers' and that 'it is his duty to inform' the public.

Carlson repeated the unconfirmed claim that the Biden administration illegally spied on him three years ago to stop him from interviewing Putin. He then claimed the federal government 'did the same thing once again.'

'But this time, we came to Moscow anyway,' he said, adding that he paid for the trip himself, 'and did not take money from any government or group.'

Carlson, 54, was spotted in the Russian capital at a Spartacus performance in Bolshoi Theatre, according to media in Russia

A picture of Carlson appears to show him at a Spartacus performance at the Bolshoi Theatre

'We are not here because we love Vladimir Putin. We are here because we love the United States and want it to remain prosperous and free,' Carlson claimed.

The commentator also stated that Elon Musk had 'promised not to suppress or block this interview.'

'Western governments, by contrast, will certainly do their best to censor this video and other less principled platforms because thats what they do,' Carlson added.

The video statement comes after days of speculation over Carlson's trip to Moscow, and whether it would include an interview with the tyrant.

Putin has not sat down with an American journalist since June 2021, when he spoke with NBCs Keir Simmons.

Veteran journalist Christiane Amanpour responded to Carlson's video message, noting that western journalists indeed have made attempts to interview Putin.

She wrote: 'Does Tucker really think we journalists haven't been trying to interview President Putin every day since his full scale invasion of Ukraine? It's absurd -- we'll continue to ask for an interview, just as we have for years now.'

Russian state media fueled the rumors on Monday, posting a video they claimed showed Carlson leaving the Russian Presidential Administration. The outlet, however, would still not confirm the interview took place.

Putin has not sat down with an American journalist since June 2021, when he spoke with NBCs Keir Simmons

The former Fox News star also kept his cards close to the chest on Monday, after Russian media showed pictures of him at several spots around Moscow, including at a box at the Bolshoi Theatre and eating at a hotel.

'It is beautiful,' Carlson said of Moscow in an interview aired by the Izvestia newspaper. 'I just wanted to see it because, you know, I have read so much about it but I have never seen it before.'

When asked if he was in Moscow to interview Putin, Carlson said: 'We'll see' and smiled.

The Kremlin has also refused to confirm it Putin would be sitting down with the American podcaster.

Carlson reportedly arrived in the capital on February 1 and was spotted at a Spartacus performance in the Bolshoi Theatre.

Back in 2021, Carlson claimed the National Security Agency began 'spying' on him after he said he was trying to interview Putin.

Carlson said that his communications were intercepted by the NSA, and that his identity - which should by law have been kept a secret - was 'unmasked' by senior intelligence officials.

He claimed that the content of his emails and texts was then disseminated, in a bid to discredit him.
Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie has blasted Labor and the Greens over their industrial relations bill.

She has accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and minor party leader Adam Bandt of failing to support a female-led union branch.

The Tasmanian politician held an emotionally-charged conference in Canberra on Thursday, criticising the PM and Greens leader Adam Bandt for bowing to CFMEU Victorian state secretary John Setka.

The Senate will vote on the industrial relations bill - which includes a controversial 'right to disconnect', or refuse bosses' calls after hours - on Thursday.

Mr Albanese and Industrial Relations Minister Tony Burke have the support of the Greens, and independent senators David Pocock and Lidia Thorpe.

Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie has put the Labor government and Greens on notice in a fiery speech demanding stronger support for a female-led organisation

Senator Lambie will not support the bill, citing persistent concerns about small and medium businesses - and an issue she has with the CFMEU.She said Labor and the Greens should get behind an amendment which would allow a secret ballot for the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union to demerge from CFMEU Victoria.

'(CFMEU chief) John Setka is running the Labor party,' Ms Lambie fumed.

'It's sad that the Greens have allowed John Setka to infiltrate Adam Bandt's office. I want every Green voter to know that.'

She said neither party could claim they were 'for women', unless they wave through her amendment to the government's workplace relations bill.

'Give these women their rights,' Senator Lambie said, 'otherwise every time I get in that chamber I will remind you, you do not stand for women's rights. You don't care for women.

'Where is Katy Gallagher (Minister for Women)?'

Jenny Kruschel, the union's secretary, said female members and staff felt 'unsafe' around the CFMEU.

'We had to move our division out of the building and it's a very uncomfortable environment,' Ms Kruschel said.

Ms Lambie said the government had refused to endorse the secret ballot, causing her to question whether Mr Setka was 'running the Labor Party'.

'Don't you women dare stand up and talk about women's rights in that chamber, because as of today, in my eyes, your credibility has gone down the gurgler.

'You are shameful, absolutely shameful.'

Ms Lambie said thousands of women are part of this union, many of whom are from non-English speaking backgrounds.

She said they are entitled to a secret ballot to take control of the union's future.

Ms Lambie said the government has 'two hours to get back in your party room and rethink that, to support this amendment.'

Ms Lambie attempted to move amendments to allow the manufacturing division of the CFMEU, TCFU, to hold a secret ballot to demerge from the main organisation

She accused the government of backing down from her request out of fear the Greens would pull their support for the IR bills.

Ms Lambie also gave an additional, direct warning to Mr Bandt about his future as leader of the party.

'There have been mumblings about your leadership for a long time,' she said.

'Maybe it's time you take those mumblings seriously.'

In the Senate, Ms Lambie said of her amendment: 'Who in here could in all conscience vote against these women?

'If your party is telling you to vote against this amendment, I want you to think about how you will feel about betraying these women.

'All the passionate speeches that I've heard in this place about domestic violence, how women should be empowered to take control over their lives, did you mean them and will you stand by your words for these women?'

'If, God forbid, after everything that has gone on in the last three or four years up here you don't stand up for these women your credibility will go down the drain just like that.'
Queensland Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a 12-year-old girl reported missing in the Sunshine Coast last night.

The girl was last seen leaving a property along Cape Street, in Birtinya at about 6.45pm and has not made contact with family since.

She is described as Caucasian, approximately 165 centimetres tall, with brown, shoulder-length hair and blue eyes.

She was last seen wearing a black tshirt with red lines on the front, black shorts and no shoes.

Police and family hold concerns for the girls welfare due to her young age.

Anyone with information about the girls whereabouts is urged to contact police.
Federal Liberal leader Peter Dutton has slammed Steven Miles as 'not fit for the job' after the Queensland Premier laughed off a question about the state's youth crime crisis.

Mr Miles has been heavily criticised for his laughter, just days after the high profile killing of a 70-year-old woman in front of her granddaughter at a a shopping centre.

A 16-year-old youth has been charged with murder, having been granted bail on a previous offence, against police advice.

Mr Dutton said Queenslanders were facing a serious crime endemic that called for a leader who could 'stand up' and 'provide support'.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has questioned Steven Miles being fit for the job of Queensland Premier

'It's one of the most emotional and serious issues in Queensland at the moment,' Mr Dutton told 2GB.

'And if the Premier in the first instance doesn't have the ability to conduct himself with decency and dignity and respect, then he's not fit for the job.'

Facing a barrage of criticism, Mr Miles said he was misrepresented, was not laughing off the grandmother's killing, and said suggestions he was were 'disrespectful'.

'No one in Queensland, myself included, is laughing at this tragedy,' Mr Miles wrote in an X post.

'A family and a community is grieving. Sensational headlines and misrepresentations have no part to play in Queensland this week.'

Unconvinced, Mr Dutton doubled down on his attack on the premier, accusing him of fabricating an excuse to cover his tracks.

Mr Miles broke into a giggle when asked a question about Queensland's youth crime and a summer bookended by murders

'It has compounded his problem and what has now made his position untenable is that he has concocted this story that actually, he wasn't laughing at that,' Mr Dutton said.

Earlier, Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said Queensland had a 'bail problem' and a 'judge problem', while claiming the judiciary is 'out of touch'.

The Queensland Police Union is calling for ankle bracelets and deportation to be considered among a raft of new powers to tackle the state's worsening youth crime crisis.

'These latte-sipping judges living in wealthy suburbs in inner-city Brisbane have no connection with the average Queenslander,' Mr Leavers said.

'So that's a start. We've got to hold them to account now. Bail is a privilege, not a right.'

He argued an ankle bracelet was a fair trade-off for being given the privilege of serving time within the community rather than behind bars.

Grandmother Vyleen White was allegedly fatally stabbed by five youths at a shopping centre in Ipswich on Saturday

Mr Leavers went on to claim that too often the rights of the offender were prioritised over the victim, criticising judges for stopping media coverage of court cases to ease the discomfort of offenders.

'I'm sorry but what about a 70-year-old lady who was murdered while her six-year-old granddaughter was there? Where are her rights and the rights of the family?' he said.

The uproar comes after acting magistrate Robert Turra blocked reporters from covering a hearing into the alleged murder of grandmother Vyleen White, arguing the media's presence in the court could be 'prejudicial' to the 16-year-old boy charged with the crime.

The 70-year-old was allegedly stabbed to death at the Redbank Plains Shopping Centre in Ipswich on Saturday.

Police have charged five children in relation to the alleged attack, including a 16-year-old Bellbird Park boy who was charged with murder.

Mr Miles agreed that magistrates had been too cautious when preventing reporters from covering high-profile cases, suggesting it impeded proper 'scrutiny' of the court process.

'Magistrates are erring too much on the side of not allowing journalists in,' he said at the Queensland Media Club on Tuesday.

Mr Miles also suggested deportation for foreign visitors who had committed serious crimes and completed their jail time.

'No more mollycoddling these people and saying they've got rights. Well, they lose their rights when they commit serious crimes,' he said.

'I know this is extreme, but we have real issues and we need to deal with a generation where we have problems. But I will say this, police and the government cannot be the parents of every child in this state.

'We actually need our parents to do their job.'
Donald Trump is preparing for a second victory in Nevada as he heads to Las Vegas for the caucuses Thursday following his symbolic win on Tuesday.

Republican voters in the Battle Born State selected 'none of these candidates' at a 32.9 percent higher rate than opting to vote for Nikki Haley in Nevada's primary election.

Even Donald Trump's team was shocked by the amount of Nevada voters willing to cast their ballot for no one instead of former U.N. Amb. Haley, who is the final primary competitor for the former president.

Kash Patel, a senior advisor to Trump, told DailyMail.com during an interview in Las Vegas on Wednesday that Haley 'overshot' by thinking she could avoid campaigning at all in Nevada and still win the primary on Tuesday.

'Maybe you wouldn't have got trounced by no one if you showed up and put in the work,' Patel said of Haley's campaign. 'This is emblematic of the whole entire thing. Like, where do you go with that? You, the billion-dollar candidate, lost to no one.'

'We convinced 45,000 people to circle 'none of the above'  that's insane,' he lauded. 'That's better than write-in candidate levels.'

Donald Trump Senior Advisor Kash Patel led efforts to get 'none of these candidates' on Nevada's primary ballot on Tuesday. He told DailyMail.com on Wednesday that not even he expected that option to beat Nikki Haley by a 32.9% margin

Without Trump on the ballot, Haley still managed to walk away in second place with 30.5 percent of the vote to the 63.3 percent that the option 'none of these candidates' received.

Nevada's State legislature passed a bill to run a primary election this year, but the Trump-aligned Nevada GOP objected to the efforts after decades of holding caucuses, leading to a slew of confusion and dueling primary and caucus contests.

Instead of risking losing supporters to this year's kerfuffle, Patel and other MAGA faithfuls launched an effort to educate voters on how they could participate in both the primary election on Tuesday, February 6 and caucuses on Thursday, February 8.

The feat, Patel conceded, was not easy  with many Nevada voters remaining confused over this process up until election day.

One Republican voter who spoke with DailyMail.com outside a polling place in Clark County on Tuesday was upset to find that Trump's name was not on the ballot when he showed up to cast his ballot.

'I don't know why they don't have Trump's name on the ballot, it's r****ded,' Robert Simonelli, 63, said before marching back into the library where he decided to vote for 'none of these candidates.'

Haley was only on the ballot for the primary on Tuesday, while Trump is participating in the caucus on Thursday. The caucuses, the Nevada GOP determined, is the only way to earn delegates for the nomination this year.

Nikki Haley did not step foot in Nevada once ahead of the primary election there. She did, however, campaign in Los Angeles, California on Wednesday evening (pictured)

Patel told DailyMail.com that Haley's initial excuse for not caucusing was avoiding coughing-up the $55,000 to participate  but the narrative quickly changed with the former South Carolina Governor claiming the election in Nevada was 'rigged.'

'We always knew Nevada was a scam,' Haley told Fox Business' Charles Payne on Wednesday. 'Trump had it rigged from the very beginning, there are multiple press stories on that.'

She appeared to brag to the Fox Business host about not spending 'a day or dollar' in Nevada.

Haley did, however, appear at a campaign rally in Los Angeles, California on Wednesday night as she made a trip to the west after all  just ahead of Nevada's caucuses on Thursday.

'We weren't worried about it, that's why we haven't talked about it,' Haley said to Payne.

Trump is poised to walk away Thursday evening with all 26 of Nevada's delegates  putting Haley even further behind going into South Carolina's primary later this month.

Patel said that Haley probably kept herself out of the caucuses because she thought a win in the primary would make positive headlines and distract from Trump's caucus win just two days later.

'Nikki Haley wanted the 'we won the primary' print in the headlines in Nevada,' Patel guessed. 'And they had it printed in the media and ready to go. And then no one was going to look at the caucus two days later. They'd be like, what are you talking about?'

'It's the symbolic media victory,' he added.

But Haley didn't even get that.
An Islamic 'brothers only' day out at a popular water park is being investigated amid claims female staff members were subjected to vile slurs and harassment.

The Sunni Muslim group the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jam'ah Association of Australia (ASWJ) booked out the Jamberoo Action Park on the NSW South Coast on Monday for an estimated 800 boys and men.

Organisers for the 'strictly brothers only' event had reportedly requested there be no female staff members on shift.

Although management declined this request, it is alleged both male and female employees were told to wear long-sleeve shirts and 'long tights' to be 'inclusive' to their guests.

But some female staff members were allegedly told they 'shouldn't be here' and called 'b*****s' and 'sl**s' by members of the group, reports the Illawarra Mercury.

Park bosses are investigating at least one report of 'derogatory and degrading treatment', while ASWJ leaders have launched their own investigation into the day out.

Sunni Muslim group the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jam'ah Association of Australia (ASWJ), booked out the Jamberoo Action Park on the NSW South Coast on Monday for an estimated 800 boys and men. (Pictured: a stock image of two guests on the Bobsled at Jamberoo. It is not suggested anyone shown was involved in the day out involving the ASWJ)

Some female staff members were allegedly told they 'shouldn't be here' and called 'b*****s' and 'sl**s' by members of the group. (Pictured: Jamberoo Action Park staff at a previous event. It is not suggested anyone pictured was involved in the day out involving the ASWJ)

A source told the Mercury it was not just one isolated incident.

'Whether there were complaints made or not I don't know, but there were multiple girls affected on the day,' the source said.

'Young blokes were affected too, because they were sticking up for the girls.'

A spokesperson for Jamberoo Action Park told Daily Mail Australia it is 'an inclusive operation and does its best to accommodate all guests'.

The spokesperson said the park is normally closed to the public between Monday and Thursday at this time of year but occasionally takes bookings which 'may have their own operational requirements, from ticketing to catering of certain kinds'.

'For the private booking this Monday, all ride and attraction operators confirmed for roster were required to wear sun-safe clothing, regardless of sex, as has been the case in previous bookings,' the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for Jamberoo Action Park told Daily Mail Australia it is 'an inclusive operation and does it's best to accommodate all guests'. (Pictured: a Jamberoo staff member and guest, neither of whom is linked to the day out involving the ASWJ)

Organisers for the 'strictly brothers only' event had reportedly requested there be no female staff members on shift. (Pictured: the poster for the event)

The park blamed a 'few bad apples' for the alleged behaviour

The spokesperson said the park had been 'hosting this group successfully for four years'.

'On this occasion they were generally well-behaved and it was a small group of boys who were disrespectful,' they said.

'This can happen with other groups where we experience respectful behaviour from most of the group and a few bad apples behave inappropriately.'

ASWJ is also reportedly investigating the incident.

'We are currently investigating the complaints made against our patrons at Jamberoo Recreation Park,' a spokesperson told the Illawarra Mercury.

'Over the past four years, we have successfully collaborated with park management to ensure a positive experience for all attendees.

'While incidents involving a small minority can occur in large gatherings, we want to assure you that we have strict agreements with park officials to promptly address any misconduct and enforce park rules.'

Daily Mail Australia made multiple attempts to contact the organisation.

The Australian ASWJ movement was spearheaded by Mohammed Omran, also known as Sheikh Abu Ayman, as a non-profit to service the Muslim community. There are multiple centres across Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
A pair of anti-Semitic personalised number plates on the back of a ute that outraged Aussies has now been recalled.

A white Ford Ranger with the NSW number plate 'OCT7TH' was seen on Sydney roads, with a picture of it widely shared on social media.

The number plate appeared to reference the October 7 attacks carried out by Hamas that left more than 1,200 Israelis dead and hundreds abducted.

Many hostages are still being held prisoner in Gaza.

Former Liberal candidate Freya Leach, shared an image to her X account with a question to the NSW premier Chris Minns.

'Seen in Western Sydney. @ChrisMinnsMP how is this allowed?' she wrote.

Main Road minister John Graham said on Thursday he immediately took action after he was made aware of the number plates.

A white Ford Ranger with the NSW number plate 'OCT7TH' was seen on Sydney roads, with a picture of it widely shared on social media. The plates have now been recalled

Former Liberal Party candidate Freya Leach, shared the picture of the licence plate to her X account asking the NSW premier how the plates could be allowed

'As soon as I heard about this, we issued an order for it to be recalled,' he told 2GB.

'That process used to take up to a month before plates could be called back in. Transport has acted immediately.

'Given the tensions around the world I wasnt happy with that. As roads minister, weve shortened that process, and the request is now that these plates are [recalled] in within 48 hours.'

Mr Graham said if the owner doesn't hand in the offending plates, the car's registration will be 'cancelled altogether'.

Ms Leach said an X follower informed her the plate had been 'registered a few years prior' to the attacks labelling it a 'very unfortunate coincidence'.

Transport for NSW rubbished the claims telling news.com.au the offensive number plate was registered in December 2023  after the attacks.

The Hamas attacks in southern Israel sparked an ongoing battle with Israeli forces.

According to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry, the death toll in Gaza has passed 27,000.

Some 85 per cent of Gazas civilians have been displaced due to the air raids and ground operations.

Over 1000 Israeli civilians were murdered in co-ordinated attacks by Hamas fighters on October 7, with hundreds being abducted. It sparked a counter-attack and the death toll in Gaza has passed 27,000. 85 per cent of Gazas civilians have been displaced due to the air raids and ground operations

Australian Jewish Association CEO Robert Gregory told Daily Mail Australia the number plate is very 'concerning'.

'A surge of anti-Semitism has been sweeping across Australia and the licence plate is a symptom of it,' he said.

'We raised it with an MP yesterday but these things keep happening.'

Mr Gregory said there have been past incidents with number plates and there needs to be a system in place to stop it occurring again.

'It's crazy. I understand that an employee may not have realised what the date meant, bit once it was raised they should have acted faster,' he said.

'It should be treated seriously when raised.

'It's extremely concerning for the Jewish community that there are people in our society who celebrate terrorist attacks and murder, and they live in the same city as them.

'It does feel like the focus on October 7 disappeared very quickly and left peoples' minds fast.

Transport for NSW introduced stricter screening processes after a neo-Nazi plate went unnoticed last year. A motorist saw the number plate 88-SIEG on a car - eighty-eight is coded slang for Heil Hitler and sieg is the German word for 'victory'

'We attribute this to the government and Penny Wong not being supportive of Israel. Penny Wong refused to visit the sites of the massacre.

'It's important for leaders to send the right message to the community and we're not seeing that about October 7.'

When assessing if a personalised number plate application is appropriate, authorities use a combination of automatic and manual processing.

A spokesperson for Transport for NSW said an investigation was underway.

'We apologise the date was not flagged as offensive and for any subsequent offence and distress caused,' the spokesperson said.

'Unfortunately, in this instance the filtering process did not identify the combination.'
READ MORE: Schoolgirl who saved her pet from a snake breaks her silence

The reptile disappeared into the bush shortly after

A dam worker has been praised for his creative rescue plan to save the life of a massive goanna, using a crane and a log to get the animal out of harm's way.

The distressed, exhausted and 1.5m-long reptile was found last Thursday at the base of the Torrumbarry Weir, along the Murray River in northern Victoria, by Goulburn-Murray Water's senior storage manager Luke Simpson.

Mr Simpson spotted the goanna during his usual inspection of the weir and jumped into action with a MacGyver-like plan.

He quickly chained a log to a gantry crane and lowered it down to give the animal something to grab onto.

The exhausted goanna eventually climbed onto the log before Mr Simpson slowly lifted it back up to solid ground.

A quick-thinking dam worker has saved the life of a distressed goanna from the bottom of a weir by chaining a log to a gantry crane and pulling it to safety (pictured)

Mr Simpson said he had seen the same goanna sunbathing along the riverbank throughout the summer but never felt the need to intervene until last week.

'He was a bit frightened... It probably took about 10 or 15 minutes, but eventually he just stepped up onto the log,' he told ABC Victoria Mornings.

After eventually trusting the method of rescue, the goanna secured a tight hold on the log with its tree-climbing claws and was pulled to safety.

The dam's crew then grabbed a carp out of the weir's stores and gave it to the reptile so it could regain some of its strength. The goanna then scurried off into nearby bushland.

Mr Simpson said it was no where to be found by the afternoon and hoped it was 'up a tree now and just enjoying life'.

'No-one's ever seen anything like it here,' he said.

Senior storage manager Luke Simpson came up with the cunning rescue plan after spotting the distressed goanna during a regular inspection of the Torrumbarry Weir last Thursday

The reptile enjoyed a fresh carp in the sun before scurrying off into nearby bushland

Aussies praised Mr Simpson's heroic effort after Goulburn-Murray Water shared the story to its Facebook page.

'Amazing rescue well done Luke,' one user wrote.

'Very innovative thinking Luke, Im sure he was very thankful,' a second wrote.

'Thats an awesome rescue,' another wrote. 'The goanna has a great story to tell his grandchildren.'
EXCLUSIVE

A 25-year-old tenant allegedly murdered his landlord before running to a pharmacy with blood and cuts on his hands and called an ambulance from a payphone.

Emergency services were called to a home on Lakes Drive in Tweed Heads West, on the border of NSW and Queensland, at about 5.50pm on Wednesday because neighbours were concerned for the owner's welfare.

Police found the body of 63-year-old Donna Baraket inside. She could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Connor Bulluss was then charged with her murder.

Neighbours told Daily Mail Australia the property was a known drug house and Ms Baraket was a user who had been in and out of rehab for years.

A tenant, 25, allegedly murdered his landlord Donna Baraket (pictured) before he ran into a pharmacy with cuts and blood all over his hands and called an ambulance from a payphone

One neighbour, Hannah, said Mr Bulluss had been renting from Ms Baraket for about two weeks before she kicked him out on Monday and tossed his possessions onto the front lawn.

Hannah's husband Luke was the pharmacist on duty when the alleged killer ran into his shop, about 10 minutes down the road, covered in blood.

'He came in with his hands all cut up and my husband thinks it could have been self-defence,' she said.

'It looked like he'd grabbed a blade or something.'

She said Mr Bulluss quickly left the pharmacy and called an ambulance from a payphone.

The pharmacist called police and asked them to carry out a welfare check on the home.

Connor Bulluss (pictured) has been charged with murder after he was taken to hospital

Neighbours said the property was a known drug house and Ms Baraket struggled with addiction and had been in and out of rehab for years. (Pictured: police at the scene)

When police arrived at the pharmacy, they found Mr Bulluss in the gutter with serious hand injuries.

Hannah said there were often people loitering around the house and she would hear fights break out at the address, but she didn't hear anything on Wednesday.

'I usually hear people screaming "f**k you" and things like that,' she said.

'But I was home with my seven-month-old yesterday and I saw her around the house about an hour beforehand, but I didn't hear anything.'

She didn't know what triggered the altercation on Wednesday, but said: 'I think it was maybe that she kicked him out and both of them could have been on something [drugs] and it got out of hand.'

She described Mr Bulluss as 'quiet' and was surprised he was arrested and charged with murder.

On Wednesday night, Mr Bulluss was taken to Tweed Heads Hospital under police guard.

He was then taken to Tweed Heads Police Station and charged with murder and had been scheduled to appear in Tweed Heads Local Court on Thursday.

However the court heard he was unable to appear because he was having surgery on his hands.

The matter will be heard on Friday.
Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson dropped out of the presidential race Wednesday after a disappointing showing in Tuesday's Nevada primary.

Williamson, a best-selling author and self-help guru, was one of only two mainstream challengers to President Joe Biden's ascent to the Democratic nomination.

Her rise to national prominence was boosted by Oprah Winfrey in the 1990s, as a frequent guest on her daytime talk show, and then again in 2020, when she ran for the Democratic nomination for the first time.

In a video to supporters she said, 'I read a quote the other day that said that "sunsets are proof that endings can be beautiful too."'

'And so today, even though it is time to suspend my campaign for the presidency I do want to see the beauty and I want all of you incredibly supported me on this journey, as donors, as supporters, as team and as volunteers, to see the beauty too,' she said.

Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson dropped out of the presidential race Wednesday after a disappointing showing in the Nevada primary

'There is so much for us to take from this. And that includes knowing that we laid it down in way that we should all be proud of,' Williamson added.

She also told supporters in an email, ''First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you don't win :)'

'While the level of our failure is obvious to all, a level of success is real nonetheless,' she continued. 'And I'm not only glad we did that; I'm proud of it.'

ABC News first reported Williamson's decision. She officially entered the race in March.

Williamson actively campaigned in New Hampshire - bypassed spending time last weekend in South Carolina, where Biden was dominant - and then placed her bets on Nevada.

However, the Silver State primary Tuesday was immediately called for the sitting president after polls closed.

She garnered just under 3,200 votes - or 2.9 percent - to Biden's dominate 89.3 percent.

With Marianne Williamson's exit from the Democratic primary race, President Joe Biden has only one mainstream rival, Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips, who has made his campaign about the president's age and fitness for office

In New Hampshire she received around 5,000 votes or 4 percent of the total.

In South Carolina she got around 2,700 votes and 2.1 percent of the vote.

Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips, who is also challenging the 81-year-old president, joined the race too late to appear on the ballot in Nevada.

Phillips has signaled that he plans to stay in the race.

In posts on X Tuesday and Wednesday he pushed back at critics who are upset that he's making an issue out of Biden's age and fitness for office.

'I'm attacked for being honest and saying the quiet part out loud - the part D.C. insiders only do in private,' Phillips said Tuesday.

The congressman said he admired Biden, voted for him and campaigned for him and that the commander-in-chief had always been 'gracious' to Phillips' family.

'But shame on all of you pretending everything is OK,' he told his Democratic critics. 'You are leading us - and him - into a disaster, and you damn well know it.'

After withdrawing from the Democratic primary race in 2020, Williamson - like the rest of the Democratic field - backed Biden against then incumbent President Donald Trump.
American officials called the drone strike that blew up a car in the Iraqi capital, killing a high-ranking commander of the Kataib Hezbollah militia, a 'dynamic' attack with the suggestion that more could be coming.

The strike came at 9:30pm local time, killing at least one commander of the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia who the US says is responsible for the attack on an American base in Jordan last month that killed three soldiers.

There were conflicting reports on the number of those killed, with US officials saying the initial assessment was one, and there were no civilians hurt or killed.

But two officials with Iran-backed militias in Iraq said that three died, including Wissam Muhammad Sabir Al-Saadi, known as Abu Baqir Al-Saadi, the commander in charge of Kataib Hezbollahs operations in Syria. Kataeb Hezbollah later announced his death 'following the bombing of the American occupation forces' in a statement.

A US official told the New York Times, without naming the leader killed, that they'd been tracking the militia commander for some time, calling the strike a 'dynamic' hit.

Another official made it clear that the US reserves the right to target any other Shiite militia leaders, indicating the nation's response to the militias are far from done.

American officials called the drone strike that blew up a car in the Iraqi capital, killing a high-ranking commander of the powerful Kataib Hezbollah militia, a 'dynamic' attack with the promise that more could be coming

Two officials with Iranian-backed militias in Iraq said that one of those killed was Wissam Mohammed 'Abu Bakr' al-Saadi, the commander in charge of Kataib Hezbollah's operations in Syria

Witnesses reported hearing several loud blasts reverberate across the city when the strike took place.

U.S. Central Command confirmed that it had carried out 'a unilateral strike in Iraq in response to the attacks on U.S. service members, killing a Kataib Hezbollah commander responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on U.S. forces in the region.'

It added that there were no signs of collateral damage or civilian casualties.

A senior U.S. official told DailyMail.com that the strike was part of the response authorized by President Joe Biden last week.

The January 28 attack killed Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, Specialist Breonna Moffett, 23, and Sgt. William Rivers, 46, and injured more than 40 other troops at a base inside Jordan.

A low-flying enemy drone was not detected by defenses at their base, according to the initial findings of an investigation.

The soldiers died as they slept at the base, known as Tower 22.

'We will strive to be worthy of their honor and valor. We will carry on their commitment to fight terrorism,' said Biden as he promised action last week.

Civil defense members gather at the site of a burned vehicle targeted by the United States

A crane lifts the wrecked car which has been targeted to kill the Senior commander Abu Baqir al-Saadi

People inspect the vehicle targeted by an airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq on February 07, 2024. Witnesses said at least three explosions were heard across the Iraqi capital

Two officials with Iranian-backed militias said that one of those killed was Wissam Mohammed 'Abu Bakr' al-Saadi, the commander in charge of Kataib Hezbollah's operations in Syria.

'And have no doubt  we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing.'

Officials made clear that the response would take weeks to play out, with multiple strikes and less visible actions.

'The first thing you see won't be the last thing,' is how White House national security spokesman John Kirby put it.

The U.S. blamed the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias, for the attack in Jordan. Officials said they suspected Kataib Hezbollah in particular of leading it.

As pressure grew, the group last Tuesday said it was pausing its military operations.

'As we announce the suspension of military and security operations against the occupation forces - in order to prevent embarrassment of the Iraqi government - we will continue to defend our people in Gaza in other ways,' said the group's Secretary-General Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi.

The American response began last week with strikes at targets in Iraq and Syria. They were followed days later by attacks on Houthi forces in Yemen, who have been harassing international shipping in the Red Sea.

'These Iranian-backed Houthi targets included multiple underground storage facilities, command and control, missile systems, UAV storage and operations sites, radars, and helicopters,' said U.S. Central Command.

A US official told the New York Times, without naming the leader killed, that they'd been tracking the militia commander for sometime, calling the carrying out of the strike a 'dynamic' hit

Another official made it clear that the US reserves the right to target any other Shiite militia leaders going forward, indicating that the nation's response to the militias are far from done

People inspect the vehicle targeted by airstrike in Baghdad

U.S. Central Command said its forces conducted a 'unilateral strike' at 9:30pm local time

U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, Spc. Breonna Moffett and Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, who were killed in a drone attack on an outpost in northeast Jordan

Members of an Iraqi Shiite militant group attend the funeral of a fighter with Kataib Hezbollah. US officials believe the group was behind a drone attack that killed three Americans

And on Wednesday night, U.S. forces struck in the heart of Baghdad, hitting a vehicle on a main road in the Mashtal neighborhood of the city.

A crowd quickly gathered security forces closed off the heavily fortified Green Zone, home to many diplomatic compounds, amid calls to storm the U.S. embassy.

Iran-backed militias have taken on new significance since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, stoking a regional conflict by targeting American interests.

Yemen's Houthis have emerged as one of the most dangerous foes, launching missile attacks on warships as well as commercial shipping transiting to and from the Suez Canal.

Kataib Hezbollah had said in a statement that it was suspending attacks on American troops to avoid 'embarrassing the Iraqi government' after the strike in Jordan, but others have vowed to continue fighting.

On Sunday, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed a drone attack on a base housing U.S. troops in eastern Syria killed six fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led group allied with the United States.

The latest surge in the regional conflict came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday rejected terms proposed by Hamas for a hostage-release agreement that would lead to a permanent cease-fire, vowing to continue the war until 'absolute victory.'

Also on Wednesday, the media office of the Houthi rebels in Yemen reported two airstrikes in Ras Issa area in Salif district in Hodeida province.
Nikki Haley stumbled at a Los Angeles event by forgetting where she was after finally heading west and snubbing Nevada by refusing to campaign in the early primary state that she claims was 'rigged' for Donald Trump.

Her efforts to make up some ground in California and earn at least some delegates there on Super Tuesday could be futile as she trails the former president by 42 points  66 percent to 24 percent.

Haley faced a single environmentalist protester during her stop at an American Legion in California on Wednesday evening, dismissing them with: 'God bless em.'

She also boasted of spending a year on the campaign trail and 'defeating a dozen fellas' with just one left to go  frontrunner Donald Trump.

But the former United Nations Ambassador did not step foot in Nevada a single time over the last year, deciding that the early primary state in the west was not worth her time since she couldn't pick up delegates due to a wonky change from the state this year.

Former United Nations Amb. Nikki Haley forgot which southern California county she was campaigning during remarks at an American Legion in Los Angeles on Wednesday evening

It led to an embarrassing defeat in the Battle Born State in Tuesday's primary where the option 'none of these candidates' beat her out by a 32.9 percent margin.

Haley went to California on Wednesday  the day between the Nevada primary and caucus  to try and make sure she doesn't lose out to all the delegates there, as well. The California GOP decided this year that if a candidate earns 50 percent or more of the vote, they earn all the delegates in the state.

'It's great to be here in Orange County,' Haley said as she got on stage, which the crowd immediately corrected with shouts at the 2024 hopeful.

'Oh, LA County, sorry,' she chuckled. 'I was in Orange County earlier.'

Haley added: 'I don't even know where I'm sleeping these days so you gotta forgive me on that.'

'Next week I will have been in the campaign for a year, and when I think about what that year has been like  we had 14 candidates,' she noted. 'We've been able to defeat a dozen other fellas.'

The gaffe was reminiscent of 77-year-old competitor Trump's flub in October where he said he was in Sioux Falls, which is in South Dakota, but was actually in Sioux City, which is in the first primary contest state of Iowa.

President Joe Biden, 81, has also frequently forgotten where he is, mixing up cities and states on several occasions over the last few years in office and campaigning.

Haley frequently points to the age and mental fitness of Biden and Trump as limiting factors on their ability to serve in the White House  and points to their gaffes as proof. She also says that lawmakers over the age of 75 should be required to take mental competency tests.

A single climate change activist interrupted Haley's remarks, holding up a sign reading: 'Haley = Climate Criminal'

About halfway through Haley's remarks on Wednesday, she was interrupted by a lone protester holding a sign with: 'Haley = Climate Criminal.'

It appeared to be an individual from the same Sunrise Movement environmentalist group who had members interrupting a series of campaign events in Iowa and New Hampshire during their respective primary contests last month.

'Usually where there's one, there's more  so don't be surprised if more show,' Haley said, although no other burst out.

'But let me tell, don't ever get upset when you see a protester,' she added. 'Because my husband and his military brothers and sisters sacrifice every day for them to have the right to do that.'

Despite her stunning defeat by 'no one' in Nevada's Tuesday primary and her inability to pick up delegates in Thursday's caucus since she is not on the ballot, Haley still claims she isn't backing out of the race.

Instead, she says she's looking ahead to Super Tuesday, when California and 14 other states casting their ballots in the Republican primary.

'As we get ready for Super Tuesday, as we start to look at what's out there, just know I'm not going anywhere,' Haley told an enthusiastic crowd in Los Angeles.

'I'm in this for the long haul,' she added. 'And this is gonna be messy, and this is gonna hurt, and it's gonna leave some bruises.'

'But at the end of the day, I don't mind taking that if you'll go right along with me.'
New York City real estate developer Nir Meir and other industry executives were indicted for stealing $86 million from investors through a failed luxury apartment development.

Meir, 49, and several other executives from HFZ Capital Group were charged with varying counts of larceny, conspiracy, falsifying business records, tax fraud, money laundering and more on Wednesday.

Prosecutors said Meir and the others stole over $86 million from investors, subcontractors and New York City through a series of frauds and schemes that began in 2015.

The alleged scheme involved a luxury hi-rise in the Chelsea neighborhood.

'These indictments depict allegations of widespread fraud within the real estate industry primarily spearheaded by one man: Nir Meir,' said District Attorney Bragg.

'In total, we allege these defendants' conspiracies netted them a total of $86 million stolen from investors, contractors, and the City of New York. My Office's Rackets Bureau is laser-focused on fraud in the construction and real estate industries and will continue to root out people who steal from investors and corrupt the market.'

New York City real estate developer Nir Meir, 49, was indicted for stealing $86 million from investors through a failed luxury apartment development

The district attorney's case focuses largely on failed development called The XI (pictured) along the High Line in Chelsea

The district attorney's case focuses largely on failed development called The XI along the High Line in Chelsea, which they said Meir used to steal $37 million.

In 2015, HFZ purchased the block of land between West 17th and 18th streets and between 10th and 11th avenues for $870 million and hired Omnibuild Construction to create the twisting pair of buildings.

'Assets were primarily diverted to cover financial shortfalls on unrelated HFZ projects, and at times, to personal accounts controlled by HFZ executives, leading to a shortfall of more than $37 million,' said the district attorney's office.

Prosecutors said John Mingione, 54, Roy Galifi, 62, and Kevin Stewart, 48, from Omnibuild conspired with Meir and Anthony Marrone, 64, and Louis Della-Peruta, 69, from HFZ to inflate their monthly invoices to make it appear that they further along in the project than they actually were.

'In one instance, Meir instructed the accountant to inflate statements for an account to purport it contained more than $24.6 million, when, in fact, it contained $814,' said the prosecutors.

Prosecutors said Meir conspired with other executives to inflate their monthly invoices to make it appear that they further along in the project than they actually were. Pictured HZR executive Anthony Marrone

In 2015, HFZ purchase the block of land between West 17th and 18th streets and between 10th and 11th avenues for $870 million and hired Omnibuild Construction to create the twisting pair of buildings. Pictures Omnibuild executive Kevin Stewart

Omnibuild executive Roy Galifi is charged in the scheme

The XI project was left unfinished in 2019 until late 2021 when it was purchased in foreclosure for $900 million, reported New York YIMBY.

Apartments are now available in the building starting at $2.3 million for a one bedroom, one and a half bathrooms, according to Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group.

In another instance, Meir is accused of stealing $24 million in funds from an office tower project on West 30th Street between 5th and 6th avenues.

Prosecutors said at the direction of Meir, assets from the project were transferred to different LLCs controlled by HFZ and sometimes used for executives personal accounts.

The 49-year-old is accused of failing to pay New York City property taxes in 2018, 2019 and 2020, defrauding the city of $15 million.

He is said to have instructed accountants to cancel the payments the next day before the money could be withdrawn.

Meir is alleged to have stolen $4.6 million from investors for a phony project in San Francisco.

Meir (right) was arrested in Florida on Monday, just days after he filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. He is pictured in 2018 with Alicia Goldstein, Senior Managing Director & President of Sales & Marketing for HFZ

The XI project was left unfinished in 2019 until late 2021 when it was purchased in foreclosure for $900 million

Prosecutors said he sent investors updates about fictitious permits associated with building the project at 620 Folsom Street in San Francisco and provided brochures detailing fake cost estimates for every stage of the phony venture.

Meir was arrested in Florida on Monday, just days after he filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

In the bankruptcy filing, Meir reported debts of almost $30 million including thousands of dollars owed to credit card companies and a disputed $626,000 debt owed to American-Israeli mogul Benny Shabtai.

The 49-year-old reported to have just $50-worth of assets - and monthly expenses of $37,400.

He had been living in a luxurious, high-rise beachfront property in Miami, the filing showed.
Tensions are simmering at the highest levels of Australia's military with Defence Minister Richard Marles forced to address rumours he is at loggerheads with top officials in his department.

In a closed door meeting late last year, Mr Marles reportedly laid down the law to about 25 to 30 military chiefs and bureaucrats including Secretary Greg Moriarty and Chief of the Defence Force Angus Campbell.

Mr Marles told his department in no uncertain terms it should be able to deliver him excellence, with the tirade described as 'uncomfortable' and 'giving them a rocket' by two sources to The Australian Financial Review.

Another source claimed of Mr Marles and the department: 'He doesn't respect them and they sure as hell don't respect him'.

Defence Minister Richard Marles during Question Time in Parliament on Thursday responded to a question about the rift from his Opposition counterpart

The tensions are understood to be rooted in a gap between the department's calls for new military hardware and the government's struggle to allocate funding.

During Question Time in Parliament on Thursday, Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie grilled his counterpart over the claims.

He asked whether Mr Marles could confirm reports of a 'verbal dressing-down of his secretary'.

Mr Marles answered by saying the Australian Defence Force is 'on a journey'.

'I make no excuses or apologies for demanding excellence and a culture of excellence in the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force,' he said.

He then said the problems in the organisation were a result of the Coalition's 10-year tenure in government.

'I have some sympathies for where Defence is at,' he said.

'When you have six to seven different ministers over nine years that is demoralising.

'When you leave the oldest service fleet in the country since WWII that is demoralising.

'And when you make $45billion worth of announcements but don't put a cent behind it that is demoralising.

'So there has been a lot of mess to clean up which this government is doing.

'We are giving direction and working closely with the Defence Force to improve the culture.'

Defence Department Secretary Greg Moriarty (left) and Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell (right)

Mr Marles told Sky News earlier this week a 'culture of excellence' was important to ensure 'procurement is happening as quickly as it can, and we are very much in the process of doing all of that'.

But some sources claim Mr Marles himself is partly responsible for delays with submissions from the department piling up 'unactioned' in his office.

Another source of conflict is reportedly the Defence Integrated Investment Program which is a 10-year outline for acquiring new weapons and equipment.

The military had asked for about 600 projects but this has been reduced to about a third of that, sparking frustration from the department.

Mr Marles and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy are frustrated on their end by the outdated requests of the military who they feel are ignoring the Defence Strategic Review which set out to modernise the country's military hardware.

The Defence Department is seething over the shortfall in funding while the government is frustrated at them for dragging their feet on the modernsation reforms, one source claimed.
The women claim Carnival Cruise never warned them of the travel alert and have urged other travelers to exercise caution

Two Kentucky women who claim they were drugged and raped by staff at a Bahamas resort have accused Carnival Cruises of failing to alert them to a State Department warning against visiting the country.

Amber Shearer and Dongayla Dobson, both 31-year-old moms, say they were attacked on the last day of their four-day cruise after the ship docked at Freeport in Grand Bahama Sunday.

'You need to be aware because our cruise line did not make us aware of a travel advisory,' Shearer told NewsNation's CUOMO. on Wednesday. 'We had no idea what was going on in the Bahamas, none whatsoever.

'I just want people to be safe. Dongayla and I, we've been together for two decades as best friends we thought we could protect each other and be safe and it's not enough.'

The US State Department issued two travel warnings for the country at the end of January advising 'extreme caution' after a spate of daylight murders and sexual assaults. Despite the warning, the boat still docked at the Caribbean nation.

Amber Shearer and Dongayla Dobson have hit out at Carnival cruises for failing to notify them of a State Department warning about traveling to the Bahamas after they were allegedly drugged and raped during their trip

The US State Department issued two travel warnings for the country at the end of January advising 'extreme caution' after a spate of daylight murders and sexual assaults

The women say they were on an excursion to Pirate Cove Resort when the attacks took place

The same week the U.S. put out a travel warning on the Bahamas, 2 American women thought they were enjoying a drink on the beach as their Carnival cruise ship was docked, but instead, Amber Shearer and Dongayla Dobson say staff members at a resort drugged and raped them...then pic.twitter.com/LxOUM0AqBJ  Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) February 8, 2024

'One of the issues with Carnival specifically in this case is they have a legal duty to warn about dangerous conditions they should have known about,' the women's attorney, Nicholas Gerson, said.

'There is a federal statues the Cruise Chip Vessel Safety and Security Act 2010 that requires victims of crime at high seas they are supposed to offer them contact with the FBI, none of that was offered.

'Carnival actually markets this particular excursion on their website, they actually profit from the excursion. So Carnival should have warned our clients, the warning shouldn't have come from the State Department.'

The women say they were on an excursion to Pirate's Cove Resort, where they were

'We thought the drinks were really strong but Dongayla and I are gastric sleeve patients so we don't really drink much,' Shearer explained. 'Less than a few drinks into the second drink we knew something was terribly wrong.'

'We have videos taken on our phones 15 minutes between when we first go the drink and 15 minutes later and our family and friends are messaging us concerned about us like are you sure you only had one drink? Are you sure, are you guys okay?' Gibson added.

Carnival advertises the resort on its website claiming: 'The experienced, hospitable, and cordial staff will ensure you have a memorable visit.'

The men then told the women they could help them find shells for their kids back home and led them away.

The women say they were handed drinks laced with drugs at the Pirate's Cove resort. They began to feel strange and said when they awoke they were covered in cuts and bruises

Security footage from the resort shows that within 15 minutes of receiving the drinks, the pair were barely able to stand

The moms were enjoying their first child-free vacation together, but things took a dark turn on their last day

Lawyers for the women said Carnival has a fiduciary duty to customers to warn them about potentially dangerous travel conditions

'We kind of at this point we're feeling it a little bit so we want to get out of the ocean, we're going to look for seashells for our kids,' Dobson said.

'The guy this staff worker that was there said I know where tons of these are.'

'The man who raped me was the one who directed us as to where to go to collect the shells,' Shearer added.

Security footage from the resort shows that within 15 minutes of receiving the drinks, the pair were barely able to stand as they were led away under the influence of cocaine, opiates and benzodiazepines.

The women said that toxicology reports showed the cocktail of drugs in their system but no alcohol. Dobson said seeing the results 'retraumatized' her, while Shearer added the two were then treated 'like drug addicts.'

'I remember waking up and getting pushed down,' Dobson told DailyMail.com.

'I woke up in the resort bathroom and there were people all around, and I just felt dirtiness on my legs, and I knew what had happened.

'They told us we had been throwing up which is a good thing because the drugs would have killed us.'

A tearful Shearer also described how she 'came to' in the process of her rape and said the man she believes to be responsible hadn't been working at the resort for a week, according to other workers.

'We were just conscious enough to know they were in uniforms and to know the area we went to and the resort security was able to pull up footage then and there and identify that there were three guys. One that took us to look at the shells and there were two that were over there already,' Dobson added.

The women claim their ordeal only worsened when Bahamian police showed up, with them refusing to give them rape kits.

'We were treated as criminals and refused rape kits after asking repeatedly,' Shearer said.

'We were forced to show where our rapes took place and to face the men whom raped us,' she added.

The pair's last memory was consuming drinks (pictured) on the beach before walking up in a bathroom at the resort with bruises on their legs

The women say their ordeal only worsened with the arrival of Bahamian police who they say minimized their attacks and refused to give them rape kits

The four-day Carnival cruise on the Carnival Elation called at Nassau and Grand Bahama

Pirate's Cove Zipline and Waterpark is Grand Bahama's first adventure theme park

'There was an American FNP (family nurse practitioner) who tried to stay with us and was refused that right.

'We were told if we went to a Bahamian hospital they wouldn't help us return to the US.'

The women claimed they were taken to a bathroom and 'forced to urinate' and 'wipe away the evidence'.

'They had us change out of the one-piece swimsuits and into our swimsuit covers,' Dobson told NewsNation.

'They told us that if we wanted any justice any rape kits we would have to go to the Bahamian hospital however the US Embassy had already refused to help us so we would be on our own and would have to pay our own way back. But we didn't have passports.

'I talked to the US Embassy today and they never contacted them at all.'

Police arrested a 54-year-old man from Eight Mile Rock and a 40-year-old from South Bahama after resort staff showed them security footage of the women being led away.

Police have not named the suspects but local reports suggest one is connected to a powerful figure on the islands who is leveraging his influence to secure his brother's release.

Dailymail.com received an anonymous call insisting the investigation is at an early stage and urging against reporting claims of political involvement.

The company offered counselling but the friends were keen to get back to their families as soon as possible and flew back to Kentucky on Monday night.

In a statement, Carnival Cruise Line said: 'While ashore in Freeport, Bahamas on an independent shore excursion, two guests on Carnival Elation reported to Bahamian police that they were sexually assaulted at a local beach.

'Our onboard Care Team provided support for the two guests as they sailed back to Jacksonville. Bahamian police are investigating the matter and Carnival is providing our full cooperation.'

Dailymail.com has contacted Carnival and Pirate's Cove for comment.
President Joe Biden has again claimed he was speaking with a dead dignitary at the 2021 G7 Summit - marking the second time in a week the president has appeared to reference meeting a deceased leader.

The 81-year-old president, speaking in Las Vegas Monday, told an anecdote about attending the summit in England in June 2021, where he referenced speaking to French President Francois Mitterrand, who died in 1996, instead of current leader Emmanuel Macron.

On Wednesday, Biden told a similar anecdote about the summit at two fundraisers in New York, according to a pool report. He discussed, as he did in the Monday, telling of the anecdote to other leaders at the summit, that 'America's back' and that the president of France - whom Biden did not name this time around - responded: 'For how long?'

Biden said he'd 'never thought of it this way,' he then claims to have been addressed by German Chancellor Helmut Kohl regarding the nature of the January 6 insurrection.

Kohl died in 2017 and was not at the 2021 summit.

President Joe Biden twice described a meeting at the 2021 G7 Summit with ex-German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, who died in 2017, the second time the president has appeared to reference meeting a deceased leader this week

'Helmut Kohl of Germany looked at me and said, 'What would you say Mr. President if you picked up the London Times tomorrow morning and learned there's 1000 broken down the doors of the British parliament, killed some [inaudible] on the way in to deny the next prime minister to take office. And you think, what would we think?' Biden claimed.

Biden did meet with the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, at the G7 Summit but Kohl died on June 16, 2017, and had not been chancellor since 1998.

At the other New York fundraiser, he recounted a similar meeting, did mention Macron and then told the same story about Kohl's hypothetical.

Biden's confusion is just the latest gaffe for the famously folksy president, who had a stutter as a child and has referred to himself as a 'gaffe machine.'

As with Merkel, he knows Macron, elected in 2017 at the age of 39, well: Macron is the youngest president in French history and the youngest French head of state since Napoleon.

Biden also met Mitterrand, as a young senator. It's unclear if there are any meetings between Biden and Kohl, who served as chancellor from 1982 to 1998.

Mitterrand took office in 1981, when the current French president was three years old.

Biden, as chair of the European Affairs Committee, met Mitterrand in January 1988 while discussing a Soviet nuclear weapons treaty.

Biden, seen walking here with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the G7 Summit on June 11, 2021. In an anecdote he told to donors twice on Wednesday in New York, he said the chancellor at the time was Helmut Kohl

Kohl died on June 16, 2017, and had not been chancellor since 1998

Earlier in the week, Biden appeared to confuse the current French president Emmanuel Macron with his predecessor Francois Mitterrand, who died in 1996

While telling an anecdote from the G7 summit in June 2021, Biden confused French President Francois Mitterrand (pictured), who died in 1996 with the current French president

Mitterrand was president until 1995, and died a year later, aged 79.

It the latest in a growing-list of mistakes by the president since he took office.

The 81-year-old has repeatedly said that his son Beau died in Iraq, instead of at Walter Reed, and in June 2023 muddled up the ongoing war in Ukraine for the Iraq War, which ended in 2011.

He declared that Russian Vladimir Putin was 'clearly losing the war in Iraq.'

That same month, he closed out a speech on gun control with the bizarre proclamation: 'God save the Queen, man.'

Queen Elizabeth II had died in September 2022, so some thought he meant Queen Camilla, but the relevance was unclear.

The following month, Biden claimed to have reached a medical milestone, declaring: 'We ended cancer as we know it.'

And in December 2023, he bragged about infrastructure spending, saying it was at: 'Over a billion, 300 million, trillion, 300 million dollars.'

Biden has also hit out at Donald Trump's gaffes - noting that Trump references 'starting World War Two', which has already been and gone, and confusing Nikki Haley and Nancy Pelosi.

'He's a little confused these days,' Biden said.

Biden's confusion is just the latest gaffe for the famously folksy president. He has repeatedly said that his son Beau died in Iraq, instead of at Walter Reed

Biden has previously said confused the war in Ukraine with the Iraq war and declared that Vladimir Putin was 'clearly losing the war in Iraq'.

Some 49 percent of Democrats admit Joe Biden is too old to be president in our poll of likely 2024 voters from last year. Only 28 percent believe he is just the right age

The White House on Tuesday refused to be drawn into questions about President Biden's fitness for the job.

A reporter pointed out Biden's Monday gaffe mixing up the French leaders during the White House daily briefing a day later when he asked Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre how the president would address some three-quarters of the population concerned about his physical and mental health.

'I'm not even going to go down that rabbit hole with you, sir,' was her brief response.

When the reporter objected that it wasn't a rabbit hole, she expanded her answer, listing Biden's busy recent itinerary.

'You saw the president in Vegas, in California,' she said. 'You've seen the president in South Carolina. You saw him in Michigan. I'll just leave it there.'

The episode only served to highlight Biden's increasing age. At 81 he is already the oldest president in history, and he is running for another term that would keep him in office until the age of 86.

A DailyMail.com poll last year found that 70 percent of voters thought Biden was too old to be president. That included more than half of Democrats, showing the challenge he faces as he campaigns for a second term.
The Supreme Court is set to consider if Donald Trump should be banned from running for president and whether his name can be left off the 2024 ballot in Colorado.

Trump was declared ineligible to appear on the Colorado ballot on December 19 and his appeal against the state's Supreme Court's decision will be heard on Thursday.

The decision marked the first time in history that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment has been used to disqualify a presidential candidate. The Civil War-era rule states that people who participate in an insurrection are ineligible for office.

Supreme Court justices will hear arguments from both sides about whether Trump can be kept off the ballot.

The highest court could even rule if the January 6 riot was an insurrection when a mob stormed the US Capitol to protest the election that saw Joe Biden beat Trump in 2020.

The US Supreme Court is set to consider if Donald Trump should be banned from running for president and appearing on the 2024 Colorado ballot

Supreme Court justices (pictured) will hear arguments from both sides about whether Trump is ineligible to be president again and can be kept off the ballot

They could even rule if the January 6 riot was an insurrection when a mob stormed the US Capitol to protest the election

The Supreme Court will decide if Trump should be removed from the Colorado ballot and if similar attempts in other states are valid.

The Republican politician, 77, is the likely frontrunner to challenge Biden, 81, in the upcoming general presidential election in November.

His case is moving much faster than usual in scheduling arguments and there is pressure for a decision to be reached before March 5. This is when voters in 15 states, including Colorado, cast their ballots in the Republican primaries.

Trump's name is currently on the Colorado ballot ahead of any Supreme Court. Maine also looked at removing Trump from its ballot but that move has also been paused.

It is based on a Civil War-era Constitutional amendment that bans anyone who has 'engaged in insurrection or rebellion' from holding federal office but this has never been used to disqualify a candidate for president.

The 14th Amendment has been around since 1868, but the Supreme Court has never before considered Section 3, known as the insurrection clause.

Both sides are pointing to historical clues to argue for their reading of the provision, including how it was interpreted at the time of its adoption.

The lawyers will reference arguments made 150 years ago by Salmon Chase, a member of Abraham Lincoln's Cabinet who Lincoln appointed to the Supreme Court in 1864.

Chase, in December 1868, ruled on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment - which had only been enacted in July of that year.

Section 3 was designed in the aftermath of the Civil War to prevent Confederates from being elected.

'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, who ... shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof,' it states.

Chase ruled Jefferson Davis, the defeated Confederate president, should not face prosecution for treason.

He argued Section 3 - blocking Davis from holding office - was a form of punishment, and therefore barred any additional criminal prosecution.

At the time, Chase, formerly the Republican governor of Ohio, was toying with running for president as a Democrat, and hoping to appeal to Davis's Democrat colleagues.

The Republican politician, 77, is the likely frontrunner to challenge Joe Biden, 81, in the upcoming presidential election in November

His case is moving much faster than usual in scheduling arguments and there is pressure for a Supreme Court decision to be reached before March 5

The 14th amendment has been around since 1868, but the Supreme Court has never before considered Section 3, known as the insurrection clause. Pictured January 6 riot on the Capitol

A year later, Chase issued an opposing decision, when faced again with the question of Section 3.

He was asked to rule whether a black man, Caesar Griffin, should have his conviction for 'shooting with intent to kill' overturned because the judge who presided over his case was a Confederate.

In the Griffin case, Chase ruled that Congress needed to weigh in - largely because he feared the precedent that would be set by voiding all Confederate made judgements.

Trump's lawyers argue now that the Griffin case shows a state cannot use Section 3 as a means of disqualifying someone.

In their brief, they argue that the Griffin case helps confirm 'congressional enforcement legislation as the exclusive means for enforcing Section 3.'

The argument is one of several they present to say that Colorado's Supreme Court overstepped the mark. They claim Trump's conduct at the time of January 6 did not amount to insurrection.

Colorado's Supreme Court acknowledged it was aware of the magnitude of its December ruling.

Salmon Chase served as Republican governor of Ohio before being appointed to Lincoln's Cabinet. Lincoln then appointed him to the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court could also be ruling on another Trump case after a federal appeals court rejected his claim of presidential immunity

It ruled he could be prosecuted on charges relating to plotting to overturn the 2020 election

'We are likewise mindful of our solemn duty to apply the law, without fear or favor, and without being swayed by public reaction to the decisions that the law mandates we reach,' the justices said.

While Trump's lawyers claimed it had 'unconstitutionally disenfranchised millions of voters in Colorado' and could lead to millions more in the US.

The former president's claims have also been backed by the chief legal officers of 27 states.

They said the Colorado ruling would lead to 'widespread chaos.' The attorney generals wrote: 'Most obviously, it casts confusion into an election cycle that is just weeks away.

'Beyond that, it upsets the respective roles of the Congress, the States, and the courts.'

Trump is not expected to attend the hearing to hear the arguments on Thursday.

The Supreme Court could also be ruling on another Trump case after a federal appeals court rejected his claim of presidential immunity.

It ruled he could be prosecuted on charges relating to plotting to overturn the 2020 election. There is a deadline of Monday to get the Supreme Court to pause this ruling.
Police have admitted that CCTV from the morning Samantha Murphy vanished doesn't show the missing mum, after a runner came forward to reveal they are the person seen in the footage.

Ms Murphy, 51, vanished on Sunday after leaving her home on Eureka Street, East Ballarat north-west of Melbourne to go for a run at 7.16am.

Victoria Police released CCTV footage on Wednesday which showed a person leaving a property before heading in a north-easterly direction toward Yankee Flat Road near the intersection of Warrenheip Road.

The person was understood to have been Ms Murphy heading out for a 20km run through the Canadian State forest.

Police confirmed on Thursday that a member of the public has come forward to identify themselves as the person who was seen in the CCTV footage, ruling out a key line of inquiry.

Police have admitted that CCTV from the morning Samantha Murphy vanished (pictured) doesn't show the missing mum, after a runner came forward to reveal they are the person seen in the footage.

Ms Murphy (pictured), 51, vanished on Sunday after leaving her home on Eureka Street, East Ballarat, in Melbourne 's north west to go for a run at 7.16am.

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Missing Ballarat mum Samantha Murphy went on a holiday with her family to the Great Ocean Road each year. This summer, she didn't Samantha Murphy had enjoyed annual holidays with her family in Torquay but was no-where to be seen during the most recent summer break Advertisement

'In relation to the most recent CCTV footage which was released yesterday, a member of the community has come forward and identified themselves as the person depicted running,' a spokesperson for Victoria Police said in a statement.

'For that reason, the footage will no longer be relevant to the search for Samantha.'

This is the second time in 24 hours police have had to declare evidence irrelevant.

Police found items 'items' in bushland on Wednesday - sparking hop they were closing in on finding her - only to later decide they weren't Ms Murphy's.

Police, volunteers and air crews combed the surrounding suburbs of Black Hill, Brown Hill, Buninyong, Scotchman's Lead and Woowookharung Regional Park on Thursday.

Now in its fifth day, the large scale search is expected to be wound down at nightfall tonight and resume on Friday morning.

It's understood Ms Murphy was wearing an Apple watch on her run but it is not known if police have been able to use this to determine her location.

Ms Murphy was known to be fit and run almost daily in the state forest.

The shock twist came after Ms Murphy's husband Mick and daughter Jessica launched a public appeal for information on Thursday.

Jessica fought back tears while addressing the media, pleading for help from the public to help find her mum.

'Mum we love you so much and we miss you and we need you at home with us, please come home soon, I can't wait to see you.' Jess said.

'Mum's a really strong woman, and she's far too determined to give up this fight.'

Ms Murphy's daughter Jessica (pictured) fought back tears while addressing the media, pleading for help from the public to help find her mum

Jessica's father thanked the public and the community for their support in recent days as he appealed for answers.

'The way they've all formed together as a unit to help us look for Sam and her disappearance,' Mr Murphy said.

'People just don't vanish into thin air.

'Someone has got to know something ... whether it be any little thing that you might think is relevant, just call the police, let them know.

'It'll give us a bit of peace of mind if we get some hope.'

The family's heartbreaking plea cam as police gave an update on their investigations.

'We're keeping an open mind and considering all possibilities and we're being extremely thorough and methodical with that investigation,' Ballarat police acting inspector Lisa McDougall told reporters on Thursday.

'We're keeping an open mind and we're hopeful ... the search is ongoing and we're throwing all those resources at it in the hope that we find Samantha and get some answers for her family who are obviously concerned.

'There are no suspicious circumstances that we've identified at this stage.'

'As any family would be, they are very concerned, and they're very worried,' she said.

'They are also really appreciative of the community assisting with this.'

Mr Murphy (pictured, appeared visibly stunned and was turned away by police officers after he visited the bush area at Woowookarung Regional Park on Wednesday

Emergency crews including SES volunteers (pictured) were seen scouring surrounding areas as the desperate search for Ms Murphy continues

Drones were used in Thursday's extensive search.

CCTV footage of Ms Murphy (pictured) captured on her own security system before she went missing showed her wearing what appeared to be an Apple Watch and she was dressed in black half-length leggings, a maroon/brown singlet

'We have 40 resources on the ground at the moment and they are both Victoria Police resources and CFA and SES,' Inspector McDougall said.

'We have used various assets internally so that includes things like mountain branch over the last few days and search and rescue.

'We've also had police air up assisting us with the search today. We also have some drones up assisting us.'

Ms Murphy is described as being white, about 173cm tall, with a slim build and shoulder-length blonde hair.

Anyone who sees her has been urged to contact police immediately.
In 2014, a 17-year-old boy died of hypothermia and had a broken hip after running away from the camp

A 12-year-old boy died one day after he was taken to a controversial 'troubled youth' camp in North Carolina, as police say the staff is not helping in the investigation.

Transylvania County Sheriff's Office said the unnamed pre-teen was transported, with his parent's consent, to Trails Carolina camp on Friday by two men from New York.

After intake, he was assigned to a cabin for lodging with other children and four adult staff members.

Around 8:10 a.m. Saturday, a 911 caller reported the 12-year-old was not breathing. Police said rescue efforts were initiated on scene then stopped as the child appeared to be deceased for some time.

'The child was sent for autopsy to Winston Salem as his death appeared suspicious since he had arrived at the camp less than 24 hours prior to his death,' said police.

A 12-year-old boy died one day after he was taken to Trails Carolina Camp in North Carolina from New York. Police said his death appeared suspicious

The forensic pathologist told investigations the death appeared to not be natural, but the manner and cause of death are still pending.

The sheriff's office said, 'Trails Carolina Camp has not completely cooperated with the investigation.'

On Tuesday, investigators were granted two search warrants for separate locations of the camp. One location is the camp where the incident occurred and the second location is where the other campers who were in the cabin at the time of the boy's death were relocated to.

The camp told police the staff members who were assigned to the cabin where the incident occurred were placed on leave.

A spokesperson for Trails Carolina told FOX Carolina, 'We are shattered by the tragic loss of a young life and our deepest sympathies are with the student's family and loved ones.'

'Our priority is to acknowledge and respect the unfathomable impact on their lives and maintain the integrity of the investigation into the cause. We are cooperating fully with investigators and have retained outside professionals to assist us in conducting our internal investigation.'

It is the second death to have occurred at the wellness camp, according to Hendersonville Times-News.

In 2014, 17-year-old Alec Sanford Lansing of Atlanta died after venturing off on his own through the forest at the camp.

An autopsy listed the teens cause of death as hypothermia and noted that he suffered a broken hip.

In 2014, 17-year-old Alec Sanford Lansing of Atlanta died after venturing off on his own through the forest at the camp

Jeremy Whitworth (pictured) is the co-executive director of Trail Carolina camp. According to the camps website, their mission is to give children the confidence, coping mechanisms, and communication skills that will help them become the best version of themselves

According to the camp's website, their mission is to give children the confidence, coping mechanisms, and communication skills that will help them become the best version of themselves. Wilderness therapy costs between $600 to $1,000 per day.

The camp, led by co-executive director Jeremy Whitworth, offers wilderness therapy programs for preteen boys (10-13), preteen girls (10-13), teen boys (14-17) and teen girls (14-17).

Kathleen Reilly attended the camp when she was 16 years old in 2012 and told WBTV, 'It's beyond cruel.'

'We went once 17 days without showering. We were denied basic hygiene all the time. It's just, that was, again 't's just part of the process, yeah, I'm in the woods,'' she said.

'It's just it's not normal. It's not humane and it's just not. What it does to your brain, you still don't even want to admit to it. It's just like it's still there and they have that power over you.'
The discovery of a young women's body in a suburban home has left police baffled.

Emergency services were called to the Redwood Park address in Adelaide's north-east just before 8am on Thursday after reports a woman had been found unconscious.

The woman, 26, was unable to be revived at the scene, despite the desperate efforts of emergency responders.

A crime scene was established with a section of Somerset Avenue cordoned off for much of the day.

The body of a woman was found at the Somerset Avenue home by police just before 8am on Thursday

READ MORE: Shock CCTV twist in the disappearance of missing Ballarat mum A runner came forward to reveal they are the person seen in the footage. Advertisement

Northern District police, Major Crime detectives, crime scene investigators and forensic officers attended the scene.

Detectives also interviewed residents as they try to determine how the woman died.

'Investigators will be undertaking a comprehensive investigation into the cause and circumstances of her death,' a police statement read.

The death has shocked residents in the usually quiet neighbourhood.

Matthew Thomson was surprised to see police arrive at the property hours after the ambulances left.

'We saw about three ambulance vehicles at 8.10am this morning when I was getting ready to take my daughter to school,' he told The Advertiser.

'It was spooky seeing the ambulances here, but at the same time didn't think too much of it.'

'Then the police knocked on our door sometime between noon and 1pm.'

Another resident claimed she was told by police that it was a drug- related death.'

'The police told me it was a young-ish woman that died in the house and that there were two other people with her,' she said.

'They were also questioning us about a black car that was driving on the street here last night.'

A report will be prepared for the coroner.
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Sacked and will face a Perth court next month

Aged care worker accused of stomping on her feet

An aged care worker has been sacked after he was accused of stomping on 95-year-old woman in his care.

The 33-year-old man from, Cannington in Perth's south, was charged with aggravated common assault, WA Police confirmed on Thursday.

Police will allege that the man, who was employed by the aged care home at the time of the incident in January  assaulted a 95-year-old female resident in his care by stomping on her feet 'multiple times.'

The alleged incident occurred at Bethanie Aged Care facility in Como, the West Australian reported.

The alleged incident occurred at the Bethanie Aged Care home in Perth's south

Bethanie interim chief executive Roule Jones said the staff member was immediately sacked as soon as the facility became aware of the disturbing allegations.

'Bethanie is aware of unacceptable behaviour towards residents. The individual was immediately stood down from duties and their employment was ultimately terminated,' Ms Jones said.

'An internal investigation was immediately launched, and we are also working with WA Police while they conduct a full inquiry.

'Bethanie has apologised to our residents and their families and is deeply regretful that this has occurred.'

The 33-year-old aged care worker is accused of stomping on a 95-year-old woman's feet multiple times (stock image)

'The care and wellbeing of our residents, their families and our staff is our highest priority.'

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has been advised of the incident.

The man will appear in Perth Magistrates Court on March 5.
Kate Garraway has returned to presenting duties on ITV's Good Morning Britain this morning for the first time since the death of her husband Derek Draper, telling delighted viewers that 'life has to start again' and 'nothing has changed'.

Kate, 56, bravely opened the show with long time colleague Ben Shephard who told her she had 'done Derek proud' with her conduct following his funeral last week.

Garraway thanked him and admitted to feeling 'wobbly', but said: 'I definitely wanted to make it about Derek not about me.

'It was really lovely as well to feel so much love from everybody here.'

Last week, the presenter choked back tears on the programme just three days after husband Derek's funeral to reveal heartbreaking details of his final hours - and how daughter Darcey, 17, told him, 'We'll be OK, Dad' before he slipped away.

Kate, 56, bravely opened the show with long time colleague Ben Shephard before the pair posed for a selfie

Kate Garraway has returned to presenting duties on ITV's Good Morning Britain

Ben Shephard complimented Kate's professionalism on her return

Garraway said today that it was lovely, but 'odd' to be back at the desk

Former lobbyist Derek Draper, 56, faced devastating health complications after his body was ravaged by coronavirus three years ago - pictured here with his wife Kate Garraway in 2019

Towards the end of his life, Kate became a full time carer to Derek (Pictured at the National Television Awards in London in 2007

It is the first time Kate has presented the show since December (Pictured last week at Derek's funeral)

Speaking about her decision to return to the show this morning, Kate affirmed that 'life has to start again'.

She said: 'I don't know how it's going to be. Grief isn't containable in a day or year.

'People ask why I'm going back to work. Life has to start. We have to pick ourselves up and go on.

'That's what Derek would want me to do. Thank you to everyone who made it possible.

'We have to pick ourselves up, that's what Derek did and would want us to do.'

Garraway said today that it was lovely, but 'odd' to be back at the desk.

'The make-up girls had me in tears this morning just by saying hello,' Garraway said at the beginning of the programme.

'Thank you to all of you at home as well, I know I mentioned it on Monday but you have been incredible.'

Co-host Ben Shephard joked he would give Garraway a bit of 'leeway' before saying she did her husband proud with the 'extraordinary funeral'.

'You really did Derek proud, it was an extraordinary thing,' he said.

Kate also joked: 'I'm going to be looking forward to a blow dry.

'I'm going to be finding fake eyelashes. I'm going to be very much looking forward to applying fake tan.

Viewers were delighted to see Kate's return following her long hiatus

Last week, she revealed details of Derek's final hours on the show and what her daughter had told her father before he passed

Laura Tobin shared a sweet photo with Kate who wished her well on her return

Susanna Reid praised Kate on her return and said it was good to have her back

Viewers were effusive in their praise for Kate's long-awaited return to the screen

'Don't worry, I will be a little bit more respectable by Thursday. I'll be doing a lot of homework between now and then because I feel like I've been in a very small bubble.

'So I'm going to look forward really to coming into the world and sharing what's going on for everybody else and connecting with everybody again.

'So, thank you for having me back, and have a little bit of patience. I might be a bit rusty... there is a new king, isn't there? Have I caught up with that?'

Kate also said that someone calling her a widow for the first time 'took her breath away'.

During the show Ben Shephard, thanked viewers for their 'lovely messages' and read out one which said: 'Lovely to see you back, Kate, with Ben. As a widow myself, I know those wobbly feelings. Thank you for always thinking of others.'

The message prompted Garraway to say: 'The other day, somebody called me a widow for the first time - it took my breath away. It was an Amazon delivery person who said "I'm so sorry for your loss now that you're a widow" and you suddenly realise, and I suddenly realised, what everyone goes through.

'That every single moment is something new and we've all just got to get through it and everybody has it with all sorts of things they're facing.

'I really get what people feel about these things.' Garraway also thanked the viewers for their supportive messages.

As she and Shephard chatted with Lorraine Kelly ahead of handing over to her show, the TV host told Garraway: 'It's fantastic to see you back... back where you belong.'

It is the first time Garraway has presented the show since December 8 last year when she was forced to take a break due to Derek's deteriorating condition.

Last week, she revealed details of Derek's final hours on the show and what her daughter had told her father before he passed.

She said her daughter Darcey had told Draper: 'Dad, if you can't do this we'll be OK. You release yourself if you need to go.

'Don't worry about us, don't worry about mum. We'll be fine because you live on through us.'

Elton John and his husband David Furnish attended the funeral of Kate Garraway 's political aide husband Derek Draper on Friday morning

Kate was seen at the funeral alongside her teenage children, including daughter Darcey

Derek had been plagued with health woes after contracting Covid in 2020 and suffered a cardiac arrest in December, with Kate spending Christmas at hospital

Garraway told of having similar conversations with him plus a 'chance to hold his hand, smell his skin' and tell him 'we're here', adding: 'Some people don't get that'.

She also described the 'most beautiful handwritten letter' she was sent by David and Victoria Beckham as well as messages from King Charles, Prince William and Kate.

Garraway added: 'I know that Catherine has been in hospital herself, so I really appreciated that.

'And I had a letter from the King, who knows a lot about grief. It was lovely to hear from them and understand the emotions that I am going through'.

The presenter took a break from her presenting role last December after Draper had a cardiac arrest.

She is said to be under financial pressure after spending almost 1million on medical bills, following his first hospitalisation with severe Covid-19 effects in March 2020.

Sir Elton John performed an emotional song when he was among the mourners at last Friday's funeral at the Church of St Mary The Virgin in Primrose Hill, having offered comfort to Garraway and Draper through his illness.

He sang his ballad Skyline Pigeon - which contains the lyrics 'fly away, skyline pigeon fly, towards the dreams, you've left so very far behind' - in tribute to Draper.

Sir Elton had previously invited Draper and Garraway to be guests of honour at his Farewell Yellow Brick Road concert at London's O2 last year.

She told her Smooth Radio listeners last April that Sir Elton had been 'so supportive' of her family since her husband fell ill.

Garraway, who has children Darcey, 17, and Billy, 14, with the former political adviser, revealed last month how her husband has died after suffering a heart attack before Christmas following a long battle with Covid.

The couple's daughter Darcey was among the six pallbearers at last Friday's funeral, which Garraway today told GMB was the 17-year-old's choice.

She said: 'Darcey came into the room when we were talking about it and said please will you let me carry the coffin.

'And I thought, crikey, that's a practical challenge - anybody who's ever done it, it's a heavy thing.

'And she said, "I want to do it" and basically insisted on doing it and I thought that was a beautiful thing that she carried her dad.'

Of Darcey and son Billy, she added: 'For their grieving, we are in the foothills - we know there is a long way to go.'

'They didn't want to pressure him to keep going. I don't think he did feel that, I think he kept going because he wanted to be here.'

Derek and Kate's daughter Darcey was among the six pallbearers

The service took place at the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Primrose Hill

Kate Garraway and her children - Darcey, 17, and Billy, 14 - leave Derek's funeral at the Church Of St Mary The Virgin in Primrose Hill, north west London, last Friday

GMB stars Charlotte Hawkins, Ben Shephard, Richard Madeley, Alex Beresford, Rob Rinder, Susanna Reid, Sean Fletcher and Richard Arnold also attended the funeral.

Mourners also reflected Draper's previous work as a New Labour advisor, with others attending including former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and ex-Labour MPs such as Lord Mandelson and Ed Balls.

Also there were shadow climate change secretary Ed Miliband, Sir Tony's wife Cherie Blair and former Number 10 director of communications Alastair Campbell.

Kate said her 'emotions are at 110 per cent' following the funeral and also about an 'outpouring of love for everyone that has supported me'.

She said: 'The unbelievable love that we all have as a GMB family - it's just wonderful, and ITV generally. I think we are just very, very lucky.

'You're going to make me cry already, so let's try and get a couple of minutes in - the love that we have as a family altogether which is people watching at home.

'It's you at home, that we're so connected, and we've always been connected in all our joys and all our fun and the challenges of life of which poor Derek has faced head on and our family has done as well.
Lucy Letby has mounted a fresh bid from behind bars to appeal her convictions for murdering seven babies in a neo natal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital.

The serial killer, 34, was sentenced to 14 whole life orders last year after she was convicted of the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of six more.

The former nurse had an initial bid to challenge her convictions refused by a judge without a hearing in January.

Letby has since chosen to fight again to take forward her appeal, a judical spokeswoman said yesterday.

A hearing is set to be held in London before a panel of three senior judges, who will make a decision on whether to accept the appeal.

Lucy Letby, 34, (pictured) has mounted a fresh bid from behind bars to appeal her convictions for murdering seven babies

The serial killer was sentenced to 14 whole life orders last year after she was convicted of the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of six others

Letby, of Hereford, was convicted of the horrific crimes in August last year.

The tragic offences happened at the Countess of Chester Hospital's neonatal unit, where Letby worked as a nurse between June 2015 and June 2016.

Applications for permission to appeal against a crown court decision are usually considered by a judge examining legal documents without an official hearing.

People then have two weeks to renew their bid for permission at a full court hearing if that is refused.

The jury at the former nurse's trial was unable to reach verdicts on six counts of attempted murder regarding five infants.

The offences happened at the Countess of Chester Hospital's neonatal unit, where Letby worked as a nurse between June 2015 and June 2016

It was reported last month that Letby was given a key to her own cell, according to a report, with a prison insider describing her cushy new life on the inside as being like a 'hotel - but you're surrounded by criminals'.

Having the key to her cell means that Letby can lock herself away from fellow inmates if she feels threatened by them.

It is believed that keys are handed to the residents of category A HMP Bronzefield as a reward for good behaviour on the inside.

The move caused significant upset for the grieving parents of Letby's victims.
Three Oxford University friends are set for a $100million (79m) payday after the ID-checking software firm they started in halls was bought by an American rival business.

Husayn Kassai, Eamon Jubbawy and Ruhul Amin founded Onfido, a UK start-up which develops ID-checking tools for firms such as Revolut, and they are now in line for an enormous payout following a $650million sale to US competitor Entrust.

The three Oxford graduates, all in their 30s, own around 15 per cent of the London-based software company between them.

Mr Kassai, the former chief executive, has a stake in the company worth more than $50million, The Telegraph reports.

While the three friends are set for a huge payday, dozens of staff will also make millions of pounds, while Oxford University - who were first to back the three founders with a 12,000 stake - can also expect a massive profit.

Two of the friends, Mr Kassai and Mr Jubbawy, have since left Onfido to found new start-ups, but Mr Amin has remained as one of the company's senior executives. Onfido is currently led by American technology executive Mike Tuchen.

Oxford University students (L-R) Eamon Jubbawy, Husayn Kassai and Ruhul Amin founded Onfido

Mr Kassai told The Times: 'The ecosystem here in the UK has enabled us as founders  two of whom went to underprivileged schools  to get everything they need to build a large company.

'In that journey we have been lucky to help others to upskill and learn and a sign of that is the fact that more than 14 of the team have gone on to be founders of their own companies.'

Mr Kassai went to Burnage Academy for Boys in south Manchester, Mr Amin attended Mulberry Stepney Green, in east London and Mr Jubbawy went to west London private school St Paul's School.

Customers may have used Onfido's software when joining a new digital bank or payments app, where you are often required to upload your driving license or passport before scanning your face to verify your identity.

The software is also used to perform other compliance or age verification checks, including for gambling and gaming companies.

Minneapolis-based Entrust, which is worth more than $17.5billion, announced yesterday that it was moving closer to acquiring the British firm.

And Onfido themselves said: 'We're excited to be entering into early and exclusive discussions for Onfido to be acquired by Entrust, a global leader in trusted payments, identities, and data security.

'We aren't able to comment further until these discussions are finalized, subject to regulatory approval and local law.'

Entrust has announced that it has discussions are being held for US rival Entrust to acquire the software firm

Entrust Corp, formerly known as Entrust Datacard, offers identify verification and security solutions for industries such as payments and healthcare.

Todd Wilkinson, chief executive of Entrust, has said that a rise in artificial intelligence tools which can create fake images and videos has increased interest in ID-verification tools.

Just this week, a Hong Kong financier was conned into handing 20million of company money to fraudsters after he joined a virtual meeting made up of AI clones of real people.

'[In the] multi-person video conference, it turns out that everyone [he saw] was fake,' said Senior Superintendent Baron Chan Shun-ching, speaking to the city's public broadcaster RTHK.

The case was just the latest in a string of high-profile deepfake scams.

Mr Wilkinson said: 'Deepfakes and synthetic identity are driving a global need for a powerful level of identity. He added: that 'biometric-based, AI-driven identity verification will be critical to ensuring security'.

With investors such as Microsoft, Salesforce, US fund TPG and UK-listed investor Augmentum, Onfido currently employs more than 500 staff and generates more than 102million each year.

But accounts show that Onfido, which is set to be valued around $650m after the deal, lost 70million in the year to January 2023.

It was also forced to pay tens of millions of pounds to settle a class action privacy lawsuit in America.
Anthony Albanese has come under fire for raking in an extra $115,000 a year in rental income while he lives rent-free at The Lodge and Kirribilli House.

The PM's impressive real estate portfolio was highlighted by Greens housing spokesman Max Chandler-Mather during a discussion on Australia's housing crisis.

Mr Albanese famously grew up in public housing in Sydney's inner west but now owns a mortgage-free Federation bungalow in Marrickville and an investment property in Dulwich Hill that he rents out.

'Let's be real, if Labor wants to deal with housing affordability then it's time to phase out the billions of dollars in tax concessions property investors get every year in the form of negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions,' Mr Chandler-Mather said.

'We could be investing that money in building public housing, but instead it is going to people like the prime minister with his three investment properties.'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) earns an extra $115,000 on his investment rental properties in Sydney

Mr Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon (pictured together) stay rent-free at The Lodge in Canberra and Kirribilli House in Sydney

Mr Chandler-Mather also questioned why Australia has a 'property investor as a prime minister' amid the 'worst housing crisis we've seen in a generation'.

'I think what they've got to realise on the politics of this in the course of this year a lot of renters are going to start asking the question,' he said.

He also accused Mr Albanese of protecting negative tax gearing - a tax break that allows investors, like the prime minister, to deduct the cost of their mortgage repayments from their taxes.

Mr Albanese responded to Mr Chandler-Mather's tirade by claiming he was making up fake scenarios.

'Mr Speaker, well, we've entered the twilight zone officially now. What we have before us is real legislation, real legislation about tax changes,' he said.

'What we have now is the Shadow Treasurer asking for details about things that are only happening in his head.'

Mr Albanese began renting out his Federation Marrickville home (pictured) when he was elected

While Mr Albanese stays rent-free at The Lodge in Canberra and Kirribilli House in Sydney, his Marrickville home (pictured) earns him between $1,300 and $1,400 every week

Mr Albanese is earning a cruisy $564,356 a year as prime minister.

Former prime ministers also have access to a wide range of benefits after their term, including everything from travel perks to the refinancing the cost of office supplies.

The claims of former parliamentarians cost Australian taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars every year.

The combination of his salary and rental income means Mr Albanese has a combined annual income of roughly $679,3500 before tax.

His property portfolio has already faced scrutiny in parliament, including from former prime minister Scott Morrison.

'The leader of the Opposition has bought plenty of homes,' Mr Morrison said.

'He's bought plenty more than I have. Good for him. Good luck to him. We celebrate success.'

Mr Albanese's former Marrickville address, which his family moved from once he was elected, earns him between $1,300 and $1,400 every week in rent.

Now, he and his family live rent-free at The Lodge in Canberra, where they have access to personal staff, on top of accommodation at Kirribilli House in Sydney.

Mr Albanese also owns a home in Dulwich Hill (pictured) which he rents out for $880 a week

The Marrickville Federation home does not have a mortgage, according to the parliamentary register of interests, meaning Mr Albanese owns it outright.

The inner-west property earns him roughly $70,000 a year and is estimated to be worth over $2million.

His second property, located in Dulwich Hill, is priced at $880 per week and earns him roughly $45,000 a year.

The Labor leader does have a mortgage on the second property with the Commonwealth Bank.

He secured the home in 2015 for $1.175million and it is now estimated to be worth between $1.6million and $1.9million.

The last known tenant of Mr Albanese's Dulwich Hill property was businesswoman Chrissy Flanagan, who revealed in 2022 what it was like having the PM as a landlord.

In a video on TikTok, Ms Flanagan praised Mr Albanese for 'living the values he preaches' by slashing her rent by 25 per cent at the start of the Covid pandemic - and maintaining that reduced rate two years later.

Mr Albanese (pictured) has previously gone against policies that would disadvantage property investors and improve housing affordability

Mr Albanese has already earnt a hefty sum from his property investments, including his two-bedroom 'bachelor pad' in Canberra which he sold for a $500,000 profit.

Prior to his divorce, Mr Albanese also owned another property in Marrickville which sold for $2.25million in July 2021.

His current property portfolio is estimated to be worth roughly $4million.

Mr Albanese's personal interest in keeping Australia's housing prices high were previously called into question after he backed the use of negative gearing to help property investors during a debate with Mr Morrison.

His stance followed Bill Shorten's plan to tighten tax breaks to improve housing affordability.

Mr Shorten's proposal was dumped by Mr Albanese when he took over leadership of the Labor Party in 2019.

'Negative gearing is a good thing. We had a policy that we took to the election where we were not successful,' he said at the time.
A sartorial armed robber who raided an east London newsagents while dressed in a suit and bow tie has been handed a 12-year jail term.

Zohirul Haque, 39, pointed a gun at terrified staff at the shop in Bethnal Green and was easily remembered by witnesses - who noted his fastidious dress sense.

The gunman was arrested the next day when officers spotted him in the same outfit.

Haque, of no fixed address, was convicted of armed robbery at Snaresbrook Crown Court in October last year and jailed for 12 years at a sentencing hearing this week.

The court heard how the brave shopkeeper managed to hit the panic alarm but Haque got away with a around 200 cash.

Zohirul Haque, 39, pointed a gun at terrified staff at the newsagents in Bethnal Green, east London, and was easily remembered by witnesses - who noted his fastidious dress sense

Haque, of no fixed address, was convicted of armed robbery at Snaresbrook Crown Court in October last year and jailed for 12 years at a sentencing hearing this week

Flying Squad officers were in the area the following day carrying out enquiries when one of them spotted a man dressed in a similar fashion.

Acting on his hunch, the detective followed Haque until back-up arrived and he was arrested.

He was wearing a suit with a handkerchief neatly poking out of his top pocket, a bow tie and a smart hat.

Detective Sergeant McGee, who made the arrest, said: 'I was on my own in the area gathering evidence about this case, when I noticed a man in the street who matched the suspect's description.

'He stood out as he was wearing a really smart suit with a bow tie, and although it looked different to the one described by the victims, I immediately suspected this was the man we were looking for.

'He was also wearing a rucksack identical to the one worn by the suspect.

'Haque walked straight past me, and I called for colleagues to come to the scene. Meanwhile I followed him for five to ten minutes until they arrived, and he was then arrested.

'You don't often get days like that when it all falls into place, and that piece of luck helped to bring justice to the victims, although it took some further police work to secure the evidence we needed.'

After he was arrested, police officers bailed Haque to further build the case. Another witness came forward who was able to identify him as the suspect.

Officers were also able to identify him by CCTV. On Monday, 5 December he was rearrested and charged with armed robbery.

Unfortunately officers were not able to recover either the firearm or the cash.
Labour went into meltdown today as Keir Starmer prepares to confirm the ditching of his flagship 28billion green investment drive.

Sir Keir is set to announce the latest U-turn after months of extraordinary wrangling in the shadow cabinet.

The move emerged just a day after the leader insisted the package is 'desperately needed'. But shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has been striking a very different tone, warning that she will not allow any policies in the manifesto that are unaffordable.

The news has sparked fury among senior Labour figures, with mayors including Andy Burnham demanding that the proposals go ahead.

Former Tony Blair adviser John McTernan told the BBC's Newsnight that 'great parties have great causes'.

'What is the change the Labour Party now offers?' he said. 'It's very disappointing.'

Keir Starmer is set to announce the latest U-turn after months of extraordinary wrangling in the shadow cabinet

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has been striking a very different tone, warning that she will not allow any policies in the manifesto that are unaffordable

He added: 'It's probably the most stupid decision the Labour Party's made.'

Labour MP Barry Gardiner branded it 'economically illiterate and environmentally irresponsible', warning that the manifesto was in danger of being 'bland'.

The 28 billion-a-year spending target was first unveiled in 2021, and last year Labour adjusted its original plan by saying the goal would not be until the second half of a first term in government.

The party has since insisted the pledge is subject to its fiscal rules, which include getting debt falling as a percentage of GDP, as it seeks to reassure voters it would handle the economy responsibly in government.

Confusion over the future of the policy has grown in recent weeks as some senior figures refused to refer to the 28 billion-a-year figure.

Ms Reeves has repeatedly declined to recommit to the spending pledge, instead highlighting the need for 'iron discipline' with the public finances.

However, as recently as Tuesday Sir Keir said the money was 'desperately needed' for the party's key mission to achieve clean power by 2030.

The Conservatives have seized on the figure as a key attack line in the run-up to an election this year, claiming it would require taxes to rise.

It was first announced in September 2021 by Ms Reeves, who committed to spending an extra 28billion each year to help Britain tackle climate change if the party wins power.

The U-turn comes after an official Treasury costing suggested that part of the plan  to upgrade insulation for 19million homes  would cost more than double the party's estimate of 6billion.

Former Tony Blair adviser John McTernan told the BBC 's Newsnight that 'great parties have great causes'

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Laura Trott said: 'This is a serious moment which confirms Labour have no plan for the UK, creating uncertainty for business and our economy. On the day that Labour are finalising their manifesto, Keir Starmer is torpedoing what he has claimed to be his central economic policy purely for short-term campaigning reasons.

'He must explain how he can keep the 28 billion spending when he is finally admitting he doesn't have a plan to pay for it.

'This black hole will inevitably mean thousands of pounds in higher taxes for working people. That's why Labour will take Britain back to square one.'

Unite, the UK's second largest trade union and a big Labour donor, said the 'retreat' would 'confirm workers' scepticism of the endless promises of jam tomorrow and it will be 'alright on the night' rhetoric on the green transition'.
Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner will likely stay silent during an upcoming trial for unrelated sex offences in Germany but 'has nothing to hide', according to his lawyer.

Brueckner is set to appear in court in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, on February 16, accused of five offences between 2000 and 2017 in Portugal and is already serving a rape sentence.

Brueckner, a German national, is the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in Portugal in 2007, but he has not been charged at any point with her disappearance and he has denied that he was involved.

Madeleine was on a family holiday in Praia da Luz, in Portugal when she vanished on May 3, 2007. Brueckner was made a formal suspect by prosecutors in Portugal in 2022.

He had previously been identified as a suspect by German prosecutors in 2020, at which point he was named as Christian B.

Christian Brueckner is set to appear in court in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, on February 16, accused of five offences between 2000 and 2017 in Portugal and is already serving a rape sentence

Brueckner's lawyer told the BBC in an email that he did not anticipate that his client would make 'substantive submissions' at the upcoming trial in Germany, which could span months.

Friedrich Fulscher, a public defender, said: 'We will see whether the defendant will defend himself in silence or make statements denying individual acts.

'At the moment, I do not assume that there will be any substantive submissions.'

Brueckner's lawyer said there were 'no negative conclusions' that could be taken from this.

He added: 'Whether a defendant declares "I have nothing to do with it", "I am innocent" or the like, or whether he uses his right to remain silent, leads to the same result in criminal proceedings.

'So this does not mean that there is something to hide, but is simply due to the fact that it makes sense from a procedural point of view.'

Madeleine McCann was on a family holiday in Praia da Luz, in Portugal when she vanished on May 3, 2007. Brueckner was made a formal suspect by prosecutors in Portugal in 2022

Brueckner would still be expected to confirm details such as his name and date of birth.

He has been charged with five offences, alleged to have taken place between 2000 and 2017 in Portugal, including raping and sexually abusing children.

The court in Braunschweig was found to have no jurisdiction over the case in a subsequent ruling, but this was later overturned.

The charges include the rape of an unidentified woman between 70 and 80 years old in her holiday home in Portugal at some point between 2000 and 2006 and the rape of a girl believed to have been at least 14 years of age at his home in Praia da Luz at some point between 2000 and 2006.

He is also charged with the rape of a young woman after entering her apartment in 2004, the sexual abuse of a child on a beach in 2007, and the sexual abuse of a child in a playground in 2017.

Brueckner is serving a sentence of seven years for a rape that took place in Portugal in 2005.

During the trial, which is set to begin next week, there will be a ruling on whether Brueckner remains in prison at the end of that sentence.
Rishi Sunak today refused to apologise to Brianna's family for swiping at Keir Starmer's trans views while Esther Ghey was watching PMQs.

The premier insisted it was 'entirely legitimate' to ridicule the Labour leader's claim that some women have penises, moments after being told that the murdered teen's mother was watching the session from the gallery.

Mr Sunak said he had 'nothing but the most heartfelt sympathy' for Brianna's family and friends, but it was 'sad and wrong' to link his remarks to the case.

Some Tories have also gone on the attack against Sir Keir, accusing him of using the family of the trans teenager for 'political point scoring'.

But other Conservatives have voiced discomfort at the tone of the exchanges. Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt suggested Mr Sunak should 'reflect on things'.

Brianna's father Peter Spooner demanded an apology over the 'degrading' comments last night. But Mrs Ghey made clear this afternoon that she would not be responding. A post on her Peace & Mind UK campaign Facebook page said she was 'focusing on creating a positive change'.

Asked if he would apologise, Mr Sunak told reporters in Cornwall: 'If you look at what I said, I was very clear, talking about Keir Starmer's proven track record of U-turns on major policies because he doesn't have a plan.

'A point only proven by today's reports that the Labour Party and Keir Starmer are apparently planning to reverse on their signature economic green spending policy.

'That just demonstrates the point I was making. He's someone who has just consistently changed his mind on a whole range of major things.

'I think that is an absolutely legitimate thing to point out and it demonstrates that he doesn't have a plan for the country.'

In a round of interviews this morning, policing minister Chris Philp said Mr Sunak was keen to meet the family, although nothing has been confirmed.

On a visit to Cornwall today, Rishi Sunak said he had 'nothing but the most heartfelt sympathy' for Brianna's family and friends, but it was 'sad and wrong' to link his remarks to the case

Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe were both 15 when they killed Brianna, 16, with a hunting knife after luring her to Linear Park, Culcheth, a village near Warrington, Cheshire, on February 11 last year.

Mrs Ghey made clear this afternoon that she would not be responding

Sir Keir Starmer met Esther Ghey later in the Commons

Cabinet minister Kemi Badenoch - the favourite to become the next Tory leader - weighed in to defend the PM

The premier jibed about the Labour leader's view that not all women have penises as they clashed in the Commons

Mr Sunak said: 'Like everyone, I was completely shocked by Brianna's case. To have your child taken from you in such awful circumstances is almost impossible to come to terms with, and for Brianna's mum to talk with such empathy and compassion about that, I thought, was inspiring and it showed the very best of humanity.

'I've nothing but the most heartfelt sympathy for her entire family and friends.

'But to use that tragedy to detract from the very separate and clear point I was making about Keir Starmer's proven track record of multiple U-turns on major policies, because he doesn't have a plan, I think is both sad and wrong, and it demonstrates the worst of politics.'

Earlier, Mr Philp told BBC Breakfast: 'The Prime Minister made no reference at all to any individual trans people.

'It was Keir Starmer who introduced that. The Prime Minister was making a point about Labour's very numerous flip-flops.'

Ms Ghey has been invited to a meeting with the PM, though it has not yet been confirmed whether or when it will take place.

Emma Mills, Brianna's headteacher at Birchwood High School, who accompanied Mrs Ghey to Parliament on Wednesday, told BBC Breakfast: 'We came in late into the gallery and missed what was said, and I don't think she's really had time to look at the context and what exactly was said, and she wants a little bit of time to be able to do that today.

'Yesterday, while we were there, we were just so focused on the mindfulness debate that we were going to and making sure that moves forward in a positive way. That wasn't something we really discussed yesterday.'

During the PMQs exchanges, Sir Keir noted that Esther Ghey was watching the session, as he paid tribute after her daughter's killers were jailed for a crime that a court heard was partly fuelled by transphobia.

Seconds later Mr Sunak jibed about the Labour leader's view that not all women have penises - a common attack he has used in previous sessions of the Wednesday showpiece.

Although Ms Ghey had not yet taken her seat in the public gallery, Sir Keir hit back, saying: 'Of all the weeks to say that, when Brianna's mother is in this chamber.

'Shame. Parading as a man of integrity when he's got absolutely no responsibility.'

Mr Spooner told Sky News last night: 'As the Prime Minister for our country to come out with degrading comments like he did, regardless of them being in relation to discussions in Parliament, they are absolutely dehumanising.

'Identities of people should not be used in that manner, and I personally feel shocked by his comments and feel he should apologise for his remarks.'

As the row over Mr Sunak's comments spilled out in the hours after PMQs, No10 refused six times to apologise for the remarks, before Cabinet minister Kemi Badenoch - the favourite to become the next Tory leader - weighed in to defend the PM.

'Every murder is a tragedy. None should be trivialised by political point-scoring. As a mother, I can imagine the trauma that Esther Ghey has endured,' the women and equalities minister wrote on the X social media site.

'It was shameful of Starmer to link his own inability to be clear on the matter of sex and gender directly to her grief.

'As Minister for Women and Equalities I've done all I can to ensure we have take the heat out of the debate on LGBT issues while being clear about our beliefs and principles. Keir Starmer's behaviour today shows Labour are happy to weaponise this issue when it suits them.'

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt also defended the PM, telling the BBC he had been making a point 'that we have a Labour party that cannot make their mind up about big issues of the day'.

Brianna's father Peter Spooner demanded an apology over the 'degrading' comments last night

Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt suggested Mr Sunak should 'reflect on things'

But Ms Mordaunt said today before the PM's words from Cornwall aired: 'Whatever the rough and tumble of this place, whatever the pressures and mistakes that are made in the heat of political combat, we owe it to the people who sent us here to strive every day to make them proud of us and this place.

'The Prime Minister is a good and caring man. I am sure that he has reflected on things and I understand he will say something later today, or perhaps even during this session.

'That is not just about Mr and Mrs Ghey that he should reflect on, but I am sure he is also reflecting about people who are trans, or who have trans loved ones and family, some of whom sit on these green benches.

'I hope the leader of the Opposition will also reflect on his actions too.'

Tory former minister Dehenna Davison said it was 'disappointing' to 'hear jokes being made at the trans community's expense'.

The Bishop Auckland MP said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: 'Wasn't in Parliament today thanks to a migraine attack so have just caught up on PMQs.

'The debate around trans issues often gets inflamed at the fringes. As politicians, it's our job to take the heat out of such debates and focus on finding sensible ways forward, whilst ensuring those involved are treated with respect.

'Given some of the terrible incidences of transphobia we have seen lately, this need for respect feels more crucial than ever.

'That's why it was disappointing to hear jokes being made at the trans community's expense. Our words in the House resonate right across our society, and we all need to remember that.'
The 'last man standing' on an otherwise abandoned housing estate that the local council are determined to demolish is still refusing to move out.

Nick Wisniewski, 67, is the sole resident of flats in Gowkthrapple, Wishaw, Scotland, which once held over 200 people across 128 blocks.

Everyone else has moved out since the authorities decided they want to knock down the whole estate - but Nick isn't budging.

He bought the home 22 years ago through the Right to Buy scheme so that his son would always have a guaranteed roof over his head and to avoid paying rent or a mortgage after retiring.

North Lanarkshire Council have made multiple attempts over the years to purchase the property from Mr Wisniewski, to no avail.

He was initially offered 35,000 for the property, which then increased to 40,000, but he refused the offers.

Nick Wisniewski, 67, is the sole resident of flats in Gowkthrapple, Wishaw, Scotland, which once held over 200 people across 128 blocks

He bought the home 22 years ago through the Right to Buy scheme so that his son would always have a guaranteed roof over his head and to avoid paying rent or a mortgage after retiring

North Lanarkshire Council have made multiple attempts over the years to purchase the property from Mr Wisniewski, to no avail

He was initially offered 35,000 for the property, which then increased to 40,000, but he refused the offers

The council have since applied for a Compulsory Purchase Order to force Mr Wisniewski to hand over his flat and have been engaging in new talks with him.

A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council told MailOnline: 'Our contractors are progressing with the demolition of low-rise blocks as part of our ambitious plans to transform this area of Gowkthrapple.

'We continue to explore all options available to provide Mr Wisniewski with suitable alternative housing, to try to avoid the need to use a Compulsory Purchase Order.'

Mr Wisniewski has also has become the subject of a new documentary 'Exile on Stanhope Place' by Ryan Pollock, which chronicles his battle with North Lanarkshire Council.

Speaking to STV News he said: 'I bought the flat so that if anything happened to my son when I'm not here, he'd have a roof over his head, but that safety is obviously gone now.

The council have since applied for a Compulsory Purchase Order to force Mr Wisniewski to hand over his flat and have been engaging in new talks with him

Mr Wisniewski has also has become the subject of a new documentary 'Exile on Stanhope Place' by Ryan Pollock, which chronicles his battle with North Lanarkshire Council

Speaking to STV News he said: 'I bought the flat so that if anything happened to my son when I'm not here, he'd have a roof over his head, but that safety is obviously gone now'

Now, fellow Wishaw resident and filmmaker Ryan Pollock has released a documentary chronicling Mr Wisniewski's first discussions with the council in over a year

Mr Pollock, who has family ties to the estate told STV that the 'injustice was too important to ignore'

North Lanarkshire Council have confirmed that they still intend to progress with the demolition of the block, and are 'exploring options' for housing arrangements for Mr Wisniewski

A spokesperson said: 'Our contractors are progressing with the demolition of low-rise blocks as part of our ambitious plans to transform this area of Gowkthrapple'

'I also bought it to save me paying rent after retirement, but now because the council have decided to go ahead with these redevelopment plans, I'm suddenly expected to start paying rent again, why should I? I'm not prepared to leave myself skint.'

Now, fellow Wishaw resident and filmmaker Ryan Pollock has released a documentary chronicling Mr Wisniewski's first discussions with the council in over a year.

Mr Pollock, who has family ties to the estate told STV that the 'injustice was too important to ignore'.

He said: 'I'm hoping to make some noise about what's going on and bring the community's attention to it, because I think it's an indictment on our country that a pensioner is being treated like this and will remain so until he gets a fair deal.'

North Lanarkshire Council have confirmed that they still intend to progress with the demolition of the block, and are 'exploring options' for housing arrangements for Mr Wisniewski.

A spokesperson said: 'Our contractors are progressing with the demolition of low-rise blocks as part of our ambitious plans to transform this area of Gowkthrapple.

'We continue to explore all options available to provide Mr Wisniewski with suitable alternative housing, to try to avoid the need to use a Compulsory Purchase Order.'
This is the shocking moment a tourist tried to open a passenger plane door during take-off in Thailand after suffering a panic attack.

Canadian tourist Wong Sai Heung, 40, sparked chaos when he screamed, jumped out of his seat and demanded crew open the plane door as the Airbus A320 was preparing to depart from Chiang Mai International Airport yesterday evening.

Heung, a computer engineer from Vancouver, allegedly ran towards the door behind the cockpit and pushed it open, causing the slide to deploy while the plane was in the queue to join the runway.

Frightened passengers on Thai Airways flight TG121 could be seen in footage talking to one another during the commotion and an anxious Heung was then guided to his seat by airline staff.

Police officers stormed into the vehicle and arrested the holidaymaker. He was detained at the Phu Ping Ratchaniwet district police station.

Wong Sai Heung being apprehended on the plane. Heung, 40, reportedly experienced a panic attack and tried to exit the Airbus A320 as it was departing from Chiang Mai International Airport yesterday evening

Heung being escorted off the aircraft. Police officers stormed into the vehicle and arrested him and he was detained at the Phu Ping Ratchaniwet district police station

The scene at Chiang Mai International Airport. The other disgruntled passengers onboard the jet were taken to a hotel as they waited for their flight to Bangkok to be rescheduled

Speaking today in handcuffs, he said: 'I was very paranoid and had anxiety, it was the thing I had last time on the trip to Vietnam, but it's pretty much, the second big trip, but it was a big panic attack. I thought I was getting killed in that spot. I'm not doing well.'

A spokesman said today: 'Officers arrested 40-year-old Canadian computer engineer Wong Sai Heung for causing an act likely to endanger the safety of the aircraft.

'Heung testified confusingly and he claimed he had a panic attack. He was detained before questioning further and the Canadian Embassy, Tourist Police, and an interpreter to assist in the investigation have been brought in to assist with the investigation.

'The airport's legal department is also now involved with checking potential additional charges according to aviation laws.'

The North American tourist's alleged outburst also disrupted other arriving flights, which had to wait in a holding pattern in the sky while departing planes were also delayed.

The other disgruntled passengers onboard the jet were taken to a hotel as they waited for their flight to Bangkok to be rescheduled.

One of the passengers, Watcharapon Pethsurp, said: 'A plane was about to take off but someone panicked and tried to open the door.

Passengers on the plane. Heung sparked alarm when he suddenly screamed, left his seat, and demanded the flight attendants open the plane door

Security staff at the airport. The flight was originally set to depart Chiang Mai at 9.05 pm and arrive at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok around an hour later

Scenes at Chiang Mai International Airport. The North American tourist's alleged outburst also disrupted other arriving flights, which had to wait in a holding pattern in the sky while departing planes were also delayed

'As far as I know, at 9.45 PM, the plane was about to leave before there was a scream and then an announcement from a flight attendant saying that someone panicked and attempted to leave through the exit, causing it to slide open.

'The plane was unable to fly, and we had to wait for the mechanics to take it back to the pit stop.'

The flight was originally set to depart Chiang Mai at 9.05 pm and arrive at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok around an hour later.

Wing Commander Ronakorn Chalermsanyakorn, Director of Chiang Mai Airport, said the control tower reported to the airport that the plane was preparing for take-off when the door was opened.

He said: 'A passenger opened the plane door, causing the seat to slide and spread out, resulting in the aircraft being unable to fly and it was stuck in the middle of the runway, resulting in other flights being unable to take off and take off at Chiang Mai Airport for a while.'

In a statement regarding the incident, state-owned Thai Airways said: 'Thai Airways would like to explain the incident on flight TG 121 route Chiang Mai - Bangkok on February 7 with Airbus A320 plane while lining up for take-off at the runway.

'There was a passenger who opened a plane door, prompting the mechanics to be sent for inspection and repair according to security standards.

'The flight was able to depart on February 8 at 12.34 am with all passengers, pilots, and flight attendants safely onboard.'

Heung at the police station. Police said today that Wong Sai Heung has been charged and held in custody. He was not under the influence of drink or drugs when he was arrested

Police said today that Heung has been charged and held in custody. He was not under the influence of drink or drugs when he was arrested.

Lieutenant Colonel Nattawut Noisorn, deputy superintendent of Phu Ping Ratchaniwet Police Station, said: 'The inquiry officer has charged Wong Sai Heung with two offences.

'First, rendering an airplane to be in a condition likely to cause danger to a person, according to Section 232(1) of the Criminal Code.

'Second, violating or failing to comply with an order of the aircraft commander or that of crew members giving such order on behalf of the aircraft commander, which are orders for the maintenance of safety of the aircraft or persons or property on board, according to Section 7 Paragraph 2 of the Certain Offences against Air Navigation Act.'

Noisorn said that officers are now also coordinating with the airport over any additional charges.

He added: 'The suspect may face further charges for aviation offences, which are currently being processed by the relevant organisations.

'Additionally, if the 13 airlines affected by the incident decide to file a report, he could face additional charges.'
A man has been charged with damaging a ULEZ camera after one was sprayed with paint, according to Met Police.

Matthew Houston, 43, was charged after paint was sprayed over a camera on Long Lane, Hillingdon on January 29. He was arrested shortly after the incident.

The man, from Uxbridge, was charged for having an article, which was a spray paint can, with intent to cause criminal damage.

He was also charged for assault on an emergency worker after an officer was injured during his arrest.

Matthew Houston, 43, was charged after paint was sprayed over a camera on Long Lane, Hillingdon on January 29. He was arrested shortly after the incident. Pictured: Stock image of a ULEZ camera

The area is an expanded low-emission zone, part of Sadiq Khan 's plans to improve air quality and covers every borough in the city, including Hillingdon in outer London. Pictured: A map of the

Houston appeared at Ealing Magistrates Court on January 30 and was released on bail to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on February 28.

The area is in the expanded low-emission zone, part of Sadiq Khan's plans to improve air quality and covers every borough in the city, including Hillingdon in outer London.

It was fully introduced across London in August last year. Hillingdon and several other boroughs challenged TfLs and Khan's decision but were unsuccessful.

Since the expansion, members of the public have hit out against the ULEZ cameras which have been criticised for hitting those who have older cars that don't meet the requirements the hardest.

A camera from a different incident covered with a sign reading, 'No ULEZ'

A camera from a different incident covered with a sticker reading, 'ULEZ SPY'

Many people argue they cannot afford a new car to meet the new rules.

Some furious motorists have even taken to covering the lenses with stickers, or destroying the equipment completely in attempts to save cash.

A member of the infamous 'Blade Runners', an activist group against ULEZ, last year spoke out and vowed to keep destroying the cameras.

The cameras check if a vehicle is compliant with the regulations, if it is not, the driver will be subject to a charge for entering the ULEZ area.

Drivers of the most polluting vehicles are billed 12.50 a day for entering the zone.
Footage has emerged of a motorist running over a teenager riding an electric scooter at a pedestrian crossing, sparking furious debate over who was at fault.

The incident happened in Mornington, on the Mornington Peninsula south of Melbourne, on Tuesday at about 6.40pm.

Dashcam footage captured the moment the driver of a silver Ford sedan crashed into the young e-scooter rider.

Moments before the collision, the rider, who was wearing a black hoodie and a pair of black trackpants, rode his scooter up to the pedestrian crossing.

Shocking footage has emerged of the moment a driver of a sedan collided with a young rider of an electric scooter (pictured)

The young rider seemed to be unaware of the oncoming vehicle, which appeared to be travelling at a regular speed.

The driver who captured footage of the incident on their dashcam slowed down and stopped as the rider of the scooter entered the pedestrian crossing - but the driver of the Ford did not and collided with him, knocking him off.

The shocked rider looked around at the Ford before getting up and grabbing at his right leg.

Other motorists appeared on the scene to check on the rider.

Video of the incident was uploaded to the Dash Cam Owners Australia Facebook page on Tuesday and has since been flooded with thousands of comments.

Motorists were left divided over who was at fault for the collision.

The collision, which took place at a pedestrian crossing in Melbourne's south, left many motorists divided over who was at fault

One person said that while you could argue the teen should have got off the scooter before using the pedestrian crossing, ultimately the driver was at fault because they 'hit him with a good speed [and] did not even slow for the bump'.

'The car is at fault and should face appropriate charges,' another agreed.

Others defended the driver of the Ford sedan, saying the e-scooter rider should have looked both ways before entering the pedestrian crossing.

'He was approaching a crossing and didn't even slow down,' one said.

'Don't just blindly cross. Always keep an eye out for any vehicles that don't look like they are going to stop,' another added.

'Where I grew up, you were taught to stop and look both ways, especially on a pedestrian crossing.'

According to Victorian road rules, a driver must give way to any pedestrians on a pedestrian crossing and must not overtake a vehicle parked at a pedestrian crossing.

People on wheeled devices, including riders of e-scooters, are considered pedestrians.

According to road rules in Victoria, motorists have to give way to all pedestrians at pedestrian crossings - and that includes riders of electric scooters
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday discussed ways to secure the release of Gaza hostages with moderates in the Israeli war cabinet a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas demands as 'delusional.'

Blinken met in Tel Aviv with Benny Gantz and Gabi Eisenkot, two former military chiefs who joined Netanyahu's war cabinet after the October 7 attack in Israel by Hamas fighters.

The talks will focus on 'the hostages and the strong desire that we both have to see them returned to their families, the work that's being done to that end,' Blinken said as they opened the meeting.

'The most urgent issue is of course to find ways to bring back the hostages,' Gantz told Blinken.

'That being done, many things can be achieved,' he said.

Earlier, Netanyahu slammed the terrorists' demands as 'bizarre' and said to agree to them would 'only invite another massacre' when they are 'a finger away from a decisive victory'.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with former Israeli army chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot and former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Thursday morning

Blinken with Netanyahu a day earlier, the Israeli prime minister said that the only hope for peace was a 'total victory'

But in a sign that they were still open to negotiations, he added that his officials 'haven't actually committed to anything' in terms of the specifics of a deal.

Hamas had outlined the most detailed plan yet for an agreement which would see every hostage freed in exchange for 1,500 Palestinian prisoners and an end to the war.

It proposed three 45-day phases of releases, starting with all women, male civilians under 19, the elderly and the sick in exchange for some of the Palestinian prisoners.

The IDF would then have to withdraw from populated areas and cease aerial operations before the male soldiers are released in exchange for other convicts.

Blinken has shuttled around the Middle East on his fifth visit since the war between Israel and Hamas began, and brought to Israel a response via Qatar from Hamas to a hostage deal.

But Blinken said he still saw space for negotiations to improve on the deal and secure the hostages' release.

Israel has made destroying Hamas' governing and military abilities one of its wartime objectives, and Hamas' proposal would effectively leave it in power in Gaza and allow it to rebuild its military capabilities.

Blinken downplayed the posturing, saying it was part of the arduous negotiating process. 'It's not flipping a light switch. It's not yes or no,' he said.

Blinken has downplayed Netanyahu's remarks as saying the entire process is 'not flipping a light switch'

Blinken is trying to advance the cease-fire talks while pushing for a larger postwar settlement in which Saudi Arabia would normalize relations with Israel in return for a 'clear, credible, time-bound path to the establishment of a Palestinian state.'

But the increasingly unpopular Netanyahu is opposed to Palestinian statehood, and his hawkish governing coalition could collapse if he is seen as making too many concessions.

'While there are some clear non-starters in Hamas' response, we do think it creates space for agreement to be reached, and we will work at that relentlessly until we get there,' he said.

The war in Gaza was triggered by Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Israel vowed to eliminate Hamas in response and launched air strikes and a ground offensive that have killed at least 27,708 people, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry.

Militants also seized around 250 hostages on October 7. Israel says 132 remain in Gaza, of whom 29 are believed to have died.
A BMW worker allegedly randomly murdered by a woman with an 'extreme interest in death' had everything to live for and was in buoyant spirits on the night of his death, a court heard today.

Scarlet Blake, 25, has been accused of killing Jorge Martin Carreno after meeting him in the early hours of the morning in Oxford city centre in July 2021.

His case was initially treated as a suicide before it was finally linked to Blake who had four months earlier videoed herself killing a cat, the jury heard.

On the second day of Blake's trial, Irene Hildago, a former girlfriend of Mr Carreno wept as she told the court how he had told her he wanted to enjoy 'every drop of his life'.

The conversation took place three weeks before the 30-year-old BMW worker was found drowned in the River Cherwell in Oxford.

Scarlet Blake (centre), 25, is accused of targeting Jorge Martin Carreno, 30, as he walked home from a night-out in Oxford in July 2021

Scarlet Blake has been accused of killing Mr Carreno after meeting him in the early hours of the morning in Oxford city centre in July 2021.

Prosecutors allege Blake killed Mr Carreno because she had a 'fixation with violence' and wanted to know what it would be like to kill someone.

Four months before the murder Blake had live-streamed killing a cat, dissecting the animal and putting the body in a blender.

Oxford Crown Court was told Blake 'boasted' about the killing with others and spoke about 'her desire to open up a person like her 'little cat friend''.

A jury of five women and seven men were told it took two years for the mystery of Mr Carreno's death to be 'properly understood'.

His death was initially thought to have been an accident or suicide.

But following a complex police investigation by Thames Valley Police Blake was arrested and charged with his murder in August 2023.

Members of Mr Carreno's family broke down in tears in the public gallery as Ms Hildago described her former boyfriend as the 'kindest person' she knew.

She said they had met on a dating app while living in Seville, Spain, and later moved to the UK in 2019.

Prosecutors allege Blake killed Mr Carreno because she had a 'fixation with violence and with knowing what it would be like to kill someone'

The couple ended up working at the BMW plant in Cowley, Oxford.

Ms Hildago said Mr Carreno, an engineer, was 'very trusting'.

She said: 'He was shy, but at same time the kindest person I ever met.

'He would always do something for you and very trusting as well.

'He would trust everyone even if I told him not to.

'Always making jokes, a joyful person and very kind.'

Ms Hildago said that Mr Carreno had been seeing a therapist while living in Oxford having previously suffered bouts of depression.

She said he had once stood on a bridge and wondered what it would be like to disappear.

Ms Hildago insisted he was no longer depressed when they were together and denied that he was ever suicidal.

She said they broke up in February 2012 but remained friends and spoke to each other every day.

After his death Ms Hildago said she went to the location where he was found,a riverside spot called Parsons Pleasure, and waded into the water to see if it would have been possible for him to drown.

She said: 'I was a little bit out of my mind. I took off my shoes and went into the water to figure out how deep it was.

'People were talking about an accident and I was trying to work out how Jorge couldn't get out of that place.'

The prosecutor went on to explain how months before the alleged murder, Blake had livestreamed the killing and dissection of a cat after watching Netflix documentary called Don't F*** with Cats (pictured)

On the night of his death the court has been told Mr Carreno had been out drinking in Oxford city centre with co-workers to celebrate the end of lockdown restrictions.

Co-worker Sashco Stoimenov told the court Mr Carreno had been in a happy mood and had talked about settling down and having children.

He said the group of nine from the BMW plant had spent several hours drinking before trying and failing to get into a nightclub.

After becoming separated from his friends he was caught on CCTV sitting on a park bench when he was approached by another person.

Alison Morgan KC said Blake was out on the streets of Oxford looking for a victim.

'She targeted him and took him to Parsons Pleasure, where she killed him, leaving his body to be discovered by others over 24 hours later,' the KC said.

Ms Morgan explained that during the police investigation detectives had built up a picture of her background.

'The prosecution alleges that this defendant had an extreme interest in death and in harm,' she told the jury.

'It was an interest that went beyond mere fantasy. She described herself to others as being someone who derived sexual gratification from the thought of violence and the thought of death.

'Videos of her with one of her partners engaging in acts of strangulation, consensually, in a sexualised context.

'She spoke to others about what it would be like to kill someone.

'She looked at imagery and saved it on her devices that showed an interest in ligatures being applied around the neck. She talked about harming herself.'

Luka Magnotta the killer from Netflix documentary Don't F*** With Cats

The prosecutor went on to explain how months before the alleged murder, Blake had livestreamed the killing and dissection of a cat after watching Netflix documentary called Don't F*** with Cats.

The court heard Blake used food and a crate to capture the cat and take it to her home where she killed the animal.

Jurors were also shown videos of the defendant and her partner engaging in consensual strangulation with ligatures.

One shows her partner sat on a bed pulling the cord from the leopard print dressing gown tight around her neck until she appears to collapse and then breathe heavily as she recovers.

The second clip shows Blake pulling a white cord tight around her partner's neck from behind with her again collapsing then recovering.

Ms Morgan said: 'There is a fascination with ligatures for sexual gratification.

'Whatever it is about the fascination with the dressing gown, it must have been in her head and led her to take a selfie just an hour or so with that dressing gown before she found Mr Carreno.'

The court also heard Blake had allegedly discussed with her partner Mr Carreno's murder.

Referring to being in the company of a man, Blake messaged her, saying: 'Last time I found someone this drunk they died lol.'

The defendant, of Oxford, denies murder.

The trial continues.
A fresh-faced Rishi Sunak crosses his arms and poses in front of a caravan in a new childhood snap of the Prime Minister.

The picture of the boy who would go on to enter No10 is seen in a new TV documentary in which the Tory leader has spoken openly about his upbringing in Southampton.

Mr Sunak, the first British Asian premier, told the programme of the 'sting' of racism he endured as a child - including an 'awful' experience at a fast-food restaurant with his siblings.

He also revealed how his mother was 'obsessed' with her children not having accents and for them to be 'able to fit in'.

The 43-year-old, whose parents are of Punjabi descent but born in East Africa, also admitted he never thought there would be an ethnic minority PM in his lifetime.

A fresh-faced Rishi Sunak crosses his arms and poses in front of a caravan in a new childhood snap of the Prime Minister

Mr Sunak has previously shared pictures of his Southampton upbringing on social media

Mr Sunak shared snaps from his childhood in a campaign video when he ran to be Tory leader in 2022

Mr Sunak's father, Yashvir, was an NHS GP in Southampton

The PM's mother, Usha, came to Britain from East Africa at the age of 15

Mr Sunak's mother ran a pharmacy in Southampton

Mr Sunak, seen beside his mother, was born to Yashvir and Usha in Southampton in 1980

Mr Sunak's sister Raakhi works in New York as chief of strategy and planning at the United Nations global fund for education in emergencies. The PM's younger brother Sanjay is a consultant clinical psychologist

Speaking to ITV for 'Rishi Sunak: Up Close - Tonight', the PM said: 'You are conscious of being different. And obviously I experienced racism as a kid.

'I was with my younger brother and sister when I was with them in town at a restaurant, a fast-food restaurant, and people were saying some awful things.

'And the thing about racism, I mean, it stings you in a way that few other things do.'

He also spoke about his parents' efforts to help him and his siblings 'fit in' during their childhood.

'My parents felt it acutely because they were so keen for us to be able to fit in,' Mr Sunak added.

'One of the things my mum was obsessed with was that we didn't speak with accents and we, you know, we would speak properly.

'And, and so she was keen for us to try and do some extra drama and things like that.'

The PM said he was proud the UK had changed since he grew up during the 1980s and 1990s.

He also added that he did not believe the type of racism that he had encountered during his youth would be faced by his own children today.

But Mr Sunak admitted he never thought there would be an ethnic minority PM in his lifetime, adding: 'You didn't have role models like that when I was a kid, in politics in quite the same way.

'Of course, there were people that were breaking barriers.'

Mr Sunak, the first British Asian premier, told a new ITV documentary of the 'sting' of racism he endured as a child - including an 'awful' experience at a fast-food restaurant with his siblings

Mr Sunak, pictured with ITV's Anushka Asthana, also admitted he never thought there would be an ethnic minority PM in his lifetime

The PM pictured watching a Southampton match at St Mary's Stadium

Mr Sunak said his mother became 'obsessed' with ensuring that her children did not speak with an accent, and signed him up for extra drama classes

The PM, seen here with his parents, said that he was proud of the ways that the UK had changed since he was growing up in the 1980s and 1990s

During his childhood, Mr Sunak attended a preparatory school in Romsey, near Southampton, before being sent to the prestigious and expensive private Winchester College. He became headboy during his time there.

The PM has stuck by his schoolboy loyalties since he left Winchester, and it was revealed in 2022 that he had donated more than 100,000 to the school with his wife Akshata Murty.

He said he was 'hugely aware' of the privilege that attending the school had given him relative to others, explaining that his parents  one of whom was a GP and the other a pharmacist  had taken extra work and loans to fund his tuition there.

'That's what Indian families do,' he explained.

Mr Sunak later attended Oxford University and then Stanford University in California, where he first met Ms Murty, before embarking on a career as an investment banker.

In the ITV programme, Mr Sunak denied that his wealth - both from his business career and his wife's stake in her family's multi-billion pound IT firm Infosys - is an issue for voters.

'No. For the simple reason that when I was Chancellor and introduced things like the furlough scheme, which protected around 10 million jobs, nobody said that, right? I'm the same person,' he said.

'And I think most people in our country are fair-minded And you know what, if someone wants to attack that or make it a political smear, I actually think it says more about them and their ambition for our country, or lack of it than it does about me and where I come from.'

He added during the interview that his friends at the time would have described him as a 'geek' rather than as 'naughty', a description that they would have likely stuck by.

Mr Sunak attended the expensive and prestigious Winchester College, and said that his parents took extra work and loans to pay for his tuition

Mr Sunak, seen here in the front row, third from right, went onto be headboy at Winchester and said he was aware of the privilege that it had given him relative to others

Mr Sunak is now married to the multimillionaire heiress Akshata Murty, whom he met while studying at Stanford University in the US

The documentary marked the first time cameras have captured Mr Sunak and his family at home in the flat above No10.

Ms Murty revealed how her husband struggles to fits in time with his family.

'Not much at all,' she said. 'We try and do a big family breakfast on the weekend where Rishi does most of the cooking. Full English breakfast.'

Asks if Mr Sunak is a good cook, she replied: 'Very good cook!'

Rishi Sunak: Up Close  Tonight, is on ITV1 and ITVX on Thursday at 8.30pm.
French prosecutors have opened a rape inquiry after French actor Judith Godreche filed a complaint against director Benoit Jacquot, accusing him of raping her in a relationship that began when she was 14 and he was 39.

On Tuesday, Godreche, 51, lodged a formal complaint with of alleged rape of a minor by a person in a position of authority.

The Paris prosecutor's office announced a preliminary investigation into the accusations had been opened the following day.

The French police's specialist unit - Juvenile Protection Brigade (BPM) - will investigate multiple accusations, including domestic violence, rape, sexual assault and rape of a minor by a person in a position of authority.

A potential offender could face up to 20 years behind bars for the crimes levied against Jacquot.

French prosecutors have launched an inquiry after actress Judith Godreche, 51, filed a complaint against film director Benoit Jacquot

She has accused Jacquot of raping her during a relationship which began when she was 14 and he was 39

However, as the incidents are said to have occurred between 1986 and 1992 it is possible that the statue of limitations may have expired.

Jacquot, who is one of France's most prominent directors, denied the accusations when queried by Le Monde.

He told the publication that he was previously 'very much in love' with the actress, adding: 'It was me, without irony, who was under her spell for six years.'

Their relationship began in the spring of 1986, when Godreche was 14, and ended in the early 1990s.

The actress said Jaquot had groomed her and that it was she who was 'in his grip' for six years.

Godreche starred in two of the directors films, 'Les Mendiants' ('The Beggars') in 1988 and 'La Desenchantee' ('The Disenchanted') in 1990.

The announcement comes as French cinema is reeling from claims that the world of arts has shrugged off sexism and sexual abuse for decades.

The actress claims the now 77-year-old groomed her and that she was in the director's 'grip' for six years (pictured left and right: Godreche aged 19)

Jacquot has denied the allegations, telling Le Monde that he was under her 'spell' for six years

In January, Godreche took to social media accused Jacquot of manipulating her into a relationship as a vulnerable underage actor.

In a statement quoted by Le Monde, Godreche said: 'It's a story similar to stories of children who are kidnapped and grow up without seeing the world, and who can't think ill of their captor.'

She decided to speak out after discovering him boasting about their relationship being a 'transgression', and cinema providing a 'cover' for it, in a 2011 TV documentary.

Jacquot, a director with more than 50 films and TV films to his name, has said he needs to be 'in love' with his actresses to film them.

He has worked with established stars such as Catherine Deneuve and Isabelle Huppert, as well as Godreche, Virginie Ledoyen and Isild Le Besco as teenagers.

In 2015, he described his work as 'pushing an actress to pass a threshold'.

'The best way to do all that is to be in the same bed,' he said.
A plot to kidnap a child from a Portuguese holiday resort was hatched a week before Madeleine McCann was abducted there, a British expat has claimed.

Ken Ralphs said that chief suspect in the McCann case, Christian Brueckner, tried to recruit a mutual friend to help find a youngster to sell on to a childless couple.

Mr Ralphs said Brueckner made the offer to the man who at the time was penniless and living in a tent in a remote part of Portugal's Algarve coastal region, 20 miles from Praia da luz - where Madeleine vanished on May 3, 2007.

'We were sitting around the fire one night after a meal, we had a few beers and during the early hours of the morning my friend began to cry,' the expat told Sky News. 'I asked him what the matter was and, eventually, he confessed to me he was getting involved with Christian to steal a child from Praia da Luz from a rich family.'

Madeleine was on a family holiday when she vanished. The case has never been solved and her fate remains unknown.

A plot to kidnap a child from a Portuguese holiday resort was hatched a week before Madeleine McCann (pictured May 3, 2007) was abducted there, a British expat has claimed

Brueckner was made a formal suspect by prosecutors in Portugal in 2022, although he has not been charged over her disappearance and denies any involvement.

He had previously been identified as a suspect by German prosecutors in 2020, at which point he was named only as German drifter 'Christian B'.

Mr Ralphs - who is a former UK political campaigner, Brueckner and their mutual friend - a foreigner who can't be named, were all part of a nomadic group living an off-grid bohemian lifestyle in isolated places across southwest of Portugal.

He took Sky News's reporter to the spot where he said his friend was living with his family in a teepee, 17 years ago. Mr Ralphs said he and his wife would buy them food.

The 59-year-old said he encouraged his friend not to get involved with Brueckner's scheme, calling it 'ridiculous' and telling him he would end up in jail.

'I said you can't get involved in kidnapping a person for ransom, that's ridiculous, then he explained - "no, it's not like that". Christian had a customer, a buyer lined up, a German couple who couldn't have children,' Mr Ralphs told Sky News.

A week after their conversation, Madeline vanished.

Mr Ralphs says he was back in the UK when he heard the news.

Three hours later, he told Sky News, he drove to a police station in Cumbria and reported what he knew about Brueckner and the kidnap plot.

Mr Ralphs also said he gave the police a 'secret map' that directed them to the point in the woods where his friend had been living with his family in the tent, telling them to send it to detectives in Portugal so they could investigate.

He wrote up a statement and repeated his story when he returned to the Algarve, but told Sky News that the police there said they knew nothing about his report. He also returned to the spot where the teepee had been, but found it had been burned.

Mr Ralphs told Sky News that he never saw Brueckner or his friend again, but that he recognised the German when he became a suspect in 2020.

This again prompted him to contact the UK police, and he sent his written statement to the German prosecutors. He was also interviewed by Portuguese detectives, but does not know if his statement was used in their investigation into Brueckner.

German prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters told Sky News that he had passed the statement onto German investigators, the broadcaster reported.

'They told me someone had made contact with my friend abroad and he had denied knowing me, but I have a dozen witnesses who will say that he's lying,' he added.

'I guess he just didn't want to be interviewed by police.'

Another friend of Brueckner's who knew the drifter from his time in Portugal has also said the German planned to steal a child.

'He (Brueckner) was always bragging about money and making money, particularly from burglaries,' Michael Tatschl told author Jon Clarke in his book My Search For Madeleine. 'He even talked about selling kids, maybe to Morocco.'

The expat's claim follows the news that the German suspect will likely stay silent during an upcoming trial for unrelated sex offences in Germany but 'has nothing to hide', according to his lawyer.

Christian Brueckner is set to appear in court in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, on February 16, accused of five offences between 2000 and 2017 in Portugal and is already serving a rape sentence

Brueckner is set to appear in court in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, on February 16, accused of five offences between 2000 and 2017 in Portugal and is already serving a rape sentence.

Brueckner's lawyer told the BBC in an email that he did not anticipate that his client would make 'substantive submissions' at the upcoming trial in Germany, which could span months.

Friedrich Fulscher, a public defender, said: 'We will see whether the defendant will defend himself in silence or make statements denying individual acts.

'At the moment, I do not assume that there will be any substantive submissions.'

Brueckner's lawyer said there were 'no negative conclusions' that could be taken as a result of this.

He added: 'Whether a defendant declares 'I have nothing to do with it', 'I am innocent' or the like, or whether he uses his right to remain silent, leads to the same result in criminal proceedings.

'So this does not mean that there is something to hide, but is simply due to the fact that it makes sense from a procedural point of view.'

Brueckner would still be expected to confirm details such as his name and date of birth.

He has been charged with five offences, alleged to have taken place between 2000 and 2017 in Portugal, including raping and sexually abusing children.

The court in Braunschweig was found to have no jurisdiction over the case in a subsequent ruling, but this was later overturned.

Madeleine McCann was on a family holiday in Praia da Luz, in Portugal when she vanished on May 3, 2007. Brueckner was made a formal suspect by prosecutors in Portugal in 2022

The charges include the rape of an unidentified woman between 70 and 80 years old in her holiday home in Portugal at some point between 2000 and 2006 and the rape of a girl believed to have been at least 14 years of age at his home in Praia da Luz at some point between 2000 and 2006.

He is also charged with the rape of a young woman after entering her apartment in 2004, the sexual abuse of a child on a beach in 2007, and the sexual abuse of a child in a playground in 2017.

Brueckner is serving a sentence of seven years for a rape that took place in Portugal in 2005.

During the trial, which is set to begin next week, there will be a ruling on whether Brueckner remains in prison at the end of that sentence.
Sinn Fein stepped up its campaign for an Irish reunification vote today as its leader said she expects it to happen within six years.

Mary Lou McDonald, the nationalists' president, said she believes the referendum would happen before 2030, after the election of Michelle O'Neill as First Minister in Northern Ireland.

She spoke out on Sky News this morning after Democratic Unionist Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson mocked her for saying Irish unity was within 'touching distance', saying she would need 'the longest arms on this island'.

'Recent elections in the north of Ireland and at the weekend my colleague Michelle O'Neill becoming for the first time, a Sinn Fein First Minister in the north are just indicators of a profound change that is happening in Ireland,' she said.

'When I say unity is within touching distance I meant in historic terms  I don't mean that it is happening next week or next month. So you don't need to have those long arms that Jeffrey refers to. But what I am saying, and what I firmly believe is that in this decade we will have those referendums.'

Asked if she meant by 2030, she replied: 'Yes, and let me say that it is not so far away, so there's an awful lot of work that needs to be done.'

However it comes as Sinn Fein falls to its lowest popularity in Ireland since the last Dail election.

Mary Lou McDonald, the nationalists' president, said she believes the referendum would happen before 2030, after the election of Michelle O'Neill as First Minister in Northern Ireland.

She spoke out on Sky News this morning after Democratic Unionist Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson mocked her for saying Irish unity was within 'touching distance', saying she would need 'the longest arms on this island'.

Ms O'Neill, who is in London with her party president, later accused Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris of 'ignoring the reality' on the issue of constitutional change.

It has dropped six points in the latest Ipsos poll for the Irish Times, which would make it harder to form a government that would make Ms McDonald Taoiseach.

But she put pressure on Keir Starmer to allow a border poll to go ahead if he becomes Prime Minister later this year.

Such a poll is at the discretion of the Government, but there are criteria within the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) that says one should be called 'if at any time it appears likely to him that a majority of those voting would express a wish that Northern Ireland should cease to be part of the UK and form part of a united Ireland'.

Successive UK governments have consistently declined to specify publicly what criteria will be applied when measuring public sentiment on the issue.

Ms McDonald said: I would hope that Keir Starmer and a Labour government, given that the GFA was a Labour Party achievement in the first instance under Tony Blair, I would hope that he would be very true in words and spirit to the GFA.'

Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, a border poll should be called by the incumbent Northern Ireland Secretary when he/she believes there is evidence that public opinion in the region has shifted in favour of constitutional change.

Sir Jeffrey rejected suggestions of a poll within the next decade, insisting 'we are nowhere near a united Ireland'.

Ms O'Neill, who is in London with her party president, later accused Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris of 'ignoring the reality' on the issue of constitutional change.

However it comes as Sinn Fein falls to its lowest popularity in Ireland since the last Dail election.

Earlier this week, Mr Heaton-Harris (left) said he did not expect a border poll within his lifetime.

Earlier this week, Mr Heaton-Harris said he did not expect a border poll within his lifetime.

'I think Chris Heaton-Harris, with all due respect, that's a bit of an ostrich mentality, sticking your head in the sand and refusing to see what's actually happening all around you,' she told ITV's Good Morning Britain.

Ms O'Neill added: 'I think he's ignoring the reality. My election speaks to the change that's happening across the island.'

She added: 'I'm an Irish person, I want to see Irish unity on my island, I want to see good relationships between our two islands. But there are many people in our society that also have a British identity and a unionist culture, and we have to be respectful of each other and create a discourse that allows us to have a mature conversation about where we all think we are going to head in the next 10 years.

'Let's be chilled about it. I say north of Ireland, others say Northern Ireland, let's give each other the space to be comfortable about how we might come at these things.'
A brazen kingfisher has shown a blatant disregard for the rules as it's pictured perched on top of a 'No Fishing' sign in Scotland with a fish in its beak.

In hilarious images, the bird unapologetically flouts the rules as it lands on a sign in Kirkcudbrightshire that specifically prohibits anyone from fishing or hunting for fish.

The kingfisher intuitively used the sign as a viewpoint to scour for its next meal, before departing the wooden platform to swoop in and collect its prey.

Once the bold bird grabbed a hold of its target, it returned to the 'no fishing' sign, using the notice as the perfect spot to dine in peace.

The kingfisher was left unflappable at the sight of the instructions, brazenly holding its mighty catch in its sharp beak before gobbling it up.

A brazen kingfisher has shown a blatant disregard for the rules as it's pictured perched on top of a 'No Fishing' sign in Scotland with a fish in its beak

The kingfisher intuitively used the sign as a viewpoint to scour for its next meal, before departing the wooden platform to swoop in and collect its prey

The fascinating images were captured by 74-year-old British photographer, Jock Elliott, who hails from Brechin in Angus, Scotland.

READ MORE: Hilarious snaps reveal signs created by people weary of others who don't get subtlety Advertisement

He said: 'I was about 100 feet away from the bird in shooting from a wildlife photographer's hide.

'When I noticed what the kingfisher was perched upon, I couldnt hold back my laughter. This whole moment was too funny and precious.'

Alluding to the moment he captured the pictures as simply being in the right place at the right time, Mr Elliott said: 'These are once-in-a-lifetime shots that I couldnt be more proud of.

He added: 'I am glad I was at the right place at the right moment.

'Seeing these wonderful birds doing what they love best makes me very happy, and the excitement you get just being able to photograph them makes the wait worthwhile.'

This news of the cheeky kingfisher flouting the rules comes after a raccoon ignored a 'Do not enter' sign to keep warm during a storm.

A raccoon broke into a Colorado Parks and Wildlife office in March last year - then refused to leave during a rain storm.

Once the bold bird grabbed a hold of its target, it returned to the 'no fishing' sign, using the notice as the perfect spot to dine in peace

The kingfisher was left unflappable at the sight of the instructions, brazenly holding its mighty catch in its sharp beak before gobbling it up

Rangers heard some rustling in one of their regional offices in Grand Junction, and, when they went to investigate, they found the brazen critter sitting above a box of mail and papers on the towering cabinet.

Footage shows the park ranger going in with a long stick in an attempt to snag the raccoon.

The feisty creature tries to pull away - using its paws - but as it backed up it hit the corner of the wall - and realized it had no other place to go.

After a few attempts the ranger successfully captures the raccoon and pulls him down to the ground and out of danger- as the raccoon is seen squirming.

The ranger is seen walking the racoon towards the exterior doors and setting the raccoon free.
Armed police have raided a pizza takeaway where chemical attack suspect Abdul Ezedi worked as the manhunt for the fugitive continues.

A major hunt is underway for Ezedi, 35, who is accused of pouring a strong alkali on his ex-partner and injuring her two young children, aged three and eight, in an attack in Clapham, south London last Wednesday.

Two warrants were executed at properties associated with Ezedi in Newcastle this morning, including his place of work, the Metropolitan Police confirmed.

Officers were seen outside Best Bite pizza shop in Forest Hall Road, Newcastle.

Reports said a battering ram was used to gain access to an upstairs flat before officers spent a couple of hours searching the flat and takeaway. Detectives were seen removing some items in evidence bags including the hard drive from the shop's CCTV.

The takeaway manager told the Sun: 'They came and searched and found nothing.'

No arrests have been made and inquiries and searches continue. The force said it was a joint operation with Northumbria Police.

This update comes as the search for fugitive Ezedi entered its second week with police revealing the motive behind the 'brutal' attack appears to be the breakdown of a relationship.

Close friends have also said the woman left severely injured after being doused with a corrosive chemical is a devoted mother who only wanted a safe home for her children.

Armed police were seen outside Best Bite pizza shop in Forest Hall Road, Newcastle

Numerous police cars and officers outside the pizza restaurant in Newcastle

The manager of Best Bite Pizza and Grill House in Forest Hall Road said Ezedi worked there for 'a couple of weeks' about 18 months ago

Officers outside the pizza shop in Newcastle as the manhunt for fugitive Ezedi continues

The Metropolitan Police said two raids were carried out by armed officers at addresses in Newcastle associated with alkali attack suspect Abdul Ezedi in the early hours of Thursday morning

The manhunt for fugitive Abdul Ezedi (pictured) entered its second week with police revealing the motive behind the 'brutal' attack appears to be the breakdown of a relationship

Friends have launched a fundraiser for the victims of the Clapham chemical attack to help the 'generous, sweet loving mother' and her two daughters 'rebuild their lives'

Friends have released an edited image of a mother and her daughters who were hurt.

The 31-year-old may lose the sight in her right eye and remains sedated in hospital eight days on from the attack.

In a statement, close friends of the victim who have launched a fundraiser for the family said: 'Our friend is first and foremost a devoted and loving mother.

'Her children are her life. She is generous to a fault and a wonderful cook and host.

'All she has ever wanted is a safe home for her and her beautiful, kind little girls.'

The comments come after the manager of Best Bite Pizza and Grill House in Forest Hall Road said Ezedi worked there for 'a couple of weeks' about 18 months ago.

The manager said Ezedi came into the takeaway looking for work and showed his 'work permit'.

He did some training in the kitchen and leafleting but there was no job available for him.

The manager, who asked not to be named, said: 'He was just a normal guy. It was a big shock to see him on the news.

'I remembered his name and that he showed his visa or work permit. He was looking for a job but wasn't here for long.

'We had no problems with him and I had no idea he was a sex offender.'

Meanwhile a major manhunt is underway for the suspect, with the last confirmed sighting at around 11pm on Wednesday January 31, a few hours after the attack, on Vauxhall Bridge Road in central London.

Ezedi was caught on CCTV footage buying groceries the day before the attack

Officers were seen outside Best Bite pizza shop in Forest Hall Road, Newcastle, where a dawn raid took place today (stock image)

In new videos Ezedi can be seen walking casually up to and across Vauxhall Bridge in central London

Ezidi's route appears to broadly follow the River Thames

He was initially travelling around on the Tube network using his bank card and after that appears to have been walking a route that broadly hugged the River Thames.

Investigators said the victim had agreed to meet him on the day of the attack, and that she and her children were in a car with Ezedi when he struck.

Metropolitan Police Commander Jon Savell said on Wednesday the manhunt for Ezedi is 'an incredibly high-priority attempted murder investigation'.

Turning to potential motives, he said: 'They were in a relationship and that relationship had broken down.'

Ezedi, who is not the father of the children who were hurt, suffered significant facial injuries that could prove fatal if left untreated.

Detective Superintendent Rick Sewart, who is leading the hunt for the refugee, said: 'The medical injuries to Ezedi appear very significant from imagery that we have recovered, to the right side of his face.

'And through the National Crime Agency we have received medical interpretation which would indicate that his injuries could be potentially fatal if not treated.'

Afghan-born Ezedi came to the UK hidden in a lorry in 2016, and was turned down twice for asylum before successfully appealing against the Home Office rejection by claiming he had converted to Christianity.

He was convicted of two sexual offences in 2018 but was allowed to stay in the UK because his crimes were not serious enough to meet the threshold for deportation.

A tribunal judge is understood to have ruled in favour of his asylum claim in 2020 after a retired Baptist church minister confirmed he had converted to Christianity, reportedly describing Ezedi as 'wholly committed' to his new religion.

On Wednesday, a Baptist church in Tyne and Wear confirmed it was aware of a 'connection' it had with the suspect.

In a statement, the church in Jarrow said: 'Grange Road Baptist Church brings together and welcomes people from all walks of life and from many different nations.

Timeline of Abdul Ezedi's last known movements  22:04  Ezedi passes the Unilever building and heads towards Victoria Embankment.  22:06  He passes Carmelite House, junction wiith Carmelite Street towards Temple. 22:28 - He passes Westminster Pier, goes up steps and continues towards Westminster. 22:33 - Ezedi seen walking south on Westminster bridge (footage released today)  22:36  He walks across Westminster Bridge, down steps on the London Eye side towards Lambeth 22:42  Ezedi seen walking west on south Thames Path towards Lambeth Bridge 22:55  He travels along the Albert Embankment approaching Vauxhall Bridge 23:00  Ezedi crosses Vauxhall Bridge towards stairs (Houses of Parliament side of the river) 23:03 - He crosses Vauxhall Bridge Road, into Grosvenor Road. Advertisement

'We are aware of the connection Abdul Shakoor Ezedi has had with our church.

'As soon as we became aware of the current situation, we made contact with and are co-operating with the relevant authorities. We are praying for all those affected by the situation.'

Investigators say they are keeping an open mind as to whether Ezedi is dead, possibly after jumping in the river, or whether he is being helped to stay hidden.

Details of Ezedi were circulated to all UK forces and ports at an early stage.

Darius Nasimi, from the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association charity, called on anyone in the community who may be helping him to contact police.

It was earlier revealed that Ezedi strolled past Scotland Yard just hours after the incident. He was seen on CCTV last Wednesday passing Westminster Pier in front of the police headquarters  where officers were launching a huge manhunt for him.

New footage was released last night that showed him strolling through crowds of people in Westminster with his hand in his pocket just three hours after the attack.

The CCTV shows the hooded figure looking unhurried as he walks towards the Houses of Parliament at around 10.28pm before he crossed over Westminster Bridge.

He was later captured on CCTV passing the perimeter fence of the SIS building  the headquarters of the Secret Intelligence Service  before he crossed Vauxhall Bridge at 11pm.

Hundreds of calls have been received from the public with possible sightings, but he has not been seen since that evening and has not used his bank cards. Officers are now relying on CCTV to piece together his movements.

Detectives say there is no evidence suggesting Ezedi made advance preparations to go on the run and he does not appear to have stockpiled any cash.

The suspect left his phone and car at the scene, which is making the search more challenging.

Earlier this week, a friend revealed that Clapham alkali attack suspect Ezedi was 'very angry' and vowed to avenge the armed robbers who shot his sister dead in his native Afghanistan.

Ezedi had been sending money back to his family in Afghanistan which he had earned while working in a pizza takeaway in Tyneside.

A close friend, who worked alongside Ezedi in the takeaway, has revealed how distraught the chemical attacker was after his sister was shot dead by armed robbers who were trying to steal the money he had sent home.

The 33-year-old friend, who is an Iranian asylum seeker, also claimed Ezedi is from a strict Muslim family and believed his father would be enraged by his conversion to Christianity.

Ezedi's colleagues were shocked when he was arrested for a sexual assault and exposing himself - offences committed against two different women within a few weeks of each other.

He was given a suspended sentence and released on an electronic tag but went on to find new employment, enrol on a college course in Newcastle and was eventually granted asylum at the third time of asking.
Claire Inglis' furious parents today demanded answers after documents showed that social services knew her thuggish killer was dangerous weeks before his brutal murder.

Christopher McGowan, 28, beat and strangled Ms Inglis during a violent attack at her flat in Stirling, Scotland while he was on bail in November 2021.

McGowan and Claire had been in a relationship for eight before the brutal murder and were living together.

New documents reveal the relationship been flagged with Stirling Council's child services just weeks before Claire was killed.

The documents show there were concerns about McGowan living with the 28-year-old and her young child after he had been asked to leave the home of another family previously.

Claire's parents are demanding answers as to how McGowan was allowed to live with their grandson when social services had previously said he shouldn't be living with children.

Claire Inglis, 28, was brutally murdered in her flat in November 2021

Claire's parents are demanding answers as to how McGowan was allowed to live with their grandson when social services had previously said he shouldn't be living with children

Christopher McGowan, 28, who was a violent offender and was on bail at the time, brutally tortured Claire Inglis before murdering her at her flat

Fiona and Ian Inglis sit in the public gallery during First Minster's Questions at the Scottish Parliament in 2021

Ian Inglis told the BBC: 'He was known as a danger to a child, all of his convictions at the time. They say no lessons have to be learned on the same piece of paper, but everybody looking at that piece of paper can see there's failings right there.

'If due process was followed then it needs to be changed. There should be a review of all the services involved, and nobody is interested.'

On September 30, 2021, Sterling Council's children's services recorded a 'concern' that McGowan was living with Claire.

The council heard three weeks later that the pair were in a relationship but the case was closed because McGowan had been remanded in jail until November 23.

The day after he was released, a justice social worker, who supervise offenders in the community as part of their job, told Stirling Council that McGowan was now on bail and confirmed her was living with Claire.

Their email, which was sent on November 24, reads: 'There would be concerns about him living in a household with a child'.

The day after the email, two social workers visited Claire's flat but there was no answer and it appeared nobody was home.

On November 28, three days after the visit, heartless McGowan tortured Claire by beating, burning, strangling and even shoving a wet wipe down her throat before he killed her.

The 28-year-old mother's body had 76 injuries after McGowan's savage killing.

The council said reports on McGowan were not requested by the courts.

Christopher McGowan leaves Stirling High Court after he was found guilty of murder

Claire Inglis suffered more than 76 injuries which left her with bleeding inside her skull

Claire's parents made the decision to cut off contact with their daughter in the hope she would see reason and end the relationship when they were concerned about the relationship

Marsha Scott chief executive of Scottish Women's Aid told the BBC: 'The really telling and shocking conclusion is the system, for the most part, operated according to its own rules.

'What disturbs me is that there doesn't seem to be any accountability for the fact that whether due process was followed, nobody is taking responsibility for the fact that a woman was murdered in a system that had information about how dangerous this man was.

'If you read any of the reviews of child deaths they'll all say this could have been avoided if different elements of our system had communicated with each other.'

The Judicial Office for Scotland said: 'In considering whether or not to grant bail to an accused person in a particular case, the sheriff must apply the correct legal tests set by parliament, taking into account any relevant previous convictions and what is put to the court by both the Crown and by the defence.

'Each case depends on the unique facts and circumstances prevailing at the time and the decision can, of course, be appealed by the Crown or the defence.'
Harry should make a 'heartfelt apology' before fences can be mended, says Eden

The mounting pressure on Prince William to hold out an olive branch to Harry is 'grossly unfair', according to The Daily Mail's Diary Editor, Richard Eden.

The news of the King's recent diagnosis with an unspecified form of cancer has led to calls from some commentators for William to make the first move towards a reconciliation - despite the criticisms of the Royal Family made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Prince Harry has behaved so badly, it is unfair to expect older brother William to welcome him back with open arms, says Richard Eden

Prince of Wales delivers a speech during the London's Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner in central London this week. He did not see younger brother Prince Harry, who paid a flying visit to London

Writing in the latest edition of his Palace Confidential newsletter, Eden says such expectations are both unrealistic and wrong-headed.

'Harry and Meghans behaviour over recent years has been appalling and will have scarcely helped the mental health of the Royal Family members they have betrayed and traduced,' he says.

'From what friends of William and Catherine tell me, Harry would need to make a heartfelt apology to them before they could even start the process of rebuilding relations.'

On hearing the news that his father was unwell, Prince Harry issued a statement on Monday that he would be flying to see him. This, says Eden, was done 'with almost indecent haste.'

He continues: 'the bulletin came scarcely half an hour after Buckingham Palace had announced that King Charles was suffering from cancer and had begun treatment.

'Prince Harrys statement provoked countless articles this week urging the Prince of Wales to use the opportunity of his brothers visit to mend fences, for the sake of their father.

William does need his brother right now, claimed the BBCs former royal correspondent Jennie Bond, for example.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend Sunday service at Sandringham. The King was discharged from hospital last Monday after spending three nights in The London Clinic following a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate. However, it has been established that he also has a form of cancer, as yet unspecified

The Prince and Princess of Wales attend ceremonial welcome for the President and the First Lady of South Korea. The princess is recuperating from abdominal surgery

Richard Eden believes there is little chance of a reconciliation without a heartfelt apology from Harry

Harry's ghost-written memoir, Spare, criticised other members of the Royal Family

'It soon became clear, however, that Prince William had "no plans" to see Harry, who left Britain after just 24 hours, having paid to stay in a hotel rather than sleep in one of the many royal residences in London.

'The King met Harry at Clarence House for little more than half an hour. This was, I can reveal, less time than His Majesty spent with Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, the previous day.

'To me, the pressure on William to welcome his brother back into the fold seems grossly unfair.'

To read more of Richard's expert Royal commentary, click here
Hundreds of children as young as 11 have been arrested by police for gun crimes over the last two years, new figures revealed today.

Shocking data also showed the number of under 18s pulled in by the police for firearms offences has soared by more than 25 per cent in just the last 12 months.

Freedom of information requests to all 45 police forces in England and Wales found 553 children were arrested for gun crimes last year.

But more than half the forces either refused to provide the information or said they could not compile it, meaning the true total for last year will be far higher.

Figures for the previous year from the 21 forces that provided a number showed there were 438 children arrested, meaning the annual surge in suspected child gun crime rose 26 per cent in the last 12 months.

Shocking data also showed the number of under 18s pulled in by the police for firearms offences has soared by more than 25 per cent in just the last 12 months

It is believed that some young children are having guns forced on them by older criminals as they feel the youngsters are less likely to spark suspicion and be subjected to a search.

County lines drug dealing - where city gangsters send children to smaller towns and villages to sell drugs - may also be fuelling the problem.

Revealed: The 15 forces that saw the most kids arrested for gun crimes These figures show the number of under-18s arrested on suspicion of having committed firearms offences in 2022/23. Metropolitan Police 215 West Midlands 82 West Yorkshire 53 Avon and Somerset 23 Nottinghamshire 22 Merseyside 18 British Transport Police 17 Hertfordshire 17 Leicestershire 16 Derbyshire 15 Durham 11 Bedfordshire 10 Thames Valley 9 North Wales 8 Northumbria 8 Advertisement

There is also a fear that younger and younger children are seeking out guns as a status symbol among gang members.

The police forces that saw the most under 18s arrested for firearms offences in the last year were the Metropolitan Police (215), West Midlands (82), West Yorkshire (53) and Avon & Somerset (23).

All these forces saw a rise in the number of children arrested for gun crimes in the last year.

West Yorkshire Police said there were two occasions in the last year when they arrested an 11-year-old child on suspicion of having committed a firearms offence.

North Wales police revealed it had a case where a 14-year-old was arrested for having an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear or violence.

The victim supported the case but the child was not charged because of problems with the evidence.

In Leicestershire the police said they had 16 firearms offences where children were the prime suspect last year, but in just one case was the juvenile actually charged and put before the court.

In eight cases the prosecutors threw in the towel as there were issues with evidence while in four others the suspect was identified but the victim withdrew their support for the prosecution.

The Metropolitan police said of the 215 under-18 gun crime suspects last year that it arrested there were 12 children aged 13 and three who were aged just 12.

In Norfolk the police said that officers pulled in three 13-year-olds on suspicion of committing gun crimes and in neighbouring Suffolk there were two cases where 13-year-olds were arrested.

Merseyside police said it made 18 arrests of children last year on suspicion of gun crime including one 13-year-old and three who were aged 14.

A stash of guns recovered by police in London

Andrew Neilson, Director of Campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: 'Children, especially those being groomed into criminal behaviour, do not belong in prison.

'If a young child is in trouble or behaving in a concerning way, the priority should be to consider their welfare and understand the reasons why this is happening, and to get them the help and support they need.

'Every child deserves the chance to grow and fulfil their potential, but this is not possible in prison. The very small number of children who require support in a secure setting should be placed in local authority-run secure children's homes, with facilities and appropriately trained staff to meet their complex needs.'

David Spencer, Research Director at the Centre for Crime Prevention, said: 'This shocking rise in gun offences from young people is illustrative of the increasingly lawless society we seem to be living in.

'Such offences would have been all but unthinkable just a few years ago and this should be a huge wake up call to the Government.

'No-one wants gun crime to be normalised in the UK like it is in the USA. But if we want to avoid that, we have to clamp down hard and fast on these offences.'

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We already have some of the toughest firearms controls in the world and we keep them under constant review to preserve public safety.

'Gun crime and firearms offences are still relatively rare in this country with offences accounting for less than 1% of reported crime.'
Youngest suspect is unable to be charged and will be handed to social services

It is believed the eldest child stabbed his mother in the neck with a sharp object

Two Russian children have been arrested in Spain on suspicion of killing their adoptive mother, found bound, gagged and stabbed in the boot of a car last night.

Silvia Lopez, 48, was found dead in Castro Urdiales, Cantabria, late last night before Spain's Civil Guard swooped in to detain her two sons.

Police are treating the death as murder and say they were led to the unnamed children, 13 and 16, after they called their grandmother last night.

Preliminary investigations indicate the 16-year-old hit his mother in the neck with a sharp object, and that the pair then fled and pretended they had been kidnapped to dupe the authorities.

By Spanish law, the 13-year-old is too young to be charged and will be handed over to social services where a team of psychologists and health professionals are expected to monitor him.

Two Russian children have been arrested in Spain on suspicion of killing their adoptive mother, found bound, gagged and stabbed in the boot of a car last night

48-year-old Silvia Lopez, who was found dead in a garage late Wednesday night

Police look at the crime scene in northern Spain after the mother was found dead

Police worked through the night to unravel the mystery after finding the mother in a garage near Santander and amid the reports of the sons' kidnapping.

Local police and Civil Guard set up roadblocks overnight to locate the boys while investigators explored the avenue of a potential attack of domestic violence.

With Ms Lopez' father working out of town overnight, they judged it improbable he was involved.

'He didn't believe it. He was devastated,' a source close to the investigation said, as reported by El Diario.

Checkpoints stretched all across the region as police scoured Castro for signs of the missing children, searching the boots of passing cars.

They were eventually found in Cotolino Park, hidden in a hilly area.

One reportedly tried to flee while the other was detained by the Civil Guard. They did not own up to the crime, local media reported.

A regional government spokesman said this morning that the older brother was suspected of killing Ms Lopez

Detectives are yet to make any official comment but are expected to do so later today.

The younger of the two boys is currently with youth prosecutors.

The older child, who is also being described as a minor but whose age has not yet been made public, is understood to be in custody at a Civil Guard station in Castro Urdiales.

Castro Urdiales mayoress Susana Herran said this morning: 'Our feeling is one of absolute sadness. It's awful that things like this happen.'

She also revealed the boys' father was working when the alleged homicide occurred.

Silvia Lopez, 48, was found already dead with neck injuries in a garage in northern Spain

Carmen Merino was arrested in September 2019 in the coastal town of Castro Urdiales after her husband's decapitated head was found in a box she had given a neighbour to look after claiming it contained sex toys she didn't want her partner to find.

The 64-year-old told the neighbour she had put her sex aids inside a bag in the box because she thought police could search her home for missing Jesus Maria Baranda and she felt embarrassed they would find them.

She was sentenced to 15 years in prison in December 2022 after being convicted of killing the retired bank worker following a fortnight-long jury trial at a court in Santander.
A mother-of-three who stopped to help a stranded motorist was mowed down and killed by a world-leading cellist after his car skidded on ice, an inquest heard.

Natalie Mountford, 45, was thrown 30ft into the air and died at scene of the crash near Sturminster Newton, Dorset, on December 18, 2022.

Cellist Adrian Brendel, a visiting professor at the Royal Academy of Music, lost control of his car on ice as he made his way home from a concert in Oxford in the early hours of the morning.

The 48-year-old, who has performed at the BBC Proms, swerved towards the verge to avoid two cars blocking the road ahead but instead collided with Ms Mountford.

The mother-of-three had just pulled over to help a young woman after her car had skidded into a hedge.

Natalie Mountford, 45, (pictured) was thrown 30ft into the air and died at scene of the crash near Sturminster Newton, Dorset, on December 18, 2022

Cellist Adrian Brendel (pictured), a visiting professor at the Royal Academy of Music, lost control of his car on ice as he made his way home from a concert in Oxford

The B3091 near Sturminster Newton where Ms Mountford was hit

Mr Brendel, the son of Alfred Brendel - one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century - said he had braked as soon as he saw the two cars but was unable to stop his Citroen Berlingo due to the icy conditions.

An inquest into Ms Mountford's death heard that the police found no evidence of any wrongdoing on Mr Brendel's part and her death was a tragic accident.

Mr Brendel told Ms Mountford's family he was 'personally devastated and traumatised' by the incident and offered them his sincerest condolences.

But they allege Mr Brendel had been driving without due care and attention at the time of the crash and plan to pursue a civil case against him.

In a statement, the family said: 'Natalie had just under three minutes to live the final part of her life on arrival.

'As normal, she spent 100 per cent of that time caring for others - her greatest trait would also be her downfall.

'We don't understand how every car travelling that night stopped in the accident vicinity but Mr Brendel's was a further 60 metres on. Only speed can make this happen.'

Mr Brendel has performed extensively throughout the UK and abroad as a chamber musician and a soloist.

His performances include at the Berlin Philharmonie, Teatro Colon in Buenes Aires and as part of the BBC Proms. He is also a member of the award-winning Nash Ensemble.

Mr Brendel had been driving to his 2.5m home in the village of East Orchard, Dorset, having performed at the Oxford Chamber Music Festival on a freezing night.

Minutes earlier a Vauxhall Corsa driven by Charley Mack skidded on ice on the B3091. It crashed into a hedge and rebounded into the carriageway.

The mother-of-three had just pulled over to help Charley Mack (pictured) after her car had skidded into a hedge

Miss Mack said she had dropped friends off in Shaftesbury and was heading back to Sturminster Newton

Ms Mountford managed to stop her car safely and got out to help Miss Mack.

She put the younger driver in the back of her car and walked towards the safety of the verge.

Mr Brendel said: 'As I got over the brow of the hill, I saw the car across the right hand lane.

'I then saw another car parked on that slope. It wasn't completely obvious if it was on the kerb or the lane.

'When I saw the first car I knew something had happened and I needed to come to a stop so I started slowing down, braking.

'I expected to come to a stop before the car in the left hand lane. As I braked again my car lost traction and started planing down the ice.

'I realised in that moment I was unlikely to be able to stop before colliding with the car in front. I realised I had to get the car off the road.

'In my memory both the lanes were blocked so I tried to get the car off to the left, that was my only option. I thought the kerb was free, I hadn't seen anyone there. My foot was on the brake the entire time.

'I was desperate to try and get some control back, as I got back onto the road and tried to right the car I saw a silhouette of Ms Mountford.

'It was instantaneous, the first time I saw her was right at the collision.'

Miss Mack said she had dropped friends off in Shaftesbury and was heading back to Sturminster Newton.

She was doing about 40mph on the 60mph road because of the danger of ice.

She said: 'I remember hitting the hedge and then coming back out from the impact. I hit my head a little bit.'

Shortly after, Ms Mountford arrived and stopped to help.

Miss Mack added: 'I thought the same thing was going to happen to that car but she stopped perfectly.

'She said something like "I knew this would happen, the road's awful, it's happened before". She said it's going to be okay and gave me a hug.

'I was freezing. She said "you need to warm up, come and sit in my car".

'I could hear another car coming but I was a bit more relaxed because she had managed to stop so I thought I'm sure the other car will manage.

'As she walked round the front of her own car, the next thing I really saw was headlights to the left of me flying down the road. It hit her and she literally went flying.

'I saw her land quite near my car and slump over on her chest. I just sat there for five seconds in disbelief. I was waiting for her to get up and she didn't.'

When PC Nicholas May, of Dorset Police, arrived on the scene his vehicle also skidded on the ice. He told the coroner it was difficult to come to a stop.

Bournemouth Town Hall where the inquest took place after the tragic crash in Dorset in December 2022

Sergeant Geraint Butler, from the serious collision investigation team, said: 'This was an incredibly tragic accident.

'We have got no evidence to say the manner of driving of Mr Brendel is either dangerous or careless.'

He said Mr Brendel would have been faced with either a difficult chicane created by the other two cars, or to go on the inside verge around Ms Mountford's vehicle.

Maddison Mountford, 18, described it as the day her family's life changed forever, with her and her younger siblings being separated as they moved to Staffordshire to be with their dad and she lived in Hampshire.

She said: 'Mum would go out of her way to help others and stop others being hurt, but that's what cost her her life.

'She died in the most her way possible, which gives me a degree of comfort.'

Coroner Brendan Allen ruled Ms Mountford died as a result of a road traffic collision.

He said he was 'concerned' about the number of collisions there had been on that section of road and would be writing a prevention of future deaths report with actions for Dorset Council and Wessex Water, who had been investigating a leak in a pipe that crossed under the road.
A woman in her 30s has been arrested amid an ongoing police probe into a suspected poisoning.

Dr Thomas Kwan, 52, appeared in court yesterday accused of trying to kill a man in his 70s after police allegedly found 'unknown substances' while searching a property in Ingleby Barwic near Stockton-on-Tees.

The doctor, a married father-of-one was born in Hong Kong and came to the UK 39 years ago as a student, his lawyers said. It is understood his medical practice is in Sunderland.

Dr Kwan was remanded in custody following a short hearing at Newcastle Magistrates Court yesterday. The bespectacled doctor did not enter any pleas and will appear before Newcastle Crown Court on March 6.

Northumbria Police today said a woman has also been arrested in relation to the murder. The force added that she has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in relation to the 'suspected poisoning' of a man in his 70s by a doctor in Newcastle

52-year-old GP Thomas Kwan appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court yesterday accused of trying to kill his mother's husband Patrick O'Hara in Newcastle on January 22

A spokesperson said: 'A woman in her 30s was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. She has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.'

Yesterday the force said: 'Following a report of suspected poisoning which was received on Wednesday, January 24, Thomas Kwan, 52, of Brading Court, Ingleby Barwick, has been charged with attempted murder.'

On Tuesday a statement read: 'As part of an ongoing investigation, an address in the Ingleby Barwick area of Stockton was being searched.

Kwan was charged after emergency services wearing hazmat suits recovered 'unknown substances' from an address on Brading Court in Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, on Tuesday

'This led to the discovery of unknown substances and as a precaution, officers are conducting further checks at the property. There is believed to be no wider risk to the public and enquiries are ongoing.'

Searches of Kwan's 300,000 detached four-bedroom home on Brading Court began on Monday and on Tuesday the operation involved police, paramedics and firefighters.

Neighbours said that it had been a 'big shock' to see the police operation. One local told the Times newspaper: 'The area is popular with medical people, there are quite a few doctors in this part of Ingleby but he isn't someone who mixes with the neighbours.'
Specialised missing persons detectives have been called in to help lead the search for Samantha Murphy as the hunt for the missing mum enters its sixth day.

Ms Murphy, 51, left her home on Eureka Street in East Ballarat, north-west of Melbourne, to go for a run in Woowookarung Regional Park at 7.16am on Sunday. She has not been seen since.

Victoria Police will further ramp up its efforts with the arrival of officers from the missing persons unit as early as today, Daily Mail Australia understands.

The specialist investigators are called in when it is feared a missing person has been the victim of foul play, but a body has not been found.

Its officers have been deployed to some of Victoria's biggest murder investigations in recent years.

UNRULY MEN BOTHER WOMEN IN THE SEARCH GROUP

Sissy Austin, 29, was attacked by an unknown man last year while running near where Ms Murphy disappeared and has been assisting in the search efforts.

She reported that 'unruly men' are harassing women in the search group.

'It's hard. There's been a few unruly men out in the forest,' she told The Project on Thursday night.

'Yesterday there were two that were reported to police for harassing female searchers. One woman had to quickly jump in my car.

'So, after yesterday, we're all really looking out for each other and really, really encouraging women coming out to search to go in pairs.'

Ms Austin said that there's 'still hope' Ms Murphy will be found alive.

'There's 110 per cent hope that we'll bring Sam home,' she said.

Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy (pictured) disappeared after leaving her home for a run in Woowookarung Regional Park on Sunday morning

Sissy Austin (pictured on Thursday) was attacked last year just 20km from where Ms Murphy disappeared

Sissy Austin posted photos of herself after last year's attack by a man armed with a rock tied to a stick

A large-scale search (pictured) of the forest and surrounding areas has found no trace of Ms Murphy so far

Ms Austin revealed several female volunteers searching for Ms Murphy have been 'harassed' by 'unruly men' in the forest (pictured)

This Sunday will be exactly one year since Ms Austin's own harrowing attack.

Ms Austin was 4km deep in Lal Lal State Forest when she was set upon by an unknown man armed with a rock tied to the end of a stick.

She only caught a glimpse of him before he brought the makeshift weapon down on her head, knocking her unconscious.

She woke bloodied and covered in flies and had to walk 4km back to her car before calling for help.

Ms Austin suffered post-concussion syndrome and facial injuries so severe they still impact her speech.

'I just can't believe that another runner has gone missing in our town and so, yeah, the most useful thing I feel like I can do with myself at this time is help search for Sam,' she said

'It's an eerie feeling out here. It's hard for everyone, but it's not as hard for us as it is for Sam's family.

'My heart and soul goes out to Sam's family and if they're watching this, we're doing absolutely everything that we can to search for Sam.'

Ms Murphy (pictured) was well-known as a keen athlete who visited the forest almost daily

Ms Murphy's eldest daughter, Jessica (pictured), gave a teary plea to the public to continue searching for her mum on Thursday

DESPERATION GROWS AS SEARCH ENTERS SIXTH DAY

Locals in the area have raised concerns the mother may have fallen in an abandoned mine shaft, which can be difficult to see on the forest floor.

One line of inquiry was officially ruled out on Thursday after police confirmed a woman pictured in CCTV was not Ms Murphy, as previously stated.

Victoria Police released CCTV footage on Wednesday which showed a person heading in a north-easterly direction toward Yankee Flat Road, near the intersection of Warrenheip Road.

The woman was understood to have been Ms Murphy heading out for a 20km run through the Canadian State forest.

However, another runner came forward to reveal she was the person pictured.

It was the second time in 24 hours police had to declare evidence as irrelevant to the high-profile missing person case.

Reporters were removed from an area of the forest on Wednesday after officers were alerted to 'items' possibly related to Ms Murphy's disappearance.

However, it was later determined they did not belong to the missing mother.

It is understood Ms Murphy was wearing an Apple watch and was carrying her phone at the time of her disappearance.

Victoria Police are reportedly set to bring homicide investigators from the missing persons squad to the search (pictured, emergency services in Ballarat)

Ms Murphy's husband, Mick (pictured), thanked the public for searching for his missing wife and urged anyone who knows 'any little thing' about her disappearance to contact police

The mobile phone reportedly pinged in the nearby suburb Buninyong and inquiries are ongoing as to whether the phone is still on.

'Obviously, phones can run out of battery but that forms part of the investigation,' acting Inspector Lisa MacDougall said.

Ms Murphy was known to be a keen athlete who ran in the forest almost daily.

A massive search in the last 96 hours has covered areas including Brown Hill, Black Hill, Ballarat East, Woowookarung Regional Park, Buninyong and Mount Helen.

Earlier on Thursday, Ms Murphy's eldest daughter, Jessica, and husband, Mick, faced reporters to plead for their loved one to return home.

Through tears, Jessica urged the public to continue searching for her mum.

'Mum, we love you so much and we miss you and we need you at home with us, please come home soon, I can't wait to see you,' Jessica said.

'Mum's a really strong woman, and she's far too determined to give up this fight.'

Jessica's father thanked the community for their support in recent days as he appealed for answers.

'People just don't vanish into thin air,' Mr Murphy said.

'Someone has got to know something... whether it be any little thing that you might think is relevant, just call the police, let them know.

'It'll give us a bit of peace of mind if we get some hope.'

Ms Murphy is described as Caucasian, 173cm tall, of slim build with shoulder-length blonde hair.

She was last seen wearing a maroon/brown running singlet and black half-length leggings.

Anyone with information on Ms Murphy's whereabouts should contact police immediately.

Ms Murphy is described as caucasian, 173cm tall, of slim build with shoulder-length blonde hair and was last seen wearing a maroon/brown running singlet and black half-length leggings (pictured)
This is the horrifying moment a hot air balloon crashed and burst into flames leaving three dead after being blown by the wind into powerlines.

The balloon got into trouble in the countryside near the village of Asureti in eastern Georgia, shrivelling to cinders within seconds after making the connection.

It can be seen drifting close to the hillside before hitting the powerlines, with flames in the basket section quickly intensifying.

Part of the balloon then falls to the ground as it is shredded in the wind, still tethered to one of the powerlines.

The aircraft, navigated by two experienced pilots, appeared to encounter problems coming down and even touching the ground in a field, swaying from side to side before it was blown out of control.

The balloon can be seen drifting close to the hillside before connecting with a power line, with flames in the basket section quickly intensifying

Part of the burning balloon then falls to the ground as it is shredded in the wind, still tethered to the power line

Reports say there were strong winds which contributed to the tragedy.

One of the dead was named as well-known Imedi TV cameraman Misha Bidzinashvili.

Another was experienced pilot Revaz Uturgauri, founder of Sky Travel and president of the Georgian National Aeronautics Federation, according to reports in Georgia.

Polish pilot Krzysztof Zapart was also killed in the balloon tragedy, said reports.

The balloon took off on Wednesday morning from the stadium in Poti in the west of Georgia and was flying to Kakheti in the east.

The destroyed balloon. The aircraft appeared to get into trouble coming down and even touching the ground in a field, swaying from side to side before it was blown out of control. Reports say there were strong winds which contributed to the tragedy

One of the dead was named as well-known Imedi TV cameraman Misha Bidzinashvili

Another was experienced pilot Revaz Uturgauri (right), founder of Sky Travel and president of the Georgian National Aeronautics Federation, according to reports in Georgia. Polish pilot Krzysztof Zapart (left) was also killed in the balloon tragedy, said reports

One unconfirmed account says this was a preparatory flight, after which the pilots were going to set a world record for the longest flight in a hot air balloon.

Georgian police opened an investigation into the incident as a suspected violation of safety rules.

It was the first hot air balloon accident in Georgia in nearly two decades.

The footage was shown by the Mtavari TV channel.

'The crash raises questions about the circumstances leading to the loss of control, despite experienced pilots being at the helm,' said one report.

The death of the cameraman was confirmed by Imedi TV, which changed its programme schedule as a mark of respect.
An illegal immigrant suspect in the brutal stabbing of a 16-year-old cheerleader has been indicted on capital murder charges by a grand jury.

Rafael Govea Romero, 23, faces execution after he was accused of 'intentionally' killing Lizbeth Iniguez Medina in her mother's apartment in Edna, southern Texas on December 5, 2023.

Romero butchered the teenager by striking her head on the ground or with a hard object, while repeatedly stabbing her, according to the indictment.

The attack came as he attempted to commit 'burglary, robbery, or aggravated sexual assault' the document says.

An investigation into whether Lizbeth was sexually assaulted is ongoing.

Jacqueline Medina, Lizbeth's mother, found her daughter dead in her bathtub. 'I want him to pay for what he did to my daughter,' she told the Victoria Advocate on Wednesday.

Rafael Govea Romero (pictured), 23, the illegal immigrant suspect in the brutal stabbing of a 16-year-old cheerleader has been indicted on capital murder charges by a grand jury

Romero is accused of 'intentionally' killing Lizbeth Iniguez Medina (pictured) in her mother's apartment in Edna, southern Texas on December 5, 2023

'It was the most horrible way a mother could find her child. She was murdered in cold blood,' Lizbeth's mother Jacquelin said

'I know (prosecutors) are working diligently so he gets what he deserves.'

On top of grieving her daughter's horrific death, Medina has also faced accusations that she was responsible from people in her local community, according to the newspaper.

She said this week's findings by the Jackson County grand jury felt like an 'I told you so moment'.

'I hope people can actually finally just stop with their chaos,' she told the newspaper. 'I know that I'll never get any apologies from them.'

'There's still a lot of things that people want to know but I'm in the same boat,' she added.

'I don't know a lot either. But if I did know, I wouldn't put them out there for people because I want this case to be strong for my daughter and to be tried the right way.'

Romero was initially arrested in Schulenberg southern Texas on December 9 on a murder charge, which has since been upgraded to capital murder.

Edna Police Department said they are still awaiting autopsy results which would determine whether a sexual assault occurred.

Cops tracked Romero down after tracing Lizbeth's phone to his home in Schulenburg, 50 miles north of her home at the Cottonwood Apartments in Edna.

Jacqueline Medina (pictured), Lizbeth's mother, found her daughter dead in her bathtub. 'I want him to pay for what he did to my daughter,' she said

Lizbeth had been getting ready to walk in a local Christmas parade with her cheerleading team from Edna High School on the day of her death

Romero (pictured) butchered the teenager by striking her head on the ground or with a hard object, while repeatedly stabbing her, according to the indictment

Police initially released security footage of the man they were looking for wearing a black 'Volcom' sweatshirt

He ran towards a silver Ford Taurus he was thought to have driven off in

Investigators also found surveillance footage of Romero visiting the complex on several more occasions.

Edna Police Department Det. Stacy Cavazos said Romero exhibited 'stalking-like' behavior in an affidavit for his arrest.

She added that police believe he also broke in and burgled the Medina home weeks before the murder, on November 13.

Lizbeth had been getting ready to walk in a local Christmas parade with her cheerleading team from Edna High School on the day of her death.

Her mother arrived at the parade and could not find her daughter - she returned home to find her dead in the bathtub.

Edna Police Chief Rick Boone said he was happy with the grand jury's findings and said it spoke to the 'countless hours' police had put into the investigation.

Boone previously said the department was '100% confident' that Romero had committed the crime. 'He confessed to the crime,' he said.
A former British soldier is to be prosecuted for the murder of a man in Belfast in 1972, Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service has announced.

The ex-soldier and three other veterans are also facing attempted murder counts related to incidents in the same year, the PPS said.

Soldier F is accused of the murder of Patrick McVeigh, 44, who was shot at the junction of Finaghy Road North and Riverdale Park South in the city on May 13, 1972.

He will also face prosecution for the attempted murder of four other victims wounded in the same incident.

Soldier F and three other former soldiers - known as Soldiers B, C and D - are to be prosecuted for attempted murder of two victims during a shooting incident in Slievegallion Drive on May 12 1972.

Soldier F is accused of the murder of Patrick McVeigh, 44, who was shot at the junction of Finaghy Road North and Riverdale Park South in the city on May 13, 1972

Patrick McVeigh's daughter Patricia and her solicitor Padraig O'Muirigh

The soldiers all belonged to temporary Army unit, known as the Military Reaction Force (MRF), that was operating in Belfast in 1972.

As the prosecution decisions have now been taken, the cases will not be affected by a contentious Government legacy law that will axe all future prosecutions related to the Troubles from May 1 this year.

The PPS has announced decisions on two files submitted by the PSNI's Legacy Investigation Branch following investigations into the activities of the MRF.

The second file related the actions of another MRF unit and involved an incident in which Daniel Rooney, 18, was shot dead in St James's Road in Belfast on September 26 1972 and a second man suffered a gunshot wound.

Police reported two former soldiers, known as Soldiers A and C, for consideration on this file, with both considered for the potential charge of murder and attempted murder.

The PPS has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to prosecute any individual for any offence.

The reasons for the decision included difficulties with the admissibility of accounts obtained from the soldiers in 1972 and the inability of a series of recent forensic examinations to provide evidence capable of resolving significant conflicts within the evidence.

Some of the anonymised letter ciphers given to the soldiers involved in the cases are the same as ones used in other historical prosecutions in Northern Ireland, such as Soldier F in the Bloody Sunday case, but they are not the same individuals.

In relation to the other incidents covered in the first file, the PPS also decided not to prosecute the one surviving suspect in relation to a shooting incident at Silvio Street on May 26 1972 in which no one was injured.

Prosecutors also decided not to prosecute one surviving suspect in relation to an incident at the Glen Road Bus Terminus on June 22 1972 in which four victims suffered gunshot wounds.

The police also investigated a shooting on the Glen Road on May 6 1972 in which one victim suffered a gunshot wound.

However, no decision was issued in that case as all the suspects are dead.

The second file related the actions of another MRF unit and involved an incident in which Daniel Rooney, 18, was shot dead in St James's Road in Belfast

The PPS said the surviving suspects in the Silvio Street incident and the shooting at the Glen Road Bus Terminus had not discharged their weapons and there was insufficient evidence to establish that they were party to any joint enterprise with those soldiers, now deceased, who had fired.

PPS assistant director Martin Hardy said all victims and families involved in the investigations were informed of the decisions on Thursday.

'Regardless of the differing outcomes in relation to each incident examined, we in the PPS recognise that this is a painful day for all victims and families involved and that they have waited a long time to reach this stage of the process,' he said.

'Where a decision to prosecute has been taken, I would emphasise that criminal proceedings will commence in due course and there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information which could in any way prejudice these proceedings. We will keep in touch with the relevant victims and families as these cases progress.

'Where a decision not to prosecute has been taken, I can assure victims and families involved that the prosecution team, which included an independent senior barrister, considered the available evidence thoroughly, independently and impartially.

'A prosecution can only be brought when the evidence presents a reasonable prospect of conviction at court for any reported individual. Each case is considered in light of its own individual facts and circumstances.

'In these decisions not to prosecute, the admissibility, availability and sufficiency of evidence were key factors in reaching a conclusion that the test for prosecution was not met.'

Mr Hardy said victims and families who were notified of a decision not to prosecute had received a detailed written explanation of the reasons, along with an offer to meet the prosecution team.

In November 2013 the then director of public prosecutions, Barra McGrory KC, referred the case to the PSNI for investigation following revelations in a BBC Panorama programme.
The grieving high school sweetheart of one of the two young men killed when their 4WD plunged off a cliff on a camping trip has opened up about her 'amazing' partner who lived for the ocean and adrenaline.

Louis Eeles, 22, and Matthew Farr, also 22, were among six friends camping at Little Bay, near Horrocks Beach in Western Australia's Mid West, when the pair and another mate decided to go for a drive early on Sunday morning.

Their Nissan 4WD plunged 20 to 30 metres down a cliff along White Cliffs Road shortly killing the pair from Geraldton and leaving their 21-year-old mate severely injured.

Mr Eeles' girlfriend of four years Kayla Stubbs took to his Facebook page on Thursday night to pen a heartbreaking tribute to the young apprentice tradesman.

Kayla Stubbs (pictured left) tragically lost her high school sweetheart Louis Eeles' (right) on the weekend

READ MORE: Two men killed after car plunged over cliff identified Matthew Farr (left) and Louis Eeles (right) were tragically killed early Sunday morning Advertisement

'Louis touched the lives of many in unique and meaningful ways, but above all, he will be remembered as the embodiment of pure joy and zest for life,' Ms Stubbs wrote.

'With an immense heart and boundless generosity, Louis made time for everyone, exemplifying the true spirit of compassion and selflessness.

He approached life with unwavering enthusiasm, worked diligently yet embracing every opportunity for adventure with open arms.

'His ability to find beauty in the simplest of moments was truly remarkable.

She added her partner lived for the ocean and adrenaline and was 'so loved by everyone'.

'He'd do anything for anyone. And his sense of humour  it was contagious, his personality and love for life, it made everyone so happy,' Ms Stubbs told the West Australian.

'He was never the type to be sad.'

Mr Eeles had just started his apprenticeship to become a refrigeration technician.

The high school sweethearts were meant be go on the camping trip together but before Ms Stubbs pulled out at the last minute after her partner asked her to run an errand for him

'He wanted me to buy him something from the markets,' she recalled.

'He loved his soaps and scent diffusers. He liked most things boys didn't, but he really took care of himself, he had a better skin care routine than me.'

Mr Eeles' was tragically killed on Sunday morning when his Nissan 4WD plunged off a cliff along White Cliffs Road during a camping trip with mates

Ms Stubbs was meant to join her high school sweetheart on the camping trip but instead ran a last minute errand to buy Mr Eeles' something 'from the markets'

Mr Eeles was described as her 'partner, confidant and rock'.

'With you by my side, I felt invincible, as if we were embarking on a grand adventure together, nothing else mattered,' she wrote in a death notice in the Geraldton Guardian.

The alarm was sounded when the remaining campers noticed the trio had not returned and called emergency services, with police, paramedics and fire crews deployed to the scene shortly before 4am to find the 21-year-old sole survivor from the crash wandering along the road.

He was taken to Geraldton Health Campus and airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital on Sunday night and remains in a stable condition with spinal and neck injuries.

Police and fire crews were assisted by an RAC rescue helicopter to recover the bodies of the two men.

The wreckage of the Nissan patrol remained on its roof at the bottom of the cliff for several days.

Police had to wait on permission from the property owner for a heavy-duty tow truck to access their private road before removing the wreckage.

Officers from the major crash investigation unit are investigating the incident and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

All factors will be examined, including speed, alcohol and whether the two men who died were wearing seatbelts.
A woman has slammed police officers for watching Netflix and lifting dumbbells in her home for almost four hours after they were told to 'chill' while she was missing in the woods.

Abbygail Lawton, 21, from Wigan, was in the midst of a mental health crisis when ambulance services raised the alarm about her welfare, calling in the police for backup.

Greater Manchester Police officers searched her home to confirm the young woman was not there before making themselves comfy, sitting on her sofa with their feet up while scrolling through Ms Lawton's TV trying to find a series of Come Dine with Me to watch.

Police said the officers remained at her home because it was unlocked when they arrived - and they remained there in case she returned.

Ms Lawton, a mother-of-one, had been missing for 11 hours before she was found by two other officers. She was then 'arrested for wasting police time' and spent 12 hours in police custody.

It was only when she finally returned home that she re-watched the CCTV footage which she claims shows the two male officers 'mocking' her.

Abbygail Lawton's home CCTV captured two Greater Manchester Police officers playing on their phones as they waited in case she returned home

During the four-hour wait, CCTV captured two officers using her dumbbells and sitting on the sifa

Ms Lawton had been reported as a missing person and police were sent to her home to wait for her in case she returned

Sitting in her lounge, the pair had made comments about how she had recently watched The Boy in Striped Pyjamas, started working out and even looked directly into the camera to say 'Hello Abbygail, I know you're watching us'.

While the footage is now under investigation by the police's Professional Standards Department, Ms Lawton revealed to MailOnline the conversations the officers allegedly had in her home.

Two male officers and a female officer arrived at her home just before 10pm on January 3. After carrying out the search the female officer allegedly told her colleagues 'you might as well chill here in case she comes back' before explaining that she would leave the door on the latch.

Ms Lawton said: 'When she left the address the two male officers came in and turned on Netflix on my TV, making comments about what I had watched.

'They made comments that I'd watched the Boy in Striped Pyjamas - which I had previously - and another series I'd watched.

'Then they say 'we could so with watching something like Come Dine With Me' before the other officer sees Dog's Behaving Badly and starts saying how 'it's quite good'.

'They then choose something on Netflix and start watching TV. One of the officers then gets my dumbbell and starts doing weights, which you can see in the footage, before sitting back down.'

CCTV captured the officers sitting on her sofa with their feet up while scrolling through the TV trying to find a series of Come Dine with Me to watch

When found, Ms Lawton was then 'arrested for wasting police time' and spent 12 hours in police custody.

Ms Lawton had been alerted on her phone that there had been movement in her home and was furious that they had invaded her privacy while sitting around doing nothing.

The officers then hear on their radios that the sergeant is on the phone to Ms Lawton to try and locate her.

'The two officers found out I was speaking to the sergeant on the phone and made a comment that said 'she's happy to speak to the sergeant on the phone but not happy to be found',' she explained.

'I was in the woods really struggling, I had overdosed before I left and was in a really bad mental health crisis.

'The officers had heard through the radio that I had been watching them through CCTV cameras because I told the sergeant I was not happy because they were in my home while I was not there and because they were sitting on my sofa watching TV.

'Then one officer goes up to the camera and says 'hello Abbygail I know you're watching us' then sits back on the sofa which is again inappropriate.'

CCTV also captured officers scaling her garden fence instead of using the unlocked gate to enter her home a day later

Ms Lawton was in the midst of a mental health crisis when she went missing earlier this month

Ms Lawton claimed the officers also carried out a data breach as they left their radios on loud so she could hear all of the other crimes being reported in the area, including victims and criminals names, ages and addresses.

An investigation has since been launched by Greater Manchester Police's professional standards department, who are looking into the officers who sat in her home for hours as well as the female officer who initially told them to 'chill'.

The force is also investigating the use of force by other officers as Ms Lawton was arrested and why she was taken to custody while suffering from a mental health crisis.

After sending out two police helicopters, Ms Lawton had been found in the woods around 4am by a male and female police officer.

When she refused to get into the police car she claims the male officer put two hands on her and shoved her into the back of a police car.

Ms Lawton added: 'I was crying my eyes out as I was really distressed and he said to me 'I've got no sympathy for you crying, you've wasted my time by me looking for you for five hours'.'

The sergeant had told her she would be taken to hospital but instead she was taken to custody.

'I spent 12 hours in custody. I arrived at 5am and got released at 5pm on the 4th,' she said.

'During my interview a female police officer asked 'how would you feel if there were no police officers available for emergencies because they were all out looking for you?'

'At this point I hadn't seen the footage of the officers sitting on my sofa but they are clearly not that busy if they are looking for me sitting on the sofa watching TV.

'Obviously that comment distressed me as I didn't mean to waste police time or cause distress and obviously I was in a mental health crisis.'

A mental health nurse who came to visit during the ordeal urged her to make a formal complaint, adding that she should have been taken to hospital instead.

The force is now investigating the general level of service from officers, with regards to them watching television and using gym equipment.

Ms Lawton has slammed the officers - and the force have since opened an investigation into their conduct

They are also investigating allegations of unprofessional attitude and disrespect, use of force, power to arrest and detain as well as impolite language and tone.

Ms Lawton added: 'I am ashamed of the police officers. Being wrongly arrested it causes trauma and going into custody it is horrible being in a cell - you can't do anything.

'You have no privacy because they are watching you on cameras, they watch you go to the toilet. That itself has made me lose trust in the police because I assume they are going to arrest me again when I've done nothing wrong.

'I'm disappointed and ashamed by the two officers sitting watching TV, the comments that they made and how they acted at my property. I've not given them consent to be in my house or watch TV or use my gym equipment.

'It was as though they were mocking me and taking the mick while I was out in the woods in a crisis, the weather was awful that day, raining and cold, I was clearly having a mental health crisis and they were just sat here watching TV as if to say 'f*** it, we don't care if she's missing'.

Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for a statement.

If you need support, Samaritans can be reached on the free helpline 116 123 or via email at jo@samaritans.org
Minutes after his lawyers finishing battling to keep him on the ballot, former President Donald Trump stepped out of his Mar-a-Lago home and declared he was delighted with the morning's hearing at the Supreme Court.

He cut a relaxed figure on the steps of his Florida club as he said it had been a 'beautiful' thing to hear.

His lawyers had made 'strong' arguments,' he added, about the potential dangers of striking the 2024 frontrunner from the ballot.

But as he discussed the hearing, he turned angry at the way he said he his words on Jan. 6, 2021 had been misrepresented and he momentarily seemed to suggest the events did amount to an insurrection, before correcting himself.

'I heard and I watch and the one thing I'll say is they kept saying about what I said right after the insurrection,' he said.

Former President Donald Trump said he was pleased with the way arguments had gone at the Supreme Court on Thursday

Sen. Roger Marshall R-Kan. and Sen. Tommy Tuberville R-Ala. speak to reporters outside of the U.S. Supreme Court

'Because think it was an insurrection caused by Nancy Pelosi.

'This was an insurrection ... if it was an insurrection because there were, there was no anything ... except for the fact they shot Ashley Babbitt.'

Babbitt was a Trump supporter who joined the crowd that invaded the Capitol before being shot dead by a police officer.

On Thursday, Trump supporters lined up overnight to secure seats inside the Supreme Court to hear arguments that picked over some of the events of that day and once again highlighted the unprecedented nature of the former president's campaign.

And it is exactly the sort of case that justices prefer to avoid, setting the nation's highest court as the final decider in a political dispute.

The stakes could not be higher for the former president.

Last year the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Trump incited the attack on the U.S. Capitol, 'an insurrection,' making him ineligible to be on the state's primary.

On Thursday, the justices appeared skeptical about the arguments made by the Colorado lawyers.

Which was all good news for Trump, as he prepared to travel to Nevada where he is on course to win the Republican caucuses by a huge margin.

He emerged from his Florida headquarters minutes after the arguments had ended.

'I'm a believer in the Supreme Court,' he told DailyMail.com 'I listened today. Our arguments were very, very strong.

Trump said he had listened to arguments on Thursday morning. He cut a relaxed figure as he emerged from his Mar-a-Lago home just after arguments concluded

DailyMail.com was among a small number of journalists at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday

Supporters and opponents of Trump gathered in front of the Supreme Court Thursday

'An argument that is very important is the fact that you're leading in every race, you're leading in every state.

'You're leading in the country against both Republican and Democrats and Biden.'

'And can you take the person that's leading everywhere and say, Hey, we're not gonna let you run? You know, I think that's pretty tough to do.'

His warm words struck a contrast with his frequent appearances outside other courthouses. There, as he battles four criminal indictments, he has railed against judges, court staff and prosecutors who he says are embarked on a witch hunt against him.

In the case of the Supreme Court, he has the comfort of knowing three of the justices owe their position to him.

And his favorable assessment reflected the consensus view that the nine justices appeared poised to keep him on the ballot, reversing the ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court.

Judges there decided that Section 3 of the 14th amendment ruled him out. But it is the first time that part of the Constitution, initially added to keep Confederate leaders from taking up official roles after the Civil War, had been applied to a presidential candidate.

Although it applies only to Colorado, any decision will have an impact nationally, with other states likely to follow the precedent, derailing Trump's election hopes.

Trump is seen here urging his supporters to march on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden's election victory. That day overshadows his 2024 run

The 14th amendment has been around since 1868, but the Supreme Court has never before considered Section 3, known as the insurrection clause. Pictured January 6 riot on the Capitol

His lawyers are deploying a range of arguments to say the law was incorrectly applied.

They say the Jan. 6 attack was not an insurrection. And even if it was, Trump did not take part. He even used the word 'peacefully' on the day as he called on supporters to protest.

They also say that the wording of the relevant clause is designed to apply to 'officers' who take an oath - not presidents or candidates to be president.

On top of all that, Colorado does not have the power to disqualify Trump. Congress needs to implement procedures governing the process.

In the meantime, the case has allowed Trump to raise campaign money.

'Arguments have already begun,' he said in an emailed appeal on Thursday morning. 'So at this very moment, Im calling on EVERY pro-Trump patriot to chip in and proudly say: KEEP PRESIDENT TRUMP ON MY BALLOT!'
Tourists were evacuated from Iceland's nearby Blue Lagoon spa, one of the country's most popular attractions

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Tourists were evacuated from a famous Icelandic spa before lava swallowed a nearby road following yet another volcanic eruption this morning.

The eruption ripped a two-mile-long fissure in the ground at about 6am, sending lava into the air northeast of Mount Sundhnukur, the Icelandic Meteorological Office said.

The latest dramatic activity comes less than two months after a previous eruption in the area forced the evacuation of the coastal town of Grindavik.

Icelandic national broadcaster RUV said the Blue Lagoon thermal spa, one of Iceland's biggest tourist attractions and 2.7 miles from Grindavik, was closed when the eruption began on Reykjavik peninsula. Guests were evacuated to hotels.

Coast Guard surveillance indicated the eruption was taking place in the same area as one that occurred December 18 in southwestern Iceland, and is the volcano's third eruption in as many months. The last in January destroyed homes in Grindavik.

A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted Thursday, less than two months after a previous eruption in the area forced the evacuation of the coastal town of Grindavik

Lava is seen engulfing a road in Iceland today after a volcano erupted for the third time in as many months near the town of Grindavik. The road leads to Iceland's famous Blue Lagoon spa, which was evacuated this morning

A growing pool of lava hits a hot water pipe in Iceland today, with steam seen rising into the sky

Lava spills onto the main road to Grindavik in south-western Iceland today following an earlier volcanic eruption

The huge lava field is seen in this aerial photograph. The fissure can be seen in the distance billowing steam into the sky

Lava is seen spilling out of a two-mile long fissure that opened in the ground this morning

Dramatic video from Iceland's coast guard shows fountains of lava soaring more than 165 feet into the darkened skies. A plume of vapour rose about one mile above the volcano

The eruption began about 6am, sending lava into the air along a 1.9-mile-long fissure northeast of Mount Sundhnukur, the Icelandic Meteorological Office said

The Met Office said lava was flowing to the west and there was no immediate threat to the town of Grindavik - evacuated after a previous eruption late last year - or to a major power plant in the area.

'At 5:30 this morning intense small earthquake activity began northeast of Sylingarfell. About 30 minutes later, an eruption began in the same area,' the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) said in a statement.

IMO added that based on an initial assessment from a flyover by the Coast Guard, the fissure was about two miles long.

Civil defense officials said that no one was believed to be in the town itself at the time of the eruption this morning.

'They weren't meant to be, and we don't know about any,' Viir Reynisson, the head of Iceland's Civil Defense, told Icelandic national broadcaster RUV.

This is the third eruption since December of a volcanic system on the Reykjanes Peninsula, which is home to Keflavik, Iceland's main airport.

There was no disruption reported to the airport on Thursday.

Dramatic video from Iceland's coast guard shows fountains of lava soaring more than 165 feet into the darkened skies.

A plume of vapour rose about one mile above the volcano.

IMO added that based on an initial assessment from a flyover by the Coast Guard, the fissure (seen this morning) was about two miles long

This is the third eruption since December of a volcanic system on the Reykjanes Peninsula, which is home to Keflavik, Iceland's main airport

Iceland, which sits above a volcanic hot spot in the North Atlantic, averages an eruption every four to five years, although until March 2021, the Reykjanes peninsula had not experienced an eruption for eight centuries

People look at the volcano erupting, north of Grindavik, Iceland, Thursday

A volcano spews lava and smoke as it erupts, near Grindavik, on Reykjanes Peninsula, Feb 8

This handout picture released by the Icelandic Coast Guard on February 8, 2024 shows a cameraman filming billowing smoke and flowing lava pouring out of a new fissure during a new volcanic eruption on the outskirts of the evacuated town of Grindavik

Iceland straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a crack in the ocean floor separating the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.

It averages an eruption every four to five years, although until March 2021, the Reykjanes peninsula had not experienced an eruption for eight centuries.

Fresh eruptions occurred in August 2022, and July and December 2023, leading volcanologists to say it was probably the start of a new era of activity in the region.

The most disruptive in recent times was the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which spewed huge clouds of ash into the atmosphere and led to widespread airspace closures over Europe.

Grindavik, a town of 3,800 people about 30 miles southwest of Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, was evacuated in November when the Svartsengi volcanic system awakened after almost 800 years with a series of earthquakes that opened large cracks in the earth between the town and Sylingarfell, a small mountain to the north.

The volcano eventually erupted on December 18, sending lava flowing away from Grindavik. A second eruption that began on January 14 sent lava towards the town.

Defensive walls that had been bolstered since the first eruption stopped some of the flow, but they could not save some of the town's buildings from destruction.

Two cracks formed during the second eruption, with the second appearing right on the edge of town, sending orange lava flowing into the streets and reducing three homes to ashes.

Due to the volcanic eruptions, Grindavik's future has been shrouded in uncertainty for the last few months, with residents still unable to return home.

Lava spills onto a road leading to the Icelandic town of Grindavik after the eruption today

Lava is seen flowing on to a road that leads into the evacuated town of Grindavik

Grindavik was evacuated last year in anticipation of eruptions. Residents have been unable to return home, and there are questions if this will ever be possible

Lava from today's volcanic eruption is seen along-side a road in Iceland

A sign directing drivers to Iceland's Blue Lagoon spa is seen in front of lava spilling over a road

People aree filling up their vehicles at a petrol station as lava and billowing smoke pours out of a fissure during a volcanic eruption near Grindavik, western Iceland on February 8

But the latest eruption did not appear to threaten the town, although pictures from the area showed lava spilling over a road leading to the Blue Lagoon spa.

'Lava flows mostly towards west at the moment and the flow seems to be slightly less than at the start of the 18th of December eruption,' IMO said.

Fountains of lava reached about 50 to 80 metres in height and the volcanic plume rose about three kilometres above the fissure, IMO said.

Seismologist Kristin Jonsdottir said that the location of the new eruption was 'fortunate' as it was north of Grindavik and away from infrastructure, RUV reported.

On Monday, the IMO said that magma accumulation beneath the area continued.

'Similar processes were observed before the previous dyke intrusions and eruptions north of Grindavik in January 2024 and December 2023,' the agency said, noting that 'there is an increased likelihood of a new magmatic dyke intrusion and ensuing volcanic eruption in the coming days to weeks.'

Both the previous eruptions lasted only a matter of days, but they signal what Icelandic President Gudni Th. Johannesson called 'a daunting period of upheaval' on the Reykjanes Peninsula, one of the most densely populated parts of Iceland.

Lava flows from a volcano and burns houses in Grindavik, Iceland, January 14, 2024

The remains of homes destroyed by a lava flow are seen following a volcanic eruption on the edge of the town of Grindavik, Iceland, January 17

Construction workers construct earthworks to divert the lava flow following a volcanic eruption on the edge of the town of Grindavik, Iceland, January 17

Icelandic national broadcaster RUV said the nearby famous Blue Lagoon thermal spa (pictured, file photo), one of Iceland's biggest tourist attractions, was closed when the eruption began and guests were evacuated to hotels

It's unclear whether the residents of Grindavik will ever be able to return permanently, Dave McGarvie, a volcanologist who has worked extensively in Iceland, told the Associated Press.

'I think at the moment there is the resignation, the stoical resignation, that, for the foreseeable future, the town is basically uninhabitable,' he said.

He said that after centuries of quiet, 'people thought this area was fairly safe.'

'It's been a bit of a shock that it has come back to life,' he added, 'Evidence that we gathered only quite recently is that eruptions could go on for decades, if not centuries, sporadically in this particular peninsula.'
A climate minister is on resignation watch today with the government poised to scrap a 'boiler tax'.

Graham Stuart is said to be fighting a rearguard action over moves to ditch penalties for manufacturers who miss heat pump installation targets.

From April this year firms are due to be required to match at least four per cent of all sales with heat pumps, or face fines.

However, manufacturers have already responded by raising their prices by up to 120 and there are concerns about companies merely passing on the costs to consumers.

Net Zero Secretary Claire Coutinho has been signalling that the government is about to change tack on the plan.

Graham Stuart is said to be fighting a rearguard action over moves to ditch penalties for manufacturers who miss heat pump installation targets

Net Zero Secretary Claire Coutinho has been signalling that the government is about to change tack on the plan

The government has already announced that it is backing down on some Net Zero policies, such as the plan to ban the installation of new gas boilers (stock photo)

According to the Times, signs that the penalties would be dropped sparked an angry response on Tory WhatsApp groups recently.

When one MP commented that the mooted change 'seems crackers', Mr Stuart is said to have responded that they were 'exactly right'.

'That's why it is government policy to go ahead with it ... We already have the encouragement method in the form of the 7,500 subsidy,' he reportedly wrote.

'If we are to get off that over time we need to change the incentives of players in the industry and that's what this does: increasing sales, lowering costs and driving growth. Without it I can't see how our carbon budgets will be met and we are at severe legal risk.'

The government is targeting 600,000 new heat pumps a year by the year 2028.

But the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero insists the approach is to help families make environmentally friendly changes instead of forcing them.

It comes amid a backlash across mainland Europe against draconian net zero policies with farmers taking to the streets in France, Belgium and Germany.

A department source said they did not want to see the same thing happening in the UK.

The government has already announced that it is backing down on some net zero policies, such as the plan to ban the installation of new gas boilers.

When the so-called 'boiler tax' was announced last year, Worcester Bosch said the price of all its gas boilers would increase by 120.

Getting a boiler fitted typically costs between 1,500 and 5,000, depending on the size and type required.

To encourage homeowners to make the switch, the Government offers Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants of up to 7,500 to get a heat pump.
Kevin Spacey will pay $1million to the makers of House of Cards to settle claims he sexually harassed young staffers on the show.

MRC, the production company behind the show, dropped Spacey from the final season of House of Cards in 2017 and tried to recoup the costs for scrapping the final season and replacing him.

An arbitrator deemed the allegations by the young show employees credible and Spacey, who has always denied the allegations, faced a $31million judgment in the case.

But MRC and Spacey have now reached a settlement, which will see the actor pay only $1million (791,000) - in installments equal to 10 per cent of his after-tax income - to the company over the next few years instead of the $36million he owed including interest, Puck reported.

In return, Spacey will help MRC in their attempt to recoup the costs from its insurance company.

MRC, the production company behind the show, dropped Spacey (pictured) from the final season of House of Cards in 2017 and tried to recoup the costs for scrapping the final season and replacing him

Kevin Spacey (pictured) in the show House of Cards, which he was fired from in 2017

But MRC and Spacey (right, pictured in Rome last December) have now reached a settlement, which will see the actor pay only $1million (791,000) - in installments equal to 10 per cent of his after-tax income - to the company over the next few years instead of the $36million he owed including interest, Puck reported

MRC previously sued Fireman's Fund and Lloyd's of London, saying that Spacey's absence from House of Card was covered under the cast insurance policies, which usually protect production companies if an actor gets too sick to perform.

But the lawsuit was thrown out twice last year since the judge did not believe Spacey allegedly checking himself into a treatment facility for sex addiction qualified as a claim under the policy.

'The court is left with the conclusion that these policies just do not insure against this particular risk, and that neither party was really contemplating coverage for this sort of thing at the time the policies were signed,' Judge Mark Epstein said at the time, according to Variety.

While the judge ruled that MRC can't go after Lloyd's anymore, the production company can change its lawsuit against Fireman's Fund one more time, for which they have now been promised the help of Spacey.

One of the things the judge criticised in the suit was that MRC did not clarify what exactly Spacey's sickness is and how this would make him too sick to act in House of Cards.

Previously Spacey fought MRC attempt to access his medical records to answer these questions, but he promised to provide his medical records and let himself be examined by doctors as part of the settlement, which was reached on December 18.

A few weeks later, on January 2, MRC filed the newly amended suit against Fireman's Fund. In it, it said Spacey could not act in the show because he was treated for anxiety and depression.

Fireman's Fund again tried to have the lawsuit, which they branded as 'bordering on the absurd' thrown out.

The insurance company argued that MRC has changed its position significantly after it first claimed in the arbitration case against him that Spacey was dropped from the show for violating the sexual harassment policy - and not for his illness.

It further alleged that Spacey's removal was due to Netflix's announcement to not air any new House of Cards episodes with the actor, which allegedly forced MRC to drop him.

His lawyers reportedly sent separate emails to Netflix, with one allegedly denying Spacey was ill following the announcement.

MRC is going after Fireman's Fund for $150million as well as punitive damages for denying its initial claim. The trial is expected to start in June.
Investigators believe there are no survivors inside a Philadelphia-area home after an active shooting and fire on Wednesday, according to the Delaware County district attorney.

'This is going to take awhile. Okay? We're going to be very safe,' DA Jack Stollsteimer said Thursday morning. 'This is a recovery operation. There's nobody alive inside that burned out hulk of a house.'

At least four adults and three children who were believed to be inside the East Lansdowne home are still missing on Thursday morning - hours after the shocking scene in the Delaware County suburb.

Police responded to reports of an 11-year-old girl being shot in East Lansdowne, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, around 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, though it is unclear if a child was actually shot, reported NBC10.

Two officers, David Schiazza, 54, and John Meehan, 44, were shot and the house was set on fire as police surrounded the home, according to Stollsteimer.

Arson specialists entered the charred home shortly before 10am EST Thursday and an excavator was seen being used to tear down the the remaining walls

Emergency personnel work at the scene where two police officers were injured while responding to reported standoff in East Lansdowne

Medical Examiner Office officials are seen going through the home's remains on Thursday

'This is going to take awhile,' DA Jack Stollsteimer said Thursday morning. 'This is a recovery operation. There's nobody alive inside that burned out hulk of a house'

Investigators believe there are no survivors inside a Philadelphia-area home

Disturbing footage from the scene taken by a witness shows gunshots ring out before one of two injured police officer is seen being carried away

Authorities had still not been able to enter the building as of 7am EST on Thursday, when they are expected to sift through the wreckage and find the remains of the home's residents.

Images showed the building still smoldering on Thursday, as fire fighters were still putting out hotspots.

Stollsteimer added that there is about six feet of water in the basement and the walls could collapse at any moment.

The family that lived inside the home has not been heard from, Stollsteimer said.

Officials said a large family was living in the home and at least six to eight people remain unaccounted for, according to Fox 29 Philadelphia.

Two officers injured in the shooting are expected to recover

Images showed the building still smoldering on Thursday, as fire fighters were still putting out hotspots

The names of the people inside the house remain unknown, but NBC 10 reports the eldest child attends the local high school, and two others go to the local middle and elementary schools.

Arson specialists entered the charred home shortly before 10am EST Thursday and an excavator was seen being used to tear down the the remaining walls.

A medical examiner's van was also seen at the scene.

'We're aware that there are at least six to eight people who are unaccounted for from that family. It is our terrible fear that they may be inside that house when it was burned,' said Delaware County DA Stollsteimer.

'We are hopeful that that is not true. But we will not know until tomorrow morning.'

At least six people, including children, are unaccounted for after a house fire and active shooter situation

Police responded to reports of an 11-year-old girl being shot in East Lansdowne, Pennsylvania and two officers were shot

Lansdowne police officer Schiazza was shot in the leg and is being discharged from the hospital on Thursday.

East Lansdowne officer Meehan was shot on the left arm and required surgery and a longer stay at the hospital.

They are both 22-year veterans.

Sources told local outlets they believed the shooter was inside the home and they called it a 'barricade situation.'

The gunfire reportedly stopped around 6 p.m. and the fire is under control, however investigators will not be able to get inside the house until Thursday.

Footage from the scene shows flames coming from the house, it is unclear what started the blaze

Sources told local media they believed the shooter was inside the home and they called it a 'barricade situation'

Two cops have been shot during an active shooter situation near Philadelphia at a house that has been set on fire

Police officers gather at the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center Emergency entrance as the two officers who were shot are inside

'Law enforcement in East Landsdowne responded to a call of an 11-year-old girl being shot. They immediately responded, came to the house and they were shot at by somebody inside the house,' said Stollsteimer.

'At this point the fire is being put under control and then we can go inside and do the investigation to determine who the shooter was, whether they're alive and whether there was an 11-year-old girl.'

A neighbor told WPVI, 'I heard a lot of gunshots as I just came from the store and then I smelled the smoke about 10 minutes later. And I just seen cops come everywhere, running in their vests and everything.'

'I heard (them) yelling 'active shooter, get in the house, barricade, don't come out.'
Five Marines who were aboard a Navy helicopter that crashed in the southern California mountains during a storm on Tuesday night have been confirmed dead.

'It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines from 3d Marine Aircraft Wing and the Flying Tigers while conducting a training flight last night,' said Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, commanding general of 3rd MAW.

'These pilots and crewmembers were serving a calling greater than self and were proud to do so. We will forever be grateful for their call to duty and selfless service. To the families of our fallen Marines, we send our deepest condolences and commit to ensuring your support and care during this incredibly difficult time.'

The identities of the Marines will not be made public until 24 hours after all next of kin are informed, per Marine Corps policy.

Several agencies launched a desperate search early on Wednesday after the chopper was reported missing.

The Navy helicopter took off from Nevada to San Diego on Tuesday night

The CH-53E Super Stallion is the heavy-lift chopper most commonly used by the Marines to transport troops and equipment

Efforts to recover the remains of the five have begun and an investigation into the crash is underway, according to the statement.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill issued a statement following the news.

They said: 'Jill and I are heartbroken at the loss of five U.S. Marines, whose aircraft crashed while flying from Nevada to California during a routine training mission. As the Department of Defense continues to assess what occurred, we extend our deepest condolences to their families, their squadron, and the U.S. Marine Corps as we grieve the loss of five of our nations finest warriors.

'Our service members represent the very best of our nationand these five Marines were no exception. Today, as we mourn this profound loss, we honor their selfless service and ultimate sacrificeand reaffirm the sacred obligation we bear to all those who wear the uniform and their families.'

The craft was discovered Wednesday morning near the mountain community of Pine Valley, an hours drive from San Diego.

Cal Fire located the crash site hours within the search, but said at the time they were still working to locate the crew.

The helicopter took off from Creech Air Force Base near Las Vegas, Nevada, on Tuesday night and was heading to the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar when it went missing.

The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter was last reported in the Cleveland National Forest, near the Us-Mexico border and about 35 miles east of its destination.

The area is currently covered in snow, making the search more difficult, officials said.

The helicopter was heading to the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, known for being the home of the Top Gun program - and the movie of the same name

Three people have died in the historic flooding that has pummeled California, trashing homes and communities across the state.

The National Weather Service in San Diego called for 6 to 10 inches of snow in the mountains above 5,000 feet and gusty winds late Wednesday. On Tuesday afternoon a tornado warning was issued but quickly canceled with the weather service saying the storm was not capable of forming a twister.

The CH-53E Super Stallion is the heavy-lift chopper most commonly used by the Marines to transport troops and equipment.

According to the Navy, it is capable of 'launching amphibious assaults, facilitating logistics and maintenance, providing sustainment and supplies, and equipping the warfighter for mission success.'

The Miramar airbase is known for being the home of the Top Gun program - and the movie of the same name.
A man who sliced off his own fingers in a power tool accident has spent his 10,000 life savings on fake fingers he only wears on special occasions.

Lee Goodale was having a barbecue with his partner, Ellie when he went back into his garage to chop some wood for the fire.

But the 44-year-old accidentally brushed his left hand against the electric mitre saw.

It took four months for the wound to heal and then a year for the skin to return to normal.

During this time, Mr Goodale researched prosthetic options, and decided to use up all of his life savings to pay for the prosthetic he chose, with the piece itself costing 7,000, but with time and travel costs it totalled 10,000.

A man who sliced off his own fingers in a power took accident has spent his 10,000 life savings on fake fingers he only wears on special occasions

Pictured after he went to hospital for treatment

Mr Goodale decided to use up all of his life savings to pay for the prosthetic he chose, with the piece itself costing 7,000, but with time and travel costs it totalled 10,000

It took four months for the wound to heal and then a year for the skin to return to normal

Mr Goodale, a content creator and chef from Great Hale, Lincolnshire, said:'I looked down and my hand was just gone.

'People always ask me if it hurts and are always surprised when I say no. I didn't even feel it happen.

'I walked through the house and shouted for my partner.

'She came in and saw me standing there holding my wrist, half my hand missing, blood dripping everywhere.'

His partner, 40, told him to stay calm and immediately rang 999.

He said: 'I went into shock and still wasn't feeling any pain at this point.

'The rapid response medic arrived in around seven minutes.

'Just as they arrived, the adrenaline had worn off and the first wave of pain hit me.

'Thankfully the paramedic administered morphine to my relief.'

He was rushed to Pilgrim Hospital, in Boston, where they then transferred him to the Royal Derby Hospital for surgery.

Mr Goodale has shared his journey on TikTok, showing how he uses his prosthetic hand

Over the next two weeks, he had three more operations and skin grafts to repair his hand

He only uses the fingers on special occasions like his wedding

He was rushed to Pilgrim Hospital, in Boston, where they then transferred him to the Royal Derby Hospital for surgery

He said: 'They operated for around seven hours I believe and re-attached my hand.

'Unfortunately, it was too badly damaged and had to be removed again a couple of days later.'

Over the next two weeks, he had three more operations and skin grafts to repair his hand.

He said: 'I left the hospital after two weeks and had to have a negative pressure pump attached to the wound until it had fully closed and healed.

'Once this was removed, I went back every three, four days to have the dressing removed and changed.

'This was actually the most painful part of the entire experience and I had to have gas and air while they changed the dressing.

'Once the wound had finally healed, I went back for one more skin graft.'

He said: 'I was lucky to find a UK company that was able to make me a partial silicon piece - it had no function and was purely aesthetic, but it was something I really wanted [as] we were planning our wedding.

'Together with the cost of the prosthetic, I estimate the injury has cost me personally around 40,000 over the last four years due to a loss of earnings.

'It had such a massive impact on my mental health.

'In the very early days I just didn't want to leave the house, the injury significantly affected my confidence and self-esteem.

'I had to take a significant amount of time off work, and without any earnings, I also had to re-mortgage my house and spend my life savings.

'I went through a strange period of phantom pains which most amputees experience.

'Still to this day I occasionally get an itchy thumb, which is mildly frustrating as there's no thumb to itch.'

Mr Goodale has shared his journey on TikTok, showing how he uses his prosthetic hand to continue his work as a chef.

He said: 'Because of the cost of the prosthetic, I honestly barely use it so that I can extend its lifespan for as long as possible.

'I was told when I first bought it [that] if I wore it every day, through normal wear and tear it could only last a few years before it would begin to look tatty and need replacing.

'I wore it for my wedding day and only use it for special occasions and my TikTok videos of course.

'I feel very fortunate that I'm right-handed and with the fingers I have remaining on my left hand, I'm still able to cook fairly normally.

'I've always been an avid cook, it's something I really enjoy.

'I'm just really happy I'm still able to cook with some minor adjustments.

'I make fun of my left hand and very often include my prosthetic for a bit of fun and humour.

'I've adjusted really well to day-to-day life, I'm still able to do 99 per cent of the things I did before.

'It's amazing how the body can adjust after an accident like this.'

In one TikTok, which has garnered 2.4 million views, Mr Goodale can be seen showing the camera his two fingers, before showing how he puts on the silicone hand.

The post was captioned: 'Why did I spend 10,000 on a piece of plastic?' and has gathered over 110,000 likes, as well as 600 comments.
An 11-year-old schoolgirl has tragically died a week after she was hit by a bin lorry.

Elizabeth Bell, 11, was struck by the vehicle on the A6105 near East Gordon in the Scottish Borders.

The collision happened at around 8.05am on January 31 and the 11-year-old was rushed to the Royal Hospital for Children in Edinburgh shortly after.

Unfortunately Elizabeth, from East Gordon, passed away on February 7, one week after the incident.

Elizabeth Bell, 11, was struck by the vehicle on the A6105 near East Gordon in the Scottish Borders

The collision happened at around 8.05am on January 31 and the 11-year-old was rushed to the Royal Hospital for Children in Edinburgh shortly after

Officers are appealing for information about the crash, which happened near a junction with an unclassified local road.

Sergeant Dom Doyle said: 'Our thoughts are with Elizabeth's family and they have asked for privacy at this very difficult time.

'Inquiries are ongoing and we are asking anyone who has not already spoken to officers and can assist with our investigation to get in touch.'

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0574 of January 31.
A mother-of-two from Connecticut was killed in a hit-and-run after she went for a run late at night to 'burn off pizza' she ate for dinner with her family.

Felicia Yetke, from West Hartford, was mowed down by a car on February 2 during her run. Her beloved husband Kyle said that it was one of her favorite things to do.

The 36-year-old was a quarter of a mile from home when her family, who could track her movements from her phone, noticed that Felicia hadn't moved in 20 minutes.

Her husband of 10 years then raced down to her last location and was met by dozens of flashing police cars. He was then informed by an officer that his wife Felicia had died while crossing the street.

The driver stayed at the scene, cops said. It's unclear if charges have been filed.

Felicia Yetke (right) was killed on February 2 while she was out on a late-night run

Felicia Yetke (right) from West Hartford, was mowed down by a car last week during her run. Her husband Kyle said that it was one of her favorite things to do. She is pictured with Kyle and on one of their sons

Felicia and her husband Kyle, and their two sons Carson, 4, and Caleb, 11 months old

Felicia, who was remembered as a 'loving' woman and a 'sweet angel,' leaves behind her two young sons, Carson, 4, and Caleb, 11 months old.

Her devastated husband, who is a local mailman loved by the community, told WFSB: 'She loved running.

'On her birthday every year she will go to the Peloton studios, that's what she loved doing was running at Peloton.

'Her mother comes in and says, I've been tracking her phone and it hasn't moved in 20 minutes.

'She got in her car and went down to the commuter lot, she said there's police everywhere.

'I race down and as soon as I got out of the car, the police officer says I'm sorry for your loss. So then we just broke down from there.'

Heartbroken Kyle said that he is trying to keep himself together for their two young children. He said: 'I came back to work today because I need normalcy.'

One resident, Nancy Wildt, said about Kyle: 'There was a kindness about him. There was a kind of feeling that he cared about you.'

The couple had been married for 10 years. They are pictured at their wedding

Felicia was remembered as a 'loving' wife, mother, and friend

Kyle and his son speak to reporters following the devastating tragedy

Her husband of 10 years raced down to her last location and was met by dozens of flashing police cars. He was then informed by that his wife Felicia had died while crossing the street

People in the community put up posters around their houses in support of Kyle through this devastating time.

His family have set up a GoFundMe for funeral costs. The website read: 'On Friday, February 2, we lost a beloved family member, Felicia Santos Yetke, due to a tragic accident.

'She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister in law, and friend who touched the lives of so many.

'At only 36 years old, the sudden passing has left behind her loving husband Kyle, and their precious 2 sons, Carson 4 years old and Caleb 11 months. The unexpected loss of Felicia has left our family and friends devastated, and we are hoping to provide some financial relief during this unimaginable time.

'Kyle now faces the daunting task of navigating the financial implications that come with such a profound loss. To help ease the burden, we have set up a GoFundMe campaign to gather support from those who are willing and able to contribute.'

One of the mother's best friends, RayRay Adel, wrote in tribute: 'I have no words. I can't speak. I can't breathe. I just lost my very best friend and soul mate of 20 years.

'If you saw me anywhere she was right next to me. Cheering me on and always in my corner. She's such an amazing person, friend, mom, &wife!

'If you were lucky enough to call her your friend you knew how deeply she loved us all! None of this makes any sense.

'I was with her Thursday night like every Thursday night and just hours later my life and all her loved ones lives are forever changed!

Felicia, pictured with her family, was remembered as a 'loving wife, mother, daughter, sister in law, and friend who touched the lives of so many'

The mom-of-two was killed by a driver late at night in their neighborhood

Locals have rallied together and put signs out for the mailman Kyle amid his tragic loss

'Please say a prayer for her husband Kyle and her two precious sons she cherished more then life itself and of course her mom, dad,friends and family.

'Felicia Santos Yetke your my everything and I'm so sorry this happened to you I love you with every ounce of my being thank you for being my person.

'This video is from Thursday thanks for that last kiss I'm thankful to have so many years pictures and videos of us but I just can't look at or share.

'I'm praying this is some kind of sick night terror that I'll wake up from. My sweet angel please come back.'

Another relative wrote online: 'With a broken heart I post this picture of my first cousin/sister Felicia Santos Yetke that is no longer with us.

'We gotten really close these last 7 to 10 years.

'We was together a month ago and our last text 2 weeks ago. We talked about us moving close to each other in the South. Love you!!'
Knife victims made up more than 80 per cent of youth homicides last year - as Britain remains in the grip of a stabbing epidemic.

Teenage homicide victims were killed by a knife in 82 per cent of cases in England and Wales, compared to 41 per cent for victims of ages.

This was a higher proportion than the previous year, when 73 per cent of teenage victims were killed by a knife or sharp instrument.

Ministers have proposed a range of measures to clamp down on knife crime, including introducing new laws to outlaw so-called 'zombie knives'.

Labour has called for ninja swords to be included in the ban and for tech executives to be made liable for illegal weapons sold on their online marketplaces.

Brianna Ghey, 16, was knifed to death in Culcheth Linear Park, near Warrington, Cheshire, shortly after 3pm on Saturday February 11, 2023

Overall, there were 590 homicides in England and Wales for the year ending March 2013, a 14 per cent drop on last year.

This was also the lowest total since the year ending March 2016 - excluding 2021 during lockdown - according to figures released today by the Office of National Statistics.



The homicide rate was 9.9 victims per million population, which is low compared to the global average and similar to most EU countries.

But there are racial disparities, with the rate for black people standing at 39.8 per million population compared to 8.7 for white people.

There were 51 homicide victims aged 13 to 19 years in the year ending March 2023, down from 70 the previous year.

ONS data released in January showed knife crimes soared by 77 per cent from 27,498 in 2015 to 48,716 in the year to last September

A hundred domestic homicides took place last year, 37 fewer than the previous year, and the lowest figure since these data were first collected electronically in 1977.

Separate figures released by the ONS in January showed knife crimes soared by 77 per cent from 27,498 in 2015 to 48,716 in the year to last September.

Meanwhile, Home Office data revealed that 2.3million criminal investigations in the UK were dropped by police without the force even identifying a suspect - the equivalent to more than 6,300 crimes going unsolved every day on average.

The number of offenders actually being taken to court for crimes was just 5.9 per cent, with 319,440 being charged or summonsed.
This is the wild moment winds from California's storm caused a semi-truck to topple over on a Sacramento interstate forcing drivers to swerve around it.

A semi-truck driving down a highway in west Sacramento on Sunday went toppling over and skidded across multiple lanes after losing control.

Mahlon Barklow captured shocking footage of the truck falling and tumbling across the road as it only narrowly missed other cars on the interstate.

People are seen rushing from their own vehicles to help the truck's driver, who was caught up in the crash.

It is unknown if any injuries were sustained during the dramatic collision, but the California Highway Patrol's call log showed several vehicles were impacted by the strong winds.

This is the wild moment winds from California's storm caused a semi-truck to topple over on a Sacramento interstate forcing drivers to swerve around it

A semi-truck driving down a highway in West Sacramento on Sunday went toppling over and skidded across multiple lanes after losing control

Mahlon Barklow captured shocking footage of the truck falling and tumbling across the road as it only narrowly missed other cars on the interstate

Areas surrounding the location of the crash reported winds of up to 60 miles per hour on Sunday night, the time of the incident.

The terrifying crash was a result of California's extreme weather conditions that have been wreaking havoc across the state ever since the latest atmospheric storm kicked off last week.

Mudslides, flooding and gale-force winds battered much of California as the severe storm system deluged the west coast over the weekend.

More than half a million homes in the Sunshine State were struck by power outages, and one man has reportedly died in Sacramento Valley after he was crushed by a toppled tree.

At least 566,502 households in the state suffered power cuts as of Monday morning, according to national tracker poweroutage.us. As of Thursday, there are 35,328 outages still reported.

The storm is the second severe weather system to batter California over the past week, and it arrived just as Los Angeles welcomed celebrities for the Grammy Awards on Sunday night.

People are seen rushing from their own vehicles to help the truck's driver, who was caught up in the crash

It is unknown if any injuries were sustained during the dramatic collision, but the California Highway Patrol's call log showed several vehicles were impacted by the strong winds

The severe conditions prompted the National Weather Service's (NWS) Bay Area office to issue a rare hurricane-force wind warning for Big Sur and nearby areas. Residents were urged to 'protect life' and to stay home wherever possible.

It comes as 82-year-old David Gomes died after he was struck by a large redwood tree in Yuba City, northern California, on Sunday night, per ABC10.

The monster storms have taken the lives of at least three people and caused $11 million worth of damage and economic loss across the Southwest.
Officials have released pictures of firefighters battling and containing a devastating blaze emerging from a semi-truck in South Dakota that could be seen from 20 miles away.

The Crook County Volunteer Fire Department responded to a call about a semi trailer fire on Interstate 90 near Beulah on February 7.

Due to the magnitude of the blaze, the Volunteer Department was forced to enlist the help of the Spearfish Fire Department to extinguish the fire.

Images shared by both Departments show massive amounts of black smoke billowing out of the truck as firefighters surround the area.

Images shared by both Departments show massive amounts of black smoke billowing out of the truck as firefighters surround the area

Due to the magnitude of the blaze, the Volunteer Department was forced to enlist the help of the Spearfish Fire Department to extinguish the flames

As of now, officials suspect the fire was caused by a wheel hub

Flames were also seen spreading to nearby fields, turning huge patches into ashes.

Pictures showed firefighters launching streams of water onto the semi-truck to control the blaze.

According to Spearfish officials, it took them one engine and two water tenders to get the fire under control.

By the time the flames were controlled, the truck had been completely destroyed.

According to Wyoming Highway Patrol Lt. Tim Boumeester, the truck driver was hauling a band trailer when he noticed smoke emerging from its underside.

According to Spearfish officials, it took one engine and two water tenders to get the fire under control

Flames were also seen spreading to nearby fields, turning huge patches into ashes

According to Wyoming Highway Patrol Lt. Tim Boumeester, the truck driver was hauling a band trailer when he noticed smoke emerging from its underside

As the trailer began to catch fire, the driver quickly detached the truck from the trailer and moved it away.

'When he pulled over to the side, the fire had already broken out on the trailer,' Boumeester said. 'The driver was able to disconnect the tractor from the trailer and move it farther to the west.'

Daniel Ratzlaff, a bystander on the highway described the scene: 'You could see the smoke from over 20 miles away.'

As of now, officials suspect the fire was caused by a wheel hub.

'One of the wheel bearings or the wheel hub on one of the trailer axles went out, causing the heat. Then it overheated and caught fire,' Boumeester said.

No injuries were reported.
These pictures show the inside of an exclusive 1,600-an-hour VIP suite where Prince Harry stayed at Heathrow before flying back to California after visiting King Charles.

The Duke of Sussex flew 5,000 miles to be by his father's side following his cancer diagnosis - with the pair having a brief 45-minute meeting at Clarence House.

The Windsor Suite is the most exclusive lounge at Heathrow, and is regularly used by other members of the Royal Family including the Prince and Princess of Wales.

It has also been used by high-profile figures including the Pope and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Guests are greeted by liveried doormen before being escorted to one of eight private lounges, where they are tended to by a private butler - part of a 96-strong team of staff.

The Windsor Suite is the most exclusive lounge at Heathrow, and is regularly used by other members of the Royal Family including the Prince and Princess of Wales

Prince Harry being greeted by a doorman at the Windsor Lounge in Heathrow yesterday

Pictures of the private lounges show large sofas, polished floors and walls decorated with artwork

They can then browse from a food menu from Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton, and enjoy the use of a personal shopper in the main Terminal 5 building.

Pictures of the private lounges show large sofas, polished floors and walls decorated with artwork - including an Andy Warhol-inspired portrait of the Queen.

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE - Meghan Markle beams as she drives near her $14m Montecito home Advertisement

Given its high-profile guests the emphasis is very much on privacy and security, with bombproof glass and netting to hide from the paparazzi.

And forget having to queue for security - all checks are made in the suite itself, before guests are driven directly to their aircraft.

The Duke, 39, arrived at Heathrow just before 2pm and arrived back in LA on Wednesday evening.

Meghan, Archie and Lilibet stayed at home.

Harry and Charles had a 'brief meeting' before the King and Camilla were driven to Buckingham Palace where a helicopter was waiting to take them back to Sandringham.

Notably absent from the reunion was his brother Prince William, with no signs the tensions between the two have eased since Harry and Meghan decided to step back from senior royal duties in 2020.

'William has shown today that he has disowned Harry, he doesn't want to know him, and he probably doesn't even like him anymore. Harry is just not part of his life,' royal expert Jennie Bond told DailyMail.com.

An Andy Warhol-inspired portrait of the Queen that appears in the lounge

Guests can then browse from a food menu from Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton

Some of the delicious food on offer to high-paying guests

'That rift is so deep now, and that has been shown by Harry being here and them not meeting, so deep that I really do wonder if it can ever, ever be mended.'

Expert Richard Fitzwilliams suggested the fact that Prince Harry made the trip at all shows hope for reconciliation.

He told MailOnline: 'The whole situation has changed with cancer. The fact the King has been diagnosed with something that millions know is life threatening has changed the whole relationship between the Royal Family and the Sussexes.

'The only way for a family to fight cancer is to come together.

'A lot has been made of the length of Harry's visit and how quickly he left but that isn't the point. The point is that Harry came  and Charles shared the diagnosis with him. What he wanted was to express support, it's a completely new situation.

The meeting between Harry and Charles was their first formal meeting in person since the late Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022. The prince did attend Charles's coronation at Westminster Abbey in May last year but was not seen interacting with the newly crowned King and Queen.

Buckingham Palace announced the King was undergoing treatment for unspecified cancer on Monday.

Doctors discovered the cancer whilst treating the monarch for an enlarged prostate just over a week prior, according to the Palace.

He returned to his Sandringham estate to recuperate following treatment, arriving via the royal helicopter at around 4.20pm.

It is thought that Harry stayed in a luxury hotel while in the UK, having technically been made homeless since his eviction from Frogmore Cottage last year.
Charnas' wife Arielle is a fashion influencer whose clothing brand, Something Navy, suffered myriad problems and was sold to a portfolio company last year

The probes stem from a late 2020 bet Charnas and nine others made on Office Depot stock options that yielded significant personal gains several weeks later

Brandon Charnas is under investigation by both the SEC and DOJ for insider trading

Brandon Charnas, husband to fashion influencer Arielle Charnas of the Something Navy brand, is under criminal investigation by the DOJ for his alleged involvement in an insider-trading scheme, according to a new Bloomberg report.

Brandon Charnas has infamously refused to cooperate with an insider-trading probe previously opened by the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is probing a $385,000 gain he made using potentially non-public information in early 2021.

The Justice Department has now opened a criminal investigation into the same matter, according to unnamed law enforcement officials.

Charnas and nine other people are caught up in the probe that revolves around speculation that home office giant Staples was going to make a bid for Office Depot.

Brandon Charnas (left), husband to fashion influencer Arielle Charnas (right) of the Something Navy brand, is under criminal investigation by the DOJ for his alleged involvement in an insider-trading scheme

Brandon is currently under investigation by the SEC and DOJ for alleged insider trading that occurred in late 2020 and early 2021

The investigation dates back to late December of 2020, when Charnas met up with friends for lunch in Miami.

Later in the afternoon, he invested $31,000 in Office Depot call options, on the apparent assumption that the stock would rise, alleges the SEC.

In the subsequent days, Charnas and his lunch meeting partners bought options and shares of ODP Corp., Office Depot's parent company.

Some two weeks later, Staples announced its offer and the Office Depot stock popped from less than $30 a share in December to nearly $43 a share in January.

One of the traders texted the group chat, 'You're welcome boyz,' to which another responded: 'U the man.'

The Office Depot stock spiked in December 2020 when Staples announced its offer. By then, Charnas had already bought up some of the shares, according to the report

Office Depot shared spiked from less than $30 a share in December of 2020 to nearly $43 a share in January of 2021

Charnas' current legal fight against the SEC focuses on a battle over a subpoena sent by the agency to Charnas demanding he hand over his text messages.

The influencer's husband recently won a ruling in Florida against the SEC that will prevent the agency from obtaining his text messages - though the SEC has appealed.

Charnas is being represented in the Sunshine State by John Lauro, who also represents former President Donald Trump.

Because of his wife's notoriety, and previous bouts with scandal, the SEC's probe had been widely documented in traditional and on social media.

The Justice Department's involvement, however, had not yet been reported prior to Bloomberg's article.

The investigation is reportedly in its early stages and it is not yet clear if it will result in criminal charges or when it will conclude.

David Axelrod, an attorney for Charnas, said in a statement: 'Brandon did not engage in insider trading.'

The pair, who have three children together, have spent the last several years living between New York City and the Miami area

Arielle Charnas' once thought to be well-positioned clothing brand, Something Navy, before sales fell, development was paused and the company was reportedly sold last year for $1

One day after Staples announced its $40 per share bid for ODP in mid-January of 2021, Charnas offloaded 50 percent of his call options, walking away with a 635 percent profit.

The next month, there was news that there was 'unusual trading activity' in Office Depot ahead of earnings.

Outside of his suspect trading activity, Charnas works in real estate.

He co-founded Current Real Estate Advisors.

Arielle Charnas, who still shares her costly daily outfits with her 1.3million Instagram followers, was once the power behind the clothing brand Something Navy - named after her original Instagram handle.

However, the company suffered a series of market and financial setbacks before going on pause for more than a year. It was reportedly sold last year for $1 to IHL Group.
Searches were repeatedly called off due to inclement weather and avalanche threats

Before her disappearance, Huang posted videos to social media showing heavy rain and snow on the trail

Rescue crews are continuing to look for Lifei 'Ada' Huang, 22, who vanished during a hike on Sunday

Rescue crews are scouring a California mountain in search of a college student who vanished during a snowstorm as her friends desperately plead for her to return home.

Lifei 'Ada' Huang, 22, a University of California Irvine student, was last seen February 4 as she embarked on a solo hike up Mount Baldy.

Huang texted her friends to share her plans and sent a video to her boyfriend as she approached the trail parking lot around 1:59 pm.

The 22-year-old posted several videos to social media from the trail, panning past snow-covered hills and the steep drop into the valley as rain poured down.

Around two hours later, communications stopped and the El Monte woman disappeared without a trace. Rescue teams began combing the area to no avail.

Lifei 'Ada' Huang, 22, a University of California Irvine student, disappeared Sunday as she hiked Mount Baldy

Before her disappearance, Huang posted several videos to social media showing the icy trail and punishing snow and rain. She was last seen wearing a yellow jacket, black goggles and black shoes

Mount Baldy, formally known as Mount San Antonio, sits on the border of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties

As night fell, friends grew concerned when they hadn't heard from her.

'We didnt go on the trail but we tried,' Cherry Li told KTLA. 'We couldnt do anything because we needed professional help.'

Li explained that she and other friends gleaned Huang's location from a ping from the Find My Location iPhone app, 'and that's all we have.'

Huang was an avid hiker, she said, who often liked to travel alone.

San Bernardino County search and rescue teams began looking for the student - who was last seen wearing a yellow jacket, black goggles and black shoes - at around 2:30 am Monday, but found no signs of her.

They resumed the search Tuesday amid heavy snowfall but were pulled off the trail due to avalanche risks.

Volunteers arrived again on Wednesday, but were unable to continue searching amid life-threatening conditions.

'I dont think shes been to the trails with snowy weather or rain,' Li said. 'We just want her to come back home safe.'

San Bernardino County search and rescue teams began looking for the student Monday morning, finding no traces of her

Huang's friends grew concerned after they lost communication with her. One friend said they gleaned her location from a ping from the Find My Location app

The search resumed Tuesday before crews were pulled off the mountain due to avalanche risks (pictured: conditions on Sunday, when Huang disappeared)

On Wednesday, volunteers were unable to continue searching for the 22-year-old amid dangerous conditions

Conditions on Mount Baldy can change rapidly, causing hikers to lose visibility in a span of minutes.

Photos posted to Facebook by the Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team show the dismal weather on the mountain the day Huang vanished.

The team was dispatched Sunday night to assist three other hikers who ran out of daylight during their summit attempt.

Rescuers can be seen battling thick, wet snowfall as they trudge through at least a foot of powder.

In a statement, officials urged the public to stay away from the mountain this week.

'The weather has effectively buried the mountain in snow and it is highly likely hikers will get into trouble,' officials said.

'Resources are stretched to their limits and hikers who get lost may have to wait long periods of time before help is available.'

They added that many hikers, regardless of experience level, 'underestimate the steep terrain, unpredictable weather, and high winds that present themselves in our mountain areas.'

Huang was described as an avid hiker who often embarked on solo trips

Photos show the dreary conditions on the mountain the day of Huang's disappearance, with at least a foot of snow on the ground

Officials have urged hikers to avoid Mount Baldy this week, as 'weather has effectively buried the mountain in snow'

Mount Baldy has claimed the lives of several hikers this year, including a 75-year-old man in January

Mount Baldy has proven to be treacherous for hikers, claiming lives every year.

In January 2023, British actor Julian Sands, 65, was reported missing by his family after he failed to return from a hike. His remains were found months later in a remote canyon by other hikers.

Also in January, Crystal Paul Gonzalez-Landas, 56, slid between 500 and 700 feet down the steep and icy Baldy Bowl slope.

A San Bernardino County sheriff's department rescue team attempted to reach her several times but were deterred by bad weather. By the time crews reached her and began CPR, she had passed away.

Just last month, 75-year-old Raymond Kopecky plummeted off a cliff to his death as he climbed the Sugarloaf Peak trail.
The Bahamas beach resort where two Kentucky moms say they were drugged and raped has claimed their version of events does not add up.

Dongayla Dobson and Amber Shearer, both 31, say they were attacked by uniformed staff on February 4 at Pirate's Cove beach resort on Grand Bahama, during an excursion from their Carnival Cruises ship.

They claim the men gave them spiked cocktails then attacked them after leading them away to collect seashells.

Two men were arrested but Bahamian police are yet to reveal their identities.

The women say the incident was caught on surveillance camera footage that they viewed - along with police - before returning to the ship.

But in a statement today, Pirate Cove says the video does not support their story.

'Upon further review of the surveillance videos, the allegations made onsite, and in subsequent social media posts and news stories, conflict with what the time-stamped surveillance videos contain,' Pirate's Cove beach resort said in a statement.

The pair's last memory was consuming drinks (pictured) on the beach before walking up in a bathroom at the resort with bruises on their legs

Thousands of tourists make their way from cruise boats to Pirate's Cove beach resort

The four-day Carnival cruise on the Carnival Elation called at Nassau and Grand Bahama

Excursions to the Pirate beach resort are advertised for $57 a head to passengers on its cruise

'While there is an active police investigation into these serious allegations, we have terminated the employment of the two accused, as the behavior seen on tape by management indicates that at a minimum, they violated our zero-tolerance policy.'

Carnival, meanwhile, has insisted the two friends were not part of the $57 excursions to the beach that they offer.

The cruise company's website is still selling the trips for passengers who dock at the islands, promising 'true Bahamian relaxation'.

Instead, they say the women ventured out alone.

Amber Shearer and Dongayla Dobson have hit out at Carnival cruises for failing to notify them of a State Department warning about traveling to the Bahamas after they were allegedly drugged and raped during their trip

Dongayla Dobson (left) and Amber Shearer (right) were thrilled to be on their first foreign trip

'While ashore in Freeport, Bahamas on an independent shore excursion, two guests on Carnival Elation reported to Bahamian police that they were sexually assaulted at a local beach,' Carnival said in a statement.

'Our onboard Care Team provided support for the two guests as they sailed back to Jacksonville. Bahamian police are investigating the matter and Carnival is providing our full cooperation.'

The two women left Jacksonville, Florida, on February 1 for their first ever kid-free trip overseas.

Dobson told Dailymail.com they saw Carnival's adverts for Pirate's Cove and on the final day of the four-day cruise and went for it.

'There were other people from the cruise on the beach so there weren't red flags for us,' she added.

Carnival advertises the resort on its website claiming: 'The experienced, hospitable, and cordial staff will ensure you have a memorable visit'.

When they arrived, they say they were approached by two men who they thought to be resort hospitality offering them drinks.

It promises 'true Bahamian relaxation' on the 'sunlit sandy shoreline' with 'picturesque views'

The pair are pictured on a Bahamian beach shortly before their ordeal began

Carnival's website advertises the Pirate Cove beach resort and promises 'The experienced, hospitable, and cordial staff will ensure you have a memorable visit'

On the final day of their cruise the pair decided they just wanted a 'day on the beach'

The women say they were on an excursion to Pirate Cove Resort when the attacks took place

The women say they were handed drinks laced with drugs at the Pirate's Cove resort. They began to feel strange and said when they awoke they were covered in cuts and bruises

The pair filmed a series of harrowing videos on their way back to Kentucky describing their experience and warning against accepting drinks that do not come in sealed containers

'We thought the drinks were really strong but Dongayla and I are gastric sleeve patients so we don't really drink much,' Shearer explained.

'Less than a few drinks into the second drink we knew something was terribly wrong.'

In videos that they sent to their families, they say their deterioration is clear.

'We have videos taken on our phones 15 minutes between when we first go the drink and 15 minutes later and our family and friends are messaging us concerned about us like are you sure you only had one drink? Are you sure, are you guys okay?' Gibson added.

They say the two men offered to help them find shells to take home to their children and led them away from where they'd been sitting on the beach.

'The guy this staff worker that was there said I know where tons of these are.'

From there, they say their memory becomes hazy.

'I remember waking up and getting pushed down,' Dobson told DailyMail.com.

Slipping in and out of consciousness, they say they noticed the two men were in uniform.

'I woke up in the resort bathroom and there were people all around, and I just felt dirtiness on my legs, and I knew what had happened. They told us we had been throwing up -which is a good thing because the drugs would have killed us.'

The women claim their ordeal only worsened when Bahamian police showed up, claiming they refused to give them rape kits despite repeated requests.

'We were treated as criminals and refused rape kits after asking repeatedly. We were forced to show where our rapes took place and to face the men who raped us,' Shearer said.

'There was an American FNP (family nurse practitioner) who tried to stay with us and was refused that right. We were told if we went to a Bahamian hospital they wouldn't help us return to the US.'

The women claimed they were taken to a bathroom, 'forced to urinate' and 'wipe away the evidence'.

'They had us change out of the one-piece swimsuits and into our swimsuit covers,' Dobson told NewsNation.

'They told us that if we wanted any justice any rape kits we would have to go to the Bahamian hospital however the US Embassy had already refused to help us so we would be on our own and would have to pay our own way back. But we didn't have passports.

'I talked to the US Embassy today and they never contacted them at all.'

It was only back on the boat that they were given a rape kit test.

They also say an on-ship toxicology report revealed they had cocaine, opiates and benzodiazepines in their system.

There was no alcohol in their system, they said, suggesting the 'cocktails' they thought they were drinking were in fact booze-free mixes of drugs instead.

The State Department is yet to comment on the women's ordeal.

But the Royal Bahamian Police hit back on Wednesday night, insisting that they treat all sexual assaults 'with the highest level of professionalism, privacy and sensitivity'.

Emergency Medical Services offered medical assistance to the victims, which they declined, signing a waiver and then leaving for their cruise ship in a private vehicle.

'Recognizing the gravity of the incident, our officers boarded the cruise ship, providing a sexual assault kit and hospital form to the ship's medical doctor and obtained signed statements from the victims.'

The police said they were now working with the FBI on the case and had appointed Woman Assistant Commissioner of Police, Shanta Knowles, to 'personally ensure that the investigation is conducted with the utmost level of professionalism and care.'

Dailymail.com managed to get through to Assistant Commissioner Knowles who said 'can you call me back?' before immediately hanging up the phone. Subsequent calls went unanswered.

The US State Department issued two travel warnings for the country at the end of January advising 'extreme caution' after a spate of daylight murders and sexual assaults.

But the pair, who had never left the US before, have accused Carnival Cruises of failing to alert them to the warnings.

'We had no idea what was going on in the Bahamas, none whatsoever,' they told NewsNation's Cuomo on Wednesday.

'We were targeted from the moment we were spotted,' said Dobson.

'One of the issues with Carnival specifically in this case is they have a legal duty to warn about dangerous conditions they should have known about,' the women's attorney, Nicholas Gerson, told NewsNation.

Woman Assistant Commissioner of Police, Shanta Knowles, is now in charge of the case

Pirate's Cove Zipline and Waterpark is Grand Bahama's first adventure theme park

'There is a federal statues the Cruise Chip Vessel Safety and Security Act 2010 that requires victims of crime at high seas they are supposed to offer them contact with the FBI, none of that was offered.

'Carnival actually markets this particular excursion on their website, they actually profit from the excursion. So Carnival should have warned our clients, the warning shouldn't have come from the State Department.'

Carnival said in response that staff on board its ships routinely share guidance with guests on keeping safe while ashore.'

Police arrested a 54-year-old man from Eight Mile Rock and a 40-year-old from South Bahama after resort staff showed them security footage of the women being led away.

Police have not named the suspects but local reports suggest one is connected to a powerful figure on the islands who is leveraging his influence to secure his brother's release.

Dailymail.com received an anonymous call insisting the investigation is at an early stage and urging against reporting claims of political involvement.

The company offered counselling but the friends were keen to get back to their families as soon as possible and flew back to Kentucky on Monday night.

Pirate's Cove said it would share its video footage with the police and with its 'industry partners', while Carnival reissued the Bahamian Police's statement.
The mother of murdered ISIS hostage Jim Foley has given details about prison conversations she had with the jihadi terrorist involved in the obscene killing.

Diane Foley, who previously criticized the Obama administration for failing to prevent the beheading, said she asked prisoner Alexanda Kotey where her son was buried - while trying to 'build a bridge' with him.

Also known as 'Jihadi George', Kotey was part of the four-person cell of British-born Islamic State fighters known as the 'Beatles' because of their English accents.

The most famous member, Mohammed Emwazi or 'Jihadi John', was filmed beheading 40-year-old freelance journalist Foley in a horrific clip released August 2014. Emwazi was killed in a drone strike the following year.

Now, Foley's mother has written about at least three face-to-face encounters she had with Kotey in a bid to understand him, along with handwritten letters they exchanged in her new book called American Mother.

Diane Foley (pictured) the mother of murdered ISIS hostage Jim Foley has given details about prison conversations she had with the jihadi terrorist involved in the obscene killing

The most famous member, Mohammed Emwazi or 'Jihadi John', was filmed beheading 40-year-old freelance journalist Foley in a horrific clip released August 2014. Emwazi was killed in a drone strike the following year

Also known as 'Jihadi George', Kotey was part of the four-person cell of British-born Islamic State fighters known as the 'Beatles '

'I just kind of wanted to somehow build a bridge, that's all,' Foley said. 'The pain and hatred continues unless you take the time to try to listen to one another.'

Foley said she hoped sitting in a windowless courthouse conference room in Virginia in October 2021 and the following Spring with the man who contributed to her son's slaying would be a 'tiny step' towards reparations.

Kotey has since been transferred to the custody of USP Florence ADMAX in Colorado.

She said she wanted 'for him to begin to kind of understand where we were coming from and for me to try to hear him.'

Kotey said he didn't know where her son's body is. But he expressed regret over the killing, even shedding a tear as he described being moved by an HBO documentary he had seen about Jim's life - especially at the sight of his weeping father.

He apologized for causing the family pain, but also spoke about his ambivalence over learning that Jim's brother was a US military pilot.

The convicted jihadi said he had 'struggled to detangle' the 'sins of the US government' from 'our own misguided and unjust responses towards these grievances' but that he now saw things with 'greater clarity.'

Kotey added that he wished he had not done certain things he'd been ordered to do, and teared up as he recalled the look on Jim's face during one particular beating.

He told Foley his wife and children had left the refugee camp and were now in Turkey and that he hoped he'd be able eventually to serve out his sentence in England.

Foley said she hoped sitting in a windowless courthouse conference room in Virginia with the man who contributed to her son's slaying would be a 'tiny step' towards reparations

Diane Foley said she wanted Kotey to 'begin to kind of understand where we were coming from and for me to try to hear him'

Foley extended her hand and he shook it. She said she would pray for him and wished him peace.

By the end of their time together, Diane Foley said in the interview, the sadness in the room was palpable. Everyone, she says, had lost.

Kotey is serving eight concurrent life sentences for his role in the 'Beatles' cell

She had lost her son; Kotey, even younger than Jim, 'lost his freedom, his family, his country - all of it too.'

'To me,' she said, 'that was incredibly poignant, and yet by listening to one another, I think there was a bit more understanding somehow.'

The conversations afforded Foley an opportunity to memorialize a son everyone knew as Jim - curious, full of energy, possessed of strong moral bearing.

Across the table, Kotey, his ankles shackled, conveyed compassion for the Foley family's suffering but also made clear his resentment for US actions in the Middle East and remained resolute that he'd been acting as a soldier during a time of war.

Its highly unusual for a victims relative to have meaningful interactions with someone convicted of harming their loved one. But this case has never been ordinary - and was also never even a sure thing.

Jim Foley was among a group of mostly Western journalists and aid workers held hostage and ultimately killed by a group of British-born Islamic State militants in Syria during a reign of terror that also involved waterboarding and mock executions.

The captors came to be known by the incongruously lighthearted nickname of 'the Beatles' because of their accents.

It wasn't until nearly four years after Foley's 2014 murder at the age of 40 that Kotey and a future co-defendant, El Shafee Elsheikh, were captured by a Kurdish-led, U.S. backed militia.

Jim Foley's mother has written about her face-to-face encounters with Kotey (pictured) in a bid to understand him, in her new book called American Mother

Kotey said he didn't know where her son's body is. But he expressed regret over the killing, even shedding a tear as he described being moved by an HBO documentary he had seen about Jim's life - especially at the sight of his weeping father

It wasn't until nearly four years after Foley's 2014 murder at the age of 40 that Kotey and a future co-defendant, El Shafee Elsheikh (both pictured), were captured by a Kurdish-led, U.S. backed militia

An American drone strike killed the militant actually responsible for Foley's killing, Mohammed Emwazi, known by the moniker 'Jihadi John.'

After legal wrangling, the pair was brought to the U.S. for prosecution in 2020 after the Justice Department agreed to forgo the death penalty as a possible punishment.

Diane Foley's book traces that saga but also delves into her dismay over what she portrays as a coldly bureaucratic U.S. government response to her son's disappearance, two years before his death.

The captors reached out with a multi-million-dollar ransom demand, but the Obama administration warned her she could face prosecution if she paid one. Officials struggled to communicate meaningful, up-to-date information.

The first indication something terrible may have happened to her son, Foley says, was a call not from the government but from a reporter - though in retrospect a possible clue came earlier that morning when two FBI agents arrived at her New Hampshire house to request Jim's DNA.

President Barack Obama announced her son's death and later called the family, insisting the administration had done everything possible to save Jim and even revealing to them an unsuccessful military operation to rescue the hostages.

But the Foleys were unconvinced and during a subsequent White House visit, Foley says she bristled at Obama's assurance that Jim was his highest priority, telling him the hostage families had felt abandoned.

Foley channeled that grief into action, pressing the government to do better.

The administration in 2015 overhauled its approach to dealing with hostage cases, with Obama saying he'd heard 'unacceptable' feedback from families about the government's interactions with them.

An FBI-led hostage recovery team was was created, along with a new State Department special envoy position.

In this November 2012, file photo, posted on the website freejamesfoley.org, shows missing journalist James Foley while covering the civil war in Aleppo, Syria

James Foley of Rochester, N.H., a freelance journalist for GlobalPost, in Benghazi, Libya

Jim Foley in Aleppo, Syria, in July, 2012, two years before he was killed

American freelance journalist and photojournalist of the Syrian Civil War Jim Foley (pictured) who was abducted on November 22, 2012 in northwestern Syria

But the heart of 'American Mother,' written with Irish author Colum McCann, is about Foley's interactions with Kotey - conversations mandated under Kotey's 2021 plea agreement.

Inside a conference room at a federal courthouse in Virginia, Foley asked Kotey to describe what he thought of Jim - a 'typical white American' was the response, plus naive and optimistic. He was a truth-seeker, she told him, a teacher, a journalist.

In another world, she said, you and Jim could have been friends.

Kotey shared details of his own life, too, pulling out photos of his daughters in bright blue and pink dresses that were taken in a Syrian refugee camp. Foley felt instantly moved by the girls' beauty.

He acknowledged his role in Jim's captivity but in a limited way; yes, he had punched him and written the message Jim delivered on camera before his murder.

But he said he wasn't present for the killing itself. The indictment doesn't spell out specific roles for the defendants in the deaths of the Western hostages. What he had done, Kotey said, was what he'd been directed to do as a soldier in war.

But, he said, he wanted Foley to understand how he came by his resentment.

He told a story of once pulling the remains of a baby from the rubble of an American drone strike, lamenting how no one had been interested in making a documentary about that child as was done for Jim since she was not white or American.

The first two conversations occurred over two days in October 2021, weeks after Kotey's guilty plea. She returned the following Spring, weeks before he was to start his life sentence, after receiving two handwritten letters from him.
It also hit headlines in 2014 when 17-year-old Alec Lansing died of hypothermia after running away from the camp

The camp has hit headlines after a 12-year-old died on Saturday just 24 hours after arriving from New York to Trails Carolina, in North Carolina

Former participants at a camp for troubled youths have described the 'cruel' conditions they faced while at the facility

A North Carolina 'wellness camp' where a 12-year-old boy has died has been described as being 'beyond cruel' by fellow participants.

Trails Carolina, a camp for 'troubled youths', is under the spotlight after an unnamed pre-teen died at the facility on Saturday.

Former participants who went to the camp in Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, have previously described conditions as 'not humane'.

It also hit headlines in 2014 when 17-year-old Alec Lansing died of hypothermia after running away from the camp.

Speaking to WBTV in 2021, Kathleen Reilly explained how she had been woken during the night by her father who informed her she would be taken to the camp.

Kathleen Reilly explained how she had been woken during the night by her father who informed her she would be taken to the camp in 2012

17-year-old Alec Lansing, seen here, ran away from his group on an excursion in November 2014 and died from hypothermia

Jeremy Whitworth (pictured) is the co-executive director of Trail Carolina camp, based in North Carolina

Reilly was 16 at the time of the ordeal, which happened in 2012, and recalled how she was frog marched in restraints from her family home by a man and woman.

Speaking to the outlet, she said: 'The man said get the f*** up, youre going to camp.

'Then he said we can do this the easy way or the hard way and he had restraints and he said the police have been notified that youre a danger to yourself and others. If you run, I will tackle you. Your flight leaves in two hours.'

After being whisked to the airport and flown to North Carolina, she was inducted into the program which can cost upwards of $30,000 for a three-month stay.

Reilly said that she went weeks in the wilderness without access to showers or basic hygiene.

She recalled: 'We went once 17 days without showering. We were denied basic hygiene all the time.

'Its just, that was, again its just part of the process, yeah, Im in the woods. Its just its not normal.

'Its not humane. What it does to your brain, you still dont even want to admit to it. Its just like its still there and they have that power over you.'

Another participant, who spent three months in 2017 at the camp, shared an experience similar to Reilly's.

The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: 'There was a lot of shaming.

Reilly was 16 at the time of the ordeal and recalled how she was frog marched in restraints from her family home by a man and woman

Reilly said that she went weeks in the wilderness without access to showers or basic hygiene

'Quote, unquote therapy revolves around building resilience through, you know, physical hardship, sort of like a military boot camp or like seal training or something.

'But the problem was, you know, there are still safety measures in those sorts of environments. Not here.

The person said that during the weeks in the woods staff would limit access to the bathroom.

He recalled to the outlet that he had to defecate in his pants, and was then forced to wear that same pair for two weeks.

Former worker Jonathan Hyde also told the outlet that he worked at the camp in the summer of 2020, and raised issues over the training of staff to deal with the children.

He said: 'I had kids that were vocally suicidal. I had kids that tried running away. I had kids that would try and fight you.

'One of the issues of the place is that the people that spend the majority of the time with them are not trained therapists.'

According to Hyde, he had just three days of training before he was sent into the woods with participants.

Former worker Jonathan Hyde worked at the camp in the summer of 2020, and raised issues over the training of staff to deal with the children

The company site says they are 'dedicated to helping teens working through behavioral or emotional difficulties'

Former participants who went to the camp in Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, had described conditions as 'not humane'

Previous investigations by WBTV into the center also showed that inspection reports by the state had cited deficiencies between 2010 and 2019.

Among those violations were citations for improper medication handling and administration.

The camp was also cited for failing to protect participants from harm, abuse, neglect or exploitation.

One of those citations had related to the death of 17-year-old Alec Lansing who ran away from his group on an excursion in November 2014.

Investigators believe Lansing climbed a tree and fell into a stream, breaking his hip which rendered him immobile.

His body was found 12 days later after going missing, still laying in the creek. The report into his death showed that staff waited five hours before calling for help.

Due to citation, Trails Carolina was fined $12,000 but allowed to continue operating.

On Saturday, a 911 caller reported that a 12-year-old was not breathing at the camp with rescue efforts being initiated on the scene.

Transylvania County Sheriff's Office said the unnamed pre-teen was transported, with his parent's consent, to the camp on Friday by two men from New York.

Police said rescue efforts were initiated on scene then stopped as the child appeared to be deceased for some time.

'The child was sent for autopsy to Winston Salem as his death appeared suspicious since he had arrived at the camp less than 24 hours prior to his death,' said police.

On Saturday, a 911 caller reported that a 12-year-old was not breathing at the camp with rescue efforts being initiated on the scene. Facilities inside the facility are seen here

Images shared by the center show the lodgings for those who are staying at the camp

The forensic pathologist told investigations the death appeared to not be natural, but the manner and cause of death are still pending.

The sheriff's office said, 'Trails Carolina Camp has not completely cooperated with the investigation.'

On Tuesday, investigators were granted two search warrants for separate locations of the camp.

One location is the camp where the incident occurred and the second location is where the other campers who were in the cabin at the time of the boy's death were relocated to.

The camp told police the staff members who were assigned to the cabin where the incident occurred were placed on leave.

A spokesperson for Trails Carolina said: 'We are shattered by the tragic loss of a young life and our deepest sympathies are with the student's family and loved ones.'

'Our priority is to acknowledge and respect the unfathomable impact on their lives and maintain the integrity of the investigation into the cause.

'We are cooperating fully with investigators and have retained outside professionals to assist us in conducting our internal investigation.'

According to the camps website, their mission is to give children the confidence, coping mechanisms, and communication skills that will help them become the best version of themselves

According to the camp's website, their mission is to give children the confidence, coping mechanisms, and communication skills that will help them become the best version of themselves. Wilderness therapy costs between $600 to $1,000 per day.

The camp, led by co-executive director Jeremy Whitworth, offers wilderness therapy programs for preteen boys (10-13), preteen girls (10-13), teen boys (14-17) and teen girls (14-17).

The North Carolina Department and Health and Human Services in a statement said: 'While we cannot comment on ongoing or possible investigations, Trails Carolina notified NCDHHS Division of Health Service Regulation of a client death on Feb. 3.

'We extend our sympathy to the persons family and friends.'

DailyMail.com has approached Trails Carolina for further comment.
Israel is said to be considering a deal which would see a top Hamas chief involved in planning the October 7 attacks to go free in exchange for a release of all remaining hostages.

Yahya al-Sinwar has ruled the political wing of the Palestinian movement in Gaza since 2017 and has a long history of orchestrating attacks on Israel.

He served 22 years in prison after he was convicted of planning the killing of two Israelis in 1989 and was only released as part of a prisoner exchange in 2011.

Israel previously said al-Sinwar must be hunted down in the wake of the October 7 attacks, in which some 1,200 Israelis were killed by Hamas gunmen, along with Mohammed Deif, the shadowy leader of Hamas' military wing.

But a senior aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told NBC News that Tel-Aviv could allow al-Sinwar and other top Hamas officials to live in exile, provided all Israeli hostages in Gaza are released.

The deal would also see the implementation of a 'deradicalised' Palestinian governing body in the besieged territory - effectively spelling the end of Hamas in Gaza - according to Israeli media reports.

This shocking development comes as Netanyahu rejected the latest ceasefire deal proposed by Hamas, vowing his Israeli Defence Forces would achieve 'total victory' over the militant group in Gaza.

Yahya al-Sinwar has ruled the political wing of the Palestinian movement in Gaza since 2017 and has a long history of orchestrating attacks on Israel

Head of the political wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip Yahya al-Sinwar speaks during a meeting in Gaza City on April 30, 2022

This picture taken from Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, shows smoke rising over buildings in Khan Yunis during Israeli bombardment on February 8, 2024

The Israeli military continues its ongoing attacks on Gaza, and a recent incident involving an assault on an apartment building owned by the Fahjan family in Rafah city has led to casualties and injuries

A view of damaged building after Israeli attack on the apartment building belonging to the Fahjan family in Rafah, Gaza on February 08, 2024

People mourn as they receive the dead bodies of victims of an Israeli strike on February 08, 2024 in Rafah, Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently rejected a proposed ceasefire deal, vowing 'total victory' over Hamas

Sinwar, a wiry, grey 61-year-old veteran, is Hamas's top leader inside the Palestinian territory who learned fluent Hebrew during years in Israeli prisons where he carefully studied his enemy.

Israeli officials have vowed to kill him - Netanyahu himself said in the days following October 7 it was 'only a matter of time' before the IDF hunted him down.

But four months on from the attacks and Sinwar remains alive, in hiding and at the helm of Hamas' gunmen as they continue to battle Israeli forces.

He also controls the group's negotiations over the fate of the remaining hostages captured during the October 7 attacks.

If Sinwar and other top Hamas officials were allowed to flee Gaza as part of an Israeli deal, it would echo the 1982 departure of Yasser Arafat, leader of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), from Beirut amid a siege by Israeli forces.

Arafat's departure from the Lebanese capital marked a significant moment in Palestinian history, symbolising the defeat of the PLO's military presence in Lebanon and the loss of a key stronghold.

But in the meantime, Israel's attacks in Gaza continue unabated.

IDF airstrikes killed over a dozen people overnight in Rafah in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, hours after Netanyahu rejected Hamas' cease-fire terms and vowed to expand his armed forces' offensive.

More than half of strip's population has fled to Rafah, on the mostly sealed border with Egypt, which is also the main entry point for humanitarian aid.

Egypt has warned that any ground operation there or mass displacement across the border would undermine its four-decade-old peace treaty with Israel.

The overnight strikes killed at least 13 people, including two women and five children, according to the Kuwaiti Hospital, which received the bodies.

At the scene of one of the strikes, residents used their cellphone flashlights as they dug through the rubble with pick-axes and their bare hands.

'I wish we could collect their whole bodies instead of just pieces,' Mohammed Abu Habib, a neighbour who witnessed the strike, told reporters.

Israel's four-month-old air and ground offensive - among the most destructive in recent history - has killed over 27,000 Palestinians, driven most people from their homes and pushed a quarter of the population toward starvation.

Netanyahu has said the offensive will continue and expand until 'total victory' over Hamas, which started the war by launching a wide-ranging attack into southern Israel on October 7 in which militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took around 250 hostage.

Israel has also vowed to bring back the over 100 captives still held by Hamas after most of the rest were freed during a cease-fire in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

But both of those goals appear increasingly elusive, as Hamas re-emerges in parts of northern Gaza, which was the first target of the offensive and suffered widespread destruction.

Israel has only rescued one hostage, while Hamas says several have been killed in airstrikes or failed rescue missions.

Palestinians walk among the rubble of destroyed houses in Al Bureij refugee camp, Gaza Strip, 07 February 2024

An Israeli soldier sits on their tank near the Israeli border with Gaza Strip

Destroyed houses in Al Bureij refugee camp, Gaza Strip, 07 February 2024

A Palestinian woman consoles the boy near damaged building after Israeli attack on the apartment building belonging to the Fahjan family in Rafah, Gaza on February 08, 2024

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with former Israel Defence Forces (IDF) chief Gadi Eisenkot and former Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz in Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024

Destroyed houses in Al Bureij refugee camp, Gaza Strip, 07 February 2024

International aid organizations have warned that any major operation in Rafah would compound what is already a humanitarian catastrophe in the besieged coastal enclave.

'If they aren't killed in the fighting, Palestinian children, women and men will be at risk of dying by starvation or disease,' said Bob Kitchen, of the International Rescue Committee.

'There will no longer be a single ''safe'' area for Palestinians to go to.'

The United States, Qatar and Egypt - three of the key parties involved in brokering ceasefire talks, are trying to hash out another agreement to ensure the release the remaining hostages.

But Hamas has demanded an end to the war, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants.

Netanyahu rejected those demands as 'delusional' on Tuesday and said Israel would never agree to any deal that leaves Hamas in partial or full control of the territory it has ruled since 2007.

But visiting Secretary of State Antony Blinken said an agreement was still possible and that negotiations would continue, the latest sign of a growing divide between the two close allies on the way forward.

A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Thursday for more negotiations.

Netanyahu is under mounting pressure from families of the hostages and the wider public to bring them home, even if it requires a deal with Hamas.

At least one senior Israeli official has acknowledged that saving the captives and destroying Hamas might be incompatible.

Hamas is still holding over 130 hostages, but around 30 of them are believed to be dead, with the vast majority killed on October 7.

The group is widely believed to be holding the captives in tunnels deep underground and using them as human shields for its top leaders.
An NHS nurse who stabbed herself outside a hospital and pretended she had been randomly attacked by a patient collapsed in the dock as she was jailed today.

Donna Maxwell, 48, staged the incident outside the Ailsa Hospital in Ayr, Scotland, in November 2018 in a warped bid to claim compensation.

The horror incident sparked a huge police response and an innocent woman - who has since died - appeared in court in connection with the incident. She was later cleared of any involvement.

Maxwell, of Irvine, Ayrshire, continued to insist that she was the victim of a random attack during the four-day trial at Ayr Sheriff Court.

But her story came undone when the court saw CCTV footage of her buying a knife in Tesco that matched the blade she would go on to stab herself with.

Donna Maxwell (pictured) who stabbed herself outside a hospital and pretended she had been randomly attacked by a patient collapsed in the dock as she was jailed today

She staged the incident outside the Ailsa Hospital in Ayr, Scotland, in November 2018 in a warped bid to claim compensation

Police outside Ailsa Hospital in Ayr, after Maxwell stabbed herself and then claimed to be the victim of a 'random' attack

The jury found her guilty of wasting police time and she was jalied today for a year.

The court was told the police investigation had so far cost taxpayers 103,000 with that figure expected to rise further.

Ian Gillies, defending, said: 'This matter has gone on for some considerable time now and her position remains as she gave evidence at the trial.

'It is a serious matter and the gravity of the offence has to be judged and you could deal with that without the need for a custodial disposal.

'The court has to deal with her on the basis that she carried out this attack on her herself.

'But I don't see who a sentence of imprisonment would benefit.'

Maxwell told the court the accusation she had stabbed herself was 'completely untrue'.

She also told the jury how she had been confronted by her alleged attacker before being stabbed.

The court was told the police investigation had so far cost taxpayers 103,000 with that figure expected to rise further

The police cordon at Ailsa Hospital in Ayr, North Ayrshire, after the incident

Maxwell convinced colleagues - who ran to her aid - that she had been ambushed and knifed at the facility, which specialises in mental health, psychiatry and addictions.

James McGoldrick, who served as a detective sergeant in Police Scotland's cyber crime unit, told the trial that police had analysed Maxwell's phone and found searches for 'woman's anatomy' and 'woman's anatomy diagram'.

Searches for 'claim compensation' on the UK Government's website and 'claim compensation if victim of crime', were also found in the web history.

Sheriff Shirley Foran said: 'You have been found guilty of a serious instance of wasting police time by making a false report of a knife attack.

'The local community feared a knife attacker was at large, Ayr Hospital was secured for a period of time and further alarm was caused to one close colleague that she may have been the intended target and she was left fearing upset and anxiety

'The divergence of police resources to your report meant the public were deprived of their efforts.

'Most heinously of all, your report led to a number of women being subjected to investigation and one was remanded for eight days.

'You have shown no remorse or have you taken any responsibility.'

An ambulance crew was spotted outside the court following the hearing.

Prosecutors alleged that 'on a number of occasions' between November 22 and 27 2018, Maxwell informed police that she 'had been assaulted and struck on the body with a knife'.

The single charge alleged she made statements to the police, at her Irvine home and at Ayr Hospital, which she knew to be false, and that she 'did temporarily deprive the public of [the police's] services'.
Law enforcement circles are celebrating the fraud conviction of former top Baltimore prosecutor Marilyn Mosby, who for a decade feuded with police in her city and had several other brushes with the law.

The two-term Democrat former state attorney now faces up to 40 years in prison after being convicted on Tuesday of using a bogus COVID hardship claim to tap into her retirement funds to buy a luxury condo in Long Boat Key on Florida's Gulf Coast.

Mosby's critics now say they 'can't wait' to see her behind bars after her 'failed leadership' undercut the police department, exacerbating the city's soaring crime rates.

'The consequences of that failed leadership are going to last for generations,' Medal of Valor recipient and police officer Dave Goitia told DailyMail.com. 'The victims are the people of Baltimore that suffer violent crime because of a police department that is completely demoralized.'

Marilyn Mosby, the former top prosecutor in Baltimore, faces up to 40 years in prison after being convicted on Tuesday of using a bogus COVID hardship claim to tap into her retirement funds to buy a luxury condo in Long Boat Key on Florida's Gulf Coast

Former police sergeant Betsy Brantner Smith added that she 'can't wait' for Mosby's sentencing, condemning the impact her tenure had on police relations in her city.

In particular, Mosby was criticized for her handling of the controversial death of Freddie Gray in 2015, whose death in police custody sparked riots and looting across the city until Mosby brought charges against six police officers who arrested him.

After she failed to convict any of the cops amid claims the charges were unjust - and the DOJ declined to press charges after a federal investigation - some in law enforcement argued she caved to pressure from rioters and targeted the officers as 'sacrificial lambs.'

Mosby also had her own brushes with the law, including a $45,000 tax lien on one of her fraudulent Florida properties despite reportedly earning almost $250,000 a year.

Mosby was sharply criticized in law enforcement circles over her handling of the 2015 death of Freddie Gray (pictured), who died in police custody. Mosby failed to convict any cops involved, and a judge was said to have 'laughed her out of court'

Gray's death sparked riots and looting across Baltimore, resulting in 113 police officers injured, and 486 people arrested, as critics argued Mosby caved to pressure to bring charges unjustly

Gray's death in custody was mired in controversy after he was arrested for possessing a knife, which he legally held under Maryland law.

In scenes replayed on screens across America, the 25-year-old was seen being hauled into the back of a police van, where he was left unsecured in handcuffs before suffering a fatal injury to his neck and spine. Gray died a week later.

His death led to widespread protests and looting seen as part of a larger backlash to other recent police killings such as that of Michael Brown. Lasting around two weeks, the protests saw 113 police officers injured, and 486 people arrested.

The unrest seemingly calmed once Mosby charged the six officers involved, including charging the driver of the police van with murder.

It later emerged that Mosby had close ties to Gray's family attorney, who had donated $4,000 to her election campaign and held a role on her transition team. The relationship fueled questions over whether the criminal charges were an overstep.

Her handling of the charges was quickly questioned by former Baltimore Deputy Stater Attorney Page Croyder, who wrote in a scathing Op-ed for the Baltimore Sun that her investigation 'ignored' key elements that would have changed the narrative.

'Any prosecutor interested in the truth and in justice would have used all the tools at her disposal to find them. Ms. Mosby ignored them,' she wrote.

'She has one of the most experienced homicide prosecutors in the state of Maryland as chief of her homicide unit, but did not ask him to investigate. She had the police report all of one day before filing charges, her mind already made up.

Police in riot gear block a street during a march in honor of Freddie Gray on April 25, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland

The riots were seen as part of a larger backlash to other recent police killings such as that of Michael Brown in 2014, and saw ugly scenes of protestors clashing with officers

Officer William Porter's (left) 2016 case ended in mistrial before charges against him were dropped. After a judge found Officer Edward Nero (right) not guilty, charges against Officer Garrett Miller were also dropped

Officer Ceasar Goodson (center), the driver of the van, was found not guilty on murder charges in 2016. Lt. Brian Rice (right) was found not guilty by a judge on assault and misconduct charges, before Sgt. Alicia White (left) had her charges dropped

'And she failed to make use of the grand jury to gather, probe and test the evidence before a group of average citizens.

'If there was evidence immediately available that showed that a police officer had broken [Grays] neck, there would have been an immediate arrest. This is not that situation. This is a situation which called for an investigation, and she did not use all of the tools available to her to do a completely thorough investigation.'

In September 2015, the accused began separate bench trials - meaning they were tried by a judge instead of a jury - beginning with the quick mistrial of Officer William Porter.

In subsequent trials, Officers Edward Nero, Brian Rice and Ceasar Goodson were acquitted of manslaughter, and all remaining charges were dropped.

Following her conviction for fraud this week, the controversial case returned to focus - with Front Page Magazine running a headline: 'Marilyn Mosby finally gets a conviction. Her own.'

'Finally, justice has been done.'

Goitia, currently the president of the Glendale Police Department's Fraternal Order of Police organization, said he knew the officers involved and they 'never recovered.'

The US Department of Justice subsequently opened an investigation, a decision it took on account of the 'serious erosion of public trust' in the investigation. After two years, the DOJ declined to bring federal charges.

Officer Goitia, who received a Medal of Valor in 2007 for risking his life for a fellow officer in a daylight shooting, told DailyMail.com that the bungled case had a ripple effect through not only how the public perceives cops, but how officers became fearful over their everyday tasks.

Officer David Goitia (left), pictured receiving his Medal of Valor in 2007, told DailyMail.com Mosby's handling of the controversial case led to 'consequences that will last generations'

Mosby had several notable clashes with law enforcement during her tenure, including an alleged tax scandal and branding dozens of Baltimore cops 'discredited' in an effort to expunge almost 800 criminal cases in 2019

'What happened to (Freddie Gray) was obviously a tragedy,' he said, arguing that not giving him a seatbelt may well have been a policy violation that resulted in a civil suit, but Mosby's murder and manslaughter charges were excessive.

'But to say these officers were depraved murderers was just wrong,' he said.

'This is a case study in how you destroy a city... I think (Mosby) knew the truth but intended to sacrifice those officers, but what a bad miscalculation.'

In 2019, Mosby notably clashed with law enforcement again as she launched an effort to expunge almost 800 criminal cases, citing 25 of the city's police officers for being 'discredited.'

Goitia added that after initially being skeptical over the officers involved in Gray's death, he was convinced by the response of the judge Barry Williams who declared Nero, Rice and Goodson not guilty and dropped the subsequent charges.

Before assuming the bench, Williams was a revered African American civil rights attorney who had a history of going after dirty cops.

In his 30-page verdict, Williams 'laughed the prosecutor out of court', Goitia said, as the judge 'basically said there was no evidence' of any criminal wrongdoing.

'Those officers were sacrificed, because (Mosby) and city leaders felt like that was needed... to satisfy the mob.'

Goitia celebrated Mosby's recent conviction as he felt her handling of the case hampered law enforcement efforts across the country.

'The consequences of that failed leadership are going to last for generations,' he said, adding some of his own officers were afraid of going to work in the aftermath of the Gray charges.

'If you've got a police department that is ineffective, that is not empowered and supported by the public to uphold law and order, then you've got officers who are afraid to act.'
Republicans introduced a bill Thursday that would require the Department of Defense to draft a plan to capture or kill the leadership of a deadly Mexican cartel responsible for smuggling huge amounts of drugs into the U.S.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel has become one of Mexico's most murderous drug smuggling rings over the past decade. The group is infamous for trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine into the U.S. but also for their gruesome murders.

In August, the gang filmed the murders of five childhood friends who were beheaded for not joining the cartel. One of the young men was forced to behead his friend before he was later killed. They were all aged between 19 and 22 years old.

In response to the cartel's growing influence and bloodshed, Republican veterans in the House and Senate have hatched a plan to cut the head off the snake.

The Jalisco Cartel Neutralization Act would require the Pentagon to submit plans to Congress on how to kill or capture the cartel's top brass.

'The Jalisco cartel, the most dangerous criminal organization in Mexico and second most powerful drug cartel, must be identified and dismantled in order to safeguard the American people,' Republican Rep. Morgan Luttrell, the former Navy SEAL who introduced the bill, told DailyMail.com in a statement.

Jalisco New Generation cartel members are known for their horrific and bloody murders

The gang operates in most of Mexico's 32 states and states throughout the U.S., including D.C.

'Our border is being exploited by cartels, as they run one of the most extensive human and drug trafficking operations in the world, leaving no corner of our country untouched by the danger of cartel activity.'

The former SEAL said his bill makes clear that the cartel 'cannot remain emboldened at our border.'

The U.S. military 'must be ready to engage and eliminate the Jalisco cartel,' Luttrell told DailyMail.com.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., who served in the Army for five years, is leading a companion bill in the Senate.

Cartel violence has gotten so bad in Mexico that a recent survey of over 7,000 migrants flowing from the country into the U.S. found that 88 percent said they are migrating to flee cartel violence.

Of those interviewed, 25 percent reported they had at least one missing family member.

The newly introduced bill would require that Pentagon officials compile a report to Congress every 90 days on the progress of capturing or killing the leadership of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

Rep. Luttrell was deployed on multiple combat missions through his career in the Navy

A female Jalisco New Generation Cartel member holds a sniper rifle

The cartel mainly operates out of the Mexican states of Jalisco and Michoacan

'Mexican drug cartels continue to kill Americans at a rate higher than any terrorist group in history,' Cotton, who introduced the bill into the senate Thursday, told DailyMail.com.

'Even by the standards of drug cartels, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel is especially violent and poses a direct threat to the security of Americans in border states and beyond.'

'It's past time that the Biden administration develops a strategy to hold these murderers accountable,' Cotton said.

Earlier this month, Luttrell introduced another bill to combat cartel influence.

The Defend Our Borders from Armed Invaders Act would enable the U.S. National Guard to use lethal force against individuals that cross into the country armed.

The U.S. government is offering up to a $10 million reward for information leading to the capture or arrest of the murderous cartel's leader, Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera.

El Mencho set up the Jalisco New Generation Cartel operations in the western state of Jalisco after splintering from the Milenio Cartel and since then has been in conflict with 10 rival organizations.

Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera's Jalisco New Generation Cartel is viewed by U.S. authorities as one of the major smugglers of drugs

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel has been reported to operate advanced armored vehicles

Cartel members are frequently photographed armed with American-made armaments

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the drug lord's network has built a presence in at least 27 of Mexico's 32 states.

The cartel also operated in the country's capital, Mexico City, where henchmen attempted to assassinate the police chief, Omar Garcia Harfuch, in June 2020.

The DEA's 2020 National Drug Threat Assessment Report listed the organization as one of the nine drug cartels that posed a major threat to the United States by flooding its streets with fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana.

At the time, the cartel's influence across the border reached 11 states in the United States, including Hawaii, and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.

Since then, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel along with its rival, the Sinaloa Cartel, has become a major producer and trafficker of fentanyl into the United States.
A British Army soldier who killed an engaged teenage couple in a horror crash while giving them a lift to a Halloween party in his 'overcrowded' car was today jailed for three years.

Private Bradley Clough, 25, crammed seven passengers into his five-seater car before the tragic accident on October 29, 2021 near Tidworth barracks, Wiltshire.

Despite being told to 'chill', the Royal Fusilier - who had skived off guard duty to give his friends a lift - lost control of his 'overcrowded' Renault Clio before it smashed into trees.

The crash killed passengers Lance Corporal Jack Paolucci, 19, and his 18-year-old fiancee Private Courtney Jennings, who had been sitting on her partner's lap on the back seat.

Two other passengers, Jack Latus and Kallum Ryan, were also seriously injured in the accident with the latter put in a coma for over a month.

Private Bradley Clough, 25, crammed seven passengers into his five-seater car before the tragic road accident on October 29, 2021

Lance Corporal Jack Paolucci, 19, was tragically killed in the crash

Private Courtney Jennings, 18, who was Lance Corporal Jack Paolucci fiancee, was killed almost instantly in the crash

Following a week long trial in December, the soldier was cleared of two counts of death by dangerous driving and another two of causing serious injury by dangerous driving following the crash .

However, after admitting two counts of death by careless driving, Clough was today jailed for three years at Winchester Crown Court, Hampshire.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Shelley Weldon, mother of Pte Jennings, told Clough: 'I do want you to know the anger I live with every day.

'Your stupidity didn't lead just to the death of Jack and Courtney, it led to the death of me and their families.'

The court heard the families were angered by social media posts from Clough showing off his new car.

Her father, Peter Jennings said he missed the 'beautiful smile' of his 'proper Tomboy' daughter.

'Courtney was my only daughter and was the light of my life,' he said.

'I have not just lost my only daughter, I have lost a future of milestones, like walking her down the aisle and holding the hands of grandchildren.

'Every morning I have come to terms with the fact losing my daughter is not just a bad dream it is a reality I am re-living minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day.

'If I could do anything to get her back I would do it in a heartbeat.'

In another statement, LCpl Paolucci's mother, Rebecca, said she and husband, Ben, visit the graves of their son and his fiancee, who lie side by side at a cemetery.

'Our lives ended on October 29, 2021 - we will never be complete again because one of our children is missing,' she said.

'Losing Jack has changed our entire lives and caused us the most excruciating pain imaginable.'

'I miss them all the time, I know in my head they are gone but my heart refuses to accept it.

'The impact on our lives has been devastating and continues to be so.

After admitting two counts of death by careless driving, Clough was today jailed for three years at Winchester Crown Court

Bradley Clough, 25, at Winchester Crown Court

'Jack and Courtney you will both live on forever in our broken hearts.'

Clough gave no reaction in court as he was jailed by Judge Jane Miller KC.

She said: 'You made a fateful decision despite the obvious overloading to drive them the rural route and failed to consider the potential serious consequences and instead put your desires to help you brother and friends above the safety of everyone.'

At his trial, prosecutor Mary Aspinall-Miles told the court Clough, of Bacup, near Burnley, Lancashire had been the driver on the October 29, 2021, when the crash happened at around 10pm.

'In short, this case was a case that involved a number of young people but the youngest appears to be the two young people who lost their lives,' she said.

'It's not clear how it came about, but what is clear is that a decision was made, certainly it would seem with a certain degree of pressure from Mr Clough's (younger) brother persuading and/or pressuring him to drive a group of them to a special halloween party in Andover.'

The court heard Clough was meant to be on guard duty himself, but 'persuaded' a colleague to fill-in for him while he provided the taxi run for the party-goers, some of which were in fancy dress.

'Before they left the camp, Mr Clough, driving his own Renault Clio in an act of devastating irresponsibility had his brother in the front seat and a number of people in the back seat - the total number in the car was seven,' Ms Aspinall-Miles said.

She said those crammed in the back - other than Pte Jennings - were 'very large, strapping' men.

Clough, 25, lost control of his 'overcrowded' Renault Clio before it smashed into trees near Tidworth Barracks

'It has always been the crown's case that they weren't wearing seatbelts, it was clearly overcrowded, unsafe and fell below the standard,' she said.

Just five minutes into the trip, the fatal crash occurred, despite being told to 'chill' by Mr Latus moments before the crash.

After 'clipping the pavement', Clough was 'unable to gain control or bring the car under control' before it flipped onto its side and smashed into trees, causing Pte Jennings and LCpl Paolucci to die 'almost instantly'.

The court heard it was a passer-by and her boyfriend who tried to give the injured medical attention and get help, before the fire brigade cut them out of the vehicle.

LCpl Paolucci had served for two years in the 1st battalion of the First Fusiliers after joining the army at the age of 16.

Pte Jennings served in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) corps and had only just graduated in September 2020.

As well as the deaths of Pte Jennings and LCpl Paolucci the crash's impact also resulted in Mr Ryan being put in a medically induced coma roadside, Andrew Hill suffering a broken collar bone and Mr Latus being 'seriously' injured.

In mitigation, Robert Fitt today said Clough didn't know about a screw in a tyre which was causing a slow puncture but said despite the 'tragic consequences' there was 'no purpose served' in sending him to prison.

Addressing Clough, Judge Miller KC added that Clough had decided to drive the 'obviously unsafe' car despite having to be 'persuaded' to provide a lift.

She said it was 'less than attractive' he had lied to police when he initially claimed oncoming headlights had blinded him before the crash.

'As far as the family of the deceased are concerned, I cannot begin to put into words the heartache, grief and anger they feel.

'These were two young people who had their whole lives ahead of them.

'Nothing that I do today is ever going to compensate for what happened that night - no penalty that I impose upon you will ever be enough.'

Sentencing him, she accepted an element of compulsion, but said: 'It is the driver who as the responsibility that it is sage to drive and it was so clearly not.'

Clough was jailed for three years and will serve half before being released under licence.

He was also disqualified from driving for three and a half years and will be required to sit an extended driving test before being allowed to drive again.
A Texas man was arrested after stabbing a Palestinian-American in what police are calling a hate crime.

Zacharia Doar, 23, was stabbed in the chest on Sunday near the University of Texas at Austin campus during a fight with Bert James Baker, 36, according to police. He was hospitalized but is expected to recover.

Father-of-one Doar and three other Muslim-Americans were riding in a truck after attending a pro-Palestine protest at the Texas capitol when Baker allegedly tried to rip a flagpole with a keffiyeh scarf reading 'Free Palestine' off of their vehicle and a fight ensued, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

Baker was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Police said Wednesday that their Hate Crimes Review Committee had determined that the stabbing met the definition of a hate crime.

They have provided that information to prosecutors, who will make the final decision on whether to enhance the offense.

Bert James Baker, 36, was charged with aggravated assault after stabbing a Palestinian-American man in the chest on Sunday

Zacharia Doar, 23, was stabbed in the chest on Sunday near the University of Texas campus while riding in a truck displaying support for Palestine

Shaimaa Zayan, left, holds Odi Doar, the mother of stabbing victim Zacharia Doar, as they stand near the podium during a press conference outside City Hall on Tuesday

The Travis County District Attorneys Office said Wednesday that they are in the process of receiving the evidence from police and 'look forward to working with them.'

An arrest affidavit said that Baker, who was on a bicycle, rode up to the truck Doar and three others were riding in, opened the tailgate and doors and yelled racial slurs at them.

The group exited the truck and approached Baker, who punched Doar in the shoulders, the affidavit said.

A fight ensued, with Baker eventually pulling out a knife and stabbing Doar in the rib, the affidavit said.

Doar is seen with his son. He is hospitalized but expected to recover

The pro-Palestine protest at the Texas capitol on Sunday

When Baker was interviewed by police, he said he was an alcoholic and had more to drink that day than he normally did, the affidavit said.

Baker was being held in jail on Thursday on $100,000 bond. Jail records did not list an attorney for him.

Threats against Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities increased across the U.S. during the Israel-Hamas war. Israel invaded Gaza after an October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants.

In Vermont in November, three college students of Palestinian descent were shot and seriously wounded while taking an evening walk in an attack that authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime.

In October, a landlord in Illinois was accused of fatally stabbing a 6-year-old Muslim boy and wounding his mother. He was charged with a hate crime after police and relatives said he singled out the victims because of their faith.
But, Glover later filed for divorce, and has allegedly kept Junior away from their child; the pair are now battling it out in a contentious custody battle

The pair relied on a sperm donor and went through the costly procedure of invitro fertilization. Both women shared the $30,000 cost

Nicole Junior, 43, and her former partner, Chanel Glover, 41, decided to have a child, with Glover opting to carry the baby

A Philadelphia woman says her ex-wife tried to ban her from seeing their son because she didn't carry him through an IVF pregnancy.

Nicole Junior, 43, filed a lawsuit claiming Chanel Glover, 41, forbade her from seeing the baby, conceived through a sperm donor and IVF - even though the exes split the $30,000 cost of the treatment equally.

When Glover learned she was pregnant in January 2022 the couple, who lived together in Philadelphia and who are both trained attorneys, were elated.

Junior helped her wife with her daily injections and accompanied her to many of her doctor's appointments, the Philly Inquirer reported.

They also co-signed documents and contracts from the sperm bank, the doula, and the fertility clinic.

Junior was the 'co-intended parent,' and 'second parent adoption', while also being established as legal guardian, according to court filings.

The couple excitedly chose the baby's name, held a baby shower and were eagerly anticipating the birth...but serious trouble was brewing in their marriage.

They sought help from a therapist, to draw up a 'healthy co-parenting plan,' in the event the pair get divorced, as per court papers.

Nicole Junior, 43, never met the son despite the Superior Court granting her parental rights

Chanel Glover, 41, delivered a healthy baby boy in May 2022, but has been accused of not allowing her ex to see their child

About five-and-half months into the pregnancy the relationship ended, with Junior moving out of their shared home and across the country, where she was offered writing residencies.

Glover was no longer working on the co-parenting documents, it is claimed. She allegedly contacted Junior to tell her she'd decided to not go forward with their initial plan of having the child together and now intended to be a single mother.

'My only concern was having a safe birth and being able to give birth to a healthy child,' Glover said.

She said she felt 'relieved,' after telling her former partner of the decision, and soon filed for divorce.

However, Junior was devastated. She felt that despite the collapse of their marriage, she believed she and Glover would still co-parent their child together.

As part of the divorce case, Junior filed a petition in which she asked the court to recognize her as a parent. Their child had not yet been born.

The case is a landmark one, as it will help set a precedent for other same-sex couples who split then fight over custody of a child - especially if one of the partners has themselves carried the child.

Glover has since been told by a court that she must co-parent her baby son with her ex-wife

According to court testimony, Glover alleged that Junior was 'emotionally abusive, volatile and impulsive.' Junior denied those claims.

In May 2022, the couple appeared at a hearing together in Family Court. Glover was close to her due date. The testimony between the couple was controversial, and the judge, Daniel Sulman, was unconvinced of Glover's claim of being a single parent, the Philly Inquirer reported.

The judge noted that the child was not conceived during a one-night stand, but the couple had planned and prepared together before conception.

He believed in this case, it was 'a lot more deliberate,' and ruled that Junior was a legal parent and should have access to their son and be named on his birth certificate.

Glover appealed, it was reported. But weeks after the hearing, she had an emergency C-section.

Their son was born healthy, but Junior did not learn about their child being born until she was sent flowers from her office on the baby's birth.

The case went to the Pennsylvania Superior Court in August 2023. Due to the nature of the topic, nine judges were present to hear the case, known as an 'en banc.'

Nicole Junior now lives in Seattle and is distraught that she has not met her baby son

In December 2023, Junior was told that the court ruled in her favor, and she was granted full co-parental rights.

The judges said the key piece of evidence that convinced them to rule in Junior's favor was that she and Glover had clearly intended to co-parent.

The legal terms is 'intent-based parentage.'

It will now set the tone for all future cases in Pennsylvania, in place of marriage or a genetic relationship to a child.

'The couple not only evidenced their mutual intent to conceive and raise the child, but they also participated jointly in the process of creating a new life,' the decision said.

Helen Casale, a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, who filed an amicus brief in Glover v. Junior, applauded the decision she referred to as a 'hot button' issue, and believes it will have an immediate impact on her other LGBT clients.

Glover is distraught by the court's decision.

She said: ' To say that someone can give money towards IVF and administer shots is enough to show intent  my mom can make a claim.

'My mom was at the majority of my doctors appointments, majority of my sons pediatrician appointments. My mom has done more.'

Glover has asked Pennsylvania's Supreme Court to overturn the earlier ruling.

If that fails, custody hearings will begin.

Junior has contested Glover's claims she is absent, saying she's only seen her son in a sonogram and that she's deeply unhappy to be missing the first moments of his life.

Glover has sent DailyMail.com a lengthy statement refuting the allegations made against her by her ex-wife.
A mugshot of the man who admitted telling Conservative MP Mike Freer 'I'm coming for you' in a series of threatening phone calls was released today.

James Phillips, 46, called Mr Freer's constituency office in Finchley, north London three times at 4.45pm on January 31 and spoke to a female worker there.

During the first two phone calls, 'heavy breathing' could be heard down the line, and on the third, Phillips said: 'Tell the police I'm coming for you, you c***. Not just Mike Freer, but you as well.'

The phone call was made on the same day that Mr Freer, the MP for Finchley and Golders Green, revealed he would be standing down at the next election following a series of death threats he received after expressing pro-Israel views.

Mr Freer, who is a justice minister, said that an unrelated arson attack on his office on Christmas Eve was 'the last straw'.

Phillips was seen looking furious as he left Westminster Magistrates Court yesterday.

The man who admitted telling Conservative MP Mike Freer 'I'm coming for you' in a series of threatening phone calls has been pictured for the first time. James Phillips will be sentenced on March 6

Mr Freer, the MP for Finchley and Golders Green, revealed last month he will be standing down at the next election following a series of death threats

James Phillips, 46, was seen looking furious as he left Westminster Magistrates Court yesterday

Phillips was arrested by Met Police officers after Mr Freer's constituency office reported the 'threatening and abusive' phone call.

A charge of 'malicious communications' was withdrawn and replaced with a charge of 'making an indecent, grossly offensive, obscene, or menacing phone call'.

He was also charged with assaulting a police officer.

Appearing today at Westminster Magistrates' Court, Phillips pleaded guilty to both offences.

The 46-year-old, who wore a grey sweatshirt, spoke to confirm his name, age, address and plea, before briefly attempting to explain the reasons behind his actions.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring asked for the motivation behind attacking Mike Freer in particular, and Phillips tried to answer but was stopped.

His barrister Ms Patel said: 'He is not a constituent, but I believe he used to live in Westminster.'

Phillips nodded from the dock.

The judge said Phillips' 'position' would be discussed during sentencing. He added that he believes a custodial sentence is unlikely, but could not be ruled out.

Prosecutor Ms Ahmed said Phillips had a previous conviction of common assault from 2016.

Detailing the case, Prosecutor Adrita Ahmed told the court: 'On Wednesday 31 January, Mike Freer's constituency office received three threatening phone calls.

'The calls were answered by Mrs Pegg, an employee.

'In the first call, there was heavy breathing, in the second call, there was heavy breathing, and in the third, a man with a London accent said: 'Tell the police I'm coming for you, you c***. Not just Mike Freer, but you as well.'

James Phillips (pictured leaving Westminster Magistrates' Court), 46, called Mr Freer's constituency office in Finchley, north London three times at 4:45pm on 31 January

Phillips leaves Westminster Magistrates Court after being bailed for abusive and threatening phone calls to Mr Freer

A separate investigation into an arson attack at the MP's office on Christmas Eve is ongoing, with a man and a woman charged with arson with intent to endanger life. The two incidents are not linked, police said

Ms Ahmed explained that the Met Police was able to trace the call to Phillips because 'previous calls had been made from that number'.

Discussing the assault on a police officer, which happened at the police station after Phillips was arrested, Ms Ahmed continued: 'Mr Phillips leapt off the bench in the cell, put his face through the wicket hole.

'He then said: 'How's it I was homeless for 20 years, how is it I have rats crawling in my home, and they can treat me as a c***, but when I speak to them as a c***, I get arrested?'

'He then swung his hand with a closed first towards the left shoulder of the police officer, who had to back away.'

Phillips' barrister Rita Patel told the court Phillips had a history of mental health issues.

'There is a history of anxiety and depression, and the defendant is clearly living in substandard accommodation which is affecting his physical health,' she said.

She then applied for a pre-sentence report relating to Phillips' mental health.

Chief Magistrate Goldspring said: 'I will order a pre-sentence report so that probation can investigate a number of things, including any mental health issues.'

He then granted conditional bail.

'I will grant conditional bail for four weeks,' Chief Magistrate Goldspring said.

'You must live and sleep at your home address, you must not visit Mike Freer's constituency or parliamentary office, and you must not enter the London borough of Westminster.'

Detective Superintendent Will Lexton-Jones, from the local policing team in north-west London, said: 'This incident was first reported to us less than a week ago. Officers carried out urgent enquiries to identify and locate the suspect and detectives have worked tirelessly to secure charges.

'This conviction demonstrates how seriously we treat threats and abuse towards MPs and other public officials.'

Phillips will be sentenced at Westminster Magistrates Court on March 6.
The House's number three Republican Tom Emmer insisted he knew Tuesday night's impeachment and Israel votes would result in dual blunders but leadership was 'hopeful' they could change the minds of their colleagues.

'We know what the votes are when we go to the floor,' said the Minnesota Republican who is responsible for wrangling votes in the free-wheeling GOP conference to pass his party's agenda.

On Tuesday night, the impeachment of Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas failed, just one vote short of what it needed to pass. Moments later a bill to offer $17.6 billion to Israel failed to reach the two-thirds majority it needed to pass under suspension of the rules.

'We were hopeful that a couple of our members would change their mind,' Emmer noted in a sit-down interview with DailyMail.com.

The House's number three Republican Tom Emmer insisted he knew Tuesday night's impeachment and Israel votes would result in dual blunders but leadership was 'hopeful' they could change the minds of their colleagues

On Tuesday night, the impeachment of Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas failed, just one vote short of what it needed to pass

'But we knew that we had to have the vote because it's our constitutional obligation to follow through. Mayorkas has willfully and systemically subverted existing federal law.'

Republicans were seemingly caught by surprise when Democrats wheeled in Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, who had just had surgery, to cast the kill shot on the Mayorkas impeachment.

The final vote was 214-216, with GOP Conference Vice Chair Blake Moore switching his vote to 'no' so he could bring the resolution up again.

'Their floor director was literally telling our floor director that Al Green was not going to be here,' Emmer admitted.

'But we don't trust any of that,' he went on. 'That was up to them to make sure their members were there and they were.'

'I saw somewhere somebody tried to say that we were relying on that. Absolutely not. That was up to them to make sure their members were there and they were.'

House GOP leadership has insisted they will impeach the Homeland Security secretary when Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., returns from recovering from cancer treatment.

But that will have to happen soon or Republicans risk being down another vote.

The special election to replace ousted Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., is next week - and its not clear what party will capture the seat.

Three Republicans joined all Democrats in voting against the impeachment resolution: Reps. Ken Buck, R-Colo., Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., and Tom McClintock, R-Calif.

I respect a people who want to take a different position on the Constitution. They're ignoring the fact that we did follow the constitutional process, Emmer said of the three defectors.

He tore into Democrats who opposed the standalone Israel bill - which was a way to undercut the Senates negotiated immigration and national security aid package that House Republicans opposed long before it was even released.

That should have passed. Almost 80 percent of Democrats voted no to support our greatest ally in the world.

Fourteen Republicans opposed the aid bill, as did 166 Democrats.

Emmer said he believed the Israel aid bill would come up again.

He said he respected the 14 conservatives who voted against the aid package because it didnt include pay-fors, but that is not by the way, what is a putting this country in such a bad financial position? And we're dealing with Israel's right to survive.

'We know what the votes are when we go to the floor,' said the Minnesota Republican who is responsible for wrangling votes in the free-wheeling GOP conference to pass his party's agenda

After the Senate immigration and Ukraine/Israel deal fell apart, the upper chamber is now advancing a $95 billion bill that includes funding for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan but offers no border provisions.

There was never a border deal. Never. There was a conversation amongst that apparently a very small group of people, Emmer said of the deal. It doesnt close the border at all.

The whip did not rule out the House taking up a package to advance Israel and Ukraine aid without touching the fraught immigration issue.

If they do that and send it over, we'll see what the speaker wants to do.
Supreme Court justices showed deep skepticism over kicking Donald Trump off the ballot during blockbuster oral arguments on Thursday over Colorado's bid to bar him from running for office.

Arguments ranged from technical parsing over whether the president is an 'officer' of the U.S., the status of Confederates after the Civil War, whether January 6 was a 'riot' or an 'insurrection' and whether Trump was involved in it.

Justice Elena Kagan, who was nominated by President Barack Obama, asked the key political question more than an hour into arguments.

In doing so he indicated that liberals, not just conservatives, on the court had concerns about the impact of ruling against Trump.

'Why should a single state have the ability to make this determination not only for their own citizens but for the rest of the nation?' Justice Kagan asked.

Protesters stand next to a large-scale banner in front of the Supreme Court as justices prepare to hear arguments in Trump v Anderson in Washington, DC

Protesters ringed the Supreme Court on Thursday as Trump's Colorado case was before the Supreme Court

Chief Justice John Roberts also raised concerns about the court 'deciding whether there was an insurrection'.

A group of voters in Colorado is seeking to bar Trump from the ballot under a key provision in the 14th Amendment which prohibits 'insurrectionists' running for office.

Trump has blasted the Colorado decision as a violation of his rights as a candidate. Unlike in some of his other high profile cases, he opted not to attend in person, instead hitting it from Mar-a-Lago with plans to travel to Nevada.

It was the high court's first intervention into 2024, in an election cycle where lower courts have already played a prominent role, but where it's decisions on the ballot and Trump's 'immunity' claim could shape the election results.

Arguing the case brought by Colorado voters who brought the suit is Jason Murray. Texas lawyer Jonathan Mitchell is arguing Trump's case before the 6-3 conservative court.

First up was Mitchell, who got an early query from Chief Justice John Roberts, who wanted to know if someone could come into a state secretary of state and say they want to run for office and admit 'I participated in an insurrection and I want to be on the ballot.'

Donald Trump reacts at Mar-a-Lago after the Supreme Court hard oral arguments in the case in which Colorado is seeking to kick him off he ballot

Justices asked tough questions to Jason Murray, who argued on behalf of Colorado voters who are challenging Trump's eligibility

'Why should a single state have the ability to make this determination not only for their own citizens but for the rest of the nation?' Justice Elena Kagan asked during arguments

According to Mitchell, the state official couldn't bar the person  and that it would be up to Congress to decide whether to grant a waiver through a vote.

Section 3 on its face bans an insurrectionist only from holding office,' he said.

'Theres a whole lot of examples of states relying on Section 3 to disqualify insurrectionists for state offices,' Justice Sonia Sotomayor weighed in.

Justice Samuel Alito asked a question that suggesting that he doubts whether Congress could even enact legislation that would prohibit insurrectionists from running for office, since it is not among the Constitution's qualifications for officeholders.

'Section 3 refers to the holding of office, not running for office,' he said. 'Wouldnt that be adding an additional qualification for running for president?' Alito asked.

'What is the sum total of ways that Section 3 can be enforced? That somebody out there can say, yes theres been a former president who engaged or led or who participated in an insurrection  What is the sum total of ways that that enforcement can happen?' asked Justice Kagan.

Protesters in front of the Supreme Court as justices prepare to hear arguments in Trump v Anderson in Washington, DC, USA, 08 February 2024

Mitchell replied that it was up to Congress to act.

That was just part of the minutia justices probed. Another matter is whether the office president counts as one of those where taking part in insurrection would bar them from holding office.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson asked Mitchell: 'Are you arguing: office of president should not be considered one of the barred offices?' When Mitchell replied that he wasn't, Brown asked him: 'Why? It seems to me that you have a list and president is not on it.' The list stated in the text lists offices including senator, representative, and even presidential elector.

Justices went back and forth with Mitchell over the Griffin case, where a black defendant, Caesar Griffin, argued his 'shooting with intent to kill' conviction should be overturned because the judge who oversaw the case was a Confederate.

There was even high-stakes hair-splitting on the difference between officer of the United States and offices under the United States, the difference being whether or not they were appointed.

Mitchell conceded his argument was stronger under one scenario than the other.

'One would think of all offices, the presidency would be the one youd want to keep out the Confederate insurrectionists,' he said.

Sen. Roger Marshall R-Kan. and Sen. Tommy Tuberville R-Ala. speak to reporters outside of the U.S. Supreme Court, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in Washington

Justice Sotomayor asked about if there were other ways a state might keep a candidate off the ballot.

'Are you setting up so that if some President runs for a third term, that a state can't disqualify him?' she asked, due to the 22nd Amendment's term limits on presidential tenure.

'Of course, they can disqualify him from the ballot because that is a qualification. That is categorical,' Mitchell responded.

Justice Jackson asked whether Mitchell's brief argued that there was an insurrection.

'We never accepted or conceded in our opening breach that this was an insurrection,' Mitchell said.

He said there was no such organized effort.

'For an insurrection there needs to be an organized, concerted effort,' he said,

'A chaotic effort to overthrow the government is not an insurrection?' Jackson asked.

'This was a riot. It was not an insurrection. The events were shameful,' Mitchell added.

When it was Murray's turn to face the nine justices, Kagan asked about the practical implications of Colorado making a decision that could impact the entire election.

She wanted to know 'Why a single state gets to decide who should be president of the United States.'

She raised a scenario where a battleground state like Michigan were to kick Trump off the ballot.

'That seems quite extraordinary, doesn't it?' she asked him. Why should a single state have the ability to make this determination not only for their own citizens but for the rest of the nation?'

Murray responded that it was in fact a federal question that the Supreme Court would decide. He said other states 'would still have to determine' how their own states would be affected.

Jason Murray, the lead attorney for the Colorado voters in the lawsuit, walks past anti-Trump demonstrators outside the U.S. Supreme Court as the court considers whether former US President Donald Trump is eligible to run for president in the 2024 election in Washington, DC, on February 8, 2024

Justice Barrett, who was nominated to her post by Trump, appeared to agree with the pointed question. 'Really its going to have as Justice Kagan said the effect of Colorado deciding,' she said.

The chief justice asked Murray one question which revealed a reluctance to have the high court get into adjudicating what constitutes in insureciton.

'Eventually what we would be deciding whether there was an insurrection when one president did something as opposed to when somebody else did something else. And what do we do? Do we wait until near the time of counting the ballots and sort of go through which states are valid and which states aren't?' Roberts asked.

'This court can make clear that an insurrection against the Constitution is something extraordinary,' Murray responded.

Jackson also asked Murray a skeptical question, wanting to know 'why the framers would have designed a system which could have resulted in dis-uniformity this way?'

Kavanaugh wanted to know 'about the idea we should think about democracy' and 'letting the people decide.'

'Your position has the effect of disenfranchising voters to a significant degree,' he told Murray.

Murray had an answer ready. 'The reason that were here is that President Trump tried to disenfranchise 80 million Americans who voted against him, and the Constitution doesnt give him another chance.' He said the post-Civil War clause was put in so that someone couldn't wreck the democracy 'from within.'

Trump was declared ineligible to appear on the Colorado ballot on December 19 and his appeal against the state's Supreme Court's decision will be heard on Thursday.

Time and again, Murray used his time to blast at Trump for engaging in insurrection.

'What we have here is an insurrection that was incited in plain sight,' he said. But Justice Samuel Alito interjected that was 'not really answering my question.'

The decision marked the first time in history that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment has been used to disqualify a presidential candidate. The Civil War-era rule states that people who participate in an insurrection are ineligible for office.

Supreme Court heard arguments about whether Trump can be kept off the ballot.

The highest court could even rule if the January 6 riot was an insurrection when a mob stormed the US Capitol to protest the election that saw Joe Biden beat Trump in 2020.

Demonstrators gather outside the U.S. Supreme Court on the day of oral arguments

The Colorado court ruled Trump was involved in an 'insurrection'

The US Supreme Court is set to consider if Donald Trump should be banned from running for president and appearing on the 2024 Colorado ballot

Supreme Court justices (pictured) will hear arguments from both sides about whether Trump is ineligible to be president again and can be kept off the ballot

They could even rule if the January 6 riot was an insurrection when a mob stormed the US Capitol to protest the election

The Supreme Court will decide if Trump should be removed from the Colorado ballot and if similar attempts in other states are valid.

The Republican politician, 77, is the likely frontrunner to challenge Biden, 81, in the upcoming general presidential election in November.

His case is moving much faster than usual in scheduling arguments and there is pressure for a decision to be reached before March 5. This is when voters in 15 states, including Colorado, cast their ballots in the Republican primaries.

Trump's name is currently on the Colorado ballot ahead of any Supreme Court. Maine also looked at removing Trump from its ballot but that move has also been paused.

It is based on a Civil War-era Constitutional amendment that bans anyone who has 'engaged in insurrection or rebellion' from holding federal office but this has never been used to disqualify a candidate for president.

The 14th Amendment has been around since 1868, but the Supreme Court has never before considered Section 3, known as the insurrection clause.

Both sides are pointing to historical clues to argue for their reading of the provision, including how it was interpreted at the time of its adoption.

The lawyers will reference arguments made 150 years ago by Salmon Chase, a member of Abraham Lincoln's Cabinet who Lincoln appointed to the Supreme Court in 1864.

Chase, in December 1868, ruled on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment - which had only been enacted in July of that year.

Section 3 was designed in the aftermath of the Civil War to prevent Confederates from being elected.

'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, who ... shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof,' it states.

Chase ruled Jefferson Davis, the defeated Confederate president, should not face prosecution for treason.

He argued Section 3 - blocking Davis from holding office - was a form of punishment, and therefore barred any additional criminal prosecution.

At the time, Chase, formerly the Republican governor of Ohio, was toying with running for president as a Democrat, and hoping to appeal to Davis's Democrat colleagues.

The Republican politician, 77, is the likely frontrunner to challenge Joe Biden, 81, in the upcoming presidential election in November

His case is moving much faster than usual in scheduling arguments and there is pressure for a Supreme Court decision to be reached before March 5

The 14th amendment has been around since 1868, but the Supreme Court has never before considered Section 3, known as the insurrection clause. Pictured January 6 riot on the Capitol

A year later, Chase issued an opposing decision, when faced again with the question of Section 3.

He was asked to rule whether a black man, Caesar Griffin, should have his conviction for 'shooting with intent to kill' overturned because the judge who presided over his case was a Confederate.

In the Griffin case, Chase ruled that Congress needed to weigh in - largely because he feared the precedent that would be set by voiding all Confederate made judgements.

Trump's lawyers argue now that the Griffin case shows a state cannot use Section 3 as a means of disqualifying someone.

In their brief, they argue that the Griffin case helps confirm 'congressional enforcement legislation as the exclusive means for enforcing Section 3.'

The argument is one of several they present to say that Colorado's Supreme Court overstepped the mark. They claim Trump's conduct at the time of January 6 did not amount to insurrection.

Colorado's Supreme Court acknowledged it was aware of the magnitude of its December ruling.

Salmon Chase served as Republican governor of Ohio before being appointed to Lincoln's Cabinet. Lincoln then appointed him to the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court could also be ruling on another Trump case after a federal appeals court rejected his claim of presidential immunity

It ruled he could be prosecuted on charges relating to plotting to overturn the 2020 election

'We are likewise mindful of our solemn duty to apply the law, without fear or favor, and without being swayed by public reaction to the decisions that the law mandates we reach,' the justices said.

While Trump's lawyers claimed it had 'unconstitutionally disenfranchised millions of voters in Colorado' and could lead to millions more in the US.

The former president's claims have also been backed by the chief legal officers of 27 states.

They said the Colorado ruling would lead to 'widespread chaos.' The attorney generals wrote: 'Most obviously, it casts confusion into an election cycle that is just weeks away.

'Beyond that, it upsets the respective roles of the Congress, the States, and the courts.'

Trump is not expected to attend the hearing to hear the arguments on Thursday.

The Supreme Court could also be ruling on another Trump case after a federal appeals court rejected his claim of presidential immunity.

It ruled he could be prosecuted on charges relating to plotting to overturn the 2020 election. There is a deadline of Monday to get the Supreme Court to pause this ruling.
Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene has slapped Fani Willis and her secret lover co-prosecutor with another criminal complaint.

It comes as the Fulton County District Attorney is trying to squash subpoenas top prosecutors in the Trump 2020 election interference case to testify at a hearing next week over whether they should be booted from the case.

Greene is calling for an investigation by the Georgia State Ethics Commission into whether Willis and Nathan Wade flouted the state's transparency and ethics rules.

Her four-page complaint obtained by DailyMail.com alleges Willis did not disclose 'suspicious relationships and transactions' she made in relation to Wade.

Willis failed to file personal financial disclosure statements in the years after she opened her high-profile investigation into Donald Trump - 2020 and 2021.

Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene has slapped Fani Willis and her secret lover co-prosecutor with another criminal complaint

Greene is calling for an investigation by the Georgia State Ethics Commission into whether Willis and Nathan Wade flouted the state's transparency and ethics rules

The complaint said Willis' relationship with Wade 'illegally tainted' the prosecution and the missing disclosures showed 'intentional, or [demonstrating] at least a wanton disregard for her duties and the law.'

Meanwhile a new 36-page motion described the subpoenas for the district attorney's office 'ill-conceived' and based on 'reckless accusations' and urged Judge Scott McAfee to to block the attempt to compel Willis, Wade and others to testify at the hearing.

It comes after Willis was accused in a stunning court filing by one of Trump's co-defendants of having an affair with Nathan Wade, who was paid more than $600,000 as a special prosecutor assisting her office.

Greene, a Republican Georgia Congresswoman and passionate Trump backer, wants an investigation into Willis - the Fulton County District Attorney - and Wade.

The former president pointed to the allegations Tuesday and said it meant the Georgia prosecutor was 'totally compromised' and that the racketeering case against Trump and 18 codefendants 'has to be dropped.'

Greene is calling the allegations a sign of an 'illegal conflict of interest' in the case against Trump.

Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a criminal misconduct complaint against Fani Willis and her alleged 'secret lover' co-prosecutor who are overseeing the Georgia case against former President Donald Trump

Willis and Wade have yet to comment publicly or respond in court filings to the complaint.

The Georgia representative is pointing to invoices submitted by Wade to Willis' office for multiple trips to Washington and a November 2021 billing submitted 'for 24 hours in a single day.'

The pair are accused of having traveled together to Napa Valley and the Caribbean Islands.

'If proven true, these actions reflect Fani Willis' serious lawlessness, including potential violation of public oath,' Greene writes.

She adds the claims against the pair show an 'unlawful partisan patternto illegally politicize and weaponize her public office'

Trump blasted the bombshell revelations about an alleged 'romantic' relationship between Fani Willis and Wade, a private lawyer serving on her team.

'She was out of her mind,' Trump fumed about Willis, who was already one of his regular targets during her grand jury probe and since his arrest last summer. 'Now it turns out that that case is totally compromised. In fact, they say she's in far more criminal liability than any of the people she's looking at,' he claimed.

'So, I think that when you look at what happened with, they pay a lawyer with absolutely no experience $700,000 who happens your lover or boyfriend and then they go on trips and vacations together very expensive vacations together. And the reason they paid him so much because he was after me,' he continued.

It comes after Willis was accused in a stunning court filing by one of Trump's co-defendants of having an affair with Nathan Wade, who was paid more than $600,000 as a special prosecutor assisting her office

Former President Donald Trump said following arguments at a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., that Fulton County, Georgia DA Fani Willis was 'totally compromised,' following allegations she had a 'romantic' affair with a private lawyer acting as a paid special prosecutor

Special prosecutor Nathan Wade leaves the office of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis at the Fulton County Government building on August 23 in Atlanta. He is accused by a Trump co-defendant of having a personal relationship with Willis

He said legal analysts he spoke to told him the case had to be dropped, although it wasn't clear if he meant the case against former Trump campaign official Michael Roman, who raised it in the bombshell filing, or against Trump and other associates accused of conspiring to overturn the election results in the state.

'Very good people were very badly hurt by that case. It's a shame. Very good people. People that did nothing wrong. They did nothing different than what Democrats have been doing for years and years and years, whether it's slates or anything else that you're talking about. But they were very hurt. And it turns out that she profited tremendously in that case, it's illegal. What she did is illegal. So we'll let the state handle that but what a sad situation,' he said.

The bombshell allegations are included in a filing by Michael Roman, a former Trump campaign official who is accused of taking part in the 'fake electors' scheme as one of 18 people charged in the state along with Trump.

Trump's comments came as it was revealed through invoices that Roman had two past meetings with the Biden White House counsel's office.

He has made similar attacks against other prosecutors lining up against him in his four criminal trials and civil cases, calling Special Counsel Jack Smith, who was on hand at the appeals court Tuesday, 'deranged' and calling New York AG Letitia James a 'lunatic.'

Trump was also hyping the allegations in a fundraising pitch to his supporters.

'The Atlanta prosecutor behind my MUGSHOT has now been EXPOSED for 'impropriety' in the case,' according to the appeal.

The filing doesn't provide documentary proof of the allegations. It states that 'sources close to both the special prosecutor and the district attorney have confirmed they had an ongoing, personal relationship.'

Fulton DA Fani Willis (center) confers with lead prosecutors, Donald Wakeford (left) and Nathan Wade, during a hearing at the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta on Friday, July 1, 2022

The motion states the gravity of the allegations. 'The instant Motion is not filed lightly. Nor is it being filed without considerable forethought, research or investigation,' according to the filing.

'Nonetheless, this Motion must be heard, as the issues raised herein strike at the heart of fairness in our justice system and, if left unaddressed and unchecked, threaten to taint the entire prosecution, invite error, and completely undermine public confidence in the eventual outcome of this proceeding.'

It states that the pair engaged in 'a personal, romantic relationship that has ultimately yielded substantial income to the special prosecutor.'

The filing makes reference to a sealed divorce filing for the married special prosecutor, but then goes on to make the claim based on other information.

It states that 'information obtained outside of court filings indicates that the district attorney and special prosecutor have traveled personally together to such places as Napa Valley, Florida and the Caribbean and the special prosecutor has purchased tickets for both of them to travel on both the Norwegian and Royal Carbibean cruise lines. Traveling together to such places as Washington, D.C. or New York City might make sense for work purposes in light of other pending litigation, but what work purpose could only be served by travel to this traditional vacation destinations?'

A lawyer representing Michael Roman made the bombshell allegations in a filing and asked that charges be dismissed

DailyMail.com has reached out to Willis' office and Wade for comment.

A Willis spokesman told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the DA's office would respond 'through appropriate court filings.'

'The district attorney chose to appoint her romantic partner, who at all times relevant to this prosecution has been a married man,' according to the filing.

It says the DA and Wade 'have been seen in private together in and about the Atlanta area' and are 'believed to have co-habitated in some form or fashion.'

It further states that there is 'no evidence' Willis was 'authorized' by the county to use funds to retain Wade for the case.

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.
She sustained minor injuries and has not been charged by the police

The SUV crashed into a gas pump and two other vehicles at the Alfa Auto Fuel station

Newly released video shows the moment a SUV smashed into a pump at a gas station in Boston and caused a massive explosion.

The unidentified female driver believed she had put her car in park as she filled her tires with air but was mistaken.

According to the police report, she had instead put the vehicle in drive mode and 'pressed the accelerator, driving it straight ahead and crashing into one of the gas pumps'.

Apart from the gas pump, the SUV also ended up smashing into two other vehicles in the parking lot on February 7.

Video footage from the Alfa Auto Fuel in Roslindale showed a fire erupting from the gas pump seconds after the crash.

The Boston Police Department told DailyMail.com they responded to the scene after a 911 call was made.

According to the police report, the unknown female driver had put the car in drive mode and 'pressed the accelerator, driving the vehicle straight ahead and crashing into one of the gas pumps'

Video footage from the the Alfa Auto Fuel in Roslindale showed a fire erupting from the gas pump seconds after the crash

Gas station owner Gloria Mantas son Arthur, who had witnessed the entire incident, later described the scene to be 'straight out of a movie'

CCTV footage showed the driver of the crashed SUV slowly exiting the vehicle and walking towards the other side.

The unidentified driver remained at the scene in a distraught state with minor injuries, according to the report.

Police went on to speak with her daughter, who arrived after the incident occurred and were told about the confusion that had happened right before the explosion.

An ambulance took the distraught driver to Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital for treatment.

Officials do not believe alcohol has been involved in the entire incident.

Gas station owner Gloria Mantas told the Boston Globe: 'The customer took out the whole pump, and it was a big mess out there. There were flames all the way up to the canopy.

'If my son wasn't here, the whole gas station would have come down.'

Firefighters had also reached the scene and put out the flames by the time police arrived

Gloria said: 'The customer took out the whole pump, and it was a big mess out there. There were flames all the way up to the canopy'

The Mantas family estimates it will cost over $100,000 to repair the station

Gloria's son Arthur, who had witnessed the entire incident, later described the scene to be 'straight out of a movie'.

'All of a sudden, I look up and hear boom [and] see huge flames. Straight out of a movie,' he told Boston25News.

As the flames began to increase, the quick-thinking man grabbed a fire extinguisher and unleashed it on the pump.

But as he was trying to fight the flames, the gas stations fire suppression system also activated itself and the station covered in white retardant powder.

'[It] knocked me to my knees. I had to cross the street. I couldnt even breathe. I feel like I was stupid. I should have ran away,' Arthur said.

Firefighters had also reached the scene and put out the flames by the time police arrived. As of now, no charges have been filed.

The Mantas family estimates it will cost over $100,000 to repair the station.
Shocking footage has revealed the moment a massive cruise ship demolished a pier in a Jamaican port after powerful winds forced the vessel against the shore - before its captain left hundreds of guests stranded at the port.

The hulking cruise ship 'Magic', operated by Carnival Cruise Line, had come into dock at the Caribbean island's Ocho Rios port when it was caught in a storm around 11am local time on Tuesday morning.

High speed winds whipped up the water and lashed against the side of the towering ship, blowing into a nearby pier.

The structure crumbled under the immense weight of the vessel, with clips shared by shocked holidaymakers showing how the concrete cracked and splintered under the stress as part of the pier collapsed inward.

Then, having damaged the Ocho Rios port, the Magic's captain was forced to set sail to avoid causing further chaos, leaving thousands of passengers stranded ashore exposed to the elements for some 12 hours.

It comes just days after a pair of passengers on the previous cruise alleged they were drugged and raped when the ship docked at Freeport in Grand Bahama this past weekend.

The women claimed Carnival staff did not alert them that the US State Department issued travel warnings for the country at the end of January advising 'extreme caution' after a spate of daylight murders and sexual assaults.

The structure crumbled under the immense weight of the vessel, with clips shared by shocked holidaymakers showing how the concrete cracked and splintered under the stress as part of the pier collapsed inward

Clips showed how the massive ship damaged the pier, putting too much stress on the structure

The ship sustained minor damage but was fully operational, a spokesperson for Carnival said

Damage to the ship's hull is seen following the contact with the pier

Passengers were left stranded at the port for 12 hours after the boat had to leave to avoid causing more damage

The Carnival Magic is seen docked in Ocho Rios, Jamaica during day three of the ShipRocked cruise on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024

The Carnival Magic is seen docked in Ocho Rios, Jamaica during day three of the ShipRocked cruise on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024

The Magic, which measures more than 1,000ft in length and can carry almost 3,100 passengers at full capacity, set sail from Miami earlier this week on a six-day cruise and came into the Ocho Rios port on Tuesday morning.

Most of its passengers disembarked following its arrival in the port and were on land when the storm began to push the vessel closer to the pier, which began to crumble as soon as the ship made contact.

Images taken by shocked passengers from the shore showed how the ship's hull was dented and scratched, while the pier was heavily damaged.

But before the passengers could clamber back aboard, they were forced to brave 12 hours in Ocho Rios in the middle of the tempest as the ship left the harbour to avoid causing more damage.

Jamaica is currently subject to travel warnings amid a rise in violent crime.

'We had a couple thousand people just out in a field in the pouring rain and no shelter, no food, no drinks. I think there was one toilet,' passenger Adam Middleton told FOX35.

'Everybody was running around, not sure what to do because they locked us out of the ship.

'That was absolutely in our minds,' said Middleton in reference to the travel advisory.

Carnival spokesperson Matt Lupoli told DailyMail.com: 'Carnival Magic was involved in an incident while in Ocho Rios, Jamaica on Tuesday morning, Feb. 6 when strong winds and swells caused the pier fender to collapse under pressure, and the ship made contact with the pier.

'The ship was alongside at 8:10am and the incident occurred at 11am. There were no injuries, and all the ship's services remained operational.

'The ship left the area for the safety of everyone on board, later docked at another nearby pier and guests who went ashore rejoined the ship.'

Days earlier, two Kentucky women accused Carnival Cruises of failing to alert them to a State Department warning against visiting a resort in the Bahamas, where they claim they were drugged and raped.

Amber Shearer and Dongayla Dobson, both 31-year-old moms, say they were attacked on the last day of their four-day cruise after the ship docked at Freeport in Grand Bahama Sunday.

'You need to be aware because our cruise line did not make us aware of a travel advisory,' Shearer told NewsNation.

'We had no idea what was going on in the Bahamas, none whatsoever.

'I just want people to be safe. Dongayla and I, we've been together for two decades as best friends we thought we could protect each other and be safe and it's not enough.'

The US State Department issued two travel warnings for the country at the end of January advising 'extreme caution' after a spate of daylight murders and sexual assaults.

Despite the warning, the boat still docked.

Amber Shearer and Dongayla Dobson have hit out at Carnival cruises for failing to notify them of a State Department warning about traveling to the Bahamas after they were allegedly drugged and raped during their trip

The US State Department issued two travel warnings for the country at the end of January advising 'extreme caution' after a spate of daylight murders and sexual assaults

'One of the issues with Carnival specifically in this case is they have a legal duty to warn about dangerous conditions they should have known about,' the women's attorney, Nicholas Gerson, said.

'There is a federal statues the Cruise Chip Vessel Safety and Security Act 2010 that requires victims of crime at high seas they are supposed to offer them contact with the FBI, none of that was offered.

'Carnival actually markets this particular excursion on their website, they actually profit from the excursion. So Carnival should have warned our clients, the warning shouldn't have come from the State Department.'

Security footage from the resort shows that within 15 minutes of receiving drinks at the Pirate's Cove Resort, the pair were barely able to stand.

The women said that toxicology reports showed the cocktail of drugs in their system but no alcohol.

'I remember waking up and getting pushed down,' Dobson told DailyMail.com.

'I woke up in the resort bathroom and there were people all around, and I just felt dirtiness on my legs, and I knew what had happened.

'They told us we had been throwing up which is a good thing because the drugs would have killed us.'

A tearful Shearer also described how she 'came to' in the process of her rape and said the man she believes to be responsible hadn't been working at the resort for a week, according to other workers.

'We were just conscious enough to know they were in uniforms and to know the area we went to and the resort security was able to pull up footage then and there and identify that there were three guys.'

The women claim their ordeal only worsened when Bahamian police showed up, with them refusing to give them rape kits.

'We were treated as criminals and refused rape kits after asking repeatedly,' Shearer said.

The pair's last memory was consuming drinks (pictured) on the beach before walking up in a bathroom at the resort with bruises on their legs

The women say their ordeal only worsened with the arrival of Bahamian police who they say minimized their attacks and refused to give them rape kits

Pirate's Cove Zipline and Waterpark is Grand Bahama's first adventure theme park

Police arrested a 54-year-old man from Eight Mile Rock and a 40-year-old from South Bahama after resort staff showed them security footage of the women being led away.

Police have not named the suspects but local reports suggest one is connected to a powerful figure on the islands who is leveraging his influence to secure his brother's release.

DailyMail.com received an anonymous call insisting the investigation is at an early stage and urging against reporting claims of political involvement.

The company offered counselling but the friends were keen to get back to their families as soon as possible and flew back to Kentucky on Monday night.

Carnival spokesman Lupoli told DailyMail.com: 'While ashore in Freeport, Bahamas on an independent shore excursion, two guests on Carnival Elation reported to Bahamian police that they were sexually assaulted at a local beach.

'Our onboard Care Team provided support for the two guests as they sailed back to Jacksonville. Bahamian police are investigating the matter and Carnival is providing our full cooperation.'
More than 100 schools in England will have buildings rebuilt or refurbished following the discovery of 'crumbly' concrete, the Government said today.

In a final list of affected schools and colleges, a total of 234 were confirmed to have reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) in some areas of their buildings.

The Department for Education (DfE) announced 119 of these schools - where 'extensive' or 'complex' works are needed - will have one or more buildings rebuilt or refurbished through its rebuilding programme.

A further 110 schools and colleges - where works will typically be smaller in scale - will get grant funding to remove Raac from their buildings.

And another five schools have 'alternative arrangements' in place to address the removal of Raac, DfE said.

Teaching unions welcomed 'much-needed clarity' from the Government on how Raac issues in schools would be addressed.

But they warned it was 'only one step' towards solving the crisis.

Workmen are pictured at Abbey Lane Primary School in Sheffield, which has been affected with sub standard reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC)

A taped off section inside Parks Primary School in Leicester, which is also among the affected schools

St Leonard's Catholic School, Durham, is thought to be the worst hit by the 'crumbly' concrete crisis

In August, days ahead of the return of pupils from the summer holidays, schools were plunged into panic over the presence of Raac in their buildings.

More than 100 schools, nurseries and colleges in England were ordered to close classrooms and other buildings by the Government.

In a report in November, a group of MPs lashed out at ministers' handling of the crisis with claims an 'absolute catastrophe' had only been averted through 'sheer luck'.

The House of Commons' Public Accounts Committee found an 'alarming' 700,000 pupils were learning in schools that need major rebuilding or refurbishment.

The DfE today said its Raac identification programme was now complete as 100 per cent of schools and colleges with blocks built in the target era had responded to their questionnaire.

The department also announced that all schools or colleges that advised they suspected they might have Raac have had a survey to confirm if Raac is present.

But it added a small number of schools and colleges are still carrying out additional checks for further assurance in some spaces.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: 'Nothing is more important to me than the safety of every child and member of staff in school.

'We will continue to work closely with schools and colleges as we take the next step to permanently remove Raac from affected buildings.'

Following the DfE's announcement, Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: 'We welcome this much-needed clarity on the nature of the work to remove Raac from the schools and colleges affected.

'This is an important step, but it is only one step towards solving this crisis and a number of unanswered questions remain.

'Given the severe pressures on the school estate as a whole, we need assurances that this work will be funded wholly through additional capital expenditure and money will not be diverted from other sources.

'There must also be clear timelines set out for when this work is going to be completed.

'We continue to urge the Government to provide better support for schools while they wait for Raac to be removed, including through the introduction of a new recovery funding stream to enable catch-up provision for pupils whose learning has been impacted.'

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union the NAHT, said: 'This announcement doesn't contain any new money from the Treasury, but it does set out how those schools currently identified as being affected by Raac will receive the costs they require for the building work needed to fix it.

'That will be welcome information for those schools. However, there is still a concern that we don't know the full extent of all the schools affected, as not all surveys have been completed successfully.

'And while dealing with Raac is crucial, we really need to see more ambitious investment from the Government in bringing the schools estate up to scratch overall  from Raac, to asbestos, to general disrepair  they need a plan to tackle all school building issues before they become the next big crisis.

'That can't happen without more money from the Treasury.'
The battle for ex-congressman George Santos' vacant seat is heating up as Democrats look to flip the New York Third District on Long Island further closing Republicans' already narrow majority in the House.

A new Newsday/Siena College poll shows Democrat Tom Suozzi with a slight lead over Republican Mazi Pilip at 48 percent to 44 percent among likely voters. The poll was conducted February 3 to February 6.

The special election is February 13, but the poll comes as voters have already begun casting ballots in early voting.

New Yorkers in the third district must decide who will replace the disgraced former GOP congressman Santos who was expelled from Congress in December. Fabulist serial liar Santos was ousted after being charged with multiple campaign finance violations.

The New York special election is gaining national attention as Republicans have struggled to pass legislation on the hill with their narrow majority. Republicans currently hold 219 seats while Democrats have 212 seats.

If Democrats are able to flip this seat from red to blue, it will further challenge Speaker Mike Johnson's efforts to pass legislative priorities in an election year.

Suozzi is running for a seat in the district he previously represented from 2017 to 2023

Pilip campaigning with the president of the National Border Patrol Council. Border security has become a front and center issue in the New York special election

Just this week, Republicans were dealt an embarrassing blow when they failed to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas with four Republicans joining Democrats to vote against it.

The same day, House Republicans also came up short in a vote on a standalone Israel aid bill raising questions about their ability to get any legislation across the finish line.

After the vote, several Republicans lamented the removal of Santos from the House and their dwindling majority.

The Newsday/Siena poll shows likely voters believe Suozzi, a former Democratic congressman who previously represented the district, will do a better job with making Congress work more effectively, protecting Democracy, addressing abortion and determining aid to Ukraine.

More likely voters believe Mazi, a county legislature who previously served in the Israel Defense Force before immigrating the the US, will do a better job addressing the influx of migrants coming to the US and setting US policy in the Israel-Hamas war.

Suozzi holds a lead among Independent votes, women and across all age groups. Mazi leads a small lead among men.

This is the latest poll giving Suozzi a slight edge. An Emerson College poll last month showed Suozzi up 45 percent to 42 percent among registered voters with 9 percent undecided.

Republicans, with their slim majority in the House were unable to impeach the DHS secretary. If Democrats flip New York's Third District, the GOP majority will shrink

Ex-Congressman George Santos speaking on Capitol Hill. He was expelled from Congress last year, leaving New York's Third District seat vacant

Santos is facing multiple charges of fraud and theft. He will go to trial later this year.

New York's Third District, which includes a swath of northern Long Island as well as part of Queens, has been a swing district in recent years. Voters there helped elect President Biden in 2020 and went for Clinton in 2016.

Suozzi represented the district for three terms starting in 2017, opting not to seek reelection, instead launching a failed bid for New York governor.

Republicans were able to flip the seat from blue to red with the election of Santos in 2022, but soon into his freshman term a series of reports exposed Santos had lied about large parts of his resume.

Last fall, Santos pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of fraud and theft.

In November, a long-awaited House Ethics Committee report found substantial evidence Santos violated ethics and committed crimes prompting a motion to expel him from Congress.

On December 1, Santos became only the sixth House member to ever be expelled from the House, opening a vacancy in the New York Third District.
Hoy estuvimos en el Seminario Internacional Oportunidades para los paises andinos en la cooperacion de la Union Europea: Global Gateway, inversiones, comercio y transiciones verde y digital, que busca identificar oportunidades de la cooperacion UE-Comunidad Andina.#EULAC pic.twitter.com/xssPCAnYdK
Spain's iconic paella dish could 'disappear' due to European Union rules which risk destroying its essential rice, as Brussels further infuriates farmers.

The Spanish rice variety traditionally used to make the dish is under threat from a fungus after the EU banned a pesticide called tricyclazole, which farmers say is vital to keep the fungus at bay.

Three rice producers in the Valencia region said their harvest of arroz bomba, or bomb rice, a variety grown almost exclusively in Spain, was half the 10-year average in 2023 as a result of the Pyricularia fungus which causes rice blast disease.

Bomba rice 'is very likely to disappear,' said Miguel Minguet, a rice farmer in the Albufera Natural Park in Valencia, the region from where paella originates.

'Our crop is going to be lost to regulations,' he said.

Spain 's iconic paella dish (pictured) could 'disappear' due to European Union rules which risk destroying its essential rice, as Brussels further infuriates farmers

Bomba rice 'is very likely to disappear,' said Miguel Minguet (pictured), a rice farmer in the Albufera Natural Park in Valencia, the region from where paella originates

Meanwhile, major exporters such as Brazil, India and Cambodia are widely using the pesticide to protect their own crops.

It is the latest example of how the bloc's environmental rules are angering growers, and comes after a warning from French scientists that Camembert cheese and brie could become extinct because of a decline in fungi.

Farmers across Europe have staged angry protests against the EU over restrictions they say hand an advantage to outside competitors.

Using their heavy machinery, they have blockaded key roads into capitals, such as Paris and Brussels, and even taken their grievances to the EU's headquarters.

Spanish farmers have been protesting across the country this week.

The clashes expose the EU's struggle to reconcile its sustainability drive with its aim of becoming more self-sufficient in food production amid disrupted supply chains.

The European Commission has been forced to backtrack, with President Ursula von der Leyen this week proposing the withdrawal of the EU's plan to halve the use of pesticides as the bloc made attempts to appease angry farmers.

Three rice producers in the Valencia region said their harvest of arroz bomba (pictured), or bomb rice, a variety grown almost exclusively in Spain, was half the 10-year average in 2023 as a result of the Pyricularia fungus which causes rice blast disease

The rice variety traditionally used to make the dish is under threat from a fungus after the EU banned a pesticide called tricyclazole, which farmers say is vital to keep the fungus at bay

Andreu Rico, a researcher in biodiversity at the University of Valencia, rice is 'an intensive monoculture where the disease spreads easily from one field to another'

Pictured: A flooded rice field is seen in Spain's Albufera Natural Park, in Valencia, February 7

The measures have so far not been enough, however, with protests continuing today.

The EU in 2018 stopped authorising tricyclazole because it ruled it could be harmful to human health.

It had been relied upon for 40 years to combat the fungus affecting bomba rice in Spain's wetlands, the farmers said.

What angers farmers perhaps the most is that the EU still allows imports to have small traces of the fungicide.

'There's one set of rules for Europe and another for those producing outside,' said Emilio Gonzalez, a professor at the School of Agricultural and Forestry Engineering at the University of Cordoba.

Imported goods need to respect residue levels set by the EU, a spokesperson for the European Green Deal team said.

The levels 'ensure the products are safe for human consumption,' they said.

Farmers in the Albufera wetlands are still able to use at least two other fungicides to protect rice production, which filter into the ecosystem and affect shrimp populations, according to a 2023 study led by Andreu Rico, a researcher in biodiversity at the University of Valencia.

Rice is 'an intensive monoculture where the disease spreads easily from one field to another,' Rico said.

The decline in bomba rice production has caused the price to double in three years, selling for more than five euros a kilo in retailers such as Carrefour or Ahorramas.

Spain's biggest supermarket chain Mercadona confirmed shortages in recent months but supply 'is gradually recovering in almost all our stores in Spain,' it said.

Bomba rice rather than other varieties is popular for cooking paella is a rice dish most typically made with rabbit, chicken, green beans and butter beans.

This is because it 'expands like an accordion' when heated, meaning it's difficult to overcook, said Rafael Vidal, a well-known paella chef who offers classes in cooking the dish at his restaurant near Valencia.

Paella, which originates from Valencia (pictured) is an iconic dish of the country. Bomba rice rather than other varieties is popular for cooking paella is a rice dish most typically made with rabbit, chicken, green beans and butter beans

Meanwhile on Thursday, Spanish farmers drove tractors through city streets, disrupting traffic as they stepped up their protests against soaring costs, bureaucracy and cheap competition from outside the EU.

The protests, which started spontaneously on Tuesday after spilling over from other EU countries, are backed by the country's three main farmers' associations.

In the northern city of Vitoria, protesters rang cowbells in front of the Basque regional parliament as police in riot gear guarded the building.

Sheep farmer Itxaso Olza, 37, said: 'Everyone makes profits; the intermediary, the service sector ... but the primary sector, the one producing, loses.'

Dozens of tractors surrounded the regional parliament in Barcelona after their drivers spent the night in the city centre.

Traffic was disrupted in smaller cities all over the country, including central Avila and Antequera in the south.

Spanish farmers have joined their peers from Germany, France, Italy and Belgium, where protests have sometimes turned violent.

Farmers across the EU claim the rules to protect the environment make them less competitive than farmers in other regions. They also say they are choked by taxes and red tape.

Large amounts of imports from Ukraine, for which the EU has waived quotas and duties since Russia's invasion, and renewed negotiations to conclude a trade deal between the EU and South American bloc Mercosur have fanned discontent about unfair competition.

Pedestrians and motorbikes cross a road blocked by farmers in Barcelona, February 8

Farmers march through Logrono, La Rioja, on Thursday as they continue to protest

Farmers marching through Oviedo, Spain today are confronted by armoured police

The Spanish Interior Ministry said police detained 12 people during Wednesday's protests that included blockades of several large goods distribution centres. The government and retail associations do not expect imminent food shortages.

The FENADISMER transport federation said the blockades were affecting more than 80,000 trucks.

Since Tuesday, Spanish farmers have blocked highways and ports in Malaga and Castellon and boulevards in Barcelona and elsewhere.

The protests prompted the government to distribute an additional 269 million euros ($290 million) in subsidies for as many as 140,000 farmers and for the European Commission, the EU executive, to scrap a plan to halve pesticide use in the bloc.
Holocaust denier David Irving who dismissed Auschwitz gas chambers as a 'fairytale' now requires 'round the clock care' after falling ill in Florida.

The 85-year-old, who was jailed, discredited and bankrupted for his controversial comments, arrived in the American state last October and his health has declined ever since.

His family told followers he is now back in the UK and they are pleading for cash to help arrange private care due to 'constraints with NHS services'.

As well as dismissing gas chambers, Irving also claimed Hitler was oblivious to the planned extermination of six million Jews and that the 'true figure' was 'far fewer'.

His family published an appeal on his website, asking his readers for cash towards his medical care and support, but also for the 'preservation and continuation of his work'.

They wrote: 'David's situation, however, has placed us at a crossroads where the path forward demands collective support.

Holocaust denier David Irving now requires 'round the clock care' after falling ill in Florida , as his family beg for donations from his admirers

Irving has been jailed, discredited and bankrupted for dismissing the Auschwitz gas chambers as a 'fairytale'

'This is an appeal to safeguard the essence of a man whose life's work has been to bring us closer to the nuanced truths of our past.

'Regardless of size, every contribution is a step towards sustaining David's impact on historical literature.'

They stated that Irving was in 'good hands' and that they would keep his fans informed of his health.

In 2015, the author organised 'disgusting' tours of concentration camps costing 2,000 for each participant.

The disgraced academic, who is a self-confessed fascist, led a tour group to sites in Poland such as Treblinka, Sobibor and Hitler's 'Wolf's Lair' headquarters.

Holocaust memorial groups have accused Irving of insulting the memory of those killed in the Second World War by spreading 'pro-Nazi propaganda' on the tours.

In promotional material for the tours , Irving promises customers the opportunity to 'make up your own mind about the truth' during 'the unforgettable journey of a lifetime'.

His family posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, and wrote: '[David] was hospitalised for nearly two months, enduring the kind of challenges we never anticipated he would face.

'It is with sadness that we must accept that David is now unable to engage in his life's work.

'His unwavering dedication to unveiling Real History has not only defined his career but also enriched the minds of readers worldwide.

'Your support and solidarity in this challenging time are invaluable. We will keep you informed of his health and well-being as he faces this stage of his life with dignity. He is in good hands.'

American-Jewish historian Deborah Lipstadt first branded Irving a Holocaust denier in her book, to which he then sued her for libel.

The case went to the High Court and after a trial in 2000, which attracted global attention, the judge ruled against Irving, damning him as anti-Semitic and racist.

He was ordered to pay 2million in costs and his home and assets were seized, but he was reportedly propped up by benefactors, including a Saudi prince who had an estate at Ascot, and a former Nazi U-boat commander.

This allowed Irving and his partner, Bente Hogh, to move with their daughter into a 6,000-a-month apartment in London.

There was also a film made about the case called Denial, in which Irving is portrayed by Timothy Spall and Rachel Weisz plays Deborah Lipstadt.

In 2006, he went to Austria, where denying the Holocaust is a criminal offence, to address a rally of Right-wing students.

He was duly convicted and jailed for 13 months for statements made in 1989, before being deported, to find his finances and relationship in ruins.
Police have questioned a man about the deaths of seven valuable giant tortoises found in a forest last month - as they revealed two more bodies have been discovered.

The first two Aldabra giant tortoise bodies were found in Ashclyst Forest, Devon on January 8 and a further five were recovered nearby on January 12.

Now, police say two more bodies were located in the same area as part of their ongoing investigation.

A man in his 50s from the Exeter area attended a voluntary attendance police interview in relation to suspected offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Inspector Mark Arthurs said: 'We are grateful for the public support in response to our appeal and have been working through the information we have received.

One of the latest tortoise bodies found in Ashclyst Forest in Devon. Police are quizzing a man in his 50s after a total of nine toirtoise bodies were recovered from the area

Three of the dead tortoises. No explanation was given for the animal's demise. The new mystery began on January 8 this year, when the first two 'victims' were discovered alongside one of the forest's bridleways by a walker braving the New Year chill

This picture from 2021 shows another Aldabra giant tortoise found dead in the same forest

'We have been working closely with specialists, including the RSPCA and our colleagues from the National Wildlife Crime Unit.

'Our enquiries are ongoing.'

Devon and Cornwall Police has been working with the National Wildlife Crime Unit and the RSPCA to progress this investigation.

Post-mortems are still to be carried out to establish the cause of death of the tortoises as the investigation continues.

If you have any information that could help with enquiries, please contact police via our website here or by calling 101 quoting 50240006127.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling freephone 0800 555111.

Although there are an estimated 400,000 pet tortoises of all species in the UK, the Aldabra is rare, with only some 400 thought to live in Europe.

Along with the more famous Galapagos, it is one of just two giant tortoise species left in the world. Male Aldabras grow up to 1.2m in length, weigh a quarter of a ton and can live to the age of 200.

Unesco estimates that about 150,000 Aldabras still roam wild in their natural habitat  the Aldabra atoll, part of the Seychelles, north of Madagascar. But due to their tiny geographical range and the difficulty breeding them (never achieved in Europe), the Aldabra is classified as 'vulnerable'.

It is the exotic nature of these majestic creatures that has captured the imagination of the local community.

Hayley Belworthy owns an equestrian centre at Newhall Farm, bordering the forest to the west. She first heard about the gruesome discovery on a community Facebook group.

'People are shocked and devastated,' she says. 'We're a close-knit community so when something like this happens, it's just horrific.'

Were the Ashclyst Seven simply too expensive to be kept alive  and abandoned to the January cold?

Anya Honey, a professional dog-walker who frequently takes her canine charges to the forest, described the discovery as 'deeply disturbing and upsetting'. Pictured: Ashclyst Forest

The National Trust, which owns the Killerton Estate that encompasses Ashclyst Forest, confirmed that its officers had been called to the scene where the tortoises had been found. The Trust said its team were 'horrified' by the discovery

One of Ms Belworthy's grooms, Tess, who keeps two horses at the centre and commutes the short drive from Exeter, is equally affected.

'I've had horses here for the past 20 years. Everyone is friendly and happy. Everybody helps each other out. It's like a village here, so we're all upset.

'And because we don't know what's happened, it makes it worse. I think it will make people wary to go into the woods.

What are Aldabra giant tortoises? Aldabra tortoises are the largest species of tortoise in the world - together with their distantly-related cousins, the Galapagos giant tortoise

They can live for more than 150 years and reach sizes of up to 550 pounds

Some shells of the tortoise can reach over 3.2ft in length

The species is classed as vulnerable by the global authority on endangered animals - the International Union for Conservation of Nature

They are native to Aldabra Island, one of the Seychelles northeast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean

They are kept at several wildlife parks in the UK but also in some private collections Advertisement

'But we'll carry on: we don't have a choice. We'll all be keeping an eye open, though.'

Anya Honey, a professional dog-walker who frequently takes her canine charges to the forest, described the discovery as 'deeply disturbing and upsetting'.

She added: 'I only wish I had been here at the time: perhaps I could have saved these beautiful creatures.'

Many in this community  which stretches from Cullompton to the north down to Exeter in the south  echo a strong sense that things like this simply don't happen here.

Henry Massey, chairman of Broadclyst Parish Council, told the Mail: 'This is an area of very little crime. The worst we usually get is dogs off leads attacking sheep. It's clearly upsetting that this happened in what is otherwise a happy, quiet parish. But that might be exactly why it was used.'

In a statement earlier this week, Devon & Cornwall Police said: 'Enquiries are under way to identify the owners and establish the circumstances that led to the animals being disposed of.'

Inspector Mark Arthurs added: 'We are appealing to members of the public for information to try to . . . identify those responsible.

'We would also like to hear from anyone who has recently purchased a giant tortoise in the area or knows of anyone who normally has a large number of tortoises, but has fewer now.'

The National Trust, which owns the Killerton Estate that encompasses Ashclyst Forest, confirmed that its officers had been called to the scene where the tortoises had been found.

The Trust said its team were 'horrified' by the discovery.

The RSPCA released stomach-churning images to the Press: the tortoises' legs spread back against their shells and their heads outstretched and limp.

One of the victims. There are several theories to explain how the tortoises came to their unfortunate end. Were they victims of illegal wildlife-smuggling? Did their owner fail to look after them properly, and then in a panic dump their corpses?

Two of the victims. 'People are shocked and devastated,' Hayley Belworthy says. 'We're a close-knit community so when something like this happens, it's just horrific'

Henry Massey, chairman of Broadclyst Parish Council, told the Mail: 'This is an area of very little crime. The worst we usually get is dogs off leads attacking sheep. It's clearly upsetting that this happened in what is otherwise a happy, quiet parish. But that might be exactly why it was used.' Pictured: Ashclyst Forest

Considering the unique nature of the Aldabra tortoise, it is no surprise that local police have asked for help from leading tortoise expert Adrian Graham, 52, from Lincolnshire.

He told the Mail that one of the difficulties surrounding the case was the anonymity of many Aldabra owners who are reluctant to publicise the existence and whereabouts of their animals.

Mr Graham  who owns 27 Aldabras along with a host of other species  received his first tortoise when he was just five years old. Being allergic to cats and dogs but an animal-lover, he settled on tortoises, which have become his life's passion.

After analysing the shells of the dumped tortoises  roughly 80cm in length  Mr Graham revealed that they appeared to be teenagers or young adults.

'When you look at their shell-shape, muscle tone and state of the flesh, they look like they've been cared for. It doesn't look like they've been neglected,' he said.

But for Mr Graham, this only muddies the waters.

'Why would someone spend thousands of pounds purchasing and looking after these animals, only to abandon them?'

And that is no exaggeration. A healthy young Aldabra specimen can fetch up to 10,000.

Such a price tag is necessary, according to Mr Graham, to ensure potential owners have sufficiently deep pockets to care for their animals: 'If you can't afford to buy one, then you can't afford to keep one.'

These beasts are 'not a light-hearted commitment,' he added. 'They're a life-changer, demanding dedication and space.'

Keepers should typically have an inside pen kept at a constant 32c, complete with UV lighting  both mercury lamps and UVB fluorescent tubes  which provide Vitamin D, as well as a 'fogging system' to keep humidity at roughly 60 per cent.

But Aldabras also need plenty of outdoor space, ideally with a pool of water  they are excellent swimmers and can hold their breath for up to half an hour.

According to the RSPCA, 90 per cent of illegally imported tortoises die within four years.

'If someone was keeping them as pets and was struggling financially, if they'd put up their hand and asked for help, we could have stopped this whole thing,' said Mr Graham.
Two thirds of voters in the up-for-grabs seat of Dunkley support Labor's changes to stage 3 tax cuts, new polling has revealed.

In good news for Labor ahead of the crucial March 2 by-election in the outer-Melbourne seat, a poll commissioned by the Australia Institute found 66 per cent of voters back the Albanese government's changes to tax cuts.

Notably, more than a quarter of Liberal voters support the restructuring of tax cuts.

The Coalition has been hopeful that portraying Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as a man who breaks his word, has been enough to push voters away from Labor in the seat the late Peta Murphy retained in 2022 with 56.3 per cent.

But the Australia Institute's polling found Labor currently leads the Liberal Party 52 per cent to 48 per cent in two-party preferred.

Two thirds of voters in the up-for-grabs seat of Dunkley support Labor's changes to stage 3 tax cuts, new polling has revealed

Australia Institute chief economist Greg Jericho said an additional 25,000 voters in the seat would now get a tax cut under Labor's changes.

'The Australia Institute's research shows that under stage 3, 30 per cent of taxpayers in Dunkley who were left out of Scott Morrison's stage 3 plans will now receive a tax cut,' he said.

'Reforming the tax cuts was the right thing to do politically, economically, and socially - not just in Dunkley, but for all Australians.'

Under the changes, every taxpayer is guaranteed a tax cut from July 1, with low- and middle-income workers set to benefit the most.

Incomes between $18,200 and $45,000 will be taxed at 16 per cent, down from 19 per cent. The 30 per cent tax rate will apply on incomes between $45,000 and $135,000, and then a 37 per cent rate - which was abolished by the original stage 3 - will apply between $135,000 and $190,000. Above that, the 45 per cent rate will apply.

The reintroduction of the 37 per cent rate will mean an extra $28 billion in taxes being collected over the next decade.

The new polling comes just days after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton accused Anthony Albanese of being motivated by a potential loss in Dunkley to renege on his commitment to the Coalition-era stage 3 tax cuts

The new polling comes just days after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton accused Anthony Albanese of being motivated by a potential loss in Dunkley to renege on his commitment to the Coalition-era stage 3 tax cuts.

'I think the prime minister has decided that he wants the political fix for Dunkley. I don't think that's disputable. I think it's absolutely the case that they've made a political decision,' Mr Dutton told 7.30 on Wednesday.

After a fortnight of lashing the government's decision, the Coalition on Monday reluctantly supported the government's restructured tax cuts Bill this week.

But Mr Dutton committed to a policy of broad tax reform at the next federal election in line with the original stage 3 tax cuts.

As a result, Mr Albanese spent the week accusing the Coalition of lacking principle.

'If you are fair dinkum, you would vote against our measure and commit to roll it back,' Mr Albanese said this week.

YouGov's latest poll found 69 per cent of Australian voters support the changes to stage 3. That poll found 55 per cent of Coalition voters were in favour.

The Dunkley by-election is the first test for the Albanese government for the year, following the death of much-loved Labor MP Peta Murphy late last year.

The March 2 by-election will be a major test for the Albanese government after it came under fire for breaking an election promise on the stage three tax cuts.

Labor's candidate is community worker Jodie Belyea while popular local mayor Nathan Conroy is standing for the Liberals.

Labor currently holds Dunkley on a margin of 6.3 per cent.

* The Australia Institute commissioned uComms to conduct a survey of 626 residents across the Federal Seat of Dunkley during the evenings of 5th and 6th February 2024 using self-completed automated voice and SMS polling methodologies. The margin of error is +/- 3.90 per cent.
President Biden's Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen dodged multiple questions from Republicans about why her department instructed banks to comb through Americans' bank records after January 6 looking for 'extremists.'

Federal investigators in Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) asked U.S. banks to scour customer transactions for key terms like 'MAGA' and 'Trump,' Republicans revealed in January.

The federal government was specifically 'watching' Trump supporters and Americans who frequent outdoor stores such as Cabela's, Dick's Sporting Goods and Bass Pro Shops, and also those who purchased religious texts, such as a Bible.

The report sparked a flurry of backlash at the Biden administration from Republicans demanding answers about the government's spy tactics.

And Yellen was grilled over her agency's surveillance requests this week during dual appearances on Capitol Hill.

But Biden's top financial advisor deflected many questions from furious Republicans, saying the matter was being investigated and that she did not know much about the situation.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told lawmakers she would investigate why the department sent instructions to banks on how to search Americans' transaction records

Federal investigators suggested that banks use search terms like 'MAGA' and 'Trump' to identify purchased that could be associated with 'extremism' following January 6

The officials also recommended that banks look into transactions at sporting good stores

'Has Treasury ... instructed financial institutions to search Americans' legal transactions in attempts to surveil their purchases?' Republican Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., asked Yellen at a hearing Tuesday.

'Well we received a letter from you I believe on this topic and we intend to investigate fully,' Yellen answered.

Wagner again asked Yellen: 'Are they instructing financial institutions to search Americans' legal transactions in attempts to surveil their purchases?'

'I promise a thorough look into everything,' the secretary said.

'This is really concerning, and I would hope you get to it just as quickly as possible, Madam Secretary,' Wagner finished during the testy exchange.

Additionally, during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Thursday, Republican Sen. Tim Scott , R-S.C., chided the secretary over the department's surveillance instructions.

'FinCEN was created to stop money laundering and not to spy on Americans,' he said. 'It was not created for political motivations.'

After getting grilled by Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., on the Treasury's surveillance instructions, Yellen claimed the matter occurred before she was sworn into her role as secretary and she would look into the matter.

Yellen told lawmakers that she does not know much about the surveillance instructions that were distributed by FinCEN following January 6

The committee also obtained documents indicating officials suggested that banks query purchases with keywords such as 'Dick's Sporting Goods'

Transportation charges for travel to areas with no apparent purpose could be an indicator of 'extremism,' according to the letter

'I will get back to you with more detailed information when I've had a chance to study this thoroughly,' she told the Tennessee Republican.

Yellen was also grilled for the Treasury's unfreezing of $6 billion of funding to Iran - especially as the hostile nation has backed its proxies to attack U.S. troops in the Middle East.

She repeatedly reiterated that the funding was meant to be used for humanitarian purposes only.

According to the report released by Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, in January, the terms 'MAGA' and 'Trump' were also suggested by the department to be searched in Zelle payments.

'Did you shop at Bass Pro Shop yesterday or purchase a Bible? If so, the federal government may be watching you,' Jordan posted on X at the time.

'We now know the federal government flagged terms like 'MAGA' and 'TRUMP,' to financial institutions if Americans completed transactions using those terms,' he wrote in another post. 'What was also flagged? If you bought a religious text, like a BIBLE, or shopped at Bass Pro Shop.'

Further, officials warned banks of 'extremism' indicators like the purchase of a bus or plane ticket 'for travel to areas with no apparent purpose' or the purchase of a religious text, like a Bible, according to documents.

Subscriptions to news outlets containing 'extremist' views would also be an indicator for financial instructions to look at, according to the material the Treasury provided to banks.
A social housing tenant is suing Clarion Housing Association for 1million in damages, claiming that one of their housing officers illegally sublet his home when he was stranded in Australia at the start of the pandemic.

Fillippe Scalora, 43, said that when he returned to his flat in Chelsea, south-west London, he noticed that someone had been sleeping in his bed and using his towels, cutlery, crockery and computer.

The former regulatory compliance official told the Guardian: 'I walked into the flat and saw half of my stuff there and someone living in it. My mail was open, really private stuff like bank accounts and NHS appointment forms. I was devastated.'

Mr Scalora says the person that the housing officer moved in is still living in the house, leaving him homeless and living in budget hotels and temporary accommodation.

Fillippe Scalora, 43, said that when he returned to his flat in Chelsea, south-west London , he noticed that someone had been sleeping in his bed and using his towels, cutlery, crockery and computer

Mr Scalora says the person that the housing officer moved in is still living in the house, leaving him homeless and living in budget hotels and temporary accommodation

He got stranded in Australia when the pandemic hit and claims that the housing officer asked for his keys for a gas inspection when he told him that he would not be able to get back home.

He says the housing officer later told him that the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) council wanted to allocate his flat to a temporary tenant, but promised he would get it back, or be given another one, when he came home.

RBKC gave Mr Scalora the flat on Cale Street with a lifetime tenancy due to a medical condition.

His rent was around 600 a month but he said it would cost roughly 2,000 a month on the open market.

According to Mr Scalora, a friend was supposed to remove his belongings from the flat so that the new occupant could move in but it turned out that not all of his items were removed.

He realised something was off in November 2021, when the housing officer stopped replying to him and the council said it had no record of moving a new tenant into the home.

When he returned home in April 2022 he hired a locksmith to let him in the flat and that's when he saw all of his personal items being used by a stranger.

He got stranded in Australia when the pandemic hit and claims that the housing officer asked for his keys for a gas inspection when he told him that he would not be able to get back home

He says the housing officer later told him that the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council wanted to allocate his flat to a temporary tenant, but promised he would get it back, or be given another one, when he came home

He said: 'It was very uncomfortable seeing someone had been sleeping in my bed, using my towels. It was just theft.'

The court case over the one-bedroom property goes to trial at the high court in London on Thursday.

Clarion refused to comment when approached by the Guardian.

But they did refer to a statement they made in October 2022 that a Clarion staff member, the unauthorised person residing in the home and Mr Scalora were suspected of colluding to commit tenancy fraud and were under criminal investigation.

This is an allegation that Mr Scalora strongly denies.

Scotland Yard said they received a report saying that an 'unknown person was believed to have been residing at the address while the occupier was abroad', that the 'tenancy issue was a matter for the relevant housing authority' and that no arrests had been made.

They did not say that Mr Scalora was under investigation but Mr Scalora said he was interviewed under caution in late 2022 but the investigation did not go ahead.

RBKC said it had 'established that any legal action had to be pursued by Clarion' whilst Clarion said it had not been pursuing any legal action at all.

MailOnline approached Clarion for comment but they refused at this time.
Idaho public universities have ramped up spending to $6 million on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts and teaching students about 'white fragility' and 'toxic masculinity,' a damning new report shows.

Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF) researchers have lifted the lid on a tripling of DEI spending since 2022 at Boise State University (BSU) and three other taxpayer-funded schools across the Gem State.

Those schools now have 75 administrators dedicated to DEI, many of them earning six-figure salaries.

The top earner, Yolanda Bisbee, is an expert on tribal relations who bags $170,706 per year as chief diversity officer at the University of Idaho (UI).

'The DEI regime has been growing in Idaho's public universities,' researchers Anna Miller and Scott Yenor said in their 25-page study for the conservative think tank.

Boise State University has seen colorful protests in recent years as it ramped up spending on DEI

Yolanda Bisbee earns $170,706 per year as chief diversity officer at the University of Idaho thanks to her 'cultural literacy of singular value'

They slam a 'far-left ideology that divides the world into aggrieved minorities and oppressive majorities.'

Anna Miller wants DEI curtailed in Idaho

DEI administrators, they say, try to correct these inequalities on campuses using 'speech codes or race and gender quotas among other discriminatory practices' that at times vilify white students.

They should instead use the cash to help rural people and veterans study, they added.

Neither BSU, UI, Idaho State University (ISU), nor Lewis Clark State College (LCSC) answered our requests for comment.

For some, DEI schemes are important and necessary, as they can help to overcome historical racism and sexism and make it easier for people of all backgrounds to get ahead in education and work.

Critics say it's a form of reverse discrimination that unfairly blows back on straight, white men.

Others say DEI schemes may be well-intentioned, but seldom achieve their desired goals and often make things worse by stirring up divisions in lecture halls and offices.

The University of Idaho spends at least $1.9 million on 28 full-time DEI staff, including Bisbee, the top diversity earner in the state school system

DEI staff now make up more than 3.4 positions for every 100 tenured professors, according to nationwide research by The Heritage Foundation, stoking fears of a ballooning sector that some say is no more than a woke box-ticking exercise.

Utah's Republican Gov Spencer Cox last month signed a bill into law that made the state the latest to prohibit diversity training, hiring, and inclusion programs at universities and in state government.

Republican lawmakers in at least 17 states have proposed some three dozen bills to restrict or require public disclosure of DEI initiatives, mostly in higher education, according to an analysis of the bill-tracking software Plural.

Meanwhile, Democrats in nine states have filed at least 20 bills to require or promote DEI schemes.

According to IFF, Idaho's public universities have 'continued to build out their DEI infrastructure in the face of legislative opposition' by state lawmakers.

Spending on DEI staffers has jumped from $2.2 million in February 2022 to nearly $6 million today, they say.

The 25-page report 'shows how DEI has spread into Idaho's institutions of higher education and makes recommendations for reversing the corruption they cause'

BSU alone spends some $2.7 million each year on salaries and benefits for its 34-strong DEI team, says the report.

Report co-autor Scott Yenor courted controversy in the past by saying women should focus on 'homemaking and having children'

They run workshops on 'systemic racism, white privilege, intersectionality,' and other subjects, it adds.

One course addresses how even poor white people can be privileged and the 'social inoculation that white people experience as a result of being white in a systemically-racist society.'

UI's DEI council has 50 members spread across six subcommittees pushing the agenda at the campus, in Moscow, says the report.

The school spends at least $1.9 million on 28 full-time DEI staff, including Bisbee, the top diversity earner in the state school system.

Bisbee is 'both Hispanic and Native American and is an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe,' says the school, while praising her 'cultural literacy of singular value.'

UI launched a Black Lives Matter speaker series and resource page for students and faculty, which took aim at 'white fragility,' 'critical race theory,' and other controversial issues.

ISU spends $841,113 on 11 DEI administrators, while LCSC spends just $290,121, researchers said.

Lewis Clark State College spends the least on DEI out of all of Idaho's public schools

Miller and Yenor say the schools are expanding DEI efforts and are not likely to 'self-correct.'

'Change must come from the outside,' they write,

'Strong legislation directing universities to eschew discriminatory DEI efforts and return to their core missions is a good place to start.'

The think tank IFF has in recent months been dogged by its own scandal over hiring a communications strategist with links to far right groups, says the Idaho Capital Sun.

Yenor, also a BSU political science professor, courted controversy in 2021 over his comments on women.

He said they should be kept out of engineering, medical and law school to focus on 'feminine goals' such as 'homemaking and having children.'
Top lawmakers put out a bombshell report Thursday revealing how billions of American dollars are flowing into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party - and being used to support their military and genocidal efforts.

The report states that U.S. venture capitalist companies have helped 'build and strengthen' China's authoritarian regime through a variety of methods.

According to the House China Select Committee, over $3 billion was invested into Chinese artificial intelligence and semiconductor companies by five top U.S. venture capitalist firms between 2001 and 2023.

The committee launched an investigation last summer into the finances of five companies: Sequoia Capital, Qualcomm Ventures, Walden International, GSR Ventures and GGV Capital.

Chairman Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., and Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., warn in the report that their investigation 'merely scratched the surface of the danger that American investment into Chinese industry poses to our national security.'

And billions more beyond what they uncovered may be flowing into PRC companies from Americans.

The report states that U.S. venture capitalist companies have helped 'build and strengthen' China's authoritarian regime through a variety of methods

The committee launched an investigation last summer into the finances of companies Sequoia Capital, Qualcomm Ventures, Walden International, GSR Ventures and GGV Capital

The funds are being used to 'support the PRCs military, digital authoritarianism, and efforts to develop technological supremacy and undermine American technological leadership.'

The findings over the six-month investigation discovered that those five firms also sent 'more than $1.9 billion into PRC AI companies and $1 billion into over 150 PRC semiconductor firms.'

Additionally, they invested 'over $130 million in Chinese AI companies that the U.S. government blacklisted for supporting the Chinese Communist Partys genocide and human rights abuses.'

Sequoia Capital even put over $1 billion into helping CCP-controlled firm Bytedance, TikToks parent company, as they worked to expand overseas, say the lawmakers.

'Not only has Bytedance partnered with the Chinese Ministry of Public Security to crack down on internal dissent within China, but according to the FBI in sworn testimony, it has the ability to control the software on millions of Americans devices through TikTok,' they write.

And worst of all is that American families are 'unwittingly contributing,' they say.

'All five firms that the Select Committee investigated have U.S.-based investors, limited partners that include institutional entities like university endowments, family offices, and pension funds.'

The lawmakers stated that Americans whose retirement accounts are invested in these five venture capital firms 'are contributing part of their hard-earned paycheck to it furthering the Chinese Communist Partys authoritarian ambitions.'

China also now has the ability to hold major American executives and companies 'hostage,' the report warns.

It also 'critically weakens' the United State's own economic sovereignty and security.

And U.S. venture capital is financing the 'production of weapons systems designed to kill Americans and advance Chinas warfighting capabilities.'

FINDINGS RELEASED: Our bipartisan investigation into U.S. venture capital firms investing in Chinas military and human rights abuses.



- SEQUOIA CAPITAL CHINA

- QUALCOMM VENTURES

- GSR VENTURES

- GGV CAPITAL

- WALDEN



What we found was far beyond anything we anticipated pic.twitter.com/sEEJ0n3btp  Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (@committeeonccp) February 8, 2024

Chairman Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., and Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., warn in the report that their investigation 'merely scratched the surface of the danger that American investment into Chinese industry poses to our national security'

As a result, the lawmakers say that the 'status quo' is 'untenable' and are urging the government to take several steps to immediately stop the flow of money into China's hands.

The first recommendation is by restricting any U.S. investments into 'entities sanctioned or red-flagged' by the government.

Second, the lawmakers say legislation should be implemented to further restrict any 'outbound investment' into areas that overlap with China's technologies, military capabilities, and human rights abuses.
A man accused of murdering his girlfriend in Boston and fleeing to Kenya has escaped from police custody in Africa.

Kevin Kangethe, 40, is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Maggie Mbitu, 31, last year and leaving her body in a car in a Boston airport parking lot.

According to the Associated Press, Nairobi police chief Adamson Bungei said a man claiming to be Kangethe's attorney arrived at the police station where the suspect was being held on Wednesday and asked to speak with his client.

'The officers agreed to his request and removed the prisoner from the cells and took him to (an) office ... leaving them there. After a short while the prisoner escaped by running away and left the (lawyer) behind,' read a police report in Nairobi, according to the AP.

Kangethe departed the scene in a privately owned minivan.

Kevin Kangethe, accused of killing Maggie Mbitu, escaped the custody of Kenyan police Wednesday

The 40-year-old allegedly killed his girlfriend in late October and left her body in a car in a Logan Airport parking lot

Early last November, Mbitu was found stabbed to death in a car at a garage at Boston's Logan Airport. Her family had reported her missing several days earlier.

She suffered horrific facial injuries, including slash wounds to her face and neck, as well as a puncture wound to her side.

Investigators say Kangethe killed her and immediately left on a flight to Kenya.

After three months on the run, he was apprehended at a nightclub in Kenya on January 30.

He is now facing a first-degree murder charge and had been detained pending a ruling on whether he should be extradited to face the charge.

In a statement following Kangethe's escape, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said: 'We have been informed by federal officials that Kevin Kangethe has escaped from police custody in Kenya.

'It is our hope that Kenyan law enforcement will do their utmost to recapture Kangethe so that we can continue seeking justice for Margaret Mbitu and her family.'

Mbito's family, who live in Whitman - a town outside Boston - have not yet issued a comment.

Bungei said: 'We have arrested officers who were on duty when he (Kangethe) escaped to explain how it happened.

'It is just embarrassing to us.'

Mbitu had worked as a nurse in facilities that assist those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Kevin Kangethe, 40, was arrested in Kenya months after he allegedly killed his girlfriend and left her body in a car in a parking lot at a Boston airport

'It is our hope that Kenyan law enforcement will do their utmost to recapture Kangethe so that we can continue seeking justice for Margaret Mbitu and her family,' said the Suffolk DA

Mbitu was last seen leaving work in Halifax, Massachusetts at around 11pm in her white 2013 Toyota Venza.

Her co-workers, who described her as the kind of person who would 'pick up Christmas shifts so others could spend time with their families', shared a flyer online soon after labelling her 'missing' when they couldn't get hold of her.

Her body was discovered two days later on Wednesday evening by the Massachusetts State Police, who arrived on the scene at Logan Central Parking Garage at 6:30pm, according to a warrant for Kengethe's arrest released Friday morning.

Officers tracked down Mbitu's car in the parking garage, where they found an 'unresponsive individual,' later identified as Mbitu, in the front passenger seat.

The SUV contained a significant amount of blood, and the body showed 'obvious signs of death,' according to state police, including large slash wounds to her face and neck and a puncture wound to her side.

Surveillance footage released by the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office showed a man believed to be Kengethe leaving the Central Parking Garage shortly after the Toyota was seen entering the parking lot.

No motive has been established for the killing.

Police in Kenya have been ranked as the country's most corrupt institution for years.

It is unclear whether bribes were paid to secure Kangethe's escape, as has been the case with other suspected killers in police custody in the past.
Staley was previously banned from the UK finance industry and fined 1.8 million for having 'recklessly misled' the regulator by allowing the Barclays board to downplay his interactions with Epstein

Legal documents filed as part of the now-settled J.P. Morgan case suggest the pair kept in touch indirectly through an intermediary for years

Jes Staley stayed in touch with Epstein for years after he claimed to have broken off contact, legal documents allege

Pedophile Jeffrey Epstein stayed in touch with Jes Staley for years after the former Barclays boss claimed they had cut contact, legal documents allege.

Staley has been embroiled in a lawsuit filed by several of Epstein's victims who allege that J.P Morgan enabled Epstein's activities by continuing to keep him as a client despite his conviction and prison time while Staley was CEO.

Staley, 67, has maintained that he broke off the friendship with Epstein and had no further contact with the sex trafficker since becoming the boss at Barclays in 2015.

However, new legal documents filed as part of the now-settled J.P. Morgan case suggest the pair kept in touch indirectly through an intermediary for years afterwards, Bloomberg reported.

The filings, seen by Bloomberg, appear to contradict what Epstein told the Barclays board about his relationship with Epstein as well as a UK regulatory probe that found no evidence of contact after October 2015.

Jes Staley stayed in touch with Epstein for years after he claimed to have broken off contact, legal documents allege

Legal documents filed as part of the now-settled J.P. Morgan case suggest the pair kept in touch indirectly through an intermediary for years

In 2020 Barclays said Staley had been 'sufficiently transparent' and that he had confirmed he 'had no contact whatsoever with Mr. Epstein at any time since taking up his role.'

He was later forced out in 2021 and was banned from the UK finance industry and fined 1.8 million for having 'recklessly misled' the regulator by allowing the bank's board to downplay his interactions with Epstein.

The use of an intermediary after Staley joined the UK bank suggests the extent to which the pair tried to conceal their friendship.

The go-between's identity has been redacted from the legal filings but emails show emails with Epstein and Staley exchanging information in 2016 and 2017.

Epstein emailed the intermediary in November 2016 and February 2017 with questions for Staley.

The messages were passed on to Staley verbally, before the intermediary passed on his reply, according to the documents submitted by J.P. Morgan.

In one partially redacted email, sent a year after Staley joined Barclays, Epstein wrote to the intermediary appearing to seek Staley's opinion on the appointment of the Treasury Secretary in Donald Trump's incoming administration, Bloomberg reported.

'Could you ask [REDACTED] if he would like to considered for treasury [sic],' Epstein wrote on Sunday November 27, 2016, weeks after Trump's presidential election victory.

Staley was previously banned from the UK finance industry and fined 1.8 million for having 'recklessly misled' the regulator by allowing the Barclays board to downplay his interactions with Epstein

Staley (far left) is seen in an undated photo with Epstein. From left: Staley, Larry Summers, Jeffrey Epstein, Bill Gates and Boris Nikolic

According to an internal JP Morgan report, Epstein offered to connect Staley with then Chancellor Alistair Darling and Peter Mandelson. Mr. Mandelson is pictured with Jefferey Epstein at the pedophile's 54th birthday

'Will do. He's on a plane to London right now but I'll reach him after,' the intermediary replied, according to a document intended to be shown to Staley in his June 2023 deposition.

The intermediary later added: 'Spoke with him. He said not yet, but thanks.'

Another email chain from February 2017 appears in the documents, in which Epstein emailed the intermediary to ask Staley about one of his former colleagues.

'Can you ask [REDACTED] his opinion of Veronique Weill she wants to join rothschild [sic],' Epstein wrote, according to the documents.

'Will do. I will speak with him today and get back to you,' replied the go-between, to which Epstein replied 'thx.'

Staley sensationally visited Epstein in prison after his 2019 conviction for soliciting prostitution in the US Virgin Islands, after which he hanged himself before being incarcerated.

An internal JP Morgan report prepared after Epstein's arrest in 2019 reportedly showed how the sex offender would regularly provide business advice to Staley, then an executive at the US bank.

The report allegedly revealed a raft of correspondence between Staley and Epstein - who regularly discussed women and referred to themselves as 'family.'

The billionaire pedophile killed himself in a US prison in 2019

Barclays said that following the FCA's decision, it had decided Mr. Staley was ineligible for, or would forfeit, bonuses and share awards totaling 17.8million

In one July 2010 email exchange, Staley reportedly wrote to Epstein, 'That was fun. Say hi to Snow White.'

In response, Epstein reportedly wrote: '[W]hat character would you like next?'; to which Staley replied, 'Beauty and the Beast.'

In 2011, the pair seemed to engage in an exchange that referenced Epstein's 2008 conviction in Florida, with Staley telling his high-profile client, 'You have paid a price for what has been accused. But we know what u[sic] have done for us.

'We count you as one of our deepest friends. And most honest of people.'

The report also allegedly contained correspondence that suggested Staley shared nonpublic information with Epstein, such as prospective executive shuffles before they were officially announced and word on still-ongoing deals.

J.P. Morgan settled their case with the U.S. Virgin Islands over the bank's client relationship with Epstein for $75million in September last year.

The bank said it did not admit liability as part of the deal, but 'deeply regrets' working with Epstein.

The bank also said it had reached a separate confidential settlement to resolve its claims against Staley, whom the bank had accused of concealing knowledge of Epstein and vouching for him internally.

Staley left JPMorgan in 2013, and later spent six years as Barclays' chief executive.
The Head of State was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Javier Gonzalez-Olaechea during this event.

It took place at the Government Palace in the Peruvian capital, Lima.

? La presidenta Dina Boluarte recibio esta tarde las cartas credenciales de las embajadoras y embajadores de #Bulgaria, #Filipinas, #Vietnam, #Irlanda y #Bangladesh, durante una ceremonia realizada en el Salon Dorado de Palacio de Gobierno.



? Se trata de las embajadoras de pic.twitter.com/Cbpp0hfSmQ
A woman allegedly raped and kidnapped by a Metropolitan Police officer told a 999 call handler 'he's going to kill us' and 'he's kidnapped me' as she desperately tried to escape, a court has heard.

The alleged victim said Cliff Mitchell, approached her with a knife in September 2023 before tying her up with cable ties and putting tape over her mouth.

She alleges that Mitchell forced her and another person to get into his car and only managed to escape by saying she had to get out of the vehicle because she felt sick.

She was later seen running through traffic by members of the public before a passer-by noticed what was going on and managed to get her in her vehicle, jurors at Croydon Crown Court were told.

Mitchell's fellow officers were summoned and an investigation began leading to a series of allegations against him. He is now on trial for 13 counts of rape.

Metropolitan Police officer constable Cliff Mitchell (pictured) is on trial for 13 counts of rape, breaching a non-molestation order and two counts of kidnapping

Jurors at Croydon Crown Court (pictured) were told by an alleged victim that Cliff Mitchell approached her with a knife in September 2023 before tying her up with cable ties and putting tape over her mouth

The alleged victim said Mitchell forced her and another person to get into his car and only managed to escape by saying she had to get out of the vehicle because she felt sick. Picture shows a court artist sketch of the former Metropolitan Police officer

In a 999 call played to the court, the distressed woman told the operator 'he's kidnapped me' and 'he's behind us' as she travelled in the car of the passer-by who had offered help.

The woman, who cannot be named, believed Mitchell, 24, was pursuing her in his white Audi.

She also told the call handler that he was a Met officer, the court heard.

The driver of the car said she had spotted the alleged victim getting out of the white Audi before 'running in the middle of the road'.

There was bruising to her knees, a slight scabbed and reddened area on her elbow and multiple discreet scratches to her hip which she said came from her falling over as she ran away from Mitchell, the court was previously told.

She lost her shoes as she ran from the car.

Mitchell, of Wandsworth, south-west London, was a Pc in the Met's West Area Basic Command Unit.

PC Mitchell was suspended by the Metropolitan Police allegations after the allegations came to light and has since been dismissed

He was suspended from the force after the allegations came to light and has since been dismissed.

The former officer is charged with six counts of rape against a girl, including three when she was under 13.

Among these six charges of rape are three counts which state there were at least 30 other occasions where the girl may have been similarly assaulted. All of the alleged offences took place between January 2014 and April 2017.

The former officer is also charged with an additional seven counts of rape against the alleged victim who was threatened in the car between April 2020 and September 2023.

He is also charged with breaching a non-molestation order and two counts of kidnapping.

Mitchell denies all the charges and the trial continues.
Meta has suspended Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's Instagram accounts for 'repeated violations' of its 'dangerous organizations and individuals policy' after he made repeated calls to 'wipe Israel off the map'.

Both Khamenei's Persian and English language accounts - which had more than 5.1 million and 204,000 followers respectively - were removed on Thursday following pressure from pro-Israel groups.

'We have removed these accounts for repeatedly violating our Dangerous Organizations & Individuals policy,' a Meta spokesperson told Middle East Eye following the accounts' removal.

The Iranian leader, who is also the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East, has been accused of praising the horrific October 7 attack by Palestinian terror group Hamas which left around 1,200 people dead.

Khamenei has not been banned from X, formerly known as Twitter, and his tweet from the day of the incursion is still visible.

Meta has suspended Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (pictured) from Instagram for 'repeated violations' of its 'dangerous organizations and individuals policy' after he made repeated calls to 'wipe Israel off the map

Khamenei has not been banned from X, formerly known as Twitter , and his tweet from the day of the incursion is still visible

Khamenei has repeated his desire to destroy Israel more recently, including in another X post from December 23 alongside a photograph of himself waving to fans

He wrote: 'God willing, the cancer of the usurper Zionist regime will be eradicated at the hands of the Palestinian people and the Resistance forces throughout the region.'

The post comes with a 'community notes' caveat and a note reading: 'This Post violated the X Rules. However, X has determined that it may be in the publics interest for the Post to remain accessible.'

'The people seen fleeing in this video are not members of the regime but rather concert-goes whose festivities Hamas disrupted, using force and taking hostages,' context added below reads.

Elon Musk bought Twitter in early 2022 and vowed to make it a harbor for free speech, meaning reduced censorship of offensive and controversial comments.

Meanwhile, Meta's policy outlines that it removes 'organizations or individuals that proclaim a violent mission or are engaged in violence' on its platforms.

Khamenei has repeated his desire to destroy Israel more recently, including in another X post from December 23 alongside a photograph of himself waving to fans.

'Never doubt that the hostile, usurper Zionist regime will be wiped off the world's map one day. God willing, this is a definite part of the future. We hope you, the youth, will see this with your own eyes,' the leader wrote.

Although both Iran and the US have said the Islamic Republic was not involved in the October 7 massacre, Iran has been one of the fiercest critics of Israel in the aftermath, as Benjamin Netanyahu killed around 27,000 Gazans amid airstrikes.

Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a meeting with Iranian clerics from across the country, in Tehran, Iran, 16 January 2024

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting with members of the Air Force in Tehran, Iran February 5, 2024

Khamenei has also publicly supported attacks on shipping in the Red Sea by Yemen's Houthi rebels.

In January, he vowed revenge against the 'evil and criminal enemies' responsible for the deadliest attack in the Islamic Republic's history after two bombs were detonated near a cemetery.

Nearly 100 people were killed and more than 200 wounded after two blasts rocked a ceremony that was being held to mark the 2020 assassination of Iran's top commander Qassem Soleimani in a US drone attack.

The first explosion was quickly followed by a second close to a cemetery in the southeastern city of Kerman where thousands had gathered to mark the four-year anniversary of Soleimani's killing.

Harrowing video showed scores of bloodied victims lying on the floor as others stumbled away from the blast scene close to the Saheb al-Zaman Mosque where Soleimani is buried, in what Iran has described as a 'terrorist attack'.

'The evil and criminal enemies of the Iranian nation once again created a disaster and martyred a large number of dear people in Kerman,' Khamenei said in a statement.

'This disaster will have a harsh response, God willing.' He did not name a suspect, nor has any group yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
There ought to be law against it. How many times have you heard someone say that in reaction to whatever outrage is hogging the headlines on any given day?

Nine times out of ten, there already is a law against it. But that wont stop knee-jerk politicians rushing to pass even more legislation.

This week its the turn of Home Secretary James Cleverly to announce new rules to stop protesters blocking the streets and climbing on war memorials.

Laws will also be tightened to prevent the likes of masked pro-Hamas demonstrators inciting hatred.

Cleverly said: Today, we have announced a package of measures to put a stop to this behaviour, once and for all.

Firstly, we are removing the ability to cite the right to protest as a reasonable or lawful excuse to carry out disruptive or even criminal behaviour. There can be no justification for the British public to be prevented from getting to work or from visiting a loved one in hospital by protesters.

It is not right for roads to be blocked, preventing ambulances from getting to hospital and people from attending funerals, and people should not be able to use protest as an excuse for doing so.

But we are doing more. Under our plans, climbing on a war memorial will carry a prison sentence of up to three months and the possibility of a fine.

And police will be able to arrest protesters using face coverings to conceal their identities at designated protests. We cannot have individuals hurling abusive, extremist rhetoric and hiding behind a mask. There will be no more hiding from justice.

Sounds fair enough. But its a complete waste of time and energy. Laws already exist to tackle all of the above.

The problem is that most of the time the police cant be bothered to enforce the laws we have. And when they do, the courts either refuse to convict, or dish out the softest of sentences.

Protester Charlie Gilmour swings from a Union Flag on the Cenotaph in London during a demonstration against higher tuition fees and cuts in university funding in 2010

A pro-Palestine protester on top of the Royal Artillery Memorial in London's Hyde

Thats if the European Court of Human Rights hasnt ruled that the new law is itself illegal.

Cleverlys latest initiative is in response to the increasing levels of anarchy on the streets caused by eco-nutters and anti-Israel fanatics.

Most recently, there was public disgust when pro-Palestinian marchers clambered onto the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner in London.

In future, Cleverly says, anyone climbing on a war memorial will face a 1,000 fine and up to three months in jail. But theres no need for a new law. You can already be jailed for climbing on a war memorial.

Back in 2011, Charlie Gilmour, the son on Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, was given a 16-month prison sentence for swinging on the Cenotaph in Whitehall during violent protests against student fees.

He was released after four months. So under Cleverlys new law, Gilmours sentence would actually have been shorter.

As for forcing people to take off their masks, try getting that one past the human rights brigade, who have mounted a successful rearguard action against stop-and-search in relation to knife crime.

Its not that long ago, during the Covid lockdown, since a man was fined 10,000 for not wearing a mask on the London Underground. Under this new law, you can just imagine some Guardianista lawyer from NoncesRUs (aka Matrix Chambers) arguing that her client was only wearing a mask to the pro-Hamas rally because he was an asthmatic who was frightened of catching a respiratory infection. Forcing him to remove it was breach of his yuman rites.

Case dismissed and a compensation claim launched against the Met for wrongful arrest. In these circumstances it would be a brave bobby who tried to uphold the law.

Scotland Yard has plenty of previous when it comes to dereliction of duty. When Just Stop Oil started sitting down in the road and slow-marching, the Old Bill let them get on with it.

Met chief Mark Rowley argued that he didnt have the power to arrest them. So Parliament changed the law to give him everything he asked for. He still failed to enforce it.

Subsequently, the Supreme Court ruled that the law itself breached the European Convention on Human Rights, which Labour incorporated into British statute.

The simple solution would be to withdraw from the ECHR, but politicians refuse to countenance that course of action as they continue to put the sanctity of international institutions above the best interests of the British people they are paid to represent.

Even so, no less an authority than Keir Starmer, himself a European yuman rites disciple, insisted that the police already had more than enough powers to arrest Just Stop Oil and XR demonstrators under assorted public order laws.

Meanwhile, the police stand back and watch as pro-Hamas activists chant anti-Semitic slogans and revel in the slaughter of Jews.

Elsewhere this week, there were calls for new laws to protect shop staff from being assaulted. The Co-op released figures showing that there were 376,000 shoplifting, abuse and attacks on its staff last year  a 44 per cent increase.

Security guards are letting shoplifters off scot-free because the police cant be bothered to turn up and arrest them. Why risk a smack in the mouth, or worse, if the Old Bill arent interested?

Assaulting anyone, including shopworkers, is already a criminal offence. Again, we dont need more law, just the police doing their job properly.

But while the Old Bill are more concerned about monitoring the internet for exciting new hate crimes such as misgendering somebody, Britain is experiencing a shoplifting epidemic.

Stealing from supermarkets and corner shops has effectively become decriminalised. Were going the way of several big cities in the U.S., just as I predicted last year. CVS, Americas biggest drugstore chain, is pulling out of ultra-liberal cities such as San Francisco because the police and prosecutors are ignoring rampant theft.

No amount of new legislation is going to persuade softly-softly police chiefs, brainwashed by the Left-wing freemasonry Common Purpose, to crack down on fashionable demonstrations, however repulsive and disruptive, or enforce the law on shoplifting  which hand-wringing apologists blame not on criminality but the cost of living crisis.

There ought to be a law against it.

Its all gone quiet over there...

Thumbs up, three sombreros to my colleague Nicole Lampert for confronting Gary Lineker over his Israel tweets (see yesterdays Mail).

Curiously, Lineker has stayed schtum over the shocking case of Linzi Smith, the lesbian football fan banned by Saudi-owned Newcastle United for saying someone with a penis is not a woman, which I brought you on Tuesday.

Given his running commentary on woke causes, you might have expected the Boy Loyn-acre to be all over this one.

Hes not alone in ignoring the story. With a couple of honourable exceptions, Ms Smiths treatment has flown under the radar. I could find no mention of it on the website of the local papers in Newcastle, nor on those of the BBC and ITV in the North East. Couldnt find it on Sky News, either.

Strangely, I havent seen anything in the football Press about NUFCs abuse of power or the Premier Leagues Stasi unit spying on fans. I wonder why not.

Most sportswriters normally love to advertise their woke credentials at every opportunity.

Surely a lesbian football supporter being bullied by a powerful club like NUFC is an open goal.

Funny old game, Saint.

Scientists have discovered that turbans are just as effective or better than cycle helmets in preventing head injuries.

This isnt just good news for Sikhs, its triffic news for Del Boy Trotter, who still has a consignment of crash turbans in his lock-up next to Nelson Mandela House. This time next year, Rodney . . .
Americans are deeply skeptical about President Joe Biden's mental capacity to serve a second term as he begins in earnest to make his case for re-election.

According to a new NBC poll, a total of 76 percent of voters have either major or moderate concerns about Biden, 81, having the necessary mental and physical health to be president for a second term.

A stunning 62 percent of voters in the poll say they have 'major concerns' about Biden's mental and physical health.

The poll reflects the mood on the campaign trail, as Biden's aides are increasing the number of campaign events but also risking more embarrassing moments for the president.

This week, Biden's staff struggled to explain why the president repeatedly referred to deceased European leaders as if they were still in power.

President Joe Biden (L) and former President Donald Trump (R)

Fourteen percent of Americans in the poll cite moderate concerns about Biden's health and fitness and 13 percent share minor concerns. Only 11 percent of voters in the poll said they have no real concerns about the president.

In addition, a majority of Democrats are worried about Biden, as 54 percent shared major or moderate concerns about his physical or mental ability to serve a second term.

Voters are less concerned about former President Donald Trump's fitness.

Forty-eight percent of voters in the poll cited major or moderate concerns about him having the necessary mental and physical health to serve a second term.

Fifty-two percent of voters cited minor or no real concerns with Trump's fitness including 35 percent who said they had no real concerns. Trump is 77.

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks after meeting with members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters at their headquarters in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024

US President Joe Biden speaks at a reception in recognition of Black History Month in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 6, 2024.

The poll of 1,000 registered voters was conducted January 26-30, prior to Biden's confusion about speaking with two different world leaders who died before the events he recalled.

On Wednesday, Biden recalled a 2021 conversation with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl during a fundraiser event in New York City. Kohl died in 2017.

On Sunday, Biden spoked about a 2021 conversation with Francois Mitterrand, a French president who died in 1996.
A dozen smuggled migrants from eastern Europe were forced to sleep in a garage and worked like slaves by a gang of Czech people traffickers, a court heard.

Zdenek Drevenak, 47, his partner Monika Daducova, 43 and associates Jiri Cernohous, 48 and Martin Slovjak, 46, allegedly stole the wages of 12 victims and kept them in 'invisible handcuffs.'

The migrants, 11 of them Czechs and one Slovakian, were promised a better quality of life in the UK.

But prosecutors claim the money they earned in bakeries and car washes was paid into the accounts of the three male traffickers - Drevenak, Cernohous and Slovjak.

Southwark Crown Court heard that the majority of the victims were vulnerable when making the journey to the UK, with the traffickers selecting unemployed, homeless or financially deprived individuals who were 'desperate' to come to the UK.

Most of the 12 men and women were made to work at Arnaouti Pitta Bread Bakery in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire.

The victims would often cycle 12 miles to get to the bakery from the property in Enfield, sometimes leaving as early as 4am and not returning until the evening

Most of the 12 men and women were made to work at Arnaouti Pitta Bread Bakery in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire

The victims would often cycle 12 miles to get to the bakery from the property in Enfield, sometimes leaving as early as 4am and not returning until the evening.

All of them had their passports and identity documents taken away and locked in a safe when they arrived at the property in Durants Road, Enfield, north London where all the defendants lived.

The 12 victims were also forced to undertake household chores when they returned home from working.

One of the victims was forced to work as a prostitute.

Prosecutor Benjamin Temple told Southwark crown court: 'The first and second defendants, Mr Drevenak and Ms Daducova lived together as partners but they are not, nor have they ever been married.

'The four defendants, for much, if not all of the indictment period lived not only in close proximity to each other but in the same household.

'The defendants brought people into the United Kingdom, put them to work and effectively took the majority of their wages that amounts to the exploitation of the labour of the working men and women.

'The defendants acted together, as a team, to move the persons to the United Kingdom from the Czech Republic with a view to their exploitation.

'The trafficked women and men were provided residence on Durants Road, Enfield, where the four defendants lived, which allowed them to keep an eye on them.

'In general terms, the case concerns complainants often being lured to work in the UK on the false promise of fair wages and a much improved quality of life.

'Many of the complainants in this case spoke no or very little English.

'They were guided through National Insurance applications, job applications and job interviews by the defendants, who interpreted and translated documents and directed the complainants where to sign.'

This meant that many of the victims unwittingly signed a document with no real awareness they were signing their money away to the traffickers.

Mr Temple continued: 'In many cases, the complainants were directed to work long hours for wages that were paid into bank accounts in the names of and controlled by the defendants.

'The effective taking of the wages was far in excess of any fair calculation to reflect food, rent or utilities costs.

'The defendants were, in this way, engaged in bringing a number of their fellow Czech countrymen and women in the UK with a view to exploiting them.'

The court heard how the traffickers deception began when the victims were still in the Czech Republic.

They were told their wages were being held as savings by the traffickers to be released at a later date. The promises of good wages, decent accommodation and their earnings being saved before being released all proved to be false.

Overall, prosecution estimated a total cost of 100,000 - 150,000 was taken from the 12 victims.

Their ages ranged from me and women in their 20s up to men and women in their 50s.

All four defendants, of Durants Road, Enfield, deny two counts of conspiracy to hold a person in servitude, and 12 of trafficking persons for exploitation.

Drevenak, Daducova, and Cernohous, deny three counts of trafficking persons for exploitation.

Drevenak denies four further counts of trafficking persons for exploitation, while Cernohous denies one further count of trafficking persons for exploitation.

The charges date between January 2014 and October 2019.

The trial continues.
'Iron General' Valery Zaluzhny has been removed as the head of Ukraine's armed forces, the nation's defence minister declared, after weeks of rumours that President Volodymyr Zelensky was planning a major shakeup of top military brass.

Rustem Umerov confirmed the decision was taken on today to change the military leadership as Zelensky aims to keep a steady stream of military aid flowing in from Western partners.

'The war does not remain the same. War changes and demands change. New approaches and new strategies are needed... I am sincerely grateful to Valery Fedorovych (Zaluzhny) for all his achievements and victories,' Umerov said in a statement.

Zaluzhny, who has led Kyiv's forces throughout Russia's invasion and is known as the 'Iron General', is said to have fallen out with Zelensky over differing opinions on how to boost numbers in the army, which is struggling to fill its ranks.

Zelensky also reportedly took umbrage with an interview given by Zaluzhny to The Economist in which he admitted the fight had ground to a stalemate - something the Ukrainian President fears could turn EU chiefs off the idea of sending more aid.

The now-former commander-in-chief acknowledged Zelensky's decision in a brief statement.

'The tasks of 2022 are different from those of 2024. Therefore, everyone must change and adapt to the new realities as well. In order to win together,' he said.

Zaluzhny was replaced by the commander of Ukraine's ground forces Oleksandr Syrsky, who is said to have a close relationship with Zelensky.

But the move will not be welcomed by many Ukrainian servicemen, who highly rate their 'Iron General'.

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Valery Zaluzhny listens to the national anthem of Ukraine

Zaluzhny (L), who has led Kyiv 's forces throughout Russia 's invasion, is said to have fallen out with Zelensky (right) after he said the war had ground to a stalemate

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky replaced Zaluzhny as commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces with Col.-Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky (right)

Amid feverish speculation in the media, Zelensky earlier this week said that he was preparing a massive reshuffle to 'restart' the country's leadership, including in the armed forces, with the frontline static and Ukraine's highly anticipated counteroffensive last year largely failing to budge Russia's lines of defence.

On the frontlines in Ukraine's east, where Russia's army is relentlessly pressing against outmanned Ukrainian soldiers in several points, the exhausted troops have little patience for personnel clashes in Kyiv's halls of power.

Seeking to justify the decision, Zelensky today posted on social media: 'A realistic, detailed action plan for the Armed Forces of Ukraine for 2024 should be on the table. Taking into account the real situation on the battlefield now and the prospects.'

He added that he'd invited Zaluzhny to remain part of the military decision-making structure.

But Ukrainian soldiers speaking to reporters just days ago expressed a distinctly negative view of Zaluzhny's sacking.

'Replacing the commander during fighting, especially when they are so intense in our area, is not appropriate,' an army medic with the call name 'Beria' deployed in the Donetsk region told reporters.

'I would sooner replace the president,' the 25-year-old said.

Another soldier, 'Kit', said the rumours of Zaluzhny's firing irritated him, especially since Zelensky has never publicly said what Zaluzhny had done to displease him.

Both men played key roles when Russia sent troops against an outmanned and outgunned Ukraine on February 24, 2022, when most of the world expected Moscow's military to easily roll over its smaller neighbour.

Zelensky became the public face of Ukrainian resistance, refusing to leave Kyiv as it was being bombed, churning out defiant video selfies and furiously working the phones gathering support and pledges of weapons from world leaders.

But Zaluzhny was the force behind the scenes, overseeing a defence that managed - against all odds and expectations - to stand its ground against a Russian military that dwarfed Ukraine's in men and arms.

Zaluzhny began his military training in the 1990s, after Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet Union, graduating with honours and rising up the ranks.

He got a taste of real conflict in 2014 when he served in an area of eastern Ukraine where Russian-backed militants had seized territory.

Tall and burly with cropped hair, Zaluzhny, whose military call sign is 'Volunteer', has a reputation for having a good rapport with his subordinates and allowing local commanders to make their own decisions on the battlefield.

His warning in November that the war was sliding into an attritional phase that suited Russia was out of kilter with Kyiv's official rhetoric, but for many of his soldiers it was recognition of the painful reality on the battlefield.

This handout photograph taken and released by the Ukrainian Presidential press service on February 4, 2024 shows the President Volodymyr Zelensky (C) talking with servicemen during his visit to Zaporizhzhia region, amid Russian invasion in Ukraine

Ukrainian soldiers reload an artillery unit on the front line, in the direction of the Kreminna as Russian - Ukraine war continues in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on January 30, 2024

In the days following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Zaluzhny was the force behind the scenes, overseeing a defence that managed - against all odds and expectations - to stand its ground against a Russian military that dwarfed Ukraine's in men and arms

Zaluzhny 'incarnates our invincibility, our victory,' said 'Kit', 50.

'He is already an icon.'

'If it's about changing military strategy, it's normal to also change the leadership. But it will be a pity if it's a purely political decision.'

In the army 'everyone considers Zaluzhny as a father', said 'Cowboy', a 38-year-old soldier. 'And everyone has a negative attitude toward the idea of replacing him.'

Sergeant 'Luntik' said the issue has been the topic of many conversations on the front and is damaging to morale at a time when Russia - which still has superior troop and weapon numbers - is relentlessly pushing its advance.

The rumours have led to 'all sorts of conspiracy theories', he said.

'The more dangerous the situation of a unit, the more they speak of treason and conspiracies,' said 'Luntik', 50.

When Russia invaded in February 2022, Zaluzhny already had a solid reputation, as he had overseen the campaign against pro-Russian separatists in the east.

A good communicator 'he was never too lazy to personally visit all the dangerous areas' to meet with troops deployed there and see for himself their positions, 'Luntik' said.

'He is a professional who understands the real situation and not only what is shown on the map,' he said.

'Zaluzhny has the most important - confidence (of his troops). If a commander doesn't have confidence, even if he's a great professional, he won't achieve anything.'

Despite their misgivings, the troops said they wouldn't stop fighting if Zaluzhny were to be removed - something that has now been confirmed.

'Nothing will change. I will continue to carry out my tasks like I have until now,' said Vitaly, a 32-year-old soldier.
Jackie, a bald eagle, shakes powder off her feathers as she settles into a snow heap overlooking a California valley.

Invisible to the eye, a cozy nest sits underneath, kept warm by her body heat.

Jackie has been guarding her three eggs from the elements ever since a powerful atmospheric river pummeled the region last week.

And unbeknownst to her, thousands of people are watching at any given moment.

The 24-hour Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam was installed in 2015 and has been streaming to audiences worldwide since then. It is sponsored by Friends of Big Bear Valley, a conservation and advocacy nonprofit.

Jackie, a 12-year-old bald eagle, kept careful watch over her nest alongside her mate Shadow as a powerful atmospheric storm wracked California last week

The eagles live in a pine tree in the San Bernardino Mountains, about 100 miles east of Los Angeles

Jackie laid two eggs roughly two weeks ago, followed by a third right before the storm hit

As deadly storms rocked California last week, 12-year-old Jackie and her mate Shadow braved the cold in the eye of the camera.

The couple lives high in the San Bernardino Mountains, about 100 miles east of Los Angeles.

Their nest has been in active use since fall 2013, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley.

The surrounding area, all national forest land, is closed to the public during nesting season, as bald eagles have been known to abandon nests when disturbed by humans.

Historically, the birds only wintered in Big Bear Valley to find food like fish and waterfowl unavailable in the frozen lakes further north. Recently, the pair has taken up permanent residence.

About two weeks ago, Jackie laid two eggs. Just before the first storm hit, she delivered a third.

Once the snow came, she hunkered down, only taking a break the following afternoon when the precipitation stopped. That was when Shadow stepped in.

Jackie and Shadow recently took up permanent residence in the valley. Birds historically only wintered there to find sources of food unavailable in lakes further north

Once the snow came, Jackie hunkered down, only taking a break the following afternoon when the precipitation stopped

The pair took turns sitting on the eggs, as is typical for bald eagles

Both males and females develop a featherless spot called a brood patch during nesting that allows them to hold the eggs close to their body

'This was the first time Shadow has ever seen three eggs in the nest,' wrote Sandy Steers, biologist and executive director of the organization.

'He kept looking back and forth at them as he stretched his legs around them but his legs wouldnt go around all of them when they were side-by-side.

'"It had worked the day before why wasnt it working now?" Realizing that something was definitely different - or maybe after counting them - he rolled the eggs closer together and fit himself over the top.'

The scene was momentarily peaceful. The nest provided a stunning vantage point of the thawing lake down below and ground blanketed with white powder.

Then, the wind came. As tropical storm-force gales rocked the nest, Shadow looked startled. Luckily, Jackie was back in time to take over.

The pair exchanged a few words in the form of strained chirps and traded places.

Shadow retreated to a nearby branch as wind rattled their tree.

Once the rain started, Jackie guarded her eggs. When it turned to snow, the doting mother stretched out her wings, gave herself a good shake to dust off and persisted.

Shadow returned to the nest with a stick and Jackie allowed him to take her place on the nest

The dedicated mother was seen covered in snow at some points, but did not budge

At one point, Jackie sat on the eggs for 35 hours straight

While one parent guarded the nest, the other hunted or perched nearby

Whenever Jackie took a break, she and Shadow smoothly traded places

'During inclement weather, eagles fly less and stay perched out of the elements,' Steers explained.

'While incubating, we may also notice them laying very still like Jackie has been, which is to conserve energy.'

Jackie only rose to readjust herself before settling back down, taking care not to harm her babies.

The pair took turns sitting on the eggs, as is typical for bald eagles. Both males and females develop a brood patch - a spot of featherless skin - on their chest during nesting that allows them to hold the eggs close to their body heat.

While one parent guarded the nest, the other hunted or perched nearby. As the storm roared on, Jackie stayed put for 35 hours straight.

Eagles store food in the crop, a muscular pouch near the throat. They can go over a day without eating anything at all.

Once the skies cleared, Jackie took a break and Shadow tapped in.

The father was seen gingerly turning the eggs with his beak. Eagles will do this once an hour to ensure they are evenly heated and that the embryos don't stick to the insides of the shells.

The birds' lives are documented 24/7 by the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam, which was installed in 2015

Friends of Big Bear Valley, the group sponsoring the camera, says the nest has been in use 2013

Even when the snow fell, Jackie lay perfectly still to conserve energy

Breeding season in California generally lasts from January to July or August

Incubation lasts about 35 days. Last year, Jackie and Shadow lost their clutch of two eggs after they took too long to hatch and were eaten by ravens

Breeding season varies by latitude - in California, it generally stretches from January into July or August.

Incubation lasts about 35 days and chicks fledge when they are 11 or 12 weeks old.

February 29 marks the start of 'pip watch,' according to Friends of Big Bear Valley. When the eggs hatch, an infatuated audience will surely tune in.

But for Jackie, it will be just another day in the life of a mother.

She delivered two eggs in January of last year. One month later, Steers expressed concern after record snowfall touched down upon the valley.

The eggs ultimately took too long to hatch and the eagle couple suffered a traumatic loss in March as their clutch was eaten by ravens, live on camera.
Carnero, who was elected to the city Naranjal city council in February 2023, was rushed to a local medical facility and declared dead

The 29-year-old was filming a video highlighting poor road conditions when two armed men approached her on a motorcycle and shot her

An Ecuadorian councilwoman was executed in broad daylight in front of a crowd of people after wrapping up a meeting.

Diana Carnero, 29, had just finished a council meeting in the town of Naranjal in Guayas on Wednesday afternoon and was recording a video about the poor road conditions when she was attacked.

Two male suspects approached her on a motorcycle and shot her in the head before fleeing, police said.

Bystanders rushed to provide first aid assistance to Carnero, who was rushed to Naranjal Basic Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead.

Ecuador's Attorney General's Office said it would be leading the investigation. No arrests had been reported as of Thursday afternoon.

Ecuadorian councilwoman Diana Carnero was shot dead by two men aboard a motorcycle while she was filming a video highlighting the poor road conditions in the town of Naranjal on Wednesday afternoon

Residents in the Ecuadorian town of Naranjal stand near the body of councilwoman Diana Carnero moments after she was shot. The 29-year-old was taken to a local hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead

Carnero ran under the Citizen Revolution Movement, the democratic socialist political party that was formed by backers of former President Rafael Correa, and was elected to the Naranjal city council in February 2023.

Correa, who served as president from 2007 to 2017, paid tribute to Carnero on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

'Diana was 29 years old. This is a nightmare,' he wrote. 'A hug to her family and all of Naranjal. 'When you have children of that age, you understand what their parents must be suffering. They cut short the life of a promise for Naranjal and the Homeland. What a disgrace!'

Carnero had a background as a civil engineer and worked as an administrator at a learning center.

'This must end, wanting better days for our cantons, provinces and country cannot mean putting our lives at risk,' Guayaquil deputy mayor Blanca Lopez said on X.

Diana Carnero ran under the Citizen Revolution Movement ticket and was elected to the Naranjal city council in February 2023

Councilwoman Diana Carnero at a Christmas Day toy drive in the Naranjal neighborhood of Tripoli

Carnero's assassination came just one day after Guayas Governor Alberto Molina met with law enforcement to in Naranjal to address the recent wave of violence attributed to turf wars between criminal organizations and small gangs, who have also target politicians.

President Daniel Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency in January that declared war on gangs and granted the military permission to carry out operations inside prisons in an effort to regain control.

Councilman Charbel Rouhana, 50, was shot dead in front of his home in the coastal town of Yaguachi on October 24, 2023.

Bolivar Vera, 42, a councilman in Duran, was found dead September 8, a day after he was abducted.

In August, presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, 59, was assassinated after leaving a campaign event in Quito.

In July, the mayor of Manta, Agustin Intriago, 38, was shot dead while inspecting works.
Republican senators are pushing back on the Biden administration for implementing a pause on natural gas exports, which they call a 'desperate' decision that will hurt Americans.

The White House recently revealed it would temporarily stop approvals on exports of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) while the Department of Energy conducts a review on climate impacts and costs.

Republicans say Biden's pause is dangerous for national security and the economy because the U.S. is the number one exporter of liquified natural gas in the world.

'Joe Biden is accelerating his war on American energy,' Senator John Barrasso, R-W.Y., fumed at a news conference on Thursday.

The leadership Republican said the freezing of LNG exports shows the Biden administration does not grasp the negative impact of the decision.

'The desperate decision empowers Putin and Iran and weakens America,' Barrasso said.

Biden is also being accused of playing 'politics' with the announcement of the ban during an election year.

The pause comes as President Biden is facing a tough re-election bid and pressure from multiple factions, including climate groups, many of which praised the move.

Senator Barrasso slams the Biden administration decision to pause on LNG export approvals

The US is the largest exporter of liquified natural gas (LNG) and exports are projected to double by the end of the decade (file photo)

By kicking the can down the road for further analysis, the White House could potentially put off making decisions in regards to natural gas exports that anger part of his base until after the election.

Republicans accuse the administration of making a political decision with the pause on approvals rather than a national security or even an environmental one.

Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana accused the White House of committing 'energy suicide.'

Senator Dan Sullivan of Arkansas said it was a move to 'appease the radical far left,' and Senator Lisa Murkowski blasted the decision as a 'waste,' lamenting the lack of transparency ahead of the pause announcement.

Natural gas exports have increased nearly every year since 2014, and the U.S. became a net exporter of natural gas in 2017.

Overall, U.S. shipments of LNG are expected to double by the end of the decade on projects already approved.

This week, the Senate is debating a $95 billion supplemental foreign aid bill to allies such as Ukraine and Israel.

The Republican lawmakers warned that putting a pause on LNG exports does not help U.S. friends around the globe.

Senator Barrasso said if amendments are allowed, he plans to bring one up to stop the pause of export approvals. GOP Lawmakers are also considering other legislation to address the pause.

Last year, about half of the LNG exports went to Europe. The White House insists the pause of approvals will not hurt the United States' ability to continue supplying LNG to allies in the near-term, and the U.S. is committed to deliver for allies.

When announcing the pause, the Biden administration noted where there could be exceptions to the pause for unanticipated and immediate national security emergencies.

Deputy Energy Secretary David Turk would not give a timeline of the LNG policy review as the administration has paused new LNG export approvals

Earlier on Thursday, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing where Senators were able to questions Deputy Energy Secretary David Turk about the administration's LNG policy.

During the hearing, Turk told senators the Energy Department review would be done as quickly as possible but he did not commit to a timeline other than saying it would take months, not years.
The Senate advanced a massive foreign aid bill to Ukraine and Israel without border security measures after Republican turmoil ultimately tanked a bipartisan deal earlier this week.

On Wednesday, Republicans tanked a bipartisan $118 billion bipartisan deal to beef up border security while funding Ukraine and Israel. They accused it of not going far enough to secure the border and said it would cement Biden's 'open border' policies.

But Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced the Senate would still send money to critical allies of the U.S. through an updated $95 billion supplemental bill without the border provisions.

That bill captured the necessary 60 senators needed to break a filibuster and move it forward on Thursday in a 67-32 vote, but it faces an uncertain fate. If it ends up passing, it would also face a hurdle in the House.

It wasn't easy to get Senate Republicans onboard as tempers flied over the tanked border deal.

Sen. John Thune, R-N.D., reportedly told his GOP colleagues they 'need to stop being p****** and just vote,' because the issue isn't going away and U.S. allies need help.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., blamed Mitch McConnell for the dysfunction as other Republicans including Ted Cruz and Mike Lee called for ousting the longtime leader.

Sen. Josh Hawley , R-Mo., blamed Mitch McConnell for the dysfunction as other Republicans floated ousting the longtime leader.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) lambasted Republicans for backing away from a border compromise that also included aid for Ukraine and Israel

Ukraine's war with Russia has spanned over two years

'McConnell's problem is he doesn't talk to his members. He doesn't listen to his members. He doesn't talk to his members. He's so focused on Zelensky. He's got bigger problems than Zelensky.'

Sen. Lindsey Graham said he would block the bill unless he got an agreement on inserting an amendment on border security.

Democrats blamed former President Donald Trump, who inveighed against the borer deal, for pulling the strings and wrecking the chance of a compromise in an election year.

President Joe Biden ripped congressional Republicans for lacking 'spine' after they helped doom the deal that would have included $20 billion in new border enforcement funds.

'When President Trump came along and said he didn't want to solve the border problem, that he wanted it as a campaign issue, [House] Speaker Johnson obediently changed his tune, fumed Schumer.

He repeatedly connected the GOP's opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, which is approaching its two-year anniversary.

The bill will bring up 'emergency' supplemental appropriations to provide $60 billion to Ukraine, boost support for Israel, and provide additional funds for Taiwan along with reconstruction aid for Gaza.

The U.S. has had to cut military aid to Ukraine after its budget authority ran dry. The two-year anniversary of Russia's invasion is approaching

A view of houses at the Kibbutz Kfar Aza, after the deadly October 7 attack byIran-backed terrorist group Hamas

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said he would support a move to a clean bill. He was hammered by conservative MAGA-aligned members of his conference over helping set up the border compromise

'If America fails to stand with our partners on the front lines in Europe and the Middle East, we will shred our credibility with friends in the Indo-Pacific,' said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell during floor remarks where he also blasted Biden for steering clear of Iran's 'red lines' in responding to the drone attack that killed three U.S. troops.

Among those Republicans willing to go along with the new approach is Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla). 'I'd like to have the border bill on it. But if we can't pass a border bill, then we still need to do something with Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan,' he said.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-Tillis) is also backing the 'clean' package without border provisions.

'Anyone that thinks there will not be a consequence, a negative consequence in history over this vote needs to really study up on history. Which is why I'm going to try to do my part to not be on that dark page of history,' he said, calling for aid to key U.S. allies.

'Schumer told members of his caucus and the White House last week that if the Republicans scuttled the bipartisan border and supplemental agreement, he had prepared a plan to use the motion to reconsider to force Republicans to vote on the supplemental without border [reforms],' a Senate Democratic aide told the Hill.

McConnell said he would support a 'clean' package on Ukraine aide. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who was among those trashing the border package, said he would as well.

Such a package would likely be doomed in the Republican-run House, which on Tuesday failed to impeach Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas and failed to pass a package considering only of aid for Israel.

The Senate votes come after Senate conservatives unloaded on the compromise, with some even calling for a leadership change due to McConnell's role helping push it forward.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who opposed McConnell when he was reelected to his post in 2022, said Tuesday it was time for him to go. 'I think a Republican leader should actually lead this conference and should advance the priorities of Republicans,' he said.

McConnell has been a regular target of Trump's. The two men haven't spoken since Jan. 6th, even as Trump moves closer and closer to securing his party's nomination.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 8, ARMENPRESS. Authorities have achieved over 95% success in enforcing the ban on illegal fishing in Lake Sevan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said.

Speaking at the Cabinet meeting on Thursday, PM Pashinyan praised the police force patrolling the lake.

PM Pashinyan said that the government succeeded in ruling out illegal fishing in Sevan by more than 95%.

I am saying over 95 percent because over the course of the ban, law enforcement agencies still revealed a couple of cases of illegal fishing. But this is the first time in the history of the third republic when the ban is [actually] enforced. This happened as a result of launching the police patrol [service], Pashinyan said.
An Irish Republican rap band have been denied taxpayer funding after the Mail revealed they were accused of glorifying the IRA and stoking sectarian hatred.

Belfast group Kneecap, named after the brutal paramilitary form of punishment, are notorious for dressing in balaclavas, promoting themselves using pictures of petrol bombs, unveiling murals depicting violent attacks on police and welcoming growing support among the young for the IRA.

But despite band members repeated calls for 'Brits out of Ireland', the band had been happy to pocket 'significant' funding from the UK government's 1.6 million Music Export Growth Scheme which is meant to boost British music exports.

The move was blocked at the eleventh hour by Kemi Badenoch who said it was 'hardly surprising that we don't want to hand out UK taxpayers' money to people that oppose the United Kingdom itself.'

Today the band moaned on X: 'We've been blocked from receiving significant music funding because a Tory Minister doesn't like our art. F*ck the Tories.'

Belfast group Kneecap have been denied taxpayer funding after the Mail revealed they were accused of glorifying the IRA and stoking sectarian hatred

The move was blocked at the eleventh hour by Kemi Badenoch who said it was 'hardly surprising that we don't want to hand out UK taxpayers' money to people that oppose the United Kingdom itself

Today the band moaned on X: 'We've been blocked from receiving significant music funding because a Tory Minister doesn't like our art. F*ck the Tories '

In a statement they added: 'We've just been informed that our application to the 'Music Export Growth Scheme' (Megs) was independently approved and singed off by a selection board.

'It was then blocked directly by the British Government who overruled the independent selection board.'

The band claimed this was because the British government didn't like the group's poster for their 'Farewell to the Union' tour which featured an image of then Prime Minister Boris Johnson and DUP leader Arlene Foster strapped to a rocket on top of a burning bonfire, as two band members crouched at the bottom holding a petrol bomb.

The poster was highlighted by the Mail last month as we exposed how a separate 1.6million of taxpayers' and National Lottery cash was spent on semi-autobiographical film starring the band that Premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

Victims of Republican and Loyalist terror attacks had branded the group of being 'sectarian bigots' and glamourising terrorism and said the huge handout was especially galling when many of those bereaved or disabled in terror attacks during the Troubles had been denied payouts from a government compensation scheme.

The band, who Jeremy Corbyn has hailed as 'inspiring', have repeatedly courted controversy, including mocking the Queen's death, shouting Republican slogans used by the IRA and wearing balaclavas and making shooting gestures at cheering audiences during gigs.

Poster for the 2020 'Farewell to the Union' Kneecap tour that showed Boris Johnson and Alene Foster strapped to a rocket on top of a burning bonfire

Kneecap met with former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn last month, who described the controversial group as 'inspiring'

Kneecap, named after the paramilitary punishment of shooting someone in the knee, often dress in balaclavas

In 2022 the group were accused of 'fostering hatred' among a new generation in Northern Ireland after they shouted 'Brits out of Ireland' as they unveiled a mural of a burning police Land Rover above the Irish language slogan: 'No welcome for the RUC.'

They previously retweeted a news report warning that growing numbers of teenagers were expressing support for the IRA on social media, with the comment 'Finally some gd news.'

A week after the October 7th Hamas terror attacks in which 1,200 people were killed and women and girls were raped and sexually assaulted, the group posted a picture of the Palestinian flag emblazoned with the slogan: 'Resistance is Not Terrorism' and a fist emoji.

The band, who have declined to speak to the Mail, claimed the poster was 'just art' and they are just fun, saying their critics just don't get the joke.
A parent has been arrested after they allegedly went to the cafeteria following a parent-teacher conference to try and eat lunch with their son.

The unknown parent showed up at the charter school in Washington County, outside of Pittsburgh, to attend a parent-teacher conference.

In a letter from California Area School District Superintendent Laura Jacob, the parent 'disregarded all directives' and decided to 'have lunch with their son'.

Jacob wrote in her letter that after the parent challenged 'further directives' they were escorted from the building, handcuffed and arrested.

According to the letter, a 'no trespass' order was to be issued against the parent for their alleged behavior.

The unknown parent showed up at the charter school in Washington County, outside of Pittsburgh, to attend a parent-teacher conference. The main school building on the campus is seen here

The unknown parent showed up at the school in Washington County, outside of Pittsburgh, after the parent came to a charter school, according to a letter from the district

In a letter from California Area School District Superintendent Laura Jacob, seen here, the parent 'disregarded all directives' and decided to 'have lunch with their son'

Jacob said: 'This morning, at approximately 10.45am, a parent of a charter school student came to the building for a scheduled parent-teacher conference.

'The parent blatantly disregarded all directives to the parent-teacher conference room and decided to walk to the cafeteria 'to have lunch' with their son.

'Further directives from the school principal and school police officer were challenged and the parent was escorted out of the building, handcuffed, and arrested with additional police support.

'The parent was arrested, charged, and will be issued a 'no trespass' order on behalf of the District.

'If a parent or any other individual disregards these protocols by accessing the building unattended, it is a breach of school security, leading to arrest and legal action under trespassing laws and school safety policies.'
Sir Keir Starmer today demanded Rishi Sunak 'do the right thing' and apologise 'swiftly' for his transgender joke at Prime Minister's Questions.

The Labour leader called on his Tory rival to heed a call by Peter Spooner - the father of murdered trans teen Brianna Ghey - to express regret for his remarks.

Mr Sunak prompted a furious row in the House of Commons on Wednesday when he swiped at Sir Keir's position on gender rights in their weekly exchanges.

The PM made the comments during a session when Brianna's mother, Esther Ghey, was in the Commons chamber.

Sir Keir immediately reacted with anger towards the PM, but Mr Sunak has since refused to apologise to Brianna's family.

In a post on her 'Peace & Mind UK' campaign Facebook page this afternoon, Esther declined to get involved and said her 'focus is on creating a positive change and a lasting legacy for Brianna'.

Sir Keir Starmer today demanded Rishi Sunak - pictured on a visit to a bakery in Hayle, Cornwall - 'do the right thing' and apologise 'swiftly' for his transgender joke at PMQs

The Labour leader called on his Tory rival to heed a call by Peter Spooner - the father of murdered trans teen Brianna Ghey - to express regret for his remarks

In a post on her 'Peace & Mind UK' campaign Facebook page, Brianna's mother Esther Ghey declined to get involved in the row

Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe were both 15 when they killed Brianna, 16, with a hunting knife on February 11 last year

During the PMQs exchanges yesterday, Mr Sunak accused Sir Keir of being incapable of 'defining a woman' in an attack on Labour U-turns.

The PM's comment prompted fierce criticism, with Sir Keir telling Mr Sunak: 'Of all the weeks to say that, when Brianna's mother is in this chamber. Shame.'

Last night, Mr Spooner demanded an apology from Mr Sunak for the 'dehumanising' and 'degrading' jibe.

But the PM this morning said it was 'sad and wrong' to link his remarks to Brianna's case, as he stressed he had 'nothing but the most heartfelt sympathy' for the murdered teen's family.

Speaking to reporters this afternoon, Sir Keir said: 'This is nothing to do with me. This is Brianna's father.

'They've had their child murdered and he has put his words out about what the PM said and it's not good enough for the PM's team to go out today and effectively say to Brianna's father 'you didn't understand what Rishi was saying'.

'He did understand. He's given his reaction. The right thing to do is to apologise as swiftly as possible  not just reflect but apologise. This is a grieving father.'

Cabinet ministers have defended the PM over the remarks, insisting they were not directly connected to Brianna's case.

Kemi Badenoch accused Labour of trying to 'weaponise' the exchange in its criticism.

But, asked about the Business Secretary's claim, Sir Keir said: 'She's completely and utterly wrong.

'The idea that I'm responsible for Rishi Sunak's comments is through the looking glass.'

Brianna's mother Esther had written on her campaign Facebook page earlier: 'I don't wish to comment on reports of wording or comments recently made. My focus is on creating a positive change and a lasting legacy for Brianna.

'Through Peace & Mind, we want to improve lives by empowering people, giving them the tools they need to build mental resilience, empathy, and self-compassion through mindfulness.

'In developing these skills, I hope that we can create a more understanding, peaceful, and stronger society for everyone.'

It came after Mr Sunak insisted it was 'entirely legitimate' to ridicule Sir Keir's past claim that some women have penises, moments after being told that the Brianna's mother was watching the PMQs session from the Commons gallery.

Asked this morning if he would apologise, the PM told reporters in Cornwall: 'If you look at what I said, I was very clear, talking about Keir Starmer's proven track record of U-turns on major policies because he doesn't have a plan.

'A point only proven by today's reports that the Labour Party and Keir Starmer are apparently planning to reverse on their signature economic green spending policy.

'That just demonstrates the point I was making. He's someone who has just consistently changed his mind on a whole range of major things.

'I think that is an absolutely legitimate thing to point out and it demonstrates that he doesn't have a plan for the country.'

Mr Sunak said he had 'nothing but the most heartfelt sympathy' for Brianna's family and friends, but it was 'sad and wrong' to link his remarks to the case

Sir Keir met Esther Ghey in the House of Commons after the PMQs row on Wednesday

Cabinet minister Kemi Badenoch - the favourite to become the next Tory leader - weighed in to defend the PM

The PM jibed about the Labour leader's view that not all women have penises as they clashed in the Commons

Mr Sunak added: 'Like everyone, I was completely shocked by Brianna's case. To have your child taken from you in such awful circumstances is almost impossible to come to terms with, and for Brianna's mum to talk with such empathy and compassion about that, I thought, was inspiring and it showed the very best of humanity.

'I've nothing but the most heartfelt sympathy for her entire family and friends.

'But to use that tragedy to detract from the very separate and clear point I was making about Keir Starmer's proven track record of multiple U-turns on major policies, because he doesn't have a plan, I think is both sad and wrong, and it demonstrates the worst of politics.'

In a round of interviews this morning, policing minister Chris Philp said Mr Sunak was keen to meet Brianna's family, although nothing has been confirmed.

He told BBC Breakfast: 'The PM made no reference at all to any individual trans people.

'It was Keir Starmer who introduced that. The PM was making a point about Labour's very numerous flip-flops.'

Esther has been invited to a meeting with the PM, though it has not yet been confirmed whether or when it will take place.

Emma Mills, Brianna's headteacher at Birchwood High School, who accompanied Esther to Parliament on Wednesday, told BBC Breakfast: 'We came in late into the gallery and missed what was said, and I don't think she's really had time to look at the context and what exactly was said, and she wants a little bit of time to be able to do that today.

'Yesterday, while we were there, we were just so focused on the mindfulness debate that we were going to and making sure that moves forward in a positive way. That wasn't something we really discussed yesterday.'

During the PMQs exchanges, Sir Keir noted that Esther was watching the session, as he paid tribute after her daughter's killers were jailed for a crime that a court heard was partly fuelled by transphobia.

Seconds later Mr Sunak jibed about the Labour leader's view that not all women have penises - a common attack he has used in previous sessions of the Wednesday showpiece.

Although Esther had not yet taken her seat in the public gallery, Sir Keir hit back, saying: 'Of all the weeks to say that, when Brianna's mother is in this chamber.

'Shame. Parading as a man of integrity when he's got absolutely no responsibility.'

Mr Spooner told Sky News last night: 'As the Prime Minister for our country to come out with degrading comments like he did, regardless of them being in relation to discussions in Parliament, they are absolutely dehumanising.

'Identities of people should not be used in that manner, and I personally feel shocked by his comments and feel he should apologise for his remarks.'

As the row over Mr Sunak's comments spilled out in the hours after PMQs, No10 refused six times to apologise for the remarks, before Cabinet minister Kemi Badenoch - the favourite to become the next Tory leader - weighed in to defend the PM.

'Every murder is a tragedy. None should be trivialised by political point-scoring. As a mother, I can imagine the trauma that Esther Ghey has endured,' the women and equalities minister wrote on the X social media site.

'It was shameful of Starmer to link his own inability to be clear on the matter of sex and gender directly to her grief.

'As Minister for Women and Equalities I've done all I can to ensure we have take the heat out of the debate on LGBT issues while being clear about our beliefs and principles. Keir Starmer's behaviour today shows Labour are happy to weaponise this issue when it suits them.'

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt also defended the PM, telling the BBC he had been making a point 'that we have a Labour party that cannot make their mind up about big issues of the day'.

Brianna's father Peter Spooner demanded an apology over the 'degrading' comments last night

Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt suggested Mr Sunak should 'reflect on things'

But Ms Mordaunt said today - before the PM's words from Cornwall aired: 'Whatever the rough and tumble of this place, whatever the pressures and mistakes that are made in the heat of political combat, we owe it to the people who sent us here to strive every day to make them proud of us and this place.

'The PM is a good and caring man. I am sure that he has reflected on things and I understand he will say something later today, or perhaps even during this session.

'That is not just about Mr and Mrs Ghey that he should reflect on, but I am sure he is also reflecting about people who are trans, or who have trans loved ones and family, some of whom sit on these green benches.

'I hope the leader of the Opposition will also reflect on his actions too.'

Tory former minister Dehenna Davison said it was 'disappointing' to 'hear jokes being made at the trans community's expense'.

The Bishop Auckland MP said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: 'Wasn't in Parliament today thanks to a migraine attack so have just caught up on PMQs.

'The debate around trans issues often gets inflamed at the fringes. As politicians, it's our job to take the heat out of such debates and focus on finding sensible ways forward, whilst ensuring those involved are treated with respect.

'Given some of the terrible incidences of transphobia we have seen lately, this need for respect feels more crucial than ever.

'That's why it was disappointing to hear jokes being made at the trans community's expense. Our words in the House resonate right across our society, and we all need to remember that.'
A brand new 480-acre Universal theme park in the heart of the English countryside has received government backing - despite fervent opposition from locals.

The new resort is set to be built in the sleepy Bedfordshire village of Stewartby, which has a population of just 1,121, and Universal will hope to emulate the success of their attractions across the world, which include sites in Hollywood, Florida and Osaka, Japan.

Universal have said that plans are still in 'very early stages' and it could be months before ground is broken but confirmed in December that Comcast Corporation, its parent company, had bought the plot.

And now the government has thrown its weight behind the project, which is currently in the middle of a feasibility study, describing it as 'exciting'.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said that he and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt had been looking into the plans.

A brand new 480-acre Universal theme park in the heart of the English countryside has received government backing - despite fervent opposition from locals (pictured: Super Nintendo World's grand opening by Universal Studios Hollywood in February2023)

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said that he and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt had been looking into the plans

Harper added that he and the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt (pictured) 'will look very carefully at the proposals put forward and I know the Government will want to do what we can to make sure that this exciting proposal comes to fruition'

He said: 'I'm very familiar with that scheme - I've been briefed on it myself and I know the Chancellor has been involved in this as well.

'We will look very carefully at the proposals put forward and I know the Government will want to do what we can to make sure that this exciting proposal comes to fruition.'

Labour MP for the local Bedford constituency Mohammad Yasin also backed the new attraction saying it would bring 'enormous prosperity and jobs' to the area.

Government support has come in spite of local approval of the theme park being far from universal.

Chief among residents' concerns is increased traffic as holidaymakers across the world head to the small village, which lies just 60 miles from London and was once the home to the largest brickworks on the planet, producing 500million bricks at its peak.

While many Stewartby villagers think the Universal Studios theme park could be good for the area, others worry about traffic threatening to hit the small community.

Karla Robertson, 30, a beauty therapist at The Bronzing Shop in Stewartby, warned that traffic from the mooted theme park would be 'horrendous'.

She said: 'I feel sorry for the houses around Stewartby and Kempston Hardwick because all it takes is a problem on the M1 before everybody starts coming up the A142.

Stewartby Village Centre in Bedfordshire is just a stone's throw from a former brickworks and a 480-acre plot of land now earmarked for a potential theme park

The 480-acre site in Stewartby, between Bedford and Milton Keynes, has been bought by Universal Destinations and Experiences, the theme park arm of NBCUniversal

'Any new traffic that the new theme park might bring in will just make things horrendous  it will be carnage.'

Miss Robertson, who lives in nearby Kempston, described Stewartby as a 'small close-kit community' that already suffers from flooding, and fears the theme park could make it worse.

She said: 'It's known for flooding around here, even down to Marston Moretaine.

'If it floods in Northampton, all the water from the River Nene comes down here  I would like to know if they've thought about any flood defences otherwise no one will want to go.'

Miss Robertson did suggest there would be some positives if Universal Studios decide to go ahead.

She said: 'Now the chimneys from the brickworks are gone, it seems like Stewartby is becoming more modern with the new housing estates.

'If house prices do go up, it might mean that more people will think about selling and getting more for their money.'

Shane Walker, the steward of the local community's Stewartby Club, agreed that traffic threatened to become a problem for the quaint village - but added that the proposed plans would 'put Stewartby on the map'.

He said: 'I think they should be allowed to build here around the brickworks  it's a lot more exciting than any more houses. It will put Stewartby on the map.'

Existing attractions run by the firm include a Universal Studios theme park in Singapore

Beauty therapist Karla Robertson, 30, worries that major developments in the village of Stewartby could exacerbate existing flooding risks

Stewartby Club steward Shane Walker, is among those welcoming the potential Universal Studios theme park which he believes would help put the village 'on the map'

Mr Walker, 37, who has lived here for 11 years, said locals were sad when Stewartby Brickwork's chimneys were demolished but insisted the theme park would give people 'a bit more to do around here'.

He said: 'I think residents who have lived here for longer are used to having peace and quiet, but we'll have to see what happens when they actually start building.'

Mr Walker is often behind the bar at the club and said they always have workmen popping in for a drink.

He said: 'Out of our customers that do come in, some are worried about the traffic. There only needs to be a blockage on the A142 for the traffic to back up.'

Alom Nahibur, manager of boutique events venue Marquee Bedford, which sits outside the land where Universal Studios plan to build on in Kempston Hardwick, said he hoped any ambitious plans would not 'fizzle out'.

Mr Nahibur, 45, said: 'I think it's good for the local community  any marketing is good marketing.

'We don't want people to bypass Stewartby, Kempston Hardwick or Bedford as quite often people end up going to Milton Keynes or Cambridge.'

The father-of-three dismissed any concerns about a harmful effect of a theme park might have on his business, even if built right outside.

He said: 'We don't know how it'll affect us yet as it is really early days but as far as I can see, if anything it will be good for us.

'We haven't had any correspondence from Universal but I don't blame them  as long as they're talking to the council and the right consultations are going ahead, we'll be told in due course.

'Villages around here are expanding and expanding, so changes have to be made some time.'

Nathan Quigley, a builder who grew up in Bedford, has had to halt renovations on his cottage which have so far cost him 100,000.

Mr Quigley, 49, and his partner Michelle Marlton, live on Manor Road which backs directly on to the land bought by the movie giant.

Nathan Quigley, 49, has put on hold planned 180,000 renovations at his home backing on to the 480-acre site after it was bought by Universal

Mr Quigley and his partner Michelle Marlton believe - as do other neighbours - their homes could be bought up by Universal as part of the theme park plans

The site in Stewartby has been derelict for years, after previously being home to what was once the world's largest brickworks

The purchase by Universal has been described by supporters as 'a huge win for Bedford'

The couple decided to send away builders who were working on their home in December, after the news of the planned theme park broke.

Mr Quigley said he wanted to wait to see whether their house would be bought by Universal, before ploughing ahead with their dream home.

He said: 'We're sitting on a goldmine here as we're sat in the countryside, but with a direct link to London with our station.

'I have massive plans for this house - I've spent 100,000 so far and I expect to spend another 80,000 making it perfect.

'But I think the theme park is a huge win for Bedford and the UK and I will be asking for a VIP pass.'

His partner Michelle, 36, added: 'We'd like to know what's happening as we've had to stop all of our building work in case we move.

'There's been a lot of happy memories in this house and it would be sad if we needed to relocate.

'But we're prepared to do it as we're realistic and to have a theme park like the Universal one on our doorstep would be great.'

The couple said they had been told residents of four homes along Manor Road had signed NDAs preventing them from talking about plans for the park.

And they thought most people living along the eight-house street were now expecting to be 'bought out' by Universal and would have to move.

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, agreed that he expected his home to be bought.

News of the Universal purchase was greeted on Monday by Bedford mayor Tom Wootton saying: 'The suggestion of a major business investment is of course positive.

'Nevertheless, these are early days and much detailed work is required before any decisions are made.

'We very much welcome and are excited by the interest from Universal and the immense potential for it to be transformative for the borough.

'We're committed to ensure that any plans align with the best interests of our residents.

Movie giant Universal has a welcoming globe at the entrance to Universal Studios Hollywood

The 1,121-population village Stewartby is served by local railway station Kempston Hardwick

Bedford mayor Tom Wootton says Universal's investment could be 'transformative'

'I have been hosting regular meetings with representatives from Universal Studios since May and I am facilitating briefing sessions with local stakeholders including ward councillors and parish councils.'

NBCUniversal's theme park arm Universal Destinations and Experiences already has resorts in Orlando and Hollywood as well as Osaka, Japan, and Beijing in China - including Super Nintendo World opened by Universal Studios Hollywood last year.

Universal Destinations and Experiences have launched a website to keep locals updated on the potential development.
A 44-year-old Atlanta man was shot and killed by muggers in a 'targeted attack' who then stole his beloved dog, leaving his family completely shattered.

Samuel 'JR' Harris was walking his pit bull, named Tequila, in his Southwest Atlanta neigborhood, Mitchell Street and Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard, around 8pm Monday night when he was gunned down by a gang of hoodlums who ran off with the pet.

Atlanta police said Harris died at the scene, and believe he was targeted. They haven't offered further information on why.

The victim's mother, Mary Boykins told Fox 5 Atlanta, she found out about her son's murder when police came to her home the following morning. The ordeal has been a nightmare.

'I couldn't believe it. I was shocked. I'm going to wake up and it's a dream,' she said.

Samuel 'JR' Harris was gunned down around 8pm Monday night when he was walking his dog in his Southwest Atlanta neighborhood; the gang ran off with his pit bull, Tequilla.

Harris's pit bull Tequilla has been missing since Monday night's deadly shooting. The grieving family is pleading with the public to help bring their loved ones four-month-old puppy home

Harris' mother, Mary Boykins told Fox 5 Atlanta, found out about her son's death the following morning when police came to her home.

Harris' sister Liz Robinson was emotionally distraught, and pleaded for the public to bring Tequilla back home to her family.

'Somebody decided that they wanted to take him out,' she said. 'I don't know what happened. I know that he was walking his dog and something happened, whether it was an altercation - they shot and killed my brother in the head.'

She said, in part. 'It would be so grateful even if you just dropped her off in a cage in front of the police station. We would be so grateful to have a piece of him still with us.'

Harris was described by his family as a 'dog lover' had gotten his pit bull four months ago, and adored him.

Harris' grief-stricken wife, Lea Harris wants justice for her husband of 15 years.

She is hoping somebody will come forward. They have been handing out fliers hoping to get answers.

Harris' sister, Liz Robinson was visibly distraught: 'Somebody decided that they wanted to take him out,' she said. 'I don't know what happened. I know that he was walking his dog and something happened, whether it was an altercation - they shot and killed my brother in the head'

Harris' wife, Lea Harris wants justice for her husband of 15 years and is hoping and praying someone will come forward

The shooters have not been found, and the dog has not yet been recovered.

The family has put up a $5,000 reward and Crime Stoppers put up a $2,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest.

Atlanta Police Homicide Unit is asking for anyone with tips to call 404-546-4235 or Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, online at StopCrimeATL.org, or by texting CSA and the tip to 274637.

Calls may be anonymous.
Kellogg's has announced it could close it's famous Greater Manchester Factory after 90 years putting 360 jobs at risk.

Kellanova, the owners of Kellogg's, is considering the future of its Trafford Park factory and is proposing it could close by the end of 2026.

The famous factory makes popular cereal brands including Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies and Coco Pops, and just last year King Charles visited the site.

Kellanova said Greater Manchester 'would remain its British home'.

Consultation began today with workers at the famous site, which operates 24 hours a day and makes a million boxes of cereal daily. The site is also the largest cereal factory in Europe and Corn Flakes factory in the world.

The Kellogg's factory in Trafford Park, Greater Manchester, has been operating since 1938. Kellanova, the owners of Kellogg's, is considering the future of its Trafford Park factory and is proposing it could close by the end of 2026

King Charles visited the site in January 2023. During the visit, staff said they spoke to the monarch about sustainability, as well as the company's breakfast club programme that helps feed hungry children in schools

The world famous factory operates 24 hours a day and makes a million boxes of cereal daily. The site is also the largest cereal factory in Europe and Corn Flakes factory in the world

The 520 staff at its MediaCity HQ and tech hub are unaffected by today's announcement, as are staff at its Wrexham cereal factory and St Helens' distribution centre.

Kellanova's UK managing director, Chris Silcock, said: 'We know generations of families have worked at our Trafford Park site, and the proposal we are announcing today has nothing to do with the dedication of the outstanding people who work there.

'However, we can't escape the fact the site opened in 1938. It's laid out in a way that made sense in the 1930s, with food travelling up and down six floors to be made. With changes in industrial design and technology, you just wouldn't lay out a factory like that nowadays.

'What's more we only use half the space in the buildings and the investment required to maintain the factory in the coming years is simply not viable. That's why we can't currently see a long-term future for our Trafford Park factory.

'We know this will be difficult for many to hear and that's why we now want to focus on our people. We will take the necessary time to discuss our proposals with our people and their representatives and show them how we will support them in the right way should this change happen.'

Andrew Western, who is the MP for Stretford and Urmston which includes the Kellogg's factory, said: 'This would be a devastating loss to the people of Stretford and Urmston.

'Kellogg's has a long and proud history in the constituency and the site in Trafford Park has been an iconic part of our community for decades - with generations of local families working there.

'My first thoughts are with the staff that are affected by these deeply worrying proposals and I will reach out to the trade unions that represent them to offer any support that I can. There is now going to be a consultation process and I will remain in conversation with Kellogg's in the sincere hope that they will reconsider closing this site.'

The Kellogg's plant has been a landmark in Trafford Park for 90 years - and sadly for its hard-working and dedicated staff, that might be exactly the problem for its owner Kellanova.

Kellogg's Trafford Park was built in a different era and it seems that the company decided the plant could not be updated.

Kellanova's UK managing director, Chris Silcock, praised the workers at the site. But he said: 'We can't escape the fact the site opened in 1938. It's laid out in a way that made sense in the 1930s, with food travelling up and down six floors to be made. With changes in industrial design and technology, you just wouldn't lay out a factory like that nowadays.

'What's more we only use half the space in the buildings and the investment required to maintain the factory in the coming years is simply not viable.

The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) area organiser Mick Murray says the news is 'devastating'.

He said: 'This is devastating news for the staff to hear that the Kellogg's manufacturing site in Manchester's Trafford Park is being considered for closure. This iconic site opened in 1938 and was the first manufacturing base for Kellogg's in Britain.

'Usdaw will now enter into meaningful consultation talks with the company, where we will interrogate their business case and seek the best possible outcome for staff impacted by the proposed closure. We are providing our members with the support, advice and representation at this difficult time.'

Andrew Western, who is the MP for Stretford and Urmston which includes the Kellogg's factory, said: 'This would be a devastating loss to the people of Stretford and Urmston. 'Kellogg's has a long and proud history in the constituency and the site in Trafford Park has been an iconic part of our community for decades - with generations of local families working there

During the Second World War the factory made up their own Kellogg's Unit in the Home Guard to protect the site and an ambulance team was also started as the site was bombed during the Blitz

Kellanova's UK managing director, Chris Silcock, praised the workers at the site. But he said: 'We can't escape the fact the site opened in 1938. It's laid out in a way that made sense in the 1930s... you just wouldn't lay out a factory like that nowadays

According to Kellanova's announcement today, 360 jobs 'are at possible risk'.

The company said they would now be entering into a process of detailed talks and consultations with colleagues' trade unions and employee representatives, which they expect to last around 90 days.



During the Second World War the factory made up their own Kellogg's Unit in the Home Guard to protect the site and an ambulance team was also started as the site was bombed during the Blitz.

Later decades at the Trafford Park factory have seen new cereals invented including Crunchy Nut Cornflakes in 1980.

The Trafford Park factory had a special visit from King Charles just over a year ago, in January 2023.

During the visit, staff said they spoke to the monarch about sustainability, as well as the company's breakfast club programme that helps feed hungry children in schools.

Kellogg's parent Kellanova employs more than 1,200 people across the UK, most of whom are not affected by today's sad announcement at Trafford Park.

The company renamed itself Kellanova in October 2023 after a restructure at what was the Kellogg Company.

Globally, Kellanova owns brands including Pringles, PopTarts and Cheez-It.
The retired dean of Harvard Medical School has blasted DEI obsessions for threatening medicine, saying anti-racism experts discourage doctors from asking questions or thinking critically.

Jeffrey Flier said policies enacted at New York's Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and other institutions is threatening to 'degrade the quality of medical education' by 'diluting rigor and precision with ideological agendas'.

The former Harvard Medicine School dean aired his views in a op-ed, titled 'Medical Schools Should "Combat Racism". But Not Like This', published by The Free Press.

Flier acknowledges the 'disturbing history of racism and bias in medicine' which he has worked to help combat over his 55-year career. But he says current DEI policies are doing more harm than good.

'As a medical student all those years ago, I was taught that proper prescription can only follow accurate diagnosis,' Flier wrote.

Former Harvard Medical School dean Jeffrey Flier (pictured) said the policy at New York's Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is threatening to 'degrade the quality of medical education' by 'diluting rigor and precision with ideological agendas'

New York's Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has come under fire from a prominent former Harvard Medical School dean over its DEI policies he says are doing more harm than good

'This kind of precision and rigor is supposed to inform everything a doctor does. But when it comes to concerns about racism in medical education and practice, precision and rigor are left by the wayside.'

Flier tears into a 2020 paper in the journal Academic Medicine called Addressing and Undoing Racism and Bias in the Medical School Learning and Work Environment, by directors at the school Leona Hess, Ann-Gel Palermo, and David Muller.

'I was soon disappointed. Instead of a scrupulous analysis of an important problem, the paper consisted of dramatic, if unsupported, generalizations about the inherent racism in medical education and practice, and promises of sweeping but vague changes to come,' Flier wrote.

He added that the paper 'posed many more questions than it answered', so he signed up for a Mount Sinai 'Chats for Change' workshop about racism and bias.

Flier said the workshop slammed concepts including 'worship of the written word, objectivity, individualism, a sense of urgency, power hoarding, and defensiveness' as being linked to 'white supremacy'.

He condemned such teachings as discouraging critical thinking, which is crucial for medical practitioners.

Flier added that a trainer brushed off his request for a definition of 'anti-racism' saying 'everyone with a terminal degree should know that'.

The former dean added the leader of the session asked a series of questions which 'undermined the necessity of collecting unbiased evidence to establish best medical practices'.

He said they asked questions like 'Why is anything that is documented or published valued more highly than other forms of knowledge and communication?' and 'Are clinical trials more valuable than patients clinical experiences?'

'The questions suggested ignorance about the progress of modern medicine by those leading the session,' Flier said.

Flier tears into a 2020 paper in the journal Academic Medicine called Addressing and Undoing Racism and Bias in the Medical School Learning and Work Environment, by directors at the school Leona Hess (pictured), Ann-Gel Palermo, and David Muller

David Muller (pictured) is one of the DEI report authors who Flier criticizes

Flier has also been an outspoken critic of Harvard's response to the horrific October 7 Hamas incursion into Israel.

He's among several prominent faculty members who are urging the institution to abandon its longstanding practice of taking official positions on political or social issues.

In a private gathering just before winter break, Flier and three more Harvard professors hosted a dinner with two influential members of Harvard's powerful governing board, Tracy Palandjian and Paul Finnegan.

Flier, along with Steven Pinker, psychology professor; Jeannie Suk Gersen, Harvard Law School luminary; and Flynn Cratty, Harvard research program associate director made their case at a swanky Dec. 19 dinner at Bar Enza in The Charles Hotel.

They argued for Harvard to ditch official positions on political and social issues, create a space for diverse opinions, and reaffirm a commitment to free speech.
Furious San Diego residents have spoken out claiming that sex workers and pimps control entire neighborhoods, just days after an investigation found a massage parlor operating as a front for prostitution - which was disrupting nearby church services.

The California city's business owners and residents have been threatened by prostitutes and witnessed attempted human trafficking, but they are reluctant to report it to the police out of fear of retaliation.

A business owner detailed his interactions with prostitutes and pimps to Fox News under the condition of anonymity.

'Prostitutes will walk inside the properties to say, 'What are you looking at?,' 'Quit staring.' And they elaborate a little bit about calling their pimps to hurt them or do something to 'take care of them.''

The startling revelation comes after Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom

signed Senate Bill 357 in July 2022, with it taking effect last year, repealing the law that banned loitering with the intention to engage in prostitution.

Furious San Diego residents have spoken out as half-naked prostitutes strut outside in broad daylight, and pimps control entire neighborhoods

The California city's business owners and residents have been threatened by prostitutes and witnessed attempted human trafficking. But they are reluctant to report to the police out of fear of retaliation

The startling revelation comes after Newsom signed Senate Bill 357 in July 2022, with it taking effect last year, repealing the law that banned loitering with the intention to engage in prostitution

Ever since Newsom repealed the law banning loitering and street walking, San Diego and its neighboring city, home to some of the US Navy's most prestigious units, have seen a significant increase in sex workers.

Although prostitution is illegal in the state of California, sex workers and pimps have become so brazen that they openly threaten business owners in the region.

'If you're going to look at me, you got to pay me,' prostitutes allegedly told businesspeople in an act of intimidation.

The unnamed business owner said of pimps: 'They are controlling the neighborhood.'

The business owner further revealed that the 18-year-old daughter of his employee nearly became a victim of sex-trafficking recently.

The daughter 'walked out to pick up something from her vehicle, was approached by a pimp, threatened and [the dad] had to walk out there in order to rescue her,' the business owner said.

When conflicts are sparked, locals have been reluctant to flag down police because they fear physical attacks, property destruction, or theft from pimps and prostitutes, according to the business owner.

Another law prohibits police from citing people suspected of soliciting sex based on appearances, allowing prostitutes to walk the streets in little clothing.

The business owner claimed that before Newsom signed the bill, the amount of sex workers was only about five to ten percent of what is now observed in the city.

'They weren't brazen and emboldened. They would hide behind the cars or  they would just come out at night,' the business owner recalled.

Ever since Newsom repealed the law banning loitering and street walking, San Diego and its neighboring city, home to some of the US Navy's most prestigious units, have seen a significant increase in sex workers

The business owner further revealed that the 18-year-old daughter of his employee nearly became a victim of sex-trafficking recently

When conflicts are sparked, locals have been reluctant to flag police because they fear physical attacks, property destruction, or theft from pimps and prostitutes, according to the business owner

San Diego has been a hotspot for prostitution, with the most recent investigation revealing a local massage parlor being used as a front for an illegal prostitution ring, disrupting nearby church services with 'loud moaning'.

The complaints, the city's civil action says, began in 2018, when locals cited 'traffic at all hours of the day, sexual sounds coming from the premises which are audible to nearby businesses, and female employees wearing sexually explicit clothing.'

A sprawling sting ensued, during which undercover detectives within the police force spent some 125 hours last year alone compiling potentially damning evidence about the parlor's inner-workings.

This, prosecutors explained, proved enough to make four arrests - all involving spa workers who offered the undercovers sex for purchase.

Those spa workers have yet to be named, but two of the arrests came as recently as December, officials said.

In their civil law enforcement action, staffers from Elliott's office revealed how investigators were 'not convinced' the women voluntarily prostituted themselves - instead alluding that someone had trafficked and forced them beforehand.

The same filing laid bare how more than 1,270 ads soliciting sex had been distributed online by the spa over the past five years - during which the Bible Study, a music school for kids, and a dentist operated on the same floor as the massage hall.

'Neighboring businesses complained the site was the source of foot traffic at odd hours, people having intercourse in parked cars and sexual noises loud enough to disrupt a nearby church service,' officials wrote.

'After receiving numerous community complaints regarding illicit sexual activities at Ocean Spa, including criminal, nuisance and lewd activities, SDPDs Vice Unit began an extensive and thorough investigation into these complaints.'

The complaints, they said, ranged from 'sexual noises' that disturbed the church service, to locals spotting people having sex in cars.

San Diego has been a hotspot for prostitution, with the most recent investigation revealing a local massage parlor being used as a front for an illegal prostitution ring, disrupting nearby church services with 'loud moaning'

The complaints, the city's civil action says, began in 2018, when locals cited 'traffic at all hours of the day, sexual sounds coming from the premises which are audible to nearby businesses, and female employees wearing sexually explicit clothing

A sprawling sting ensued, during which undercover detectives within the police force spent some 125 hours last year alone compiling potentially damning evidence about the parlor's inner-workings

Newsom promised that the Safer Streets for All Act would not legalize prostitution but as soon as he signed the bill, prostitution began expanding in the state.

DailyMail.com images from last year capture how women, either on their own or in pairs, are hanging around the parking lot, flicking their hair, and making eye contact with people driving past in cars.

One woman, wearing a fluorescent pink outfit with her buttocks on display, walked with another woman whose jean shorts left little to the imagination.

The women, who paraded up and down the industrial street, were seen waving at passing cars until a police vehicle showed up.

One woman gave a male driver a hand signal, at which point he pulled around the corner to a spot under a bridge and she skipped off to follow.

When DailyMail.com spotted the six or so women in National City, they were approaching the windows of some passing trucks, before retreating again.
Passengers aboard the near-catastrophic Alaska Airlines jet that had a door blow out mid-air claim staff ignored a 'whistling sound' raised by travelers on a previous flight, their attorney said Wednesday.

Attorney Mark Lindquist, who is representing 22 passengers on Flight 1282 suing Boeing and Alaska Airlines, said in a new statement the manufacturer is 'cutting so many corners, they're going in circles.'

The class-action lawsuit was filed last month, and in an amendment filed Wednesday it was claimed there 'there was a whistling sound coming from the vicinity of the door plug on a previous flight of the subject plane.'

After passengers warned staff who then informed the pilot, it is claimed that no action was taken 'after the pilot checked cockpit instruments, which purportedly read normal.'

The door, which was previously used as an emergency exit but had been sealed, exploded shortly after the aircraft reached 16,000 feet above Portland, Oregon on January 5.

The lawsuit alleges a string of failures that led the plug door to blow out, also including that crucial bolts were missing from the door when it was sealed, and oxygen masks malfunctioned.

On January 5, this plug door on an Alaska Airlines jet, which was previously used as an emergency exit but had been sealed, exploded shortly after the aircraft reached 16,000 feet above Portland, Oregon

In a class action lawsuit against Alaska Airlines and Boeing, it is claimed passengers on a previous flight warned staff about a 'whistling sound' around the weak plug door

In Lindquist's amendment this week, he escalated claims that the passengers on board the flight suffered a number of emotional and physical injuries.

This included several plaintiffs claiming they suffered a loss of hearing, alongside concussions, leg injuries, trauma, anxiety and emotional distress.

Lindquist also cited an emergency design function on the cockpit door that saw it fling open when the cabin depressurized, which was a feature the pilots did not know existed.

'The resulting shock, noise, and communication difficulties contributed to a lack of proper communication between the flight crew and passengers, thereby intensifying confusion and stress,' the lawsuit said.

A month after the near disaster, a preliminary report on the incident from the National Transportation Safety Board was released this week - offering the clearest picture yet over how the episode unfolded.

The most damning allegation landed on the missing bolts, claiming four key bolts that were intended to prevent vertical movement of the door plug were missing.

It was suggested that the oversight may have come from Boeing workers failing to replace them after removing the plug for a repair during assembly.

The damage patterns observed in the door plug and airframe indicated that the four bolts were not in place at the time of the incident, allowing the plug to detach from the stop pads.

A photo shows three locations (circled) where retaining bolts are missing after the door was removed and then re-installed during a repair at Boeing's plant in Renton. A fourth location of a suspected missing bolt, in the top left, is not visible in the photo

Boeing workers removed the door plug to repair five defective rivets just forward of the panel. The location of the bad rivets is marked above

The class action lawsuit has been joined by 22 passengers including Garet Cunningham (pictured), with the group alleging they suffered a number of emotional and physical injuries including loss of hearing, =concussions, leg injuries, trauma, anxiety and emotional distress

The door plug was recovered from the back yard of a home after it blew out on January 5

Shortly after the incident, aviation outlet The Air Current reported that the aircraft involved in the incident had come under scrutiny by officials just a day before the window blew out.

The outlet claimed that on January 4, an intermittent warning light appeared as it taxied to a terminal from a previous flight, which led the airline to remove it from extended range operations (ETOPS).

Later that same day in a separate flight, the warning came back on.

The Boeing 737 MAX 9 jet involved in the incident had reportedly only gone into service in November 2023, and was practically new by aviation standards after reportedly undergoing less than 200 flights before the incident.

Terrified passengers have offered a glimpse on board the plane when it flew into a frenzy, as Emma Vu said she was asleep when she 'felt the entire plane drop.'

She took to TikTok after surviving the horror near-miss, revealing her panic-stricken texts to her family reading: 'The masks r down; I am so scared right now; Please pray for me; Please I don't want to die.'

'In the moment I was so scared,' Vu said.

'The masks dropped, and people are screaming,' she continued, next to a tearful selfie she took in the moment that she feared could be her last.

Passenger Emma Vu offered a chilling insight into the almost-catastrophic flight, and said she 'felt the entire plane drop' around 20 minutes into the horror Alaska Airlines flight 1282

Vu revealed her final texts to her family pleading 'I don't want to die', and showed a selfie she took in the moment which she feared could be her last

After being woken up by the window being blown out, Vu revealed the panic-stricken text messages she sent her family, telling them: 'I don't want to die'

'I am so grateful for the ladies sat next to me... they were so sweet at calming me down, and the flight attendants were giving oxygen tanks to those who needed it more,' she said.

'But I was freaking out because my bag wouldn't inflate - and that's literally what they tell you in the safety thing, like don't worry you're still getting air flow... when you're in fight or flight you're not thinking about that.'

'It was just so scary, no one knew what was happening, the pilot came on to tell everyone to put your mask on before you help others - literally word for word what they tell you in the safety training.'

'A toddler's shirt flew off, and their phone flew out the window,' she added. 'It was just so surreal.'

In the month-long investigation since, investigators also analyzed work records at Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems, the subcontractor who manufactured the plane's fuselage and the door plug in question.

The records show that the involved fuselage arrived at Boeing's Renton, Washington plant for assembly on August 31, 2023.

On September 1, 2023, a work order was created noting five damaged rivets just forward of the door plug - which was allegedly the cause of the missing bolts.

Records and photos show that, to repair the damaged rivets, the door plug had to be removed, which involved removing the two vertical movement arrestor bolts and two upper guide track bolts.

After the work was complete, the door was replaced by Boeing workers, who appear to have failed to replace the four crucial bolts.

The fuselage plug area of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 Boeing 737-9 MAX, which was forced to make an emergency landing with a gap in the fuselage, is seen during its investigation

The Alaska plane returned to Portland Airport less than an hour after takeoff

While the findings this week sparked outrage, the NTSB notes that the findings are preliminary, and that its investigation is ongoing.

The NTSB' declaration of a probable cause for the accident will come at the end of an investigation that could last a year or longer.

'Whatever final conclusions are reached, Boeing is accountable for what happened,' CEO David Calhoun said in a statement.

'An event like this must not happen on an airplane that leaves our factory. We simply must do better for our customers and their passengers.'

Spirit AeroSystems said that it was reviewing the NTSB preliminary report and was working with Boeing and regulators 'on continuous improvement in our processes and meeting the highest standards of safety, quality and reliability.'
A cheating husband has been jailed for just 180 days after spiking his wife's drinks with abortion drugs when she was seven months pregnant - meaning the child was born prematurely with learning difficulties.

Mason Herring, 39, a Houston-based attorney, was sentenced on Wednesday to 180 days inside the Harris County Jail, beginning March 1, in addition to 10 years of probation as part of a plea deal.

Herring made numerous attempts to drug his wife, Catherine Herring, leaving her ill and their third baby to be born 10 weeks premature. The child now suffers from developmental delays and receives therapy eight times per week.

The lawyer's repeated attempts to drug his wife in 2022 came after he embarked on an affair and told his wife he wanted to split up. She told the court he feared 'looking like a jerk' if she gave birth.

Catherine bravely appeared at her husband's sentencing to slam the judge for giving such a lenient sentence.

'I do not believe that 180 days is justice for attempting to kill your child seven separate times,' she told the court. 'For two years, my husband has overtly denied this assault, and I'm grateful today that he has finally admitted to his guilt.'

A cheating husband has been jailed for just 180 days after spiking his wife's drinks with abortion drugs when she was seven months pregnant - meaning the child was born prematurely with learning difficulties. Mason (left) and Catherine Herring (right)

Mason Herring, 39, a Houston-based attorney, was sentenced on Wednesday to 180 days inside the Harris County Jail, beginning March 1, in addition to 10 years of probation as part of a plea deal

Catherine (pictured) bravely appeared at her husband's sentencing to slam the judge for giving such a lenient sentence

'I believe that the result was a good one for my client. He has accepted responsibility for he did,' his lawyer, Dan Codgell, told ABC13.

Mason was scheduled to stand trial on three felony charges in March. He was originally charged with forcing induction to have an abortion but he admitted guilt to lesser charges of assault of a pregnant person and injuring a child under fifteen.

His soon-to-be-ex-wife told the court that due to her husband's actions, she gave birth to their daughter 10 weeks premature - causing the newborn to spend months eating through a feeding tube.

She also said that Mason had stopped financially supporting her and their three children since the incident.

Mason was secretly drugging his wife to abort her pregnancy with their third child.

He was filmed on one occasion putting the abortion-inducing drug misoprostol into a glass of cranberry juice which he then encouraged his wife of 11 years to drink.

'[Catherine Herring] stated that this was out of character for [Mason Herring] as he does not do chores around the house,' the affidavit states.

'[Catherine Herring] stated that when [Mason Herring] left the residence, she went to the trash can to see what was inside. [Catherine Herring] stated that she then found opened blister packs labeled as 'Cyrux,' which she discovered was a Mexican pharmacy version of the American drug Cytotec and the main ingredient of which is Misoprostol, a drug that [Catherine Herring] knows is used to cause abortion.'

Catherine first became aware that Mason may have been drugging her when he offered her a glass of cloudy water in March 2022 during their Spring break and mentioned the importance of staying hydrated.

Within 30 minutes Catherine says she became very ill with diarrhea and cramps and was unable to get to the bathroom before soiling herself.

Within hours she was bleeding copiously and went to hospital where she provided a urine sample that was nearly black in color, Houston police said in an affidavit.

The lawyer's repeated attempts to drug his wife came after he started having an affair earlier this year and told his wife he wanted to separate.

When he discovered she was pregnant with their third child, he took action to abort the baby which he said would 'ruin his plans and make him look like a jerk'.

Mason (pictured) was scheduled to stand trial on three felony charges in March

He was originally charged with forcing induction to have an abortion but he admitted guilt to lesser charges of assault of a pregnant person and injuring a child under fifteen

'I do not believe that 180 days is justice for attempting to kill your child seven separate times,' Catherine told the court

Herring made numerous attempts to drug his wife, Catherine Herring, leaving her ill and their third baby to be born 10 weeks premature

The couple's baby was eventually born safely, albeit prematurely, attorneys have said.

Mason is a lawyer and the founder of Herring Law Firm that specializes in oil rig litigation in Houston. Catherine is an artist and the founder of online shop Old Southern Charm.

Despite her strong reaction to the drug on their spring break, Catherine told police that Mason made repeated attempts to secretly administer it to her - including in orange juice cartons which she could see had been unsealed.

Catherine told police that after drinking the water that left her hospitalized she did not consume any drinks prepared by Mason, but instead collected samples to build a case against him.

Six of those samples that she saved were tested in a lab in Oklahoma and at least two were shown to contain misoprostol.

One day in April, Catherine also called two friends to her house after suspecting she had been drugged. Both friends saw a material floating in a drink provided to her by her husband, the affidavit said.

After installing cameras in the family house - in which Mason was no longer living - Catherine said she found empty Cyrux packaging, which she later found out was a Mexican version of the American drug Cytotec which contains misoprostol.

Eventually she recorded her husband preparing a cranberry juice drink in the kitchen and adding to it a substance from a Ziploc bag he pulled form his pocket. The video footage was reviewed by Houston police.

When Catherine told Mason she had become pregnant for the third time he became frustrated and said it would 'ruin his plans and make him look like a jerk'

Catherine found empty Cyrux packaging, which she later found out was a Mexican version of the American drug Cytotec which contains misoprostol (pictured in tablet form)

Catherine is an artist and the founder of online shop Old Southern Charm

Herring was charged with assault of a pregnant person and forced induction to have an abortion - a charge that's never been used before in Harris County, district attorneys told KTRK at the time.

On April of 2022, Catherine went to a police station in Houston wanting to pursue charges against her husband Mason for a 'suspected poisoning'.

She told police that in February she had confronted her husband over lies about where he was and she believed he was continuing an affair with a woman he had previously hired.

Soon after that confrontation Mason told her he wanted to separate, she said. Nonetheless, the two began going to couple's therapy, wrote a Houston Police Department investigator in a probable cause affidavit.

It was during a counseling session that Catherine claimed to have told Mason about her pregnancy - news to which he responded negatively.

After that the couple spent spring break together with their two children in West Texas. It was in that period that Catherine said Mason began talking about the importance of drinking water and staying hydrated.

After Catherine was first duped by Mason into consuming the drug she began bleeding copiously and went to hospital

Catherine alleges that on March 17 Mason came to her house in Houston with breakfast and a glass of water.

She says that after taking a small sip from the glass she noticed the water was 'cloudy' and mentioned it to Mason, who suggested it could have been due to a dirty glass or water pipes.

'It's manipulative,' Anthony Osso, the assistant district attorney in the domestic violence division assigned to this case, said at the time.

'It's pre-meditated. What we are alleging Mr. Herring did, which we believe the evidence supports, is a pretty heinous act. To do that to someone who trusts you, it's taking advantage of that trust.'
SOFIA, 08 FEBRUARY, ARMENPRESS/BTA. Addressing The Economist magazine's The World Ahead 2024 forum in Sofia on Wednesday evening, President Rumen Radev said that Bulgaria's memberhip in Schengen, the euro area and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is above all a means to achieve the most important goal - Bulgarians to live securely and better tomorrow than today.

In his words, the most important thing is to have clarity in the goals and priorities that are set. Recently, the political space has been busy with talk that the strategic national goals are Schengen, eurozone and OECD membership, Radev said. In his words, these goals cannot be achieved with meetings, but with sustainable, social and economic instruments.

The head of State noted that it is very important to have continuity in politics - where there is success it should be developed, and where there are deficits they should be filled. "Because the global challenges will not diminish, we all know what awaits us this year - European elections, national elections in a number of countries, presidential elections in the United States, the war in Ukraine, new crises in the Middle East, the unceasing tensions in the Far East," Radev said. "If we look at where Bulgaria stands in this dynamic landscape, we should first of all be aware of the challenges that lie ahead of us," he added.

Bulgaria is an open economy, it is part of the European and global economic space, and at a time of unprecedented economic, political and social changes in the global perspective and in a very complex security environment, Radev went on to said.

He stressed that predictability is an extremely important factor for successful business and investments.

"I cannot hide my satisfaction with the growth of Bulgarian business," Radev said. He noted that he meets with representatives of the Bulgarian business and visits various enterprises. New and ever more innovative high-tech and high added value enterprises are being developed. Bulgaria is becoming an increasingly industrialised country. A green and circular economy is developing, the President added. He stressed that there is growth in corporate social responsibility and dual education.

Radev noted that Trakia Economic Zone has indeed established itself as a regional leader and a model of successful cooperation between business, local government and education. In his words, Bulgarian business has shown that it can be flexible in a complex environment.

The President also noted the role of the caretaker government which in just 10 months in power laid some solid foundations for economic development.

"The Bulgarian economy continues to be hostage to demographics, severe regional, economic, social imbalances, lack of connectivity - within the country and with our neighbours, quality of education and lack of sufficient workforce," Radev argued. Bulgaria still ranks second to last in the EU in terms of implementation of digitalisation and innovation in the economy and in public life, he added.

"Where do we want to see ourselves on the global and European innovation map and on Europe's investment map?" he asked, adding that we should have clear benchmarks. He gave as examples Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, the World Press Freedom Index, the conditions for doing business, the World Bank's ranking. "Every point up or down could mean plus or minus billions of investments for Bulgaria," Radev said and asked why Bulgaria does not set a goal to enter the top 25 of these rankings. In his words, achieving that will increase the attention and trust in Bulgaria.

Institutions are the key to competitiveness and high quality of life, Radev argued further. "They make the difference between countries when it comes to prosperity and success, because institutions can give an independent judiciary, freedom of the media, freedom of business, protection of business and property, and can make the environment for business really good and, most of all, the environment for the development of every citizen of this country to meet their goals, aspirations and opportunities," Radev said.

According to him, 2024 will be a year of adaptation of Bulgaria and the Bulgarian economy to the great geopolitical dynamics and, most of all, of exploiting Bulgaria's competitive advantages and opportunities.

In the President's words, the big task remains the talent of Bulgaria's young people. According to him, the challenge lies in how to transform this capital into an innovative economy.

(This information is being published according to an agreement between Armenpress and BTA.)
Two Alabama women who had been arrested for feeding and spaying feral stray cats have now launched a civil lawsuit against officers for violating their rights.

Beverly Roberts, 86, and Mary Alston, 61, were arrested and taken to jail by police in June 2022 in Wetumpka while waiting to trap stray cats that they planned to take to be neutered and eventually adopted.

The suit lists the city Mayor Jerry Willis, Police Chief Greg Benton, Assistant Police Chief Ed Reeves and Police Officers Kameron Ricks, Jason Crumpton and Brenden Foster both as city employees and personally as defendants.

According to court documents, Ricks, Crumpton and Foster had 'violently handcuffed' both women, 'aggressively forced them into a police car' and 'unjustifiably jailed them'.

The lawsuit also alleges that Roberts and Alston were arrested with the pretext that they were trespassing on public property and were jailed at the 'specific direction of Willis, Benton and Reeves'.

Mary Alston, 61, (right) and Beverly Roberts, 86, (left) have launched a civil lawsuit against officers for violating their rights

Alston and Roberts were arrested and taken to jail by police in June 2022 in Wetumpka while waiting to trap stray cats, take them to be neutered and eventually adopted

According to court documents , Officer Ricks, Crumpton and Foster had 'violently handcuffed' both women, 'aggressively forced them into a police car' and 'unjustifiably jailed them'

'The charges were bogus and the defendants knew this. The charges were brought maliciously, to harass and embarrass Roberts and Alston and to deter them from exercising their right to engage in [trap-neuter-return] and to peaceably assemble on public property,' documents read.

The duo are seeking compensatory damages for mental anguish and emotional distress, punitive damages along with court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees.

In 2022, Alston was sitting in her car after she had set up traps to capture a female cat on public property in Elmore County when she saw Willis drive past her.

Within minutes, three police arrived where Alston was parked and approached her.

According to the complaint, Willis later admitted that after observing Alston, he ordered the police to approach her.

Further, the lawsuit alleges that 'Willis was angry that Roberts and Alston frequently complained, both publicly and to officials at Wetumpka City Hall, that. Willis was failing to enforce laws and ordinances prohibiting the "chaining" of dogs.'

In 2022, Alston was sitting in her car after she had set up traps to capture a female cat on public property in Elmore County when she saw Willis drive past her. Within minutes, three police arrived where Alston was parked and approached her

According to the lawsuit, at this point officers informed Roberts that she would be arrested. When the officers handcuffed Roberts, Alston got out of her car and attempted to speak with the officers

Foster allegedly grabbed Alston, jerked her out of her vehicle by force, and then handcuffed her

The lawsuit further states that the officers were aware that Roberts was a disabled veteran

Bodycam footage shows one of the cops approach Alston, question what she was doing and ask for her driver's license.

Alston is heard asking the officer: 'Ya'll got three cop cars because I'm feeding cats? Wow, it's unbelievable.'

The trio is heard telling Alston that she had 'formally trespassed the area' and could go to jail.

Footage then shows the officers getting into their own cars and driving before returning to the scene.

When they return, Alston is still parked in the same spot and had now been joined by Roberts.

According to the lawsuit, at this point they informed Roberts that she would be arrested. When the officers handcuffed Roberts, Alston got out of her car and attempted to speak with the officers.

'The officers ordered Alston to quit talking and to get in her vehicle. Alston complied with the officers' demand to get back into her vehicle but continued to try to speak to the officers,' the lawsuit states.

The duo are seeking compensatory damages for mental anguish and emotional distress, punitive damages and court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees

The civil lawsuit alleges unlawful seizure and detention, excessive force, malicious prosecution, negligence, wantonness and other counts against the city officials and a jury trial has been demanded

In response, Foster allegedly grabbed Alston, jerked her out of her vehicle by force, and then handcuffed her.

The pair were then taken to a local jail, where they were allegedly mistreated further.

While in jail, Roberts lost consciousness and hit her head.

The complaint alleges that 'a police officer observed this but did nothing. Roberts was not provided any medical assistance. Roberts requested to make a phone call, but was denied. She was told that a phone call was a "privilege, not a right". This is contrary to Alabama Law.'

The lawsuit further states that the officers were aware that Roberts was a disabled veteran and that Alston had a heart condition that was being treated with prescription heart medication.

Alston's husband had posted bail for both women.

In December 2022, Wetumpka Municipal Judge Jeff Courtney found Roberts guilty of criminal trespassing and disorderly conduct.

Alston was found guilty of criminal trespassing and interfering with governmental operations.

In December 2022, Wetumpka Municipal Judge Jeff Courtney found Roberts guilty of criminal trespassing and disorderly conduct

Alston was found guilty of criminal trespassing and interfering with governmental operations

But they later appealed to Elmore County Circuit Court and sought a jury trial. At that point, the city dropped the charges against them

Courtney sentenced both women to two years of unsupervised probation and 10 days in jail.

The jail sentence was suspended, meaning the women will serve no time. Each woman was also fined $100 and ordered to pay court costs.

But they later appealed to Elmore County Circuit Court and sought a jury trial. At that point, the city dropped the charges against them.

The civil lawsuit alleges unlawful seizure and detention, excessive force, malicious prosecution, negligence, wantonness and other counts against the city officials and a jury trial has been demanded.

A court date has not yet been released. According to the Montgomery Advisor, Judge Emily Marks has been assigned to the trial.
Former Tonight Show writer Kylie Brakeman is going viral on X (formerly Twitter) after sharing her data on how much money someone will have to spend to buy Chex Mix in airport across the country.

The comedian announced that she 'started doing science' in an X post yesterday to figure out the amount of money a flier must spend to get Chex Mix.

The first three prices were from LaGuardia Airport in New York, Indianapolis International Airport in Indiana, and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas.

Thanks to fellow X users, Brakeman was able to list down data from nearly 50 airports nationwide on a spreadsheet in just three days, including LAX in California, JFK Airport in New York, and Des Moines International Airport in Iowa.

According to Brakeman's current data, the Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas is selling the most expensive bag of Chex Mix at $13.29 per bag.

Kylie Brakeman is going viral on X (formerly Twitter ) after sharing her data on how much money someone will have to spend to by Chex Mix in an airport

The first three prices were from LaGuardia Airport in New York, Indianapolis International Airport, and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Texas

According to Brakeman's current data, the Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas is selling the most expensive bag of Chex Mix at $13.29 per bag

Brakeman called out X users to help her with the study on February 5.

She requested that the prices only be logged from traditional 8 oz. snack mix bags and that she would be using the price of the snack before taxes.

Although her Google Sheet currently lists 48 airports, it's unclear how many locations X users have commented about.

She also confirmed on a February 6 X post that she purposely left out some of the data.

Thanks to fellow X users, Brakeman was able to jot down data from nearly 50 airports nationwide in three days, including LAX in California, JFK in New York, and DSM in Des Moines

She requested that the prices only be from traditional 8 oz snack mix bags and that she would be using the price of the snack before taxes. Although her Google Sheet currently lists 48 airports, it's unclear how many locations X users have commented about since she began the study

'I threw out data that had bad vibes,' she wrote in her post.

Chicago O'Hare in Illinois are also selling Chex Mix at high prices starting $12.99.

Although the comedian's data is reliable, not all of it is proven accurate.

Her data shows that the traditional 8 oz bag of Chex Mix costs $14.99, when in reality, that is not the case.

'There is no product, of any size, for Chex Mix at $14.99. They are all $5.99 for the 8 oz size,' stated SEA media relations manager Perry Cooper.

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport so far is the least expensive Chex Mix, coming in at only $3.49 per 8 oz bag.

The astonishing prices of the 8 oz Chex Mix bags may not be a surprise due prior controversies surrounding the costs of everyday items in airports.

LaGuardia Airport went viral back in 2022 for charging $27 for one beer at their airport.

A columnist also complained on social media that he spent $78 on a meal at Newark Liberty International in New Jersey.

According to The Stock Dork, a few factors that may be reasons why things are expensive at airports are high commercial space rent, supplier prices, and staff turnover and training costs.

X users who have not posted any 8 oz Chex Mix prices have seemingly enjoyed looking at 'science that matters.'

The astonishing prices of the 8 oz Chex Mix bags may not be a surprise due prior controversies surrounding the costs of everyday items in airports

'This is research I want funded,' wrote one X user on February 5.

Other users who did not post prices called out various airports and even dissed LaGuardia.

'Ever since LaGuardia finished that construction they been acting different!!!,' an X user wrote on Monday.

One user named Adrian Mikulak even bemoaned the fact that one airport he had gone to sold $17 beer.

'Someone should absolutely make a list of the prices of s*** at the horrible airport restaurants... Youre doing unironically such important work doing this,' he wrote.
A conman who fleeced the Royal Mail out of 77million while buying himself luxury cars has been jailed.

Narinder Sandhu, 62, lived in a multi-million-pound mansion in Buckinghamshire with an indoor pool, keeping a Bentley and a Rolls-Royce on the driveway.

Narinder, the owner and director of Pack Post International LTD (PPIL), ran the decade-long swindle from 2005, along with brother Parmjeet Sandhu, 56, and James Mooney, 44, between 2008 and 2017.

They made false declarations about the quantity, weight, class and destination of mail to scam the Royal Mail and other operations.

Narinder was jailed on Thursday for four years, while Parmjeet and Mooney were handed suspended sentences.

Narinder Sandhu, 62, fleeced the Royal Mail out of 77 million over a decade and lived in a multi-million-pound mansion in Buckinghamshire

Ellis Sareen, prosecuting, told jurors how Parmjeet was 'integral' to the fraud, but not rewarded as generously as his brother.

He said: 'His [Parmjeet's] rewards were commensurate with the importance of his work.

'He did not do as well as Narinder Sandhu out of this fraud. Narinder Sandhu and his wife Jaswinder had a multi-million-pound home near Beaconsfield. As well as a Bentley, a Rolls-Royce, a pool house, etc.

'His declared income - what he was paying tax on - was about 1million per year towards the end of the period that the fraud was running.

'Parmjeet Sandhu did not become as wealthy as his brother Narinder, but he still made a lot of money out of the fraud.

'In the tax year 2014/15 he declared an income to HMRC of 495,000 per annum.

'Notwithstanding a financially disadvantageous divorce settlement, as of December 2020 he owned real property - houses, flats - worth around 2.6million, with equity of around 1.3million, largely funded from the companies involved in the fraud.

'However, it is important not to fall into the trap of thinking that because the loss to Royal Mail was in excess of 70million, there must be a sum this large stashed away somewhere.

'Some of the gain obtained by defrauding Royal Mail and other postal operators was passed on to customers with lower prices.'

A total of 433 spreadsheets were also discovered which showed PPIL paid 1.7million for postal services when the figure should have been 6million.

Defending Narinder Sandhu, Gideon Cammerman, KC, said: 'As he moves through his 40s he is healthy, financially secure and in a stable home, he then went on to commit a very serious and prolonged fraud and it would not be overstating this to say not only has it ruined his life, but that of his wife and family.

He kept a Bentley (pictured stock image) and a Rolls Royce on the driveway and his home had an indoor pool

Narinder, Parmjeet, and Mooney were today sentenced at Southwark Crown Court (pictured)

'He is now 62, in poor health, has handed over all his wealth, large parts of which were dishonestly obtained, some not, his marriage is over, and he attends court from Wandsworth in disgrace.'

Defending Parmjeet Sandhu, Tom Price KC said: 'He was clearly brought into the fraud. He acted under direction from his elder brother.'

Defending Mooney, Stanley Reiz said: 'We accept he played a significant role in group activity.

'He was initially an administrative assistant; he had a job where he was acting on instructions and it involved data entry.

'Over time he, by chance, learnt of the fraud and was recruited into it by a director of the company.

'This was a young man without higher education and without any significant qualifications who was on a lowly paid job and was recruited into the fraud.'

Sentencing the three men Judge Philip Bartle KC said: 'The Royal Mail operated a self-declaration system for large customers.

'These three defendants took advantage of this weakness to persistently under-declare mail for almost a decade.'

He added: 'I accept on the case of each of these defendants they are genuinely remorseful.

'I have no doubt they are genuinely remorseful and that is shown in their willingness to make not only compensation but, very, very, substantial compensation.'

Narinder Sandhu was sentenced to four years. He will only serve half the term before he is released on licence.

Parmjeet Sandhu and James Mooney were both handed suspended sentences. Parmjeet Sandhu was given 24 months prison suspended for two years and Mooney was handed 21 months suspended for two years.

Parmjeet Sandhu must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

Both Narinder, of Hadley Grange, Jordans Way, Beaconsfield, and his company PPIL admitted conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.

Parmjeet, of Wellesley Avenue, Iver, admitted obtaining services dishonestly while director of Tiger international Logistics LTD and Worldwide Transport Express Ltd.

Mooney, originally from Sydney, Australia, but now of Bournemouth, Dorset, admitted conspiracy to commit fraud whilst director of Unique Logistic Solutions.
An Indiana college has been forced to cancel a bondage workshop course that was set to be taught by a 'rope expert' after outraged parents complained.

Indiana UniversityPurdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) scheduled an 'Introduction to Bondage' free workshop for all students on February 13.

An event description described bondage as 'a form of consensual and recreational sex play that involves tying, restraining, or binding a person with rope, handcuffs, or other items that can restrict movement.'

The handcuff and rope tying symposium was going to be led by a bondage instructor from the local area who goes by the name Fynch.

Fynch is allegedly a master in the 'basic negotiation, the anatomy of the arm, as well as the anatomy of the hip, groin, and upper leg.'

Indiana UniversityPurdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) scheduled an 'Introduction to Bondage' free workshop for all students on February 13

The instructor was invited by the university's Office of Health and Wellness to teach her class as a part of IUPUI's Healthy Relationships Week.

There are other classes open during that week - including Safer Sex Fest and Condom Club training.

Ryan Anderson, Assistant Director of the Office of Health and Wellness Promotion, told The Collegiate Commons about the workshop: 'It will be an hour-long workshop with the first portion being our instructor Fynch talking about basic bondage techniques, skills, and safety, consent and communication with bondage, and in general, and demonstrating a few ties on her partner.

'The second part of the workshop will be an opportunity for participants, based on comfortability, to practice basic ties demonstrated first by our instructor.

Ryan Anderson, Assistant Director of the Office of Health and Wellness Promotion at the Division of Student Affairs at IUPUI

'Nylon rope will be provided and I along [with] our instructor and others will be walking around to assist.'

As of Wednesday, the link to the event on the school's website has been scrubbed.

The course outraged many online - who said that fees at the public school should not be funding such activities. Others contested that it was only optional, and open to adults, therefore did not merit such an criticism.

In 2022, Princeton University came under scrutiny for offering courses in BDSM, fetishism and body positivity.

The $79,000-a-year Ivy League's course catalogue for the Spring 2023 semester includes classes on 'Black + Queer in Leather: Black Leather/BDSM Material Culture,' 'FAT: The F-Word and the Public Body' and 'Anthropology of Religion: Fetishism and Decolonization: Fetishism and Decolonization.'

Those courses would be taught by arts professors, dance professors and scholars, and would require students to read books like The Color of Kink: Black Women, BDSM and Pornography, Queering Fat Embodiment and On the Worship of the Fetish Gods.

The course outraged many online - who said that fees at the public school should not be funding such activities. Others contested that it was only option, and open to adults, therefore did not merit such an criticism

Students at the school spoke out against the BDSM course offering, likening it to the university 'forcing undergrads to smoke a cigarette to study its effects.'

Classes at the New Jersey school cost $57,410, while students must also pay $10,960 in room fees, a $7,670 board rate and $3,500 in miscellaneous expenses  bringing the total cost up to $79,540.

Equally at Harvard in 2018, the students' week of enlightenment kicked off with a plenary on polyamory and an 'A-Z' guide of sexual fetishes, a mid-week how-to on 'BDSM in the dorm room' and a dirty talk lecture and 'Sex Toys 101.'

During Fetishes A-Z, Dr Jill McDevitt, a sexologist who works with erotic toy-marker Caleoxtics, surveyed a small group of students about their sexuality, and concluded that kink is 'more common than you think.'

Nearly half the the audience said they have had at least one sexual fetish - and other (larger) recent research suggests the rest of the US is catching up to their kinks, too.
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, chairwoman of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, will not be seeking re-election, making her the third high-profile committee chair to announce retirement this term.

'It's been the honor and privilege of my life to serve the people of eastern Washington in Congress, the Republican said in a statement. 'After much prayer and reflection, I have decided the time has come to serve them in new ways.'

McMorris Rodgers is known to be a close ally of Speaker Mike Johnson. Her committee has stake in everything from energy to health to tech policy in the House.

Rodgers is the 18th House Republican to announce retirement. Twenty-three House Democrats will also leave the lower chamber at the end of this term. Seven senators so far have announced retirement.

Cathy McMorris Rodgers, chairwoman of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, will not be seeking re-election, making her the third high-profile committee chair to announce retirement this term

Four more Republicans have left their term early, including former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and George Santos who was ousted, as have three Democrats.

A total of 55 House and Senate members did not seek re-election in the 117th Congress from 2021 to 2023, and so far 55 have have either left early or announced plans to leave in the 118th Congress that will end in January of next year.

I pray that Gods purpose over my life will be more deeply rooted in my heart and in gratitude for the remarkable colleagues and people He has brought into my life, the chairwoman went on.

She is the third member to give up a high-profile committee chair in favor of private life, following Kevin McCarthy ally Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., head of the Financial Services Committee, and Kay Granger, R-Texas, who leads the Appropriations Committee

She is the third member to give up a high-profile committee chair in favor of private life, following Kevin McCarthy ally Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., head of the Financial Services Committee, and Kay Granger, R-Texas, who leads the Appropriations Committee.

McMorris Rodgers will have served a full twenty years in the House by the time she leaves, having taken office in 2005. She worked her way up the ranks to vice chair and then chair of the GOP conference before leading Energy and Commerce.

Her retirement comes at a time of maximum discord for the majority party. Republicans ousted their speaker in October, so far have not been able to negotiate 12 single-subject appropriations bills that could pass the Senate to fund the government in fiscal year 2024 and two key priorities - impeaching Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas and passing a standalone Israel aid bill failed on the floor on Tuesday.
Girl Guides and Brownies are set to introduce 'inclusive' new uniform after a row over trans children joining the clubs.

The historic children's group - which is now called Girlguiding - say they are undergoing a 'brand refresh' - as they say the iconic clothes will be redesigned for the first time in more than 30 years.

The set currently includes 38 options, which are worn by 370,000 girls and volunteers across the Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers.

And the organisation has said that 'affordability, sustainability and inclusivity' will be at the forefront of their redesign - as their partner HemmingwayDesign says that 'ethics and environment' are they key considerations in the new clothes.

It comes less than two years after Girl Guides sparked a trans row when they published an interview with the parents of a child who began 'living as a girl' from the age of five.

The largest organisation for girls in Britain was branded 'dangerous' after it boasted of its 'trans inclusive' credentials as it told the story of 'Rainbow', one of its newest 'Brownies', in its summer magazine.

The historic children's group - which is now called Girlguiding - say they are undergoing a 'brand refresh' - as they say the iconic clothes will be redesigned for the first time in more than 30 years. Pictured: Girl guide troop in the 1980s

And the organisation has said that 'affordability, sustainability and inclusivity' will be at the forefront of their redesign. Pictured: Sophie Countess of Wessex and Lady Louise Windsor Countess of Wessex opens the newly refurbished Girlguiding headquarters in 2016

Speaking about the uniform transformation Director of Communications, Marketing and Fundraising at Girlguiding Amanda Azeez said: 'We're delighted to announce our partnership with HemingwayDesign, an organisation we feel will not only bring our vision for the uniform to life, but also authentically shares in the values and mission of Girlguiding.

'Our uniform is the most iconic signifier of our brand to the public, but more importantly, it exists to unify and celebrate all our members.

'We want our young members and volunteers alike to feel a sense of pride and belonging wearing their uniforms, and like the brand, it must therefore evolve to continue to reflect and represent our members and prospective members today and in the future.'

She added that the girls and the volunteers are involved in the design process and more than 20,000 have been surveyed for their opinions.

And they will even have the chance to submit their own design suggestions and ideas.

Wayne Hemingway, co-founder of HemingwayDesign and leader of the uniform design team, added: 'The uniform industry has not been the quickest to respond to the environmental issues that society has to address.

'The new uniform for Girlguiding project is an opportunity to listen to one of the largest communities of girls and young women in the UK and in particular new generations that are at the forefront of environmental thinking.

'We urge each and every one of this influential 370,000 strong community to have their say and together let's make a positive step for society.'

The set currently includes 38 options, which are worn by 370,000 girls and volunteers across the Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers. Pictured: Princess Elizabeth, patrol leader in the Buckingham Palace Company, sends a message by courier pigeon to Lady Baden Powell at Guide Headquarters in 1943 as Princess Margaret holds the pigeon container

The Girls' groups will even have the chance to submit their own design suggestions and ideas. Pictured: File photo of Brownies

The uniforms across the four groups are set to be 'more coherent' as the organisation looks to make them feel more unified.

And 11-year-old Girl Guide Khushi said that the new uniform marks a change towards a 'new generation' where designs would make sure everyone is 'properly represented'.

She continued: 'I'm really looking forward to playing a part in helping to design the new uniform.

'We are a new generation of Girlguiding and including us in the design ideas makes sure that that we are properly represented.

'Our uniforms are so important as they let people know externally that we are part of Girlguiding, but also so that collectively we know we are part of the same family. The uniform makes sure that we are all equal and makes us feel as though we belong.'

The group sparked fury in 2022 after an article by parents Jane and Mike - not their real names - explain that when their child was born, they 'assumed she was a boy', before she began 'identifying more with female characters, toys and books when she was 18 months old.'

Maya Forstater, director of the Sex Matters group that has been supported by the author JK Rowling, refused to recognise the child as a girl.

She said: 'This from Girlguiding is such dangerous, reality-defying nonsense. A feminine little boy who likes to wear dresses may well grow up to be a gay man. He is not a girl.

Maya Forstater, director of the Sex Matters group that has been supported by the author JK Rowling, refused to recognise the child as a girl as she criticised the article on Twitter

Girlguiding chiefs previously advised staff to learn a glossary of words such as 'aromantic', 'demisexual' and 'agender'and to encourage girls to learn the glossary in a task called the 'vocabulary extravaganza' Pictured: Girl Guides logo

'The idea that a five-year-old knows their 'true gender' and should be socially transitioned and affirmed as being the opposite sex is extreme gender ideology, not cautious care.'

Some followers of Ms Forstater agreed with her, branding the piece 'madness', 'dangerous' and 'bizarre.'

The mother in the article said 'Rainbow' had been 'begging me to buy a dress to wear in public', which she initially refused, before finally agreeing because 'at least with the dress on, she could get back to being a kid'.

'Jane' added: 'My child had always talked about the differences between boys and girls but her questions accelerated as she got older. One day she said to us in a quiet voice: 'My real name is Rainbow.'

The article said Rainbow's 'journey' happened during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

'When she went back to school after lockdown, she returned as her true gender, female,' it read.

The article had some advice for parents who may come across 'Rainbow' or other trans children at Girl Guides telling them to simply 'correct' themselves if they get it wrong.

Jane and Mike said: 'Using wrong pronouns might feel like a terrible thing to happen, but the important thing is to correct yourself and keep going. If you see them as a girl, then using the right pronouns should happen naturally.

'Trans girls feel like girls and should be treated as such - as our daughter has said, they are the same on the inside, where it counts.

'And if other parents ask questions, it's important to remember that transgender members deserve privacy in the same way everyone else does.'

At the time a Girlguiding spokesman said: 'Girlguiding is an inclusive organisation which empowers members to find their voice and discover the best in themselves.

'We're proud to be trans-inclusive, and our trans-inclusive equality and diversity policy is grounded in the Equality Act 2010.

'We want to ensure that all members receive a great guiding experience and members are regularly invited to write for our guiding magazine to articulate their positive experience of Girlguiding.'

It came after Girlguiding chiefs were accused earlier this month of promoting 'woke claptrap' after advising leaders to learn almost 100 terms linked to gender and sexual identity.

They advised staff to learn a glossary of words such as 'aromantic', 'demisexual' and 'agender', saying 'it might be worth printing it off... so you can reference it' with children.

The glossary also includes 'pansexual'  'attraction for members of all gender identities/expressions'  and 'constellation', the structure of polyamorous relationships.
Two people have been arrested after a 17-year-old boy died following a 'workplace accident' on an industrial estate in Bury, Greater Manchester.

Officers were called to Tile Street shortly after 10am today as fire crews and paramedics also attended the scene.

A 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving offences and gross negligence manslaughter, while a 36-year-old man has also been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

Officers remained at the scene throughout Thursday, with both police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) making enquiries. A number of police cars were seen parked up on private land at the end of Tile Street, beyond a gated area.

Crime scene investigators were also seen taking photo evidence in the area at lunchtime. A number of people were seen coming and going from the scene throughout the afternoon, while the wider industrial estate was busy with businesses open.

Two people have been arrested after a 17-year-old boy died following a 'workplace accident' on an industrial estate in Bury, Greater Manchester

Police at the scene of the incident in Bury this afternoon

Officers were called to Tile Street shortly after 10am today as fire crews and paramedics also attended the scene

A joint investigation is now underway between Greater Manchester Police and the HSE to establish the full circumstances surrounding the teenager's death.

Eyewitnesses reported a large police presence and paramedics.

One worker said the incident had been described to them as an 'accident', but other workers in the area said they had been informed that someone 'had been hit on the head'.

A worker at a scrapyard next to the scene said: 'An ambulance tried coming into the yard. They said apparently somebody had been hurt. Loads of police came and we took them down there.'

A spokesperson for GMP said: 'At around 10:10am today, officers were called to reports of concerns for welfare at a business premises on Tile Street, Bury.

'It was established that a 17-year-old boy was involved in a workplace accident and despite the best efforts of emergency services, he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.'

Officers remained at the scene throughout Thursday, with both police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) making enquiries

A joint investigation is now underway between Greater Manchester Police and the HSE to establish the full circumstances surrounding the teenager's death

They added: 'A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of driving offences and gross negligence manslaughter and a 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

'A joint investigation between GMP Bury CID and the Health and Safety Executive has been launched to make enquiries into the circumstances that led to the boy's death. Enquiries are ongoing at this stage.'

The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) also confirmed it was called out to attend at 10:04am.

HSE inspector Lisa Bailey said: 'We are aware of an incident and currently making enquiries alongside GMP.'
The victim has now been fired by the secret intelligence service who branded her account 'factually inaccurate'

The CIA has fired a woman who was sexually assaulted in a stairwell at the spy agency's headquarters and has disputed her whistleblower account as 'factually inaccurate.'

Ashkan Bayatpour, 39, was convicted of attacking the trainee CIA officer in a stairwell at the agency's headquarters on 13 July, 2022.

The woman's account encouraged a flood of colleagues to come forward with their own complaints of sexual misconduct.

Following the victim's termination earlier this week the CIA said her accusation was 'factually inaccurate,' but would not comment further on the case.

The woman's attorney called the action a brazen retaliation.

Ashkan Bayatpour, 39, was convicted of attacking her in a stairwell at the agency's headquarters on 13 July, 2022

He was found guilty of a state misdemeanor charge of assault and battery for coming up behind the woman in the secluded area

The 36-year-old did not make it through the agencys clandestine officer training program known as 'the Farm' and, unlike many of her classmates, was not hired into another job.

'To be clear, the CIA does not tolerate sexual assault, sexual harassment or whistleblower retaliation,' CIA spokesperson Tammy Thorp told The Associated Press.

The agency uses 'consistent processes to ensure the fair and equal treatment of every officer going through training' Thorp added.

The woman's termination comes after Bayatpour was found guilty of a state misdemeanor charge of assault and battery for coming up behind the woman in the secluded area.

It is also less than six months after she filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging the CIA retaliated against her for reporting the 2022 stairwell assault in Langley, Virginia, to law enforcement and testifying about it in a closed congressional hearing.

The lawsuit accused the agency of giving her harsher performance reviews and 'slut shaming' her by improperly releasing her personal information during the state prosecution last year of Ashkan Bayatpour, a then-fellow CIA trainee convicted of assaulting her with a scarf.

The womans attorney, Kevin Carroll, told the AP that the CIA has now 'unlawfully ended a young womans career only because she had the moral courage, lacking in her managers, to stand up and be a witness about her sexual assault.'

'The agencys festering workplace sexual violence problem,' Carroll said, 'is now harming the retention of young women who wont put up with it any longer.'

He was found guilty of a state misdemeanor charge of assault and battery for coming up behind the woman in the secluded area. Pictured: Bayatpour with former United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld

Bayatpour's attorney, Stuart Sears, admitted he wrapped the scarf around woman in the stairwell but insisted his actions were intended in jest during a 40-minute walk together

Bayatpour, who served in the US Navy as an intelligence officer, told her: 'There are many uses for this. This is what I want to do to you'

Bayatpour's case is one of the first that managed to break through the CIA's veil of secrecy to be played out in a public courtroom - after a wave of sexual misconduct allegations.

At least two-dozen women have come forward to complain about sexual assaults, unwanted touching and coercion.

One even claimed that a senior manager showed up to a subordinate's home and demanded sex while brandishing a gun.

The women allege they are fighting against a campaign set up by the spy agency to silence them - warning that it would wreck their careers and endanger national security.

A congressional inquiry and bipartisan calls for a watchdog investigation prompted CIA Director William Burns last year to launch a series of reforms to streamline claims, support victims and more quickly discipline those behind misconduct.

It remains unclear whether the womans firing will prompt further action.

Offices of the U.S. senators leading the inquiry, Virginia Democrat Mark Warner and Florida Republican Marco Rubio, did not respond to requests for comment.

Carroll, the woman's attorney, said she had been given protected whistleblower status before speaking with Congress. But those familiar with the Whistleblower Protection Act cautioned that such protections can be limited, especially at the CIA.

Tom Devine, a longtime whistleblower rights advocate who is legal director for the Government Accountability Project, said CIA employees dont have the same rights as other federal employees because of national security concerns.

'You can blow the whistle, but only within the intel community,' Devine said. 'So when she went to the police, she was very much on her own. Its an obnoxious loophole.'

In her testimony to a Virginia jury last summer, the woman recounted the moment when Bayatpour allegedly tightened the scarf around her neck and tried to kiss her against her will.

'He made a face like he was trying to really hurt me,' she testified. 'That face, thats what stays with me to this day. Thats the hardest part.'

Bayatpour acknowledged wrapping the scarf around the woman in the stairwell but insisted his actions were intended in jest during a 40-minute walk together. The incident, his attorney said, was 'a joke that didnt land the way it was intended to land.'

Bayatpour, a 39-year-old Alabama native and former Navy intelligence officer, remained employed at CIA for several months after he was convicted in August of misdemeanor assault and battery, sentenced to six months probation and ordered to surrender any firearms.

But as of last month, he no longer works for CIA, according to a person familiar with the situation who wasn't authorized to discuss the matter and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Bayatpour deferred questions to his attorney, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Six family members are believed to be dead following a shooting and house fire in Pennsylvania.

Included in the group of feared to have been killed is the alleged gunman, who was reportedly having an argument with his 13-year-old niece before tragedy occurred.

The alleged shooter was identified by his mother as Canh Le, 43.

His mother, Chin Le, told local outlet Action News that she heard her son arguing with his niece in an upstairs bedroom when he said he was going to get a gun.

She added that she is not sure why her son, who had no known history of mental illness, had a gun. She said he is dead, although investigators have yet to confirm the identities of those killed.

The mother of the alleged shooter said that her other son, Xuong Le, and his wife, Britni Le, are also presumed dead, as are their three children, NaKayla, 13, NaTayla, 17, and Xavier, 10.

Britni McLaughlin Le (left) and husband Xuong Le (right) were killed Wednesday in the shooting/fire

The couples' three children, NaKayla, 13, NaTayla, 17, and Xavier, 10 (pictured) are also presumed dead

Le said her husband removed her from the home before shots were fired. Her husband then dialed 911.

It is not clear how many victims died by gunshot versus by fire, with causes of death set to be determined by autopsies.

Emergency crews have spent the day attempting to recover the family's bodies.

Le said her family did not have a history of fighting, and have lived peacefully in the area since 1981 when she and her family came to the US.

Police responded to reports of a young girl being shot in East Lansdowne, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, around 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday.

Two officers, David Schiazza, 54, and John Meehan, 44, who arrived on the scene, were shot and the house was set on fire.

The shooter is believed to have been shooting from the third floor of the house.

Both officers are expected to survive their injuries.

Schiazza is set to be released from Penn Presbyterian Hospital on Thursday afternoon.

Meehan, who was shot in the arm, required immediate surgery yesterday and remains at the hospital for treatment.

Images showed the building still smoldering on Thursday, as fire fighters continued putting out hot spots.

Arson specialists entered the charred home shortly before 10am EST Thursday and an excavator was seen being used to tear down the the remaining walls

At least six people, including children, are presumed dead after a house fire and active shooter situation

It is not clear how many victims died by gunshot versus by fire, but causes of death will be determined by autopsies

According to the child victims' grandmother, the multi-generational family had lived in the area peacefully for 40 years, since coming to America in 1981

The shooter's mother said he had no known history of mental illness and is not sure why he had a gun

The family of five are assumed dead as is the alleged shooter

Law enforcement investigate a home that was set ablaze and where at least six people remain unaccounted for

Delaware County Medical Examiners wheel a gurney to a home that was set ablaze and where at least six people remain unaccounted for on February 8, 2024

On Wednesday police responded to a report that a child had been shot in the home, upon arrival two police officers were shot and a gunfight ensued

A neighbor of the Le's said they'd 'heard a lot of gunshots as I just came from the store and then I smelled the smoke about 10 minutes later.

'And I just seen cops come everywhere, running in their vests and everything.'

'I heard [them] yelling 'active shooter, get in the house, barricade, don't come out,' said another neighbor.

'It was very scary, it was very scary. My whole house was surrounded by police officers. Everybody had their guns drawn. Long rifles and the gunshots,' said Derrick Richardson, another neighbor.

Reports indicate that a person inside the house set it on fire about 15 minutes after police arrived.

Burst of intense flame were then seen rising from the roof before spreading to other levels.

It took fire crews hours to tame the blaze. They had originally been kept away from the scene due to the gunfire.
The White House has told Americans to 'not believe anything Vladimir Putin says' during his highly anticipated interview with Tucker Carlson.

Carlson, 54, announced that he would be interviewing the Russian leader earlier this week, with the interview set to go live tonight on X at 6pm Eastern (11pm London).

The former Fox News firebrand, who has been a vocal opponent of US military aid for Ukraine, made the announcement after he was spotted leaving the Kremlin.

During the White House daily briefing on Thursday, Communications Coordinator John Kirby told reporters that Americans shouldn't believe anything Putin says.

Kirby said: 'Anybody that watches that interview you need to make sure to remember that you are listening to Vladimir Putin. You shouldn't take at face value anything he has to say.'

Carlson, 54, announced that he would be interviewing the Russian leader following speculation after he was spotted leaving the Kremlin earlier this week

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends his annual news conference in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, December 14, 2023

Kirby also added: 'The American people know well who is at fault here, and I think they know that there was no ground whatsoever for the invasion two years ago.

'He invaded a neighboring country without provocation, Ukraine wasn't a threat to anybody.

'The American people understand that, the American people understand what Ukraine is fighting for.

'All they're asking for is our help, they're not asking for boots on the ground. I don't think the American people are going to be swayed by one interview.'

He also said: 'We are convinced that there's strong bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for supporting Ukraine.

'The President believes that support for Ukraine is critical, particularly right now as Russia continues to try to hit their industrial base.

'He's confident that the leadership is solidly in support of Ukraine, how they are going to be effected by a television interview I couldn't begin to guess.'

Carlson said the interview would air 'unedited' on his website, and on X, making him the first American to interview Putin since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Carlson, 54, announced that he would be interviewing the Russian leader earlier this week, with the interview set to go live tonight on X at 6pm

During the White House daily briefing on Thursday, Communications Coordinator John Kirby told reporters that Americans shouldn't believe anything Putin says

The conservative commentator said in a video: 'Two years into a war that's reshaping the entire world, most Americans are not informed.

'They have no real idea what's happening in this region. But they should know, they're paying for much of it in ways they might not fully perceive.

'Americans have a right to know all they can about a war they're implicated in.'

He went on to call the world's English-language media corrupt, claiming they 'lie to their readers and viewers' and that 'it is his duty to inform' the public.

Carlson repeated the unconfirmed claim that the Biden administration illegally spied on him three years ago to stop him from interviewing Putin. He then claimed the federal government 'did the same thing once again.'

'But this time, we came to Moscow anyway,' he said, adding that he paid for the trip himself, 'and did not take money from any government or group.'

'We are not here because we love Vladimir Putin. We are here because we love the United States and want it to remain prosperous and free,' Carlson claimed.

The commentator also stated that Elon Musk had 'promised not to suppress or block this interview.'

Tucker Carlson shown here in a Moscow parking lot in which he expresses his admiration for the Russian capital

In a later video, seemingly from the same parking lot, Carlson says that the interview with Putin has not taken place yet

Carlson's access to Putin is a huge contrast with restraints on other journalists in Russia, where two US citizens - Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Radio Free Europe's Alsu Kurmasheva - are currently imprisoned.

His show on Fox News was also regularly criticized during its time on air for reiterating Kremlin talking points.

The show was said to be hugely popular among senior figures in the Russian government, in particular after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Russian state media fueled the rumors on Monday, posting a video they claimed showed Carlson leaving the Russian Presidential Administration.

Carlson would be the first American to interview Putin since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022

The former Fox star also kept his cards close to the chest on Monday, after Russian media showed pictures of him at several spots around Moscow.

'It is beautiful,' Carlson said of Moscow in an interview aired by the Izvestia newspaper.

'I just wanted to see it because, you know, I have read so much about it but I have never seen it before.'

When asked if he was in Moscow to interview Putin, Carlson said: 'We'll see' and smiled.

The-one time MSNBC host, 54, reportedly arrived in the capital on February 1 and was spotted at a Spartacus performance in Bolshoi Theatre.
YEREVAN, 8 FEBUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 8 February, USD exchange rate up by 0.21 drams to 404.47 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.54 drams to 435.65 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 4.43 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 0.02 drams to 510.44 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 154.16 drams to 26548.99 drams. Silver price down by 0.04 drams to 289.86 drams.
A male swimmer has been found dead in a river in the ACT following a large-scale search effort.

The 23-year-old man went missing while swimming at Uriarra Crossing on the Murrumbidgee River near Canberra about 5.30pm Thursday.

It is understood he had been there with family and friends.

Emergency crews were called after he went into the water near the bridge and failed to resurface.

A land, air and water search involving ACT Policing, AFP Search and Rescue, ACT Fire & Rescue, the Toll Southcare helicopter and the SES was conducted.

A man grieves at the scene after the body of a swimmer who went missing in the Murrumbidgee Rive was found

A large scale search was conducted for the man on Thursday afternoon (pictured)

An officer at the Murrumbidgee River on Thursday afternoon

The man's body was sadly found in the water at about 8.35pm.

Anyone who witnessed the incident who has not already spoken to police is urged to contact ACT Policing on 131 444. Please quote reference 7668984.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

The Toll Southcare helicopter was also called in as part of the search effort

The man had gone into the water from the Uriarra Crossing bridge (pictured)

Searchers look for any sign of the swimmer from the bridge located outside Canberra
Megyn Kelly said that CNN is 'rearranging the deckchairs' on the Titanic after it canned its morning show following the departures of Kaitlan Collins and Don Lemon.

Kelly criticized the ailing news network for just moving its talent around from slot to slot, seemingly without much tact or erudition.

CNN This Morning was scrapped just 18 months after the show started following poor ratings. It's currently being hosted by Poppy Harlow and Phil Mattingly.

The program was axed following a series of upheavals including the dramatic firing of host Lemon last year, and the switch of another host Collins to her own show.

Kelly said on her Sirius XM podcast this week alongside TV presenter Buck Sexton: 'It's just the rearranging of the deck chairs. That's their only plan.

On the latest episode of her Sirius XM podcast, Megyn Kelly criticised the ailing news network for just moving its talent around from slot to slot, seemingly without much tact or erudition

'Except for this one thing which is guess who's getting his own show on the weekdays now no longer marooned on the weekends Jim Acosta.

'He's moving to the 10:00 a.m. and being rewarded. I mean, really that's a reward for his rabid anti-Trump coverage and getting Russia-gate completely wrong.

'You just keep lying about Trump and moving up the ladder.

'They've never had any ratings, but they used to have respect. You know, nobody ever like got a sizzle or a little tingle when they watch CNN, but it used to be fair.

'Then they completely abandoned that under Jeff Zucker and now they've ruined their reputation and they have s****y ratings still, so it's the worst combination.'

At the beginning of this month, CNN representatives said that This Morning has not been canceled, but it's instead been shortened dramatically and given a new anchor.

It was plugged as a show which would provide viewers with 'accuracy' and 'context' on news stories across America when it was launched in November 2022.

But it was marred by scandals including the firing of controversial host Lemon after he made a string of sexist slurs on air and insulted an alleged rape victim during an interview.

The dramatic departure came amid rising tensions between Lemon and his co-host at the time Collins, after he allegedly reduced her to tears by 'screaming' at her in front of the television crew and the third host Poppy Harlow.

Sources told the New York Post that Lemon, 57, exploded at Collins, 31, on December 8 2022, accusing her of interrupting him several times while on air. Collins allegedly ran off the set in tears.

Ex-White House correspondent Collins also left the show in spring 2023 to take over the network's prized 9pm timeslot left vacant by Chris Cuomo's high-profile sacking, leaving Harlow as the only member of the original trio left standing.

Now, the current hosts - Harlow and Phil Mattingly - will come off the air, according to Page Six.

Phil Mattingly and Poppy Harlow attend 17th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at The American Museum of Natural History on December 10, 2023

CNN This Morning was scrapped just 18 months after the show started following poor ratings. It's currently being hosted by Poppy Harlow and Phil Mattingly (pictured)

It comes as thousands of CNN viewers are abandoning the network during its attempted turnaround by recently departed CEO Chris Licht.

Cable news ratings are down across the board compared to 2022, when Russia's invasion of Ukraine dominated the news, but CNN's dip is the most dramatic - with a 61 percent plummet in primetime views recorded in March 2023.

Lemon was unceremoniously fired from CNN via his agent in April 2023 after 17 years with the network, prompting the host to tweet that he was 'stunned' that management did not have 'the decency' to tell him directly.

CNN's communications team disputed this claim, saying his tweet was 'inaccurate'.

In February 2023, Lemon sparked accusations of sexism after he said presidential candidate Nikki Haley was 'past her prime', prompting an excruciating exchange with his This Morning co-hosts.

Alongside Collins and Harlow, Lemon was discussing Haley's proposal that politicians ages 75 and up should face mental competency tests.

Lemon, who at 56 is five years older than Haley, 51, said the politician should tread lightly because 'a woman is in their prime in their 20s and 30s and maybe 40s'.

In September, the anchor asked Republican panelist SE Cupp, 43, if she was suffering from 'mommy brain' after losing her train of thought.

Cupp was discussing the future of the Republican party when she began stumbling over her words.

Lemon jumped in and attempted to complete her sentence before asking: 'Did you lose your train of thought? I do it all the time,' Lemon said.

He then asked: 'Is it fair to say this, because I'm not a mommy, but is it "mommy brain"?'

Cupp appeared bewildered by the question before answering: 'No. I just forgot what I was going to say.'

The show got off to a rough start when it was launched in early November 2022, with the debut attracting less than 390,000 viewers despite heavy promotion by the network.

The numbers were dwarfed by competing shows including 'Morning Joe' on MSNBC, which brought in 793,000 viewers in the same week and 'FOX and Friends,' which saw 1.5 million people tune in.

Licht is said to have been particularly invested in the launch of the CNN morning show, until he was replaced by former BBC boss Mark Thompson in August.
Former President and Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump is blasting the Justice Department after declining to prosecute Joe Biden for mishandling classified documents.

Special Counsel Robert Hur released a 388-page report Thursday determining that the DOJ would not seek criminal charges against President Biden for his handling of classified documents.

The report delivered a damning assessment that Biden was an 'elderly man with a poor memory' who became muddled about the dates he was vice president and could not even remember the year in which his son Beau died.

Biden's top political rival Donald Trump, who is facing 40 criminal charges for his own alleged mishandling of classified materials, slammed Biden for getting off scot-free.

'THIS HAS NOW PROVEN TO BE A TWO-TIERED SYSTEM OF JUSTICE AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL SELECTIVE PROSECUTION! The Biden Documents Case is 100 times different and more severe than mine,' Trump said in a statement through his presidential campaign.

Former President and Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump is blasting the Justice Department after declining to prosecute Joe Biden for mishandling classified documents

Department of Justice photographs reveal boxes and boxes of files stored in unsecure locations, such as the garage of his home.

President Joe Biden will not be criminally charged with stashing classified documents in his garage and private office

He maintained 'I did nothing wrong' and 'cooperated far more,' than his successor.

'What Biden did is outrageously criminal - He had 50 years of documents, 50 times more than I had, and WILLFULLY RETAINED them.'

'I was covered by the Presidential Records Act, Secret Service was always around, and GSA delivered the documents. Deranged Jack Smith should drop this Case immediately. ELECTION INTERFERENCE,' the statement continues.

Although the report did not recommend bringing charges against the 81-year-old, it provides a cascade of damaging findings about files found in Biden's garage as well as the president's fitness for office.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump also said Biden 'shouldn't be allowed to get away with this' and claimed he wasn't protected by the Presidential Records Act, which Trump often invokes inaccurately in his own defense.

Trump is on his way to Nevada, where he is planning to host a caucus night rally.

Trump posts on Truth Social Thursday ahead of the GOP Nevada caucuses

Image contained in the report from special counsel Robert Hur shows a damaged box where classified documents were found in Biden's Wilmington, DE garage

Former US attorney Robert Hur was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to serve as special counsel investigating Biden's handling of classified documents in January 2023

While Biden will not face charges over classified documents, Trump is facing a total of 40 felony charges for his handling of classified documents since leaving office in 2017. The most serous charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

Trump was first charged last June in the investigation by Special Counsel Jack Smith into the mishandling of classified documents discovered at Trump's Mar-a-Lago home.

The indictment alleged Trump repeatedly enlisted aides and lawyers to help him hide documents from officials.

A superseding indictment in July added charges accusing Trump of asking that surveillance footage from his Florida estate be deleted after a visit by federal investigators to collect classified documents.

Hur, who was appointed US attorney by Trump in 2018, noted 'several material distinctions' between the Trump classified document case and Biden's case.

'Most notably, after being given multiple chances to return classified documents and avoid prosecution, Mr. Trump allegedly did the opposite,' the report stated. 'According to the indictment, he not only refused to return the documents for many months, but he also obstructed justice by enlisting others to destroy evidence and then to lie about it.'

'In contrast, Mr. Biden turned in classified documents to the National Archives and the Department of Justice, consented to the search of multiple locations including his homes, sat for a voluntary interview, and in other ways cooperated with the investigation,' the report continued.

The Biden report said special counsel did not consider every circumstance in which criminal charges against the former president or vice president for mishandling classified information may be warranted but on the facts in the Biden case.

Last year the Justice Department also closed an investigation and decline to charge former Vice President Mike Pence after classified documents were also found in his Indiana home.
Two American-Palestinian brothers have been detained by Israeli soldiers after a raid on their Gaza shelter, according to family members who say they had begged the US to evacuate them for months.

Borak Alagha, 18, and Hashem Alagha, 20, were born in the Chicago area, before their family moved to Canada and then eventually to Gaza.

The state department had reportedly approved them for evacuation months ago, but relatives say they failed to actually secure their exit despite their pleas, and have now been taken by Israeli forces.

They are among fewer than 50 US citizens known to still be trying to leave sealed-off Gaza, nearly four months into the Israeli-Hamas war.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the administration will 'be talking to our Israeli counterparts' on the brothers' reported detentions.

Hundreds of thousands of people are at risk from lack of food aid in north and central Gaza, according to the UN

Southern Gaza Strip

Cousin Yasmeen Elagha, a law student at Northwestern University, said Israeli forces entered the family home in the town of al-Masawi, near Khan Younis, around 5am Gaza time on Thursday.

The soldiers tied up and blindfolded the women and children in the family, and placed them outside the home.

The two American brothers, their Canadian citizen father, a mentally disabled uncle and two other adult male relatives were taken away by the Israelis, and have not returned, Elagha said.

Men in a neighboring household were also taken away.

So were other adult male relatives of another Alagha family household, for a total of about 20 family members detained, the U.S. cousin said.

They were taking shelter in a tiny home in the Al-Mawasi neighborhood near Khan Younis after Israeli air strikes destroyed it.

They have been low on food and resorted to drinking dirty water.

Elagha told the Chicago Sun Times she had been 'screaming this at the top of my lungs for the past few months.'

Palestinians mourn over shrouded bodies of relatives killed in overnight Israeli bombardment on the southern Gaza Strip at Al-Najjar hospital in Rafah on February 8, 2024

Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

She added: 'And I told the U.S. government every step of the way, Something will happen. They are already in danger, and they will be put in even greater danger if you dont act.

She said the family had made four attempts to leave via the Rafah Crossing at the Egyptian border but had been turned back because their names haven't been added to an official evacuation list.

Other US green-card holders and close relatives of the citizens and permanent residents also are still struggling and unable to leave, despite requests they be allowed to exit, according to their American families and advocates.

An advocate for American families faulted US officials Thursday for not having moved more urgently to help get the Alagha brothers and other Palestinian Americans, U.S. residents and close relatives out of harm's way in Gaza.

Detention or death under an Israeli airstrike 'were two of the biggest fears this family has had all along. And now the worst has happened,' said Maria Kari, an attorney with the Arab American Civil Rights League.

'It could have been avoided. It could have been avoided if the U.S. had more timely advocated for this family.'

More than half of Gaza's population is now crowded in Rafah, where Israel could launch an offensive

Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

The State Department said Thursday it was seeking more information on the reported detentions.

It cited privacy concerns for the brothers after not commenting further.

US officials said in December they had helped 1,300 Americans, green-card holders and their eligible close family members to leave Gaza since October 7.

State Department officials in January declined to say how many people for whom the US has requested permission to leave remain in Gaza, citing the 'fluidity' of the situation.

The brothers would be among three American citizens taken into custody by Israeli forces this week, during the same time Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting the region to try to mediate with ally Israel and regional Arab leaders.

Relations between Israel and the United States have fallen from their surge immediately after the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel that triggered the war.

The two allies more recently have been out of sync publicly on efforts to ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, on the path toward peace there, and some other matters.

Earlier this week, a 46-year-old Palestinian American woman, Samaher Esmail, was taken from her home in the occupied West Bank on Monday and detained.

The Israeli military said she had been arrested for 'incitement on social media' and held for questioning.

The U.S. Embassy in Israel said Thursday it had no updates on her case.

Esmails family said the U.S. Embassy asked them on Thursday for a list of her medications but would not be able to have contact with her before Monday.

Relatives said she needs the medication for uterine cancer. The family said it still does not know where she is being held.

The Israeli military and Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene also piled on call to use the 25th Amendment to remove Biden.

Republicans say Biden's mental health could be cause for invoking the 25th Amendment, which gives power to remove president

Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott says it is time to remove President Biden from office using the 25th Amendment after a scathing Department of Justice report described the severity of Joe's mental decline.

The Department of Justice released its long-awaited investigation into Joe Biden's mishandling of classified documents Thursday, delivering a damning assessment of the president's 'diminished faculties' and limited memory.

However, despite finding no wrongdoing by Biden, Special Counsel Robert Hur described him as 'a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,' and that 'it would be difficult to convince a jury that they should convict him.'

The 25th Amendment, which outlines presidential succession, gives the vice president and Cabinet power to remove the commander in chief from office via a majority vote in the event it's determined he or she is no longer fit for office. It has never been invoked in U.S. history.

Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott said that it's time to invoke the 25th Amendment against president Joe Biden.

'That does not describe someone who should be the Commander in Chief of our armed forces and the defender of American freedoms,' Scott wrote on X in reaction to the report. 'Its time for his cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment.'

Scott was the first top elected official to call for using the Constitution to oust the president. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., also piled on his call to use the 25th Amendment to remove Biden.

Some of Biden's classified documents were stored the floor of his garage

Hur wrote Biden is unlikely to get convicted by a jury because he appears as 'a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory'

In addition to the classified documents discovered at Biden's Wilmington home, investigators also discovered classified documents stored at his Washington, D.C. office

'The Special Counsels report exposing that Joe Bidens mental decline is so severe that he can not stand trial means he is unfit for office,' she wrote on X.

'We must demand either the 25th amendment be invoked or impeachment,' the GOP firebrand continued.

Another House Republican, Rep. Mary Miller of Illinois, similarly called for Biden's Cabinet to take action.

'For the safety of our nation, Joe Biden must resign. He could not remember basic facts about his life,' she posted on X. 'He is not competent to remain as Commander-in-Chief & every day that he remains, he puts America at risk.'

'If he won't resign, the Cabinet must invoke the 25th Amendment.'

Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley also chimed in, writing on X that it's 'time for the 25th Amendment.'

Former President Trump, meanwhile, is facing a 40-count indictment of his handling of classified documents at his Florida home, Mar-a-Lago. Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges in June.

Trump is facing decades in prison if he is found guilty, and Special Counsel Jack Smith - the lead prosecutor in the case - recently interviewed additional witnesses to bolster his case against the former president.

The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee posted on X that the decision was a 'double standard.'

'Special Counsel Robert Hur recommends no criminal charges against President Biden in classified documents case. Despite the fact that Hur acknowledges Biden willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen,' the committee wrote.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner, R-Ohio, also bashed Hur's recommendation.

'There is clearly a two-tiered system of justice in Attorney General Merrick Garlands Department of Justice,' he wrote.

'President Biden willfully hoarded classified information from his decades in the Senate and time as Vice President, yet Special Counsel Robert Hur has decided not to recommend charges against him.'

Republican Missouri Sen. Markwayne Mullin posted on X: 'The special counsel report confirms that Biden 'willfully retained and disclosed classified materials' for years before he entered the White House.'

'Meanwhile, Trump's Mar-a-Lago home was raided by the FBI and he's facing a weaponized DOJ. A clear two-tiered system of justice.'

Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott said that it is time to invoke the 25th Amendment against president Joe Biden

Special Counsel Robert Hur recommended that President Biden not be charged for his illegal mishandling of classified documents at his Delaware home and Washington, D.C. office

Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene posted on X: 'If Joe Biden is not mentally fit to stand trial, then he certainly isn't mentally fit to be President of the United States. It's time to do something about it.'

The House Judiciary Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, wrote 'Today's report from Robert Hur tells us two things: There's a double standard of justice in this country. And Joe Biden isn't fit for office.'

Even Trump's political rival, Nikki Haley, said the double standard between Biden's and Trump's cases was 'glaring.'

'Both Joe Biden and Donald Trump were reckless with classified documents,' the presidential hopeful wrote.

'If Biden's defense is old age and forgetfulness, Trump can easily make the same claim. Trump should quickly hire Biden's lawyers.'
President Joe Biden is making the most of a top-line feature of a damning special counsel report on his mishandling of classified documents  saying he was 'pleased' that no charges were being brought after an 'exhaustive probe.'

The report by special counsel Robert Hur gives Biden the result he was looking for  even while putting forward arguments that are political landmines. The report even says Biden would come across to a jury as a 'a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory', the kind of faint praise that could be devastating in a campaign ad.

Hur mentioned multiple times Biden's failure to remember key details in his own life and political biography could be part of his potential defense. His report even said it was possible a jury would find Biden hadn't deliberately mishandled information since he stored classified documents along with a broken lamp and other household 'detritus' in his Wilmington garage.

'I was pleased to see they reached the conclusion I believed and knew all along they would reach  that no charges brought in this case,' Biden said, declaring victory in a speech to House Democrats just minutes after the report became public.

President Joe Biden championed the report in a statement and in remarks to House Democrats shortly after Special Counsel Robert Hur announced he would not be charged

'As many of you know, this was an exhaustive investigation going back literally more than 40 years  40 years, when I became a United States Senator when I was a kid,' Biden said, referencing getting elected at age 29.

'I cooperated completely, I did not throw up any roadblocks, and sought no delays.'

'In fact, I was so determined to give the Special Counsel what they needed I went forward with five hours of in-person interviews over two days of October 8th and 9th of last year, even though Israel had just been attacked by Hamas on October 7th.'

'I was in the middle of handling an international crisis. But I was especially pleased to see the Special Counsel made clear the stark differences between this case and Donald Trump. As the Special Counsel wrote, and I quote: "Sever material distinctions between Mr. Trump's case and Mr. Biden's are clear  by the way this is a Republican counsel.

Biden kept reading: 'He returned classified documents and avoided prosecution. Mr. Trump allegedly did the opposite. ... According to the indictment he has not only refused to return documents for many months. He also obstructed justice by enlisting others to destroy evidence and then lie about it.'

It said Biden turned over documents to the Archives, consented to searches, and sat for a voluntary interview and 'in other ways cooperated with the investigation.'

Biden said in a written statement that, 'I just believed thats what I owed the American people so they could know no charges would be brought and the matter closed,' Biden continued.

Biden said he has 'always worked to protect Americas security. I take these issues seriously and no one has ever questioned that.'

The White House, which decided not to include any redactions in the report or otherwise invoke privilege, also provided a statement by Special Counsel to the President Richard Sauber

He cited 'extraordinary cooperation' by Biden. Although he did not mention Donald Trump, the former president has been charged for his own mishandling of national security documents after being accused of conspiring to hold it back after it was discovered.

The box circled in the foreground contained documents about Afghanistan. The picture was taken in December 2022 in Biden's garage, with other household items

President Joe Biden will not be criminally charged with stashing classified documents in his garage and private office

Boxed in: The comments about Biden's memory and his own handling of classified information makes it harder for him to go after rival Donald Trump, who is being charged with obstruction and retaining national security information

'As the Special Counsel report recognizes, the President fully cooperated from day one,' said White House counsel Richard Sauber

Biden did not respond to shouted questions about the new report

'As the Special Counsel report recognizes, the President fully cooperated from day one. His team promptly self-reported the classified documents that were found to ensure that these documents were immediately returned to the government because the President knows thats where they belong. Not only was there no obstruction, the Presidents cooperation throughout this 15-month investigation has been extraordinary,' he said.

'As the Special Counsel report acknowledges, mistakes when packing documents at the end of an Administration or when Members of Congress leave office are unfortunately a common occurrence. Its happened with every Administration, Republican and Democrat, for the past 50 years. Now that this investigation has concluded, President Biden plans to take new, substantive action to help prevent such mistakes in the future and will announce it soon,' said Sauber.

He did not take on specific language that Hur included, but did not that 'we disagree with a number of inaccurate and inappropriate comments in the Special Counsels report. Nonetheless, the most important decision the Special Counsel madethat no charges are warrantedis firmly based on the facts and evidence.'

It didn't take long for Trump's forces to make hay out of the findings.

If you're too senile to stand trial, then you're too senile to be president. Joe Biden is unfit to lead this nation,' said Alex Pfeiffer, communications director for Make America Great Again Inc.

The report points repeatedly to Biden's memory, and comes during a week when he mixed up the names of world leaders on multiple occasions.

Special Counsel Robert Hur included damaging information in his report even while saying no charges should be brought against Biden

'In his interview with our office, Mr. Biden's memory was worse. He did not remember when he was vice president, forgetting on the first day of the interview when his term ended ("if it was 2013 - when did I stop being Vice President?"), and forgetting on the second day of the interview when his term began ("in 2009, am I still Vice President?"),' according to the report.

'He did not remember, even within several years, when his son Beau died. And his memory appeared hazy when describing the Afghanistan debate that was once so important to him.'

The report also included embarrassing details, even while making a report that they could demonstrate Biden had forgotten about the documents consigned to a junk pile.

'We also expect many jurors to be struck by the place where the Afghanistan documents were ultimately found in Mr. Biden's Delaware home: in a badly damaged box in the garage, near a collapsed dog crate, a dog bed, a Zappos box, an empty bucket, a broken lamp wrapped with duct tape, potting soil, and synthetic firewood,' it said.

Biden's official response from his lawyers, included in the back of the Hur report, blasts the inclusion of 'highly prejudicial' language about his memory, and asks why other witnesses got a pass for 'fuzzy' memory lapses. It says it relies on 'highly prejudicial language' to describe memory lapses that are a 'common occurrence.'

If faults Hur for even bringing up how Biden might defend himself before a jury since his report concluded he shouldn't be charged.
The Department of Justice called President Joe Biden an 'elderly man' with 'significant' memory issues in their damning report of his mishandling of classified documents.

The findings released by Special Counsel Robert Hur revealed a tranche of new photos showing boxes of sensitive files scattered around the garage of his Delaware home and interviews saying he had 'diminished faculties' back in 2017.

They included folders on the troop surge in Afghanistan that were dumped next to a dog bed and dog crate.

Although the report did not recommend bringing charges against the 81-year-old , it provides a cascade of damaging findings about files found in Biden's garage and personal office as well as the president's fitness for office.

In interviews with investigators, Biden became muddled about the dates he was vice president and could not even remember the year in which his son Beau died.

And it said his cavalier attitude to classified documents, such as his habit of reading sensitive files to a ghostwriter, posed a significant national security risk.

READ THE REPORT IN FULL BELOW

The Department of Justice called President Joe Biden an 'elderly man' with 'significant' memory issues in their damning report of his mishandling of classified documents

The findings released by Special Counsel Robert Hur revealed a tranche of new photos showing boxes of sensitive files scattered around the garage of his Delaware home and interviews saying he had 'diminished faculties' back in 2017
The husband of missing mum-of-three Samantha Murphy has been spotted speaking with police officers on Friday morning.

Ms Murphy, 51, left her home on Eureka Street in East Ballarat, north-west of Melbourne, to go for a run in Woowookarung Regional Park just after 7am on Sunday.

No trace of her has been found since, and it's understood homicide detectives have been called in to help with the search as it enters its sixth day.

Mr Murphy smiled after meeting with detectives at Buninyong Police Station on Friday.

Michael Murphy, the husband of missing mum Samantha Murphy has been pictured leaving Buninyong Police Station

He spent just an hour inside the station before leaving with an officer, who escorted him to his car

He spent just an hour inside the station before leaving with an officer, who escorted him to his car.

Mr Murphy appeared casual as a waiting media pack photographed him.

The station is being used by emergency services units as the headquarters for its ongoing search for Ms Murphy.

Victoria Police Inspector Bob Heaney said detectives were relying on information coming from the public to help track down Ms Murphy's whereabouts.

Samantha Murphy, 51, left her home on Eureka Street in East Ballarat, north-west of Melbourne , to go for a run in Woowookarung Regional Park just after 7am on Sunday

'You know, one of the challenges we have is the area where she normally runs, it's a fairly remote area,' he told Sunrise on Friday morning.

'It's within a forest and a lot of bushland and there is no CCTV coverage out there. That's been one of the challenges we've had to face.'

Desperation grows as search enters sixth day

One line of inquiry was officially ruled out on Thursday after police confirmed a woman pictured in CCTV was not Ms Murphy, as previously stated.

Victoria Police had released CCTV footage on Wednesday which showed a person heading in a north-easterly direction toward Yankee Flat Road, near the intersection of Warrenheip Road.

The woman was believed to have been Ms Murphy heading out for a 20km run through the state forest.

Police and SES are seen combing through the Woowookarang National Park

However, another runner came forward to reveal she was the person pictured.

Inspector Heaney said the discovery had 'eliminated' a possible route Ms Murphy may have taken after she left home.

He added police were still treating her disappearance as not suspicious, despite homicide detectives from the missing persons squad reportedly joining the search on Friday.

'Apart from covering a lot of terrain, a lot of area that we've physically searched looking for Samantha, we don't know a hell of a lot more,' he said.

'A lot of the information has come in (from the public) which we need to filter through which then allows us to review that and focus on where we need to search next.'

The search for Ms Murphy has now entered its sixth day

CCTV of a woman believed to be Ms Murphy was later found to be another resident in the area

Inspector Heaney confirmed Ms Murphy was wearing an Apple watch and had her phone with her at the time she vanished, but said the area police were able to track from her devices was 'limited'.

Her mobile phone had pinged in the nearby suburb Buninyong and inquiries are ongoing as to whether the phone is still on.

In another setback on Wednesday, officers were alerted to 'items' possibly related to Ms Murphy's disappearance, however, it was later determined they did not belong to the missing mother.

Locals in the area have also raised concerns the mother may have fallen in an abandoned mine shaft, which can be difficult to see on the forest floor.

Distraught daughter calls for help to bring her mother home

Earlier on Thursday, Ms Murphy's eldest daughter Jessica and husband Michael, issued a desperate plea for their loved one to return home.

Through tears, Jessica urged the public to continue searching for her mum.

'Mum, we love you so much and we miss you and we need you at home with us, please come home soon, I can't wait to see you,' Jessica told reporters.

'Mum's a really strong woman, and she's far too determined to give up this fight.'

Jessica's father thanked the community for their support in recent days as he appealed for answers.

'People just don't vanish into thin air,' Mr Murphy said.

'Someone has got to know something ... whether it be any little thing that you might think is relevant, just call the police, let them know.

'It'll give us a bit of peace of mind if we get some hope.'
Sunny Hostin was 'deeply disappointed' to learn her ancestors were slave owners from Spain in the latest episode of the PBS genealogy series Finding Your Roots

The View host, 55, said on Thursday that 'it was deeply disappointing' to learn that her maternal ancestors had likely owned slaves.

Hostin's third great-grandfather was the son of a Spanish merchant and owned at least one human being. She also discovered that she was only seven percent indigenous Puerto Rican, among many other surprising revelations about her family history.

The journalist, whose mother is Puerto Rican and father is Black, acknowledged that she had a difficult conversation with her mother after the show.

'It was deeply disappointing, because my mother really identified as Puerto Rican. She was part of the civil rights movement, and she was deeply ingrained in Black culture,' Hostin told her co-hosts during Thursday's episode of The View.

Sunny Hostin, 55, was 'deeply disappointed' to learn her ancestors were slave owners from Spain in the latest episode of the PBS genealogy series Finding Your Roots

The journalist, whose mother is Puerto Rican and father is Black, acknowledged that she had a difficult conversation with her mother after the show

Hostin also discovered that she was only seven percent indigenous Puerto Rican, among many other surprising revelations about her family history. Pictured: Hostin and her father

Pictured: Sunny Hostin's parents Rosa Beza and William Cummings

Henry Louis Gates Jr. unraveled the complicated history of Hostin's family, revealing some secrets that left the anchor in shock as she joined PBS' Finding Your Roots.

'Wow, I'm a little bit in shock. I just always thought of myself as half Puerto Rican. I didn't think my family was originally from Spain and slaveholders,' she said.

Hostin's third great-grandfather, Fermin, was the son of a merchant who was likely involved in the slave trade, and Fermin himself owned at least one human being.

Gates Jr said during the show: 'What's more, moving back on this line, we found that it originates in Galicia, Spain  evidence of Sunny's deeper ancestry and her family ties to Spain's colonial past.'

In the surprising revelation, Hostin also learned that she shares similar roots with her husband, Emmanuel 'Manny' Hostin, who is half Spanish and half Haitian.

'I think it's actually pretty interesting that my husband and I have shared roots, so I do appreciate that, and I think it's great for our children to know this information,' she said.

'I guess it's a fact of life that this is how some people made their living, on the backs of others,' the host added.

'I had no idea the Spanish roots to this extent. I'm still sort of shocked at the depth of the ties.'

The 55-year-old further detailed her journey and conversations with her mother, Rosa Beza, on The View aired on Thursday.

Beza identified herself as Black race but Hispanic for ethnicity. 'But her race is white - she's European,' Hostin explained on the show.

'I know, it's weird, because when you look at her, my mother's blonde and she has light eyes, and my whole family looks like that. I think inside, I sort of knew that this was my history and that's probably why I didn't want to do it.'

'And I spoke to my mom about it, she was deeply disappointed  she actually cried about it,' Hostin said.

'And then she said, 'Maybe that's why I have been so connected to Black culture, because it's an atonement in my spirit.'''

After appearing on 'Finding Your Roots,' Hostin received emails and texts attacking her for having Spanish roots ancestors who owned slaves

In the surprising revelation, Hostin also learned that she shares similar roots with her husband, Emmanuel 'Manny' Hostin, who is half Spanish and half Haitian

After appearing on 'Finding Your Roots,' Hostin received emails and texts attacking her for having Spanish roots ancestors who owned slaves.

Hostin told her View cohosts: 'I still believe in reparations by the way, so y'all can stop texting me and emailing me and saying that I'm a white girl and that I don't deserve reparations.'

'I still believe this country has a lot to do in terms of racial justice. But what I will say, Sara, to your question is that I feel that I'm enriched by knowing that history,' Hostin said.

'And I'm enriched by knowing that my family has come so far from being enslavers to my mother marrying my father in 1968. I feel enriched by it.'
Thousands of American XL bully dogs will be spared after their owners successfully applied for exemptions to having them put down.

Official figures show that a total of 26,586 owners applied for their pets to be exempt from being confiscated and destroyed under new rules.

Of these, 22,420 were successful  and 4,166 were denied  according to a response by the Department for the Environment to a freedom of information request.

The demand for exemption certificates appears to have taken the Government by surprise. In the FOI release it said it had originally estimated that England and Wales had a population of 10,000 XL bully dog types.

A House of Commons committee last year heard that there could be as many as 50,000 XL bullies, based on information supplied by veterinary practices. Under new restrictions, unregistered pets can be taken and owners fined and prosecuted.

Official figures show that a total of 26,586 XL Bully owners applied for their pets to be exempt from being confiscated and destroyed under new rules (Stock picture)

Under new restrictions, unregistered pets can be taken and owners fined and prosecuted (Stock picture)

A complete ban on people owning XL bullies came into force on February 1, unless the owner applied for a Certificate of Exemption at a cost of 92.40

Seized dogs are then taken to kennels before a court decides if they should either be destroyed or are deemed not to be a threat to public safety.

The Certificate of Exemption entitles the holder to continue to legally keep their dogs at a cost of 92.40.

The dogs must also be muzzled and kept on a lead in public, while males must be neutered and females spayed. Their owners must have valid third party public liability insurance.

Under the new regulations, XL bullies may not be held on a lead by anyone under 16 and their owners must allow a police officer to check the dogs microchip if they are asked. Its a legal requirement to have any dog over the age of eight weeks microchipped.

The reasons for exemption certificates being denied included: Invalid insurance start dates, owners being under 16, and duplicate applications.

Defra said it had received 137 applications for payments to owners who had euthanised their dogs and had paid out 13,600 in compensation for euthanasia, reflecting 68 completed compensation payments of 200.

The dogs must also be muzzled and kept on a lead in public, while males must be neutered and females spayed. Their owners must have valid third party public liability insurance

In the most recent attack, Esther Martin (pictured), 68, was killed at her home in Jaywick in Essex on Saturday by a breed reported to be an XL bully

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons reported that some of its members who had euthanised XL bully dogs have faced abuse and harassment.

The Government move to ban XL bullies followed a series of attacks on people.

In the most recent attack, Esther Martin, 68, was killed at her home in Jaywick in Essex on Saturday by a breed reported to be an XL bully.

Britains dog population is estimated at some 12million, according to the Royal Veterinary College.

The most common specific dog breeds across all ages were the labrador retriever (6.9 per cent), Jack Russell terrier (4.5 per cent), English cocker spaniel (4.3 per cent), Staffordshire bull terrier (4.2 per cent) and chihuahua (3.6 per cent).
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 8, ARMENPRESS.

The Governor of Armenia's Gegharkunik province Karen Sargsyan on Thursday met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Armenia, Olivier Decottignies and First Counselor at the French Embassy in Armenia, Christoph Katsakhyan.

During the meeting, the parties discussed issues aimed at deepening and enhancing the ongoing cooperation in the security, economic, health, educational and cultural spheres.

At the outset of the meeting, Karen Sargsyan presented to the Ambassador the frameworks, results, and upcoming tasks of the cooperation programs established between Gegharkunik region and the Isere Department of the French Republic.

He noted that thanks to the efforts of both parties numerous and diverse programs had been implemented over the years in the fields of education, culture, tourism and healthcare. Karen Sargsyan noted that the long-term cooperation has evolved into a strong friendship.

France has demonstrated its sincere friendship and assistance to the population of Gegharkunik, Republic of Armenia, not only during times of peace but also amidst external threats and difficult days we have faced in recent years, for which we express our heartfelt gratitude.

Now the same cooperation, assistance, friendly and sincere attitude continues, said Sargsyan.

In his turn, Olivier Decottignies highly appreciated the results of the Gegharkunik-Isere cooperation and the unbreakable friendship achieved, emphasizing the further expansion of economic and cultural ties and the implementation of new projects.

"We are ready to cooperate in the fields of culture, education, healthcare, agriculture, urban development and other areas, to provide support in many vital projects, especially pertaining to the strengthening and development of border settlements," said the Ambassador.

The governor also presented the programs of the Armenian government that have been implemented and those that are yet to be implemented in the Gegharkunik region.
It's enough to make French President Mitterand turn over in his grave and gasp 'Sacre bleu!!'

Undeniable evidence of Joe Biden's startling mental decline is accumulating faster than naked selfies in Hunter's laptop.

The Justice Department has now dropped one of the most damning indictments to date of our President  and they didn't hit him with a single charge.

The Special Counsel investigating Biden's mishandling of classified documents found he 'willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen.'

But  get this hot load of malarkey  Joe won't be charged.

Why? Because his own Justice Department has concluded that a jury would find him to be 'a well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.'

Translation: No juror would throw their poor old grandpa in the clink, so the DOJ is not going to bother prosecuting.

And it gets worse.

Call the cops!

This Special Counsel report is elder abuse.

This document states that during interviews Biden forgot when he was vice president, the dates of his son Beau's death and the details of the debate over his own disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Undeniable evidence of Joe Biden 's startling mental decline is accumulating faster than naked selfies in Hunter's laptop.

The Special Counsel investigating Biden's mishandling of classified documents found he 'willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen.' (Above) Classified documents in Biden's Delaware garage

It's official. America's top law enforcement department thinks Biden's brains have turned to mashed potatoes.

And America agrees.

A gutting new NBC News poll shows Biden trails Donald Trump by 23 points on the question: Does the candidate have 'the necessary mental and physical health to be president.'

That poll was taken before this DOJ report and before Joe's back-to-back-to-back verbal blunders this week proving his cognitive function is shot.

On Sunday, Biden name-checked the President of France claiming they spoke at the G7 summit in 2021.

Unfortunately for Biden, he conjured the name of former French President Francois Mitterand and not the current office holder, Emmanuel Macron.

Unfortunately for Mitterand, he died a quarter century before the summit even occurred.

Two days later, Biden forgot the name of the murderous terror group responsible for the worst slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust.

'There's been a response from the opposition,' he mumbled to reporters.

'Hamas?' a helpful off-camera voice suggested.

'Yes, I'm sorry, from Hamas,' fumbled Joe.

This document states that during interviews Biden forgot when he was vice president, the dates of his son Beau's death and the details of the debate over his own disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Then the most devastating, disturbing blooper of them all dribbled from his lips on Wednesday.

For some inexplicable reason, during a New York City fundraiser, he revisited his G7 'I see dead people' gaffe.

And this time, he substituted long-dead Mitterand for a more recently deceased European leader.

'Helmut Kohl turned to me and said' he ad-libbed.

German Chancellor Helmut Kohl died in 2017!

Joe's cerebrum is as useful as a week-old bran muffin.

Desperate Democrats have been grasping by their fingernails to a glimmer of hope that Ol' Scatterbrains might be able to squeak by in the 2024 campaign by phoning it in from the toilet in the Oval Office bathroom. And early on in this administration-turned-convalescence that may have been true.

White House staff would put President Mumblebum on ice for a few days after he stuck his foot in his mouth.

They'd toss him in a hyperbaric chamber, pump him full of teen-athlete blood or stick him like a pinata with vitamin B IVs and wheel him back out there, like a totaled Ford Pinto on a used car lot.

But that's not possible anymore.

On Sunday, Biden name-checked the President of France claiming they spoke at the G7 summit in 2021. Unfortunately for Biden, he conjured the name of former French President Francois Mitterand (above) and not the current office holder, Emmanuel Macron.

Then he substituted long-dead Mitterand for a more recently deceased European leader. 'Helmut Kohl (above) turned to me and said' he ad-libbed

One of the most consequential elections in living memory and a smattering of bloody global conflicts teetering on World World III require the leader of the free world to speak contemporaneously.

Now, instead of his oral faceplants occurring in every third speech, his normal-to-gaffe ratio has inverted.

Say what you want about his predecessor but 45 could hold hours-long rallies peppering MAGA faithful with bad advice and then spar with bloodthirsty reporters for 90 minutes  all before lunchtime.

Joe The Medium can't deliver a scripted speech, let alone handle a single question, without breaking into an unsanctioned seance.

The only thing the White House can do now is lean into this and claim Biden sees ghosts, fire the Secretary of State and tell the American people that the commander-in-chief relies on the advice of Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi and Patrick Swayze.

Joe The Medium can't deliver a scripted speech, let alone handle a single question, without breaking into an unsanctioned seance.

Then, next time Biden gives a speech stick a Ouija board under his liver-spotted hand and people just might buy it.

If there was a single Democrat left in America who wasn't already in a full-blow panic over their feeble front-runner, surely, they're chomping Prozacs like Tic-tac's today.

But put the politics aside for a moment.

This is terrifying!

Who is running this Weekend At Bernie's White House?

We've got Kamala Harris cackling like a witch over a bubbling cauldron of hot word salad, a Secretary of Defense who is hospitalized for days without telling anyone, and a President who  according to his own damned DOJ  cannot be held responsible for his own actions.

Forget 2024!

Beef up on the 25th Amendment folks.

This election may be over before it begins.
Vladimir Putin took aim at President Joe Biden, Bill Clinton and the CIA in his hotly anticipated interview with Tucker Carlson, where he praised George Bush and gushed over 'very smart' Elon Musk.

The two-hour interview was posted on Carlson's website, the Tucker Carlson Network, shortly before 6pm on Thursday.

Speaking through a translator, Putin started off by responding to a question about the Ukraine war with: 'Are we having a talk show or a serious interview?'

He then offered Carlson a 'historical background' of the conflict in the region, before defending his military's action.

From then on, he made a range of bombshell claims, including:

Bill Clinton offered Russia a place in NATO, but was overruled by his staff

Russia has superior 'supersonic missiles' to every other nation

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich is a 'spy'

The CIA blew up the Nord Stream Pipeline

Tucker Carlson's hotly anticipated interview with Vladimir Putin saw a number of bombshell claims

Carlson, 54, announced that he would be interviewing the Russian leader earlier this week, the president's first with western media since the war with Ukraine began

Clinton offered Russia a place in NATO

Putin claimed he sought to restore Russian relations with the US when he became president in 2000, even asking then-President Bill Clinton for a place in NATO.

However, he alleged his request was rebuffed by Clinton's team.

'At a meeting here in the Kremlin with the outgoing President Bill Clinton, right here in the next room, I said to him, I asked him: "Bill, do you think if Russia asked to join NATO, do you think it would happen?" Putin said.

Putin claimed that Bill Clinton's team refused to consider allowing Russia a place in NATO

Putin claimed Clinton was initially receptive to the idea before changing his mind several hours later

'Suddenly he said, "you know, it's interesting. I think so." But in the evening, when we met for dinner, he said: You know, I've talked to my team, no, it's not possible now.

'You can ask him. I think he will watch our interview, he'll confirm it. I wouldn't have said anything like that if it hadn't happened. Okay, well, it's impossible now. '

He suggested Russia would have been willing to join the military alliance had it not been knocked back.

'If he had said yes, the process of rapprochement would have commenced, and eventually it might have happened if we had seen some sincere wish on the side of our partners. But it didn't happen. Well, no means no, okay, fine,' Putin added.

However, he refuted the suggestion the rejection stoked tensions.

'It's not bitterness. It's just the statement of fact. We're not bride and groom, bitterness, resentment, it's not about those kind of matters in such circumstances. We just realized we weren't welcome there, that's all,' he said.

Russia's missiles

Putin boasted that Russia 'created hypersonic systems' which are now 'ahead of everyone' during the sit down with Tucker Carlson

The Russian leader also said his forces are 'improving them [ the missiles] every day'

Putin used the occasion to tout his nation's military prowess, saying the Russian forces 'created hypersonic systems with intercontinental range, and we continue to develop them.'

'We are now ahead of everyone, the United States and the other countries in terms of the development of hypersonic strike systems. And we are improving them every day,' he said.

Putin said the missiles were developed in response to the US establishing its own systems against Iran and after his suggestions that the US, Europe and Russian

'I said, "Look, but then we will be forced to take counter measures. We will create such strike systems that will certainly overcome missile defense systems.

'The answer was, "We are not doing this against you, and you do what you want. Assuming that it is not against us, not against the United States. I said, "Okay". Very well. That's the way it went.'

Relationship with presidents

The Russian leader spoke fondly of former president George W. Bush and said he had a 'very good relationship with him

Putin described his relationship with Donald Trump as 'personal', but was less enthusiastic about his relations with Biden

The Russian leader recounted his past relationships with several US Presidents, mostly gushing over Republicans George W. Bush and Donald Trump.

'It is not about the personality of a particular person. I had a very good relationship with say Bush,' he said.

'I know that in the United States, he was portrayed as some kind of a country boy who does not understand much. I assure you that this is not the case.

'I think he made a lot of mistakes with regard to Russia, too. I told you about 2008 and the decision in Bucharest to open the NATO's doors to for Ukraine and so on.

'That happened during his presidency. He actually exercised pressure on the Europeans.

'But in general, on a personal human level, I had a very good relationship with him. He was no worse than any other American or Russian or European politician. I assure you he understood what he was doing as well as others.'

He continued and said he had a similarly warm relationship with former President Donald Trump: 'It is not about the personality of the leader. It is about the elites' mindset, leader deal.

'If the idea of domination at any cost, based also on forceful actions dominates the American society, nothing will change. It will only get worse.'

The Russian leader appeared to mock Biden's financial support for war-torn Ukraine

Carlson introduced the interview by appearing in a snowy Red Square

Tucker Carlson with Vladimir Putin in their hotly anticipated interview

I had such a personal relationship with Trump,' he said.

The interview comes at a crucial time in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with the Biden administration coming under mounting scrutiny for its continued support of Ukrainian President's Zelensky expensive defense against Putin's army.

Putin was less enthusiastic about Biden, appearing to mock his continued financial support for the war-torn nation.

'If you really want to stop fighting, you need to stop supplying weapons. It will be over within a few weeks. That's it. And then we can agree on some terms before you do that, stop,' he said.

When Carlson asked what kind of response he receives from the White House, Putin said: 'You were going to deliver such and such weapons to Ukraine. Oh, I'm afraid, I'm afraid. Please don't. What is there to talk about?'

He also revealed he 'cannot remember' the last time he spoke to the President, but it has not been since February 2022 ahead of the attack.

By contrast, the Russian premier was much more complimentary of Tesla boss Elon Musk, who revealed he was tuning in to catch the interview.

'I think there's no stopping Elon Musk. He will do as he sees fit [...] I think he's a smart person. I truly believe he is,' Putin said.

Cause of Ukraine conflict

The Russian leader said the 2014 coup in Ukraine which resulted in the removal of Zelensky's predecessor Viktor Yanukovych was the decisive factor in launching his attack

He also hit out at the current Ukrainian leadership for failing to abide by The Minsk Agreements, a series of treaties that sought to end the Donbas War between Ukraine and Russian separatist groups

A couple walks near the rubble of destroyed buildings in Kupiansk, Kharkiv region, Ukraine, 08 February 2024, amid the Russian invasion

When asked what the decisive moment was that made up his mind to launch his attack, Putin responded, 'initially, it was the coup in Ukraine' - referencing the removal of Zelensky's predecessor Viktor Yanukovych in 2014.

'And what triggered the current events? Firstly, the current Ukrainian leadership would not implement the Minsk Agreements,' Putin continued. The Minsk Agreements were a series of treaties that sought to end the Donbas War between Ukraine and Russian separatist groups, signed in 2014.

He accused former leaders of Germany and France of reneging on their commitments to the agreements.

'They never intended to implement them, they simply led us by the nose,' he said.

He also bristled at the notion a change of president would change the outcome of the war.

'You just asked me if another leader comes and changes something? It is not about the leader,' he said.

Putin sensationally claimed that a peace deal over the Ukraine war was once almost agreed to, blaming the 'Western side' for wanting to keep the war going for as long as possible.

'We're willing to negotiate,' he said.

'It is the western side, and Ukraine is obviously a satellite state of the US. It is evident. I do not want you to take it as if I am looking for a strong word or an insult. But we both understand what is happening.'

CIA blew up Nord stream pipeline

The Nord Stream blasts knocked out three of the four strands of the pipelines, essentially destroying the main energy link between Russia and the West

Putin sensationally claimed that the CIA blew up the underwater Nord Stream pipeline in September 2022.

The gas pipelines were built to carry Russian natural gas to Germany and the cause of their destruction has been the subject of much speculation.

The attack came as Europe attempted to wean itself off Russian energy sources following the Kremlins full-scale invasion of Ukraine and contributed to tensions that followed the start of the war.

The blasts knocked out three of the four strands of the pipelines, essentially destroying the main energy link between Russia and the West.

In the interview, Putin was unequivocal in laying the blame squarely on the shoulders of the CIA.

When Carlson asked who was responsible, Putin replied: 'You', in reference to the US.

'I was busy that day. I did not blow up Nord Stream,' Carlson joked.

'You personally may have an alibi, but the CIA has no such alibi,' Putin replied.

Sources told The Washington Post that a Ukrainian team was responsible for carrying out the mysterious Nord Stream pipeline blasts in September 2022

When pressed why he did not present evidence of Western involvement, Putin suggested that it would have been futile in the face of US 'propaganda'.

'It is clear to the whole world what happened then. Even American analysts talk about it directly. It's true,' Putin.

Blame was initially pinned on the US, Russia, the Ukrainian secret services and an unnamed businessman in Ukraine. All three countries have vehemently denied responsibility.

The strongest suspicion has long fallen on Ukraine, which would most benefit by cutting off Russia's valuable energy outlet.

Evan Gershkovich

Putin claimed Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershowitz is a 'spy' as he justified his continued imprisonment

Gershowitz, 32, was detained in March 2023 while on a reporting trip to the city of Yekaterinburg

Carlson's interview with the Russian leader sparked backlash among Western media for his treatment of the free press in his nation, including the ongoing imprisonment of Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershowitz.

Gershowitz, 32, was detained in March 2023 while on a reporting trip to the city of Yekaterinburg, about 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) east of Moscow.

He has been held in jail since on espionage charges, which can be punished by up to 20 years in prison.

While the US says the reporter is wrongly detained, Putin claimed Gershowitz is a spy, claims he reiterated in Carlson's interview.

'You know, you can give a different interpretations to what constitutes a spy. But there are certain things provided by law. If a person gets secret information and does that in conspiratorial manner, then this is qualified as espionage,' he said.

'He was receiving classified, confidential information, and he did it covertly. Maybe he did that out of carelessness or his own initiative.'

He refuted Carlson's suggestion Gershowitz is 'just a kid' and stated he was 'caught red-handed.'

When asked if he would consider releasing the journalist, Putin did not definitively rule it out but made it seem unlikely unless the US were to take 'reciprocal' steps.

'We have done so many gestures of goodwill out of decency that I think we have run out of them,' Putin said.

'We have never seen anyone reciprocate to us in a similar manner. However, in theory, we can say that we do not rule out that we can do that if our partners take reciprocal step.'

US urges caution around interview

During the White House daily briefing on Thursday, Communications Coordinator John Kirby told reporters that Americans shouldn't believe anything Putin says

Today, before the interview dropped, White House Communications Coordinator John Kirby told Americans not to believe 'anything' in the interview.

'Anybody that watches that interview you need to make sure to remember that you are listening to Vladimir Putin,' he said.

'You shouldn't take at face value anything he has to say.'

Kirby added: 'The American people know well who is at fault here, and I think they know that there was no ground whatsoever for the invasion two years ago.

'He invaded a neighboring country without provocation, Ukraine wasn't a threat to anybody.

'The American people understand that, the American people understand what Ukraine is fighting for.

'All they're asking for is our help, they're not asking for boots on the ground. I don't think the American people are going to be swayed by one interview.'

While Democrats have bristled at the thought of Carlson giving Putin a platform - including Hillary Clinton branding Carlson a 'useful idiot' - others are embracing it.

Robert Kennedy Jr. praised Carlson's efforts earlier this week, saying he had every right to speak to the world leader and inform the public of his stance.

The Kremlin gleefully promoted the interview earlier this week.

The controversial interview has drawn criticism from the White House and the EU, both of whom say Putin cannot be trusted and should not be listened to.

In promotional videos, Carlson said he conducted the interview out of duty to the American people who deserve to know more about the conflict in Ukraine.
Tensions in the Middle East flared further last night after the US assassination of an Iran-backed militia commander in Iraq.

Dramatic pictures showed the burning wreck of the car that Wissam Mohammed 'Abu Bakr' al-Saadi had been travelling in when it was hit by an American drone.

The commander of Kataib Hezbollah's operations in Syria was killed alongside two other members of the group in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

Washington ordered the hit in retaliation for attacks on US troops in the region, but Iraqi authorities have condemned the 'blatant assassination' in a residential neighbourhood.

Crowds were seen swarming the vehicle after the strike on Wednesday evening, as local officials warned the attacks could see an end to the US-led coalition in the country.

Wissam Mohammed 'Abu Bakr' al-Saadi (pictured) was the commander of Kataib Hezbollah's operations in Syria

Screengrab shows the burning wreck of Wissam Mohammed 'Abu Bakr' al-Saadi's car

Yehia Rasool, a spokesman for Iraq's prime minister, said: 'The international coalition is completely overstepping the reasons and objectives for which it is present on our territory.'

Labour refuses to rule out recognising Palestinian state Labour has refused to rule out unilaterally recognising a Palestinian state as it continues to lose Muslim voters over its refusal to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Foreign affairs spokesman David Lammy told the Financial Times the move is 'not beyond contemplation'. Former Conservative Cabinet minister Theresa Villiers said it would 'look like a reward for terrorism'. Advertisement

He added: 'This trajectory compels the Iraqi government more than ever to terminate the mission of this coalition, which has become a factor for instability and threatens to entangle Iraq in the cycle of conflict.'

Furious crowds chanted 'Death to America', 'America is the biggest devil', and 'America, get out of our land' in Baghdad as they faced dozens of riot police.

'America needs to be investigated for breaching international law,' one protester told Sky News.

'How are they able to attack another country and kill people with impunity?'

The US attack immediately prompted angry demands for retaliation by other pro-Iran fighting groups, which form the so-called Axis of Resistance in Iraq.

Paramilitary outfit Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba warned: 'This will not be the last [attack] if there is no strict and firm official response from the Iraqi government.'

The US has some 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in neighbouring Syria in a mission to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State.

An American-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 to remove Saddam Hussein triggered a spiral of violence and disorder that continues today.

Pictured, civil defence members gather at the site of the burned vehicle targeted by a U.S. drone strike in east Baghdad

Pictured, a MQ-9 Reaper firing a Hellfire missile. The commander was killed in a drone strike

It came as Israeli troops bombed the southern Gazan city of Rafah yesterday ahead of a planned ground offensive.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to move in troops after rejecting a peace deal offered by Hamas on Wednesday.

Israeli officials have said they cannot end the war before dismantling Hamas's infrastructure for smuggling weapons over the border, with Rafah a key checkpoint.

Michael Milshtein, a former head of Palestinian affairs for Israeli military intelligence, told The Wall Street Journal: 'Leaving Rafah an open gate between the world and Gaza means that Hamas immediately will start reconstruction of its military capacities.'

However, Rafah is filled with more than a million refugees and the crossing is also a key route for aid, meaning any attack risks worsening the humanitarian crisis.

Egypt has warned it will end a decades-long truce with Israel if Palestinians attempt to flee across the border.

But despite the turmoil there were positive signs yesterday as peace negotiations were again under way in Cairo.

Hamas indicated it still hopes to discuss a ceasefire despite its initial offer being rejected as 'bizarre' by Mr Netanyahu.
Police are seeking the public's help to find a missing Australian teenager who hasn't been seen for an entire week.

Jamie Fowler, a 17-year-old from the Illawarra region near Sydney, was last seen in the Newcastle area on February 1.

Police hold fears for her welfare due to her age.

Jamie is being described as of Caucasian appearance, roughly 165cm tall, of thin build, with dark brown hair and brown eyes.

People who may have information over Jamie's whereabouts are urged to contact Lake Illawarra Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A Texas mother has been arrested after being accused of torturing her children, including once trying to put her three-year-old daughter in a hot oven.

Lul Top, 36, was arrested after her five children were removed from her custody on January 8 after she beat her husband.

They told investigators with the Children's Advocacy Center in Collin County about the incident, and also claimed that she cut them with knives if they did not get alcohol for her.

The girl's brother, 10, told the investigator he had to physically fight off his mother to stop her from putting the girl in the heated oven. He then took his younger sister upstairs and was forced to hide her.

The incident was also witnessed by a 4-year-old sibling, according to the police affidavit obtained by the local Fox station.

Lul Top, 36, was arrested after her five children were removed from her custody on January 8. They told child protective services that she had tried to put her three-year-old daughter in a hot oven, and would cut them with knives if they didn't bring her alcohol

After the children were removed from Tops' custody, a SWAT team surrounded her house to arrest her - while she hid in the attic

After the claims were made by the children, police returned to Top's rental house in the Dallas suburb of Allen with an arrest warrant for six counts of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Dramatic video shows a police armored vehicle on the lawn of Top's house, with a SWAT officer speaking into a loud speaker.

'Come out with your hands up,' the police loud speaker blared.

Top hid in the attic of the house for an hour and finally came out after being 'deployed chemical weapons.'

Footage shows the mom being led away in handcuffs.

The children said Top would threaten to kill everyone, leading her little ones to hide cleavers from her.

Three of Top's children, ages 6, 9 and 10, told investigators that she often drank and ordered them to bring her more booze if she ran out.

Investigator noticed Top's three and four-year-old children had scars 'resembling knife cuts.'

Both children said their mother used a knife to cut them.

Top's kids were taken from her custody after police were called to her home after she beat her husband last month

Top barricaded herself in her home's attic for an hour until police deployed chemicals into the home, forcing her to come out. She was led away in handcuffs

The woman once held the knife to her son's tongue and made him drink alcohol, but he spit it out, according to the police documents.

'Always weird stuff over there. The police were always there,' one neighbor told FOX 4.

'Seeing the kids playing out in the back by themselves, no supervision. And to know that was actually happening, it's sad. It's really sad.'

Police had been called to the home 11 times since January 1, KDFW reported.

Top is currently at the Collin County Jail under a $600,000 bond.
The Romans are known to have been one of the world's most influential civilisations.

But even they may have enjoyed a little escapism  in the form of powerful hallucinogens, a study suggests.

Archaeologists have discovered hundreds of black henbane seeds in a hollowed bone at the rural Roman settlement of Houten-Castellum in the Netherlands.

These seeds originate from a poisonous plant, which is part of the nightshade family, and have been used as both a medicine and a narcotic.

Until now, no conclusive evidence of the use of black henbane has been discovered from Roman times.

Archaeologists have discovered hundreds of black henbane seeds in a hollowed bone

The Romans are known to have been one of the world's most influential civilisations. But even they may have enjoyed a little escapism  in the form of powerful hallucinogens, a study suggests

READ MORE: Bedbugs came to Britain with the Romans Advertisement

But experts said the placement of seeds inside a hollowed-out sheep or goat bone, sealed with a black birch bark tar plug, indicate the seeds were stored there intentionally around 2,000 years ago.

Historic texts suggest that henbane may have been used as a painkiller and sleep remedy.

But others warn it can also have strong hallucinogenic effects - causing loss of muscle control, dilation of pupils, visions and even induce a sense of flying.

While this is the first example of black henbane being found in a container from the Roman period, it is not clear exactly what its intended use was, the researchers said.

The remants were discovered by archaeologists at the rural Roman settlement of Houten-Castellum in the Netherlands

Writing in the journal Antiquity the team, from Freie Universitat Berlin, said: 'Black henbane is an extremely poisonous plant species that can also be used as a medicinal or psychoactive drug.

'Instances where the intentional human use of black henbane can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt are rare.

'Only a handful of archaeological examples can be cited: one find in a grave and three finds from hospitals.

'The discovery at Houten-Castellum, in the Roman Netherlands, of a bone cylinder closed at one end with a birch-bark tar plug and filled with black henbane seeds therefore provides an important new case for the deliberate collection and use of seeds from this plant.'
It's been floating above our planet for nearly 30 years.

But a satellite launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) is finally set to crash back down to Earth this month.

ERS-2, which blasted off from French Guiana in 1995, weighs just over 5,000lbs  about the same as an adult rhinoceros.

Experts at ESA say it will reenter the planet's atmosphere 'mid-February', although exactly when or where it will land is as yet unknown.

The agency expects any parts of the machine to 'likely fall into the ocean'  and stresses that the risk of being injured by space debris is less than 1 in 100 billion.

ERS-2 satellite prior to launch. ERS-2 was launched in 1995, following its sister, the first European Remote Sensing satellite ERS-1, which was launched in 1991. The two satellites were designed as identical twins with one important difference - ERS-2 included an extra instrument to monitor ozone levels in the atmosphere

What is ERS-2? ERS-2 (European Remote-Sensing Satellite 2) launched on April 21, 1995. At the time, it was the most sophisticated Earth observation spacecraft ever developed and launched by Europe. Together with the almost-identical ERS-1, it collected data on Earth's land surfaces, oceans and polar caps. It was called upon to monitor natural disasters such as severe flooding or earthquakes in remote parts of the world. In 2011, ESA retired ERS-2 and began the process of deorbiting - and now it's due to reenter the atmosphere and start to burn up. ERS-2 launched with a mass of 5,546lbs (2516kg). Now depleted of fuel, its current mass is estimated to be around 5,057lbs (2294kg). Advertisement

'European Remote Sensing 2 (ERS-2) satellite will reenter Earth's atmosphere and begin to burn up in mid-February 2024,' the agency said in a statement.

'It is impossible to predict exactly when and where the satellite will begin to burn up.

'The window during which reentry is possible will continue to shrink until the time of reentry.'

ESA said it is monitoring the satellite 'very closely' along with international partners and will provide regular updates in the days leading up to reentry.

The ERS-2 satellite was launched back in April 1995 from ESA's Guiana Space Centre near Kourou, French Guiana to study Earth's land surfaces, oceans and polar caps.

After 15 years, the space probe was still functioning when ESA declared the mission complete in 2011.

After deorbiting manoeuvres used up the satellite's remaining fuel, ground control experts started lowering its altitude from about 487 miles (785km) to 356 miles (573km).

The experts wanted to minimise the risk of collision with other satellites or adding to the cloud of 'space junk' currently around our planet.

Since then ERS-2 has been in a period of 'orbital decay'  meaning it's been gradually getting closer and closer to Earth as it goes around the planet.

The ERS-2 satellite was launched back in April 1995 from ESA's Guiana Space Centre near Kourou, French Guiana (pictured)

READ MORE: Footage shows a Chinese rocket crashing to Earth At around 11 am local time on December 26, rocket debris crashed in a fireball in a forested area of Debao, Guangxi Province Advertisement

ERS-2 will reenter Earth's atmosphere and burn up once its altitude has decayed to roughly 50 miles (80km)  about one fifth the distance of the International Space Station.

At this altitude, it will break up into fragments, the vast majority of which will burn up in the atmosphere.

However, some fragments could reach Earth's surface, where they will 'most likely fall into the ocean', according to ESA.

'None of these fragments will contain any toxic or radioactive substances,' the agency said.

Although it couldn't guarantee there's no chance of ERS-2 hitting someone, ESA did point out that the annual risk of any single human being even just injured by space debris is under one in 100 billion.

That's about 1.5 million times lower than the risk of being killed in an accident at home and 65,000 times lower than the risk of being struck by lightning.

Worryingly, ESA is describing the event as a 'natural' reentry because there's no way for ground staff to control it during its descent.

'ERS-2 used up the last of its fuel in 2011 in order to minimise the risk of a catastrophic explosion that could have generated a large amount of space debris,' the agency said.

'Its batteries were depleted and its communication antenna and onboard electronics were switched off.

'There is no longer any way to actively control the motion of the satellite from the ground during its descent.'

ERS-2 was launched in 1995 following on from its sister satellite, ERS-1, which had been launched four years earlier.

Both satellites carried the latest high-tech instruments including a radar altimeter (which sends pulses of radio waves towards the ground) and powerful sensors to measure ocean-surface temperature and winds at sea.

ERS-2 had an additional sensor to measure the ozone content of our planet's atmosphere, which is important to block out radiation from the sun.

ERS-1 is no longer operational, having suffered a malfunction in 2000, but its exact whereabouts are unknown.
READ MORE: America has little grasp at how deep China's influence is

He's a China-native who moved to the US in 1993 and became a citizen in 2011

A suspected Chinese spy was arrested Tuesday for allegedly stealing US nuclear secrets.

Chenguang Gong, 57, of San Jose, California, was said to have transferred more than 3,600 files containing blueprints for sophisticated infrared sensors that detect missile launches.

The stolen information was said to be 'worth hundreds of millions of dollars' and 'would be dangerous to US national security if obtained by international actors,' according to court documents.

Gong is a China-native who moved to the US around 1993 and became a citizen in 2011.

The US Attorney for the Central District of California said Gong 'sought to provide the People's Republic of China with information to aid its military.'

Gong was released on a $2.5 million bond Wednesday following a hearing in San Jose - he is set back in court on February 20 and is facing 10 years in federal prison.

A Chinese 'spy' was arrested Tuesday for allegedly stealing blueprints for sophisticated infrared sensors that detect nuclear missile launches

While Gong has been released on bail, the US does not have an extradition treaty with China.

An affidavit released this week details Gong's case, background and alleged ties to China. His picture has not been released to the public.

The document names the engineer's former workplace as 'the Victim Company,' but Gong was employed at Malibu-based HRL Laboratories.

HRL is a research and development laboratory specializing in sensors.

The affidavit said Gong was hired in January 2023, tasked with developing and verifying infrared sensors. He was terminated on April 26, 2023.

Pamela Reese, director of marketing and communications for HRL Laboratories LLC, told DailyMail.com: 'When HRL became aware of suspicious activity being conducted by Gong, the company immediately began an investigation, terminated his employment and notified relevant authorities.

'HRL has continued to cooperate with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations on its case against Gong and will provide ongoing support as needed.'

The document names the engineer's former workplace as 'the Victim Company,' but Courthouse News Service reported that Gong was employed at Malibu-based HRL Laboratories (pictured)

According to the affidavit, HRL has developed a Serrano Readout Integrated Circuit, which is 'an integrated circuit that combines the functionality of infrared search-and-track with infrared countermeasures into a single chip.'

'The Serrano Readout Integrated Circuit is able to offer both high dynamic range (to track threats in low visibility settings) and time-of-flight capabilities (to analyze how quickly the threat is approaching),' the statement reads.

The company has also designed what is called the Anaheim Readout Integrated Circuit, which combines several features to reliably detect missile launches and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

The files Gong allegedly stole included designs for space-based systems to detect nuclear missile launches and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles,' according to the Justice Department.

The transfer is also said to have 'blueprints for sensors designed to enable US military aircraft to detect incoming heat-seeking missiles and take countermeasures, including by jamming the missiles' infrared tracking ability.'

The government also noted that Gong had accepted another position at another company that developed similar technologies - and allegedly stole more than 1,800 files.

United States Attorney Martin Estrada said: 'We will do everything to protect our nation's security, including from foreign threats.

'We know that foreign actors, including the PRC [People's Republic of China], are actively seeking to steal our technology, but we will remain vigilant against this threat by safeguarding the innovations of American businesses and researchers.'

During the investigation, the affidavit states, that the FBI discovered that, between approximately 2014 and 2022, while employed at several major technology companies in the US, 'Gong submitted numerous applications to 'Talent Programs' administered by the People's Republic of China government.'

The affidavit explained that 'the PRC has established talent programs through which it identifies individuals located outside the PRC who have expert skills, abilities, and knowledge that would aid in transforming the PRC's economy, including its military capabilities.'

Gong is a China-native who moved to the US around 1993 and became a citizen in 2011.

In 2014, while employed at a Dallas-based information technology company Gong sent a business proposal to a contact at a high-tech research institute in China focused on both military and civilian products, the affidavit claims.

'In his proposal, translated from Chinese, Gong described a plan to produce high-performance analog-to-digital converters similar to those produced by his employer,' the Justice Department stated.

The FBI executed a search warrant on May 8, 2023 to enter Gong's residence in Thousand Oaks , California.

Authorities said they recovered 'several digital devices containing hundreds of documents marked as confidential or proprietary belonging to the information technology company,' the affidavit alleges.

Gong is said to have submitted another Talen Program application in September 2020, proposing to develop 'low light/night vision' image sensors for use in military night vision goggles and civilian applications.

The Chinese native allegedly traveled to his homeland several times, seeking funding to develop sophisticated analog-to-digital converters.

The affidavit showed that the application noted Gong could develop 'high-performance analog-to-digital converters' in China, which 'had military applications.'

The documented continued to explain that the technology could 'determine the accuracy and range of radar systems and that [m]issile navigation systems also often use radar front-end systems.'

In a 2019 email, translated from Chinese, Gong remarked that he 'took a risk' by traveling to China to participate in the Talent Programs 'because [he] worked foran American military industry company' and thought he could 'do something' to contribute to China's 'high-end military integrated circuits.'

Gong is believe to have been born in Zhejiang province in China.

His resume stated that he 'earned a Master of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Clemson University and completed some PhD work at Stanford University,' according to the affidavit.

'From the late 1990s to 2023, Gong worked for a number of prominent US technology companies, as well as an international defense, aerospace, and security company,' the document continued.
The US could soon surpass China as the world leader in rare earth minerals after more than 2.34 billion metric tons were discovered in Wyoming.

American Rare Earths Inc announced that the reserves near Wheatland dramatically surpass the Asian nations 44 million metric tons, saying it 'exceeded our wildest dreams after drilling only about 25 percent of the property.

The company has a stake in 367 mining claims across 6,320 acres of land in the Halleck Creek Project, along with four Wyoming mineral leases on 1,844 acres on the same project now called Cowboy State Mine.

The types of minerals at the site are used in smartphones, hybrid car motors and military technologies - among others.

American Rare Earths Inc announced that the reserves near Wheatland dramatically surpass the Asian nations 44 million metric tons, saying it 'exceeded our wildest dreams after drilling only about 25 percent of the property

As much as 95 percent of processed rare earth minerals come from China - and the US imports 74 percent of its supply from the nation.

However, China recently announced a ban on rare earth extraction in December 2023.

Don Swartz, CEO of American Rare Earths, stated following the nations announcement: China is driven to maintain its market dominance.

This is now a race.

Now, two months later, Swartz and his team are working to break Chinas lock on the market.

American Rare Earths conducted the first drilling in March 2023, which determined there were 1.2 million metric ton estimates in northeastern Wyoming, the Cowboy State Daily reported.

But a second attempt in the fall uncovered 64 percent more.

American Rare Earths conducted the first drilling in March 2023, which determined there were 1.2 million metric ton estimates in northeastern Wyoming (map shows mining site)

These results are illustrative of the enormous potential of the project when the resource increased by 64 percent during a developmental drilling campaign, which increased measured/indicated resources by 128 percent, Shwartz said in a statement this week.

Typically, youll see the resource decrease as infill drilling takes place  instead, were seeing the opposite, with only 25 percent of the project being drilled to this point.

The rare earth minerals uncovered at the site included oxides of neodymium, praseodymium, samarium, dysprosium and terbium.

Magnets made from neodymium are used in hard disc drives and mobile phones, while praseodymium is used in high-strength alloys in aircraft engines.

Dysprosium is used to make control rods in nuclear reactors, and terbium is used in low-energy lightbulbs and mercury lamps.

The extraction process would use an open pit on the surface, which is the most common method used throughout the world for mineral mining.

The rare earth minerals uncovered at the site included oxides of neodymium, praseodymium, samarium, dysprosium and terbium

One example is the particularly massive Bingham Canyon mine near Salt Lake City, Utah, which is about three-quarters of a mile deep and about 2.5 miles wide.

While open-pit mining is an environmental hazard, it is still the fastest way to extract minerals - companies can pull as much as 20,000 tons a day.

The gaping hole in the ground is also safer for workers, compared to tunnels that go miles below the surface.

American Rare Earth is not the only company in the new gold rush' out west, as US-based Ramaco Resources has a stake near Sheridan, Wyoming that could be worth around $37 billion.

Ramaco Resources CEO Randall Atkins told Cowboy State Daily: 'We only tested it for 100, 200 feet, which is about the maximum youd ever want to do a conventional coal mine.

'Much deeper than that, and the cost would be prohibitive to mine for $15-a-ton coal. But there are seams that go down almost to 1,000 feet. So, were drilling down into the deeper levels to see whats down there.'

Ramaco estimated in May that it had 800,000 metric tons of rare earths, but then announced in December that amount was up to 1.2 million.

Neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium have also been found at the site - but the amount does not compare to what American Rare Earth has uncovered.
This week television presenter Simon Reeve checks in to our travel Q&A.

He reveals how he prepared for his latest series, Wilderness, what he's learnt from journeying to remote places, where he plans to explore next - and more.

How did you prepare for your new Wilderness TV series?

I was jabbed like a pin cushion  everything from typhoid to tuberculosis  and got into shape by running around Devon wearing a 15kg vest.

What did you pack before venturing into the Congo jungles?

Television presenter Simon Reeve (pictured above in the Congo rainforest) checks into our travel Q&A

A lightweight tent and a pair of jungle boots with perforated soles to let out water  because I had to wade through streams. I also made sure I had anti-malarials as well as a mosquito net and insect repellent. Last but not least, I took teabags and a bidet bottle  a squeezy bottle you can use instead of loo paper.

What were the highlights of the series?

One was working with the legendary sand trackers in the Kalahari as they hunted for food to feed their families. Another was climbing up to the South Patagonia ice field, high in the Andes.

See any wildlife there?

Yes, I got to swim with whale sharks the size of a single-decker bus off New Guinea and get up close to our closest relatives in the animal world, the bonobo [pygmy chimpanzee] in the Congo.

Any scary moments on your adventures?

I was asleep in my tent in the Kalahari when a lion began sniffing outside, smelling a juicy snack. One of my guides shooed it away.

Simon recalls climbing up to the South Patagonia ice field (pictured) during filming for his new series Wilderness

Most challenging day?

During the sea crossing over the Coral Triangle in Indonesia, Eric, our director, went down with a fever. It ended up ok, but we were a very long way from a hospital. It had been jolly adventures up to then.

The most relaxing place you visited?

Bobbing around on the sea in the Coral Triangle on a slow boat. Lying on a hammock I had time to practise some really cheesy Indonesian pop tunes on a gitar-ukulele  a cross between a guitar and a ukulele.

Pick up any local lingo?

Ive been wary of attempting the local lingo since nearly sparking a riot in a former Soviet republic when I tried to ask for fruit in a market, but mistakenly asked a lady for something indecent.

Had many run-ins with the authorities?

The only intimidating moment was when rangers wielding assault rifles got on my boat in the Coral Triangle.

Any tips for dealing with police and customs?

Be respectful. Dont say: Im a Brit  get me out of here!

Best food you tried?

A fish curry with the Bajau Laut people in the Coral Triangle. It had chunky fish and a delicate flavour. A welcome relief after our freeze-dried expedition food.

Simon talks about his travels to the Coral Triangle (pictured) in Indonesia

Anything that didnt go down so well?

Staying with the gaucho cowboys in Patagonia we were served testicles for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I dont object to eating testicles in that scenario, but it got a bit much.

Where would you like to visit thats new to you?

Id love to explore more of our own spectacular islands with my 12-year-old lad Jake.

What have you learnt from wild places?

That while we have done so much to damage our planet, there is still great beauty out there. I felt reassured that these places still exist and I feel passionately that we should protect them.

Did you miss the UK while in the jungle?

Family, friends and Guinness, in that order  probably.

Where next for you outside of Britain?

Id love to travel more in Brazil, Indonesia and the Philippines.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 8, ARMENPRESS. European Council President Charles Michel has welcomed Azerbaijan's commitment to resume the Brussels process trilateral meeting to advance a stable and prosperous South Caucasus.

Michel said in a post on X, congratulating Aliyev on his re-election as president.

In his post, he underlined the importance of the continuity of Azerbaijan's cooperation with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

The President of the Council of Europe informed that with Aliyev they had substantive discussions regarding the Armenia-Azerbaijan settlement, welcoming his commitment to resume meetings in the Brussels trilateral format.
Southwest Airlines proudly unveiled its new cabin design only to be met with ridicule over the 'paper-thin' seats that have been compared to 'lawn chairs' and 'slates of granite.'

The company announced the redesign of its new Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX-8 airplanes last week, saying the updated interiors and customer experience enhancements will debut in 2025.

Southwest teamed up with the design firm Tangerine to create the sleek new cabins, which feature USB-A and USB-C charger outlets, larger overhead bins, and personal electronic device holders.

The interior also boasts streamlined seats by RECARO, an aircraft and automotive seating brand based in Germany.

Southwest Airlines is facing backlash over its new cabin redesign that will debut in early 2025

The airline teamed up with the design firm Tangerine to create the sleek new cabins, which feature streamlined seats by RECARO, an aircraft and automotive seating brand

The updated interior also boasts USB-A and USB-C charger outlets, larger overhead bins, and personal electronic device holders

'The new RECARO seats include a multi-adjustable headrest cushion for enhanced head and neck support, an intuitively designed seat for ultimate comfort while maximizing seat width and overall support,' according to the press release.

Southwest noted that the redesign was 'based on extensive research covering customer and employee perceptions of color, comfort, and their aspirations for the overall onboard experience.'

The airline shared a video of the cabin interiors on TikTok, including close-ups of the seats and headrests that are embossed with Southwest hearts.

'New fit check!' the company wrote in the caption.

'Introducing our updated cabin design and new seats! You can catch this interior on new aircraft deliveries beginning next year. Not to mention our ongoing rollout of adding bigger overhead bins and in-seat power ports to our current planes!'

The 19-second clip has been viewed 8.9 million times and has received more than 15,000 comments since it was posted on February 2.

However, the reaction appeared to be mostly negative, with critics insisting that the new seats look 'uncomfortable' and 'narrower' than the ones in the current cabins.

'What Im seeing is rock-hard seats,' one person responded.

The airline shared a video of the cabin interiors on TikTok, including close-ups of the seats and headrests that are embossed with Southwest hearts

'New fit check!' the company wrote in the caption. 'Introducing our updated cabin design and new seats! You can catch this interior on new aircraft deliveries beginning next year'

The 19-second clip has been viewed 8.9 million times and has received more than 15,000 comments. However, the reaction was mostly negative

'Love it. I've always wondered when airlines would start catering to people like us who enjoy relaxing on slates of granite,' someone else joked.

'So we get thinner, more uncomfortable seats with a heart on it,' another added.

Others wanted to know what Southwest was thinking, saying the unveiling made them want to switch airlines.

'You just earned yourself a Delta customer,' one viewer griped.

'The best Delta ad Ive seen,' someone else agreed.

'Did yall not do a single focus group on these?!' another asked.

The backlash has carried over to X, formerly Twitter, where people have also been slamming Southwest over the redesign.

'Southwest is rolling out new paper-thin seats, and Americans just have to deal with it because the domestic airline has lobbied against high-speed rail so successfully that we have no other options,' wrote Hayden Clarkin, who is known as 'The Transit Guy.'

Critics insisted the new seats look 'uncomfortable' and 'narrower' than the ones in the current cabins. They were compared to everything from 'lawn chairs' to 'slates of granite'

The backlash has carried over to X, formerly Twitter, where people have also been slamming Southwest over the redesign

'That Southwest upgrade reveal was so silly. The seats are already rock hard and now theyre thinner [and] look even less comfortable,' Toni Childs commented.

Someone else shared a photo of a lawn chair, saying Southwest Airlines has 'revealed their new seats.'

A spokesperson for Southwest told SFGate that the company 'conducted multiple rounds of comfort testing with hundreds of participants' for the new seats before finalizing the design.

'We collaborated with RECARO to custom-develop a more ergonomic cushion by using different foam technologies and densities, and adding more padding to certain areas of the headrest, backrest, and bottom cushion,' they said.

'The seat material selected for these new seats is not only softer to the touch, but better showcases the foam technology.'

The airline insisted the new seats have the same width, leg room, and armrest size as the current seats on its Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX-8 planes.

The spokesperson also shut down concerns that the new interior design would include more rows, saying Southwest has 'no plans' to add more seats in the cabin.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Southwest Airlines for comment.
Amy Dowden surprised her Strictly colleagues on the Nottingham leg of the Strictly Come Dancing Live! tour on Tuesday.

The professional dancer, 33, appeared on every series of Strictly from 2017 to 2022, before her May diagnosis meant she had to miss out on series 21.

On Tuesday, she and her husband Ben Jones visited Dianne Buswell, Nancy Xu, Vito Coppola, Carlos Gu, and Katya Jones, and promised her 650,000 Instagram followers on Wednesday that there was more to come.

The couple recently returned home from their second honeymoon in Grenada, during which Amy received luxury head massages to stimulate her hair growth.

Amy, who married Ben in 2022, found a lump in her breast the day before she flew to the Maldives for a belated honeymoon in April 2023, and admitted the holiday was 'clouded by cancer diagnosis.'

Amy Dowden surprised her Strictly colleagues on the Nottingham leg of the Strictly Come Dancing Live! tour on Tuesday (pictured with her husband Ben Jones, far right, Vito Coppola, and Dianne Buswell)

The professional dancer, 33, appeared on every series of Strictly from 2017 to 2022, before her May diagnosis meant she had to miss out on series 21 (pictured with Strictly Christmas special 2023 winner Nancy Xu)

On Tuesday, she visited Dianne Buswell, Nancy Xu, Vito Coppola, Carlos Gu, and Katya Jones, and promised her 650,000 Instagram followers on Wednesday that there was more to come

Amy joined Lorraine for a segment during one episode earlier in the year, in which she detailed how she was getting her 'life back on track.'

The dancer began: 'The past year has been tough... cancer diagnosis, treatment, a mastectomy and some set backs but I'm determined to get my life back on track. Finally, we are honeymooning in Grenada!'

She added: 'A totally different feeling from when we were on our honeymoon in the Maldives because you [Ben] didn't know but obviously I had this cloud over me, I was present in my first honeymoon but I really wasn't because I found the lump, I was hiding it from Ben.

'Before coming to Grenada, last week I had seven appointments in one week so coming here and getting some Vitamin D, escaping hospital wards and appointments and medication is just gorgeous!'

The annual Strictly tour began on January 19 and is due to conclude on February 11.

It involves the following Strictly pairs: Ellie Leach, Bobby Brazier, Annabel Croft & Graziano Di Prima, Angela Rippon & Kai Widdrington, Layton Williams & Nikita Kuzmin, Krishnan Guru-Murthy & Jowita Przystal, and Angela Scanlon.

Layton shared bowling alley selfie to his Instagram Story on Wednesday with Nikita and another visitor to the tour: Tilly Ramsay.

The talk of the tour has been the relationship between former Coronation Street actress Ellie, 22, who won Strictly in December with Vito, and EastEnders actor Bobby, 20.

The couple had just returned home from their second honeymoon in Grenada, during which she received luxury head massages to stimulate her hair growth (pictured with Carlos)

The annual Strictly tour began on January 19 and is due to conclude on February 11 (pictured Amy surprising her colleagues)
With her chiseled jaw, brown eyes and block fringe it would be easy to mistake Zendaya for a young Mayte Garcia.

So, it's perhaps no surprise that Prince's ex-wife has revealed she would like the Euphoria actress to portray her in the upcoming movie adaptation of her 2017 memoir, The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince.

The dancer and actress, 50, married the music icon on Valentine's Day 1996 - when she was just 22 and he was 37 - before the couple parted ways in 1999.

Now, as the world prepares to watch her story on the big screen, Mayte exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com that she feels Zendaya, 27, could capture her 'essence' - just weeks after she considered Selena Gomez for the job.

Prince's ex-wife, Mayte Garcia, has revealed that she would like to see Zendaya, pictured right, portray her in the upcoming movie adaptation of her memoir

The dancer, 50, married the late music icon on Valentine's Day 1996 - when she was just 22 and he was 37 - with the couple parting ways after three years - pictured in June 1999

'I previously mentioned Selena Gomez as an option,' she said. 'But its so funny because so many people sent me a picture of Zendaya with the bangs at Paris Fashion Week. I didnt think about it, but now I think she could do it.

'But it could also be someone, who is no name and is amazingly talented... I want someone that can capture my essence, I really hope it's about the essence when they do cast.'

Mayte discussed possible casting last week, revealing she had her eyes on former Disney star Gomez, 31, who recently landed the role of Linda Ronstadt in an upcoming biopic.

'At first, when people started talking to me about [casting], in my mind I thought Selena Gomez,' she told the Allison Interviews podcast.

'Shes got a friendliness and innocence to her that I relate to. I just saw her playing me. I think she could do it.  But Ive also had people send me some other people and I think, "Wow, she looks like me, but can she have that essence of whatever I have?" I think we will find it.'

If cast, the film would mark Zendaya's first biopic having starred in blockbusters including Dune and Spider-Man.

When it comes to casting her ex, Mayte explained that she would prefer if a less well-known actor landed the role - stating that it would give them the chance to truly embody the beloved musician for the project.

Mayte, who choreographed routines for Britney Spears' 2001 song I'm A Slave 4 U, is keen to help the chosen cast with their dance moves.

'I would love to teach choreography to whoever does get cast to play me,' she admitted. 'Though it would be so weird to be sitting and watching them emulate me.'

Mayte exclusively told DailyMail.com that she could envision Euphoria star Zendaya, 27, capturing her 'essence' for the coveted role

The world will soon see her story played out on the big screen in the film adaptation of her 2017 book, The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince - pictured in December 1995

Mayte previously suggested Selena Gomez, 31, for the role owing to her 'friendliness and innocence'

The charity director continued: 'I have been teaching for many years and I love it. I'm excited because whoever gets the part or not, I'm not worried about that aspect because I'll get them to move and dance.'

Mayte's connection with Prince started in 1990 when her mother submitted a video to Prince's team which showed her then 16-year-old daughter's moves. Soon after she was hired to be a part of his Diamonds and Pearls Tour.

Aged 18, she became the focus of his 1992 album - whose title was an unpronounceable symbol before later becoming known as Love Symbol.

Prince also wrote his 1995 hit song The Most Beautiful Girl in the World about Garcia.

The two were married for three years, during which they tragically lost a child just days after he was born.

The couple's son Amiir - which means Prince in Arabic - died of the rare congenital disease, Pfeiffer syndrome, in October 1996.

The disorder prevents the head from growing properly due to the premature fusion of certain skull bones.

Mayte added that she would love the chance to teach choreography to whichever actress eventually lands the role for the movie

Mayte and Prince's son Amiir died of the rare congenital disease , Pfeiffer syndrome, in October 1996 - pictured in July of the same year

Prince spiraled into a depression after his son's death, and cancelled two of his tour stops in December 1996.

The pair split just a few years later and in 1999 the couple's marriage was annulled on their third wedding anniversary.

Mayte admitted that watching the reenactment of the loss of their son on screen will be incredibly hard.

She explained: 'It will be hard to watch the scenes about losing our son, even writing that part was one of those that was hard for me. It kind of organically came because I'm already thinking, "When am I going to do it?"

'So I'm hoping that's gonna be done well. Thats going be hard to watch but it has to be done with full respect.'

She continued: 'Thankfully, the team want me involved and they want my advice. Theres moments where Im like, "Oh God" but Im releasing it same as I had to do with the book.

Mayte explained that she would prefer if a less famous actor landed the role of her ex-husband - pictured in April 2017

Mayte continues to honor and maintain the charitable legacy of her former husband with their charity, Live 4 Love

'When I wrote it and got it back in completion, I felt a lot of fear. But you've got to let it go, and long as it's coming from an honest place and a loving place, it will be okay. I have a feeling that that's what's gonna happen with the movie.'

She previously revealed the death of their child, along with a subsequent miscarriage, tore the couple's marriage apart.

Mayte continues to honor her late son while working to maintain the charitable legacy of her former husband.

After the then-couple established Love 4 One Another (L4OA) Charities back on November 1996, they worked quietly on the mission to assist the hungry, underprivileged children, the homeless and those with disabilities or special needs.

She explained: 'When Prince passed. I was notified that he left me on as one of the board members. So we researched and took our time and asked around what he did.

'I found out so many people that he helped so I'm actually working on a documentary about that because he was so so generous. Its really heartwarming to realize how much he did. He just didn't want the credit, he did it all anonymously.'

The dancer famously took to the stage in 2016 to perform at a Prince tribute in Minnesota, shortly after his death (pictured)

When Prince died in 2016, Mayte helped to rename and reclassify the venture from a private foundation to a public charity, effective retroactive to January 2017.

Now known as Live 4 Love Charities, the dancer is working to make sure that music flows into the world from the next generation of great artists.

Through the LIVE4MUSIC music education program, young music lovers between the ages of seven to 17 can send in submissions to join the program which will see them receive invaluable online lessons from prolific and acclaimed musicians working in the industry.

Those keen to take part in the free program, will need to submit a short video/recording demonstration of their current skill level by March 1, 2024. All submissions will be considered.

Mayte stated: 'Our mission is to help people up, and out. I hope people apply because you never know what would happen. The worst thing that can happen is someone says no.

'I love hearing the kids play on stage and seeing them progress. It is so rewarding. My goal is to set something up in every city one day.'
A Married At First Sight groom has taken a swipe at a fellow participant, labelling him 'two-faced' and unsupportive of his on-screen wife.

Jayden Eynaud, 27, did not hold back his criticisms about Collins Christian during an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Australia on Thursday.

'Nat (Parham) was in a very unfortunate situation with her dad passing away, unfortunately, six weeks before the show,' said the professional boxer.

Jayden went on to explain that Collins appeared devastated that his experience was ruined when Natalie opted to leave the show, rather than the fact she wasn't coping.

'He seemed really annoyed, like, "Oh yeah I have to get back to work tomorrow".

Jayden Eynaud (pictured) did not hold back his criticisms about Collins Christian during an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Australia on Thursday

He went on to describe how Collins (pictured) presented himself differently when the cameras were rolling, in stark contrast to his off-screen persona

'You should be worrying about your wife's loss, and what she's going through,' Jayden argued.

'She should be your priority, and if she was really important to you, and if love was really important to you, then the experiment wouldn't matter, because you can pursue the relationship on the outside.'

Jayden went on to describe how Collins presented himself differently when the cameras were rolling, in stark contrast to his off-screen persona.

'On camera, he's always trying to do and say the right thing... whereas, in person, he's a bloke, and he says what he wants, he doesn't give a sh*t,' he added.

'He's very outgoing... very social and... very bubbly and loud.

He's completely different to what he seems on TV,' Jayden claimed.

'Nat (Parham) was in a very unfortunate situation with her dad passing away, unfortunately, six weeks before the show,' said the professional boxer

'You should be worrying about your wife's loss, and what she's going through,' Jayden argued

It comes as Natalie and her newfound husband Collin shocked viewers of Nine's reality matchmaking show on Monday night when they left the experiment.

Natalie called time on her marriage to Collins after he showed no affection to her on the honeymoon.

'It just doesn't feel real and right. I'd rather him be honest than just put this mask on,' Natalie explained before they both agreed to leave.

Natalie, visibly distressed and far from her usual 'happy bubbly self,' addressed the group with a heartfelt goodbye.

'Being here has been a big challenge for me,' she confessed, signalling the end of her journey on the show.

Collins, echoing her sentiment, acknowledged the difficulty of their decision.

'I just want to say, before you guys come up, um it's really tough, but look, we're all here for love, right?' he said.

After sharing the news with his co-stars, Collins could be seen breaking down behind the scenes.

'It's over. Oh my God. I cancelled everything. I have to go back to work tomorrow,' he said.

But all is not lost between the pair, as Natalie returned during the following episode in a last ditched effort to make it with Collins.

Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine

Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine
A Gold Coast influencer found herself in a confrontation with a father at a recent boat party after his child hit her daughter.

Emilee Hembrow said she was attending a child's birthday party with her eldest daughter Aaliyah when the alleged incident occurred.

The 32-year-old, who is the sister of fitness guru Tammy Hembrow, recounted the clash in a video uploaded to TikTok on Tuesday.

She explained her seven-year-old had just had her appendix out and was unable to go into the water to swim with her friends.

As the party 'came to an end' and Emilee was leaving with her child, she said a father confronted her 'aggressively' and demanded Aaliyah 'leave his daughter alone'.

Emilee Hembrow, 32, (left) got into a fight with a father at a boat party recently when the man approached her 'so aggressively' and demanded she 'tell off' her eldest daughter Aaliyah, seven, (right) for 'saying something' to his child

Emilee explained when she tried to get clarification about what happened between their two kids, the father knew nothing except Aaliyah was 'saying something'.

'I'm thinking okay well you have no clue what she's said but you've come and accused me and told me to tell my daughter off without even knowing,' Emilee said.

'That already sounds really silly.'

Emilee soon discovered the man's daughter had 'hit Aaliyah in the tummy' after she'd just had surgery to have her appendix removed, and the 'something' Aaliyah told the girl was she was 'rude' to abuse her like that

The mother-of-three went on to say she asked Aaliyah what happened, and the young girl responded: 'That girl wacked me in the tummy.'

Aaliyah explained she told the girl it was a 'rude thing to do'.

'We always teach our kids to stand up for themselves. I think that was a really good way of standing up for herself,' Emilee told her followers.

The mother-of-three said she refused to apologise to the father because her daughter was attempting to stand up for herself by telling the bully that hitting her in the stomach was 'a rude thing to do'

She said she then approached the father again to tell him what happened, but he only responded with: 'Kids will be kids. Don't worry about it.'

Emilee told Daily Mail Australia late last month her daughter Aaliyah required surgery to remove her appendix due to 'severe stomach pains'.

'We have been in hospital with Aaliyah because she was complaining of very severe stomach pains,' she said.

'As a result, after a number of tests by the incredible team at the hospital, she ended up getting her appendix out. Everything went really well and shes recovering well and on the mend.'
The Block's Suzi Taylor has returned to social media for the first time in months to reveal her surprise new career path.

The former reality TV star, 52, whose real name is Suellen Jan Taylor, shared her first Instagram grid post in 13 weeks following her legal woes last year.

In the post, she confirmed her venture into the building industry as she shared a job advertisement for Melbourne-based company Carver Constructions.

The advert called for 1st or 2nd year carpentry apprentices to apply for the company as they expand their business.

Re-sharing the advert on January 19, Suzi - who competed on the 2015 season of renovation contest The Block - tagged the construction company and herself in the post.

The Block's Suzi Taylor has returned to social media for the first time in months to reveal her surprise new career path

As well as her reality TV stint, Suzi has previously worked as a glamour model, posing for raunchy magazine photoshoots, and has also acted in the past, having an X-rated role in 2003 crime film Gettin' Square.

Suzi returned to Instagram again this week to share another glamorous smiling selfie with her close pal as she spent time in Fortitude Valley in Brisbane.

She put on a busty display in a plunging black vest top and smiled for the camera, writing in an accompanying caption: 'Girls just wanna have fun #bff #soulsisters.'

Suzi walked free from court in July last year with a $500 fine following a sudden turn in a scheduled hearing at a Queensland court.

She was facing several police charges, including possessing dangerous drugs, alleged to have stemmed from an incident in Southport last year.

She was due to face a hearing at Southport Magistrates Court over a single count of possessing tainted property  alleged to be a trauma kit  but police offered no evidence on the charge and it was withdrawn and dismissed.

Suzi pleaded guilty to the remaining charges of possessing dangerous drugs, possessing drug property and breaching bail.

Outside court, Suzi's defence lawyer Michael Gatenby said she hoped to 'restart her life' now that her matters had been finalised.

The former reality TV star, 52, whose real name is Suellen Jan Taylor, shared her first Instagram grid post in 13 weeks as she shared a job advert from Melbourne-based Carver Constructions

Suzi returned to Instagram again this week to share another glamorous smiling selfie with her close pal as she spent time in Fortitude Valley in Brisbane

'She's had a successful career in the past and hopes to regain that,' he said.

'She's very hopeful she can re-establish her relationship with her children and is pleased with all of these matters.'

The court was told a search warrant was conducted at a Southport address Suzi was residing at on November 11, 2022.

Officers located a small 3.9g bag of methylamphetamine on her bedside table and another 2.5g bag of cocaine.

A small amount of marijuana and a glass pipe used to smoke the drug ice was also found.

Suzi also breached her bail conditions on several occasions, including failing to report and reside at her home.

She told police said she was effectively homeless at the time and was unaware she needed to inform police to change her address.

Defence lawyer Michael Gatenby said his client had suffered 'significant humiliation' after being filmed by A Current Affair getting into a physical confrontation with a woman in Brisbane in early 2020.

'She has suffered a significant downturn to her mental health,' he said.

The court was told a 'cooperative' Suzi was sharing a room with someone who was known to use illicit drugs at the time the search warrant was executed.

The troubled former reality TV star has been in and out of the courts on various petty offences over the years

'The warrant was targeting that particular man,' Mr Gatenby said.

The court was told Suzi had plans to house-sit for a friend in Avalon Beach in NSW's Northern Beaches.

Mr Gatenby said his client also planned to find employment in Sydney upon relocating there.

Suzi dabbed at her eyes as magistrate Sarah Thompson convicted and fined her $500.

She took Suzi's mental health issues into account and her attempts to move away from the negative influences of living on the Gold Coast.

'Hopefully with those protective factors, you will get some stability in your life,' Magistrate Thompson said.

The troubled former reality TV star has been in and out of the courts on various petty offences over the years.

In April 2021, Suzi stood trial on charges of extortion, deprivation of liberty, assault occasioning bodily harm, fraud and attempted fraud stemming from an alleged escort date gone wrong.

Police had alleged Suzi and another man, Ali Ebrahimi, had tied up and assaulted a man who had got in touch with Suzi through a dating app.

The pair were found not guilty on all charges.

Suzi appeared as part of the 'Single Mums' renovating team on The Block alongside her then-BFF Yvonne 'Voni' Cosier back in 2015

A month later, Suzi was convicted but not further punished on charges, including possessing small amounts of cocaine and marijuana, drink driving, trespassing and multiple breaches of bail.

In May 2019, she pleaded guilty to fraud and theft charges, after she was caught using a stolen credit card to buy alcohol.

The mother-of-three was filmed buying booze at a bottle shop on May 2 using a credit card she'd stolen from a patient recovering at Mater Hospital.

She spent more than $500 on seven separate transactions, including $400 on alcohol.

A week later, Suzi was also identified on CCTV by staff at Brisbane's Westin Hotel taking a mobile phone and laptop from a guest at their bar.

Police located the stolen items at her home on May 10, and she was given a notice to appear in court where she was issued a $2,500 fine.

Suzi also famously sparked controversy in January 2016 after claiming she had a 'secret relationship' with Weekend Today show host Richard 'Dickie' Wilkins.

'He gave me access to his house and I would be there in my underwear waiting for him when he got home from work,' she claimed.

Suzi also famously sparked controversy in January 2016 after claiming to have had a 'secret relationship' with Weekend Today show host Richard 'Dickie' Wilkins

But after months of sneaking around, Suzi said she was left heartbroken when Dickie suddenly ended their romance.

Suzi rose to fame as part of the 'Single Mums' renovating team on The Block alongside her then-BFF Yvonne 'Voni' Cosier.

Even though the pair placed last on the show, they still walked away with a tidy profit of $349,000.

Her wild antics, including an infamous topless dance on a boat in Melbourne, made her one of the show's most controversial stars.
Married At First Sight viewers are starting to call out groom Jack Dunkley's 'toxic' behaviour on the show.

During Wednesday night's episode, Jack, 34, was tasked with ranking the fellow brides in order of attractiveness, including his TV wife Tori Adams, during a photo challenge.

After he listed all the other brides in his order, the Queensland personal trainer turned to Tori and asked her if she believed she was the 'hottest' in the experiment.

'Looks are very important to me,' he said to her. 'So, you're on par with a couple of ladies. Do you agree that you're the hottest?'

'I would agree I'm the hottest. Yeah,' Tori, 27, replied.

Married At First Sight viewers are starting to call out groom Jack Dunkley's 'toxic' behaviour on the show after he was tasked with ranking the fellow brides in order of attractiveness on Wednesday

But Jack didn't stop there, making his wife assure him she is the most attractive on the show.

'Convince your husband you're the hottest,' he demanded.

The moment sparked outrage among fans who took to social media to express their distaste for the groom.

'Jack, a total minus zero, demanding his TV wife try to convince him that she's hot...' one user wrote to X (formerly Twitter).

After he listed all the other brides in his order, the Queensland personal trainer turned to Tori and asked her if she believed she was the 'hottest' in the experiment

'I would agree I'm the hottest. Yeah,' Tori, 27, replied

'Jack said convince your husband you're the hottest... Wtfffff. Get him away,' said another.

'This guy seriously told this woman to "show your husband how attractive are" Gross! "Superior couple" yeah, lol ok, keep telling yourselves that,' one added.

A viewer tweeted: 'So Jack ranked Tori first...AFTER he made her beg for it? Run Tori RUN!!'

The moment sparked outrage among fans who took to social media to express their distaste for the groom

'Could Jack be any more obnoxious?' another asked, while one fan wrote, 'Listening to Jack talk to Tori about her body and boobs is gross. Please just stop talking.'

'Tori, DON'T even. DON'T try to justify your attractiveness or appearance to a Neanderthal like Jack...'

''Convince your husband you are the hottest!'. Fire yourself into the f*cking sun Alpha Jack.'

'This guy seriously told this woman to 'show your husband how attractive are' Gross! 'Superior couple' yeah, lol ok, keep telling yourselves that,' one added

'Jack asking Tori to CONVINCE him she's the hottest like he doesn't look like a backstreet boy who failed the initial audition but dressed like that from then on trying to convince them to let him in,' someone said.

The MAFS star is already in hot water after being accused of dumping his ex-girlfriend Courtney Jade to go on the show.

Earlier this week, Jack admitted he did tell his ex-girlfriend he was 'going overseas' before appearing on the Channel Nine dating series.

Jack told Today Extra he lied to Courtney about where he was going following their breakup.

'When I originally did the break-up, I kind of softened the blow,' he said, adding that he didn't feel right just telling Courtney he wanted to go on MAFS to get married.

'I said I had some work to do in Sydney. [Courtney] turned around and said, "I'm going to move to Sydney. What's your boss' number? I'm going to call him and let him know I'm coming".'

Jack added: 'It was a bit of a soft blow, but I had my hands tied a little bit. So, I regrettably said I'm actually going overseas for a few months. So, the door is shut.'

The MAFS star is already in hot water after being accused of dumping his ex-girlfriend Courtney Jade to go on the show. Pictured with bride Tori

Jack told Daily Mail Australia he didn't end his relationship in pursuit of reality TV fame, and genuinely decided to take part in the experiment to find everlasting love. Pictured with his ex Courtney

He broke his silence last Thursday on claims he broke up with his ex-girlfriend to appear on the Channel Nine dating series.

Jack told Daily Mail Australia he didn't end his relationship in pursuit of reality TV fame, and genuinely decided to take part in the experiment to find everlasting love.

He came under fire when his former partner Courtney accused him of breaking up with her under the guise of a 'work opportunity in America,' only for her to discover he was starring on MAFS.

He said he wasn't surprised Courtney spoke out, and he was fully transparent with his TV bride Tori about his ex very early on in the experiment.

'It wasn't a surprise. I had a feeling that my ex was going to go rogue at some point and probably sell something to the media,' Jack told Daily Mail Australia.

Daily Mail Australia understands Jack has since reached out to Courtney to apologise for not being transparent and add clarity to the breakup.
Anton Danyluk sent Love Island All Stars viewers into a frenzy on Wednesday night after he made a 'cringy' speech to Georgia Harrison in a bid to become exclusive.

Following an emotional throwback celebration, raving to RnB Craig David, the 29-year-old thought a speech would be the perfect way to end the iconic night.

Speaking in front of the entire villa, the Scot wore his heart on his sleeve once again as he took to the stage to ask Georgia, also 29, if she would like to be exclusive.

'So we all know I love a little bit of a speech', he started.

'So obviously tonight was a really special night. Absolutely amazing. The guys coming in and performing and I just wanted to say I'm so grateful to experience it with all you lot. And I have got a place in my heart for all of you. Absolutely all of you.

Anton Danyluk sent Love Island All Stars viewers into a frenzy on Wednesday night after he made a 'cringy' speech to Georgia Harrison in a bid to become exclusive

Following an emotional throwback celebration, raving to RnB Craig David, the 29-year-old thought a speech would be the perfect way to end the iconic night

Speaking in front of the entire villa, the Scot wore his heart on his sleeve once again as he took to the stage to ask Georgia, also 29, if she would like to be exclusive

'So I just wanted to say I love you guys but there is one person in particular that is a little bit more special than you lot. Georgia come here', he says as he gestures for the brunette beauty to go up on stage with him.

Georgia walked towards him and muttered: 'What are you doing?'

Anton said: ' I just want to say that obviously over the last few weeks it has been amazing getting to know you. You made my experience in here special and when I came in there were so many boxes that I was looking to be ticked and you ticked them all. And boxes I didn't even now needed ticking.

'So for me, I think you know that no one is going to walk through that door who is going to turn my head and I thought that on this night with Craig David being in the villa, nothing could make it more special than making it exclusive with you. If you will have me.'

Georgia beamed from cheek to cheek before she said: 'I do.'

The happy couple then shared a very steamy kiss as the other islanders applauded the happy news.

Despite the Islanders loving Anton's heartfelt speech, ITV viewers dubbed it 'cringy' and said it gave them the 'ick'.

One penned: 'Anton is the cringiest man on earth'

When asked is she would commit to the Scot, Georgia beamed from cheek to cheek before she said: 'I do'

The happy couple then shared a very steamy kiss as the other islanders applauded the happy news

Despite the Islanders loving Anton's heartfelt speech, ITV viewers dubbed it 'cringy' and said it gave them the 'ick'

'Anton treats Georgia H like an absolute queen but Im not sure she is as into him as he is her. I hope that whoever he ends up with long term appreciates what an absolute diamond he is'

'Antons speeches give me the ick'

'I thought Anton was gunna get on one knee an propose then, come on son get a grip, she will be friend zoning you on the flight back home.'

Earlier in the show fans were left 'crying' with laughter after Anton made a picnic for

Georgia, but forgot she doesn't eat meat.

He attempted to pull out all the stops for a romantic date with the blonde beauty, also by surprising her with a board of cheese, meat, crackers and grapes.

Enlisting the help of Joe Garratt, Anton laid out a blanket with the picnic and even shaped the salami into a heart.

Georgia was touched by the sweet gesture, but was confused by the meat platter, asking: 'Is the meat for you?'

Anton answered: 'No, we can have that to share,' leading Georgia to admit: 'Babe, I never eat meat.'

A mortified Anton quickly replied: 'Oh yeah, s**t!'

Viewers at home couldn't help but crack up at the blunder and questioned how Anton didn't know Georgia was a vegetarian, asking: 'Do they even talk?'

One person tweeted: 'lmaoooo anton bringing meat to the picnic when georgia dosent eat meat its the thought that counts i guess'.

'anton setting up the date and putting meat out for her is SENDING MEEEEE id never eat meat HAHAAHAGAGAGAGAGAHAHGA'.

'anton is basically in love with georgia h but didn't even realise she's a vegetarian' while a fourth echoed: 'I dont get how Anton can like Georgia H so much but forget that she doesnt eat meat'.

'I just know Georgia has got even more of the ick after Anton put meat on the picnic' and another added: 'Not Anton laying out meat for the vegetarian. ah bless him, he tried!'

It comes after viewers begged a 'delusional' Anton to 'open his eyes' after claiming Georgia was playing with his emotions on Friday.

Things took a turn when Georgia's ex Casey O'Gorman, 24, overlooked her in the latest recoupling, giving Anton the perfect opportunity to snag Georgia.

In his fire pit speech he declared 'loving everything' about her including their shared spirituality, leaving Georgia in tears.

He later told her: 'Let's figure it out, we are coming back to each other.'

But viewers were left fuming and claimed Georgia was 'playing a game' in her decision to give their romance a go as a way of ensuring her place in the ITV2 villa.

Earlier in the show fans were left 'crying' with laughter after Anton made a picnic for Georgia, but forgot she doesn't eat meat
Jock Zonfrillo's widow Lauren Fried has shared a bittersweet family milestone almost a year after the MasterChef's star shock death.

The wife of the late celebrity chef, who died in April 2023 at the age of 46, posted an adorable photo with her son Alfie on his first day of school.

Alfie smiled in his mother's arms as he proudly wore his school uniform and a large blue backpack.

Lauren looked at her son lovingly as he began the next stage of his development.

'The wee mans first day at school,' she captioned the image.

Jock Zonfrillo 's widow Lauren Fried has shared a bittersweet family milestone almost a year after the MasterChef's star shock death

The wife of the late celebrity chef, who died in April 2023 at the age of 46, posted an adorable photo with her son Alfie on his first day of school

Lauren shared an emotional social media post earlier this year as she marked her first wedding anniversary without her husband.

Jock was shown in a series of images from their 2017 wedding.

He was smiling in a formal blazer and traditional Scottish kilt as he shared a kiss with his bride Lauren, who looked stunning in white lace.

In the caption, she wrote: 'Happy Anniversary My Love.'

Lauren shared an emotional social media post earlier this year as she marked her first wedding anniversary without her husband

Jock was shown in a series of images from their 2017 wedding

He was smiling in a formal blazer and traditional Scottish kilt as he shared a kiss with his bride Lauren, who looked stunning in white lace

'Our dream of growing old together in the middle of nowhere in Italy - kids and dogs under our feet, you laughing your enormous laugh, falling asleep on your chest - is so vivid. That's where I imagine you now.'

Jock died in his hotel room at Zagame's House on Lygon Street in Carlton, Melbourne on April 30, 2023 and was found by police at about 2am on Monday, May 1 - the same day Channel Ten was meant to premiere the fifteenth season of MasterChef Australia.

He is survived by his third wife Lauren, and his four children: grown-up daughters Ava and Sophia from his first two marriages and Alfie and Isla with Lauren.

Jock died in his hotel room at Zagame's House on Lygon Street in Carlton, Melbourne on April 30, 2023 and was found by police at about 2am on Monday, May 1 - the same day Channel Ten was meant to premiere the fifteenth season of MasterChef Australia

The media personality was scheduled for several publicity engagements for season 15 of MasterChef when he died.

Daily Mail Australia can reveal that when the police entered the hotel room to conduct a welfare check, officers believed that Jock had died of natural causes and didn't find anything that suggested otherwise.

There was also no drug paraphernalia found in the hotel room, sources said.

A heartbroken Lauren said at his funeral: 'We were two halves that found each other in the exact right moment in life when we were ready.'

'We were ready for that big love, to live a life of adventure, to become parents together, to imagine things and to actually make them happen.'
Netflix has announced that their beloved Karate Kid sequel series Cobra Kai has started filming its sixth and final season in Atlanta.

The streaming service released a teaser photo last week and dropped a video from the set on Monday.

Ralph Macchio and William Zabka return as Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence for the final season, where they're both expected to bring both their dojos to the Sekai Taikai international karate tournament.

The news comes months after it was revealed that Macchio will team up with The Karate Kid reboot star Jackie Chan for a new movie.

The video begins with Macchio stating, 'Hey, Cobra Kai fans...' as Zabka continues,'The wait is over,' likely referring to the writers and actors strikes that delayed production.

Netflix has announced that their beloved Karate Kid sequel series Cobra Kai has started filming its sixth and final season in Atlanta

Ralph Macchio and William Zabka return as Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence for the final season, where they're both expected to bring both their dojos to the Sekai Taikai international karate tournament

Jacob Bertrand (Eli 'Hawk' Moskowitz) said he was, 'Super stoked to be getting back to filming,' while Gianni Decenzo (Demitri) exclaimed,' Season Six!'

Peyton List (Tory Nichols) added she was, 'headed to Atlanta' while Courtney Henggeler (Amanda LaRusso) said she was, 'Super pumped.'

Tanner Buchanan (Robby Keene) added, 'We've been very hard at work, behind-the-scenes, while Vanessa Rubio (Camren Diaz) said, 'We cannot wait to give you Season Six.'

Xolo Mariduena (Miguel Diaz) added this season is, 'gonna be a banger while Oona O'Brien (Devon Lee) said, 'It's a little bittersweet because it is the last season...' while Tracy Toguchi (Yuna) adds, 'It's gonna be the biggest, baddest season yet.'

Yuji Okumoto (Chozen) adds, 'I'm heading to my martial arts class,' while Martin Kove (John Kreese) adds, 'There's lots of surprises in Season 6. You'll love it.'

Griffin Santopietro (Anthony LaRusso) added, 'Can't wait for you to see all the badass stuff we have in store,' while Decenzo jokes, 'Hopefully no one breaks my arm this time. Fingers crossed,' referring to a Season 3 scene where Hawk breaks his arm.

Zabka adds while putting on some sunglasses, 'I just can't wait to get back there and see all my friends and drink some Coors Banquets.'

Henggeler jokes, 'Why don't we add a little Amanda karate? I'm asking for a friend,' while Mouser adds, 'If you think you've seen big, think bigger.'

Jacob Bertrand (Eli 'Hawk' Moskowitz) said he was, 'Super stoked to be getting back to filming,' while Gianni Decenzo (Demitri) exclaimed,' Season Six!'

Peyton List (Tory Nichols) added she was, 'headed to Atlanta' while Courtney Henggeler (Amanda LaRusso) said she was, 'Super pumped'

Tanner Buchanan (Robby Keene) added, 'We've been very hard at work, behind-the-scenes, while Vanessa Rubio (Camren Diaz) said, 'We cannot wait to give you Season Six'

Xolo Mariduena (Miguel Diaz) added this season is, 'gonna be a banger while Oona O'Brien (Devon Lee) said, 'It's a little bittersweet because it is the last season...' while Tracy Toguchi (Yuna) adds, 'It's gonna be the biggest, baddest season yet'

Yuji Okumoto (Chozen) adds, 'I'm heading to my martial arts class,' while Martin Kove (John Kreese) adds, 'There's lots of surprises in Season 6. You'll love it'

Griffin Santopietro (Anthony LaRusso) added, 'Can't wait for you to see all the badass stuff we have in store,' while Decenzo jokes, 'Hopefully no one breaks my arm this time. Fingers crossed,' referring to a Season 3 scene where Hawk breaks his arm

Henggeler jokes, 'Why don't we add a little Amanda karate? I'm asking for a friend,' while Mouser adds, 'If you think you've seen big, think bigger'

Decenzo adds he was 'given approval from the higher-ups to spoil a little something this season, as Macchio says he wants to tease something too...but he just can't.

They show quick shots of some stone steps in the woods, as Decenzo jokes, 'I know, right? You didn't hear that from me though.'

Macchio adds, 'Big thanks to you guys,' as List says, 'Thank you guys so much for watching,' while Rubio adds, 'We have the best fans in the world.'

The video concludes with several of the cast members stating, 'See you in the dojo,' though Netflix hasn't announced when the final season will debut.
Aussies have had their fair share of interesting beach finds but one recent "long" and "squishy" discovery left a woman perplexed, with a marine biologist later calling her "lucky" for coming across it.

On Tuesday a beachgoer at Byron Bay found an unknown object which appeared to have two prongs and an enlarged bulging top, likening it to a tooth online. However, unlike a tooth, the discovery was 30 centimetres long.

"Does anyone know what the heck this is?" she questioned, admitting she had no idea.

The woman was perplexed by the 'squishy' beach find at Byron Bay on Tuesday. Source: Facebook

'Lucky' find for relatively 'common' fish

The unknown discovery was identified as a swim or gas bladder which once belonged to a porcupinefish, which are "common" around Australian coasts.

They are a crucial organ which enables fish to adjust to the water pressure as they swim at varying depths. Just like a scuba diver uses a buoyancy compensation device attached to their tank to alleviate water pressure, fish have their very own internal method of compensating for it.

"In bony fishes, such as the porcupine fish, they have a bladder of gas that's just under the spine," Associate Professor Ian Tibbetts from the University of Queensland told Yahoo News. "What happens is when fish move into deeper water, the volume of oxygen in that swim bladder decreases, which makes them neutrally buoyant."

Porcupinefish can cope with varying water pressure while swimming at depths thanks to their swim bladder. Source: Getty

He explained this is why you often see fish "hanging around the aquarium in the same spot making minor movements".

The complexity of the organ is thanks to a long evolutionary process, with Tibbetts calling the woman "lucky" for seeing one up close and personal.

Swim bladders have multiple functions

Not only do swim bladders help fish achieve "zero buoyancy", they also assist with mating and defence against predators.

Story continues

"They're also used for sound amplification," Tibbetts said, saying it can attract mates and often intimidate predators.

The wall of the swim bladder is made of collagen which makes the inflated organ as strong as "plastic", meaning it would long be preserved after an animal decomposed.

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She's the Melbourne socialite and celebrity stylist behind one of Australia's hottest footwear brands.

And now Lana Wilkinson is preparing to expand her self-titled shoe brand abroad.

'Exciting meetings and opportunities have come about with the shoes and brand to explore, especially during New York fashion week,' she told Herald Sun.

'Its a real pinch me moment. Watch this space,' she added.

Lana is part of an elite Australian social circle that includes Bec Judd and Michelle Greene, who are behind the activewear brand Jaggad, and WAG-turned-designer Nadia Bartel.

Lana Wilkinson (pictured) is keen to expand her footwear brand into the American market

And just like Lana, Bartel has made huge strides with her luxury clothing brand Henne in the last year.

She showed the line at Australian Fashion Week last May with local fashion stars like Phoebe Burgess and Martha Kalifatidis in attendance.

'My inspiration was the '80s, power dressing, shoulder pads, suits, and YTK,' she told Daily Mail Australia of the collection.

'I've been working so long behind the scenes and I had my online store, seven years ago,' she said.

Lana's pal Nadia Bartel (left) is also keen to break her own fashion brand into the US and UK

She added that one day wants to take her brand global.

'We'd love to expand internationally, not right now, but definitely in future. And we just opened the store in Melbourne,' she explained.

The mother-of-two also spoke about her American expansion to the Herald Sun.

'Our plan in the next 5 years is to reach more of an international customer  in the US and UK. [Fashion Week] allows us to meet those buyers and get in front of them,' she said.
Dave Hughes returned to work on his radio show on Thursday, just one day after he had major surgery for a surfing injury he received last year.

The veteran presenter, 53, shocked his 2Day FM's Hughesy, Ed, and Erin co-hosts by making his way into the studio when he was still clearly in pain.

'Thank you for having me back, I will be no hassle today. I'll just be really gentle in the corner, dealing with my own stuff,' Hughesy told his workmates.

His co-stars told Hughesy they were shocked he was coming into work when he had not yet fully recovered from the surgery.

'I'm either at home lying in bed uncomfortable, or I'm in here uncomfortable. I'd rather be in here because it takes my mind off the pain,' Dave said.

Dave Hughes (pictured) returned to work on his radio show on Thursday, just one day after he had major surgery for a surfing injury he received last year

'I'm happy to be here and hang out with you guys because you ease my burdens.'

In December, the comedian was rushed to hospital after dislocating his shoulder on a Queensland beach, resulting in nerve damage and leaving him in excruciating pain.

On Wednesday, following his procedure he made a surprise call into his radio show from his hospital bed to reveal a surprising surgery story about Russell Crowe while heavily medicated.

The veteran presenter, 53, shocked his 2Day FM's Hughesy, Ed, and Erin co-hosts by making his way into the studio when he was still clearly in pain

He said he got some celebrity gossip from his doctor Greg Hoy, who is known as 'surgeon to the stars'.

'He did Shane Warne back in the day and he did Russell Crowe. Apparently Greg even features in the Cinderella Man behind the scenes footage on DVD,' he explained.

'Russell wanted his phone with him even though he was sedated, and his phone rang while he was being carved up. The surgeon answered it and spoke to a very famous person who answered.'

The team in the studio were keen to know who it was, and tried to take advantage of Hughesy's medicated state to get the answer.

However, Hughesy said he was told not to reveal who it was, but promised to tell his co-hosts off-air.

The procedure comes after Hughesy revealed another health issue that may affect his comedy career - a potential ADHD diagnosis.

Hughesy said he could have the disorder after a fellow comedian with a diagnosis suggested he get tested.

In December, the comedian was rushed to hospital after dislocating his shoulder on a Queensland beach, resulting in nerve damage and leaving him in excruciating pain
Brendan Fevola was left furious on Thursday morning when he discovered stadiums in Australia have enforced a ridiculous rule around friendship bracelets during Taylor Swift's upcoming Eras tour.

The radio host, 43, has spent months helping his daughters Mia, 23, Leni, 15, Lulu, 11, and Tobi, five, make 'about 50' bracelets to trade with other fans during one of the popstar's Aussie shows - a traditional practice among Swifties worldwide.

He was left reeling when he discovered that Melbourne's MCG and Sydney's Accor Stadium aren't allowing fans to bring excessive amounts of the handmade jewellery with them.

During his 101.9 The Fox's Fifi, Fev & Nick show, co-host Fifi Box, 46, told listeners: 'One of the rules is you can bring your friendship bracelets, but you have to wear them you can't have any carabiners.'

Brendan explained: 'Because what they do is they put all the bracelets on the [carabiner] and hand them out.'

Brendan Fevola was left furious on Thursday morning when he discovered stadiums have banned friendship bracelets at Taylor Swift's (pictured) upcoming concerts

He added: 'People have made up to like 400 bracelets I think my kids have made about 50 they're not going to be able to wear them all in.'

The former AFL player said his kids have been left devastated by the new rule, which has flushed their months of hard work down the toilet.

Co-host Nick Cody chimed in to empathise with Brendan, saying: 'Only in Australia. We are the worst in the world for rules. People just love rules here just love a rule.'

The radio host, 43, has spent months helping his daughters Mia, 23, Leni, 15, Lulu, 11, and Tobi, five, make 'about 50' bracelets to trade with other fans during the Eras Tour, which is a traditional practice of Swifties worldwide. Brendan is pictured with one of his daughters

The Eras Tour FAQ page explains: 'Friendship bracelets are allowed to be brought into the venues but must be worn on patrons' arms.

'Strictly no carabiner, d-rings, or other [sic].'

Just a week ago, before the disappointing news broke, Brendan uploaded a video to his Instagram showing the process of making the friendship bracelets with his daughters.

However, he revealed on 101.9 The Fox's Fifi, Fev & Nick that Melbourne's MCG and Sydney's Accor Stadium aren't allowing fans to bring excessive amounts of the handmade jewellery with them

He was seen sitting at a table with his youngest child Tobi and meticulously threaded colourful beads onto strings with her.

The adorable father-daughter duo blasted Taylor Swift's hit song Shake It Off as they made the jewellery and sang together.

'Making friendship bracelets for Taylor Swift Eras concert with the kids. Long weekend nights are a little different these days,' he captioned the heart-warming footage.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Frontier Touring and relevant concert stadiums for comment.
Joe Manganiello proudly displayed his new body art in a video shared to social media on Wednesday.

The 47-year-old hunky actor - who recently hit the gym with his girlfriend Caitlin O'Connor, 33 - showed off his gigantic shoulder tattoo in an Instagram Story shared by tattoo artist Small Paul.

In the clip, the Magic Mike alum sported a tank top, providing a complete view of the intricate design showcasing a Japanese dragon.

Rocking his new youthful haircut with confidence, Joe flexed his muscles in the photograph, gazing directly into the camera.

The sizzling snap comes after his ex Sofia Vergara opened up about why their seven-year marriage ended.

Joe Manganiello proudly displayed his new body art in a video shared to social media on Wednesday

Speaking to the Spanish publication El Pais, the 51-year-old star revealed that her ex-husband wanted kids and she did not.

The Colombian-bred beauty said: 'My marriage broke up because my husband was younger; he wanted to have kids and I didnt want to be an old mom.'

She explained to the outlet, 'I feel its not fair to the baby. I respect whoever does it, but thats not for me anymore.'

Mentioning her son Manolo from her first marriage to high school sweetheart Joe Gonzalez, she noted, 'I had a son at 19, who is now 32, and Im ready to be a grandmother, not a mother. So, if love comes along, he has to come with [his own] children.'

'Im almost in menopause; its the natural way of things,' she added.

'When my son becomes a dad, let him bring the baby to me for a while and then Ill give it back to him and go on with my life; thats what I have to do,' Vergara emphasized.

She and Joe announced their divorce in a joint statement shared last July.

They said: 'We have made the difficult decision to divorce. As two people that love and care for one another very much, we politely ask for respect of our privacy at this time as we navigate this new phase of our lives.'

The 47-year-old hunky actor - who recently hit the gym with his girlfriend Caitlin O'Connor, 33 - showed off his gigantic shoulder tattoo in an Instagram Story shared by tattoo artist Small Paul

In the clip, the Magic Mike alum sported a tank top, providing a complete view of the intricate design showcasing a Japanese dragon.

The sizzling snap comes after his ex Sofia Vergara opened up about why their seven-year marriage ended; pictured in 2015

Only two days after announcing their split, the True Blood actor filed for divorce and listed their date of separation as July 2.

The reason for the end of their marriage was cited as 'irreconcilable differences.'

In the wake of their separation, Sofia has busied herself with new love interest Justin Saliman, an orthopedic surgeon.

Joe has moved on with 34-year-old Winning Time actress Caitlin O'Connor; pictured in January

In late October she and the doctor were first spotted together on a night out in West Hollywood.

For his part, Joe has moved on with 34-year-old Winning Time actress Caitlin O'Connor.

Joe and Caitlin were first linked in September, just two months after it emerged that Joe and Sofia had split.
Jon Bon Jovi may be a New Jersey legend, but now he's setting down some roots in Music City, opening a new bar in Nashville.

The 61-year-old rocker is set to open JBJ Nashville in Nashville's Lower Broadway district, according to Rolling Stone.

The rocker - who was named the MusiCares Person of the Year - will open the bar at 405 Broadway in the Spring of 2024 though no exact date was given yet.

The venue will be a joint collaboration with BPH Hospitality, a subsidiary of Nashville-based Big Plan Holdings.

A press release reveals the bar will be, 'the tallest and second-largest bar by square footage on Lower Broadway,' over 37,000 square feet.

Jon Bon Jovi may be a New Jersey legend, but now he's setting down some roots in Music City, opening a new bar in Nashville.

The 61-year-old rocker is set to open JBJ Nashville in Nashville's Lower Broadway district, according to Rolling Stone

The bar will be designed to conform with Nashvilles Broadway Historic Preservation Overlay.

It will also feature entrances on both Broadway and 4th Avenue, with two fifth-story outdoor rooftop decks.

'Were looking forward to having a place in Nashville that we call home, Jon Bon Jovi said in a statement.

'When Big Plan Holdings and the team of Josh and Tara Joseph asked us if we were interested, it wasnt because we were just another rock band, it was because we are a band with deep roots in Nashville,' he added.

'We have had wonderful times in Nashville recording several albums and working with some of the finest people in all the music business,' he continued.

'I cant wait to toast all of Broadway and get to know our neighbors!' he concluded.

He joins other music stars who have bars on Broadway such as Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock and Miranda Lambert.

Stars such as Luke Combs and Eric Church also have bars that will be opening in the area soon.

He also recently confirmed he will be performing at son Jake Bongiovi's upcoming wedding to Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown.

It will also feature entrances on both Broadway and 4th Avenue, with two fifth-story outdoor rooftop decks

'Were looking forward to having a place in Nashville that we call home, Jon Bon Jovi said in a statement

'We have had wonderful times in Nashville recording several albums and working with some of the finest people in all the music business,' he continued

The rocker, 61, told DailyMail.com exclusively he intends to hit the stage at his son's wedding.

When asked on the red carpet of the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year gala if he would be performing at the nuptials, he told DailyMail.com: 'Yes!'

Jon is MusiCare's 2024 Person of the Year, an honor previously bestowed to the likes of Joni Mitchell, Aerosmith, Dolly Parton, and more.

'In addition to his extensive musical achievements, Jon Bon Jovi is recognized for his impactful philanthropic work,' his Person of the Year announcement read last year.
Karlie Kloss was spotted in her other adopted hometown of New York City on Wednesday after spending time at her plush waterfront home in Miami.

The top model, 31  who shares two sons with husband Joshua Kushner  looked ultra glamorous as she braved the NYC chill on Wednesday night.

She hit the bustling streets of Manhattan all bundled up in a brown fur-trimmed overcoat worn over a brown maxi dress.

The stylish jacket, which she tied together with a built-in belt, appeared to be suede, came complete with a furry inner lining and matching fur cuffs and lapels.

The catwalk queen had on black shoes and carried a brown leather baguette bag.

Karlie was photographed solo but appeared to be meeting friends for dinner.

Karlie Kloss was spotted in her other adopted hometown of New York City on Wednesday after spending time at her plush waterfront home in Miami

The sighting comes amid her new campaign for Coterie, a company that makes chemical-free, sustainably sourced diapers, among other items like baby wipes.

She also used her Instagram page to promote some choice outlets like Pottery Barn Kids and Whole Foods.

She did so with the help of her two young sons: Levi, two, and Elijah, six months.

Karlie's boys wore Coterie diapers while being held by their supermodel mother.

Another showed her cradling baby Elijahas Levi stood at her side pulling at her leg.

Addressing fellow moms, Karlie appeared in a Coterie promo clip that spoke on pregnancy and her postpartum body changes.

'You've changed. Your body's blueprint has been redrawn. You're now home to someone else's DNA,' it read on screen as the fashion model posed with her boys.

The top model, 31  who shares two sons with husband Joshua Kushner  looked ultra glamorous as she braved the NYC chill on Wednesday night

The sighting comes amid her new campaign for Coterie , a company that makes chemical-free, sustainably sourced diapers, among other items like baby wipes

She posed for the brand along with her two young sons: Levi, two, and Elijah, six months

The promotional ploy continued, 'Your belly stretched. Your center of gravity shifted. You learned to balance all over again. Your rib cage expanded 2-3 inches. And your heart grew.

'It pumped 50% more blood at least 10% faster. Your lungs consumed 20% more oxygen with every breath, all day, every day for some 270 days.'

It ended with some inspirational words for all moms: 'Yes you've changed in the most magical and beautiful ways. Coterie. Here for the changes.'

Kloss reiterated the brand's message in her own words in the IG post's caption.

'It is impossible to describe the profound transformation  physically, mentally, emotionally  that we go through when we become parents,' she shared.

'But I have never felt more in awe of my body or grateful for the community around me on this wild and beautiful journey. Cheers to the changes.'

On Wednesday, just before stepping back outside to the cold streets of New York City, the Chicago, Illinois native shared four photos and a short clip that were all taken during the photoshoot with her boys.

Addressing fellow moms, Karlie appeared in a Coterie promo clip that spoke on pregnancy and her postpartum body changes

Kloss cradled Levi in her arms when they checked out some of the photos from the shoot

'My plus 2 @coterie,' Kloss gushed in the caption, in reference to her sons

The previous day Kloss shared a video of the mommy-and-me photoshoot

Inside the video the campaign talked about how a woman's body changes during pregnancy and child birth, along with a few inspirational words of wisdom

The fashion model got playful with both her youngest, Elijah and her first-born, Levi

Levi got a passionate hug in this clip from the photoshoot

Kloss talked out the 'profound transformation' she went through when she became a parent

'My plus 2 @coterie,' she gushed in the caption, in a reference to her sons.

The first picture showed her standing in her sheer brown dress, which gave an outline of her undergarments, while holding both Levi and Elijah.

There was also two behind the scenes looks of the photoshoot that captured her pulling her youngest on to her left shoulder close to her face.

The last of the images captured the tall beauty holding Levi in her arms as they watched the photographer and camera crew looking over the video and photos they had just shot for the campaign.
Robert De Niro looked as if he was on cloud nine in a sweet new photo of himself with his baby daughter Gia.

The 80-year-old acting legend nuzzled up against his adorable 10-month-old daughter in a new picture snapped at home.

The Taxi Driver star even realized that he sees 'a lot of similarity' between his youngest daughter and himself when he was her age, he told People on Wednesday.

The connection was undeniable when compared with photos of himself as a young child with his father, the abstract expressionist painter Robert De Niro Sr., whom he would later be the spitting image of.

He was clearly taking it easy for some quality family time with the child he shares with his partner Tiffany Chen, 45.

Robert De Niro looked as if he was on cloud nine in a sweet new photo of himself with his baby daughter Gia. The 80-year-old acting legend nuzzled up against his adorable 10-month-old daughter in a new picture snapped at home

He shares Gia with his partner Tiffany Chen, 45. The couple keep a low profile and only made their public debut in 2021; seen January 4 in Palm Springs, Calif.

And despite some critics who have lambasted De Niro and other old fathers like his friend Al Pacino for having children so late in life, the Goodfellas actor was choosing to revel in the 'joy' that his daughter brings him.

'Shes such an adorable baby. So sweet,' he said of the cute tot. '[When I] look at her, everything else goes away. So its a great joy and relief to just be with her in the moment.'

He added that his other children 'all get a kick out of her.'

'The grandkids even. Shes their aunt  [and] theyre about to be teenagers!' he joked.

De Niro moved on with his current love Tiffany in the wake of his 2018 split from his second wife, Grace Hightower.

The two had met years before in 2015, when Chen, who is a martial arts instructor, had filmed a small part for his comedy The Intern, which costarred Anne Hathaway.

However, it wasn't until 2021 that Robert and Tiffany were spotted together in public.

The couple have been remarkably muted and have said almost nothing about their relationship, possibly in hopes of avoiding the publicity that followed with his latest divorce.

In fact, when he revealed in May of last year that he had welcomed his new daughter, he didn't even share who her mother was.

De Niro wasn't even the first person to reveal Gia's mother; instead, it was his About My Father costar Kim Cattrall who spilled the beans in an interview.

Despite their secretive ways, things seem to be going well between the Casino star and his latest love, who is regularly by his side at film festivals and high-profile public events.

The Taxi Driver star realized that he sees 'a lot of similarity' between his youngest daughter and himself when he was her age, he told People on Wednesday; pictured with his father, Robert De Niro Sr.

He and Chen met in 2015 when Chen, a martial arts instructor, had a small part in his comedy The Intern; seen in May 2023 in Cap d'Antibes, France

De Niro now has seven children. His oldest daughter, Drena, whom he adopted from his first wife Diahnne Abbott's previous marriage, is old enough to be Gia's grandmother at 52; seen in 2016

He and Abbott later welcomed son Raphael, 47, who became a successful real estate agent; pictured with second wife Grace Hightower in 2004 in NYC

De Niro shares twins Julian and Aaron, 28, with his girlfriend Toukie Smith, and he and Hightower later welcomed their son Elliot, 25, and daughter Helen Grace, 12 (pictured in 2019)

Gia is the seventh child for De Niro, whose oldest, daughter Drena, is old enough to be Gia's grandmother.

Drena, 52, was born in 1971 and is the oldest child of the actor's first wife Diahnne Abbott and her previous husband, but De Niro adopted her when he married Abbott in 1976.

De Niro's family suffered a tragedy when his model-turned-film producer daughter's son Leandro died in 2023 at just 19 from an accidental overdose.

Robert and his wife Diahnne later welcomed their son Raphael, 47, who has become a successful real estate agent and gave his parents three grandchildren.

Following his 1988 divorce from Abbott, De Niro began dating Toukie Smith the same year, and they welcomed twin sons, Julian and Aaron, 28, in 1995.

Julian has been the public face of the sons by making a name for himself as an actor in recent years, but Aaron has been far more reclusive and little is known about him.

De Niro subsequently married his second wife Grace Hightower in 1997, and the following year they welcomed their son Elliot, 25, whom the actor later revealed had autism.

Prior to baby Gia's arrival, De Niro's youngest daughter was 12-year-old Helen Grace, whom he and and Hightower welcomed via surrogate in 2011.

He shared with People that he also though Helen bore a particularly strong resemblance to him as a child.

De Niro is doing his best to remain an active father, and he doesn't seem to be slowing down when it comes to acting either.

His latest reunion with his longtime collaborator Martin Scorsese for Killers Of The Flower Moon earned the screen star an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor.

Just as De Niro hasn't slowed down with his family, he's staying busy after earning acclaim for his role in Martin Scorsese's Killers Of The Flower Moon

De Niro earned a best supporting actor Oscar nod for playing a corrupt cattle baron who schemes to murder Osage Nation members to steal their oil money; pictured with Leonardo DiCaprio

The film, based on the non-fiction book of the same name, recounts a crime spree in the 1920s and '30s when numerous members of the Osage Nation were murdered.

The tribe had discovered oil on the land it was pushed onto by white settlers decades earlier, making its members extravagantly wealthy, but their white neighbors then began a campaign to marry the Osage before murdering them to inherit their riches.

Other tribe members were put under corrupt conservatorships, allowing the white people overseeing their finances to skim from them.

De Niro stars as the cattle baron William King Hale, who is a major mastermind of the criminal plot.
Chuck Lorre has settled his divorce with Arielle Lorre, more than a year-and-a-half after filing for a split from the beauty influencer.

The TV mogul, 71, who filed for divorce from Arielle, 38, in July of 2022, agreed to pay $5 million in their divorce settlement last week, TMZ reported Wednesday after reviewing court documents.

The creator of shows such as Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon also received primary custody of the dog the former couple shared, named Harvey.

Arielle was given 'liberal visitation' of the dog, according to court docs reviewed by the outlet.

Insiders told the outlet that the $5 million total Lorre paid actually eclipses the sum he initially agreed to pay in an ironclad prenuptial agreement the couple agreed to when they wed in October of 2018. It was not immediately clear why he paid the higher amount.

Chuck Lorre, 71, has settled his divorce with Arielle Lorre, more than a year-and-a-half after filing for a split from the beauty influencer

The former couple, who exchanged vows in October of 2018, were pictured in LA in 2020

Under the financial terms of the settlement, according to court docs, the Emmy-nominated writer-producer - who is on good terms with Charlie Sheen, 58, these days after years of publicly feuding - paid out $1 million when the court judgment was initially issued.

He is slated to pay Arielle another $4 million in a span of 30 days after she moved out of the home they once shared. Arielle on February 1 agreed to move out, the outlet reported.

Both parties agreed to a non-disparagement clause as result of their settlement, in that they will not publicly disparage the other.

Forbes estimated Lorre had made $100 million from his work in TV in 2022, its list of the year's highest-paid entertainers.

Lorre previously said in court docs that he and Arielle were parting as result of 'irreconcilable differences.'

In a statement to People at the time, Lorre and Arielle said, 'It is with mutual consideration and respect that we have decided to separate.

'Our plan is to move forward in different directions but with great love, admiration and gratitude for the time we shared. We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time. Thank you for your support.'

Lorre was previously married two times before his marriage to Arielle: To former business partner Paula Smith, from 1979-1992; and to Karen Witter, a one-time Playboy Playmate, between 2001 and 2010. He is father to two daughters from his first marriage: Nicole and Asa.

Arielle is a beauty influencer who has more than 402,000 followers on Instagram, and 266,600 followers on TikTok

She did not address the split on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, sharing a series of unrelated posts about dental health, fitness fashion items and beauty kits

The former couple was pictured on the red carpet at the Golden Globes in 2020

In early 2012, his relationship with actress Emmanuelle Vaugier, 47, who played the role of Mia on 12 episodes of Two And A Half Men between 2005-2015, ended after Vaugier correctly suspected him of cheating on her.

An insider told RadarOnline.com at the time that Vaugier 'was away for a month working in Vancouver, and heard from a friend that Chuck had been spotted out with another woman.

'She confronted him about it when she got back, and he eventually admitted to it ... everybody loves Emmanuelle, and can't believe the way this has happened.'

Vaugier 'was left devastated by his infidelity,' the source told the outlet.

Lorre made headlines amid his long-running feud with Sheen, who he ultimately replaced with Ashton Kutcher on Two and a Half Men in 2011 amid a fiery war of words.

The two recently reunited to work on Lorre's HBO series Bookie, in which Sheen plays a fictionalized version of himself.

'I dont want to be too mawkish about it, but it was healing,' Lorre told Variety in November of working with Sheen again. 'When he came to the table read of that episode, I walked up, and we hugged. It was just great.'

Arielle is a beauty influencer who has more than 402,000 followers on Instagram, and 266,600 followers on TikTok, as she shares images and clips from her daily routine and wellness practices.

Lorre created shows such as Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory

Lorre, who has created a number of prominent TV show, has been married three times

She did not address the split on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, sharing a series of unrelated posts about dental health, fitness fashion items and beauty kits.

A native of Rhode Island, she presides over a podcast called The Blonde Files in which she discusses the topics 'through meaningful conversations with experts and inspirational guests.

'Arielle's distinct voice and unique candor make you feel like you're getting the inside scoop on all the latest from your best friend, and her multifaceted interests make this show a must for anyone who wants to live their best life - and look good doing it,' a description from the podcast reads.
Sara Sampaio stunned many of her fans when she took to her Instagram page to show off her brand new blonde locks on Wednesday.

The lifelong brunette made the big reveal in a video of herself mugging for the camera while a snippet of Dolly Parton's song Dumb Blonde  from her debut studio album Hello, I'm Dolly (1967)  played in the background.

'Just because I'm blonde / Don't think I'm dumb / Cause this dumb blonde ain't nobody's fool,' the legendary country crooner sang in the short clip that Sara shot shortly after spending almost 12 hours to lighten her locks.

Alongside the clip, the Portuguese model posed the question age-old question many have asked over the years in her caption: 'Cue in do blondes have more fun?'

She added: 'Ps: shout out to @jacobschwartzhair for the patience, courage and care to take me to blonde in one session! 11h! Not for the faint of heart!'

Sara Sampaio, 32, stunned many of her fans and followers by sharing a new video of her brand new blonde locks, which appeared to get a mixed reaction from fans

The Portuguese fashion model found herself explaining why she went from brunette to blonde. She's seen in a before photo with her natural brunette locks and then after her 11-hour coloring session

'Beyond Incredible' and 'Omggg so good' were some of the positive comments from supporters of her newly bleached hair.

But while her lighter locks had plenty of fans, the reviews were decidedly mixed, and many fans weren't afraid to say they preferred her as a natural brunette.

'Noooo! Dark hair looks so much better for you, not blonde,' one of her followers commented.

'Nooo i like u browny,' complained another fan, while one users opined that 'Blond makes you look older.'

Another of her fans was on the same page: 'No it does not suit your face color but you are still beautiful.'

Some of the commenters were bothered by how direct and negative many of the responses were.

'Why are these comments so harsh???' wrote one concerned person.

After seemingly hearing the screeches of the naysayers in her comments section, the Portuguese native got creative and shared a photo of herself with her new blonde hair, along with a clip of Zooey Deschanel playing the role of Jess Day in the Fox sitcom New Girl.

'It's possible I'm still in shock. I'm gonna go to my room and process what just happened. Thank you for your attention,' Deschanel could be heard saying while in character as Jess, in what has become a popular meme.

Sampaio responded to the naysayers and added: 'Chillax everyone! It's just for a project.'

When sharing a first look at her blonde tresses, Sampaio posed the question: 'Do blondes have more fun?' She also gave a shout out-to the hair colorist

'Beyond Incredible' and 'Omggg so good' were some of the positive comments from supporters of her newly bleached hair

While plenty of people loved the blonde locks, there were as many fans who prefer her as a natural brunette. 'Noooo! Dark hair looks so much better for you, not blonde,' a fan wrote. Other naysayers added: 'Nooo i like u browny' and 'Blond makes you look older'

Sara addressed critics of her blonde locks with an image of Zooey Deschanel from New Girl. 'It's possible I'm still in shock. I'm gonna go to my room and process what just happened. Thank you for your attention,' Deschanel said in the clip

Just two days earlier, Sampaio strutted her stuff in a one-piece swimsuit with her dark tresses

The longtime Victoria's Secret Angel showed off her toned figure in her Instagram post

From the sounds of her response, it appears the top model will only be blonde for as long as her 'project' takes to finish

Just two days earlier, Sampaio sent pulses racing when she posed in a one-piece swimsuit and shared it on her Instagram page.

The photos showed the catwalk queen during a recent visit to a luxury spa in Las Vegas with her brunette hair still intact.

The fashion star, who is currently dating Jack Nicholson's son Ray Nicholson, also wrote a short message in her caption stating that she wanted to show off her 'new little back muscles.'

But from the sounds of her response to the backlash, it appears she will only be blonde to finish her project and then go back to her dark tresses. Only time will tell.
Rumours are swirling about a new couple in the notoriously gossipy eastern suburbs of Sydney.

Several sources have claimed millionaire publican Stu Laundy and celebrity eyebrow queen Kristin Fisher are an item, reports The Daily Telegraph.

Fisher, who has two children from a previous marriage and has been involved with Michael Clarke, is a well-known socialite in the area, while Laundy won Sophie Monk's season of The Bachelorette in 2017.

Despite these rumours, both individuals have denied there is a romantic connection.

'We aren't dating. I'd say if I was,' Fisher told the Telegraph, while Laundy insisted: 'We love hanging out but are just great buddies.'

Rumours are swirling about a new couple in the the eastern suburbs of Sydney. Sources claim millionaire publican Stu Laundy and 'eyebrow queen' Kristin Fisher (pictured) are an item

Fisher, who has two children from a previous marriage and has been involved with Michael Clarke , is a well-known socialite in the area, while Laundy won Sophie Monk 's season of The Bachelorette. Pictured: Stu Laundy on The Bachelorette in 2017

Laundy was reportedly supportive of Fisher as she underwent recent financial struggles, even lending her money at one point.

Fisher last month wiped out almost $1million of unpaid tax in an incredible deal with the taxman - and celebrated by popping a $600 bottle of champagne.

The beautician finalised a life-saving deal through her administrators to stave off bankruptcy and will now escape paying almost all of the $915,000 she owes the Australian Tax Office.

Despite these rumours, both individuals have denied there is a romantic connection. 'We aren't dating. I'd say if I was,' Fisher said

Creditors of her Double Bay salon, including the ATO, will now receive between six and nine cents for every dollar they were owed.

The deal will see Ms Fisher slash her tax bill to under $100,000, which is less than half what she previously offered the ATO in an earlier rejected compromise payment.

She toasted the financial victory with a $600 bottle of 2008 vintage Dom Perignon champagne and a bowl of shoestring fries.

She had previously offered to pay the ATO $200,000 over two years in a restructuring plan drawn up by her former administrators, Worrels, in July but that was snubbed by the ATO.
A pair of British backpackers have shared their unpleasant experience working on a fruit farm, claiming they were unfairly "fired" after just one day.

The couple, 23-year-olds Luke and May from England, said they found the job on Facebook ahead of moving to New Zealand but were shocked by the conditions they were exposed to when arriving at the strawberry farm  but the owner claims to have a different version of events.

Fruit picking is a popular choice for backpackers in both New Zealand and Australia with seasonal work often required as part of a working holiday visa. In the past, harsh working conditions, particularly on Australian farms, have been brought into question.

Luke and May from England were working on a strawberry farm in New Zealand but claimed they got fired after one day. Source: TikTok/lukeandmayexplores/Google Images

Couple ready to 'call it quits' shortly after arriving

The couple, who post their travel adventures on social media, claim they agreed to pay $NZ75 a week which would allow them to camp and cook in a dedicated field at Wee Red Barn in Masterton near Wellington, while they worked nearby on the same property picking strawberries.

However, their stay got off to a bad start with the couple claiming they were told by owner Dot Bissett to "park anywhere". "Then literally five minutes later, she comes marching out and shouted at us," for parking in the wrong spot, May claimed in a video shared on TikTok.

According to the couple, the kitchen they had access to was like a "musty little barn" with "dirt, mould, dust" and had "little mice running around everywhere". Although ready to "call it quits" then and there, they decided to stick it out and give the farm a chance  but the following day was no better.

The couple shared their bad strawberry picking experience on social media. Source: Instagram/TikTok Lukeandmayexplores

Couple 'scolded' and 'fired'

After being given "brief" instructions, they began picking strawberries from the plants when suddenly the owner appeared. It's claimed May turned to look at her as she approached them, and when she did, "she started shouting at May for turning around," Luke said.

Story continues

"She told me to not turn over my shoulder and look at other people and to get on with picking," May claimed in the video, which has now racked up over 250,000 views. They said they continued to be scolded for not picking the damaged fruit the geese had targeted. That's when Luke claims "we lost our jobs".

"We worked hard all day, for free, hit the targets, everything she wanted to do, but yet she sacked us because I looked over my shoulder, he looked at me. She called us children," May continued.

Farm boss denies couple's claims

The couple implied their alleged sacking was unfair and uncalled for, and suggested they felt like "slaves" working "for free" in "horrible conditions"  and called the owner "vile".

However, Bissett told the New Zealand Herald a different version of events. She claims the couple "never got fired, I never fired them" and said after the brief alternation, the couple simply walked off in anger. The farm owners also took their case to Facebook on Wednesday saying "we pay all of our staff for the work they do whether they've performed their duties or not" seemingly denying allegations they refused to pay.

The Facebook post explained the couple weren't paid right away because of their weekly pay cycle but the owner said "under the circumstances of which we've been held, we are paying them today instead".

The pair also highlighted several negative Google reviews given to Wee Red Barn. Many claimed they too were unfairly treated with many quitting not long after starting. Meanwhile, responding to the couple's video one person said: "I've heard horrible things about Wee Red Barn from other backpackers also!!! You arent alone in this".

Seasonal workers harvest Valencia oranges from trees at an orchard in NSW. Source: Getty

Worker abuse claims on Aussie farms

Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for backpackers or travellers to feel they've been treated unfairly while undergoing seasonal work. There have been growing concerns about worker abuse on fruit farms in Australia with seasonal workers admitting they often "feel like slaves".

Many have complained of working in tough conditions, including long hours and poor living facilities, for minimal wages. "This is starting to feel like slavery rather than working for money," an anonymous worker previously told Yahoo News Australia.

In Australia, Fair Work requires all adult casual fruit or vegetable pickers to be paid at least $26.73 per hour, which increased in April, 2022 following complaints seasonal workers faced "unsafe conditions and rampant exploitation".

Working holiday visa holders must complete 88 days of labour to allow them to extend their stay in Australia for a second or third year. In New Zealand however, the maximum time you can work in the horticulture and viticulture industries (the food, plants and wine industries) is six weeks. This includes planting, maintaining, harvesting and picking crops. The rate is roughly around NZ$25 an hour.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
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Michelle Williams joined fellow A-list stars Kerry Washington, Katie Holmes and Sadie Sink at the opening of the Chanel Watches and Fine Jewelry flagship store in New York City.

It is the French luxury brand's first-ever boutique on NYC's iconic Fifth Avenue and it will house the complete collection of Chanel watches and jewelry.

Michelle Willians looked '60s chic in a black tweed minidress styled with semi-sheer tights and sky-high heels.

The Blue Valentine star, 43, rocked her recognizable ice blonde pixie cut on the event's red carpet.

For some sparkle, she threw on diamond ribbon earrings and a silver beaded Chanel bag.

Michelle Williams joined fellow A-list stars Kerry Washington , Katie Holmes and Sadie Sink at the opening of the Chanel Watches and Fine Jewelry flagship store in New York City

For the special occasion, Washington wowed in a strapless white dress that showed off her sculpted arms.

The Scandal star, 47, accessorized with a glitzy necklace and a white quilted leather Chanel clutch.

She stood on tall white open-toe heels and wore her hair slicked back to showcase her incredible bone structure.

Katie Holmes flashed her toned midriff by wearing just a black lace bra beneath her loosely buttoned cardigan.

The Dawson's Creek star, 44, sported matching pants with black and white pumps.

The mother-of-one gave her look a bold pop of color by opting for a glossy red lip.

Stranger Things star Sadie Sink showed off her edgy style in flared faux leather pants and platform heels.

She threw on a white sleeveless blouse that she left partially unbuttoned to draw eyes to her sparkly diamond Chanel necklace.

Williams was chic in a black tweed minidress

She rocked her ice blonde pixie cut

For some sparkle, she threw on diamond ribbon earrings and a silver beaded Chanel bag

She was joyful upon arrival

Katie Holmes flashed her toned midriff by wearing just a black lace bra beneath her loosely buttoned cardigan

The mother-of-one gave her look a bold pop of color by opting for a glossy red lip

Katie was photographed just moments before stepping onto the event's red carpet

Stranger Things star Sadie Sink showed off her edgy style in flared faux leather pants and platform heels

She threw on a white sleeveless blouse that she left partially unbuttoned to draw eyes to her sparkly diamond Chanel necklace

For the special occasion, Kerry Washington wowed in a strapless white dress that showed off her sculpted arms

Carey Mulligan  who is up for an Academy Award this year  went topless under a structured white blazer for the starry event

The Maestro star sported matching pants with black ballet flats and a singular necklace that fell to her cleavage

Natasha Lyonne dazzled in a black and gold sequin chevron-patterned jumpsuit with groovy bell sleeves

The Orange Is The New Black stars fiery red hair popped against the sparkly number

Barbie star America Ferrera  whose supporting role in the film landed her an Oscar nod  turned heads wearing a sexy LBD with a see-through skirt

The actress modeled a stunning shooting star necklace and coordinating earrings

She flaunted her flawless complexion by opting for minimal makeup

Lori Harvey put on a very busty display in a low-cut gray tweed romper with a matching jacket

She carried a tiny white Chanel bag and threw on a black tweed newsboy cap to complete her fashion-forward look

Lori was photographed just outside the venue when she arrived

Carey Mulligan  who is up for an Academy Award this year  went topless under a structured white blazer for the starry event.

The Maestro star sported matching pants with black ballet flats and a singular necklace that fell to her cleavage.

Natasha Lyonne dazzled in a black and gold sequin chevron-patterned jumpsuit with groovy bell sleeves.

The Orange Is The New Black stars fiery red hair popped against the sparkly number.

Barbie star America Ferrera  whose supporting role in the film landed her an Oscar nod  turned heads wearing a sexy LBD with a see-through skirt.

The actress modeled a stunning shooting star necklace and coordinating earrings.

Lori Harvey put on a very busty display in a low-cut gray tweed romper with a matching jacket.

She carried a tiny white Chanel bag and threw on a black tweed newsboy cap to complete her fashion-forward look.

Elizabeth Olsen oozed sophistication modeling a sleeveless gray-blue tweed dress with a sparkly silver ribbon necklace

The Marvel star stood on beaded heels that rivaled her crystal-covered purse

She arrived to the event bundled up in a warm winter coat

Rachel Brosnahan put on a leggy display by styling her colorful tweed Chanel jacket with sparkly hot pants

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star, 33, tucked her essentials away in a bubblegum pink purse

Rose Byrne looked magnificent in a navy blue coord featuring the iconic Chanel monicker on the front pockets of her jacket

Lucy Boynton took the plunge in a low-cut tweed dress that allowed her to show off her dazzling layered chain necklaces

Chase Sui Wonders narrowly avoided a wardrobe malfunction as she decided to go topless under her tie-front Chanel cardigan

The actress  who previously dated SNL alum Pete Davidson  styled the risky top with a matching skirt and black slingback heels

She greeted fans and photographers with a smile outside of the new store

Gracie Abrams looked marvelous in a mod-inspired outfit complete a frilly sheer, tunic, sparkly statement earrings and bold graphic eyeliner

She completed her retro look with semi-sheer black tights and heels

Sporting curly, golden blonde hair, Tommy Dorfman turned heads in a funky crochet sweater styled with a faux leather miniskirt, strappy heels and a baby pink Chanel purse

Seth Meyers suited up for the occasion as he attended with his glamorous wife of over a decade, Alexi Ashe

The couple arrived holding hands

Martin Scorseses daughter Francesca Scorsese looked naturally stunning wearing a pink tweed jacket over a low-cut top and black velvet capri pants

Elizabeth Olsen oozed sophistication modeling a sleeveless gray-blue tweed dress with a sparkly silver ribbon necklace.

The Marvel star stood on beaded heels that rivaled her crystal-covered purse.

Rachel Brosnahan put on a leggy display by styling her colorful tweed Chanel jacket with sparkly hot pants.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star, 33, tucked her essentials away in a bubblegum pink purse.

Rose Byrne looked magnificent in a navy blue coord featuring the iconic Chanel monicker on the front pockets of her jacket.

Lucy Boynton took the plunge in a low-cut tweed dress that allowed her to show off her dazzling layered chain necklaces.

The Bohemian Rhapsody stars chic blonde bob hugged her jawline and she rocked dramatic neon peach blush.

Chase Sui Wonders narrowly avoided a wardrobe malfunction as she decided to go topless under her tie-front Chanel cardigan.

The actress  who previously dated SNL alum Pete Davidson  styled the risky top with a matching skirt and black slingback heels.

Once the red carpet wrapped, the celebrities filed into the boutique to check out the selection

Michelle Williams grabbed a photo with a red-lipped Katie Holmes

Photographers were able to snap a few solo photos of Katie ahead of the dinner

Michelle caught up with fellow Academy Award nominee Carey Mulligan

Kerry Washington looked angelic as she found her seat at the Chanel dinner table

Elizabeth Olsen posed in and around the stunning boutique

Elizabeth was seated next to Barbie star America Ferrera

America Ferrera had the stunning Amandla Stenberg to her left

While Amandla Stenberg sparkled in sequins, her pals Chase Sui Wonders and Lori Harvey turned heads in tweed

Rose Byrne posed for a photo with pal Seth Meyers and his glam wife Alexi Ashe

Seth and Alexi have been married since 2013

Tommy Dorfman and Natasha Lyonne posed up a storm as they worked the room together ahead of the dinner

Lindsay Lohan's ex Samantha Ronson attended the event with her beauty mogul girlfriend Cassandra Grey

After dinner, attendees were treated to a performance by Grammy Award nominee Gracie Abrams

She played the piano while an awe-worthy light show lit up the stage

Gracie Abrams looked marvelous in a mod-inspired outfit complete a frilly sheer, tunic, sparkly statement earrings and bold graphic eyeliner.

After posing up on the red carpet, the Grammy-nominated singer performed for A-list attendees.

Sporting curly, golden blonde hair, Tommy Dorfman turned heads in a funky crochet sweater styled with a faux leather miniskirt, strappy heels and a baby pink Chanel purse.

Seth Meyers suited up for the occasion as he attended with his glamorous wife of over a decade, Alexi Ashe.

Martin Scorseses daughter Francesca Scorsese looked naturally stunning wearing a pink tweed jacket over a low-cut top and black velvet capri pants.
Big Bang Theory star Johnny Galecki dropped two major surprises on Wednesday by revealing that he's now a married man and a father-of-two.

The actor, 48, confirmed to Architectural Digest that he and his now-wife Morgan Galecki quietly tied the knot and recently welcomed their first child, daughter Oona Evelena.

The Nashville-based couple cover the magazine's March issue and AD noted that Morgan was 'pregnant' at the time of the shoot but gave birth 'soon after.'

While the story referenced his wedding and the birth of his baby girl  and even shared a photo of Oona's nursery  it's not known when he and Morgan tied the knot, or when their daughter was born.

Galecki is already a father to his four-year-old son Avery with ex-girlfriend Alaina Meyer.

Big Bang Theory star Johnny Galecki has revealed that he secretly married his now-wife Morgan Galecki and that they recently welcomed a baby daughter named Oona Evelena; Galecki pictured with Morgan and his son Avery in January 2023

Galecki, 48, confirmed to Architectural Digest that he and his now-wife Morgan Galecki quietly tied the knot and recently welcomed their first child, daughter Oona Evelena

Avery appears in one photo in Galecki's AD cover story wearing an eerie bunny mask as he sat between Morgan and his father.

It's unclear when Galecki began dating Morgan as she's only made two appearances on his Instagram and has yet to accompany him to a public event.

The first post was shared in January 2023 and included a photo of himself, Morgan and Avery at Walt Disney World in Florida.

Johnny shared snaps from the family's AD shoot to social media on Wednesday.

He wrote on Instagram: 'Thank you to @archdigest @tycole @colson__horton and @rachwall_ for the lovely profile on the beautiful backdrop of our lives as they stand and smile today.

'We will place it in our family time capsule and cherish it for many, many years.

'Also, thank you dearly and deeply to my sisters @pierceandward Let's always remain outside of the box. XO.'

The big life changes for Galecki came after he decided to move from Los Angeles to Nashville just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, having lived in California for 30 years.

While the story referenced his wedding and the birth of his baby girl  and even shared a photo of Oona's nursery  it's not known when he and Morgan tied the knot, or when their daughter was born; seen in 2018

Galecki is already a father to his four-year-old son Avery with ex-girlfriend Alaina Meyer; seen with Alaina in 2019

He told the magazine: 'Everywhere I looked, around here, felt like the scene of a future memory.'

Galecki split from Alaina in 2020 after two years together, having welcomed son Avery into the world the previous year.

Six months before the birth, they both said in a joint statement: 'We are absolutely over the moon to announce that we will soon be welcoming a little one into this crazy and wonderful world.

'We ask that you please respect our privacy during this celebratory time for us and our families.

'There truly is love out there for all. We hope ours is the ember of yours, as we feel yours is the ember of ours.'

Galecki previously admitted that he secretly hoped Alaina was carrying a daughter for him.

Galecki began his career as a child actor in the late 1980s, before breaking out with roles in the holiday favorite National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989), followed by a recurring role on Roseanne that began in its fourth season and continued through to the end of the original series.

Galecki split from Alaina in 2020 after two years together; seen in 2019

Galecki previously dated his the Big Bang Theory co-star Kaley Cuoco from 2008 to 2010; the pair seen on the show

Though he has been featured in numerous films, his greatest success was on CBS' monster hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory.

He starred as Leonard Hofstadter on the series, which ran for 12 seasons and costarred Jim Parsons, Mayim Bialik and Kaley Cuoco.

Galecki dated Kaley during that time from 20082010.

Despite the split, the duo have remained close friends. Kale is currently dating Ozark star Tom Pelphrey and they welcomed a daughter last year.
Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira have finally reunited on the red carpet for the premiere of their new mini-series The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.

Lincoln, 50, played Rick Grimes in the flagship series The Walking Dead for the first nine seasons, with Gurira, 45, playing Michonne from Season 3 through Season 10.

They have both returned as Rick and Michonne for The Ones Who Live, a six-episode mini-series debuting on AMC Sunday, February 25.

They both reunited on the red carpet at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood, and were joined by Chandler Riggs, who played Grimes' on-screen son Carl in TWD.

They were also joined by The Ones Who Live co-stars Terry O'Quinn (Major General Beal), Lesley-Ann Brandt (Thorne), Breeda Wool (Aiden) and Craig Tate (Donald Okafor).

Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira have finally reunited on the red carpet for the premiere of their new mini-series The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live

Lincoln, 50, played Rick Grimes in the flagship series The Walking Dead for the first nine seasons, with Gurira, 45, playing Michonne from Season 3 through Season 10

They both reunited on the red carpet at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood, and were joined by Chandler Riggs, who played Grimes' on-screen son Carl in TWD

They were also joined by The Ones Who Live co-stars Terry O'Quinn (left, Major General Beal), Lesley-Ann Brandt (center, Thorne), Breeda Wool (right, Aiden) and Craig Tate (right, Donald Okafor).

Lincoln stepped out in an orange shirt under a dark blue suit with grey pinstrips for the premiere outing.

The actor was sporting the start of a fresh beard on the red carpet, completing his look with matching dark blue pants with grey pinstripes and brown shoes.

Lincoln's character Rick Grimes was separated from his lover, Gurira's Michonne, when he was written off The Walking Dead in Season 9, though the trailers for The Ones Who Live reveal Rick has never stopped looking for Michonne.

Gurira stepped out with a strapless canary yellow dress, with her hair done up in intricate braids, accessorizing with diamond-encrusted hoop earrings.

The trailers also showcase Michonne looking for Rick as well, both dealing with new military leaders who have sprung up since the original show went off the air.

One of those new military figures is Beale, played by Lost star Terry O'Quinn, who hit the red carpet in a dark blue suit sans tie and brown shoes.

Beale is the Major General of the Civic Republic Military, an organization first introduced in Season 8 of The Walking Dead.

Another franchise newcomer is Lesley-Ann Brandt, who hit the red carpet in a stunning black dress with black elbow-length gloves and gold strand earrings.

Lincoln stepped out in an orange shirt under a dark blue suit with grey pinstrips for the premiere outing

Lincoln's character Rick Grimes was separated from his lover, Gurira's Michonne, when he was written off The Walking Dead in Season 9, but now they have come together again in this new season.

Gurira stepped out with a strapless canary yellow dress, with her hair done up in intricate braids, accessorizing with diamond-encrusted hoop earrings

The trailers also showcase Michonne looking for Rick as well, both dealing with new military leaders who have sprung up since the original show went off the air

One of those new military figures is Major General Beal played by Lost star Terry O'Quinn, who hit the red carpet in a dark blue suit sans tie and brown shoes

Beale is the Major General of the Civic Republic Military, an organization first introduced in Season 8 of The Walking Dead

Another franchise newcomer is Lesley-Ann Brandt, who hit the red carpet in a stunning black dress with black elbow-length gloves and gold strand earrings.

Brandt plays Pearl Thorne, who lived in Cape Town, South Africa before the zombie outbreak, and ultimately became a soldier in the Civic Republic Military

Another newcomer Breeda Wool hit the red carpet in a blue corset and a unique maroon minidress

Craig Tate was also on the red carpet, rocking a sharp dark blue suit coat under a brown shirt with black pants and black shoes

Tate plays Donald Okafor, who is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Civic Republic Military in this new series

There was also yet another reunion of the main cast of The Walking Dead, when Steven Yeun (Glenn Rhee) and Norman Reedus (Daryl Dixon) posed with Lincoln and Gurira

Brandt plays Pearl Thorne, who lived in Cape Town, South Africa before the zombie outbreak, and ultimately became a soldier in the Civic Republic Military.

Another newcomer Breeda Wool hit the red carpet in a blue corset and a unique maroon minidress.

She plays Aiden, who made her TWD debut in Season 10 when she encounters Michonne, and is now part of a large survivor caravan.

Craig Tate was also on the red carpet, rocking a sharp dark blue suit coat under a brown shirt with black pants and black shoes.

Tate plays Donald Okafor, who is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Civic Republic Military in this new series.

There was also yet another reunion of the main cast of The Walking Dead, when Steven Yeun (Glenn Rhee) and Norman Reedus (Daryl Dixon) posed with Lincoln and Gurira.
U.S. rocker Travis Barker is currently on tour in Australia with his band blink-182.

And the 48-year-old musician made a surprise visit to Perth hair salon Hearts and Hues on Thursday.

Staff of the salon shared the special moment to Instagram alongside, alongside images capturing the moment.

In both photos, the rocker is seen proudly posing in a racy t-shirt emblazoned with profanity while offering a peace sign as he posed alongside staff members.

The staff explained the chance meeting in a caption, before revealing Travis' kind gesture.

U.S. rocker Travis Barker is currently on tour in Australia with his band blink-182. And the 48-year-old musician made a surprise visit to Perth hair salon Hearts and Hues on Thursday. Pictured

Staff of the salon shared the special moment to Instagram alongside, alongside images capturing the moment

'We cant even believe it!' they wrote.

'This guy rocked up on our doorstep. Sure, he might have been lost which lead him up our unassuming staircase, but he clearly ended up in the right place.

'We are screaming crying throwing up, and thanks to the generosity of him and his crew, we have some tickets for tonight,' they added, referencing the ban's gig at RAC stadium.

'What a wonderful and unexpected surprise for this bunch of emo kids. Its not a phase,' concluded the caption.

The post was soon inundated with comments.

'WTAF! Genuinely love this for you all,' posted one fan.

'Are you f***ing kidding me?' gushed another.

'We manifested this for ya,' wrote one more.

Oh my gosh! so cool!' wrote a fourth.

The staff explained the chance meeting in a caption, before revealing Travis' kind gesture

Travis and wife Kourtney Kardashian are currently in Australia

Kourtney Kardashian, 44, and her rock star husband touched down in Sydney on Tuesday ahead of Travis' band blink-182's Australian tour.

The couple jetted Down Under with their son Rocky, three months, and Kourtney's daughter Penelope, 11, and son Reign, nine, who she shares with her ex Scott Disick.

Kourtney welcomed Rocky - her first child with Travis, 48 - in November.

The American pop-punk band, consisting of Travis, Tom DeLonge and Mark Hoppus, have returned to Australia for the first time in seven years for their epic world tour.

They will be kicking off their Australian leg of the tour on February 8 and will perform at a string of venues across Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Shanina Shaik turned heads in a racy cut-out midi dress as she stepped out in New York City on Wednesday evening.

The model, 32, went braless under the daring satin lace-up front number at a pre-New York Fashion Week event ahead of the style spectacular kicking off officially on Thursday.

The Australian bombshell's figure-hugging garment also boasted long sleeves and a ruched detailing down the centre of the skirt.

Shanina elevated her frame in a pair of stylish black slingback pointed toe heels and styled her long dark tresses in a neat up do.

It's been a busy week for the cover girl after she attended private pre-Grammys party in Los Angeles last week.

Shanina Shaik turned heads in a racy cut-out midi dress as she stepped out in New York City on Wednesday evening

The model, 32, went braless under the daring satin lace-up front number at a pre-New York Fashion Week event ahead of the style spectacular kicking off officially on Thursday

The model turned heads in a slinky black ensemble including a body-hugging dress that included a racy cut out at the bust and midriff.

Shanina is a mother-of-one and shares her son Zai, 16 months, with boyfriend Matthew Adesuyan.

The couple have been in a relationship since 2020 and they went public with their romance on Valentine's Day 2021.

Back in 2015, Shanina fell for DJ Ruckus and the pair quickly got engaged after less than a year of dating.

The couple tied the knot in the Bahamas in April 2018.

However, the marriage wasn't meant to be  the runway model filed for divorce in July 2019.

Shanina was linked to her advertising executive current partner in 2020, the statuesque beauty gave birth to their first son in September 2022.

The model previously shared Matthew was 'so happy' about becoming a father, noting, 'He's so supportive.'

The Australian bombshell's figure-hugging garment also boasted long sleeves and a ruched detailing down the centre of the skirt

Shanina elevated her frame in a pair of stylish black slingback pointed toe heels

'He's just excited to share this experience together as well,' she told People. 'We're very much in love, and to bring a beautiful life into this world is quite special.'

Best known for her work as a Victoria's Secret supermodel, Shanina also has graced the covers of major magazines like Harper's Bazaar and Cosmopolitan.

Before her breakthrough modelling gig with Victoria's Secret, the Melbourne-born beauty walked the runways for Project Runway, Betsey Johnson, and Catherine Malandrino among others.

She's also walked the runway for Chanel, opened for Jason Wu, and even posed for the cover of Maxim in 2019.
He's best known for presenting MasterChef and Inside The Factory.

Yet Gregg Wallace could have a career in modelling on the cards after stripping off for a Valentine's campaign.

The former greengrocer, 59, channelled his inner Mena Sevari as he recreated the famous scene from American Beauty (albeit with less flesh on show) in collaboration with SMARTY Mobile, who are giving away free roses for Valentine's Day to help combat the 'cost of loving' crisis.

It was a homage to the 1999 film scene in which Lester (Kevin Spacey) fantasises about his dream woman Angela (Sevari) who happens to be his teenage daughter's best friend.

Laying in a bed of roses, MasterChef star Gregg gazed coquettishly up at the camera while clutching bouquets.

 Slide me  Gregg Wallace (left) channelled his inner Mena Sevari as he recreated the famous scene from American Beauty (albeit with less flesh on show) in collaboration with SMARTY Mobile

He's best known for presenting MasterChef and Inside The Factory. Yet Gregg could have a career in modelling on the cards after stripping off for the campaign

The campaign comes after Gregg left fans baffled when he revealed his typical weekend routine.

The father-of-three lifted the lid on his usual weekend antics for The Telegraph's My Saturday column, explaining how he fills his day between his early wakeup and 8pm bedtime.

Revealing he doesn't indulge in a weekend lie-in, Gregg kicks off his day at 5am, reading for an hour - currently A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles - before making himself a cup of coffee and checking the sign-up numbers for his health programme.

There's no more time to rest, however, as he has to stick to his five day a week workout regime, revealing he has persuaded staff to open the gym half an hour early for him every weekend so he can enjoy a private swim and sauna.

Once members of the public start arriving (at the correct time) Gregg makes a beeline for the treadmills where he works towards his 50,000 steps a week goal but insists there's 'no sweating.'

He noted: 'Im now 12 stone [having lost five stone] and I have less than 18 per cent body fat and a six-pack, but I have a belly that bloats. I guess we all have our imperfections.'

Having worked up an appetite, but not a sweat, next on the to-do list is breakfast, with Gregg meeting his PA at the local Harvester for breakfast  which consists of bacon, sausage and fried egg.

While he admitted people are often surprised to see him in the budget chain restaurant, he has 'never been disappointed' by the food, and is particularly fond of the grilled chicken and salad bar.

In contrast, he noted he has been let down by the food on offer at several three-star Michelin restaurants around Europe.

It was a homage to the 1999 film scene in which Lester (Kevin Spacey) fantasises about his dream woman Angela (Sevari) who happens to be his teenage daughter's best friend

Laying in a bed of roses, MasterChef star Gregg gazed coquettishly up at the camera while clutching bouquets

While he may have painstakingly listed his typical weekend activities for a new column, he failed to mention taking time out to strip off for this campaign

Gregg's 'Typical Saturday' routine

5AM: Wake up and read for an hour 6AM: Coffee and check emails 7AM: Swim and sauna at the gym before workout with 7,000 steps a day 10.30AM: Fry-up breakfast at Harvester 12PM: Home with wife Anna having his lunch ready on the table 1.30PM: Spend time with son Sid, four 3PM: Playing historical war video games 6PM: Cook dinner for the family once a week 8PM: In bed watching a film on reading 9PM: Go to sleep Advertisement Gregg's 'Typical Saturday' routine

During breakfast, talk turns to business with his PA as they juggle his MasterChef filming, well-being business and new health and well-being podcast, A Piece of Cake.

Speaking about his new healthy living podcast, Gregg mused: 'I love chatting to the experts, but Im quite the expert too, having been journalling, manifesting, goal-setting and reading self-help books for years.'

Seemingly blessed with a high metabolism, lunch comes just an hour and a half after his fry up, with Gregg's wife Anna, 38, ensuring food is on the table when he arrives home at midday.

After lunch comes quality time with his four-year-old son, Sid, whos non-verbal autistic but has 'started to seek company and show eye contact.'

Speaking candidly about his relationship with his youngest child, Gregg - who has two adult children Tom, 29, and Libby, 26, with his ex-wife Denise - shared: 'Im a much better father now Im older, although another child isnt something that I would have chosen at my age.

'I was always very honest with Anna, but its what she wanted and I love her. I just requested two things  that we had help in the house (so her mum moved in), and secondly that we had at least one week a year when we holidayed just the two of us.'

After an hour and a half of quality time with Sid, Gregg then indulges in two hours of me-time.

As an 'amateur historian' and video game fan, he likes to lock himself away in his home office at 3pm playing Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia, set in 878 AD.

After leading the Norsemen, Saxons, and Gaels to victory he then sets about preparing dinner for his family.

The campaign comes after Gregg left fans baffled when he revealed his typical weekend routine which includes a 'no sweat' workout and going for a fry up at the Harvester

Seemingly blessed with a high metabolism, lunch comes just an hour and a half after his fry up, with Gregg's wife Anna, 38, ensuring lunch is on the table when he arrives home at midday

After lunch comes quality time with his four-year-old son, Sid, whos non-verbal autistic but has 'started to seek company and show eye contact'

The restaurateur and former greengrocer revealed Anna takes on the main kitchen duties as he cooks for his family just once a week, typically a grilled fish dish from the fishmonger.

He's also partial to making his own 'healthy' cheeseburgers, as takeaways are banned after his health overhaul.

Alcohol is also restricted, with Gregg drinking twice a week, typically starting off with a pint, then a wine, then a whisky or brandy, but ensures he doesn't 'drink excessively any more.'

After his long day comes an early bed time of 8pm, where he and Anna will either read or watch a film on his laptop because Gregg 'tried sitting on the sofa eating biscuits' but didn't find it 'fulfilling'.

READ MORE: Celebrity MasterChef 'first famous names revealed Advertisement

Sleep typically comes by 9pm.

Gregg's Saturday regime quickly began trending on X, with baffled fans claiming he was like Steve Coogan's comedy character, Alan Partridge.

They penned: 'Catching up on Gregg Wallaces magnificently Partridgian My Saturday.'; 'Gregg Wallace here with an article that would easily place him in the top division of LinkedIns most ridiculously egotistical contributors';

'I met Gregg Wallace once - I hasnt to bump into him not once but twice within an hour in Manchester city centre and from our fleeting interaction Im not entirely surprised by his Partridge-esque interview.';

'This is my favourite bit amateur historian #GreggWallace'; 'Ok, who is opening up their Fitness First early to let in Gregg Wallace?'; 'How do we break it to Gregg Wallace that this isnt actually what historians do?';

'At 8pm its biscuits - and CHEESE Gregg Wallace and Gromit'; 'Gregg Wallace. This has to be parody, surely?'; 'Cant stop reading the Gregg Wallace thing. What a journey, every word is absolutely incredible.';

'Imagine being that person at the gym who has to get there half an hour early so Gregg Wallace can have a solitary swim, or his PA that has to go to Harvester every Saturday morning and watch him eat his bacon and eggs';

'Gregg Wallace: I wake up at the same time every morning. I'll read for an hour - right now it's A Gentleman In Moscow by Amor Towles - then I'll make myself a coffee and check emails. Blur: PARK LIFE';

'Gregg Wallace tells the world his child was unplanned and spends more time playing computer games (two hours) than spending time with his autistic son (hour and a half). If I commented with my feelings on this, Twitter would ban me.'
Channel Seven news presenter Michael Usher has quit The Latest as production relocates from Sydney to Perth.

The veteran journalist, who has been the face of the show since its inception in 2018, will step down from his role on the program.

The shift, set to occur in March, aims to 'streamline efficiencies' within the network, according to a spokesperson from Seven.

Despite the geographical transition, the network assures 'the format, production quality, and integrity of The Latest will remain unchanged', providing viewers with the same level of news coverage they have come to expect.

Usher, a respected figure in Australian journalism, has been a key part of the show's success, presenting frequently around 10:30pm and, more recently, sharing hosting duties with Angela Cox on alternate weeknights.

Channel Seven news presenter Michael Usher has quit The Latest as production relocates from Sydney. Pictured

The veteran journalist, who has been the face of the show since its inception in 2018, will step down from his role on the program. Pictured with Angela Cox

His departure marks the end of an era for the show, which has been praised for its unique approach to news delivery.

The move to Perth is not expected to significantly disrupt the staffing of the program, though TV Tonight reports that a small number of roles will be impacted.

Previously speaking to the publication, Usher said: 'The big point of difference with The Latest is that its content is all interviews and crosses.

Usher, a respected figure in Australian journalism, has been a key part of the show's success, presenting frequently around 10:30pm and, more recently, sharing hosting duties with Cox on alternate weeknights

'We don't run reporter stories. I like to think our audience has been flat out all day and evening, and we can help them catch up on the day's news, and give them an idea of what's brewing in the morning, so they can go to bed up to speed.

'I also always try to end The Latest on a positive note. An image of thoughts that's uplifting before the day ends.'

The former Channel Nine presenter was poached by Channel Seven in 2016 after Melissa Doyle announced her departure from the network.

Usher's role at Seven News Spotlight will continue.

As will his presenting role as 7NEWS Sydney as weekend anchor.
There was a mini Dawson's Creek reunion at Wednesday night's star-studded Chanel dinner in New York.

Katie Holmes, 45, and Michelle Williams, 43, caught up at the chic event, 20 years after starring together in the iconic teen angst drama.

The actresses looked incredible in their classic Chanel ensembles, and worlds apart from their Capeside counterparts Joey Potter and Jen Lindley.

Based on a fictional group of friends in a tight-knit community, the show followed the group from high school through college in the sleepy town of Capeside.

Katie Holmes character Joey Potter grew up alongside best friend Dawson Leery, portrayed by James Van Der Beek.

There was a Dawson's Creek reunion at Wednesday's Chanel dinner in New York as Katie Holmes , 45, and Michelle Williams , 43, caught up 20 years after starring together in

The actresses looked incredible in their classic Chanel ensembles, and worlds apart from their Capeside counterparts Joey Potter and Jen Lindley (pictured in the first series in 1998)

Michelle's character Jen causes ripples in Capeside after being exiled from her wild child life in New York to live with her grandparents in the sleepy town, in the house next door to Dawson's.

Rounding out the foursome was Joshua Jackson's character Pacey Witter, Dawson's best friend.

The show ran for six seasons from 1998 to 2003, charting the four's entwined lives through high school and college. The final episode flash forwarded by five years to catch up with the group in their new lives in 2008.

Speaking last year Katie revealed that a possible revival of the series has been discussed 'many' times in recent years.

In a conversation with Variety the actress seemed intrigued by the concept of bringing Dawson's Creek back, but she also worried that the culture might have changed too much from the noughties when it initially aired, which could sap some of the original's sweetness.

'There have been many discussions over the years. We all loved the experience,' she said when she was quizzed.

'There's a protection that comes along with the discussion. The show was a time capsule,' she continued. 'To put it into today's world might tarnish it a little bit.

'It was right before everyone had a phone and social media and all of that, so there was an innocence that was there between the characters that was one of the things I think people liked about the show. To put it into the setting of today's world, I'm not sure,' she mused.

Michelle and Katie are pictured left in 2002 celebrating the 100th episode of their hit show which ran for six seasons from 1998- 2003

Katie flashed her toned midriff by wearing just a black lace bra beneath her loosely buttoned cardigan

Michelle looked '60s chic in a black tweed minidress styled with semi-sheer tights and sky-high heels

Katie played Joey Potter on Dawson's Creek, who grew up alongside best friend Dawson Leery, portrayed by James Van Der Beek

'We've often talked about it,' the actress added. 'For now, we kind of just keeping saying that until there is a real reason to do it, it hasn't been something where people have said, 'This is the take on it.''

Michelle meanwhile has recently gushed about the foundations the show gave her for her acclaimed career, which has seen he earn five Academy Award nominations.

'It taught me how to be responsible, it taught me how to get to work on time, it taught me how to prepare at night for the next day, it taught me sort of like the basics of how to take care of myself,' Michelle recalled of her teenage years on the show in a 2023 interview.

She added of filming in South Carolina: 'We were in like a very sleepy Southern town and the crew really felt like they looked out for us.'

'They knew how young we were and they kind of put like bumpers around us, just made sure that we were safe and taken care of, that I went to the dentist, things that didn't really come naturally to me.'

'I really appreciate the way that people let us kind of have a childhood honestly.'

Michelle's character Jen caused ripples in Capeside after being exiled from her life in New York to live with her grandparents in the sleepy town, in the house next door to Dawson's
Cillian Murphy's lookalike son Aran has been tipped for Hollywood success as he is set to make his film debut in Taika Waititi's Klara And The Sun.

The 16-year-old has landed a role in the Thor director's new movie which is an adaptation of the New York Times bestseller by Kazuo Ishiguro.

The teenager will join Wednesday actress Jenna Ortega, 21,and Amy Adams, 47, in the A-list cast.

Cillian has paved the way for Aran after winning Best Actor at the Golden Globes for Oppenheimer, after getting the leading role following his supporting roles in five of director Christopher Nolan's films.

And while it has taken years for the Peaky Blinders actor to have his big Hollywood moment, his son has had a short-track as, at 16-years-old, he will make his feature film debut.

Cillian Murphy's lookalike son Aran is set to make his film debut in Taika Waititi 's Klara And The Sun (pictured together with Yvonne at the Golden Gloves)

Cillian has paved the way for Aran after winning Best Actor at the Golden Globes for his leading role in Oppenheimer

Aran will star as a character named Rick, who is a best friend and neighbour of Josie (played by Mia Tharia).

The dystopian science fiction book has been adapted for film by screenwriter Dahvi -Waller.

Wednesday actress Jenna, 21, stars as leading lady Klara, who is a solar-powered Artificial Friend designed to prevent loneliness who is chosen by Josie, a sickly child, to be her companion.

Klara embarks on a quest to save Josie and those who love her from heartbreak.

Cillian's son Aran, who made a rare appearance at the Golden Globes, has followed his father's footsteps by pursuing an acting career, with roles in the film LOLA and in a stage production of Hamnet.

While eldest son, Malachy, 18, has shown an interest in music, a passion that Cillian has encouraged.

During his Best Actor acceptance speech at the Globes, Cillian dubbed himself 'the luckiest man' as he spoke directly to his wife and children.

'To my family, I'm the luckiest man and I love you,' he said.

The teen, who is pursuing an acting career, is the spitting image of his father during his younger years (Cillian is pictured right in Disco Pigs in 2001)

The teenager will join Wednesday actress Jenna Ortega (left) and Amy Adams (right) in the A-list cast

Aran will star as a character named Rick, who is a best friend and neighbour of Josie (played by Mia Tharia pictured)

Cillian was awarded Best Actor for his leading role in Oppenheimer (pictured)

Cillian beat an impressive field to claim the award including: Andrew Scott  All of Us Strangers, Barry Keoghan  Saltburn, Bradley Cooper  Maestro, Colman Domingo  Rustin and Leonardo DiCaprio  Killers of the Flower Moon.

Cillian and his family now live in Dublin after he reportedly splashed out close to 1.7million on a Victorian townhouse.

The four-storey home, originally built in 1863, is located in south Co. Dublin, and has six double bedrooms as well as four receptions rooms.

While they are now based in Ireland, his sons were born in London and stayed there until 2015, with the actor joking they moved because his sons were developing 'very posh English accents'.

'We were in London for 14 years, both our kids were born there. We only came back to Dublin in 2015,' he told the Armchair Expert podcast.

'It's kind of an Irish story, you know, to move away, do your thing and then come home. That seems to be a common narrative for Irish people.

'We wanted the kids to be Irish, and they were sort of at that age where they were preteens and they had very posh English accents and I wasnt appreciating that too much. Our parents are a certain age and it was just a nice time to come home.'

The 5ft7 star also noted his sons were almost taller than him.

It also seems Cillian won't be following in the footsteps of the acting elite, claiming he 'couldnt envisage' upping sticks to Los Angeles.

Cillian said: 'I love visiting and I love the food and I do love the weather. I dont know, I just feel European, I just feel Irish. Id feel like a bit of an interloper if I lived in California, I couldnt envisage living there permanently.'
Pose star Cecilia Gentili has died aged 52.

The actress and transgender activist passed away on Tuesday morning, although no cause of death has been revealed.

A statement on her Instagram page reads: 'Our beloved Cecilia Gentili passed away this morning to continue watching over us in spirit.

'Please be gentle with each other and love one another with ferocity.

'We will be sharing more updates about services and what is to come in the following days.

Pose star Cecilia Gentili has died aged 52 - no cause of death has been revealed

Cecilia (right) played the part of Miss Orlando, a woman who offered discounted plastic surgery to trans women, in the first season of 'Pose'

'At this time, we're asking for privacy, time, and space to grieve.'

Gentili was a well-known advocate for the rights of transgender people and sex workers around the world.

And GLAAD, the LGBTQIA advocacy group, has already taken to social media to heap praise on the actress.

GLAAD said on Instagram: 'We are devastated to hear about the death of Cecilia Gentili.

'Cecilia was a pillar in the trans community, a dedicated advocate, a striking actress on the hit TV program 'Pose', an incredible journalist, and a sex worker.'

The organisation also noted that Gentili - who was born in Argentina but subsequently moved to New York City - sought to create 'visibility and acceptance' for the LGBTQIA community.

The statement said: 'In the anthology, Surviving Transphobia, Cecilia wrote about growing up under dictatorship in Argentina, about being inspired by American movies to be her authentic self. She poured that passion for visibility and acceptance into her life and many others.'

Gentili played the part of Miss Orlando, a woman who offered discounted plastic surgery to trans women, in the first season of 'Pose'.

A statement on her Instagram page reads: 'Our beloved Cecilia Gentili passed away this morning to continue watching over us in spirit'

Several other Pose actors and politician Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez paid their respects to Cecilia after her death was announced

The actress also won the American Library Association's 2023 Stonewall Book Award for her memoir, 'Faltas: Letters to Everyone in My Hometown Who Isn't My Rapist'.

Several other Pose actors paid their respects to Cecilia after her death was announced.

Angelica Ross wrote: 'Im so glad I saw video of her recent bday party and she was surrounded by so much love and community. Such a fierce advocate. Rest in Power.'

MJ Rodriguez added: 'Rest in power Cecilia,' while Hailie Sahar wrote: 'Rest well beautiful. Your talent was unmatched and your humanity shined bright.'

Politician Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez wrote: 'Utterly heartbroken. Our community will never be the same without you, Cecilia. Thank you for giving us so much, relentlessly, every single day. You transformed so many lives and shined a light across Jackson Heights, Corona, and beyond.'
Police are imploring the public to help locate a missing Aussie teenager who has not been seen for a week.

Jamie Fowler, 17, from the Illawarra region south of Sydney was last seen in the Newcastle area on Thursday, February 1, exactly one week ago. Police hold fears over Jamie's whereabouts due to her young age.

When Yahoo News contacted police, there was no update to the investigation, which is ongoing, as of Thursday morning.

NSW teen Jamie Fowler has not been seen for a week. She was last seen in Newcastle. Source: NSW Police

Police seeking information on Jamie Fowler's whereabouts

Despite efforts to contact Jamie over the last seven days, officers from Lake Illawarra Police are yet to locate her.

Jamie is being described as of Caucasian appearance, roughly 165cm tall, of thin build, with dark brown hair and brown eyes.

People who may have information over Jamie's whereabouts are urged to contact Lake Illawarra Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Emma Corrin and Rami Malek looked in good spirits as they departed The Ritz hotel in Paris together on Wednesday evening.

The Crown star Emma - who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, wrapped up in a black coat as they enjoyed a night out with their partner.

The actor, 28, also wore a pair of eye-catching green striped stockings along with white kitten heels.

Wearing their dark brown locks in a short, cropped style, Emma completed their look with a pair of silver earrings.

Rami, 42, cut a dapper figure in a navy shirt and matching trousers which he wore under a black coat.

Emma Corrin and Rami Malek looked in good spirits as they departed The Ritz hotel in Paris together on Wednesday evening

The Crown star Emma - who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, wrapped up in a black coat as they enjoyed a night out with their partner

The pair were surrounded by fans as they left the swanky hotel with one seen stopping Rami for a selfie

The pair were surrounded by fans as they left the swanky hotel with one seen stopping Rami for a selfie.

Rami and Emma are thought to have began dating last summer and made their relationship official when they were spotted kissing during an outing in London in September.

Before taking up with Emma, Rami was involved with Lucy Boynton, who played Freddie Mercury's girlfriend Mary Austin in Bohemian Rhapsody.

Lucy and Rami confirmed their relationship in 2019 but had apparently split by 2022 when he was spotted out with French screen siren Lea Seydoux.

Lea and Rami, who both featured in that year's James Bond film No Time To Die, were seen last December with their arms around one another.

However by this summer, rumors began to fly about a blossoming romance between Rami and Emma, with sources dishing about their 'loved-up dates.'

They were allegedly observed kissing over lunch in Margate, Kent, and 'didn't seem to mind who could see' them at their alfresco table.

'They were very passionate and looking into each other's eyes,' said a source who caught sight of them at the restaurant. 'Rami and Emma just seemed totally besotted with each other and paid no attention to anyone else.'

The actor also wore a pair of eye-catching green striped stockings along with white kitten heels

Wearing their dark brown locks in a short, cropped style, Emma completed their look with a pair of silver earrings

Rami cut a dapper figure in a navy shirt and matching trousers which he wore under a black coat

Rami and Emma are thought to have began dating last summer and made their relationship official when they were spotted kissing during an outing in London in September

After coming out as nonbinary, Emma initially used 'she/them' pronouns on Instagram but then switched to 'they/them.'

Emma, who won the Golden Globe For Best Actress - Television Series Drama months before adopting 'they/them' pronouns, explained the swap to the Guardian.

'Because I was working on a film in the US, away from everyone who knows me, and when people called me she, it felt so weird and uncomfortable,' said the thespian.

The My Policeman star still plays female parts, explaining to Vanity Fair that 'there aren't a lot of nonbinary parts out there' in the present industry.

'Being nonbinary for me is a very fluid space where it's not a rejection of femininity or masculinity, it's sort of an embrace of both. My experience on this earth has been a female one, up until recently, and I still love all those parts of me,' Emma added.

'It's interesting that I'm not offered male parts, but I would equally be drawn to that! I suppose it's also what the industry sees you as, and I think, hopefully, that is shifting.

'The beauty of acting is taking on a character that doesn't necessarily have to be completely in tune with your own experience. It's sort of a way to explore.'
Kaya Scodelario has jetted off to the Maldives on a girls holiday following the split from her husband of eight years Ben Walker.

The Skins star is staying on the luxurious five-star resort of Coco Bodu Hithi alongside two friends as she takes some time to relax and recharge after her split from Ben.

The actress, 31, reportedly secretly split from the actor, 41, last year, but said that they remain 'the best of friends'.

The couple tied the knot in December 2015 and share a seven-year-old son and two-year-old daughter together.

Soaking in the sun with her best friends, Kaya looked positively radiant as she posed against the gorgeous scenery before taking a dip in the sea.

Skins star Kaya Scodelario, 31, is currenlty enjoying a girls holiday in the Maldives after splitting from her husband of eight years Ben Walker late last year

The Skins star is staying on the luxurious five-star resort of Coco Bodu Hithi alongside two friends as she takes some time to relax and recharge after her split from Ben

It seems Kaya is embracing single life, as she captioned the post: 'Feeling so lucky to go through life with these amazing friends. Normalize going to romantic locations with your mates instead'

Treating herself to a luxurious experience, Kaya is staying in the resorts top villa category, the Coco Residence, which boasts 184 square metres of space featuring floor to ceiling windows to take in the sprawling views over the Indian Ocean.

Her villa comes complete with an indoor and outdoor bathroom, as well as a split-level deck with an infinity pool and direct access to the crystal clear waters of the ocean below.

Taking to her Instagram Story over the past few days the star slipped into a skimpy bikini as she dived into the clear waters before gearing up in a life jacket and snorkelling gear for a marine biologist snorkelling trip as she joked: 'Baywatch eat your heart out'.

Another snap saw Kaya indulge in a delicious floating breakfast, while the pals have also enjoyed spa treatments, a private sunset cruise, lunch on their very own sandbank and a private cinema screening under the stars.

The luxury five-star resort is a popular choice with celebrities, having hosted former England captain John Terry, supermodel Adwoa Aboah, actress Billie Piper and TV personality and presenter, Laura Whitmore.

Following her and Ben's split, in a joint statement to The Sun, the couple said: 'Some time ago Kaya and Ben made the joint decision to end their marriage but continue to co-parent lovingly whilst remaining the best of friends.

'They ask that their privacy as well as that of their children's remain respected as they continue to move forward as a family.'

The actress reportedly secretly split from the actor, 41, last year, but said that they remain 'the best of friends' (pictured August 2022)

Taking to her Instagram Story over the past few days the star slipped into a skimpy bikini as she dived into the clear waters of the Indian Ocean

Hinting at her marriage, Kaya wrote: 'Feeling so lucky to go through life with these amazing friends. Normalize going to romantic locations with your mates instead'

The star also geared up in a life jacket and snorkelling mask for a marine biologist snorkelling trip as she wrote 'Baywatch eat your heart out'

Another snap saw Kaya indulge in a delicious floating breakfast, while the pals have also enjoyed spa treatments in the luxurious resort

Enjoying a private sunset cruise, Kaya joked: 'We go by Charlie's Angels now'

Soaking in the sun with her best friends, Kaya looked positively radiant as she relaxed in the pool

The luxury five-star resort Coco Bodu Hithi is a popular choice with celebrities, having hosted the likes of John Terry, Billie Piper and Laura Whitmore

The couple have not been seen in public together for over a year and Kaya last posted a snap of them together on her Instagram at a wedding in September 2022.

Last week, the Skins star attended the Vanity Fair EE Rising Star party, where she was seen to have ditched her wedding ring.

Kaya and Benjamin met while filming The King's Daughter back in 2014, when the Maze Runner star was 22 and the The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power actor was 31.

After a whirlwind romance, they became engaged in December 2014 and tied the knot the following December, both adopting the surname Scodelario-Davis.

Benjamin was previously married to Meryl Streep's daughter Mamie Gummer, from 2011 until their split in March 2013.

While Kaya previously dated her Skins co-star Jack O'Connell and had a long-term romance with Shameless actor Eliott Tittensor from late 2009 to early 2014.

Kaya rose to fame for her role as Effy in the cult classic Channel 4 series Skins, alongside Nicholas Hoult and Daniel Kaluuya - who is the godfather of her son.

She has since become a queen of the silver screen starring in Hollywood flicks including Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales and The Maze Runner.

She will next be seen in Guy Ritchie's Netflix adaptation of The Gentlemen, opposite Theo James and Ray Winstone.

The couple tied the knot in December 2015 and share a seven-year-old son and two-year-old daughter together

Last week, the Skins star attended the Vanity Fair EE Rising Star party, where she was seen to have ditched her wedding ring (pictured)

Kaya and Benjamin met while filming The King's Daughter back in 2014, when the Maze Runner star was 22 and the The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power actor was 31 (Kaya pictured in film with Pierce Brosnan)

Benjamin was previously married to Meryl Streep's daughter Mamie Gummer, from 2011 until their split in March 2013 (pictured together in 2010)

Kaya rose to fame for her role as Effy in the cult classic Channel 4 series Skins, alongside Nicholas Hoult and Daniel Kaluuya - who is the godfather of her son (pictured on show)
Gemma Collins paid tribute to her friend Rhys Alan Smith nearly three years on from his heartbreaking death.

Rhys, who was TOWIE star Harry Derbidge's ex-boyfriend, died by hanging in Tenerife, Spain on April 22, 2021.

Gemma, 43, took to Instagram on Thursday to share a joyful video of Rhys dancing by the pool whilst they were on holiday.

The reality star wrote: 'What I would give to hear you call me GOOCHI again. Everyone loved you I wish we can turn back time but today although sad I will CELEBRATE YOU as much as I can I will play reggaeton and dance just like you sending Rhys family so much love today.'

Rhys family, friends and fans took to the comment section to share their condolences.

Gemma Collins paid tribute to her friend Rhys Alan Smith nearly three years on from his heartbreaking death

Gemma, 43, took to Instagram on Thursday to share a joyful video of Rhys dancing by the pool whilst they were on holiday

Rhys, who was TOWIE star Harry Derbidge 's ex-boyfriend, died by hanging in Tenerife, Spain on April 22, 2021

Rhys' sister Georgia wrote: 'I would give absolutely anything to speak to him , miss him endless amounts he was truly the best brother. Thanks Gemma for being his GOOCHI. He loved you so much.'

Others said: 'Miss him so much' and 'sending love to you today and Rhyss family xx'.

Rhys formed a close friendship with Gemma and was close to many of the TOWIE stars.

He dated TOWIE star Harry in 2013 with the former couple regularly appearing at events together before Harry dated Bobby Norris.

After his tragic death, Gemma shared a moving tribute and revealed she spoke to him on the day he tragically died.

Posting the montage to her grid, the star wrote: 'We all loved you so much  if anyone is touched by this story please remember there is always a way, there is always an answer, there is always hope, tomorrow is always another day.'

Posting a selfie with Rhys from a recent holiday, she wrote: 'Going to be a very tough day my Gucci @rhysalan I have been heartbroken recently you was like a little brother to me.

'I love you so much and I would given anything I have to magically bring you back. Everyone loved you and you was so special RIP I just can't believe you are gone but never forgotten.'

The reality star wrote: 'What I would give to hear you call me GOOCHI again'

Rhys family, friends and fans took to the comment section to share their condolences

Gemma also posted a video of Rhys during a night out together, where he attempted to show off his singing skills.

She added: 'My one in a million @rhysalan you was a little brother to me we all loved you like our own and today is going to be incredibly tough because it still doesnt seem real I would give anything to bring you back.

'You was nothing but sunshine love and laughs I hope you find peace where you are and I will see you again one day.

'I think of you all the time and I loved you so much. What I cant get over is I spoke to you the same night you passed away, always in my heart forever and ever #mygucci.'
Travis Barker hit the streets of Perth for a bike ride on Thursday.

The blink-182 drummer managed to turn a few heads as he was spotted cruising in a black winter beanie and a vulgar t-shirt emblazoned with the words, 'mother f***er'.

Travis, 48, completed his outfit with a pair of black trousers he matched with a pair of dark sneakers which featured white laces.

Looking comfortable in the saddle, and unbothered by the heat, the gifted musician accessorised with a silver chain necklace.

The hitmaker's choice of headwear was especially alarming to onlookers since the temperature in the Western Australia capital was a sweltering 39C.

Travis Barker hit the streets of Perth for a bike ride on Thursday. Pictured

The blink-182 drummer managed to turn a few heads as he was spotted cruising in a black winter beanie and a vulgar t-shirt emblazoned with the words, 'mother f***er'

Earlier in the day, Travis made a surprise visit to a Perth hair salon Hearts and Hues on Thursday.

Staff of the salon shared the special moment to Instagram, alongside images capturing the moment.

In both photos, the rocker is seen proudly posing in a racy t-shirt emblazoned with profanity while offering a peace sign as he posed alongside staff members.

The staff explained the chance meeting in a caption, before revealing Travis' kind gesture of providing them tickets to blink-182's show at Perth's RAC stadium on Thursday.

It comes after Kourtney Kardashian, 44, and her rock star husband touched down in Sydney on Tuesday ahead of Travis' band blink-182's Australian tour.

The couple jetted Down Under with their son Rocky, three months, and Kourtney's daughter Penelope, 11, and son Reign, nine, who she shares with her ex Scott Disick.

The hitmaker's choice of headwear was especially alarming to onlookers since the temperature in the Western Australia capital was a sweltering 39C.

Kourtney welcomed Rocky - her first child with Travis, 48 - in November.

The American pop-punk band, consisting of Travis, Tom DeLonge and Mark Hoppus, have returned to Australia for the first time in seven years for their epic world tour.

They will be kicking off their Australian leg of the tour on February 8 and will perform at a string of venues across Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
James Bond fans are in for a treat as ITV issued a huge update on the iconic film series on Thursday.

The channel announced that 25 official films from the franchise will be available to viewers via linear channels and catch-up on ITVX.

A deal has been struck with Amazon MGM Studios Distribution to provide the movies on demand.

The deal marks the first time that the Bond films have been available via an AVOD streaming platform in the UK, which will see each film available to ITVX viewers for 30 days post linear transmission.

March 4 will see the series launch on ITV4, with a favourite film from each iconic lead available for fans to enjoy each day of the week, and throughout the month on ITVX.

James Bond fans are in for a treat as ITV issued a huge update on the iconic film series on Thursday (Daniel Craig seen in Casino Royale in 2006)

The channel announced that 25 official films from the franchise will be available to viewers via linear channels and catch-up on ITVX

Among others viewers will be able to enjoy Goldfinger, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, The Spy Who Loved Me, Licence to Kill, GoldenEye and Skyfall.

The series will also offer ITVX viewers a range of additional content including feature-length documentary Everything Or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007, and Being James Bond: The Daniel Craig Story.

The collection of 25 official Bond films is scheduled to air multiple times a year on ITV channels.

Commenting on the agreement, Darren Nartey, Senior Acquisitions Manager: Films & Kids said: 'It doesn't get any more iconic than James Bond.

'We are honoured to bring this fantastic catalogue of films to our viewers both on our linear channels and via catch-up on ITVX. Now where is my martini'

It comes as Paul Mescal is reportedly in talks to play a young James Bond in the next film from the 007 franchise.

Movie bosses are said to be lining up two actors to play the spy, one older and one younger.

And rumours are now swirling that Paul, 27, could be in the running to take on the major film role, according to The Sun on Sunday.

Among others viewers will be able to enjoy Goldfinger (Sean Connery seen in the 1964 film), On Her Majesty's Secret Service, The Spy Who Loved Me, Licence to Kill, GoldenEye and Skyfall

A deal has been struck with Amazon MGM Studios Distribution to provide the movies on demand (Daniel and Judi Dench seen in Skyfall in 2012)

It comes as Paul Mescal is reportedly in talks to play a young James Bond in the next film from the 007 franchise

Irish star Paul, who rose to fame in 2020 in BBC Three's romantic drama Normal People, told Digital Spy that year: 'Would I play Bond? Yeah?

'I don't know. If it ever came my way, we'd discuss it.'

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Paul for comment.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson was named the hot favourite to become the next James Bond in October.

Ever since Daniel Craig ditched the 007 role after five films and made his Bond swansong in 2021's No Time To Die, rumours have been rife over which debonair star will replace the icon.

An insider revealed to MailOnline that British Aaron actor, 33, was extremely close to landing the role, with Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan, 53, looking likely to helm the next film in the franchise.

The insider said: 'Aaron Taylor-Johnson is currently the hot favourite to step into the iconic role, he's the first choice for Barbara Broccoli  he is the one to beat.'

They added of Christopher: 'He is extremely interested in doing something very different with the franchise. If he can get his way with producers, then he is all for it.'

It was previously reported that Christopher wanted to direct the next Bond film as a period piece set in the same as the original source material  something that director Quentin Tarantino had previously wanted to do with Casino Royale, but was turned down.

However, the insider added: 'Whether Nolan coming on board will affect the casting of Aaron Taylor-Johnson is currently a grey area  as he's very particular with who he works with.'

Christopher is known for consistently using similar casts in his films, working with another rumoured Bond, Tom Hardy, on three films, Inception, Dunkirk and The Dark Knight Rises.

He has worked with Aaron on 2020 film Tenet, in which the actor played minor character Ives.

Aaron has previously spoken about how he 'wanted to be in Nolan's presence' as he lobbied for a role in Tenet.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in 2020, he said: 'When there's an opportunity to work with someone like Chris Nolan, you just hope to get your foot in the door.

'He's always going to have his go-to actors, so you never know if something is going to come around or not.

'John David Washington, Robert Pattinson and Elizabeth Debicki were already on board, weeks away from shooting, and I was just waiting in the wings and putting my hand up, going, 'I would really love to get in a room with Chris Nolan.' And it was quite a process if I'm being honest.

Ever since Daniel ditched the 007 role after five films and made his Bond swansong in 2021's No Time To Die, rumours have been rife over which debonair star will replace the icon

Aaron Taylor-Johnson was also recently named a hot favourite to become the next James Bond (Aaron pictured in August last year)

'I went through a couple of different castings before I could even get in the room to do another audition for him.

'So it wasn't a done deal, but the best things are worth fighting for and putting yourself out on a limb.

'So it didn't come about that easy, but luckily, he gave me the part. And it didn't matter to me how big or small the role was.

'I just wanted to be in his presence on his next movie.'
Lee Mead showed off the results of his hair transplant one year on from the procedure as he took to Instagram on Thursday.

The West End star, 42, who was known for his curly hair, shared a sweet selfie with his fiancee Issy Szumniak as they marked their seven year anniversary ahead of their wedding next year.

In the photo, Lee sported an impressive crop of hair after flying out to Turkey last year to have the procedure in a bid to boost his confidence.

Lee wrote: 'I love this woman so much. My beautiful Issy. Today we celebrate our seven year anniversary and I cant wait for us to be married next year and spend the rest of our lives together.'

Last February, Lee announced his engagement to make-up artist Issy after six years of dating.

Lee Mead showed off the results of his hair transplant one year on from the procedure as he took to Instagram on Thursday to celebrate his seven-year anniversary with fiancee Issy

Lee wrote: 'I love this woman so much. My beautiful Issy. Today we celebrate our seven year anniversary and I cant wait for us to be married next year'

The former Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Lee confirmed his romance with mother-of-one Issy in 2018.

The former Holby City actor met the beautician on the school run, with Lee sharing his daughter Betsy, 12, with his ex-wife Denise van Outen, 49.

Lee was previously married to Denise after meeting on Any Dream Will Do on which she was a judge and he was a contestant.

The former couple said 'I do' in the Seychelles in 2009 and went on to welcome daughter Betsy in 2010. However, Denise confirmed they had parted ways in June 2013.

The actor spoke of the reasons behind why he got his second hair transplant during an appearance on This Morning last February.

'My first one was 15 years ago called FUT technique (Follicular Unit Transplant Technique). But nobody knew. Then I had my next one,' he explained.

'There's nothing wrong with being bald but it was receding and it affected my confidence a bit.

The actor spoke of the reasons behind why he got his second hair transplant during an appearance on This Morning last February (left, right pictured with his curly hair in 2018)

Last February, Lee announced his engagement to make-up artist Issy after six years of dating. He said: 'Were both so happy and cant wait to spend forever together'

Lee was previously married to Denise van Outen after meeting on Any Dream Will Do on which she was a judge and he was a contestant (Lee and Denise pictured in 2010)

The pair had originally split in June 2013 but they remain good friends as they co-parent their daughter Betsy (Denise seen with Betsy last year)

'Robbie Williams said he wanted one but his hair had got too thin so I thought I better do it sooner rather than later.

He added: 'It's a personal confidence thing. The operation was seven hours and you get local anesthetic for seven hours but you can hear everything going on. The team were incredible. I stayed about four days in Turkey.'

On the show, he appeared confident while his hair appeared to be growing back fuller and thicker.

Alison added: 'I never saw anything receding or anything whatsoever.'
He's known for his moves in Saturday Night Fever and Grease, however John Travolta learnt a new dance on Wednesday evening.

Attending the Sanremo music festival in Italy, the actor looked less than pleased to be volunteered for the number as he performed alongside hosts Fiorello and Amadeus outside the Ariston theatre.

Surrounded by people in chicken costumes, the threesome performed the Italian 'Il Ballo del Qua Qua' or 'Bird Song', yet the Hollywood star failed to crack a smile as he performed the moves.

As the iconic tune began John clapped his hands, wiggled his hips and wafted his chicken wings.

However while the Italian hosts looked to be having the time of their lives smiling and laughing, John remained expressionless.

John Travolta *really* doesnt want you to see this.



The internet wants to make sure you do:



pic.twitter.com/67O1WUjShN  Aleksandar Brezar (@brezaleksandar) February 8, 2024

John Travolta, 69, looked unimpressed as he failed to crack a smile during Chicken dance at the Sanremo music festival in Italy on Wednesday

As the iconic tune began John clapped his hands, wiggled his hips and wafted his chicken wings

Prior to the performance even beginning, John was passed a matching orange duck bill hat to wear.

Not even attempting to put it on, John tossed the accessory aside before adding 'It was too tight'.

During the festival, John took to the stage as he improvised as a dance teacher for Amadeus as he performed the moves to Saturday Night Fever first before moving on to Grease Lightning.

It didn't stop there as the star then performed the moves to You Never Can Tell from Pulp Fiction as Amadeus took off his shoes to complete the moves.

Fans took to Twitter as they reacted to him looking less than pleased to be forced into the Chicken Dance.

One commented: 'His face says it all' while another joked: 'What the duck!'

A third explained: 'For those missing the context here: Italy gets a little wild during the Sanremo week, and if you're in it for the money  like Travolta  then you can't complain you got played or made to do silly stuff. They made you do a kiddie dance. So what?'

Another found a clip of him throwing the hat away as they wrote: 'John Travolta refuses to wear a hat for the chicken dance.'

However while the Italian hosts looked to be having the time of their lives smiling and laughing, John remained expressionless

Surrounded by people in chicken costumes, the threesome performed the Italian 'Il Ballo del Qua Qua' or 'Bird Song'

During the festival, John took to the stage as he improvised as a dance teacher for Amadeus as he performed the moves to Saturday Night Fever

It didn't stop there as the star then performed the moves to You Never Can Tell from Pulp Fiction as Amadeus took off his shoes to complete the moves

He also performed the well-known dance to Grease Lightning

Another joked: 'John Travolta*really* doesnt want you to see this. The internet wants to make sure you do'.

Another added: 'Hear that? That's the rest of the world discovering John Travolta danced the Birdie Song on Italian TV last night. No context needed.'

The star is no stranger to dancing on TV after he most recently transformed into Santa Claus and recreated his incredible 1977 Saturday Night Fever dance for a new Capital One advert in November 2023.

The acting legend was unrecognizable as he sported flowing white locks and a bushy beard for the advert - which saw him recreate his famed Staying Alive routine as Tony Manero.

John donned the festive figure's cozy red and white outfit as he strutted down the street - before ending the advert with a dance to The Bee Gees legacy track from the film.

The star also re-created his famous Pulp Fiction dance from the scene from the 1994 film on Italian talk show Che Tempo Che Fa back in 2019.

Fans took to Twitter as they reacted to him looking less than pleased to be forced into the Chicken Dance

John and Uma Thurman's risque dance moves to the 1964 track I Want To Dance by Chuck Berry in scenes from Pulp Fiction set pulses racing

John transformed into Santa Claus and recreated his incredible 1977 Saturday Night Fever dance for a new Capital One advert in November 2023

John danced with with Italian actress Luciana Littizzetto, 54, as he re-created the moves which he originally performed to the sound of Chuck Berry's I Want To Dance.

John and Uma's risque dance moves to the 1964 track set pulses racing.

He also appeared alongside Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Sam Taylor-Johnson on The Late Late Show with James Corden as he took the guests through the moves to the popular dance in 2019.

As James exploded into laughter, John explained the moves 'the hitchhiker' and the mashed potato as he swivelled his feet to the beat.
Netflix fans have hailed the adaptation of David Nicholls' novel One Day claiming they've 'never cried so much at a show'.

The new series was released on Thursday and eager viewers were quick to praise the emotional scenes - with one saying they 'loved every minute'.

Ambika Mod, 27, stars as Emma Morley in the 20 year love story, opposite White Lotus actor Leo Woodall.

Emma and Leo's character Dexter Mayhew meet on the 15th July 1988, the night of their Edinburgh University graduation. The next morning, they go their separate ways but the novel and TV series catches up with them on the same day every year.

Each episode finds Dex and Em, one year older, on this one particular date, as they grow and change, move together and apart, experience joy and heartbreak.

Netflix fans have hailed the adaptation of David Nicholls' novel One Day claiming they've 'never cried so much at a show'

The new series was released on Thursday and eager viewers were quick to praise the emotional scenes - with one saying they 'loved every minute'

One fan said after watching the show: 'can we talk about the Netflix version of #OneDay now? I've never cried so much at a show in my life. I loved every minute.'

Another wrote: 'the way i haven't been tweeting omfg the woman was too stunned to speak. cant explain just how perfect this adaptation of emmadex is literally need to wheeled to hospital. ambika and leo are BRILLIANT #onedaynetflix.'

A third penned: 'this adaptation is so good already I feel sick #oneday #onedaynetflix.'

A fourth said in reaction: 'I'M ALREADY HAVING THE TIME OF MY LFIEJWEJEEEEE EMMADEX YOU ARE EVERYTHING TO ME!!! #ONEDAYNETFLIX.'

Another penned: 'this version emmadex feels so genuine #onedaynetflix.'

Someone else said in reaction to the series: 'I'm off sick today & it hurts to look at a screen, but I have just finished the first episode of #OneDay on Netflix. One Day is one of my most beloved books, and oh this series is already everything I needed and wanted! also, songs from THE Emma Morley Mix Tape? gorgeous.'

Another viewer said: 'Just started One Day on Netflix and Im already excited to finish it.'

Earlier this week Ambika revealed why she turned down the part 'over and over again.'

One fan said after watching the show: 'can we talk about the Netflix version of #OneDay now? I've never cried so much at a show in my life. I loved every minute'

Ambika Mod, 27, (right) stars as Emma Morley in the 20 year love story, opposite White Lotus actor Leo Woodall

Earlier this week Ambika (seen in the show) revealed why she turned down the part 'over and over again'

Speaking ahead of the show's release she revealed how despite falling in love with Nicholls' novel in 2009 when she was 14, it was an immediate 'no' when she was asked to audition.

'I saw the email notification pop up on my phone: "Emma, One Day, self-tape" and I was like "Nah I'm not doing that",' she tells Grazia.

'I turned the audition down again and again over several months. I love the book so much and I just didn't see myself playing that part. I thought it was a waste of time. I envisaged the disappointment I would experience if I entertained this idea.'

Ambika also recalled how at the time she was still coming to terms with her biggest role to date, playing student doctor Shruti Acharya in 2022 drama This Is Going To Hurt.

Describing how she felt 'overwhelmed' by the attention she received after her acclaimed performance, the actress admitted 'I kind of wanted everything to go away.'

But months after turning down the One Day audition she had a sudden change of heart and thought 'I've made a terrible mistake'.

Lo and behold she impressed and landed the role.

The One Day cast is rounded out by some big names including Eleanor Tomlinson, and Joely Richardson.

The decades-spanning love story is based on the 2009 novel by David Nicholls, which has sold over five million copies worldwide.

It's not the first time Emma and Dexter's story has found its way to screen. A movie starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess was released in 2011, but received mixed reviews.

Ambika has revealed how despite falling in love with Nicholls' novel in 2009 when she was 14, it was an immediate 'no' when she was asked to audition

Jan Moir writing for the Daily Mail at the time reviewed the movie 'as fake as Anne Hathaway's accent.'

While Nicholls wrote the screenplay for the 2011 film, Scottish screenwriter Nicole Taylor has headed the writing team for the Netflix adaptation.

Taylor won a BAFTA for Best Writer for her 2017 BBC series Three Girls about the Rochdale grooming scandal. Nicholls is on board as an executive producer.

One Day is available on Netflix now.
Gregg Wallace went viral after lifting the lid on his usual Saturday routine in a schedule which involved a fry-up at the Harvester and hours playing historical war video games.

The MasterChef judge hit back at backlash over the amount of time he appeared to spend with his son, labelling the criticism 'cruel,' 'nasty' and 'unfair', adding that it left him 'deeply saddened'.

His My Saturday column for The Telegraph outlined a busy day from waking up at 5am to being in bed for 8pm.

Gregg's family featured heavily in his day - being made lunch by wife Anne-Marie 'Anna' Sterpini and playing with their son Sid.

So, who is Gregg's wife Anne-Marie Sterpini?

Gregg Wallace and his wife, Anne-Marie 'Anna' Sterpini met on Twitter in 2013

They share a young son, Sid, who is non-verbal autistic

Gregg's family life came under scrutiny when he detailed his Saturday routine, including two hours of 'me time' playing historical war video games

Who is Gregg Wallace's wife Anne-Marie Sterpini and how did they meet?

Anne-Marie, who goes by Anna, is a caterer who first met Gregg on Twitter, querying one of his TV recipes.

She asked the former greengrocer if rhubarb really went with duck, as she saw him demonstrate on a cooking show.

Gregg recalled the interaction in 2015 to HELLO! Magazine: 'I just looked at Anna's photo and thought, "Wow, she's pretty". So yes, rhubarb, which was considered an aphrodisiac in medieval times, brought us together.'

That initial exchange came in 2013 - but Anna wasn't sure if the TV chef was The One at first.

Speaking on ITV's Lorraine, Gregg said: 'I sent her a message and we started sending messages. Then I sent her my phone number.

'She came down to London to have dinner with me, and she said it wasn't until we got to the restaurant, that she was comfortable it was really me and not an impostor.

'I think it's just luck, and I got very lucky this time. Very lucky.'

Gregg admitted he was worried about the age gap, but said it never seemed to bother Anna - 21 years his junior.

Nevertheless he said he sometimes felt uncomfortable when people saw him holding his partner's hand.

'People look at you anyway and I felt really conscious because she was younger,' he explained, 'and I didn't want people to judge her harshly. It was doing the ordinary things.'

When did Gregg Wallace and Anne-Marie Sterpini get married?

Gregg's MasterChef co-judge John Torode was the foodie's best man at his wedding to Anna

The pair were engaged in December 2014 and tied the knot at Hever Castle in Kent, on August 6, 2016

The pair were engaged in December 2014 and said 'I do' at Hever Castle in Kent, on August 6, 2016 - with fellow MasterChef judge John Torode as his co-star's best man.

Anna is the foodie's fourth wife, telling Lorraine that each of his previous marriages taught him something.

His first marriage came in 1991 to Christine, whose maiden name is unknown, and lasted just six weeks.

'I would say don't marry anyone because you are worried about losing your house,' Gregg said.

'So there is the first one. We bought a small house together in Bermondsey and then we broke up and I thought "Well this is terrible. What is going to happen to the house? I have worked so hard all my life, what is now going to happen?"'

Gregg and his second wife, Denise, were married for five years and had two children together.

'The third one was a huge mistake,' Gregg confessed.

'Probably the unhappiest I have ever been in my life but she was a teacher and was really good with the kids.'

Gregg also met his third wife, Heidi Brown, on Twitter. The biology teacher 17 years his junior asked him a question about celery on the platform, and things went from there.

How many children does Gregg Wallace have?

Gregg hit back at criticism of his article, saying that it was 'cruel,' 'nasty' and 'unfair', adding that it left him 'deeply saddened'

Gregg said: 'And the other thing as well - and I'm almost going to cry over this - people saying that Sid was unwanted. It took us two years to conceive with Sid. Two years'

Gregg has three children, from two of his four wives.

He and Denise had a son and a daughter - Tom and Libby - before having Sid much later in life with Anna.

He opened up about his reluctance to have another child in his 50s in his now-infamous diary, but said it was 'what she [Anna] wanted and I love her'.

In July 2022, the MasterChef star revealed his young son has autism on an episode of Loose Women.

Another 18 months on, with Sid age four, Gregg wrote that while still non-verbal, his son had 'started to seek company and show eye contact'.

X users ridiculed the My Saturday article for the amount of time explicitly allotted as time spent with Sid, but in response to the criticism, Gregg said: 'I'm with my son in the house all the time.

'I just didn't write down "Had a tickle with Sid, playing around the living room" - you're not logging every minute of the day. I just logged the blocks. So, it didn't mean that's all I saw him that day.

'If you're living in a house with someone, you're interacting with them all the time. Not only that - that is a snapshot of one Saturday. I hope that makes sense to everybody.

'And the other thing as well - and I'm almost going to cry over this - people saying that Sid was unwanted. It took us two years to conceive with Sid. Two years.'
Peep Show hit screens 20 years ago, as the lives of the horrifyingly relatable Mark and Jez played out and garnered fans across the globe

The Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain-created show ran from 2003 to 2015 with 54 episodes across nine series, and followed David Mitchell's character Mark Corrigan and his best friend and flatmate, layabout Jeremy Usborne played by Robert Webb.

Since the show came off air, David and Robert, who met at Cambridge in 1993, have gone on to enjoy life as a double act, while the latter was hit with health woes just before his Strictly Come Dancing stint in 2021 - which ended in an early departure.

Far from being the main attraction of the show - fellow stars have enjoyed equally prosperous fortunes since its conclusion, most notably Olivia Colman, who plays Sophie Chapman, who went on to win an Oscar in 2019.

Another headline hitter comes in Sophie Winkleman, who played Big Suze and is now a member of the Royal family, and the Hollywood successes of others.

So where are the stars of Peep Show now?

Peep Show hit screens 20 years ago, as the lives of the horrifyingly relatable Mark and Jez played out and garnered fans across the globe

Far from being the main attraction of the show - fellow stars have enjoyed equally prosperous fortunes since its conclusion, most notably Olivia Colman, who plays Sophie Chapman, who went on to win an Oscar in 2019

Leading man Robert Webb went on to star on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 after a health scare

Another headline hitter comes in Sophie Winkleman, who played Big Suze and is now a member of the Royal family thanks to marrying Lord Frederick Windsor

ROBERT WEBB - Jeremy Usborne

Robert, 51, played Jeremy - the drug loving, freeloading best friend and housemate of the ever-dismayed Mark - for the entirety of the show.

Following his stint on the show, in 2017 Robert collaborated with David to create Back, a sitcom starring them both as brothers hit by their father's death.

As they embarked on their sitcom endeavor, a routine medical check on set revealed Robert had a prolapse in his heart, which doctors said 'would fail' within two to six months, leading to his emergency open-heart surgery.

He underwent surgery in October 2019, after he was diagnosed with a Mitral valve prolapse (MVP), which occurs when the small flap in the heart that stops blood flowing the wrong way becomes too floppy and does not close properly.

Robert, 51, played Jeremy - the drug loving, freeloading best friend and housemate of the ever-dismayed Mark - for the entirety of the show

He said: 'Honestly, I'd been dreading the show's medical, which isn't the attitude of a healthy person. I'd assumed the pains I'd been experiencing were simply what it is to be 47  and still caning the fags and booze, not doing any exercise and eating badly.'

Speaking about the surgery later on, the funnyman said: '[He said] I'm not saying you're going to have a heart attack in the next fortnight. But if the problem isn't addressed, then in the next two or four or six months... this heart will fail.'

On the prospect of losing his friend, David said: 'It's always easier to be nice about Rob to other people, so I can say to you that Rob's heart operation has reminded me how grateful I am to have him in my life.'

Two years after his surgery, in 2021, Robert appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, yet withdrew from the show due to health concerns just three weeks in.

He revealed: 'I'm extremely sorry to have to announce that I'm withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing 

'Two years ago I had open heart surgery and although I believed I was fit enough to take on Strictly and its demanding schedule, it became clear that I had bitten off way more than I could chew for this stage in my recovery.

'I had begun to feel symptoms that led me to seek an urgent consultation with my heart specialist, and it was her view that it would be better for the sake of my health to step back from the show.'

He later admitted: 'It is brutal. It is an absolutely weird show. It is not like it is an unpleasant environment, but they are long days and it is a long time to be nice.'

Following his stint on the show, in 2017 Robert collaborated with David to create Back, a sitcom starring them both as brothers hit by their father's death

He underwent surgery in October 2019, after he was diagnosed with a Mitral valve prolapse (MVP), which occurs when the small flap in the heart that stops blood flowing the wrong way becomes too floppy and does not close properly

Peep Show creator Jesse Armstrong described Robert's character Jez as a 'w**ker'

DAVID MITCHELL - Mark Corrigan

David, 49, meanwhile played the awkward, cripplingly anxious Mark, who spent much of the show pursuing Sophie before marrying and abandoning her.

He soon turned his attention to Dobby, however she left for New York leaving him heartbroken and caught in yet more unrequited romances.

Since the show came off screens, David is now a regular on TV quiz shows and a team captain on BBC series Would I Lie to You?

After Peep Show's success, David and Robert returned to sketch comedy with their BBC Radio 4 sketch show That Mitchell and Webb Sound, which ran for five series.

The show was adapted for TV and became That Mitchell And Webb Look, which producer Gareth Edwards described it as 'the shortest pitch [he had] ever written'. The show ran for four series.

In September 2023, Mitchell published Unruly: A History of England's Kings and Queens, a non-fiction book about the history of the English monarchy up until Queen Elizabeth I.

David, 49, meanwhile played the awkward, cripplingly anxious Mark, who spent much of the show pursuing Sophie before marrying and abandoning her

In January 2024, Mitchell began filming the new BBC comedy detective drama series Ludwig. Mitchell plays the titular character of John 'Ludwig' Taylor, a man who assumes the identity of his missing identical twin brother to track him down.

He is married to journalist and comedian Victoria Coren, who he met at Jonathan Ross' Halloween bash in 2007, despite believing he would never marry.

In his autobiography, he penned: 'I'd never really had a long, meaningful relationship. I'd had the odd one-night stand here and there...

'I thought maybe it wouldn't work out for me. I had lots of friends who were serial monogamists and I'd had a few flings, none of which was perfect...

'I thought, that's not for me. I don't want to go out with someone who I'm not head-over-heels in love with. But then I met Victoria. It took us a while to get together... but I was smitten.'

The couple wed in November 2012, with Robert acting as Best Man, while they had their daughter Barbara in May 2015 and stunned fans in November, when they announced the secret arrival of their second child the previous month.

David later said of his wife: 'She's clever, funny, beautiful. I think she's amazing. She's brilliant at what she does. For three years I thought about her all the time, and I still do but in a much happier way...

'I didn't know whether I was built to be in a couple and finding that I am is tremendous. Life is a lot less bewildering and stressful when there's someone to talk to who you know will back you up whatever happens...

'I feel self-conscious talking about it, but of course I had to put it in the book because the book's a memoir and it's one of the most important things that's ever happened to me.'

David, 49, meanwhile played the awkward, cripplingly anxious Mark, who spent much of the show pursuing Sophie before marrying and abandoning her

Since the show came off screens, David is now a regular on TV quiz shows and a team captain on BBC series Would I Lie to You? (pictured with co-stars Rob Brydon and Lee Mack)

He is married to journalist and comedian Victoria Coren, who he met at Jonathan Ross' Halloween bash in 2007, despite believing he would never marry

OLIVIA COLMAN - Sophie Chapman

Olivia, who is undoubtedly the show's biggest success story, first met Robert and David at Cambridge's famed drama society Footlights, as she trained to be a teacher - yet David insisted he saw huge potential in the star.

David wrote in his autobiography Backstory: 'Suddenly she was shining with talent  working the audience, timing her lines, drawing out new laughs without ever seeming hammy.

Sophie was the object of Mark's affections

'There were many talented actors at Cambridge while I was there, very few were as good as Collie  certainly no one better.'

Since starring on Peep Show, she enjoyed stints in Broadchurch, The Night Manager, The Crown and an Oscar-winning turn as Queen Anne in The Favourite.

She walked away victorious in 2019, at the 91st Academy Awards, where she was overjoyed as she accepted the gong, during which she reached out to little girls everywhere in an inspiring and sweet speech.

She said: 'Any little girl who's practicing your speech on the telly, you never know! I used to work as a cleaner and I spent quite a lot of my time imagining this.'

In the heartwarming speech, she graciously gave a nod to her colleagues: 'I have to thank lots of people. Yorgos [Lanthimos], my best director and the best film with Emma [Stone] and Rachel [Weisz], the two loveliest women to fall in love with and go to work with every day. You can imagine it wasn't a hardship.'

Olivia, who is undoubtedly the show's biggest success story, first met Robert and David at Cambridge's famed drama society Footlights, as she trained to be a teacher - yet David insisted he saw huge potential in the star

She walked away victorious in 2019, at the 91st Academy Awards, where she was overjoyed as she accepted the gong, during which she reached out to little girls everywhere in an inspiring and sweet speech

Other early details revealed that Olivia Colman's character Sophie (pictured), who goes on to marry Mark, was initially only written into the pilot

SOPHIE WINKLEMAN - Big Suze

Big Suze is Jeremy's former girlfriend, known for being 'posh' and the long-time object of his affections, before she moves on to Mark's boss Johnson.

While Suze's posh status is a joke throughout the series, it is a case of life imitating art as the sister of Claudia Winkleman has married into the Royal family.

Sophie married King Charles' second cousin Lord Frederick Windsor in 2009 and the couple have two children - Maud, ten, and Isabella, seven.

Big Suze is Jeremy's former girlfriend, known for being 'posh' and the long-time object of his affections, before she moves on to Mark's boss Johnson

Speaking about the close relationships she has with the royals since marrying into the Windsor family, she said: '[I'm] really good friends with all of them  that's a really daft thing to say, but behind the camera they're really fun, clever, kind people.

'I love Sophie Edinburgh, Sarah Chatto, Zara, the York girls, Tim and Princess Anne, Fergie, all the Kents and Gloucesters.

'I love Kate and William, but they're so busy and don't live in London, so I don't see them much.'

Giving special credit to King Charles, the daughter-in-law to Prince Michael of Kent said: 'I spend a bit of time with him. You see how he works all day long, has a quick supper and then disappears until about 4am to write letters.

'He cares about so many things and he comes up with brilliant solutions.'

But in 2017, Sophie's new life turned upside down after she was involved in a car crash which left her fearing she was in her final moments.

She was a back-seat passenger in a chauffeur-driven car when another vehicle struck it after swerving to avoid a deer. The car she was riding in was thrown up into the air before crashing down and causing life-threatening injuries.

While Suze's posh status is a joke throughout the series, it is a case of life imitating art as the sister of Claudia Winkleman has married into the Royal family

She said: 'I was completely lucid throughout. I assumed I was a goner and you just go into a strangely un-romantic mode of thinking, 'Right, this is my last few minutes. I've got to do something practical.'

'So I was thinking things like, 'Hope my parents stay well to help Freddie take care of the children, hope he meets someone nice.''

Paramedics managed to rescue her from the vehicle and rush her to hospital, where they discovered she had sustained a broken foot and two broken bones in her back.

It was three days before it was confirmed that she wouldn't be left paralysed.

Sophie said the rehabilitation period, which lasted over a year, was 'miserable' and left her unable to pick up her daughters.

While Suze's posh status is a joke throughout the series, it is a case of life imitating art as the sister of Claudia Winkleman has married into the Royal family

But in 2017, Sophie's new life turned upside down after she was involved in a car crash which left her fearing she was in her final moments
The driver of a car sporting custom number plates that appear to reference the date Hamas launched its deadly attack on Israel has been ordered to return them or risk the vehicle's registration being cancelled.

Earlier today Yahoo News reported an "urgent investigation" was underway to determine how the "offensive" set of number plates were administered, and driven around on roads for months without being noticed. A former NSW Liberal Party candidate posted an image of the plates to X, which read OCT7TH, beside the caption: Seen in Western Sydney. How is this allowed?

'Offensive' number plates prompt uproar

People on social media quickly caught on to the fact plates apparently referenced the day 1,200 Israelis were killed during Hamas militants' attack on the country's south on October 7 last year.

The attack prompted an ongoing conflict in the region, which has so far seen almost 30,000 Palestinians killed in response, the vast majority of whom are civilians.

Number plates appearing to reference the date a horrific attack was launched by Hamas against Israel have been seen on a Western Sydney road. Source: X

Now, the owner of the white Ford Ranger ute has been ordered to hand the plates back immediately, which were described as "repugnant" by Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief Peter Wertheim.

Roads Minister John Graham on Thursday said his department became aware of the complaint the previous day and "acted immediately". "We don't know the story behind it. But whatever the story is, this is something that if people saw it they would be upset, and we want it off the road rapidly," he told 2GB.

"We've issued an order for it to be recalled ... the request is now that these plates are in within 48 hours, but it might take up to a week. If they don't come back in, the registration will be cancelled altogether and the car is coming off the road."

Mr Wertheim said more needed to be done to prevent people misusing licence plates to spread political messages. "The measures taken by state and territory transport authorities have clearly been inadequate," he said. "It is time for these bodies to work together to put into effect a nationwide crackdown to stop this appalling practice once and for all."

Story continues

The plates drew swift backlash from people all over the country and from the Jewish community in particular, with many airing their confusion over how they weren't detected during the filtering process in the first place.

'Urgent investigation' commenced

Online, former Liberal candidate Freya Leach questioned the date the plates were administered and called on NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen to "do something".

A Transport for NSW (TfNSW) spokesperson confirmed to Yahoo News Australia that the plates were administered in December, two months after the deadly attack.

The authority apologised for any offence caused and said that urgent recalls of plates take between five and 18 business days. It explained that automatic and manual filtering processes are in place to detect inappropriate plates, but they failed to uncover the offensive content in this instance.

Transport department apologises

It seems authorities have been caught off guard by the uproar. "Transport for NSW is investigating how these plates were issued and we apologise the date was not flagged as offensive and for any subsequent offence and distress caused," a TfNSW spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia.

"Unfortunately in this instance the filtering process did not identify the combination. Following the identification of an offensive number plate last year Transport for NSW has also adopted a new process which allows for an urgent recall and we are taking action to remove these number plates from the road."

In September, the NSW government told Transport to tighten its filters on hate speech after a neo-Nazi plate was also administered unnoticed.

Transport for NSW told Yahoo it issues up to 100,000 number plates each month, including between 35,000 to 40,000 "special" plates with personalised content each year.

- With AAP

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Helen Briggs has revealed she is 'really happy' after getting a boob job in Turkey.

The Ex On The Beach star, 28, took to TikTok and shared a video of herself ahead and after the surgery at Blanc Surgery and Aesthetics clinic in Istanbul.

The media personality had her old implants removed and replaced with new ones in what she deemed a 'mummy makeover'.

Filming her old implants, she said: 'I can't stop laughing at them. It's really weird to see there, these were inside me.'

Helen's mother flew to Turkey to keep her daughter company as she recuperated from the surgery.

Helen Briggs has revealed she is 'really happy' after getting a boob job in Turkey

The Ex On The Beach star, 28, took to TikTok and shared a video of herself ahead and after the surgery at Blanc Surgery and Aesthetics clinic in Istanbul

Filming herself after the procedure, Helen said: 'Feeling pretty good. I'm really happy with the results. I had a llittle peak.

'I have the support bra on, the drip on my arm, I've got the antibiotics and the painkillers. I'm actually feeling pretty good.'

The TV star revealed she was jetting off for surgery in a recent Instagram post, writing: 'New boobies pending here I come Istanbul not going to lie I'm excited for a break from my mad house haha wish me luck See you soon.'

Helen is currently in a relationship with boyfriend Chet Johnson, who she shared three children with.

In July 2023, Helen announced she had split from Chet and accused him of cheating on her in an explosive statement.

The reality star took to her Instagram Stories to announce that she has broken up with Chet, 34, after eight years together.

The couple reunited on the fourth series of Ex On The Beach in 2016, where Chet described her as 'the one who got away'.

In a statement confirming their split, Helen claimed that she has put up with 'endless' cheating allegations during their romance as she detailed why they had split.

The TV star revealed she was jetting off for surgery in a recent Instagram post, writing: 'New boobies pending here I come Istanbul'

She claimed she has now seen 'evidence' that Chet cheated on her earlier this month and described the alleged incident as the 'final straw'.

She penned: 'I would like to inform everyone that I have made the decision to finally leave Chet. I have put up with endless cheating allegations throughout our eight-year relationship and although it hasn't been easy to deal with, I have always chosen to believe him and ignore the rumours because it was the easier thing to do, even though every time my heart broke a little bit more inside.

'However I was finally presented with the evidence to prove that without a doubt, he cheated on me in Devon at the beginning of July. This is something I cannot choose to ignore.

'This has proved to be the final straw, and I am making this choice because I know it is best for myself, my children and our future.

'Chet can continue to live his life how he wants but the difference will be that it won't be at the expense of my feelings anymore.'

Helen went on to say that her focus will be parenting their three children - Ocean, four, Elvis, three, and Peach, seven months.

Helen cut a stylish figure in a black bodysuit, jeans and UGG's as she posed for stunning pictures in the airport

She carried a Louis Vuitton bag and white suitcase through he terminal

'My main focus is and will always be my children and I will be concentrating on starting my journey as a single mum-of-three,' she went on.

'I would appreciate it if everyone can please respect my privacy at this really hard time, as it's something I'm trying to process myself and will need time to heal from.

'I've got a long way to go before I'll finally find my happiness but I know I'll get there one day.'

Helen has seemingly removed all photographs of her and Chet together from her Instagram grid, and only features him in a rare few pictures of him with their kids.

MailOnline has contacted Chet's representatives for comment.

The news comes months after Helen and Chet welcomed their third child together , daughter Peach, in December 2022.

At the time, Helen took to Instagram to confirm their daughter had arrived, after a dramatic birth, which Chet missed due to illness.

Helen is currently in a relationship with boyfriend Chet Johnson, who she shared three children with

Family: The couple have been together for eight years and share three children - Ocean, four, Elvis, three, and Peach, seven months

Announcing the news, Helen wrote: 'Peach Johnson. Welcome to the world You are everything & more the perfect addition to our growing family. Born 21st December 2022 - 7lb 2oz.'

The TV personality gave birth to her baby girl via C-section on December 21 and shared the happy news to her 644,000 Instagram followers over Christmas.

Writing on her Instagram stories, Helen said: 'Just wanted to give you all a little update on why weve been so quiet on here.

'A week before I was due to give birth I was struck down with this cold/cough that everyone has been getting.

'Thankfully I got better just in time for me to have the baby but Chet and the kids got it a lot worse than me. So they have all been bedridden with this illness.

'I had to take my mum with me to the birth of our daughter due to Chet being so unwell at the time.

'Then she had to shoot straight back to help Chet with Ocean and Elvis, its been a really tough week.

Kids: The news comes months after Helen and Chet welcomed their third child together, daughter Peach, in December 2022

'But me Chet and the kids are on the mend, the baby is here perfect and healthy Im back home now and recovering really well my C-section was amazing and couldn't have gone any better!

'We have the perfect gift just in time for Christmas. Thank you all for the kind and sweet messages.'

Helen announced her pregnancy in August with a sweet Instagram post , as she and boyfriend Chet prepared to become parents to three under three.

The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Ocean, on 11th November 2019 after Helen endured a 22-hour labour.

The couple then welcomed son Elvis a year later, on 27th December 2020.
Edward Enninful gathered 40 British Vogue cover stars to come together for his last shoot before he steps down for good.

And making sure 'everything ran smoothly' for each other, Edward revealed the stars made sure Gigi Hadid, 28, could rush back to her beloved daughter Khai, three, as quick as possible.

Gigi, who shares Khai with her ex-boyfriend Zayn Malik, has chosen not to share photos of her face online.

Among the famous faces' busy schedules, the icons rallied around to ensure Gigi would not be late home for her toddler.

Explaining Vogue shoot, Edward wrote: 'When 8am rolled around the models, the movie icons, the musicians, the moguls, the sporting legends and media stars began to arrive. Mother and daughter Kaia Gerber and Cindy Crawford carpooled.

Edward Enninful, 51, gathered 40 British Vogue cover stars to come together for his last shoot before he steps down for good (Karen Elson, Irina Shayk, Laverne Cox, Serena Williams, Rina Sawayama, Karlie Kloss, Jourdan Dunn, Amber Valletta, Precious Lee, Cindy Crawford, Jodie Comer, Gemma Chan, Adut Akech, Vittoria Ceretti, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Cara Delevingne, Adwoa Aboah, Paloma Elsesser, Victoria Beckham, Ariana Debose, Jameela Jamil, Jane Fonda, Oprah, Linda Evangelista, Miley Cyrus, Iman, Maya Jama, Anok Yai, Kate Moss, Kaia Gerber, Cynthia Erivo, Simone Ashley, Dua Lipa, Lila Moss)

And making sure 'everything ran smoothly' for each other, Edward revealed the stars made sure Gigi Hadid, 28, could rush back to her beloved daughter Khai, three, as quick as possible

'Ditto Salma Hayek Pinault and Linda Evangelista, given Salma stayed at Lindas house the night before.

'Dua Lipa and Miley Cyrus squeaked in by the skin of their popstar schedules. And everyone made sure things ran smoothly so Gigi Hadid could make it home on time to her toddler.'

Victoria Beckham was among 40 legendary stars that came together to shoot for Edward's final edition.

Edward, the first male and first black editor of the publication, announced in June that he would be stepping down to take on a new global role at publisher Conde Nast.

He ensured his final cover would one to remember, gathering the likes of Kate Moss, Salma Hayek, Oprah and Miley Cyrus in one room to pose for the snap.

Revealing how he came to choosing the icons, Edward penned: 'When it came to my last issue, I knew the cover would be dedicated to women. Of course!

'It was clear to all of us on the team that no one woman could or should encapsulate these past few years for the magazine. What we needed was a group, to lean into the power of the collective to bring to life what I hope has been a daring, disruptive and evolutionary period in Vogues history.'

After sending out requests to his 40 cover stars, Edward confessed he held his breath hoping they'd agree, before the celebrities flew in from London, Paris, Milan, Los Angeles and beyond to arrive in December for the New York-based shoot.

Gigi, who shares Khai with her ex-boyfriend Zayn Malik , has chosen not to share photos of her face online (pictured in 2022)

Among the famous faces' busy schedules, the icons rallied around to ensure Gigi would not be late home for her toddler (Gigi pictured with Khai in 2021)

Explaining the shoot, Edward wrote: 'Everyone made sure things ran smoothly so Gigi Hadid could make it home on time to her toddler' (Gigi and Edward pictured)

Edward concluded: 'So here it is: my 76th and final edition of Vogue, six and a half years and 153 cover stars later, including the 40 legendary women who feature on this cover. Its been an extraordinary ride and an absolute honour.

'As I step into my new role, as Conde Nasts global creative and cultural advisor for Vogue, Im determined to keep championing the incredible array of voices in fashion and media, and ensure we keep the energy explosion of the last few years going.

'We always say it, because it always needs to be said: "there is a great deal yet to be done."'

Edward is due to be replaced by Londoner Chioma Nnadi as editor of British Vogue.

The Mail on Sunday reported Edward had hoped one day to replace Anna Wintour, but the Vogue Editor-In-Chief is determined to stay put and will 'swat any rivals off like a fly'.

Edward will take up a 'global advisory position' at Vogue, 'with the freedom to take on broader creative projects'.

'He made no secret of wanting the big job [global editorial director] but he hit the glass ceiling and he'd gone as far as he could go,' explained the Vogue insider.

'He thought he would be in London for a few years and then head for New York, but he now knows that he's never going to get Anna's job at Conde Nast.

Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford, Jordan Dunn, Karlie Kloss and Irina Shayk looked incredible

Miley Cyrus and Kate Moss put on a leggy display in mini dresses for the photoshoot

Naomi Campbell was a vision in a white gown with a drop waist

(L-R) Gemma Chan, Simone Ashley, Rina Sawayama, Anya Taylor-Joy, Maya Jama, Precious Lee, Jameela Jamil

Linda Evangelista and Salma Hayek arrived at the shoot together after having a sleepover the night before in preparation for the shoot

Jodie Turner Smith and Adwoa Aboah looked in high spirits as they beamed the for the camera

Jane Fonda was assisted by a cane as she strolled past with good friend Oprah

'Anna is the undisputed boss. She has seen off many rivals and continues to do so. She could swat him like a fly.'

A fashion source put it more bluntly: 'I think Edward underestimated her power. He had so much smoke blown up his a**e when he was appointed editor that he couldn't see his own trousers.'

This week also saw Vogue staff say an end of an era to their office, as they moved out of the legendary Vogue House in Mayfair, London, where the magazine has been published for 65 years.

Conde Nast announced last year it would be moving staff at its publications, which include Vogue, GQ, Tatler and House & Garden, to The Adelphi on the Thames Embankment.

Vogue House was put up for sale earlier this year and was bought by shipping mogul Eyal Ofer, a Monaco-based businessman reportedly worth $23billion. It will be renamed 1 Hanover Square, marking the end of an era for the publisher.

The deal only covers the leasehold for the property as The Church of England owns the freehold.

Ofer paid 75million for the property, 5million more than the price it was listed at, according to The Telegraph.

British Vogue was launched in 1916 and moved to Vogue House, just off Regent Street, in 1958.

Edward Enninful, 51, the first male and first black editor of British Vogue, announced in June that he would be stepping down to take on a new global role at Conde Nast (pictured with Naomi Campbell)

The March issue of British Vogue is available via digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday 13 February
Taylor Swift apologized for causing a moment of confusion on Thursday night during her second of four sold-out shows at the Tokyo Dome stadium.

While teasing which surprise songs she would be adding to her three-hour long Eras tour setlist, the 34-year-old pop star sent the crowd of 55,000 into a frenzy as she announced her plans to perform 'two brand-new' tracks that evening.

Before she could even finish her sentence, the 14-time Grammy winner was quickly interrupted by roaring applause and screams from fans, who assumed she was about to sing new material off her unreleased album, The Tortured Poets Department.

'Not on my new album,' she quickly clarified. 'I'm so sorry, I just realized what you thought I said.'

Taylor Swift apologized for causing a moment of confusion on Thursday night during her second sold-out show at the Tokyo Dome stadium, which holds up to 55,000 (seen in August 2023)

She continued: 'They are brand new live, they're not on the new album, oh my God, I'm so sorry.'

The Cruel Summer hitmaker proceeded to perform her song, Electric Touch, which was originally intended for her 2010 studio album, Speak Now, on the piano.

While the tune, the featuring Fall Out Boy, did not make the original cut, she included it on her 2023 re-recorded album Speak Now (Taylor's Version).

The pop-punk and pop rock song was produced with Aaron Dessner and describes self-doubt over a newfound romance.

The chorus goes: 'All I know is this could either break my heart or bring it back to life/ Got a feeling your electric touch could fill this ghost town up with life.'

It peaked at number 35 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 16 on Hot Country Songs.

Her second surprise song was her 2012 song, Eyes Open, written for The Hunger Games movie soundtrack, The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond.

'I love this one. And I really relate to it and it resonates with me a lot, which makes sense because I wrote it,' she said ahead of the performance.

While Swift may have said she had never sang it live before, she actually premiered the song during a performance in Auckland for her Speak Now World Tour

While teasing which surprise songs she would be adding to her three-hour long Eras tour setlist, the pop star, 34, sent the crowd into a frenzy as she announced her plans to perform 'two brand-new' tracks that evening; pictured in 2023

Before she could even finish her sentence, the 14-time Grammy winner was quickly interrupted by roaring applause and screams from fans, who assumed she was about to sing new material off her unreleased album, The Tortured Poets Department (pictured at Tokyo Dome on February 7)

'Not on my new album,' she quickly clarified. 'I'm so sorry, I just realized what you thought I said' (seen at the show in Tokyo on Thursday)

At the time, she told the crowd: 'I'm really excited about it...but, I mean, you don't think I'd get in trouble if I played it now? Probably not, right?'

While on her journey of re-rerecording her discography while under contract with Big Machine Records, stretching back to 2006, Swift released a Eyes Open (Taylor's Version) last year.

On Wednesday, Swift revealed she planned to announce her new album - The Tortured Poets Department - at her Tokyo concerts if she had failed to win any Grammys.

The star, who won two awards at Sunday's ceremony, including Album of the Year for Midnights, told the audience on Wednesday: 'Going to the Grammys, going in, I had this plan.

'But I really hadnt told very many other people. I thought, OK, if Im lucky enough to get up there and win one thing tonight, Im just gonna do it. Im just gonna announce my new album.

'And luckily enough, that ended up happening. My backup plan was I was going to do it tonight in Tokyo.

On Wednesday, Swift revealed she planned to announce her new album - The Tortured Poets Department - at her Tokyo concerts if she had failed to win any Grammys

'But thanks to you and your support, I was lucky enough to win a Grammy and tell you about it on stage at the Grammys. And now we can talk about it afterward, we can do like a debrief tonight.

This comes after Taylor hit back at critics who questioned why she writes 'so many albums' during her Eras Tour in Tokyo on Wednesday.

'I'm having fun, leave me alone!' Swift mused.

The star also revealed that the work on the new record began right after she finished last album Midnights in 2022.

'I've been working on Tortured Poets since right after I turned in Midnights.'

'You turn in an album months in advance so you can make vinyls, which are the best. So, I started working on it immediately after that and I've been working on it for about two years.'
Priscilla Presley showed off her glamorous sense of style as she arrived for the 66th Vienna Opera Ball as the guest of honour on Thursday.

The former wife of Elvis Presley, 78, put on a dazzling display in a stunning sequinned gown as she headed into the event with billionaire Richard Lugner.

Priscilla's eye-catching dress boasted an oversized black bow as she posed for snaps at the ball.

Her dress was adorned with an array of metallic sequins and boasted elegant wide sleeves with a fitted skirt.

Earlier in the day, Priscilla was in high spirits as she conducted a brass band and signed autographs in Vienna.

Priscilla Presley, 78, showed off her glamorous sense of style as she arrived for the 66th Vienna Opera Ball as the guest of honour on Thursday

The former wife of Elvis Presley put on a dazzling display in a stunning sequinned gown as she headed into the event with billionaire Richard Lugner

On Tuesday, Priscilla spent the day sightseeing in Vienna, walking around the city with her camera.

The Vienna Opera Ball [Wiener Opernball] is a spectacle which sees 5,000 glamorous guests don their best attire.

The upper echelons of politics, business and society are invited to indulge in an evening of champagne buckets - where the opera house is transformed into a giant ballroom.

A tradition of the event is to have a celebrity guest in attendance, with Priscilla the chosen star for 2024.

Past star guests paid by Lugner to attend as his guest have included Kim Kardashian, Goldie Hawn, Pamela Anderson and Lily James, with Jane Fonda taking the place as last year's invitee.

American actor Jane said she accepted the Austrian building tycoon's invitation to attend the Vienna Opera Ball because he offered to 'pay me quite a bit of money.'

Debutantes from across the world take to the ballroom floor in white gowns to perform an opening procession, accompanied by their partners in black tails and white waistcoats. In 2022, the ball had its first same-sex couple - two women from Germany.

Lugner famously called Kim Kardashian 'annoying' after she and her mother Kris Jenner attended as his double date to the bash in 2014.

Priscilla's eye-catching dress boasted an oversized black bow and was covered in metallic sequins as she posed for snaps at the ball

Earlier in the day, Priscilla was in high spirits as she conducted a brass band and signed autographs in Vienna

Kim claimed she fled the event because she was reportedly offended following a reported racial slur from a guest.

After the ball, Lugner claimed he branded the star 'annoying' because she would not dance with him despite being paid a jaw-dropping $500,000.

But Kim claimed she was approached by a white male who was working at the event in 'blackface' and began to mimic her fiance Kanye West, which was why she ran away.

Despite calling the Vienna Ball 'super glamorous', Kim admitted she had been already suffering anxiety largely because the event was 'super claustrophobic'.

Then reality TV cameras then caught her shock at seeing the guest in blackface calling out 'Kim I'm here' - clearly pretending to be Kanye.

Priscilla's outing ahead of the ball comes after she paid an emotional tribute to late daughter Lisa Marie on what would have been her 56th birthday on February 1.

Lisa Marie died aged 54 on January 12 2023 - with Priscilla sharing a poignant snap of the pair in Lisa's teenage year as she marked her birthday.

She wrote: 'I miss you 'Yisa'. You would have been 56 today. Still young at heart and yet an old soul. Mom.'

The daughter of Elvis Presley was rushed to hospital on January 12 2023 after going into cardiac arrest - with an L.A. County Coroner report revealing the star died from sequelae (a condition which is the consequence of a previous disease or injury) of small bowel obstruction.
The former child actor Wil Wheaton unloaded on Larry David for throttling the iconic Muppet Elmo during a Today Show segment earlier this month.

In a blistering, lengthy Facebook tirade, the 51-year-old Star Trek: The Next Generation actor blasted the 76-year-old Curb Your Enthusiasm star for the 'assault,' which David gave a half-hearted apology for later in the show.

Wheaton, who has previously said he was a victim of years of child abuse, branded David an 'a**hole' in his post and said his attack on Elmo had brought to the surface distressing memories of his father physically abusing him when he was younger.

Social media users were swift to react to Wheaton's post, with several fans defending his impassioned post, while others mocked him for being overly sensitive about the fake assault of a puppet.

Wheaton indicated that he assumed he would be triggered before ever glimpsing the clip.

Wil Wheaton, 51, penned a lengthy tirade on Facebook blasting Larry David, 76, for 'attacking' Elmo on The Today Show earlier this month; pictured in 2018 in NYC

He called David an 'a**hole' and said the stunt brought back painful memories of abuse he suffered at the hands of his father. David interrupted a Today Show segment to mockingly throttle the iconic red Muppet

'So I heard about Larry David assaulting Elmo on life television, but didn't watch it until now, because I knew it would upset me,' he began. 'Holy s*** it's even worse than I thought. What the f*** is wrong with that guy? Elmo is, like, the best friend to multiple generations of children.

He added that, 'In the Sesame Street universe, ELMO IS A CHILD,' and that the Muppet focuses on helping others' mental health issues.

'And Larry F***ing David ... did ... that? And thought it was going to be ... funny What?' Wheaton continued, before calling the Seinfeld creator 'a stupid, self-centered, tone deaf a**hole.'

Then Wheaton offered 'full disclosure' about his history of child abuse, which he blamed on his strong reaction.

'When I was growing up, my dad would grab me by the shoulders and shake me while he screamed in my face. He choked me more than once,' the actor said. 'He was always out of control, always in a furious rage, and always terrifying.

'I'm a 51 year-old man and my heart is pounding right now, recalling how I felt when I was a little boy who loved Grover the way today's kids love Elmo.'

Wheaton called David's display an 'appalling, unforgivable, despicable act' and compared it directly to his own abuse.

'Larry David, this was not okay, and your obviously insincere "apology" clearly communicates that you don't get that,' he wrote.

'So I heard about Larry David assaulting Elmo on life television, but didn't watch it until now, because I knew it would upset me,' he began. 'Holy s*** it's even worse than I thought. What the f*** is wrong with that guy? Elmo is, like, the best friend to multiple generations of children'

'When I was growing up, my dad would grab me by the shoulders and shake me while he screamed in my face. He choked me more than once,' the actor said. 'He was always out of control, always in a furious rage, and always terrifying; seen in 2019 in LA

Wheaton called David's display an 'appalling, unforgivable, despicable act' and compared it directly to his own abuse. 'Larry David, this was not okay, and your obviously insincere "apology" clearly communicates that you don't get that,' he wrote

The Stand By Me actor seemed to accuse David of being jealous of Elmo's segment on The Today Show. He also worried about children watching who might have been scandalized

The Stand By Me actor seemed to accuse David of being jealous of Elmo's segment on The Today Show.

'First of all, you aren't even in the segment, but you just decided to barge in and draw focus because ... why? You couldn't stand that a puppet brought people together in a meaningful way that you can't?' Wheaton continued. 'You couldn't stand that your appearance on national television to promote your wildly successful series was delayed for a few seconds while the adults talked about mental health?

He accused the comedian of wanting 'to manufacture a viral moment where everyone gets to see what an a**hole you are, so they'll tune in and watch you portray an a**hole in the last season of your show that celebrates how great it is to be an a**hole without ever experiencing the consequences of being an a**hole?'

He reiterated that 'Elmo and his dad were there to talk about empathy, love, kindness, and caring for each other,' whereas, 'Larry David was there to promote the final (thank god, maybe he'll go away now) season of a television series.'

'Like, read the room, d***head. It isn't always about you being the center of attention,' Wheaton seethed. 'And understand what's happening in the moment, f***o. Understand that there are larger things in the world than you and your garbage ego.'

Wheaton added that children could be watching the morning talk show who might be shocked and disturbed by David's fake attack.

He even suggested that the Muppet had been a support for people dealing with the traumas of the 'pandemic, daily mass shootings, the rise of fascism and everything associated with Trump's violence and cruelty.'

'Larry David strikes me as a person who mocks and belittles people who are vulnerable and sensitive, and enjoys being cruel, because he feels untouchable,' he claimed.

After more directly comparing David to his allegedly abusive father, Wheaton wrapped up by saying he hoped the comedian would be just a 'footnote' in a future where people were more concerned with the legacy of 'a Muppet.'

'With one question, Elmo got lots and lots of people speaking openly and honestly about their mental health,' he claimed, adding that, 'Elmo probably saved lives and relationships by opening that conversation.'

'A man who would belittle and mock that isn't much of a man at all. Shame on you, Larry David,' he concluded.

'With one question, Elmo got lots and lots of people speaking openly and honestly about their mental health,' he claimed, adding that, 'Elmo probably saved lives and relationships by opening that conversation'; seen February 4 in Burbank with wife Anne Prince

David later issued a semi-joking apology to Elmo during his segment on the Today Show, which was devoted to the twelfth and final season of his acclaimed series Curb Your Enthusiasm

But Wheaton wasn't done, and he returned in the comments to tell off those saying he 'can't take a joke' or is 'too sensitive.'

'A lot of us who had the same visceral reaction to a grown man putting his hands on a child (Elmo is 4 years old) in anger, without consent, and then laughing about it all share an experience that you should be grateful you don't share with us,' he said, referring to the Muppet who is usually controlled and voiced by puppeteer Ryan Dillon, 35, though it's unclear if he was the puppeteer during the Today Show segment.

Wheaton claimed that critics reducing 'the whole thing to a puppet and a joke' were 'doing to us what the adults around us did when we were kids,' he said, seeming to compare those who mocked his response to those enabling child abuse.

'And it hurts all over again,' he added.

Several fans defended Wheaton on X (formerly Twitter).

One user admitted they didn't share his reaction, but said they could 'empathize' with him due to 'traumatic events in his own past that were triggered.

'If you think Wil Wheaton was overreacting talking about his PTSD being triggered then please unfollow me,' wrote another user who signed their post as 'someone who also suffers from PTSD.'

Another fan suggested that the mockery of Wheaton's post indicated that 'we need a huge overhaul on mental health in this country.'

Others were more evenhanded, such as one commentator who said David 'did nothing wrong' and noted that they had 'always disliked' Wheaton. Although they said his reaction was 'not rational,' they thought it was 'understandable and forgivable given the abuse he suffered as a child.'

Another person complained, 'Bro came out of nowhere trying to hurt my boy Elmo.'

Several fans defended Wheaton and said his reaction to his PTSD being triggered was 'understandable'

Another person complained that David was 'trying to hurt my boy Elmo'

One particularly heated response came from a user who wrote, 'This is child abuse,' though David had throttled a puppet with an adult man operating and voicing it

One particularly heated response came from a user who wrote, 'This is child abuse,' though David had throttled a puppet with an adult man operating and voicing it.

But others found Wheaton's post disturbingly childish, including one person who noted Wheaton's age and referenced his two adult children.

'He didn't mention his own kids anywhere in the post. What is he, a 51 year old man, doing watching Sesame Street?' they wrote. 'I have a kid and I didn't even know Sesame Street was still on TV.'

Another person claimed it was 'tyrannical and controlling' to expect David to make sure he could '"empathize" with Wil Wheaton (who he probably doesn't even know) before he does something funny.'

'Do you want your future actions controlled by a stranger you don't even know?' they mused.

The journalist and pundit Glenn Greenwald claimed he briefly thought Wheaton's post was satire, but he 'didn't want it to end' once he realized it was serious.

'How did our culture degrade to the point where may people in prominent positions genuinely believe that a journalist can be guilty of the crime of "treason" for interviewing a foreign leader, and where slapping a puppet is treated like criminal assault?' he continued, seemingly referencing right-wing pundit Tucker Carlson's recent interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Following his fake assault of Elmo, the Today Show hosts got David to issue an apology during his own segment, in which he talked about the twelfth and final season of his acclaimed HBO comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm, which began back in 1999 with a special on the network that expanded into the series the following year.

But others found Wheaton's post disturbingly childish, including one person who noted Wheaton's age and referenced his two adult children

Another person claimed it was 'tyrannical and controlling' to expect David to make sure he could '"empathize" with Wil Wheaton (who he probably doesn't even know) before he does something funny'

The journalist and pundit Glenn Greenwald claimed he briefly thought Wheaton's post was satire, but he 'didn't want it to end' once he realized it was serious

Elmo said he accepted David's apology while Louie added that it was 'very big' of him. The Muppet is usually controlled and voiced by puppeteer Ryan Dillon, 35; pictured in 2017

When Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb asked David to apologize to Elmo, 'from the heart,' he responded, 'from where!?'

'What organ are you talking about?' joked the famous curmudgeon.

However, he looked into the camera and said, 'Elmo, I just want to apologize.'

Elmo said he accepted David's apology while Louie added that it was 'very big' of him.
Jackie 'O' Henderson has addressed rumours she's dating insurance broker Daniel Cartwright.

The radio titan, 49, spoke about reports she was romantically involved with Cartwright, 35, during Friday morning's Kyle and Jackie O Show.

'He's just a friend' said Jackie, before revealing the hunk 'lives around the corner from me.'

She then claimed that whenever she or Cartwright go to the beach 'we invite each other' to go for a swim.

Co-host Kyle Sandilands commented on her companion's youthful appearance, joking that he looked more like he could be her 13-year-old daughter Kitty's boyfriend.

Jackie 'O' Henderson has addressed rumours she's dating insurance broker Daniel Cartwright

Jackie revealed that whenever she or Cartwright, 35, go to the beach 'we invite each other' to go for a swim. Pictured: Cartwright

Upon learning Cartwright was 35, Sandilands joked that he's 'too old for you' given Henderson has recently been linked with men in their 20s.

The radio titan and insurance broker were seen cooling off at Clovelly Beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs before heading to the pub together over the weekend.

It comes after Jackie opened up about her new approach to finding love and her adamant refusal to ever grace the screens of a reality TV dating show during an interview with Daily Mail Australia.





Jackie 'O' Henderson has sparked romance rumours after she was spotted enjoying a swim with a 'handsome' male companion over the weekend. The radio titan and insurance broker Daniel Cartwright were seen cooling off at Clovelly Beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs before heading to the pub together.

When asked about her current relationship status, she candidly admitted, 'Yes, I'm single,' before dropping a bombshell about her dating app future.

'I'm done with dating apps. I don't know. I'm just going to, like, see what happens... I'm open to whatever comes along,' she said.

When pressed if she would ever consider appearing on a dating show such as The Bachelorette Jackie responded, 'Oh, no, no. Definitely not The Bachelorette.'

Co-host Kyle Sandilands commented on her companion's youthful appearance, joking that he looked more like he could be her 13-year-old daughter Kitty's boyfriend

It comes after Jackie opened up about her new approach to finding love during an interview with Daily Mail Australia

'No. I won't be doing that. No dating shows... I don't wanna be on TV [dating] . It's hard enough doing it in private.'

It comes after Jackie last year broke her silence on rumours she was dating 29-year-old model tradie Jack Tyerman.

'No, Jack is not my boyfriend. We're not in a relationship. He is not my boy toy,' Jackie told co-host Kyle Sandilands on their hit breakfast radio show.

When asked about her current relationship status, she candidly admitted, 'Yes, I'm single,' before dropping a bombshell about her dating app future

'Jack is a good friend of mine. I know him through a friend of ours. We didn't meet on a dating app or anything like that.'

The media personality went on to say she was ultimately 'to blame' for the romance rumours after she told Daily Mail Australia she was dating someone during a Logies interview.

'In my mind, I'm dating and I've been on a few dates, so I said "maybe" [I'm dating], but I probably should have said, "Maybe, we'll see what happens,"' she confessed.

It comes after Jackie broke her silence on rumours she was dating 29-year-old model tradie Jack Tyerman (pictured)

The romance rumours started after Jackie exclusively revealed to Daily Mail Australia that she was seeing a new man during a red carpet interview at the TV Week Logie Awards.

'I'll just say maybe,' she said when asked if she was seeing anyone new.

After being quizzed on whether her new love would be joining her at the Logies, Jackie was quick to insist, 'No, no!'

Not long after that Jackie and Jack were seen enjoying what appeared to be a romantic moonlit date on the balcony of her Clovelly mansion.
Khloe Kardashian was spotted out in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The reality TV personality, 39, cut a casual figure as she modeled an oversize, black Balenciaga tracksuit while filming The Kardashians during the cloudy and rainy day.

She teamed her effortlessly stylish look with black and white high-top sneakers and sported a pair of massive, rectangular shades.

She left her long, blonde tresses down in a straight hairstyle, which was pulled back out of her face with a thick headband.

The entrepreneur  whose brand Good American is being sued by a former employee with cancer for 'wrongful termination'  was seen walking outside with an umbrella handler.

Khloe Kardashian was spotted out in Los Angeles on Thursday. The reality TV personality, 39, cut a casual figure as she modeled an oversize, black Balenciaga tracksuit while filming The Kardashians during the cloudy and rainy day

She teamed her effortlessly stylish look with black and white high-top sneakers and sported a pair of massive, rectangular shades

She donned a pair of chunky gold hoop earrings for an additional touch of glamour to jazz up her otherwise casual attire.

She also appeared to be sporting a full face of makeup to highlight her beautiful features.

She looked perfectly flushed with rosy pink blush and finished off her look with a classic nude lip.

The mother-of-two did not carry a bag as her hands appeared to be busy holding up her baggy pants from getting wet in the rain.

Production recently began for the upcoming season of The Kardashians.

A release date for season five has not yet been announced but is expected for summer 2024.

In the last season, Khloe and her family were dealing with the aftermath of her ex Tristan Thompson's infidelity.

She found out her on-and-off boyfriend had fathered a child with another woman just shortly before they were due to welcome a second baby together.

She left her long, blonde tresses down in a straight hairstyle, which was pulled back out of her face with a thick headband

She also appeared to be sporting a full face of makeup to highlight her beautiful features.

She looked perfectly flushed with rosy pink blush and finished off her look with a classic nude lip. She donned a pair of chunky gold hoop earrings for an additional touch of glamour to jazz up her otherwise casual attire

The mother-of-two did not carry a bag as her hands appeared to be busy holding up her baggy pants from getting wet in the rain. She was also seen walking with an umbrella handler

A majority of her plotline for the last season of The Kardashians followed the aftermath of her learning about ex Tristan Thompson's infidelity and paternity scandal. The pair had an on-and-off relationship for six years before they split in late 2021

The former couple share five-year-old daughter True and 18-month-old son Tatum

While talking to tmrw magazine for a recent issue, she opened up about her co-parenting relationship with him now.

'With me and Tristan, would it be really easy to never talk to him again and to just badmouth him or whatever? Of course. But it's way harder to be nice,' she expressed to the outlet earlier this month per People.

'It's way harder when you're really mad at someone, it's really hard to sit in their face in front of your kids and be like, "Hi!"'

The media personality then added, 'Trust me, that's not how I feel every day. I had to learn to take control of my feelings.

'There were so many times that my feelings got control of me and I was impulsive and I tweeted something or posted something and things that you regret,' she added. 'But in my opinion, I'll never regret being a nice person.'

Khloe stated, 'I want my kids to have beautiful relationships with their dad. And if we're blessed enough to have a dad that wants to be there and wants to show up and be hands-on, why would I prevent that from happening?'
Millionaire Roxy Jacenko has lashed out at the new laws set to give employees the 'right to disconnect' and ignore contact attempts from their bosses after hours.

The PR maven, 44, who has owned several successful businesses in her lifetime, slammed the parliamentary bill which sailed through the Senate on Thursday.

She expressed her ire just moments after the controversial industrial relations bill passed when she shared a screenshot of the news to her Instagram Stories.

'Suppose next you will also be able to ignore the boss on the job too lol. Good job I work remotely these days,' she wrote.

The socialite, who now works on her Australian business from her new home in Singapore, currently owns and runs The Ministry of Talent.

Millionaire Roxy Jacenko, 44, (pictured) has lashed out at the new laws set to give employees the 'right to disconnect' and ignore contact attempts from their bosses after hours

However, in the past she founded and managed six other companies, including Sweaty Betty PR, Roxy Jacenko Accessories and XRJ Celebrations.

She also managed her 12-year-old daughter's companies Pixie's Bows and Pixie's Pix, and at one point owned a business called 18 Communications.

Roxy has been very vocal in the past about her scathing opinions of Australian workers, often calling them 'lazy' and 'entitled' for wanting a work-life balance.

The PR maven who has owned several successful businesses in her lifetime, slammed the parliamentary bill which sailed through the Senate on Thursday

In 2019, the millionaire said there is a cultural problem Down Under where workers have a 'nine-to-five mentality' and are unwilling to work hard.

She said Aussies should be more 'like a Chinese worker' and strive for success by 'working seven days a week' and being available for work calls around the clock.

Workers will soon have the right to ignore their superiors after they clock off under new Australian laws that could see offending bosses facing criminal penalties.

She expressed her ire just moments after the controversial industrial relations bill passed when she shared a screenshot of the news to her Instagram Stories

The 'right to disconnect' is part of a raft of changes to industrial relations laws proposed by the federal government under a parliamentary bill.

Lawmakers say it will protect workers' rights and help restore work-life balance.

While workers currently face being disciplined or fired for ignoring their bosses, the new law will protect their jobs if they do so outside of working hours.

Employers that breach the rule could be fined.
If you were Damien Hirst's girlfriend, what would you expect for a birthday present?

A pickled shark in a tank, perhaps, or a chopped-up cow?

Well, Britain's richest artist excelled himself for the 30th of Sophie Cannell, who is heavily pregnant with their first child together.

Hirst, 58, presented the former ballet dancer with an extraordinary cake in the shape of her body, displaying their unborn baby.

It appears to have been inspired by his series of giant bronze sculptures showing the development of the foetus in the womb, called The Miraculous Journey.

Damien Hirst's cake that he made for his young girlfriend Sophie Cannell

A pregnant Sophie Cannell who spent her birthday in Vegas

The artist, who lives with Cannell at his 36 million, 14-bedroom home in London's Regent's Park, is celebrating in Las Vegas.

She said: 'Wouldn't want my birthday anywhere else'.

For her 29th, he gave her more than 20 gifts wrapped in pink paper.

Back in November, Sophie Cannell announced her pregnancy by revealing her blossoming baby bump in a post she shared to Instagram.

Sophie slipped into a black bikini in the snap as she relaxed by an indoor pool and confirmed she is expecting a boy with the caption: 'He's a water boy'.

The beauty was inundated with well wishes from her followers, with one writing: 'So happy for you guys! Xoxo... Congratulations to you both, you look amazing!' while a third added: 'Yay !!! Congrats !! '.

Damien has not made any public comment on Sophie's pregnancy yet but he did share some NFT artwork of pregnancy emojis he has created on Thursday.

Damien Hirst and Sophie Cannell attend a private view of Damien Hirst: Mandalas at the White Cube Gallery in 2019

Back in November, Sophie Cannell announced her pregnancy by revealing her blossoming baby bump in a post she shared to Instagram

When the couple's romance first came to light, a friend close to the duo told Richard Eden at the Mail On Sunday that Damien is 'besotted' with Sophie

It comes after the artist gifted the ballerina a 166,600 18-carat gold Rolex Pearlmaster studded with 713 gems back in August 2022.

Damian has three adult sons with his American ex-girlfriend, Maia Norman - Connor Ojala, 28, Cassius Atticus, 23, and Cyrus Joe, 18.

Although he never married Maia he referred to her as his 'common-law wife'.

After his eldest child Connor's birth, the artist spent much of his time in a remote farmhouse near Combe Martin in Devon.

It was previously reported that Damien met Sophie at the swanky Chiltern Firehouse, where she used to work as a waitress (pictured together in 2021)
Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Garner gave 13 Going on 30 fans a treat when they reunited for his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on Thursday - and even recreated their iconic Thriller dance from the film.

The actor, 56, was honored with a star at the event and Garner, 51, his co-star from the 2004 film, paid tribute with a hilarious speech, which she said she wrote in the car on the way over to the event, having been tasked with speaking only the night before.

'Why wasn't I asked to do this in the first place?' she quipped at the podium. 'I kicked off the Mark Ruffalo rom-com era!'

Twenty years after kicking off that era with 13 Going on 30, the Hollywood besties recreated the famous Thriller dance sequence from the movie during an adorable photo-op.

With their hands raised in the air in the style of Michael Jackson's zombies, Mark and Jennifer hilariously channeled their characters Matty and Jenna, respectively.

Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Garner gave 13 Going on 30 fans a treat when they reunited for his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on Thursday - and even recreated that iconic Thriller dance

With their hands raised in the air ala Michael Jackson 's zombies, Mark and Jennifer hilariously channeled their characters Matty and Jenna, respectively

Jennifer even teased Mark in her speech, recounting his attempt to back out of the film after the initial rehearsal for the Thriller scene.

'Mark went from kind of shocked that we actually had to do this to antsy to a deathly quiet to 'bro, this is not for me,'' she recalled.

Mark had recalled the moment back in 2022 during the ReelBlend podcast.

'Whatever Matty was experiencing in that was actually just me,' he said on the podcast.

'[Jennifer] had to drag me onto the dance floor. It took me six hours to learn what she learned in about six minutes.

'She was so good at dancing, and I was so bad  I almost quit the movie.'

At the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, Jennifer also commended Mark for his acting prowess,

'To work with you, Mark, is to love you, I don't care what anyone says,' she jokingly began.

Jennifer even poked fun at Mark during her speech for trying to back out of the film after the first rehearsal for the Thriller scene

'Mark went from kind of shocked that we actually had to do this to antsy to a deathly quiet to 'bro, this is not for me,'' she recalled

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, 13 Going on 30 tells the story of 13-year-old Jenna, played by Christa B. Allen, in 1987, whose wish to be '30, flirty, and thriving' magically comes true

Jenna wakes up in 2004 as an adult in New York City, portrayed by Garner. Mark plays Matty, her love interest

'You allow yourself to be fully known by your colleagues, by the audience, by the world,' she continued.

'Your work on Poor Things deserves all of the awards, all of them. But the real success is in how thrilled and delighted your colleagues are to have the opportunity to lift you up and celebrate you.

'Every time your name is called, Hollywood takes a deep collective breath and says, 'Okay, the good and right thing has happened.'

The two stars looked to be having a blast recreating the iconic dance

Mark recalled the moment he almost quit 13 Going on 30 over the dance scene back in 2022

'Whatever Matty was experiencing in that was actually just me,' he said on the podcast

'[Jennifer] had to drag me onto the dance floor. It took me six hours to learn what she learned in about six minutes. 'She was so good at dancing, and I was so bad  I almost quit the movie.'

At the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, Jennifer also commended Mark for his acting prowess

'To work with you, Mark, is to love you, I don't care what anyone says,' she jokingly began

Ruffalo, who scored his fourth Oscar nomination last month for his work in Poor Things, attended the event with his wife, Sunrise Coigney, and their three children: Keen, Bella and Odette.

David Fincher, the director behind Ruffalo's performance in 2007's Zodiac, also graced the event to pay tribute to the star.

Actor Timothy McNeil read a speech of his own as well as one from Laura Dern, who had to miss the event due to illness.

Mark looked every in ch the handsome matinee idol

Jennifer, Mark and director David Fincher were part of the shindig

Fincher directed Ruffalo in 2007's Zodiac

Fincher made a speech at the ceremony

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, 13 Going on 30 tells the story of 13-year-old Jenna, played by Christa B. Allen, in 1987, whose wish to be '30, flirty, and thriving' magically comes true.

Jenna wakes up in 2004 as an adult in New York City, portrayed by Garner. Mark plays Matty, her love interest.

The movie was a bona fide hit thanks to Mark and Jennifer's chemistry on screen.

Barry Keoghan was on hand to celebrate his friend Mark

Barry was all smiles as he applauded Mark receiving his star on the Walk of Fame

Lili Reinhart made an appearance

During a 2014 episode of Andy Cohen's Watch What Happens Live, Mark was asked about the status of his friendship his 13 Going on 30 costar.

At that moment, the actor disclosed that he and Jennifer didn't maintain much contact after the movie was released in 2004.

'We had a great time together, and I think we would, but then Ben [Affleck] came on the scene and that was the end of that,' Mark quipped.

Jennifer would go on to marry Ben in 2005 and welcome three kids with the actor: Violet, Seraphina and Samuel.

The superstar couple would divorce in 2018 and Ben would go on to marry his former fiancee Jennifer Lopez.
Locals have been left bewildered after a rather hilarious car park design fail blocked access to numerous car spots in their busy shopping centre car park. The outdoor parking area at Mt Annan Marketplace in south west Sydney has been reconfigured as a new development gets underway. But shoppers arent impressed with the odd changes impacting the amount of car spaces and access to the busy centre.

Local resident Anthony Bugge told Yahoo News Australia that the car park changes have seen a design flaw of wasted space, with two rows of car spaces now inaccessible and blocked by other parking spots and wheel stops.

Residents have been left puzzled by the new parking spots as Mt Annan Marketplace as some seem to block access to others. Source: Facebook

Weve lost approximately 50 to 60 car spaces, he said. It's a very busy centre. It services Narellan Vale, Mount Annan Cascades, Currans Hill and parts of Spring Farm.

They have not only removed parking spaces. I understand they are now building a fast food building in the middle of the carpark that's currently closed.

'Much needed spaces gone'

Development applications from Hamptons Property Services were approved by Camden Council to build a drive-thru Guzman Y Gomez in the marketplace car park and reconfigure the current car park. But the associated works have left shoppers puzzled after the strange parking set up.

The reconfiguration of the carpark will also include additional small car spaces and a designated staff carpark. Meanwhile, the new fast food outlet will include two drive-thru lanes and 14 car spaces.

Another gripe from residents in the growing area is that there is a vacant lot of land that some believe could have been better utilised instead of taking up the required space in the carpark.

"Its an absolute disgrace!" one person commented on a post about the issue in a Camden community Facebook page, before adding: "All the much needed car spaces gone!"

And why would they put the new fast food joint in the carpark when there is space right next to KFC? We lose 50 spaces, the person said.

Story continues

Locals are questioning why the vacant land near another fast-food outlet couldn't have been used for the new Guzman Y Gomez instead of taking up space in the carpark. Source: Google Maps/Facebook

We need more car spaces not less, added another.

I actually avoid coming to these shops because the parking is a nightmare. It was poorly designed BEFORE they changed it. Now its even worse, another shared.

Community concerns have also been raised about a lack of disability parking spaces and ticketed parking being introduced. In the initial stages of the proposed redevelopment, the number of entry and exit points were equally as concerning for locals, with the number of entry and exit points reduced from five down to two.

Camden Council comments on new layout

Despite community concerns, Camden Council said that the approved $1.24 million development plan will still provide adequate parking to customers and a "more efficient" layout.

The Mt Annan Marketplace carpark is set to be reconfigured to make way for a new fast food outlet. Source: Google Maps

"The approved alterations to the Mount Annan Marketplace car park allow for the provision of 362 car parking spaces, including eight disabled spaces, which exceeds the level of car parking required under the relevant planning guidelines," a Camden Council spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia.

"The approved works include the rationalisation of the entry and exit points, the creation of a more efficient car park layout and the installation of a plate recognition and boom gate system to ensure the car park is used for its intended purpose."

The council did not respond to questions about the parking spots which are now inaccessible due to the new row of wheel stops.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Gregg Wallace has gone viral this week after sharing details about his life at home with his wife Anne-Marie and son Sid.

His My Saturday column for The Telegraph outlined a busy day from waking up at 5am to being in bed for 8pm.

The MasterChef judge, 59, has since hit back at backlash criticising the amount of time he appeared to spend with his son labelling the criticism 'cruel,' 'nasty' and 'unfair', adding that it left him 'deeply saddened'.

The TV personality explained that his wife Anna, who is 22 years younger than him, wanted a family, however he said at the time he wouldn't have chosen to have children at his age before he met her.

Gregg has often hit the headlines with his somewhat chequered love life and has spoken candidly about his relationships over the years.

Here, MailOnline takes a look back over Gregg's dating history.

Gregg Wallace has gone viral this week after sharing details about his life at home with his wife Anne-Marie and son Sid

The TV personality explained that his wife Anna, who is 22 years younger than him, wanted a family, however he said at the time he wouldn't have chosen to have children at his age before he met her

Christine

Gregg's first wife, Christine, walked out after just six weeks of marriage in 1991.

The pair tied the knot in an impromptu wedding ceremony, followed by a meal in a pie and mash shop.

The TV personality, who was only 24-years-old when they met, opened up about their romance in his autobiography.

He joked how their marriage was 'possibly the shortest marriage in the world', and admitted he knew it was a mistake even before they tied the knot.

Denise Lovall

Next he was married to pastry chef Denise, with whom he had children Tom and Libby, now 27 and 24.

The couple met in 1993 and went on to tie the knot in 1999 and were married for five years.

In 2004, they ended up divorcing after Denise discovered Gregg was allegedly having an affair with one of his employees.

Denise furiously ranted he would "never change" in an explosive interview with People in 2009 - around the time he met his third wife, Heidi.

While the children stayed with Denise at first following their split, Gregg battled for full custody when her alcoholism got worse.

Sadly, in 2017, Denise died following a tough battle with alcohol addiction.

Next he was married to pastry chef Denise, with whom he had children Tom and Libby (pictured), now 27 and 24.

While the children stayed with Denise at first following their split, Gregg battled for full custody when her alcoholism got worse (Tom Wallace pictured right)

Heidi Brown

Wife number three was Heidi, who he met via Twitter, but they separated in 2012 - just 14 months after their lavish wedding ceremony.

The biology teacher exchanged messages with Gregg on the social media site, and things quickly turned romantic.

'The third one was a huge mistake,' Gregg confessed.

'Probably the unhappiest I have ever been in my life but she was a teacher and was really good with the kids.'

Following split from Heidi, Gregg dated beautiful women who made him feel, he told the Daily Mail, 'like riding in my Jag with the roof down' when he walked into restaurants with them.

His shrink told him he was never going to find happiness if he kept picking women like he picked cars.

'The reason I had so many girlfriends was that I was always looking for somebody,' he said in an interview last year.

'I think it's an absolute game of chance. What are the chances of finding somebody who you're not only attracted to and makes you feel comfortable and happy, but is actually looking for what you have to offer? What is the chance of that happening?'

Gregg met his third wife Heidi Brown, pictured, on Twitter in 2009

Anne-Marie

Anne-Marie, who goes by Anna, is a caterer who first met Gregg on Twitter, just months after his divorce from Heidi in 2013.

Querying one of his TV recipes, she asked the former greengrocer if rhubarb really went with duck, as she saw him demonstrate on a cooking show.

Gregg recalled the interaction in 2015 to HELLO! Magazine : 'I just looked at Anna's photo and thought, "Wow, she's pretty". So yes, rhubarb, which was considered an aphrodisiac in medieval times, brought us together.'

That initial exchange came in 2013 - but Anna wasn't sure if the TV chef was the one at first.

Speaking on ITV's Lorraine, Gregg said: 'I sent her a message and we started sending messages. Then I sent her my phone number.

'She came down to London to have dinner with me, and she said it wasn't until we got to the restaurant, that she was comfortable it was really me and not an impostor.

'I think it's just luck, and I got very lucky this time. Very lucky.'

Gregg admitted he was worried about the age gap, but said it never seemed to bother Anna - 21 years his junior.

Nevertheless he said he sometimes felt uncomfortable when people saw him holding his partner's hand.

'People look at you anyway and I felt really conscious because she was younger,' he explained, 'and I didn't want people to judge her harshly. It was doing the ordinary things.'

The pair were engaged in December 2014 and said 'I do' at Hever Castle in Kent, on August 6, 2016 - with fellow MasterChef judge John Torode as his co-star's best man.

Anna is the foodie's fourth wife, telling Lorraine that each of his previous marriages taught him something.

Anne-Marie, who goes by Anna, is a caterer who first met Gregg on Twitter, just months after his divorce from Heidi in 2013

The couple welcomed son Sid in 2019, despite Gregg's initial hesitations about becoming a father for the third time in his 50s

The couple welcomed son Sid in 2019, despite Gregg's initial hesitations about becoming a father for the third time in his 50s.

'I said, 'I wouldn't, at my age, choose to have children, but I am in love with you and if that's what you want I will do it happily with you',' Gregg recalled last year. 'But I had two conditions.

'I said, 'I am not happy swapping my young, fun, sexy girlfriend for an exhausted mum, but if that's what you want I want to get help in. The other condition was, 'I want to have a fortnight's holiday with you every year without a baby'.

'Normally at my age, your children are grown up and you get your wife back. I'm going to be in my 70s by the time our son Sid is 20. It makes me smile now, the two conditions I had.'

Speaking in The Telegraph's My Saturday column recently, Gregg shared: 'Im a much better father now Im older, although another child isnt something that I would have chosen at my age.

'I was always very honest with Anna, but its what she wanted and I love her. I just requested two things  that we had help in the house (so her mum moved in), and secondly that we had at least one week a year when we holidayed just the two of us.'
Michelle Collins has praised EastEnders for giving women her age a platform as she explained the real reason behind her soap return.

The actress, 61, starred as Cindy Beale on the BBC soap opera from 1988 until 1998 and reprised her role last year.

During an appearance on Thursday's Lorraine, Michelle revealed her return to EastEnders was to give 'visibility' to women her age.

She told host Lorraine: 'For me, it was a hard decision to go back, but I thought where is that visibility for women my age, we still have a lot more to give.

'All soaps have those matriarchal figures, like Corrie, and it's important to see that representation. We want real women with lines on their faces.'

Michelle Collins has praised EastEnders for giving women her age a platform as she explained the real reason behind her soap return

The actress, 61, starred as Cindy Beale on the BBC soap opera from 1988 until 1998 and reprised her role last year

Michelle went on to discuss her EastEnders character, saying: 'Cindy is not the perfect parent but she is trying.

'She's trying to amend the relationship with her daughters and she has another child living in Germany, I can't keep track of all these children.'

It was revealed in June 2023 that Michelle was returning to the soap with her ex-husband Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and their son Peter (Thomas Law).

Fans were led to believe that the mother died in childbirth after plotting to kill her then-husband, however it turns out that 26 years later Cindy is very much alive and has been living a glamorous life in the sun.

During the drama-filled return, Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) looked utterly stunned as Cindy entered the house, despite being presumed dead.

The pair famously despised one another after Cindy cheated on Kathy's son Ian with David Wickes, and the pair once again went head-to-head when Cindy returned.

During an appearance on Thursday's Lorraine, Michelle revealed her return to EastEnders was to give 'visibility' to women her age

She told host Lorraine: 'For me, it was a hard decision to go back, but I thought where is that visibility for women my age, we still have a lot more to give

Michelle went on to discuss her EastEnders character, saying: 'Cindy is not the perfect parent but she is trying.'

And their tense row was teased as Cindy made her grand entrance, with Kathy sharing her shock as she said: 'You're dead!'

Cindy supposedly died while serving time in prison for hiring a hitman to kill Ian.

But it was later revealed she had been living a double life in witness protection under the moniker 'Rose Knight'.

In a further twist, she was revealed to be the absent wife of Queen Vic landlord George Knight (Colin Salmon), and mother to their two daughters Gina (Francesca Henry) and Anna (Molly Rainford).

Lorraine airs weekdays from 9am on ITV1 & ITVX
Shirley Ballas cautiously protected her hair with a brolly on Wednesday night - a day after her hair extension mishap - as she and more Strictly stars continued the tour.

The dancing judge, 63, is currently embarking on the Strictly Come Dancing Live! tour with the likes of Bobby Brazier and dance partner Dianne Buswell.

On Tuesday, Shirley found herself red-faced as multiple pieces of her hair extensions came loose during her trip to a Nottingham arena - but she laughed it off.

Seen earlier in the day was Nancy Xu, who won the 2023 Strictly Christmas special with EastEnders' Jamie Borthwick.

It comes after Strictly star Amy Dowden, who is currently battling breast cancer, visited the cast on Tuesday.

Shirley Ballas, 63, cautiously protected her hair with a brolly on Wednesday night - a day after her hair extension mishap - as she and more Strictly stars continued the tour

On Tuesday, Shirley found herself red-faced as multiple pieces of her hair extensions came loose during her trip to a Nottingham arena - but she laughed it off

The dancing judge, 63, is currently embarking on the Strictly Come Dancing Live! tour with the likes of Bobby Brazier and dance partner Dianne Buswell (both pictured on Wednesday night)

The annual Strictly tour began at the Utilita Arena Birmingham on January and concludes on February 11.

It involves the following Strictly pairs: Ellie and Vito Coppola, Bobby and Dianne Buswell, Annabel Croft & Graziano Di Prima, Angela Rippon & Kai Widdrington, Layton Williams & Nikita Kuzmin, Krishnan Guru-murthy & Jowita Przystal, and Angela Scanlon & Carlos Gu.

Notable absences included Amanda Abbington, Adam Thomas, and professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Johannes Redebe.

Shirley judges the performances on the tour alongside Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood.

All three make up the usual series' judging panel, with the addition of Motsi Mabuse whose sister Oti judges Dancing On Ice, which is currently airing.

This year's tour has seen the cast of Strictly 2023 visit London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Liverpool, Glasgow, Sheffield, and finally Nottingham.

Missing from the group seen on Wednesday was fellow EastEnders actor Bobby's rumoured girlfriend Ellie Leach.

Whispers of a romance between the former Coronation Street star and Bobby began in early January when insiders reported they had become close as Strictly Come Dancing Live! kicked off.

Shirley rocked a Gucci bag and smiled widely as she gratefully received an umbrella from a member of staff

EastEnders' Bobby Brazier sported a light blue tracksuit and was without rumoured girlfriend and Coronation Street alum Ellie Leach

Seen earlier in the day was Nancy Xu , who won the 2023 Strictly Christmas special with EastEnders' Jamie Borthwick
Taylor Swift gave a young female fan her '22' hat on Thursday during the second night of the Tokyo leg of her Eras tour on Wednesday.

In the clip, Taylor skipped up to the waiting fan and got on her knees before having a brief but energetic conversation with her and enveloping her in a hug.

She then takes her black bowler hat off, which she wears during the performance of her 2013 hit 22, and places it on the fan's head.

Taylor shared a few more sweet words with the fan before skipping back to her dancers for a kickline.

The star kicked off the Japanese leg of the tour on Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome, days after announcing new album The Tortured Poets Department st the Grammy Awards, and will perform until Saturday.

Taylor Swift, 34, gave a young female fan her '22' hat on Thursday during the Tokyo leg of her Eras tour four days after announcing her 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department

In the clip, Taylor skipped up to the waiting fan and got on her knees in front of her before having a brief but energetic conversation with her and enveloping her in a hug

After placing the black bowler hat she performs during 22 on the fan's head, Taylor shared a few more sweet words with her then skipped back to her dancers for a kickline

Taylor told her fans: 'I am so happy and honoured to get to say these words to you tonight,' before greeting them in Japanese.

She continued: 'We haven't been in Tokyo for over four years and I am so happy to be back with you here tonight at The Eras Tour.

'Thank you so much for deciding to be here, thank you to anyone who travelled, thank you to everyone who is here tonight. I love you so much.'

After her Saturday show, Taylor will fly ten hours to Las Vegas to support boyfriend Travis Kelce at the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Taylor's carbon footprint has long since been a bone of contention amongst fans and foes alike and estimations that she will travel around 20,000 miles during this week and next have only escalated this.

The Eras Tour has already seen Taylor perform in Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil, and she has 18 more countries to go.

Her next top will be Australia on February 16 where she will perform for three nights in Melbourne and four in Sydney.

She will perform for three nights at Wembley Stadium in June and will also perform in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland - but not Northern Ireland.

The star kicked off the Japanese leg of the tour on Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome where she will perform until Saturday

Taylor's carbon footprint has long since been a bone of contention amongst fans and foes alike and estimations that she will travel around 20,000 miles during this week and next have only escalated this

After her Saturday show, Taylor will fly ten hours to Las Vegas to support boyfriend Travis Kelce, also 34, (pictured) at the Super Bowl on Sunday

It comes after Taylor announced a surprise new album during her acceptance speech at the Grammys on Sunday at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Accepting her 13th Grammy on stage, Taylor said: 'I want to say thank you to the fans by telling you a secret that I have been keeping from you for the last two years, which is that my brand-new album comes out April 19th.'

Taylor continued: 'It's called The Tortured Poet's Department. I'm going to go and post the cover right now backstage.'

Keeping true to her word minutes later Taylor - who also earned her fourth Album Of The Year at the show - shared the racy cover which saw her lying on a bed in black underwear and a sheer black top.
Zawe Ashton stunned in a figure-hugging silver dress as she attended a National Youth Theatre event without fiance Tom Hiddleston at in London on Wednesday.

The actress and playwright, 39, wore the long-sleeved dress with matching silver heels and sparkling chandelier earrings.

Her amazing figure was accentuated by the gown, and she completed her look by parting her long straight hair down the middle and brushing it back.

The Fresh Meat star was supporting the Theatre's First Days fundraising gala, to support young talent, at The Roundhouse.

Zawe and Tom, 42, announced their engagement in March 2022 and welcomed a child together five months prior.

Zawe Ashton, 39, stunned in figure-hugging silver dress without fiance Tom Hiddleston at National Youth Theatre event

The actress and playwright wore the long-sleeved dress with matching silver heels and dangling earrings

The Fresh Meat star was supporting the Theatre's First Days fundraising gala, to support young talent, at The Roundhouse

They made sweet and rare joint appearances at the BAFTA tea party and at the Critics Choice Awards in January.

Zawe's grandfather was the sixth president and third prime minister of Uganda in the 1980s. He spent the majority of his last years in prison before dying at 66 in 1991.

The actress began dating Tom after they acted in the Broadway revival of Betrayal in 2018, and again in 2019.

Prior to this, Tom dated English actress Susannah Fielding and enjoyed a brief and highly-publicised fling with Taylor Swift in 2016.

Meanwhile, Tom is Zawe's first public partner.

In 2023, Zawe gave an insight into the private couple's relationship when she spoke about the 'empowering' acting advice Tom had given her.

Zawe has appeared in St Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold, The Marvels, Casualty and its spin-off Holby City, Misfits, and Doctor Who.

She has not confirmed any acting appearances for the upcoming year, and her last credit was a voice role in Mog's Christmas.
The treatments can cost thousands and require multiple sessions per year

The new trends include permanent lip color and blush on the cheeks

Women everywhere know the dreaded task of removing make-up when all you want to do is collapse onto the pillow after a late night.

Or maybe you have to wake up half an hour early every morning just to get made up.

But now, women are looking to remove this annoying barrier of everyday life - by opting to make their makeup permanent.

In what is the latest bizarre beauty craze, many are undergoing cosmetic procedures and treatments known as permanent makeup or cosmetic tattooing - which see tattoo artists and aestheticians apply colored serums to a patient's face and use micro needling to inject the dye into the skin.

You can make an appointment to have your face tattooed with foundation, concealer, blush, eyeliner, lipstick and even freckles.

The procedures, which cost anywhere from $200 to $1400, can apply concealer under the eyes to disguise dark circles, rosy pink blush on the cheeks to contour, and dark dye to on the lash line to accentuate the eyes.

While the price tag is lower than traditional plastic surgeries and makes the procedures more accessible, experts warn that undergoing such treatments risks serious complications - including permanent disfiguration.

A procedure known as a BB Glow has been described as semi-permanent foundation

In some cases, serums of different tones can be used to achieve the contoured look that makeup provides

A before (left) and after (right) photo of a patient's first BB Glow session from a BB Glow facial clinic in Toronto, Canada

Dr Ashraf Badawi, a professor of dermatology at the National Institute of Laser Sciences, told Harper's Bazaar such procedures can interfere with skin care in the future - burning and scarring the skin and even turning the original dye blue, which can result in 'a disfiguration that is very difficult, if not impossible, to treat.'

A treatment known as a BB Glow has been described as semi-permanent foundation.

The controversial treatment, which gained popularity in South Korea - a country infamous for starting elaborate beauty trends - before spreading widely to Europe, is slowly making its way to the United States.

It is purported to improve the texture and tone of your skin by combining micro needling and semi-permanent makeup to give the effect you are wearing lightweight foundation.

During the procedure, the technician will apply tinted serum to the face and use a micro or nano needling device to implant the substance underneath the skin.

The process are repeated several times during a session and three to four sessions are recommended to achieve the desired look.

A rosy pink shade can be applied to the cheekbones for an instant - and semi permanent - blushed look.

Most people will need at least three to five sessions to see the best results, with each session taking approximately two hours.

There is no downtime needed since it is a non-invasive procedure and results can last from four to eight months.

Depending on location and how many sessions are needed, costs can begin at $200 and run into the thousands.

A clinic in Florida offers a three-pack of sessions for $1,000.

Permanent concealer is a type of micropigmentation first popularized in Brazil. It involves using a tattoo gun to implant pigment under the first layer of skin

Some people on TikTok claim to use it to mask acne scars and hyperpigmentation on their face

Along with permanent foundation and blush, some practitioners offer permanent concealer - promising to cover dark eye circles and give you a well-rested complexion.

Permanent concealer is a type of micropigmentation first popularized in Brazil. It involves using a tattoo gun to implant pigment under the first layer of skin.

Like concealing dark under-eye bags, some people on TikTok also claim to use it to mask acne scars and hyperpigmentation on their face.

However, Dr Tomassian, a California-based dermatologist, warned of the potential of a color discrepancy, leaving people looking mismatched for months. He also said permanent face makeup can lead to severe swelling and a chronic skin allergy. WHY?

'Your foundation works fine!' he added.

Permanent concealer typically costs $400 but can range from $350 to $800.

Also gaining popularity on social media are freckle tattoos - small dots of pigment speckled across a person's face.

In most cases, the technician will start by drawing on individual freckles with a makeup pencil. Then, they will draw on the permanent freckles by repeatedly poking the same spot several times to deposit color into the skin.

The freckle tattoos take up to two weeks to heal and people will leave their appointment will large red spots on their face. However, when the treatment settles, people will have natural-looking freckles for one to two years.

Costs for the tattoos vary widely depending on location, how many freckles you want and the type of technician performing the treatment. They can range from $80 to $450.

A woman getting freckles tattooed on to her face. It takes several days for the mini tattoos to heal and look realistic

Several weeks after the procedure when the 'freckles' have healed

To achieve plumper, rosier and more kissable lips, some aestheticians recommend lip blushing or coloring, which consists of applying a sheer tinted color all over the lips and 'tattooing' it into the skin.

This can help with lips that are uneven or discolored.

Often, people require multiple sessions to achieve their desired shade and results can last between one to five years.

Lip blushing can run you $450 to $1,400 for an initial session, as well as several 'touch-up' appointments after, and each session takes approximately 90 minutes.

Experts say the treatments can be painful because the skin on the lips is highly sensitive.

Additionally, experts warn that allergic reactions to cosmetic tattooing procedures are common and the risk is heightened with lip blushing because of the red pigment in the dye used.

Dermatologist Dr Shilpi Khetarpal said: 'Red is one of the most common allergenic tattoo colors. With lips being pink or red, when youre depositing that color, theres a risk of an allergic reaction.'

And if an allergic reaction does occur, there is no easy solution.

Dr Ava Shamban, a Los Angeles-based dermatologist, told Allure: 'When correction laser is done to remove the red pigment, it almost always turns black. Expertise, artistry, proper care, and advanced knowledge of the skin will give the patient the lowest risk of complications.'

A photo of a woman's lips after receiving permanent full-lip contouring at a dermatology clinic in London

For people not ready to commit to permanent beauty procedures may try an at-home treatment to achieve the much-desired look of face dimples.

The 'dimple-maker' is a cherry-shaped, tweezer-like device with two small balls on the end of wires. It is placed on both sides of the face where one ball will squeeze from the inside of the cheek and one will squeeze from the outside.

The goal is to pinch between the inner and outer cheeks to create a dent, in the hopes of achieving the cute, indented look of dimples that some are lucky enough to be born with.

But the effects of the devices are temporary, and could cause lasting damage to the face.

And medical experts are sounding the alarm over the strange TikTok trend.

Dr Ari Hoschander, a board-certified plastic surgeon based in New York, has previously told DailyMail.com using dimple makers comes with a 'risk of skin necrosis [death] and subsequent scarring.'

For those born without, but desiring dimples, the indents can also be achieved using a procedure called a dimpleplasty, where a surgeon will alter the muscle on the inside of the cheek to create a dimple.

The surgery is done under general anesthetic and the inside of the cheek is closed with dissolvable stitches.

However, this has risks and complications include bleeding, facial nerve damage, infection and scarring.
Ford has said it will slash spending on EVs because it can't sell enough to offset costs - as it revealed it lost $47,000 on each electric car it sold last quarter.

CEO Jim Farley said Tuesday the company would instead ramp up investment in hybrid cars - copying a business strategy long favored by the drivetrain's godfather, Toyota.

Starting with the Prius more than 25 years ago, Toyota has been a staunch proponent of hybrid cars and highly cautious of EVs. That caution may have been wise.

Just this week the world's largest automaker forecast it will have its most profitable year on record thanks to hybrid sales - with earnings of $30.3 billion in the fiscal year ending March.

Ford's 'Model e' division on the other hand - which oversees production of the fully electric Mach-E and F-150 Lightning - is deep in the red.

Over the last year, Ford's share price has fallen by about 10 percent, while Toyota's is up by around 51 percent

CEO Jim Farley told investors 'hybrids will play an increasingly important role' in the future of the auto industry

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In 2024, it lost an enormous $4.7 billion, Ford revealed in its fourth-quarter earnings report. This year, it expects total losses to increase to between $5 billion and $5.5 billion.

In the last quarter of 2023, it sold just 34,000 cars but incurred losses of $1.6 billion, meaning it lost on average $47,000 for each electric car it sold.

That is more than it lost per EV sale in both the second and third quarters of last year and means the company's electric division is moving in the opposite direction of profitability.

While it's expected for a new EV maker to incur losses in the early stages of manufacturing, for the business to be viable in the long term those losses will eventually need to be turned into gains.

Ford previously hoped it could bring its electric car division to earn profits of 8 percent by 2026, but Farley was frank in dashing those targets on Tuesday.

'I think that's clear. I don't think anybody believes that by 2026 we can bridge from here to 8 percent,' he told investors.

As such, Farley said the company would invest more heavily in hybrids, since their margins are 'much higher than EV margins' and demand is high.

'Hybrids will play an increasingly important role in our industry's transition and will be here for the long run,' he said.

When Toyota on Tuesday announced its huge profits, it emphasized how high demand for hybrids and limited production meant they were flying off dealer lots.

'As a realistic solution, hybrids are still favored by our customers,' said Toyota executive vice president Yoichi Miyazaki.

In January, Toyota's former CEO and current chairman Akio Toyoda told reporters the Japanese company would not follow the West's example of focusing excessively on battery electric vehicles.

The Ford 'Model e' division oversees the production of the electric F-150 Lightning and the Mach-E. Pictured is a row of unsold 2024 Lightnings in Colorado in January

'Ford Pro', which oversees the production of its Super Duty trucks, was described by Farley as a 'profit juggernaut'. Pictured is a Ford Super Duty F-350

Over the last year, Ford's share price has fallen by about 10 percent, while Toyota's is up by around 51 percent.

While Ford is not abandoning its EV plans altogether, CFO John Lawley did say its new 'second generation' electric cars would not arrive until consumer demand was high enough.

'Our gen two vehicles... won't launch unless we can get to a profit,' said Lawley. In fact, Ford's huge third-quarter losses came even though year-on-year sales were up by around 4,000 units.

Ford will now need to sell as many electric vehicles as possible to minimize its losses going forward. Selling EVs also allows the company to sell more internal combustion engine models without being penalized by federal regulators.

'We can sell up to a dozen [internal combustion engine] F-150s or other [internal combustion engine] profitable vehicles for every Lightning we sell,' said Lawler, referring to the fully electric version of its best-selling pickup truck.

In fact, while the most recent quarter was bad news for Model e, Ford's other two divisions, 'Ford Pro' and 'Ford Blue' which sell gas-burning cars fared much better and enjoyed profits.

They made $7.2 billion and $7.5 billion respectively. Ford Pro, which oversees the commercial side of the business, including Super Duty trucks, was described by Farley as a 'profit juggernaut' during the call.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday commended MEILs Aatmnirbhar Bharat push at the India Energy Week 2024. MEIL subsidiary, Drillmecs SpAs Made in India HH 150 Automated Hydraulic Workover Rig garnered accolades from the Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Inspecting the HH 150 Automated Hydraulic Workover Rig alongside MEIL Managing Director PV Krishna Reddy, the Minister commended MEIL and Drillmec SpA for alignment with Governments vision of Make in India.

Delighted to see the latest generation automatic rig with high safety standards (Drillmec SpA Italy technology) developed with 55% Make in India content by MEIL. 20 of these automated rigs are being given to @ONGC_ to power Indias energy journey! (sic), Puri said on his social media post. On the occasion Reddy said MEIL is supplying 20 fully automated workover rigs with 55% components of Make in India to the ONGC.

We at MEIL are committed to further building domestic manufacturing capacity, and supplying world-class equipment, to accelerate Indias domestic oil and gas exploration- all aligned to the nations larger goal of achieving an Aatmanirbhar Bharat and energy security, Reddy said in a statement.
Jharkhand has been going through political unrest since it was carved out in 2000. Therefore, it is no surprise that it is facing yet another crisis now

The State had a tumultuous political history. It has witnessed eleven chief ministers in the last two decades, with the twelfth appointment being Champai Soren; on Friday, Hemant Soren, the previous chief minister, was interrogated for seven hours at his official residence and was subsequently forced to resign, resulting in a crisis. Corruption and defection have led to instability in the State. In the past, several former Chief Ministers resigned due to corrosion. It was not surprising when Hemant Soren was arrested, as he knew it was coming sooner or later.

Unfortunately, the crisis occurred at a crucial time, raising several issues. These include the uncertainty surrounding the newly formed Opposition Forum INDIA. It could adversely the outcome of the 2024 elections, which are scheduled for April-May. Additionally, why small states are experiencing political instability should also be investigated.

Jharkhand has had political instability and Maoist violence since it was formed. In contrast, Chattisgarh, created simultaneously, has been relatively politically stable. Jharkhand is blessed with plenty of natural resources. Still, its people have been struggling with poverty and underdevelopment due to frequent changes in governance. This has caused problems for the State's development over time. Jharkhand has had 11 Chief Ministers since 2000, with most having brief tenures. Only Raghubar Das, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), completed a full five-year term from 2014 to 2019.

After Hemant Soren resigned, Governor CP Radhakrishnan delayed Champai Soren's swearing-in ceremony, causing tensions in Jharkhand. The State was left without a Chief Minister for more than 48 hours. However, Champai Soren, a committed Jharkhand Mukti Morcha party member and the former State Transport Minister, was finally sworn in as the new Chief Minister on Friday. Champai Soren is one of the party's founding members, along with Hemant Soren's father, Shibu Soren. Hemant chose Champai Soren as his successor not only for his loyalty but also for his competence and dedication to the party.

Just forming smaller states is no guarantee for better lives, as evidenced by Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand, all created in 2000. The Jharkhand Assembly has 81 members. A government can form with 41 members. The JMM-Congress-RJD alliance has 47 members, BJP. has 25, and AJSU. has three members. The remaining seats are shared by the NCP, a Left party, and three independent members.s.

The JMM-led alliance was concerned about the Bharatiya Janata Party destabilizing their government by luring their members away. As a precaution, the MLAs were taken to a safe place until the new chief minister took the oath. Defection problems have plagued the political system; resort politics is another issue that needs attention.

The opposition coalition INDIA has faced a setback after instability in Jharkhand. The cracks in the alliance have become more evident due to a lack of unity within INDIA. group. Nitish Kumar's departure from the party, followed by Mamata Banerjee's announcement that her TMC. the party will contest in all seats in West Bengal, and AAP's decision to run independently in Punjab has posed a severe threat to the unity of the group. The strained relationship between the Congress and Akhilesh Yadav's SP in Uttar Pradesh has further worsened the situation.

The Opposition accuses the Modi government of investigating several leaders from the Opposition. These include Delhi's CM Arvind Kejriwal, Kerala's Pinarayi Vijayan, NCP's Sharad Pawar, Hemant Soren, DMK's Stalin and the Congress. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee established three smaller states by dividing larger ones: Chhattisgarh from Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand from Bihar, and Uttarakhand from Uttar Pradesh. The main goal was to promote development in these regions.

However, two decades later, these states are still experiencing instability and a lack of development. The mere creation of a smaller state is no guarantee for better lives. The time has come to assess whether smaller states have achieved their intended purpose. There may be better options for the people. Smaller assemblies can cause instability as MLAs switch sides. In smaller states, elections often prioritize local issues, dividing representation among smaller parties and regional leaders who act independently. It can have unintended consequences that negatively affect people's lives. The stability of smaller states depends on various factors. In Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, direct contests occur between BJP and Congress. But, in Jharkhand, the multi-party system with national parties relying on regional parties can lead to instability and defections.

In elections, when no political party wins a clear majority, it can cause political instability in small and large states. To prevent lawmakers from switching parties, the Anti-Defection Law was created. However, this law often fails as some legislators are tempted by money and muscle power. Comprehensive electoral reforms should be implemented, and state funding must be provided for elections. Political parties must find practical solutions to ensure the system's fairness and transparency.

(The writer is a popular columnist; views are personal)
The Cayuga Economic Development Agency was founded in 2010 to foster a sustainable quality of life through business retention, expansion and attraction. Prior to CEDA becoming a one-stop shop, economic development functions were delivered separately by the city of Auburn and Cayuga County. The separation of service delivery did not serve the taxpayers well, nor did it provide the most efficient outcomes for businesses seeking assistance. Recognizing these issues, the public and private sectors came together and agreed to create a single centralized entity where oversight was shared between government and private business interests. While its been a bumpy road at times, CEDA has achieved much of what it set out to do.

Most of our work is focused on value-added agribusiness, manufacturing and new business assistance. Our efforts to aid the agribusiness sector have helped to generate an enormous new demand for local agricultural products. The Cayuga Milk Ingredients plant now turns local milk into specialized dairy products that are shipped all over the world. Denkavit, located next-door to CMI within the Cayuga County Industrial Development Agency Industrial Park, uses a previously discarded food grade byproduct to manufacture a high-quality animal feed. DuMond Farms, located in the town of Fleming, has become the states largest soybean processor and consumes a significant portion of New Yorks soybean harvest. We continue to work with these businesses and look forward to the completion of the sewer line expansion that will support the next phase of growth for CMI.

Our efforts to assist manufacturers have helped Cayuga County resist offshoring trends through funding and workforce development efforts. While there has been a significant decline in manufacturing activity over the last several decades, CEDAs efforts to aid local manufacturers have been fruitful. Today, the county has roughly three times more manufacturing jobs per capita than New York state. Weve helped a number of manufacturers acquire funding and connect to resources. Our plastics sector is a particular bright spot, with several expansions at Currier Plastics as well as the new Tessy Plastics facility in Auburn.

We work extensively with residents who want to take a bold step and start a new business. CEDAs specialists and partner agencies put a lot of time and effort into helping these new entrepreneurs. Whether assisting with a business plan or providing access to local information like zoning, permitting, training or funding, CEDA and its partners are here for the countys entrepreneurs. Two notable successes are Prison City Brewing and Mr. Mills Contracting. Prison City now employs 75 people across two locations and has become a major draw for regional tourist traffic. Mr. Mills, which began as a sole proprietor with one truck operating as Handy Skills by Mr. Mills, has since grown to a fleet of three trucks and six employees who take on large remodeling projects.

All told, CEDA has played an important role in the economy of Auburn and Cayuga County over the last 14 years. This is shown in the data. Between 2010 and 2022, private-sector wages in Cayuga County grew by 58.5%, much faster than the central New York region and New York state as a whole. While average wages still lag behind both CNY and New York state, we are catching up and closing the gap.

(Source: New York State Department of Labor Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages: Annual average wage by geographic area, private employers, 2010-2022)

CEDA didnt do this in a vacuum; it required the support of our partners with whom we collaborate daily. The Onondaga Small Business Development Center is an absolutely vital resource for our new business clients. The free advice, research and training/workshops provided by the SBDC is often the difference between a company that can support a family and one that ruins a retirement. The Central New York Regional Economic Development Council has supported dozens of companies in Cayuga County that are making significant capital investments to create and retain jobs. Many of these companies would have left the U.S. entirely without the assistance provided by the CNYREDC. The city and county departments of Planning and Economic Development, headed by Jenny Haines and Steve Lynch, collaborate to align projects with municipal plans and goals. Our industrial development partners, CCIDA and the Auburn Industrial Development Authority, extend benefits to help larger businesses retain and expand employment through local tax abatements and sales tax exemptions.

As always, if your business could use some guidance, CEDA and its specialists are here to help. Our advice is free and confidential. Our goal remains the support of our business community to help them provide good jobs in Cayuga County.
For the INDIA bloc to endure following the upheaval caused by Nitish, Congress must demonstrate flexibility and be willing to make concessions

Nitish Kumars Chameleon-like skills have been decoded by columnists and writers in India in a different style but this writer I would prefer to describe the astute Bihar politician as a perfect culmination and package of 3 in 1 rare quality comprising of 16th-century Italian statesman, Niccolo Machiavellis thinking ends justify the means, Charles Darwin theorys ingredient survival of the fittest and late George Fernandess unpredictable nature, which has helped him to become chief minister for 9th record time. Machiavellianism characterizes the view that politics is immoral hence the unscrupulous actions involving deceit, treachery and violence are permissible as an effective means of acquiring and maintaining political power.

In the Indian context, a committed socialist, the late George Fernandes was responsible for toppling the Morarji Desai government on July 15, 1979, as he revolted and subsequently resigned along with some ministers thereby ditching Morarji. Interestingly, Fernandes had praised the government in parliament on July 14, 1979, but acted as Paltu Ram the next day to ensure the downfall of his government. As a true follower of Fernandes to survival, Nitish has exhibited his talent several times hence even foes including BJP have warmly accepted his comeback though it had declared that doors are shut for  Paltu Ram after he dumped the saffron party in Bihar to form the government with RJD and Congress 18 months ago.

Congress Party may share Maximum Blame For the current uncertainty in the INDI Alliance.

Experts believe that as a PAN India party, it was mandatory for the Congress to stitch the alliance and ensure seat-sharing but it has miserably failed so far. JD(U) supremo, Nitish Kumar has left the alliance in lurch and leaders like Mamata Banerjee and Kejriwal have decided to carve out their suicidal independent path. The critics squarely blame Rahul Gandhi also who ought to have rescheduled his Nayay Yatra and supplemented the efforts of Malikarjun Kharge to sort out the differences with alliance partners vis-a-vis seat sharing in the states. Due to ill -health Sonia Gandhi, is not fully active and opted to leave it to Rahul to handle the entire fiasco. Priyanka Vadras sojourn in America also defies logic especially when she does matter in Congress.

Impact of Nitish's decision to dump I.N.D.I.A

Political observers believe that BJP and JD(U) were sailing in the same boat in Bihar which is evident from the slide in the percentage of votes when compared with the 2019(NDA) Lok Sabha and 2020 assembly polls of Maha Gath Bandhan (MGB) in Bihar. BJP and JD(U) had fought the 2019 polls together and polled 23.58% and 21.81 % whereas it came down to 19.46% (-2.35%) and 15.39 % (-8.19%) in the 2020 assembly elections respectively which could have been the predominant reason of joining the hands to survive and improve the performance in 2024.

Nitish Kumars decision to ditch the INDI alliance may have serious implications in Bihar as BJP, JD(U) and LJP make a deadly combination for 2024. NDA got 53.25% in 2019 which included BJP (23.58%), JD(U)21.8% and LJP (7.88%). Contrary to it, MGB is left with RJDs 23.11 % in 2020 and Congress partys 9.48 % thereby reducing it to a minor player in Bihar which has given a big jolt to the INDI alliance.

2nd, JD(U) had won `16 Lok Sabha seats and lost one and BJP won all 17 seats contested by it whereas LJP won all six seats which will directly benefit the saffron party as there were very little chances of winning a larger number of states with the help Chirag Paswan party and smaller groups.

3rd, Nitish will benefit equally after joining hands with BJP as it has protected his CM chair and prospects of becoming CM for the tenth time have brightened after the 2025 assembly polls.

4th, Bihar CM had always found discomfort in the company of the Lalu family which is being investigated by ED for allegations of corruption and Nitish Kumars chances of facing investigating agencies were not being ruled out, especially in view of chances of Modi returning back to power for 3rd time in 2024.

5th, Nitish can find himself in a safe zone after joining hands with the BJP which has been witnessed in innumerable cases of political adversaries and foes in the states and centre as they were liberated from the scare of ED and other investigating agencies.

6th, Nitish was reportedly upset with the reports of six MPs of his party hobnobbing with BJP and they could have left him in the lurch prior to 2024 because they had won owing to JD(U) and BJP alliance and caste equations in 2019. As things stand today, the chances of their victory had dampened especially after the Ram temple consecration by PM, Narender Modi and the impact of Hindutva in Bihar.

7th, JD(U) MPs also recognize the fact that people vote in a different manner in parliamentary polls hence 2020 assembly elections yardstick cannot be applied in 2024 as Modi will be the face of NDA who stands at an invincible and indomitable position when compared with any leader in INDI alliance which is yet to declare its PM candidate.

Mamata And Kejriwal are the two villains of the entire fiasco.

Political observers give full credit to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata and Delhi CM, Arvind Kejriwal for sabotaging the chances of Nitish Kumar to become convener of the alliance which can be attributed to their personal ambition. One cannot deny the fact that Nitish had worked hard for the past year and met the regional leaders which led to the first successful meeting of I.N.D.I.A in Patna on June 23, 2023, to resolve to oust the BJP in 2024. But when crunch time came, Mamata floated the name of Kharge and Kejriwal supported her proposal which was the result of their joint strategy to keep Nitish at bay they succeeded which amounts to a self-inflicted political wound and it may prove counterproductive in 2024.

Nitish accuses Congress of creating a mess

Nitish Kumar has blamed Congress for the current crisis in INDIA but insiders reveal that former CM, Lalu Prasad and his son Tejeshwai also contributed to the present murky state of affairs in Bihar. Father and son, the duo, was in a hurry to capture power through former JD(U) president, Lalan Singh who was shown the door by Nitish. Lalan Singh had mooted an idea of making Tejashwi CM and started breaking JD(U) which irked Nitish who ensured the removal of Singh and clinched a deal with BJP.

Nitish is primarily focused on survival only. In this backdrop, Nitish Kumar does not care if he will be remembered in Indian history as a Chameleon, Paltu Ram or Aya Ram, Gaya Ram because he has implemented Machiavellis principle to survive in politics and it has also benefited him to stick to chief ministers chair for 9th time after ditching Mahagathbandhan comprising of Congress and Rashtriya Janata dal(RJD) in Bihar.CM has embraced the Bharatiya Janata party which desperately needed him to win a maximum number of seats in 2024. Nitish has a bright chance of acquiring the CMs chair for the 10th time after the 2025 assembly polls provided the BJP is on the receiving end otherwise he should be ready for political burial.BJP believes in the principle of use and throw which holds true for those leaders who defected from various parties but lost relevance with the passage of time. But the BJP does take care of those leaders who retain their political relevance and utility like some of Rahul Gandhis legion who dumped him and joined the saffron party.

Analysts opine that INDI Alliance can be saved even after the jolt given by Nitish but it will be possible if Congress adopts an attitude of flexibility and makes sacrifices to accept the dominance of Mamata, Kejriwal etc. in West Bengal and Punjab as well as Delhi respectively.

(The writer is a political analyst and senior journalist; views are personal)
The 'Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana' represents a significant step towards sustainable energy adoption, promising not only free electricity but also economic empowerment

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently announced a groundbreaking initiative in her budget speech, confirming that participants in the government's newly unveiled rooftop solar scheme will receive 300 units of complimentary electricity per month. This initiative aims to assist households in saving up to Rs 18,000 annually, with distribution companies ensuring its implementation.

This announcement comes on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's declaration of the 'Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana' shortly after his return from Ayodhya on January 22. Under this scheme, rooftop solar power systems will be installed in one crore homes, though a specific timeline for achieving this ambitious target was not provided.

The scheme arrives at a crucial juncture as the government's goal of installing rooftop solar power plants has not gained significant traction. Despite a target of 40 GW by the end of 2022, only 5.87 GW of rooftop solar projects were installed by May last year, representing less than 15% of the target.

In alignment with the government's energy transition plans, a substantial portion of the renewable capacity, totalling 292 GW out of 500 GW by 2030, is expected to be solar power.

Additionally, the Finance Minister highlighted that the scheme will facilitate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) by incorporating home charging stations. It is also anticipated to generate entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in the supply, installation, and maintenance sectors.

The 'Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana' extends the longstanding rooftop solar energy program, which aimed to contribute 40 GW to the government's initial target of installing 100 GW of solar capacity by 2022. However, as of the end of 2023, the country's total solar capacity reached 73.3 GW, with grid-connected rooftop systems comprising only 11 GW, or 15%.

Industry experts, including the Delhi-based Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW), suggest that installing solar power on rooftops of 10 million homes could add 20-25 GW of new capacity. Furthermore, this initiative is expected to lead to savings of about Rs 2 lakh crore for distribution companies over the next 25 years.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana, approximately 10 million households will benefit from the ability to sell surplus electricity to distribution companies. Sitharaman estimated that families could save between Rs 15,000 and Rs 18,000 annually through this project, with the Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) Limited serving as the designated nodal agency.

The scheme mandates the provision of 300 units of free electricity to low- and middle-income households. After recovering the installation cost of Rs 80,000 (post-subsidy) for a 2 kW plant in four years, the surplus power generated can be sold to the grid. Distribution companies stand to benefit from reduced infrastructure investment and losses.

While the project's implementation faces challenges, including limited panel manufacturing capacity, experts advocate for a focus on practical sectors such as commercial and industrial, where subsidies and clear policies can drive cost reductions. Despite previous shortcomings, the government remains committed to renewable energy targets, including the expansion of e-vehicle infrastructure and the promotion of green growth initiatives.

In conclusion, the 'Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana' signifies a pivotal stride towards a brighter, cleaner future for India. By harnessing the power of the sun, this initiative not only offers free electricity to millions of households but also paves the way for economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. With continued commitment from both the government and citizens alike, India is poised to emerge as a global leader in renewable energy adoption, driving positive change for generations to come. Let us embrace this opportunity to shape a greener, more prosperous tomorrow for our nation and the world.

(The writer is a senior journalist; views are personal)
The civil aviation sector plays a crucial role in driving growth and facilitating mobility, pushing the nation's economic progress forward

India is ranked 5th in the world's GDP rankings in 2024. India's economy boasts diversity and swift growth, fuelled by key sectors such as information technology, services, agriculture, and manufacturing. The civil aviation sector is also emerging as a crucial driver of growth and mobility and by implication is steering economic growth for the country. Today, India stands as the third-largest aviation market.

This boom can be traced back to a mix of factors including the expansion of tourism & infrastructure development, along with low-cost carriers and growth of disposable income. The construction of new airports, expansion of existing ones, and the introduction of world-class facilities further strengthen Indias position as a global aviation powerhouse. Air passenger traffic in India, comprising both domestic and international travel, is expected to reach 395 million in 2023-24. By FY2030, it is predicted that India's domestic airport passenger numbers will rise to 700 million, while its international airport passenger numbers will reach 160 million.

Moving to Renewables

Global experts across the world believe that India is on its way to becoming the most exciting market for global aviation due to investments made by the Indian government in airport infrastructure. However, the centres priorities are in the middle of a complex Venn diagram  maximizing economic opportunity while also moving steadily towards achieving its decarbonization goals. This can be seen clearly in their decision to promote carbon reduction initiatives.

Earlier this year, Cochin International Airport (CIAL) became the first airport in the world which is completely powered by solar energy. The unprecedented project is expected to avoid 3,00,000 tons of CO2 in the next 25 years  the equivalent of planting three million trees. A staggering 66 Indian airports have already achieved 100% green energy usage, powered by solar, wind, and hydro sources and 121 more are projected to become carbon-neutral by 2025.

In India, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has been spearheading the promotion of sustainable development in the aviation sector by encouraging the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a green alternative. This green revolution in Indian airports is not merely an environmental initiative; it is a strategic economic imperative.

By embracing sustainability, India is positioning itself as a leader in the global aviation industry, attracting investments and fostering innovation.

Shaping an Industry for the Future

Usage of SAF against conventional jet fuels would result in a lifecycle carbon reduction of up to 80 per cent carbon emissions. The Indian government is actively promoting the use of SAF and has set a target of achieving a 10 per cent blending of SAF with conventional jet fuel by 2030. When the entire world is faced with the humongous challenge of climate change & related impacts, devising a sustainable approach to scaling infrastructure is crucial. It appears the government is cautiously stepping in the right direction, by adopting a 360-degree approach.

To augment the airport infrastructure the government aims to develop 100 airports by 2024 under the UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) Scheme. To date, 74 airports have been developed. More than 2.15 Lakh UDAN flights have been operated and over 1.1 Cr passengers have availed of the benefits of UDAN flights so far. While new airports are being built to improve connectivity and bolster supply chain networks, this is being done with a green component. MoCA has issued guidance to developers of upcoming Greenfield Airports and the relevant State Governments, emphasizing the importance of working towards carbon neutrality and net-zero emissions. This includes promoting the use of green energy sources.

The Indian aviation industry has been growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18% over the last five years, according to a report by KPMG. The Indian Civil Aviation MRO market, at present, stands at around $900 Mn and is anticipated to grow to $4.33 Bn by 2025 increasing at a CAGR of about 14-15%.

Various stakeholders have now come into the picture as the transition provides for new arenas of innovation. For example, the Odisha Government has recently appointed RITES Ltd as the consultant for the airports in Rourkela, Jeypore and Amarda Road. The company has provided its expertise in green airport development. Earlier, the Railways PSU was signed on to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Shivamogga Airport under the UDAN Scheme. This shift towards green practices also improves resource management, generates cost savings, and ultimately enhances the overall competitiveness of the aviation sector in the country.

India has firmly established itself on the global aviation map. As we continue to embrace the future of aviation, the industry has the potential to transform the way we travel and approach our decarbonization goals. The sky's the limit for this exciting and dynamic industry.

(The author is a professor at Assam University, views are personal)
The Rouse Avenue Court on Wednesday ordered Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to appear before it on February 17 regarding a complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for skipping summons in a case linked to the excise policy. The court noted that prima facie, the AAP chief was legally bound to comply.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Divya Malhotra said that Kejriwal purportedly failed to appear before the investigating agency, and summoned him for the offence under Section 174 of the IPC (non-attendance in obedience to an order from a public servant). In its complaint, the ED alleged that the Delhi Chief Minister intentionally avoided obeying the summons and kept providing lame excuses. The agency said that if a high-ranking public functionary like him disobeyed the law, it would set a wrong example for the common man.

From the contents of the complaint and the material placed on record, prima facie, an offence under Section 174 of the IPC is made out, and there are sufficient grounds for proceeding against accused Arvind Kejriwal... Cognizance [of the complaint case] has been taken. Summons are ordered to be issued for February 17 for the offence under Section 174 of the IPC, the court said.

Kejriwal can challenge the Rouse Avenue court order to stay it or can seek relief from personal appearance in the court and appear through a lawyer. The setback comes as Kejriwal is facing heat from the Delhi Crime Branch as well regarding his comment that the BJP tried to buy seven AAP MLAs. The Crime Branch asked the Delhi Chief Minister to provide evidence supporting his claims.

So far, Kejriwal has skipped five summons issued by the ED - on November 2, 2023, December 22, 2023, January 3, 2024, January 18, and February 2.

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 ED then called him for questioning on December 21; however, Kejriwal went for a 10-day Vipassana meditation course at a centre in Punjabs Hoshiarpur district.

The AAP convener had earlier written to the ED, describing the summonses as illegal and politically motivated. He alleged that the summonses were aimed at preventing him from campaigning in elections.

The respondent to the summonses, i.e., the proposed accused, was legally bound to attend in person in pursuance of the same but purportedly failed to do so, the judge said.

The court passed the order on the complaint, which claimed that instead of appearing pursuant to the summons, Kejriwal raised frivolous objections and deliberately created grounds which clearly show that he intentionally did not want to obey the summons. He kept on giving lame excuses which were not only frivolous but made with an intention to make out a false defense.

In response to the development, AAP senior Leader and Delhi Cabinet Minister Atishi said that the party respects the courts order and will present its stance on the case on the given date. They will highlight how the five summons from the ED are illegal and unlawful. The leader mentioned that these ED summons are part of a conspiracy to halt Kejriwal from campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections and to arrest him. By utilizing investigating agencies like the ED, the BJP aims to compel the Delhi CM to visit its investigating agencys office and have him arrested.

Firstly, we will inform the court that all five summons sent by the ED were 100 per cent illegal and unlawful. After receiving every summons from the ED, the Delhi Chief Minister responded to them in writing, detailing the illegal components of the summons. He posed various questions through his responses to the ED, but the investigating agency never replied. Additionally, despite issuing five summons, the ED could not substantiate the legality of its summons, she said.
Congress leaders from Karnataka, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in the national capital on Wednesday, alleging injustice by the Centre in the devolution of taxes to the State.

While the BJP and the Central government have refuted the financial allegations made by the southern States,

another State, Kerala, led by CPI(M) veteran and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, along with his

cabinet colleagues, will stage a protest in Delhi on Thursday against the Centres alleged negligence toward the southern State.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman refuted Karnatakas claims that the Centre is withholding its share of funds, calling them misleading. She also made some extremely strong comments, accusing the States ruling party, the Congress, of attempting to shatter the nations unity.

The Congress is now siding with separatists... Two years ago, you saw Rahul Gandhi at JNU (Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University). He stood with the tukde-tukde gang. Today, the same slogans are being echoed in Tamil Nadu, and the party is not condemning it. Here also, the same language is being used in full-page ads, said the Union Finance Minister.

The BJP has labelled Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans protest against the Central governments alleged financial embargo on Kerala in the national capital on Thursday as high political drama bankrolled by taxpayers money and has attempted to undermine the Kerala governments narrative that the Central government is responsible for Keralas fiscal crisis. It said the proposed protest against the Centre is simply sheer politics aimed at shifting the blame for its own failure onto the Modi government, as people are reportedly angry with the ruling alliance in Kerala.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, along with several MPs, ministers, and MLAs from Karnataka state, took part in the protest.

Congress alleged that injustice has been meted out to Karnataka in tax devolution and grants-in-aid over the past few years. The protesters demanded that the Centre rectify the losses to the tune of Rs 1.87 lakh crore allegedly incurred by Karnataka under the 15th Finance Commission. Siddaramaiah said this protest is not against the BJP but against the discrimination faced by Karnataka. Dismissing the BJPs allegation that the protest aimed to stir up a north-south divide, he emphasized that the Congress wants the country to remain united but opposes discrimination against the southern States.

We are raising the issue of discrimination by the government of India against the state of Karnataka and other southern states, Siddaramaiah said while addressing the protesters. This is why I wrote a letter to all the MPs of the BJP and the JD(S) asking them to participate in this agitation, he added.

The Chief Minister highlighted that the formula used to devolve taxes to the States, particularly Karnataka, under the 14th Finance Commission was altered by the 15th Finance Commission. He called for reverting to the old formula to prevent revenue loss for his state and stated that they would submit a representation to the new Finance Commission for adopting the formula used by the 14th Finance Commission.

Shivakumar mentioned that Karnataka ranks second in Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection and is the largest contributor to the countrys revenue. We are demanding our rights, we are demanding our share. The Karnataka government had requested drought relief funds from the Centre, but not a single rupee was provided, he emphasized.

We are the voice of Karnataka. We demand justice, Shivakumar said.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said top leaders from Karnataka protested at the Jantar Mantar to safeguard the interests of the whole state.

The Prime Minister talks big about cooperative federalism, but as usual that is just a jumla. His anti-democratic, anti-people views are evident in the repeated ANYAY to Karnataka, as well as other Opposition-ruled States  drought relief funds denied; food grains denied; projects delayed, he said in a post on X while sharing his statement.

He said Karnataka and the Congress demand NYAY - the immediate release of all funds rightfully due.

This is not a political protest by the Congress Party against the BJP, but a protest by the entire state to highlight unfair treatment by the Modi Government, urging all Indians to take notice of this injustice. The state government has invited all parties to join the protest to demand justice for Kannadigas, and defend the Constitutional principle of federalism, Ramesh said in a statement.

The economic anyay done to Karnataka by the Modi Government since 2014 are numerous, totalling thousands of crores of funds diverted unfairly, he alleged.

He claimed that the starkest examples of this anyay is that drought relief funds have been denied to Karnataka, as 223 out of 236 talukas of the State are grappling with the effects of drought, with 123 experiencing severe drought conditions.

Karnataka needs Rs 17,900 crore as compensation, and farmers have lost crops worth Rs 35,000 crore, but not a single rupee has been released by the Centre to address this critical situation, he said.

Ramesh said rice for the Anna Bhagya scheme was denied, after the Modi government on June 13, 2023, in a move of the Modi Government discontinued the direct sale of rice and wheat from the central pool to State governments.

This was a direct attack to prevent implementation of the Karnataka governments Anna Bhagya Yojana. Denying Kannadigas the right to free grains just because they voted for the Congress Party is the height of anti-national behaviour, especially by the Prime Minister, he said.

Ramesh also alleged that Karnataka receives only Rs 12 out of every Rs 100 in taxes paid to the Centre, with the rest held by the Modi government. Under new formulas adopted by the 15th Finance Commission, Karnatakas share of funds has fallen from 4.71 per cent to 3.65 per cent, representing a loss of over Rs. 1.87 lakh crore, he claimed.

This consistent decline in the States share highlights a growing injustice towards Karnataka. While Karnataka is facing the worst of the anti-federal policy of the Modi Government today, there has been a sustained attack on federalism across the country, he alleged.

The Congress leader said since 2014, the share of tax revenue collected as cess or surcharge has grown, from just around 10 percent to over 26 percent.

Today, all Kannadigas, all Indians, and the Indian National Congress have a simple demand: Prime Minister Modi, end this anyay-kaal for Karnataka and all Opposition states, and immediately release the funds that are rightfully due, Ramesh said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued his attack, making certain jibes at the Congress and its leadership. Simultaneously, he highlighted the achievements of his Governments two terms, which have fortified the path leading to their third term. Confident of securing a massive majority in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Modi outlined his vision for his next five-year term, saying that the Modi 3.0 government would exert all its efforts to strengthen the foundation of Viksit Bharat or a developed nation.

Strongly criticising the previous Congress-led governments for their mismanagement of the economy, Modi told the Rajya Sabha that his government, over the past 10 years, has focused on the development of all sections of society. He stressed India has transitioned from being part of the Fragile Five during the Congress-led UPA government to becoming one of the top five economies in the world.

Sabka saath is not just a slogan; it is Modis guarantee, the Prime Minister asserted during his spirited 90-minute response to the discussion on the motion of thanks to the Presidents address in the Rajya Sabha. He further said that the governments aim is to transform India into a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) by 2047, marking the completion of 100 years of Independence.

Vikshit Bharat is not mere wordplay; it is our commitment, Modi said while outlining an ambitious roadmap for the next five years. The Modi Government is concluding its second five-year term, and the next general elections are scheduled for April-May. The third term of our government is not far away. Some people call it Modi 3.0. Modi 3.0 will exert all its efforts to strengthen the foundation of Viksit Bharat, the Prime Minister affirmed.

Expanding on his vision for the next five years, Modi said that all flagship programmes, such as PM Kisan, PM Awas Yojna, free ration distribution, Ayushman Bharat, and the provision of cheaper medicines through Jan Aushadhi Kendra, will be sustained. He also mentioned that India will see a significant increase in the number of doctors and medical colleges.

The Prime Minister said that medical treatment will become more accessible and affordable. He pledged to extend the piped gas network, provide tap water to impoverished households, and eliminate power bills through the use of solar power across the entire nation.

Modi said India will witness the emergence of more startups, achieve the milestone of one lakh unicorns, set records in patent registrations, establish top-tier universities, increase participation in international sports, transform public transportation, and introduce bullet trains.

In Modi 3.0, the Prime Minister added, India will extensively utilise AI, nano-fertilizers, green technologies, adopt natural farming practices, and promote superfoods. He said India will make remarkable progress in the semiconductor sector, electronic goods, and green hydrogen.

Over the next five years, Modi asserted that the world will witness the capabilities of Indian youth in every international sporting competition.

He pledged to transform the public transport system, elevate the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign to new heights, ensure dominance of Made In India semiconductors and electronics in the global market, and work towards reducing energy dependence on other countries.

Continued on Page 2

Modi continues congress diatribe

The Prime Minister also mentioned that the government will promote green hydrogen and ethanol blending. He reiterated Indias commitment to achieving self-reliance in edible oil production.

India imports a significant quantity of edible oil to fulfill domestic requirements, with import dependence exceeding 50 per cent. Modi also discussed the promotion of natural farming and millet as superfoods. He mentioned that the use of drones in agriculture will witness a significant increase.

Likewise, the adoption of nano urea technology is being encouraged as a grassroots movement. He also emphasized the achievement of new records in fisheries and animal husbandry.

Modi emphasised the tourism sector as a significant source of employment for the next five years. He underscored the capability of many States in the country to drive their economy solely through tourism. India is poised to become a major tourist destination globally, he added.

The Prime Minister also highlighted advancements in the fields of Digital India and Fintech, stating that the next five years hold a promising future for Indias digital economy. Digital services will propel Indias progress. I have full faith that our scientists will lead us to new heights in space technology, he said.

Discussing the transformation of the grassroots economy, Modi mentioned self-help groups and stated that three crore lakhpati didis (wealthy sisters) will script a new narrative of women empowerment. By 2047, India will relive its golden era, he said, reaffirming the governments commitment to Viksit Bharat.
After addressing the Congress's first family - Nehru and the Gandhis - consecutively in his Parliament speeches, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had commendable words for his predecessor, Manmohan Singh, who headed the Congress-led government for two successive terms between 2004 and 2014.

"I wish to remember Dr Manmohan Singh today; his contribution in the House, with his invaluable thoughts, both as a leader and in the Opposition, has been immense. For such a long time, the way he has guided this House and country, Dr Manmohan Singh will always be remembered for it," Modi said during his speech in the Rajya Sabha.

Modi recalled an incident in the old Parliament building during a trust vote against the government, saying, "It was known that the treasury bench would win, but Dr Manmohan Singh came on his wheelchair and cast his vote. This is an example of a member being alert to his duties," Modi said, bidding farewell to the 68 members scheduled to retire between February and May as per their tenures. The elections to the vacant seats have also been announced for the end of this month.

The retiring Rajya Sabha members were also given a farewell on Thursday at Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's residence.

In a sarcastic jibe at the Congress, the PM thanked Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge for coming out with a "black paper" against his government and referred to it as "kaala teeka" (to ward off the evil eye) amidst the good work being done by his government.

The PM referred to the black robes worn by Opposition MPs in the House as a mark of protest and said, "We also saw a fashion parade in the Rajya Sabha when some members came in black clothes.

He said the Members who are leaving for a more public platform will hugely benefit from the experience in the Rajya Sabha. "This is a diverse university of six years, shaped by experiences. Anyone who goes out from here goes enriched and strengthens the work of nation-building," he said.

Marking the significance of the present moment, he said that the members who are leaving today had the opportunity to be in both the old and the new building, and they are leaving bearing witness to the Amrit Kaal and 75 years of the Constitution.
Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the ruling BJP at the Centre received a boost on Wednesday from two regional heavyweights. From southern India, AIADMK members joined the BJP, while the RLD from northern India expressed interest in joining the NDA after leaving the Opposition bloc INDIA. A group of 15 former AIADMK MLAs and one former MP joined the saffron party on Wednesday. The induction ceremony for these leaders took place in New Delhi, in the presence of Union Ministers Rajeev Chandrasekhar and L Murugan, as well as State BJP president K Annamalai.

Chandrasekhar remarked that the large-scale joining reflects Modis popularity in a State like Tamil Nadu, where the BJP has traditionally not been a significant force.

Welcoming them, Annamalai said they bring a wealth of experience to the BJP and aim to bolster Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership as he prepares for a third consecutive term in power.

Some of them have been involved in politics for the past 50 years; some were present at the inception of political parties in Tamil Nadu. Today, they have all come to the headquarters in New Delhi to join the BJP and seek the blessings of party president JP Nadda. This is the first time in Tamil Nadu that 16 people have joined the party simultaneously. Two former MLAs had already joined the party during the En Mann En Makkal yatra, Annamalai added.

Tamil Nadu is trending towards the BJP, asserted the young leader, whose firm stance on his partys ideological position in the Dravidian State and sharp criticism of the established parties have earned him both admirers and detractors.

The former AIADMK MLAs who joined the BJP are K Vadivel (Karur), Challenger Duraisamy (Coimbatore), PS Kandhasamy (Aravakurichi), MV Rathinam (Pollachi), R Chinnasamy (Singanallur), VR Jayaraman (Theni), SM Vasan (Vedasanthur), PS Arul (Bhuvanagiri), R Rajendran (Kaatumannarkoil), Selvi Murugesan (Kangeyam), and A Rokini (Kolathur).

Additionally, three-time MLA and former AIADMK minister Gomathi Srinivasan also joined the BJP.

Furthermore, as the Lok Sabha elections approach, the Opposition alliance faces the possibility of another setback, with speculation abound that Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Chaudhary Jayant Chaudhry may defect and join the NDA.

As the speculation gains traction, SP national president Akhilesh Yadav rebuffed such claims, asserting that the RLD remains part of the INDIA bloc. He said, Jayant Chaudhry is a seasoned politician who will align with those who support farmers, and he accused the BJP of spreading rumours.

However, sources indicate that a tentative agreement has been reached on three parliamentary seats between the RLD and BJP, adding a new layer of complexity to the political landscape.

Reportedly, the RLD had initially sought the Kairana, Amroha, Baghpat, Mathura, and Muzaffarnagar seats from the BJP. Among these, the BJP appears willing to offer the Kairana, Amroha, and Baghpat seats, while discussions persist regarding Mathura and Muzaffarnagar.

Additionally, sources indicate that the RLD requested a ministerial post within the NDA alliance.

Electoral calculations suggest that the BJP is eager to court the RLD for constituencies with a significant Muslim voter base in western Uttar Pradesh. Consequently, they have offered three seats.

Sources suggest that the alliance between the RLD and SP soured over disagreements regarding seat allocations, with the SP insisting that its candidates should contest on the RLDs symbol.

SPs insistence on candidates in Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, and Bijnor running under the RLD symbol complicates matters, said a senior RLD leader.

On its part, the RLD initially agreed to SPs suggestions for the Kairana and Bijnor seats but encountered obstacles regarding Muzaffarnagar and Hathras.

While purported discussions with the BJP remain unconfirmed, speculation and calculations dominate the political arena. Adding to the intrigue, RLD MLAs were abruptly summoned to Delhi, hinting at potential alliance discussions. However, amid uncertainties, a message from Delhi urged patience, suggesting that the RLD leadership awaits input from its MLAs before determining the next course of action.

Beyond seat allocations, broader discussions include demands for Bharat Ratna recognition for former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh and aspirations for a stake in the state government, reflecting the multifaceted negotiations underway.

Notably, RLD president Jayant Singhs conspicuous silence on social media, notably after Republic Day, coupled with the postponement of scheduled events, contributes to the climate of uncertainty.

However, RLD State president Ramashish Rai dismissed any notion of the RLD joining the NDA, affirming the partys allegiance to the INDIA alliance.
Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Vijay Bahadur Pathak said that the High Court order against sale of meat near religious places was being flouted all across Uttar Pradesh and demanded effective implementation of the order.

Raising a calling attention motion in the legislative council here on Thursday, the BJP legislator said that the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had issued an order to the municipal commissioner of Lucknow, prohibiting the sale of meat within a 50-metre radius of any religious place, irrespective of whether it was a temple, mosque, church or gurudwara.

This directive applies specifically to densely populated areas and alongside main roads, he added.

Despite the courts instructions, these establishments are yet to be identified and removed promptly, Pathak said in his notice.

He stated that numerous reports indicate a blatant disregard for the courts order, with meat being openly sold close to temples, mosques and other religious sites.

Notable instances include the sale of meat near the Balaji Hanuman temple in Rajajipuram, the Buddheshwar temple in Para police station area, and various mosques across the region. This defiance extends beyond Lucknow, extending to other major cities and towns in the state, he added.

In the light of the public significance of this matter, there is a growing demand for the implementation of the ban on sale of meat near religious sites in the state capital of Lucknow, as well as in Kanpur, Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Saharanpur, Moradabad, and other urban centres, Pathak stated.

He said urgent action should be taken to ensure compliance with the courts order.
The sleuths of the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) claimed to have arrested the mastermind of the gang engaged in supply of fake Indian currency notes (FICN).

The anti-terror agency has already arrested four members of the gang since last week of January this year.

According to an official communique, the ATS had received intelligence that some people from Uttar Pradesh were in contact with the fake Indian currency notes smuggling gang of West Bengal and were bringing counterfeit currency printed in Bangladesh from West Bengal to different districts of Uttar Pradesh. After developing the inputs, the ATS sleuths arrested two accused, identified as Deepak Kumar and Chandan Sainik on January 27 last and two more accused, Ankur Maurya and Vipin Gupta alias Avnish, last Tuesday.

The ATS claimed to have recovered fake notes of face value totaling Rs 97,500 and Rs 45,000 respectively from their possession.

The ATS team registered two separate cases under sections 489B and 489C of the Indian Penal Code at Pandeypur police station in Lalpur locality of Varanasi respectively.

The ATS claimed that during interrogation of the accused, it came to light that one Achhelal Chaurasia alias Bachha of Madhavpur locality under Maheshganj police station of Pratapgarh district was the mastermind of the gang. Subsequently the ATS found out his whereabouts and on late night on Wednesday traced his location and arrested him from Pandeypur police station area in Varanasi district.

During the search, the ATS recovered fake Indian currency notes of face value Rs 1,51,500 from Chaurasias possession along with PAN and ATM cards etc.

During the preliminary probe, it came to light that Chaurasia was in contact with fake currency smugglers of Malda in West Bengal. The smugglers of Malda used to bring fake Indian currency notes from Bangladesh international border and give it to the arrested accused or the carriers mentioned by him.

Chaurasia disclosed that he formed a gang with the help of the accused held earlier and with their help he was distributing fake Indian currency notes in different parts of Uttar Pradesh.

The arrested accused was lodged in the lockup of Pandeypur police station and further action is being taken at the police station level.
City

 Bennie J. Cooper, 35, of Auburn, was charged Feb. 6 with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

 Connor M. Donovan, 39, of Owasco, was charged Feb. 6 with driving while intoxicated first offense and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle property damage accident.

 Matthew S. Elmore, 47, of Auburn, was charged with Feb. 6 with possession of a mislabeled dangerous drug.

 Sarah E. Kirkey, 40, of Groton, was charged Feb. 6 with aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child passenger first offense, operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of at least 0.08 of 1% first offense, driving while intoxicated first time and endangering the welfare of a child.

 Thomas F. Poirer II, 22, of Mentz, was charged Feb. 6 with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

 Phillip J. Rhim Sr., 40, of Auburn, was charged Feb. 6 with second-degree burglary and petit larceny.

 Vell K. Smithers Jr., 24, of Auburn, was charged Feb. 6 with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

 Alissa M. Dean, 22, of Gobles, Michigan, was charged Feb. 7 with third-degree assault and petit larceny.

 Heather M. Farrell, 47, of Auburn, was charged Feb. 7 with endangering the welfare of a child.

 James O. Hamilton, 23, of Gobles, Michigan, was charged Feb. 7 with third-degree assault.

County

 Ashlie M. Britton, 36, of Sterling, was charged Feb. 6 with third-degree menacing.

The records page: Police blotter, restaurant inspections and more Visit the records page of auburnpub.com to see The Citizen's latest police blotter, restaurant inspections, property transfers and building permits.
The state of Jharkhand offers a captivating journey for the taste buds, with its distinctive and diverse cuisine deeply rooted in the cultural tapestry of the region. From traditional tribal dishes to unique culinary techniques. Jharkhand's cuisine reflects the rich cultural mosaic of its communities, from the adjoining areas bringing with them the essence of their fooding habits including the Santhals, Mundas, Oraons, and many others. This diversity manifests itself in the myriad of flavors, ingredients, and cooking methods found in the local dishes.

Staples that Define the Palate: Litti Chokha, a staple dish of Jharkhand, showcases the culinary prowess of the region. Consisting of wheat flour balls stuffed with roasted gram flour, spices, and ghee, this dish is a symphony of textures and tastes. The smoky flavor of the chokha, made with roasted eggplant, tomatoes, and spices, adds depth to the overall experience. Another culinary gem is Thekua, a traditional sweet snack made during the Chhath Puja festival. Crafted from wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee deep-fried to a golden perfection. It not only satisfies the sweet tooth but also serves as a symbol of the region's cultural festivities. One cannot explore Jharkhand's cuisine without encountering the popular combination of Dhuska and Ghugni. Dhuska, a deep-fried snack made from rice and lentil batter, as rice being staple in the region, is often paired with Ghugni, a boastful curry made from soaked black gram. Impossible to forget the robust acidity and health benefits which Kudurum/Roselle has to offer. Quite tangy and pungent can elevate a bland food and also add a distinct color to the plate. Pittha aka steamed rice dumplings featuring an array of stuffing from sweet to savory to potato to lentils to milk solids is an art of perfection. Pittha also marks the celebration of new crop year thus making it an indigenous part of Jharkhand's Cuisine map.

Jharkhand's cuisine is distinguished by its use of indigenous ingredients that contribute to the unique flavors of the dishes. Mustard oil, an essential in many recipes, imparts a pungent kick to the preparations. Millets, such as jowar and bajra, are commonly used, highlighting the region's focus on local and nutritious grains. Various attempts are being made to bring this golden grain to forefront as it contains very high nutritional values. Many food these days features Kuttu flour in form of Dosa, Momos, Pizza and even Cakes. Arsa, Kurthi Dal, Rugda, Bamboo shoots are other native products to name a few.

Jharkhand unveils a treasure trove of fresh produce, spices, and traditional cooking utensils. The markets not only serve as a hub for ingredients but also offer a glimpse into the vibrant cultural exchange happening around food.As Jharkhand strives to preserve its rich heritage, its culinary traditions stand out as a flavorful testament to the cultural diversity embedded in every bite, making it a must-visit for gastronomical adventurers.

Recipe of the week

Kuttu/ Buckwheat Pizza:

Kuttu/ Buckwheat flour 1 cup

Dried Yeast 1/2 TSP

Warm water 1/2 cup

Olive oil 2 tbsp

Pink salt 1 TSP

Herbs 1 TSP.

Sugar 1/2 TSP.

For topping u can choose any thing from onions to bell pepper, olives, cherry tomatoes garlic or spinach and of course mozzarella & parmesan cheese.

Using the above mentioned ingredients form a dough and let it rest for 40 mins.

Preheat the oven to 160-180 C. Roll the dough carefully and slowly avoid crumbling it by using buckwheat flour & fork it.

Pre bake. Spread the sauce & topping & cook to a cheesy golden perfection.

Bon Appetite.

(The writer is Ashutosh Tiwari, Acclaimed International Executive Chef/ Food Consultant)
AAP National Convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his counterpart of Punjab Bhagwant Mann participated in the protest organised by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at Jantar Mantar in Delhi in its fight to protect federalism in the country. Speaking on the occasion, Kejriwal said that the federal structure of the country is the basis of our Constitution and democracy, the BJP sitting at the centre wants to end it. This fight is for all of us to save the federal structure and democracy of the country.

He said that he got to know that the funds to the tune of Rs 8,400 crore of Kerala are stuck and other opposition ruled states are also facing the same problem. More than Rs 8000 crore funds of Punjab are also stuck. The Punjab government went to the Supreme Court a few days ago that they are not releasing our money. An amount of Rs 5500 crore for rural development fund is not being released. Now the Supreme Court hearing has been fixed for next week and immediately the Central Government calls that let us sit and talk. Will we go to the Supreme Court for every small matter? The Supreme Court is overburdened with cases. Why dont they do their work? To get our funds, we have to sit at Jantar Mantar. You will be surprised to know that as against the collection of Rs 2 lakh crore income tax every year from Delhi, we get only Rs 325 crore for Delhi in a year. Even the British would not have looted us as much as these people are looting us, Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal hit out at the BJP-led Centre, accusing it of waging a war against state governments led by opposition parties. The governments led by opposition parties represent 70 crore people in the country. The BJP has waged a war against the opposition-ruled states. They have created a India-Pakistan situation with us. The Centre is using all the tactics to harass the opposition governments, alleged Kejriwal who took part in the protest.
The Delhi Government on Thursday directed the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to constitute a committee of experts to look into the wall collapse incident at the Gokulpuri metro station that claimed the life of a man and left four others injured. Meanwhile, after the incident, DMRCs Managing Director, Dr. Vikas Kumar has issued instructions to all the concerned departments in DMRC to conduct rigorous safety checks across the Delhi Metro network.

A 53-year-old man died and injured four persons on Thursday when a portion of the Gokulpuri metro station on the Pink Line in northeast Delhi collapsed, police said. The man was on his scooter when he came under the debris of the collapsed wall of the elevated platform.

I have already told MD, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to constitute a committee of experts to examine the incident from all angles, Gahlot said. Later in a post on X, Gahlot called the incident deeply regrettable. Ive instructed @OfficialDMRC to form a Committee of Experts to investigate the matter, with a report due in two weeks, provide ex-gratia compensation within 24 hours and extend full support to the injured & their families for medical treatment, he said in the post.

Gahlot said he has directed the DMRC to constitute a committee of experts which shall inquire into this incident and submit a report within two weeks. The DMRC shall disburse ex-gratia compensation as per rules within 24 hours. All necessary assistance shall be extended to the injured people and their families to ensure proper medical treatment, read the order. The DMRC announced Rs 25 lakh as compensation for the family of the man who died in the incident. The DMRC announced Rs 5 lakh for the grievously injured and Rs 1 lakh for those who received minor injuries, it stated. It also suspended two of its officials over the incident.

In an operational update, the Delhi metro said the incident at Gokulpuri station was reported at 11:10 am today. Train movement was stopped from 11:12 am to 11:23 am on both the up and down lines between Maujpur and Shiv Vihar section of the Pink Line.

Train services were restored from 11:23 am through single line work between Maujpur and Shiv Vihar, a small section comprising 3 stations only. Normal services were restored with both up and down line working in this section after barricading the affected platfrom area from 2:53 pm onwards. Gokulpuri station which was closed during this period was also reopened at 2:53 pm with access allowed from Gate-2 and Gate-1 towards affected area remaining closed, said Anuj Dayal, Principal Executive Director Corporate Communications.
A curfew has been imposed in Haldwani and orders have been issued to shoot rioters at sight after members of a community indulged in violence following the demolition of an illegally constructed Madarsa and a namaz site in the Vanbhulpura area of Haldwani on Thursday. The rioters set fire to the local police station, a number of vehicles and indulged in large scale stone pelting which injured about 70 persons including police personnel, government officials and media persons. Chairing a high level meeting with chief secretary Radha Raturi, officiating director general of police Abhinav Kumar and other senior officials in the evening, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed officials to ensure that peace and law and order is maintained in the area. Dhami appealed to the local people to maintain peace while also directing the officials to take stern action against rioters. He stressed that nobody should be given the liberty to disturb the law and order. The Nainital district magistrate informed the CM on phone that a curfew had been imposed in the city. Till the situation returns to normal, orders have been issued to shoot rioters at sight, the DM informed. The authorities have ordered that all schools in the Haldwani development block will remain closed on Friday.

As planned earlier, the authorities demolished an illegally constructed Madarsa and Namaz site at the Mallik Ka Bagicha in Vanbhulpura on Thursday. Members of a particular community indulged in protest and violence with dozens of vehicles including police and government vehicles also being set on fire or being damaged. The rioters also set the Vanbhulpura police station on fire. The police resorted to lobbing tear gas in an attempt to disperse the rioters who indulged in stone pelting from all sides. According to local sources, about 70 persons including police personnel, government officials and media persons were injured in the violence. After the violence subsided, the authorities shut down internet service and electricity supply in the area.

Earlier, the municipal corporation and district administration accompanied by police force reached the Mallik Ka Bagicha to demolish the illegally constructed Madarsa and mosque after noon. Tension developed in the area as the government teams and police reached the site. The rioters started stone pelting as soon as the demolition of the illegally constructed Madarsa began. Some of the rioters broke through the barricading and reached the site where the police resorted to force to push them back. This was followed by arson in different parts of the area. The tension intensified after 5 PM with the rioters damaging dozens of vehicles including JCBs, ambulances and other vehicles. Shops in various localities were closed in the evening as the disturbance intensified. The rioters continued their violence and set fire to more vehicles after sunset. The authorities called two companies of PAC from Rudrapur in addition to the heavy force already deployed in the area. The police have sealed the disturbed area and are identifying the rioters.
The Congress on Thursday released a "black paper" to highlight the "failures" of the Modi government, alleging that the last 10 years were a period of "injustice" with issues such as rising prices, unemployment, subversion of institutions and "discrimination" against non-BJP states plaguing the country.

Congress president Malllikarjun Kharge released a 54-page "charge sheet" indicting the Centre ahead of the government's tabling in Parliament of a 'white paper' on the "mismanagement" of the economy prior to 2014 with an aim to draw lessons.

"We are bringing out a 'black paper' against the government. Whenever PM (Narendra) Modi presents his views in Parliament, he hides his failures. At the same time, when we speak about the failures of the government, it is not given importance. Therefore, we thought of bringing out a black paper and tell the public about the failures of the government," Kharge, who was flanked by party leaders Pawan Khera and Syed Naseer Hussain, said at a press conference at his residence here.

The 'black paper' highlights social, economic and political "injustices" committed during the Modi government's tenure.

"The Modi government's 10 years in power have devastated the country's economy, aggravated unemployment, destroyed the country's agricultural sector, abetted crimes against women and committed grave injustices against minorities in the country," the party alleged in its 'black paper'.

Under the "economic injustice" segment, the 'black paper talks about the "unemployment crisis", lack of jobs and low labour force participation.

"The Modi government is silent on price rise...The prices of petrol, diesel and daily essentials has reached record levels," the 'back paper' said.

Terming the 2016 move of demonetisation as a blunder, the party said that seven years after the "disastrous demonetisation" the economic affects continue to haunt the country."

The black paper also raised issues such as "unemployment, price rise, farmers' distress, failure to carry out a caste census and injustice to women.

Attacking Prime Minister Modi, Kharge said he talks of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi when asked about price rise but they are ruling now and they should answer what they have done".

It was Modi's guarantee to provide 2 crore jobs and ensure MSP to farmers and now the prime minister should say he could not do it a but instead he has come up with new guarantees.

"The Congress ensured country's independence and in 2024, it will take country out of BJP's 'darkness of injustice'," he said.

Accusing the BJP government of "finishing democracy", Kharge said, "There is a danger to democracy in the country. "

He accused the BJP of attempting and also toppling elected governments.

"They tried to do this in Jharkhand also but we stopped them," he said.

Kharge alleged that the Modi government discriminated against non-BJP led states over the last decade.

The 'black paper' also alleged that India has become "electoral autocracy" and cited the V-Dem institute. It also claimed that federalism was weakened by the Modi government.

Sharing a link to the black paper, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh recalled that on January 4, 2014, in his press conference lasting about 75 minutes, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had made two far reaching statements that are most relevant for today.

"It encapsulates the Black Paper on 10 Saal Anyay Kaal just released by the Congress Party and the so-called White Paper' which will be tabled by the Modi government today. Dr. Manmohan Singh said: 1. History will be kinder to me. 2. It will be disastrous for the country to have Shri Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister.Both statements have been proved right today."

The party also hit out at the government over the Manipur issue and the border situation with China.
The MPs belonging to the DMK and their allies staged a protest wearing black shirts near the Gandhi statue in the Parliament Complex on Thursday condemning the Centre for its alleged financial injustice to Tamil Nadu.

The parliamentarians, led by DMK senior leader T R Baalu, raised slogans denouncing the union government for not allocating the requisite funds to Tamil Nadu and for ignoring it in the union interim budget.

During the protest in which DMK leader Kanimozhi also participated, the MPs raised slogans demanding the Central government to abolish National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and GST.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said that labelling Uttar Pradesh as 'BIMARU' was a "political mindset" and today the state has risen above this.

He also said that on February 19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in the ground-breaking ceremony in Lucknow following the materialisation of investments in the investors' summit conducted by the state government.

On this occasion, the foundation stone of schemes worth Rs 10 lakh crore will be laid in a single day.

"Labelling of Uttar Pradesh as BIMARU was a political mindset. Today, UP has risen above the category of a 'BIMARU' state," Adityanath said.

He highlighted the "transformative shift" in perspective, saying that Uttar Pradesh has now become the second-largest economy in the country.

"Our current objective is to propel Uttar Pradesh as the leading economy of the country," he said while addressing the curtain raiser ceremony of the second edition of the International Trade Show held at the Lok Bhavan.

The acronym 'BIMARU' (sick) was coined by demographer Ashish Bose in the mid-1980s, formed from the first letters of names of some of the poorest states, namely Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. "Traditional craftsmen, artisans, and young entrepreneurs in the state who were once disappointed now have enthusiasm on their faces. UP's ODOP (one district one product) scheme has now become the foundation of a self-reliant India," he said.

He also inaugurated 13 projects of industrial estates and ODOP common facility centres.

He also honoured traditional artisans and craftsmen from various districts.

He announced that the second edition of the International Trade Show will take place in Greater Noida from September 25 to 29.

He said that artisans, craftsmen, and young entrepreneurs in the state had the capability, but they lacked encouragement from the government and a suitable platform.

The state had numerous units of MSMEs for centuries, but due to continuous government neglect and 'Inspector Raj,' entrepreneurs were distressed and forced to migrate, he said.

"In 2018, we initiated the ODOP scheme, enabling traditional industries to enter the market and providing technological support. As a result, UP's ODOP has now become a unique scheme in the country. ODOP has become the foundation stone of a self-reliant India, bringing pride to the state," he added.

Underlining the growth in exports from Rs 86 thousand crore to Rs 2 lakh crore, he highlighted the resulting increase in employment opportunities.

"To boost young entrepreneurs, we have started the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Yojana in this budget, under which interest-free loans are being provided," he added.

On this occasion, Adityanath laid the foundation stone of industrial establishments in Rae Bareli, Mau, Pratapgarh and Mahoba under the MSME Cluster Park Scheme.

He also laid the foundation stone of the Trade Promotion Centre in Lucknow's Gomti Nagar under the Infrastructure and Export Scheme and ODOP CFC projects in Kaushambi and Gonda.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann slammed the BJP-led Centre on Thursday for "attacking" federalism and using governors in opposition-ruled states to hinder the governments' work, and stressed that only those who have been elected by people have the right to rule in a democracy.

Speaking at the Left Democratic Front (LDF) protest led by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan here, Mann said he was forced to come to Jantar Mantar instead of making policies for Punjab.

"We should have been in our secretariats, making policies, but we have come here to seek our rights. It is important to stick together to save the country," he said.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader accused governors in opposition-ruled states of hindering the state governments' work.

"The (Punjab) governor said the Assembly session was illegal, so we had to go to the Supreme Court.... The BJP is nowhere in Punjab. It has only two MLAs. Wherever the BJP is not present, the governors act as the opposition," he said.

"Those elected will rule in a democracy. You cannot dictate. You cannot keep sitting on a bill," Mann said.

He also mentioned a controversy around the Chandigarh mayoral polls held on January 30. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept the polls against the Congress-AAP alliance.

Manoj Sonkar of the BJP defeated the AAP's Kuldeep Kumar for the mayor's post, polling 16 votes against his rival's 12. Eight votes were declared invalid. Opposition councilors accused the presiding officer of tampering with the ballot papers, a charge denied by the BJP.

"You must have seen what happened in Chandigarh. They had to count 36 votes and they did a scam of almost 25 per cent votes.... In May, 90 crore votes are going to be counted," Mann said, referring to the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

DMK leader Tiruchi Siva accused the Tamil Nadu governor of interfering in the work of the state government and said, "We have assembled here to make the country realise that we are against the authoritarianism of the Union government headed by the BJP."

"The states are being suppressed, our rights are being usurped," he added.

The DMK leader alleged that governors in opposition-ruled states are indulging in "extra-constitutional, unwarranted activities".

"They are not allowing the state governments to make laws. In Tamil Nadu, the governor does the same and everyone knows what the Kerala governor is doing. Have you ever seen a governor sitting on a dharna on a street?" he asked.

Siva expressed confidence that the opposition will form the government at the Centre following the Lok Sabha polls that are likely to be held in April-May.

"The DMK has two slogans -- state autonomy and abolish governorship. The 2024 election is the only opportunity available to us. Go to the polling booth with the ballot paper in your hand and when you return, the BJP government would have fallen and our alliance would have assumed power. On the next Independence Day, the prime minister of our alliance will hoist the (national) flag at the Red Fort. That day is not far," he asserted.

National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah asked why Assembly polls are not being held in Jammu and Kashmir and wondered what was gained from the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution.

"When they (Centre) abrogated Article 370, they said it was responsible for terrorism. Yesterday, two innocent people were shot dead (in Srinagar)," the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said.

"You have denied us election, which is our right according to the Constitution. Are we not part of India that you have denied us the basic right to govern ourselves? Give us our constitutional right so that we can move forward," he said.

The veteran leader stressed that the opposition is not an enemy of the government.

"If you want a strong India, do not consider the opposition as an enemy. The opposition is essential.... Parliament is not meant to be one-sided. None of us who sit in Parliament wants India to fail," he said.

Former Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal talked about the electoral bonds scheme and alleged that the money earned by the BJP through these is being used to destabilise governments in states ruled by opposition parties.

"The BJP has collected around Rs 5,000 crore through electoral bonds. In the Supreme Court, I asked do you use it for elections? Because an MP cannot spend more than Rs 95 lakh in an election and an MLA cannot spend more than Rs 45 lakh.... This fund is used when they have to topple opposition governments," Sibal said.

Talking about a case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, he said, "They said there is a benami land. When Soren said it is not his land, they claimed that someone near the property told them so.... They said a woman sitting there said it was the chief minister's land."

Sibal also dismissed the BJP's allegation that the opposition is trying to create a north-south divide and accused the ruling party of creating divisions in the name of religion and caste.
David Wilcox Executive editor Follow David Wilcox 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

Another rare photo of Harriet Tubman has been released by a Maryland tour group, this one capturing her at the age of about 70.

Alex Green, owner of Harriet Tubman Tours, told The Citizen the 1892 photo comes from an edition of The Household Magazine.

Tubman is pictured wearing a dark dress with a decorative collar and a hair pin. Below the photo, she is referred to as "Harriet, the Modern Moses, now living in Auburn, N.Y."

An article with the photo includes a lengthy quote from Tubman about her visit as a teen to the Bucktown General Store in Dorchester County, where she was struck in the head by a 2-pound weight thrown by a slaveowner at another enslaved person. The weight fractured her skull, resulting in epilepsy and what she believed were spiritual visions that she experienced for the rest of her life.

Green noted that the quote is an example of "plantation dialect," which racistly stylizes the speech of Black people.

Tubman biographer Kate Clifford Larson posted the photo on her Facebook page on Wednesday, calling the civil rights icon "beautiful" and commenting, "such style!" The biographer thanked Green and his wife, Lisa, for finding the photo. In comments below her post, Larson expressed hope that the original could be found as well.

Harriet Tubman Tours previously released a rare photo of the group's namesake in December. That photo, from 1908, pictured her standing in front of her home on South Street in Auburn.

Green said he hopes the photos generate more interest in Tubman, her life and her work to achieve freedom for all.

"I thought it'd be interesting to move the needle forward with her wonderful life," he told The Citizen in December. "History has so much to catch up to."

Gallery: Photographs of Harriet Tubman
New York state's enforcement action against the I'm Stuck chain of unlicensed cannabis dispensaries, which included two locations in Cayuga County, continues to unfold in court.

After a Jan. 31 conference in Wayne County Supreme Court, I'm Stuck owner David Tulley was ordered to produce to the state Office of Cannabis Management all sales and bank records for his now-closed businesses by March 16. That information will be used to calculate fines for Tulley, according to court records. New legislation in May increased the fines for unlicensed cannabis sales to $10,000 per day, or $20,000 per day if an order to cease has been received, as well as five times the revenue of those sales or no more than three times the projected revenue of sales of seized inventory.

I'm Stuck opened at 9 E. Genesee St. in Auburn in January 2023, and I'm Stuck Presents the Weed Warehouse opened at 2020 Crane Brook Drive in the town of Aurelius the previous year. In late June they were raided by authorities, along with six other I'm Stuck locations in central New York, and ordered to cease sales. They were padlocked by the state in early August. Tulley could therefore face more than $2 million in fines for his Auburn location alone, and even more than that amount for his Aurelius one. He did not respond to a request for comment by The Citizen on Wednesday.

The fines are part of a new enforcement strategy that also includes partnerships with the Department of Labor and Workers Compensation Board, according to the Office of Cannabis Management.

"This approach, which combines the enforcement powers of labor law, tax law, and cannabis law, can result in non-compliant business owners potentially facing tens of thousands of dollars in penalties as the result of a single inspection and violations, significantly enhances the states ability to crack down on those who engage in illicit sales, and reaffirms (Gov. Kathy Hochul's) deep commitment to ensuring that the law is being followed and that New Yorkers are protected from potentially unsafe products," the Office of Cannabis Management said in a Feb. 5 news release.

Under the new legislation, similar fines can be imposed against the owners of properties where unlicensed dispensaries operate. However, Tulley's landlords were dismissed from the state's enforcement action in a Dec. 29 order. The same order gave police jurisdiction to remove any remaining cannabis sales items from the properties where Tulley operated, which the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office did on Jan. 24 in Auburn and Aurelius, Sheriff Brian Schenck told The Citizen. That month's wind storm also blew away the I'm Stuck billboard Tulley had been leasing above 9 E. Genesee St.

Meanwhile, Tulley is no longer represented by New York City cannabis attorney Joseph A. Bondy, who informed Wayne County Supreme Court on Jan. 8 that he has been relieved as counsel. Three days earlier, a burglary alarm at I'm Stuck at 20 Canal St. in the town of Lyons led Wayne County Sheriff's Office deputies to call Tulley, who told them he had removed items from the building days prior despite being prohibited from his businesses since they were padlocked. An "Office of Cannabis Management" sticker on a safe was ripped, deputies said, indicating the safe had been opened.

I'm Stuck sold "consultations" about cannabis products, technically making the products gifts. The chain's locations were the first "gray market" dispensaries shut down by the state as it launches the legal market promised by the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act of March 2021. The state celebrated the opening of its 50th dispensary, Brownies in the Albany County town of Colonie, on Tuesday.
AUBURN  The vibrant images plastered on the hallways of the revamped Memory Special Care Unit at The Commons on St. Anthony have kept Amy Morgan's father more engaged.

Vinyl decals like a sunflower field, a barn and a church decorate the walls of the newly renovated unit, which was specifically designed for people with dementia and Alzheimer's disease at the Auburn nursing home. Morgan and her dad, resident Wayne Marquart, cut the ribbon during the unit's opening ceremony Wednesday, surrounded by Commons staff and officials from its operator, Loretto.

After the ceremony, Morgan and Marquart looked at the images in the second-floor hallway. They're meant to calm residents, as are new house numbers and porch lights outside each room.

Morgan, who said she visits her father at The Commons almost every day, told The Citizen the pictures have prompted him to talk to her about them. This has made him more alert, she said.

"It's given me peace of mind that he is being stimulated, taken care of," she said. "He's using his mind."

Morgan added that she has seen other Commons residents stop what they were doing to talk about the new images, noting that she has gotten to know some of those residents as well.

"I've seen a change in a number of them, as far as being more engaged with each other," she said.

The unit's renovations, supported by a $200,000 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, took six months of planning and three months of construction, Loretto said in a news release.

The Commons already had a memory care floor, but sought to enhance it with features like the hallway pictures and memory care technology like Lucynt and Never Too Late to engage people with dementia and Alzheimer's. Some residents on Wednesday were circled around a table with a projector above it, displaying moving images of butterflies. Games like bingo can be played there as well.

Dr. Kimberly Townsend, the president and CEO of Loretto, told The Citizen that the central New York health care organization was thrilled to offer the unit's new services to the community.

"Cayuga County is one of the counties in New York state that has a rapidly aging aging population, and we know that the need is there, and we're just so grateful for the opportunity," she said.

Townsend and Jolene Crehan, director of nursing and interim administrator at The Commons, were among those who spoke earlier at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Lisa Tibbles, daughter of resident Janice Tibbles, also took to the podium, praising how staff at the 300-bed nursing home has treated her mother.

"I absolutely would recommend the memory care and I'm excited for the future of the memory care," she said.

"The staff are great, they're perfect, and I think that makes a differences on whether or not you can be at ease with a parent who's in a facility."

Gallery: New memory care unit officially opens at The Commons on St. Anthony in Auburn
In the first month of 2024, China's domestic passenger vehicle (PV) retail sales reached 2.035 million units, marking a year-on-year (YoY) surge of 57.4%, but showing a month-on-month (MoM) drop of 13.9%, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association ("CPCA").

For clarity, the passenger vehicles hereby refer to cars, MPVs, and SUVs locally produced on the Chinese Mainland.

In January 2024, the passenger vehicle retail sector kicked off the year with a significant year-on-year growth of over 50%, meeting expectations. The disparity in consumption timing before the festival played a pivotal role in bolstering the impressive year-on-year growth. However, challenges surfaced, including the overextension of sales in December, impacting January's figures, said the CPCA. Additionally, the predicted price rebound for certain vehicle models and a reduction in local consumption incentives, such as regional consumer vouchers, collectively hindered the strong sales momentum in the month.

At the national level, policy initiatives aimed at stabilizing and expanding automobile consumption continued to emerge, the association added. Initiatives like the Ministry of Commerce's "Hundred Cities Collaboration" automobile consumption festival and the "Thousand Counties, Ten Thousand Towns" new energy vehicle consumption season yielded positive results. Persistent efforts in consumption incentives by various regions, coupled with collaborative promotional efforts from automotive enterprises, provided stable support to the year-end automotive market.

The month-on-month performance disparity between joint ventures and independent automotive manufacturers became notably evident. The vigorous push by joint ventures in December last year, contrasted with the relatively stable approach of Chinas domestic automakers during the same period. Consequently, in January this year, there was a 15% MoM decrease in retail sales of oil-fueled vehicles for joint ventures, while China's local automakers witnessed a 23% MoM growth in the same sector. Noteworthy performers in January include Geely Auto, Chery Auto, and Changan Auto. Despite the highly cost-effective nature of entry-level oil-fueled cars, consumer enthusiasm among the first-time buyer demographic appeared subdued leading up to the Spring Festival.

In January, China's wholly-owned car brands saw their retail sales reach 1.12 million units, boasting a robust YoY soar of 77%, but facing a 10% MoM decline. The domestic retail market share for Chinese homegrown brands in January stood at 55.1%, marking a 5.9 percentage point increase compared to the same period last year.

Last month, mainstream joint-venture brands recorded retail sales of 670,000 units, which leapt 43% from a year earlier, but shrank 15% from a month earlier. Breaking it down further, German brands held a 19.2% retail market share in the month, experiencing a YoY decrease of 3.8 percentage points. Japanese brands maintained a steady share of 16.7%, basically remain flat compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, American brands secured a market share of 6.5%, marking a 1.3-percentage-point YoY decline.

In January 2024, retail sales of premium PVs reached 240,000 units, marking a YoY jump of 30%, but a MoM decline of 22%. The issue of premium car shortages, which was influenced by chip supply shortages in the year 2022, has been gradually ebbing. Despite this, the traditional luxury car market still faces subdued demand.

Last month, there were six automakers in China whose monthly PV retail sales exceeded 100,000 units. Of them, BYD still secured the highest position by retailing around 207,000 vehicles. Among the top 10 automakers by domestic PV retail volume in the month, Dongfeng Nissan was credited the fastest-growing one compared to its year-ago performance.

In January, auto manufacturers in China sold around 2.089 million PVs by wholesale, showing a remarkable YoY jump of 44%, but logging a MoM drop of 23.7%. Driven by the impetus from the new energy vehicle (NEV) and export markets, manufacturers maintained relatively high sales for the corresponding month in history.

Breaking down the Jan. wholesales by brand origins, China's local car manufacturers wholesaled 1.26 million PVs, reflecting a 67% YoY hike, but a 20% MoM decline. Mainstream joint ventures wholesaled 573,000 units, marking a 24% YoY climb, but a 29% MoM decline. Premium PV wholesale figures stood at 254,000 units, showing an 11% YoY increase, but a 25% MoM dip.

In January, the overall performance of major passenger car manufacturers exhibited variations, with FAW Group, Dongfeng Motor, and Changan Auto demonstrating relatively robust performance. There were a total of 33 companies with monthly wholesales exceeding 10,000 units, down from 37 in December 2023. Notably, 8 companies achieved a YoY increase exceeding 100%, while 23 companies achieved a growth rate of over 10%. Conversely, 7 companies experienced a YoY downturn.

In January, the PV production volume in China reached 2.021 million units, demonstrating a significant YoY spike of 50%. However, there was a notable 24.5% MoM decline. At the beginning of the year, many automotive companies exerted considerable efforts to stabilize production and reduce inventory levels.

Car exports have sustained the robust growth seen at the end of last year, with January witnessing the export volume reach 355,000 PVs (including complete vehicles and CKD), marking a substantial 51% YoY surge despite a 7% MoM decline. NEVs accounted for 26.8% of the total PV exports in January, reflecting a 5.2-percentage-point decrease compared to the same period.

February of this year only comprises 18 workdays, of 2 days fewer than that of February 2023, which had 20 working days. Due to the subdued automotive consumption around the Spring Festival period, most car companies tend to extend holidays both before and after the festival, said the CPCA. Consequently, the effective production and sales time for February is considerably short. It can be anticipated that the sales volume in the automobile market for the month will hit the bottom for the year.
DETROITCorey D. Silverstein, owner of WebsiteAttorney.com, MyAdultAttorney.com, and Adult.Law, has announced that he will be attending TES 2024 and also shared his TES 2024 speaking lineup.

The European Summitalso known as the TES Affiliate Conferencehappens from Feb. 23 to 26, 2024 at The Oitavos Hotel in Cascais, Portugal. Silversteins speaking events are scheduled for the 25th and the 26th.

First up is the Annual Legal Update  The Biggest Issues of 2024 (Age Verification & More...), slated for Feb. 25, from 11:00 to 11:50 a.m. (local time). This seminar will catch attendees up on all of the major legal developments and what they should be doing.

2023 was a crazy year for developments in the law for internet businesses across the globe. In the United States, age verification has exploded, the FTC has opened an official investigation into ChatGPT, and the Supreme Court made major rulings related to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act affecting all platforms that allow user-submitted content. In Europe, accusations of illegal data collection are heating up as GDPR enforcement has seemingly entered into a new era, and various countries have continued with laws aimed at internet censorship.

Next up is Helping European Businesses Entering and Operating in the United States Marketplace, slated for Feb. 26, from 3:00 to 3:50 p.m. (local time).

It's not uncommon for European businesses to be wary of entering the United States marketplace. United States laws and regulations can be intimidating to European business operators, but they don't have to be. This seminar will help attendees prepare for the U.S. marketplace through a candid discussion about legal hurdles and practical business considerations. The goal of this seminar is to make attendees more comfortable about doing business in the United States.

TES Cascais, Portugal has built an incredible lineup of internet entrepreneurs, and I am privileged to be able to travel across the globe to take part in this amazing event, said Silverstein. This tradeshow offers broad opportunities to all of its attendees, and I cant wait to have the opportunity to meet with them.

Silverstein is already setting appointments for what promises to be a lively and informative show.

Silverstein can be reached directly via [email protected].

Silverstein is the managing and founding member of Silverstein Legal. His practice focuses on representing all areas of internet law.

Join Silverstein on X (formerly Twitter) @myadultattorney and Instagram @coreydsilverstein.
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Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM) is a multinational food processing and commodities trading company with a mission to unlock the potential of nature to improve the quality of life. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, ADM operates across six continents and offers a diverse range of products and services in the agricultural industry. The company's primary operations include oilseed processing, corn processing, agricultural services, and wheat milling. ADM's products are essential ingredients used in various consumer goods, including food, beverages, animal feed, and industrial products.

ADM serves many customers, including food manufacturers, livestock producers, energy companies, and traders. With a global network of over 450 crop procurement locations, ADM has established strong relationships with farmers and suppliers worldwide. The company's commitment to sustainability is evident through its efforts to promote responsible sourcing, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the efficiency of its operations.

ADM's leadership team comprises seasoned professionals with extensive industry experience. Juan R. Luciano serves as ADM's Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. Luciano has been with the company since 2011 and has been pivotal in driving ADM's growth and diversification. His background in agricultural commodities and his strategic vision has been instrumental in shaping the company's success.

ADM has consistently demonstrated strong financial performance over the past few years. The company reported revenues growing yearly, and net earnings for the same period also increased, indicating a stable net profit margin of approximately 3%. ADM's ability to generate solid revenues has been supported by its efficient operations, diversified product portfolio, and strong market presence.

ADM's valuation metrics indicate a reasonable valuation compared to industry peers. The company's price-to-earnings is below the industry average. This suggests that the market is pricing ADM's shares at a relatively attractive level based on its earnings. Factors driving the company's valuation include its diversified revenue streams, global footprint, and focus on sustainable practices. Recent investor sentiment has been positive, driven by ADM's solid financial performance and growth prospects.

In addition to positive market performance, ADM has experienced notable price movements and changes in trading volume due to various news and events. For instance, announcing strategic acquisitions or partnerships often generates investor enthusiasm and can lead to significant stock price increases. Conversely, adverse weather conditions affecting crop yields or changes in government policies related to trade and agriculture can impact ADM's stock negatively.

ADM operates in the global agricultural industry, which is crucial in feeding the world's population and meeting the growing demand for food, feed, and biofuels. Weather patterns, commodity prices, and global trade policies influence the industry.

ADM enjoys a competitive advantage through its integrated supply chain, an extensive network of processing facilities, and strong relationships with farmers and suppliers. The company's global reach enables it to access diverse sources of raw materials, manage risk effectively and provide customers with a reliable supply of high-quality products. Additionally, ADM's focus on sustainability and commitment to responsible sourcing aligns with changing consumer preferences and regulatory trends, positioning the company well for future growth.

ADM has identified several growth opportunities to drive future success. One such opportunity lies in expanding its specialty ingredients and nutrition business. The increasing consumer demand for healthy and sustainable food products presents an avenue for ADM to leverage its expertise in plant-based proteins, natural flavors, and functional ingredients. The company's recent investments in research and development have resulted in innovative product offerings that cater to evolving consumer preferences.

ADM aims to capitalize on the growing demand for renewable energy by expanding its biofuels and bio-based products portfolio. As governments worldwide implement policies to reduce carbon emissions, ADM's expertise in biofuel production positions it favorably to benefit from this transition.

Acquisitions and partnerships also represent growth avenues for ADM. By strategically acquiring complementary businesses or forming alliances with technology-driven startups, ADM can enhance its capabilities, expand its product offerings and access new markets.

Despite ADM's strong market position, several risks and challenges must be considered. One significant risk is the volatility of commodity prices, which can impact the company's profitability and earnings. Fluctuations in crop yields due to weather conditions, changes in global trade policies, and geopolitical tensions can influence agricultural commodities' supply-demand dynamics and pricing.

Regulatory and political factors also pose risks to ADM's operations. Changes in trade, food safety, and environmental standards and regulations can impact the company's ability to conduct business in certain regions. ADM must navigate these complexities while maintaining compliance and managing associated costs.

ADM faces competition from traditional agricultural players and emerging technologies in the plant-based protein and alternative ingredients space. The rapid pace of technological advancements and shifting consumer preferences require ADM to remain innovative and agile to stay ahead of the competition.
Toast, Inc. operates a cloud-based digital technology platform for the restaurant industry in the United States, Ireland, and India. The company offers software products for restaurant operations and point of sale, such as Toast POS, Toast now, multi-location management, kitchen display system, Toast mobile order and pay, Toast catering and events, Toast invoicing, Toast tables, and restaurant retail; and hardware products, including Toast flex, Toast flex for guest, Toast go 2, Toast tap, kiosks, and Delphi by Toast. It provides toast online ordering and toast takeout, first-party delivery toast delivery services, and third-party delivery integrations and orders hub; and loyalty, email marketing, and toast gift cards. In addition, the company offers payroll and team management, Sling by Toast, Toast pay card and payout, and tips manager, as well as partner-enabled products comprising insurance and benefits; supply chain and accounting products, such as xtraCHEF by toast; and financial technology solutions consisting of payment processing, toast capital, and purchase plans. Further, it offers reporting and analytics, Toast shop, and Toast partner connect and application programming interfaces. The company was formerly known as Opti Systems, Inc. and changed its name to Toast, Inc. in May 2012. Toast, Inc. was incorporated in 2011 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Ulster University School of Nursing and Paramedic Science hosts and operates a vital Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC) Competence Test Centre (CTC); which has, over the years, expanded to meet growing demand but will now move to a new site at Foyle House following its purchase by the University.

The new site will enable the University to welcome over 8,000 internationally-educated nursing and midwifery candidates per year from around the world, who visit to take Part 2 of their NMC Test of Competence, the Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) assessment in order to join the NMC live Register of nurses, midwives and nursing associates.

Foyle House shares a border with the Universitys Duncreggan Student Village, a very short walk from campus buildings. The Foyle House site includes car parking provision to service the needs of those visiting the CTC.

The development of the site has commenced and it is expected to be fully operational by late spring/early summer 2024.

Meanwhile the space previously occupied by the CTC on the campus in Derry will be used to support further growth in the student population.

The CTC on the Derry campus is one of just five in the UK  and the only one in Northern Ireland - supporting nursing capacity and alleviating pressures on the health service across the UK and reflecting the Universitys expertise and leadership in nursing.

First established in 2017, the test centre has not only helped to alleviate pressures on the health sector, but it has also become an economic driver for the North West with businesses across the city reaping the many benefits of increased visitor numbers.



Nurses and midwives educated outside of the UK are required to undergo comprehensive assessment in order to confirm their competency before they can practice in the UK.

The designated test centre on the Derry campus delivers the OSCE, which tests candidates skills, knowledge and behaviours in a simulated practice environment. This is the final test that candidates must pass in order to gain registration as a nurse, midwife or nursing associate in the UK.



With a responsive approach to meeting the needs of individuals and organisations, the School of Nursing and Paramedic Science at Ulster University facilitates much needed registered nurses and midwives, who have been recruited from overseas, in their journey to registration. This enables them to move forward in establishing their career in the UK whilst making a valued and essential contribution to the health of the public through their knowledge, expertise and experience.



Since opening in 2017, over 32,000 nurses from countries including Canada, Japan, Philippines, India, Africa, and Barbados have undertaken the OSCE at the Ulster University Competence Test Centre (CTC) and are now working in healthcare settings across Northern Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland.

Andrea Sutcliffe, NMC Chief Executive and Registrar, said: "Internationally educated professionals, and those returning to practice, make an important and valuable contribution to our nations health and wellbeing. Since opening its test site in 2017, Ulster University has played a vital role in welcoming these skilled and knowledgeable professionals from all over the world.

"Its expansion will ensure that rising numbers of international and returning professionals are able to join our register safely and quickly. This is good news for their future colleagues and for people who use health and care services across Northern Ireland.

Professor Carol Curran, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Life and Health Sciences at Ulster University commented: This significant development signifies our continued commitment to the Derry~Londonderry campus and our ambitions for momentum in development here. This allows us to expand our campus footprint into a neighbouring site and importantly, benefits the local economy in the North West by boosting international travel to Derry~Londonderry with associated bed nights in local hotels.

Additionally, some 90 staff  most of whom are local nurses - are employed in the CTC as assessors and patient role players so this CTC allows us to support the local economy though employment too. We have plans for further recruitment now that our CTC will expand on the Foyle House site.

Professor Neal Cook, Professor of Nursing and Head of School of Nursing and Paramedic Science said We are delighted to see our CTC provision expand from 12 to 20 testing bays at our new site, maximising the responsive provision to facilitating internationally educated nurses from all over the globe to enter the NMC live register.

"This enhanced provision will expand on our ability to support these nurses and their sponsors as well as provide our team with bespoke facilities to maximise the quality of our provision.

"The community support and hospitality the candidates receive on their visit to the city also enhances their positive experience. This is a team and service to be proud of, particularly given the impact on health services nationally.

Ulster University has an international reputation for nursing excellence and is rated top 10 in the UK for nursing (QS World Subject Rankings 2023 and Complete University Guide 2024).
The PSNI in Derry carried out fewer drug confiscations in 2023 than the year before despite an increase in drug related arrests according to new official data.

Last year, PSNI carried out drug seizures a total of 663 times in Derry and Strabane. This represents a decrease of 93 on the year before when it carried out 756.

A seizure is recorded when a drug controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act is seized, recovered or found by police. This includes drugs intercepted in the post and drugs which are handed into the police.

Meanwhile, there were four more drug arrests in the district. In 2023, 351 drug related arrests were carried out, up from 347 in 2022.

Derry's drop in drug seizures was only second to Mid and East Antrim, which saw a decrease of 113. Its increase in drug arrests was the third lowest.

A total of 8281 seizure incidents were carried out in the North last year, down 372 in 2022.

Drug arrests rose by 305 across the North with 3474 being carried out.

Chief Inspector Yvonne McManus said 'drug supply and misuse remains a priority' for police despite the fall in seizure incidents.

The number of drug seizures within our Derry City and Strabane district, in keeping with seven of the other 11 policing districts, was lower in 2023 compared with the previous year, she said.

Despite a downward trend in the number of seizures, the issue of drug supply and misuse remains a priority for us. Indeed, the increase in the number of drug arrests within Derry City and Strabane is in keeping with our ongoing commitment and collective efforts.

We, as a district, work closely with other departments within the Police Service. Together, we work with other police forces, enforcement agencies, the community, and a huge range of statutory and voluntary partners.

She said the PSNI takes a partnership approach with a focus on education, prevention and detection.

Signification engagement work is carried out, primarily, by our Neighbourhood Policing Teams. Neighbourhood officers work, for example, with schools to highlight the harm posed by drug misuse and, indeed, the consequences of becoming involved in drug offending and criminality.

Across the North there were 1,855 Class A drug seizure incidents in 2023, this is up 17 on the year prior. The vast majority of this was cocaine which was seized in 1561 incidents, 194 more times than in 2022.

Cannabis made up the majority of the Class B drugs seized. Of the 5,548 Class B drug seizure incidents, 5310 were some form of cannabis. A total of 95 involved amphetamines.

A total of 2,067 Class C incidents occurred, with benzodiazepines making up 1,108 of those and 1,046 involving pregabalin.

Meanwhile, NISRA has released data on drug-related deaths in the North for 2022.

In 2022, Derry and Strabane tied for second most deaths with Antrim and Newtownabbey, both with 15 deaths.

The figures put Derry as the second worst area for drug related deaths in the North between 2018 and 2022 behind Belfast which had 364. The number is a decrease on 2020 (18) and 2021 (25) but an increase on 2018 (9) and 2019 (9).

Derry had the joint third most drug related deaths per 100,000 people (10.3) with Antrim and Newtownabbey. It was behind Belfast (14.3) and Causeway Coast & Glens.

Yvonne McManus explained some of the operations PSNI carries out to reduce drug use.

We carry out proactive operations across the district to target drug supply and misuse. Working closely with, for example, the UK Border Force, weve subsequently intercepted significant quantities of drugs.

We will continue to investigate, make arrests, and remove harmful drugs from our streets, making our communities safer places to live and work.

In addition, however, we will also consider support referrals for individuals suspected of drug offences.

We have seen the devastation caused by drugs, with lives ruined, or lost, and loving families left to pick up the pieces. We all have a part to play, and I will take every opportunity to appeal to you, if you have any information on the illicit supply or use of drugs, please contact us on 101.

During this financial year, to date, the Police Services Organised Crime Branch has seized controlled drugs, throughout Northern Ireland, with an estimated street value of over 20m. This compares with 9.2m seized for the whole of the previous financial year and represents a 116% increase in the value of drugs seized.
The Tower Museum and the Alley Theatre will be throwing open their doors to science buffs next week as the NI Science Festival arrives in the city for a celebration of local innovation and discovery.

Now in its tenth year, the festival is a fun and accessible introduction to science for people of all ages, with a number of events taking place at venues across the City and District.

The Tower Museum will have a number of objects on display linked to science and technology, showing the changes and developments over the decades.

Experience the museums exciting VR space where visitors can enjoy one of three immersive experiences. Afloat and Ashore follows in the footsteps of the many people who departed from Derry Quay to journey across the Atlantic in 1891 for a new life in America.

Then  Beware! Enemy Below! Help to protect the vital supplies arriving from North America from the U-boat menace by spotting the dangers from a kite balloon hundreds of meters in the air.

Finally enjoy a birds eye view of the Island City and watch as it develops from a wild landscape of thick forests and ancient standing stones to the vibrant modern city of bricks and glass that we see today.

Enjoy a snapshot of Strabanes fascinating history of photography at the Alley Theatre. Strabane is synonymous with John Dunlap, printer of the U.S Declaration of Independence. But few however realise that Strabane can lay a rightful claim as the home of Ulster photography, as the birthplace of RJ Welch, official photographer of Harland and Wolff, as well as the work of Herbert Cooper, whose images of Strabane and district are considered one of the finest records of life during the interwar years.

As part of the Science Festival, a number of objects from the collections will be on display celebrating the sciences of printing and photography, as well as images taken by R.J Welch in the Belfast shipyards.

Looking ahead to the events, Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Cllr Patricia Logue, said: The NI Science Festival is a fantastic showcase of invention and scientific exploration and its fantastic to see local venues including the Alley Theatre and the Tower Museum shining a light on some of the interesting artefacts that we hold in our own collections.

The programme has a wide array of events to appeal to budding scientist of all ages and I would really encourage everyone to check out whats happening in their area.

The temporary collections will be on display in both venues from February 13, running until February 25 and admission is free for the exhibits. Groups do however have to book in advance for the VR Experience at the Tower Museum.

Find out more about all the events included in the N. Ireland Science Festival Programme at https://nisciencefestival.com/
Teachers and support staff should be recognised for the job they do, Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan has said as he pledged to seek a resolution to industrial action.

Education staff were among public sector workers who took part last month in the largest strike seen in recent history in Northern Ireland, calling for pay parity with their colleagues in the rest of the UK.

There has also been long-running industrial action short of a strike by teachers over conditions.

Mr Givan is set to meet teacher unions next week.

Speaking during his first official visit in the role, which was to Rathmore Grammar School in Belfast, Mr Givan said resolving the industrial action is a priority for him.

The unions desire to support their members, whether they are teachers or support staff, is the same desire that I have. They should be recognised for the job that they do, he said.

We have superb teachers in Northern Ireland and that has to be reflected in the terms and conditions that they have.

That is a priority. We need to resolve the industrial action, we need to resolve the action short of strike which does have a detrimental impact upon schools being able to deliver for children and young people

I want to see the resolution to that very quickly and so I want to get with talking to the unions and then we get into those negotiations, and then we can reach an outcome where they are properly recognised in their terms and conditions, and then schools are able to get on with teaching children.

There was surprise in some quarters when the DUP choose the education brief in their first pick of the ministerial portfolios on Saturday instead of finance.

Sinn Fein then nominated Caoimhe Archibald to serve as Finance Minister.

Mr Givan said he was delighted when DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson asked him to take on the role.

He said Sir Jeffrey said he wanted to make education a priority, adding: Because he said its for the next generation, and I couldnt agree more.

Weve got 350,000 children and young people within our education system, thats the future and I have a huge responsibility to make sure they get the education which they need to fulfil their potential, and that means supporting teachers, our schools and Im going to do that in terms of the ambition that I have and the asks that Im going to be making to the Executive to allow me to do the job.

Mr Givan said discussions within the Executive on budget allocations for departments are ongoing.

Education is something that cuts across political boundaries and I am confident that a Sinn Fein Finance Minister will recognise the importance of education, and my Executive colleagues will recognise that we need to invest in our capital estate and in our teachers, and so whenever the ask comes I am hopeful that they will respond positively to all of that, he said.

The Executive does have constraints in terms of the financial envelope that is available to it. We have pressures in every department. My job is to advocate for the Department of Education and I will be a champion for my department and for getting the resources that we need to deliver that world-class education system in Northern Ireland.
HIGHLIGHTS The announcement was made during Nadellas recent trip to Mumbai. The program is called ADVANTAG(I)GE INDIA and aims to speed up Indias AI transformation. Microsoft aims to implement this in collaboration with the government, non-profit firms and businesses across the country.

Artificial Intelligence is seeing a technological surge like none other. To survive and thrive in the future, one should have great knowledge of AI and should know how to use it in the best possible way, and how to spot and avoid misuse. For this, AI training becomes a crucial need for us. Keeping this in mind, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced an initiative that will train two million Indians in AI skills by 2025.

The announcement was made during Nadellas recent trip to Mumbai and is a part of Microsofts bigger Skills for Job initiative. It is at par with its responsible AI principles. The program is called ADVANTAG(I)GE INDIA and aims to speed up Indias AI transformation, as well as prepare the workforce for jobs in the future.

Also read: Microsoft Copilot: Maybe 3rd time is the charm for Windows virtual assistants

Microsoft aims to implement the program in India in collaboration with the government, non-profit firms and businesses across the country. It was informed that the essential thought behind the program is to bridge the gap between Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, while also focusing on rural areas at the same time. This will be done to ensure a more inclusive AI progress and awareness.

Speaking on the matter during his Mumbai visit, Nadella said I hope consensus emerges and that is what really helps, in some sense, (with) the diffusion of this technology, referring to global efforts to regulate AI. He added that he hoped the distribution of AI across would lead to equal distribution of economic growth.

Also read: Microsoft adds a new Copilot key to Windows 11 PCs: Heres how it will help

To provide basic AI training to 500,000 students and job seekers in 100 rural vocational education institutions and training centers, Microsoft has partnered with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and 10 state governments. More such partnerships have been made to fulfill the goal.
HIGHLIGHTS Both smartphones feature a vegan leather back. The Realme 12 Pro Plus has a 50MP primary camera, a 64MP Periscope Telephoto, and an 8MP Ultrawide lens. The Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus has a 6.7-inch 1.5K 120Hz AMOLED display.

Realme launched its latest mid-range smartphone on January 29. This is the Realme 12 Pro Plus, which came out with a new and stylish design and an upgraded camera. In this article, I will compare this smartphone with the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus also launched last month. Both smartphones have been launched in India around 30,000. So, lets compare these latest mid-range smartphones and then tell me which one you will buy.

Realme 12 Pro Plus VS Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus: Design

Both come with new and refined designs compared to their predecessors. The Realme 12 Pro Plus launched in three colours; Submarine Blue, Explorer Red, and Navigator Beige. Now whats really cool about this smartphone? Well, the design sits on top. Realme has collaborated with the famous luxury watchmaker Ollivier Saveo. He helped Realme design the back of this smartphone. You get a premium vegan leather back and a beautiful circular camera module that looks like a watch analog. It is 8.5mm thick, weighs 195 grams, and features an IP65 rating against dust and water.

On the other hand, the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus also features a vegan leather back and comes in three colours; Fusion Black, Fusion Purple, and Fusion White. The Black and White variants have a solid coloured back panel, however, the fusion purple has a little different back. The back features three hues; purple, green, and blue with a white tone. The upper part of the back has three blocks that separate cameras, an LED flash, and the Redmi branding. It measures 199 grams in weight and is 8.9 mm thick. The Note 13 Pro Plus has an IP68 rating, which is better than the IP65.

Also read: Realme 12 Pro Plus vs Poco X6 Pro: Best mid-range phone?

Realme 12 Pro Plus VS Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus: Display

You get a 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with the Realme 12 Pro Plus. This display has 10-bit colour, 120Hz refresh rate support, and 950 nits of peak brightness. On the other hand, the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus packs a better display. It has a 6.7-inch 1.5K AMOLED display that supports 68 billion colours, a 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+ as well. It has 1800 nits of peak brightness and is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.

Realme 12 Pro Plus VS Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus: Performance

The Realme 12 Pro Plus is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor, coupled with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. Furthermore, it runs on the latest Realme UI 5.0 based on Android 14 operating system.

The Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra SoC. Xiaomi offers the smartphone in three storage variants; 8GB 256GB, 12GB 256GB, and 12GB 512GB. Unfortunately, this smartphone runs on MIUI 14 based on Android 13 out of the box. However, the Chinese brand will offer the Android 14-based HyperOS for this smartphone soon.

Realme 12 Pro Plus VS Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus: Camera

The camera of the Realme 12 Pro Plus is the second USP of this smartphone and the brand is calling it The Portrait Master. What makes it really good? There is a triple camera setup on the back, holding a 50-megapixel primary camera with PDAF and OIS support, a 64-megapixel Periscope Telephoto sensor with up to 3x optical zoom, and an 8-megapixel Ultrawide lens. On the front, you get a 32-megapixel selfie shooter.

In the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus, there is also a triple camera setup consisting of a 200-megapixel main camera with PDAF and OIS support, an 8-megapixel Ultrawide lens, and a 2-megapixel Macro lens. For selfies, there is a 16-megapixel camera at the front.

Also read: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G Review: A well-rounded phone with an age-old flaw

Realme 12 Pro Plus VS Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus: Battery

There is no competition in the battery capacity as both smartphones pack the same 5000mAh battery. However, there is one thing here that makes the Note 13 Pro Plus stand out, and this is the fast charging. The Realme 12 Pro Plus supports 67-watt fast charging, whereas, the Note 13 Pro Plus has 120-watt fast charging support.

Realme 12 Pro Plus VS Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus: Price and availability

The Realme 12 Pro is available for purchase on Realme Indias official website at a starting price of 29,999. On the other hand, the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus can be bought from Xiaomi Indias website for 31,999.
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Photo via city of Sumner [enlarge] The Ryan House has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1976.





The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation has added the Ryan House in Sumner to its list of Most Endangered Places. The home was built in the 1800s as a one-room pioneer cabin. It is named for George Ryan, the first mayor of Sumner, who brought the property in 1872 and added to the original cabin in 1875 and 1885.





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Port of Everett

Gerking

Erik Gerking has been promoted to serve as the new chief of planning & development for the Port of Everett, a new role responsible for leading the implementation of Port development, long-range planning and environmental efforts. Gerking is a 14-year veteran at the Port, where he has been an instrumental team member in numerous efforts, involving restoring and revitalizing the environment and modernizing waterfront properties. He has also led the Port's environmental stewardship and sustainability programming, incorporating green measures and enhancing environmental protections within each of the Port's business lines. With Gerking at the helm, he and the Port team have completed many environmental projects, most recently, the Norton Terminal Cleanup and Development, 353-acre Blue Heron Slough Restoration, Bay Wood Shoreline Cleanup and Habitat Restoration, Everett Shipyard Cleanup and Central Marina Improvements, plus 65 acres of environmental cleanup to pave the way for today's Waterfront Place mixed-use development. Gerking joined the Port of Everett in 2009, after nine years of environmental consulting for ports and other clients. He is actively involved in various committees of the Washington Public Ports Association, as well as the American Association of Port Authorities where he is currently completing the Professional Port Management Program. In addition to Gerking, some other recent Port leadership news include John Klekotka's new title as chief of engineering & construction, promotions of Robert Marion to director of finance, Catherine Soper to director of external affairs & business development, Ken Scott to IT manager and Jacob Kirschner to environmental project manager, and the hiring of Cara Craig as the new director of trade development. The Port is actively seeking a chief administrative & financial officer to manage the Port's $83 million operating and capital budget, while also overseeing all financial, risk management, purchasing, technology and HR functions of the Port.




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WASHINGTON (AP) A federal labor law judge has ordered Starbucks to reinstate a high-profile labor organizer who resigned in 2022 after the coffee giant repeatedly ignored her scheduling requests.

An administrative law judge with the National Labor Relations Board ruled that Starbucks compelled Jaz Brisack to resign when it scheduled her to two or three shifts per week for months despite her repeated requests to reduce her schedule. The law judge's decision must still be reviewed by the National Labor Relations Board.





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By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS

AP Business Writer

Photo via Legacy Companies [enlarge] The Kelly-Springfield Building on Capitol Hill. WeWork leased the whole building, expanded by Ankrom Moisan and Sellen Construction, in 2018. The co-work company said last month that it would close the location.





NEW YORK  Adam Neumann, the ousted co-founder of WeWork, is exploring a deal to buy back the office sharing company after expressing dismay over its bankruptcy process.





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The Montana Attorney Generals Office is investigating Rimrock Foundation for Medicaid fraud.

The investigation is one of 37 investigations opened last year by the AG's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

A spokesperson for the AG's office could not provide any further information about the investigation as it is pending and that the MFCU is "conducting a thorough investigation which can take some time."

"I don't know much about it except the state holds us to a high standard and we hold ourselves to a high standard," said Jeff Keller, CEO of Rimrock.

Rimrock, an addiction treatment center in Billings, served 2,800 clients across its programs in 2022, according to a year-end report published by the organization. Medicaid paid for 58% of services provided.

Meanwhile, Rimrock  like other Medicaid providers  faces the financial difficulties posed by redetermination.

In January 2024, Keller spoke during a meeting of the state's behavioral health commission and said that it was hard to pay the bills since Medicaid redetermination took clients out of the system.

He said Rimrock was in the red and that they were deferring maintenance on properties and vans to keep up with expenses.

How can we get $1 from this bill, let alone the money we really need? Keller said, referencing a bill passed last year which will invest $300 million in the state's mental health system.

Rimrock typically had about 900 clients per month and lost around 240 clients due to redetermination, Keller said.

"When patients lost their coverage, providers didn't kick them out of programs," said Mary Windecker, executive director of the Behavioral Health Alliance of Montana. "Providers continued to treat them, which increased bad debt for providers."

By February, Keller expressed optimism about the financial outlook.

"We're grateful for the state and what they're doing for us. They're really responsive, that part of it is good," he said.
Gardai said they told protesters outside a house in Co Kildare that it was not going to be used to house asylum seekers, but were not believed and the property was later set ablaze.

The property in Leixlip was seriously damaged in the arson attack in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The house was rumoured to be planned accommodation for asylum seekers.

The building, according to gardai, was the subject of a significant volume of misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to its use.

Gardai investigating the attack said they were working with other Garda stations that were investigating similar incidents across the country.

The seven-bedroom detached house in Leixlip was wrongly linked to housing for asylum seekers.

A forensic examination of the property was taking place and gardai were reviewing CCTV footage.

The property, which had been vacant, was partially set on fire last week.

Superintendent Georgina Gray, of Leixlip Garda Station, said that a major investigation into the arson attack was taking place.

She said local gardai were aware that false information had been circulating online about the property.

That information or that rumour was there beforehand, and protests had been taking place, local protests, very peaceful, she added.

We, the guards, had engaged daily with those protests. We engaged with the property owner, we engaged with local representatives here. So there has been a lot of engagement ongoing for the past few weeks to dispel any of those rumours and allay any fears that people would have.

We had been doing regular patrols when we became aware that there may be an issue at that property.

We were doing daily patrols up there and an investigation did take place and was continuing in relation to that first attack up at that house.

We had liaised with the property owner, provided crime prevention advice, and indeed got our own crime prevention officer to liaise with the property owner in relation to things that he could do to help prevent any further attacks on the house.

She appealed to the public to contact gardai if they had heard any misinformation or had any concerns.

Superintendent Gray added: Were in the early stages of the investigation. Misinformation does not help and especially in a local community, it can create fears amongst the public.

We say to people, please do not listen to any information and come to us here or your local public representative.

She said that gardai had visited the protests and spoken to people outside the property in recent weeks.

Its very difficult for the public when rumours are going around, and myths and misinformation. We did engage, but unfortunately, the fears were there for people and they just werent satisfied that it wasnt going to be used for that purpose, she said.

But she would not comment on whether she believed the attack involved outside elements or whether it was part of a nationwide effort to attack buildings earmarked for housing asylum seekers.

I will say, we are linking in with other investigation teams around the country to follow that line just in case, she added.

She also said that the property owner had taken on some of the security advice and had been in the early stages of protecting the property when it was attacked.

Leixlip is a lovely community area. Leixlip gardai, and indeed all gardai, work endlessly to ensure that the public feels safe, Superintendent Gray added.

We are absolutely out there investigating this but not just investigating it, engaging with the public and reassuring them with our presence that we are there, we wont tolerate it.

Its a serious criminal act, which will not be tolerated.

The chair of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice has invited Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to appear before it to speak about the arson attacks.

Chairman James Lawless said he wanted to see investigations and prosecutions and to ensure gardai had adequate resources to investigate the criminal offences.

Meanwhile, three people were arrested by gardai investigating an arson attack at a building earmarked for homeless accommodation in Dublin.

The former pub in Ringsend in Dublin was set alight on New Years Eve amid speculation it was going to be used to house international protection applicants.

As part of the investigation, four houses were searched under warrant on Thursday morning during an operation in the Dublin area, gardai said.

Two men, aged in their 30s and 50s, and a woman aged in her 20s, were arrested and a number of items of evidential value were seized, including electronic devices, in the course of the operation.

All three were being questioned at a Garda station in the Dublin region.

On Thursday afternoon, the woman aged in her 20s was released without charge while the two men remained in custody.

It is the latest in a series of attacks on properties that have been linked to housing for refugees.

The latest arson attack comes days after vacant buildings in Brittas in Co Dublin were set alight.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he is optimistic there will be a genuine effort to ensure the restored Stormont Executive will tackle practical problems facing people in Northern Ireland.

Welcoming the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive last weekend, Mr Varadkar said it gave renewed hope for cooperation on difficulties in the health service and public sector pay disputes.

However, he said there had been lost opportunities within the two-year period that the Executive had not been functioning.

A DUP boycott of Stormonts key institutions in protest over post-Brexit trading arrangements ended on Saturday following a new agreement with the UK Government.

Speaking on Thursday, Mr Varadkar said he believes lessons have been learned and there is a lot of good faith between the new Executive members to make powersharing work.

He said he was hopeful that the Executive would last through the upcoming elections in Ireland as well as to the House of Commons.

The Taoiseach was speaking at a Shared Island Forum at Dublin Castle, where he said the Irish Government would commit unprecedented funding to enable major cross-border investment.

He said his Government would do everything it could to support the new Executive.

He said he looked forward to working with First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly as well as arranging an early plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh.

Mr Varadkar said: This is a new opportunity with the Executive and Assembly now up and running to represent and to make decisions on behalf of all sections of society.

Good governance will make real the principles of partnership on parity of esteem. No identity nor constitutional aspiration should be diminished by working for the collective good.

The Taoiseach said there is some way to go before mutual trust and reconciliation between the islands different traditions is achieved.

He added: And I believe words can only take us so far. We need actions as well. A shared island needs a shared infrastructure, an all-island economy, a shared set of dreams about what we can achieve when we work together.

Mr Varadkar said the Irish Governments Shared Island initiative involves a commitment to work with all communities and political traditions to create a more connected, sustainable and prosperous island for all.

In 2020, the Irish Government committed one billion euro to the Shared Island Fund to be spent across the decade.

So far, approximately 250 million euro has been allocated to 15 major projects and multiannual programmes including the restoration of the Ulster Canal and the construction of an academic building at Ulster University in Londonderry.

Mr Varadkar said he firmly believed that all-island initiatives and east-west cooperation could improve business, trade and innovation.

He said there were deep and vibrant connections north and south but added that cross-border interactions are still much less than they should be.

The Irish premier said this included insufficient cross-border trade, travel, tourism and student mobility.

Mr Varadkar said the long-awaited A5 upgrade for connectivity in the north west of the island could commence this year, partly resourced by the Shared Island Fund.

Additionally, he said investment in the Narrow Water Bridge to enhance tourism between Mourne Mountains in Co Down and the Cooley Peninsula in Co Louth would be a powerful symbol of what can be achieved.

The Irish Government also wants to use the fund to invest in an hourly rail connection between Dublin and Belfast, as well as redeveloping Casement Park in Belfast for use in the Euro 2028 tournament.

He said there is no reason why Northern Ireland cant be the most prosperous part of the United Kingdom.
Electrical goods firm Glen Dimplex has announced a 15m investment in its Dunleer site as part of a strategic review of its island-wide operations.

As part of the move the firm plans to relocate its fast-growing sales and distribution arm (Glen Dimplex Ireland [GDI]) from Cloghran in Dublin to Dunleer in the next two years.

Additionally, the company say they will consolidate their two Dunleer sites (Barn Road and Ardee Road) to one multi-purpose facility at Ardee Road which, subject to planning permission, will incorporate GDI and its associated warehousing and distribution activities, a state-of-the-art showroom, a new R&D facility and ventilation manufacturing.

They also intend to invest in a purpose built ventilation facility in Dunleer that will allow the Group to substantially grow its low carbon ventilation business in core markets.

Although a statement released by the companies says they also plan to transfer the manufacturing of flame products from Dunleer to a long term partner in China resulting in  headcount reduction in Dunleer in late 2024; They do however, claim that group employment in Dunleer is expected to be materially higher by 2029 as a result of redeployment from Cloghran and continuing growth in GDI.

Employees at all Glen Dimplex sites were briefed today about the proposed reorganisation and investment programme that will be implemented on a phased basis from late 2024 through 2026.

There will be no redundancies as part of the planned reorganisation of operations for at least 6 months.

Glen Dimplex say management will work with employee representatives, union groups and training agencies to ensure the planned transitions are as seamless as possible and that appropriate outplacement and training supports are provided.

Fergal Leamy, Glen Dimplex Group CEO commented: Glen Dimplex has always been a leader in electric heating solutions for homes and businesses. The drive for zero carbon renewable electricity requires a transition in the technology and appliances used in our homes and businesses, especially in smart and sustainable heating and ventilation solutions such as next generation heat pumps, ventilation and storage solutions using renewable energy sources.

By signalling these proposed changes significantly in advance of proposed implementation we aim to mitigate the impact on staff and minimise redundancies through training and redeployment and affording the opportunity to apply for hundreds of new roles that will be created over the coming years.

Our proposed 50m investment will reorientate our operations on this island so that they are environmentally and economically sustainable and a major driving force in the next chapter of growth at Glen Dimplex. Our transition will bring significant change and challenge in the near term but also phenomenal opportunities for the next generation and beyond. One thing is clear; the status quo is not an option as consumer demand and public policy chart course for zero carbon future.

Up the M1 in Newry the company additionally say they will invest around 25m in its site which will be repurposed into a centre of excellence for the manufacture of zero carbon, renewable heating solutions including heat pumps. Panel and storage heating manufacturing will transfer from the Groups sites in Newry and Portadown to its existing manufacturing site in Lithuania.

Under this proposal, the Portadown site will close, most likely in 2025, with some staff redeploying to Newry whose operations will also evolve significantly.

A statement from the company emphasised:

This complex but critical transition will require a mix of retraining, redeployment, redundancies and new hires over the next 5 years, following which total headcount on the island of Ireland will have increased from 800 today to over 1,000 staff.

The proposals will ensure the Groups island-wide operations will be optimally positioned for growth on an environmentally and commercially sustainable basis as it seeks to both drive and benefit from the transition to electrification of energy.
Entrants from Dundalk are urged to take part in this year's Miss Universe Ireland, with the news that the 73rd Miss Universe Competition is now officially open for applications. For the first time ever, applicants can be married or divorced, they can be mothers or trans women and there is no upper age limit of height requirements.

Contestants from over 90 countries compete each year for the title of Miss Universe. Miss Universe Ireland will be crowned in June 2024 and the competition is now open for applications with a straightforward application process available on www.missuniverseireland.ie.

The closing date for applications is February 29th 2024 at 5pm. This is an opportunity to follow in footsteps of previous winners Roz Purcell, Joana Copper and current title holder Aishah Akorede and represent Ireland at the spectacular final of the competition which takes place this year in Mexico in November.

Aishah Akorede (24), from Leixlip, Co Kildare is making waves as the current Miss Universe Ireland. She represented Ireland in El Salvador last year and was featured in news outlets across the globe, including CNN, in her National Costume for Ireland as she rocked the incredible stage a handmade recycled unique creation from Claire Garvey Designs called Cliodhna ,The Celtic Goddess of The Sea.

Aishah, a Law Graduate, is currently completing the Chartered Governance Qualification Programme. She also holds a Masters in International Corporate Governance with a Degree Plus Employability Award from Queens University Belfast. She also works as a Fashion Model but her greatest passion is her work as founder of 'Recrowned Ireland': a social justice initiative aimed at helping women feel comfortable, confident and aware.

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) is a global, inclusive organization that celebrates all cultures, backgrounds and religions creating a safe space for women to share their stories and drive impact personally, professionally, and philanthropically. The women who participate in this international platform serve as inspirational leaders and role models to their communities and fans around the world.

The Miss Universe Organization exists to advocate for a future forged by women - women with the courage to push the limits of whats possible, who are curious enough to make world-shaking discoveries, and audacious enough to do this over and over. The 73rd Miss Universe Competition takes place in Mexico in November 2024.
Cllr John Reilly tabled a motion at the Dundalk Municipal District February meeting, calling for the ownership and maintenance of Faughart Graveyard be taken over by the Office of Public Works (OPW) as a Heritage Site.

The February meeting was held at Faughart Community National School to mark the 1500th anniversary of the death of St Brigid. Cllr Reilly said "now that the euphoria of the Brigid 1500 celebrations is starting to die down, the reality is that we have a rich heritage site which we believe is close to the birthplace of St Brigid [and which] is in legal limbo currently."

Cllr Reilly says that there is an anomaly in relation to the ownership of the graveyard as it is not clear if it is a Catholic or Church of Ireland graveyard, but added that it is believed that it changed hands verbally to the Catholic church in the 1800s. He further added that he has met both the Catholic Archbishop and the Church of Ireland Archbishop on the matter.

The Fine Gael councillor said that "Faughart Graveyard is a very ecumenical burial site. It is believed that the site holds the first Anglican church in the area. It dates back to the 5th century. Not only on a religious aspect but on a historical note it is the burial ground of Edward de Bruce killed in battle in 1318."



"On entering politics three years ago, one of my top priorities was the cleaning up and maintenance of the graveyard, out of respect to those who have died there, including my great-grandparents who are buried here."

At the February meeting, it was agreed that Cllr Reilly's motion be changed to call on either Louth County Council or the OPW to take ownership of Faughart Graveyard.

Speaking to the Dundalk Democrat following the meeting, Cllr Reilly said that, "going forward, we have a heritage site outside Dundalk, and it needs to have a proper guardian, especially after the festival we had. We also have St Brigid's Well, the Gap of the North, we've also got the whole connection with Edward de Bruce. We have to build on Brigid 1500, we have to build on tourism."

He added that work has been done to tidy up the graveyard, through community effort and with the help of a TUS work placement, and that it is now in a much better state than it was in three years ago.

The Dundalk-Carlingford councillor added that "if I have only one legacy from my three years as a Louth County Councillor, I want it to be for the cleaning up Faughart Graveyard."
Author Clara Kumagai, who is based in Dundalk has been shortlisted for the 2024 KPMG Childrens Books Ireland Awards for her book Catfish Rolling.

The shortlist for the 34th annual awards was announced yesterday by RTE broadcaster Rick OShea at a special event in the Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast.

Clara Kumagais debut book Catfish Rolling, published by Head of Zeus, is a coming-of-age young adult novel which explores the themes of identity, relationships, grief and ecology.

The novel is set in a world of Japanese myths, folklore and magical realism. Clara was born in Canada, before moving to Ireland as a child. She writes fiction and non-fiction for children and adults.

The shortlisted titles, which include five debut writers and three current or former Laureates na nOg, or Childrens Laureates, will compete for six awards at the KPMG Childrens Books Ireland Awards ceremony, held 22nd May in partnership with the International Literature Festival Dublin.

These include the KPMG Childrens Books Ireland Book of the Year Award, as well as honours for fiction, illustration and the Junior Juries Award which will be decided by young readers across the island of Ireland.

Louth schools invited to join Junior Juries Programme

Childrens Books Ireland is inviting schoolchildren from across Louth to join their nationwide judging panel of young readers. Participating school groups, library groups and book clubs are invited to select suitable titles from the shortlist and collectively vote for their favourite book.

Elaina Ryan, CEO of Childrens Books Ireland said: This is the only Irish awards dedicated to celebrating books created for children and its the biggest year weve had yet! We need readers of all ages to get involved to crown their winner of the KPMG Junior Juries Award.

This is a great way for schools, libraries and book clubs to get stuck into reading, exploring the shortlist with our free Junior Jury print and digital resource packs.

There will even be a chance for some groups to win sets of the shortlisted books, attend the Awards ceremony in May or even welcome one of the shortlisted authors or illustrators along for a visit! Its a brilliant programme and theres still time to register on our website.

The 2024 Awards mark the fifth year of KPMGs sponsorship. Johnny Hanna, Partner in Charge KPMG Belfast said its a great source of pride to support the awards: Ireland has such a wealth of great writing and illustration talent for readers of all ages. This years Junior Jurors will have their work cut out for them but what an enjoyable task it will be!

The KPMG Childrens Books Ireland Awards and Junior Juries programme are supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaion and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery Funding.

Damian Smyth, joint Head of Literature and Drama at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: These awards recognise some of the most outstanding books of the last year  the picturebooks, stories and novels that have captured the hearts and imaginations of young readers. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland offer our congratulations to all those who have made this years shortlist.
Billings Public Schools trustees plan to place an elementary and high school safety levy on the May 2024 election ballot.

The resolution for the levies was passed at the December school board meeting, and was recommended by the districts budget committee, in response to results from the districts safety audit done last year.

The audit informed the district of its pressing needs to better boost school safety and security. Areas of concern, which the levies could fund, include personnel and practices in prevention, intervention and communication, and various infrastructure resources.

The districts budget committee recommended the levies as a logical step to bridge the gap between the districts needs and the districts ideal state. The current recommendation from district administration is for both safety levies to be permanent, and for both to include a dollar amount that ranges from $2 million to $3 million annually.

Meanwhile, SD2 has devised two committees to work on the next steps in addressing safety needs: the District Safety Committee and the Parent Advisory Safety Committee. Both committees are comprised of individuals with backgrounds pertaining to safety practices. SD2 safety and emergency management Coordinator Joe Halligan is mapping out short and long-term plans to address the needs.

Halligan believes the district is moving in the right direction when it comes to taking care of the safety audits recommendations and stated theyve tackled a number of recommendations already.

Superintendent Erwin Garcia said the safety audit, which was conducted by Secure Environment Consultants, a group of experts that assess school districts across the nation, made 58 recommendations for all schools in the district and others per individual school buildings.

Following the audit, Garcia said the district went to work to resolve what recommendations they could, and met with school resource officers, police officials and firefighters for training on active shooter emergency drills and unification plans. To Garcia, the need to act is urgent.

I told my team, were not going to sit around and just wait for the safety levy to pass to do things. We have to act now, said Garcia. There is a variety of things that we have to include to be able to fully serve our kids and safety is the number one thing that we need to consider.

Halligan stressed that even though the district is doing everything they can to boost the safety of district schools, big ticket items such as updated surveillance, intercom systems and other infrastructural needs cant be addressed with general funding.

It helped reveal some things that we can shore up, and a lot of those things are being addressed, but were kind of limited as to what we can do because of limited resources, said Halligan. We're seeking grant funding for as much as we can, but there's a limit to those dollars as well.

Additional funding could help implement a variety of proactive approaches in prevention and intervention recommended by SEC, including specialized personnel in safety, mental health, dropout prevention, gang prevention, a medical emergency response team, character development programs, nurses, counselors, and more. SEC personnel recommended that all school staff be trained to identify concerning incidents and behaviors, and recommended social media monitoring as well, stating that a significant portion of communication is done via social media.

Research has shown most school-based targeted violent attacks are preceded by threats or concerning behaviors, stated SEC. The ability to identify behaviors and intervene can prevent attacks and provide opportunities to help and support students in need.

SEC also recommended the district find long-term funding in order to upgrade technology systems and make updates in the future, including installation of a visitor management system, an external and internal public announcement system, evacuation chairs for disabled, and a laundry list of other resources.

Aside from technology and personnel, SEC urges the district to button up their methodologies, stating that inconsistent processes create a gap in security and can foster a culture of complacency.

SEC recommended continual training of office staff on visitor management and urges staff to adhere to protocol with visitors unfamiliar to staff. SEC personnel noted in their report that they were not vetted or made to sign in at some of the buildings.

Since the audit, Halligan has been working to get the district on the same page when it comes to emergency practices, involving school staff, SROs, local law enforcement and other community members.

Consistent messaging across the board is going to be huge, said Halligan. Making sure that all of our teachers are adequately trained on not only the terminology and the verbiage, but also what to do in each of those situations.

There are three pillars to safety readiness: Trained personnel, proven processes, and adequate equipment and technology, Halligan said. Risk increases when one or more of those are missing.

Its allowing our teachers exposure and training so that they are better able to respond in a critical incident rather than react, said Halligan. A response is much different than a reaction. When we have time to think about things before they happen, it allows teachers to respond in a more effective and accurate way given the circumstances.

School administration will present official ballot language of the safety levies to district trustees for discussion at the Feb. 26 school board meeting, at 5:30 p.m. in the Lincoln Center board room.

The safety audit cost approximately $69,000 and was paid for out of the general fund.

It came about because we heard from the community that they were very concerned about safety. We did a survey in June to which about 2,300 people responded, said SD2 spokeswoman Melanie Willardson. In that survey, 28.3% of respondents felt schools were safe. Because of that low number, we realized this was an area we needed to focus on.

Multiple students gave written responses to the survey, depicting concern over their own safety in school.

One students response was, Maybe dont let school shooting attempts happen. I'd kinda prefer to not be (explicative) shot. Maybe add some kind of security, man. Just want to go to school and ya know, not die? Is that too difficult?"

Other concerns included a lack of working technology for classrooms, not enough school counselors, overheating in class, dress codes going unenforced, and a lack of socioeconomic acceptance.

"Issues like homophobia, racism, and other bigoted behaviors seem to run rampant in school district two," a student stated. "I truly hope that someday public school will feel welcoming and safe for every student that walks through its doors, but right now I really don't see it providing that for anyone other than the privileged kids who treat others like garbage.
Three people have been arrested by gardai investigating an arson attack at a building earmarked for homeless accommodation in Dublin.

The former pub in Ringsend in Dublin was set alight on New Years Eve amid speculation it was going to be used to house international protection applicants.

As part of the investigation, four houses were searched under warrant on Thursday morning during an operation in the Dublin area, gardai said.

Two men, aged in their 30s and 50s, and a woman aged in her 20s, were arrested and number of items of evidential value were seized, including electronic devices, in the course of the operation.

All three were questioned at a garda station in the Dublin region.

On Thursday afternoon, the woman aged in her 20s was released without charge while the two men remained in custody.

It comes after a property in Leixlip, Co Kildare, was set alight in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The house was rumoured to be planned accommodation for asylum seekers.

The building, according to gardai, was the subject of a significant volume of misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to its use or intended purpose.

The seven-bedroom detached house in Leixlip was wrongly linked to housing for asylum seekers.

It is the latest in a series of attacks on properties that have been linked to housing for refugees.

It comes days after vacant buildings in Brittas in Co Dublin were set alight.
Former U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg is eyeing a return to U.S. House representing Montanas Eastern District.

Rehberg, a Republican who claimed to roll out a bedroll and overnight in his House office for his entire tenure, 2001 through 2012, told Politico Wednesday that he started considering a 2024 campaign after acquaintances informed him that his name was polling well as a candidate for the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale.

I havent made the decision. But maybe I could do this and go back and make a difference, Rehberg told Politico.

Attempts to contact Rehberg, age 68, for this article were unsuccessful.

A Billings native and developer, who once raised cashmere goats, Rehberg served as lieutenant governor to both Stan Stephens and Marc Racicot. His first DC gig was in the 1970s working for Eastern District Rep. Ron Marlenee.

He served in the Montana House and ran twice for U.S. Senate, the first time in 1996 against Democrat Max Baucus. Rehbergs 20-plus years in politics ended in 2012 when he challenged Democratic Sen. Jon Tester. Rehberg finished with 44.8% of the vote, trailing Tester by 18,764 ballots.

After politics, Rehberg invested in fast food franchises, which were mortally wounded by business conditions during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as staffing shortages in the years that followed.

That 2012 election cycle was a tipping point in Montana politics. It was the last election cycle that Democrats won more than a single statewide office. The House seat Rehberg vacated became a reliable springboard for ambitious Republicans. It was a first step for Steve Daines, who served one term before progressing to the Senate, and Ryan Zinke, who served one term before briefly becoming secretary of The Interior under Donald Trump. Zinke now represents Montanas Western U.S. House district.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte served three and a half years in the at-large House seat before being elected governor. Rosendale, the last person to occupy Montanas at large district before the state picked up another seat in 2022, is expected to announce a 2024 candidacy for Senate by mid-March.

The Eastern District Republican primary is crowded with seven candidates, most of whom have public office experience, but none have been on the ballot as often as Rehberg.

Troy Downing, currently Montana state auditor; Elsie Arntzen, Montanas two-term superintendent of public instruction; former DEA agent Stacy Zinn; legislator Ken Bogner and former legislators Ric Holden, Joel Krautter, and Ed Walker, are Republican candidates who have announced for the Easter District primary. However, most of those candidates are conditioning their participation on Rosendale not seeking reelection.

Democrats Ming Cabrera and Kevin Hamm are primary opponents for the job, though Republicans are favored by Trumpian margins.
The longtime attorney for the owner of the Elk Mountain Ranch is off the corner-crossing trespass case and now works in the Wyoming Attorney Generals office.

My switch was entirely unrelated to the corner-crossing case, Greg Weisz said Monday. It was a personal decision.

After 30 years in private practice, Weisz said, he sought a change. He has been in the attorney generals office for three weeks, he said, working in the water and natural resources division.

Megan Overmann Goetz, an attorney with Pence and MacMillan where Weisz had worked, filed Weiszs withdrawal notice in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and now represents the firm in the ongoing civil suit.

Representing Eshelman, Weisz in 2022 sued four Missouri hunters for trespassing after they corner crossed to hunt on public land on Elk Mountain. The men never touched Eshelmans Elk Mountain Ranch land as they stepped from one section of public land to another, over a four way corner shared with two parcels of private land, in 2020 and 2021.

Eshelman and his Iron Bar Holdings company claimed that passing through airspace above the Carbon County ranch property was trespassing but lost that lawsuit last year. Corner crossing on foot in the checkerboard pattern of land ownership without physically contacting private land and without causing damage to private property does not constitute an unlawful trespass, Wyomings Chief U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl wrote.

Eshelman has appealed to the 10th Circuit where Weiszs exit notice was filed last month.

The Pence and MacMillan firm Weisz worked for represented Eshelman beginning in 2005, the year the North Carolina pharma multi-millionaire formed Iron Bar Holdings LLC and bought the Elk Mountain Ranch. A real estate company that advertised the ranch said two lawsuits protect the ranch and its enclosed public property from public access like corner crossing. Judge Skavdahl rejected that assertion.

Ranch property specialist

Weisz said in 2022 that he specialized in real estate, easements and ranch property. As a witness in the separate Carbon County criminal trial of the hunters that year, he described the boundaries of Elk Mountain Ranch, said it surrounded public land and that Iron Bar owns and controls the corners. The jury found the men not guilty.

Weisz told the jury he had been an attorney for 27 years. He earned his law degree from the University of Wyoming in 1995 and was admitted to practice in front of the 10th Circuit.

In three separate courts over two years, Weisz filed hundreds of pages of complaints, motions, responses and pleadings for Eshelman and Iron Bar. When Skavdahl ruled against Eshelman in the civil suit against the hunters, a new law firm joined Iron Bars legal efforts.

On June 9 last year, Eshelman appealed his loss to the 10th Circuit as Denver attorneys Kristin Arthur and Theresa Wardon Benz joined the case. They represented Iron Bar for slightly longer than a month.

Iron Bar then signed on a new team specializing in appeals. It made Eshelmans opening appeal arguments in November.

That team of three works for Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer, which has offices in Denver, Washington, D.C. and other cities. The team includes R. Reeves Anderson who graduated from North Carolina State University as valedictorian.

Another member is Sean A. Mirski, who works in the firms D.C. office, clerked for Supreme Court Justice Alito and Justice Brett Kavanaugh when the latter was on the bench of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Brian Williams, a magna-cum-laude BYU alum, is the third member. He earned his law degree at Georgetown Law Center.

 Tennessee Watson contributed to this story.
The upper Yellowstone River elicits strong emotions from the people living alongside its cobbled shores in the Paradise Valley.

These sentiments include love, awe and joy at the beauty and sustenance it provides to souls and plant life, as well as anger, rage and frustration following the damage caused by the historic flood of 2022.

Lara Tomovs fifth film in her Life in the Land series, titled simply The Upper Yellowstone River, strikes all of these chords as she explores the rivers history, damage wrought by the flood and concerns about the many demands placed on the waterway  from recreation to irrigation.

Watch it free

The 52-minute film is free to the public to show. All Tomov asks is that a form be filled out to track where its being played and by who. Theres even a guide to facilitate post-film discussion.

The whole purpose of creating it was for the community thats featured to have a story that can empower them and advance their work, Tomov said. But also for other communities to  find sparks of inspiration or reflection.

Her four earlier films, which are also available for free, are: Central Montana Plains, The Seeley-Swan Region, Blackfeet Nation Amskap Piikani and The Big Hole Valley. The website is also home to more than 40 Stories for Action podcasts.

Tomov explained the film series started off with a focus on different groups conservation efforts.

But it quickly became apparent that this was more about relationships and how to foster healthy relationships between people, and also between people and the landscapes they are part of, the Missoula filmmaker said.

Water spirits

Initially, Tomovs upper Yellowstone River film was meant to be about the regions struggle with increasing pressure from river recreation, a narrative that would apply to many other waters across the western third of the state.

And then the floods happened, she said. Thats when the storyline of that film expanded.

However, the underlying structure of the project didnt change. It was still a chronicle of a community response to pressures, Tomov said, guided by a variety of voices and perspectives in order to come to a solution that would be more impactful and longer lasting.

The old western adage said whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting, but Scott Frazier doesnt see it that way.

Thats a terrible attitude, he said in the film. Water is for getting along. Theres not a thing on this planet that the water doesnt love.  And if someone doesnt like it, it will change its state to include you. Its just wonderful.

Frazier, a Santee and enrolled Crow tribal member, is the founder of Project Indigenous. His comments, advocating for seeing the river in a more spiritual way, are sprinkled throughout the film.

We need to teach a different way about how we look at water, Frazier said. You can talk water, and you can talk environment. But that doesnt mean youre connected. It just means youre talking.

When you start seeing the river in your heart, rather than your head, youll start to actually understand how this works, and how we work.

A critical juncture

Dale Sexton, co-owner of Dan Baileys Outdoor Co., and a Livingston native, said a friend told him Tomovs film should be shown in all of Montanas schools.

Its just really cool storytelling, he said. But its also relevant, obviously, with the amount of change were seeing to what is arguably one of our most valuable resources in the state of Montana.

As pressures build, including increased subdivision and construction in traditional agricultural regions, Sextons concerns have grown.

Were at a critical time for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, he said in the film. Unprecedented recreational use levels, demands for water escalating, climate change, too damn hot, lower flows all the time. Everything feels stressed. If there was ever a moment for us to really reground, its right now.

In an interview, Sexton said the Yellowstone River and surrounding ecosystem is part of his soul. So talking about the challenges now facing the environment can get kind of gray and gloomy.

A wake-up call to resource users should have occurred in 2016 when a large fish kill led to a temporary shutdown of all recreation on the upper river, he said. So Sexton is somewhat frustrated that seven years later more action hasnt been taken to benefit the resource.

It needs help yesterday, he said. The demands continue to increase and the supply has only continued to decline. Those metrics dont work out.

Floodings toll

The voice of rancher Druska Kinkie quavered as she noted the challenges brought by the flood and the increasing pressures of recreation on landowners. Kinkie and her family are livestock producers near Emigrant, she also served as a co-chair for the Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group for three years.

Theres a disconnect between whos on the river and the landowner, she said in the film. And they arent recognizing that its an integral part of the river, being the landowner.

Ranchers are stewards of the land that they occupy. So we do the best job we can with what we have. And it is not perfect.

But Kinkie also said those who dont live and work on the land cannot truly appreciate the difficulty of the day-to-day tasks, from concerns about droughts and floods to weeds and helping calves survive when born on a cold spring day.

The emotional toll it takes and your capacity to manage that  the toll is greater and the capacity is less, she said. So it gets really, really hard to keep adapting. But if you dont adapt you dont survive. And at the end of the day, thats what you are trying to do, survive.

Changing landscape

While flooding is a natural and beneficial occurrence for river health, Sexton also saw the direct toll rising waters took on friends and neighbors.

Flooding at certain levels is healthy and good for a resource, he said. And I think there are people who will point to that event, from an ecological perspective, as beneficial to the Yellowstone. But at the same time, the way it all went down, its a harbinger of what our future looks like.

In my opinion, these extreme events are going to become more prevalent in our lives rather than less.

In her time in the valley, Kinkie has seen the landscape slowly alter from ranch families who knew each other and helped out at branding time, to more recreational residences that are occupied only months out of a year.

If the working lands do not stay vital in this valley, there will be development, she said. It wont be wildlife like what we know now. No more open space. Were going to lose more of the connections in the ranching community.

Going grassroots

Tomov sees organizations like the Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group, which brings together people of diverse backgrounds and interests, as key to problem solving. Shes not alone.

I really believe the only way to implement things that are going to make it more resilient and healthy is from the grassroots, local, community-led effort, Wendy Weaver said in the film.

Weaver is the executive director of the nonprofit Montana Freshwater Partners in Livingston. The business works to restore and preserve streams and wetlands using innovative programs.

Weaver said even though collaboration can be messy, with participants becoming frustrated, we know that our love and connection to this place is so strong and thats our strength, I think, as a watershed group and as a community.

We need everybodys input, leave out the drama, and then we can do something, Frazier suggested.

Inspiration

Will Tomovs films inspire change?

Id like to think so, Sexton said. Or more collaboration around the issues that are so pertinent to the Yellowstone River and southwest Montana in general. These things arent new. They arent just happening on the Yellowstone River. These are issues that are affecting all of the watersheds.

For her part, Tomov said, We just dont create enough opportunity to humanize each other, think critically about issues and connect on a human level.

Her films and podcasts are also directed toward reminding people the importance of civil discourse in an era where political divisions have tended to create polarization on a variety of issues.

Disagreeing with somebody does not mean they are your enemy, Tomov said. The reality of where were at now is that we think thats true. So bringing back this concept that its good to get in a room where there are people who disagree, we need to normalize that thats a good thing.

And in a lot of these communities, its happening. Its not a far-fetched thing.
About David

Irish-based session-musician, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, David Murphy, is best known for playing pedal steel guitar with artists such as The Delines, The Lost Brothers, John Blek, and Arborist, among many others. He has just released his debut single Citi na gCumann, the first glimpse into the upcoming full-length album, Cuimhne Ghlinn: Explorations in Irish Music for Pedal Steel Guitar.

Where were you born?

I was born in Cork and grew up in north Cork  first in the small village of Liscarroll before my family moved to the very slightly bigger town of Buttevant, when I was very young.

Where do you live?

In St Lukes. Its but a stones-throw from the beautiful music venue in the old church, Live at St Lukes, and I try to get to as many of the superb gigs there as I can. Some recent shows have been The Unthanks as well as Martin Hayes Common Ground Ensemble.

Family?

Mari, Charley, aged 7, and Lola the dog  a shaggy-haired, energetic golden doodle.

Best friend?

My son Charley  he is very funny and witty and makes me laugh a lot and is generally great craic to hang out with!

Earliest childhood memory?

My parents ran a rural pub and dance hall in Liscarroll, north Cork, in the 1980s.

I have some fond memories as a three-year-old on the stage playing air-guitar along to Dire Straits blasting from the jukebox.

Person you most admire?

Right now, the individuals as well as organised groups of people who are standing up and calling out the oppression and barbarism being forced upon thousands of innocent civilians in Gaza for what it really is.

Where was your most memorable holiday?

Ive enjoyed a few epic road-trips all around the U.S. The south and south-west states have been the most memorable: spectacular sunsets and endless skies in the deserts of Arizona and west Texas; driving through Monument Valley and hiking down into the Grand Canyon; driving off the beaten path to old delta blues juke joints amongst the fields of rural Mississippi and Louisiana; mountain trekking in Oregon and rafting in Nevada; and meeting a lot of interesting and warm, open-hearted people along the way.

Favourite TV programme?

Im not a regular TV watcher though I really enjoyed Creedons Atlas of Ireland on RTE. I am very interested in history and local history in Ireland.

I know my way around most of the laneways, highways and byways of the country from travelling as a musician.

Learning more about how towns and villages around Ireland were named in relation to the landscape or terrain or during notable times in history was right up my street.

Favourite radio show?

Late Date on RTE Radio 1 always throws some surprises as well as highlighting fantastic new music from Irish artists.

Your signature dish if cooking?

Butternut squash and chickpea curry.

Favourite restaurant?

Good Day Deli. Ive brought visitors and friends there who have all marvelled at the beautiful location and serene setting. Its a real oasis within the city centre; the food is superb and the staff are friendly and always provide a warm welcome.

Last book you read?

Martin Hayes autobiography. Shared Notes. It was fascinating to learn about his life-long relationship with his musical instrument, how he uses it to mine great depths within the tradition, and how he can find deep and meaningful expression in performing.

I admire his philosophy towards the music he learned growing up in east Clare, how he continually adapts and turns these ancient tunes inside out, discovering new ways of exploring the melodies and rhythms  and he does it all with great humour too.

Best book you read?

Willy Vlautins latest novel, The Night Always Comes, is a real page turner and a marked difference in tone and pace to his other previous novels. It tells the gritty tale of a hard-working young womans struggle to survive amid the greed and accelerating gentrification of her home city of Portland, Oregon.

It also comes with an amazing accompanying CD soundtrack by the band The Delines, conveying all the late-night feelings of dread and desperation that the protagonist is combating. An amazing read.

Last album/CD/download you bought?

Turas, by Ordnance Survey on vinyl from Plugd Records. The latest album by Dublin-based electronic/experimental artist Neil OConnor who recorded it in passage and wedge tombs around Ireland, making use of the tombs acoustics and 3,000-year-old reverberations.

Favourite song?

Led Zeppelin  Since Ive Been Loving You.

One person you would like to see in concert?

Im a bit of a Led Zeppelin fanatic. Ive met each of the surviving band members over the years, though I have yet to see Jimmy Page perform live. Hes 80 now and doesnt really play live any more in any capacity  so Im not holding my breath.

Do you have a pet?

Our house is shared with Lola, a 1.5 year-old shaggy-haired golden doodle. She is a ball of energy as well as a big ball of fur.

Morning person or night owl?

Both  Im sometimes a burn-the-candle-at-both-ends kind of person, though am getting to the age now where its beginning to become a little bit tougher.

Your proudest moment?

Birth of my son Charley.

Spendthrift or saver?

A bit of both, I save a bit every month though I am partial to the odd splurge on musical equipment. Though if I dont find Im using it, Ill sell it on. I dont like waste!

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live?

The traffic on Summerhill North is a disaster since the changes to the MacCurtain Street two-way flow of traffic recently, which nobody seems to be using by the way!

What makes you happy?

Hanging out with my son Charley and partner Mari; playing music with friends and enjoying a quiet pint in The Corner House, Coughlans or Henchys.

I love travelling when I get the opportunity, touring and playing music and meeting new people.

How would you like to be remembered?

As someone who liked to have the craic with friends and family, was a good pal, and hopefully remembered as a half-decent partner and parent!

What else are you up to at the moment?

I work as a Data Engineer with Enterprise Solutions department in UCC and we have had a busy start to the year with some interesting projects.

I also lead a busy double-life as a musician, playing pedal steel guitar, recording and performing with various Irish and international artists.

Ive released my first solo album, Cuimhne Ghlinn: Explorations in Irish Music for Pedal Steel Guitar, on the Rollercoaster Records label and will be performing it along with an ace band of Cork-based musicians in Coughlans, Cork, on April 18.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

davidmurphymusic.com

instagram.com/steelydave83/ facebook.com/davidmurphysteelguitar/
After months of reports of discoloured water, Uisce Eireann has begun replacing some of Cork citys ageing cast iron water mains.

In a project which began this week and is due to be completed in late May, the water utility company, working with Cork City Council, is replacing over a kilometre of old cast iron piping in the Pophams Road area.

The works come as large areas of the citys northside, and some parts of the southside, have suffered ongoing issues with discoloured water, with some complaints dating back months and even years.

Several areas have been affected by intermittent instances of discoloured water in the drinking supply in the months since the summer of 2022, when the then Irish Water opened its new 40m Lee Road water treatment plant.

Chemicals

In October 2022, Irish Water told The Echo an adjustment of the chemicals it used in water preparation had caused rusty sediment to be stripped from the inside of some of the citys cast iron water mains, resulting in discoloured water in some homes across the city.

Since 2022, the water utility company has received 95 reports from people in Cork city complaining of suffering from illnesses suspected of having been caused by water consumption, compared to just one such complaint in 2020 and two in 2021.

Over half of the citys water mains are cast iron, with some over a century old.

At a two-hour meeting between Uisce Eireann and Cork City Councils environment strategic policy committee last month, the company said an investment of at least 500m would be required to replace the citys older mains.

Works

The works will take place on Pophams Road, including Bothar an Choimin, St. Michaels Road, St. Colemans Road, St. Brendans Road, the northern side of Farranferris Avenue and a part of Fairfield Avenue. A stop-go traffic management system will be in place throughout the project.

Commenting on the project, programme manager at Uisce Eireann, Jack Cronin said the Pophams Road area was among those prioritised for replacement.

We are delighted to progress these upgrades for the local community, providing them with a more reliable water supply that will also reduce leakage and strengthen the water network in the city, he said.

Uisce Eireann said the Pophams Road works may involve water interruptions and said its project team would ensure that customers were given a minimum of 48 hours notice prior to any planned disruption.

Uisce Eireann said members of the public who have any questions about the project can phone the company on 1800 278 278 or visit the Uisce Eireann website, www.water.ie, for regular updates.
Local Cork shop owners have been described as beacons of spreading joy and unity as they are recognised for continued efforts for their community.

Crosshaven Centra owners, Bernard and Ann Lynch are the latest winners of the Cork International Hotel Community Spirit Awards.

The Lynchs have been organizing the annual Crosshaven triathlon for the past 20 years, which raises funds for local clubs, schools, charities and organisations in the Cork village.

The Community Spirit Awards by Cork International Hotel recognises an outstanding contribution or special achievement made to the community by a group or individual.

The awards aim to celebrate and recognise the remarkable people within our community who selflessly give their time, talent and dedication to benefit others.

Those who nominated Bernard and Ann Lynch for the award described the annual triathlon as, a truly unique gathering that brought the community together with many people volunteering their time to ensure the event was a success.

2024 marks the couples final year of organising the event, as they plan to pass the baton to the Crosshaven Tri Club, who will take over the organising of the event for future years.

General Manager of the Cork International Hotel, Eoghan Murphy said; Bernard and Ann Lynch are very worthy recipients of a Community Spirit Award, as they have been beacons of spreading joy and unity among their community in Crosshaven over the past 20 years.

The annual triathlon enabled the community to raise funds for not only local enhancement but also to build community spirit. Their contributions have truly made a positive impact on Crosshaven and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bernard and Ann for their efforts over the years, Mr Murphy continued.

The judging panel for the Community Spirit Awards are made up of a mixture of representatives from the public and private sector within the community.

The judging panel for this award was Carmel Lonergan, Group Director of Operations of Trigon Hotels, Nicola Radley, Senior Executive Officer, Municipal District Operations & Rural Development at Cork County Council and Vincent O'Donovan, Publisher of The Carrigdhoun Newspaper.

Nominations are now open for next months awards.
The numbers on trolleys in Cork University Hospital have risen again, following a brief decline in the past week.

The numbers of people on trolleys in CUH had fallen to 12 on Monday 5 February, a sharp decline from figures in the 40s the previous week.

This mornings HSE report shows that there are 44 patients on trolleys again, though a spokesperson for the hospital explains steps are being taken to free up capacity.

Professor Conor Deasy, the Clinical Director of Emergency and Acute Care at CUH told The Echo, Big efforts are being made in Cork to reduce the numbers of patients waiting on trolleys for an inpatient bed.

Every effort is made to help people get discharged as safely and efficiently as possible realising that there is a sick patient in the emergency department needing that ward bed as soon as it is vacated.

He explained, New state of the art beds have been opened in Mallow General Hospital which is part of Cork University Hospital Group and have been vital in reducing the numbers of patients on trolleys.

The South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital has played a very important part in the last 5 weeks in providing beds to patients of Cork but it has come at the cost of cancelling certain operations which will need to be accommodated in the near future.

The HSE has also bought capacity at the Bons Secours and Mater Private hospitals and in a nursing home in Riverstick, he added.

However, Deasy acknowledged that Despite all these important efforts we still have far too many patients on trolleys in our Cork Emergency Departments, and called for more investment in the hospital.

Cork University Hospital needs a seismic investment in bed capacity if it is to provide modern dignified healthcare to the patients it is there to serve, he concluded.
A DONERAILE man caught with 12,000 worth of cocaine at his home and 12,500 in cash in 2019 has avoided jail following lengthy co-operation with the Probation Service.

Judge Helen Boyle said that Finbarr Jewitts initial risk of reoffending  which was high when he first interacted with the Probation Service  went to moderate, and could reduce further.

The judge imposed a prison sentence of three and a half years which was suspended on condition that he would keep the peace and have no further offences in the next three years.

Defence senior counsel, Alice Fawsitt, submitted at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that freeing himself from the shackles of drug addiction was the best thing he had ever done.

As well as the extensive cooperation with the Probation Service, Judge Boyle noted that 45-year-old Finbarr Jewitt had not come to the adverse attention of gardai since the cocaine and cash were seized at his home on November 22, 2019.

Gardai went to his home at St Oliver Plunkett Place, Doneraile, Co Cork, on that date and found the stashes of drugs and cash.

Garda Liam Hosford testified previously that gardai were investigating the sale or supply of drugs in the Doneraile area and they obtained a warrant to search the defendants home.

During the search, gardai discovered 12,000 worth of cocaine in a bedroom, said Gda Hosford. It was in the pocket of a jacket.

Also found was a digital weighing scales and a large number of small plastic drug-dealing bags, Gda Hosford said, adding that there was also a seizure of 12,500 in cash at the house.

Ms Fawsitt said Mr Jewitt dealt with a drug and alcohol problem through counselling and the Probation Service.

Ms Fawsitt submitted to the court that it would be of more benefit to society if Mr Jewitt continued with that rehabilitation, with the threat of jail term hanging over him as a deterrent.
January saw high numbers of passengers travelling through Cork Airport.

Over 183,000 people passed through Cork, while just over two million passengers passed through Dublin Airport's terminals in January.

Kenny Jacobs, CEO of daa, attributes this to the cold and dreary weather in Ireland during January.

One of the most popular destinations for this years holidaymakers was the Canaries, closely followed by routes to central and eastern European airports as thousands headed to ski slopes. London Heathrow was the most popular destination from both airports.

Passenger travel at Cork Airport saw an increase of 14% in comparison with last year's figures.

"2024 is shaping up to be another very busy year.

"Nine out of ten flights in the first wave of departures (that is, flights departing from 5:45 - 07:30) departed on time from Cork Airport during January, which Mr Jacobs says is a testament to the hard work of the operations team," Mr Jacobs said.

The number of passengers through Dublin Airport in January was on a par with 2023 levels.

"Numbers through Dublin Airport could obviously be higher, but daa continues to manage passenger levels to ensure the airport does not exceed the 32 million cap on the number of passengers who can travel through the airport's two terminals, Mr Jacobs added.
The parents of a man who died violently and was found following a search of scrubland in Co Cork have taken tremendous comfort in finally being able to bury him with dignity, his requiem mass has heard.

Kieran Quilligan, aged 47 was reported missing in September of last year. His skeletal remains were recovered on January 29 just off the main Midleton to Whitegate Road in Co Cork.

Gardai had carried out a planned search of the area with a cadaver dog.

The requiem mass for Mr Quilligan took place today at 3pm at the Church of the Way of the Cross in Togher in Cork city.

Celebrant Fr John Walsh emphasised the precious nature of human life.

"Life can end at any moment and many families know the horror of sudden death. Faith in God insists that every single life is precious.

"We acknowledge that no one can claim for themselves the right to take the life of someone else. There are times when things are not okay and this is one of them.

"That Kieran died the way he did is not okay. His life was ended the victim of a brutal act.

"To bury your dead with dignity is a most sacred duty.

"There is today a sense that at last this horrible wait is now over. It is our prayer on this sad day that the soul of Kieran may rest now in peace.

Fr Walsh said that parents cherish every milestone in the lives of their children and never expect to lose them prematurely.

They remember their first steps and they remember their first words. All those special milestones along those early days.

"Equally hearing of the death of your child is also a moment that will never be forgotten. A heart is broken by the absolute tragedy of a life cut short either by illness or through violence.

Meanwhile, Kathleen Quilligan, the mother of the deceased said that her superhero of a son was always a character.

I want to tell you what type of character he was. From his youngest of days I can always remember him thinking he was Bruce Lee before he could even walk properly. Then he went on to his karate. He loved his superheroes. He loved Tupac.

"He adored our grandkids his nieces and nephews. He idolised the children. He adored his family. He loved his god daughter. He loved all children.

She said that her son Kieran was just too good for this world.

He was full of nature. He always had a special spot (in his heart) for his sister Karen. Karen held one for him too. I just dont know what to say. We idolised him and he idolised all of us. We are saying goodbye to a super hero.

Offertory gifts included a two framed family pictures, a sword and a helmet. A cremation service followed at the Island Crematorium in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.

Mr Quilligan, who had lived in both Knocknaheeny and Togher in Cork city is survived by his parents Kathleen and Steven, his siblings Trevor, Karen, Stephen, Roy and Pamela and his extended family and friends.

His family asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Cork Missing Persons Search and Recovery.

Two men have appeared before Cork District Court charged with the murder of Mr Quilligan.
Both of Cork's local authorities have issued warnings which come into effect on Friday about possible flooding as a result of high spring tides in Cork city and high risk coastal areas around the County.

A warning about the possibility of localized tidal flooding on Friday evening along the quays and other low-lying areas of Cork city was issued by the City Council on Thursday evening and this was followed by a warning about flooding around high risk coastal areas later.

These warnings followed a High Tide Advisory warning which was issued by Met Eireann covering the period from Friday morning to Monday evening. According to the Met Eireann alert, 'high' levels of flooding could be expected on southern coasts on Saturday.

"A period of supermoon spring tides expected to be the highest during 2024 are the primary driver for the elevated and high coastal levels over the weekend," said the Cork County Council spokesperson in its statement.

According to the alert issued by the City Council, a very high astronomical Spring Tide is expected from 5pm on Friday evening and will last until Saturday.

Householders and business owners in the following areas are asked to take the necessary precautions to protect property and advised to stay up to date with local news reports for further updates.

The areas likely to be impacted include Morrisons Qua, Mathew Quay, Mathew Street, Union Quay, Trinity Bridge, South Terrace, Rutland Street, Sawmill Street, Lavitts Quay, Kyrls Street, Kyrls Quay, Crosses Green, Probys Quay, Sharman Crawford Street, Wandesford Quay.

Cork City Councils Flood Assessment Team is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to issue regular updates on the tidal forecast to our Twitter account as well as the City Councils website, said a spokesperson in a statement. An update on Saturdays predicted conditions will be issued on Friday morning.

A statement from Cork County Council tonight (Thursday) said the authority had activated its protocol with pumping arrangements at designated locations affected by forecasted conditions.

It also advised property owners and residents at known coastal risk locations to take the usual necessary precautions for this high tide advisory.

"Issues such as flooding and road damage should be reported to your local Council Office during working hours (9am to 5pm), details of which can be found by visiting the local area office webpage. Outside working hours, contact Cork County Council via its Emergency Out of Hours number 0214800048.

"Call 999 or 112 and request the Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Gardai or Irish Coastguard as appropriate."
Muireann Duffy

Gardai have launched a murder investigation following the discovery of a man's body in Co Cork.

The remains of Michael Foley (61) were discovered at sheltered accommodation in Macroom on Tuesday afternoon.

Gardai said a post-mortem examination on Mr Foley's body was carried out by State pathologist Dr Margot Bolster at Cork University Hospital on Wednesday, the results of which are not being released for operational reasons.

Examinations of the scene where Mr Foley's remains were found remain ongoing.

Gardai are continuing to appeal for anyone with information, particularly anyone who may recently have spoken to Michael, to come forward.

Those with information are asked to contact Macroom Garda station on 026-20590, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666 111, or any Garda station.
By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he is optimistic there will be a genuine effort to ensure the restored Stormont Executive will tackle practical problems facing people in Northern Ireland.

Welcoming the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive last weekend, Mr Varadkar said it gave renewed hope for cooperation on difficulties in the health service and public sector pay disputes.

However, he said there had been lost opportunities within the two-year period that the Executive had not been functioning.

A DUP boycott of Stormonts key institutions in protest over post-Brexit trading arrangements ended on Saturday following a new agreement with the UK government.

First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly. Photo: Oliver McVeigh/PA.

Speaking on Thursday, Mr Varadkar said he believes lessons have been learned and there is a lot of good faith between the new Executive members to make powersharing work.

He said he was hopeful that the Executive would last through the upcoming elections in Ireland as well as to the House of Commons.

The Taoiseach was speaking at a Shared Island Forum at Dublin Castle, where he said the Government would commit unprecedented funding to enable major cross-border investment.

He said his Government would do everything it could to support the new Executive.

He said he looked forward to working with First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly as well as arranging an early plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh.

Mr Varadkar said: This is a new opportunity with the Executive and Assembly now up and running to represent and to make decisions on behalf of all sections of society.

Good governance will make real the principles of partnership on parity of esteem. No identity nor constitutional aspiration should be diminished by working for the collective good.

The Taoiseach said there is some way to go before mutual trust and reconciliation between the islands different traditions is achieved.

He added: And I believe words can only take us so far. We need actions as well. A shared island needs a shared infrastructure, an all-island economy, a shared set of dreams about what we can achieve when we work together.

Mr Varadkar said the Irish Governments Shared Island initiative involves a commitment to work with all communities and political traditions to create a more connected, sustainable and prosperous island for all.

In 2020, the Government committed 1 billion to the Shared Island Fund to be spent across the decade.

So far, approximately 250 million has been allocated to 15 major projects and multiannual programmes including the restoration of the Ulster Canal and the construction of an academic building at Ulster University in Derry.

Mr Varadkar said he firmly believed that all-island initiatives and east-west cooperation could improve business, trade and innovation.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar delivers the keynote address at the Shared Island Forum in Dublin Castle. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.

He said there were deep and vibrant connections north and south, but added that cross-border interactions are still much less than they should be.

The Taoiseach said this included insufficient cross-border trade, travel, tourism and student mobility.

Mr Varadkar said the long-awaited A5 upgrade for connectivity in the north-west of the island could commence this year, partly resourced by the Shared Island Fund.

Additionally, he said investment in the Narrow Water Bridge to enhance tourism between Mourne Mountains in Co Down and the Cooley Peninsula in Co Louth would be a powerful symbol of what can be achieved.

The Government also wants to use the fund to invest in an hourly rail connection between Dublin and Belfast, as well as redeveloping Casement Park in Belfast for use in the Euro 2028 tournament.

He said there is no reason why Northern Ireland cant be the most prosperous part of the United Kingdom.
Eoin Reynolds

There are only two verdicts available in the trial of a man accused of the "brutal" machete murder of his neighbour, a Central Criminal Court jury has been told.

Mr Justice Michael MacGrath told the nine men and three women that they can find the accused, Patrick McDonagh, guilty of murder or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter.

Their decision must be unanimous, he said.

The jury has spent about three hours considering their verdict on Thursday and will return on Monday to resume their deliberations. The court will not sit on Friday as one juror is not available.

Patrick McDonagh (52), with an address at Whitechapel Road, Clonsilla, Dublin 15, is charged with murdering his next-door neighbour Peter McDonald (73) on Whitechapel Road on July 25th, 2020.

He has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The State has not accepted his plea.

Mental disorder

In his charge to the jury, Mr Justice MacGrath said that if they are satisfied that the prosecution had proved all the elements of murder, they must then consider the defence of diminished responsibility due to a mental disorder.

He said diminished responsibility is a defence under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006 and if established, it reduces a murder conviction to one of manslaughter.

The defence, he said, bears the burden of proving that it is probable that Mr McDonagh had a mental disorder and that it was such as to substantially reduce his responsibility for the act of killing.

The jury heard from two consultant psychiatrists who differed on Mr McDonagh's diagnosis.

Professor Patricia Casey, who was called by the defence, said that Mr McDonagh was suffering acute symptoms of schizophrenia at the time and his responsibility for the killing was therefore substantially diminished.

Evidence

Dr Mary Davoren, who was called by the prosecution, said that if there was any abnormality in Mr McDonagh's mental state at the time of the alleged offence, it would most likely be accounted for by cannabis use.

The evidence of those expert witnesses, the judge said, is to assist the jury in coming to their verdict. "The question as to whether his responsibility is diminished is a question for you, and you alone. This is not trial by experts, it is trial by jury," he said.

In his closing speech to the jury on Tuesday, Philipp Rahn SC for the prosecution, said the evidence shows that Mr McDonagh killed Mr McDonald in a "violent, sustained and merciless attack... leaving him no chance."

He described the killing as "horrific" and "brutal" and said the defence had not established that at the time of the attack Mr McDonagh was operating under a mental disorder.

"He is not only responsible for killing Mr McDonald but for his murder and a true verdict on the evidence is one of murder," he said.

Psychiatric history

John Fitzgerald SC, defending, said his client has a lengthy psychiatric history with multiple diagnoses of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

For 20 years, Mr Fitzgerald said, his client was prescribed antipsychotic medication. "Medication is not a diagnosis," he said, "but you would like to think a person is not going to be prescribed medication for 20 years if there wasn't at least some diagnosis."

There was further evidence, counsel said, that Mr McDonagh's condition deteriorated further in the lead-up to the killing and in the hours leading up to the attack he appeared to be "raging against the world".

"He was drawing attention to himself all night in front of his neighbours, roaring and shouting, blessing himself, banging a machete off the wall... None of this is consistent with any kind of planned killing or clever tactical thinking or anything like that."

Counsel said that the suggestion had been made that Mr McDonagh was a "malingerer or a liar" but he asked the jury to consider how that sits with a mental health history going back to 1999. "If he's been lying or malingering all those years, it's a hell of a performance," he said.

He described the killing as irrational and "very far from being a planned, cleverly executed killing".
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

Monarch butterflies during overwintering season at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacan, Mexico on Feb. 23, 2017. Sylvain CORDIER / Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

The estimated number of monarch butterflies migrating to Mexico for winter has reached its second-lowest level ever for the 2023 to 2024 overwintering season. The estimate, based on the size of the butterflies hibernating forest area, has dropped by about 59% from the previous year, according to officials.

Experts are pointing to extensive heat and drought as well as climate change for the major decline.

Recent years have seen some hope for the migrating monarch butterflies, with a 35% increase in the number of butterflies observed overwintering in Mexico during the 2021 to 2022 season compared to the previous year.

But monarch butterflies face three primary threats, including habitat loss for their breeding and overwintering; the use of pesticides, which can be toxic to the butterflies or can kill their food source, milkweed; and climate change, which can shift their migratory patterns. By the 2022 to 2023 overwintering season, World Wildlife Fund reported a 22% drop in the amount of overwintering monarch butterflies in Mexico.

According to WWF, monarch butterflies once covered about 45 acres of forested land in Mexico during their 1996 to 1997 overwintering season. Last year, they covered 5.5 acres. With the 59% decline, the 2023 overwintering season saw the butterflies covering just 2.2 acres, The Associated Press reported. The lowest coverage ever recorded was 1.65 acres from 2013 to 2014.

The largest amount of butterflies observed for the current overwintering season were around the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve.

This is not the first time weve observed changes in the locations of the largest monarch colonies, Jorge Rickards, general director of WWF Mexico, said in a statement. Its telling us that we need to intensify conservation and restoration measures not only in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, but also outside of it.

According to the Center for Biological Diversity, monarch butterflies have declined by 85% in the past 20 years. The eastern monarch butterflies migrate from Canada and the U.S. to Mexico for overwintering. Western monarchs, which overwinter in California, have declined 99% in the past two decades.

Monarch butterflies do not currently have federal protections. In 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service noted that these butterflies do warrant protections under the Endangered Species Act, but there were higher-priority species to consider for listing. Biologist Ryan Drum, who works with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, told The Associated Press that the latest count would be considered this year when officials consider whether to list migratory monarch butterflies as threatened or even endangered.

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, monarch butterflies are expected to receive protections later in 2024.
(Photo: Vatican Media)Students from the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey outside Geneva with Pope Francis during a visit to Rome in January 2024.

The smiles of students graduating from the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey picking up their credentials showed they experienced something unique that will bind them as they return to their different corners of the world.

On Jan. 26, Bossey hosted its Graduation Ceremony, for students of Ecumenical Studies at the institute run by the Geneva-based World Council of Churches, that represents more than half a billion, Anglican, Orthodox and Protestant Christians.

Students received the 2023-2024 Certificate of Advanced Studies and the Complementary Certificate in Ecumenical Studies in picturesque Bossey outside Geneva on a chilly 26 January evening overlooking Lake Geneva and flanked by alpine mountains.

Rev. Kuzipa Nalwamba, WCC programme director for Unity, Mission, and Ecumenical Formation, and Prof. Elisabeth Parmentier from the University of Geneva presented the students with their credentials after a prayer ceremony in the chapel.

Nalwamba, from the United Church of Zambia, noted that in a setting such as Bossey, the transformation that takes place is not just in the one who is being hosted but also in the one who is hosting, so the learning is a two-way process.

WCC pilgrimage

"The WCC has embarked on a Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity. I invite you to continue on that pilgrimage, whatever that represents, in the context in which you are going to serve," said Nalwamba.

Parmentier said, "Being ecumenical means simply being human and open to humanity."

She explained that the quest for ecumenism and this pilgrimage requires translation and transformation.

"We need translation, to learn more about the other church in its otherness, and about the life of the othersthe way we think they reflect, believe, and actit needs translation, hermeneutics, interpreting," said Parmentier.

The world needs a new generation of ecumenists trained to translate the message.

"When you feel alone in your own way, in your own country, think that there are many people who stay together and stand together for reconciliation."

Academic Prof. Simone Sinn said the staff works with students in the classroom and also with relationships. In a parting message for the students, she spoke about the "ABCs of ecumenism."

She explained that the three words "agency, boldness, and commitment" are what she experienced at Bossey and encouraged the students to take that back home.

"The first word, 'A' for agency, inspiring confidence. And this is what education is about...This is what Bossey is about. It's about inspiring confidence in our students so they can act with agency, stand on their own feet, and be confident," said the dean.

The 'B' is for boldness, said Sinn.

"Ecumenical pioneers have to be bold, and their humanism needs to continue to be bold. This means that we will be edgy; we will call for justice; we will strive for justice, and we will have people who will confront us with questions, and continue to do so," said the dean.

"And finally, 'C'commitment to one another. It's not just a tactical move or a strategic move. We work together with other churches; it's a profound commitment that comes out of the commitment to Christ."

Graduating student Rev. Shengmin Huang from China's Northeast Theological Seminary said, "Although we are different and have different concepts, we can move towards unity together as we set sail together; progress may be slow, but it will never cease."

For students from the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, attending a Sunday mass at which Pope Francis presided in the Basilica of St Peter, Vatican during the week of Christian unity forged a special memory about bringing churches together as their studies were ending.

For many students, it was the end of their ecumenical studies at Bossey, which draws students worldwide.

Rev. Jackie Makena Mutuma, a master's student from the Methodist Church in Kenya, blogged after the week-long visit, "The ecumenical pilgrimage also led us to a profound realisation  that every Christian is an integral part of the mission of God (Missio Dei)."
State officials were informed Wednesday of the spill at a pipeline operated by Enable Bakken Crude Services around 11 miles southwest of Tioga. The leak caused the spill of 6,478 barrels or 272,076 gallons of produced water, which is saltwater that can contain oil and drilling chemicals.

The spill impacted pastureland and a stock pond, DEQ said. The pipeline has since been isolated, and 40 barrels or 1,680 gallons of produced water have been cleaned up, according to the spill report on file with the state.

Officials have been to the site, and will continue to monitor cleanup, Environmental Quality said.
Apple isn't one of the top players in the AI game today, but the company's new open source AI model for image editing shows what it's capable of contributing to the space. The model called MLLM-Guided Image Editing (MGIE), which uses multimodal large language models (MLLMs) to interpret text-based commands when manipulating images. In other words, the tool has the ability to edit photos based on the text the user types in. While it's not the first tool that can do so, "human instructions are sometimes too brief for current methods to capture and follow," the project's paper (PDF) reads.

The company developed MGIE with researchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara. MLLMs have the power to transform simple or ambiguous text prompts into more detailed and clear instructions the photo editor itself can follow. For instance, if a user wants to edit a photo of a pepperoni pizza to "make it more healthy," MLLMs can interpret it as "add vegetable toppings" and edit the photo as such.

Apple

In addition to changing making major changes to images, MGIE can also crop, resize and rotate photos, as well as improve its brightness, contrast and color balance, all through text prompts. It can also edit specific areas of a photo and can, for instance, modify the hair, eyes and clothes of a person in it, or remove elements in the background.

As VentureBeat notes, Apple released the model through GitHub, but those interested can also try out a demo that's currently hosted on Hugging Face Spaces. Apple has yet to say whether it plans to use what it learns from this project into a tool or a feature that it can incorporate into any of its products.
Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products.

Most people do not need to pay the premium for a foldable smartphone. But if you've got some cash to burn and have been looking to take the plunge, the Google Pixel Fold is one of our favorites, and a recent deal has dropped it down to $1,399. That's still far from "affordable," but it ties the largest discount we've seen for the unlocked 256GB model, taking $400 off Google's list price. The offer is available at several retailers, including Amazon, Target, Best Buy and Google's online store. If you need more storage space, Google has the 512GB model for $1,519, another $400 discount. The company says this deal will run through February 24.

The Pixel Fold is the runner-up pick in our guide to the best foldable phones, and Engadget Senior Writer Sam Rutherford gave it a score of 85 in his review last June. Similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 5, our top pick, it's a "book-style" foldable, one that works like a traditional 5.8-inch smartphone when folded in half but offers a larger 7.6-inch display when unfurled. Next to Samsung's phone (and the OnePlus Open), though, the Pixel's displays are shorter and wider, which generally makes the device easier to use like a traditional phone. Your fingers have more room to breathe while texting when the phone is folded, while apps and videos will look more natural on the cover display. Samsung's screens are brighter and more vibrant overall, but the 120Hz OLED panels here are still far from poor. You can see a crease in the middle of the internal display, however.

Beyond that, we've found the Pixel Fold's cameras and image processing to deliver more accurate and dynamic photos than either the Galaxy Z Fold 5 or the OnePlus Open, especially in low-light conditions. It's thinner than Samsung's phone as well, though it's slightly thicker than the Open. Like other Pixel phones, the Fold runs on a relatively clean and streamlined version of Android. A decent number of Google's own apps are tweaked to better fit the larger screen, and you can run two phone apps side-by-side. Google says it'll provide OS updates through June 2026, with two additional years of security updates. That said, the Z Fold 5's UI has more powerful tools for multitasking. And as with most Android tablets, it won't take too long to find apps that aren't optimized for large displays.

There are other caveats. The Pixel Fold is by no means slow, but its Tensor G2 chip is now a bit dated, so the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Open provide better raw performance. Battery life is worse by a few hours, too, plus it has larger bezels around the display. Then there's the elephant in the room: All foldable phones carry a higher durability risk. The Fold has more ways to break despite costing more than the best "normal" phones, so you'll have to be particularly careful with it. It's also worth noting that Google is likely working on a Pixel Fold 2, though that isn't expected anytime soon. All that said, the current Fold has plenty to like if you dead set on a foldable phone today, and this deal makes it at least a little more accessible.

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While Toyota helped lead the hybrid charge with its Prius, the company has been less active in EV production. But that might be in the past, as Toyota has announced another $1.3 billion for its Kentucky facility, with a focus on EVs. In particular, the company is building a new three-row electric SUV that will be available for US customers.

Toyota's Kentucky operation is its flagship facility, with nearly 9,400 employees. "Today's announcement reflects our commitment to vehicle electrification and further reinvesting in our US operations," Kerry Creech, president of Toyota Kentucky, said in a release. "Generations of our team members helped prepare for this opportunity, and we will continue leading the charge into the future by remaining true to who we are as a company and putting our people first for generations to come."

Little is known so far about the three-row electric SUV, as Toyota only mentions it briefly in relation to the investment. However, it follows the company's prior announcement of its Urban SUV concept slated to launch in Europe this year.

The $1.3 billion investment will also go towards creating a battery pack assembly line at its Kentucky factory (a separate manufacturing plant in North Carolina produces the batteries). Toyota has big plans for its battery production, previously announcing three battery ranges focused on higher performance and low cost slated for 2026 and onward. The company is also working on its first solid-state batteries, which have the potential to charge an EV from 10 to 80 percent in 10 minutes. Toyota's bZ4X EV currently takes 32 minutes to do so.
The issue has come up in the siting application for Summit Carbon Solutions planned multistate 2,000-mile carbon dioxide pipeline that has prompted pushback from some counties and townships along its proposed route.

Summits Midwest Carbon Express pipeline would capture CO2 emissions from 51 ethanol plants across five Midwestern states with an intended underground storage site in western North Dakota.

In September the PSC voted 2-1 to grant Summit a petition for reconsideration after the regulators in August had rejected the companys initial proposed 320-mile route through North Dakota. The PSC cited several reasons for the rejection including that Summit had not adequately addressed sensitive geological areas and landowner concerns.

Burleigh and Emmons counties last year placed restrictions on pipelines carrying hazardous materials within their borders, in response to Summits project. The company sought to have the PSC declare these ordinances preempted and superseded by state authority.

At the time of the application rejection the PSC declared the local ordinance question moot. Summit made the request again when it was granted reconsideration, and the PSC heard arguments from both the company and intervenors in the case at a hearing in December.

At the work session in January, Commission Chair Randy Christmann pointed to Senate Bill 2038 passed by the 2019 Legislature, in which the word "may" was removed from the language regarding the PSC's authority relative to localities in pipeline siting decisions.

The law governing the relation between state and local authority on siting compatibility for energy conversion and transmission infrastructure has five subdivisions. The mentioned language change was in subdivision b. Christmann said the only exception to this could be regarding road use agreements laid out in subdivision c. Subdivision a -- which allows for more local input -- concerns energy conversion facilities such as power plants or wind farms, not pipelines.

Subdivision d includes timelines for the PSC to notify impacted local governments about proposed pipelines and for localities to file requirements relevant to the siting law. Subdivision e requires companies to comply with local requirements in the former subdivision that "are not otherwise superseded by the commission."

Christmann said that "d and e are really about implementation."

On Wednesday he again brought up the changes to the law, arguing it limits the PSC's flexibility on the issue.

"I can't speak for why that (language change) happened; I can speculate the fact that some pipelines, this one traverses over 300 miles. Presumably every township along the way could have its own ordinances," he said. "How would something get built if it has to be designed separately for every one? Maybe that's what they were thinking, I don't know."
(Informacion remitida por la empresa firmante)

mecom a new member of the non-profit European Number Association (EENA) in charge of the European emergency number service 112

Brussels / Hamburg, February 08th (News Aktuell).- Since the beginning of this year, mecom Medien-Communikations-Gesellschaft mbH has been a member of Brussels-based European Number Association (EENA).

EENA was founded in 1999 to develop a common emergency number service in Europe under 112. The non-profit organisation helps to ensure that the Europe-wide emergency number 112 is known to everyone residing in the EU and that high-quality help is provided quickly. EENA shares best practices and supports the cooperation of the police, rescue services, scientists and authorities.

We look forward to get involved in EENA with immediate effect, says Alexander Feldmann, Managing Director of mecom. This shows that we are one of the key players in the field of safety-critical communication in Europe and that we want to play an active role in the further development of security-relevant infrastructure at an international level.

EENA and mecom share the same concern: contributing to population safety, adds mecoms Managing Director Mandy Best. With the emergency number 112, EENA has developed a standardised, state-of-the-art technology for emergency communication that is a real milestone. At the same time, mecom develops and operates a nationwide alerting system commissioned by the Federal Republic of Germany. Together, we are even stronger.

More than 1,700 security experts from about 80 countries around the world are involved in EENA. In addition to solution providers, representatives of emergency services, authorities and scientists, mobile network operators and members of the European Parliament are also part of the organisation.

About mecom:

mecom Medien-Communikations-Gesellschaft mbH (mecom for short) is a leading player in the field of transmitting sensitive data and providing safety-critical communication in a fail-safe manner, as well as a pioneer in the tamper-proof transmission of alerts in Germany. Headquartered in Hamburg, mecom was founded in 1989 and is a joint venture of the news agencies dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH, dpa-AFX Wirtschaftsnachrichten GmbH, KNA Katholische Nachrichten-Agentur GmbH, GEP Gemeinschaftswerk der Evangelischen Publizistik gGmbH with epd and AFP Agence France-Presse GmbH. dpa is the major shareholder and holds a 50 per cent stake in mecom.

Contact:

mecom Medien-Communikations-Gesellschaft mbH

Mittelweg 143

20148 Hamburg

E-Mail: mail@mecom.de

Telephone: +49 (0)40 4113 32800

www.mecom.de
Thursday, February 8, 2024

UPDATE February 8, 2024

The story of Robert Smalls has gained a lot of attention since I wrote this article in 2020. PBS has aired 2 segments and there are two movies in development about his daring escape.

Robert Smalls (1839-1915) was born a slave in South Carolina. During the Civil War, he freed himself, his crew and their families by commandeering the Planter, a Confederate transport ship and sailing it out of the blockaded Charleston harbor into Union territory.

Smalls was an expert navigator. He knew Charleston harbor very well, but his race prevented him from being a captain himself. He often took responsibility for piloting the ship when the white captain, who trusted him implicitly, was off duty. Just before dawn on May 13, 1862, Smalls and his crew of fellow slaves were able to commandeer the heavily-armed Confederate ship because the white captain and crew had spent the night ashore. They picked up family members at a predetermined rendezvous point, then made their way through the harbor. Smalls went so far as to wear the white captains straw hat and respond with the proper coded signals at Confederate checkpoints. Once outside of Confederate waters, he surrendered the ship to the Union blockade.

In the North, Smalls was celebrated as a hero. He personally lobbied the Secretary of War to enlist Black recruits. His actions helped persuade President Lincoln to accept African-American soldiers into the Union army. Smalls himself recruited over 5,000 soldiers. A few months after his bold escape, Smalls was again piloting the Planter, this time as part of the blockade of Confederate ports. The following year, the Planter was part of an assault on Ft. Sumter, and later the attack at Folly Island Creek, in a battle so fierce that Smalls had to take over for the white captain who hid in a coal bunker.

After the war, he returned to South Carolina and was elected to the state legislature, and later to the U.S. House of Representatives. Unfortunately, he was to witness his state roll back Reconstruction reforms, including a provision in the revised constitution rescinding voting rights for Blacks. Smalls remained a staunch advocate for the rights of African Americans, declaring My race needs no special defense for the past history of them and this country. It proves them to be equal of any people anywhere. All they need is an equal chance in the battle of life.

(Photo: By Mathew Brady  Library of Congress)

Further Reading

Defiant Creative Team Sheds Light On The Story of Robert Smalls in Screen Rant

Charles Burnett to Develop Steal Away About Robert Smalls Daring Escape From Slavery in The Wrap

PBS Newshour feature 2/11/23 How Robert Smalls sailed to freedom during the Civil War

Which Slave Sailed Himself to Freedom? by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

The Life and Times of Congressman Robert Smalls. by Helen Boulware Moore and W. Martin Dulaney

Robert Smalls in Wikipedia
Papua New Guinea's prime minister on Thursday became the first Pacific Island leader ever to address Australia's parliament, vowing close ties despite ever-louder overtures from China.

Hailing long relations and Australia's pivotal role in his country's 1975 independence, James Marape said nothing would come between the two nations.

In recent years, Beijing has tried to chip away at US and Australian influence across the South Pacific, including in Papua New Guinea.

The Pacific Islands, while small in population, are replete with natural resources and sit at a geostrategic crossroads that could prove strategically vital in any military dispute over Taiwan.

Chinese state-backed firms have poured investment into the region, while Beijing has offered much-needed loans and security aid, launching a battle for influence.

But amid suggestions that Papua New Guinea may ink a deal that would allow Chinese police to deploy to his country, and Australia's doorstep, Marape said Sydney remained an indispensable partner.

"In a world of many relations, with many nations, nothing will come in between our two countries, because we are family -- through tears, blood, pain and sacrifice," he said.

Marape's speech was warmly welcomed by Australian lawmakers, who gave several rounds of applause as he spoke.

- 'Mates' -

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was fitting that "the first leader of a Pacific island nation to address the Australian Parliament, ever" was from the country's closest neighbour.

"We are there for each other as mates, especially when times are tough," he said.

But Marape's speech was also imbued with references to the difficult colonial past between the two countries and frustration about the lack of economic development in what remains one of the Asia-Pacific's poorest nations.

Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia 49 years ago and since then has remained highly dependent on Australian aid to survive.

"I speak to you in the language you taught me," Marape said, addressing the chamber in English, saying his main message was to say "thank you" to "all who have stayed with us for the last 49 years".

But he also vowed that Papua New Guinea would move from donor recipient to "economically independent and strong".

"We are working very hard to ensure that PNG emerges as an economy that is self-sustaining... so that we too can help keep our region safe, secure and prosperous."

- Unrest -

On the eve of Marape's visit to Canberra, Papua New Guinea's police chief told AFP that Australia will soon bolster his nation's struggling force in the wake of recent deadly unrest.

An initial contingent of 20 police will be flown in from Commonwealth countries in the first quarter of 2024, Police Commissioner David Manning told AFP.

Papua New Guinea will pay "absolutely nothing" under the Australian-funded initiative, Manning said, without providing financial details.

About 50 officers from the Commonwealth -- a club of more than 50 nations that are almost all former territories of the British Empire -- were expected to arrive this year, the police chief said.

The South Pacific nation's police force numbers just a few thousand officers for a population of almost 10 million people.

Security is precarious in much of the country.

A police strike over unexplained deductions from officers' pay was blamed for stoking riots last month in which at least 25 people were killed.

arb/djw/cwl
A review of 15,000 food products on shelves in supermarkets across Scotland has identified mixed retailer support for Scottish farmers.

Initial analysis of NFU Scotland's 'shelfwatch' has revealed which supermarket chains are stocking Scottish, and British, produce.

It was undertaken by an independent research firm, visiting 71 stores across mainland Scotland during a 48-hour period in late January.

Researchers looked at beef, lamb, pork, chicken, eggs, vegetables and dairy products on offer in Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Co-Op, Marks and Spencer, Lidl and Aldi.

The country of origin of products being offered by the stores own brands were reviewed to identify if they were Scottish, British or imported.

Results show that Aldi had the largest percentage of Scottish produce overall (48.7%), while Sainsburys had the lowest percentage (7.6%).

Three retailers - Asda, Tesco and Sainsburys - had less than 10% Scottish products overall. The largest percentage of other produce was UK.

Aldi, Lidl and Morrisons had more than 70% of Scottish beef. The largest amount of beef in other stores came from UK.

Tesco and Sainsburys had Irish beef, the largest was Sainsbury's with 10.4%.

Aldi had the largest percentage of pork, bacon and sausages labelled as Scottish, while six retailers had no Scottish labelled pork.

Sharing the results with delegates at the NFU Scotland Conference today (8 February), the union's chief executive, John Davidson said it was a 'completely mixed bag'.

"While it is encouraging to see strong support for Scottish and UK produce in general and examples of some retailers stocking 100% Scottish, others appear to have absolutely none on their shelves."

Figures show that Aldi had the largest percentage (100%) of Scottish eggs and Scottish potatoes (100%), with Tesco the lowest for potatoes at 6.4%.

Aldi also had the largest percentage (61.8%) of Scottish vegetables, while Co-Op was the lowest at 4.8%.

For Scottish lamb, Lidl had the largest percentage (100%), followed by Marks and Spencer, at 83.6%.

Two retailers - Asda, Co-Op - had no Scottish lamb, while Aldi, Asda, M&S and Tesco had imported lamb, with 55% of lamb on Asda shelves imported.

Mr Davidson said that more could be done to ensure consumers are able to source more locally produce.

"This also begs some questions on labelling and marketing and whether consumers have full transparency of the origin," he added.

These results provide us with a fantastic opportunity to not only hold retailers to account and accurately highlight to our consumers whats going on in some shops, but also enables us give credit to those who are supporters."

NFU Scotland has commissioned a further three surveys to be carried out on its behalf this year.
Candidates standing for the leadership of Welsh Labour have been told to 'urgently reset' the Welsh governments relationship with farmers and the countryside.

Jeremy Miles and Vaughan Gething have been warned that there is a 'growing disconnect' between the Labour-led Welsh government and rural communities.

The two men are the only candidates fighting for the role of First Minister of Wales following the resignation of Mark Drakeford as leader of Welsh Labour.

His replacement - likely to be named First Minister after a Senedd vote - will take up the role in March following a ballot of party members.

However, campaigners at the Countryside Alliance, which has thousands of members in Wales, has warned there are "growing tensions" between Cardiff Bay and the countryside.

It comes after over 1,000 farmers met at Welshpool livestock market, in Powys, to object to Welsh government policies last Thursday (1 February).

Many farmers are concerned with future farming policy plans included in the post-Brexit Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), which will roll out next year.

Organisers said more than 1,000 people attended the mart to discuss proposed funding changes they believe will hit agriculture hard, with some warning of potential protests.

In response, the Countryside Alliance has called on farmers to sign an e-lobby, which sends an automatic email to both candidates, urging them to answer a number of questions about the future of rural Wales.

The e-lobby states: Government policy seems increasingly driven by ideological agendas, whether attacking shooting and wildlife management or threatening to impose access to inland water.

"There seems a total disregard of existing rights, evidence and the harm that these policies cause to rural communities, wildlife and biodiversity.

It adds: As someone who lives and works in a rural community, I am keen to hear how you intend to bridge this gap. I would be interested in your response to my questions.

"How do you plan to stimulate economic growth in rural areas, ensuring sustainable livelihoods, and addressing challenges unique to the countryside such as bovine TB?

"How will you ensure that farmers and other land managers can feed the nation while promoting sustainable practices that support the environment and mitigate climate change?

"How will you support and strengthen rural communities, addressing social disparities, improving access to services, such as access to financial services, and promoting overall well-being for those living and working in the countryside?

It follows an impact assessment, commissioned by the Welsh government, which concluded that the SFS risks reducing 122,000 livestock units.

Based on the potential economic effects of the previous 2022 outline proposals for the SFS, the modelling predicts a near 11% fall in livestock numbers.

Responding to the assessment, NFU Cymru warned it paints a 'shocking scenario' for the future of Welsh farming.
Viagra reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Viagra can reduce a man's chance of developing Alzheimer's disease

A study suggests that men who take the little blue pill to treat erectile dysfunction were 18 per cent less likely to develop the degenerative brain condition, compared to others with the same medical issue who were not prescribed the medication.

The findings are only observational - meaning that it cannot prove that Viagra was responsible for the decreased risk - but the researchers feel that the link is worth further investigation.

An explanation could be that Viagra and other drugs increase blood flow in the brain, which has a protective effect on the organ.

Matthew Adesuyan, an author of the study at the University College London (UCL) School of Pharmacy, said: "The results are encouraging and may point to a new way to reduce Alzheimer's risk."
A zombie "apocalypse" caused by mind-altering fungi is a possibility.

A zombie 'apocalypse' cannot be ruled out

MPs have been warned that killer new fungal infections are emerging quicker than ever and that people should be alarmed by the threat reminiscent of the TV series 'The Last of Us'.

Matthew Fisher, professor of fungal disease at Imperial College London, told the UK Parliament's Science, Innovation and Technology Committee: "Fungal diseases are up there with the big hitters in terms of global mortality."

Labour MP Dawn Butler asked if an "apocalypse" could happen and received a chilling response from the expert.

Professor Fisher said: "Well, all the bits exist, don't they?

"Fungi can produce strongly psychoactive chemicals, which can influence our behaviour dramatically, and they can also spread and invade humans.

"I would say it's unlikely, but fungi are doing a very good job, so it is possible.

"There is a level of public panic around fungi, but this heightened awareness is only a good thing."
King Charles has issued his first personal statement since his cancer diagnosis  and apologised for not being able to celebrate a Caribbean islands milestone anniversary in person.

King Charles has issued his first personal statement since his cancer diagnosis  and apologised for not being able to celebrate a Caribbean islands milestone anniversary in person

It was revealed on Monday (05.02.24) the 75-year-old monarch is suffering an undisclosed form of the illness  after he went in for an operation to correct an enlarged prostate  and he has now spoken out to mark Grenadas 50th anniversary of Independence.

In a statement issued on Wednesday (07.02.24) night Charles said he wanted to send his congratulations and warmest good wishes to the country amid his health woes.

His full message which also mentioned his wife Queen Camilla, 76, said: Over these past five decades, I have watched with the deepest admiration as you have built your nation and forged Grenadas distinct place in the world, and as an essential member of our Commonwealth family.

Together, you have established Grenada as an exemplar of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Together, you have risen to the most critical challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss by offering the world an example of leadership, resilience and innovation.

Together, you have given life to the words of your national anthem: Aspire, build, advance!

My wife and I hold such special memories of our visit to your beautiful Spice Island five years ago, and of the warm and touching welcome you extended to us.

Then, as whenever I have met Grenadians anywhere in the world, I was struck by your resilience, the strength of your community and by your shared determination to make a positive difference.

In this Grenadian spirit you can take the greatest pride. Whether through the remarkable contributions of Grenada's artists, musicians and authors, or the triumphs of your athletes, all of whom have enjoyed such extraordinary success, 473 to the World is an inspiration to us all.

I can only say how sorry I am that I cannot be with you in person to mark this momentous milestone, and to enjoy a little Oil Down with you all!

My thoughts are with everyone across Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique, and all those in the Grenadian diaspora  one people, one family  as you celebrate everything you have achieved and all that your future holds. My family join me in sending our heartfelt congratulations to you all.

Charles carried out 516 engagements last year, including 94 trips abroad.

Meanwhile, Prince William, 41, cracked a joke about getting away from it all as he spoke officially for the first time since his dad was diagnosed with cancer.

After thanking royal well-wishers for their kindness on the way into a charity fundraiser for the London Air Ambulance on Wednesday (07.02.24) night at Londons Raffles Hotel  which was also attended by 61-year-old Tom Cruise  the Prince of Wales gave a speech.

The dad-of-three royal  whose wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, 42, is recovering from abdominal surgery she had at the same clinic that treated Charles for his enlarged prostate  said: Thank you for being here. And thank you to all those whose hard work has made this evening possible.

Id like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days. It means a great deal to us all.

Its fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather medical focus.

So I thought Id come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all.
Cecilia Gentili has died aged 52.

Cecilia Gentili has died aged 52

The 'Pose' star and transgender activist passed away on Tuesday (06.02.24) morning, although no cause of death has been revealed.

A statement on her Instagram page reads: "Our beloved Cecilia Gentili passed away this morning to continue watching over us in spirit.

"Please be gentle with each other and love one another with ferocity.

"We will be sharing more updates about services and what is to come in the following days.

"At this time, were asking for privacy, time, and space to grieve."

Gentili was a well-known advocate for the rights of transgender people and sex workers around the world.

And GLAAD, the LGBTQIA advocacy group, has already taken to social media to heap praise on the actress.

GLAAD said on Instagram: "We are devastated to hear about the death of Cecilia Gentili.

"Cecilia was a pillar in the trans community, a dedicated advocate, a striking actress on the hit TV program 'Pose', an incredible journalist, and a sex worker."

The organisation also noted that Gentili - who was born in Argentina but subsequently moved to New York City - sought to create "visibility and acceptance" for the LGBTQIA community.

The statement said: "In the anthology, Surviving Transphobia, Cecilia wrote about growing up under dictatorship in Argentina, about being inspired by American movies to be her authentic self. She poured that passion for visibility and acceptance into her life and many others."

Gentili played the part of Miss Orlando, a woman who offered discounted plastic surgery to trans women, in the first season of 'Pose'.

The actress also won the American Library Association's 2023 Stonewall Book Award for her memoir, 'Faltas: Letters to Everyone in My Hometown Who Isnt My Rapist'.
Sir Billy Connolly feels "out of step" with the world amid his Parkinson's struggles.

Sir Billy Connolly has discussed his health struggles

The 81-year-old comedian was diagnosed with the degenerative disorder more than a decade ago, and Billy is very conscious of its impact on his everyday life.

He explains on 'Billy Connolly Does ..': "Being unwell is strange. Everybody else is OK and youve got this thing thats wrong ... youre out of step."

Billy has been teetotal for nearly 40 years after previously struggling with alcoholism.

Despite this, the stand-up star admits that the threat of alcoholism has never gone away entirely.

He recalled: "I was in a hotel in Arran in the Clyde and I ordered porridge for my breakfast.

"Id stopped drinking about a year before and was still missing it. The waitress said, Would you like porridge royale? how does that sound? And I said that sounds pretty damn good from where Im standing.

"So I was waiting for my porridge royale, wondering what it included, and when it came, I had a spoonful  and it was porridge made with whisky! Ill never forget it. Every nerve in my body went Thats it! Ha, Now youre talking! Get it down you!'"

Billy - who now lives in Key West, Florida as he deals with the symptoms of Parkinson's disease - believes that his sobriety has actually changed how his body reacts to alcohol.

The comedy star - who has been married to Pamela Stephenson since 1989 - added: "When you give up drinking, your body goes on guard. So as soon as you taste it, your body goes Stop, nee-naw nee-naw. I said to the waitress, you will have to get me some regular porridge."
Here are simple tips and tricks to help you save on your trip to Vietnam without losing out on the fun





If youre travelling on a budget, Vietnam will be kind to you. This Asian country is generous in the experiences it offers its visitors, laying out affordable accommodation options, great food, and culture and heritage out in the open. Many of the temples, cathedrals and pagodas are free to visit, and so are the bustling markets. This is a country where you can decide how much or how little you spend, but you will have a memorable trip either way.



Here are some simple tips and tricks to get the most out of your trip to Vietnam without spending too many Vietnamese dong





Pick Your Time To Visit

The rains hit Vietnam from October to April (northeast monsoon) and May to September (southwest monsoon), which means there is a very small window when its not raining somewhere in the country. Flights can be very expensive in good weather  December to March for Phu Quoc Island and the northwest, and July and August for the central coast  and flight costs drop when its raining. Do your research and find places out of these months that will be nice and atmospheric even in the rains. Also watch out for price rises with local holidays.







Fly Into Ho Chi Minh City

Even if you want to go to Hanoi, it might work out cheaper to fly into Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), which enjoys a lot of competitive flight prices because it is the biggest and busiest airport in the country. The trick then is to move on quickly, because HCMC (formerly Saigon) is expensive. Alternatively, you can also fly into Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and China, from where you will be able to easily cross the land border into Vietnam.



Dont Spend Too Much Time In The Big Cities

The major cities  HCMC and Hanoi are expensive  but you must spend some time in them, so the strategy should be to immerse yourself quickly and then move on.







Travel Through The Night

Yes, you can get cheap flights within Vietnam but, if you have the time and want to cut your carbon costs, the sleeper buses and trains with reclining seats and fully flat berths are good options between destinations. You will save a nights accommodation cost and save on sightseeing time.



Pick A Good Stay Option

Vietnam now has great hostel options and budget hotels in the cities and homestays in the hills. Each of these will give you a different experience, but certainly immerse you into life at the destination.







Save On Food

Street food in Vietnam is delicious and you will find pho, banh mi sandwiches and a whole lot more at busy stalls at night markets and transport hubs. You can also use delivery apps such as Grab Food and Shopee to have the food delivered to the door of your stay option  this usually works out cheaper than going out to eat.



Dont Forget To Bargain  Nicely

As in India, bargaining is quite acceptable in Vietnam. Do it with the right spirit and you should get paisa vasooli from your haggling endeavours.



Images: Shutterstock



Also Read: Make A Budget Trip To Cambodia Even Cheaper
Every hunter, angler and trapper can assess their own past seasons and look forward to the challenges and opportunities of 2024. The director of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and division chiefs are tasked with understanding and guiding the vested interests of all from Cavalier to Carson, from Crosby to Cayuga.

Its a challenge to say the least, but heres a look at some of the issues from Department Director Jeb Williams.

Looking back on the past year

We had a full six months of winter (2022-23) that was tough on people, tough on wildlife alike. We had a lot of concerns over some fisheries as well. That turned out to maybe not be as bad as what we originally thought it was going to be. But certainly, from a big game perspective, deer, pronghorn, definitely had it pretty tough. Our upland game birds came through winter a little better than what we anticipated. But we also had a really nice production year (2023), which added to a nice population last fall.

Ahead to 2024

We're in a much better situation than what we were last year at this point in time. We already had a couple feet of snow on the landscape and some extreme cold weather before we even got to Christmas. And so, we're much better ahead, and I think everybody agrees that that's kind of what we needed this winter as well.

Fisheries

North Dakota has the most aggressive stocking program. We have a very unique system in place with the federal fish hatcheries, two federal fish hatcheries. We're the only state that doesn't have a state-owned fish hatchery but has a very unique partnership and relationship with our hatcheries. And then again, a very ambitious and dedicated fisheries crew that do the stocking efforts and have really seen the successes of those efforts in all areas of the state.

Positives of heavy snow from 2023

To get our habitat conditions going out there in the right direction, and then as spring came, early summer, the rain kept coming as well in most areas of the state. The habitat conditions across the state were in good shape, and that really did lead to some good production when it came to our upland birds during nesting seasons  it was just that perfect weather period. Things weren't too hot, they weren't too cold, and we had, again, good rainfall, good conditions out there which created a lot of diversity with insects, which we all know is extremely important for the success of those young birds.

Big game

Right now, there are challenges for our big game populations, especially white-tailed deer, mule deer and pronghorn. And so, again, we know from a really tough winter last year that that's going to take a little bit of time. We've had some disease concerns over the last number of years, specifically EHD, which definitely took its toll. But you know, we're seeing some populations fill back in. But those things just take some time as well. And so, we're always going to have the challenges, but we're well-equipped as a department to take on some of those challenges and concerns that are out there, and we look forward to them.

Habitat

We've added maybe a few more tools in that toolbox as far as working with landowners to add some habitat on the landscape and, again, engaging some partners to help with some of those opportunities as well. So that's a continuous challenge we have in North Dakota, when North Dakota is dominated by private land ownership. We need to be working with private landowners and we know we can always make improvements in how we do that, looking at the types of programs that meet the needs of each different landowner.

ANS and CWD

Aquatic nuisance species and chronic wasting disease are two issues we have been tracking for quite some time now and, again, trying to use the tools that we have out there to reduce the footprint that they can have on the landscape. And so, we're going to continue to assess our tools and rely on the best information to how we can reduce the risk of those two things spreading on the landscape and creating a bigger footprint on the landscape, which can create problems down the road.

2024 and the future

Knowing that we're always going to have good opportunities in North Dakota, there's always going to be something that a person can have adequate or even more-than-adequate opportunities. But then there's always going to be other things that are maybe down. And so, if a person appreciates all aspects of the outdoors, you're always going to have something that's going to keep you busy and occupied.
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Trade between Cambodia and the 14 other nations in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was worth nearly $30 billion last year, with exports to these countries amounting to $8.172 billiona year-on-year (YoY) rise of over 28 per cent, and imports valued at $21.286 billiona YoY fall of over 13 per cent, according to the countrys commerce ministry.

The RCEP came into effect on January 1, 2022.

Trade between Cambodia and the 14 other RCEP nations was worth $30 billion last year: exports $8.172 billion (an over-28-per cent YoY rise) and imports $21.286 billion (an over-13-per cent YoY fall). Indonesia advanced from being Cambodia's 12th largest trading partner to the 6th largest last year, with bilateral trade volume hitting nearly $1.1 billion.

The countrys exports to four RCEP members fell last year. Two out of those are member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), ministry spokesperson Pen Sovicheat said.

Its post-RCEP exports, particularly to the partnerships members, have considerably increased, he noted.

Indonesia moved forward from being Cambodias 12th largest trading partner earlier to the 6th largest last year, with bilateral trade volume hitting nearly $1.1 billiona YoY rise of close to 15 per cent, according to the latters General Department of Customs and Excise.

Trade between the two nations stood at $1.09 billion last year, rising by 14.6 per cent YoY and representing 2.32 per cent of Cambodias total international trade worth $46.83 billion, a Cambodian newspaper reported.

Exports to Indonesia were worth $92.74 million, surging by 151.7 per cent YoY, while imports of Indonesian goods stood at $994.6 million, an increase of 9.1 per cent YoY.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Sri Lanka plans to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with India by the end of this year, the formers foreign minister Ali Sabry said recently in Colombo.

Similar FTAs would be worked out for Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and China as well by the year end, he said. The country signed an FTA with Thailand last week, giving the former access to a $2.2-billion market, he informed.

Sri Lankan foreign minister Ali Sabry recently said the country plans to sign am FTA with India by 2024 end. Similar FTAs would be worked out for China, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia as well by the year end. An FTA with Thailand was signed last week. While exports contributed 30 per cent to the GDP in the 1990s, that share has reduced to 15 per cent.

The FTAs will open up newer markets for cash-strapped businesses in the island nation, as its government struggles to restructure its external debt on the one hand while raising utility rates and taxes on the other, a news agency reported.

Sri Lanka and India resumed talks on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement in Colombo at the 12th round in October last year. The original talks were stalled after several rounds between 2016 and 2018 due to political and trade union opposition.

While exports contributed 30 per cent to Sri Lanka's gross domestic product (GDP) in the 1990s, that share has reduced to 15 per cent now, which reflects a missed opportunity, he noted.

Limited market access was the main reason behind the countrys export struggles, he added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
The ministry of finance and UNIDO have inked a $28 million deal to bolster Ethiopia's textile and garments industry.

State minister of finance Semereta Sewasew and UNIDO country representatives Calabro Aurelia Patrizia signed the agreement recently.

The ministry of finance and UNIDO have entered a $28 million agreement to bolster Ethiopia's textile and garments industry. Signed by state minister Semereta Sewasew and UNIDO's Calabro Aurelia Patrizia, the five-year project, financed with GEF collaboration, prioritises a circular economy in textiles through resource-efficient technologies.

Funded over five years in collaboration with GEF, UNIDO's portion amounts to $3 million.

The project will champion a circular economy in textiles by introducing resource-efficient technologies, as outlined by the finance ministry. The Ethiopian Textile Industries Development Institute will spearhead the implementation, aiming to bolster regulatory and institutional capacity in the sector.

During the signing ceremony, Semereta highlighted the government's strides in boosting the manufacturing sector and reducing imports. She expressed gratitude for UNIDO's ongoing support in Ethiopia's industrialisation journey.

UNIDO's commitment to capacity building and technical assistance in Ethiopia's industrial development remains steadfast. The organisation has prioritised support for the textile, leather, and agro processing manufacturing sectors, aligning with Ethiopia's industrial goals.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DR)
Kareena Kapoor Khan made a stylish appearance at an exhibition in Doha, where she turned heads in a stunning pastel blue dress paired with a matching blazer adorned with a large rose detail. Her signature rosy makeup and effortless untied hair complemented her look, which she accentuated with a chic diamond necklace and bracelet.



Fans were captivated by her beauty as photos and videos of her at the event circulated online, showing her engaging with attendees and exploring the exhibits, with security personnel accompanying her.

Returning to Mumbai from Qatar, Kareena opted for a more casual ensemble, sporting a navy blue sweatshirt and denim pants as she was photographed at the airport.

Kareena's upcoming projects include The Buckingham Murders, where she stars as a detective in a film she's also producing alongside Shobha Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor. The movie premiered at the 67th BFI London Film Festival and is awaiting an official release date in India. Additionally, she's set to appear in The Crew, alongside Kriti Sanon and Tabu, playing flight attendants in a film directed by Rajesh Krishnan, scheduled for release on March 29, 2024.
Adarsh Gourav has begun shooting for Ridley Scotts highly anticipated Alien Prequel Series, Aliens, in Bangkok, Thailand. The talented cast, including Gourav, is currently immersing themselves in the local culture and cuisine while forming strong bonds with each other.

Over the next four months, Gourav will be working alongside an international ensemble cast and crew to bring the thrilling narrative of Aliens to the screen. The camaraderie among the actors has already fostered a collaborative and positive working environment, with shared meals playing a pivotal role in strengthening their connections. Under the direction of Noah Hawley and produced by Ridley Scott, "Aliens" is expected to captivate audiences with its gripping storyline and stellar performances.

Joining Gourav on this exciting journey are co-stars Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Samuel Blenkin, and Essie Davis, all of whom are poised to deliver an unforgettable viewing experience. Scheduled to premiere on OTT, Aliens aims to redefine the sci-fi genre and provide viewers with an immersive cinematic experience.

Expressing his excitement for the project, Gourav stated, "I am thrilled to be part of Aliens and to work with such a talented cast and crew. Collaborating with creators like Noah Hawley and Ridley Scott is a humbling experience, and I am eager to bring this gripping narrative to life. The energy among the team and the cast is palpable, and we are all committed to making the series as iconic as the franchise itself."
Siddharth Anand's aerial action extravaganza, 'Fighter,' is becoming the talk of the town. While Banveen Singh aka Sukhi has been taking in the success of his stint and movie, he also opened up about working with the evergreen actor Anil Kapoor who played Commander Rakesh Jaisingh aka Captain Rocky.

Sharing his experience working with Anil Kapoor, Banveen Singh says Anil Kapoor had an infectious energy, he embodies a youthful spirit, infusing vibrant energy on set whether filming "Animal" or "Fighter." Our connection deepened through our Punjabi heritage, evident in his affectionate address to me as Sukhi paaji. During our pivotal scene together in "Fighter," where he cared for Sukhi post-attack, he guided me, emphasizing thorough preparation and scene understanding. His relentless curiosity and commitment to craft, evident in his meticulous approach and readiness to learn, left a lasting impression. Anil sir's humility struck me during the Fighter screening he had come to me & told me that we did two big movies together. When I shared with him on how I assumed he wouldn't remember me given the fact that my role was very small in Animal, he emphasized the importance of every role, regardless of its screen time, reminding me to cherish every opportunity. His words resonated, underscoring the significance of one's work and the value of continuous growth. Anil Kapoor sir's influence extends beyond acting, serving as a beacon of dedication and inspiration for aspiring artists like myself."

After wooing the audiences with his character as Sukhi, Banveen Singh has interesting projects in the pipeline. Apart from Fighter, Banveen was last seen in Animal and the OTT web series Scoop produced by Hansal Mehta that starred Karishma Tanna and Harman Baweja in interesting characters.
Yami Gautam and Aditya Dhar is one of the power couples in the industry. The couple prefer keeping their personal life private and often share sweet glimpses of their fairytale story. Be it their intimate wedding in the mountains, their anniversary celebrations, adorable moments with each other and more, Yami and Aditya have often dished out major couple goals. And now, the cute couple is making the headlines for a special reason as they are expecting their first baby.

Yami Gautam Pregnancy & Deliver Date

Yes! You read it right. Yami, who has been married to Aditya since June 2021, is pregnant with her first baby. According to a report published in India Today, the gorgeous diva is currently five and a half months pregnant and is currently in the second trimester of her pregnancy. The media reports also suggested that Yami will be welcoming her first child in May this year.

To note, no official announcement has been made in this regard so far. However, the reports have certainly left a wave of joy and celebration among the fans. Interestingly, the news of Yami's pregnancy came a day after her Ginny Weds Sunny co-star Vikrant Massey was blessed with a baby boy.

Meanwhile, talking about the work front, Yami Gautam is currently looking forward to the release of Article 370. Directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, the movie is a political drama which revolves around the removal of special status to Jammu & Kashmir. Talking about the movie, Yami stated, "Article 370 is a bold chapter of India's history. A political-action-drama inspired by true events, which will show an in-depth portrayal of how intelligence and politics work hand in hand to take some of the most important decisions that change the course for a nation. I am hopeful that the audience will enjoy this genre-defining film. Personally, for me as an actor, this film gave me the opportunity to delve into newer depths of complexities and once again gave me a role that hasn't been treaded before".
Acclaimed actor Adarsh Gourav sets foot in Bangkok, has commenced shoot for the highly anticipated TV series "Alien." Currently in Bangkok, Adarsh Gourav is indulging in the vibrant local cuisine and forging bonds with his fellow actors from the hit franchise.

Set to film for the next four months in Bangkok, Adarsh Gourav joins an international ensemble cast and crew to bring the compelling narrative of "Alien" to life. The camaraderie among the actors has already fostered a collaborative and healthy working atmosphere, with shared meals serving as the cornerstone of their bond.

Helmed by the renowned writer and director Noah Hawley and produced by the visionary Ridley Scott, "Alien" promises to captivate audiences with its gripping storyline and stellar performances.

Joining Adarsh Gourav in this exhilarating journey are talented co-stars Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Samuel Blenkin, and Essie Davis, who collectively promise to deliver a captivating viewing experience.

Scheduled to stream on FX on Hulu, "Alien" is poised to redefine the sci-fi genre and offer viewers an immersive and unforgettable cinematic experience.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the project, Adarsh Gourav remarked, "I am thrilled to be part of 'Alien' and embark on this exciting journey with such a talented cast and crew. The opportunity to work alongside renowned creators like Noah Hawley and Ridley Scott is truly humbling, and I look forward to bringing this gripping narrative to life. I'm excited to shoot for the project after a brief schedule we had last year. There's a great energy amongst the team and the cast and we can't wait to put all the energy into making the series as iconic as the franchise is".
Actor Amit Sadh, known for his versatile acting and stellar performances, recently shared the teaser of his upcoming film based on his bike trip from Mumbai to Leh. He rode for more than 30 days and covered a distance of 5288 kilometers to promote healthy biking habits and spread awareness about biking. The actor also spoke about how motorcycles saved his life during the journey, and his motto for the trip was to spread positivity about biking.

After finishing his work commitments, Amit is already planning his next bike trip. He recently shared a sneak peek of his upcoming documentary film, which covers his month-long journey from Mumbai to Leh. During the journey, he discovered new places, met local people, and enjoyed local food. The film promises to take viewers on a journey with Amit, showing a different side of him, and offering spectacular visuals of the Himalayan ranges, his adventures, and exciting things he experienced.

The teaser begins with breathtaking views of mountain ranges and then unveils Amit in his trusty Triumph Tiger 1200cc. The teaser shows the different parts of his journey and the various phases he went through during the bike ride. Amit shared the teaser on his Instagram handle and wrote, "Keep your inner sound on, because it's time to chase your soul.  India, my heart, my muse. Get ready to see her through my eyes, on two wheels, where the wind sings freedom and the mountains cradle dreams. A sneak peek into my upcoming documentary, where the journey goes beyond roads. Join me on a ride where the destination is the soul. #MotorcyclesSavedMyLife is #ComingSoon "

Amit Sadh's solo expedition covered a staggering 5288 kilometers aboard his trusty Triumph Tiger 1200cc. His journey took him through picturesque landscapes, unexpected encounters, and heartwarming experiences. It was not just a road trip but a personal memoir, undertaken with the profound theme, "Motorcycles saved my life." The journey started from Amit's home in Bombay and continued to Delhi, Leh, Leg III, and Ladakh.

The teaser has left us eagerly waiting for Amit to release the trailer and the film so that we can witness his exciting journey.
Lover Early Review: The Tamil film 'Lover,' set to release on February 9, 2024, features Manikandan and Gouri Priya Reddy in the lead roles. Directed by debutant Prabhu Ram Vyas, the movie promises to deliver a captivating romantic drama.

Captain Miller OTT Release Date And Platform: Here's When And Where To Watch Dhanush's Movie

Lover Synopsis

As Arun and Divya's six-year relationship begins to unravel, they find themselves drifting apart, prompting the question of whether love can endure such differences.

Ippadiku Kadhal OTT Release Date And Platform: Here's When And Where To Watch Bharath's Movie

The film's technical team includes cinematographer Shreyaas Krishna, editor Barath Vikraman, and music composer Sean Rolden.

Thangalaan OTT Release: Vikram's Historical Action Drama's Streaming Rights Bagged By THIS Platform

Lover Early Review By Ramesh Bala

According to film industry tracker Ramesh Bala, "Lover" is a 'True Lover' garners a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars from him. The film delves into the dynamics of a possessive boyfriend and a girlfriend seeking independence. As their relationship unfolds on screen, the audience is kept engaged, wondering whether they will resolve their differences or part ways permanently. The movie captures attention from the very first scene and concludes with a convincing climax. Manikandan delivers a fantastic performance, while Gouri Priya Reddy shines in her role. Kannaravi's portrayal adds depth to the narrative, and Sean Roldan's music serves as the lifeline of the film. Director Prabhu Ram Vyas presents a realistic romantic tale tailored for today's youth, making "Lover" a definite winner in the genre.
Munawar Faruqui New Show: Last week marked the conclusion of the longest-ever grand finale of the seventeenth season of India's biggest reality show, Bigg Boss, hosted by Salman Khan, after captivating audiences for three months. Munawar Faruqui emerged as the winner, with Abhishek Kumar clinching the first runner-up title, following a journey fraught with twists and turns.

The remaining finalists of Bigg Boss 17, Mannara Chopra, Ankita Lokhande, and Arun Srikanth Mashettey, were eliminated, securing the third, fourth, and fifth positions, respectively. With the show's end, fans find themselves longing for the daily appearances of their beloved contestants on TV.

MUNAWAR FARUQUI-MANNARA CHOPRA IN A PROJECT TOGETHER?

Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Star Pranali Rathod Set To Make Her OTT Debut? Post Goes VIRAL - Deets

Since the beginning of Bigg Boss 17 in October last year to its end last week, two contestants which continuously grabbed eyeballs for their bond on the controversial reality show were stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui and actress Mannara Chopra. In the initial weeks, the duo bonded well with each other and fans shipped them as #MuNara on social media.

However, towards the end, especially after Ayesha Khan's wildcard entry, their friendship went downhill as Munawar distanced himself from Manara. However, they sorted their issues before leaving the Bigg Boss house and are cordial with each other now. They even get clicked together in Abhishek Kumar's recently held party and left their fans happy who are now eager to see them together in a project soon.

Well, there might be a good news for MuNara fans as there's a buzz that they might be coming together for something exciting soon.

MUNAWAR FARUQUI AND MANNARA CHOPRA IN EKTA KAPOOR'S WEB SERIES?

Udne Ki Asha Cast: Kanwar Dhillon, Neha Harsora Start Shoot With A Puja, Actor Shares BTS Pics

Well, a social media post suggests that Munawar and Mannara are teaming up with each other for a web series. Yes, you read that right! According to the tweet posted on the official handle of Film Windows, the web show will be made by Ekta Kapoor. It read, "#manarachopra #munawarfaruqui will be seen together in #EktaKapoor webseries"

Take a look at the viral post here:

Although the viral post has stirred excitement among her fans, garnering over 37k views so far, an official announcement regarding the same is still pending. Currently, Munawar and Mannara haven't yet responded to the ongoing speculations.

Keep watching this space for more updates!
Anweshippin Kandethum Movie FAQ

1. Is 'Anweshippin Kandethum ' released on the OTT platform?

Yes. The movie, which hit theaters on February 9, 2024, is currently available for streaming on Netflix.



2. Where can I watch 'Anweshippin Kandethum'?

If you have any plan to watch the movie in theaters, you can book now the tickets online or you can watch the movie on the OTT platform after its official release.



3. Who are the major star cast in the movie 'Anweshippin Kandethum'?

The major star cast of 'Anweshippin Kandethum' includes Tovino Thomas, Siddique, Indrans, Arthana Binu, Baburaj and Shammi Thilakan.



4. What is the genre of the film 'Anweshippin Kandethum'?

Anweshippin Kandethum is an investigative thriller drama.



5. What is the duration of the movie?

It has been reported that the film 'Anweshippin Kandethum' will have a duration of 2 hours and 23 minutes.



6. On which OTT platform, 'Anweshippin Kandethum' is being released?

As per the reports, the movie was released on Netflix.





7. When will the 'Anweshippin Kandethum' film be released on OTT?

If reports are to be believed the movie was released on Netflix on March 8, 2024.



8. Is the movie 'Anweshippin Kandethum' released in theaters?

Anweshippin Kandethum' was released in theaters on February 9, 2024.



9 . Who is the director of 'Anweshippin Kandethum'?

Darwin Kuriakose is the director of 'Anweshippin Kandethum'.



10. Who is the producer of the movie 'Anweshippin Kandethum'?

Jinu Abraham, Siddharth Anand Kumar, Darwin Kuriakose, Dolwin Kuriakose, and Vikram Mehra are responsible for managing the production department.


TORONTO, Feb. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tintina Mines Limited ("Tintina" or the "Company") (TSXV: TTS) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement dated as of today's date with Andean Belt Resources SpA ("ABR"), a mining exploration company incorporated under the laws of Chile, to acquire a 65%-75% equity ownership interest in ABR for cash consideration in the amount of $4,000,000 (USD). As described in greater detail below, ABR is a related party of the Company. The terms of the agreement are set out in a term sheet signed by both of the parties, and it is anticipated that a definitive agreement regarding the transaction will be negotiated and entered into in due course.



ABR owns approximately 22,819 hectares across five different properties in Chile, with the flagship property being the Domeyko Sulfuros project in Northern Chile. Management believes that this investment will enable the Company to gain a majority interest in the ABR portfolio which will also grant it access to high quality exploration projects located in a geographically favourable setting in Chile. It is anticipated that, as a result of the acquisition, the Company will hold between 65%-75% of the issued and outstanding share capital of ABR, with the exact percentage to be determined based on due diligence and exchange rates. As described below, this will be a related party transaction for the Company.

The funds provided as consideration for the acquisition are intended to be used primarily to finance exploration and technical studies at the Domeyko Sulfuros property in Chile. The immediate plan will be to conduct a comprehensive exploration of the primary sulfide mineralization at the Domeyko Sulfuros property, with the central objective of advancing the project towards a resource definition stage supported by reports generated in accordance with international standards.

"We are excited about this investment, our first outside of Canada, since this gives us access to a world-class exploration portfolio with great potential to generate substantial value to our shareholders," stated Eugenio Ferrari, CEO and Director of Tintina Mines.

In addition, the Company also has reached an agreement with its shareholder and sole creditor, Mr. Juan Enrique Rassmuss, to fully reorganize the Company's debt (currently in the amount of $12,071,484.57 (CAD)). The proposed debt reorganization would take place through two processes. The first is a partial conversion through the issuance of the lower of (i) 252,382,833 new common shares of the Company and (ii) such number of common shares of the Company that would result in no less than 10% of the common shares of the Company being in the "public float" (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange), at a price of $0.03 per common share for an aggregate of up to $7,571,484.57 (CAD). The second component of the debt reorganization is the restructuring and reprofiling of the remaining debt (in the amount of approximately $4,500,000 (CAD)) that is anticipated to enhance the investment profile of the Company mainly by eliminating the current shareholders' deficiency and suspending the on-demand condition for a period of two years. This will be a related party transaction for the Company and will only be completed subject to the approval of the investment in ABR.

Both of the transactions described above are subject to all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including but not limited to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and the approval of the shareholders of the Company. Additional terms and details relating to each of the transactions described herein will be provided in further press releases.

Both of the transactions described above are "related party transactions" under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") due to the involvement of Mr. Juan Enrique Rassmuss in each transaction. Mr. Rassmuss is the President and Chairman and a director of the Company, and also holds approximately 30% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. With respect to the investment into ABR, the local ownership entity for the ABR properties is affiliated with the Rassmuss Group of Companies, a diversified conglomerate with over 50 years of experience operating across various industries, including mining, oil and gas, metallurgy, and textiles in South America. Juan Enrique Rassmuss is the President and CEO of the Rassmuss Group.

As these are related party transactions, shareholder approval on a disinterested basis will be required in order to each of them to proceed. The Company intends to rely on the exemption from the valuation requirement found in section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101.

With respect to the transactions described in this press release: (i) there are no finder's fees payable; and (ii) the Company is not taking on any long term debt.

Trading in the common shares of the Company is currently halted and it is not anticipated that trading will resume prior to the completion of the transactions described herein.

About Tintina

Tintina is a Canadian-based company with over twenty years of experience in the junior mining industry. Tintina currently owns two main properties, both of which are located in Yukon. The common shares of Tintina are listed for trading on the TSXV under the symbol "TTS".

Tintina Contact:

Tintina Mines Limited

Mr. Jing Peng

82 Richmond Street East

Toronto, Ontario

M5C 1P1

Phone: (416) 848-9888

Email: jpeng@marrellisupport.ca

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions and accordingly, actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. You are hence cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements in this press release include but are not limited to statements regarding completion of the transactions described in this press release on the terms described herein, or at all, and the potential benefits of such transactions. Forward-looking statements include words or expressions such as "proposed", "will", "subject to", "near future", "in the event", "would", "expect", "prepared to" and other similar words or expressions. Where the Company expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is based on assumptions made in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. Such assumptions include, without limitation: that existing the Company will be able to negotiate definitive terms with respect to the transactions described herein on the terms as currently expected or at all; and that the Company will be able to receive all necessary approvals that are required in order to complete such transactions.

Factors that could cause future results or events to differ materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include: the risk that the terms of a definitive agreement cannot be reached or cannot be reached; the risk that the Company will not obtain all necessary approvals for the transactions described herein to proceed; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the state of capital markets; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the transactions described herein; other unforeseen events, developments, or factors causing any of the aforesaid expectations, assumptions, and other factors ultimately being inaccurate or irrelevant; and any risks associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

You can find further information with respect to these and other risks in filings made with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities that are available at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.
VICTORIA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 7, 2024 / Boron One Holdings Inc. ("Boron One" or the "Company") (TSXV:BONE), is pleased to announce the implementation of a warrant exercise incentive program (the "Program") intended to encourage the exercise of up to 12,201,837 unlisted common share purchase warrants of the Company (the "Eligible Warrants") which were issued as part of the Company's private placements which closed on March 25, 2019 (Tranche One") and May 25, 2023 ("Tranche 2"). The Tranche 1 warrants issued on March 25, 2019 had an exercise price of $0.15 in the first year and $0.30 from the second to the fifth year, and the Tranche 2 warrants issued on May 25, 2023 had an exercise price of $0.15. The board of directors of the Company have determined it to be in the best interests of the Corporation to reprice the Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 warrants from the current exercise price of $0.30 and $0.15 respectively per share of common stock to C$0.09 per Warrant Share (the "Warrant Repricing").

Each Eligible Warrant is exercisable for one common share of the Company (each a "Common Share") at a price of $0.09 per Common Share, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange to the proposed Warrant Repricing. The Tranche 1 warrants expire on March 25, 2024 and the Tranche 2 warrants expire on May 25, 2025, both at 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time).

To the extent that holders of Eligible Warrants take advantage of the opportunity to exercise their Eligible Warrants early, this will fund working capital purposes. Eligible Warrants that remain unexercised following the completion of the Early Exercise Period (defined below) will continue to be exercisable for Common Shares on the original terms as they existed prior to the Program.

Summary Information about Warrant Incentive Program

Pursuant to the Program, the Company is offering an inducement to each holder of Eligible Warrants ("Warrant Holders") that exercises Eligible Warrants during an early exercise period (the "Early Exercise Period") consisting of one new Warrant (the "New Warrant") in addition to the common share subscribed for. Each New Warrant is exercisable at $0.15 for 2 years, subject to the right of the Corporation to accelerate expiry upon 30 days' notice if the shares of the Corporation trade on the TSX Venture Exchange at or above $0.25 for a period of 10 days. The Expiry Date of the Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 warrants will be subject to an accelerated expiry upon 30 days' notice if the shares of the Corporation trade on the TSX Venture Exchange at or above $0.115, for a period of ten (10) consecutive trading days.

The Early Exercise Period will commence two weeks after receipt of TSX Venture Exchange conditional approval and run for 2 weeks. A follow up press release will be issued. The Incentive Warrants and any Common Shares issuable on the exercise thereof will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issuance of the Incentive Warrants pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

Depending upon the number of Eligible Warrants exercised during the Early Exercise Period, the Company expects to:

receive gross proceeds of up to $1,098,165.33;

issue up to 12,201,837 Common Shares pursuant to the exercise of Eligible Warrants in accordance with the terms of the Eligible Warrants; and

issue up to 12,201,837 Incentive Warrants to Warrant Holders pursuant to the exercise of the Eligible Warrants on or before the Early Exercise Expiry Date.

The terms and conditions of the Program and the method of exercising Eligible Warrants pursuant to the Program are set forth in a letter which is being delivered to the last known contact of each Warrant Holder. Warrant Holders who wish to participate in the Program will agree to exercise their Eligible Warrants and deliver the other necessary documents in consideration of the issuance by the Company of the Incentive Warrants.

The Program and the Warrant Repricing is subject to approval from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") and is subject to the receipt of all final regulatory approvals, including final approval of the Exchange. The number of Eligible Warrants to be exercised by insiders of the Company is limited to no more than 10% of the total Eligible Warrants, being 12,201,837 Eligible Warrants, and the Company will issue no more than 1,220,183 Incentive Warrants to insiders under the Program. Insiders presently hold no Eligible Warrants.

Procedure for the Exercise of Warrants

Upon commencement of the Early Exercise Period, registered holders of Eligible Warrants may exercise their rights to acquire the Common Shares and Incentive Warrants.

All Eligible Warrants must be processed through the Company at the offices of the Company located at 203, 645 Fort Street, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1G2.

To exercise Eligible Warrants during the Early Exercise Period, a Warrant Holder must:

1. Surrender the original Warrant Certificate(s) representing the Eligible Warrants to the Company by hand or courier at the address noted above. The Warrant Certificate(s) representing the Eligible Warrants must be submitted together with:

(a) a duly completed and executed Subscription Form as attached to the Eligible Warrant Certificate, specifying the number of Eligible Warrants that the Warrant Holder intends to exercise; and

(b) a certified cheque, bank draft or money order in Canadian dollars, payable to or to the order of "Boron One Holdings Inc." in an amount equal to $0.09 multiplied by the number of Eligible Warrants that the Warrant Holder intends to exercise.

All Eligible Warrant Certificates surrendered for full exercise will be cancelled by the Company and will be of no further force or effect.

All Eligible Warrant Certificates surrendered together with a duly completed and executed Subscription Form, and payment of the applicable exercise price for the number of Eligible Warrants exercised will be deemed to be surrendered only upon personal delivery thereof to, or, if sent by mail or other means of transmission, upon actual receipt thereof by the Company. Any use of the mail to transmit Eligible Warrant Certificates is at the risk of the Warrant Holder. If such documents are to be mailed, it is recommended that registered mail, properly insured, be used with acknowledgement of receipt requested.

Fractional Shares

The Company will not be obligated to issue any fractional Common Shares, fractional Incentive Warrants or any cash or other consideration in lieu thereof upon the exchange of one or more Eligible Warrants. If any fraction of a Common Share or Incentive Warrant would otherwise be issuable, the number of such securities so issued will be rounded down to the nearest whole number without compensation thereof.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Tim Daniels, President

About Boron One Holdings Inc.

Boron One Holdings Inc. is an international mineral exploration and development company with boron assets in Serbia. Headquartered in Victoria, B.C., Canada, Boron One's shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "BONE". For detailed information please see Boron One's website at www.boronone.com or the Company's filed documents at www.sedar.com.

For further information, please contact: Boron's Public Quotations: Boron One Holdings Inc. Canada Blake Fallis, General Manager TSX Venture: BONE Phone: 1-250- 384-1999 or 1-888-289-3746 Berlin: EKV info@boronone.com US: SEC 12G3-2(B) #82-4432ERVFF www.boronone.com OTC PINK: ERVFF

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: Boron One Holdings Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
BEIJING, Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- During a recent investment roundtable with Barron's China, Singaporean Weiming Soh, a seasoned figure in the automotive industry and the founder-chairman of the premium smart EV company BeyonCa, advocated the establishment of a new industrial ecosystem to address the fragmentation in the traditional supply chain.

"China has taken the lead globally due to its first-mover advantage, cost efficiency, and robust engineering prowess in the electrification shift, emerging as the world's largest car exporter," Soh stated. "However, the disruption of the traditional supply chain caused by deglobalization, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, is a reality we must confront."

"The EV industry must establish a new ecosystem with novel player roles and collaboration models, shaping the industry's future direction and facilitating Re-Globalization," Soh emphasized, adding that the roles between OEMs and OEMs, and between OEMs and supply chain partners, will transform from simple procurement relationships to partnerships.

In Soh's view, the new ecosystem aligns with the changes in automotive construction, attributes, roles, and functions accompanying electric and intelligent vehicles, spanning from inside the car, around the car, and beyond the car.

Inside the car, this involves a modular platform comprising a Skateboard Chassis, Scalable Battery Pack, E-Powertrain, E/E central computing hardware platform, infrastructure, solid state, and upper body, primarily reflected in design and connectivity, noted Soh.

Around the car, he addresses charging infrastructure, encompassing fast charging technologies, V2X, and battery swapping.

Finally, extending beyond the car aims to provide customers with an integrated user experience, incorporating services like insurance and healthcare, facilitated by AI technologies such as computer vision, natural language processing, and video/speech recognition.

"With the rapid introduction of AI foundation models into the automotive field, smart cars have become the focal point of future competition in the electric vehicle industry. This signifies a shift of the production process and the business model, indicating that OEMs can no longer operate in silos from R&D to industrial production to market and user development and operation," he elaborated. "This inevitability heralds the emergence of a new industrial ecosystem characterized by collaborative R&D, co-IP, closed-loop data, and more."

In 2021, Soh, alongside a distinguished team of industry veterans, founded BeyonCa. Positioned to compete with high-end car series such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi, BeyonCa aims to define the super-premium smart EV segment through its exquisite design led by former Bentley designer Dirk van Braeckel, meticulous craftsmanship, smart experiences, and scenario-driven services within, around, and beyond the car.

Backed by strategic investors Renault and Dongfeng, BeyonCa has forged a strategic partnership with the government of Zhejiang Province, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Al Faisaliah Group Holding Company (AFG), a prominent diversified investments group headquartered in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, aiming to cultivate the EV market in the Middle East.

"The penetration rate of electric vehicles in the Middle East is expected to rise from the current 1% to approximately 20-27% by 2030, while that of Southeast Asia and the Pacific regions is anticipated to increase from the current 1% to approximately 30-45%. These regions will be the focal points of our international business expansion," Soh disclosed during the roundtable.

He argued that a perfected supply chain is the greatest advantage of China's automotive industry. Going global is no longer just about exporting complete vehicles; more importantly, it involves venturing abroad with supply chain partners to establish an ecosystem in local markets. This signifies ecosystem globalization, enabling better localization efforts.

"Localization should be based on the combination of local resource endowments," Soh said. "Our AI competence & eco-system development center will be based in Singapore, which is committed to becoming a global hub, while Indonesia and the Philippines, with abundant nickel ore resources, are suitable for establishing processing bases here."

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With the arrival of the Year of the Dragon, China's travel sector is expected to deliver a strong performance over the Spring Festival, particularly on the international front as air capacity continues to resume, according to leading aviation analytics company Cirium.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240207747898/en/

China's Top International Destinations, 2019 to 2024 (Graphic: Business Wire)

Data from Cirium reveals that China's top 10 international destinations have largely returned to pre-pandemic rankings, with Thailand, Japan and South Korea back at the top three positions after dipping to pandemic lows in recent years. Other interesting movements in rankings include the entry of Australia and Macau, and the absence of the United States and Cambodia since February 2019.

While overall seat capacity on China's international routes (non-mainland) are still 27% behind pre-pandemic levels, there are three bright spots where capacity has surpassed 2019 levels. Scheduled capacity in February 2024 show Bangkok as the city with most arrivals from China, but Macau (+8%), Singapore (+6%) and Tokyo (+2%) show the largest improvements from 2019.

Recent changes in visa requirements, particularly in Southeast Asia will potentially bolster international travel from China. In recent months, Thailand has waived visa requirements while Malaysia will offer 30-day visa-free travel for Chinese citizens. Singapore has also announced plans for the same, which comes as a timely boost for Spring Festival travel.

On the domestic front, China's seat capacity continues to perform strongly, growing 26% in Feb 2024 against pre-pandemic levels, fuelled by the addition of flights by China's big three airlines, Air China, China Eastern and China Southern, making Guangzhou (CAN), Shenzhen (SZX) and Beijing (PEK) the busiest airports in China this Spring Festival.

About Cirium

Cirium is the world's most trusted source of aviation analytics. Through powerful data and analytics, coupled with decades of industry experience, Cirium is enabling airlines, airports, travel companies, aircraft manufacturers, and financial institutions, amongst others, to make intelligent and informed decisions that improve operations, grow revenues, and enhance customer experiences.

Cirium is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. The shares of RELX PLC are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.

For further information please follow Cirium updates on LinkedIn or visit www.cirium.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240207747898/en/

Contacts:

For media enquiries: media@cirium.com
BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (WBA) announced that it has sold shares of Cencora Inc. (COR) common stock for proceeds of about $942 million and, subject to the completion of the sale, a concurrent share repurchase by Cencora in the amount of about $50 million. Walgreens Boots Alliance's ownership of Cencora's common stock has decreased from approximately 15 percent to approximately 13 percent. Walgreens said it will use proceeds from the stock sale for debt paydown and general corporate purposes. Walgreens Boots Alliance said it remains fully committed to the strategic, mutually beneficial relationship with Cencora, which has been a strong and trusted partner since 2013. Chief Operating Officer, International of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Ornella Barra, will continue to serve on Cencora's Board of Directors. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Growth of the global airport automation market is driven by factors such as rise in passenger traffic and demand for efficiency, enhanced security requirements and regulatory compliance, capacity expansion and new airport construction, and globalization of air travel.

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Airport Automation Market by System (Data Acquisition and Communication, Automation and Control, Data Storage, and Software and Solution), Application (Baggage Handling and Tracking, Ground Transportation and Parking, Retail and Dinning, Facility Management, Passenger Service and Assistance, Emergency Response and Safety, Ground Support Equipment, Air Traffic Management, Airfield Management, and Others), Airport Side (Land Side and Air Side), End Market (Greenfield and Brownfield), and Automation Level (Level 1.0, Level 2.0, Level 3.0, and Level 4.0): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032.

According to the report, the global airport automation market size generated $10.8 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to generate $19.6 billion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 6.4% from 2023 to 2032.

Prime Determinants of Growth

Continued growth in both, international and domestic air travel is the primary driver for the airport automation market growth. Airports work to streamline procedures to effectively manage increased traffic. Furthermore, continuous technological developments, such as those in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT) support the creation of advanced and effective airport automation systems.

(We are providing airport automation industry report as per your research requirement, including the Latest Industry Insight's Evolution, Potential and Russia-Ukraine War Impact Analysis)

197 - Tables

62 - Charts

250 - Pages

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Airport Automation Report Coverage and Details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size In 2022 $10.8 Billion Market Size In 2032 $19.6 Billion CAGR 6.4 % No. Of Pages in Report 250 Segments Covered System, Application, Airport Side, End Market, Automation Level, And Region Drivers Rise In Passenger Traffic and Demand for Efficiency Enhanced Security Requirements and Regulatory Compliance Opportunities Integration Of Artificial Intelligence (AI) And Data Analytics Restraints High Initial Implementation Costs Opposition To Change and Workforce Displacement Concerns

Impact of Russia-Ukraine War Scenario

On February 24, 2022 , the Russia-Ukraine war damaged the world's supply chain, which would have an impact on the production and delivery of parts for airport automation systems. Production and implementation of automation solutions may be impacted by shortages or delays in essential components.

, the Russia-Ukraine war damaged the world's supply chain, which would have an impact on the production and delivery of parts for airport automation systems. Production and implementation of automation solutions may be impacted by shortages or delays in essential components. Moreover, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine could have an impact on plans for infrastructure development in the impacted areas. The deployment of cutting-edge automation systems may be impacted by delays or changes in priorities in investments made in the construction of new airports or the expansion of existing ones.

The automation and control segment to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period.

On the basis of system, the automation and control segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the global airport automation market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period, due its vital role in streamlining and improving a number of airport procedures, including air traffic control, luggage management, and security screening, which improves operational effectiveness and customer experience. However, the data storage segment is projected to attain the highest CAGR of 9.3% from 2023 to 2032, owing to their automation systems producing increased amount of data, such as operational metrics, security data, and passenger information, which calls for reliable storage options for efficient analysis, compliance, and decision-making.

The Baggage Handling and Tracking segment to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period.

On the basis of application, the baggage handling and tracking segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the global airport automation market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period owing to its vital role in automating the sorting, tracking, and delivery of luggage throughout the airport trip, improving operational efficiency, decreasing errors, and increasing customer pleasure. Moreover, the retail and dinning segment is projected to attain the highest CAGR of 14.0% from 2023 to 2032, driven by the growing need for automated solutions, such smartphone apps and self-service kiosks, which offers travelers easy, frictionless ways to eat, buy, and place orders inside airport terminals.

Recent Advancements in Airport Automation:

In November 2021 , Honeywell expanded the NAVITASTM software suite, optimizing airside operations for efficient ground movement and enhanced situational awareness.

, Honeywell expanded the NAVITASTM software suite, optimizing airside operations for efficient ground movement and enhanced situational awareness. Sanad and Thales partnered in November 2023 to extend services into airport security and digital operations.

to extend services into airport security and digital operations. Thales enhanced its TopSky-ATC solution in October 2023 , introducing CPDLC for secure pilot-controller communication and ADS-C for automated flight status reports.

, introducing CPDLC for secure pilot-controller communication and ADS-C for automated flight status reports. Aurrigo collaborated with IAG in October 2023 , initiating a four-month autonomous vehicle evaluation for UK airports.

, initiating a four-month autonomous vehicle evaluation for UK airports. Bangalore International Airport and IBM joined forces in July 2021 for digital and IT transformation, creating an innovative "Airport in a Box" platform.

for digital and IT transformation, creating an innovative "Airport in a Box" platform. CGI partnered with Fraport AG in April 2023 to accelerate automation through the digitization of operations at Frankfurt Airport, aiming to enhance customer experience and competitiveness.

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The Land Side segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

On the basis of airport side, the land side segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the global airport automation market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period as there is rise in focus on boosting entire airport services prior to passengers entering the secure airside area, as well as operational efficiency in areas like check-in, baggage drops, and ground transportation. Moreover, the air side segment is projected to attain the highest CAGR of 7.5% from 2023 to 2032, due to the growing uptake of cutting-edge technologies such as intelligent apron management, automated aircraft boarding, and enhanced air traffic control systems, which enhance productivity and safety on the airside of airports.

The Greenfield segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

On the basis of end market, the greenfield segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, accounting for more than three-fifths of the global airport automation market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period. Moreover, the brownfield segment is projected to attain the highest CAGR of 8.0% from 2023 to 2032, owing to rise in need to modernize current airports with cutting-edge automated technologies to improve passenger experience, efficiency, and adherence to changing industry standards.

The Level 3.0 segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

On the basis of automation level, the level 3.0 segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, accounting for nearly one-third of the global airport automation market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period owing to rise in emphasis on a higher degree of collaboration between humans and machines. While automation handles routine tasks, human operators remain actively involved in monitoring, decision-making, and taking control when necessary. Moreover, the level 4.0 segment is projected to attain the highest CAGR of 8.7% from 2023 to 2032, as automated systems could be programmed to follow safety protocols to the letter, which could help to reduce the risk of accidents.

Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2032

Region-wise, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting more than one-third of the airport automation market revenue and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period, due to the region's strong economic growth, rise in demand for air travel, significant infrastructure investments, and proactive adoption of cutting-edge technologies. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 8.0% from 2023 to 2032, as adoption of advanced automation technology in the region is driven by factors such as fast urbanization, economic expansion, increased demand for air travel, and significant investments in renovating airport infrastructure.

Key Highlights of the Airport Automation Industry Report:

Comprehensive analysis spanning over 16 countries, featuring country-wise value breakdown ($ million) for 2022-2032.

Meticulous research integrating top-notch data, professional insights, and independent opinions for a well-rounded perspective.

Research methodology designed to empower stakeholders with informed decisions for ambitious growth objectives.

Thorough review of 3,700+ product literature, annual reports, industry statements, and materials from major industry players, enhancing market understanding.

Procure Complete Research Report (PDF with Qualitative and Quotative Data, Insights, Statistics, Tables, Charts, Figures) - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/airport-automation-market/purchase-options

Leading Market Players: -

Amadeus It Group Sa

Collins Aerospace

Daifuku Co., Ltd.

Honeywell International Inc.

NEC Corporation

Siemens

SITA

Thales

Vanderlande Industries B.V.

Wipro

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players of the global airport automation market. These players have adopted various strategies such as contracts, agreements, partnerships, expansion, and others to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the industry. The report helps determine the business performance, operating segments, developments, and product portfolios of every market player.

Similar Reports We Have on Airport Industry:

Green Airport Market Research Report 2023-2032

Smart Airport Market Research Report 2023-2032

Airport Operations Market Research Report 2023-2032

Airport Robots Market Research Report 2023-2032

Smart Airport 4.0 Market Research Report 2023-2032

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We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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DUBAI, UAE, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 3DMakerpro Medical, a sub-brand from the 3D scanning technology pioneer 3DMakerpro, has unveiled four new products at the AEEDC Dubai 2024 Conference, the world's largest annual scientific dental conference and exhibition, held from February 6-8, 2024.

Among the showcased products, the JMO1 intraoral 3D scanner, known for its superior user experience and exceptional cost-performance ratio, attracted significant attention from attendees. During the exhibition, 3DMakerpro Medical also previewed a facial scanner set to launch in July this year. The brand's desktop scanner JMA1 and handheld body scanner JMM1 also garnered considerable interest.

"Digital dental care is the future of the dental industry, and 3D scanners have and will continue to play a crucial role in this evolution," said Yong Ding, CEO of 3DMakerpro. "In 2024, 3DMakerpro Medical is committed to expanding into international markets. We look forward to engaging with industry professionals at various global exhibitions to collectively advance the development of digital dental care."

3DMakerpro Medical has an ambitious exhibition schedule for 2024, including:

EXPODENTAL 2024 : The benchmark trade fair for the international dental sector, taking place in Madrid from March 14-16, 2024.

: The benchmark trade fair for the international dental sector, taking place in Madrid from March 14-16, 2024. IDEM Singapore 2024 : The leading dental exhibition and conference for the Asia Pacific, happening from April 19-21, 2024, in Singapore.

: The leading dental exhibition and conference for the Asia Pacific, happening from April 19-21, 2024, in Singapore. IDEX Istanbul 2024 : One of the most prestigious exhibitions dedicated to oral & dental healthcare industries, from May 8-11, 2024, in Istanbul.

: One of the most prestigious exhibitions dedicated to oral & dental healthcare industries, from May 8-11, 2024, in Istanbul. Dental World : The International Dental Exhibition in Budapest held from October 10-12, 2024.

: The International Dental Exhibition in Budapest held from October 10-12, 2024. AAO 2024 : The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) Annual Session 2024 will be held from May 3-6, 2024, in New Orleans.

: The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) Annual Session 2024 will be held from May 3-6, 2024, in New Orleans. Vietnam International Dental Exhibition & Congress (VIDEC 2024): the most important dental event in Vietnam, taking place in Hanoi from Aug 21-23, 2024.

About 3DMakerpro Medical

3DMakerpro Medical, a sub-brand of 3DMakerpro, offers high-quality solutions in the realms of dental care, plastic surgery, laboratory work, and orthodontics, among others. The team comprises over 100 R&D members who have independently developed industry-leading software algorithms. The brand emphasizes the combination of innovation and technology to meet the evolving needs of the medical industry.

For more information, please visit:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3dmakerpro-medical/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/official3dmakerpromedical/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/3DMakerproMedical

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25 th anniversary of Dassault Systemes' annual event for the SOLIDWORKS and 3DEXPERIENCE Works community to take place in Dallas, February 11-14, 2024

Four-day agenda delves into technologies, trends and strategies around artificial intelligence, collaborative innovation, virtual twins and more

Highlights include keynote speeches from Lonnie Johnson, Aneesa Muthana and Paddy Lowe and customer stories showcasing sustainable innovations in energy

Dassault Systemes (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA) today announced 3DEXPERIENCE World 2024, its annual event dedicated to the 3DEXPERIENCE Works and SOLIDWORKS communities, in Dallas, February 11-14, 2024. More than 5,000 users, business leaders, makers, entrepreneurs and students will attend the 25th anniversary of the world's premier event for discovering the technologies, trends and strategies shaping the future of product design and manufacturing.

Four days of panels, breakout sessions, presentations, learning and networking with thought leaders, industry experts and customers will delve into some of the hottest topics touching design and manufacturing today from artificial intelligence and digital transformation to collaborative innovation and virtual twins. This year's 3DEXPERIENCE World will feature a particular focus on innovations that are advancing the global push for sustainability, and how 3DEXPERIENCE Works can help imagine and redesign products, processes and business models to improve the world people want to live in.

Highlights of 3DEXPERIENCE World 2024 include:

Keynote speakers Lonnie Johnson inventor, aerospace engineer and entrepreneur; Aneesa Muthana CEO and owner of Pioneer Service and expert in production machining environments; and Paddy Lowe founder and CEO of the fossil-free synthetic fuel company Zero, and former Formula 1 engineer and executive;

Visionary insights on the impacts of global trends, from Bernard Charles, Chairman, Dassault Systemes, and Pascal Daloz, CEO, Dassault Systemes;

SOLIDWORKS and 3DEXPERIENCE Works updates from Manish Kumar, CEO, SOLIDWORKS, Dassault Systemes, and Gian Paolo Bassi, Senior Vice President 3DEXPERIENCE Works, Dassault Systemes;

Customer stories from Arthur Bus, B&S, Endiatx, eSki, Flowerserve Corp, GluxKind, Neurolutions, Light a Sky, Nagano Automation, Proteus Motion, Qargos, Tessy, Tigoona and Viscon;

Annual "Top 10 List" of user-requested SOLIDWORKS features and enhancements;

Breakout sessions dedicated to design, simulation, manufacturing, data management, and community;

295 workshops and technical training sessions;

Free certification opportunities to strengthen and sharpen skills;

"AI and Hardware Innovation Showcase" startup contest;

3DEXPERIENCE Playground featuring robotics and CNC machines defining the future of manufacturing on the shop floor;

An immersive virtual reality city experience in the "EDU Zone" alongside model race cars, rockets and planes designed by university teams with SOLIDWORKS.

"For 25 years, our 'World' events have provided opportunities to celebrate attendees and facilitate community engagement while imagining all we can achieve in the future, together," said Gian Paolo Bassi, Senior Vice President, 3DEXPERIENCE Works, Dassault Systemes. "3DEXPERIENCE World 2024 builds on this story of innovation, thought leadership, customer success, products and experiences. Now more than ever, we are connected in a world where the virtual makes it possible to push the limits of the imagination. We will continue to empower this global community to imagine the possibilities ahead, with our 3DEXPERIENCE platform."

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Dassault Systemes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions: http://www.3ds.com

Connect with Dassault Systemes on

https://twitter.com/Dassault3DS

https://www.facebook.com/DassaultSystemes

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dassaultsystemes

https://www.youtube.com/DassaultSystemes

ABOUT DASSAULT SYSTEMES

Dassault Systemes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, is a catalyst for human progress. We provide business and people with collaborative virtual environments to imagine sustainable innovations. By creating virtual twin experiences of the real world with our 3DEXPERIENCE platform and applications, our customers can redefine the creation, production and life-cycle-management processes of their offer and thus have a meaningful impact to make the world more sustainable. The beauty of the Experience Economy is that it is a human-centered economy for the benefit of all -consumers, patients and citizens. Dassault Systemes brings value to more than 300,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.3ds.com

Dassault Systemes. All rights reserved. 3DEXPERIENCE, the 3DS logo, the Compass icon, IFWE, 3DEXCITE, 3DVIA, BIOVIA, CATIA, CENTRIC PLM, DELMIA, ENOVIA, GEOVIA, MEDIDATA, NETVIBES, OUTSCALE, SIMULIA and SOLIDWORKS are commercial trademarks or registered trademarks of Dassault Systemes, a European company (Societas Europaea) incorporated under French law, and registered with the Versailles trade and companies registry under number 322 306 440, or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240207517581/en/

Contacts:

Dassault Systemes Press

Corporate France

Arnaud MALHERBE

arnaud.malherbe@3ds.com

+33 (0)1 61 62 87 73

North America

Natasha LEVANTI

natasha.levanti@3ds.com

+1 (508) 449 8097

EMEA

Virginie BLINDENBERG

virginie.blindenberg@3ds.com

+33 (0) 1 61 62 84 21

China

Grace MU

grace.mu@3ds.com

+86 10 6536 2288

India

Kriti ASHOK

kriti.ashok@3ds.com

+91 9741310607

Japan

Reina YAMAGUCHI

reina.yamaguchi@3ds.com

+81 3 4321 6650

Korea

Jeemin JEONG

jeemin.jeong@3ds.com

+82 2 3271 6653
Press Release

Outside Outside trading hours - Regulated information



Brussels, 8 February 2024, 7.00 a.m. CET





'We recorded a net profit of 677 million euros in the last quarter of 2023. Compared to the result of the previous quarter, our total income benefitted from several factors, including better net fee and commission income and higher net other income, though these items were offset by a lower level of net interest income and lower insurance results. Costs, including bank and insurance taxes, were up quarter-on-quarter, as were impairment charges, driven mainly by an impairment of 109 million euros on goodwill on building savings company CSOBS (a subsidiary of CSOB Bank) in the Czech Republic and approximately 53 million euros impairment charges on software. Consequently, when adding up the four quarters of the year, our full-year net profit amounted to 3 402 million euros, up 21% year-on-year.

Our loan portfolio continued to expand, increasing by 1% quarter-on-quarter and by 3% compared to a year ago, with growth being recorded in each of the group's core countries. Customer deposits were up 1% on the level of the previous quarter but down 3% year-on-year, as they were largely affected by deposit outflows caused by the issuance of a retail State Note ('Staatsbon') in Belgium at the start of September 2023.



On the sustainability front, we are delighted to note that the outside world is continuing to recognise our approach and achievements as 'best in class'. In particular we note that renowned ESG Risk agency Sustainalytics has awarded KBC the excellent 'ESG negligible risk rating category'. With this rating, KBC is included in the Sustainalytics 2024 ESG Top-Rated Companies List. We are equally proud to have received the coveted CDP A rating for our climate-related disclosures for a second year in a row.

As regards our ongoing share buyback programme of 1.3 billion euros, we had already bought back approximately 11 million shares for a total consideration of around 0.6 billion euros by the end of January 2024. The programme is planned to run until 31 July 2024.

Our solvency position remained strong, with a fully loaded common equity ratio of 15.2% at the end of December 2023, which already fully incorporates the effect of the ongoing share buyback programme of 1.3 billion euros. Our Board of Directors has decided to propose a total gross dividend of 4.15 euros per share to the General Meeting of Shareholders for the accounting year 2023 (of which an interim dividend of 1.0 euro per share was already paid in November 2023 and the remaining 3.15 euros per share is to be paid in May 2024). Including the proposed total dividend and additional tier-1 coupon, the pay-out ratio would amount to 51%. In line with our announced capital deployment plan for full-year 2023, the distribution of the surplus capital above the fully loaded common equity ratio of 15% will be decided at the discretion of the Board of Directors of KBC Group in the first half of 2024.

Lastly, we have also updated our three-year financial guidance. By 2026, we are aiming to achieve a cost/income ratio (excluding bank and insurance taxes) of below 42% and a combined ratio of maximum 91%.

In closing, I would like to sincerely thank all customers, employees, shareholders and all other stakeholders for their trust and support, and assure them that we remain committed to being the reference in bank-insurance and digitalisation in all our home markets.'

Johan Thijs,

Chief Executive Officer

Attachments
Spexis AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

Spexis announces closing of sale of preclinical antibiotics program to Basilea



08-Feb-2024 / 07:15 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR Allschwil, Switzerland, February 8, 2024 Spexis announces closing of sale of preclinical antibiotics program to Basilea Basilea to pay up to CHF 2 million for a preclinical program with novel antibiotics targeting Gram-negative bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains

Transaction is part of Spexis' efforts to partner or divest non-core programs and assets as the company works through its moratorium status

Transaction was subject to certain closing conditions, which now have been met and which will commence payments from Basilea to Spexis Spexis AG (SIX: SPEX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on macrocycle therapeutics for rare diseases and oncology, today announced that it has closed its asset purchase agreement with Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, Allschwil (SIX: BSLN) wherein Basilea has now formally become the owner of a preclinical program of antibiotics developed by Spexis from a novel class targeting Gram-negative bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains.1The transaction was subject to the approval by the Western District Court of the Canton Basel-Landschaft, which has now been obtained. As part of the completed transaction, Basilea has acquired all program compounds, including intellectual property, and is paying Spexis up to a total of CHF 2 million, which consists of an upfront payment which was now received at closing, a payment related to the near-term transfer of the assets to Basilea, which is expected by the end of February and a potential final milestone payment related to the availability of near-term external funding for the further development of the program. In addition, Basilea has assumed the rights and obligations of Spexis related to the program, including potential low single-digit percentage royalties on sales, under licensing agreements. The assets sold to Basilea are macrocyclic antibiotics developed within Spexis' Outer Membrane Protein Targeting Antibiotics (OMPTA) program which selectively disrupt the lipopolysaccharide transport bridge, an essential structure in Gram-negative bacteria. This results in a loss of the integrity of the outer cell membrane, intracellular accumulation of lipopolysaccharides and killing of the bacteria. Activity has been shown in vitro and in vivo against Enterobacteriaceae such as E. coli and K. pneumoniae, including strains resistant to beta-lactams and colistin, an antibiotic regarded as last-resort therapy. The program was funded in part by CARB-X (Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator)2, a global non-profit partnership dedicated to supporting early-stage antibacterial research and development to address the rising threat of drug-resistant bacteria.



Jeff Wager, MD, Chairman & CEO of Spexis, said: "We are very pleased to have finalized this transaction with Basilea as it underscores the power of our macrocycle platform as a drug discovery platform and its potential to generate products that can address significant unmet medical needs. From a corporate strategy perspective, this transaction is part of Spexis' efforts to partner or divest non-core programs and assets as the company works towards exiting its moratorium status and will generate funds and streamline focus which we can utilize towards advancing our core programs in rare disease and oncology. " About multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria Infections by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) are a major challenge for healthcare professionals. Due to an additional outer cell membrane compared to Gram-positive bacteria, it is more difficult for antibiotics to get into the cell. In addition, this outer membrane carries lipopolysaccharides/endotoxins which induce inflammation and play an important amplifying role in the pathogenesis of infections by GNB and are therefore considered an important virulence factor. Moreover, GNB can acquire resistance to several classes of antibiotics such as carbapenems, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines and earlier-generation cephalosporins, making infections with GNBs particularly difficult to treat. In 2017, the World Health Organization published a list of 12 classes of priority bacterial pathogens that pose the greatest threat to human health, of which nine classes are Gram-negative.3 About Spexis Spexis (SIX: SPEX) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Allschwil, Switzerland, focused on macrocycle therapeutics for rare diseases and oncology. For further information please visit: www.spexisbio.com . About Spexis' Macrocycle Platforms Spexis possesses what we regard as some of the most distinct, highly diverse and very well characterized macrocycle libraries in the world, together with deep data on same, developed over the course of more than 25 years of research and development and significant investment. These include PEMFinder, which is comprised of peptidomimetic macrocycles, and MACROFinder, which are small molecule macrocycles. Each have distinct applications depending on the targets in question, which can be both extracelluar and intracellular targets. In addition to generating the specific OMPTA candidates described in this press release, these platforms have generated multiple other drug candidates in the Spexis pipeline, including murepavidin, balixafortide, lonodelestat and others. For further information please contact: For Investors:

Stephen Jasper

Managing Director

Gilmartin Group

stephen@gilmartinir.com

For Media:

Dr. Stephan Feldhaus

Feldhaus & Partner

+41 79 865 9256

feldhaus@feldhaus-partner.ch



Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements which are based on current assumptions and forecasts of Spexis management. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors could lead to material differences between the forward-looking statements made here and the actual development, in particular Spexis' results, financial situation, and performance. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only of the date of this communication. Spexis disclaims any intention or obligation to update and revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release can be downloaded from www.spexisbio.com References M. Schuster, E. Brabet, K. K. Oi et al. Peptidomimetic antibiotics disrupt the lipopolysaccharide transport bridge of drug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Science Advances 2023 (9), eadg3683 Research reported in this press release is supported by CARB-X. CARB-X's funding for this project is provided in part with federal funds from the US Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority under agreement number 75A50122C00028; and by awards from Wellcome (WT224842), and Germany's Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The content of this press release is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of CARB-X or any of its funders. https://www.who.int/news/item/27-02-2017-who-publishes-list-of-bacteria-for-which-new-antibiotics-are-urgently-needed (Accessed: January 11th, 2024)

End of Inside Information




3 million upfront payment and a total of a further potential 27.5 million in milestones

Tiered royalties on net sales of 7% to 12%

Kowa to be responsible for all development and commercialization costs for NCX 470 in Japan

Upfront payment extends Nicox cash runway to September 2024



February 8, 2024 - release at 7:30 am CET

Sophia Antipolis, France







Nicox SA (Euronext Growth Paris: FR0013018124, ALCOX), an international ophthalmology company, today announced the signature of an agreement granting Kowa Company, Ltd., a Japanese company with a global pharmaceutical business engaged in ground-breaking research, development and marketing, exclusive Japanese rights to develop and commercialize NCX 470, Nicox's nitric oxide (NO)-donating bimatoprost eye drop, for the lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension.







"We are very pleased to welcome Kowa as an exclusive partner for our lead asset, NCX 470, for the Japanese market. The interest of such an established ophthalmology player confirms the scientific and commercial opportunity for NCX 470 specifically for Japanese patients." said Emmet Purtill, Vice President of Business Development at Nicox."Japan represents one of the largest regional markets for ophthalmic therapeutics and therefore this collaboration significantly strengthens the global potential revenue for NCX 470, which we estimate to be over $300 million in peak annual net sales."







Terms of the Exclusive License Agreement







Under the terms of the exclusive licensing agreement, Kowa has the rights to develop and commercialize NCX 470 in Japan. Kowa shall make a non-refundable upfront payment of 3 million to Nicox, with a further potential 10 million in development and regulatory milestones, 17.5 million in sales milestones and tiered royalties from 7% to 12% on net sales. Kowa shall be responsible for all development, regulatory and commercialization costs for NCX 470 in Japan.







The collaboration will be managed by a Joint Steering Committee. Kowa expects to conduct additional clinical trials in Japanese patients as required for regulatory approval of NCX 470 in Japan in addition to the development data from Nicox.







Nicox Corporate Status Update



Including the upfront payment from the Japanese licensing deal for NCX 470, the Company estimates it is currently funded until September 2024, exclusively based on the development of NCX 470. The Company is pursuing business development discussions which could further extend the cash runway, exploring multiple strategic options and is also discussing with its creditors to restructure its debt.



About NCX 470







NCX 470, a novel NO-donating bimatoprost eye drop, is currently in Phase 3 clinical development for the lowering of IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Results of Mont Blanc, the first of the two Phase 3 clinical trials, were announced (https://www.nicox.com/wp-content/uploads/EN_NCX-470-MontBlanc-Phase-3-Topline-results-PR_20221031_F.pdf) in October 2022. The second Phase 3 clinical trial, Denali, is currently ongoing, and the results are expected in 2025, based on current recruitment rates. Mont Blanc and Denali have been designed to fulfill the regulatory requirements for safety and efficacy Phase 3 trials to support NDA submissions in both the U.S. and in China, where NCX 470 is exclusively licensed to Ocumension Therapeutics. In addition to the Japanese and Chinese licensees for NCX 470, Nicox is also looking for a commercial partner in the United States.



NCX 470 is protected worldwide by a composition of matter patent until 2029, with potential extension of up to 5 years in the U.S. and Europe, and by a patent covering the eye drops formulation until 2039 in the U.S., EU, Japan and China as well as other territories.
LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Golden Metal Resources plc (LON:GMET)(OTCQB:GMTLF), a strategic development and mineral exploration company focused on Nevada, USA, is pleased to announce an update on the 100% owned, flagship, Pilot Mountain project ("Pilot Mountain" or the "Project") located within the prolific Walker Lake Mineral Belt in Nevada, USA.

Pilot Mountain hosts what the Company believes to be the largest undeveloped tungsten resource in the United States, with a Mineral Resource estimate ("MRE") of 12.53Mt at 0.27% WO3 with significant copper-silver-zinc credits, published in 2018. Exploration work undertaken by the Company in 2023 identified five compelling target areas that show potential for significantly greater in-ground resources than currently stated. Further information in this regard is available in the Company's announcement linked below:

https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/GMET/pilot-mountain-further-targets-identified/16005627

In addition to the advancements made regarding the Project's exploration potential, work has been undertaken to further the Company's understanding of the potential for a garnet industrial mineral resource at Pilot Mountain, which is the focus of this announcement.

HIGHLIGHTS

From technical review of historical drilling logs and metallurgical test reports (and the significant evidence of garnet composition homogeneity across mineralised intervals) it is demonstrated that the industrial mineral garnet comprises approximately 40% of the mineralised intervals across the known deposit areas (Desert Scheelite & Garnet). 1,2



Assuming approximately 40% garnet and based on the current MRE of 12,530,000t of mineralised material, Golden Metal considers that, subject to commissioning appropriate studies, a significant quantity of garnet likely exists at Pilot Mountain.



The historical studies report that the dominant form of industrial garnet at Pilot Mountain is the mineral species Andradite with a lesser proportion reported as being the Grossular garnet species 1,2 . A tonne of garnet imported into the USA in 2023 traded at an average price of USD $190 with domestic garnet trading at a premium price of $220 per tonne. 3



The tungsten, copper, silver and zinc within the MRE is considered recoverable based on the metallurgical work previously completed on Pilot Mountain, however the industrial garnet potential was not previously considered. Based on the work undertaken and the above data points, the contained garnet at Pilot Mountain could be very material to the overall economics of Pilot Mountain, subject to the completion of appropriate studies.



The Company is now seeking to appoint a garnet specialist to complete a detailed market and project specific analysis.



In additional, drill permits applications for Pilot Mountain are being finalised and will be submitted to the local Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") office shortly. Permits will cover a range of exploratory and infill drill pad locations.

Oliver Friesen, CEO of Golden Metal, commented:

"I believe that Pilot Mountain has taken another significant, yet unexpected, step forward as the potential scale of the contained garnet and its potential impact on future Project economics is becoming apparent.

"Whilst it is the tungsten MRE and its potential scalability that excites us most about Pilot Mountain, especially given tungsten is on the United States critical minerals list, all recoverable materials have the potential to supplement future overall Project economics.

"The potential economic implications cannot be understated, not only because it could represent a fifth recoverable and saleable product from Pilot Mountain, but also for several other factors. Subject to commissioning appropriate studies, the Company considers it likely that the garnet could be recovered via gravity and/or magnetic separation methods prior to the grinding and flotation stages - therefore significantly decreasing the wear and tear on the overall processing circuit and therefore the potential operating costs.

"The findings to date are very positive, and we look forward to working with a garnet market specialist as we start the process of better understanding the broader implications the contained garnet has on the Project economics and on our business as a whole."

FURTHER INFORMATION

Industrial garnet is used in a wide array of industries including abrasive blasting, water-filtration media, water-jet-assisted cutting, in abrasive powders, nonslip coatings and sandpaper.3 The industries that are known consumers of industrial garnet include aircraft and motor vehicle manufacturers, ceramics and glass producers, electronic component manufacturers, filtration plants, glass polishing, petroleum industry, shipbuilders, textile stonewashing as well as wood-furniture finishing operations.3 The global abrasives market was valued at USD 35.5B in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2024 -2030.4

PROPERTY OWNERSHIP

Golden Metal holds a 100% interest in the Pilot Mountain Project through its wholly-owned Nevada-based operating companies BFM Resources Inc and Pilot Metals Inc.

COMPETENT PERSON STATEMENT

The technical information contained in this disclosure has been read and approved by Mr Nick O'Reilly (MSc, DIC, MIMMM, MAusIMM, FGS), who is a qualified geologist and acts as the Competent Person under the AIM Rules - Note for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies. Mr O'Reilly is a Principal consultant working for Mining Analyst Consulting Ltd which has been retained by Golden Metal Resources plc to provide technical support.

REFERENCES

1 The Development of Separation Technology from the Pilot Mountain Tungsten Project, Nevada, USA (2013). Zhang, J., Liu, Jianguo., Liang, D., Hong, Q.

2 Report on Laboratory Test on W03-Cu-Zn Ore Samples from the Pilot Mountain Tungsten Project, USA (2019).

3 United States Geological Survey (USGS), Mineral Commodity Summaries 2024.

4 https://www.marknteladvisors.com/research-library/global-abrasives-market.html

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014 (which forms part of domestic UK law pursuant to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018).

Forward Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements relating to expected or anticipated future events and anticipated results that are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as general economic, market and business conditions, competition for qualified staff, the regulatory process and actions, technical issues, new legislation, uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, uncertainties resulting from working in a new political jurisdiction, uncertainties regarding the results of exploration, uncertainties regarding the timing and granting of prospecting rights, uncertainties regarding the timing and granting of regulatory and other third party consents and approvals, uncertainties regarding the Company's or any third party's ability to execute and implement future plans, and the occurrence of unexpected events.

Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors.

For further information visit www.goldenmetalresources.com or contact the following:

Golden Metal Resources plc Oliver Friesen (CEO) Tel:+44 (0) 20 7583 8304 Cairn Financial Advisers LLP Nominated Adviser Sandy Jamieson/Jo Turner/Louise O'Driscoll Tel: +44 20 7213 0880 First Equity Limited Broker Jonathan Brown/Jason Robertson Tel: +44 20 7374 2212

THE PROJECTS

Pilot Mountain Project

The Pilot Mountain project is an advanced exploration and mineral resource definition stage project located in Mineral County in western Nevada. The project covers an area of 14.80 km2 (3,656.1 acres) and is located 200km southeast of Reno and 18km east of Mina, Nevada. It is well situated for the supply of power, water and skilled labour and proximity to transport infrastructure in Mineral County and is centred around four existing mineral deposits: Garnet; Good Hope; Gunmetal and Desert Scheelite, all of which possess significant skarn-style tungsten-copper-silver-zinc mineralisation. The Pilot Mountain project consists of 176 active lode mining claims and 4 filed mill site claims. The four mill site claims filed at the former Dunham mill site have secure access to groundwater supply sufficient for the proposed project.

Garfield Project

The Garfield Project is an exciting copper-gold-silver prospect consisting of 65 lode mining claims covering 5.4 km2 (1,338 acres) located in Mineral County, Nevada, approximately 14km due east of the town of Hawthorne and 120km due west-northwest of Tonopah. Exploration to date has included detailed geochemical sampling and follow up analysis which highlighted the presence of both porphyry and skarn-type mineralisation and alteration at the 'High-Grade Zone'. Further to this, mapping, prospecting and rock sampling was recently completed with results confirming presence of high-grade copper, silver and gold mineralisation as well as leading to the bedrock discovery of the Pamlico Au Zone with individual rock samples up to 18.35g/t Au, 1,225g/t Ag & 1.89% Cu. Following this, geochemical analysis of the full suite of data confirmed the strong presence of porphyry style mineralisation across the Project, as well as potentially overprinting epithermal style mineralisation leading to increased gold-silver prospectivity.

Kibby Basin Lithium Project

The Kibby Basin Project covers two claim packages which are prospective for lithium brine mineralisation. The southern claim package is less than 250m from a 2022 drillhole which returned a significant interval (169m) of lithium brine mineralisation which was determined to be open in all directions. The Project is less than 5km to the southeast of the Company's flagship Pilot Mountain Project.

Golconda Summit Project

Golden Metal is the operator of the Golconda Summit project, which is held under an earn-in right to acquire up to 100 per cent. of the project from the mineral claim owner pursuant to an option agreement. The Golconda Summit project is an exploration stage gold and silver project located in Humboldt County and situated at the confluence of the Getchell and Battle Mountain - Eureka metallogenic trends, and consists of 44 lode mining claims, covering a total area of approximately 3.22 km2 (795.4 acres) located approximately 27km east of Winnemucca.

Stonewall Project

The Stonewall project is an exploration stage gold-silver property prospective for epithermal gold-silver mineralisation. The property consists of 19 lode mining claims covering 1.59 km2 (392.5 acres) located on the northern flank of Stonewall Mountain, on the western edge of the Nellis Airforce Range Restricted Access Area, in Nye County, Nevada, approximately 24km south-east of the historic gold mining town of Goldfield and 60km due south of Tonopah.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: Golden Metal Resources PLC

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Bringing together the best-in-class technological and industrial expertise in France to foster a competitive and sustainable European Industry

Today marks the signature of Data4Industry-X, the trusted, secure, compliant and sovereign data exchange environment for the Industry sector, under the control of the industry. Initially addressing the automotive and power generation industry challenges, the solution Data4Industry-X aims at improving competitiveness and reducing the carbon footprint of major global industrial organizations with operations spread across multiple countries. Data4Industry-X will enable organizations to innovate and operate services on distributed data, coming from various factories, organizations or countries, while keeping control over the data produced locally and abroad.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240205958581/en/

The Trusted Data Exchange Solution for Industry (Credits: Dawex)

Supported by the French government's France 2030 initiative and the European program Next Generation1, and with the endorsement of AIF (Alliance pour l'industrie du futur), Data4Industry-X relies on the technological and industrial expertise of Dawex, Schneider Electric, Valeo, CEA, and Prosyst to deliver a powerful response to support the Industry digital transformation and capitalize on the high potential of industrial data.

Contributing to the international Manufacturing-X initiative, Data4Industry-X is a trusted and secure data exchange solution, implementing the Gaia-X de facto standards and designed in compliance with the new European data regulations, such as the Data Act.

Addressing the Industry challenge of data exchange in decentralized manufacturing, Data4Industry-X will improve efficiency and productivity, accelerate data-driven innovation, boost competitiveness and minimize carbon footprint.

In a context of heavy digital transformation and industrial sovereignty, Data4Industry-X will contribute to improving Europe's competitiveness to ultimately foster a compelling and sustainable Industry ecosystem by leveraging the full potential of broad cross-border, cross-company, cross-factory industrial data exchanges.

"The Industry sector is a strategic pillar to the European and global economy. Accelerating data exchange across trusted data spaces will definitely have a transformative impact on industrial organizations, driving innovation and responsible growth," said Laurent Lafaye, Dawex co-CEO. "We are extremely happy to bring Dawex technology and expertise to the deployment of Data4Industry-X, and empower the Industry to foster a resilient and sustainable Industry ecosystem," concluded Mr. Lafaye.

"Trusted data exchange is fundamental to driving collaboration, forging partnerships, and establishing new industrial models. Those new digital models are essentials for accelerating the transformation toward a more resilient, sustainable, and high-performing industrial eco-system. Schneider Electric takes pride in contributing with our industrial digital transformation expertise to develop Data4Industry-X as a flagship project of International Manufacturing-X," said Marc LAFONT, Innovation and Upstream Marketing VP, Industrial Automation Business Unit, Schneider Electric

Romain Bruniaux, VP Industry, Valeo said: "Data4Industry-X is a collaborative trusted and secure data exchange solution, It offers amazing opportunities to speed up digitalization of our manufacturing process while drastically reducing our scope 1 2 CO2 direct and indirect emissions. With Data4Industry-X, Valeo will have the necessary data to support and direct its actions to meet our commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050."

"Data4Industry-X capitalizes on national technologies that have already proved their worth in industry. Given the international state of the art in the field, with few operational tools known to date, Europe has a chance to take the lead in data exchange for Manufacturing," said Alexandre Bounouh, Director CEA List, Carnot Institute

"Collective intelligence, shared vision, teams' symbiosis: the ingredients come together for the success of Data4Industry-X," says Abdallah Asse, Prosyst CEO

About Dawex

Dawex is the leader in data exchange solutions to distribute or share data products, with trust, for any business case. With the Dawex solution Data Exchange Platform, organizations create data ecosystems based on data marketplaces and data hubs that meet regulatory requirements, address traceability and security challenges. Awarded Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum, Dawex is the initiator of an international standardization program on "Trusted Data Transaction". Created in 2015, Dawex is headquartered in France, expanding business operations to Europe, Asia, North America and the Middle East.

About Schneider Electric

Schneider's purpose is to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. We call this Life Is On. Our mission is to be your digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency. We drive digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, end-point to cloud connecting products, controls, software and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industries. We are the most local of global companies. We are advocates of open standards and partnership ecosystems that are passionate about our shared Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values. www.se.com

About Valeo

As a technology company and partner to all automakers and new mobility players, Valeo is innovating to make mobility cleaner, safer and smarter. Valeo enjoys technological and industrial leadership in electrification, driving assistance systems, reinvention of the interior experience and lighting everywhere. These four areas, vital to the transformation of mobility, are the Group's growth drivers. Learn more: https://www.valeo.com/en/

About CEA-List

The CEA-List, based in Paris-Saclay and Grenoble, is a CEA technology research institute dedicated to intelligent digital systems. From artificial intelligence to digital trust, its research applies to a wide range of fields, from the industry of the future to digital health, contributing to the industrial competitiveness of its partners through innovation and technology transfer. CEA-List has been a "Carnot Institute" since 2006. Learn more: https://www.cea.fr/english

About Prosyst

Prosyst develops and markets innovative solutions (hardware and software) stimming from its strong commitment in Research and Development and offers global approaches for design, setup, simulation, data collect and management, diagnosis and performance, to support its customers all along the automated systems life cycle. Prosyst addresses all sectors of activity and counts among others, clients like Stellantis, Renault, SNCF, EDF, Naval Group, Learn more: https://www.prosyst.fr/

1Supported by the European Union Next Generation EU "France Relance" program

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240205958581/en/

Contacts:

Isabelle Joulot, Vice President Communications Marketing press@dawex.com
UPPSALA, Sweden, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Positive EBITDA in H2 setting the target for FY 2024

Q4 2023 highlights

Total net revenues of SEK 166.0 m (156.1)

EBITDA of SEK 12.4 m (-53.1), EBITDA excluding costs for legal processes and external non-repeating clinical trials, SEK 23.4 m (-0.1)

Net earnings of SEK -18.6 m (-91.8)

US Pharma segment (Zubsolv  US) net revenues of SEK 151.3 m (142.6), in local currency USD 14.2 m (13.3), US Pharma EBIT of SEK 75.4 m (77.0)

US) net revenues of SEK 151.3 m (142.6), in local currency USD 14.2 m (13.3), US Pharma EBIT of SEK 75.4 m (77.0) Cash flow from operating activities of SEK -2.6 m (-48.9), cash and invested funds of SEK 171.0 m (351.9)

Earnings per share before and after dilution amounted to SEK -0.54 (-2.67)

The MODIA  study didn't meet the primary end-points, but showed high rates of treatment response in both study arms, with no adverse events associated with the use of MODIA

study didn't meet the primary end-points, but showed high rates of treatment response in both study arms, with no adverse events associated with the use of MODIA Robin Evers elected as board member at the Extraordinary General Meeting. He replaces Henrik Kjaer Hansen who has resigned. Kjaer Hansen has instead been appointed chairman of the Nomination Committee, representing Novo Holdings A/S.

FDA accepted the New Drug Application filing for review of OX124, a high-dose rescue medication for opioid overdose with naloxone

Financial outlook provided for 2024 on page 15.

Important events after the end of the period

MODIA and Vorvida will be reimbursed within the US Veterans Affairs Federal Supply Schedule as of January 1, 2024.

SEK m unless otherwise stated 2023

Oct-Dec 2022

Oct-Dec 2023

Jan-Dec 2022

Jan-Dec Net revenues 166.0 156.1 638.8 624.3 Cost of goods sold -20.1 -25.9 -88.9 -102.6 Operating expenses -154.5 -201.3 -659.5 -705.6 EBIT -8.6 -71.1 -109.5 -183.9 EBIT margin -5.2 % -45.6 % -17.1 % -29.5 % EBITDA 12.4 -53.1 -32.5 -115.2 Earnings per share. before dilution. SEK -0.54 -2.67 -3.73 -5.17 Earnings per share. after dilution. SEK -0.54 -2.67 -3.73 -5.17 Cash flow from operating activities -2.6 -48.9 -95.0 -156.6 Cash and invested funds 171.0 351.9 171.0 351.9

Financial outlook 2024

The buprenorphine/naloxone market will grow 2-5 percent, based on current growth trajectory

Zubsolv net sales in USD will be in line with 2023

Cost control is a priority and OPEX excluding depreciation and amortization will decline from SEK 582 m in 2023 to

below SEK 530 m in 2024

below SEK 530 m in 2024 Positive EBITDA for the FY 2024.

The financial outlook 2024 is based on a forward looking assumption of a USD/SEK exchange rate of 10.28 calculated

as an average of December 2023 by the Riksbanken.

Strong recovery in financial results and FDA initiated the review of OX124

CEO Comments in brief

"I am pleased to report a Q4 result delivering a positive EBITDA and strong Zubsolv net sales both compared to Q4 2022 and Q3 2023. Zubsolv net sales year over year grew more than 6 percent in both SEK and USD, and nearly 8 percent quarter over quarter. I am also delighted to share that we are continuing to drive efficiencies across the business and have reduced operating expenses by 23 percent from last year. This recovery in financial performance is not driven by exchange rates, on the contrary, our EBITDA in H2 would have been nearly SEK 8 million higher if we had applied the exchange rates from end of 2022.

I am also pleased to announce that we, despite currency headwinds, reached our financial guidance for 2023, and in particular the positive EBITDA for H2. With relatively stable exchange rates and no other extraordinary events in 2024, we are confident we can reach a positive EBITDA for the FY 2024."

To read the full CEO Comments view attached PDF.

Contact persons quarterly report

Nikolaj Srensen, President and CEO, Fredrik Jarrsten, EVP and CFO, or Lena Wange, IR & Communications Director

Tel: +46 18 780 88 00, +1 855 982 7658, E-mail: ir@orexo.com.

Presentation

On Feb. 8, at 2 pm CET analysts, investors and media are invited to attend a presentation, incl. a Q&A.

To attend via teleconference where you can ask questions verbally:

https://conference.financialhearings.com/teleconference/?id=2001504

When registered you will be provided phone numbers and a conference ID to access the conference.

To attend via webcast:

https://ir.financialhearings.com/orexo-q4-2023

Prior to the call, presentation material will be available on the website under Investors/Reports/Audiocasts.

This information is information that Orexo AB (publ.) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication through the agency of the contact persons set out above at 8 am CET on February 8, 2024.

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/694/3924484/2589855.pdf Orexo Interim Report Q4 2023, incl Full Year published February 8, 2024

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/orexo-interim-report-q4-2023-incl-full-year-report-302057222.html
EQS-News: CPI PROPERTY GROUP / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

CPI PROPERTY GROUP - Response to Muddy Waters & Webcast



08.02.2024 / 08:57 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





CPI Property Group

(societe anonyme)

40, rue de la Vallee

L-2661 Luxembourg

R.C.S. Luxembourg: B 102 254



Press Release - Corporate News



Luxembourg, 8 February 2024



CPI PROPERTY GROUP - Response to Muddy Waters & Webcast



CPI PROPERTY GROUP ("CPIPG") has replied to the short-seller reports published on 22 and 25 January 2024.



A presentation is now available on CPIPG's website, or via this link:



https://cpipg.com/storage/app/uploads/public/65c/486/c4c/65c486c4c2a50552360663.pdf



In keeping with the Group's commitment to open and transparent dialogue, CPIPG will host a webcast with

Q&A today, Thursday, 8 February, at 10:30 am CET / 9:30 am UK. For investors who are unable to attend, CPIPG's management team will be available for individual meetings, and a recording will be made available.



Please use the link below to register and access the webcast:



https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/ks34ii9z



For further information, please contact:



Investor Relations



Moritz Mayer

m.mayer@cpipg.com



For more on CPI Property Group, visit our website: www.cpipg.com

Follow us on X (CPIPG_SA) and LinkedIn



08.02.2024 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

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Syngenta Group / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

Syngenta continues decarbonization of global operations - US site recognized by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency



08.02.2024 / 09:00 CET/CEST





Syngenta's US manufacturing facility recognized for the first time in EPA's Top 100 users of green power

Hydropower a major source of power at Monthey, Switzerland site

Further progress in actions to decarbonize energy and heat in own operations, and decreasing sector's footprint

February 8, 2024, Basel, Switzerland

Syngenta Group, one of the world's leading global agriculture technology companies, announced today that its manufacturing facility in St Gabriel, Louisiana, US, has been recognized as a top user of green power by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Syngenta is the only company within the agricultural sector to be included in the latest EPA's National Top 100 List of top users of green power from the Green Power Partnership.

This recognition marks the latest milestone in the company's actions to decarbonize its operations globally. Dr. Tom Gray, Head of Active Ingredient Strategy and Operations at Syngenta Group, said: "We are proud to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for being a leader in the green power market. The implementation of our global strategy for sourcing renewable electricity is well underway, and we are working hard to decarbonize further and improve the energy efficiency of our operations. We are also collaborating closely with our partners throughout our global supply chain to decrease our entire carbon footprint."

The St. Gabriel production site is one of Syngenta's global manufacturing centers of excellence equipped to handle highly complex processes and meet the most stringent production and quality standards. The site consumes more than 150 million kWh of energy annually - equivalent to the annual electricity use of 14,000 homes in the country. Through the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates, Syngenta's site demonstrates that it sources 100 percent of its electrical energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar - fully offsetting its electricity consumption from fossil fuel-based sources.

Program Manager of EPA's Green Power Partnership James Critchfield said: "This list of the largest users of green power across the nation is proof that good business practices can also benefit the environment. EPA applauds the leading organizations in the Green Power Partnership's Top Partner Rankings for their notable commitment to expanding their use of green power and protecting the environment."

Globally, Syngenta has also invested significantly at its other production sites, as part of its published commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 2030. In Switzerland, Syngenta's production site in Monthey uses hydropower for a sizeable portion of the site's electricity needs and generates the equivalent of half its steam consumption by recovering heat from household waste incineration. In 2023, Syngenta's Monthey site was awarded the "Go Carbon Free" label by the Carbon Free Valais Foundation, in recognition of its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

In Brazil, Syngenta's R&D and manufacturing sites for its crop protection and seeds businesses - also source 100 percent of their electricity needs from renewable sources. This was achieved alongside comprehensive efforts aimed at reducing water consumption and waste generation, and at long-term net-zero energy sourcing.

In China, the Kunshan manufacturing site emerged as Syngenta Group China's first carbon-neutral facility after Beijing Green Exchange, a platform for carbon emission trading in China, awarded it in July for fully offsetting its carbon emissions generated from its operations. The site is implementing continuous improvements such as real-time monitoring of electricity usage, alongside upgrading equipment to be more energy efficient.

"Syngenta is fully committed to a long-term journey to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the running of our operations," said Gray. "This is a key focus area for us, even as we drive innovation to enable farmers to adapt to climate change and increase the sustainability of agriculture. To this end, we have invested in building an internal function focused solely on Sustainable Operations, which will drive these and other initiatives designed to reduce both our own emissions and those of our value chain."

About Syngenta Group

Syngenta Group is one of the world's biggest agricultural technology companies, with roots going back more than 250 years. With more than 59,000 employees, operating in more than 100 countries, the company strives to transform agriculture with science-driven, technological innovations to deliver high productivity and high-quality food while fighting climate change and restore nature. Syngenta Group is working with farmers to enable Regenerative Agriculture - an outcome-based food production system that nurtures and restores soil health, protects the climate and water resources and biodiversity, and enhances farms' productivity and profitability. Syngenta Group, which is registered in Shanghai, China, and has its management headquarters in Switzerland, draws strength from its four business units: Syngenta Crop Protection , headquartered in Switzerland; Syngenta Seeds , headquartered in the United States; ADAMA , headquartered in Israel; and Syngenta Group China . Together, these businesses provide industry-leading ways to serve customers around the world.

For Syngenta Group photos and videos, please visit the Syngenta Group Media Library .

Contact Information

Media Relations

media@syngentagroup.com

Data protection is important to us. You are receiving this publication on the legal basis of Article 6 para 1 lit. f GDPR ("legitimate interest"). However, if you do not wish to receive further information about Syngenta Group, just send us a brief informal message and we will no longer process your details for this purpose. You can also find further details in our privacy statement .

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as "expect," "would," "will," "potential," "plans," "prospects," "estimated," "aiming," "on track" and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. For Syngenta Group, such risks and uncertainties include risks relating to legal proceedings, regulatory approvals, new product development, increasing competition, customer credit risk, general economic and market conditions, compliance and remediation, intellectual property rights, implementation of organizational changes, impairment of intangible assets, consumer perceptions of genetically modified crops and organisms or crop protection chemicals, climatic variations, fluctuations in exchange rates and/or grain prices, single source supply arrangements, political uncertainty, natural disasters, and breaches of data security or other disruptions of information technology. Syngenta Group assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors.

End of Media Release


ZOLL, an Asahi Kasei company that manufactures medical devices and related software solutions, announced today that the ZOLL AED 3 defibrillator is approved under the European Union (EU) Medical Device Regulation 2017/745, commonly referred to as EU MDR.

EU MDR is the European Union Medical Device Regulation 2017/745 that was released in 2017 by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. The intent of the EU MDR is to ensure a high standard of safety and quality for medical devices that are produced in, or supplied to, member countries of the European Union.

ZOLL has now obtained CE marking for the ZOLL AED 3 defibrillator under the EU MDR.

"ZOLL is very pleased to have received MDR certification for our ZOLL AED 3," said Elijah White, President of ZOLL's Resuscitation division. "This is the most stringent level of European medical regulation for a medical device and represents ZOLL's long-standing commitment to product quality, safety, and efficacy."

ZOLL continues to work diligently toward achieving EU MDR approval and certification for ZOLL's full portfolio of products.

About ZOLL

ZOLL, an Asahi Kasei company, develops and markets medical devices and software solutions that help advance emergency care and save lives, while increasing clinical and operational efficiencies. With products for defibrillation and cardiac monitoring, circulation enhancement and CPR feedback, supersaturated oxygen therapy, data management, ventilation, therapeutic temperature management, and sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment, ZOLL provides a comprehensive set of technologies that help clinicians, EMS and fire professionals, as well as lay rescuers, improve patient outcomes in critical cardiopulmonary conditions. For more information, visit www.zoll.com.

About Asahi Kasei

The Asahi Kasei Group contributes to life and living for people around the world. Since its foundation in 1922 with ammonia and cellulose fiber businesses, Asahi Kasei has consistently grown through the proactive transformation of its business portfolio to meet the evolving needs of every age. With more than 48,000 employees worldwide, the company contributes to a sustainable society by providing solutions to the world's challenges through its three business sectors of Material, Homes, and Health Care. Its health care operations include devices and systems for acute critical care, dialysis, therapeutic apheresis, and manufacture of biotherapeutics, as well as pharmaceuticals and diagnostic reagents. For more information, visit www.asahi-kasei.com.

Asahi Kasei is also dedicated to sustainability initiatives and is contributing to reaching a carbon neutral society by 2050. To learn more, visit https://www.asahi-kasei.com/sustainability/.

Copyright 2024 ZOLL Medical Corporation. All rights reserved. ZOLL AED 3 and ZOLL AED Plus are trademarks or registered trademarks of ZOLL Medical Corporation and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Asahi Kasei is a registered trademark of Asahi Kasei Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208666931/en/

Contacts:

Media:

Matt Hogan

ZOLL

978-805-6561

media@zoll.com
Several craft beverage makers in Western New York are raising a glass to celebrate micro grants they will be getting from Empire State Development.

The Craft Beverage Micro Grant Program provides matching funds for equipment purchases and facility upgrades to support capital-based projects. The idea is to increase the production capacity, business infrastructure and profitability of businesses licensed to produce wine, beer, spirits, hard cider and mead.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative is continuing to "unlock the economic potential" of New York.

Rusty Nickel Brewing Co. on Seneca Street in West Seneca will get $50,000 to expand its facility to help increase production and create an enhanced space for more customers.

Resurgence Brewery, 55 Chicago St., will get $50,000 to buy carbon dioxide recapture equipment. That will help the brewery with supply issues and provide cost-savings and environmental benefits.

Brazen Brewing on Genesee Street in Lancaster will get $50,000 for new equipment that will help expand its brewing capacity. It will also use the money toward kitchen upgrades for increased event space.

TIL Brewing will invest its $50,000 grant in new brewhouse equipment that will increase capacity for its new location in the Village of Lancaster.

Becker Farms on Quaker Road in Gasport will receive $48,850 to buy new brite tanks for storing hard cider and sparkling wine to increase capacity and grow its customer base.

Froth Brewing Co., 700 Military Road, will get $33,729 to buy equipment that will increase its production capacity. That includes fermenters, brite tanks and dry storage.

Lilly Belle Meads on Main Street in Lancaster will get $28,900 to buy automation equipment to help expedite production of mead and craft soda products. It will also make enhancements to its tasting room.

BriarBrothers Brewing Co., a microbrewery on Elk Street, will get $27,500 to purchase equipment that will give it more cold storage, allowing for more production and growth.

Ghostfish Brewing Co., known for its gluten-free beer, will use its $50,000 grant to purchase equipment that will help it expand its capacity to produce more New York state gluten-free product and develop an in-house canning line. Based in Seattle, Wash., it has a location in Westfield.

Five & 20 Spirits and Brewing in Westfield will get $50,000 for new rinsing and filling equipment that will help it increase production and efficiency.

"These businesses are driving innovation and creating good, stable jobs for New Yorkers, and thanks to our REDCs and significant state support, we are writing them into New Yorks economic success story, Hochul said in a statement.

 Samantha Christmann

Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News will bring you the latest coverage on the changing Buffalo Niagara economy  from real estate to health care to startups. Read more at BuffaloNext.com.

Pizzeria Florian opens in East Aurora

Pizzeria Florian has taken quite a journey on its way to opening its pizzeria in East Aurora this week.

Jay Langfelder and Amanda Jones started the OG Wood Fire food truck about eight years ago before starting Jay's Artisan Pizzeria in Kenmore. They sold that in 2020 and moved to Savannah, Ga.

While in Savannah, their mobile pizza oven was hired to cook pizza for celebrities Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's wedding. Upon returning from Savannah last year, they they opened a boutique catering company.

Wednesday, they opened Pizzeria Florian, an artisan pizza shop, at 650 Main St. in East Aurora.

A rotating menu of pizzas includes Margarita pizza, which incorporates organic tomato sauce and mozzarella di Bufala.

"That is mozzarella from a water buffalo that's imported from Italy. It adds a little bit of tang, and it complements the olive oil and the tomato sauce really well. It's also got regular mozzarella, fresh mozzarella, olive oil and basil on it," Amanda Jones said. "It's really good."

The restaurant does not sell chicken wings or pizza by the slice, but it does sell Italian-inspired small plates, such as olives, salads and antipasti.

All pizzas are one size, 14 inches. A cheese-and-pepperoni pizza will cost $22 to $25.

The 35-seat restaurant has warm, inviting modern Italian American decor with a neutral-tone palette and will eventually have patio space open.

The restaurant is currently dine-in only, but will soon offer takeout and delivery through a third-party service.

Leonard's Express recognized

Leonards Express, a trucking company that offers refrigerated trucking, dry van, warehousing and freight brokerage services; has been named one of North Americas Top 20 Fleets to Drive For by CarriersEdge for the third year in a row.

They were recognized for compensation and benefits, HR strategies, operations, professional development, and work/life balance.

THE LATEST

Plans for a South Buffalo film studio are on hold.

A wave of state grants are flowing to Western New York.

A Town of Tonawanda manufacturer is cutting 40% of its jobs.

Tesla's employment in Buffalo has taken a step backward.

Shopping for a new Tesla soon won't require a road trip to Rochester.

Apartments are coming to a vacant Niagara Street building.

Evans Bank cashed in on the sale of its insurance business.

A troubled Williamsville nursing home could get new owners.

Why the sidewalk around the AM&A's building downtown is partially closed.

Keep off! Verizon is turning to eagles, of a sort.

A piano store is closing after nearly two centuries.

The next phase of the Northland complex is getting closer.

A pair of new lawsuits could further slow the state's legal cannabis program.

A closed Buffalo nursing home is on its way to becoming apartments.

ICYMI

Five reads from Buffalo Next:

1. What Top Seedz's big expansion will mean for the artisan cracker maker.

2. The state's slow rollout of its legal cannabis market is moving even slower.

3. How Buffalo Niagara's startup ecosystem has changed  for the better.

4. What does the future of health care look like? A new report offers a glimpse.

5. Glass half full or half empty: The divergent signs on the state of the Buffalo Niagara job market.

The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the regions economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.
Strategic acquisition strengthens Ascent's market leadership position in compliance automation and obligations management solutions for financial services

Ascent Technologies, a leading provider of AI-enabled compliance automation solutions for financial services companies, today announced it has acquired Waymark, a UK-based provider of horizon scanning and compliance management workflow solutions. This strategic move follows Ascent's recent acquisition by Edgewater Equity Partners. The integration of Ascent and Waymark creates a comprehensive solution for horizon scanning and obligations management, establishing a new benchmark for managing regulatory risk.

Waymark's advanced horizon scanning tools augment Ascent's industry-leading obligations management technology, and the combined company now offers full regulatory coverage of the US, the EU and UK. This combination underscores Ascent's commitment to driving growth, fostering innovation, and expanding its service offering.

"Ascent's technology quickly and efficiently identifies relevant regulatory obligations, a critical task for navigating the intricate, ever-changing regulatory landscape," noted Chris Junker, Ascent CEO. "With the addition of Waymark's technology, particularly its horizon scanning functions, Ascent now serves up insights into where regulations may be headed as well as a precise, timely and actionable picture of current regulatory demands."

Powerful Obligations Identification and Horizon Scanning for Automated Compliance Management

Ascent now automates two critical and resource-intensive components of regulatory compliance for financial services firms horizon scanning and the identification of regulatory obligations tailored to each firm's business.

Compliance organizations traditionally have reviewed an endless deluge of regulatory documents to identify and analyze applicable rule changes. The Ascent platform replaces these slow, costly, manual processes with patented AI that monitors the financial services regulatory landscape in real time, identifies rule changes and obligations that apply to a company, and notifies stakeholders of applicable rule changes and obligations.

"Knowing one's regulatory obligations is foundational for financial services firms striving to adhere to evolving regulations," explained Jon Leitner, President of Ascent. "Once organizations use Ascent to understand current-state regulations, the next step is to anticipate and prepare for upcoming regulatory changes. This is why Waymark horizon scanning fits so well with Ascent."

Customer Ian Hollowbread, COO Digital Innovation at ING said that, "Ascent is at the forefront of the AI regulatory revolution. Ascent's processing intelligence helps firms understand their regulatory obligations with precision. In combination with Waymark's deep horizon scanning capabilities, we believe that this merger provides the potential to offer both the depth and breadth to meet the market needs for effective, comprehensive risk management."

Mark Holmes, founder and CEO of Waymark, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, "This partnership is a game-changer for the industry. Our combined strengths deliver an advanced compliance automation solution for our customers who now have access to the best US and Canadian regulatory content, while Ascent significantly expands its coverage in the UK and EU."

About Ascent Technologies

Ascent Technologies is a leading provider of regulatory technology solutions, empowering financial institutions to stay ahead of changing compliance requirements. With a focus on innovation and efficiency, Ascent Technologies delivers cutting-edge solutions that transform the way organizations approach regulatory compliance.

About Waymark

Waymark is a UK-based provider of horizon scanning and workflow management solutions for regulatory compliance. With a track record of success and a commitment to excellence, Waymark has established itself as a trusted partner for organizations navigating the complex landscape of regulatory compliance in the financial services industry.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208987487/en/

Contacts:

Jeff Weiner, Director of Marketing

Ascent Technologies

jeff@ascentregtech.com
BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Orisha | Openbravo, the global provider of a cloud-based SaaS unified commerce platform for retail chains, announced today the adoption of its solution by Spanish affordable luxury fashion retailer Naulover 1957.

The new solution implemented by Practics Business Solutions, an official Orisha | Openbravo partner, will enable Naulover 1957 to achieve centralized, real-time management of daily activity across all of its stores, including detailed reporting of sales and inventory levels, key to improving the efficiency and profitability of its operations. In-store inventory control with receiving, shipping or counting activities from mobile terminals ensures accurate information on stock on hand at all times.

"We chose Orisha | Openbravo because of its comprehensive functionality and short implementation time. Its ease of use has enabled rapid adoption by employees, allowing us to start seeing improvements in our operations within weeks of deployment in our shops," said Carme Noguera, CEO Naulover 1957.

Orisha | Openbravo provides Naulover 1957 with access to a broad set of capabilities such as a single view of customers, loyalty, recommendations and flexible pricing management. Combined with options such as the possibility to use mobile terminals for in-store customer support, this opens up the possibility of new shopping scenarios in the future. The SaaS model allows the firm to focus more on the business, with a cloud platform that is continuously monitored to ensure maximum performance of its operations.

"The partnership with Naulover 1957 is a clear example of our flexibility to adapt to the needs of retail chains of different profiles, either in terms of activity or size, which our SaaS model facilitates. It also reconfirms our value for fashion retailers, who today face key challenges influenced by increasing customer expectations, competition, and the economic situation of the sector, which force them to be much more efficient and to achieve greater profitability in their operations," said Mar Vieiro, Sales Director Southern Europe and Latin America at Orisha | Openbravo.

About Naulover

Naulover is a Spanish affordable luxury brand founded in 1957. It is a fascinating collaboration between craftsmanship and fashion. The brand has evolved over the years, but the basis of the collection remains the same today as it was yesterday: elegant, seductive, and refined clothing that appeals to women all over the world. Unique designs using innovative fabrics give the brand an undisputed reputation for quality and comfort.

To learn more visit naulover.com .

About Orisha | Openbravo

Leveraging its fully modular and high-performance SaaS platform in the cloud, Orisha | Openbravo, as part of the Orisha group, enables retail chains to accelerate their unified commerce strategies, delivering excellent shopping experiences to customers and employees and increasing agility and innovativeness of their operations.

With international clients such as BUT, Decathlon, Miniso, Norauto, Sharaf DG, SMCP and Toys 'R' Us Iberia, who have a presence in more than 50 countries, Orisha | Openbravo today has over 10,000 back office users and more than 40,000 retail touchpoints, such as fixed tills, mobile POS, self-service terminals, kiosks, and others, managing over 20 billion euros annually in sales transactions.

To learn more visit openbravo.com and orisha.com .

Contact:

Xavier Places - Marketing Director

x.places@orisha.com

+34 607 676 568

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SINGAPORE, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Group-IB, a leading creator of cybersecurity technologies to investigate, prevent, and fight digital crime, is pleased to announce a series of upgrades to its flagship Unified Risk Platform (URP) . The security suite, engineered to tackle advanced cyber threats, fraud, scams, and online infringements, has been revamped to improve threat detection efficacy, enhance intelligence gathering, and fortify AI capabilities across its modules. Group-IB's Unified Risk Platform, which was unveiled in June 2022, is an ecosystem of solutions that understands each organization's threat profile and tailors defenses against them in real-time from a single interface, providing complete coverage of the cyber response chain.

Revolutionizing Fraud Protection

URP's module responsible for Fraud Protection has been upgraded with a whole new Fraud Matrix framework. Based on the MITRE ATT&CK model, Group-IB's Fraud Matrix allows users to deconstruct and catalog fraud schemes, regardless of their complexity and number of stages, to better understand TTPs leveraged by fraudsters. Precise fraud categorization is achieved through the enrichment of Fraud Intelligence - another brand-new feature introduced this year. Group-IB's fraud intel team collects and analyzes insights that allow the identification and sharing of interbank fraudulent activities and turn knowledge about schemes into actionable anti-fraud strategies for each company. The AI-powered enhancements have been introduced to improve behavioral fraud detection capabilities.

Additionally, Group-IB's Fraud Protection customers can now access a 100% no-code fraud detection Rule Builder. This recent enhancement allows customers to effortlessly build and test custom fraud detection rules using historical data from millions of sessions. This feature reduces false positives and increases the accuracy of anomaly detection to prevent fraud more effectively.

Group-IB also successfully launched its Cyber Fraud Intelligence Platform, built upon its proprietary Fraud Protection Platform. It is a first-of-its-kind solution that monitors diverse data sets such as device fingerprints, IP addresses, malware signatures, and fraudster profiles. It facilitates the aggregation of such anonymized data to generate insights on fraud threats and patterns, simplify fraud detection, and disrupt the laundering of fraud proceeds.

AI vs Scams

Group-IB's Digital Risk Protection , a URP module dedicated to fighting scams and brand violations, has been empowered with AI algorithms, trained with over a decade's worth of collected data, to improve the detection efficiency of phishing and scam websites that impersonate legitimate companies. An enhanced AI-infused engine helps in the automated creation of signatures to speed up the detection of typosquatting and illicit use of brand logos. The implementation of the large-scale computer vision system has improved the detection rate of unauthorized brand logo usage by 40%, while, at the same time, implementing a three-fold decrease in the neural network's training time. To streamline the takedown process, Group-IB released its Smart Abuse Tool - the first-ever managed takedown assistant that enables Group-IB's customers and managed security service provider (MSSP) partners to eliminate IP violations seamlessly and independently.

The AI assistant is designed to draft abuse reports, identify appropriate registrars, and send takedown requests. The issue of transparency of the process has also been resolved - now each stage of the takedown can be easily tracked in the history of events to find out all the details of interaction with the regulator and the predicted time frame for eliminating violations. AI-driventakedown tips help in selecting the most effective communication channels, and methods of interaction with regulators. They also address subtle yet impactful aspects, such as determining the most suitable time and day of the week for sending a takedown request, as well as optimizing the tone of the text. The scam intelligence section has also been updated to include the scam news and reports feed.

Augmented Threat Intelligence

Group-IB's Threat Intelligence , the lifeblood of the Unified Risk Platform, has been supercharged to improve the efficiency of the company's patented Graph Network Analysis tool. Group-IB has further expanded its intelligence-gathering network by implementing real-time cybersecurity news monitoring and IOCs filtering and extraction capability. The platform now offers extended coverage of scanning hosts, VPN hosts, DDoS, and augmented phishing attacks. Threat Intelligence customers can prioritize threat hunting efforts with a newly added real-time dashboard showcasing trending threats, vulnerabilities, the activity of threat actors, and malware strains that can be customized and filtered.

A new tagging system has been implemented for all underground messages. Each message is now labeled with identifiers linked to specific types of malicious activity such as phishing, ransomware, and DDoS. This feature allows Group-IB's customers to quickly grasp the message's context and apply smart filtering using these tags, making it easier to locate the most relevant content for their research.

To keep its customers ahead in the fight against cybercrime, Group-IB's Threat Intelligence now provides early access to notifications generated by Group-IB's internal hunting rules, designed by Group-IB's CTI analysts during their research on threat actors, to closely monitor the adversaries' infrastructure.

MXDR Services

URP has extended MXDR (Managed Extended Detection & Response) functionality to Linux and MacOS systems as well as remediation functionality for Windows EDR. A graph-based representation of alerts has been made available for all alert types, including Email, Network, EDR, and sandbox to provide a comprehensive view of potential threats and facilitate incident management. Customers can now obtain live access to virtual machines within the Malware Detonation Platform through an intuitive web interface. Group-IB's malware detonation has undergone a series of AI-driven optimizations to enhance the detection of "malware-free" attacks. The latest update includes the implementation of a status model and improved mechanics for assigning alerts to analysts, thereby enhancing MXDR functionality and analysis capabilities.

Attack Surface Management becomes more seamless

Group-IB has extended Attack Surface Management's capabilities to cover typosquatting detection. Now, in the asset section, customers can investigate all typosquatted domains under their care along with all relevant details. In addition, Group-IB two-way REST API has received significant updates, allowing it to accept inputs for updating issue statuses. Group-IB has also enhanced URL sharing with applied filters, making collaboration on security fixes more seamless. Another new feature is the introduction of Group-IB's live Telegram bot for notification alerts and remediation guidance, where hand-written recommendations from the Group-IB team will explain issues and guide the user toward possible solutions. Lastly, Group-IB has introduced new asset and issue algorithms to make severity determination a lot easier.

"The widespread adoption of artificial intelligence is a pivotal moment for the cybersecurity industry," says Dmitry Volkov, co-founder and CEO of Group-IB. "AI is not going to magically solve all of the industry's problems. But there is no doubt it will transform the landscape of cyber defense systems. The key lies in leveraging AI to innovate and complement human expertise, not replace it. Success will be determined by how effectively companies navigate this path. We remain committed to fighting cybercrime while empowering our customers and partners with the best in class defense in line with the nature of ever-evolving cyber threats."

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/group-ib-rolls-out-a-series-of-enhancements-to-its-unified-risk-platform-302056947.html
MYSLOWICE, Poland, Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A 37MW solar power plant, equipped with Kehua inverters, has successfully connected to the grid in Poland. The project is invested by Tauron, one of the largest businesses in the Polish energy sector.

Project Information

Location: Myslowice, Poland

Scenario: reclaimed furnace waste landfill

Capacity: 37MW

Product: Kehua SPI 250K-B-H inverters

The 37 MW photovoltaic power plant is expected to generate 39,000 MWh of green energy annually, meeting the electricity needs of around 16,000 households. This amount of power is also sufficient to meet the annual energy needs of a city with 50,000 residents. Furthermore, the ecological impact of the project is significant, with solar production expected to reduce up to 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

The project is located in a remote suburb of Myslowice, where humid summers and cold winters pose a challenge to the PV system. Kehua's research led to the use of an inverter solution with IP66 protection, which prevents corrosion from water vapor and protects the internal electronics. Moreover, the inverters are designed with internal heating. All these initiatives ensure the product's adaptability to high humidity and extreme cold environments.

This fruition is attributed to Kehua's 35 years of experience in power electronics projects and their unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. As a close partner of Kehua in Poland, Solfinity team was also instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. Thanks to the efficient collaboration between Solfinity and Kehua, this project has received positive feedback from the owner.

The successful commissioning of the 37 MW solar power plant project signifies a leap forward in local sustainable energy processes and demonstrates Kehua's commitment to innovative renewable energy solutions. With the growing global demand for clean energy, this initiative showcases the potential of solar energy in environmental sustainability and meeting evolving energy needs. Kehua looks forward to pioneering more groundbreaking solutions for a greener future.

About Kehua Digital Energy

Having dived in the power conversion industry for 35 years, Kehua is dedicated to being the top supplier of PV and ESS solutions globally. The company offers a wide range of products and extensive project experience in integrated energy services, photovoltaics, energy storage, microgrids, and other areas. Over 100 nations and regions worldwide are served by the products and solutions.

Till 2022, Kehua's global installed capacity of PV exceeds 31GW, and its installed capacity of energy storage exceeds 6.3GW/5.4GWh. Kehua is the world's No.4 energy storage inverter supplier (S&P Commodity Insights 2022) and a Tier 1 energy storage supplier (BloombergNEF 2023). In the future, Kehua will continue to be a reliable PV and ESS expert, create clean energy, and commit to making everyone in the world live a zero-carbon life.

CONTACT: marketing@kehua.com

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SINGAPORE, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AliExpress order volume has increased by 60% year-over-year, according to the financial results announced by Alibaba Group Holding Limited ("Alibaba Group") for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. This strong performance contributed to a 44% year-over-year growth in Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group's revenue, exceeding market expectations for the sixth consecutive quarter.

Bringing Shopping to the Next Level

The catalyst behind this robust growth is AliExpress' Choice, a premium service introduced in March 2023. Designed to redefine cross-border shopping, Choice offers customers exceptional value, a curated selection of high-quality products, logistics and superior customer service at every touchpoint.

Thanks to Choice, customers in a growing number of markets now enjoy perks including free shipping, assured on-time delivery and free returns. For example, products in the AliExpress Choice section are eligible for free shipping in the majority of applicable markets for purchases worth over US$10 or when any three selected items are bought. As of December 2023, over 20 markets, including Spain and France, enjoy free returns on all Choice products, and 23 markets, including Germany and Switzerland, are offered an on-time delivery guarantee.

Logistics remains a cornerstone of Choice's success, with AliExpress and logistics partner Cainiao extending their global five-day delivery coverage to include 10 markets in the quarter. The volume of orders eligible for this expedited service has seen a triple-digit increase from the previous quarter. In January 2024, nearly half of the AliExpress orders were placed through Choice, underscoring the service's rapidly increasing customer adoption.

Fueling Diverse and Dynamic Growth

Beyond logistics enhancements, Choice has broadened AliExpress' product offerings by providing sellers with a one-stop solution that seamlessly integrates sales operations, payment, logistics and warehousing, making it possible for them to concentrate on product innovation and manufacturing. This approach allows sellers to efficiently expand internationally, driving growth for both their own businesses and AliExpress. In anticipation of the Spring Festival, the Cainiao-AliExpress joint warehouse for Choice reported a six-fold growth of stock volume year-over-year, partly fueled by the broadened product selection enabled by the service.

Gary Topp, AliExpress European Commercial Director, expressed enthusiasm about Choice's impact: "The introduction of Choice represents a watershed moment for AliExpress. By delivering standout features like complimentary shipping, swift delivery and easy returns, we are cultivating stronger customer loyalty while solidifying our market presence. Looking ahead, we are dedicated to further refining the Choice offering and perpetually elevating the shopper experience."

The introduction of Choice has been pivotal to the growth of AliExpress' global footprint. In Spain, AliExpress claimed the title of the second most-visited e-commerce platform in December 2023, as per Club Ecommerce and EGI Group statistics. In the United States, Similarweb data indicates AliExpress' monthly average visits soared to 24.2 million in 2023 - a 290% year-on-year spike, marking it as one of the nation's fastest-growing e-commerce sites. Moreover, the number of monthly active AliExpress users in South Korea reached the 7 million mark last November, nearly doubling year-over-year, according to mobile analytics firm WiseApp.

About AliExpress

Launched in 2010, AliExpress is a business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce platform enabling global consumers to buy directly from manufacturers and distributors in China and around the world. In addition to the global English-language version, the AliExpress platform is also available in 17 other languages. AliExpress is part of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group.

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BEIJING, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from People's Daily: Some pessimism about economic globalization has emerged in recent years due to rising protectionism, increasing blockages in global industrial and supply chains, and weakness of international trade. This has led some to proclaim the "golden age" of economic globalization is over.

While concerns about challenges facing the world economy are understandable, such outright pessimism is unnecessary. Economic globalization remains the trend of the times. Despite many counter currents and dangerous shoals, its overall direction has never changed and will not change.

To grasp the development trend of economic globalization, it is important to start from the objective laws of historical development.

Historically, economic globalization is an objective requirement of social productive force development and an inevitable result of technological progress, rather than something artificially created by certain people or countries. Technological and industrial revolutions have greatly reduced the costs of global transportation of goods, information dissemination, and human mobility, providing a profound material and technological foundation for economic globalization.

The deepening development of economic globalization has provided a powerful impetus for the progress of human society. Statistics show that from 1992 to 2022, global GDP rose from around $25 trillion to around $101 trillion, and per capita GDP increased from $4,659 to $12,647.

From 1992 to 2019, the share of global trade in global GDP grew from 40.15 percent to 56.33 percent. The proportion of the global population living in poverty dropped from 36.5 percent to 8.5 percent, and life expectancy increased from 65.6 years to 73.4 years.

The setbacks in economic globalization in recent years were mainly due to policy shifts in some countries. International institutions see the rise of protectionism as a serious risk to global economic recovery.

The International Monetary Fund warned that if economic fragmentation continues unchecked, it could reduce global GDP by 7 percent - roughly equivalent to the combined size of the French and German economies.

Economic globalization is a "double-edged sword." Bridging the equity deficit is an important issue all sides need to face.

Problems are not to be feared; the key is finding solutions. To steer economic globalization on a steady course that delivers long-term benefits and better well-being to people of all nations, the international community should join hands in championing an inclusive economic globalization that benefits all.

Economic globalization should be beneficial to all, aligning with the universal aspirations of countries around the world, especially developing ones.

It should effectively address imbalances in development between and within countries resulting from global resource allocation. Development should be both full and balanced, fostering globalization that enables all countries, particularly developing ones, to accelerate growth.

With interdependence prevalent today, nations must develop themselves while also considering how to advance in sync with the world. It is important to make the pie of economic globalization bigger together and share it fairly, so different countries and people of different social groups can all participate in and benefit from socioeconomic progress, achieving mutual benefit, win-win outcomes, and shared prosperity.

Economic globalization should be inclusive, supporting countries in pursuing development paths suiting their national conditions, while jointly creating common development for all humanity. All forms of unilateralism and protectionism must be opposed, along with discriminatory and exclusionary standards and rules.

Trade and investment liberalization and facilitation should be promoted to maintain stable and unimpeded global industrial and supply chains. All sides should show mutual understanding and accommodation, addressing each other's concerns, in order to resolve structural issues hindering healthy global economic growth. This will sustain the vitality and momentum of the world economy.

Looking ahead, economic globalization remains an inevitable path forward and an irreversible trend of the times for human society. The international community should join hands to make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all, injecting inexhaustible momentum into the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

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Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Tectonic Gold Plc - Farm out of Specimen Hill to ASX listed White Energy

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 08

8 February 2024

TECTONIC GOLD PLC

("Tectonic" or the "Company")

FARM OUT OF SPECIMEN HILL TO ASX LISTED WHITE ENERGY

Tectonic Gold plc (TDIM: TTAU), is pleased to announce completion of negotiations for the farm out of the Specimen Hill copper gold discovery to ASX listed White Energy Company Limited (ASX: WEC, OTC: WECFF) ("White Energy").

Highlights:

White Energy to immediately take over responsibility and all future funding for Specimen Hill White Energy to spend up to $2 million and earn right to acquire. Acquisition for a further $2 million and a 3% royalty. White Energy backed by high profile Australian family office with interests spanning mining, energy, resources, technology and philanthropy. White Energy to focus on copper potential at Specimen Hill as part of a transition energy metals strategy

White Energy is the development vehicle of a highly successful Australian minerals and energy industry family, with deep roots in the Queensland region. The technical team are well known and highly regarded in the market with a track record of building, operating and divesting world class mining projects. White Energy is an exceptional partner to progress Tectonic's copper and gold discoveries at Specimen Hill through the next phase of resource definition and into development.

White Energy is executing a strategy of developing high grade copper resources to feed the increasing demand for minerals required for the world's transition to renewable energy. Following a detailed technical review of the Specimen Hill project, White Energy deployed their proprietary ionic sampling survey technology in late 2023 and confirmed "a large and complex mineral system with a number of outcropping zones of what appear to be strong copper mineralisation".

Following this technical program, final deal terms were negotiated for a farm out by Tectonic of the Specimen Hill project as follows:

Stage 1 - White Energy earn an option to acquire 51% at the project level for a cash spend of AU$1 million

Stage 2 - White Energy earn an option to acquire a further 25% (76% in total) by spending a further AU$2 million

Stage 3 - White Energy purchase the balance of the project for AU$2m in cash

A non-diluting 3% Net Smelter Return Royalty in favour of Tectonic is also established at the completion of the purchase

Tectonic will shortly be submitting a final R&D claim to the Australian Tax Office for research conducted at the Specimen Hill project over the last year. It is expected to cover working capital requirements for the foreseeable future.

Mr. Brett Boynton, Managing Director - Tectonic Gold Plc

"We are very pleased to be partnering with the exceptional team at White Energy. They share Tectonic's deep tech approach and are the perfect partner to take our Specimen Hill discoveries into resource definition.

The royalty enables our shareholders to retain meaningful the long term upside in the discoveries Tectonic has made at Specimen Hill while White Energy steps in to take over operations and assume ongoing financial responsibility.

It has been a long journey since we first acquired the initial ground at Specimen Hill and this is a good result and proof our original exploration thesis had merit. We still hold the Mt Cassidy project area to the north of Specimen Hill which the Queensland Government has waived license fees on so we have time to consider development options.

I would like to congratulate the team for taking this project from concept to discovery and successful transaction. They are now freed up to focus on other opportunities which we have been working up over the last six months and look forward to sharing in due course."

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

Investors can sign up to Tectonic's mailing list at the following link:

http://www.tectonicgold.com/contact

Follow us on Twitter: @Tectonic_Gold

For further information, please contact:
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - The UK's Competition Market Authority or CMA said on Thursday that it is investigating Aviva Plc's (AV.L, AV) proposed acquisition of AIG Life Limited, raising concerns that the merger may result in curtailing competition. In order to assess the impact of the merger, the regulator has invited opinion on the proposed transaction from any interested party, which can submit its comments on or before February 22. On September 25, 2023, Aviva, a financial services and insurance company, had announced that it was planning to buy AIG Life Limited from Corebridge Financial Inc, a unit of American International Group, Inc. for 460 million pounds. Aviva expects to gain significant financial benefits from this transaction thereby strengthening its prospects in the UK protection market. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Nearly 1,000 jobs at a company with business processing operations in Wyoming County are in limbo due to the potential loss of funding for a longtime government program that provides subsidies to eligible consumers for internet and phone service.

Navient Corp. informed the state Labor Department in a notice this week that, due to that potential funding loss, it could cut 945 jobs based out of its office in Perry and another 43 jobs at its location in Horseheads, Chemung County. Those cuts could occur between May 6 and May 18.

But the job losses for Western New Yorkers could be much less severe.

Navient spokesperson Paul Hartwick said the affected employees are actually located across the country, with the vast majority working remotely from home  though they are technically managed through the companys offices in Perry and Horseheads.

Of the 988 employees who could lose their jobs, Hartwick said 116 of them are New York residents, many of them working throughout Western and Central New York. About 800 of the employees were hired as temporary workers, he added.

The affected employees support the Federal Communications Commissions Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program and their work is subject to public funding appropriated to that initiative.

The FCC has started to wind down the Affordable Connectivity Program, which offers eligible households a discount of up to $30 a month toward internet service, because current funding for the program is projected to run out at the end of April. As of January, the FCC notes on its website, Congress has not appropriated any additional funding to keep the program going beyond that.

While much remains up in the air, Navient filed the notice with the Labor Department to comply with the early warning requirements of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.

It is always difficult to have to make announcements like this, and we are proud of the work our employees do to support this important program, Hartwick said. We are hopeful that the total number of job reductions is lower than the 988 noted in the WARN notice.

In a message to affected employees, Navient informed them that the company will continue to monitor legislative developments.

If circumstances change, we will advise you prior to your separation date, the company told employees.

While separate from the reason behind the WARN notice, Navient also is in the midst of a major strategic shift as a company.

Navient announced late last month that, following a review of its business, it was undergoing strategic actions to simplify operations, reduce costs and boost flexibility. The restructuring included outsourcing its student loan servicing portfolio to another provider, exploring options for its business processing division, including the potential sale of that unit, and streamlining the companys corporate functions.

The company said the restructuring, which will begin this year and is expected to take 18 months to two years to complete, could reduce its expenses by as much as $400 million.

The local workers who could lose their jobs are part of Navients business processing division, which partly handles call center work and processing functions for government entities.

In Perry and Horseheads, Navient provides business processing services often under the Pioneer Credit Recovery name.

According to Navients annual report, the company owns 40,000 square feet of space in Perry, 45,000 square feet in Arcade and 60,000 square feet in Big Flats, Chemung County. Hartwick said there is no change to the companys local real estate footprint.
LONDON, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Markel, the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL) has announced Katie Costello as Head of Hull and War in a move that will bolster the London underwriting leadership team, while positioning the Hull and War portfolio for further growth.

As part of this strategic move, Paul Western has been promoted to Head of Hull Underwriting at Markel, where he will be responsible for driving hull strategy, as well as enhancing broker relationships and developing talent within the Hull and War underwriting team.

In her new post, Costello will continue building on Markel's long-term success and track record in the Hull and War market through best-in-class underwriting and a people-first approach. Furthermore, she will manage and oversee underwriting processes to ensure the team will maintain high service levels for Markel's clients and brokers.

During her seven years at Markel, Costello has demonstrated exceptional leadership, portfolio management skills, and underwriting expertise, which led to her latest appointment. Some of her other notable achievements include building strong relationships within the market.

Akin to Western, Costello will be situated at Markel's London office and report directly to Dan McCarthy, Director of Marine at Markel.

McCarthy commented: "I am delighted to announce Katie as our new Head of Hull and War at Markel. With her deep sector knowledge, dedication, and longevity within the business, Katie is perfectly poised to take our Hull and War business forward, so she can build on the excellent reputation and pedigree that we have established with brokers and clients in this area for over 25 years."

He elaborated: "I would also like to take this moment to congratulate Paul Western for his promotion to Head of Hull Underwriting whilst maintaining his position as a senior underwriter on the War account. Since joining Markel in 2021, Paul has brought a wealth of experience and value to the team and fostered relationships with our broker partners. He is a well-respected underwriter with 30 years' experience in the insurance industry.

"With Paul and the team's support, I look forward to seeing Katie take our portfolio forward, as we strengthen our position as a leading insurance carrier within the hull and war market."

McCarthy concluded: "And finally, with effect from 1 January, our normal maximum lines have increased to Hull USD $150m, Builders Risks USD $100m, and War Risks USD $150m - furthering our commitment to offer market-leading capacity for our clients."

About Markel

We are Markel, a leading global specialty insurer with a truly people-first approach. As the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), we operate the Markel Specialty, Markel International, and Markel Global Reinsurance divisions, as well as State National, our portfolio protection and program services operations, and Nephila, our insurance-linked securities operations. Our broad array of capabilities and expertise allow us to create intelligent solutions for the most complex risk management needs. However, it is our people - and the deep, valued relationships they develop with colleagues, brokers, and clients - that differentiates us worldwide.

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CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Kick off the new year with a resolution to elevate your PR strategy with Fullintel's upcoming online Measurement MasterClass, "PR Measurement: Proving Value & Improving Performance," hosted by Fullintel Head of Insights, Angela Dwyer, this coming March 13 at 1pm ET.

The Measurement MasterClass will empower you to set measurable goals from the start, ensuring you're not just scrambling to demonstrate value at year's end but continuously showcasing the impact of your media outreach and communications activities with precision.

This exclusive session will equip PR professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to implement the latest best practices and frameworks in media measurement, ensuring measurement strategies are both effective and impactful.

Led by Measurement and PR Research Expert

As a seasoned measurement expert, Angela's unique ability to translate research into practice helps brands improve business results through data-driven, actionable insights.

During her time at PR agencies and media research firms Angela has consulted with brands across several industries, including consumer, healthcare, and automotive. She has presented and published original, award-winning research on topics such as brand recall, engagement, and trust, and presented measurement best practices to audiences across the globe at industry events from Sao Paulo to Berlin.

Angela also sits on several PR industry boards where she regularly contributes her deep knowledge garnered from a cross-section of academia and professional experience. Angela is director of the Institute for Public Relations (IPR) Measurement Commission and serves on the boards of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) North Pacific District and the International Public Relations Research Conference (IPRRC).

Her contributions to the field have earned her several high-profile industry awards, including a PRNEWS People of the Year Award as a Data & Measurement Game Changer, a PRNEWS Top Women Award, and an AMEC Rising Star recognition as an innovator in communication measurement.

MasterClass Details:

Date & Time: Wednesday, March 13th at 1pm ET

Wednesday, March 13th at 1pm ET Presenter: Angela Dwyer, Head of Insights, Fullintel

Angela Dwyer, Head of Insights, Fullintel Title: PR Measurement: Proving Value & Improving Performance

PR Measurement: Proving Value & Improving Performance Agenda: Exploration of measurement frameworks, best practices in PR and communications measurement, and the application of universal metrics

Exploration of measurement frameworks, best practices in PR and communications measurement, and the application of universal metrics Registration: Join this transformative session at: https://fullintel.com/measurement-masterclass

Why This MasterClass Matters:

In an era where data-driven decision-making is paramount, the ability to accurately measure and evaluate PR's influence on outcomes is more crucial than ever. This MasterClass will delve into the core principles of effective measurement, covering a range of methodologies that attendees can adapt and apply within their own organizations to optimize their PR strategies.

Participants will gain insights into:

Establishing clear measurement objectives aligned with organizational goals

Selecting and applying the right metrics to assess PR effectiveness

Using frameworks to systematically evaluate PR impact

Implementing best practices to ensure continuous improvement and accountability in PR measurement

About Fullintel:

Fullintel stands at the forefront of innovation in media monitoring and intelligence, committed to providing PR and communications professionals with the tools and insights needed to navigate the complex media landscape. Our dedication to research-based solutions and best practices ensures our clients are equipped with the most advanced approaches to media measurement and analysis.

For Media Inquiries:

Angus Nguyen, Director of Marketing: anguyen@fullintel.com

SOURCE: Fullintel, LLC

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Cranbrook, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2024) - DLP Resources Inc. (TSXV: DLP) (OTCQB: DLPRF) ("DLP" or the "Company") announces receipt of complete rock sampling results for the area immediately NE of the current drilling at the Aurora porphyry copper-molybdenum project in southern Peru (Figure 1).

Results for 40 rock samples taken to the NE of the DLP drilling identified an area of anomalous Cu, Mo and Ag extending over approximately 700m x 500m (See Figures 2, 3 and 4). This area also overlies a similar magnetic anomaly that underlies the main porphyry area.

Highlights

Rock chip sample 1062 returned 2.25% Cu and 195g/t Ag. This sample was taken from a moderately silicified and brecciated hornfels with mineralization consisting of pyrite-chalcopyrite-covellite-chalcocite and copper oxides. Sampling was done over a surface area of 10m x 10m. Further rock chip samples with highly anomalous Cu, Ag and/or Mo results included: Sample 1084 - 1.5150% Cu, 5.53g/t Ag and 1.01ppm Mo

Sample 1060 - 0.2680% Cu, 2.09g/t Ag and 74.3ppm Mo

Sample 1065 - 0.0527% Cu, 2.28g/t Ag and 137ppm Mo

Sample 1067 - 0.0095% Cu, 0.79g/t Ag and 53.1ppm Mo

Sample 1074 - 0.3440% Cu, 5.56g/t Ag and 1.78ppm Mo

Sample 1075 - 0.1300% Cu, 0.13g/t Ag and 4.86ppm Mo

Sample 1078 - 0.1880% Cu, 4.77g/t Ag and 5.59ppm Mo

Sample 1086 - 0.1205% Cu, 4.61g/t Ag and 1.23ppm Mo

Sample 1099 - 0.0077% Cu, 0.29g/t Ag and 182ppm Mo

See Table 1 for the full set of results for the rock chip samples.

Mr. Gendall, President and CEO, commented: "We are very encouraged with the results from rock sampling to the NE of the current drilling of 2023. Anomalous Cu, Mo and Ag in rocks has identified an extension of at least 700m x 500m to the NE and SE which we will expand drilling into in 2024."

Table 1. Summary of Rock Chip Results for the NE Extension of the Aurora Project.

Aurora Rock Chip Samples Sample Northings Eastings Elevation Sample Sample Description Ag Cu Mo No (m) (m) (m) Type Area (m2)

g/t ppm ppm 1052 8566444 190610 2821 Rock chip 0.5 x 1.5 Structure in hornfels, 50 cm wide x 1.5 m long; with quartz and pyrite. 0.05 28.8 0.23 1053 8566529 190722 2800 Rock chip 20 x 20 Slate. Po (0.5%) along foliation planes. Traces of Cpy associated with Po. 0.07 73.7 0.63 1054 8566619 190723 2842 Rock chip 20 x 20 Slate. Po (0.5%) along foliation planes. Traces of Cpy associated with Po. 0.07 48.8 0.74 1057 8566522 190479 2893 Rock chip 10 x 10 Slates with sericite-muscovite alteration. Traces of OxCu. 0.65 125.5 10.1 Aurora Rock Chip Samples Sample Northings Eastings Elevation Sample Sample Description Ag Cu Mo No (m) (m) (m) Type Area (m2)

g/t ppm ppm 1058 8566320 190285 2899 Rock chip 15 x 15 Hornfels with moderate silicification. Quartz veinlets (NW-SE/NE) and iron oxides 10 79.9 0.36 1059 8566395 190365 2902 Rock chip 20 x 15 Hornfels with moderate silicification. Quartz veinlets (NW-SE/NE) + iron oxides 2.04 175 0.65 1060 8566111 190280 2841 Rock chip 15 x 15 Hornfels with moderate silicification. Quartz veinlets with sulphides (Py-Cpy-Mo-Cv-Cc). OxCu in fractures. 2.09 2680 74.3 1062 8565968 190389 2784 Rock chip 10 x 10 Hornfels with moderate silicification and brecciated. The mineralization consists of Py-Cpy-Cv-Cc-OxCu. 195 22500 2.16 1063 8566300 190329 2845 Rock chip 20 x 20 Hornfels with sericite alteration. Quartz sulphide veinlets. The mineralization consists of Py-(Cpy-Cv-Cc-OxCu). 0.38 979 1.14 1064 8566400 190417 2871 Rock chip 15 x 10 Hornfels with sericite alteration. Quartz veinlets. The mineralization consists of iron oxide + py 1.21 243 0.6 1065 8566174 190185 2926 Rock chip 15 x 15 Contact between silicified Hornfels and QEFBP (intermineral) with sericite alteration. Sporadic quartz-sulphide veinlets which contain Py-Cpy-Mo. 2.28 527 137 1066 8566204 190136 2916 Rock chip 20 x 20 QEFBP (intermineral) with sericite alteration. Traces of Py-Cpy. 0.95 75.6 8.25 1067 8566187 190133 2918 Rock chip 20 x 20 Hornfels with weak to moderate silicification and quartz veinlets. In contact with QEFBP (intermineral). The mineralization consists of iron oxides-Py-Mo. 0.79 94.5 53.1 Aurora Rock Chip Samples Sample Northings Eastings Elevation Sample Sample Description Ag Cu Mo No (m) (m) (m) Type Area (m2)

g/t ppm ppm 1069 8566363 190686 2723 Rock chip 15 x 15 Slate with Py-Po (1%) disseminated along foliation planes 0.09 41.9 1.76 1070 8566399 190636 2771 Rock chip 15 x 15 Slate with Py-Po along foliation planes 0.06 15.6 1.14 1072 8566336 190514 2810 Rock chip 25 x 25 Hornfels with weak sericite alteration. Quartz veinlets. 15 cm wide structure with Qz-iron oxides-Py and traces of OxCu. 2.97 603 0.53 1073 8566367 190493 2846 Rock chip 20x 20 Slate with quartz veinlets (N85/80). In part brecciated (BXC) 1.02 169.5 0.87 1074 8566113 190388 2734 Rock chip 10 x 10 Hornfels with weak to moderate silicification. Quartz veinlets with sulphides (Py-Cpy-(Cv) 5.56 3440 1.78 1075 8566212 190417 2736 Rock chip 10 x 10 Slate with quartz veinlets. Contains traces of OxCu. In part crackle brecciation seen (BXC) 0.13 1300 4.86 1077 8566277 190497 2768 Rock chip 15 x 15 Hornfels with crackle breccia + moderate silicification. Quartz filling with OxCu in fractures 20.8 735 2.29 Py=pyrite, Cpy=chalcopyrite, Po=pyrrhotite, Mo=molybdenite, Cc=chalcocite, Cv=covellite, OxCu=oxide copper, BXC=crackle breccia, QEFBP=quartz-eye-feldspar-biotite porphyry

Aurora Rock Chip Samples Sample Northings Eastings Elevation Sample Sample Description Ag Cu Mo No (m) (m) (m) Type Area (m2)

g/t ppm ppm 1078 8566326 190223 2850 Rock chip 15 x 15 Hornfels with weak silicification. Contains traces of OxCu in fractures. 4.77 1880 5.59 1079 8566235 190028 2874 Rock chip 20 x 20 QEFBP (intermineral) with moderate sericite alteration. Traces of Py-Cpy-Cv. 2.35 889 34 1080 8566369 190187 2835 Rock chip 15 x 15 Hornfels with crackle breccia and moderate silicification. Quartz filling with OxCu is shown in fractures. 9.81 175.5 0.53 Aurora Rock Chip Samples Sample Northings Eastings Elevation Sample Sample Description Ag Cu Mo No (m) (m) (m) Type Area (m2)

g/t ppm ppm 1082 8566337 190052 2793 Rock chip 20 x 20 QEFBP (intermineral) with moderate sericite alteration. Sporadic quartz veinlets. Traces of Py-Cpy-Cv and OxCu in fractures. 0.7 542 32 1083 8566455 190050 2720 Rock chip 15 x 15 Hornfels with weak sericite alteration. Contains Py-Po and traces of Cpy-OxCu. 1.32 140 1.19 1084 8566507 190218 2713 Rock chip 15 x 15 Hornfels with crackle breccia and moderate silicification and quartz filling with OxCu in fractures. 5.53 15150 1.01 1085 8566447 190292 2837 Rock chip 15 x 15 Crackle breccia (BXC) in hornfels with quartz stockwork veinlets. 16.1 146.5 0.65 1086 8566535 190062 2632 Rock chip 15 x 15 Hornfels with weak sericite alteration and sporadic quartz veinlets. 4.61 1205 1.23 1087 8566535 190162 2659 Rock chip 15 x 15 Hornfels with moderate silicification. Contains sporadic quartz veinlets and traces of Py-Po. 2.59 474 1.5 1088 8566560 190262 2725 Rock chip 15 x 15 Hornfels with moderate silicification. Contains sporadic quartz veinlets with traces of Py. 0.22 183 10.1 1089 8566435 190162 2769 Rock chip 15 x 15 Hornfels with moderate silicification. Contains quartz veinlets with Py and traces of Cpy. 25.2 223 0.25 1090 8566535 190362 2797 Rock chip 15 x 15 Hornfels with moderate silicification. Contains quartz-iron oxide veinlets. 0.4 25.7 0.32 1092 8566235 190761 2604 Rock chip 15 x 15 Slate with disseminated pyrrhotite. 0.23 106.5 3.39 1093 8566135 190762 2556 Rock chip 15 x 15 Slate with disseminated pyrrhotite. 0.18 51.2 3.17 1094 8566135 190662 2585 Rock chip 15 x 15 Slate with disseminated pyrrhotite. 0.13 38.5 1.08 1095 8566234 190662 2666 Rock chip 15 x 15 Slate with disseminated pyrrhotite. 0.83 48.7 0.91 1097 8566135 190562 2641 Rock chip 15 x 15 Hornfels with weak sericite alteration. Contains traces of Py-Po. 0.45 229 1.17 Aurora Rock Chip Samples Sample Northings Eastings Elevation Sample Sample Description Ag Cu Mo No (m) (m) (m) Type Area (m2)

g/t ppm ppm 1098 8566235 190562 2667 Rock chip 15 x 15 Slate with disseminated pyrrhotite. 0.91 228 1.08 1099 8566135 190162 2934 Rock chip 15 x 15 Hornfels with sericite alteration. Contains traces of Py-Po. 0.29 77.2 182 1100 8566626 190530 2818 Rock chip 0.5 x 1.5 Structure in hornfels, 50 cm wide x 1.5 m long. 2.01 54.4 0.56 Py=pyrite, Cpy=chalcopyrite, Po=pyrrhotite, Mo=molybdenite, Cc=chalcocite, Cv=covellite, OxCu=oxide copper, BXC=crackle breccia, QEFBP=quartz-eye-feldspar-biotite porphyry

Quality Control and Quality Assurance

DLP Resources Peru S.A.C, a subsidiary of DLP Resources Inc., supervises sampling and carries out surface sampling and mapping of outcrop at the Aurora project. Rock chip sampling was done within a maximum area of 25m x 25m and descriptions were carried out by a geologist. Samples are bagged and sealed on site before transportation to the ALS Peru S.A.C. sample preparation facility in Arequipa by Company vehicles and staff. Rocks are crushed with 70% passing <2mm. Sample is split with riffle splitter and 250g pulverized to 85% less than 75um. Prepared samples are sent to Lima by ALS Peru S.A.C. for analysis. ALS Peru S.A.C. is an independent laboratory. Samples are analyzed for 51 elements using aqua regia digestion and analyzed by ICP-MS + ICPAES analysis (ME-MS41). Overlimit samples for copper and silver were re-analysed by four-acid digestion and ICP-AES (ME-OG62). ALS meets all requirements of International Standards ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and ISO 9001:2015 for analytical procedures.

DLP Resources independently monitors quality control and quality assurance ("QA/QC") through a program that includes the insertion of blind certified reference materials (standards), blanks and pulp duplicate samples.

Aurora Project

Aurora Project is an advanced stage porphyry copper-molybdenum exploration project in the Province of Calca, SE Peru (Figure 1). The Aurora Project was previously permitted for drilling in 2015 but was never executed. Thirteen historical drillholes, drilled in 2001 and 2005 totaling 3,900m were drilled over an area of approximately 1000m by 800m, cut significant intervals of copper and molybdenum mineralization. From logging of the only three remaining holes DDA-01, DDA-3A and DDA-3 and data now available, it appears that only three of the thirteen holes tested the enriched copper zone and only one hole drilled deep enough to test the primary copper and molybdenum zone (see DLP Resources Inc. news release of May 18, 2021).

Salient historic drillhole data of the Aurora Project are:

190m @ 0.57% Cu, 0.008% Mo in DDA-1 with a high-grade intercept of 20m @ 1.01% Cu related to a supergene enrichment zone of secondary chalcocite;

142m @ 0.5% Cu, 0.004% Mo in DDA-3;

71.7m @ 0.7% Cu, 0.007% Mo in DDA-3A (see historical Focus Ventures Ltd. news release July 11, 2012); and

One of the historical holes ABC-6 drilled on the edge of the system intersected 78m @ 0.45% Cu and 0.107% Mo (Figure 2).

A review of the historical drilling indicates that the majority of the thirteen holes were drilled in the leached and partially leached zones of the porphyry system. Ten of the thirteen holes never fully tested the oxide and secondary enrichment zone and/or the primary copper zone at depth encountered in DDA-01. Copper-molybdenum mineralization is hosted by quartz-feldspar porphyries intruded into slates-hornfels and pelitic sandstones belonging to the Ordovician (439 - 463 ma) Sandia Formation.





Figure 1: DLP Project areas in Peru with Aurora Project Shown.



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Figure 2: Aurora Project - Magnetic analytic signal data with drillholes shown and anomalous copper in rock samples in NE sector.



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Figure 3: Aurora Project - Magnetic analytic signal data with drillholes shown and anomalous molybdenum in rock samples in NE sector.



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Figure 4: Aurora Project - Magnetic analytic signal data with drillholes shown and anomalous silver in rock samples in NE sector.



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Qualified Person

David L. Pighin, consulting geologist and co-founder of DLP Resources, is the qualified person of the Company as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Pighin has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release.

About DLP Resources Inc.

DLP Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration company operating in Southeastern British Columbia and Peru, exploring for Base Metals and Cobalt. DLP is listed on the TSX-V, trading symbol DLP and on the OTCQB, trading symbol DLPRF. Please refer to our web site www.dlpresourcesinc.com for additional information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

DLP RESOURCES INC.

Ian Gendall, CEO & President

Jim Stypula, Executive Chairman

Robin Sudo, Office & Land Manager/Corporate Secretary

Maxwell Reinhart, Investor Relations

Telephone: 250-426-7808

Email: iangendall@dlpresourcesinc.com

Email: jimstypula@dlpresourcesinc.com

Email: robinsudo@dlpresourcesinc.com

Email: maxreinhart@dlpresourcesinc.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to drilling on the Aurora Project in Peru.

These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things drill results expected from the Aurora Project in Peru.

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 out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/197211

SOURCE: DLP Resources Inc.
Company Promotes Dominic Nathan to CEO of AGUK and Head of International

Assured Guaranty Ltd. (NYSE:AGO) (together with its subsidiaries, Assured Guaranty) announced that Nicholas Proud has been appointed Global Head of Origination for its financial guaranty business.

Dominic Nathan will assume Mr. Proud's responsibilities as CEO of Assured Guaranty UK Limited (AGUK) and Head of International.

"We created the new position of Global Head of Origination to enhance our strategic approach to generating new business and executing transactions, including in new asset classes and jurisdictions, and we are pleased to have Nick take over this responsibility," said Dominic Frederico, President and CEO.

Mr. Proud is reporting to Chief Operating Officer Robert Bailenson, who added, "Nick has the experience and knowledge in both the U.S. and International financial guaranty businesses to lead this effort, having held high-level positions at Assured Guaranty for many years. Nick's new responsibilities include developing new financial guaranty solutions for us to offer, expanding our reach into new markets, and increasing our presence in existing markets. In addition to him overseeing the International Infrastructure and Global Structured Finance teams, he will now oversee the U.S. Public Finance business, and I look forward to working with him to grow our business.

Mr. Proud led the successful rebuilding of Assured Guaranty's UK and European infrastructure finance franchise in the wake of the global financial crisis and played a central role in the combination of AGUK's operations with those of its three subsidiaries, and the establishment of Assured Guaranty's French subsidiary, Assured Guaranty (Europe) SA (AGE)*. In 2019, Mr. Proud was named Senior Managing Director, International Infrastructure and Global Structured Finance. He has been CEO of AGUK and Senior Managing Director, International since 2010. He joined Assured Guaranty in 2001.

Mr. Proud said, "I look forward to this new opportunity to oversee Assured Guaranty's strategy for new business generation companywide and to explore new markets where we could grow by putting our capital and credit capabilities to work at attractive returns.

"I am delighted that Dominic Nathan is taking over my roles as CEO of AGUK and Head of International as he was instrumental in first building Assured Guaranty's international infrastructure business and then, after 2008, he worked to rebuild our name and presence in the international markets. He has been at Assured Guaranty for over 20 years and his demonstrated ability to lead assures that we will continue to build on the success of AGUK and execute the strategic objectives of our international business."

Mr. Nathan was most recently Senior Managing Director, Infrastructure Finance and the Chief Underwriting Officer of AGUK, with additional responsibility for the International Infrastructure business at AGE. He was hired in 2000 as Co-Head of Continental Europe, an underwriting role he held until 2005, when he was promoted to Managing Director and Head of UK and European Infrastructure Finance.

About Assured Guaranty Ltd.

Assured Guaranty Ltd. is a publicly traded (NYSE: AGO), Bermuda-based holding company. Through its subsidiaries, Assured Guaranty provides credit enhancement products to the U.S. and non-U.S. public finance, infrastructure and structured finance markets. Assured Guaranty also participates in the asset management business through its ownership interest in Sound Point Capital Management, LP and related entities. More information on Assured Guaranty Ltd. and its subsidiaries can be found at AssuredGuaranty.com.

*ASSURED GUARANTY (EUROPE) SA (AGE) is a public limited company with capital of 110,900,000 registered in the Paris Trade and Companies Register under number 852 597 384, whose registered office is located at 71, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore 75008 Paris, and is governed by the French Insurance Code.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Any forward-looking statements made in this press release reflect Assured Guaranty's current views with respect to future events and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in these statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, difficulties executing Assured Guaranty's business strategy; loss of key personnel; and other risks and uncertainties that have not been identified at this time, management's response to these factors, and other risk factors identified in Assured Guaranty's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are made as of February 8, 2024. Assured Guaranty undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208429670/en/

Contacts:

Investor Relations:

Robert Tucker, +1 212-339-0861

Senior Managing Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

rtucker@agltd.com



Media:

Ashweeta Durani, +1 212-408-6042

Vice President, Corporate Communications

adurani@agltd.com
Agreement Marks First Step in Private Delivery of Advanced, Proven SMR Technology to the U.K.

Westinghouse Electric Company today announced that it has signed an agreement with Community Nuclear Power, Ltd. (CNP) that puts it on track to deploy the U.K.'s first privately-financed small modular reactor fleet, with the Westinghouse AP300 SMR. It is a significant step in making this new energy sector a reality with commercial operation expected by the early 2030s.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208516574/en/

The AP300TM Small Modular Reactor the only SMR based on proven technology. (Photo: Business Wire)

The agreement is to build four AP300 SMRs in the North Teesside region of Northeast England. The region is experiencing significant industrial and economic development, driving increasing demand for carbon-free, reliable electricity. CNP is also working with strategic partners, including Jacobs and Interpath Advisory, to develop a fully licensed site for the project, with a target of 2027. The project is being privately funded.

The project is in accordance with the recently published UK Government Alternative Routes to Market for New Nuclear Projects consultation and complementary to and supportive of Westinghouse's participation in Great British Nuclear's (GBN) SMR technology selection process. This collaboration will further expand scale for workforce, training and supply chain localisation via multiple deployment projects.

"This project brings together Westinghouse's proven technology and mature supply chain with our depth of expertise in nuclear programme delivery, in a region that is transforming its industrial landscape. We are delighted to be working with Westinghouse in support of private deployment in North Teesside," said Paul Foster, Community Nuclear Power's CEO.

"We want to thank Community Nuclear Power for this tremendous opportunity to deliver our advanced, proven AP300 SMR technology to the U.K. market," said David Durham, Westinghouse President, Energy Systems. "Our AP300 SMR is ideally suited not just to support grid generation, but also for industrial sites for generating clean and secure energy and the ability to produce hydrogen, e-fuels, desalination and district heating."

In May 2023, Westinghouse launched the AP300 small modular reactor, the only SMR based on an advanced, large Generation III+ reactor already in operation globally, the proven AP1000 technology. Unlike every other SMR under development with first-of-a-kind technologies and risks, Westinghouse's AP300 SMR utilizes the AP1000 engineering, components and supply chain, enabling streamlined licensing and leveraging available technical skills. Together, these factors provide confidence that the first operating unit will be available in the early 2030s. The advantageous economics of the AP300 SMR are based on robust analysis and existing project costs from AP1000 reactors already in operation or development on three continents. The AP300 SMR is already under consideration by customers in the U.K., Europe and North America.

Westinghouse Electric Company is shaping the future of carbon-free energy by providing safe, innovative nuclear and other clean power technologies and services globally. Westinghouse supplied the world's first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957 and the company's technology is the basis for nearly one-half of the world's operating nuclear plants. Over 135 years of innovation makes Westinghouse the preferred partner for advanced technologies covering the complete nuclear energy life cycle. For more information, visit www.westinghousenuclear.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and X.

About CNP

The mission at CNP is to enable enduring social and economic change in host communities through the generation of surplus clean, dependable energy while engaging widely with the community throughout the process.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208516574/en/

Contacts:

media@westinghouse.com
Sean A. MacDonald brings more than 20 years of experience in life science industry to support Domain's growing portfolio of GPCR targeted cancer immunotherapies

This executive appointment will further accelerate Domain's evolution as a global cancer company

Domain Therapeutics ("Domain" or "the Company"), a clinical-stage global biopharmaceutical company developing innovative drug candidates in immuno-oncology targeting G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs), today announces the appointment of Sean A. MacDonald as its Chief Business Officer (CBO) and member of the executive management team.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208779141/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

In his new position, Sean will lead corporate strategy and business development bringing broad and deep expertise to steer the Company's strategic operations, as it enters its next phase of growth. With more than 20 years of senior executive experience in the life science industry, Sean has a proven, international track record of building successful biotech companies and will drive best practices amongst Domain's growing portfolio of assets and partnerships. Over the past year, Sean worked with Domain as an independent Senior Advisor, providing strategic input and support to the Company's management team.

Prior to his time with Domain, Sean played a pivotal role in multiple deals, including licensing activities, mergers and acquisitions, and fundraising and held several strategic positions in the pharmaceutical industry. This included positions such as Chief Business Officer of iOnctura, Head of Business Development for Cosmo Pharmaceuticals, President and Chief Executive Officer of Corbin Therapeutics Inc, and Vice President of Corporate and Business development at Pharmascience Inc. In addition, he currently serves as a Board Director at Edesa Biotech. Sean holds a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and an MBA from the University of Ottawa.

Today's announcement follows the recent appointments of Dr. Anthony Johnson as President and Chief Executive Officer and Michael Gottlieb as Chairman of the Board of Directors, signalling Domain's accelerated focus on North American expansion as the leading GPCR immuno-oncology company.

Dr. Tony Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Domain Therapeutics, said:"This is an incredible time for Domain Therapeutics, and as the Company continues to grow, I am thrilled to officially welcome Sean to the team. His deep understanding of the biothechnology sector, combined with his vast experience in executing deals at the most senior levels of business development and planning, will be a tremendous asset. As we work to expand our US market presence and build our unrivalled pipeline of GCPR targeted cancer immunotherapies, Sean's expertise will be invaluable in supporting our success."

Sean A. MacDonald, newly appointed Chief Business Officer of Domain Therapeutics, commented: "I am delighted to join Domain as Chief Business Officer at a pivotal moment as we rapidly advance our multiple drug candidates through clinical development. Over the past year advising Domain, I have seen first-hand the strength of the team, the quality and precision of the science, and the amazing potential of our innovative approach to unlock the full power of the immune system. I look forward to continuing to support the Company's growth and evolution solidifying its position as a recognized leader in its field and bringing new treatments to cancer patients worldwide."

About Domain Therapeutics: www.domaintherapeutics.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208779141/en/

Contacts:

For more information, please contact:

ICR Consilium

Amber Fennell, Namrata Taak, Andrew Stern

Email: DomainTherapeutics@consilium-comms.com

Tel: +44 (0)20 3709 5813
LONDON and NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Partners Capital Investment Group ("Partners Capital"), a global Outsourced Investment Office, today announced a minority investment from General Atlantic, a leading global investor. Investment funds managed by General Atlantic are establishing this minority position by buying a portion of the equity currently held by Partners Capital's longstanding external shareholders and some of the founding generation partners.

As part of this transaction, the current leadership team at Partners Capital will see a step change increase in their ownership of the firm that will help to lock in senior talent, with the ability for future leaders to build meaningful ownership in the firm over time. Partners Capital's investment operations will operate independently of General Atlantic.

Founded in 2001, Partners Capital is an Outsourced Investment Office acting for institutional and private clients. The firm's client base includes distinguished endowments and foundations across the U.S., Europe and Asia, with their missions focused on education, healthcare and the arts. Partners Capital's private client base includes prominent ultra-high net worth families and senior members of investment firms for whom the firm manages their family endowment.

With more than $50 billion in assets under management, Partners Capital constructs tailored investment portfolios for its clients, leveraging its deep network of partnerships with what it believes to be leading asset managers across all major asset classes. The firm employs more than 350 people across its seven offices located in Boston, New York, London, San Francisco, Paris, Singapore and Hong Kong.

For over 20 years, the Partners Capital team has developed state of the art portfolio construction based on proprietary intellectual property and established a deep set of asset manager partnerships.

This transaction will enable Partners Capital to leverage General Atlantic's extensive global network and value-add capabilities as the firm cements its next generation of leadership and continues to deliver investment excellence for its clients. General Atlantic's patient capital model emphasizing long-term partnership is aligned with Partners Capital's objective to build longstanding client relationships and deliver leading investment outcomes.

"We have long respected General Atlantic as a leading global investment firm. The leadership group at Partners Capital have great conviction that General Atlantic will strengthen our firm for the next decade as we focus on deepening our investment capabilities, driving technology-led change across the firm and bolstering our ability to attract and retain top talent, the lifeblood of any investment firm. We believe this will put us in a better position to be an enduring institution that can continue to deliver outstanding investment results for our clients," commented Arjun Raghavan, CEO of Partners Capital.

"We believe the Outsourced Investment Office market is one of the most attractive segments in asset management. Within this, Partners Capital stands out for its premier client service, geographic breadth, track record of investment performance and scalable model. We are excited to add Partners Capital to our financial services portfolio and look forward to supporting Arjun and the team as they continue to build out their offering in key markets globally," said Gabriel Caillaux, Co-President, Managing Director, and Head of Climate and EMEA, and Caroline Woodworth, Managing Director, at General Atlantic.

Stan Miranda, Co-Founder and Chairman of Partners Capital, added, "The entire team at Partners Capital are truly excited by this development. We believe General Atlantic to be an excellent cultural fit for Partners Capital and very much look forward to this new chapter in Partners Capital's evolution."

Closing of the transaction is subject to certain regulatory conditions and client consents.

Partners Capital was advised by Spencer House Partners, Macfarlanes and Ropes & Gray. General Atlantic was advised by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and PwC.

About Partners Capital

Founded in 2001, Partners Capital is an Outsourced Investment Office acting for distinguished endowments and foundations, senior investment professionals and prominent families across the globe. With over $50bn in assets under management, the firm constructs customised investment portfolios for its clients tapping into its deep network of partnerships with what it considers exceptional asset managers across all major asset classes. Headquartered in London the firm employs more than 350 people across its seven offices located in Boston, New York, London, San Francisco, Paris, Singapore and Hong Kong. For more information on Partners Capital, please visit: www.partners-cap.com .

About General Atlantic

General Atlantic is a leading global growth investor with more than four decades of experience providing capital and strategic support for over 500 growth companies throughout its history. Established in 1980 to partner with visionary entrepreneurs and deliver lasting impact, the firm combines a collaborative global approach, sector specific expertise, a long-term investment horizon and a deep understanding of growth drivers to partner with great entrepreneurs and management teams to scale innovative businesses around the world. General Atlantic has approximately $83 billion in assets under management inclusive of all products as of December 31, 2023, and more than 280 investment professionals based in New York, Amsterdam, Beijing, Hong Kong, Jakarta, London, Mexico City, Miami, Mumbai, Munich, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, Stamford and Tel Aviv. For more information on General Atlantic, please visit: www.generalatlantic.com .

Media Contacts

Partners Capital

Samantha Norquist

pro-partnerscapital@prosek.com

General Atlantic

Emily Japlon & Sara Widmann

media@generalatlantic.com

Jess Gill

jess.gill@edelmansmithfield.com

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Mondi Plc - Statement regarding possible all share combination with DS Smith plc

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 08

Mondi plc

Incorporated in England and Wales

Registered number: 6209386

LEI: 213800LOZA69QFDC9N34

LSE share code: MNDI ISIN: GB00BMWC6P49

JSE share code: MNP

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF A FIRM INTENTION TO MAKE AN OFFER UNDER RULE 2.7 OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS (THE "CODE") AND ACCORDINGLY THERE CAN BE NO CERTAINTY THAT ANY TRANSACTION WILL PROCEED

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

8 February 2024

Statement regarding possible all share combination with DS Smith plc

Mondi plc ("Mondi") notes the recent announcement by DS Smith plc ("DS Smith").

Mondi confirms that it is in the early stages of considering a possible all share combination with DS Smith.

Mondi routinely considers various options within its disciplined capital allocation framework aimed at accelerating its growth in the structurally growing packaging sectors in which it operates.

Mondi believes that a possible all share combination with DS Smith represents an exciting opportunity to create an industry leader in European paper-based sustainable packaging solutions:

well positioned to benefit from structural growth trends in sustainable packaging;

benefitting from enhanced vertical integration, bringing with it a balanced paper position, greater earnings resilience through the cycle and enhanced security of paper supply, for the benefit of both shareholders and customers; and

benefitting from substantial synergies as a result of vertical integration alongside highly complementary positions and expertise in containerboard, corrugated solutions and flexible packaging, in addition to expected benefits from economies of scale and efficiencies across a combined supply chain and administration.

Mondi's strategy is to deliver value accretive growth and, as noted above, adopts a disciplined approach to acquisitions and investment within its capital allocation framework. Any transaction with DS Smith would be assessed against this framework. Mondi remains committed to maintaining a strong and stable financial position supported by a solid investment grade credit rating and a dividend policy aimed at offering shareholders long-term dividend growth within the context of its stated cover policy.

There can be no certainty that an offer will be made to acquire DS Smith.

In accordance with Rule 2.6(a) of the Code, Mondi is required, by not later than 5.00 p.m. on 7 March 2024, to either announce a firm intention to make an offer for DS Smith in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Code or announce that it does not intend to make an offer for DS Smith, in which case the announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code applies. This deadline can only be extended with the consent of the Takeover Panel in accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Code. For the purposes of Rule 2.5(a) of the Code, Mondi reserves the right to vary the form and mix of the consideration and/or introduce other forms of consideration.

A further announcement will be made as and when appropriate.

Important Notices

Disclosure requirements of the Code

Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.

Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s), save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the business day following the date of the relevant dealing.

If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).

Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk , including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position disclosure or a dealing disclosure.

Rule 26.1 disclosure

In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Code, a copy of this announcement will be available at www.mondigroup.com by no later than 12 noon (London time) on 9 February 2024.

The content of the website referred to in this announcement is not incorporated into and does not form part of this announcement.

Rule 2.9 information

In accordance with Rule 2.9 of the Code, Mondi confirms that as at the date of this announcement, its issued share capital consisted of 441,412,530 ordinary shares of EUR 0.22 each that are admitted to trading on the LSE and the JSE. No ordinary shares are held in treasury. The International Securities Identification Number (ISIN) of the ordinary shares is GB00BMWC6P49.

Rule 2.4 information

In accordance with Rule 2.4(c)(iii) of the Code, Mondi confirms that it is not aware of any dealings in DS Smith shares that would require it to offer a minimum level, or a particular form, of consideration under Rule 6 or Rule 11 of the Code. However, it has not been practicable for Mondi to make enquiries of all persons acting in concert with it prior to the date of this announcement in order to confirm whether any details are required to be disclosed under Rule 2.4(c)(iii) of the Code. To the extent that any such details are identified following such enquiries, Mondi shall make an announcement disclosing such details as soon as practicable, and in any event by no later than the time it is required to make its Opening Position Disclosure under Rule 8.1 of the Code.

Other

Rothschild & Co is acting as financial adviser to Mondi.

N.M. Rothschild & Sons Limited ("Rothschild & Co"), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for Mondi and for no one else in connection with the subject matter of this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Mondi for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in connection with the subject matter of this announcement.

Linklaters LLP is acting as legal adviser to Mondi.

The person responsible for arranging release of this announcement on behalf of Mondi is Jenny Hampshire, Company Secretary.

This announcement and the information within it is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of any offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, or subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities whether pursuant to this announcement or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. In particular, this announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. No offer of securities shall be made in the United States absent registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, such registration requirements. No statement contained or referred to in this announcement is intended to be a profit forecast.

This announcement has been prepared in accordance with English law and information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside England.

The distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of relevant jurisdictions. Therefore, any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom or shareholders of Mondi or DS Smith who are not resident in the United Kingdom will need to inform themselves about, and observe, any applicable requirements. Any failure to comply with the restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities law of any such jurisdiction.

Editor's notes

Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, contributing to a better world by making innovative solutions that are sustainable by design. Our business is integrated across the value chain - from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and films, to developing and manufacturing sustainable consumer and industrial packaging solutions using paper where possible, plastic when useful. Sustainability is at the centre of our strategy, with our ambitious commitments to 2030 focused on circular driven solutions, created by empowered people, taking action on climate.

In 2022, Mondi had revenues of 8.9 billion and underlying EBITDA of 1.8 billion from continuing operations, and employed 22,000 people worldwide. Mondi has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange (MNDI), where the Group is a FTSE100 constituent, and also has a secondary listing on the JSE Limited (MNP).

Sponsor in South Africa: Merrill Lynch South Africa (Pty) Ltd t/a BofA Securities.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 08, 2024SYH)SYHBF)) ("Skyharbour" or the "Company") is pleased to announce plans for partner company Tisdale Clean Energy Corp.'s ("Tisdale") upcoming work program at the South Falcon East Uranium Project which hosts the Fraser Lakes B uranium deposit. The South Falcon East Project lies 18 km outside the edge of the Athabasca Basin, approximately 50 km east of the Key Lake uranium mill and former mine. Tisdale entered into an option agreement with Skyharbour that was finalized last year (see news release dated January 25th, 2023) whereby Tisdale can earn up to a 75% interest in the South Falcon East project. Under the Option Agreement and assuming the 75% interest is earned, Tisdale will have issued Skyharbour 1,111,111 Tisdale shares upfront, and will fund exploration expenditures totaling CAD $10,500,000, as well as pay Skyharbour CAD $11,100,000 in cash of which $6,500,000 can be settled for shares in the capital of Tisdale ("Shares") over the five-year earn-in period.



Map of South Falcon East Project Claims:

https://skyharbourltd.com/_resources/images/Sky-South-Falcon-East-20231030.jpg

Tisdale is set to begin a preliminary phase one drill program for late winter 2024. The initial phase one program will consist of up to approximately 1,500 metres of drilling. The priority will be to confirm and expand the existing mineralization associated with the Fraser Lakes Zone B Uranium Deposit. Infill drilling will confirm the presence and continuity of existing mineralization in preparation for a current updated resource estimate and 3D model in the future. Step out drilling will endeavor to expand the footprint of the deposit, as the current mineralization is open in all directions. Initial focus will be in extending mineralization along strike and down dip into the basement rocks.

A secondary priority will be to begin regional exploration by following up promising anomalies located in the T-Bone Lake area. Regional drilling will focus on the effort to add additional mineralized zones and deposits along the folded structural package that hosts the Fraser Lakes Zone B Deposit.

2024 Drill Target Areas at the South Falcon East Uranium Project:

https://skyharbourltd.com/_resources/images/2023-Drill-Target-areas-south-Falcon-East-Uranium-Project-20231030.png

"The commencement of drilling is a milestone in terms of our ability to unlock the value contained at South Falcon," said Tisdale CEO, Alex Klenman. "Right now, nobody is getting much credit for those pounds in the ground. This will begin to change as we drill and earn our interest in the project. The initial phase one plan allows us to meet the early obligations of the earn-in with Skyharbour. We are hopeful our valuation will grow as a result, therefore reducing the barrier to entry for institutional support and giving us the opportunity to implement larger drill programs moving forward through 2024 and beyond."

"We believe very strongly that both the size and average grade of the resource can be increased. The last holes drilled in 2015 returned U 3 O 8 values of 0.172% and 0.165% over intervals of two metres or more. These results established that higher grade uranium exists within the deposit. We have a very compelling exploration strategy, and one we feel confident in pursuing. No doubt the first steps are the hardest, and we're pleased we're able to begin to execute on the plan," continued Mr. Klenman.

Jordan Trimble, President and CEO of Skyharbour, stated: "We are thrilled to have Tisdale commence their inaugural drill program at South Falcon East. The project is an advanced-stage exploration asset that hosts a near-surface uranium resource with strong expansion potential as well as robust discovery upside potential regionally on the property. We are confident that this winter drill program will unlock further value for both companies' shareholders with the uranium price trading near sixteen-year highs."

South Falcon East Project - Camp and Drilling Location Map:

https://www.skyharbourltd.com/_resources/images/South-Falcon-East-Camp-and-drilling-location-Map-20231030.png

The field program is anticipated to commence in late February and will be carried out by TerraLogic Exploration Inc. under the supervision of Laura Tennent, Project Manager with TerraLogic Exploration, and C. Trevor Perkins, consulting geologist for Tisdale. The drill program will be operating out of Skyharbour's McGowan Lake Camp at the Russell Lake project with helicopter support for the daily drilling operations. The expected budget for the initial phase one program is anticipated to be approx. CAD $1.25 million funded by Tisdale.

Terms of the Option Agreement:

Pursuant to the Option Agreement, Tisdale may acquire up to a 75% (seventy-five percent) interest in the Property, in two phases. Initially, Tisdale can acquire a 51% (fifty-one percent) interest in the Property by completing the following payments and incurring the following exploration expenditures on the Property:

1. On the closing date ("Closing"), paying CAD $350,000 (paid) and issuing 1,111,111 Shares to Skyharbour upfront (issued);

By the eighteen-month anniversary of Closing, completing at least $1,250,000 in exploration expenditures, and paying Skyharbour $1,450,000, of which up to $1,000,000 may be paid in Shares based on the 20-day volume-weighted average closing price calculated on the day of issuance ("VWAP"), at the election of Tisdale; By the second anniversary of Closing, completing an additional $1,750,000 in exploration expenditures, and paying Skyharbour $1,800,000, of which up to $1,000,000 may be paid in Shares based on the VWAP, at the election of Tisdale; By the third anniversary of Closing, completing an additional $2,500,000 in exploration expenditures, and paying Skyharbour $2,500,000, of which up to $1,500,000 may be paid in Shares based on the VWAP, at the election of Tisdale.

After acquiring a 51% interest, Tisdale may increase its interest in the Property to 75% by:

2. Completing a payment of $5,000,000 to Skyharbour by the fourth anniversary of Closing, of which up to $3,000,000 may be satisfied in Shares based on the VWAP, at the election of Tisdale, and incurring exploration expenditures on the Property of an additional $2,500,000 in each of the fourth and fifth anniversaries of Closing.

No common shares will be issuable to Skyharbour at a deemed price of less than $0.05 or such minimum price as is permitted by the Exchange at the date of issuance, nor will they be issued to Skyharbour to the extent such issuance would result in the Company becoming a new insider of Tisdale. Assuming Tisdale exercises any portion of the option and acquires an interest in Property, the parties intend to form a joint venture for the ongoing development of the Property.

South Falcon East Project Summary:

The South Falcon East Project is a uranium exploration project in the southeast Athabasca Basin and covers approximately 12,464 hectares. It lies 18 kilometres outside the Athabasca Basin, approximately 50 kilometres east of the Key Lake Mine. Historical exploration at the South Falcon East Project identified an area of U-Th-REE mineralization at the Fraser Lakes Zone B over an area comprising 1.5 km by 0.5 km along an antiformal fold nose cut by an east-west dextral ductile-brittle cross-structure adjacent to a 65 km long EM conductor.

Qualified Person:

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed and approved by David Billard, P.Geo., a Consulting Geologist for Skyharbour as well as a Qualified Person.

About Tisdale Clean Energy Corp.:

Tisdale Clean Energy is a Canadian-based exploration company focused on the acquisition and advancement of critical energy/fuel projects.

About Skyharbour Resources Ltd.:

Skyharbour holds an extensive portfolio of uranium exploration projects in Canada's Athabasca Basin and is well positioned to benefit from improving uranium market fundamentals with twenty-five projects, ten of which are drill-ready, covering over 520,000 hectares (over 1.2 million acres) of land. Skyharbour has acquired from Denison Mines, a large strategic shareholder of the Company, a 100% interest in the Moore Uranium Project which is located 15 kilometres east of Denison's Wheeler River project and 39 kilometres south of Cameco's McArthur River uranium mine. Moore is an advanced-stage uranium exploration property with high-grade uranium mineralization at the Maverick Zone that returned drill results of up to 6.0% U 3 O 8 over 5.9 metres including 20.8% U 3 O 8 over 1.5 metres at a vertical depth of 265 metres. Adjacent to the Moore Uranium Project is Skyharbour's recently optioned Russell Lake Uranium Project from Rio Tinto, which hosts historical high-grade uranium drill intercepts over a large property area with robust exploration upside potential. The Company is actively advancing these projects through exploration and drill programs.

Skyharbour has joint-ventures with industry-leader Orano Canada Inc. and Azincourt Energy at the Preston and East Preston Projects, respectively, whereby Orano and Azincourt earned majority interests in the projects through exploration expenditures, cash payments and share issuances. Skyharbour also has several active earn-in option partners including: ASX-listed Valor Resources at the Hook Lake Uranium Project; CSE-listed Basin Uranium Corp. at the Mann Lake Uranium Project; CSE-listed Medaro Mining Corp. at the Yurchison Project; North Shore Uranium at the Falcon Project; and TSX-V listed Tisdale Clean Energy at the South Falcon East Project which is host to the Fraser Lakes Zone B Uranium and Thorium Deposit.

Collectively, Skyharbour has now signed earn-in option agreements with partners that total to over $33 million in partner-funded exploration expenditures, over $27 million worth of shares being issued and over $20 million in cash payments coming into Skyharbour, assuming that these partner companies complete their entire earn-ins at the respective projects.

Skyharbour's goal is to maximize shareholder value through new mineral discoveries, committed long-term partnerships, and the advancement of exploration projects in geopolitically favourable jurisdictions.

Skyharbour's Uranium Project Map in the Athabasca Basin:

https://www.skyharbourltd.com/_resources/maps/SKY_SaskProject_Locator_20231219_V2.jpg

To find out more about Skyharbour Resources Ltd..

SKYHARBOUR RESOURCES LTD.

"Jordan Trimble"

Jordan Trimble

President and CEO

For further information contact myself or:

Nicholas Coltura

Investor Relations Manager

Skyharbour Resources Ltd.

Telephone: 604-558-5847

Toll Free: 800-567-8181

Facsimile: 604-687-3119

Email: info@skyharbourltd.com

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

The securities offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction.

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expects, are forward-looking statements, including the Private Placement. Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, include market prices, exploration and development successes, regulatory approvals, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the public filings of the Company at www.sedar.comfor further information.
Regional Ceremonies Unveil Outstanding Global Achievements Among IT Solutions Providers

CLEVELAND, OH, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Last night, Park Place Technologies, the leading global data center and networking optimization firm, formally announced the winners of its inaugural 2023 Channel Partner Awards program. These awards recognize the collaboration of Park Place's network of channel partners in solving client pain points through the adoption of IT infrastructure management and optimization services.

Partners play a pivotal role in Park Place Technologies' success, serving as a substantial driving force behind revenue generation and deal facilitation globally. Recognizing this, Park Place has committed to fostering the growth and success of its partners. The initiation of their Partner Advisory Board (PAB) in both North America and EMEA in 2023 underscores this commitment, providing a platform for communication, learning, and mutual benefit.

Furthermore, the implementation of a Channel Partner Awards program provides a platform to formally recognize organizations that contributed significantly to the organization's success while addressing critical customer pain points. Regional ceremonies hosted in Scottsdale, Arizona and London, UK offered an opportunity to acknowledge and applaud said partners in person for their dedication and achievements throughout the previous year.

The awards constituted five categories across four regions and were open to all of Park Place Technologies' global partners that had been onboarded by January 1st, 2023. The awards titles and recipients by region were as follows:

2023 Partner of the Year

Awarded to the partners that transacted the largest total revenue contribution to Park Place Technologies between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023. Title winners by region include:

North American Partner of the Year - CDW Corporation Asian-Pacific Partner of the Year - DXC Technology European, Middle Eastern, and African Public Sector Partner of the Year - Insight European, Middle Eastern, and African Commercial Partner of the Year - Softcat Latin American Partners of the Year: North of Latin America Region Partner of the Year - BPM @ Consulting Southern Cone Region Partner of the Year - Telextorage Andean Region Partner of the Year - Green Services and Solutions



2023 Rising Star Partner of the Year

Recognizing partners onboarded in 2022 that haveshowcased their partner potential in delivering live opportunities,have actively collaborated in partnership with Park Place, and have demonstrated YoY growth from the previous 12 months, between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023. Title winners by region include:

North American Rising Star Partner of the Year - Lucidia IT Asian-Pacific Rising Star Partner of the Year - Galaxy Office Automation European, Middle Eastern, and African Rising Star Partner of the Year - Renewtech Latin American Rising Star Partners of the Year: North of Latin America Region Rising Star Partner of the Year - Sonda Southern Cone Region Rising Star Partner of the Year - Vr4 Andean Region Rising Star Partner of the Year - IO Gestion



2023 Collaborative Partner of the Year

Acknowledging partners that have demonstrated true collaboration, working with Park Place Technologies to solve customer pain points and devise solutions, being advocates for Park Place's range of IT infrastructure management services, and have advanced the co-operations between our sales and technical teams across our entire portfolio. Title winners by region include:

North American Collaborative Partner of the Year - SHI International Corp Asian-Pacific Collaborative Partner of the Year - Phil-Data Business Systems Inc European, Middle Eastern, and African Collaborative Partner of the Year - Viadex Latin American Collaborative Partners of the Year: North of Latin America Region Collaborative Partner of the Year - Openstor Southern Cone Region Collaborative Partner of the Year - Ricoh Chile Andean Region Collaborative Partner of the Year - Terasys



2023 Partner Initiative of the Year

Awarded to the partners that have collaborated with Park Place Technologies to deliver a stand-out initiative. This initiative either aligns their partner sales teams with Park Place, or actively promotes Park Place's portfolio of services to their end-user customers, resulting in demonstratable alignment with Park Place and our portfolio of services. Key criteria included total number of aligned reps and opportunities per rep worked in conjunction with Park Place sellers. Title winners by region include:

North American Partner Initiative of the Year - CDW Corporation Asian-Pacific Partner Initiative of the Year - Information System Services Co. (Japan) European, Middle Eastern, and African Partner Initiative of the Year - Constor Solutions Latin American Partner Initiative of the Year - Sdelka



2023 Partner Deal of the Year

Recognizing the partners responsible for delivering the single largest deal opportunity to Park Place Technologies between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023. Title winners by region include:

North American Partner Deal of the Year - Technologent Asian-Pacific Partner Deal of the Year - DXC Technology European, Middle Eastern, and African Partner Deal of the Year - Softcat



Chad Jones, Senior Director of Partner Sales at Park Place Technologies, expressed his gratitude, stating, "On behalf of Park Place Technologies, I am proud to recognize our strategic partners for their enthusiasm and commitment to scaling business within their end-user accounts."

"The five award categories in our 2023 inaugural Partner Awards were derived from Park Place's channel program initiatives, such as portfolio adoption and sales rep engagement," he continued. "2023 was a banner year for Park Place, and specifically our Channel division, which saw historic growth in bookings and revenue across all business segments."

About Park Place Technologies

Park Place Technologies is a global data center and networking optimization firm. We help more than 21,000 clients optimize data center budgets, productivity, performance, and sustainability so they can think bigger - and act faster. From procurement to decommissioning, our comprehensive portfolio of services and products helps IT teams optimize IT lifecycle management. This frees time and spend so they can focus on transforming their businesses for the future.

Park Place's industry-leading and award-winning services portfolio includes Park Place Hardware Maintenance, Park Place Professional Services, ParkView Managed Services, Entuity Softwareand Curvature Hardware sales. For more information, visit www.parkplacetechnologies.com. Park Place is a portfolio company of Charlesbank Capital Partners and GTCR.

Attachment
When acting State Supreme Court Judge Mark J. Grisanti got into a noisy dispute with his North Buffalo neighbors and some police officers on June 22, 2020, an officers body camera documented much of the action.

Bodycam video shows Judge Grisanti shove cop during neighbor dispute The police body camera footage sheds light on a highly publicized brawl that erupted on the night of June 22 on Duluth Avenue in North Buffalo.

Video footage later made public showed Grisanti shoving a Buffalo police officer, dropping the names of prominent city officials he knew, and angrily warning a patrolman, youre gonna be sorry if he arrested Grisantis wife.

No one was arrested that day, although the judge was briefly handcuffed and placed in a patrol car. The judge apologized to police for his actions and was released.

But will Grisanti ever face disciplinary action from the state Judicial Conduct Commission?

More than three years and seven months after the incident, the state agency that investigates the behavior of judges has taken no public action on Grisantis case.

Robert H. Tembeckjian, the commissions administrator and chief counsel, told The Buffalo News he cannot predict a timetable for potential disciplinary action.

In fact, I cannot even confirm or deny that we are conducting an investigation, Tembeckjian said on Thursday. Because of state confidentiality laws governing our agency, most of what we do in any of our cases is kept confidential. Only at the very end of the process, after our final decisions go to the State Appeals Court and the judge is notified, do they become public.

The state agency has been investigating Grisantis actions since a few days after the June 2020 incident, three sources with close knowledge of the situation told The News.

Grisanti and his attorney, Terrence M. Connors, participated in a commission hearing on the matter in June 2022, those same sources confirmed. They added that the states investigation is ongoing.

I cannot confirm or deny that information, Tembeckjian said.

Tembeckjian added that he and the commission support a proposed state law that would make our work more transparent by making public more of what we do.

Right now, if we investigate a case and accuse a judge of wrongdoing, we serve the judge with charges. The judge files a formal answer. If the judge asks for the charges to be dismissed, the case is assigned to a referee, Tembeckjian said. Both sides get to submit documents to the referee. Then, theres a trial, with witnesses. All this is done confidentially. We cannot tell the public what is going on until it is all over ... That can take years.

The News asked whether three years and seven months is an unusually long time for any such investigation to take.

That is a longer time period than most of our investigations take. Most take less time, especially when a judge agrees with the determination that we have made, Tembeckjian said. Some of our cases, when the judge disputes our findings, take more time than three years and seven months.

During the more than 43 months that the commission has been investigating Grisantis conduct, he has continued to serve as an acting state judge, receiving his annual salary of $210,900. Grisanti has made more than $735,000 in state salary since the June 2020 incident. Annual salaries for state judges are slated to rise to $232,600 in April.

Connors said Sunday that the case has taken this long because his office and the state commission have been very thorough in litigating it.

The commission has conducted a very thorough investigation, looking into every aspect of it, Connors said. A distinguished career is at stake, and we too have tried to be very thorough.

Grisanti is currently overseeing a high-profile trial in his courtroom  the case filed against Erie County by the family of Richard Metcalf Jr., a prisoner who died after a November 2012 incident in the county Holding Center.

Justice Mark Grisanti blocks courtroom access during jury selection in civil case over Holding Center death State Supreme Court Justice Mark J. Grisanti barred journalists from observing jury selection in the Richard Metcalf Jr. civil case on both Monday and Tuesday.

Metcalfs airway was cut off when deputies tied a spit mask around his neck and pulled a pillowcase over his head as they restrained him inside the Holding Center, the state Commission of Correction found.

The 35-year-old prisoner was taken to the Erie County Medical Center where he died two days after the confrontation with deputies. The familys lawsuit claims that poor training of deputies led to the death.

Grisanti last month took the unusual step of barring the public and news media from his courtroom during jury selection in the case. He explained afterward that he took that action to ensure the safety of jurors and potential jurors.

Again citing state confidentiality rules, Tembeckjian said he could not comment when asked whether the commission is investigating Grisantis actions in the Metcalf jury selection. Attorneys delivered opening statements in the trial on Monday.

I can tell you that, in some cases, we have disciplined judges for barring the public or the media from the courtroom during proceedings that should have been public, Tembeckjian said. In some cases, we have advised supervising judges of the situation ... Again, I am not commenting on this particular judge or this case.

The judges clash with neighbors and police erupted after Grisanti and his wife became embroiled in a dispute over street parking with a couple who lived across the street.

A video made public several months later showed the shirtless judge yelling profanities and dropping the names of highly-placed city officials as he argued with his neighbors and officers. The video was initially published on the Law360 website, and later by The News and other Buffalo media.

Footage showed the judge rushing toward an officer and pushing him after the officer grabbed and handcuffed Grisantis wife, Marie, on their front lawn.

Hey, you arrest my (expletive) wife, youre gonna be sorry, Grisanti screamed at the officer. If you dont get the cuffs off her right now, youre gonna have a problem.

Videotaped by a police body camera, Grisanti repeatedly told officers that his daughter and son-in-law are city police officers.

Grisanti also said his cousin was a deputy police commissioner, and described Mayor Byron W. Brown as his good friend.

Grisanti never mentioned his position as a judge on the video.

The Erie County District Attorneys Office reviewed the case and decided not to file criminal charges.

According to the Judicial Conduct Commission, a state judge found guilty of ethical misconduct could be removed from his or her job, forced to resign, be publicly sanctioned or issued a private letter of caution.

If no misconduct is found, the commission said, no action will be taken.

Connors, who has represented many judges before the commission, confirmed in December 2020 that he represents Grisanti.

At that time, Connors declined to speculate on what the commission would do. Connors said the video footage is not indicative of the kind of person Grisanti is.

I just hope that these few minutes, out of Mark Grisantis entire life, do not destroy the career of a very diligent and productive judge ... with an unblemished record, Connors said.

Grisanti is not the first state judge to be investigated by the commission after an encounter with police.

In an examination of the commissions cases between 2010 and 2021, The News found seven cases involving judges who were disciplined for statements they made during interactions with police. Five of those cases involved judges who argued with police while being arrested for driving while intoxicated.

One of those judges was removed from office and two others agreed to resign. The other four were publicly censured.

One judge was disciplined for asking police to give a break to a friend facing a possible DWI arrest. Another judge threatened police while demanding that officers help unlock his personal vehicle.

None of the seven judges who were disciplined was accused of grabbing or touching a police officer during their confrontations.

Unlike Grisanti, the seven judges who were disciplined all told police that they were judges, according to the commission.

And while Grisantis conduct was captured on a body cam video, widely viewed by the public, the other interactions between judges and police were not.

Nobody, including a judge, is above the law, said Joseph W. Belluck, the commissions chairman, after a Rochester City Court judge was removed from her position for her altercation with a police officer who charged her with DWI.

Connors, who was busy on a trial at federal court, had no comment on the current status of Grisantis disciplinary case when contacted by The News last week.
Groundbreaking Faith-Based SMA to Amplify Intelligent Financial Guidance with an Integrity-Driven Approach

GEORGETOWN, SC / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Wildes Financial Strategies, a premier investment management firm renowned for its commitment to ethical and values-driven investment strategies, is excited to announce the launch of three new Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs) tailored for investors seeking to integrate their financial goals with Christian principles.

These innovative SMAs represent a significant step forward for Wildes Financial Strategies, reinforcing its role as a leader in the fusion of faith-based values with investment opportunities. Each account is meticulously screened to comply with Christian ethical standards, excluding investments in industries counter to Christian teachings and emphasizing companies committed to positive societal impact. Importantly, all included companies have demonstrated financial stability and growth potential through at least 10 consecutive years of increased dividends.

The three newly introduced faith-based SMAs are available as Large Cap, Mid Cap and Small Cap choices, which focus on companies that not only have a track record of increasing dividends for at least 10 consecutive years but also align with Christian moral teachings.

"Our mission at Wildes Financial Strategies is to enable our clients to invest in a manner that is consistent with their deepest convictions," said Jeff Wildes, President of Wildes Financial Strategies. "These new faith-based SMAs allow investors to grow their wealth in alignment with their faith, knowing their investments are making a positive difference in the world."

Investors in Wildes Financial Strategies' new faith-based SMAs can look forward to:

Faith-Aligned Investing: Portfolios that resonate with Christian values and beliefs.

Transparent and Ethical Management: Clear insight into the ethical screening process and investment choices.

Growth and Stability: A focus on companies with a strong track record of dividend growth, offering potential for stable returns.

Wildes Financial Strategies is dedicated to providing clients with innovative investment solutions that honor their values. With the introduction of these new SMAs, the firm is pleased to offer more opportunities for meaningful and responsible investment.

About Wildes Financial Strategies

Wildes Financial Strategies is a leading investment management firm dedicated to offering ethical and values-driven financial solutions. Emphasizing positive societal impact, Wildes Financial Strategies delivers a wide range of investment services designed to meet the diverse needs and values of its clients. For more information, visit wildesfinancialstrategies.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Michelle Talbot

Operations Manager

Wildes Financial Strategies

Michelle.talbot@wildesfinancial.com

843-485-4371

Wildes Financial Strategies, Inc. is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and only transacts business in states where it is properly notice filed or is excluded or exempted from such requirements.

Contact Information

Michelle Talbot

Operations Manager

michelle.talbot@wildesfinancial.com

843-485-4371

SOURCE: Wildes Financial Strategies

View the original press release on newswire.com.
FN Media Group Presents USA News Group News Commentary

VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- USA News Group - In the race to secure new supplies of lithium, one country appears to be surging ahead of others in terms of production and export growth, and that country is Argentina. Amid the current lithium boom, Argentina's mining exports are set to reach around $4.5 billion in 2023, amid strong prices and the launch of a new lithium mine. Thanks to ambitious innovation in lithium extraction methods, including Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE), plenty of firms are aiming to prove their efforts are working. With analysts projecting that production in Argentina could more than triple by 2030, the country is being primed to become the epicenter of new stage of lithium supply. Among the top stories coming from Argentina's lithium landscape include developments from Lithium South Development Corporation (TSX-V:LIS) (OTCQB:LISMF), Alpha Lithium Corporation (OTCPK:APHLF), Lithium Americas Corp. (NYSE:LAAC) (TSX:LAAC), Allkem Limited and Livent Corporation (NYSE:LTHM).

At its flagship Hombre Muerto North Lithium (HMN Li) project in Salta Province, Argentina, Lithium South Development Corporation (TSXV:LIS) (OTCQB:LISMF) recently announced a whopping 175% increase in lithium resource, which boosted the total resource from 571,000 tonnes to 1,583,100 tonnes LCE at an average grade of 736 mg/L lithium. The increase set the wheels in motion on a series of actions, including the latest announcement of renewing the project's Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), given that so many material changes have occurred since its last PEA was published in 2019. With what the company knows now about the project, they'll be targeting lithium recovery improvements from the previously projected 50% to approximately 70%.

Lithium South will be utilizing the expertise of Peter Ehren as the primary engineer for Process Optimization and as a Qualified Person for the PEA and NI 43-101 Technical Report. Ehren's track record includes being responsible for the design of other flagship projects such as Salar de Olaroz of Sales de Jujuy of Allkem Limited, the Pastos Grandes of Lithium Americas Corp. (Argentina) (NYSE:LAAC) (TSX:LAAC), and Salar de Maricunga of Lithium Power International.

The report will use the new HMN Li Project upgraded resource of 1.58 million tonnes Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE). It will also take into consideration current market conditions and pricing for LCE. The report will use an Initial Design Capacity (IDC) of 15,000 tonnes per year LCE production. This IDC could be expanded as further project resources and pumping areas are identified.

Ahead of the new PEA's release, Lithium South is now building up their momentum towards production testing on the HMN Li project. Most recently reporting the initiation of a drilling campaign to install three pumping/production wells at the 5-claim block, the first well is currently being drilled to a depth of 200m. Early results from core drilling are promising, with a lithium concentration exceeding 1,175 milligrams per liter.

"We are very excited to be able to increase our total LCE resource by such a wide value," said Adrian F. C. Hobkirk, Lithium South President and CEO. "With the increase in overall resource, we look forward to developing a larger mining plan."

Now with the pumping/production wells underway, each well will be fitted with screen filters and blind casing. Upon completion, long-term pumping tests will be conducted to determine brine transmissivity, including the maximum flow of each well. Lithium South has also partnered with multiple strategic experts in Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology to improve the project's profitability.

The HMN Li Project is surrounded by a US$4 billion lithium development underway by South Korean metals giant POSCO and the Sal de Vida Project under development by Allkem Limited. The region, covered with salt and other minerals, is known to contain 70% of the world's lithium deposits.

The Hombre Muerto Salar has a history of lithium production with Livent's asset in the salar having been in operation for +25 years just south of the HMN Li Project. The HMN Li Project is also surrounded by a US$4 billion lithium development underway by POSCO and the Sal de Vida Project under development by Allkem Limited. The region, covered with salt and other minerals, is known to contain 70% of the world's lithium deposits.





Now Allkem is in the process of joining up with Livent Corporation (NYSE:LTHM) through a US$10.6 billion all-stock mega-merger. Across both companies' assets, their entire lithium brine portfolio is located in Argentina. Livent is bringing in its Hombre Muerto and Guemes properties, while Allkem adds the Sal de Vida, Olaroz, and Cauchari properties to the mix.

"As a combined company, we will have the enhanced scale, product range, geographic coverage, and execution capabilities to meet our customers' rapidly growing demand for lithium chemicals," said Livent's President and CEO, Paul Graves (who has also been designated to be the CEO of the New TopCo). "Together we can accelerate our growth plans and deliver more lithium, more reliably, and more quickly, than either of us can do alone."

Upon completion of the merger, the combined company will likely become the largest lithium entity in Argentina's Lithium Triangle segment.

While two companies are combining to make a mega corporation, Lithium Americas Corp. (Argentina) (NYSE:LAAC) (TSX:LAAC) became a new entity after the splitting of its previous parent company into two.

"Following the Separation, the Lithium Americas (NewCo) team is committed to advancing the Thacker Pass project toward production to support the critical North American lithium supply chain," said Jonathan Evans, Lithium Americas' President and CEO. "Meanwhile, the Lithium Argentina team will advance Cauchari-Olaroz toward full commercial production and pursue development opportunities in its significant growth pipeline in Argentina."

In June 2023, Lithium Americas (Argentina) achieved first lithium production at its Cauchari-Olaroz project as they continue the commissioning process and ramp up to Stage 1 capacity of 40,000 tonnes per annum of battery-quality lithium carbonate, which is scheduled to be completed in mid-2024.

Another Salta Province project that's making progress is the Tolillar lithium brine project of Alpha Lithium Corporation (OTC:APHLF). Recently Alpha filed the results of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), following upon an announcement in July which saw a 70% increase in "indicated resources" and a 30% "inferred resource" increase.

"Our Strategic Review Process continues, and Alpha is well-positioned with our unique and highly attractive assets," said Brad Nichol, President & CEO of Alpha. "Even with conservative estimates, Alpha's Tolillar project continues to be a significant lithium carbonate project with exceptional and increasing potential."

According to the new PEA, the Tolillar project has a US$1.7 billion NPV, and a cumulative cash flow of US$8.2 billion over a 35-year production life.

All of these efforts from Alpha are set to be handsomely rewarded. Earlier in June 2023, the company received an acquisition offer from TecPatrol earlier this year, which began at C$1.24 per share, and has since risen to C$1.48 in cash per share to buy all of the outstanding Common Shares.

Source: https://usanewsgroup.com/2023/04/11/quite-possibly-the-best-lithium-resource-in-argentina-perhaps-the-world/ https://usanewsgroup.com/2023/10/18/the-lithium-race-to-power/

Article Source:

USA News Group

http://USAnewsgroup.com info@usanewsgroup.com

DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a paid advertisement and is neither an offer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this report or email is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. Equity Insider is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market IQ Media Group, Inc. ("MIQ"). MIQ has been paid a fee for Lithium South Development Corporation advertising and digital media from the company directly. There may be 3rd parties who may have shares of Lithium South Development Corporation, and may liquidate their shares which could have a negative effect on the price of the stock. This compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. Because of this conflict, individuals are strongly encouraged to not use this publication as the basis for any investment decision. The owner/operator of MIQ own shares of Lithium South Development Corporation which were purchased as a part of a private placement. MIQ reserves the right to buy and sell, and will buy and sell shares of Lithium South Development Corporation at any time thereafter without any further notice. We also expect further compensation as an ongoing digital media effort to increase visibility for the company, no further notice will be given, but let this disclaimer serve as notice that all material disseminated by MIQ has been approved by the above mentioned company; this is a paid advertisement, and we own shares of the mentioned company that we will sell, and we also reserve the right to buy shares of the company in the open market, or through further private placements and/or investment vehicles. The contents of this advertisement were reviewed by Mr. William Feyerabend, a Consulting Geologist and Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Feyerabend approves of the scientific and technical disclosure pertaining to Lithium South contained within this advertisement. While all information is believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed by us to be accurate. Individuals should assume that all information contained in our newsletter is not trustworthy unless verified by their own independent research. Also, because events and circumstances frequently do not occur as expected, there will likely be differences between any predictions and actual results. Always consult a licensed investment professional before making any investment decision. Be extremely careful, investing in securities carries a high degree of risk; you may likely lose some or all of the investment.

USA News Group is Source of all content listed above. FN Media Group, LLC (FNM), is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with USA News Group or any company mentioned herein. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by USA News Group are solely those of USA News Group and are not shared by and do not reflect in any manner the views or opinions of FNM. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM was not compensated by any public company mentioned herein to disseminate this press release.

This release contains "forward-loking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/argentinas-lithium-boom-how-the-nation-is-set-to-dominate-global-supply-by-2030-302056686.html
Insurance agencies, brokers and wholesalers can now apply for expedited appointment and access to Great American's commercial products, including business owner's policy

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Today, CoverForce , the first independent API to deliver instant quotes and one-click binding from the leading insurance carriers, announced a partnership with insurance veteran, Great American Insurance Group , to give appointed agents and brokers nationwide digital access to their commercial insurance products.

With this partnership, CoverForce is the first company to provide digital access to Great American's workers' compensation, business owner's policy (BOP) and other commercial products.

"CoverForce brings market-leading one-click convenience, simplicity and error-free processing to the way retail and independent agents, brokers, wholesalers and carriers interact, while also providing them with the tools to manage those interactions," said Cyrus Karai, CEO and Co-Founder of CoverForce. "We are proud to be one of Great American's largest alternative distribution partners, demonstrating that our solutions, built in lock-step with carriers, are developed for large wholesalers, brokerages and network groups at scale."

Great American customers now have access to CoverForce's feature suite which also includes both its quote & bind Agent Portal and Management Portal that sync directly into top agency management systems. With CoverForce, agents and brokers can apply for expedited appointments with Great American, while wholesalers can track submissions across all retail agencies from start to finish.

"We are excited to further our commitment to deliver a market-leading digital experience for business owners' and workers' compensation policies and our appointed agents through this partnership," said Kristen Mielcarek, Divisional VP, Alternative Distribution at Great American. "With CoverForce's modern technology, our products are more accessible to retail agencies, independent agencies and wholesalers, giving us a better understanding of the appetite while drastically reducing the time between requesting a quote and purchasing a policy."

While the typical underwriting process can take an average of one to three weeks due to back-and-forth phone calls and emails, CoverForce has integrated with Great American's API suite to provide an end-to-end purchase experience of appetite, quoting, binding and issuance. This streamlined quoting process takes minutes versus weeks, helping agents access Great American small and medium business products digitally. Agents can significantly increase their sales throughput and reduce their administration time.

In less than a year of operation, CoverForce has already onboarded more than 3,500 users and partners across the country - including independent agency networks like ISU Insurance Agency Network , as well as agency management system NowCerts - to access quotes from top property and casualty insurance carriers and bind in a simple one-click through its industry-leading API .

Great American's network of appointed agents can now digitally access its robust product suite and appetite in all 50 states with CoverForce's offering.

To request a Great American appointment or access CoverForce's products today, visit www.coverforce.com or send an email to hello@coverforce.com .

About CoverForce

CoverForce has built a foundational, easy-to-integrate API that digitally connects agencies and corporate customers with insurance carriers. For agents, the company's core infrastructure and customized software enable instant quotes from top, best-fit carriers and one-click bind and pay. For carriers, the company unlocks new distribution channels and faster underwriting and sales, guaranteeing control over access and providing access through its customized enterprise software for agencies and robust APIs. CoverForce has integrations with leading insurance companies - Travelers, Liberty Mutual, Chubb and more - across all major commercial insurance lines, including general liability, BOP, workers' compensation and cyber products.

A product of the University of Pennsylvania's Innovation Fund, CoverForce has more than 3,500 users on its platform - thanks in part to investors and advisors from Nyca Partners, Muir Capital, QED Investors, Microsoft and Uber. For more information, visit www.coverforce.com .

About Great American

For more than 150 years, customers have trusted us to protect what matters most to them.

Great American Insurance Group's roots go back to 1872 with the founding of its flagship company, Great American Insurance Company. Our innovative and specialized insurance solutions are designed to serve niche marketplaces that we know well. With our deep expertise and financial strength, we have laid a foundation of success that has stood the test of time.

Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, the operations of Great American Insurance Group are engaged in property and casualty insurance. With more than 30 specialty property and casualty insurance businesses, we're well-positioned to offer tailored insurance solutions to meet businesses' unique needs. Great American Insurance Company has received an "A" (Excellent) or higher rating from the AM Best Company for 115 years (most recent rating evaluation of "A+" (Superior) affirmed December 16, 2022).

CoverForce Media Relations:

Caliber Corporate Advisers

coverforce@calibercorporateadvisers.com

SOURCE: CoverForce



View the original press release on accesswire.com
Young people often use marijuana in combination with alcohol and cigarettes. Therefore, a combination of tax increases on all three counterbalances rising marijuana use among youth after legalization. These are empirical findings of the discussion paper "More than Joints: Multi-Substance Use, Choice Limitations, and Policy Implications" by the EPoS Economic Research Center at the Universities of Bonn and Mannheim.

"We have identified a new and effective tool to control use of marijuana among youth," says Michelle Sovinsky of the EPoS Economic Research Center. "Our results show that post-legalization consumption will rise from 25 to 37 percent among youth. The increase can be mitigated through taxing three substances: alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana."

Taxes bring down use to pre-legalization levels

Nevada was the only jurisdiction to increase taxes on alcohol post-legalization. According to the EPoS research, youth consumption would have been close to pre-legalization levels, had Nevada also increased cigarette and marijuana taxes by 8 percent.

Drugs often used in combination

Selling and buying marijuana is now legal in 24 US states, other US states are poised to put it to vote. In the surrounding debates, one point is often overlooked: Young people rarely use marijuana in isolation. According to "Monitoring the Future," a survey of 50,000 US high school students, around 13 percent report they used marijuana and alcohol on the same occasion over the past year.

"The complementary use is why regulating substances like alcohol and cigarettes also influences the consumption of marijuana," Sovinsky says. "It is notable that marijuana legalization has so far not been accompanied by changes in both alcohol and cigarette tax rates in any jurisdiction."

Continued police enforcement is important

The study finds that there are reasonable combinations of tax increases that work well. Importantly, they need to be accompanied by continued police enforcement of underage use.

The findings are also relevant for the policy discussion outside the US. Apart from 24 US states, buying and selling marijuana is legal in Canada, Thailand, and Uruguay. In Europe, Germany will legalize recreational use on April 1st while it is on the agenda in Italy, the Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom.

EPoS full discussion paper: https://www.crctr224.de/research/discussion-papers/archive/dp501

EPoS newsroom: https://www.crctr224.de/newsroom/press-releases

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208224354/en/

Contacts:

econNEWSnetwork

Sonja Heer

Sonja.Heer@econ-news.de
KINGSPORT, TN / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Eastman:

Eastman announces its annual rating on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's assessment of LGBTQ+ workplace equality.

Eastman

Eastman (NYSE:EMN) proudly announced that it received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index, the nation's foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. Eastman joins the ranks of 545 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year.

"Eastman is a global material innovation company, but more importantly, we're a people company," said Julie McAlindon, Senior Vice President, Regions and Chief Supply Chain Officer, and executive champion of Eastman's Equality resource group. "We care deeply about improving the quality of life for our team members and those who live in the communities in which we operate. This award is a recognition of the incredible efforts of our global team and our Equality Eastman Resource Group and exemplifies our commitment to I&D and our LGBTQ+ team members and allies."

"For well over two decades, businesses have played an important role in furthering LGBTQ+ equality by centering employee needs and voices when it comes to workplace inclusion. While there is much more work to be done, year-over-year growth in CEI participation is evidence of a business community that recognizes the responsibility and value in upholding equity and inclusion," said RaShawn "Shawnie" Hawkins, Human Rights Campaign senior director of Workplace Equality. "Our goal at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation is to work in a spirit of partnership with companies, providing educational resources and leading benchmarking, and collaborating on ways for businesses to support the LGBTQ+ community at a time when we face unprecedented legislative attacks, heightened anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and physical violence. The CEI is an ever-evolving tool - a blueprint that companies can use to show up more effectively in supporting their LGBTQ+ employees and their families."

The results of the 2023-2024 CEI showcase how U.S.-based companies are promoting LGBTQ+ friendly workplace policies in the U.S. and abroad. The first year of the CEI included 319 participants, and the 2023-2024 CEI now includes 1,384 participants; further demonstrating the tremendous trajectory of the CEI, a record-breaking 1,340 businesses have non-discrimination protections specific to gender identity, up from just 17 in 2002. These critical non-discrimination protections cover 21 million employees in the U.S. and around the globe. Eastman's efforts in satisfying all the CEI's criteria earned a score of 100 and the designation as recipient of the Equality 100 Award: Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion.

The CEI rates employers providing these crucial protections to over 20 million U.S. workers and an additional 18 million outside of the U.S. Companies rated in the CEI include Fortune magazine's 500 largest publicly traded businesses, American Lawyer magazine's top 200 revenue-grossing law firms (AmLaw 200), and hundreds of publicly and privately held mid- to large-sized businesses.

The CEI rates companies on detailed criteria falling under four central pillars:

Non-discrimination policies across business entities;

Equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families;

Supporting an inclusive culture; and,

Corporate social responsibility.

The full report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.

About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public's understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice. Its work has transformed the landscape for more than 15 million workers, 11 million students, 1 million clients in the adoption and foster care system and so much more. The HRC Foundation provides direct consultation and technical assistance to institutions and communities, driving the advancement of inclusive policies and practices; it builds the capacity of future leaders and allies through fellowship and training programs; and, with the firm belief that we are stronger working together, it forges partnerships with advocates in the U.S. and around the globe to increase our impact and shape the future of our work.

About Eastman

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company's innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive and diverse company, Eastman employs approximately 14,500 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2022 revenue of approximately $10.6 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA.

Media contact

Candy Eslinger

423-229-3439

candyeslinger@eastman.com

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Eastman on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Eastman

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/eastman

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Eastman

View the original press release on accesswire.com
LoopMe grows workforce by 20% YoY and promotes Rob Cukierman to Chief Product Officer, Brian Bell to GM North America and adds Adam Parker, VP Corporate Development

LoopMe, a leading technology company that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to improve brand advertising performance, today announced significant company growth and global executive promotions. LoopMe expanded its operations by hiring 50+ new employees, a 20% increase in workforce in 2023. This personnel expansion supports an increase in demand for LoopMe's AI-led brand advertising solutions, which has been also demonstrated by the company's double digit revenue growth.

"We are seeing the benefit of our decade-plus investment in AI which powers all of our products and is providing great value for customers underpinning double digit growth in 2023, which was a difficult year for many adtech companies," said Stephen Upstone, CEO of LoopMe. "LoopMe also secured two new patents in 2023 and has a pipeline of new innovation and patents coming in 2024 and beyond."

As part of its expansion, LoopMe has announced the promotions of two senior leaders:

Rob Cukierman, Chief Product Officer, a newly created role for the company

Brian Bell, GM, North America

"LoopMe's growth since I joined the team more than two years ago, and especially over the past 12 months, has been incredibly exciting to be a part of. I'm looking forward to continuing that momentum, and am thrilled to be leading our new product commercialization and development teams, as we continue to address and help solve our customers' challenges," said Cukierman.

LoopMe also announced two new hires Slava Taraskin, VP Business Development, overseeing the growth of publisher partnerships and supply inventory, and Adam Parker, VP of Corporate Development Strategy, responsible for strategic initiatives for future growth opportunities.

Additionally, the company has promoted Matt Petillo to AVP East Coast Sales, Matt Costabile to AVP Client Services, Natasha Alarakhia to AVP Client Services International, and Dmytro Ivanskyi to AVP Operations. All of these employees have been working at LoopMe for several years, demonstrating success and showcasing long tenure and progress in their careers with the company.

For more information on positions that LoopMe is currently hiring for, please visit https://loopme.com/careers/.

About LoopMe

LoopMe is a technology company that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to improve brand advertising performance and outcomes. LoopMe was the first to apply AI to brand advertising and its Intelligent Marketplace, finding solutions to industry challenges that haven't previously been solved. With consumer insights and AI at its core, LoopMe makes brand advertising better, outperforming industry benchmarks for leading global brands. Our vision is to change advertising for the better, by building technology that will redefine brand advertising. LoopMe was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in the UK, with global offices across New York, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Toronto, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Dnipro, Krakow and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.loopme.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208379288/en/

Contacts:

Rachel Conforti

pr@loopme.com
Five titles being considered for best non-fiction book on international affairs published in English

TORONTO, WASHINGTON, LONDON and ROME, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The shortlist for the 2024 Lionel Gelber Prize shortlist has been selected by an international panel of practitioners, journalists and scholars. This will be the 34th awarding of the prize, which honours the world's best book on international affairs published in English. The winner will receive $50,000 CAD and will be chosen from the following five titles:

Power and Progress: Our 1000-year struggle over technology and prosperity , Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson (PublicAffairs, Hatchette Book Group)

, Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson (PublicAffairs, Hatchette Book Group) Underground Empire: How America weaponized the world economy , Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman (Macmillan, Henry Holt and Co. U.S.A.; Allen Lane, an imprint of Penguin Press, U.K.)

, Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman (Macmillan, Henry Holt and Co. U.S.A.; Allen Lane, an imprint of Penguin Press, U.K.) Homelands: A personal history of Europe , Timothy Garton Ash (Yale University Press)

, Timothy Garton Ash (Yale University Press) Seven Crashes: The economic crises that shaped globalization , Harold James (Yale University Press)

, Harold James (Yale University Press) We, The Data: Human rights in the digital age, Wendy H. Wong (MIT Press)

"The jury has chosen five books that explore topics critical to our understanding of the forces that influence the global economy and international cooperation," said Judith Gelber, Chair of the Lionel Gelber Prize Board. "They each exemplify the values of the Lionel Gelber Prize with elegant writing on important issues."



This year's shortlist was selected by the 2024 Lionel Gelber Prize Jury: Prof. Janice Gross Stein (Jury Chair), Prof. Rosa Brooks (Washington), Prof. Francis J. Gavin (Washington), Iain Martin (London) and Eric Reguly (Rome).

Winner Announcement :

The winner will be announced on March 6, 2024. The winning author will take part in a hybrid event hosted by the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy on March 25, 2024.

About The Lionel Gelber Prize:

The Lionel Gelber Prize, a literary award for the world's best non-fiction book on international affairs published in English, was founded in 1989 by Canadian diplomat Lionel Gelber. A cash prize of $50,000 CAD is awarded to the winner. The award is presented annually by University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. For further information, please visit: https://gelber.munkschool.utoronto.ca/ or follow @gelberprize on Facebook and Twitter.

The 2024 Lionel Gelber Prize - Shortlisted Books and Authors

Power and Progress: Our 1000-year struggle over technology and prosperity, Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson (PublicAffairs, Hatchette Book Group)

About the authors:

Daron Acemoglu is Institute Professor of Economics at MIT, the university's highest faculty honor. For the last twenty-five years, he has been researching the historical origins of prosperity, poverty, and the effects of new technologies on economic growth, employment, and inequality. Acemoglu is the recipient of several awards and honors, including the John Bates Clark Medal, awarded to economists under forty judged to have made the most significant contribution to economic thought and knowledge (2005); the BBVA Frontiers of Knowledge Award in economics, finance, and management for his lifetime contributions (2016), and the Kiel Institute's Global Economy Prize in economics (2019). He is author (with James Robinson) of?The Narrow Corridor?and the?New York Times?bestseller?Why Nations Fail.



Simon Johnson is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship in the Sloan School at MIT, where he is also head of the Global Economics and Management group. Previously chief economist at the International Monetary Fund, he has worked on global economic crises and recoveries for thirty years. Johnson has published more than 300 high-impact pieces in leading publications such as?The New York Times,?The Washington Post,?The Wall Street Journal,?The Atlantic, and?Financial Times. He is author (with Jon Gruber) of?Jump-Starting America, and (with James Kwak) of White House Burning and the?national?bestseller?13 Bankers. He works with entrepreneurs, elected officials, and civil society organizations around the world.

Underground Empire: How America weaponized the world economy, Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman (Macmillan, Henry Holt and Co. U.S.A.; Allen Lane, an imprint of Penguin Press, U.K.)

About the authors:

Henry Farrell is the SNF Agora Professor at Johns Hopkins SAIS, the 2019 winner of the Friedrich Schiedel Prize for Politics and Technology, Editor-in-Chief of The Monkey Cage at The Washington Post, and co-founder of the popular academic blog, Crooked Timber. A member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Farrell has written for publications such as The New York Times, the Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, The Washington Monthly, The Boston Review, Aeon, New Scientist, and The Nation.

Abraham L. Newman is a professor at the School of Foreign Service and Government Department at Georgetown University. Known for his research on the politics generated by globalization, he serves as a frequent commentator on international affairs, appearing on news programs ranging from Al Jazeera to Deutsche Welle and NPR. His work has been published in leading outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, Nature, Science, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Harvard Business Review, and Politico.

Homelands: A personal history of Europe, Timothy Garton Ash (Yale University Press)

About the author: Timothy Garton Ash is professor of European studies at the University of Oxford and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. His books include The Magic Lantern, his eyewitness account of the revolutions of 1989; The File: A Personal History, based on reading his own Stasi file; and History of the Present. He lives in Oxford, England.

Seven Crashes: The economic crises that shaped globalization, Harold James (Yale University Press)

About the author: Harold James is the Claude and Lore Kelly Professor in European Studies and professor of history and international affairs at Princeton University. He is the author of numerous books, most recently The War of Words: A Glossary of Globalization (Yale, 2021) and Making a Modern Central Bank: The Bank of England 1979-2003 (Cambridge, 2020).

We, The Data: Human rights in the digital age, Wendy Wong (MIT Press)

About the author: Wendy H. Wong is a Professor of Political Science and Principal's Research Chair at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan. She is the author of two award-winning books: Internal Affairs: How the Structure of NGOs Transforms Human Rights and (with Sarah S. Stroup) The Authority Trap: Strategic Choices of International NGOs.

Lani Krantz, Communications and Media Relations Specialist, Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto, +1 (647) 407-4384 (text preferred), lani.krantz@utoronto.ca

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Installation view, More than Meets the Eye, February 9 - April 27, 2024, AlUla, Courtesy of The Royal Commission for AlUla

ALULA, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arts AlUla announces More than Meets the Eye, an exhibition of contemporary works by Saudi artists on loan from collectors in Saudi Arabia, hosted at Maraya. Curated by Dr. Effat Abdullah Fadag, the exhibition will re-canonise the history of the contemporary art movements in Saudi Arabia, documenting the story of artists and the role of collectors in the development of the art scene. The exhibition will run from 9 February - 27 April 2024 at Maraya in AlUla alongside the AlUla Arts Festival (9 February - 2 March 2024). The exhibition is part of the pre-opening programme for the future contemporary art museum in AlUla and reflects the ambition of the planned museum.

With works by pioneering Saudi artists such as Abdulhalim Radwi, Mohammed Alsaleem and Mounirah Mously alongside leading contemporary Saudi artists such as Ahmed Mater, Muhannad Shono and Dana Awartani, the exhibition explores connections, influences and shared stories from across generations of Saudi artists, spanning multiple disciplines and mediums.

More than Meets the Eye celebrates the private collectors that patronised, supported and safeguarded the works of artists from the contemporary art movement in Saudi Arabia, while marking an important shift towards institutional collections, such as the planned contemporary art museum in AlUla, that will, once open, play a key role in documenting and supporting contemporary art in the Kingdom and beyond. The contemporary art museum in AlUla aims to be a core part of the ecosystem of collecting in Saudi Arabia, collaborating with collectors from across Saudi Arabia and working with guest curators, like Dr Effat Abdullah Fadag, to explore this topic.

More than Meets the Eye is part of a series of exhibitions that initiate a long-term relationship between the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the patrons of the arts in Saudi Arabia. The first in this series of exhibitions was the 2022 exhibition What Lies Within from the private collection of Saudi female patron and collector Basma AlSulaiman. As well as being a historic cultural site, AlUla is at the heart of Saudi Arabia's burgeoning arts scene. Arts AlUla is dedicated to creating a culturally enriched place to live and visit, to revive the rich legacy of arts in the region and to create opportunities for the community to experience art as a source of education and enrichment through job creation and skills development.

The works in the exhibition are divided into seven themes touching on poetic notions of homeland, identity, belonging, public privacy, love, metaphysics and social engagement. By encouraging the viewer to search for and interpret meaning, the exhibition will explore the national artistic ecosystem beyond a literal representation of the history of Saudi Arabia and allow the visitors to tap into the imagination, symbolism, and metaphorical thinking of the artists and collectors.

The exhibition will take place during the AlUla Arts Festival at Maraya. The AlUla Arts Festival runs between 9 February - 2 March 2024 and will immerse visitors in a vibrant celebration of contemporary visual and public art, design, art tours, and artist residencies. AlUla Arts Festival also includes Desert X AlUla, a recurring, site-responsive exhibition of outdoor art.

The full list of exhibiting artists in More than Meets the Eye are:

Alia Ahmad

Shadia Alem

Mohammed Al Faraj

Lulwah AlHomoud

Mahdi Al Jeraibi

Abdulsattar Al Mussa

Reem Al Nasser

Fahad Al Naymah

Adel Al Quraishi

Ali Alruzaiza

Mohammed Alsaleem

Nasser Al Salem

Abdulrahman Alsoliman

Dana Awartani

Sultan Bin Fahad

Fahad Hajailan

Ahmed Mater

Mounirah Mosley

Nawal Mossalli

Khalid Owais

Abdulhalim Radwi

Bakr Sheikhoun

Muhannad Shono

Ayman Yossri Daydban

Dr. Effat Abdullah Fadag, Curator

I am confident that More than Meets the Eye will re-canonise the history of art in Saudi Arabia while also celebrating the collectors that have supported these artists. I hope this exhibition will encourage national and international art communities to explore the depth and breadth of Saudi creativity and cultural output.

Nora Aldabal, Executive Director of Arts AlUla

We are delighted to be hosting More than Meets the Eye which celebrates pioneering contemporary artists in Saudi Arabia. This exhibition reflects our investment in the long-term relationship between AlUla and collectors and patrons of the arts across Saudi Arabia. AlUla is at the heart of Saudi Arabia's rapidly developing arts scene and will become a platform for our generation to develop its creative expression whilst learning about Saudi Arabia's rich art historical practice.

Press contacts:



Vicky Newark

Pelham Communications

vicky@pelhamcommunications.com

Aloisia Rucellai

Pelham Communications

Aloisia@pelhamcommunications.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f137768a-b85c-45b1-ae0d-0a85f0e0e64a




Major players in the structural steel industry have focused on business expansion strategies to gain maximum share in the market. This further results in consolidation of the structural steel market.

WILMINGTON, Del., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, Structural Steel Market by Product Type (High Sectional Steel, Light Sectional Steel, and Rebar), Type (Hot-Rolled Steel and Cold-Rolled Steel), and Application (Residential and Non-residential): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032. According to the report, the global structural steel market was valued at $106,370.3 million in 2022, and is projected to reach $177,433.9 million by 2032, registering a CAGR of 5.3% from 2023 to 2032.

Request PDF Sample Copy @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A09601

Prime determinants of growth

The growing construction and infrastructure industry is significantly contributing toward the market growth. However, countries such as the U.S., Germany, and few developing countries are focused on developing new technologies in the steel industry to sustain their market share during the forecast period.

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $106,370.3 million Market Size in 2032 $177,433.9 million CAGR 5.3 % No. of Pages in Report 189 Segments covered Product Type, Type, Application, and Region. Drivers Increase in number of metal industries

Growth in infrastructure development around the globe

Rapid urbanization in emerging economies Opportunities Advanced technologies in steel manufacturing Restraints Volatile price of raw materials

COVID-19 Scenario

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the structural steel market, owing to the temporary closure of manufacturing firms during the lockdown.

The production and sale of structural steel was hampered due to the closure of manufacturing plants across the globe, especially in the initial period of the pandemic.

The rebar segment dominated the market in 2022, and light sectional steel segment it is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

By product type, the market is categorized into high sectional steel, light sectional steel, and rebar. The rebar segment accounted for a higher market share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the market revenue. The heavy sectional steel sector has grown in the market owing to its strength, load-bearing capability, and ability to carry enormous loads while maintaining structural stability. It is widely used in situations where structural integrity and endurance are important. Their hollow construction ensures high strength-to-weight ratios, making them ideal for multi-axis loading applications.

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https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/43c5f109a379e74110d1b1395314c1d8

The hot-rolled steel segment dominated the market in 2022, and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

Depending on type, the structural steel market is categorized into hot-rolled steel and cold-rolled steel. The hot-rolled steel segment accounted for more than four-fifths of the market revenue. Increased population in growing economies such as China, India, and other developing countries has contributed to urbanization, which is expected to stimulate residential construction and demand for structural steel. According to the United Nations (UN), over 68% of the world's population is expected to live in cities by 2050. This is anticipated to lead to an increase in construction activity in residential, infrastructural, and non-residential sectors globally. Such factors will fuel the structural steel market growth.

The non-residential segment dominated the market in 2022. Residential segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

By application, the structural steel market is divided into residential and non-residential. The non-residential segment accounted for a more four-fifths of the market share in terms of revenue in 2022. In addition, there is an increase in number of construction industries in countries like South Korea, France, Italy, Singapore and Indonesia. The growth is due to the rise in investment by the government on the public sector projects. For instance, in March 2022, Vinci Autoroutes announced the completion of a $561 million project to build a new 24km-long bypass in France. Hence, increase in construction activities fosters the structural steel market growth.

The Asia-Pacific dominates the market share in terms of revenue in 2022

The structural steel market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, and MEA. In 2022, Asia-Pacific accounted for half of market share, and it is expected to grow at a significant CAGR throughout the forecast period. China holds the maximum share in the structural steel market industry in the Asia-Pacific region. The structural steel market in Asia-Pacific has gained traction in the recent years, owing to ongoing construction development in China, Japan and India. For instance, rising expenditure for infrastructure development is boosting the structural steel market in Asia Pacific. In august 2021, Indian government has announced $1.4 trillion investment for infrastructure development. All such factors are expected to create growth demand for structural steel and thus will drive the market growth in Asia-Pacific.

Inquire Before Buying @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A09601

Leading Market Players: -

Arcelor Mittal S.A.

Baogang Group

Evraz plc

Gerdau S.A

Nippon Steel Corporation

JSW Steel Limited

Tata Steel Limited

SAIL

Wuhan Iron & Steel (Group) Corp

Baosteel Group Corporation.

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the structural steel market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, expansion, and acquisitions to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

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Global steel processing market growing at a CAGR of 3.1% from 2022 to 2031.

Iron and Steel Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032

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About us:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies, and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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New Sqorpius Program Accelerates Execution Across Quantum Hardware and Software to Deliver Commercial-Ready Quantum Computing

During a live webinar, Infleqtion, the world's leading quantum information company, shared a broad business update, including the first look at its new 5-year quantum computing roadmap as well as new partnerships and customer wins that underscore the company's progress toward commercializing quantum solutions at scale. Taking center stage in the company's roadmap is Sqorpius, the next phase of Infleqtion's quantum computing program.

Quantum technology is recognized as a catalyst for transformational progress on a global scale, with the potential to revolutionize a broad range of industries, including finance, defense, energy, healthcare, life sciences, and more.

"2024 is an inflection point for quantum technologies, with an increasing number of near-term opportunities for public and private sector organizations to begin deploying high-value quantum solutions," said Scott Faris, CEO of Infleqtion. "Our core neutral atom technology platform delivers unprecedented economies of scale by enabling us to serve these ready-now markets while providing the foundation for fault-tolerant quantum computers. Coupled with our manufacturing investments, our technology platform uniquely positions us to commercialize quantum at scale."

Introducing Sqorpius for Commercial-Ready Quantum Computing

Infleqtion today announced the next phase of its quantum computing program: Sqorpius. This new initiative encompasses substantial investments in both hardware and software and is dedicated to creating error-corrected logical qubits tailored for commercial applications.

Alongside the announcement of Sqorpius, Infleqtion revealed significant milestones in gate fidelity, qubit array scaling, and development of its quantum error-correction system. Notably, the company celebrated a major milestone by unveiling the world's largest qubit array, comprising 1600 qubits. These achievements signal progress towards the company's overarching goal of delivering fault-tolerant quantum computers within the next five years, paving the way for genuine commercial advantage.

To achieve this goal, Infleqtion highlighted plans to develop a fully error-corrected, commercially valuable quantum computer with 100 logical qubits, capable of executing circuits of depth above 1 million. This computer will unlock a wide range of commercial opportunities in material science, energy, and machine learning. In addition to hardware advancements, Infleqtion emphasized the pivotal role of its flagship quantum software platform, Superstaq, in optimizing and accelerating performance across its product lineup.

Infleqtion Powering Critical Quantum Computing Initiatives

Infleqtion has been selected to develop and deliver a quantum computing testbed for the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) in the United Kingdom. This testbed will support the NQCC's goal of accelerating development of the UK's quantum computing capabilities and infrastructure. Infleqtion will deliver a state-of-the-art large-scale neutral-atom quantum computer with a compelling pathway to logical qubit operations. This system will be used by UK researchers and key partners including Qinetiq and Oxfordshire County Council to address high-impact computational challenges.

In addition, Infleqtion has been selected to lead the quantum thrust for Defence Cyber Marvel 3 (DCM3), Europe's largest cyber defense exercise. A key goal of DCM3 is to showcase and develop an understanding of new technologies, especially those that will impact networks, with quantum technology a high priority. Infleqtion will provide access to quantum hardware through Superstaq. Additionally, Infleqtion announced the alpha launch of the qLDPC open source software library, enabling the development of new quantum error correction codes which dramatically improve resilience and lower spatial overhead.

New Quantum Investments in Texas

To accelerate its efforts, Infleqtion signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Texas A&M University and the Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute to create a new, world-class quantum program focused on developing next-generation quantum technologies and products, including quantum applications for scaling artificial intelligence (AI) using quantum. The collaboration aims to expand on Texas A&M's significant investments in real-world test and experimentation facilities by developing a quantum test range that can support the development of novel applications of quantum products across numerous sectors including national security.

"This agreement between Texas A&M and Infleqtion sets the stage for a new quantum program aimed at advancing next-generation technologies," said John Sharp, chancellor of The Texas A&M University System. "We're not just envisioning the future of quantum technology; we're actively building it. This agreement underscores our goal of making Texas a hub for quantum excellence and technological innovation."

These announcements build on a series of recent wins for the company. Infleqtion's latest milestones include the selection of the company's neutral atom platform for Japan's Quantum Moonshot program, the launch of Oqtant, the world's first quantum matter service, and the acquisition of two silicon photonics companies: SiNoptiq Inc. and Morton Photonics Inc.

Core Platform Delivering Precision Timekeeping for Commercial Applications

During the webinar, Infleqtion also shared updates on its optical atomic clock platform Tiqker, underscoring how the company's core technology platform extends to multiple commercial use cases. Tiqker Prime is a 3U rack-mounted system available for pre-order today, with the goal of revolutionizing modern data centers and communication networks with orders of magnitude improvements above current timing standards. Infleqtion is partnering with one of the world's largest technology platforms to optimize Tiqker for next-generation data centers and communication networks. Tiqker's applications span a wide range, including smart grids, timing services, wireless broadband, financial timestamping, network synchronization, scientific test and measurement, radio astronomy, autonomous vehicles, sensor networks, GPS ground services, and national timekeeping.

A replay of today's webinar will be available online shortly following the event. For more information or to see the replay, please visit Infleqtion's website.

About Infleqtion

Infleqtion, with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, delivers high-value quantum information precisely where it is needed. By operating at the Edge, our software-configured, quantum-enabled products deliver unmatched levels of precision and power, generating streams of high-value information for commercial organizations, the United States, and allied governments. With 16 years of ColdQuanta's pioneering quantum research as our foundation, our hardware products and AI-powered solutions address critical market needs in positioning, navigating, and timing, global communication security and efficiency, resilient energy distribution, and accelerated quantum computing. Learn how Infleqtion is revolutionizing how we communicate, navigate, and discover at www.infleqtion.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.

2024 ColdQuanta, Inc. d/b/a Infleqtion. All rights reserved.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208005420/en/

Contacts:

PR for Infleqtion

Matt Stubbs

mstubbs@voxuspr.com
A suspect has been arrested in connection with a shooting Nov. 19 in the Genesee-Moselle neighborhood, Buffalo police reported Wednesday.

Ronald A. Brown, 33, of Buffalo, has been charged with first-degree assault, a Class B felony, and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a Class C felony. He has been remanded to the Erie County Holding Center.

Brown was charged following an investigation by Gun Violence Unit detectives that began after a woman was brought to Erie County Medical Center in a private vehicle with a gunshot wound to the leg. Police said the shooting occurred on Donovan Drive, off East Ferry Street.

 Dale Anderson
Global mining investor meetings to run in partnership with Rule Investment Media

SYDNEY, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the success of the inaugural MiningNews Select investor conference in Perth last year, leading resources information provider Aspermont Ltd has expanded the offering in 2024 to include a Sydney leg, and welcomed resources investment legend Rick Rule as a partner.

Run over two days (March 17-18), MiningNews Select Sydney will bring together the heart of the Australian investor community with some of the most promising junior mining stocks listed on the ASX, all of which are heavily exposed to the pending bull run in commodity prices fuelled by the energy transition.

Some of the keynote speakers include:

Eddie Rigg, Executive Chairman, Head of ECM,Argonaut

Guy Keller, Portfolio Manager, Tribeca Nuclear Energy Opportunities Strategy, Tribeca Investment Partners

Brett Beatty, Partner, MD Australia, Investment Team Leader, Resource Capital Funds

The event has confirmed leading investors in the resource sector, including RFC Ambrian, EMR Capital, Longreach Capital Investment, Terra Capital Natural Resources, Eden Asset Management and EquitiesFirst.

Furthermore, some of the mining corporates presenting at the event include: Alma Metals, PolarX, Maximus Resources, Helix Resources, Elevate Uranium, Impact Minerals and Emmerson Resources.

Last year's launch event in Perth saw more than 250 retail, high-net-worth, family office and institutional investors directly engage with the management teams from 30-plus small-cap mining opportunities. More than 500 meetings were facilitated over the conference.

MiningNews Select Sydney promises to deliver similar value, and Aspermont is pushing to expand the experience for those who return to Perth for the event's second outing in Australia's resources capital over June 17-18.

MiningNews Select Perth will be again be co-located with Aspermont's operational conference series, Future of Mining, with delegates from both conferences cross-pollinating the audiences. Last year, some 1,500 delegates networked across the joint forum.

The MiningNews Select events were born from Aspermont's flagship finance gathering in London - Mining Journal Select, which will take place across July 1-2 this year. The senior London event expects to host some 200 largely institutional and family office investors who will watch presentations from around 20 development-stage companies, hand-picked by the Mining Journal Intelligence research team. Explorers will also be taking meetings.

For the first time, all three of Aspermont's finance events will partner with Rule Investment Media to enrich the program and deepen the investor pool. Rule Investment Media chief executive Rick Rule will join the Mining Journal and MiningNews.net teams on stage to present and interview chief executives from some of the world's most prominent and investment-worthy mining groups. Digital interviews and company presentations will also be made available to Rule's 80,000-strong investor following.

Rule will partner with the Aspermont editorial and research teams to help build agendas focused on current commodity trends, contrarian investment strategies, risk management and navigating capital markets. These keynote discussions and panels will complement the company presentations.

Aspermont chief executive Alex Kent: "The partnering of Rule Investment Media with Aspermont's finance events brings together a North American giant of natural resources investment and the world's longest-running and most authoritative mining finance publications, with their bases in London and Australia - it is a combination capable of materially influencing global resources investments going forward."

The Mining Journal editorial team will play a role in Rule Investment Media's Rule Symposium, scheduled for July 7-11 in Boca Raton, Florida. The symposium will also be boosted by Aspermont's global distribution channels and industry connections.

There are plans to expand the conference format in future years as the partnership matures.

Event Details and Registration

The MiningNews Select conferences will unfold over two days, commencing on March 18 (Monday) from 9:00 am to 5:25 pm and continuing through March 19 (Tuesday) from 9:00 am to 3:40 pm at Pan Pacific Perth.

For more information, please visit https://www.miningnewsselect.net/mnssydney

About Aspermont:

Aspermont is a global media group that is the established leader in the delivery of paid content and conferences across all areas of the mining and energy industries. With leading publishing brands such as Mining Journal, Mining News, Mining Magazine and Australia's Mining Monthly, and the successful Events including Future of Mining Series, Mining Journal Select and more, Aspermont is at the forefront of the industry developments and is a well-recognised and respected brand. Aspermont is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and quoted on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. It is also quoted on Tradegate and other regional German exchanges. The company has offices in the UK, Australia, Brazil, USA, Canada, Singapore and the Philippines.

Media Contact:

Bilal Azmat Head of Marketing, Aspermont

bilal.azmat@aspermont.com

+44 208 187 2308

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BH Macro Limited - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 08

BH Macro Limited (the "Company")

(a closed-ended collective investment scheme established as a company with limited liability under the laws of Guernsey with registered number 46235)

Transaction in Own Shares

8 February 2024

BH Macro Limited (the Company) announces today it has purchased the following number of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange from J.P. Morgan Securities plc:

Ordinary Shares: - Share Class Sterling Sterling Date of purchase: 8 February 2024 8 February 2024 Number of ordinary shares purchased: 31,416 149,112 Lowest price per share 362.00 361.00 Highest price per share 362.00 363.00 Trading venue JPSI London Aggregate volume per date per trading venue: 31,416 149,112 Weighted average price per day per trading venue: 362.0000 362.1403

The Company intends to hold the purchased shares in treasury.

Following the above share transactions of the relevant US Dollar and Sterling Shares, the total number of shares in issue in each share class of the Company will be as follows:

Ordinary Shares in issue (excluding Treasury) Ordinary Shares held in Treasury 366,461,783 Sterling Shares 7,143,077 Sterling Shares 29,762,912 Dollar Shares Nil Dollar Shares

From 8 February 2024, the total number of voting rights in the Company (rounded up to the whole number) is 561,702,954.

Enquiries:

Company website: www.bhmacro.com

William Simmonds

JPMorgan Cazenove

Tel: 020 7588 2828

The Company Secretary

Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited

Tel: 01481 745001
Redde Northgate Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 08

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

08 February 2024

REDDE NORTHGATE PLC

("Redde Northgate" or the "Group" or the "Company")

Transaction in Own Shares

Redde Northgate plc (LSE:REDD) announces that on 08 February 2024 it purchased the following number of its own shares to be held in treasury:

Class of shares : Ordinary shares of 50p ("shares") Number of shares purchased : 50,000 Weighted average purchase price paid : 343 pence per share Highest purchase price paid : 346.5 pence per share Lowest purchase price paid : 339.5 pence per share

Following the above transaction, the Company's issued share capital consists of 246,091,423 ordinary shares of 50p each, of which 18,565,071 ordinary shares are held in treasury, and 1,000,000 preference shares of 50p each which do not carry any rights to vote. Therefore the total number of voting rights in the Company is 227,526,352 which may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation) as incorporated into UK domestic law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, the schedule below contains detailed information about the purchases made by Numis Securities Limited on behalf of the Company as part of the Company's buyback programme.

Schedule of Purchase - Individual Transaction (as at 08 February 2024)

Number of shares

purchased Transaction price

(GB pence per share) Time of transaction Transaction reference number Venue 25,000 25,000 346.50 339.50 10:44:17 14:51:39 00068815260TRLO0 00068821812TRLO0 LSE

Notes

This announcement is made in accordance with the requirements of Listing Rule 12.4.6.

For further information contact:

Buchanan

David Rydell/Jamie Hooper/Hannah Ratcliff +44 (0) 207 466 5000

Notes to Editors:

Redde Northgate is the leading integrated mobility solutions platform providing services across the vehicle lifecycle. The Company offers integrated mobility solutions to businesses, fleet operators, insurers, OEMs and other customers across seven key areas: vehicle rental, vehicle data, accident management, vehicle repairs, fleet management, service and maintenance, vehicle ancillary services and vehicle sales.

The Company's core purpose is to keep its customers mobile, whether through meeting their regular mobility needs or by servicing and supporting them when unforeseen events occur. With its considerable scale and reach, Redde Northgate's mission is to offer a market-leading customer proposition and drive enhanced returns for shareholders by creating value through sustainable compounding growth. The Group aims to achieve this through the delivery of its strategic framework of Focus, Drive and Broaden.

Redde Northgate services its customers through a network and diversified fleet of over 120,000 owned and leased vehicles, supporting over 600,000 managed vehicles, with more than 170 workshop, body shop and rental locations across the UK, Ireland and Spain and a specialist team of over 6,000 automotive services professionals.

Further information please visit the Company's website:
Article 223-16 of the General Regulations of the Financial Markets Authority (AMF Autorite des Marches Financiers)

Regulatory News:

MaaT Pharma (EURONEXT: MAAT the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company and a leader in the development of Microbiome Ecosystem TherapiesTM (MET) dedicated to enhancing survival of patients with cancer, today published the number of shares comprising the share capital and the total number of voting rights (Article L. 233-8 of the French Commercial Code (Code de commerce) and Article 223-16 of the General Regulations of French Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF)) on January 31, 2024.

Listing place: Euronext Paris

ISIN code: FR0012634822

Website: www.maatpharma.com

Date Total number of shares

comprising the share capital Total number of

theoretical voting rights (1) Total number of

effective voting rights (2) 01/31/2024 11 616 413 11 616 413 11 592 907

(1) In accordance with Article 223-11 of the AMF General Regulation, this number is calculated on the basis of all shares to which voting rights are attached, including shares whose voting rights have been suspended.

(2) Effective voting rights correspond to the total number of voting rights that may be used at a General Meeting. The total number of effective voting rights is calculated without taking into account the shares with suspended voting rights.

About MaaT Pharma

MaaT Pharma, a clinical stage biotechnology company, has established a complete approach to restoring patient-microbiome symbiosis in oncology. Committed to treating cancer and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), a serious complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, MaaT Pharma has launched, in March 2022, an open-label, single arm Phase 3 clinical trial in patients with acute GvHD, following the achievement of its proof of concept in a Phase 2 trial. Its powerful discovery and analysis platform, gutPrint, enables the identification of novel disease targets, evaluation of drug candidates, and identification of biomarkers for microbiome-related conditions. The company's Microbiome Ecosystem Therapies are produced through a standardized cGMP manufacturing and quality control process to safely deliver the full diversity of the microbiome, in liquid and oral formulations. MaaT Pharma benefits from the commitment of world-leading scientists and established relationships with regulators to support the integration of the use of microbiome therapies in clinical practice. MaaT Pharma is listed on Euronext Paris (ticker: MAAT).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208639227/en/

Contacts:

MaaT Pharma Investor Relations

Guilhaume Debroas, Ph.D.

Head of Investor Relations

+33 6 16 48 92 50

invest@maat-pharma.com

MaaT Pharma Media Relations

Pauline Richaud

Senior PR Corporate

Communications Manager

+33 6 14 06 45 92

media@maat-pharma.com

Trophic Communications

Corporate Communications

Stephanie MAY or

Priscillia PERRIN

+49 151 7441 6179

maat@trophic.eu
NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- K2 Integrity, the leading risk and financial crimes advisory firm, today announced the launch of its Internal Audit practice, offering customized solutions to our full client roster, including financial institutions, fintech and virtual assets firms, investment managers, nonprofits, governments, and Fortune 500 corporations.

The practice leverages K2 Integrity's extensive background in verification and assurance, guided by top professionals in accounting and finance who possess extensive experience in providing internal audit services to the private sector.

K2 Integrity's experts include former audit and SOX executives, regulators, policy makers, compliance officers, chief financial officers, former prosecutors, technologists, and cybersecurity experts.

"With so many shifting goalposts, including recent updates to the IIA's Global Internal Audit Standards, it can be difficult for our clients' internal audit functions to take the time to assess the impact of these changes and revise their policies and procedures accordingly," said Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Law. "We work hand in hand with our clients' IA functions to help them stay on top of audit challenges and ahead of the new regulations in a way that aligns with their strategy and takes into account their specific risk profile."

K2 Integrity's Internal Audit practice offers clients direct access to its comprehensive suite of services. These include internal audit outsourcing; internal audit co-sourcing; SOX compliance, internal controls, and IPO and M&A readiness; financial and technical accounting advisory services; design and implementation of "fit for purpose" transformation roadmaps; agile auditing; point-in-time and ongoing strategic advisory services; external quality assessments (EQAs) and quality assurance improvement program (QAIP) services; IT internal audit and SOX advisory services; and fraud assessment and remediation.

"Businesses need to adapt rapidly to the ever-changing audit and regulatory landscape, cybersecurity risks, market shifts, and global uncertainties," said CEO Jeremy Kroll. "At K2 Integrity, we leverage our expertise to mitigate risks in all areas of our client's organizations. By supporting their management of risks with cost, speed, and efficiency, we free our clients to safely accelerate their pursuit of business goals."

About K2 Integrity

K2 Integrity is the leading risk and financial crimes advisory firm helping clients understand and manage their risk so they can lead with confidence. With some of the most knowledgeable practitioners in the industry, K2 Integrity brings together deep subject-matter expertise with proprietary technology and digital offerings to help clients creatively solve today's issues while also planning for the future. Headquartered in New York, the firm's more than 300 employees serve the globe from offices in Washington, D.C., London, Geneva, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh. K2 Integrity has deep knowledge and experience working in every region and across numerous jurisdictions around the world.

To learn more about how K2 Integrity is revolutionizing the management of risk, visit http://www.k2integrity.com, or follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

k2integrity@dlpr.com

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New lifesaving skills training centre in Newham, open house and fundraiser

LONDON, ON, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlantic Pacific International Rescue ("AP"), with help from Newham Council, The Royal Docks Team, The Mayor of London, Crowdfund London and FM Conways, is delighted to open its training centre in Royal Docks February 9th at 11 am .

11:00: Arrival

11:10: Welcome and speeches

11:30: Ceremoney

11:45 - 14:00: Boat rides, CPR, information sessions.

There will also be:

Short boat rides around the Dock* in our new search and rescue training boat

Drop in sessions on how to give effective CPR

AP staff available to talk about all our projects and programmes from search and rescue courses, to building lifesaving assets out of recycled plastic.

Since 2019, Atlantic Pacific has been developing a training centre in Royal Docks London. At the event, guests will hear from Atlantic Pacific about the project and plans for the future. Atlantic Pacific International Rescue is dedicated to enhancing safety and empowering individuals within the Newham local community. Our new training facility marks a substantial investment in the Royal Docks area, and we are excited about the positive impact it will have on the local and wider Londan community.as from our delivery partners on the value of this training centre to the local community, nationally and globally!

Atlantic Pacific combats global drowning rates by:

Training humanitarians to do Search & Rescue work in areas of need all over the world, including in the ongoing drowning crisis in the Mediterranean Sea.

Providing assets and equipment to under-served communities. Our first lifeboat station was deployed to northern Japan in 2016 to help with tsunami recovery and disaster recovery.

Creating educational materials for schools and young people on sea safety and drowning prevention, in Japan and the UK

Offering an entry-level, RYA-accredited course from the Royal Docks where anyone can learn to drive a powerboat safely.

In Newham, since 2022 Atlantic Pacific:

Have engaged with over 1000 local primary school children, promoting sea safety, and what you should do if you get in trouble in water.

Have engaged with 723 secondary school students to promote sea safety, but also careers within the emergency response field, including the other emergency services.

Have trained 156 local people (for free) in our 3 day first aid qualification, including students from St Bonaventures, School21 and LDE UTC.

About Atlantic Pacific International Rescue

Atlantic Pacific is working towards being known as the 'go to' both nationally and internationally for search and rescue training. We are doing this by:

Developing and running the first ever search and rescue course (SAR Fundamentals Part 1) based on the International Maritime Rescue Federation 'Basic Rescue Boat Operator Manual'

Offering one of the very few open access search and rescue courses (SAR Fundamentals Part 1), where you don't have to be part of a registered search and rescue/ emergency service.

Offering high level interactive casualty care training that is the first open access to those outside of a search and rescue service.

Developing the first psychological first aid manual for seafarers / SAR operatives, funded by Lloyds Register.

Developing life-saving assets from recycled plastic that will be available for those areas affected by flooding and natural disasters to produce and use locally.

Building bespoke boats and assets for deployment to areas of need.

Developing courses with a vision to accredit them to a GCSE / A-Level/ FE or HE courses for young people to begin their careers in Search and Rescue and emergency response.

Offering free or subsidized access to all of the training and activities above for local young people based in Newham.

Develop a place where local young people can come and learn key lifesaving skills in search and rescue and first aid to create the first 'Emergency-ready borough' in London which includes:

Interventions into primary and secondary schools to discuss sea safety and ocean awareness.

Training for 16+ people in the borough in search and rescue and first aid qualifications so that they are able to help themselves, family, friends and strangers in need.

Offering career pathways and opportunities into the emergency sector for young people interested in pursuing a career in the field.

Young people in the borough are able to assist and respond in emergencies with a valuable skill set.

https://www.facebook.com/atlanticpacificrescueboats/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/atlantic-pacific-international-rescue-boat-project/

Website: https://www.atlanticpacific.org/

Atlantic Pacific International Rescue Ltd, 1008 Dockside Road, London, E16 2QT

Media package is available: Email: comms@atlanticpacific.org.uk

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Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 08

For immediate release

8 February 2024

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announces that it has today purchased 203,671 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 847.61 pence per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company.

The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 23 January 2024.

Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 31,252,658; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 193,738,645.

The figure of 193,738,645 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

For and on behalf of

Frostrow Capital LLP

Company Secretary

For further information, please contact:

Victoria Hale

Frostrow Capital LLP

Tel: 020 3 170 8732
PRESS RELEASE

Paris, 8 February 2024

BOGART (Euronext Paris - Compartment B - FR0012872141 - JBOG), which specialises in the creation, manufacture and sale of luxury fragrances and cosmetics, has reported full-year 2023 turnover of 293.2 million, comparable with last year, taking into account the effects of changes in the scope of consolidation (strategic reorganisation of the network in France and Belgium in 2022, and refocusing of the Spanish subsidiary) and exchange rates, particularly in Israel. At constant consolidation scope and exchange rates, 2023 turnover is up +5.5%.

Revenues in m (unaudited) 2022 2023 Change Q4 turnover 92.8 90.1 -2.9% Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics 17.8 17.7 -0.6% Bogart Beauty Retail 75.0 72.4 -3.5% Other Q4 revenues[1] 2.7 4.3 +59,3% Total Q4 revenues 95.5 94.4 -1.2%

Revenues in m (unaudited) 2022 2023 Change 12-month turnover 291.2 293.2 +0.7% Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics 54.9 56.9 +3.6% Bogart Beauty Retail 236.3 236.3 - Other 12-month revenues1 11.8 12.0 +1.7% Total 12-month revenues 303.0 305.2 +0.7%

In Q4 2023, Bogart posted consolidated turnover of 90.1 million, a limited drop of -2.9% compared with last year's high level. At constant consolidation scope and exchange rates, growth came in at +1.7%.

In Q4, the Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics business maintained a level of turnover comparable with last year's high level, at 17.7 million. The Carven brand (C'est Paris La Nuit fragrance duo for men and women) was very well received in Europe, and the Parfums Jacques Bogart brand continued to gain market share, buoyed by the launch of Silver Scent Aqua. Overall, the Parfums Jacques Bogart brand achieved double-digit sales growth in 2023.

As a reminder, in Spain, Bogart changed its business model to an indirect sales model, with retroactive effect from 1 April 2023. The impact represented 0.6 million in Q4 2023. At constant consolidation scope and exchange rates, the Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics division achieved growth of +2.3% in Q4 2023.

Over the full 2023 financial year, the Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics division generated turnover of 56.9 million, up +3.6%. At constant scope and exchange rates, growth amounted to +8.8%.

In Q4 2023, the Bogart Beauty Retail division generated turnover of 72.4 million, representing a limited drop of -3.5% compared with the same period last year. While business in directly-operated stores was brisk in Germany and Slovakia, the Group continued to suffer the effects of changes in consolidation scope (closure of 26 stores in France and Belgium in 2022) and exchange rates in Israel (impact of -4.6m). Note also that the Group had some disruption to its commercial activity as a result of the conflict in Israel (temporary closure of 42 stores for one week in October 2023, followed by a gradual resumption of business with modified opening hours). At constant consolidation scope and exchange rates, growth amounted to +1.5%.

Turnover by the Bogart Beauty Retail division amounted to 236.3 million as at 31 December 2023, stable compared with last year, and up +4.7% at constant consolidation scope and exchange rates.

At the end of the 2023 financial year, Group sales thus came in at 293.2 million (up +0.7% versus 31 December 2022 and +5.5% at constant consolidation scope and exchange rates).

EBITDA improvement confirmed in 2023 - Growth targeted in 2024 and continued development of the European network

For the 2023 financial year, Bogart confirms its outlook for an improvement in EBITDA (which came to 38.8 million in 2022).

In 2024, Bogart intends to pursue its strategy of profitable growth, driven in particular by its Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics business. Meanwhile, Bogart is pursuing its strategy to develop its network of stores in Europe.

After recently announcing the acquisition of the "Rose et Marius" house of fine perfumery and art de vivre in Aix en Provence[2], BOGART announces that it has acquired 9 independent perfumeries in Germany, which will be integrated into the HC Parfumerie network as of 1 March 2024.

HC Parfumerie will thus consolidate its position in Germany and will own 91 stores with more than 500 employees.

Next publication

BOGART Group will publish its full-year results on 29 April 2024 (after market close)

Group website www.groupe-bogart.com

CONTACTS

BOGART

contact@jbogart.com

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 77 55 55

ACTUS FINANCE & COMMUNICATION

Investor Relations

Anne-Pauline Petureaux

apetureaux@actus.fr

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 72

Media Relations

Manon Clairet

mclairet@actus.fr

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 73

[1] Revenues from licences and advertising rebillings for brands which are distributed to BOGART's own-brand networks.

[2] See the press release dated 15 January 2024

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Industrial power supplies are booming due to automation, energy efficiency, and reliability needs. Innovations boost performance, creating opportunities for customized, cost-effective, and smart solutions across industries. Explore the market's dynamics and stakeholder potential in our FMI report

NEWARK, Del., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The industrial power supply market is estimated to be worth US$ 8.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to be valued at US$ 21.5 billion in 2034. Between 2024 and 2034, the industry is poised to rise at a CAGR of 10.1%. The growing integration of industrial automation and the implementation of Industry 4.0 initiatives are contributing to a heightened demand for dependable and efficient power supplies. This demand stems from the necessity of providing stable and accurate power delivery to automation systems, encompassing PLCs, robotics, and control systems.

Request Exclusive Sample Report: Industrial Power Supply Industry Strategic Insights, https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-18952

The increasing recognition of the importance of energy conservation and sustainability in industrial settings is fostering a preference for energy-efficient power supplies. Businesses are actively seeking power solutions that not only optimize energy consumption but also contribute to reducing overall operational costs. Global economic growth and the expansion of manufacturing and industrial infrastructure contribute to increased demand for power supplies. As industries expand, there is a need for reliable and scalable power solutions to support new facilities and equipment.

Continuous technological progress, marked by enhancements in power electronics, digital control, and the integration of intelligent features, propels the evolution of highly efficient and advanced industrial power supplies. To remain competitive in this dynamic market, companies are dedicating resources to research and development initiatives.

Industrial Power Supply Research Report Scope:

Attributes Details Estimated Market Size in 2024 US$ 8.2 billion Projected Market Valuation in 2034 US$ 21.5 billion Value-based CAGR 2024 to 2034 10.1 % Forecast Period 2024 to 2034 Historical Data Available for 2019 to 2023 Market Analysis Value in US$ billion Key Market Segments Covered Industrial Power Supply Market - Key Segments By Product Types: AC-DC Converters

DC-DC Converters By Output Power: Very Low Output (Up to 500W)

Low Output (500W-1,000W)

Medium Output (1,000W-10 kW)

High Output (10-75kW)

Very High Output (75-150kW) By Vertical: Transportation

Semiconductor

Military & Aerospace

Robotics

Test & Measurement

Battery Charging & Test

Industrial 3D Printing

Laser

Lighting By Region: North America

Latin America

Western Europe

Eastern Europe

South Asia and Pacific

East Asia

Middle East and Africa Key Countries Profiled United States

Canada

Brazil

Mexico

Germany

The United Kingdom

France

Spain Italy

Russia

Poland

Czech Republic

Romania

India

Bangladesh

Australia New Zealand

China

Japan

South Korea

GCC countries

South Africa

Israel

Key Takeaways from the Market Study

From 2019 to 2023, the industrial power supply market expanded at a CAGR of 13.2%.

Based on the product types, the AC-DC converters segment is expected to rise at a CAGR of 9.8% from 2024 to 2034.

The industrial power supply demand in China is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 9.2% through 2034.

In the United States, the industrial power supply industry is estimated to register a CAGR of 10.4% from 2024 to 2034.

The United Kingdom is projected to expand by a value CAGR of 10.8% between 2024 and 2034.

The industrial power supply market in Japan is anticipated to record a CAGR of 11.5% during 2034.

"The industrial power supply market is experiencing momentum driven by the growth of manufacturing and industrial infrastructure, coupled with a rising demand for energy-efficient solutions in industrial settings." says Nikhil Kaitwade (Associate Vice President at Future Market Insights, Inc.).

Competitive Landscape

The industrial power supply market players are forming strategic partnerships with other industry players, technology providers, or manufacturers to enhance product portfolios or expand market reach and collaborating with key stakeholders in the supply chain to ensure a seamless and reliable power supply ecosystem.

Leading Manufactures in Industrial Power Supply Market

TDK Lambda

Delta Electronics

XP Power

Siemens

Murata Power Solutions

Advanced Energy

Bel Fuse

Cosel

MEAN WELL

Recent Developments in Industrial Power Supply Industry:

TDK Lambda - a leading global manufacturer of power supplies, TDK Lambda specializes in providing innovative and reliable solutions for various industrial applications.

Delta Electronics - is a multinational company known for its power and thermal management solutions, offering a wide range of industrial power supply products.

XP Power - is a well-established provider of power solutions, delivering high-quality and efficient power supplies for industrial applications, including medical, technology, and industrial sectors.

Secure Your Competitive Edge! Buy Now for Comprehensive Insights on Revenue Forecasts, Company Rankings, and More! https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/18952

More Valuable Insights Available

Future Market Insights offers an unbiased global industrial power supply market analysis, providing historical data from 2019 to 2023 and forecast statistics from 2024 to 2034

To understand opportunities in the industrial power supply industry, the industry is segmented based on product types (AC-DC Converters, DC-DC Converters) By Output Power (Very Low Output (Up to 500W), Low Output (500W-1,000W), Medium Output (1,000W-10 kW), High Output (10-75kW), Very High Output (75-150kW)) By Vertical (Transportation, Semiconductor, Military & Aerospace, Robotics, Test & Measurement, Battery Charging & Test, Industrial 3D Printing, Laser, Lighting) and Region (North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South Asia and Pacific, East Asia, Middle East and Africa).

Request to Access the Detail Research Methodology from here!

About the Industrial Automation Division at Future Market Insights

The industrial automation team at Future Market Insights offers expert analysis, time-efficient research, and strategic recommendations to provide authentic insights and accurate results to help clients worldwide. With over 100+ reports and one million+ data points, the team has analyzed the industry lucidly in 50+ countries for over a decade. The team briefly analyzes key trends, including competitive landscape, profit margin, and research development efforts.

About the Author:

Nikhil Kaitwade (Associate Vice President at Future Market Insights, Inc.) has over a decade of experience in market research and business consulting. He has successfully delivered 1500+ client assignments, predominantly in Automotive, Chemicals, Industrial Equipment, Oil & Gas, and Service industries.

His core competency circles around developing research methodology, creating a unique analysis framework, statistical data models for pricing analysis, competition mapping, and market feasibility analysis. His expertise also extends wide and beyond analysis, advising clients on identifying growth potential in established and niche market segments, investment/divestment decisions, and market entry decision-making.

Nikhil holds an MBA degree in Marketing and IT and a Graduate in Mechanical Engineering. Nikhil has authored several publications and quoted in journals like EMS Now, EPR Magazine, and EE Times.

Explore FMI's Extensive Coverage in the Industrial Automation Domain:

Industrial Power Monitoring System Market by Programmable Logic Controls (PLC), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Distributed Control (DCS), 2023-2033. - Review and Request to Access the Summary PDF.

by Programmable Logic Controls (PLC), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Distributed Control (DCS), 2023-2033. - Industrial Filtration Market by Air Filters, Bag Filters, and Liquid Filters, 2023-2033. - Review and Request to Access the Summary PDF.

by Air Filters, Bag Filters, and Liquid Filters, 2023-2033. - Industrial Furnaces Market By Batch Industrial Furnace, and Continuous Industrial Furnace, 2023-2033. - Review and Request to Access the Summary PDF.

By Batch Industrial Furnace, and Continuous Industrial Furnace, 2023-2033. - Factory Automation and Industrial Controls Market by Product type, End-use Industry & Region - Forecast 2022-2032. - Review and Request to Access the Summary PDF.

by Product type, End-use Industry & Region - Forecast 2022-2032. - Industrial Exhaust System Market by General and Local Types, 2023-2033. - Review and Request to Access the Summary PDF.

About Future Market Insights (FMI)

Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting service provider, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in Dubai and has delivery centers in the UK, the U.S., and India. FMI's latest market research reports and industry analysis help businesses navigate challenges and make critical decisions with confidence and clarity amidst breakneck competition. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. A team of expert-led analysts at FMI continuously tracks emerging trends and events in a broad range of industries to ensure that our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.

Contact Us

Nandini Singh Sawlani

Future Market Insights Inc.

Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive,

Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA

T: +1-845-579-5705

For Sales Enquiries: sales@futuremarketinsights.com

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Q2 2023-2024 revenue remains steady (+1% at constant exchange rates 1

Continuing growth by Avanquest (+14%) and myDevices (+78%)

Strong growth in H1 EBITDA2 expected to exceed 50%

This press release presents unaudited Group consolidated revenue, prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Regulatory News:

"Claranova had a good first half in FY 2023-2024 (July-December 2023), with revenue of 301m (+1% at constant exchange rates), driven by a strong second quarter, and despite the impact of unfavorable exchange rate fluctuations (-4% at actual exchange rates). The positive momentum of the Avanquest and myDevices businesses at the beginning of the year has remained on track, resulting in growth in the first half of 14% and 78% respectively compared with H1 2022-2023. PlanetArt, in line with Q1, reported revenue of 235m, down 3% (-8% at actual exchange rates), but without entailing concessions on acquisition costs.

This half-year performance highlights the Group's decision to maintain its focus on profitability.As a result, higher-margin revenue generated by the PlanetArt division and continued growth by the activities of Avanquest and myDevices are expected to contribute to a significant increase in Claranova's EBITDA of more than 50% for the first half3 compared with the same period of FY 2022-2023" commented Claranova's CEO, Pierre Cesarini.

Revenue trends by division for Q2 2023-2024:

In m Oct.-Dec.

2023

(3 months) Oct.-Dec.

2022

(3 months) Change Change at

constant

exchange rates Change at

constant

consolidation

scope Change at

constant

consolidation

scope and

exchange rates PlanetArt 175 187 -7% -2% -7% -2% Avanquest 33 30 9% 14% 9% 14% myDevices 3 1 85% 95% 85% 95% Revenue 210 218 -4% 1% -4% 1%

Revenue trends by division for H1 2023-2024:

In m Jul.-Dec.

2023

(6 months) Jul.-Dec.

2022

(6 months) Change Change at

constant

exchange rates Change at

constant

consolidation

scope Change at

constant

consolidation

scope and

exchange rates PlanetArt 235 255 - 8% - 3% - 8% - 3% Avanquest 61 57 7% 14% 7% 14% myDevices 5 3 67% 78% 67% 78% Revenue 301 315 - 4% 1% - 4% 1%

PlanetArt: improved profitability confirmed

PlanetArt reported revenue for the first half of 235m (-3%), reflecting the continuing impact of unfavorable exchange rates (-8% at actual exchange rates). The good performance of the Mobile business and team efforts over the past two years to transform customer acquisition channels (post Apple App Tracking Transparency features) and optimize operating expenses, have resulted in higher-margin revenue for the Group over the period. The resulting operational efficiencies will contribute to a substantial improvement in the division's EBITDA for the first half of approximately 30%.

Avanquest: robust growth driven by proprietary SaaS sales

Avanquest, the Group's software publishing division, reported H1 revenue of 61m, up from 57m one year earlier, or like-for-like growth of 14% (+7% at actual exchange rates).

Core businesses accounted for 88% of the division's sales in the first half, or 54m. SaaS sales of this proprietary software maintained strong momentum with growth of 26% at constant exchange rates, including +9% for Soda PDF software, +40% for Adaware and +13% for InPixio, driven by the launch of its online service and Mobile offerings4

The percentage of revenue from non-core activities decreased 29% over the period to 8m. In accordance with its strategy, the Group has divested its non-core activities in Europe5 offering limited or no profitability.

This growth in revenue will be accompanied by a significant improvement in profitability by all businesses expected to rise by approximately 70% over the first half.

myDevices: H1 revenue up 78% to 5m

The growth trajectory of the Group's IoT division remains on track with revenue of 5m for H1 2023-2024, up 78% (+67% at actual exchange rates). This sharp rise in revenue is being driven by large-scale deployments of the division's IoT solutions with partner companies combined with the acceleration in the sale of sensors as well as the related installation and commissioning services.

By the end of December, myDevices had 217 partners who are gradually rolling its solutions, multiplying the number of use cases. Over the period, the division's annual recurring revenue (ARR) rose to 3.4m, up 24% (+15% at actual exchange rates) from H1 2022-2023. As with the other divisions, myDevices' profitability is thus also improving, with breakeven expected for the first half versus a 1.6m loss last year.

Financial calendar:

March 20, 2024: H1 2023-2024 results

About Claranova:

As a diversified global technology company, Claranova manages and coordinates a portfolio of majority interests in digital companies with strong growth potential. Supported by a team combining several decades of experience in the world of technology, Claranova has acquired a unique know-how in successfully turning around, creating and developing innovative companies.

Claranova has proven its capacity to turn a simple idea into a worldwide success in just a few short years. Present in 15 countries and leveraging the technology expertise of its 800+ employees across North America and Europe, Claranova is a truly international group, with 95% of its revenue derived from international markets.

Claranova's portfolio of companies is organized into three unique technology platforms operating in all major digital sectors. As an e-commerce leader in personalized objects, Claranova also stands out for its technological expertise in software publishing and the Internet of Things, through its businesses PlanetArt, Avanquest and myDevices. These three technology platforms share a common vision: empowering people through innovation by providing simple and intuitive digital solutions that facilitate everyday access to the very best of technology.

For more information on Claranova Group:

https://www.claranova.com

Disclaimer:

All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release about future events are subject to (i) change without notice and (ii) factors beyond the Company's control. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control that could cause the Company's actual results or performance to be materially different from the expected results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

1 Change at constant scope and exchange rates

2 EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is a non-GAAP aggregate used to measure the operating performance of the businesses. It is equal to Recurring Operating Income before depreciation, amortization and share-based payments including related social security expenses and the IFRS 16 impact on the recognition of leases.

3 Publication of H1 2023-2024 results on March 20, 2024

4 Press release of October 5, 2023

5 Press release of October 19, 2023

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208173404/en/

Contacts:

ANALYSTS INVESTORS

+33 1 41 27 19 74

ir@claranova.com



FINANCIAL COMMUNICATION

+33 1 75 77 54 68

ir@claranova.com
For months, the East Side Collaborative Partnership has been analyzing the state Department of Transportations plan to build a 3/4-mile tunnel and cap project between Dodge and Sidney streets on the Kensington Expressway.

The partnership will hold a town hall meeting about the project from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at the Frank E. Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson Ave., and its members have called on state lawmakers or their representatives to respond to their concerns about the plan, which would use state money and $55 million in federal transportation aid announced last April from $1 billion set aside to address the harm done by urban highways across the U.S.

The East Side Parkways Coalition and Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy oppose the DOT plan. Both advocate instead that a section of Route 33 be filled as part of a larger plan to reconnect Martin Luther King Jr. and Delaware parks and improve surrounding neighborhoods.

Those groups and other critics want to restore the nearly 2-mile parkway designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, and have called for an agency other than the state DOT to develop broader goals that focus on community redevelopment and revitalization.

The concerned grassroots community groups also seek a comprehensive health study for people living near the expressway, where asthma rates are in the 95th percentile and life expectancy is less than the county and state averages.

In a statement released by the partnership, former Erie County Legislator Betty Jean Grant said the decision for changing the direction of this project is in the hands of State Sen. Tim Kennedy, Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes and Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Hochul and Peoples-Stokes have both told The Buffalo News editorial board in recent weeks that they continue to support the DOT plan. The East Side Collaborative Partnership encouraged them, Kennedy or one of their office representatives to attend the town hall meeting.

'No public consensus': Opposition group analyzes Kensington project comments A group critical of the Kensington project said its review of the public comments show there is "no public consensus" for it.

Our community needs to be heard, Grant said. We expect our state leaders to attend the town hall to hear the voices of our community and respond to the will of the people.

The state DOT is nearing completion of work on its fast-tracked project. Meanwhile, the Federal Highway Transportation Administration could render a decision on its part of the nearly $1 billion project as early as this month.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / The water-related business risks that companies face are closely tied to water-related impacts in their region. For example, water scarcity resulting from droughts, poor water management, or other events that reduce the water supply can lead to increasingly strict regulatory requirements that affect water allocation and management. What is important for businesses to understand is that these regulatory requirements and the current water allocation and management practices throughout the United States are structured around the water rights of each state.

Basic Water Rights

In the United States, water allocation and management are generally governed by the individual states with each state maintaining its own regulatory system and little to no federal intervention. This means that water rights and the agencies that enact and enforce water law (Department of Natural Resources, Department of Health, Department of Environmental Quality/Protection, etc.) vary from state to state. Water rights are generally based on one of two basic water laws: riparian rights and the prior appropriation doctrine.

Riparian Rights

Under the system of riparian rights, water is allocated to all landowners whose property adjoins a body of water. These landowners have the right to make reasonable use of it as it flows through or over their properties, as long as that use does not interfere with the reasonable use of another downstream riparian landowner. Reasonable use under the riparian system is determined by comparing the proposed use with the other uses of riparian landowners. Water used for drinking and municipal supply, watering livestock, irrigation, or industry are considered reasonable uses under most states' laws. If there is not enough water to satisfy all riparian landowners, water is allotted in proportion to how much land from each water user's property borders the water source. Riparian landowners' water rights cannot be sold or transferred under the riparian rights system and will never expire or be lost.

Water use is also generally limited to within the watershed of the source water. Surface water cannot be transferred out of the watershed through an inter-basin transfer without due consideration of the rights and impact to reasonable use of downstream riparian landowners. These characteristics of the riparian rights system make it more difficult to allocate water beyond the source watershed and can limit the economical use of water. However, this also makes the riparian rights system more aligned with conservation and water stewardship principles, as there is a built-in mechanism for the consideration of how water uses may impact others that are dependent on the same water source.

Prior Appropriation Rights

The prior appropriation rights system allocates water rights based on timing of use, place of use, and purpose of use. Water that is withdrawn must be put to a beneficial use. Beneficial uses are determined by the state, but could include agriculture, municipal water supply, recreation, industry, mining, or several other options. The beneficial use of water is also not limited to within the watershed of the source water: water can be transferred outside the watershed to be put towards any beneficial use. For example, 90% of the population of Colorado lives east of the continental divide, while 80% of the state's water resources are west of the divide. To meet the needs of agriculture, public water supply, and industry, water is diverted from the west through the Rocky Mountains to where it is put to beneficial use.

The prior appropriation system is based on priority, which is determined based on when use of a water source began. A common saying used to describe prior appropriation is "first in time, first in right," meaning that whoever puts water to a beneficial use first has the most senior rights to that water. The most senior appropriator has the highest priority and receives all their allotted water before all other less senior appropriators in times of shortages. The figure below describes the different types of water rights under the prior appropriation system.

Unlike riparianism, there is no requirement that a senior appropriator use less water during times of shortage. In fact, water conservation is actually punished under the prior appropriation system through what is known as the "use it or lose it" principle. Under this principle, an appropriator's water rights may be forfeited to the next most senior appropriator if the water is not applied to beneficial use. This encourages appropriators to use their full water allotment each year no matter what, even during severe droughts, which encourages excessive water use. In the event of a water shortage, there are clear allocation priorities defined through the priority system. The most senior appropriators' allotments are fulfilled first while the most junior water appropriators lose their water allotments if there is not enough water for them.

Groundwater Rights

State groundwater rights often differ from surface water rights and will vary from state to state. Groundwater rights are also made more complicated by the fact that states can use multiple legal doctrines and different combinations of doctrines to allocate groundwater. Four of the most commonly used groundwater rights systems include Absolute Dominion, Correlative Rights, Prior Appropriation, and Reasonable Use.

Absolute Dominion

Under the Absolute Dominion Rule, a landowner has unlimited access to groundwater under their land and can use as much water as they want regardless of how it might impact neighboring landowners' groundwater supply. This doctrine creates an incentive to over withdraw due to the lack of concern regarding penalties from a neighboring user.

Correlative Rights

Under the Correlative Rights Doctrine, landowners each receive an equitable share of the aquifer they are withdrawing from. There are also limits established for how much water each landowner can withdraw to prevent impacts to neighboring users. Withdrawn water can also be used outside of the land overlying the aquifer, similar to an inter-basin transfer.

Prior Appropriation

The prior appropriation system for groundwater rights is nearly identical to the prior appropriation system for surface water.

Reasonable Use

The Reasonable Use Rule requires withdrawn water to be put to a reasonable use on the overlying tract of land and does not permit water to be taken to another tract. Reasonable use has been construed broadly, and almost any use is considered reasonable as long as the water is used on the overlying land.

Interstate Water Agreements

While each state is responsible for developing its own system of water rights and laws, there is another regulatory level to consider for rivers and other water bodies that flow between two states or more. Interstate water agreements and compacts are contracts between two or more states creating an agreement on a particular issue, adopting a certain standard, or cooperating on regional or national matters for interstate waters. These agreements help to solve regional water issues related to water supply, quality, natural resource management, and any other disputes related to water. They are the most powerful, durable, and adaptive tools for ensuring cooperative action among the states.

Types of Interstate Water Agreements

There are currently 46 interstate water agreements nationwide that deal with various aspects of water management. Of these 46 agreements, 6 are dedicated to water pollution control, 13 are centered on flood control and water resource management, and 27 are focused on water allocation.

Water pollution control compacts facilitate dialogue between states and lead regional efforts to address impacts from a variety of stressors that affect water quality, including climate change, harmful algal blooms, nutrient impairment of waterways, and intense storm events. Some water pollution control compacts can even set wastewater discharge standards and frameworks for monitoring waterways, such as the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Compact. These types of compacts are more common in eastern states.

Water resources and flood control compacts address a wide variety of potential conflicts over interstate waters. Some of these types of compacts manage interstate water diversions, such as in the Susquehanna River Basin Compact and the Delaware River Basin Compact. Others, like the Great Lakes Commission, form non-regulatory commissions or associations that focus on water conservation, water quality, and natural resources management such as fisheries.

Water allocation compacts are by far the most common type of interstate water agreements. These compacts allocate water that flows through two or more states and determine how much water each state receives. Water allocation compacts are generally found in the western United States where water resources are scarcer and water transfers are more common. Two of the most notable water allocation compacts are the Colorado River Compact and the Great Lakes Compact.

CASE STUDY: Colorado River Compact

The Colorado River provides drinking water for over 40 million people throughout the arid American southwest. Due to high water demand and limited water resources in the region, an allocation strategy was necessary for the Colorado River to satisfy all water users. The result was the Colorado River Compact, an agreement for allocating the waters of the Colorado River between the states of Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, and California. Signed in 1922 by six of the seven states (Arizona did not join until 1944), the Colorado River Compact was the first major interstate water compact developed in the United States. The Compact allocates 16.4 million acre-feet (MAF) per year from the Colorado River to the seven states, a determination that was based on a study of the Colorado River's annual discharge by Arthur Powell Davis just before the Compact was drafted. However, the annual discharge study that the Compact is based on was made during one of the wettest periods in the American West. The Colorado River has not discharged 16.4 million acre-feet per year since the Compact was signed, resulting in promised water quantities that could not be delivered. As a result, the Colorado River has been overallocated for a century.

The overallocation of the Colorado River is further exacerbated by the prior appropriation rights system in the west which incentivizes farmers (the primary water users in the Colorado River Basin) to use as much water as possible to retain their water rights. The Colorado River flow has been steadily decreasing as a result. The flow of the Colorado River at Lees Ferry, the dividing point of the upper and lower Colorado River basins, has declined from 12 MAF in 1900 to 6.5 MAF in 2022, which is a 60% decrease in flow. Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the largest reservoirs in the Colorado River Basin that make up approximately 92% of the water storage capacity in the Basin, dropped to their lowest levels in history in 2021, causing a water shortage for lower basin states. The state of Arizona has the most junior water rights and was first in line for water cuts during the shortage due to the prior appropriation rights system. Roughly 8% of Arizona's annual water allocation was cut in 2021, while 21% of the water allocation was cut in 2023.

While many agree that the Colorado River Compact must be modified to conserve water there are many regulatory challenges that stand in the way. The first challenge to overcome is the prior appropriation rights system, which will always encourage excessive water use and will not prioritize conservation. Additionally, any changes to the Compact will require cooperation and agreement among the member states, including a new annual flow determination and new allocation volumes to each state that all seven states would need to agree on. Some states, like Arizona, are far more likely to push for the re-allocation of the Colorado River as junior water users that feel the impacts of water stress more, while senior water user states such as California are less likely to push for re-allocation. Lastly, it is difficult to plan water management in the future while the southwest is still experiencing mega-drought conditions. There are speculations that this mega-drought may be the new normal and water may not ever return in the quantities it once was a century ago.

CASE STUDY: Great Lakes Compact

Similar to the Colorado River, the Great Lakes provide drinking water for over 40 million people. However, the management strategies between the Colorado River and the Great Lakes differ significantly. The Great Lakes hold over 6 quadrillion gallons of water, over 1,120 times as much water as the original Colorado River flow determination of 16.4 MAF. To protect their water from being siphoned outside of the Great Lakes Basin, the eight Great Lakes states of Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York along with the two Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec, signed a formal agreement in 2008 which established a framework for the states and provinces to manage and protect Great Lakes water and ensure sustainable use.

Under the Great Lakes Compact, water withdrawals from each lake are closely monitored by each state/province. The most important component of the Great Lakes Compact is the ban on the diversion of water out of the Great Lakes Basin, with limited exceptions. Any new diversions outside of the Basin requires the approval of all eight states and two provinces. Any community applying for a diversion must demonstrate that it has exhausted all available options for getting water - a diversion must be a last resort. Only communities that are located partially in the Great Lakes Basin or located within a county that is partially in the Basin may apply for a diversion. This strict ban on diversions prevents excessive water use and diversions to areas outside the Great Lakes Basin that could deplete Great Lakes water.

The Great Lakes Compact comes with several benefits that promote water stewardship and make it a regulatory success. By preventing water from being piped and transferred outside of the Great Lakes Basin, the Compact ensures the sustainability of water resources throughout the region and puts an emphasis on protecting water. The Compact also leverages the shared interests of the states in the region to protect water resources so all member states and provinces can use them.

Conclusion

Water rights and regulatory frameworks are linked to and created around the regional water resources. As water scarcity and quality change, the regulations and rights surrounding water will change as well. While states are responsible for determining water allocation, it is important to remember that input from stakeholders within watersheds is instrumental in shaping water policy.

When it comes to managing water regulatory risks, there are several action items that companies can take to better manage their risks. A regular review of state water agency updates in all the states your company operates in can inform you of upcoming changes that could affect your water use. Every state will be different in how they manage and allocate water, and regular reviews can help you stay up to date on any new water allocation limitations or regulation surrounding water use. It is also important to maintain all necessary water-related permits up to date. Permits may vary by state, but can include water use permits, stormwater permits, and wastewater discharge permits. Lastly, promoting basin-wide water stewardship can help to alleviate water-stress in your watershed and improve the quality and quantity of water resources that your facilities depend on. Promoting water stewardship in your watershed and identifying water vulnerabilities is the best method for mitigating regulatory risks.

To learn more about how you can better understand and address your water risk, download our Water Risk Assessment Methodology.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Antea Group on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Antea Group

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/antea-group

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Antea Group

View the original press release on accesswire.com
WOBURN, Mass., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Monotype , a global leader in type and technology, has released its highly anticipated fourth annual Type Trends Report. The report, curated by Monotype Creative Type Designer Jordan Bell and Creative Type Director Damien Collot, identifies ten trends in type and brand design set to shape the wider cultural zeitgeist of 2024-including AI-inspired surrealism, '90s and Y2K nostalgia for raves and grunge, and the comeback of classic serif fonts. In addition to the identified trends, the report reveals the enduring creative inspiration that type and brand designers find in nostalgia for music subcultures-a thread that runs throughout this year's trends and is explored through the innovative art direction of the report itself.

See the type in action here.

Jordan Bell, Type Designer at Monotype commented, "In this, our fourth Annual Type Trends Report, we found a movement away from the trend of cuddly, squishy, empathetic fonts that many brands and creatives embraced after the alienation and stress of the pandemic. This year, in a time that can feel nostalgic for the digital simplicity of the pre-smartphone, pre-AI world, we see designers returning to the heritage and comfort of more traditional serif fonts, and also finding new creative inspiration in '90s and early '00s scenes like grunge, jungle, and early rave culture."

The ten trends are reimagined by Monotype as worn vinyl LP covers, connecting each type trend to a specific musical genre-from jazz to reggae, '90s hip hop to punk, and UK rave music. The imaginary vinyl cover art was created using Midjourney AI, a creative process that itself reflects the tension between nostalgia for the old analogue world and our immersion in a new AI-infused digital age.

Ibrahim Gharib, Designer at Monotype, who led the art direction of the report, said, "Producing this report, we wanted to shine a light on the powerful influence of music on type-and at the same time mirror the way that designers and brands are using AI to unlock surprising new ways to be creative. The result is an imaginary but deeply nostalgic visual dreamscape, where modern design trends are connected to the cultural experiences of the past while simultaneously being reshaped by the concerns, hopes, and creative tools of 2024."

Monotype's report references examples of creative work from around the world, unpacking ten emerging trends that demonstrate a curious duality at the heart of our rapidly-changing world-from the rise of new technology, like generative AI, inspiring surrealist fonts; and type that challenges expected design norms such as legibility; to the counter resurgence of serif fonts that convey comfort, nostalgia, and heritage values in a time of unprecedented change.

Among the trends included in this year's report are:

Perhaps in response to the somewhat chaotic tide of AI-generated art, Everythingallofthetime sees designers rise to the challenge to use all of the typefaces, textures, and technology available to them in a single design. The name of this trend was inspired by comedian and musician Bo Burnham's tune, "Welcome to the Internet." This trend is notable for its maximalist patterns and surrealist themes-from randomly-generated alternate glyphs to shapeshifting fonts. AI learned design from humans - are we now learning design from AI?

From Barbie to Saltburn to Mean Girls 2, nostalgia is officially back with Whatever, a trend that encompasses a broad spectrum of styles from nihilistic grunge to colorful pixel play. Reminiscent of '90s rave fliers with big bold fonts, digital gradients, and drop shadows, this resurgence of retro typefaces capitalizes on a broader wave of Y2K nostalgia currently infusing music, fashion, film, and design.

In what could be seen as a reflection of global cultural and societal issues, from sustainability and climate change to social justice reform, designers are sparking aesthetic disobedience with De-form. De-form is a trend that marks a bold departure from "blanding" and the "clean aesthetic." Typefaces in this trend are distorted, often arranged so tightly that each letter competes for space and attention, challenging design conventions such as legibility.

Defined by type that surprises the viewer with bold detail, Quirk is an emerging trend that finds a balance between a brand's desire to be different and the customer's comfort. Subtle quirks provide a little something to catch the eye, while still being firmly rooted in the familiar forms of solid, stable, sans serifs. The fluid, loopy nature of music captured within a customized font for a personalized song platform is just one example of Quirk's rise in 2024.

After several decades of brands transitioning to minimalist sans-serifs, we are now seeing the Return of the Serif. Against the backdrop of ever more complex surroundings and hyper-speed change, brands are returning to the comforts of classic tradition with typefaces that pay homage to their legacy while simultaneously looking to the future.

Damien Collot, Creative Type Director at Monotype, commented, "Type is both a reflection and a catalyst of the cultural conversations that shape our everyday lives. In this, our fourth annual Type Trends report, we wanted to explore what type tells us about culture and the world in 2024. Against a backdrop of break-neck speed innovation and social change, we found seemingly opposing concepts being combined by designers, influenced by both future possibilities and nostalgia for the past, perhaps heralding a new, more contradictory era of creativity."

To read the full 2024 Type Trends Report, visit: https://www.monotype.com/type-trends-2024 .

About Monotype

Monotype creates brands that matter with type, technology, and expertise. The company partners with leading foundries to deliver the broadest inventory of high-quality typefaces in the world.

Further information is available at www.monotype.com . Follow Monotype on X , Instagram , and LinkedIn .

Monotype is a trademark of Monotype Imaging Inc. registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be registered in certain other jurisdictions.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/monotypes-type-trends-report-reveals-generative-ai-rave-music-and-classic-serifs-influencing-2024-brand-design-302057919.html
ATLANTA (dpa-AFX) - Coca-Cola Co. (KO) has introduced its first permanent offering in over three years with the launch of Coca-Cola Spiced. This new flavor is a rare addition to their lineup, which typically includes only a few other permanent flavors such as cherry and vanilla. The company describes the soda as a blend of the 'iconic taste of Coca-Cola with a burst of refreshing notes from raspberry and spiced flavors.' Coca-Cola Spiced and Coca-Cola Spiced Zero Sugar will be available for purchase in the U.S. and Canada starting on February 19, offering consumers various can and bottle options. The decision to launch Spiced was driven by the desire to align with current consumer preferences for bolder and more impactful flavors. Sue Lynne Cha, Coke's vice president of marketing for North America, highlighted that the new flavor aims to cater to the trend of consumers seeking more intense taste experiences. In a parallel initiative, the beverage giant is launching Coca-Cola Happy Tears Zero Sugar as part of its Creations platform. Happy Tears features salt and mineral flavors and will be exclusively available on TikTok starting from February 17 in the U.S. and Great Britain, with limited stock. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Green hydrogen fuels electrolyzer market boom, driven by sustainability shift. R&D and government support boost efficiency, competitiveness, and unlock stakeholder opportunities. Explore the details in our report.

NEWARK, Del., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global electrolyzer market is expected to grow from US$ 4.7 billion in 2024 to US$ 42.4 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 24.6%. The emphasis on green hydrogen drives this growth as governments and industries invest in electrolysis technology to reduce carbon emissions and promote renewable energy.

Request Exclusive Sample Report: Electrolyzer Industry Strategic Insights, https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-15970

Electrolyzers are becoming increasingly common as we transition to low-carbon, sustainable energy sources. There is a noticeable shift in the widespread adoption of electrolyzers, marked by a growing recognition of hydrogen as a versatile and eco-friendly energy carrier. The prevailing trend involves scaling up the deployment of electrolyzers, emphasizing their pivotal role in producing clean hydrogen.

Research and development endeavors are actively directed toward enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of electrolyzers, aiming to bolster their competitiveness and commercial viability. This concerted effort aligns with the broader goal of establishing hydrogen as a sustainable energy solution. Governments are fostering this transition by enacting supportive policies and incentives specifically geared toward advancing clean hydrogen technologies, creating a conducive environment for the robust development of electrolyzers in the global energy landscape.

"The electrolyzer market is expected to grow due to innovative power solutions technologies and clean hydrogen production techniques. Government initiatives, investment in renewable resources, rising industrial feedstock, and hydrogen plants are increasing demand. However, rising electricity costs and the consumption of economic alternatives to hydrogen fuel cells may limit market growth." Says Nikhil Kaitwade (Associate Vice President at Future Market Insights, Inc.).

Key Takeaways

The United States electrolyzer industry is projected to experience a CAGR of 25.0% through 2034.

through 2034. Japan electrolyzer market is expected to demonstrate a rapid CAGR of 25.9% through 2034.

through 2034. The United Kingdom electrolyzer industry is anticipated to see a CAGR of 26.2% through 2034.

through 2034. Demand for electrolyzers in South Korea showcases a significant CAGR of 26.9% through 2034.

through 2034. China electrolyzer market is expected to display a favorable CAGR of 23.8% through 2034.

Competitive Landscape

The global market for electrolyzers is witnessing a notable surge propelled by a growing number of prominent vendors, and their strategic contributions are set to shape the industry's trajectory during the forecast decade. These key players are pivotal in driving market dynamics, translating their efforts into substantial revenue gains. With a keen focus on aligning with end-user requirements, these vendors are adapting dynamically to the evolving demands of recent years.

These influential players are orchestrating comprehensive marketing strategies to fortify their presence and secure a maximal share in the anticipated period. Notably, increased Research and Development activities within the industry are a testament to their commitment to harnessing the potential of modern technologies. This technological emphasis is instrumental in uplifting the market and contributing to its expansion during the forecast period.

In navigating the competitive landscape, these leaders deploy multifaceted tactics such as collaborations, partnerships, mergers, acquisitions, agreements, and strategic product launches. These strategic moves reinforce their positions and catalyze innovation and synergy within the electrolyzer industry, fostering an environment of continuous growth and adaptation to emerging trends.

Key Companies in the Electrolyzer Market

Nel Hydrogen (Norway)

Asahi Kasei (Japan)

Hydrogenics (Canada)

Shandong Saikesaisi Hydrogen Energy Co., Ltd. (China)

Teledyne Energy Systems (United States)

Siemens Energy (Germany)

Kobelco Eco-Solutions (United States)

ITM Power (United Kingdom)

Ballard Power Systems (Canada)

McPhy Energy (France)

Plug Power (United States)

ABB (Switzerland)

De Nora (Italy)

Green Hydrogen Systems (Denmark)

Secure Your Competitive Edge! Buy Now for Comprehensive Insights on Revenue Forecasts, Company Rankings, and More! https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/15970

Recent Developments

To form a joint venture to purchase stacks from the Enapter Group and manufacture Enapter AEM electrolyzer devices domestically in China for the Chinese market, Enapter AG teamed up with Wolong Electric Group Co., Ltd. in January 2024.

McPhy Energy, a French company, signed an agreement in December 2023 with Berlin-based HMS Oil and Gas division GmbH to deliver and install four McLyzer 3200-30 electrolyzers, totaling 64 MW in capacity.

Key Segments

By Type:

PEM Electrolyzer

Alkaline Electrolyzer

Solid Oxide Electrolyzer

By Capacity:

= 500 kW

500 kW to 2 MW

Above 2 MW

By Application:

Steel plant

Power plants

Electronics and photovoltaics

Energy storage for fuel cells

Industrial gases

Power to gas

Others

By Region:

North America

Latin America

Europe

East Asia

South Asia

Oceania

The Middle East and Africa

Request to Access the Detail Research Methodology from here!

About the Author:

Nikhil Kaitwade (Associate Vice President at Future Market Insights, Inc.) has over a decade of experience in market research and business consulting. He has successfully delivered 1500+ client assignments, predominantly in Automotive, Chemicals, Industrial Equipment, Oil & Gas, and Service industries.

His core competency circles around developing research methodology, creating a unique analysis framework, statistical data models for pricing analysis, competition mapping, and market feasibility analysis. His expertise also extends wide and beyond analysis, advising clients on identifying growth potential in established and niche market segments, investment/divestment decisions, and market entry decision-making.

Nikhil holds an MBA degree in Marketing and IT and a Graduate in Mechanical Engineering. Nikhil has authored several publications and quoted in journals like EMS Now, EPR Magazine, and EE Times.

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About Future Market Insights (FMI)

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David and Leila Centner Purchase Ground Floor Prime Retail Space for $5.5 Million in Aria on the Bay in Miami.

MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / The prime retail space at Aria On The Bay, located at 488 Northeast 18th Street, has been successfully purchased for $5,500,000 by David and Leila Centner to open Centner Regener8 Cafe and Centner Wellness locations. The property, boasting 11,071 square feet of space, features exceptional amenities that make it a standout investment opportunity in Miami's vibrant real estate market.

The ground floor retail space, characterized by its 20-foot-high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass windows, provides an open and inviting atmosphere. With an oversized terrace ideal for outdoor restaurant/cafe seating, utility connections, grease traps, and mechanical equipment, this property will be the flagship location for the Centners' Regener8 Cafe, a new concept in hospitality, and will comprise roughly half the space with Centner Wellness in the other half. Its desirable location in Edgewater and T6 zoning further enhance its appeal.

Centner Regener8 Cafe is poised to be the future of farm-to-table dining. Much of the food prepared and sold at the cafe will be sourced from the Centners' Regener8 Farm and Retreat project in South Miami. Regener8 Farm is a 34-acre working farm that produces an extraordinary diversity of products through regenerative agriculture practices, including soil grown and hydroponics vegetables, pasture raised eggs, honey, mushrooms and a variety of tropical fruits. Regener8 also farms thousands of fish through its aquaculture operation. The farm currently harvests primarily for Centner Academy schools, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) members, farmer's markets, and wholesale restaurant buyers. Regener8 aims to be a model of regenerative agriculture, and ethical and holistic farming, to provide reliable nutrient-dense foods that will soon serve an extended community vis-a-vis the cafe.

The other half of the space will be a new location for Centner Wellness. The flagship location for Centner Wellness located at 2333 Brickell Avenue, is a 15,000 square foot facility, which features state-of-the-art innovative treatments that support bio-optimization through detoxification, cellular regeneration, enhanced neuro-cognitive function, stress reduction and decreased inflammation that allows clients to embark on a transformative wellness journey. The wellness center is a sanctuary for achieving a person's highest potential of optimal health and vitality, allowing the body to naturally heal when balance of the mind, body, and spirit is restored. Clients from across the community visit Centner Wellness for personalized paths to optimal health backed by science and ancient healing wisdom. The new Edgewater location for Centner Wellness will feature a similar composition of health and well-being protocols.

Through their various initiatives including Centner Academy, Centner Wellness, Regener8 Farm and Retreat, and Regener8 Cafes, the Centners are dedicated to projects that support and encourage emotional and physical well-being, bring together community, and prepare young people to be our leaders of tomorrow. "Leila and I take great pleasure in bringing these one-of-a-kind ventures to life," said David Centner. "The next two years promise to be very exciting as our projects mature and evolve."

The purchase of this space marks a successful deal facilitated by Keiti Silva, who has been a trusted representative for the Centner Family in multiple transactions over the past six years. The Centner Family, having overseen successful businesses in both New York and Miami, continues to find strategic and lucrative real estate opportunities under Silva's guidance.

About Regener8 Farm and Retreat

At Regener8 Farm our mission is to grow nutrient dense foods using regenerative practices working from the ground up by feeding the soil and promoting a thriving farm ecology through biodiversity. We grow food to feed and connect with our community and to educate the next generation of young growers and consumers. For more information, visit www.regener8farm.com or https://www.instagram.com/regener8farmandretreat.

About Centner Academy

Founded by entrepreneurs and philanthropists David and Leila Centner, Centner Academy is an international school dedicated to cultivating happiness and well-being in children. Centner Academy's curriculum combines a deep commitment to emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and happiness in a challenging academic setting featuring language immersion, entrepreneurial thinking, problem solving, creativity, and collaboration. Using a strengths-based approach to learning, all Centner Academy students and teachers have opportunities to do what they love across the curriculum through project- and problem-based learning. For more information, visit www.CentnerAcademy.com or https://www.instagram.com/centneracademy.

About Centner Wellness

Centner Wellness is a leading destination that merges state-of-the-art innovation with ancient healing wisdom, offering a transformative wellness journey for our clients. At Centner Wellness, we believe in the profound connection between the mind, body, and spirit. Our wellness center serves as a sanctuary for individuals seeking to achieve their highest potential of optimal health and vitality. We are committed to facilitating natural healing by restoring the delicate balance that harmonizes the core elements of well-being. For more information, visit www.centnerwellnessandspa.com or https://www.instagram.com/centnerwellness.

Media Contact:

karla@centnerdevelopment.com

SOURCE: David Centner

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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crude oil prices rose sharply on Thursday, gaining for a fourth straight session, as escalating tensions in the Middle East raised concerns about potential trade and supply disruptions. Middle East tensions persist as Israel has rejected a ceasefire offer from Hamas. According to reports, Israely forces attacked the southern border city of Rafah today after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a ceasefire proposal. West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for March ended higher by $2.36 or about 2.1% at $76.22 a barrel. Brent crude futures were up $2.65 or 3.33% at $81.86 a barrel a little while ago. The U.S. killed a senior leader of the militant group Kata'ib Hezbollah on Wednesday in a drone strike in Baghdad, responding to attacks on American troops. Supply concerns have risen following a report from the U.S. Energy Department that forecast domestic crude production will grow slower than originally expected this year. Data released by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Wednesday showed a notable drop in gasoline stockpiles in the U.S. in the week ended February 2nd. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
KELOWNA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Tryp Therapeutics, Inc. ("Tryp" or the "Company") (CSE:TRYP)(OTCQB:TRYPF), a pioneering clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing intravenous-infused psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin) for diseases with high unmet medical needs, today announced that further to its press releases of December 11, 2023 and January 26, 2024, Tryp has obtained an interim order (the "Interim Order") of the Supreme Court of British Columbia in connection with the proposed arrangement between Tryp and Exopharm Limited ACN 163 765 991 ("Exopharm") (the "Arrangement") to be implemented under a statutory plan of arrangement pursuant to section 288 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). The Interim Order provides for the holding of an annual general and special meeting (the "Meeting") of Tryp securityholders to, among other things, consider and vote on a special resolution approving the Arrangement (the "Arrangement Resolution"). The Meeting is scheduled to be held at First Canadian Place, 100 King Street West, Suite 1600, Toronto, Ontario on Friday, March 8, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern time) and the record date for determining Shareholders entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Meeting has been fixed as at the close of business on January 9, 2024.

Meeting Materials

In connection with the Meeting, Tryp will be mailing a notice of meeting, a management information circular (the "Circular"), letter of transmittal and related meeting materials (collectively, the "Meeting Materials") to applicable Tryp securityholders. Securityholders are urged to carefully review all Meeting Materials as they contain important information concerning the Arrangement and the rights and entitlements of the securityholders in relation thereto. The Meeting Materials will also be available under Tryp's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca once they have been mailed to securityholders in the coming days.

Final Order and Completion Date

An application for the final order of the Court (the "Final Order") approving the Arrangement is currently expected to take place on or about March 11, 2024. Subject to obtaining the Final Order, the required approvals from Tryp's securityholders at the Meeting, required regulatory approvals, and the satisfaction of all other conditions to implementing the Arrangement as set out in the arrangement agreement entered into between Tryp and Exopharm on December 8, 2023, as amended on January 25, 2024 (the "Arrangement Agreement"), the Arrangement is anticipated to be completed in March 2024.

Voting Requirements

The Arrangement Resolution must be approved by not less than 662/3% of the votes cast by the Tryp Shareholders (as defined in the Circular) present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting and 662/3% of votes cast by Tryp Securityholders (as defined in the Circular) present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting, voting together as a single class.

About Tryp Therapeutics

Tryp Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing proprietary, novel formulations for the administration of psilocin in combination with psychotherapy to treat diseases with unmet medical needs. Tryp's lead program, TRP-8803, is a proprietary formulation of IV-infused psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin) that alleviates numerous shortcomings of oral psilocybin including: significantly reducing the time to onset of the psychedelic state, controlling the depth and duration of the psychedelic experience, and reducing the overall duration of the intervention to a commercially feasible timeframe. The Company has completed a Phase 2a clinical trial for the treatment of binge eating disorder at the University of Florida, which demonstrated an average reduction in binge eating episodes of greater than 80%. The Company also recently announced commencement of patient dosing in a Phase 2a clinical trial for the treatment of fibromyalgia in collaboration with the University of Michigan and is preparing to initiate a Phase 2a clinical trial in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital for the treatment of abdominal pain and visceral tenderness in patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. Each of the studies is utilizing TRP-8802 (synthetic, oral psilocybin) to demonstrate clinical benefit in these indications. Where a positive clinical response is demonstrated, subsequent studies are expected to utilize TRP-8803 (IV-infused psilocin), which has the potential to further improve efficacy, safety, and patient experience. For more information, please visit www.tryptherapeutics.com.

Investor & Media Contact

Peter Molloy

Chief Business Officer

Tryp Therapeutics Inc.

pmolloy@tryptherapeutics.com

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this press release only, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.

Forward-looking statements in this press release include: the timing for mailing for the Meeting Materials; anticipated timing of application for the Final Order receipt of the Final Order; receipt of securityholder approval in respect of the Arrangement Resolution; stock exchange and other regulatory approvals and conditions provided in the Arrangement Agreement; and anticipated timing of the closing of the Arrangement. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of Tryp to control or predict, that may cause Tryp's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including, but not limited to, the Company not obtaining the Final Order, or securityholder or stock exchange approvals; all conditions to completion of the Arrangement not being satisfied or waived and the Arrangement not being completed as anticipated; and the risk factors set out in the Circular dated and other filings available for review on the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Such forward-looking statements represent management's best judgment based on information currently available. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAS REVIEWED OR ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

SOURCE: Tryp Therapeutics

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Founding Companies Eagle Medical, Pacific BioLabs, WESTPAK, Steri-Tek and Blue Line Sterilization Services Commemorate Strategic Partnership at Nation's Largest Advanced Manufacturing Event

ANAHEIM, CA / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / IME West (Feb. 6-8 at the Anaheim Convention Center), the nation's largest advanced design and smart manufacturing event, today hosts a signing ceremony to commemorate the formation of The West Coast Device Alliance (WCDA), a newly formed strategic alliance of California-based medical technology solutions providers.

Designed to provide medical device manufacturers with end-to end solutions to launch new devices to market, the founding members of the WCDA include:

Eagle Medical, Inc., specializing in FDA compliant assembly, packaging and in-house Hydrogen Peroxide Gas Plasma (HPGP) specific sterilization (Booth 2342); WESTPAK, the leading 3rd-party, independent-laboratory specializing in package validation and product test (Booth 2248); Pacific BioLabs, a contract research organization specializing in microbiology, services for living organisms in vivo as well as analytical chemistry and cell-based bioassay culture samples in vitro for the medical device and pharmaceutical industries (Booth 2582); Blue Line Sterilization Services, ethylene oxide sterilization services, (Booth 2893); and Steri-Tek, a high-volume E-beam and X-ray contract sterilizer as well as R&D innovation center (Booth 2566).

To mark the establishment of the new strategic partnership, senior executives from each of the five founding companies joined together at IME West's Center Stage Theater to formally sign the agreement.

"As market consolidation amongst medtech companies continues to accelerate, device manufacturers are eager to find solution providers that are able to improve overall time to market without sacrificing the necessary quality and regulatory compliance standards they have come to rely upon", says Roy Morgan, President and CEO of Eagle Medical, Inc. "The West Coast Device Alliance will deliver customers with a collection of trusted partners with over 80 years of experience across the entire medical product development lifecycle, while providing our members with a holistic view of the supply chain, greater market intelligence and the ability to execute collectively while retaining full autonomy."

"Today's announcement is a true testament of the power of IME West to bring together industry leaders to build and foster meaningful relationships while also addressing the needs of the global manufacturing community," says Adrienne Zepeda, Event Director, Informa Markets Engineering. "Our mission as the premier destination for all things smart manufacturing is to continue to facilitate the conversations and connections that drive positive change and present the platform to support key issues and opportunities that face our rapidly evolving industry."

IME West 2024 brings together the thought leaders and industry disruptors that are pushing the boundaries of manufacturing to deliver innovative new products, partnerships and technologies. Five co-located events, including Medical Design and Manufacturing (MD&M) West, WestPack, Automation Technology (ATX) West, Manufacturing (D&M) West and Plastec West, provide attendees access to the companies and technologies that are revolutionizing smart manufacturing across multiple industries.

IME West takes place February 6-8, 2024 at the Anaheim Convention Center and will return February 4 -6, 2025. For more information, please visit: www.imengineeringwest.com.

About Informa Markets Engineering

Informa Markets' Engineering portfolio is the leading B2B event producer, publisher, and digital media business for the world's $3-trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry. Our print and electronic products deliver trusted information to the engineering market and leverage our proprietary 1.3-million-name database to connect suppliers with buyers and purchase influencers. We produce more than 50 events and conferences in a dozen countries, connecting manufacturing professionals from around the globe. The Engineering portfolio is organized by Informa, the world's leading exhibitions organizer that brings a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com.

About Informa Markets

Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio comprises more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Engineering, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world's leading exhibitions organizer, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, visit www.informamarkets.com.

Media Contact

George Morin

Informa Markets Engineering

George.Morin@informa.com

SOURCE: INFORMA MARKETS - ENGINEERING

View the original press release on accesswire.com
The largest annual optics and photonics event of the year, which includes the rapidly growing Quantum West conference and the co-located SPIE AR|VR|MR, encompassed more than 1,500 exhibitors and over 5,000 technical presentations

SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, held an impactful and vibrant Photonics West last week at San Francisco's Moscone Center, with 24,000-plus technical professionals registered frommore than 70 countries across the international optics and photonics community. The largest annual photonics conference, which ran from 27 January to 1 February, hosted over 1,500 exhibitors, and featured over 5,000 technical presentations across an interactive and engaging week that included BiOS, LASE, OPTO, Quantum West, the BiOS Expo, the Photonics West exhibition, the Quantum West Expo, and the co-located AR|VR|MR conference and exhibition.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208158413/en/

SPIE Photonics West 2024 hosted an enthusiastic crowd of optics and photonics professionals at San Francisco's Moscone Center. (Photo: Business Wire)

"Photonics West heralds the beginning of the optics and photonics calendar each year for good reason," said SPIE CEO Kent Rochford. "The invigorating energy and high levels of enthusiasm throughout the Moscone Center characterized a truly exciting week. AR|VR|MR continues to grow by leaps and bounds, and the addition of a standalone exhibit to the Quantum West program reflects the growing impact of the technology. We were also delighted by the success of our brand-new SPIE Global Business Forum, a packed event that drew top industry executives together for high-level presentations and conversation. Altogether it was a pleasure to be part of the networking, research-sharing, and collaborative discussions among world-leading scientists, engineers, students, and businesspeople and I'm already looking forward to Photonics West 2025."

As always, the dynamic week showcased the latest innovative technologies and discoveries stemming from a diverse and thriving optics and photonics community, bringing together researchers, innovators, engineers, entrepreneurs, and business leaders from across the globe. Over 100 distinct technical conferences paired perfectly with the four exhibitions held during the week, bringing researchers and companies together to further science, technology, and applications. The week also included a wide range of live product demonstrations on the exhibition floors as well as a job fair.

The inaugural SPIE Global Business Forum was a resounding, sold-out success. With the 16th annual Prism Awards honoring the top new optics and photonics products, and the fast-paced Startup Challenge pitch competition, SPIE Photonics West recognized the best optics and photonics technologies, trends, and entrepreneurial opportunities, while the Quantum West Business Summit featured talks and panels that provided key insights into that expanding commercial ecosystem.

In addition, a program of 56 educational courses offered expert-led technical training and learning, which complemented the dozens of professional development and networking sessions. From Lunch and Learn programming focused on EDI, to networking and social events that provided many opportunities for in-person conversations and possible future collaborations, Photonics West featured a packed calendar of special events.

While the week held myriad opportunities for attendees to learn, network, and share their latest advancements, it was the buzzing exhibitions that best showcased the increasingly vital photonics industry and the importance of in-person meetings.

"The Global Business Forum made it clear that the optics and photonics industry is in the midst of a remarkable era of growth and innovation," said Stratos Kehayas, PhD, Chief Product Technology Officer, G&H. "The industry's collective enthusiasm at Photonics West underscores the pivotal role this trade show plays in driving collaboration, fostering innovation, and shaping the future."

"This has been arguably one of the most productive Photonics Wests we've had in the last five years," said nLIGHT Vice President and General Manager, Semiconductor Lasers, Matthew Randall. "It's been very engaging, with lots of people coming through, and we're seeing new things at our booth and at other booths that make this particular show a positive experience. We are definitely seeing way more innovation now than in the last couple of years and that's been incredibly positive not only for nLIGHT, but for the entire photonics industry."

"The week has been very good," said MKS Instruments Senior Director of Marketing, Photonics Solutions Division, Vincent M. Issier. "The traffic has been very high and the attendance is incredible this year, and we are very happy with the level of engagement from people here."

"The week has been great," said IPG Photonics Director of Product Management, Beam Delivery, UV, Green Ultrafast Lasers, Mustafa Coskun. "There was nice traffic coming through and it was really nice to connect with colleagues as well as our customers and other visitors. And this is what we're here for: to listen to our customers and understand what their problems are and how we can help them. This Photonics West has been great."

"This year we were quite busy, even just walking around the show with so many people we know here and so many companies we are in touch with," said TNO Business Consultant, Optics Manufacturing, Bart Snijders. "It's great to see them all again. We've enjoyed being busy on the floor, busy with meetings. I would always like the show to be six or nine days long, because time is always too short for me here."

During the Photonics West week, SPIE also announced its latest partnership this one with The University of Manchester in the SPIE Endowment Matching Program.

SPIE Photonics West 2025 will take place 25-30 January at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. The call for papers for the 2025 event will open in Spring of 2024.

About SPIE

SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, brings engineers, scientists, students, and business professionals together to advance light-based science and technology. The Society, founded in 1955, connects and engages with our global constituency through industry-leading conferences and exhibitions; publications of conference proceedings, books, and journals in the SPIE Digital Library; and career-building opportunities. Over the past five years, SPIE has contributed more than $24 million to the international optics community through our advocacy and support, including scholarships, educational resources, travel grants, endowed gifts, and public-policy development. www.spie.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208158413/en/

Contacts:

Daneet Steffens

Public Relations Manager

daneets@spie.org

+1 360 685 5478

@SPIEtweets
VIENNA, VA / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Wine & Champagne Gifts, a reputable retailer based in the United States known for its exceptional array of wine gifts, has unveiled a special promotion timed perfectly for Valentine's Day. In celebration of this romantic occasion, the company will be extending a generous 10% discount on purchases totaling over $100 made until February 14th, redeemable using the code "LOVE10."

Valentine's Day provides an opportunity for couples to celebrate their relationships, and Wine & Champagne Gifts aims to contribute to these cherished moments with its carefully curated selection of wines and champagnes. From rich reds to tender whites, fruity roses , and effervescent champagnes , the collection caters to a variety of tastes and preferences, making it ideal for intimate gatherings or quiet evenings together.

In addition to its exquisite wines, Wine & Champagne Gifts also provides a range of complementary options designed to enhance the Valentine's Day experience. These include scrumptious Valentine's wine gift baskets featuring chocolates, artisanal cheeses, and savory snacks, as well as wine gift sets featuring custom bottles, glassware, and spa essentials.

"Our team at Wine & Champagne Gifts recognizes the significance of honoring love and companionship," remarks the product manager. "We're excited to offer this exclusive Valentine's Day discount to help couples create cherished moments together. Whether it's sharing a sincere toast over candlelit dinners or relishing cozy evenings indoors, our range of best wines for Valentine's Day and gifts is poised to transform this Valentine's Day into an unforgettable experience."

With nationwide delivery and a steadfast commitment to exceptional service, Wine & Champagne Gifts is a trusted destination for Valentine's Day gifting needs. This promotion offers an exclusive opportunity for customers to save on their purchases while honoring enduring love and romance.

About Wine & Champagne Gifts:

Wine & Champagne Gifts is widely recognized as an online retailer specializing in wine gifts, featuring a diverse assortment of fine wines, champagnes, and proseccos and thoughtfully curated gift baskets suitable for various occasions. Emphasizing a steadfast commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction, Wine & Champagne Gifts has established itself as a dependable choice for those seeking elevated gifting options.

For further details, please visit www.wineandchampagnegifts.com or contact Wine & Champagne Gifts at +1 202-459-8489 or via email at contact@wineandchampagnegifts.com.

SOURCE: Wine and Champagne Gifts

View the original press release on accesswire.com
With two audits of the Erie County Clerks Office complete, finding internal fraud and embezzlement, the improper handling of some mortgage tax money, and the outside theft of a $326,456 check, it raises the question: Is the county ever going to get that taxpayer money back?

The answer is maybe.

Audit of Clerk's Office determines thousands of mortgage tax dollars mishandled A second audit focused on the handling of mortgage taxes and found problems including thousands of dollars that were not properly distributed and too much money given to some towns and not enough to others.

Meanwhile, local government and public agency leaders have begun questioning whether they may be owed more mortgage tax money from the county, based on this weeks audit by the Comptrollers Office.

Erie County government is self insured, but not for all things. The county carries outside fire and disaster insurance on its buildings, for instance. And the county carries crime insurance meant to protect the county against things like forgeries, fraud, embezzlement and other thefts  most of which the Erie County Comptrollers Office found when it audited the Clerks Office.

Insurance claims filed

When the Comptrollers Office uncovered more than $100,000  and counting  of stolen money they suspect was taken by a Clerks Office employee, the county tapped its crime insurance provider and filed a claim last summer.

That claim remains open because the criminal investigation involving the District Attorneys Office and the Sheriffs Office is not yet closed so theres no final figure to file for reimbursement. District Attorney John Flynn said his office is waiting on subpoenaed bank records  presumably from M&T Bank where county funds are held  and on the State Comptrollers Office, which is investigating a broader timeframe than what the Erie County Comptrollers Office originally studied.

This week, with the release of the latest Clerks Office audit, the county has filed a new claim for the reimbursement of $326,456. That money was stolen when a March 2022 mortgage tax check, issued by the Clerks Office and intended for a state agency, was intercepted by criminals. The official county check was replaced with a counterfeit that was cashed by the perpetrators. Law enforcement officials said its unlikely that money will be recovered because the theft was discovered too late.

Someone stole $326K from Erie County by intercepting a check and forging a duplicate A check for $326,456 issued by the Erie County Clerk's Office to a state agency in March 2022 was intercepted, and a counterfeit check was made out to "Get Mobile LLC" using the same account details. The only thing that was notably different on the fake check was the name and address of the recipient. Law enforcement officials told The Buffalo News that the money is unlikely to be recovered.

The District Attorneys Office referred the case to the U.S. Secret Service. Special Agent James Whitmeyer, of the Buffalo Field Office, said he did not know if the case was being investigated, but if it was, no one from the Secret Service would comment on an ongoing investigation.

Jessica Schuster, chief of staff to Comptroller Kevin Hardwick, said she has been in touch with the countys insurance broker and adviser, Lawley Insurance, and is providing information to process the claim. Lawley is filing the claim with the countys crime insurance carrier, Travelers Insurance.

Neither claim has yet been covered or denied by Travelers. If the claims are covered, the county would be responsible for paying the deductibles of $25,000.

Leaders want answers

The comptrollers mortgage tax audit determined, in its limited look at 2022 transactions, that certain, complex mortgage tax transactions resulted in some local governments getting more mortgage tax money than they should and others getting less.

That has raised concerns from various representatives who have contacted the Comptrollers Office since the audits release, including elected leaders in Cheektowaga and Buffalo, as well as members of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, which is also entitled to a cut of collected mortgage tax money.

'Smoking gun' evidence cited as Erie County comptroller says $114K missing from Clerk's Office More than $114,000 in cash has gone missing from the Erie County Clerk's Office since January of last year, and County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick said he's concerned a thief is still working in county government despite mounting evidence of fraud.

Cheektowaga Supervisor Brian Nowak, whose town was listed as an example of a community that received less money than it should have in one transaction, is taking a closer look at the audit and remains concerned that, while one incorrect transaction equates to a relatively small amount of money, this may be part of a longer history of inaccuracies that have not been found.

I guess you have to pay a little more attention to what the County Clerks office is up to, he said. People arent getting the money theyre supposed to be getting.

The transactions most prone to error, according to the audit, are those involving properties that span more than one city or town. In his written response, County Clerk Michael Mickey Kearns said his office wants more information from the Comptrollers Office regarding this finding. In the meantime, the Clerks Office is working to verify whether the cases cited by the Comptrollers Office resulted in proper or improper distribution of mortgage tax revenue.

Political hot seat

Both County Executive Mark Poloncarz and county legislators have also reacted with concern and criticism in response to the latest audit of the Clerks Office.

Erie County legislators want more answers before approving new jobs in Clerk's Office Erie County Clerk Michael "Mickey" Kearns and Comptroller Kevin Hardwick agree that the Clerk's Office needs to hire more people to provide better financial oversight, after an audit uncovered missing money and led to an ongoing criminal fraud investigation, but Democratic county legislators say they want more answers before they greenlight Kearns' request to hire two new accounting staffers.

Kearns, who is a Republican-endorsed Democrat, is unlikely to get an easy ride from the Democrat-controlled Legislature. A number of legislators have expressed ongoing concerns about audit findings since last summer, when the first bombshell audit was dropped. Some were also initially reluctant to provide him with additional accounting staff even though Hardwick said the additional positions were necessary. Kearns ultimately added three new finance and accounting positions to his staff this year.

Finance Committee Chairman Timothy Meyers, who also serves as the Legislatures Democratic majority leader, said he expects another committee meeting will be held in the coming weeks to review all the audit findings and take the steps necessary to ensure all findings are addressed.

That absolutely has to happen, he said.

Poloncarz also weighed in on the latest audit findings, complimenting the reports thoroughness.

As the former comptroller, I commend Comptroller @kevinhardwick and his team for uncovering the massive theft and otherwise incompetent management of the peoples money by the Clerks Office, he posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.

As the former comptroller, I commend Comptroller @kevinhardwick and his team for uncovering the massive theft and otherwise incompetent management of the peoples' money by the Clerk's Office. Their most recent audit is one of the most comprehensive audits I've ever reviewed. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/2n88N0KSTX  Mark Poloncarz (@markpoloncarz) February 7, 2024

During the six years Poloncarz served as comptroller from 2006 to 2011, the Democrats office conducted no audits of the Clerks Office, which was run by then Democratic County Clerk Kathy Hochul for five of the six years Poloncarz served as fiscal watchdog. Kearns is a registered Democrat but endorsed by the Republican Party. A number of the oversight failures found in Hardwicks audits were mentioned in audits of the Clerks Office under prior administrations.

It wasnt until Hochul left the Clerks Office for Congress and incoming Republican Chris Jacobs took over as clerk in 2012 that it came to light that the Clerks Office had months of unopened mail and unprocessed checks totaling $3 million.

Erie County Clerk's Office handles millions of dollars but has been audited only twice in 20 years. Here's why How could an Erie County office that handles more than $100 million in public transactions every year be audited only twice by the county Comptroller's Office in the past two decades?

Hardwick said that regardless of how long lax financial oversight has been a problem, the problems still need to be fixed. He added that hes weighing whether to ask for an outside forensic audit to be done of the Clerks Office, which could be costly.

At some point in time, someone is going to have to figure out where all this money went, he said.

Meyers said the costs may be worth it to gain more accountability.

To me, thats where all the arrows are pointing, he said.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2024) - Silver Dollar Resources Inc. (CSE: SLV) (OTCQX: SLVDF) (FSE: 4YW) ("Silver Dollar" or the "Company") announces that it has acquired a 100% interest in Canasil Resources Inc.'s ("Canasil") Nora property located in Durango State, Mexico pursuant to the terms of the Nora option agreement (the "Nora Option Agreement"), previously announced on April 20, 2023.





Figure 1: Location of Nora property and other mines and deposits in the region.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://silverdollarresources.com/images/Nora/MX-Map-Nora-LR.jpg

The Nora property is situated in the Eastern Sierra Madre sub-province, in the transition to the high plateau of Mexico, the property lies centrally within the "Silver Trend" that runs from the northwest to the southeast through Durango State. Significant deposits in the region include Endeavour Silver's Guanacevi mine and Fresnillo's San Julian mine on-trend to the northwest, with Endeavour Silver's Pitarrilla Project approximately 50 kilometres (km) to the east. Pitarrilla is one of the largest undeveloped silver deposits in the world and was discovered by Perry Durning and Frank (Bud) Hillemeyer, who serve as Silver Dollar's technical advisors.

In connection with the acquisition of the Nora property, Canasil waived certain obligations of Silver Dollar under the Nora Option Agreement on the basis that Silver Dollar encountered certain unresolved discrepancies in verifying the 2020 and 2021 drill results Canasil reported on the Nora property.

While analyzing and relogging drill core as part of its drill target development, Silver Dollar re-assayed select core intervals from Canasil's previous drilling. A total of 161 core samples, plus 16 standards and blanks, were submitted to ActLabs in Zacatecas. This included 157 duplicates of the original core samples from drill holes NRC-20-01, NRC-20-04, NRC-20-06, NRC-21-09, NRC-21-10, NRC-21-11, and NRC-21-12. The ActLabs check assay values received for lead, zinc and copper closely mirror the original assay values Canasil received from ALS Global in Vancouver; however, the gold and silver values are significantly lower as follows:

For gold: of the 157 samples duplicated, Canasil reported 42 samples >1 g/t Au (1.23 - 43.7 g/t) including 18 samples >5 g/t (5.3 - 43.7 g/t), whereas Silver Dollar's re-assaying yielded only three samples >1 g/t Au (1.04, 1.75, and 2.30 g/t).

For silver: of the 157 samples duplicated, Canasil reported 44 samples >200 g/t Ag (133 -1,924 g/t) including 19 samples >500 g/t Ag (504 - 1,925 g/t), whereas Silver Dollar's re-assaying yielded only three samples >100 g/t Ag (129, 158, and 448 g/t).

The QPs from both companies discussed the situation and recommended a further analytical program be carried out to provide some insight into what may have caused the assay discrepancies. However, Canasil did not have the financial resources to contribute to the recommended program and alternatively offered to waive certain of Silver Dollar's consideration obligations under the Nora Option Agreement and transfer 100% ownership of the Nora property to Silver Dollar for the consideration that has been provided to date (as detailed below), subject to a 2% net smelter returns royalty (the "Royalty") with Silver Dollar having the right to buy back 1% of the Royalty for $1,000,000. As of the date hereof, Silver Dollar has incurred a total of approximately $134,779 in exploration expenditures on the Nora property, as full consideration for the acquisition thereof. Silver Dollar is not required to provide any further consideration to Canasil to complete the acquisition and the transfer of the Nora concessions to Silver Dollar has been initiated.

The Company previously reported selected highlights from Canasil's 2020 and 2021 drilling programs on the Nora property, which included the discrepancies noted above, in its news releases of May 24, 2023, June 20, 2023, and August 1, 2023, on its website, in its material change report dated April 20, 2023, and its Management's Discussion and Analysis of May 31, 2023. In addition to containing discrepancies, the Company has determined that the disclosure did not conform to National Instrument 43-101 standards and should not be relied upon. Accordingly, the Company retracts the non-compliant prior disclosure of results from Canasil's 2020 and 2021 drilling programs in respect of the Nora property from its disclosure record.

"Although the assay discrepancies from the Candy vein drill core are puzzling, the Nora property has other priority exploration targets that we intend to follow up on while we take a closer look at the Candy vein structure," said Michael Romanik, president of Silver Dollar.

Mike Kilbourne, P.Geo., an independent Qualified Person (QP) as defined in NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release on behalf of the Company. The QP and the Company have not completed sufficient work to verify the information on the Nora property, particularly regarding historical exploration, neighbouring companies, and government geological work.

About Silver Dollar Resources Inc.

Silver Dollar is a mineral exploration company that is fully funded to execute its near-term exploration plans having closed its last financing with lead orders from billionaire mining investor Eric Sprott and NYSE-listed First Majestic Silver. The Company's primary projects lie within Mexico's prolific Durango-Zacatecas silver-gold belt and include the flagship La Joya silver (Cu-Au) property and the Nora silver-gold property. Management has an aggressive growth strategy and is actively reviewing potential acquisitions with a focus on drill-ready projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions.

For additional information, you can download our latest presentation by clicking here and you can follow us on Twitter by clicking here.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Signed "Michael Romanik"

Michael Romanik,

President, CEO & Director

Silver Dollar Resources Inc.

Direct line: (204) 724-0613

Email: mike@silverdollarresources.com

179 - 2945 Jacklin Road, Suite 416

Victoria, BC, V9B 6J9

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this news release only, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements include the fact that the Company intends to continue fieldwork on the Nora property and follow up on other priority exploration targets on the Nora property; and that the Company intends to take a closer look at the Candy vein structure. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, that the Company's cost and timing expectations are accurate; that Canasil will be able to successfully transfer the claims comprising the Nora property to Silver Dollar; that the Company will be successful in the deployment of its resources and personnel; that the Company will be able to obtain and maintain all permits, licenses and approvals required to complete its planned exploration activities; that management has accurately predicted how the regulatory environment will impact its business and the transfer of the claims comprising the Nora property; and that the Company will have access to sufficient funds to finance its business activities and plans. Additionally, forward-looking statements involve 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 statements. Such risks include, without limitation: that Canasil may fail to successfully transfer the claims comprising the Nora property to Silver Dollar; that the Nora property is ceased in connection with bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings; that the Nora property becomes the subject of litigation, bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, or other regulatory or civil proceedings; the Company's operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation, policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations; political instability; unexpected exploration challenges; unanticipated costs; the Company could fail to obtain the permits, licenses or approvals required to conduct its planned exploration activities; and the loss of key personnel. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/197171

SOURCE: Silver Dollar Resources Inc.
PTHF market is booming, driven by demand for lightweight materials and green manufacturing. Future tech, supportive policies boost growth, but raw material costs and regulations pose challenges. Explore deeper insights and stakeholder opportunities in our report.

NEWARK, Del., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The polytetrahydrofuran market is poised for significant growth, reaching US$ 6,215.32 million in 2024. The sales of polytetrahydrofuran are expected to witness a moderate CAGR of 6.0% from 2024 to 2034. By 2034, the polytetrahydrofuran demand is anticipated to attain a valuation of US$ 11,130.69 million.



Request Exclusive Sample Report: Polytetrahydrofuran Industry Strategic Insights, https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4066

Given the rising demand from various end-use sectors, including textiles, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals, the global PTHF market has the potential to grow steadily. The demand for lightweight materials with improved flexibility and durability is projected to boost the PolyTHF market.

The PolyTHF market expansion is anticipated to be facilitated by improvements in production technology in addition to rising spending on research and development. Polytetrahydrofuran vendors are likely to benefit greatly from favorable government measures supporting eco-friendly manufacturing techniques and the growing trend toward eco-friendly materials. Challenges such as volatile raw material costs and strict environmental policies impede the polytetrahydrofuran market expansion.

Regional Outlook

In Asia Pacific, the demand for polytetrahydrofuran is expanding due to the growing need for environmentally friendly materials in manufacturing processes. Government initiatives supporting sustainable manufacturing techniques are anticipated to stimulate the adoption of polytetrahydrofuran.

Stringent environmental rules encouraging the use of sustainable materials foster the continuous market growth of polytetrahydrofuran in Europe. The expansion of the Europe polytetrahydrofuran market is stimulated by rising research and development expenses aimed at improving applications.

Demand for PolyTHF-based goods is increasing in North America due to a growing emphasis on lowering carbon footprints. The PolyTHF market in North America is shaped by growing investments and technological developments in bio-based production technologies.

"Due to rising demand from various end-use sectors, the polytetrahydrofuran market is expected to expand. The polytetrahydrofuran (Poly THF) market expansion is anticipated to be fueled by factors such as customer preferences, growing applications, and technological advancements," opines Nikhil Kaitwade (Associate Vice President at Future Market Insights, Inc.).

Key Takeaways from the Polytetrahydrofuran Market

The spandex fibers segment in the application category is set to capture a share of 68.1% in 2024.

In the product type category, the petro-based poly THF segment is on track to acquire a market share of 96.2% in 2024.

The India Poly THF market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 8.7% between 2024 and 2034.

The China PTHF market is expected to surge at a CAGR of 7.4% through 2034.

The Australia polytetrahydrofuran (Poly THF) market is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 6.6% from 2024 to 2034.

The Germany PTHF market is likely to develop at a CAGR of 3.3% through 2034.

The United States Poly THF market is envisioned to soar at a CAGR of 2.5% through 2034.

Competitive Landscape

Several key polytetrahydrofuran vendors are vying for market dominance in the industry, characterized by a varied competitive landscape. Polytetrahydrofuran manufacturers compete based on price, distribution channels, product quality, technology, and environmental initiatives. Polytetrahydrofuran producers frequently use strategic alliances, mergers, and acquisitions to strengthen their market position and gain a distinctive advantage. Polytetrahydrofuran suppliers concentrate on research and development to launch innovative goods and maintain their competitive edge.

Key Polytetrahydrofuran Manufacturers

BASF SE

INVISTA

Dairen Chemical Corporation (DCC)

Chongqing Jianfeng industrial group

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Korea PTG, Co. Ltd.

Shanxi Sanwei Group Co., Ltd.

HYOSUNG

Hangzhou Sanlong New Materials Co., Ltd.

Shaanxi Shanhua Coal Chemical Group

Lycra Company

Gantrade Corporation

Purchase this report now to get key companies with their Revenue Forecast, Volume Forecast, Company Ranking, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, Trends, and Pricing Analysis.

Recent Developments in the Polytetrahydrofuran Market

BioPTMG, developed by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, is a novel PTMG (Poly tetramethylene ether glycol) substance made from plant-derived raw materials or feedstocks.

BASF has made bio-based Polytetrahydrofuran 1000 (PolyTHF 1000) available for the first time. The company is now providing this intermediate to most end-use sectors for testing various applications on a large scale.

Key Segments

By Product Type:

Petro-Based Poly THF

Bio-Based Poly THF

By Application:

Spandex Fibers

Thermoplastic Polyurethane

Co-polyester-ether Elastomer

Cast Polyurethane Elastomers

Others

By End Use:

Automotive Parts

Textiles

Hose and Tubing

Artificial Leather

Others

By Region:

North America

Latin America

Europe

East Asia

South Asia and Pacific

Middle East and Africa

Request to Access the Detail Research Methodology from here!

About the Author:

Nikhil Kaitwade (Associate Vice President at Future Market Insights, Inc.) has over a decade of experience in market research and business consulting. He has successfully delivered 1500+ client assignments, predominantly in Automotive, Chemicals, Industrial Equipment, Oil & Gas, and Service industries.

His core competency circles around developing research methodology, creating a unique analysis framework, statistical data models for pricing analysis, competition mapping, and market feasibility analysis. His expertise also extends wide and beyond analysis, advising clients on identifying growth potential in established and niche market segments, investment/divestment decisions, and market entry decision-making.

Nikhil holds an MBA degree in Marketing and IT and a Graduate in Mechanical Engineering. Nikhil has authored several publications and quoted in journals like EMS Now, EPR Magazine, and EE Times.

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Synthetic Leather Market By Polyvinyl Chloride, Polyurethane, and Bio Based Material, 2023-2033. - Review and Request to Access the Sample PDF.

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by Type, Cooling Fluid, Application & Region | Forecast 2022 to 2032. - Styrenics Market Forecast by Styrene Butadiene Rubber and Polystyrene from 2024 to 2034. - Review and Request to Access the Sample PDF.

Forecast by Styrene Butadiene Rubber and Polystyrene from 2024 to 2034. - AMEA Nanotechnology Photocatalysis Surface Coating Business Analysis by Glass and Metal Substrates, 2023 to 2033. - Review and Request to Access the Sample PDF.

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Ciklum acquires Infogen Labs (PRNewsfoto/Ciklum)

Ciklum, a London, UK-based global experience engineering firm, acquired Infogen, a digital engineering services company headquartered in the United States.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

With the acquisition, Ciklum will expand into the North American market and its global delivery presence to strengthen its position engineering digital products. With expertise in pivotal sectors such as Retail and Consumer, Financial Services and Hi-tech, the two companies create a synergy of knowledge and technology, further amplifying their collective impact.

Led by CEO Dr. Sanjeev Kuwadekar, Infogen Labs is a global digital consulting company focused on building scalable software solutions and products from the ground up. The company specializes in edge tech like augmented and virtual reality, among other technologies. Its capabilities in edge-based R&D and Microsoft are designed to build solutions that meet the current and future needs of its clients. Infogens global workforce comprises over 350 employees.

Led by CEO Raj Radhakrishnan, Ciklum is a global experience engineering firm providing product engineering, customer experiences, and AI. The company has a global team of over 4,000 engineers, experience design specialists, product owners and consultants.

FinSMEs

08/02/2024
Lilli, a Woking, UK-based SaaS proactive lifestyle monitoring technology company, raised 8.2M in Series A funding.

The round was led by West Hill Capital.

The company intends to use the funds for commercial scale-up and further development of artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.

Led by CEO Gren Paull, Lilli provides lifestyle monitoring technology which supports organisations in the health and social care sector to deliver a proactive care model. Its smart non-intrusive technology enables detailed, around-the-clock monitoring of behaviours. By using machine learning in observing patterns and trends among users, the company supports care providers to identify behavioural changes before conditions become acute, supporting users and reducing hospital visits. The technology delivers a non-intrusive monitoring system for health and social care practitioners, family or carers which will support individuals with self-limiting health conditions to maintain their independence at home for as long as possible.

Commenting on the news, Gren Paull said: This latest financing powers Lilli with the funds needed to accelerate our mission of bringing the benefits of remote monitoring to more people within the UK and internationally. Our focus has remained unwavering in allowing people to live safely, happily and independently at home for longer  keeping them connected to their communities and circles of support, whilst reducing the burden on an overwhelmed and under-resourced health and care sector.

FinSMEs

08/02/2024
Perigon, an Austin, TX-based company providing contextual intelligence for the web data, raised $5M in Seed funding.

The round was led by LiveOak Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate its expansion and support its development efforts.

Founded in 2022 by Joshua Dziabiak and Josh Rickel, Perigon provides technology that works on how people integrate information into software, services, and research. It gathers over 20 million pieces of data every day from more than 130,000 sources. Using AI, it organizes and connects this data to give quick, up-to-the-minute insights on various topics, people, companies, and global events. Customers then use this enriched data to make decisions and charge innovative AI applications across industries.

Perigon is already serving over 70 customers, ranging from government entities and AI-forward startups to major consumer products and leading financial institutions.

Commenting on the news, Joshua Dziabiak said: Its all designed to serve people with more context and diverse perspectives on the key issues that shape our world, in business and life.

FinSMEs

08/02/2024
Zetta Genomics, a Cambridge, UK-based genomic data company, raised additional 1.8M in second Seed funding.

The round saw participation from We Venture Capital, Nina Capital, Apex Ventures, and Cambridge Enterprise.

The company intends to use the funds to continue to expand its presence and build out strategic partnerships with industry leaders including Microsoft, Fujitsu and IQVIA.

Led by Founder and CEO Ignacio Medina, Zetta Genomics is a genomic data technology company. A spin-out from the University of Cambridge and Genomics England, Zetta leverages genomic and big data and startup expertise to deliver data management for the precision medicine era.

Commenting on the news, Ignacio Medina said: Zetta Genomics is already making a difference to patients as XetaBase empowers clinicians to make faster and more accurate diagnoses at scale. With this extension to our second seed funding round now finalised, we are scaling and innovating our technologies, and enhancing customer focus.

FinSMEs

08/02/2024
Joining Adarsh Gourav in this exhilarating journey are talented co-stars Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Samuel Blenkin, and Essie Davis, who collectively promise to deliver a captivating viewing experience.

Adarsh Gourav sets foot in Thailand, has commenced shoot for the highly anticipated TV series Aliens. Currently in Thailand, Adarsh Gourav is indulging in the vibrant local cuisine and forging bonds with his fellow actors from the hit franchise.

Set to film for the next four months in Thailand, Adarsh Gourav joins an international ensemble cast and crew to bring the compelling narrative of Aliens to life. The camaraderie among the actors has already fostered a collaborative and healthy working atmosphere, with shared meals serving as the cornerstone of their bond.

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Helmed by the renowned writer and director Noah Hawley and produced by the visionary Ridley Scott, Aliens promises to captivate audiences with its gripping storyline and stellar performances.

Joining Adarsh Gourav in this exhilarating journey are talented co-stars Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Samuel Blenkin, and Essie Davis, who collectively promise to deliver a captivating viewing experience.

Scheduled to stream on FX on Hulu, Aliens is poised to redefine the sci-fi genre and offer viewers an immersive and unforgettable cinematic experience.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the project, Adarsh Gourav remarked, I am thrilled to be part of Aliens and embark on this exciting journey with such a talented cast and crew. The opportunity to work alongside renowned creators like Noah Hawley and Ridley Scott is truly humbling, and I look forward to bringing this gripping narrative to life. Im excited to shoot for the project after a brief schedule we had last year. Theres a great energy amongst the team and the cast and we cant wait to put all the energy into making the series as iconic as the franchise is.
Ankita Lokhande has finally opened up about her divorce comment and said that she should have been more sensible

Ankita Lokhande and her husband Vicky Jain raised eyebrows and garnered headlines for their arguments and fights during their stint in Bigg Boss 17. In fact, the actress even hinted about taking a break from their marriage and seeking a divorce.

Now, the Baaghi 3 star has finally opened up about her divorce comment and said that she should have been more sensible. We got married after being friends for years. We just say things (in jest), and it was taken seriously. Im not sensible, and I need to be more sensible and be aware of what I speak when Im in front of the camera. Im still learning. If our relationship was not that strong, then maybe we may not even fight, said Ankita while talking to PTI.

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She added, The only difference is that our fights came out on TV, which may not happen in case of other normal couples. But because of all this, our relationship has become stronger. I could understand where I was going wrong and he could understand where he was going wrong. We are stronger than before.

Bringing light to the lost leader from the chapters of history!



Starting a new chapter, right after BB17 feels extra special

Grateful to be a part of this project alongside @RandeepHooda , produced by @anandpandit63 @ZeeStudios_



Dont miss out on the date, 22nd March 2024 pic.twitter.com/hQn3sgASqY  Ankita lokhande Jain (@anky1912) January 30, 2024

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On the professional front, Ankita Lokhande will be next seen in Randeep Hooda starrer Swatantrya Veer Savarkar , which also marks his directorial debut. The film is produced by Zee Studios, Anand Pandit, Randeep Hooda, Sandeep Singh & Yogesh Rahar co-produced by Roopa Pandit, Sam Khan, Anwar Ali, Panchali Chakraborty. Also starring Amit Sial, Swatantrya Veer Savarkar is slated to release on 22nd March 2024 in two languages  Hindi and Marathi.
Earlier this month, news of Pandeys death from the disease dominated the headlines and led to intense debate on social media

Actor Poonam Pandey is not being considered as the brand ambassador of the governments national campaign to spread awareness on cervical cancer, Union health ministry officials said on Wednesday.

The clarification came after sources said Pandey is likely to be the face of the campaign and she and her team are in talks with ministry officials.

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Earlier this month, news of Pandeys death from the disease dominated the headlines and led to intense debate on social media. It later turned out that the news was fake and was a stunt pulled off by the actor and her team to spread critical awareness about cervical cancer.

Stung by the widespread criticism of her faking her death from cervical cancer, controversial model and actress Poonam Pandey stuck to her guns in her latest Instagram post that says, Kill me, crucify me, hate me, but save someone you love.

The marketing agency named Schbang, who was behind this campaign in association with Pandey, also issued an apology saying, Yes, we were involved in the initiative for Poonam Pandey to spread awareness about Cervical Cancer in collaboration with Hauterfly.

To start off, we would like to extend a heartfelt apology  especially towards those who have been triggered as a result of having faced / having a loved one face the hardships of any kind of Cancer.

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Explaining the dramatic announcement that many saw as a cheap PR stunt, the statement issued by Pandeys agency noted: Our actions were driven by a singular mission  to elevate awareness about Cervical Cancer. In 2022, India registered 123,907 Cervical Cancer cases and 77,348 deaths.

After Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer is the second-most frequent malignancy affecting middle aged women in India. Many of you may be unaware but Poonams own mother has bravely battled Cancer.

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The polarizing reveal

Pandey then shared a video on her Instagram account and spilled the news she was alive and this was a campaign to spread awareness about the aforementioned disease.

The reactions

Barring a handful of reactions that were in favour, particularly by Ram Gopal Varma, most of the celebrities and fans slammed the actress for her insensitivity and desperate measures to create a discourse.

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Ridiculous, disgraceful and a new low is how internet users and several celebrities reacted to actor-model Poonam Pandey s reappearance on social media a day after her team claimed that she died from cervical cancer.

With added inputs from agencies
Its now being speculated the star is all set to play the iconic character of Tara Singh for the third time, and also star in Border 2, another blockbuster that he has been a part of

Sunny Deol got a new high in his career post the blockbuster success of Gadar 2 last year, directed by Anil Sharma. Its now being speculated the star is all set to play the iconic character of Tara Singh for the third time, and also star in Border 2, another blockbuster that he has been a part of.

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Telling Hindustan Times, Deol was quoted saying, It has been there ever since Gadar released, yeh part 2 kar raha hoon, voh part 12 kar raha hoon, arre kitni part 2 kar raha hoon! Har cheez ke rumours chale jaa rahe hain. I will announce it myself. People like to speculate.

The Deol brothers- Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol were back on Karan Johars show Koffee With Karan 8 after 18 years. In a candid chat with Johar on the show, Sunny spoke about the success of the Gadar franchise, and about the challenges and struggles he faced post the release.

Talking about the same, Sunny Deol said, After my first Gadar was released, it became a phenomenal hit. My struggle started after that. Before that I didnt know that it would be so difficult. I was doing films left right and centre. But things started becoming more difficult after that. Struggling in a way means I could not work with directors I wanted, I was not getting scripts that I wanted.

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He added, That time everybody was saying, no you shouldnt work with senior directors, you should work with younger directors. Everyone was advising because, initially we were ourselves who would take decisions. Now there are such a big entourage of people who are trying to tell you yeh nahi karna, woh karna. This is good for you and that is bad for you.

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Sunny Deol on Bollywood

In an interview with Puja Talwar, he opened up about the Hindi film industry and also spoke about the time when he was launching his younger brother Bobby Deol in Barsaat and how no one backed the family.
WASHINGTON  Wartime aid for Ukraine was left hanging Wednesday in the Senate after Republicans blocked a bipartisan border package tied to the funding, then struggled to coalesce around a plan to salvage the aid for Kyiv.

After GOP senators scuttled months of negotiations with Democrats on legislation intended to cut back record numbers of illegal border crossings, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer tried to push ahead to a crucial test vote on a $95 billion package for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies  a modified package with the border portion stripped out.

The deeply divided Republican conference scrambled to find support for the wartime funding, a top priority for Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. It was the latest sign of the Kentucky Republican's slipping control over his conference and underscored how the traditional GOP tenet of robust foreign involvement is giving way to Donald Trump's "America First" nationalism.

At stake is the future of Ukraine's defense against Russia's invasion.

The Senate floor settled into an hourslong stall Wednesday night as Republicans huddled to see if they could gain the votes necessary to push it through. Schumer then closed the floor, saying he would "give our Republican colleagues the night to figure themselves out" ahead of a crucial test vote Thursday.

Republicans planned to meet in the morning to plot a path forward.

Some GOP senators are skeptical of sending money to Ukraine, but Schumer warned earlier Wednesday that "history will cast a permanent and shameful shadow" on those who attempt to block it.

"Will the Senate stand up to brutish thugs like (Russian President) Vladimir Putin and reassure our friends abroad that America will never abandon them in the hour of need?" Schumer asked as he opened the Senate.

The roughly $60 billion in Ukraine aid has stalled in Congress for months because of growing opposition from hard-line conservatives in the House and Senate who criticize it as wasteful and demand an exit strategy for the war.

"We still need to secure America's borders before sending another dime overseas," Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah wrote in a social media post.

The impasse means the U.S. halted arms shipments to Kyiv at a crucial point in the nearly 2-year-old conflict, leaving Ukrainian soldiers without ample ammunition and missiles as Putin mounted relentless attacks.

A pairing of border policies and aid for allies  first proposed by Republicans  was intended to help squeeze the package through the Republican-controlled House, where archconservatives hold control. But GOP senators  some within minutes of the bill's release Sunday  rejected the compromise as election-year politics set in.

Many Republicans said the compromise wasn't enough and they would rather allow the issue be decided in the presidential election. Supporters of the bill insisted it represented the most comprehensive bipartisan border proposal in years and included many Republican priorities.

The vote failed 49-50  far short of the 60 ayes needed to take up the bill  with four Republicans voting to move forward with the legislation and six Democrats, some of whom said the border compromise went too far, voting against it.

The bipartisan group of senators who negotiated the compromise for the last four months said it was a missed opportunity to try to make some progress on one of the most intractable issues in American politics.

Before the vote, Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, who crafted the proposal, said it was a chance for the Senate to decide "if we're going to do nothing, or something."

"It's an issue that's bedeviled, quite frankly, this body for decades," he said. "It's been three decades since we've passed anything into law to be able to change border security."

Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona blamed Republicans for not giving the bill a chance.

"Finally, it seemed, we had the opportunity to solve the nightmare my state has lived for over 40 years," she said, scolding Republicans for using the border for "campaign photo ops" but rejecting the chance to enact law.

"Turns out they want all talk and no action," she said. "It turns out border security is not a risk to our national security. It's just a talking point for the election."

The White House said President Joe Biden believes there should be new border policy but would also support moving the aid for Ukraine and Israel alone, as he has from the start.

"We support this bill which would protect America's national security interests by stopping Putin's onslaught in Ukraine before he turns to other countries, helping Israel defend itself against Hamas terrorists and delivering life-saving humanitarian aid to innocent Palestinian civilians," White House spokesman Andrew Bates said.

The standalone $95 billion package would invest in domestic defense manufacturing, send funding to allies in Asia, and provide $10 billion for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, Israel, Gaza and other places. The revamped package includes legislation to authorize sanctions and anti-money laundering tools against criminal enterprises that traffic fentanyl into the U.S.

Still, it was not clear whether the new plan would gain support from House Speaker Mike Johnson. House Republicans are still insisting on a border plan, even though they rejected the deal negotiated in the Senate as insufficient.

Today in history: Feb. 7 1948: Omar Bradley 1962: John F. Kennedy 1964: The Beatles 1984: Spacewalk 1985: Enrique "Kiki" Camarena 1991: Jean-Bertrand Aristide 2009: Lake Erie 2014: Sochi Olympics 2018: Los Angeles Times sale 2020: Donald Trump 2021: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Australia will soon introduce a law allowing employees to ignore unreasonable work calls and messages from their bosses after office hours. While the employers can still reach out, the legislation protects workers from being punished for not responding

Australia will soon bring laws to allow employees to ignore unreasonable work calls and messages from their bosses after office hours. The right to disconnect is part of a series of reforms to industrial relations laws proposed by the Labor government.

The Australian Greens party was the first to suggest this rule last year. As per Greens leader Adam Bandt, an agreement was reached between Labor, smaller parties and independents to support this Bill, Reuters reported. The legislation is expected to be taken up in Parliament later this week.

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What is the right to disconnect legislation? What are the arguments for and against it? Do other countries have such laws? Lets take a closer look.

Australias right to disconnect law

The amendment proposed by Greens empowers workers to refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact, or attempted contact, from an employer outside of the employees working hours unless the refusal is unreasonable, as per a Bloomberg report.

While it does not ban employers from contacting workers out of hours, the legislation protects employees from being penalised for tuning out after work hours.

According to the Australian government, these changes would protect workers rights and help restore a healthy work-life balance.

What we are simply saying is that someone who isnt being paid 24 hours a day shouldnt be penalised if theyre not online and available 24 hours a day, Prime Minister Anthony reportedly said on Wednesday (7 February).

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The factors taken into account to determine whether a contact is reasonable include: the reason for the contact; the frequency of contact; how the workers are contacted; the nature of their job description; whether theyre being compensated or not; and the nature of their family responsibilities.

If  your job involves working with different parts of a business or with clients across time zones, then of course that will be part of your normal range of employment. Where you are repetitively asked to get up in the middle of the night and ring New York, and youre actually on minimum wage, that is not reasonable, Greens senator Barbara Pocock, who has been campaigning for the legislation, was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald.

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Employment minister Tony Burke from the ruling Labor party said that a majority of senators are backing the legislation. He said it will prevent employees from working unpaid overtime through a right to disconnect from unreasonable contact out of hours, reported Reuters.

Speaking to ABC RN Breakfast, Burke said it was completely reasonable for employers to contact employees after shifts. All those sorts of things are completely reasonable, and we dont want to get in the way of that, he said.

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But if you dont respond because its not your paid time, youve got a guarantee that you cant be punished for it.

If employees feel they are being contacted unreasonably, they should first flag this to their employers, Pocock said. However, if it remains unresolved, the workers can approach the Fair Work Commission (FWC) for a stop order.

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The legislation states that the FWC may make any order it considers appropriate to prevent a workers unreasonable refusal or to stop an employers punitive action against the employee, reported SmartCompany.

If the employers fail to comply to FWCs order, they could face financial penalties if the matter is taken to the Federal Court, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

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Arguments for and against the Bill

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected the way we work. As digital connectivity increased, many people found themselves working longer hours and being available even after office hours.

Proponents of the right to disconnect argue it will protect employees from burnout and help maintain a work-life balance. Australia s legislation will prevent workers from being punished for not responding.

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According to the Australia Institutes Centre for Future Work (CFW), workers, on average, do 5.4 hours of unpaid work each week. Thats in excess of $100bn a year in lost wages across the whole economy. The problem of unpaid overtime is not new but its taking new forms. The boundary between your work and your life is getting fuzzier and fuzzier, economist and director at CFW Jim Stanford told The Guardian.

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Increasingly, because of technology, it takes the form of being asked to perform work-related tasks when you arent anywhere near work  at home, out and about, even when youre on leave, because you cant escape your mobile phone, your email and your WhatsApp.

Mark Morey, secretary of Unions NSW, said that besides the right to disconnect, there should also be a ban on unpaid overtime for people earning less than $150,000.

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Technology is more than a disruption to personal and family time. Its the Trojan horse for wage theft. Implementing an unpaid overtime ban alongside a right to disconnect would have a powerful legal effect but also establish healthy new work norms and culture, The Guardian quoted Morey as saying.

However, there are concerns that the legislation could lead to other workplace disputes. Business groups say it is not needed and might result in the loss of jobs.

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Business Council of Australia head Bran Black told The Sydney Morning Herald he did not want Fair Work Commissions interference to deal with the day-to-day activity of operating a business and issues should be resolved in the workplace. Everyone deserves to be able to switch off at home, though its really important to get the balance right here given people are now wanting more flexibility and to work different hours and in different ways, he said.

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Andrew McKellar, chief executive officer of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the legislation could affect womens participation in the workforce. This sort of heavy-handed legislation risks taking Australia back to a rigid working environment that is undesirable for parents, especially women. This rigidity also undermines the case for working from home, which appeals to many employees with family responsibilities, McKellar told The Guardian.

Countries that give the right to disconnect

France, Italy, Spain and Ireland have the right to disconnect laws to protect workers for a few years now. Several other European countries have similar rules.

Portugals Portuguese Labor Code states that employers have the duty to refrain from contacting workers during their rest period, except in situations of force majeure. If a manager breaches this, they could be fined as it is deemed a serious offense for employers to violate their employees privacy, reported Forbes.

In 2022, Belgium introduced the right to disconnect for thousands of its federal civil servants.

With inputs from agencies
A study conducted at University College London found men taking drugs like Viagra were 18 per cent less likely to develop Alzheimers. It further revealed that en taking the most erectile dysfunction drug witnessed the most benefits

Everyone knows why Viagra is famous.

But now, a new study suggests that the drug to cure erectile dysfunction could help reduce risk of Alzheimers.

But what do we know about the study? And could it actually work?

Lets take a closer look:

What do we know?

As per Yahoo News,the study was conducted at University College London.

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It comprised 269,725 male participants with a median age of 59 diagnosed with erectile dysfunction.

As per Time Magazine, the study was published in the journal Neurology.

The study followed the participants, who did not have memory issues or thinking problems at the beginning, for around five years.

More than half the respondents (55 per cent) of participants were prescribed phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors including and Cialis.

The data was then compared to men with erectile dysfunction not prescribed any drugs.

As per Sky News, 1,119 of the men were diagnosed with Alzheimers.

The study found that men taking erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra were 18 per cent less likely to develop Alzheimers disease in the years afterwards.

As per The Guardian, the men taking the most erectile dysfunction drug witnessed the most benefits.

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Scientists discovered a 44 per cent lower risk of Alzheimers in men getting between 21 and 50 prescriptions during the study.

Yahoo News quoted the studys lead author Dr Ruth Brauer as saying, Although were making progress with the new treatments for Alzheimers disease that work to clear amyloid plaques in the brain for people with early stages of the disease, we desperately need treatments that can prevent or delay the development of Alzheimers disease."

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The drugs seem to have a greater benefit among individuals at the greatest risk of Alzheimers, Brauer told Time Magazine. We feel these promising results should justify taking these drugs further as candidates for repurposing.

As per BBC, drugs like Viagra were originally developed to treat conditions such as high blood pressure and angina.

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Viagra became a worldwide hit after Welsh miners in a trial in Merthyr Tydfil spoke about the effect it had on them.

As per The Guardian, PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra leave veins and arteries relaxed.

This allows for increased blood flow.

Studies have also shown PDE5 inhibitors increase levels of a compound called cGMP that may also help to protect brain cells.

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According to The Guardian, around 55 million people world wide live with dementia.

In India, that number is around 8.8 million for people above the age of 60.

What do experts say?

Some experts have hailed the study.

This is a significant development, as repurposing existing drugs for the prevention of dementia is a promising strategy to stop dementia from developing in the first place, Dr Ivan Koychev, a senior clinical researcher at the University of Oxford told The Guardian.

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Dr Francesco Tamagnini, neurophysiologist at the University of Reading, told BBC it was a great study.

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Tamagnini said more information is required.

It could be that it exerts a therapeutic effect directly affecting neurons (if the drug is able to cross the blood brain barrier) and/or by increasing blood flow, but both these hypotheses need to be tested, he said.

However, others including those involved with the project have sounded a word of caution.

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We cant say that the drugs are responsible, but this does give us food for thought on how we move into the future, Brauer told The Guardian.

We now need a proper clinical trial to look at the effects of these drugs on Alzheimers in women as well as men.

The Guardian noted that researchers also did not take into consideration the different levels of physical and sexual activity among the men.

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It is possible that the men that remained the most physically and sexually active  who innately had a low risk of developing Alzheimers  were most frequent users of Viagra_._

Time Magazine noted that other studies on Viagra have come to different conclusions.

The first discovered users of the drugs lowered Alzheimers risk by 69 per cent while others found no link.

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Dr Leah Mursaleen, head of research at Alzheimers Research UK, told Sky News, While this is an encouraging finding, it doesnt yet confirm whether these drugs are directly responsible for reducing Alzheimers risk, nor whether they can slow or stop the disease.

Further research - including clinical trials - will be needed to confirm whether these drugs can indeed play a role in preventing or treating Alzheimers.

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Such studies should also uncover whether these drugs might have effects in other groups, such as women, and men without a diagnosis of erectile function. We also need to understand how this evidence might apply to more diverse populations.

Professor Tara Spires-Jones, from the University of Edinburgh, and president of the British Neuroscience Association, told BBC, This study does not conclusively prove that erectile dysfunction drugs reduce Alzheimers risk but provide good evidence that this type of drug is worth further study in future.

With inputs from agencies
Former Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu is expected to hold talks with Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda, igniting murmurs of TDP rejoining the NDA. Many believe that such a move would be a win-win for both parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are months away. But there are big developments taking place, which could turn the political scenario of the country. On Wednesday, rumours began circulating of a possible reunion between the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) when former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu landed in Delhi and is scheduled to meet with Home Minister Amit Shah.

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Whats going on? Why is the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) courting the TDP? Does this move benefit Naidu?

We take a closer look at whats going on and the implications of a reunion between the TDP and the BJP.

TDPs ghar wapsi to the NDA?

Former Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu arrived in the Capital on Wednesday evening and is expected meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J P Nadda later on Thursday.

A Times of India report quoting sources said that Naidu was in Delhi for what is being described as exploratory talks with the BJP. In addition to Naidu, several senior party leaders have also travelled and will be part of the meeting.

Media report stated that the TDP will seek clarity from the BJP on a possible tie-up and hold discussions on what seat-sharing would look like in the state. Currently, the TDP is in alliance with the Jana Sena Party headed by popular actor Pawan Kalyan to fight the upcoming elections together in Andhra Pradesh. The Jana Sena Party, in turn, has an alliance with the BJP in the state.

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The TDP has agreed to let go of four seats, but the BJP wants to field candidates on at least 10 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, a BJP leader was quoted as telling Deccan Herald.

If the talks today go well, then it paves the way for the TDPs return to the NDA.

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This comes after the former CM had walked out of the NDA in 2018 in protest against non-implementation of promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, including granting of special category status to Andhra Pradesh. The TDP had also voted against the Modi government in the trust vote.

However, in the following years both parties have expressed a desire to come together. Buzz around TDPs re-entry into the NDA first surfaced in July last year when Naidu met with Shah and Nadda. But the talks didnt yield any result at that time. It did not make political sense at that point, one of Naidus aides told Deccan Herald.

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Another meet was then held in August last year during a programme, which commemorated the life of TDP founder founder NTR Rama Rao at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. As a Naidu aide told the Indian Express that talks between the TDP-Jana Sena party (JSP) combine and the BJP have been on for some time.

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What will be the impact of a BJP-TDP alliance?

Poll pundits are of the opinion that TDPs re-entry into the NDA fold is a win-win situation for both sides.

For the TDP, an alliance with the BJP is beneficial electorally. According to the leadership of the party, joining hands with the BJP would lift its stature and give it equal footing to the ruling Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress. A TDP MP was quoted as telling Indian Express, Currently, YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy is helping or supporting the BJP. Once a TDP-BJP alliance is formally announced, he will be forced to take the BJP head-on in the state.

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On the other hand, the BJP will also benefit from such an alliance. Those in the BJP believe that Naidu will help the NDA perform well in the state that is ruled by the YSR Congress. It would help the BJP expand its footprint in the southern state  the only region where the party is still to establish its electoral strength. As one BJP leader told The Telegraph, To achieve the 400-plus tally we need to win a good number of seats in southern states in addition to achieving saturation in the north, west and central states.

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For the unaware, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given the call of Ab ki baar 400 paar in Lok Sabha on 5 February (Monday).

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP-TDP combine had fought together and had won 19 seats  16 by the TDP and three by the BJP  in undivided Andhra. After Telanganas creation, Andhra Pradesh has 25 seats, of which BJP hopes to contest on six-eight seats.

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A re-entry of the TDP into the NDA fold will also deliver a body blow to the INDIA bloc. The Naidu-led party has steered clear of the Opposition grouping. However, by joining hands with the BJP, it sends a clear signal to the opposing parties, pushing their morale even lower.

How is the NDA shopping for more allies?

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As the Lok Sabha elections draw closer, the BJP is shoring up its alliances, in an attempt to realise Modis dream of Ab ki baar 400 paar.

Earlier in January, the BJP snapped up Nitish Kumar to its side in Bihar yet again. And now, it has launched a determined effort to close a deal with the Uttar Pradesh-based Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), headed by Jayant Chaudhary, grandson of the late Chaudhary Charan Singh.

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Multiple media reports cite that the BJP is wooing Chaudhary away from the Samajwadi Party. NDTV reported on Wednesday (7 February) that the BJP has offered the RLD five parliamentary seats and two ministerial berths. While the RLD has remained mum, SPs Akhilesh Yadav was quoted as saying, He is a very well-educated person understands politics.

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Moreover, the Times of India has reported that the BJP is also in talks with the Akali Dal, which left NDA to protest, against the farm bills, for a fresh tie-up. It is being reported that Akali chief Sukhbir Singh Badal has held preliminary talks with the BJP for an alliance in the state of Punjab where both parties are struggling.

With inputs from agencies
Pakistan is voting today (8 February) in its 12th general election amid claims of it being rigged and unfair. However, such allegations arent new. The country has seen a long history of polls being manipulated in favour of one candidate over the other

Today is a big day in Pakistan. The country is holding its 12th general election and it promises to be a day of high political drama.

A total of 5,128 candidates will contest the polls to form a new National Assembly. Of these, about 4,800 are males, 312 are females, and two are transgender people. The National Assembly consists of 336 seats, and 266 are decided through direct voting on polling day.

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As people gear up to choose their next government  a choice mostly restricted between Nawaz Sharifs Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PLM-N) and Bilawal Bhutto Zardaris Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) with Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also in the mix  a fear of the elections being rigged are looming large. In fact, a survey carried out just days before the polls revealed that more than two-thirds of Pakistan citizens lack faith in the integrity of their electoral process.

As Niaz Murtaza, an economist and Pakistan political watcher, wrote for the Daily Star, The 1970s elections were its freest ones in terms of pre-election and election-day processes. However, their legitimacy was lost when power was not handed over to Awami League. Since then, the parliamentary system has become entrenched and 10 more parliamentary elections have been held until 2018. But almost all of them were rigged to some extent.

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We take a closer look at how Indias neighbour, Pakistan, has voted in the past and how they have been manipulated by the powers to-be  namely the all-powerful Pakistan military .

Catch all the LIVE updates from the Pakistan election HERE

The 2018 election

Ask the people of Pakistan if the 2018 election was fair and the resounding answer would be no. A report by the Dawn said that most political analysts called the 2018 election the most unfair, barring this times polls.

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At the time, three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was perhaps the most popular politician in the country. However, before the polls could be conducted, he was disqualified from holding a public office by the Supreme Court on corruption charges.

And thats not all. Many of his partys candidates quit the party and joined the rival group of Imran Khan , many at the behest of the Establishment. Many media outlets were also heavily censored before the polls  as a means to silence any criticism.

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After the polls were conducted, the outgoing PML-N and other parties complained that the vote was far from free and fair. They alleged that their representatives were not allowed to witness the counting process, as mandated by law, and that the final counts were not properly documented.

FAFEN, an independent Pakistani election observer network, noted in at least 35 constituencies, the winning margin was less than the number of votes rejected by electoral officials, often a red flag for possible manipulation. The number was similar in 2013.

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However, the Election Commission of Pakistan denied the claim and asked for substantial evidence.

At the end of it all, the Imran Khan-led PTI came to power, breaking the duopoly of the PML-N and the PPP, along with the support of regional parties such as MQM-P and PML-Q.

As Tahir Mehdi, a Pakistan poll watcher, told the Dawn, A lot of work was put in before the elections in terms of what candidates to field, what alliances to create. It was the birth of a totally new type of rigging, whose slightly more advanced form were going to see in 2024.

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The 2002 polls

Many analysts observe that the 2002 polls in Pakistan was when the Pakistan militarys presence was truly felt during elections. A year after General Pervez Musharraf declared himself president of Pakistan, he called for elections in the year of 2002.

To maintain his grip on power, Musharraf established another faction of Pakistan Muslim League, known as PML-Q. Interestingly, the birth of PML-Q came less than three months before the polling day. However, its leaders were mostly poached from the other parties.

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The leadership of the two mainstream parties, the PML-N and the PPP, were exiled and several other restrictions were also imposed on the parties. One such restriction was the Political Parties Order, 2002, which mandated that the head of a contesting party must be present in Pakistan and they must not be convicted.

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And when the results were announced, it came as no surprise. The Musharraf-led PML-Q won the highest number of seats in the National Assembly, while the PPP came in at second position.

Dawn News journalist Zarrar Khuhro had then said: There are general elections, and then there are the Generals elections, and this was the latter. The 2002 elections were unbelievably rigged. Every single administrative department from the police to the returning officers to the people who counted the votes  they were all on that side (the state).

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The 1997 elections

The 1997 elections saw Pakistan voters rejecting Benazir Bhuttos PPP and opting for the PML-N, led by Nawaz Sharif. What was most surprising of these polls was the margin by which PML-N won. Sharif secured a landslide victory, winning 137 of the total 217 National Assembly seats, almost doubling his haul of 73 seats in the previous elections. And Bhuttos electoral haul shrank drastically.

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Analysts believe that Bhuttos poor performance in the polls could be attributed to the killing of Benazirs brother Murtaza Bhutto and the allegations of corruption against her husband Asif Ali Zardari. However, that wasnt the end of it. Bhutto failed miserably in the elections owing to the fact that many loyalists and leaders had been arrested.

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Several noted that the competition was controlled.

Election of 1990

In the August of 1990, President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dissolved the National Assembly and dismissed the Benazir Bhutto government on charges of corruption and maladministration. This set the tone for the election that was held in October of the same year.

This time facing the PPP in the polls was the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI). When the last vote was counted, the PPP lost to the IJI, in a result that surprised many.

It was in 2012 that the Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled that there was enough evidence proving that the 1990 elections were indeed rigged. It further stated that then President Ghulam Ishaq Khan, the Chief of Army Staff General (R) Aslam Baig and the ISIs DG Asad Durrani had conspired against the PPP government.

Further, Durrani revealed in court that he was ordered by then army chief Mirza Aslam Baig to distribute millions of dollars to politicians and parties to help defeat the PPP government of Benazir Bhutto.

Cyril Almeida, a Pakistani newspaper columnist, then had said, We are now seeing things that were once only whispered in Pakistan screamed through the electronic media.

Pakistan polls of 1985

In 1977, General Zia-ul-Haq dismissed Zulfiqar Ali Bhuttos government, imposed martial law, and seized power, pledging to conduct elections within 90 days and transfer power to the elected government. He extended that 90-day promise to eight years and called for an election in February 1985.

However, in the elections no political parties were permitted to participate. Every candidate contested in his or her individual name. It is said that the general thought that this would help him build a popular support base and it would be easier to control parliament.

The First 10 General Elections of Pakistan, a research paper by Dr Hasan-Askari Rizvi and Ijaz Shafi Gilani, and published by Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) said this process gave birth to a Muslim League which subsequently became a key player in politics. It was birthed under military oversight, but assumed a character of its own over the period of its adulthood Since 1985 Pakistans political scene thrived because the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League were able to accommodate large sections of Pakistani voters under their banners.

The paper further stated that the Pakistani military realised that it didnt need to execute a coup every time to control politics in the country. It seems that they came to the conclusion that oversight is better than overlordship.

Mazhar Abbas, a veteran journalist, speaking to Dawn said that the 1985 elections were not only rigged, but also damaged the fabric of the countrys society. Non-party-based elections in itself is a form of pre-poll rigging, he said. That approach divided the society into feudals, caste system, etc.

With inputs from agencies
Boris Nadezhdin is a veteran politician who served as an adviser to former deputy prime minister Boris Nemtsov and aide to Sergei Kiriyenko  who is currently helming domestic policy at the Kremlin. The 60-year-olds website describes him as a physicist, entrepreneur, lawyer and politician

Russias Vladimir Putin may be running for president again, but it doesnt look like hes going to have much competition.

On Thursday, Russian authorities disqualified politician Boris Nadezhdin from running against Putin in the presidential polls in March.

The development comes months after Russias Supreme Court upheld a decision to bar former TV journalist Yekaterina Duntsova from taking part in the election.

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But who is Nadezhdin? Why has he been disqualified?

Lets take a closer look:

Who is he?

Nadezhdin, 60, is a veteran politician.

As per CNBC Africa, Nadezhdin was born in Uzbekistan. He trained as an engineer before took the plunge into politics.

His website describes him as a physicist, entrepreneur, lawyer and politician.

He was first a city legislator in the Moscow region, according to The Moscow Times.

He was then elected to the Russian parliament  known as the Duma  in 1999 from the Union of Right Forces (SPS) party. Nadezhdi then served as an adviser to Opposition leader and then deputy prime minister Boris Nemtsov.

He was also an aide to ex-prime minister Sergei Kiriyenko  who is currently helming domestic policy at the Kremlin. In 2012, Nadezhdi was an election observer on behalf of Putins 2012 presidential campaign. He was also close to Kremlin-loyal candidate Sergei Mironov.

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But in 2020, Nadezhdin seemingly made a break from the Kremlin  criticising the controversial constitutional amendments that allowed Putin to hold power till 2036

Nadezhdin currently belongs to the Civic Initiative party.

He also belonged to the A Just Russia Party, as per CNBC Africa.

Nadezhdin has caught the eye of many for his anti-war views.

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As per The Guardian, Nadezhdin wrote in his election manifesto that Putin made a fatal mistake by starting the special military operation in Ukraine.

Putin sees the world from the past and is dragging Russia into the past, Nadezhdin added.

Nadezhdin has openly called for a halt to the conflict in Ukraine.

As per The Moscow Times, Nadezhdin has vowed to halt troop mobilisations and allow ordinary Russian soldiers to return to their families. He also wants to release political prisoners.

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He has called Russias increasing abortion restrictions and targetting of LGBTQ+complete nonsense and compared such moves to the Middle Ages.

He also wants to start a dialogue with the West.

As per CNBC Africa, he has also called for ending Russias dependence on China.

Thousands of Russians lined up across the country last month to sign papers in support of his candidacy, an unusual show of Opposition sympathies in the countrys rigidly controlled political landscape.

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Standing in line and supporting Nadezhdin is a safe way to protest and we support that, Ruslan Shaveddinov, a close ally of Navalny, told The Guardian.

We want to see someone on the ballot who were not ashamed to vote for, Ivan, a student, told The Moscow Times in Moscow.

I believe that Nadezhdin has enough public support  whether he will be allowed to take part in the elections is another question, Ivan added.

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Exiled Opposition activists threw their weight behind Nadezhdin last month, urging their supporters to sign his nomination petitions.

This is the only candidate that wants to stop the military action on someone elses territory, a voter who identified himself as Anatoly told CNN.

You can call it God or fate, but theres a tangible force driving my campaign, Nadezhdin told Politico in January.

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I dont know exactly why Im not arrested, Nadezhdin told CNN.

Why has he been disqualified?

Under Russias election law, Nadezhdin was supposed to gather at least 100,000 signatures in support of his candidacy.

As per CNBC Africa, Nadezhdin has claimed he collected over 200,000 signatures.

But the Central Election Commission which governs Russias elections has claimed more than 9,000 signatures submitted by Nadezhdins campaign are invalid.

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Under the rules in Russia, potential candidates can have no more than five per cent of their submitted signatures thrown out.

Speaking at the Election Commission on Thursday, Nadezhdin asked election authorities to postpone the decision and to give him more time to rebut their arguments, but they declined.

The politician said vowed to challenge his disqualification in court.

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Its not me standing here, Nadezhdin said.

Hundreds of thousands of Russian citizens who put their signatures down for me are behind me.

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I do not agree with the decision of the central election commission  Participating in the presidential election in 2024 is the most important political decision in my life, Nadezhdin wrote on his Telegram channel as per The Guardian.

I am not backing down from my intentions.

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Nadezhdin told Politico no one from the Kremlin has been in touch.

Its a sign they dont know what to do with me, he said.

Some think the Kremlin may have made a miscalculation letting Nadezhdin run.

The Guardian quoted Tatiana Stanovaya, the founder of the political analysis firm R.Politik, as saying the Kremlin had allowed Nadezhdin to collect signatures to show the hopelessness of the anti-war agenda.

Stanovaya said his candidacy has proved embarrassing for the Kremlin.

As per CNBC, questions have continued to dog Nadezhdins candidacy.

Some speculated that the Kremlin was letting run to make the polls look legitimate  claims that Nadezhdin has disputed.

Not that it matters really.

The newspaper quoted the independent Levada Centre as saying Nadezhdin was likely to get two per cent of the vote in the general election.

Also, keep in mind thatPutin is almost certain to win the reelection given his tight control of Russias political system.

Most of the Opposition figures who might have challenged him have been either imprisoned or exiled abroad, and the vast majority of independent Russian media outlets have been banned.

Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said the Kremlin doesnt view Nadezhin as a rival for the incumbent president.

The Kremlin points to opinion polls which give Putin, 71, an approval rating of around 80 per cent.

Russias presidential election is scheduled for 15 to 17 March.

With inputs from agencies
With the BJP all set to release a White Paper highlighting the achievements of the Modi government in the last 10 years, Congress on Thursday issued a black paper noting the current governments failure.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge released a Black Paper titled 10 Saal Anyay Kaal at a press conference in New Delhi.

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#WATCH | Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge releases 'Black Paper' against the Modi government pic.twitter.com/cxKvD9xyNO  ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2024

Congress move comes hours ahead of BJPs plan to release a White Paper on the extended session of the Parliament on 8 February.

What does the Black Paper say?

Congress Black Paper details the rise of unemployment, farmers distress and price hikes.

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We are raising the main issue of unemployment, which the BJP never talks aboutThere is discrimination being done with non-BJP states like Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Kharge said.

#WATCH | Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says, "We are raising the main issue of unemployment, which the BJP never talks about...There is discrimination being done with non-BJP states like Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana..." pic.twitter.com/9kKT9qEvZ5  ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2024

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He added, There is a danger to democracy in the countryIn the last 10 years, 411 MLAs were taken on by the BJP. They toppled so many Congress governments. They are putting an end to democracy.

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#WATCH | On releasing 'Black Paper' against Modi govt, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says," There is a danger to democracy in the country...In last 10 years, 411 MLAs were taken on their by the BJP. They toppled so many Congress governments. They are finishing pic.twitter.com/9oOhYKkyvW  ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2024

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Kharge also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for invoking former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi during his speech at the Parliament earlier this week.

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It was Modis guarantee to provide 2 crore jobs and ensure MSP to farmers and now the prime minister should say he could not do it but instead he has come up with new guarantees, he said.

BJP reacts to Black Paper

PM Modi, during his reply to the Motion of Thanks in Rajya Sabha, took a jibe at Congress after it released the Black Paper.

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He said, Nazar na lage isliye Kharge kala paper lekar aaye haindesh ko nazar na lage to kale teeke ke liye congress ka aabhar

Meanwhile, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said, While Modis guarantees have passed, Congress guarantees in every state are failingCongress is restless to see how Modi ji gave a corruption-free government.

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#WATCH | On Congress to bring 'Black Paper' on Modi govt's ten-year tenure, Union Minister Anurag Thakur says "...While Modi's guarantees have passed, Congress' guarantees in every state are failing...Congress is restless to see how Modi ji gave a corruption-free government." pic.twitter.com/k33gfVuO51  ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2024

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What is a White Paper?

The government on Wednesday extended the Parliament session by a day to release a white paper highlighting the growth of Indias economy from 2014 to 2024.

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It is important to note that this is the Parliaments last session before Lok Sabha elections commence.

White paper was part of the interim budget presented by our Finance Minister. The economic situation that Congress had put India through in 2014, needs to be mentioned The subject of the White Paper will be in discussion today, BJP MP Arjun Ram Meghwal said.
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, committed as part of a trade pact that is in final negotiations, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

India is on the brink of concluding a trade agreement that could see a small group of European nations investing up to $100 billion over 15 years to facilitate smoother trade access to the country, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday.

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA), consisting of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, has pledged to invest as part of a trade pact that is currently in its final stages of negotiation, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

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The investment in India from the EFTA countries would see more than 1 million jobs created, adding that the investment would be aimed at existing and new manufacturing projects, and will mostly come from state-sponsored organizations and private businesses, the report said.

The trade deal will ensure market access for some agricultural projects, and guarantee easier movement of Indian professionals to EFTA countries, Bloomberg said. Indias Commerce Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment and EFTA declined to comment on the report.

Last month, the countrys Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told Reuters India is eyeing $100 billion in annual foreign direct investment (FDI) in the next few years. India has been attracting investments from several countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, which is considering investing as much as $50 billion.

With inputs from Reuters.
Broadening the scope of naval engagements, the Staff Talks encompassed fruitful discussions on ongoing naval activities & new avenues of cooperation including operational, training & Subject Matter Expert exchanges, the Indian Navy wrote on X

The Indian Navy (IN) and French Navy (FN) held 17th Staff Talks from February 6 to 7 in New Delhi on the ongoing naval activities and new avenues of cooperation including operational, training and Subject Matter Expert exchanges.

RAdm Jean Marc Durandau, Director International Engagements, #FrenchNavy called on VAdm Tarun Sobti, DCNS, #07Feb 24, & complimented the high level of synergy & #interoperability b/n IN & FN.

Discussions encompassed prospective areas of naval collaboration & further enhancing https://t.co/q2uK0ydBkZ pic.twitter.com/5shoaFjI8J  SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) February 8, 2024

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Taking to X, the Indian Navy said, Broadening the scope of naval engagements, the Staff Talks encompassed fruitful discussions on ongoing naval activities & new avenues of cooperation including operational, training & Subject Matter Expert exchanges.

The meeting was co-chaired by Rear Adm Nirbhay Bapna, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff - Foreign Cooperation and Intelligence and Rear Adm Jean-Marc Durandau, Director of International Engagements, French Navy.

Moreover, the talks witnessed active participation from both sides.

According to the post by the Indian Navy, both sides acknowledged the growing cooperation between the two navies and agreed to enhance collaboration and interoperability in the maritime domain.

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Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the staff talks, Rear Adm Jean-Marc Durandau, Director International Engagements, FN called on Vice Adm Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff on February 7.

They underscored the high level of synergy and interoperability between the Indian Navy and the French Navy.

He also visited the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC IOR) on February 6. The Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), hosted by the Indian Navy, was established by the Government of India in 2018 to address this need to promote collaboration for maritime safety and security.

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With inputs from agencies
Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday recommended immediate suspension of Free Movement Regime between India and Myanmar to ensure internal security and maintain demographic structure of Indias North Eastern states bordering Myanmar

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday recommended immediate suspension of Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar to ensure internal security and to maintain demographic structure of Indias North Eastern states bordering Myanmar.

It is Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji's resolve to secure our borders.



The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided that the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar be scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic  Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 8, 2024

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Taking to X, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided that the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar be scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of Indias North Eastern States bordering Myanmar.

Since the Ministry of External Affairs is currently in the process of scrapping it, MHA has recommended the immediate suspension of the FMR, Shah added.

He said that such decisions are being taken in consonance with Prime Minister Narendra Modis resolve to secure our borders.

The free movement regime (FMR), which in its current form enables entry without visa and passport, began as a system to allow tribes who share familial, social and ethnic ties on both sides of the border to keep in touch with their people.

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We will fence the open India-Myanmar border just like how we fenced the border with Bangladesh. We are reassessing the free movement regime with Myanmar, and will end the agreement, Home Minister Amit Shah had said at an event last month.

India shares a porous border stretching 1,600 km from Arunachal Pradesh to Mizoram with Myanmar.

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The Manipur government, under Chief Minister N Birens leadership, has persistently urged the Centre to eliminate the FMR. Allegations suggest that insurgents, illegal immigrants, and drug traffickers from Myanmar exploit the FMR to infiltrate Manipur and incite unrest.

Since May 3, 2023, ethnic clashes between the Kuki tribes, predominant in the hills, and the Meiteis, predominant in the valleys, have claimed over 180 lives.

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Mizoram, neighboring Manipur, has, however, conveyed its opposition to border fencing to the Centre. Chief Minister Lalduhoma asserts that the border delineated by the British is unacceptable to ethnic communities residing on both sides. Mizoram also advocates against the abolition of the FMR.

With inputs from agencies
Ahmadis in Pakistan society suffer from social, religious, economic persecution, hatred and violent attacks. They face constant threats from Pakistani authorities and extremists. Even worse, in death, Ahmadi tombstones are desecrated expunged of their Muslim identity if not outright destroyed. Besides, criminal charges are brought against its leadership in Pakistan and abroad . In one such incident, on 26 January, 2024, police under pressure from religious extremists destroyed the tombstones of 80 graves of the Ahmadi community in Punjab province. The incident occurred in Daska, some 100 km from Lahore, the provincial capital.

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According to the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Pakistan , The police destroyed the tombstones of Ahmadi graves even though the graveyard land was allocated to the Ahmadi community by the government of Punjab.

The 500,000-member Ahmadi community is a well-pronounced and mostly neglected religious minority in Pakistan. A decision of the Lahore High Court in August 2023 said the 1984 prohibition on building Ahmadi places of worship did not allow authorities to destroy or alter structures built before then. Still, such a verdict does not deter the ruthless demolition of Ahmadi mosques and other religious edifices.

As written above, police continue to demolish Ahmadi mosques and graves over allegations against them masquerading as Muslim worship places. Ahmadis are barred from giving the Islamic call to prayer or even displaying  Muslim names  in front of their homes. The Pakistani Constitution formally declares the Ahmadi sect of Islam to be infidels and bars members of the community from posing as Muslims. As reported in September 2023, approximately 75 graves and minarets of two worship places belonging to the Ahmadi minority community have been demolished by police and radical Islamists in Pakistans Punjab province. Also, it is reported that since 1984, some 4,000 Ahmadis have faced criminal charges because of their faith. Religious bigots who continue to consider themselves as saviours of Islam fail to comprehend that tarnishing graves is not exactly associated with the traditions of Islam .

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Ahmadis are not even safe in their own neighbourhoods and towns. Since the name of the Ahmadi-majority town- Rabwah is mentioned in the Quran, the Punjab Assembly unanimously agreed to rechristen it as Chenab Nagar, referring to the towns location along the bank of Chenab river. The change of name happened without the permission of any residents. This town was built by Ahmadis after partition, when they came from India in 1947 and trusting themselves guided by God, selected an unfertile stretch of land where they hoped to make the Punjab desert bloom. Wealthy and well-educated Ahmadis started camping in tents and mud huts near the river and the railway line. Eventually, making settlements and later houses in Rabwah.

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The origin of the Ahmadi community goes back to the British-ruled India of 1889. At the time, in the province of Punjab, a Muslim religious leader, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad , became disillusioned with what he thought was Muslim which allowed for the embarrassing experience of foreign rule. He was born in the small village of Qadian in Punjab, India. The Ahmadi community is also denoted derogatorily by some as the Qadiani (or Kadiyani) community, a term derivative of the birthplace of the founder of the movement.

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The movement, in its initial years, was branded as blasphemous as Ahmads claims were also synonymous with the rejection of the essential belief of the finality of Prophet Muhammad (Khatm e Nabuwat). The following decades were to witness the advent of extensive anti-Ahmadi sentimentality after the formation of Pakistan. Opponents of this sect view it as a treacherous deviation from Islam and fall upon Ghulam Ahmad as a false prophet and messiah, who established his sect to serve the British. Many Muslims, therefore, consider the Ahmadi as either Kafir (infidel) or Zindiq (heretic). Nowhere is this more outward than in Pakistan.

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In independent Pakistan, the first major countenance of anti-Ahmadi sentiment targeted an Ahmadi, Chaudhry Zafarullah Khan, who held the foreign ministers post in 1953. Some Muslims disseminated stories that Ahmadis proselytised among Muslims and denoted a Western-supported conspiracy. This provoked riots throughout Pakistan in the year 1953 that led to six deaths. Afterwards , the government removed all Ahmadis, including Zafarullah Khan from significant government posts.

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Later during the Bhutto regime , on 7 September, 1974, Pakistans Parliament added the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution, declaring Ahmadis non-Muslims after months of agitation from religious political parties. The process of othering of the Ahmadi community continued with great zeal and eagerness in Pakistan. In 1984, the dictatorship of Zia ul Haq consolidated the state of Pakistans stand against the Ahmadi by the issuance of an ordinance (Ordinance XX) which prohibited Ahmadis from preaching or professing their beliefs.

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The ordinance prohibited the Ahmadis to call themselves Muslim or to pose as Muslims. Their places of worship cannot be called mosques. They are barred from performing the Muslim call to prayer, using the traditional Islamic greeting in public, publicly quoting from the Quran, proselytising in public, seeking converts, or producing, publishing, and distributing their religious materials. They are also singled out in their passports and legal documentation and cannot hold governmental positions without publicly denouncing Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. The separate electorate was obliterated for minorities by General Pervez Musharraf in 2002 by executive order but kept the anti-Ahmadi provisions due to hardliner pressure. In 2018 , the incumbent Imran Khan government backpedalled on the selection of famous economist Atif Mian as financial advisor owing to his Ahmadi faith. The Islamist rationale : those who are loyal to the Ahmadi beliefs cannot be loyal to Pakistan.

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The bottom line is since 1985 most Ahmadis have not participated in an election . Casting a vote would require them to openly denounce themselves as non-Muslims , which would have its consequences. In the year 2002, Pakistan abolished an electoral system in which Muslims and non-Muslims registered and voted in separate categories. The government also formed a separate category for Ahmadis. Since then, all Pakistani citizens have voted according to a single electoral list except the Ahmadis , who vote on a separate list. Sadly, Pakistani laws against the Ahmadi community encroach upon Pakistans international legal obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Pakistan sanctioned in 2010, together with the rights to freedom of conscience, religion, expression, and association, and to profess and practice ones own religion.

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As the State-sponsored brutality against Ahmadis continues and they go through severe communal segregation, thousands of Pakistani Ahmadis have pursued asylum in other countries. Some Ahmadis have escaped to Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and other neighbouring countries in search of refuge and international protection with the UNHCR. More than 6,000 Ahmadis are currently residing in these countries as asylum seekers or refugees, with fewer groups dispersed in the Far East such as Korea, China, the Philippines and Hong Kong.

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Theoretically and also academically speaking, broad social, political and religious reforms are the dire need of time, for securing the future of Ahmadis in Pakistan. But the vital question still remains how many more to die or suffer if something positive actually happens?

The author is a Research Fellow, Institute for Conflict Management, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul has a great opportunity to hold large oil companies accountable for the generations of damage they have done to our environment. She simply needs to put into her budget the Climate Superfund Act requiring the largest oil companies to pay $3 billion dollars a year for the next 25 years to pay for the damage they knew their product would cause. Already strapped local governments shouldn't have to use scarce resources needed for vital services to pay for damage the oil companies caused.

We are disappointed that our governor seems to feel that hardworking New Yorkers can continue to pay for the damage done by the fossil fuel industry before she requires them to pay their fair share their actions have caused. Big oil companies continue to ignore their own scientific evidence that proves that burning fossil fuels was the cause of global warming.

Meanwhile, storms like the Christmas blizzard of 2022 in Western New York, the near collapse of the water treatment plant, storm damage to the Lake Erie Shoreline, air pollution from major highways and streets causing health problems for city residents are all caused by global warming. Furthermore, small businesses, churches, schools, hospitals, suffered huge losses from the Christmas blizzard, causing insurance companies to pay out large sums of money to repair and restore these community assets. Our church, University United Methodist Church, and other churches have seen insurance premiums jump by 30% and our deductibles for that insurance has jumped to $7,500. Multiply this by all the businesses and institutions in the area and around the state and we, again, are paying dearly for the burning of fossil fuels.

The hardworking citizens of New York State need our governor to require big oil companies to be accountable for the damage they have caused. We cannot continue to shoulder the burden of climate change while those companies have profited from the destruction of the planet. For the good of the planet and the people, we implore Hochul to include the Climate Superfund Act in the budget.

The Rev. George Nicholas

Buffalo

The Rev. Merle Showers

Buffalo
Sitaram Kesri who belonged to a backward caste and was the Congress president, was thrown onto the footpath, Modi had said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis reference to former Congress president Sitaram Kesri during the Motion of Thanks to the Presidents Address in the Rajya Sabha has rekindled a lot of memories particularly in the context of how Kesri was unceremoniously removed as head of the grand old party. Sitaram Kesri who belonged to a backward caste and was the Congress president, was thrown onto the footpath. The country saw what the Congress did to Sitaram Kesri, Modi had said.

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Here is an account of what had happened to Kesri.

On 14 March, 1998, the Congress 24 Akbar Road headquarters was a mute witness to a coup that saw the rather unsavoury exit of an elected Congress president and the appointment of Sonia Gandhi as party chief.

Kesri, then in his 79th year, had arrived at the CWC meeting convinced that a party president could not be forced out. He did not know that before the 11 am meeting, most CWC members had gathered at Pranab Mukherjees house to endorse two crucial statements. The first was an ultimatum asking Kesri to step down; the second, a resolution replacing him with Sonia.

The moment Kesri stepped into the hall, he knew something was amiss. Loyalist Tariq Anwar was the only one who stood up to greet him. After Kesri sat down, Mukherjee began reading out a resolution thanking him for his services.

A horrified Kesri shouted, Arre yeh kya keh rahe ho (What are you saying), but there was a smirk on the faces of his colleagues. Kesri raved against the unconstitutional meeting and stormed out, followed by loyalist Anwar. As he was getting into his car, he was heckled and some Youth Congress workers even tried to pull down his dhoti.

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By the time Kesri exited 24 Akbar Road, the nameplate outside what used to be his room had already been replaced with a computer printout that read: Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

When Kesri reached his Purana Qila residence, he was in no mood for his favourite Pomeranian Ruchis joyous welcome. Eyewitnesses, however, recalled that the moment he kicked her, Kesri was overcome with remorse. The finest of biscuits  presented to Kesri during his tenure  were offered to the puzzled Ruchi.

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Arriving journalists found the Congress veteran calmer. He bad-mouthed Mukherjee, Jitendra Prasada and Arjun Singh but the ingrained reverence for the Family prevented him from attacking Sonia. Kesri later told this writer he was hoping for correction from Sonia after his ouster.

When the new party chief arrived a few hours later to comfort him, Kesri rushed to greet her. Neither mentioned the coup. Sonia sought Kesris blessings and guidance and the old man puffed up with pleasure. By 7 pm, he was singing paeans to the Nehru-Gandhis while promising to get even with Mukherjee, Prasada and Arjun Singh.

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The Congress had become disillusioned with Chacha Kesri after the 1998 general election, when it won only 142 seats. The party had asked nephews Ahmad Patel and Ghulam Nabi Azad to persuade the old man to quit but Kesri had refused.

Then Manmohan Singh, Mukherjee and AK Antony had called on Kesri and got him to meet Sonia. On 9 March, five days before his ouster, Kesri announced he would resign to make way for Sonia but soon changed tack. He said he wanted a meeting of the 1,300-member AICC, which would need over a month to arrange, before quitting.

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On 13 March, Prasada hosted a lunch where 13 of the 17 CWC members signed Kesris political death warrant. Patel, Prasada, Mukherjee, RK Dhawan, Arjun, Azad, Sharad Pawar, Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy, Antony, Manmohan, Meira Kumar, Oscar Fernandes and Madhavsinh Solanki signed the ultimatum to Kesri. JB Patnaik and Lalthanhawla later approved it.

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The 14 March resolution mentioned Kesris 9 March announcement and said the confusion and state of uncertainty had brought organisational work to a standstill.

During the two-and-a-half-years more that he lived, Kesri would often say: Congress leadership tapte hue suraj ke saman hai. Bahut pas jaoge to jal jaoge aur bahut door rahoge to thand se mar jaoge (The Congress leadership is like the blazing sun. Get too close and youll be burnt, stay too far and youll freeze to death).

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The freedom fighter and former Union minister died a disturbed and disillusioned man and never reconciled to his unceremonious ouster. There was much that he wanted to say but he suffered an asthma attack and then slipped into a coma.

The end came on 24 October, 2000, weeks short of his 81st birthday. His faithful dog, Ruchi, died the same evening.

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The reviewer is a Visiting Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation. A well-known political analyst, he has written several books, including 24 Akbar Road and Sonia: A Biography. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost_s views._

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In the fast-paced world of finance and technology, fortunes can change overnight. Paytm, a company that until recently was celebrated as a unicorn in the Indian business landscape, today finds itself grappling with existential challenges.

Blow from RBI

Last week, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the countrys central bank, dealt a severe blow to Paytm by issuing an order that could potentially cripple its operations. This order, akin to a death sentence, effectively bans Paytm from engaging in most banking services and it is set to come into effect in March.

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With the deadline looming on 29 February, Paytm is racing against time to salvage its future. Speculation is rife about the companys potential strategies for survival, including the prospect of selling a part of its business. Reports suggest that two prominent entities, HDFC Bank and Jio Financial Services, are interested parties in this potential acquisition.

However, any such sale would require the approval of the RBI, the very institution that issued the damning order against Paytm. The fallout from this regulatory crackdown would be immense, considering Paytms status as a major player in Indias financial services sector. With over 300 million active users, the impact of the RBIs order extends far beyond the company itself, affecting countless individuals who rely on Paytms services.

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Paytm response

In response to the crisis, Paytm is working tirelessly to reassure its customers that its services will continue uninterrupted. The company is in dialogue with the RBI, seeking to address concerns and mitigate the unfolding crisis. Yet, the RBI remains firm in its stance, citing serious compliance violations on Paytms part.

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Founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma has personally engaged with officials from the central bank, lobbying for concessions or assistance to keep Paytms operations afloat. However, these efforts have thus far been met with resistance from the RBI, which appears unwilling to offer any leniency.

The heart of Paytms woes lies in its subsidiary, the Paytm Payments Bank, which forms the core of its payments business. This subsidiary holds a license from the RBI but is limited in its operations, unable to lend money like traditional banks. Despite efforts to diversify its offerings, including digital banking and electronic toll collection systems, the Paytm Payments Bank remains at the centre of regulatory scrutiny.

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As Paytm grapples with its uncertain future, the possibility of selling its subsidiary looms large. However, such a distress sale would be a drastic measure, akin to sacrificing a limb to save the body. The coming days will be critical in determining whether Paytm can weather this storm and emerge stronger or if it will succumb to the pressures of regulatory scrutiny and financial upheaval.

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Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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The farmer protests gripping Europe underscore the urgent need for action to address the systemic challenges facing agriculture in the region

In recent months, Europe has been rocked by a wave of farmer protests with agricultural workers across the continent taking to the streets to voice their grievances. What began as isolated demonstrations in Poland has now spread like wildfire, engulfing countries such as France, Germany, Greece, Belgium, Italy and Portugal. These protests, marked by road blockades, overturned trucks, burning produce and clashes with authorities, have plunged the European Union into chaos and raised urgent questions about the future of farming in the region.

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Origins of the protest

The roots of the protests lie in the profound challenges facing European farmers. Rising debts, competition from cheap imports, price pressures, the impacts of climate change and heavy EU regulations have created a perfect storm of hardship for those working the land. Strict laws imposed by the EU make farming in Europe more expensive, while farmers must contend with the influx of low-cost imports, particularly from countries like Ukraine, which flood European markets and undercut local producers.

We took to the streets to protest against Europe and the new laws it is making. Agriculture has already been on its knees for a long time, and we took to the streets because we have reached the end of our rope, said farmer Cristian Belloni.

Across Europe, farmers have voiced their frustration and desperation. In France, Matteo Legrand, a 22-year-old farmer, declared, Today, the profession can no longer survive, it is being strangled. Similar sentiments echoed in Germany, where thousands braved freezing temperatures to blockade airports, and in Greece, where farmers dumped their produce in protest.

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The import in Belgium and Europe is from outside the rules and outside of Europe are too easy. Its too difficult for us to farm normally on the daily basis. Its too difficult for us. We ask, easier rules, said protester and farmer from just outside Brussels, Kilian Van Meerbeek.

Italian farmer Cristian Belloni said: We took to the streets to protest against Europe and the new laws it is making. Agriculture has already been on its knees for a long time, and we took to the streets because we have reached the end of our rope.

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A farmer from Greece Andonis Samanaras said, We are demanding a better tomorrow with lower production costs, lower fuel prices, lower electricity prices, and a fair distribution of subsidies.

The grievances are clear: they demand lower production costs, fair distribution of subsidies, and relief from burdensome regulations.

Government response and concessions

Faced with mounting pressure, European governments have begun to respond. Concessions have been made, with plans to scrap or water down measures such as increasing diesel taxes and cutting subsidies. The EU, for instance, abandoned its plan to halve pesticide use. However, farmers argue that these measures are insufficient and continue to demand more substantial action to address their concerns.

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A familiar narrative: Comparisons to India

The farmer protests in Europe draw striking parallels to those witnessed in India in 2020. Like their European counterparts, Indian farmers took to the streets to protest against new agricultural laws, facing criticism and international scrutiny. Eventually, the Indian government relented, making concessions to appease the protesters. Now, as Europe grapples with its own farmer unrest, the question arises: will governments listen and act in time to avert a crisis?

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Role of democracy and public order

While protests are a fundamental aspect of democracy, they must not jeopardise public order. Law enforcement agencies have intervened to quell unrest, as seen in recent efforts to end farmer protests in countries like the Netherlands. However, the suppression of these protests raises questions about the balance between freedom of expression and maintaining law and order.

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The farmer protests gripping Europe underscore the urgent need for action to address the systemic challenges facing agriculture in the region. While concessions have been made, the underlying issues of rising costs, competition from imports, and regulatory burdens remain unresolved. As the protests continue, European governments must heed the voices of their farmers and enact meaningful reforms to ensure the survival and sustainability of agriculture in the EU.

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Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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As the nation grapples with the repercussions of an unprecedented surge in border activity, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on Bidens ability to navigate this complex and contentious issue

As the United States enters an election year, reflections on President Joe Bidens tenure naturally arise. Amidst a myriad of policy areas, one issue stands out prominently: the state of the US-Mexico border.

The surge in migrant detentions at the US-Mexico border serves as a stark indicator of the intensifying crisis. Comparing statistics from the Trump administration to Bidens reveals a staggering increase, with 2.5 million detentions reported last year alone.

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Root causes and contributing factors

Several factors contribute to the surge in border crossings. The pent-up demand resulting from pandemic-induced restrictions, coupled with uncertainty regarding Bidens re-election and the potential completion of Trumps border wall, has prompted a rush of migrants seeking entry before policy dynamics shift.

Despite mounting pressure and criticism, Bidens response has been perceived as lacking urgency. Vice President Kamala Harriss message to potential migrantsurging them not to comewas met with scepticism, as evidenced by the continued influx of individuals seeking entry.

I want to be clear to folks in this region who are thinking about making that dangerous trek to the United States-Mexico border. Do not come. Do not come, said Harris.

Political fallout and democratic dissent

The border crisis has not only eroded public confidence but has also strained relations within Bidens own party. A letter penned by Democratic mayors from major cities underscores the severity of the situation, demanding improved border policies to alleviate the strain on local resources.

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Bidens proposed immigration reform bill, earmarking $20 billion for border security, aims to expedite asylum cases, enhance deportation capabilities and implement a border shutdown clause. However, the bill faces staunch opposition from Republican hardliners, jeopardising its passage through Congress.

Critics argue that Bidens delayed response to border challenges reflects a failure to proactively address the issue during his tenure. The attempted impeachment of Homeland Security Chief Alejandro Mayorkas highlights the extent of dissatisfaction within Republican ranks.

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So, the position of we are going to close the borders is very demagogic. For example, I have a lot of respect for President Biden, he has conducted himself very well, so did President Trump before, he was very respectful of us, we understand the circumstances but imagine closing the border, said Mexicos President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

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Bidens electoral strategy

In the lead-up to the 2024 elections, Biden intends to leverage the border crisis as a focal point of his campaign, positioning himself as a champion against Trumps immigration policies. However, the effectiveness of this strategy remains uncertain amidst mounting public scrutiny.

Ill be taking this issue to the country, and the voters are going to know that its not just a moment, just at the moment, we were going to secure the border and fund these other programs. Trump and the MAGA Republicans said no, because theyre afraid of Donald Trump, said President Biden. If that bill were the law today Id shut down the border right now and fix it quickly. A bipartisan bill would be good for America and help fix our broken immigration system and allow speedy access for those who deserve to be here.

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Legacy and lessons learnt

The exponential increase in migrant detentions under Bidens administration challenges his initial promise of a humane immigration policy. With fewer detentions reported under previous administrations, the border crisis serves as a poignant reminder of unmet expectations and evolving political dynamics.

As the nation grapples with the repercussions of an unprecedented surge in border activity, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on Bidens ability to navigate this complex and contentious issue. With the 2024 elections looming, the outcome of this debate will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of US immigration policy for years to come.

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Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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The proposal is not without controversy, as it faces opposition from regional leaders like those in Nagaland and Mizoram, citing concerns over disrupting local sentiments and familial ties across the border

Amid Myanmars persistent civil unrest, neighbouring India has been drawn into the fray, with New Delhi expressing growing apprehension over the escalating situation. This concern culminated in the release of a significant advisory, marking the first of its kind since violence erupted in the region.

India issues advisory

The advisory, issued by the Indian government, strongly urges individuals to evacuate Rakhine State immediately and advises against any travel plans to the area, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Rakhine State, situated along Myanmars western coast, has been a focal point of conflict, although it does not share a direct border with India.

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The roots of this conflict trace back to the displacement of Rohingya Muslims by the Myanmar military, which has now found itself in a reversal of roles as it faces opposition from groups like the Arakan Army, a key player in the ethnic coalition known as the Three Brotherhood Alliance. The Arakan Army has made significant territorial gains, capturing outposts, cities and even military installations, leading to a state of unrest that has prompted Indias intervention.

Indias advisory reflects not only its immediate concerns but also a broader perspective on the regional implications of the conflict. As violence spreads beyond Rakhine State to other regions like Shan, Chin, Karenni and Sagaing, the international community, including Western nations, is increasingly calling for an end to the bloodshed.

We strongly condemn the ongoing violence harming civilians, including the militarys continued use of indiscriminate airstrikes. We echo the call of ASEAN (referring to Association of Southeast Asian Nations) in urging the Myanmar armed Forces, in particular, to cease its attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, said Barbara Woodward, permanent representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations.

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India wants border fence despite objections

While India has refrained from openly condemning the Myanmar junta, it has advocated for peace and stability in the region. In a proactive move, India is contemplating a long-term solution to the crisis, proposing the construction of a border fence along its entire frontier with Myanmar, coupled with a patrol track to monitor activity effectively.

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This proposed measure is driven by the influx of Myanmar refugees into India, along with the presence of fleeing soldiers, which has raised security concerns, particularly in Manipur, situated on the border. However, the proposal is not without controversy, as it faces opposition from regional leaders like those in Nagaland and Mizoram, citing concerns over disrupting local sentiments and familial ties across the border.

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Despite the contentious nature of the proposal, the Indian government seems determined to proceed, viewing it as a means to mitigate its exposure to the conflict. However, it acknowledges that a border fence alone cannot resolve the underlying issues driving the conflict. For a lasting solution, an end to the violence is imperative, a prospect that remains uncertain as the junta continues its desperate tactics, including airstrikes on civilian targets.

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The recent bombing of a school in southern Myanmar, resulting in the tragic loss of childrens lives, underscores the severity of the situation and the ruthlessness of the juntas tactics. With rebels gaining ground on the battlefield while the junta maintains control of the skies, the conflict shows no signs of abating, signalling potentially darker days ahead before any hope of resolution can emerge.

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Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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As Sri Lanka stands at a crossroads, the government faces a dual challenge of preserving its flagship species while safeguarding the livelihoods of its people

When traversing the landscapes of Sri Lanka, one cannot ignore the omnipresence of the elephant. Embedded deeply within the nations cultural and religious tapestry, these majestic creatures have served as symbols of power, prosperity and spiritual significance for over two millennia. From intricate art to architectural marvels, the elephant motif pervades every aspect of Sri Lankan life, making it a central figure in the countrys identity.

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Cultural and religious significance

Historically, elephants held a revered status, often serving as prized possessions of kings and symbols of royal authority. Employed in warfare and celebrated for their strength and opulence, they symbolise more than mere beasts of burden. In Buddhist beliefs, elephants hold deep religious significance, embodying wisdom and sacredness. Their presence in folklore and religious ceremonies further solidifies their esteemed position in Sri Lankan culture.

Guardians of ecosystems

Beyond their cultural importance, elephants play a crucial ecological role as keystone species. They shape habitats, maintain ecosystem balance and support the survival of numerous other species. However, their survival is increasingly under threat due to human-induced pressures on their habitats.

Facing a looming extinction

Despite their revered status, Sri Lankas elephant population is in a state of peril. Over the past century, their numbers have dwindled significantly, with a sharp increase in deaths recorded in recent years. Human-animal conflict, driven by habitat loss and encroachment, stands as the primary reason behind the alarming rise in elephant fatalities.

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While efforts to protect elephants are paramount, it is essential to acknowledge the human toll of these conflicts. Farmers, striving to safeguard their livelihoods, resort to lethal methods to deter elephant raids, exacerbating the crisis. Moreover, encounters with elephants pose a significant risk to human lives, with casualties reported annually.

To mitigate the crisis, concerted efforts are needed on multiple fronts. Firstly, expanding protected areas for elephants is crucial to safeguarding their habitats and ensuring their long-term survival. Additionally, promoting sustainable agricultural practices that mitigate human-elephant conflicts can help alleviate pressure on both elephants and farmers.

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A dual challenge

As Sri Lanka stands at a crossroads, the government faces a dual challenge of preserving its flagship species while safeguarding the livelihoods of its people. Failure to act decisively could result in the irreversible loss of this iconic symbol of Sri Lankan heritage. With concerted efforts, however, there remains hope for a future where humans and elephants coexist harmoniously, preserving the rich cultural and ecological heritage of the island nation.

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Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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Fans of true crime stories on OTT platforms in India may recall the tragic case of a little boy who was murdered in 2017 along with his uncle in the hinterland of Gujarat. The intrepid cops traced the crime to a non-resident Indian woman and her Gujarati immigrant toy boy. The closing scene of the episode had the patriotic inspector telling the smirking woman over an international call that he would get the two of them back to India to face justice. Sadly, he was wrong.

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That is because a British senior district judge refused the extradition of the diabolical duoArti Dhir and Kaval Raijada, now marriedbecause they would face long prison terms in India which would breach Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights which protects against inhumane sentences! That judge, Emma Arbuthnot, would also be familiar to those who follow the cases of two other fugitives wanted by India, Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi.

Arbuthnot concluded in 2019 that as there is no possibility of a review either at state level or by the President of India, in those circumstances, there will be no hope or the possibility of exceptional release. So, she discharged the two and scotched Indias extradition request as there was substantial grounds for believing that they would face a real risk of being subject to treatment, a lack of a review of a life sentence, which would be inhuman and degrading.

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Crime is mostly pretty inhuman and quite degrading too. But if it pertains to a non-third world country then the same perpetrators face a very different outcome, it seems. Having avoided extradition (and even prosecution in UK) for the murder of the two Indians, now Dhir, 59, and Raijada, 35, have been sentenced to 33 years in jail for smuggling 514 kg of cocaine, valued at 57 million, to Australia through their air freight business, as well as for money laundering.

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That is cold comfort for the rural Gujarati woman who lost her husband and 11-year-old brother to the avarice of Dhir and Raijada. Clearly, the justice system of the UK considers a 33-year custodial sentence for smuggling cocaine from one First World country to another to be neither inhumane nor degrading but a potential similar sentence ordered by Indian courts for the masterminds of a double homicide to be both. And they still say justice is blind!

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Fortunately, the couple did not get their grubby hands on the 150,000 life insurance policy they had taken out on little Gopal Sejani, but the proceeds of their drug smuggling proved their greed. Some 3 million in cash was found stashed in a locker, while their house yielded silver ingots. They had also bought a house and a luxury car with the money from some 15 drug consignments. The prosecution and judges were supposedly appalled by the couples acts.

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Yet the UKs High Court while dismissing Indias appeal on Dhir and Raijada in 2019 had said that further extradition proceedings might also be brought if an adequate assurance is provided showing that an irreducible life sentence will not be imposed on Ms Dhir or Mr Raijada. Given the heinous nature of their crimeadopting a boy and having him murdered so as to claim his life insurancewhy did the British judges want leniency from India at that time?

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Indeed, rejecting extradition may have emboldened others to plot similar crimes as a precedent has now been set to protect British criminals with such intentions. Why should the quantum of sentence for serious offences be seen as a reason to help perpetrators escape justice in the country where crimes were committed? Should Third World nations have one set of punishments for resident Indians and another for foreigners and Indians who fled to safe havens abroad?

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Meanwhile, it had been reported that senior officers from the Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate and National Investigation Agency were in UK to speed up the extradition of Mallya, Nirav Modi and arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari. The government is determined to get these men back but silence on the outcome underlines the fact that India has been singularly unsuccessful in getting fugitives extradited from the UK thanks to the fugitives legal savvy.

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Although India signed an extradition treaty with the UK in 1992, in the past 32 years, UK has agreed to only two Indian petitions. The British judicial process has been painfully slow and its courts appear to be willing to consider the arguments of the fugitives defence teams that extradition conditions are not satisfied or that the Indian authorities are not above board about all aspects of the case. This is almost tantamount to British disdain for Indias justice system.

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Not only has Mallya successfully thwarted attempts by law enforcement agencies to get him back to India to face charges since 2016, but Modi has also relied on the formers case to do the same. Although UK courts have found that both Mallya and Modi have a case to answerthat is, there is substance in Indias charges against them and therefore they should stand trialthey have been tardy about ensuring that the latter happens. A strange dichotomy indeed.

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In this bizarrely skewed scenario, the human rights of fugitives seems to trump justice for victims of their crimes. More so in the case of Dhir and Raijada, whose crimes in Gujarat were not white collartwo Indians including a child were killed on their orders in 2015. They were photographed laughing when Indias extradition plea failed in 2019. UKs concern for their human rights at that time therefore ring hollow given their recent 33-year sentence for smuggling.

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Follow-up reports in the British media say that the late Gopal Sejanis widowed sister is angry about Dhir and Raijada not being made to stand trial and go to jail in India for having her brother and husband killed but that obviously makes little difference to the authorities in the UK. Indias success rate on extraditions will remain dismal. The crusading inspector in the Hindi OTT series would surely have a pithy comment or two to make on the quality of British justice.

The author is a freelance writer. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost_s views._

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Cryptocurrency mining, which consumers a lot of electricity and is very damaging to the environment, is heavily regulated in China. However, Chinese miners, once the best and with the largest pool in the world before American miners came into the scene, are now moving to Ethiopia

Cryptocurrency miners in China are moving to greener pastures as the CCP continues to crack down on Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, in a bid to regulate the crypto market heavily. The country where they are setting up their new base? Ethiopia.

Recently, large cargo containers have been spotted near the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), signalling a new development in Africas energy landscape. These containers house powerful computers, marking the arrival of Chinese Bitcoin miners in the region, as per a report by the South China Morning Post.

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Driven by the quest for affordable electricity and favourable regulations after being ousted from China, these miners have found Ethiopia appealing due to its low electricity costs and welcoming government stance, despite a ban on cryptocurrency trading.

Ethiopias emergence as a hub for crypto mining reflects a global trend amidst concerns over climate change and energy scarcity, and just how damaging mining any cryptocurrency, especially Bitcoin can be. For starters, trading crypto, is banned in the country, although its laws and taxation policies, make it a haven for miners.

Despite its challenges, Ethiopia offers a promising opportunity for mining firms, particularly Chinese companies struggling to compete in places like Texas.

The entry of Bitcoin miners into Ethiopia is not without risks. The volatile nature of the crypto industry, coupled with political and economic uncertainties, poses challenges for both companies and the host nation.

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While Ethiopian officials remain cautious about the implications of crypto mining, the sector presents potential economic benefits, especially in terms of foreign exchange earnings.

The influx of mining equipment into Ethiopia underscores the countrys growing importance in the crypto mining landscape, with Chinese miners dominating the scene.

However, concerns persist about the environmental impact of crypto mining, particularly its energy consumption, and the potential strain it could put on Ethiopias power supply.

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Despite these challenges, Ethiopian authorities have permitted crypto mining, primarily due to the revenue generated through foreign currency payments for electricity.

While regulations are being developed to govern the sector, uncertainties remain among miners about long-term oversight and compliance.

Nevertheless, Ethiopia presents a unique opportunity for bitcoin miners, offering a blend of economic incentives and political stability, positioning the country as a potential rival to established hubs like Texas in the global bitcoin mining industry.

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(With inputs from agencies)
OpenAI, Anthropic and several other AI chatbots were used in a war simulator, and were tasked to find a solution to aid world peace. Almost all of them suggested actions that led to sudden escalations, and even nuclear warfare

If OpenAI and other AI models AI companies have their way, they wouldnt hesitate to drop a nuke or two on countries like Russia, China and possibly even the US, in order to retain world peace.

The integration of AI into various sectors, including the United States military, has been met with both enthusiasm and caution. However, a recent study sheds light on potential risks associated with AIs role in foreign policy decision-making, revealing alarming tendencies towards advocating for military escalation over peaceful resolutions.

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Conducted by researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Northeastern University, and the Hoover Wargaming and Crisis Simulation Initiative, the study takes a deep dive into the behaviour of AI models when placed in simulated war scenarios as primary decision-makers.

Notably, AI models from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta were studied in detail, along with OpenAIs GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 emerging as protagonists in the escalation of conflicts, including instances of nuclear warfare.

The research discovered a disconcerting trend in which AI models showed an increased tendency for sudden and unpredictable escalations, which often led to heightened military tensions and, in extreme cases, the use of nuclear weapons.

According to the researchers, these AI-driven dynamics mirror an arms-race scenario, fueling increased military investments and exacerbating conflicts.

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Particularly alarming were the justifications provided by OpenAIs GPT-4 for advocating nuclear warfare in simulated scenarios.

Statements such as I just want to have peace in the world and Some say they should disarm them, others like to posture. We have it! Lets use it! raised serious concerns among researchers, likening the AIs reasoning to that of a genocidal dictator.

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While OpenAI maintains its commitment to developing AI for the betterment of humanity, the studys revelations cast doubt on the alignment of its models behaviour with this mission.

Critics suggest that perhaps the training data incorporated into these AI systems inadvertently influenced their inclination towards militaristic solutions.

The studys implications extend beyond academia, resonating with ongoing discussions within the US Pentagon, where experimentation with AI, leveraging secret-level data, is reportedly underway. Military officials contemplate the potential deployment of AI in the near future, raising apprehensions about the accelerated pace of conflict escalation.

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Simultaneously, the advent of AI-powered dive drones further underscores the growing integration of AI technologies into modern warfare, drawing tech executives into what appears to be an escalating arms race.

As nations worldwide increasingly embrace AI in military operations, the study serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for responsible AI development and governance to mitigate the risk of precipitous conflict escalation.
Lenovo plans to dominate the AI-powered laptops segment and make local, on-device AI PCs not just a possibility but also easily accessible to all. The push towards AI integration rises from the fact that traditional hardware upgrades alone are no longer sufficient to captivate consumers

Lenovo is placing a massive bet on making AI a central component of its roadmap to entice new consumers. As part of a trend among PC manufacturers to embed increasingly sophisticated chatbots and assistants into their products, Lenovo aims to make 70 per cent of its devices AI-native within the next two to three years, according to Luca Rossi, President and EVP at Intelligent Devices Group (IDG), Lenovo.

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During a recent media briefing in Delhi, Rossi highlighted the significance of integrating AI into consumer devices, particularly in the premium space initially, with plans for broader integration across Lenovos product lineup in the future.

Matthew Zielinski, Executive Vice President and President, International Markets, Lenovo, emphasized that AI capabilities will extend beyond personal assistants to encompass various applications such as photo editing.

The push towards AI integration stems from the industrys recognition that traditional hardware upgrades alone are no longer sufficient to captivate consumers.

As a result, major tech companies like Microsoft are focusing on infusing AI capabilities into personal computers and smartphones at a core level.

Microsofts Copilot, for example, demonstrates the potential of generative AI in creating human-like text and content with minimal human input.

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Lenovo, in alignment with this trend, is keen to market PCs equipped with native AI to consumers and businesses alike. Recognizing the evolving landscape, Lenovo is also investing in on-device AI features exclusive to its own PCs.

For instance, Lenovo AI Now Personal Assistant allows users to control PC settings, search documents, and create meeting invitations using natural language commands. While these features will debut in China initially, plans for global expansion remain uncertain.

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Unlike some competitors who are considering subscription models or additional fees for AI features, Lenovo currently has no plans to charge users for on-device Gen AI features.

However, industry observers anticipate diverse approaches among tech giants regarding monetizing AI capabilities, with companies like Samsung and Amazon exploring different strategies to offset ongoing AI model costs.

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As the industry progresses towards AI-driven computing, Lenovos strategic emphasis on AI integration reflects its commitment to innovation and staying ahead in an increasingly competitive market.
PhonePe is gearing up to unveil its own Android app marketplace called Indus Appstore on February 21. With this, PhonePe aims to disrupt the dominance of Google controlling Androids app market

PhonePe is gearing up to unveil its app store on February 21. With this, PhonePe aims to disrupt the dominance of tech giants Apple and Google using its Indus Appstore.

The much-anticipated launch event is scheduled to take place in New Delhi and is expected to draw government officials, startup luminaries, and industry executives, according to sources familiar with the matter.

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The company initially introduced its developer platform for the Android-based app marketplace in September last year. PhonePe announced that the developer platform would be accessible to developers free of charge for the first year, after which a modest annual fee would be levied.

What sets the Indus Appstore apart from its formidable rivals is its commitment to not impose platform fees or commissions on developers for in-app payments.

Additionally, developers will enjoy the freedom to integrate any payment gateway of their preference within their applications. This move comes amidst growing discontent among Indian entrepreneurs regarding the hefty 30 per cent commission imposed by Google and Apple on in-app purchases, as well as their restrictions on developers choice of payment processing systems.

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According to details available on the Indus Appstores website, it will offer innovative features such as video-led app discovery and customized targeted advertisements in various Indian languages, distinguishing itself from global competitors. Moreover, developers will have the opportunity to showcase their apps in over a dozen Indian languages, besides English.

With its impending launch, PhonePes Indus Appstore is poised to provide a competitive alternative to the existing app distribution platforms, signalling a potential shift in the dynamics of the digital ecosystem in India.
The tallies indicate that Aliyev secured a staggering 92 per cent of the vote, with nearly all polling stations reporting their results

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has clinched his fifth consecutive term in elections, official results showed on Wednesday, an outcome widely anticipated following his significant triumph over Armenian separatists last year.

The tallies indicate that Aliyev secured a staggering 92 per cent of the vote, with nearly all polling stations reporting their results.

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The election took place amidst a crackdown on independent media and in the absence of any substantial opposition.

The Azerbaijani people have elected Ilham Aliyev as the countrys president, AFP quoted Central Election Commission chief Mazahir Panahov as saying at a press conference.

Turnout was 67.7 per cent, he added.

Aliyev received praise domestically when his forces regained control of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region from Armenian separatists in September, who had held sway over it for decades.

However, the primary opposition factions in the oil-rich country abstained from participating in the election. Ali Kerimli, a leader of the Popular Front party, denounced the electoral process as a mere facade of democracy.

There are no conditions in the country for the conduct of free and fair elections, Kerimli told AFP.

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The six other candidates who were running were little-known and had praised Aliyev as a great statesman and commander-in-chief since he announced the election in December, a year ahead of schedule.

Singing patriotic songs, several thousand Aliyev supporters gathered on Wednesday evening in the streets of central Baku to celebrate his re-election.

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Some demonstrators held signs that read Karabakhs liberator and We are proud of you!

The president and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva went to Karabakh on Wednesday to cast their ballots in the regions main city of Khankendi.

For the first time in Azerbaijans post-Soviet history, 26 polling stations opened in Karabakh.

The enclave has been largely deserted after its entire ethnic-Armenian population  more than 100,000 people - fled to Armenia after Bakus takeover.

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Escalating crackdown

Last month, Aliyev called the Karabakh victory an epochal event unparallelled in Azerbaijans history.

The election will mark the beginning of a new era, he said, with the country holding the presidential vote on all its territory for the first time.

Supporters have praised Aliyev for turning a country once thought of as a Soviet backwater into a flourishing energy supplier to Europe.

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But critics say he has crushed opposition groups and suffocated independent media.

Aliyevs win was a foregone conclusion, said independent analyst Ghia Nodia of the Caucasus Center for Strategic Studies.

There was no suspense whatsoever in these elections without the slightest sign of competitiveness.

In recent months, Azerbaijani authorities have intensified pressure on independent media outlets, arresting several critical journalists who had exposed high-level graft.

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All fundamental rights are being violated in the country, opposition parties cant function normally, freedom of assembly is restricted, media are under government pressure, and political dissent is being suppressed, said Kerimli of the Popular Front.

On Tuesday, Amnesty International said: The escalating crackdown by Azerbaijani authorities ahead of the elections is not just an attack on individual rights, its a widespread, coordinated assault on civil society and the rule of law.

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Dynastic rule

Aliyev, 62, was first elected president in 2003 after the death of his father, Heydar Aliyev, a former KGB officer who had ruled Azerbaijan since 1993.

He was re-elected in 2008, 2013 and in 2018, with 86 percent of the votes.

All the elections were denounced by opposition parties as rigged.

In 2009, Aliyev amended the countrys constitution so he could run for an unlimited number of presidential terms, a move criticised by rights advocates who said he could become president for life.

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In 2016, Azerbaijan adopted controversial constitutional amendments that extended the presidents term in office to seven years from five.

He then appointed his wife as first vice president.

Around six million voters were registered for the election, which was being monitored by observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
We have seen media reports, Canadian Commission inquiring into foreign interferenceswe strongly reject such baseless allegations of Indian interference in Canadian elections, said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal

Days after several media reports suggested that Canadian authorities had in a classified document marked India as a foreign interference threat that could potentially interfere in Canadian elections, the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday strongly rejected the baseless allegations saying that its not Indias policy to interfere in the democratic process of other countries.

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Addressing the media on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, We have seen media reports, Canadian Commission inquiring into foreign interferenceswe strongly reject such baseless allegations of Indian interference in Canadian elections.

#WATCH | MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, " We have seen media reports, Canadian Commission inquiring into foreign interferences...we strongly reject such baseless allegations of Indian interference in Canadian elections, it is not govt of India's policy to interfere in the pic.twitter.com/tUCq20uvzz  ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2024

He further said that its not Indias policy to interfere in the democratic process of other countries and instead blamed Canada for interfering in Indias internal matters.

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It is not govt of Indias policy to interfere in the democratic process of other countries, in fact, quite on the reverse it is Canada, who has been interfering in our internal affairs. We have been raising this issue regularly with them, we continue to call on Canada to take effective measures to address our core concerns, said Jaiswal.

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Recently, Canadian Security Intelligence Services declassified document to Canadian government showed 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.

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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.

On Indian students death in US, Jaiswal said that five Indian students have died including students from India diaspora. Of the five, two are India nationals and the remaining three are of Indian origin but US nationals.

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#WATCH | On Indian students death in US, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, " "There are 5 Indian students who have died...that also includes students from India diaspora, of this 5, 2 are India nationals and rest 3 are of Indian origin but US nationals...culprit behind Vivek pic.twitter.com/cQwtCYdnb7  ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2024

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Culprit behind Vivek Sainis murder has been arrested, local authorities are investigating the matter and taking it forwardsecond case also there is no foul play as per the preliminary report but we await the medical reportwe are in touch with the local authorities in the cases of Indian nationals, added the MEA spokesperson.

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Talking about Maldives, Jaiswal said the budget for the country this time is Rs 770.9 crore which has gone up.

#WATCH | MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, " Budget for the Maldives this time is Rs 770.9 crores..it has actually gone up. The new figure will also be revised once we have more details and more clarity on what sort of forward movement is happening...We remain an important pic.twitter.com/xmqhUpK7Xb  ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2024

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The new figure will also be revised once we have more details and more clarity on what sort of forward movement is happeningWe remain an important committed development partner for Maldives, he added.

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With inputs from agencies
The 99-page magazine suggested that the militant option is the only way to resolve all the nations problems and implement an Islamic system in the country

As Pakistan goes to polls today amid heavy security deployment, pan-Islamist militant organisation Al-Qaeda on Thursday published the February 2024 edition of its flagship Urdu magazine Nawai Ghazwa Hind, urging Pakistanis to abstain from elections.

According to a post shared on X by Abd. Sayed, a research analyst focusing on jihadism, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, the 99-page magazine suggested that the militant option is the only way to resolve all the nations problems and implement an Islamic system in the country.

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Pakistanis today are voting in the general elections in which former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is hoping to secure a record fourth term with the backing of the powerful military amid a crackdown on his rival Imran Khans party and rising in violence.

Amid tight security, the polling started at 8.00 am and will continue without any break till 5.00 pm.

Soon after the voting started, mobile services in Pakistan were suspended due to the deteriorating security situation, a day after twin terror attacks killed at least 30 people.

The border crossing with Afghanistan and Iran will also remain closed both for cargo and pedestrians on Thursday due to security reasons.

A countrywide public holiday has been declared to enable a total of 128 million registered voters to cast their votes and elect a new government that they hope will stabilise the countrys economy.

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The counting will start soon after the conclusion of the voting.

With inputs from agencies
Witnesses from the group attempting to steal from the farm reported seeing their friends subjected to severe beatings by guards wielding metal rods near the pineapple fields. Some claimed that two of the men were thrown into the river by the guards

Representatives of Del Monte Kenya face accusations of attempting to conceal the circumstances surrounding the deaths of four men who were allegedly stealing pineapples from the companys farm last December.

The bodies of the men were discovered in a river on the plantation near Thika on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It is claimed that the men were pursued by the farms security guards after attempting the theft on December 21st.

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An investigation by The Guardian and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism has revealed allegations of multiple bribery attempts by Del Monte Kenya representatives in the weeks following the deaths.

Witnesses from the group attempting to steal from the farm reported seeing their friends subjected to severe beatings by guards wielding metal rods near the pineapple fields. Some claimed that two of the men were thrown into the river by the guards, while another was struck with a stone as he tried to swim away.

Furthermore, Del Monte representatives are accused of offering jobs and financial incentives to individuals willing to provide statements suggesting that the men drowned while fleeing the failed theft.

Postmortem reports indicate that two of the deceased individuals, Bernard Mutua and Francis Muimi, died from drowning, but also showed injuries consistent with blunt-force trauma, potentially contributing to their deaths.

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Despite these findings, Del Monte Kenya maintains that there was no foul play involved and insists that CCTV footage supports their version of events, although this footage has not been shared.

This incident follows a series of other deaths linked to Del Monte security guards, with investigations underway by Kenyas National Commission on Human Rights. A confidential report obtained by The Guardian last month criticised the company, alleging collaboration between its employees and a criminal group involved in theft.

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Witnesses from the theft attempt on December 21st claim that Del Monte representatives made several efforts to influence their testimonies, offering bribes and jobs to those willing to support the companys narrative. The witnesses describe being approached by Del Monte officials and pressured to provide statements aligning with the companys account of events.

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Despite conflicting reports from private and independent pathologists regarding the cause of death and extent of injuries, questions persist regarding the actions of Del Monte Kenya and its representatives in the aftermath of the tragic incident.
Jaishankar would address the inaugural session of the conference, along with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and her Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will travel to Australias Perth to attend the 7th Indian Ocean Conference on 9-10 February, the ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

EAM Dr. S Jaishankar to visit Perth, Australia on 9-10 February, to attend the 7th Indian Ocean Conference. pic.twitter.com/phzbAQgZQP  ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2024

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Jaishankar would address the inaugural session of the conference, along with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and her Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan.

The Indian Ocean Conference is a flagship consultative forum for countries in the region, organised annually by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in association with the India Foundation, said MEA in the statement.

The seventh edition of the conference is being held in Perth on February 9 and 10 in association with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Australian government along with Singapores S Rajaratnam School of International Studies and Perth-US Asia Centre, the statement added.

The theme of the edition of the conference is Towards a Stable and Sustainable Indian Ocean.

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The conference will bring together delegations led by ministers from over 22 countries and senior officials from 16 countries and six multilateral organisations, the MEA said in the statement.

The conference will also witness the participation of over 400 social and corporate leaders, policy practitioners, scholars, professionals, and media personnel from about 40 countries, it added.

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Since its debut in 2016 in Singapore, the Indian Ocean Conference has played an important role in bringing together countries and principal maritime partners of the region together on a common platform to deliberate upon the prospects of regional cooperation for Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), it added.

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With inputs from agencies
The court ruling stated that a doctor who performs an active euthanasia procedure to preserve a patients right to a dignified life is not subject to the penalty for homicide

Euthanasia was made legal in Ecuador on Wednesday, making it the second country in Latin America to do so. This decision was made in response to a lawsuit filed by an incurably sick patient.

The countrys Constitutional Court allowed doctors to assist a terminally ill person in passing away without facing legal repercussions, with seven of its nine judges voting in favor of the decision.

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The court ruling stated that a doctor who performs an active euthanasia procedure to preserve a patients right to a dignified life is not subject to the penalty for homicide.

Paola Roldan filed the lawsuit in August. She is a patient with Lou Gehrigs disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurological condition.

In her complaint, Roldan contested an article of the Ecuadorian penal code, which considers the procedure a homicide carrying a sentence of between 10 and 13 years in prison.

I want to rest in peace. What I experience is painful, lonely and cruel, Roldan, who is bedridden, told a court hearing in November via video link.

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Following the ruling, she told a news conference that Ecuador is a little more welcoming, freer and more dignified.

The fight for human rights is never a paved road, she said.

Ecuador follows in the footsteps of Colombia, which decriminalized euthanasia in 1997. Lawmakers in Uruguay and Chile are currently debating the issue, while Mexico has a so-called good death law, which lets the patient or their family opt out of life support.

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After studying Roldans arguments, the court in this traditionally conservative, majority-Catholic nation ruled that it would be unreasonable to impose an obligation to stay alive on someone who is going through this situation.

Every human being can make free and informed decisions when their personal development is affected, which includes the option of ending the intense suffering caused by a serious and irreversible bodily injury or a serious and incurable illness, it said.

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The court tasked the Health Ministry with drafting regulations for the procedure within two months. For its part, the Ombudsmans office would have to draft a bill on euthanasia within six months to be approved by Congress within a year.

But Roldans lawyer Farith Simon on Wednesday insisted in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that the sentence is immediately enforceable.

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Roldans father told reporters that he had mixed feelings about the outcome of the case.

There is the satisfaction that Paola has been able to achieve a historic event, it is a legacy for Ecuadorian society, he said.

But his family has a half-broken heart because there could be an outcome which is the death of my daughter, he added. We are supporting Paola.

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Writing on social media Friday, when she learned that her case before the high court was in the final stage, Roldan said: Several times I thought that I would not be able to see the fruits of this lawsuit, like someone who plants a tree so that someone else can sit under its shadow.

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(with inputs from AFP)
Hamas, the terrorist group that rules Gaza, proposed a ceasefire of 4-1/2 months, during which all hostages held in Gaza would go free, Israel would withdraw its troops from Gaza and an agreement would be reached on an end to the war.

Mediators from the US, Qatar and Egypt are actively working to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip after Americas top diplomat on a Middle East mission said there was still hope for a deal.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he saw room for negotiation, and a Palestinian Hamas delegation led by senior official Khalil Al-Hayya was due to travel on Thursday to Cairo for ceasefire talks with Egypt and Qatar.

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Hamas has proposed a ceasefire lasting 4-1/2 months, during which time all hostages held in Gaza would be released, Israeli troops would withdraw from the region, and terms for ending the conflict would be negotiated.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday rejected Hamas latest offer, calling it delusional, and Hamas urged Palestinian armed factions to go on fighting. There are clearly nonstarters in what (Hamas has) put forward, Blinken said on Wednesday at a late-night press conference in a Tel Aviv hotel, without specifying what the nonstarters were.

But we also see space in what came back to pursue negotiations, to see if we can get to an agreement. Thats what we intend to do.

Before heading back to the U.S., Blinken was due to hold meetings in Israel on Thursday, including with family members of hostages still held in Gaza who have clamoured for Netanyahu to make winning their freedom his top priority.

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The Hamas offer was a response to a proposal drawn up by U.S. and Israeli spy chiefs and delivered to Hamas last week by Qatari and Egyptian mediators. Israel would be willing to let Hamas military leader Yahya Sinwar go into exile in exchange for the release of all hostages and an end to the Hamas government in Gaza, a half-dozen Israeli officials and senior advisers have told NBC News.

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In response to the Hamas plan, Netanyahu renewed a pledge to destroy the Islamist movement, saying there was no alternative for Israel but to bring about its collapse.

Surrendering to the delusional demands of Hamas  will not only not bring the release of the hostages, it will invite another massacre. It will invite a grave disaster for the state of Israel that none of our citizens is willing to accept, the Israeli leader told reporters on Wednesday. Continued military pressure is a necessary condition for the release of the hostages, Netanyahu said.

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Israel began its military offensive after Hamas militants from Gaza killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages in southern Israel on Oct. 7. Gazas health ministry says at least 27,585 Palestinians have been confirmed killed, with thousands more feared buried under rubble in Israels offensive since then.

In the only truce to date, lasting a week at the end of November, 110 hostages were released and Israel freed 240 Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu, whose domestic popularity is at rock bottom, faces public pressure to continue working with international mediators toward an agreement in Gaza.

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A poll of Israelis released by a nonpartisan think-tank, the Israel Democracy Institute, this week found 51% of respondents believe recovering the hostages should be the main goal of the war, while 36% said it should be toppling Hamas.

Washington has cast the hostage and truce deal as part of plans for a wider resolution of the Middle East conflict, ultimately leading to reconciliation between Israel and Arab neighbours and the creation of a Palestinian state.

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Netanyahu rejects a Palestinian state, which Saudi Arabia says is a requirement for the kingdom to normalise relations with Israel.

ISRAEL EXPANDS ASSAULT ON RAFAH

Israel has recently focused on capturing Khan Younis, the main city in Gazas south. But last week Israel said it would expand its campaign into Rafah, where about half the enclaves 2.3 million people are penned against the border with Egypt.

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Many have relocated several times to escape Israeli attacks, and they face dire shortages of food and risk of disease. On the ground in southern Gaza, residents said Israel stepped up its assault on Rafah in the early hours of Thursday. Israel claims Rafah is now a bastion of Hamas combat units.

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Two Israeli strikes hit two houses in the area of Tel Al-Sultan in the city, residents said. Hamas media said seven people were killed and 11 injured. Footage on Palestinian media showed frantic efforts to rush the injured to hospital. Reuters could not independently verify the details.

With inputs from Reuters.
Some shipping companies have decided to reroute their vessels away from the Red Sea due to the unrest, resulting in a longer and more expensive route around the southern tip of Africa

Germanys navy chief Jan Christian Kaack said Thursday, their deployment was the most serious engagement of a unit of the German navy in many decades, he told reporters in Berlin.

Since November, the Huthi rebels in Yemen, who are supported by Iran, have attacked multiple ships that are traversing the Red Sea. They have claimed that their campaign is in support of the Palestinian people in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

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Typically, the Red Sea handles 12% of all maritime trade worldwide.

Some shipping companies have decided to reroute their vessels away from the Red Sea due to the unrest, resulting in a longer and more expensive route around the southern tip of Africa.

The Hesse frigate set off from the northern German port of Wilhelmshaven with a crew of around 240 people, Kaack said.

It will be able to respond to potential attacks including from missiles, drones and remotely controlled kamikaze boats, he said.

It is expected to be tasked with escorting commercial ships and intercepting attacks.

The frigates mission still needs to be confirmed by the German parliament and the European Union, however.

The EU is currently considering a naval mission to improve security for merchant ships in the Red Sea.

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A decision could be announced before the next meeting of EU foreign ministers on February 19.

Countries including Italy, France and Belgium have signalled an interest in joining the mission.

US and British forces meanwhile have in recent weeks carried out joint strikes aimed at reducing the Huthis ability to target vessels transiting the key Red Sea trade route, but the rebels have vowed to continue their attacks.

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Most trade between Asia and Europe usually passes through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal that leads to the Mediterranean Sea.

According to the International Monetary Funds PortWatch platform, total transit volume through the Suez Canal was down 37 percent this year by January 16 compared with the same period a year earlier.

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(with inputs from the AFP)
We will make a decision at some point in time on crude oil sales to India in a long-term deal, Vickram Bharrat told reporters on the sidelines of industry event India Energy Week in Goa

Guyanese Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat on Thursday said that India wants to ink a multi-year oil purchase deal with the South American nation and acquire stakes in its exploration areas.

We will make a decision at some point in time on crude oil sales to India in a long-term deal, Reuters quoted Bharrat as saying on the sidelines of industry event India Energy Week in Goa.

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He mentioned that any agreement with India would need the approval of Guyanas cabinet.

As the worlds third-largest oil importer and consumer, India seeks to broaden its sources of crude.

Earlier this month, India gave its approval for the signing of a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Guyana to collaborate in the energy sector.

Following discussions with Indias oil minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Bharat additionally stated that Indian firms are keen on acquiring shares in Guyanas exploration sites through negotiation rather than competitive bidding.

Indian companies refrained from partaking in Guyanas most recent oil and gas bidding cycle.

Our preference (for offering oil blocks for exploration) will be through bidding, and if there is any interest in any a particular block, we are willing to negotiate and enter an agreement, Bharrat told Reuters.

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When asked if Guyana was willing to offer stakes in the Stabroek block to Indian companies, he said Guyana can offer stakes through negotiation only in relinquished area.

The country may launch an exploration bidding round later this year for the relinquished areas of Stabroek and other blocks.

We have some relinquished acreage from Stabroek and other blocks so simply that means possibly we will have a bidding round possibly later this year, he said.

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Stabroek, a consortium led by Exxon-Mobil that controls offshore production in Guyana, last year was required to return 20% of unexplored acres under the original 2016 production contract.

There are three floating production storage and offloading facilities (FPSOs) deployed at the Stabroek block, he added.

The block has reached production of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd), and the country expects to reach production of 1.2 million bpd by 2027, Bharrat said.

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Guyanas oil production averaged 377,000 bpd in 2023.

With inputs from agencies
Indian-American Sameer Kamath was a doctorate student in the mechanical engineering department at Purdue University

Sameer Kamath, a 23-year-old Indian-American student at Purdue University, who was found dead in the woods on 5 February in Indiana, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, authorities said.

Justin Brummett, Coroner at Warren County Coroners Office, in a press release said the preliminary cause of Kamaths death is a gunshot wound of the head and he died by suicide. A toxicology report is pending.

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A forensic autopsy was performed on Kamath, a US citizen from Massachusetts, on 6 February in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

He was found dead in the woods on 5 February at approximately 5 pm in NICHES Land Trust - Crows Grove in Williamsport, Indiana.

Through extensive investigation by the Warren County Coroners Office in conjunction with multiple other local and federal agencies, we are now able to release a preliminary cause and manner of death, the release said.

The coroners office further said prior to releasing this information, Kamaths family was notified of the results.

Also Read: 23-year-old Indian-American student found dead in US, seventh in 2024

This is an ongoing investigation with the Warren County Coroners Office, Warren County Sheriffs Office, Purdue University Administration and other supporting agencies, it said.

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Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family and we hope they are respected during such a difficult time, Brummett said.

Kamath was a doctorate student in the mechanical engineering department at Purdue University. His LinkedIn profile showed that he was expected to graduate from the doctoral program in 2025.

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He received his bachelors degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and came to Purdue in the summer of 2021.

Kamath graduated from the department with a Masters Degree in mechanical engineering in August 2023.

With inputs from PTI
Reuters report cited two security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, saying the Kataib Hezbollah commander killed in US strike was Abu Baqir al-Saadi

A commander of Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed armed group, has been killed by the American forces in a US strike in Iraq on Wednesday, the US Central Command said.

The Pentagon said the Kataib Hezbollah commander, killed in a unilateral air strike, was responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on US forces in the region.

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It further said the American forces conducted the strike in Iraq in response to attacks on the US service members.

At 9:30 pm (Baghdad Time), 7 February, US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted a unilateral strike in Iraq in response to the attacks on US service members, killing a Kataib Hezbollah commander responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on US forces in the region, the US Central Command said in a post on X.

There are no indications of collateral damage or civilian casualties at this time, it added.

USCENTCOM Conducts Strike Killing Kataib Hezbollah Senior Leader



At 9:30 p.m. (Baghdad Time) February 7, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted a unilateral strike in Iraq in response to the attacks on U.S. service members, killing a Kataib Hezbollah commander pic.twitter.com/Zhkjimx5UG  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 7, 2024

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The US military also said it will continue to take necessary action to protect its people. We will not hesitate to hold responsible all those who threaten our forces safety, Centcom said.

Who was Kataib Hezbollah commander killed by the US?

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Though the post by the US military did not name the Kataib Hezbollah senior leader killed by them in the airstrike, a report by Reuters cited two security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, saying the commander was Abu Baqir al-Saadi.

They further said Abu Baqir al-Saadi was killed in a drone strike on a vehicle in eastern Baghdad.

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The strike occurred on a busy street in the Mashtal area of eastern Baghdad. After the incident, a large number of people assembled while emergency teams examined the debris.

The report cited one of the sources saying three people were killed and the vehicle targeted was used by Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a state security agency composed of dozens of armed groups, many of them close to Iran.

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Kataib Hezbollah fighters and commanders are part of the PMF.

Who is Abu Baqir al-Saadi?

A report by Al Jazeera identified Abu Baqir al-Saadi as the head of the aerial division in Kataib Hezbollah,

In January, three US troops were killed in a drone attack near the Jordan-Syria border that the Pentagon said bore the footprints of Kataib Hezbollah. The group then announced it was suspending military operations against US troops in the region.

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Since the Israel-Hamas war began on 7 October last year, Iraq and Syria have been witnessing near daily tit-for-tat attacks between hardline Iran-backed armed groups and US forces deployed in the region.

Last week, the US struck Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria in what it said was just the beginning of its response to the killing of the three American soldiers.

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In January, a US drone strike killed a senior militia commander in central Baghdad, an attack Washington said came in response to drone and rocket attacks on its forces.

With inputs from Reuters
IDF Chief of the General Staff LTG Herzi Halevi said Israeli forces are making a big effort to bring all the hostages back. It wont happen without military pressure, he added

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Thursday said its key goal in the war with Hamas is to bring back the hostages still held captive by the Palestinian terrorist group in Gaza.

Assessing the situation in northern Gaza, IDF Chief of the General Staff LTG Herzi Halevi said, When we talked about dismantling Hamas, we didnt think it would be in a week, we didnt think it would be in a month  its peeling off layers more terrorists killed, more commanders killed, more infrastructure destroyed

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I hope this pressure also brings us to achieving another important goal of bringing back the hostages, I hope all of them, we are making a big effort on this. It wont happen without military pressure, Halevi added.

Excerpt from a situational assessment in northern Gaza with IDF Chief of the General Staff LTG Herzi Halevi:



When we talked about dismantling Hamas, we didn't think it would be in a week, we didn't think it would be in a monthit's peeling off layersmore terrorists killed, pic.twitter.com/6nnAC2FW90  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 7, 2024

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas delusional conditions for a new ceasefire deal, saying total victory in Gaza is possible within months.

Netanyahu said negotiations with Hamas were not going anywhere and described their conditions as bizarre.

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He further argued that only military pressure would secure the release of the Israelis being held captive in the Gaza Strip.

Talking to reporters, Netanyahu said talks are continuing to try to reach some deal.

There is no other solution but a complete and final victory, the Israeli PM said.

If Hamas will survive in Gaza, its only a question of time until the next massacre, he added.

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Also Read: Netanyahu rejects Hamas proposed ceasefire terms, says surrender to demands would bring disaster

According to a report by Reuters, Hamas has sent a counteroffer to the ceasefire deal proposed by Qatari and Egyptian mediators to halt the Gaza war. The plan proposed three phases each lasting 45 days.

As per the proposal, Hamas will exchange Israeli hostages, captured by them on 7 October 2023, for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

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Also Read: Gaza War: What is the 3-stage ceasefire Hamas has proposed to Israel?

During this time, the reconstruction of Gaza would commence, Israeli troops would withdraw completely and bodies as well as remains would be exchanged.

In an addendum to the proposal, Hamas said it wished for the release of 1,500 prisoners, a third of whom it wanted to select from a list of Palestinians handed life sentences by Israel.

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With inputs from agencies
According to the constitution, two-thirds of Parliament members must vote in favor of an impeachment motion against the president or vice president. Nevertheless, the House recently changed its standing orders to reduce the number of votes needed for an impeachment, making it simpler to do so

According to local media reports, the Supreme Court on Thursday suspended a recent change to Parliaments standing orders that had made it simpler for opposition legislators to impeach the president and vice president, providing a reprieve for Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu.

According to the constitution, two-thirds of the members of Parliament must vote in favor of an impeachment motion against the president or vice president. Nevertheless, the House recently changed its standing orders to reduce the number of votes needed to file an impeachment motion, making it simpler to do so.

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On January 28, the Attorney Generals Office submitted the matter on the amendment to the Supreme Court. In addition, it requested an injunction to halt the modification until the court renders a decision.

The report, which detailed the series of events leading up to the development, stated that the Election Commission had decided not to hold by-elections after seven lawmakers quit their seats in Parliament in November to take on high-ranking positions in President Muizzus administration, citing the impending parliamentary elections.

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which has a majority in the Parliament, took advantage of the situation and changed the standing orders of the legislature to exclude vacated seats from counting toward the overall number of MPs.

As a result, the number of MPs needed to impeach President Muizzu was reduced from 58 to 54 votes, as the amendment would count 80 MPs overall rather than 87.

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Following their announcement in January of their intention to collaborate in the Parliament, the MDP and Democrats now have 56 MPs between them: 43 from the MDP and 13 from the Democrats.

The Attorney Generals Office filed the case on January 28, the same day that the MDP-Democrats alliance blocked the approval of three members of President Muizzus cabinet and pro-government MPs and opposition lawmakers clashed in the House over disagreements over the approval of four cabinet members.

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The MDP declared that it would file a motion to remove President Muizzu the following day, on January 29, and that it had already begun collecting signatures on the document.

The States request to revoke the modification to the Parliament Regulations was granted by the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

In September last year, pro-China Muizzu, 45, ousted incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who had a more friendly approach towards India.

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Concerning the Muizzu governments anti-India stance, the MDP and the Democrats referred to India as their most long-standing ally on January 24. The Maldives are strategically important due to their close proximity to Indiajust 70 nautical miles separates them from the island of Minicoy in Lakshadweep and 300 nautical miles separates them from the western coast of the mainlandand their strategic placement at the intersection of commercial sea lanes that traverse the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

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The Maldives is Indias principal maritime neighbor in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and plays a unique role in government programs such as the Neighbourhood First Policy of the Narendra Modi administration and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
Last month, Ottawa submitted a list of approximately 1,000 individuals approved for entry into Canada to Israeli and Egyptian authorities, who jointly oversee the sole border crossing out of Gaza, located at Rafah

Canadas Minister of Immigration, Marc Miller, has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the current situation where extended family members of Canadians are unable to leave the conflict-ridden Gaza Strip.

Last month, Ottawa submitted a list of approximately 1,000 individuals approved for entry into Canada to Israeli and Egyptian authorities, who jointly oversee the sole border crossing out of Gaza, located at Rafah.

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This initiative was aimed at reuniting Canadian citizens with their spouses or common-law partners, children, grandchildren, siblings and their immediate families, as well as parents and grandparents, regardless of their age. The plan allowed them temporary residence in Canada while hostilities persist in Gaza. However, none of them have been permitted to exit the coastal enclave yet.

Expressing his frustration, Minister Miller stated to reporters, Im pretty pissed off about it. He acknowledged potential concerns on the ground but emphasised the humanitarian nature of the gesture, expressing immense frustration with the delay.

Previously, the Canadian government had focused its efforts on evacuating over 600 Canadians along with their spouses and children from Gaza.

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The conflict escalated following an unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, resulting in a significant loss of civilian lives, according to official figures. In response, Israels military operations have caused further casualties, predominantly among women and children, according to Gazas health ministry.

Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed troops to advance on the city of Rafah in Gazas southern region, where hundreds of thousands of civilians have sought refuge from the ongoing bombardments.
The Islamic State group has carried out a string of deadly attacks in Turkey over the last decade, including a shooting at an Istanbul night club on Jan. 1, 2017, killing 39 and the bombing of a peace march in Ankara in October 2015 that killed some 105 people.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Thursday that authorities have detained 147 people suspected of having ties to terrorist group Islamic State in Operation Heroes-49 across 33 provinces.

The Islamic State group has carried out a string of deadly attacks in Turkey over the last decade, including a shooting at an Istanbul night club on Jan. 1, 2017, killing 39 and the bombing of a peace march in Ankara in October 2015 that killed some 105 people.

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The Operation Heroes-49, was carried out simultaneously across the country, Yerlikaya said on social media platform X.

33 Ilde DEAS Teror Orgutune yonelik es zamanl olarak gerceklestirilen KAHRAMANLAR-49 operasyonlarnda 147 supheli yakaland



Aziz Milletimizin huzuru, birlik ve beraberligi icin teroristlerin hicbirine goz actrmayacagz. Guvenlik guclerimizin ustun gayretleriyle pic.twitter.com/eTS4sN6nch  Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) February 8, 2024

Last month, Turkish police detained 70 suspects with ties to the militant Islamic State group in raids this week across the country.

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In late December, Turkish security forces detained 32 suspected IS militants that the state-run Anadolu news agency said were allegedly planning attacks on synagogues, churches and the Iraqi Embassy. A week earlier, police rounded up 304 suspected IS militants in simultaneous raids across Turkey in what appeared to be a security sweep leading up to the New Year festivities.

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With inputs from agencies.
Earlier today, one security personnel was killed in an attack on a security forces vehicle in Pakistans Dera Ismail Khan. Assailants attacked the vehicle which was on election duty.

Taliban have taken over polling stations in Tappi (North Waziristan) and attacked three female polling agents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the ongoing general elections. However, the three women escaped the blast very narrowly, according to reports.

Pakistan-based National Democratic Movement (NDM) Chairman Mohsin Dawar highlighted that three female polling agents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Tappi have been attacked by the Taliban.

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Chairman @mjdawar of @NDM_Official shares serious concerns about the Taliban having taken over polling stations in Tappi, N. Waziristan in NA-40. The DRO ignored Chairman Mohsin Dawar's letter about the security situation in Tappi. @ECP_Pakistan has to take immediate notice. pic.twitter.com/oXj1p9tddQ  Khushal Khan (@Khushal_Khattak) February 8, 2024

NDM leader Dawar further asked the District Returning Officer (DRO) to change the polling stations in Tappi, however, his letter was ignored.

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Moreover, he also asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to take notice of the security situation in Tappi urgently.

Three of our female polling agents in Tappi has been attacked by Taliban. They have escaped the blast very narrowly. I had written to the DRO to change the polling stations in Tappi but my letter was ignored. The ECP has to take notice of the security situation in Tappi urgently, NDM leader Mohsin Dawar stated in a post shared on X.

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Three of our female polling agents in Tappi has been attacked by Taliban. They have escaped the blast very narrowly. I had written to the DRO to change the polling stations in Tappi but my letter was ignored. The ECP has to take notice of the security situation in Tappi urgently.  Mohsin Dawar (@mjdawar) February 8, 2024

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Earlier today, one security personnel was killed in an attack on a security forces vehicle in Pakistans Dera Ismail Khan. Assailants attacked the vehicle which was on election duty, Samaa TV reported citing sources.

The incident took place in the Kot Azam area on the day when voting for national and state assemblies was underway.

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Elections have been postponed in one national and three provincial assembly constituencies due to the deaths of contesting candidates. This includes NA-8 (Bajaur), PK-22 (Bajaur), PK-91 (Kohat) and PP-266 (Rahim Yar Khan).

As the polling process unfolds across Swat, security measures placed at all sensitive polling stations, have been heightened with the deployment of more than 6,500 police personnel, as confirmed by Swat District Police Officer Shafiullah Gandapur, Dawn reported. Security has been particularly intensified at sensitive polling stations to ensure a smooth and secure electoral process.

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The collaboration between various security agencies underscores the concerted effort to safeguard the electoral process and uphold democratic principles in Swat.

Additionally, the ECP has declared around 50 per cent of polling stations in the country as sensitive or most sensitive.
The suspension of internet services comes less than 24 hours after two bomb blasts, targeting political parties election offices, killed at least 28 people in Pakistans northwest Balochistan province

Fearing incidents of terrorism amid the ongoing Pakistan elections, the government suspended mobile and internet services across the country on Thursday, 8 February.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Pakistans interior ministry said the recent surge of terrorist incidents made it necessary to shut down mobile services nationwide temporarily to maintain the law and order situation and tackle threats."

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                                                        Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) February 8, 2024

The suspension of mobile and internet services comes less than 24 hours after two bomb blasts, targeting political parties election offices, killed at least 28 people in Pakistans northwest Balochistan province.

According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, there have been 217 terrorist attacks since the elections were announced for the country in early November.

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Internet suspension wont impact

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said the suspension of mobile and internet service in the country wouldnt have an impact on its systems.

Internet suspension in Pakistan will affect transparency of the election

Jailed former PM and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan criticised the move, saying in a post on X that it was a deliberate suppression of citizens rights and a mockery of democracy.

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Pakistanis, the illegitimate, fascist regime has blocked cell phone services across Pakistan on polling day.



You are all requested to counter this cowardly act by removing passwords from your personal WiFi accounts, so anyone in the vicinity can have access to internet on this pic.twitter.com/b0OwDhwBaB  PTI (@PTIofficial) February 8, 2024

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Human Rights Council of Pakistan also slammed the government of Pakistan for shutting down mobile and internet services.

This is sad and cause for concern This decision of the government will affect the transparency of the election. Provision of mobile service on voting day is a basic requirement in Pakistan, it said.

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We request the Election Commission and the Supreme Court of Pakistan to take immediate notice of this issue. Restore mobile service in Pakistan, the Human Rights Council of Pakistan said.

The government of Pakistan is shutting down mobile service and internet services in various cities of Pakistan. This is sad and cause for concern. The Human Rights Council of Pakistan expresses its concern over this move by the government. This decision of the government will  Human Rights Council of Pakistan (@HRCPakistan) February 8, 2024

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Suspension of internet will get negative stories for Pakistan

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Add suspension of mobile phone service on election day to the long list of ways in which Pakistans 2024 Election has not been free, fair, and open. But without a strategy to confront authoritarianism, all we will get is negative media stories & social media posts, said Director (South & Central Asia) Hudson Institute, Husain Haqqani.

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Add suspension of mobile phone service on election day to the long list of ways in which Pakistans 2024 Election has not been free, fair, and open. But without a strategy to confront authoritarianism, all we will get is negative media stories & social media posts.  Husain Haqqani (@husainhaqqani) February 8, 2024

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Pakistan elections 2024

Meanwhile, people were seen queuing up in large numbers outside polling stations in Pakistan to exercise the franchise and elect the new government in the crash-strapped country in anticipation that the next administration will help improve the economic condition of the south-Asian nation.

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Tens of thousands of troops have been deployed at polling stations across Pakistan.

Voting for Pakistan polls 2024 closes at 5 pm.

With inputs from agencies
Imran Khans wife, Bushra Bibi, was unable to participate in the voting process as she was convicted and arrested after the completion of the postal voting procedure.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and other notable political figures who are currently incarcerated reportedly cast their votes via postal ballot from prison. However, Imran Khans wife, Bushra Bibi, was unable to participate in the voting process as she was convicted and arrested after the completion of the postal voting procedure, according to Dawn news.

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Bushra Bibi, aged 49, was detained at Khans Bani Gala residence following a courts ruling last week that sentenced the couple to 14 years in prison in the Toshakhana corruption case. Mashal Yousafzai, a spokesperson for Bushra Bibi, confirmed that she was denied the opportunity to cast her vote through a postal ballot.

Political leaders who have managed to vote by mail included former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid, and former information minister Fawad Chaudhry, the report quoted Adiala Jail sources as saying on Wednesday.

Overall, fewer than 100 prisoners of Adiala Jail were able to vote, constituting only about one per cent of the prisons 7,000 inmates. Sources said the jail administration allowed only those inmates to cast their votes who had valid computerised national identity cards (CNICs), and the reason for a low turnout was that an overwhelming majority of the prisoners did not have the original CNIC.

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There are criminals, dacoits, thieves, convicts in the heinous crimes and under-trial prisoners (UTPs) detained in the jail, a senior official said. He said most criminals did not carry the CNIC to avoid their identity, while the identity cards of the UTPs were generally withheld by the police stations.

The official said the Adiala Jail administration received postal ballots from the Election Commission in mid-January and the ballots were provided to the inmates. The last date for submission was January 22.

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However, Asad Javed Warraich, the jail superintendent, extended the time after which the votes were transmitted to the district returning officers (DROs) of respective constituencies in sealed envelopes.

A senior official said that since some inmates were from far-flung areas, the exercise was completed at least a fortnight before the elections to ensure the delivery to the DROs before final counting.Jail sources said that former first lady Bushra Bibi also wanted to cast a vote through a postal ballot, but her request could not be entertained since the process had been completed by the time she was detained.

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With inputs from PTI.
As per surveys conducted recently, Nawaz Sharif-led party - PML-N - is ahead of Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Bilawal Bhuttos Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)

Nawaz Sharif would be PML-Ns prime ministerial candidate if the party gains a majority in parliament in the ongoing Pakistan elections 2024, his brother Shehbaz Sharif said.

As per several surveys conducted recently, the Nawaz Sharif-led party - Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) - is ahead of rivals including Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Bilawal Bhuttos Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

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Over the past few weeks, the PML-N narrowed the popularity gap, after which it went ahead in the ratings.

Nawaz Sharif has also been called the king of comebacks by the BBC for a popular perception that he is highly likely to become the prime minister of Pakistan for the fourth time.

International media on Pakistan polls

As per the Washington Post, it would be surprising if Nawaz Sharif did not emerge victorious in the 8 February polls.

At a gathering of Pakistans business elite in Karachi last week, many people interviewed said they predicted a hung parliament and then a weak coalition government. Most expect it to be led by Sharif  or his brother, Shehbaz, also a former prime minister," a report by Bloomberg said.

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A report by CNN said: The clear frontrunner in campaigning is Khans longtime foe, Nawaz Sharif. The 74-year-old former prime minister is seeking a historic fourth term as leader in what would be a remarkable political comeback following years of self-exile overseas.

Veteran Sharif will face a strong challenge, however, from first-time candidate for prime minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, 35, son of slain former leader Benazir Bhutto," CNN added.

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According to an Associated Press report,  He (Nawaz Sharif) has a clear path to a fourth term in office after courts overturned his convictions and prison sentences after his return to the country last October. With his archrival and nemesis Imran Khan now in prison, the stage appears set for a reversal of fortunes from the 2018 election, when Sharif was battling legal cases and Khan became prime minister. With Khan behind bars, analysts predict another victory for Sharif.

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How many seats PML-N is contesting?

PML-N is contesting 212 NA constituencies across Pakistan on 8 February polls  leaving the field open on 51 NA seats for rivals or allies.

PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif will contest polls in NA-15 (Mansehra) and NA-130 (Lahore) constituencies.

Meanwhile, Shehbaz Sharif will fight from NA-123 and NA-132.

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What if PML-N doesnt get majority in parliament?

Former prime minister of Pakistan and president of PML-N Shehbaz Sharif was cited by Geo News saying if the Nawaz Sharif party fails to get a simple majority in Pakistan parliament, then it will decide on the premiers candidate after consultations.

With inputs from agencies
Russia has repeatedly used Shahed-136 drones to launch its deadly attacks against Ukraine. The unmanned aerial vehicles will reportedly undergo an upgrade at a production facility in Russias Republic of Tatarstan before they are deployed

Russia has made a payment of nearly two billion dollars in gold bullion to Iran to procure Shahed-136 drones that the country has used in its war with Ukraine.

According to leaked documents published online by a hacker group called the Prana Network, Moscow signed a contract worth $1.75 billion for 6,000 drones with an offshoot of the Islamic Republics Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

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The country paid the amount in gold bullion and has shipped over two tonnes of it to the manufacturer Sahara Thunder.

Russia has repeatedly used Shahed-136 drones to launch its deadly attacks against Ukraine. The unmanned aerial vehicles will reportedly undergo an upgrade at a production facility in Russias Republic of Tatarstan before they are deployed.

Anton Gerashchenko, advisor to Ukraines Ministry of Internal Affairs, said, In 2022, a $1.75 billion contract was signed for 6,000 Shaheds + hardware + software. Russia paid in literal gold; it shipped a little over two tonnes in bullion.

How was the information recovered?

The hacker group, Prana Network, went deep inside the manufacturer Sahara Thunders server to recover the details of the deal between Russia and Iran.

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The group found that the company Sahara Thunder is linked to Shahed Aviation Industries Research Center which has a connection to IRCGs Aerospace Force.

What was revealed?

Gerashchenko, based on the findings of the leaked information, said that the cost of each Shahed-136 per unit for 6,000 drones would be $193,000 and for 2,000 drones the cost would be about $290,000 per unit.

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Since its production was localised in Russia, they must have cost $165,500 per drone to the countrys defence ministry, he added.

The deal underscores the growing military relationship between Russia and Iran.

The relationship is clearly intensifying and becoming more comprehensive, Bryan Clark, a former special assistant to the chief of US naval operations told The Telegraph.

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Not only has Russia been paying with gold bullion to Iran to give them these Shahad-136 drones, but Iran has also been building them in Russia at Russian facilities, so they have a co-development agreement to build them, he added.
Russias Central Election Commission declared after a meeting in Moscow on Thursday that it had decided to refuse to register Boris Nadezhdin as a candidate in the presidential election

Boris Nadezhdin, a lawmaker for peace, lost his unexpected attempt to unseat President Vladimir Putin from the Kremlin on Thursday when the election board in Russia barred him from running in the presidential election scheduled for next month. Putin, who has ruled for more than 20 years, is expected to win a second six-year term in the election scheduled for March 1517. All significant opposition figures are currently prohibited from participating.

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Russias Central Election Commission declared after a meeting in Moscow on Thursday that it had decided to refuse to register Boris Nadezhdin as a candidate in the presidential election.

Nadezhdin vehemently denounced the widely anticipated ruling and vowed to appeal to the Russian Supreme Court.

There will only be three additional contenders, all of whom are supported by the Kremlin and come from formal opposition parties.

Amidst the exile or imprisonment of prominent opposition activists, he pledged to persist in his struggle against Putin.

Sooner or later I will be president of the Russian Federation, he told a press conference.

I wish it would be sooner.

More over 9,000 of the 105,000 signatures that Nadezhdin received in support of his candidacies, above the allowed five percent mistake rate, had errors, according to election officials.

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Nadezhdins side claimed prior to the ruling that the commissions purported errors included little mistakes that occurred when handwritten submissions were entered into its computers.

However, with the Kremlin having complete control over elections, his odds of winning an appeal are slim to none.

The 60-year-old caught the Kremlin off guard last month when he called for an end to Russias military offensive into Ukraine, drawing large crowds of Russians nationwide to back his candidacy.

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Pictures showing lengthy lines of people awaiting his nomination documents shattered the official narrative portraying Russian society as united behind Putins campaign against Ukraine.

Alleged administrative violations and bureaucratic procedures have been used by Russian authorities in the past to prevent opposition candidates from appearing on ballots.

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for Putin, stated on Thursday that the electoral commission clearly follows the rules that are set for candidates.

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He was supported by the often divided opposition in Russia, which ranged from exiled former oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky to jailed opponent of the Kremlin Alexei Navalny, arguing that backing Nadezhdin was a legitimate and secure way to express disapproval of the Kremlin.

Russia has increased its already severe restrictions against public criticism and imprisoned numerous people for speaking out against its engagement since launching soldiers into Ukraine in February 2022.

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(With agency inputs)
Speaking at the Election Commission on Thursday, Nadezhdin asked election authorities to postpone the decision and to give him more time to rebut their arguments, but they declined. The politician said he would challenge his disqualification in court

Russian politician who opposed to Moscows military action in Ukraine was not permitted to appear on the ballot for the upcoming presidential election in Russia, according to the countrys top election authority on Thursday.

A local lawmaker from a town close to Moscow named Boris Nadezhdin was mandated by law to collect at least 100,000 signatures in favor of his candidacy. Candidates nominated by political parties not represented in the Russian parliament must comply with this requirement.

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More than 9,000 signatures that Nadezhdins campaign submitted were deemed invalid by the Central Election Commission, disqualifying him. Election regulations in Russia stipulate that candidates may not have more than 5% of the signatures they have submitted rejected.

Nadezhdin, 60, has openly called for a halt to the conflict in Ukraine and for starting a dialogue with the West. Thousands of Russians lined up across the country last month to sign papers in support of his candidacy, an unusual show of opposition sympathies in the countrys rigidly controlled political landscape.

Speaking at the Election Commission on Thursday, Nadezhdin asked election authorities to postpone the decision and to give him more time to rebut their arguments, but they declined. The politician said he would challenge his disqualification in court.

Its not me standing here, Nadezhdin said. Hundreds of thousands of Russian citizens who put their signatures down for me are behind me.

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The presidential election is scheduled for March 15-17. President Vladimir Putin is almost certain to win the reelection given his tight control of Russias political system.

Most of the opposition figures who might have challenged him have been either imprisoned or exiled abroad, and the vast majority of independent Russian media outlets have been banned.

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Putin is running as an independent candidate, and his campaign was required to gather at least 300,000 signatures in his support. He was swiftly allowed on the ballot earlier this year, with election officials disqualifying only 91 signatures out of 315,000 his campaign submitted.

Three other candidates registered to run were nominated by parties represented in parliament and werent required to collect signatures: Nikolai Kharitonov of the Communist Party, Leonid Slutsky of the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party and Vladislav Davankov of the New People Party.

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The three parties have been largely supportive of the Kremlins policies. Kharitonov ran against Putin in 2004, finishing a distant second.

Exiled opposition activists threw their weight behind Nadezhdin last month, urging their supporters to sign his nomination petitions.

Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said the Kremlin doesnt view Nadezhdin as a rival for the incumbent president.

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On Thursday, Nadezhdin urged his supporters not to give up.

One thing happened which many could not believe: citizens sensed the possibility of changes in Russia, the politician wrote in an online statement. It was you who stood in long lines to declare to the whole world: Russia will be a great and a free country. And I represented each of you today in the auditorium of the Central Election Commission.

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Nadezhdin is the second pro-peace hopeful to be denied a presidential bid. In December, the election commission refused to certify the candidacy of Yekaterina Duntsova, citing problems such as spelling errors in her nomination paperwork.

Duntsova, a journalist and a former legislator from the Tver region north of Moscow, announced plans last year to challenge Putin in the March election. Promoting a vision of a Russia thats peaceful, friendly and ready to cooperate with everyone on the principle of respect, she said she wanted the fighting in Ukraine to come to a swift end and for Moscow and Kyiv to come to the negotiating table.

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Abbas Gallyamov, a former Putin speechwriter who became a political analyst, said on Facebook Thursday that the decision to keep Nadezhdin off the ballot showed that all of Putins mega-popularity, which official sociology constantly broadcasts, all that rally around the national leader that Peskov regularly talks about is, in fact, a highly artificial and unstable structure that does not withstand any contact with reality.

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(with inputs from The Associated Press)
The Russian government did not provide an explanation for his termination. The head of the Russian churchs commission on family matters asserted that the dismissal was for religious beliefs and statements, according to convictions that violate the ethics of the scientific community

A prominent geneticist in Russia was sacked after his remarks regarding the human lifetime caused a stir in the nation. After asserting that humans once lived for 900 years but that our current shorter lifespan is a result of our ancestors crimes, Dr. Alexander Kudryavtsev was fired from his position as director of the Vavilov Institute of General Genetics at the Russian Academy of Science.

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These remarks were reportedly delivered by him during the Third International Scientific and Theological Conference God  Man  World last year, according to media reports.

At the Minsk conference, the sixty-year-old scientist stated that humans had existed for around nine hundred years prior to the Biblical Flood and that original, ancestral, and personal sins were the cause of genetic illnesses that reduced life expectancy. According to the Russian news website Meduza, he also asserted that children up to the seventh generation are responsible for the sins of their fathers.

He said that the genetic disorders that damage modern man are a result of mutations brought about by sin.

I wanted to emphasise the harmful influence of so-called bad habits - what theologians call sin. They also affect the genome. If a mutation occurs in your body, in your gametes, it will be passed on to your offspring, and nothing can be done about it. The conclusion is simple: if you want to have healthy offspring, dont develop bad habits, dont fall into sin, Kudryavtsev said.

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He stated that while many scientists who reject religion may attribute genetic degradation to radiation or pollution, he thinks that original sin is the cause of such destruction, aggravated by ancestral sin, and personal sin as well.

I would like to state that I voiced my personal point of view. It is in no way the position of the Russian Academy of Sciences, nor the position of the Church. All this does not affect the work of the Institute of Genetics in any way, he told the media.

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He went to adding that genetic mutations caused by sin could affect up to seven generations.

The Russian government did not provide a detailed explanation for his termination. The head of the Russian churchs commission on family matters, Fyodor Lukyanov, asserted that the dismissal was for religious beliefs and statements, according to convictions that violate the ethics of the scientific community.
The US 7th Fleet that oversees most US Navy operations in the region said the guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn and combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords carried out operations with navy ships from Japan and Australia on Wednesday and Thursday.

Warships from the United States, Australia and Japan conducted joint drills in the South China Sea, challenging Beijings claims of sovereignty over the region. The US 7th Fleet, responsible for most US Navy operations in the area, announced that the guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn and combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords participated in operations alongside navy vessels from Japan and Australia on Wednesday and Thursday.

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Details regarding the proximity of the exercises to islands and shoals claimed by Beijing, where China has constructed military bases on several islands using concrete and sand atop coral atolls, were not disclosed. China vehemently opposes foreign naval activities in the region, citing historical records to assert its ownership of the area.

Each year, an estimated $5 trillion in international commerce passes through the South China Sea, which also holds vital fish stocks and underwater mineral resources.

The U.S. takes no formal stand on sovereignty in the area but rejects Chinas claims, partly based on a 2016 ruling by a United Nations-backed court in The Hague. There was no immediate reaction to the exercises from Chinas Defense Ministry.

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This multinational sail fortifies our relationship between the U.S., Japan and Australian allies, Cmdr. Earvin Taylor, John Finns commanding officer, said in a statement from the 7th Fleet. We promote transparency, rule of law, freedom of navigation and all principles that underscore security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

Australian Commodore Jonathan Ley said in the statement that such deployments are crucial for enhancing mutual understanding and our ability to operate together.

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The U.S., Australia and Japan also operate together in a strategic alliance known as the Quad that also includes India, a Chinese rival in Asia.

The Quad has frequently accused China of flexing its military muscles in the South China Sea and aggressively pushing its maritime territorial claims.

Beijing maintains that its military is purely defensive and protects its sovereign rights, and calls the Quad an attempt to contain its economic growth and influence.

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The navies of the four countries regularly hold drills seen as part of an initiative to counter Chinas growing assertiveness in the Pacific and Indian oceans and waters surrounding Taiwan. China and Japan also claim exclusive ownership over an uninhabited island group in the East China Sea controlled by Tokyo, with China routinely dispatching ships and planes to the area.

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China applies similar tactics with Taiwan, a self-governing island republic of 23 million that it claims as its own territory, to be conquered by force if necessary. Taiwans Defense Ministry said Thursday it had detected four Chinese ships operating in the area and that it had, as usual, upgraded security ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday starting at the end of the week.

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With inputs from AP.
The government reacted to the demonstrations by providing up to 140,000 farmers with additional subsidies worth 269 million euros ($290 million), while the European Commission, the EU executive, abandoned a proposal to cut pesticide use in half throughout the bloc

On Thursday, Spanish farmers intensified their demonstrations over rising costs, bureaucracy, and low-cost competition from outside the European Union by operating tractors through city streets and causing traffic disruptions.

The three major farmers associations in the nation are supporting the protests, which erupted on their own on Tuesday after spreading to neighboring EU nations.

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Protesters in the northern city of Vitoria rang cowbells in front of the Basque regional parliament, which was being guarded by police wearing riot gear.

A large number of tractors with their drivers camped out in the city center of Barcelona encircled the regional parliament.

Smaller cities across the nation experienced traffic disruptions, including central Avila and Antequera in the south.

Farmers from Spain have joined their counterparts in Germany, France, Italy, and Belgium, where demonstrations have occasionally descended into violence.

Farmers around the EU contend that their competitiveness is diminished relative to farmers in other regions by environmental protection regulations. They also claim that red tape and taxes are choking them.

Discontent about unfair competition has been stoked by large volumes of imports from Ukraine, for which the EU has waived quotas and levies since Russias invasion, as well as by ongoing discussions to clinch a trade pact between the EU and South American group Mercosur.

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12 people were detained by police during Wednesdays protests, which included blockades of multiple sizable warehouses for the distribution of commodities, according to the Spanish Interior Ministry. Retail associations and the government do not anticipate any impending food shortages.

Over 80,000 trucks were reportedly impacted by the blockades, according to the FENADISMER transport federation.

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Spanish farmers have been blocking roads, ports, and boulevards in Barcelona and other cities since Tuesday. They also stopped ports in Malaga and Castellon.

The government reacted to the demonstrations by providing up to 140,000 farmers with additional subsidies worth 269 million euros ($290 million), while the European Commission, the EU executive, abandoned a proposal to cut pesticide use in half throughout the bloc.

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(With agency inputs)
India is the countrys second-largest source of travelers to Bali, ranking sixth overall in terms of foot traffic. Given its enormous population, India offers a sizable market with enormous potential

In order to continue drawing tourists from India and promote return trips, Sri Lanka is probably going to prolong the countrys visa-exempt status beyond March. Minister of Lands, Tourism, Sports, and Youth Affairs Harin Fernando stated on Thursday.

India is our number one source market and tourists from India helped our country on its path of recovery from the recent crisis we faced, Fernando said during a session at OTM 2024.

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From December 2023 to March, Sri Lanka allowed Indian travelers to enter the country without a visa.

We are working on extending it beyond March. We want to make Sri Lanka an easily accessible destination for Indians, who can just walk into our country for a hassle free holiday, he said.

According to him, by granting Indians a visa exemption, Sri Lanka will draw in more tourists, particularly those who book last-minute trips and find the visa application procedure difficult.

In the time of more options, we have to ease the travel process to encourage more tourists from India and repeat footfalls, he stated.

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According to Ni Made Ayu Marthini, the deputy minister of marketing for Indonesias Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, the country had granted visa-free status to 169 nations, but the pandemic had caused this to be halted.

But weve started granting some countries visa waivers. India is at the top of the list of nations we are attempting to extend this to. Im hoping we can give India visa status, she continued.

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India is the countrys second-largest source of travelers to Bali, ranking sixth overall in terms of foot traffic. Given its enormous population, India offers a sizable market with enormous potential.

More than 1,600 exhibitors from 60 countries, 30 Indian states, and Union territories are present at the three-day OTM, where they will network with more than 35,000 buyers and industry professionals.
In response to Defense Secretary Grant Shapps recent assertion that the world is transitioning from a postwar to a prewar era, the official highlighted ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine and the potential for further conflict escalation

British defence intelligence officials have sounded the alarm, warning that the United Kingdom stands on the brink of a large-scale conflict amid escalating tensions in the West Asia, Russian expansionism, and Chinas advancements in weaponry.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior official from the secretive 4,500-member unit disclosed that the current situation marks the units highest level of activity in at least a decade. They expressed concerns over the frequent turnover of government ministers, making it challenging to ensure informed decision-making at the highest levels.

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In response to Defense Secretary Grant Shapps recent assertion that the world is transitioning from a postwar to a prewar era, the official highlighted ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine and the potential for further conflict escalation. They also raised the specter of Chinas aggressive stance toward Taiwan.

Acknowledging the complexity of navigating political changes within the Conservative Party, which has seen multiple prime ministers and key cabinet reshuffles, the official stressed the imperative of educating decision-makers on international and military affairs.

Despite not being a statutory intelligence agency like MI5, MI6, or GCHQ, Defence Intelligence plays a pivotal role in monitoring global military threats and conflicts. Based primarily at RAF Wyton in Cambridgeshire, the agency operates numerous teams tasked with analysing satellite imagery, drone footage, and other intelligence sources to track potential threats worldwide.

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Utilising a collaborative approach with Five Eyes allies, including the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, Defence Intelligence ensures the swift sharing of raw intelligence. Teams like DI Watch operate around the clock to monitor and respond to reports of violence or conflict, providing timely alerts and assessments to government agencies.

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In addition to monitoring adversary weapon developments, such as the Chinese DF-27 hypersonic missile, Defence Intelligence teams employ advanced technologies like drones and lasers for mapping and surveillance purposes. Their efforts not only support national security but also assist law enforcement agencies in various operations, including event security and criminal investigations.

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Despite the current focus on regional conflicts, a second defence official underscored Chinas long-term threat due to its technological prowess and sheer size. They likened the situation to a storm in the Middle East and Ukraine but emphasized that China represents a more enduring challenge akin to climate change.
The US-led international military coalition in Iraq was set up to fight Islamic State. The United States has 2,500 troops in Iraq, advising and assisting local forces to prevent a resurgence of the group.

Accusing the US-led anti-jihadist coalition of being a factor of instability in the country following a deadly strike on an Iran-backed group, Iraqi authorities on Thursday said that the US-led fraction has threatened to entangle Iraq in the cycle of conflict.

The US-led international military coalition in Iraq was set up to fight Islamic State. The United States has 2,500 troops in Iraq, advising and assisting local forces to prevent a resurgence of the group.

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Yehia Rasool, a spokesman for the Iraqi prime minister said This path pushes the Iraqi government more than ever before to end the coalitions mission which has become a factor of instability for Iraq,.

Rasool said in a statement that the U.S.-led coalition has become a factor for instability and threatens to entangle Iraq in the cycle of conflict.

Since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began in October, Iraq and Syria have witnessed almost daily tit-for-tat attacks between hardline Iran-backed armed groups and U.S. forces stationed in the region.

With inputs from Reuters.
The Company has obtained financing from Macquarie Group of up to US$100 million with an initial advance of US$40 million resulting in reduced company leverage, a fully funded development plan and additional available committed liquidity for future development.

NG Energy welcomes a key global financial institution as a strategic stakeholder to provide support for rapid growth.

Brian Paes-Braga appointed CEO; former CEO, Serafino Iacono, to transition to Co-Chairman.

Production from Maria Conchita continues to ramp up: 19.4 MMcf/d (15.52 MMcf/d net) with 100% of gas volumes being sold into premium priced environment.

TORONTO, Feb. 8, 2024 /CNW/ - NG Energy International Corp. ("NGE" or the "Company") (TSXV: GASX) (OTCQX: GASXF) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive credit and guarantee agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with Macquarie Group ("Macquarie") for a financing (the "Financing") of up to US$100 million of which US$50 million is committed funding. The Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Bochica Investment Holdings Ltd., Pentanova BVI, Ltd. and MKMS Enerji Anonim Sirketi S.A. (collectively, the "Guarantors"), will guarantee the Financing as guarantors. The Financing is secured by a first priority lien over all the assets of the Company, a trust formed in Colombia and the Guarantors and matures on December 29, 2028. The net proceeds of the Financing and related LC facility for up to US$13.6 million under discussion will be used to: (i) simplify the Company's capital structure; (ii) optimise the Company's balance sheet; (iii) reduce the overall leverage of the Company; (iv) guarantee work commitments under the Company's contracts with midstream partners and with the Agencia Nacional de Hidrocarburos ("ANH") in Colombia; and (v) for general corporate purposes as the Company continues to develop its asset base.

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NG Energy International Corp. Logo (CNW Group/NG Energy International Corp.)

Key Highlights of the Financing

Macquarie has made available US$50 million of committed funding (the " Committed Portion ") and an additional US$50 million in uncommitted funding under an accordion feature.

On the date of closing of the Financing (the " Closing Date "), US$40 million of the Committed Portion of the Financing will be advanced to the Company, with the remaining US$10 million of the Committed Portion of the Financing to be advanced to the Company in a second advance, on a date to be determined pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement (the " Loans ").

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Loans as follows: US$26 million to pay fees enabling the conversion of approximately US$52 million (~CDN$70 million) debt owed to existing secured Debentureholders (as defined below), and by doing so, reduce the Company's debt obligations and optimize the capital structure of the Company; US$14 million to pay existing shareholder loans, fund the debt reserve account, pay fees for the transaction and for general corporate purposes; and US$10 million for future CAPEX requirements.

The Loans will accrue interest at a rate equal to Term SOFR (as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement) plus a maximum of 8.50% per annum with a step-down margin grid based on performance.

In connection with the Financing, the Company shall issue to Macquarie 20,742,857 common share purchase warrants (the "Bonus Warrants") on the Closing Date. For additional information pertaining to the issuance of the Bonus Warrants to Macquarie, please see the heading "Bonus Warrant Issuance and Transaction Fees" below.

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Jorge Fonseca, CFO of NGE, commented "The commitment from Macquarie after a thorough review of the technical, financial, and legal components of our business is a significant milestone for our Company as we enter this next phase of growth and cash flow generation. We are very pleased to have secured the Financing to support our industry leading growth trajectory, and above all, the Financing provides the Company with substantial financial flexibility today, and into the future, as we have deleveraged the balance sheet, optimized our capital structure and now have obtained the necessary CAPEX to support the accelerated growth of our assets. I would like to thank Macquarie and all the members of our team for their support throughout the duration of this process."

Corporate Update

The Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Paes-Braga as Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of the Company effective on the Closing Date. Serafino Iacono, who has served as the Company's CEO since 2019, will transition to the role of Co-Chairman of the board of directors (the "Board"), joining existing Chairman, Brian Paes-Braga.

The Company is also pleased to welcome Ms. Patricia Herrera Paba to the Board. Ms. Herrera Paba is the Founder and CEO of Estudios y Consultorias S.A.S., a firm specializing in financial consulting and regulatory advisory in the natural gas and energy sector across Colombia and Latin America. Ms. Herrera Paba also serves as the chief financial officer of Caribbean Resources and has past work experience at Promigas S.A. E.S.P. and the Ministry of Mines and Energy in Colombia.

Brian Paes-Braga, incoming CEO and Co-Chairman of NGE, commented: "It is my honor and pleasure to join and lead NG Energy as CEO at this critical and exciting time for the Company and energy in Colombia. Firstly, I would like to express my deepest thanks and appreciation to Serafino Iacono for his unwavering commitment to this Company. We would not be in the position we are today without his tenacity, belief in our assets and personal financial commitments over the past five years. I look forward to Serafino's continued contribution and working by his side as Co-Chairman as we enter this high growth phase of our company's journey and deliver for all our valued investors, employees, partners and the communities in which we explore and operate."

Brian Paes-Braga continued "I would also like to give a warm welcome to Patricia who adds a depth of industry and in country expertise to our board of directors. Patricia is a natural fit having extensive experience as a consultant in financial and regulatory advisory in the natural gas and energy sector in Latin America, specifically Colombia where she has deep relationships with the top industry players both in the public and private sectors."

"Lastly, I would like to welcome Macquarie to NGE as a key stakeholder in our business. Aligning our Company with a global financial institution like Macquarie at this inflection point for our Company is a testament to the quality of our people, assets and the opportunity we see in the energy sector in Colombia, and represents a first and symbolic step for NG and Macquarie's relationship. We are grateful for their efforts in this transaction over the past few months. We share similar vision, values and a strong conviction around the energy opportunity in Colombia, where Macquarie has been a significant contributor."

Serafino Iacono, Co-Chairman of NGE commented "I am enormously proud of this team and what we have accomplished together over the past five years and believe we are executing on our mission to support energy transition and economic growth in Colombia as we continue to delineate two of the best natural gas assets in the country. To the team, I would like to extend my upmost gratitude for your relentless contribution to this Company. I am extremely confident as we enter the next phase of growth under the leadership of Brian who has done a remarkable job during his time as Chairman and I look forward to our collaboration as I join him in this capacity. I am very excited for the future of this Company and would like to thank all our stakeholders for their continued support."

Catalina Hayata, Managing Director and Head of Latin America Private Credit in Macquarie's Commodities and Global Markets business commented: "We are pleased to support the NGE team on its next phase of rapid growth as they build a platform well-positioned to support economic growth in Colombia. We look forward to continuing to contribute to the development of the market in the region and to providing innovative capital solutions to our key clients."

Operational Update

The Company is pleased to announce that production from the Company's Maria Conchita Block has increased to 19.4 MMcf/d with both the Aruchara-1 and the Aruchara-3 wells contributing to production from zones H1 and H2 with 100% of natural gas volumes sold.

Bonus Warrant Issuance and Transaction Fees

In connection with the Financing, on the Closing Date, the Company will issue to Macquarie 20,742,857 Bonus Warrants. Each Bonus Warrant will entitle Macquarie to purchase one (1) common share of the Company at an exercise price equal to $1.00 until December 29, 2028. Completion of the issuance of the Bonus Warrants to Macquarie remains subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). The Bonus Warrants and the common shares underlying the Bonus Warrants will be subject to a statutory four (4) month hold period from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws.

In connection with the Financing, on the Closing Date, the Company shall pay Macquarie an upfront fee equal to 1.5% of the Loans, a structuring & arranger fee equal to 2.0% of the Loans and an Administrative Agent fee equal to US$100,000. The Administrative Agent fee will be payable annually on each anniversary of the Closing Date. The total amount of fees payable to Macquarie by the Company on the Closing Date is anticipated to be US$1,850,000. Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Company shall pay Macquarie a commitment fee on the unused portion of the Committed Portion of the Financing (with regard to any reduction in the Committed Portion of the Financing effected by an initial draw under the Credit Agreement if occurring within ten (10) days of the date thereof) at a rate equal to 3.50% per annum starting on the date of the initial advance under the Credit Agreement.

Moreover, in the event any of the loans advanced to the Company by Macquarie are prepaid at any time on or after the two-year anniversary of the date of the Credit Agreement, but before the three-year anniversary of such date (with some exceptions), or become due prior to the three-year anniversary of the Closing Date as a result of an event of default (as defined in the Credit Agreement), the Company shall pay Macquarie a prepayment fee equal to 4.50% of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans being prepaid.

Shares for Debt Settlement

The Company is pleased to announce the terms of a proposed shares for debt settlement (the "Settlement"), pursuant to which the Company has agreed to issue an aggregate of 2,000,000 common shares of the Company at a deemed price of $1.00 per common share in satisfaction of US$1,502,000 owing to Plus+ S.A.S. E.S.P. ("Plus+") pursuant to the terms of a termination agreement entered into between the Company, MKMS Enerji Sucursal Colombia, the Colombian branch of MKMS Enerji Anonim Sirket S.A., and Plus+ on December 31, 2023.

The completion of the Settlement remains subject to certain regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Exchange. The common shares will be subject to a four (4) month hold period from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Conversion and Redemption of Outstanding Convertible Debentures

In connection with the Financing and pursuant to the terms of the debenture indenture dated November 30, 2022, as supplemented by the first supplemental debenture indenture dated July 31, 2023, entered into between the Company and TSX Trust Company, as trustee (collectively, the "Debenture Indenture"), the Company provided the holders of the Company's outstanding Debentures (as such term is defined in the Debenture Indenture) issued November 30, 2022 and July 31, 2023 (the "Debentureholders") with a notice that the Company was contemplating a Take Out Financing (as such term is defined in the Debenture Indenture) (the "Notice"). Pursuant to the terms of the Notice, each Debentureholder was provided with the option to elect to convert or redeem their Debentures in accordance with the terms of the Debenture Indenture.

The Company is pleased to announce that Debentureholders representing 100% of the outstanding Debentures issued on November 30, 2022 (the "Nov22 Debentures") and 100% of the outstanding Debentures issued on July 31, 2023 (the "Jul23 Debentures") have elected to convert or redeem their Debentures. The conversion or redemption of the Nov22 Debentures and Jul23 Debentures, as applicable, is expected to occur immediately following the Closing Date.

The Company anticipates that approximately US$7,100,000 of the net proceeds of the Loans will be used to pay back existing shareholder loans (~US$1,500,000) and pay fees enabling the conversion of debt owed to existing secured Debentureholders (~US$5,600,000) that are current directors and officers of the Company.

The Credit Agreement also contains certain other provisions with respect to events of default and representations and warranties that are customary for a transaction of this nature. For additional information pertaining to the Credit Agreement, please see the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

The completion of the Financing remains subject to certain regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Exchange.

About NG Energy International Corp.

NG Energy International Corp. is a natural gas exploration and production company with operations in Colombia. The Company is on a mission to discover, delineate and develop meaningful natural gas fields in developing counties to support energy transition and economic growth. In Colombia, the Company is executing on this mission with a rapidly growing production base that is being delivered to the premium priced Colombian market. NGE's team has extensive technical expertise and a proven track record of building companies and creating value in South America. For more information, please visit SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Company's website (www.ngenergyintl.com).

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release, including, without limitation, the information contained in this news release regarding the use of proceeds from the Financing, the advancement of additional funds under the Financing, the Company's statements related to the issuance of the Bonus Warrants, the Company's statements related to the completion of the Settlement and the Company's statements related to the conversion of the Debentures. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Management Discussion and Analysis and its Annual Information Form dated June 30, 2023, which are available for view on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. These risks include but are not limited to, the risks associated with the oil and natural gas industry, such as exploration, production and general operational risks, volatility of pricing for oil and natural gas, changing investor sentiment about the oil and natural gas industry, competition in the markets where the Company operates, any delays in production, marketing and transportation of natural gas, drilling costs and availability of equipment, regulatory approval risks and environmental risks. Forward-looking statements contained herein, including but not limited to the Company's statements related to anticipated business plans or strategies, including the Company's plans to complete infrastructure construction required for commercial production from Sinu-9; completion of the transactions contemplated by the pipeline agreement; and the completion of any updated resource assessment and reclassification of contingent resources to reserves. The Company disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Abbreviations

The abbreviations set forth below have the following meanings:

Natural Gas Mcf thousand cubic feet MMcf/d million cubic feet per day

SOURCE NG Energy International Corp.

Cision

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Google is rolling out the next beta update for Android 14, known as QPR3 Beta 1. It comes with bug fixes, performance optimizations, and early access to the June Pixel Feature Drop.

The update carries the build number AP21.240119.009 and Play Services version 23.50.14. It also includes the February security patches. Google acknowledged that an AI feature (Circle To Search) mistakenly reached non-beta users first, which has been rectified in this beta update.

With this update, beta testers now get a sneak peek at the Circle to Search feature, which was recently rolled out to Pixel 8 users. Although still exclusive to Pixel 8, this update is available to eligible devices enrolled in the beta program, starting with the Pixel 5a.

Here are some notable changes and features in Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1 shared by Mishaal Rahman:

Circle to Search: Now functional in the beta release.

Easter Egg Update: The Android 14 logo now enclosed by a triangle, hinting at Android 15s internal dessert name Vanilla Ice Cream.

Biometric Prompt Dialog: Displays the icon of the invoking app.

Touch Sensitivity Settings: Screen protector mode moved to a submenu called touch sensitivity.

Adaptive Touch Mode: Prepares to adapt touch sensitivity to the environment.

Easy Pre-set Mode: Aims to simplify the Android UI.

Swipe Up to Continue: Feature for Pixel Fold users to continue using an app on the cover screen.

Chat Bubble UI Revamp: Planned for tablets.

Developer Option: Allows swapping the current kernel with one using a 16K page size.

Media Processing Service Type: Possible addition in Android 15.

Availability

The update is available for Pixel 5a, 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, 8, 8 Pro, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet series devices. Google encourages users to utilize the Android Beta Feedback app for reporting user-facing bugs.

If already enrolled in the Android 14 Beta program, devices will automatically receive an over-the-air (OTA) update to QPR3 Beta 1. To join the Android beta, visit g.co/androidbeta.
Google India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Maharashtra to catalyze scaled AI solutions for agriculture, healthcare, and sustainability in the region.

The event happened at the Google office in Pune today in the presence of Honble Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Sanjay Gupta, Country Head & Vice President, Google India, and Dr. Nitin Kareer, Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra.

The move is expected to accelerate the AI opportunity in Maharashtra and drive innovative and scalable solutions in key sectors including agriculture, healthcare, sustainability, education, and startups. The government also plans to establish an AI Center of Excellence at IIIT Nagpur.

Google India x Government of Maharashtra MoU for AI Solutions

Under the MoU, Google will collaborate with the Government of Maharashtra in the following areas:

AI Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Google will collaborate with the Maharashtra government to boost the local AI ecosystem by offering startup mentorship, networking, demo days, and Cloud credits for eligible VC-funded AI startups.

Google will collaborate with the Maharashtra government to boost the local AI ecosystem by offering startup mentorship, networking, demo days, and Cloud credits for eligible VC-funded AI startups. AI Skilling: Google will aid government-led skills initiatives on YouTube, offer Gen AI training for educators, and equip 500 IT professionals with conversational AI skills through Google Cloud.

Google will aid government-led skills initiatives on YouTube, offer Gen AI training for educators, and equip 500 IT professionals with conversational AI skills through Google Cloud. AI for Healthcare: Google will collaborate with the Government on human-centered AI in healthcare, utilizing advanced Health AI imaging models like TB-Chest X-Ray and Diabetic Retinopathy for improved access to care.

Google will collaborate with the Government on human-centered AI in healthcare, utilizing advanced Health AI imaging models like TB-Chest X-Ray and Diabetic Retinopathy for improved access to care. AI for Agriculture: Google will contribute its Agricultural Landscape Understanding (ALU) API to Maharashtra, offering detailed insights about farmland for data-driven agricultural initiatives, utilizing remote sensing AI/ML technology.

Google will contribute its Agricultural Landscape Understanding (ALU) API to Maharashtra, offering detailed insights about farmland for data-driven agricultural initiatives, utilizing remote sensing AI/ML technology. Sustainability: Both parties will collaborate on AI tools for environmental resilience, encompassing real-time air pollution monitoring under Project Air View, city planning using AI-powered building footprints under the Open Buildings Dataset, and optimizing traffic lights with Project Greenlight.

Both parties will collaborate on AI tools for environmental resilience, encompassing real-time air pollution monitoring under Project Air View, city planning using AI-powered building footprints under the Open Buildings Dataset, and optimizing traffic lights with Project Greenlight. Google Clouds AI and machine learning technologies will be used for pilot solutions in citizen interaction, government scheme access, and farmer assistance in Maharashtra.

Speaking at the ceremony, Honble Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, said,

Maharashtra is committed to AI-driven development and our partnership with Google marks a significant milestone in this journey. This collaboration will empower our citizens with critical future-ready skills, revolutionize essential sectors like healthcare and agriculture, and create a thriving environment for the Maharashtra AI startups through the AI Center of Excellence at IIIT Nagpur. We see AI as the key to unlocking a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future for the State and are excited to partner with Google on this journey.

Sanjay Gupta, Country Head & VP, Google India, said,
By Nicole Jao

LONDON (Reuters) -Oil prices gained more than 3% on Thursday on concerns of a broadening conflict in the Middle East after Israel rejected a ceasefire offer from Hamas.

Brent futures closed up $2.42, or 3%, to $81.36 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed $2.36, or 3.2%, to $76.22.

The Brent benchmark breached $80 a barrel and WTI rose above $75 a barrel for the first time in February.

Israeli forces bombed the southern border city of Rafah on Thursday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a proposal to end the war in the Palestinian enclave.

"The market is holding its breath on what the next potential fallout could be," said John Kilduff, partner with Again Capital LLC. Attacks on shipping by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels continued to disrupt global oil trading, he added.

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A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Thursday for ceasefire talks with mediators Egypt and Qatar.

In the U.S., a stronger than expected drawdown in gasoline and middle-distillate stocks also buoyed the oil market.

The draw in fuel stocks, combined with a rise in crude stocks, was a sign of U.S. refinery maintenance, Varga said.

"Ongoing U.S. refinery maintenance, together with Europe being short on diesel, can help maintain the positive sentiment for now," he added.

In Russia, damage to refineries from Ukraine's drone attacks and technical outages led to more crude exports than planned in February, potentially undermining the country's pledge to cut supplies under an OPEC+ pact, according to analysts.

Elsewhere, Norway's Johan Sverdrup oilfield - the largest in the North Sea - will maintain steady production at a higher rate of 755,000 barrels per day (bpd) for the rest of this year, Aker BP said. Its original planned capacity was 660,000 bpd.

Demand growth remains healthy in large oil-consuming nations, including India and the U.S., said Giovanni Staunovo, analyst at UBS.

U.S. jobless claims fell slightly more than expected last week, the Labor Department said on Thursday, pointing to underlying job market strength.

(Reporting by Nicole Jao in New York, Robert Harvey in London, Katya Golubkova in Tokyo and Jeslyn Lerh in Singapore; Editing by David Goodman, Alexandra Hudson, Peter Graff)
It's important to know which odors are warning signs of more serious health issues.

It's important to know which odors are warning signs of more serious health issues.

A lingering, bad smell in your home can be a frustrating headache to deal with  and sometimes it could also be a sign of something more serious.

Its important to know the difference between the everyday annoyances of rotting produce in your fridge and the hazardous odors that could be an indicator of a much deeper issue. There are some odors that are not just unpleasant, but potentially dangerous to sniff in a home. If left unchecked, these kinds of smells can lead to health risks, costly repairs and damage.

Here are the odors that home repair, plumbing and heating experts say you should never ignore:

1. Smoke

If your smoke alarm starts beeping, don't ignore the warning.

If your smoke alarm starts beeping, don't ignore the warning.

Where there is smoke, there could be fire. Courtney Klosterman, home insights expert at Hippo, said if you smell smoke, you should investigate its source immediately.

The smell of smoke, even when youre not cooking or burning anything, could indicate a fire hazard hidden within walls or in the attic, or nearby the exterior of the home, she said.

2. Rotten Egg Smell In The Air

Natural gas is odorless, so utility companies add a sulfur-like or rotten egg smell to alert you of a gas leak, Klosterman said.

So if youre smelling rotten egg smell in the air of your home, thats a serious concern. Natural gas leaks can lead to explosions or poisoning. If you detect this smell, turn off the gas if you can do so safely, and call your gas company immediately.

Philadelphia-based plumber Kelly Ireland recommends having a gas leak detector on hand so that you can check if it is a foul grease smell or a gas leak smell.

3. Sewage Smells From Your Bathroom

Ireland said that if you encounter this foul smell, you should immediately check your traps, because it could be a problem with your sewage line or trap. A P-trap is a U-shaped pipe underneath your sink or drain that is meant to trap water.

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Ireland said the sewage smell issue often comes from unused guest bathrooms.

When that trap dries out, it allows a gas smell to go in, she said. So really all you need to do with that is every other week, maybe turn the water on, fill that trap up.

If you continue to ignore the sewage smell, it can not only be unpleasant, but hazardous to your health, Klosterman said.

4. Persistent Urine Smells From Your Toilet

Ireland said the smell of ammonia or urine could be a sign of a broken wax ring at the base of your toilet. The wax ring is supposed to be the watertight seal that prevents sewer gas from coming out into the room.

It could be oozing out underneath the toilet and you dont realize that its oozing out until either you have a spot on your ceiling, or it starts coming out from the bottom of your toilet, Ireland said.

When I go into a bathroom and I smell that, I always check to see if the toilet is rocking. Because usually if its rocking, its a sure sign that you have a broken wax ring, Ireland added.

5. Rotten Egg Smell From Your Running Water

Your shower water should not have an odor.

Your shower water should not have an odor.

If you always smell a rotten egg smell when running your shower water, your water heater could be breaking down, Ireland said.

If you start smelling that smell, it means the metals on the inside of the water heater are breaking down. So usually youll have to replace parts, like anode rods, Ireland said.

Once your water heater starts breaking down, you may soon start dealing with lukewarm water that does not heat up properly, so dont ignore this sign.

Addressing the issue sooner saves you from that giant bill of like, Oh well, I waited too long and now the water heaters leaking because the insides corroded so much that now it doesnt hold, Ireland said.

6. Musty Or Moldy Smells

A home with a musty or moldy smell often indicates the presence of mold or mildew, which thrives in damp environments. This can be a health risk, especially for those with allergies or respiratory issues, Klosterman said.

Ireland said if you notice a weird musty smell, the cause is often a slow leak happening inside the walls of your home. Look for yellowish spots on your wall and splitting at the seams of drywall, because those are signs of the water source, she said.

You dont want to let mold freely grow. Klosterman noted that whether or not your home insurance policy will cover your mold outbreak can depend on the homeowners role in maintaining the home, which is why its important to do regular home maintenance.

7. Burning Smells Around Appliances Like Your Dryer

When was the last time you cleaned your dryer's filter? If you are smelling a burning odor from your dryer, your lint filter is often the cause.

When was the last time you cleaned your dryer's filter? If you are smelling a burning odor from your dryer, your lint filter is often the cause.

Klosterman said a burning smell could indicate an electrical fault in your appliances, wiring or outlets, and in worst-case scenarios, these faults could lead to electrical fires. Take your clothes dryer, as one common example.

If theres a burning smell, that means the lint needs to be cleaned out of that [dryer]. You dont want that to catch on fire, said Duane Enoch, owner of Green Air Concepts Heating and Air Conditioning in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.

You should regularly be cleaning your dryers lint filter and dryer vents, because a failure to clean was the leading cause of why clothes dryer fires happened in U.S. homes from 20182020, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

If you smell burning plastic or any electrical odor without an identifiable source, disconnect power and contact an electrician, Klosterman said. Take time to familiarize yourself with the location of the electrical circuit breakers in the home. Each breaker should be individually labeled to designate the area where electricity is being channeled.

8. Sweet, Syrupy Smells From Your Air Conditioning Unit

Sometimes, hazardous smells can be sweet.

An unusual, sweet smell could indicate a coolant leak from your refrigerator or air conditioning unit. This requires immediate attention to prevent the unit from failing and to avoid the potential spread of refrigerant, which can be harmful, Klosterman said.

Thats why Klosterman said you should clean your filters every season in air conditioning and heating units, and vacuum refrigerator coils every six months to remove debris that could contribute to wear and tear.

Ultimately, these smells are warning signs of larger hazards that should not be ignored. So the next time you smell something weird and funky from an unknown source, dont ignore it  start paying attention.

Related...
Andrew Comrie-Picard, from Edmonton, is one of the core members of the Transglobal Car Expedition. The international team is using a fleet of 12 vehicles to travel around the world using wheeled vehicles, including this modified truck that'll take them from Yellowknife to Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. (Liny Lamberink/CBC - image credit)

The Transglobal Car Expedition is back in the N.W.T.  with intentions to circle the entire globe by vehicle now  roughly two years after making headlines for violating airspace rules and sinking a truck.

Andrew Comrie-Picard, a member of the international team who comes from Edmonton, said they "learned a lot" from that pre-expedition trip in 2022.

"The ice can change really fast. And we also learned that the relationships of the Indigenous communities here are so crucially important," he said. "We learned that we have to rely on and share local knowledge in order to get through."

The expedition, which includes members from Canada, the U.S., Russia, Ukraine, Germany and Iceland, claims it will be the first to travel around the planet, reaching both poles, with wheeled vehicles. A crew of eight left New York City for the N.W.T. on Jan. 10, and now plans to head from Yellowknife to Resolute Bay, Nunavut, then to the North Pole. From there, the expedition will continue through Greenland, Europe, Africa, Antarctica and back up through South and Central America to the U.S.

Transglobal Car Expedition/CBC News Graphics

The trip is expected to take 17 months, and it's being done with a fleet of 12 vehicles.

From Yellowknife to Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, the team will drive three Ford Super Duty trucks modified to have six 44-inch tires. From there, they'll switch to four amphibious Yemelya vehicles that can travel over sections of open water to get to the North Pole and Greenland.

Those vehicles are already staged in Cambridge Bay.

What's the point?

Comrie-Picard said the expedition is gathering data for research projects along the way, including information about ice thickness, cosmic rays, light pollution and about their own bodies going through extremes.

Liny Lamberink/CBC

Pat Maher, a professor at Nipissing University in Ontario who studies Arctic tourism, told CBC News the expedition appears to be aligning itself with science in an effort to make itself relevant  and he's critical of the trip's overall purpose.

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"I don't inherently see a value in it," he said.

"I think there's a motivation or a drive here, largely predicated on being the first," he said. "In today's day and age, in a time of climate emergency  it makes me question what is the necessity?"

Maher said expeditions in the Arctic, like Transglobal Car's, can have a positive, long-term impact on local communities by investing in scholarships or sponsorships.

In the absence of that, he said, communities can at least benefit from short-term local employment and money that's spent on things like fuel and groceries.

Maher said it's important to be critical of tourism. Believing that all Arctic expeditions are "inherently good" could mean that the potential impacts on local communities are overlooked, he said.

Cambridge Bay man joins trip again

Submitted by Brandon Langan

Comrie-Picard said the expedition is employing a local man from Cambridge Bay for the journey from that community to Resolute Bay. Brandon Langan, who has worked with the expedition before, said his main role will be to watch for polar bears and help navigate sea ice. Based on satellite imagery, he said, the ice is looking pretty rough.

"It's going to be exciting for sure," he said.

Langan said the expedition members are "expert" at navigating the ice, and they'll be pulling an ice-thickness radar along with them, information from which will be uploading to the cloud and accessible to hunters for the upcoming polar bear hunting season, he said.

He isn't worried the trip will be as eventful as the test run two years ago.

When the Transglobal Car Expedition flew to Yellowknife to test out part of the northern leg of its trip in early 2022, Transport Canada laid fines against a Russian passenger who chartered the aircraft and both pilots, as well as the flight's Switzerland-based operator.

Then, after successfully reaching Resolute Bay, one of the modified Ford F150s sank among the Tasmania Islands northwest of Taloyoak, Nunavut, on the return journey. Langan was in the truck when it broke the ice, and was part of the effort to help recover it later that year.

Transglobal Car Expedition

Still, he only had to think about the team's proposition to work together again for 30 seconds.

"I never say no to adventure," he laughed.

Community relationship

Langan said there is enthusiasm in his community about the expedition, particularly among the children.

"They love seeing these big vehicles," he said. "There's a sense of excitement."

Comrie-Picard also said the relationship with local communities has improved since recovering the lost truck about a year and a half ago. He said he ran into Jimmy Oleekatalik, the manager of the Spence Bay Hunters and Trappers Committee in Taloyoak, while in Yellowknife.

Oleekatalik had been critical after the expedition lost the truck in a prime hunting ground, and was relieved when the sunken truck was recovered. Comrie-Picard said their recent interaction had been friendly and jovial.

CBC News made attempts to reach Oleekatalik but was unsuccessful.
From the long-anticipated reopening of a temple to fine dining to a quiet neighbourhood cocktail spot, this is everything to add to your radar for this weekend (Press handout)

Before the schmaltz of next week rolls around  Valentines, remember?  theres plenty of time to have fun. The weekend ahead promises much.

Its a weekend that sees recent reopenings and revamped pubby spaces; it sees the return of cross-city art exhibitions and the resurgence of a particularly special neighbourhood hangout.

This weeks guide spans the whole city, and then some. From Borough Market to Chelsea and from W1 to N16, theres a thing to do for all. Have fun.

The hot table: Restaurant Story

The famous beef fat candle at Tom Sellers Restaurant Story (Credit Ceri Davies)

The highly anticipated relaunch of Tom Sellers Restaurant Story arrived just a couple of weeks ago, and the revitalised space looks every bit the part. Whilst the menu is set to change regularly  in keeping with more general seasonality and the specifics of the best available produce on the day  barbecued langoustine tail and the famous beef fat candle (pictured) with brioche are likely to be on the menu. This is a restaurant rebuilt to achieve a coveted three Michelin stars, so be sure to book for your next blowout dinner. Its an absolute stunner.

199 Tooley Street, SE1 2JX, restaurantstory.co.uk

The (other) hot table: Kolae

(Credit Ben Broomfield)

Kolae (say it go-lay) is the new southern Thai from the team behind the pioneering Som Saa in Spitalfields. The fiery plates of gati curry with stone bass and kua kling curry with minced venison and lemongrass are tempered by the plump mussel skewers and tender chicken. Its a hit: a well-thought-out and well executed reason to brave the crowds thronging through Borough Market.

6 Park Street, SE1 9AB, kolae.com

The (new) old favourite: Builders Arms

(Press Handout)

A three-minute walk from the omni-busy Kings Road is the peaceful Builders Arms, an old boozer with new life breathed into it courtesy of the Cubitt House group. That means chef Ben Tish has overhauled and vastly improved the old menu, and the space inside feels fresh as paint and ever so slightly plush. Still every bit the pub, only better.

13 Britten Street, SW3 3TY, cubitthouse.co.uk

Story continues

The drinking den: Crossroads

Newington Green always delivers. Perilla, Jolene, Tranga and Cadet all call this little enclave home, and with a year under its belt in the new digs, cocktail bar Crossroads is a welcome addition to the community. The menu feels creative but approachable. Led by specific ingredients, expect creations like the Pear, F with Cognac, pear eau-de-vie and pear soda, or the Carrot, with Crossroads own carrot spirit, sweet woodruff and an orange wine reduction.

47 Newington Green, N16 9PX, crossroads.bar

The culture fix: Burma to Myanmar

(British Museum)

Burma to Myanmar charts the 1,500-year history of one of the most influential nations in the south Asian region, and this weekend is the last chance to discover the rich cultural and artistic influences at the British Museum. It explores Myanmars national journey from hugely influential global superpower to its recent military struggles. From textiles to maps and sculptures to paintings, this is the final chance to observe the gravity of Myanmar's historical cultural significance.

Until February 11, British Museum, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG, britishmuseum.org

The art fix: Condo London

(Public Gallery London)

Created by gallerist Vanessa Carlos, Condo is best described as a decentralised collaborative exhibition that sees 50 global art galleries come together to celebrate hundreds of artists across 23 physical spaces throughout the city. From better-known spaces like Sadie Coles, who are hosting the Kayoko Yuki gallery from Tokyo, to south Londons intimate Greengrassi gallery (who will be hosting the Delgosha gallery from Tehran), the city-wide collaboration sees London host this truly international show for the first time in three years.

Until February 17, Across London, condocomplex.org

The ticket to book now (for later): Joia Battersea Blackout Dinner

(Rebecca Hope)

Created in conjunction with the closing of the Battersea Light Festival, Joia is set to turn off the lights for the night, light some candles and give diners an atmospheric experience overlooking the last day of the show. The menu, created by head chef Jose Jara, is set to include Iberico ham and octopus salad, followed by either a Madeira-braised beef featherblade steak or arroz marisco with red prawns and razor clams. For those swerving anything too schmaltzy on February 14, book this instead.

Tickets 95, February 21, 1 Electric Boulevard, SW11 8BJ, joiabattersea.co.uk
If you didn't know, the two food spots with the same name are parked up right next to each other on Auckland's New North Road. The owners of each noodle house are cousins and hate each other, accusing the other of stealing their idea.
Some NZ workplaces might find themselves down a few employees at the end of this month now that this major loophole has been exposed. However, Whitehead doesn't think much will be done to compensate those who do choose to work.
Campus Activities, Public Events

Details

Please join us for a presentation by Anthony Ray Hinton on February 8 at 6:30 pm in Knott Auditorium. Hinton, author of The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life, Freedom, and Justice, spent 30 years on death row in Alabama for a crime he did not commit. Bryan Stevenson and the team at the Equal Justice Initiative took on Hintons case and won his freedom in 2015. Since his release, Hinton has traveled the world sharing his story and discussing the changes that need to be made to prevent similar injustices happening to other people.

This free event is sponsored by the Office of Equity and Success and the Catholic Mobilizing Network.

If you need accommodations, such as an ASL interpreter to attend this event, please contact dei@msmary.edu by February 1. We ask that members of the public (not within the Mount community) register in advance to attend.

Register for the presentation
Credentialing

Abilene Christian University and Infosec Institute Partner to Offer Academic Credit for CompTIA Certifications

Abilene Christian University (ACU) and Cengage Group's Infosec Institute have teamed up to offer academic credit for Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) cybersecurity certifications. Infotech's cybersecurity students can now receive college credit toward ACU's degree and certificate programs.

According to a release, the partnership provides several advantages:

A clear pathway for students to pursue industry certifications and have them recognized as academic programs toward degrees and certificates;

Student savings of time and money, as those with existing CompTIA certifications can save on per-course tuition costs by receiving college credit for five waived courses toward a bachelor's degree; and a 25% discount for those pursuing cybersecurity certificate programs;

Easy integration of Infosec training into ACU's bachelor's degree program and two cybersecurity certificate programs;

Assurance that students with Infosec's technical training will have grounding in academic, theoretical cybersecurity principles, thus providing a well-rounded education.

Programs offered under the partnership include a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity; Cybersecurity 1: Certificate in Fundamental System Security; and Cybersecurity 2: Certificate in Essential System Forensics and Defense.

Calling the partnership a "transformative approach to cybersecurity education," Stephen Johnson, CEO of ACU's Dallas campus, which offers the university's online programs, said, "By recognizing the value of CompTIA certifications for college credit, we are breaking new ground in providing a pathway for learners to bridge the gap between industry expertise and formal academic achievement."

Keaton Evans, Infotech's vice president of portfolio product strategy, agreed it is a game-changer, "offering our learners the recognition they deserve in both the industry and academic realms."

For more information on these joint programs, visit the ACU/Infosec partnership page.
This map depicts the parcel in the Clifton area that Mesa County hopes to buy from the federal government. A bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert is trying to speed up the protracted land conveyance process. The land originally was withdrawn from the public domain for use by the Bureau of Reclamation for the Grand Valley Reclamation Project, and the bureau plans to continue to retain the southern portion of the parcel, depicted with cross-hatching, for project purposes.
Saturday Night

Partly cloudy skies early followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers later at night. Low 42F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters will have this last continuance of her criminal trial but no more, according to court documents and prosecutors in the case.

On Tuesday, District Judge Matthew Barrett agreed to delay Peters trial, which had been set to start with jury selection on Friday, after the former clerk had fired her second set of attorneys in the case, but with some caveats.

According to court filings, the situation started on Monday, when Peters then attorney Douglas Richards filed a motion to withdraw from the case.

After a brief hearing, part of which was closed to the public, Barrett gave Peters three choices: Continue to go with Richards, defend herself, or use an attorney who is not familiar with the case.

He gave all parties involved overnight to consider those options.

At first, prosecutors thought Richards motion was to convene what is known as a Schultheis hearing. Thats based on a 1981 Colorado Supreme Court ruling that said defense attorneys have an affirmative duty to withdraw from a case if their client demands they call witnesses or introduce evidence that they know is false.

And that attorney must tell the court why he or she is withdrawing, according to that ruling.

(The ruling) said where a lawyer does not want to present a defense that the defendant wants the lawyer to present, and the lawyer feels like theyre ethically unable to present that, they need to have a hearing with a different judge so that it doesnt taint the trial judges view of the defendant, said Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein.

We thought that was what we were going in for because thats basically what Doug Richards represented was the purpose of this hearing on Monday, he added. When we went in (on Tuesday), the defendant basically said, Well, Ive already fired him. Doug confirmed that.

The second judge would then have to rule if that defense attorney should be removed from a case.

But before that could happen, Peters sent an email to Richards firing him late Monday. Richards also received an email from Peters new attorney, Carbondale lawyer Michael Edminister, telling him Richards no longer could contact Peters.

What evidence or witnesses Peters wanted to present that spurred Richards to file his withdrawal motion is unknown.

On Tuesday, Barrett told Peters she now was down to two choices, defend yourself or go with an attorney you know is going to be ineffective, which would have negated any possible appeal on those grounds, Rubinstein said.

But after going over Peters own ability to defend herself, Barrett determined that her Sixth Amendment rights to effective counsel were being stretched too thin, telling her that if she tries this again, and fires Edminister before her new trial in late July, he wont extend it again.

(Barrett) made it clear to her that she is now on notice that if she does anything else to cause lawyers to withdraw and she has ineffective lawyers because they dont have time to get up to speed because she changed lawyers again, the effect will be that she will either be represented by an ineffective lawyer and have waived her right to an effective assistance, or she will represent herself, Rubinstein said. Thats it. Last chance.

This is the second time Peters has fired her defense attorneys. The last time was a month before her trial was to begin in October, when Richards and his associate, Madalia Maaliki, asked for a continuance to get up to speed on the case.

Barrett granted it, setting the case for this month. Now it is set to begin July 31.

Initially, Peters trial was to be last March, but was delayed because her then attorney, Harvey Steinberg, asked for a continuance because some evidence from federal law enforcement agencies hadnt then been turned over to defense attorneys.

Peters was initially charged by a Mesa County grand jury in 2022 on three felony counts of attempting to influence a public servant, three felony counts of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation and one felony count of identity theft. She also faces three misdemeanor charges of official misconduct, elections violations and failure to comply with the Colorado Secretary of State Office.

If convicted on all counts, and the first six counts are sentenced concurrently, she could face a maximum prison sentence of 12 years. If not, she could face up to 20 years in prison, and thousands or millions of dollars in fines.

Peters has pleaded not guilty on all counts, saying the charges are politically motivated. Other court filings indicate Peters plans to mount a whistleblower defense.

Rubinstein also said that because of the delay, his office is out expenses for such things as hotels and airline tickets for witnesses, money he said hell try to recoup from Peters should she be found guilty.
EU reports on China's information manipulation targeting Taiwan

ROC Central News Agency

02/07/2024 07:58 PM

Brussels, Feb. 6 (CNA) The European Union released its second Report on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) Threats at the end of January, which stated that Ukraine was the most targeted country but also found the Asia Pacific, including Taiwan, to be under similar attacks.

The EU's European External Action Service (EEAS) published the report on Jan. 23, based on 750 investigated FIMI incidents between December 1, 2022 and November 30, 2023.

According to the report, FIMI "describes a mostly non-illegal pattern of behavior that threatens or has the potential to negatively impact values, procedures and political processes. Such activity is manipulative in character, conducted in an intentional and coordinated manner, by state or non-state actors, including their proxies inside and outside of their own territory."

In the Asia-Pacific, a map in the report shows that Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Australia have also been found to have been targeted.

When asked about the attacks in the Asia-Pacific region, on which the report did not elaborate, the EEAS responded in an email to CNA saying that a total of 12 cases targeting the region were recorded during the period covered, but also stressed that the EEAS's "mandate and priorities are primarily focused on attacks against the EU coming from Russia."

In the email the EEAS listed several cases targeting Taiwan.

One was a 300-page (Chinese-language) e-book slandering President Tsai Ing-wen (ee) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) promoted via social media platform X, websites and press release distribution services, in the weeks leading up to the presidential election on January 13.

Another was an article denigrating Taiwan-U.S. relations posted by the Chinese state-controlled Global Times and "laundered by Chinese FIMI infosphere Facebook pages," according to the EEAS. The article alleged that the U.S. was using Taiwan to weaken China and that 30 political groups -- mostly unspecified except the pro-China Labor Party and Labor Rights Association -- in Taiwan protested against Tsai's U.S. visit.

There was also the case of Chinese state-affiliated media outlets China Daily and CGTN, within an hour of each other on Aug. 12, publishing articles depicting China's view on the history of Taiwan and the alleged legal grounds for China's claim on Taiwan, said the EEAS in the email.

In Japan, the FIMI focused on the Fukushima wastewater release, "portraying it as irresponsible and criticizing Western media for 'under-covering' the topic."

The team found the campaign featured an English-language music video with Chinese subtitles widely shared across official Chinese channels, discrediting the Japanese nuclear wastewater disposal.

The FIMI targeting Indonesia highlighted alleged U.S. meddling, with an article in September claiming the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the CIA were preparing a color revolution in the country published by the self-claimed far-left website Mintpress News, which later got amplified.

Meanwhile, the report stated that "AI usage in FIMI is minimal," a finding that is at odds with what Taiwan AI Lab has found in its recent research on Taiwan's presidential and legislative elections, which indicated generative AI has already been widely used.

The EEAS, responding to CNA's question about the gap, said they found most attacks in the 750 cases identified in the report were still conducted with low-cost, traditional manipulation techniques, but the team is "well aware of the wide use of AI content during the latest Taiwanese elections and...can expect similar AI-charged FIMI in 2024."

The targets of FIMI attacks are global, EEAS said. Ukraine was the country most targeted, with 160 cases recorded, while the U.S. was targeted in 58 cases, followed by Poland with 33, Germany 31 and France 25.

Europe is expecting several elections this year, including the European Parliament election scheduled to take place in June.

By Tien Hsi-ju and Alison Hsiao Enditem/AW

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Justice Department Announces Charges and Arrest in Two Separate Illicit Technology Transfer Schemes to Benefit Governments of China and Iran

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Cases Mark One-Year Since Launch of Disruptive Technology Strike Force

In two separate cases out of U.S. Attorneys' Offices on opposite coasts, several individuals are charged - one of whom was arrested yesterday - in connection with sophisticated schemes to transfer sensitive technology, goods, and information for the benefit of hostile foreign adversaries, in violation of U.S. law.

In the Eastern District of New York, two Iranian nationals are charged with conspiring to export equipment used in the aerospace industry to the Government of Iran, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), in connection with an alleged conspiracy to illegally export U.S. goods and technology without the required licenses.

In the Central District of California, a man was arrested for allegedly stealing trade secrets developed for use by the U.S. government to detect nuclear missile launches and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

"One year ago, I launched the Disruptive Technology Strike Force to strike back against adversaries trying to steal our nation's most powerful technology and use it against us," said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. "Since then, working with our partners at the Commerce Department, we have arrested more than a dozen corporate executives, engineers, distributors, and other high-profile targets on charges that include sanctions and export control violations, and other offenses involving the unlawful transfer of sensitive information and technology. Today's charges against three additional defendants for seeking to illegally transfer U.S. software and semiconductor technology with military applications to benefit Iran and China highlight the critical importance of our fight against this national security threat."

"The FBI continues to take aggressive investigative action to hold accountable those who seek to violate sanctions and illegally provide sensitive technology to foreign adversaries," said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. "Stealing U.S. trade secrets and technology, especially when it can be used for military purposes, will not be tolerated. We will continue to work closely with our partners in the Disruptive Technology Strike Force to stop such activity and protect the national security of the United States."

"In its first year, the Disruptive Technology Strike Force has strengthened enforcement and disrupted numerous criminal schemes to smuggle highly-sensitive technology that foreign adversaries wield to advance their military and other malign agendas," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "The cases announced today underscore the commitment of the Justice Department and our partners to disrupt illegal efforts to siphon off U.S. ingenuity and to safeguard American security and innovation. "

"In the just one year since the launch of the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, we've stood up over a dozen local investigative cells, opened scores of investigations, and brought criminal charges against more than a dozen individuals and companies associated with nation-state adversaries," said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod. "Today's announcement provides the latest example of our unwavering mission a keeping our country's most sensitive technologies out of the world's most dangerous hands."

United States v. Bazzazi (EDNY)

Note: View a copy of the indictment here.

According to court documents, between January 2008 and August 2019, Abolfazi Bazzazi, 79, of Iran, and his son Mohammad Resa Bazzazi, 43, of Iran, and their co-conspirators sought to evade U.S. sanctions and export laws by working to procure goods and technology, including aeronautical ground support equipment, ultraviolet flame detectors, and firefighting equipment, from U.S. companies for end users in Iran, including the Government of Iran, without obtaining the required licenses or other authorization from the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

"As alleged, the Bazzazis devised an intricate scheme to evade U.S. export laws in obtaining U.S. equipment and technology to be exported to Iran and for the Government of Iran which has been designated by the United States government as a state sponsor of terrorism," said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. "The defendants allegedly attempted to obtain commercial and military aircraft items from multiple U.S. companies that supply the military, aerospace, and firefighting industries. These charges demonstrate the resolve of this office and the Department of Justice to prosecute those who seek to aid the Government of Iran, in violation of U.S. sanctions."

According to the indictment, the defendants sought to obtain components that could be used by Iran's aerospace industry. Additionally, they disguised the final destination of U.S. goods by attempting to forward them through intermediaries in Europe and elsewhere. As alleged, the Bazzazis acted on behalf of the Government of Iran.

The Bazzazis are charged with conspiracy to violate the IEEPA, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; and smuggling goods from the United States, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The defendants remain at large.

The Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and FBI are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francisco J. Navarro, Jonathan P. Lax, Nomi D. Berenson, and Adam Amir for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with assistance provided by Trial Attorney Adam Small of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

United States v. Gong (CDCA)

Note: View a copy of the complaint here.

As alleged, Chenguang Gong, 57, of San Jose, California, was arrested yesterday in San Jose and is expected to make his initial appearance today in the Northern District of California. Gong is a native of China and became a United States citizen in 2011.

Gong is charged in a criminal complaint with theft of trade secrets. According to court documents, Gong transferred more than 3,600 files from the research and development company where he worked a identified in court documents as the victim company a to personal storage devices during his brief tenure with the company last year. The files Gong allegedly transferred include blueprints for sophisticated infrared sensors designed for use in space-based systems to detect nuclear missile launches and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles, and blueprints for sensors designed to enable U.S. military aircraft to detect incoming heat-seeking missiles and take countermeasures, including by jamming the missiles' infrared tracking ability. Some of these files were later found on storage devices seized from Gong's temporary residence in Thousand Oaks, according to the affidavit in support of the complaint.

Together with the U.S. government and others, the affidavit states, the victim company "has invested tens of millions each year for more than seven years to develop the technology," and it "would be extremely damaging economically" to the victim company if the technology were obtained by its competitors and "dangerous to U.S. national security if obtained by international actors."

"We will do everything to protect our nation's security, including from foreign threats," said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California. "Mr. Gong, who had previously sought to provide the People's Republic of China with information to aid its military, stole sensitive and confidential information related to detecting nuclear missile launches and tracking ballistic and hypersonic missiles. We know that foreign actors, including the PRC, are actively seeking to steal our technology, but we will remain vigilant against this threat remain vigilant against this threat by safeguarding the innovations of American businesses and researchers."

"The FBI is committed to protecting our nation's critical technologies and to pursuing those who look to steal trade secret information for their benefit or for the benefit of foreign adversaries," said Assistant Director in Charge Donald Alway of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. "The theft of trade secrets, especially of sensitive military technology, undermines our national security, erodes U.S. competitiveness in the global market, and harms the businesses and individuals who have invested time, resources, and creativity into developing innovative technologies. Our actions today send a strong message that anyone willing to steal proprietary information from U.S. businesses will face consequences in the criminal justice system."

As alleged in the affidavit, the victim company hired Gong in January 2023 to work at one its laboratories as an application-specific integrated circuit design manager responsible for the design, development and verification of its infrared sensors. Beginning on approximately March 30, 2023, and continuing until his termination on April 26, 2023, Gong transferred thousands of files from his work laptop to three personal storage devices, including hundreds of files after he had accepted a job on April 5, 2023, at one of the victim company's main competitors.

Many of the files Gong allegedly transferred contained proprietary and trade secret information related to the development and design of a readout integrated circuit that allows space-based systems to detect missile launches and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles while providing resilience and a readout integrated circuit that allows aircraft to track incoming threats in low visibility environments. Gong also allegedly transferred trade secret files relating to the development of "next generation" sensors capable of detecting low observable targets while demonstrating increased survivability in space, as well as the blueprints for the mechanical assemblies used to house and cryogenically cool the victim company's sensors. This information was among the victim company's most important trade secrets worth hundreds of millions of dollars, according to the complaint, and many of the files were marked "[VICTIM COMPANY] PROPRIETARY," "FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY," "PROPRIETARY INFORMATION," and "EXPORT CONTROLLED."

During the investigation, the affidavit states, the FBI discovered that, between approximately 2014 and 2022 while employed at several major technology companies in the United States, "Gong submitted numerous applications to 'Talent Programs' administered by the People's Republic of China government." The affidavit explains that "the PRC has established talent programs through which it identifies individuals located outside the PRC who have expert skills, abilities, and knowledge that would aid in transforming the PRC's economy, including its military capabilities." To entice applicants, "the PRC government rewards Talent Recruits with significant financial and social incentives," noting that the "salaries often meet or exceed salaries the Talent Recruits draw through their non-PRC employment."

In 2014, while employed at a U.S. information technology company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the affidavit states that Gong sent a business proposal to a contact at the 38th Research Institute of the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, a high-tech research institute in China focused on both military and civilian products. In his proposal, translated from Chinese, Gong described a plan to produce high-performance analog-to-digital converters similar to those produced by his employer, noting that the global market for those products "is basically monopolized by several companies in the United States" and that the export of those items from the United States requires a "government export license." On May 8, 2023, the FBI executed a search warrant at Gong's temporary residence in Thousand Oaks, California, and recovered several digital devices containing hundreds of documents marked as confidential or proprietary belonging to the U.S. information technology company, the affidavit alleges.

In another Talent Program application in September 2020, the affidavit states, Gong proposed to develop "low light/night vision" image sensors for use in military night vision goggles and civilian applications. In a video presentation included with Gong's submission, Gong used a video containing the model number of a sensor developed by an international defense, aerospace, and security company where Gong worked from 2015 to 2019.

According to the affidavit, Gong also travelled to China several times to seek Talent Program funding to develop sophisticated analog-to-digital converters. In his Talent Program applications, Gong underscored that the high-performance analog-to-digital converters he proposed to develop in China had military applications, explaining that they "directly determine the accuracy and range of radar systems" and that "[m]issile navigation systems also often use radar front-end systems." In a 2019 email, translated from Chinese, Gong remarked that he "took a risk" by traveling to China to participate in the Talent Programs "because [he] worked for . . . an American military industry company[]" and thought he could "do something" to contribute to China's "high-end military integrated circuits." The affidavit states that Gong "continued to seek funding from Chinese government programs through at least March 2022."

BIS and the FBI are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nisha Chandran and David Lachman for the Central District of California are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance provided by Trial Attorney Brendan Geary of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

These cases were coordinated through the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation-states. Under the leadership of the Assistant Attorney General for National Security and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, the Strike Force leverages tools and authorities across the U.S. government to enhance the criminal and administrative enforcement of export control laws.

An indictment and a criminal complaint are merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Topics: Intellectual Property

Countering Nation-State Threats

Export Control

National Security

Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

Office of the Deputy Attorney General

USAO - California, Central

USAO - New York, Eastern

Press Release Number: 24-152

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Florida Guard's 202nd RED HORSE Hosts Contingency Exercise

By Senior Airman Brooke Keisler, 125th Fighter Wing Public Affairs February 6, 2024

CAMP BLANDING, Fla. -- The Florida Air National Guard's 202nd RED HORSE Squadron conducted the FEBEX24 exercise Feb. 2-3 to assess and enhance the readiness of its members. Airmen assigned to the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Civil Engineer Squadron and 125th Medical Group also participated in the exercise.

"RED HORSE deploys as a unit and is a self-sustaining unit," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Brian Encarnacion, 202nd RED HORSE Squadron unit deployment manager.

The Airmen worked on tactical combat casualty care, force protection, and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosives training.

Airmen established infrastructure, operated in austere environments, and faced hostile forces attempting to overtake the camp while in a simulated forward operating base. Airmen responded to the hostile forces with fire, practicing core competencies such as TCCC and force protection.

When enemy forces simulated a flight line attack, 202nd RED HORSE members repaired the airfield and built protective structures to keep assets safe. Members completed this task while wearing mission-oriented protective posture gear due to simulated exposure to chemical weapons.

"They're being tested on different skills that they would need to be utilized for a wartime event," said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Abbey Mears, 125th CES installation emergency manager.

The exercise allowed Airmen to step outside their career fields and practice core competencies of other jobs.

"This exercise is important because you get a lot of Airmen that are proficient at only doing their job," said Encarnacion. "At the end of the day, they have to learn how to be a security forces member, a medic, or even an emergency manager. It's important for all these Airmen to get this hands-on training."

The training also featured a joint training sortie with the Florida Army National Guard, in which Airmen were loaded on a U.S. Army HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter for a simulated medical evacuation.

"I think the big foot stomp with this is the importance of training like we're going to fight," said Mears.

Lessons taken from this experience will help set the foundation for future exercises.

Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer (RED HORSE) Squadrons are highly mobile and rapidly deployable response forces. They repair heavy damage to recover critical Air Force facilities and utility systems following enemy attack or natural disaster in remote, high-threat environments worldwide.

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Oregon Troops Back from Operation Spartan Shield Mission

By Maj. Wayne Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office February 6, 2024

ONTARIO, Ore. -- Oregon Army National Guard's Adder Company Soldiers were welcomed home Feb. 3 from a yearlong deployment to the Middle East to support Operation Spartan Shield.

The demobilization ceremony occurred at the Ontario Army National Guard Armory for the 16 Soldiers from Adder Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment. Families and community members attended.

Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, adjutant general of Oregon, and Command Sgt. Maj. Lee Smith, senior enlisted leader, welcomed the Soldiers home in a recorded video. During the ceremony, 1st Lt. Steven Sawyer read welcome letters from Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley.

Col. Russell Gibson, commander of the 82nd Troop Command Brigade, spoke to the Soldiers, praising their service and sacrifice. Lt. Col. Christopher Miller, commander of the 3-116th Cavalry Regiment, officiated the event along with Col. Gibson, welcoming home each Soldier in a receiving line.

Adder Company deployed in March to provide a rapid reaction force for U.S. Central Command, deterring malign influence and reassuring allies in the region. The company trained for two months at Fort Bliss, Texas, before mobilizing for nine months in Kuwait.

While overseas, as part of Task Force Rattler, Adder Company conducted exercises and worked with partner nation forces in Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. They displayed U.S. Army capabilities through emergency drills, weapons qualifications, and Abrams tank gunnery exercises.

Some of the Soldiers qualified on the new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Integrated Defense System known as M-LIDS, gaining experience to combat electronic warfare and unmanned aerial threats.

The Soldiers maintained readiness as a quick reaction force for Central Command throughout their deployment.

"Time and again, you demonstrated your competence, heart, and skill as members of the Oregon National Guard. When duty called, you answered," said Gibson. "You show the best of the Oregon spirit: committed, tough, resilient, pulling together to meet any test. Always ready, always there."

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U.S. Special Operations Africa supports donation of humanitarian assistance to Equatorial Guinea

By Courtesy February 6, 2024

Malabo, Equatorial Guinea -- Through a joint effort, U.S. Special Operations Africa delivered a donation of humanitarian supplies with assistance from II Marine Expeditionary Force USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB-4) Detachment in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, February 2, 2024. U.S. forces worked concurrently with the government of Equatorial Guinea to facilitate this engagement signifying sustained relations between the two nations. The Equatorial Guinea Ministry of Social Affairs and Gender received the donation of $24,000 worth of supplies and will disburse it to local shelters and orphanages within the community.

"We are very thankful to have the opportunity to work with the Equatorial Guinea Ministry of Social Affairs and Gender, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, and the U.S. Embassy Malabo to complete this collaborative effort to support Equatorial Guinean's, U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Defense objectives to combat human trafficking and provide aid to help vulnerable populations," said U.S. Army Maj. Brittany Fraser, SOCAFRICA Civil Affairs Branch Chief.

The nation's relative remoteness, comprised of a mainland region and volcanic islands off the Gulf of Guinea, presents procurement and logistical challenges. U.S forces are currently postured to support these complex delivery logistics. This humanitarian donation will benefit the most vulnerable of the population in the host nation. One of the recipients of this donation is the first shelter dedicated to victims of human trafficking. The aid items delivered included baby formula, diapers, rehydration salts, pediatric medicines, and first aid kits for distribution to the local populace.

"We hope that this donation is the beginning of additional cooperation and illustrates the broad range of programs available through U.S. forces to help strengthen not only security but improve the livelihoods of the people of Equatorial Guinea," said Defense Attache to the U.S. Embassy in Equatorial Guinea Cdr. Michael White.

SOCAFRICA, II MEF HWW Detachment, and the USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB-4) procured the original donation at Naval Station Rota, Spain, August 16, 2023, through a coordinated effort. U.S. forces remain postured to support our African partners and continue maintaining the rapport with Equatorial Guinea for future cooperation.

"We hope that this is the first of many opportunities to partner with not only the Ministry of Social Affairs, but the government of Equatorial Guinea," said U.S. Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea David R. Gilmour. "The U.S. Embassy strives to increase cooperation to make progress on our shared goals of strengthening regional security, promoting economic prosperity and human development, and encouraging good governance and respect for human rights."

II MEF HWW Detachment conducted this humanitarian assistance through a scheduled deployment in the NAVEUR-NAVAF area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., European allied and African partner interests.

SOCAFRICA remains actively engaged in supporting our partners throughout Africa to attain greater security and stability for their population.

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Iranian-Backed Houthi Terrorists conduct Multiple Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile Attacks in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden

U.S. Central Command

Press Release | Feb. 6, 2024

USCENTCOM

TAMPA, Fla. -- On Feb. 6, from approximately 1:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Arabia Standard Time) Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired six anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Three of the ASBMs were attempting to hit M/V Star Nasia, a Marshall Island-flagged, Greek owned-and-operated bulk carrier transiting the Gulf of Aden. At approximately 3:20 a.m., M/V Star Nasia reported an explosion near the ship causing minor damage but no injuries. At 2 p.m. another missile impacted the water near the ship with no effect. At 4:30 p.m., USS Laboon (DDG 58), operating near M/V Star Nasia, intercepted and shot down a third anti-ship ballistic missile fired by the Iranian-backed Houthis. M/V Star Nasia remains seaworthy and is continuing toward its destination.

The remaining three ASBMs were likely targeting M/V Morning Tide, a Barbados-flagged, UK-owned cargo ship operating in the Southern Red Sea. The three missiles impacted the water near the ship without effect. M/V Morning Tide is continuing its journey and is reporting no injuries or damage.







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Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on anti-Serbian moves by the Kosovo authorities

6 February 2024 20:06

205-06-02-2024

The position of Serbs in Kosovo is worsening literally every day. Violations of fundamental UN Security Council Resolution 1244 have become gloomy routine. The level of ethnic tensions is rapidly growing.

After the decision to ban the circulation of the Serbian dinar, which deprived the local non-Albanians of the opportunity to receive their pensions, allowances and other payments, the local authorities have taken a new step in eliminating administrative and commercial structures beyond their control, including Serbian postal branches. They are conducting illegal searches, withdrawing documents and cash, detaining employees and fabricating criminal cases.

The criminal regime of Prime Minister Albin Kurti has finally gone into the active phase of anti-Serbian ethnic cleansing: the expelling of Serbians from their ancestral lands. In this way Pristina hopes to avoid the need to fulfil its commitments, primarily, on creating the Community of Serb Municipalities of Kosovo.

By encouraging Albin Kurti and the terror he unleashed, the West is trying to punish Belgrade for its firmness in upholding its national sovereignty, the right to pursue an independent policy and the resolve to preserve friendly relations with Russia and other states outside the Euro-Atlantic orbit. Attempts are being made to compel the Serbians to give up their vital interests, including protection of their compatriots.

We are seeing this not only in Kosovo but also in Bosnia and Herzegovina where the West is trying to reshape the country in line with a unitary model and put it under its control. The opinions of the Serbian residents in that country are simply ignored as well as the basic principles of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was approved by UN Security Council Resolution 1031. It guarantees equality to three state-forming peoples and two entities - Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The unity of the Serbian political class and its ability to assume responsibility for the country's future are especially important in the face of these challenges. In this context, a special role belongs to the patriotic forces that have already won their reputation and those that are just starting to gain authority in society. Much depends on their ability to unite and jointly defend the fundamental interests of the Serbian people and to ensure the stability of government at all levels so as to draft and implement viable solutions to key national issues.

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Alaska Army Guard conducts cold-weather readiness training

By Balinda ONeal, Alaska National Guard Public Affairs February 7, 2024

BETHEL, Alaska -- Soldiers with Bison Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, recently demonstrated readiness and resilience during cold weather training in Bethel Feb. 2-4, 2024.

This training marked a significant reunion for the Alaska Army National Guard infantry unit in Bethel, emphasizing the city's importance as a training ground that challenges Soldiers to adapt and excel in real-world scenarios.

Alaska Army Guard 1st Lt. Troy Irish, Bison Company's rear detachment commander, said the rugged terrain and extreme weather in Western Alaska provided an ideal testing ground for his Soldiers preparing for Arctic warfare. Bethel, situated along the Kuskokwim River around 340 miles west of Anchorage, set the scene for the training with its snow-covered landscape of tundra marshes and frozen lakes and streams.

"It's just you, your rucksack, and the terrain," said Irish, reflecting on the solitude of the tundra. "During our snowshoe ruck, I wasn't initially sure about my gear  polypro, waffle tops and [soft shell jacket]  but trusted my noncommissioned officers. Wearing the right gear broke the wind, and I maintained a comfortable temperature, crucial in preventing freezing due to precipitation or sweat."

For three days, members of the infantry unit rigorously tested their field-craft skills, individual movement over arctic terrain, and arctic transportation proficiency.

The Guardsmen operated small unit support vehicles and slept in the snow. They insulated themselves in temperatures ranging from -10 to -15 degress, equipped with the patrol sleeping bag, intermediate cold weather bag and waterproof bivy cover.

"The sleep systems are rated to a certain negative temperature, and we were nearing that overnight," said Irish. "So, there were a lot of Soldiers that were kind of cold. But nobody was injured. Nobody was hypothermic."

The training regimen also included assembling and using the Ahkio Group  a sled with an arctic 10-man tent and other squad cold-weather supplies.

"We've talked about them a lot, we've done a lot of prep work for them, but I've never really been able to truck them out into the field and use them before," said Spc. Luke Barnes, an infantryman who joined the AKARNG three years ago.

The company completed a 5-kilometer snowshoe ruck march, pulling the Ahkio group with them.

Barnes said that while he isn't a noncommissioned officer yet, he enjoyed the added responsibility of taking care of and leading others.

The unit's last consolidated training in the area coincided with the 2018 Kuskokwim 300 sled dog race. Training focus shifted as more than 150 Guardsmen from the 1-297th deployed to Kosovo from 2019-2020. Following a month-long rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Louisiana last summer, approximately 100 Bison Company Guardsmen deployed to Kuwait in November as part of Operation Spartan Shield.

The primary training objective in Bethel was to reacquaint themselves with arctic conditions.

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February 7, 2024

Transcript

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks Welcoming Kenyan Defense Minister Aden Duale to the Pentagon

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III; Kenyan Defense Minister Aden Duale

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD J. AUSTIN III: Mr. Secretary Duale, welcome to the Pentagon. Let me start by expressing my deepest condolences for all of those killed and injured in the gas explosion last week in Nairobi, and our hearts go out to everyone suffering from this tragedy.

Now, it was great to see you during my recent visit to Nairobi, I think it was last year, and I'm glad to have a chance to reciprocate your hospitality, your great hospitality that we experienced while we were there. We had terrific discussions during my trip to Kenya, and I'm especially proud of the framework for defense cooperation that we signed.

That just underscores that Kenya has long been one of our most important security partners in Africa. Kenya is a key strategic partner in tackling a range of shared threats and advancing security in East Africa and beyond. Kenya's support and partnership in the African Union transition mission in Somalia is critical to civility in the region, and so is your sustained commitment to countering Al-Shabaab. And by joining Operation Prosperity Guardian, Kenya has again showed that it is an indispensable partner in strengthening Red Sea security.

And Kenya has stood on principle by participating in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group and by supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia's unprovoked aggression. And as always, we're grateful for Kenya's generosity in hosting U.S. forces at Manda Bay.

So we'll keep working closely with Kenya to achieve our shared security goals. Our partnership deepens our ability to deter threats and to combat global terrorism and to provide humanitarian assistance when needed.

Mr. Secretary, the United States greatly values our strategic partnership with Kenya. And your visit today shows the strength of our partnership, and we're grateful for all that you're doing for our shared security. I look forward to discussing key issues in our defense relationship and ways that we can do even more together. Thanks again for making the trip, Mr. Secretary, and I look forward to our discussion.

DEFENSE MINISTER ADEN DUALE: Thank you, Secretary of Defense, and my brother Lloyd Austin, senior members in your team in Pentagon, allow me first and foremost to (inaudible) my condolences to the families of our brave soldiers who lost their lives in the Red Sea, and injured. Our prayers and thoughts are with them and their families during this difficult period.

So too let me thank you most sincerely for hosting me and my delegation to this very important bilateral meeting here at the Pentagon. This is confirmation to the strong historic co-relationship between Kenya and the United States.

This meeting is also a follow-up to the visit you made to Nairobi last year in September, where we signed a framework of defense cooperation between the Department of Defense of the United States and Ministry of Defense of the Department of Kenya. Our countries' relationship is very strong in the principle of mutual trust, respect, shared values and common defense objectives, to which end we are seeing remarkable success in the programs which we have partnered together over the last years.

Let me state that Kenya (inaudible) strategic locations in a volatile region has continued to present ideal opportunity for partnership with the U.S. in order to promote peace and stability in the region. Kenya, through the existing (inaudible), offers facility access agreement and status of force agreement, granting U.S. access to our critical air and post facilities in our country.

On the other side, the U.S. has continued to support Kenya in many ways, and we want to thank you for training opportunities for our (inaudible) from DOD, the feeling of support you give us (inaudible) received, and we want to thank you for the protective gear for our (inaudible) for our Special Forces while combating Al-Shabaab in the region. In the War against Terrorism, we have partnered and we have also shared intelligence and also, again, now in maritime security space.

I want to assure you, Secretary of Defense, that Kenya supports the ongoing effort in ensuring freedom of navigation and the safety of the maritime traffic in the Red Sea (inaudible) on the Gulf of Aden. Kenya, therefore, remains committed to the U.S.-led initiative under the Operation Prosperity Guardian, and I had the opportunity to join you on your virtual -- initial virtual meeting that you held this year, which I participated in. Kenya, therefore, remains a serious partner in that Operation Prosperity Guardian.

Kenya also supports the efforts in the fight against terror and violent extremism, among other initiatives, in order to have global peace and security and stability.

On the issue of Russia-Ukraine war, I want to emphasize that Kenya supported for three years the initiatives under collective assessment (inaudible) to Ukraine by like-minded partners. Kenya is very, very clear at all forums, from the onset that Russia's invasion is unjustified and against international norms.

Secretary of Defense, ladies and gentlemen, I look forward to continuing our strengthening our cooperation, which is important and fundamental not only addressing our immediate security challenges, but also shaping our long-time strategic alliance for the conversion of peace and stability at both regional and at global (inaudible). Thank you very much.

SEC. AUSTIN: Thanks, Mr. Secretary. Again, welcome to the Pentagon. We are delighted to have you here, and I look forward to a great discussion.

MIN. DUALE: Thank you.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3669784/

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February 7, 2024

Release

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Defence Aden Duale

The Secretary met today with Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Defence Aden Duale to discuss the importance of the U.S.-Kenya strategic partnership. Secretary Austin thanked Cabinet Secretary Duale for Kenya's role and contributions in regional and global security. Secretary Austin commented on the need to continue the fight against al-Shabab and the need for security and stability in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb.

Both leaders agreed to continue working together to address shared regional challenges.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3669490/

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Norway providing NOK 275 million to United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)

Government of Norway

Press release | Date: 07/02/2024

'The war in Gaza started four months ago today. The situation is catastrophic. There is a shortage of all essential items and people are facing daily threats to their lives and safety. UNRWA is the backbone of humanitarian efforts in Gaza. I am pleased that we are able to transfer NOK 275 million today to the organisation's efforts to assist Palestinian refugees,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

The funds from Norway will go to UNRWA's efforts to provide assistance to the 5.9 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. The war in Gaza is having a severe impact on Palestinian refugees throughout the Middle East. They are dependent on UNRWA for access to many basic services, including education and health care. The situation is tense in several other countries as well.

'People in Gaza are starving. Health services have collapsed. In addition to all of the ramifications of the war, many are dying from infectious diseases and due to a lack of health care. Our support for UNRWA's efforts is more important than ever,' said Minister of International Development Anne Beathe Tvinnereim.

UNRWA is in a critical financial situation. A number of major donors are withholding funding following allegations that 12 of the organisation's 13 000 staff in Gaza were involved in Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October.

'These allegations are shocking and we expect full transparency. There must be zero tolerance for such actions. However, we should not collectively punish millions of people for the alleged wrongdoing of 12 staff members. I urge all donors that have suspended their support to think about the consequences. The situation is dire not only for the population of Gaza, but also for Palestinians throughout the Middle East,' said Mr Eide.

The allegations against the 12 UNRWA employees have already been referred to the UN's Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). An investigation is underway and an interim report will be submitted in late March 2024. The UN Secretary-General has also appointed an independent Review Group to carry out a broad assessment of UNRWA's work. The Chr. Michelsens Institute (CMI) in Norway is participating in the review.

'There are people in Gaza who were refugees before the war started and who have now been forced to flee once again. The scale of humanitarian need is immense. The population are living under conditions of great hardship. It is very difficult for humanitarian organisations to gain access and virtually impossible to get commercial goods into Gaza. It is UNRWA that distributes most of the goods that enter Gaza and the organisation plays a critical role in providing life-saving assistance to the population,' said Ms Tvinnereim.

The UN staff in Gaza are working at risk to their own lives. More than 150 UNRWA staff have been killed since the war began.

UNRWA was established by the UN General Assembly in 1949. Its mandate is to provide assistance and protection for Palestinian refugees, including meeting fundamental needs such as food, education, health care and shelter. It is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.

'UNRWA is much more than a humanitarian organisation. It represents a commitment by the international community to meet the basic needs of the Palestinian refugees until a political solution to the conflict has been reached. It is completely out of the question for Norway to back out of this commitment, at a time when Gaza is essentially in ruins,' said Mr Eide.



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SECURITY SITUATION IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR AND LADAKH

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Home Affairs

Posted On: 07 FEB 2024 3:57PM by PIB Delhi

The Government has a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and the security situation has improved significantly in Jammu and Kashmir. Details are as under:

Description 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Terrorist initiated incidents 153 126 129 125 46 Encounters/ Counter Terrorism Operations 102 118 100 117 48 Civilians killed in terrorist initiated incidents and in encounters 44 38 41 31 14 Security personnel killed 80 63 42 32 30 Terrorist killed 157 221 180 187 73

(Source: CID, J&K

No terrorist incident was reported in UT of Ladakh from 2019 to 2023.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

*****

RK/ASH/AKS/RR/PR/AK/538

(Release ID: 2003497)

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NATO Secretary General chairs meeting of National Security Advisers, addresses preparations for Washington Summit

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

07 Feb. 2024

National Security Advisers from all NATO Allies and invitee Sweden met in Brussels on Wednesday (7 February 2024) to discuss preparations for the Washington Summit in July, including continued support to Ukraine, strengthening NATO's deterrence and defence, and the growing challenges posed by China.

The Secretary General highlighted that both Europe and North America are making critical contributions to preserve Ukraine's freedom, and that support to Ukraine is in the security interest of Allies. "A Russian victory would weaken us and embolden not just Moscow, but also China, Iran, and North Korea," he said, adding that support to Ukraine "is not charity. It is in our own security interest."

The Secretary General underlined that in a visit to Washington, D.C. last week, he heard "strong support for Ukraine from Congressional leaders - both Republicans and Democrats". He added: "The debate continues in Washington on funding for a number of important priorities. It is vital that the United States Congress agrees on continued support for Ukraine in the near future, and I count on all Allies to sustain their commitment."

Mr Stoltenberg also underlined measures to strengthen NATO's deterrence and defence. Since last July, NATO has agreed industry deals worth 10 billion dollars for ammunition, "including 5.5 billion dollars for 1,000 more Patriot air defence missiles just last month. A deal that will build more production capacity in Europe for this vital capability," said the Secretary General.

On strengthening global partnerships, the Secretary General stressed that "our competitors are increasingly joining forces and Russia's increasing cooperation with China, Iran, and North Korea raises serious concerns. So it is even more important that NATO is working more closely with partners like Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea."

The National Security Advisors also condemned Iran's destabilising role throughout the Middle East. "Attacks by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria against U.S. forces are unacceptable. Iran must rein in its proxies," Mr Stoltenberg said.

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A look at the Defence news 29 January - 4 February

Netherlands Ministry of Defence

News item | 07-02-2024

The Netherlands and Ukraine share knowledge about innovation in the armed forces

The Netherlands is supporting Ukraine not only with military materiel but also with knowledge and innovation. A Ukrainian delegation exchanged knowledge with Dutch Defence colleagues. Another purpose of the visit was to gain deeper insight into the Dutch defence industry. In the future, this could lead to even better support for the war-torn country.

The Netherlands allocates 122 million for ammunition, materiel and cyber security in Ukraine

The Netherlands will contribute 87 million to the purchase of artillery shells for Ukraine. 25 million will be deposited into the International Fund for Ukraine to buy materiel. In addition, the Dutch government will allocate 10 million to improve Ukrainian cyber defences. The Netherlands Minister of Defence, Kajsa Ollongren, informed the House of Representatives accordingly last week.

Germany, the Netherlands and Poland want to be able to quickly move military personnel and equipment

Germany, the Netherlands and Poland want to make it easier for military troops to move around in each other's countries. To this end, the ministers of defence of the three countries signed a letter of intent for a so-called military corridor last week. They hope that other member states will follow their example.

Defence ministers met in Brussels to discuss support to Ukraine and scaling up defence industry

During the informal meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, the ministers of defence had two important subjects on the agenda. They discussed the EU's military support to Ukraine and the need to scale up the production capacity of the European defence industry. The Netherlands remains committed to both issues.

Ten years of marines on Leeward Islands

It is exactly ten years since the first marine detachment arrived at the Caribbean island of Sint Maarten. The marines guarantee security at and from the sea on the Leeward Islands. This is done, for example, in emergency situations or to support the local population. The past decade has seen many changes, and the future plans for the island are even more ambitious.

Dutch minehunter departed for NATO deployment

On 28 January, minehunter HNLMS Zierikzee took to the sea to join a minehunter squadron of the NATO fleet SNMCMG1. One of this fleet's main tasks is to defuse any explosives in the sea.

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Foreign ministers of Poland and Portugal hold consultations

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Poland

07.02.2024

Chief of Polish diplomacy Radosaw Sikorski met today in Warsaw with his Portuguese counterpart Joao Gomes Cravinho.

Today's consultations took place immediately after Portugal's top diplomat paid a two-day visit to Ukraine. The ministers expressed their satisfaction with the very good state of Polish-Portuguese relations, especially with the dynamic political dialogue held over the last year, including the successful visit of Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to Warsaw. Minister Sikorski appreciated Portugal's support for Ukraine in all dimensions, that is military, economic, and financial ones. Poland's top diplomat also thanked Minister Cravinho for providing Poland in 2023 with the amount of EUR 30 million, which was then allocated to help Ukrainian refugees in Poland, as well as to buy food rations, fuel, and generators transferred to Ukraine. Minister Sikorski reassured that Poland's support for Kyiv's military efforts remains intact.

As part of the consultations, Minister Cravinho referred to his visit to Kyiv and Zhytomyr on 5-6 February this year. He reported that, during his meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he had spoken about the peace formula, the reconstruction of a school in Zhytomyr, and the integration of Ukrainian refugees' children in Portuguese schools. Minister Cravinho also reported that he had assured the Ukrainian partner that Portugal's assistance for Ukraine will continue for as long as needed and that Ukraine has Portugal's support as it attempts to join the EU and get closer to NATO.

Minister Sikorski said he believes that strengthening the European security must be twofold: on the eastern and on the southern front. Thanking Lisbon for its approach to challenges posed by Russia's aggressive policy, he pledged that Poland will back Portugal's proposals when it comes to matters that are geographically closest to this country.

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US kills top resistance commander in drone strike against Baghdad

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 07 February 2024 8:32 PM

The US military announces carrying out a drone strike against the eastern section of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, killing three people, including a senior commander of Iraq's Kata'ib Hezbollah resistance group.

The Wednesday strike came "in response to the attacks" on US troops and killed "a Kata'ib Hezbollah commander responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on US forces in the region," the military's Central Command said on social media.

Kata'ib Hezbollah identified the senior commander as Abu Baqr al-Saadi, and referred to the rest of the victims as other ranking officials.

Citing "two security sources," Reuters news agency said the attack targeted a vehicle belonging to Iraq's Hashd al-Sha'abi or Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) umbrella anti-terror group, of which Kata'ib Hezbollah is a member.

Osama Hamdan, the Palestinian resistance movement of Hamas' senior representative in Lebanon, reacted to the drone strike, calling it an attack on Iraq's sovereignty.

The attack came nearly a week after the United States carried out a flurry of airstrikes against at least 85 targets at seven locations across Iraq and neighboring Syria, using more than 125 "precision munitions."

Washington has described the airstrikes as the beginning of "retaliatory" assaults against, what it called, those who were responsible for a recent deadly attack against American forces in Jordan.

Kata'ib Hezbollah has roundly denounced the airstrikes, stating that the attacks emanate from the US administration's criminal mindset and its craving for more bloodshed.

Back in December, the group vowed that its fighters would remain prepared with "their fingers on the trigger" until complete expulsion of all American occupation forces from the Arab country.

Also on Wednesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani likewise censured the US military's latest airstrikes against positions manned by anti-terror resistance groups, asserting, "Any kind of military attack on the Iraqi territory is unacceptable."

Sudani, who was speaking in an interview with the al-Arabiya television news network, said the US-led military coalition purportedly formed to fight the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group would eventually wind down its presence in Iraq.

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Arab Parliament censures Argentina for moving embassy to al-Quds

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 07 February 2024 7:00 PM

The Arab Parliament has censured a plan by Argentina's right-wing President Javier Milei to relocate the country's embassy from Tel Aviv to the occupied al-Quds.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Parliament said the legal, historical and religious status of the city is not subject to review.

It further said such a step by President Milei would be considered a blatant violation of International law and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

It said the controversial decision emboldens the occupying Israeli forces to continue attacks on the Palestinian people and Christian and Islamic sanctities in the occupied city.

The statement also encouraged Argentina to follow the position of other South American countries that defend the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state with al-Quds as its capital.

Elsewhere in the statement, the Parliament said any move explicitly contravenes the decisions of the United Nations General Assembly and the UN Security Council.

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas earlier said the move constitutes "an infringement of the rights of our Palestinian people to their land and a violation of the rules of international law considering al-Quds as occupied Palestinian land."

Milei delighted his Israeli hosts on Tuesday by announcing the relocation move almost as soon as he touched down in the occupied territories.

Argentina would become one of only a handful of countries to have its embassy in the occupied city.

The United States made a similar move in 2018 under the presidency of Donald Trump.

Israel annexed East al-Quds after taking it over during the 1967 war, and it is considered occupied territory under international law.

What is noteworthy about Milei is his inclination toward the Zionists and support for the regime's genocidal campaigns in both the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank.

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Palestinian ambassador censures UNSC for failing to address Gaza crisis

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 07 February 2024 6:54 PM

The Palestinian ambassador to the UN has criticized the Security Council for its inaction in the face of the ongoing Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, expressing disappointment over the body's inability to fulfill its mandate to protect peace and security.

Riyad Mansour said in a letter addressed to the UN Security Council's President Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett that as the council "wavers and praises words," more Palestinians are being killed by Israeli forces in Gaza.

He wrote that the death toll in Gaza "should have long ago compelled the Security Council to demand a ceasefire."

"But the Council continues to betray its charter mandate and the expectations of nearly the entire international community demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire for months now," he wrote, according to Al Jazeera.

The Palestinian envoy said only a ceasefire can "ensure implementation of the ICJ provisional measures ... and resolutions ... to protect the Palestinian civilian population."

He was referring to an interim ruling by the International Court of Justice last month that the regime should avoid genocidal acts in Gaza as well as the UNSC resolution calling for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors through the Gaza Strip.

"We once again implore the Council, General Assembly, and all states and organizations to uphold their obligations, in accordance with international law," he added.

The Council has issued only one resolution on the ongoing Israeli onslaught on Gaza, which has so far claimed the lives of more than 27,700 people, mostly women and children.

The resolution, numbered 2720, was adopted late last year, and called for the protection of civilians, and the delivery of aid to Gaza.

Two earlier resolutions had been vetoed by the US, which has a long history of blocking UN resolutions critical of Israel.

The two resolutions, presented by the United Arab Emirates and Brazil in October and December 2023, called for an immediate ceasefire.

The US was the only country that voted against the resolutions, while most of the other members voted in favor or abstained.

The US vetoes were widely criticized by the international community and also UN chief Antonio Guterres, who accused the US of preventing the Security Council from fulfilling its responsibilities and enabling Israel's aggression on Gaza.

The US said it vetoed the resolutions because they did not condemn the October 7 Palestinian operation against Israel.

The United States has vetoed 45 anti-Israel resolutions in the UN Security Council since 1945.

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Islamic Jihad says ceasefire with Israel must be inclusive, permanent

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 07 February 2024 6:23 PM

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad resistance movement says it will only agree to a ceasefire deal with Israel that can be permanent and meets all major conditions set by the Palestinians.

Senior Islamic Jihad official Khaled al-Batash said on Wednesday that resistance groups in Gaza will only accept a ceasefire that forces Israel to fully withdraw from the territory, four months after it started brutal aggression against its people.

"The condition set by Palestine's resistance for a ceasefire with the Zionist regime is that it must be inclusive and permanent," Batash said.

He also proposed that a major condition for a potential deal to go through would be to transfer pre-fabricated homes to Gaza to house Palestinians displaced by the Israeli war.

The official said that the US, Egypt, Qatar and probably Russia and Turkey could be the guarantors of a ceasefire between the Gaza-based resistance groups and the Israeli regime.

The Israeli regime said earlier on Wednesday that it had received an official response from Gaza's ruling Hamas movement to conditions and terms of a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar.

Reuters news agency also said in a report that the ceasefire would see Hamas release the rest of the Israeli captives it took in a blitz into the occupied territories in early October in three stages and within 45 days in return for the freedom of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.

It said the deal will also include the reconstruction of Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory and the exchange of dead bodies between the Palestinians and Israel.

Mohammad al-Hindi, another senior Islamic Jihad official, said on Wednesday that except for some minor changes, the proposed ceasefire covers almost all demands set by the group and Hamas for Israel to accept, including a halt to aggression, military withdrawal, aid delivery, end of blockade, reconstruction and prisoner exchange.

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Hamas details 3-stage Gaza ceasefire deal in response to Paris proposal

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 07 February 2024 5:55 PM

In response to a truce proposal, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has reportedly demanded a three-phase deal, 45 days each, to secure a prisoner-captive exchange, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, among other issues.

The draft shows the first 45-day stage will allow exchange of prisoners, release of some non-military Israeli captives and the delivery of aid.

It will also allow the reconstruction of hospitals and refugee camps in Gaza and the exit of Israeli ground forces from populated areas.

According to this draft, Hamas has also proposed indirect talks with the Israeli regime in the first stage to end the military aggression.

The second phase, as it shows, will allow the release of all Israeli male captives in exchange for a certain number of Palestinian prisoners and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

According to the draft, remains and bodies will be exchanged in the third 45-day phase.

The three-stage deal will be guaranteed by Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, Russia, and the United Nations.

The framework of the proposal was agreed to by negotiators in Paris at the end of last month.

Hamas renewed the principles it agreed upon with the rest of the Palestinian factions, reiterating that the resistance cannot approve any ceasefire deal that does not lead to a complete cessation of hostilities and an end to the occupation of Gaza.

A senior Hamas official says the resistance movement is trying to secure the release of as many Palestinian prisoners as it can in a potential deal with the Israeli regime.

Ghazi Hamad's remarks came after Hamas said it had delivered its response to a ceasefire proposal to key mediators, Egypt and Qatar.

The Palestinians in Gaza are hopeful that a ceasefire would end their ordeal caused by over four months of relentless Israeli hostilities.

"People are optimistic, at the same time they pray that this hope turns into a real agreement that will end the war," said Yamen Hamad, a father of four, living in a UN school in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.

"People are awaiting news of a ceasefire, they are a bit hopeful despite the continued bombardment."

Israeli occupation forces have committed 16 massacres in the past day, killing over 120 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Gaza's Health Ministry says around 170 civilians have also been injured.

The regime forces have intensified attacks on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza. Continuous bombardments threaten the lives of around 1.4 million displaced Gazans sheltering in Rafah.

Israel plans to launch a ground offensive there. The UN has issued a stern warning against the plan, saying it will lead to a large scale loss of civilian lives.

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Hezbollah fighters strike Israeli military outposts in solidarity with Palestinians

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 07 February 2024 5:01 PM

As a show of staunch support for Palestinians amid the relentless Israeli onslaught against the Gaza Strip, fighters from the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement have launched two attacks targeting Israeli military positions.

Lebanon's Arabic-language al-Manar television channel, citing a Hezbollah statement, reported that the group targeted the Israeli outpost of Zibdin in the occupied Shebaa Farms, and a gathering of Israeli soldiers in its close proximity at 1:45 p.m. local time (1145 GMT) on Wednesday.

The statement added that the Lebanese resistance forces hit the designated targets with appropriate missiles, causing casualties among Israeli troops.

Hezbollah also struck the Ramya outpost, and destroyed technical equipment there.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Lebanese resistance group announced in a statement that two of its fighters, identified as Hussein Mohammad Shamas and Mohammad Jaafar Osseily, had been killed while honoring their commitment to support resilient Palestinians in the occupied territories and courageous resistance fighters in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, Lebanese media outlets reported that a civilian was killed and two others were wounded in an Israeli drone strike on the southern town of Khiam.

Israeli warplanes targeted early on Wednesday the al-Wazzani water pumps in southern Lebanon, after two overnight airstrikes on the border towns of Houla and Bani Hayyan.

The Israeli regime launched its devastating hostilities in the Gaza Strip on October 7 after the territory's Hamas-led Palestinian resistance groups carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity.

The Israeli military has also been carrying out attacks against the Lebanese territory since then, prompting retaliatory strikes from Hezbollah in support of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

The movement has vowed to keep up its retaliatory operations as long as the Tel Aviv regime continues its onslaught on Gaza.

The Israeli campaign in Gaza has killed at least 27, 708 people, most of them women and children. Another 67,147 individuals have also been wounded.

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Humanitarian disaster looms over Rafah as Israel's ground invasion imminent

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 07 February 2024 10:08 AM

Concern is growing as an Israeli ground invasion of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip is imminent, with the situation in the city near the Egyptian border getting more intense by the hour amid the occupying regime's genocidal war.

There were sounds of explosions in Rafah as Israeli gunboats opened fire at the main coastal road to the west of Rafah on Wednesday, while massive airstrikes were reported in the city, which had been called the safe zone in the strip.

Israeli strikes overnight have left eleven people dead, including a journalist and his mother and sister.

Israel says its tanks and troops would imminently press into Rafah, and continue until the military has "full reign" over the entire 42-km-long territory.

Gazan families and medics in Rafah - the last refuge for Palestinians within Gaza - have warned of humanitarian catastrophe if Israeli troops push into the border town.

Displaced Palestinians crowded into tents in Rafah are fearfully waiting for an anticipated Israeli ground invasion with nowhere left to flee once the regime's troops move in.

Kareem Dahman, a displaced Palestinian in the city described the conditions in Rafah as "very difficult," saying "They hear (drones) very, very loud, and we hear the sounds of bombing at night."

Meanwhile, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that any move by Israel to extend its full-scale invasion of Gaza into the massively overcrowded city of Rafah could lead to war crimes which must be prevented at all costs.

The Israeli regime has pressed on with its genocidal campaign and threatened a new ground assault on Rafah where over half of Gaza's 2.3 million people are now living, mostly in makeshift tents.

About 1.4 million people are sheltering in Rafah after being ordered there by Israeli forces, which previously described the area as a "safe zone".

OCHA recently reported that intense Israeli bombardment from air, land, and sea continues across much of the Gaza Strip, resulting in further civilian casualties, displacement, and destruction of civilian infrastructure.

The UN humanitarian office said that the influx of thousands of internally displaced persons into Rafah was due to intense fighting in Khan Younis, combined with reports of an increase in strikes in Rafah on Monday and Sunday.

Israel waged its brutal war on besieged Gaza on October 7 after Hamas carried out an unprecedented operation against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

So far, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 27,585 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 67,000 others.

Israel has imposed a "complete siege" on the densely-populated territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food, and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.

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Iran rejects 'baseless' US claims intended to justify illegal strikes

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 07 February 2024 7:53 AM

Iran has dismissed as "baseless" the accusations leveled by the United States at the Iranian Armed Forces in a bid to justify its recent illegal airstrikes on Iraq and Syria.

In a letter sent to the rotating president of the Security Council on Tuesday, Iran's Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani responded to anti-Iran claims made by the US in a letter to the 15-member body.

In that letter, read out by US Deputy Envoy to the UN Robert Wood at a UN Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security on Monday, the US claimed that it had targeted "Iran's Islamic [Revolution] Guards Corps (IRGC) and affiliated militia groups... in exercise of the inherent right to self-defense, as reflected in Article 51 of the UN Charter."

Iravani said Article 51 "lacks legal justification and does not legitimize" US military actions that blatantly violated the Iraqi and Syrian territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.

"While categorically rejecting the baseless accusations outlined in the letter concerning Iran's armed forces, the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns the military operations carried out by the United States on Iraqi and Syrian territory," he added.

The US military conducted aerial assaults on Iraq and Syria early on Saturday. Both countries denounced the attacks as infringements on their sovereignty that risk escalating regional tensions.

Nearly 40 people were killed in the air raids that came in response to a drone attack on a US occupation base on Jordan's border with Syria.

"These unlawful operations deliberately targeted civilians and essential infrastructure, resulting in numerous civilian casualties and injuries," the Iranian envoy said.

"These illegal actions not only violate international law and the UN Charter, in particular Article 2 (4), but also endanger regional peace and stability and pose a serious threat to international peace and security."

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32 captives held by Hamas killed in Israeli bombings in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 07 February 2024 7:51 AM

A US report says 32 captives held by the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip have been killed in Israeli bombings as the occupying regime continues its brutal war on the besieged territory.

Citing a document compiled by Israeli intelligence officers, the New York Times reported on Tuesday that 32 of the 136 captives held by Hamas have died since Israel began its bombing campaign against Gaza in early October.

Israel's chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said on Tuesday that 31 of them were pronounced dead.

The daily newspaper, citing four military sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, reported that Israel is also assessing unconfirmed intelligence indicating that at least 20 other captives may have also been killed by the bombings.

The Israeli military also told the New York Times that it was "deploying all available resources to locate and retrieve as much information as possible" regarding the captives currently held by Hamas.

The latest development comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on a tour in the region, purportedly seeking a new deal on a truce and the release of captives.

Back in November, Hamas and Israel reached an agreement with Israel on a temporary ceasefire in Gaza.

Under the prisoner swap deal, which was mediated by Qatar and Egypt, during the four-day truce in Gaza, at least 50 Israeli captives were expected to be freed. In exchange, 150 Palestinian prisoners were to be released, all women and children.

Hamas has already said any ceasefire deal in Gaza must entail the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and the lifting of the regime's blockade of the territory.

Israel waged its brutal war on besieged Gaza on October 7 after Hamas carried out an unprecedented operation against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

So far, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 27,585 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 67,000 others.

Israel has imposed a "complete siege" on the densely-populated territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food, and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.

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Feb. 6: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 07 February 2024 7:25 AM

By Press TV Website Staff

Amid Israel's genocide in Gaza, which has already claimed the lives of almost 28,000 Palestinians, most of them children and women, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers.

The operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Tuesday, February 6, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations' on Feb. 6:

Targeted an Israeli military Apache helicopter with a SAM-7 missile, west of Gaza City, in a joint operation with Mujahideen Brigades.

Destroyed a D9-bulldozer with a 'Shoaz' explosive, west of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

Destroyed two Merkava tanks, two APCs and one D9-bulldozer in various battle zones in the besieged territory.

Shelled an Israeli operations command center with mortar shells, west of Tal Al-Hawa in Gaza City.

Targeted a group of Israeli soldiers fortified inside a house with a TBG anti-fortification rocket, resulting in casualties in the Hawwaz area, west of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

Sniped two Israeli soldiers in the area west of Gaza City.

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Feb. 6:

Targeted an Israeli military Merkava tank with RPGs in the neighborhood west of Khan Younis.

Destroyed an Israeli military vehicle with a 'Thaqib - Barrel' explosive device around the Haidar roundabout, west of Gaza.

Targeted an Israeli force entrenched in a residential apartment west of Gaza City with an '85 anti-tank' rocket, causing casualties.

Targeted an Israeli force entrenched in a house in the axis west of Khan Younis with a TBG anti-fortification rocket, resulting in casualties.

Al-Aqsa Brigades' operations on Feb. 6:

Targeted an Israeli military D9-bulldozer with an explosive device, west of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip.

Mujahideen Brigades' operations on Feb. 6:

Shelled the occupied 'Yad Mordechai' in the northern Gaza Strip with a barrage of missiles.

Targeted a Merkava tank with an anti-tank rocket, hitting it directly, in the vicinity of the Jawazat area in Gaza City.

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli regime forces in the western areas of Gaza City with appropriate weapons.

Hezbollah's operations on Feb. 6:

Eastern sector:

At around 8:15 local time, the Ramim barracks was targeted by two Burkan missiles.

At around 11:20 local time, Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the Ramim barracks were targeted with missiles.

At around 13:12 local time, the Al-Marj site was targeted with artillery shells.

At around 14:10 local time, the headquarters of the Beit Hilal Battalion of the 769 Eastern Regional Brigade was targeted with appropriate weapons.

At around 14:30 local time, the Ruwaisat Al-Alam site in Shebaa was targeted with appropriate weapons.

At around 15:30 local time, the Ramta site in Shebaa was targeted with missiles.

At around 15:40 local time, the Al-Sammaqa site in the Kafr Shuba hills was targeted with a missile.

At around 15:50 local time, surveillance equipment was targeted at the Ruwaisat al-Alam site in Shebaa with appropriate weapons.

Western sector:

At around 10:00 local time, a deployment of Israeli soldiers in the Jal al-Alam site was targeted with a Falaq 1 missile.

Yemeni military's operations on Feb. 6:

Targeted the American 'Star Nasia' ship with anti-ship missiles.

Targeted the British 'Morning Tide' ship with anti-ship missiles.

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China, ASEAN unlikely to achieve Code of Conduct in 2024: experts

Beijing-Manila tensions in South China Sea leave agreement elusive, analysts say.

By RFA Staff 2024.02.07 -- Recent developments in the South China Sea have highlighted the need for a legally-binding Code of Conduct for all competing parties in the disputed waters. Yet maritime analysts express doubt that such rules can be agreed any time soon.

China and countries from the Southeast Asian grouping ASEAN have been negotiating a Code of Conduct (COC) after reaching an initial Declaration of Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea in 2002.

In 2018, ASEAN and Beijing managed to release the Single Draft Negotiating Text - or a draft agreement - and in July 2023 the two sides announced that they'd completed its second reading.

The third reading of the draft negotiating text is believed to have commenced in October 2023 and, according to a Chinese spokesperson, "the consultations on the COC are going smoothly."

"Parties have adopted guidelines to accelerate consultations on the COC," said Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning at a recent news briefing. "The issue of the South China Sea is highly complex and faces external interference."

"We hope ASEAN countries will work with us toward the set target and speed up consultations for the early adoption of the COC."

Chinese officials, and state-sanctioned academics, regularly point at the so-called "external interference" - a thinly-veiled reference to the United States and allies - as the main source of discord between Beijing and ASEAN.

"The biggest trouble in the South China Sea does not come from countries within the region but from external forces' disturbances, which attempt to turn the South China Sea into a sea of conflict and a sea of war," Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, was quoted by the tabloid Global Times as saying recently.

Major obstacles

China has submitted a number of provisions of the COC negotiating text that are clearly designed to stem any 'external interference', explained Carlyle Thayer, an emeritus professor of politics at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of New South Wales Canberra.

One of China's provisions says parties in the South China Sea "shall establish a notification mechanism on military activities, and to notify each other of major military activities if deemed necessary," according to Thayer.

"The parties shall not hold joint military exercises with countries from outside the region, unless the parties concerned are notified beforehand and express no objection," the provision reads.

This provision would block any joint military exercises, bilateral or multilateral, between ASEAN countries and the U.S., as well as Japan and other regional powers, unless Beijing agrees to them.

ASEAN member Vietnam disagreed with this provision and submitted its own, asking for only a notification of any impending joint or combined military exercise to take place within the South China Sea. It said such notifications should be made 60 days before the commencement of such a military exercise, Thayer told Radio Free Asia.

Nguyen Hung Son, vice president of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, said ASEAN "would never agree to such terms."

"For instance, the Philippines and Singapore will voice protest," Son said.

Another stumbling block is the exploration of natural resources in the South China Sea.

"China proposed that oil and gas exploration and development in disputed waters shall be carried out through coordination and cooperation among the littoral states to the South China Sea, and shall not be conducted in cooperation with companies from countries outside the region," said Thayer.

"To that, Malaysia counter-proposed a provision saying that nothing in the COC shall affect the rights or obligations of Parties under international law, including the rights or ability to conduct activities with foreign countries or private entities of their choosing," he added.

These two contentious issues alone could prove difficult, even impossible, to resolve.

"China seems to have inserted this provision [on oil exploration] in an attempt to coerce other countries into signing joint development agreements with Chinese companies," regional analyst Ian Storey wrote in a publication by Singapore's ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute.

"The Southeast Asian claimants view this gambit as an egregious violation of their sovereign rights under UNCLOS," he said, referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

"But it is hard to see how China would agree to drop this provision because to do so would fundamentally undermine its own jurisdictional claims."

Blame game

In light of recent tensions in the South China Sea, especially between China and the Philippines over a couple of atolls that lie within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, Beijing seems to put the blame on Manila.

The Chinese Communist Party's publication China Daily this week published an opinion article which slammed Manila's efforts to resupply its military outpost on the Second Thomas Shoal, calling it a "dishonest approach" and a violation of international law.

"The Philippines' choice is not only crucial to the comprehensive, effective and faithful implementation of the DOC, but will also have a long-term impact on the ongoing consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and the effective application of the COC in the future," reads the article.

The hawkish mouthpiece Global Times, for its part, alleged that "the Philippines has been calculating something new - it now believes that standing absolutely in line with ASEAN no longer brings itself maximum interest."

"The Philippines wishes to strive for more interests for its own in the third reading of the COC text, by continuing to coordinate with the U.S. in its Indo-Pacific Strategy," the paper said.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos indicated on several occasions that his country may seek to form bilateral codes of conduct with neighboring countries to prevent incidents at sea. Marcos recently visited Hanoi, where he and Vietnamese leaders agreed in principle on maritime cooperation.

Although Hanoi, due to its so-called "bamboo diplomacy," would not want to be seen as taking sides in any dispute, the agreement will no doubt be deemed by Beijing as an attempt by Manila "to forge its own clique in the South China Sea," the paper said.

With stark differences remaining on the most critical issues, it's hard to see how the China-ASEAN COC negotiations are "going on the right track with its own pace" and "the conclusion of the COC is not far away," as claimed by Chinese officials.

"Back in July last year, ASEAN and China committed to concluding a COC within three years but I'm still skeptical," said Bill Hayton, associate fellow in the Asia-Pacific Program at the think tank Chatham House in the United Kingdom.

"I think this is one of those efforts from China to try to talk up the COC and make it seem like it's inevitable so as to roll over any opposition to the Chinese side's preferred version of the text," Hayton added.

Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content 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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Crackdown on political activists tops Thai-Cambodian summit agenda

The two neighbors' prime ministers also agreed to further talks on disputed fuel reserves.

By RFA Staff 2024.02.07 -- The prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia on Wednesday vowed to crack down on what they called "interference" in Cambodian politics by Thai-based political activists.

Hun Manet's first visit to Bangkok since becoming Cambodian leader last year came after Srettha Thavisin chose Cambodia as his first official foreign trip as Thailand's prime minister in September.

"I've assured Prime Minister Hun Manet that it's Thailand's policy to not allow anyone to use Thailand as a platform to interfere in internal affairs or conduct harmful activities against our neighboring countries," Srettha told a news conference at Government House.

Activist arrests

Last week, Thai immigration police arrested three activists, as well as their wives and four children, ahead of a threatened protest on Hun Manet's arrival.

They included Kong Raiya, who was jailed twice for his outspoken criticism of the Cambodian government and his children; Lim Sokha, a senior member of the opposition Candlelight Party, which was barred from last year's national election; and opposition activist Phan Phana.

Two activists for the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party, Chhorn Sokhoeun and Chhorn Chorn Ny, were arrested hours before they could start the protest slated for Wednesday morning, according to a Cambodian asylum seeker in Bangkok and a Thai official, both of whom declined to be named for security reasons.

"I don't fear being arrested because I'm fighting for freedom," Sokhoeun told Radio Free Asia on Tuesday before his arrest.

He said 300 to 400 Cambodian migrants were set to stage a protest to urge Hun Manet to stop persecuting refugees, release political prisoners and resolve the issue of some Cambodian migrant workers being restricted in traveling to Thailand. However, the protest did not take place following his arrest.

The five activists had recently fled to Thailand to seek asylum and had been granted refugee status, Phan Phana told RFA.

The immigration bureau did not immediately respond to RFA's inquiries about their detention.

The deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch said it was "shameful" that the new Thai government was arresting Cambodian refugees.

"These refugees should be immediately and unconditionally released and permitted to seek safety and protection in a third country if that is what they want," Phil Robertson told RFA.

Hun Manet, thanked the administration of Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for quashing the actions of the Cambodian anti-government activists in Bangkok.

"The Cambodian government also gives a commitment to not allowing Cambodian soil to be used as land for conducting activities to interfere with Thailand or causing issues in Thailand," he said.

"This is for mutual respect, mutual benefits for our countries to promote stability and trust and confidence and also for strengthening our relationship together."

Human Rights Watch's Robertson said that Manet's praise for the arrests, "shows that he really is the new face of transnational repression in the Mekong sub-region.

"By trying to wipe out any sign of dissent both in Cambodia, and among the Khmer diaspora, Hun Manet is trying to surpass his father in dictatorial control and rights abusing actions," Robertson added.

Then-Prime Minister Hun Sen had long sought help from Bangkok in pursuing his critics in Thailand.

On June 4, 2020, Thai activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit was abducted by gunmen in front of his Phnom Penh apartment complex, a day after he posted a video on Facebook criticizing the Thai government. It's not known what subsequently happened to him.

Wanchalearm fled to Cambodia from Thailand after Thai authorities issued a warrant for his arrest in June 2018, accusing him of violating the Computer Crimes Act for operating a Facebook page deemed critical of the Thai government.

Overlapping claims

The two prime ministers also worked to advance a long-running dispute over fossil fuel reserves at their Wednesday meeting.

Thailand and Cambodia both assert ownership of an area of ocean covering roughly 27,000 square meters (10,425 square miles) in the Gulf of Thailand. The overlapping claims area could hold 11 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, large quantities of condensate and oil, according to CLC Asia, a government affairs and corporate advisory firm headquartered in Bangkok.

In order to solve the differences, Thailand and Cambodia signed a memorandum of understanding in 2001 to attempt to delineate the maritime border and to form a joint development area for resource-sharing.

But verifying the entire 798-kilometer border drawn during the French colonization of Indochina has proved difficult, stalling the endeavor for over 20 years.

During the meeting, Srettha said he raised the issue of energy security as part of the 7-point discussion, citing the huge amount of fuel each country imports each year.

"In this regard, we agree to discuss further the joint exploration of the hydrocarbon resources in the overlapping claims area between the two countries," he told the press conference. "At the same time, we attach importance to maritime delimitation and agree to discuss the issue simultaneously with our exploitation of hydrocarbon resources."

He said he would instruct the minister of foreign affairs to consult with other authorities concerned, including the minister of energy and the Royal Thai Navy on the issue for further discussion with the Cambodian side.

There was no mention of the thorny issue of the Preah Vihear temple complex on the Thai-Cambodian border.

Hun Manet, a graduate of United States Military Academy West Point, was in command of Cambodian forces around the temples when the two countries clashed several times over ownership between 2008 and 2011.

Thousands of troops are still deployed along both sides of the border, and access to the temple from the Thai province of Sisaket remains off limits.

In 2013, a judgment by the International Court of Justice ordered Thailand to withdraw its forces in honor of a 1962 resolution that awarded the temple complex to Cambodia.

Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.

Updated to adjust headline and lead paragraph.

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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Iranian Envoy To Kabul Sees Afghanistan As Part Of Tehran's 'Axis Of Resistance'

By RFE/RL's Radio Azadi and RFE/RL's Radio Farda February 07, 2024

Iran's special envoy to Afghanistan and the head of its embassy in Kabul says Tehran includes the war-torn country as part of is "axis of resistance" -- a loose-knit network of Iranian-backed proxies and militant groups that aid it in opposing the West, Arab foes, and primarily Israel.

Active in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and elsewhere, the network allows Iran to create chaos in enemy territory while maintaining a position of plausible deniability that it is directly involved.

Speaking on Tehran's Ofogh television network on February 6, Hassan Kazemi Qomi said that under the right conditions, more than one brigade of "martyrdom-seeking" forces could go to Gaza from Afghanistan to support Hamas, another member of the axis which has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union.

Amid intense fighting between Hamas and Israel, Iran has been increasingly vocal about the prospect of additional firepower entering the fray to score a victory for the so-called "axis of resistance" against Israel.

"In what we see in Afghanistan today, it is apparent that Afghanistan is part of the 'axis of resistance.' If there is a situation and a necessity, more than one brigade of 'martyrdom-seeking' forces can go to Gaza in support of Gaza," Qomi said during the interview.

RFE/RL sought comments from officials of the Taliban-led government, but spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid did not respond to the inquiries.

"Martyrdom-seeking" forces often refer to those who carry out suicide attacks in Afghanistan and other countries. The Taliban, which used such forces in its nearly two-decade-long war against NATO-led forces and the security forces of the former republic, is known for this tactic.

Mujahid told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi in January 2021 that a "martyrdom-seeking" battalion would be incorporated into the special forces of the Defense Ministry run by the Taliban.

Aziz Maarij, a former Afghan diplomat in Iran, said Qomi's statement may be an attempt by Iran to drag Afghanistan into its sphere by involving it in the Gaza conflict.

"The innocent Muslims being killed by Israeli oppression in Gaza is a tragedy, but this war is political, competitive, and proxy, in which Iran is involved. It seeks revenge against America and to challenge its rivals by dragging Afghanistan into these issues," Maarij told Radio Azadi.

While Qomi did not specify who or which group could send a "martyrdom-seeking" brigade to Gaza, Iran has been previously accused of sending Afghans to fight in its proxy wars.

Recently, some Iranian media reported the death of Seyed Hamzah Alavi, born in Afghanistan's Parwan Province and a veteran fighter of the Fatemiyoun Division in Syria.

The Fatemiyoun Division is considered a branch of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps' Quds Force, which has recruited thousands of Afghan citizens to fight in Syria.

Iran and Israel have been engaged in a yearslong shadow war. Tensions have been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas.

Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-aghanistan-envoy- qomi-axix-resistance-israel-gaza/32809698.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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As Ballots Pile Up, So Do The Reports Of Irregularities In Azerbaijan's Presidential Vote

By RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service February 07, 2024

As Azerbaijanis began voting in a snap presidential election, reports trickled in of alleged abuses, all of them very familiar to the international monitors who had come to watch the vote.

RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service collected reports of alleged irregularities in the February 7 poll, including so-called carousel voting, where individuals are transported to multiple polling stations to vote more than once; faulty markings with indelible ink intended to prevent repeat voting; ballot tampering; and multiple voters gathering in a single booth to cast ballots.

President Ilham Aliyev called the February 7 election two months ago, saying that Azerbaijan's lighting military offensive in September 2023 to recapture Nagorno-Karabakh had ushered in a "new era" and should be marked by new polls. The majority of the country's legitimate opposition chose to boycott the vote.

RFE/RL also reported complaints from residents in Azerbaijan's central district of Imishli that employees of kindergartens and secondary schools were being ordered to come to work even though February 7 is a public holiday. Residents said that the workers photographed themselves in a group and then sent those images to the education department election officers. They were then sent to polling stations in small groups, Imishli residents told RFE/RL.

A representative of the Imishli district executive authority, Muhammad Ismayilov, denied the accusation, saying he had "not set foot" in a local polling station and had "voted with...family members in the morning at precinct No. 40 in the village of Garadonlu."

"They told my children if you don't go [to vote], don't come to work," one 80-year-old voter from the capital, Baku, said.

With polls now closed, President Aliyev is on track to win a fifth consecutive election victory.

International monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation In Europe (OSCE) also pointed to the alleged obstruction of an independent observer by police and an electoral official.

Javid Nabiyev, an election observer in Baku's Nasimi-Sabail electoral district, filed a complaint to authorities after he said he was expelled from a polling place with the help of police.

Video from another polling station showed electoral workers handling ballots that had already been cut in advance, in what is considered to be a violation. In Azerbaijan, the upper corner of a ballot paper should be cut by an electoral official just before being presented to a voter.

Journalists reported being prevented from filming at another polling station on the grounds that they were not in the media registry, despite an assurance from the Central Election Commission that they could "operate freely by presenting their press card." The commission told Turan, an Azerbaijani-based independent news agency, that "misunderstandings" can arise if such a card is presented, and election officials "don't know who they are."

Turan reported that two polling locations in the Sabunchu and Binagadi districts of the capital, Baku, saw the practice of carousel voting, in which busloads of voters travel from one polling station to the next. Speaking to Turan, however, local electoral officials denied the allegations.

Ahead of the February 7 presidential vote, the election mission of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) had warned in its interim report of detentions and arrests; restrictions imposed on media and journalists; and "the country-wide blocking of some major critical media websites."

ODIHR concluded that Azerbaijan's last national elections -- a parliamentary vote in February 2020, in which Aliyev's ruling New Azerbaijan Party cruised to an easy majority -- had fallen below the standards for democratic polls, citing particular shortcomings on election day.

ODIHR found a "statistically high" rate of negative assessments at observed polling stations that suggested "serious procedural shortcomings" as well as a "blatant disregard" for safeguards against manipulations. It also cited "impediments [that] undermined the transparency of election day procedures."

There is little doubt that the 62-year-old Aliyev will win. He has won each of his past reelections with at least 85 percent of the vote.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-presidential-vote- irregularities-aliyev/32809737.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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Serbian National Bank Condemns Kosovo's Move To Block Delivery Of Dinars Under New Rule Favoring Euros

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service February 07, 2024

The National Bank of Serbia on February 7 condemned the refusal by Kosovo to allow a delivery of dinars into the country just days after the government in Pristina introduced a new regulation banning the use of any currency other than the euro in commercial transactions.

"The National Bank of Serbia strongly condemns today's incident and reiterates that it is necessary to immediately repeal the discriminatory, illegal and outrageous measures," the country's central bank said in a statement.

The dinars were intended for the payment of salaries, pensions, and other benefits to ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo.

A spokesman for the Kosovo customs authority said Serbian representatives asked at the Jarinje border crossing whether the import of the dinars was allowed.

"We explained that without the authorization of the Central Bank of Kosovo, the circulation of monetary funds is not allowed," Adriatik Stavileci told RFE/RL.

The National Bank of Serbia said the vehicle carrying the dinars was sent "in accordance with the usual practice for many years." The cash was to be picked up by another transport company that has permission from Kosovar authorities to transport money, it added.

The bank's statement reiterated that "the discriminatory, illegal, and outrageous measures" introduced by Kosovo should be withdrawn.

The restriction banning financial institutions from using any currency other than the euro for commercial transactions took effect on February 1.

Though Kosovo is not in the euro currency zone, it unilaterally adopted the euro in 2002 to help bring monetary stability and to simplify and reduce transaction costs inside and outside the country.

Belgrade, which has never acknowledged Kosovo's independence, still pays many ethnic Serbs at institutions in Serbian-dominated parts of Kosovo in dinars. Many also hold their pensions and get child allowances in dinars.

Serbs in Kosovo usually receive pensions from the Serbian budget on the 10th of the month, but Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on February 2 said the disbursements from the Serbian budget this month would be sent earlier.

Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the regulation is not against the Serbian dinar and that ethnic Serbs who receive pensions and other assistance from Serbia in dinars can continue to receive them, but these payments must be deposited in bank accounts in Kosovo in euros.

Kosovo said the implementation of the regulation will take place through a transitional period during the month of February.

The European Union last week expressed concern over Kosovo's move and urged officials in Pristina to allow an extended implementation period to avoid "seriously complicating" the lives of ethnic Serbs in the country who are being forced to move away from the dinar and adjust to a new currency regime.

The United States also expressed concern that the decree could negatively affect the Serbian population living in Kosovo.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kosovo-serbia-currency- dinars-blocked-euros-bank-critisicm/32809560.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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Azerbaijani President Aliyev Expected To Easily Win Fifth Term, Partial Results Of Snap Poll Indicate

By RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service February 07, 2024

BAKU -- Azerbaijan's incumbent strongman, President Ilham Aliyev, appears to have won a fifth consecutive term in office based on preliminary results of a snap election he called following Baku's swift and decisive victory over ethnic Armenian separatists in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Mazahir Phanahov, chairman of the Central Election Commission, said data from 54 percent of the country's 6,537 polling stations show Aliyev with 92.1 percent of the vote. His closest rival, Zahid Oruj, is far behind with just 2.2 percent. None of the other five candidates received more than 2 percent, according to the partial count.

Watchdogs have criticized the vote as neither free nor fair amid a crackdown on independent media and the absence of any real opposition.

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 -- all boycotted the race, ceding the field to six ersatz challengers.

A presidential election had not been scheduled to take place until 2025, but Aliyev, bolstered by Baku's recapture of Nagorno-Karabakh, announced the early vote in December to take advantage of the battlefield victory.

"I don't believe that we will see a different Aliyev in the new term," Berit Lindeman, secretary-general of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, told RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service.

"I think the reason why the elections were organized now instead of next year is exactly that he wants to proceed and continue the path that he's already on. It is a further step to cement his power and the way he is running it now. I mean, he's been becoming gradually more authoritarian."

The 62-year-old Aliyev has stayed in power through a series of elections marred by irregularities and accusations of fraud. Under his authoritarian rule, political activity and human rights have been stifled.

He called the snap election just months after Azerbaijani forces retook the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region in a blitz offensive in September from ethnic Armenian forces who had controlled it for three decades.

As of 5 p.m. local time, 4,590,075 people -- 70.85 percent of registered voters -- had cast their ballot, according to Farid Orujov, the head of the Election Information Center of the Secretariat of the Central Election Commission.

Stephan Schennach, an Austrian delegation member to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which was not invited to observe the election, said Aliyev appeared to be using the victory in Nagorno-Karabakh as a springboard to victory, but warned he may find the going tough as the breakaway region is brought back under Azerbaijani control.

"I think Azerbaijan has now a lot of problems to reconstruct the infrastructure in the former occupied territories," told RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service.

Aliyev and members of his family voted in Karabakh's capital, Xankandi (which Armenians call Stepanakert), in an apparent move to emphasize the country's main achievement under his rule.



As Aliyev's popularity shot up dramatically following Azerbaijan's victory in Karabakh, a crackdown on independent media and democratic institutions intensified in the country.

Several independent Azerbaijani journalists were incarcerated after Baku took over Karabakh on various charges that the journalists and their supporters have called trumped up and politically motivated.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-snap-presidential- election-aliyev-crackdown/32808832.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 Base at Oil Field in Eastern Syria Shelled - Source

Sputnik News

20240207

DAMASCUS (Sputnik) - The base of the United States at the Al-Omar oil field in the Syrian eastern governorate of Deir ez-Zor was shelled, with sounds of explosions having been heard coming from there, a local source told Sputnik.

"The American base at the Al-Omar oil field has been shelled with four rockets," the source said, adding that explosions at the base have been heard after the shelling.

US helicopters have been scrambled after the shelling, the source said.

 Sputnik

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Kataib Hezbollah Confirms Baghdad Car Explosion Killed One of Its Leaders

Sputnik News

20240207

DOHA (Sputnik) - Iraq's major militant group Kataib Hezbollah confirmed that a car explosion in Baghdad killed one if its leaders on Wednesday.

"We announce that one of the leaders of Kataib Hezbollah, Abu Baqir al-Saadi, also known as Abu Baqir Diyala, was martyred as a result of a car attack in eastern Baghdad," the group wrote in its Telegram channel.

Earlier in the day, a security source told Sputnik that a car was blown up by a drone, according to preliminary data, and the attack killed three people.

"According to preliminary data, a civilian car was blown up by a drone in the east of Baghdad, killing three and wounding two people," the source said.

 Sputnik

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Russia Doing Everything to Help Hostages Since Escalation of Palestine-Israel Conflict - Putin

Sputnik News

20240207

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia is doing everything to help people that were taken hostage since the recent escalation of the Palestine-Israel conflict, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Putin held a meeting with Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar and President of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia Alexander Boroda in the Kremlin.

"You know that after the aggravation of the situation in the Middle East, Russia is doing everything to help the people who are being held hostage. It is known that our Foreign Ministry is working with the political wing of Hamas, and in general there are certain results," Putin said, adding that it is necessary to continue work to help hostages.

When helping hostages in the Middle East, Moscow does not focus only on Russian citizens but also on foreigners  especially Holocaust survivors, Putin added.

 Sputnik

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Yielding to Hamas' Demands Will Not Lead to Release of Hostages - Netanyahu

Sputnik News

20240207

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected on Wednesday Hamas' proposals for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of the hostages, saying only military actions could help bring the captives home.

"Giving in to Hamas' outrageous demands will not only fail to bring about the release of the hostages, but will lead to another massacre and a disaster for Israel," Netanyahu was quoted as saying by Israeli news portal Ynet.

The prime minister added that, during his meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, he had announced Israel's intention to achieve the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu's remarks come amid continued negotiations on a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Egypt and Qatar.

The release of hostages still held in Gaza has become one of the key issues in social and political debate in Israel in recent months. Mass demonstrations in support of the hostages' families have been held regularly across the country, with protesters demanding that the Israeli government find a way to release the captives at all costs.

In late January, the US, Israel, Egypt and Qatar representatives agreed in Paris on the basics of the new step-by-step deal to release hostages in Gaza. Final agreements have not yet been reached, since Israel considers Hamas' demand to stop the hostilities and withdraw troops from Gaza unacceptable.

On October 7, 2023, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from Gaza and breached the border, killing 1,200 people and abducting around 240 others. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 27,700 people have been killed so far in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said.

On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1.

 Sputnik

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Hamas Unveils 3-Stage Ceasefire Plan in Gaza Strip - Reports

Sputnik News

20240207

MOSCOW (Sputnik/Prime) - Palestinian Hamas movement has unveiled a three-phase ceasefire plan in the Gaza Strip, including a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops, reconstruction of the infrastructure of the enclave and the exchange of hostages and bodies of the dead, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing the draft document.

The first stage of the plan involves negotiating a ceasefire with Israel through mediators. It also provides for the reconstruction of hospitals and refugee camps in the Gaza Strip, as well as the withdrawal of Israeli troops from populated areas of the enclave.

In addition, an exchange of prisoners for Palestinian prisoners in Israel, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid should take place within 45 days.

The second stage involves the exchange of all Israeli male captives for an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip.

As part of the last stage, the sides should exchange the remains of the victims.

On October 7, 2023, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from Gaza and breached the border, killing 1,200 people and abducting around 240 others. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 27,000 people have been killed so far in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said.

On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.

 Sputnik

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Houthis Fire 6 Missiles, With One Slightly Damaging Greek Vessel in Gulf of Aden - CENTCOM

Sputnik News

20240207

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Houthis fired six missiles toward the Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden on Tuesday, with one of the missiles slightly damaging a Greek-owned vessel, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

"On Feb. 6, from approximately 1:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Arabian Standard Time) [22:45 GMT on Monday to 13:30 GMT on Tuesday] Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired six anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Three of the ASBMs were attempting to hit MV [merchant vessel] Star Nasia, a Marshall Island-flagged, Greek owned-and-operated bulk carrier transiting the Gulf of Aden. At approximately 3:20 a.m., MV Star Nasia reported an explosion near the ship causing minor damage but no injuries," CENTCOM said on X (formerly Twitter).

The second missile aiming at MV Star Nasia fell into the water, and the third was shot down by a US destroyer, the command said, adding that the Greek vessel remained seaworthy and continued toward its destination.

"The remaining three ASBMs were likely targeting MV Morning Tide, a Barbados-flagged, UK-owned cargo ship operating in the Southern Red Sea. The three missiles impacted the water near the ship without effect. MV Morning Tide is continuing its journey and is reporting no injuries or damage," CENTCOM said.

Yemen's Houthis vowed in November 2023 to attack any ships associated with Israel until that country halts military actions in the Gaza Strip. This led the United States to announce a multinational operation to secure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. US and United Kingdom forces later launched multiple strikes against Houthi positions in a bid to degrade their ability to target commercial vessels.

 Sputnik

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Over 30 Hostages Held by Hamas in Gaza Confirmed Dead - IDF

Sputnik News

20240207

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Thirty-one of the remaining hostages held by Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip have been pronounced dead, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari said.

Israel previously estimated that 136 hostages remained in captivity in Gaza after 110 were released during a November truce.

"The IDF is accompanying the families of the hostages during these complex and difficult days, and our representatives provide the families with all the verified information about their loved ones. With this, we have notified thirty-one families that their loved ones who are hostages are no longer alive and we have confirmed their deaths. To the rest of the families, we have provided all the verified information available to us about their fate and condition," Hagari told a briefing on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, The New York Times reported that at least 32 Hamas hostages remaining in Gaza were dead, citing an internal military assessment. Twenty others are also believed to have been killed, four unnamed officials were quoted as saying.

On October 7, 2023, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from Gaza and breached the border, killing 1,200 people and abducting around 240 others. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 27,500 people have been killed so far in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said.

On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1.

 Sputnik

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Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Palestinian Authority President Abbas

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

February 7, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today in Ramallah with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The Secretary conveyed the United States' commitment to increasing the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. Secretary Blinken reiterated the United States' support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state as the best pathway to enduring peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis alike. He also discussed the benefits of revitalizing the Palestinian Authority.

The Secretary reinforced the United States rejects any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.

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Acting Deputy Secretary Nuland's Meeting with Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Defense Duale

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

February 7, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Acting Deputy Secretary of State and Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland met with Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Defense Aden Bare Duale and reaffirmed our strong bilateral ties, ongoing collaboration on counterterrorism, and close security cooperation. They discussed our shared interest in preventing further conflict in the East Africa Region including the multinational security mission to Somalia, and the need for inclusive peace processes. Acting Deputy Secretary Nuland reiterated the United States' commitment to a successful Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti and underscored the shared values that form the foundation of our partnership.

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As Sudan conflict fuels epic suffering, UN launches humanitarian and refugee response plans for 2024

UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Joint press release from OCHA and UNHCR

7 February 2024

Geneva -- The United Nations and its partners today appealed for a combined $4.1 billion to meet the most urgent humanitarian needs of civilians in war-torn Sudan and those who have fled to neighbouring countries.

Ten months since the conflict erupted, half of Sudan's population - some 25 million people - needs humanitarian assistance and protection. More than 1.5 million people have fled across Sudan's borders to the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan.

The expansion of fighting in Sudan - including to the country's breadbasket, Aj Jazirah - has created one of the world's largest displacement and protection crises. Hunger is rampant, with nearly 18 million people facing acute food insecurity.

Intense hostilities continue to damage water supply networks and other critical civilian infrastructure in Sudan, and nearly three quarters of health facilities are out of service in conflict-affected states. Diseases including cholera, measles and malaria are spreading at a time when two thirds of the population lack access to health care. Some 19 million children are out of school. Human rights violations are widespread, with continued reports of gender-based violence.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) coordinates the response inside Sudan, with this year's Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan calling for $2.7 billion to reach 14.7 million people. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, coordinates the Regional Refugee Response Plan, which requests $1.4 billion and targets nearly 2.7 million people in five countries neighbouring Sudan.

Together, both plans aim to support some 17.4 million people in Sudan and the region.

"Ten months of conflict have robbed the people of Sudan of nearly everything - their safety, their homes and their livelihoods," said the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths. "The generosity of donors helps us provide food and nutrition, shelter, clean water, and education for children, and to fight the scourge of gender-based violence and care for the survivors. But last year's appeal was less than half funded. This year, we must do better and with a heightened sense of urgency."

The war has so far forced more than 1.5 million people to flee to neighbouring countries that already had overstretched resources and were hosting large refugee populations. They include refugees and people compelled to return to their home countries prematurely. Most of them are arriving in remote and difficult-to-access locations that lack essential services. Support for the humanitarian response is crucial, but investments to strengthen national services and community resilience are equally critical to support host Governments and enable people to live in dignity.

"I just met with Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia and displaced people inside Sudan - they have lost so much," said the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi. "Time after time, we hear the same message from them: We want peace so we can go home, and we need support to rebuild our lives. People are doing the best they can to get by with the basic support the host communities and humanitarian partners can give them. I urge the international community to step up their support for the people of Sudan. They desperately need help, and they need it now."

Note to editors:

Aid workers from 167 humanitarian organizations reached some 7 million people in Sudan in 2023, with the support of international donors. Despite major access challenges, the humanitarian community delivered life-saving assistance across conflict lines in Sudan, and it continues to support Sudanese local responders in areas that few international partners can reach, including Khartoum and Darfur. Cross-border access from Chad has been a critical lifeline, with other avenues under consideration.

In 2023, 64 partners supported host Governments in providing more than 1.5 million people with critical life-saving support and protection in five neighbouring countries: the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan. In 2024, the Refugee Response Plan aims for 82 partners across the five countries to continue the life-saving interventions and additionally support resilience-building interventions for up to 2.7 million people.

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UNICEF strengthens response to DRC's worst floods in 60 years and growing cholera outbreak

UNICEF

Heavy rainfall leaves more than 2 million people - nearly 60 per cent children - in need of humanitarian assistance

07 February 2024

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 7 February 2024 -- UNICEF and partners are responding to devastating flooding in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with the Congo River rising to levels not seen in more than 60 years.

Eighteen out of DRC's 26 provinces are affected following exceptionally heavy rainfall over the past couple of months, leaving more than 2 million people - nearly 60 per cent children - in need of assistance, according to OCHA estimates. Flood waters have reportedly destroyed or damaged almost 100,000 households, 1,325 schools, and 267 health facilities. Crops have spoiled in waterlogged fields, raising the prospect of food shortages in some places.

With 40 per cent of cholera cases found in areas that are flooded or at risk of flooding, UNICEF has also ramped up efforts to contain an existing outbreak that threatens to spiral out of control. Some weather forecasters are warning of more rain, increasing the possibility that cholera will travel from areas where it is endemic via the Congo River to the urban centre of Kisangani and then to Kinshasa, the capital. In a similar situation in 2017, cholera expanded to the entire country, leading to almost 55,000 cases and more than 1,100 deaths.

"Children in the DRC are facing the worst floods in decades and the worst cholera outbreak in years. The rising waters damage their homes and amplify the threat of waterborne diseases, putting them at heightened risk," said UNICEF's Representative in the DRC, Grant Leaity. "Without immediate action to provide safe water, sanitation, and healthcare to contain the spread of cholera, widespread flooding could push the number of cases to unprecedented levels."

In 2023, more than 52,400 cholera cases and 462 deaths were recorded in DRC, making it one of the largest outbreaks in the world, according to the World Health Organization. DRC accounted for 80 per cent of all cholera cases in West and Central Africa.

UNICEF is providing drinking water, water treatment kits, and health supplies to affected areas. The agency is also working with local authorities to ensure the continuation of child protection services, such as reuniting separated children with their families and providing mental health support.

UNICEF-supported cholera management teams are also on the ground, providing a first response when cholera cases are suspected. This includes distributing cholera prevention kits, decontaminating homes and communal latrines, and setting up hand disinfection stations. Teams are also stepping up prevention measures, including awareness and surveillance efforts, and upgrading cholera treatment centres, including in Kinshasa.

To support the government's flood response plan, UNICEF is using core funding of $700,000 to kick-start WASH, health, and child protection interventions. A total of $9 million for UNICEF's initial flood response in these three areas is needed.

#####

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Gaza war enters fifth month amid reports of potential ceasefire deal

7 February 2024 - As the devastating Gaza-Israel war entered its fifth month on Wednesday leaving a reported 27,585 Palestinians dead and nearly 70,000 injured, the UN's top humanitarian official welcomed early indications of a "potential breakthrough" in negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages.

Commenting on the "potentially positive news" surrounding the "huge efforts" involved in the latest international push for peace in Gaza spearheaded by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, noted the possibility of "a long period of a pause (in fighting) to allow hostages out and Palestinian prisoners out".

This phase might then be followed by another period of calm "which could lead to an end to the war" between Hamas and Israel, the veteran humanitarian told journalists in Geneva.

Another hospital at risk

The development came as the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, reported continuing "intense bombardment" across much of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, particularly in the city of Khan Younis.

"For over two weeks, heavy fighting continues to be reported near Nasser and Al Amal hospitals in Khan Younis, jeopardizing the safety of medical staff, the wounded and the sick as well as thousands of internally displaced persons seeking refuge at both hospitals," OCHA said in its latest update on the crisis.

Citing the local health authority, the situation update noted that Israeli forces had "intensified their siege" of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, putting at risk "300 medical personnel, 450 wounded and some 10,000 displaced people seeking shelter in the hospital compound".

'Four days of fuel left'

"There is a severe shortage of surgical supplies and sutures, and there is an estimated four days left of the amount of fuel needed to power hospital generators," according OCHA, which added that another Israeli soldier had been reportedly killed during the ground operation from 5 to 6 February, bringing the total number of military fatalities to 224 with 1,304 injured.

After months of bombardment, three in four Gazans are now displaced. More than half are children and all face acute shortages of food, water, shelter and medicine, UN humanitarians said, as the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees (UNRWA) warned that attacks on schools hosting internally displaced people have continued.

It said that at least 282 incidents have impacted UNRWA facilities sheltering displaced families, leaving some 377 dead and 1,365 injured, since Israeli bombardment began in response to Hamas-led terror attacks on southern Israel on 7 October that left more than 1,200 Israeli and foreign nationals dead and over 250 taken hostage.

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UN appeals for $4.1 billion in aid for war-torn Sudan and refugee-hosting countries

7 February 2024 - The United Nations on Wednesday urged countries not to forget millions of people caught up in the war between rival militaries in Sudan, calling for $4.1 billion to help stave off famine and assist those who have fled into neighbouring countries.

"Half of Sudan's population, 25 million people, needs humanitarian assistance," Martin Griffiths, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, told journalists in Geneva.

He emphasized that far too many of those in need were children, and that 18 million people were acutely food insecure amid one of the world's largest displacement and protection crises.

The appeal comprises two key components: a $2.7 billion Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan targeting 14.7 million people within Sudan and a $1.4 billion Regional Refugee Response Plan aimed at assisting 2.7 million people in five neighbouring nations.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will manage the response in Sudan while the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) will lead the regional initiative.

Pervasive conflict

The escalating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has expanded to critical regions, including Gezira state, the nation's breadbasket, heightening concerns of famine.

"If we start seeing famine in Sudan - and it won't be the first time we've seen famine in Sudan - to add to the violence, displacement and lack of a political horizon, then I think we can all agree we have no humanity in us that would allow this to happen," Mr. Griffiths said.

Recent assessments reveal that two out of three Sudanese lack access to healthcare, with approximately 19 million children out of school.

Since the conflict erupted last April, over 13,000 people are feared to have been killed and over 10 million driven from their homes.

Far reaching implications

UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi, sharing insights from a recent meeting with displaced families in Sudan and Ethiopia, underscored the regional consequences of neglecting the crisis as people who have already fled Sudan now aim for Libya, Tunisia and then Europe.

"I have warned European countries that if the current neglect of this crisis continues, we will see secondary movements, as we call them," Mr. Grandi said.

The UNHCR chief described how Sudan's middle class has been largely impacted by the urban devastation, people whose lives were upended from one day to the next.

No home to go to

Although they are eager to go back home and resume their activities, people are becoming more and more wary, the High Commissioner for Refugees said.

"When you ask people, 'Would you go back if there was a ceasefire?', they think carefully about the answer, 'We would have to be convinced that there is a real peace and that the militia is not going to come into our house and kick us out again'," he said.

"The message that I passed and will continue to pass to the two [military] leaderships is: You're losing your own people. What's the purpose of fighting if you don't have people to rule?" Mr. Grandi added.

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World News in Brief: UN official condemns attacks in Ukraine, DR Congo faces fresh fighting and devastating floods

7 February 2024 - The UN's top aid official in Ukraine has condemned a new wave of attacks on cities and towns early on Wednesday.

The morning assault reportedly involved Russian-fired missiles and drones which hit six Ukrainian regions leaving at least five dead.

The attacks also disrupted essential services, including electricity, water and gas supplies, especially in Mykolaiv city and Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, when they are much needed this cold winter.

"Millions of people rely on these services for heating, cooking and transportation. They are critically important to ensure health and education facilities are functional," Denise Brown, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, said in a statement.

She noted that humanitarian workers have mobilized emergency responses in Kyiv and Mykolaiv, delivering repair materials and psychosocial assistance to those affected.

They also provided support to people after recent attacks in the Kharkiv region, including in Velykyi Burluk town, which had suffered repeated aerial attacks yesterday, damaging a hospital.

Ms. Brown stated that repeated attacks damaging civilian infrastructure and causing injuries and deaths to civilians indicate a concerning pattern of harm and international humanitarian law violations.

"Ukrainians should live without fear of attacks disrupting their lives ... civilians must be spared from violence," she said.

Fighting fuels fresh displacement in DR Congo

Over to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where UN humanitarian officials voiced deep concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis, particularly in the Masisi territory in North Kivu.

Fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 armed group displaced at least 130,000 people in different areas of the Masisi territory in the past two weeks, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told journalists at the Noon Briefing in New York.

"This is adding to an already dire situation in North Kivu," he said, noting that people have limited access to food, clean water, healthcare and shelter.

The clashes have also impacted the road between Sake and Bweremana, a major route connecting the provinces of North and South Kivu.

"This risks isolating Goma, a city of 2 million people, which also hosts more than 500,000 displaced people. It could jeopardize food security and economic activities in Goma and the area," Mr. Dujarric said.

He added that growing insecurity in Masisi is preventing some 630,000 people who were previously displaced from accessing crucial medical care, including medical assistance for those injured in the conflict.

"The risk of further violence, including in Goma, remains high," he warned, calling for unimpeded humanitarian access to address people's urgent needs.

"We also urge all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and take concrete action to protect civilians," the UN Spokesperson said.

DR Congo: Devastating floods raise spectre of cholera

And staying with the DRC, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and aid partners are responding to devastating floods that have affected 18 of the country's 26 provinces.

Flood waters have destroyed or damaged 100,000 houses, 1,325 schools, 267 health facilities and large swathes of agricultural land, leaving an estimated two million people, nearly 60 per cent of them children, in need of assistance.

The disaster struck at a time the country was grappling one of the worst the worst cholera outbreak in years.

"Children in the DRC are facing the worst floods in decades," Grant Leaity, the UNICEF Representative in the country, said. "The rising waters damage their homes and amplify the threat of waterborne diseases, putting them at heightened risk."

He underlined the need for immediate action to provide safe water, sanitation and healthcare to contain the spread of cholera to prevent the number of cases from reaching unprecedented levels.

In response, the UN agency is providing drinking water, water treatment kits and health supplies to affected areas and is working with local authorities to ensure the continuation of child protection services, such as reuniting separated children with their families and providing mental health support.

UNICEF-supported cholera management teams are also on the ground, stepping up prevention measures and providing a first response when cholera cases are suspected.

This includes distributing cholera prevention kits, decontaminating homes and communal latrines and setting up hand disinfection stations.

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As crisis enters fifth month, further fighting in Rafah risks claiming more lives and exacerbating humanitarian needs - Statement by Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

(Geneva, 7 February 2024) With the Gaza hostilities entering their fifth month, hope is dwindling for the millions of people affected and the humanitarians striving to assist them.

More than half of Gaza's population is now crammed in Rafah, a town of originally 250,000 people right on Egypt's doorstep. Their living conditions are abysmal  they lack the basic necessities to survive, stalked by hunger, disease and death.

As the war encroaches further into Rafah, I am extremely concerned about the safety and well-being of families which have endured the unthinkable in search of safety.

More than 27,500 people in Gaza have already been killed over the past four months, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health. Further fighting in Rafah risks claiming the lives of even more people. It also risks further hampering a humanitarian operation already limited by insecurity, damaged infrastructure and access restrictions.

To put it simply: This war must stop.

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UNRWA Situation Report #74 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (All information from 4-5 February 2024, is valid as of 5 February 2024 at 22:30 local time)

UNRWA

7 Feb 2024

Key points

The Gaza Strip

Intense fighting in/around Khan Younis (southwest of Gaza) over the last 15 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). This is forcing thousands of Palestinians to flee further south towards Rafah, which is severely overcrowded, with reports of Israeli Forces' strikes in Rafah on 4-5 February.

According to OCHA, the Israeli military has re-issued evacuation orders for Khan Younis and Gaza governorate residents. As of December both these areas contained 210 shelters hosting over 770,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). Evacuation orders will undoubtedly put households in further precarious situation, pushing additional people to Rafah which is currently hosting up to five times its population prior to 7 October.

On 5 February, an UNRWA food convoy waiting to move into northern Gaza was directly hit by Israeli naval gunfire. UNRWA sends notifications about all aid convoys and coordinates all movements with the Israeli Authorities; however, aid convoys continue to come under fire.

Delivering lifesaving humanitarian aid becomes incredibly difficult under these circumstances and safe and sustainable access is urgently needed everywhere including to the north of Gaza.

As of 5 February, the total number of UNRWA colleagues killed since the beginning of hostilities is now 154, an increase of two since the last situation report.

As of 5 February, up to 1.7 million* people (over 75 per cent of the population) ** have been displaced across the Gaza Strip, some multiple times.*** Families are forced to move repeatedly in search of safety. Following intense Israeli bombardments and fighting in Khan Younis and the Middle Area in recent days, a significant number of displaced people have moved further south.

*This includes 1 million individuals residing in or near emergency shelters or informal shelters. As of October 12, approximately 160,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were recorded in north Gaza and Gaza governorates. The ability of UNRWA to provide humanitarian support and updated data in these areas has been severely restricted. The ongoing hostilities, evacuation orders issued by Israeli Forces, and the constant need for safer locations have resulted in people being displaced multiple times.

**UNRWA has reported in Situation Report 64 that up to 1.9 million IDPs are either residing in 154 UNRWA shelters or near these shelters. Due to the continued escalation of fighting and evacuation orders, some households have moved away from the shelters where they were initially registered.

*** There are instances where the same IDs are registered in multiple shelters due to the fluid movement of populations; hereafter, estimates are used for these shelters. UNRWA plans to conduct a more accurate count of IDPs in shelters, including informal shelters, as soon as the security situation allows.

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US Drone Strike in Iraq Kills Iran-Backed Militant Group Commander

By Carla Babb February 07, 2024

The United States military says it carried out a drone strike on a vehicle in Baghdad, killing a leader of an Iranian-backed militant group.

U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East, said the strike on Tuesday killed a commander of the militant group Kataib Hezbollah who was "responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on U.S. forces in the region."

Two U.S. officials confirmed to VOA that the commander was operations officer Wisam Mohammad al-Saedi. Photos on social media allegedly showed his Iraqi identification card that was pulled from his body.

VOA had earlier reported the United States military was involved in an airstrike against a high-value target in the Middle East but had not identified al-Saedi by name.

Video shared on social media showed a vehicle engulfed in flames on a Baghdad highway.

The U.S. strike was in response to the almost 170 drone, rocket and missile attacks against U.S. forces in the Middle East since mid-October, one of which killed three U.S. service members and wounded dozens more in northern Jordan last week.

A wave of U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria on Friday pounded targets associated with Iranian-backed militias responsible for the attacks. The strikes targeted three locations in Iraq, as well as another four in Syria, and they destroyed more than 80 individual targets, ranging from command-and-control centers and intelligence hubs to missile and drone storage facilities, according to the latest U.S. assessments.

But while U.S. officials have defended the strikes as necessary following a drone attack that killed three U.S. soldiers at a base in Jordan last month, Iraqi officials have voiced increased anger, summoning the U.S. charge d'affaires in Baghdad to protest. They have charged that some of the U.S. strikes hit elements of Iraq's own security forces.

The U.S. State Department said Monday that Iraq was not given any warning but added the U.S. strikes should not have come as a surprise.

Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder said Monday the U.S. had no plans for a long-term military campaign against the militias in Iraq and Syria, but he noted the U.S. response to the killing of its service members was "not complete."

The U.S. has about 2,500 troops in Iraq tasked with advising and assisting Iraqi security forces as they pursue the remnants of the Islamic State terror group, also known as ISIS or Daesh.

And while talks between the U.S. and Iraq are underway to eventually reduce the U.S. military footprint and transition from the counter-IS mission to what officials describe as more traditional military-to-military relationship with Baghdad, the process has been complicated by the attacks.

On Tuesday, Iranian-backed Houthi militants once again ignored U.S. calls to stop attacking international shipping lanes or face consequences, this time firing six anti-ship missiles from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

U.S. Central Command said late Tuesday that one of the missiles caused minor damage to the Marshall Islands-flagged, Greek owned-and-operated bulk carrier MV Star Nasia in the Gulf of Aden, while another missile landed in the water near the ship. U.S. forces shot down a third missile in the area.

There were no reported injuries, and the ship was able to continue toward its destination, CENTCOM said in a statement.

In the southern Red Sea, CENTCOM said three missiles likely targeting the Barbados-flagged, U.K.-owned cargo ship MV Morning Tide landed in the water without causing any damage.

The latest Houthi launches came as an unclassified Defense Intelligence Agency report released Tuesday confirmed that Houthi militants in Yemen were using various missiles and drones of Iranian origin in its recent attacks across the region. The report compares publicly available images of Iranian weapons to those employed by the Houthis and highlights the strengthening relationship between the Houthis and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Earlier Tuesday, the U.S. military said it conducted its latest self-defense strikes against two Houthi kamikaze drone boats that were laden with explosives.

CENTCOM, which oversees U.S. forces in the region, said the vessels "presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region."

The Houthis have said their Red Sea attacks are in solidarity with the people of Gaza and have vowed to continue them, despite the U.S. and British strikes.

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US Intelligence Warns of Growing Iranian-Houthi Weapons Cooperation

By Jeff Seldin February 07, 2024

The United States is offering fresh evidence that Houthi attacks on international shipping are being carried out with weaponry designed by Iran, though some analysts and experts warn the findings raise concerns about the effectiveness of the U.S. actions against the Houthis and what it portends of Iran's weapons development program.

The Defense Intelligence Agency late Tuesday issued an unclassified report with details on the drones and missiles the Houthis have used in their more than 40 attacks since mid-November. The report also sheds light on missiles that the Houthis have in their arsenal but have yet to unleash.

"Analysis confirms that Houthi forces have employed various Iranian-origin missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles against military and civilian targets throughout the region," the DIA said in a statement, pointing to an ever-tighter relationship between Tehran and Houthi leadership.

"Since 2014, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force [IRGC-QF] has provided the Houthis a growing arsenal of sophisticated weapons and training," DIA said. "Iran's aid has enabled the Houthis to conduct a campaign of missile and UAV attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea since November 2023."

The findings are based on current information, some gathered as recently as last month, and on a "comparative analysis of publicly available images of Iranian missiles and UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] to those displayed and employed by Houthi forces," the agency added.

Iran has consistently denied providing the Houthis with sophisticated weaponry.

"They have their own weapons," said Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani.

"They have been eight years under the war. They have a lot of experiences," he told NBC News in an interview that aired late Tuesday.

But the DIA's findings show the Houthis are operating three types of drones, all versions of those used by Iran.

They include the Sammad, a version of Iran's Sayad drone, which has a range of up to about 1,800 kilometers.

Two other Houthi drones, known as the Waid-1 and the Waid-2, are versions of Iran's Shahed drones, with the Waid-2 boasting a range of up 2,500 kilometers, allowing it to potentially hit targets as far away as Israel, Egypt and Turkey.

The DIA analysis further finds that the Waid-2's wing stabilizers are consistent not just with the size and shape of the those on Iran's Shahed-136, but also bear an uncanny similarity to debris from Russia's Geran-2 attack drone, itself a variant of Tehran's Shahed.

The analysis alleges the Houthis have also been using three ballistic missiles and one surface-to-air missile, all of Iranian design. They include the Houthi Quds-4, a version of Iran's Paveh ballistic missile, which has an estimated range of 2,000 kilometers and could potentially be used to strike as far away as Israel.

The U.S. assesses the Houthis have four additional missiles that have not yet been used, including a version of Iran's Shahab-3, which also has an estimated range that puts Israel within the Houthis' sights.

Some experts say that while the report's findings largely confirm previous intelligence assessments, they are worrying, nonetheless.

"The DIA report underscores how the Houthis have been getting Iranian technology for over a decade and modifying it to build their own missiles and drones," according to Bruce Reidel, a former CIA officer now with the Brookings Institution in Washington.

"The Houthis' capabilities are not highly sophisticated and can be replaced easily with materials already in Yemen," Reidel told VOA via email, warning that has significant implications for international shipping.

"None has resumed sailing in the Red Sea despite the American and British bombardment of the Houthis," he said. "They know the bombing is not going to cripple the Houthis."

Brian Carter, an analyst with the American Enterprise Institute's Critical Threats Project, told VOA there are other concerns, as well.

"The Houthis are now testing U.S. ship-based air defenses in the Red Sea," Carter said in an email.

"Over time, Iran and its partners, allies, and proxies are building a very complete picture of the strengths and weaknesses of U.S.-built air defenses," he added. "This is something they will be able to use in the future to target U.S. forces and interests."

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US Senate Rejects Border Security Measure Linked to Ukraine, Israel Aid

By Ken Bredemeier February 07, 2024

The U.S. Senate failed Wednesday to advance a bipartisan proposal to tighten migration controls along the U.S.-Mexico border that would also have provided billions of dollars of military aid to Ukraine and Israel.

Republican lawmakers have long demanded tougher regulations to halt the daily influx of thousands of migrants fleeing crime and poverty in their homelands and seeking better lives in the United States. But in the end, enough Senate Republicans killed the measure by opposing a motion to open debate on it.

The immigration issue, long unresolved by Congress and succeeding Republican and Democratic presidencies, quickly became embroiled this year in the politics of the 2024 presidential election campaign.

The leading Republican contender, former President Donald Trump, pushed his Republican colleagues in Congress to oppose the legislation unless they got everything they asked for on immigration. Democrats charge that he wants the chaos at the border to continue so he can use it as a campaign issue against President Joe Biden.

Biden said at a Tuesday news conference he would hold Trump accountable for the arrival of more migrants. Under existing law, many who enter illegally and claim asylum are able to remain in the United States for months or years before backlogged immigration courts can consider their cases.

With the defeat of the immigration bill, the Senate now is set to consider legislation that would provide the aid to Ukraine and Israel, minus any border immigration provisions.

Biden on Tuesday urged Congress to show "some spine" and pass the broader bill, which was developed during months of negotiations by a small group of Democratic and Republican senators.

Even had the Senate passed it, Speaker Mike Johnson, leader of the narrow Republican majority in the House of Representatives, declared it "dead on arrival" in the lower chamber. He said the migration restrictions were not tough enough.

In his Tuesday speech, Biden said, "All indications are this bill won't even move forward to the Senate floor. Why? The simple reason: Donald Trump."

He added, "Because Donald Trump thinks it's bad for him politically."

Biden said if the legislation was defeated, "every day, Americans will know why the border is not secure  Donald Trump."

Trump had urged Republicans to oppose the proposed migration controls as weak and said that he would impose tougher rules to keep migrants out of the U.S. if he reclaims the presidency in the November election, where he is likely to again face Biden.

The U.S. has been Ukraine's biggest benefactor, and Biden said it was important to send the new $60 billion in aid to Kyiv to help it fend off Russia's nearly two-year-old invasion.

"We can't walk away now," he said, adding that to deny the additional aid would be a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"History is watching," Biden said. "If we don't support Ukraine, history will never forget."

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NATO Allies Pressure Hungary Over Blocking Sweden's Accession

By Henry Ridgwell February 07, 2024

Hungary's NATO allies are turning up the pressure on Prime Minister Viktor Orban to swiftly approve Sweden's accession to the alliance after his MPs refused an opportunity to vote on the issue this week.

Sweden applied to join the alliance in May 2022 in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February of that year. But Hungary has repeatedly delayed ratification.

Hungary is now the only country preventing Sweden from joining NATO after Turkey finally gave its approval last month. Ankara had initially raised concerns over Sweden's purported harboring of Kurdish separatist groups, which Turkey considers terrorists.

No-show vote

With Hungary's parliament currently on winter recess, opposition MPs convened an extraordinary session of lawmakers Monday in an attempt to force a vote.

Lawmakers from Orban's Fidesz Party refused to attend, though, despite Orban declaring last month that he supports Sweden's accession to NATO and would urge his party to approve the application at the first opportunity.

Tompos Marton of Hungary's Momentum Party was among the opposition lawmakers pushing for Monday's vote.

"What is quite ridiculous for us is that we understood why Turkey was pushing the issue. They had demands. However, in Hungary, there was no demand articulated at all," Marton told VOA Wednesday, adding that many suspected Orban had different motives.

"On the one hand, we could say that it's a miscalculation, they [Fidesz] just didn't catch the flow, didn't understand the situation. On the other hand, there are also understandings that the only person who benefits from this is [Russian President] Vladimir Putin. And Mr. Orban has done a few favors for him already, and why not another one?" Marton said.

Agnes Vadai, a lawmaker with the opposition Democratic Coalition, echoed those concerns.

"Orban is personally responsible. He wants to favor Putin, and through that, breaking the unity of NATO," she told Reuters.

The Hungarian government repeatedly refused VOA requests for an interview. In the past, Orban has denied favoring Putin but has called for an immediate cease-fire in Ukraine, arguing that Western support for Kyiv will only prolong the war.

Allied pressure

Hungary's NATO allies are turning up the pressure. U.S. Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman spoke to reporters after attending Monday's session of parliament in Budapest.

"The prime minister pledged to convene parliament to urge parliament to act at its earliest opportunity," he said on Monday. "Today was an opportunity to do that, and we look forward to watching this closely, and to Hungary acting expeditiously."

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, chairman of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said earlier this month that Hungary was "the least reliable" NATO ally and that Washington should consider imposing sanctions, along with a suspension of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program for Hungarian citizens.

A German government spokesperson said Tuesday that Hungary's approval of Sweden's accession was a "matter of loyalty" to the NATO alliance.

Hungary's NATO allies are turning up the pressure on Prime Minister Viktor Orban to swiftly approve Sweden's accession to the alliance after his MPs refused an opportunity to vote on the issue this week.

Sweden applied to join the alliance in May 2022 in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February of that year. But Hungary has repeatedly delayed ratification.

Hungary is now the only country preventing Sweden from joining NATO after Turkey finally gave its approval last month. Ankara had initially raised concerns over Sweden's purported harboring of Kurdish separatist groups, which Turkey considers terrorists.

No-show vote

With Hungary's parliament currently on winter recess, opposition MPs convened an extraordinary session of lawmakers Monday in an attempt to force a vote.

Lawmakers from Orban's Fidesz Party refused to attend, though, despite Orban declaring last month that he supports Sweden's accession to NATO and would urge his party to approve the application at the first opportunity.

Tompos Marton of Hungary's Momentum Party was among the opposition lawmakers pushing for Monday's vote.

"What is quite ridiculous for us is that we understood why Turkey was pushing the issue. They had demands. However, in Hungary, there was no demand articulated at all," Marton told VOA Wednesday, adding that many suspected Orban had different motives.

"On the one hand, we could say that it's a miscalculation, they [Fidesz] just didn't catch the flow, didn't understand the situation. On the other hand, there are also understandings that the only person who benefits from this is [Russian President] Vladimir Putin. And Mr. Orban has done a few favors for him already, and why not another one?" Marton said.

Agnes Vadai, a lawmaker with the opposition Democratic Coalition, echoed those concerns.

"Orban is personally responsible. He wants to favor Putin, and through that, breaking the unity of NATO," she told Reuters.

The Hungarian government repeatedly refused VOA requests for an interview. In the past, Orban has denied favoring Putin but has called for an immediate cease-fire in Ukraine, arguing that Western support for Kyiv will only prolong the war.

Allied pressure

Hungary's NATO allies are turning up the pressure. U.S. Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman spoke to reporters after attending Monday's session of parliament in Budapest.

"The prime minister pledged to convene parliament to urge parliament to act at its earliest opportunity," he said on Monday. "Today was an opportunity to do that, and we look forward to watching this closely, and to Hungary acting expeditiously."

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, chairman of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said earlier this month that Hungary was "the least reliable" NATO ally and that Washington should consider imposing sanctions, along with a suspension of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program for Hungarian citizens.

A German government spokesperson said Tuesday that Hungary's approval of Sweden's accession was a "matter of loyalty" to the NATO alliance.

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UN Launches Appeal to Aid Millions in War-Torn Sudan

By Lisa Schlein February 07, 2024

As Sudan is about to enter its 10th month of conflict, United Nations agencies launched a $4.1 billion appeal Tuesday to provide urgent aid for 14.7 million people inside Sudan and 2.7 million people who have taken refuge in five neighboring countries.

The U.N. launch in Geneva got off to a poignant start with a video of Sudanese victims who recounted the terrible impact the war has had on their lives. Mena, a young Sudanese refugee in Egypt said the war has robbed her and other children of their education.

"How can we build our future in this situation? No school, which means no studying, no education, no medical service and most importantly," she said. "We lost our childhood. This is our future, and it must be preserved."

U.N. officials at the conference agreed that Sudan's conflict has fueled "suffering of epic proportions." And yet, said Martin Griffiths, U.N. undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, this crisis has been forgotten by the international community because of "competing crises in Gaza, Ukraine, and elsewhere."

"But I do not think that there is anywhere quite so tragic in the world today as Sudan," he said. "The figures speak for themselves  25 million people in Sudan who need assistance, half of them are children. That is an astonishing figure."

He said, "There is a certain kind of obscenity about the humanitarian world which is a competition of suffering," where different places in the world feel the need to magnify their level of suffering "to get more attention and get more money."

Fighting threatens food availability

The United Nations says the conflict has come at an intolerable high price for the Sudanese people. It reports more than 13,000 people have been killed and millions of people have been uprooted from their homes.

The World Food Program warns the expansion of fighting in Sudan, including to Al Jazirah, the country's so-called breadbasket, "poses a significant threat to national food availability." It says nearly 18 million people are facing acute hunger.

The World Health Organization reports diseases, including cholera, measles and malaria are spreading at a time when 70 to 80 percent of hospitals in conflict hot spots are not functioning.

U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi told the conference that the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has created one of the world's largest displacement and protection crises.

"If you calculate people displaced inside and outside, you reach easily eight, nine million people displaced. This is massive. This is the scale of Ukraine, the scale of Syria. These are the three biggest displacement crises at the moment, and this is the one that is least talked about."

Grandi visited Sudan and Ethiopia last week. While in Port Sudan, he said he raised the issue of humanitarian access to people in need with both warring parties. He told them that the delivery of humanitarian assistance "needs to be facilitated, not made more difficult."

"I have received all the assurances," he said, adding that he had to explain to them that aid was being held up in a variety of ways: "We get slowed down by travel, by the need to get permits, by checkpoints and bureaucracy."

Grandi said he met with Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia and displaced people inside Sudan. All of them, he said, had the same message: "We want peace so we can go home, and we need support to rebuild our lives."

Grandi urged donor countries attending the conference "to step up their support for the people of Sudan. They desperately need help, and they need it now."

UN official spotlights deseparation

Griffiths warned countries that they are ignoring the conflict in Sudan and the desperation of its people at their peril.

"Sudan geographically poses a threat to destabilizing parts of Africa ... It is something which we cannot allow to continue the way it is now," he said. "We have to invest in political diplomacy. We have to invest in humanitarian efforts. We have to invest in the region as well and we have to make sure that Sudan is a place that we think about every single day, to make sure that we do the best we can."

Griffiths said he looks forward to going to Sudan in a couple of weeks to bring attention to this crisis and to try to gain greater access for humanitarian aid to reach the millions in need.

He said he recently has been in touch with Sudan's rival generals  General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, who commands the Sudan Armed Forces and the RSF paramilitary leader, General Mohammed Hamdan, known as "Hemetti."

His aim, he said was to bring them together to the so-called humanitarian forum "so we would have negotiations for access."

"It is so clear. It is uncomplicated. It is so necessary, and I begged the two of them to come together," Griffiths said. "They both said they would. We are still waiting."

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Report: China Increasing Digital Surveillance of Tibetans

By William Yang February 07, 2024

A new report by Tibetan activist groups and experts shows new evidence that the Chinese government is increasing digital surveillance of Tibetans through practices such as the mandatory installation of apps at police checkpoints or utilizing big data policing platforms supported by technologies from American tech firms.

Some analysts say these new findings provide a glimpse into Beijing's security apparatus in Tibet. "The Chinese government's apparatus in Tibet remains a black box in nature, but this report provides [the outside world] with a glimpse into how these systems work," Greg Walton, senior investigator at U.K.-based security consulting firm Secdev Group and one of the report's authors, told VOA by phone.

The report from Tibet Watch and a Tibet-focused research network called Turquoise Roof found that authorities have been asking residents in Tibet to install an app called "National Anti-Fraud Center" on their smartphones since 2021.

According to some testimonies from Tibetans, police would routinely ask residents to install the security application on their smartphones at checkpoints while local authorities have been teaching the public how to download and use the app. Some Tibetans have expressed concern that the app may be used to track their movements and potentially access data on their phones.

"It looks like a surveillance app that tracks not only our movement but also has built-in automatic voice recording and photo-sharing functionalities," an unnamed Tibetan man told Tibet Watch in 2023, according to the report.

Based on their analysis of the app, the report found that permissions that the app asked for from smartphone users could allow app operators to access sensitive user data or have control over certain device functionalities.

The report said the broad scope of permissions could let authorities conduct highly invasive surveillance, which is in line with measures that Chinese authorities typically use in regions like Tibet and Xinjiang to maintain public order.

"Our analysis suggests that data controlled by the Anti-Fraud app could connect into wider systems operated by the Criminal Investigation Bureau [and] the mandatory installation of the app at police checkpoints could serve as a platform for harvesting a dataset used for monitoring and controlling the population, particularly in suppressing dissent and cultural expression," the report wrote.

In addition to the forced installation of the anti-fraud app, the report also investigated a big data policing platform used by Tibetan authorities called "'Tibet Underworld Criminal Integrated Intelligence Application Platform."

Their analysis of government procurement notices suggests the platform, which is developed on top of technology originating from American tech company Oracle, combines data from several Public Security Bureau systems in Tibet and is an instrumental part of Chinese authorities' campaign to criminalize moderate cultural and religious expressions or language rights advocacy.

"The platform is presented as being designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement in Tibet," the report wrote, adding that the platform can only be accessed through the Public Security Bureau's internal network and authorities urge contractors to "replace the Oracle database" with a Chinese equivalent.

Walton from Secdev Group told VOA that the evidence suggests Chinese authorities' law enforcement measures in Tibet are "more invasive" than the measures used in other parts of China. "The big data systems use machine learning to track Tibetans' kinship networks or analyze their social networks to surface what the Chinese party-state defines as organized crimes," he said.

Since the big data policing platform is built on top of technologies from Oracle, Walton thinks foreign companies have clear responsibilities to ensure their products are not used to assist the Chinese government's effort to crack down on civilians or ethnic minorities.

"Human rights organizations have made clear the negative impacts that [big data policing system] driven by software sold by Oracle, [so] I think these companies should do human rights impact assessments to see what impact their software will have [when it's used for policing purposes in China,]" he said.

Oracle did not respond to VOA's requests for comment.

The report says that the Chinese authorities' aim of using big data policing platforms in both Tibet and Xinjiang is to achieve "control and suppression through intelligence-led policing. Some researchers say the Chinese government's crackdown on ethnic minorities is part of its overall effort to build up a "totalitarian social control state."

"The Chinese government is developing these more modern social control mechanisms that are supposed to make all aspects of society controllable," Maya Wang, Interim China Director at Human Rights Watch, told VOA by phone.

"Since the ethnic groups are at the short end of the Chinese state repression and social control when the surveillance systems are running in the background in Tibet or Xinjiang, they are also vetting people, and those who are considered politically unreliable are held in re-education camps or prisons," she added.

In response to the report's claim that Beijing is increasing digital surveillance on Tibetans, the Chinese embassy in the U.S. described the finding as "groundless accusations."

"China is a country under the rule of law, and the privacy of Chinese citizens is fully protected by law, regardless of their ethnicity," Liu Peng-yu, the spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in the United States, told VOA in a written response.

As Beijing increases its control over Tibet through digital surveillance, the report said these efforts are changing the way that Tibetans communicate and are creating a society-wide chilling effect across the region. "In many cases, this trend leads to a complete breakdown of contact," the report said.

Some Tibetan activists say the digital surveillance architecture that the Chinese government is trying to "perfect" in the region will create a deep psychological impact on local residents, forcing them to practice self-censorship.

"Tibetans will be even more careful with what they say or what they write on their phones," Tenzin Choekyi, a senior researcher at Tibet Watch, told VOA by phone, adding that communication between Tibetans in China and the diaspora community will likely become more difficult to maintain.

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Thailand's Election Winners Face Potential Breakup After Royal Insult Law Ruling

By Zsombor Peter February 07, 2024

Thailand's most popular political party is facing a spate of legal challenges that could see it dissolved or its lawmakers ejected from parliament since a top court found it in breach of the constitution.

The Constitutional Court ruled last week that Move Forward harbored a hidden agenda to undermine the country's constitutional monarchy by campaigning for reform of a defamation law that punishes any insult to Thailand's powerful royal family with up to 15 years in jail.

The court ordered the party to stop its efforts to amend the law but handed down no punishment for the constitutional breach.

Since the verdict, though, Move Forward's critics have filed several petitions with the government that could ultimately have the party dissolved or see all its lawmakers dismissed.

Move Forward won the most votes and lower house seats in last year's national elections with plans to rein in the country's royalist, pro-military elites but found itself shut out of the governing coalition and shunted into opposition by a military-appointed Senate.

Reacting to the latest legal challenges, Move Forward lawmaker and spokesman Parit Wacharasindhu insisted the party had done nothing wrong and said it would fight the claims vigorously.

"But as we have seen with the Constitutional Court ruling, not everything is under our control and our worldview may not be the same as that of the establishment and related organizations," he told VOA.

As of Wednesday, a total of five petitions have been filed with the Election Commission or the National Anti-Corruption Commission claiming that Move Forward and its lawmakers, by trying to undermine Thailand's system of government, had broken a host of other laws. If either commission deems any of the claims sound, it can forward the case to the courts.

If the courts find Move Forward or its members guilty, they can then either dissolve the party or ban its lawmakers from public office for life, depending on which law the courts say they broke.

The claims have some precedent. The Move Forward Party's spiritual predecessor, Future Forward, was dissolved by the courts over an illegal loan in 2020, after it finished a strong third in national elections the year before. It was the third party posing a serious challenge to the conservative establishment dissolved by court order in the past 12 years.

Taking nothing for granted, Move Forward says it has already started making plans in case it too is dissolved or if its lawmakers are banned.

Pita told VOA it was too soon to elaborate on those plans, as the petitions would take time to work their way through the commissions and possibly courts.

"However, what is true and will always hold true is that regardless of what happens to our party or our MPs, the underlying ideas and ideologies will still carry on through some vehicle or another, both inside and outside parliament," he said.

Khemthong Tonsakulrungruang, a legal scholar at Thailand's Chulalongkorn University, says the party faces a genuine existential threat.

He questioned the logic of last week's verdict. But given the ruling, he said the petitions seeking to dissolve the party, rather than merely ban its lawmakers, seemed the most likely to succeed.

"Because the text of the law is clear; it leaves no room. If you are identified as trying to overthrow the regime, the following consequence definitely is to dissolve the party," he told VOA.

"It doesn't mean that the [Constitutional Court's] decision makes sense, but it means that the decision may trigger the process that would be almost automatic," he said.

Since last week's verdict, Move Forward has removed any mention of its plans to amend the royal insult law from its official website.

But Khemthong says that's not likely to satisfy the party's opponents, viewing Move Forward's very existence as a threat to Thailand's reactionary establishment.

"It's not about any particular policies right now. It's the existence of the party that they find problematic," he said, adding that the courts could potentially hand down a ruling on one of the petitions in a matter of weeks.

Titipol Phakdeewanich, however, dean of the political science faculty at Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani University, says the commissions and courts are more likely to take their time with the petitions.

Wary of the mass protests that followed the court case against Future Forward four years ago, he said they may try to drag out the cases and use them as leverage to temper Move Forward's other ambitions. Besides amending the royal insult law, the party's other popular plans include reforms to the military and big business, two other pillars of the country's political elite.

Titipol said going through with the threat and actually dissolving Move Forward or ejecting its slate of lawmakers could even backfire on the party's opponents by galvanizing its supporters, even if it must form a new party to carry on its cause.

"I think that might be one of the [courts'] main considerations, because if they do this it could ... help Move Forward to achieve their goal to win a big landslide in the next election cycle," he said.

Khemthong agreed that the end of Move Forward as a party would not put an end to the swelling demands for structural political reforms that it has tapped into and could do just the opposite.

Since the pro-democracy protests sparked by the lawsuit that ultimately brought down Future Forward, the courts have charged over 260 people with defaming the king and sentenced some of them to several years in jail. Yet calls to reform and soften, even do away with the law have continued.

"So, all these lawsuits, all these petitions, they [won't] stamp out the idea. As long as the elites continue to exercise their power like that, they just infuriate the public," Khemthong said. "In a way, it's not Future Forward who fueled the public to call for reform; it's the elites themselves that paint themselves into the corner."

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Former Chilean President Sebastian Pinera Killed in Helicopter Crash

By VOA News February 07, 2024

Former Chile President Sebastian Pinera was killed Tuesday in a helicopter crash.

The 74-year-old Pinera was traveling with three other people when the helicopter went down in Lake Ranco in southern Chile. The other three passengers survived the crash and managed to swim to shore. It was unclear who was piloting the helicopter, but Pinera often flew himself in his own helicopter.

Pinera entered politics in the 1990s after amassing a fortune that began when he introduced credit cards to Chile during the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet, who ruled from 1973 until 1990. He invested in a variety of ventures, including real estate, banking and broadcasting.

His election in 2010 represented a return of Chile's conservative faction to political power after the Pinochet dictatorship. But his first term was consumed by recovery efforts from a powerful earthquake and tsunami that killed 525 people, as well as the successful recovery of 33 miners trapped for more than three months in a collapsed mine in the northern Atacama Desert.

His second term from 2018 until 2022 was consumed by his government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest triggered by a small hike in subway fares that evolved into mass protests over inequality.

Pinera deployed the military to quell the protests, which led to violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces.

The protests led parliament to agree to hold a referendum to change Chile's dictatorship-era constitution, but two proposed charters have been defeated.

Pinera's successor, Gabriel Boric, declared three days of official mourning on Tuesday. He said Pinera "genuinely sought what he believed was best for the country" in a televised speech announcing his death.

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UN central emergency response fund contributes to WFP's assistance to Afghan returnees from Pakistan

World Food Programme

7 February 2024

KABUL -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a contribution of US$3.8 million from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support Afghans forced to leave Pakistan and return to Afghanistan. The funding will allow WFP to provide cash assistance to nearly 33,000 families or more than 230,000 children, women and men, including persons with disabilities returning to Afghanistan at a time when already one third of the people are going hungry.

"With 500,000 Afghans having returned from Pakistan since last September, the importance of this timely allocation from the Central Emergency Response Fund cannot be overstated," said Isabelle Moussard Carlsen, Head of Office for OCHA Afghanistan. "In the face of the harsh Afghan winter, coinciding with the lean season and peak food insecurity, this CERF funding is a lifeline for thousands of returnees ensuring their immediate and long-term food needs are met. We remain committed to a sustained effort in supporting the most vulnerable and call for unwavering global solidarity with Afghanistan."

These families are arriving at the worst of times, in winter, when hunger bites hardest in Afghanistan and humanitarian funding is at a low point. Last year, funding shortages forced WFP to reduce the ration size and scale back life-saving food assistance, affecting 10 million people.

"With the massive funding shortfalls for humanitarian action in Afghanistan, WFP has been able to respond to new crises only by borrowing from an already underfunded regular programme," said Mutinta Chimuka, Deputy Country Director of WFP Afghanistan. "Thanks to the contribution from the Central Emergency Response Fund, WFP will be able to support more than 230,000 Afghans forced to return from Pakistan with cash to cover the families' food needs for one month. This not only gives them the choice but also stimulates local economies by supporting markets and shops."

The rapid funding made available through the CERF for WFP in Afghanistan has been crucial to reach some of the most vulnerable communities struck by shocks with life-saving assistance. In 2023, WFP received a total of US$29.3 million. This allowed the agency to respond to people struck by earthquakes in Herat Province and to help more than 200,000 vulnerable people get through the harsh winter with either food or cash assistance to help cover their food needs.

# # #

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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Israel's Netanyahu rejects Hamas's offer for truce in Gaza

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:46, February 08, 2024

JERUSALEM, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas's proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.

"Caving into the delusional demands of Hamas will result in another massacre," said Netanyahu at a press conference.

Netanyahu's remarks came hours after Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that runs Gaza, presented a set of terms in response to a ceasefire proposal brokered by Qatar.

It included the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners and the reconstruction of Gaza, which has been devastated by the Israeli strikes. Hamas also seeks a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and an end to the ongoing war, proposing a ceasefire plan consisting of three phases, each lasting 45 days.

Netanyahu repeated his stance that Israel will continue the war until "a total victory" over Hamas. "Tonight, I came to tell you one thing: We are on the way to a total victory. Victory is within reach. It's not a matter of years but of months," said Netanyahu.

According to the Israeli prime minister, since Oct. 7, 2023, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) killed or wounded 20,000 militants in Gaza, which constitute "more than half of the Hamas forces."

"We instructed the IDF, which is now in Khan Younis, the last stronghold of Hamas, to prepare to operate in Rafah as well," he said.

Rafah is Gaza's southernmost city, a zone previously designated as a safe zone by the Israeli army and to which more than half of Gaza's over 2 million population had fled.

Netanyahu said he told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during their meeting in Jerusalem earlier on Wednesday, that after Hamas is "eliminated," Gaza should be demilitarized to ensure it will not pose a security threat to Israel.

"It means that Israel will stay in Gaza," he said.

Netanyahu also repeated his call to close the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Last week, Israel accused 12 UNRWA employees of taking part in a fierce onslaught by Hamas on southern Israeli communities on Oct. 7, 2023, leading to at least 17 countries suspending UNRWA funding.

The Israel-Hamas conflict has so far claimed the lives of 27,708 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry on Wednesday.

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Operation Iron Swords - Day 124 - 07 February 2024

"Hamass offer is intended to deepen the crisis in Israeli public opinion on hostage negotiations while stopping the IDFs momentum in Gaza and alleviating the international pressure on it to release the hostages is intended to help Hamas return to the levels of control it held on October 6." According to former Israeli intelligence Official Avi Melamed.

"Regardless of the internal and external pressures, its unlikely any Israeli government, let alone Netanyahus current coalition, would ever accept this deal. Most likely, the IDF will continue its operations in Khan Yunis and its advance towards Rafah, where there are already reports that indicate the probability that Hamas leaders and the hostages they are using as human shields are likely hiding. As the IDF does so, Israel and the U.S. Administration will revert back to Hamas and its allies with their counterproposal, fighting the war as if there are no negotiations, and negotiating as if there is no war, which has been a hallmark of the Israeli response to Oct. 7.

Defense Minister Gallant told the US Secretary of State Blinken during the extended meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu and the heads of the defense establishment that Hamas's negative response to the outline for the release of the abductees will lead to the expansion of the IDF's ground operation in the Gaza Strip. "Your position will lead to the continuation of the war, and our forces to other places in Gaza, soon," Gallant said

PM Netanyahu delivered a statement responding to Hamass proposal: "The achievements of the IDF are unprecedented within a matter of four months the IDF killed and wounded 20,000 terrorists that's half of the Hamas combat operatives we've managed to eradicate 24 battalions and we are continuing to kill terrorists and we are systematically exposing the network of tunnels where Hamas is hiding....

"The obliteration of battalions cleansing and getting rid of the terrorists and to continue to destroy the underground tunnels we will continue to do so I wish to reemphasize there is no other solution except for absolute Victory. If the Hamas continues to operate in Gaza it's only a matter of time until the next Massacre and the axis of evil led by Iran and its proxies will continue. Only absolute Victory will bring back security to Israel both in the north and in the South and ultimately obliterating Hamas will project onto the entire Middle East and will allow us to expand the circle of peace with our neighbors. Today I said to Secretary of State Blinken "we are ever so close to Absolute Victory which will be a victory of the entire free world not just Israel's Victory."

"And now I'd like to address the families of the hostages and I would like to tell you your loved ones are always our first consideration always I look at you in your eyes I see their pictures and my heart is torn we are not stopping to act for their release not for one minute even right now and I'm saying very sincerely to them and to all of you what I believe in continued military pressure is a necessary condition for releasing the hostages succumbing to the insane demands of Hamas will merely summon another Massacre, a terrible disaster to the state of Israel that none of our citizens is willing to accept and it will definitely not lead to the release of the hostages.

"As for the day after I would like to say the day after means the day after Hamas not part of the Hamas not half of Hamas all of Hamas and today I said to Secretary of State Blinken that after we obliterate Hamas we will make sure that Gaza will be demilitarized forever. History has proven that there is only one force that can guarantee such a demilitarization - the state of Israel with the IDF and our security forces. The meaning is that Israel will operate in Gaza at any place and at any time necessary in order to make sure that terrorism will not raise its head again. The civilian management of the Gaza Strip cannot be carried out by those who fund terrorism and carry out and educate for terrorism and this means we will have to replace UNRWA."

War Termination

Al Jazeera obtained details of the response of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) to the proposal for the framework of the truce agreement in Gaza, which it presented to the mediators. Sources explained to Al Jazeera that the movement agreed to a framework agreement to reach a complete and sustainable truce in 3 stages, each stage lasting 45 days, and including: agreeing on the exchange of prisoners and the bodies of the dead, ending the siege, and reconstruction.

Hamas demanded that the complete truce talks be completed before the start of the second phase, and that Israeli forces be ensured outside the borders of the Gaza Strip, and that the reconstruction process begin. According to the same sources, in the first phase, Hamas offered to release Israeli detainees, including women, children, the elderly, and the sick, in exchange for 1,500 prisoners, including 500 who received life sentences and high sentences, in addition to all the women, children, and elderly people in the occupation prisons.

The movement also stipulated a "complete cessation" of military operations on both sides, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from residential areas in all areas of the Gaza Strip, and the entry of no less than 500 trucks per day of aid and fuel into all areas of the Gaza Strip during the first phase. The sources explained that in the first phase, Hamas also demanded the return of the displaced to their places of residence, the guarantee of freedom of movement between the north and south of the Strip, and the opening of the crossings.

The movements response included the necessity of approving the introduction of at least 60,000 temporary homes and 200,000 shelter tents into the Strip during the first phase, in addition to approving a plan for the reconstruction of homes, economic facilities, and public facilities that were destroyed, within a period not exceeding 3 years.

The first phase also includes restarting hospitals and restoring damaged medical facilities. The second phase includes Hamas handing over Israeli military prisoners, with Tel Aviv releasing a certain number of Palestinian prisoners, in addition to the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from all areas of the Strip. Within this stage, according to what was reported by Anadolu Agency, Hamas demanded the completion of talks on a complete cessation of the war, and the continuation of all humanitarian measures applied in the first stage, in addition to the actual start of the reconstruction process.

According to the movement's vision, the third stage includes the exchange of bodies and remains of the dead on both sides, after identifying them. The demands raised by the Hamas movement included: stopping the settlers storming of Al-Aqsa Al-Sharif, and returning the conditions in the blessed mosque to those before 2002.

The movement stressed the need to complete legal procedures to prevent Israel from arresting the prisoners released as part of the deal, and also requested that Qatar, Egypt, the United States, Turkey, and Russia be guarantors of the implementation of this agreement.

On the other hand, Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will lead discussions regarding Hamas response. Channel 13 quoted an unnamed official as saying, There are many points in Hamas response that cannot be accepted, and the dilemma at the present time is whether to reject the demands directly, or enter into negotiations in an attempt to mitigate them, and the decision will be made at the end of the discussion with Hamas. prime minister". On the other hand, the Ynet website quoted Israeli officials - whom it did not name - as saying, We cannot accept the demand to end the war. It also spoke of objection to the demand to release 1,500 Palestinian prisoners, including those sentenced to life imprisonment.

In this context, writer and political analyst Majed Ibrahim said that Hamas' response comes after the movement said that it consulted its partners in the resistance and completed its internal consultations to try to achieve the greatest possible achievement that reaps the price of the enormous sacrifices made by the Palestinian people. He added - in exclusive statements to Al Jazeera Net - that the response comes within the framework of a positive response to the efforts of the mediators, who contributed to reaching the agreement, and an attempt to throw the ball in the Israeli court.

Ibrahim pointed out that what Al Jazeera obtained from Hamas response to the Parisian framework document with its detailed demands is consistent with the general principles announced by Hamas when it submitted its response. He also pointed out that Netanyahu himself is under pressure from his partners to complete a deal that leads to the release of all prisoners, which prompts him to put pressure on his partners, Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich , to agree to a deal after introducing amendments to it, otherwise proceeding with the deal may expose Netanyahus government to danger.

Axios quoted Israeli officials and informed sources as saying that the United States , along with Britain, France, Germany, and Italy, aspires to announce agreed-upon steps within a few weeks, pledged by Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah, with the aim of reducing tension on the border. Axios sources reported that the five Western countries are expected to announce potential economic benefits to boost the Lebanese economy, with the aim of facilitating a deal with Hezbollah.

The website explained that Hezbollah is not expected to be asked to move all of its fighters north of the Litani River, but rather what is required will be only 8 to 10 kilometers from the border. Under the understanding, the Lebanese army will deploy between 10 and 12 thousand soldiers along the border with Israel. Axios revealed that the United States requested that Israeli fighter flights be halted in Lebanese airspace, and Israel did not reject the request.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib said that his country seeks to fully implement International Resolution 1701. He added after his meeting with French Foreign Minister Stephane Segournet in Beirut that Lebanon is ready to reach an agreement to stabilize its internationally recognized southern border. Bou Habib stressed that any escalation by Israel and launching a war against Lebanon would not be a desirable option and would lead to the outbreak of a regional war.

The French Minister held talks in Beirut with senior Lebanese officials. The media office of Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati quoted Sigourney as saying that his visit to Lebanon comes within the framework of a tour of a number of countries, in the context of international efforts to stop the aggression against the Gaza Strip , preserve stability in Lebanon, remove dangers from it, and stop military actions on the southern border.

In the same context, the source stated that Amos Hochstein, one of President Joe Biden's closest advisors , met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant last Sunday to discuss his proposal regarding new understandings regarding the borders. He explained that the truce proposal between Israel and Hezbollah "will resemble the understandings that ended the round of fighting in 1996."

Since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, the Lebanese-Israeli border has witnessed tension and intermittent exchanges of fire between the Israeli army on the one hand and Hezbollah and Palestinian factions on the other hand. These events resulted in deaths and injuries on both sides. On the ground, Hezbollah announced the implementation of 9 operations against Israeli sites in the Upper Galilee and the occupied Shebaa Farms. The party said that it targeted the headquarters of the Beit Hillel Battalion, affiliated with the Eastern Regional Brigade 769.

The party added that its fighters bombed, with Barkan and Falaq 1 missiles, and rocket weapons, the Ramim barracks and a gathering of soldiers in its vicinity and the vicinity of the Jal al-Alam site. They also bombed with artillery and missiles the sites of al-Marj, Ruwaisat al-Alam, al-Samaqa, and Ramtha. On the other hand, Israeli aircraft launched raids on the towns of Hula. Marwahin, Tair Harfa, and the Labouneh area, and several border towns were subjected to Israeli bombing.

Operational Update

The biblical holidays for the Jews this year intersect with the second week of Ramadan and Tarawih prayers, which may open the door to a new battle in Al-Aqsa Mosque. Ramadan is celebrated Mar 10, 2024  Apr 9, 2024. Tarawih, also known as Taraweeh, is a voluntary (nafl) night prayer performed by Muslims during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Tarawih prayers are a sunnah of the Prophet, which means that it was his practice to perform them. Purim is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the survival of the Jewish people from annihilation in the 5th century BCE. The story is told in the Book of Esther and is known as the Feast of Lots. Purim dates are March 2324, 2024.

Yair Golan, former deputy chief of staff of the Israeli army and current member of the Knesset from the Meretz party, said that when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells the Israeli public that he is capable of killing all the leaders of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) and saving all the Israeli hostages at the same time, he is lying to them.

Golan explained, in an interview at Reichmann University that the Israeli government must return the hostages first, and then hope only later to reach Hamas, provided that its primary goal remains to prevent Hamas from returning to control the Gaza Strip. The retired Major General in the Israeli army considered that Netanyahu's policy was based on weakening the Palestinian Authority and providing a kind of stability to Hamas since 2009, and he said that this was one of the basic factors that led to Israel's failure in the October 7, 2023 operation.

Golan pointed out that the Palestinian Authority, especially in 2009, was working better, and its security coordination with Israel was better, while Hamas was at its lowest levels after Operation Cast Lead, he claimed. He added that Netanyahu, in return, worked to change the balance of power because a weaker Palestinian authority would allow the construction of more settlements, according to him.

Regarding the post-war stage, Golan says that Israel cannot hand over Gaza directly to its residents, adding, I do not believe that we have a partner in Gaza. We will start with very strong international cooperation, and only after that will we find among the residents of Gaza those who can manage their own lives, suggesting that The Palestinian Authority is responsible for managing the border crossings in the Gaza Strip, at least in the first phase, with its role increasing later.

Regarding the situation in northern Israel, Golan said that if he were in Netanyahus place, he would have called on most of the residents of the north to return to their homes already, even without a diplomatic agreement with Hezbollah, adding that some villages very close to the border will need to wait a longer period, and he said that cities like Ras Naqoura It lies outside the range of anti-tank missiles, and its residents must return because it is no more threatened than Nahariya, which has not been evacuated. Golan expected that there would not be a large-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah because the United States and Iran do not want it, and Washington will deter Israel, while Tehran will deter Hezbollah, according to his vision.

It seemed interesting that the Palestinian resistance factions in the Gaza Strip announced - during the past few days - an increasing pace of joint bombing operations against the Israeli occupation army in various combat axes. In this context, the military and strategic expert, Major General Fayez Al-Duwairi, says that the increase in joint operations by the resistance factions in Gaza comes as a translation of the activation of the joint operations room, which means that planning is joint and implementation is joint.

He pointed out that the circumstances of the battle, which has passed its 123rd day, impose the necessity of complete harmony and economy of effort, at the expense of skill and quality, in light of the stifling siege imposed. Accordingly, Al-Duwairi adds, the fighters of the resistance factions must make optimal use of their capabilities, noting that coordination in the south seems greater. Due to the presence of elite forces of the rest of the factions in Khan Yunis. Regarding the killing of the deputy commander of the 601st Battalion of the Israeli Engineering Corps in the battles in northern Gaza, the strategic expert pointed out that the occupation army is the only occupation army in the world that employs the use of bulldozers to fight in built-up areas. He pointed out that the Engineering Corps has specific duties, including: dealing with the Gaza tunnel network, therefore there is an Israeli battalion specialized in tunnels that underwent training for a long period on similar tunnels in the Beersheba area, in addition to accompanying military units to build roads, remove rubble, and build earthen berms.

He stressed that the Gaza war is one of the harshest wars fought by the Israeli army, and the number of casualties and deaths among its ranks is among the highest, questioning at the same time the numbers announced by Israel, stressing that they are much higher.

The Palestinian resistance factions waged fierce battles with the Israeli occupation army in the vicinity of the industrial zone in Gaza City and in several areas of the city of Khan Yunis. As the Israeli operation in Gaza entered its fifth month, Al Jazeeras correspondent reported that fierce battles were taking place between the resistance factions and the Israeli army around the industrial area in Gaza City, where the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ), announced that it had targeted two troop carriers with  Al-Yassin 105  shells. In the passport area, it sniped an officer and a soldier in the university area, west of Gaza City.

Al-Qassam also indicated that it killed and wounded a group of occupation soldiers after targeting them inside a house with a TPG shell west of Khan Yunis, and destroyed a tank in the same area. The Al-Qassam Brigades broadcast images of its fighters, in conjunction with the Al-Quds Brigades , the military wing of the Islamic Jihad Movement , targeting crowds of occupation forces with missiles on the fighting frontlines in Gaza City.

The Al-Qassam Brigades also broadcast scenes of what it said was an Israeli march that was captured during an intelligence mission in the city of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. For its part, the Al-Quds Brigades said that its fighters engaged in fierce clashes with the Israeli army with machine guns and missiles in the center, west and south of Khan Yunis.

It added that its resistance members blew up an Israeli military vehicle with a "Thaqib" barrel bomb in the vicinity of Haidar roundabout. The Al-Quds Brigades indicated that its resistance fighters targeted an Israeli Merkava tank in the Al-Amal neighborhood, west of Khan Yunis, with an RPG shell.

Israeli occupation forces stormed the cities of Tulkarm and Jenin in the West Bank at dawn, reinforced with dozens of military vehicles and bulldozers, amid clashes with Palestinian resistance fighters and the start of bulldozing operations of streets and facilities in the areas they entered. The occupation army also launched raids in Aqabat Jabr camp in the city of Jericho and near the city of Hebron. Al Jazeera's correspondent reported that dozens of occupation military vehicles, reinforced with bulldozers, stormed the city of Tulkarm in the north of the occupied West Bank from its western axis all the way to Nour Shams camp.

The reporter quoted the Palestinian Red Crescent as saying that 3 people were injured in a bomb explosion in Tulkarm camp. Local Palestinian platforms published video clips documenting the first moments of the occupation forces storming the city of Jenin and its camp in the West Bank. The clips document the deployment of the occupation forces in the city's neighborhoods, the incursion of their vehicles into its neighborhoods, and the start of bulldozing operations of streets and facilities, with the sound of clashes being heard between the resistance fighters and the occupation soldiers. Sirens sounded in the city of Jenin and its camp as the occupation forces and vehicles stormed the city from the Al-Jalama checkpoint and the Al-Muqaybla crossing from its northern axis, passing through Haifa Street and Al-Ahmadin Roundabout.

Meanwhile, the occupation forces raided, at dawn, a number of Palestinian homes in the Aqabat Jabr camp in the city of Jericho, east of the West Bank, under the pretext of searching for wanted persons. They searched it and tampered with its contents. The occupation forces and vehicles stormed the camp, besieged neighborhoods inside it, and raided the homes of families of prisoners and martyrs in the camp.

In Hebron, Al Jazeera's correspondent said that the occupation forces stormed the town of Al-Samou', south of the city, raided some homes, and detained Palestinians after stopping their vehicles. This comes at a time when settlers prevented Palestinian farmers from reaching their lands located south of the town, where such attacks have been escalating since Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip for 4 months.

Meanwhile, the occupation forces installed a military tower on Palestinian lands in the Umm Al-Shaqhan area in Musafer Yatta, south of Hebron, under the pretext of protecting the Avigal settlement established on Palestinian lands. Palestinian lands near the Avigal settlement are subject to settlement expansion, especially after the occupation authorities legalized the settlement last year. The occupation forces detained children from the Shawaheen family while they were tending to sheep in Khallet Al-Adra in Musafer Yatta.

A young Palestinian man was killed by bullets from the occupation army near the Beit Furik military checkpoint, east of the city of Nablus in the West Bank. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that the young man, Muhammad Titi, was martyred near the checkpoint, and that the occupation forces detained his body. The occupation army claimed in a statement that its forces killed the young man after he shot her, and that they found a pistol and a knife in his possession. Video clips showed that the occupation soldiers prevented the martyrs mother from reaching him to see him.

Maps

All maps are lies. Not only is it easy to lie with maps, it is essential, wrote cartographer Mark Monmoneir in his book How to Lie with Maps. He showed that condensing complex, three-dimensional spaces onto a two-dimensional sheet of paper [in old days] is bound to be reductive. But it is impossible to comprehend the war in Gaza without reference to maps, otherwise the entire conflict is reduced to an endless series of meaningless acts of random violence and the suffering of civilians. The first characteristic of guerrilla warfare is the loss of a front line. Evidently, different mappers have different ideas of how to depict the war in Gaza, notably those that seek to depict Israeli progress in the ground campaign. Part of the problem is latency. The news that forms the basis of the maps takes time to filter out to mappers, and the cartographers take time in crafting their maps, and it takes time to curate them. These processes are uneven among mappers, so their maps may differ in detail. Probably there is some ideological bias, or at least thematic apperception, which is understandable in wartime. It may come as no surprise that al-Jazeera maps depict rather less Israeli territorial progress than other sources. Finally, there remains the epistemological question of just exactly what are the colored in areas depicting. Naively, this might be understood as areas of Israeli control, that are no longer contested by the HAMAS. Or possibly these are areas of Israeli presence, in many of which the possibility of an RPG-wielding HAMAS militant popping out of a tunnel unexpectedly remains a live possibility. With the "zero-range" combat characterized by small unit tactics on both sides, maps may be prey to a fallacy of misplaced concreteness. Indeed, by late January 2024 mappers were rather less exuberant in their depictions of IDF advances. While by the end of 2023 maps suggested that it was "mission accomplished" in North Gaza which was depicted as entirely pacified, by late January 2024 enclaves of IDF elements were depicted at the margins of Gaza City, much of North Gaza was now depticted as either HAMAS-controlled, or "contested". Another noteworthy cartographic ambiguity was found to the south of Khan Yunis in the stretch of Salah Al-Deen avenue running north from Al-Nasr through al-Fukhari to the vicinity of Tawhid Mosque in the environs of Khan Yunis proper. By the end of 2023 some cartographers indicated that a large swath of territory centered on this avenue had been liberated by the IDF, while other cartographers professed no knowlege of an IDF presence in that part of the Strip. By late January 2024 there are suggestions that while the avenue itself was an IDF permissive corridor for nearly the full length of the Strip, much of adjacent territory was not. By 29 January 2024 Al-Jazeera had finally come around to some of the cartographic conventions of other mappers, indicating "occupied areas", and even providing a map of IDF ORBAT in the Strip.

Bystanders

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel unless the Palestinian state is recognized, the Israeli aggression against Gaza is stopped , and the occupation withdraws from it. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said - in a statement - that the Kingdom informed its firm position to the US administration that there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel unless the independent Palestinian state is recognized on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital , the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip is stopped, and all members of the occupation forces are withdrawn. Israeli from the Gaza Strip.

In response to statements by US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby regarding the path to Arab-Israeli peace, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said, The Kingdoms position is firm regarding the Palestinian issue and the necessity of the brotherly Palestinian people obtaining their legitimate rights. The Saudi Foreign Ministry called on the international community - in particular the permanent members of the Security Council - to "accelerate the recognition of the Palestinian state so that the Palestinian people can achieve their legitimate rights and achieve a comprehensive and just peace for all."

International relief organizations denounced the suspension of funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees ( UNRWA ), which is the pivotal body in providing aid to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip , warning of the occurrence of an imminent humanitarian crisis that contradicts the recommendations of the International Court of Justice , and obstructs the implementation of its recommendations, which demanded the arrival of... Humanitarian aid. The British Action Aid Foundation described the decision to stop support as a death sentence for the Palestinians in Gaza and the region, which caused some human rights centers to warn that those who made this decision may be tried on charges of complicity in war crimes.

Since the mid-eighties, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees ( UNRWA ) has been subjected to a systematic campaign run by the governments of the Israeli right and its research circles, with the open complicity of the administrations of US Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, in the service of broader political agendas. . This was something that was not possible in the first years of the agencys founding, with a resolution issued by the United Nations General Assembly, No. 302, on December 8, 1949, and on the basis of a mandate that was renewed every three years for the purpose of providing relief to about 750,000 Palestinian refugees.

American John Davis, director of UNRWA, in 1959, summarized his vision of the agencys role in that early era as a low cost paid by the international community in exchange for not solving the political problems of the Palestinian refugees.

Israel's position on UNRWA began to change in the second half of the 1980s with the outbreak of the first intifada in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1987, taking the form of questioning its neutrality. Israel claimed that some UNRWA employees were members or supporters of Palestinian resistance organizations, claimed that UNRWA vehicles were used to transport fighters and weapons, and demanded that it be given permission to search the agency's vehicles. On the other hand, UNRWA then invoked diplomatic immunity for its employees, and objected to the inspection of its vehicles.

After the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in 1994 in implementation of the Oslo Accords, the situation changed, as researcher Hilmi Moussa noted. He said that talk about refugee rights increased, "and the agency began to be seen as having perpetuated the refugee issue and not erasing it. The falsehood of the Zionist slogan that the old die and the young are forgotten has become clear. Talk about eliminating UNRWA has become a declared goal, in cooperation with America." On the other hand, during times of war and crises, Israel increased its accusations against UNRWA, according to the spokesman, with the clear intention of making the Palestinians feel that they have no refuge from it and that they have no international protection. He added, "Of course, this contributes to the Palestinians' despair of continuing the struggle for their rights."

In 2014, the tone of incitement against UNRWA increased in the Israeli media, as the editor-in-chief of the Times of Israel website, David Horovitch, published an article on August 1, 2014 entitled: The Problem with UNRWA, in which he pointed out that the agency operates under a different definition. According to the definition of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, assistance is provided not only to those who are still alive among the refugees of 1948, and to those who lost their homes and means of livelihood after the 1967 war, but also - and this is the crucial point - to their descendants. Therefore, instead of the problem of refugees numbering in the tens of thousands, there are now between 5 and 6 million Palestinian refugees - as he wrote - waiting in vain to return to Israel, and their health care, social services and education are funded through UNRWA. Accordingly, UNRWA, as the agency established to solve the Palestinian refugee problem, became the agency that feeds this problem.

Starting in 2017, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - who took power successively after the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin in 1995 - began to publicly incite against UNRWA by adopting Horovitchs call to place Palestinian refugees under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and to end the presence of UNRWA, which he considered to be working for the benefit of the Palestinian refugees. Palestinians and perpetuate the refugee issue.

A study published by the Institute for Palestine Studies on 12 June 2023 indicates that Netanyahu saw, after Donald Trump arrived at the White House on January 20, 2017, that the opportunity had become ripe for him to express this desire openly and on a large scale. In a meeting of his government held on June 11 of that year, he called for the dismantling of UNRWA and the merging of its institutions within the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and indicated that he informed the American ambassador to the United Nations, Haley, of the necessity of working in this direction.

The same study says that the year 2018 witnessed an escalation in the intensity of the Israeli campaign against UNRWA, which was increased in momentum at that time by the positions adopted by the administration of US President Donald Trump, which began explicitly calling, after its recognition of the city of Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel and the transfer of the US embassy there, to end the work of In this context, UNRWA took a decision to stop the financial support it had allocated to it, which is estimated at approximately $300 million annually, in preparation for weakening its financial resources. This happened on August 31 of the same year.

The decision to cut funding to UNRWA was not a surprise to the American media because it came after Foreign Policy magazine in August 2018 revealed leaked emails, showing how Trumps son-in-law and envoy to the Middle East, Jared Kushner, pressured other officials in the administration to engage in  "A serious effort to restrict UNRWA."

According to American media reports, the decision to stop funding was taken during a meeting between Kushner and then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , while US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley played an important role in adopting the decision.

The decision was also intended - according to the assessment of the position of the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies - to liquidate the issue of Palestinian refugees, given that it came in the context of decisions that aimed in the same direction, the most important of which was: Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in December 2017, and then moving the American embassy to it. In May 2018, as part of what was called the Deal of the Century. The decision to stop funding UNRWA was accompanied by another decision taken by the Trump administration, which was to withhold relief, medical and development aid worth $200 million, which was supposed to be disbursed this year in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

In his speech before the UN Security Council on May 22, 2019, President Donald Trumps envoy to the Middle East, Jason Greenblatt, considered that UNRWA constitutes a bandage, and that the time has come for refugee-hosting countries and non-governmental organizations to receive the services provided by the international agency. "The UNRWA model has failed the Palestinian people," Greenblatt told the council.

UNRWA fell into financial distress as a result of Trump's measures, given that the American contribution ($360 million) to UNRWA's budget constitutes a third of its annual revenues. This nightmare did not end until Trumps arch-rival, Joe Biden, was declared the winner of the presidency in November 2020, prompting the Italian Director-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, to quickly declare in a tweet, Congratulations... Congratulations from UNRWA to President-elect Biden and his vice president, Kamala Harris. We hope very much. Working together, and resuming the old American tradition of support.

Four months after Biden assumed power, what Lazzarini expected happened, as the new American president ordered the resumption of the aid that his predecessor had withheld from UNRWA. Newly appointed US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on April 7, 2021, US aid will include $75 million for economic and development assistance in Gaza, $10 million for peacebuilding programs through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and $150 million. From humanitarian aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

The resumption of American support contributed to alleviating the severity of UNRWA's financial crisis, and it is no longer the talk of the hour, but the Israeli incitement against the agency has not stopped. In January of the same year, researchers at the Badin Center for Middle East Policy Studies, Ron Schleifer and Yehuda Brachin, published an article on the Hebrew News One website, in which they said that UNRWA seeks to perpetuate the refugee problem, which it was asked to solve, and instead UNRWA has gradually transformed into a short-term, semi-governmental organization to assist human development, providing social welfare services in the areas of medical care, shelter, and education. They pointed out that, With the passage of time, UNRWA assumed responsibilities that were usually in the hands of government institutions, such as education, health, and social care, and began to manage its refugee camps based on its sovereignty over them, despite the fact that most of the Palestinian residents of these camps are known for their political activity and connections to armed organizations. The Palestine Liberation Organization and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

The two Israeli researchers pointed out that the partnership has existed between UNRWA and Palestinian organizations for decades, and its clear bias against Israel increases doubts about its self-image as a non-political organization, the necessity of its continued existence, and in fact, the legitimacy of its existence in general, because UNRWA has turned the issue of Palestinian refugees into a project. Through it, large sums of money are pumped from Arab regimes and Western supporters are motivated.

During the two years prior to the Al-Aqsa Flood operation on October 7, 2023, these allegations did not find support or anyone to adopt them outside Israel, despite their conformity with the narrative of the ruling Israeli right. With Israel declaring a state of war on October 8, 2023, and its army launching an unprecedented retaliatory attack on the Gaza Strip starting on the same day, UNRWA, with its 13,000 employees, continued its role as a relief organization for all Palestinians in the Strip, including refugees and newly displaced people. The courtyards of hospitals and UNRWA schools - which provide medical and relief services - turned into a haven for those fleeing the violence of the bombing, for which the United States of America organized an air bridge to reinforce the arsenal used in it.

A report published on the official UNRWA website at the end of January 2024 stated that an estimated 1.9 million displaced people (are now) residing either in 154 UNRWA shelters or near these shelters. Note that the virtual international immunity is what prompted the residents of the Gaza Strip to seek refuge in UNRWA centers after receiving evacuation orders from the Israeli occupation army in preparation for the bombing or invasion of their camps or neighborhoods.

Despite this, displaced persons and refugees heading to UNRWA centers were being targeted and killed by marches or bombing from land, sea and air. The UNRWA website reports that its buildings and the people inside them have been exposed to 278 incidents since the start of the war, some of which have witnessed multiple incidents affecting the sites themselves, including at least 28 incidents of military use and/or interference in UNRWA facilities. 147 different UNRWA facilities were affected by these incidents.

UNRWA reports estimated the number of deaths among the displaced people who have sought refuge in its headquarters since the start of the war at 376, and the number of wounded at 1,365. The number of UNRWA employees killed as of January 31 reached 152, while 3,000 others continue their work, and they are the backbone of humanitarian relief operations in the Strip.

As the war entered its fifth month, and the Israeli army isolated the governorates of the northern Gaza Strip from its south, UNRWA remained the focus of the relief effort for the residents of the stricken Gaza Strip. A statement published on February 1 says that a total of 354,411 families have been reached so far. Thomas White, Director of UNRWA Affairs in Gaza and Deputy UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said in a recorded statement that UNRWA staff, who were themselves forced to flee their homes, continued to provide food and tents to the newly displaced people around them.

In the north, where famine looms, UNRWA has had very limited access since the war began. According to White, UNRWA has received reports that people in the area are grinding bird feed to make flour. He stressed that the agency continues to "coordinate with the Israeli army so that we can go to the north, but this has not been allowed to a large extent." "When our convoys are finally allowed to go to the area, people rush to the trucks to get food and often eat it right away," he said.

The impending famine in the Gaza Strip was not on the minds of Israeli security decision-makers as they considered possible scenarios to obstruct UNRWA's relief and humanitarian role during the war. According to identical sources, the Mossad prepared a 6-page report that included accusations against 12 agency employees in Gaza, including teachers and two women, of participating in the attack of last October 7, and it was handed over to UNRWA officials in mid-January. The report said that about 10% of the 13,000 employees in Gaza are linked to the Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements.

In conjunction with the International Court of Justice judges issuing a ruling ordering Israel to prevent genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, and to ensure the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini revealed in a statement that the Israeli authorities provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of a number (without specifying) Agency employees in the horrific attacks on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. He continued, To protect the Agencys ability to provide humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these employees and begin an investigation in order to find the truth without delay. The statement added, "Any participation by any UNRWA employee in terrorist acts exposes him to accountability, including criminal prosecution."

Dr. Mahmoud Al-Ali, coordinator of the Right of Return Coalition in Lebanon (Returns), links the motives of the American-Israeli campaign to exclude UNRWA during the Gaza War to it being the living and basic witness that the United Nations intended to establish to provide assistance to Palestine refugees until they return to their land and national soil from which they were displaced in 1948, and says According to Al Jazeera Net, this effort "is not very separate from the tireless efforts made by the United States of America to pass the Deal of the Century, which aims to end the right of return and establish the principle of settling Palestine refugees."

International relief organizations denounced the suspension of funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees ( UNRWA ), which is the pivotal body in providing aid to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip , warning of the occurrence of an imminent humanitarian crisis that contradicts the recommendations of the International Court of Justice , and obstructs the implementation of its recommendations, which demanded the arrival of... Humanitarian aid. The British Action Aid Foundation described the decision to stop support as a death sentence for the Palestinians in Gaza and the region, which caused some human rights centers to warn that those who made this decision may be tried on charges of complicity in war crimes.

The United Nations Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, said that Israel has not implemented the International Court of Justice s decision to prevent genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip . Albanese explained in an interview with Al Jazeera that Israel ignored the Court of Justice's order - late last month - to stop killing civilians, and at the same time stressed the need to take all measures to prevent genocide in Gaza. She added, "It is shocking that member states of the court attacked the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees ( UNRWA )."

She stressed that Tel Aviv has never respected international law and has been allowed to violate the law since 1967, noting that Israel is still practicing ethnic cleansing in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem . She indicated that countries that deal with Israel commercially can stop this dealing to put pressure on it, stressing that there is a strong possibility for the international community to stop the ongoing massacres in the Gaza Strip.

Regarding field developments, the UN rapporteur said, The more aid is delayed and the ceasefire is delayed, the more the death toll will increase in the Gaza Strip, stressing that the disaster has already occurred in Gaza and the only witnesses there are international employees. She pointed out that civilians are being killed daily in Gaza, and this is a source of concern to us, adding that the famine suffered by the residents of the Gaza Strip is unparalleled in the entire world.

Axis of Resistance

The prisoner exchange deal between the Palestinian resistance and Israel dominated discussions on Israeli media channels, and former media figures, officials and security personnel focused on analyzing the personality of the head of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar. The discussion took place on Channel 12 about the exchange deal and the expected response from the Hamas movement. The political affairs correspondent on the same channel said, Sinwar is manipulating Israel. Let us tell the truth. He added: We are in a state of waiting and this is clear to everyone. Sinwar is playing with all of us at this stage."

The latest news indicates that the Hamas movement presented its response to the mediators to the proposed framework for the truce agreement in Gaza. For his part, Micha Kobi - a former Shin Bet officer - described Sinwar as "a misleading man who will never surrender and will do everything that hurts the State of Israel." This former officer - who had interrogated Al-Sinwar for dozens of hours while he was imprisoned - claimed that he knew Al-Sinwar well, and said: I read him, saw him, sat with him, and ate with him, and I know his behavior.

For its part, the Channel 14 anchor asked what Israel should do in order to solve the mystery of Sinwar, who she said refuses to release Israeli prisoners. Brigadier General (res.) Betty Lahat, former head of intelligence at the Prison Service, responded to the broadcasters question by saying: Israel must eliminate this man...nothing else, and we must not negotiate with him. Lahat, who supervised Sinwar in prison, added: "He knows us well and knows our sensitivities and weaknesses. He uses our weaknesses, and he has studied the psychology of the Israeli street."

She revealed that she was among the senior Israeli army commanders who she said tried to formulate an action plan seeking to reduce the list of Palestinian prisoners in the Shalit deal , and recalled Sinwars statement at the time: Nothing will make us back down from what we decided... nothing. The former head of intelligence at the Prison Service confirmed, "All those prisoners were promised by Sinwar on the day of his release that they would be on the next lists when he conducted these negotiations with Israel."

It is noteworthy that Israel released Sinwar in 2011, and he was one of more than a thousand prisoners who were freed in exchange for the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit as part of what was called the Loyalty to the Free deal.

Allied for Democracy

Russian writer Igor Subbotin reported that Israel's invasion of the southern Gaza Strip - Rafah - would become a trap for Tel Aviv by exposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government's relations with the United States and Egypt to tension. The writer pointed out, in a report published by the newspaper "Nezavisimaya", that Egypt threatened to sever its relations with Israel in the event of an influx of refugees and their entry into the Sinai Peninsula .

He said that Egypt opposes the implementation of the ground operation in Rafah for fear of exacerbating the humanitarian crisis along the border. Cairo fears that the attack, especially along the Philadelphia Corridor - a narrow buffer zone between Egypt and the Palestinian Strip - will lead to a large influx of refugees into Sinai. The Egyptian authorities had directly informed Israel that implementing such a scenario would force the Egyptian leadership to cut off bilateral communications, even though it has traditionally played the role of mediator in negotiations with the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) alongside the State of Qatar .

The writer stated that the battle to control Rafah requires strength. According to Israeli military commanders, the form of the operation in this region will follow the model of the war in Khan Yunis . Therefore, the implementation of such plans is expected to exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe in Rafah, where approximately 1.3 million of Gaza's 2.2 million people live. A large portion of Palestinians arrived there from the northern regions.

The report quoted the American newspaper "Politico" as saying that this situation increases US President Joe Biden's lack of confidence in the Israeli Prime Minister. In private conversations, Biden described Netanyahu as a bad man, expressing his fears that the Israeli Prime Ministers struggle to save his political career would drag the United States into a large-scale conflict in the Middle East after the Pentagon had already taken exceptional measures, including the bombing of Yemen .

The report explained that one of the motives for Israel's expected campaign in the southern Gaza Strip is the desire to dismantle the Hamas tunnel network , after the occupation army took control of a large part of the strategic tunnel system in Khan Yunis, where the Israeli hostages and the senior leadership of the Palestinian resistance are located.

The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth said that Israel is still far from strategic victory in Gaza , 4 months after the start of the war, despite achieving tactical gains against the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ). In a report entitled Four months after the outbreak of the war, the end is approaching in Khan Yunis ... achievements and goals waiting to be achieved, and strategic disappointment, the newspaper wrote that the army has achieved many gains, but has not yet succeeded in achieving one of its main goals, which is eliminating senior Hamas leaders.

The newspaper added that the army, upon reaching Khan Yunis, was now facing the western branch of the local Hamas battalion, and estimates indicate that it will be able to achieve its goal within a week and complete the second phase, that is, the invasion of the southern Gaza Strip, then move to the third phase, which will also include Khan Yunis, but two goals. Two essentials that he identified in the city itself were not fulfilled. The senior Hamas leaders were not eliminated, led by Yahya Al-Sinwar and Muhammad Al-Deif , and the place where the prisoners were being held was not determined and they were not rescued.

The newspaper says that the Israeli army claims that intense military pressure through ground forces alone is sufficient to push Hamas to complete another deal, but the reality shows that the indications that it is approaching the detainees sites - even if they accumulate daily - have not led to them being captured alive.

The armys primary goal in the first and second phases - the newspaper recalls - was to eliminate the command and control capabilities possessed by Hamas and to destroy its bases above and below the ground, but in addition to the daily tactical achievements - such as reaching and destroying weapons manufacturing workshops - Israel remains completely far from strategic victory. The government refuses to discuss the next day in the Gaza Strip to find out who will rule its two million residents. Hamas has exploited the existing vacuum, and there are signs of the return of its authority in areas where the army had moved.

Yedioth Ahronoth quoted the Israelis as estimating that between 17 and 24 Hamas brigades had been eliminated, and what remained intact was moving in areas that the Israeli army had not entered by a deliberate decision, such as Deir al-Balah and Nuseirat in the center, and south of the explosive Rafah on the Philadelphia smuggling axis weapons from Sinai.

According to the newspaper, the plans to enter Rafah and eliminate the Hamas battalion there - where the movements leaders are likely holed up after their departure from the north and center, according to Yedioth Ahronoth - have most likely been completed, but their implementation requires one of two conditions: Egypts approval , which may force Israel to show flexibility. On the issue of bringing in humanitarian aid, or Israeli approval for a Palestinian body ruling Gaza instead of Hamas, in addition to the evacuation of a million Palestinians who fled from the north and are now in the refugee camps surrounding Rafah.

The newspaper talks about another condition that it considers less important, which is the continued availability of international legitimacy under American auspices, which allows Israel to return to strong military action in Gaza, but renewing this legitimacy - which was made available under the shock of last October 7 - may be difficult because American distrust of the buffer zone plan and because of the destruction of thousands of homes, not to mention Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu s insistence on refusing to discuss the future status of the Strip and handing it over to moderate elements from outside Hamas, and the right-wing in his government controlling most of the decisions, and this wings demand for settlement. Gaza.

Butcher's Bill / Oasis of Martyrs

On 7 October 2023, Hamas and other armed groups present in the Gaza Strip carried out an attack in Israel, killing more than 1,200 persons, injuring thousands and abducting some 240 people, many of whom continue to be held hostage. It was the second largest loss inflicted on the Israeli forces after the 1973 war. Palestinian armed groups launched thousands of missiles at Israel Following this attack, Israel launched a large-scale military operation in Gaza, by land, air and sea.

The 1,200 Israelis killed on the first day would be the equivalent of 36,000 Americans killed in an attack, as a proportion to Israels population of 9.3 million people (compared to 332 million in the USA). Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated: Not since the Holocaust have so many Jews been killed in one day". PM Netanyahu stated "On October 7th, Hamas murdered 1,400 Israelis. Maybe more. This is in a country of fewer than 10 million people. This would be equivalent to over 50,000 Americans murdered in a single day. Thats twenty 9/11s. That is why October 7th is another day that will live in infamy."

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant considered 05 February 2024 that half the number of Hamas militants were killed or seriously injured by Israeli army forces. The HAMAS Ministry of Health in the besieged sector announced that the number of victims of the Israeli operation its beginning had risen to 27,585 martyrs, and the killing of nearly 10,000 Palestinian children and 6,600 women killed. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

The number wounded was 66,978. The Palestinian Government Media Office in Gaza had said much earlier that the number of missing people had risen to more than 8,000, including including 4,700 children and women, amid expectations that the toll will be double thi figures.

The IDF intensified its military operations in the West Bank, and increased the pace of incursions and raids into cities, towns, and camps, resulting in the martyrdom of 380 Palestinians, the injury of about 3,950, and the arrest of 5,780, according to official HAMAS sources. As of 17 January 2023, the Israeli escalation in the West Bank led to the death of 360 Palestinians, the injury of nearly 2,200, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, and the arrest of about 6,000, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Club.

More than 130 Hezbollah fighters were killed in Lebanon during exchanges of bombing operations with Israel.

Israel revised down the death toll from the October Hamas attacks in southern Israel from 1,400 to 1,200. IDF had said previously it was holding 1,500 bodies of terrorists, a total that now would increas to about 1,700.

The total number of Israeli deaths had risen to 563 [557?] since the start of the war on October 7, including 233 [220?] killed since the ground invasion as a result of the ongoing clashes with the Palestinian resistance. Among them were at least 56 with the rank of platoon commander, 43 with the rank of company commander, 9 with the rank of battalion commander, and 5 with the rank of brigade commander. These officers constitute 23% of the total deaths of the Israeli army in the war on Gaza.

Israeli media reported that 27% of the Israeli military casualties in the war were officers. In detail, the media highlighted that three brigade commanders, four battalion commanders, and other senior officers have been killed in the war so far.

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that 29 of the army's deaths were caused by "friendly fire" and operational incidents since the start of the ground war in Gaza, late last October. The Israeli authority explained that "18 army soldiers were killed by friendly fire, two were killed as a result of gunfire (without explanation), and 9 Israeli soldiers were killed in ammunition, weapons, or run-over accidents." The Jerusalem Post newspaper revealed that 15 soldiers were killed in the Strip without their bodies being found.

According to some reports statistics indicate that 20% of the Israeli losses were due to friendly fire. Because the nature of the battle has become completely different from what was expected, and it lacks a front line.

It was announced that soldiers wounded in the Gaza Strip battles numbered to 2,815 since the beginning of the war, including 1,296 who had been wounded since the start of the ground attack on October 27, 2023.

The Israeli army reported that 407 who are still receiving treatment for their injuries in the Gaza battles, and the condition of 48 of them is serious. The number of injured among the Israeli army since the start of the ground operation in the Gaza Strip on October 27 included 602 minor cases, 430 moderate cases, and 264 critical cases.

The Israeli army published new data about those wounded in the military operation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army announces that 540 soldiers were injured in the Gaza StripThe Gaza government announces that the Israeli army committed a horrific massacre in an area it claimed was safe According to army data, 540 soldiers, including 27 seriously injured, were injured in operational incidents since the start of the bombing of the Gaza Strip. There were also 21 accidental shooting incidents in the Gaza Strip, 54 bilateral shooting incidents and 31 traffic accidents. In addition, 388 incidents occurred, including ramming anti-tank rifles, anti-aircraft guns, weapons and machine guns.

At least 13,794 Israelis were injured, according to i24 TV.

Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper had reported that 5,000 soldiers had been wounded since the beginning of the war on October 7, and that the Ministry of Defense had recognized 2,000 soldiers as disabled so far.

An estimate by the Israeli Ministry of Defense expected that the number of soldiers with disabilities in the war taking place in the Gaza Strip since October 7 of last year would reach 12,500 soldiers. The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth said that the Soldiers' Rehabilitation Department of the Ministry of Defense has dealt with 3,400 soldiers who were classified as disabled in the army since last October 7.

The Israeli army revealed that about 9,000 of its soldiers have received psychological assistance since the beginning of the war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, and about a quarter of them have not returned to combat. This came according to a new statement revealed by the Army Medical Corps, according to Channel 12 and the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. According to the statement, nearly 9,000 soldiers have applied for psychological assistance since the beginning of the war, and approximately a quarter of them have not returned to combat.

The statement continued, "In total, about 13,000 regular and reserve soldiers required accompaniment or medical treatment at some level during the fighting, and thousands of them were injured in the battles."

Al Jazeera military and strategic expert Major General Fayez Al-Duwairi expressed his conviction that the numbers of dead and wounded announced by Israel cannot represent the truth, due to a discrepancy between the Israeli armys data and the Walla website, which is close to the army itself.

In an interview with RT, Military strategist retired Tunisian Brigadier General Tawfiq Didi said that the number of Israeli army deaths in the Gaza battles is much greater than what Israel announces. Didi explained in an interview with the Best Saying program on RT channel, The number of people killed in battles can be easily known, as the equation in wars is that for every 3 wounded there is a dead person, and the numbers now in Israel hover around 12,500 wounded and disabled people, and when we divide by Three, we find that the death toll exceeds 4,000, especially after eliminating more than a thousand tanks and armored vehicles, and I know what happens when Kornet missiles hit a tank. Its ammunition explodes and no one is left alive.

He added, "The Israelis announce their dead only of those of Jewish origin and of the first race, meaning all Arabs, Falash, and those who are among them. They are not counted because they are of the second category. So I am sure that the number exceeds 4 thousand dead, and this is a very easy military calculation."

He pointed out, "The Palestinian resistance documented everything it did, unlike the Israelis. The resistance documented shooting at tanks and armored vehicles and destroying the houses in which the Israeli soldiers were holed up, and we saw them being killed... We saw the Kornet hitting the tanks, we saw Al-Yassin 105, so the difference is clear."

Hostages

Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari announced on that 31 hostages detained in Gaza had died. He added in a press conference, "We informed 31 families that their detained relatives had died, and thus we announce their deaths."

Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed have been held as hostages in Gaza since 2014 and 2015, respectively. Unlike the roughly 240 people kidnapped in the Hamas October 7 terrorist attacks, the campaign for the release of Mengistu and al-Sayed has received little publicity. Mengistu is known to suffer from what HRW deemed "serious" mental health issues. "Avera crossed one of the safest borders in the world, under the eyes of the security services," recalled Gil Elias, a relative. "We're talking about a mentally ill person who got lost." The calls for the release of Mengistu and al-Sayed have been barely audible during the many years they have been held captive in Gaza.

Israel had previously estimated there were 116 living hostages in Palestinian custody. Israel declared 20 out of 136 people in Gaza captivity dead in absentia, after announcing its forces had recovered the bodies of two hostages. By another count, 132 of them are still being held in Gaza, and 25 of them have been confirmed dead. Israel considers those still held by Hamas to be hostages regardless of whether they are dead or alive.

Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy earlier had told reporters that Hamas still held 137 captives. The resistance released 10 Israeli detainees, 4 Thais and 2 Russian women, who were released outside the agreement. Over the course of 6 days, Israel has received 102 detainees, women and children, including 78 Israelis, in exchange for the release of 234 Palestinian prisoners, women and children.

Eylon Levy, the Israeli government spokesperson, told reporters 01 December 2023:

Hamas still held 137 hostages from the October attacks, in addition to four others who went missing before the war

The hostages include two children aged four and 10 months, who, Hamas now claims, are dead

117 male hostages are still kept in Gaza, including the two children, as well as 20 females

126 hostages are Israelis, and 11 others are foreign nationals

Foreign nationals are eight Thais, one Nepalese, one Tanzanian and one French Mexican citizen

Ten of the remaining hostages are 75 and older.

There are seven missing people since the October 7 attack

Hamas had released 110 hostages so far  86 Israelis and 24 foreign nationals.

Some of the rest are soldiers, seized when Hamas raided military bases in Israel. They may end up being held the longest. The Israeli military had not specified how many soldiers were captured, nor their ranks.

According to some estimates, Hamas was initially holding nearly 210 of the 240 hostages, while Palestinian Islamic Jihad was holding the remaining 30. About 40 Israelis remained missing. More than 40 hostages taken from Israel into Gaza on October 7th are not currently in the custody of Hamas, the group responsible for the attack, according to a CNN report based on a diplomatic source briefed on the negotiations, CNN's prior reports had indicated that an estimated 40 to 50 hostages were held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad or other unidentified groups or individuals.

Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, said on Hamas telegram account that 23 bodies of the 60 missing Israel hostages were trapped under the rubble. It seems that we will never be able to reach them due to the continued brutal aggression of the occupation against Gaza, he said.

The Palestinian Prisoners' Club revealed that about 11,000 arrests were carried out by the Israeli army during the year 2023 in the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, in addition to arrests from the Gaza Strip before the seventh of last October. The number of people arrested by the Israelis in the West Bank since that date has exceeded 6,870. The total number of prisoners in Israeli prisons is 8,800, as documented by the club until the end of December 2023. Palestinian prisoner institutions said more than 3,290 administrative detainees, which is the highest percentage since the years of the 1987 Intifada, and 661 who were classified as unlawful combatants from Gaza, and this is the number available only as a clear given. The Prisoners' Club stated that cases of arrest among women amounted to (300), and this toll includes women from the occupied interior detained after October 7, while the number of cases of children reached 1,085. The arrest campaigns affected all groups, including women and children, as the number of women who were arrested reached about 200, while the number of arrests among children until the end of last December exceeded 355 children.

Israel said on 14 January 2024 that, since the beginning of the war, over 2,960 wanted persons have been arrested throughout the Judea and Samaria Division and the Bekaa and Valleys Division, over 1,350 of whom are affiliated with Hamas. On 08 January 2024 it was reported that more than 1,350 wanted persons had been arrested throughout the Judea and Samaria Division and the Bekaa and Valleys Division, more than 870 of whom are associated with the terrorist organization Hamas.

The institutions added in the statement that the occupation arrested 210 women during the aforementioned period, and this statistic includes women who were arrested from the territories in 1948, and more than 355 children, pointing out that the outcome of the arrest campaigns includes all those who were arrested from homes, and through military checkpoints, Those who were forced to surrender themselves under pressure, and those who were detained. It explained that "the number of arrests among journalists reached 50, of whom 35 remain in detention, and 20 of them were transferred to administrative detention."

The announced numbers of detainees do not include those who were arrested from Gaza since the start of the operation in the Gaza Strip, as there is no accurate census of these numbers.

Israel has rejected international legal adaptations since 1967, and has treated the Palestinians as criminals, and tried them before military courts and not as prisoners of war. Because the POW is not tried, but is released when the war stops, or as a result of a political agreement.

But international humanitarian law sets clear conditions relating to the Palestinians, whether as prisoners of war or organized groups with one leadership and carrying a unified slogan, and these conditions apply to Palestinian resistance fighters, specifically armed groups. International law, through the Third Geneva Conventions, which relate to prisoners of war and armed conflicts, and the Fourth Geneva Convention, which relates to civilians under occupation; Provide full protection to Palestinian prisoners and groups, including resistance factions.

The obstacles imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities became very different after the seventh of last October. They decided to cancel all trials in order to double the sentences issued against detainees, and now The scope of arguments before lawyers is very limited, due to military orders, and not according to legal data.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 07 February 2024 - Day 713

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A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that the new field commander of the Russian private military company Wagner, Anton "Lotos" Yelizarov, has made his first video statement since the death of Wagner's former owner Yevgeny Prigozhin and the former field commander Dmitry "Wagner" Utkin in an August 2023 plane crash.

In his video, Yelizarov detailed the location of Wagner's new headquarters at Kazachi Lageri "Cossack Camps", almost certainly in Rostov, southern Russia, co-located with the barracks of Russia's 150th Motor Rifle Division. Yelizarov further claimed that Wagner's new base would also house the Russian National Guard's (Rosgvardiya) new Volunteer Corps, implicitly confirming Wagner's subordination to Rosgvardiya. Rosgvardiya is likely preparing a new Volunteer Corps formation of experienced Wagner personnel to reinforce Russia's war effort in Ukraine and expand Russian influence in Africa.

The Russian state highly likely authorised the construction of Wagner's new base and highly likely perceives that by subordinating Wagner to Rosgvardiya, it has removed any potential threat Wagner might pose to Russia's regime security.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Russia is actively using aircraft and FPV quadcopters, conducting assault operations with the support of armored vehicles.

According to the updated information, at the beginning of the day, Russian forces carried out several strikes at the territory of Ukraine, using various means of air attack: attack UAVs, cruise, ballistic and anti-aircraft guided missiles. A total of 69x Russian air attack means were used: 20x Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs, 29x Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles, 4x Kh-22 cruise missiles, 3x Kalibr sea-launched cruise missiles, 5x Iskander-M ballistic missiles, 5x S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles, 3x Kh-59 air-launched guided missiles. 46x air targets were destroyed by combat power of the Air Force and Defense Forces: 26x Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles; 3x Kalibr cruise missiles; 2x Kh-59 air-launched guided missiles; 15x Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs.

The operational situation in eastern and southern Ukraine remains difficult. During the day of February 7, there were 80x combat engagements. Russian forces launched 49x missile and 66x air strikes, carried out 41x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. Residential private and apartment buildings, and other civilian infrastructure in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv and Lviv oblasts were destroyed and damaged.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group. Certain units of the armed forces of Belarus continue their missions in the areas bordering Ukraine.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. Russia continues its sabotage and reconnaissance activities, shelling Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Yablunivka (Sumy oblast). More than 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Karpovychi, Semenivka (Chernihiv oblast), Volfyne, Popivka, Pokrovka, Hrabovs'ke (Sumy oblast), Veterynarne, Nesterne, Komisarove (Kharkiv oblast).

Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 3x attacks near Syn'kivka, Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast). In that area, Russian forces made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The Russian occupiers launched an air strike near Tabaivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 15x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 7x assaults in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Tors'ke (Donetsk oblast). In that area the adversary, with air support, made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense, to no success. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Tors'ke, Serebryanka, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 5x attacks in the vicinities of Ivanivske and Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces made attempts to improve their tactical situation. Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka (Donetsk oblast).

Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 25x attacks near Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka and 9x more attacks near Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces, with air support, made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched an air strike near Oleksandropil' (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Oleksandropil', Novobakhmutivka, Ocheretyne, Avdiivka, Pervomais'ke, Netailove (Donetsk oblast).

Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Pobjeda and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, the Russian adversary made 20x attempts to improve its tactical situation. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Novomykhailivka, Kostyantynivka (Donetsk oblast). The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka, Katerynivka were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. The occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast) and Novodarivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Blahodatne (Donetsk oblast).

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 2x attacks near Robotyne and Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast). In that area, the Russian occupiers made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense, to no success. More than 20x settlements, including Charivne, Mali Shcherbaky, Stepove, Lobkove, P'yatykhatky, Stepnohirs'k, Plavni (Zaporizhzhia oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: Russian forces do not abandon their intention to drive Ukrainian units out of their footholds on the left bank of the Dnipro. Thus, during the day, Russian forces made 3x unsuccessful assaults on positions of Ukrainian troops. Russian forces fired artillery at the city of Kherson, the settlements of Tokarivka, Molodizhne, Antonivka, Chornobaivka, Bilozerka (Kherson oblast). On top of that, Russian forces launched MLRS strikes at the vicinities of Kherson and Chornobaivka (Kherson oblast).

During the day of February 7, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 6x concentrations of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 3x concentrations of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment, 2x ammunition depots.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that that morning, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have launched a group strike with long-range air- and sea-based precision weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles against enterprises of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex that produce uncrewed boats, coastal missile systems, rockets for multiple-launch rocket systems and explosives.

The goal of the attack has been reached. All the facilities have been neutralised.

In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Fores have defeated enemy manpower close to Novosyolovskoye (Lugansk People's Republic), Kislovka and Berestovoye (Kharkov region).

In addition, four attacks by assault groups of 32nd mechanised and 25th airborne brigades of the AFU and the 13th Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard have been repulsed near Senkovka railway station and Terny (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 275 troops, nine motor vehicles, one U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery system, two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, and one D-30 howitzer.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces have defeated AFU manpower and hardware near Dzerzhinskoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and repelled two attacks by assault groups of the AFU 60th Mechanised Brigade near Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 220 troops and three motor vehicles.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces have taken more advantageous lines and positions and also defeated manpower and hardware of 22nd and 28th mechanised brigades of the AFU, as well as the enemy 114th Brigade close to Bogdanovka, Kleshcheevka, and Kurdyumovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

In addition, ten attacks by formations of the 112th Territorial Defence Brigade and the 79th Air Assault Brigade of the AFU have been repelled close to Krasnoye, Leninskoye, Shumy, and Pobeda (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 290 soldiers, two armoured fighting vehicles, and 13 motor vehicles killed and wounded.

In the course of counter-battery warfare, one U.S.-manufactured M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system, one D-20 gun, two D-30 howitzers, and one AFU ammunition depot have been neutralised.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces, in cooperation with aviation and artillery, have improved the front line and defeated AFU manpower and hardware near Urozhainoye and Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 195 troops, three motor vehicles, two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, and one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces, supported by artillery, have defeated manpower and hardware of 128th mountain assault, 33rd, 118th mechanised brigades of the AFU close to Zherebyanki and Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were up to 30 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and three motor vehicles.

In Kherson direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces have conducted a comprehensive fire attack, the enemy losses were up to 45 servicemen, five motor vehicles, and one U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery system.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised aircraft and fuel depots, as well as manpower and military hardware in 119 areas.

Air defence facilities have shot down one MiG-29 aircraft of Ukrainian Air Force near Alekseevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Four HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system projectiles have been intercepted.

In addition, 104 unmanned aerial vehicles have been hit close to Mirnoye, Novoye (Zaporozhye region), Novaya Kakhovka, Schastlivoye (Kherson region), Vasiliyevka (Donetsk People's Republic), Stelmakhovka, Zhitlovka, and Ploshchanka (Lugansk People's Republic).

In total, 569 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 11,967 unmanned aerial vehicles, 462 air defence missile systems, 14,932 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,217 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 7,985 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 18,349 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.





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Man Pleads Guilty to Opioid Distribution and Money Laundering Conspiracy

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs



A New Jersey man pleaded guilty today to drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy charges.

According to court documents, from March 2014 to September 2020, Sean Tighe, 48, of Kearny, conspired to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute over nine kilograms of furanyl fentanyl and nine kilograms of 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanylsynthetic cathinones (also known as bath salts), including ethylone; and ketamine. In addition, from March 2014 to May 2019, Tighe conspired to launder funds. In furtherance of the conspiracy, from April 2014 to June 2014, Tighe sent five wire payments from the United States to China to purchase controlled substances and/or controlled substance analogues.

Tighe pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and controlled substance analogues, including 100 grams or more of fentanyl analogues, synthetic cathinones, and ketamine, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 19. If the court accepts the guilty plea, the government and Tighe will agree to a sentence of approximately 12 to 15 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release for the drug conspiracy count, and a maximum of three years of supervised release for the money laundering conspiracy count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey, and Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark made the announcement.

HSI Newark is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Alexander Hasapidis-Sferra and Money Laundering and Forfeiture Unit Chief Stephen Sola of the Criminal Division's Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sammi Malek for the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the case. Special Financial Investigations Unit Financial Investigator Kathryn Montemorra provided significant a



Topics: Drug Trafficking

Opioids

Components: Criminal Division

Criminal - Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section

USAO - New Jersey

Press Release Number: 24-154

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Thousands of cyberattacks against China detected in 2023 with their IP addresses being traced to the Philippines: Chinese cyber security company

Global Times

By Guo Yuandan and Du Qiongfang Published: Feb 07, 2024 02:05 AM

Thousands of cyberattacks against China were detected in 2023 with their IP addresses being traced to the Philippines, most of which were unsuccessful, the Global Time learned from a Chinese cyber security company on Tuesday, contrary to the baseless accusations and unfounded speculations made by certain officials from the Philippines that China had launched a cyberattack against the Philippine government and officials.

An information and communications ministry official from the Philippines accused China of being behind a hacking operation targeting the Philippine government website and email systems, Reuters reported on Tuesday.

In response to the Philippines' accusation, the spokesperson from the Chinese embassy in the Philippines issued a statement on Monday, strongly condemning the baseless accusations and unfounded speculations.

The Chinese government consistently opposes and resolutely combats all forms of cyberattacks in accordance with laws, not allowing any country or individual to engage in illegal activities such as cyberattacks within China's territory or using Chinese infrastructure, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also stressed that in the absence of factual evidence, some Philippine officials and media engage in malicious speculation and baseless accusations against China, and they even link these actions to the maritime disputes between China and the Philippines. Such words and deeds are highly irresponsible, said the spokesperson.

As a matter of fact, China is the biggest victim of cyberattacks. Li Baisong, deputy director of the technical committee of Antiy Technology Group, told the Global Times on Tuesday that cyberattacks against China with their IP addresses traced to the Philippines amounted to thousands in 2023, most of which were unsuccessful.

"We found that a certain proportion of the cyberattacks came from two non-governmental hacker groups from the Philippines named Anonymous Philippines and critzone and there were also some attacks difficult to identify and trace," Li said.

Xiao Xinguang, chief software architect from Antiy company, told the Global Times on Tuesday that China has long been subjected to attacks and disturbances from various threat actors, with frequent attacks coming from Northeast Asia, the Taiwan Straits, the South China Sea and South Asia.

According to Xiao, the cyberspace is a continuous battleground in the competition for geopolitical security interests among major powers. As the security issues of the geopolitical hotspots intensify, the complexity and intensity of cyber confrontations will also escalate.

The attack organizations that Antiy company has captured, analyzed, and exposed multiple times have all originated from the direction of geopolitical security hotspots in the vicinity of China. These threat actors have distinct political and economic backgrounds, engaging in well-organized and strategically targeted attack activities with advanced persistent threat (APT).

Amid geopolitical conflicts, the most representative examples of complex cyber confrontations are shown in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, operations conducted by Russia, Ukraine, NATO, and other state actors focus on military systems and critical information infrastructure. Through intrusion breakthroughs and malicious code implantation, they obtain long-term control and realize continuous information theft, as well as paralyze or disrupt the operation of critical systems, Li said.

Whereas in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the cyber confrontation unfolds under the background of completely unbalanced power.

The hacking group named Storm-1133 reportedly associated with Hamas claimed to have infiltrated the website of the Israeli Ministry of Defense to steal data. However, the impact of their cyberattacks on the real-world conflict is limited, and these activities by civilian organizations are generally aimed at creating more political influence.

Nevertheless, the Israeli intelligence agency possess highly advanced attacking capabilities and consistently conducts cyberattacks and penetrations against neighboring countries. Its cyber intelligence capabilities play a crucial role in supporting their strategic intelligence capabilities.

Compared to other cases, the cyberattacks in the Russia-Ukraine conflict are characterized by their long-term, sustained, and strategically valuable nature within the context of great power competition and geopolitical considerations. The cyber domain in this conflict has clearly taken on attributes of a battleground.

Both experts think that with the accelerated global digital transformation, everything from the economy and society to military systems operates on a digital basis, so that cyber warfare will become the most asymmetric, covert, and revolutionary form of warfare, to which we must remain vigilant and establish robust strategic defense and tracing capabilities.

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US launches indiscriminate cyberattacks on global scale, including on its allies: reports

Global Times

By GT staff reporters Published: Feb 07, 2024 08:09 PM Updated: Feb 07, 2024 11:01 PM

The US has established a set of capabilities in global surveillance and cyber weapons, serving as a pillar to pursue its goal of cyber hegemony. Cyberattacks by American advanced persistent threat (APT) organizations are carried out indiscriminately around the globe, including even those against its allies, two cybersecurity reports showed on Wednesday.

The uncontrolled development of the US in terms of cybersecurity threats has triggered security concerns and countermeasures from other countries, leading to an increasing militarization of cyberspace and a "military competition" trend in global cyber conflicts, the Global Times learnt from two reports released by Chinese firm 360 Security Group.

Commenting on the reports, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin described the US as the "source of all evils" in terms of cyberspace risks, and under the threat of US cyberattacks, "no country can protect itself."

Wang said that the US government openly supports cyberattacks organizations and has carried out long-term and sustained cyberattacks on government institutions, important organizations, and critical infrastructure of various countries, including US allies.

"The internet should not be a battlefield, and cyberspace should not be a gray area where the US acts recklessly and arbitrarily. It should not be used as a tool to suppress the development of other countries and undermine international peace," said Wang. He called for the defense of the international order in cyberspace and the maintenance of peace and security in cyberspace as a shared responsibility of the international community.

China urged the US to immediately correct its irresponsible and dangerous behavior and work together with the international community to build a peaceful, secure, open and cooperative cyberspace, Wang noted.

The report titled "US cyber security threat capability analysis" mentioned the US' capability to monitor and interfere with global internet data flow, information transmission and network access through cables. And the key for the US to maintain a consistent global cyber deterrence also lies in its control over the management of the internet and the international digital certificate system.

The US leads the establishment of an alliance and, with Google taking the lead, has formed the CA/Browser Forum internationally. The members of this alliance include companies related to browsers, web servers, auditing, cryptographic algorithms, hardware gateways and more. In addition, the US has implemented a filing system and established the Certificate Transparency (CT) system, meaning that before issuing any digital certificate, all international digital certificate authorities are required to file with this system. Failure to do so will result in the alliance blacklisting them, according to the report

Besides, with the global advantage in the field of smart terminals, the US grasps the foundation to obtain sensitive user data through global sales and operations of operating systems and internet services.

The report also mentioned that its dominant force in the international open-source industry has also become a sword hanging over countries with weak autonomy and vulnerable positions in the global open-source software supply chain, allowing the US to implement supply chain attacks and impose sanctions at any time.

The US leverages its technological advantage to maintain long-term dominance in the formulation of technical standards and rules in the field of the internet, the report notes.

What can be highlighted is that the US has turned cyberattacks against espionage targets and military targets as legitimate actions. On September 24, 2019, the US, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, South Korea and another 27 countries signed the "Joint Statement on Promoting Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace," legalizing offensive cyberattacks and turning cyberspace into a new battlefield.

Another report on US-based APT organizations released by 360 Security Group on Wednesday detailed three specific APT organizations from the US.

One of the organizations is known as Project Sauron, known as Strider, Sauron, APT-C-16. It first emerged in 2011 and remained active until August 2016. The organization has targeted more than 30 countries, including China, Russia, Belgium, Iran, Sweden and Rwanda, with the main purpose of stealing sensitive information.

Besides, the report mentioned that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), one of the primary intelligence agencies of the US federal government, has continuously engaged in espionage and intelligence theft activities. And the National Security Agency (NSA) has conducted secret hacking activities for over a decade targeting leading companies in various industries in China, according to the 360 report.

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U.S. House Republicans fail to impeach homeland security secretary over border security

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:00, February 07, 2024

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- In a major blow to the Republicans, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Tuesday survived an impeachment vote over the border security issue in the House of Representatives.

The lower chamber voted 214 to 216, with four Republicans defecting from their party and joining Democrats to vote against the impeachment of Biden administration's top border official.

In a letter to his colleagues, Rep. Tom McClintock of California argued that the GOP articles against Mayorkas stretched how the founders would define an impeachable offense, warning that Republicans would be setting a precedent that Democrats might use against them in the future.

Calling the impeachment an effort of "bad politics and bad policy," McClintock stressed that House Republicans were attempting to overstep boundaries by advocating for Mayorkas' removal from office for implementing President Joe Biden's border policies.

The articles of impeachment against Mayorkas accuse him of refusal to comply with law and a breach of public trust.

If successful, this would be the first case of a cabinet official impeached in nearly 150 years.

The failure to impeach Mayorkas represents a significant political setback for House Republicans and House Speaker Mike Johnson, who previously alleged that Biden and Mayorkas had "willfully ignored and actively undermined our nation's immigration laws."

Republican legislators claim that Mayorkas has not fulfilled his duties as secretary of homeland security. However, both the Department of Homeland Security and congressional Democrats have dismissed the endeavors to impeach Mayorkas as politically driven maneuvers.

U.S. Congressman Bennie Thompson, the leading Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, criticized the impeachment attempt as "inept and unsuitable."

The impeachment vote came as Biden faces increasing pressure to address the surge in migrants at the nation's southern border, with demands coming not only from the typical Republican critics but also from Democratic mayors and governors across the country.

Biden's "biggest problem" is the surge of refugees at the southern border, Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua. "Biden has to take that seriously and find a way to safeguard the borders," he said.

In a recent White House statement, Biden acknowledged that it's long past time to fix the border, saying that two months ago, he instructed his team to begin negotiations with a bipartisan group of senators to seriously, and finally, address the border crisis.

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U.S. federal appeals court denies Trump immunity from prosecution

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:28, February 07, 2024

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- In a significant legal development, a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on Tuesday delivered a ruling denying Donald Trump broad immunity from federal prosecution.

This ruling represents a notable setback for the former president, who is highly likely to pursue an appeal in response.

The decision follows arguments made by Trump's legal team a month prior, where they asserted sweeping claims of immunity from federal prosecution in the 2020 election interference case.

These claims were vehemently opposed by lawyers representing the special counsel, who warned that granting such broad immunity would effectively grant presidents impunity to engage in criminal activities while in office, such as accepting bribes for influencing government contracts or clandestinely selling sensitive information to foreign adversaries.

As the legal proceedings continue, the implications of this decision are expected to reverberate across the political and legal landscape, shaping the 2024 presidential election.

Republicans kicked off their voting season with the Iowa caucus in January, followed by the primary in New Hampshire. 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.

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US court rules Trump does not have immunity in election interference trial

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 07 February 2024 3:12 AM

The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has ruled that former President Donald Trump does not have executive immunity in an election interference case lodged against him.

"[A]ny executive immunity that may have protected him while he served as President no longer protects him against this prosecution," the three-judge panel ruled on Tuesday.

"For the purpose of this criminal case, former President Trump has become citizen Trump, with all of the defenses of any other criminal defendant," its ruling read.

In response, Trump's campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement that, "President Trump respectfully disagrees with the DC Circuit's decision and will appeal it in order to safeguard the Presidency and the Constitution."

He said all future presidents will face legal action for their decisions while in office.

"If immunity is not granted to a President, every future President who leaves office will be immediately indicted by the opposing party. Without complete immunity, a President of the United States would not be able to properly function!" he argued.

This is the second time in as many months that court judges are ruling that Trump can be prosecuted for the decisions he made during his 4-year term in the White House.

US District Judge Tanya Chutka, who is presiding over the case, rejected Trump legal team's arguments in December and said the office of the president "does not confer a lifelong 'get out of jail free' pass".

The Supreme Court has declined to weigh in on the matter, leaving it up to the appeals court ruling for the time being.

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Treasury Publishes 2024 National Risk Assessments for Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Proliferation Financing

U.S. Department of the Treasury

February 7, 2024

Reports Confirm and Update Key Illicit Finance Concerns in Response to Evolving Threat and Risk Environment

WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury published the 2024 National Risk Assessments on Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Proliferation Financing. These reports highlight the most significant illicit finance threats, vulnerabilities, and risks facing the United States.

The reports detail recent, significant updates to the U.S. anti-money laundering/counter-financing of terrorism framework and explain changes to the illicit finance risk environment. These include the ongoing fentanyl crisis, foreign and domestic terrorist attacks and related financing, increased potency of ransomware attacks, the growth of professional money laundering, and continued digitization of payments and financial services. These assessments also address how significant threats to global peace and securityasuch as Russia's ongoing illegal, unprovoked, and unjustified war in Ukraine and Hamas's October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks in Israelahave shaped the illicit finance risk environment in the United States.

Today's publications are the fourth iterations of the money laundering and terrorist financing risk assessment, and the third update of the proliferation financing risk assessment, in less than a decade. The public and private sectors can use these updated risk assessments to better understand the current illicit finance environment and inform their own risk mitigation strategies.

"Whether it's terrorism, drug trafficking, Russian aggression, or corruption, illicit finance is the common thread across our nation's biggest national security threats," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. "Treasury, through our National Risk Assessments, is at the cutting edge of analyzing the global risk environment to protect the U.S. and international financial systems from abuse by illicit actors. We urge both the public and private sectors to engage with these reports, as well as our forthcoming National Strategy for Combatting Terrorist and Other Illicit Finance."

Key findings:

Money Laundering: Criminals use both traditional and novel money laundering techniques, depending on availability and convenience, to move and conceal illicit proceeds and promote criminal activity that harms Americans. The crimes that generate the largest amount of illicit proceeds laundered in or through the United States remain fraud, drug trafficking, cybercrime, human trafficking and human smuggling, and corruption. The United States continues to face both persistent and emerging money laundering risks related to: (1) the misuse of legal entities; (2) the lack of transparency in certain real estate transactions; (3) the lack of comprehensive AML/CFT coverage for certain sectors, particularly investment advisers; (4) complicit merchants and professionals that misuse their positions or businesses; and (5) pockets of weaknesses in compliance or supervision at some regulated U.S. financial institutions.

Terrorist Financing: The United States continues to face a wide range of terrorist financing threats and actors, both foreign and domestic. Consistent with the 2022 risk assessment, the most common financial connections between individuals in the United States and foreign terrorist groups entail individuals directly soliciting funds for or attempting to send funds to foreign terrorist groups utilizing cash, registered money services businesses, or in some cases, virtual assets. The 2024 report also discusses Hamas and the ways they exploit the international financial system, including through solicitation of funds from witting and unwitting donors worldwide. Additionally, domestic violent extremist movements have proliferated in recent years, posing an elevated threat to the United States and continued challenges for law enforcement.

Proliferation Financing: Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) presented heightened risk since the 2022 assessment. To support its unlawful war in Ukraine, Russia has expanded efforts to illegally acquire U.S.-origin goods with military applications using a variety of obfuscation techniques, such as the use of front companies and transshipment points around the world. Networks linked to the DPRK increasingly exploit the digital economy, including through hacking of virtual asset service providers and the overseas deployment of fraudulent information technology workers.

Treasury's Office of Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes led the assessment process and coordinated closely with offices and bureaus across the Department, relevant law enforcement and regulatory agencies, staff of the federal functional regulators, and across the intelligence and diplomatic communities.

In the coming weeks, Treasury will release the 2024 National Strategy for Combatting Terrorist and Other Illicit Finance, a strategic plan directly informed by the analysis contained in the risk assessments. In the strategy, Treasury will share recommendations for addressing the highlighted issues. This valuable feedback has aided Treasury in assessing and addressing illicit finance risk identified in prior iterations of the strategy to support improvements to the AML/CFT regime, including the launching of the new beneficial ownership reporting requirement that went into effect on January 1, 2024, and informing forthcoming proposed rules to address illicit finance vulnerabilities in the residential real estate sector and for certain investment advisers.

Read more:

The 2024 National Money Laundering Risk Assessment

The 2024 National Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment

The 2024 National Proliferation Financing Risk Assessment

####

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Treasury Sanctions Ecuador's Notorious Los Choneros Gang and Its Leader

U.S. Department of the Treasury

February 7, 2024

WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned one of Ecuador's most violent gangs, Los Choneros, and its leader, JosA Adolfo MacAas Villamar (also known by the alias "Fito"), pursuant to counter narcotics authorities. OFAC's action follows a steep rise in violence in Ecuador attributed to the actions of Los Choneros and other drug trafficking gangs in the country.

"Drug trafficking gangs such as Los Choneros, many with ties to powerful drug cartels in Mexico, threaten the lives and livelihoods of communities in Ecuador and throughout the region," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. "We stand in support of Ecuador in its fight to combat drug trafficking, curb the proliferation of prison gangs and prison violence, and take back its streets."

SITUATION IN ECUADOR

Ecuador is experiencing record levels of gang-driven violence, including the August 2023 assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, a January 2024 armed attack on a local TV network while it was broadcasting live, and the subsequent assassination of the prosecutor investigating that attack and widespread corruption. Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel Jalisco Nueva GeneraciAn have further fueled the violence by backing rival drug trafficking gangs within Ecuador as they battle to control trafficking routes in the country.

The latest wave of violence broke out in January 2024, just two days after the Government of Ecuador discovered JosA Adolfo MacAas Villamar (MacAas Villamar), the head of the Ecuadorian gang Los Choneros, missing from his prison cellajust ahead of his planned move to a maximum-security facility. In response to his escape, the Government of Ecuador declared a 60-day state of emergency, which sparked additional prison riots and gang attacks across the country, including kidnappings and bombings. On January 9, 2024, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa declared Ecuador to be in a state of internal armed conflict.

TARGETING A PROMINENT CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION

Los Choneros, one of Ecuador's most violent criminal organizations, has been involved in drug trafficking in Ecuador since the 1990s and is a key driver of the escalating violence that has plagued Ecuador since 2020. Los Choneros has also been running operations from inside state and federal penitentiaries throughout the country. With support from the Sinaloa Cartel, Los Choneros gained control of key cocaine trafficking routes through Ecuador. In return, Los Choneros allegedly provided security and logistics services to the Sinaloa Cartel.



A wanted poster for MacAas Villamar posted by the Government of Ecuador A wanted poster for MacAas Villamar posted by the Government of Ecuador

MacAas Villamar, also known by the alias "Fito," is a founding member of Los Choneros and has been the group's sole leader since 2020. In 2011, the Government of Ecuador sentenced him to 34 years in prison for crimes that included murder and drug trafficking. In prison, MacAas Villamar enjoyed access to cell phones and internet, which enabled him to continue to direct the activities of Los Choneros and publish external communications, including a music video posted to social media challenging the Ecuadorian government.

OFAC designated Los Choneros and MacAas Villamar pursuant to Executive Order 14059 for having engaged in, or attempted to engage in, activities or transactions that materially contributed to, or pose a significant risk of materially contributing to, the international proliferation of illicit drugs or their means of production.

Separately, a $5 million reward offer from the U.S. Department of State remains in place for information leading to the arrest or conviction of co-conspirators and masterminds behind the August 2023 assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. The U.S. Department of State issued this reward on September 28, 2023, under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program. For more information, see this link.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. U.S. persons may face civil or criminal penalties for violations of Executive Order 14059.

Today's action is part of a whole-of-government effort to counter the global threat posed by the trafficking of illicit drugs into the United States that is causing the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans annually, as well as countless more non-fatal overdoses. OFAC, in coordination with its U.S. government partners and foreign counterparts and in support of President Biden's National Drug Control Strategy, will continue to target and pursue accountability for foreign illicit drug actors.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here.

For more information on the individual and entity designated today, click here

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China-Linked Hackers Lurk in Critical US Systems

By Jeff Seldin February 08, 2024

China-linked hackers targeting key sectors of the U.S. economy appear to have been hiding in key computer systems and networks for at least five years, according to a new warning from the United States and key allies, who urge companies to take urgent action to mitigate the risk.

The cybersecurity advisory issued Wednesday by multiple U.S. agencies, including the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), states that a cyberthreat group known as Volt Typhoon has been "positioning itself to launch destructive cyberattacks that would jeopardize the physical safety of Americans."

In particular, the advisory warns that China-linked Volt Typhoon hackers have successfully infiltrated the computer networks of private companies linked to critical sectors of the U.S. economy, including communications, energy, water and wastewater, and transportation.

The advisory further warns that Volt Typhoon hackers have been "maintaining access and footholds within some victim IT environments for at least five years." And CISA acknowledged the penetrations may be more extensive than is currently known.

Officials said other industries, including construction, information technology and education are also being targeted.

"What we've found to date is likely the tip of the iceberg," CISA Director Jen Easterly said in a statement. "CISA teams have found and eradicated Volt Typhoon intrusions into critical infrastructure across multiple sectors."

In addition to the FBI and CISA, the advisory a and its findings a were endorsed by the U.S. National Security Agency, as well as cyber officials from Canada, Australia and New Zealand, who said that their own critical infrastructure could also be at risk.

One CISA official called the advisory "a stark warning to critical infrastructure organizations."

"The information that we are releasing with this advisory is reflecting a strategic shift in PRC [People's Republic of China] malicious cyber activity from a focus on espionage and IT theft," said Eric Goldstein, CISA executive assistant director for cybersecurity.

"Our evidence strongly suggests that these PRC actors are positioning to launch future disruptive or destructive cyberattacks that could cause impact to national security, economic security or public health and safety," he told reporters, adding he expects the number of victims to grow.

Goldstein and other U.S. officials said that so far, there are no indications that hackers with Volt Typhoon have attempted to launch any sort of disruptive attacks on critical infrastructure. But they also said the way the Chinese-linked cyber actors infiltrated critical networks means it is likely just a matter of time.

"This stealthy access increases our concern that they are lurking, waiting for the right moment to cause devastating impacts," said FBI Deputy Assistant Director Cynthia Kaiser.

Kaiser also warned that Volt Typhoon "is certainly not the only Chinese group conducting this type of activity."

She said the FBI has identified additional threats by using surveillance capabilities authorized under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, a controversial law that allows the FBI and U.S. intelligence agencies to gather electronic data of non-Americans without first obtaining a warrant.

"In fact, we only know about many critical infrastructure entities compromised by the Chinese because of FBI FISA 702 collection," she said.

The latest warning comes just a week after top U.S. law enforcement and cyber officials told lawmakers that they are bracing for a "cyber onslaught" from China.

Kaiser also warned that Volt Typhoon "is certainly not the only Chinese group conducting this type of activity."

She said the FBI has identified additional threats by using surveillance capabilities authorized under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, a controversial law that allows the FBI and U.S. intelligence agencies to gather electronic data of non-Americans without first obtaining a warrant.

"In fact, we only know about many critical infrastructure entities compromised by the Chinese because of FBI FISA 702 collection," she said.

The latest warning comes just a week after top U.S. law enforcement and cyber officials told lawmakers that they are bracing for a "cyber onslaught" from China.

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Time for building a highly capable Aatmanirbhar defence space ecosystem, says CDS Gen Anil Chauhan

India PIB

Ministry of Defence

CDS inaugurates DEFSAT 2024, a three-day Space Seminar & Exhibition in New Delhi

Calls upon industry to work on counter-space capabilities as deterrent for safeguarding country's space assets.

Posted On: 07 FEB 2024 2:42PM by PIB Delhi

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan has stressed that as the country is going through Amrit Kaal, it is time for building a highly capable Aatmanirbhar defence space ecosystem. Inaugurating 'DEFSAT', a three-day Space Seminar and Exhibition at the Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantt on Feb 7, 2024, Gen Anil Chauhan underlined that from space augmentation to exploration, the Government has envisioned big targets for the nation.

Highlighting the vitality of Space for the mankind and also for the armed forces engaged in combat, CDS said that Space can be used as a force multiplier to enhance combat capabilities in traditional domains of land, air, sea and even cyber. He called upon all the stakeholders of defence space ecosystem to work on bolstering the Counter-Space capabilities as deterrent for safeguarding country's space assets.

Mentioning the major initiatives of the Government to capitalise space to strengthen armed forces capabilities, CDS mentioned about the 75 space related challenges as part of Mission DefSpace 2022 under the iDEX initiative. "Under this initiative, a total of five contracts have been signed and additional four contracts are at various stages of documentation. In the similar timelines, a feasibility study of 12 Make-I challenges is also being progressed," said Gen Anil Chauhan.

The CDS emphasized that the Government is encouraging all the stakeholders including start-ups for development of a dependable space ecosystem within the nation. "We probably had one Start Up in 2014 which has grown to 204 Start Ups in space sector with 54 additions in 2023 itself. In 2023, we as a nation invested $123 mn in the sector bringing the total funding to $380.25 mn," said Gen Anil Chauhan.

Underscoring that the Indian Space economy is currently estimated to be around $8.4 billion, CDS said, the indigenous space economy is expected to grow to $44 billion by the year 2033. "The government initiatives like Seed Fund Scheme, 0% GST regime, sharing of testing facilities, technology transfer have provided the rightful support to the private industry. This framework along with alignment of demands and funding support provide the right environment for the private sector to grow," added Gen Anil Chauhan.

The CDS also inaugurated an Exhibition showcasing various technological advances made by private space industry partners through an exposition and product presentation at the venue.

The seminar organised by CENJOWS, a Think Tank with HQ IDS for promoting Jointness, Integration and Transformation in the Indian Armed Forces, along with Satcom Industry Association - India (SIA), aims at nurturing coordination and synergy between civil, commercial and defence space programmes, which is considered crucial to leverage the dual-use nature of the space sector.

*******

ABB/Anand



(Release ID: 2003444)

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Getting sister squadron ready to fly

By Flight Lieutenant Steffi Blavius

7 February 2024

Seven Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) pilots travelled to the Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM) at RAAF Base Edinburgh late last year to complete the first of a dedicated aviation medicine training course.

The four-day aviation medicine course, made possible through the efforts of IAM, Wing Commander Bruce Walker and PNG Sovereign Air Capability Team and International Engagement's Flight Lieutenant Phil Tweed, was an opportunity realised under Exercise Olgetta Aviator.

The training aimed to provide an understanding of medical, human factors and physiological problems associated with the aviation environment and enhance medical preparedness of PNGDF personnel. It was tailored to meet the unique requirements of the PNGDF Air Training Wing members.

The course covered crucial aviation medicine topics, including the effects of altitude on the human body, common issues during aviation duties, use of aircrew equipment, optimising individual medical fitness for flight, and impacts of medical conditions on flying duties.

The training involved a mix of lecture-based teaching and practical elements, such as practical hypoxia training, spatial disorientation training and night-vision laboratory exercises.

All seven PNGDF pilots successfully completed the initial aviation medicine training, equipping them for their future roles as aviators.

Reflecting on the experience, Flight Sergeant Joshua Baker, an aviation physical training officer at IAM, recalled a highlight of the course.

"Hypobaric chamber, hypoxia and spatial disorientation training is always a highlight for any course that comes through IAM. Despite the seriousness of this training, students take the opportunity to have a laugh while they get a good appreciation of what we are teaching and the potential severity related to it," he said.

Flight Sergeant Baker, who previously served at 35 Squadron, noted the instant connection and sense of camaraderie between RAAF and PNGDF.

"With the involvement 35 Squadron has had with the PNGDF in the past, the PNGDF Air Training Wing participants were quite excited to still have the sister squadron interaction in a different way," Flight Sergeant Baker said.

Wing Commander Timothy Shaw, of the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby, emphasised the growing relationship between Australia and PNG in military aviation and expressed hope for the future of IAM's connection with the PNGDF.

"As the relationship develops, it is hoped that IAM can further support the PNGDF with refresher courses, more pilot initial courses at IAM, and other relevant training potentially being conducted in PNG," Wing Commander Shaw said.Seven Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) pilots travelled to the Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM) at RAAF Base Edinburgh late last year to complete the first of a dedicated aviation medicine training course.

The four-day aviation medicine course, made possible through the efforts of IAM, Wing Commander Bruce Walker and PNG Sovereign Air Capability Team and International Engagement's Flight Lieutenant Phil Tweed, was an opportunity realised under Exercise Olgetta Aviator.

The training aimed to provide an understanding of medical, human factors and physiological problems associated with the aviation environment and enhance medical preparedness of PNGDF personnel. It was tailored to meet the unique requirements of the PNGDF Air Training Wing members.

The course covered crucial aviation medicine topics, including the effects of altitude on the human body, common issues during aviation duties, use of aircrew equipment, optimising individual medical fitness for flight, and impacts of medical conditions on flying duties.

The training involved a mix of lecture-based teaching and practical elements, such as practical hypoxia training, spatial disorientation training and night-vision laboratory exercises.

All seven PNGDF pilots successfully completed the initial aviation medicine training, equipping them for their future roles as aviators.

Reflecting on the experience, Flight Sergeant Joshua Baker, an aviation physical training officer at IAM, recalled a highlight of the course.

"Hypobaric chamber, hypoxia and spatial disorientation training is always a highlight for any course that comes through IAM. Despite the seriousness of this training, students take the opportunity to have a laugh while they get a good appreciation of what we are teaching and the potential severity related to it," he said.

Flight Sergeant Baker, who previously served at 35 Squadron, noted the instant connection and sense of camaraderie between RAAF and PNGDF.

"With the involvement 35 Squadron has had with the PNGDF in the past, the PNGDF Air Training Wing participants were quite excited to still have the sister squadron interaction in a different way," Flight Sergeant Baker said.

Wing Commander Timothy Shaw, of the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby, emphasised the growing relationship between Australia and PNG in military aviation and expressed hope for the future of IAM's connection with the PNGDF.

"As the relationship develops, it is hoped that IAM can further support the PNGDF with refresher courses, more pilot initial courses at IAM, and other relevant training potentially being conducted in PNG," Wing Commander Shaw said.

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New beginnings for patrol boat

7 February 2024

ADV Cape Pillar and its crew were officially welcomed to their home port of HMAS Coonawarra with a ceremony conducted at Larrakeyah Defence Precinct.

The crew of Cape Pillar were led by Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Liam McMahon in parade past reviewing officer Captain Richard Brickacek on January 19.

The event marked new beginnings for Cape Pillar and Captain Brickacek - one of the first official engagements conducted by the crew of Cape Pillar and the first ADV homeporting for Captain Brickacek in his new role as Commander Mine Warfare, Clearance Diving, Hydrographic, Meteorological, Oceanographic and Patrol Force.

The crew of Cape Pillar completed three months of training while based at HMAS Stirling and returned to Darwin in December 2023.

Able Seaman Tyler Cook said it was good to be back.

"After an intense period leading up to this point, I'm proud of what we've accomplished as a crew and looking forward to what we can go on to achieve now we are back in Darwin," Able Seaman Cook said.

Cape Pillar is the sixth Evolved Cape-class patrol boat to be accepted into service. The patrol boats support constabulary missions, maritime patrol and response duties alongside Australian Border Force vessels, other ADF units and other regional partners.

The six Evolved Capes in service will be joined by a further two this year, as part of the transition in patrol capability, moving from the Armidale-class patrol boats to the offshore patrol vessels.

Lieutenant Commander McMahon said there were lots of people to thank for getting the boat to this point.

"Today is about recognising the efforts of not just the Pillar crew, but also everyone who has helped the ship get to this milestone and, most importantly, recognise the unwavering support from our family and loved ones which has been crucial in getting through the challenges we faced as a crew," Lieutenant Commander McMahon said.

Cape Pillar is named after the south eastern tip of Tasmania and has a ceremonial home port of Nubeena, Tasmania.

Its crest encompasses a defining image of its namesake landscape - a large dolerite pillar - which stands stoically and resolutely in spite of the harsh elements of the Tasman Sea, allowing any who stand upon it a clear view to "look forward" to the seas and oceans beyond.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with caretaker Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati

Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau

February 7, 2024

Ottawa, Ontario

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the caretaker Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati, about the ongoing situation in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Trudeau expressed Canada's concern over increasing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah along Lebanon's southern border, and expressed his condolences to caretaker Prime Minister Mikati for the death of Lebanese civilians as a result of the conflict.

The two leaders expressed their deep concerns over the ongoing dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. They agreed on the importance of upholding international humanitarian law, ensuring humanitarian access to the affected areas, and protecting civilians.

Prime Minister Trudeau reaffirmed Canada's humanitarian support to Palestinians, including through the recent announcement of an additional $40 million in funding to address urgent needs stemming from the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

The leaders also discussed the regional security implications of the conflict, the importance of avoiding an escalation, and ongoing efforts toward de-escalation. They reiterated support for urgent international efforts toward a sustainable ceasefire.

Prime Minister Trudeau and caretaker Prime Minister Mikati highlighted the strong people-to-people ties between the two countries and the ongoing contributions of Lebanese Canadians to Canada's national fabric. They agreed to remain in contact as the situation continues to evolve in the Middle East.

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Official visit to People's Republic of China by Ignazio Cassis

Swiss Government

Bern, 07.02.2024 -- Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, visited Beijing on 6 and 7 February, marking the resumption of the strategic dialogue between Switzerland and the People's Republic of China. This visit was part of Mr Cassis's tour of the Asia-Pacific region. Discussions in Beijing centred on priority bilateral issues and current international affairs.

As part of his Asia-Pacific tour, Mr Cassis visited China on 6 and 7 February 2024. He was received in Beijing by his counterpart Wang Yi, director of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee Foreign Affairs Commission Office, and paid a courtesy call on Vice President Han Zheng. The meetings marked the resumption of regular dialogue between the Swiss and Chinese authorities. This visit is the first by a federal councillor to China since 2019 and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deepening the 'strategic partnership'

Mr Cassis and Mr Wang discussed the 'innovative strategic partnership' established between Switzerland and China in 2016, the main instrument of which is the strategic dialogue between the two countries' foreign ministries. The two ministers' discussions centred on international cooperation policy, trade and climate policy, as well as human rights issues - which are also the topic of a separate dialogue.

A review of the existing bilateral dialogues, in particular on economic, financial and scientific cooperation, allowed for an assessment of the dynamism and development potential of relations between the two countries. The two parties discussed the need to modernise the free trade agreement between the two countries. Support for Swiss companies in China and investment conditions were also discussed. The two ministers also discussed the simplification of visa procedures.

China remains Switzerland's third-largest trading partner, after the European Union and the United States. A new China strategy for the period 2025-28, setting out Switzerland's objectives, values and interests in relation to China, will be submitted to the Federal Council at the end of 2024.

Promoting peace

The two ministers also discussed the UN Security Council, in which Switzerland is an elected member until the end of 2024. They exchanged views on the war between Russia and Ukraine. Peace in Ukraine was the subject of extensive talks. Ways and conditions for peace were discussed, particularly in connection with Switzerland's commitment to organising a high-level conference on peace in Ukraine.



Tour of the Asia-Pacific region

Mr Cassis' visit began with stops in India and South Korea. On 5 February, Mr Cassis met with Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in New Delhi. Discussions focused on strategic aspects of bilateral relations, such as the free-trade agreement. Potential ways of achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine were also on the agenda during the talks in India. On 6 February in Seoul, Mr Cassis and Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based international order and stressed the importance of multilateral diplomacy. As non-permanent members of the UN Security Council in 2024, Switzerland and the Republic of Korea discussed their joint efforts to promote peace and security, with a focus on Eastern Europe and East Asia.

On 8 February, Mr Cassis will conclude his trip with an official visit to the Philippines.

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China opens fifth Antarctic research station, to provide platform for scientific cooperation

Global Times

By Fan Wei, Xu Keyue and Du Qiongfang Published: Feb 07, 2024 09:59 PM

China's Qinling Station in Antarctica, the country's fifth research station on the continent, started operation on Wednesday. The research facility is expected to help enhance mankind's scientific understanding of Antarctica, provide a platform for China to cooperate with other countries in scientific expeditions and promote peace and sustainable development in the region, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

However, some Western media have hyped "intelligence concerns" by claiming that the station is located in an "excellent position" to gather intelligence information about Australia and New Zealand.

In response, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, also said at Wednesday's press conference that as a consultative country to the Antarctic Treaty, China has always carried out its activities in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Antarctic Treaty system. The station construction fully complies with international rules and procedures, and will contribute to enhancing human understanding of Antarctica, Wang noted.

Qinling Station can accommodate 80 people in summertime and 30 in wintertime, according to the Polar Research Institute of China, which was in charge of its construction, according to media reports. The research facility fills the gap in China's research in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica, the Global Times learned from experts, who noted that as China's third perennial winter research station in the region, the station will play a major role in China's research on the continent.

The Global Times learned that the station will make full use of the geographical advantages of the interglacial lake near Terra Nova Bay to the east and the marine laboratory of the station to focus on oceanographic observation and research, as well as atmospheric science, glaciology, geology and space physics.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday sent a congratulatory letter on the completion of the building of the Qinling Station and its operation in Antarctica.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, extended his sincere greetings and Chinese New Year wishes to people working for polar research, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Noting that this year marks the 40th anniversary of China's polar expedition, Xi said China's polar research cause has achieved fruitful results and the completion of the Qinling Station will provide a strong guarantee for scientists in China and around the world to continue to explore the mysteries of nature and bravely ascend the peak of science.

Xi called for better understanding, protection and utilization of the polar regions to make new and greater contributions to humanity and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Liu Yanhui, the consultant chief architect of the China Architecture Design and Research Group and the general director of the design of the new station project, told the Global Times that the main structure of the new station was built with the steel structure fully assembled, while the outer protective structure uses prefabricated curtain wall units and the facility has multiple units for offices, scientific research, accommodations and other purposes,

The design of the new station takes into account logistics operation, scientific observation, international cooperation, environmental protection and other factors, forming a multi-circle global investigation model centered on the research station, whose inspection range can reach 300 to 500 kilometers.

Liu introduced that the new station makes great use of smart technologies. The station adopts data management and remote synchronization based on satellite communication systems, has intelligent operation and maintenance systems such as automatic detection and emergency response, and private network systems such as intelligent communication and data acquisition, so as to realize intelligent scientific research.

The marine laboratory of the new station, which reaches international standards, can realize long-term continuous observation and monitoring of the interglacial lake of Terra Nova Bay, carry out online monitoring and data transmission of the offshore marine environment as well as sample pretreatment and analysis experiments.

In addition, the new station adopts an energy microgrid management system that combines renewable energy and traditional energy, giving priority to clean energy such as wind and solar. New energy such as wind and solar account for more than 60 percent of the station's energy, Liu noted. Also, the station integrates advanced technologies such as microgrid monitoring and energy management platforms to make the operation greener and more environmentally friendly.

He Jianfeng, a researcher at the Polar Research Institute, told the Global Times that the establishment of the station will further expand international cooperation in Antarctic scientific research. "In the future, we will cooperate with the research stations of neighboring countries such as the US, New Zealand, Germany and Italy to promote the building of the marine laboratory of Qinling Station into an international cooperation platform, and strive to promote the cooperation among the research stations of countries along the Ross Sea to become a model of Antarctic research cooperation," He noted.

"China's current three Antarctic perennial stations, the Changcheng, Zhongshan and Qinling stations, respectively correspond to the Atlantic Ocean sector, the Indian Ocean sector and the Pacific Ocean sector. The Qinling Station will fill the gap in China's long-term observation in the Pacific Ocean sector, so as to build a system for the long-term observation network in Antarctica, and better answer frontier scientific questions such as those concerning climate change, ice and snow and the mechanisms of ecological environmental change," He said

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China's carrier-based fighter jets trains with early warning aircraft

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun Published: Feb 07, 2024 08:25 PM

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's aircraft carrier-based fighter jets recently conducted a training exercise with early warning aircraft, a model of warplane currently based only on land but not on aircraft carriers , prompting experts to predict that the Chinese carrier-based early warning aircraft will make its official appearance soon.



An air group affiliated with the aviation force of the PLA Navy recently organized its early warning aircraft to join force with a fighter jet unit and carry out a high intensity early warning and detection exercise, PLA Southern Theater Command announced in a Sina Weibo post on Wednesday.



During the drills, the early warning aircraft formed a communications network and established an information chain, detected and located target radiation sources, and commanded and guided the fighter jets to conduct attacks against targets at sea, according to the post.



The exercise focused on challenging courses such as aerial reconnaissance, early warning and surveillance as well as command and control, tested and optimized several training methods and tactics, and honed the forces' joint detection and precision strike capabilities under complex electromagnetic environments, the PLA Southern Theater Command said.



Early warning aircraft are important power amplifiers that can not only detect, track, monitor and guide attacks against targets, but also gather vast information, analyze them and distribute missions to other combat units, a Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Wednesday.



The PLA has developed a complete, integrated combat system, of which early warning aircraft play a key role , the expert said, noting that fighter jets and other combat elements can maximize their potentials in the system.



The fighter jets that participated in the latest drills are J-15 carrier-based fighter jets, a series of photos released by the PLA Southern Theater Command in its post revealed.



While the photos did not show the exact type of early warning aircraft, only that they use turboprop engines since the photos were taken from the early warning aircraft, observers said that KJ-200 or KJ-500 are the only candidates, noting that the PLA currently operates three types of early warning aircraft, the KJ-2000 that uses turbofan engines and the KJ-200 and KJ-500 that use turboprop engines, and they are designed to operate from airfields, not aircraft carriers.



But media reports have emerged since several years ago that China is developing a type of carrier-based early warning aircraft allegedly called the KJ-600.



Land-based early warning aircraft can only provide support to carrier-based fighter jets when aircraft carriers still operate near the land, but at far seas, carriers need their own early warning systems, experts told the Global Times.



With the KJ-600 expected to board China's third aircraft carrier, the electromagnetic catapult-equipped Fujian, coordination between carrier-based fighter jets and early warning aircraft will accelerate the improvement of combat capabilities, analysts noted.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on February 7, 2024

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

2024-02-07 22:37

Reuters: China today started operations at its fifth Antarctic station in the Ross Sea, just south of Australia and New Zealand. Last year, a US think tank said the station is well positioned to collect signals intelligence over Australia and New Zealand, and telemetry data on rockets launched from Australia's new Arnhem Space Centre. How will China address the concerns of countries like Australia and New Zealand?

Wang Wenbin: As a consultative party to the Antarctic Treaty, China always makes sure that our activities are consistent with the stipulations of the Antarctic Treaty System. China's new Antarctic station is built and operated in full compliance with international rules and procedures. The station will contribute to humanity's scientific understanding of the Antarctic, provide a platform for joint scientific exploration and cooperation between China and other countries, and help advance peace and sustainable development in the region.

CCTV: To help foreigners get a mobile number easier upon arrival, carriers including China Telecom, China Mobile, and China Unicom recently set up nine new shops at airports in such cities as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Chengdu and Xiamen, and six new shops in popular destinations for foreign travelers in cities including Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xi'an and Qingdao. Can you give us more details?

Wang Wenbin: China is committed to high-level opening-up and expanding people-to-people exchange with the rest of the world. Responsible government agencies and telecom operators in China recently took steps to enhance telecom service, easing the access to such service for foreigners traveling, working, studying or living in China.

Recent efforts by China to facilitate cross-border travel have made it safer and easier for Chinese people to travel abroad, and for foreigners to come to China. China recently announced five new measures, including shortening visa application forms, lowering visa fees for the entire year, exempting some applicants from fingerprinting, providing walk-in without appointment visa application service and extending unilateral visa-free policy to France, Germany and some other countries on a trial basis. So far, China has signed mutual visa exemption agreements with 157 countries that cover different types of passports, and has reached agreements or arrangements to simplify visa procedures with 44 countries. China has a complete mutual visa exemption with 23 countries.

As the Lunar New Year approaches, we welcome more foreign friends to come to China, to see China with their own eyes and travel the expanse of the country with their own feet and experience a true, multi-dimensional and panoramic China.

NRC Handelsblad: The Dutch Minister of Defense Ollongren has declared that Chinese state actors spied on the computer networks of the Dutch Ministry of Defense through the software of the company Fortinet. These state actors are also probably spying in Europe, she said. Is that indeed the case? And secondly, what can you tell us about the relationship between Fortinet and the Chinese government?a

Wang Wenbin: We oppose any groundless smears and accusations against China. In fact, China is a major victim of cyber attacks. We keep a firm stance against all forms of cyber attacks and resort to lawful methods in tackling them. China does not encourage, support or condone attacks launched by hackers.

Keeping the cyberspace safe is a global challenge. As is the case with other issues, false accusations or bloc confrontation will only damage the collective response to the threats the world faces on cybersecurity. We hope relevant parties adopt a constructive and responsible stance and work with China to protect cybersecurity.

Rudaw Media Network: China's representative at the United Nations Security Council stressed the support of the Iraqi government. How do you support the Kurdistan Regional Government to improve the situation, especially the relations between the Iraqi Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government?a

Wang Wenbin: China respects and stands for upholding Iraq's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. We stand ready to enhance exchanges and cooperation with Iraq's central government and subnational governments at various levels with a view to advancing the China-Iraq strategic partnership.

Kyodo News: Governor of Tokyo Koike Yuriko is visiting Taiwan today and will meet Tsai Ing-wen and Lai Ching-te. What's your response?a

Wang Wenbin: Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The Taiwan question bears on the political foundation of China-Japan relations, and basic trust between the two countries. China strongly opposes official interaction of any form between Taiwan and countries that have diplomatic relations with China. Regarding what you asked, we have expressed concerns to Japan and hope that the relevant party will stay alert and distance themselves from the possibility of being used by "Taiwan independence" forces for political purposes.

Shenzhen TV: The Chilean government announced the passing of former President SebastiAn PiAera on February 6 local time. Has China expressed condolences to Chile over President PiAera's passing?

Wang Wenbin: Mr. PiAera was an outstanding statesman and entrepreneur deeply loved by the Chilean people. He was also a dear old friend of the Chinese people. He visited China multiple times. He was committed to advancing Chile's ties and mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation with China and did a lot to contribute to the friendship between our two countries. We express deep condolences over the unfortunate passing of Mr. PiAera and extend sincere sympathies to his family and the people of Chile.

Dragon TV: This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. This year is also the Year of Culture and Tourism between China and France. Events have been held in Harbin and Paris to kick off the Culture and Tourism Year. Could you elaborate on the significance of the Culture and Tourism Year as China and France mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties? Any major events to look forward to?a

Wang Wenbin: France is one of the countries that have the longest record and closest cooperation with China on cultural and people-to-people exchanges. To organize the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism as our two countries mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties is an important common understanding reached by the two heads of state during President Emmanuel Macron's visit to China last year to promote bilateral cultural exchanges and people-to-people connection. Back in 2003 and 2005, China and France held culture years in each other's countries. In 2014, our two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties with the "China-France 50" program. The current Year of Culture and Tourism is yet another major program to promote our cultural and people-to-people ties.

Both sides attach great importance to the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism. The presidents of our two countries sent video messages to the launch of the program, stressing that the Year of Culture and Tourism and the 60th anniversary are an important opportunity to enhance exchanges between the two peoples, especially for the young generation, and build a stronger foundation for the future of bilateral ties. Back in November, at the sixth meeting of the China-France high-level dialogue mechanism on people-to-people exchanges, the foreign ministers of the two countries oversaw the release of a list of 16 well-selected people-to-people and cultural exchange activities between China and France in 2024. In addition to a showcase of ice sculptures in Harbin and a concert series by the orchestra of the Palace of Versailles, the list also includes an exhibition about the Palace of Versailles and the Forbidden City, the "China House" at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, the Chinese lantern festival, and cultural exhibitions of Tang dynasty relics and Jingdezhen porcelain. Moreover, local governments, civil groups, art institutions and so on in China and France are enthusiastically participating in the Year of Culture and Tourism and the 60th anniversary. They are working hard to prepare hundreds of cultural and people-to-people activities covering performing arts, visual arts, cultural heritage and tourism promotion.

China would like to take the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism and the Paris Olympic Games in 2024 as an opportunity to carry out more exchanges and interactions with France to enhance mutual understanding and build a closer bond between the two peoples. China has granted a 15-day visa-free policy to France. We welcome more friends from France to come to China this year, to see the diverse landscape, experience the rich local cultures, have a taste of traditional cuisines, learn about the Chinese civilization, witness China's development and transformation, and feel the reservoir of goodwill between the Chinese and French people.

Global Times: It's reported that on February 7, 360 Digital Security Group released an analysis report on US Capacity to threaten cybersecurity and an analysis report on relevant US APT groups, which disclosed in detail the US government's global implementation of its cyber deterrence strategy and indiscriminate cyberattacks against US allies and other countries. What's China's comment?

Wang Wenbin: We noted the two analysis reports. The large number of cases and evidence enumerated in the reports provides a powerful account of how the US government uses its supremacy and predominance to act wantonly in cyberspace that puts the international rules and order on cyberspace in jeopardy, endangers cyber peace and security, and harms the security and development interests of China and other countries.

With an unparalleled control overacritical global Internet resources, the US government is known to have disconnected countries from the Internet, causing severe damage to their social stability and economic security. The US government uses its dominance over global operating systems and Internet services to carry out massive, indiscriminate surveillance and data theft, infringing on the right to privacy of many countries' citizens. The US government has established a large cyber arsenal, and developed and spread advanced weapons used to attack key foreign infrastructure, putting the global key infrastructure at great risk.

The US government has blatantly supported cyberattack organizations to carry out long-lasting, continuous cyberattacks against government agencies, important organizations and critical infrastructure of many countries in the world, including US allies. Without exaggeration, the US is the number one source of cyber risks and challenges. No country in the world can ever insulate itself from the threat of US cyberattack.

Cyberspace should not be a battlefield. It is not a grey area for the US to rise above the rules and act wantonly without any consequences. And it still less should become the US' tool to kneecap other countries' development and disrupt world peace. The international community has a common responsibility to uphold the international order in cyberspace and safeguard its peace and security. We urge the US to immediately stop its dangerous, irresponsible behavior, and join the international community's collective effort toward a cyberspace featuring peace, security, openness and cooperation.

Bloomberg: The Swiss government is going to hold a peace conference for the Ukraine-Russia war soon. Does China have any intention to attend that?

Wang Wenbin: China's position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. We have played a constructive role in advocating an end to the fight and a political settlement of the crisis. We will continue to promote peace talks and work for a political settlement of the crisis in our own way.

Bloomberg: Did you say you will use this forum to promote the settlement or you said you'll use any forum to promote the settlement of the crisis?

Wang Wenbin: We will continue to play a constructive role in promoting the political settlement of the crisis in our own way.

NRC Handelsblad:aWhat relationship the Chinese government might or might not have with the company Fortinet?

Wang Wenbin: I have made clear that we are opposed to any unwarranted accusation and smear against China. They are not helpful for the international community to unite against cyber security threats.a

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Exclusive: Disappeared oil man was CCP agent, business partner says

Revelations from a Hong Kong civil trial may leave China liable in an Angolan corruption scheme.

By Jack AdamoviA Davies for RFA Investigative 2024.02.07 -- A well-known oil man who has been linked to numerous bribery schemes and sanctioned by the U.S. government struck deals in Angola while secretly working for China's ruling party, his longtime business partner told a Hong Kong court.

The testimony, first reported today by Radio Free Asia, disputes decades of denials by Chinese officials that notorious fixer Sam Pa was seeking oil concessions in the country at Beijing's behest.

Pa was arrested during a Chinese corruption investigation in 2015 and has not been heard from since. His former associate Lo Fonghung is suing Pa's wife, Veronica Fung, for control of the business empire she built with him. Pa had never been listed as a shareholder of the companies he and Lo ran together, with Fung standing as a proxy in his place. With Pa having been incommunicado for close to nine years, Lo is challenging Fung's standing to vote on corporate matters in his absence. The case commenced in 2020 and is ongoing.

Under cross-examination during a civil court hearing last November, Lo detailed how the Chinese government used several of their companies as a front to enter Angola, according to court transcripts obtained by RFA.

Lo and Pa's first joint venture was a highly successful bid to break into the Angolan oil market in the early 2000s as the African state emerged from a bloody 27-year civil war. They did so on the confidential instructions of the Chinese Communist Party, Lo said.

"I was directly working for the Central Committee of the party," she told the court.

"When we went to obtain the oil resources, it was an action to break the existing strategic pattern of the United States and Western countries in Africa and Angola, so we had to keep it a secret."

Her mission with Pa in Angola had to be disguised as a private commercial venture, Lo said, or else it might draw objections from China's strategic rivals. The approach, she said, resulted in a successful mission.

"At that time, at first, China could only get 10,000 barrels [of oil] a day from Angola. Through our efforts we could get 400,000 barrels a day," Lo testified.

Today, the vast majority of Angola's oil goes to China.

While Beijing has long denied that Pa and his companies enjoyed any kind of relationship with the Chinese government, Lo's claims do more than shed light on a secret relationship.

If true, the testimony would also implicate Beijing in an ongoing corruption case against two Angolan generals close to the late Angolan President JosA Eduardo dos Santos, whose tenure was plagued by widespread grift.

The generals are accused of corruption in connection with oil deals struck with Chinese entities in the post-war period, including China International Fund (CIF), one of Pa and Lo's main companies. The case is considered "one of the biggest crimes in Angolan history," according to Oxford University law professor Rui Verde.

It is just the latest large-scale corruption scandal to plague the sub-Saharan nation since the end of the civil war two decades ago.

"You had an opportunity for a fresh start in 2002 but it failed, and one of the reasons was the unaccountability of that Chinese money that came to Angola," Verde told RFA.

Crude oil

Today China is Angola's most important trading partner, but building that relationship was a slow, expensive effort. Long before Angola's 27-year-long civil war drew to a close in 2002, Western nations had locked up most of the oil market.

For Beijing, which had backed the losing side, getting a toehold would have been no easy matter.

"Angola was a very oil-rich country, but the Chinese government could not enter. At that time, it was Britain, the United States, France and Italy that mainly controlled the country's oil," Lo told the Hong Kong court.

"So, at that time, the Chinese government, they hoped that we could, through other channels, get into this country to get the resources."

She and Pa were among those "other channels," Lo claimed. After arriving in the country in 2002, the pair leveraged Pa's longtime friendship with the country's then-president dos Santos, to secure lucrative contracts to rebuild the country's infrastructure and extract its plentiful supplies of oil. The deals were funded by loans totalling billions of dollars from Chinese state-backed banks.

Lo's lawyer, William Wong, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Contact information for Pa, who is believed to still be in detention, could not be found.

In a separate ongoing case initiated in Angola in 2022, prosecutors allege that Lo, Pa and two Angolan generals used those contracts to embezzle hundreds of millions of dollars apiece. The prosecution is part of a raft of cases that have been brought by Dos Santos's successor following his resignation in 2018.

Prosecutors allege that $1.5 billion of Chinese oil payments never made it to Angola, but were instead siphoned off to a Hong Kong company controlled by Pa, his associates and former high-ranking Angolan officials.

Prosecutors further allege that hundreds of millions of dollars that were supposed to build affordable public housing for Angolans instead ended up in accounts controlled by CIF.

Similar allegations have trailed CIF across Africa. In 2014, Pa was sanctioned by the U.S. government for financing intimidation of political opponents of Zimbabwe's ruling party by the country's intelligence service. And in 2017, a U.S. court sentenced Guinea's former minister of mines to seven years in prison for laundering $8.5 million in bribes from the company.

In Angola, corruption has had a devastating effect on development - and so has indebtedness to Beijing.

Today, Angola owes Chinese banks $21 billion, equal to just under a third of the country's annual economic output. Merely servicing the debt takes up almost half of the government's budget. And yet ordinary Angolans have very little to show for it. More than 20 years after Pa and Lo turned up in Luanda, the United Nations estimates that 66.6% of Angolans are either living in poverty or in danger of falling into it.

Odious debt

With Angola struggling under the weight of Chinese debt, Lo's revelations could provide a path forward, said Oxford's Verde.

If Pa and Lo were not acting as private business people but as emissaries of the Chinese Communist Party, Angola's leaders could file a request in arbitration court for the debt to be canceled under the doctrine of "odious debt."

"There are two tests for it to qualify as odious debt. The money must have not been applied in the public interest and the creditor knew or had reason to know the money was not to be used in the public interest," Verde told RFA.

"The question was, in the past, whether Sam Pa was acting as a private person or acting on express orders from the Chinese state," he added. "If you find that he was acting on express orders from the Chinese state, then we have a problem concerning that."

Hesong Shao, a spokesperson at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, told RFA by email that he was not familiar with the details of CIF's deals in Angola. But, he added, China's "partnership with African countries is always based on mutual respect, equality and sincere cooperation."

"The projects China has undertaken in Africa and the broader China-Africa cooperation have contributed to Africa's development and improved livelihoods across the continent," Shao wrote. "The African people know that best."

Pa and Lo's extensive ties to the Chinese government have been well documented. A 2009 U.S. government report outlined their companies' "connections to the Chinese intelligence community, the public security apparatus, and state-owned enterprises." However, other parts of the Chinese government appeared keen to distance themselves from Pa, according to leaked diplomatic assessments.

Uneasy bedfellows

Lo's testimony suggests that the Chinese government was wary of getting into bed with Pa from the start. She recalled that in the early 2000s, Pa had been recently declared bankrupt and was ineligible to act as the shareholder or director of a Hong Kong company.

"Sam Pa was deeply in debt and his passport was confiscated by the government at the time," Lo testified. "Internationally, he had participated in toppling or supporting some African countries, and he has some enemies."

Pa's debts and less-than-spotless reputation made his patrons in the Chinese government nervous, Lo testified. But his "upper-level connections in Angola" meant "the country was willing to use him" all the same.

However, their patronage came with conditions. One demand in particular came from the National Development and Reform Commission, China's powerful economic planning agency, which insisted that Lo have practical control over the relevant companies.

"As long as he cooperated with me, he would have the policy given to him by the Chinese government and the funds would be given to him," Lo told the court. "The total amount of these funds should be calculated as tens of billions of dollars."

Edited by Abby Seiff, Jim Snyder and Boer Deng.

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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UN should update North Korea rights report: experts

Momentum was quickly lost after the release of a landmark UN report a decade ago, according to its chief author.

By Alex Willemyns for RFA 2024.02.07 -- The United Nations should update its landmark 2014 report about human rights abuses taking place in North Korea to account for the reign of Kim Jong Un, according to a panel of experts speaking on the 10-year anniversary of the report's release on Wednesday.

The speakers, which included Australian jurist Michael Kirby, the chair of the Commission of Inquiry, or COI, on Human Rights in North Korea that wrote the 372-page report a decade ago, said the document remained the most exhaustive account of abuses in North Korea.

But they noted the report - which documented evidence of widespread abuses including murder, starvation and torture - was released less than three years into the rule of Kim Jong Un.

Kim succeeded his father in 2011 and "does not appear to have carried out the recommendations" of the report, said Roberta Cohen, a former deputy assistant secretary of state for human rights and co-chair emeritus of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea.

That demands that the United Nations sit to evaluate the impact of the report on the rights situation in North Korea after 10 years.

"The U.N. should also consider an update to the COI report that is based on the COI report but that looks at the impact that Kim Jong Un has had on human rights," Cohen said. "Kim Jong Un has largely consolidated his power after the publication of the COI report."

"Any update would have to look at the purges and executions, including of family members, that solidified his rule," she said, speaking at an anniversary event hosted by the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea at DACOR Bacon House in Washington.

"It would also look at the virtual lockdown of the country he authorized in response to the pandemic, which according to the U.N. badly affected the right to food, health care, movement and livelihood in the country."

Falling on deaf ears

Based on interviews with regime survivors, the 2014 report found comprehensive evidence of widespread crimes against humanity being committed by Pyongyang and highlighted that some of the worst abuses are taking place in the country's hard-labor penal camps.

It also documented the deliberate use of torture, starvation, abductions, executions and arbitrary detention as methods of control.

Cohen said the only area where North Korea had possibly improved since 2014 was in its treatment of disabled people, and otherwise remained one of the world's worst offenders against human rights.

In many areas, though, things have in fact gotten worse, she said, with the government having gotten more better since the COVID-19 pandemic at preventing escapes out of the country, both by renewing shoot-to-kill orders and punishing family members of escapees.

"Only 67 North Koreans were able to escape in 2020 [and] 196 in 2023, compared to some 2,900 in 2009," Cohen said, adding that the latest figures include officials "defecting from outside the country."

In a pre-recorded message, Kirby, a former member of Australia's High Court, said he was proud of the document his team produced a decade ago but was disappointed little had changed in the years since.

"Our report, unlike many reports of the United Nations, was extremely readable," Kirby said. "But getting a report is only the first step. It's then necessary to take steps to ensure that the report is implemented."

He lamented that key suggestions in the report had been ignored, even after progress was made when the report was referred from the U.N. General Assembly for consideration by the U.N. Security Council.

"We recommended that there should be a referral of the matter by the Security Council to the International Criminal Court," Kirby said. But key North Korean allies China and Russia, who both wield veto power on the U.N. Security Council, opposed the report, he noted.

Few dividends

A change of power in Seoul in 2017 also did not help in implementing the report's recommendations, Kirby said, with a then-new government seeking a change in relations with Pyongyang by seeking to work together instead of heaping pressure on its northern neighbor.

"Momentum towards action on the report of the Commission of Inquiry was slowed by the hope of the government of President Moon Jae-in that the North Korean administration could - by cooperation and efforts to reestablish friendly relations - lead to real progress," he said.

"Sadly, it did not," Kirby said, labeling Moon's five-year project a failure. "I don't think they were any real dividends from that policy."

Moon was succeeded in 2022 by the conservative President Yoon Suk-yeol, who has since returned to Seoul's traditional policies of trying to deter aggression from Pyongyang and criticizing its rights abuses.

Robert King, who was the U.S. special envoy for North Korean human rights issues between 2009 and 2017, said that a similar dynamic took place in the United States, with former President Donald Trump's time in office defined by his tripartite diplomacy with Kim and Moon.

In fact, over those four years, King had no successor in his role. In 2023, Julie Turner, then an official in the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, was appointed to the role.

King said the 2014 report had a "significant impact in raising the profile" of the human rights abuses taking place in North Korea, and allowed the Obama administration to pursue the issue more vigorously.

"We then ran to a change in administrations in Washington, which didn't support the discussion on North Korea human rights issues," King said, referring to Trump. "We've been able to resume that."

The retired diplomat called for the United Nations to pick back up the mantle of securing rights for the people of North Korea, which he said may seem like a longshot but should not be viewed as impossible.

"This is not something that, you know, you do something once and it's done," King said. "This is going to require continued work."

Edited by Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content 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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DPRK Foreign Ministry Researcher on Porous "Missile Information-sharing System"

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, February 8 (KCNA) -- Kim Sol Hwa, a researcher of the Institute for Japan Studies under the DPRK Foreign Ministry, issued the following article "A porous umbrella called 'missile information-sharing system' will never prevent the hail of fire from pouring down":

A foreign news agency recently disclosed that the U.S., Japan and the puppet ROK have operated the information-sharing system in connection with the DPRK's test-fire of hypersonic missile on Jan. 14.

According to it, they were dead set on exchanging information while the puppet military gangsters pursued the rising step and the Japan "Self-Defense Forces" the flight orbit on the basis of the U.S. detection of the DPRK's test-fire of hypersonic missile.

The test-fire, which had given no harmful effect on the security of its neighboring state and was not related to the situation in the region, was a regular measure for bolstering up the defence capability of a sovereign state. Therefore, the tracking on the test-fire is, in essence, a wanton violation of the DPRK's right to self-defence and an intolerable military provocation against it.

Great irony is that the hostile forces have become laughing stock of the world. Though they are tediously advertising that they detected the DPRK's ballistic missile launch earlier than before through the operation of the missile information-sharing system, they failed to follow it to the last because the missile disappeared from the radar before the landing and Japan and the puppet forces announced the missile range several hundred kilometers different.

It goes without saying that the moves of the U.S., Japan and the puppet forces to share missile information are pursuant to the U.S. scenario for realizing its hegemonic strategy to contain their strategic rivals by forming a triangular military alliance in the Asia-Pacific region under the pretext of coping with the DPRK's "missile threat".

A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense said that the missile-sharing information shows the unprecedented depth, scale and sphere of security cooperation between the three parties and the three countries will continue to build cooperation to cope with the "challenges" of the region on the Korean peninsula, in the Indo-Pacific and beyond them. It makes us easily understand the sinister intention what the U.S. seeks.

In 2014 the U.S. concluded the TISA with Japan and the puppet forces to share information through it, thus institutionalizing for the first time the triangular cooperation in the field of military intelligence.

As a drowning man will catch at a straw, the U.S. is now busy with the formation of the triangular military alliance with Japan and the puppet forces working as core allies to maintain its hegemonic position weakened day by day under the structure of "neo-Cold War". The moves for sharing missile information can be regarded as part of the moves.

Accordingly, the enemies committed to the real-time sharing of missile warning information targeting the DPRK in November 2022. They agreed on it at Camp David in August last year and entered into the full operation of the missile information-sharing system from December.

It is quite clear that if the U.S., Japan and the puppet forces push the acute military confrontation in the Korean peninsula, the biggest hotspot in the world, to a more critical phase of conflict while making reckless military confrontation hysteria, the DPRK's military counteraction is getting stronger in direct proportion to it.

The days when the U.S. styled itself the only superpower in the world are gone and it is a foolish act to get a security guarantee by relying on a toothless wolf trying to prolong its remaining days.

The useless military moves will only bring the serious security crisis to the U.S. mainland, Japanese archipelago and the ROK.

It is nothing but a foolish attempt to prevent the hail of fire from pouring down with a porous umbrella called "missile information-sharing system". -0-

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PROCURING OF WEAPONS BY CAPFS

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Home Affairs

Posted On: 07 FEB 2024 3:58PM by PIB Delhi

In order to promote indigenous manufacturing, the arms and ammunition sector has been opened to the private industry. Further, in order to facilitate 'Ease of doing Business', several steps have been taken by the Government in this regard, including, inter alia, grant of lifetime validity of Manufacturing license for arms and ammunition, permitting Initial Public Offering (IPO) in arms and ammunition manufacturing sector, and removing the necessity for prior permission for enhancement of annual production capacity in a manufacturing plant.

As a result of regular interaction with all stakeholders, including private domestic manufacturers of weapons, Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) has created Defence Industry Quality Assurance Management Cell (DIQAMC) for allotment of Proof ranges to private manufacturers.

Guidelines have been issued for procurement of non-critical arms and ammunition through open tender enquiry to provide a level playing field to all the manufacturers.

Financial powers of DGs of CAPFs have been enhanced from Rs.20 Crore to Rs.50 Crore for procurement of arms and ammunition through open tender enquiry.

Representatives of CAPFs have visited sites/factories of various private manufacturers of weapons.

Enforcement of 'Make in India' clause has been ensured.

Open tender enquiries have been floated for procurement of weapons.

DGs' powers for procurement for trial purposes have also been utilized.

To provide equal opportunity to private manufacturers of weapons, trials have been conducted by CAPFs on the basis of No Cost No Commitment (NCNC).

The process of finalizing Qualitative Requirements and Trial Directives (QRs/TDs) has been simplified by delegating the powers for approving QRs/TDs to DGs of the nodal CAPFs.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

*****

RK/ASH/AKS/RR/PR/AK/542



(Release ID: 2003499)

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India Projects Naval Power in Arabian Sea Amid Houthi Strikes, Piracy Resurgence

By Anjana Pasricha February 07, 2024

From helping douse a fire on a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker hit by a Houthi missile on January 26 to rescuing vessels hijacked by pirates, Indian navy warships have been providing security to merchant ships in the Arabian Sea.

India has not joined the U.S.-led task force for the Red Sea that is launching strikes against Yemen-based Houthi rebels, who have mounted missile and drone attacks on commercial ships in response to Israel's war against the militant group Hamas, disrupting global trade.

But India has deployed at least 10 warships that include guided missile destroyers and surveillance aircraft to police waters east of the Red Sea as it seeks to project power in the Indian Ocean in the face of the threat from Houthis and a resurgence in piracy.

The naval deployment signals India's aspirations to be counted as a responsible power, say analysts.

"I think the scale of India's naval deployment is quite unprecedented, and in some ways this represents the confidence the Indian navy has in its own abilities and the requirement to be seen as a benevolent regional player that is not simply looking after its own interests but also the interests of the global common," Harsh Pant, vice president of studies and foreign policy at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, told VOA.

The Indian navy has helped at least two ships that were struck by drones and missiles since December, according to officials. But its main focus has been on conducting anti-piracy patrols. The navy said that last week it rescued two Iranian-flagged fishing vessels that had been boarded by pirates and safely released the crew members who had been taken as hostages.

"It was a little worrying for India that the pirates were striking almost in the middle of the Arabian Sea, which is far from Somalia where pirates used to strike earlier," Captain D.K. Sharma, former navy spokesman, told VOA. "That is why this deployment has happened - to scan the area, sanitize the area."

New Delhi hopes its navy's presence will be a deterrent, preventing the threat to merchant vessels from spilling beyond the Red Sea. India's trade, much of which passes through these waters, has also been impacted.

"We are one of the biggest naval forces here, and we know the world's trade is moving through these routes and we support freedom of seas, freedom of navigation," Sharma said.

India's focus has long been on the army because of the country's decades-long border disputes and hostilities with China and Pakistan in the Himalayas. However, in recent decades, India has also been acquiring more advanced ships, submarines and reconnaissance aircraft to build its naval prowess and make the country a more potent maritime force.

Commissioning a hydrographic survey ship Sunday in the southern Indian city of Visakhapatnam, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said the naval forces aim to protect both trade and regional security.

"The Indian navy has become so strong that we have become the first responder in terms of security in the Indian Ocean and Indian Pacific region," Singh said.

Boosting its naval heft in the Indian Ocean, which India calls its backyard, has become a priority for New Delhi, as it seeks both to protect the sea lanes through which its trade passes and to counter China's growing presence. Most countries in India's neighborhood are part of China's Belt and Road Initiative; for instance, Beijing has built ports in Sri Lanka and Pakistan. While China's navy is far larger than India's, New Delhi plans to add more than 65 new warships to its fleet.

Analysts say India has also taken a proactive role in helping counter the threat facing global trade to signal that it is an emerging power. Since taking office in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been trying to boost India's global image.

"I feel today that India's greater capability and our own interest and our own reputation warrant that we help out in a difficult situation," Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said last week at a public event, referring to India's deployment.

Traditionally, New Delhi joins only those military coalitions that the United Nations approves, but Pant said it shares the same aim as the U.S.-U.K. coalition working in the Red Sea: protecting global trade.

"Increasingly India is saying that we are willing to work with the world towards collective ends; we are not a disrupter to the global order, regional order; we want to be a responsible stakeholder," Pant said. "So naturally if there is a crisis happening around your periphery, India has to step up to the plate and make its own contribution, whether it is small or large."

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IRGC commander says Israel has received response to its mischiefs on daily basis

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 07 February 2024 4:18 AM

A senior commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned the Israeli regime that endangering the Islamic Republic's interests anywhere in the world will not go unanswered.

Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan, the IRGC's deputy commander for operations, said, "This fake regime knows very well that it has received the answer to its evils on a daily basis. Whenever we decide, we will not hesitate to protect our interests and the Islamic Revolution, respond to Israeli mischiefs with great force, and preserve the blood of our martyrs."

"We would not leave unanswered whatever action the Israeli regime dares to take against our interests at any spot," Nilforoushan asserted during a ceremony on Tuesday.

The commander said the Islamic Republic is the most prominent missile and drone power in West Asia, noting that the region's geopolitical configuration has changed based on Iran's power.

He also said, "The US is now incapable of protecting the Zionist regime like it used to."

So, the Israeli regime has resorted to the strategy of "the war between the wars" or "war in the gray zone," noted the commander.

The main goal of such a strategy, he said, consists of attempting to weaken the constituents of Iran's power such as the Islamic Republic's nuclear, missile, drone, and regional might.

Nilforoushan identified the main principles of the strategy as engaging in "intelligence warfare and retaining the level of war beneath our threshold of tolerance."

As a means of confronting the strategy, the commander said, the Islamic Republic has attached special importance to "intelligence protection."

'Resistance groups West Asia's undisputed power'

The IRGC commander said, "The process of development and security arrangements has undergone substantial changes in the region. The growing pace of developments in Asia and the world's security and political arrangements have caused the United States' hegemonic power to fall apart."

"Popular and non-governmental groups have now wielded more influence in the formation of regional power."

Nilforoushan asserted that, "Dozens of popular resistance groups have, in conjunction with one another, turned into the West Asia region's undisputed power. Today, the world's unipolar system has fallen apart, and the region's geopolitics has changed based on the Islamic Republic's power."

"The presence of great powers such as Russia, China, and Iran has shaped up a new situation, wherein the United States will not have a role."

Stating that the United States is after clawing back its power and slowing down the process of its disintegration, Nilforoushan said, "As a means of making up for this situation, [the US-led military alliance of] NATO is trying to expand eastwards and Israel is after eliminating the threats posed to its existence."

"The regime was brought to its knees on October 7 in the face of a [single] brigade hailing from the Islamic resistance, and has realized that it cannot confront the Islamic Revolution and the resistance. Israel is after [formulating] new plots aimed at making up for its defeats."

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Iraqi PM: US-led military coalition will ultimately end its 'mission'

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 07 February 2024 10:32 AM

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani says the US-led military coalition purportedly formed to fight the Daesh terrorist group will eventually wind down its presence in the Arab country.

Speaking in an interview with the al-Arabiya television news network, Sudani stated that the Western alliance's mission will end at the Baghdad government's official request.

"The main purpose of winding down the US-led military coalition's mission is to eliminate all possible pretexts for attacks on its advisors," he said.

Sudani also censured the US military's latest airstrikes against positions manned by anti-terror resistance groups in the western part of the country close to the border with Syria, asserting, "Any kind of military attack on the Iraqi territory is unacceptable."

He said Iraq has not had any contact with the United States following the aerial assaults.

The Iraqi prime minister also noted that the withdrawal of US-led foreign forces from the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region is among the issues raised in the course of negotiations between Baghdad and Washington to remove the troops from the country.

"The Iraqi government has come up with a formula, under which the [resistance] groups will stop their [retaliatory] attacks in exchange for the cessation of American offensives," Sudani explained.

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 martyred 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.

'Iraq, US must return to dialogue over future of coalition forces'

Meanwhile, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stressed the need to return to the negotiating table over the future of US-led forces in Iraq.

Hussein, in a phone call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday, stressed the Iraqi government's rejection of the latest US airstrikes and such attacks.

He said that "Iraq is not an arena for settling scores between rival countries."

Hussein also formally demanded the US Treasury Department reconsider the sanctions it had imposed on several Iraqi banks, raising doubts about whether those sanctions were put in place over compliance issues or "other political reasons."

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on Friday that its military forces struck more than 85 targets in Iraq and Syria "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 stated 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 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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PM Netanyahu Meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

The 37th Government

07.02.2024

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today , at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

They first held a lengthy, in-depth private meeting, and are currently holding an expanded meeting. Participants include:

From the Israeli side: The Defense Minister, the Strategic Affairs Minister, the Director of the National Security Council, the Director of the Mossad, the Director of the ISA, the IDF Chief-of-Staff, the Prime Minister's Military Secretary, the Cabinet Secretary and the Prime Minister's Foreign Policy Adviser.

From the American side: The Diplomatic Adviser, the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, the Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues and the US Ambassador to Israel.

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PM Netanyahu Meets with Argentinian President Javier Milei

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

The 37th Government

07.02.2024

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today, at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, met with Argentinian President Javier Milei, first privately and then in an expanded meeting during which the Prime Minister thanked the President for his decision to declare Hamas a terrorist organization and for his unwavering support for Israel's right to defend itself.

The two also agreed on the launch of joint business delegations in various areas.

Prime Minister Netanyahu at the start of the meeting:

"I'm delighted to welcome you, President Milei, and your delegation, to Israel. You're a great friend of the Jewish state. We are delighted with your decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move your diplomatic post there, and also, of course, an embassy.

We had a conversation now discussing free markets. This is something that we both champion, and you are leading this in Argentina. We have led this in Israel. We can do a lot more together.

We share the desire for prosperity, security and peace. We know that the greatest challenge to peace in our area, but also in yours, is Iran. And we appreciate the cooperation that we are doing with you in security and diplomacy.

Your stalwart support for Israel in so many forms is deeply, deeply appreciated.

Welcome to Jerusalem. Welcome, friend."

Also participating in the meeting were:

From the Israeli side: The Strategic Affairs Minister, the Director of the National Security Council, the Prime Minister's Office Director General, the Prime Minister's Military Secretary, the Director of the National Economic Council, the Prime Minister's Foreign Policy Adviser and the Israeli Ambassador to Argentina.

From the Argentinian side: The Foreign Minister, the Secretary of the Presidency and the President's sister, the Argentinian Ambassador-designate to Israel and the Embassy Head of Mission.

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Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Israeli President Herzog Before Their Meeting

US Department of State

Remarks

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

The President's House

Jerusalem, Israel

February 7, 2024

PRESIDENT HERZOG: Welcome, Mr. Secretary. It's wonderful to have you in our midst again. You're coming here during this conflict time again, and it's a - just another example of the great friendship, the leadership of the United States of America in the region, in the world. It's an opportunity for me, on behalf of the people of Israel, to express gratitude and my heartfelt thanks to President Joe Biden for his great friendship and real, true, honest affection for the people of Israel, the state of Israel.

We've seen it time and time again with his visits, with your visit - President Biden has been a longstanding friend of the state of Israel, cares for its security, and is following in the footsteps of giants such as President Harry Truman in understanding that the bond between Israel and the United States serves both nations and serves the national interests of the United States of America. And I'm very grateful and honored to repeat our gratitude again.

I think your visit comes at a very critical moment in the conflict. We are yearning and praying for the immediate release of our hostages. We want to see them back as soon as possible. The situation is dire, and clearly Hamas is violating every rule of human behavior in this respect. I also believe that as such, whilst we are not hearing or getting any information about our hostages, we are accommodating and facilitating humanitarian aid as part of our belief and our commitment to the rules of international humanitarian law. Israel is committed to international humanitarian law.

We do not have a war with the citizens of Gaza; we have a war with Hamas. We've made it clear in the International Court of Justice in The Hague. We made it clear in all forums that are relevant to this question. And as such, we, of course, condemn and reject any call for hurting or damaging any civilian population anywhere, let alone, of course, in this conflict.

And finally, I do hope that there is a ray of hope also with the opportunity of moving towards normalization between Israel and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I think it is a historic opportunity, and I hope - sincerely hope - that it will be looked at seriously and that this option may progress and advance in the near future. Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary.

I will also say a few comments in Hebrew.

(In Hebrew.)

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you so much, Mr. President. And as always, it's good to be with you to benefit from your insights, just as people here benefit from your leadership. And I'm always deeply appreciative of that. For us as well, the hostages are foremost on our minds and in our hearts. And as you know, we now have a response from Hamas to the proposal that was put on the table for a way forward. We are looking at it intensely, as is, I know, the Government of Israel. And there is a lot of work to be done, but we are very much focused on doing that work and hopefully being able to resume the release of hostages that was interrupted so many months ago.

I also very much appreciate your emphasis on the imperative of protecting civilians and providing humanitarian assistance to those in need. There are so many innocent men, women, and children who are suffering as a result of the attacks perpetrated by Hamas and now being caught in a crossfire of Hamas's making. We all have an obligation to do everything possible to get the necessary assistance to those who so desperately need it. And the steps that are being taken, additional steps that need to be taken are a focus of my own meetings here as well.

Finally, I've come from a number of countries in the region, and I look forward to sharing with you what I've heard, including in Saudi Arabia, as well as in other places, in Egypt and Qatar. And I do believe that there is a very positive, powerful future that is possible that genuinely integrates Israel into the region and addresses its most profound security needs to be able to live in peace and genuine security, and also answers the aspirations of the Palestinian people. And you could see that equation very clearly, and it was only reinforced by my visits with our friends and partners in the region. And I look forward to sharing that with you.

PRESIDENT HERZOG: Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you.

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A New Prime Minister In Kazakhstan To Tackle The Same Old Problems

By Chris Rickleton and RFE/RL's Kazakh Service February 07, 2024

ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- "Active work without formalities, bureaucracy, and unnecessary meetings. More deeds, fewer words."

This was how Kazakhstan's new Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov summed up his philosophy on government on February 6, the same day he was parachuted into the position from his prior role as President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev's chief of staff.

The second sentence here is key: More deeds, fewer words.

Because in Kazakhstan, speaking is for presidents, not prime ministers.

The following day, 70-year-old Toqaev spoke for more than an hour in an address to an expanded session of government.

As he spoke, Kazakhstan's mainstream media fired off headlines.

"Toqaev gave the government a year to solve problems in the construction industry."

"Toqaev criticized the situation with the roads in Kazakhstan."

"Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev ordered a doubling of the funding for agriculture."

"Toqaev: The Water Resources Ministry is not delivering the expected results."

"Toqaev gave instructions on tariffs for public services."

"Toqaev: 'Every heating season, the same problems'"

Most of these are old gripes. All of them are now the 43-year-old Bektenov's responsibility.

While asking lawmakers in the president-loyal parliament for their support -- 69 backed his candidacy, with seven abstaining -- Bektenov did not pretend to have an independent policymaking vision.

"The head of state has provided specific instructions regarding the economic development of the country, which will be carried out," he said.

But will Bektenov -- Kazakhstan's first prime minister with a law enforcement background -- be able to "carry out" those instructions any better than his predecessor?

No. 2 Is The Loneliest Number

Alikhan Smaiylov became Kazakh prime minister in January 2022, in the immediate aftermath of the country's worst independence-era unrest, when at least 238 people were killed.

Serving as first deputy prime minister prior to that, he replaced Askar Mamin, who had been appointed by Nursultan Nazarbaev just before the then-Kazakh leader resigned presidential power and allowed Toqaev, who was Senate chairman at the time, to step up as head of state.

At just less than two years and one month, Smaiylov's was the third-shortest of the 11 completed premierships in Kazakhstan's 32 years of independence.

But for all that, he did not fall very far from the median time afforded to a Kazakh head of government -- two years and five months.

In fact, he served in the role for a similar length of time to Toqaev, who managed two years and four months in the role just more than two decades ago.

It is when presidents start grumbling about government performance -- often echoing irritations expressed by the public -- that power starts draining from Kazakh premiers.

In this sense, Smaiylov had been a dead man walking for some time.

He survived a government shake up after parliamentary elections last spring and more rotations in the fall. But talk of a new prime minister had persisted since his first year in office.

Assessing Smaiylov's government on February 6, Toqaev was conciliatory, noting economic growth of 5.1 percent last year and a "positive dynamic of development" as a "significant achievement."

But in his February 7 speech at the expanded session of government he called for regular annual growth of 6 percent in the coming years and stressed economic liberalization, modernization, and an all-government drive to drum up foreign investment as priorities.

The problem with that, according to Kazakh political analyst Dimash Alzhanov, is that Kazakhstan's current political system leaves little space for initiative on the part of ministers and their cabinet chief.

"Both the prime minister and the cabinet of ministers are fully accountable to the president. Under these conditions, presidential absolutism is a serious limitation on government activities," Alzhanov told RFE/RL's Kazakh Service.

The Smaiylov premiership could be seen as both "a victim and a consequence" of this situation, Alzhanov argued.

Following a quick reshuffle, the vast majority of officials from Smaiylov's cabinet have retained their posts, with fresh appointments to head the Economics, Finance, Health, and Emergencies ministries, giving an indication of where Toqaev is seeking immediate improvement.

A New Generation Of Officials

If Smaiylov's dismissal had seemed to be in the cards, then Bektenov replacing him proved a surprise to many observers.

To be sure, chiefs of staff have become premiers in the past, and vice versa, but Bektenov has been a fairly low-profile operator to date.

Up until his appointment -- and unlike several of his cabinet colleagues -- he did not even have an English-language Wikipedia page.

Praising his protege in parliament, Toqaev called Bektenov "disciplined, honest, and hardworking" while praising his "high organization skills" and "extensive knowledge in economics and other areas."

Before spending 10 months as Toqaev's chief of staff, Bektenov led the Anti-Corruption Agency, a position to which he was promoted from deputy in the wake of the January 2022 unrest that left hundreds dead and brought an end to Nazarbaev's domination of political life.

As evidence emerged that lethal clashes in Kazakh cities had been at least partly driven by a high-stakes power struggle between the political camps surrounding the two men, Bektenov's agency was at the heart of investigations targeting Nazarbaev allies and some of the former president's relatives.

The lawyer by training has also been at the center of efforts to recover and repatriate billions of dollars of stolen assets belonging to the ex-ruling clan and other Nazarbaev associates.

Having a premier who is a lieutenant general by rank might help whip Kazakhstan's cabinet into shape in the short term.

But the government's economic performance won't be the only thing on Toqaev's mind.

Having only really enjoyed the kind of powers enjoyed by his overbearing predecessor for the last two years, the career diplomat is now busy recasting the elite in his own image.

That process will be all the more important to him in that he has pledged not to extend his presidency beyond his current term, which ends in 2029.

Bektenov is part of a new generation of officials who, while beginning their careers under the octogenarian Nazarbaev, owe their first leadership-level positions solely to the current president.

His replacement as chief of staff, Aybek Dadebaev, is the same age as Bektenov and previously occupied lower-ranking positions in Toqaev's administration.

Marat Nurtleu, 47, a long-time protege of Toqaev's, is currently serving as foreign minister, having been chief of staff prior to Bektenov's appointment in the spring.

The new emergency situations minister, 40-year-old Chyngis Arinov, was at the beginning of this week serving as the head of Toqaev's presidential security.

And Nurlan Baibazarov, the 49-year-old economy minister -- a post that comes with the rank of deputy prime minister -- is a cabinet debutant, having been moved across from the state-owned Baiterek financial holding group, where he spent just a few months in charge.

Bektenov's age of 43 years and 56 days at the time of his appointment, incidentally, makes him Kazakhstan's youngest ever prime minister -- a record that can also be extended to include the period when Kazakhstan was a Soviet republic.

His closest rival for that honor?

Nursultan Nazarbaev, who was about half a year older than Bektenov when he was appointed chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic in 1984.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-new-prime-minister- bektenov-toqaev-problems/32809750.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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Junta troops seize over 300 villagers in central Myanmar

During the raid, troops shot dead a woman fleeing the village, villagers said.

By RFA Burmese 2024.02.07 -- One woman died and over 300 villagers were detained after a junta raid in central Myanmar, residents and an armed resistance member told Radio Free Asia on Wednesday.

Troops shot 21-year-old Khin Soe Wai while she fled her village in Mandalay township, locals said.

Over 50 soldiers stormed Kan Swei village following a clash with local resistance forces on Sunday. Mandalay and Myingyan People's Defense Forces attacked junta troops with drones only half a mile away.

After shooting Khin Soe Wai, villagers said the column occupied the village's monastery, interrogating more than 100 villagers on Tuesday and burning down three homes.

Troops took more than 30 of them to a village in nearby Natogyi township.

After arriving in Na Nwin Taw Bo, soldiers arrested over 300 more villagers, who have not been released yet, Myingyan-based defense forces member Bo Moe Kyo told RFA on Wednesday.

"On the fifth, a woman from Kan Swei who ran away was shot dead," he said. "About 150 villagers in Kan Swei were detained in the monastery. They were beaten and tortured. About 30 of them were taken by the junta troops."

Since the raid, some 5,000 residents from eight villages in Myingyan township and Natogyi township have been forced to flee due to the junta column, he said.

"Na Nwin Taw Bo was raided by the column again. There were no casualties. But they arrested everyone they met: children, adults and women," he said. "More than 300 villagers were arrested. They are still being held as hostage."

Calls by RFA to Mandalay's junta spokesperson Thein Htay to learn more about the raid went unanswered on Wednesday.

In January, four women and five men from Mandalay region's Myingyan township were arrested and killed by junta troops.

As of Feb. 6, over 4,400 people across the country have been killed since the military seized power three years ago, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content 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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Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes says he has made mistakes during his time as the county's top cop but denied a multitude of allegations levied against him by county supervisors and reiterated he believes the investigation to be a "witch hunt."

Hakes is now in his 13th month running the sheriffs office, but his tenure has been plagued by allegations of poor leadership and impropriety. Hes been under investigation by the Chippewa County Board of Supervisors since the spring of 2023.

In a recent one-on one-interview, the 37-year-old sheriff maintained that he has not done anything improper.

Hakes admitted to making some mistakes, saying Im only human, but defended himself against a multitude of accusations against him.

'Witch hunt'

Hakes said the county's investigation report about him is full of overreaching accusations.

Hakes said he was notified of a request from the county's investigator for all documents with his name on them for a 10-year period of time.

For what reason? To me, that's a witch hunt, he said Jan. 31.

One of the issues thats been brought up by the county board is his lack of cooperation with the investigator hired by the county to look into his conduct.

Von Briesen & Roper attorney Jill Pedigo Halls 87-page report on Hakes, released in the summer of 2023, showed the Chippewa County Board began investigating Hakes for inappropriate text messages but quickly expanded in scope to include concerns about Hakes' honesty, leadership, competence, training compliance, absenteeism, policy violations, handling of confidential information, conflicts of interest and impropriety on the job.

Hakes released a 37-page counter investigation in the fall of 2023 claiming that Halls report contains defects, which include over a dozen provable false statements and suggestive, misleading, speculative or incomplete statements. It states that Hall failed to verify information that was readily available.

Noncooperation

The Chippewa County Board reported Jan. 12 that Hakes continued to not cooperate with the investigation into him. The board decided to treat Hakes as noncooperative, saying it will not consider further information from sheriff Hakes regarding this matter.

Hakes acknowledged he wasnt fully cooperating with Hall's ongoing investigation.

I felt that was a waste of taxpayer funds. I think hiring her to review the report that I said was inaccurate the first time is kind of the definition of bias. I mean, if I said, Hey, I think she made some inaccurate statements in her report, I highly doubt hiring her to review those is gonna yield any different response. So I agreed to participate in writing so my words cannot be twisted, Hakes said. I didn't think her approach was efficient or fair.

He said many of the details included in the investigator's report about him were irrelevant.

What I'm telling you is that I believe a biased attorney was given the county's checkbook and issued a blank check to go free at will, he said.

Hall did not return calls seeking comment for this story.

Law enforcement career

Prior to his election as Chippewa County sheriff, Hakes was a reserve officer in the Lake Hallie Police Department before becoming the chief of police in Elk Mound, a position he held from 2013 to 2017.

It was a part-time agency with a handful of staff, he said.

He then went on to serve as an officer at the Chetek Police Department. Hakes said he voluntarily chose to leave the post.

It was because of personal reasons, he said.

Hakes is one of the youngest sheriffs in the state and has shown an ambition to seek elected office.

In 2016, he ran for 67th State Assembly seat but lost the primary to Rob Summerfield.

Hakes was sworn in as sheriff in January of 2023. Hakes, a Republican, defeated Democratic candidate Chris Kowalczyk in the November 2022 election. Chris Kowalczyk's brother, Jim Kowalczyk, did not seek re-election after serving as sheriff for 16 years.

'This is not justice'

Hakes said he would not ask current employees to discuss their professional relationship with him. He also said he didnt want to involve current department members in this circus.

The Herald independently reached out to Chippewa County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Curt Dutton, who declined to comment about the Hakes situation.

Three former colleagues defended Hakes and his leadership.

Retired Wisconsin Department of Justice senior special agent Jeffrey Kostner said he worked with Hakes when the pair instructed at Chippewa Valley Technical College in the law enforcement recruit training program. Kostner said he also worked with Hakes while Hakes was an officer in the village of Lake Hallie.

The pair taught civilian classes on firearms instruction together.

I always try to be impartial. I'm very much into justice because of where I worked, Kostner said. I have conducted hundreds if not thousands of investigations and interviews and written extensive reports that have led people to be incarcerated or not. I have read every bit of the released information regarding sheriff Hakes and believe that the entire investigation is jaded and slanted. That's my professional opinion from someone who has conducted numerous investigations. This is not justice.

Kostner said he thought the investigation report was one-sided.

He also said he had a hard time believing that not one person said one thing nice about Travis. That doesnt track.

In an email to the Chippewa Herald, retired Chippewa County Sheriff Doug Ellis wrote that Hakes is "selfless and public-spirited.

Hakes was a jailer who worked under Ellis in 2006 for Chippewa County. Ellis hired Hakes.

Former police officer Cory Dechow said Hakes is a good listener, educator and supporter of the community. He said he worked with Hakes for a number of years in law enforcement.

A lot of being a cop and dealing with people is trying to obtain their trust, whether they are good or bad. We want in that very moment of crisis, for them to confide in us so we can make the best informed decisions we can, Dechow said. Most of the time, the people in need just want someone who will listen to them first, then help. Sometimes you see cops that are all about tickets and numbers for their own stats  they lose sight of their why. Sheriff Hakes hasnt lost his why.

Dechow said he became a cop because he wanted to try to make a difference in the lives of others.

My mother was abused physically when I was younger and tried to make a difference. Sometimes people forget their why, that was my why, he said.

He referred to Hakes an admired person and selfless.

He said Hakes' mission in life is to better his community, wherever he is, on duty or off duty.

'Chose my words poorly'

In 2020, Hakes was accused of implying that he could delete or destroy body camera footage. According to Chippewa County District Attorney Wade Newell, while working for the Chetek Police Department in 2020, Hakes told a victim during a domestic violence call that he could turn off his body camera or that sometimes video gets lost.

That's what I was accused of. I didn't tell anybody, I didn't tell another officer that they should shut camera footage off. I was accused of implying on body camera footage that I could delete or not turn over body camera footage, he said.

Hakes said the domestic violence victim told him that they wanted to be a confidential informant.

We have the legal ability and we're legally required to, under certain circumstances, redact video footage from victims who have an expectation of privacy. So what I did was a terrible job of articulating to the victim, that under certain circumstances, there is the ability to redact, to exclude audio. There is the ability to do certain things under certain requirements of the law to protect their identity. I think people miss the fact that I did a terrible job trying to articulate that to a victim of domestic violence who had concerns.

Hakes said the body camera exists because he chose to turn it on. He said he did take it back to the office, plugged it in, replicated it and put it in the case file.

I was trying to comfort a victim of domestic violence, and I chose my words poorly, he said. Anybody that knows me will tell you that there was never any concern that I would ever get rid of footage or that I would ever destroy evidence. I chose my words to explain this state law poorly.

Hakes said the victim in the case ended up taking their own life, which has made the accusations all the more difficult.

This victim still has a family, and they still have children. I will do my best to be as clear as possible without being too detailed enough that it affects their family, he said.

Hakes said a hearing on the matter would have cleared him of any wrongdoing.

I was not worried then about the outcome of the hearing, he said. If I would not have chosen to leave, I would have stayed employed there if I chose to do so.

County investigation

On Sept. 19, 2023, the Chippewa County Board met in a closed session to discuss the conduct of Hakes after a county employee reported he had sexually harassed her.

The complaint was filed May 19 by a new dispatcher in the sheriffs department. In her complaint, the dispatcher, who no longer works at the department, presented a series of text communications initiated by the sheriff from his personal cell phone that began two days after she began work with the department.

Hakes has referred to the county board as a cabal of those that wish to thwart the decision of Chippewa County voters in electing who they want as sheriff.

He said the board have sunk so low as they will be considering to take action in an attempt to remove me from office," he said in September. I will not let these few autocrats deny you the right to select your chief county law enforcement officer.

Chippewa County Administrator Randy Scholz said Feb. 1 that nothing's changed since the county board voted Oct. 10 to continue its investigation into Hakes.

We are just waiting for that to be concluded, Scholz said.
Arakan Army captures two junta battalions in Rakhine state

Ethnic rebels now control Minbya township, and nearly 1 of the state's 3 military command centers.

By RFA Burmese 2024.02.07 -- The Arakan Army has captured two key military units in western Myanmar's Rakhine state, giving it effective control of Minbya township and putting it in a position to challenge junta control of the state capital, according to an ethnic rebel alliance and sources in the region.

On Tuesday morning, the Arakan Army, or AA, routed Light Infantry Battalions 379 and 541 - the two junta battalions that remained in Minbya after the ethnic rebels captured the 380th battalion on Jan. 28 - the Three Brotherhood Alliance, of which the AA is a member, said in a statement.

"All junta soldiers surrendered to the AA," said a resident who, like others interviewed for this report, spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns. It wasn't clear how many soldiers this entailed, but the latest estimates by military experts suggest most battalions in the Burmese Army have around 200 men.

The takeover means "the AA now controls Minbya," he said. People are worried about possible airstrikes by the military and "don't dare go outside."

aaThe advances are the latest in a series of victories for the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which launched a campaign in October on junta forces in the northern and western parts of the country.

In northern Rakhine and neighboring Chin state, the AA seized arms and ammunition during several attacks on junta positions in January.

On Jan. 16, nearly 300 junta troops surrendered to the AA after it took control of two major military junta encampments in Kyauktaw township. And on Jan. 24, the Three Brotherhood Alliance said in a statement that the AA had won full control of Pauktaw, a port city just 16 miles (25 kilometers) east of the Rakhine capital Sittwe.

The takeovers follow the AA's occupation of the entirety of western Chin's Paletwa region - a mere 18 kilometers (11 miles) from the border with Bangladesh - in November, after it ended a ceasefire that had been in place with the junta since the military's Feb. 1, 2021, coup d'etat.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance claimed in a statement late on Tuesday that the AA has now captured all but two of the 10 light infantry battalions under the aegis of the No. 9 Military Operations Command in Kyauktaw. They include the 379th, 380th and 541th battalions in Minbya; the 374th, 376th and 539th in Kyauktaw; and 378th and 540th in Mrauk-U township - the last two of which were also taken on Tuesday morning, the alliance said.

The two remaining light infantry battalions under the No. 9 Military Operations Command are 377th in Mrauk-U and 375th in Kyautaw, according to the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which added that the AA had also taken control of Artillery Battalion 377 in Kyauktaw.

Central Rakhine offensive

No. 9 Military Operations Command in central Rakhine's Kyauktaw township is one of three junta command centers in the state, the other two being No. 5 in southern Rakhine's Toungup township and No. 15 in northern Rakhine's Buthidaung township.

A Rakhine-based military observer told RFA that the AA is focusing on taking control of No. 9 Military Operations Command so that it can launch offensives from the region against battalions under No. 5 and No. 15.

"If the AA can capture the [Operations Command] in Kyauktaw, then they will control the central area of the state," the observer said. "This area is important for military offensives, so the AA could use it to launch strategic attacks on the military in other areas."

The observer noted that the junta is ceding battalions and townships despite its use of the air force, navy and ground troops, suggesting that it no longer has the capacity to counter AA offensives.

He also suggested that if the AA is able to take complete control of Mrauk-U and Kyauktaw, it would likely push on to fight for control of the capital Sittwe and Ann township, where the junta's Western Military Headquarters is located.

"If the junta loses these towns, it can be assumed that the next phase of battles will occur in Sittwe ... and Ann," he said. "It may then spread further to Buthidaung and Rathedaung townships."

The AA has yet to issue any statements about the junta battalions they have captured, casualties suffered in the fighting, or the number of military troops who have surrendered.

Rapid gains

Another resident monitoring the military situation in Rakhine told RFA that the AA could assume control of as many as five townships in the north of the state by the end of February, before advancing south.

"We earlier thought that the AA would proceed with attacks in southern Rakhine only in 2025, after first taking control of the north," he said. "However, they have made significant gains in Ramree and Toungup townships in a short span of time. The junta soldiers have fled [across the borders] to Bangladesh and India, and more soldiers will surrender soon."

In its statement on Tuesday, the Three Brotherhood Alliance said it also expects that the AA will fully capture the Taung Pyo Let Wei and Taung Pyo Let Yar border outposts north of Rakhine's Maungdaw township along the border with Bangladesh, days after launching attacks on the two areas.

The alliance claimed that AA fighters had located the bodies of several members of the junta-affiliated Border Guard Forces killed in the fighting and confiscated a large cache of arms and ammunition, adding that "more than 200 junta soldiers fled the area to Bangladesh."

Meanwhile, fighting remains fierce in Ramree township, where the AA launched attacks on a military outpost in December, residents of the area said. More than 10,000 civilians have fled the clashes and at least 60 homes were destroyed in military airstrikes and artillery attacks, they said.

The junta has yet to release any statements related to the military situation in Rakhine state.

Attempts by RFA to contact junta spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun and AA spokesman Khaing Thukha went unanswered Wednesday.

In the three months since the AA ended its ceasefire, more than 110 civilians have been killed and at least 250 injured in fighting in Rakhine state, according to data compiled by RFA.

Translated by Aung Naing and Htin Aung Kyaw. 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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UNICEF condemns air strike on schools in Myanmar

7 February 2024 - The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has strongly condemned Monday's deadly airstrike on two schools in eastern Myanmar resulting in the deaths of at least four children and two teachers, with many more left injured.

The children killed were boys between 12 and 14 years of age.

"UNICEF strongly condemns any strikes against schools and places of learning, which must always be safe spaces for children," Debora Comini, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific, said in a statement.

"Attacks against schools are a grave violation of children's rights and international humanitarian law."

According to media reports, over 100 children were present at the time of the attack. Those killed and injured were among many running to bunkers as military aircrafts dropped bombs and fired machine guns.

Over 90 per cent of the school was reportedly destroyed.

The school is in an area recently marked by intense clashes between military forces and armed groups opposing the junta, according to media reports.

Intensified conflicts

The strikes came as the military coup marked its third anniversary on 1 February amid a deepening humanitarian crisis that has left 18.6 million people across the country dependent on aid.

Since the military takeover in 2021, armed conflicts across Myanmar have intensified, including indiscriminate airstrikes resulting in numerous civilian casualties, mass killings of detainees, dismemberment, desecration of bodies, rape and the intentional burning of entire villages

The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to collect evidence of serious crimes, revealed that the pattern of such crimes pointed to an "organizational policy" of the junta.

"The evidence reveals a pattern that indicates that these are not isolated crimes, but rather a manifestation of an organizational policy implemented on a widespread and systematic basis by the military regime," Nicholas Koumjian, head of IIMM said in a statement last week.

"No one has yet been held accountable for these crimes, which has deepened the culture of impunity in the country," he added.

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Myanmar Fighting Raises Hopes, Fears in Bangladesh

By Sabir Mustafa February 07, 2024

Growing apprehension is palpable in Bangladesh as the civil war in neighboring Myanmar inches closer to its border, with two deaths reported Tuesday when stray shells from Myanmar landed in a village in the hilly Bandarban District.

Aware of the rising threat, Bangladesh placed security forces on high alert along its 270-mile frontier with Myanmar's restive Rakhine state, with particular focus on the Naf River that serves as a natural boundary.

Historically known as Arakan, Myanmar's Rakhine state was the site of a brutal military crackdown in 2017 that drove more than 1 million ethnic Rohingyas to seek refuge in Bangladesh. Initially welcoming them with open arms, Bangladesh has since grown restless over their prolonged presence.

"Bangladesh shares a small border but a big issue with Myanmar," said Touhid Hossain, former foreign secretary of Bangladesh, describing the challenges of repatriation.

Although Myanmar's ruling military junta has agreed to take back the displaced Rohingyas, it has not agreed to grant them citizenship, while many of the Rohingya themselves refuse to return to life under a military junta they distrust.

A grim picture

Reports from the sprawling Rohingya camps in coastal Cox's Bazar, the southernmost district of Bangladesh, paint a grim picture of the nearby conflict. The sounds of gunfire and explosions in Rakhine resonate within the makeshift shelters, underscoring the reality of the situation.

The Arakan Army, a predominantly non-Rohingya rebel group fighting for an autonomous Rakhine state, launched a significant offensive last October, coordinating with other ethnic armed groups to place immense pressure on Myanmar's ruling military, known as the Tatmadaw. Reports suggest the Tatmadaw has retaliated with artillery bombardments, causing civilian casualties, including Rohingyas in Rakhine.

The death of villagers caused by stray shelling has increased domestic pressure on the Bangladesh government. Myanmar's ambassador in Dhaka was summoned on Tuesday to hear a "strong protest," Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters.

The Associated Press reported Monday that more than 100 members of Myanmar's border police force, many of them wounded, have taken refuge in Bangladesh, while regional news outlets put the number at more than 225.

Concerns conflict will spread

The primary concern in Dhaka, however, is that the conflict may spill over into Bangladesh itself.

Despite these fears, some observers call it unlikely.

"There is no chance of the fighting spilling over into Bangladesh," stated Mohammad Emdadul Islam, a retired army major who headed Bangladesh's consulate in Sittwe, Rakhine's capital, during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He argued that the Arakan Army would likely retreat north to Chin state and then onward to Kachin, avoiding direct confrontation with Bangladesh.

Former Secretary Hossain added that armed groups and any new influx of refugees would no longer be welcome in Bangladesh, which has grappled with displaced Rohingyas three times in four decades, most recently in 2017.

The scale and duration of the latest crisis, however, far exceeds previous scenarios. In 1979 and 1992, some quarter-million Rohingya refugees were repatriated within a year of arrival. Since 2017, Dhaka's diplomatic efforts have been stalled by the absence of safety guarantees and denials of citizenship, while broad international condemnation of Myanmar's military as perpetrators of genocide has failed to soften the junta's stance.

Even Dhaka's efforts to have China broker a deal with the Tatmadaw have yet to produce results.

But Islam, who has experience working with Myanmar's military, said the southeast Asian country's history of self-sufficiency and its insular outlook make it unusually resistant to international pressure, regardless of China's stance.

Against this backdrop, observers like Hossain in Dhaka see the recent escalation in fighting as a potential opportunity for change.

"Bangladesh has nothing to gain from the status quo," said Hossain, emphasizing the need for progress in negotiations.

Others, such as Dhaka-based international affairs researcher Md Himel Rahman, view the situation with trepidation.

"If the [Arakan Army] wins this war, Bangladesh will share borders with an unrecognized statelet," he wrote in The Diplomat. "If the [Arakan Army] loses this war, Bangladesh could witness an influx of disguised [Arakan Army] fighters into its territory."

Hossain, however, remains hopeful that negotiations involving the pro-democracy National Unity Government (NUG), formed by elements of the ousted civilian government, could play a significant role in resolving the crisis. He also sees the Arakan Army as a potential key player in the process.

On the eve of the coup's third anniversary, the NUG has reiterated its commitment to ending the military's political rule and transitioning the country back to civilian governance through negotiations. That potentially leaves the door open for talks, provided Myanmar's military accepts the NUG's political objectives.

Hossain believes that both the NUG and the Arakan Army could be pivotal in resolving the Rohingya crisis, pointing out that the NUG has already recognized the Rohingyas as citizens and promised them security and rights. He calls for Bangladesh to establish an informal channel of communication with the groups.

Islam, on the other hand, remains skeptical that the fighting bodes well for Bangladesh. He believes the Tatmadaw's policy toward Bangladesh is driven by deeply rooted concerns that a massive influx of Bangladeshi migrants a including the displaced Rohingya whom they often demean as "illegal Bengalis" a will return to Rakhine. (The Rohingya are a Muslim minority seen by many Myanmar Buddhists as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, a contentious claim that lacks strong historical evidence.)

Further complicating Dhaka's management of the crisis a the geopolitical rivalry between India and China.

Beijing's $7.3 billion Bay of Bengal deep-sea port in Kyaukphyu on the Rakhine coast, which has been in development since 2010, is expected to give China strategic access to the Indian Ocean, allowing it to bypass the narrow Strait of Malacca through which some 80% of its oil imports now arrive from the Middle East.

Meanwhile, India's development of a port in Sittwe got underway in 2023. It is the first node of a $484 million project aimed at connecting greater India with its landlocked northeast through western Myanmar's Rakhine and Chin states, bypassing Bangladesh.

Amid those challenges, Bangladesh is left to manage a delicate balancing act while hoping for a resolution to the Rohingya crisis and a peaceful resolution to the conflict on its border with Myanmar.

This story originated in VOA's Bangla Service.

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Twin bombings in Pakistan kill 28 ahead of elections

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 07 February 2024 6:24 PM

Two bomb explosions near the offices of electoral candidates in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan have killed at least 28 people, officials said.

Dozens of people were also injured in the bombings a day before the parliamentary elections.

Jan Achakzai, the caretaker information minister of Balochistan, said the first blast was carried out at the office of Asfandyar Khan Kakar on Wednesday. Kakar is an independent election candidate in the Pishin district.

The attack in close proximity to the Afghanistan border killed 16 people.

Meanwhile, the religious party Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI) was once again targeted in Qilla Saifullah as the second explosion was carried out near their office.

Yasir Bazai, the deputy commissioner of Qilla Saifullah, said a motorcycle parked near the office was rigged with an explosive device. 12 people were killed and 25 injured.

The terrorist attacks were carried out when a large number of workers and supporters of political leaders had gathered for meetings, according to officials.

No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the bomb attacks.

Pakistan's foreign office has said in light of the attacks, the western border crossings with Iran and Afghanistan will be temporarily closed until Friday. The move is to ensure the safety and security during the election period.

Earlier on Monday, the militant group Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for an attack that killed 10 people at a police station in northwest Pakistan. The TTP stated that it was targeting the police and security forces, but not electoral candidates.

Violence ahead of elections and on the day of polling is common in Pakistan, which has struggled to rein in militancy, as militant groups and personal grudges target candidates and rallies.

The provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have emerged as breeding grounds for militancy.

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Dozens Killed In Blasts Ahead Of Pakistani Elections; Islamic State Claims Responsibility

By RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal February 07, 2024

Two blasts near election offices of candidates in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan killed nearly 30 people and wounded dozens on February 7, a day before the parliamentary vote is to be held in the South Asian country.

The Islamic State (IS) extremist group claimed responsibility for both bombings.

The first attack happened in Pishin, a district in Balochistan Province near the Afghan border, killing 17 and wounding several others, local security official Naseebullah Kakar told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal.

The explosion occurred outside the election office of independent candidate and former provincial minister Asfandyar Khan Kakar, officials said, adding that he was not harmed in the blast.

The first attack, which killed 12, took place at the office of an independent election candidate in Pishin district.

The second blast occurred in Qilla Saifullah, near an office of Maulana Abdul Wasi, a candidate of Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI), a religious party that has previously been the target of militant attacks, Yasir Baz, the head of the local administration, told the media.

At least 12 people were killed and 25 wounded in that attack, officials said.

IS fighters denotated an explosives-rigged motorbike "in the middle of an election gathering" in Qilla Saifullah, the group said in a statement on Telegram shortly after claiming responsibility for the attack in the Pishin district.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attacks, his spokesman said, adding that they were "clearly related to the elections" scheduled to be held the next day.

"We strongly condemn the horrific attacks, and the bomb explosions that we saw earlier today that killed many, many people and injured many more a day before the elections," Stephane Dujarric said.

Several groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a banned Baloch separatist group, the Islamist militant Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and Islamic State (IS) have carried out attacks in recent months in the region.

"The Election Commission has asked the chief secretary and inspector-general of Balochistan for immediate reports and instructed them to take action against those behind the events," a spokesman for the Election Commission said in a statement.

The government in Islamabad, meanwhile, announced that it was closing the borders with Afghanistan and Iran ahead of the elections.

Violence has been on the rise in Pakistan ahead of the elections.

At least 10 police officers were killed when dozens of heavily armed fighters attacked a police station in Daraban, a town in Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, which borders Afghanistan, on February 5.

Late last month, four police officers and two civilians were killed by BLA militants in Balochistan.

With reporting by AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-bombing-voting- elections-parliamentary-vote-violence-20/32808874.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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Another Explosion Occurs in Pakistan's Balochistan Province Bringing Death Toll Up to 25 - Reports

Sputnik News

20240207

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Another explosion occurred in Pakistan, the total death toll has risen to 25 and another 40 people are injured, Pakistani TV channel GEO reported on Wednesday.

The first explosion, killing 12 people and injuring over 30 others, took place outside the office of independent election candidate Asfand Yar Khan Kakar in the Pishin district.

Both of the explosions targeted election candidates in Balochistan, just a day before the Pakistani general election, the TV channel reported.

The politician was absent from the office at the moment of the bombing. A local doctor was cited as saying that the injured had been taken to hospital, with most of them being in critical condition.

Earlier in the day, media reported that eight people have been killed and several others were injured in an explosion outside the headquarters of a political party in the Balochistan province in southwestern Pakistan.

A Sputnik

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Bomb Blasts Kill 30 in Pakistan Ahead of Thursday's Elections

By Ayaz Gul February 07, 2024

Authorities in Pakistan said Wednesday that at least 30 people are dead and dozens more injured in two bomb blasts targeting election campaign offices in southwestern Baluchistan province.

The deadly bombings in Pishin and Qilla Saifullah districts have fueled security concerns ahead of Thursday's national elections in the country of about 241 million people.

"It is important to emphasize that the scheduled elections will proceed as planned," said Jan Achakzai, the provincial government spokesperson. He added that "terrorists" would not be allowed to undermine the "crucial democratic process."

A regional affiliate of Islamic State, known as Islamic State-Khorasan or IS-K, claimed the Pishin bombing but no group took credit for the second blast. The violence came a week after a bomb explosion hit an election rally in another Baluchistan district and killed five people. IS-K claimed responsibility for that attack.

Pakistan's caretaker prime minister, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, condemned Wednesday's bombings and reaffirmed his government's commitment to ensuring peaceful elections in the country, according to a statement released by his office in Islamabad.

The South Asian nation has deployed tens of thousands of police and paramilitary forces at polling stations nationwide to ensure the safety of voters during the elections for the national and four provincial assemblies.

A spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Tuesday deplored all acts of violence against political parties and candidates in Pakistan.

"In the lead-up to the vote, there have been no less than 24 reported instances in which armed groups have staged attacks against members of political parties," said Elisabeth Throssell.

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Meeting with Government members

The President held a meeting with Government members via videoconference. The main topic was the development of air transport in the medium term. A number of current issues were reviewed at the start of the meeting.

February 7, 2024

16:45

The Kremlin, Moscow

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov, deputy prime ministers Viktoria Abramchenko, Tatyana Golikova, Alexander Novak, Alexei Overchuk and Marat Khusnullin, Deputy Prime Minister - Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, Deputy Prime Minister - Plenipotentiary Presidential Representative in the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev, Presidential Aide Maxim Oreshkin, Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov and Finance Minister Anton Siluanov.

Also invited to the meeting were Minister of Labour and Social Protection Anton Kotyakov, Minister of Transport Vitaly Savelyev, Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities Irek Faizullin, Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina, Head of the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service Maxim Shaskolsky, General Director of the State Transport Leasing Company Yevgeny Ditrikh, General Director of Rosseti Andrei Ryumin and Director-General of the United Aircraft Corporation Yury Slyusar.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues,

We discussed several issues with the Prime Minister and other colleagues in the morning, and now we will talk in a broader format and on a specific issue that is important for the economy and our people - the transport sector.

But, before we start, let's discuss some current issues. The first one concerns the development of the Eastern Operating Domain. It is also more or less directly related to what we will be discussing, although we will mostly talk about aviation. But it is also part of the transport sector.

In this context, we must increase freight figures in the Far East. This year, the total should be 180 million tonnes, reaching 210 million tonnes by the end of 2030.

To reach these targets, we must resolve a number of issues, including the electrification of the Eastern Operating Domain. We have definite plans and are working toward this.

Mr Novak, how far along is this work right now?

<...>

Vladimir Putin: Colleagues,

As I said in the beginning of this meeting, I suggest that we dwell on a matter of special importance for our transport sector and for everyone in Russia, as well as for making the country more interconnected and raising the quality of life for our people. We will discuss efforts to develop air travel, as I have already said.

Last year, Russian air carriers served over 105 million passengers, up 10.7 percent year-on-year, which exceeded our expectations since we projected a figure of about 103 million people.

Almost 83 million people took domestic flights, and passenger traffic in this segment increased 13 percent compared to the pre-pandemic level of 2019.

I would like to thank our air carriers, their crews and people working at the airports for this result and for their coordinated work. Let me add that the fact that we achieved this level in terms of passenger traffic means that our regions and cities are becoming increasingly popular as tourist destinations, and that our economy has been operating on a stable footing.

Of course, we need to keep this momentum going in the aviation sector and to make sure that this extremely important element of modern transport continues to develop. Considering how vast Russia is, as we all know, and its huge territory, this is doubly important, if not more.

Therefore, apart from projected passenger numbers, at this meeting I would like to hear what kind of measures we have in store for improving infrastructure in the aviation sector, as well as for expanding and upgrading our air fleet. This is not an easy task, as I am fully aware, but still, we must be proactive, while also ensuring that air travel is more affordable for our people.

I would like to emphasise the importance of airfares. It is essential that we prevent excessive price hikes without compromising service quality or flight safety. This must be a priority for air carriers, the Ministry of Transport and other relevant agencies.

Next. We are developing airfield infrastructure, including runways, communication stations, weather stations and equipment. In the past six years, 33 pieces of infrastructure have been completed and opened in Russia, including 19 runways. Thirteen more facilities will be opened before the end of this year.

I would like to ask you to report specifically on further plans to strengthen airfield infrastructure, considering its current state, and plans to develop aviation operations, including domestic and inter-regional operations. I also expect to hear proposals on funding mechanisms for this type of projects. It is important to make sure that the additional financial load does not result in airfare hikes.

Of course, we are focused on developing civil aircraft engineering here in Russia. I have already mentioned it briefly. It is a serious and technology-intensive industry that requires special attention. Only several countries in the world are capable of releasing modern aircraft, and Russia is one of them.

We have ambitious plans ready. Please tell me about their progress. I certainly know the general state of the industry; however, the goal of this meeting is to concentrate on several issues that need our particular attention. Therefore, I would like to hear about cooperation in engine technology and the manufacturing of other modules, materials and components. Also, I would like to know more about the delivery timeline for the airplanes.

We already have certain plans mapped out and I would like to hear about their progress.

I want to stress once again that Russian aircraft must comply with all existing standards concerning quality, flight comfort and safety. They must have globally competitive technical specifications and be delivered to airline companies as agreed and without delays.

Once again, our aviation industry, our citizens and our economy need these planes. I expect that the Government, Rostec, our aircraft manufacturers and financial bodies will work together effectively.

Let's begin. We have two speakers today, Mr Savelyev and Mr Manturov.

Please, go ahead.

<...>

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Massive Explosion Reported Near Russian City That Is Home To Missile Production Plant

By RFE/RL's Russian Service February 07, 2024

A large explosion lit up the night sky on February 7 near Votkinsk, a city about 1,000 kilometers east of Moscow that is the location of a Russian military production facility.

Residents of Votkinsk reported that a powerful explosion had occurred near the city and posted videos on social media showing high flames and a massive yellow glow over the horizon.

Further messages said the explosion occurred at the Votkinsk Machine-Building Plant, which produces some of the Russian military's most sophisticated missiles, including the types it has used against Ukraine.

The explosion was also reported by TASS, which quoted the emergency services agency as saying there had been a "scheduled test of rocket engines" at the plant.

"This is not an emergency, [but] a planned [event]," a spokesman for the Ministry of Emergency Situations, was quoted as saying by the Russian state media outlet.

But there was no indication of a planned test at the ministry's website.

There are no details about casualties.

At the end of 2023, the Votkinsk plant published 19 government contracts for the production of nuclear weapons components. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the plant in 2011 while serving as prime minister. A post on the Kremlin website at that time said the plant had 23 shops for "special purpose manufacturing" and employed 250 people.

The Votkinsk plant is located 50 kilometers from Izhevsk, the capital of the Udmurtia region. It makes sections and warhead platforms for Topol-M, Yars, and Bulava missile systems as well as bodies for Iskander missiles, according to the Kremlin website.

"Your plant is one of the leading enterprises in Russia's defense industry," Putin said at the time of his visit in 2011.

"Everyone knows -- and especially you -- that the Votkinsk plant is one of the key enterprises in Russia's defense industry. And it will receive a large order under the new state armaments program."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-voktinsk-missile- production-plant-explosion/32809727.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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Sweden Ends Investigation Into Nord Stream Blasts Due To Jurisdiction Issues

By RFE/RL February 07, 2024

Sweden has ended its investigation into the explosions that rocked the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in 2022, saying it has no jurisdiction to proceed.

Prosecutors said on February 7 that a preliminary investigation has given authorities "a good picture" of the incident and that nothing has emerged to indicate that Sweden or Swedish citizens were involved in the attack, which took place in international waters.

Western officials initially blamed Russia for the blasts, which all but destroyed the pipelines. Moscow blamed the West, saying it had no reason for damaging an energy link vital to bringing its supplies westward.

"The preliminary investigation has been systematic and thorough. Among other things, a large number of ship movements have been analyzed in order to understand what has happened. In addition to that, an extensive crime scene investigation has been carried out and several interrogations have been held in the matter," the Swedish Prosecution Authority said in a statement.

"Against the background of the situation we now have, we can state that Swedish jurisdiction is missing," public prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist said in the statement.

Two more investigations, one by Denmark and another one by Germany, are still under way.

"I can inform you that our investigations are ongoing. No further information will be shared at this point," Germany's Federal Prosecutor-General's press office said in an emailed response to RFE/RL.

The blasts, which occurred on September 26, 2022, on the Baltic seabed east of the Danish island of Bornholm, caused massive leaks and were seen as a dangerous attack on European energy infrastructure half a year into Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

The blasts were discovered due to the residual gas that was bubbling up to the surface.

The source of the explosions, which increased tensions that followed the start of the war, has remained a major international mystery.

Nord Stream is majority-owned by Russia's Gazprom and supplies millions of Europeans with gas.

The pipelines were built by Russia to bring its gas directly to Europe via Germany, bypassing Ukraine, Poland, and other nations that had hostile ties with Moscow. While the first pipeline was operational, the second had not gotten final approval from German regulators.

The United States had warned for years that the pipelines were a security risk for Germany and other European nations, making the countries beholden to Russian energy exports.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Mike Eckel and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/sweden-nord-stream- investigation/32808976.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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MILWAUKEE  The daughter of a Wisconsin inmate who killed himself in solitary confinement has filed a federal lawsuit against state prison officials, alleging they failed to provide adequate mental health care and medications.

Dean Hoffmann was found dead in his cell at Waupun Correctional Institution in June on the ninth day of a stint in solitary confinement. He is one of at least three Waupun inmates who died in 2023. The other two deaths remain under investigation.

Hoffmann's daughter, Megan Hoffmann Kolb, filed the lawsuit in Milwaukee on Tuesday seeking unspecified damages.

Hoffmann was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison in February 2023 for kidnapping a woman in 2018. His daughter alleges in the lawsuit that he was suffering from severe mental illness when he entered Waupun in April. He went weeks without seeing any mental health care providers due to a lockdown Warden Randall Hepp implemented in March and received medication only sporadically.

Guards placed Hoffmann in solitary confinement on June 20 after he refused to return to his cell, saying his cellmate had threatened him. He was found dead in solitary on June 29. The lawsuit alleges no one performed a psychological check on him while he was in solitary, a guard told him he didn't care if he killed himself and guards didn't give him his medication the morning he killed himself.

State Department of Corrections spokesperson Beth Hardtke said the agency doesn't comment on pending litigation as a matter of policy.

A shortage of guards has forced several Wisconsin prisons, including institutions in Waupun, Green Bay and Stanley, to institute lockdowns last year. Some movement restrictions have since eased but the lockdowns are still ongoing.

A group of Waupun inmates filed a class-action federal lawsuit in Milwaukee in October alleging lockdown conditions amount to cruel and unusual punishment. Megan Hoffmann Kolb's attorney, Lonnie Story, is representing the inmates in that case as well.
Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation Imangali Tasmagambetov

7 February 2024 19:03

213-07-02-2024



On February 7, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) Imangali Tasmagambetov.

The officials discussed current issues related to the CSTO's activities, the implementation of the decisions adopted at the Collective Security Council session on November 23, 2023 and the preparations for the CSTO Foreign Ministers meeting next June.

At the end of the meeting, Mr Tasmagambetov presented CSTO awards to Foreign Ministry employees.

In turn, Mr Lavrov presented the Foreign Ministry's badge "For Cooperation" to the Executive Secretary of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly and Head of its Secretariat, Sergey Pospelov, for his meaningful contribution to promoting inter-parliamentary cooperation in the CSTO format.

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Sweden Stops Investigation Into Nord Stream Blasts - Prosecution Authority

Sputnik News

20240207

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Sweden announces the termination of the investigation into the explosions at the Nord Stream gas pipelines, the Swedish Prosecution Authority said on Wednesday.

"The conclusion of the investigation is that Swedish jurisdiction does not apply and that the investigation therefore should be closed," the authority said in a statement, adding that "the authorities have a clear view of the incident and that nothing has emerged to indicate that Sweden or Swedish citizens were involved in the attack."

The prosecution authority said the fact that the sabotage at the pipelines was not directed against the interests of Sweden was among reasons to terminate the investigation.

Sweden has handed the materials on the explosions at the Nord Stream pipelines to Germany for its investigation into the matter.

"We have had in-depth cooperation with the investigation conducted by the German authorities. Within the framework of this legal cooperation, we have been able to hand over material that can be used as evidence in the German investigation," Swedish public prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist said.

Germany continues to investigate the Nord Stream pipelines explosions, and Sweden can no longer comment on the cooperation in the case, the official said.

"The German investigation continues and due to the secrecy that prevails in international legal cooperation, I cannot comment further on the cooperation that has taken place. With reference to this, I will also not be able to comment anything further on the conclusions of the Swedish investigation or comment on any suspected persons in the Swedish investigation," Ljungqvist said.

Commenting on Sweden's refusal to investigate the Nord Stream pipelines explosions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it is noteworthy.

"Germany is a country that has lost a very important asset, there were German firms that took part in a joint venture that was the operator of those pipes that were blown up as a result of this terrorist sabotage against critical infrastructure. A lot of data has been published about who might be behind this, so of course the decision is noteworthy. And it is noteworthy that in this way it [the investigation] was terminated," Peskov told reporters.

Russia will monitor how Germany will react to the investigation, the spokesman added.

Meanwhile Denmark's investigation into the explosions at the Nord Stream pipelines has not been formally completed, a police representative told Sputnik.

"In regards to the Danish investigation it is not formally concluded yet, but we expect to be able to issue a statement sometime in the near future," the representative said.

The Nord Stream pipelines, built to deliver gas under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany, were hit by explosions in September 2022. Nord Stream AG said that the damage was unprecedented and it was impossible to estimate the timeframe for repairs. Denmark, Germany and Norway have left Russia out of their probes into the attacks, prompting Moscow to launch its own investigation. Russian officials have characterized the attacks as international terrorism.

No official results of the investigations have yet been announced, but Pulitzer Prize-winning US investigative journalist Seymour Hersh published a report in February 2023, saying the explosions were organized by the US government with the assistance of authorities in Norway. Washington has denied any involvement in the attack.

A Sputnik

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US' Aerospace Command Claims Detected 4 Russian Jets Over International Waters Near Alaska

Sputnik News

20240207

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The US' North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said on Wednesday that it had located and tracked four Russian military jets in the international airspace designated by the United States as the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

"The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked four Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on February 6, 2024," the command said in a statement on X (former Twitter).

The aircraft remained within the international airspace zone and "did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace," the statement said. The Russian activity "is not seen as a threat" and it occurs in the ADIZ regularly.

The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has said several times that Russia's aircraft are conducting flights in strict compliance with international rules of using airspace over neutral waters, without crossing air routes or posing threat to aircraft of other nations.

A Sputnik

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Saudi Arabia: No normalization with Israel before permanent Gaza truce

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 07 February 2024 6:29 PM

Saudi Arabia says it will not begin diplomatic relations with Israel before the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the besieged territory.

In a statement on Wednesday, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry said Riyadh had made it clear to the United States that without the fulfillment of these conditions, no normalization with Israel will take place.

"The kingdom has communicated its firm position to the US administration that there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is recognized on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem [al-Quds] as its capital, and that the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip stops and all Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Gaza Strip," the ministry stated.

"Saudi Arabia has always been steadfast on the Palestinian issue and the necessity that the brotherly Palestinian people obtain their legitimate rights."

Riyadh also called on the United Nations Security Council to expedite the recognition of the Palestinian state "so that the Palestinian people can obtain their legitimate rights and so that a comprehensive and just peace is achieved for all."

The statement was released hours after White House National Security Council coordinator John Kirby claimed that Washington had received "positive feedback" that Riyadh and Tel Aviv were purportedly pushing forward normalization discussions separately from talks on a Gaza ceasefire.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Monday. A day later in the Qatari capital of Doha, Blinken claimed "the crown prince reiterated Saudi Arabia's strong interest in pursuing" normalization.

Back in September, bin Salman said Riyadh and Tel Aviv were getting closer to normalization. However, after Israel launched its brutal hostilities in Gaza a month later, Saudi Arabia reportedly halted discussions on a deal with the occupying regime.

Since the beginning of the war, Saudi officials have said any such deal will be materialized only after a permanent ceasefire in the densely-populated Palestinian territory comes into effect and the rights of Palestinians are secured.

Separately on Wednesday, the Palestinian Authority (PA), led by President Mahmud Abbas, thanked Saudi Arabia for its stance on the issue of normalization with Israel, Palestine's official WAFA news agency reported.

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Normalizing Saudi-Israel Ties Requires Palestinian State Recognition

Sputnik News

20240207

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Saudi Arabia will restore diplomatic relations with Israel only if a Palestinian state is recognized within its 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital and the conflict in the Gaza Strip is ended, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel would depend on ending the war in the Gaza Strip and a clear path to establishing a Palestinian state. Earlier, he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh.

"The Kingdom has communicated its firm position to the U.S. administration that there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is recognized on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and that the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip stops and all Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Gaza Strip," the ministry said in a statement.

It is necessary that the "Palestinian people obtain their legitimate rights," the ministry said, adding that it called on the permanent members of the UN Security Council to recognize the Palestinian State.

A Sputnik

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Five people killed, several injured in Israeli airstrikes against Syria's Homs: Report

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 07 February 2024 6:40 AM

At least five people were killed and several others injured when Israeli military aircraft carried out a series of airstrikes in Syria's western province of Homs.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, citing local sources, reported that "five people were killed, including three civilians - a woman, a child, and a man - and seven others were injured in Israeli strikes on a building in the Hamra neighborhood of Homs city" on Wednesday.

The identities of the two non-civilian casualties were unknown, the British-based war monitor said.

The official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted an unnamed military source as saying "the Israeli enemy perpetrated an air aggression at around 00:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday (2130 GMT Tuesday), and fired missiles from the direction of the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli at some targets in the city of Homs and its outskirts."

The source added that Syrian air defenses intercepted and downed some of the missiles, while the rest caused material losses to public and private properties in the targeted areas.

Syria's Defense Ministry reported that the Israeli air strikes against a number of sites in the city of Homs and its countryside left an unspecified number of civilians dead and injured.

Syrian state television also broadcast footage of rescuers rummaging through the rubble of what appeared to be a collapsed building and carrying someone on a stretcher.

The upsurge in Israel's acts of aggression against Syria comes following the Tel Aviv regime's bloody onslaught against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Israel waged the bloody war on Gaza on October 7 after Hamas launched Operation al-Aqsa Storm in the occupied territories in retaliation for the Tel Aviv regime's incessant crimes against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Since the start of the aggression, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 27,585 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the territory.

The Tel Aviv regime also frequently targets military positions inside Syria, especially those of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah which has played a key role in helping the Syrian army in its fight against foreign-backed terrorists.

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Taiwan's gov't U-turns on planned lifting of China group travel ban

ROC Central News Agency

02/07/2024 08:24 PM

Taipei, Feb. 7 (CNA) Taiwan's Tourism Administration took a policy U-turn Wednesday by deciding to maintain a three-year ban on Taiwanese tour groups traveling to China, citing Beijing's failure to send Chinese group tourists reciprocally.

"Considering changes in the current situation and factors such as travel safety for Taiwanese nationals, the original plan will no longer proceed," the administration said in a statement.

The administration was referring to a decision in November 2023, which allowed local travel agencies to start arranging trip schedules for tour groups to China starting March 1, 2024.

Originally, Transportation Minister Wang Kwo-tsai () said at a November plenary session of the Legislature that the Cabinet would announce an end to cross-strait travel restrictions by the Lunar New Year, to be effective March.

By allowing Taiwanese tour groups to visit China, the government will also reopen Taiwan's borders to tour groups from China, Wang added.

Wang's remarks represented a change in the government's attitude expressed in May 2023 and a statement made by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), Taiwan's top government agency in charge of cross-Taiwan Strait affairs, in late August.

Taipei did not respond positively on May 19 when Ma Xiaoguang (), spokesman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, said that Chinese travel agencies would be allowed to resume business involving receiving Taiwanese group tourists effective immediately.

Instead, then Tourism Bureau chief Chang Shi-chung () said regulations on group travel should be negotiated through existing channels -- the Taiwan Strait Tourism Association and its Chinese counterpart, the Association for Tourism Exchange Across the Taiwan Straits -- though Taiwan welcomed China's announcement.

On Wednesday, the Tourism Administration said it had to cancel the planned policy because "the time is not yet right to resume our travel agency's group tours to China."

The administration explained that in addition to China's reluctance to proceed with the reciprocal arrangement, a recent unilateral adjustment of its flight path close to the median line of the Taiwan Strait also posed a concern to flight safety.

China put an end to an "offset measure" for the southbound operation of the M503 flight path -- which is west of the median line of the Taiwan Strait-- on Feb. 1, as well as started eastbound operation of routes W122 and W123, which connect M503 with Fuzhou and Xiamen cities in Fujian Province.

In the statement on Wednesday, the Tourism Administration urged China to "change the attitude towards Taiwan and convey goodwill."

Meanwhile, as to arranged group travel with departure dates between March 1 and May 31, the groups can still proceed in order to protect the rights of tourists and the interests of local travel agencies, the administration said.

(By Yu Hsiao-han and Lee Hsin-Yin)

Enditem/ASG

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DPP manipulates tourism for political purposes, harms cross-Straits exchanges: Taiwan Affairs Office

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Feb 08, 2024 01:26 PM

The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on Wednesday criticized the secessionist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities of Taiwan for using tourism for political manipulation and harming cross-Straits exchanges.

The remarks came after the tourism regulator on the island of Taiwan on Wednesday cancelled a plan which would resume group tour from the island to the Chinese mainland after the Spring Festival.

Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that Taiwan residents have long been looking forward to group tours to the mainland, and the island's tourism industry has been calling on the DPP authorities to lift the ban as soon as possible.

Zhu said that since last August, DPP authorities have repeatedly claimed to have plans for the resumption with conditions.

Now the change of plan and contradictory action will only leave Taiwan residents and the tourism industry once again dissatisfied given the political manipulation of tourism by the DPP, Zhu said.

In stark contrast to the DPP authorities' restrictive actions, Chinese mainland authorities in May 2023 announced the resumption of group tours from the island of Taiwan, as the mainland continues to take concrete steps to boost cross-Straits commercial and people-to-people exchanges.

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Feb. 8, 2024

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2024/02/08



PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

Feb. 8, 2024 09:00iUTC+8i

1. Dateis

6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Wednesday to Thursday, Feb. 7-8.

2. PLA activitiesis

4 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed Navy vessels and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities.

3.Illustration of flight path is not provided due to no PLA aircraft crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entering Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ during this timeframe.



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The United Kingdom is clear that multilateralism is the best tool to tackle the shared challenges of the 21st century: UK statement at the UN General Assembly

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN General Assembly 54th plenary meeting 78th session.

7 February 2024

Thank you President, and thank you Secretary-General for your report. The United Kingdom is clear that multilateralism is the best tool we have to tackle the shared challenges of the 21st century. Let me highlight three areas.

First, we must strive for peace, upholding the principles and agreements to which we have collectively committed. Two years since its illegal invasion, Russia continues to launch indiscriminate attacks on Ukrainian civilians. In Gaza, we witness the harrowing impacts of the humanitarian crisis on Palestinian civilians.

2024 should be the year that Russia withdraws its troops from Ukraine and ceases its aggression. We must immediately address humanitarian need in Gaza and take action to secure a sustainable, permanent ceasefire and bring peace and security to both Israelis and Palestinians.

Second, the United Kingdom is committed to ending extreme poverty, tackling climate change and biodiversity loss and promoting gender equality. We will champion action to accelerate progress towards the SDGs, including through UN and international financial system reform. UK priorities will be mobilising more and better development and climate financing, and promoting greater access to education, economic opportunities and the protection of sexual and reproductive health rights for all women and girls.

And finally, we look forward to the Summit of the Future as an opportunity to rebuild trust and strengthen the multilateral system. The UK is concerned by the financial challenges facing the organisation and we are committed to stabilising UN finances to ensure that the organisation can serve those in need.

The UK looks forward to working with you and all Member States in the year ahead.

Thank you.

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Today we will start a cycle of Florence Price's symphonies. Florence Price composed four symphonies and almost 300 works, including concertos, orchestral works, songs, and pieces for solo instruments. Price was born in 1887 in Arkansas and was taught music by her mother. She was a prodigious music student, performing piano at the age of 4 and composing by the age of 10. After high school, she attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. She ended up in Chicago as part of the Great Migration north in the late 1920's. She continued her studies in instrumentation, composition, and organ, as well as other studies. In the 1930's she began achieving success as a composer, and her first symphony, composed in 1931-32, won a prize. It was premiered by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1933, becoming the first major orchestral work by a Black American woman performed by a major orchestra. This work is in a traditional Romantic idiom with four movements, and it was heavily indebted to Dvorak's 9th symphony which shares the same e minor key. Dvorak's famous work was composed in 1893 while he was director of the National Conservatory of Music of America in New York City. He had become familiar with Black American Spirituals from a Black student at the conservatory, the composer Harry Burleigh, who sang these Spirituals to him. Dvorak was convinced the true American school of music would come out of this Black tradition. He was also influenced by Native American music, which he found similar to Black American music, most likely in shared pentatonic scales. All these elements were developed in Dvorak's 9th symphony, and they are also present in Price's symphony. However, Price did add her own unique voice, such as the third movement (in all her symphonies) was a Juba, based on a West African dance with body and hand clapping, which was brought over during the trans-Atlantic slave trade and practiced on plantations. Price was well regarded, especially in Chicago, but she died in 1953 and her music fell into total obscurity. Many of her compositions, including her fourth symphony, were only discovered in 2009 in an old house in Illinois which Price had used as a summer home. Saved from oblivion, her rich quintessentially American symphonies are worthy of standing alongside those of other canonic American composers such as Aaron Copland.

Symphony No. 1 in e minor

Florence Price/Philadelphia Orchestra, Yannick Nezet-Seguin - Symphonies Nos. 1 & 3 - Deutsche Grammophon Wato To

Bounaly - Dimanche a Bamako - Sahel Sounds - Dimanche a Bamako - Ma Cherie

Bounaly - Dimanche a Bamako - Sahel Sounds - Dimanche a Bamako - Toure Iseye

Bounaly - Dimanche a Bamako - Sahel Sounds - Dimanche a Bamako - Wolosso

Yelemba d'Abidjan - Percussions et chants de Cote D'Ivoire - Buda Eyo

King Wasiu Ayinde Marhshal I - Talazo Fuji Music Party! - Realworld Ero Ya

Fatai Rolling Dollar - Papa rise again - Ekostar Djougouya

Namian Sidibe - Namian Sidibe - Sahel Sounds Bamanake

Namian Sidibe - Namian Sidibe - Sahel Sounds Kanou

Namian Sidibe - Namian Sidibe - Sahel Sounds Mogoya

Namian Sidibe - Namian Sidibe - Sahel Sounds Mali Mussow

Bounaly - Dimanche a Bamako - Sahel Sounds - Dimanche a Bamako - Tamala

Bounaly - Dimanche a Bamako - Sahel Sounds - Dimanche a Bamako -
February 7, 2024

Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Ukrainian Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Ukrainian Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov today to discuss the latest battlefield developments and the upcoming meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

Secretary Austin reiterated the commitment of the United States and our coalition of approximately 50 Allies and partners in supporting Ukraine in its ongoing fight against Russia's unprovoked aggression.

The two leaders pledged to remain in close contact.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3668824/

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Ukraine: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell to deputies in Verkhovna Rada

European External Action Service (EEAS)

07.02.2024

Kyiv, Ukraine

EEAS Press Team

Check against delivery!

Dear Speaker, Honorable Members of the Rada, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very much honoured to be here with you, once again, and thank you for flagging the European Union flag. Once again here in Kyiv. This is my sixth visit to Ukraine, the fourth since the start of the full-scale war. In this city, which for the last 10 years has been more conscious of its Europeanness than any other capital on the continent.

As Yuri Andrukhovych - whose books are increasingly translated into many other European languages - wrote "Kyiv won the casting to become the scenario of the most beautiful of all revolutions: The Revolution of Kyiv, the Revolution of Dignity".

We have just celebrated the 10-year anniversary of that Revolution of "hidnist" in your language (Dignity) that you launched, and I know that for defending it, you have paid and are still paying a terrible price.

Many of the heroes of your Revolution died later on the front, fighting the Russian invader for your freedom. Like, for example, Roman Ratushny, the anticorruption activist. He did not even turn 25.

Some of your soldiers have been fighting on the frontlines for almost two years. [Vladimir] Putin believed the war was going to last one week. Two years later, you are still there.

They are the heroes of the Battle of Kyiv, when the Russian troops were at 8 kilometers of this House. They were the heroes of Kharkiv, a name that everybody knows in Europe today. They did it - you did it - with old Soviet material, not yet with Western aid. You did it with the motivation of your army and your people.

And now you have liberated half of the territory Russia had captured and unblocked the [Black] Sea.

But I know that in each liberated town, they were greeted - your troops - by people whose joy of liberation was equal to the pain they had suffered. And I mean in Bucha. I know because I see it. They saw death and devastation and uncovered mass graves.

The war has taken the lives of many anonymous people. But let me name, for example, one of them. Victoria Amelina, a finalist of the European Union Prize for Literature. She worked as a war crimes investigator, and instead of seeking safety, she travelled to the East of Ukraine to immortalise the stories of the people living under occupation.

Last summer, a Russian missile, like the ones that have been falling on Kyiv tonight, killed her while she was having dinner in a popular pizza restaurant. She was certainly a war target. She was only 37 [years old]. She has become "The one who flew away too soon", as she put it in one of her poems. I am mentioning her, but I cannot mention every one of the anonymous victims and heroes of this war.

There are many tragedies like the one of Victoria Amelina. And all of them remind us what the Ukrainian people are fighting for. Ukrainians always know why they are fighting for. They are fighting for the freedom of their people and their land. The Russian soldiers do not know what they are fighting for. Soldiers are fighting for their very existence; the lives of their families; the future of their children; for their freedom, for your culture. [So] that the Ukrainian language may not fall silent and that [your] books - like Victoria's books - may not remain unfinished.

You know which is the real border? The real border today of Ukraine with Russia is the frontline, not only in the battlefields, it is the political frontline between a world governed by law, and freedom, and one where powerful people impose their will inside their society and with respect to third countries. It is the frontline between democracy and authoritarian rule. Nothing less than that.

A Ukraine that prevails against Russia's war of annihilation would be a huge contribution to the security of Europe as a whole. And I am the High Representative for [Foreign Affairs and] Security Policy, so you can understand how much it matters to me.

Yes, it is not a rhetorical sentence to be pronounced to gain applause. It is [the] crude reality. The security of Ukraine is a huge contribution to the security of Europe as a whole. And the best security commitments that we can do for Ukraine is making Ukraine part of the European Union.

[Let me remind you] what the European Union is. The European Union is not a military alliance.

The European Union was built around the economy, to defuse conflict with negotiations and compromise. And it worked. After the two terrible World Wars from the last century, we have had peace in Europe for nearly 80 years now. The old antagonism between the European old empires has vanished. The borders have become invisible. That is also a reason why many Europeans mainly had forgotten that the world can be a terrifying place where force prevails. We [made] peace among us and we believed that peace was a natural state of things- and that is not true, unhappily.

The natural state of things is not this. In the world today, [geopolitics] are coming back. The struggle between big powers, and Russia has not forgotten its own imperial illusion.

That is why your war has been an awakening moment for Europe. Since the 24th of February 2022, it is, therefore, not only a question of military and financial assistance but, for many of us, it is above all a revolution in our mindset. This has been an awakening moment for us to understand how vibrant and dangerous is our world. Nearby our cities.

This has changed our mindset. Now, we need to change the complete institutional setting of the European Union to adapt it to this new geostrategic reality. It is no longer about making peace among us, it is to face the challenges in our borders.

Exactly two years ago, I was in the Donbas on the 6th of January [2022], when Russia was already building up its troops at the border. And I met with the Prime Minister [Denys Shmyhal] and he asked me: "When they will invade us - because they will invade us - will you support us? We were talking in his office. Are you going to provide us with the arms to defend ourselves?" I will never forget this question. I will never forget this moment in my life. "Are you going to help us?" And at that time, I was not able to give a clear answer, because the European Union had never before provided military aid to a country at war.

But, when the invasion happened some weeks later, we responded in an unprecedented manner. So far, we have remained united, and we have provided - already done, not a promise, a reality - a28 billion of military support and almost a90 billion overall.

And just last week, EU Member States - as you know - agreed on another a50 billion package - another - to provide you with predictable financing and to help to pay salaries, pensions and provide public services. Because you have to win the war and to win the peace, at the same time.

And allow me to say that the President of the [European] Commission, President [Ursula] Von der Leyen and the President of the European Council Charles Michel deserve credit for putting this package together at the European Council and for working hard on getting it approved by all Member States.

But now, it has to go to the [European] Parliament, which is the budgetary authority in the Union. And there has to be an agreement between the Council and the Parliament under the proposal of the Commission - and it will be done by the end of this month. Be sure.

But I know that more is needed. I said this is my sixth visit to Ukraine. We need a paradigm shift from supporting Ukraine for "as long as it takes" to committing ourselves to support Ukraine for "whatever it takes". Not for "how long", but for "whatever it takes". It is not a matter of duration - the shorter, the better. And in order to be shorter, it has to be tougher. "Whatever it takes" for Ukraine to achieve victory.

We need to challenge the claims that Ukraine cannot win. I hear this message from defeatism. "Why are you continuing supporting Ukraine if Ukraine cannot win?" That is not true. Russia has lost many wars in its history.

And to the people who say that "Western support will not hold" - and I am measuring my words in this historical moment here in front of the representatives of the Ukrainian people, I am measuring my words to say that the ones who claim that Putin should be appeased, they are wrong. They were wrong in 2022, and they remain wrong today.

Because it is Putin himself who has declared: "We want to end this conflict as soon as possible, but only on our terms." And what are the terms? Denazification, demilitarisation, and dismantling. These three "De's" are Putin's recipe for Ukraine.

And these words mean only one thing: surrender.

He has been repeating that he does not negotiate in good faith, [and] showing that he is not negotiating in good faith, and he has consistently failed to honour the agreements. And he has clearly said that his war is against the entire West.

So, instead of eying appeasement, we should remember the lessons we have learnt since 2022, avoid repeating mistakes and double down in areas where we saw success.

Let's face reality. Russia has achieved virtually no progress on the battlefield in 2023. Your armed forces successfully undermined Russia's air dominance over the frontlines and broke the blockade of the Black Sea ports.

You have forced Russia to withdraw most of its fleet from occupied Crimea and grain exports are reaching pre-war levels. The blockade against your exports of grain is finished. And it is finished, not thanks to agreements, but thanks to your fighting, [and also thanks to] the Solidarity Lanes which has been also an important support for your exports.

And your people fought back with incredible inventiveness. Two years ago, Ukraine had seven factories to build military drones. Today, it has hundreds. I have visited two of them yesterday. What I saw is truly revolutionary. It is not because someone told me, because I saw it. How passionate young people with a lot of intelligence and creativity put their technical skills to work, transforming old factories into the birthplace of high-tech equipment. With a300 drones, you can destroy tanks. Ukrainian creativity is incredible. When I see these factories working, and people working, and young engineers creating new tools, when this war will be over, Ukraine will be among the world's leading producers of the new tools of warfare. So, allow me to congratulate you and your people.

At the same time, Russia is - if I may say - "cannibalising" its own future. Putin has mobilised its entire economy, society and political system for the war effort. Talents - when they can - leave the country and the demographic decline is deepening. But, however, we have to recognise that they have adjusted to the war and their economy is more resilient than expected.

We have to look at the reality in the face: yes, sanctions are taking a heavy toll on Russia's economy and on its war effort. They include almost 2,000 entities and individuals and we cut 60% of our pre-war trade with Russia. We finished our energy dependency with Russia. Now, we are prioritising the fight against circumvention, which is a very difficult process, but we see that it works slowly but surely. The focus is on monitoring trade flows and blocking the reexport of goods that can be used on the battlefield. It is an everyday work.

But most of all, we need an urgent renaissance for the European defence industry. I know that you have expected from us more military support; more ammunition; more of everything.

But let me say that in the last two years, much of our military support came from existing stockpiles of our armies. Replenishing the stocks today and at the same time to continue providing you with more weapons and ammunition is a serious challenge for our defence industry, which was diminishing due to peace and during the peacetime production, we were not producing arms.

But we have already reversed this trend. The production capacity of our industry has already increased by 40% since the beginning of the [war]. Now, we are reaching 1.4 million ammunition capacity by the end of the year.

I want to talk [to] you frankly. I know that on ammunition your needs are higher than that. I have been talking with your military staff, and I know that you need more.

But we are hard at work, and we will have donated more than 1 million rounds before the end of the year. This is on top of all the ammunition the [European] industry is selling to Ukraine. Because supplying can be done in two ways: donations and exportations. We talk only about donations - which is an important part because it is for free - but apart from donations, our industry is producing for you [an] equal amount of ammunition.

I cannot tell you the precise figure because it is wartime, but we do not have to consider only donations. We have to consider supplies, and the supplies come also through exports. We are giving priority to give supplies to Ukraine saying to our armed forces, "You can wait", and saying to third countries clients "You can wait because you are not at war. The priority is to Ukraine." And the complete figure has to be taken by adding up donations and exportations - and this makes much more than what the public opinion sometimes hears about.

We have reached an important amount of military support: a28 billion. And for this year - 2024 - Member States are planning more than a20 billion in military assistance, both bilaterally, and through the European Union.

You know, these figures, I want to remind them because it is important for the public opinion to understand the amount of our support.

But there is another battle. There is the battle of narratives. The battle of brains. You have to conquer not only land but brains.

The battle of narratives all over the world. And I am also in charge of this battle, because the perception of this war in the rest of the world will be decisive in order to isolate Putin and make our sanctions work.

People in Africa, in South America, in Southeast Asia, not only in the Western world, have to understand the root causes of this war - why this war is raging and why you are fighting.

Because for a large part of the world, the defining historical experience has been colonialism. Colonialism has been the story of people, and we were the colonial powers. However, paradoxically, many do not see Russia as an imperialist and colonialist power at all.

We must counter the Russian narrative. This war is not a matter of "The West against the Rest". It is not the West against the rest of the world.

It is a war in defence of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and it is a war in defence of the principles of the United Nations Charter. In a world which is becoming more and more transactional, and where universal principles are more important than ever to be protected and to be understood by the people and the leaders of the world.

That is why Ukraine's Peace Formula, today, is the only comprehensive framework for a just and sustainable peace. Yes, Speaker, it is because it stems from those principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

To be able to counter the Russian anti-Western propaganda, we need to be consistent with our principles around the world and to avoid double standards.

And to be frank, I am not sure that we have always been, and we have to be.

This is why the European Union, and I personally, are so committed to putting an end to the tragedy suffered by the civilian population in Gaza and to secure the release of the hostages held by Hamas - which is another battle in which we are engaged. And finally, to work on a two-state solution, which the international community has been advocating for decades.

And it is also part of building a world that prevents "might makes right", where powerful countries change borders at will, and the weak fall prey to the strong. Because Putin's strategy proved not to be successful. If it was successful, it would embolden Russia and other autocracies to pursue their imperialist agendas against their neighbours.

We must show for what it is: Russia is the last colonial empire in Europe. The last colonial empire: an anachronism. The Russian author Mikhail Shishkin wrote in his letter to an unknown Ukrainian: "my country is a country fallen out of time".

Russia remains an imperialist power that is unable to disentangle itself from a colonial vision of its identity. Until this question of Russia's identity will not be solved, it will remain a threat to all its neighbours in Europe. That is what VAclav Havel said once: "Russia does not know where it begins and where it ends". If a country does not know where it begins and where it ends, it is a serious challenge to their neighbours. Putin recently confirmed that assessment, when - in his cartoons propaganda for his next election - he said, "Russia's borders don't end". And as long as Russia has not resolved this issue, its political system will remain what it is: an authoritarian, nationalist and violent regime.

Nobody knows that better than you, Ukrainians. For centuries, you have been on the receiving end of Russia's imperialism, relegated to be considered as "little Russians" - a pure colonialist way of speaking - starved at the Holodomor or deported to Siberia. And Russian imperialism remains a crude reality. Putin is obsessed with his fantasies about "historic Russian lands". You, dear Speaker, showed me the maps from 1600 where Ukraine appears clearly as a nation.

That is why we once again see the deportations in occupied Ukraine. We see the repression of your language and the terrible forced adoptions of thousands of Ukrainian children to be "russified" and make them forget about their Ukrainian roots, their parents and their families.

But you are no longer the vassal of any empire; you are not an object, you are a subject. Ukrainians are the masters of their own destiny. You have repeatedly shown your will to be, through history, a free country. And as in history, the next chapter will be written together.

This is why I am coming to Ukraine as a member of the European Union.

Dear members of the Parliament,

We have decided that your future is in the European Union. That is what you want. That is what the European Union's leaders have agreed to last December. And this decision to be [made into] reality.

These cannot be empty words. This has to be a serious commitment that has to be implemented, but you have to play your part. You too, you have to make a lot of efforts.

You make the European choice over and over again. And I understand it very well. When I was young Spanish on the darkness of dictatorship, Europe was for me the beacon of political freedom, economic prosperity and social enrichment. I wanted to be in the European Union, [like] you, most visibly, 10 years ago on the Maidan square. It was a sea of yellow and blue. The yellow and blue of Ukrainian flags mixed with the yellow and blue of the European flags.

Today, I see, your European choice among political forces, among civil society, and businesses. But you have to preserve it, and you have to keep unity and consensus. This will be essential to your the path to membership, it will require a lot of efforts and a lot of compromises by you, members of the Rada, by you, government, but also by citizens, industry, civil society. It will require a deep and comprehensive modernisation of your governance, your economy, and your society. The European Union with Ukraine will be a different Union. And Ukraine will be a different Ukraine inside the European Union. It is going to be a way that will require efforts, you have to be prepared not to spare them.

We will be supporting you along the way. But you - as any other candidate country - have to implement and enforce all current European Union rules.

And let me say, frankly, that for many years, corruption was the weak spot of Ukraine's society. It has cost you a major gap in your development for the last 30 years. President [of Ukraine, Volodymyr] Zelenskyy was elected with a mandate to fight corruption. There has been recent progress in law and enforcement and your better position [yourselves] in Transparency International Annual Corruption Perceptions Index - which is the measure of how a country faces the challenges of corruption - is clearly improving. It is clearly positive. It should encourage you, but more has to be done.

Corruption undermines significantly the efficiency of the war effort, the efficiency of reconstruction, but it undermines also the goodwill and support you are getting from societies across the European Union.

This process of accession will also have to be accompanied in coming years by a major reconstruction effort. These two processes have to go hand in hand. When you will rebuild your homes, your roads, your bridges and ports, they have to be done at European standards, for example on energy efficiency.

But more important than the infrastructures that can be used by walking them, transporting goods, or flying, there are others kinds of infrastructures which are more important, and they are invisible. The invisible infrastructures that sustain democracies, that sustain the rule of law, plurality, political plurality. It should be evident. It is not a partisan message. It should be evident for everybody: separation of powers, inclusive governance, respect for human rights, social cohesion and equality. These are the invisible infrastructures that make a country free and united. It is at the core of democratic societies, and it is more difficult to build and maintain, than roads, bridges and ports - but it is the backbone of healthy societies.

I know this is particularly difficult to achieve in a country at war. And that is why I said, at the beginning of my words, you have to win both battles at the same time. It is not one after the other, they have to be fought together. There is always a strong and understandable temptation to centralise power and limit freedom of expression when there is a war.

And yes, however, in times of war, checks and balances are more important than ever: respect for the rule of law and fostering democratic dialogue between government and opposition will add to your resilience, and the capacity of the country to win the war.

Dear Members of the Rada, once again this is not a partisan message.

Being a democratic and inclusive society is your greatest advantage in the face of Putin's dictatorship. You are facing a dictator regime, and you have to face it showing that you are a pluralist state and a democratic society.

I know that there are popular Ukrainian sayings that are "for every two Ukrainians, there are three hetmans" [Cossack leaders]. In Spain, we say that for every four Spanish who have dinner together, they find five political bodies. So, it is not difficult to understand that sometimes, the pluralism creates structures which are difficult to manage.

But plurality of opinion is typical of European societies, it is our strength. And this is something that Putin will never understand. He will never understand, but it is important that we Europeans make this our absolute difference between the democratic and authoritarian regimes.

And it is here, in the Parliament. I have been President of the European Parliament, I know what a Parliament means. This Rada needs to be the forum where this plurality - this strength - is being harvested. It needs to be the forum for discussion for reforms. It needs to be transparent, and it needs to make sure that all groups in society are represented.

Just as you did when you all agreed on when and in which circumstances to hold elections, once the martial law is over. This was a very important signal for the nation and for the world.

I am finishing, Members of the Rada.

Just before arriving in Ukraine yesterday, I checked the number of air alarms, which sounded in your skies, in your nights, since Russia's full-scale invasion. It has been almost 40,000.

40,000 times in which the Ukrainian people had to run quickly to the shelters - as we did tonight, once again. 40,000 times that families were rushing to underground shelters. 40,000 times that children were reading in basements. 55 alarms per day, in beautiful places like Kharkiv, Dnipro and Lviv.

We, foreign visitors, we come and go, but you stay - and you stay under this pressure.

Next year, after the European elections, another generation of European leaders will board trains. Those trains, which by the way never run late, even under bombardment and which have brought me safely to Kyiv many times. Those trains will continue sending new visitors, sharing with you these difficult circumstances.

But I am confident that this next generation will remain with you all along your travel [towards] the European Union.

Because - and this is the most important message that I will tell you: we know well that our own security is being defended by you on the Eastern borders of Europe. And when we say "For our freedom and yours", it means that we owe you a debt. A debt that will not be paid in casualties and young people being killed but it has to be paid by not succumbing to fatigue.

The only ones who are entitled to be tired of this war, are you - and you are not.

The wars are being won by the commitment and motivation of the people. How many wars have been won by the powerless from the material point of view? The [least] capacity in terms of arms and weapons, but it has been won because people who knew what they are fighting for.

Look what has happened in so many countries around the world. From Afghanistan to Spain against Napoleon; it is motivation, it is the understanding of why and for [what] you are fighting for which makes you win.

I do not see you succumbing to fatigue, and as far as you do not, we will not [do it either].

Thank you.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-252672

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Ukraine: Press remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell after meeting with Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba

European External Action Service (EEAS)

07.02.2024

Kyiv, Ukraine

EEAS Press Team

Check against delivery!

Dear Dmytro,

First, I have to start [with] paying tribute to the innocent civilian Ukrainian people who have been killed overnight, some in Kyiv and in many other places around Ukraine, by another attack by Russian missiles.

I, myself, and my team, we rushed to the shelter of the hotel as many thousands of Ukraine had to do once again - more than 40,000 times it has happened [since the start of the Russian aggression].

And I want to pay tribute to these innocent people, and to use this opportunity to say - and you know it - how Ukraine remains a priority for us.

I do not remember how many times we have met, but I know that this is my sixth visit to Ukraine, and the fourth visit since the war started.

You are coming to our [EU] Foreign Affairs Ministers [meetings] very often. Today, our schedule has been ruined by this attack that has delayed everything.

So, in fact, what we are doing here is a kind of lively and open communication among us - and it is good. It is good that we can talk about all the issues that you have put on the table, because these are the things that really matter.

Let me summarise something that I think it is important for the Ukrainian people to know. When I am saying that we have been supporting you, translated into figures it means that since the beginning of the war, until the last Christmas - the two first years of the war - the European Union has assisted Ukraine with a88 billion; part of them, a28 billion on military support.

Certainly, we have to do more and quicker, but it is not an irrelevant figure. On the contrary, it represents an important effort.

We have trained 40.000 soldiers in the military academies of several EU Member States. And a well-trained soldier is lifesaving. 40.000 Ukrainian soldiers have gone through our training centres.

We agreed on creating the conditions to accelerate the delivery of ammunition and missiles. It is a work in progress. It is accelerating and by the end of the year, we will have donated to the Ukrainian armed forces 1,155 million ammunition. The dynamic is growing up.

From March to the end of the year, the target is 631.000, but as I have been talking with the Prime Minister, you have to understand that the supplies are composed of donations and exports. Donations are for free, exports are through a commercial relationship. But if we add up both ways, the figure is much more important.

And you are right, we have to make what you have suggested. The creation of a joint endeavour between your industry and our industry in order to create synergies and [for] you to be able to produce at home more.

And you are right, and we are doing that. We are giving full priority to the supplies to Ukraine, delaying even the refilling of the stocks of our armies and re-routing the exports to third countries in order to fulfil the priority that Ukraine represents for our defence industry, that has increased its capacity by 40% since the beginning of the war.

Because we Europeans, we were living in a peaceful world, and we believed that we could decrease our armies' capacity because there was not a war on the horizon.

And then suddenly, the war came - against you, but also against our security. And thanks for recalling that I am in charge not only of the [EU] Foreign policy, but also of the Security Policy. And the war against Ukraine is a threat to the security of the Europeans. And we have to behave in solidarity with you, not just to show solidarity with a friend, but [also] in our own interest.

This is the thing that Europeans have to understand: that it is not just a matter of generosity, it is a matter of taking care of ourselves, because your security is our security. And this requires a pedagogical activity from the side of the political leaders of the European Union, that finally decided to approve this a50 billion more of civilian support.

Because if you want to win the war, you have to win the peace. And you have to have a solid State, able to pay salaries, to pay pensions, to make the civil services work. To make the State work in the middle of the war, and this requires financial support as much as military support to win the war.

By the end of the month, the budgetary authority of the European Union - which is the [European] Parliament and the Council [of the European Union], both together - will approve, definitely, the proposition done by the President of the [European] Commission [Ursula von der Leyen] and this will be immediately implemented.

And I hope also that, by the end of the month, we will be able to reset the European Peace Facility in order to continue supporting you. Not by destocking the previous military capacity that we had before the war but to create new capacity, new orders, creating synergy between your industry and our industry.

You, my dear Dmytro, talked also about the frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank. Yes, we are going step by step advancing in something that is full of logic. Russia has to pay for the destruction of Ukraine. Russia has to pay to rebuild Ukraine, and these frozen assets have to contribute to it. We have already agreed on identifying and keeping safe the revenues - the extraordinary revenues - that these assets have produced. And I am working hard in order to get an agreement to relocate these revenues to the European Union Budget and to be used to support Ukraine.

But since you are the Foreign Affairs Minister, and me too, I am in charge of the Foreign Policy, let's talk about how the rest of the world perceives this war.

Yes, we have to make a bigger effort in order to increase the support for the Ukraine Peace Formula presented by President [of Ukraine, Volodymyr] Zelenskyy, which is the only proposal in town.

The only serious proposal on the table to look for peace, in front of Russia who is saying that they do not know where their limits are. We have to get the support of the rest of the world for this future "Global Peace Summit" that has to take place immediately before the European elections.

We have to work on the accountability in order to make Russians responsible for the crimes and atrocities committed against the Ukrainian people. On that, you can count on us.

I said to the Prime Minister [Denys Shmyhal], and I use this opportunity to repeat [it] because I know that you know, that we are very much convinced that Ukraine has the capacity, the resilience and the will to overcome the invasion and to recover full sovereignty of its territory.

For that you need the consensus of political forces. Unity is key for your victory.

You know, Dmytro, that we have been committed and we will be committed to support Ukraine not "for as long as it takes" but for "whatever it takes". Not as a measure of time, but as a measure of quantity, quality, and rapidity in supporting you, because you need this support right now, in the months to come. Not for "as long" or for "how much", but for "whatever it takes".

This is my message of solidarity coming from the European Union, under the leadership of the two Presidents of the [European] Commission and the European Council [Charles Michel], and [we will] continue working with you in our very open meetings.

Thank you for this opportunity of having this open discussion in front of the press.

Q&A

Q. You spoke about giving more ammunition, also now you repeated that, among the aid, are you thinking [about] something specific about drones? Because we know it is very crucial in this war. And then, you spoke again about Europe's security which is at threat because of this war. Do you think now, after two years of the war, this danger has become bigger than at the beginning of the war for Europe? The threat has become bigger or not, or less big? And last question, you spoke about the delay in giving ammunition, in your social media also. You explained why there were problems, but how much has this delay had consequences on the "failure" or "almost failure" of the counteroffensive?

On drones, you do not need help. I have been visiting some of your factories of drones, and I was really really surprised by the capacity of your engineers in order to create firms to produce drones of high quality in high numbers. And at the end of the war, Ukraine will be at the forefront of the new warfare. It is really amazing, and I think that this has to be very much taken into consideration. How a country can, from nothing, in one year, have this production capacity of the most sophisticated and efficient drones. I have to congratulate you for that.

Is the threat from Russia more challenging today than two years ago? Well, the important thing is that we are very much aware. Two years ago, we had a 40% dependency on Russian gas - too much. Now, this dependency is zero. We cancelled this dependency because we were very much aware that Russia was not a reliable partner. And certainly today, people in Europe are very much aware that Russia represents a threat for them, not only for Ukraine. Maybe the threat was already the same two years ago, but the perception, the awareness is definitely acquired.

And we have been talking with the Minister - not with you because I just arrived, with the Prime Minister - and we will continue talking with the Defence Minister [Rustem Umerov], about the ammunition supply. And I want to put that clearly in your mind. Supply is donations plus exports. Do not consider only the figure of donations because apart from that, there is another important flow of ammunition coming to Ukraine, through direct contracts.

I know that that is not enough. I know, and that is why we are increasing our capacities, we are rerouting this production to give priority to Ukraine. And I can only say these figures of the concrete commitments by the end of the year, but for that we have to increase the production capacity and to make everybody push in this direction. It is not so easy, but we are delivering, and we will deliver much more in the immediate future.

Q. Mr Borrell, "whatever it takes", that is a big word. It was just mentioned that the United States is not getting that package through, Mr [Joe] Biden [President of the United States] is in the middle of a political campaign. Does that mean that the European Union would be also ready to jump in for that help that Ukraine is not getting from the United States - and will perhaps not get?

Look, the United States have not said that the Europeans have not done their part because the figures I gave you - a88 billion of total support to Ukraine - is more than what the United States has done. Not on the military side, where certainly they have done more, but we have done a28 [billion]. But adding up everything, our support has been comparable if not bigger. And the first thing that we did when we approved this package of a50 billion, is to talk with the United States at the highest political level, saying: "Look, this is our commitment. Where is yours?". Certainly, the United States and the European Union are ready - jointly - to continue supporting Ukraine. Do not ask me "what will you do in case the United States will do something?" I am not an astrolog. But what I can tell you is that we have to work together - European Union and United States. And we are permanently inviting our friends from the United States to come to the Foreign Affairs Council. There is going to be a next NATO meeting where Jake Sullivan [National Security Advisor of the United States] will attend in order to coordinate our efforts. I am strongly convinced that the United States has to continue supporting Ukraine whatever it takes.

Link to the video (starting at 8:45): https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-252681 https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-252681

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Ukraine: Press remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell after his meeting with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal

European External Action Service (EEAS)

07.02.2024

Kyiv, Ukraine

EEAS Press Team

Check against delivery!

Thank you, dear Prime Minister. Thank you, dear Denys [Shmyhal],

This is my fourth visit since Russia started a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and it is my sixth visit during my mandate as High Representative of the European Union for Foreign [Affairs] and Security Policy.

And for our foreign and security policy, there is nothing more important than to support you. For our foreign policy, and for our security policy - because this war is also a war that affects directly our security.

So, believe me, my dear Prime Minister, Ukraine remains a top priority for the European Union, and in particular, for our foreign and security policy.

Thank you for receiving me again here in Kyiv.

I am sorry, my dear Prime Minister, to have to start my words by paying a tribute to the innocent civilians that have been killed here in Kyiv, and in other places of Ukraine, during this last night by the indiscriminate attacks by the Russian aggressor.

I, myself, and my team, we had the experience of running to the shelter as thousands and thousands of Ukrainians are used to do - more than 40,000 times since the start of the war.

There are moments that mark your personal history, and one of these moments for me was my visit two years ago - almost by the day, I think it was the 6th of January 2022 - when we were sitting together in your office and you told me: "Russia is going to attack us and when this happens, are you going to support us?" This is a question that is very vividly in my mind.

And yes, I am happy to say that we have been committed to supporting you in your rightful defence against the aggressor, and on your European Union path. Both things go together. You have to win the war and you have to win the peace. And the best way of winning both is your way to the European Union.

Yes, Ukraine remains a top priority for the European Union and your European Union membership [remains a priority too].

And thank you for your extensive and comprehensive review of all the issues on which we have to continue engaging, both on our military support, and on the necessary reforms that you have to develop on this European path that touches a lot of issues from transportation, to energy, to reconstruction, to trade.

We will continue discussing that at the next Association Council meeting scheduled for the first days of March, in Brussels.

But my dear Prime Minister, I am here today to convey a strong message of solidarity. You do not need standing ovations. You do not need to hear how much we appreciate the courage of your soldiers and your people. What you need is support: support in financial terms and in military terms - ammunitions and weapons.

Let me summarise something that I think is important for the public opinion to know. Since the beginning of the war, from our meeting two years ago in the first days of January [2022], in the last two years, the European Union has been providing to Ukraine a support that can be measured as about a88 billion [and] out of them, a28 billion on military support.

And on top of that, this important decision of the European Council - the meeting of the leaders of the European Union - to approve a proposal of a50 billion on civilian support that now is being discussed by the budgetary authorities of the European Union, who are both the [European] Parliament and the Council [of the European Union]. And I have complete assurance that the Parliament will approve it by the end of the month, in order to be immediately implemented.

On my side, I am working to develop this Ukraine Assistance Fund inside the European Peace Facility.

As I said, in the two last years, the military support both bilateral - each Member State to you directly - and then the European Union, through the European Peace Facility, amounts to a28 billion.

Now, we are discussing a new top-up in order for this year to continue increasing this support, and in particular to continue supporting you with the delivery of ammunition that you have been mentioning rightly.

Our defence industry is increasing its capacity. It has increased [its production capacity] by 40% since the beginning of the war. And I can be sure that by the end of the year, the total amount of ammunition delivered as donations will be about 1.155 million, which is quite a precise figure.

But you know very well that on top of that, we have to consider also not [only] the donations but the supplies that directly the European defence industry is producing for you through bilateral contracts.

I thank you a lot for the clarification on some data that will help me a lot in order to continue pushing for this support to be effectively implemented.

At the same time, dear Prime Minister, your country has to continue the reforms, making significant progress on your European path despite the difficult war conditions. Ukraine has shown extraordinary resilience and exceptional unity of the society and a great consensus among the main political forces on key goals for the nation.

There are political divergences, democracy is about political divergences, certainly. But the unity is key for your victory. The key.

I was happy to say that to the members of the [Verkhovna] Rada this morning, to underline how important it is to keep effectively working the democratic mechanisms, the rule of law and anticorruption, but it is also very much important to do that - keeping the unity of the country, the political forces and the society from the challenges of the war.

Dear Prime Minister,

We, at the European Union, we will never be able to match your sacrifices. But we can, and we will stand with Ukraine, in full solidarity with this nation and its people.

We have to commit ourselves to do and provide "whatever it takes". We should not say "for how long as it takes", but "whatever it takes". It is not a measure of time. It is a measure of quantity and quality of our support right now when it is needed.

Whatever it takes for Ukraine to prevail in your just defence against the aggressor and for a European, democratic, and peaceful future for Ukraine.

Slava Ukrayiny!

Link to the video (starting at 16:00): https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-252676

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Dnipro: EU provides Ukraine with modern mine-clearing machine

European External Action Service (EEAS)

07.02.2024

EEAS Press Team

In the framework of the latest Ukraine visit by High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP) Josep Borrell, the State Special Transport Service of Ukraine received a DOK-ING MV-10 mine-clearing system.

This is the latest delivery in the framework of the European Union's EUR 25 million support package for humanitarian demining in Ukraine announced at the EU-Ukraine Summit of February 2023. The package is designed to meet the urgent needs of Ukraine's state mine action operators, ranging from basic equipment for demining teams to pyrotechnic vehicles and robotic demining systems.

"While fighting off the aggressor, Ukraine is at the same time already rebuilding. Its mine action operators are taking on the extremely dangerous but essential task of clearing liberated land from the deadly mines Russian aggressors left behind. We are honoured to make the work of Ukrainian de-miners safer and more efficient with this European equipment. Together we can help save lives and contribute to a better future for Ukraine", said High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP) Josep Borrell

The de-mining system MV-10 clears Anti-Personnel as well as Anti-Tank mines and other unexploded ordnance and is notably suitable to treat large areas. Thanks to a remote control it is particularly safe to operate. It can demine up to 4000 sqm per hour, including on steep slopes. This EU demining support also includes a dedicated training course for Ukrainian operators who will work on the MV-10 system. "We are grateful for the European Union's help. This equipment will improve the capabilities of our forces and allow sappers to demine de-occupied territories faster and safer. The Russian aggression has left behind many explosive objects in Ukraine, and demining will take decades. Technological solutions will accelerate this work", commented Head of Administration of the State Special Transport Service of Ukraine Major General Bohdan Bondar

Due to Russia's war of aggression, Ukraine is among the countries most contaminated by mines and explosive remnants of war worldwide.

Demining of areas liberated from Russian occupation is essential for Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction. It allows for the safe return of the civilian population and relaunch of economic activities, notably in the transport, trade, and agricultural sectors.

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At Least 5 Killed In Russian Strikes As Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pleads For More Arms

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service February 07, 2024

An intense wave of Russian missile and drone strikes on six Ukrainian regions on February 7 killed at least five people -- four of them in a high-rise apartment block in the capital, Kyiv -- wounded dozens of others, and caused widespread damage to energy infrastructure.

The latest round of Russian strikes came as EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and the head of the UN's atomic agency, Rafael Grossi, were in Ukraine, with the latter visiting the Russia-occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant to assess the situation amid concerns about the plant's safety.

In Kyiv, debris from a downed Russian missile fell on an 18-story residential block in the southern Holosiyivskiy district, triggering a fire that killed at least four people, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.

Sixteen people were injured in Holosiyivskiy and in the eastern district of Dnipro in the capital, Klymenko said.

Serhiy Popko, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said at least 38 people were wounded in the capital.

Fragments of a downed Russian missile also damaged electricity lines, leaving part of the Ukrainian capital without power and heating.

"Some consumers on the left bank [of the Dnieper River] are currently without electricity," Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram. "The heating supply main on the left bank was damaged."

"Another massive Russian air attack against our country," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote on X, formerly Twitter, as an air-raid alert was declared for all of Ukraine. "Six regions came under enemy fire. All of our services are currently working to eliminate the consequences of this terror," Zelenskiy wrote.

In the southern city of Mykolayiv, one man died following a Russian strike, Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych said. Russian missiles also hit the Kharkiv and Sumy regions, wounding two people, regional officials said.

The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia launched 64 drones and missiles at Ukraine's territory. The Ukrainian air defense shot down 29 missiles and 15 drones, it said.

The Russian Defense Ministry said its air defense systems intercepted two waves of Ukrainian airborne attacks, destroying a total of 12 rockets and drones over the southwestern region of Belgorod.

Two people were injured, Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said.

The ministry said the first attack involved seven rockets and two drones. The second wave involved five more Czech-made Vampire rockets, the ministry said. The same type of rocket was used in deadly strikes on the city of Belgorod in late December.

Borrell, in Kyiv on a two-day visit to highlight the bloc's support for Ukraine, posted a picture on X from a shelter.

"Starting my morning in the shelter as air raid alarms are sounding across Kyiv," Borrell wrote. "This is the daily reality of the brave Ukrainian people, since Russia launched its illegal aggression."

Borrell met later with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who called for "urgent steps" to increase deliveries of military aid.

"If you ask a soldier at the front what he needs most now, the answer will be shells," Kuleba told Borrell. "The scale of the war and Russia's use of artillery reached a level for which, let's be honest, the European defense industry was not ready," he added.

Kuleba also said Ukraine found infighting in the U.S. Congress over the future of U.S. aid "confusing." Some $60 billion in aid for Ukraine is included in a border security bill that has stalled in Congress despite the urging of President Joe Biden to pass it.

U.S. national-security adviser Jake Sullivan told a joint news conference in Brussels with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on February 7 that the United States "can and will" deliver the needed aid. Stoltenberg said such a move was "vital."

Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), meanwhile, arrived at Moscow-controlled Zaporizhzhya -- Europe's largest nuclear power plant -- accompanied by IAEA mission staff and Russian soldiers, Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti reported.

Russia occupied the plant shortly after it launched its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and its six nuclear reactors are now idled.

The UN nuclear watchdog has voiced concern many times over the possibility of a nuclear catastrophe at the plant amid fighting in the area.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kyiv-air-raid- alert-missiles-russia-war-grossi/32808662.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Ukrainian Forces Beginning to Worry About Potential Ammunition Shortages - White House

Sputnik News

20240207

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Ukrainian forces are beginning to become concerned about potential ammunition shortages amid a lack of action by Congress to approve additional security assistance, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Wednesday.

"Battlefield commanders are making some really tough decisions right now," Kirby told reporters. "We know that in some units they are marshalling their ammunition very, very closely because they're beginning to get worried about running out."

Kirby added that Ukrainian forces are also assessing the availability of their longer range systems that they are using on the battlefield.

In December, the Biden administration ran out of funding to provide security assistance to Ukraine and Congress has yet to approve more funding.

Congress has been involved in a weeks-long debacle over the bipartisan deal reached on a national security supplemental package that includes some $60 billion for Ukraine.

The measure received no support from Republican leadership in the Senate and House of Representatives, which creates further uncertainty about when the United States will be able to provide additional aid to Ukraine.

A Sputnik

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NATO Not Interfering in Issue of Possible Replacement of Zaluzhny in Ukraine - Stoltenberg

Sputnik News

20240207

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - NATO is not interfering in the issue of possible replacement of Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday, adding that NATO's support for Kiev will continue.

"This is a Ukrainian decision. It is not for NATO to have any opinion about that. But I welcome the very clear statement from [Ukrainian] Foreign Minister [Dmytro] Kuleba that any changes will not affect Ukraine's relationship with partners and with NATO so we will continue to support. That's what matters and we will continue to do so," Stoltenberg told a press conference.

NATO has agreed $10 billion deals in ammunition since July 2023, Stoltenberg also said.

"Since last July, NATO agreed industry deals worth some $10 billion for ammunition, including $5,5 billion for 1,000 more Patriot air defense missiles just last month," Stoltenberg said.

Western countries, including member states of the European Union, have been providing military and financial aid to Kiev since the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February 2022.

The Kremlin has consistently warned against continued arms deliveries to Kiev, saying it would lead to further escalation of the conflict. In April 2022, Russia sent a diplomatic note to all NATO countries on the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russian strikes.

A Sputnik

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China to Promote Political Solution to Crisis in Ukraine - Foreign Ministry

Sputnik News

20240207

BEIJING (Sputnik) - Beijing intends to promote a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine in its "own way," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Wednesday.

In mid-January, Swiss President Viola Amherd said that Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky had asked Switzerland to host a peace summit on Ukraine. The head of the Ukrainian president's office, Andriy Yermak, said last year that Kiev wanted to hold several summits to promote its "peace formula."

"We will continue to promote peace talks in our own way and promote a political solution to the crisis," Wang told a press briefing, answering the question whether China was planning on attending the peace summit on Ukraine in Switzerland.

China will play a constructive role in the process, Wang added.

In November 2022, Zelensky unveiled his 10-point peace initiative dubbed the "peace formula" to end the military conflict with Russia. It included an all-for-all prisoner swap, security guarantees for Ukraine and a return to the pre-2014 borders. Moscow has consistently said it was open to peace negotiations as long as Kiev recognizes the territorial gains Russian forces have made since the launch of the military operation.

In February 2023, Beijing released a 12-point document titled "China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis," which underscores respect for the sovereignty of all countries, the cessation of hostilities, and the resumption of peace talks between Moscow and Kiev.

Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Russian and Ukrainian delegations have engaged in several rounds of peace talks since then, but the negotiations have ultimately reached an impasse.

A Sputnik

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Russia Attacked Ukrainian Defense Industry Enterprises With Missiles, Drones - MoD

Sputnik News

20240207

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian armed forces launched a massive up strike with missiles and UAVs on Ukrainian defense industry enterprises on Wednesday morning, the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) said.

"This morning, the armed forces of Russia launched a massive strike with high-precision long-range air and sea-based weapons, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles, against enterprises of the defense industry of Ukraine producing unmanned boats, coastal missile systems, missiles for multiple launch rocket systems and explosives," the MoD said in a statement.

The objective of the strike was achieved, and all objects were hit, the ministry added.

Developments in the Donetsk Region

Ukraine has lost up to 290 soldiers in the Donetsk direction over the past 24 hours, the MoD added.

Russia also repelled ten Ukrainian attacks near the settlements of Ivanovskoye, Pivdennoye, Shumy, and Pobeda in the Donetsk Region.

"The enemy lost up to 290 soldiers killed and injured, two armored combat vehicles and 13 military vehicles. During a counter battery mission, Russian units destroyed a US-made M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery unit, a D-20 howitzer, two D-30 howitzers, and a Ukrainian ammunition depot," the MoD noted.

Russia repelled four attacks by Ukraine in the Kupyansk area with Kiev losing up to 275 soldiers, and the Russian military repelled two attacks near Krasny Liman, where Ukraine has lost 220 soldiers.

Kiev has lost up to 195 soldiers south of Donetsk in the past day, the ministry concluded.

A Sputnik

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Court Little Flower 988 of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Priest and Deacon Appreciation Potluck will take place at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, in the St. Bonaventure Church Parish Center.
Our task this year is not only to bolster Ukraine's sky shield and long-range capabilities, but also to inflict systemic losses on Russia - address by the President of Ukraine

President of Ukraine

7 February 2024 - 21:31

Dear Ukrainians!

A brief summary for today.

In Kyiv, the debris from the morning's Russian strike was still being cleared by the evening. An apartment building. Dozens of people were injured, four people were killed. My condolences to the families and friends. Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Lviv region, Dnipropetrovsk, Khmelnytskyi, Kyiv and Kherson regions - there are casualties and destruction in these regions. We will retaliate against Russia for every missile, every "Shahed". And our task this year is not only to bolster our sky shield and Ukraine's long-range capabilities to the fullest extent possible, but also to inflict maximum systemic losses on Russia. In particular, this applies to frozen Russian assets, both of the terrorist state and of individuals associated with it. Everything must be confiscated and used for defense against terror. It is fair to retaliate against a terrorist. It is fair to destroy terrorists. And it is fair to make the terrorist state pay for its actions. And we are working with our partners as vigorously as possible to ensure a decision on Russian assets as soon as possible.

Today I met with the head of European diplomacy, Borrell. Specifically, we talked about the confiscation of Russian assets. We really need a unified and strong decision. A decision that proves our common respect for international law and absolute contempt for the terrorist state. Of course, I informed Mr. Borrell of the current battlefield situation and our needs. We discussed the European decision on a million artillery rounds for our warriors, and I am grateful for all the efforts to implement this decision and to give our guys on the front line more opportunities. Mr. Borrell promised that the agreements would be implemented. Today we also discussed key issues of Ukraine-EU security relations. We expect the creation of the Ukraine Assistance Fund within the European Peace Facility to be as effective as possible. I also met today with the President and members of the Bulgarian Parliament. We in Ukraine greatly appreciate Bulgaria's support and integrity. And it is really important for every European nation to be in solidarity now, to be on the side of international law and the protection of human life. We discussed with the representatives of the Bulgarian Parliament the work on the Peace Formula, the situation in our Black Sea region, and our bilateral cooperation, particularly in the defense sector. Bulgaria, thank you!

There is something more to say - specifically about gratitude. Our warriors, our combat brigades. Today, we have reasons to commend the 47th separate mechanized brigade. This is the Avdiivka direction. Thank you, warriors, for your bravery. Maryinka direction - the 79th separate air assault brigade. Thank you! Bakhmut direction - the 93rd Kholodnyi Yar separate mechanized brigade - well done, warriors! Siversk direction - the 54th separate mechanized brigade named after Hetman Mazepa and the 81st separate airmobile brigade. Thank you all, warriors, for your strength! Of course, our artillerymen - the 40th separate artillery brigade. Thank you for your accuracy!

I am grateful to everyone who fights for our country, who defends the Ukrainian sky, who ensures security in the Black Sea for Ukraine. Thank you to everyone who helps us! And to everyone who works to ensure that Ukraine can withstand and achieve its own goals in the war.

We can win - we have to!

Glory to Ukraine!

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We are ready to start negotiations with Estonia on a bilateral security agreement as soon as possible - Ihor Zhovkva after meeting with Kyllike Sillaste-Elling

President of Ukraine

7 February 2024 - 20:44

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva met with Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia Kyllike Sillaste-Elling.

Ihor Zhovkva thanked the Estonian side for the recent consensus of the EU leaders to create a new financial instrument for Ukraine - the Ukraine Facility worth a50 billion for 2024-2027. The Deputy Head of the Presidential Office informed his Estonian colleagues about Ukraine's next steps towards the actual opening of negotiations on EU membership.

The main focus was on the issue of providing our country with effective security commitments, as envisaged by the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine adopted at the NATO Summit in Vilnius last July.

The participants of the meeting discussed the structure of the future bilateral security agreement and its thematic blocks. They agreed to start negotiations on its conclusion as soon as possible.

The Deputy Head of the Presidential Office noted Estonia's leadership in a number of priority areas.

"Thank you for your country's proactive stance on the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's recovery, bringing the aggressor to justice, and the need to continue sanction pressure on the Russian Federation. We appreciate Estonia's leadership in the areas of IT and cybersecurity. The relevant provisions should be properly reflected in our future security agreement," emphasized Ihor Zhovkva.

The interlocutors also discussed the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and preparations for the Global Peace Summit. The Deputy Head of the Office of the President emphasized the importance of working together to organize the event, in particular, to involve as many countries of the Global South as possible.

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President met with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

President of Ukraine

7 February 2024 - 19:04

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell, who is on a visit to Ukraine.

The Head of State expressed gratitude to Josep Borrell for the European Union's unwavering support for Ukraine in countering Russian aggression.

"Thank you for your team's visit to Ukraine. Thank you for your support of the Ukrainian people. You have always been with us in difficult moments. In times of great challenges, you have always been on the side of Ukraine and its people in our struggle for life, sovereignty and independence," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The interlocutors paid key attention to Ukraine-EU security cooperation, in particular to the priority needs of the Ukrainian Defense Forces and the importance of expediting the implementation of the EU plan to supply 1 million artillery rounds to Ukraine.

For his part, the EU High Representative assured that 1 million artillery rounds would be delivered to Ukraine by the end of the year. He also emphasized the importance of continued financial support for Ukraine from the European Union.

The Head of State emphasized the need to define Ukraine as a priority export destination for artillery ammunition and to increase the number of orders and contracts for their production by EU member states.

"Terminating the export of artillery ammunition to third EU countries is the only possible correct decision in the face of current security challenges," the President of Ukraine said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Josep Borrell also discussed the draft law on intensifying mobilization, which the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted in the first reading today.

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President of Ukraine met with the President and MPs of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria

President of Ukraine

7 February 2024 - 16:49

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria Rosen Zhelyazkov, who is on a solidarity visit to Ukraine at the head of a delegation of Bulgarian MPs.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Head of State expressed sincere gratitude to the President and representatives of the National Assembly of Bulgaria for their active assistance, strengthening of the Defense Forces of Ukraine and clear support for our country on the path of European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

"We are grateful for your political support at all levels: in our movement towards the European Union and NATO, as well as for Ukrainian initiatives at the UN. And, of course, we are grateful for your substantial military support. We are happy that the people of Bulgaria have been on our side, on the side of truth, since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. Thank you for maintaining this spirit. We will never forget it," the President noted.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also noted Bulgaria's important steps in tightening sanctions against the aggressor state.

Particular attention was paid to further bilateral cooperation in the defense sector, Bulgaria's practical contribution to the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula, and preparations for the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland.

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Head of the President's Office had a phone call with German Chancellor's Advisor on Foreign and Security Policy

President of Ukraine

7 February 2024 - 09:06

Pursuant to the instruction of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak had a phone call with Foreign and Security Policy Advisor to the Federal Chancellor of Germany Jens PlAtner.

Andriy Yermak thanked his interlocutor for participating in the fourth meeting of the national security and foreign policy advisors to the heads of state in Davos and for the open and constructive dialogue.

The Head of the Office of the President told Jens PlAtner about Volodymyr Zelenskyy's recent trip to the frontline and his meeting with the defenders of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia sector. Andriy Yermak informed of the current situation on the battlefield and the urgent needs of the Ukrainian army.

The interlocutors also discussed the course of preparation of a bilateral security agreement. Jens PlAtner noted the progress made by the negotiating teams of Ukraine and Germany in this regard.

The Head of the President's Office noted that Germany's leadership in supporting Ukraine would serve as an example for other partners and allies in mobilizing efforts and making the necessary decisions on defense and financial assistance to our country.

Andriy Yermak conveyed greetings to the German Chancellor from the President of Ukraine and thanked the entire German society for the continuous strong support for our country in the war for freedom and independence.



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Two-month-old baby the ninth child reportedly killed in Ukraine this year, as attacks intensify

UNICEF

Statement by Regina De Dominicis, Regional Director for UNICEF Europe and Central Asia

07 February 2024

GENEVA/KYIV, 7 February 2024 -- "At least nine children have reportedly been killed and 37 injured in Ukraine since the beginning of the year, as waves of deadly attacks intensify across the country.

"Over the past 48 hours, two children have reportedly been killed, including one child in Lysychansk, Luhansk oblast, and a two-month-old baby in Zolochiv, Kharkiv oblast.

"The wave of attacks since the start of the year have damaged and destroyed homes, energy sources, schools, kindergartens and other civilian infrastructure across Ukraine.

"In an effort to survive, children are forced to take shelter in freezing, damp basements and underground stations across the country, often for hours at a time.

"The attacks have damaged and destroyed hospitals and other health care facilities, putting more lives at risk as illness and disease such as pneumonia take hold.

"For children living in frontline areas, the situation is particularly horrific, as attacks have left families without heating and water in temperatures that rarely reach above freezing.

"Across the country, more than 1,820 children have been killed or injured since the escalation of war nearly two years ago. As this number only includes the UN-verified reports, the actual number is likely higher. And in the Russian Federation, just over a month ago, three children were reportedly killed in attacks in Belgorod.

"UNICEF is working on the ground across Ukraine to respond to the immediate humanitarian needs of children and families, providing lifesaving services and supplies.

"We call on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and abide by legal and moral obligations to protect children and the infrastructure they rely on irrespective of their location. Children and their families need peace."

#####

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Ukrainians should live without fear of attacks disrupting their lives: Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine Denise Brown denounces attacks that damage critical civilian infrastructure across

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

I am deeply disturbed again by a harrowing wave of attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns this morning.

The attacks have led to a distressing number of civilian casualties and have massively disrupted essential services, including electricity, water, and gas supplies, especially in Mykolaiv City and Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, when they are much needed this cold winter. Millions of people rely on these services for heating, cooking, and transportation. They are critically important to ensure the health and education facilities are functional.

Ukrainians should live without fear of attacks disrupting their lives.

Humanitarians have mobilized emergency response in Kyiv and Mykolayiv, delivering repair materials and psychosocial assistance to those affected.

Repeated attacks damaging civilian infrastructure and causing injuries and deaths to civilians indicate a concerning pattern of harm and international humanitarian law violations. Civilians must be spared from violence.

7 February 2024

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US, NATO Reaffirm Need to Support Ukraine

By VOA News February 07, 2024

U.S. and NATO officials Wednesday reaffirmed their strong support for Ukraine's continued battle against Russia as top humanitarian leaders denounced a wave of missile attacks Ukraine's president said killed at least five people.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, speaking at NATO headquarters, sounded confident despite the dramatic collapse, Tuesday, of a U.S. Senate deal to fund Ukraine's defense and buttress the southern border of the United States.

In remarks delivered before the bill cratered, U.S. President Joe Biden said the lapse in U.S. support is "just what Putin wants."

But Sullivan said he is hopeful.

"Even in the last 24 hours, you've seen a significant number of Republicans come out and say that no matter what else happens, we need to move forward a package of support for Ukraine," he said. "As President Biden said yesterday, history will record any failure to deliver the type of assistance that's contained in the package that was put forward this week."

And, he stressed, as have other administration officials: If Washington does not deliver, there is no Plan B.

"At the end of the day, there is no alternative to the United States stepping up to the plate and providing a level of resources that allow Ukraine to have the artillery, the air defense systems and the other capabilities they need," Sullivan said in Brussels. "And time is of the essence in this regard. So we're going to stay focused on that and we believe that we still can and will deliver it."

Those hopeful words come after what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as "another massive Russian air attack against our country,"

"Six regions came under enemy fire," he said on social media. "All of our services are currently working to eliminate the consequences of this terror."

Later in his nightly address, Zelenskyy vowed to "retaliate against Russia" for every missile and drone it launches, while also saying Ukraine will work to bolster its air defenses.

Attacks disrupt essential services

The United Nations' resident coordinator in Ukraine, Denise Brown, said on Wednesday she was "deeply disturbed" by the attacks.

"The attacks have led to a distressing number of civilian casualties and have massively disrupted essential services, including electricity, water and gas supplies, especially in Mykolaiv City and Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, when they are much needed this cold winter," she said in a statement.

"Millions of people rely on these services for heating, cooking and transportation. They are critically important to ensure health and education facilities are functional," she said. "Ukrainians should live without fear of attacks disrupting their lives."

Ukraine's military detailed a large wave of Russian attacks that included 20 drones, 36 cruise missiles, five S-300 guided missiles and three ballistic missiles.

The Ukrainian air force said the country's air defenses destroyed 15 of the 20 drones and 29 of the 44 missiles.

Zelenskyy said the Russian attack killed one person in Mykolaiv and destroyed dozens of houses in the city. The city hosts one of the nation's most important Black Sea ports.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram a high-rise building was struck, killing at least four people and injuring more than 30 others.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who is visiting Kyiv, posted on X that he was starting Wednesday in a shelter amid the air alarms.

"This is the daily reality of the brave Ukrainian people, since Russia launched its illegal aggression," Borrell said.

After talks with Zelenskyy, Borrell said the Ukrainian leader "asked for additional ammunition, drones and air defense systems."

Borrell said his top priority is mobilizing EU military aid for Ukraine.

Russia's military reported destroying two waves of Ukrainian aerial attacks that included 12 missiles and drones targeting the Belgorod region.

Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said two people were injured and several apartment buildings were damaged.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters

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Switzerland to China: 'Give Us a Hand' With Ukraine Peace Process

By Oksana Bedratenko February 07, 2024

As Switzerland prepares to host peace talks on Russia's war on Ukraine, it has formally invited China to join the effort that it is spearheading.

Speaking with reporters Wednesday as he wrapped up a two-day visit to China's capital, Switzerland's foreign minister, Ignazio Cassis, said he was interested in getting Beijing's help because "China has great relations with Russia."

"I hope that China, that is very open to contribute, can 'give us a hand' towards peace," Cassis said.

Last month, Switzerland agreed to hold the peace summit at the request of Ukraine to discuss the 10-point peace plan put forward by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The date and venue of the summit have yet to be identified. Ukraine underscored the importance of China's participation when it recently extended an invitation to Beijing, personally asking Chinese leader Xi Jinping to attend. Russia has rejected Zelenskyy's peace plan, which envisages, among other measures, a full withdrawal of Russian troops.

Asked how Beijing responded to the invitation, Cassis said that since "it's a very high-level conference, we can't expect an immediate answer."

And what kind of role Beijing could play, if any, is unclear.

Just three weeks before the war began almost two years ago, China's Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of what they called a "no limits" partnership.

Since then, China has not criticized Russia's aggression or joined international sanctions against Moscow. Instead, it has repeatedly called on both sides to pursue peace negotiations.

Last week, when China's newly appointed defense minister, Dong Jun, had a video call with Russia's defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, he offered China's full support "on the Ukrainian issue" despite pressure from the U.S. and Europe.

However, after that remark, the Foreign Ministry's spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, stressed at a briefing that China's "position has not changed." Wang also expressed hope that "all parties will strive to cool down the tensions and create favorable conditions for the political settlement of the crisis."

China's interests

Some analysts believe that there are strong reasons for China to participate in the talks.

In an interview with VOA's Ukranian service, Robert Zoellick a a former World Bank president and U.S. deputy secretary of State a said there are both economic and geopolitical reasons why Russia's war on Ukraine is not in China's interests.

Zoellick said the war undermines food and energy prices, that are important for the Chinese economy, and it also strengthens U.S. alliances, including NATO, which China does not see as beneficial.

Lastly, China might have underestimated "the shock of this invasion" in a region where China wants to build relations.

China's relations with the West remain a "delicate dance," argues Peter Engelke, deputy director of the Scowcroft Initiative at the Washington research organization the Atlantic Council, in the interview with VOA.

Beijing continues "to press for geopolitical advantage vis-a-vis the United States, whether it comes to Taiwan, the Middle East or Ukraine, while at the same time knowing that it has to curry favor with the United States and with the Europeans because it also has interests on the cooperative side not limited to but including its need to trade."

Others disagree. Economic integration does not turn authoritarians into a constructive force, argued participants of the House Select Committee on the CCP at hearings on January 30.

"Rather than turning their swords into plowshares as they integrated with the world economy, the CCP and Putin's Russia have bought more swords," said Raja Krishnamoorthy, a Democrat from Illinois. Chairman Mike Gallagher, a Wisconsin Republican, warned at the same hearings that China is emerging as a leader of authoritarian alliance.

"What was once a smattering of rogue authoritarians causing trouble, today looks a whole lot like an axis led by the Chinese Communist Party. Xi, Putin, Ayatollah Khamenei, Kim Jong Un, and Hamas," Gallagher said in an opening statement.

Private conversation

Even if China decides to play a role in peacemaking in Ukraine, observers believe one should not expect Beijing to publicly condemn the war.

Charles Kupchan, senior fellow at the U.S. research group the Council on Foreign Relations, said in the interview with VOA Mandarin that the most likely scenario is that Xi and Putin have a private conversation and Beijing tells Putin that "enough has been had," and it is time to "end this situation and stop the destruction and killing caused by the war in Ukraine around the world."

In an interview with VOA's Ukranian service, Zoellick said there might be a situation where Xi would quietly tell Putin that it is time to end the war.

One example of China's influence on Moscow was the position Beijing took in response to Russia's threats to use nuclear weapons in the early days of its full-scale war on Ukraine.

At that time China suggested that nuclear weapons are a no-no. "That's a good thing," Zoellick said.

VOA's Mandarin Service also contributed to this report.

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Media Reports: Ukrainian Intelligence Official Fired Over Surveillance of Journalists

By VOA News February 07, 2024

A top official at Ukraine's SBU intelligence agency was fired following revelations that investigative journalists in the country had been surveilled, according to media reports.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy approved the firing, a source said.

The press freedom group Reporters Without Borders, or RSF, which identified three relevant cases, called for investigations.

In one case, the investigative outlet Bihus.info reported on Monday it had been under surveillance by the SBU, the Security Service of Ukraine. The intelligence agency later confirmed the monitoring but said it had acted as part of an investigation into drug trafficking.

In another case, Odesa-based journalist Iryna Hryb reported in January that she found a device in her car that could be used to listen to her phone calls or discussions with passengers and track her movement.

In the third case, masked individuals tried to force their way into the Kyiv apartment of investigative reporter Yuriy Nikolov on January 14. He was threatened with forcible enlistment to fight in the Ukrainian army, according to RSF.

Speaking about the surveillance of Bihus.info, SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk condemned these actions and announced internal measures against the "people involved."

A source with the SBU told Agence France-Presse this week that "the head of the SBU state protection department, Roman Semenchenko, was fired as a result of the surveillance of Bihus Info staff."

Jeanne Cavelier, head of RSF's Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk, said these cases are connected because all three involved journalists covering corruption linked to the Ukrainian elite.

"Journalists must be able to work in Ukraine without being spied on, followed or threatened," Cavelier said in a statement. "The Ukrainian media landscape draws its strength from these journalists, who continue their investigative reporting despite the war." Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Some information in this report came from Agence France-Presse.

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Xi extends condolences over passing of Chile's ex-president Pinera

Xinhua) 08:10, February 08, 2024

BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday sent a message of condolences to Chilean President Gabriel Boric over the passing of former Chilean President Sebastian Pinera.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi extended deep condolences and expressed sincere sympathies to the Chilean people and Pinera's family.

In his message, Xi pointed out that Mr. Pinera was an outstanding politician of Chile and had devoted himself to the development of China-Chile relations and the mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation, actively contributing to the friendship of the two countries.

The Chinese people have lost an old friend, a good friend after Pinera's passing, Xi said.

"I highly regard the development of China-Chile relations, and stand ready to work with President Boric to continue to promote the ongoing consolidation and development of the China-Chile comprehensive strategic partnership," Xi said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
The Nebraska Department of Agricultures (NDA) annual poster contest, which highlights and celebrates Nebraska agriculture, is open to all Nebraska students in first through sixth grades.

This years theme, Nebraska Agriculture: Ready, Set, Grow, applies to everything in Nebraska from livestock to crops. The deadline to submit posters is March 1, 2024.

Outreach in agriculture education is an important part of the work we do at NDA, and our annual poster contest is a good way for parents and teachers to connect with students and talk about agriculture, NDA Director Sherry Vinton said. Were looking forward to seeing the students creativity as they share their ideas of what Nebraska agriculture and this years Ready, Set, Grow theme looks like to them.

NDA will announce the winners during National Agriculture Week, March 17-23, 2024. National Ag Week highlights the diversity of agriculture and celebrates the food, fuel, and fiber that farmers and ranchers provide every day. NDA will feature winning entries from this years contest on its website and in promotional materials and publications.

NDAs poster contest is divided into three age categories for judging purposes: first and second grade students; third and fourth grade students; and fifth and sixth grade students, in any Nebraska public, private or home school. All posters must be exclusively student created. Entries must be received at NDAs office by March 1, 2024.

Poster contest rules and official entry forms are available online at nda.nebraska.gov/kids. For more information, contact Christin Kamm at 402-471-6856 or by email at christin.kamm@nebraska.gov.

NDAs poster contest reminds all Nebraskans that agriculture positively impacts all of us, from the food we eat, to the fuel for our cars, to the clothes we wear, Vinton said. Last year, we received a record 2,000+ entries in our annual poster contest, and were hoping for even more this year.
Secretary-General's remarks to the General Assembly on Priorities for 2024

United Nations Secretary-General

07 February 2024

[Bilingual, as delivered; scroll down for all-English version]

Mr. President of the General Assembly,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me begin by extending my very best wishes for 2024.

I wish health and happiness for you and your families -- and peace for our world.

Our organization was founded on the pursuit of peace.

Peace is our raison d'Atre.

Yet as I scan the landscape of today's world, the one thing missing most dramatically is peace.

And by that, I mean peace in all its dimensions.

As conflicts rage and geopolitical divisions grow, peace in our world is threatened.

As polarization deepens and human rights are trampled, peace within communities is undermined.

As inequalities explode, peace with justice is shattered.

As we continue our addiction to fossil fuels, we make a mockery of any notion of peace with nature.

Around the globe, and across the range of issues, peace is the missing piece.

People want peace and security.

People want peace and dignity.

And, frankly, they want peace and quiet.

There is so much anger and hate and noise in our world today.

Every day and at every turn, it seems - it's war.

Terrible conflicts that are killing and maiming civilians in record numbers.

Wars of words. Turf wars. Culture wars.

So many peddling the perverse math that says you multiply support by dividing people.

This is especially troubling in a year when half of humanity will go to the polls.

Meanwhile, more and more families are falling behind.

More and more countries are drowning in debt.

More and more people are losing trust in institutions and faith in the political process.

Peace is the way out of these interlinked crises.

Peace is more than a noble vision.

Peace is a rallying cry. It is a call to action.

Our obligation is to act together for peace in all its dimensions.

Excellencies,

Despite the turbulence of our times, there are reasons for hope.

At the SDG Summit, world leaders endorsed an SDG Stimulus and the need for far-reaching reforms of the international financial architecture.

Countries also reached agreement last year on the High Seas Treaty to protect precious marine biodiversity from pollution and overfishing.

We are making some headway on climate justice. The Loss and Damage Fund - provided that it is well-resourced - will help vulnerable countries recover from the impacts of extreme weather.

The Security Council agreed to our years-long call to back peace enforcement and counter-terrorism operations led by regional partners, notably the African Union, with mandates from the Council and supported by assessed contributions.

The new High Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence launched a global conversation on how this all-pervading technology can benefit us all.

Looking ahead, at the Summit of the Future in September, we have a chance to shape multilateralism for years to come.

And indeed our world badly needs:

Reform of the Security Council.

Reform of the international financial system.

The meaningful engagement of youth in decision-making.

A Global Digital Compact to maximize the benefits of new technologies and minimize the risks.

An emergency platform to improve the international response to complex global shocks.

I see a truly dynamic effort to build a more effective, inclusive and renewed multilateralism tuned to the 21st century and our increasingly multipolar world.

And you are at the heart of this essential effort.

And peace is at the heart of all we do.

Excellencies,

For millions of people caught up in conflict around the world, life is a deadly, daily, hungry hell.

Record numbers are fleeing their homes in search of safety.

They are crying out for peace.

We must hear them, and act.

In the immediate term, we must continue to push for peace across the globe.

The situation in Gaza is a festering wound on our collective conscience that threatens the entire region.

Nothing justifies the horrific terror attacks launched by Hamas against Israel on 7 October.

Nor is there any justification for the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

Yet, Israeli military operations have resulted in destruction and death in Gaza at a scale and speed without parallel since I became Secretary-General.

I am especially alarmed by reports that the Israeli military intends to focus next on Rafah - where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been squeezed in a desperate search for safety.

Such an action would exponentially increase what is already a humanitarian nightmare with untold regional consequences.

It is time for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

This must rapidly lead to irreversible actions towards a two-state solution, based on United Nations resolutions, international law and previous agreements.

In Ukraine, I repeat my call for a just and sustainable peace, in line with the UN Charter and international law -- for Ukraine, for Russia and for the world.

In a swathe of countries across the Sahel, terrorism is spiking, and civilians are paying a terrible price. We will not relent in supporting the people of the Sahel in these troubling times.

Collective action is essential in the Horn of Africa to consolidate the hard-won gains against Al Shabaab and to preserve the fundamental principle of territorial integrity avoiding new crises.

The fighting must stop in Sudan before it destroys even more lives and spreads.

In Libya, while a ceasefire holds, the Libyan people deserve sustained peace and stability, starting with a commitment to free and fair elections.

In eastern Democratic Republic of [the] Congo, I call on all armed groups to lay down their weapons and I urge regional leaders to prioritize dialogue.

In Yemen, I appeal to all parties to focus on the path to peace and also to de-escalate tensions in the Red Sea based on the principle of freedom of navigation.

In Myanmar, we need sustained international and regional attention to help urgently forge a path towards a democratic transition and return to civilian rule.

In Haiti, lawlessness is surging and millions face acute food insecurity. The Multinational Security Support mission must be deployed without delay and I hope all obstacles will be removed, and I also urge Member States to provide the necessary financial support.

And in the western Balkans, some leaders continue to stoke tensions and ethno-nationalistic rhetoric. I urge action for reconciliation, stability and economic prosperity across the region.

Excellencies,

If countries fulfilled their obligations under the Charter, every person's right to a life of peace and dignity would be guaranteed.

But governments are ignoring and undermining the very tenets of multilateralism - with zero accountability.

The United Nations Security Council - the primary platform for questions of global peace - is deadlocked by geopolitical fissures.

This is not the first time the Council has been divided.

But it is the worst.

Today's dysfunction is deeper and more dangerous.

During the Cold War, well-established mechanisms helped manage superpower relations.

In today's multipolar world, such mechanisms are missing.

And so our world is entering an age of chaos.

We are seeing the results: a dangerous and unpredictable free-for-all with total impunity.

After decades of nuclear disarmament, states are competing to make their nuclear arsenals faster, stealthier and more accurate.

New potential domains of conflict, and weapons of war, are being developed without guardrails, creating new ways to kill each other - and for humanity to annihilate itself.

As conflicts proliferate, global humanitarian needs are at an all-time high, but funding is not keeping pace.

Humanitarian workers are saving lives and easing suffering around the world.

I pay tribute to their heroic efforts and to those aid workers who have paid the ultimate price, most recently and tragically in Gaza.

Excellencies,

We need to strengthen and renew global peace and security frameworks to deal with the complexities of today's multipolar world.

That is the rationale for our New Agenda for Peace.

First and foremost, the United Nations Security Council must be able to take decisions and implement them. And it must become more representative.

It is totally unacceptable that the African continent is still waiting for a permanent seat.

The Council's working methods must also be updated so that it can make progress - even when Members are sharply divided.

The New Agenda for Peace addresses strategic risks through a recommitment to eliminating nuclear weapons and stepped-up efforts to prevent conflict.

It proposes measures to mitigate the impact of geopolitical competition on people and prevent the fragmentation of global trade rules, supply chains, currencies and the internet.

It presents a view of prevention that addresses violence in all its forms and at all levels.

It recognizes the links between sustainable development, climate action, and peace; and it calls for the transformation of gendered power dynamics; the meaningful inclusion of women and young people in all peace processes; and respect for all human rights: civil, political, economic, social and cultural.

It underscores the need for peacekeeping missions with realistic mandates and well-defined transition and exit strategies.

And it urges the development of norms and frameworks to regulate the use of new technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, in the military domain.

Excellences,

Nous avons Agalement besoin de paix au sein mAme des communautAs.

Partout dans le monde, nous voyons des populations divisAes par la montAe des discours de haine, de la discrimination, de l'extrAmisme et des atteintes aux droits humains.

L'antisAmitisme, le sectarisme antimusulman, la persAcution des minoritAs chrAtiennes et l'idAologie suprAmaciste blanche sont en hausse.

L'autoritarisme se rApand. L'espace civique rAtrAcit. Les mAdias sont attaquAs.

La discrimination A l'Agard des femmes et des filles et la violence sexuelle et sexiste constituent les atteintes aux droits humains les plus rApandues dans le monde.

Je vois deux raisons fondamentales A cette situation gAnAralisAe .

PremiArement, la vitesse et la portAe de la dAsinformation et de la haine ont augmentA de faAon exponentielle A l'Are numArique. La recherche du profit a aidA les extrAmistes A semer la division.

DeuxiAmement, les inAgalitAs - rAelles ou ressenties, les privations Aconomiques ainsi que les changements sociaux et Aconomiques rapides nourrissent les peurs des populations.

Bien que le niveau de vie global dans le monde soit plus AlevA que jamais, six personnes sur sept dAclarent se sentir inquiAtes et craindre pour leur avenir.

L'Organisation des Nations Unies soutient les efforts visant A dAcupler les investissements en faveur de la cohAsion sociale et prioriser la sAcuritA de chaque personne.

C'est pour cela que nous appelons au renouvellement du contrat social, fondA sur la confiance, la justice et l'inclusion et ancrA dans les droits humains.

Nous faisons progresser mon Appel A l'action en faveur des droits humains.

Nous Auvrons pour une pleine participation des femmes, sur un pied d'AgalitA, et leur leadership A tous les secteurs de la sociAtA - et ce, de toute urgence.

Et nous faisons pression sur les entreprises technologiques afin qu'elles assument leurs responsabilitAs en cessant d'amplifier et de te tirer profit de la propagation d'une dAsinformation toxique et d'autres contenus nuisibles.

Notre prochain code de conduite pour l'intAgritA de l'information, qui sera publiA avant le Sommet de l'avenir, aidera les dAcideurs A faire de l'espace numArique un endroit inclusif et plus sAr pour tous, tout en dAfendant le droit A la libertA d'expression.

Tous les dirigeants ont la responsabilitA de veiller A ce que les populations se sentent incluses et reprAsentAes ; A ce que la diversitA soit pleinement reconnue comme une force ; et A ce que chaque communautA se sente valorisAe et occupe une place A part entiAre dans la sociAtA.

Excellencies,

Beyond tensions in the world and within communities, we need peace with justice.

Inequalities and injustice are fuel for a world at war with itself.

And conflicts are stoking further inequalities and injustice.

Take the tale of two canals.

Trade via the Suez Canal is down by 42 percent, since the start of Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea more than three months ago.

Trade via the Panama Canal is down 36 percent in the past month, because of low water levels - a byproduct of the climate crisis.

Whether the cause is conflict or climate, the result is the same: disruption to global supply chains and increased costs for everybody.

Developing economies are particularly vulnerable to these disruptions.

Sustainable, inclusive development hinges on peace.

And delivering the Sustainable Development Goals is our most effective way of building peace and prosperity.

Yet we face a development emergency.

The seismic shock of the COVID-19 pandemic was followed by a sharp acceleration in global tensions - and global prices - when Russia invaded Ukraine.

Developing economies were sent reeling. Many still are.

Today's global economic outlook largely ignores the elephant in the room: developing countries are experiencing their worst half-decade since the early 1990s.

Many face unpayable debt service costs, which are now at record levels.

The world's poorest countries will owe more in debt service this year than their public spending on health, education, and infrastructure combined.

Meanwhile, governments are being forced to cut back on investments and essential services.

All these issues will be on the agenda at the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States in May, and the Third [International] Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in June.

Excellencies,

To keep the promise of the SDGs, we need progress in two crucial areas.

First, finance. We are pushing for an SDG Stimulus of 500 billion US dollars annually in affordable long-term finance for developing countries.

The SDG Stimulus calls for urgent action on debt, including breathing space for countries facing impossible repayment schedules.

I have invited a small number of Heads of State to work with me to make the Stimulus a reality.

With your support, we can significantly and immediately increase the capital and capacity of Multilateral Development Banks and help get developing economies back on track. Positive steps have been made by the leaders of the banks, but there is a long way to go.

Second, we must keep working to usher in a new Bretton Woods moment, with an international financial architecture that responds to the needs of all countries.

Today's architecture is outdated, dysfunctional and unfair.

It favours the rich countries that designed it nearly 80 years ago.

It fails to offer countries the affordable finance required to meet our shared goals.

And it does not fulfil the basic foundation unction of providing a financial safety net for all developing countries.

The Summit of the Future will consider the need for deep reforms to make financial institutions and frameworks truly universal and inclusive.

Excellencies,

We must also harness the power of technology to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

From healthcare to education, from climate action to food systems, generative Artificial Intelligence is the most important potential tool to build inclusive, green, sustainable economies and societies.

But AI is already creating risks around disinformation, privacy, and bias.

It is concentrated in very few companies - and even fewer countries.

Technology must reduce inequalities, not reproduce them - or pit people against each other.

AI will affect all of humankind, so we need a universal approach to deal with it.

Our Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence reflects the central convening role of the United Nations - bringing together governments, private companies, academia and civil society.

The Body's recommendations will feed into the Global Digital Compact proposed for adoption at the Summit of the Future.

We must move fast, be creative, and work together to ensure adequate guardrails and ethical standards, promote transparency, and build capacities in developing countries.

Artificial Intelligence must not replace human agency.

It was created by humans and must always be under human control.

Excellencies,

We must also make peace with the planet.

Humanity has waged a war we can only lose: our war with nature.

It is a crazy fight to pick.

We are detonating systems that sustain us:

Spewing out emissions causing our climate to implode; poisoning land, sea and air with pollution, and decimating biodiversity, causing ecosystems to collapse.

We have many important milestones, including: October's UN Biodiversity Conference, November's COP29, and December's Conference on the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

Excellencies,

The climate crisis remains the defining challenge of our time.

The coming years will largely determine whether we can limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees.

To stay within that limit, we must cut emissions 45 percent by 2030, compared with 2010 levels. And we need emissions to have peaked by 2025.

The good news is, we have never been better equipped to prevent climate breakdown. And the benefits of renewables are clearer every year.

We must seize the momentum by taking action in three areas: Nationally Determined Contributions; phasing out fossil fuels; and finance.

By 2025, every country must commit to new national climate plans aligned with the 1.5-degree limit.

I am mobilizing the entire UN system to assist countries to do so.

New national plans should cover all emissions and sectors.

They should map a just transition to clean energy.

And they must be backed-up by robust policies and regulations - from an effective carbon price, to ending fossil fuel subsidies.

For developing countries, this is a chance to create national climate plans that double as national transition plans and national investment plans:

To attract capital and investments; to chart a just transition to a net zero future; and to underpin sustainable development for generations to come.

For the G20, this is an opportunity to show true leadership on the global stage by accelerating a just, equitable fossil fuel phase-out.

Excellencies,

The fossil fuel era is on its last legs.

The renewable energy revolution is unstoppable.

But we must act this year to ensure that the transition is just for people and planet - and that it will be fast enough to prevent full-on climate catastrophe,

That requires tripling global renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030 - as agreed at COP28.

It means working to ensure the production and trade of minerals critical to the energy transitions are just, sustainable and provide maximum added value in the countries supplying the raw materials in the first place. Developing countries must not be only producers of raw materials; they must be much higher in the level of capacity to transform them.

The Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals will develop voluntary principles by the end of the year.

Excellencies,

A just transition means urgent action to unlock the finance developing countries need to leapfrog fossil fuel dependence while bringing clean power to all.

Our Climate Solidarity Pact urges big emitters to make extra efforts to cut emissions and wealthier countries to support emerging economies to do so.

I urge countries to put it into effect.

And I welcome Brazil's commitment to bring climate and finance discussions together as G20 President.

At a minimum, developed countries must clarify the delivery of the $100 billion, and explain how they will double adaptation funding, to at least $40 billion a year, by 2025.

At COP29, all countries must agree on an ambitious new climate finance goal.

We should explore innovative sources of climate finance.

And the Loss and Damage Fund must be up and running as quickly as possible - and with significant contributions.

Countries on the frontline of climate chaos are entitled to far greater support.

Excellencies,

This is a full agenda.

In one form or another, every element connects to the most essential of all human endeavours: the pursuit of peace.

Peace can achieve wonders that wars never will.

Wars destroy.

Peace builds.

But in today's troubled world, building peace is a conscious, bold and even radical act.

It is humanity's greatest responsibility.

And that responsibility belongs to us all - individually and collectively.

In this difficult and divided moment, let's meet that obligation for today and future generations.

Starting here. Starting now.

For my part, I can guarantee that I will never give up pushing for peace.

Thank you.

*******************************************************************************

[All-English]

Mr. President of the General Assembly,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me begin by extending my very best wishes for 2024.

I wish health and happiness for you and your families -- and peace for our world.

Our organization was founded on the pursuit of peace.

Peace is our raison d'Atre.

Yet as I scan the landscape of today's world, the one thing missing most dramatically is peace.

And by that, I mean peace in all its dimensions.

As conflicts rage and geopolitical divisions grow, peace in our world is threatened.

As polarization deepens and human rights are trampled, peace within communities is undermined.

As inequalities explode, peace with justice is shattered.

As we continue our addiction to fossil fuels, we make a mockery of any notion of peace with nature.

Around the globe, and across the range of issues, peace is the missing piece.

People want peace and security.

People want peace and dignity.

And, frankly, they want peace and quiet.

There is so much anger and hate and noise in our world today.

Every day and at every turn, it seems - it's war.

Terrible conflicts that are killing and maiming civilians in record numbers.

Wars of words. Turf wars. Culture wars.

So many peddling the perverse math that says you multiply support by dividing people.

This is especially troubling in a year when half of humanity will go to the polls.

Meanwhile, more and more families are falling behind.

More and more countries are drowning in debt.

More and more people are losing trust in institutions and faith in the political process.

Peace is the way out of these interlinked crises.

Peace is more than a noble vision.

Peace is a rallying cry. It is a call to action.

Our obligation is to act together for peace in all its dimensions.

Excellencies,

Despite the turbulence of our times, there are reasons for hope.

At the SDG Summit, world leaders endorsed an SDG Stimulus and the need for far-reaching reforms of the international financial architecture.

Countries also reached agreement last year on the High Seas Treaty to protect precious marine biodiversity from pollution and overfishing.

We are making some headway on climate justice. The Loss and Damage Fund - provided that it is well-resourced - will help vulnerable countries recover from the impacts of extreme weather.

The Security Council agreed to our years-long call to back peace enforcement and counter-terrorism operations led by regional partners, notably the African Union, with mandates from the Council and supported by assessed contributions.

The new High Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence launched a global conversation on how this all-pervading technology can benefit us all.

Looking ahead, at the Summit of the Future in September, we have a chance to shape multilateralism for years to come.

And indeed our world badly needs:

Reform of the Security Council.

Reform of the international financial system.

The meaningful engagement of youth in decision-making.

A Global Digital Compact to maximize the benefits of new technologies and minimize the risks.

An emergency platform to improve the international response to complex global shocks.

I see a truly dynamic effort to build a more effective, inclusive and renewed multilateralism tuned to the 21st century and our increasingly multipolar world.

And you are at the heart of this essential effort.

And peace is at the heart of all we do.

Excellencies,

For millions of people caught up in conflict around the world, life is a deadly, daily, hungry hell.

Record numbers are fleeing their homes in search of safety.

They are crying out for peace.

We must hear them, and act.

In the immediate term, we must continue to push for peace across the globe.

The situation in Gaza is a festering wound on our collective conscience that threatens the entire region.

Nothing justifies the horrific terror attacks launched by Hamas against Israel on 7 October.

Nor is there any justification for the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

Yet, Israeli military operations have resulted in destruction and death in Gaza at a scale and speed without parallel since I became Secretary-General.

I am especially alarmed by reports that the Israeli military intends to focus next on Rafah - where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been squeezed in a desperate search for safety.

Such an action would exponentially increase what is already a humanitarian nightmare with untold regional consequences.

It is time for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

This must rapidly lead to irreversible actions towards a two-state solution, based on United Nations resolutions, international law and previous agreements.

In Ukraine, I repeat my call for a just and sustainable peace, in line with the UN Charter and international law -- for Ukraine, for Russia and for the world.

In a swathe of countries across the Sahel, terrorism is spiking, and civilians are paying a terrible price. We will not relent in supporting the people of the Sahel in these troubling times.

Collective action is essential in the Horn of Africa to consolidate the hard-won gains against Al Shabaab and to preserve the fundamental principle of territorial integrity avoiding new crises.

The fighting must stop in Sudan before it destroys even more lives and spreads.

In Libya, while a ceasefire holds, the Libyan people deserve sustained peace and stability, starting with a commitment to free and fair elections.

In eastern Democratic Republic of [the] Congo, I call on all armed groups to lay down their weapons and I urge regional leaders to prioritize dialogue.

In Yemen, I appeal to all parties to focus on the path to peace and also to de-escalate tensions in the Red Sea based on the principle of freedom of navigation.

In Myanmar, we need sustained international and regional attention to help urgently forge a path towards a democratic transition and return to civilian rule.

In Haiti, lawlessness is surging and millions face acute food insecurity. The Multinational Security Support mission must be deployed without delay and I hope all obstacles will be removed, and I also urge Member States to provide the necessary financial support.

And in the western Balkans, some leaders continue to stoke tensions and ethno-nationalistic rhetoric. I urge action for reconciliation, stability and economic prosperity across the region.

Excellencies,

If countries fulfilled their obligations under the Charter, every person's right to a life of peace and dignity would be guaranteed.

But governments are ignoring and undermining the very tenets of multilateralism - with zero accountability.

The United Nations Security Council - the primary platform for questions of global peace - is deadlocked by geopolitical fissures.

This is not the first time the Council has been divided.

But it is the worst.

Today's dysfunction is deeper and more dangerous.

During the Cold War, well-established mechanisms helped manage superpower relations.

In today's multipolar world, such mechanisms are missing.

And so our world is entering an age of chaos.

We are seeing the results: a dangerous and unpredictable free-for-all with total impunity.

After decades of nuclear disarmament, states are competing to make their nuclear arsenals faster, stealthier and more accurate.

New potential domains of conflict, and weapons of war, are being developed without guardrails, creating new ways to kill each other - and for humanity to annihilate itself.

As conflicts proliferate, global humanitarian needs are at an all-time high, but funding is not keeping pace.

Humanitarian workers are saving lives and easing suffering around the world.

I pay tribute to their heroic efforts and to those aid workers who have paid the ultimate price, most recently and tragically in Gaza.

Excellencies,

We need to strengthen and renew global peace and security frameworks to deal with the complexities of today's multipolar world.

That is the rationale for our New Agenda for Peace.

First and foremost, the United Nations Security Council must be able to take decisions and implement them. And it must become more representative.

It is totally unacceptable that the African continent is still waiting for a permanent seat.

The Council's working methods must also be updated so that it can make progress - even when Members are sharply divided.

The New Agenda for Peace addresses strategic risks through a recommitment to eliminating nuclear weapons and stepped-up efforts to prevent conflict.

It proposes measures to mitigate the impact of geopolitical competition on people and prevent the fragmentation of global trade rules, supply chains, currencies and the internet.

It presents a view of prevention that addresses violence in all its forms and at all levels.

It recognizes the links between sustainable development, climate action, and peace; and it calls for the transformation of gendered power dynamics; the meaningful inclusion of women and young people in all peace processes; and respect for all human rights: civil, political, economic, social and cultural.

It underscores the need for peacekeeping missions with realistic mandates and well-defined transition and exit strategies.

And it urges the development of norms and frameworks to regulate the use of new technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, in the military domain.

Excellencies,

We also need peace within communities.

Around the world, we are seeing communities divided by rising hate speech, discrimination, extremism and human rights abuses.

Antisemitism, anti-Muslim bigotry, the persecution of minority Christian communities and white supremacist ideology are on the rise.

Authoritarianism is growing. Civic space is shrinking. The media is under attack.

Discrimination against women and girls, and gender-based violence, are the most widespread human rights abuses in our world.

I see two fundamental reasons for all of this.

First, the speed and reach of disinformation and hate has increased exponentially in the digital age. The pursuit of profit has helped extremists to sow division.

Second, real and perceived inequalities, economic deprivation, and rapid social and economic change are feeding people's fears.

Global standards of living may be higher than ever, but six out of seven people around the world report feeling anxious and fearful about their future.

The United Nations is supporting efforts to maximize investments in social cohesion and prioritize the security of every individual.

That is why we are calling for a renewed social contract, based on trust, justice and inclusion and anchored in human rights.

We are advancing my Call to Action for Human Rights.

We are promoting women's full and equal participation and leadership in all sectors of society, as a matter of urgency.

And we are pressing tech companies to assume their responsibility to stop amplifying and capitalizing on the spread of toxic disinformation and other harmful content.

Our forthcoming code of conduct for information integrity, to be published ahead of the Summit of the Future, will help guide decisionmakers to make the digital space inclusive and safer for all, while defending the right to freedom of expression.

Leaders across the board have a responsibility to ensure that people feel included and represented; that diversity is fully recognized as a strength; and that every community feels valued in itself, and enjoys a full place in society as a whole.

Excellencies,

Beyond tensions in the world and within communities, we need peace with justice.

Inequalities and injustice are fuel for a world at war with itself.

And conflicts are stoking further inequalities and injustice.

Take the tale of two canals.

Trade via the Suez Canal is down by 42 percent, since the start of Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea more than three months ago.

Trade via the Panama Canal is down 36 percent in the past month, because of low water levels - a byproduct of the climate crisis.

Whether the cause is conflict or climate, the result is the same: disruption to global supply chains and increased costs for everybody.

Developing economies are particularly vulnerable to these disruptions.

Sustainable, inclusive development hinges on peace.

And delivering the Sustainable Development Goals is our most effective way of building peace and prosperity.

Yet we face a development emergency.

The seismic shock of the COVID-19 pandemic was followed by a sharp acceleration in global tensions - and global prices - when Russia invaded Ukraine.

Developing economies were sent reeling. Many still are.

Today's global economic outlook largely ignores the elephant in the room: developing countries are experiencing their worst half-decade since the early 1990s.

Many face unpayable debt service costs, which are now at record levels.

The world's poorest countries will owe more in debt service this year than their public spending on health, education, and infrastructure combined.

Meanwhile, governments are being forced to cut back on investments and essential services.

All these issues will be on the agenda at the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States in May, and the Third [International] Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in June.

Excellencies,

To keep the promise of the SDGs, we need progress in two crucial areas.

First, finance. We are pushing for an SDG Stimulus of 500 billion US dollars annually in affordable long-term finance for developing countries.

The SDG Stimulus calls for urgent action on debt, including breathing space for countries facing impossible repayment schedules.

I have invited a small number of Heads of State to work with me to make the Stimulus a reality.

With your support, we can significantly and immediately increase the capital and capacity of Multilateral Development Banks and help get developing economies back on track. Positive steps have been made by the leaders of the banks, but there is a long way to go.

Second, we must keep working to usher in a new Bretton Woods moment, with an international financial architecture that responds to the needs of all countries.

Today's architecture is outdated, dysfunctional and unfair.

It favours the rich countries that designed it nearly 80 years ago.

It fails to offer countries the affordable finance required to meet our shared goals.

And it does not fulfil the basic foundation unction of providing a financial safety net for all developing countries.

The Summit of the Future will consider the need for deep reforms to make financial institutions and frameworks truly universal and inclusive.

Excellencies,

We must also harness the power of technology to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

From healthcare to education, from climate action to food systems, generative Artificial Intelligence is the most important potential tool to build inclusive, green, sustainable economies and societies.

But AI is already creating risks around disinformation, privacy, and bias.

It is concentrated in very few companies - and even fewer countries.

Technology must reduce inequalities, not reproduce them - or pit people against each other.

AI will affect all of humankind, so we need a universal approach to deal with it.

Our Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence reflects the central convening role of the United Nations - bringing together governments, private companies, academia and civil society.

The Body's recommendations will feed into the Global Digital Compact proposed for adoption at the Summit of the Future.

We must move fast, be creative, and work together to ensure adequate guardrails and ethical standards, promote transparency, and build capacities in developing countries.

Artificial Intelligence must not replace human agency.

It was created by humans and must always be under human control.

Excellencies,

We must also make peace with the planet.

Humanity has waged a war we can only lose: our war with nature.

It is a crazy fight to pick.

We are detonating systems that sustain us:

Spewing out emissions causing our climate to implode; poisoning land, sea and air with pollution, and decimating biodiversity, causing ecosystems to collapse.

We have many important milestones, including: October's UN Biodiversity Conference, November's COP29, and December's Conference on the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

Excellencies,

The climate crisis remains the defining challenge of our time.

The coming years will largely determine whether we can limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees.

To stay within that limit, we must cut emissions 45 percent by 2030, compared with 2010 levels. And we need emissions to have peaked by 2025.

The good news is, we have never been better equipped to prevent climate breakdown. And the benefits of renewables are clearer every year.

We must seize the momentum by taking action in three areas: Nationally Determined Contributions; phasing out fossil fuels; and finance.

By 2025, every country must commit to new national climate plans aligned with the 1.5-degree limit.

I am mobilizing the entire UN system to assist countries to do so.

New national plans should cover all emissions and sectors.

They should map a just transition to clean energy.

And they must be backed-up by robust policies and regulations - from an effective carbon price, to ending fossil fuel subsidies.

For developing countries, this is a chance to create national climate plans that double as national transition plans and national investment plans:

To attract capital and investments; to chart a just transition to a net zero future; and to underpin sustainable development for generations to come.

For the G20, this is an opportunity to show true leadership on the global stage by accelerating a just, equitable fossil fuel phase-out.

Excellencies,

The fossil fuel era is on its last legs.

The renewable energy revolution is unstoppable.

But we must act this year to ensure that the transition is just for people and planet - and that it will be fast enough to prevent full-on climate catastrophe,

That requires tripling global renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030 - as agreed at COP28.

It means working to ensure the production and trade of minerals critical to the energy transitions are just, sustainable and provide maximum added value in the countries supplying the raw materials in the first place. Developing countries must not be only producers of raw materials; they must be much higher in the level of capacity to transform them.

The Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals will develop voluntary principles by the end of the year.

Excellencies,

A just transition means urgent action to unlock the finance developing countries need to leapfrog fossil fuel dependence while bringing clean power to all.

Our Climate Solidarity Pact urges big emitters to make extra efforts to cut emissions and wealthier countries to support emerging economies to do so.

I urge countries to put it into effect.

And I welcome Brazil's commitment to bring climate and finance discussions together as G20 President.

At a minimum, developed countries must clarify the delivery of the $100 billion, and explain how they will double adaptation funding, to at least $40 billion a year, by 2025.

At COP29, all countries must agree on an ambitious new climate finance goal.

We should explore innovative sources of climate finance.

And the Loss and Damage Fund must be up and running as quickly as possible - and with significant contributions.

Countries on the frontline of climate chaos are entitled to far greater support.

Excellencies,

This is a full agenda.

In one form or another, every element connects to the most essential of all human endeavours: the pursuit of peace.

Peace can achieve wonders that wars never will.

Wars destroy.

Peace builds.

But in today's troubled world, building peace is a conscious, bold and even radical act.

It is humanity's greatest responsibility.

And that responsibility belongs to us all - individually and collectively.

In this difficult and divided moment, let's meet that obligation for today and future generations.

Starting here. Starting now.

For my part, I can guarantee that I will never give up pushing for peace.

Thank you.

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NEW YORK, Feb. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Monteverde & Associates PC (the M&A Class Action Firm), has recovered money for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm in the 2018-2022 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are now investigating:

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Chicago, Feb. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Social unrest and market instability to drive demand for armored vehicles

The Middle Eastern market for armored vehicle is projected to grow due to the rising need for military vehicles for various countries to secure their borders. The Middle East region is marked by intense geopolitical competition among various countries. However, the absence of major armored vehicle OEMs in Middle East is acting as a major concern for the growth of the market. This results in the dependence of countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, India, the Philippines, and Qatar on foreign OEMs for armored vehicles. This results in the expensive procurement of armored vehicles, thereby resulting in a decrease in their overall demand.

Download PDF Brochure @

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=6322755

Elbit Systems Ltd. of Israel is one the key players in the armored vehicle market. In 2022, Israel announced the purchase of hundreds of combat vehicles from Israel Aerospace Industries for the countrys special forces in a deal of more than USD 28 million. Israel Aerospace Industries is set to provide the country's special forces with hundreds of combat vehicles in a deal US USD 28 million.

Saudi Arabias defense ministry signed 10 contracts worth USD 1.8 billion with local and international companies during the third day of the World Defense Show in 2022.
Clearfield, Utah, Feb. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- President of SEO National, Damon Burton, recently hosted an SEO masterclass to share how SEO can lower cost-per-click and cost-per-lead investments required to implement effective online marketing strategies. Used in conjunction with Russel Brunsons popular ClickFunnels marketing, SEO leads to lasting, sustainable growth in organic traffic and customer acquisition. Burton recently applied for and was awarded a trademark for Funnels SEO, his name for this marketing approach, granting him rights to the term.

Burton launched his business and his career as an online marketing expert when his website flew past the competitors with more money and resources to the top of the search result. As his company, SEO National grew and evolved, so did Burtons methods to include SEO for ClickFunnels. A firm believer in achieving lasting results without paid advertising, he shied away from using ads to drive sales. Instead, he substituted the paid ads many business owners rely on with search engine optimization to leverage the full potential of the marketing funnel at a lower cost. Burton now shares this proven strategy with other business owners.

While many business owners strongly depend on paid advertising to bring customers to their websites, Burton actively seeks to dispel the myth that ads are the only way to success. Instead, teaching others that search engine optimization is often more approachable and affordable than paid ads. His own success and that of his clients speak volumes about the possibilities of driving organic traffic effectively and reliably with SEO.

For a business owner, marketing is everything, remarked Burton. Implementing an effective strategy is often the key to growing and thriving. I am thrilled by the results that others and I have seen as we have combined the benefits of SEO and the ease of ClickFunnels. Together, Funnels SEO provides all the resources to market a business effectively and affordably. And its something every business can do.

A recognized leader in online marketing, Damon Burton has become an international speaker on the topics of organic traffic and online marketing. He is also on college advisory boards to help develop the digital marketing curriculum.

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Newark, Feb. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Brainy Insights estimates that the USD 16.38 Billion in 2022 hydrogen storage market will reach USD 31.47 Billion by 2032. The supply, transmission, and distribution of hydrogen to end consumers have seen substantial advancements, and the value chain as a whole is seeing a growing uptake of hydrogen-related technologies and activities. Energy storage devices are vital to the integration of renewable energy sources into the energy infrastructure and the preservation of grid security because they balance out the increasing reliance on renewable energy.



Download Report Sample (230+ Pages PDF with Insights) at: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/sample-request/13990



Key Insight of the Hydrogen Storage Market



North America is anticipated to expand at the highest CAGR of 8.56% over the projection period.



North America is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 8.56% over the forecast period. The North American hydrogen energy storage market is expanding as a result of factors such strict government regulations, the growing demand for green energy, and the increasing need for hydrogen in a variety of industries. Furthermore, the governments of developed nations like the United States and Canada are making significant investments in development projects, which is propelling the market's expansion.



The liquefaction segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 9.52% over the projected period in the hydrogen storage market.



The liquefaction segment is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR of 9.52% in the hydrogen storage market. The primary usage of liquefaction technology is the large-scale energy storage needed for industrial applications. Energy transmission and transportation are made very simple by this technology. Consequently, this element is fueling the segment's expansion.



Over the projected period, the commercial segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 10.64% in the hydrogen storage market.



Over the forecasted period, the commercial segment is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR of 10.64% in the hydrogen storage market. The need for hydrogen energy storage is rising quickly in commercial sectors due to a lack of energy and electricity in some places and an increase in the number of infrastructure development projects.



Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/buying-inquiry/13990



Market Dynamics



Driver: Growing interest in low-emission fuels



Hydrogen gas is mostly used in oil refineries to de-sulfurize fuels for transportation, such as petrol and diesel. The world's requirement for hydrogen will increase dramatically as more heavy and sour crude oil is utilised. Merchant gas sourcing is increasing as a result of the current hydrogen production capacity's inability to meet the growing demand. Furthermore, it is projected that tighter environmental regulations pertaining to the use of cleaner, low-emission fuels and stringent engine manufacturer requirements would drive the demand for hydrogen petrol during the course of the projection period



Restraint: The expensive initial outlay needed to prevent the liquid from vaporising



Fuel cells are limited in the amount of energy they can produce from hydrogen, which they then use to power residential and commercial buildings. Fuel cells are powered by hydrogen. However, because of the high insulation requirements needed to prevent evaporation, the market for liquid hydrogen energy storage requires significant capital costs. These costs are required to keep the liquid from evaporating. Consequently, the high capital cost of keeping the liquid from vaporising is expected to limit market expansion.



Opportunity: An increasing number of fuel cell applications



It is anticipated that technological advancements, the need for hydrogen storage to fulfil expanding market demand, and a growth in R&D activities would provide market participants with more lucrative chances. The future market expansion will also be aided by an increase in the production of low-weight storage tanks for use in transportation.



Browse the full report with Table of Contents and List of Figures: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/report/hydrogen-storage-market-13990



Some of the major players operating in the hydrogen storage market are:



 Steelhead Composites Inc.

 ITM Power

 Nedstack Fuel Cell Technology BV

 Engie

 Linde PLC

 Air Liquide

 Iwatani Corporation

 Nel ASA

 Air Products Inc.

 Cummins Inc.



Key Segments cover in the market:



By Technology:



 Liquefaction

 Compression

 Material Based



By End User:



 Residential

 Industrial

 Commercial



By Region



 North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico)

 Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)

 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)

 South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America)

 The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)



Inquire for Customized Data: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/request-customization/13990



About the report:



The market is analyzed based on value (USD Billion). All the segments have been analyzed worldwide, regional, and country basis. The study includes the analysis of more than 30 countries for each part. The report analyzes driving factors, opportunities, restraints, and challenges for gaining critical insight into the market. The study includes porter's five forces model, attractiveness analysis, product analysis, supply, and demand analysis, competitor position grid analysis, distribution, and marketing channels analysis.



About The Brainy Insights:



The Brainy Insights is a market research company, aimed at providing actionable insights through data analytics to companies to improve their business acumen. We have a robust forecasting and estimation model to meet the clients' objectives of high-quality output within a short span of time. We provide both customized (clients' specific) and syndicate reports. Our repository of syndicate reports is diverse across all the categories and sub-categories across domains. Our customized solutions are tailored to meet the clients' requirements whether they are looking to expand or planning to launch a new product in the global market.



Contact Us



Avinash D

Head of Business Development

Phone: +1-315-215-1633

Email: sales@thebrainyinsights.com

Web: www.thebrainyinsights.com
Dublin, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Voltage Stabilizer Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2018-2028F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Global Voltage Stabilizer market was valued at USD 8.54 Billion in 2022 and is anticipated to project robust growth in the forecast period with a CAGR of 6.24% through 2028.

This is due to the government's increased emphasis on the development of smart cities and investments made under the different schemes. Additionally, the industry is growing due to the increase in sales of electrical goods including TVs, refrigerators, and air conditioners.







A system created to automatically maintain a constant voltage is known as a voltage regulator. Negative feedback or a straightforward feed-forward architecture can be used in a voltage regulator. It might make use of electronic parts or an electromechanical mechanism. It may be used to control one or more AC or DC voltages depending on the design.

Electronic voltage regulators are used to regulate the DC voltages required by the processor and other components in devices like computer power supply. Voltage regulators manage the plant's output in central power plant generators and automotive alternators.

Key Market Drivers

Increasing Power Fluctuations : Aging infrastructure, renewable energy integration, and rising demand drive the need for voltage stabilizers.

: Aging infrastructure, renewable energy integration, and rising demand drive the need for voltage stabilizers. Government Regulations and Standards : Promoting power quality, energy efficiency, and equipment safety.

: Promoting power quality, energy efficiency, and equipment safety. Smart Voltage Stabilizers: Real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and energy efficiency drive market growth.

Key Market Challenges

Price Sensitivity : High initial costs and intense competition can hinder market growth.

: High initial costs and intense competition can hinder market growth. Technological Obsolescence: Short product lifecycles, compatibility issues, and energy efficiency concerns pose challenges.

Segmental Insights

Controller Segment: Dominates the market, offering servo stabilizers for residential and commercial use.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific: Leads the global market, driven by demand from countries like China and India in construction, automotive, and other sectors.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 190 Forecast Period 2023 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $8.54 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $12.39 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.2% Regions Covered Global

Competitive Landscape



Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Voltage Stabilizer Market.

ADEKA Corporation

Akdeniz Chemson

Baerlocher Gmbh

Clariant

Galata Chemicals

Goldstab Organics Pvt. Ltd.

Jiangsu Uniwel Chemistry Co. Ltd.

KD Chem Co. Ltd.

Kunshan Maijisen Composite Materials Co. Ltd.

PAU TAI Industrial Corporation

Report Scope:



Voltage Stabilizer Market, By Type:

Single Phase

Three Phase

Voltage Stabilizer Market, By Application:

Mainline

Air Conditioner

Refrigerator

TV

Washing Machine

Others

Voltage Stabilizer Market, By Controller:

Servo

Static

Voltage Stabilizer Market, By Region:

North America

United States

Canada

Mexico

Asia-Pacific

China

India

Japan

South Korea

Indonesia

Europe

Germany

United Kingdom

France

Russia

Spain

South America

Brazil

Argentina

Middle East & Africa

Saudi Arabia

South Africa

Egypt

UAE

Israel

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/i8szpw

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Salt Lake City, UT, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Filevine, trailblazing legal technology platform, recently wrapped yet another record quarter with artificial intelligence-enhanced product expansion taking the spotlight. Notable 4Q23 highlights include a 99% increase year-over-year in New Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR); the welcoming of nearly 300 new customers, including the largest deal in company history; and the highly anticipated launches of Payments by Filevine, the Companys integrated payment processing feature, and SidebarAI, its AI virtual assistant tool.

With the enhanced time tracking, billing, invoicing, and payment processing features launched throughout 4Q23, Filevine vastly expanded its appeal to timekeeping and billing firms, becoming the solution for all legal professionals regardless of practice area. With the expanded feature set, impressive law firms such as Norris Mclaughlin Attorneys at Law, Shapiro Family Law, CGA Law Firm, and Alvarez Winthrop Thompson & Smoak have selected Filevine as their preferred practice management software.

To honor the core customer base and elevate their experience, Filevine packaged a set of free feature enhancements and new products, including a robust conflict checker and innovative settlement calculator built right within customers Filevine platform.

With the continued focus of supercharging legal practices with AI, Filevine released both a free and paid version of SidebarAI, Filevines in-platform legal assistant. Within one week of its launch, Filevine users increased SidebarAI usage by 2000%, showcasing how integral Filevines AI assistant became for their customers.

Filevines new market expansion and AI-powered product innovation contributed to another record quarter for New Logo additions, Net New ARR and a string of seven-figure deals, including the largest deal in the Companys history. Notable customers include Consumer Attorney Marketing Group, Hupy and Abraham, Kemp Smith LLP, and Morris James LLP. Continuing the upward momentum, Filevine received top tier security certifications, including SOC 2 Type II and SOC 3 certifications, HIPAA and HiTECH Security and Privacy controls, as well as ISO 27002 and CJIS Security controls. Filevines public API helped its 2 billionth person, and Filevine surpassed the coveted Rule of 40.

A Year in Review

The record performance in Q4 capped off a momentous year that showed over 50% growth in Ending ARR, fueled by New Logo sales and existing customer upsell which produced a best-in-class Net Dollar Retention Rate. Filevine achieved significant milestones with AI-powered product expansions and introduced critical feature enhancements in intake management, document assembly, e-signature collection, timekeeping, billing, and payments. The Companys dedication to talent acquisition and investment in solutioning and engineering teams bolstered their ability to meet evolving industry demands and remain ahead of the AI innovation curve.

Im proud of Filevines pioneering role in introducing AI to the legal industry, stated Ryan Anderson, Filevine's Co-Founder and CEO. The launch of DemandsAI, AI Fields, and later, ImmigrationAI, LeadsAI, and SidebarAI, exemplify Filevine's commitment to simplifying legal work and driving productivity. Our purpose-built AI tools are changing the way we think about and perform legal work  and were just getting started.

Notable 2023 highlights include:

Welcoming nearly 1,000 guests to the Companys annual user conference, LEX Summit

Launching Filevine University (FVU) with 6,200 users completing nearly 27,000 courses

Unveiling a collection of AI-powered FilevineAI products, including DemandsAI, AIFields, ImmigrationAI, LeadsAI, and SidebarAI

Sponsoring over 100 legal trade events, including the Companys own FilevineAI Dinner & Discourse series

Receiving recognition among the fastest growing private companies on the Inc. 5000 for the fourth consecutive year

Surpassing 3,500 customers, including a record number of enterprise clients

As we continue to evolve and expand our reach, we remain dialed into the diversity of our customer base and strive to exceed their expectations, said Anderson. Our customers are idiosyncratic, their work is critical, and we are deeply confident that our platform and team is best primed on the market to support the growing demands of the legal industry this coming year.

For more information about Filevine or to schedule a demo, visit Filevine's website.

To start using Filevines suite of game-changing AI features, visit https://www.filevine.com/get-started-with-filevine-ai-features/.

About Filevine

Filevine is changing the way legal work gets done for law practitioners and their clients. As the leading legal operating system, Filevine is dedicated to empowering organizations with tools to simplify high-stakes legal work. That is why Filevine now offers a full suite of AI-powered solutions custom built with the legal user in mind. Powering everything from lead intake and e-signatures, to document assembly and case management, to timekeeping, billing, payments and business analytics, Filevine is used by over 3,400 law firms and legal teams daily to deliver excellence. Filevine is recognized on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 and Utah Business Fast 50 lists, is a Top Workplace USA winner, and is among the fastest-growing companies on the 2023 Inc. 5000 list.

Attachments
MEDIA RELEASE: Canada's Provincial and Territorial Dental Associations



TORONTO, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dentists know that the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a major opportunity to provide oral health care to millions of people who have been unable to access the care they need. However, seniors and other eligible Canadian residents signing up for CDCP are going to be surprised when they find out their care wont be free. They might also be unaware they might have to change dentists or try to find a new one.

Dentists are also unclear about what theyre being asked to sign up for and they dont know how to answer questions about the federal governments plan.

Now that more details of the CDCP have been released, its time for the federal government to answer the big questions Canadians have. Patients will be surprised to know:

Am I getting free dental care? No  patients may pay out-of-pocket for services and fees that arent covered under the federal governments new dental benefits plan, including 40 to 60 per cent co-payments for families who earn more than $70,000 per year. Where government reimbursement does not cover the full cost of care, some patients will pay the balance. Can I choose my own dentist? Maybe not  patients will have to search for dentists who agree to participate, despite the unclear terms and conditions set by the government. Will it be easy to get the care I need? Maybe not  dentists expect there will be a lot of red tape that may delay care and not make this a smooth process. Unlike other dental benefits programs, the CDCP has inserted processes that get in the way of how patients can access essential oral health care, and the relationship they have with their dentist.



The federal government has not answered other critical questions: How will they protect existing work, school and/or group dental benefits? How will the CDCP work with other publicly funded dental programs, including provincial programs? Without addressing these legitimate concerns, how do they expect people to know what this will mean for their dental coverage and what they should do next?

Based on what the government has announced about the CDCP, the dental associations dont know if dentists will choose to participate in the CDCP. How can dentists provide informed consent and agree to participate in the CDCP without answers to their questions? We understand that many general practitioners and dental specialists have already decided not to participate.

Health Canada has rushed out a massive program under unreasonable timelines. While dentists were consulted and provided advice on building a sustainable dental program, it was at the 11th hour for the provincial and territorial dental associations across Canada and we still see major gaps and flaws that have yet to be addressed.

As experts in oral health care, the dental associations, representing over 25,000 dentists across the country, have pointed out that the CDCP does not meet most of the principles of A Proposed Framework for the Canadian Dental Care Plan. This is an historic investment, so it is critical that the federal government truly gets it right.

Quotes

Dentists and taxpayers alike need the government to address the gaps we have identified and questions we have raised. I dont want any patients to be taken by surprise when they come to my practice. Its not dentists fault that the program doesnt meet the promises the federal government has made to Canadians.  Dr. Jenny Doerksen, President, Alberta Dental Association

Given the proven relationship between oral and general health, this plan is an unprecedented opportunity to improve the overall health of Canadians. However, as a dentist who cares deeply for my patients, Im extremely concerned about the government's lack of clarity and collaboration in this plan. Without clear information, dentists cannot make an informed decision on whether or not to participate. This plan cannot succeed if it is carried on the backs of oral healthcare providers; it must be sustainable for patients, dentists, and taxpayers.  Dr. Rob Wolanski, President, BC Dental Association

"The federal government has the responsibility to create a plan that supports and enriches the systems currently in place. There is a window of opportunity to make the necessary changes to ensure access to quality oral health care for all Canadians and we implore the government to take action. In 20 years, the makers of the CDCP may have moved on, but many of us will continue to practice dentistry. We look forward to a future where the quality and access to care improves over time, not worsens.  Dr. Daron Baxter, President, Manitoba Dental Association

New Brunswick dentists care deeply about our patients. We know that dental care can be costly. This plan has followed the design of the federal NIHB program, which is not well respected by dentists across our province. That plan imposes a lot of administrative burden on dental clinics, is not easy to access or administer, and does not cover the full costs of providing treatment. As a result, many dentists do not participate in the NIHB plan and I fear they wont be able to participate in this program either. It is important that patients receive simple, clear messaging from Health Canada and that patients maintain the right to choose their own dentist. New Brunswick dental clinics are already extremely busy and are experiencing shortages of labour. The CDCP should be easy to use and administer, should cover all treatments needed and should cover the full costs of those treatments.  Dr. Joanah Campbell, President, New Brunswick Dental Society

"The federal government needs to clearly explain what this program really is, and what it is not, so that patients can make informed decisions about their care. We are always supportive of increased access to oral health care, but it must be done right. This plan has to be sustainable for patients, dentists and the government and in our opinion, it is not at this time."  Dr. Shane Roberts, President, Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Association

The federal government has launched a program that is rushed and says that these issues will be resolved later. There is a long history of poorly structured and funded government dental programs in some jurisdictions. Im concerned about whether the government will fix the problems with the CDCP or existing plans any time soon, if ever.  Dr. Steven Partyka, President, Northwest Territories & Nunavut Dental Association

Canadians need to be told how, exactly, the CDCP will work alongside the many existing provincial and territorial programs. This clarification would go a long way towards making sure patients feel comfortable seeking dental treatment when they need it.  Dr. Juli Waterbury, President, Nova Scotia Dental Association

This program is just not ready to go yet. While we appreciate that Minister of Health Mark Holland and his officials finally sat down with us, it hasnt been a negotiation, just a discussion. A program without patient autonomy, an unrealistic expectation that care will be free, and with a bunch of red tape that stands in the way of care isnt nearly enough progress.  Dr. Brock Nicolucci, President, Ontario Dental Association

"The CDCP had the potential to benefit millions of Canadians and required thoughtful planning and smooth implementation. Developing a national oral health plan is a monumental task that should include all stakeholders rather than a process without meaningful consultation of the provincial and territorial dental associations. Unfortunately, the need to meet seemingly unrealistic deadlines has won out over sound policy, resulting in a program that does not live up to the promises made by the federal government."  Dr. Matt Shaffner, President, Dental Association of Prince Edward Island

The College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan applauds the initiative of the Federal Government to increase access to oral health care for Canadians. Unfortunately, dentists remain in the dark on specific details of the plan, and how the plan will affect their patients, staff, and businesses. Registrants should wait for further details about the CDCP to be released, so they are able to make a properly informed decision whether to register.  Dr. Derek Thiessen, President, College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan

"The YDA welcomes all initiatives to bring accessible dental care to our community, however the federal government needs to ensure that the new CDCP will work with and not against existing territorial dental programs such as the Yukon Dental Program that was launched last year. We welcome further conversation in integrating the CDCP within the wider framework to ensure existing programs are not disrupted."  Dr. Kenny Liu, President, Yukon Dental Association

Media contact:

Oliveah Numan, onuman@sussex-strategy.com
Washington, DC, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Mint (Mint) announced today that it is releasing the fourth coin in the five-year First Amendment to the United States Constitution Platinum Proof Coin Series on February 15, 2024, at noon (EST). Mintage is limited to 12,000 coins. Orders are limited to three units per household for the first 24 hours.

Launched in 2021 and continuing through 2025, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution Platinum Proof Coin Series reflects the five freedoms enumerated in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

This series uses the lifecycle of the oak tree from seedling to a mighty oak as a metaphor for our countrys growth as a Nation that values freedom. Liberty grows to a thing of strength and beauty from a seedour Bill of Rights. Each of the freedoms enumerated in the First Amendment contributes to the growth and development of the Nation.

Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer Donna Weaver created all obverse (heads) designs in this series, and United States Mint Chief Engraver Joseph Menna sculpted them.

The 2024 obverse design showcases several types of oak leaves assembled between the inscription WITH THE RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE LIBERTY SPREADS. Additional inscriptions are IN GOD WE TRUST, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and 2024.

The common reverse design for this series, by AIP Designer Patricia Lucas-Morris, depicts an eagle in flight, an olive branch in its talons. Inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, $100, 1 OZ., and .9995 PLATINUM. United States Mint Medallic Artist Don Everhart sculpted the reverse.

Each coin is encapsulated then placed in a stylish clamshell and presentation box. An image of the obverse design is incorporated on the outer packaging sleeve and on the Certificate of Authenticity.

As with all Mint products containing a precious metal, this coin will be priced according to the range in which it appears on the Pricing of Numismatic Gold, Commemorative Gold, and Platinum and Palladium Products table. Current pricing information is available online at https://catalog.usmint.gov/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-USM-Library/default/dw2021515f/images/PDFs/2023-Pricing-Grid.pdf

To sign up for Remind Me alerts for the 2024 First Amendment to the United States Constitution Platinum Proof Coin  Right to Assemble, visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/first-amendment-to-the-united-states-constitution-2024-platinum-proof-coin-right-to-assemble-24EJ.html/

Previous releases in this series include coins with designs recognizing Freedom of Religion (2021), Freedom of Speech (2022), and Freedom of the Press (2023). The final coin in the seriesRight to Petitionwill be released in 2025.

Additional products in the Mints collection of American Eagle Platinum Proof Coins are available at https://catalog.usmint.gov/coins/precious-metal-coins/platinum/

Note: To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, the United States Mint will not accept and will not honor orders placed prior to the official on-sale date of February 15, 2024, at noon EST.

About the United States Mint

Congress created the United States Mint in 1792, and the Mint became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. As the Nations sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage, the Mint is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; silver and bronze medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. Its numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Visit https://www.usmint.gov/learn/coin-and-medal-programs/american-eagle#platinumseries for more information about the First Amendment to the United States Constitution Platinum Proof Coin Program.

Visit https://www.usmint.gov/about for information about the United States Mint.

Visit and subscribe to the United States Mints YouTube channel to view videos about the United States Mint.

Visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/email-signup to subscribe to United States Mint electronic product notifications, news releases, public statements, and the monthly educational newsletter, Lessons That Make Cents .

. Sign up for RSS Feeds from the United States Mint and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

# # #

United States Mint  Connecting America through Coins

Attachment
As the legislative session moves into week six, you may have noticed some changes to the user interface (UI) of the Nebraska Legislature page. These changes were made in the spirit of easy flowing information thats more digestible to the public. Often, theres confusion on exactly where a bill is in the legislative process, exactly what stages a bill needs to go through, etcetera.

Some of the updates to bill pages include a simplified view, which features a tracking bar thats color coded and interactive. A bills progress is signified with four colors; showcasing progress and whether the bill has passed. If you were to click on any of the bubbles, youd be given a link to an expanded definition of a word or step. You can find out more about the UI changes when you click on the new for 2024 tab on the left side of the legislature landing page.

Last week there was a filibuster on LB31, which requires train crews of at least two individuals as prescribed, which lasted a full eight hours from Tuesday until cloture vote on Friday. The opposition takes the stance that actions to pass this bill on the state level would be unnecessary, as theres work to pass a similar regulation at the federal level from the Federal Railroad Administration. Proponents argue that a two man crew for trains is a necessary part of railway safety, irregardless of a regulation being passed federally.

Last week, five bills were seen in the Natural Resources committee and three in the Transportation and Telecommunications committee respectively. On Wednesday, I was able to present my bill LB867, the bill that provides for a voluntary hunting and fishing guide and outfitter database managed by Nebraska Game and Parks. The purpose of the bill is to provide the public with a database list of Hunting and Fishing Guides and Outfitters with trusted businesses so the public can have some level of assurance that the guide or outfitter knows and complies with state and federal laws. Anyone interested in hiring a guide or outfitter could simply pull up the database and find a guide or outfitter they may be interested in.

My other bill LB1370 was heard in the Natural Resources Committee on Feb. 2. LB1370 would require that before an electric supplier in Nebraska elects to retire a dispatchable electric generation facility, they must first construct and connect to the grid a new dispatchable electric generation facility with an equal or greater nameplate capacity. The purpose of this bill is to ensure that we maintain a fleet of dispatchable generation facilities that can be quickly ramped up when electricity demands peak.

As always, constituents can contact my office with any questions or thoughts on legislation impacting District 23. You can reach my office at 402-471-2719 or bbostelman@leg.ne.gov.
North Vancouver, February 7, 2024 - Lion One Metals Ltd. (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) (ASX: LLO) ("Lion One" or the "Company") announces that it is commencing an overnight marketed public offering of units (the "Offered Units") of the Company for anticipated gross proceeds of up to C$10.0 million (the "Offering"). The Offering is expected to be completed pursuant to an underwriting agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") to be entered into between the Company, Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation ("CFCC"), as lead underwriter and sole bookrunner (the "Lead Underwriter"), and a syndicate of underwriters to be determined (collectively with the Lead Underwriter, the "Underwriters").

The number of Offered Units to be sold, the Offering price (the "Offering Price"), and the terms of the Offered Units will be determined in the context of the market and there can be no assurance as to completion of the Offering. In addition, the Company will grant the Underwriters an over-allotment option (the "Over-Allotment Option") exercisable, in whole or in part, in the sole discretion of the Underwriters, to purchase up to an additional 15% of the number of Offered Units sold in the Offering for up to 30 days after the closing, on the same terms and conditions as the Offering.

The net proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Offered Units will be used for development and ramp up expenses at the Tuvatu Gold project located in Fiji, as well as for general corporate expenses & purposes.

The Offering will be made by way of a prospectus supplement (the "Prospectus Supplement") to the Company's existing Canadian short form base shelf prospectus dated May 13, 2022 (the "Base Shelf Prospectus"). Upon completion of pricing of the Offering and the signing of the Underwriting Agreement, the Prospectus Supplement will be filed with the securities commissions in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta and will be available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Alternatively, the Prospectus Supplement and related Base Shelf Prospectus may be obtained upon request by contacting the Company or Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation in Canada, attention: Equity Capital Markets, 181 University Avenue, Suite 1500, Toronto, ON, M5H 3M7, email: ecmcanada@cantor.com. The Offered Units will not be offered or sold in the United States except under Rule 144A or Regulation D or in such other manner as to not require registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Offered Units may also be offered in those jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States as agreed to by the Company and the Underwriters provided that no prospectus filing or comparable obligation arises and the Company does not thereafter become subject to continuous disclosure obligations in such jurisdictions. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. No securities may be offered or sold in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer or sale would be unlawful absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom or qualification under the securities laws of such other jurisdiction or an exemption therefrom.

The closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about February 13, 2024 and is subject to the completion of formal documentation and receipt of regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Lion One Metals Limited

Lion One Metals is an emerging Canadian gold producer headquartered in North Vancouver BC, with new operations established in late 2023 at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. The Tuvatu project comprises the high-grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Deposit, the Underground Gold Mine, the Pilot Plant, and the Assay Lab. The Company also has an extensive exploration license covering the entire Navilawa Caldera, which is host to multiple mineralized zones and highly prospective exploration targets.

As disclosed in its "Technical Report and PEA Update for the Tuvatu Gold Project" dated April 29, 2022, the 2018 Tuvatu resource estimate comprises 1,007,000 tonnes indicated at 8.50 g/t Au (274,600 oz. Au) and 1,325,000 tonnes inferred at 9.0 g/t Au (384,000 oz. Au) at a cut-off grade of 3.0 g/t Au. The technical report is available on the Lion One website at www.liononemetals.com and under the Lion One profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca.

In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Alex Nichol, MAIG, VP Geology and Exploration for Lion One, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has reviewed and is responsible for the technical and scientific content of this news release.

Contact Information

Investor inquiries: info@liononemetals.com

Phone:1-855-805-1250 (toll free North America)

Website: www.liononemetals.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Lion One Metals Ltd.'s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Lion One Metals Ltd. and on assumptions Lion One Metals Ltd. believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the results of the Offering and associated marketing efforts, the use of proceeds of the Offering, actual results of exploration projects being equivalent to or better than estimated results in technical reports, assessment reports, and other geological reports or prior exploration results, and results of ongoing production operations. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Lion One Metals Ltd. or its subsidiaries to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: prevailing capital markets conditions, the stage development of Lion One Metals Ltd., general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current research and development or operational activities; competition; uncertainty as to patent applications and intellectual property rights; product liability and lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting mining, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; not realizing on the potential benefits of technology; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labor or loss of key individuals. Although Lion One Metals Ltd. has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Lion One Metals Ltd. does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO US NEWSWIRES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/197187
Vancouver B.C., February 8, 2024 - Tisdale Clean Energy Corp. ("Tisdale" or the "Company") (TSXV:TCEC) (OTC:TCEFF) (FSE:T1KC), is pleased to confirm its upcoming work program at the South Falcon East Uranium Project which hosts the Fraser Lakes B uranium deposit. The south Falcon East Project lies 18 km outside the edge of the Athabasca Basin, approximately 50 km east of the Key Lake uranium mill and former mine.

Tisdale Clean Energy Corp. entered into an option agreement with SkyHarbour Resources Ltd in October of 2022 whereby the company can earn up to a 75% interest in the South Falcon East property.

The Company is set to begin a preliminary phase one drill program for late winter 2024. The initial phase one program will consist of up to approximately 1,500 meters of drilling. The priority will be to confirm and expand the existing mineralization associated with the Fraser Lakes B Uranium Deposit (Figure 2). Infill drilling will confirm the presence and continuity of existing mineralization in preparation for a current updated resource estimate and 3D model in the future. Step out drilling will endeavor to expand the footprint of the deposit, as the current mineralization is open in all directions. Initial focus will be in extending mineralization along strike and down dip into the basement.

A secondary priority will be to begin regional exploration by following up promising anomalies located in the T-Bone Lake area (Figure 2). Regional drilling will focus on the effort to add additional mineralized zones and deposits along the folded structural package that hosts the Fraser Lakes B Deposit.

"The commencement of drilling is a milestone in terms of our ability to unlock the value contained at South Falcon," said Alex Klenman, CEO. "Right now, nobody is getting much credit for those pounds in the ground. This will begin to change as we drill and earn our interest in the project. The initial phase one plan allows us to meet the early obligations of the earn-in with Skyharbour. We are hopeful our valuation will grow as a result, therefore reducing the barrier to entry for institutional support and giving us the opportunity to implement larger drill programs moving forward through 2024 and beyond.

"We believe very strongly that both the size and average grade of the resource can be increased. The last holes drilled in 2015 generated U308 values of .172% and .165% over intervals of two meters or more. These results established that higher grade uranium exists within the deposit. We have a very compelling exploration narrative, and one we feel confident in pursuing. No doubt the first steps are the hardest, and we're pleased we're able to begin to execute on the plan," continued Mr. Klenman.

"We are thrilled to have Tisdale commence their inaugural drill program at South Falcon East," said Jordan Trimble, CEO of Skyharbour Resources. "The project is an advanced-stage exploration asset that hosts a near-surface uranium resource with strong expansion potential as well as robust discovery upside potential regionally on the property. We are confident that this winter drill program will unlock further value for both companies' shareholders with the uranium price trading near sixteen-year highs," continued Mr. Trimble.

The field program is anticipated to commence in late February and will be executed by Terralogic Exploration Inc. under the supervision of Laura Tennent, Project Manager with TerraLogic Exploration, and C. Trevor Perkins, consulting geologist for Tisdale. The drill program will be operating out of Skyharbour's McGowan Lake Camp with helicopter support for the daily drilling operations. The expected budget for the initial phase one program is anticipated to be $1.25 million.



Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 1: South Falcon East Project Location - Eastern Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada



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Figure 2: 2024 Drill Target areas at the south Falcon East Uranium Project



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Figure 3: South Falcon East Project - Camp and drilling location Map

About the South Falcon East Project

The South Falcon East Project is a uranium exploration project in the southeast Athabasca Basin and represents a portion of Skyharbour Resources Ltd.'s existing South Falcon Project. The project covers approximately 12,464 hectares and lies 18 kilometers outside the Athabasca Basin, approximately 50 kilometers east of the Key Lake Mine.

The South Falcon East Project contains the Fraser Lakes B Uranium/Thorium Deposit with a historic mineral resource* of 6.9 Mlbs U3O8 inferred at a grade of 0.03% U3O8 and 5.3 Mlbs ThO2 inferred at a grade of 0.023 % ThO2. Uranium and thorium mineralization discovered to date is shallow classic Athabasca-style basement mineralization associated with well-developed EM conductors.

About Tisdale Clean Energy Corp.

Tisdale Clean Energy is a Canadian-based uranium exploration and development company. The Company is currently developing the South Falcon East uranium project, which holds a 6.96M pound inferred uranium resource within the Fraser Lakes B uranium/thorium deposit, located in the Athabasca Basin region, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed on behalf of the company by C. Trevor Perkins, P.Geo., a Consulting Geologist for the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

*The historical resource is described in the Technical Report on the South Falcon East Property, filed on sedar.com on February 9, 2023. The Company is not treating the resource as current and has not completed sufficient work to classify the resource as a current mineral resource. While the Company is not treating the historical resource as current, it does believe the work conducted is reliable and the information may be of assistance to readers.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF Tisdale Clean Energy Corp.

"Alex Klenman"

Alex Klenman, CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political, and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

For further information please contact:

Alex Klenman, CEO

Tel: 604-970-4330

info@tisdalecleanenergy.com



Tisdale Clean Energy Corp.

Suite 2200, HSBC Building, 885 West Georgia St.

Vancouver, BC V6C 3E8 Canada

www.tisdalecleanenergy.com

Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE USA/

PozGlass 100G, a made-in-Canada breakthrough, is designed to dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of the cement industry

KAMLOOPS, Feb. 8, 2024 - Progressive Planet Solutions Inc. (TSXV: PLAN) (OTCQB: ASHXF) ("Progressive Planet", "PLAN", or the "Company"), a leader in developing CleanTech solutions for the planet, announces it has obtained up to $0.37 million of funding from Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) for the construction of its PozGlass 100G ("PozGlass") pilot plant.

This funding from NGEN and the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development is the first confirmed funding obtained for the PozGlass pilot plant and is actively being used towards finalizing plant design.

The funding is part of a combined commitment of $2.76 million awarded to Progressive Planet, ZS2 Technologies Ltd. ("ZS2"), LithiumBank Resources Corp. (TSXV: LBNK), Occam's Technologies Inc., and Falkbuilt Ltd. by NGen within its Advanced Manufacturing Projects program that aims at de-risking, commercializing, and scaling-up innovative manufacturing capabilities in Canada.

The funding supports a collaborative project by these five companies which aims to disrupt the construction industry by developing an advanced manufacturing solution to address the pressing global need for affordable, climate-adaptive, energy-efficient, and sustainable housing both by capturing and storing carbon into magnesium cement board and by utilizing waste streams. Progressive Planet will be supplying materials such as zeolite from its owned quarries to the project, as well as a stream of ground glass and paper waste from the PozGlass pilot plant.

"Our government is working hard to ensure that Canadians have access to a safe and affordable place to call home. Innovative projects like this, that create sustainable, affordable and durable building materials, take us one step closer to achieving that goal. We will continue to be there to make life more affordable for Canadians, like on housing," says The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

Made with 100% post-consumer glass, PozGlass is a scalable cement replacement technology that offers further environmental benefits through carbon sequestration and storage. While a production stream will be utilized by ZS2 for magnesium cement boards, PozGlass produced in the pilot plant will be purchased by Canada's largest cement producer Lafarge Canada Inc. through a confirmed purchase agreement. Post-consumer glass for the pilot plant will be supplied by Recycle BC.

"We are excited to work with NGen and for the financial support provided by the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development towards our PozGlass pilot plant. The pilot plant will be a major milestone for Progressive Planet and our innovative technology as we continue to work with government and stakeholders to make it a reality," says Progressive Planet CEO Steve Harpur.

Progressive Planet is targeting to fund building and equipment costs with non-dilutive financing, with multiple funding applications still pending.

Progressive Planet provides regular information for investors on its website: progressiveplanet.com/investors/. This includes press releases and other information about financial performance, patents filed, and information on corporate governance.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

About Progressive Planet:

We are a CleanTech and manufacturing company with proven product lines based in Kamloops, British Columbia. Our expertise lies in developing critical low-carbon and carbon sequestering solutions using our owned mineral assets and recycled materials to create planet-friendly products that fight climate change and protect our planet's health.

Our products are in 10,000+ retail stores across North America. Our innovations, created at our C-Quester Centre of Sustainable Innovation, bring positive disruption to the cement, agricultural and animal-care sectors by creating products that help reduce carbon footprints and restore ecosystems.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding the matters described herein. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance, or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including factors beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release.

Disclaimer:

This news release, required by Canadian laws, does not constitute an offer of securities and is not for distribution or dissemination outside Canada.

SOURCE Progressive Planet Solutions
VANCOUVER, Feb. 8, 2024 - DFR Gold Inc. (TSX-V:DFR) ("DFR" or the "Company") is pleased to announce, with its joint venture partner Panthera Resources plc ("Panthera"), further laboratory results for samples from the 2023 drilling programme at the Kalaka Project in Mali for which initial results had been reported on 9 October 2023.

Highlights

Leachwell bottle roll analysis of 23 samples from the 2023 Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling programme on the K1A mineralisation target at the Kalaka Project confirm the fire assay 2 results

results The samples were from holes three holes, KRC_23_005, KRC_23_006 and KRC_23_007, holes where the previously delineated mineralised intersections included: 76 metres at 0.53 g/t Au (includes 10 metres at 1.16 g/t Au) in hole KRC_23_005 34 metres at 0.50 g/t Au in hole KRC_23_006 85 metres at 0.52 g/t Au (includes 12 metres at 1.62g/t Au to end of the hole) in hole KRC_23_007

The bottle roll tests provide a preliminary indication of excellent leachability by conventional processing. Oxide recoveries averaged 87% recovery and unoxidized sulphide bearing samples averaged 89% recovery.

Results are an essential milestone to advance the K1A target area as a potential bulk volume, low grade gold development project.

CEO John McGloin commenting on the results said: "The fire assay results reported for the Kalaka drilling in October verified and validated the very significant wide mineralised intersections recorded in the historical drilling at the K1A target. These new positive bottle roll test results are a further step towards demonstrating the potential positive economics of the property."

Kalaka Project

At the Kalaka Project, DFR and Panthera each have 40% interest, held through their shareholdings in Maniger Ltd. The remaining 20% interest is owned by a local partner, Golden Spear Mali SARL. Panthera is the operator of the project.

The project is located in southeast Mali, between Morila and Syama gold mines and is approximately 260 km southeast of Bamako. It lies approximately 80 km south of the Morila gold mine (8m oz) and 85 km northwest of Resolute's Syama gold mine (6m oz) and is situated adjacent and to the east of the regional Banifin Shear Zone.

Leachwell Test work Results for Kalaka

Leachwell analysis was completed on 23 samples from three of the RC drilled holes completed in 2023 at the K1A Prospect. As reported previously on 9 October 2023 significant mineralisation was intersected in the 2023 drilling campaign at the K1A prospect, including in KRC_23_007 with 12 m @ 1.62 g/t Au extending to the end of the hole 9 (from fire assay results). Results have now been received for all samples submitted to the SGS Laboratory located in Bamako, who for operational reasons sent the samples to their laboratory in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, for processing. The Leachwell analytical technique is a reagent grade catalyst formulated for fast cyanide ("CN") leach gold assaying. The technique provides a preliminary indication of the CN leachability of pre-metallurgical sample testing.

The test work indicated that CN extractable gold for the:

near surface oxide samples reported on average 87% recovery (samples from Drill hole KRC-23-005)

transitional zone samples reported on average 90% recovery (samples from Drill hole KRC-23-006); and

unoxidized, sulphide-bearing samples reported on average 89% recovery (samples from Drill hole KRC-23-007).

Table 1 below details the Leachwell (CN extractable gold) gold results and analysis.

Panthera has also noted that when the one high grade 'outlier' pair sample is removed, the total Leachwell and Tails increases the average gold grade from 0.57g/t to 0.66g/t, a 16% increase versus the fire assays.

Figure 1 below details the locations of the 2023 RC drill holes in relation to the K1A mineralisation and historical RC drill holes.

The very positive Leachwell test results provide support to the strategy of continuing and expanding work at Kalaka, and in particular at the K1A target and extensions.

David J Reading, M.Sc., FIMM, Fellow SEG, a director of DFR and a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101 has prepared or supervised the preparation of, or approved, as applicable, the technical information contained in this press release. Mr. Reading has over 40 years' experience in the mining industry covering all stages of mine development, including exploration, feasibility, financing, construction and operations. He has an MSc in Economic Geology and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and of the Society of Economic Geologists.

Notes to Editors:

DFR Gold Inc. is a TSX Venture Exchange listed exploration and mine development company focused on gold in West Africa. DFR holds interests in a portfolio of West African gold exploration projects including the highly prospective Cascades gold project ("Cascades") in Burkina Faso. Cascades has a Mineral Resource* prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 comprising 5.41 million tonnes of indicated resources at an average grade of 1.52g/t Au for a total 264,000 ounces of gold: and 6.93 million tonnes of inferred resources at an average grade 1.67g/t Au for a total of 371,000 ounces of gold. Please see the Company's technical report titled "Amended and Re-stated Technical Report on the Labola Project Burkina Faso" dated April 2, 2022, with an effective date of April 20, 2022 for further information regarding Cascades. This report can be located at www.dfrgold.com.

In Madagascar, DFR has an advanced high grade hard rock zircon exploration prospect located in the west of the country, approximately 220km east of the port of Maintirano and close to a state road. DFR acquired Beravina from Pala Investments and Austral Resources in 2016.

The Company's public documents may be accessed at www.sedarplus.ca

Neither the TSX-V 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.

Additional Mineral Resource Estimate Disclosures

*Mineral Resources, which are not Mineral Reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, marketing, or other relevant issues. The Mineral Resources in this note were reported using CIM (2014) Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines and adopted by CIM Council. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred resources in this estimation are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define this Inferred Resource as an Indicated or Measured Mineral Resource. It is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading the Inferred Resource to an Indicated or Measured Mineral Resource category. The Mineral Resource has been constrained by an open pit evaluation using a gold price of US$1900 per ounce, and then reported at a cut-off of 0.5 g/t Au. Contained metal and tonnes figures in totals may differ due to rounding.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this release that address activities, events, or developments that DFR expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements or information. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "aim", "aspire", "strive", "will", "expect", "intend", "plan", "believe" or similar expressions as they relate to DFR. Forward- looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to materially differ from those reflected in the forward-looking information.

There are a number of important factors that could cause DFR's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: the ability to obtain requisite regulatory approvals; the ability to finance the drilling campaign; commodity prices; the gold exploration and mining industry in general; the potential impact of the announcement on relationships; including with regulatory bodies, employees; suppliers, customers and competitors; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; changes in applicable laws; and compliance with extensive government regulation. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information or statement prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated, or expected.

DFR cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on DFR's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, shareholders should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. DFR has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking information contained in this release represents the expectations of DFR as of the date of this release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While DFR may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

SOURCE DFR Gold Inc. (formerly Diamond Fields Resources Inc.)
The Nebraska State Patrol provided additional details Thursday on an officer-involved shooting Tuesday that left a local teen dead.

Officers were conducting a welfare check Tuesday afternoon in the 3600 block of 39th Avenue following a report of a a person who might be harming themselves. According to the State Patrol, Columbus police officers made contact with a 17-year-old male inside the residence.

The teen was in possession of a knife, the State Patrol said. During the encounter, a Columbus police officer discharged their duty weapon, striking the subject. Another officer deployed a Taser.

The 17-year-old died at the scene, according to the news release. The State Patrol named the teen, although the Telegram is declining to name him at this time. The release does not name the police officers involved in the shooting.

The Columbus Police Department has placed both officers involved on administrative leave. The department requested that the State Patrol investigate the incident, which is the typical procedure for officer-involved shootings.

The State Patrol's Special Investigations Team is conducting the in-custody death investigation. The investigation remains ongoing Thursday.
Sauber not concerned about F1 sponsor crisis

Sauber insists it is "not concerned" about reports of a Swiss federal investigation into the legality of its new identity in Formula 1.

Valtteri Bottas, Abu Dhabi GP 2023

 Alfa Romeo

With the Alfa Romeo partnership now ended and two full seasons remaining until the works Audi rebranding, Sauber officially renamed its team and chassis after sponsors Stake and Kick for 2024.

The problem, though, is that gambling advertising in Switzerland is banned, meaning simply being called Stake - after Australian online casino company Stake - appears to be a breach of Swiss law.

SRF, a major Swiss broadcaster, says Sauber faces fines of up to 500,000 Swiss francs for the breach, but it is not known what would occur in light of a sustained breach throughout the entire 24-race calendar.

Tellingly, the official Sauber Group website suddenly no longer features any mention whatsoever not just of Stake, but any team partner whatsoever - or even the Hinwil-based Formula 1 team itself.

The site's indexed 'Partners' page, meanwhile, now returns a 404 - This page could not be found error.

In response to media coverage of Sauber's sponsor crisis since the launch of the neon green and black Stake F1 Team car for 2024, the team played down the matter.

Sauber Motorsport AG has always adhered and continues to adhere to the laws in force both in Switzerland and in the countries where the races take place, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.

We are not concerned about the (SRF) article about the ongoing investigation by Swiss authorities, the team added. It is a process that will confirm that we are complying with all admissible laws in force.

(GMM)
Columbus Community Hospital is now accepting scholarship applications from area students and individuals who want to pursue careers in health care.

The Columbus Community Hospital Foundation and several donors established scholarships for applicants who want to serve the community's health care needs. Cori Fullner, executive director of the CCH Foundation, said she is thankful these opportunities are available to area youth.

I am very grateful to our generous donors, Fullner said. The impact of receiving scholarship funds can make a world of difference to these college students.

Melinda Allen, employment and education coordinator at CCH, said the health care scholarships available are a wonderful way to support the communitys workforce.

The scholarships offered through the CCH Foundation are a way that we can invest in our future workforce, Allen said. Through the support of these thoughtful donors, we can see these students thrive and achieve their educational goals. We encourage students of any age to consider applying for this opportunity. It is a privilege to support them in this way.

All scholarship applicants must be accepted to  or currently enrolled in  an accredited program of a recognized health care school. They must also be residents of  or attending school in  the Columbus area, and have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.

Students can find and complete the application on hospital's website. Candidates will need to provide information about their education, work and volunteer experience. They must also send a transcript, proof of their acceptance into an accredited health care program, a brief essay about their health care career goals and their availability to work at the hospital as their school workloads permit.

Applicants can send completed forms to Allen at mjallen@columbushosp.org, or Columbus Community Hospital, Attn: Melinda J. Allen, P.O. Box 1800, Columbus, NE 68602, by Friday, March 29.

Below is a list of the available scholarships:

 CCH Foundation scholarship  The CCH Foundation established this scholarship in 2017. It awards $500 to a qualified student furthering their education in any health care field. The selection committee will give preference to a CCH employee or the child or grandchild of an employee.

 High school student scholarship  The CCH high school student scholarship was established in 2008 to support the development of area youth. It awards $300 to a qualified high school student taking a certified nursing assistant (CNA) or other entry-level health care course.

 Dallmont J. and Bernadine Erickson memorial scholarship fund  The daughter of Dallmont J. and Bernadine Erickson established this scholarship in 2014. It awards $500 to a student in educational training in any area of nursing. The selection committee will give preference to a CCH employee or the child or grandchild of an employee.

 The William and Barbara Gerhold scholarship  Longtime Columbus residents Barbara and William Gerhold established this scholarship in 2006. It awards $500 to a qualified student to help foster educational achievement and service excellence. The selection committee will give preference to CCH employees and children of employees who are pursuing careers in the nursing field.

 The George Prochaska scholarship  The family of the late George Prochaska established this scholarship in 2006 to recognize educational achievement. It awards two $500 scholarships to recognize CCH employees or their children who are studying in a field designed to enhance the mission of CCH.

 Eagles scholarship  The Fraternal Order of Eagles #1834 Aerie & Auxiliary established this scholarship in 2006 to recognize academic achievement. It awards $1,000 to a CCH employee currently enrolled in a health care educational course. The selection committee will give preference to employees of the CCH radiology department.

 HDR scholarship  Dennis Hirschbrunner established the HDR scholarship in 2003 to help students at Central Community College  Columbus Campus. It awards $500 to a student pursuing a career in health care. The selection committee will give preference to a student who plans to attend Central Community College  Columbus Campus.

 Charles and Myrna Meyer memorial scholarship endowment  The children of Charles and Myrna Meyer established this scholarship in 2019. It awards $500 to a student enrolled in any medical education training. The selection committee will give preference to those demonstrating financial hardship.

 Deb Kessler memorial scholarship  The Deb Kessler memorial scholarship was established in 2019 by DebKesslers family to honor her memory. Deb worked at CCH for 35 years. It awards $500 to a student pursuing a career in nursing. The selection committee will give preference to an employee or the child of any employee at CCH.

 Joe Barbaglia memorial scholarship  The Joe Barbaglia scholarship was established in 2023 to recognize educational achievement. It awards $500 scholarships to two qualified students furthering their education in the area of health care finance, information technology or material management. The selection committee will give preference to an employee or the child or grandchild of an employee at CCH.

 Robert and Verdella Emerson scholarship endowment fund  Robert and Verdella Emerson established this scholarship in 2019. It awards $500 to one or two students enrolled in medical educational training. The selection committee will give preference to those demonstrating financial hardship.

 Richard and Judy Temme scholarship  The foundation established the Richard and Judy Temme scholarship in 2021. It awards $500 to a student furthering their education in any health care field.

For more information about the scholarships, visit columbushosp.org or contact Allen at 402-562-3363.
Digital Asset Spot Trading Volumes Rise for the Fourth Consecutive Month + More Crypto News

Get your daily, bite-sized digest of blockchain and crypto news  investigating the stories flying under the radar of todays news.

In todays edition:

Digital Asset Spot Volumes Rise for the Fourth Consecutive Month

Paxos Adopts Chainlinks PayPal USD Price Feed

The Hashgraph Association and Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia Launch $250M Deeptech Venture Studio

__________

Digital Asset Spot Trading Volumes Rise for the Fourth Consecutive Month



In January, the digital asset spot trading volumes on centralized exchanges increased by 4.45% to $1.4 trillion, recording the fourth consecutive increase in monthly spot trading volumes, according to the latest market report from on-chain analytics firm CCData.

The last time the digital asset sector experienced a similar trend was in May 2019, it added.

Binance kept its place as the largest spot trading exchange, with volumes rising 2.73% to $437 billion. It recorded a market share of 31.3%.

The second-largest spot exchange, OKX, saw its trading volumes fall 5.22% to $99.1bn. Hence, its market share dropped from 7.81% to 7.09%.

Also, Coinbase recorded a rise in its market share rise for the third consecutive month to 5.42%.

Meanwhile, the total derivatives trading volume on the CME rose 35.2% to $94.9 billion. This is the highest volume since October 2021.

The trading volume for BTC futures on the exchange rose 42.4% to $73.9 billion. This happened as institutional traders wound down their positions after the approval of the spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US, the report found.

The open interest of BTC futures on the CME exchange recently surpassed the open interest on Binance. However, it has now reversed its trend. It fell 8.50% to $4.42 billion.

BTC options traded on the exchange also fell 29.9% to $1.57 billion.

Meanwhile, the trading volume for ETH futures on the exchange rose 15.6% after the attention briefly shifted to a possible ETH ETF approval, with seven applicants waiting for the SEC decision later this year, CCData said.

Paxos Adopts Chainlinks PayPal USD Price Feed



Regulated blockchain infrastructure and tokenization platform Paxos joined hands with the decentralized computing platform Chainlink to accelerate the adoption of PayPal USD (PYUSD).

According to the press release, Chainlink now supports a PYUSD Chainlink Price Feed on the Ethereum mainnet.

The new PYUSD Price Feed allows users to view accurate, reliable, and decentralized market data for PYUSD on the blockchain.

This enables users to gain the information they need to help create secure markets around PYUSD and adopt it as their preferred stablecoin to facilitate on-chain payments, said the announcement.

It added that,

By securely delivering accurate PYUSD data on-chain, Chainlink Price Feeds help PYUSD to attract initial liquidity and kickstart ecosystem-wide adoption.

Chainlink Price Feeds provide numerous features, such as high-quality data, secure node operators, economy of scale, decentralized network, and transparency.

Meanwhile. PYUSD is an open and programmable stablecoin backed by dollar deposits, US treasuries, and cash equivalents. It is issued by Paxos.

Moreover, the stablecoin is transferable on Ethereum, where it serves as collateral for DeFi projects and facilitates payments.

Together, Chainlink and Paxos are advancing the use of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) and helping scale on-chain finance to billions of users across the globe, the press release said.

The Hashgraph Association and Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia Launch $250M Deeptech Venture Studio



The Hashgraph Association, the non-profit organization accelerating the broad adoption of the DLT network Hedera, has announced the signing of a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) to launch a DeepTech Venture Studio in Riyadh worth $250 million over five years (2024-2028).

Per the press release, The Hashgraph Association was part of the Swiss Economic Delegation traveling to Saudi Arabia under the patronage of Guy Parmelin, Head of the Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER).

The custom-designed DeepTech Venture Studio will enable local Saudi companies and international portfolio companies seeking to establish operations in the country to develop innovative solutions, leveraging deep tech such as AI, DLT, Robotics, IoT, VR, and Quantum Computing.

The studio aims to onboard over 500 companies during the five-year program. It will receive dedicated support from the Ministry through the facilitation of entrepreneurial licenses and the entrance of companies under Saudi laws and regulations. This includes connecting with key government stakeholders, strategic partners, and investors, the announcement said.

The initial phase (Phase A) of the Venture Studio will focus on ramping up local operations within 12 months and onboarding the first batch of 100 projects.

The second phase (Phase B) will focus on accelerating the Venture Studio over 24 months, ensuring steady-state operations, and onboarding and investing in a new batch of 200 projects.

The five-year programs final phase (Phase C) will focus on scaling up the Venture Studio operations into new strategic markets globally and onboarding the final batch of 200 projects.

Startups qualifying for the program will receive up to $250,000 in venture capital investment, with enterprises receiving up to $500,000.
Its the most romantic time of the year.

Micronesia Mall is inviting everyone for a Valentines Fest on Sunday, Feb. 11, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., for couples games, prizes and more.

Mall goers will be treated to a lively performance by the Guam Latin Dance Group at 12 p.m.

This will be followed by Know Your Valentine couples trivia games from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., where couples will play for a chance to win fantastic prizes by Micronesia Mall, Burger King, KFC, Sbarro, Precious Collection, Elevenses and Balloon Art.

The final couples trivia challenge is sponsored by Lins Jewelry and Vince Jewelers.

An 18k white gold diamond chain and pendant from Lins Jewelry, valued at $1,150, and gift sets from Vince Jewelers as the grand prize, and consolation prize, valued at $280, which are perfect Valentines Day gifts.

Interested couples are encouraged to act quickly, as slots are limited.

For more information on how to pre-register for Know Your Valentine, visit Micronesia Malls Instagram page.

For couples, gal pals

In addition to the dance performance and games, couples and gal pals looking for a relaxing bonding activity can enjoy mug painting in Space 121/122 (Center Court, 1st floor) from 12 p.m. to 3p.m.

Registration is available on the day of the event. Slots are limited.

The pair with the best mug will win a movie date courtesy of MM Theatresjust in time for Valentines Dayand have their creation showcased on Micronesia Malls social media platforms.

Vince Jewelers is also providing a grand giveaway prize, a ring and bamboo earring gift set, valued at $114, for attendees of Valentines Fest. One must be present to win. Terms and conditions apply.

We invite everyone to join us at the Micronesia Mall for an unforgettable Valentines celebration, with love, joy and laughter all around, Micronesia Mall marketing manager Rubyjane Buhain-Redila said. We are delighted to offer an array of activities and wonderful prize packages for this Valentines weekend.

Micronesia Malls other events:
Team lala, sponsored by Graphic Center, has been named the 2023-2024 Junior Achievement Guam Company of the Year.

According to JA Guam, 146 high school students joined this years competition with nine student companies stepping up to the challenge. The competition brings together young entrepreneurs.

Junior Achievement helps young people understand the role of business in the global economy by allowing students to organize and operate an actual business enterprise, and market and sell a product in the real world.

This years competition participants include in-school programs Father Duenas Memorial High School, Tiyan High School team and Southern High School team, as well as teams mentored by partner companies such as Graphic Center, Title Guaranty of Guam, GTA, Dusit Thani Resort Guam, Bank of Hawaii, and Community First Guam.

Team lala edged out Team Inina.co, sponsored by Community First Guam, while Bank of Hawaiis Ensena finished in third place.

The number one contributing factor to the success of this company is that each and every member truly immersed themselves in the meaning behind their product. We dove into the meaning and the purpose and stood by the vision and the mission. The product is just a symbol. Anyone can sell a product, but if you believe in the meaning of your product and see beyond the purpose you will find true success, Jessie Rosario, Team lala advisor and mentor, said in a statement.

The Company of the Year competition kicked off on Sep. 16, 2023 and the awards ceremony was held on Feb. 5 at the brand new Multi-Purpose Auditorium located at Guam Community College in Mangilao.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio presented the awards and delivered inspirational messages to the students.

Other awards

The President of the Year award was given to Cheyoung Ahn of GTAs Tesoru, while Rachel Cho of Inina was 2nd runner up and Ezekiel Palacious of Tiyan High Schools Homlo came in third.

In other categories, Bank of Hawaiis Ensena took home Product of the Year, Best Business Video Presentation, and Best Trade Fair Display; Graphic Centers lala won Best Annual Report, Best in Show and Best Philanthropy Award as the first JA team to hold their own mental health outreach event at Agana Shopping Center.

The Best Financial Management award went to Title Guarantys team: Prikura Guahan.

Vice President of Finance of the Year was awarded to Matthew Camacho, Team lala, Graphic Center; VP Marketing of the Year was awarded to Hanna Reyes also from Team lala, Graphic Center; VP Sales of the Year was scooped by Rosalia Cruz, Tiyan Highs Homlo; and VP Chain Supply Award went to Steven Bamba, BOHs Ensena.

Off to Malaysia

These JA Guam Company of The Year winners will travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and represent Guam at the JA Asia Pacifics annual competition.

The competition highlights the achievements of young entrepreneurs from Japan, Korea, India, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and Turkmenistan.

Junior Achievement has held a special place with me since I was in high school. It gives students an opportunity to apply what they learn in a competitive business environment. Congratulations to all of this years winners, JA Guam sponsor, former board director and JA alumni David Beaver of David Beaver and Associates of Raymond James.

The JA Board of Directors extends its thanks to its community partners, including the governor and lieutenant governor, Guam Community College President Mary Okada, Claudia Taitano, Guam Economic Development Authority, Guam Regional Medical City, the GCC DECA marketing program, Bank of Hawaii, Bank of Guam, Small Business Development Center, David Beaver and Associates of Raymond James, Micronesia Mall, GTA, ASC Trust, Burger King, Pacific Charlie, B&G Pacific, Dusit Thani Guam Resort, University of Guams Guam Green Growth, RunGuam, Fokai Industries and Sinajana Mayor Robert Hoffman.

JA Guam also thanks the judges: Ana-Alicia Cruz, Jennifer Valencia, Rex Valerio, Luis Martinez, Annania Nauta Kemp, Phillip Cruz, Michael Kilayko, and Celia Anderson.
DFS Guams long running lawsuit over the airports master concession contract will continue to a second trial phase, with the court siding with the luxury retailer this week.

Superior Court of Guam Judge Arthur Barcinas, in a Feb. 6 order, found in favor of DFS over a major contention in the case. It involves questions of whether DFS protest of the $154 million airport concessions contract award to competitor Lotte Duty Free was filed on time back in 2013.

The Guam International Airport Authority has argued over the years that DFS did not protest the award within a legal 14-day timeline, and dismissed DFSs initial protests.

DFS alleged that airport officials had received gifts from Lotte Duty Free and favored the competing company, tainting the award. GIAAs dismissal of DFSs protest is what triggered the ongoing suit.

Barcinas, in his 43-page order, found that all of DFS protests were filed on time, and that the protests were pre-award.

That means the court may order Lottes award to be cancelled, or else revised to comply with the law, if DFSs allegations are proved true as the trial moves forward.

GIAA is disappointed in the Superior Courts Phase 1 decision and believes it is contrary to the evidence presented and law. GIAA maintains that it properly denied all three of DFSs protests filed over a decade ago and that the Lotte Concession Contract, as extended, is lawful, according to a statement issued by the airport authority on Thursday.

Barcinas had previously ruled that the airport mishandled the procurement and committed violations, going as far as voiding the Lotte contract in 2018.

But the Supreme Court of Guam in 2020 rejected some of Barcinas actions, and sent the case back to the trial court.

There were unresolved factual issues about the timeliness of DFSs protests, and justices concluded that one of DFSs protests, related to a visit to South Korea, where Lotte is based, by airport leadership, was not filed in time.

Barcinas decision this week comes after a trial held last year on the case, where DFS and the airport argued over the timeliness of the 2013 protests.

Following the trial, the judge concluded that all of the protests filed by DFS were timely.

The second phase of the trial will deal with the facts of the case, and allegations made by parties on both sides of the suit.

More trial dates will be announced.

GIAAs concession contract with Lotte was supposed to expire in July 2023, but lawmakers passed legislation last summer allowing the airport to extend its concessions contract for another three years.

GIAAs board subsequently voted to pass an extension of the Lotte contract, meeting minutes show, with management pointing to uncertainty over whether a better deal could be struck for the concession space in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Current management and the Board have determined that the Concession Agreement with Lotte is the most beneficial concession contract that the Airport has ever had and has been integral in supporting the Airports difficult financial situation triggered by the pandemic and worsened by Typhoon Mawar. GIAA will continue to vigorously defend this Agreement, the airport stated.

The airport authority called DFS longstanding lawsuit an obstacle and burden on the Airports ability to help in our islands economic recovery.

DFS held the airport contract for over 30 years before losing it to Lotte.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell visited Guam this week to discuss with local officials still ongoing Typhoon Mawar recovery efforts.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, who met with Criswell on Tuesday, brought up her support to a congressional bill seeking to allow FEMA to help the government of Guam with repairs to the hospital, electric grids, and other infrastructure during major disaster declarations.

Criswell stopped over Guam and Saipan from Feb. 5 to 7 and left early morning Feb. 8 on her way to Maui, Hawaii, to meet with state and local officials and discuss ongoing recovery efforts, six months after the devastating Maui wildfires.

FEMA sent personnel to Guam for Mawar response and recovery.

"I extended my sincere gratitude to FEMA Administrator Criswell and her dedicated team for their exceptional commitment to our island's recovery in the wake of Typhoon Mawar," the governor said in a statement Wednesday night, about her and Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio's Tuesday meeting with Criswell.

As of August, more than $200 million in federal assistance flowed into Guam following Mawar, FEMA had said.

This includes nearly $70.5 million to homeowners and renters under the FEMA Individual Assistance Program, according to FEMA Region 9 spokesperson Veronica Verde.

Additionally, the Small Business Administration has approved more than $253.5 million to renters, homeowners and businesses as of Jan. 8, 2024, Verde said.

FEMA has Public Assistance staff working with local and territorial government to help in reimbursement to critical infrastructure damaged by Typhoon Mawar, such as roads and bridges, she added.

Besides Criswell, FEMA Region 9 Administrator Robert Fenton, and FEMA Public Assistance Division Director Robert Pesapane also visited Guam.

The governor, according to Adelup, also discussed with the FEMA team the administration's support to Del. James Moylan's H.R. 6478 which, if passed, would allow FEMA to assist GovGuam with "repairs to the hospital, electric grid and transmissions, communications, water and wastewater, cybersecurity, and other infrastructure during major disaster declarations at 100% federal cost share."

Building resiliency

During the meeting with the FEMA team, the governor also expressed her ongoing efforts to work with the Department of Defense to harden critical infrastructure to build resiliency, Adelup said.

"Even the Department of Defense is making this a priority because they know the value when you have to recover after a disasterthat underground utilities are more resilient," the governor said in a statement. "I remain engaged with the Department of Defense, which shares a deep interest in Guam's role in bolstering national security and defense."

One of the governor's primary messages, according to Adelup, "is that you cant have national defense or security without human health security."

"This underscores the urgency of our efforts to construct a new hospital and medical complex, the governor said.

FEMA leadership also met with various government agencies before traveling to Maui, Adelup said.

More than 200 FEMA personnel remain on Maui, assisting wildfires survivors. FEMA has approved more than $43.7 million in assistance to more than 7,000 households in Maui, according to the White House.

Typhoon debris removal

In a statement, the governor acknowledged FEMA's "responsiveness during and after the storm, coupled with their prompt resolution of critical issues," which "has been instrumental in our efforts to rebuild, recover, and resolve issues."

"We are especially grateful for their typhoon debris removal efforts which, if left unaddressed, posed not only an environmental threat but also a hazard to the health and safety of our people, Leon Guerrero said.

Tenorio, meanwhile, said the meeting with FEMA officials "further solidified our shared commitment to working together to strengthen critical infrastructure, reduce the impacts of future disasters, and enhance our resilience.

"As we face the growing threat of extreme weather events and potential manmade disasters, this collaboration is more critical than ever," he said. "Together, we will continue to forge a path towards a safer and more resilient future for our community."
Do Kwon Wins Appeal as Montenegro Court Overturns Extradition

The Montenegro Court of Appeal has set aside the decision to extradite the co-founder of Terraform Labs Do Kwon saying the original order was affected by significant violations.

The court decided to revoke the extradition after hearing Kwons appeal in a session on Feb 7, per an official court statement on the matter.

Do Kwon was initially slated for extradition following a ruling by the High Court of Podgorica in December. He was arrested for forged documentation.

The decision was appealed by Do Kwons legal team weeks after the judgment with the embattled former CEO allowed to stay in the country pending the determination of the suit.

Do Kwon Granted Appeal By Montenegro Court, Extradition Revoked  Fofty Pawlow (@FoftyPawlow) February 8, 2024

According to court documents, the extradition was set aside on several grounds including the fact that it was made amid significant violations of criminal procedure.

because the wording of the decision is incomprehensible, the decisions have no reason for decisive facts, and the reasons given are unclear, the document reads.

Furthermore, the judgement of the High Court ignored the proper order of extradition adding that South Korea was first to seek such an order before another country.

This decision returns the case for retrial in the High Court and allows Do Kwon to remain in the country as extradition requests from South Korea and the United States increase.

In December, the Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that plans were in motion to extradite Do Kwon to the United States rather than South Korea.

South Korea has maintained a position as the best country to bring justice to Do Kwon and his alleged accomplices, adding that he might face a longer sentence in the country if found guilty.

Do Kwon Extradition Saga Continues



This week, Han Chang-joon the former Chief Financial Officer of Terraform Labs was extradited to South Korea by the Montenegrin police.

J.C.H was today handed over to the competent judicial and police authorities of South Korea by NCB Interpol Podgorica officers and the Special Police Unit, for the purpose of conducting criminal proceedings for several criminal offenses related to fraud.

Chang-joon was arrested alongside Do Kwon in the country and sentenced to four months of jail time for falsifying documents following a global manhunt for Do Kwon.

This marks another major point in Do Kwons case. Kwon and several others are accused of bad policies that led to the collapse of the Terra Network in 2022 wiping out billions from the market.

Terras stablecoin fiasco led to heightened regulatory pressure on the wider market across multiple jurisdictions, leading to bottleneck regulations throughout the bear market.
The Fanomnakan 2023 graduates of the University of Guams Bachelor of Science in Nursing program achieved a 100% pass rate after taking the National Council Licensure Exam for the first time, securing their licenses as registered nurses, UOG announced on Thursday.

UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez said this recent achievement further validates the quality of the universitys nursing program and continued efforts to provide a career pipeline that meets the needs of healthcare sectors in Guam and the Micronesia region.

Our Nursing Program is on par with some of the best in the nation, she said.

Spring 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 graduates of the UOG Nursing Program also achieved a 100% pass rate as first-time test takers.

Each group of Spring graduates of the UOG Nursing Program from 2020 to 2022 achieved a 95% pass rate or higher, showing resiliency and rising above the pandemic-related challenges that made practicums and classroom learning more challenging, UOG said.

We are very proud of our Spring 2023 cohort for having achieved 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX despite having to overcome delayed admission to the program during the pandemic, said Yvette Paulino, interim dean of the Margaret Perez Hattori-Uchima School of Health at UOG. Most importantly, we have produced 17 more Registered Nurses to serve our community.

UOGs nursing graduates have always achieved passing rates above the national pass rate every year, in recent years, said Paulino.

We are thankful for the Nursing Programs partnerships with island clinics, hospitals, government of Guam agencies, and other health care providers for allowing our students to receive real-life training, Enriquez said.

UOG said its nursing program has cultivated partnerships with the Department of Public Health and Social Services, Guam Memorial Hospital Authority, Guam Regional Medical City, Health Care Services of the Pacific, FHP Clinic, Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center, the Department of Education, Department of Corrections, and Naval Hospital Guam.

Paulino commends the nursing faculty, including Ana Joy Mendez, Anna Varghese, Rosielyn Babauta, Antoinette Kleiner, Sandra Cruz, and Veronica Alave for holding the program and the students to a high standard.

She also acknowledged recently retired professor Kathryn Wood and numerous former instructors whose mentorships have helped many nursing students succeed.

The nursing programs faculty also honors the legacy of the late Margaret Perez Hattori-Uchima, whose tireless efforts as the dean led to the nursing programs engagement with the community through outreach efforts and in providing a quality education that aligns with the healthcare needs on the island and the region.
Corrections & Clarifications: This article has been updated to properly reflect statements made by Cynthia Au, director of government relations at American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network from Honolulu, in the 21st paragraph.

Proposals to tax the sale of vaping products saw support from government health officials and members of the local vaping industry but opinions differed on just how steep taxes should be, during a four-hour public hearing on Thursday.

Also at issue is the penalty on those that break vape sales lawsand whether minors should be punished for owning a vape.

Attempts to tax vape products are the latest in a series of proposals from lawmakers aimed at curbing youth vaping on island, cited as the highest in the world.

A recent survey finds that 1 in 3 middle and high schoolers on Guam turn to vapes.

Though vape sales have become widespread in recent years, there is no standard tax on Guam law for the products, according to legislative budget chairman Sen. Joe San Agustin.

San Agustins Bill 193-37 places an initial 10% tax on vape products, classified as electronic nicotine delivery systems or ENDS.

In the second year of the tax, the rate would be raised to 20%.

It would also make minors caught with a vape guilty of a petty misdemeanor.

Meanwhile, the Guam Youth Congresss Bill 196-37, called the Stop Addiction through Vaping Excise, or SAVE, Act, would put in place a 40% tax on vaping products.

San Agustin said his bill was created in consultation with the Department of Revenue and Taxation and local vape shop owners.

It would support the public good and help keep businesses in business, he said.

Youth Congress Speaker Lily Vinch told lawmakers the high tax rate was meant to save Guam students from the pandemic of vaping, and was a middle ground, short of banning vape products.

Its unclear just how much revenue either tax would rake in, according fiscal notes for both bills, due to a lack of data on vape sales from DRT.

San Agustin has estimated his bill would bring in $800,000 in the first year, and twice that in the second year.

Both bills come on the heels of other legislative proposals to limit vape advertising, tighten up vape sales regulations, and outright ban the sale of flavored vape juice.

Two vape tax proposals Here are some key differences between the two vape tax proposals. Where each measure would put tax revenue: SAVE Act; 25% into the Territorial Education Facilities Fund, 35% Health Futures Fund, 15% Police Services Fund, 15% Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center

San Agustins Bill 193; 40% Rev and Tax Revolving Fund, 60% Guam Memorial Hospital Authority Revolving Fund Vape sale license fees: SAVE Act; $200 for an annual retail license, $100 for an annual vending machine retail license, $2,000 for annual wholesaler license

Bill 193; $200 for an annual retail license, $2,000 for an annual wholesaler license, vending machines are not contemplated Fines laid out by each measure: SAVE Act; sale of vape products without a license carries a fine of $500 on first violation, $1,000 second violation, between $2,000 and $5,000 for further offenses and a 7 year ban from getting a license to sell vape products; selling unstamped vapes in a vending machine has a fine of $100,000

Bill 193; sale of vape products without a license, or to a minor carries a fine of $1,000 on first violation, $2,000 on second violation, $4,000 to $10,000 on further violations and a 10 year license ban Fees for minor possession: SAVE Act; none

Bill 193; $150 for first offense, $300 for further offenses Criminal violations created by each measure: SAVE Act; misdemeanor for the sale or possession of large amounts of vape products without a license, third-degree felony for the unlicensed possession or counterfeit of vape tax stamps

Bill 193; felony for a person who sells ENDS to minors, and a petty misdemeanor for minors under 21 who possess ENDSalthough minor vape sales are already criminalized, the ENDS category is meant to include new vape technology that might come forward

Tax levels

Lawmakers should consider the bold step of outright banning vape sales, similar to Palau, said Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center Director Theresa Arriola.

But short of that, vape products should be taxed at a similar level to cigarettes, she said.

Arriola said about $4 out of the cost of a $9 pack of cigarettes was due to tax, around 80% of the value of the product.

Maximizing taxation of tobacco and limiting products on the market had shown success in reducing youth tobacco use from 41% in 1995 to 12% in 2019, Arriola said.

She supported San Agustins bill, with a number of recommendations.

The American Cancer Society did not support taxing vape products at a lower level than cigarettes, said Cynthia Au, director of government relations at American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network from Honolulu.

Encouraging people to quit using nicotine altogether, rather than making the switch to electronic nicotine devices, was the official position of the American Cancer Society, she said. Like Arriola, Au recommended that taxes be hiked to around 80%.

But hiking vape taxes would only result in the black market for vapes, which could easily be ordered online, argued Bistra Mendiola, operator of Vape Escape, a chain of local vape shops.

The former smoker said economic studies have shown that pricing users out of the vape market would only encourage people to go back to smoking regular cigarettes. She compared taxing vapes to taxing nicotine products like patches and lozenges meant to help smokers quit.

Her husband, Theseus Mendiola, said he was one of the early adopters of vape technology, shooting to reduce his tar intake back when he was smoking multiple packs of cigarettes a day.

Both threw in support for San Agustins Bill 193-37.

Penalties for minors

The American Cancer Society did not support penalizing youths for buying a vape, Au told lawmakers, as it would inappropriately shift the blame for underage tobacco use from the tobacco industry and retailers to young people.

The tobacco industry had a history of aggressively marketing towards kids, and then supporting such penalties instead of regulations that would better reduce teen smoking.

San Agustins Bill 193-37 would make youth vape possession a petty misdemeanor, carrying a fine of $150 on first offense and $300 on second offense.

Bistra Mendiola challenged the idea that vape shops were responsible for youth vaping, telling lawmakers there was wall of shame compiled by Vape Escape of people buying vape products to give to minors.

Theseus Mendiola said the practice was close to child abuse in his mind, and offered to provide video evidence and purchase history to GovGuam for any child protective services cases involving vape use.

The tax should equate to the harm, and for most smokers, were trying to reduce the harm, Mendiola said.

Both Vape Escape owners spoke in favor of disciplining kids for breaking the law.

Behavioral Healths Arriola said there was no good monitoring of any vape shops that might be selling to youthsbut that meant there was no clear evidence they were following the law, either.

She said she did not support putting any kid into a correctional facility for vaping, which would only increase adult crime rates.

Where to put the money

Both measures offer differing schemes to use the revenue from vape taxes.

San Agustins bill would put money toward DRT and the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority, while the SAVE Act would split the funds between health care, school maintenance, and police services.

Arriola spoke in favor of putting more money towards preventive smoking programs, as was outlined in the SAVE Act.

GMH Administrator Lilian Perez-Posadas likewise agreed that prevention was important, and suggested the two bills be merged somehow.

But if lawmakers wanted to increase GMHs share of the pot.

That will be greatly appreciated and welcomed, the hospital administrator said.

Vending machines

Vape products should not be sold in vending machines, acting DRT Deputy Director Craig Camacho told lawmakers.

The SAVE Act would allow for the issuance of licenses for vending machine vape sales, but Camacho said it would be almost impossible to regulate the sale to minors if a vending machine was in a public area.

Youth Congress Speaker Vinch did say she opposed the sale of vape products in vending machines, when questioned by Sen. Sabina Perez.
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OUR VIEW: In support of OPA's financial independence and existence
By Julie Watson and Lolita C. Baldor | Associated Press

SAN DIEGO  Five U.S. Marines aboard a helicopter that went down during stormy weather in the mountains outside of San Diego are confirmed dead, the military said Thursday.

Authorities say the CH-53E Super Stallion vanished late Tuesday night while returning to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego after training at Creech Air Force Base, northwest of Las Vegas.

It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines from 3d Marine Aircraft Wing and the Flying Tigers, Maj. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, commander of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said in a statement.

The names of the Marines were not immediately released.

To the families of our fallen Marines, we send our deepest condolences and commit to ensuring your support and care during this incredibly difficult time, Borgshulte said. Though we understand the inherent risks of military service, any loss of life is always difficult.

Efforts to recover the remains of the five have begun and an investigation into the crash is underway, according to the statement.

Capt. Stephanie Leguizamon, spokesperson for the wing, said she had little information beyond the statement.

I do know that its cold ... I know thats been a contentious issue for searchers in reaching the crash site.

President Joe Biden said in a statement that he and first lady Jill Biden are heartbroken to learn of the Marines deaths.

Our service members represent the very best of our nation  and these five Marines were no exception, Biden said. As the Department of Defense continues to assess what occurred, we extend our deepest condolences to their families, their squadron, and the U.S. Marine Corps as we grieve the loss of five of our nations finest warriors.

The last known contact with the helicopter was at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Mike Cornette of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection told CBS 8 news. That location was based on a ping reported to a Cal Fire dispatch center.

The craft was discovered Wednesday morning near the mountain community of Pine Valley, an hours drive from San Diego.

Civilian authorities searching on ground and by air located the aircraft, which went down during stormy weather in the Southern California mountains, about 45-miles (72-kilometers) from San Diego.

The helicopter, which was designed to fly in harsh conditions, went missing as an historic storm dumped heavy snow and record rain over California. More rain and snow hit the region Wednesday night, forcing searchers to battle through heavy snow to reach the helicopter.

The five Marines were assigned to Miramars Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, the military said in a statement.

While it can carry dozens of people, the normal crew component for the Super Stallion is four: a pilot, copilot, crew chief, and mechanic/gunner, according to a U.S. Navy website.

The military worked with federal, state and local agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Border Patrol, San Diego County Sheriffs Department and the state Civil Air Patrol.

But weather and rugged terrain made the task difficult. Pine Valley is at about 3,700 feet (1,127 meters) in elevation in the Cuyamaca Mountains, an area which saw as much 8 inches (20 centimeters) of accumulating snow within hours Tuesday night and early Wednesday and saw more falling Wednesday night, according to forecasters.

The area includes San Diego Countys second highest mountain, Cuyamaca Peak, at 6,512 feet (1,985 meters), and is also near the Cleveland National Forest, which covers 720 square miles (1,860 square kilometers) with much of it steep, rocky and with limited trails.

The CH-53E Super Stallion is the largest helicopter in the military and the Marines have used it for heavy-lifting duties around the world for more than three decades. More than 130 are in operation.

Equipped with GPS, infrared radar and other equipment, the aircraft has performed a full range of military combat operations in Beirut, Somalia, the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya, according to a U.S. Navy website.

About 99 feet (30 meters) long, the Super Stallion can move troops and equipment from ships to shore, ferry supplies and launch amphibious assaults.

Nicknamed the hurricane maker because of the downwash from its three engines, the Super Stallion has a 50-mile (80.5-kilometer) range. It was designed to carry up to 55 troops or about 16 tons (more than 13,000 kilograms) of cargo both inside and slung outside the cabin.

With an external load, the helicopter can weigh up to nearly 35 tons (31,638 kilograms).

Two CH-53E helicopters were used in the civil war-torn capital of Mogadishu, Somalia, in January 1990 to rescue American and foreign allies from the U.S. embassy.

The helicopter has been involved in several deadly accidents. In 2018, four Marines from Miramar died when their Super Stallion crashed near El Centro, near the California-Mexico border, during a training mission. The Marine Corps ruled out pilot error for the accident. The victims families later sued two companies they alleged provided a defective part that they blamed for the crash.

In 2005, a Super Stallion went down in a sandstorm in Iraq, killing 31 people on board. The accident, blamed on pilot error, was the single deadliest loss of U.S. troops during the war.

___

Baldor reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Ken Miller in Edmond, Okla. and John Antczak in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
The Cumberland Valley School Board on Monday approved several student curricular items for next year that includes 2024-25 programs of studies for the high school and ninth grade academy featuring nine new electives for grades 10-12.

In a separate motion, the board approved curricula for the new electives, which includes environmental chemistry, history of cinema, human biology, womens studies and AP African-American studies. Other approved grade 10-12 electives slated for initiation next year are an American pastime, ancient civilizations, applied math and creative writing.

Deana Raymer, the districts director of curriculum, instruction and assessment, said the district created new elective course selections for next year because we wanted to give students more choices.

Matthew Barrick was the only school director voting against both proposals Monday, questioning the costs of initiating several courses next year. Similarly, Barrick voted last month against initiating two seventh-grade math pilots for the remainder of the current school year, questioning the districts concurrent expenditures on several curriculum pilots.

Raymer said she didnt believe that the new elective courses wouldnt incur any new hiring costs next year because implementing them wont require any new staff.

These have been vetted at several (district) curriculum/education committee meetings and are recommended by the committee, she said.

Superintendent Mark Blanchard said Tuesday that although the new courses would require some expenditures for texts  it is our intention to utilize funds that already exist within each of the departments rather than to add to those department budgets.

Receiving unanimous board votes Monday were full implementation next year of two math curricula programs that the district piloted this year for elementary and middle school-level students.

The school board authorized the purchase of the Math Learning Center Bridges in Mathematics as a math core curriculum resource for grades K-5 at a cost not to exceed $20,000 for current pilot materials, to be paid from the districts 2023-24 curriculum budget.

The motion also permits a purchase not to exceed $450,000 for related curriculum resources that will be paid over three fiscal years from the districts curriculum budget. Raymer said Monday that initiating a multiyear contract for the curriculum resources provides the district with cost savings.

The board also approved the purchase of the Amplify Desmos Math as a core curriculum resource for grades 6-8 at cost not to exceed $3,500 for professional staff development that will be paid from the districts 2023-24 curriculum budget. The motion also allows for purchases not to exceed $75,000 in materials and $25,000 from the districts 2024-25 curriculum budget.

Our teachers said they approved of this program overwhelmingly, Raymer said.

Also Monday, the board authorized the district to enter a three-year contract with Apptegy Inc., at an annual cost of $39,261 to provide a district website, automated notification system and a mobile app. The contract runs from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026.

A separate one-time development fee of $13,950 will be expended in the districts current fiscal year.

Blanchard said the district was forced to find a new website provider because its current firm didnt want to do it anymore.




Haiti - FLASH : The Military Association of Haiti warns the Government





Faced with the turn of events over the last 72 hours, the Military Association of Haiti (AMH) warns in a note, the Government of Ariel Henry "[...] against a bloody fratricidal clash between the Protected Areas Brigade (BSAP), the Haitian National Police (PNH), the Haitian Armed Forces (FAd'H), gangs and possible mercenaries..."



Note:

"[...] As a reminder, the current Commander-in-Chief of the FAdH, certain Officers of the Military High Command and all demobilized soldiers from the BSAP are members of the Haitian Military Association. Some 500 non-military members of the BSAP were trained by the AMH and this list was sent to the General Headquarters and the Ministry of Defense for their possible incorporation into the Army.



A clash between FADH and BSAP is a clash between brothers in arms of the same Haitian Military Association.



Thus, Dr. Ariel Henry is invited to put everything on the table, first to prevent a fratricidal confrontation on 2 levels between BSAP and FADH, a confrontation which he would certainly not survive, then to pass the necessary instructions so that the BSAP is transferred without delay under the command of the FADH



At the same time, the Haitian Military Association remains convinced that the Commander-in-Chief will be able to demonstrate the leadership that these moments of national peril require.



For the record, we recall here the provisions of article 263.1 of the Constitution which prohibit the existence of any other armed body on the national territory apart from the FADH and the PNH and the provisions of article 268.3 which confer on the FADH the monopoly on the manufacture, import, export, use and possession of war materials, weapons of war and their ammunition.



Finally, the Military Association invites all political actors to go beyond their elite status and warns against any infiltration or instrumentalization of the BSAP in provocative actions with the FADH and the PNH [...]" I>



HL/ HaitiLibre


















An Orange County man is facing multiple drug charges after what began as an investigation into a car crash escalated into much more.

Orange County sheriffs deputies responded to a reported accident near the intersection of Constitution Highway and Grassland Lane west of Unionville on Monday.

The deputies on the scene determined the at-fault driver was 46-year-old Derryl Wayne Highley II of Mine Run.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined that prior to law enforcement arriving on scene, Highley was observed on camera discarding a satchel in the wood line, the Orange County Sheriffs Office said in a statement.

What they found on the property changed the course of the investigation.

Deputies searched the abandoned property and located multiple bags of white powder and crystal like substance, the sheriffs office said. Deputies collected the suspected controlled substances. Field tests were conducted.

Those field tests concluded the substances included:

Methamphetamine.

Fentanyl.

Cocaine.

And N,N-Dimethyltryptamine, otherwise known as DMT.

Highley was consequently taken into custody and charged with four counts of possession with intent to distribute schedule I and II drugs as well as driving with a revoked license and following too close to another vehicle.

He is in custody at Central Virginia Regional Jail in Orange.
Press release

Independence Bank recently promoted Mym Cichosz to the position of MSI corporate secretary/bank board secretary and human resources administrative assistant. In these roles, Cichosz provides services and outreach to our shareholders, aids the board of directors in fulfilling their fiduciary duties, and provides assistance in ensuring human resources meets the needs of our employees.

Cichosz is a Montana State University-Northern graduate with a bachelor's degree in technology of business. She has lived in the Havre community her entire life and will celebrate her 23rd anniversary with Independence Bank in 2024.

Cichosz came to the bank in January of 2001 as a loan assistant, transitioned to a compliance department assistant, then returned to her position as loan assistant, where her vast knowledge of customer lending needs and excellent customer service was showcased, eventually being promoted to loan assistant supervisor. In 2021 she became the assistant MSI corporate secretary to Kay Mayer and human resources assistant.

Cichosz has assumed the full-time position of MSI Corporate Secretary/Bank Board Secretary and will continue with her Human Resources responsibilities.

"Mym has a vast knowledge of the bank, having had the opportunity to work with multiple individuals in various capacities within the bank," President and CEO Bill Keller. "This has allowed her to transition smoothly into her new role as the successor to Kay Mayer. Mym has a deep understanding of Montana Security Inc., the bank holding company, and Independence Bank. We are excited for Mym as this transition allows us to continue serving our shareholders and board of directors in an exceptional manner."

When Cichosz isn't working, she said people can find her at local sporting events, at the softball fields watching her kids play ball, and she also enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.
Press release

Independence Bank has announced the promotion of Andy Morris to the position of information technology and security officer. In this role, Morris will provide assistance in managing networking equipment, working closely with bank partners to maintain a secure and extensible network.

Morris grew up in Belgrade and moved to Havre in the fall of 1997. He attended college at Montana State University-Northern, where he earned a bachelor's degree in computer information systems and an associate degree in design drafting.

Prior to joining the Independence Bank team, Morris worked in the Information Technology Services Department at Northern as a computer support specialist for 13 years. Morris came to the bank in November of 2017 as an information technology specialist, where his focus was primarily on setting up and rolling out computer and server systems, while helping with day-to-day questions from staff. He has been promoted to oversee more of the changes to the internal and external bank networks, while staying involved with the computer systems by overseeing acquisition of hardware. Morris' amiable personality and his ability to communicate elevated him to be a candidate for the executive development program put on by the Montana Bankers Association, designed to cultivate the next generation of banking leaders.

"Andy is a hardworking individual that can fully take on a project from start to finish, "said Vice President of Information Technology Matt Antonich said. "His ability to quickly teach himself different technologies and applications is a strength. He is someone we at Independence Bank value and with the work ethic he has shown, we know he is ready to take on these additional responsibilities. I look forward to working with Andy in his new role."

Morris and his wife, Angela, are the proud parents of four sons, Michael, 17, Malachi , 15, Jayce, 9, and Toby, 7.
(CNBC) Disney said it is on pace to meet or exceed its goal of cutting costs by at least $7.5 billion by the end of fiscal 2024. The company said it expects fiscal 2024 earnings per share of about $4.60, which would be at least 20% higher than 2023.

To read this article:
Roger Waters , co-founder of the iconic rock band Pink Floyd, has stepped into the political arena by publicly backing the German political party MERA25, a member of the broader DiEM25 movement. Known for his outspoken criticism of Israel's policies towards Palestinians and advocacy for human rights, Waters has made headlines once again, this time for his political endorsement in the lead-up to the European Union elections.

In a passionate plea shared across social media platforms, Waters highlighted MERA25's unique stance on the Palestinian issue, praising the party for its courage to speak up amid widespread silence on the matter in Germany. He urged German citizens to rally behind MERA25, emphasizing the need for the party to gather 5,000 signatures by the end of February to secure its participation in the June elections.

Waters' endorsement coincides with a scheduled tour of Germany by Yanis Varoufakis, DiEM25 co-founder and former Greek finance minister, set to commence on February 16. Varoufakis, a prominent figure in European politics known for his critical views on the EU's economic policies, will attend events in Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt as part of the tour.

In his statement, Waters expressed concern over the backlash faced by both himself and MERA25 from the German establishment, framing the signature campaign as a battle against the status quo. He called for widespread support to ensure MERA25's voice for peace, reason, and universal human rights is heard within the European Parliament.

Waters' call to action, "Let's do the 5,000 names for MERA25, theres lots and lots of us. Let's do it today," serves not only as an endorsement of the party but as a rallying cry for those seeking to make a difference through the European electoral process. By throwing his weight behind MERA25, Waters adds a high-profile voice to the discourse on Palestinian rights and democracy within the EU, encouraging others to contribute to a cause that extends beyond the boundaries of music and into the realm of political activism.

HT
Police paperwork filed in the case of the man accused in late November of firing a gun and creating a disorder within a vehicle on Gordonsville Road has revealed additional details about the case.

A criminal complaint filed in the arrest of Anthony Wayne Martin, a 45-year-old Barboursville resident, alleges that an alcohol-fueled Martin discharged a handgun while riding inside a minivan with five children.

Sts not funny when its real, Martin allegedly exclaimed when a witness, another adult passenger, realized that Martin had fired the weapon, according to Albemarle County police detective Nic Richardson.

The Nov. 29 incident resulted in a misdemeanor reckless handling charge plus two felony charges: shooting in a vehicle and possession of a firearm as a felon.

Martin became a felon in 2019 with a pair convictions in Henrico County: possession of a controlled substance and child abuse.

The Nov. 29 shooting took place just north of Cismont on Gordonsville Road, also known as Route 231, while Martin was riding as a friend and passenger of Dwight and Amanda Boggs along with the couples five children, who range in age from 3 to 17.

The Albemarle detective asserted that Dwight Boggs, seated in the front passenger seat, had asked Martin, sitting directly behind him, to lower his voice.

Dwight said that Anthony became very agitated and started yelling, according to the detectives account, which noted that the occupants then heard a very loud bang.

Dwight said at first they thought they had blown a tire, so they pulled over and checked the tires which were still good, the detective wrote.

It was only then that Martin said, Sts not funny when its real, that Dwight Boggs said he realized that their passenger had discharged a firearm, according to the detectives account.

The revelation caused Dwight Boggs to grab Martin by the shoulders and restrain him while his wife drove to a dollar store in Gordonsville.

While his wife went inside for help, he was able to bear hug Anthony and disarm him, according to the criminal complaint, which asserted that the Gordonsville Police Department recovered a 9mm firearm and saw a bullet hole in the passenger door.

I spoke with Anthony Martin who had slurred speech and smelled of alcohol, Richardson wrote, adding that Martin admitted to drinking beer and bourbon prior to getting into the vehicle. However, the detective asserted that Martin did not admit to discharging the gun.

He said he was sitting in the middle passenger seat but denied knowing anything about a firearm or hearing a firearm go off, Richardson wrote.

Law enforcement reported finding two 9mm magazines inside the vehicle.

Martin has a hearing slated for Feb. 15 in Albemarle County General District Court. He also faces two misdemeanor charges in Orange County General District Court: brandishing and gun possession as a felon. He is being held at Central Virginia Regional Jail in Orange and is represented by Hannon Wright.
Future of farming is imperiled, growers tell county commissioners

An overflow crowd of farmers turned out for a special meeting of the Board of Commissioners on the state of agriculture.

Last Tuesday night farmers filled the 105-seat Steven D. Wyatt Auditorium, lined the walls and spilled out into the lobby. They were there to share their thoughts on the future of agriculture with the Henderson County Board of Commissioners, which had called a special meeting for that purpose.

The comments from 15 speakers strongly suggested that the future of farming is in peril.

Im a little disappointed that you guys underestimated us by not having a bigger space, Linda Pryor, an Edneyville farmer, said. Were all at different stages in our farming careers and have different needs and different goals but Im certain that at our core, no matter our differences, that we all have that same passion and appreciation for agriculture. We all need to come together to keep agriculture sustainable in the county.

The meeting was an opportunity for farmers to express their views on a broader scale but also to air concerns about AgHC, the nonprofit agency that promotes farming, works to preserve farmland and recruits new agriculture investment.

AgHCs executive director, Mark Williams, said agriculture is approaching a $1 billion industry in the county, supporting 5,400 jobs.

Every dollar invested (in AgHC) is yielding now $4.38 in economic benefit, he said. A major threat is the loss of farmland, evidenced by the fact the county has lost 2,058 farm acres in the past two years.

A couple of speakers said they thought AgHC could improve its outreach to farmers.

Weve never been approached by AgHC, said Don Ward, an apple grower and tractor dealer. Weve never been approached for any of our comments or (asked) if we needed anything.

Bert Lemkes, general manager of Tri-Hishtil, a Mills River greenhouse operation, praised AgHCs work.

AgHC and specifically the director Mark Williams has been instrumental in getting our company established in Mills River, he said. Were shipping products throughout the United States from South Florida to California. Theres a lot of farmers that have built up confidence in our business that they have switched their operation to our grafted plants.

Without a farmland preservation program, growers said, many orchards could succumb to the pressure to sell to subdivision developers or for some other non-agriculture use.

I think farm preservation were way behind on, said Alan Ward, who grows grapes and apples for his winery and cidery. There needs to be, in my opinion, an organization like Soil & Water  someone thats in charge of what federal funds are out there.

Freight is breaking farms

A sixth generation farmer, Judy Justice said shipping is breaking the growers.

In years before, I sent out 25 million pounds of apples. Last year, 5 million, she said. Its a big difference. Our apple business is really struggling. We have no processors here.

Shipping apples to processors out of state has become cost prohibitive.

The worst thing is they dont want to pay the freight to get our apples to them, she said. The processor I send to has saved us many, many times. But this year, the freight was killing them. They paid out over a million dollars in freight for the crop.

When Paul Shoemaker retired from the Mountain Horticulture Research Center 20 years ago, he decided to become a farmer, he said. He sells tomatoes and other fresh vegetables at three local farmers markets and six restaurants.

During the summer months when were selling we have a hundred or more customers that repeatedly express their appreciation to be able to buy locally produced vegetables from us and many other farms, he said.

A concern that I have is, will the land be available to meet this increase in the future? he said. A couple of years ago, a vendor at two of the markets I sell at was looking for land in the county. It is just too expensive. So she moved to South Carolina, found that land there that was much cheaper and she lost all her customers locally. And we lost a good farmer.

County Commission Chair Rebecca McCall assured the crowd that commissioners are looking at ways to help.

Farmland preservation is something that were all talking about and trying to learn more about, she said. I was just in a meeting about that yesterday morning. Were also in the beginning stage of working on the 2024-25 budget and considering what kind of money do we want to invest in the farming community for that, if any, and how do we want to invest it. With farmland preservation on the horizon, it will be a topic of conversation for this year  a big topic of conversation.
ACCESS to Marsh Lock through a private diversion is set to be closed permanently.

Swiss financier, Urs Schwarzenbach, who opened up part of his Culden Faw Estate to give walkers a short path around the bridge, will be closing the diversion permanently from March 31.

Marsh Head Horsebridge, which forms part of the Thames Path, was shut by the Environment Agency (EA) in May 2022, following complaints about its condition.

The estate hopes the closure will put pressure on authorities to re-open the footbridge.

The agency said part of one of the handrails had fallen off and many of the wooden planks that people walk on had become loose forming gaps between them.

Repairs were initially expected to take two months to complete, but the footbridge still remains closed.

It has so far produced two general inspection reports and a dive survey of the underwater structure, spending a total of 46,482 on the project so far.

Without the diversion, walkers face a long walk which includes crossing the A4155 and diverting through Harpsden and Shiplake before rejoining the Thames Path.

Culden Faw Estate Manager, Alex Dick said: The temporary access over the estates land will be closed, permanently from March 31. It is a shame that nearly two years after the footpath was closed nothing has happened.

Perhaps the closure of the temporary diversion might focus peoples attention on this issue and force those who can do something about it to do it, he added.

Walkers, anglers and town councillors are upset that repairs have not yet started as it is used by thousands of people each year.

Mayor Kellie Hinton said it was a lot of money to be spent for no progress to have happened.

She said: I remember when it was first closed, the agency said it would take some time as they needed to look into what needed to be done. They were very up front but I dont think anyone would have envisaged just how long it would be.

A lot of authorities are running on tight budgets and I understand they have to prioritise certain things but this is a key location on the Thames.

I know they have done surveys and things, but it is a lot of money for no progress and we would like to see some progress.
NO car meets took place in Henley last weekend after police took measures to deter boy racers from coming to the town.

About 15 meets have taken place in the Tesco car park off Reading Road since last September, prompting complaints by residents about noise, smell and dangerous driving.

Action was taken by Thames Valley Police and Tesco following the most recent meet on January 27, which some residents deemed to be the worst one yet.

Police put a dispersal order in place at the weekend, giving them the power to order drivers to leave, and had extra officers on duty.

Tesco staff put up temporary barriers blocking access to the car park, which they chained to bollards to keep them in place.

Meanwhile, Henley MP John Howell says he has been in touch with the police to discuss the issue. He said: I am aware of these car meets and the fact that the number of vehicles involved has been growing in number in recent weeks.

I completely understand the concerns of residents, not only in relation to the antisocial behaviour but also over the risk of accidents.

I have been in touch with Thames Valley Police and this has been escalated.

I understand that the police are also in touch with Tescos management not only at the store but also the regional team.

Matthew Barber, the police and crime commissioner, has been speaking with senior officers and has been encouraging them to use all powers available to them.

This is a wider problem. Groups were meeting at ASDA in High Wycombe but appear to have diverted their gatherings to this branch of Tesco. Police are using intelligence to monitor activity.
The Arts Center in Orange: Awe at the Fingertips: Art of the Miao People, exquisite embroidery curated by Li Zeng, remains on view through March 30. artscenterinorange.com. (540) 672-7311.

The Barn Swallow: February hours: 1 to 5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. Call first in the event of inclement weather. Other times available by appointment. 796 Gillums Ridge Road in Charlottesville. thebarnswallow.com.

Beverley Street Studio School: Works by Sarah Jones on view through Feb. 25. 217 W. Beverly St. in Staunton. bssschool.org. (540) 886-8636.

Blue Ridge Studio of Fine Arts: Studios new location is 131 E. Main St. in Orange. www.brsofa.com. (540) 360-4370.

Botanical Fare Restaurant: Acrylic and oil paintings by Terry M. Coffey will remain on view and for sale in February. Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. botanicalfare.com. (434) 217-4496.

Buck Mountain Episcopal Church: Acrylic works by Matalie Deane can be seen through Feb. 29 in the main room of the classroom/office area at 4133 Earlysville Road. Parking is free. Call for hours. (434) 973-2054.

Cville Arts Cooperative Gallery: Weaving Warmth and Knitting Dreams, works by weaver Jan Russell and knitter Mary Whittlesey, on view during February. 118 E. Main St. (434) 972-9500.

The Center at Belvedere: Near and Far: Oil Paintings from Virginia, Maine and Tennessee by Randy Baskerville will be on view through Feb. 29. https://thecentercville.org/.

Chroma Projects and Vault Virginia: Victoria Chaban: Gatekeepers, acrylic-on-paper studies of birds, on view through Feb. 23. Alan Box Levine: Sculpted Harmony and Amdane Sanda: Sabr can be seen in the Great Halls of Vault Virginia on view through March. Third Street Southeast, just off the Downtown Mall. artlab@chroma projects.com. chromaprojects.com.

Crozet Artisan Depot: The Secret Life of Leaves by textile artist LaVel Rude can be seen through Feb. 28. A meet-the-artist event is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 10. crozetartisandepot.com.

Crozet Library: Charlottesville Camera Club will present a group exhibition through Feb. 28 featuring works by 24 club members at 2020 Library Ave. in Crozet. Hours: 1 to 9 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; closed Sundays. (434) 823-4050.

Cunningham Creek Winery: Branches + Blooms, contemporary impressions by Amy Jeanguenat and oil paintings by Meghan Cooper, on display through April 11. A celebratory evening with the artists is planned for 6 to 8:30 p.m. March 23. 3304 Ruritan Lake Road in Palmyra. www.cunninghamcreek.wine. (434) 207-3907.

Cuppa Joe Coffee: Paintings and etchings by Tom Tartaglino on display at 90 Joshua Lane in Palmyra. Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. (434) 906-4172.

The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia: Madayin: Eight Decades of Aboriginal Australian Bark Paintings from Yirrkala, one of the most significant touring exhibitions of Aboriginal Australian art ever stages, will be on display through July 14, 2024. uvafralinartmuseum.virginia.edu.

The Gallery at Studio Ix: Gallery hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. studioix.co. (434) 242-0905.

Grace Estate Winery: 5273 Mount Juliet Farm in Crozet. Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Monday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. graceestatewinery@gmail.com.

The Guild Gallery: 300 E. Main St. (434) 227-1333.

Harrison Institute and Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia: Their World As Big As They Made It: Looking Back at the Harlem Renaissance, featuring works of writers, artists and thinkers of the Harlem Renaissance, on view through June 8 at 170 McCormick Road. library@virginia.edu. (434) 924-3021.

Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection: Performing Country, which explores the ways Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists explore the complex idea of Country, on exhibition through March 3. Free tours are offered by volunteer guides at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily. 400 Worrell Drive. (434) 243-8500.

The Looking Glass: Open Saturdays and Sundays. Ix Art Park Foundation has opened a major expansion of its immersive art museum featuring works by new and returning artists. ixartpark.org.

Louisa Arts Center: Wild Card Open Show on display through March 29. Closing reception is set for 6 p.m. March 29. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at 212 Fredericksburg Ave. in Louisa. louisaarts.org. (540) 967-2200.

Loving Cup Vineyard and Winery: Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. (434) 984-0774.

McGuffey Art Center: On view through through Feb. 25 will be Spells, oil paintings on canvas by Kelly Lonergan, in the Smith Gallery; McGuffey Associate Members Show in the First-Floor Galleries; In the House: Old and New by renting members, each of whom is showing a new work and an older work in the Second-Floor Gallery North; and Kelly Lonergans In Retro in the Second-Floor Gallery South. mcguffeyartcenter.com.

McIntire School of Commerce: Spirit of Place, winter art exhibit featuring works in oil, acrylic and pastel on Masonite, canvas and paper by Meg West and Mae Stoll, on view through March 1 in the Connaughton Gallery on the third floor of Rouss & Robertson Hall. Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays; closed on weekends.

Museum of Culpeper History: The Culpeper Minute Men Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a new exhibit recognizing 100 years of DAR activity in Culpeper County, will run through July. www.culppermuseum.com or (540) 829-1749.

Northside Library: Paintings and drawings by Terrence Pratt remain on view in the main hall gallery until Feb. 29. A show of portraits by Pratt is on view in the Quiet Room through Feb. 22. Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sundays. (434) 973-7893.

Peace Lutheran Church: Genesis, a juried art show, will be on view through March 31. www.plchurch.org. (434) 978-4357.

Phaeton Gallery: 114 Old Preston Ave. phaetongallery.org.

Piedmont Virginia Community College: The Power of Plenty will be on view through March 30 in the PVCC Gallery on the second floor of the V. Earl Dickinson Building. Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. pvcc.edu/performingarts. (434) 961-5362.

Possums Store Art and Artisan Gallery: 914 Old Blue Ridge Turnpike in Criglersville. www.firnewfarmartistscircle.com. (540) 718-0370.

Pour la maison: pourlamaisoncville.com. (434) 284-8706.

Quirk Gallery Charlottesville: Interplay by Frankie Slaughter will be on view through March 31, with an artist talk at 6 p.m. March 1. (434) 365-3774.

Random Row Brewery: Acrylic landscapes and abstracted encaustic landscapes and seascapes by Carol Williams on display through the end of February. Works also are offered for sale. Hours: 4:30 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 4:30 to 11 p.m. Fridays, noon to 11 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays.

Revalation Vineyards: Works by Madison County landscape painter Anna Marie DeMio Dowen can be seen through the end of February in the new tasting room. 2710 Hebron Valley Road in Madison. (540) 407-1236.

Rockfish Valley Community Center: (434) 361-0100.

Nan Rothwell Studio: 700 Wilder Drive. (434) 263-4023.

Scottsville Museum: Museum is closed for the winter season and will reopen in April for regular weekend hours. To research local history, go to scottsvillemuseum.com. To schedule special tours, email info@scottsvillemuseum.com or call (434) 286-2247. 90 E. Main St. scottsvillemuseum.com. (434) 286-2247.

Second Street Gallery: First Nation Australia: Contemporary Artists from Buku-Larrngay Mulka Centre, Yirrkala on view through March 22 in the Main Gallery. Laura Josephine Snyder: Tending on view through March 22 in the Dove Gallery. Masks are strongly encouraged, but not required. All groups of 10 or more must book in advance at info@secondstreetgallery.org or (434) 977-7284. secondstreetgallery.org. Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. (434) 977-7284.

Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital: Andy Staffords photography can be seen from Friday through April 8 in the third-floor hallway gallery near labor and delivery at 500 Martha Jefferson Drive. Check in at the front desk. (434) 654-7000.

Shenandoah Valley Art Center: Laura Allen: Anthropogenic and Karen Rosasco: Real and Imagined, Part 2 remain on view. Kate Simons photographs of local people experiencing homelessness on view as part of a project sponsored by Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge Region Virginia Art Educators Associations Annual Exhibition also on view. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, weather permitting. If Waynesboro schools are closed for inclement weather, the gallery also will be closed. www.svacart.org.

Sweet Art Emporium: New works by Nance Stamper and Cheryl Falkenburry are among works by more than 70 artists on view. Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. 264 Turkeysag Trail, Unit E, in Palmyra. www.sweetartemporium.com. (434) 882-2087.

Tabor Presbyterian Church: An opening event for Seth Silversteins photography show will be from noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 18 at 5804 Tabor St. in Crozet. Hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. (434) 823-4255.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Charlottesville: Intuitive or process paintings by Shirley Paul remain on view during February. Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays. (434) 293-8179.

Wayne Theatre: Seated in Creativity: An Exhibition of Chairs and Drawings by Joe Sheridan can be seen through Feb. 18 in the Exhibit Art Gallery. wayetheatre.org. (540) 943-9999.

Welcome Gallery: Empire is Over: The Lewis, Clark and Sacagawea Cut-Ups by Meesha Goldberg will be on view through Feb. 22. First Fridays opening event is from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, with an artist performance at 6 p.m. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. newcityarts.org. (434) 202-5277.

Woodberry Forest School: Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. www.woodberry.org/arts/baker-gallery.

Les Yeux du Monde: Ukapalimin: Eti Ko Eti: Resilience: Stories from the Torres Strait is on view through April 21. LYDMGallery@gmail.com. LYDM.co. (434) 882-2622.

Exhibits shares information about exhibitions presented on display or online in Charlottesville and Albemarle, Augusta, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson and Orange counties. Items must be received by noon Friday for the next weeks issue. Include the opening and closing dates of your exhibit and a telephone number the public may call with questions. Send your information to jsathe@dailyprogress.com.
(JNS)  At the beginning of the 16th century, my family fled the Iberian Peninsula, which had been their home, according to family tradition, for the better part of two millennia, having been exiled directly from the Land of Israel.

They appear to have left soon after the Lisbon Massacre of 1506, an antisemitic pogrom that killed thousands of Jews. This was only 14 years after my family entered Portugal from Spain after the Spanish Jews were expelled by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabellas infamous edict and 12 years since they tried to leave Portugal only to be forced to stay by royal...
(JTA) - Early in the new drama "Origin," the Pulitzer Prize-winning Black author Isabel Wilkerson (played by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) calls her cousin from Berlin to share that, as part of her research into American racism, she intends to learn more about the Nazis' treatment of Jews.

Her cousin is unimpressed.

"Leave Jewish folks alone," Marion (Niecy Nash) advises Isabel. "They don't need you. Write about us."

But this movie's version of Wilkerson can't abide by that. In her mind, the fates of Jews and Black people are connected by the hidden system of "caste": arbitrary societal hierarch...
Press Release

February 7, 2024 Pia supports Php100 legislated wage hike for employees and workers in private sector

Co-sponsorship speech on Senate Bill No. 2534 under Committee Report No. 190 Transcript of PSC's co-sponsorship speech

Bill increasing daily minimum wage

Feb. 7, 2024 Thank you, Mr President. Mr President, just a very short co-sponsorship speech. Mr President, as the Senate Committee Chair of the Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, Innovation, and Futures Thinking, we talk about sustainable development. We broadcast to the world, we show pictures of beautiful landscapes, seascapes, and of course, the picture of modernization. But as they say, Mr President, you can only determine truly how advanced or how developed a country is when you look at how they treat the most vulnerable in their society. So when we look at families who cannot even feed their children three meals a day, who struggle to put literally a roof over their head, where they literally live in shanties, they have to... they live, Mr President, in these worn tarps that are used during political campaigns, diba? After the campaign, you'll see na bubong na yan ng mga bahay, pader na yan ng kanilang barong-barong. This is how millions of people live in the Philippines, Mr President. So when we take time dealing with political issues, it takes time away from dealing with the poorest of the poor who need our support to live a decent life. Mr President, in our show, Cayetano In Action with Boy Abunda, we often tackle problems that include marital problems, nagbubugbugan na asawa, utang, minsan utang ng nanay sa anak na hindi na nag-usap ang nanay at anak for 3 years dahil sa utang, couples who separate dahil sa whatever conflict they have, 99 percent, Mr President, the root of their problem is poverty. Sheer poverty. May daycare teacher na sinumbong ang isang nanay dahil hindi na pinapasok sa daycare ang kanyang anak, and the reason is, sobra siyang nahihiya dahil wala siyang pagkain na maibibigay sa anak niya, papasok daw yung anak niya na gutom. So sa kahihiyan, hindi na lang niya pinapasok yung anak niya, Mr President. So, all of these legal issues can be attributed to people having decent jobs and decent wages. And so I join the Senate President and our colleagues in co-sponsoring this very important measure. It may not seem like a lot because it is really not that much, but I believe it paves the way in us recognizing that this cannot continue as it is. When his honor, the Senate President, mentioned BARMM, we do need to look into this and see how we can single out those areas that need more support, because it is really just how it is. I mean, when I traveled, and his honor, the Senate President and I are walking mates during our official trips, I've talked to our embassies and our host countries about their poverties in their countries. Their poverties, at least the countries I've visited, are different from our poverty. May bahay pa rin silang nauuwian. Kapag malamig, baka ang pinag-aawayan nilang kaunti ay yung heater, hindi ganun kainit. Pero may trabaho naman, yung trabaho siguro nila, kung 600 euro a month, na maliit sa Europe, pero 600 times 60, that's 36,000 pesos. And here, we're talking about ni hindi pa umaabot sa 15,000, Mr President. So, it's incomparable but it is not acceptable that we continue this way. So I thank his honor for prioritizing this measure. And as I said, I join our colleagues in supporting this measure. I will submit a more comprehensive co-sponsorship speech for the record because I just really like to tie it with all the SDGs that are affected by this. Health, education. Ni hindi mo nga mapaaral ang anak mo dahil wala ka ngang pambaon man lang para may makain siya. And you can't even begin to get healthcare, dahil karamihan sa kanila, alam nila na kahit paano, may maiaambag, dahil yung sinasabi nila na no balance billing, hindi naman actually 100 percent accurate. Meron din naman iaabono depende rin sa sakit. So, tama sila na di bale na lang, wala na lang silang aasahan. And that is not how we want our Filipino people to feel. So again, my full support for this measure, Mr President. Thank you.
Songwriting demands an honesty that keeps Jaime Wyatt staring straight into her feelings when others might look away.

When the Americana artist shares music from Feel Good, her third album, during Fridays show at the Southern Cafe and Music Hall, listeners can get a sense of how getting real can be worth the climb, and worth celebrating.

Im grateful to songwriting, Wyatt said. I talk about it a lot in recovery from drugs and alcohol. Really, I shouldnt be here, but I am.

I used to escape my feelings. In a way, songwriting saved my life.

In her song Love is a Place, Wyatt knew it was important that the speaker in the song was singing to another woman. That was my experience, Wyatt said.

When others recommended that she change the lyrics to address a male love interest instead, in pursuit of a product with a more mainstream appeal, Wyatt stuck to her guns.

I knew I had some sort of intuition that I needed to say things plainly, and not hide it. Now, I feel much safer  and that it was important, she said.

Wyatt wouldnt hide being queer from her listeners any more than she would conceal her past battles with addiction and recovery or her time behind bars.

I dont think the world owes me anything, but I think theres so much value in letting go, Wyatt said. I think I get pushback on all of it for being who I am, but thats why Im there. Half the people in the audience are queer, and they dont know it. I didnt see anyone who looked like me who was queer. Society expects people to be heterosexual. Just the whole inception of America is man, woman, end of story. 

In similar fashion, World Worth Keeping does not back away from its call to address climate change, and Where the Damned helps keeps missing indigenous women from being forgotten.

But finding peace in ones own truth can make the journey easier for others, which is part of the songwriters sacred trust. Getting a better understanding of ones own feelings, relating to others and reaching for connection and community can make the toil feel worthwhile.

I think music advocates for everything society dismisses, Wyatt said. Everything about music is healing. Music has always been my teacher and my healer.(tncms-asset)3780e552-c550-11ee-af29-cfd93c82d9ee[1](/tncms-asset)

She is noticing an encouraging change in younger generations who expect to be accepted as they are.

Theres just way more visibility in Gen Z and younger, Wyatt said. I dont think theyre growing up like I grew up, with slanderous words for gay people. The young people are going to save us.

Joshua Quimby also is on Fridays bill.

Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $25 at the door and $20 in advance. For tickets, go to thesoutherncville.co.
When 18-year-old TJ Katz was elected last February to be international president of BBYO after four years of deep involvement with the Jewish youth organization, the New Jersey teen was exceedingly excited.

Serving as the face of a movement that reaches over 70,000 teens in 62 countries, Katz told an interviewer, put him in a unique position "to tangibly impact the lives of thousands of people."

After graduating high school, Katz deferred admission by a year to the University of Florida to focus on his role as BBYO's so-called Grand Aleph Godol - top leader - just as the organization was on...
Israeli protesters make their way to the Kerem Shalom Crossing with the Gaza Strip, Jan 29, 2024.

(JNS) - Despite a military closure, on Monday a diverse group of hundreds of protesters from all over Israel gathered at the country's Kerem Shalom border crossing with Gaza for the sixth day in a row, to demonstrate against the flow of humanitarian aid into the Hamas-controlled enclave.

The demonstrators, including relatives of those murdered or kidnapped during Hamas's Oct. 7 massacre and of soldiers fighting the terror group in Gaza, avoided police checkpoints by driving through fields and then walking some two miles to the crossing.

Until the military closure was declared on Sunda...
Ben-Gvir threatens to topple government over hostage deal February 9, 2024









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(JNS)  Scores of Christian supporters from around the world gathered in Israels parliament on Tuesday, marking the 20th anniversary of the Knessets Christian Allies Caucus in a show of solidarity amid the war against Hamas in Gaza.

The event, which came on a somber day following the single deadliest attack on Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip since the war broke out three and half months ago underscored the growing force of faith-based diplomacy around the globe.

Over the last 20 years, you have proven in the best possible way what true friendship is, what true love is and what...
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman at a prayer rally for the release of Israelis held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, Oct. 19, 2023.

(JNS) - U.S. President Joe Biden is harming Israel's efforts to demilitarize the Gaza Strip by demanding that Jerusalem scale back its military offensive against the Hamas terror organization, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman told Channel 12 on Monday.

Biden is "to some extent hampering the war effort by this desire to force Israel to engage in I think what he refers to as 'low-intensity combat'... That's sort of the kind of messaging that America has been giving Israel," Friedman said in an interview with Channel 12's Yonit Levi.

"I think he has really made some inapp...
(JNS)  The Florida Department of Education has distributed $25 million in security fundingof $43 million allocated by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R)to more than 130 Jewish day schools and preschools across the state, the governors office announced earlier this week.

During a time of increased antisemitism around the world, Florida will continue to protect the Jewish community, DeSantis stated on Jan. 30. Todays funding will give Floridas Jewish day schools the tools they need to continue to keep their students safe.

The funding will help schools update their secur...
(JNS)  The Israel Defense Forces will retain full security control over the Gaza Strip after the war with Hamas ends, giving it the freedom to operate there similarly to the way it currently does in Judea and Samaria, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told Israeli lawmakers on Tuesday.

After the war, when its over, I think its completely clear that Hamas wont control Gaza. Israel will control [it] militarily, but wont control it in a civilian sense, Gallant told members of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee during a briefing at his Tel Aviv office.

...
With only three representatives voting against it, the Florida House of Representatives passed House Bill 187 that defines what antisemitic speech is, and now it moves on to the Senate.

Sponsor of the bill, Rep. Mike Gottlieb (D-Plantation), told the Orlando Sentinel the goal is to curb hate speech toward Jews and Israel. The bill includes the definition of antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance in 2016 into Florida educational statutes.

We live in a time where people think they can say things and that has no consequence, Gottlieb told Orlando Sentine...
(JNS)  A UN Watch report released this week further bolsters the assertions of UNRWAs critics that the Palestinian aid agency, rife with terrorism supporters, is beyond repair.

UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, has come under fire after The New York Times broke the story on Sunday that 12 staff members took part in the Oct. 7 massacre in which Hamas terrorists rampaged through Israels south, murdering some 1,200 persons, mostly civilians.

At least 15 countries, including the U.S., have suspended funding to the organization following the report. The U.S. is...
(JNS)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday set out the countrys core demands for ending the war against Hamas in Gaza.

The essential goal is, first of all, the elimination of Hamas. To achieve this goal, three things are needed, Netanyahu told journalists ahead of the weekly Cabinet meeting at the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv.

The first requirement is the collapse of Hamass battalions. To date, we have leveled 17 out of 24 battalions. Most of the remaining battalions are in the southern Gaza Strip and Rafahwe will also take care of those, he said....
Some bad ideas just refuse to die. Like so-called skill games, unregulated, unlicensed, untaxed gambling machines which have proliferated gas stations, convenience stores and bars throughout Virginia.

Leaders of the commonwealth recognized the scourge of these machines in 2020 and took action to declare skill games illegal, to protect constituents and communities across Virginia.

But the operators sued, forcing the commonwealth to use taxpayers resources to defend the ban, while they dragged the case out, continued to profit and even expanded their business.

Now that the ban has been rightly upheld, skill game manufacturers are hoping legislators will ignore their past conduct and reward them by pushing a new bill that could flood the commonwealth with up to 90,000 of these gambling machines.

This would be a step back for the commonwealth, needlessly putting Virginians at significant risk.

For starters, these illegal machines create a breeding ground for crime, threatening small business employees and customers. Two former high-ranking Virginia law enforcement officials recently argued that businesses which host skill games can become a sitting duck for organized crime. They recounted the growing list of assaults, thefts, armed robberies, shootouts and vandalism at illegal machine locations, with children sometimes caught in the crossfire. They urge that these machines not only remain illegal but be destroyed.

In addition to endangering public safety, illegal machines also are unmonitored with free and open access to minors. They offer no protections for players, such as transparent, regulated odds, and no safeguards against problem gambling, putting the most vulnerable at risk. Thats why Kentucky banned skill games and why Florida and Michigan are ramping up enforcement to eradicate these devices from their states.

When Virginia legislators voted to legalize gambling, they applied rigorous standards to casinos, including a limit of five casino licenses in five specific communities across the commonwealth. Local voters in host communities must also approve any casino through a local ballot referendum. But if the current proposal passes, so-called skill games would be able to infiltrate a community, within blocks of your home, church or school, without so much as a town hall meeting.

When they infiltrate communities, illegal machine manufacturers dont pay their fair share. They generate $0 in taxes, and proponents of reversing the ban suggest a 15% tax rate  half of what regulated casinos can pay. In contrast, the legal gaming industry in Virginia paid $165 million in state taxes last year, with regulated casinos paying escalating taxes that can reach 30% of gaming revenue. These taxes fund public schools, problem gambling programs and host city services.

The bills backers claim to stand for the little guy: small business owners who they say benefit from a cut of the profits from illegal games. The idea is to get small businesses hooked on machines that exploit the vulnerable. But this is often fools gold.

Instead of giving small businesses a fair share of the profits, manufacturers lock small businesses into questionable contracts and grab a significant, majority share of revenue for themselves. One manufacturer has filed nearly 150 lawsuits against small businesses that tried to abide by the law and remove the machines. This sue-first strategy often works because small business owners cant afford to hire lawyers needed to stand up for their rights.

If the General Assembly wants to reduce crime, protect the vulnerable and stand up for small businesses, there are many effective ways to do so. Reversing the ban on illegal gambling machines is not one of them.
(JNS) - In an exuberant display of support for re-establishing Jewish communities in the Gaza Strip, 5,000 activists filled three large halls to overflowing at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem on Sunday night.

A kind of Zionist revival meeting, the conference featured music, a cheering crowd, and a parade of rabbis and politicians delivering speeches and prayers.

Religious Zionists made up the vast majority of the participants, with a smattering of haredim or ultra-Orthodox. Notable was the marked youth of the attendees, with many of them tweens.

The energetic mega-event m...
(JNS)  The U.S. House of Representatives voted 422-2 on Wednesday to deny entry into the United States to non-U.S. citizen members of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad who attacked Israel on Oct. 7.

Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) introduced H.R. 6679, the No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act, which drew dissenting votes from Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Cori Bush (D-Mo.), two leftist members of the so-called squad. Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) voted present.

Any alien who carried out, participated in, planned, financed, afforded material support...
GAINESVILLE, Florida  Amid the record levels of antisemitism on college campuses, student leaders at the University of Florida held the fifth-annual Spread Cream Cheese, Not Hate Bagel Day program on Jan. 31.

Started in 2020 by University of Florida Hillel, Spread Cream Cheese, Not Hate is a program that seeks to proactively combat antisemitism through education, outreach, awareness, and partnership. In connection with National Bagel Day, UF students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and community members are invited to sign the pledge to combat antisemitism and all forms...
(JNS)  U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was set to meet on Tuesday with major donors to the embattled U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, the United Nations Palestinian-only refugee organization.

A number of major donor countries announced in recent days the suspension of their contributions to the agency amid revelations that 12 UNRWA employees participated in Hamas Oct. 7 massacre. The information was provided to UNRWA by Israel. Nine of the 12 employees had their contracts terminated, while another two were having their status reviewed...
(JNS)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus reputation as a master political schemer and a cynical seeker of power is so deeply embedded in the public consciousness that there is literally nothing he can do without being accused of acting only to seek some sort of advantage over his opponents. Yet in the current crisis as he seeks to lead his wobbly unity government to achieve what may well be two mutually exclusive objectivesthe elimination of Hamas and the freeing of the remaining hostages still being kept captive in Gazawhile being besieged by criticism at home and abr...
(FLAME via JNS)  Hamass brutal Oct. 7 massacre unleashed Israels enemies across the United States and around the world to demonstrate in support of the terrorist groups primary objectivesthe killing of Jews and destruction of the Jewish state.

Many protestors falsely designate Israel a colonial-settler state, assertingalso falselythat Hamas is justly fighting to liberate a people of colorthe Palestinian Arabs. They also maintain erroneously that Jewsas white peoplehold a socially privileged position. These beliefs are consistent with the neo-Marxist ideology...
Dear Editor:

The following are considerations that I hope reflect in part what will cause the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the Colorado Supreme Courts decision by unanimous vote:

1. The purpose of Amendment XIV Section 3 was to keep officials from the rebellious states who violated their oath to support the Constitution of the United States from serving in the U.S. government.

2. The demonstration on Jan. 6, 2021, to cause the vice president to delay certification election results pending appropriate investigations of documented violations of election laws was entirely legal.

3. Despite...
Youve head of red flags  worrisome signs that the person youre dating is bad news. Youve heard of green flags too  signs that your partner is a keeper (These are so rare, maybe we should rebrand them unicorn flags!). But what about beige flags  behaviour thats totally safe, but quirky, mildly odd? Men who are secretly fans of Adele, women who only eat fries in even numbers, partners who chat with their plants while watering them, the college crush who still knows all the steps to Single Ladies.

Beige flags point to behaviour thats totally safe, but quirky, mildly odd. (Ayesha Kanga: Photo by @madeart, Hair by Franco Vallelonga, Make-up by @kin_vanity; Rasika Dugal: Photo by Vaishnav Praveen, Styled by Pranita Shetty, MUA by Anigha Jain, Hair by Simran Shah)
TOPSHOT - Anti-Trump demonstrators protest outside the US Supreme Court as the court considers whether former US President Donald Trump is eligible to run for president in the 2024 election in Washington, DC, on February 8, 2024.

In a crucial legal battle, Donald Trump's lawyers will present his case to the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday, aiming to prevent his removal from state presidential ballots over his alleged involvement in the 2021 Capitol attack. The nine justices, including three appointed by Trump, are set to hear arguments on his appeal against a lower court's decision disqualifying him from Colorado's Republican primary ballot under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution....Read More

The lower court found that Trump's participation in the insurrection violated Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits individuals who engaged in insurrection or rebellion from holding public office. Despite the significant implications for the November election,

Trump is not expected to be present at the 10 a.m. ET (1500 GMT) arguments. Instead, he plans to begin his day in Florida and later travel to Nevada, where a nominating caucus is being held on Thursday night, with Trump expected to secure a victory as he advances toward securing the Republican nomination for the November 5 challenge against Democratic President Joe Biden.

The case calls on the Supreme Court to play a central role in a presidential contest unlike any since its landmark Bush v. Gore decision that handed Republican George W. Bush the presidency over Democrat Al Gore in 2000.

The Dec. 19 ruling by Colorado's top court came amid a wider - and mostly unsuccessful - drive by anti-Trump forces to disqualify him in more than two dozen other states over his actions relating to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Maine also has barred him from its ballot, a decision put on hold pending the Supreme Court's ruling in the Colorado case.
Thursday, Feb. 8

Afghanistan Before the Wars, The Little Gallery, Room 210, Kidder Hall, 200 SW Campus Way, Corvallis. Exhibit of photographs by Mark Svendsen, taken between 1968 and 1971. Through Feb. 16. The gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and is closed weekends. Parking is available in Oregon State University lots and on the street near campus. Kidder Hall (Kidd on the campus map) is located in the northeast quadrant of the campus, north of Goss Stadium and the Valley Library. Instructions for visitor parking and a campus map are available at https://bit.ly/48U0yii.

"New Mythologies," Corrine Woodman Gallery, The Arts Center, 700 SW Madison Ave., Corvallis. Through this exhibition of paintings, Jeff Leake invites viewers to engage with the complex interplay between cultural narratives and human relationships.

Works of Chinh Le, Corvallis Community Center, 2601 NW Tyler Ave. The local artist gives one last exhibit of his paintings on silk before moving out of the area. Through late February. The center's hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 8 to 11 a.m. Saturdays, and closed Sundays.

"Vistas and Vineyards Juried Show," Giustina Gallery, LaSells Stewart Center, 875 SW 26th St., Corvallis. The oldest continuous plein air painting group in Oregon. Some of this year's painting locations are Davis Family Farm, Frey's Dahlias, Garland Nursery, Harrisburg, Independence, Lumos Winery, Newport, Peoria Road Farm Market, Soap Creek Schoolhouse, Spring Hill Vineyards and Waldport. Through Feb. 29. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and evenings and weekends during scheduled events.

"Zel Brook Retrospective: Sculpture, Painting and Photography," Moreland Gallery, Philomath Museum, 1101 Main St. Northwest artist Brook bases her work on her personal experiences, both at home and in the great outdoors. Common themes are motion, healing and perception. Her award-winning art has been exhibited nationally and internationally, as far away as New York, the South Pacific and Europe. Through March 9. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays; closed Sundays through Tuesdays.

Venetian Carnival Jubilation, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 8 through 10, tasting room, Delfino Fine Wines, 3111 Santiam Highway SE, Albany. Exploring global cultural traditions of Carnival. Embark on a sensory journey as the Venetian Carnival is ushered in, starting with the vibrant tradition of Fat Thursday. Originating in Italy, Fat Thursday marks the intensification of Carnival celebrations, dedicated to indulging in exclusively traditional Italian Carnevale sweet treats. Drop by at your convenience. Cost: $25 per person; free for DFW-360 club members. RSVP: Call or text 301-520-4620, or email to emilia@delfinofinewines.com.

Movies at the Whiteside presents "Twilight," 7 p.m., Whiteside Theatre, 361 SW Madison Ave., Corvallis. Tickets: $6 in advance at whitesidetheatre.org or $8 at the door.

Albany Civic Theater presents "The Great Gatsby," 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 8 through 10, 111 W. First Ave. Portland playwright Maeve Z. OConnor adapted the play from the book by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This is a world premiere performance. Loriann Schmidt is the director; this is her directorial debut. Tickets: $17 for adults, or $14 for students. On-demand streaming tickets are available through Feb. 29 at a cost of $15 per individual, or $20 per group. Information: albanycivic.org.

Podcasts 'A Place to Sleep' podcast: Catch all the episodes here Our podcast, A Place to Sleep, explores how Oregon cities are responding to a new law that is meant to provide homeless individuals a place to rest.

Friday, Feb. 9

Chinese New Year celebration at Family Storytime, 10:30 a.m., Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave. Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with crafts and a dragon parade.

Willamette Sportsman Show, 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, Linn County Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Road E., Albany. Activities for the family; raffles; concessions. Wayne Endicott blacktail hunting seminar and breakfast, 7:30 a.m. Saturday (extra charge). Admission: $10 per day at the door or at https://bit.ly/3w5Uq8b; those age 12 or under admitted free. Free parking.

"Zazzie Sings!," 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 9 and 10, and 3 p.m. Feb. 10, Majestic Theatre, 115 SW Second St., Corvallis. A new family "meowsical" about finding your own voice, from the creators of the off-Broadway hit "Disenchanted." Book, music and lyrics by Dennis T. Giacino and Fiely Matias. Directed by Fiely Matias. Tickets: $16; $13 for students and seniors; visit majestic.org.

Saturday, Feb. 10

Acrylics class, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Brownsville Art Center, 255 N. Main St. Brynn Carter will offer an acrylics painting class for adults and children. Cost: $30. Registration: https://bit.ly/3OuK9sw.

Greater Albany Rotary Club Crab Fest, noon to 7 p.m., Calapooia Brewing, 140 NE Hill St. Each ticket includes crab and pulled pork, or a vegetarian option, The Depot's clam chowder, salad, rolls, cookies and all the fixins. Soft drinks and coffee free; wine, beer and cocktails sold by Calapooia. Enter the drawing for the Booze Barrel, where you can win wine, beer and spirits; tickets $10. Live music: Bush Pilots, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.; German band, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.; Southern Crossing, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Online tickets: $55; available till noon Friday, Feb. 9, at https://bit.ly/3uoPWsF. Tickets purchased at the door will be $60.

Monteith Living History Saturday, noon to 2 p.m., Monteith House, 518 SW Second Ave., Albany. Step into 1850 the second Saturday of each month. Activities have included woodworking, pioneer doll-making, baking biscuits, making butter, and other family-friendly activities. Information: 541-220-0421.

Mike Aronson Spotlight Award presentation, 12:30 p.m., south lobby, Majestic Theatre, 115 SW Second St., Corvallis. For individuals who volunteer for the theatre over an extended period.

Second Saturday Arts Day, 1 to 4 p.m., The Arts Center, 700 SW Madison Ave., Corvallis. Celebrating Black History Month. Help create a community mural with artist Janique Crenshaw. The mural will be inspired by the Kwanzaa principles of Ujima (collective work and responsibility) and Umoja (unity). All ages and abilities are welcome to help create this mural celebrating African American figures whose contributions shaped history. Co-hosted by Linn Benton NAACP.

Sunday, Feb. 11

Corvallis-OSU Piano International presents the Steinway Piano Series, 4 p.m., LaSells Stewart Center, 875 SW 26th St. Juho Pohjonen will perform. Tickets: $28 to $30 at https://corvallispiano.org/copi-tickets.

Monday, Feb. 12

Open auditions for "The Mousetrap" by Agatha Christie and Dan Bushong, 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 12 and 13, the Majestic Theatre, 115 SW Second St., Corvallis.

Tuesday, Feb. 13

"Galentine's Day Celebration, Mardi Gras Style," 4:30 p.m., Delfino Fine Wines, 3111 Santiam Highway SE, Suite G, Albany. Indulge in a lavish celebration with a curated selection of wine and food pairings. Bring your girlfriends to create a symphony of love, revelry and joy. Tickets: $25 at https://www.delfinofinewines.com/product/Galentines-Day-Celebration-Mardi-Gras-Style.

Miniatures painting workshop, 5 p.m., Corvallis Community Center, 2601 NW Tyler Ave. Beginner-friendly workshop for painting Dungeons & Dragons and board game miniatures. Taught by Patrick Rollens. Registration: https://bit.ly/48hTxaN.

Yoga in the Gallery, 5:30 p.m., Main Gallery, The Arts Center, 700 SW Madison Ave., Corvallis. Explore gentle yoga and enjoy a sense of community. Led by yoga instructor Miriam Edell. Bring your own mat, blanket and/or block. No prior experience necessary. Drop-ins welcome. Suggested donation: $5 to $15.

Board Game Night, 6 p.m., taproom, Deluxe Brewing, 635 NE Water Ave., Albany. Customers of all ages and game-playing abilities are welcome, and there is no cost to participate. Information: rebecca@sinisterdeluxe.com.

Galentines Bunco, 7 to 9 p.m., Beloved Cheesecakes, 124 Broadalbin St. SW, Albany. Grab your ladies to celebrate Galentine's Day. Cost: $20. Reservations: 541-220-0823.

Wednesday, Feb. 14

Carousel Happy Hour, 3 to 4 p.m., Historic Carousel & Museum of Albany, 503 W. First Ave. Ride tokens are $1; drinks in the cafe are half-price. Information: 541-497-2934.

 Mid-Valley Live
Norway's defense minister has issued a stark warning, urging his nation to remain prepared for potential conflict with Russia, even in the aftermath of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Bjrn Arild Gram emphasized that Russia's actions might escalate in response to the potential accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO, a move that has drawn explicit warnings from other NATO members regarding Russia's intentions to disrupt regional stability.

Norwegian Minister's Warning on Russian Threat

Speaking at the Oslo Military Society Assembly, Gram highlighted the need for Norway's armed forces to be ready to respond promptly and in collaboration with allied nations in the event of a crisis. He stressed the importance of increasing investment in national defense to ensure readiness for any eventuality.

Gram stressed the alarming lack of democratic development in Russia, calling out the repression of opposition as well as the absence of civil society and free media. He emphasized the continued authoritarian regime's hold on power and voiced doubts about Russia's ability to embrace democratic standards.

The minister cautioned that the repercussions of Russia's aggressive posture would endure long after the conclusion of the conflict in Ukraine, echoing similar concerns raised by defense officials from other NATO countries. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorious recently warned of the potential for a Russian attack on a NATO nation within the next five to eight years, citing ongoing threats from the Kremlin.

In December, Poland's national security agency head Jacek Siewiera estimated a shorter timeline, suggesting a potential Russian attack on NATO countries within three years, particularly from NATO's eastern flank, as per The Independent.

Read Also: Chile Votes To Reject Conservative Constitution That Included Limiting of Women's Rights

Norway Authorities Prepare For Security Challenges

Meanwhile, Swedish and Finnish authorities are also bracing for potential security challenges. Swedish Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Micael Byden and Swedish Minister of Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin issued warnings urging readiness for war among Swedish citizens.

In Finland, efforts to secure the border with Russia have intensified, with authorities closing the border to prevent an influx of migrants allegedly orchestrated by Russia. Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen highlighted the ongoing challenges at the border, emphasizing the need for a sustainable solution beyond temporary closures.

The situation echoes tactics employed by Belarus, which has utilized migrants to create chaos on its borders with Baltic countries and Poland since 2021. Finland has looked to Poland's experiences in managing border security and the weaponization of migrants as it navigates these challenges.

Norway and its European partners are on high alert as tensions continue and security threats change, stressing the need for unity and readiness in the face of possible assault, according to Yahoo News.

Related Article: China, Russia Exchange Support, Discuss AI Weapon, Outer Space Security Against US
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed optimism on Wednesday, stating that there is still a possibility of a cease-fire and hostage-release agreement between Israel and Hamas, even though the two sides have significant differences on the central terms of a deal.

Blinken was in the region attempting to facilitate an agreement that could provide some relief in Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas. The conflict has lasted for five months, resulting in the loss of many Palestinian lives, displacement of a significant portion of the population, and a dire humanitarian situation.

Bliunken Voices Hope for Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal

Earlier in the day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a detailed, three-phase plan proposed by Hamas, which would have unfolded over a period of 4 1/2 months. This rejection has caused some disruption to the ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The plan outlined the conditions for the release of all hostages, which included the release of hundreds of Palestinians held by Israel, including senior militants, and the cessation of the war. Netanyahu criticized Hamas' plan as unrealistic and rejected any proposal that would allow the militant group to maintain control over Gaza, either fully or partially.

According to Netanyahu, utilizing military force is the most effective approach to liberate the approximately 100 hostages currently being held in the Gaza Strip. These hostages were taken following Hamas' incursion into southern Israel on October 7, which ultimately led to the outbreak of the war.

Israel has prioritized the destruction of Hamas' governing and military capabilities as a key objective during this time of conflict. However, the proposal put forth by Hamas would essentially allow them to retain power in Gaza and rebuild their military capabilities.

Per AP News, Blinken dismissed the show of force, stating that it was simply a normal part of the challenging negotiation process. It's not as simple as turning on a light. According to him, it's not a simple yes or no.

Netanyahu emphasized that achieving a "total victory" is the only way to achieve peace. The Israeli Prime Minister strongly criticized the terrorists' demands, describing them as "bizarre."

He emphasized that agreeing to these demands would only lead to another massacre, especially considering that they are very close to achieving a decisive victory. However, indicating a willingness to continue discussions, he mentioned that his officials have not made any firm commitments regarding the details of a potential agreement.

Read Also: Bangladesh-Myanmar Tensions: Border Crisis Expands, Prompting Concerns Among Dhaka Communities

Hamas' Ceasefire Proposal

Hamas has presented a comprehensive plan for a potential agreement that would result in the release of all hostages, the freedom of 1,500 Palestinian prisoners, and the cessation of the war. The proposed plan consists of three phases, each lasting 45 days.

The first phase prioritizes the release of women, male civilians under 19, the elderly, and the sick. In return, there would be a partial release of Palestinian prisoners.

After the IDF's withdrawal from populated areas and cessation of aerial operations, the male soldiers will be released in exchange for other convicts.During the final phase, the bodies of the deceased hostages would be returned to the remaining terrorists who are currently serving time in Israeli prisons.

However, the demands put forth by the terror group would result in the IDF completely withdrawing from Gaza, potentially enabling Hamas to strengthen its military capabilities and maintain control. Additionally, it is mentioned that a portion of the Palestinians released in the hostage exchange would include individuals who were previously sentenced to life imprisonment.

When questioned about the potential release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages, Netanyahu responded by stating that his government has not made any commitments. Previously, US President Joe Biden characterized the demands as excessive, while Mossad, Israel's security agency, expressed a keen interest in the presented information.

There have been allegations that Qatar has exerted pressure on Hamas to abandon its request for the removal of Israeli forces in exchange for the release of up to 5,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Discussions are currently taking place in Cairo involving Israel, the US, and mediators from Qatar and Egypt. According to sources, all parties involved are working towards reaching an agreement before the upcoming month of Ramadan, a period known for heightened religious devotion.

According to Daily Mail, Saudi Arabia may consider normalizing relations with Israel if there is a clear, credible, time-bound path to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv following his meetings with the leaders of Qatar and Egypt, marking a significant diplomatic effort to achieve a prolonged ceasefire in the ongoing conflict.

Related Article: Netanyahu Rejects Hamas Proposal, Unyielding in Call For Total Destruction of Hamas
Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery, uncovering a hidden ocean buried beneath the icy surface of Mimas, a moon of Saturn famously resembling the Death Star from the Star Wars franchise.

This revelation places Mimas among an elite group of moons in our solar system known to harbor subterranean oceans, including Saturn's Titan and Enceladus, as well as Jupiter's Europa and Ganymede.

Mimas' Vast Subsurface Ocean

The finding emerged from meticulous analysis conducted by a French-led team from Observatoire de Paris, who scrutinized data collected during NASA's Cassini mission. Previous assumptions about Mimas considered it merely a solid chunk of ice. However, new evidence suggests otherwise.

Researchers examined changes in Mimas' orbit and rotation, concluding that a hidden ocean lies approximately 12 to 18 miles beneath its battered crust. This revelation challenges previous notions and offers profound implications for the search for habitable worlds beyond our own.

Discovered in 1789 by English astronomer William Herschel, Mimas garnered attention due to its resemblance to the Death Star, primarily characterized by an enormous impact crater. Despite its icy exterior, Mimas lacked the typical signs of subsurface activity observed on moons like Enceladus and Europa.

The research team's study findings, published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, shed light on Mimas' unique dynamics. Contrary to initial assumptions, Mimas' rotation and orbital motion indicate the presence of a global ocean, estimated to occupy half of Mimas' volume, beneath its surface.

The team estimates that the ocean lies approximately 12.4 to 18.6 miles (20 to 30 kilometers) beneath the moon's icy shell.

Read Also: NASA Delays Artemis Missions: Plans to Send Astronauts for Moon Explorations Push Back

Unexpected Discovery of 'Young' Ocean

Valery Lainey, co-author of the study and an astronomer at Observatoire de Paris, expressed surprise at the discovery, emphasizing Mimas' unlikely candidacy for harboring an ocean. However, meticulous analysis of Cassini data revealed compelling evidence supporting this conclusion.

"It's quite a surprise," said Lainey. "If you look at the surface of Mimas, there's nothing that betrays a subsurface ocean. It's the most unlikely candidate by far."

The findings regarding Mimas' hidden ocean have been lauded by fellow researchers as "inspiring," though they also recognize the relevance of previous hypotheses concerning Mimas' distinctive orbit.

The ocean is "remarkably young," according to another study co-author Dr. Nick Cooper, honorary research fellow in the astronomy unit of the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences at Queen Mary University of London.

Believed to be between 5 to 15 million years old, the ocean's relatively recent formation suggests dynamic processes at play within the moon. Tidal forces exerted by Saturn likely played a crucial role, heating Mimas' core and initiating the formation of the ocean.

Despite these groundbreaking findings, questions remain about the ocean's potential for supporting life. While its existence raises tantalizing possibilities, the ocean's youth may limit the opportunity for life to emerge. Nonetheless, scientists remain hopeful about the prospect of exploring Mimas further.

"Mimas was probably the most unlikely place to look for a global ocean - and liquid water more generally," Lainey stated in an email, according to AP News. "So that looks like a potential habitable world. But nobody knows how much time is needed for life to arise."

Furthermore, the astronomer noted that the discovery of Mimas' ocean may indicate the potential presence of liquid water in other various places. She added that there are already significant candidates for global oceans, including moons such as Callisto, Dione, and Triton.

Related Article: NASA's 2040 Moon Human Settlement Ambition Fascinates Scientists-Can Lunar Residences Really Be Achieved?
Hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas' ceasefire terms, Israel turned on the assault, launching a barrage of airstrikes and killing over a dozen people overnight and into Thursday in Rafah.

Rafah is situated along the Egyptian border, with more than half the population in Gaza having fled there. It also serves as a main entry point for humanitarian aid. Egypt has repeatedly warned that any ground operation or mass displacement across the border would undermine its four-decade-old peace treaty with Israel.

The Associated Press reported at least 13 Palestinians dead, including two women and five children, according to the Kuwaiti Hospital who had received the bodies. Palestinian residents used their cellphone flashlights at the scene of one of the strikes as they dug through the rubble with pick-axes and their bare hands.

"I wish we could collect their whole bodies instead of just pieces," said Mohammed Abu Habib, a neighbor who witnessed the strike.

Israel has led an intense air and ground offensive in Gaza, killing over 27,000 Palestinians, driven most people from their homes, and pushed a quarter of the population toward starvation since the war began four months ago.

Netanyahu has declared the offensive will continue and expand until "total victory" against Hamas is achieved. Israel has also vowed to bring back the over 100 hostages still held by Hamas after most of the other captives were freed during a brief ceasefire in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

According to the AP, Netanyahu said preparations are underway to expand the offensive into Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are crowded into slummy tent camps and overflowing U.N.-run shelters.

The Palestinian death toll has reached 27,840 in just four months and only continues to grow. Most of the victims are women and children. International aid organizations have warned that any major operation in Rafah would worsen what is already a major humanitarian catastrophe in the oppressed enclave.

"If they aren't killed in the fighting, Palestinian children, women, and men will be at risk of dying by starvation or disease," said Bob Kitchen of the International Rescue Committee. "There will no longer be a single 'safe' area for Palestinians to go to."

Warda Abu Warda told AP she feels helpless.

"Where do we go after Rafah? Do we go to sea?" she asked.

She spoke to the outlet as relatives wept, bidding farewell to their loved ones outside the hospital where bodies from the overnight strikes were brought.

The United States, Qatar, and Egypt are trying to orchestrate another ceasefire agreement to ensure the release of remaining hostages. Hamas demands an end to the war, a full withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Netanyahu has rejected the demands, calling them "delusional" on Tuesday. He reaffirmed Israel would never agree to any deal that leaves Hamas in partial or full control of the territory it has ruled since 2007.

How Is The United States Responding?

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who is visiting Israel, has begun to show optimism, stating an agreement was still possible and negotiations are still on the table. The step by Blinken is the latest sign of a growing divide between the two close allies.

However, a Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Thursday for more negotiations.

Families of the hostages are placing extreme pressure on Netanyahu and the wider public to bring them home, even if it requires a deal with Hamas.

At least one senior Israeli official has acknowledged that saving ther captives and destroying Hamas might be incompatible.

Hamas is holding over 130 hostages, but approximately 30 of them are believed to be dead. The group is allegedly holding the captives in tunnels underground and "using them as human shields" for its top leaders. Meanwhile, the Palestinian death toll worsens with each passing day.
Former President Jair Bolsonaro is under investigation by Brazilian police for allegedly trying to overturn the results of the 2022 election.

Bolsonaro himself is not considered a target, but his homes and offices were searched on Thursday. Also, he was ordered to turn over his passport, according to Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

The subjects of the police searches, 33 in total, include running mate Gen. Walter Braga Netto, former Gen. Augusto Heleno, a former adviser, former Justice Minister Anderson Torres, and Liberal Party head Valdemar Costa Neto.

Four preventative arrest warrants were issued as well. One of which was for the special adviser on international affairs, Filipe Martins. Bolsonaro's attorney, Fabio Wajngarten said his client would comply with any order to hand over his passport.

The former president is alleged to have strategically and consistently expressed and sowed doubt about the reliability of Brazil's voting system and never admitted defeat in the election.

He, as well as the Liberal Party of which he is a member, filed a request to annul ballots cast on most electronic voting machines.

Police said in a statement they were carrying out 33 searches and seeking four arrests in eight states and the Federal District, where Brasilia is located.

The probe is connected to an alleged criminal organization that "acted to attempt a coup d'etat" that would have kept Bolsonaro in power after his election defeat against Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the police statement said.

Police allege the group of alleged conspirators prepared to allege voting fraud prior to the 2022 election to legitimize a military coup. Judge Moraes wrote that the challenge appears to be aimed at incentivizing anti-democratic protest movements and creating turmoil.

"A lot of people should be investigated, because it is concrete fact that there was an attempted coup, there was a policy of disrespecting democracy, there was an attempt to destroy something we built so many years ago, which is the democratic process," current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The decision to replace Ukraine's military leader, General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, is moving forward.

Reuters reported that the statements follow days of speculation that Zelenskyi was to dismiss his popular army chief, seen by many Ukrainians as a national hero for overseeing the war effort since February 2022.

In a statement, Zelenskiy said he had met with Zaluzhnyi.

"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," he said.

He had asked the general to remain "on his team," he added.

In his own statement, Zaluzhnyi said he had had an "important and serious conversation" with Zelenskiy and that a decision had been made to change battlefield tactics and strategy.

"The tasks of 2022 are different from the tasks of 2024. Therefore, everyone must change and adapt to new realities as well. To win together too," the statement read.

Obtained by Reuters, the two statements were published within moments of one another, suggesting that the two most prominent wartime figures in Ukraine had coordinated closely to to make the announcement and display their unity.

The change comes at a difficult time for Ukraine, with troops facing critical ammunition shortages and military assistance at a standstill in the United States.

According to an article by The Guardian, Zaluzhnyi has led the armed forces since before Russia's full-scale invasion and is a largely popular figure among soldiers and society at large, meaning replacing him could be a politically risky decision.

The Guardian also revealed that at a meeting last Monday, Zelenskiy told Zaluzhnyi he planned to replace him, according to those with knowledge of the conversation, and offered the general a chance to resign. But Zaluzhnyi refused to step down. When news of the conversation leaked, Zelenskiy's press secretary, Serhii Nykyforov, denied it.

"There is no subject of conversation," he told reporters.

"There is no order. The president did not dismiss the commander-in-chief."

The Ministry of Defense also denied the rumors.

Zelenskiy has admitted he is looking to make several significant changes as part of Ukraine's leadership reform.

"I have something serious in mind, which is not about a single person but the direction of the country's leadership," said Zelenskiy.

"I mean a replacement of a series of state leaders, not just in a single sector like the military. If we want to win we must all push in the same direction, convinced of victory, we cannot be discouraged, let our arms fall, we must have the right positive energy," he added.

Zelenskiy Faces Backlash

In a social media post on Monday afternoon, the Kyiv mayor, Vitali Klitschko attacked Zelenskiy for the planned move, crediting Zaluzhnyi with Ukrainian military successes over the past two years.

"Unfortunately, the moment has come when politics might outweigh common sense and the interests of the state," quoted The Guardian.

Furthermore, the article stated that the Russians have advanced to positions close to the outskirts of Avdiivka . Avdiika is an industrial city just outside Donetsk, which has been occupied by Russia-backed forces since 2014.

At a campaign event last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin, boasted that Moscow's forces had seized "19 houses" on the outskirts of Avdiivka and were holding on to them.
The former office manager of a Sweet Home logging company was sentenced to time in prison for embezzling tens of thousands of dollars.

Kristen Nicole Sim, 37, of Lebanon was charged with five felony theft counts, including identity theft, in December 2022 for fraudulently using checks and a credit card from her employer, Valley View Logging.

A Place to Sleep, episode 4: Sweet Home In Sweet Home, you'll find the region's only designated sleeping place for folks actively self-medicating with alcohol and narcotics.

On Jan. 26, Sim was sentenced to 26 months in prison after she pleaded guilty to aggravated first-degree theft and two counts of first-degree theft, according to court records, which show an aggravated first-degree theft and the identity theft charge were dismissed.

Sim was also ordered to pay $51,137.06 in restitution to Valley View Logging.

A representative from Valley View Logging could not be reached for comment.

Discrepancies

In October 2022, Erika Sieg contacted Sweet Home police after discovering discrepancies in Valley View Loggings financial records. Sieg is president and secretary of the company, according to state records.

Investigating the discrepancies, Sieg learned Sim was printing checks addressed to other businesses and depositing them into an account of a business owned by her husband, according to a probable cause affidavit from the Sweet Home Police Department. Sieg also determined Sim made unauthorized credit card purchases.

Sieg provided police with 16 copies of computer-printed checks from April to October 2022, written to businesses that are vendors for Valley View Logging, but not sent to said vendors, the affidavit states. The checks totaled $31,506.75 in value.

Searching Sims desk, Sieg located a voided check for Sim-ple Security Solutions, a business registered to Sims husband, according to the affidavit. The account number on that check matched one written on the backs of each of the 16 fraudulent checks, along with the words deposit only or a similar direction.

Continuing her investigation, Sieg looked into a company computer Sim used at work, finding bank statements for Sim-ple Security Solutions from January through September 2022, the affidavit states, adding 15 deposits matched exactly with the checks written prior to October 2022. There wasnt an October statement to match with the last check.

Credit card purchases

Sieg also gave police credit card statements for the company from December 2021 to October 2022, highlighting 60 unauthorized transactions made by Sim using a company credit card issued in her name, according to the affidavit.

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The unauthorized transactions totaled $20,059.15 and were made to Amazon, AT&T, Boost Mobile, Nellys Security, Sim-ple Security Solutions, the Law Office of Teri Plagmann, and others, the affidavit states.

Sieg told the investigating officer the company didnt use either cellular company, Sim-ple had been paid by check, and the company hadnt used the lawyers services, according to the affidavit, which adds Sims husband had been represented by Plagmann in a custody case earlier that year.

Sim is currently held at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, according to state records.

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Ilham Aliyev was reelected as President of Azerbaijan on Wednesday with 92 percent of the vote in a ballot held during a crackdown on independent media and with no real opposition. With a lack of political competition, serious electoral shortcomings and media restrictions overpowered Aliyev's win.

The win had been expected after Azerbaijan's historic victory over Armenian separatists last year.

The election "was not competitive," monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said in a statement obtained by Barron's.

"While six other candidates participated in the campaign, none of them convincingly challenged the incumbent president's policies in their campaigns, leaving voters without any genuine alternative," the monitors said.

The vote "was held in a restrictive environment," with election day marred by "significant shortcomings," they added.

Monitors noted "issues of secrecy of the vote, a lack of safeguards against multiple voting, indications of ballot stuffing," raising "serious questions about whether ballots were counted and reported honestly."

The observers also said that "recent arrests of critical journalists have hindered the media from operating freely."

Aliyev received several congratulatory messages from leaders, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan even calling him a "dear brother" before official election results were released.

According to Barron's, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky sent Aliyev a congratulatory message thanking him for "mutual support of our countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Aliyev's office also said Russian President Vladimir Putin "congratulated Ilham Aliyev on his victory in the presidential elections and wished him success in his presidential activities for the development of Azerbaijan and the prosperity of our people."

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban congratulated Aliyev on his "enormous and indisputable victory," saying he is "looking forward to further strengthening the cooperation between Hungary and Azerbaijan, as well as Azerbaijan and the EU during the Hungarian EU presidency."

Aliyev ran against six other candidates, although none of the contenders challenged him or were critical of his rule.

What Brought On The Early Election?

BBC reported that Wednesday's vote was planned for 2025, but a snap poll was called after the government seized control of a region run by ethnic Armenian separatists.

Azerbaijan's lightning offensive in September brought an end to three decades of ethnic Armenian rule in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Most of its 120,000 ethnic Armenian residents fled to neighboring Armenian cities with some of the most senior officials in the breakaway territory were arrested and have been held in pre-trial detention in Azerbaijan for months.

Azerbaijani authorities regularly intensify their pressure on independent media outlets and have already arrested several critical journalists.

Human rights group Amnesty International accuses the authorities of repressing freedom of expression and targeting critical voices of the president.

Despite the perceived victory, Azerbaijan continues to fabricate false narratives about Armenia.

According to the Mirror Spectator, former Armenian Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan has shut down yet another Azerbaijani narrative about Ashtarak and its churches, stating that Baku is paving the way for fresh aggression against Armenia.

Nonetheless thousands of supporters took to the streets of capital Baku to celebrate Aliyev's reelection.
Houston attorney Mason Herring pleaded guilty to two charges for spiking his then-wife's drinks with pills to induce abortion. Herring, 39, was charged with injury to a child and assault of a pregnant woman. He had initially been charged with felony assault to induce abortion.

His wife, Catherine Herring, filed for divorce and argued to the court that the jail sentence was not long enough.

The Associated Press reported the couple's one-year-old daughter, their third child, was born about ten weeks premature, has developmental delays, and attends therapy eight times a week.

"I do not believe that 180 days is justice for attempting to kill your child seven separate times," Catherine Herring said.

Catherine Herring told authorities that her husband began lecturing her on hydration and constantly offering her water. She became severely ill in March 2022 after drinking from the first glass that appeared cloudy-looking. Mason Herring explained it away, saying that perhaps the glass or water pipes were dirty.

She immediately became suspicious and started to refuse any drink her husband would offer.

According to the AP, the wife found packaging for a drug that contains misoprostol, a medicine used to induce abortion, in their trash. She also supplied police with videos from hidden cameras she installed in her home. One of them shows him mixing a substance in her drinks.

What Does The Husband Have To Say?

Mason Herring's attorney, Dan Codgell, called the plea deal and sentence reasonable.

"It's a sad situation and Mason has accepted his responsibility," Cogdell said.

What Does The State of Texas Have To Say?

Texas has one of the nation's most restrictive abortion bills. Abortion in Texas is illegal in all cases, even with no exceptions for rape or incest. The law prohibits abortions if an ultrasound can detect what lawmakers define as a "fetal heartbeat."

A trigger law has been in effect since August 25, 2022, stating abortion is illegal except in cases to save the life of the mother.

Considering such strict laws against abortion in Texas, the court sentencing Mason Herring to 180 days in jail seems disproportionate. In April 2022, Texas woman Lizelle Herrera was charged with murder for allegedly inducing her abortion despite the lack of legal basis.

Herring's sentence also carries a 10-year probationary period.
Jumeirah Group, the luxury hospitality company and member of Dubai Holding, continues its regional and international expansion with the opening of its first hotel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jumeirah Jabal Omar Makkah. The hotel has commenced operations as part of the second phase of the city's flagship Jabal Omar project, designed by Fosters + Partners architects.

Located in Jabal Omar and a short walk from the Great Mosque of Makkah, the hotel offers world-class, luxurious amenities, including 1,121 keys of spacious and elegantly designed rooms, suites, and residences that provide a comfortable and peaceful sanctuary for guests. Jumeirah Jabal Omar Makkah is designed to reinforce a sense of serenity through thoughtful service that allows guests to reconnect and reflect as they experience a deeply significant life event visiting the holy city of Makkah.

Eight dining destinations, including Mediterranean restaurant Patras, and a lobby lounge serving specialty teas and baked goods, are currently open at the property. Soon, guests will have access to six more unique dining options at the East and West towers, featuring a signature regional Arabesque restaurant alongside Persian, Middle Eastern, South-east Asian, and Indo-Pakistani restaurants, and a cafe offering the finest teas and French baked goods. The property will also host three meeting rooms and event spaces accommodating between 10-70 people.

Katerina Giannouka, Chief Executive Officer of Jumeirah Group, said: "We are proud to have opened the first Jumeirah hotel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in such a significant location, in partnership with Jabal Omar Development Company. Jumeirah Jabal Omar Makkah will deliver the exceptional service that Jumeirah is known for, enabling an enhanced experience for all who are visiting Makkah."

Bringing its signature hospitality and service to the Kingdom, Jumeirah aims to enrich the overall guest experience through unparalleled attention to detail and personalised service. The hotel opens with 507 guest rooms and elegant suites across two high-rise towers with beautiful views over the city and the Great Mosque of Makkah. A further 526 rooms and suites will be added in phases across two more contemporary towers, accessible via express elevators to provide smooth and seamless access. Hotel guests will also have the option to book entire floors, which feature 14 rooms and suites per level, to ensure the highest level of privacy and exclusivity during their stay.

To complete the luxury offering, the hotel hosts 88 spacious residences, which sit across the podium of the four towers of Jumeirah Jabal Omar Makkah. The exclusive residences offer spacious terraces, allowing guests to join the group prayers at the Great Mosque of Makkah from the comfort of their own accommodation.

Recently appointed General Manager to Jumeirah Jabal Omar Makkah, Rizwan Shaikh, brings over 20 years of luxury hospitality experience gained across India, Singapore and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including hotels with five-star rating in the Forbes Travel Guide.

For more information or to book, visit jumeirah.com/makkah.

Hotel website
Whitbread PLC, the UK's largest hotel business and the owner of the Premier Inn hotel chain, has welcomed Owen Ellender to its UK and Ireland development team.

Owen joins as a Senior Development Manager to support Whitbread's strategy of expanding its network of Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn hotels from 84,000 bedrooms today to a network potential of 125,000 rooms (UK & Ireland).

In a newly created role, Owen will be concentrating on development opportunities across Whitbread's existing hotel estate, with a particular focus on adding new guest bedrooms to the company's trading locations.

Starting his career initially at CBRE, Owen joined Whitbread as an Acquisitions Manager in 2011 before moving into a development management role with the firm.

Leaving the business in 2018 for an in-house role with a family office and subsequently as head of property development at Greene King, Owen's passion for hotels and hotel development has brought him back to Whitbread.

Announcing his appointment, Owen said: "Whitbread is a unique business with an exciting vision for what it wants to achieve in the UK and Ireland. The company also does business in a way I admire with a particular focus on its people and the opportunities its brands create as they grow.

"Returning to Whitbread in a senior development role gives me an excellent platform to contribute towards the company's growth strategy of adding new bedrooms across the UK and Ireland, and I'm excited to get going and put my development skills to good use in expanding the estate."

Owen's appointment grows Whitbread's in-house property team to 60 people covering property acquisitions, development, estates, repairs and maintenance, facilities, and support functions. He will report to Alex Flach, the company's development director for the UK and Ireland.

In October 2023 the company appointed its first property apprentice as part of a wider programme of attracting young talent into the company.
La Vie Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific's leading owner-centric third party hotel management company, is set to grow its boutique hotel offering this year following the incredible success of its existing stable of boutique hotels including 202 Elizabeth, ADGE Hotel & Residences and The Islington, Hobart.

As part of its expansion plans, experienced boutique hotel manager Sam Giles has been appointed as General Manager at 202 Elizabeth and will also be responsible for bringing La Vie's vision for boutique hotels to life thanks to his previous experience working for Spicers Retreats for over 13 years where he was Regional General Manager, before moving into an Area Manager role for Salter Brothers.

Charged with overseeing new hotels and restaurant openings, Sam achieved 1 and 2 Chef's hats while managing three of Spicers restaurants in Brisbane and Sydney, amongst numerous other wins.

According to Jerry Xu, CEO of La Vie Hotels & Resorts, Sam's appointment is a defining step in building out their boutique hotel offering and capitalising on the growing demand from travellers for a more personalised hotel experience.

"We're thrilled to be welcoming Sam to the La Vie family and very pleased to have someone of his calibre not only leading 202 Elizabeth, but imparting his wealth of experience and knowledge on what it takes to manage successful boutique hotels.

"We're finding more and more that guests are seeking more than just a place to stay for the night. They want a touch of uniqueness and a hotel with personality, which is demonstrated by the ongoing success of 202 Elizabeth and ADGE Hotel & Residences," he said.

"We thrive on creating personalised experiences and compelling boutique spaces that deliver more than just a hotel bed. Using 202 Elizabeth as an example, this personalisation is highlighted through custom designed and made furniture, using only Australian made products, being pet friendly and creating colourful spaces that ignite the senses. It's this attention to detail together with a hands on, tailored guest experience that is driving occupancy," he said.

"We have big plans to grow our boutique portfolio across Asia Pacific, particularly in Australia, and look forward to sharing more details in the coming months".

Since opening last year, 202 Elizabeth has garnered much interest thanks to its incredible location in the heart of Surry Hills and its impeccably styled interiors that mix signature Sydney style with creative eclecticism and flare.

As part of his new role, Sam is looking forward to continuing to build the momentum of 202 Elizabeth which has captivated the hearts and minds of locals and visitors to Sydney.

"I have a real passion for the industry, in particular boutique hotels, and am thrilled to be joining the team at 202 Elizabeth and La Vie. The thing I love most about boutique hotels is the relationship you develop with guests during their stay which often sees them treating you and the team like family," Sam explained.

"My main focus will be on building a luxury experience that utilises our amazing location by giving guests easy access to local restaurants and suppliers. At the end of the day, we want guests to feel like they're coming home rather than to a hotel after a day of exploring the city."

"Sustainability is also a big focus for us and we're looking at ways of reducing the amount of waste, energy and water we consume at the hotel so we are building a team of people to lead this vision," Sam said.

Boasting more than 20 years experience managing boutique hotels, Sam has also been busy working behind the scenes to activate 202 Elizabeth's signature spaces such as the Rooftop and wine cellar-cum-cafe, to deliver an exciting lineup of experiences for guests.

The Rooftop Terrace is soon to come alive with the introduction of a curated food menu that can be enjoyed while soaking up the views over Surry Hills while an existing area near reception will be transformed into an intimate lounge that guests can use as a place to meet fellow travellers over coffee or glass of wine. In addition, corporate guests will also have access to a new space from which they can work from or meet clients within the comfort of 202 Elizabeth.

For more information, please visit https://laviehotels.com/
PPHE Hotel Group, the international hospitality real estate group which develops, owns and operates hotels and resorts, is pleased to announce the appointment of Greg Hegarty as Co-Chief Executive Officer (Co-CEO) of the Company with immediate effect.

Greg has been with the Group for 18 years in various leadership positions and was appointed as Chief Operating Officer of the Group in 2019 and Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Chief Operating Officer in 2020. During this time, he has held overall responsibility for creating and implementing the Group's operational strategies, including Operations, People & Culture and Commercial, while driving PPHE's corporate vision and growth strategy. He was appointed an Executive Director of the Company and joined the Board in May 2023. He has almost three decades of experience in the wider hospitality sector.

Prior to joining the Group, Greg held senior management roles at recognised brands and owner/operators such as Clermont Hotel Group (formerly GLH / Thistle Hotels) and RBH (formerly Redefine BDL Hotels). He holds a Masters' Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and has further shown his commitment to the hospitality industry by becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality and Master Innholder.

Greg will assume his Co-CEO role alongside Boris Ivesha, the Company's long-serving President & CEO. He will manage the day-to-day running of the business as well as have a key role in defining and implementing the Group's long-term strategy as it continues in its current phase of significant growth. He will also continue to be responsible for the Group's ongoing proactive engagement with shareholders. Boris Ivesha will continue to focus on pursuing growth and development opportunities for the Group, including concept creation.

Greg Hegarty, incoming Co-CEO, PPHE Hotel Group commented: "I am delighted to have been appointed as Co-CEO and look forward to continuing to lead the Group in its long-term strategic objectives. PPHE is in a very exciting phase of growth, building on its strong footprint of Park Plaza hotels while also completing and opening several large pipeline projects across capital cities including London, Belgrade, Berlin, Rome, and across different market segments and brands including art'otel and Radisson RED.

Our continued growth is a testament to both the Company's strong corporate vision and unique business model, as well as the hard work and dedication of our teams around the world, who remain fundamental to our success and our customer proposition."

Boris Ivesha, President & CEO, PPHE Hotel Group commented: "Greg's appointment to Co-CEO provides important additional leadership support for the Group, as we deliver the latest phase of our exciting growth trajectory. His appointment is in keeping with the Group's longstanding emphasis on promoting internal talent and intra-group mobility, and we are very proud of his progression since joining PPHE. With his breadth of experience and knowledge, Greghas made a vital contribution to the Company's success over the last decade, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with him in his new role."
Director of Sales and Marketing Michelle Serra brings more than 25 years of industry knowledge and experience to the British Colonial team. A Nassau local with a background in collaborative marketing and selling of resort lifestyle, luxury rental properties, and convention centers, Serra has worked with a variety of major hotel brands and assets, including Margaritaville Resort Orlando and Hilton Hotels and Resorts in Tampa, Charleston, Oklahoma City, and other key U.S. markets. A creative, results-driven individual, Serra has consistently proven to deliver top results by contributing her extensive knowledge and implementing innovative strategies. Her expertise in sales, catering and events management will undoubtably contribute to her success at the newly renovated Bahamian property. Serra earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at University of South Florida.

British Colonial

Nassau

Bahamas Website
Knowland, the worlds leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, reported meetings and events in secondary markets outpaced the traditional Top 25 markets in January. Most notably, the highest growth Top 25 market, Nashville, was up 16.1 percent, while top growth secondary market city, Lexington, Ky., had a 76.4 percent uptick in meetings and events for the month. This exposes a trend that indicates meeting planners are sometimes opting for secondary destinations to reduce costs. This data is sourced from Knowlands sales intelligence platform and designed to help hoteliers protect and grow their revenue base.

When comparing the top 25 and secondary markets for industry segment performance, both the top 25 market, Los Angeles, and secondary market, Columbus, Ohio, led in Education segment events. Top 25 market Orlando, Fla., saw the most Technology and Healthcare meetings in January, with Austin, Texas, leading in secondary markets for those industry segments. The average space used for meetings in the Top 25 markets was 3,426 sq. ft., while secondary markets were slightly less at 3,000 sq. ft. Average attendees were 124 in the Top 25, while secondary markets averaged 118 attendees.

Top five markets by YOY growth in event volume  Nashville ranked highest in the Top 25 U.S. markets, hosting Technology and Healthcare. Below is additional insight into the top industry drivers for these markets. Nashville (+16.1 percent): Technology. HealthCare, National Association, Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology. Detroit (+10.4 percent): Education, Financial/Banking, Manufacturing, HealthCare, State Association. New Orleans (+7.8 percent): National Association, Technology, HealthCare, Training/Education, Charity/Non-Profit/Social Services. San Francisco-San Mateo (+7.3 percent): Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology, Financial/Banking, Technology, National Association, HealthCare. Tampa-St. Petersburg (+5.3 percent): National Association, Technology, Manufacturing, HealthCare, Charity/Non-Profit/Social Services.

 Nashville ranked highest in the Top 25 U.S. markets, hosting Technology and Healthcare. Below is additional insight into the top industry drivers for these markets. Top five secondary markets by YOY growth in event volume  While Education and State Associations were big in Lexington, Ky., the following five high-growth secondary markets and top industries were: Lexington, Ky. (+76.4 percent): Education Syracuse, N.Y. (+34.6 percent) : Social - Sports Richmond-Petersburg, Va. (+33.4 percent) : State Association Oklahoma City, Okla. (+29.1 percent): Technology Louisville, Ky. (+24.1 percent): National Association

While Education and State Associations were big in Lexington, Ky., the following five high-growth secondary markets and top industries were:

About the Data: This data is provided to help hoteliers still building momentum gain insight into the top locations selected by todays meeting planners. This information about the leading industry drivers provides a clear picture of those groups that are returning to the meeting and event space. Insights presented are a result of the analysis of meetings and events data acquired through Knowland data collection and aggregation methods, including field reporting and automated methods of customer and non-customer data collection in primary, secondary, and tertiary markets, as well as its large historical database.

About Knowland

Celebrating its 20th year in 2024, Knowland is the world's leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality. With the industry's largest historical database of actualized events, thousands of customers trust Knowland to sell group smarter and maximize their revenue. Knowland operates globally and is headquartered just outside Washington, DC. To learn more about our solutions, visit www.knowland.com or follow us on X @knowlandgroup.

Kim Dearborn

+1 909 455 4316

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Danish market debut in prime location in the capital, Copenhagen

36 new-build apartments close to trendy Nrrebro district

Property is targeting DGNB Gold and goes into operation with a green lease

NUMA keen to expand with more properties in central Copenhagen

Copenhagen/Berlin  NUMA Group, Europes leading operator of a fully digital hospitality brand, is delighted to announce its expansion into Denmark. NUMA is launching in the Danish capital, Copenhagen, with 36 newly built units in the trendy Nrrebro district.

The first NUMA property in Denmark is being developed in partnership with Invesco Real Estate, the US$90 billion global real estate investment manager.

The new NUMA/Invesco property is very close to the Nrrebro district, at Drejervej 4, 2400 Copenhagen. The popular neighborhood boasts a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, bakeries and bars with a wide range of cultural influences. Likewise, Nrrebro is famous for its independent art galleries and trendy retail stores. Crowned the Worlds Coolest Neighborhood by Time Out magazine in 2021, Nrrebro is a perfect fit for the NUMA portfolio.

NUMA Copenhagen is mere moments from Nrrebro Station, which provides easy access to the citys main metro, commuter rail and bus lines. The property will be certified with a target of DGNB Gold, a local ESG rating, and is managed by NUMA under a Green Lease. The property is close to completion and will feature individually furnished apartments, abundant balconies and a rooftop terrace. It is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2024.

NUMA Group provides innovative design apartments and studios for modern travelers, combining the benefits of traditional hotels with the convenience and flexibility of short-term rentals such as Airbnb and Abritel. Leveraging its innovative technology solutions, NUMA delivers a premium guest experience and reduces operating costs by up to 60 percent. NUMA boutique apartments are also ideal for longer stays and remote working thanks to super-fast WiFi.

Dimitri Chandogin, Managing Director of NUMA Group: We are delighted to launch NUMAs highly successful model in Denmark in partnership with Invesco Real Estate with the announcement of our first property. The Nordic countries represent an important growth market for the NUMA Group. Our digital platform utilizes automation to make processes more efficient and save significant costs. This is a particularly important factor in the Nordic countries.

Fredrik Berlin, NUMA Group's Director Nordic Expansion, adds: With our launch in Copenhagen, we are taking another major step in our expansion across Europe. NUMA Group is now active in 11 countries and 28 cities with over more than 5,850 design apartments. We plan to establish a portfolio of several hundred units in Denmark and are already looking for further hotel and apartment properties in central locations. We are excited about our stated goal to establish a completely new generation of accommodation for modern travelers and thus innovate the industry.

Rob Johnston, Managing Director, Investment Management at Invesco Real Estate commented: We are delighted to be launching our first project in Europe with NUMA, who are a recognised leader in one of the fastest-growing hospitality sub sectors, and a best in class partner that we want to grow more with across Europe. This high-quality project is a great complement to our existing residential portfolio in Denmark of c. 1,200 units, being adjacent to one of our recently completed residential projects which has been 100% pre-let.

The property was brokered by Nordic Hotel Consulting (NHC) and RUBIK Properties as the local operating partner for Invesco Real Estate.

About NUMA Group

Berlin-based NUMA Group is the leading European operator of a fully digitized hospitality platform. The company offers modern travelers innovative design apartments and boutique studios. As a reliable partner for investors, owners and developers, NUMA uses proprietary technology-based operator solutions that largely automate operational processes and increase cost efficiencies and revenues. NUMA successfully operates more than 5,850 units in European A-cities, including Berlin, Munich, Rome, Milan, Madrid, Barcelona and Vienna.

For more information, visit: www.numastays.com - partner.numastays.com

About Invesco Real Estate

Invesco Real Estate is a global leader in the real estate investment management business with USD 88.9 billion in real estate assets under management, 612 employees and 21 regional offices across the U.S., Europe and Asia. Invesco Real Estate has a 40-year investment history and has been actively investing across the risk-return spectrum, from core to opportunistic, in equity and debt real estate strategies, and in direct and listed real estate for its c.500 institutional client relationships during this time. In Europe, Invesco Real Estate has eight offices in London, Munich, Milan, Madrid, Paris, Prague, Luxembourg and Warsaw, and 194 employees. It manages 200 assets across 14 European countries and with assets under management of USD 16.3 billion. Source: Invesco Real Estate as at 30 June 2023.
Palma, Spain -- Chinese New Year this year falls on February 10th and is considered one of the largest annual tourism events in the world. Tens of millions of travelers across the country take a trip to see family, enjoy cultural highlights and make the most of the celebrations, generating hundreds of billions of yuan for travel sellers, providers and intermediaries.

This year, HBX Group data has revealed that Harbin, Shenzhen and Guangzhou are among the big winners for the Chinese New Year, which runs from 9-17 February. Political and commercial capitals such as Beijing and Shanghai are also among the top five destinations as the country enters the Year of the Dragon.

When it comes to length of stay, most travellers, both national and international, choose to stay between 2 and 6 nights, trying to make the most of the holiday season.

Pippa Williamson, VP Commercial APAC at HBX Group said: Celebrating Chinese New Year is not only a cherished tradition, but also an important economic driver for the travel industry. Our latest data highlights the resilience and adaptability of both travellers and destinations. We remain dedicated to providing our partners with actionable insights and innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of travellers in the APAC region.

Boom in Arrivals

Changes in official regulations are also driving demand for travel this year. China lifted its final Covid-19 travel restrictions in August, making this year the first New Year celebrations since the turn of the decade to be completely free. Officials also recently granted visa-free entry for up to 15 days to citizens of five European nations (France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain), while visa-free entry for citizens Singapore was resumed.

The changes have led to a ten-fold increase the inbound market for the Chinese New Year in 2024.

According to HBX Group data, the main outbound markets include Thailand, Japan, the United States, Spain and the United Kingdom. While the most popular destinations for the inbound market are Shanghai, Guangzhou, Taipei, Macau and Hong Kong.

Looking Overseas

In terms of the outbound market from China, Thailand destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya are experiencing an increase in demand, while other destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Singapore, Bali and London are proving to be also popular this year.

About the Data

Data reflects booking across Hotelbeds channels for travel within, to and from China between February 9th-17th, 2024.

About HBX Group

HBX Group is a leading B2B ecosystem player in the TravelTech space, connecting and empowering businesses in the ever-evolving world of travel. We drive growth for our clients & partners while removing friction from the end-to-end travel experience. Our cloud-based technology platforms offer fast and reliable access to a unique portfolio of travel products & services, while rich data and intelligence seamlessly connect supply and demand worldwide.

We have more than 3,000 experts worldwide, including specialists on the ground who provide insights and support to boost trading even further, even in the most hard-to-reach segments. This unique blend of technology, data and passionate people serves as a catalyst for all businesses aiming to unlock their full potential in the travel arena.
Despite signs of recovery in 2023, the hospitality sector's 2024 outlook is unpredictable. Deloitte's Hospitality Industry Outlook 2023 identified the hospitality sector's key challenges for 2024 as a drop in consumer confidence, continuing labor shortages, and the inability of hotels to raise prices despite escalating costs. However, by leveraging strategic hospitality revenue management, hotels can navigate these hurdles and even drive revenue growth in the coming year. While the effectiveness of these hotel revenue management strategies will vary by location, audience and the economy; here are ten effective ways to increase your hotel's revenue in 2024.

Elevate the guest experience

For hotels, it's more important than ever to offer experiences that meet guests' evolving expectations.

Achieve exceptional client experiences by enhancing your customer journey, actively pursue and promote sustainability initiatives, deliver seamless customer experiences, and consider expanding your venue's customer base with hosted events.

1. Enhance the guest experience with customization

The guest experience begins well before check-in. Review every touch point in your customer journey, from booking to check-out, and ensure you deliver exceptional customer service at every stage.

Make your booking process memorable with personalized service offerings, from room to balcony view recommendations.

Switzerland's Hotel Lugano Dante's online check-in portal, 'My Page', distinguishes its offering with up to 150 optional customizations per room.

2. Incorporate sustainability into concierge services

Increasingly, guests expect hotels to champion sustainability. Consider offering guests eco-friendly amenities and create a positive difference for your guests, business, and planet.

Advertising your hotel's sustainability policies can be a great way to attract the more eco-conscious traveler. However, be aware that consumers are increasingly wary of greenwashing.

Consider backing your claims with a recognized sustainable certification. Booking.com's Sustainable Travel Report 2023 found that 43% of today's travelers are willing to pay more for travel options with sustainable certifications.

3. Offer enriching experiences with hosted events

Don't be afraid to host different types of events at your hotel. Consider what would be suitable and the type of guests you want to attract.

It's not uncommon to transform hotel spaces. The Peninsula Hong Kong Hotel's 'Art in Resonance' programdelivered a series of celebrated art installations.

Luxury hotels are also great partners for health & wellness brands like SUDA, who deliver tailor-made programs and embed their wellness advisors in luxury resorts.

4. Unlock seamless customer experiences with technology

Technological innovations can enhance your hotel's customer experience and deliver savings over time. Introducing contactless check-in, mobile room keys, and transforming rooms with IoT devices can reduce friction points in the customer journey while providing guests with more personalization options for their rooms.

Introducing these innovations comes with the benefit of reducing staffing requirements.

Build a digital trading strategy

In 2024, your hotel must have a competitive online presence. This is vital to secure direct bookings customer retention and dynamically adapt room pricing to maximise revenue.

5. Be present online, provide direct bookings and enrich your distribution channels

While listings with Online Travel Agents (OTAs), like Booking.com and Expedia, increase the likelihood of customers discovering your hotel; given OTAs can charge up to 20% commissions, so they shouldn't be your only distribution channel.

It's vital that you have a website with your own booking portal. Given 38% of users report that they wont engage with a website with an unattractive layout, your website must be simple and easy to navigate. Further, effective use of social media channels will help drive users directly to your site.

6. Maximize your hotel revenue with dynamic pricing

Dynamic pricing is a targeted hotel pricing strategy that allows you to optimize revenue per room based on real-time data. Utilizing software platforms, you can track market conditions, including room occupancy rates, abnormal events, and artificial peaks, which help inform you on when to make rate adjustments.

This approach can also reveal subtle booking patterns.

However, it's essential to be aware that frequent rate changes may raise concerns about your hotel's price integrity and that heavily discounted rooms can undermine brand value.

7. Upsell & cross-sell

Upselling and cross-selling are sales techniques used to sell guest room upgrades and additional hotel services, such as massages or tickets to a local attraction.

To maximise the opportunity for upselling and cross-selling, review each one of your customer touch points. However, for these methods to be effective, staff must have good knowledge of room categories, amenities and other hotel services.

To increase success rates, you can incentivize upselling and cross-selling with employee reward schemes.

Make the best of marketing

In 2024, the vast majority of hotel bookings will be made online. As a result, you must use data advertising and partnership opportunities as effectively as possible.

8. Use data advertising & virtual reality (VR)

Personalized adverts delivered on targeted platforms, from social media channels to email lists and pay-per-click adverts, are an incredibly effective way to advertise your hotel. They work best when segmenting your audience and tailoring campaigns for specific travelers.

Virtual Reality also offers exciting new ways for customers to experience your hotel before booking. The NH Collection Brussels Centre provides a 360-degree preview of their hotel to empower potential guests to explore the hotel before booking.

9. Make collaborations and partnerships

A collaboration with social media influencers is a great way to increase potential guests' reach. Social media personalities can offer exceptional engagement opportunities, with 70 per cent of teenagers claiming to trust influencers more than traditional celebrities.

Partnerships with local businesses and attractions also present new cross-selling opportunities for your hotel.

10. Create guest loyalty programs

Don't underestimate the importance of your existing guests. The Harvard Business Review estimates that the cost of acquiring new customers is five to 25 times more expensive than retaining existing customers. Incentivizing repeat visits by 5% can increase your profits by 25% to 95%, according to Bain & Company.

Offering a discount via your hotel's Guest Loyalty Programs effectively encourages repeat visits from existing customers.

Bonus Tip from Iconic Brands: Give your hotel a strong and distinctive identity

Celebrating your hotel's single, standout feature is a powerful strategy to establish your hotel's identity and leave a lasting impression on guests. Whether it's a unique location, a rich history, or a striking chandelier in the dining room, identifying and emphasising that key feature sets your hotel apart. This approach resonates with guests because it helps make your hotel more memorable.

Iconic hotels have successfully employed this strategy for centuries. The Ritz-Carlton, renowned for its exceptional service, focuses on creating a luxurious atmosphere. While the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on the French Riviera stands out by showcasing its glamorous history.

By directing attention to a distinctive feature and weaving it into your hotel's narrative, you can build a strong identity that resonates with guests. This sets the stage for an unforgettable guest experience and differentiates your hotel from the competition.

Enhancing hotel revenue performance: Education and expert resources

Given the challenging conditions hotels are facing in 2024, you must choose wisely among the best practices to drive revenue and support your business. To help you make informed decisions, consider seeking expert support and improving your knowledge of hotel revenue management:
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) announced the HITEC Investment Conference (HITEC-IC), a new event designed to connect hospitality technology company executives with the investment community. Scheduled for June 2728, the conference will be co-located with the 2024 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) where 325+ companies, from start-ups to established global brands, will present the latest innovative technology solutions to the hospitality industry. As the singular location for global hospitality technology and longest-running show of its kind, HITEC is considered imperative to the participating companies. It is the largest gathering of hospitality technology companies and is attended by representatives of a majority of the top 40 hotel brands in the world. Pairing HITEC-IC with this key industry event presents a unique opportunity to activate hospitality technology investments returning massive rewards for the entire industry.

HFTP continually strives to move the industry forward and aims to do so efficiently and effectively with our industry partners. With HITEC already the established global event to attend in the segment, the prospect to build on an event like this is way overdue. HITEC-IC will offer an experience which creates synergies between investors and technology companies to network, learn and establish years-long relationships that present potential partnerships. These groups will represent the best of the best of the best in their respective segments  all under one roof. HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE

HITEC-IC will commence on the final day of HITEC with an orientation and overview of hospitality technology for the attending investors presented by Floor Bleeker, group chief technology officer for ACCOR. The investors will then be led on escorted tours of the HITEC exhibit hall by some of the worlds most renowned hospitality technology experts. Upon the close of the exhibit hall, exhibiting company CEOs will be invited to join the investors for additional education, a networking event and dinner. The second day program will feature education programs and one-to-one introductory meetings.

Wolfe added, There are some really good investment conferences being produced for the industry like The Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, The Lodging Conference and ALIS which we strongly support. HITEC-IC is a very niche investment conference due to the uniqueness of hospitality technology. And with it co-located at HITEC, this is an opportunity for the investment community to observe leading hospitality technology by participating in the program's aggregated tours of the exhibit hall.

This event is long overdue. Having been involved with HFTP since 1978, but for the last 30 years focused upon private company investments, there has been no dedicated event exposing investors to this important growth segment over the years. Travel-hospitality makes up one of the largest segments of the economy. Investor focus upon this dynamic and growing cohort is long overdue. Dave Berkus, manager of four investment funds and an inductee to the HFTP International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame

The event is widely-supported by industry organizations through sponsorships at varying levels. Starting with Platinum sponsors are HSMAI, AAHOA; Hospitality Upgrade and Wayfare VC; BLLA and ICHRIE as Bronze sponsors; and Hospitality Net is the Digital Media sponsor.

The future success of the hospitality commercial functions of sales, marketing, and revenue all will require enhanced data and technology capabilities. The development, integration and enhancement of technology platforms are vital to our ability to optimize revenues and profits for hotels. Bob Gilbert, HSMAI president and CEO

We are thrilled and honored to participate as a Bronze Sponsor in the inaugural investment conference hosted by HFTP, a global leader in hospitality technology. As a close, mutual partner in the hospitality industry, BLLA takes great pride in supporting the efforts of this esteemed organization. Together, we are shaping the future of hospitality, driving innovation, and fostering collaboration for the benefit of our industry and all those we serve. The new HITEC Investment Conference will catalyze the connection of investors looking to enter or add to their tech portfolios. As BLLA is already a connector for many investors, this further activity will enhance their opportunities. Frances Kiradjian, founder and CEO of BLLA

HITEC-IC is an invitation-only event and has limited attendance. Individuals interested in the event can register their interest. For questions, please send an email to [email protected].

HITEC North America will take place on June 2427 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C. USA. Produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals, HITEC is the world's largest and longest-running hospitality technology exposition and conference. It offers a unique combination of top-notch hospitality technology education, led by industry peers and experts, and an unparalleled trade show showcasing the latest hospitality technology products and services. The 2024 event is expecting 5,000+ attendees and 300+ exhibiting companies. Registration for HITEC in Charlotte is now open.

About HFTP

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), established in 1952, is a hospitality nonprofit association headquartered in Austin, Texas USA with offices in the EU and Middle East. HFTP is recognized as the spokes group for the finance and technology segments of the hospitality industry with an international network of members and stakeholders. HFTP uniquely understands the industry's pressing issues, and assists its stakeholders in finding solutions to their challenges more efficiently than any organization. HFTP offers expert networks, educational resources, career development programs, research, leadership opportunities and conferences and events. HFTP produces international events throughout the year, including the world's largest hospitality technology tradeshow and conference brand: HITEC. In addition, it oversees the hospitality-specific Pineapplesearch.com and the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI). For more information about HFTP, visit www.hftp.org. For the latest news, visit the HFTP News page at news.hftp.org and the HFTP Connect blog at blog.hftp.org.

HFTP HITEC-IC

HFTP
In recent weeks, I had the unique opportunity to delve into current dynamics in the world of hotel operations and investments through participation in panels at the Cayuga Hospitality Consultants annual meeting and the BizNow Hospitality Summit in Chicago. The two panels offered a timely glimpse into the intersecting paths of hotel investors and operators, highlighting key trends, concerns, and areas of mutual interest.

Emerging Trends and Shared Concerns

The Labor Markets Evolution: The labor market was discussed in both panels. While still cautious, hotel operators are observing an improvement in hiring conditions compared to last year. Similarly, investors seem a little less vocal than recent conferences Ive attended, signally less perceived disruption by both groups. The Resurgence of PIPs (Property Improvement Plans): Both panels concurred on the renewed vigor of PIPs. After years of pandemic-induced leniency, major hotel brands are reclaiming their standard compliance demands. This is in response to a dip in guest satisfaction during the revenge travel period, marked by understaffing and underinvestment. The brands focus on guest scores and PIP compliance is an apparent attempt to revive and enhance the guest experience. The Recovery of Demand: A positive note from both discussions was the recovery of travel demand. Leisure travel continues to outperform, with group and small-scale business travel making a robust comeback. However, theres a consensus that large-scale, managed business travel will recover more slowly and may not reach pre-pandemic levels. These observations generally underscore the durablity of travel demand, even amidst significant disruptions like the pandemic and economic recessions.

Reflections and Implications for the Future

The discussions led to some pivotal reflections and questions about the future of hotel investments:

Resilience of Travel Demand: Given the demonstrated resilience of travel demand, how does this affect the perceived risk of hotels as an asset class in commercial real estate? Traditionally, hotels have been considered riskier due to their 24-hour lease nature compared to more stable sectors like office spaces. However, this risk perception might be shifting with changing work patterns impacting other asset classes such as office compared to the steadfast nature of travel demand.

Given the demonstrated resilience of travel demand, how does this affect the perceived risk of hotels as an asset class in commercial real estate? Traditionally, hotels have been considered riskier due to their 24-hour lease nature compared to more stable sectors like office spaces. However, this risk perception might be shifting with changing work patterns impacting other asset classes such as office compared to the steadfast nature of travel demand. Labor Market Challenges: The slight easing in the labor market presents a hopeful outlook, yet the broader issue of labor supply, influenced by slowing U.S. population growth, remains a structural challenge. This problem, potentially long-term without effective immigration policies, calls for strategic thinking in hospitality human resource management and the increasing use of technology.

The slight easing in the labor market presents a hopeful outlook, yet the broader issue of labor supply, influenced by slowing U.S. population growth, remains a structural challenge. This problem, potentially long-term without effective immigration policies, calls for strategic thinking in hospitality human resource management and the increasing use of technology. Alignment of Interests: Notably, the alignment of interests between hotel investors and operators appears to be strengthening. As operators obviously influence the numerator in the return equation, a shared understanding of challenges and objectives can lead to more aligned strategies and successful outcomes.

In conclusion, these discussions at the Cayuga Hospitality Consultants meeting and the BizNow Hospitality Summit offer critical insights into the evolving landscape of hotel operations and investments. They highlight the need for adaptive strategies, collaborative approaches, and a deep understanding of market dynamics to navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead in the hospitality sector.

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Bayobab Group landed its 45,000km 2Africa cable in Ghana and Nigeria, marking the third and fourth in a series of six landings from the 2Africa subsea cable system.

In a statement, Bayobab CEO Frederic Schepens detailed the cables landed in Ghanas capital Accra and Lagos in Nigeria. The company partnered with MTN to complete the landings. It enables operators to tap into carrier-neutral data centres or open-access cable landing stations, to enhance connectivity availability for consumers and businesses.

Bayobab highlighted Nigeria and Ghana as key growth areas for West Africas digital economy. Ghana was highlighted as a strategic market and hub for bordering countries Togo, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. The country now has six subsea cables connected.

The 2Africa initiative is at the core of the work we do as Bayobab, with the ultimate goal of connecting Africa to the world and the world to Africa. We are eager to continue offering services that will expand the rapidly growing African digital economy and positively impact growth across the continent, said Schepens.

The 2Africa consortium is made up of Bayobab, center3, China Mobile International, Meta, Orange, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone Group, and WIOCC.

The cable system went live in 2023 with a design capacity of up to 180Tbps.
HFTP Announces Inaugural Technology Investment Conference: HITEC-IC, Co-located with HITEC 2024 Visit

The inaugural conference is scheduled for June 2728 in Charlotte, N.C.; connecting the investment community with hospitality technology company executives.

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP(R)) announced the HITEC Investment Conference (HITEC-IC), a new event designed to connect hospitality technology company executives with the investment community. Scheduled for June 2728, the conference will be co-located with the 2024 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC(R)) where 325+ companies, from start-ups to established global brands, will present the latest innovative technology solutions to the hospitality industry. As the singular location for global hospitality technology and longest-running show of its kind, HITEC is considered imperative to the participating companies. It is the largest gathering of hospitality technology companies and is attended by representatives of a majority of the top 40 hotel brands in the world. Pairing HITEC-IC with this key industry event presents a unique opportunity to activate hospitality technology investments returning massive rewards for the entire industry.

HFTP continually strives to move the industry forward and aims to do so efficiently and effectively with our industry partners, said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE. With HITEC already the established global event to attend in the segment, the prospect to build on an event like this is way overdue. HITEC-IC will offer an experience which creates synergies between investors and technology companies to network, learn and establish years-long relationships that present potential partnerships. These groups will represent the best of the best of the best in their respective segments N all under one roof.

HITEC-IC will commence on the final day of HITEC with an orientation and overview of hospitality technology for the attending investors presented by Floor Bleeker, group chief technology officer for ACCOR. The investors will then be led on escorted tours of the HITEC exhibit hall by some of the world's most renowned hospitality technology experts. Upon the close of the exhibit hall, exhibiting company CEOs will be invited to join the investors for additional education, a networking event and dinner. The second day program will feature education programs and one-to-one introductory meetings.

Wolfe added, "There are some really good investment conferences being produced for the industry like The Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, The Lodging Conference and ALIS which we strongly support. HITEC-IC is a very niche investment conference due to the uniqueness of hospitality technology. And with it co-located at HITEC, this is an opportunity for the investment community to observe leading hospitality technology by participating in the program's aggregated tours of the exhibit hall."

This event is long overdue, said Dave Berkus, manager of four investment funds and an inductee to the HFTP International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame. Having been involved with HFTP since 1978, but for the last 30 years focused upon private company investments, there has been no dedicated event exposing investors to this important growth segment over the years. Travel-hospitality makes up one of the largest segments of the economy. Investor focus upon this dynamic and growing cohort is long overdue.

The event is widely-supported by industry organizations through sponsorships at varying levels. Starting with Platinum sponsors are HSMAI, AAHOA and Hospitality Upgrade; BLLA and ICHRIE as Bronze sponsors; and Hospitality Net is the Digital Media sponsor.

The future success of the hospitality commercial functions of sales, marketing, and revenue all will require enhanced data and technology capabilities, said Bob Gilbert, HSMAI president and CEO. The development, integration and enhancement of technology platforms are vital to our ability to optimize revenues and profits for hotels.

"We are thrilled and honored to participate as a Bronze Sponsor in the inaugural investment conference hosted by HFTP, a global leader in hospitality technology, said Frances Kiradjian, founder and CEO of BLLA. As a close, mutual partner in the hospitality industry, BLLA takes great pride in supporting the efforts of this esteemed organization. Together, we are shaping the future of hospitality, driving innovation, and fostering collaboration for the benefit of our industry and all those we serve. The new HITEC Investment Conference will catalyze the connection of investors looking to enter or add to their tech portfolios. As BLLA is already a connector for many investors, this further activity will enhance their opportunities."

HITEC-IC is an invitation-only event and has limited attendance. Individuals interested in the event can register their interest. For questions, please send an email to hitec-ic@hftp.org.

HITEC North America will take place on June 2427 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C. USA. Produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals, HITEC is the world's largest and longest-running hospitality technology exposition and conference. It offers a unique combination of top-notch hospitality technology education, led by industry peers and experts, and an unparalleled trade show showcasing the latest hospitality technology products and services. The 2024 event is expecting 5,000+ attendees and 300+ exhibiting companies. Registration for HITEC in Charlotte is now open.
Chicago, IL (60637)

Today

Some flurries this morning. Then cloudy skies through the afternoon. High around 40F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 29F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.
Hudson, NY (12534)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy. High 46F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. A few flurries are possible. Low 32F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
5 Ways Music Journalism can live on post-Pitchfork

The outlets offering quality music journalism are in deep decline, from sales to layoffs and even total shutdowns. Keith Jopling offers thoughts on how it can survive and even thrive in the niches.

by Keith Jopling, THE SONG SOMMELIER

Since the news of Pitchfork folding into GQ magazine in early January, a few people have asked me what I think about it. Ive read a few of the eulogies and share the sad sentiment of most of them, but Im generally more optimistic about the role and future of music writers. Sort of. Here, Im summing up five ways in which music writing can survive (and by that, I mean thrive), and I mention a few of my own favorite music editorial brands.

Photo by Simon Noh on Unsplash

We cannot put the genie back in the bottle when it comes to the commercial viability of music magazines. Pitchfork was really the last music media empire. It grew from a humble blog into a multi-revenue music media business, eventually succumbing to an acquisition by an unlikely mothership in Conde Naste, at a time when that company desperately needed digital first media properties.

No other music media brand has succeeded on any significant scale since.

The short version of the story is that Pitchfork had its day. Its heyday lasted well over a decade  not a bad run, even compared with legendary music media brands of the golden age of music journalism, like Rolling Stone or NME. Pitchforks digital presence made it more than just an editorial brand, however. It became a destination for music lovers, aficionados and obsessives, and eventually outgrew its original white male hipster tone of voice to become more inclusive and diverse.

And then got a bit too big for its boots. In some cases it became a concern for artists that had been built on Pitchfork (with famous 8.something review scores) but who could also be then subsequently marked down, or snubbed altogether. Mind you, the point of music media coverage is that it cannot keep on writing about every artist, but be a curated source of discerning taste and discovery  and perhaps more importantly  a way of enjoying a deeper connection to music and artists. But those infamous review scores (still a central feature of Pitchfork even now) matter much less in todays music economy. As reviews waned in relevance, all of Pitchforks various income streams probably just withered away gradually.

So now, can niche media thrive?

In musics case, it looks unlikely, some examples of music brands I like: She Shreds, a magazine built around the growing community of female guitarists, is a great concept, but seems to have struggled to find a solid format. At one time, it was a physical magazine but is now essentially a blog with a focus more on YouTube videos (She Shreds TV) than the written word. Loud & Quiet seems to have sustained a physical format magazine through a subscription model and merch store  wryly with a strapline moderately successful. Its Midnight Chats podcast seems to have become established as a long-term show.

This first way to succeed then, is to move away from the written word as the central focus, to video or audio (podcast) first. At least that way, there is distribution, by way of the usual giant social media and streaming platforms.

Goldflake Paint, The Quietus, and many more  all had moments of relevance (on a much smaller scale than Pitchfork) but could not find viability beyond being blogs with Patreon-style funding and a bit of ad revenue (though The Quietus successfully diversified into artist management).

Personally I love So Young. It is a UK-based zine built around the resurgence of guitar bands. On a modest scale, it has built a community, subscriber base, (another) cool merch brand, and has branched out into a small label and live music booking agency. If it does well with the artists it represents, and those artists continue to value it and pay back those favours, it could grow into something relevant. It is the commercialisation of a cultural scene. Viable, albeit on a smaller scale. An so here is the second way  quickly build your media brand or zine into a real business  talent management or a record label, for example.

So Young Magazine issue 47 cover

Meanwhile, post Pitchfork, what constitutes dream press for an artist?

I recently posed this question to Martin Courtney of New Jersey indie stalwarts Real Estate, and his answer was revealing: I guess a spread in the New Yorker  something that reached a new and interesting audience for us.

Well, Sir Lucian Grange is already ahead of the curve on that one. In which case, the future of music journalism is, perhaps, to be subsumed into broader literary and lifestyle titles. Just like Pitchfork and GQ. And so this is the third way: music writing incorporated within larger media brands, from The New Yorker to Waitrose Weekend magazine (or my favourite, McSweeneys The Believer music issue). I saw something recently on social media about the imminent relaunch of Q Magazine. Perhaps it should actually be launched as the editorial sub-brand within Amazon Music, Apple Music or even as part of a news media empire (if there are any left).

Meanwhile, film writing seems to have all the same issues as music, but has a few more innovative solutions. After a decade in existence, the music buff app Letterboxd seems to be gaining traction among young audiences beyond aficionados. So this is a fourth way  to mix up pro journalism with UGC and fan community content i.e. go the way of the app. I even tried something similar to this myself with The Song Sommelier (where you are reading this)  having music super fans write and curate alongside professional journalists. Its still a thing, potentially.

Commercial viability and income streams remain a challenge for all four routes.

But I mentioned a fifth as well I think?

Well, while music journalism suffers chronic illness, you might have noticed that the music business is rampant, with major labels making millions of dollars a day. A few years ago Warner Music acquired a media brand (Uproxx) while UMG owns the UMusic Media Network, describing it as a comprehensive media and data offering to uniquely connect brands and partners with exclusive media from worlds largest music company and most iconic and influential artists.

Even if you cannot quite figure out what that means, the point is that labels and artists need music press. Artists love to get press  it may be less effective than a playlist add or TikTok viral moment, but it is validation, affirmation, depth. But rather than own somewhat compromised media brands, why dont labels use all their streaming catalogue money to invest in the music media outlets out there? Buy their ads, sponsor some paid content, invest (again UMG recently invested in indie radio network NTS in a low key but important way). While music press should enjoy editorial independence, look around. How much established news coverage and features in national premium news is paid content?

So music journalism is able to survive in different forms. It feels like it is possible to create new platforms for music discussion, discovery and enjoyment  perhaps just not in the form of branded multi-feature music magazines.

The Art of Longevity podcast Season 9 preview with Real Estate, is out released in early February 2024.

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Dalton Select Board Approves CBRSD Regional Agreement

DALTON, Mass.  Central Berkshire Regional School District regional agreement update is closer to being completed.

The change to the regional agreement should not be a controversial issue because all the changes are to bring the agreement up to date on state law and how the district is currently run, School Committee Chair Richard Peters said during a Dalton Select Board meeting last month.

"It's not changing any of our policies or how we're running the district or any of that," he said.

The district is awaiting feedback from some of the seven member towns. Feedback received so far does not require another ad hoc committee meeting, Peters during a School Committee meeting last month.

A majority of the concerns centered around the language, inclusion of the prekindergarten program, and how votes are conducted for projects like the new Wahconah Regional High School.

"Some of the towns had issues with the way the vote was done but that language has been updated a little bit," Peters said during the School Committee meeting.

The agreement included some language recommended by Hinsdale that follows state law but still adheres to the town's preferences, he said, and most of the concerns, brought up by towns that commented on the agreement, can be handled internally.

The Dalton Select Board voted during a previous meeting to request clarification within the agreement that the pre-K program is tuition based.

Peters reached out to the consultant, the Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools, regarding the board's concerns.

MARS recommended not to include the stipulation that pre-K is a tuition based and that it should be left up to policy.

A majority of the board members were satisfied with the organization's explanation and voted to accept this recommendation as presented.

If the district is already funding the pre-K programs within its operating budget and supplementing it with grant funding and fees then there isnt an issue with the current language, Select Board Vice Chair Dan Esko said.

"And who's to say that, pre-K is any less important than any other program that the district is running. I mean, I think they're all equally important," he said. "So, I don't have an issue at this point, based on the feedback or the response that I got personally. So I would support accepting things the way they were presented."

The updated agreement says the district "shall be comprised of all grades from pre-kindergarten through Grade 12." The previous agreement only included kindergarten through Grade 12.

"We wanted clarification on that because the current pre-K program preschool is a fee-based service. So therefore, parents who put their kids in preschool pay a fee for that service except for students with special needs which get the coverage for that service," Select Board Chair Joseph Diver said.

These concerns were never brought before the ad hoc committee that has been working on the agreement for the last 12 months, Diver said. The ad hoc committee has not met since the board requested clarification.

The 1958 regional agreement did not include pre-school because the district did not supply that service but now it does and it does impact the operating budget, Peters said during the Select Board meeting.

Depending on the special needs, there is a threshold for services and if it's above a certain amount the district does not get refunded, Peters said.

This impact changes every year and will continue to affect the budget forever, unless laws are changed to not require pre-K services for special needs, he said.

MARS said the language is "appropriate" because "it allows the district to offer programs to all these grade levels and it leaves the School Committee with the kind of discretion it needs to manage programs in the years ahead."

That "discretion" should not be left to the School Committee because "this is the operating framework for the seven towns, and the seven towns have not relinquished this agreement to the School Committee to make those decisions," Diver said.

The agreement is not between the committee and the towns, he said. It is the "agreement with all seven towns and has the operating parameters of how the School Cpmmittee and the district will operate," Diver said.

The current wording "opens the door for" the committee to expand the pre-K services without a review by the seven towns, Diver said in the MARS feedback document.

MARS said it is not "realistic" to manage pre-K programs with parent fees alone, and if it were possible it would not be compliant with Mass General Law.

"Currently, special education for preschool-age children consists of integrated preschool classrooms and the provision of specialized services to age-appropriate qualifying students who do not attend preschool," MARS consultants Jay Barry and Steve Hemman wrote in a document responding to the board's concerns.

"The District utilizes special education grants and income-based parent fees for typical learners who serve as peer partners. While the fees and the grant funds mitigate the cost of the preschool programs, the operating budget supports a portion of the total cost."

Diver said he agrees but that if the agreement leaves it up to the School Committees discretion there needs to be clarification within the agreement on how they operate.

"I'm all for preschool, don't get me wrong," Diver said. However, leaving it up to policy allows the School Committee to decide at some point whether or not to offer preschool as a fee based service, he said.

According to MARS, having language that says the towns accept pre-K as a fee-based service would make it difficult to make program or cost adjustments in the future because the agreement would need to be amended.

"It would be preferable to address this in district policy. It is easier to change a policy than a regional agreement," Barry and Hemman wrote.

"I was satisfied with their response to our request. I don't feel that it needs to necessarily be in the agreement, but it could be part of policy" Esko said.

Language requiring that the pre-K program is fee based would also complicate the required approval from state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Barry and Hemman said.
STT Global Data Centres, one of the leading data centre operators in India, has announced plans to invest US$229 million in expanding its operational capacity in Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state in the country.

At the moment STT GDC Indias Chennai data centre network comprises three facilities, collectively offering over 45 MW of IT load capacity. This includes the STT Chennai 2 facility located on its Ambattur campus, one of Indias largest operational data centres, spanning approximately 37,160 square metres.

STT GDC India now aims to develop additional data centre capacity of up to 80 MW critical load in multiple phases over the next five to seven years across suitable locations in the state.

This investment, say STT GDC, will further solidify Tamil Nadu's position as a key data centre hub in India. The state already hosts data centres from major players like NTT, Yotta and CtrlS, making it a preferred destination for enterprises seeking reliable and secure data storage solutions.

STT GDC adds that this strategic move aligns with the company's expansion plans and capitalises on Tamil Nadu's economic pre-eminence and natural advantages. It says the state offers robust infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and a supportive government, rendering it an attractive destination for data centre development.

The company already has the largest footprint of data centres in the country as well as a global presence, with data centres in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and China, as well as India.
Thursday 8 February 2024, 12:25 - Last updated: 2 March, 19:31

 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This article is automatically translated

Italy is increasingly engaged in the Red Sea with its arsenal. The destroyer Caio Duilio (D554) set sail on January 28 from the La Spezia base and will be part of the European mission Aspides, aimed at protecting merchant ships transiting the Red Sea from the threat of Houthi attacks. In addition, a Gulfstream radar jet is expected to be deployed, with the main task of intercepting missiles and drones from the pro-Iranian guerrillas. Launched in 2007, the destroyer Caio Duilio is a multi-role anti-aircraft unit, among the most modern warships in Europe: it has significantly superior performance compared to previous destroyers in service, being able to monitor over 500,000 km of space with its onboard sensors and intervene, with its weapons, up to 30,000 km. It is no coincidence that this unit is sent to the Red Sea, since the main threat in the area is represented by missiles and drones launched by the Houthis against passing ships. The ship is named after the Roman consul Gaius Duilius who, in 260 BC, had an army of 120 ships built equipped with a mobile bridge with hooks, called corvus, to transform a naval battle into a hand-to-hand fight where they could express their superiority. In that same year, the Roman fleet clashed with the Carthaginian fleet in the Battle of Milazzo, in which the Carthaginians were definitively defeated. Duilius was honored with the erection in the Forum of a column built with the rostra of enemy ships, a rostral column that still appears today in the crest of the ship. The Italian commitment should not be limited to the destroyer. Various journalistic sources, reported by Italmirada, indicate that the Air Force will probably deploy one of its two Gulfstream E.550 CAEW (radar-jet) in Djibouti, with the goal of alerting naval units in case of missile launches, as soon as they are launched. Thanks to its sensors, the Gulfstream can engage multiple targets simultaneously, providing greater coverage than ship radars, especially against low-altitude threats. Finally, although assigned to the anti-piracy mission 'Atlanta', the frigate ITS Federico Martinengo (F 596) remains in the area, ready to intervene if necessary. In May 2023, the destroyer Caio Duilio headed to Poland where it defended the coasts for six months. The strategy was the result of some agreements between Italy and Poland ratified during the last bilateral in Rome between the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Warsaw, Mariusz Baszczak, and the Italian Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto.
Epson Philippines maintains a strong collaboration with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines to tackle diverse environmental issues. Since the partnership began in 2022, Epson and WWF-Philippines have implemented numerous cooperative efforts aimed at preserving the nation's biodiversity, promoting the sustainable utilization of renewable natural resources, and minimizing pollution and excessive consumption. Their most recent project underscores the critical need for collective measures to manage the rising energy consumption rate in the Philippines through efficient energy management strategies.

Dino Calderon, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Program Manager at WWF-Philippines, reveals that the Philippines is facing a growing energy management problem, with the residential sector being one of the major contributors.

Humans are the main drivers of change in terms of the biophysical aspects of this planet, shared Calderon.

In the Philippines, the household sector consumes the largest amount of energy (35,324 GWh) according to the Department of Energys 2022 Annual Power Statistics, followed by the industrial sector (28,844 GWh) and the commercial sector (24,294 GWh).

It may be a concerning statistic, but this also presents as an opportunity to make a change through a collective effort of individuals, Calderon said.

WWF-Philippines and Epson are urging companies to initiate measures towards fostering an energy-efficient environment both at home and in the workplacebeginning on an individual level.

Putting this plan into motion, Epson arranged for WWF-Philippines to conduct an educational session for its employees. The session was designed to enlighten attendees about energy consumption, its environmental implications and to inspire them to initiate change. According to Calderon, these actions could be as straightforward as opting for public transportation instead of private vehicles or maximizing the use of natural light during the day.

"Epson values the power of individual actions and their collective impact," stated Masako Kusama, President and Director of Epson Philippines. "By teaching our employees how to manage their energy use effectively, we're building a culture of sustainability and doing our part in the global fight against pollution.

Led by Calderon, the session highlighted the responsibility of companies like Epson to inform their employees about energy consumption and management, and translate this knowledge into practice.

"Companies hold a key position in tackling environmental challenges. By promoting awareness and fostering sustainable habits among employees, corporations like Epson can contribute to decreasing consumption and protecting our planet for the generations to come," explained Calderon. What is crucial now is taking that first step through encouraging individual actions.

Epson is optimistic that its collaboration with WWF-Philippines will enhance understanding of the environmental crisis and instill a sense of accountability among its employees. Through these discussions and continued collaboration with WWF-Philippines to create and implement programs, Epson strives to empower its employees to embrace sustainable habits and play their part in the worldwide mission to protect the environment.
Leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc (PLDT) and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc (Smart), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI), have launched an initiative that aims to provide tech access to farmers, especially in far-flung areas, enabling them to harness technology in pursuit of livelihood.

As part of its Digital Farmers Program (DFP), PLDT and Smarts award-winning digital inclusion program for farmers in partnership with DA, the telco launched FarmTech, a tech-driven farmers training kit designed to empower and equip farmer groups and agri-coops in their digital literacy training programs for their farmer members even those in remote areas.

Representatives of Myriad Farms of Guimba, Nueva Ecija receive one of the first FarmTech packages

Receiving the very first FarmTech packages were two affiliate farm groups, Myriad Farms of Guimba, Nueva Ecija, and Samahan ng mga Pangulo ng Magsasaka of Morong, Rizal.

Samahan ng mga Pangulo ng Magsasaka of Morong, Rizal, receive a FarmTech package, represented by their President (seated, left) Jaime San Juan; witnessed by (seated, right) Rolando V. Maningas, Ph.D., Center Director, ATI Regional Training Center CALABARZON.

Each FarmTech package includes a tablet, 10 smartphones, a Smart Bro Pocket Wifi with Smart Prepaid load cards, an outdoor projector and projector screen, a rechargeable portable sound system, a flash drive containing multimedia learning resources and apps, and DA-ATI learning materials.

FarmTech is a training kit designed to equip farmer groups and agri-coops in their digital literacy training programs for farmer members in remote areas.

There are a lot of apps and digital solutions we can tap and integrate into the DFP. With the help of PLDT and Smart, these can now reach the farthest corners of the Philippines, said DA-ATI Dir. Remelyn R. Recoter, adding that she is hopeful that FarmTech would play a key role in encouraging farmers to use technology in their livelihood.

Enabling the digitalization of farmers is PLDT and Smarts integrated fixed and wireless networks across the country. We at PLDT and Smart continue to invest in our infrastructure to provide meaningful connections to Filipinos across the country, furthering our livelihood and digital inclusion advocacies, especially for the agricultural sector, said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart.

Hand-in-hand with our partners from DA-ATI, we hope to achieve our vision, which is to enable the digital transformation of farmer groups and agri coops all over the country, to build a truly digitally-enabled agriculture sector, she added.

Part of PLDT and Smarts long-standing partnership with DA-ATI, FarmTech is the latest addition to DFP, which was established by the PLDT Group and DA-ATI in 2019 to make technology and digital solutions more accessible to Filipino farmers.

Even as a country that relies heavily on its agricultural sector, Filipino farmers are among the commonly marginalized in terms of economics and technology, as many are located in rural areas and unable to pursue further education. Aging farmers also tend to be tech-averse, preferring old-school touchpad phones over smartphones.

Empowering farming communities through digital tools and mobile technologies towards #SustainableAgriculture and #InclusiveGrowth is a key priority of DFP. PLDT and Smarts efforts to promote inclusive technologies that can help boost livelihood opportunities among farmers and fisherfolk also highlights the Groups support to the governments overall digitalization thrust.

This is also in line with the Groups efforts to help the country achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially UNSDG #1 (No Poverty) and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
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I can still remember my mums disclaimer as she put her copy of One Day on my sun lounger, the paperbacks orange cover slightly wilted from the heat. I should warn you, she said, looking mildly shell-shocked. Theres a sad bit at the end. Talk about an understatement. The tens of thousands of fellow readers who picked up a copy that summer were probably similarly scarred by the experience. But this didnt stop One Day from becoming one of the biggest, most enduring literary love stories of the ensuing decade. Now, 15 years on from its initial release, Netflix is going to put long-term devotees and a new generation of fans through the emotional wringer, with a 14-part adaptation starring Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall.

Before One Day, author and screenwriter David Nicholls had published two novels, Starter for 10 and The Understudy. Both had earned good reviews  and his debut spawned a very enjoyable film adaptation starring James McAvoy  but the latter didnt sell quite as well. When his third book was released in 2009, Nicholls was quite prepared for [it] to be part of a downward trajectory, he later said. He neednt have worried. The Times hailed it as a wonderful, wonderful book, while The Guardian described it as not only roaringly funny but also memorable, moving and  rather profound. The reviews werent all raves: The Observer claimed it felt dated, plodding through the same old plotlines of boy-meets-girl. But that didnt matter: the book had already become a phenomenon. For a while, it seemed like you couldnt get on a bus or train without spotting that distinctive cover, with its two orange silhouettes facing off against each other.

One Day is the When Harry Met Sally of romantic novels, and not just because its about two friends with bucketloads of chemistry: its the book that should be prescribed to anyone who loudly claims that love stories are naff, just as the Nora Ephron film is a good rejoinder to anyone who believes romcoms are trivial. It has now sold around 5 million copies in 40 languages and has amassed legions of loyal fans, for whom re-reading it is a near-annual ritual. The writer Dolly Alderton has hailed it as the book I go back to time and time again, while the Womens Prize shortlisted author Maggie Shipstead says it never gets old. Ive lost count of the times Ive returned to One Day over the years. I even think Ive re-watched the patchy 2011 film adaptation starring Anne Hathaway and her allegedly Northern accent, which probably makes me something of an anomaly; Hathaways casting stoked serious controversy on this side of the Atlantic, as British readers kicked up the biggest fuss since they found out Renee Zellweger would be playing Bridget Jones.

So what made the book such a staggering success? Fundamentally its a love story, full of will-they wont-they (should they even?) tension. At the heart of the story are Emma and Dexter, a pair of platonic-ish best friends who first meet on 15 July 1988, just after theyve both graduated from the University of Edinburgh. Dexter is privileged, self-assured and good-looking, with the knack of looking perpetually posed for a photograph. Emma is more diffident and hails from an ordinary family in Leeds; shes fiercely idealistic, but cynical enough to cut through most of Dexters more annoying pretentions. In the hands of another author, they might have ended up as crude caricatures  the posh boy and the chippy Northern girl  but Nicholls, always a deeply empathetic writer, sketches both with compassion; he subtly makes fun of their foibles but also takes their feelings seriously.

The book picks up the pairs tale every year on the same July day, also known as St Swithins Day, as Dexter tells Emma during their initial encounter. Not everyone is a fan of this conceit: the 2009 Observer review claimed the structure proves limiting and that Nicholls is a far better writer than this format allows him to be. They dont always spend this day together (re-reading, its striking how rarely the two of them are actually in close proximity), but we see how much their feelings for one another colour their existence and shape the choices they make. Nicholls doesnt try to shoehorn too many milestones into each of those 15 Julys. More obviously significant events  difficult conversations, ill-advised kisses  often take place off stage, so their romance doesnt follow a conventional shape.

One Day doesnt bother with the enemies to lovers trope that has become so popular with todays romance readers. Its clear from the off that they fancy each other, and that they might even be a good match, but over the next 20 years, we see them circling around the obvious, and being held apart by geographical and emotional obstacles, like Dexters seemingly endless Indian gap year, his cruel arrogance when he eventually finds minor fame as a coke-sniffing Nineties TV presenter and Emmas chronic self-deprecation. Failure and unhappiness is easier because you can make a joke out of it, Dexter writes to her in a drunken but perceptive letter from India; of course, he forgets to send it, setting up one of the books many what ifs. Nicholls wrote One Day just after he had adapted Tess of the dUrbervilles for the BBC, and has said he borrowed this idea of a missed message  one that might have changed the protagonists lives  from Thomas Hardys story.

Remake: Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall as Emma and Dexter (Teddy Cavendish/Netflix)

Despite the sad bit at the end, as my mum put it, One Day is (unlike Tess) an excellent comfort read. Emma and Dexter are such great characters that returning to them feels a bit like getting back in touch with old pals. Even so, it can be frustrating to watch the pairs bad decisions and foot-in-mouth moments play out (the scene in which Dexter tells Emma, fresh from her PGCE course, that those who can do, and those who cant, teach will always make me convulse with second-hand embarrassment). But the book also affirms just how significant one 24-hour period can be. It shows how those ordinary days (and ordinary mistakes) might, over the course of a lifetime, add up to create some bigger narrative, which, when youre feeling a bit lost, can be a very consoling thought.

Ive found that every time Ive picked up One Day again, a different period of the protagonists lives has jumped out. I first read it just before starting university, when Dexter and Emmas dramas seemed wonderfully adult but still distant. In my twenties, it was the passages pinpointing the confusion of trying to decide what you might want to do with your life, and the crushing disappointment when things dont quite go according to plan. Currently, its Nichollss brilliant description of what he calls the third wave of weddings, when every week seems to bring another luxuriantly creamy envelope, the thickness of a letter bomb, containing a complex invitation. I wonder which scenes will resonate when I return to One Day in five or 10 years time?
Bangladesh-based operator Grameenphone opened its first 'Super Core' data centre in the Bangladeshi division of Sylhet.

The Telenor-owned unit worked with Chinese vendor ZTE since January 2023 to build the data centre which has a capacity of 4MW load and is claimed to be the largest compared to rivals in the country.

Grameenphone stated subscribers should see higher data speeds and improved quality of services.

Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman said: This accomplishment lays another cornerstone for a digitally advanced smart Bangladesh. This facility not only confirms our pledge to lead the way in technological innovations but also demonstrates our devotion to putting our customers first in every aspect of our work, guaranteeing a future of technological progress and reliability in delivering superior customer experience. I also want to express my gratitude to our partner ZTE for constructing this cutting-edge, environment friendly infrastructure.

Ma Liang, MD of Engineering Service of ZTE Bangladesh added: It will also be the first private sector Telco Data Center in Bangladesh to meet the Uptime Tier-III standard. It follows the principles of saving energy and reducing emissions, and it has a smart energy management system that makes it efficient and eco-friendly."
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The Eurovision Song Contest is facing growing calls for a boycott after entrant Israel announced its representative this week.

Eden Golan, 20, was picked to perform for the country after a TV talent show in which she covered Aerosmiths I Dont Want to Miss a Thing.

In a politically charged performance, she dedicated the song to the Israeli hostages taken by Hamas following attacks on 7 October.

Golan, who was born in Israel but raised in Russia, would mark the countrys 46th appearance in the competition, Israel being the first non-European entrant in the competitions history when it joined in 1973.

However, organisers are facing growing calls to have the country kicked out over its military operations in the Gaza strip as Palestinians face an ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Last month, Icelands Association of Composers and Lyricists called for Israel to be suspended from the competition in a statement saying its participation in an event characterised by joy and optimism would be incompatible with its military actions.

They said they would be opposing their countrys inclusion in the contest unless Israel is disqualified and a petition calling for the same gathered over 10,000 signatures.

Israels last entrant Noa Kirel during the opening of the grand final for the Eurovision Song Contest final at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool in 2023. (PA)

Iceland isnt alone in its condemnation as musicians from multiple countries including Sweden, Finland and Denmark called for the country to be pulled from the competition.

Over 1,400 music industry professionals in Finland have signed a petition to ban the country, accusing their national broadcaster of double standards as it was among the first to demand a ban on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

In 2022, Russia was banned from taking part in the competition following its military action in Ukraine following criticism from a number of countries for it to be suspended. It did not return to the competition following its exit.

Danish and Norwegian musicians have composed similar letters with Swedens artists including Robyn, Fever Ray and First Aid King signing an open letter accusing Israel of war crimes.

Olly Alexander signed a letter accusing Israel of genocide and being an apartheid state (Getty Images)

Responding to the calls, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which runs the contest, said: The Eurovision Song Contest is a competition for public service broadcasters from across Europe and the Middle East. It is a competition for broadcasters  not governments  and the Israeli public broadcaster has participated in the contest for 50 years.

The Eurovision Song Contest remains a non-political event that unites audiences worldwide through music.

Noel Curran, the director general of the European Broadcasting Union, told The New York Times situations in Ukraine and Gaza were different insisting: Comparisons between wars and conflicts are complex and difficult and, as a nonpolitical media organization, not ours to make.

An Israeli official told the Daily Telegraph that calls for a boycott and its justifications were absurd accusing signatories such as Alexander of anti-Israel bias.

The Independent has reached out to Eden Golans team for comment.

The Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Malmo, Sweden in May this year.
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Jenna Ortega fans are reacting with shock to her performance in Millers Girl, opposite British actor Martin Freeman, with one scene in particular sparking debate.

The US actor rose to fame as Wednesday Addams in director Tim Burtons hit teen Netflix series, Wednesday, inspired by the Nineties films which were in turn based on the original cartoons by Charles Addams.

Her latest role has been widely considered as something of a curveball by fans and critics. Millers Girl is a black comedy drama from writer-director Jade Halley Bartlett, in which Ortega stars as 18-year-old student Cairo Sweet, who lusts after her married English professor, Jonathan Miller (Freeman).

It was released on 26 January 2024 after premiering at Palm Springs Film Festival two weeks earlier.

In the film, Cairo and Jonathan enter into a complicated, inappropriate relationship following a creative writing assignment.

Much has been made of the films plot as well as the real age gap between the two leads: Ortega is 21, while Freeman is 52.

After watching the film, many of Ortegas fans have expressed their discomfort about the casting and branded the film gross.

Martin Freeman and Jenna Ortega in Millers Girl' (Lionsgate Films)

Ortegas fans have taken to social media to respond to the film, with one writing on X/Twitter: Jenna Ortega and Martin Freeman Im uncomfortable.

Another added: MARTIN FREEMAN WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO JENNA ORTEGA

While a third wrote: This Jenna Ortega/Martin Freeman film is so gross! So, so, so, so gross!

Others were less concerned by the age gap than by Freeman, best known for his role as Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jacksons epic fantasy trilogy The Hobbit, being involved in a sex scene at all.

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I dont like to think of Freeman having sex with anyone, let alone someone less than half his age. I imagine he is smooth inside his pants, like a Ken doll, one viewer joked.

Can people watch Millers Girl in the UK?

The film is currently unavailable to anyone hoping to watch in the UK, but it is scheduled for release on Amazon Prime Video from 19 February.

Millers Girl is currently showing in US cinemas.

What else has Jenna Ortega acted in?

Ortega has had a busy schedule since her starring role in Netflixs Addams Family spin-off Wednesday in 2022.

Jenna Ortega in Wednesday (COURTESY OF NETFLIX)

The show was streamed for a total of 341.2 million hours in its first week, beating a record held by Stranger Things.

In an article about the shows success, The Independent said that, despite Ortegas strong lead performance, it cant escape certain trappings, namely the fact that its essentially Gen-Z Addams Family by way of Riverdale.

Ortega was nominated for an Emmy for her performance. In doing so, she became the youngest Latina actor to be nominated for an Emmy in an acting category. She had previously been nominated for Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards for the role.

Last year, she dropped out of her role in Scream VII, reportedly due to scheduling conflicts. She will soon be seen in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the much-anticipated Beetlejuice sequel, where she will be reunited with her Wednesday director Tim Burton.

The Warner Bros film is set to be released on 6 September 2024. Original stars Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton will reprise their roles as Lydia Deetz and Beetlejuice, respectively.

The follow-up to Burtons 1988 cult classic has been long awaited by movie fans, who rejoiced at news that a sequel is finally on the way over three decades later.

Millers Girl is in US cinemas now. It is set to become available to watch on Amazon Prime Video in the UK from 19 February.
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With Bob Marley: One Love, Hollywood has proven once again that even the most radical of lives can be watered down into a conventional biopic. Here is an unfalteringly respectful film, made with the full cooperation of the reggae icons family, that argues for its subjects genius without embodying it. It does dodge some of the genres pitfalls, but careens mindlessly into others. Marley, as played by Kingsley Ben-Adir, is presented as a centrifugal force in Jamaican art, culture and political thought, but the film also threatens to flatten him into just another tortured male genius.

In Reinaldo Marcus Greens last film, the Oscar-nominated King Richard, the director granted a flawed nobility to Venus and Serena Williamss father, a man who failed to capitalise on his own greatness, so instead sought it out in his children. Marley is less narratively simple. Yet One Love, somehow, still acts as if it needs to assure us of the mans significance  the opening titles proclaim he rose from the humblest of beginnings, and Kris Bowerss score is filled with unnecessary orchestral flourishes.

One Love starts with the assassination attempt on Marleys life in 1976, at a point where his success had unavoidably pulled him into Jamaicas political strife, a lingering malaise left by its recently vanquished British rulers. He left for London, where he recorded the album Exodus, before returning to Kingston to hold the One Love Peace Concert in April 1978  a moment that would work perfectly as a climax, yet the film ends before a single note is played.

Green, at least, doesnt shy away from Marleys Rastafari ideology, with its Afrocentric promotion of unity and the existence of a godliness within each of us. One Love feels the most like a Bob Marley biopic when it simply observes how those beliefs manifested  that genial clarity that gave his music power (Ben-Adirs vocals are blended, not too distractingly, with Marleys), and compelled others to organise around him. The jam sessions are the films best scenes, as we watch Marley and the Wailers, his band, construct the title track of Exodus in his living room. Green lets the camera roam, in a way thats far more effective than the more strained, traditional stage sequences.

Ben-Adir has his own magnetism, and he can play Marley well as a kind of accidental prophet. But hes also an actor who operates with a palpable sense of control  and while it helps to nail down the particularities of the musicians Jamaican patois, or how hed hold his hands in conversation, it was more naturally suited to the role of Malcolm X in Regina Kings One Night in Miami than it is here. Theres a lack of pure intuition, of what its like to watch Marley lost and liberated by his music, spinning like a firework across the stage.

Kingsley Ben-Adir in Bob Marley: One Love (Chiabella James)

Elsewhere, a script credited to four people  Green, Terence Winter, Frank E Flowers and Zach Baylin  relies too heavily on flashbacks and wastes Lashana Lynch in the role of Marleys wife, Rita. In one scene, she confronts him about his extramarital dalliances and weakness for the cheap pleasures of fame and fortune, which the film has until now failed to inform us about. But its the sort of scene were meant to expect from a biopic. One Love, it seems, simply forgets that Marley deserves better.

Dir: Reinaldo Marcus Green. Starring: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Lashana Lynch, James Norton, Daniel Melville Jr, Sevana, Hector Lewis, Tosin Cole. 12A, 104 minutes.

Bob Marley: One Love is in cinemas from 14 February
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Taylor Swifts Eras Tour concert film is coming to Disney+, with five additional songs.

The film, now titled Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylors Version), will be available to stream from 15 March.

Among the bonus songs will be Cardigan, from Swifts 2020 album Folklore, as well as four songs from the shows acoustic section.

Announcing the release on her Instagram page, Swift wrote: This week is truly the best kind of chaos. Im thrilled to let you know Ive found a streaming home for The Eras Tour Concert Film, and that home will be [Disney+].

For the first time well be showing the entire concert (including cardigan, plus 4 additional songs from the acoustic section!!) and Im calling it, huge shock, Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (Taylors Version). Available starting March 15 which is actually very [soon emoji].

In a statement, Disney CEO Bob Iger said:The Eras Tour has been a true phenomenon that has and continues to thrill fans around the world, and we are very excited to bring this electrifying concert to audiences wherever they are, exclusively on Disney.

Taylor Swift performing onstage in Arizona on the opening night of The Eras Tour (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)

As she alluded to in her post, Swift has had a busy week. On Sunday she became the first artist to win Album of the Year for the fourth time for her 2022 album Midnights.

During her acceptance speech, she praised her friend and long-term collaborator Jack Antonoff as a once in a generation producer and her fellow nominee Lana Del Rey as a legacy artist and a legend in her prime right now.

She previously won for Fearless in 2009, again six years later for 1989, and then again for Folklore in 2020.

She used the Grammys to announce a new album, The Tortured Poets Department. It is set to be released on 19 April.

Swift, 34, is now in Tokyo ahead of her first shows in the Japanese capital.

The Independents Katie Rosseinsky has looked into Swifts current ubiquity, writing: To say that the past week has been a busy one for Taylor Swift is an understatement. Shes had her potential Super Bowl travel schedule discussed by the Japanese embassy.

Shes been branded part of a left-wing psyop designed to secure Joe Biden a second term in the White House. Shes been the subject of feverish speculation: was she about to announce the release of a new version of Reputation?

Oh, shes also made Grammy history as the only person to win the Album of the Year trophy four times. And then used an acceptance speech to herald the arrival of another album, The Tortured Poets Department. Exhausting, right? But the events of the past week are not anomalous for Swift. Over the past 12 months or so, she somehow seems to have pulled off an impossible feat: levelling up into a strata of fame well beyond the tier of superstardom shes previously enjoyed.
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Spy camera footage of South Koreas first lady Kim Keon-hee accepting a $2200 (1742) Dior bag from a pastor in 2022 has ballooned into a major political controversy in the country.

Just months ahead of crucial parliamentary elections, president Yoon Suk-yeol is faced with yet another controversy after the video stirred unrest within his party. The opposition has demanded an apology from him and the first lady, who was dubbed Marie Antoinette of Seoul after the notorious French queen.

After weeks of facing fire from the opposition, Yoon addressed the controversy in a TV interview on Wednesday. He did not deny that his wife had accepted the Dior bag but alleged that the footage was part of a political plot to undermine him, and said the first lady had felt unable to cold-heartedly reject the item when it was offered by the pastor. He stopped short of an apology.

How it started

A YouTube channel called the Voice of Seoul recently posted the footage recorded by a Korean-American pastor named Choi Jae-young using a spy camera hidden inside a wristwatch. The video, taken in September 2022, shows Kim apparently accepting a Dior pouch from him. The footage, released by the left-leaning YouTube channel, went viral in January.

The Korea Herald later reported that the presidential office confirmed the receipt of the Dior bag and said that it was being managed and stored as a property of the government.

In South Korea, government officials and their spouses cannot accept gifts that are worth more than $750. The law mandates this even if there is no seeming conflict of interest.

The video captures Choi meeting Kim in her private office, away from the presidential premises, and offering her a gift. The 51-year-old is heard saying Why do you keep bringing these? Please, you dont need to do this.

Choi has said that he got acquainted with Kim during the presidents campaign and was later invited to the inauguration in May 2022. A month later, he visited her private office to thank her and that is when he claims he heard Kim discussing the appointment of a high-ranking official.

Upon hearing this, he said he felt the need to expose her involvement in government affairs.

A few months later, a Voice of Seoul reporter handed him a spycam fitted into his wristwatch and sent him to Kims office. Choi says he sent the photo of the Dior pouch to the first lady. He alleged that only after she realised he was bringing an expensive gift did she grant him an audience.

What happened next

After the footage was released, the opposition started attacking the president who was already battling several domestic issues, including the slowing economy, the Halloween crush probe fiasco, and the issue of an increasingly noisy neighbour in North Korea.

Several polls in the country characterised Kims behaviour as inappropriate. Many observers said they were embarrassed by controversy. A more recent poll showed that about 70 per cent of voters in South Korea want an explanation from the president about his wifes actions.

Soon after the scandal broke, the first lady avoided public meetings.

But the rising anger of voters, especially just before elections, is something Yoon can no longer afford to ignore.

This is the first time the first lady has been caught on camera accepting a luxury gift amid rampant allegations about her wrongdoing, Choi Jin, head of the think tank Institute of Presidential Leadership in Seoul, told the South China Morning Post.

This is a bitter pill to swallow for president Yoon, but he would have no alternatives but to publicly apologise over the incident which has riled up the people.

The political disquiet

Officials from Yoons People Power Party (PPP) labelled the pastors actions as exploitative and claimed that he victimised Kim through the secret recording. Some have asked for an official apology, while others said an apology might give more ammunition to the opposition right before the elections.

The scandal also led to a public rift between Yoon and his longtime ally and ex-justice minister Han Dong-hoon, who was recently positioned as the interim head of PPP and touted as a future key figure in leadership.

Recently, Han revealed that he had resisted pressure from the presidential office to resign from his interim leadership role after he implied that the Dior bag situation could have been managed more effectively. However, reports later said the discord between the two men was resolved.

Another key leadership figure, Kim Kyung-yul, told broadcaster JTBC that though there are several controversies, the president or the first lady should at least speak about the bag controversy to address the public sentiment.

He added: The French Revolution was an outcome of public uproar over Marie Antoinettes luxurious life and disorderly privacy. There is no way of defending the first lady from this controversy. The only option is begging for the peoples mercy.

Lee Soo-jung, a PPP preliminary candidate, also weighed in on the controversy and said that there is an easy way of solving this issue  Kim should explain the situation, return the gift if she still owns it and apologise to the public.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea has, meanwhile, used the controversy to attack the president. It accused Kim of manipulating government affairs and has called on the presidential office to explain his wifes alleged violation of the countrys anti-graft law.

What the president said

In an interview to broadcaster KBS, the president addressed the controversy for the first time on Wednesday.

The video [was made public] at a time when the general election is drawing near, a year after the issue happened, so we can see this as a political manoeuvre, he said. The fact that she was unable to cold-heartedly reject him was the problem, if one can call it a problem, and it is a little regrettable.

However, its not important whether to call it a political manoeuvre or not, he said.

Whats important is to set clearer boundaries with others to prevent something like this from happening in the future.

It is very difficult for the president or the presidents wife to treat anyone harshly, he was quoted as saying by Korea JoongAng Daily.

Yoon mentioned that the pastor had intentionally sought out his wife, purportedly flaunting a connection with her deceased father, who had died during her middle school years.

But his response has not satisfied the opposition and the citizens. Some pointed out that there was no apology for the first ladys inappropriate behaviour. The Democratic Party swooped in to attack the president for being shameless. Partys spokesperson Kwon Chil-seung said: The presidents shameless attitude is hopeless.

Yoon told the broadcaster during the 100-minute interview that the encounter between his wife and the pastor took place prior to the couples relocation to their official presidential home in Hannam-dong, central Seoul. He said at the time, they resided in their personal apartment in the Seocho District, located in southern Seoul and Kim had set up an office in the basement of the apartment, where security measures were not as stringent.

Will the controversy hurt the presidents election prospects?

It is a political bombshell, Rhee Jong-hoon, a political analyst, told Reuters recently. The Kim Keon-hee risks are only going to get bigger.

Ahn Byong-jin, a political scientist at Kyung Hee University in Seoul, believes that this controversy reminds South Koreans of the recurring corruption of most of the countrys former presidents. He told The New York Times: This is an explosive issue.

Previous allegations against first lady

The first lady of South Korea is no stranger to controversies. Even before Yoon became president, Kim issued a public apology in 2021 during his campaign for inflating her resume. There were instances where I inflated my qualifications and falsely listed things in order to make myself look better. All of this was my own fault and carelessness, she said, according to Hankyoreh Shimbun.

Im constantly fearful that I will become a stain on my husbands wishes for the South Korean public, she said at the time. There were mistakes on my part in the process of combining work with my studies.

In the past, when asked about the claims of her inflating her resume, she had told reporters: Believe it or not, but I really dont remember, adding: I wanted to stand out. If thats a crime, then so be it.

There were other controversies too, including accusations of plagiarism in her academic work.

According to the Korea Times, Kim was cleared of the allegations in August 2022 after Kookmin University, where Kim received her PhD, probed the allegations of plagiarism for about eight months and found no serious violation of the academic code of conduct. The university stated that the statute of limitations of five years for verifying the papers has expired.

However, a group of professors reignited the controversy. The group of 16 professors from 14 academic associations, called the Pan-academic National Verification Group for the Verification of Suspicions of Plagiarism of First Lady Kim Keon-hee revealed in September 2022 that all of Kims academic works are indisputably entangled with plagiarism.

The first lady has not address these allegations publicly.
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Indian authorities targeted the homes, businesses, and places of worship of Muslims using bulldozers, Amnesty International said in two new reports.

The Hindu-majority country has been seeing a growing pattern of what is being dubbed bulldozer justice aimed at punishing activists from minority groups, mainly Muslims, the rights organisation said, as it called for an end to the widespread and unlawful demolitions.

This comes at a time when the Narendra Modi administration has been accused of trampling over the human rights of minorities and weaponising religious discrimination, the non-profit said.

Authorities unleashed bulldozers to crush the properties of dissenters and protesters in New Delhi and neighbouring state Uttar Pradesh, according to examples cited by the report. The aim of this brand of bulldozer justice was to destroy Muslim-owned shops, said the international human rights group which investigated 62 out of the total 128 demolitions documented in five Indian states between April and May 2022.

The local governments of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh have not yet responded to Amnestys report. The Independent reached out to representatives of the two governments for comment.

Amnesty said Muslim properties were discriminatorily targeted without any due process.

This has led to forced evictions of around 600 Muslims from their residences, amid collective and arbitrary punishment among other rights violations for over 600 people, the report said.

These demolitions by officials continue as a de-facto state policy and a form of extra judicial punishments in various states in India, the human rights group said, adding that they believe this is destroying families and must stop immediately.

Agnes Callamard, Amnesty Internationals secretary general, has called the attack on Muslim properties cruel and appalling.

Such displacement and dispossession is deeply unjust, unlawful and discriminatory, she said.

The top human rights chief has asked India to urgently address these human rights abuses. The authorities have repeatedly undermined the rule of law, destroying homes, businesses or places of worship, through targeted campaigns of hate, harassment, violence and the weaponisation of JCB bulldozers.

As part of two separate reports, Amnesty officials spoke to the affected families in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh.

While JCB machines have been seen in photographs and videos of these demolitions, it is impossible to know whether it is exclusively this brand that has been used in the demolition drives. There is no evidence to suggest that JCB is aware of the use of its bulldozers for these demolitions.

JCB had earlier told The Independent: JCB supplies its products primarily via third party dealers in India. Once JCB products are in the hands of the third party dealer or on the second hand market, JCB no longer has any control over the products and cannot dictate who they may subsequently be sold to or used by. As an organisation JCB does not condone any form of human rights abuse and we have a consistent record of providing urgent and substantial support in response to natural disasters around the world.

At least 617 people, including men, women, children and older persons, were rendered homeless or deprived of their livelihoods, the investigation found. These individuals were subjected to forced evictions, intimidation and unlawful force by the police and collective and arbitrary punishment, which undermined their rights to non-discrimination, adequate housing, and a fair trial, it said.

Police officials resorted to unlawful force in at least 39 cases as they carried out demolitions or prevented victims from collecting their belongings.

At least 14 residents said they were beaten by the police for presenting their official documents and asking why their homes were being demolished. The police hurled abuses at residents, kicked open doors, and dragged people out of their homes before beating them with lathis [batons]. Both men and women were restrained and held in police vehicles, the investigation found out.

The authorities also picked Muslim-concentrated localities for demolitions, while Muslim-owned properties were selectively targeted in diverse areas, the investigation found out. Nearby Hindu-owned properties, particularly in Mr Modis ruling party led states Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, were left untouched, it added.

This is not the first time Amnesty International has flagged human rights concerns in India.

Under Mr Modi, India has borne witness to increasing violence against religious minorities, shrinking civil society space and criminalisation of dissent as he presided over a period of rapid deterioration of human rights protections, it had said in June last year during the Indian prime ministers state visit to the US.

Known to account for 14 per cent of Indias 1.4 billion population, Muslims have been targeted for their food or clothing, or over inter-religious marriages. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have accused Mr Modis party of looking the other way and sometimes enabling hate speech against Muslims. Mr Modis party denies the accusations.
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The Indian state of Uttarakhand became the first in the country to pass a contentious bill that will establish a unified personal law for all citizens irrespective of their religion.

The landmark Uniform Civil Code was passed late Wednesday following two days of discussion after it was introduced by Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

The law  opposed mainly by Muslim minorities  has remained one of the main promises of prime minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Mr Dhami called it an important day for the state and thanked Mr Modi for his strong support and encouragement.

Uttarakhands approval has now set the stage for other BJP-ruled states to pass similar legislation ahead of the next general election in which Mr Modi is confident to secure a third term in office.

It will be now approved by president Draupadi Murmu before it becomes law.

The code means that there will be a single set of laws for all residents of the state irrespective of religion, sex, gender and sexual orientation on matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, center, gestures as he arrives to attend a special session of the state assembly that passed a uniform marriage law for all religions in Dehradun (AP)

It will override the different laws and customs that are followed by Hindus, Muslims, Christians and other minority groups currently on various personal matters.

The new law bans polygamy and sets a uniform age for marriage for men and women  21 and 18 respectively  across all religions and also includes a uniform process for divorce.

One of the contentious features of the law will require the couples in live-in relationships to register themselves with the authorities and non-compliance would mean punishment of up to six months in prison, a fine of up to Rs 25,000 (239), or both.

Under the law, officials could reject or accept their registration and partners would be required to declare termination of their relationship in case of separation. Children born out of such relationships will be considered legitimate offspring of the couple, inheriting all legal rights available to those born within a traditional marriage.

India's Bharatiya Janata Party supporters celebrate after Uttarakhand state lawmakers passed a uniform marriage law for all religions in Dehradun, India (AP)

The law excludes Scheduled Tribes that constitute three per cent of Uttarakhands population.

Opponents of the law have called it an interference in their faith and said the Modi government is using it for electoral benefit.

India, the worlds most populous nation with more than 1.4 billion people, is home to around 80 per cent Hindus and 14 per cent Muslims. Muslims accuse Modis right-wing party of pursuing a Hindu agenda that discriminates against them and directly imposes laws interfering with their faith.

"This is a nefarious political design to drive a wedge in the society on religious lines," said Yashpal Arya, an opposition Congress party lawmaker.

Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen, said the legislation is merely a Hindu code that applies to all.

"I have a right to practice my religion and culture. This bill forces me to follow a different religion and culture. In our religion, inheritance and marriage are part of religious practice," he said on X, formerly Twitter.

Mr Dhami, the top elected official in Uttarakhand state, however, said the law is not to target any religion but to remove complexities.

"This law is about equality, uniformity and equal rights. There were many doubts regarding this, but the two-day discussion in the Assembly clarified everything. This law is not against anyone. It is for women who have to face difficulty because of the social norms. This will strengthen their self-confidence, he said.

All India Muslim Personal Law Board said the law goes against Indias principle of diversity and is inappropriate and unnecessary.

The bill is unnecessary, and goes against the principle of diversity. Its primary target appears to be Muslims, especially since even (some Indigenous tribes) have been exempted, it said in a statement.

Mr Dhami said the bill will be amended in future as the need arises.
 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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Chinese New Year is upon us, with celebrations starting on Saturday, February 10 to welcome in the year of the dragon.

The two-week festival marks the beginning of a new Lunar year  and a new animal in the Chinese zodiac to represent the next 12 months.

Billions of people in China and around the world will celebrate, often wearing red clothes, decorating their homes with red lanterns and taking part in traditional dragon dances.

Chinese astrologist and Feng Shui consultant Janine Lowe says this will be a year of change  and while that might mean a rollercoaster 12 months, the change can also bring new opportunities.

What does this mean for people born in the dragon year?

If youre born in the year of the dragon, which is 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 and 2012, youre in luck  this year is looking like a good year for you.

Lowe says that often when people are born in the same year as the current animal, it can sometimes be conflictual, but this year the dragons have this amazing power to be entrepreneurial and creative.

They may become a sage for their friends, and Lowe adds that theres also a good chance for them to gain wealth or see their wealth expand this year. But, she warns: As long as they focus now on exactly what they want out of the year, theres no point in dilly-dallying around it, they need to know what they want out of the year.

And while its not marked as a year of love for the dragon, there may be a chance for people born in the year of the dragon to spark a new romance come September.

So what about people not born in the year of the dragon?

Those born under the other zodiac animals also have a big year ahead of them.

For people born in the year of the dog (1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018) it is likely to be a big and conflicting year. Lowe says: Everything is about change, literally in every part of their lives. Its a huge change.

But dont be too worried  she says that amongst the upheaval, positive changes are on the horizon for dog people too.

Other zodiac animals will have an easier time  rats will experience growth and energy and will have the opportunity to grow in their careers, while tigers will be able to indulge in their love of adventures.

There will be new love interests for snakes this year, and there is a lot of good health, happiness and new connections around for monkeys.

Rabbits like an easy, steady-paced life, so this year they will need to learn to adapt to change, and oxen folk will also face challenges and will need to reach out to the people around them, instead of relying on themselves.

Goats will be faced with decisions this year, while horses should take up new opportunities that come their way.

Lowe adds: Roosters are the secret friend of the dragon and, because its going to be a bit of a rollercoaster year for everybody, my advice is to hang onto the dragons tails and go with the year.

She says it will be a very busy year for pigs, because they will end up being the supporters of the year  both at home and at work.

Will it be a good year for everyone?

Generally, 2024 is about revolution and change. While that can daunting, it can also spark creativity and innovation. Lowe advises that creativity and original ideas will help this be the year its meant to be.

The dragon, who Lowe explains comes with a lot of power and magic, will help you focus on getting what you truly want.

She says: The dragon has a lot of really positive stuff behind it, because it is the top Chinese animal. But its not something where you sit at home and do your knitting, and watch Netflix  you need to get out of your chair and go make what you need or what you want to happen. And theres every opportunity for that to happen this year.
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The King is being treated for cancer, the sovereigns ill health has raised questions about whether there could be the need for a regency in the future.

If Charles was incapacitated, the Prince of Wales could be appointed Prince Regent through the Regency Act 1937, taking over the Kings duties.

However, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said the Kings cancer has been caught early, suggesting any prospect of a regency is unlikely at this stage.

If needed, it would be the first time in more than 200 years that the British monarchy has required a regency, with the last Prince Regent being the future George IV.

King Charles has been diagnoses with cancer (Getty Images For Clarence House)

Here is an explanation of what a regency means, and how and why it would take place:

What is a regency?

A period of regency allows the King to transfer his powers as monarch to the Prince of Wales without having to abdicate.

Does this mean William would be king?

No. The King would still be the monarch and head of state.

But William would be able to perform royal functions in the name of and on behalf of Charles.

What would prompt a regency?

The Regency Act 1937 states that the monarchs duties will be performed by a regent if the monarch is declared to be by reason of infirmity of mind or body incapable of performing royal functions, or if there is evidence that the Sovereign is for some definite cause not available for the performance of those functions.

This must be declared in writing by three or more out of the following: the sovereigns wife the Queen, the Lord Chancellor, the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Lady Chief Justice and the Master of the Rolls.

Charles has no say and does not need to agree with their decision.

Why wouldnt the King abdicate instead?

The abdication of the late Queens uncle Edward VIII in 1936 sparked a major constitutional crisis and the royal family has never forgotten its devastating impact.

The King made a promise of lifelong service in his first address to the nation when he became the monarch.

King Charles and Kate Middleton were in the same London hospital (Getty)

Why couldnt the King just step aside?

The British monarchy is also a sacerdotal monarchy  as part of his coronation, the King went through a consecration ritual which is similar to the consecration ritual a priest goes through.

You can retire from being an active priest but you are still a priest until you die.

Edward VIII abdicated before he was crowned.

Why couldnt William just act as a Counsellor of State?

A regency is a longer term solution than temporary Counsellors of State.

But Counsellors of State cannot perform certain core constitutional functions, such as Commonwealth matters, the dissolving of parliament, except on the Kings instruction, creating peers and appointing a prime minister.

Charles and William jointly performed the state opening of parliament in place of the late Queen as Counsellors of State in 2022.

William and his father Charles (John Stillwell/PA) (PA Archive)

Is a regency a permanent arrangement?

No. It is reversible. If a monarchs health recovers or they become available to carry out their royal functions, the sovereign can resume their duties.

Who was the last Prince Regent?

The last regent was the future George IV who became Prince Regent through an ad hoc Regency Act in 1811 when his father George III was declared mentally unfit to be king.

The vain Prince Regent, famously characterised by Hugh Laurie in the sitcom Blackadder III, was known for his heady extravagance, which was a constant source of gossip.

He was an important artistic patron, acquiring an impressive collection of art and patronising architects and designers, and later commissioned the Royal Pavilion in Brighton to be built as his seaside pleasure palace.

He was regent for nine years before becoming king when his father died in 1820.

Are there laws already in place for a modern regency?

Yes. Permanent provisions were put in place through the Regency Act passed in 1937 in case a monarch became incapacitated or a sovereign was under the age of 18.

Princess Elizabeth was heir to the throne and only 11 years old in 1937.

Further Regency Acts were also passed in 1943, and later in 1953 to allow the Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, to be regent if one was required and the Queens children were under the age of 18.

But future amendments to the legislation may be required because second in line to the throne Prince George is under the age of 18.

Options could include adding the Princess of Wales to the Regency Act as a potential regent in case anything happened to Charles and William before George became an adult.

How is a regency put in place?

A declaration has to be made to the Privy Council and communicated to the Government.

William would have to take an oath before the Privy Council in which he pledged to be faithful and bear true allegiance to the King, faithfully execute the office of Regent and govern according to law, and preserve the Church of Scotland.

Are there any limits to what William could do as a Prince Regent?

Yes. He would not be allowed to give assent to any Bill which changes the order of the succession to the throne.

He would also not be allowed to repeal or alter an Act made in Scotland entitled An Act for Securing the Protestant Religion and Presbyterian Church Government.

The 1707 Act ensured in pre-Union Parliament of Scotland that the status of the Church of Scotland is not be affected by the Union with England.

Would the prince be Prince Regent of the 14 other nations where the King is head of state?

No. Constitutional expert Professor Vernon Bognador has said previously it would be up to these countries to make their own arrangements.
Uttarakhand Womens Groups Statement on the Uttarakhand UCC Draft Bill

The Uttarakhand womens groups and representatives reject this Bill in toto, in the form introduced in the State Assembly.

A Bill criminalizing constitutional behaviour, and introducing moral policing is unacceptable.

The Bill which is predominantly a cut paste from the Hindu family laws, does not remove inequalities in family across the spectrum of religious and secular laws, but criminalises the Muslim minority and autonomous, consensual behaviour of adults.

Demands that it is sent to the Standing Committee for further deliberations.

On a perusal of the draft Uniform Civil code (UCC) Bill presented at the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly, it is apparent that the rhetoric that the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and his Government were mouthing has been actualized through the draft. Therefore, while seemingly being uniform across religions, the Bill is actually criminalizing and regulating constitutionally acceptable behaviours, like adult consenting cohabitation, called live in, reducing autonomy and choice, which the women in this country have attained through concerted, inside the homes and on public platforms. Moral policing measures have been introduced in this regard.

What is shocking is that this law is applicable even to those living outside Uttarakhand, apart from being applicable on all residents of the state including those who do not have a domicile. Interestingly there is a glaring silence about the rights of queer and transgender persons within a family and the rights of transgender and same sex persons to marry.

Majorly it seeks to introduce changes in the provisions that are perceived as defective in the Muslim law, such as unequal inheritance, polygamy and the practice of halala ( by which a person can only remarry his divorced spouse after she has married someone else, consummated the marriage and thereafter obtained a divorce). In one sense the Bill has terminated the application of Muslim family law and has further criminalised the Muslim man and woman. Ironically, the Bill has not incorporated positive and progressive aspects of Muslim law such as the compulsory payment of mehr by the husband to the wife which provides financial security of the wife,nikahnama (marriage contract) which allows for the spouses to add legally binding conditions that are mutually acceptable, and a 1/3 limit rule for willing away property. Had the intention of the Bill genuinely been to bring about gender justice, such provisions could have been extended to women of all communities.

The discrimination that Hindu women face in the family, and which stands unaddressed in the various family laws prevalent in the country, be they the religious personal laws or the Special Marriage Act have not been addressed at all. So also, there is a total silence on addressing the issues of discrimination against women within the Hindu Joint Family or rather the provisions are so drafted that they cannot be applied to the Hindu Joint Family and coparcenary property owned by it. The 2005 amendment to the Hindu Succession Act, provided daughters right to coparcenary property on par with sons, but excluded other female members of the HJF such as widows, wives and mothers.The Hindu Joint Family is premised, even after the 2005 amendment , on descendants (male and female) from a common male ancestor. These glaringly patriarchal and gender discriminatory provisions have been left untouched by the Bill.

The Bill is completely silent on the application of Christian family law and Parsi family law as well as other religious communities, which, apart from being legally untenable, means that these personal laws also have been terminated in the state without any consultation with the said communities.

The five Tribal communities of the state have been excluded, giving preference to customary law, however, other communities that work with customary law cannot seek intervention there as it has been set aside and termed illegal.

The critical aspect of any law is that every stakeholder in the law should be able or should have the space to access the law. In the prevailing climate where minorities are being targeted, it will make it difficult for women from minority communities to access any uniform law, howsoever progressive it is made, (which is not the case in this retrograde law), when its basic objective is to show one upmanship over minorities, especially Muslims.?

To illustrate how the Code Bill follows the Hindu law template, it is important to note that the existing realities that make equal provisions of inheritance in the Hindu law unrealisable, have not been factored. For instance, the reality that property is by and large purchased in the name of the man, is not factored. This means that after the male expires, the property will be inherited by his parents (but not by his wifes parents), along with his Class I heirs, in the same share. That, according to the Bill, her property will also be inherited by her husband along with her parents as Class I heirs, has no meaning in a society that by and large does not purchase property in the name of females. In other ways the structural discrimination against Hindu females has been kept intact. The concept of matrimonial property has not been introduced, despite the Law Commission of Indias recommendation in this regard. Similarly, the positive provisions from the Muslim law or the Goa law, such as the restrictions on making a will to render equal inheritance rights to naught, have not been considered in the framing of this law.

The Bill has retained restitution of conjugal rights as a matrimonial remedy at a time when its constitutional validity has been challenged in the Supreme Court. This is a regressive provision with colonial origin, that legally compels unwilling spouses to live together in the name of consortium, companionship and conjugality. In the case of a wife, she may be subjected to rape and forcible pregnancy by the husband.

Criminalising the violation of compulsory registration of marriage without a provision in the law for creating awareness and facilitating documentation, in effect will mean that people will be rendered law violators for no fault of their own, and be subject to penalties. In a state with poor socio- educational status of women, the ramifications are bound to be more adverse for women.

There is a function creep in this law, in that this Bill is intended to target political dissenters and those who are minoritized, which includes, the minoritized with the Hindu community as well. Therefore, in the guise of establishing non-registration of a live-in relationship, the State will have the power to enter the home and surveil. Criminalisation of adults in consensual live-in relationships, who may have deliberately decided to avoid marriage and its legal consequences, appears to be overshadowing other intentions.

Fundamental rights are either denied or taken away by this law. Even the existing provision of right of women to reside in their matrimonial homes, has been taken away. Thus rights to equality, right to live and livelihood and to live with dignity, right to freedom of speech and expression, freedom of conscience and right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion, have become casualties under this Bill.

There is also total silence on areas pertaining to custody, guardianship and adoption of children, which are critical areas around which there has been much gender-based discrimination.

No special provisions have been brought in to safe guard the rights of queer and transgender persons within a family and the rights of transgender persons to marry. Similarly, same sex marriages are not envisaged or recognised under the draft Code. The concerns addressed by persons with disability, that required special provisions to safeguard the rights are also not addressed in the Bill.

In this form, this Bill should be referred to a Standing or a Select Committee for wider deliberations, as the Bill, which has much import for the people of Uttarakhand and also for the rest of India as a precedent setter, needs to be discussed and peoples, including diverse womens, queer and trans communities responses from Uttarakhand need to be taken into account.

The Uttarakhand womens groups and representatives of organisations, reject this Bill in toto, in the form introduced in the State Assembly.

Uma Bhatt, 8958802074, Malika Virdi, 9411194041, Chandrakala, 7900548653 and Nirmala Bisht, Kamla Pant, Basanti Pathak from the Uttarakhand Mahila Manch.
Indonesia-based telecoms tower and network infrastructure provider Balitower has contracted Nokia to provide a new IP routing solution to boost capacity and improve operational efficiency of its IP network.

Nokia said Balitower will deploy the energy-efficient routing solution in Jakarta, Bali and Singapore, enabling it to better meet growing demand for network capacity more sustainably.

The solution includes Nokias 7750 service router, deep packet inspection (DPI), carrier grade network address translation (CGNAT) and internet routers. The deployment also includes Nokias Network Services Platform (NSP) as well as deployment and care support to Balitower.

Balitower CEO Jap Owen Ronadhi said the company is replacing its existing gear to future-proof its IP network and ensure a better customer experience for its subscribers.

[Nokias solutions] will help us significantly improve network cost economics while reducing operational complexities. At the same time, it will enable us to support evolving business needs for an extended period, positioning us favourably to seize emerging market opportunities, he said in a statement.

The deal is a part of Balitower's three-year nationwide project to modernize its IP network, which Nokia has contributed to before. In November 2022, Balitower contracted Nokia to supply mobile transport solutions and services to increase network capacity and reliability to deliver expanded 5G services for its customers.
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In a shock announcement, King Charles shared he had been diagnosed with cancer following treatment for a benign enlarged prostate.

The Royal Family has not yet specified the form of cancer but he will start regular treatment and will postpone public duties. However, he will continue to work on State business and official paperwork.

The monarch was diagnosed with the disease whilst undergoing separate treatment for an enlarged prostate in January at the London Clinic.

Expressing his gratitude to the medical team for their quick intervention, the King is feeling positive about his treatment and hopes to return to his royal duties, says the Royal Family.

In a statement issued yesterday, the family said: His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.

The discovery comes after he was hospitalised at the same time as Kate Middleton was recovering in the London Clinic after abdomen surgery.

Here is a look back at the history of health issues in the Royal Family.

Kate Middleton

In January, the Princess of Wales entered the London Clinic to have abdominal surgery for an unspecified condition.

The exact details of the princesss condition have not been revealed but the Palace said previously it was not cancer-related, and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.

Kate Middleton has been both praised and criticised for reportedly working from her hospital bed following abdominal surgery (Getty Images)

Sarah Ferguson

Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, was diagnosed with skin cancer in January 2024, just months after she received treatment for breast cancer.

In July 2023, the 64-year-old had an eight-hour mastectomy  but unfortunately last month, during the follow-up surgery, dermatologists, when removing several moles, found one to be malignant melanoma.

The Duchess is now undergoing further tests to see if the cancer has spread to other parts of her body but is said to be in good spirits.

Sarah Ferguson was diagnosed with skin cancer after treatment for breast cancer (Scott Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Queen Elizabeth II

The much-loved Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September 2022 after a record-long reign of over 70 years, aged 96.

The Queen was hospitalised in October 2021 shortly after the death of her husband Prince Philip. The monarch then did not attend several public appearances due to dwindling health, as she reportedly suffered from low energy and weakness.

In February 2022, she tested positive for Covid after suffering from mild cold-like symptoms, the Palace reported at the time.

She was pronounced dead at 3.10pm on 8 September 2022 by Dr Douglas James Allan Glass. Her cause of death was deemed to be old age.

Concerns were raised for Queen Elizabeth II when she was seen with a walking stick in a rare appearance before her death (PA)

Prince Philip

The Queens beloved husband died at the age of 99 in April 2021, his cause of death was officially recorded as old age.

Leading up to his passing, the King had been discharged from the hospital following treatment for a pre-existing heart condition.

In 2012, he missed the Queens Diamond Jubilee celebrations due to a bladder infection and in 2011 he was helicoptered from Sandringham to hospital due to chest pains - he was then treated for a blocked coronary artery.

The royal was involved in a car crash two years earlier when a vehicle hit his car, however he was not injured but sought medical advice out of precaution.

Queen Mother

Queen Elizabeth I, the Queen Mother, died aged 101 in 2002 after suffering from ulcers on her left leg and persistent hip problems which led to mobility issues in her old age.

In 1995, she had a right hip replacement and three years later, her left hip was replaced.

Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother), Princess Elizabeth (the present Queen Elizabeth II), Princess Margaret and King George VI after his coronation, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London (PA)

King George VI

On February 6 1952, King George VI died in the middle of the night.

He had survived a major operation to remove his left lung in September 1951, but succumbed to a blood clot just a few months later.

It caused a coronary thrombosis, the blockage of the coronary arteries that carry blood to the heart, leading to a sudden collapse and fatal heart failure.

His death came as a shock to the public and the royal family, as even the King was not informed of the full extent of his illness.

It later came to light he had been suffering from lung cancer after smoking heavily all his life.

The Queen with her father, King George VI, and Prince Philip watching a young King Charles sitting on a statue at Balmoral in 1951 (PA) (PA Media)

Edward VIII

King George VIs brother was the reigning monarch until he abdicated the throne in January 1936.

Like his brother, he was a frequent smoker and died in 1972 after battling throat cancer.
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The royal family has rallied around the King after it was revealed that he has been diagnosed with an unknown form of cancer.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Monday that the monarch is receiving regular treatments for the condition, which was discovered after the 75-year-old underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate.

Officials have said that although Charles is stepping back from public-facing events, although he will continue to undertake state business and official paperwork as usual.

A Palace source told The Telegraph that Charles is a little frustrated by the impact the diagnosis has had on royal plans but is otherwise he is in his usual good form.

Charles called both Prince Harry and Prince William, as well as his siblings the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Duke of Edinburgh, to personally give them the news before it was publicly announced.

Follow the latest news on King Charles with our live blog by clicking here

Since the diagnosis went public, here are the different ways members of the royal family have shown up to support Charles:

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Prince Harry cleared his diary and rushed back to the UK from his home in America on Tuesday to spend time with his father despite the rift between them.

Prince Harry cleared his diary rushed back to the UK from his home in LA on Tuesday to spend time with his father despite the rift between them (Getty)

The Duke of Sussex was seen arriving at a private terminal at Los Angeles in the morning before touching down at Londons Heathrow Airport at 12:20pm.

He was pictured back in the UK on Tuesday afternoon.

It is understood that Meghan has remained at the couples home with their children Archie and Lilibet.

Queen Camilla

Queen Camilla will continue with a full programme of public duties while her husband is treated, the Palace said.

She was seen walking side by side with the King at his last public appearance on Sunday, where the King waved to onlookers as he walked to church on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

Camilla has been a great support to Charles throughout his recent health battles. She visited the London Clinic several times over his stay in the private hospital when he underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate.

Camilla was seen walking side by side with the King at his last public appearance on Sunday (PA)

Princess Royal

Princess Anne attended the first royal engagement since the revelation on Tuesday.

Known for her commitment to royal duties, Princess Anne went to an investiture ceremony on Tuesday morning. She was also scheduled to visit the Midlands on Tuesday on an official visit, but the event was cancelled.

The Princess Royal carried out an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday (PA)

Recipients at the ceremony included conductor Ivor Bolton, tenor Nicky Spence, rugby union referee Sara Cox and wheelchair rugby league player James Simpson.

When it was announced that Charles was due to undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate several weeks ago, Anne proved once again she was a reliable member of the family, taking on investiture ceremonies and continuing her royal visits.

Prince William and Princess Kate

While he has yet to make an appearance or statement since his fathers diagnosis was made public, the Prince of Wales is expected to shoulder some of Charles responsibilities.

He is set to return to official duties this week, in the aftermath of the Princess of Waless abdominal surgery which saw her recovering for 13 days in the same hospital her father-in-law was admitted to for his prostate procedure.

The Prince of Wales is expected to shoulder some of his fathers responsibilities. (PA Archive)

William will host an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday and that evening will attend the London Air Ambulance annual fundraising gala in central London, Kensington Palace said.

Kate is not expected to return to royal duties until after Easter.

Prince Edward

Prince Edward will also be returning to royal duties this week to support his brother.

Edwards last public engagement was an overseas trip that finished on 26 January. The Duke of Edinburgh and his wife Sophie, both 59, are part of Charless slimmed-down working monarchy, introduced after his mother passed away last year.

Edward has two engagements scheduled on the royal diary this Thursday; attending a talent showcase at The Savoy in London as patron of the Production Guild of Great Britain and a reception at the Institute of Physics.

The Duke of Edinburgh and his wife Sophie, both 59, are part of Charless slimmed-down working monarchy, introduced after his mother passed away last year (Getty Images)

Princess Beatrice

The Kings niece was also seen visiting him the morning after the diagnosis was made public.

Princess Beatrice was seen driving a Ranger Rover into the back entrance of Clarence House in London on Tuesday morning. She and her husband Edoardo Mozzi live next door to the Kings official royal residence at St Jamess Palace.
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Ecuadors high court on Wednesday decriminalized euthanasia and ordered lawmakers and health officials to draft rules and regulations for the procedure.

The decision of Ecuadors Constitutional Court came in response to a lawsuit from a terminally ill woman diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS, who had argued that she should be allowed to have death with dignity.

In Latin America, Colombia previously had been the only country to decriminalize euthanasia, in which doctors used drugs to kill terminally ill patients. The practice is also legal in Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain and several states in Australia. Chile is debating the matter.

Other jurisdictions, including several U.S. states, permit assisted suicide  in which patients take the lethal drug themselves, typically in a drink prescribed by a doctor.

The Court considers that the issue raised relates to the rights to a life with dignity and the free development of personality, the ruling said. Therefore, after carrying out an examination, it concludes that life admits exceptions to its inviolability when it seeks to protect other rights.

The lawsuit in Ecuador was filed in August 2023 by Paola Roldan, who argued that a death with dignity is a right of those who suffer and have suffered serious or incurable diseases." She said they should be allowed to freely and voluntarily end their life to stop intense physical or emotional pain or suffering.

Roldan, 42, began experiencing symptoms of ALS, which weakens muscles and impairs physical functions, in 2020.

Today has been a very special moment for me, Roldan told reporters with difficulty. She then thanked the court for betting on solidarity, autonomy, freedom and dignity.

Under Wednesday's ruling, the court gave lawmakers and officials up to 12 months to draft the necessary rules and regulations to implement the decision.

But the court also granted Roldan's request for an expedited permission to end her life, as long as a doctor performs the procedure and she expresses unequivocal, free and informed consent herself or through a representative if she cannot express it.

The court also set as a condition that she experience intense suffering caused by a serious, irreversible, bodily injury or by an incurable illness.

Farith Simon, one of Roldan's attorneys, told reporters that in granting his client's request, the court opened the possibility for any person to avail of the ruling provided that conditions are met.

____

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
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Saturday Night Live returns to screens on 24 February with comedian Shane Gillis with his first time hosting the show.

Gillis was initially hired to join the shows cast back in 2019 but was fired within a matter of days after clips resurfaced of the comedian making racial slurs and homophobic comments.

The comedian will be joined alongside 21 Savage as the shows musical guest.

SNL was hosted last week by The Bear actor Ayo Edebiri, who appeared to get emotional on stage for her opening monologue, telling the audience how much the show has meant to her and declaring, This really is a dream come true.

Last weeks episode saw performances by Jennifer Lopez of her new singles This Is Me Now and Cant Get Enough, with the latter featuring appearances by rappers Latto and REDMAN.

It has not yet been revealed who else will be hosting SNL in upcoming episodes.

Here is everything you need to know about the next episode of SNL:

Whos hosting this week?

Despite being fired from the show as a cast member more than four years ago, comedian Shane Gillis returns to the show as the host for the 24 February episode.

Gillis was hired alongside current cast members Bowen Yang and Chloe Fineman to appear in season 45.

Yet a week later, he was dropped from the show after clips of him using racial slurs and homophobic remarks started to circulate on social media.

This included clips from a podcast he hosted along with comedian Matt McCusker.

After he was fired, Gillis responded to the incident, saying: Im a comedian who was funny enough to get SNL. That cant get taken away.

Of course, I wanted an opportunity to prove myself, but I understand it would be too much of a distraction, he added.

I respect the decision they made. Im honestly grateful for the opportunity.

He also said in an earlier post, the day after the casting was announced, that he was happy to apologise to anyone whos actually offended by anything Ive said.

In a statement from an SNL spokesperson at the time, they said, We want SNL to have a variety of voices and points of view within the show, and we hired Shane on the strength of his talent as a comedian and his impressive audition for SNL.

Shane Gillis will host the next episode of SNL (Getty Images for Bob Woodruff Fo)

We were not aware of his prior remarks that have surfaced over the past few days, they added.

The language he used is offensive, hurtful and unacceptable. We are sorry that we did not see these clips earlier, and that our vetting process was not up to our standard.

Aside from Gillis rocky past with SNL, the comedian has been a repeat guest on the controversial The Joe Rogan Experience podcast and has also appeared on Barstool Sports KFC Radio, and Sirius XMs The Bonfire, NBC said.

He also turned up in former SNL cast member and this seasons first host, Pete Davidsons TV series Bupkis, playing a character called Gilly.

He also recently released a comedy special with Netflix in September 2023 named Shane Gillis: Beautiful Dogs.

Whos performing this week?

Fresh off performing with Burna Boy and Brandy and the 2024 Grammy Awards, rapper 21 Savage will appear as the musical guest on 24 February.

His most recent album, american dream was released last month and sat comfortably at the top of the Billboard 100 charts for two weeks until it was bumped by Morgan Wallens One Thing At A Time.

Rapper 21 Savage released a single titled ASMR in 2018 (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

Like last weeks musical guest Jennifer Lopez, for a split second, it seemed as though 21 Savage was dropping a film named american dream: the 21 savage story alongside his newest album after he released a trailer that starred Mr & Mrs Smith actor Donald Glover and Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin.

However, in a recent interview on Club Shay Shay, the rapper said the trailer was just a parody, but when asked if it could be good enough to be adapted for the big screen, he said, I feel like it could be... One day.

What time does SNL air?

SNL airs at 11.30pm ET (10.30pm CT, 9.30pm MT and 8.30pm PT) on Saturday nights.

How can I watch?

In the US, the live show will air on NBC each Saturday.

The show can be caught up on NBCs streaming service Peacock the next day.

The sketch show is available in the UK on Sky, on the Sky Comedy channel at 9pm on Sunday evenings.

Highlights and sketches from the show will appear on the SNL YouTube Channel.
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The suspect in a chemical attack that left a mother fighting for life appears to have walked right past New Scotland Yard hours later.

Based on CCTV movements released by the force, Abdul Ezedi walked beside the River Thames on a route that looks to have taken him within yards of the Mets headquarters on the Embankment in central London.

A major manhunt is still underway for the fugitive, with the last confirmed sighting on Vauxhall Bridge Road at around 11pm on Wednesday January 31, a few hours after the attack.

Police have released CCTV footage showing Abdul Ezedi on Westminster Bridge on the night of the attack (Met Police)

The incident took place at around 7.30pm in Lessar Avenue, Clapham. CCTV footage appears to show Ezedi falling to the ground immediately following the attack, apparently injured by the substance used, before fleeing to Clapham South station minutes later.

He travelled to Kings Cross and bought water from a Tesco in Caledonian Road before being seen leaving Tower Hill underground station. The suspect was initially travelling around on the Tube network using his bank card but after stepping out at Tower Hill, that card was never used again.

Ezedi then appears to have walked a route going west, that broadly hugged the River Thames, heading towards Victoria Embankment on the north side of the river around 10pm.

(PA/The Independent)

At around 10.28pm he was spotted crossing Westminster Bridge in the shadow of Big Ben and the heart of the countrys government. That route would very likely have taken him right past the New Scotland Yard building.

He then walked past the MI6 Secret Service HQ before crossing back north on Vauxhall Bridge Road, into Grosvenor Road just after 11pm.

At 11.30pm that evening he crossed over Chelsea Bridge and entered Battersea Park in central London, then crossed back over the same bridge minutes later.

This is the last recorded sighting to date. His route was revealed before armed police executed two raids at addresses in Newcastle, including a pizza takeaway, on Thursday morning.

Last known CCTV footage of Ezedi (PA Media)

The Metropolitan Police said the warrants, including one at Ezedis place of work, were carried out in the early hours. No arrests have been made following the raids, which were a joint operation between the Met and Northumbria Police.

The woman hurt in the attack, described as a doting mother by friends, remains sedated in hospital and is still too ill to speak to police.

Investigators said that she had agreed to meet him on the day of the attack, and that she and her children were in a car with Ezedi when he struck.

Anyone with information can speak to the investigation team via our hotline on 020 7175 2784, or for an immediate sighting dial 999.

Ezedi suffered a facial injury which police have said could prove fatal if untreated (Metropolitan Police/AFP/Getty)

Updated timeline of Ezedis movements on Wednesday, 31 January
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Police hunting a fugitive chemical attacker have raided two properties in Newcastle, as the victims neighbours shared their fears he could return to the scene of the crime.

Abdul Ezedi has evaded the Met Police for over a week after allegedly pouring a strong alkali on his ex-partner and injuring her two children last Wednesday in Clapham.

The two warrants, which included one at the 35-year-olds place of work, were carried out in the early hours of Thursday in a joint investigation with Northumbria Police.

No arrests were made and the manhunt continues, with Met Police commander Jon Savell saying the search is an incredibly high-priority attempted murder investigation.

Friends of the victim have described her as a devoted mother (PA)

A team of 100 officers who are piecing together the Afghan asylum seekers movements in the hours after the attack have also revealed a new last sighting of him crossing Chelsea Bridge and entering Battersea Park at 11.25pm.

They know he initially travelled on the Tube network using his bank card, then appears to have walked a route that broadly hugged the River Thames.

At around 11pm he was seen on Vauxhall Bridge Road.

Officers revisited the scene of the attack in Lessar Avenue and handed out 250 leaflets on Wednesday evening in an appeal for information.

It comes as friends of the victim launched a fundraiser and described her as a devoted and loving mother who is dedicated to her two young daughters.

Police have revealed that the 31-year-old woman had been in a relationship with Ezedi which had broken down and had agreed to meet him on the day of the attack.

She may now lose sight in her right eye and has been unable to provide information to the police as she remains sedated in hospital.

Police activity in the Forest Hall area on Thursday morning (PA)

A view of the Best Bite pizza and grill house which was raided in Newcastle (PA)

The hotel in Lessar Avenue, where the victim was believed to have been staying, now has boosted 24/7 security, according to residents as police step up patrols.

The Metropolitan Police warned that the facial injuries suffered by Ezedi in the attack could be fatal, and hospitals have been placed on high-alert.

One neighbour, who didnt want to be named, got some of the alkaline substance splashed on her eyes when she tackled Ezedi last Wednesday.

She told The Independent: "We still dont know who this guy is or his connections to the area. I was really close to him.

"A lot of medicine was needed for acid in both my eyes.

Abdul Ezedi (Metropolitan Police/PA) (PA Wire)

She added: "It was a group effort the neighbours came together and it was a collective effort to chase him off. Nobody lost their life which is remarkable."

Another neighbour who came rushing out last Wednesday, said: "I still think he could be in the bushes. Ive been taking sleeping tablets ever since then.

"One of my neighbours has got an injury to their eyes they are so red.

Another has third-degree burns to her leg after she helped take the baby to the hospital.

The NHS worker added police had stepped up patrols in the neighbourhood since the attempted murder: "Weve had a bobby on the beat patrolling with the big old-fashioned hat.

A still from CCTV footage of Abdul Ezedi on Upper Thames Street (Metropolitan Police/PA) (PA Media)

I havent seen one round here since I was young. And more undercover officers sitting in a car I could see their walkie-talkies from my window.

My voice is still hoarse but not much more thankfully since the attack. I threw my shoes straight in the bin.

"Im just glad I didnt get badly injured because I care for my father and we would be stuck.

"I just cant understand how he hasnt been found yet. There is CCTV everywhere in London. I dont believe he would kill himself he was too arrogant - the way he walked away.

"I know an injury like that goes through skin, flesh and bone but in the CCTV he is walking away like hes not in pain."

(PA/Metropolitan Police)

Officers arrested a 22-year-old man on suspicion of assisting an offender on Monday before later releasing him on bail the same day.

She added: "I know in this country you cant just hold people but there needs to be consequences for people helping him flee justice.

"I think he knows London by the way he got to the Tube station within minutes with just one eye.

"Im walking around with a personal alarm around my neck all the time now. Even going to the gym. I hope he doesnt come back here.

Another female neighbour has been signed off work since the attack after her leg was burned in the altercation.

Ezedi seen in a Tesco in Caledonian Road on Wednesday evening (Metropolitan Police/PA)

She said: "Its a bit scary nobody knows where he is after all this time. They should get the helicopter up with thermal cameras in case he is hiding around the bushes.

"They found a dog that went missing from around here like that."

Ezedi came to the UK hidden in a lorry in 2016, and was turned down twice for asylum before successfully appealing against the Home Office rejection by claiming he had converted to Christianity.

He was convicted of two sexual offences in 2018 but was allowed to stay in the UK because his crimes were not serious enough to meet the threshold for deportation.

Police have offered a 20,000 reward to anyone with information leading to the 35-year-olds arrest after they released more CCTV of him as they piece together his movements.
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Friends of the mother left fighting for life after a chemical attack in south London have thanked neighbours who rushed out to save her, as they launched a fundraising appeal to help her family rebuild their lives.

The 31-year-old woman, still under sedation in hospital a week after the attack in Clapham, was said to have only wanted to build a safe home for her beautiful, kind little girls.

Grace M, who has launched a GoFundMe appeal looking to raise 50,000 for the family, said: Our friend is first and foremost a devoted and loving mother.

Friends of the mother injured in the chemical attack have released this image alongside a fundraiser appeal (GoFundMe)

Her children are her life. She is generous to a fault and a wonderful cook and host. All she has ever wanted is a safe home for her and her beautiful, kind little girls.

Have you been affected by this? Email barney.davis.ind@independent.co.uk

Members of the public in Lessar Avenue, Clapham, rushed to help the family in the wake of the harrowing violence, a number of whom were injured themselves.

The friends statement continued: As their loved ones we are still coming to terms with the fact that this monstrous attack will change their lives forever.

It is difficult to imagine now how they will recover, and all we want is for them to be able to rebuild their lives.

We cannot put into words how grateful we are to the heroic neighbours of Lessar Avenue.

They risked their own lives to save them and we can only imagine how distressing the attack was for them too. They are angels in our eyes.

We know this incident has deeply touched people across the UK, and even a very small donation would be invaluable.

A CCTV image of Abdul Ezedi at Kings Cross underground station (PA Wire)

The Metropolitan Police warned that the facial injuries suffered by suspect Abdul Ezedi, 35, in the attack in Clapham, south London, could be fatal.

Detective Superintendent Rick Sewart, who is leading the hunt for the Afghan refugee, said: The medical injuries to Ezedi appear very significant from imagery that we have recovered, to the right side of his face.

And through the National Crime Agency we have received medical interpretation which would indicate that his injuries could be potentially fatal if not treated.

Ezedi came to the UK hidden in a lorry in 2016, and was turned down twice for asylum before successfully appealing against the Home Office rejection by claiming he had converted to Christianity.

(PA Wire)

He was convicted of two sexual offences in 2018 but was allowed to stay in the UK because his crimes were not serious enough to meet the threshold for deportation.

A tribunal judge is understood to have ruled in favour of his asylum claim in 2020 after a retired Baptist church minister confirmed he had converted to Christianity, reportedly describing Ezedi as wholly committed to his new religion.

Commander Jon Savell, from the Met, said on Wednesday that the breakdown of the relationship between Ezedi and the 31-year-old mother could have been a motive for the attack.

Police have offered a 20,000 reward to anyone with information leading to the 35-year-olds arrest after they released more CCTV of him as they piece together his movements.
 Close Clapham attack suspect may have gone into River Thames

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Police are searching the River Thames for the man suspected of carrying out the Clapham chemical attack after two bodies were found in the water.

A police boat circled between Vauxhall and Chelsea bridges on Saturday morning, one day after the Metropolitan Police revealed their belief that Abdul Ezedi, 35, may have jumped or fallen from Chelsea Bridge.

A body was recovered near HMS Belfast just after 10am and another was found around 30 minutes later along the river in Limehouse.

The force said neither of the discoveries are linked to Ezedi and the search efforts resumed at around 10am on Sunday.

Ezedi was last seen on CCTV pacing up and down Chelsea Bridge and leaning over the railings four hours after the attack on January 31.

Detectives say his death is the most probable outcome, but officers warned it may take months for a body to be recovered  or it may never be found.
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A dog owner has been banned from keeping animals for five years after his ungroomed Russian Terrier was left suffering with 17lbs of filthy matted fur.

Owner Tim Springett did not groom his dog Barney for nearly two years, claiming he thought his pet did not need clipping due to its breed, a court heart.

The Russian Terrier was left carrying an extra 21 per cent of its body weight, with dirt and faeces found matted into its fur by staff at the RSPCA.

The charity said Barney was seized by Kent Police after animal welfare workers made several attempts to encourage Springett to have the dog groomed.

Springett, of Ramsgate, Kent, later pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offences at Margate Magistrates Court on 22 January.

The Russian Terrier was so ungroomed it was carrying an extra 21 per cent of bodyweight (RSPCA)

Investigating RSPCA Inspector Tina Nash said the smell of the Russian Terrier made her want to retch when she found him.

She told the court: The dog had been made to support a coat weighing approximately 21 per cent of his body weight as he moved around. The weight of this coat would have risen considerably when the dog was wet.

The dog didnt smell very nice and made me want to retch. Im in no doubt the extra weight would cause the animal physical stress as he moved.

Its my professional opinion, based on the information provided to me, that the person responsible for the care of the dog had failed to provide the dog with a sheltered sleeping area with bedding. The person had also failed to groom the dog over many months and, as a consequence, had left him in a position where he was likely to suffer.

In his defence, Springett said he loved dogs and that his ill-health was behind the issues.

Mr Springett claimed he thought the animal did not need clipping due to its breed (RSPCA)

He was handed a 12 month community order including 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and ordered to pay 400 in costs and a 95 victim surcharge. He was also banned from keeping all animals for five years.

The animal is now being looked after by the RSPCA, where he is currently in private boarding and will soon be made available for re-homing.
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An Army veteran who encouraged terrorism by glorifying the murderer of MP Jo Cox has been jailed for two years and eight months.

Kieran Turner, 37, of Earby, Lancashire, published a statement in January 2019 calling for 650 Thomas Mairs (sic) and hailing the terrorist killer as a hero.

He also reposted still images of the March 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand and attempted to share live-streamed video footage taken by the perpetrator.

Joe Allman, prosecuting, told Manchester Crown Court the case arose out of the defendants activities on the Gab online platform where he described himself as British Army veteran English Nationalist.

Turner had an impressionable audience of 773 followers on his publicly accessible account and he in turn followed 213 users, the court was told.

Brenton Tarrant, 29, gunned down worshippers at two Christchurch mosques during Friday prayers in March 2019 (AP)

His criminality was uncovered when officers examined a Samsung tablet discovered under his bed when he was arrested at his home in Earlesdown Avenue in November 2021, said Mr Allman.

The prosecutor said Turner used the platform to share and re-share material which expressed virulent misogynistic, homophobic and transphobic views, as well as displaying extreme racism, Islamophobia and deep hostility towards Jewish people.

Mr Allman said the comment about the Batley and Spen MPs murder in June 2016 was made in reply to a post from another platform user and included a reference to the number of members of Parliament and the hashtag ThomasMairHero.

Turner had also reposted a link to the Christchurch mass murderers manifesto. Commenting on the video footage the defendant wrote: Cheers. Just the thing to put a smile on my face before heading to work this morning.

In another post, he said: It should be on repeat on ITV every couple of hours instead of Jeremy Kyle.

Mr Allman said the Crown did not accept Turners explanation that his postings were intended to be humorous.

Turner pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to one count of encouraging terrorism, two counts of disseminating terrorist publications and seven counts of stirring up racial hatred between January 2019 and September 2020.

On Thursday, Turner received an extended sentence and must serve two years and eight months in custody followed by a period of 12 months on extended licence.

Judge Alan Conrad KC told him: I find you were at least reckless as to whether other people would act on your opinions. The danger in these cases is that there is a risk that one person could act on these posts with terrible consequences.

He noted that Turner, who had no previous convictions, was more prone to radicalisation because of his diagnosed autism spectrum disorder.

Sarah Day, defending, said Turner had features of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following his time in the armed forces and had also suffered from depression.

She said: He very much now recognises what he has done and is genuinely ashamed and remorseful for it.

It is quite clear that he has taken steps to move himself away from that behaviour and that mindset.
La Habana

La Habana

If there was any doubt about the relationship between the economic package that the Cuban regime is about to implement and the new Code of Ethics imposed on the country's cadres, whether or not they are members of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), Miguel Diaz-Canel dispelled it on January 28.

Speaking at the first meeting of the Council of Ministers in 2024, the president announced various political processes aimed at achieving the same objective with which he undertook a tour of the country: for Cubans to understand the need to apply the economic package that the regime is calling "Government projections to correct distortions and boost the economy." In these processes, Cuba's cadres will play a key role.

"It is about reflecting, evaluating and proposing, with rigor and creativity, solutions to the problems in each given place. Everyone has a great responsibility in this; fundamentally, the cadres at different levels, who must prepare well in order to carry out these processes all across the country," the regime's newspaper Granma media quoted him as saying.

The official media source also cited Diaz-Canel's call to "combat everything that deviates from the spirit of the Revolution in our society." His words, as well as the tour that he undertook through the provinces to convince Cubans that the package is necessary, and will yield benefits, reveal his concern over the population's dissatisfaction with the new measures, in the wake of the failure of the "Ordering Task," recognized by the Government. But they also reflect his fear that some cadres will be tempted to propose alternatives deviating from the lines traced by the regime.

The Cadres of the Cuban Revolution Code of Ethics Presidential Decree, appearing 15 days earlier in the Official Gazette of the Republic, seeks to shield the regime from such hindrances.

The existence of a Code of Ethics for cadres is nothing new in Cuba, but this one features an intensified ideological component and the obligation to adhere to Fidel Castro's ideas.

In the current context, as discontent becomes more evident, and could extend to the cadres, the Code constitutes a threat to those who may manifest weariness with the model.

It is also a reminder that Cuba's cadres are not public servants, but rather subordinates of the regime.

On July 11, 2021, some cadres did not respond to Diaz-Canel's combat order to crush peaceful protesters demanding freedom and an end to Communism in the streets. Thus, the new Code of Ethics seeks to ensure that no one dares to remain at home in the event of a new summons from the ruler under similar circumstances. Doing so could violate the principles set down in the document.

The first of these principles is patriotism, translated into "loving the homeland, its history, identity and culture; honoring the values that make up the Cuban nationality; with one's conduct guided by the example of our martyrs, heroes and leaders; respecting national symbols; having political sensitivity" and "defending the Revolution."

The cadres must also be loyal "to the Communist Party of Cuba," "the Revolution" and the thought of Fidel Castro.

The discipline they must show consists of "promoting respect for and conscious loyalty to the Communist Party of Cuba, and contributing through one's actions to the fulfilment of the programs, guidelines and agreements approved by its Congress and other party leadership bodies."

Now, it does not matter whether they are members of the CCP or not. As DIARIO DE CUBA explained when the Presidential Decree was published, the Code of Ethics was approved in May at the 6th Plenary Session of the PCC (Communist Party of Cuba), of which Diaz-Canel is the first secretary.

At that time the Code was only binding on members of the only legal party in Cuba, and compliance with it could not be demanded from cadres who were not.

By mandating compliance with it via presidential decree, signed by Diaz-Canel on November 8, 2023, its mandatory nature was expanded to all the cadres in Cuba.

As per the Code, a violation of any of the principles would result in the carrying out of a "disciplinary analysis in accordance with the applicable statutes, and rules or regulations, without prejudice to other enforceable responsibilities, commensurate with the severity of the violations committed."

This threat bars the cadres from expressing their disagreement with the new measures, the State's control over the main means of production in Cuba, and with the Party leadership, with the honesty required by the Code.

Any views undermining the regime's interests could be interpreted as a violation of the requirement to cultivate "anti-imperialism," which means "defending, preserving and being faithful to the principles of socialism that we have to be declared irrevocable."
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A man has been convicted a day after he was arrested by the Met for threatening behaviour towards a London MP.

James Phillips, 46, pleaded guilty to malicious communications at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 7 February.

An investigation was launched on Thursday, 1 February after police were contacted by the office of Mike Freer MP saying that he had received a threatening and abusive phone call the previous day.

The office of Finchley and Golders Green MP Mr Freer received three calls on January 31, two of which were heavy breathing and the third was a man with a London accent, Adrita Ahmed, prosecuting, said.

The caller said: Im coming for you, you c***, not just Mike Freer but you as well, Ms Ahmed told the court.

James Phillips, 46, pleaded guilty to malicious communications at Westminster Magistrates Court (PA Wire)

Officers carried out a number of enquiries which resulted in Phillips being identified as the person who had made this call. He was arrested on Tuesday, 6 February.

Detective Superintendent Will Lexton-Jones, from the local policing team in north-west London, said: This incident was first reported to us less than a week ago. Officers carried out urgent enquiries to identify and locate the suspect and detectives have worked tirelessly to secure charges.

This conviction demonstrates how seriously we treat threats and abuse towards MPs and other public officials.

Phillips also pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker after he attempted to strike an officer while he was in custody. He will be sentenced at the same court on Wednesday, 6 March.

It comes after Mr Freer  the Tory MP for Londons Finchley and Golders Green seat since 2010  said it was time to say enough as he could no longer put his family through fears for his safety.

The minister, who has pro-Israel views and represents a heavily Jewish constituency, said antisemitism was behind some of the intimidation and attacks on his office.

In December, his constituency office was subject to an arson attack. The fire was understood to have started in a shed behind the building. It destroyed the shed and part of the first, second and third floors of the property.
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The rate of Black Caribbean girls being kicked out of schools has tripled within the past year, official figures have revealed.

The damning data also showed that in the academic year 2021-22, this group was excluded at double the rate of white British girls, while girls from Traveller backgrounds also experienced worse school outcomes.

The exclusion rates among Gypsy schoolgirls was three times higher during the same period, while the rate among mixed white and Black Caribbean girls was also double that of white British girls, according to Freedom of Information (FOI) figures from the Department for Education (DfE).

Moreover, rates of exclusion have doubled among Traveller and Gypsy schoolgirls, the data highlights.

The FOI request was submitted to the Department of Education by Agenda Alliance, a group comprised of over 120 charities and frontline organisations.

Campaigners say these disparities are a combination of factors including discipline policies disproportionately impacting girls from ethnic minority backgrounds, while charities urge the government to intervene.

Ebinehita Iyere, Founder & Managing Director of Milk Honey Bees (Milk Honey Bees)

Indy Cross, Chief Executive of Agenda Alliance, said: These are extremely worrying findings. We at Agenda Alliance are calling for a zero tolerance to harmful behaviour policies which blight girls futures.

We know schools do a tough job and that teachers are hard-pressed. But by the governments own measure, girls at the sharpest end of disadvantage are being set up to fail.

Racial and gender stereotypes have no place in todays education for young women. Enough is enough. No more excuses that poverty also inevitably jeopardises education. We can  and must - do better than this.

Exclusions have also disproportionately affected Gypsy and Roma schoolgirls, who have been consistently excluded at a considerably higher rate than white British girls over the past four years (2018  2022).

Rates of suspension - temporary exclusions - are also considerably higher among all ethnic minority groups too, this analysis has highlighted.

Ebinehita Iyere, Founder & Managing Director of Milk Honey Bees, which supports excluded Black and mixed Black girls at risk of exclusion, told The Independent that these upward trends are unsurprising.

Racial and gender stereotypes have no place in todays education for young women (Alamy Stock Photo)

These numbers increasing because there has not been enough focus on Black girls experiences within schools, she said. Its long been dismissed and what is happening now is its coming to the surface. Therefore, the work has not been done to prevent things from worsening.

Historically, a lot of focus has been placed upon Black boys experiences within school with less focus on their counterparts: Black girls. The same type of support is not invested in this group.

Im not surprised the numbers are so high because of these reasons and more. In my experience as a practitioner, racial biases are also applied resulting in harsher punishment for things such as uniform or lateness.

Moreover, schools often fail to understand the emotional needs of Black/mixed Black girls which, in turn, leads to behaviour not being viewed as a flag for potential undiagnosed issues or difficult experiences outside of school, Ms Iyere added.

We only talk about Black girls when theres a moral panic. Now its exclusions: only God knows what its going to be in the next few months.

The government is being urged to take action (Getty Images)

Echoing this point, Pauline Anderson OBE, Chair of Trustees with the Traveller Movement, said: We see again and again through our casework the link between racist bullying and school exclusions.

Too often, Romani (Gypsy), Roma, and Irish Traveller children who are experiencing bullying in schools resort to retaliation as schools do not stand up for them, resulting in exclusion.

This news comes as exclusions generally have risen beyond pre-pandemic levels and shortly after the government launched a crackdown on unauthorised absences from school which is often punishable with exclusions and suspensions.

The impact of Covid often isnt discussed: a lot of Black girls were the main caregivers in their homes because their parents were frontline workers, while feeling invisible in their home and at home, Ms Iyeye, whos calling for a government inquiry into this matter, said.

As an organisation, we are calling for support from policymakers, schools, funders and our wider community to understand and foster positive relationships between teachers and Black girls to stop them being marginalised by the education system. Only a joined-up therapeutic approach will work.

(David Jones/PA Wire)

Black girls are being written off, erased and ignored. Not just within schools but across society.

Michael Buraimoh, CEO of Race on the Agenda, said: We are concerned that the governments determination to improve school attendance and reduce absenteeism could backfire on girls who most need support in schools and colleges.

According to the governments own research, a student who has been suspended is more likely to refuse to go to school once theyre allowed back. There is a real danger a crackdown on absenteeism, if not implemented appropriately will punish girls from minority backgrounds.

A Department for Education spokesperson told The Independent: Schools cannot discriminate against pupils on the basis of their race under any circumstances. We back heads to use suspensions and permanent exclusions where required for behaviour management, so they can provide calm, safe, supportive environments.
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It is impossible for a ban on greyhound racing to drive the sport underground due to the size of the tracks involved, an MSP has said.

Scottish Greens Mark Ruskell said greyhound racing tracks are so big they can be seen from space, as he launched a consultation on his planned members Bill to outlaw the sport.

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) has suggested a ban north of the border would simply mean races take place illegally and without regulation.

Scotland currently only has one operating track, which is not regulated by the GBGB, the Thornton Stadium in Fife.

Mr Ruskell was joined by a seven-year-old female greyhound named Bluesy as he launched his consultation at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.

Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell stands with former greyhound racing dog (Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

He told the PA news agency: It was actually when I rehomed a former racing greyhound myself that I saw a lot of the problems.

The injuries that come as a result of racing that these animals then have to deal with for the rest of their lives.

He said animal welfare charities support his call for a ban, as the speed of the dog racing can lead to horrific injuries.

Mr Ruskell continued: Ive met greyhound racing trainers over the years and no doubt many of them do love their dogs and take good care of them.

But theres nothing to stop them continuing to take care of them and to treat them as pets if this Bill is passed at Holyrood.

Greyhound racing is primarily about gambling, he said.

Asked if he is concerned the sport may end up going underground, he said: Quite frankly thats impossible because greyhound racing tracks are very large.

You could see them from space, so I dont know where they would go underground, it simply couldnt happen.

Mr Ruskell will seek support from other MSPs before formally introducing his Bill to the Scottish Parliament. His consultation is open until May 1.
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Prince Harry has flown home to LA following a 26-hour visit to the UK that saw him reunite with his father for less than an hour after his shock cancer diagnosis.

The Duke of Sussex spent almost as much time in the air as he did in England, on what was his first visit to his homeland since September.

The long journey from the US took Harry more than 10 hours, but his meeting with King Charles at Clarence House in London reportedly lasted less than an hour. Differing newspaper reports say the get-together at the royal residence was either just 30 or 45 minutes long.

King Charles and Queen Camilla were spotted leaving Clarence House less than an hour after Harry arrived (AFP via Getty Images)

There were hopes the 39-year-olds visit from California would help repair damaged relationships between himself, his father, and his brother the Prince of Wales  but these hopes were soon dashed when it became clear he would not be seeing William during the trip.

Charles had personally called both Harry and William, as well as his siblings Anne, the Duke of York and the Duke of Edinburgh, to share his health news before it was publicly announced to the nation by the Palace at 6pm on Monday.

Less than a day after the news broke, Harry was spotted arriving at a private terminal at LAX in his black Range Rover on Monday evening LA time.

His wife Meghan Markle and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, remained in California, where they have lived since stepping down as working royals in 2020.

Harrys flight took off just before 7pm LA time and the Duke flew more than 5,000 miles over the Atlantic before touching down at Heathrow Airport at around 12:30pm on Tuesday. He was driven directly to see his father at his London Residence, arriving at Clarence House at 2:45pm where the pair had a brief meeting.

A car believed to be transporting Prince Harry enters Clarence House, the home of King Charles (REUTERS)

Clarence House is the much-loved London base of Charles and Camilla after the pair moved there in 2003. The residence, built between 1825 and 1827 to the designs of John Nash, is the former home of the Kings grandmother the Queen Mother.

But it would appear there was nowhere there for Harry to stay, with reports that the Kings youngest son was booked into an undisclosed hotel in London instead of a royal residence.

Less than an hour after Harry arrived at Clarence House, Charles and Queen Camilla were pictured being driven to Buckingham Palace, where a helicopter believed to be carrying the couple took off from the roof and took them to their Sandringham home in Norfolk, without Harry.

Prince Harry came to the UK to see his father but his wife Meghan once again stayed behind in the US (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Harrys next sighting came when he was spotted at Heathrow Airport at around 1.30pm on Wednesday, little more than a day after he landed.

While it has not been confirmed which flight he boarded, but British Airways flight 269 was due to take off at roughly 3.05pm and arrived at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at around 6.30pm local time the same day.

In total, the duke will have spent around 21 hours in the air over the course of his whistlestop transatlantic trip. A first-class direct return flight from LAX to Heathrow currently costs around 8,250, and according to a carbon footprint calculator, his emissions for his journey would have amounted to around 14 tonnes. ,

Clarence House is the much-loved London base of Charles and Camilla after the pair moved there in 2003 (REUTERS)

King Charles and Queen Camilla flew to their home in Sandringham on Tuesday by helicopter (REUTERS)

Harry has not made any public statements or appearances since his fathers diagnosis was announced.

He last came to the UK five months ago, when he attended a WellChild awards event, but was not believed to have spent any time with his father or brother and again stayed in a hotel. The last time he came face-to-face with the King was during the Coronation last May, although he made a speedy exit to return to the US to celebrate his son Archies fourth birthday.

Harrys reported stay at a London hotel during this most recent trip, rather than any of the many royal residences available, suggests the relationship between the duke and his UK-based family continues to be strained.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex vacated Frogmore Cottage in Windsor last year leaving them without a base in the UK and now reportedly need a formal invitation to be able to stay with the royals on protected property.

The warring brothers did not meet during Harrys trip (Getty Images)

Prince William returned to his royal duties on Wednesday (PA Wire)

The prince has been very vocal in his criticism of his family since he left for the US, both in interviews and his autobiography Spare.

However, it has been suggested the reason behind the brevity of the reunion between father and son may be more practical, given Charles condition.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday, Sunday Times Royal Editor Roya Nikkhah said: The King was very tired after the procedure he had had the day before.

Im sure Harry would have loved to have spent more time with him, but hes probably quite respectful of his dad going through his treatment.

Charles cancer announcement came shortly after Kate underwent surgery for undisclosed reasons (2023 Getty Images)

Harrys brother William returned to his royal duties on Wednesday, while his brother was still in the country. The Prince of Wales carried out an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle in the morning and then in the evening, once Harry had flown home, he attended a gala event alongside Tom Cruise.

Insiders close to Harry claim he would have welcomed the chance to meet with his brother, with one telling the Mail Online: The Dukes primary reason to travel to the UK is to visit his father. If the opportunity were to arise to see the Prince of Wales then the Duke would have gladly accepted it.
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Migrants facing unlimited detention in prison-like UK immigration sites are being handcuffed to beds and allowed to self-harm, a European anti-torture committee has found.

Long stretches of confinement with no end in sight for asylum seekers mean they face mental breakdowns, inspectors from the Council of Europe committee on the prevention of torture reported. They also received reports of fights and a nine-hour stand-off between asylum seekers and guards.

Inspectors also criticised the practice of handcuffing women to beds when they make external hospital visits even when guards are present.

In a report published on Thursday, inspectors also criticised the UKs Rwanda bill, which aims to send asylum seekers to the African nation, for eroding basic safeguards that protect people from being potentially subjected to torture and inhuman or degrading treatment.

They listed a number of incidents where migrants mental health had deteriorated while being detained in the UK.

Sile Reynolds, head of asylum advocacy at Freedom from Torture, said the report showed escalating institutionalised cruelty towards asylum seekers and other marginalised migrants.

She added: Its unacceptable for survivors of torture and other refugees to be detained. And the government must end this practice immediately. A more compassionate approach is essential to protect the safety of people who have fled unimaginable horrors.

Police outside Harmondsworth immigration detention centre near Heathrow (PA)

At Heathrows detention centres, Harmondsworth and Colnbrook, there were 18 episodes of self-harm in March 2023.

Eight instances were recorded despite the detainees having been assessed as being at risk of suicide.

One of the people had self-harmed three times and had been under constant observation. After coming off the constant watches, he then died by suicide in his cell.

The detention centres at Brook House, near Gatwick, and Colnbrook remained prison-like, the inspectors found, adding that this was not appropriate for immigration detention.

They added: The very fact that there is no maximum period of detention and that persons may be held for several years is a trigger for becoming mentally unwell.

Mental health teams at the detention centres told the inspectors that they were unable to properly care for some patients who really needed to be in a psychiatric hospital.

At Brook House, one person with a history of mental illness started to deteriorate in December 2022. While he waited for a transfer to hospital in another wing, he refused to take his medication and had force used on him four times.

He was eventually transferred in March 2023, but staff at Brook House said a dispute over which organisation would pay for the hospitalisation had delayed help. Government guidance says that patients should receive transfers from detention to hospital within 14 days.

In the first three months of 2023, force was used by Brook House staff 78 times. However, inspectors said that in most cases the use of force was minor.

At the Heathrow centres, Colnbrook and Harmondsworth, force was used by staff on 26 and 20 occasions respectively in the first three months of 2023. At Harmondsworth, a number of detainees staged a protest on 28 March after rumours spread that several people at the centre had died.

Suella Braverman says she foresaw concerns at Manston asylum centre

The report said there were some initial chaotic scenes on the first-floor landing, with various detained persons and custodial officers grappling on the floor with each other. The situation was then defused and the stand-off, which had begun at 11am, ended at around 8pm.

Inspectors also raised concerns about the policy of handcuffing vulnerable women to a bed when they have to visit an external hospital, condemning the practice as excessive and demeaning. They added: There is no need for this when the woman is escorted by at least two staff members.

In response, the government said that each person handcuffed will have undergone a risk assessment based on their own personal circumstances.

Steve Smith, CEO of Care4Calais, said: Prolonged periods of detention, insufficient medical care, and physical restraint are all bad for peoples physical and mental health. The government should wake up to the fact that the UKs detention system destroys lives and introduce humane alternatives, not seek to massively expand the current cruel system.

One migrant at Colnbrook detention centre told inspectors that there was no way to get immediate emergency help if his mental health deteriorated rapidly. He said that his and other detainees mental health could alter quickly depending on their situation inside the centre and news from the Home Office or their families.

Inspectors also raised concerns about the long stretches of time that foreign criminals were being held in prison after they had served their sentences. They raised the case of a 67-year-old Chinese national, who had been diagnosed with psychosis, who was held in Pentonville Prison under immigration detention powers for 20 months. He was spending more than 23 hours a day confined to his cell, only leaving to wash.

The inspectors noted that there was little prospect of him being returned to China imminently because of the apparent inability to obtain a travel document for him, adding: It is also difficult to comprehend why arrangements for the return of this person could not have been made prior to the termination of his 12-year prison sentence.

The man was eventually deported to China more than seven years after he had been sentenced for a violent offence in 2016.

According to the most recent figures from July last year, some 78 people have been held in prison for more than 18 months under immigration powers.

A Home Office spokesperson said: The welfare of individuals in our care is of the utmost importance and we are committed to ensuring that detention and removals are carried out with dignity and respect.

We have made significant reforms over the past few years to ensure that decisions to detain vulnerable people are made with systematic safeguards in place. We continue to focus on these priorities, while tackling abuse of the immigration system.

Inspectors visited five UK immigration detention sites and two prisons, Pentonville and Wormwood Scrubs, last spring.

Of those who had left immigration detention during the first few months of 2023, 82 had been held for between six months and 12 months. Thirty had been there for between one and two years and five were held for between two and four years. There was one case of a Somalian migrant who had been in detention for over four years.

This Somalian man was deported in August last year, the government said.

Inspectors did not visit Wethersfield, a former airbase in Essex that is the subject of a legal challenge brought by a refugee charity against the Home Office. The site came into use after the European visit.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
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Following his diagnosis of an undisclosed form of cancer, King Charles has been forced to step away from some of his public-facing royal duties.

The King, 75, was diagnosed with a form of the disease discovered during an unrelated operation for an enlarged prostate at the end of January, Buckingham palace said when they revealed the news last Monday.

Follow live updates here

Charles was last seen on Tuesday afternoon when he arrived back in London with the Queen for his second round of treatment.

It is the third time he has been spotted since his diagnosis, the first being leaving Clarence House one week before and the second being when he was pictured smiling and waving as he attended a church service in Sandringham on Sunday.

While officials and members of the royal family say that the King remains wholly positive about his treatment, he will still have to step back from public duties, with senior royals expected to stand in for him.

So will Charles abdicate, and how will the cancer diagnosis affect his royal duties? The Independent has answered your questions below.

King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer and will be stepping back from his royal duties (PA)

What has Charles been diagnosed with?

King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer. It is unclear what form of the disease he has, but it was discovered during unrelated treatment for an enlarged prostate.

A statement from Buckingham Palace read: During the Kings recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.

Will the King abdicate?

The statement released by Buckingham Palace has given no indication that the King intends to step down. In fact, it suggests that he hopes to return to his duties in full in the future.

The last British monarch to leave the throne was Edward VIII, but that was for personal reasons when he decided to marry American actor and divorcee Wallis Simpson in 1936.

Charles mother, Queen Elizabeth II, did not abdicate despite health struggles towards the end of her life.

How will the diagnosis affect his royal duties?

Charles will be stepping back from public duties during treatment for the disease on the advice of his doctors, according to Buckingham Palace. However, he will continue to oversee state business and official paperwork.

He still carried out his weekly audience with the prime minister last Wednesday, albeit over the phone.

The King returned to London on Tuesday to receive his second round of treatment after he spent a week at his estate in Sandringham. But the palace has made clear the King intends to return to his duties as soon as his health allows.

In the statement, the Palace said: He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.

Prince William and Kate are next in line to the throne if King Charles were to abdicate (REUTERS)

Senior royals are expected to stand in for him, but a shortage of working royals could pose a potential problem in the coming months.

The Prince of Wales returned to public duties last week, however the Princess of Wales is not expected to carry out any engagements until after Easter due to her own health issues.

Both Prince Harry and Prince Andrew are no longer working royals, leaving only the Princess Royal and Prince Edward and his wife Sophie to hold the fort.

The Princess Royal was the first to step up to take on official engagements after the diagnosis when she took on three separate events in one day last Tuesday.

Prince William also returned to royal duties last week after taking a break to care for his family and wife following her abdominal surgery.

How would an abdication work?

If the King were to step down, his eldest son Prince William would automatically become the monarch, with his 10-year-old son Prince George becoming next in line to the throne. This would be followed by eight-year-old Princess Charlotte and five-year-old Prince Louis.

In British history, only four monarchs have ever abdicated, the most recent being King Edward VIII who stepped down in 1936 to marry the twice-divorced socialite Wallis Simpson.

Denmarks Queen Margrethe stepped aside for her son Crown Prince Frederik on New Years Eve (via REUTERS)

This paved the way for the late Queen Elizabeth IIs father to become king.

While such occurrences are rare, several European monarchs have abdicated their thrones in recent years in favour of their younger heirs.

On New Years Eve, Margrethe II announced her abdication as Queen of Denmark, citing recent back surgery as her reason, with her son succeeding her as King Frederik X on 14 January.

In 2014, Juan Carlos I of Spain left the throne in disgrace amid allegations of affairs, indiscretions and alleged financial wrongdoings.

This followed the 2013 abdication of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands as well as King Albert II of Belgium, while Emperor Akihito left his thrown in Japan in 2019 due to his age and ill health.
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King Charles has issued his first public statement following his cancer diagnosis.

The 75-year-old monarch revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer on Monday, before flying with Queen Camilla to Sandringham, where he is resting following the start of treatment.

On Wednesday night, he broke his public silence to issue a statement to mark the 50th anniversary of independence of the former British colony Grenada.

The King apologised for being unable to visit the Caribbean island, making reference to Grenadas national dish, a stew known as Oil Down.

The statement read: I can only say how sorry I am that I cannot be with you in person to mark this momentous milestone, and to enjoy a little Oil Down with you all!

King Charles with Camilla. The pair flew to Sandringham on Tuesday where the King is resting (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

My thoughts are with everyone across Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique, and all those in the Grenadian diaspora - one people, one family - as you celebrate everything you have achieved and all that your future holds. My family join me in sending our heartfelt congratulations to you all.

Charles also said he had special memories from visiting Grenada five years ago with Camilla.

The statement said: My wife and I hold such special memories of our visit to your beautiful Spice Island five years ago, and of the warm and touching welcome you extended to us.

Then, as whenever I have met Grenadians anywhere in the world, I was struck by your resilience, the strength of your community and by your shared determination to make a positive difference.

Charles and Camillia visited Grenada five years ago. Charles said he had special memories from the trip (REUTERS)

The statement was issued on the same night Prince William attended a charity gala dinner in London, where he thanked the public for their kind messages of support. Earlier in the day, the Prince of Wales led an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry was spotted at London Heathrow ahead of his flight back to the US having spent just over 24 hours in the country. Harry had a meeting with Charles that lasted less than an hour on Tuesday.

Their previous face-to-face meeting had been during the Coronation last May, although he made a speedy exit to return to the US to celebrate his son Archies fourth birthday.

The Kings cancer was discovered while he was being treated for a benign enlarged prostate last month.

The palace confirmed it was not prostate cancer but has remained tight-lipped about the nature and stage of his illness.

Charles personally called both Harry and William, as well as his siblings Anne, the Duke of York and the Duke of Edinburgh, to give them the news before it was publicly announced to the nation by the Palace at 6pm on Monday.

The Palace has called for the Kings privacy to be respected, especially during his treatment, but said he wanted to make his diagnosis public because of his long-running support for cancer charities.

When the King shared his diagnosis of an enlarged prostate there was a significant increase in searches for the condition on the NHS website.

(AFP via Getty Images)

On the day after the announcement there were 16,410 visits to the NHS websites prostate enlargement page compared with 1,414 visits the previous day.

Buckingham Palace said that the King chose to share his cancer diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.

As other royal family members will look to step up their responsiblities to support the King, there has already been an indication that he will resume weekly meetings in person with Rishi Sunak in two weeks.

And the statement on Grenadas anniversary of independence showed he looked to continue his work despite his diagnosis.
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Police are being urged to take tougher action against attacks on retail workers amid record levels of theft and violence against shop staff.

It comes after Co-op said that it had logged more than 300,000 incidents of shoplifting, abuse, violence and anti-social behaviour in its shops last year. The number of assaults increased by a third to more than 1,300. Co-op is the UKs fifth biggest food retailer with more than 2,500 local, convenience and medium-sized stores.

A report commissioned by Co-op and authored by Emmeline Taylor, professor of criminology at City, University of London, set out a 10-point plan aimed at turning the tide on the increase in crime, violence, intimidation and abuse.

The Co-op said the increase in crime came despite it introducing more than 200m of preventative measures over recent years to make its stores and communities safer.

Matt Hood, managing director of Co-op Food, said: We are seeing far too many prolific offenders persistently steal large volumes of products in our shops every day, and, if they are stealing to fund addictions, the situation often becomes volatile and dangerous.

Crime is an occupation for some  it is not petty crime, and it is not victimless. It is imperative MPs dont turn their backs on shopworkers and vote through the amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill to give my colleagues the protection they deserve.

An offence of attacking a shopworker is an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill which is soon to be debated in parliament.

Prof Taylor said: The police in England and Wales have lost grip on the scale and severity of acquisitive crime, and, in turn, retailers have lost confidence in them and the wider criminal justice system.

By taking decisive action to tackle high-volume, high-impact retail crime, the police and retail industry can work together to create safer communities in which to live, work and shop.

Assaults at Co-op increased by a third to more than 1,300 last year

Office for National Statistics data published last month showed that the number of shoplifting offences logged last year soared to their highest level since records began two decades ago.

More than 402,000 offences were recorded in the year to September 2023 in England and Wales, up from 304,459 in the previous 12 months.

It is the first time since current records began in 2002 that the number recorded by police has risen higher than 400,000. The previous peak of 382,643 was recorded in the year to March 2018.

The stark figures came as the cost of living crisis continued to bite across the country.

A survey published earlier in January found eight in 10 people (84 per cent) expect this January to be the toughest yet financially due to rising costs and Christmas spending.

The study, by Nationwide, also found energy costs and added debt were factors affecting peoples finances.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC), a trade association representing shops and business across the UK, has called on the government to take tougher action against theft and violence in stores.

Graham Wynn, assistant director of business regulation at the BRC, said: Shoplifting is not a victimless crime, it costs retailers, and ultimately customers, almost 1bn a year, money that would be better used to reduce prices for everyone.

Retailers are working hard, trying to tackle this issue, spending hundreds of millions on security staff, CCTV, security tags, and other anti-crime measures.

More police action is needed as without an effective deterrent, criminals will continue to steal with impunity.

The government previously said it was committed to tackling shoplifting and violence against retail workers.
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Police will be given new powers to arrest protesters who wear face coverings under new laws cracking down on disorder, ministers have announced.

Demonstrators flouting an order to remove their mask could be jailed for a month and fined up to 1,000.

Anyone joining a protest will also be banned from carrying pyrotechnics, including fireworks, flares and smoke, and those using them could be arrested.

Pro-Palestinian supporters shout slogans and wave Palestinian flags (AFP via Getty Images)

Causing disruption, such as blocking roads and people locking themselves to objects, will also be made criminalised under the sweeping crackdown, which targets environmental as well as political protesters.

Last November, fireworks were fired into crowds and towards police officers when pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with authorities in London after a demonstration.

Footage appeared to show flares being fired at a line of officers, prompting the Metropolitan Police to issue a dispersal order.

The force also issued an order giving officers the power to require someone to remove any item used to conceal their identity  such as a mask.

Police chiefs have previously warned that some protesters use face coverings to hide their identities to intimidate other people and avoid criminal convictions.

The new laws, in England and Wales, will allow officers where police believe criminality is likely to occur to arrest any protester who ignores an order to remove a mask.

Protesters will no longer be able to cite the right to protest as a reasonable excuse to get away with disruptive offences, such as blocking roads The Home Office

Anyone who breaches an order may face a month behind bars and a 1,000 fine, the Home Office says.

Protesters will no longer be able to cite the right to protest as a reasonable excuse to get away with disruptive offences, such as blocking roads, according to officials.

Since 2021, the Conservatives have increasingly criminalised protest in response to direct action by environmental demonstrators.

But senior police and crime commissioners said then that the powers to crack down on protests were not needed and went too far, and the latest announcement is likely to prompt anger by campaigners and organisations for human rights, the climate and other causes.

Under the new measures, the possession of flares, fireworks and any other pyrotechnics at public processions and protests will be banned, with perpetrators facing 1,000 fine.

Climbing on war memorials will also be made a specific public order offence, carrying a three-month sentence and 1,000 fine.

In some recent cases, protesters have scaled national monuments.

Blocking roads will be criminalised (PA Wire)

Home secretary James Cleverly said: Recent protests have seen a small minority dedicated to causing damage and intimidating the law-abiding majority.

The right to protest is paramount in our county, but taking flares to marches to cause damage and disruption is not protest, it is dangerous.

That is why we are we giving police the powers to prevent any of this criminality on our streets.

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington, National Police Chiefs Council lead for public order, welcomed the proposals, saying: As with all policing powers, these new powers will be used when appropriate, proportionate and necessary to achieve policing objectives.

Policing is not anti-protest, but there is a difference between protest and criminal activism, and we are committed to responding quickly and effectively to activists who deliberately disrupt peoples lives with reckless and criminal acts.

Since 7 October, when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing some 1,200 people, there have been more than 1,000 protests and vigils, according to official figures, accounting for 26,000 police officer shifts between October 7 and December 17 alone, and 600 arrests.

Last year actions such as locking on were outlawed, and police were given powers to stop and search protesters for items such as padlocks and superglue.

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 also made it easier to tackle public nuisance caused by protesters.

Police figures show that during last years Just Stop Oil campaign, 657 protesters were arrested under the Public Order Act 2023.
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The Queen has said King Charles is doing extremely well under the circumstances after starting treatment for cancer.

Camilla left Charles at Sandringham on Thursday to fulfil her first royal engagement since the palace announced earlier this week the King had been diagnosed with cancer.

Charles has been spending his time in Norfolk following his diagnosis, although he hosted a whirlwind visit from his son Prince Harry at Clarence House on Monday.

Greeting medical staff from Wiltshire Air Ambulance at Salisbury Cathedral, Camilla said her husband was very touched by all the messages of support he had received.

Paramedic Ben Abbott told her: I do hope His Majesty is doing well, Maam. Were all really sad to hear the news.

She replied: Well, hes doing extremely well under the circumstances.

Hes very touched by all the letters and the messages the public have been sending from everywhere  thats very cheering.

(Chris Jackson/PA Wire)

Together with the Prince of Wales, the Queen is preparing to take on more engagements since the King stepped back from appearances to undergo treatment for the disease.

He has postponed all public-facing duties, but is continuing with behind-the-scenes work on state papers.

The 75-year-old has been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer following hospital treatment last week for an enlarged prostate, which is unrelated to the cancer.

He underwent his first bout of treatment for the disease earlier this week.

Queen Camilla is greeted by air ambulance charity representatives (Chris Jackson/PA Wire)

Camilla has a home in Lacock, also in Wiltshire, and she chatted with the air ambulance medics about their work.

Mr Abbott said: I told her we always wave when we fly over Lacock and she said she always waves back.

On Wednesday night, Prince William expressed his gratitude to the public for their kind messages of support.

The heir to the throne was back at work after taking time off to support his family following the Princess of Waless abdominal surgery.

Williams words of praise, during a gala dinner, also recognised those who sent good wishes to his wife, Kate, as she recovered from the operation. He told the guests: It means a great deal to us all.

The Princess of Wales is not expected to resume public duties until April.

The King waved as he left Clarence House on Tuesday (AFP via Getty Images)

Weekly audiences between the King and Rishi Sunak are expected to resume in person in two weeks time following Charless diagnosis, it is understood.

King Charles on Wednesday night issued a statement to mark the 50th anniversary of the independence of the former British colony Grenada, apologising for being unable to visit the Caribbean island.

He appeared in good spirits as he smiled and waved to the gathered crowds as he left London.
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Former Fox News cable show host Tucker Carlson is set to release a controversial interview with Russian president Vladimir Putin on Thursday evening.

Mr Carlson is the first western journalist to secure an interview with Mr Putin since the Russian presidents forces invaded Ukraine almost two years ago.

Mr Putins spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Mr Carlson had been chosen for the interview because he has a position which differs from other western media.

The interview, Mr Carlson said in his video, will be distributed for free on his website and on X, formerly Twitter.

Posting on X on Tuesday, with the Kremlin in the background, he said: Heres why were doing it. First, because its our job. Were in journalism. Our duty is to inform people, two years into a war thats reshaping the entire world.

Most Americans are not informed. They have no real idea whats happening in this region, here in Russia or 600 miles away in Ukraine, but they should know. Theyre paying for much of it in ways they might not fully yet perceive.

Who is he?

Mr Carlson was born on May 16, 1969 and was the eldest son of Lisa McNear and Dick Carlson. He grew up in San Francisco, California, before later moving to San Diego after his parents divorced.

His father remarried to Patricia Caroline Swanson, an heiress to Swanson Enterprises, a large US firm that developed canned foods and ready meals.

Mr Carlson attended St. Georges School, a boarding school in Middletown, Rhode Island, before spending four years at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.

Tucker Carlson during a live discussion hosted by Tim Pool at Turning Point USAs AmericaFest (YouTube / Tim Pool)

However, he did not graduate and after encouragement from his father, decided to pursue a career in journalism.

Mr Carlson worked for a number of prominent news organisations such as CNN, PBS and MSNBC, before securing a role with Fox News, where he would become TV host of the most popular, and controversial show, in the US.

His most well-known stint prior to starting at Fox News was hosting political chat show Crossfire. In a later viral clip he was called a d**k by comedian Jon Stewart after they clashed in 2004 on the show.

He is married to Susan Thomson Carlson, who he met while at boarding school, and they have four children together.

Why is he so controversial?

Mr Carlsons started as a contributor at Fox News in 2009 and rapidly ascended through the organisation to become the most famous voice of Conservative media in the United States.

His show attracted a loyal following, averaging almost 3.5 million viewers a night in 2022, but was dogged by allegations of racism, promoting anti-immigrant sentiment and peddling conspiracy theories.

Tucker Carlson speaks at the Turning Point Action conference, Saturday, July 15, 2023, in West Palm Beach, Florida (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Mr Carlsons rhetorical style is akin to US radio shock jocks and his embrace of sacred Republican political ideals, such as his anti-abortion position and enthusiastic backingof gun rights, led to fevered speculation he could one day become a presidential candidate.

His show, Tucker Carlson Tonight, was involved in many scandals, on and off-screen controversies and cruel behaviour.

In 2018 a number of large sponsors, such as Land Rover and Samsung, boycotted the show after Mr Carlson said that immigrants make the US poorer, dirtier, and more divided.

He described Black Live Matter protesters as criminal mobs, described white supremacy as a hoax and claimed that the metric system was a conspiracy.

Tucker Carlson interviewed former President Donald Trump ahead of the Republican Partys first 2024 election debate (Tucker on X)

Mr Carlson conducted an unhinged attack on Mulsim congressman Illhan Omar, saying that she was living proof that immigration has made the US more dangerous.

Perhaps his most egregious offence however, was that Mr Carlson, alongside fellow hosts Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham, peddled former President Donald Trumps lies about the 2020 election being rigged.

Privately Mr Carlson mocked Mr Trumps allies, said he hated him and described him as a demonic force.

This information was revealed in pre-court filings after Fox News was sued by Dominion Voting Systems, for its coverage of the 2020 presidential election.

Fox was forced into a humilitating settlement of $787.5m, and not long afterwards the networks superstar presenter was relieved of his job.

What has he done since?

Mr Carlson spent very little time on the sidelines before launching a partnership with X, formerly known as Twitter, for a new show which was warmly received by the social media networks owner Elon Musk.

He later launched his own subscription website and has interviewed a number of promiment people, such as UFC boss Dana White, Donald Trump and Argentinian president.

Mr Carlson has used his X account to rail against the corporate media spreading thinly disguised propaganda, despite regularly spreading false information, distorted facts and hateful content on his Fox News show.
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The government has said it will extend its tariff-free trade with Kyiv for the next five years amid Vladimir Putin's ongoing war in Ukraine.

The extended trade deal will be applicable to almost all goods with only a few exceptions until 2029, Rishi Sunaks government said in a statement.

The move was "designed to help Ukrainian businesses impacted by the war and is the most generous tariff break offered by any country," it said.

Britain removed tariffs on all its trade with Ukraine after the war with Russia started two years ago in May 2022, and previously agreed the arrangement would last until March 2024.

The tariff-free trade would be extended on all goods for five years, except eggs and poultry which will be extended for two years, according to Britain's business and trade ministry. It added that British firms would also benefit from the removal of tariffs for exports to Ukraine.

"This agreement provides much needed long-term economic support to Ukraine, its businesses and people critical to its recovery," junior trade minister Greg Hands said, adding Britain's support would continue "for as long as is needed".

Mr Hands will formally sign the agreement to extend the trade deal with Ukraines first deputy prime minister Yuliia Svyrydenko in a virtual ceremony on Thursday.

William Bain, the head of trade policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, welcomed the move, which he said would ease the supply chain access helping Ukraine's economy when under pressure due to the years-long war.

Britain has backed Ukraine's war effort by providing weapons and aid, as well as favourable trade terms including a new digital trade deal.

Ukraine in November 2022 signed a digital trade agreement, considered to be particularly important in the current conflict, where the fighting and the damage to infrastructure makes physical trade more difficult.

The agreement also allows for greater co-operation between the UK and Ukraine on cybersecurity and emerging technologies.

Mr Sunak in January announced the UK would provide 2.5bn in military aid to Ukraine in 2024, an increase of 200m on the previous two years.
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Labour is to radically scale down plans to insulate millions of homes as it ditches its policy to spend 28bn a year on environmental projects.

Amid mounting criticism of the U-turn, Sir Keir Starmer confirmed the figure had been stood down.

Labour blamed the change on the Conservatives crashing the economy and announced plans to raise money by extending the energy windfall tax.

But in a major climbdown, Sir Keir said plans to cut energy bills by giving 19 million people warmer homes in a decade could now take up to 14 years to achieve. Labour will now promise only to kit out 5 million properties by 2030.

Other major projects, as yet unannounced, will also not get the green light.

The party is now set to spend 23.7bn over the course of the next five-year parliament, on top of the 10bn a year it says the government has already committed to.

Sir Keir and his shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves, have come under fire for the climbdown, which a former adviser to Tony Blair, John McTernan, said was probably the most stupid decision the Labour Partys made.

A member of Sir Keirs shadow cabinet also told The Independent the U-turn had been handled dreadfully and now risked distracting from two potentially disastrous by-elections for Rishi Sunak next week.

Former Labour minister, Lord Blunkett, said the PR, the timing of the U-turn couldn't have been worse and he hoped lessons have been learned.

The Labour leader sought to play down the U-turn, insisting the party would keep its mission to achieve clean power by 2030.

He added: I dont want to have a row about the size of a cheque - I want to have a row about the outcomes.

Ms Reeves also denied she had bullied her party leader into the climbdown and reiterated her vow to become the UKs first green chancellor.

Even before it was confirmed the decision had come under fire from environmentalists and voices within the left of the party.

Former shadow minister, Barry Gardiner, called the decision economically illiterate, environmentally irresponsible and politically jejune.

News of the announcement came just after the Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and the Liverpool city region mayor Steve Rotheram warned the party to stick to the pledge around green transition.

Last year, Labour adjusted its original plan by saying the 28bn spending target would likely be met in the second half of a first parliament, rather than immediately, if the party wins the next election.

The party has since insisted the pledge is subject to its fiscal rules, which include getting debt falling as a percentage of GDP, as it seeks to reassure voters it would handle the economy responsibly in government.

Confusion over the future of the policy has grown in recent weeks as some senior figures refused to refer to the 28bn figure, while party leader Sir Keir continued to do so as recently as Tuesday.

However, Labour has come under pressure as the Conservatives increasingly seized on the figure as a key attack line, claiming Labour would have to raise taxes to meet the unfunded spending spree.

Mr Gardiner warned Labour now risked being so bland that you stand for nothing.

He said: The government will then write your policies for you, and will say, you see Labours not telling you what they what theyre going to do. Its going to be this its going to be that.

They can paint their own picture, so I think politically, its strategically incompetent.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer referred to the 28 billion-a-year figure as recently as this week (PA) (PA Wire)

Other MPs on the left of the party also criticised the plan.

Bell Ribeiro-Addy, the MP for Streatham in London, said that now is not the time to scale back our green industrial strategy.

The Unite union, a major donor to Labour, said the retreat would confirm workers scepticism of the endless promises of jam tomorrow and it will be alright on the night rhetoric on the green transition.

But Labour received surprising support from David Camerons former spin doctor, Craig Oliver, who said the move would leave glum faces inside No10 and CCHQ, following the loss of what was going to be a major Conservatives attack line for months in the run-up to the general election.

For his part, Mr Sunak accused Labour of trying to wriggle out of the 28bn green pledge and said the move demonstrated his argument that Sir Keir U-turns on major things, he cant say what he would do differently because he doesnt have a plan.

Greenpeace criticised Sir Keirs decision as showing weak political, economic and climate leadership while the Green Party described the U-turn as a massive backwards step for the climate, for the economy and for good quality jobs.

The U-turn comes after the Tories claimed an official Treasury costing suggested part of the plan  to upgrade insulation for 19 million homes  would cost more than double the partys estimate of 6bn.
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Rishi Sunak is facing mounting backlash over his controversial trans joke, with senior minister Penny Mordaunt taking aim at the prime minister.

His jibe about trans people, made during PMQs while murdered transgender teen Brianna Gheys mother was visiting parliament, has been condemned across the political spectrum.

And, as a defiant Mr Sunak refused to apologise to Briannas family over the comments, Ms Mordaunt dramatically intervened in the row.

The leader of the House of Commons, tipped as a potential successor to Mr Sunak as party leader, called on the prime minister to reflect on his trans jibe.

Penny Mordaunt took aim at the PM over his controversial trans joke (PA)

Her provocative words were at odds with a bid by other ministers to rally around Mr Sunak as the furore around the remarks refused to die down.

On another day of fallout over Mr Sunaks how to define a woman comment:

The prime minister invited Briannas mother Esther Ghey to Downing Street to discuss online safety

He again refused to apologise for the joke, saying it was "sad and wrong" that the Labour leader had linked his comments to Brianna

A minister appeared to suggest Briannas father should actually listen to what the PM had said

Ms Ghey broke her silence, stressing that her focus is on creating a positive change and a lasting legacy for Brianna

Gordon Brown weighed in, saying he had acted when he once referred to a voter as a bigot, adding: I made mistakes but I apologised and I think thats a lesson that all prime ministers should follow

The row erupted on Wednesday when Mr Sunak accused Sir Keir in the Commons of being incapable of defining a woman and said it was one of many issues on which he had changed his mind.

An angry Labour leader immediately admonished the Tory leader. He said: Of all the weeks to say that, when Briannas mother is in this chamber. Shame.

Tory former minister Dehenna Davison said it was disappointing to hear jokes being made at the trans communitys expense, while Labours Jess Phillips called the prime minister an absolute disgrace.

Briannas father, Peter Spooner, demanded an apology, saying he was disgusted with Mr Sunak, before branding the comments degrading and absolutely dehumanising.

But Mr Sunak doubled down on Thursday, telling reporters: If you look at what I said, I was very clear, talking about Keir Starmers proven track record of U-turns on major policies because he doesnt have a plan.

Mr Sunak said Sir Keirs plan to drop a flagship commitment to spend 28bn a year on green energy demonstrated the point he was making.

Also rushing to defend the PM, policing minister Chris Philp said he had made no reference at all to any individual trans people.

Mr Philp accused Sir Keir of making the link to Brianna and said anyone who is interested in this issue should actually listen to the clip; listen to the initial exchange.

Business secretary Kemi Badenoch, who also oversees the governments equality policy, went further, accusing the Labour leader of trivialising Briannas murder by political point-scoring.

And she backed the PMs comments, saying: It was shameful of Starmer to link his own inability to be clear on the matter of sex and gender directly to her grief.

But in a break from her colleagues, Ms Mordaunt told the House of Commons: Whatever the rough and tumble of this place, whatever the pressures and the stakes that are made in the heat of political combat, we owe it to the people who sent us here to strive every day to make them proud of us and this place.

The prime minister is a good and caring man. Im sure that he has reflected on things that is not just about Mr and Mrs Ghey that he should reflect on, but Im sure he is also reflecting about people who are trans or who have trans loved ones and family, some of whom sit on these green benches.

Sir Keir insisted Mr Sunak should apologise and denied using the gaffe to score political points: The idea that Im responsible for Rishis comments at PMQs is through the looking glass. I mentioned Brianna at the very outset, because I wanted everyone to know she, Esther, was there.

I didnt think the prime minister would go anywhere near a comment like that knowing she was there. I really didnt.

Responding on her Peace & Mind UK Facebook page, Ms Ghey said her focus was solely on creating a positive change and a lasting legacy for Brianna.

Through Peace & Mind, we want to improve lives by empowering people, giving them the tools they need to build mental resilience, empathy, and self-compassion through mindfulness, she added.

In developing these skills, I hope that we can create a more understanding, peaceful, and stronger society for everyone.

When asked if Ms Ghey would meet with the prime minister, her spokesperson told The Independent: Nothing has yet been set, but Esther would be absolutely open to meeting all relevant senior government officials to help drive changes in mindfulness in schools and mobile phone safeguarding for children.

Brianna was stabbed to death by teenagers Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe in a Cheshire park last February.

During their sentencing earlier this month, the judge said the exceptionally brutal murder had elements of both sadism on the part of Jenkinson and transphobic hate on the part of Ratcliffe.
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Rishi Sunak refused to rule out putting disgraced former prime minister Boris Johnson back in the cabinet as he played down the plots against his leadership as minuscule.

The two men fell out after Mr Sunaks resignation from the cabinet hastened Mr Johnsons exit from office.

But, in a new ITV documentary, the Tory leader said he still talks to his predecessor on occasion, the last time late last year.

He remained tight-lipped about whether he might bring back Mr Johnson, who resigned as an MP after he was found to have lied and lied again over the Partygate scandal, saying that he would never talk about these personnel things.

David Cameron became foreign secretary last year in a move that also saw him installed in the House of Lords.

Mr Sunak said they worked well together for a long time although in the end there (were) well-documented differences, in the documentary. But he added that his new team in No 10 were honest.

A beleaguered Mr Sunak is the focus of a plot by MPs, donors and former aides, some of them linked to Mr Johnson, to force him out of Downing Street. But he attempted to play down the threats to his position, saying they were minuscule.

An explosive poll, paid for by shadowy donors, predicted a devastating Labour landslide unless Mr Sunak was removed as leader.

Tory peer Lord Frost, who organised the poll, has since been warned he risks losing the party whip unless he comes clean and names the anonymous moneymen.

A senior Tory linked to both Liz Truss and Mr Johnson, Sir Simon Clarke, also recently went public with calls for his party leader to go.

The group are thought to be planning a war of attrition against the prime minister.

But hitting back at his internal critics, Mr Sunak said: I dont think the country votes for divided parties. He added: Actually the debates within our party are minuscule compared to the chasm on this issue between us and Keir Starmer.

The prime minister also insisted his wealth is not an issue for voters and accused those who attack him over it of having a lack of ambition for our country.

Mr Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, are worth an estimated 529m, according to 2023s Sunday Times Rich List.
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Rishi Sunak has refused to apologise to the family of murdered trans teenager Brianna Ghey after making a joke about transgender people while her mother was visiting parliament.

The prime minister insisted the jibe, about how to define a woman, was absolutely legitimate because he was attacking Sir Keir Starmers indecisiveness - and said it was "sad and wrong" that the Labour leader had linked his comments to Brianna.

Asked if he would apologise, he said: If you look at what I said, I was very clear, talking about Keir Starmers proven track record of u-turns on major policies because he doesnt have a plan.

Doubling down on the comments, Mr Sunak said Sir Keirs plan to drop a flagship commitment to spend 28bn on green energy demonstrated the point he was making.

Rishi Sunak faced a backlash for his PMQs transgender joke as Brianna Gheys mother sits in gallery (Reuters)

Briannas father, Peter Spooner, demanded an apology over Mr Sunaks joke, saying he was disgusted with Mr Sunak, before branding the comments degrading and absolutely dehumanising.

But Mr Sunak said critics were using his comments to detract from the very separate and clear point I was making and claimed it demonstrates the worst of politics.

As ministers also rallied to defend Mr Sunak, one even appeared to suggest Mr Spooner should actually listen to what the PM said.

And, in an apparent bid to save face over the episode, Mr Sunak has invited Briannas mother to Downing Street for a meeting about online safety.

Mr Sunak on Wednesday accused Sir Keir of being incapable of defining a woman and said it was one of a number of issues on which he had changed his mind.

But an angry Sir Keir immediately admonished the Tory leader. He said: Of all the weeks to say that, when Briannas mother is in this chamber. Shame.

Kemi Badenoch was among those rallying behind Mr Sunaks trans jibe on Wednesday night, accusing Sir Keir Starmer of weaponising the murder of transgender teenager Brianna Ghey.

The business secretary said it was shameful for the Labour leader to criticise Mr Sunak over the joke, made while Briannas mother Esther Ghey was expected to be in the Commons viewing gallery.

And on Wednesday night Ms Badenoch, who also oversees the governments equality policy, said: Every murder is a tragedy. None should be trivialised by political point-scoring.

In tweets signed off by No10, the business secretary extraordinarily claimed that as a mother, I can imagine the trauma that Esther Ghey has endured.

And she doubled down on the PMs comments, saying: It was shameful of Starmer to link his own inability to be clear on the matter of sex and gender directly to her grief.

Esther Ghey met with Sir Keir Starmer in the commons on Wednesday (Getty Images)

Her tweets came as it emerged Mr Sunak, who has repeatedly refused to apologise over the joke, invited the Ghey family to Downing Street.

Mr Sunak has now invited Ms Ghey to a meeting about online safety, which she is campaigning to improve.

Policing minister Chris Philp told BBC Breakfast: The Prime Minister made no reference at all to any individual trans people.

It was Keir Starmer who introduced that. The Prime Minister was making a point about Labours very numerous flip-flops.

Asked about Brianna Gheys fathers call for an apology, Mr Philp said: I think anyone who is interested in this issue should actually listen to the clip, listen to the initial exchange.

Asked if he was suggesting Briannas father Peter Spooner had misunderstood the Prime Ministers comments, Mr Philp said: I have got every respect for, obviously, the views and feelings of a bereaved father.

On Wednesday Treasury chief secretary Laura Trott denied Mr Sunaks remarks were a joke and insisted they had absolutely nothing to do with this appalling tragedy.

The chief secretary to the Treasury told LBC: I want to be really, really clear that this wasnt a jokeit has absolutely nothing to do with this appalling tragedy.

Meanwhile chancellor Jeremy Hunt insisted that the PM could not have been clearer about the enormous respect he has for Brianna Gheys mother and that his point had been about Labour flip-flopping on important issues.

The blunder was the latest in a series of political missteps from the PM. He was criticised for betting Piers Morgan 1,000 that deportation flights to Rwanda would take off before the general election, and for an embarrassing moment when he laughed as a mother pleaded with him to cut NHS waiting lists for her daughter.

Brianna was stabbed to death by teenagers Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe in a Cheshire park last February.

During their sentencing earlier this month, the judge said the exceptionally brutal murder had elements of both sadism on the part of Jenkinson and transphobic hate on the part of Ratcliffe.

As the row continued, Mr Sunaks official spokesman said his views on gender identity are unchanged, that a man is a man and a woman is a woman. His spokesman said the Prime Ministers view of the definition of a woman is an adult, human female.
 Close Starmer and Sunak clash over transgender rights and NHS waiting lists during PMQs

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Brianna Gheys mother has said she wants to create a lasting legacy for her daughter by creating a more understanding, peaceful, and stronger society in her first comments since Rishi Sunaks trans jibe at Prime Ministers Questions.

In a message posted on her Peace and Mind Facebook page, Esther Ghey said: I dont wish to comment on reports of wording or comments recently made. My focus is on creating a positive change and a lasting legacy for Brianna.

Through Peace & Mind, we want to improve lives by empowering people, giving them the tools they need to build mental resilience, empathy, and self-compassion through mindfulness.

In developing these skills, I hope that we can create a more understanding, peaceful, and stronger society for everyone.

Earlier, the prime minister refused to apologise to the parents of a murdered teenager after making a transgender joke in the commons.

He insisted his comments on Wednesday, made while Brianna Gheys mother Esther was visiting parliament, were absolutely legitimate because he was pointing out Sir Keir Starmers U-turns.
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More female pupils lack confidence when studying mathematics and science than their male peers, a survey has suggested.

The gender confidence gap poses a threat to the UKs future science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) workforce, education charity Teach First has warned.

A poll, commissioned by Teach First, found two in five (40%) pupils said they did not enjoy learning maths in school and 30% said they did not enjoy learning science.

Among the pupils who reported not enjoying maths in school, more than half of female pupils (54%) said they did not feel confident in learning maths, compared to two-fifths (41%) of male pupils.

The gap was even wider among pupils who said they did not enjoy science in school  with more than four in ten girls (43%) not confident compared with just about a quarter of boys (26%).

Its deeply troubling that too few children feel confident studying science and maths, with too many girls in particular left behind Amy Mitchell, chief impact officer at Teach First

The findings come ahead of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on Sunday.

More than 1,000 young people  aged between 11 and 16  from across the UK took part in the YouGov poll between November 3 and November 10.

Teach First has warned the imbalance in learning confidence is a concern for the future of Stem as they say poor gender diversity will exacerbate the skills shortage facing the sector.

The charity is calling for more high-quality Stem teachers to be recruited and trained to inspire the next generation to work in the Stem sector.

Amy Mitchell, chief impact officer at Teach First, said: Its deeply troubling that too few children feel confident studying science and maths, with too many girls in particular left behind.

Girls are just as capable as boys when it comes to maths and science, but this confidence gap poses a huge threat to the UKs future, with Stem skills desperately needed to boost economic growth and to help tackle the major problems we face such as climate change.

She added: We urgently need an uplift in pay for trainee teachers to incentivise more people to become Stem teachers to empower the next generation, particularly in low-income areas.

A Department for Education (DfE) spokesperson said: We are continuing to promote Stem subjects and drive up participation, especially among girls.

This includes investing 100 million to improve computing teaching and participation at GCSE and A-level, alongside targeted initiatives to boost uptake of maths, physics, digital and technical education by girls and among underrepresented groups.

On top of this, were introducing the new Advanced British Standard (ABS) which will see every student in England study some form of maths and English to age 18.

To attract the brightest and the best teachers, we offer bursaries and scholarships up to 30,000 for chemistry, computing, mathematics and physics teachers, alongside 3,000 tax-free for those in disadvantaged schools in the first five years of their career which will double to 6,000 tax-free over the next two years.

This comes on top of the largest teacher pay rise in three decades and a minimum starting salary of 30,000.
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A millionaire Conservative donor has said it is probably time for a change as he hailed Labour leader Keir Starmer as a decent man with good values and good morals.

In a blow for Rishi Sunaks government, property tycoon Nick Candy slated infighting in the Tory party, which he said has been going on for the last few years.

Mr Candy, who donated more than 270,000 to the Conservatives between 2020 and 2022, according to the Electoral Commission, also attacked the power and influence of party advisers such as Dominic Cummings.

The Tories have been facing struggles on several fronts, including an attempted coup, reports of a plan to oust the prime minister by a group called evil plotters, setbacks in Mr Sunaks flagship Rwanda deportation plan and low poll ratings.

Mr Candy said: I think its probably time for a change. I think all this infighting in the Tories even now with talk of Kemi Badenoch replacing Rishi by mid-May with people that have nothing to do with

The British people should know whats going on. And the likes of [Tory adviser] Dougie Smith and Dominic Cummings, who Ive never met, so they think they can just pick and choose whos going to be the leader of the Conservative Party under their remit.

I think its wrong, and based on that maybe its time for some change.

Nick Candy, left, with wife Holly Valance (PA Wire)

Just days ago, the 51-year-old businessman attended the launch of the new Popular Conservatism group with his wife, former Neighbours star Holly Valance, where they heard speeches by ex-prime minister Liz Truss, ex-minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and outspoken MP Lee Anderson.

After the Westminster event, Ms Valance backed Sir Jacob to succeed Mr Sunak as Tory leader and praised Mr Anderson and Ms Truss.

Speaking to Bloombergs In the City podcast, Mr Candy said that we still dont know the Labour policies, but added: Do I think Keir Starmers a decent man with good values and good morals? One hundred per cent.

Although he admitted voting for Tony Blair in 1997, Mr Candy said he was naturally a Tory. He backed Conservative Shaun Baileys unsuccessful campaign to be mayor of London in 2021 and was spotted at Mr Baileys lockdown party in December 2020, when indoor household mixing was banned.

Later in the podcast, when discussing property markets here and abroad, he praised the government of Dubai, adding: I would love to have leadership like that in this country where politics arent in the way and they actually make really good decisions, smart decisions fast.

The problem is here it takes for ever. Democracies are great when youve got visionary leadership and youve got people working together to get things done. It seems like for the last few years weve been infighting.

Last October, Larry Fink, one of the worlds leading financiers, gave his backing to Sir Keir Starmer, saying the Labour leader offered a measurement of hope for British politics.

Mr Fink, chairman and chief executive of BlackRock, the worlds largest asset manager, told the Wall Street Journal that Sir Keir had shown real strength in bringing Labour back to the centre ground of British.
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Christian Bale broke ground Wednesday on a project hes been pursuing for 16 years -- the building of a dozen homes and a community center in Los Angeles County intended to keep siblings in foster care together.

The Oscar winner stood with a grin and a shovel full of dirt alongside local politicians and donors in the decidedly non-Hollywood city of Palmdale, 60 miles (80 kilometers) north and across the San Gabriel Mountains from Los Angeles.

But Bale, who was Batman in director Christopher Nolan 's Dark Knight trilogy, wasn't just playing Bruce Wayne and lending his name and money to a charitable cause.

The project was his brainchild and one he's long lent his labor to, getting his hands dirty and on Wednesday standing in actual mud after a historic storm on a hard-won site he'd visited many times before.

"I would have done it all if it was just me by myself here," Bale told The Associated Press in an interview on the large vacant lot between a public park and a bowling alley.

The British-born Bale has lived in California since the early 1990s and sought to build the community after hearing about the huge number of foster children in LA County, and learning how many brothers and sisters had to be separated in the system.

That was around 2008, the time of The Dark Knight, when his now college-age daughter was 3 years old.

I didnt think it was going to take that long, he said. I had a very naive idea about kind of getting a piece of land and then, bringing kids in and the brothers and sisters living together and sort of singing songs like the Von Trapp family in The Sound of Music. 

But he then learned "it's way more complex. These are peoples lives. And we need to be able to have them land on their feet when they age out. Theres so much involved in this.

Bale visited Chicago, spent several days in children and family services meetings. From there, he recruited Tim McCormick, who had set up a similar program, to head the organization that became known as Together California, a group Bale would co-found with UCLA doctor Eric Esrailian, a producer on one of his films.

"He said we've got to do this in California," McCormick said. "To his credit, through all sorts of challenges, COVID and everything else, he never gave up."

The men eventually found a sympathetic leader in LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, and in Palmdale, a semi-rural city of about 165,000 people, found a city with both a need and a willingness to take part.

The 12 homes, anchored by the community center, are set to be finished in April of 2025.

Its something that is incredibly satisfying for me, and I want to be involved every step of the way, Bale said. Maybe this is the first one, and maybe this is the only one, and that would be great. But Im quietly hoping that therell be many of these.

The 50-year-old Bale, who began acting as a child in films including Steven Spielberg's Empire of the Sun and the Disney musical Newsies, won an Oscar for best supporting actor for 2010's The Fighter. He's also starred in American Psycho, Vice and Ford v Ferrari.
 Close Adam Montgomery convicted of second-degree murder of daughter Harmony

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The mother of slain five-year-old Harmony Montgomery spoke to reporters outside a courtroom after the little girls father was convicted of her murder.

Jurors convicted Adam Montgomery on all charges following a gruelling trial which took place more than four years on from when Harmony was last seen alive in 2019.

Authorities failed to search for the missing child  who was known to protective services  for more than two years after she went missing.

Kayla Montgomery testified that her husband struck the Harmony several times after she had a bathroom accident.

She testified that, after killing her, the family drove to a Burger King. She fed her two young sons and placed a sandwich on Harmonys lap without realising she was dead.

After the defendant repeatedly struck Harmony. After he put the blanket over her. After she moaned. After the strange crying moaning stopped. After you did drugs and after the car died, you thought she was sleeping under that blanket, the prosecutor said.

Why did you think that she may be sleeping after Adam repeatedly struck her?

Because she would usually just go to sleep after, Kayla answered.

The little girls remains were hidden in a ceiling vent at a shelter where the family stayed after her death. Montgomery snuck the remains into his workplace freezer, before disposing of them in March 2020. Harmonys remains have never been found.

After the verdict was handed down, Harmonys mother Crystal Sorey told reporters she was grateful that it was over  but vowed that she and authorities would not stop fighting to find her daughters body.

She also slammed Montgomery as a coward for failing to attend any of his trial.

In a press conference, Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg also vowed to continue to push to find Harmony.

Were still going to find her, Chief Aldenberg told reporters as he choked back tears.

This girl deserves better than the life that she had. This is never about winning or losing, this is about a five-year-old girl who was killed by her father. And I cant think of a worse crime.
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New Hampshire prosecutors revealed harrowing details about the way Adam Montgomery reduced his five-year-old daughters remains to barely skin and bones after allegedly murdering her in 2019.

Montgomery, 34, is facing trial in Manchester on second-degree murder charges in connection with Harmony Montgomerys killing. Montgomery has said he intended to plead guilty to two lesser charges of abuse of a corpse and falsifying evidence.

Opening arguments finally began on Thursday following a delay on Wednesday so jurors could go on a view tour of key locations in the case.

Presenting the disturbing case to the jury panel, a state prosecutor detailed the great lengths that Montgomery went to conceal and abuse his daughters corpse  and how he stored the remains in a walk-in freezer at a restaurant where he worked.

After Harmony was killed on 7 December 2019, her father, stepmother Kayla Montgomery, and the couples two infant children moved in with Kaylas mother. At that time, Montgomery reportedly kept Harmonys remains inside a red freezer with a white lid.

The family later moved to a shelter, where Montgomery then hid Harmonys body inside a ceiling vent.

The state said that when investigators returned to the room two years later, they saw deep blood stains in the ceiling vent and smelled decomposition.

And surrounding Harmonys blood, all that was left of her .... the defendants fingerprints and palm prints, froze in there for a time, the prosecution said.

A freezer where prosecutors said Adam Montgomery stored his daughters body (CourtTV)

After neighbours began to complain about the smell, Montgomery reportedly brought the bag with Harmonys remains to work with him every day. At the time, Montgomery worked as a cook and dishwasher at the since-closed Portland Pie Company.

[The bag] stood out to people, because he placed it in the freezer during his shifts, a prosecutor said. He brought it with him regularly to work and he stored it in a freezer where the company kept food, and ingredients. People saw him bringing that in and out. They couldnt have imagined what that bag contained.

Montgomery began discussing ways to dispose of Harmonys body in March 2020, after he and Kayla Montgomery moved to an apartment on Union Street with their children.

He discussed using a saw to cut her up. He discussed using lime to further decompose her so she couldnt be found, the prosecution said. Remember, he believed that if there was no body there could be no evidence and he could get away with this.

The state said that he compressed the sealed bag with Harmonys remains and added lime to the bag.

Thinking that it would eat away anything left of her, the prosecution said. He spent most of the day in that bathroom compressing Harmony.

According to the prosecution, Montgomery took Harmonys frozen remains and put them in the tub, running hot water to further manipulate what was left of the body. Kayla Montgomery then walked inside the bathroom and allegedly saw Montgomery

She saw that Harmony was largely skin, bones and fluid  and that Mr Montgomery was trying to dispose of her remains down the drain, the prosecutor said.

Montgomery allegedly hid Harmonys body inside a ceiling vent (CourTV)

The prosecution said that Montgomery asked his wife to help him reduce Harmonys body even further, but it was too much for her.

So she went to the living room to be with her two sons so they wouldnt walk in and see what their father was doing, the prosecutor said.

At some point, Montgomery took a break and came out to the living room allegedly saying: I can put her in pieces, I can work her up.

Montgomery rented a U-Haul and went to an unknown location to dispose of what remained of Harmony.

He told Kayla that he was not going to tell her where she was going to dump Harmony, the prosecution said. He was in control, he had all the pieces.

Harmonys remains have never been found.

At the time of Harmonys killing, the family had been living in their car after being evicted from their home in Manchester.

According to an affidavit released in 2022, Kayla Montgomery said her husband was driving to a fast food restaurant when he turned around and repeatedly punched Harmony in the face and head because he was angry that she was having bathroom accidents in the car.

I think I really hurt her this time. I think I did something, he said, according to Kayla.

Harmony made a moaning type noise for approximately five minutes and then stopped, Kayla told investigators.

No one checked on Harmony or stopped to get her medical attention.

They remained in the parking lot for 20 minutes before driving off again. In a second interview, Ms Montgomery admitted she and Mr Montgomery used heroin and fentanyl during this period. It was only when their car, a Chrysler Sebring, broke down that she claimed the couple discovered Harmony was not breathing and had died.
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Manuel Oliver says Jennifer Crumbleys conviction is something to celebrate.

I do think  and I hope  that this will start a new wave of accountability that expands to anyone that is somehow responsible, he tells The Independent following her February conviction.

To him, as the father of Joaquin Oliver, who was killed in the Parkland mass school shooting, the conviction of the mother of a school shooter marks something of a turning point.

It suggests that were looking at these [cases] in a new way, he says.

No one is complaining about the verdict, he adds. So we all agree, all gun ownersand of course, people like me that Crumbley is responsible in some way.

In a landmark case on 6 February, Crumbley was found guilty of four counts of involuntary manslaughter after her son, Ethan Crumbley, opened fire inside Oxford High School in November 2021, killing four of his classmates and injuring seven other victims. Just weeks later, her husband James Crumbley was also convicted of the same charges.

Its an outcome that is pushing new bounds as to how gun owners can be held responsible for others fatal actions and set a new precedent for how mass shooters parents  and other actors  are held accountable.

A landmark case

Before Jennifer Crumbleys case, never before had a parent been tried for their alleged involvement in a mass school shooting.

A judge for Michigans appellate court acknowledged its historic nature in his opinion ruling that the Crumbleys should stand trial: Our legal system does not, nor should it, criminally punish people for subpar, odd, or eccentric parentingHowever, before us is the unusual case.

Ethan Crumbley was extraordinarily troubled, yet defendants nonetheless provided him with a handgun and, despite having discrete, disturbing evidence that [their son] contemplated harming others, did nothing when confronted with that evidence.

The prosecution argued that Ms Crumbley could have taken tragically small steps that would have prevented the shooting, which the state described as foreseeable. Instead, the prosecutors argued, she ignored her sons mental health struggles and made the 9mm handgun  purchased four days before the shooting  accessible.

The jury agreed.

While the verdict in that case may be unprecedented, the events that led to this point are far from it.

School shootings are all too common across America, with more than 340 school shootings in 2023 alone, according to the K-12 School Shooting database.

Tragically, then, its not too surprising that firearms are the leading cause of death of children in the United States.

With gun violence a devastating, yet common part of life, its perhaps unsurprising that attention is turning to holding accountable people beyond those who pulled the trigger.

Parents held to account

In recent years, several other parents have faced criminal charges after their child committed a shooting.

Deja Taylor, the mother of a six-year-old boy who shot his first grade teacher in Virginia, was sentenced to 21 months in prison in November after she pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm while being a drug user and lying on a background check about her marijuana use when she bought the gun which was later used by her son.

That is my son, so I am, as a parent, obviously willing to take responsibility for him  because he cant take responsibility for himself, she told a court in June.

That same month, Robert Crimo Jr, the father of the 21-year-old Highland Park shooter accused of killing seven and injuring dozens of others in an attack on a July 4 parade, pleaded guilty to seven counts of misdemeanour reckless conduct as part of a plea bargain.

Though similar, neither of these cases set the same precedent as the Crumbleys.

Unlike these parents, the Crumbleys pleaded not guilty, went to trial and were convicted.

But, more significantly, the Crumbleys were hit with manslaughter charges  raising the bar for what parents can be criminally charged with in connection to their childs actions.

Under Michigan law, an involuntary manslaughter conviction means that the Crumbleys were found to have either caused the victims deaths by acting in a grossly negligent manner or by failing to perform a legal duty.

Throughout her trial, Jennifer Crumbleys defence attorney tried to argue that her client wasnt familiar with guns and even told the court that her 15-year-old son showed her how to use the firearm when she took him to a shooting range just before the massacre.

Still, the jury foreperson told CNN that the conviction hinged on the fact that Crumbley was the the last adult with the gun.

Through this case, Erin Davis, senior counsel at Brady United Against Gun Violence, tells The Independent that prosecutors have sent a really powerful message to parents, gun sellers, and schools  signalling that they have a responsibility to be part of the solution and take action in situations that are avoidable, versus turning a blind eye.

Making gun owners part of the solution

In that same vein, the Crumbley case underscores the responsibility  and criminal responsibility  of gun owners to commit to proper gun safety practices, by bringing gun owners in as part of the solution to stopping these preventable tragedies, Ms Davis says after Jennifer Crumbleys conviction.

As Mr Oliver says: What happened yesterday is a great way of convincing people that if your gun is not in a safe place, you can end up in jail  even if you dont use the gun. People should be responsible.

At a time when many gun owners are voicing fears that their Second Amendment right is under threat, emphasising gun safety  through holding irresponsible gun owners accountable  could be a way to find common ground in the gun control debate.

Most gun owners are responsible gun owners and understand that its important to follow safe practices, like ensuring that their guns are stored securely and that children dont have access to them, Ms Davis adds.

Beyond the parents

Beyond parents, several ongoing and settled civil suits are also testing how others connected to mass shootings can be held accountable.

Parents of an Oxford High School student who was injured in the mass shooting filed a civil suit against school officials and the gun store that sold the Crumbley family the would-be murder weapon for negligence.

Meanwhile, survivors of the Uvalde mass shooting have filed a class-action lawsuit against the school district, the city of Uvalde, and law enforcement agencies seeking $27bn in damages.

Families of victims in the 2012 Sandy Hook and Poway synagogue shootings sued gun manufacturers for violating consumer-protection laws; both cases resulted in massive settlements. A survivor of the Highland Park shooting is now seeking to do the same.

As more tragedies occur, survivors and victims families are finding more ways to hold those surrounding the shootings accountable.

But, while its been done before in some senses, the Crumbley case appears to be a watershed moment.

There should be accountability for different actors that have contributed to shootings and mass shootings, Ms Davis says.

However, bringing criminal cases against actors beyond the shooter is a newer move.

For Mr Oliver, he is hopeful that the verdict is a sign of things to come.

He says that, hopefully, the verdict will become a small step in our fight to end gun violence in the United States.

This article was first published after Jennifer Crumbleys conviction in February 2024. It has been updated after James Crumbleys conviction in March 2024
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A man was shot and killed by a police sniper during a bank robbery on Tuesday.

The man, who police identified as 36-year-old Sterling Ramon Alavache, was accused of holding two hostages at a Bank of America location in Bell Tower, Florida.

In a press conference, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said they had attempted to negotiate with Alavache, who had a knife and claimed to also have a bomb.

But when the suspect held a knife to the throat of one of the hostages, a sniper fatally shot him.

When he presented deadly force like that, our SWAT sniper shot and killed the suspect, Mr Marceno said. We were in fear for her life and her safety.

Neither of the hostages were harmed, the sheriff added.

Alavache was a convicted felon, according to the sheriffs office, who said hed previously faced charges for drug trafficking, aggravated assault, and carrying a concealed firearm.

On Wednesday, the sheriffs office released a brief video clip of the incident. In the bodycam footage, police are heard attempting to negotiate with the suspect before a gunshot is heard.

It is important to note what is not readily viewable, is the suspect placing the hostages in imminent danger by threatening them with a knife, while placing them in a chokehold, the office said. In an effort to preserve the lives of the hostages and general public, the decision was made to neutralize the threat.

Its a sad day when innocent lives are placed in jeopardy due to the senseless acts of others, Mr Marceno said in a statement. My family members were faced with a tough decision today to neutralize an active threat to the public, during a very volatine situation.

Let this serve as a reminder of how important it is to remain vigilant, he added. Im beyond grateful none of the victims or my team were injured today.
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A man awaiting extradition on a Massachusetts warrant alleging he killed his girlfriend and left her body in a car at a Boston airport escaped from police custody in Kenya, police said Thursday.

Kevin Adam Kinyanjui Kangethe slipped out of the police station and jumped into one of the privately owned minivans that are the main transportation source in Kenya, Nairobi police chief Adamson Bungei said. A fresh search for him began immediately.

The police chief said he rushed to the station when he learned of the escape. We have arrested the officers who were on duty when he escaped to explain how it happened. It is just embarrassing to us, he said.

Police have been ranked as Kenyas most corrupt institution for decades, and his escape raised suspicions that bribes were paid for his freedom. Other suspected killers have escaped police custody in the past.

On October 14, 2021, Masten Wanjala, who had confessed to killing 10 children in his hometown of Bungoma in western Kenya, reportedly escaped from police cells in Nairobi under unclear circumstances. A mob in his hometown traced him to a house and beat him to death a couple of days later.

Kangethe, 40, had been detained pending a ruling on whether he should be extradited to face a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of Margaret Mbitu on October. 31, 2023.

Massachusetts State Police said in early November that Kangethe had left her body in a car at Logan International Airport and boarded a flight to Kenya. Massachusetts officials said they were working with Kenyan authorities to locate him, and he was arrested in a nightclub on Jan. 30 after being on the run for three months.

A police official told the Associated Press that Kangethe told them he had renounced his U.S. citizenship. The police official, who insisted on anonymity in order speak freely about an ongoing investigation, said had Kangethe been an American citizen, he would have been repatriated without a court process.

The court approved a police application for him to be detained for 30 days while the extradition issue was heard.

On February 2, prosecutor Vincent Monda asked the court to endorse the US warrant for Kangethe's arrest and issue directions for the extradition proceedings.

The suspects lawyer sought directions on surrendering Kangethe to the US and opposed his continuing detention as disregarding his rights.

Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina was to give further directions on the matter and issue orders related to the bond issue on Monday, February 9.

Mbitu, a health care aide in Halifax, was last seen leaving work October. 30 and reported missing by her family. The preliminary investigation showed Mbitu had left her workplace and travelled with Kangethe to Lowell, where he lived, the prosecution said.
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He went, it seems most likely, in search of what they call trail magic.

The term is well known in the hiking community, its definition inherently and inarguably subjective. But the feeling, the lure, the mystique of the Appalachian Trail  A.T. to the initiated  brings thousands every year to the wilds of the East Coast. The trails nonprofit conservancy takes a stab at defining the allure: Experiencing something rare, extraordinary, or inspiring in nature. Encountering unexpected acts of generosity that restore ones faith in humanity.

Whatever the meaning of that ethereal feeling, plenty of people seem to have experienced it through their interactions with a hiker many knew as Mostly Harmless between 2017 and 2018. Just as there is trail magic, there are trail names; Mostly Harmless was the one by which the kind-eyed hiker often introduced himself. He offered few personal details and was of indeterminate age; no one seemed to know his real identity.

When his body was discovered, in the summer of 2018, the depths of his efforts for anonymity became apparent. The hiker had no identification, phone or wallet. Despite reserves of food and cash, he was found emaciated in a tent just a few miles from an interstate. The body was only identified as Mostly Harmless after the unlikely union of law enforcement, online amateur sleuths, the hiking community and more. Even then, it took more than two years to uncover his name, and the unexpected answers spurred a new and deeper wave of introspection amongst those so invested in the search.

They Called Him Mostly Harmless debuts 8 February on Max

In that way, then  through a solitary death in a tent off a trail  a man who sought to leave society inadvertently bridged a gap between online and real life. His mysterious fate united untold numbers of people, many of them aching with loneliness and searching for connection themselves.

This was a guy who wanted to go off grid, who did so pretty successfully, considering, and passed away  and yet thousands and thousands of people were deeply affected by his decision as a private citizen, and they started to drastically affect each other, Patricia Gillespie, director of new Max documentary They Called Him Mostly Harmless, tells The Independent.

And they started to read these great big stories onto him  he had so successfully hidden and emptied himself of an identity that people were able to read onto him who they wanted him to be, who they needed him to be, who they feared he was, who they hoped he was. And it became this sort of mirror for all the people looking at him.

The mystery began on 23 July 2018, when hikers in Floridas Big Cypress National Preserve noticed a smell emanating from a yellow tent, glanced inside and found a body. They called authorities, who were stumped. The 5ft 8in, 83-pound body of a man had an abdominal scar but no distinguishing tattoos; no matches turned up using fingerprints, facial recognition or DNA. He was found with food, hiking and camping supplies, $3,500 in cash and a notebook full of code.

There were no signs of foul play, and the cause of death was undetermined. They began disseminating a flyer featuring a composite image of the man.

Hikers and trail angels had encountered the kind-eyed stranger, who introduced himself as Denim or Mostly Harmless (in the tradition of trail names') before he was found dead and emaciated in a tent in Florida, the cause of death undetermined but showing no signs of foul play (Courtesy of Max)

That took off on social media, making its way through online hiking groups and catching the interest of amateur sleuths. Those who recognized the image came forward to say that theyd met him under the names Denim and Mostly Harmless. They ranged from fellow hikers to trail angels  these wonderful people that just sort of volunteer their time to bring water and snacks to people out on the trail, or some of them mail things home for them or let them crash up on a couch if they need a night off the trail, Gillespie tells The Independent.

A trail angel in Florida recognized him from an encounter about six months before his body was found; she describes him in the film as having very beautiful eyes and admits: Oh yeah  he was cute. Another, older hiker  a white-haired woman with the trail name Magpie  met him months before that, around October 2017, when he was calling himself Denim; she gushes about his kindness.

Georgia hiker Brandon Dowell felt a similar connection.

I think theres a lot of hurt people on the trail, he says in the film. There is an interesting dichotomy of people having the time of their lives and people also having this time of growth and healing. And you know, if youre looking for that kind of companionship, I think youll find it  and I think thats what happened with me and Denim..

The portrait being built of the mystery hiker was a wholesome one: Handsome, kind and imbued with an air of mystery. As that picture developed, however, the efforts to reclaim his identity intensified. They also threatened to go off the rails.

Multiple Facebook groups popped up, and the theories took off.

Hiker Brandon Dowell, who encountered the ill-fated trail walker in Georgia using the trail name Denim, felt a strong connection to the older man and has written a song about him in tribute (Courtesy of Max)

He was not getting internet famous fast enough for my taste, says Christie Harris, a Virginia resident who took up the cause and emerges as one of the films main protagonists. We went, literally, from Maine to Florida, county by county, calling and emailing every police agency, every media outlet, trying to get some attention.

Along with such obsessive and resourceful digging, however, soon came online infighting and keyboard sleuth rivalries, hurtful insults and personal swipes. At one point, a man wrongly identified as Mostly Harmless felt so harassed that he feared for himself and for his family. There are pitfalls in the world of amateur sleuthing, and They Called Him Mostly Harmless does not shy away from them.

The sleuths passion, however, did translate into action. Crowd-sourced funding raised enough to pay for cutting-edge DNA investigations that traced the hiker to a Louisiana parish; by that time, Wired journalist Nicholas Thompson was chronicling the case, further publicizing the mystery. He, too, became drawn in  even taking out ads on his personal Facebook page to promote the story in parts of Louisiana where he thought the hikers relatives might live.

Two months later, the mystery was finally solved: Mostly Harmless was Vance Rodriguez, born in 1976 near Baton Rouge. But the details that emerged did not fit with the man so many had encountered, and they raised more questions  not just about Mostly Harmless and his death, but also about why and how his story resonated with so many  and how they would digest the truth.

No one who really knew Rodriguez, or was related to him, had been searching for him  unlike countless scores of strangers. The relationships hed had did not seem infused with the same types of kindness hed exhibited on the trail; in fact, the overriding theme of his life and personal connections appeared to be pain.

The body of Mostly Harmless, later identified as Louisiana native Vance Rodriguez, was discovered in his tent at a Florida campsite about 15 months after hes believed to have started his journey on the trail in the Northeast (Courtesy of Max)

They Called Him Mostly Harmless explores the lingering questions around Rodriguez, the search to ID him and the legacy his mysterious death has left  touching upon the ethics and personalities of the true crime community as well as exploring trail culture, the nuances of modern life and loneliness.

This is a generous group of people, people who are involved in trail culture, the people who are involved in sleuthing  theyre not in it for themselves, Gillespie tells The Independent, adding that they joined the search as an act of altruism, maybe a little self-actualization, in terms of gaining some agency for themselves and helping out in the world.

The hikers family has never spoken publicly about him or his puzzling fate. But Gillespie hopes viewers walk away with a better understanding of what his trail life and death meant to so many strangers.

Trail magic, like sleuthing, is pure altruism, she says. Its people who just decided, Im going to take my time and, for no compensation and no fanfare and no glory and no fame, Im going to be nice to somebody else. That is what that is.

As a millennial director, she says, I have been on the turbo track of watching culture change and watching us become less friendly, less connected, more willing to say outrageous things, less willing to give people the benefit of the doubt or slow down and understand them.

And I really hope this film sparks a little compassion, she says. I hope when people see it, they think its kind, and it encourages them to be kind  the Internet can be really unkind. And I wanted to make something to encourage kindness.
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Six people, including children, are unaccounted for after a shooting at a home in suburban Philadelphia led to a massive fire.

On Wednesday afternoon, law enforcement officials in East Lansdowne and Landsdowne, Pennsylvania responded to reports of a shooting involving an 11-year-old girl at a home on Lewis Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers faced gunfire. Two officers were injured, both sustaining gunshot injuries.

Shortly after, the home was set ablaze, seemingly from the inside. Both injured officers were dragged away and the rest of the block was evacuated as the home slowly became engulfed in intense flames.

However, at least six people who could have been inside the home, remain unaccounted for, including the 11-year-old who was allegedly shot.

Our fear is there may be multiple people inside that home who have died," district attorney Jack Stollsteimer said.

Though the fire was under control by 6pm EST, Mr Stollsteimer said they would be unable to search the home until Thursday.

Mr Stollsteimer said that while the whereabouts of the person who shot at the officers were unknown, there were no threats to the community from that home.

Six people are missing after a home in suburban Philadelphia was set ablaze (Fox 29 Philadelphia)

As of Wednesday evening, both injured officers were in stable condition. Mr Stollsteimer said the officers were 22-year veterans of the force. One sustained a gunshot wound to the arm and the other a gunshot wound to the leg.

Timothy Bernhardt, the superintendent of Upper Darby police, said when officers initially arrived at the scene to respond to the fire they rescued the two wounded officers.

All officers that were on scene initially were taking on fire, and then when they removed themselves from it, there was no more gunfire at that point, Mr Bernhardt said.

It is unclear if the report of an 11-year-old involved in the shooting was true or if they were inside the home when it was set on fire.
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President Joe Biden will not face charges for willfully holding onto classified documents after he left office as vice president, according to the final report released by Special counsel Robert Hur.

On Thursday, Mr Hur released the findings from his investigation into the alleged mishandling of classified Obama-era materials, which were found at two locations tied to the president.

In the 388-page report, Mr Hur said that Mr Biden had willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen.

These materials included: Marked classified documents about military and foreign policy in Afghanistan, and notebooks containing Mr Bidens handwritten entries about issues of national security and foreign policy implicating sensitive intelligence sources and methods.

However, the report concluded that Mr Biden should not face criminal charges over the matter.

Mr Hur was appointed to lead the investigation after classified documents were found at Mr Bidens former office at the Penn Biden Center in Washington DC, and in the garage of his home in Wilmington, Delaware.

Following the discovery, Mr Biden cooperated with investigators  unlike his predecessor Donald Trump, who is now facing charges for his mishandling of classified documents since leaving the White House.

Read the special counsels report in full here:
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President Joe Biden wilfully held on to classified materials that were discovered at his home in Delaware and the office of a think tank in Washington DC, but should not face criminal charges for doing so, a special prosecutor appointed by the attorney general found in a report released on Thursday.

The special counsel, former Trump appointee and ex-Maryland US Attorney Robert Hur, did not recommend that Mr Biden face criminal charges, citing what he described as significant mitigating factors which led him to state that charges were not warranted and would not have been warranted even if Mr Biden were not president and barred from being prosecuted by Department of Justice policy.

The Republican prosecutor also noted that Mr Bidens memory about the documents was significantly limited during his interviews with investigators, and he justified his decision by stating that there was not enough evidence to convince a jury that Mr Biden had wilfully retained the materials beyond a reasonable doubt, in part because the president had cooperated extensively with the probe.

His cooperation with our investigation, including by reporting to the government that the Afghanistan documents were in his Delaware garage, will likely convince some jurors that he made an innocent mistake, rather than acting willfully-that is, with intent to break the law-as the statute requires, he said.

But even as he declined to prosecute the president and reported that there was not enough evidence to justify charges or convince a jury of his guilt, the Republican prosector took a rhetorical swipes at the 81-year-old president, describing him in one passage of the report as someone who would appear to jurors as a well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.

In a statement, Mr Biden said he was pleased that Mr Hur decided that there would be no charges against him and said that was the outcome hed been expecting all along.

This was an exhaustive investigation going back more than 40 years, even into the 1970s when I was a young Senator. I cooperated completely, threw up no roadblocks, and sought no delays, said Mr Biden, who also noted that hed been so determined to assist Mr Hurs probe that hed sat for in-person interviews in the days following the 7 October 2023 terrorist attack in Israel.

Over my career in public service, I have always worked to protect Americas security. I take these issues seriously and no one has ever questioned that, he added.

Richard Sauber, a White House attorney who serves as Special Counsel to Mr Biden, praised Mr Hur for noting that the president had fully cooperated from day one, with his legal team self-reporting the discovery of classified documents to ensure they were returned to their proper place in the National Archives.

Not only was there no obstruction, the Presidents cooperation throughout this 15-month investigation has been extraordinary, he said. The simple truth is President Biden takes classified information seriously and strives to protect it. He has spent decades at the highest levels of government defending and advancing Americas national security and foreign policy interests and protecting her secrets.

Mr Hur said the materials retained by Mr Biden after his term as vice president ended in 2017 included marked classified documents about military and foreign policy in Afghanistan, and notebooks containing Mr Bidens handwritten entries about issues of national security and foreign policy implicating sensitive intelligence sources and methods that were recovered from the garage, offices, and basement den at Mr Bidens home in Wilmington, Delaware.

The special counsel, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland last year, said much of the material now deemed to have been classified included handwritten notebooks kept by Mr Biden during his time as vice president, which had been kept in unsecure spaces in his home and used during the writing of his 2017 memoir, Promise Me, Dad.

Mr Hur also said Mr Biden had allowed the ghostwriter who assisted him on the book to view the notebooks, which as a matter of law constituted sharing classified information with an authorised person. Mr Hur further reported that documents dating back to the Obama administration were also shared with Mr Bidens ghostwriter.

But he also noted that Mr Bidens memoir did not contain any information deemed to have been classified.but he concluded that the then-former vice president did not know that the information in the notebooks was classified. and said a jury could well conclude that Mr. Bidens actions were unintentional.

The prosecutors report concluded that he did not belief there was sufficient evidence for a jury to convict Mr Biden of any crime, citing his status as a vice president and president, since the holder of both of those offices is authorised to possess classified information at their home.

He said the best case for a charge would have been when Mr Biden told his ghostwriter that hed discovered classified materials in a Virginia rental home in 2017, though Mr Hur also concluded that Mr Biden would likely have been able to raise reasonable doubt in the minds of potential jurors as to whether the retention was wilful by claiming that hed forgotten about them after the incident with his ghostwriter.

For a person who had viewed classified documents nearly every day for eight years as vice president, including regularly in his home, finding classified documents at home less than a month after leaving office could have been an unremarkable and forgettable event, he said, adding later that in tape-recorded conversations with his ghostwriter reviewed by investigators, the documents in question did not come up.

He also suggested that Mr Biden could argue that the location of the documents when they were discovered last year in a badly damaged box surrounded by household detritus indicated that hed forgotten about them.

Mr Hurs report also included details about Mr Bidens presentation during interviews which appeared tailor-made to fit claims by Mr Trump and his allies that the president is not mentally competent.

At one point, he claimed that Mr Biden did not remember what year his late son, Beau Biden, had died from brain cancer, and he described part of an interview in which the president, in his telling, had trouble keeping track of the years during which he served as vice president.

The presidents personal lawyer, Robert Bauer, slammed Mr Hur for the investigative excesses in a statement, and suggested that the special counsel was motivated by intense pressures of the current political environment to flout Justice Department practices by including negative information about Mr Biden even as he was declining to charge him with a crime.

Throughout this process, a guiding principle has been to protect the integrity and independence of this investigation. Based on the facts and the law, the Special Counsel in this case had no choice but to find that criminal charges were not warranted. He had other choices, which should have been guided by the Departments rules, policies, and practices, and he made the wrong ones, he said.

The derogatory information in the report and the recommendation against criminal charges is likely to be fodder for criticism of Mr Biden by Republicans aligned with former president Donald Trump, who is currently facing criminal charges for unlawfully retaining national defence information at his Florida home and obstructing a grand jury probe into how the documents ended up there after the end of his term as president.

In a statement replete with grievances and outright lies about the matter, Mr Trump complained that the decision not to charge Mr Biden was evidence of a two-tiered system of justice and falsely accused the prosecutor supervising the criminal case against him, Jack Smith, of unconstitutional selective prosecution.

But despite Mr Hurs inclusion of the material Mr Bidens attorney derided as gratuitous and derogatory, the former Maryland US Attorney also took pains to distinguish the case against Mr Trump from Mr Bidens situation, writing that there were several material distinctions between the cases that were clear.

Unlike the evidence involving Mr. Biden, the allegations set forth in the indictment of Mr. Trump, if proven, would present serious aggravating facts, he said, adding that the most notable of these was the fact that Mr Trump was given multiple chances to return classified documents and avoid prosecution but instead refused to return the documents for many months and obstructed justice by enlisting others to destroy evidence and then to lie about it.

In contrast, Mr Biden turned in classified documents to the National Archives and the Department of Justice, consented to the search of multiple locations including his homes, sat for a voluntary interview. and in other ways cooperated with the investigation, he said.
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In his second blunder of the week, President Joe Biden has now claimed he spoke to another dead European politician in a campaign event speech.

The 81-year-old president appeared at a series of campaign fundraiser events in New York on Wednesday, where he declared that he had discussed the January 6 Capitol riots with Chancellor of Germany Helmut Kohl, during a G7 meeting in the UK in 2021.

And then Helmut Kohl turned to me and said, What would you say, Mr President, if you picked up the London Times and learned that a thousand people had broken down the doors of the British Parliament, killed some bobbies on the way in, to deny the prime minister to take office, Mr Biden said.

He echoed the blundering story at another event the same day.

The only issue is that Kohl had already been dead for four years at that point, passing away in 2017 after retiring from active politics in 2002.

Mr Biden appears to have been trying to refer to another former chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, who was in office at the time back of the apparent 2021 conversation.

This isnt the first Euro mix-up that Mr Biden has made this week, after he also made another gaffe when trying to refer to French President Emmanuel Macron  instead referring to Francois Mitterrand.

Biden and Merkel attended the G7 summit in Cornwall, UK together in 2021 (Getty Images)

Mitterrand, who was the former president of France and has been dead for almost three decades, was brought up by Mr Biden in a campaign speech on Sunday in Las Vegas during another G7 meeting anecdote from 2021.

Mitterrand from Germany  I mean, from France  looked at me and said, You know, what ... why  how long you back for? Mr Biden said.

Mr Bidens gaffe was corrected on the official White House record, which published his remarks with the name Mitterrand crossed out and replaced with Macron.

This weeks gaffes are far from his only ones.

One of his notable blunders was when he professed Russian President Vladimir Putin was losing the war in Iraq in June, seemingly confusing the war in Ukraine with the war in Iraq that ceased in 2011.

His gaffes have not made it past his Republican rival Donald Trump, who said in an event in October that the president cant put two sentences together and hes in charge of nuclear warfare.

Mr Trump, 77, also trolled Mr Biden last month with a spoof advert depicting the White House as a senior living establishment where residents feel like presidents.

Yet the former president and Republican candidate has not gone without his own mistakes throughout his campaign, the latest of which occurred last month when he appeared to mix-up his only Republican challenger Nikki Haley with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi while discussing the January 6 Capitol riots.

Mr Biden later mocked Mr Trump for the gaffe, writing on X: I dont agree with Nikki Haley on everything, but we agree on this much: She is not Nancy Pelosi.

Its not only the two presidential hopefuls that have been calling each other out for their recent confusions, as an NBC News poll that was carried out last month found that 76 per cent of voters have concerns over Mr Bidens mental and physical health, with 48 per cent feeling the same way about Mr Trump.
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A report on the Justice Departments investigation into Joe Bidens unauthorised retention of classified materials was made public on Thursday  and it was as troubling for the president and his public image as it was vindicating for those who argued he had committed no crimes.

The report was authored by Robert Hur, a former US attorney appointed by Donald Trump and later elevated to the rank of special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Delivered to Congress this week after many months of investigation and preparation, it recommended no criminal charges for the incumbent president, even were he not protected by immunity from prosecution due to his current stature.

It did, however, contain much that will concern many Americans and was overall far from complimentary of the incumbent president.

The investigators painted a picture of a senile president with severe memory issues whose innocence was less clear than his supporters would have hoped, while not necessarily coming across to a potential jury as malicious or criminal.

Lets take a look at the key takeaways from Mr Hurs report:

1. Bidens memory issues are worse than publicly known

This was by far the most damning aspect of the report, in terms of the impact it will have on public perception of the president.

Mr Hur and his team repeatedly refer to Mr Biden struggling to remember significant details about his life  including, heartbreakingly, the exact year in which his son Beau died. He also could not remember which years constituted his term as vice president.

At one point, investigators recall Mr Biden questioning aloud whether he was still vice president in 2009 (that was the first year of his term). He also, on the first day of interviews with Mr Hurs team, asked: When did I stop being vice president?

He also appeared, according to Mr Hur, to have trouble remembering more general facts about his time as vice president; during testimony about his work at the time on the issue of whether to surge US troops to Afghanistan, the president mistakenly said he had a real difference of opinion with a top general with whom historical records showed actually shared his opinion on the 2009 troop surge.

Its the kind of candid, private revelation about the presidents mental fitness that will seriously undercut the presidents supporters as they try to make the case that he is up for another four-year term. Age and mental ability continue to be Mr Bidens chief areas of concern as far as polls indicate.

2. Biden took Afghanistan notes he believed to be most important decisions from his vice presidency

The actual contents of the presidents classified stash appear to have been wholly centred on, in retrospect, one of the key moments of the Obama-Biden administration. In 2009, the Democratic president undertook a controversial decision to surge troops to Afghanistan in the hopes of driving Taliban forces out of the country entirely; a decision which many saw as an about-face given Barack Obamas campaign promise to end the war in Iraq.

Mr Biden was one of the loudest voices against that decision at the time, a view which appears vindicated given the Talibans takeover of the country in 2021 after Donald Trump began a withdrawal of US contractors and military forces in the final year of his presidency. And the materials the president removed from the ordinary flow of paper at the White House were split into two categories: His own, personal, handwritten notes detailing his thinking at the time; and actual documents marked with clear classification labels. One specific document found by FBI agents was a handwritten memo penned by Mr Biden for then-President Obama summing up his arguments against the 2009 troop surge.

Then-vice president Biden retained these documents because he saw them as a central part of his legacy in the White House, investigators wrote in the report.

Mr. Biden had a strong motive to keep the classified Afghanistan documents. He believed President Obamas 2009 troop surge was a mistake on par with Vietnam. He wanted record to show that he was right about Afghanistan; that his critics were wrong; and that he had opposed President Obamas mistaken decision forcefully when it was made  that his judgment was sound when it mattered most, read the Hur report.

3. Biden stored documents next to a dog bed

The report also revealed that some of the classified documents were stored unceremoniously and in a clearly unsecured fashion in the Biden household, wrote investigators.

Among the more bizarre storage locations was next to a dog bed.

We also expect many jurors to be struck by the place where the Afghanistan documents were ultimately found in Mr. Biden's Delaware home: in a badly damaged box in the garage, near a collapsed dog crate, a dog bed, a Zappos box, an empty bucket, a broken lamp wrapped with duct tape, potting soil, and synthetic firewood, the report said.

3. Bidens ghostwriter deleted audio recordings

This was a serious revelation: Mr Bidens ghostwriter for his memoir, Promise Me, Dad, Mark Zwonitzer, deleted digital audio recordings of his conversations with Mr. Biden after learning of Special Counsel Hurs appointment.

The report goes on to stress that the recordings had major evidentiary value. FBI investigators who received a laptop Mr Zwonitzer voluntarily turned over were, however, able to recover the recordings and the author himself turned over near-verbatim transcripts he made of some of the recordings, which investigators said he made no attempts to destroy.

For that latter reason, Mr Zwonitzer was not recommended to be charged either.

Investigators wrote that the available evidence cannot establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Zwonitzer did so with the intent to impede, obstruct, or influence this federal investigation.

4. No criminal charges recommended

Lest we forget, the release of this report came as the Justice Department was determining whether Mr Biden, like his 2020 opponent Donald Trump, would face criminal charges for mishandling classified information. And the answer is no, though not a resounding one.

Mr Hurs team did find that there was evidence that Mr Biden wilfully retained documents which, again, had clear classified markings. He also rediscovered them at one point, making it clear that there were multiple opportunities for the president to return them.

But the report did not find that evidence to rise beyond the standard of reasonable doubt, even in a hypothetical scenario wherein Mr Biden did not enjoy presidential immunity. The report concluded that the president would likely appear to a jury as a well-meaning, elderly man with poor memory. The presidents memory issues were considered a plausible defence by Mr Hurs team, who continued in the report: While such a swift and permanent bout of forgetfulness may seem implausible, several pieces of evidence provide some support for this possibility.

The report notes one conversation between Mr Biden and his ghostwriter, which Mr Hurs team describes as a nonchalant revelation of the discovery of classified materials downstairs in his home. From this tone, the report states, one conclusion is that if Mr Biden discovered classified documents, it simply was not significant to him and was something he could have quickly forgotten.

In short, Mr Biden would not fit the role of a convincing defendant. Prosecutors working for Mr Hur were not certain that they would be successful in proving that Mr Biden willfully hid documents from the government, even after it was clear he knew of their existence.

5. Despite the criticism of Biden, Hur points out differences between Trump and Biden cases

Its no secret that the release of this report comes at an intensely volatile moment for Americas political system. The Republican Party remains almost wholly behind Mr Trump even as he faces 91 felony counts stemming from four separate criminal prosecutions  just one related to his handling of classified materials.

Mr Hurs team made clear that upon investigation the two presidents handling of their respective situations was markedly different, and rejected in advance Mr Trumps cries of a two-tiered justice system.

Addressing the comparison directly, Mr Hurs report reads: It is not our role to assess the criminal charges pending against Mr. Trump, but several material distinctions between Mr. Trumps case and Mr. Bidens are clear. Unlike the evidence involving Mr. Biden, the allegations set forth in the indictment of Mr. Trump, proven, would clearly establish not only Mr. Trumps willfulness but also serious aggravating facts.

Those aggrevating facts include, but were far from limited to, the ex-presidents refusal to return documents stashed at Mar-a-Lago for months after his team was contacted by the Justice Department for their retrieval.
 Close Biden addresses special counsel classified documents report

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Joe Bidens lawyer called special counsel Robert Hurs report commenting in part on the presidents age and health off the rails and shabby on Sunday.

An angry and animated Joe Biden previously hit back at the Republican prosecutors claim that his memory is faulty during a last-minute and at-times chaotic press conference on Thursday.

The president hit out at parts of the report released earlier in the day by Justice Department special counsel Robert Hur into his handling of classified documents and became infuriated at a suggestion that he did not remember the year his late son, Beau Biden, died from brain cancer.

On Friday, Kamala Harris joined the White House fight back, slamming the report as politically motivated, and saying she found details in it gratuitous, inaccurate and inappropriate.

She said she has been privileged and proud to serve as vice president of the United States under Mr Biden, and said Mr Hurs remarks on Mr Bidens age and memory were gratuitous, inaccurate, and inappropriate.

Mr Hurs report concluded that Mr Biden will not face charges for willfully holding onto documents after he left office as Barack Obamas vice president in January 2017.

The report, which was delivered to Congress after many months of investigation and preparation, recommended no criminal charges for the incumbent president, even were he not protected by immunity from prosecution due to his current stature.

However, the investigators painted a picture of a senile president with severe memory issues whose innocence was less clear than his supporters would have hoped, while not necessarily coming across to a potential jury as malicious or criminal.

It stated that the materials included files on military policy in Afghanistan and handwritten notes on national security, also suggesting that Mr Biden would look like an elderly man with a poor memory to a jury if he were to be hit with criminal charges.
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With less than nine months remaining until US voters decide who will serve as president of the United States from January 2025 to January 2029, a number of outspoken Republicans have already fallen by the wayside in the hunt for the GOP presidential nomination, while at least two Democrats have challenged President Joe Biden in a Democratic primary.

As the campaign takes shape, here are the names you need to know.

Joe Biden

Mr Biden is the current president of the United States and is gunning for a second term, having announced his re-election bid in a video message on 25 April 2023.

Joe Biden is hoping for a second term (AP)

Mr Biden, 81, is the oldest person to ever serve as president.

Originally, his lacklustre approval ratings fuelled speculation that he might stand down so a younger candidate could take up the Democratic Party mantle. But the Democrats better-than-expected results in the 2022 midterms appeared to put new wind in Mr Bidens sails before he officially announced his 2024 run.

Donald Trump

Mr Trump, 77, officially filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to declare himself a candidate in the 2024 election on 15 November 2022.

Mr Trump is the only US president to face two separate impeachment trials  one after fomenting a violent attack on the US Capitol in hopes of remaining in power, despite losing the 2020 election to Mr Biden.

He announced his candidacy at Mar-a-Lago, the same Palm Beach, Florida, location where FBI agents had searched for stolen classified documents just three months earlier.

The ex-real estate developer-turned-television-presenter-turned-politician is hoping he can become the first ex-US chief executive to reclaim the White House since Grover Cleveland in 1885.

Donald Trump believes he can become president again (AP)

Mr Trump faces a series of obstacles threatening what was once assumed to be a smooth path to the Republican nomination, not least four criminal indictments and 91 separate criminal charges against him.

But Mr Trump has proved his strength throughout the primaries, securing the most amount of delegates and winning back much of the Republican Partys support.

Robert F Kennedy Jr

Mr Kennedy, a lawyer, vaccine-skeptic and son of former senator Robert F Kennedy, filed candidacy papers with the FEC on 5 April 2023.

The filing placed the 70-year-old as the second long-shot Democratic candidate to challenge President Biden after Marianne Williamson, who dropped out on 7 February).

Robert F Kennedy Jr has been courted as Trumps running mate (AP)

While he started by running as a Democrat, before switching to independent, Mr Kennedy Jr has ties to former president Mr Trump.

In 2017, he was tapped by the then-president-elect to oversee a presidential panel to review vaccine safety and science  despite having repeatedly expressed scepticism about vaccines. He continued pushing those beliefs throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Kennedy Jrs father was a candidate in the 1968 presidential election before he was assassinated.

His uncle, John F Kennedy, the 35th president of the US, was assassinated in 1963.

In October the presidential candidate switched his party affiliation from Democratic to independent.

Jill Stein

The former Green Party presidential candidate announced she would enter the 2024 race on 9 November 2023.

Ms Stein, 73, is once again seeking the third-party nomination.

In an announcement video posted to social media, Ms Stein called the two-party political system broken.

Jill Stein is seeking the third-party nomination (Getty)

The two Wall Street parties are bought and paid for. Over 60 per cent of us now say the bipartisan establishment has failed us and we need a party that serves the people, Ms Stein said.

Ms Stein, a medical doctor, ran for president in 2016 with the Green Party and received roughly 1.4 million votes nationally.

Some analysts have argued that had her supporters voted for Hillary Clinton in key battleground states like Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, the Democrats would have won the 2016 election.

Marianne Williamson

The self-help author and former spiritual adviser to television mogul Oprah Winfrey, who participated in several Democratic primary debates during the 2020 election, entered the 2024 race to challenge Mr Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination.

I wouldnt be running for president if I didnt believe I could contribute to harnessing the collective sensibility that I feel is our greatest hope at this time, she said.

Marianne Williamson is best known for her time as spiritual adviser to Oprah Winfrey (Getty)

During her aborted 2020 presidential run, she garnered a measure of notoriety for making statements widely considered bizarre, such as a vow to make then-New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern the first head of government she would call as president, and an assertion that she would win the election by harness[ing] love for political purposes against Mr Trump.

Ms Williamson ended her campaign on 8 February after failing to obtain enough support in New Hampshire and Nevada. She then re-entered the race on 28 February after the Michigan primary.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Called it quits

Will Hurd

Mr Hurd, 46, a former CIA officer and representative for Texas, announced his bid for the Republican nomination on 22 June 2023.

Approximately three months later, on 9 October, Mr Hurd suspended his campaign.

Mr Hurd positioned himself as a moderate alternative to the field of GOP candidates while remaining critical of Mr Trump.

The former Texas congressman served in the House for six years before leaving in 2021. He was the only Black Republican in the chamber during his final two terms.

Will Hurd was the moderate alternative to Trump (Reuters)

While in Congress, Mr Hurds district was one of the most competitive in Texas. It included parts of San Antonio and El Paso as well as included most of the Texas border with Mexico.

In his campaign suspension announcement, Mr Hurd urged voters to be united around an alternative candidate to Trump.

Otherwise, we will repeat the same errors as in 2016. If the Republican party nominates Donald Trump or the various personalities jockeying to imitate his divisive, crass behaviour, we will lose, he said.

Perry Johnson

Mr Johnson, 76, is a businessman who tried to run for governor of Michigan in 2022 but was disqualified due to invalid signatures. But the hiccup didnt stop Mr Johnson from aiming big and making a long-shot, and short-lived, bid for president.

Perry Johnsons campaign was short-lived (AFP/Getty)

On 3 March 2023, Mr Johnson announced his bid for president in Iowa where he claimed to be: Pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, anti-woke and anti-China.

He promoted a plan to cut federal spending by two per cent every year and pushed to complete the US-Mexico border wall.

Mr Johnson suspended his campaign on 20 October saying, With no opportunity to share my vision on the debate stage, I have decided at this time, suspending my campaign is the right thing to do,

Francis Suarez

Mr Suarez, the mayor of Miami, filed paperwork with the FEC on 14 June 2023, throwing his hat in the ring of an already packed Republican nomination race.

But that did not last long, as he chose to suspend his campaign on 29 August after failing to qualify for the first Republican debate.

Mr Suarez, 46, is a Cuban-American who has made a name for himself in Miami, and Florida, as a tough-on-crime conservative. But outside of the state, he is largely unknown.

Some may remember Mr Suarez as one of the first people to contract Covid-19 in Miami-Dade County in March 2020. He documented his progression with the illness to help others understand it better.

Francis Suarez was unknown outside of Florida (AP)

Despite his relative obscurity, Mr Suarez expressed confidence that being the only Hispanic candidate gave him a lot of credibility, according to the AP.

In his resignation announcement on X, Mr Suarez said: While I have decided to suspend my campaign for president, my commitment to making this a better nation for every American remains.

He added that he looks forward to supporting the eventual nominee.

Larry Elder

Mr Elder, a former attorney, and current conservative talk radio host, announced on 20 April 2023 on Tucker Carlson Tonight that he would be running for president in 2024.

The right-wing candidate said that he felt a moral, religious, and a patriotic duty to join the race for president. He named policing, crime and government overreach as areas of concern.

Larry Elder was compelled by a patriotic duty (Getty)

Prior to his announcement, Mr Elder had been the host of the popular conservative radio programme The Larry Elder Show on KABC since 1993. He left in April 2022.

Mr Elder has some political experience as he unsuccessfully ran to replace California governor Gavin Newsom in 2021.

On 26 October, he suspended his campaign and gave his support to Mr Trump.

Mike Pence

Former US vice president Mr Pence officially entered the 2024 presidential race on 7 June after much speculation that he would try to take on his former boss Mr Trump.

Today our party and our country need a leader that will appeal, as Lincoln said, to the better angels of our nature, Mr Pence said in his campaign kickoff speech in Iowa.

He suspended his campaign just four months later.

Mike Pence briefly sought to take on his former boss (AP)

Mr Pence, 64, was once Mr Trumps steadfast right-hand man until he made the decision not to unlawfully hijack Congress certification of Electoral College votes to keep Mr Trump in office in 2020.

Since then, a rift has been driven between the two men  though Mr Pence continues to not publicly criticise Mr Trump in the same way other anti-Trump Republicans have.

Mr Pence has made it clear that he would not do things the way the ex-president did during their four years in office together but still promote the traditional conservative values he holds.

Mr Pence announced on 28 October that he would suspend his presidential campaign, saying: This is not my time.

Tim Scott

South Carolina senator Tim Scott officially entered the race for Republican presidential nominee on 19 May 2023 after filing his paperwork with the FEC.

He suspended his campaign on 12 November, approximately six months after he first made that announcement.

Mr Scott, 58, became the first Black senator to represent a state that had been part of the Confederacy during the American Civil War and the first Black Republican since Massachusetts senator Edward Brooke was elected in 2013.

He has long been considered a rising star in the Republican Party, and was given the honour of delivering the partys response to President Bidens inaugural address to Congress in 2021.

Tim Scott dropped out despite his large war chest (AP)

He began his campaign with more money than any of his 2024 rivals  roughly $22m that he can automatically convert from his US Senate campaign account to a presidential campaign.

This is the most any candidate in history has had at the beginning of a campaign for president, according to the FEC.

Mr Scott ended his campaign due to a lack of voter support.

The voters, who are the most remarkable people on the planet, have been really clear that theyre telling me, not now, Tim. Mr Scott told Fox News.

He has since stumped for Mr Trump in New Hampshire in emphatic fashion.

Doug Burgum

The governor of North Dakota said he too would be running for the Republican nominee in the presidential election on 7 June 2023.

A matter of months later, on 4 December, Mr Burgum announced he would be suspending his campaign.

The virtually-unknown governor was a software entrepreneur before he was elected to his gubernatorial position in 2016.

In a preview video released the day before his initial announcement, Mr Burgum, 67, called himself a new leader for a changing economy, indicating his campaign would focus on kitchen-table issues.

Doug Burgum lasted six months in the race (AP )

Mr Burgum has dipped his toe into some of the contemporary social issues that many Americans are concerned about when looking at a new candidate.

He is anti-abortion  having signed a near-total abortion ban in North Dakota  and anti-transgender, having signed eight anti-transgender laws.

In a statement shared on the day he suspended his campaign, the governor angrily rebuked the Republican National Committee for the debate requirements that forced him off the stage.

Chris Christie

The pugnacious ex-New Jersey governor, and ally-turned-critic of Mr Trump, entered the Republican presidential primary to directly challenge the man he endorsed after failing to gain traction in the GOP field nearly eight years ago.

In a town hall in New Hampshire on 6 June 2023, Mr Christie, 61, announced his campaign by positioning himself as a moderate-conservative alternative to Mr Trump who he referred to as a self-consumed, self-serving, mirror hog.

He suspended his campaign several months later on 10 January, just five days before the Iowa caucuses, after failing to qualify for what proved to be the final televised GOP debate.

Chris Christie was once a Trump ally (Getty)

Mr Christie twice endorsed Mr Trump for president in 2016 and 2020 but turned on him after the candidate refused to concede and ultimately encouraged the 6 January riot at the US Capitol.

The former governor has since been outspoken about his disdain for Mr Trump and made it very clear in his 2024 campaign that he planned to take him head-on.

Upon suspending his campaign, Mr Christie warned voters about the future of the Republican Party should Mr Trump be elected again.

Vivek Ramaswamy

Mr Ramaswamy, a wealthy biotechnology entrepreneur and conservative activist, announced his intention to compete in the 2024 Republican primary during an appearance on Tucker Carlsons eponymous Fox News programme before the hosts acrimonious departure from the network.

Mr Ramaswamy, 38, is a Yale Law School graduate. He has become somewhat of a celebrity in right-wing circles for his denunciations of stakeholder capitalism, big tech censorship and critical race theory.

In 2022, he founded Strive Asset Management, an anti-woke investment firm opposed to businesses that use environmental, social and corporate governance practices.

Vivek Ramaswamy leads an anti-woke investment firm (CNN)

The candidate suspended his campaign immediately after the Iowa caucuses on 15 January, after picking up just 8 per cent of the vote, immediately endorsing Mr Trump, championing him on Fox and appearing with him at a campaign rally in New Hampshire later that week.

He appeared popular with the Maga crowd during that appearance and immediately inspired speculation that he could be a future Trump cabinet member  or even running mate.

Asa Hutchinson

The former governor of Arkansas formally announced his campaign for president on 26 April 2023.

In Bentonville, Arkansas, Mr Hutchinson, 73, told supporters he is optimistic about the future of the US and hopes to carry out the same conservative values to the White House that he did as governor.

In this campaign for president, I stand alone in terms of my experience, record and leadership, Mr Hutchinson said.

Asa Hutchinson hoped experience would win him support (AP)

Before becoming governor, Mr Hutchinson was a representative for Arkansas, an administrator for the US Drug Enforcement Administration and transportation security of the US Department of Homeland Security under former president George W Bush.

Mr Hutchinson discussed the economy, crime and border security during his campaign kick-off speech.

But after a dismal showing in the Iowa caucuses, Mr Hutchinson announced he would be suspending his campaign a day later and subsequently endorsed Ms Haley.

Ron DeSantis

The current governor of Florida announced his campaign on 24 May 2023 after months of speculation by many in the Republican Party that he would be the perfect successor to Mr Trump.

Mr DeSantis, 45, is a former Florida congressman who won his 2018 gubernatorial campaign after receiving a coveted endorsement from Mr Trump.

He was viewed by Republican pundits as a worthy avatar of the current anti-woke GOP and his star has been on the rise in conservative circles since he made a show of ending any, and all, pandemic-related restrictions and mandates in the Sunshine State.

When Mr DeSantis took the stage at his 2022 election victory party, supporters even chanted two more years in a nod to his potential status as a GOP presidential contender.

Ron DeSantis suspended his campaign in January (Reuters)

However, after months of hard-fought campaigning in Iowa he finished second, ahead of Ms Haley but still almost 30 points behind Mr Trump.

He announced he was suspending his campaign on 21 January 2024, some 36 hours before the New Hampshire primary, saying current polling suggested he had no clear path to victory in a video message in which he misquoted Winston Churchill and endorsed Mr Trump, who had spent the better part of a year taunting him as Ron DeSanctimonious, making him the 2024 incarnation of Ted Cruz.

After a lot of initial promise the governors campaign simply never took off.

He failed to connect with voters who found him temperamental and awkward in person, while the decision to wear cowboy boots to make himself appear taller and a silly rumour that he was in the habit of eating chocolate pudding with his fingers did not help his cause.

Ryan Binkley

Pastor and businessman Mr Binkley announced his entrance into the race on 9 May 2023  another long-shot contender to challenge Mr Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination. His campaign lasted less than a year as he suspended it on 27 February and threw his support behind Mr Trump.

We have to be unified, Mr Binkley, 56, said at one event.

Ryan Binkley has thrown his support behind Donald Trump (The Way to Freedom)

We have to be in this place, because if were in a time of uncertainty, what its going to take is faith in God and faith in each other to get us through, and its not time for us to back down. Its time for us to believe.

Mr Binkley said he was absolutely confident that he could take on Mr Trump, despite having little name recognition and no experience holding elected office.

Nikki Haley

In February of 2023, Ms Haley, 52, announced that she would enter the race for the White House.

In a video released by her campaign, she took a veiled swipe at Mr Trump by noting that seven out of the last eight presidential elections have seen the GOP candidate lose the popular vote.

Ms Haley is the former governor of South Carolina and spent two years as Mr Trumps ambassador to the United Nations. During that time she garnered some media attention for her sauve ability to avoid engaging with the controversies that engulfed Mr Trumps administration while remaining in his good graces.

She suspended her campaign on 6 March, just one day after Super Tuesday after failing to generate enough support.

Nikki Haley (Reuters)

Although the former governor-turned-diplomat previously pledged not to run in 2024 if Mr Trump was still running, she threw that non-campaign promise away, saying it is time for a new generation of leadership. She emerged as the only significant Republican challenger to Mr Trump after a number of rivals dropped out during the early stages.

In her suspension speech, Ms Haley challenged Mr Trump to win back the support of the moderate-conservative voters who abadoned the former president for Ms Haley.

I congratulate him and wish him well. I wish anyone well who would be Americas president. Our country is too precious to let our differences divide us, Ms Haley said.

Dean Phillips

Mr Phillips, the Democratic representative for Minnesota, announced he would challenge Mr Biden for the White House in October 2023.

I know this campaign is a long shot, but that is why I think it is important and worth doing, Mr Phillips said in his announcement.

He suspended his campaign a few months later, in March 2024, after failing to obtain any substantial support.

Dean Phillips speaks after filing the paperwork to put his name on the ballot for the states primary election outside the statehouse in Concord, New Hampshire (REUTERS)

Mr Phillips, 55, said he was running to serve as an alternate Democratic candidate to President Biden, whom he believes should not run due to his age and low approval rating.

Upon suspending his campaign, Mr Phillips backtracked his previous statements saying, It is clear that Joe Biden is OUR candidate and OUR opportunity to demonstrate what type of country America is and intends to be.

Joe Sommerlad contributed to this report.
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Flanked by two attorneys at a desk in a small conference room, Rudy Giuliani sat through a federal bankruptcy court hearing that often felt more like a free-wheeling, wide-ranging interview about his financial affairs than a courts probe to determine how, exactly, he can dig himself out.

The hearing near Manhattans Wall Street on Wednesday was steps away from Cipriani, the venue where the former New York City mayor and one-time attorney for Donald Trump joined the former president and loyalists in December to launch his 2024 campaign.

Less than two months later, Mr Giuliani was on the fifth floor of a bankruptcy court down the street, where he testified for the first time about his strained financial state after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the wake of a nearly $150m defamation judgment for his election lies.

The hearing combed through dozens of pages of financial statements, including potential impacts from pending lawsuits for defamation and other allegations that could deal more financial blows to the former mayor, whose income includes a marginally profitable career as a podcaster and radio personality.

Hopefully it will be more profitable, he said.

He told the court that Mr Trumps presidential campaign and the Republican National Committee owed him roughly $2m for his spurious legal efforts to overturn election results in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election.

Rudy Giuliani tells The Independent he has 'nothing to hide' after bankruptcy hearing

The 79-year-old outlined what he described was an unwritten agreement to support the former president for free, as well as his suspension from practising law and the long list of lawsuits against him that has followed.

The statements came in the middle of a revealing three-hour hearing, which offered one of the most comprehensive looks yet into the state of Mr Giulianis finances.

He claimed that he did not pay any home insurance on either of his properties in New York and Florida, did not know that he had any trademarks (he does), spends $726 a month on dry cleaning, pays $800 a month for a storage unit in The Bronx full of nothing of any great value, and does not have a drivers licence. His drivers are his spokesperson or other livestream co-hosts (who also work for him), or he pays thousands of dollars a year on Uber to get around. Mr Giuliani owes nearly $10,000 for overdrafting his chequing account, which he attributed to a bounced cheque.

The former mayor is strapped for cash and ineligible to draw a pension for his eight-year term. He fell behind in his taxes in 2021 because he didnt have enough cash and made an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service to sell his Manhattan apartment. He risked wiping out his IRA to cover nearly $1m in income taxes from 2021 to 2022, and instead agreed to sell off his Manhattan co-cop that has been on the market for weeks.

Then of course the bankruptcy intervened, he said.

But Mr Giuliani, asked at the top of the hearing to explain in his own words why he filed for bankruptcy, pointed to Decembers jury verdict that puts him on the hook for tens of millions of dollars.

Jurors in a federal court case in Washington DC determined he owes $148m to a mother-daughter pair of election workers who were subjected to a wave of death threats and abuse after he repeatedly falsely accused them of manipulating the results of the 2020 election.

I wouldnt be bankrupt, up until that, he said.

Giuliani greets Donald at a campaign rally (AP)

He claimed he was suspended from practicing law for no reason, after disciplinary boards in New York City and Washington determined he spread demonstrably false statements about the 2020 election while fighting results.

Mr Giuliani, who was mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001, worked for the firms Bracewell and Greenberg Taurig before launching his own law office, in which he was the only attorney. He said Greenberg asked him to leave the firm in 2018 following what he described as major pressure from the firms clients after he joined then-President Trumps legal team.

He said he offered his informal support to Mr Trump on a pro bono basis as a campaign volunteer among a handful of top legal advisers.

My major mission was to be with him on almost all of his trips, and sort of act as a funnel for all the information that was coming in, he said.

According to Mr Giuliani, Mr Trump asked him to take over his campaign legal staff in November 2020, as Trump-allied attorneys launched a failed effort to reverse election outcomes in states he lost. At that point, he had a tremendous number of complaints that there had been fraud in the election, he said. He asked me to lead that effort.

He said his expenses were paid, but he never got a salary.

Once I took over, it was my understanding that I would be paid by the campaign for my legal work and my expenses to be paid, he said. When we submitted the invoice for payment, they just paid the expenses. Not all but most. they never paid the legal fees.

Asked whether he believes he has a possible claim against Mr Trump, he said: It is my understanding that I would have a complaint, certainly against the campaign and RNC, not against Trump.

He said he never calculated how much he believes he is owed, but its likely $2m.

Rudy Giuliani was pictured leaving a courthouse in Washington DC after a jury ordered him to pay $148m for defaming a pair of election workers. (REUTERS)

After he joined Mr Trumps team, his income dropped enormously, from his $5-$6m salary at Greenberg to probably a million or two with his own practice, he said. He had to give up his clients after his law license was suspended. That was a major financial hit, he said.

The defamation verdict is among a growing list of legal obligations, including criminal charges in Georgia for his efforts to reverse Mr Trumps election loss. He also is an unindicted co-conspirator in a federal criminal case surroudning Mr Trumps attempts to overturn his loss.

He is also being sued by voting technology companies Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic for defamation. A former Dominion executive has separately sued Mr Giuliani.

President Joe Bidens son Hunter Biden also has sued Mr Giuliani, who described the complaint in court on Wednesday as all sorts of crazy stuff.

He also dismissed a lawsuit from Noelle Dunphy alleging sexual harassment as a completely scandalous frivolous lawsuit that should be dismissed.

Mr Giuliani has filed several lawsuits of his own, including a defamation complaint against President Biden for using the phrase Russian pawn to describe Mr Trumps former attorney during a presidential debate in 2020, a statement that Mr Giuliani previously claimed has cost him millions and millions of dollars from lost clients and consulting business.

His legal battles are supported by two defence funds, including a political action committee run by his son Andrew Giuliani. That fund raised roughly $700,000 at a Trump-hosted fundraiser at his club Bedminster club in New Jersey.

A separate fund run by another Giuliani ally is set up to receive funds from smaller donors, typically in $10 and $20 increments, according to his attorneys. Right-wing network Newsmax also hosted a fundraiser for that fund, they said.

Andrea Schwartz from the Office of the US Trustee, who presided over the hearing, repeatedly reminded Mr Giuliani that all of those attorneys across several jurisdictions must be approved by the court.

The only reason were here today is because mayor Rudy Giuliani has the courage to speak up and take on the permanent Washington political class, and he refuses to be unfairly censored or bullied into silence, according to a statement from his political adviser Ted Goodman, who attended the hearing and handed out printed copies to the handful of reporters watching the hearing in an adjoining room.

The American people are waking up to the abhorrent weaponization of our justice system for partisan political gain, and the fact that we are here today is just another example of this great injustice, he added.

As he left the courthouse on Wednesday, Mr Giuliani said he gave the court all the information he could provide and has nothing to hide.
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Did Donald Trump engage in insurrection? And if he did, can he be kicked off the presidential ballot? Or should that decision be left up to Congress?

These are the major constitutional questions surrounding Mr Trumps presidential campaign, including whether he is immune from prosecution for crimes connected to the January 6 attack and if his name can be removed from ballots because of them, that the US Supreme Court could soon settle.

On Thursday, the nations highest court will consider whether Colorado election officials can remove Mr Trump from the states ballots in 2024, after the states top court disqualified him from the presidency under the US Constitutions insurrection clause.

The case underscores the outsized role that courtrooms and Mr Trumps mountain of criminal and civil cases have played in his campaign for the White House  a campaign that baselessly casts the 91 criminal charges, fraud lawsuits and sexual abuse and defamation claims against him as evidence of a conspiracy to keep him away from the presidency.

An historic case in front of the high courts conservative supermajority  where three justices of the justices were appointed by the former president  also arrives as the Supreme Court faces questions about its own legitimacy and ethics obligations, following a wave of reports revealing some of the justices ties to powerful donors and special interests, including potential interference in the 2020 election.

What does the 14th Amendment say?

The case hinges on the interpretation of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which reads that no person who swore an oath to uphold the Constitution can hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, if they engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same.

Only Congress, according to the amendment, can reverse that disqualification by a two-thirds vote of both the US House of Representatives and the Senate. It does not define who decides whether someone has engaged in insurrection or rebellion, or how.

The amendment was among a suite of civil rights amendments enacted in the volatile aftermath of the US Civil War. It ensured equal protection under the law to all citizens, including formerly enslaved people, with a broadly written clause aimed at preventing Confederates from returning to a government they were in rebellion against.

Section 3 effectively enshrined what President Abraham Lincoln had declared before Congress after the first shots of the war were fired in 1861.

A question of whether the American experiment can survive against an internal attempt to overthrow it remained in dispute, according to Lincoln, and it is now for them to demonstrate to the world that those who can fairly carry an election can also suppress a rebellion; that ballots are the rightful and peaceful successors of bullets, and that when ballots have fairly and constitutionally decided there can be no successful appeal back to bullets; that there can be no successful appeal except to ballots themselves at succeeding elections.

Such will be a great lesson of peace, teaching men that what they can not take by an election neither can they take it by a war; teaching all the folly of being the beginners of a war, he said in his address.

Colorado Supreme Court hears whether to disqualify Trump from 2024 ballots

In a brief to the Supreme Court, civil rights attorney Sherrilyn Ifill wrote that Section 3 was enacted for such a time as this, and for such a figure as President Trump.

Perhaps we hoped we would never need to activate its use again, and certainly not against an officer as highly positioned as the President of the United States, she added. To abandon Section 3 now would destabilize the balance struck by the 14th Amendments framers  a balance between guaranteed rights and structural tools that would allow those rights to withstand resistance to the vision and scope of the amendments core promises.

Why is the case at the Supreme Court?

A September lawsuit filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington on behalf of a group of five Republican and independent voters in Colorado argued that Mr Trump failed Section 3s test, rendering him constitutionally ineligible to appear on any Colorado ballot as a candidate for federal or state office.

The lawsuit was filed against Colorados Secretary of State, the states chief elections official.

Following a trial and arguments from both parties in state court last year, Colorado District Judge Sarah Wallace determined that Mr Trump not only engaged with insurrection, he also acted with the specific intent to incite political violence and direct it at the Capitol with the purpose of disrupting the electoral certification.

Her decision, however, did not knock him off the ballot, as plaintiffs appealed the ruling up to the states Supreme Court.

In December, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled on the case, with the justices writing in a 4-3 majority opinion that Mr Trump did not merely incite the insurrection.

Even when the siege on the Capitol was fully underway, he continued to support it, they continued. These actions constituted overt, voluntary, and direct participation in the insurrection.

Attorneys for the former president appealed that decision to the nations high court, which agreed to hear the case on 8 February.

There is only one question before the justices: Did the Colorado Supreme Court err in ordering President Trump excluded from the 2024 presidential primary ballot?

Did Trump engage an insurrection?

Its a question that has been looming throughout the hundreds of criminal cases against rioters, though its a charge that hasnt been brought against any of them. The federal election subversion case against Mr Trump charges him with conspiracy and obstruction, for his multi-state scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election, followed by his pressure campaign against officials and his then-Vice President Mike Pence, and his failure to stop a mob from rejecting the results by force.

Judges in Colorado and Maines secretary of state have all determined that the attack amounted to an insurrection, with then-President Trump at the centre of it.

Donald Trumps supporters listen to him speak in Washington DC on 6 January, 2021. (AP)

The case is not without recent precedent. Last year, Couy Griffin, a county commissioner in New Mexico who was convicted for his role in the Capitol riot, was permanently removed from office under a similar Section 3 insurrection challenge  marking the first successful attempt to disqualify a public official from holding office in more than 100 years.

The district court ruling in Colorado said Mr Trump acted with the specific intent to disrupt the Electoral College certification of President Bidens electoral victory through unlawful means; specifically, by using unlawful force and violence.

Mr Trump cultivated a culture that embraced political violence and intended for the crowd to engage in violence when he sent them to the Capitol to fight like hell, Judge Wallace wrote.

The Colorado Supreme Court agreed.

Those justices determined that the former presidents direct and express efforts, over several months, exhorting his supporters to march to the Capitol to prevent what he falsely characterized as an alleged fraud on the people of this country, were indisputably overt and voluntary acts that constitute insurrection.

Trumps actions in the wake of the November 2020 election are alarmingly similar to activities that have destroyed democracies in other countries, according to a brief filed by a group of democracy and authoritarianism experts, among dozens of Supreme Court filings that have laid out the historical and legal arguments for disqualifying him.

Without the 14th Amendments disqualification clause, members of Congress at the time of its drafting warned that flagrant rebellion, carried to the extreme of civil war would become a pastime, according to Pulitzer Prize-winning historian including Jill Lepore, among others, in their brief to the Supreme Court.

Insurrectionists could take over state legislatures, state houses, Congress, the cabinet, and even the White House, they wrote. Section Three was meant to prevent that possibility.

What do Trumps attorneys say?

Mr Trumps lead lawyer in the case, Jonathan Mitchell, has argued that Section 3 does not apply to his client.

The office of the presidency is not the same as an officer of the United States as written under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, his attorneys argued. And even if it was, Mr Trump did not engage in insurrection with actions that he argues were protected under the scope of his presidency and the First Amdendment.

Protesters hold a disqualify Trump sign outside the US Supreme Court days before a hearing to consider his challenge to a Colorado Supreme Court ruling that would remove him from the states ballots. (Getty Images for MoveOn)

President Trump never told his supporters to enter the Capitol, and he did not lead, direct, or encourage any of the unlawful acts that occurred at the Capitol, Mr Mitchell wrote to the court. Giving a passionate political speech and telling supporters to metaphorically fight like hell for their beliefs is not insurrection either.

In any case, Section 3 should be enforced only through the congressionally enacted methods of enforcement, according to Mr Trumps attorneys.

He cant be removed from the ballot because no court or litigant can declare that President Trump is presently disqualified from holding office without assuming or predicting that Congress will refuse to lift any of Section 3 clauses that might apply, they argued.

But neither the Colorado Supreme Court nor this court can declare a candidate ineligible for the presidency now based on a prediction of what Congress may or may not do in the future, they added.

How will the Supreme Court rule?

Supreme Court justices could leave the 14th Amendment question up to individual states to decide. In that case, the Colorado Supreme Court ruling would not impact ballot challenges in other states, but state courts could point to the ruling when making their own decisions.

Alternatively, the justices could determine that Section 3 does not apply to the office of the presidency, or deliver more narrow rulings that Mr Trumps actions do not qualify as insurrection or that only Congress can make that decision  rulings that would be favourable to Mr Trumop.

But, if a majority of justices side with voters who filed the lawsuit and uphold the Colorado Supreme Court ruling, Mr Trumps name would likely be removed from ballots across the country  triggering other legal challenges during the election year.

At its core, the disqualification clause serves as a safeguard against individuals who have already shown that they will disregard their oaths and do violence to the Constitution and our democracy, according to a brief to the Supreme Court from a group of former Republican members of Congress.

To allow such individuals to avoid answering for their conduct until after they win an election would be disastrous for the country.
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US Supreme Court justices appeared to doubt state authority to disqualify Donald Trump from holding public office, after the former president challenged a landmark court ruling from Colorados highest court which found him ineligible for the presidency due to his actions surrounding January 6.

An historic two-hour hearing at the nations highest court on Thursday heard oral arguments in a case that could determine whether the leading candidate for the Republican Partys nomination for president can remain on ballots in primary elections.

Last year, justices on Colorados Supreme Court disqualified Mr Trump under the scope of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which holds that no person can hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, if they engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same.

But both conservative and liberal justices on the nine-member US Supreme Court on Thursday appeared to cast doubt on the ability of individual states to disqualify federal candidates without permission from Congress.

The justices will issue their decision in Trump v Anderson at a later date.

Chief justice John Roberts said granting states control over candidates for federal election would be at war with the Constitution and warned that a decision to disqualify Mr Trump could open up attempts to disqualify candidates on the other side.

In very quick order I would expect  that a goodly number of states will say whoever the Democratic candidate is, youre off the ballot, he said. And it will come down to a handful of states that will determine the presidential election.

Why should that be the right rule? asked justice Elena Kagan. Why should a single state make that determination, not just for their own state, but for the whole nation?

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, however, called Mr Trumps legal argument a bit of a gerrymandered rule designed only to benefit your client.

Norma Anderson, the lead plaintiff in a case to disqualify Donald Trump from 2024 ballots, speaks outside the US Supreme Court on 8 February (AP)

Justices spent relatively little time trying to define insurrection let alone whether Mr Trump had engaged with it after a mob of his supporters stormed the US Capitol to block the certification of 2020 presidential election results, fuelled by his ongoing baseless narrative that the election was rigged against him, while calling on his supporters to fight like hell on his behalf.

Mr Trumps attorney Jonathan Mitchell argued that even an admitted insurrectionist could still be allowed on the ballot and be elected to office and that its only up to Congress to decide whether that candidate should be removed.

Attorneys for the former president have argued that the Capitol attack was only a riot and that Mr Trump didnt engage with anything resembling insurrection. Mr Mitchell argued to the justices that an insurrection needs to be an organized, concerted effort to overthrow the government.

A chaotic effort to overthrow the government is not an insurrection? Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson fired back.

We didnt concede that its an effort to overthrow the government either, Mr Mitchell said. This was a riot. It was not an insurrection. The events were shameful, criminal, violent  all of those things. But it did not qualify as insurrection.

But Ms Jackson also questioned why the office of the presidency is not explicitly named in the 14th Amendment, and doubted whether its authors would have designed a system that would  could  result in interim disuniformity in US elections.

Justice Neil Gorsuch argued that the Constitution speaks to candidates who hold office, as opposed to those who are running for office.

But plaintiffs attorney Jason Murray said that the insurrection disqualifier has existed since January 6, 2021, when President Trump engaged in insurrection.

The case stems from a lawsuit from government watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington on behalf of a group of Republican and independent voters in Colorado, who argued that Mr Trump failed Section 3s test, rendering him constitutionally ineligible to appear on any Colorado ballot as a candidate for federal or state office.

Following a trial and arguments from both parties in state court last year, Colorado district judge Sarah Wallace determined that Mr Trump not only engaged with insurrection, he also acted with the specific intent to incite political violence and direct it at the Capitol with the purpose of disrupting the electoral certification.

Her decision, however, did not knock him off the ballot, as plaintiffs appealed the ruling up to the states Supreme Court, where the justices later ruled that Mr Trumps actions constituted overt, voluntary, and direct participation in the insurrection.

The former president appealed that decision to the Supreme Court, which scheduled Thursdays hearing relatively swiftly, amid a fast-approaching packed primary election calendar up against Mr Trumps busy schedule of multiple criminal and civil cases.

Mr Trumps legal team could return to the Supreme Court later this year if his attorneys appeal a federal court ruling that strikes down his immunity defence from prosecution on charges connected to his attempts to overturn election results.

Its striking, just steps away from the US Capitol, where Donald Trump incited an insurrection ... where congresspeople ran for their lives, we saw Trump once again lie about his role in the insurrection, Colorado secretary of state Jena Griswold said from the steps of the high court after Thursdays hearing.

I think its just so outrageous that Trump continues to think hes above the law, above the Constitution and above the court system, she said. I hope the justices hold him accountable.

Donald Trump speaks to reporters outside his Mar-a-Lago estate after Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments in a challenge to remove him from Colorado ballots (Getty Images)

Norma Anderson  a former Republican state legislator from Colorado who is the lead plaintiff in the challenge  told reporters after the hearing that the case is very personal to her.

Ive lived a hell of a long time and Ive gone through a lot of presidents, the 91-year-old former lawmaker said outside the court. And this is the first one that is trying to destroy the Constitution.

In remarks outside his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida after the hearing, the former president called the arguments a very beautiful process and blasted what he continues to baselessly assert is a Democratic conspiracy against him.

Can you take the person thats leading everywhere and say Hey, were not going to let you run? You know, I think thats pretty tough to do, but Im leaving it up to the Supreme Court, he said.
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Tucker Carlson was fired from Fox News at the height of his powers. He was the face of the most-watched cable news show in the country, with an audience that included presidents, former presidents, hate-watching liberals, rank-and-file conservatives and every Republican lawmaker under the sun. He was even considered a potential presidential candidate.

Ten months on from his ignominious departure, none of those things are still true. Carlson is still producing the kind of content that led the New York Times to suggest that his Fox show may be the most racist show in the history of cable news  albeit for a different kind of audience on Elon Musks X  but he does not command the same authority or attention.

That is, perhaps, until now. The far-right agitator announced on Tuesday that he would interview Russian president Vladimir Putin about the war in Ukraine, following years of heaping effusive praise on one of the worlds leading jailors of journalists.

Anyone not glued to the internet in the intervening time between his departure from Fox News and landing at the steps of the Kremlin may be wondering where Carlson has been all this time.

Here is a brief rundown.

Same content, but weirder

Tucker Carlson found success on Fox by going further than any of his predecessors beyond the bounds of acceptability. From his primetime perch, he spewed bigotry, parroted white nationalist talking points and promoted conspiracies and falsehoods from behind a facade of journalistic inquiry.

After many years at the top spot, he left Fox News in a cloud of scandal and lawsuits. The abrupt decision to fire its top-rated host was said to have come directly from Rupert Murdoch in April last year.

The network said in a statement that it had agreed to part ways with Carlson days after it agreed to pay $787.5m to settle a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems .

Fox News had been severely embarrassed by revelations in pre-trial court filings about its coverage in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential elections.

Carlson and fellow hosts Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham privately mocked regular guests including Donald Trumps attorneys Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell, while continuing to promote their lies and conspiracy theories to their audience.

Carlson called Mr Trump a demonic force, and said that hated the former president passionately in text messages to an unknown Fox employee two days before the 6 January riots, court documents showed.

It was perhaps inevitable that the most perennially online person at Fox News would end up spending all of his time on Twitter after his firing. Carlson was said to have received offers from far and wide  including from Russian state TV  before eventually settling on X. Tucker on Twitter features the same culture war topics that earned him notoriety at Fox, just much weirder.

His interview with Hungarys nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban would not have seemed out of place on Fox News. His interview with Larry Sinclair, however, succinctly titled Larry Sinclair says he had a night of crack cocaine-fueled sex with Barack Obama, and that Obama came back for more the next day, suggested that the Fox News producers may have had some kind of restraining effect on Carlson.

Tucker Carlson and Alex Jones (@TuckerCarlon via Twitter)

His first appearance on X was a rambling 10-minute monologue in which he praised Vladimir Putin and declared that UFOs and extraterrestrial life are actually real.

Carlson first announced his plan to partner with Musk and X in a post in which he lashed out at other media outlets, calling them purveyors of thinly disguised propaganda. Carlson, who regularly promoted conspiracy theories and fake news on his Fox News show, added: The news you consume is a lie, a lie of the stealthiest and most insidious kind.

But no sooner had he posted his first episode than he heard from his former employers again in the form of a cease and desist letter. The letter, sent by Fox News general counsel Bernard Gugar to Carlsons lawyers, claimed that the host "is in breach" of his contract agreement. It continued that Carlson is "prohibited from rendering services of any type whatsoever, whether over the internet via streaming or similar distribution, or other digital distribution whether now known or hereafter devised. That dispute is still ongoing.

Both Musk and Carlson seemed happy with their agreement. Musk, who himself has fallen down a rabbit hole of the same kind of conspiracy theories and right wing grievances propagated by Carlson, went so far as to claim that views for the show on X now exceed the population of the United States.

The number of views on Carlsons videos would become a hotly debated topic. Carlsons viewership at Fox News hovered around 3 million viewers, but it is unclear how many people actually watch his X videos because that data is not publicly available. The only metric available to the public is the number of times the post appeared in someones feed on the app or browser.

Carlson was still able to attract big names in his new home  most notably he interviewed Donald Trump on the night the former president skipped a primary debate. He also interviewed many subjects his Fox News audience may have struggled to recognise, such as the prolific right wing X user known as Catturd .

Going his own way

After a few months on X, Carlson was looking for a way to start his own subscription service. In December, he announced plans to launch a $9 per month streaming service. He announced the move in typical grandiose style with another video monologue apparently aimed at scaring the impressionable.

"Whats true and whats a lie? Sometimes its hard to know. Theres so much deception," he said. "Big media companies wont help. Their job is to manipulate you. The government? Please. When was the last time you believed a word they said? Probably before COVID.

Carlson had explored the idea of launching the service on X, according to the Wall Street Journal , but the company could not build the infrastructure required in time.

In many ways, Carlsons interview with Putin is a return to form. For years, Carlson expressed an affinity with the Russian leader. In 2022, after the Russian leader launched an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Carlson wondered aloud why he should oppose the attempt to annex parts of Ukraine.

It may be worth asking yourself, since it is getting pretty serious, what is this really about? Why do I hate Putin so much? Has Putin ever called me a racist? Has he threatened to get me fired for disagreeing with him? These are fair questions, and the answer to all of them is: No. Vladimir Putin didnt do any of that, he said on his Fox News show .

In announcing his interview on Tuesday, Carlson accused the Western media of engaging in fawning pep sessions with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky , whom he has previously called a dictator and likened to a rat, while confidently asserting that not a single Western journalist has bothered to interview the president of the other country involved in this conflict: Vladimir Putin.

That claim was quickly corrected by the Kremlin.

Mr Carlson is not correct. In fact, theres no way he could know this, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday, adding that the president receives numerous requests for interviews from Western media, which are all denied because the Kremlin does not deem the media outlets impartial.

Additional reporting by Bevan Hurley
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Hillary Clinton has branded Tucker Carlson a useful idiot ahead of the release of his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The former Fox News host announced that he was in Moscow earlier this week for a sit-down with Mr Putin. The interview is set to be released at 6pm ET (11pm GMT) on Thursday.

Mr Carlson has long been a critic of the US sending aid to Ukraine following the Russian invasion in February 2022.

He has attempted to see past Mr Putins authoritarianism and disregard for Ukrainian and Russian lives, instead focusing his ire on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has gone from complete political novice to wartime president and internationally recognised world leader.

Ms Clinton, a former secretary of state and senator, appeared on MSNBC on Wednesday night where she weighed in on the controversy.

Tucker Carlson is in Moscow right now interviewing Vladimir Putin, host Alex Wagner noted in the interview with Ms Clinton.

The first American, Ill say journalist, to interview Putin since the war in Ukraine began. What does not tell you about Tucker Carlson and right-wing media and also Vladimir Putin?

Well, it shows me what I think weve all known. Hes what is called a useful idiot, Ms Clinton said of Mr Carlson. If you actually read translations of whats being said on Russian media, they make fun of him  hes like a puppy dog. Somehow, after having been fired from so many outlets and the United States ... I would not be surprised if he emerges with a contract with a Russian outlet because he is a useful idiot.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appears on MSNBC (Screenshot / MSNBC)

She continued: He says things that are not true. He parrots Vladimir Putins pack of lies about Ukraine.

So I dont see why Putin wouldnt give him an interview because, through him, he can continue to lie about what his objectives are in Ukraine, and what he expects to see happen.

Its really quite sad that not just somebody like Tucker Carlson who has, as I said, been fired so many times because he seems unable to correlate his reporting with the truth, but also because it is a sign that there are people in this country right now who are like a fifth column from Vladimir Putin.

Speaking about some parts of the US, Ms Clinton said: There is a yearning for leaders who can kill and imprison their opponents, destroy the press, lead a life that is one of impunity and bound by any laws.

Theres a yearning among certain people in our country for that kind of leadership. And I find that absolutely gobsmacking, terrifying, she added.
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Tucker Carlson joked about feeling like hes betraying the US as he was mobbed by journalists in Moscow during his trip to interview Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mr Carlsons interview with Mr Putin is set to be released at 6pm ET (11pm GMT) on Thursday on the former Fox News hosts website.

As he interacted with members of the Russian media in what appeared to be a Moscow parking garage this week, Mr Carlson said he liked the city, adding: I really do like it, Im not just saying that.

He continued: Why do I feel guilty, like I'm betraying my country for saying that, I'm not, I love America. This is a really nice city. And I don't care. It's true. So thank you.

Carlson said he has really enjoyed being in Moscow. Ive never been here before. I think the city is really pretty  this is the only place Ive been in Russia ... I want to go to Siberia ... I want to go to St Petersburg.

I'm hardly an expert. I mean, culture is a complicated thing. And I dont speak the language. So I know very limited amounts about the culture other than what I've read and experienced the past week.

He once again repeated his newfound fondness for Moscow.

But I think this is a beautiful city. I can say that. And I don't know if I'm allowed to say that. But it's just true. And again, I'm 54  I'd never been here before. So I had no idea what to expect. And I expected it to be very different ... I'm amazed by the amount of 19th-century architecture you have.

Mr Carlsons interview with Mr Putin comes after he spent years on Fox News and subsequently on X  following his firing from the network  denigrating the Ukrainian cause and pushing Kremlin talking points regarding Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Last summer, following his removal from Fox News, Mr Carlson started his new show on Elon Musks X with a pro-Russia rant in which he wildly claimed Mr Zelensky is sweaty and rat-like and a persecutor of Christians.

As a result, Mr Carlson has been heavily used in Russian state propaganda, as a way to push Russias distorted view of the conflict, which was started under the baseless pretence that Ukraine was being led by neo-Nazis  a galling claim as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is Jewish and lost relatives in the Holocaust.

Mr Carlsons support for Russia has been so ferocious that, after he left Fox, he was offered a job on Russian state TV.

Hey @TuckerCarlson, you can always question more with @RT_com, state broadcaster RT wrote on X on 24 April last year.

When asked directly why Mr Putin granted an interview to Mr Carlson, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the Americans position contrasted with much of the rest of the Western media.

His position is different from the others... it is pro-American, but at least it contrasts with the position of the traditional Anglo-Saxon media, Mr Peskov said.

Mr Carlson gave his own lofty reasons for interviewing the Russian president.

There are risks to conducting an interview like this, obviously, Mr Carlson said in a video posted on X on Tuesday afternoon.

So we thought about it carefully over many months. Heres why were doing it. First, because its our job. Were in journalism. Our duty is to inform people, two years into a war thats reshaping the entire world. Most Americans are not informed. They have no real idea whats happening in this region, here in Russia or 600 miles away in Ukraine, but they should know. Theyre paying for much of it in ways they might not fully yet perceive.
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Russian troops are attacking a town in east Ukraine from all directions, and the situation is increasingly difficult for Ukrainian troops defending the town, its mayor said on Thursday.

Russian forces have taken the initiative on the eastern front in the industrial Donbas region of Ukraine and have been trying to cut supply lines and encircle Ukrainian forces dug in at Avdiivka since October.

The enemy is pressuring from all directions. They are storming with very numerous forces, Avdiivka mayor Vitaliy Barabash said in televised comments, describing the situation as very difficult and hot.

Pounded by fighting in the region since 2014 that surged in February 2022 when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Avdiivka has sustained heavy damage.

There are now only 941 residents in the town that was once home to 32,000 people and has a large coking plant, Barabash said.

Avdiivkas fall would be hailed by Russian authorities as a hard-fought victory before an election next month in which President Vladimir Putin widely expected to be re-elected.

Ukrainian soldiers fire a French-made CAESAR self-propelled howitzer towards Russian positions near Avdiivka (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

In its daily readout of the situation in Avdiivka, the Ukrainian military said Kyivs troops were holding back Russian forces.

Our soldiers firmly hold the defence, inflicting significant losses on the invaders, it said.

Ukraines ground forces said the situation was tense across the east of the country.

The enemy is trying to break through our defence in the area of Chasiv Yar (in the Donetsk region) and resorting to local actions by small storm groups under the cover of drones and artillery, they said on the Telegram messaging app.

Avdiivka, which had a pre-war population of around 32,000 and is called Avdeyevka by Russians, has been a frontline city since 2014, when it was briefly occupied by Moscow-backed separatists who seized a swathe of eastern Ukraine.

Russian-backed officials describe the city as a fortress with concrete bunkers. They say defenders are holed up in tower blocks that cannot be stormed head-on without huge losses, and are using the coking plant as a base and weapons depot.
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The sound of Colombian Spanish fills a hospital treating soldiers wounded fighting Russian forces.

Ukraine's ranks are depleted by two years of war. As it battles Putins war machine, Ukraine is welcoming hardened fighters from one of the world's longest-running conflicts.

Professional soldiers from Colombia bolster the ranks of volunteers from around the world who have answered Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's call for foreign fighters to join his nation's war with Russia.

A 32-year-old from the city of Medellin was trying to save a colleague wounded in three days of heavy fighting with Russian forces. Russian drones attacked the group and shrapnel from a grenade dropped by one pierced his jawbone.

I thought I was going to die, said the man, who goes by the call sign Checho. The fighters insisted on being identified by their military call signs because they feared for their safety and that of their families.

We got up and decided to run away from the position to save our lives, Checho said. "There was nowhere to hide.

Colombia's military has been fighting drug-trafficking cartels and rebel groups for decades, making its soldiers some of the world's most experienced.

With a military of 250,000, Colombia has Latin Americas second-largest army, after Brazils. More than 10,000 retire each year. And hundreds are heading to fight in Ukraine, where many make four times as much as experienced non-commissioned officers earn in Colombia, or even more.

Colombian veterans who joined the Ukrainian armed forces to help fight Russia pose for a photo near their Humvee (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Colombia has a large army with highly trained personnel but the pay isn't great when you compare it to other militaries, said Andres Macias of Bogota's Externado University, who studies Colombian work for military contractors around the world.

Retired Colombian soldiers began to head overseas in the early 2000s to work for U.S. military contractors protecting infrastructure including oil wells in Iraq. Retired members of Colombia's military have also been hired as trainers in the United Arab Emirates and joined in Yemen's battle against Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Colombias role as a recruiting ground for the global security industry also has its murkier, mercenary corners: Two Colombians were killed and 18 were arrested after they were accused of taking part in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise.

A barber cuts the hair of Checho, 32, a wounded professional soldier from Medellin, Colombia, in a hospital in Ukraine (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

At the military hospital normally treating wounded Ukrainian soldiers, a group of about 50 Colombian fighters spend most of their time staring at their phone screens  calling home, browsing the internet and listening to music in between meals and medical procedures, most for light injuries.

In a battlefield stalemate with Russia, Ukraine is expanding its system allowing people from around the world to join the Ukrainian army, said Oleksandr Shahuri, an officer of the Department of Coordination of Foreigners in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

In early 2022, authorities said 20,000 people from 52 countries were in Ukraine. Now, in keeping with the secrecy surrounding any military numbers, authorities will not say how many are on the battlefield but they do say fighters' profile has changed.

Diego Fernando Espitia, the cousin of Colombian soldier Oscar Arley Triana, who disappeared in the war in Ukraine (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The first waves of volunteers came mostly from post-Soviet or English-speaking countries. Speaking Russian or English made it easier for them to integrate into Ukraines military, Shahuri said.

Last year the military developed an infrastructure of Spanish-speaking recruiters, instructors and junior operational officers, he added.

Hector Bernal, a retired ex-combat medic who runs a center for tactical medicine outside Bogota, says that in the last eight months hes trained more than 20 Colombians who went on to fight in Ukraine.

"Theyre like the Latin American migrants who go to the U.S. in search of a better future" Bernal said. These are not volunteers who want to defend another country's flag. They are simply motivated by economic need.

Wounded Colombian veterans who joined Ukrainian armed forces to help the country fight Russia receive treatment (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

While generals in Colombia get around $6,000 a month in salaries and bonuses, the same as a government minister, the rank and file gets by on a much more modest income.

Corporals in Colombia get a basic salary of around $400 a month, while experienced drill sergeants can earn up to $900. Colombia's monthly minimum wage is currently $330.

In Ukraine any member of the armed forces, regardless of citizenship, is entitled to a monthly salary of up to $3,300, depending on their rank and type of service. They are also entitled to up to $28,660 if they are injured, depending on the severity of the wounds. If they are killed in action, their families are due $400,000 compensation.

Checho says principle drove him to travel to Kyiv last September. He estimates that in his unit alone, there were around 100 other fighters from Colombia who had made the same journey.

I know that there are not many of us, but we try to give the most we have in order to make things happen and to see a change as soon as possible, he said.

In Colombia, word about recruitment to the Ukrainian army spreads mostly through social media. Some of the volunteers who already fight in Ukraine share insights on the recruitment process on platforms such as TikTok or WhatsApp.

But when something goes wrong, getting information about their loved ones is hard for relatives.

Diego Espitia lost contact with his cousin Oscar Triana after Triana joined the Ukrainian army in August 2023. Six weeks later, the retired soldier from Bogota stopped posting updates on social media.

With no Ukrainian embassy in Bogota, Trianas family reached out for information from the Ukrainian embassy in Peru and the Colombian consulate in Poland  the last country Triana passed through on his way into Ukraine. Neither responded.

We want the authorities in both countries to give us information about what happened, to respond to our emails. That is what we are demanding now, Espitia said.

The Associated Press tracked down a Colombian fighter who uses the call sign Oso Polar  Polar Bear  and says he was the last person to see Triana alive on October 8, 2023. He says Trianas unit was ambushed by Russian forces in the Kharkiv region, after which his fate was unknown.

The Ukrainian military unit where Triana was serving confirmed to The Associated Press that Triana is officially missing, but would not disclose any details surrounding the circumstances in which he disappeared.

Wounded soldiers, including a group of Colombian army veterans who joined the Ukrainian armed forces to help the country (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Espitia, his cousin, says hes not sure what motivated Triana to fight in Ukraine. But the 43-year-old had served in the Colombian army for more than 20 years and leaving it had been mentally difficult, Espitia said.

It couldve been for the money, or because he missed the adrenaline of being in combat. But he didnt open up very much about his reasons for going, Espitia said.

After almost three weeks in the hospital, Checho has returned to Ukraines front line. So have more than 50 other Colombian fighters who were treated in the same facility.

The situation here is hard, Checho told AP. We are under constant bombardment, but we will keep fighting.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has shaken up his top military brass, replacing army chief General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi with Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said separately that the decision had been taken to change the military leadership.

The statements follow days of speculation that Zelenskiy was considering dismissing his popular army chief, who is seen by many Ukrainians as a national hero for overseeing the war effort since February 2022.

Zelenskiy said in his statement he had met with Zaluzhnyi.

Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, who has led Ukraines ground forces since 2019, was promoted to commander of the armed forces on Thursday as the war with Russia nears its third year.

Senior Russian security official Dmitry Medvedev on Friday said Ukraines new Russian-born army chief was a traitor, while the Kremlin said the appointment would not alter the outcome of what Russia calls its special military operation in Ukraine.

Zelenskiy said in his statement he had met with Zaluzhnyi (REUTERS)

Here are some facts about Syrskyi, already a key Ukrainian figure throughout Russias full-scale invasion.

Early years

Syrskyi was born in July 1965 in Russias Vladimir region, which was then part of the Soviet Union. He has lived in Ukraine since the 1980s. Like many people of his age in Ukraines armed forces, he studied in Moscow - at the Higher Military Command School - among peers who have since become Russian commanders, graduating in 1986 and serving for five years in the Soviet Artillery Corps. Some military analysts believe his battlefield tactics reflect his hierarchical Soviet training.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskiy listens a report of Commander of the Ground Forces colonel general Oleksandr Syrskyi (via REUTERS)

Snow Leopard

Syrskyi became head of Ukraines land forces in 2019. He had previously commanded Ukrainian troops fighting a Moscow-backed insurgency in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions that began in 2014, and was given the call sign Snow leopard.

His biggest victories

Some of Ukraines biggest victories of Russias full-scale invasion were overseen by Syrskyi. He led the successful defence of the capital Kyiv in the early months and was named a Hero of Ukraine, the countrys highest honour, in April 2022. In July 2022, Syrskyi planned and executed a lightning counteroffensive that pushed Russian troops away from the city of Kharkiv and retook swathes of land to the east and southeast.

Zelensky and Syrskyi (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER)

Bakhmut

Early last year, Syrskyi led Ukraines defence of the eastern city of Bakhmut, where thousands of soldiers on both sides were killed in one of the bloodiest battles of the war so far. Some military analysts questioned whether fighting for a ruined city was worth so many dead and wounded. Syrskyi said Ukraines dogged defence of Bakhmut had damaged Russias overall war effort by tying down the Wagner mercenary group.

A Ukrainian serviceman installs an electronic warfare system to quell Russian drones at the front line, near Bakhmut (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Troops

Syrskyi says his priority is the morale of his troops, whom he is regularly pictured visiting at the front. He has told Western media that he sleeps four-and-a-half hours a night and relaxes by going to the gym. Syrskyi is married and has two sons.

What next?

The move ends intense speculation over his fate after reported frictions between him and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, whose authority will be tested as he seeks to rally troops under a new army chief and change the dynamic of the war.

Ukrainian forces are struggling after a counteroffensive launched last June made little headway in the south and east, while Russian forces are inflicting small but costly defeats at several points along the 1,000-km (620-mile)front.

Western military and financial support is no longer guaranteed, leaving Kyiv more exposed to attacks by Russian drones and missiles that are sapping Ukrainian resources.

Given Zaluznhyis popularity and proven ability as an inspiring commander, the fact that Zelenskiy is replacing him may reflect the desire for a new approach on the battlefield.
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Watch as university students in Greece gathered to march in Athens as part of a nationwide call to demonstrate against government plans to allow private universities in the country.

Greece's government wants to legalise privately run universities in a bill due to go before parliament in February.

The centre-right legislators argue that the changes would prevent skilled people from leaving the country and make higher education more relevant to the labour market.

Today's demonstration comes after police clashed with student protesters in the Greek capital last week as they staged similar action.

Protesters attacked police cordons, set fire to rubbish containers, and threw stones at riot police near parliament and later in the streets.

Officers responded by using tear gas and made several arrests.
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Russian presidential challenger Boris Nadezhdin, who has been critical of both Vladimir Putin and his war in Ukraine, says he has been banned from standing in the election next month.

Putin is expected to easily win the election next month to keep an iron grip on the country that has lasted more than two decades, particularly as the Russian leader has spent years cracking down on opposition figures  repression of dissent that has only become more severe since he ordered the invasion of Ukraine almost two years ago.

Mr Nadezhdin said he would appeal to the Supreme Court after the Central Election Commission (CEC) barred him from the March election . The CEC had previously claimed that it had found flaws in signatures that Mr Nadezhdin and his allies had collected in support of his candidacy and that some of the purported signatures were those of dead people.

Boris Nadezhdin (Reuters)

As a candidate nominated by a political party, Mr Nadezhdin needed to gather 100,000 signatures across at least 40 regions in order to stand. The CEC claimed it had found irregularities in more than 9,000 of the signatures. That figure was three times higher than the fiver per cent error rate allowed and provides grounds for the commission to disqualify Mr Nadezhdin.

"I collected more than 200,000 signatures across Russia. We conducted the collection openly and honestly - the queues at our headquarters and collection points were watched by the whole world," Mr Nadezhdin said on his Telegram channel.

"Taking part in the presidential election in 2024 is the most important political decision of my life. I am not giving up on my intentions," he added.

Mr Nadezhdin has surprised many observers with his trenchant criticism of the war in Ukraine, something he calls "a fatal mistake" that he would try to end through negotiations. But some Kremlin critics say Mr Mr Nadezhdin, who has been a regular guest on state TV programmes discussing the war, would not have been allowed to get as far as he did in a political system so tightly controlled by the Kremlin without the authorities' blessing, something he denies.

They point to his work in the 1990s as an aide to Sergei Kiriyenko, a prime minister under Boris Yeltsin who is now Putins chief of staff  though Mr Nadezhdin was also an associate of Boris Nemstov, a longtime critic of Putin who was murdered in 2015.

The Kremlin wasted no time using the courts to silence Putins opposition following the announcement in December last year of the next presidential election, set for 17 March. Three days after Putin announced his intention to run, his biggest rival, Alexei Navalny was declared missing.

He would not be found for another three weeks, having been moved to a penal colony in the Arctic Circle, roughly 1,200 miles northeast of Moscow. He has been in jail since 2021. Mr Navalny has kept up an unceasing campaign against Mr Putins autocratic rule from behind bars, remaining the presidents most prominent opponent inside Russia.

The thought that Putin will be satisfied with sticking me into a barracks in the far north and will stop torturing me in the punishment-confinement was not only cowardly, but naive as well, he said during his first court appearance since being moved, in January. Mr Navalny, 47, is serving sentences totalling more than 30 years on a range of charges, from fraud to extremist activity. His supporters, and Western nations, say the charges have been trumped up to silence him.

Mr Navalny was arrested when he returned to Moscow in 2021 after recuperating in Germany from nerve agent poisoning, which he blamed on the Kremlin. Before his arrest, he campaigned against official corruption and organised major anti-Kremlin protests. He has since called on anti-Putin voters to go to the polls at noon as part of a legal way of showing dissent  adding that it will be something that cannot be played down by official media.

The Kremlin has taken an extremely hardline against critics of the invasion of Ukraine, with cases becoming the focus of a broader crackdown on dissent. Igor Girkin, a pro-war ultranationalist who had declared his intention to challenge Putin for the presidency, had his pretrial detention extended the day the election was announced.

He has since been sentenced to four years in a penal colony on charges of extremism after he urged Putin to pass power to someone truly capable and responsible of running the war in Ukraine.
 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 European Union has rejected a claim that Tucker Carlson is facing sanctions because of his interview with Vladimir Putin.

A spokesperson said on Thursday that there are currently no EU talks on sanctions for the former Fox News host in response to rumours shared by X owner Elon Musk, among others.

Peter Stano, a spokesperson for EU foreign policy boss Josep Borrell, told the media on Thursday that Its not up to us to try to pre-empt or speculate whether someone will be proposed by a member state or group of member states to be put on the sanctions list.

He added that the procedure for putting in place new sanctions was confidential, according to Agence France Presse (AFP).

I can say beyond this that currently there are no discussions in the relevant EU bodies linked to this specific person, he said regarding the rightwing broadcaster.

Mr Musk responded to a tweet suggesting that Carlson may face sanctions, including a travel ban, writing: If true, this would be disturbing indeed. One may agree with Tucker or not, but he is a major American journalist and such an action would greatly offend the American public.

On Monday, Guy Verhofstadt, a member of the European Parliament and former prime minister of Belgium, tweeted that EU should explore a travel ban against Carlson if he enables disinformation for Mr Putin.

The post appears to have fueled speculation online that the EU was set to sanction Carlson.

Mr Stano noted that the EU has sanctioned around 2,000 people and entities following the Russian invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago, such as Russian media outlets accused of pushing propaganda, including RT and Sputnik.

We did it because of their continued track record of constantly accompanying the Russian military aggression with the information warfare, Mr Stano said, noting that adding anyone to the sanctions list would require unanimous consent from the 27 member states.

That includes Hungary, where Carlson travelled to interview Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Everything needs to be backed by enough evidence because everyone who is sanctioned by the EU has the right to appeal to the EU court, Mr Stano said.

Mr Putins interview with Carlson is the first that the Russian leader has done since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The interview will be released at 6pm ET (11pm GMT) on Thursday.

We can all assume what Putin might be saying, Mr Stano added. This is a chronic liar who is just spreading lies about his illegal operation against the Ukrainian people.
OZARK  Community partnerships are key to a successful career and technical education program and the partnership between the city and schools in Ozark was recently recognized with a proclamation signing marking February as Career and Technical Education Month in the city.

Ozark Mayor Mark Blankenship was joined by Casey Moore, director of Career and Technical Education Programs for Ozark City Schools, as he declared February as Career and Technical Education Month. The city works closely with the Ozark City Schools to ensure that students are informed about the variety of career opportunities available in Ozark after they graduate from high school, the mayor said. The ever-increasing cooperative partnerships of career and technical educators and business-industry professionals are stimulating the growth and vitality of our local economy and that of the entire state by preparing graduates for career fields forecast to experience the largest and fastest growth in the next decade.

Several activities designed to highlight the benefit and profound impact of career and technical education are planned for the month, Moore said, to include learning more about skid steer and fiber optic training on the career center campus. The students will spend two whole days at the center to complete their drive hours.

The students will have the opportunity to attend the WOW Career Fair hosted by Southeast Alabama Works and held at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds in Dothan. We will be taking our sophomore and senior classes, Moore said. The fair is unique in that it is a hands-on career fair. Each employer will set up an opportunity for the students to try out the skills of the trade associated with the career.

This year, we are offering a STEM course at D.A. Smith Middle School that is themed around flight and space to prepare students for careers in the aviation industry here in Ozark, Moore said. Each semester, Alabama Aviation College graciously agrees to allow us to bring our Flight and Space students to tour the aviation college and learn about opportunities for education and careers in the field.

The eighth grade career day is a chance for our eighth grade students at D.A. Smith Middle School to explore the 10 academies available to them while in high school, she added. Our academy students will serve as the hosts for the event and will provide the eighth graders with a hands-on activity that demonstrates a typical day in the program.

Moore, who joined Ozark City Schools in July 2022, said her vision for the future of the Career Academies includes a continued emphasis on community partnerships with local industries and colleges. She said she believes that all students benefit from the training and skill development offered through career technical programs.

The OCS Career Academy is comprised of 10 smaller learning communities themed around the workforce needs of our community and the interests of our students, Moore said. These communities, known as the academies, are located on both the Carroll High School and Career Center campuses in Ozark.

The goal of the program is to help students prepare for their future by developing an individualized plan for each student that provides relevant high school coursework aimed at preparing the student to be successful in college and/or their career, Moore said. Many of our students earn college credit before they graduate through our partnerships with Wallace Community College, Enterprise State Community College, Alabama Aviation, the University of Alabama, Auburn University, and Troy University.

Dual enrollment for dual credit is an enrichment opportunity allowing eligible high school students to earn high school and college credit for courses taken through an Alabama college or university before their high school graduation, said Moore. Through designation as a Wallace Community College site location, students can earn Short Certificates in masonry, graphic engineering, and EMS without ever leaving the CHS campus.

Instruction in the academies is provided through a simulated workplace model, Moore said. Upon entering the academies, students become employees. They clock-in and out each day and serve in various roles typical of the industry focus of the academy.

Career and Technical Education programs in the Ozark city School System are committed to ensuring that no child will be left behind, she added.
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Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky has sacked his armed forces chief as part of a major shake-up of the countrys military leadership nearly two years after the start of the war with Russia.

The move, which comes after weeks of speculation that Mr Zelensky and General Valery Zaluzhny were clashing over frontline strategy, marks the most serious change in Ukraines top military brass since Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

General Zaluzhny has been replaced by Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraines land forces. He has been credited with a role, under General Zaluzhny, in the surprise and successful counterattack by Kyivs troops in Kharkiv in the summer and autumn of 2022 and has since been serving as the head of military operations in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine has faced an increase in attacks by Putins forces both on the ground and in the air in recent weeks, with a long-expected counteroffensive by Kyiv that started last summer having failed to gain back the level of territory from Russian forces that Ukraine would have hoped.

Much of the 600-mile frontline has moved little in recent months, but Russia is looking to make gains of its own in areas of eastern and northern Ukraine. This situation has been exacerbated by a failure by the US Congress to agree to fresh military aid for Ukraine after the previous support ran out in December.

Zelensky with Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi at a position near the Ukraine-Russia frontline (Reuters)

Soldiers on the frontline have spoken to The Independent about shortages of ammunition and weapons to fight Putins weapons.

The US is Kyivs single largest provider of military aid, but some Republicans  particularly supporters of Donald Trump  have blocked tens of billions of dollars in fresh funding over a row about immigration on the US southern border. Leaders of both the Democrats and the Republicans are now scrambling to save the funding in a separate bill.

In a post on social media, Mr Zelensky thanked General Zaluzhny for his two years of service as commander-in-chief.

Starting today, a new management team will take over the leadership of the armed forces of Ukraine, he said.

President Zelensky added that he and General Zaluzhny had a frank conversation about the changes needed in the army.

I proposed to General Zaluzhny to remain part of the team, he added.

Speculation over General Zaluzhnys dismissal reached its height in the last 10 days, since a meeting last week when Mr Zelensky is said to have asked the army chief to resign, which General Zaluzhny declined to do.

Mr Zelenskys desire to replace his top army commander was clear, but there were suggestions he may be having trouble getting someone to take over from the general, who is extremely popular with both rank-and-file soldiers and the public and had earned the moniker Iron General.

General Zaluzhny, in a Telegram message, did not announce he had stepped down but said he accepted that everyone must change and adapt to new realities and agreed that there is a need to change approaches and strategy in the war.

A Ukrainian soldier sits in his position in Avdiivka (AP)

The countrys defence minister, Rustem Umerov, said in a statement: [General Zaluzhny] had one of the most difficult tasks  to lead the armed forces of Ukraine during the great war with Russia.

But war does not remain the same. War changes and demands change. Battles 2022, 2023 and 2024 are three different realities. 2024 will bring new changes, for which we must be ready. New approaches, new strategies are needed.

Today, a decision was made on the need to change the leadership of the armed forces of Ukraine ... I am sincerely grateful to [General Zaluzhny] for all his achievements and victories.

Earlier this week, Mr Zelensky suggested that the changes could extend beyond General Zaluzhny.

I mean a replacement of a series of state leaders, not just in a single sector like the military, he said. If we want to win we must all push in the same direction, convinced of victory, we cannot be discouraged, let our arms fall, we must have the right positive energy, he added.

General Zaluzhny was appointed by Mr Zelensky in July 2021 and has overseen Ukraines military operations since the start of Russias full-scale invasion. He is seen as a hero by many in Ukraine for his forces use of stealth and speed to thwart Russia's advance on Kyiv in the early weeks of Moscows invasion, helping to ensure that, even now, President Putin remains a long way from conquering Ukraine.

A Ukrainian soldier fires towards Russian positions near Avdiivka (AP)

As the war progressed, general Zaluzhnys stock rose, and he won praise at home and abroad in the counteroffensives in the northeast and south that recaptured swathes of land. A portrait of him smiling and flashing the peace sign was spray-painted on walls after the liberation of the southern city of Kherson, under the slogan God and Zaluzhnyi are with us.

A December 2023 poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology found 72 per cent of Ukrainians would view the dismissal of General Zaluzhny negatively, with only 2 per cent seeing it positively. Mr Zelenskys popularity, meanwhile, had dropped from 84 per cent in December 2022 to 62 per cent a year later.

Kyiv mayor, Vitali Klitschko, who has had his own disagreements with President Zelensky, had previously criticised the possibility of General Zaluzhnys firing, saying it was due to the generals leadership that many Ukrainians truly trust the armed forces.

In the wake of dismissing his army chief, Mr Zelensky said that the Ukrainian army required immediate changes with a new approach to mobilisation and recruiting.

On the frontline, Ukrainian forces claimed to have shot down a Russian attack helicopter in eastern Ukraine near the key town of Avdiivka, where soldiers are fighting from street to street as Russias army steps up its four-month campaign to surround defending troops.

Avdiivka has become a primary focus of Moscows forces, the UK Defense Ministry said in an assessment on Thursday.

The general staff of Ukraines armed forces reported Thursday that its troops had fended off 40 enemy assaults around Avdiivka over the previous 24 hours. That is roughly double the number of daily Russian assaults at other points along the frontline. Both Kyiv and Moscow see Avdiivka as key to Russias stated aim of securing full control of the two eastern Donbas provinces  Donetsk and Luhansk.

Moscow controls the city of Donetsk, not far from Avdiivka and sees the town as a staging post for possible future advances. The fight has evolved into a gruesome effort for both sides. It has been compared to the nine months of fighting for Bakhmut, the Ukraine war's longest and bloodiest battle. It ended with Russia capturing the bombed-out, deserted city last May in what Moscow hailed as a major triumph.

Colonel General Syrskyi faced some criticism of some soldiers on the frontline for keeping Kyivs forces under fire too long in Bakhmut.

Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report
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There is evidence the Israeli military could be deliberately targeting journalists working in the Middle East, a campaign group warned.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said it had submitted two complaints to the International Criminal Court regarding suspected war crimes against journalists in the region since 7 October.

There is growing evidence that, in some cases, the IDF may have deliberately targeted journalists, RSF said in a letter addressed to prime minister Rishi Sunak.

The group claimed Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on 13 October 2023, which killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah and injured six others, was unlawful and apparently deliberate.

It also cited the Israeli military acknowledging deliberately targeting a car in which journalists were travelling on 7 January this year, killing two journalists and seriously injuring a third.

Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah was killed in an Israeli strike which was apparently deliberate

The targeted or indiscriminate killing of journalists, if committed deliberately or recklessly, is a war crime. The killing of so many journalists in so brief a period is shocking and horrific, the group added.

RSF urged the British government to pursue accountability and use its influence over Israel to ensure journalists can document military operations in the region.

It urged Britain to call for journalists to be granted access to Gaza, as well as ensuring the proper delivery of equipment like helmets, flak jackets, phone chargers and sim cards for reporters.

We urge you to act immediately and decisively to ensure that all the parties respect the rights of journalists to report on the conflict, it said.

As of 6 February 2024, at least 85 journalists and media workers have been killed since Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October last year, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Those killed include 78 Palestinians, four Israelis and three Lebanese. Four of those were killed by Hamas on 7 October, the CPJ said.

The Israeli military was approached for comment.
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The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has left the Middle East empty-handed once again as US relations with Israel appear to be at an all time low. Driven further downwards by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissing a Gaza ceasefire plan - one the US said had merit  as delusional.

Blinken was in the closing hours of another furious visit to the region to try to broker a hostage truce, when Netanyahu declared negotiations with the Hamas militant group were going nowhere.

The Israeli premier promised they were months away from total victory and vowed his troops would press ahead with an offensive into Rafah, the last refuge for civilians in Gaza. This is despite warnings from Washington that it could trigger another devastating humanitarian crisis.

Blinken had spent days shuttling between Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar and Israel, in his fifth attempt to bring a speedy conclusion to the disastrous war. The conflict which erupted after Hamas bloody 7 October assault on southern Israel, has pushed Gaza to the brink of collapse and threatened to trigger a region-wide war between the west and Iran-backed groups across the Middle East.

Blinken acknowledged a counter-offer truce deal presented by Hamas the day before had some clear non-starters  but believed it creates space for an agreement to be reached and the US would work at that relentlessly until we get there.

He said that the daily death toll in Gaza remains too high" and that Israel must strengthen civilian protection.

Thats especially true in the case of Rafah, where there are somewhere between 1.2 million and 1.4 million people, many of them displaced from other parts of Gaza, he added.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, second on the left, with members of Israels war cabinet (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

In an apparent slap in the face, Netanyahu called the proposed deal bizarre and promised his army would push ahead in Rafah soon. On Thursday Israel bombed the southern city, which borders Egypt, killing 11 people according to residents who fear it is the start of an imminent ground offensive.

Total victory over Hamas will not take years. It will take months, Netanyahu said in his fiery speech delivered just before Blinken spoke.

Victory is within reach, he said.

Israel has imposed a crippling total siege and ferocious bombardment of Gaza yet in retaliation for the 7 October assaults by Hamas on southern Israel where they killed around 1,200 people and took over 250 people hostage.

The air and ground offensive into the tiny strip has killed more than 27,500 people according to Palestinian health ministry, the vast majority of which are women and children.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that pushing into Rafah on the border with Egypt would "increase what is already a humanitarian nightmare with untold regional consequences."

It is now home to around 1.5 million people, five times its prewar population, the vast majority of families that have been displaced from across the destroyed 42-km-long strip.

ActionAid said on Thursday that families were so desperate they were reduced to eating grass amid desperate conditions in overcrowded shelters. It said an offensive on Rafah on top of this would be disastrous as infections and diseases are running rampant in overcrowded conditions.

Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike in Rafah (AP)

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said that they had recorded the spread of suspected hepatitis A and high rates of diarrhoea as around 70 percent of the 2.3 million strong population in Gaza is drinking salty and contaminated water.

Displaced families in Rafah told The Independent that food prices had risen tenfold with a kilo of sugar now around 9.

We are living in a makeshift tent in the grounds of a school, said one young man who asked not to be named for security fears. He and his family, who are from the north of Gaza, had been displaced twice already and had no home to return to.

The only hope we have is a ceasefire.

In Israel, the families of those taken hostage by Hamas were also pushing a ceasefire fearing their loved ones were dying in the bombing.

Israeli intelligence admitted in a recent leaked report that as many as a fifth of the remaining 136 hostages believed to be in Gaza might already be dead.

Following Netanyahus statement, families of the hostages and those who had been held captive in Gaza held their own press conference in Tel Aviv and urged the authorities to agree to any deal to bring their loved ones home.

Adina Moshe, 72, who was captured from Kibbutz Nir Oz on 7 October and released after 50 days in captivity underground, said in tears If you continue with the attempt to 'dismantle Hamas, there won't be any hostages left to save."

Gil Dickmann, whose cousin Carmel, 39 is also a captive, told The Independent the families hoped that at least this proposed ceasefire deal ignites negotiations and doesnt lead to more dead hostages.
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An investigation is underway into a collision between a driverless taxi and a cyclist in San Francisco on Tuesday.

Californian police and regulators are reviewing the incident, first reported by Reuters, after the cyclist was left with minor injuries.

The vehicle involved was a robotaxi owned by WaYmo, the autonomous driving unit of Googles parent company Alphabet.

A spokesperson for Waymo said the vehicle was pulling out from a four-way intersection and failed to spot a cyclist hidden behind a truck that was turning into the intersection.

The cyclist was occluded by the truck and quickly followed behind it, crossing into the Waymo vehicles path, the spokesperson said.

When they became fully visible, our vehicle applied heavy braking but was not able to avoid the collision... We are making contact with relevant authorities surrounding this event.

A passenger riding in the vehicle at the time was reportedly not injured, while the cyclist received minor scratches and left the scene on their own.

Waymo reported the incident to police and referred it to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), who are both currently investigating.

Driverless taxis are legal in San Francisco, which is home to some of the nations biggest tech companies, as well as Phoenix, which has been used as a testbed for the technology due to its flat and grid-like street layout.

Waymo and GMs autonomous unit Cruise are planning to expand their services to other cities, including Austin, Los Angeles, Miami and New York City, though there has been some pushback to their rollout.

City officials in San Francisco have previously blamed the self-driving taxis for causing traffic and obstructing emergency vehicles.

The states DMV logged eight autonomous vehicle collision reports in January, and more than 130 in 2023.

Most incidents were minor crashes that resulted in no injuries, however a Waymo autonomous vehicle struck and killed a small dog last May in an accident that the company described as unavoidable.
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Elon Musk is funding a court case that claims that attacks Disney for making clear that only one orthodoxy in thought, speech, or action was acceptable in their empire.

The case is being brought by actor Gina Carano, and accuses Disney of unfairly firing her from her role in The Mandalorian over her tweets. She argues that she was dismissed from the company in 2021 for voicing conservative opinions on social media, including on what was then Twitter.

But the case is as notable for one party who is not involved in it: Elon Musk and his company, X. It is helping to fund the proceedings, apparently as part of a commitment to free speech.

Last summer, as Mr Musk was looking to promote the newly-renamed X platform as a host for free speech, he made a commitment to fund court cases brought by those who felt they had been unfairly treated because of their posts on the site.

If you were unfairly treated by your employer due to posting or liking something on this platform, we will fund your legal bill, he said in a tweet in August. He made clear that there would be no limits to the funding and that anyone interested should get in touch.

Caranos case, related to The Mandalorian, is seemingly also being advertised in that manner. Please let us know if you would like to join the lawsuit against Disney, he wrote in a new tweet.

As a sign of X Corps commitment to free speech, were proud to provide financial support for Gina Caranos lawsuit, empowering her to seek vindication of her free speech rights on X and the ability to work without bullying, harassment, or discrimination, said Joe Benarroch, Xs head of business operations, in a statement to Reuters.

But Mr Musks decision to fund the lawsuit might also be the result of personal animosity between him and Disney chief executive Bob Iger. The two have been in a public confrontation for months.

That appears to have begun when Disney joined many other companies in boycotting advertising on X, last year, in response to Elon Musks apparent endorsement of an antisemitic post.

Mr Musk then attacked Mr Iger on stage during an event, telling him to go f*** yourself, and said that he should be fired immediately.

More recently, Mr Musk has posted a range of tweets attacking Disney. Disney sucks, he posted on Wednesday, and he shared what appeared to be an internal Disney document promoting diversity in another tweet.

Disney did not immediately respond to a request for further information on the case and its dispute with Mr Musk.
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The surprise announcement at Samsungs event when it revealed the Galaxy S24 series of phones was a smart wearable, called the Galaxy Ring. It was one of the main talking points when I sat down with Dr Hon Pak, head of Samsung Electronics digital health team.

Although there are many details which are not yet known, Dr Pak was open about its purpose as part of the features Samsung is working on that are concerned with health.

We think that our role, at Samsung Health, is to simplify healthcare and to help individuals understand where they are and their journey, he told me. We want to help them to change behaviours in a positive way so that they can have the capacity to care for themselves and care for others. We want to connect people to each other. We think health is a team sport, not an individual sport.

Samsung believes the time is right to offer more health features that we can use at home. Because of unsustainable costs, healthcare shifting to the home. And this is accelerating particularly in the U.S. But I think it happens in other places. We have a challenge largely thats happening because of cost but also because of the work force shortage. We think were uniquely positioned with our portfolio of devices.

There are sensors in Galaxy phones and Galaxy smartwatches which can measure heart rate and even blood pressure. Thats already in the Galaxy Watch series and is something the Apple Watch doesnt match.

Dr Hon Pak (Samsung)

But health devices have their limits. Its fine that a smartwatch can confirm in the morning that we didnt sleep well last night, but that may not be enough to help.

Dr Pak said, People are saying to us that its nice that they can track how theyre sleeping or exercising, but they are saying they want to get better, they want a solution. Sleep has been a very significant focus for us. The Korean FDA approved our sleep apnoea screening detection.

We are able now, using blood oxygen dips that occur at night to say, we think you are at pretty good risk for having sleep apnoea. As you know, sleep apnoea is a huge problem. A hugely under diagnosed and the implication of sleep apnoea to cardiovascular and other diseases is pretty significant.

Sleep tracking had been widespread for a while and its implications are becoming more apparent. We have four new indices that we are tracking during sleep, heart rate. respiratory rate, night movement and sleep latency. What we have come to realise is that during sleep, when we measure how the heart rate declines or how blood pressure dips, those things are indications of your overall health, not just the quality of your sleep And we think that those are indicators for potential early interventions, because doctors dont have that information.

The buzzphrase of artificial intelligence inevitably entered our discussion. Dr Pak thought it would change things in a big way. I see two important areas where AI will impact healthcare broadly. I think as a physician when I look at AI, being able to manage large mountains of information will be useful: humans cant digest that much data from various sources, and go on to summarise it correctly.

For the first time, generative AI is able to do that in a very efficient way. I also think that, for the first time, conversational AI allows us to really mimic human conversations, which will really improve this concept of the digital assistant in the home, and its able to help you navigate and understand whats happening in that environment.

Does he imagine AI would ever replace doctors? I dont think doctors will ever fully go away but I think the days of doctors not using AI will likely go away over time. Because I think that AI is now matured enough that if you dont leverage it, you dont get the efficiency, so you dont get the scale.

Then, with a theatrical flair, a sheet is removed to show me the Galaxy Ring. Im warned that this is a prototype, so everything can change, from the colour to the material to the design.

The prototypes, which I wasnt allowed to photograph, came in a dozen sizes and four different colours, including a shiny gold and matte black. The rings had a concave outer edge that was strangely appealing to the touch. It was light and comfortable  making it much more appealing to wear at night, for instance, than a smartwatch.

And thats the key benefit of something like the Ring, which sits discreetly on the body at all times, with noticeable weight and no distracting screen. While youre wearing it, the ring is quietly, constantly recording data. Whats happening with wearables is that they can give us context in ways weve never known. We go to the doctors office, do a blood pressure check, say, and we come back to the office six months or a year later and do another check.

In reality, theres a lot of context here that would change if the doctors knew, if the individual knew. And this would fundamentally change some of the management and lifestyle choices we make. For the first time, its giving us windows and opportunities for change in ways that were not possible. This kind of technology is helping us understand the last mile of healthcare.
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Members of the anti-crime vigilante group Guardian Angels tackled a man in Times Square on live TV, who they wrongly claimed was a migrant because he was speaking Spanish.

The confrontation was seen on Fox News on Tuesday night, when the groups founder, Curtis Sliwa, was interviewed by Sean Hannity about crime in New York City, which he blamed on immigrants.

During the segment, members of the group stepped off-screen and tackled an unidentified man  pushing him to the ground and putting him in a headlock  who Sliwa claimed had been shoplifting.

(Fox News)

Our guys have just taken down one of the migrant guys on the corner of 42nd and 7th where all of this has taken place, Sliwa told Hannity. Theyve taken over!

In fact, the man was not a migrant  he is actually from the Bronx, police told the Associated Press. There is also no evidence he was shoplifting.

Sliwa told the Associated Press he had thought the man was a migrant because he was speaking Spanish.

He was put down so he wouldnt hurt himself or anyone else, said Sliwa, who previously ran for mayor as a Republican.

The man was issued a disorderly conduct summons for being loud, disorderly and threatening on a crowded sidewalk and trying to disrupt the interview, police told the New York Times.

Police reportedly did not say whether any of the Guardian Angels would face charges, and did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent.

On air Thursday night, Mr Hannity addressed the matter, saying that the statements made by Curtis that the man is a migrant is not true.

And in a statement to the Washington Post, Mr Sliwa also acknowledged his mistake.

I shouldnt have been listening to the crowd, Mr Sliwa said. That was my mistake.  I should not have had that knee-jerk reaction.
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British Airways will resume flights to Tel Aviv from 1 April 2024  but with a much-reduced service from London Heathrow.

Before the attack by Hamas on Israel on 7 October 2023, British Airways flew two long-haul Boeing 787s each day between the UK and Israel.

When flights to Tel Aviv start again, a single short-haul Airbus A320 will operate four days a week.

The configuration will be as for European flights, with the business class offer comprising the middle seat folded down  as opposed to a flat bed in the long-haul premium offering.

A BA spokesperson said: Weve taken the commercial decision to move Tel Aviv to our short-haul network when we restart our flights on 1 April. This aligns these flights with other similar length flights we operate, and well keep this decision under review.

Rob Burgess, editor of the frequent-flyer news site Head for Points, said: Theres nothing unusual, sadly, about BA using short-haul aircraft on such long routes. BA Euroflyer is operating from Gatwick to Sharm el Sheikh with a short-haul aircraft, Larnaca has always been short haul, and Cairo and Amman have used standard short-haul aircraft since BA retired the ex-BMI midhaul fleet.

Initially the BA flight from London will land en route at Larnaca in Cyprus for a crew change. Passengers will not need to leave the aircraft during the stop, which is timed for 45 minutes.

A new crew will join for the remaining 210 miles from Larnaca to Ben Gurion International Airport, outside Tel Aviv. The return flight to London Heathrow will operate nonstop.

The crew switch is intended to allow maximum flexibility if Tel Aviv is considered too risky to land. With a nonstop trip from London, the options for returning to base would be constrained by flight hour limits.

This month a number of major airlines, including Air France, Lufthansa and Ryanair, have resumed flights to Tel Aviv from airports in Continental Europe.

Wizz Air is flying from Luton to Israel once again, as well as links from Budapest, Larnaca, Milan, Rome, Sofia and Warsaw.

The Israeli national airline, El Al, has flown between London and Tel Aviv largely uninterrupted. El Al operates a full-service, long-haul configured Boeing 787 from Heathrow and a low-cost Boeing 737 link from Luton.

Britain's biggest budget airline, easyJet, has not yet announced a resumption of its flights from the UK. The carrier said the option is being kept under review. Seats from Gatwick to Tel Aviv are on sale from the start of the winter season, on 27 October 2024.

The Independent has asked Virgin Atlantic about its plans to resume flights from London Heathrow to Tel Aviv.
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The earth is at its most restless in Iceland right now. Since November 2023 the Icelandic authorities have been monitoring seismic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula, southwest of Reykjavik.

The latest eruption began on the evening of 16 March, with lava reaching the eastern edge of the fishing town of Grindavik  which has mostly been evacuated.

The Icelandic Met Office (IMO) reported: The eruption began at 20:23 UTC on 16 March, with a 2.9-km-long fissure forming quickly. The length and location of the fissure is similar to the eruption on 8 February 2024.

The IMO added that the lava was travelling at a speed of 1km per hour over the weekend, but in its latest updated noted that has slowed substantially, adding: The eruption has not ended, and lava continues to be extruded from a 0.5km-long fissure.

The Foreign Office warns: Recently there have been a series of volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland.

The capital city, Reykjavik, and the rest of Iceland has not been impacted by these eruptions. It is likely there will be further eruptions in this location. You should monitor local media for updates and follow the authorities advice on travel to the area.

The location is around 10 miles southwest of Keflavik airport, a major North Atlantic aviation hub. Flights are continuing to arrive and depart as normal.

These are the key questions and answers on consumer rights.

I am in Iceland. Will I be able to leave?

Yes, assuming the international airport remains open. Isavia, which runs the airport, said: An eruption has started on the Reykjaness Peninsula.

Keflavik airport and regional airports in Iceland are not impacted and fully operational.

You may be keen to leave earlier than booked, in order to guarantee your getaway, but at present you will not be able to switch flights without paying a penalty.

The FCDO advises travellers to check the following resources for updates:

Earlier earthquakes struck just 10 miles south of Icelands main airport, Keflavik International, but the UK Foreign Office said travel can go ahead (Vafri.is)

But didnt an Icelandic volcano shut down European aviation for a week?

Yes. Travellers may remember where they were in April 2010, when the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull erupted. The skies of northern Europe completely closed to passenger aviation for almost a week.

A quarter of a billion cubic metres of volcanic ash was ejected and was carried southeast towards the UK and continental Europe by the breeze. The fear was that volcanic ash could damage jet engines and potentially bring down aircraft. In the biggest shutdown of aviation since the Second World War, 50,000 flights were cancelled and 8 million passengers had their travel plans wrecked.

More than 50,000 flights, with eight million passengers booked to travel, were cancelled.

So far in 2023, though, ash has not been an issue in the current geological outburst.

Thankfully, the circumstances are very different. Eyjafjallajokull erupted with a glacier on top. The addition of melting water meant that the lava cooled very quickly into tiny fragments. These were promptly propelled into the atmosphere to a height of 30,000 feet by the steam produced in the eruption.

The current eruption is not having anything like the same effect. The lava will cool and remain on the ground.

In addition, new guidelines established in the wake of the 2010 eruption allow aircraft to fly if volcanic ash is present in reasonably small quantities. Another Icelandic volcano erupted in 2011, and in that case only 1 per cent of flights in northern Europe were cancelled  rather than 100 per cent on some days in that extraordinary time.

Icelands Blue Lagoon has been closed as a precuation (AP)

What if I am booked on a package holiday?

Foreign Office advice stops well short of advising against travel to Iceland, meaning holiday companies can continue to operate as normal  with no automatic right to cancel.

Iceland is a country peppered with volcanic sites (Icelandic Met Office)

Until and unless the Foreign Office warns against travel, the assumption is that everything will go ahead as normal.

The one exception is for holidaymakers who had planned to stay at the Blue Lagoon, an increasingly popular wellness destination, with an upmarket hotel on the site.

The Blue Lagoon has closed, with a statement on its website explaining: Due to a volcanic eruption that commenced on the morning of 8 February,we have closed all our operational units today, Thursday.

The current eruption site is a safe distance from Blue Lagoon.

Only those booked for a stay have the chance to cancel; if you were hoping to pop in as a day visitor for a steamy stop in the volcanic rock pools, you will need to return at some time in the future.

Can I claim on insurance?

No, unless it is one of the vanishingly rare cancel for any reason policies. On standard travel insurance, disinclination to travel is not an acceptable reason for a claim.

Would you go to Iceland at the moment?

Yes, I would relish the opportunity. Winter is an excellent time to visit Iceland for good value. Conditions right now are also excellent for the prospect of a good show from the Northern Lights, which are near the peak of the regular 11-year cosmic cycle.

The Icelandic authorities are expert at handling seismic events, with extremely good monitoring and emergency systems in place.

I would book a package holiday, though, knowing that if the earth gets too restless for comfort in the vicinity, I would be able to cancel for a full refund.

It could also be that the new eruption becomes an attraction in its own right, as some have done. But not right now. Clive Stacey, founder of the leading Iceland specialist travel firm Discover The World, said: As things stand this is not a tourist eruption in its present phase and sightseers have been warned to stay away from the area.
In the ever-evolving landscape of the Australian workplace, the last half-decade has seen unprecedented shifts, largely catalysed by the global pandemic.

Certain positive trends have emerged amid these transformations, including the widespread adoption of eLearning to empower and upskill workforces. However, this paradigm shift calls for a dynamic response from HR professionals across diverse sectors, including businesses, non-profits, government bodies and educational institutions, ushering in what can aptly be described as a skills revolution.

Whilst the prospect of upskilling employees holds immense promise for enabling organisations to achieve new levels of excellence, a pertinent challenge arises in the face of rapid corporate growth.

The conundrum lies in the sheer scale of training required to help employees remain at the forefront of their capabilities. With hundreds of learners engaging with dozens of courses simultaneously, the traditional approach to training becomes untenable.

Organisations should consider adopting a multifaceted strategy that balances scalability, flexibility and efficacy to navigate this obstacle and harness the full potential of upskilling for sustained corporate growth. Here, I outline five key approaches that can pave the way for organisations to thrive in this era of transformative change.

1. Embrace blended learning for scalability

Scaling a training program to align with corporate growth demands an innovative approach. The solution lies in blended learning, a strategy that melds the advantages of online courses with the dynamism of in-person and virtual classroom sessions. By offering self-paced online content supported by regular touchpoints in virtual and physical settings, organisations can support diverse learning preferences while ensuring consistency in knowledge acquisition. They can also foster a sense of community and interaction among employees, which is essential for creating a thriving workplace culture.

2. Foster continuous learning as a cultural norm

The key to sustaining corporate growth through upskilling is cultivating a continuous learning culture. This entails instilling the belief that learning is not merely a sporadic activity confined to training sessions, but a perpetual pursuit woven into the fabric of daily work life.

Organisations should encourage employees to proactively seek out new skills, offer incentives for further education, and provide access to curated resources that empower independent learning. By transforming upskilling into a natural part of the work routine, businesses can evolve in tandem with industry trends and technological advancements.

3. Personalise learning pathways

Each employee possesses a unique set of skills, interests and aspirations. Recognising this individuality is integral to optimising the effectiveness of upskilling initiatives. Organisations should look to invest in tools and platforms that enable the creation of personalised learning pathways. By tailoring training programs to align with employees strengths and ambitions, organisations can foster a sense of ownership over professional development, leading to higher engagement and retention rates.

This tailored approach enhances skill acquisition and reinforces the notion that the organisation is invested in the holistic growth of all employees.

4. Establish robust metrics for progress evaluation

To ascertain the impact of upskilling efforts on corporate growth, it is crucial to establish comprehensive metrics for measuring progress. These metrics extend beyond the mere completion of courses and delve into the tangible outcomes that upskilling drives, such as improved performance metrics, increased innovation, and enhanced adaptability to market shifts.

Regularly assessing these indicators allows organisations to fine-tune their upskilling strategies, ensuring that investments yield tangible returns and remain aligned with overarching business goals.

5. Develop training that scales to support growth

Company growth can pose a challenge: with hundreds of learners and dozens of courses running concurrently, training programs can become too large to manage. There are only so many training sessions one person can run weekly. Organisations can move to a blended, self-paced training model to scale a training program, with online courses supported by in-person and virtual classroom sessions.

For example, Colliers Project Leaders, which views the superior skill level of its practitioners as a competitive advantage, focuses on onboarding new practitioners quickly and providing ongoing training to keep all staff at the peak of their profession. Using our learning innovation system, D2L Brightspace, Colliers Project Leaders can train more people and raise skill levels faster, which is critical to maintaining the service quality of a business growing at 15 per cent per year.

The takeaway

The Australian workplace is paradigm-shifting, with upskilling emerging as a linchpin for corporate growth. By embracing blended learning, fostering a culture of continuous learning, personalising learning pathways and establishing robust progress metrics, organisations can navigate the challenges posed by rapid expansion while empowering their workforce to reach peak performance.

The convergence of technology, strategic thinking and a commitment to employee development holds the key to unlocking unprecedented levels of success in the evolving corporate landscape.

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Princess Anne acknowledged messages of support for King Charles and the Princess of Wales while visiting a pony centre on Thursday, 8 February.

The Princess Royal was celebrating the 35th anniversary of Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre in west London.

We wish you and your family well at this time, said Sister Mary Joy Langdon, founder and chief executive of the centre.

Anne nodded and smiled in response to the supportive words.

The Kings sister is the latest member of the royal family to receive the support of the public in person after the Prince of Wales acknowledged on Wednesday evening well-wishers who had sent messages for Charles and Kate.
The Met Police have issued an update on the Clapham chemical attack suspect, saying that the victim and suspect were in a relationship, according to their enquiries.

In a video posted to social media on Wednesday, 7 February, police said they have a clearer idea of Abdul Shokoor Ezedis possible motive one week on from the attack.

We understand from our enquiries that the possible motive is that the victim and suspect were in a relationship which had broken down, said Commander Jon Savell

The victim, a 31-year-old mother, remains in critical but stable condition, and police have been unable to speak to her.

Currently, the last known whereabouts of Ezedi was near Vauxhall Bridge Road at 11:03pm on 31 January.

Darius Nasimi, from the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association charity, also appealed to the public to help trace Ezedi.
Prince William met with Hollywood actor Tom Cruise at a charity gala on Wednesday night (7 February).

The event for the London Air Ambulance Charity was the Prince of Wales first public speech and appearance since King Charles cancer diagnosis

Tom Cruise was a fellow guest at the event, and the pair spoke and posed together for photos.

William later thanked fellow pilot Cruise for attending and made a lighthearted joke about the A-lister, saying Tom, if you wouldnt mind not borrowing either of the new helicopters for the next Mission Impossible, it would be appreciated.

The 75-year-old monarchs cancer diagnosis was announced on 5 February, after undergoing a procedure for benign prostate enlargement.
Snow has arrived in Yorkshire on Thursday, 8 February, as up to 25cm of snow has been predicted to fall in parts of England and Wales.

The town of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, was blanketed in snow on Thursday, with roads and houses covered in white.

The Met Office has issued several warnings across the UK, including amber weather warnings for Wales and across the Pennines.

Over 100 schools have been forced to close as snow and ice hit large parts of the UK, with commuters facing delays and road closures
A commercial property which could benefit from the completion of Clerys Quarter on OConnell in Dublin 1 has had its asking price cut from 1.85m to 1.25m.

Located at 4 North Earl Street, it is right beside the Earl Building which is part of Clerys Quarter. The Earl Building will accommodate the new outpatient department of the Rotunda Hospital,

The property at 4 North Earl Street comprises a terraced four storey over basement building extending to 5,250 sqft.

Its ground floor consists of a vacant retail unit with floor-to-ceiling glass front, glass door and electric roller shutter. It has a retail frontage of 6.25m and a depth of 25.5m on the ground floor.

The upper floors comprise of a red-brick facade.

Of concrete block construction with steel frame staircase, it comes with roof access to the rear, goods lift and open plan layout throughout. The property requires a full refurbishment.

Its site is zoned Z5 City Centre in the Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028 and this would facilitate a range of uses including: restaurant, cafe, publication, tourist hostel, office, education, medical and residential uses.

Only three doors from the corner with OConnell Street, it is also only 100m from the Spire, and close to Henry Street, one of Dublins busiest shopping streets.

Its neighbour, the Earl Building  part of the rejuvenated Clerys Quarter  has recently seen an opening by a new tenant, Pret a Manger sandwich store, on its ground floor.

Clerys Quarter is a new Dublin destination located in the heart of Dublin city centre on the citys premier thoroughfare. This new quarter delivers a state-of-the-art mixed-use destination combining office, retail, food and beverage, hospitality and leisure spaces.

From a transport perspective, North Earl Street is also strategically located and accessible from key transport nodes. It is between the green line Luas stops on OConnell Street and Marlborough Street and is a short walk from the red line Luas stops on Abbey Street and Store Street.

It is also well served by a range of city and national bus services which travel through OConnell St or terminate at Busaras.

Train services are accessible from nearby Connolly station serving both Dart and national routes including those covering north-west and east-coast destinations such as Belfast, Sligo and Rosslare.
Full county by county breakdown shows workers in Limerick, Wicklow and Cork among big winners

Dublin extended its wealth gap over every other county in Ireland in 2021, according to the latest statistics from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Dublin had the highest disposable income per person in the country in 2021, around 15pc higher than the state average.

The disposable income per person in Dublin stood at 27,958, rising 3.8pc from the year before.

Other high income counties such as Wicklow and Limerick saw their lead over other areas decline in the period.

Limericks disposable income per person was 25,190 in 2021, versus 24,702 in Wicklow and Corks 24,600.

Disposable income measures how much a person has after tax and including any Social Welfare payments such as pension or Child Benefit. It does not account for potentially higher costs, like rent or housing that vary county by county.

Dublin City and County was the only region where income is significantly above the state average, according to CSO data.

Higher income county typically have the highest concentrations of multinationals.

The CSO attributed the high levels of disposable income in areas around Dublin and Cork to the presence of key economic sectors in these counties. This included the information and communication industry in Dublin, as well industry in Cork.

Around 30pc of those in employment in Ireland in 2021 worked in Dublin, followed by 13pc in Cork. Around 7pc of the workforce were based in Galway, with 5.3pc in Kildare.

Limerick and Waterford accounted for 5pc and 4pc of those in employment respectively.

Donegal recorded the lowest disposable income in Ireland in 2021. The disposable income per person in the county was 19,253, more than a fifth below the state average.

The disposable income per person in Laois was slightly higher at 19,659, followed by Kilkenny at 19,696.

The Midlands region recorded the lowest levels of disposable income in Ireland, accounting for 6.7bn of the total.

The Border and Midlands counties remained consistently below the state average, the CSO found. These locations are also largely dependent on the public sector to grow employment and generate wealth, according to the report.

Counties in these regions also had the lowest percentage of workers as a result of low populations and a lack of industry.

GDP in Dublin and the south-west of Ireland continued to grow. The Dublin region recorded the highest GDP in the state at 199.1bn in 2021, followed by a GDP of 115.7bn in the south-west.

The largest contributor towards GDP in Dublin was the ICT sector, while the manufacturing sector was main driver of growth in the south-west of the country.
Irish distribution giant DCC has reported an increase in profits in the final three months of 2023.

The group said that operating profit for the third quarter of its financial year was modestly ahead of the corresponding period in 2022 despite the volatile macro environment.

DCCs energy division delivered growth in the period as a result of demand for the groups energy solutions and despite mild weather conditions in many regions.

Operating profit was down in both DCC Healthcare and DCC Technology but the rate of decline slowed compared with the first half of the groups financial year, the group reported.

DCC said there was improved market conditions in the health and beauty solutions market but this remained below historic growth levels.

DCC Technology reported difficult trading conditions in the consumer tech sector, a slowdown it had noticed earlier in 2023.

It has also committed around 355m to acquisitions since the end of its previous financial year last March, including 45m since November 2023.

DCC Energy has recently agreed to acquire the energy management division of eEnergy Group in the UK.

The distribution group now expects operating profit for the year ending March 31 to rise in line with expectations.

Q3 is seasonally important and DCC has delivered modest year-on-year growth in operating profit. This is positive given the volatile macro environment, Davy analyst Colin Grant wrote.

The company expects FY2024 to be another year of operating profit growth, in line with expectations. This would mark the 23rd year of growth in Ebita in the last 25 years, he added.

Goodbody analyst Gerry Hennigan wrote that the group once again demonstrated resilience in its traditional base energy business.

DCC recorded a profit of 655.7m in the year to March 31, 2023.

This reflected an increase of 11.3pc from the prior year and was the groups highest profit to date.

The growth was driven by operating profit increases in DCCs energy division, as well as the impact of acquisitions completed in the current and previous year.

It completed 19 acquisitions in its previous financial year.

Group revenue rose to 22.2bn, up 25.2pc year-on-year.

DCC employs 16,000 people in 22 countries across four continents.
An online travel agent who allegedly screen scrapes Ryanairs website information is also abusing the airlines literary works by doing so, it has been claimed in High Court proceedings.

Ryanair has provided additional updated claims in its 13-year action against the On the Beach (OtB) web agent over what it says is the unlawful scraping of content from the airlines website, so the agent can sell Ryanair flights as part of holiday packages.

OtB denies the claims and has accused Ryanair of anti-competitive behaviour.

In its original claim, launched in 2010, Ryanair claimed that by accessing its website, OtB is bound by its terms and conditions  but it has in reality attempted to breach those terms and pass off its own website as that of Ryanair.

Progress in the case began to accelerate following a March 2022 decision by the London High Court to refuse Ryanair a stay on anti-competition/abuse of dominant position proceedings OtB had brought against Ryanair UK Ltd and Ryanair DAC in that jurisdiction.

Ryanair had claimed a stay was needed until the Irish screen-scraping case was dealt with.

It said OtB was attempting to run virtually the same case for abuse of dominance under English and EU law in two different jurisdictions, thereby creating the risk of irreconcilable judgments. OtB opposed the stay.

Following the English decision, an issue in the Irish proceedings came before Mr Justice David Nolan over whether an appendix from the English proceedings  outlining what OtB said was Ryanairs anti-competitive behaviour  could be included in the OtB defence to the screen-scraping case.

Mr Justice Nolan directed that the appendix should be struck out, but that OtB should be given the opportunity to amend its defence to plead the matters contained in the appendix.

Earlier, the judge noted that other than the lodging of a statement of claim and dealing with replies to particulars sought by each side, little else happened in the Irish case between 2010 and 2020 when there was a notice of change of solicitor.

However it could be said the London court decision accelerated matters and saw Ryanair take a tougher approach to the prosecution of these [Irish] proceedings.

The judge said in March 2023 that an amended statement of claim was submitted by Ryanair in which it gave more detail in relation to the importance of its website, the need for it to maintain direct contact with its customers and the manner in which the website is used to promote its business, among other things.

Ryanair also said it had set up a defence system against the screen scraping but OtB had been able to circumvent it.

Under a heading related to Copyright and Database Rights, Ryanair made a new case in relation to the compromise of its copyright and database rights and an abuse of its literary works, the judge said.

OtB filed a defence which put in issue all the Ryanair claims including the airlines terms of use, the original database and the claim that the website constituted an original literary work for the purposes of the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000.

It also pleaded that the airlines terms of use constituted an anti-competitive agreement and/or instruments used in furtherance of the abuse of Ryanairs dominant position.

The judge said in pleading these matters OtB repeatedly referred to the disputed appendix from the English case.

He found the use of the appendix in the context of this case is inappropriate but there was nothing to stop OtB from pleading the anti-competitive claims in the traditional way.

He said he will hear the parties later on the nature of the order that should be made.
This working life: A computer can identify a problem, but humans can understand the context

Emer Cassidy, TikToks head of EMEA regional policy, on local slang, time differences, canteen food  and the joy of a growing sector

Emer Cassidy of TikTok

Mary McCarthy Thu 8 Feb 2024 at 05:30

Ive been at TikTok for three years and Im head of the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) regions for policy. Our job is keeping people safe online, in particular young people.
We dont report to shareholders every quarter, so we can think long-term, says Lidl Ireland boss on retailers growth strategy

JP Scally says the supermarket chain is focused on bringing value to its customers

JP Scally of Lidl

Sarah Collins Thu 8 Feb 2024 at 03:30

John Paul (JP) Scally has spent half his life working at German retail giant Lidl.
Intuit QuickBooks, a big finance company, just launched a new version of QuickBooks Online for small to medium-sized businesses in Australia.

This updated version uses smart computer technology to give helpful advice and tips to growing companies. It helps them manage their business better.

QuickBooks Online Advanced boasts all the features of Intuits most popular small business software solution, QuickBooks Online Plus, as well as enhanced services to make it the perfect fit for growing business owners. A few key features include:

Automated workflows: Invoices can be sent through pre-set approval flows before theyre sent. Reminders and approvals can be set for transactions like invoices, payments, or deposits, dependent on individual requirements

Invoices can be sent through pre-set approval flows before theyre sent. Reminders and approvals can be set for transactions like invoices, payments, or deposits, dependent on individual requirements Custom roles and permissions: Access to sensitive information can be restricted and information to transactions such as deposits, sales, expenses, inventory or reports can be customised

Access to sensitive information can be restricted and information to transactions such as deposits, sales, expenses, inventory or reports can be customised Automatic backup and restore: Data is frequently backed up and stored securely, allowing the user to easily restore books to a previous point in time, providing peace of mind.

Additional product capabilities will be added to the platform in the near future  giving users even more great benefits to anticipate including features to increase administrative efficiencies, enhance reporting and benchmarking, and ease expense management.

QuickBooks Online offers a comprehensive suite of accounting software features tailored to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes. With its user-friendly interface and robust functionality, QuickBooks Online empowers businesses to efficiently manage their finances. From professional invoicing to meticulous expense tracking and adept cash flow management, QuickBooks Online provides the tools necessary for streamlined financial operations.

Additionally, QuickBooks Live Bookkeeper service provides users with direct access to experienced accountants whenever expert assistance is required. Whether youre navigating complex financial matters or seeking guidance on optimizing your accounting processes, QuickBooks Live Bookkeeper ensures that professional support is readily available.

QuickBooks Online Advanced provides an advantage for growing and more complex businesses at an attractive price point, filling a gap not yet met in the market, says Damien Greathead, Accounting and Advisor Group Lead at Intuit QuickBooks Australia.

Weve expanded our platform capabilities to serve customers who are self-employed all the way through to those with larger workforces and a high volume of transactions. As these businesses grow, many are faced with the lack of an affordable solution and often adopt software that is both expensive and too complex for their needs. QuickBooks Online Advanced addresses that void to help power their prosperity.

Product information: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/au/quickbooks-online-advanced/

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The redundancies will fall more heavily in Northern Ireland, where 200 jobs are to go, with 100 set to go in IrelandGlen Dimplex says it is reorienting its business towards clean energy products, with 200 new jobs to be added over five years

Electric heater manufacturer Glen Dimplex is to axe up to 300 jobs on the island of Ireland  around 100 of them in the Republic as it shifts some business to Lithuania and China.

The companys Portadown site in Northern Ireland is to be shuttered completely next year, with the loss of 200 jobs, the Irish company announced today.

Panel and storage heating manufacturing will transfer from the groups sites in Newry and Portadown to its existing manufacturing site in Lithuania. The manufacturing of flame products will move from Dunleer in Co. Louth to China.

The heater maker, founded by Martin Naughton, will phase in all of the redundancies between late 2024 and 2026, it said today. No job losses are expected within the next six months.

Glen Dimplex also plans to add 200 new jobs on the island over five years, as part of a group-wide reorganisation and reorientation towards more climate-friendly products such as heat pumps.

The move will see 50m invested in the business: 40m of which will go towards new jobs, offices and the consolidation of its business on the island of Ireland. A 10m envelope is being set aside for expansion in Lithuania.

Glen Dimplex Group CEO Fergal Leamy said the drive for more renewable electricity requires a transition in the technology and appliances used in our homes and businesses.

Our proposed 50m investment will reorientate our operations on this island so that they are environmentally and economically sustainable and a major driving force in the next chapter of growth at Glen Dimplex, he said.

By signalling these proposed changes significantly in advance of proposed implementation we aim to mitigate the impact on staff and minimise redundancies through training and redeployment and affording the opportunity to apply for hundreds of new roles that will be created over the coming years.

Mr Leamy admitted the transition will bring significant change and challenge in the near term.

He said the status quo is not an option due to consumer demand and public policy.

Glen Dimplex currently employs over 8,000 people globally and 800 people on the island of Ireland.

Under the reorganisation, overall employment on the island of Ireland will increase by 200 people to 1,000 by 2029, a boost of 20pc.

The group has manufacturing locations in Newry and Portadown, two sites in Dunleer and a sales and distribution operation in Cloghran near Dublin Airport.

The reorganisation plan will see site numbers in Ireland cut from five to three, with the Portadown operation closing down, though Glen Dimplex is to invest 25m in its Newry facility. One of the Dunleer sites is to close as the manufacture of flame products moves to China.

The Newry site is to turn into a centre for the manufacture of zero-carbon, renewable heating solutions including heat pumps.

Kieran Donoghue, chief executive of economic development agency Invest NI, said: The news of Glen Dimplexs plans to wind down its facility in Portadown over the next two years will be deeply upsetting for staff. We will work with the company and those affected to identify alternative employment opportunities and to pursue reskilling opportunities as appropriate.

Employees at all Glen Dimplex sites were briefed today about the proposed reorganisation.
Figures from ESRI and RTB utterly depressing, says Sinn Fein TD Eoin O Broin

Large numbers of landlords appear to be breaking the rules on rent increases

The States regulator for the rental sector has promised to clamp down on landlords as new figures show rental costs rising significantly above legal limits.

Data for the three months up to last September show existing tenants had suffered an average rise of 5.2pc since the same quarter a year previously.

This is despite the fact that most of the country is covered by state-mandated Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs).

Meanwhile, new tenancies have seen rental cost rises that are more than five times the rental cap.

The findings raise questions about whether landlords are complying with rent-control measures and have prompted calls for more enforcement of the rental rules.

Under the law, rents in RPZs are not supposed to rise more than 2pc a year.

The survey commissioned by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB), and carried out by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), shows the cost of new tenancies rising at twice the rate for sitting tenants.

The standardised average rent for new tenancies grew by 11pc in the third quarter of last year compared with the same three months in the previous year.

RTB executives said they will eventually use the data in the rent index to chase landlords who are breaching the RPZ rules.

In addition to facilitating the production of the existing tenancy rent index, the new improved tenancy dataset is providing very important information which we are now using to identify potential non-compliance, RTB deputy director Lucia Crimin said.

Researchers in the ESRI worked out that the average rent for a new tenant now costs 1,598 a month.

This is an increase of 25 a month compared with the previous quarter, and an increase of 158 on the year.

The national average rent for existing tenancies was 1,357 a month, the researchers found.

The gap between new tenancies and existing ones is now 18pc.

Some of the surge in new rents can be explained by people leaving a rental property and a new tenant coming in.

Properties rented for the first time are also not subject to the RPZ caps.

Average rents for new tenancies in Dublin were 2,113 a month, up 10pc on the year.

This figure is 325, or 18.2pc, higher than the average rent for existing tenancies.

In Dublin, existing tenants are paying 1,788 a month, some 4.3pc higher in annual terms.

Cork new rentals are costing 1,386 a month.

This is 216, or 18.5pc, higher than the average rent for existing tenancies, which stood at 1,170 a month.

In 2019, the RTB was given powers to probe and sanction landlords who breach rental laws, including breaching RPZ caps.

Fines of up to 15,000 can be imposed by the RTB on landlords found to be breaking the rules.

Ms Crimin of the RTB said the board would use the rent index data to build a process to identify non-compliance with rental laws.

But Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin said the rise in rents was utterly depressing.

The rise in existing rental costs confirms a high level of non-compliance among a section of landlords, Mr O Broin said.

He said the RTB needs to step up its enforcement action.

The RTB has the inspectors. It has the data. It is now time for action, the TD added.
The controversial technology, which Gardai say is essential for modern policing, will enter a testing phase soon amid fears over privacy and civil liberties

Bodycams on city-based Gardai are a step closer to reality, after An Garda Siochana published a contract tender worth 2.1m for an initial proof of concept using the uniform-attached gadgets.

The tender is the latest move to equip Gardai with the technology, which has caused tension between government coalition parties over potential encroachment on privacy and civil liberties.

The contract notification is for body-worn cameras, together with software and services for Gardai in Dublin, Limerick and Waterford.

It does not give any detail on the extent of the bodycams technological capabilities. Last year, a compromise on Garda bodycams was reached between the Green Party and Fine Gael, stalling the introduction of facial recognition technology for use by Gardai.

However, facial recognition usage is to be allowed under separate legislation currently being drawn up by the government, although this is set to be for retrospective analysis rather than live deployment.

In June last year, the European Parliament voted to ban live facial recognition technology across Europe.

An Garda Siochana is proposing to complete up to three separate service contracts for the completion of a proof of concept for a body-worn camera system with associated software and services in Dublin, Limerick and Waterford, says the Garda tender.

This proof of concept will ultimately be replaced by a further and separate procurement process which is designed to provide body-worn cameras across the organisation to all Garda members and which will be informed by the learnings which have been achieved from the proof of concept.

Senior Gardai have previously said that they expect a national bodycam rollout to happen by 2025.

All of the digital imagery collected by body worn cameras will be managed by a Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS).

The cameras are planned for use during violent events or major public disturbances, but not for less serious, non-violent incidents.

Footage is uploaded at the end of a shift so it can be used as evidence at court, or is deleted after an agreed time period if it's not required as evidence.

Chief Superintendent Derek Smart, said: "The publication of this Request for Tender brings An Garda Siochana a step closer to the reality of body worn cameras being generally used by Gardai.

"This proof of concept period provides an opportunity for An Garda Siochana to understand the capacity and capabilities of body worn cameras and for the public to provide their feedback to An Garda Siochana prior to the organisation wide roll out of body worn cameras.

Andrew O Sullivan, Chief Information Officer for An Garda Siochana, added: "This is the next step in the procurement and roll out of body worn cameras for An Garda Siochana continuing our ongoing commitment to providing our Gardai with the most modern electronic tools to be effective in keeping them and people safe in todays society.

"The Proof of Concept phase is an essential element to introducing body worn cameras, in a way which is clearly explained and understood by everybody in society, as a tool to assist members of An Garda Siochana in their day to day duties.
Oscar winner Steve McQueens mesmerising four-hour film uses the prism of the present day for this intricate account

Steve McQueen is an Oscar-winning director, best known around these parts for his Bobby Sands biopic Hunger, arguably the best film yet made about the Troubles.

Occupied City (No cert, 266mins)

But McQueen made his start in visual art, and those rarified roots are evident in this austere and sprawling documentary.

It is possible, in fact, to imagine Occupied City being shown on a continuous reel in an art gallery, with passers-by pausing momentarily to be overwhelmed by its intricate account of the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam before hurrying on.

That subject matter, combined with a four-hour-plus running length, does sound forbidding, but McQueen has found a way of making the past seem pertinent, and Occupied City makes for mesmerising viewing.

The film is based on a book by the directors wife, Bianca Stigter, who spent 20 years researching Nazi crimes between 1940-45, and connecting them with the individual streets and buildings where they occurred.

Instead of using archive footage, however, McQueen has chosen to photograph all of these crime scenes in the present, while English actress Melanie Hyams coolly explains what happened there 80-odd years ago. The effect is unsettling.

The Wehrmacht invaded Holland on May 10, 1940, as part of their broader plans for the conquest of France. Within a week, Dutch forces had surrendered.

While there would be resistance, including a general strike by communists to protest against the treatment of Jews, there was plenty of collusion also, and more than 70pc of the Netherlands Jewish population were murdered during the Nazi occupation, a far higher rate than in comparable countries, like Belgium or France.

A scene from Occupied City. Photo: Modern Films

In Occupied City, meanwhile, horror is located in the most mundane places. While contemplating a boarded up shop front, were told that here stood one of the first cafes to put a No Jews sign in the window.

In the citys famous concert hall, the Royal Concertgebouw, the names of great composers adorn the upper walls: during the occupation, the Germans insisted the names of Jewish composers like Mendelssohn be covered up. This makes them sound silly, and childish, but as we know they were in deadly earnest.

A humdrum house was once the home of a 10-month-old baby, removed to a police station on account of its suspected Jewishness: a year later, the child died at Auschwitz.

The Gerrit van der Veen school was formerly the HQ of the dreaded Sicherheitspolizei, the German security police; the Hard Rock Cafe a prison yard around which people were forced to parade chanting I am a Jew, beat me to death.

McQueens film feels encyclopaedic, and almost is. He filmed every one of the 2,000-plus addresses in Bianca Stigters atlas, then edited down to this four-hour cut

McQueens film feels encyclopaedic, and almost is. He filmed every one of the 2,000-plus addresses in Bianca Stigters atlas, then edited down to this four-hour cut.

The film is not chronologically told, and flits back and forth in time from the two events that bookended German rule: the wave of suicides that followed the invasion, and the so-called hunter winter of 1944-45, when the occupation ended with a crescendo of misery.

It might be easier to forget about all this, and as Steve McQueens crisp images of bustling modern Amsterdam suggest, the city more or less has.

But as Winston Churchill said, those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it: the Holocaust happened, and no point pretending it didnt.

The Nazis crimes are so endlessly numerous as to make a full comprehension of them impossible, and in a way, Occupied City proves this point, Interestingly, it makes little mention of wartime Amsterdams most famous wartime resident, Anne Frank, and does not visit Prinsengracht 263, site of the Anne Frank Museum, one of the citys biggest tourist attractions.

This omission is surely deliberate, and perhaps an attempt to distance the documentary from the softening symbol of hope Anne has become, with her famous diary declaration that in spite of everything I still believe people are really good at heart. She died in Bergen-Belsen, probably of typhus, in the spring of 1945.

Occupied City is in selected cinemas from Friday, February 9
Young patients with scoliosis are being failed by health service, admits Health Minister Stephen Donnelly

Gillian Sherratt and Stephen Morrison with their son Harvey Morrison when he was aged three. Harvey is now eight years old and is still waiting for spinal surgery. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Desperate parents are being offered full expenses to take their child abroad for spinal or orthopaedic surgery amid a waiting-list crisis in Dublin hospitals and warnings from families that lives are being put at risk.

It comes amid mounting concern for children in need of urgent spinal and orthopaedic operations in Temple Street and Crumlin Hospitals in Dublin .

Delay in setting up a taskforce on spinal surgery for children has put lives at stake, Claire Cahill of Scoliosis Advocacy Network said yesterday.

She was responding to Health Minister Stephen Donnellys promise to set up the taskforce, first called for by parents last September.

The delay has led to a crisis situation where childrens lives are at stake. Hundreds of children lost valuable time, Ms Cahill said.

While the creation of a taskforce is a positive step, it must be statutory, independent of Childrens Health Ireland (CHI) and have power to direct. We will settle for nothing less.

She also pointed out that hundreds of children are waiting for a first assessment, delays for which lead to more invasive surgeries and poorer outcomes.

The minister said ideally no child should have to go abroad for surgery, but he has been speaking to some families and he pledged end-to-end funding, not just for the child but parents who may have to do multiple trips.

Recently the parents of an eight-year-old boy who requires surgery to correct a life-threatening curvature of his spine said they are considering leaving Ireland permanently to get the care their son needs.

Stephen Morrison and Gillian Sherratt said they feared their son Harvey will die unless he undergoes surgery, which they have waited seven years for.

Harvey was born with spina bifida, scoliosis and hydrocephalus, but he has developed further complex health conditions over the past eight years.

As the curvature of his spine has reached over 80 degrees, it is considered to be life-threatening severe scoliosis.

We cant continue with the Irish health system, we are considering moving to Canada or Liverpool, we have to get out of this country, we need to find a better health service for our son, Harveys father said.

They described their distress at their sons curvature twisting his ribcage around his lungs and pushing down on his heart.

Mr Donnelly said yesterday the taskforce would include representation by parents and he has asked for consultation on terms of reference.

A dedicated spinal surgery unit has been set up in Temple Street that is overseen by surgeon David Moore and the aim is to ensure it has ringfenced beds and theatres for these patients.

The minister added there is a commitment to pay end-to-end expenses of families who choose to take their child abroad for surgery. However, many families have already indicated this will not be feasible due to their childs complications and other responsibilities.

Mr Donnelly said: These children must be the last to be failed by the health service  and they have been failed.

Another parent group, Scoliosis Awareness and Support Ireland, welcomed the promised measures and indicated they will take part in the taskforce.

The parents group Orthokids Ireland, whose children have serious orthopaedic conditions, have called for the return of the surgeon who is on leave since the Temple Street surgery scandal broke last year. They have also expressed concern some of their childrens medical records from Cappagh Hospital were randomly selected for part of the Nayagam review into aspects of orthopaedic surgery in CHI at Temple Street.

A spokeswoman for the HSE was unable to say yesterday what time period the surgery of the additional patients covered and said it would be inappropriate to comment on the work under way.

A spokeswoman for CHI, which oversees Dublins three childrens hospitals, said it is keenly aware of the impacts caused to children, young people and their families due to long waiting times. We are doing all we can to reduce waiting times and will continue to do so.

Spinal surgeries are happening every week and making a profoundly positive impact on the lives of the children and young people who receive them.

At the end of last year, 464 spinal procedures  216 spinal fusions and 248 spinal-other procedures [were completed].

A new spinal consultant has been identified to support the spina bifida service and has started seeing patients at the fortnightly multi-disciplinary clinics.

Going forward, spinal surgery for patients with spina bifida will take place in both Crumlin and Temple Street. It is also engaging with hospitals abroad.

A total of 230 patients on the waiting list is a 2.1pc overall reduction compared to December 2022.

Last year, there was a 13pc reduction in patient wait times of over four months for spinal surgery versus 2022.

The number of active patients waiting more than 12 months for a spinal fusion fell by 31pc last year. The number of patients waiting over 12 months for a spinal-other procedure remains static.
A 30-year-old American woman who brought over 460,000 of cannabis into Dublin Airport just before Christmas told gardai she wasn't fully aware of what was in her suitcases.

Adrianne St Clair of Denker Avenue, Los Angeles, has been in custody since December 22 last, when a customs sniffer dog detected over 22 kg of drugs in her luggage on arrival from the US.
The chief fire officer of Dublin Fire Brigade, the final witness to be called at the Stardust inquests, has told the jury that he believes an increase in the number of fire stations and firefighters in Dublin since 1981 was a direct result of the fire.

Dennis Keeley also told the jury in the Dublin District Coroners Court that it was hard to disagree that it would be better for a third party to sign off on building plans rather than for builders or architects to self-certify.
A man who allegedly raped his wife's friend in a park told gardai that sexual contact could have occurred when he fell on top of the woman but that he doesn't remember.
The Sale of Alcohol Bill will extend the opening hours of pubs and nightclubs. Photo: Getty Images

An open letter has been sent to the three leaders of the Government parties by 65 health, social and community organisations, condemning proposed measures to overhaul alcohol laws.

They have joined forces to register their strong opposition to the Sale of Alcohol Bill, which they warn will dramatically increase the number of venues serving alcohol and significantly extend the opening hours of pubs and nightclubs.

The letter has been sent to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tanaiste Micheal Martin, and Environment Minister Eamon Ryan.

They have issued an urgent call for this Government to fully assess the implications of increased alcohol availability.

Chief executive of Alcohol Action Ireland, Dr Sheila Gilheany, said: This letter shows the deep disquiet in the health and social community and makes a shared call for an immediate health-impact assessment (HIA) of this legislation to be carried out.

We have been calling for this from the very start of this legislative process and the question must be asked  why doesnt this Government want to carry out an assessment?

We, and all of the other organisations, from health to community groups, to academics and individuals, are simply asking the Government to know what the health, social and financial costs of these proposals will be before they jump into it. This is not too much to ask.

She accused Justice Minister Helen McEntee of hiding behind references to consultations already carried out when asked about plans for the health-impact assessment.

Dr Gilheany said: Such consultations provide useful views, but they do not replace the need for specific data on the numbers and funding levels of gardai, medical, social and transport services which will be required to deal with the fallout from this legislation.

She added that a majority of the public shares concerns about the impact of extended opening hours for pubs and clubs on emergency departments, ambulances, and gardai.

The Justice Minister has previously said that a public consultation, including an online survey and a request for submissions, ran from November 2021 until January 2022.

The consultation focused on seeking views on the best way to update the existing laws governing the sale and regulation of alcohol.
ACCI, representing business operators nationwide, urges the Senate to reconsider the ramifications of the rushed and flawed industrial relations legislation.

The national, state, and territory business chambers stand united in support of our small and family enterprise business community, already grappling with significant cost escalations.

There is grave concern that the proposed legislation will detrimentally impact all business owners, particularly those in growth stages, and adversely affect the very employees it aims to protect, along with the communities reliant on local business resilience.

Our members, spanning regions, towns, cities, and sectors, predominantly consist of small businesses, whose contributions are immense. Imposing additional constraints and costs on them will either burden the community or result in job losses, or both, ACCI said in a statement. Already beleaguered by bureaucratic constraints, small business owners face further entanglement in red tape with this legislation. A one-size-fits-all approach to the casual labor market, amid a shortage of essential skills, couldnt come at a worse time. It will negatively impact workers valuing flexibility, precisely when flexibility and skill-sharing are burgeoning economic lifelines.

We urge the Senate to view this legislation through the lens of mainstream Australia, where family enterprises and small businesses form the economy and communitys lifeblood. We cannot allow industrial relations laws to make it harder for hard-working business owners to generate the wealth we enjoy as a nation. We cannot allow industrial relations laws to make it harder for small business owners to grow, create valuable jobs and invest in skills. This bill will bring many unintended consequences and should not be supported in its present form.

Particularly concerning are amendments proposed by the Greens, lacking scrutiny or consultation, not raised during the Senate committee hearings nationwide last year.

Specific concerns about the legislation include:

Employee-like forms of work, with a broad definition capturing many independent contracting arrangements.

Casual employment uncertainty, deterring employers from hiring casuals and hampering job creation and flexibility.

Expanded powers for union officials to enter workplaces without notice, despite only 8% of private sector employees being union members.

Implications for road transport akin to the disastrous Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal for owner-drivers.

Intractable bargaining incentivizing unions to prolong disputes, disadvantaging employers.

The right to disconnect, redundant given existing legal protections against unreasonable additional work hours outside designated times.

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An elderly pedestrian has died after a fatal road collision with a jeep in Dublin this morning.

Gardai are investigating the incident that occurred shortly before 7am on Ballinteer Avenue in Ballinteer, Dublin 16.

The pedestrian, a woman in her 70s, was taken to St James's Hospital where she has since been pronounced deceased.

No other injuries to persons was reported.

Ballinteer Avenue was closed for a time but has since reopened to traffic.

Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the Ballinteer Avenue area between 6:40am and 7am are asked to make this footage available to gardai.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact gardai in Blackrock on 01 6665200, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
Gardai investigating the death of Michael 'Mickey' Foley (61) in Cork believe that he knew his attacker or attackers.

Detectives, who have now launched a murder investigation, also fear that the father-of-four may have been assaulted in his home several days before he was finally discovered by his care worker.

The murder investigation was launched once Gardai received the results of a post mortem examination conducted at Cork University Hospital (CUH) on Wednesday evening.

Mr Foley was found at lunchtime on Tuesday in a pool of blood at a property near a sheltered housing complex in Macroom, Co Cork.

He was discovered in the town centre house by his shocked care worker who went to check on him amid mounting concerns for his welfare.

Mr Foley, who was originally from Clonakilty, was found on the floor of the property with visible injuries to his head, neck and upper body.

Detectives are now investigating whether Mr Foley knew his attacker or attackers - and may have inadvertently allowed them entry to his home before he was then subjected to the violent attack.

Such were the severity of the injuries he suffered that it is believed the attack involved was quite prolonged and likely involved some kind of weapon.

There was no sign of forced entry to Mr Foley's home, no damage to doors or windows and no sign of a robbery.

His sisters, Mary and Ann - whose other brother Timmy (44) was murdered in October 2018 - said they were devastated by Michael's death.

"He was a gentleman. We just cannot believe this," his sister Ann said.

His sister Mary admitted they had been left shocked by the second tragedy to hit their family in the space of six years.

"We just cannot take it in - it is too much. We are heartbroken."

Both sisters said they were now praying that the Garda investigation will move swiftly and that the family will get answers as to the precise circumstances in which Michael died.

Michael's death is the second tragedy to hit the Foley family since 2018.

In 2018, Mr Foley's younger brother, Timmy, was murdered after being stabbed 28 times in a violent attack.

The brothers had been living in the Macroom area for a number of years.

Mr Foley had only been residing at the sheltered housing complex at Annville, Barrett's Place for 18 months.

Neighbour Tim Horgan said he was increasingly concerned for the welfare of Mr Foley after receiving no answer on Tuesday when he called to his Barrett's Place home to check on him.

Mr Horgan then met the local care worker and asked her to check on Mr Foley.

"I went up around 10am because I hadn't seen him for a couple of days. I knocked on the door and then the window but there was no sound," he said.

"I met his care worker coming up (the street)...she opened the door and she went in and saw him down on the floor. She said call the guards. We were shocked really."

The 61 year old was pronounced dead at the scene despite doctors and paramedics attending within minutes of the alarm being raised.

It is now believed he may have been dead for some time, possibly several days, before he was found.

The body of the man was transferred to the morgue at Cork University Hospital (CUH) where a full post mortem examination was conducted on Wednesday.

A Garda case conference will be held today to consider the post mortem findings and the status of their investigation.

Macroom Gardai are now liaising with the State Pathologist's Office and the South Cork Coroner over the matter.
The Jesuit Order in Ireland has received 93 complaints of physical, emotional and sexual abuse against former priest and teacher Joseph Marmion.

A report published today by the Society of Jesus said the abuse occurred at three Jesuit schools, with 70pc of the complaints relating to Belvedere College in Dublin.

The rest relate to Crescent College in Limerick and Clongowes Wood College in Kildare.

Between 1945 and September 2023, 117 complaints of child sexual abuse were received by the Society against 43 Jesuits, plus Fr Marmion, making a total of 44. Of these 44 Jesuits, 22 had one complaint made against them and 22 had more than one.

All relevant information regarding these complaints has been reported to An Garda Siochana and Tusla for the purposes of their respective statutory functions, the report states.

Nearly three years ago, in March 2021, victims of Marmion were asked to engage with the Jesuit Order regarding the abuse that occurred and a restorative justice programme was established.

The report highlights the appalling abuse suffered by former pupils and finds that decisions made down through the decades put the protection of the reputation of the Society, its schools and Fr Marmion ahead of the welfare of boys and ahead of the law.

It says young boys experienced pain, fear and intimidation, and many carried the pain and suffering, silently and alone, with deplorable consequences.

Many have permanent scars. Some have carried them to the grave, the report states.

Of the 93 complaints of abuse received against Marmion, 14 relate to Crescent College, 14 to Clongowes Wood College and 65 to Belvedere College.

The Society said that while it does not normally publish the identities of Jesuits who become the subject of a complaint, following careful consideration, the naming of Marmion in 2021 was seen as an appropriate and necessary step.

The report says a complaint of sexual abuse was also made in 1991 against Fr Paul Andrews, who had been Rector of Belvedere for a time. He has since passed away.

It said Andrews had knowledge of Marmions crimes, but he did not share this knowledge with his superiors when he held a senior role.

The report said it was agreed between Andrews and two other priests - who were aware of the complaint against Marmion - that the need to safeguard the Society's reputation and the avoidance of public scandal was central.

The complaint of abuse against Andrews is said to have occurred in 1985 in a non-school setting. The complaint was reported by the Society to gardai in 1995.

However, the Director of Public Prosecutions directed in 1997 that there be no prosecution.

Following this, he was allowed to resume his ministry and returned to working with minors.

The Jesuits described this as "a serious error of judgement" and acknowledged that proper case was not given to the complainant and his family.

The report details statements from former pupils about the abuse they suffered.

Marmion spent more time as a teacher in Belvedere College than in any other Jesuit school. He was there for nine years between 1969 and 1978. Of the complaints made against him in Belvedere, 35 were of child sexual abuse and 30 were of physical and emotional abuse.

Past pupils described an atmosphere of turmoil, terror and chaos generated by his large physical presence and of never knowing with any degree of certainty how he would behave in the classroom at any moment and for any length of time.

One described Marmion as an out-and-out bully; a complete psychopath.

Irish Jesuit Provincial Shane Daly SJ said it is important to hold the Order to account for its failures regarding pupils who were abused.

"As Jesuits we are ashamed of our own failures - failure to allow the truth to be told, failure to admit to the wrong that had occurred, and failure to create earlier opportunities for you to receive the vindication you sought, deserved and needed, as a result of your experiences of Fr Marmion SJ, he said.

"I apologise for our delay in creating a context in which you could receive the acknowledgement that was justly yours, and the care to which we, as a Christian community aspire in our lives and mission."

Anyone who has suffered abuse at the hands of any Jesuit is asked to contact the Order's Safeguarding Office on safeguarding@jesuit.ie.

The Jesuit Safeguarding Helpline is 00353830874254.

They can also contact Tusla or An Garda Siochana.
A MAN whose skeletal remains were discovered in a shallow grave and who is now the focus of a Garda murder investigation was described by his heartbroken mother as "a superhero".

The tribute came as hundreds attended the Requiem Mass in Cork of Kieran Quilligan (47) whose body was discovered in a shallow grave at Rostellan on January 29.

Mr Quilligan's funeral took place at the Church of the Way of the Cross in Togher.

He had lived in both Knocknaheeny and Togher.

The 47-year-old was the beloved son of Steven Quilligan and Katheen O'Flynn and the brother of Trevor, Karen, Stephen, Roy and Pamela.

His heartbroken mother, Kathleen, fought back tears as told mourners her son was a wonderful character whose entire family absolutely idolised him.

I want to tell you what type of character Kieran was," she said.

"From his youngest of days I can always remember him thinking he was Bruce Lee - before he could even walk properly.

"Then he went on to his karate. He loved his superheroes and he loved Tupac.

"He adored our grandkids and his nieces and nephews. He absolutely idolised the children. He adored his family. He loved his god daughter. He loved all children.

"He was a great character. He was just too good for this world and was full of nature. He always had a special spot for his sister Karen. Karen held one for him too."

She sobbed as she said Kieran's death had devastated their entire family.

"I just do not know what to say. We idolised him and he idolised all of us. We are saying goodbye today to our superhero.

The Offertory gifts reflected the loves and passions of Kieran's life and included two family photographs, a helmet and a superhero's sword.

Fr John Walsh told mourners that, for any parent, hearing of the death of their child is "a moment that will never be forgotten".

"A heart is broken by the absolute tragedy of a life cut short either by illness or through violence," he said.

Fr Walsh said the entire community had rallied to try to show solidarity with the Quilligan family and Kieran's friends.

"So many are united in the tragic death of a young man.

"Life can end at any moment and many families know the horror of sudden death. Faith in God insists that every single life is precious and to bury your dead with dignity is a most sacred duty.

"There is today a sense that at last this horrible wait is now over. And we also acknowledge that no one can claim for themselves the right to take the life of someone else. There are times when things are not okay and this is one of them.

"That Kieran died the way he did is not OK. His life was ended (as) the victim of a brutal act. That there was pain, ugliness and hopelessness in the world doesnt mean that you have to let your life be defined by it.

"Death never has the last word - any faith must face evil straight on. It is our prayer on this sad day that the soul of Kieran may rest now in peace."

Mr Quilligan - who had been battling a heroin addiction - vanished without trace in Cork city centre on September 1 last.

Gardai immediately became concerned about his safety and welfare amid fears he may have been the victim of foul play.

A number of searches were conducted including a large-scale examination of farmland and shoreline in Little Island last year.

During another targeted search last month which was supported by a special cadaver dog unit, Gardai located skeletal remains in a shallow trench just off the Cork to Whitegate road.

The remains were wrapped in a heavy duty industrial bag and were fully clothed.

After exhaustive dental, DNA and medical records analysis it was confirmed that the remains were those of Mr Quilligan.

Detectives launched a murder investigation after receiving the post mortem examination report of Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster.

The findings of the post mortem report have not been disclosed by Gardai for operational reasons.

However, it confirmed that Mr Quilligan had died in violent circumstances.

Two men have appeared before Cork District Court charged with Mr Quilligan's murder.

Mr Quilligan's family asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Cork Missing Persons Search and Recovery.

Following the Requiem Mass, his funeral concluded at The Island Crematorium in Ringaskiddy.
A man in his late forties has died after he contracted measles, the first such case in Ireland this year.

The man, who comes from the Westmeath area, is believed to have travelled to the Birmingham region of the UK recently.

There have been a outbreaks in this area and the man was diagnosed after he presented to a hospital in the Midlands when he returned to Ireland.

Questioned last night by the Irish Independent, the HSE issued a statement saying the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre has been notified of the death of an adult with confirmed measles.

This is the first confirmed measles case notified in Ireland in 2024.

It said that HSE public health teams, along with the HSE Measles National Incident Management Team (IMT), are taking all necessary public health actions in relation to the case.

The HSE Measles IMT was established in response to a recent rise in measles cases in the UK and Europe. Measles is highly contagious.

it is understood that hospital doctors and GPs have been notified of the case. GP sources who did not want to be quoted indicated the patient was a man in his late forties.

Contacts of the man are being traced although it is unclear if it will be possible to contact all people who could have been put at risk.

The HSE said it offers MMR vaccine to protect against measles to all children as part of its childhood immunisation schedule.

The HSE also offers a catch up MMR option for children aged 10 years and under who may have missed out on vaccination.

Health officials will keep the public informed of further measures and, in the meantime, anyone with concerns should contact their GP.

There were four measles cases reported in 2023, two case reported in 2022, no cases were reported in 2021 and five cases were reported in 2020. There were no deaths reported in any of those years.

It said that measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious complications, particularly in children under one year of age, pregnant women, and the immunosuppressed.

The symptoms of measles include:

 Cold-like symptoms such as aches and pains, a runny nose, sneezing and a cough

 Sore red eyes that may be sensitive to light

 A temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above, which may reach around 40 degrees Celsius

 Small greyish-white spots in your mouth

 Loss of appetite

 Tiredness, irritability and a general lack of energy

 Rash, which usually appears on head and neck first and spreads to rest of body

Further information about measles symptoms is available at: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/measles/

If you have these symptoms, please seek medical advice. Phone ahead prior to attending your GP, Emergency Department or other healthcare provider to inform the healthcare professionals that you have these symptoms, so they can make necessary arrangements. In addition, please alert medical staff if you have been in contact with someone who has measles or if you have recently travelled to an area where you know measles has been spreading.

The HSE said that MMR vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others from measles. Two doses of MMR vaccine are necessary to be considered fully vaccinated.

The first dose is given by your GP when your child is 12 months of age. The second dose is given by school vaccination teams when your child is in junior infants.

Parents are encouraged to check that their childrens vaccines are up-to-date. If your child has missed either or both of their MMR vaccines, please contact your GP practice to arrange a catch-up vaccine.

Uptake of both doses of MMR vaccine has been below 90% for some time which is of great concern because of the serious and infectious nature of measles. We therefore urge all families to take up the offer of vaccine now for their children. It is not too late to be vaccinated.

Serious complications of measles include pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain); one in five infected may need to go to hospital and it can be fatal.

It said the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported a resurgence of measles in England in 2023 particularly in the West Midlands and London, however all regions of England have reported cases.

The latest information on the epidemiology of the current UKHSA national measles incident is available.

Further information about vaccination is available at www.immunisation.ie.
A man aged in his 60s has admitted to four charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 (AHWA).

Clement Stone, with an address at Aughamucke, Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, admitted to the charges before Kilkenny District Court on January 23.

The case emerged following an inspection by ISPCA senior inspector Fiona Conlon. On December 20, she said she found four Yorkshire Terrier dogs living in horrendous conditions.

Ms Conlon told the Court the dogs were kept in stables hidden behind fences and a padlocked gate. The stables were described as being covered with excrement, old white moulding faeces interspersed with fresher faeces and there was an overpowering smell of faeces and urine.

The dogs were said to be extremely fearful and when secured, she saw they were matted with bald patches, irritated skin and bad breath.

Mr Stone told Ms Conlon the dogs belonged to his father, who had died, and he bred the dogs to keep the line going. Asked when his father died, he said it was in 2008.

He surrendered the dogs, who were taken for assessment by a vet. They were found to have poor skin and coats, severe advanced dental disease and three of the four were given urgent dental treatment.

The condition of these four little dogs, and their living environment was horrendous. They were commercial entities, used for breeding. None of the dogs had ever seen a vet and, from their fear, they had very little human interaction, Ms Conlon said.

"Thankfully these dogs are now in loving homes. If you are thinking of getting a dog, please consider rescuing, there are so many dogs in Ireland right now looking for homes, lets make rescued our favourite breed.

Judge Geraldine Carty said photographs of the dogs made for unhappy viewing and the Court was satisfied they had been neglected for a long period.

She imposed a disqualification order for all dogs apart from a single pet. Mr Stone was permitted to keep the dog for the remainder of its life but cannot replace it.

A fine of 500 was imposed on each of four summonses and Judge Carty ordered Mr Stone pay 1,221 in ISPCA costs and 1,000 towards prosecution costs.
First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill has accused the Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris of having an ostrich mentality around the issue of Irish unity.

It's after recent comments made by Northern Ireland's Secretary of State in which he said he didn't predict the conditions emerging for a poll in his lifetime.

Appearing on ITV's Good Morning Britain programme this morning, Michelle O'Neill said Mr Heaton-Harris was "sticking his head in the sand".

"All the certainties of the past are gone. My election does speak to the change that's happening. I think that's a bit of an ostrich mentality, sticking your head in the sand and refusing to see what's happening all around you," she said.

Ms O'Neill, who will on Saturday mark a week in her post, said it's been "a bit of a whirlwind" and said she's not even sure what day it is.

Ms O'Neill said day-to-day work can go on in Northern Ireland while also considering the possibility of a border poll.

"I think we can do two things at the one time," she said. "That's the beauty of the Good Friday Agreement - work on day-to-day issues can go on alongside "mature" considerations around the future, she added.

Big challenges lie ahead after the "historic moment" when she was confirmed as Northern Ireland's First Minister.

She said she considers herself one of the Good Friday Agreement generation. "One of the beauties [of that] is you can be British, Irish, both or none," she said.

Ms O'Neill said she considers herself an Irish person but said respect is paramount. She was asked by presenters Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway about the terminology surrounding place names.

"I think it's important that I can say lets be chilled about it - I say north of Ireland, others say Northern Ireland, lets just give each other the space," said Ms O'Neill. "It's about understanding we can all be different."

She said she was "surprised" by a hug from UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak but added: "The world needs more hugs, let's be real."

Ms O'Neill disagrees with the Conservative's politics but said: "I can make all those points to him. We're all human at the end of the day."

After two years of being unable to take up her post, "there's a sense of finally, we got to this moment".

And she lauded the late Queen Elizabeth, who in 2011, became the first British monarch to visit Ireland and also shook hands with Martin McGuinness.

Ms O'Neill said she "didn't think that much into" the handshake but added "there was a real deliberate attempt on her part to try and heal some of the relationship breaks we've had in the past".

The Northern Ireland Office has been asked for a response.
Taoiseach launches Guaranteed Irish stamp to mark the 50th year of Guaranteed Irish. with David McRedmond CEO An Post with Brid OConnell CEO Guaranteed Irish. Picture Andres Poveda

A new national stamp has been unveiled by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, which celebrates 50 years of Guaranteed Irish.

A non-for profit membership organisation, it began in 1974 with a campaign by the Irish Goods Council to encourage shoppers to support local Irish businesses.

The white stamp features the Guaranteed Irish logo at the centre, in gold white and green.

Designed by Dublin-based CI Studio, a hand selecting the green dot over the I represents the act of choosing to support businesses and jobs in Ireland.

Were pleased to recognise the importance of Guaranteed Irish as the national symbol of trust in business in Ireland, An Post chief executive, David McRedmond said.

Their work promotes all businesses based in Ireland, supporting fair working conditions and a growth economy.

In this regard Guaranteed Irish and An Post have a lot in common and together we are helping build sustainable Irish businesses and communities for the future, Mr Redmond added.

Since its founding 50 years ago, the Guaranteed Irish licensed mark continues to be used by retailers and businesses both in store and online to distinguish Irish goods and services.

We are delighted with the support of such an iconic national brand such as An Post who like ourselves are championing sustainability amongst our members and customers businesses, Guaranteed Irish chief executive, Brid OConnell said.

Today, 2,300 Guaranteed Irish member businesses directly employ over 150,000 people and have a combined turnover of 14.75 billion.

The mark is awarded to both indigenous companies and international businesses that operate in Ireland, which not only encourages consumers to shop Irish, but also support the employees and wider supply chains that are involved in those companies.

The 50th anniversary presents a lovely opportunity for us to work with genuine businesses who are long-term committed to Ireland, its workforce and the countrys reputation.

It is only by working together, as we saw during the pandemic, how beneficial the experience can be for our local economy, our supply chain and our environment, Ms OConnell said.

While we have evolved to represent our members, the support from businesses such as An Post has been steadfast and the new stamp is a really fitting way to celebrate this together, Ms OConnell added.

The stamp will be available with a first day cover envelope from February 8. With a N rate, the 1.40 stamp will cover postage across the island of Ireland.
Three people arrested in connection with an arson attack on a former pub in Dublin have been released without charge.

In a statement this morning, gardai said all three, including a woman aged in her 20s, and two men, aged in their 30s and 50s, who were arrested during an operation in Dublin on February 8, as part of this investigation, have been released without charge.

Files will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The former Shipwright pub on Thorncastle Street in Ringsend, Dublin, was gutted by fire on New Years Eve.

The three are not known to gardai for involvement in any form of serious criminality.

Four searches were carried out yesterday in Ringsend, leading to the three arrests.

It is understood that clothing as well as electronic devices were seized.

The Shipwright pub and guesthouse was being renovated to provide emergency accommodation for homeless families at the time of the arson attack.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said a number of raids had been carried out as part of a garda operation following arson attacks on asylum centres and properties earmarked for such use, or rumoured so.

There is a very significant operation under way, Mr Varadkar said on Newstalks The Pat Kenny Show yesterday morning.

Arson is a very serious crime, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

The Taoiseach said we need to catch the people who are carrying out arson attacks.

He added that, as he understands it, the attacks are not the work of one gang travelling around the country.

Theyre different in nature, he said. There are some who are doing it opportunistically, others who are connected to extreme and racist views who are more organised in what theyre doing.

Mr Varadkar speculated that a lot of planning went into the burning down of St Brigids Nursing Home in Crooksling near the Dublin-Wicklow border last weekend.

That was a big building to burn down and took a degree of knowledge, he said. In other places, it hasnt been arson on that scale.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy told the Dail we are witnessing a campaign of far-right terrorism.

Speaking under privilege, he named three individuals present at protests outside buildings that had been earmarked for asylum-seekers and were subsequently targeted in arson attacks.

People like [three named alleged far-right activists] are quick to the scene. A few days later, it is burned down, Mr Murphy said.

We should call what we are seeing what it is. We are witnessing a campaign of far-right terrorism in this state.

We have seen 26 arson attacks in the last five years against premises rumoured to be used for asylum-seekers.

What has been the response? Almost nothing. Nobody charged. Fiddling while the country burns. We finally have three arrests for arson.

In a statement released today, gardai said: Two males, aged in their 30s and 50s, who were also arrested during an operation in Dublin on 8th February 2024, as part of this investigation, have been released without charge.

An Garda Siochana continues to appeal to anyone with information in relation to this investigation to contact Irishtown Garda Station at 01 666 9600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Additionally, An Garda Siochana appeals to anyone with information on any other reported incidents of arson to come forward. Information can be provided through the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or by contacting any member of An Garda Siochana.

The three arrests bring to 10 the total number of people detained and questioned for arson attacks in recent months.

Five people have been arrested and detained as part of the investigation into criminal damage and public order incidents on Sandwith Street in Dublin on May 12 last year.

Two other people have been arrested and charged before the district court in Kerry. This followed gardai investigating alleged criminal damage to a residential building in Killarney on New Years Day.

In addition, four searches have been carried out by gardai investigating criminal damage to the Ross Lake Hotel in Co Galway.
The leader of Fianna Fail has pushed back against a Fine Gael MEP saying that male, pale and stale is a theme in Fianna Fails ballot for Europe.

The party has so far selected three men to run in the upcoming European elections but Micheal Martin insisted more names will be added to the ticket.

However, he couldnt confirm if they will be women.

Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh hit out at the make up of European Parliament.

"We are not a representation if we continue to send certain age, certain skin colours, certain gendered people back here [to Strasbourg]. And the fact that a Government party as has only selected ... three men, well that's on them," she told RTE.

"I think male, pale and stale is a very common theme out here, she said.

Speaking in Chicago, Mr Martin said he doesnt agree with her comments.

European candidates are going to be saying all sorts of things to get profile, our list isnt complete, everybody knows that. We added candidates on the last occasion and well be adding candidates on this occasion, he said.

I think it would have been preferable if people had waited for the Fianna Fail ticket to complete itself.

He said two of the partys MEPs, Barry Andrews and Billy Kelleher, are outgoing MEPs looking to run again.

What is Maria saying  that they shouldnt run?

Barry Cowen, who criticised Ms Walshs comments, will be running for Fianna Fail in the new European Parliament constituency of Midlands North West.

Barry Cowen is a very senior politician, hes entitled to go for Europe. We need balanced commentary here but well be in a position to add, said Mr Martin.

When asked if women will be added to the ticket, he said: Im not going to pre-empt but Im saying the ticket is not complete, we will be adding candidates to the ticket.
CCTV: With the New Year approaching, could you share more with us about the events that the Chinese Foreign Ministry, embassies and consulates have planned for overseas Chinese during the upcoming Spring Festival of the Year of the Dragon?

Wang Wenbin: With the Spring Festival drawing near, the Foreign Ministry actively delivers on the spirit of the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs and puts into practice the principle of serving the people through diplomatic work. The Ministry has directed our embassies and consulates to hold the Embracing the Chinese New Year special program around the world, conveying the care from the Party and the government. The embassies and consulates visited fellow compatriots living in difficulty and held cultural activities in various forms to celebrate the Chinese New Year with all the overseas Chinese.

In the new year ahead, we believe that overseas Chinese will continue to play the distinctive role as a bridge to connect the homeland and the rest of the world, pool the strength to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, and contribute to deepening the friendship between China and other countries. We wish all overseas Chinese a happy and prosperous Year of the Dragon!

AFP: Two explosions occurred before the elections in Pakistan. What is your comment? What is Chinas expectation for the elections in Pakistan?

Wang Wenbin: We are deeply shocked by and strongly condemn the attacks in Pakistan. We mourn for the victims and express our sympathies to their families and the injured.

China opposes all forms of terrorism and firmly supports the Pakistani government and people in making relentless effort to eradicate terrorism and safeguard the security and stability of the society.

You mentioned the general elections in Pakistan. This is the internal affair of Pakistan. As the all-weather strategic partner and iron-clad friend, we hope the general elections in Pakistan will be held in a smooth, steady and safe manner.

Reuters: The Philippine Defense Secretary has ordered the military to boost the number of troops and structures in the remote Batanes islands less than 200 kilometers from Taiwan to fortify Manilas territorial defense capabilities. Whats Chinas comment?

Wang Wenbin: China and the Philippines are neighbors across the sea. Friendly exchanges predominate in the history of our bilateral relations. A close neighbor can be more helpful than a distant relative. Neighbors should get along with each other based on the principle of good-neighborliness, friendship, mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and non-interference in each others internal affairs.

I want to stress again that the Taiwan question is at the heart of Chinas core interests and is a red line and bottom line that must not be crossed. Relevant parties in the Philippines need to understand it clearly, tread carefully and dont play with fire on this question to avoid being manipulated and eventually hurt.

CNR: It was reported that the current President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev won the presidential elections on February 7 and will serve another term. What is Chinas comment?

Wang Wenbin: Azerbaijan has long been a friendly partner of China. We express our congratulations on the successful presidential elections in the country and on the re-election of President Ilham Aliyev. China respects the choice of the Azerbaijani people and stands ready to work with Azerbaijan to deepen cooperation in various areas and bring the bilateral relations to a new level.

AFP: Taiwan authorities announced yesterday that a man wanted for suspicion of scam was successfully repatriated from Poland this year. Has China lodged representations to Poland on this?

Wang Wenbin: Liu Hongtao, a resident of Taiwan, China, is suspected of telecom fraud. China made the request to Poland for extradition in accordance with the law to combat crimes and protect the lawful rights and interests of the victims. This is completely legitimate and lawful. China attaches great importance to the protection and advancement of human rights, stands firmly against torture, and has achieved remarkable progress in human rights protection in the judicial area. The ruling by the European Court of Human Rights and its rejection of Polands appeal application shows no respect for facts and falls short of justice and fairness. The ruling has no factual ground and is legally untenable. It is in the common interests of the international community to enhance enforcement and judicial cooperation and jointly combat cross-border crimes. China has successfully carried out enforcement and judicial cooperation, including extradition, with many countries, and will continue to work with the rest of the international community to jointly combat cross-border crimes and promote personnel, economic and trade exchanges.

There is but one China in the world; Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinas territory; and the government of the Peoples Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. We urge Poland to adhere to the one-China principle, handle Taiwan-related issues in a prudent and proper manner and uphold the overall interest of China-Poland relations.

China Daily: According to foreign media reports, Turkish prosecutors recently approved again the arrest of 25 suspects in relation to the church attack in Istanbul, and will charge them for membership in a terrorist organisation and qualified intentional homicide. One of the suspects, who was formerly a Chinese national and has naturalized as a Turkish national now, is related to the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and the Islamic State. What is Chinas comment?

Wang Wenbin: We noted the reports. The Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), also named East Turkistan Islamic Party or Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP), has plotted and carried out a number of violent terrorist attacks both inside and outside China. It was designated by China in accordance with the law and listed by the UN Security Council as a terrorist organization. It was also listed by the Turkish government as a terrorist organization. In recent years, the ETIM has colluded more closely with other international and regional terrorist and separatist forces, such as the Islamic State, Al-Qaeda and the Balochistan Liberation Army, to plot continuous attacks against overseas Chinese targets and take part in or carry out terrorist activities in relevant countries and regions, which gravely threaten Chinas interests and security overseas and seriously undermine the security and stability of relevant countries and regions.

Terrorism is a common enemy of mankind. Relevant reports once again show that the ETIM is a terrorist organization that causes great harm. Combating ETIM is a core concern of China in its counterterrorism effort and a shared responsibility of the international community. China stands ready to step up counterterrorism cooperation with Turkiye and other members of the international community to firmly strike down on ETIM and keep the region and the world safe and stable.

NHK: Leak of untreated water has been found at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan. What is Chinas comment on that?

Wang Wenbin: We have noticed the reports. China is carrying out an assessment. The incident again exposes the long-existing problems with TEPCOs internal management. Japan has the responsibility to make public the incident in a timely, comprehensive and transparent manner and responsibly provide the details of it. The discharge plan will last for 30 years or even longer. Can Japan ensure safety and be responsible in the future discharge management? Can the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water treatment and discharge facilities work stably and effectively over the long run? We have every reason to be concerned and a big question mark has been put over this.

The nuclear-contaminated water leak at the TEPCO facility once again highlighted the critical need for an international monitoring scheme effective for the long haul. China urges Japan to respond to international concerns with all seriousness, dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water in a responsible way, and cooperate fully in putting in place a long-term independent and effective international monitoring scheme with substantive participation of Japans neighboring countries and other stakeholders, so as to avoid irrevocable consequences stemming from the ocean discharge.

AFP: The US Department of Justice arrested on Tuesday a Chinese-born engineer named Gong Chenguang who became a US citizen in 2011. Whats your response to his arrest? Do you know what he has done?

Wang Wenbin: I am not aware of the situation.

Beijing Daily: On February 7, cybersecurity-related agencies from the Five Eyes alliance jointly released a cybersecurity advisory, warning that the PRC state-sponsored cyber group known as Volt Typhoon crept into multiple critical infrastructure organizations in the US and China pre-positioned themselves on IT networks for disruptive cyberattacks. Whats Chinas comment?

Wang Wenbin: We firmly oppose the US and other countries of the Five Eyes alliance smearing and attacking China without any evidence. Last May, countries of the Five Eyes alliance released a similar report discrediting China. Less than a year later, we see another the Five Eyes alliance production of the Smear China franchise, same made-up plot about Chinese cyber attack, same shoddiness.

The Five Eyes alliance needs to know that falsely accusing China will not hide the fact that the Five Eyes alliance is the largest global intelligence agency and the US is the No.1 hacking state in the world. The US has established a large cyber arsenal, which includes typical weapons like the PRISM program disclosed by Edward Snowden, the Project CAMBERDADA by the US media, the Equation group by the Shadow Brokers, and Vault 7 by WikiLeaks. These cyber weapons put the critical global infrastructure and peoples life and production in all countries in jeopardy.

In addition to reports released yesterday, Chinas cybersecurity institutions have for some time issued some US-related cybersecurity reports, disclosing how the US government has put the critical global infrastructure in jeopardy and turned into the number one source of cyber risks and challenges. The US owes the world an explanation.

We keep a firm stance against all forms of cyber attacks and resort to lawful methods in tackling them. Four years ago, China put forward the Global Initiative on Data Security, which calls on countries to jointly build a cyberspace featuring peace, security, openness, cooperation and a sound order, and not use information technology to undermine other countries critical infrastructure, steal important data, and endanger their national security and public interests. If the Five Eyes alliance truly wants to keep cyberspace safe, they are welcome to join the Global Initiative on Data Security.

Lets stay tuned and see what else is in the alliances play script of spreading disinformation on Chinese cyberattacks.

CCTV: We noticed that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres extended the Lunar New Yea greetings in a video to the global Chinese communities. He said that the Lunar New Year is part of the UN holiday calendar for the first time, and he also expressed thanks to China and the Chinese people for the unwavering support to the United Nations, multilateralism and global progress. What is your comment?

Wang Wenbin: This years Spring Festival will be the first one since the UN decided to list the Lunar New Year as a UN floating holiday. With the Lunar New Year of Dragon approaching, leaders of countries and international organizations have sent messages or letters to extend New Year greetings to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people. Apart from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres you mentioned, leaders including General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, President of Indonesia Joko Widodo, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko, President the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, Turkmenistans President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Uzbekistans President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abudulaziz Al Saud and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Tunisian President Kais Saied, President of the State of Israel Isaac Herzog, Senegalese President Macky Sall, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, Ghanas President Nana Akufo-Addo, President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadera, Seychellois President Wavel Ramkalawan, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, Croatian President Zoran Milanovic, Hungarian President Katalin Novak, President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Cuban Revolutionary Leader Raul Castro, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and Cuban President Diaz-Canel, and Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Vanuatus Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, and Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare, have sent New Year greetings to China.

World leaders have largely expressed that in the past year, China, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, has achieved new and great accomplishments in pursuing Chinese modernization, which brings new opportunities to the world and new hope to the developing countries. China plays an increasingly important role in upholding international fairness and justice. Leaders of the world reaffirmed their firm commitment to the one-China principle, and they are glad to see Chinas steady progress in sustainable development. The traditional virtues of the Chinese people including sincerity, kindness and enthusiasm continue to be strengthened as part of the national spirit. They wish the Chinese people an auspicious and prosperous year. In the Year of the Dragon, China will strive for continued progress with strength, wisdom and innovation and make impressive achievements on the international stage.

We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation for the well wishes from world leaders and heads of international organizations.

The Spring Festival is a traditional one for family reunion and also celebrated globally as a public holiday. In the New Year ahead, we will continue to deepen friendly cooperation and exchanges with all countries, and work with the international community and bear in mind the future and the wellbeing of humanity to build a community with a shared future for mankind and a better world.

****************

During the Spring Festival holiday, there will be no regular press conference from Friday, February 9 to Sunday, February 18. The regular press conference will be resumed on Monday, February 19. During this period, questions can be submitted to the Spokespersons Office via fax, email or WeChat.

On the threshold of the Year of the Dragon, everything looks anew. We wish all Chinese and foreign journalists at our regular press conference and all friends who have long taken an interest in and supported Chinese diplomacy a happy Chinese New Year.

Thank you for your hard work and contribution to present Chinas stories in a truthful and objective way to the world.

Wish you and your families happiness, great health and auspiciousness! See you in the Year of the Dragon!
A hall at Trung Vuong University in the northern province of Vinh Phuc. Photo by the University

A university in northern Vietnam recruited up to 600-700% over its admissions quota and accepted a student who had not graduated from high school while also failing to produce valid teaching materials.

In late January, inspectors from the Ministry of Education and Training announced the conclusion of an investigation that had uncovered a series of violations at the private Trung Vuong University in Vinh Phuc Province during the 2020-2022 period.

For one, university admissions staff recruited many times over its quota in several departments.

In 2020, for example, in the Department of Business and Management, and the Department of Law, the university recruited nearly 750 students, an excess of 647% when only 100 were needed for a full student cohort.

In 2022, the Nursing Department enrolled more than 500 students, exceeding its quota by 737%.

According to regulations, universities are autonomous and responsible for determining their admission quotas and making them public. However, this should not exceed the institutions capacity and must meet all training conditions dictated by education ministry regulations.

Universities will be penalized if they recruit over 3% of their quota. The maximum fine is VND70 million (US$2,860) if exceeding by more than 20%. No university has ever been found exceeding its quotas at such a high rate as Trung Vuong University.

When inspecting student records for the Nursing Department at the university, the ministry found a regular student without a high school diploma while three other students did not meet the minimum level of high school education.

At the master's level, there were students that could not show proof of university graduation.

At the time of inspection, the university had also not compiled, selected, or assessed teaching materials for its majors at the regular undergraduate level. Attendance books lacked lecturer signatures, and the ratio of permanent faculty to visiting lecturers was incorrect.

Additionally, the university illegally opened a practical training facility in Hanoi.

Regarding faculty quality, the E-commerce major had 4 out of 5 instructors beyond the working age limit, and without Ph.Ds. in their relevant fields of study.

According to the ministry inspection, the responsibility for these problems lies with the admissions unit, faculty leadership, and the Trung Vuong University administration as a whole. The agency recommended Trung Vuong University rectify its management practices, review internal regulations and student records, rebuild its admissions scheme, and carry out the compilation and assessment of teaching materials before reporting back to the ministry.

The People's Committee of Vinh Phuc has been advised to assist the university in the management of its activities, and help the institution in its review of its admissions process and training procedures.

Trung Vuong University was established in 2010.

The Ministry of Education and Training authorizes the university to offer eight undergraduate majors - Economic Law, Business Administration, E-commerce, Finance - Banking, Accounting, Nursing, English Language, and Chinese Language.

The university offers two master's programs in Economic Management and Economic Law.
There has been a massive upsurge in unscrupulous business owners across Ireland asking migrants for illegal payments of tens of thousands of euro to sponsor their work permits.

And these employers are exploiting the migrants further when they get here, according to a group assisting the workers.

The Migrants Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI), which assists migrant workers exploited by their employers and take cases to the Workplace Relations Commission, has said there has been huge increase in people coming forward even though a culture of fear prevents more speaking out.

Were seeing a huge increase in the amount of people coming in to us looking for help where they have been exploited, said MRCI deputy director Bill Abom.

The number of cases weve lodged has gone up tenfold.

The agriculture, horticulture and hospitality sectors are among those where the MRCI has been involved in cases and the businesses range from small restaurants to large successful businesses, according to Mr Abom.

He said Chinese workers are among the most exploited in Ireland and some are on as little as 4 an hour.

A lot of people, particularly Chinese but also from Vietnam and the Philippines and other places, pay a lot of money for either an intermediary or directly to their employer to work here, Mr Abom explained.

We have a case with someone who is only getting paid 4 an hour and she is the only one coming forward.

People from outside the European Economic Area coming to work in Ireland must have a job offer with a minimum salary offer of 30,000.

They also have to register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

If their application is successful, they will be issued with a work permit for two years, which can be renewed for a further three years.

As a result of the process, they are effectively tied to their employer for five years if they want to stay here, and this is what some businesses are exploiting.

In one recent case, an employee claimed he had to agree to pay around 25,000 to his employer to get the job offer.

Its called a recruitment fee but it is not a recruitment fee, Mr Abom said. If youre on a permit here you cant change your employer, so people just have to bear it until they get their residency.

As well as being exploited through recruitment fees, migrant workers are also exploited in several other ways when they arrive here due to being tied to one business for five years, according to Mr Abom.

They bring people in on proper terms and conditions and everything looks clean and nice but, once they get here, instead of working the 40 hours a week on the contract, theyre working 70 hours.

If they want to get paid, theyre told to sign a paper saying theyre only working 40 hours. Thats how they kind of get around it.

People have invested so much money to get here and everybody is counting on them back home, so a lot of people suck it up and wait for the five years.
Environmentalists have cried foul at the latest signals from Brussels over its ambitious plans to tackle climate change. An announcement by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, who will begin her campaign for a new five-year mandate this month, seemed contradictory.

In essence, the German Christian Democrat politician has recommended ambitious new EU climate targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90pc by 2040. However, at the same time, she has been accused of ditching references to the role of agriculture and walking from plans to halve pesticide use to restore the health of soils and regenerate insect populations.

No doubt mindful of her quest for another five years from next December, Ms von der Leyen is also keenly aware of a likely switch to the hard right by some voters, including farmers, in the European Parliament elections in June. Maintaining support for her own European parliamentary party group and other pro-EU groupings is a key factor in her prospects of staying on since MEPs must endorse her re-appointment.

Yet the extent of her pivoting away from key EU green deal messages remains a surprise. She had made these issues central to her mission statement as she sought her first five-year mandate in 2019.

As head of the policy-guiding commission, she faces a difficult balancing act. The hard right is expected to do well in the European Parliament elections, and huge gains for them would seriously dilute or even derail EU actions to tackle climate change.

So it seems inevitable that the mainstream parties will address farmers and rural communities concerns, made clear in weeks of protests across Europe, including Ireland. But the commission itself this week also reiterated what is at stake.

By its own calculations, failure to take climate action would cost 2.4trn in harm done by extreme weather and other damage between 2031 and 2050. This contrasts with much better outcomes in line with the 2015 Paris climate change goals, which bind the EU among a total of 196 parties to limiting global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.

This is ostensibly good news for Irish farmers and, by extension, for two of the three government parties, who will soon be on the canvass trail seeking success in local council, European Parliament and Dail elections. It is not so good news for the Green Party, for whom climate action is a central reason for being in the Coalition.

Last week, the EU froze plans requiring farmers to leave part of their land fallow and allow the recovery of nature. An earlier draft of the proposed EU emissions targets had stated that agriculture needed a 30pc cut in emissions by 2040 compared with 2015 levels, but this was not in the final version.

Farmers concerns cannot be ignored, but there can be no dodging the need for urgent climate change action, and all sectors must play their part. Finding that balance is one of the biggest challenges facing government at both national and European level.
In April 2022, the FBI arrived in Dublin to announce that the international authorities were working together to bring down the Kinahan cartel.

Since then Irish authorities have been closing in on the Kinahans and their associates.

Kinahan cartel lieutenant Graham The Wig Whelan and mob money-launderer Thomas Rooney are the latest organised crime figures to be caught up in a crackdown on rogue companies by Irish authorities.

Ellen Coyne is joined on the Indo Daily by Niall Donald, the deputy editor at the Sunday World, to uncover the striking figures behind struck-off companies as the authorities take the fight to the criminal underworld.
A rally of tractors will travel through the streets of Carlow Town in an act of solidarity with farmers protesting in other EU member states

Carlow members of the Irish Farmers Association will be demonstrating in Carlow town this evening in an nationwide act of solidarity with farmers across Europe.

Thousands of Irish farmers protested across the country on Thursday February 1, to show solidarity with farmers protesting in Germany, France, Belgium and other EU member states.

The Carlow tractor demonstration was originally planned to go ahead alongside the other Irish farmers protests, but was postponed due to the tragic loss of three young lives on the N80 in Carlow on Wednesday, January 31.

"We arent really calling it a protest, it is more of a rally or a demonstration. It is in solidarity with our European farmers," explained spokesperson and Carlow woman Marian Dalton.

"Unfortunately we didnt get out to do the rally when it was all happening in Europe last week, but by going out this evening we are still showing solidarity to those farmers.

Additionally, the tractor demonstration will offer the Carlow farmers a chance to air their own grievances.

"Here in Ireland, we have many of the frustrations that the other European farmers have. For example in Ireland we have frustrations surrounding the derogation, all the red tape surrounding the different schemes, the delays of payment to farmers who have entered into schemes and have spent quite a bit of money to qualify for those schemes.

"We are also not happy we the lack of communication between the Department and IFA. All these frustrations have built up over time so we are saying enough is enough- thats our slogan for this evening.

Marian herself lives on a farm, so has experienced first hand the challenges farmers are facing. "I would unreservedly say that it is a difficult time to be a farmer right now. Last year was as difficult a year as Ive had living on a farm and I can say that from a financial and emotional point of view. There has been a lot of stress.

"We all know we have to comply with regulations and we have to do our bit for the climate and were not complaining about any of that. But we are complaining about the overregulation and we seem to be always there at the end of the pile.

"I, along with most farmers were glad to see the end of 2023 in regard to farming.

Marian, who is also the IFA Sheep Chair in Carlow, explained that farmers feel like the Governments scapegoats in relation to addressing climate change.

"I do think we are being scapegoated a bit. We know we have to play our part and because of the situation we are in we have to play a pretty big part. We have to see to it that our waterways are clear and that we follow the science about climate change and we dont have a problem with that, but when its not recognised that we are making a big effort, that makes us frustrated.

"We have spent a good bit of money over the past few years ensuring that our farms will meet what the Government wants in relation to protecting the environment. We are still working on this and we need to be allowed time to continue working on it.

Marian added: While 2023 was a very tough year for us farmers, we are hopeful for the year ahead. We are hopeful that the demonstrations will convey the message to our local representatives, our national representatives and our European ones that we have to be listened to and communicated with. We want to be a part of the solution to addressing this big issue of climate change, but for that to happen farmers must allowed to be at the table so we can get our views across to people, interact with people so we can meet in the middle and come to an agreement.

"But that's not happening at the moment. There are rules being made that we hear about maybe a couple of weeks later.

"We still need to be allowed to make a living on our farms. No matter what else happens we still have to feed and provide for our families, send them to college, the usual expenses that face families. But it is very difficult to do this when your input cost is high, prices are low, youre not getting paid on time for the schemes and rules and regulations are being thrown left right and centre, said Marian.

"This is why a lot of young people are moving away from farming. In 25 or 30 years time when the older farmers pull away, who is going to run those farms? We need to be able to make farming a more attractive work opportunity for young people because where does food come from? It comes from us farmers.

This evening, the protest will take to the streets of Carlow, with tractors due to leave the OBrien Road FBD offices at 7pm and travel through Carlow Town. The protestors will finish their demonstration in the Woodies car park after 8pm.

Marian has urged for all Carlow farmers to join in on the demonstration to ensure that their voices get heard. We hope that our demonstration will have minimal impact on the people of Carlow, concluded Marian.

"We will move through Carlow Town as quickly as possible and have chosen these times in order to avoid rush hour traffic around Carlow.
The business owner said that despite cost increases, she is reluctant to charge her customers more

Patsy Jones O Leary has been running her salon for many years, previously in Kanturk and currently in Cullen, catering for a clientele of all ages. Photo: Sheila Fitzgerald

A Kanturk salon owner has called on the government to provide immediate supports for hairdressers because the cost of running a business has risen.

The stylists appeal came after the Irish Hairdressers Federation (IHF) this week called on the government to urgently safeguard the future of the hairdressing industry. A survey the IHF conducted showed that hairdressers are experiencing severe difficulty due to the introduction of new legislation increasing the national minimum wage and employees entitlement to paid sick leave.

Patsy Jones O Leary has been running her own very successful salon for many years, previously in Kanturk and currently in Cullen, catering for a clientele of all ages. Over the years she has seen many changes in the business and told The Corkman of some of her current concerns.

Mrs Jones OLeary said the rise in the minimum wage from 11.30 to 12.70 is a very significant increase for small Salons to cover.

The increase from three to five days in Statutory Sick Pay for employees is also impacting the cost of labour, she said.

It looks like there is a new scheme coming later this year where certain employees will have to auto enrol in a pension scheme and while this is positive for employees, it is yet another cost for the smaller Salons to cover.

The VAT rate on hairdressing increased from 9% to 13.5% on September 1, 2023  it can be difficult to pass this on to customers and sometimes salons themselves are forced to cover this.

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The salon owner, who said she is reluctant to increase her fees because she knows people are suffering due to the current cost of living, also said the prices of stock and insurance continue to rise and put further pressure on businesses like hers.

She said that small businesses were promised an increased Cost of Business Grant in last years budget and hopes that it will be of an appropriate sum to counter current costs and that businesses will be able to avail of it as soon as possible.

Following the release of its survey the IHF, which represents 500 salon owners nationwide, called for an urgent meeting with government ministers in order to rescue the crisis that their members are facing into.

IHF President Lisa Eccles, said that: The rise in the cost of living and increased costs for businesses, including a further increase on minimum wage is not sustainable to keep salons open throughout the country.

For many of our members the current climate presents difficulty to keep our doors open to our valued customers as a result of the increased cost of living crisis and the costs of doing business.

She warned that more hairdressing businesses could close permanently if changes were not made by the government.
Three Cork attractions have been lauded at the CIE Tours Awards of Excellence.

The Historic Stroll Kinsale Walking Tours was honoured with a CIE Tours Excellence Award for best walking tour. The tour is run by Barry Moloney and Don Herlihy who entertain visitors with stories that give a vivid picture of historic Kinsale while strolling through the beautiful town.

The River Lee Hotel received a merit award in the hotel category, and Blarney Castle received a Merit Award in the visitor experience category.

Every year CIE Tours presents its annual awards to the hoteliers and tourism experiences which achieved approval ratings of over 92 per cent from the 25,000 tourists who travelled to Ireland with the company in 2023.

The company provides the largest carrier of US visitors to Ireland and now employs over 125 people in Ireland, the US and the UK and bookings in 2024 are already ahead of expectations.

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The annual awards were presented by Stephen Cotter, Interim CEO of CIE Tours who congratulated the Cork award winners, saying their efforts help improve and enhance CIE Tours offerings based on the feedback from annual visitor surveys.

We are delighted to recognise Stroll Kinsale Historic Walking Tours with an Award of Excellence and to present Merit Awards to the River Lee Hotel and Blarney Castle. Each make an important contribution to Irish tourism, and to their local communities in terms of jobs and wealth creation.

"Their dedication and commitment help to maintain Irelands reputation as a leading destination for US visitors, Mr Cotter added.
There was a 12pc increase in footfall at Mallow Swimming Pool in 2023 compared to the footfall statistics for the previous year.

The figures were outlined at a recent Kanturk-Mallow Municipal District meeting by Municipal District Officer Claire Barr.

Ms Barr provided the necessary figures following a motion from Cllr Gearoid Murphy seeking an annual update on the operations of Mallow Swimming Pool.

Fianna Fail councillor Gearoid Murphy said the motion was put forward to source more information on the operations of the pool. It is a fantastic facility. This motion is really just to get a periodic update about the operations of the pool on an annual basis, to find out things like footfall and the many local clubs and schools that make use of the pool. Of course, very importantly if there is anything which we can do as a Municipal District to support this swimming pool, he said.

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It is such a valuable resource for the local area, said Cllr Murphy. Mallow Swimming Pool is one of the most important facilities in the local area which Cork County Council have operational and responsibility for. It is not only the main swimming pool in Mallow, alongside the Hibernian Hotel Swimming Pool. It is in fact the local swimming pool for almost the entire municipal district.

Fine Gael councillor John Paul OShea supported the motion. A report back on it would be appropriate. A lot of people dont associate Mallow Swimming Pool with Cork County Council even though we fund it on a continuous basis.

I recommended that we should always have Cork County Council logo on everything that Mallow Swimming Pool does. They have their own logo, but there should be a County Council logo as well. It is a pool for the entire district. We should be proud of that and promoting that, he added.

Labour Party councillor James Kennedy echoed the sentiments of his colleagues as he said the pool is a huge facility for the region.

Claire Barr the Municipal District Officer informed the councillors that a representation from Mallow Swimming Pool will attend Aprils MD meeting for a presentation.

Ms Barr then proceeded to outline a number of highlights with regards to the daily use of the pool. We were up 12% in footfall in relation to 2022 to 2023, so we are rising the whole time. The opening hours are Monday to Friday, 5.30am to 10pm, Saturdays from 6am to 8pm and Sundays 8am to 5pm. That is a total of 105.5 hours a week we are opened.

The pool has a vibrant club use, said Ms Barr. There are over 50 schools attending Mallow Swimming Pool. North as far as Dromcollogher-Broadford, South as far as Blarney, East as far as Carrignavar and Castletownroche and West as far as Newmarket and Millstreet.

We have Mallow Masters Tri Club, Mallow Swans Swimming Club, Mallow Marlins Special Olympics and we have nine swimming lesson classes continuously sold out, she added.
UPDATE: Saoirse OLeary has been located safe and well, having been missing since Tuesday. Gardai said that they would like to thank the public for their assistance.
The government has requested the transport and foreign ministries to buy sand and pebbles from Cambodia for the construction of expressway projects.

A resolution from a Tuesday governmental meeting said the Ministry of Transport has been requested to resolve challenges regarding the utilization and supply of construction materials, and support investors and contractors to speed up construction. The ministry would need to issue the pricing, criteria and standards regarding the use of sea sand as a backfill material.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment was requested to resolve difficulties for localities on approvals for utilizing minerals as backfill and construction materials.

In October last year, the TNT Group proposed to the prime minister to import sand from Cambodia as backfill material for expressway projects in the Mekong Delta. The company said it has been approved by Cambodia to harvest sand from a section of the Mekong River with hundreds of millions of cubic meters of sand, importing around 30,000-50,000 m3 of sand for several purposes. As such, the company guarantees it would meet the demands of expressway projects in the Mekong Delta regarding quantity, quality and pricing.

The company proposed for the government to instruct entities to use imported sand for expressway projects at the Mekong Delta as a trial. It also proposed for better mechanisms regarding administrative procedures and credit sources so businesses can import sand in high amounts.

The proposals were made as several expressway projects in the Mekong Delta lack sand as backfill material.

A representative of the construction material department said importing sand from Cambodia is suitable once it satisfies all legal requirements regarding importing.

Around 2-4 million m3 of sand from upstream Mekong River reach Vietnam through the Tien and Hau rivers. The high demand for sand as backfill material in the Mekong Delta, along with limited supply, mean several expressway projects might be delayed due to sand shortage.
Cllr Kennedy is due to vacate his role as a councillor for the Kanturk-Mallow MD at next Mondays full council meeting.

It is anticipated that Mallow native Eoghan Kenny will be co-opted to Cork County Council during next Mondays meeting and fill the vacancy following the resignation of James Kennedy.

Fianna Fail councillor Gearoid Murphy said Cllr Kennedy was and is all about Mallow. I want to wish Cllr James Kennedy all the best in his retirement from Cork County Council. When it came to his representative role on Cork County Council, there could never be any doubt as to his allegiance. He was and is all about Mallow. He never held back from expressing his opinion on any matter. He was always fighting for the local area. Whether or not you agreed with him in the chamber he was 100% genuine as a councillor, he said.

I want to wish him all the best, continued Cllr Murphy. Ocana Fest epitomised his philosophy towards public service and being at every event in his capacity as chair of the municipal district. I have enjoyed working alongside him over the last four years. When he stepped down as chair of the municipal district he is likely to be the last link between the old town council in Mallow and the Kanturk-Mallow MD. He is also very likely to be the only person to have served as town mayor and chair of the MD.

We will be saying plenty about him on Monday at the full council meeting. Since this is at local level and it was in local level in particular he worked, I wanted to say a few words, he added.

Chair of the Kanturk-Mallow MD, Fianna Fail councillor Ian Doyle echoed the warm sentiments expressed by his party colleague. I think we are all in agreement that we wish James all the very best.
Company aims to double the number of female drivers in its workforce

Drivers Julia and Manuela Todosi with twins Isabelle and Lucy ORiordan (5) at the Dublin Bus campaign launch in the Phoenix Park. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Isabelle ORiordan (5), from Maynooth, at the launch of the Dublin Bus More Mna campaign at the Phoenix Park. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Twins Manuela and Julia Todosi are among the 193 female drivers employed by Dublin Bus. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Dublin Bus drivers Tina Ahern, Julia Todosi, Rachel Finlay, Manuela Todosi and Ciara Pender at the launch of the More Mna female recruitment drive at the Phoenix Park. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins

A female Dublin Bus driver has described her job as empowering, as the company launched a new campaign to get more women behind the wheel.

As it launched the recruitment campaign, titled More Mna, Dublin Bus said it aims to double the number of female drivers in its workforce. As it stands, just one in ten employees at the semi-state company are women.

A survey of 1,012 adult females, conducted on behalf of Dublin Bus by Bounce Insights, found that 25pc of Irish women refrained from applying for the role due to its male-dominated nature.

The current workforce is predominantly male, with 91.7pc men (3,780) and 8.3pc women (342).

Since 2019, Dublin Bus has reported a 96pc increase in female drivers. However, female drivers still constitute just 6.1pc, with 193 women compared to 2,951 men.

There are 170 male mechanics, but no female mechanics within the company.

Twins Manuela and Julia Todosi are among the 193 female drivers employed by Dublin Bus. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Tina Ahern, from Coolock, who joined Dublin Bus in 1999, described the job as an empowering feeling, emphasising her passion for being behind the wheel of a double-decker bus every day.

She recently earned a promotion to Inspector and is involved in training new drivers.

When we were kids, we never had a car because we didnt have much money and I have no shame in saying that, she said.

I always noticed the lack of female drivers and told my mam, who never got to see me in this role, that Id do it. As soon as an opportunity arose, I grabbed it with both hands and havent looked back since.

The Dubliner said that while she was nervous about the fact there were fewer women in the role, she has been treated like a sister, wife, mother or aunt, and that all her male counterparts have so much respect for her.

Tina said that her absolute favourite part of the job has to be the passengers.

I love meeting my passengers who Ive gotten to know over the years. Sometimes people bring me a bar of chocolate or even Christmas gifts, she added.

Dublin Bus is hosting a number of open days at their Phibsboro depot from March to May for women interested in the role. The dates are Saturday, March 2; Saturday, March 23; Saturday, April 13, and Saturday, May 18.

Vivienne Kavanagh, Dublin Bus Talent Development and Diversity Manager, encouraged interested women to attend these open days to explore career opportunities, competitive packages, and the supportive community within the company.

Our female drivers act as role models and the more we have, the more we can inspire women in the future to believe this is a role they can do, she said.

Isabelle ORiordan (5), from Maynooth, at the launch of the Dublin Bus More Mna campaign at the Phoenix Park. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins

We want to be representative of our customer base and, on average, that is 50pc females.

Worldwide, women are underrepresented in transport. Its not just an Irish problem, but I would encourage people to come along to the open days to challenge those stereotypes.

The open days include insights from female Dublin Bus drivers and inspectors, the opportunity to drive a training bus with a professional instructor, a tour of the central control centre, and guidance on the recruitment process.

To attend the open days, applicants must be at least 18 and hold a valid Category B (car) licence for at least two years.

Salaries for drivers start at 839.76 per week and increase to 972.31 on a six-year pay scale, featuring a 5-day week inclusive of shifts and Sunday premiums.

Carla Redmond, from Brittas, Co Dublin, is another Dublin Bus driver who began with the company in 2020 and has recently been promoted to inspector.

She also works as a tour bus driver with DoDublin, and when her husband became ill, she attended an open day in 2019, and hasnt had an issue working there since.

After recent events when widespread riots impacted Dublin Bus drivers, she highlighted that this is not a regular occurrence.

What happened that night was a one-off incident, she said. You never hear the positive side of the company, but there are so many safety measures in place for the driver.

There is a switch underneath the drivers seat, which connects to the Dublin Bus central control centre and contacts the gardai immediately. The cab is also enclosed to separate the driver from passengers.
More than 1,800 Dublin drivers were fined for using a mobile phone while driving in the first six months of 2023

More than 1,800 drivers in Dublin were fined for using a handheld mobile phone while driving in the first six months of last year, according to new garda figures.

At a national level, the total number of drivers caught in the first six months of last year was 9,991, with Dublin accounting for almost 19pc of those penalised for the offence.

The 1,860 drivers fined in Dublin for using a phone while driving marks a drop of 23pc compared to the final six months of 2022, when 2,288 were fined for breaking the law.

From January to June 2023, Dublins western metropolitan region, including Lucan, Clondalkin and Blanchardstown, recorded the highest number of drivers fined, at 460.

In contrast, Dublins eastern metropolitan region, encompassing areas like Dun Laoghaire and Blackrock, had the lowest average of drivers caught using their mobile behind the wheel, at 215.

Gardai urge drivers to be careful of using other electronic devices while driving  as any distraction that takes your attention off the road can be dangerous.

More than 500 drivers in Dublin were also caught not wearing a seat belt in the first six months of last year, according to the latest figures.

At a national level, the total number of drivers caught without a seatbelt was 2,900, with Dublin making up roughly 20pc of those.

During this time, 573 drivers were fined for not wearing a seat belt, marking a drop of roughly 8pc compared to the final six months of 2022, when 621 were fined for breaking the law.

You can be fined 120 if you do not wear a seat belt. You must either pay this fine within 28 days or face an increased fine of 180 payable within 56 days of the offence.

Three penalty points will be added to your license if you choose to pay the fine and not go to court.

According to the Road Safety Authority, as an adult driver, you are responsible for the safety of all passengers. Equally, as an adult passenger in any vehicle, you must take personal responsibility for your safety.

That means always wearing your seat belt correctly and securing loose items in your vehicle that could cause harm in a collision.

The number of drivers stopped by gardai for speeding in Dublin for the first six months of last year was 2,339. This was out of a national total of 24,348 people stopped for speeding in the same time period.

From the moment you have been caught and/or youre issued with an Fixed Charge Notice, then you have 28 days to pay a flat rate of 80.

Youll also automatically get three points on your driving license. If you go beyond this first deadline, the fine increases to 120 and five points on your license.

An Garda Siochana and the RSA were contacted for comment.
Taste of Dublin 2024 will take place for the first time ever in Merrion Square

The well-known culinary festival, Taste of Dublin, has announced it is moving to a new bigger than ever venue for this year.

The popular food festival will be back in June but this time located in Merrion Square, with a larger festival footprint to ensure a more immersive experience for food aficionados.

With everything from cookery demonstrations, interactive workshops, and hands-on masterclasses, Taste of Dublin will take place from June 13-16 with over 34,000 people expected to attend.

The festival will consist of well-known Irish chefs, restaurants, artisan food innovators, and musical acts together for a truly remarkable experience. Cultural diversity in food will be at the heart of the festival.

Taste of Dublin 2024 will take place for the first time ever in Merrion Square

This year marks a new chapter in the story of Taste of Dublin as we host the festival for the first time in the historic surroundings of Merrion Square and welcome JYSK as our headline sponsor, said Jo Mathews, CEO of Equinox Events

It has been a pleasure to work with the creative team at JYSK to craft a truly unique festival experience while staying true to the magic that has been synonymous with our event over the last 19 years.

Innovation is the cornerstone of the Taste of Dublin blueprint, and we look forward to celebrating some of Irelands, and indeed the worlds, top food creators and experts again this year.

Together with JYSK and our wider partners, we look forward to sharing more exciting details as we move closer to June.

JYSK and other key sponsors are said to be planning several new and exciting activations and visitor activities.

2024 is a very exciting year for us at JYSK. Between opening our new flagship store in Liffey Valley, continuing our expansion nationwide and partnering with Taste of Dublin, were really looking forward to the year ahead, Roni Tuominen, Country Director for JYSK UK and Ireland, said.
Philip Griffin (37) of no fixed abode has been charged with the murder of Anthony OBrien and his five-year-old daughter, Nadine, who both lost their lives in a house fire in Kerry over ten years ago.

The incident occurred at 42 Killeen Heights, Tralee, in May 2012.

The court heard that Mr Griffin was arrested upon arrival at Dublin Airport on February 7 on foot of an arrest warrant issued by Judge David Waters last November.

Detective Sgt Ernie Henderson told the court Mr Griffin was brought to Tralee Garda Station at 9.15pm and was charged with two counts of murder. In reply, he said he had nothing to say at this time.

He is also charged with arson on the same date on a property at Killeen Heights.

Mr Griffin, who is represented by solicitor Brendan Ahern, was remanded in custody and will appear at Tralee District Court by video link on February 14. Mr Ahern sought legal aid, which was granted. He said his client is of no fixed abode and has no income.

Sgt Stephen OBrien sought a reporting restriction to not identify the child in this case. He said this was on foot of a request by the DPP. The childs mother, Kelly, who was present in court, interjected. Other family members were also in court.

Judge Waters said he did not think he had the power to do so. He said it would also not be appropriate to do so given both victims had been identified by the media already. Therefore, he refused to impose a reporting restriction.

An inquest in 2013 heard that Mr OBrien had gone back in to rescue his daughter after first lowering his wife to safety from an upstairs bedroom.

Both died from carbon monoxide poisoning due to smoke inhalation, the jury at the inquest into their deaths found.

The ingestion of sedative drugs was a contributory factor in Mr O'Brien's death.
Former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Labour Party Leader Dick Spring has paid tribute to the late John Bruton, describing him as a man of strong conviction with unbounded commitment to public service.

The Tralee native served in Government with John Bruton and Democratic Left Leader Prionsias De Rossa from December 1994 to June 1997.

Mr Spring, who was out of the country when he learned of Mr Brutons death, issued the following statement:

I am a long way from home for family reasons and I have only just heard of the death of John Bruton. Immediately, my thoughts went to Finola, his children Matthew, Juliana, Emily, and Mary, and of course Johns brother, Richard.

I offer them my deepest condolences and sympathy. They will derive comfort, I hope, from the memory of a man of endless energy, relentless ideas, and enormous enthusiasm.

John was a man with no side to him, always ready to laugh and hugely generous and hospitable. It will not be a secret that the relationship between John and me got off to a rocky start. We fought many battles in the 1980s in particular.

John was a man of strong conviction and not one to back away from an argument if he felt it necessary. He also had a strong ideological commitment to the role of private enterprise, sometimes to the exclusion of all else, and that led to its fair share of disagreements.

We worked together again in the 1990s when John became Taoiseach. To his endless credit, he had resolved to build a team out of different personalities and perspectives, and he did it by listening and through a process of calm discussion.

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Under his leadership, I believe that Prionsias De Rossa, John, and I formed a strong, cohesive unit  the Rainbow Government  that worked extremely well through complex and difficult issues. I came to greatly admire the qualities in John that fuelled his unbounded commitment to public service and his devotion to his country.

Among other things, that government passed the Divorce Referendum after a titanic and closely-fought contest. Johns interview on radio on the last Sunday of the campaign, especially given his perspective and background, played a crucial role.

Of course, John came into the office at a particularly sensitive moment in the peace process. We negotiated the Joint Framework Documents with John Major and Patrick Mayhew in very fraught circumstances and at a time when John Major was entirely dependent on Unionist votes in the House of Commons.

Those documents, building on the principals of the Downing Street Declaration, paved the way in huge measure for the Good Friday Agreement. Johns signing of them was a signal achievement. He also persuaded John Major, at an otherwise difficult summit, to invite George Mitchell into the work of the peace process.

Throughout his life, John was a committed and passionate supporter of the European Union, and his work after retirement as an Ambassador of the Union drew widespread and deserved praise.

I will, perhaps, remember him the best as someone who was viscerally opposed to violence in all its forms, yet still found a way, in the interests of peace, to work with those who had espoused violence. As someone from a deeply conservative background who was able to lead and contribute to really progressive changes.

Above all, perhaps, Ill remember John as a man who loved his family, his constituency, and his country, and as someone prepared to give his all in the interests of public service. I hope he finds peace and his family solace.
Sligo's farmers came out in solidarity with their colleagues across Europe.

Dozens of tractors took part in the protest.

A leading Sligo IFA official has called for immediate dialogue between the Department of Agriculture and local farmers who took to the streets in a strong show of force on Thursday.

Upwards on 100 tractors, cars and vans drove from Collooney and circled Sligo town twice in solidarity with their European colleagues.

Sligo IFA PRO Kathleen Henry told The Sligo Champion that enough was enough and farmers were at their wits end.

It was great turnout as we had about 100 vehicles between tractors, vans and cars and we went down to the ATU where we were joined by more vehicles and the grassroots really turned out.

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Enough is enough for farmers who are being hammered with all types of regulations from the Department of Agriculture and the EU.

We are trying to farm but it is very difficult as there is no much red tape and delays in payments that its becoming impossible to continue.

We want to farm and to keep producing and we always do it in an environmentally friendly way but there are just so many regulations blocking us.

Tractor protest on Sligo's O'Connell Street on Thursday night.

There is so much trouble with budgets and where are the farmers going to get money?

McHenry pointed to the Acres Scheme as a particular bug bear.

We applied for this scheme and we were supposed to get paid in November and it was then put back to January and now its February.

And we might not get it now until May and that is just so distressing for so many farmers who depend heavily on schemes like this for sheer survival.

That is exactly what we are talking about here-make no mistake about it.

She added: But to add to the confusion we dont even know how much we will be paid due to all these new regulations.

We entered the scheme, we have paid our planners and we have paid everybody but we have not seen a penny from this scheme.

This is what is happening all over the place and they are bringing in this scheme, they dont want farmers to farm, they dont want us to do anything and they want us to be more environmentally friendly which we are always trying to do anyway.

The protesting farmers did a lap of Sligo town.

Ms Henry said it was very frustrating for farmers entering a scheme and were not being made aware of exactly what they had to do.

Ms Henry said they were very happy with the level of support they got along the way into Sligo for the protest.

We got a very good reception as people were coming out along the route and also in Sligo town.

They were videoing us and giving us best wishes and had their phones out.

When asked if they had any plans to escalate the protest, Ms Henry said the ball was firmly in the governments court.

The Department of Agriculture can speed up the Acres payment and it needs to put properly funded schemes in place for the farmers.

Dozens of tractors took part in the protest.

And if we are entering schemes, please let us know what we can and cannot do.

The Department introduced the Acres scheme but there has been very poor communication on how it is to be implemented.

But we may not get the payment until May and I am asking the Department to start talking to the farmers.

We want them to start a dialogue and that is key to all of this.

Dialogue is the only answer. Look at the way events are progressing in Northern Ireland with a new Assembly due to be up and running on Saturday.

Dialogue can achieve a lot more rather than bringing in all these schemes from Europe or wherever.

Sligo's farmers came out in solidarity with their colleagues across Europe.

Meanwhile, IFA President Francie Gorman said farmers here have been watching the protests across Europe.

They are just as frustrated by what is happening as farmers in other countries. They feel they are being regulated out of business by Brussels bureaucrats and Department of Agriculture officials who are far removed from the reality of day-to-day farming, he said.

Irish farmers are pro-EU, but there is mounting frustration about the impact of EU policy on European farmers, and its implementation here in Ireland. The general feeling amongst farmers across the EU is that enough is enough, he said.
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) has welcomed an announcement by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris as the recipient of 19.6 million under the TU RISE initiative.

The announcement, part of an 84 million investment in the Technological Universities, aims to bolster research and innovation within the TU sector.

The TU RISE programme will establish, equip, and staff regional research and innovation offices within TUs to enable deepened engagement with local and regional business, industry, and enterprise stakeholders.

The funding will also be directed at developing researcher human capital in the technological sector, including staff development, recruitment, postgraduate training and supervision, networking, and collaborative knowledge-transfer and mobility schemes.

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Minister Harris said, "I am very pleased to announce, with the assistance of the European Regional Development Fund, the allocation of almost 84 million in funding to our five TUs as well as to Dundalk Institute of Technology and Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology.

The Technological Universities are uniquely placed to link with local and regional enterprises, particularly Small and Medium Enterprises, to support them to turn innovation opportunities into real-world actuality.

TUs are catalysts of regional development and support the skills and employment agendas regionally and nationally. This significant research-oriented funding will further enhance their capacity in this regard, ensuring that as a nation Ireland will be recognised as a world-leader in Research and Innovation for years to come.

Dr Orla Flynn, President of Atlantic Technological University, welcomed the Minister's announcement and acknowledged the significance of the funding, "This allocation very much underlines ATU's commitment to advancing research and innovation across the Northern and Western region. The funding is extremely welcome, and provides ATU with the resources to develop our own capacity, foster collaborations and grow our research community. I want to thank colleagues from both the HEA and the Northern and Western Regional Assembly for their support throughout this funding call."

TU RISE is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Southern, Eastern & Midland and the Northern & Western Regional Programmes, 2021-27.

This follows the Ministers announcement in December of funding of 15 million for research equipment across the higher education sector under the Higher Education Research Equipment Grant, some 3.7 million of which was allocated to the technological sector.

That funding will help higher education institutions purchase and upgrade world-leading research equipment that will serve the research, innovation and development needs of Irish researchers and enterprise collaborators over the next two years. It will support vital research activity across the sector while also building future capacity in R&D.

Chief Executive of the Higher Education Authority, which will manage the operations of the TU RISE scheme, Dr Alan Wall, said: "Funding under TU RISE comes at a critical juncture in the development of the technological sector. This funding offers institutions the opportunity to enhance central research functions, which are critical to institutions strategically developing and achieving their research ambitions. Investment in staff and researchers in individual disciplines at Faculty level offers institutions an important opportunity to build expertise in research areas that will facilitate stronger engagement with regional enterprises aligned to Irelands Smart Specialisation Strategy and the Regional Enterprise Plans.

The HEA conceived, designed and will manage this investment to support our TUs contribution to a bottom-up, place-based, dynamic process which brings together regional and national actors to link Irelands regional needs and potential with innovative policymaking.

Welcoming the Scheme, the Cathaoirleach of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, Cllr John Naughten said:

"The TU RISE Scheme is another positive instance of European Funding, delivered by the EU co-funded Regional Programmes to assist the technological sector in enhanced engagement with businesses and stakeholders in the regions. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop much needed researcher human capital in the regions, which is one of the most pressing challenges facing the Northern and Western region."
Over 1,000 sign petition to keep status quo at New Ross Post Office

A protest is due to take place in the coming days against plans to change the business operating model at New Ross Post Office, which will most likely see the service move to a different location.

A petition to retain the post office as it currently is has been signed online by more than 1,000 people. Set up by Cllr Michael Sheehan, the response has led him to organise a protest, most likely for this Saturday, at the post office on Charles Street.

An Post is delivering sweeping changes to the business model of its post office in New Ross, having announced it will become a contractor run facility, most likely later this year.

Staff were informed in late January about the change which will see a new Postmaster take over running the business, providing the interest is there.

In a statement, An Post said: An Post staff formerly employed there will take up a number of possible options, including taking up employment for the new Postmaster or being redeployed within the An Post network. It is likely that a new location for the post office will be sought by the new Postmaster.

In this event the landmark red brick building on Charles Street will be sold as it is owned outright by An Post.

In line with the ongoing transformation of the national post office network An Post has announced that its office in New Ross will become a contractor run post office. New Ross joins the mainstream of national post offices of which more than 95pc of the countrys 900 plus offices which are run by contractors. Fewer than 40 post offices nationally are run directly by An Post.

The move  which was decided upon before Christmas by An Post management  represents a significant business opportunity for the newly appointed Postmaster, An Post Public Affairs Manager Angus Laverty said.

The change in business model of our post office in New Ross will not in any way change the range or extent of the services offered by An Post. We remain committed to providing New Ross with the highest level of services for the future.

Changing the business model of a post office, does not impact on the level or variety of services which are available to customers. Continuation of service is of key importance to An Post. All services available before the change remain available after the change. In addition, in many cases the premises and facilities available have been improved. We will continue to provide a top-class service.

An Post, as a commercial semi state company, has an obligation to operate in a commercial manner, the statement continued.

In the late 1990s we recognised the challenges that we faced in our retail business. This arose principally from greater choice being available to customers for many of our traditional services and the move to online and digital services. These included the direct transfer of funds for social welfare payments, the availability of direct debit and online channels for bill payments.

The development of An Post banking and financial services for customers and SMEs (Small Medium Enterprises) has been a feature of the transformation of the company in recent years. Our task has always been to build a sustainable national post office network which remained relevant to the people of Ireland, both now and for the future.

Cllr Sheehan said: I was out in New Ross at the weekend and there is ferocious anger about this. There is fierce concern that post office services will be lost and that the post office will be gone from Charles Street and possibly the town centre.

Cllr Sheehan said he has contacted An Post management and is awaiting a response to his call for a U-turn on the semi-state body's decision.

"Im calling on the company to shelve their privatization plan. Im organising a public rally. Weve fought twice in the past to keep the post office. If it goes to a private company it could go elsewhere in the town. Its important for the whole district, both for Co Wexford and Co Kilkenny people, they need a viable post office they can use.

"If this goes out to tender who knows where it will be located. It could be out on the ring road or in a supermarket. I think the best building is where it is. We are going to continue our campaign until we get this reversed.
As war wages on in Palestine, the Wexford branch of Amnesty International Ireland has begun hosting a weekly vigil during which it invites the public to stand in solidarity with those who have lost their lives.

Taking place in Redmond Square every Thursday evening at 6.30 p.m. this candlelight vigil is inspired by the words of Martin Luther King Jr., who said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

The event aims to spotlight the ongoing injustices in Gaza and is a collective effort to address the heart-breaking atrocities in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

As the ordinary people of Palestine continue to endure savage, brutal, and terrifying injustices, the community is urged to join and pay tribute to all those affected, said Trish Robinson of Amnesty International Wexford. The primary goals of the vigil include advocating for a permanent and immediate ceasefire and demanding unrestricted access for urgent medical aid into Gaza.

While the International Court of Justice has already ruled that the Israeli government must prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinian people, and provide the basic necessities for life, sustained pressure is necessary to ensure the swift implementation of this judgement.

All members of the public are invited to join the group this Thursday, February 8 at Redmond Square from 6.30 p.m., where your presence and support will contribute to the collective effort for peace and justice in Palestine.
There is no doubt that when women participate in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, the chances for just and lasting peace increase. We know that womens experiences in conflict, their roles in community leadership and peacebuilding, as well as their technical expertise, make them vital partners at all stages of the peace continuum, said Elisabeth Millard, United States Acting Deputy Representative to the United Nations.



When women are at the table and able to participate fully, equally, meaningfully and safely, nations are much more likely to achieve lasting and inclusive peace agreements and better outcomes for all of society.



Because womens inclusion is critical for negotiations on lasting peace worldwide, the United Nations Security Council adopted Security Council Resolution 1325 nearly a quarter century ago. The document details the importance of the participation of women and the inclusion of gender perspectives in peace negotiations, humanitarian planning, peacekeeping operations, and post-conflict peacebuilding and governance.



Nonetheless, We must acknowledge that there are persistent gaps in implementing the global [Women, Peace, and Security, or WPS,] agenda, and there has been a global backsliding on gender equality in recent years, said Ambassador Millard at last months U.N. Peacebuilding Commission meeting in New York.



Despite slow but steady progress toward the integration of women as meaningful participants in peace processes, and as leaders, negotiators, peacekeepers and peacebuilders, the movement appears to be losing ground. A recent United Nations report notes that in 2020, women represented 23 percent of conflict-resolution delegates in U.N.-led or co-led peace processes. That number declined to 19 percent the following year and was only 16 percent in 2022.



Another obstacle to womens participation throughout the peace continuum is insufficient funding, said Ambassador Millard. The United States reiterates the need for more investment in WPS financing to advance sustainable peace.



It is critical that women and youth peacebuilders and their organizations are sufficiently financed, and that women entrepreneurs are empowered to be the agents of change in conflict-afflicted settings.



Quoting U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Ambassador Millard said that If you want to stand with women driving change, if you want to support women enduring conflict, if you want to remove barriers to participation, and if you want womens organizations to deliver, we need to pay for it.



Underfinancing [the Women, Peace, and Security agenda], she added, undermines all of our peace initiatives.
One of the biggest and most well received comedians to perform in Wexford in recent years has announced he is returning to the Model County this summer.

Liverpool comedy legend John Bishop is performing at the National Opera House in Wexford in June, and it is all thanks to the reception he got in the Spiegeltent last October.

According to promoters Lantern, Bishop loved his Spiegeltent audiences so much last October, that he asked to come back to Wexford. The result is a one-night show at the National Opera House on Saturday June 8.

After two years spent TV presenting, stage acting and podcast hosting, Bishop is getting back to what he loves best this year, and that is stand-up. His National Opera House show, part of Bishops Back At It 2024 tour, is guaranteed to be a sell-out success, with tickets on sale from Monday February 12 at 10am.

John Bishop is one the UKs biggest names in comedy. Within three years of his first ever gig, John was playing sold-out arena audiences across the country, and released the fastest selling stand-up DVD in UK history.

In January 2022, John launched his own chat show on ITV, The John Bishop Show. Guests included Courteney Cox, James Nesbitt, Rob Brydon, Hugh Bonneville, Sarah Millican, Michelle Keegan, Bill Bailey, and Jason Manford.

TV work includes Johns one-off special for Sport Relief, John Bishops Week Of Hell (BBC1), a stint as team captain on A League of their Own (Sky1), and his guest appearances on Live at the Apollo (BBC1).

Adding another string to his bow as a dramatic actor, John worked with director Ken Loach in thriller Route Irish and Jimmy McGoverns critically acclaimed Accused.

John has performed numerous sell out stand-up UK arena tours. His first was Elvis Has Left The Building show in 2010, followed by the Sunshine Tour in 2011.

Johns 2012 Rollercoaster was another sell out and received huge critical acclaim. His 2015 tour, Supersonic, was watched by more than 500,000 people. This show was subsequently recorded for DVD release at Londons Royal Albert Hall.

October 2021 saw John join the cast of the thirteenth series of Doctor Who which aired on BBC One. John played a companion called Dan. Following the series, he also then starred in the Easter special which aired April 2022.

In September 2021, John returned to the live stage, taking his brand-new stand-up show Right Here, Right Now on a huge tour across the UK and Ireland, at major theatres and arenas playing more than 130 shows.
Minister Simon Harris T.D. and Norman Crowley, Chairman, CoolPlanet Group, at the announcement of 150 jobs for the company over the next two years.

Wicklow company CoolPlanet, a global leader in industrial-scale decarbonisation, is to create 150 new jobs over the next 24 months with the extension of their offices in Powerscourt Estate.

The expansion will see CoolPlanet more than double their current workforce of 140, and underscores their commitment to solving climate change by significantly lowering emissions across various industries. The new positions, spanning nationwide across Ireland will encompass a range of roles including sales, customer success, product development, engineering, grid services, project management, people operations, and finance.

Welcoming Wednesdays announcement, Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, said: This is great news for Ireland. 150 additional jobs in what is a thriving economy is very positive and evidence of the business growth of CoolPlanet. This expansion demonstrates the capacity of Irish-owned businesses to become leaders in their field, bringing together technology, innovation and ambition to make a real difference in peoples lives. Coolplanet are a company of dedicated people working towards a greener economy and most importantly developing green skills for the future, a priority of mine as Minister.

"The Government and Enterprise Ireland are dedicated to supporting businesses like CoolPlanet in their efforts towards decarbonisation and the creation of sustainable regional job opportunities. These actions help future proof our economy and meet enterprise emission targets under the Climate Action Plan.

Alan Keogh, CEO of CoolPlanet said: CoolPlanet's growth is a testament to our dedicated team and our unwavering commitment to decarbonisation. These new roles represent not just jobs, but opportunities for individuals to make a tangible impact in the fight against climate change. This milestone reflects the companys innovative approach and successful track record in assisting complex organisations to reach net zero faster and more efficiently.

For over 15 years, CoolPlanets Decarbonisation Management System has been trusted by world-renowned brands like GE Healthcare, Louis Dreyfus Company, Hilton Food Group, Viterra, Tirlan, Zimmer Biomet and OI. The combination of software, engineering services and solutions, allows CoolPlanet to deliver decarbonisation at scale to a wide range of sectors, such as commercial buildings, mining, pharmaceutical manufacturing, shipping, food production and more.

We are proud to be doubling our workforce and expanding our operations in our new premises in Powerscourt House, Mr Keogh said. This is not just growth for CoolPlanet but a leap forward for the industry. We are excited to welcome new talents who share our vision and passion for a sustainable future.

Speaking about the opening of the new offices, Managing Director of Powerscourt Estate, Sarah Slazenger said: We are delighted to continue our ongoing relationship with the team at CoolPlanet who have been headquartered at Powerscourt House for over 10 years. This collaboration has grown and strengthened over the years due to the mutually aligned goals of both Powerscourt and CoolPlanet to address the climate crisis and provide solutions.

The opening of the new 20,000 square ft offices is yet another exciting milestone in the collaboration. The new offices are housed in a 140-year-old carriage house and stables which were once home to estate workers. We are delighted to see historic buildings dating back to 1880 being redeveloped and repurposed with sustainability in mind and with CoolPlanets decarbonisation solutions being actively implemented on the estate.
Wicklow photographers are encouraged to enter pictures of their favourite river, lake, beach or estuary into the Local Authority Waters Programmes nationwide My Favourite Waterbody photo competition.

Launched by the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) on World Wetlands Day, the competition aims to highlight the public's connection with local water bodies by sharing a picture of their favourite place.

The competition is open to anyone across Ireland. Entries by those under 18 years of age must be submitted by a parent/ guardian, and if your photo includes anyone under 16 years of age, only a parent/guardian may submit the content.

All photographs must be taken between February 2 and March 15, on the island of Ireland (including islands and marine territories), and photos must be submitted to LAWPRO via email to photocomp@lawaters.ie by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 15.

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The overall winner will receive a 500 voucher for the Powerscourt Hotel Resort and Spa in Wicklow, along with an A3 framed print of your winning photo, and there will also be regional prizes of framed prints.

The overall winner will be chosen from the five regional winners, with the top photos to be featured in LAWPROs 2025 calendar, and winners will receive a calendar along with their prize.

Speaking at the competition launch, Anthony Coleman, Director of Services at LAWPRO said: I am delighted to launch this nationwide competition on World Wetlands Day to find out peoples favourite water bodies.

The theme of World Wetlands Day is Wetlands and Human Wellbeing. Ireland is bountiful with iconic waterways and scenic landscapes, and we know how important these waters and wetlands are to people.

We want you to take part by submitting a photo of your favourite water body to be in with a chance of winning a prize.
The organisers of Transport Research Arena (TRA2024) have launched a 600,000 peatlands rewetting project in County Wicklow as preparations continue for the conference taking place in Dublin in April.

TRA is the largest European event to address all aspects of transport and mobility and it is estimated that bringing it to Dublin will be worth 7 million to the Irish economy.

The rewetting initiative will restore 100 hectares of degraded blanket bog in Wicklow Mountains National Park, in a collaboration bringing together TRA2024, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Transport.

Healthy peatlands are the most efficient, long-term and concentrated carbon stores and sinks in our planets biosphere. One hectare of restored blanket bog avoids 10 tonnes of carbon loss per year, and with a lifetime of thousands of years it will carry on capturing carbon long into the future.

Director of TRA2024 Dublin Dr Albert Daly said making a positive environmental impact is important to the organisers:

Hosting TRA2024 in Dublin is a fantastic opportunity and as an island nation, we are conscious that bringing people here contributes to the events carbon footprint. This major peatland restoration project - which will prevent the release of nearly 1000 tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere annually for many years to come - serves as a reminder of the importance of developing low-carbon transport, which is one of the priorities at TRA2024.

Dr Billy OKeeffe, senior geologist/hydrogeologist at TII, who will lead the initiative, said: This wetlands restoration project harnesses the power of one of our greatest natural assets. In addition to reducing carbon emissions, healthy blanket bogs can improve water quality, prevent flooding and reduce the risk of drought and wildfires. They are also richly biodiverse, offering habitats for a massive array of plants, birds and insects.

The TRA2024 Dublin event will run from April 15 to 18 and will discuss all modes of transport including road, rail, air, water and cross modality, in urban, inter-urban and rural settings. The importance of developing sustainable transport is a significant part of the event programme, while one of the four days is fully dedicated to discussing themes of decarbonisation and improving transport sustainability.

Attendees at the event in the RDS will include two European Commissioners and three Director Generals, Government representatives from the EU, UK and US, and officials from leading global businesses including Google, Collins Aerospace, BMW, SNCF and Stena.

Over 1,200 submissions from researchers around the globe have already been received and over 940 of these will be presented throughout the week as researchers plot a way to a more sustainable transport future for the planet.
Our beauty expert shares how targeted gloss can get you a Maison Margiela-inspired doll face

A couple of weeks ago, at haute couture fashion week in Paris, history was made. Pat McGrath, one of the worlds greatest living makeup artists and creator of countless iconic editorial looks, struck again.

At the Maison Margiela show, McGrath and her team turned models into porcelain dolls, complete with pale, shiny faces, and the internet went wild.

The entire show was remarkable, but those with an interest in makeup immediately turned detective as artist after artist tried to figure out what product was used to create the glass-like finish.

I watched with fascination, but also wondered why we were all so desperate to know? While the porcelain doll look was spectacular in the context of the runway, its not a look that works in real life, either in practical and aesthetic terms. I think it all comes down to the glass skin concept.

Glass skin is a term that came to prominence along with the rise of Korean skincare routines almost a decade ago. It essentially means having skin that is so flawless and dewy, it almost looks like glass. Realistically, it is achievable for very few people, but when has an unrealistic beauty standard ever stopped us?

McGraths work at the Maison Margiela show took glass skin to the extreme in making models appear like actual dolls rather than human beings. One has to wonder if thats what were all aiming for, and if thats why we got so excited? As a reflection of the beauty industrys obsession with perfection, its almost too on the nose.

Danessa Myrickss Beauty Dew Wet Balm Clear

Personally, Im not aiming for flawless. Its not attainable, and I am committed to looking like a human being, most of the time. Still, dewy, flawless skin is always appealing, and there are products which can help you approach doll-like without tipping over into the artificial world (aside from a solid skincare routine, of course). The secret is targeted gloss.

There are a growing number of glossy face products on the market, but I have some favourites. Danessa Myrickss Beauty Dew Wet Balm Clear (29.60 via cultbeauty.com) is a totally translucent gloss which delivers sheen without any shimmer at all (when I first got it, I thought the pan was empty  its that transparent).

Sosu x Bonnie Ryans Contour & Glow palette

The glow section of Sosu x Bonnie Ryans Contour & Glow palette (19.95 via sosucosmetics.com) is beautiful with a slightly pearlescent sheen, if you like your gloss to pack a punch.

Similarly, Jones Roads range of Miracle Balms (36 via jonesroadbeauty.com) give exactly the kind of glossy sheen youre looking for when it comes to glass skin. Au Natural is clear with a very subtle pearl. Its also available in rosy shades as well as several browns for a range of skin tones.

Jones Roads Miracle Balm

A skin gloss should be used like a highlighter, in that it needs to be strategically placed. Haphazard application will result in a sweaty look. Tap your finger into the product and then tap it on the high points of the face (the cheekbones, just above the brow and on the brow bone for example).

No, you wont look like a porcelain doll, but you will look like a glossier, healthier version of yourself  surely thats enough.

Lost in translation

Dry brushing is a concept and term thats frequently bandied about in beauty circles these days, but what does it actually mean? Essentially, it means massaging the skin with a brush packed with natural fibres. This is an Ayurvedic practice which is said to not only exfoliate the skin, but also to refresh and stimulate the skin and improve the function of the lymphatic system. While I have been unable to find any clinical research to back that up, it is generally accepted to be a healthy practice which will, at the very least, lead to softer skin.

Something old

Schwarzkopf got2b Glued 4 Brows & Edges

Fluffy, laminated brows arent going anywhere, so the rich brow product landscape isnt going anywhere. An eyebrow gel which holds hairs in place is useful because it can help you to create the shape youre looking for, as well as allowing you to manipulate the hairs to camouflage any patchiness. My go-to product for a couple of years now has been Schwarzkopf got2b Glued 4 Brows & Edges (7.50 via mccauley.ie). This product was born out of the fact that people had started to use the ranges original gel in their brows. Such was the popularity that they launched a handy tube of the product, reformulated for brows (and edges). This will hold your brows in place firmly, but some people dont like the slightly crunchy effect. Personally, as long as my brows look good, I dont mind how they feel!

... Something new

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Gel

Anastasia Beverly Hills is the first brand I ever heard of that focused on eyebrows. The lore of Anastasia Soare is thick. Known as the Eyebrow Queen thanks to her incredible skill and popularity when it came to doing brows in Beverly Hills, Soare opened her first salon in 1997. The companys first products launched in 2000, and such was the buzz via her popularity with Hollywood stars that beauty pages all over the world were singing their praises. The brands latest launch is Brow Freeze Gel (14.69 via cultbeauty.com). This product promises to deliver a laminated effect and is sticky and effective. It dries quickly and will hold even the most stubborn hairs in place until you wash it off.
Hugh pictured in what locals have spotted is Glendalough

After a jam-packed week of drinking pints and visiting gyms, Hugh Jackman bid a fond farewell to Dublin, one of the most beautiful places in all the land.

The Hollywood star thanked the city for its hospitality in a final shared moment of pictures in which he is seen out in the countryside.

A coupla more memories from Dublin. One of the most beautiful places in all the land. Thank you for the hospitality, he declared, as he posed for the scenic shots.

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However, some fans gently pointed out that the photos appeared to have been actually taken in neighbouring Co Wicklow.

These photos are from County Wicklow, Hugh!, one person commented

Another added: Wicklow is definitely beautiful Hugh and they are beautiful pictures from Glendalough etc we'll excuse you for your geography this time.

Hugh enjoys the 'Dublin' countryside

The Australian actor, who hails from Sydney, arrived in the capital last week, and kept his social media followers updated on his activities which included a beer for breakfast in a Dublin pub.

Jackman, who is best known for his iconic roles in the likes of Wolverine, The Greatest Showman and Les Miserables, also joined fitness fans at FLYEfits Portobello venue.

Hugh Jackman has a Guinness for breakfast in Dublin

Chiara Palagi, who is the senior marketing executive at FLYEfit, said they were thrilled to welcome Jackman.

The actor who was on a break after wrapping up filming on Deadpool 3, in which he stars as Wolverine also paid the obligatory visit to the Guinness Storehouse where he was spotted on Friday morning.

Hugh also made a second high profile public appearance in Dublin on Friday night when he thrilled young Irish theatre producer Luke Casserly by attending his production in the capitals Peacock theatre.

And the Australian star made sure to meet Luke afterwards and even got to feel a piece of bog used in his play Distillation, which is produced in association with the Abbey theatre and is being staged in the Peacock theatre.

If its good enough for Wolverine, raved the Abbey.

Last night we were privileged to welcome Hugh Jackman to an intimate performance of the Irish bog landscape through memory and scent  thanks for joining us Hugh.

Hugh pictured in what locals have spotted is Glendalough

Hugh spent some of his Summer holidays in Ireland in June 2022.

The star, who known for blockbuster roles in the X-Men series and The Prestige, sold out three shows in Dublins 3 Arena when he performed there in May 2019.

Last year, Hugh announced he had split from long-time wife Deborra-Lee Furness in September - after 27 years of marriage.

The former couple revealed to fans that they had separated to pursue our individual growth.

We have been blessed to share almost three decades together in a wonderful, loving marriage. Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth, the couple said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness. We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition.

The former couple signed the statement as 'Deb and Hugh Jackman, adding: This is the sole statement either of us will make.

The pair had tied the knot in 1996 after meeting on the set of Correlli in 1995.

During the course of their marriage, they adopted two children: son Oscar, 23, and daughter Ava, 18.
A commander from Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed armed group in Iraq that the Pentagon has blamed for attacking its troops, was killed in a US strike on Wednesday, the US military said.

"(US) forces conducted a unilateral strike in Iraq in response to the attacks on US service members, killing a Kataib Hezbollah commander responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on US forces in the region," a statement from the military said. It did not name the commander.
Israeli forces killed three Palestinians during a raid on a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank yesterday, officials said, as US secretary of state Antony Blinken stressed the need to de-escalate tensions during a visit to the region.
President Joe Biden should not face charges for wilfully holding onto classified documents as a private citizen, said special counsel Robert Hur (Niall Carson/PA)

US President Joe Biden wilfully retained and disclosed highly classified materials when he was a private citizen, including documents about military and foreign policy in Afghanistan and other sensitive national security matters, according to a Justice Department report.

The report from special counsel Robert Hur, which was released on Thursday, represents a harshly critical assessment of Mr Bidens handling of sensitive government materials, but also details the reasons why he should not be charged with the crime.
Thehas put forward a proposal to consolidate the state boards overseeing Classes 10 and 12, forming a unified entity to oversee secondary education. Presented as the Assam State School Education Board Bill, 2024 in the Assembly, the aim is to establish a new governing body responsible for managing education up to Class 12 within the state. Under this bill, the existing entities, the Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA), and the(AHSEC), would amalgamate to form the new(ASSEB).The legislation's preamble articulates that the bill aims to regulate, oversee, and enhance secondary education in Assam by merging the current entities, the Board of Secondary Education, Assam, and the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council. The ASSEB will be led by a chairman appointed by the government. Additionally, a vice chairman will be appointed to assist the chairman in governmental matters and oversee each division under their joint leadership.The new board will have a total of 21 members, who will have a three-year term and it can be renewed for an equal period. "The objective is to introduce the Assam State School Education Board Bill, 2024 to develop, regulate and supervise the standards and quality in school education in the state of Assam", Education Minister Ranoj Pegu said in the Statement of Object and Reasons of the Bill.The decision to merge the two entities was made during a state cabinet meeting held in November last year, presided over by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Notably, SEBA is responsible for conducting the Class 10 board examination, whereas AHSEC oversees the Class 12 examinations. This decision follows the occurrence of paper leaks in at least two Class 10 board examinations conducted by SEBA in 2023. Specifically, the general science and Assamese papers were leaked in March last year. Consequently, SEBA and the government were compelled to reschedule the examinations for general science and all subjects under Modern Indian Languages (MIL), including Assamese and English (IL).
ELKO  The Elko County Sheriffs Office is seeking information on the whereabouts of a man suspected of taking part in an armed robbery in Spring Creek last month.

Jonathan Brady, 32, of Spring Creek is wanted in connection with the Jan. 24 armed robbery at a Spring Creek residence that included three other suspects, who were all arrested.

An $800,000 felony warrant for Bradys arrest includes charges of armed robbery with the use of a deadly weapon, burglary with the use of a firearm and five counts of grand larceny of a firearm.

Craig C. Quigley, 29, Tessa R. Patchett, 32, and Samantha L. Gandolfo, 28 were charged with the same counts in a criminal complaint filed in Elko Justice Court on Jan. 25 by the Elko County District Attorneys Office.

Gandolfo was charged with an additional count of assault with a deadly weapon.

Elko County Sheriffs Deputies were called to a Spring Creek home following the incident. Quigley and Patchett led the deputies on a low-speed chase on Spring Valley Parkway to a dead-end road at Katie Drive.

Patchett was arrested immediately, but Quigley ran up Elko Mountain followed by law enforcement, where they ended up on Powder House Road in the middle of an Elko SWAT team standoff.

Quigley was spotted jumping a fence into a residents backyard and was discovered in a barn and arrested by Elko police.

Gandolfo was apprehended two days later at Sharps Access Road.

All three suspects remain in custody at the Elko County Jail.

Brady was arrested several times between 2016 and 2020. He was booked into the Elko County Jail on Oct. 24 on drug charges after police discovered a bag of methamphetamine and a bag of cocaine in a search of his vehicle during a traffic stop. He later was released.

Anyone with information about Brady is asked to call Elko Central Dispatch at 775-777-7300 or submit a tip through the Elko County Sheriffs office app.
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Photo courtesy: X/@BJP4India

New Delhi/IBNS: Weaponising West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's dare to Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took a fresh dig at the the primary opposition party saying he prays the outfit secures its 40 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

In his address to Rajya Sabha, Modi, who has already set the tone for the elections, said, "A challenge has come from West Bengal that Congress won't be able to cross 40. I pray you secure at least 40 seats."

Modi's words come days after Mamata, who runs Modi's staunch opponent Trinamool Congress, dared Congress to get 40 seats amid the cracks in the opposition alliance INDIA.

In her attack on Congress, Mamata 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."

"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.

Countering the Prime Minister's remark, Congress MP Manish Tiwari accused Modi of "taking people for granted".

Tiwari told ANI, "Arrogance is the biggest enemy in a democracy. Decision is in the hands of people. PM too will go to the people's court. Other parties will also go to the people's court.

"Making claims is one thing but the drawbacks of taking people for granted, in a democracy, is far reaching."

In his address to Lok Sabha earlier this week, Modi, who seemed supremely confident even months before the polls, said BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will cross 400 seats while his saffron party will alone touch 370, a figure which assumes significance in Indian polity after the Centre abrogated Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.
Photo courtesy: X/@BJP4India

New Delhi/IBNS: In a boost for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, 15 former AIADMK MLAs and one ex-MP joined the saffron party amid the camp's outreach to the south Indian state.

The leaders were welcomed to the party fold in the national capital New Delhi on Wednesday.

Inducting the leaders, BJP president in Tamil Nadu, K Annamalai, said, "The new joinees have decided to strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji in the state of Tamil Nadu."

"The new joinees are very senior leaders, who carry a wealth of experience," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently made frequent visits to Tamil Nadu's Tiruchirappalli in January 2024 in a bid to expand his party to the southern part of India.

Some media reports have also speculated Modi might contest from a seat in Tamil Nadu, which is now run by DMK-Congress government.

A former BJP assembly candidate told The Quint, "If PM Modi contests from a seat in Tamil Nadu, he is guaranteed to win. People in Tamil Nadu are emotional.

"They will respond positively once they see that the PM wants to make the state his political home."

Modi is presently an MP from Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi constituency.
Photo courtesy: UNI

Srinagar/UNI: A man from Punjab who was critically injured in a terror attack in Srinagar Wednesday evening succumbed to his wounds on Thursday morning, pushing the death toll from the incident up to two.

Officials said Rohit, who was critically wounded in the attack at Shaheed Gunj Srinagar, succumbed at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) at around 7:55 am.

Two workers from Amritsar Punjab, Amrit Pal (31) and Rohit Mashi (25) were attacked by unidentified militants on Wednesday evening when they were on their way to their rented accommodation in a Srinagar locality. Amrit Pal was the first victim of the targeted attack.

The killing of non-locals happened at a time when the Union government and LG administration are claiming to have brought normalcy to Jammu and Kashmir.
Photo courtesy: X/@BabaSiddique

Mumbai/IBNS: Former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique quit the Congress, in a fresh jolt to the grand old party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Siddique, a three-term MLA from Vandre, West, quit the Congress after serving the party for 48 years.

Announcing his resignation on his X handle, the senior leader said, "I joined the Indian National Congress party as a young teenager and it has been a significant journey lasting 48 years. Today I resign from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress Party @INCIndia with immediate effect.

"Theres a lot I would have liked to express but as they say some things are better left unsaid. I thank everyone who has been a part of this journey."

I joined the Indian National Congress party as a young teenager and it has been a significant journey lasting 48 years. Today I resign from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress Party @INCIndia with immediate effect. Theres a lot I would have liked to express  Baba Siddique (@BabaSiddique) February 8, 2024

As per reports, Siddique is likely to join Ajit Pawar's faction of Nationalist Congress Party or NCP.

This comes a day after the Ajit Pawar faction of NCP was given the 'clock' symbol, which was claimed by him as well as the party patriarch Sharad Pawar, by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Siddique had served as the Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies under the Maharashtra government from 2004 to 2008.
Photo Courtesy: twitter.com/DrSJaishankar

New Delhi/UNI: External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar will attend the 7th Indian Ocean Conference which is being held in Perth, Australia, on February 9-10, a government statement said on Thursday.

The Indian Ocean Conference is a flagship consultative forum for countries in the Indian Ocean region, organised annually by the Ministry of External Affairs, in association with the India Foundation.

The theme of this edition of the conference is "Towards a Stable and Sustainable Indian Ocean.

The Ministry said Jaishankar would address the inaugural session of the conference, along with Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of Sri Lanka, Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, and Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore.

Over 22 countries, senior officials from 16 countries, and six multilateral organisations will attend the 7th Indian Ocean Conference.

The conference will also witness the participation of over 400 social and corporate leaders, policy practitioners, scholars, professionals, and media personnel from about 40 countries, the Ministry of External Affairs statement said.

Since its inception in 2016 in Singapore, the "Indian Ocean Conference has played an important role in bringing together countries to deliberate upon the prospects of regional cooperation for Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)", the MEA added.
Image Credit : twitter.com/HemantSorenJMM

New Delhi: Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Heman Soren is not the owner of the BMW car confiscated from his Delhi premises and belongs to a Congress Rajya Sabha MP, who hit national headlines last year after recovery of heaps of cash from his property, media reported citing sources in the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Dhiraj Prasad Sahu, Congress's Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand is the owner of the vehicle as it is registered in the name of a firm owned by him, NDTV reported.

Sahus premises were raided by Income Tax officials in December and Rs 351 crore in cash was recovered.

As visuals of tax officials counting the piles of cash had appeared on TV screens, the BJP attacked the Congress on the issue.

The Opposition party had distanced itself from the cash recovery incident, asserting that the party had no involvement.

Sahu also claimed that the recovered money belonged to his liquor business firm and was unrelated to the Congress.

The process of cash recovery spanned over 10 days, requiring the officials to deploy 40 currency-counting machines to complete the huge task.

Now, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned the Congress MP for questioning on Saturday regarding his car, which was discovered at Delhi Soren's residence.

Soren, who was arrested last week, is under investigation in connection with an alleged mafia racket involving the illegal transfer of land ownership in Jharkhand.

He resigned from his position as Jharkhand Chief Minister just before his arrest. Denying the allegations against him, he accused the BJP of exploiting investigative agencies to undermine democratically elected governments.

During a raid at Soren's Delhi home on January 29, ED officials uncovered the BMW car, a blue SUV bearing a Haryana license plate.
Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X video

New Delhi/IBNS: Bengali film superstar-parliamentarian Dev's recent post on Instagram has strengthened the speculations that the Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP is looking for an exit route from politics.

On the last day of the Budget session of Parliament, Dev spoke about the Ghatal Masterplan for which he has remained vocal for years.

Speaking in Bengali, Dev said, "This is a problem which exists in Ghatal (Dev's constituency) since 1950. It is the problem of people who suffer due to floods. It's not a problem of TMC or BJP. I would request the Prime Minister to execute the Ghatal Masterplan.

"No matter if I stay MP or not, I want the problem to be solved."

Captioning the video, the actor-MP wrote, "My last day in the Parliament.. Thanku Didi. Thanku to the people of Ghatal Loksabha."

On Wednesday, Dev, who has recently resigned from three government posts in Ghatal, posted in an Instagram story, "Few More Hours."

Meanwhile, in an unverified audio clip, which went viral on social media, two people were heard talking about cut-money culture in Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency.

IBNS did not verify the audio clip.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from West Bengal, Hiran Chatterjee, has claimed Dev, a massively popular star in West Bengal, is involved in corruption.

Hiran told India Today, "I have always said that Dev is involved in corruption. Now the audio clip of a TMC leader from Ghatal named Shankar Doloi is viral, where he claims that Dev took a cut of 30 per cent from him.

"He said that he even informed Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, but nothing happened."

Earlier, reports had claimed Dev, a two-term MP from Ghatal, was reluctant to contest in the Lok Sabha elections 2024.

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee is reportedly keen to field Dev in the upcoming elections, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP will seek a third consecutive tenure.
ELKO  Six Elko County School District teachers, one nurse and one administrator will receive retirement buyouts that will initially cost the district $398,655 but later save the district $116,952. However, school trustees made several failed motions before agreeing to approve all the buyouts.

ECSDs savings will come when those who are retiring are replaced with employees who would receive lower pay because they have fewer years on the job, and probably fewer education credits.

Trustee Joshua Byers, who voted against the buyouts, said he understood the purpose of the buyouts, but we are behind the eight-ball on money now. The board is really close on constraints on finances. Pupil-centered funding has really hurt our district. We need to look at where our finances are going.

He said he appreciates the service of those seeking buyouts, but we also have to make hard decisions.

ESCDs anticipated ending fund balance for the current fiscal year was expected to be low enough after the pay raises to trigger the school district to provide an explanation to the Nevada Department of Taxation. The state requires a 4% ending balance.

The state prefers an ending fund balance of 13% to 14% of expenditures, however, and a budget augmentation put the fund balance for the current fiscal year at $11.85 million, which is 10.2% of expenditures, or 1.2 months of operations. That was before the pay raises.

District Superintendent Clayton Anderson said the buyouts arent specifically budgeted and usually come out of the general fund.

These are savings, not money that comes into our pocket next year, told trustees at Tuesdays meeting.

In the buyout proposal submitted to the school board, four teachers were listed as having at least 28 years of service, so their buyouts would put them at 30 years, which is the amount required by the Public Employees Retirement System for full retirement benefits.

One teacher, however, had different circumstances  Kamiah Hamilton. This teacher was in law enforcement before changing careers so qualified for retirement at 20 years. With the buyout, she will have 22.4 years of PERS service, rather than the 30 years required for teachers.

These five teachers have salaries that range from $83,467 to $94,336 per year because of their years on the job and education levels. With benefits, their salaries range from $123,829 to $138,606. Teacher replacements salaries are calculated at an average for the 2024-2025 school year of $57,067 and benefits of $30,871, according to the buyout proposal.

One of those on the buyout list, Robert Johnson, said in public comments he will leave to work as a behavior analyst in private practice.

I love Elko County School District, he said.

Karen Oneida-Cantrell said in written comment she needs to retire to be with her family.

Hamilton and Krista Chamberlin, the administrator at Northside Elementary School, were eliminated in motions that died for a lack of a second, and the other two employees, who are already eligible to retire but seeking buyouts, were in another motion that failed for a lack of a second.

Those two are eligible because of age, but they dont have enough years of service to reach 30 years with the buyouts. Raymond Langer, a school nurse, has 25.28 years of service, and special education teacher Priscilla Kraintz has 20.07 years of service. They each get two years of buyouts only.

Anderson said that would put them in a better position for their retirement benefits.

Trustees last year denied buyouts that didnt meet their criteria that employees have 28 years of service or near 28 years of service, so Trustees Jeff Durham and Susan Neal and the boards president, Matt McCarty, questioned providing buyouts for Langer and Kraintz.

Cody Krenka, director of human resources, said the districts policy states the board can alter its decisions on buyouts, rather than stay with the requirement of 28 years of service.

Their buyouts would save $75,775 out of the $116,952 in savings, according to the proposal.

Chamberlin told trustees if she waits to retire at 30 years, rather than the 29.46 years she has now with PERS, the district could be spending more money because leaving in November will be an unfortunate disruption.

Her retirement buyout would cost the district $17,289, so she could retire before the next school year.

Durham said the cost is not consistent with the boards policy of saving money, but he questioned how much it would cost if she stayed until November.

Anderson said it is a management decision, and he would rather identify a new principal ahead of the school year rather than move people around during the school year.

Trustee Teresa Dastrup said she has been addressing teacher buyouts a lot of years, and she appreciates the time that all those on the buyout list have given to the school district, but she also pointed out that this has also most of all been a challenging budget year.

She said she wasnt sure if she was ready to make a motion, and Trustee Brooke Ballard said she was in the same boat, and she questioned what the boards decision to give teachers raises meant for buyouts.

Elko County teachers and support staff are receiving an 11% cost-of-living pay increase over a two-year period because trustees in November approved collective bargaining agreements with the Elko County Classroom Teachers Association and the Elko County Support Staff Organization.

The two-year contract commits the district to an 8.5% cost-of-living adjustment in the first year retroactive as of July 1, 2023, and an additional 2.5% adjustment effective July 1, 2024.

Neal said weve never just cherry picked this person or that person, and I dont want to set a precedent, while Anderson said it has occurred in the past, but it was widely unpopular when it happened.

When no motions on teacher buyouts received a second, McCarty decided to move onward with the agenda and come back to the buyouts later. When trustees returned to the issue, Durhams amended motion to go with all the buyouts received a second and a vote. Dastrup had tried that same motion earlier, but no one seconded it.
File image (Courtesy: PIB)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised former PM Manmohan Singh's contribution to Parliament and said his valuable thoughts as a leader are an "inspiration" for lawmakers.

In his farewell speech for the outgoing Rajya Sabha members, he said, "I remember during the voting in the House. It was obvious that the treasury bench would win but Dr Manmohan Singh came on a wheelchair and cast his vote in August 2023. This is an example of a member being alert of his duties. He was an inspirational example."

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha. https://t.co/fNP5AOeIuV  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 7, 2024

The Prime Minister added that "Six times he has made a huge contribution to this house with his valuable thoughts as a leader and also as the Leader of the Opposition".

"I pray that he lives long and keeps guiding us," he added.

Extending his best wishes to all the retiring members of the Upper House, Modi said "they will scale new heights after getting educated in this 'eternal university'.

I hope the experience of retiring MPs will benefit the country and inspire new generations, he added.

Calling the house a symbol of continuity, the PM said, "This house receives a new vitality and energy every 2 years.

"Every two years, the departing members leave behind such memories, which are a priceless legacy for the new incoming members."

Retiring Rajya Sabha members will be given a farewell at Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar's residence today.

They will attend the farewell function at 6.30 pm.

Earlier, members of the Rajya Sabha took part in a group photo at 10 am at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Speaking next, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge thanked PM Modi for his words about Manmohan Singh.

"Manmohan Singh did good work. I thank the PM for his words. This is how things should be. Appreciate good work and criticise the bad," said the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha.

Manmohan Singh, a veteran politician who has been elected as a Member of Parliament six times, held the position of India's 13th Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014.

Before his tenure as Prime Minister, he served as the finance minister in the PV Narasimha Rao government. He also served as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) from 1982 to 1985.

(With UNI inputs)
Photo courtesy: Video grab

New Delhi: The farmers, who had been staging protests on the Noida Expressway, ended their agitation on Thursday evening after receiving assurances from the police and authorities regarding their demands.

After the blockade was removed, the Noida-Delhi route was reopened after a closure of six hours.

Since December 2023, farmers in Noida and Greater Noida have been demonstrating, demanding higher compensation, and developed plots in exchange for their land acquired by local development authorities in the past.

The farmers' groups called for a 'kisan mahapanchayat' and a protest march to Parliament in support of these demands.

The march led to massive traffic congestion at the Delhi-Noida border, causing the closure of all borders for 24 hours. To prevent any potential law and order issues, a heavy police presence was deployed.

After hours of protest, the farmers occupying the Noida Expressway opted to conclude their agitation following assurances from Gautam Budh Nagar Commissioner of Police Laxmi Singh that their demands would be addressed.

The Commissioner of Police also said that a committee would be formed under his oversight, tasked with engaging in discussions with representatives of the farmers within a week. State ministers will also participate in these discussions.
In image Abhishek (R) with assailant Mauris (L) during FB Live session ahead of getting shot/ courtesy: Videograb

Mumbai/IBNS: A Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Abhishek Ghosalkar, son of former Uddhav Sena MLA Vinod Ghosalkar, was shot dead during a Facebook live here on Thursday in Mumbais Dahisar, police said.

Ghosalkar was immediately rushed to a local private hospital, where he was declared dead before admission.

According to the reports, the assailant-Mauris Noronha, known as Morris-bhai among locals, had invited Ghosalkar to a local public event and then conducted a Facebook live interaction for 40 minutes at his office in the IC Colony in Borivali West.

Ghosalkar was seen sitting on a sofa and talking with some online visitors on a mobile positioned on a tripod about local civic issues.

At one point, the assailant came and sat beside Ghosalkar briefly. They were seen warmly interacting before the camera, and then Mauris got up to step outside. According to reports, the two had patched up recently after some disagreement.

Appearing to end the live social media show, Ghosalkar said, God bless you. We will go outside, and we will start."

As he stood up from the sofa, Mauris suddenly returned, whipped out a revolver, and fired at least three rounds at him.

Shocked by the sudden attack, Ghosalkar was seen screaming, stumbling forward, and falling down.

At least one bullet went into his chest and another in the shoulder, even as videos of the incident with the gunshots were recorded on Facebook Live, which went viral.

Seconds later, Mauris shot himself with at least four bullets and collapsed in a pool of blood, sending shockwaves through the city.

The son of senior SS-UBT leader Vinod Ghosalkar, Abhishek was a former BMC Municipal Corporator from Dahisar Ward No. 7 and was considered among the key second-rung youth leaders of the party.

Top SS-UBT leaders like Aditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut, and others strongly condemned the murderous attack on their party leader and targeted Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

Former Union Minister Anant Geete rushed to the hospital to inquire about Ghosalkars condition but declined to speak to the media, while top Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders like Leader of Opposition (Assembly) Vijay Wadettiwar, Leader of Opposition (Council) Ambadas Danve, Dr. Jitendra Awhad, Kishore Tiwari, and others slammed the state government for the total breakdown of the rule of law in the state.

Top police officials, including the Additional Commissioner of Police, DCP, ACP, and others, rushed to the double-crime spot and the hospital for investigations.

The entire locality was cordoned off after the incident, and a heavy police battalion was deployed.

[With UNI inputs]
Photo courtesy: Instagram/Zeenat Aman

Mumbai/IBNS: Bollywood veteran Zeenat Aman , who is now a very popular Instagram user, marked her 100th post on the social media platform with a special clip.

Going back to 1977, Zeenat Aman shared a clip from her film Chhailla Babu where she was seen wearing a golden attire.

She wrote in the caption, "When you know youre a queen but theyre still in de-Nile."

Sharing a thought about her journey on Instagram, she said, "Its quite surreal to think that just a year ago I was completely clueless about social media, and yet here I am today, uploading my 100th post to Instagram!

"Now you know I love a good laugh. So please celebrate this milestone with me in Meme-at Aman style. Leave your best puns and one-liners in the comments, or share them in your stories for me to repost."

"Quite a fun way to mark this occasion, dont you sphinx?"

On the work front, Zeenat Aman is set to make a comeback on big screens with 'Bun Tikki', which will be produced by eminent fashion designer Manish Malhotra, co-starring Abhay Deol and Shabana Azmi.
As it gets ready for its OTT release, the forthcoming comedy series "Maamla Legal Hai," starring Ravi Kishan, Nidhi Bisht, Anant V Joshi, Naila Grewal, and Yashpal Sharma, promises to make us all giggle!



When To Watch Maamla Legal Hai?

Maamla Legal Hai will release on Netflix.

Where To Watch Maamla Legal Hai?

Maamla Legal Hai will start streaming from 1st March 2024.

Ravi Kishan/Instagram

What Is Maamla Legal Hai About?

This humorous series is a must-watch because it promises a lovely blend of heart, humor, and legal language. The show, which is set in the made-up Patparganj District Court, examines the peculiar practice of law via the eyes of its eccentric attorneys who take on strange cases and strange clients. For this series, which is produced by Posham Pa Pictures (Jaadugar, Kaala Paani), Sameer Saxena takes on the role of showrunner. The series is written by Saurabh Khanna and Kunal Aneja and is directed by Rahul Pandey.

As per Netflix, Ravi Kishan steps in the shoes of VD Tyagi, the charismatic President of the Patparganj Bar Association, who dreams of becoming the Attorney General of India. With a knack for jugaad, VD Tyagi and his dynamic team of lawyers  Nidhi Bisht, Naila Grewal, Anjum Batra, and Vijay Rajoria  give a whole new meaning to the term legal eagle. Through these unconventional characters, audiences will get a glimpse into the intriguing cases handled by the firm  the true pulse of Maamla Legal Hai. Together, they infuse each case with humor and unexpected twists, while successfully outwitting their competitors.

Netflix

With a colorful cast of attorneys ranging from idealistic newbies to jaded veterans, Maamla Legal Hai presents a novel perspective on the legal profession. They strive to create relatable content that makes you feel something while simultaneously vying for cases, recognition, and the coveted air-conditioned chambers. The program, which takes its cues from bizarre and incredible real-life court cases, promises to be hilarious, with court processes that offer a lighthearted perspective on democracy.



For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


In a tribute to the late actor Satish Kaushik, whose absence is keenly felt on the big screen following his demise, fans and industry insiders are eagerly anticipating the release of his last movie, 'Kaagaz 2.'

The anticipation was fueled on Thursday when Anupam Kher, Kaushik's co-actor in the film, took to social media to make an announcement over its trailer.

Anupam Kher Shares 'Kaagaz 2' Poster

Kher, in a touching dedication to his former colleague, unveiled the official poster of 'Kaagaz 2' on Twitter. Accompanying the poster was a poignant message that read, "Dearest #SATISHKAUSHIK! The trailer of your passion project and unfortunately the last project #Kaagaz2 is releasing tomorrow! I know how hard you worked to create this film. But we all will make sure that the brilliance of this film reaches the world! Love you always! "

Dearest #SATISHKAUSHIK! The trailer of your passion project and unfortunately the last project #Kaagaz2 is releasing tomorrow! I know how hard you worked to create this film. But we all will make sure that the brilliance of this film reaches the world! Love you always!  pic.twitter.com/L8UH3T7BVq  Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) February 8, 2024

The emotional post continued with a plea for adherence to the film's significance, stating, "As law-abiding citizens, let us follow what is written on official Kaagaz." The message seems to hint at a thematic connection between the movie and real-world events.

'Kaagaz 2' is described as a film based on true instances and is dedicated to the loving memory of Satish Kaushik, adding a layer of sentimentality to its release. The film, which promises to be a fitting tribute to the late actor's legacy, is scheduled to hit cinemas on March 1st.

Late Actor Satish Kaushik/Twitter

About Satish Kaushik's Death

On March 8, 2023, the Bollywood industry bid farewell to the beloved actor, Satish Kaushik, who took his last breath.

The untimely demise of Satish Kaushik sent shockwaves through the heart of the film industry. The news of his sudden departure elicited a profound sense of sorrow, prompting an emotional response from both fans and fellow celebrities.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


In the midst of the love-filled ambiance of Valentine's Week, today, on Propose Day, let's get into the romantic history of real-life Bollywood couples, reminiscing about the heartfelt moments that marked the beginning of their journeys together.

From Film Sets To Private Vacations: How Bollywood Actors Proposed Their BAEs

1. Kiara Advani & Sidharth Malhotra's Proposal Happened In Rome

Kiara Advani And Sidharth Malhotra Posted This Picture On Their 1st Anniversary/Instagram

Bollywood couple Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra recently disclosed the heartwarming details of their engagement in Rome. While on vacation with Sidharth's family, Kiara opened up about the surprise proposal.

Reflecting on the moment, Kiara expressed her excitement, highlighting the cinematic nature of the proposal. Sidharth infused lines from their movie 'Shershaah' into his proposal. "I was so overwhelmed. Then he started reciting the lines, like 'Dilli ka seedha saadha launda hun' (I am a simple boy from Delhi), complete with the full dialogues of Shershaah, and I couldn't help but burst out laughing," Kiara recalled, reminiscing about the delightful incident.

2. Alia Bhatt & Ranbir Kapoor Shared Details On Koffee With Karan

Ranbir-Aliya Wedding Celebration/Twitter

Alia unfolded the romantic tale of how Ranbir's thoughtful proposal took place in a location with significant sentimental value for the couple.During a conversation in Koffe With Karan Season 7, Alia disclosed that Ranbir had meticulously planned the proposal without revealing it to anyone. The proposal unfolded in the mesmerising 'Masai Mara,' a place with profound significance for both Alia and Ranbir.

The actress said, "He didn't tell anyone; he just carried the ring and did it in the most amazing place because it's a place that we both have a strong connection with, which is Masai Mara."

The revelation provided fans with a glimpse into the couple's romantic journey, showcasing the thoughtful gestures that make their relationship truly special.

3. Ranveer Singh Revealed About Maldives Proposal To Deepika Padukone

Bollywood power couple Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone recently shared the details of Ranveer's proposal during their appearance on Koffee With Karan 8, commemorating five years of marital bliss.

Deepika And Ranveer In Koffee With Karan/Twitter

Ranveer narrated the story of his thoughtful proposal, which unfolded in the Maldives.

Reflecting on the moment, Ranveer disclosed, "We were going to take a holiday, and I decided to propose to her on the holiday. I got the ring, and my folks were like, 'Are you going to propose?' I was like, yes. They asked, 'Are you not consulting her parents?' I didn't have that degree of maturity. I said, 'No, I'm marrying her, so I will ask her.' We went to the Maldives, and I secretly carried the ring with me."

Describing the romantic setting, Ranveer shared, "We did the Sandbank adventure. A boat takes us out in the middle of the sea, and there's just one tiny sliver of sand in the middle. There's an infinite sea around you. After the boat left, there were just me and her. I was like, 'This is it; I have done it.'"

4. Vicky Kaushal's Spontaneous Proposal To Katrina Kaif

Picture Of Vicky Kaushal And Katrina Kaif/Instagram

Bollywood stars Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif tied the knot discreetly at Six Senses Fort Barwara, Sawai Madhopur, evading the media spotlight. Vicky recently opened up about the spontaneous proposal that preceded their private wedding.

Speaking about the proposal, Vicky shared, "It was very last-minute. I had been warned by everyone that if you do not propose, you'll have to hear about it for the rest of your life... I did it one day before the wedding. We had planned a special dinner one day before all the guests were arriving for the wedding."

Vicky also attributed their busy schedules as a factor contributing to the impromptu nature of the proposal.

5. Abhishek Bachchan Revealed About Proposal To Aishwarya Rai

Abhishek Bachchan With Wife Aishwarya Rai/Twitter

Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan's love story was revisited when Abhishek shared the heartwarming details of his proposal on Oprah Winfrey's show.

Reflecting on that memorable moment, Abhishek revealed, "While I was filming a movie in New York, I would often stand on the balcony of my hotel room and wish that one day, wouldn't it be wonderful if I was united with (Aishwarya) in marriage?"

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Sometimes motivation can feel like a distant memory. But fear not! To reignite your fire and fuel your spirit, let's celebrate the achievements of some incredible global and Indian women who are changing the world. Their stories are testaments to resilience, courage, and the boundless potential that lies within each of us.



Here are 7 women to inspire you mid-week:

1. Michelle Obama

Former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, is a champion for education, women's rights, and healthy living. Her powerful voice advocating for girls' education around the world continues to inspire millions. Remember her words: "The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do."

AFP

2. Arundhati Roy

Booker Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy is a fearless writer and activist who uses her words to challenge social injustices and fight for marginalized communities. Her courage to speak truth to power inspires us to find our own voice and stand up for what we believe in.

BCCL

3. Malala Yousafzai

The Youngest Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai is a global icon for education activism. Shot by the Taliban for advocating for girls' education, Malala's unwavering spirit and dedication to ensuring every child has the right to learn is an inspiration to all.

Times of India

4. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

Self-made billionaire and biotech entrepreneur Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is a pioneer in India's biotechnology industry. Her journey from starting a garage-based company to leading a global enterprise is a testament to her vision, perseverance, and leadership.

Wikipedia

5. Vandana Shiva

An environmental activist and scholar, Vandana Shiva works tirelessly to protect biodiversity and promote sustainable agriculture. Facing threats and intimidation, she remains a staunch advocate for ecological well-being and empowers communities to fight for their environmental rights.





Wikipedia

6. Indra Nooyi

Former CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi shattered corporate glass ceilings to become one of the most powerful women in business. Her leadership and strategic vision paved the way for other women to climb the corporate ladder, proving that gender is no barrier to success.



Buisness Insider

7. P. Saina Nehwal

Badminton champion P. Saina Nehwal is a force to be reckoned with on the court. Her dedication, hard work, and fighting spirit have made her a household name in India and a source of inspiration for young athletes everywhere.

AFP

These are just a few examples of the countless women who are making a difference in the world. Their stories remind us that we all have the power to achieve our dreams, break barriers, and make a positive impact.

For more stories like these, follow us on Indiatimes Lifestyle.
Ratan Tata, an icon of leadership and vision, is an enduring symbol of business excellence and philanthropy and serves as a timeless source of inspiration for all.

Every day, people are treated to new stories and insights about Ratan Tata, adding to the ongoing legacy of his influence and inspiration.

His newest project, at 86 years old, is his pet project - a hospital for animals in Mumbai.

India International Pet Trade Fair

A 165 crore pet hospital

Dogs, cats, rabbits and all other small animals can now get treated at Ratan Tata's pet hospital in Mahalaxmi, Mumbai.

The Tata Trusts Small Animal Hospital, which is spread across 2.2 acres and built at a cost of Rs 165 crore, will be among the few 24x7 hospitals in India for animals.

What led Ratan Tata to open a pet hospital?

The idea of a pet hospital came to Ratan Tata as a result of his own struggle to find advanced healthcare for this pet dog.

He related that his fur baby - a pet dog - needed joint replacement, for which he had fly him down to the United States.

"But I was too late, so they froze the dogs joint in a particular position. That experience enabled me to see what a world-class veterinary hospital was equipped to do," said Tata, speaking to TOI.

Outlook Business

"A pet is no different from a member of ones family today. As the guardian of several pets throughout my life, I recognise the need for this hospital," Tata said.



That is when Mr Tata realised that Mumbai should have a veterinary hospital.

Long overdue world-class pet hospital

However he could start work on the pet hospital only after he retired as the chairman of Tata Sons in 2012.

The project, initially announced in 2017, was to be built in Navi Mumbai. But, believing the long commute might be a deterrent for pet parents, he thought of going for a more central location instead.

Rediff.com

"With this in mind, finding the right space for land and getting permissions was also a reason for delay," he said.



Just aligning the agreements, documentation, and paperwork took about a year and a half, which is why the project took so long to come to fruition.

The hospital will finally be inaugurated next month, in the first week of March, according to a TOI report.

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ELKO  Elko students interested in an industrial career such as welding or electrical systems, take note: Great Basin College is offering resources to help plan your futures in technologically-based careers.

The GBC Career and Technical Education Department is offering an information night on Feb. 28, 2024 on the GBC campus in the Greenhaw Technical Arts Center.

I want everyone to come to the event, start time at 5:30 p.m., because during that first hour, were going to be talking about general information and ways that we support our CTE industrial trade students, CTE College Credit Coordinator Daria Horn said.

College staff from financial aid, student life, and campus housing, including Student Financial Services director Scott Nielsen, will educate prospective GBC students about the various benefits their respective departments provide, Horn explained. Also, academic Success Center Director Kristin Heath will speak about options for student resources such as tutoring.

Diesel technology, industrial maintenance technology, welding technology, electrical systems technology and instrumentation technology are all trades which the event will cover.

Were going to speak about a general overview of each one of those industrial trades, as well as our MCE, which stands for Mining Center of Excellence, and dual enrollment credit for high school students. And then we are going to highlight the upcoming Maintenance Training Cooperative scholarship, because that application deadline is a little over a month away, Horn explained.

The MTC Scholarship is a $5,000 scholarship allowing students to intern at local mining and industrial support companies for $20 per hour.

According to Great Basin College, participants will have an opportunity to talk with GBC instructors, MTC sponsors and representatives from the mining industry.

The instructor of our mining and metallurgy classes, his name is Stefan Beck. And hes going to speak about those dual enrollment certificates were offering, Horn noted.

There is a certificate of achievement which is 32 credits. And then we offer a industry skills certificate for 16 credits. And there is kind of a hybrid learning style. These opportunities are open for high school students, she explained.

Theres a progression in sequence. So the skill certificate and the certificate of achievement are both geared towards students starting those classes the fall semester of their junior year and continuing with that through their senior year, Horn said.

Then those mining classes will transfer should they want to continue on to GBC. There are degree pathways to move forward as well, as those classes are set up to transfer to University of Nevada Reno should they choose to pursue an engineering, mining engineering or metallurgy degree.

GBC can set up students for career paths in a short amount of time, Horn said. Our GBC Industrial Program, diesel technology, welding technology, electrical systems technology and industrial maintenance technology, those programs are two semesters.

Students receive both a certificate and familiarity with a technical discipline, Horn said. And if they take a couple extra classes, they can also earn their associate of applied science degree with that certificate.

Were in that big MTC scholarship push right now. That application is due March. Anybody can apply. Most of the time, its a graduating senior, but any age can apply. Last year, a scholarship was given to a Wells high school junior for his senior year, which is not common but it works.

After the informational presentation, students can tour GBCs state-of-the-art industrial learning labs. Students will also be able to visit networking tables and talk with industry professionals about possible job opportunities.

To apply for admission into the CTE programs and the MTC Scholarship, students must fill out both GBC and MTC applications, available at www.gbcnv.edu/index.html and www.gbcnv.edu/mtc.
The Karnataka government has banned the use and sale of both tobacco and non-tobacco hookah in public places across the state.

Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Wednesday said that the move was to protect public health and the youth of the state, considering the serious health risks associated with hookah smoking.

BCCL

Hookah banned across Karnataka

"In light of this concern, we are implementing a ban on hookah smoking in Karnataka by amending the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). Our government is working to build a safer and healthier environment for our future generations," he said.

"The prohibition of hookah use, sale, and service in hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges, cafes, clubs, and other establishments is seen as a crucial step in protecting the youth from substance abuse and the harmful effects of tobacco," an official release said.

Tobacco use in Karnataka

According to the WHO Global Adult Tobacco Survey-2016-17 (GATS-2), 22.8 per cent of adults in Karnataka use tobacco, with 8.8 per cent being smokers.

The report further reveals that 23.9 per cent of adults are exposed to secondhand smoke in public places, demonstrating the pervasive risk of tobacco consumption in the state.

Pexels

The WHO Global Youth Tobacco Survey of 2019 underscored the growing engagement of youth with tobacco products, with nearly one-fifth of students aged 13-15 having consumed tobacco in some form. Moreover, research has shown that both tobacco-based shisha and "herbal" shisha emit smoke laden with toxic agents, heightening the risk of cancers, heart disease, and lung disease, he explained.

Cost of tobacco consumption in Karnataka

The minister stated that the economic burden of tobacco is equally concerning, with Karnataka incurring a cost of Rs 983 crores in 2011 due to tobacco-related illnesses among individuals aged 35-69, highlighting the urgent need for preventative measures.

UNSPLASH

The dangers of Hookah smoking are further amplified by studies comparing it with cigarette smoking, revealing that Hookah smoke contains many of the same harmful substances, including nicotine, tar, and heavy metals. Hookah smokers are also at risk for a range of serious diseases, including various types of cancers and heart disease.

Hookah ban in other states

It should be noted that other Indian states including Haryana and Delhi have also tried to ban or restrict the use of hookahs in the past. But a lack of clarity in the rules and enforcement measures has meant that they have not been materialised.

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In a touching tale that unfolded in the serene landscapes of Himachal Pradesh's Billing Valley, a loyal pet dog played a crucial role in unraveling a tragic mystery, showcasing the remarkable bond between humans and their canine companions.

This incident once again exemplified a dog's ability to demonstrate selfless love and loyalty.

Holiday in Bir turns tragic

A couple of friends - 30-year-old Abhinandan Gupta from Pathankot and 26-year-old Pranita Wala from Pune, had gone for a holiday to Bir Billing on Sunday.

Bir billing is a famous paragliding destination in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district.

Savaari

Accompanying the duo was Gupta's pet dog, a German Shepherd.



Making their way to Bir by car, they took off on foot after parking the car to the take-off point for paragliders.

Upon the failure of the two individuals to return to Chogan near Bir, their friends notified the police on Monday.

Dog kept guard day and night

Police soon began a search operation the following day.

During the search, they heard the barks of a dog - which turned out to be Mr Gupta's German Shepherd.

AllShepherd

Tracing the sound, they arrived at the spot where they found the bodies positioned along a hiking trail, situated three kilometers below the paragliders' take-off point.



The bodies bore marks of attack by wild animals, which means that the German Shepherd probably guarded them against wild elements.

It had been almost two days since the dog had been keeping guard.

Initial findings indicated that the man and woman slipped on the snow, suffered injuries, and succumbed to the severe cold, as stated by Kangra ASP Veer Bahadur.

ParaBooking

But the actual circumstances of their death will be revealed only in the autopsy report.



This poignant tale serves as a poignant reminder of the deep connections forged between humans and their animal companions, showcasing the inherent loyalty and protective instincts that dogs bring into our lives.

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In a rather bizarre case of theft, an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) was stolen from Maharashtra's Pune District.

According to Police, the EVM, which was a demo unit was stolen from the Saswad Tehsil Office on Sunday night.

BCCL/ REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE

Demo EVM stolen

The EVM was meant for awareness programmes in the area ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections later this year.

Around 40 EVM were stored at the Saswad Tehsil Office and on Monday the, office staffers noticed that the lock of the godown was broken.

Upon inspection, they noticed that one Control Unit (CU) was missing.

CCTV visuals from the locality showed three men entering the store room and leaving with the CU in their hand.

SCREENGRAB

Accused arrested

Based on this a police complaint was filed and during the investigation, the cops identified two of the thieves.

The police also recovered the CU from one of the accused and arrested two of them.

According to reports, the two men had stolen the EVM, which they thought was a briefcase.

The stolen control unit of the EVM was recovered within 24 hours of the theft, the Police said.

"We nabbed two persons involved in the crime and the control unit was recovered from them in Jejuri area of the district. We are investigating the matter further," a police officer said.

Alarming Theft! EVM Machine Stolen from Saswad in Pune; Police Launch Manhunt@PuneCityPolice #punepolice pic.twitter.com/RNwDLRwWS6  Pune News (@punenews9) February 6, 2024

Election Commission takes note of EVM theft

While the EVM has been recovered and the accused arrested, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken serious note of the matter.

The EC has directed the state to suspend the area's sub-divisional officer, tehsildar and sub-divisional police officer and initiate disciplinary proceedings against them.

It also directed the state government to seek an explanation from the district election officer, superintendent of police and district collector for not ensuring security protocols of training and awareness.

There were directions from the Election Commission about the suspension. We are in the process of issuing the suspension orders, said Chandrakant Pulkundwar, the divisional commissioner (Pune division).

Cop suspended for negligence

The Pune Rural Police had also placed under suspension a police Constable posted there on duty for negligence and a probe was launched by the Saswad Police.

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India stands at the cusp of a significant aviation transformation, marked by the strategic establishment of 14 new airports nationwide in the near future. This ambitious initiative undertaken by the Indian government is a move to display the country's dedication to fostering economic advancement, bolstering connectivity, and promoting tourism.



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Without further ado, lets take a look at new and upcoming airports:



1. International Greenfield Airport, Ujjain

The government of the state of Madhya Pradesh has proposed the creation of an international greenfield airport near Ujjain. A vast land area of 10,000 acres, situated between Dewas and Ujjain, has been earmarked for this project. The acquisition of this extensive land is poised to facilitate the development of a cutting-edge airport, underscoring the government's dedication to advancing air travel infrastructure.

2. Minicoy's New Airport, Lakshadweep

Acknowledging the increasing appeal of Minicoy Island as a tourist hotspot, the Indian government has strategically opted to establish a new airport on the island. While Agatti Airport currently serves the island, the escalating tourism demands have prompted the need for a new airport. Alongside this, there are plans to expand the existing Agatti Island Airport. The envisioned Minicoy Airport is designed to have a dual function, serving both civilian and military air traffic. Anticipated operations encompass military planes, fighter jets, and commercial aircraft, reinforcing its overall significance.

3. Jewar Airport, Noida

It is supposed to be the country's largest airport with 6 runways and a capacity to accommodate twelve million passengers annually.

Estimated Cost Of Construction: Rs 29,650 crore.

4. Orvakal Airport, Kurnool

This domestic airport is meant to boost connectivity to remote areas. Its construction began operations in March 2021.

Estimated Cost Of Construction: Rs 153 crore

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5. Purandar Airport, Pune

With a defense airport already functioning in the Pune City, this proposed project will be located 45 KMs away. It will help alleviate traffic from Lohegaon Airport. It is expected to begin operations from Feb 2024.

Estimated Cost Of Construction: Rs 2000 Crore

6. Navi Mumbai Greenfield International Airport, Maharashtra

This will serve as a secondary airport for Mumbai and help ease off congestion from the main Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport. It is expected to cater to 25 Lakh flyers every year.

Estimated Cost Of Construction: Rs 16,700 crores

7. Dhalbhumgarh Airport, Jamshedpur

Planned as part of the UDAN scheme, the airport is slated to be constructed on a disused airfield site from World War II.

Estimated Cost Of Construction: Rs 100 Crore

8. Rewa Airport, Madhya Pradesh

This is another low-budget airport under the UDAN regional connectivity initiative.

Estimated Cost Of Construction: Rs 50 Crore

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9. International Greenfield Airport, Chennai

Constructed through a collaborative effort between TIDCO (Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation) and AAI (Airports Authority of India), the new airport aims to alleviate congestion issues experienced at the existing Chennai airport. This joint initiative underscores a strategic approach to address the growing demands on air travel infrastructure in the region and enhance overall operational efficiency.

Estimated Cost Of Construction: Rs 1,500 Crores

10. Warangal Airport, Telangana

Telangana government had planned to revive the airport in 2020. This airport also falls under the UDAN scheme. It will be built on 253 acres of land.

Estimated Cost Of Construction: Rs 75 crore



11. Bhogapuram Airport, Andhra Pradesh

Another upcoming greenfield airport, it will be built 45 kms away from Visakhapatnam. It will be developed in two phases and will handle international and domestic travellers along with cargo.

Estimated Cost Of Construction: Rs 4592 crore.



12. Utkela Airport, Odisha

The operations began in August, 2023. Marking the fifth airport in the state of Odisha, this new aviation facility is poised to significantly enhance connectivity, bolster tourism, and stimulate commercial activities in the region.

Estimated Cost Of Construction: Rs 162 crore.



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13. Kota Airport, Rajasthan

The green light has been given for the establishment of a new greenfield airport in Kota, Rajasthan. The approval includes the allocation of 466.59 acres of forest land for the construction of this airport. This significant development signals a strategic move to expand aviation infrastructure in the region and is accompanied by the necessary authorization for the use of specific forested areas for this purpose.

Estimated Cost Of Construction: 120 crore

14. New Airport in Mizoram

A new airport featuring heliport facilities, designated for both civil and Indian Air Force use, is set to be established at two identified locations in the southern part of Mizoram. Simultaneously, the Lengpui Airport is slated for an upgrade with a project cost of Rs 19.50 crore under NESIDS (North Eastern Special Infrastructure Development Scheme).

Anticipated to significantly influence India's real estate sector, upcoming aviation projects are poised to enhance connectivity to tier II and III cities. Ongoing infrastructure improvements are likely to drive up property values in the vicinity. Moreover, the expected surge in tourism is projected to create demand for hospitality-related real estate, including hotels and resorts, contributing substantially to regional economic expansion.

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Mid twenties is an age group wherein we have just begun earning decently and living the life we have always wanted, right? But the case of 27-year-old Pearl Kapur is truly exceptional. At such a young age, he has etched his name in entrepreneurial history by becoming India's youngest billionaire.



Pearl Kapur Becomes India's Youngest Billionaire

pearl kapur india youngest billionaire/instagram

Pearl Kapur's startup Zyber 365 has risen to prominence very quickly, which contributed to his success. Zyber 365 is a Web3 and AI-based operating system startup that was founded in May 2023. In just three months, it disrupted the retail industry and became a unicorn. For the unversed, a unicorn is a startup with a valuation of $1 billion or more.



With operations based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and a London headquarters, the company has garnered praise for being Asia's and India's fastest unicorn, with a valuation of $1.2 billion (approximately  9,840 crore).

Also Read: The Company That Made Steve Jobs A Billionaire For The First Time

The 27-Year-Old Has A Net Worth Of Rs 9,100 Crore

pearl kapur/linkedin

Zyber 365's founder and CEO, Pearl Kapur, has an impressive net worth of $1.1 billion (about Rs 9,129 crore), and owns 90% of the company's shares, as per NDTV report. The startup has raised $100 million in Series A funding; of this, 8.3% came from the agricultural company SRAM & MRAM Group, which saw the enormous potential in Zyber 365.



Early Years In The Billionaire's Career

Meet Pearl Kapur, India's Youngest Billionaire Who Has A Net Worth Of Rs 9,100 Crore/ndtv

Kapur, a Queen Mary University of London MSC Investment Banking (CFA Pathway) graduate, is regarded as a pioneer in the field of Web3 technology.



Pearl Kapur worked as a business advisor for Antier Solutions and a financial advisor at AMPM Store prior to founding Zyber 365. In February 2022, he founded Billion Pay Technologies Pvt Ltd as a result of his entrepreneurial spirit.

According to Pearl Kapur's vision, exponential technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity will come together with sustainable practices to create a solution that will empower the masses and usher in a new era he calls "Globalization 3.0."

Also Read: This Beer Billionaire Reveals Why He Buys A Random Stock Once Every Two Weeks

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In what can be tagged under bizarre news, Mr Bean actor Rowan Atkinson has been blamed for the slump in the sale of electric cars in the UK.



Atkinson was mentioned in a recent meeting of the House of Lords, the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, specifically during discussions in its environment and climate change committee.

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During the meeting, the think tank Green Alliance addressed the challenges faced by the UK government in transitioning away from petrol and diesel cars by 2035. According to Sky News, the think tank attributed part of the difficulties to an article written by the actor, considering it detrimental to the cause.

The actor had made the controversial comment in June 2023.

Rowan Atkinson Wrote A Blog For The Guardian In Which He Had Expressed His Distaste For EVs

The think tank conveyed to the House of Lords, as reported by Sky News: "One of the most damaging articles was a comment piece written by Rowan Atkinson in The Guardian, which has been roundly debunked. Unfortunately, fact checks never reach the same breadth of audience as the original false claim, emphasizing the need to ensure high editorial standards around the net zero transition."

wallha.com

The actor's article, titled "I love electric vehicles - and was an early adopter. But increasingly I feel duped," expressed concerns about electric vehicles, describing them as "a bit soulless." The piece also criticized the use of lithium-ion batteries in EVs.

The Internet Has Come In Support Of Rowan Atkinson

Ever since then, the internet has been buzzing with support for the Mr Bean actor. Many are calling this absurd.

One user wrote on X, One man does not make the show. Rowan Atkinson is also an engineer and he speaks the truth. EVs are big piles of steaming excrement . We all knew that years before Rowan said anything .

Rowan Atkinson is correct. Where do they think the power comes from to charge the cars and run the factories that produce the cars? It's all coal power. Our society can't run on renewables. EV cars are not environmentally friendly when their whole life span is taken into account, wrote another user.

A third user said, Rowan Atkinson is spot on with his view and analysis of EV transition from petrol. The think tank and their grevience against Atkinson only proves his view merits serious consideration by a government intent on population control!

Check out some of the other tweets:

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(With inputs from IANS)



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The European Parliament's resolution expressing concern over the rule of law in Greece drew stinging criticism directed at the government and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis from opposition PASOK-KINAL leader Nikos Androulakis on Thursday
The Nigerian Senate says the much-awaited Population and Housing Census slated for November this year will hold as planned.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Identity and Population, Senator Abdul Ningi, noted this in Abuja on Wednesday during the screening of 17 of the 19 commissioner-nominees for the National Population Commission, NPC.

The Bauchi Central lawmaker added that coincidentally, most of the nominees are people coming for the second time.

He said: It is a renomination and we have perused their credentials presented in the first instance, compared to the ones they. have just presented.

Nigeria has been using estimated figures for many years, as the last census was conducted by NPC in 2006, which gave a population figure of 140 million.

The immediate past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari had planned to conduct another census in 2022 but the programme was later moved to 2023.

The exercise was, however, suspended indefinitely by Buhari, a few days before leaving office, saying he would allow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to announce new dates for the headcount.

Tinubu however pledged his administrations support for the next census, asserting its importance in crucial aspects of national planning.

Speaking further, Ningi, who said conducting the exercise is all about political will by the government, said: We are almost 11 years without taking the United Nations resolution on population which comes almost every seven years.

I am sure with the political will, this is possible, its doable, the commission is ready, the personnel are ready. All we need do is the announcement by the President that the population census is coming on a date and once he says it, the international observers will now come in with their support.

READ ALSO: We Spent N200bn On Preparations For Postponed 2023 Census  NPC

Without the Presidents declaration, no one will send a kobo to Nigeria to support population census. Seventy-five per cent of the logistics in terms of machines, in terms of training of the personnel have been completed.

All we need to do is for the President to have the political will, and commitment to say the census is taking place and we cannot postpone it.

He furthered that the population census is the basic crux of human development, adding that without the census, no plan could be executed.

That is why it is difficult now to ascertain the exact population. Even pro-rata, how many are Nigerians because of lack of political will, Ningi said.

He explained that since the population issue was on the front burner, all efforts are underway to ensure its takeoff, saying The nominees should realise the importance of the assignment before them. The last time we had a national census was more than a decade ago.

No nation improves nor develops without knowing its number and therefore, this is a unique assignment that the nominees will face in due course.

This is because we are going to face the national census. And you have been selected because of your pedigree, your experience and exposure to the system.

It is very imperative while you are on that duty, we must see ourselves as Nigerians. There is no basis for any competition; whether there are more Hausa people than Igbo people or Yoruba than Tivs.

That is not the essence of population count. The essence is to be able to develop a mechanism where we lay a developmental plan that will meet the aspirations of our peoples.

Chairman of the NPC, Nasir Kwarra, said: We have been waiting for the screening long time ago. Thank God we are here today.

Out of the 19 nominees sent, two will not be here, because the commissioner representing Ondo has been appointed Secretary to the State Government, Ondo.

The commissioner representing Ogun, he contested House of Assembly election. Initially, he wasnt declared winner. The court gave him the seat. So he is not going to be sworn in.
A coalition of civil society groups, on Wednesday, protested at the National Assembly against the ban of alcoholic beverages in sachet by the National Agency for Food And Drugs Administration and Control.

The protest, which was organized by the Coalition Against Economic Saboteurs, saw participants bearing placards with the message, Let The Poor Live, signifying their opposition to the ban.

The spokesperson of the group, Adam Matazu, while addressing newsmen, in Abuja, yesterday, criticized the decision made by NAFDAC, particularly targeting the agencys Director-General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, for what he described as anti-people policies.

READ MORE: NAFDAC Begins Enforcement Of Prohibition On Alcoholic Drinks In Sachets, PET Bottles, Others

Matazu said: Today, we address a matter of grave concern, the recent decision by the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control, Prof Moji Adeyeye, to ban the sale of beverages in small sachets.

We view this policy as a direct assault on the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians, a move that will not only put countless citizens out of work but also exacerbate the existing problems of insecurity and unemployment in our nation.

We strongly condemn this ill-thought-out policy, which seems disconnected from the realities faced by the ordinary Nigerian citizens.

NAFDAC leadership abandoned their core responsibility of focusing on issues that truly threaten the well-being of our people, such as the inflow of fake and substandard drugs, we find the Director General choosing to target a sector that provides employment for many Nigerians and serves the needs of millions of families.

Prof Moji Adeyeyes tenure at NAFDAC has, regrettably, been marked by disappointments and failures to deliver the desired results.

Rather than ensuring the safety of our food and drugs, we have witnessed a surge in counterfeit beverages, creating a pervasive doubt about the authenticity of what our citizens consume.
A Federal High Court, sitting at Ikoyi, Lagos State, on Wednesday, ordered the Federal Government (FG) to fix the nations prices of goods and petroleum products within seven days.

Justice Ambose Lewis-Allagoa granted the order sequel to an originating motion filed and argued by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana.

He said: I have had the applicant Femi Falana in a suit no San,FHC/L/CS/869/2023 and I have also discovered that despite the service of the Originating motion on the respondents namely Attorney-General of the Federation and the Price Control Board, no opposition to it by way of counter affidavit, which is law that all the facts deposed in the affidavit attached to the originating motion are all deemed admitted.

Consequently, all prayers that are sought for in the motion papers are hereby granted as prayed.

Lewis-Allagoa further ordered the Nigerian government to fix the price of Milk, Flour, salt, sugar, bicycles and its spare parts, matches, motorcycles and its spare parts, motor vehicles and its spare parts as well as Petroleum products, which include: diesel, petrol motor spirit (PMS) and kerosene.

The human rights lawyer had approached the Court for the following: whether by virtue of Section 4 of the Price Control Act., the first defendant is carrying out its duty to impose a price on any goods that are of the kind specified in the First Schedule to the Price Control Act.

A declaration that by virtue of Section 4 of the Price Control Act Cap, the defendants are under a legal obligation to fix the prices of bicycles and spare parts; flour; matches; milk; motorcycles and spare parts; motor vehicles and spare parts; salt; sugar and petroleum products including diesel, petrol motor spirit and kerosene.

A declaration that the failure or refusal of the Defendants to fix the prices of bicycles and spare parts; flour; matches; milk; motorcycles and spare parts; motor vehicles and spare parts; salt; sugar and petroleum products including diesel, petrol motor spirit and kerosene is illegal as it offends the provision of Section 4 of the Price Control Act, Cap., Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

An order directing the defendants to fix the prices of bicycles and spare parts; flour; matches; milk; motorcycles and spare parts; motor vehicles and spare parts; salt; sugar and petroleum products including diesel, petrol motor spirit and kerosene not later than 7 days after the delivery of the Judgment of this Honourable Court.

READ ALSO: Hardship Generationally Created, Things Are Tough Worldwide  APC Defends Tinubus Economy

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the Presidential Committee on Emergency Food Intervention to work out immediate measures to check rising food prices in the country.

Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, after the committee meeting, said the President was concerned about the accessibility and affordability of food items nationwide.

The government is very concerned about what Nigerians are going through, especially what happened in Minna yesterday. Therefore, the government is taking some actions to ensure that Nigerians have some relief in terms of the availability of food on the table, Idris said.

According to him, the committee meeting would continue until Thursday, adding that certain significant measures are already being considered to ease the deplorable situation.

Now, some of these will involve unlocking the foods available in most of the storage facilities (National Food Reserves) around the country. The government is also talking to major millers and major commodity traders to also see what is available in their stores.

To open it up so that government will provide some intervention, discuss with them to provide some intervention to make this food available to Nigerians, the Minister said.

Idris however noted that the government was aware that some persons were creating food shortages because of its high cost and currency depreciation.

What I will tell Nigerians is that the president has directed that government needs to step in to stem this tide. The government will not fold its arms and see the way Nigerians are suffering in terms of the availability of these food items, so I want to plead with you to understand the government.

By the time these meetings are concluded, well be able to issue a definite statement on the position of government in this regard, the minister said.

The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Central Bank governor, Yemi Cardoso; Minister of Finance, Wale Edun and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Others are; Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, Budget and Economic Planning, Bagudu Atiku, and Ministers of State for Agriculture, Sabi Abdullahi, and FCT, Mariya Mahmoud.
ELKO  Elko County Republican voters joined 16 other Nevada counties to overwhelmingly reject seven presidential hopefuls on the Presidential Preference Primary ballot.

According to unofficial results posted by the Elko County Clerks office after 9 p.m. Tuesday, 2,089 votes went to None of These Candidates, followed by 440 votes to former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and 119 votes to former Vice President Mike Pence.

Pence, who ended his campaign in October, remained on the ballot, along with Tim Scott, who dropped out of the race out of the race in November.

Scott received 44 local votes.

Elko County Republicans mirrored statewide GOP voters, with 46,893 votes, or 63.21%, selecting None of These Candidates. Haley followed with 30.53%, Pence with 3.96% and Scott with 1.37%, according to results posted by the Nevada Secretary of States office on Wednesday morning.

Incumbent President Joe Biden won the statewide Democratic primary, outpacing 12 challengers with nearly 98,358 votes or 89.29% of ballots cast.

Democrats statewide gave None of These Candidates second place, with 6,396 votes or 5.81% of ballots cast. Marianne Williamson took third, with 3,173 votes or 2.88%.

Local Elko County Democrats followed suit, with Biden receiving 595 votes and None taking second, with 148 votes.

Williamson was in third place with 33 votes.

Republican caucus

This is a busy week for Nevada Republicans, who also have a caucus scheduled Thursday, just two days after the Presidential Preference Primary. The caucuses will determine the states delegates to the Republican National Convention.

Caucuses are from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at several locations in Elko County, and those who cannot stay through the entire event can complete a paper ballot, cast it and leave, party officials say on the state partys website.

The scheduling of two Republican voting events has created confusion for some party members, as the primary did not include the frontrunner, former President Donald Trump on the ballot.

Instead, Trump appears on the caucus ballot along with the only Republican challenger still in the race, Ryan Binkley.

Other challengers ceased their campaigns in January, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. They still remain on Nevadas caucus ballots.

State Republican Party leaders explained the caucus determines how many Nevada delegates will support the GOPs nominee at the convention.

The 2021 Legislature passed AB126 to create a primary for both Democratic and Republican parties and eliminate the caucus system; however, Republicans won the right to continue the process through the courts.

The Associated Press reported as of Feb. 6, Trump has 33 delegates, Haley has 15, DeSantis has 9 and Ramaswamy has 3.

A candidate needs 1,215 or more delegates to win the GOPs nomination.

Biden has 88 delegates. To secure the partys nomination, a candidate needs 1,991 delegates.

Voter turnout

Approximately 15.34% of the 23,238 active registered Elko County voters participated in the two primaries, according to the Elko County Clerks Office.

Rainy weather greeted the 658 voters who voted in person on Tuesday at one of the eight polling locations throughout Elko County.

Less than 2% of registered voters cast a vote during early voting, the Clerks office reported.

Mail-in ballots were more popular, with 11.12% of active voters choosing to send their ballots in before Primary Election Day.

There were no lines at 7 p.m. and all polling locations closed on time, the Clerks office reported Wednesday morning.

The Presidential Primary election results will become official after the Canvass at the Elko County Board of Commissioners meeting at 2 p.m. on Feb. 14.
Bandits who abducted women accompanying a bride to her husbands home at Damari, Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State last week have released a video showing the captives.

In the video, the bandits threatened to tie the wedding knot between the already married lady and one of them, unless relations of the captors paid a ransom of N100 million to them.

The kidnappers also vowed to sell off the 62 wedding guests that were kidnapped alongside the bride, if their demands were not met.

During last Thursdays attack on the wedding convoy, four members of a vigilante group were reportedly killed and no fewer than 55 wedding guests, including children, were snatched, and have since then been held hostage, according to villagers.

The victims, including friends of the bride from Dandume, were ambushed at Sabuwa while travelling in an open van.

As seen in the footage, a gang leader in police uniform, put the captives number at 63.

He taunted the government saying they would marry off the bride if the ransom was not paid.

I am the one who abducted them, and I will never release them until ransom is paid. And if there is anyone who thinks they could rescue them, they should try it, he said.

Some of the captives were seen with AK-47 rifles hung around their necks, while the bride was seen dressed in an army uniform, with one of the bandits saying Here is the bride adorned in army uniform.

READ ALSO: Police Nab Adamawa Ghost For Defrauding Residents

The captives were heard pleading for help; asking their relations to pay the ransom.

The driver of the vehicle that conveyed the wedding guests, was also seen in the video carrying a gun, pleading that the ransom be paid.

One of the terrorists said of the abducted persons: They are here as you can see them. You people should stop lying that they are 53. We have 63 of them with us, including the driver. The bride is here too. See her.

Another terrorist, who filmed the video, panned his camera around to show the victims, with the bride standing at the far right. He said: This is the bride. We are going to marry her out again if the ransom is not paid.

The brides family confirmed that the terrorists were demanding a ransom of N100 million for the release of all the captives.

Haruna Abdullahi, an uncle of the bride, stated: They are asking for N100 million as ransom. None of us has ever seen that amount of money; so I told them directly that we dont have such funds.

He also said the kidnappers told him they shot the video as a challenge to the State Governor, Dikko Umar Radda, who was reported to have vowed to rescue the victims.

They said they made the video to demonstrate their seriousness to the governor, Abdullahi said, expressing appreciation for the governors concern and promise of rescuing the victims.

According to him, among those abducted were eight of his sisters and nine daughters.

Another family member, who simply identified himself as Zubairu, revealed that his wife, six children and 13 relatives were among the abductees.
The Lagos State Government has announced its plan to convert Ijora under-bridge to a creational space.

Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA reported, on Saturday that after a five-day quit notice, the government destroyed illegal shanties occupied by squatters under the bridge.

However, the state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, lamented that block molders, fuel sellers, and miscreants occupying the space under the bridge, pose a security risk.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Wahab disclosed, via a post on his X handle that the cleared space will be used for the public benefit of Lagos residents.

He wrote: Following the expiration of the Commissioners five-day notice to unauthorised inhabitants of the Ijora Under-Bridge, the Special Task Force, under the direction of ACP Bayo Sulaiman, executed the removal of makeshift structures. Subsequently, the Lagos Waste Management Authority swiftly commenced the removal of debris.

READ MORE: Cart Pushers Not Authorised Waste Collectors  Lagos Govt Warns (Photos)

This initiative, however, extends beyond mere demolition and clearing. Guided by the directives of Governor #jidesanwoolu and HC #tokunbo_wahab, a team comprising the General Manager of LASPARK, Hon. Adetoun Popoola; the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende; and the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Abiodun Ogunleye, has embarked on a mission to transform this area into a recreational space.

This endeavour aims to restore the public space for the benefit of Lagos residents, with community members also participating in the inspection and planning process.

The transformation of Ijora Under-Bridge is poised to complement the adjacent National Theatre Complexs ongoing refurbishment, and further enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Lagos.
A yet to be identified police inspector, including two persons were killed in a fresh Boko Haram attack on Kukareta, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.

It was gathered that the terrorists, on Wednesday, set ablaze the police officer along with a makeshift camp accommodation.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the two civilians were shot dead and they set ablaze the vehicle of the district head and carted away one Hilux vehicle belonging to the civilian Joint Task Force operating in that community.

READ MORE: Over 2,000 Boko Haram Terrorists Surrendered In Two Years, 1,935 Released Back To Society  DHQ

According to eyewitnesses, the attackers, who are thought to be Boko Haram fighters, swooped on homes and looted food before burning them down.

He said: We lost three people, including a police mobile officer who died of a gunshot wound during the attack.
South Africas Bafana Bafana saluted Nigerias Super Eagles after they advanced to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.

Following a triumph over South Africa on penalties in the semifinals, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will play Ivory Coast in the AFCON Finals on Sunday, February 11.

Bafana Bafana praised Nigeria for their outstanding accomplishment in qualifying for the competitions finals in a social media post.

They also expressed gratitude to their nations residents for their steadfast support during the competition.

Taking to their X account, they wrote,

Well done to Nigeria  for making it to the final of AFCON 2023 South Africa  Thank you so much for your unwavering support for @BafanaBafana throughout this tournament.

READ MORE: May Celebrates Rita Edochie As She Secures New Appointment In Actors Guild

See some comments to the post

Mayor Nigeria wrote: Shoe get size Okirikha Get Quality. Afrobeats use the beat to beat Amapiano. The Strongest Eagle

Marki said: Your biggest achievement will be the engagement Nigerians will give this post

Yinka advised: Even after the robbery we still won  Good thing now is that youre now knocked out by the giant of Africa  Next time learn to calm down when facing your seniors! #AFCON2023

SEE POST:
Yunusa Tanko, the Director of Media and Publicity for the Labour Party (LP), says the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not have the capacity to address Nigerias challenges.

Speaking on Channels Televisions Politics Today on Wednesday, Tanko emphasized the lack of tangible solutions presented by the administration since May 2023.

Tanko highlighted the significance of the first 100 days in office as a milestone for showcasing achievements.

Drawing a comparison with Governor Alex Ottis proactive approach in his tenure, Tanko underscored the importance of instilling hope and taking decisive action to tackle challenges.

He pointed out the concern about the depreciation of the Nigerian currency against major foreign currencies, contrasting it with the stability observed in other African countries.

READ ALSO: Hardship: Let Nigerians Breathe  PDP Tells Tinubu, APC

Tanko further lamented the continued slide of the Naira, citing it as evidence of the governments failure to inspire confidence and implement effective strategies.

As of today you need just 11 cedis to one dollar; 4.4 Libyan currency makes one dollar; in South Africa 17.6 to a dollar; in Nigeria today it is N1,500 to one dollar.

His words: Nigeria is the giant of Africa and we are going this way and you are saying the Tinubu government needs more time. Even in the 100 days in office, they were not able to prove to Nigerians that they have the capacity to do what was already done before.

The people in Niger and Kano states and other parts of the country are human beings. If this government is doing what it ought to do for the interest of the Nigerian people, I will be among the people who would praise them.
Ali Nuhu, an actor and director for the Nigerian Film Corporation, declared that the film industry can restore Nigerias original integrity.

In a recent interview with BBC Hausa, the actor asserted that just 35 percent of Nigerian films currently adhere to the ideal standards of quality, even though the target should be closer to 70 or 75 percent.

Ali Nuhu affirmed that a strong Nigerian film industry can contribute to the nations reunification.

He maintained that Nigeria could be assisted in restoring its integrity by using the film industry to present a more positive and authentic image of the country to the outside world.

READ MORE: May Celebrates Rita Edochie As She Secures New Appointment In Actors Guild

In his words,

If you look at the films we produce in Nigerias film industry, you would see that only 30-35 per cent meet desired quality as against 70-75 per cent.

So I will focus on this by making sure we are more educated and the provisions of quality equipment.

We have ambition of transforming the industry into one of the world best because we dont need quantity, what we need most is quality over quantity.

Some bad eggs among the industry have given Nigeria a bad name, so through these films, we will restore our integrity.
SharePoints role as an enterprise content management system may be an old-fashioned one, but that doesnt mean the platform is frozen in stone. Over time, Microsoft adds new features, and deprecates and removes old ones. The company has even begun to spin off what were SharePoint features into separate applications.

As SharePoint transitions from one way of working to another, these changes often require us to rewrite and rework our applications and extension code. SharePoint is currently beginning one such transition, moving away from its own search APIs to a new model based on the Microsoft Graph.

Fortunately, one of the main reasons for the success of SharePoint is its adaptability, backed by its own extensibility framework and an easy-to-learn programming model.

Why use the Microsoft Graph?

While theres no end-of-life date for the existing search APIs, new functionality will only be available through the Microsoft Graph. So its worth starting to rewrite code now, especially as the Microsoft Graph is key to providing grounding for the Microsoft Copilot AI assistants for Microsoft 365. These changes apply not only to SharePoint, but also to OneDrive.

As part of this change all searches will go through a single API. That means the code you write for SharePoint also will work with other Microsoft 365 services, including Outlook, wherever theres a search index. Using a common search API for all your Microsoft 365 content makes sense, especially with Microsofts focus on AI, where that content will provide grounding for generative AI and large language models.

Establishing a common search API for all Microsoft 365 services starts a long-overdue move away from the aging folder metaphor. With good search capabilities and effective metadata tagging, theres no real need for an artificial structure to help navigate files. Instead, information is delivered as needed from a single index, providing a transparent bridge across application silos.

Searching with the Microsoft Graph API

The Microsoft Graph API is a typical REST API, using POST with a JSON payload. Each JSON payload is made up of a set of requests, which run against entities, and which contain queries. Queries are strings, and they can be used to scope your requests. Thus you can include specific SharePoint sites in your tenant or exclude sections of your tenant that you dont want searched.

There are some minor issues that need to be considered when building a query. For example, because a OneDrive for Business store is really a SharePoint entity, it must be queried differently from a personal OneDrive store.

Once you have built your basic query JSON, you can start to refine its operation. You can sort the results using familiar pagination techniques, or example, and you can apply additional filters, such as a specific time window.

Note youre not limited to the hierarchical structure of graph queries, because you can use Microsofts Keyword Query Language (KQL) as part of your queries. Queries can then be aggregated, offering the ability to construct complex queries that work across different Microsoft 365 entities. This approach allows you to collect not only the documents related to a query, but also relevant emails and lists of people.

Youre not limited to searching only Microsoft Graph data either. If you use a Graph connector to link line-of-business systems into your Graph instance, Graph searches can extract all kinds of enterprise dataHR, ERP, CRM, and more. In addition to a library of prebuilt connectors, Microsoft provides tools you can use to build your own custom connectors for bespoke applications, or to work with legacy data in mainframes or minicomputers.

Think of the underlying Microsoft Graph as a dynamic, constantly updated index to your non-relational data. As new content is stored in Microsoft 365 and in platforms like SharePoint Online, that index automatically updates and makes your content available across your Microsoft 365 tenant and to all of your users.

Working with the KQL in Microsoft Graph

Once youve got basic queries under your belt, youll want to move to more advanced ways of working with the Microsoft Graph. This is where you can take advantage of existing skills using the Keyword Query Language (which is not to be confused with Microsofts other KQL, the large-scale data query language, Kusto).

KQL allows you to use free text as the basis of a query, looking for words or phrases in content, with support for simple wildcard completions. In addition to searching text, KQL allows you to use document metadata to restrict searches to specific files and authors. You can mix and match restrictions to build more complex queries, using parentheses to group search terms where you might have used an AND statement in SQL or similar query languages.

There are some KQL requirements that might seem confusing at first. For example, dates and times need to be expressed in ISO 8601 format, so you use the YYYY-MM-DD pattern for a date and YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss for date and time (the T is used as the delimiter between data and time). Theres even the option of using relative times, so today and this year are valid query terms and will deliver different results when run on different days. Other useful options include Booleans, proximity operators, and the ONEAR operator, which uses the order of the terms to return results.

If youre using KQL in Microsoft Graph queries, its a good idea to use KQL to build query templates. These give you a ready-made KQL query, so all you need do is pass in your specific search term. This can be especially useful if youre programmatically constructing the JSON payload of a search, using a prebuilt query, and passing the search term as a query string.

One API to search them all

Weve gotten used to treating SharePoint as a stand-alone tool, but its now one of the foundational technologies for Microsoft 365 and the Power Platform. Using the Microsoft Graph to query across the entire platform is an important change, one that aims to encapsulate the entire work output for a user or a team, across all the tools they use in their day-to-day work.

Theres yet another reason for using a single search API: It can help ensure that regulated data is being accessed by authorized users. Wrapping your Microsoft Graph queries in a role-based authentication scheme helps ensure that access to data is audited, and that users can access only the data permitted for their role or their group.

Again, theres no end-of-life date for the old SharePoint search tools, so youre free to keep using them. However, now that Microsofts development resources are focused on the Microsoft Graph, you might use this as an opportunity to start rewriting existing SharePoint applications and extensions, as well as experimenting with the cross-application capabilities of the Microsoft Graph.

After all, we have a lot of data stored in the Microsoft Graph, so we might as well use it. Searching across SharePoint, Outlook, and OneDrive gives you unified access to perhaps your companys largest knowledge base, allowing you to extract information and insights you might not have found otherwise. That would be the best reason of all to make the shift.
Guests at the opening of (Re)Focus at the Moore College of Art, which celebrates 50 years of the seminal feminist show Philadelphia Focuses on Women in the Visual Arts. Read more

No Mary Cassatt, no Frida Kahlo, no Faith Ringgold.

During the early 1970s, the situation for female artists in the United States was not unlike Gilead, the patriarchal state in Margaret Atwoods novel The Handmaids Tale. In art history textbooks, women were not underrepresented; they were not represented at all. Equally discouraging, there were precious few women represented by galleries, in museums, or on art department faculties.

In January 1972, Diane Burko, a landscape painter and then recent graduate of Penns MFA program, attended the annual College Art Association in San Francisco. There, she encountered eminent art historians Ann Sutherland Harris and Linda Nochlin bitching about zero women on the CAA board. Their activism led to the creation of the Womens Caucus for Art, an advocacy group for artists and historians.

That year, in April, in Washington, D.C., female artists convened a conference at the Corcoran Museum to protest the exclusion of female artists in the museums 1971 biennial. The attendees unanimously agreed: Things had to change.

Burko became a change agent when she returned to Philadelphia. After all, it was the home of the first womens art school (now Moore College of Art, founded in 1848) and one of the first all-female art exhibitions (at the Womens Pavilion of the Centennial Exposition in 1876). She invited artists and historians to discuss how to achieve what we call equity and inclusion today.

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In the words of attendee Judith Stein, today a noted curator and author, they were a posse of ... feminists determined to rebalance an off-kilter art world. Also, there was Judith Brodsky, then an assistant printmaking professor at Beaver College (now Arcadia University). Burko and Brodsky wrote grants, asked banks for support, invited work from more than 80 contemporary artists, and encouraged area institutions to create their own exhibitions.

They titled the 1974 show Philadelphia Focuses on Women in the Visual Arts  Focus for short. It purveyed work by established artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Elaine de Kooning, Lee Krasner, Alice Neel, and Louise Nevelson next to Eleanor Antin, Barbara Chase-Riboud, Janet Fish, Yayoi Kusama, and Faith Ringgold. Grace Glueck, the New York Times art reporter, called it one of the best group shows by artists of any gender recently seen on the East Coast art circuit.

For the 50th anniversary of Focus, its initiators have made a blockbuster sequel. They are calling it (Re)Focus, and the citywide happening kicked off Jan. 27 at the Moore College of Art. It features the work of more than 400 women, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming artists across 64 venues.

While the Moore show runs through March 16, most of the (Re)Focus exhibitions will continue at area galleries and venues through May and beyond. These include the African American Museum in Philadelphia, Art in City Hall, Asian Art Alliance, the Clay Studio, Fleisher Art Memorial, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Taller Puertorriqueno, University of the Arts, and Woodmere Museum.

Moores (Re)Focus exhibition has two parts.

ReFocus: Then reconstructs the original 1974 show, pairing the work of each of the artists, many of whom have since died, with a photograph of her recent work. ReFocus: Now, organized by Moores gallery director Gabrielle Lavin Suzenski and Denise M. Brown, features works by nonbinary and gender-nonconforming artists like Wit Lopez, Eva Wu, and The Future is Us Collective.

This new generation is taking the dream of diversity much further, Brodsky said at a panel discussion that preceded the opening. On the panel were four artists from (Re)Focus: Then Burko, Cynthia Carlson, Joyce Kozloff, and Barbara Zucker  and two  Lopez and Isa Isioma Matisse representing The Future is Us Collective  in (Re)Focus: Now. As each showed images of their work, everyone in the audience had a window seat in a time machine that took them from 1974 to the present. Walking through (Re)Focus: Then to (Re)Focus: Now makes that experience even more profound.

The exhibitions and programs scheduled at the participating local galleries, organizations, and institutions underscore a deeper understanding of the range of art by women and Philadelphias role in nurturing and educating so many of them.

Like Mary Cassatt, alumna of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), subject of the exhibition Mary Cassatt at Work at the Philadelphia Museum of Art from May 18 through Sept. 8. And Anna Russell Jones, the first African American alumna of the Moore College of Art, celebrated in a retrospective at the African American Museum in Philadelphia from Jan. 31 to April 22. And Edna Andrade, PAFA alumna, whose Space Dreams is the February show at the Locks Gallery.

Information about Refocus exhibitions, events, films, and participating institutions can be found at www.refocus2024.org
Gov. Josh Shapiro delivers his second budget address on Tuesday in Harrisburg. He called for legalizing recreational marijuana. Read more

Legalizing recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania has for years seemed like a far-fetched idea that gained little traction in Harrisburg.

But, after Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro included it in his ambitious $48.3 billion budget proposal this week, state Republican leaders acknowledged how much revenue the state is missing out on by failing to legalize cannabis  and national moves to reschedule the drug could soon come to fruition.

All neighboring states except West Virginia have legalized cannabis. As a result, Shapiro said during Tuesdays budget address, Pennsylvania is falling behind, and losing out on an industry that could bring in more than $250 million in annual revenue.

Lets stop hamstringing ourselves and start competing, Shapiro said.

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While legalizing the drug is a Democratic priority, Republicans control the state Senate and have historically opposed the move. But on Tuesday, GOP leaders suggested they may be willing to consider the proposal  especially as the states spending is projected to exceed revenue in the next fiscal year.

We also need to understand where the governor is coming from, said Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R., Indiana).

What does Shapiros budget call for?

Shapiros budget proposes a 20% tax on legal marijuana, and estimates that an adult-use cannabis industry in the state could bring in $14.8 million in tax revenue in its first year. That estimate increases to $76 million in its second year, $160 million in its third, and $230 million in its fourth, an administration official said.

The budget projects legalization by the start of the next fiscal year on July 1, with licensed shops set to begin sales by Jan. 1. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture would regulate the program, which would create a new potential cash crop for our farmers, according to the budget pitch.

In his address Tuesday, Shapiro said that any legalization bill should ensure a responsibly taxed and regulated industry.

Especially in the communities that have been disproportionately harmed by criminalization, Shapiro said. And that those who have been convicted for nonviolent possession of small amounts of marijuana have their records expunged.

The budget also proposes an investment of $5 million in restorative justice initiatives paid for by adult-use cannabis revenue. Another $5 million would go toward operational costs, $2 million toward enforcement, and $500,000 to the cost of administering the program. Remaining revenue would go to the states general fund.

What was the Republican reaction?

Though Pittman noted that Republicans need to understand Shapiros perspective, he added that he believes the federal government should decide whether recreational marijuana should be legalized so it is uniformly regulated.

And while there is some interest among Republican members  such as Sen. Dan Laughlin (R., Erie), who is cosponsoring a legalization bill alongside Sen. Sharif Street (D., Philadelphia)  many Republican senators still oppose it, Pittman added.

Those mixed opinions mean legalization is nowhere near certain to happen this budget season. But the need to find more revenue streams may make it more likely.

Currently, government spending is set to outpace revenue starting next fiscal year. Shapiro proposed legalizing marijuana, increasing the state minimum wage, and taxing skill games to raise more revenue for the state.

To get his $48.3 billion spending plan, Shapiro would need to tap into $3 billion of the states $14 billion in cash reserves. And his budget office estimates that theyll need to rely on reserves for the next five years, even with new revenue streams.

What could legal marijuana look like in Pennsylvania?

While Shapiros budget calls for marijuana legalization, it does not endorse any specific legislation. Instead, he asked legislators to come together and send to my desk a bill that legalizes marijuana.

Shapiros call for legalization, incidentally, came just a day after state lawmakers on the House Health Committee held a hearing on marijuana legalization. Panel members heard from cannabis industry multistate operators, including Trulieve, Cresco Labs, PharmaCann, and INSA Dispensaries.

Stakeholders pointed to Maryland as a model for Pennsylvania, Keystone Newsroom reported. That state launched its legal cannabis market about 90 days after passing legalization legislation  a faster timeline than the six months proposed in Shapiros budget. New York, by comparison, legalized marijuana in March 2021, but didnt have its first recreational sale until December 2022.

Maryland, because it worked so quickly, generated almost twice as much tax revenue as was expected in the first three months of operation, Trulieve government relations director Angela Zaydon said.

Cresco executive vice president John Sullivan, however, said that possession of cannabis should not be legalized before legal sales start, prompting a backlash from advocates, according to Marijuana Moment. A number of states, including New Jersey, decriminalized marijuana possession before launching regulated sales. More than 10,000 people are arrested for marijuana possession in Pennsylvania annually, according to the Lehigh Valley chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

What is going on with marijuana nationally?

As the battle for marijuana legalization continues in Pennsylvania, other developments are ongoing at the federal level. This week, for example, rumors that the White House will soon make an announcement regarding the rescheduling of marijuana have gained traction.

Currently, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning that it has no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently confirmed that it advised the DEA to reschedule cannabis as a Schedule III drug, indicating that it has an accepted medical use and a moderate to low potential for abuse.

That recommendation came following a review prompted by a 2022 request from the Biden administration. And while rumors of an impending DEA announcement have been swirling recently, no timeline has been publicly confirmed.

Rescheduling marijuana, however, would not decriminalize or legalize the drug nationwide. That would be accomplished by descheduling the drug, or removing it entirely from the Controlled Substances Act  a move that 12 Senate Democrats, including Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.), advocated for in a letter to the DEA last month.

Rescheduling marijuana, the senators letter argued, would have some important policy benefits, including increasing scientific research on the drug, removing barriers to federal employment for medical marijuana patients, and allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs to prescribe the drug. Additionally, rescheduling would allow existing marijuana businesses to take advantage of federal tax deductions they are currently barred from using.

But such a move would do little to rectify the most severe harms of the current system, the senators said, as criminal penalties for marijuana are based on the quantity of marijuana involved, not the drugs schedule status. As a result, criminal penalties for recreational and medical use would still exist at the federal level.

These harms could be remedied only through fully descheduling marijuana, the letter concluded.
There are a few things you dont mess around with in Philly  an Eagles fan on a bad day, SEPTA workers on a good day, and our librarians on any day. Theyve all seen some stuff and dont have any time for yours.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration learned that the hard way this week when they informed the Free Library of Philadelphias branches that the administrations new communications policy  which requires that all publicly-disseminated information, including social media posts, first be vetted by the Mayors Office  would apply to them too.

Does the city really think its librarians have never read 1984?

In what appeared to be a cunning and clever retort on Monday, the day before the policy was set to take effect, library branches across the city posted the same seemingly-benign message, that going forward all fliers, social media content, and newsletters must be approved by the Mayors Office.

The posts asked residents to please bear with us as the library staff navigated these changes, since their updates about operating hours, unforeseen closures, and, you know, announcements about readings of Stuart Little, had to be vetted now.

Almost immediately, Philadelphians let out a collective What the?!? Not only did they bear with the librarians, they bore down on city government, asking questions like What in the bureaucracy? and Is the mayor really trying to censor libraries now? (skull-face emoji).

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(At least one New Yorker also used the policy as a burn on Philly, noting on social media that while their mayor sucks [a word that cant be printed] at least New York libraries are free to tweet that ... and do.)

The people of Philly, who know what our underfunded librarians suffer, had librarians backs, and, as a result, the city appears to have backed off on its policy.

On Wednesday morning, branches like the Fishtown Community Library posted that theyd received word they could continue to communicate with the public as they always have, including on social media.

This change came about because city workers and residents know how important communication and relationships are and how to fight for what we deserve, the Fishtown branchs post read, in part.

The Mayors Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Im glad the new administration listened to its citizens and librarians, but Im worried that it had to get this far. Did they not think librarians would speak up? Did they not think Philly would too?

In her Tuesday column, my colleague Helen Ubinas said the new communications policy  which extends to every city department  should be cause to sound the alarm and that the public and journalists arent the enemy.

The policy certainly makes it seem like the administration doesnt trust the people who work for it or the people it serves.

If the city can trust librarians to provide safe spaces for our most vulnerable citizens, educate children, and administer Narcan, it sure seems like they should be trusted to write an Instagram post.

Since the Mayors Office didnt immediately return requests for comment, its unclear if the policy reversal extends beyond the library system to other departments too.

Many of those departments have highly-trained (and probably well-paid) public relations professionals in place, who now have to run everything up a ladder to get approval from other (perhaps more highly-trained and more well-paid) public relations professionals.

Its already hard to get a PR person for a government agency on the phone as a journalist. Since so many want to deal almost exclusively in email, it may now be nearly impossible in Philly. It really seems like everyone wants a paper trail instead of a real conversation, and that doesnt feel very transparent.

Good communication is the key to any successful relationship, and that extends to our governments and the people they serve.

While government officials may  and often do  disagree with the public and journalists on what defines good communication, they shouldnt be the only ones that get to define it, especially since they hold all the information.

If those who govern this city want us to put our trust in them, they have to put some in us too.
Ten conservation groups notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in a Feb. 7 letter they intend to sue the agency over its decision last week not to protect gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains under the Endangered Species Act.

The groups cite aggressive wolf hunting and trapping regulations in Montana and Idaho, as well as Wyoming's law that classifies wolves as predators in 85% of the state where they can be killed at any time with no license required.

The environmentalists also claim methods used to estimate wolf populations are inaccurate and that low wolf populations threaten their genetic health, especially since wolves dispersing to new areas are more likely to be killed.

The Fish and Wildlife Service failed to recognize how the harmful methods that Idaho and Montana have implemented will drive down wolf numbers drastically, said Nick Gevock, Sierra Club field organizer for the northern Rockies, in a press release. The regimens these states have pursued are reminiscent of the 1800s effort to eradicate wolves, and they have no place in modern wildlife management. No other species is treated this way, and it's reversing what was a great conservation success story.

In 2021 the Montana Legislature passed a law requiring the state Fish and Wildlife Commission to reduce the number of wolves in Montana while maintaining their population at a sustainable level. The use of snares, extended seasons, higher bag limits and, initially, the removal of quotas near national parks were allowed.

So far this season, 246 wolves have been killed in Montana. The statewide quota is 313. Last season, 258 wolves were killed.

Wolf populations in Montana peaked in 2011 with an estimated 188 packs and 1,259 wolves. As of 2022, the state estimated 181 packs containing 1,087 wolves.

Although the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service denied protections for wolves, the agency said it would work on a first-ever national recovery plan for the species across the country. The agency expects to complete work on the plan by December 2025.

The conservation groups promising to sue include the Center for Biological Diversity, the Humane Society of the United States and Sierra Club.

A 2023 survey showed Montanans tolerance of wolves has increased but support for hunting and trapping remains strong.
A Norristown man has been charged with homicide by vehicle and related crimes after his car hit a tree in Valley Forge National Historical Park on a rainy night last month in a crash that killed his 20-year-old girlfriend and her 3-year-old daughter, authorities said Wednesday.

Brayan Gonzalez-Paez, 22, was speeding in his Toyota Yaris  driving 70 to 80 mph in a 35-mph zone on Valley Forge Park Road  when he lost control of the vehicle, authorities said. His girlfriend, Angelica Amaya Briceno, was in the front passenger seat, and her daughter was in the back seat, when the car careened off the road.

None of the three was wearing safety restraints at the time of the crash, police said, and there was no child car seat in the vehicle.

Amaya Briceno was pronounced dead at the scene and her daughter was taken to Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia in King of Prussia, where she was pronounced dead less than an hour later, authorities said. Gonzalez-Paez suffered a broken hip and a cut to the face and was in the hospital for about a day, said Kate Delano, spokesperson for the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office.

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Gonzalez-Paez, of the 600 block of West Main Street, was charged with two counts of homicide by vehicle, reckless driving, driving without a license, and related crimes in connection with the crash, which happened at 1:14 a.m. on Jan. 13.

According to the affidavit of probable cause for his arrest, Gonzalez-Paez was speeding as he approached a curve and lost control of the car. He hit the brakes, and the car went off the road, spun counterclockwise, and traveled 74 feet across a grassy area until the front passenger-side door of the car hit the tree, the affidavit said.

Gonzalez-Paez told police he was making a delivery for DoorDash and was on his way to pick up food from Dunkin at the Valley Forge Casino at the time of the crash, according to the affidavit. But investigators said they later learned that was not true, the document said.

Gonzalez-Paez, they said, had entered the country illegally from Mexico last year, and was awaiting a deportation hearing.

DoorDash requires a background check and state-issued drivers license, the affidavit said, so Gonzalez-Paez would not have been able to work as a driver for the company.

He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Feb. 14, according to court records.
This image provided by George Coloney/@Vortex.hz shows a shows a biker smashing a cars back window on Oct. 1 in Philadelphia. According to authorities, the biker, Cody Heron, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and a weapons charge. He faces sentencing in June. Read more

After investigators uncovered text messages showing he tried to cover up his crimes, Cody Heron, the biker who jumped on a womans rear windshield before headbutting her and brandishing a gun, agreed to take responsibility for an assault that caught national attention after a video of the Center City attack went viral, authorities said.

Prosecutors were prepared to go to trial on Wednesday for the Oct. 2023 attack in which Heron stomped out the back windshield of Nikki Bullocks car before pointing a gun at her and headbutting her with his helmet on, Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Fernanda Sandoval said Thursday morning. But Heron, 27, instead decided to plead guilty Wednesday to two counts of aggravated assault and one count of possession of an instrument of crime, she said at a news conference.

Investigators uncovered text messages on Herons phone that showed he tried to repaint the motorcycle he rode and the helmet he wore when he attacked Bullock and damaged her car, prosecutors said. When Heron destroyed the back window, Bullocks children  who were 2-years-old and 5-years-old at the time  were sitting in the backseat, authorities said.

Prosecutors will pursue a sentence of 3 to 6 years in prison for Heron, Sandoval said. Heron is in custody, being held on a $4 million bail, she said. He is scheduled for sentencing in June, according to court records.

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Assistant District Attorney William Fritze said the offices prosecution of Heron was a message to dirt bike riders who often congregate throughout the city in unauthorized meetups in which people driving cars, ATVs and dirt bikes gather in city streets and sometimes sidewalks, often weaving in and out of traffic.

This is a shot over the bow to the dirt bike riders in the city that we are done with dirt bikes, he said. Were going to do everything that we can to prosecute when these cases are brought to us.

The attack on Oct. 1 shocked people across the country and drew rebukes from city officials when a video of the altercation filmed by a man riding a double-decker bus went viral after it was posted on social media. Heron was one of a crowd of ATV and dirt bike riders who had gathered near City Hall and surrounded Bullocks Ford Fusion.

The video shows Heron getting off his bike, climbing onto the back of Bullocks car, and jumping on the rear windshield, shattering it, sending pieces of glass into the car.

When Bullock got out of the car to confront Heron, he pulled a gun on her and headbutted her with his helmet on. After Bullock shoved Heron, knocking his bike over, he got back on his bike and fled, the video shows. Nobody was injured in the assault, authorities said.

Bullock was not at Thursdays press conference and attempts to reach her were unsuccessful. But Sandoval said she spoke to Bullock, who was delivering for Uber Eats at the time of the attack, and her mother. Bullock is relieved there was a resolution to the shocking assault, she said.

Theyre both incredibly happy that this situation is addressed, that Mr. Cody Heron has decided to take responsibility and plead guilty, Sandoval said at the press conference, held down the block from where Bullock was assaulted. Theyre happy that they can move past this.

Herons lawyer Justin Capek said Thursday he will pursue a minimally sufficient sentence in June. Capek will be asking that Heron be able to participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Motivational Boot Camp, a program aimed at reducing recidivism in incarcerated people and providing education and vocational training.

In a statement, Capek said the October attack was Heron at his absolute worst.

He is thankful that no one was physically injured as a result of his conduct, and he remains committed to making amends for actions. He looks forward to apologizing to the victims and presenting further mitigating evidence to the court in advance of his sentencing hearing, Capek said in the statement.

Capek said the decision to file a guilty plea was difficult, but tactically sound.

The video of the assault inspired Philadelphians and others who saw it to rally around Bullock , sending support to fix her car, and a wave of tips to police to help identify Heron. Three days after the attack, Heron was arrested.

Along with public outcry, the video led to questions about what Philadelphias police department was doing to prevent dirt bikes and ATVS from swarming parts of the city, and why it appeared nobody intervened in the attack. The video shows a Philadelphia Police car close behind where Heron attacked Bullock, but no officers are shown exiting the car or approaching the altercation.

When asked Thursday about the police car present at the time of the attack, Lt. Kenneth Flaville said he did not have any new information to provide.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia surgeon John Germiller was among the world's first doctors to successfully treat a deaf child with gene therapy, using the type of needle he is holding here. Read more

An 11-year-old deaf boy is now able to hear in one ear after undergoing a gene therapy treatment at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, one of the first such cases in the world. A second boy, aged 3, is scheduled to receive the treatment at CHOP on Friday.

Yet the news has drawn dismay from some who can best appreciate whats at stake: other deaf people.

For many deaf people, deafness is not something that needs to be fixed. Unlike other medical conditions that have been treated with gene therapy, deafness is not a disease and it doesnt deprive someone of a long, rich life. Similar concerns were raised years ago with the invention of cochlear implants, electronic devices that merely approximate the sense of hearing.

But physicians say gene therapy is likely to yield even better results, providing normal or near-normal hearing ability to thousands of people born with rare types of deafness. More than a decade after the first successful gene therapy was tested at CHOP, the technology has come of age, enabling doctors to treat conditions from blindness to hemophilia. The new treatment for deafness required still more innovation by the Philadelphia hospital: developing a delicate procedure to reach a precise location in the inner ear.

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Sara Novic, a novelist who lives in Montgomery County, was among many deaf people objecting on social media that they never asked for the innovation. She thinks society would do better to spend more on sign-language education and other underfunded support services, rather than a cutting-edge therapy that is likely to cost more than $1 million per patient.

Human diversity should be cherished, not winnowed out for the convenience of the majority, she said by email. Is it ethically sound to experiment on a child for a non-lifesaving treatment from which the benefit is questionable, and who cannot legally consent?

The procedure on 11-year-old Aissam Dam was performed with the full consent of his hearing parents. His father brought him to Philadelphia from Spain for the treatment in October. Within weeks, he was able to hear sound for the first time, going from profoundly deaf in the treated ear to having a mild to moderate hearing loss.

Physicians say he is likely too old to learn to speak, a complex skill that requires the flexible, plastic brain of early childhood. Still, he can hear his parents voices, car engines, and other novelties. The 3-year-old scheduled for treatment on Friday, along with younger study participants to come later, is likely to do much better with spoken language.

An advance in science and surgery

From a technical standpoint, theres no question that the treatments represent a big step forward, requiring innovation both in science and surgery.

Participants in the studies were born with rare genetic mutations that prevented cells in their inner ears from making a type of protein needed for normal hearing. Yet their ears were otherwise intact, like a microphone that doesnt work simply because of a faulty connection, said CHOP surgeon John A. Germiller, who specializes in treating the ear, nose and throat.

The microphone is working. The wires working, he said. But theres a break in the electrical connection.

Thats why it made sense to try gene therapy, which involves replacing or altering mutated genes. For this type of deafness, it would require injecting participants such as Aissam with a normal, unmutated copy of the genetic recipe for that missing protein.

But this particular recipe (a gene called OTOF) was too big to load onto gene therapy vectors  the inactivated viruses that are used to deliver the genetic instructions inside recipients cells. (Think of the instruction manual for an alarm clock vs. one for a computer.)

So scientists had to break the recipe in two. Half of it was loaded onto some of the viral vectors, the remaining half onto others. The two halves of the recipe could then be injected together into the persons ear cells, where they would reassemble into one complete set of instructions so the missing protein could be made.

The version administered at CHOP was manufactured by Akouos Inc., a subsidiary of Eli Lilly.

Reaching the cochlea

But the injection was no easy task. The therapy had to be delivered to tiny hair cells inside the cochlea, the snail-shaped apparatus located behind the eardrum.

Thats where Germiller came in. A decade earlier, he had pioneered a delicate technique to perform a different procedure inside the cochlea. Akouos officials asked the CHOP surgeon whether he could modify his method slightly to administer the gene therapy, and he said yes.

For the October procedure, Germiller used one hand to insert an endoscope into Aissams ear, enabling him to watch what he was doing on a big computer screen. In the other hand, the physician held a slender tool called an elevator, which he used to gently peel back one edge of the boys eardrum.

Next came a third tool, an ultra-thin needle with the end bent at a slight angle. He inserted it past the eardrum and through a tiny membrane on the outer wall of the cochlea, then depressed a small pump to inject two droplets of the therapeutic solution.

Germiller demonstrated recently in a training lab at CHOP, reenacting the steps on a child-sized mannequin while watching the computer screen above.

We see exactly where were going, he said.

Several weeks later, after swelling from the procedure subsided, audiologists piped a series of beeps into Aissams ear at a range of volumes, asking him to raise his hand to indicate whether he could hear. Germiller said the boys hearing ability varies from frequency to frequency, but it is roughly equivalent to that of a person with normal hearing who wears foam earplugs.

Speaking to the New York Times by sign-language interpreter, Aissam said he welcomed the novel sensations.

Theres no sound I dont like, he said.

The objections

Among the deaf people with concerns about the gene therapy is one who also happens to be a scientist.

Sara Blick-Nitko, a post-doctoral scholar at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, said gene therapy makes sense if it could help an older person who lost hearing as an adult. But for someone who is born deaf, the treatment smacks of eugenics, erasing a genetic trait without regard for its associated rich culture and language.

Being deaf is not a disease, she said. It truly enriches your life, when you have access to your native language and the resources to be successful.

With cochlear implants, the deaf communitys concern is not so much the devices themselves, but the way they are used. They are often implanted in deaf children who are born to hearing parents, many of whom mistakenly think that the devices provide normal or near-normal hearing. As a result, such children, who often struggle to learn to speak, also are less likely to be taught a full-fledged language that anyone can learn from infancy: sign language.

Germiller, the CHOP surgeon, is well aware of these concerns. But he says that for certain rare forms of deafness, gene therapy is likely to work even better than cochlear implants, potentially providing the recipient with normal, natural-sounding hearing.

William J. Parkes, an ear, nose, and throat specialist at Nemours Childrens Health who is not involved with any of the studies, agreed.

This is the next major breakthrough, he said.

Perhaps  but only when it works, countered Jennifer Reesman, a Maryland-based neuropsychologist who counsels deaf and hard-of-hearing children and their families.

In another one of the gene therapy studies, a joint effort by researchers from Harvard and China, five deaf children gained the partial ability to hear after treatment, while a sixth did not.

The value of sign language

Without knowing how well the therapy will work in any one case, it is essential that all deaf children learn sign language from infancy, when the brain is best at picking up languages, Reesman said. If their parents also want them to speak, thats great, too, just like raising a child to speak English and Spanish.

How do we ensure that were providing solid access to language so a child can be successful no matter what their outcome is regarding access to sound? she said.

For some in the deaf community, decisions to get gene therapy or cochlear implants are best left to the individual once they reach adulthood.

Yet therein lies a medical catch-22: The people who stand to gain the most from gene therapy are infants, so the decisions generally will be made by their parents. And because most parents of deaf children can hear, it can be hard for them to appreciate the value of the deaf community.

Novic, the Montgomery County novelist who is deaf, calls it a case where science has outpaced a discussion of the ethical nuances involved.

Doctors will argue that there is convenience to be gained, but I dont think easy always equals best, she said. Lots of marginalized folks experience barriers in our society, but that doesnt mean we should manipulate their genes to make it easier for them.
Gunman at East Lansdowne home who fired at two officers is presumed dead, along with 5 relatives, sources say

After hours of sifting through the charred remains of an East Lansdowne home on Thursday, investigators retrieved three sets of human remains and a rifle  the beginnings of their painstaking search for evidence as they worked to piece together what led a resident of the home to shoot two police officers before setting the house ablaze the day before.

It was difficult, gruesome work, according to Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer. And frustratingly, he said, the full scope of what happened inside the ruined home on Wednesday afternoon may never be fully understood.
Multiple people unaccounted for in East Lansdowne home ravaged by fire

Multiple people  including children and adults  living in the East Lansdowne home ravaged by a fire Wednesday remain unaccounted for as the blaze continues to smolder, Delaware District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said.

We are aware that there are at least six to eight people who are unaccounted for from that family, he said. It is our terrible fear that they may be inside that house when it was burned. We are hopeful that that is not true, but we will not know until tomorrow morning.
The outside of Merion Elementary School in Merion Station. The district, one of the state's largest and wealthiest,. has a total of about 8,700 students. Read more

In the way that it sought to bump up property tax bills on apartment and commercial properties, the Lower Merion School District violated the Pennsylvania Constitution, a Montgomery Court ruled this week in a decision that could affect districts elsewhere in the state.

The judge found that the school district, which includes Narberth and is one of the states wealthiest, discriminated in its choice of targets for so-called reverse appeals, in which a taxing entity seeks to raise the assessments that are the basis of tax bills.

Reverse appeals are legal, and have been common practice in some Pennsylvania school districts for decades.

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But by chasing commercial parcels and apartment complexes and including only a handful of single-family residences, Judge Thomas C. Branca found that the district was afoul of the constitutions uniformity clause, which requires that all classes of property are treated equally for tax purposes.

In the last four years, districts countywide have filed 525 reverse appeals, 88 of those by Lower Merion, according to the county assessment office.

As for whether Lower Merion will appeal, The district is still reviewing the decision in order to make a determination as to next steps, its attorneys said in an emailed statement.

 READ MORE: Lower Merion School District agrees to return $27 million to settle lawsuit over property tax increases

The opinion has very large significance, said John Summers, who argued the case on behalf of the owner of an 8.2-acre lot on Rock Hill Road in Bala Cynwyd with an annual tax bill of $32,500, according to county records.

Summers also was the attorney in a similar case  referenced several times in Brancas decision  in which the state Supreme Court affirmed that an Upper Merion Township complex had been unfairly targeted.

What Lower Merion did

The case centered on the 2017 assessment year and the Rock Hill Road property, which now carries a county-estimated market value of about $2.2 million.

That year, the district hired a consultant to search for properties that were underassessed by $1 million or more.

The firm identified 29 such properties  26 that were apartment complexes or commercial parcels, and three single-family residences.

 READ MORE: More people are eligible for rent and property tax rebates in Pennsylvania. Heres what to know.

Whats wrong with that?

Lower Merion has more than 1,000 commercial properties, and 82 apartment complexes, which constitute less than 15% of all real estate parcels.

By contrast, it is home to more than 17,000 single-family residences, including some of the regions and the states priciest.

The plaintiffs consultant found at least 30 residential properties that were underassessed by at least $1 million, one by almost $4 million.

In effect, commercial properties were being treated differently, contrary to Pennsylvanias often mind-challenging assessment protocols, Branca concluded.

Establishing the $1 million threshold was no defense, the judge said, because the district didnt institute it without regard to the type of property in question.

Why are properties so underassessed?

Dont blame the county assessors. For the most part misassessment is naturally occurring in Pennsylvania.

Save for new construction and appeals, an assessment in a given county cant be changed unless all properties are reassessed, a costly and politically unpopular process.

 READ MORE: Heres how much money your school district would get under Gov. Shapiros education proposal

Montgomery County hasnt done it since the turn of the millennium, and since then properties have appreciated robustly in places such as Lower Merion, not so much in the likes of Norristown.

When the mass appraisal was finished, the countys ratio of assessment to real value was 100%. Currently, based on the most recent annual sales survey, on average properties are just a bit more than three times more valuable than they were 25 years ago, and the countywide ratio stands at 35.5%. Theoretically, assessment on all properties should equal 35.5% of value.

Reality is a whole other matter, as that ratio varies from town to town and neighborhood to neighborhood.

 READ MORE: Conservative parent group accuses Lower Merion of discrimination because of its affinity groups

Using the county standard, it would be unnatural if Lower Merion didnt have a harvest of underassessed houses. The judge suggested that the district should have looked harder.

In defense against the allegation of violating the uniformity clause, he wrote, The court concludes that the school districts appeal of three token residential properties is not sufficient.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker speaks during a news conference earlier this week. Behind her are city council president Kenyatta Johnson (left) and Carlton Williams (right), director of clean and green initiatives. Read more

Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration will break up the oft-criticized Department of Licenses and Inspections, a major reorganization of city government that critics have advocated for years.

During a news conference Thursday, Parker announced that she will separate the agency into two divisions, each with its own commissioner. One department will focus on inspections, safety, and compliance; the other on quality of life issues and business code enforcement.

Parkers news conference marked the second time this week she announced she would split up a city agency. She announced Monday that she is seeking to separate the Streets Department into two distinct operations  one focused on streets, the other on sanitation. Parker said she is not planning to break up any other agencies.

The mayor cast the decision Thursday as a response to L&Is constantly expanding portfolio. The departments core responsibility is building safety, but new regulations for homes and businesses have resulted in years of what she described as mission creep.

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Im a different mayor, got a different style, Parker said. Im not going to do what the previous administration did. The expectations are different. The vision is different.

Basil L. Merenda, director of labor under former Mayor Jim Kenney, will lead the division on inspections, which will oversee construction, building operation, and demolition in the city. Bridget Collins-Greenwald, the current commissioner of the Department of Public Property, will head the quality-of-life division.

Splitting L&I into two distinct pieces is something that was a long time coming, Collins-Greenwald said.

Merenda and Collins-Greenwald will take over a large and beleaguered agency that has for years lost building inspectors at a rapid clip, and remaining workers have said they are overloaded. Hiring has not kept pace with the departures, alarming observers who say the conditions threaten public safety in a city where construction-related collapses are commonplace.

Parker cited the Inquirers Crumbling City series of stories about how Philadelphias surging housing redevelopment has led to construction safety issues, saying it affirms why we need to be laser focused in this area.

 READ MORE: Calls for reform followed the Market Street collapse. Residents are still endangered by construction destruction.

Calls to reform the Department of Licenses and Inspections long predate the exodus of workers during the pandemic.

Following the deadly Market Street collapse in 2013, former Mayor Michael Nutter empaneled a special commission to review the incident and consider potential policy fixes. Following a months-long investigation, the commission released a report that included dozens of findings and proposals  the No. 1 recommendation being to separate L&I into two agencies, one focused on buildings and one on business licensing.

In the view of the commission, L&I was subjected for decades to continual mission creep, inadequate funding and recurring conflicts over policies and priorities that led to political influence and corruption. But a split never happened.

Peter F. Vaira, the former U.S. attorney who served as the executive director of the commission, said in an interview Thursday that Parkers shakeup is a welcome change that will make city government more efficient.

This is a big surprise. I thought it was dead as a doornail, he said. Good for the mayor, because it simply has to be done for good government.

A task force convened last year by City Council issued a report to Parker in December outlining a variety of other recommendations to improve the department and increase efficiency, including removing some degree requirements to hire more staff and improving coordination between L&I and other agencies.

The task force, which Merenda chaired, also recommends increasing the departments budget allocation, noting that L&I generates more than $87 million in annual revenue but spends just $45.7 million.

Parker, who is expected to deliver her first budget proposal to City Council in March, acknowledged there may be budget implications but vowed that no new taxes would be proposed as a way to pay for the agency separation.

The department separations will become official when Parker signs an executive order triggering a provision in the citys Home Rule Charter that allows employees or divisions to be loaned to other offices.

The city would have to amend the charter to make the set-up permanent. Charter amendments require approval from City Council and voters who weigh in via ballot question.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker speaks during a news conference at Philadelphia City Hall. She ordered an independent investigation of the city's Office of Homeless Services. Read more

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has ordered an independent investigation of the citys beleaguered Office of Homeless Services after it was revealed that the agency overspent its budget by about $15 million over four years.

Parker announced Wednesday that her administration has retained an outside accounting firm to probe the offices contracting and spending in tandem with Inspector General Alexander F. DeSantis, who launched a review late last year.

DeSantis has provided preliminary findings to the administration, which Parker described in a statement as of grave concern. Spokesperson Joe Grace said the administration could not publicize those findings, citing the ongoing investigation.

The outside probe, which will be conducted by the Philadelphia-based accounting firm Horsey, Buckner & Heffler LLP, is the latest step taken by city officials to increase oversight of the Office of Homeless Services. In addition to the dual investigations, City Council is considering legislation to initiate hearings about the offices spending and create a new ombudsperson with subpoena power to oversee it.

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Top officials in former Mayor Jim Kenneys administration said late last year that they learned of the overruns in the fall and referred them to DeSantis office. The Office of Homeless Services, they said, had spent $9.6 million more that it was allocated by City Council for fiscal years 2021 through 2023, then overspent its budget in the current 2024 fiscal year by another $5.1 million.

 READ MORE: Some Philadelphia homeless shelters have gone months or years without being paid by the city

A spokesperson for the Office of Homeless Services has said the overspending came as the office experienced significant staff turnover and a budget that ballooned from $80 million in the 2020 fiscal year to nearly $130 million today. The overruns occurred during the tenure of former Homeless Services executive director Elizabeth Hersh, who stepped down in October while Kenney was still in office. Officials said it was unrelated to budgeting issues.

Over the same period, some nonprofits that contract with the city to provide services to the homeless experienced lengthy delays in payment, in some cases stretching for months or years, the providers told The Inquirer.

The Parker administration said it was working to complete all payments for fiscal year 2023 by the end of February. Less than two weeks after The Inquirer reported on the delayed payments, the city paid more than $340,000 to one contractor that was featured, a shelter called Philly House that had not been paid for years.

No one from Kenneys or Parkers administrations has said they have seen evidence of corruption or criminal activity. Both the external investigation and the Inspector Generals probe will consider all possibilities.

The Office of Homeless Services both employs its own workers and contracts with nonprofits to provide emergency housing, such as overnight shelters, and manage programs aimed at reducing homelessness.

In hiring Horsey, Buckner & Heffler to conduct the outside investigation, the city did not go through a competitive bidding process, instead invoking a provision of the city code that allows the administration to use a noncompetitive process and waive some public reporting requirements in the case of emergencies.

The city retained the same firm in 2018 to investigate what appeared to be $33 million in missing funds. Horsey, Buckner & Hefflers auditors found that various errors contributed to the illusion the money wasnt there  in fact, they said, almost all of it was.

Grace said the firm, which is based in West Philadelphia, provided exceptional service.

We are confident that the background in city functions they acquired during that audit, in addition to their specialized expertise, make them an ideal partner as we work through this investigation, Grace said.
Firefighters battle a massive blaze that broke out late Wednesday at a home on Lewis Avenue in East Lansdowne. Delaware County officials said two officers, one from East Lansdowne and one from Lansdowne, were shot outside the home while responding to a call about the shooting of an 11-year-old girl inside. Read more

Two police officers were shot Wednesday afternoon in East Lansdowne while responding to reports that an 11-year-old girl had been shot inside a home that later burst into flames.

And on Wednesday night, as investigators struggled to piece together what led to the shooting, they said that as many as eight members of the family that lived inside the home  children and adults  were unaccounted for.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said the home was still smoldering, preventing investigators from sifting through the ruins. He described the house as a burned-out hollow. On Thursday, he said, fire officials and others would begin excavation work in search of evidence.

Its going to be a lot of work tomorrow, he said. Gruesome work.

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When the officers  one from the East Lansdowne department and the other from Lansdowne  arrived at the scene on Lewis Avenue earlier Wednesday, they were fired upon by a gunman inside the home, authorities said. Not long after, a massive fire broke out on the third floor of the home as the standoff continued with the shooter inside.

The officers, who were each shot once as they dove for cover, were taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in stable condition. Stollsteimer said the veteran officers, both of whom have been in law enforcement for 22 years, were doing well and expected to make a full recovery.

Stollsteimer declined to identify the officers out of respect for their families.

They ran up toward danger so the rest of us could run away from it, and they were immediately met by gunfire, Stollsteimer said. We expect them to be perfectly fine, but they have been through a trauma.

Stollsteimer said it was unclear who had fired at the officers or whether anyone else was in the home at the time.

On Wednesday night, he said several family members who lived in the house had not been heard from since the shooting and the blaze began. Because the fire was still smoldering, he said, investigators would not be able to enter the house until Thursday.

I will say with a heavy heart that we are afraid there might be more than one person in that house, Stollsteimer said. ... We are so concerned about the family members who were living in that house who we have not heard from.

It could be a lot of bad news tomorrow because these family members are unaccounted for, he said.

Earlier in the day, speaking outside the hospital, the prosecutor described the harrowing scene that had unfolded earlier that day, as officers from Lansdowne, East Lansdowne, and Upper Darby responded to the call just before 4 p.m.

When the first two officers arrived, they were immediately shot at by a gunman inside the home, Stollsteimer said. Their colleagues from Upper Darby arrived moments later, and, seeing that the officers had been injured, radioed for backup.

Other Upper Darby officers arrived, protected by ballistic shields, and dragged the wounded officers to safety as the gunman continued to fire at them, according to Upper Darby Police Superintendent Tim Bernhardt. One was driven immediately in a police car to Penn Presbyterian, while the other was loaded into a waiting ambulance and sent to the same hospital.

I cant thank Upper Darby enough for dragging these officers away from the gunfire, or wed be having a much different conversation tonight, Stollsteimer said.

After the shooting, fire crews from around Delaware County responded to Lewis Avenue to combat the growing blaze. But they were delayed for nearly an hour in approaching the home by tactical crews working to clear the scene.

Later Wednesday, as fire crews extinguished the blaze, handfuls of neighborhood residents gathered on nearby Pembroke Avenue to try to get as close a view of the home as they could.

Police tape and fire trucks cut off several blocks surrounding the house, snarling traffic around the scene during the afternoon rush hour and preventing some residents from going home at the end of the workday.

Mohammed Hossein, 57, who lives nearby, looked on and tried to get more information about the shooting. He described East Lansdowne as a quiet neighborhood, a place where he and his wife routinely feel comfortable going for late-night walks.

East Lansdowne, at 0.02 square miles, is a small slice of eastern Delaware County that borders Upper Darby. It has a population of about 2,700 people, the majority of whom are Black. The borough is mostly residential, with a median household income of $54,000.

At about 6 p.m., residents who lived farther away from the fire were escorted home by police, while the blocks adjacent to Lewis Avenue still remained blocked off.

One woman opted to take her three children to a relatives home until the fire trucks and helicopters left. Another woman, who declined to give her name for privacy reasons, gave up on trying to get back to the block where the events were taking place.

She said she was on the phone on her way to visit her aunt near the scene when gunshots broke out and she ducked behind a car. The last thing she told her mother over the phone was to tell her daughter not to come  she was supposed to join her after school.

The rest, said the woman, was a blur.

I couldnt move, I lost my phone, she said.

The woman said all she remembered was officers coming to get her and taking her to a nearby alleyway. Her aunt remained close to the scene and was OK, but the pair had not reconnected in person as of 6 p.m.

Dawn Harris, 61, waited on Pembroke Avenue with neighbors, praying for the safety of anyone in the home.

A resident of East Lansdowne of 25 years, Harris said shed never seen the area flooded with law enforcement and first responders the way it was Wednesday.

Like others, she described the neighborhood as tranquil.

I walk my dog at 6 a.m., I feel safe. I walk my dog at 6 p.m., I feel safe, she said.

Later Wednesday, borough officials set up a relief center in East Lansdowne Borough Hall, where displaced residents could eat and warm up until they were allowed to return home.

Staff writers Anthony R. Wood and Oona Goodin-Smith contributed to this article.
The scene on Lewis Ave in East Lansdowne Thursday morning, where multiple family members are unaccounted for after a home was razed in a fire after two officers were shot on Wednesday. Read more

Two police officers were shot, and six family members, including the alleged gunman, are presumed dead after a Wednesday standoff at an East Lansdowne home that later erupted into flames.

The officers were wounded while responding to reports that an 11-year-old girl had been shot inside the house that was later set ablaze.

Officials said Friday they believe they recovered the remains of six members of the Le family living in the home  three children and three adults.

Investigators continued to sift through the charred ruins Friday, looking for evidence.

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Heres what we know, and dont.

What do officials say happened?

Just before 4 p.m. Wednesday, officers from East Lansdowne, Lansdowne, and Upper Darby responded to a call on Lewis Avenue that an 11-year-old girl had been shot. But when police arrived, they were immediately met with gunfire from a shooter inside the top floor of the home.

Two officers  one from East Lansdowne and one from Lansdowne  were shot. More officers from Upper Darby arrived, ducking behind ballistic shields as they dragged the wounded officers to a police car and waiting ambulance. Both men were hospitalized in stable condition.

 READ MORE: Live updates: Search begins in East Lansdowne where fire, standoff took place

As the tense standoff continued with the shooter inside the house, a massive fire began on the homes third floor. Fire crews from across Delaware County arrived to combat the growing blaze, but they were delayed for nearly an hour as tactical crews worked to clear the scene of the standoff.

The home was engulfed in flames and thick smoke, and neighbors were evacuated, officials said.

By Wednesday night, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said the house was largely burned out. The ruins continued to smolder, making it unsafe for investigators to enter what was left of the house to piece together what had happened.

Fire officials and others began excavation in search of evidence Thursday. Work continued on Friday.

What do we know about the fire?

As a gunman inside the house continued to fire at officers Wednesday evening, a fire broke out from the third floor of the home, officials said.

Crews arrived on the scene to extinguish the blaze, but were delayed for nearly an hour in combating the growing flames as tactical crews worked to clear the scene.

By Thursday morning, little more than a charred frame of the home was left standing. Stollsteimer described it as a burned-out hollow.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said officials believe the suspected gunman, 43-year-old Canh Le, also started the fire. Stollsteimer said it is not yet clear what triggered Le.

They dont really have any idea. He just went haywire, Stollsteimer told reporters Friday.

Who lived at the home?

Six members of the Le family, who lived at the home on Lewis Avenue, are presumed to be dead, Stollsteimer said.

Canh Le lived at the home on Lewis Avenue with his parents; his younger brother, Xuong Le, 40; Xuongs wife, Britni McLaughlin Le, 37; and the couples three young children  Xavier Le, Nakayla Le, and Natayla Le, according to law enforcement officials.

Britni and Xuoug were a happily married couple for 17 years, loving and devoted parents to their three children, their extended family, and their beloved friends, the McLaughlin and Le families said in a statement. Our hearts are broken and we vow to cherish the memories of our loved ones, and we will work to ensure that their legacies live on.

Identifying those who may have died in the massive fire may take some time, with investigators having to rely on dental records and other forensic testing, Stollsteimer said.

What do we know about the initial 911 call?

The initial emergency call alerting police that an 11-year-old girl had been shot in the home on Lewis Avenue was made by Les father, Huong, after his older son reportedly shot one of Xuong Les daughters, sources said Thursday.

He and his wife then ran to safety as the officers arrived to investigate reports of the girl being shot.

Who were the officers who were shot?

The first officer on the scene, East Lansdowne Officer John Meehan, 54 was shot in his left arm, officials said. The 22-year veteran of the department required a lengthy surgery and is still being treated at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.

The second officer, Lansdowne Officer David Schiazza, 44, was shot in his leg moments later. Schiazza, also a 22-year veteran of his department, was released Thursday afternoon.
Moroccan Ambassador to Vietnam Jamale Chouaibi. (Photo: Moroccan Embassy in Vietnam)

This desire has been materialised through many visits by high-ranking government and parliament delegations as well as the signing of cooperation agreements in various fields, he said

The diplomat noted that since the establishment of Morocco-Vietnam bilateral diplomatic ties more than 60 years ago, the bilateral partnership has been developing fruitfully in multiple spheres.

The two countries share similarities in orientations of foreign policies, he said, adding Morocco was the 11th largest contributor to UN peacekeeping operations in 2023, with more than 1,700 peacekeepers working in different African countries.

Both hold important geopolitical locations as Vietnam is seen as a gateway to Southeast Asia while Morocco is an economic bridge between Africa and Europe, the ambassador said.

Chouaibi expressed his belief that such similarities will create conditions for their cooperation to grow further in the future, stressing that the two countries are emerging, dynamic economies with sustainable growth and they are resolved to promote policies to diversify their trade partners.

The ambassador reviewed a workshop on speeding up the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement held on the sidelines of African Day in Hanoi last May. It looked into contributions and opportunities generated by the agreement to countries that want to invest in Africa, including Vietnam, and prospects of cooperation between Vietnam and African nations, especially Morocco.

Despite the bilateral trade yet to match potential of the two countries, it has increased year by year, making Vietnam the second most important economic partner of Morocco in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Vietnam is focusing on expanding its economic partner network, and the country can count on Morocco to help Vietnamese firms access African markets easily and safely, he said.

Moroccan Ambassador to Vietnam Jamale Chouaibi (third, right) at the opening ceremony of the virtual tour of the Morocco Gate in Ba Vi, Hanoi. (Photo: CVN/VNA)

The ambassador suggested the two countries jointly initiate trilateral or quadrilateral cooperation activities in African countries, especially in agriculture, with the participation of international donors.

Both countries have ambitious cooperation plans in renewable energy, digital transformation, tourism, agriculture, infrastructure and logistics, industry and technology, aiming to become leading emerging economies in their respective regions. It is an opportunity for them to share experience and knowledge through the establishment of inter-sectoral committees, he emphasised.

In 2017, Morocco was the first African and Arab country to join, as a partner member, the Mekong River Commission (MRC) which includes Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.

Morocco has financed the construction of an educational centre in Vientiane, Laos, with the mission of developing training programmes relating to the history of the Mekong River and the opportunities and challenges in the region, the ambassador said.

Chouaibi also highlighted prospects for cooperation between Vietnamese and Moroccan localities, saying the future twinned relationship between Casablanca, Moroccos industrial and financial centre, with Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam will create new momentum for the bilateral cooperation.

Asked about Vietnams approaching Tet, the ambassador said the festival helps him learn about Vietnamese traditional culture, and wished Vietnamese people a New Year filled with happiness, prosperity, opportunities and successes./.
Boathouse Row is lighted in blue and gold June 9, 2020 in support of essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic. A year-long project to install LED lights that "dance" is nearly complete. Read more

Philadelphias iconic Boathouse Row, which has stood dark at night for the last year, will soon be relit with a new programmable system containing 6,400 LED lights that will allow for 16 million color combinations  and you can even book them for your birthday.

A public ceremony with a short light show is planned for March 7.

The famed lights illuminating Boathouse Row for four decades along the Schuylkill went dark in March 2023 to allow crews to install what officials call a transformative upgrade. The new lights will not only be able to change color, but also sparkle or dance among boathouses, and fade from one to the next. It was hoped the project would be complete by the holidays in December. But the project was extended because of supply chain issues.

Officials say the Boathouse Row Lighting program can be booked for special events, holidays, sponsored shows, and individual requests. The fees would go to ongoing maintenance of the lights.

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Fairmount Park Conservancy partnered with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation on the $2.1 million project.

The light reflected on the Schuylkill from Boathouse Row is there as we celebrate big moments as a City, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Commissioner Orlando Rendon said in a statement. We are incredibly grateful to the project funders, and our partners at Fairmount Park Conservancy for preserving and modernizing the historic lighting traditions that make Boathouse Row such a cherished public space for all Philadelphians.

Maura McCarthy, CEO of the nonprofit Fairmount Park Conservancy, said her staff worked tirelessly to return this cherished symbol to the shining status it deserves to be. Funds to replace the lights and underwrite the lighting project were provided by the Joanna McNeil Trust and the City of Philadelphia.

The lights were first strung along the 19th-century boathouses in 1979, becoming a recognizable feature that lit up the East side of the Schuylkill. Boathouse Row first started using LED lighting in 2005, and the system was refurbished in 2016. However, the system was struggling with connectivity, power outages, and problems with mountings.

The new system was completely replaced with durable electrical housing boxes designed to protect against weather and wildlife.

To install the system, the Schuylkill Navy coordinated with the 15 rowing clubs that occupy the 12 buildings. Women-owned and Philadelphia-based, The Lighting Practice, which has offices in Philadelphia, Dallas, and New York City, designed the array and upgraded system. Eagle Industrial Electric was the onsite contractor. Nanometer made custom lighting materials.

During the last year, some boathouses took the opportunity to make repairs to areas previously inaccessible because of the lights. Some houses had their roofs replaced. Some had their exteriors painted.

The new system feeds to a central control at Lloyd Hall. The lights are scheduled to go on at sunset and off at sunrise.

Officials say it will cost from $1,000 to $6,000 to book the lights, depending on the use. The lights would be programmed by the staff of Fairmount Park Conservancy through a custom web application. People interested in making a request can email info@boathouserowlights.org or visit boathouserowlights.org.
Blanche Carney, Philadelphia Prisons Commissioner, speaks to press regarding an escape in a November 2023 file photograph. Read more

Philadelphia prison officials had ample warning that Daquan Miller could pose a danger to those around him.

First, there was the 25-year-olds volatile history in Delaware Countys George W. Hill Correctional Facility, where he allegedly assaulted two other prisoners last year using his handcuffs and fists  sending both men to the hospital, according to court records.

Then, on Jan. 27  after Delaware County sent Miller to Philadelphia as part of a prisoner exchange  he was flagged as a behavioral health emergency, according to jail records and sources.

Hours later, he assured a social worker that he wasnt homicidal, telling her, I dont understand why Im an emergency, and Miller was released back into what sources describe as a general-population unit. His cellmate, at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Northeast Philadelphia, was 59-year-old Mike Osborne.

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The next morning, about 9 a.m. on Jan. 28, officers found Osborne unresponsive on the floor of the cell. The Philadelphia Medical Examiner would later determine that his death was homicide by blunt force trauma. When officers tried to remove Miller from the cell with Osborne, Miller immediately began fighting with other incarcerated men on the unit, according to an incident report.

The district attorneys office is charging Miller with murder and reckless endangerment, a spokesperson said Wednesday.

Miller is already facing charges in four cases in Delaware County, including drug and gun charges, and three sets of charges for jail-based episodes. One involved a homemade weapon, a second resulted from Miller allegedly struggling with and spitting on a guard, and the third was the alleged assault on the two prisoners. Millers lawyer in Delaware County, Douglas Smith, declined to comment on the pending charges.

 READ MORE: 29 people died in Philly jails in the pandemic. City officials said they did 'a good job.'

A Philadelphia Department of Prisons spokesperson declined to answer questions about the case, including why the facility accepted the transfer of a man with charges related to jail-based violence  and why he was not placed in protective custody.

Prisons Commissioner Blanche Carney declined an interview request through a spokesperson, citing the ongoing investigation.

Corrections experts said the sequence of events represents a serious security lapse, and reflects ongoing safety issues at the jail, where there have been at least seven homicides since 2020. Before that, the jails had gone about five years without a homicide.

Another body

Anyone accepted through a prisoner exchange requires extra scrutiny, and careful placement, potentially in segregated custody, according to Ed Miranda, a retired deputy warden with the Philadelphia Department of Prisons.

If hes that high-profile, when you bring him down you should keep an eye on him because hes trouble, Miranda said. He could turn your applecart upside down, which he did  and you got another body.

 READ MORE: The escape of two men from a Philly jail went unnoticed because a guard was sleeping on the job

Millers court record and prison history show many signs of mental illness.

In the Philadelphia jails, he was referred for emergency behavioral health care at least four times since May 2023, documents obtained by The Inquirer show.

On three separate days that month, when Miller was in Philadelphia jail for a probation violation hearing, officers filling out emergency behavioral health questionnaires for him checked yes for 30 different crisis indicators, including hallucinations, agitated or extreme anger, paranoia, self-harm, bizarre behavior, and current assaultive or homicidal ideas.

Soon he was back in Delaware County to face his four criminal cases there. In late May, the judge overseeing two of those cases ordered an evaluation of Millers competency to stand trial. He was deemed competent, his lawyer said. Then, in December, the county was able to send him back to Philadelphia as part of an intercounty exchange.

Housing an older man with a younger one, with a history of violence, can prove dangerous, Miranda said. In 2021, another 60-year-old man was also fatally beaten in a Philadelphia jail by his 22-year-old cellmate.

In fact, earlier on the same day Osborne was beaten to death in his cell, a 70-year-old man whod been locked in a cell with a 32-year-old was taken to the hospital following a fight, according to a jail incident report obtained by The Inquirer.

Philadelphia is not a safe facility

Claire Shubik-Richards, executive director of the Pennsylvania Prison Society, said none of this should have happened: No facility should be transferring people into Philadelphia. Philadelphia is not a safe facility. Philadelphia should be transferring people out of this facility.

Inadequate staffing levels, she said, are creating an untenable, dangerous situation.

 READ MORE: A man who was fatally beaten in a Philadelphia jail should not have been there in the first place

The Philadelphia jails  which house about 4,600 people, most of them awaiting trial  have been under review by a federal monitor for more than a year, as part of the settlement of a class-action lawsuit over unconstitutional conditions there. Because the jails had failed to meet most of the courts benchmarks by the end of 2023, that monitoring has been extended into 2026.

Exposure to extended periods of isolation, institutional violence, squalor, and neglect breach all standards for humane confinement, the monitors most recent report, from October 2023, said.

It noted that 44% of correctional officer jobs were vacant. One consequence was that staff were not always available to take people to health-care appointments. It found that less than 70% of behavioral health referrals were completed in a timely manner.

The jails have also seen four escapes in the last year, including a man who was found dead after he fled custody. Investigators determined that the escape of two men, whose absence was not noticed for nearly 19 hours, was enabled by posts left unoccupied, and by an officer who took a nap rather than complete the required headcount.

Staff writer Vinny Vella contributed to this article.
Philadelphia Prisons Commissioner Blanche Carney speaks to the media in November. Read more

Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

Its Thursday, or as I like to call it, Friday Jr. The sunshine is not going anywhere just yet. Were slightly warming up with a high near 51.

A prisoner accused of jail assaults was sent to a Philly lockup. Now his 59-year-old cellmate is dead. Our main story uncovers how prison officials were given ample warning signs that Daquan Miller could pose a danger to those around him, yet he was not placed in protective custody.

 Paola Perez (@pdesiperez, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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None of this should have happened

Before Daquan Millers cellmate was found beaten to death, prison officials were aware of Millers volatile history with other inmates, according to an Inquirer investigation.

Despite three sets of existing charges related to jail-based violence, Miller, 25, was accepted into Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility as part of a prisoner exchange, and was not placed in protective custody. The Philadelphia Department of Prisons wont say why.

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Before he got to Philly: Last year, Miller spent time in Delaware Countys George W. Hill Correctional Facility, where he allegedly assaulted two other prisoners last year using his handcuffs and fists.

After he got to Philly: On Jan. 27, he was flagged as a behavioral health emergency, according to jail records and sources. Hours later, he assured a social worker he wasnt homicidal, and was released back into what sources describe as a general-population unit. His cellmate, 59-year-old Mike Osborne, would be found unresponsive on the cell floor the following morning, and his death later determined to be homicide by blunt force trauma.

More charges: Miller is already facing four cases in Delaware County, including drug and gun charges, and charges related to the three violent jail-based incidents. In the wake of Osbornes death, the District Attorneys Office is charging Miller with murder and reckless endangerment.

A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Department of Prisons declined to answer questions about the incident. Millers lawyer in Delaware County, Douglas Smith, declined to comment on the pending charges.

What experts are saying: The sequence of events represents a serious security lapse, and reflects ongoing safety issues at the jail, where there have been at least seven homicides since 2020. Before that, the jails had gone about five years without a homicide.

Notable quote: No facility should be transferring people into Philadelphia. Philadelphia is not a safe facility. Philadelphia should be transferring people out of this facility, said Claire Shubik-Richards, executive director of the Pennsylvania Prison Society.

Continue reading The Inquirers investigation into the persistent endangerment in Phillys jails.

 Now Im passing the mic to health and science reporter Tom Avril.

For decades, Philadelphia has been a center for research on gene therapy: treating medical conditions by replacing or editing mutated genes. The latest such advance, performed at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, gave an 11-year-old deaf boy the ability to hear. A second deaf boy, aged 3, is scheduled for the experimental treatment at the hospital on Friday.

But some members of the deaf community say its an innovation they didnt ask for. Thats because unlike other conditions treated with gene therapy, deafness is not a disease, nor does it prevent someone from living a long, full life.

Human diversity should be cherished, not winnowed out for the convenience of the majority, says Sara Novic, a novelist who lives in Montgomery County.

CHOP was chosen as a study location because surgeon John A. Germiller had developed a delicate technique to access the cochlea, the snail-shaped apparatus in the inner ear.

I was drawn to this story because I was born with a significant hearing loss in both ears. I dont think Im a candidate for this therapy, but the news made me wonder: Would I sign up for it?

At an expected cost of more than $1 million, it might be a tough sell with my insurance company.  Tom Avril

Keep reading for more on the debate surrounding the cutting-edge therapy.

What you should know today

A year after going dark, the longtime fixture along the Schuylkill will light up again with a new programmable system containing 6,400 LED lights.

Why now? The $2.1 million project to revamp the lights was hoped to be completed by the December holidays, but supply chain issues led to an extension.

These new lights will not only be able to change color in up to 16 million different combinations, they can also sparkle or dance among boathouses, and fade from one to the next.

You can even book them for a special event like your birthday. Fees would go to ongoing maintenance of the lights.

Keep reading to get the booking cost, learn how the new system was installed and more on the lights history.

 Trivia time

Comcast will stop using 10G to describe its internet network.

What does G stand for?

A) generation

B) GPU

C) gigabits

D) galaxy

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we're...

 Planning: Where to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Chinatown.

 Trying: Ricotta cannolis at Phillys century-old Isgro Pastries, a James Beard semifinalist.

 Reading: Pop critic Dan DeLucas review of Mitskis highly stylized, brilliantly realized show (one of two) at the Met Philly.

 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Home to the largest Whole Foods market in the Philly area

ELM PIGMENT YOUTH

Email us if you know the answer. Well select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Dan Tureck who correctly guessed Wednesdays answer: Nora the Piano Cat.

Photo of the day

Thanks for hanging out with me this morning. Im off to start my day with some cafecito and a couple chapters of The Curse in Their Veins.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
When it comes to Black history and the city of Philadelphia, there is much to reflect on and celebrate.

Theres the work of South Jersey-born abolitionist William Still, who was known as the father of the Underground Railroad, responsible for ushering African Americans safely through Philadelphia on their way to freedom.

Theres also the work of groups such as the Agricultural and Mechanics Association of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, which purchased land and financed education for newly emancipated African Americans.

But what also deserves reflection is that Philadelphia is a city of Black resistance to slavery, dating back to the 18th century.

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Black resistance is the active work to prevent or subvert the ongoing oppression of Black people in a systemically racist society. Philadelphias Quaker community certainly assisted with the Black freedom struggle. However, what mustnt be overlooked is that African Americans played a key role in their liberation.

What made enslavement in the United States  and in the New World  unique was that the European made the African his chattel, or piece of property, for his own profit and pleasure. Chattel enslavement is what food historian Jessica B. Harris called a keloid on the face of the United States, a thick scar that is our nations birthmark.

Black resistance at this time was focused on subverting chattel slavery at all costs. At the dawn of the nation, Philadelphia made it possible, thanks to two key events: the Gradual Abolition Act and its intersection with the Haitian Revolution.

As the first extensive legislation in the West abolishing slavery, Pennsylvanias Gradual Abolition Act of 1780 did a few things, but most importantly, it prohibited nonresidents of Pennsylvania from keeping enslaved Africans in the state longer than six months. To sidestep the law when they were in Philadelphia, then the capital of the nation, George and Martha Washington brought their enslaved people back to Mount Vernon every six months. One day in 1796, while pretending to plan to head home to Virginia, Ona Judge fled to New Hampshire, with the help of free Black Americans; the famed chef named Hercules Posey escaped in 1797.

As Washington wrestled with the loss of his property, the revolution happening in Saint Domingue (Haiti) between the enslaved and colonists was taking place between 1790 and 1804. The battles drove French enslavers to the new nation, with some arriving in Philadelphia with their human property.

Much to their dismay, these enslavers learned of the 1780 act, and how they, too, were in jeopardy of losing their property. They sought relief from the law by petitioning the state legislature. They were denied, yet to subvert the act, these enslavers entered Africans into indentured servitude after six months in the city. As a result, among 659 enslaved Africans who were released from slavery in Philadelphia between 1787 and 1810, only 45 ended up receiving their freedom.

At the time, Philadelphia was a city of free Black people.

However, at the time, Philadelphia was a city of free Black people  more than New York, Baltimore, or Boston. That critical mass of Black people  combined with white fears of the spirit of rebellion in Haiti arriving in Philadelphia, and Black resentment over how white Americans supported colonists over the enslaved  fueled Black Philadelphians and encouraged them to make their grievances known.

In response, Pennsylvania attempted to prevent African Americans from entering the city in 1798, especially those from Saint Domingue. But Black Philadelphians, led by Absalom Jones, Richard Allen, and James Forten, petitioned the federal government to revoke the Fugitive Slave Act and end enslavement for good.

Such petitions continued over the next few years, culminating with street resistance on July 4, 1804.

On that night, Black Philadelphians took to the streets to protest the legitimacy of the Black revolt in Haiti and in general. They assembled, organized, and dared white people to stop them. In some cases, white people were confronted with violence.

According to Rutgers professor Leslie Alexander, in her book Fear of a Black Republic, around 100 Black people roamed the streets with clubs and swords, robbing and attacking white people, starting around 10 p.m. that night. The next night, nearly 200 Black Philadelphians marched in the streets.

At one point, said Alexander, the protesters evoked St. Domingo, a reference to the style of rebellion that had taken place in Haiti.

 READ MORE: Where to celebrate Black History Month in Philly

While the protests lasted only a few days, Alexander suggests that the rebellion demonstrates that some Black people in the United States celebrated and honored the Haitian Revolution  and independent Haiti  and used it as a model for their local liberation struggles.

Philadelphias roots as a city of Black resistance should serve as a point of pride. It is also a reminder that racial injustice is never met with silence, but with action  to prevent or subvert the ongoing oppression of Black people in a systemically racist society.

That is the work and it always will be, whether its 1804 or 2024. We call on our elected officials to join us in our cause.

Rann Miller is an educator and freelance writer based in South Jersey. His Urban Education Mixtape blog supports urban educators and parents of children attending urban schools. Miller is also the author of Resistance Stories from Black History for Kids, reissued in 2024. @RealRannMiller
When a federal appeals court unanimously rejected Donald Trumps claim of presidential immunity in connection with his efforts to remain in power after losing the 2020 election, the decision wasnt just about him.

It was about all of us.

In a 57-page opinion, the three-judge panel delivered a long-overdue response to what I believe to be the unhinged legal theories posited by Trump and his team.

In doing so, the court eviscerated Trumps lawyers claim that a former president is immune from prosecution for any act carried out while in office, up to and including the assassination of a political opponent. The judges rightly viewed such arguments as dangerous and unconstitutional and said as much in their opinion.

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We cannot accept former President Trumps claim that a President has unbounded authority to commit crimes that would neutralize the most fundamental check on executive power  the recognition and implementation of election results, the judges wrote. Nor can we sanction his apparent contention that the Executive has carte blanche to violate the rights of individual citizens to vote and to have their votes count. At bottom, former President Trumps stance would collapse our system of separated powers by placing the President beyond the reach of all three Branches.

In summary, the court confirmed that Trump, like any American citizen, is bound by the laws he swore to uphold as president. Their reasoning was solid, their framing was sure, and their explanation clearly reiterated what weve always heard about American democracy: that no one is above the law.

Despite the eloquence of their opinion, Trump has shown us a different truth by slowing the wheels of justice through a seemingly endless series of motions and appeals. He has shown us that while no one is completely above the law, the rich and powerful can sometimes bend American justice to their will.

Thats not the case for those who tend to languish on the lower rungs of society, including Black people. Even for those who are not facing four criminal indictments and 91 felony charges, like Trump, the outcomes can be far different than what weve seen for the former president.

According to the Sentencing Project, which advocates for changes in the justice system, Black people are more likely to be arrested than their white counterparts.

Once arrested, theyre more likely to be charged.

Once charged, theyre more likely to be convicted, and once convicted, theyre more likely to get a longer sentence.

However, the difference in treatment in the criminal justice system is about more than race. Its also about class.

The difference in treatment in the criminal justice system is about more than race. Its also about class.

For proof, look no further than the hundreds of people  most of them white  who have been sentenced in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. According to the U.S. Justice Department, approximately 749 federal defendants have had their cases adjudicated and received sentences for their criminal activity on Jan. 6. Approximately 467 have been sentenced to periods of incarceration.

Meanwhile, Trump, the rich and powerful man who is accused of gathering the mob and sending them to attack the Capitol, is traveling the country in a run for the presidency, collecting millions in donations that he has used for his criminal defense.

At bottom, that kind of money is what fuels the difference in outcomes where criminal charges are concerned. Race plays a role, as well. But if, like Trump, youre rich, white, and politically powerful, you can make ridiculous arguments and continue to appeal when you lose.

That is what Trump will likely do after his latest defeat, because he knows, just like the rest of us, that money and power change outcomes for the better. Racism and poverty make them worse.

So, while I wish this issue was about one man, its not. The criminal justice system works for those who have money and against those who dont.

Because, as lawyers often say when their clients are out of earshot, Youre innocent until youre proven broke.
Since state primaries became the main path for selecting U.S. presidential candidates over the second half of the 20th century, these hard-fought contests have provided some of the most memorable moments in modern American history. These range from the tragedy of Robert F. Kennedys 1968 assassination in California to the pathos of Howard Deans 2004 losing scream in Iowa to the importance of Barack Obamas 2008 speech about race here in Philadelphia.

In 2024, the worst primary season ever, the only thing were likely to remember is a landslide victory in Nevada by ... nobody. Literally, nobody. Indeed, nobody gave a rousing victory speech after Tuesdays anemic primary there, in which nobody won by a better-than-2-1 margin.

Some 63.3% of Silver State Republicans who even bothered to turn out pulled the lever for None of These Candidates  an option more states ought to be considering amid the fiasco that is the 2024 White House race  while a meager 30.4% preferred the one sentient human being who is still a candidate and was on the ballot, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

In another sign of the nothingburger-ness of the 2024 primary season, I couldnt find any journalist interviews with rank-and-file Nevada voters who cast None of These Candidates ballots, so we dont fully know what they were thinking. No doubt a chunk of them are supporting the man who wasnt there, GOP front-runner Donald Trump, who worked with his allies whove taken over the state party in Nevada to create a confusing, two-stage process that meant the primary results were essentially meaningless. Presumably, some voters were just mad that delegate selection in Nevada has been  to use a word thats thrown around too much but actually fits here  rigged.

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They basically told us they dont care about us, Bruce Parks, the GOP leader of Washoe County, told the Associated Press. He seemed mainly to mean Haley, who  knowing the state was hardwired for Trump  didnt campaign there. By marking none of these candidates, we respond in kind  we dont care about you either.

Whatever the reason, the overwhelming win for None of These Candidates is a great-white-whale-sized metaphor for the state of a presidential election in which most observers rightly believe that nothing less than the fate of democracy is on the line, and yet, the broader electorate is wildly unhappy with a repeat showdown between two candidates whose nomination seemed ordained from the very beginning, no matter what anyone thinks.

Late last month, a nationwide Reuters/Ipsos poll found a whopping 67% of the electorate agreed that they were tired of seeing the same candidates in presidential elections and want someone new. And yet, voters feel they have no path for stopping the inevitability of Trump or President Joe Biden.

 READ MORE: The stars over a dark Trump night in Iowa | Will Bunch Newsletter

And thats not surprising, because the primary process  which 50 years ago was amped up and hyped as the way to let the people and not party bosses pick the candidate  is badly broken. Consider:

For all the talk about the importance of democracy, there have been no meaningful debates in either party. Trump  invoking the realpolitik reality that his huge lead means he has everything to lose and nothing to gain by debating his opponents  has refused to take part in the GOP events. But Biden is being challenged by a sitting U.S. congressman in Minnesotas Dean Phillips and, until Wednesday, by 2020 candidate Marianne Williamson  and the Democratic National Committee didnt even bother to schedule debates.

Despite a modest effort on the Democratic side to reform this aspect of the system, its still the case that four smaller states  Iowa (31st biggest state), New Hampshire (41st), South Carolina (23rd), and Nevada (32nd)  are handed the ability to winnow out most of the candidates so that theres no real competition by the time bigger states like California, Texas, New York, or Pennsylvania go to the polls. Those key first two states  Iowa (89.8%) and New Hampshire (92.6%)  are also overwhelmingly white. Not only are the early states small and unrepresentative, but a conflicting morass of rules and conditions conspire to make it harder, not easier, for everyday citizens to vote. The Iowa caucus, which requires participants to sit through a lengthy meeting before finally casting their ballot, was held on a federal holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, when the state was ravaged by sub-zero weather and swirling snow. In New Hampshire, a Democratic fight over changes in the order of states meant that Biden only appeared as a write-in and did not campaign there. Even worse, the mess in Nevada was just one of the ways Trump is trying to tilt the process on the GOP side in his direction and make it less democratic. In Nevada, where state law mandates a primary, Trump-backed state party officials created a system in which those votes are meaningless and all the delegates are selected in a separate Thursday night caucus in which candidates who entered the primary  such as Haley  are barred.

But other states like California were changed to a winner-takes-all format, also with the goal of helping Trump. The idea was even floated in a draft resolution to the Republican National Committee to make Trump the presumptive nominee before 48 of the states had weighed in  before someone realized that was taking it a little too far.

The bottom line is this: Only 764,697 people have cast ballots so far, in a nation of nearly 332 million people with more than 160 million registered voters. And yet, theres little doubt that the die is cast, and Trump and Biden will be the general election candidates.

Theres got to be a better way.

The breakdown of the primary system is especially sad for those of us old enough to remember the 1970s, when  in the wake of the Democrats chaotic and violent 1968 convention in Chicago that nominated Hubert Humphrey, who hadnt even run in that years primaries  the system was radically reformed to take most of the nominating power from the party bosses and give it to the people. Much like that eras noble but ultimately failed effort to get big money out of politics, that brief flowering of democracy is wilting in the 21st century.

The laws and traditions that not only give control of a national election to the states  and, in the case of the primaries, political party leaders in those states  have created this hodgepodge of confusing rules and inconsistent methods of open or closed primaries or even less participatory caucuses. A prime example is New Hampshire, which has a state law that mandates it must be the first primary in the nation, even when Biden and other national Democratic Party officials want to dislodge it.

In a recent New Republic piece, Matt Ford notes that the hundreds of power centers  national and state parties and state lawmakers and secretaries of state  managing the primary process guarantee the chaos we are now seeing. He writes that the best solution to the problem might be one that doesnt solve it directly but at least makes it more solvable: a constitutional amendment that gives Congress the power to control certain aspects of the presidential primary process.

But he also notes that theres no universal agreement on what those reforms should look like. A single-day, national primary  an idea that resonates with many voters  might give an unfair advantage to the candidate who starts the race with the most money and name recognition. But the bigger issue is that you could never get 34 states to ratify an amendment that would surrender their powers to set primary dates or rules to Congress.

The parties and their allies in state government need to fix the problems that make it more attractive to vote for None of These Candidates than for an actual person. It seems like that could never happen, but it did happen after 1968  a year in which one primary candidate was assassinated and a partys convention was overwhelmed by violence in the streets. God only knows the level of 2024 mayhem that will be needed to fix the current broken way of electing our president.

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Gov. Josh Shapiro delivers his second budget address Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 in the rotunda in the Capitol building in Harrisburg. Read more

LANCASTER  Gov. Josh Shapiro rebutted Republican criticism of his budget as unrealistic as he kicked off a statewide campaign on Wednesday to drum up support for his aspirational $48.3 billion budget proposal.

Shapiros budget would increase spending over last years budget by 6.2%, or about $3 billion. But he was quickly met with disapproval that the plan was fiscally irresponsible from Senate Republicans, whom Shapiro will need to negotiate the budget with alongside House Democrats.

I put forth ideas on education, on economic development, on a whole host of things. If they dont like my ideas, they should come forth with their own, Shapiro said Wednesday at a news conference at a farm machinery warehouse in Lancaster County.

The event was a preview of the arguments that Shapiro would make during the likely contentious negotiations over the proposal and his attempt to overhaul Pennsylvanias education systems, which the Democratic governor unveiled in a Tuesday address to the legislature.

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Pennsylvania needs to take on its perennial issues around education and economic development if the state wants to compete with others in the region, Shapiro said.

Everybody in that building needs to stand up and say if theyre OK with being 49th in the nation in higher ed, if theyre OK falling behind to our neighbors on economic development, if theyre OK with an unconstitutional education system, Shapiro added. If theyre OK with that, thats on them. Im not OK with that. Now is the time to make investments.

With a focus on fixing longtime issues in education, Shapiro proposed a nearly $1.1 billion increase in funding for K-12 public schools that includes $872 million in the next fiscal year as a down-payment to address decades of chronic underfunding and inequity. Shapiro also pitched a new system for higher education that would combine state-owned schools and community colleges under one governing body, among other efforts to make getting a college degree more affordable in Pennsylvania.

Top Senate Republicans called Shapiros budget proposal overambitious in a news conference Tuesday, since his plan will draw down on billions the state has saved since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. While Shapiro proposed a few new revenue streams and no new taxes, Pennsylvania will begin outspending its revenue under this budget proposal and all future years, according to projections.

As I listened to that budget, [it was] a bunch of unicorns and rainbows without any real explanation of how were going to implement it and how were going to pay for it, said Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R., Westmoreland).

Shapiro and lawmakers face a June 30 deadline to pass a budget. While the lawmakers scrutinize his budget, hell continue to travel the state to sell the proposal. Leaders will then move to closed-door negotiations to strike a final deal. Last years budget negotiations stalled over a school voucher program, which Shapiro initially supported before vetoing.

I hope lawmakers will carefully do their analysis on my proposal, Shapiro said. Their analysis shouldnt be an excuse for paralysis. Now is the time to act.
City Councilmember Jimmy Harrity reintroduced a bill adding protections for building services workers that was killed by former Mayor Jim Kenney in the waning days of his administration. Read more

A contentious fight over a bill that pits building services workers against the real estate industry has returned to City Council following an attempt by then-Mayor Jim Kenney to kill the proposal in the waning days of his administration last year.

Purple-clad members of the union SEIU Local 32BJ marched into City Hall on Thursday to support Councilmember Jimmy Harrity as he re-introduced the legislation, which seeks to protect the jobs of workers during office-to-residential conversions.

Representatives of the real estate industry oppose the bill, saying it would make it harder to find new uses for struggling office buildings downtown.

Harritys legislation requires that if a building were sold or converted to a new use, owners and their contractors would have to re-hire some of the previously employed workers based on seniority. If a building changed hands, all covered service workers who were necessary for operations would have to be retained for a 90-day period and could not be terminated without just cause.

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If only a smaller workforce were needed after that period, the new contractor would have to retain workers based on seniority, rather than hire new subcontracted workers. The legislation would apply to any building larger than 50,000 square feet or with more than 50 residential units.

Council approved a previous version of the bill in its last meeting of 2023, but Kenney quietly killed it through a pocket veto. Harritys re-introduction of the bill Thursday sets the table for a second showdown.

 READ MORE: Ex-Mayor Jim Kenney quietly killed a 15-cent fee on paper bags and three other Council bills before leaving office

Center City is changing, and were just saying we want to be part of the new Center City, said Daisy Cruz, a Philadelphia-based leader with 32BJ. Youre not going to save money off of the backs of working Philadelphians.

Given that residential buildings employ substantially fewer guards and cleaners than offices, Harrity said, he does not believe the bill would add much to the cost of conversion.

We all know that when they switch over [the need for workers] is going to go down, said Harrity. If theyre switching over, theyre switching over for a reason. The fact that they have to hire three of the senior people that have been there wont hinder them.

The real estate industry argues that the bill robs business owners of their ability to make their own staffing decisions, and that it may be unconstitutional.

SEIU is trying to legislate collective bargaining, said Will Carter, vice president of local government affairs with the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. If Philadelphia is known as a city where, at any moment, SEIU can dictate what happens with your business, then people are going to not want to come here and start businesses.

More new legislation

Plate-flipping out: Councilmember Mike Driscoll introduced a bill that adds a $2,000 fine for license plate-flipping devices, which rotate in a second tag at the push of a button to prevent a car from being identified.

Its designed, built, and used by people to conceal their identity, Driscoll said. Tag-flippers could be used by someone fleeing the scene of an accident. ... The tag-flipper prevents a family from finding solace in the arrest and conviction of a loved ones killer, he said.

Those devices are already illegal in Pennsylvania. But Driscoll said the added punishment is needed because they have become more common.

The fine would apply to anyone caught making, selling, installing, or using the devices.

Whats coming next?

Its official: Council approved a resolution creating the Kensington Caucus, a group of four lawmakers who have vowed to help the city crack down on the neighborhoods infamous open-air drug market.

Their tough-on-crime approach to Kensington aligns with Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers, and they are likely to be highly visible defenders of police action in the neighborhood over the next year. Even before Thursdays vote, they announced their support for a triage center where drug users can be taken to access services or potentially be arrested.

 READ MORE: Philly City Council members are pushing for a Kensington triage center for people who use drugs

The caucus is chaired by Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, whose 7th District includes most of Kensington. It also includes Driscoll and Councilmember Mark Squilla, whose districts include parts of Kensington, and Harrity, an at-large member who lives in the neighborhood.

The next few years will be difficult, and the optics of it will be more difficult, Lozada said Thursday. But we should ask ourselves, Should our children be seeing [drug users] every day, or is it better for them to see an increase of police presence? Is it safer for them to walk by this everyday, or is it safer for them to walk by individuals who are there to ensure their safety?

Driscoll, another caucus member, said, I echo Councilmember Lozadas call to arms.

What else happened this week

Its tax season: Councilmember Rue Landau introduced a bill that would regulate paid tax preparation services and increase awareness of options to get tax returns prepared for free.

The bill requires tax preparers to register with the city, to advise their customers about no-cost options, and to provide them with a detailed explanation of the costs of their services.

Each tax season, too many Philadelphians, especially those eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, shell out too much money for commercial tax prep services unaware of free alternatives, Landau said in a statement. Our push for transparent fee disclosure is a small but important step to help ensure more money stays where it belongs  in the pockets of low and moderate-income families. Its about empowerment and informed decisions.

Violating those rules will result in fines of $500 for each infraction, and gives customers the right to sue tax preparers who run afoul of the rules.

Quote of the day

As somebody in recovery, I just want people to know that some of us dont go willingly. Some of us get recovery because we get sent to jail or we get mandatory into a rehab. People look at it as were forcing people in. Well, we have a saying for that in recovery  thats called a power greater than myself. We call it being touched by Gods grace because we all know that if it was up to us, wed still be out there doing our addiction. City Councilmember Jimmy Harrity

Harrity, who is in recovery from alcoholism, on Thursday gave a speech implicitly defending policies that force people to quit drugs.

That stance is likely to prove controversial as the city attempts to end the drug trade in Kensington, as some advocates are against forced treatment. Harrity appeared to be responding to critics of the triage center for drug users that he and other members of the new Kensington caucus proposed last week.

Staff writer Anna Orso contributed to this article.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson (left) in the audience for Gov. Josh Shapiro's second budget address on Tuesday in the Capitol rotunda in Harrisburg. Read more

Gov. Josh Shapiros $48.3 billion state budget proposal includes reforms to education funding, more money for public transit, and no tax increases.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, a former Democratic state representative, traveled to Harrisburg to hear Shapiros address Tuesday  and learn about how the proposed spending plan could impact Philadelphia.

 READ MORE: Money for K-12, recreational weed, and minimum wage: Gov. Shapiro delivers an ambitious $48.34 billion state budget

Heres what the governors plan would mean for Philadelphia and what city leaders are saying about it:

What did Parker say?

Parker, who took office last month, has outlined many goals that will require assistance or cooperation from Harrisburg. She returned to Harrisburg for the first time as Phillys mayor to attended Shapiros budget address in the Capitol rotunda.

She called the Democratic governors proposal a great place for us to start.

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My budget and fiscal and legislative teams will closely analyze this proposal, and we will work with legislative leaders, the Philadelphia delegation and my intergovernmental affairs roundtable to ensure were doing everything in our power to secure every dollar necessary to help meet Philadelphias priorities, she said in an interview after his speech.

 READ MORE: Cherelle Parker spent 10 years in Harrisburg. That could pay off for Philly.

Parker applauded several parts of the budget plan, including a $600 million investment in economic development and Shapiros proposal to merge the governing apparatuses for state-owned universities and community colleges while increasing funding for both.

Of Shapiros push to raise the state minimum wage to $15 per hour  from the current $7.25 per hour, the federal minimum  Parker said she strongly endorses this and will fight for its passage.

If the increase is approved, it will be the most significant difference in raising the standard of living for working people and their families living at or below the poverty level  across Philadelphia and the region, Parker said.

Parker will deliver her own budget address  the first of her administration  to City Council in March.

K-12 education funding up

Shapiro on Tuesday proposed almost $1.1 billion in new K-12 education funding, including $872 million that will be dispersed through an adequacy formula that steers more money to struggling districts such as Philadelphia. The proposal represents the governors attempt to fix the states school funding system, which was ruled unconstitutional by the Commonwealth Court last year.

Thats just a start toward what lawmakers think is needed to fix the states school funding problems. A legislative committee recommended fixes totaling $9 billion over seven years, and State Rep. Morgan Cephas, a Democrat who chairs the Philadelphia delegation, on Wednesday called it a down payment.

State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (D., Phila.) said the new money represented the largest single-year increase ever in Pennsylvania K-12 funding.

That is tremendously exciting, Fiedler said at a news conference Wednesday. Its a little bit hard for me to believe that its real.

How much will Philly schools get?

The Philly school districts budget is $4.5 billion for the 2023-24 school year. That includes $1.49 billion from the states basic education funding formula  about 18.9% of the statewide total. For next year, Philly was poised to get an additional $40 million more out of a statewide total of $200 million distributed through the formula.

But city schools would get much more under Shapiros adequacy formula, if it is approved by the legislature. Philly would get an additional $202.6 million under the proposal, about 23.3% of the new pool of money.

That would mean the state next year would send city schools an additional $242.7 million, representing about 22.7% of the entire K-12 basic education funding increase distributed by the state. Thats a more than 16% increase in state aid for Philadelphias basic education operations, for a total of almost $1.75 billion.

 READ MORE: Pa.s school funding was supposed to be revamped. Will Gov. Shapiros budget get the job done?

But even if Shapiros funding increases make it through the legislature unscathed, it is unlikely to be a panacea for Philly schools. Before Tuesdays announcement, the district projected it would have a $407 million shortfall at the end of this year.

Separately, Shapiro on Tuesday proposed spending $300 million to improve school buildings across the state. That includes $175 million that lawmakers said Wednesday was set aside for Philadelphia, the epicenter of a crisis over aging school facilities that lack air-conditioning or are at risk of exposing students and staff to asbestos and lead.

SEPTA gets more, but not enough

Parker said that she will push further on funding for SEPTA.

Phillys regional transit agency is projecting that it will face a $240 million deficit this year due to the exhaustion of federal funding that was doled out to help transit agencies weather the pandemic.

 READ MORE: Can Gov. Shapiros SEPTA proposal save SEPTA? It depends.

Shapiro on Tuesday proposed shifting sales tax revenue so that an additional $160 million was directed to SEPTA.

We have to make sure SEPTA gets to that $240 million mark so that we dont see a cut in services in any way, shape or form, Parker added.

Staff writers Maddie Hanna, Kristen A. Graham, and Thomas Fitzgerald contributed to this article.
The Philadelphia Parkway Central Library on Logan Square is part of the Free Library of Philadelphia system, which includes more than 50 branches around the city. Librarians were miffed earlier this week when they learned social media posts would need to be vetted by the mayor's office. Read more

The librarians have not been censored.

At least thats the message Philadelphia library workers received Tuesday after they staged a coordinated campaign against a new policy implemented by Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration that requires the Mayors Office vet all social media content put out by city agencies.

There is no intention to stop library branches from communicating with residents who depend on the libraries free services and programs, Priscilla Suero, the Free Library of Philadelphias first deputy director, wrote in an email to employees, which was obtained by The Inquirer.

She further explained that library workers are free to post about daily issues such as opening hours and programming just as they always have with their users.

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Parkers administration said the Tuesday message didnt represent a shift in policy, but rather a clarification of the new rule.

Our policy was never to be involved in these kind of routine matters, spokesperson Joe Grace said. I think it was a misinterpretation of our policy, and we were glad that the library issued a clarifying email to all library staff.

Three weeks ago, the administration told employees in all city departments  in a heavily caps-locked email  that they must send drafts of all external communications from Facebook posts to news releases through the mayors Office of Communications. Grace said the idea was to ensure that Parkers administration is speaking with a unified voice, but some city workers privately worried that the policy would result in slow communications from agencies used to managing their own content.

 READ MORE: Mayor Parkers office has a new policy: All public statements go through us

Library staff at all 54 branches learned earlier this week, in an email from library higher-ups, that the policy would take effect immediately and would require them to seek approval on all fliers, social media content, and newsletters  even down to retweets and reposts.

On Monday night, a handful of libraries posted messages on social media warning followers that updates would not be in real time and that librarians were unclear what types of content would be subject to censorship.

Following the clarification Tuesday, several of those branches cheered.

This change came about because city workers and residents know how important communication and relationships are and how to fight for what we deserve, read a Facebook post from the Lovett Memorial Library in Mount Airy. Social media is one of the easiest & quickest ways to communicate with our communities about library happenings, and being able to do that quickly and efficiently is very important!
On February 8, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

The President of Kazakhstan congratulated Ilham Aliyev on his resounding victory in the presidential election and wished him success in his endeavors for the comprehensive development and progress of the country. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed the importance of Azerbaijan`s achieving significant successes in all areas and further strengthening the country's international positions under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for his attention and congratulations.

The heads of state expressed confidence that friendly and brotherly relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan would continue to strengthen, and exchanged views on the prospects for cooperation.
Merle Ratner, a left-wing and anti-war activist in the US and a close friend of Vietnam (Photo: VNA)

Ratner passed away in a traffic accident in New York on February 5 evening.

Merle Evelyn Ratner, born in 1956 in New York City, had a special love for Vietnam. She took to the streets to protest against the Vietnam War when she was 13 years old and became famous for hanging anti-war slogans on the Statue of Liberty. She was a co-founder and coordinator of the Vietnam Agent Orange Relief & Responsibility Campaign (VAORRC) in the New York area.

She actively participated in protests against the US war in Vietnam since the late 1960s, the anti-imperialist movement in the 1970s and 1980s, and anti-racism campaigns in the US today.

After 1975, Ratner campaigned for the normalisation of the Vietnam - US relations and supported Vietnams international activities. She visited the Southeast Asian country for many times and engaged in joint work with mass organisations, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics.

Ratner was awarded the "For the Development of Vietnamese Women" insignia in 2010 and the For Vietnamese Victims of Agent Orange insignia in 2013./.
The objective was to pinpoint individuals who spearheaded innovative initiatives, propelling Australias insurance sector forward in the aftermath of the significant challenges faced that year. The team also factored in the candidates past accolades as part of the selection criteria.
The report will showcase the most successful brokerages based on growth figures over the past calendar year and a special section of the report will also highlight brokerages in business for three years or less already making their mark in the insurance landscape.
Choosing from six providers

Following these new changes, a larger number of employers will now have the flexibility to select a CSP from a pool of six providers including EML, Allianz, QBE, GIO, Gallagher Bassett, and DXC, said Jamieson. This is a really positive and a significant change for the scheme as, since 2018, the majority of employers in NSW have had little or no control over the CSP responsible for managing their workers compensation claims.
The Lismore Flood Recovery Centre supported our community in the aftermath of the floods, with the closure marking a new chapter for Lismore, he said. The level of assistance the centre has achieved cannot be underestimated, especially during the weeks and months right after the natural disaster. It was indeed a crucial element in helping our community recover.
With genetic testing becoming more prevalent in the community, now is the time for Federal Government regulation to ensure that no Australian is deterred from taking a genetic test to proactively manage their health, she said in a recent statement. It has never been the intention of the life insurance industry to deter people from taking genetic tests that give them more information about their overall health.
The sale process has officially commenced, with promotional materials already dispatched to potential purchasers, including private equity entities and financial services firms based in Asia. The report, however, notes that the sale deliberations are at an early stage, and no definitive choices have been made. Fosun retains the option to halt the sale process at any point.
According to Modrzewski, there are two key aspects to satellite technology: the granularity of data available and the speed at which it can be accessed. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imagery provides detailed images of floods and wildfires as they develop.
It was noted that the proposed rates, which the commissioner described as excessive and unfairly discriminatory, range from 4.3% to 99.4%, with the higher end being proposed in the states coastal counties.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung (L) presents a gift from Party General Secreatry Nguyen Phu Trong to Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone at the event (Photo: VNA)

In their letters, the leaders wrote the Vietnamese Party, State and people highly value Khamtai Siphandones dedication and brainpower, highlighting his important role in the Lao revolutionary cause and in consolidating the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the Parties, States and people of Vietnam and Laos.

At the handover event, the diplomat affirmed the Vietnamese Party, State, and people will work together with their Lao counterparts to protect, foster, deepen the special solidarity shared between the two countries across all fields, bringing about mutual benefits and contributing to maintaining peace in the region and the world.

The Lao PM thanked the Vietnamese Party and State leaders for their letters, flowers, and gifts, considering them a testament to the enduring bonds of the bilateral ties./.
PIA commended both legislators as having demonstrated a commitment to policies that not only support the insurance industry but also promote public safety and economic growth. Their legislative achievements, particularly in the realms of road safety and business support, were passed and signed into law within the 2023-24 session, marking significant progress for the state of Wisconsin.
A Virginia doctor who was sentenced to 40 years in prison after prescribing more than half a million doses of highly addictive opioids in two years has been granted a new trial by a federal appeals court that found the instructions given to jurors at his trial misstated the law.

Joel Smithers was convicted in 2019 of more than 800 counts of illegally prescribing drugs.

During his trial, prosecutors said patients from five states drove hundreds of miles to see him to get prescriptions for oxycodone, fentanyl and other powerful painkillers. Authorities said Smithers headed a drug distribution ring that contributed to the opioid abuse crisis in Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

In a ruling issued Friday, a three-judge panel of the Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated Smithers convictions and ordered a new trial.

Jurors at Smithers trial were instructed that in order to find Smithers guilty of illegally prescribing drugs, they must find that he did so without a legitimate medical purpose or beyond the bounds of medical practice.

But the appeals court found that that jury instruction was improper, citing a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said a defendant must knowingly or intentionally act in an unauthorized manner to be guilty of that charge. Even though the jury convicted Smithers in 2019, his case was subject to the 2022 Supreme Court decision because his appeal was still pending when that ruling was issued.

Justice Roger Gregory, who wrote the 3-0 opinion for the 4th Circuit panel, cited Smithers testimony at his trial, when he said almost all of his patients had had significant car or workplace accidents and that he believed there was a legitimate medical purpose for each of the prescriptions he wrote. Gregory wrote that even though a jury might very well not have believed Smithers testimony that he acted with a legitimate medical purpose, the defense provided evidence that could have led to a finding of not guilty on each of the unlawful distribution charges against Smithers.

In sum, because there was evidence upon which a jury could have reached a contrary finding, the instructional errors were not harmless, Gregory wrote.

During Smithers trial, a receptionist testified that patients would wait up to 12 hours to see Smithers, who sometimes kept his office open past midnight. Smithers did not accept insurance and took in close to $700,000 in cash and credit card payments over two years, prosecutors said.

We understand the 4th circuit decision following a recent change in the law and look forward to retrying the defendant,  U.S. Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh said in a statement Monday.

Beau Brindley, an attorney for Smithers, said that since the 2022 Supreme Court decision, only one thing decides a doctors guilt or innocence: his own subjective beliefs about his prescriptions.

Under this new legal standard, with the focus now solely on his intent, Dr. Smithers looks forward to being fully exonerated at trial, Brindley said in a statement.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Virginia
Johnson & Johnson was sued by an employee who said the companys health plan wasted workers money by paying inflated prices for prescription drugs.

In one instance, the health plan agreed to pay more than $10,000 for a drug to treat multiple sclerosis, a chronic nerve condition, thats available for as little as $40 at retail pharmacies, according to the suit filed Monday in federal court in Camden, New Jersey.

The complaint alleges that J&J mismanaged the companys prescription-drug benefits program, costing federally regulated plans and J&J workers millions of dollars due to higher payments for drugs, increased premiums, deductibles, copays and lower wages or limited growth.

J&J employee Ann Lewandowski sued on the grounds that the company breached its fiduciary duties to spend health benefit funds responsibly. The suit seeks class-action status to represent other workers who faced similar costs. A health-care policy and advocacy director for J&J in Wisconsin and Minnesota, Lewandowski is currently on leave due to a dispute regarding an accommodation for a medical condition.

Representatives for J&J didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. The shares fell 0.5% at 2:14 p.m. in New York.

US employers face rising legal risk over how they manage roughly $1 trillion in annual spending on company-sponsored health plans. While some large companies and unions have sued their health plan providers alleging that theyve breached fiduciary obligations, the case against J&J may be the first case by an employee making those claims against a prominent company.

Squandered Power

For certain types of drugs with complicated handling or administration needs, called generic-specialty medications, the companys health plan on average paid about six times as much on average as the pharmacy benefit manager paid, the complaint alleges.

Drugmakers and pharmacy benefit managers are frequently at odds in Washington, where each side blames the other for contributing to high prescription costs.

Though J&J is one of the countrys largest drugmakers, the lawsuit argues, it failed to use its buying power when purchasing medications to negotiate the best prices for medicines for workers on its health plan.

Defendants squandered their bargaining power and, for many drugs, agreed to make the Plans and their beneficiaries pay more than someone would pay if they just walked into a retail pharmacy and filled the same prescription without using insurance, the lawsuit said.

New Brunswick, New Jersey-based J&J has about 152,700 employees globally, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The plaintiffs firm that filed the case, Fairmark Partners, LLP, called it the first of its kind, saying in an email that it drew on a detailed analysis of drug pricing. Other law firms have publicly advertised that theyre seeking clients for similar cases against big US companies.

The case is Ann Lewandowski vs Johnson & Johnson, 24-cv-00671, in District of New Jersey.

Top photo:. (Photo Illustration by David McNew/Getty Images)

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics Lawsuits New Jersey
The Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled that claims involving the evolving field of assisted reproductive technologies can be decided using traditional negligence and medical malpractice principles and do not require consideration as novel wrongful life causes of action.

The high court upheld a trial courts $38 million award to parents over a state hospitals errors in providing artificial insemination and prenatal care that resulted in the death of one twin girl and the birth of a twin boy with severe, lifelong physical and cognitive disabilities.

The states University of Connecticut Health Center had challenged the award, arguing that the claims were actually wrongful life claims and the state does not and should not recognize them as causes of action. The state argued as well that the claims were mainly about informed consent, not malpractice, and thus the hospital was shielded by sovereign immunity.

The trial court struck the prenatal care claim but denied the hospitals motion to strike as to the fertility treatment claims, concluding that they were ordinary medical malpractice claims for which there was no immunity for the state.

The high court agreed that the claims were properly construed and adjudicated as conventional medical malpractice claims and not, as the state contended, wrongful life claims. The high court noted that the childs parents presented the claims as medical malpractice and that is how the trial court addressed them as well. The high court said it was not necessary to reach the wrongful life issue in the case.

The term wrongful life refers to a claim, brought by a child, based on the theory that that child would not have been born but for the defendants negligence, such as when a medical professional fails to prevent an unwanted pregnancy by negligently performing a birth control or abortion procedure.

The court differentiated the case before it from wrongful life claims because the state was directly responsible both for the childs birth and for his condition. Moreover, in most wrongful life cases, but for the defendants negligence, there never could have been a healthy child, whereas, in the present case, there was undisputed testimony that antiviral medications were available that could be used to prevent or treat the mothers infection.

The plaintiffs sought to recover damages for the alleged medical malpractice in connection with the therapeutic donor insemination (TDI) services and prenatal care provided to them at the UConn hospital. Hospital staff gave them general information about TDI risks, approved sperm banks, and testing that TDI patients are required to undergo, including testing for cytomegalovirus (CMV), a herpes virus. Because of the risks to fetal health associated with CMV in early pregnancy, it was necessary for the hospital to determine both the mothers and the sperm donors CMV status. They were informed that if a patient tests negative for CMV, only CMV negative donor sperm should be used. Professional practice also held that CMV positive sperm should only be used with the patients consent.

The mother, who had tested negative for CMV, underwent a successful procedure using sperm from a donor who it turned out was CMV positive. She became pregnant with twins, a boy and a girl. The physician did not check the donors CMV status and allegedly did not seek or obtain the mothers informed consent for the procedure using CMV positive sperm. Throughout her pregnancy, the mother received care from the hospitals prenatal care staff. When she was 22 weeks pregnant, an ultrasound revealed that both fetuses displayed conditions associated with an in utero CMV infection. The prenatal care physician did not perform any follow-up tests to rule out a CMV infection, inform the mother of the ultrasound results, or include a copy of those results in her medical records.

Subsequently, it was discovered that the female twin had died in utero from a severe CMV infection, and the son was born with debilitating, lifelong medical conditions as a result of congenital CMV. The son is unable to eat, communicate, or attend to any of his personal needs in a normal or independent manner. In addition, he suffers from global developmental delay and cognitive, hearing, and motor deficits. He will require constant services and care for the remainder of his life, including physical and occupational therapies and a home health aide.

The high court found there was no merit to the states contention that the plaintiffs had failed to establish a valid, conventional medical malpractice claim with respect to their sons injuries.

The court rejected the states arguments that any damages awarded would be unavoidably speculative and predicated on the impermissible concept that nonexistence can be preferable to impaired existence. The court noted that it had previously rejected versions of those arguments when it recognized a cause of action for wrongful birth in a 1982 case (Och v. Borrelli ) involving a negligently performed sterilization procedure.

Moreover, the Supreme Court rejected the states argument that the standard formula for calculating damages in tort, namely, making the plaintiff whole by returning him to the position he would have been in but for the defendants negligence, precluded any recovery in this case insofar as the son arguably would not have existed but for the states conduct. The court commented that such a rigid conception of tort damages left no room for the substantial technological advancements that have occurred in the field of assisted reproductive technologies.

The court said it reviewed the states challenge to the damages award in the light of the underlying purposes and principles that inform tort law, namely, compensation for innocent parties, shifting the loss to responsible parties or distributing it among appropriate entities, and deterrence of wrongful conduct.

In the present case, all of those considerations weighed in favor of holding the state liable, the high court found. The son was an innocent victim whose serious injuries were caused by the states failure to adhere to the applicable standard of care. The court added that if it were to deny recovery to children who, like the son here, were injured by the negligent provision of assisted reproductive technologies, there would be little to deter the state or other providers of artificial insemination services from such negligence and its consequences.

The court concluded that the son was no less entitled to be compensated financially for those damages than are other victims of medical malpractice, the trial courts award of damages was fully commensurate with the injuries that he suffered, and it restored him as nearly as possible to the position that he had occupied before the states negligence, which was consistent with the underlying goals and purposes of tort law.

The hospital issued a statement that it disagrees with the decision: While UConn Health respectfully disagrees with the Connecticut Supreme Courts decision, our hearts forever go out to this family for experiencing the pain and loss from this tragic situation.

Topics Connecticut Medical Professional Liability
A court in Germany has issued an injunction against the sale of some of Intels chips, in a patent dispute between the U.S. tech giant and a U.S. rival that filed the complaint.

The regional court in Dusseldorf ruled in favor of the California-based R2 Semiconductor in a case involving voltage regulators, a court spokesperson said, confirming an earlier report in the Financial Times.

The court has ordered Intel to refrain from applying the patent in question in Germany, the spokesperson said.

We are disappointed with the Regional Court of Duesseldorfs decision, and we intend to appeal, an Intel spokesperson said in an emailed response to Reuters.

The spokesperson said that R2 had already filed an unsuccessful suit against the company in the United States and had since shifted its campaign against Intel to Europe.

R2 CEO David Fisher said in a statement the company plans to, enforce this injunction and protect our valuable intellectual property.

Topics Legislation Germany
War underwriters have raised the premiums they charge to US, British and Israeli firms by as high as 50% for ships transiting the Red Sea and some providers are avoiding such business due to targeting of the vessels by Yemens Houthis, sources said.

Attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthis since November have slowed trade between Asia and Europe and alarmed major powers. The Houthis say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians as Israels war against Hamas militants in Gaza grinds on.

Many companies have opted to re-route ships around southern Africa although some vessels are still sailing via the Red Sea.

Ships with a link to the US, Britain or Israel are now paying 25-50% more in war risk premium than other ships to navigate the Red Sea, said David Smith, head of hull and marine liabilities at insurance broker McGill and Partners.

Two insurance industry sources said ships with US, UK or Israeli links would be quoted a higher rate, even above 50%.

The ships that have so far had problems, almost all of them have got some element of Israeli or US or UK ownership in there somewhere, said Marcus Baker, global head of marine and cargo with insurance broker Marsh.

Baker said there was exclusionary language being introduced for cover involving UK, US and Israeli interests.

We are seeing this, but its not everywhere because there are certainly markets out there that are not putting that language on.

The two sources said some underwriters were avoiding covering such business for now.

In one of the most serious incidents, a tanker operated by a UK-based company whose cargo was owned by global commodities trader Trafigura was hit by a missile that caused a fire onboard which was put out.

Costly

Insurance industry sources said that war risk premiums being quoted for Red Sea voyages had hovered around 1% of the value of a ship in the past 10 days, up from around 0.7% previously with various discounts applied by underwriters.

This translates into hundreds of thousands of dollars of additional costs for a seven-day voyage.

The apparent safe passage offered by Houthis to vessels flagged or owned by Russia, China  including Hong Kong  and Iran is designed to provide a degree of assurance to commercial markets associated with those countries, said Munro Anderson, head of operations at marine war risk and insurance specialist Vessel Protect, part of Pen Underwriting.

Ships are also adding messages to their public ship tracking profiles indicating they have Chinese crew onboard or have no links to UK, US or Israeli companies, shipping data showed.

Israeli container line Zim has said it has been diverting its vessels away from the Red Sea.

British maritime risk advisory and security company Dryad Global has advised its clients to avoid the region until further notice.

I am surprised that US and UK-flagged or operated ships are still transiting within the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. They represent the highest risk categories of vessels for the potential of an attack within this region, said Dryad Globals CEO Corey Ranslem.

Ships from Iran, Russia and China are the only flagged and operated vessels that could potentially safely transit through this region. The Iranian-backed Houthis will not attack ships with those flags or associations as both Russia and China are sympathetic to Iran.

There are growing concerns of a spillover which could hit other ships.

The threat level to ships with Israeli, United Kingdom and United States interests remains high, a Feb 5 advisory note issued by major shipping associations said.

However, all owners, operators, and crews should be cognisant their vessel could be misidentified and understand their risk of collateral damage.

(Reporting by Jonathan Saul and Carolyn Cohn; editing by Gareth Jones)

Photograph: In this photo provided by the Indian Navy on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, a view of the oil tanker Marlin Luanda on fire after an attack, in the Gulf of Aden. The crew aboard a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker hit by a missile launched by Yemens Houthi rebels is battling a fire onboard the stricken vessel sparked by the strike. (Indian Navy via AP)

Topics USA
The former chief executive officer of a Kansas bank was charged with embezzling $47.1 million from the lender to buy cryptocurrency, as the tale of tiny Heartland Tri-State Bank and its failure unfolds.

Shan Hanes, who led the bank before it was shuttered in July, also took money from a local church, according to a filing by prosecutors Friday in federal court in Wichita.

The closure rocked the tight-knit community of Elkhart, a far-flung city of about 1,800 where regulators and investigators descended last year, and where residents who invested in the bank face losses.

Bloomberg was first to report on the details of the banks failure.

Hanes, 52, who previously held leadership roles at the Kansas Bankers Association, was a champion of community banks, testifying several times before Congress about their importance.

He didnt immediately respond to emails and calls seeking comment on the charges.

Pig Butchering

The brief filing, known as a criminal information, is short on details. But Brian Mitchell, a 59-year-old local businessman, farmer and client of the bank, believes Hanes may have been the victim of a scam himself.

Mitchell, who played a key role in uncovering the alleged embezzlement, says he grew suspicious when Hanes asked him for a loan to help him get his money out of a crypto investment. In a scheme called pig butchering, victims are lured into giving ever more money, like pigs fattened for slaughter.

It isnt clear if Hanes met that fate, but it isnt uncommon. Victims of these and other virtual-currency investment frauds have lost billions of dollars in the US alone, according to estimates from law enforcement cited by the US Treasury Departments Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.

Mitchell, whose family owns a Midwestern movie theater chain, said Elkhart needed the facts to come out in order to move forward.

Huge Step

This is a huge step, he said of the charges.

In the end, depositors werent harmed by the banks closure. The Syracuse, Kansas-based Dream First Bank acquired Heartland. Mitchell isnt an investor in the bank.

It all began when Hanes started ostensibly buying cryptocurrency in 2022 with his own money, according to Fridays filing. By early 2023, he had embezzled funds from the church and an investment club in Elkhart, prosecutors allege. Then he turned to the bank, they claim.

The alleged scheme began to unravel last summer, when Mitchell says Hanes approached him and asked if he would lend him $12 million so Hanes could get his money out of the crypto investment, Bloomberg News reported in September. Hanes promised hed pay him back 10 days later, offering $1 million in interest, Mitchell said.

More and More Money

As Mitchell recounts it, Hanes said he knew someone who was helping him invest in crypto. But there was an issue with wire payments, the story went, and he needed to put more money in. Mitchell said he asked whether it was the banks money and that Hanes assured him it wasnt.

About a week later, after learning from a bank employee that Hanes had wired the $12 million, Mitchell went to a member of Heartlands board. He told the director about his meeting with Hanes and asked if the bank might have exposure. A bank representative then went to regulators.

On July 28, the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner declared Heartland insolvent and shut it. David Herndon, the state banking commissioner, told the Financial Times in August that the bank had fallen victim to a scam.

Ultimately Hanes embezzled funds through at least 11 wire transfers of bank funds from May through July, the US alleges. The loss of the $47.1 million ultimately caused the bank to close, and the FDIC was appointed receiver. A spokesperson for the FDIC declined to comment on the charges, referring Bloomberg News to law enforcement.

Speaking Up

Mitchell said he hopes the charges will raise awareness about crypto fraud. He said he is now speaking publicly about his role in alerting regulators to Haness alleged scheme, not wanting to interfere with the investigation before charges were brought.

He said he is both disappointed in Hanes, whom he considered a friend, and angry on behalf of the banks investors because of the losses they have incurred. He said he hopes the community can begin to heal.

Until the truth came out, there was no way to get past it, Mitchell said.

Photo: A bitcoin and other cryptocurrency logos. Photographer: Erhan Demirtas/Bloomberg

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Kansas
CHICAGO (AP)  A Chicago childrens hospital has been forced to take its networks offline after an unspecified cyberattack, limiting access to medical records and hampering communication by phone or email since the middle of last week.

The situation at Lurie Childrens Hospital had all the hallmarks of a ransomware attack, although hospital officials would not confirm or deny the cause Monday.

The hospital initially described the issue Wednesday as a network outage. On Thursday, officials released public statements saying the hospital had taken its networks offline as part of its response to a cybersecurity matter.

We are taking this very seriously, investigating with the support of leading experts, and are working in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, the hospital said in a statement Thursday. As Illinois leading provider for pediatric care, our overarching priority is to continue providing safe, quality care to our patients and the communities we serve. Lurie Childrens is open and providing care to patients with as limited disruption as possible.

Media representatives for the hospital did not return messages from The Associated Press on Monday seeking more information, including whether the attack was caused by ransomware. Such extortion-style attacks are popular among those seeking financial gain by locking data, records or other critical information, and then demanding money to release it back to the owner.

A 2023 report by the Department of Health and Human Services warned of dramatic increases in digital attacks on health care and public health entities in recent years, causing delayed or disrupted care for patients across the country.

Health care providers arent alone; state courts, county or state governments and schools all have struggled to recover from cyber-based attacks.

Christina Snyders 9-year-old daughter receives regular infusions of medication at Lurie Childrens for a rare autoimmune disease that weakens her bones. Her appointment Friday went smoothly, taking just about 30 minutes longer than usual, Snyder said, adding that she was comforted by the nurses approach.

They kept records on paper and texted her daughters doctor to verify the dose of medication needed, she said.

I would say theyre doing an amazing job in a stressful situation, Snyder said. They did everything they could do to keep us on schedule and make us feel comfortable.

Jason Castillo, though, said he thinks the hospital has failed to inform families of patients whose surgeries were delayed. Castillo said his nearly 7-month-old daughter was supposed to have had surgery on her heart Wednesday morning, a procedure doctors have planned for since her birth.

But it was quickly clear something had happened at the hospital. After a delay of a few hours, the girls surgeon said he wasnt comfortable going forward as the hospital tried to respond to the cyberattack, Castillo said.

Weve already been kind of in limbo with our lives waiting for the surgery, knowing wed need to drop everything and care for her until shes healthy again, Castillo said. We just have no idea when it is going to be rescheduled, if wed need to switch hospitals. And we really dont want to do that.

The latest annual report for Lurie Childrens said staff treated around 260,000 patients last year. Chicago-area pediatrician practices that work with the hospital also have reported being unable to access digital medical records because of the attack.

On Friday, the hospital announced a separate call center for patients to get prescriptions refilled or ask non-urgent questions about care or appointments.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Cyber
Actor Gina Carano sued Walt Disney for wrongful termination from Star Wars series The Mandalorian in a lawsuit filed Feb 6 and backed by billionaire Elon Musk.

Carano argued in the suit that she was fired in 2021 for voicing conservative opinions on social media platforms including Twitter, which is now owned by Musk and known as X.

A short time ago in a galaxy not so far away, Defendants made it clear that only one orthodoxy in thought, speech, or action was acceptable in their empire, said the lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in California.

She also claimed sex discrimination, arguing that male stars who voiced opinions did not suffer any consequences.

Carano, who played warrior Cara Dune, is asking the court to order Disneys Lucasfilm unit to reinstate her in the role and seeks compensatory damages of up to $75,000 plus emotional distress and punitive damages to be determined at trial.

A Disney spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

Musk, who hurled an expletive at Disney CEO Bob Iger in September when the company pulled advertising from X, said last year that he would fund legal action by users who faced retaliation from employers for comments on the platform.

As a sign of X Corps commitment to free speech, were proud to provide financial support for Gina Caranos lawsuit, empowering her to seek vindication of her free speech rights on X and the ability to work without bullying, harassment, or discrimination, said Joe Benarroch, Xs head of business operations.

Disney removed Carano from The Mandalorian over social media posts that the company at the time called abhorrent and unacceptable for denigrating people based on their cultural and religious identities.

Jews were beaten in the streets, not by Nazi soldiers but by their neighbors  even by children, Carano wrote on Instagram, according to a Variety report at the time.

Carano also came under fire for Twitter posts in which she derided mask-wearing during the pandemic and echoed false claims of voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election.

Musk, founder of Tesla and SpaceX, himself generated a backlash for liking an anti-Jewish post on X in September, prompting advertisers including Disney to pause spending on the platform.

Topics Lawsuits Mergers & Acquisitions
An advanced group of Chinese hackers taking aim at U.S. critical infrastructure have been active for as long as half a decade, American and allied intelligence agencies said in a joint statement on Wednesday.

The U.S. National Security Agency, U.S. cyber watchdog CISA, the FBI, and the Transportation Security Administration said that the group known as Volt Typhoon had quietly burrowed into the networks of aviation, rail, mass transit, highway, maritime, pipeline, water and sewage organizations.

None of the organizations were identified by name, but the statement said that American intelligence officials have observed the hackers maintaining access and footholds within some victim IT environments for at least five years.

The statement, which was co-signed by Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealands respective cybersecurity agencies, is the latest in a series of warnings from U.S. officials about Volt Typhoon, a group that has drawn particular alarm because it appears geared toward sabotage rather than espionage.

The widespread nature of the hacks has led to a series of meetings between the White House and private technology industry, including several telecommunications and cloud commuting companies, in which the U.S. government asked for assistance in tracking the activity.

Last week, Reuters reported that the U.S. government had launched an operation to fight Volt Typhoon by remotely disabling aspects of its operation.

We are extraordinarily concerned about malicious cyber activity from the PRC state sponsored actor that industry calls Volt Typhoon, senior CISA official Eric Goldstein, referring to the Peoples Republic of China, told Reuters ahead of the statements release. Most of the victims we have identified have no legitimate espionage value.

News of the joint statement was first reported by CNN.

Topics Cyber China
General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, takes part in an annual gathering with non-CPC members ahead of the Spring Festival at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 7, 2024. The reception was also attended by Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Cai Qi, director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Ding Xuexiang, vice premier of the State Council. They are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Wednesday extended festive greetings to people from non-CPC political parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), personages without party affiliation, and other members of the united front ahead of the Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, sent the greetings when he took part in an annual gathering with non-CPC members at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The reception was also attended by Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Cai Qi, director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Ding Xuexiang, vice premier of the State Council. They are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

The year 2023 was an extraordinary year, Xi said. He noted that through the year, the CPC Central Committee led the whole Party and the Chinese people to fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and act on the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability.

We stood up to external pressure and overcame domestic difficulties, made all-out efforts to boost economic recovery and development, and had successfully achieved the main projected targets of economic and social development, said Xi.

We got off to a good start, and there are many highlights in our endeavor, Xi said, pointing out that new breakthroughs have been achieved in the field of sci-tech innovation.

In the meantime, we effectively took countermeasures against a series of natural disasters, Xi added.

These achievements resulted from not only the strong leadership of the CPC, but also the tenacious endeavor and joint efforts of people from all sectors of society, including non-CPC political parties, the ACFIC, and personages without party affiliation, said Xi.

Xi noted that non-CPC political parties and personages without party affiliation have continued to strengthen ideological and political consensus for multiparty cooperation over the past year.

He said that they have voiced their views and given advice on key and thorny problems in the process of promoting Chinese modernization, and made new progress in serving economic and social development.

Xi then expressed gratitude on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.

Noting that the year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Xi said that it is a crucial year for the fulfillment of the goals and tasks set out in the country's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025).

Non-CPC political parties, the ACFIC and personages without party affiliation should work to fully grasp the major decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, and contribute their wisdom and strength to advancing Chinese modernization, Xi said.

He called on them to strengthen confidence in China's path and faithfully uphold, develop and improve the country's new type of political party system.

He also urged them to build broad consensus, add to the momentum of Chinese modernization, and further strengthen political guidance and self-improvement.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, takes part in an annual gathering with non-CPC members ahead of the Spring Festival and poses for a group photo with the attendees at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 7, 2024. The reception was also attended by Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Cai Qi, director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Ding Xuexiang, vice premier of the State Council. They are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Editor: WXL
Corvus Insurance introduced a newly expanded Tech E&O product with an enhanced appetite backed by Travelers. Smart Tech E+O from Corvus provides creative risk solutions for technology businesses across the spectrum of size and complexity, including primary and excess policies.

With an increased appetite, Corvuss expert underwriting team can leverage the full extent of their skills and experience to reliably find solutions for not only the SME segment, but for larger and more complex clientele as well, said Mike Karbassi, chief underwriting officer at Corvus.

Policyholders will get the added protection of Corvus Signal, the risk prevention solution that includes on-call risk advisors and tailored threat alerts.

K2 OCONUS Defense Base Act Program With Nationwide

A new Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance program has been launched by K2 OCONUS, a division of K2 Insurance Services, with Nationwides excess & surplus/specialty business serving as the underwriter. The program will provide workers compensation coverage for U.S. government contractors working overseas, especially in high-risk areas.

The program is now live and open to U.S. government contractors working abroad in any industry, including construction, engineering, logistics, security, and humanitarian aid.

The Defense Base Act (DBA) is an extension of the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act (LHWCA). This act provides disability compensation and medical benefits to employees and death benefits to eligible survivors of employees of U.S. government contractors who perform work overseas.

Xceedance Launches MGA Agility Suite

Xceedance has started its MGA Agility Suite under the leadership of Michael Parcelli as senior vice president and head of the MGA business. Designed to revolutionize the way program administrators, managing general agents (MGAs), and managing general underwriters (MGUs) operate, the suite provides comprehensive digital solutions to enhance market presence, underwriting processes, and operational efficiencies.

Key features of the MGA Agility Suite include:

Platform Integration: Quick market entry and scalability while fostering continuous innovation and minimizing ownership costs.

Quick market entry and scalability while fostering continuous innovation and minimizing ownership costs. Technology Integration: Digitized and strengthened end-to-end processes, bolstering core operations for sustainable growth.

Digitized and strengthened end-to-end processes, bolstering core operations for sustainable growth. Licensed MGA Shell: A nationally licensed MGA for admitted and non-admitted markets to enable a cost-effective market entry point supported by fully integrated policy and claims management platforms.

A nationally licensed MGA for admitted and non-admitted markets to enable a cost-effective market entry point supported by fully integrated policy and claims management platforms. Data Integration: Transformation of data into actionable insights with high-quality data migration, enrichment, and governance.

Transformation of data into actionable insights with high-quality data migration, enrichment, and governance. Operations Services: Comprehensive strategic support across the insurance lifecycle, including underwriting, policy administration, claims management, and more.

As a trusted partner, Xceedance offers holistic support in technology adoption, analytics, claims management, and policy administration.

Topics Lawsuits InsurTech Workers' Compensation Tech Insurance Wholesale Contractors
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday made it easier for financial sector whistleblowers to win lawsuits accusing companies of unlawfully firing them as retaliation for disclosing wrongdoing, rejecting a bid by Switzerlands UBS Group to impose a higher bar.

The unanimous decision by the justices reinstated a $1.7 million jury verdict for former UBS bond strategist Trevor Murray, who has accused the company of firing him in retaliation for refusing to publish misleading research reports and complaining about being pressured to do so. A lower court had thrown out the jury verdict.

UBS had wanted the Supreme Court to require plaintiffs in whistleblower lawsuits to prove a companys retaliatory motives, a difficult task.

UBS has said Murray was fired as part of a cost-cutting campaign that eliminated thousands of jobs, not because of his complaints. A jury in federal court in Manhattan sided with Murray in 2020, and U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla, who presided over the trial, rejected a bid by UBS to set aside the verdict.

But the New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in overturning the verdict in 2022, ruled that the jury should have been instructed by the trial judge that in order to hold UBS liable under a 2002 federal law called the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Murray had to prove that the company had acted with retaliatory intent.

Sarbanes-Oxley created enhanced accounting standards for publicly traded U.S. companies after a series of accounting scandals, along with new legal protections for employees who report illegal conduct. Named after its bipartisan sponsors  Democratic U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes and Republican U.S. Representative Michael Oxley  it was intended to help protect investors from fraudulent corporate financial reporting.

The 2nd Circuit ruling had created a split with at least two other federal appeals courts that decided that the lack of intent can be raised as a defense in a Sarbanes-Oxley case, but must be proven by the defendant.

Murray, who worked in UBSs mortgage securitization unit, accused UBS officials of pressuring him to issue skewed and bullish research on commercial mortgage-backed securities in order to support the banks trading and underwriting operations. He has said he was fired in 2012 about two months after complaining to supervisors and despite receiving excellent performance reviews.

President Joe Bidens administration had backed Murray in the appeal. The Supreme Court heard arguments in the case in October.

UBS was represented by Eugene Scalia of the firm Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, the son of late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and a former U.S. labor secretary, who was making his first appearance before the Supreme Court.

Topics Lawsuits
LUBBOCK  An effort to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana in Lubbock is moving forward, despite Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton suing five cities this week for doing the same.

Lubbock Compact, the organization behind the proposed initiative, said Paxtons decision to sue Austin, San Marcos, Killeen, Denton, and Elgin for decriminalizing marijuana goes against what those voters have shown they want.

This was actually on the ballot. People came out and made their voices heard, said Adam Hernandez, communications chair for Lubbock Compact. Its extremely authoritarian.

Texas lawmakers have long resisted calls to legalize recreational marijuana, and medical use is highly restrictive. This is why some cities have sought to at least decriminalize possession of small amounts. Voters overwhelmingly passed the ordinances, with 70-85% in favor in all five cities.

Lubbock residents have been working to join that trend over the last few months. Lubbock Compact circulated a petition and collected more than 10,000 signatures to get the proposal in front of the city council, which rejected the ordinance. Mayor Tray Payne previously said it contradicts state law.

In light of Paxtons lawsuit, Hernandez said Lubbock Compacts plans have not changed and hopes other cities also pursue decriminalization.

Its about showing state leadership where peoples sentiment is in a very real way, Hernandez said. One would hope they see voters showing up by the tens of thousands, and know thats not a small thing.

Hernandez added, All were trying to do is keep people out of jail for personal marijuana use. Were not even trying to fully legalize it.

In a statement announcing the lawsuit, Paxton said the five municipalities adopted policies that went against state law and violated the Texas Constitution.

This unconstitutional action by municipalities demonstrates why Texas must have a law to follow the law. Its quite simple: the legislature passes every law after a full debate on the issues, and we dont allow cities the ability to create anarchy by picking and choosing the laws they enforce, Paxton said.

His office did not respond to a request from The Texas Tribune for comment regarding Lubbocks upcoming election.

Lubbock residents will vote on the matter in May.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/08/lubbock-texas-decriminalize-marijuana-ken-paxton/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

Topics Lawsuits Texas Cannabis
A 73-year-old postal worker pleaded guilty this week to more than $100,000 in workers compensation fraud after social media postings showed him engaged in rigorous physical activity, including ziplining at Niagara Falls.

Johnnie Franklin Sullivan Sr., of Mooresville, North Carolina, was a mail clerk in Charlotte when he was injured in 2005. For years after that, Sullivan claimed on periodic medical reports that he was unable sit for long periods of time, was able to drive only short distances, and could not work, federal prosecutors said.

Over the years, he collected some $103,261 in benefits from the federal workers compensation benefits program. But Sullivan also was busy taking trips around the world and posting photographs on social media, according to a bulletin from the U.S. Attorneys office for Western North Carolina.

The photos showed him ziplining, using surf boards and boogie boards at the beach, shag dancing, and walking for great distances at sites in Europe and the U.S., prosecutors said.

For years, Sullivan Sr. lied about his pain and suffering caused by an on-the-job injury to bilk the federal workers compensation program out of thousands of dollars, and used the funds to pay for recreational activities, U.S. Attorney Dena King said.

Sullivan pleaded guilty to making a false report in connection with federal compensation benefits and theft of government funds, then was released on bond. A sentencing date has not been set.

Workers compensation insurance investigators have said for years that social media postings are one of the top methods used to catch comp fraudsters.

Photo: Stock photo of ziplining.

Topics Fraud North Carolina
The four Black girls lay facedown in a parking lot, crying no and mommy as a police officer who had pointed her gun at them then bent down to handcuff two of their wrists. The youngest wore a pink tiara as she held onto her teenage cousins hand.

The 6-year-old Lovely watched as her mother, Brittney Gilliam, was led to a patrol car in handcuffs after she shouted in frustration at the police, who mistakenly believed the car Gilliam was driving was stolen.

Over three years later, the Denver suburb of Aurora has agreed to a $1.9 million settlement with Gilliam and the girls to resolve a lawsuit that claimed the police officers actions were evidence of profound and systematic racism, a lawyer for the family, David Lane, announced Monday.

The settlement saved the girls the trauma of having to relive what happened during a trial, Lane said. The money will be evenly divided among Gilliam and the four girls, with the girls portions being placed into annuities so the money will grow by the time they access it when they turn 18, Lane said.

All parties are very satisfied with this settlement, he said.

In a written statement, the city confirmed a deal had been reached.

The Aurora Police Department remains committed to strengthening the relationship with the community through accountability and continuously improving how it serves the public, it said.

That summer day in 2020 was supposed to be a fun girls day out for Gilliam, her daughter, her sister and two nieces. It instead became a traumatic ordeal.

An investigation by prosecutors found no evidence the officers committed any crimes, in part because they found they were following their training for conducting a high-risk stop of what they suspected was a stolen vehicle. However, they said the incident was unacceptable and preventable and urged police to review their policies to ensure nothing like it happens again.

One of the officers who stopped the car, Darian Dasko, was suspended for 160 hours. He and the other officer, Madisen Moen, still work for the department.

Video of the young girls lying facedown and being put in handcuffs triggered outrage following protests over racial injustice earlier this decade sparked by the killing of George Floyd.

This settlement also marks the latest Aurora has been forced to pay out over police misconduct. The city settled for $15 million in 2021 with the parents of Elijah McClain. The 23-year-old Black man was killed in 2019 after he was stopped as he walked down the street, placed in a neck hold and injected with a sedative. One police officer also was convicted in his death and two others were acquitted. Two paramedics were also convicted.

A state civil rights investigation  launched amid outrage over McClains death and released after Gilliams lawsuit was filed  found a deeply engrained culture of racially biased policing in the department.

Lane said he hopes the settlement sends a message to law enforcement nationwide that they need to use discretion in how they respond to situations.

You cant be robocop and be an effective cop. You have to use common sense, he said.

Gilliams girls day out had started with a trip to a nail salon, but they arrived to find it closed. As Gilliam sat in her car searching her phone for another salon to visit, officers approached with their guns drawn and ordered her and a passenger to roll down their windows and put their hands out.

The officers could not see who else was inside because the SUV had tinted windows, according to the prosecutors investigation. But eventually, everyone was ordered out and put on the ground.

Gilliam shouted, You dont have to do all that. You dont have to do all that, body camera video shows.

OK. OK, well deal with that, Dasko replied.

Dont tell me its okay! Gilliam shot back.

About a dozen bystanders gathered to watch, some taking out phones to record it.

The video showed police seeming confused about how to handle the situation when they realized children were inside the SUV. Moen had graduated from the police academy two days before. She hesitated about what to do after the girls were on the ground, asking other officers who arrived later if she should handcuff them all. Another officer advised her to handcuff some of them.

Soon after, another officer seen in the footage said it was time to deescalate the situation, telling one of the handcuffed girls, Youre going to be with your momma. Youre going to be okay. Alright? Alright? Well get you out in a second, sweetheart. Its for our safety. The body camera footage then shows Gilliam being led to a patrol car, hands cuffed behind her back.

Amid shouting and crying, police soon realized their mistake. While the departments system notified them that Gilliams Dodge with Colorado license plates was stolen, the vehicle that was actually stolen was a motorcycle with the same license plate number in Montana.

Officers kept their guns drawn for about three-and-a-half minutes, and they removed the girls handcuffs after about eight-and-a-half minutes, once they realized the car wasnt stolen, according to prosecutors.

For the first year, Gilliam said the encounter with police left her full of rage, angry she could not do anything to help the girls.

Mentally, it destroyed me because I felt like not only am I not safe, these kids arent safe, she said in an interview before the settlement was announced, recalling how it felt to be held on the ground in handcuffs.

Her daughter, whom she said was previously a joyous child, began acting out and became withdrawn. Lovely would not talk about what had happened. Gilliam eventually realized her daughter was afraid of upsetting her further.

But exactly a year later almost to the minute, Gilliam gave birth to another daughter. She said she felt God was trying to wake her up and that she needed to let go of her anger.

I felt like I wanted justice, but at the same point, I couldnt be angry, she said. All I wanted to do was heal.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Colorado
Makers of everything from snack food to knee implants are facing a potential threat from Novo Nordisk's powerful appetite-suppressing treatments. So theyre calling the drugmaker for advice.

A couple of CEOs from, say, food companies have been calling me, Novo chief executive Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen said during a wide-ranging discussion. He declined to name names, saying questions had centred on how the drugs work and how fast they would roll out. They are scared about it, he said.

The impact of the drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, could vary across industries, Mr Jorgensen said. He pointed to the success of clinical trials of Wegovy on weight-linked ailments like kidney disease and knee arthritis, as well as recent analyst research showing a small change in consumer behaviour can have major financial implications.

The new class of drugs known as GLP-1s, prescribed for diabetes as well as obesity, cause weight loss at levels previously achievable only with surgery. With a new competitor from Eli Lilly the drug Zepbound, on the market since December, Bloomberg Intelligence estimates the weight-loss market alone could reach $80bn by 2030. Thats left companies from major retailers to fast-food restaurants grappling with how a less hungry, potentially healthier customer will affect business. Some firms have said fresh food will still appeal to people who are trying to lose weight.

French food giant Danone, which makes popular yoghurt brands, also sees GLP-1 drugs boosting business. People taking drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are looking for products with high protein and low fat content, Danone chief financial officer Juergen Esser said last year.

I say you can never close your eyes on any development that is happening, Unilever chief executive Hein Schumacher said earlier this week, adding he himself had not called Mr Jorgensen. Nestle, the maker of Kit Kat chocolate and a myriad of other confectionery and food items, said in October it was working on products designed to complement the new class of weight-loss drugs.

Others are watching and waiting. Conagra Brands CEO Sean Connolly told analysts last year the snackmaker has an entire department of demand scientists studying changes in consumer behaviour. Theres still so many unknowns regarding the rate of adoption, the impact on food choices, Hershey CEO Michele Buck said last year.

Bloomberg
Unilever sales in Indonesia fell in the final three months of last year as consumers boycotted multinational brands in response to the war in Gaza.

Sales in the populous southeast Asian country dropped 15% during the period but Unilever, which makes Hellmann's, Domestos, Magnum, Sunsilk, Cif, and many other grocery items, said it had seen some improvement in January.

Shoppers in the Middle East as well as majority-Muslim nations like Pakistan and Indonesia are shunning big foreign brands, driven by anger against the US and Europe for not doing more to get Israel to end its offensive in Gaza, which has killed more than 25,000 people.

The boycotts are a public relations nightmare for companies like Unilever, which had already fallen foul of tensions in the Middle East when it became engulfed in a row over selling Ben & Jerrys ice-cream in the West Bank in 2022. Unilever has not taken a stance on the current conflict, although its ice cream subsidiary Ben & Jerrys, which has a mandate to set its own social mission, has called for a ceasefire.

As a company we operate in many geographies around the world, so we are not taking a stance on very complex matters, chief executive Hein Schumacher told Bloomberg Television.

You wont see me doing that, you wont see the company doing that.

Unilever said Turkey, also majority Muslim, had delivered double-digit growth with all business groups increasing their volumes. Unilever said it sold more products overall for the first time in more than two years, as easing price inflation encouraged shoppers to buy more.

Revenue grew 4.7% in the final quarter of 2023, just ahead of analysts estimates. Unilever is the first of Europes big food companies to report earnings this month, and its results may signal that consumers are ready to purchase more products again with the worst of inflation over.

Bloomberg
Hugo Weaving is making the most of his time in Ireland by absorbing as much of our culture as he can. Not only is he working on an Irish-Australian co-production in his new play at Dublins Gate Theatre. In his spare time, hes been enjoying the best our musicians, actors and writers have to offer.

I think you're blessed with a culture that's celebrated by the people who live here - its a thrill to be here for that reason, actually, he says. Im very aware of Irish filmmaking talent in front of the camera and behind it, and Irish culture is so powerful in many ways. Music, fantastic writing. There's a great book I recall, The Lesser Bohemians by Eimear McBride and I was just blown away by that. Anna Burns Milkman, wonderful writing. I'm reading Prophet Song at the moment which won the Booker Prize. Small Things Like These, Claire Keegan's book, was fantastic. Not to mention Joyce and Beckett - Beckett to me is my God."

Weaving has also been enjoying the atmosphere in the Dublin theatre for the early previews of The President. Your audiences in The Gate are wonderful. They're very appreciative and it's a complicated play that we're doing but they're really embracing it in a way that shows that they're thirsty for new ideas.

Hugo Weaving and Kate Gilmore in a scene from The President at the Gate Theatre. Picture: Ros Kavanagh

That play is The President by Austrian writer Thomas Bernhard, directed by Tom Creed and featuring a cast including Weaving and Olwen Fouere. The first co-production between The Gate and Sydney Theatre Company, the play is set in an unnamed country following an assassination attempt. Weaving has become a big fan of Bernhard since exploring his writing further.

The President has just survived an assassination attempt. The First Ladys dog died in the assassination attempt of a heart attack and the President's right-hand man died and was shot instead of the President. They're both in shock, and they're living in fear and it feels like the regime's in its last days, perhaps.

There was something really, really thrilling about the writing that led me to immediately start reading Bernhard. I knew of him, I had seen one of his plays, but didn't know his work.

It's been a great adventure, delving into the man and the complexity of the man and his history and his past. Some of his work is now in my top 10 books ever read. I think he's just a genius. It doesn't mean it hasn't been incredibly challenging. Its a very dark play but its very funny."

Weaving recalls the other projects he's worked on that have involved Irish and Australian cast and crew, including Famine-set revenge thriller Black '47. This is the third production I've done now, where there's been a mix of Australians and Irish and it feels like an easy fit. There's a lot in Australian culture which has come from Ireland, and there's a sense of humour and a sense of musicality in the language I think.

As well as his stage career, Weavings time in Ireland will see him revisit one of his most beloved screen roles. Next month, the Irish Film Institute will host a screening of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, followed by a Q&A session with the actor.

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

The iconic comedy drama sees him play a drag queen named Anthony who decides to take his act on a road trip, inviting fellow cross-dresser Adam (Guy Pearce) and transsexual Bernadette (Terence Stamp) along for the fun.

Already a well-known star in Australia (he was born in Nigeria to English parents, though he has lived in Australia throughout his career), the film helped propel Weaving's international success.

It was just incredible fun, wild, he says fondly of the 1994 low-budget hit. The whole idea of it, drag queens in the desert, was so fabulous. It was prosecuting something in an intensely simple visual way that was begging so many questions. What is a drag queen doing climbing Kings Canyon, Ayers Rock? And what does that mean?

I think Priscilla popped bubbles in a really great way and it was a celebration of who we are, but also a celebration of diversity and celebration of complication and a celebration of reversed expectations. At the time it felt like it was the crest of the wave of something, it was heralding in a whole new understanding of who we are as a society. And I think that struck a chord all over the world. Im glad people still love it.

It does feel like Weaving has a knack for picking his projects. He has starred in such huge successes as The Matrix and the Lord of the Rings series. My instincts are good, he says. If I read a script, and think: I really want to see that. I can't wait to see that film, it forces you to jump in and take part in it. It was really like doing this play actually. It was thrilling. You jump in even though you don't know where you're going."

Hugo Weaving (left) during a fight scene with Keanu Reeves' character in The Matrix Reloaded.

He remembers meeting Matrix creators, the Wachowski siblings, and getting along very well with them, as well as being impressed with their script. It was quite mind boggling to comprehend the worlds within the worlds that had been created. And then seeing all the storyboards and talking to them and effectively doing four months of kung fu training.

They were serious, you know, they wanted us, the actors, to do it. So over those training months, I got a very strong sense of how powerful this film might be. And visually it was going to have a fantastic aesthetic.

Every second ad ever after was using that bullet time. Suddenly, cameras were racing around and slowing down and suddenly a whole new technology was invented which the commercial world took up in a big way. So it was kind of groundbreaking as well.

Weaving also remembers feeling a sense of excitement about another film early in his career - the 1991 drama, Proof, co-starring a young actor by the name of Russell Crowe. It was big in Australia and did very well around the world too. A film that felt new and different from an Australian perspective. We'd been used to seeing so many period costume dramas, wonderful films actually. But this felt to me like it was a contemporary, urban, story.

During his last working visit to Ireland while filming Black 47, he enjoyed a Christmas-holiday road trip around Ireland with his daughter and her partner. The rehearsal period for The President has been busy, but hes looking forward to seeing more in the coming weeks. Once we open I'm looking forward to getting out to some galleries and having some walks. We did take a little trip to Glendalough a couple of weekends ago. Its really lovely to be back here.
Liverpool comedian John Bishop will return to Corks Live at the Marquee this summer as well as confirming a gig in West Cork the previous evening.

His new tour 'Back At It' will come to the Marquee on June 6, with tickets on sale from Ticketmaster from Monday at 10am.

He will also play De Barras in Clonakilty on June 5.

Bishop shared his excitement on social media about his return to Ireland, where he will bring his tour to 11 venues across the county, including Limerick, Kerry and Galway.

I am heading back to my spiritual home, he said.

Excited to announce my Back At It tour will be coming to Ireland in May and June! Tickets will be on sale this Monday at 10am.

Bishop last played Live at the Marquee in 2022 when he memorably invited the Cork City Samba Band to open both of his nights at the venue after happening upon them busking during a night out in Cork City.

Cork City Samba Band and John Bishop.

I saw them [the samba band] performing on the street last night. I woke up this morning and my manager Adam sent me a YouTube video of the Cork City Samba Band, he told the audience in 2022.

"I said They look good, why did you send me that?. He said Because you fucking booked them last night.

This is the world: Cork. I turned up with a band. You could only do that in Cork. Its the only city where you can meet someone on the street, book them, and they turn up the next night.
Health, social, and community organisations have written to the Government to voice their opposition to plans to increase the number of venues serving alcohol and the opening hours of pubs, clubs, and nightclubs.

In a letter to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tanaiste Micheal Martin, and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, the 65 organisations, academics, and advocates urge the Government to urgently assess the implications of increased alcohol availability which would arise from the proposed measures in the Sale of Alcohol Bill.

Ireland has just begun to make tentative progress towards the goal of reducing alcohol consumption with drinking levels falling slowly on a population level thanks to the measures of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act, 2018, the letters authors say.

Alcohol Action Ireland CEO Sheila Gilheany said the open letter to the three Coalition leaders calls for an immediate health impact assessment of the proposed alcohol legislation. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Now, however, the government appears set to undo all the good work achieved over many years by swiftly passing a bill to further liberalise the sale of alcohol across the country.

They say an alarming change of tack in alcohol policy has been undertaken in the face of a comprehensive body of evidence highlighted by the World Health Organization in a recent report.

That report states that extending alcohol availability and trading hours increases:

The burden on public services such as ambulance services, emergency departments, and gardai;

Crime, including domestic and sexual violence;

Road deaths.

The authors point to international evidence which they say suggests that a one-hour extension of alcohol trading hours is likely to lead to a 16% increase in alcohol-related crime; a 30% rise in traffic collisions in rural areas; and a 34% rise in alcohol-related injuries requiring hospital treatment.

The authors also highlight health harms from increased alcohol consumption such as cancer, heart and liver disease, and mental health problems.

Children and families will also bear the brunt of this proposed bill, they write. At least 200,000 children are currently growing up with problem alcohol use in the home, and Ireland is estimated to have a prevalence rate of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder of 2.8%-7.4% of the population  the third-highest rate in the world.

Read More Colman Noctor: Why alcohol and teenagers are a risky mix

The Government has said the aim of the Sale of Alcohol Bill is to reform antiquated and out-of-date licencing laws, replacing a patchwork of 100 laws with a single, modern piece of legislation.

Under the proposals, alcohol licences will be allowed for museums and galleries, and pubs and nightclubs will be permitted to stay open longer, the latter until 6am.

Alcohol Action Ireland CEO Sheila Gilheany said: This letter shows the deep disquiet in the health and social community and makes a shared call for an immediate health impact assessment [HIA] of this legislation to be carried out.

We have been calling for this from the very start of this legislative process and the question must be asked  why doesnt this Government want to carry out a HIA?
The UK will support Ukrainian business by extending tariff-free trade for another five years until 2029, the UK Department for Business and Trade said in a statement on Thursday.

According to it, UK Trade Minister Greg Hands and First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko will sign the document at a virtual ceremony on Thursday.

"The UK was the first country to remove tariffs on all its trade with Ukraine two years ago. Todays announcement to significantly extend this existing agreement sees the UK continue that leading role, giving Ukrainian businesses and exporters much needed economic support and certainty," the department said.

This latest agreement will see tariff-free trade extended on all goods for five years, except eggs and poultry which will be extended for two years.

The UK government initially offered tariff-free trade in May 2022 on a non-reciprocal basis, without expecting or asking the Ukrainian side in return, but Ukraine insisted on also removing tariffs on British goods imported into the country.

The tariff-free agreement, signed in May 2022, was due to expire on March 31, 2024.

According to the press release, the signing builds on the Prime Minister's commitment that the UK will provide GBP 2.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine in 2024-25, an increase of GBP 200 million on the previous two years, which will include the largest delivery of drones to Ukraine from any nation.

Overall, the UK has provided Ukraine with more than GBP 10 billion in military, humanitarian and economic support since Putin's full-scale invasion in 2022.
The Garda Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) will need to at least double its staffing in the coming years in order to match its revised remit as a new police ombudsman, an Oireachtas committee will be told on Thursday.

The commissions chairman, former High Court judge Rory MacCabe, said the increase in staff will be needed in order for it to perform its mandated functions in its new guise.

Gsoc has 163 staff, up from 54 staff at the end of 2022, meaning that Fiosru, the title of the new entity, will need at least 320 employees to function adequately, according to Mr MacCabe.

He is expected to tell the PAC that it will be essential that the new ombudsman see a considerable increase in our complement of investigative staff.

It is our clear aim as a Commission to do everything we can to ensure that the new Office of the Police Ombudsman can do the job that the Oireachtas mandates and to which the public and garda members and staff are entitled, he is expected to say.

Mr MacCabe will tell the committee that resourcing the new Ombudsman is not just about money given the ongoing challenges in finding and retaining suitably qualified staff.

To that end, he will say, Gsoc is in the process of procuring a partner within the third-level education sector to design an accredited training programme in order to provide the learning and development opportunities that the commissions staff require.

Gsocs transition to becoming Fiosru  a police ombudsman doubling as a new policing complaints body  has been put in train with the passage through the Dail of the recent Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2023.

The new body will have new structures, new management and a lot more work, Mr MacCabe will say.

Gsoc  which is charged with overseeing An Garda Siochana along with investigating complaints against gardai and deaths involving members of the force  had long faced criticism for the length of its investigations of garda matters, a fact the organisation had repeatedly put down to resourcing issues, though its staffing levels had increased by more than 80% over the past six years.

The length of time the body took to process criminal investigations into gardai more than trebled between 2017 and 2022, from 115 days to 366 days as demands on its resources increased exponentially, meaning it is now taking a full year to conclude such investigations.

Last October, Gsoc said there were multiple factors behind the increase, including the volume and complexity of cases and the impact of the Covid pandemic on their investigative processes.

The number of complaints received by Gsoc rose between 2018 and 2021, from 2,944 to 3,760, before dropping to 3,207 in 2022.

The commissions budget has risen significantly in recent years, up from 13.7m in 2022 to 19.6m for 2024, a hike of 43% in just two years.

Despite this, Mr MacCabe will tell the PAC that resourcing of Gsic remains below the levels required and is significantly below what the organisation is likely to need in order that Fiosru can meet its new remit.

In the wake of Novembers Dublin riots, it emerged that there was some reluctance among some garda members to use the powers available to them for fear of finding themselves the subject of a Gsoc investigation, according to former Policing Authority chairman Bob Collins.
With a number of cases of measles now being reported in Ireland, here's everything you need to know about the disease.

What is measles and what are the symptoms?

the virus can spread around the body, potentially leading to severe complications and in some cases death. Picture: Cynthia Goldsmith/Centers for Disease Control/PA Wire

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), measles is a serious airborne infection.

While often associated with a rash, theres more to it than this and the virus can spread around the body, potentially leading to severe complications and in some cases death.

It usually takes around seven to 14 days for the first symptoms to appear.

You will typically suffer from a high temperature, as well as a cough, runny or blocked nose, and red, watery eyes.

The measles rash usually appears a few days after these symptoms. There may be small white spots inside the cheeks and lips, as well as a raised red rash that can start on the face and spread throughout the body.

Symptoms Cold-like symptoms such as aches and pains, a runny nose, sneezing and a cough;

Sore red eyes that may be sensitive to light;

A temperature of 38C or above, which may reach around 40C;

Small greyish-white spots in your mouth;

Loss of appetite;

Tiredness, irritability, and a general lack of energy;

Rash, which usually appears on head and neck first and spreads to rest of body.

How do you catch measles?

Measles is highly contagious, meaning it can spread easily.

The virus is spread via small droplets from the nose and mouth when an infected person coughs or sneezes, which are then breathed in by someone else.

However, you can also contract measles if you touch a surface that these droplets have settled on, and then put your hands near your mouth or nose.

Can measles be serious?

Measles can be very serious, especially for babies and children under the age of five.

Theres often been a misconception that measles is just a rash or fever that clears up in a few days.

But measles can be very serious, especially for babies and children under the age of five.

Unfortunately, there is no real way for parents to prepare for how severe symptoms may be for their child.

Complications can include brain swelling, seizures, pneumonia and serious breathing difficulties.

Measles can also be very harmful during pregnancy.

How do you treat measles?

As measles is a viral infection, antibiotics wont help. However, symptoms usually subside between seven to 10 days.

While there is no specific treatment, doctors advise resting and getting plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Paracetamol and Ibuprofen can help with a temperate and fever, and cotton-wool soaked in warm water can be used to gently remove any crusts from around the eyes.

If symptoms dont improve or are getting worse, seek medical advice.

If there is any sign of breathlessness, reduced consciousness or a very high temperature that doesnt respond to medication, seek urgent help.

How do you prevent measles?

Those who did not receive the vaccine in childhood may still be able to get it as an adults  check with your GP if unsure.

The MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, usually given in two doses during early and later childhood, is key for preventing measles.

Between 2000 and 2021, measles vaccinations stopped 56 million deaths worldwide, according to the WHO.

Those who did not receive the vaccine in childhood may still be able to get it as an adults  check with your GP if unsure.

In addition, avoiding close contact with somebody who is infected, regular hand-washing and covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing all helps.

How is the vaccine uptake in Ireland?

MMR vaccine uptake in Ireland is currently below the WHO recommended uptake of 95%.

Nationally, uptake has been below 90% for seven consecutive quarters.

There are also significant geographic variations with uptake rates below 80% in counties Louth and Meath, but at 94% in Dublin Southwest.

A recent study has also estimated that more than a 10th of adults aged 18-34 are non-immune to measles. It is nearly 20% for males aged 18-19 years.

The low level of vaccination has been linked to misinformation in the past about the vaccine which falsely implicated it with a risk of autism.

As autism is more often diagnosed in young male children, it is likely a cohort of now young men were not vaccinated due to parental decisions informed by this erroneous science, which has since been discredited.
The Department of Justice has said Ireland has designated agencies to deal with terrorist content online and that new laws enabling penalties to be imposed are being introduced.

It was responding to a statement from the European Commission that Ireland, along with four other EU countries, has failed to comply with certain obligations in an EU terrorism regulation.

The Regulation on the dissemination of terrorist content online sets out rules for internet service providers to address terrorist content. The regulation, which entered into force on June 7, 2022, provides for penalties for breaches.

Hosting service providers must remove terrorist content upon receiving a removal order from Member States' authorities within one hour and must take measures when their platforms are exposed to terrorist content, the European Commission said in a statement.

The Commission considers that Ireland, Estonia, Luxembourg, Poland and Portugal have failed to comply with one or more obligations under the Regulation on the dissemination of terrorist content online, such as the requirement to designate the authority or authorities responsible for issuing removal orders and notify the Commission of those authorities; to name a public contact point and to lay down the rules and measures on penalties in case of non-compliance with legal obligations.

It said member states have two months to respond or may face referral to the EU court of justice.

The Department of Justice said member states are required to designate up to four national competent authorities.

It said: Two of these are already in place: An Garda Siochana was designated [in 2023] as the Irish competent authority to issue removal orders; Comisiun na Mean [CnaM] was designated [in 2023] as the Irish competent authority to oversee specific remedial measures under the EU Regulation.

It further said the Government has previously approved the designation of CnaM as the competent authority for imposing penalties. This designation will be made once primary legislation is passed enabling CnaM to take on this role, it said.

It said the Government approved the General Scheme of this legislation last Tuesday. This designation will also satisfy the requirement to lay down rules on penalties, as these will be governed by the provisions of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act, it said.

Finally, a competent authority must be designated for scrutiny of cross-border removal orders. This matter is under active consideration within the Department, including through consideration of and contacts with counterpart bodies in other Member States.
The Government will make a significant investment in the US city of Chicago in the coming months to create a new Ireland House that will boost Irish firms and help create jobs at home, the Tanaiste has said.

Joining the likes of New York and soon-to-be Tokyo, an Ireland House co-locates the local consulate with firms such as Enterprise Ireland and other State agencies all under one roof in a city.

Micheal Martin made the announcement on the last day of his trip to the US in the city of Chicago.

They like that, he said of firms and officials based in Chicago.

They see us as a country wanting to create economic investment in their area.

"So we are very happy that were coming in with a bigger, more effective, presence here from the Irish Government perspective.

Mr Martin said that Irish ties to Chicago date back to the Famine-era, and times of high migration from Ireland to the US.

But the Irish are very significant players in the city, from politics, public service, to the unions, to business and in the modern era that has continued with a very strong community-based organisations and business-based organisations here in America, but also the economic links between this entire region are huge, he said.

The Tanaiste said around 50 Irish companies in the region have created around 7,000 to 8,000 jobs, and this could more than double in the future.

Conversely, 60 Illinois-based IDA client companies support some 15,000 jobs across Ireland.

Theres probably more potential for Enterprise Ireland companies to do more here, he said.

[Coming here], you see the importance of meeting Irish America to strengthen the bond.

Mr Martin met with Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson, who last week broke a deadlock vote at the city council, issuing his casting vote in favour of calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East and in the process, becoming the largest US city to do so, so far.

The situation in Gaza featured heavily in Mr Martins discussions with US politicians and Biden officials while in Washington DC earlier in the week.

As well as Irish-US relations, the pair also discussed their regions' respective housing issues.

[The Ireland House announcement] is a testament to the enduring bond between Chicago and Ireland, including our cherished sister city, Galway, Mr Johnson said.

We invite Irish visitors and businesses to visit and experience the beauty of our city.

Mr Martin also held a reception for members of the Irish-American community while in Chicago and attended the Irish American Heritage Centre to engage with members of the Irish diaspora.

Your city was the first in the world to mark our national day with the greening of the river, he told attendees.

Although this is one tradition that has remained constant over time, the relationship between Ireland and Chicago today is lively, its dynamic, not just due to the vibrancy of our community, but the strength of Irish culture and sport and their economic presence here.

It is expected that the Ireland House will open in the autumn.
Some 93 complaints of child sexual abuse and physical and emotional abuse against former priest and teacher Joseph Marmion have been received by the Jesuit Order in Ireland.

The Society of Jesus in Ireland published a narrative record of the abuse carried out by Fr Marmion, who died in 2000 at the age of 75.

Fr Marmion taught at Belvedere College in Dublin, Clongowes Wood College in Kildare, and Crescent College in Limerick.

However, close to 80% of the past pupils who engaged with the independent restorative justice facilitators were former pupils of Belvedere College.

Of the 93 complaints of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse against Fr Marmion since 1977, 70% were perpetrated while he was a teacher at Belvedere College.

Some 14 complaints relate to Crescent College, 14 to Clongowes Wood College, and 65 to Belvedere College.

The report highlights the emotional, physical, spiritual, and sexual abuse of young boys perpetrated by Fr Marmion over many years and the range of devious methods he employed.

Past pupils described relentless abuse perpetrated by Fr Marmion and an atmosphere of turmoil, terror and chaos, with one past pupil describing him as a bully and a complete psychopath.

Of the 93 complaints of abuse against Fr Marmion since 1977, 70% were perpetrated while he was a teacher at Belvedere College. Picture: Leon Farrell/ RollingNews.ie

The report acknowledges that the failures of Fr Marmions superiors enabled his abuse to continue.

Because of the decision to conceal Fr Marmions sexual abuse of boys when it was confirmed in 1977, those who were abused were denied acknowledgement, validation, and support until 2021, it reads.

The Society of Jesus in Ireland issued a public statement naming Joseph Marmion as a sexual, emotional, physical, and spiritual abuser while a teacher in Belvedere College between 1969 and 1978.

Since the statement was released and up to September 2023, 87 past pupils who had been abused by Fr Marmion made complaints.

What is remarkable is the variety of manifestations of abuse that Fr Marmion engaged in, which included physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual violence in multiple forms, it reads.

The public statement issued in March 2021 came 44 years after a complaint was first made by the parent of a pupil of Belvedere College in 1977 that Fr Marmion had sexually abused a boy during a school trip to Vienna that summer.

The lack of documentation of Fr Marmions abuse over his 57-year career reflects a culture that, out of a misguided notion of respecting the institution and the perpetrator rather than those who had been abused... it reads.

The report notes that between 1945 and September 2023, 117 complaints of child sexual abuse were received against 44 Jesuits, including Fr Marmion. Of the 44, 22 had one complaint made against them and 22 had more than one complaint made against them.

Two deceased priests who had complaints against them were also named in the report.

A complaint of child sexual abuse made against Fr Paul Andrews was received in 1991 and repeated in 1994, while 17 complaints of abuse relating to events dating from the 1950s through to 1977 were received against Fr Dermot Casey.

Fr Casey was director of St Declans Special School in Dublin from 1958 to 1977 before Fr Andrews took over until 1994.

The report states that Fr Andrews had knowledge of Fr Marmions crimes, but he did not share this knowledge with his superiors when he held a senior role.
A woman has died following a collision involving a jeep in Dublin on Thursday morning.

Gardai are investigating the incident which happened on Ballinteer Avenue, in Ballinteer shortly before 7 am.

The woman aged in her 70s, who was also a pedestrian, was taken to St James' Hospital where she was later pronounced deceased.

A garda spokesperson said that no other injuries were reported.

Ballinteer Avenue was closed for a time but has since reopened to traffic.

Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.

"Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the Ballinteer Avenue area between 6:40am and 7am are asked to make this footage available to gardai," a garda spokesperson said.

"Anyone with any information is asked to contact Gardai in Blackrock on 01 6665200, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station."
A 37year-old man has appeared before Caherciveen District Court in Co Kerry on Thursday morning charged with the double murder of a father and his young daughter in their home in Tralee almost 12 years ago.

Philip Griffin of no fixed abode but originally from Tralee is also charged with setting fire to the house. He had been extradited from the UK on foot of two arrest warrants issued last November by Judge David Waters, the court heard.

An application by the State for reporting restrictions was refused by Judge Waters. The brief application was on the instructions of the DPP regarding identifying the child, the court heard.

He also questioned if he had the power to make such an order; It was unrealistic given the widespread reports on the front pages of todays newspapers, the judge said, and he did not live in a vacuum, he also said.

Philip Griffin is charged that on May 12, 2012, at 42 Killeen Heights, Tralee, he did murder Anthony OBrien (30) and Nadine OBrien (5). He is also charged that on that date he committed arson, in that he damaged by fire a dwelling house at 42 Killeen Heights, Tralee.

Detective Sergeant Ernie Henderson of Tralee Gardai gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. He arrested Philip Griffin at Dublin Airport on Wednesday on foot of two arrest warrants issued by Judge Waters last November.

He brought him to Tralee Garda Station where he was charged and cautioned. I have nothing to say at this time, was the reply, Sgt Henderson said.

Inspector Stephen OBrien, prosecuting, said the States application was that the accused be remanded in custody to appear via video link at Tralee District Court on February 14 next.

Reporting restrictions

The State also applied for a restriction on reporting on what would identify the child, the garda said.

Judge Waters asked if he had the power to do so and was told he may not have. The matter had been widely reported, the judge also said. The restriction might not apply to a deceased child, he also said.

The press could also make an application to lift the restriction. He was not living in a vacuum. Judge Waters said he was reading the newspapers.

He was told the DPP had asked for the restriction. Judge Waters refused the application.

I think that order would be unrealistic given whats on the front pages of the newspapers today, Judge Waters said. Any such order would be meaningless in the current circumstances, the judge said.

Medical issues

Brendan Ahern, solicitor for Mr Griffin, applied for legal aid. His client was of no fixed abode and had no assets, no income, and had been extradited from the UK, the solicitor said.

Mr Ahern also asked that he receive medical attention in custody. This was for physical, not any psychiatric, issues, the solicitor said.

Judge Waters made the order. He remanded him in custody to Tralee District Court to appear by video link on February 14.

Kelly OBrien, wife of the late Anthony and mother of Nadine, was in court. She is being assisted by a garda liaison officer. She shouted at the accused as he left the body of the court.
A woman is to face trial over claims she refused to leave a health food store after she demanded the return of products that had been removed in relation to the war in Gaza, and that she claimed what had happened was "a crime against Jews.

Margaret Buttimer, with an address at Perrin Inn, Glengarriff, Co Cork, pleaded not guilty at Bantry District Court to two public order charges relating to an incident on January 2 last.
Students of a prestigious fee-paying school in Cork City have been advised to avoid quiet side streets following reports that some city-based students are being intimidated by gangs of youths.

The warning was issued to the parents and guardians of students of Presentation Brothers College on the Mardyke in what was described as an important student safety notice. The school was not available for comment.

It said it has become aware that a small number of students from city centre schools have been subjected to unwarranted attention and intimidation from a number of youths. The notice said:

We would ask you to speak to your son about this, and remind him to avoid the quieter side streets and, as much as possible, to keep in a group.

In an effort to help keep all our students safe we are asking parents to please consider where your son goes after school, and how he travels home.

If any such incident should happen, we would ask you to please let the school and the gardai know.

Fine Gael councillor and Cork City Joint Policing Committee chairman Damian Boylan said, 'no citizen of the city should have to avoid any street,' and pledged to raise the issue with senior gardai. Picture: Pinergy.ie

Together we will do our best to keep our students safe.

A senior garda spokesman said while there have been a number of minor incidents involving students in some areas where many teenagers congregate after school, there have been no serious incidents so far.

Fine Gael councillor Damian Boylan, chairman of the Cork City Joint Policing Committee, said no citizen of the city should have to avoid any street.

As a student, Cork City was wide open to me and I would be adamant that should remain so, he said.

I will be speaking with senior gardai in the city and getting their feedback.
Cork city councillors have been urged to back a major 18m housing regeneration plan designed to resolve overcrowding and chronic living conditions on one of Irelands worst halting sites.

The call came from the Traveller Visibility Group (TVG) in Cork following confirmation that council management has finalised plans for a new 27-unit residential scheme for the residents of the Spring Lane halting site on the city's northside.

The council has also secured 17.9m in funding for the scheme from the Department of Housing in recent days.

Details of the scheme are due to be published for public consultation under the Part 8 planning process within weeks.

City councillors could face a decision on it before the end of May, just weeks before the local elections.

TVGs head of advocacy Breda ODonoghue said the long-awaited and long overdue housing scheme which has now been prepared needs political will to ensure it gets over the line.

TVGs Breda ODonoghue says 'political will' is needed to get the scheme over the line. Picture: Brian Lougheed

We have been told by some that a local councillor voting for Traveller accommodation is like a turkey voting for Christmas. So what we need now is support from local public representatives.

The news comes almost three years after the publication by the Ombudsman for Children Dr Niall Muldoon of a damning report about living conditions on the city council-managed Spring Lane site.

The report found that the council had failed to consider the best interests of children living on the site by allowing them to live in filthy, overcrowded, rat-infested, and unsafe conditions which had a "significant and prolonged adverse impact" on them.

A report found the council failed to consider the best interests of children at Spring Lane by allowing them to live in filthy, overcrowded, rat-infested, and unsafe conditions. Picture: Larry Cummins

Since the publication of the report, the council has been working closely with Traveller advocacy groups and the residents themselves, with the help of a stakeholder engagement specialist, to find a long-term resolution to the complex and protracted issues which have blighted the halting site for over two decades.

Thanks to the intensive engagement, the Spring Lane families each set out their long-term housing needs and requirements.

Spring Lane, a former sand and gravel quarry, was opened in 1989 as a 10-bay halting site but as family numbers expanded, there was unauthorised expansion into adjoining fields.

Today, the site is home to around 50 families, which means that up to 300 people are sharing toilets and washing facilities designed for a quarter of that number.

Council proposals to extend the site into the adjoining council-owned Elliss Yard site to accommodate the increased numbers were voted down by city councillors in 2011.
The mobile bank izibank, created on the basis of TAScombank, has given clients access to purchasing securities in Ukraine through its application, and when the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) lifts restrictions, it is going to expand the service by offering the purchase of securities on foreign markets, izibank founder and CEO Anna Tigipko said.

"We have added the ability to buy and integrated directly with the exchange. Unlike most banks, we do not sell bonds exclusively from our position: we are integrating with the exchange in an attempt to provide clients with more choice, and this is not exclusively government bonds," Tigipko said on International Financial Club BANKIR conference.

She clarified that investment services are not yet available to all bank clients.

"We hope that when we win, we will be able to join the global investment market after some time, and provide our clients with a full range of investment services," the CEO of izibank said.
Three people have been arrested on Thursday following a New Year's Eve arson incident in Dublin.

The fire broke out at the vacant Shipwright pub in Ringsend. The building had been earmarked for housing members of the homeless community.

False rumours had circulated that asylum-seekers would be housed there but the Dublin Region Homeless Executive confirmed it was for homeless families.

Gardai carried out a number of searches on Thursday morning during an operation in the Dublin area.

Two men aged in their 30s and 50s and a woman in her 20s were arrested. A number of items of evidential value were seized, including electronic devices, in the course of the operation.

The woman has since been released without charge.

Gardai said: "As part of this investigation four residential properties were searched under warrant this morning, Thursday 8th February, 2024 during an operation in the Dublin area."

A statement added: "All three are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 for alleged offences under the Criminal Damage Act at a Garda Station in the Dublin Region."

Gardai have appealed for anyone with information in relation to this investigation to contact Irishtown Garda Station 01 666 9600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

It comes as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that people will be brought to justice over arson attacks on asylum centres across the country.

There is a very significant operation underway this morning and the gardai will be out later on and will make a full statement on it, Mr Varadkar said.

There have been a number of raids this morning, there have been arrests so I am confident that we will bring people to justice for committing these crime.

Arson is a very serious crime, punishable by up to ten years in prison, he told Newstalk.

Gardai said that the three arrests on Thursday brings to 10 the number of people arrested for arson attacks in recent months.

Five people have been arrested and detained in respect of the investigation into Criminal Damage and Public Order Incidents on Sandwith Street on 12 May 2023 and a file is currently with the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Two people have been arrested and charged before the District Court in Kerry by gardai investigating alleged criminal damage to a residential building in Killarney on the 1 January 2024.

In addition, four searches were carried out by gardai investigating Criminal Damage to Ross Lake Hotel, Galway.

Gardai are also appealing to anyone with information on any other reported incidents of arson to contact An Garda Siochana either through the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any member of An Garda Siochana.

Yesterday, gardai began investigating an arson attack in Leixlip, Co Kildare, where a vacant house was targeted in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

At present, gardai say they are aware of a significant volume of misinformation, disinformation, and rumours about the use, or proposed use of the building.

However, the Department of Integration confirmed that they were not considering the use of the house to accommodate asylum seekers.

I think what we need to do is catch the people whove done this. We dont believe its one gang travelling around the country committing all these arson attacks.

They are different in nature. There are some who are doing it opportunistically, others who are connected to extreme and racist views who are more organised in what theyre doing."

On the attack at a former nursing home in Dublin over the weekend, Mr Varadkar said that he believed it would have taken a lot of planning to burn down.

That was a big building to burn that down, that took a lot of planning and took a degree of knowledge. In other places, it hasnt been arson on that scale. Mr Varadkar said that his biggest worry was that someone would be killed in one of these arson attacks, whether that is a security guard or someone sleeping rough.

It is believed that there have been at least 23 arson attacks on buildings that are being linked, either correctly or incorrectly, to housing asylum seekers and refugees.
Its easy to get sideswiped now and again by the state of the city.

You dont take notice most of the time because when youre in town youre there for a specific reason and theres the traffic and the text you just got and wheres good for a coffee and is that your man youre avoiding, and crossing this street is always suicidal. Anyway, its then you notice the two or three buildings together  empty, abandoned, crumbling, masonry loose, old paint flaking: derelict.

Once you notice one or two zones, a couple of tumbledown stretches, you see them everywhere. It seems like every street has its mandatory pair of rotten teeth, and its depressing.

But then someone rings or you remember why you came into town and youre off again. Until the next time.

All of this is by way of preface to what happened a couple of days ago when my eye was caught by an exhibition opening in the Lavit Gallery over on Wandesford Quay.

'There Is No Place Like Home, In Ireland' was described thus by the gallery itself, starting with the artist herself: Andrea Newman is a visual artist and recent graduate, working and living in Cork City. In her recent work, she utilises lost Irish language to explore Irelands current housing crisis. She is specifically interested in documenting socioeconomic issues and does so through the combined mediums of photography, print, installation, and bookmaking. In her degree show the artist embarked on a case study featuring derelict council houses on the north side of Cork City and the irony and classism this represents amidst a housing crisis.

Provocative posters

The exhibition is eye-catching  provocative posters juxtaposed with photographs of boarded-up buildings  so I decided to ask the artist herself about it.

Im a council tenant in Mayfield myself, Andrea told me.

From walking around I noticed these houses always seemed to be boarded up with these aggressive metal boards. Its hard not to notice them.

There was one house in particular, not too far from the Super Valu, which was derelict for at least five years, Id say. I ended up taking photographs of it over three years  thats what really stood out for me, and it made me angry. I wanted to look into this even more because I couldnt believe it could be derelict for so long.

Then I started walking around and noting how many derelict houses there were in the area. Theres a walk that I do up to do my shopping in Dunnes, and it takes about half an hour. While taking that walk I noticed about 13 houses, which I thought was a crazy number of derelict houses to see on a half-hours walk  and very concentrated in that part of Mayfield as well.

Seeing these derelict houses everywhere I went, I just started to read the council statistics and so on, and that was my starting point.

From there she set to work, focusing on the project in the course of her final year in college (last year she graduated from MTU Crawford College of Art and Design with a first-class honors degree in Fine Art) and it took about a year altogether: Half a year of research and half a year of making, roughly. I was really lucky that the Lavit Gallery chose me as their student of the year, which was great  thats how they came into the picture.

Its interesting to me that artists in Cork are not just cognisant of the horrific level of dereliction within the city; theyre building entire exhibitions around the phenomenon. The grim conclusion is that this decay and decline has now reached a level where its not just part of the landscape. Its the very landscape.

A derelict corner site in Mayfield Cork in 2020. File Picture: Larry Cummins

Artistic engagement with such issues offers another twist, of course. Andrea Newman said social engagement was very much part of her motivation.

Definitely. I wanted people to see this. My neighbours in Mayfield and I see this all the time and we want other people to see it. We know what the city council is like, and what its like to deal with them as tenants, and theres a large group of people who dont know about that.

I want people to see the work, and its been noticeable that the imagery of the metal boards has been new to a lot of people, that its shocking to them. Ive had people say, I cant believe this is going on, I didnt know about that because Ive never seen those boards before.

And my visceral reaction is, God, I see this all the time. It makes me happy now that there are people who are seeing this and reading the posters to learn what the city council is up to, or not up to.

Theres a crucial point here: as Newman points out, there are parts of the city where these boarded-up houses are a rarity. Making people aware of these differences in the city is valuable, then, in raising consciousness of different realities in the city.

I agree, as an individual you can wonder why people arent looking at this, or noticing it, but I try to be more positive when it comes to the artwork.

To be fair, its not peoples fault if they don't know about this either, and when they do see it theyre interested in whats going on.

Whats happening with this, I hope, is that its starting a conversation about this subject, and about the work itself as well. Id hope that when it comes to my next exhibition people would go into that knowing what I do, having the context of what Ive done with this exhibition.

Ive also gotten involved with CATU (the Community Action Tenants Union) recently and weve launched a campaign in Mayfield to get more people to join the organisation. The art runs in parallel with that activism, she added.

To keep making art  thats the dream. I have another show coming up in August in Studio 12, so Im lucky to have that deadline in mind to work towards. The aim is to keep making the work, so well see.

It doesnt reflect well on the city that the level of dereliction is so marked that it can be the engine of an award-winning art exhibition. Thats not good news no matter how you spin it.

The good news is that there are people who recognise that level of dereliction and are working to get others to recognise it, and doing so in fresh and imaginative ways. And if those people are in Cork then there are grounds for optimism.
The people of Gaza cry out for a ceasefire. Each day brings more bloodshed, more devastation, hunger, disease, and tears.

Spell it out: nearly 28,000 Palestinians dead. In total, about 100,000 killed, injured or missing. Among the survivors, huge numbers of children, maimed, orphaned, traumatised for life.

Around the world, millions of protesters demand a ceasefire. They appeal to politicians to do more, do anything, to stop the carnage now. In mosques, churches, synagogues, people of all faiths pray the slaughter will end. To Israels 1,200 October dead are daily added the lost lives of soldiers sent to avenge them and the hostages cruelly seized by Hamas.

Arab and European governments, the US, Russia, China, and Iran all want a ceasefire, or truce, or humanitarian pause  or at least, they say they do.

Yemens Houthis and Iraqi and Syrian militias promise a ceasefire would halt their destabilising attacks. A ceasefire could reduce the risk of catastrophic, escalating regional war.

The global view seems clear. There exists an international consensus, repeatedly expressed through the UN  whose agencies, running out of adjectives to describe the Gaza horrors, are reduced to desperate pleading.

This war is inhuman, immoral, and unjust. It is hugely damaging, economically and politically. It shames us all and it must be halted, now, immediately. So whats stopping it? Why on earth is there still no ceasefire?

Each day is a rollercoaster. Officials involved in indirect, Arab-mediated talks express a note of cautious positivity; hopes are dashed, then they revive.

For Palestinians trapped in Gaza and for the hostages families, its excruciating. At this moment, after weekend counter-proposals from Hamas, optimism is rising once again.

Yet even assuming the complex terms of a limited deal are finally agreed, what realistic prospect is there that it will hold, let alone bring a broader peace?

The root problem is not the mechanics of a ceasefire but the greatly differing, seemingly irreconcilable short- and long-term agendas of the interested parties. No deal can banish a basic lack of trust.

Unwisely, Joe Biden is linking a Gaza deal to his over-ambitious attempt to forge a wider Middle East settlement.

In the first instance, the White House wants a sustained pause in hostilities. Yet it continues, for now, to oppose an open-ended general ceasefire because, parroting Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, it says that risks leaving Hamas undefeated and in power.

Bidens longer-term grand bargain ultimately includes acceptance by Israel of a vague political horizon for Palestinians seeking an independent state.

Yet for Washington, normalisation of Israel-Saudi Arabia relations  not Palestinian self-determination  is the bigger, more immediate, and enticing prize.

As long as Biden refuses to stand up to Netanyahu, US leverage is limited.

And if Donald Trump triumphs in November, American support for Israel will probably become unconditional, as Netanyahu, Trumps buddy, knows full well.

Bidens scheme reflects his electoral need for a big foreign policy win. It pays insufficient attention to what, in all justice, is actually required  starting with a full ceasefire now.

Cynical leadership

In Israel, the unpopular Netanyahu clings to power by a thread.

He flatly rejects Hamass call for a permanent cessation since this would thwart his foolish, oft-repeated vow to eradicate his enemy and achieve total victory. His aim of maintaining Israeli security control of Gaza indefinitely would also be rendered infeasible. He reviles the very thought of a Palestinian state.

Military pressure has not freed the hostages, as he said it would.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Hamas has not been defeated after four months  and many Israeli soldiers have died. This, coming on top of the October 7 security failures, should be enough by itself to sink Netanyahu. A ceasefire lasting more than a few weeks, and resulting pressure to make it permanent, would in any event lead far-right ministers to collapse his ruling coalition.

So primarily for selfish political reasons, Netanyahu will oppose all but the most modest hostage-prisoner exchange deal, if he possibly can, and will probably insist on a strictly time-limited pause in fighting.

In such cynical calculations, he is far from alone.

Hamass leaders are split, too, between those in Gaza who, exhausted, want a ceasefire now, and those based in Doha, who are pressing for a better deal that would include thousands of security prisoner releases, reconstruction funding, and a total Israeli military withdrawal.

Hamass exiled political leaders, principally Ismail Haniyeh, have shown zero concern for the vast suffering that followed the October 7 attack. Whether he or the Hamas commander in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, ordered it is a moot point. Since then, Haniyeh has sought maximum political advantage while ensuring his own safety. His overall aim remains unchanged: destruction of the Zionist entity.

What some call the new axis of evil  China, Russia and Iran  could be doing much more to attain the ceasefire they claim to support.

Hamas, for example, wants them to provide guarantees. But they, in common with European leaders, have been found wanting so far. Irans mullahs are actively enjoying Israels travails. They publicly deplore the misery of Gazas Palestinians, yet see it privately as a means to advance the national geopolitical agenda.

So why no ceasefire?

The simple answer is that self-interested, fearful, and ineffectual political leaders obstruct it. One day, hopefully soon, the guns will fall silent in Gaza  if only because all wars come to an end eventually. But how long the quiet lasts is another matter entirely.

The history of the Palestinian people is one long scream of rage and pain. Sticking plasters will not work. Backroom deals and shoddy compromises fall apart. Without a credible, internationally supported peace plan and a firm timetable for the creation of an independent Palestinian state, the screaming will not cease.

Simon Tisdall is a foreign affairs commentator. He has been a foreign leader writer, foreign editor and US editor for the Guardian
Once a quarter the radio industry publishes the Joint National Listenership Research, the JNLRs, that are the sector league tables.

Always eagerly anticipated, they provide great newspaper copy, pitching well-known radio personalities against each other, in a faux listening war. Each quarter of the year, every station claims a victory.

The JNLRs are commissioned by the radio sector with backing from, inter alia, RTE, Today FM and other independent broadcasters, as well as the advertising industry. The stated objective of the JNLR survey is to provide reliable  albeit not independent  estimates of audiences for national, regional and local radio.

This, the industry says, is to help with the planning of advertising schedules and to provide radio audience estimates to facilitate programming analysis/planning. Its also, in my view, radio telling a willing advertising sector why their clients should advertise on radio, which is financially beneficial to both. So no surprise there.

Yes, media buyers and the broader industry wants and needs reliable and accurate information on listenership across all mediums. However, when it comes to the actual numbers, I have doubts.

Before explaining why, I should claim some professional knowledge. I worked, front of mic, for RTE for eight years and a further 13 years presenting Today FMs most popular Sunday radio programme, The Sunday Business Show. For the last three-and-a-half years I have produced and presented That Great Business Show business podcast and more recently I also produce The Fifth Court  Irelands legal podcast. I love the broadcast industry.

Few, if any, of the many hundreds of people I have asked, say their kids listen to radio. Yes, they listen to Spotify, YouTube and podcasts.

So whats my beef? Its simple. For me, those JNLR numbers dont add up. Quarter after quarter, theres a big number that keeps popping up that makes me question the entire survey. The JNLRs claim over 66% of people between the ages of 15-24 listen to radio. But I dont know anyone in that age group that knowingly listens to radio.

Very recently I ran my own survey on LinkedIn. I asked my 9,000-plus followers on that social media platform, How many people between 15-24 do you know who listen to 'traditional' radio? When the polls closed 92 people had bothered to vote, so not as scientific as the JNLRs, but still the result totally contradicted the JNLRs.

Some 67% of the voters on LinkedIn said young people did not listen to radio. According to the JNLRs, 66% did listen to radio. Somebody is wrong.

I have my own children in that age bracket and despite having lived in a household where the radio was a constant, I know they never, ever listen now. Few, if any, of the many hundreds of people I have asked, say their kids listen to radio. Yes, they listen to Spotify, YouTube and podcasts.

They may occasionally switch on SpinFM to avoid having to talk to their boring parents when in the car but even that is about to cease as car manufacturers remove radios from cars, replacing radios with online access. The radio sector realises this will be a massive blow to listenership and have been lobbying hard to keep radios in cars. King Canute comes to mind.

When I was with Today FM until 2018, our audience numbers fluctuated over the years from 60,000 to 90,000 over the hour we broadcast. We were a specialist business programme, with no competing business programme at that time-slot on any other station. We had Irelands business audience to ourselves.

But what I could not get my head around is that our numbers could, and did fluctuate, up and down, by up to 50% over the years. It just did not make intuitive sense. That, in turn, made me ask, everyone, anyone, were you ever interviewed for the JNLRs? Decades later and I still have not found that person. Thats when I became hyper-curious about the numbers.

Research company Ipsos say they conduct in-home surveys. Id love to find anyone in a block of apartments (35% of households in Dublin according to the CSO) who lets a stranger, buzzing on the intercom, in to answer a survey. Unfortunately, those days in Ireland have surely passed?

I also asked Ipsos, by email, if I could have a copy of their survey questionnaire, but at the time of publishing, I havent had an answer. Im curious to see, like the no religion option, eventually introduced into our National Census, if theres a I dont listen to radio box in the survey? That could be very interesting.

When the JNLRs are published theres always a flurry of newspaper headlines claiming that Joe loses 3,000, Pat jumps 4,000 and Ian is flat. But as these fluctuations are usually within the margin of error, they are irrelevant.

More importantly, theres a tendency to look at the big number, the total numbers of claimed listeners. So, these headlines will read, Pat ahead with 200,000, Joe drops to 380,000 and Ian steady at 190,000.

These numbers have no meaning. They are an aggregation, an addition, of those people who say they listen during the period of the show. It does not mean that 400,000 people are listening, open-mouthed, for an entire two- or three-hour show. It means that they listened to a part of a show, a claimed minimum, I think, of just eight minutes to say I heard the show.

Now, back to the kids who may never listen. Assuming that most teenagers across the developed world can and do listen and watch the same popular culture programmes, movies and music, its fair to say, I think, that Irish 15-24s do more or less the same things as Americans of the same age.

Very recently the Pew Research Center, one of the best regarded non-partisan American think tanks, said YouTube continues to dominate (93%) with kids in the 13-17 bracket, in this case  so including some of our 1524-year-olds. In the Pew survey, roughly 90% of teens say they use YouTube, making it the most widely used platform.

Other platforms of choice are TikTok (63%), Snapchat (60%) and Instagram (59%). Also, there is not that much fluctuation in the level of engagement based on household incomes. Rich and poor kids are doing the same thing.

A further finding by Pew is that nearly half of US teens say they use the internet almost constantly. This is roughly double the 24% who said this in the 2014-2015 Pew survey. As is likely, if Irish teens mirror this behaviour, I struggle to understand when they find the time to listen to the radio as claimed?

If, as I believe, the bond is broken between young people and radio its unlikely that itll be repaired and thats very, very bad news for the radio sector. We may not be reading about JNLRs for very much longer.

Read More Morning Ireland the country's most popular radio show as Neil Prendeville on top in Cork
Details of a major housing plan for the south side of Cork City have been revealed.

Murnane & O'Shea Limited has formally submitted plans for the development of lands at Castletreasure, Moneygurney, and Maryborough (townlands) in Douglas, Cork.

The application comes under the large-scale residential development scheme, and includes a total of 580 units. That includes some 263 houses and 317 apartments and duplexes.

The development also includes a two-storey childcare facility with capacity for 122 children, and a mixed-use two-storey building to accommodate retail and cafe use.

The residential aspect of the scheme includes a mix of housing type and size, ranging from four-bed, semi-detached houses to one-bed apartments.

The proposed development also includes the construction of a section of the Ballybrack Valley Pedestrian and Cycle Route, and connections to existing roadways.

The development is adjacent to the Cairn Homes plan for 472 homes in the area, and includes amendments to the permitted boundary and open space aspects of this development.

Access to the new homes will be via a vehicular bridge over the Moneygurney Stream to a new junction on the existing Carr's Hill, and alternative access will be via the upgraded M28 Ringaskiddy motorway, once that is completed.

'Best suburban site in years'

Elsewhere, two separate planning applications for what has been termed the "best suburban site in years" in Cork have been lodged.

Details of the plans were revealed by the Irish Examiner in recent weeks and, now, formal plans have been submitted to the local authority.

This prime suburban Cork site in Douglas is ear-marked for a residential development of 113 units including houses, apartments and a creche is to be jointly developed by O'Callaghan Properties and Johnson & Perrott motor business owner Mark Whitaker.

Johnson and Perrott Property Development Limited has lodged two plans with the council for works at a site on the South Douglas Road in Cork.

The first plan includes 93 homes and a creche, as well as various public realm and associated works.

The second plan includes some 20 homes, giving a total of 113 homes between the two schemes.

Cobh homes

Meanwhile, in East Cork, planning permission for the development of 71 new homes at a housing estate in Cobh has been granted.

Cork County Council had granted permission to Wayleaf Ltd for the development at Inis Alainn, Carrignafoy, Cobh, but several third-party appeals were lodged against this decision.

The scheme includes some 71 two-, three- and four-bedroom homes on a 2.55ha site located in the northeastern suburbs of Cobh town, around 1km from the town centre.

It is located adjacent to the existing Inis Alainn estate and close to the local GAA grounds.

Local planners had imposed strict conditions on the development when granting permission. This included a requirement for a childcare facility to be operating when no more than 30 homes would be made available for occupancy.

Among the matters raised during the appeals process were concerns about the narrow, boreen-type road which serves the area, the heavy volume of traffic associated with the nearby GAA club, and concerns about the inclusion of a three-storey apartment aspect in the development which, it was said, was "not in keeping with the existing houses in the area".

An Bord Pleanala has signed off on the development, though, noting that it is in compliance with the local area development plan.
Mediators from the US, Qatar and Egypt scrambled to forge a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in their four-month-old war in the Gaza Strip after America's top diplomat on a Middle East mission said there was still hope for a deal.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he saw room for negotiation, and a Palestinian Hamas delegation led by senior official Khalil Al-Hayya was due to travel on Thursday to Cairo for ceasefire talks with Egypt and Qatar.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday rejected Hamas' latest offer, calling it "delusional," and Hamas urged Palestinian armed factions to go on fighting.

"There are clearly nonstarters in what (Hamas has) put forward," Blinken said on Wednesday at a late-night press conference in a Tel Aviv hotel, without specifying what the nonstarters were.

But we also see space in what came back to pursue negotiations, to see if we can get to an agreement. That's what we intend to do."

Before heading back to the US, Blinken was due to hold meetings in Israel on Thursday, including with family members of hostages still held in Gaza who have clamoured for Netanyahu to make winning their freedom his top priority.

Hamas, the militant group that rules Gaza, proposed a ceasefire of 4-1/2 months, during which all hostages held in Gaza would go free, Israel would withdraw its troops from Gaza and an agreement would be reached on an end to the war.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Israel's President Isaac Herzog talk during their meeting at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, Israel. Picture: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool

The Hamas offer was a response to a proposal drawn up by US and Israeli spy chiefs and delivered to Hamas last week by Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

Israel would be willing to let Hamas military leader Yahya Sinwar go into exile in exchange for the release of all hostages and an end to the Hamas government in Gaza, a half-dozen Israeli officials and senior advisers have told NBC News.

In response to the Hamas plan, Netanyahu renewed a pledge to destroy the Islamist movement, saying there was no alternative for Israel but to bring about its collapse.

"Surrendering to the delusional demands of Hamas ... will not only not bring the release of the hostages, it will invite another massacre. It will invite a grave disaster for the state of Israel that none of our citizens is willing to accept," the Israeli leader told reporters on Wednesday.

Continued military pressure is a necessary condition for the release of the hostages."

Israel began its military offensive after Hamas militants from Gaza killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages in southern Israel on October 7.

Gaza's health ministry says at least 27,585 Palestinians have been confirmed killed, with thousands more feared buried under rubble in Israel's offensive since then.

In the only truce to date, lasting a week at the end of November, 110 hostages were released and Israel freed 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Netanyahu, whose domestic popularity is at rock bottom, faces public pressure to continue working with international mediators toward an agreement in Gaza.

A poll of Israelis released by a nonpartisan think-tank, the Israel Democracy Institute, this week found 51% of respondents believe recovering the hostages should be the main goal of the war, while 36% said it should be toppling Hamas.

Washington has cast the hostage and truce deal as part of plans for a wider resolution of the Middle East conflict, ultimately leading to reconciliation between Israel and Arab neighbours and creation of a Palestinian state.

Netanyahu rejects a Palestinian state, which Saudi Arabia says is a requirement for the kingdom to normalise relations with Israel.

Hamas ceasefire proposal details

Palestinians mourn their relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip in Deir al Balah. Picture: AP Photo/Adel Hana

A text of the proposal seen by Reuters said it aimed to end military operations with a sustained de-escalation, exchange hostages and prisoners, end an Israeli blockade of Gaza, allow displaced residents to return home and ramp up aid supplies.

These are the details:

First 45 days

Temporary halt to military operations, end of aerial reconnaissance, repositioning of Israeli forces far outside populated areas in the entire Gaza Strip.

Release of Israeli civilian women and children aged 19 or under held hostage in Gaza, as well as all elderly and sick hostages.

Release of Palestinian women, children, elderly and sick from Israeli jails.

Agreement on release of 1,500 Palestinian prisoners, with Hamas to nominate 500 of them who have been sentenced to long or life sentences.

Increase in humanitarian aid into Gaza, including the north, and return of displaced people to their home districts.

Start rebuilding hospitals, homes and other facilities. UN agencies to provide services and establish shelter camps for population.

Second 45 days

Discussions to be completed before start of second phase on conditions to maintain ceasefire.

Release of all Israeli male civilian and military hostages in exchange for other Palestinian prisoners.

Continuation of humanitarian measures in Gaza.

Israeli forces to withdraw outside Gaza Strip.

Comprehensive reconstruction to begin and blockade of Gaza to end.

Third 45 days

Exchange of bodies and remains from both sides after their identification.

Continuation of humanitarian measures in Gaza that were agreed upon in earlier phases.

Israel expands assault on Rafah

Palestinians wounded in Israeli bombardment receive treatment in a hospital t in Rafah, Gaza Strip. Picture: AP Photo/Hatem Ali

Israel has recently focused on capturing Khan Younis, the main city in Gaza's south. But last week Israel said it would expand its campaign into Rafah, where about half the enclave's 2.3 million people are penned against the border with Egypt.

Many have relocated several times to escape Israeli attacks, and they face dire shortages of food and risk of disease.

On the ground in southern Gaza, residents said Israel stepped up its assault on Rafah in the early hours of Thursday. Israel claims Rafah is now a bastion of Hamas combat units.

Two Israeli strikes hit two houses in the area of Tel Al-Sultan in the city, residents said. Hamas media said seven people were killed and 11 injured.

Footage on Palestinian media showed frantic efforts to rush the injured to hospital.

Reuters could not independently verify the details.
The US Supreme Court will hear former president Donald Trumps appeal to remain on the 2024 ballot, the justices most consequential election case since Bush v Gore in 2000.

The court will be weighing arguments over whether Mr Trump is disqualified from reclaiming the White House because of his efforts to undo his loss in the 2020 election, ending with the January 6 2021 attack on the US Capitol.

The case marks the first time the justices will be considering a constitutional provision that was adopted after the Civil War to prevent former officeholders who engaged in insurrection from holding office again.

It sets up precisely the kind of case that the court likes to avoid, one in which it is the final arbiter of a political dispute.

People protest outside the US Supreme Court in Washington (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Mr Trump incited the riot in the nations capital and is ineligible to be president again.

As a result, he should not be on the ballot for the states primary on March 5, the court ruled.

It was the first time that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment was applied to a presidential candidate.

Mr Trumps lawyers argue that the amendment cannot be used to keep Mr Trump off the ballot for several reasons.

For one thing, they contend the January 6 riot was not an insurrection, and even if it was, Mr Trump did not participate.

The wording of the amendment also excludes the presidency and candidates running for president, they say.

Even if they are wrong about all of that, they argue that Congress must pass legislation to reinvigorate Section 3.

The lawyers for Republican and independent voters who sued to remove Mr Trumps name from the Colorado ballot counter that there is ample evidence that the events of January 6 constituted an insurrection and that Mr Trump incited it.

They say it would be absurd to apply Section 3 to everything but the presidency or that Mr Trump is somehow exempt.

People wait in line outside the US Supreme Court in Washington (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

And the provision needs no enabling legislation, they argue.

A definitive ruling for Mr Trump would largely end efforts in Colorado, Maine and elsewhere to prevent his name from appearing on the ballot.

A decision upholding the Colorado decision would amount to a declaration from the Supreme Court that Mr Trump did engage in insurrection and is barred by the 14th Amendment from holding office again.

That would allow states to keep him off the ballot and imperil his campaign.

The justices could opt for a less conclusive outcome, but with the knowledge that the issue could return to them, perhaps after the general election in November and in the midst of a full-blown constitutional crisis.

Mr Trump is separately appealing to state court over a ruling by Maines Democratic secretary of state, Shenna Bellows, that he was ineligible to appear on that states ballot over his role in the Capitol attack.

Both the Colorado Supreme Court and the Maine secretary of states rulings are on hold until the appeals play out.

The court has signalled it will try to act quickly, dramatically shortening the period in which it receives written briefing and holds arguments in the courtroom.

People wait in line outside the Supreme Court (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

People began lining up outside the court on Wednesday hoping to snag one of the few seats allotted to the public.

This is a landmark decision and I want to be in the room where it happened, to quote Hamilton, said Susan Acker of Cincinnati, Ohio, who was in line with two friends.

The issues may be novel, but Mr Trump is no stranger to the justices, three of whom Mr Trump appointed when he was president.

They have considered many Trump-related cases in recent years, declining to embrace his claims of fraud in the 2020 election and refusing to shield tax records from Congress and prosecutors in New York.

Before the Supreme Court is even finished deciding this case, the justices will almost certainly be dealing with another appeal from Mr Trump, who is expected to seek an emergency order to keep his election subversion trial on hold so he can appeal against lower court rulings that he is not immune from criminal charges.

In April, the court will also hear an appeal from one of the more than 1,200 people charged over the Capitol riot.

The case could upend a charge prosecutors have brought against more than 300 people, including Mr Trump.

The court last played so central a role in presidential politics in its 5-4 decision that effectively ended the disputed 2000 election in favour of George W Bush.

Justice Clarence Thomas is the only member of the court who also took part in Bush v Gore.

Justice Thomas has ignored calls by some Democratic legislators to step aside from the case because his wife, Ginni, supported Mr Trumps effort to overturn the 2020 election results and attended the rally that preceded the storming of the Capitol by Trump supporters.
A claim that the Manchester Arena bombing was staged by government agencies and did not kill or injure anyone is absurd and fantastical, a judge at the High Court has ruled.

Martin and Eve Hibbert are bringing legal action against Richard Hall for harassment, misuse of private information and data protection.

The father and daughter duo were at the Ariana Grande concert in May 2017 and suffered life-changing injuries, with Mr Hibbert left with a spinal cord injury and Miss Hibbert facing severe brain damage.

However, Mr Hall has claimed that the attack, in which Salman Abedi detonated a home-made rucksack bomb in the crowd of concert-goers, was faked.

Richard Hall outside the High Court in London where Martin and Eve Hibbert are taking landmark legal action against him (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

At a hearing in London last month, Mr Hibbert and his daughter made a bid for summary judgment  a legal step to decide parts of the case without a trial  on several parts of the cases background.

This included rulings on whether 22 people did die during the attack, and whether the Hibberts injuries were caused by the bombing.

Mr Hall, representing himself, argued that there is no first-hand tangible evidence, like CCTV footage or photographs of injuries, to prove the father and daughter were at the arena or were hurt as a result of the blast.

He showed the court a series of images, which he claimed reveals survivors are lying about their injuries, and referred to people pictured lying on the ground near the arena as having agreed to take part in an exercise.

However, in a ruling on Thursday, Judge Richard Davison ruled in favour of the pair and said that without this early decision, Mr Hall would use the trial as a vehicle to advance and test his staged attack hypothesis.

Judge Davison said: Suffice it to say that, although his beliefs may be genuinely held, his theory that the Manchester bombing was an operation staged by government agencies in which no one was genuinely killed or injured is absurd and fantastical and it provides no basis to rebut the conviction.

He said it was fanciful to suggest that Abedi did not die and still more fanciful to argue the bomber was an intelligence asset.

The judge continued: Whilst acknowledging that issues as to the claimants presence at the attack and the attack itself are separate and distinct, once the defendants general hypothesis has been rejected, as I have rejected it, it is unrealistic to maintain that the claimants were not there and were either not severely injured at all or acquired their injuries earlier and by a different mechanism than the bombing.

Indeed, the latter points are simply preposterous.

Further hearings are expected to take place to determine the rest of the claim and costs.
Israeli air strikes killed more than a dozen people overnight and into Thursday in Rafah in the Gaza Strip, hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamass ceasefire terms and vowed to expand the offensive into the southern Gaza town.

More than half of the strips population has fled to Rafah, on the mostly sealed border with Egypt, which is also the main entry point for humanitarian aid.

Egypt has warned that any ground operation there or mass displacement across the border would undermine its four-decade-old peace treaty with Israel.

The overnight strikes killed at least 13 people, including two women and five children, according to the Kuwaiti Hospital, which received the bodies.

Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip (Fatima Shbair/AP)

At the scene of one of the strikes, residents used their mobile phone torches as they dug through the rubble with pickaxes and their bare hands.

I wish we could collect their whole bodies instead of just pieces, said Mohammed Abu Habib, a neighbour who witnessed the strike.

Israels four-month-old air and ground offensive  among the most destructive in recent history  has killed more than 27,000 Palestinians, driven most people from their homes and pushed a quarter of the population towards starvation.

Mr Netanyahu has said the offensive will continue and expand until total victory over Hamas, which started the war by launching a wide-ranging attack into southern Israel on October 7 in which militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took around 250 hostage.

Israel has also vowed to bring back the more than 100 captives still held by Hamas after most of the rest were freed during a ceasefire in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

But both of those goals appear increasingly elusive, as Hamas re-emerges in parts of northern Gaza, which was the first target of the offensive and suffered widespread destruction.

Israel has only rescued one hostage, while Hamas says several have been killed in air strikes or failed rescue missions.

Mr Netanyahu said preparations were under way to expand the offensive into Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of people who fled from other areas are crowded into squalid tent camps and overflowing UN-run shelters.

Palestinian women react after their home was hit by an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip (Fatima Shbair/AP)

The Palestinian death toll from four months of war has already reached 27,840, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures but says most of the dead have been women and children.

International aid organisations have warned that any major operation in Rafah would compound what is already a humanitarian catastrophe in the besieged coastal enclave.

If they arent killed in the fighting, Palestinian children, women and men will be at risk of dying by starvation or disease. said Bob Kitchen, of the International Rescue Committee.

There will no longer be a single safe area for Palestinians to go to.

The United States, Qatar and Egypt are trying to broker another ceasefire agreement to ensure the release of the remaining hostages.

But Hamas has demanded an end to the war, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants.

Mr Netanyahu rejected those demands as delusional on Tuesday and said Israel would never agree to any deal that leaves Hamas in partial or full control of the territory it has ruled since 2007.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said the army had presented to the War Cabinet its operational plan for Rafah (Abir Sultan/AP)

But visiting US secretary of state Antony Blinken said an agreement was still possible and that negotiations would continue, the latest sign of a growing divide between the two close allies on the way forward.

A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Thursday for more negotiations.

Mr Netanyahu is under mounting pressure from families of the hostages and the wider public to bring them home, even if it requires a deal with Hamas.

At least one senior Israeli official has acknowledged that saving the captives and destroying Hamas might be incompatible.

Hamas is still holding more than 130 hostages, but around 30 of them are believed to be dead, with the vast majority killed on October 7.

The group is widely believed to be holding the captives in tunnels deep underground and using them as human shields for its top leaders.
Former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif has expressed confidence his party will win Thursdays national election, a vote that has been marred by violence, deep political tensions and the imprisonment of a popular contender.

A day before the election, at least 30 people were killed in bombings at political offices, and sporadic attacks on Thursday appeared aimed at disrupting the balloting, including one that killed five police officers in a country beset by surging militancy.

A total mobile phone shutdown across the country drew condemnation from rights groups.

The violence, political feuding and a seemingly intractable economic crisis have left many voters disillusioned and raised questions about whether a new government can bring more stability to the troubled Western ally.

Pakistans former prime minister Nawaz Sharif arrives to cast his vote at a polling station for the countrys parliamentary elections, in Lahore, Pakistan (KM Chaudary/AP)

But Mr Sharif brushed off suggestions his Pakistan Muslim League party might not win an outright majority in the parliament and would need to form a coalition to govern.

For Gods sake, dont mention a coalition government, he said after casting his vote in the upscale Model Town neighbourhood of Lahore.

Though there were hours of polling still to go, he even suggested he was thinking about which posts would go to his family members  including his younger brother and former prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif.

Once this election is over, Nawaz Sharif said, we will sit down and decide who is PM (prime minister) and who is CM (chief minister) of Punjab province, a job that is regarded as a stepping stone to becoming premier.

The polls closed on Thursday evening, and ballot counting began.

Sikandar Sultan Raja, chief election commissioner, said officials would communicate the results to the oversight body by the early hours of Friday, with the outcome released to the public after that.

Deep political divisions make a coalition government seem more likely than Mr Sharif let on.

If no single party wins a simple majority, the first-placed gets a chance to form a coalition.

A man shows a ballot paper before casting his vote at a polling station during the countrys parliamentary elections in Jamrud, in the Khyber district, Pakistan (Muhammad Sajjad/AP)

Still, that Mr Sharif appears to be the main contender represents a remarkable reversal of fortunes for the three-time prime minister, who returned to the country last October after four years of self-imposed exile abroad to avoid serving prison sentences.

Within weeks of his return, his convictions were overturned, leaving him free to seek a fourth term in office.

His archrival, former prime minister Imran Khan, meanwhile, is behind bars and banned from running after a series of convictions, including some just days before the election.

Mr Khan was ousted from power in a no-confidence vote in April 2022 and now has more than 150 legal cases hanging over him.

His supporters believe the charges were trumped up as part of an effort to hobble the popular cricket star-turned-Islamist politician, who in his waning days in power began to criticise the countrys military, which has long played an outsized role in politics.

Candidates from his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party have been forced to run as independents after the Supreme Court and Election Commission said they cannot use the party symbol  a cricket bat.

In Pakistan, parties use symbols to help illiterate voters find them on the ballots.

Mr Khan is only allowed to watch the state broadcaster PTV in prison and he gets one newspaper a day, the English-language daily Dawn.

Women show their marked thumbs after casting their vote at a polling station during the countrys parliamentary elections in Karachi, Pakistan (Fareed Khan/AP)

He planned to watch TV and read the paper on election day, his party said, and his lawyers will brief him when they get the chance to see him.

Political analyst Azim Chaudhry referred to the way Mr Khans party was treated as pre-poll rigging.

The whole election process seems to be a coronation, he said.

The only other real contender is the Pakistan Peoples Party.

It has a power base in the south and is led by a rising star in national politics  Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, the son of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

The Sharifs and Mr Bhutto-Zardari are traditional rivals but have joined forces against Mr Khan in the past.

Analysts predict the race will come down to the parties of Nawaz Sharif and Mr Bhutto-Zardari, who is unlikely to secure the premiership on his own, but he could be part of a Sharif-led coalition.
Ukraine's task this year is not only to maximally strengthen its air shield and long-range capabilities, but also to inflict maximum systemic losses on Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video message on Wednesday.

In particular, he noted "this applies to frozen Russian assets, both of the terrorist state and of individuals associated with it. Everything must be confiscated and used for defense against terror. It is fair to retaliate against a terrorist. It is fair to destroy terrorists. And it is fair to make the terrorist state pay for its actions."

"And we are working with our partners as vigorously as possible to ensure a decision on Russian assets as soon as possible," he said, noting that he spoke about this on Wednesday at a meeting with the head of European diplomacy, Borrell.

"We really need a unified and strong decision. A decision that proves our common respect for international law and absolute contempt for the terrorist state," Zelenskyy said.
US President Joe Biden wilfully retained and disclosed highly classified materials when he was a private citizen, including documents about military and foreign policy in Afghanistan and other sensitive national security matters, according to a Justice Department report.

The report from special counsel Robert Hur, which was released on Thursday, represents a harshly critical assessment of Mr Bidens handling of sensitive government materials, but also details the reasons why he should not be charged with the crime.

The findings will likely blunt his ability to forcefully condemn Donald Trump, Mr Bidens likely opponent in Novembers presidential election, over a criminal indictment charging the former president with illegally hoarding classified records at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

Our investigation uncovered evidence that President Biden wilfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen

Our investigation uncovered evidence that President Biden wilfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen, Mr Hur wrote.

It came after a year-long investigation into the improper retention of classified documents by Mr Biden, from his time as a senator and as vice president, that were found at his Delaware home, as well as at a private office that he used in between his service in the Obama administration and becoming president.

The investigation into Mr Biden is separate from special counsel Jack Smiths inquiry into the handling of classified documents by Trump after the Republican left the White House.

Mr Smiths team has charged Trump with illegally retaining top secret records at his Mar-a-Lago home and then obstructing government efforts to get them back. Trump has said he did nothing wrong.

A separate inquiry is being conducted into the handling of classified documents by former US president Donald Trump (PA)

After Mr Bidens lawyers uncovered classified documents at his former office, his representatives promptly contacted the National Archives to arrange their return to the government.

The National Archives notified the FBI, which opened an investigation. Mr Biden made his homes available to agents to conduct thorough searches, and that is how the most sensitive documents came to the attention of the Justice Department.

Mr Biden could not have been prosecuted as a sitting president, but Mr Hurs report states that he would not recommend charges against Mr Biden regardless.

We would reach the same conclusion even if Department of Justice policy did not foreclose criminal charges against a sitting president, the report said.

Part of the report centres on Mr Bidens handling of classified documents about Afghanistan  specifically, the Obama administrations decision to send additional troops there  that he retained after he left office as vice president in his Delaware home.

Mr Biden preserved materials documenting his opposition to the troop surge, including a 2009 classified handwritten memo to then-president Barack Obama.

These materials were proof of the stand Mr Biden took in what he regarded as among the most important decisions of his vice presidency, the report said.

The documents have classification markings up to the Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level and were found in a box in Mr Bidens Delaware garage that contained other materials of great significance to him and that he appears to have personally used and accessed.

Photographs included in the report showed some of the classified Afghanistan documents stored in a worn cardboard box stored in his garage, apparently in a loose collection with other household items, including a ladder and a wicker basket.

Classified documents from the Obama administration were also found in Mr Bidens basement den, according to the report. Classified documents from his time in the Senate in the 1970s and 1980s were also found in his garage.

Despite signs that Mr Biden knowingly retained and disclosed classified materials, Mr Hurs report said criminal charges were not merited for multiple reasons.

These include the fact that as vice president, and during his subsequent presidency when the Afghanistan records were found, he had the authority to keep classified documents at his home.

Attorney general Merrick Garland in January 2023 named Mr Hur, a former lawyer for Maryland, to handle the politically sensitive Justice Department inquiry in an attempt to avoid conflicts of interest.

It is one of three recent Justice Department investigations into the handling of classified documents by politically prominent figures.
Thursday, Feb 8th, 2024 (10:12 am) - Score 3,240

BT (EE) has today announced the outcome of their recent 5G based mobile network slicing trial at their Adastral Park facility. The trial showed how future products could be launched that establish optimised network connections specifically for online Gaming, Enterprise and Enhance Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services.

Just for a bit of context, 5G based Network Slicing essentially creates multiple virtual networks that sit on top of a single physical network, each of which can have different characteristics (e.g. speeds, latency, cybersecurity, capacity / device connection density etc.). Each network slice is essentially treated as an isolated end-to-end network. A slice can be dedicated to a specific location (an office or a campus) or the whole country.

NOTE: Network Slicing is currently only available via true end-to-end 5G Standalone (SA) networks. But most of the existing 5G deployments in the UK still rely on some aspects of the old Network Slicing is currently only available via true end-to-end 5G Standalone (SA) networks. But most of the existing 5G deployments in the UK still rely on some aspects of the old 4G service (NSA) and that slows them down.

Suffice to say that this is one of the features of 5G SA networks that UK mobile operators are looking to harness as they roll-out the latest network upgrades. In keeping with that, BT has been working alongside Ericsson and Qualcomm Technologies to test the new technology, not least by allocating a portion of their experimental 5G SA network to provide dynamic partitions for specific-use cases.

For example, the trial demonstrated an optimal mobile cloud gaming experience on Nvidias GeForce Now platform (i.e. cloud-based remote video gaming / streaming), maintaining a throughput comfortably in excess of the recommended 25Mbps at 1080p (HD video resolution), even when a background load was generated.

The companies initiated their gaming session (its a hard life for some) on Fortnite using the Samsung S23 Ultra device, equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy Mobile Platform, and Ericsson implemented Network slicing along with the Ericsson RAN feature Radio Resource Partitioning on EEs Network to achieve a smooth experience. The experience was simultaneously compared to a non-optimised eMBB RAN partition, which was congested by the background load, resulting in a less than optimal gaming experience.

The trial also validated the potential of network slicing for BTs business customers. Using the enterprise and eMBB slices, configured via URSP rules which enables a device to connect to multiple network slices simultaneously depending on the application, it demonstrated consistent 4K video streaming and enterprise use-cases using the same Samsung S23 Ultra device and a similar setup to the one above.

Greg McCall, BT Groups Chief Networks Officer, said: Network slicing will enable us to deliver new and improved capabilities for customers in the 5G SA era. As we work diligently towards the launch of our own 5G SA network, todays successful demonstration of how slicing enables us to differentiate Quality of Service to guarantee performance for different segments is a significant milestone, and illustrative of the new services that will be enabled by 5G SA.

One potential difficulty for Network Slicing is the issue of maintaining Net Neutrality, which are the rules that exist to make sure that the traffic carried across broadband and mobile networks is treated equally and particular content or services are not prioritised or slowed down in a way that favours some over others.

However, Ofcom updated their guidance on this in 2023 (here), which appeared to give broadband ISPs and mobile network operators more flexibility to create premium quality retail packages, albeit only provided they are sufficiently clear to customers about what they can expect from the services they buy.

In addition, providers still have to walk a difficult line, since whatever they launch must not be to the detriment (quality or availability) of other internet access services on their network. But the biggest obstacle to Network Slicing is still the currently limited availability of 5G SA networks in the first place. Most network operators are only just at the very earliest stages of deployment, if theyve even begun their roll-out at all (Vodafone has, but most others have not).
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Umerov urges EU to speed up, increase supplies of ammunition to Ukraine

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, during a meeting on Wednesday with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, called on the European Union to speed up and increase the supply of ammunition to Ukraine to counter Russian aggression, the Defense Ministry's press service said.

"It is necessary to significantly speed up and increase the supply of ammunition to our soldiers to repel Russian aggression," the press service said, citing Umerov.

The minister thanked Borrell for his personal involvement and unwavering support of the European Union to Ukraine.

He also briefed the EU high representative about the situation at the front and the high intensity of Russian attacks on Ukrainian positions.

In addition, the head of the Ukrainian defense department offered cooperation to European defense companies, in particular, in creating joint ventures and investing in production in Ukraine.
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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 person died in Kyiv as a result of an explosion of an unknown object, 100 residents of the entrance where the explosion occurred were evacuated to a safe distance, the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service in Kyiv said.

"On February 7 at 23:24 a fire was reported on Symyrenko Street. As a result of the explosion of an unknown object in the apartment, the balcony was damaged and a fire broke out in the apartment," the Emergency Service said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

The fire was reportedly extinguished at 00:58 on February 8, but during the fire "the body of a young man was discovered." "Some 100 residents of the entrance were evacuated to a safe distance. Law enforcement officers will determine the cause of the fire," the service said.
Turkiye is ready to help Ukraine in demining the Black Sea, Head of Odesa Regional Military Administration Oleh Kiper said, following a meeting with Ambassador of the Turkish Republic to Ukraine Mustafa Levent Bilgen on Wednesday.

"Protecting the ports of Odesa region and demining the Black Sea... Mr. Ambassador assured that Turkiye is ready to make every effort to demining the Black Sea. Because the actions of the Russians  mining, dropping guided aerial bombs into the sea  have become a problem for the Turks as well," he wrote on his Telegram channel.

The Ukrainian side also asked for help for Odesa region in medicine, in particular, it said that it needed modern equipment for military hospitals.

In turn, the Turkish Ambassador thanked the entire Ukrainian people for their help during the earthquake in Turkiye, where Ukraine, despite the war, sent its rescue teams, who saved dozens of lives.
The Ukrainian side has started detailed negotiations with Denmark on concluding bilateral security obligations in pursuance of the instructions of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak, according to the website of the head of state on Thursday.

"The Ukrainian delegation was chaired by the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, Ihor Zhovkva. The Danish delegation was headed by Lisbet Zilmer-Johns, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," the office said.

The talks were launched as part of the implementation of the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine, which Denmark, together with the Nordics, was among the first countries to join. The parties discussed the main elements of the future bilateral security commitments and agreed on a schedule for further negotiations.

"Denmark's security commitments reaffirm the unwavering and powerful support, including military assistance, that Denmark has been providing to our country since the beginning of the Russian aggression," the office said in the statement.
Today

Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High around 55F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear. Widespread frost likely. Low near 30F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.

Tomorrow

Mainly sunny. High 58F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
Oxford (Special to Informed Comment; Feature)  On Tuesday afternoon (6 February 2024), U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken took part in a joint press conference with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha. The press conference was mainly about the war in Gaza and the possibility of a new pause in the fighting and exchange of hostages and prisoners.

However, Blinken was also asked about his recent meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the possibility of normalisation of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Blinken said (as quoted by the US Department of State): But with regard specifically to normalization, the crown prince reiterated Saudi Arabias strong interest in pursuing that. But he also made clear what he had said to me before, which is that in order to do that two things are required: an end to the conflict in Gaza and a clear, credible, time-bound path to the establishment of a Palestinian state.

In other words, the Saudis are strongly in favour of normalisation but, in addition to ending the conflict in Gaza, they believe that there should be a clear, credible, time-bound path to the establishment of a Palestinian state. This paints a fairly rosy and optimistic picture of Israel-Saudi negotiations and the prospects for normalisation of relations.

Shortly after that press conference, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement which puts the record straight and which seems to contradict the main thrust of what Blinken said. The difference between what Blinken said and what the statement of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses is stark and revealing.

There has been a clear, credible, time-bound path to the establishment of a Palestinian state for the past 30 years, called the Oslo Accords. However, despite that process, which has been as long as a piece of string, the Israelis and especially Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu have opposed it and prevented its implementation.

What the Saudis are clearly saying is that they are not happy with a similar process, but want to go back to the Saudi Plan for the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, as well as a reference to the Palestinian refugee problem and the right of the Palestinians to return to their occupied land.

That plan was adopted unanimously by all the members of the Arab League in 2002 at their summit in Beirut. Subsequently, it was also approved by all 57 states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (formerly known as the Organisation of Islamic Conference) at a summit meeting that was held in Riyadh, including Iran which was represented by President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad. The Palestinian Authority led by Yasser Arafat immediately embraced the plan.

In 2015, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed tentative support for the Initiative, but in 2018 he rejected it as a basis for future negotiations with the Palestinians. In his infamous speech at the United Nations General Assembly on 22 September 2023 in New York, he held a map of The New Middle East, with Palestine completely wiped out. The elimination of Palestinian territories from the map of the Middle East angered the Palestinians and was one of the reasons that led to the 7th October attack by Hamas militants on Israel. Since the start of the Gaza war, Netanyahu has emphatically opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state and has even said that it will reoccupy Gaza for the foreseeable future.

The statement by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs clearly shows that the Saudis are not happy with Israeli policies and that there will be no prospect of normalizing relations with Israel under the current circumstances.

It states: The Kingdom has communicated its firm position to the U.S. administration that there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is recognised on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and that the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip stops and all the Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Gaza Strip. The Kingdom reiterates its call to the permanent members of the UN Security Council that have not yet recognized the Palestinian state, to expedite the recognition of the Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, so that the Palestinian people can obtain their legitimate rights and so that a comprehensive and just peace is achieved for all.

Video: Saudi Arabia: No Israel ties without recognition of Palestinian state | Latest English News | WION

Abraham Accords

Towards the end of the Trump Administration (between August 2020 and January 2021), a series of agreements were reached between the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan and Israel to normalise their relations, which came to be known as the Abraham Accords. The ceremonies were held with great fanfare on the Truman Balcony of the White House, hosted by President Trump, flanked by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, in order to give the impression that they represented major and historic peace agreements. It should be stressed that at least the first three countries on the list were not at war with Israel and in fact had covert cordial relations with her.

A close examination of the Abraham Accords shows that they were a series of cynical moves to bribe some Arab regimes to normalise relations with Israel by bypassing the Palestinians. Israels long-term plan to isolate and bypass the Palestinians by reaching agreements with Arab regimes outside the immediate neighbourhood was enthusiastically championed by Pompeo and Kushner, and behind them by Netanyahu.

The UAE wanted to buy some advanced US weapons, including F-35 fighter jets. They were promised that they would be able to buy them if they normalised relations with Israel. After doing so, the United States reneged because Congress opposed the sale of those sophisticated weapons to the UAE. Once the UAE decided to normalise relations with Israel, little Bahrain also decided to follow suit.

In 1993, Sudan was first added to the list of states that sponsored terrorism, but the overthrow of President Al-Bashir in April 2019 improved relations between Sudan and the United States and in December 2019 the two countries announced their intention to exchange ambassadors. Sudans Ambassador to the United States presented his credentials in September 2020.

US government promised to remove Sudan from the State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST) list if the Sudanese government agreed to normalise relations with Israel. Sudan agreed, and on 14 December 2000 the US Government removed Sudan from the SST list, just in time for Sudan to normalise her relations with Israel and to join the Abraham Accords. Of course, after the breakout of the latest civil war in Sudan between various army factions, the situation has gone from bad to worse.

There has been a long-lasting conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, about the ownership of the Western Sahara. Large parts of Western Sahara were controlled by the Moroccan Government and known as the Southern Provinces, whereas some 20% of the Western Sahara was controlled by the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), the Polisario state with limited international recognition.

The United Nations officially considers Morocco and the Polisario Front as the main parties to the conflict and has called on them to reach a negotiated settlement. The Obama administration disassociated itself from the Moroccan autonomy plan in 2009 and put the option of an independent Western Sahara on the table. Clearly, the issue had to be settled by the UN negotiation through consultation with both sides. However, Trump unilaterally and illegally gifted the Sahara to Morocco if she normalised relations with Israel.

Then it was the turn of Saudi Arabia, which came under enormous pressure to normalise relations with Israel but, even before the events of 7th October, Saudi Arabia refused to join the Abraham Accords without the acceptance of the two-state solution by Israel. The latest statement by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows that Saudi normalisation of relations with Israel is dead in the water, at least for the time being.

Of course, genuine peace between Israel and the Arab states would be very Welcome, provided that it brought with it positive gains for both sides and was not at the expense of the Palestinians.

Instead of rejecting those phony agreements and pushing for some real and lasting solutions to the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Biden Administration supported those agreements and even pressured Saudi Arabia to join them. The realization of total US support, created a feeling of impunity among the Israeli right-wing government and was responsible for excessive demands by Netanyahus latest extreme right government, which contributed to the disastrous terrorist attack on 7th October and Israels indiscriminate war and genocide in Gaza.

Given the events of the past four months and the collective punishment that Israeli government has inflicted on Gaza and the West Bank, it would be highly unlikely that any Arab government would dare to normalise relations with Israel due to their fear of their own populations.

A Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the discussions between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America on the Arab-Israeli peace process:
By Emilie El Khoury, Queens University, Ontario | 

(The Conversation)  Shortly after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued its ruling in the case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, Israel accused 12 members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) of being involved in the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023. In response, UNRWA said it fired staff accused of involvement.

Israel demanded that donor countries cease all funding to UNRWA and claimed the organization is supporting Hamas. Additionally, Israel called for the cessation of UNRWA activities in Gaza after the war.

Sixteen mostly western countries, including Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, announced they were suspending their funding to UNRWA.

Western government officials said they have not been able to verify the allegations. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently said, we havent had the ability to investigate [the allegations] ourselves. But they are highly, highly credible.

While Canada pledged $40 million for Palestinians in Gaza through alternative humanitarian channels, others like the U.S., U.K., Australia, Germany, Japan, Italy and Switzerland have completely suspended their aid, collectively representing over 60 per cent of UNRWAs budget.

UNRWA has warned that unless funding is restored it may need to shut down by the end of February. This decision may have serious consequences, not only for Palestine, but also Israel and the broader region.

Aljazeera English Video: On the brink of starvation: Palestinians go hungry due to slow entry of aid

What is UNRWA?

UNRWA was established in 1949, and has been pivotal in providing humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees since its inception. Following the Nakba (Catastrophe) in 1948, the agency was formed to respond to the urgent needs of the displaced Palestinian population.

It currently supports over six million Palestinians, employing more than 30,000 staff members, with a significant portion dedicated to operations in Gaza.

Operating under a mandate from the UN General Assembly, UNRWA offers essential assistance and protection to Palestinian refugees across the Levant, including Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and Gaza.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently said UNRWA is the backbone of all humanitarian response in Gaza, while UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said providing humanitarian assistance in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is completely dependent on UNRWA being adequately funded and operational.

Israels accusations

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal cited an Israeli intelligence dossier claiming 10 per cent of the 13,000 UNRWA employees in Gaza have ties to armed groups. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric has said Israel has not yet shared the dossier with the United Nations.

While these accusations are serious, maintaining an objective approach and refraining from drawing hasty conclusions about the UNRWAs 30,000 employees is crucial. The 12 employees accused of taking part in the Oct. 7 attack represent 0.04 per cent of the agencys staff.

There are questions to be answered about the functioning of the UN agency, particularly regarding its recruitment and staff supervision processes. However, it would be misguided to generalize the conduct of one member or 12 to the entire organization. Particularly as the evidence Israel cites has not been made public.

Funding cuts arent new

Israel has long sought to dismantle UNRWA and the agency has faced the threat of funding cuts in the past. In 2018, former U.S. President Donald Trump cut funding claiming it was an irredeemably flawed operation.

Trumps proposed deal of the century was based on sidelining the Palestinians in a bid to push for normalization between Israel and Arab governments.

Normalization has sparked controversy in Palestine and the broader region, particularly when it comes to the question of Palestinian refugees. Under Trumps proposals, UNRWA would be dissolved and Palestinian refugees would lose their international legal status, a measure that would be challenging the historical right of return of Palestinian refugees.

UN General Assembly Resolution 194, passed in 1948, enshrines the right of Palestinian refugees to return home and receive compensation for losses suffered. UNRWA is an organization that recognizes the status of Palestinian refugees and, by extension, their right to return at some point.

Palestinians, determined not to compromise their historical rights, rejected Trumps agreement in the face of political and financial pressures.

It is also important to contextualize the allegations against UNRWA within Israels  and the United Statess  broader relationship with the UN. In 2019, both countries announced they were pulling out of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, claiming it has an anti-Israel bias.

In the months since Oct. 7, Israeli officials have called for the resignation of the UN Secretary-General, denied UN staff visas and rejected the ICJs ruling.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza grows more dire by the day. Vital infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, has been destroyed or severely damaged.

If UNRWA is unable to function, it could heighten political and social tensions in the region, especially in the countries hosting Palestinians, which will directly feel the repercussions of funding cuts.

It is imperative that foreign countries do not worsen the situation, but instead take steps to mitigate these negative repercussions and work towards finding humane, respectful and sustainable long-term solutions for the region.

Emilie El Khoury, Postdoctoral fellow at Queens Universitys Centre for International Policy and Defence (CIDP), Queens University, Ontario

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Erdene Resource Development Corp. (TSX:ERD; MSE:ERDN) ("Erdene" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the execution of debt finance agreements for up to US$80 million with Mongolian Mining Corporation (MMC) to fund construction of the high-grade, open-pit Bayan Khundii Gold Project (Bayan Khundii, BK or "Project) in southwestern Mongolia.

Peter Akerley, Erdenes President and CEO stated, We are very pleased to close the financing for the Bayan Khundii Gold Project with our strategic partner MMC, Mongolias leading publicly traded mining company. With first gold scheduled in 2025, Bayan Khundii will be one of the highest grade, open pit gold mines globally and Mongolias largest primary gold producer when it reaches full production.

Mr. Akerley continued, The strengthening of our relationship with MMC through this financing supports our goal of creating a major new mining district in southwestern Mongolia. With MMCs experience in large scale mining, expertise in construction, power supply, transportation and logistics, and national and international relationships, the Bayan Khundii Gold Project will form a strong foundation for future growth in the Khundii Minerals District. Together we will grow the Mongolian mining sector, increase the industrys contribution to the national economy and create value for our shareholders.

Bayan Khundii Financing

On February 8, 2024, Erdene executed financing documents with MMC to develop the Bayan Khundii Gold Project. The financing has been structured as a shareholder loan from MMC to Erdene Mongol LLC (EM), the entity co-owned by Erdene and MMC that holds the Bayan Khundii mining license, as well as the Altan Nar mining license and highly prospective Ulaan exploration license.

The shareholder loan is for US$50 million providing the funding for construction of the Bayan Khundii gold mine and processing complex. The loan may be drawn in up to five tranches, in multiples of at least US$5 million. The loan will mature five years from the date of first draw, and accrue interest at a rate of 13.8%, paid quarterly in arrears. EM has the option to capitalize the first four interest payments. The loan will be repayable in full upon maturity. A further US$30 million, under the same terms, is available at MMCs discretion. EM is also in discussions with Mongolian commercial banks on financing for up to $30 million.

The shareholder loan will be secured by a 50% guarantee by Erdene and Erdenes interests in the Project, including its shares of EM and NSR interest, as well as preferential rights over the Khundii, Altan Nar and Ulaan licenses. For so long as the loan is outstanding, MMC will be granted priority voting rights under the Strategic Alliance agreement between the parties and a right of first refusal over Erdenes Zuun Mod project. Additionally, Erdene has the right to purchase 50% of the loan and participate as a lending shareholder on the same terms as MMC.

This financing follows the investment of US$40 million by MMC for a 50% equity interest in EM as part of the Strategic Alliance Agreement (see press release here). In total, MMC will fund up to US$120 million into the development of the Bayan Khundii Gold Project. Highlights of the Strategic Alliance include:

MMC is Mongolias largest internationally traded mining company, listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEx: 975).

MMC has invested US$40 million in EM, Erdenes Mongolian subsidiary holding the Khundii and Altan Nar mining licenses and the Ulaan exploration license.

Erdene retains a 50% equity interest in EM and a 5.0% Net Smelter Return (NSR) royalty on production from the Khundii, Altan Nar and Ulaan licenses, as well as any properties acquired within a 700km 2 area of interest beyond the first 400,000 ounces gold recovered.

area of interest beyond the first 400,000 ounces gold recovered. Erdene maintains a 100% interest in its large Zuun Mod Molybdenum-Copper deposit and Khuvyn Khar Copper project, located approximately 30 kilometres east of Bayan Khundii, and adjacent to a planned railway development.

About Erdene

Erdene Resource Development Corp. is a Canada-based resource company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious and base metals in underexplored and highly prospective Mongolia. The Company has interests in three mining licenses and an exploration license in Southwest Mongolia, where exploration success has led to the discovery and definition of the Khundii Minerals District. Erdene Resource Development Corp. is listed on the Toronto and the Mongolian stock exchanges. Further information is available at www.erdene.com. Important information may be disseminated exclusively via the website; investors should consult the site to access this information.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information regarding Erdene contained herein, including statements concerning the timing of production at Bayan Khundii and expectations as to the size and impact of Bayan Khundii and other mineral projects in Mongolia, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Although Erdene believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Erdene cautions that actual performance will be affected by a number of factors, most of which are beyond its control, and that future events and results may vary substantially from what Erdene currently foresees. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the ability to obtain required third party approvals, market prices, exploitation and exploration results, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. The forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The information contained herein is stated as of the current date and is subject to change after that date. The Company does not assume the obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

NO REGULATORY AUTHORITY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENTS OF THIS RELEASE

Erdene Contact Information

Peter C. Akerley, President and CEO, or

Robert Jenkins, CFO
President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro has congratulated President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on his confident victory in the extraordinary presidential election, Azernews reports.

"I congratulate the people of Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev on his reelection. With leadership, wisdom, and humanism you will follow the path of advancement and prosperity for your noble people. Heading towards new great conquests. Long live Azerbaijan," President Nicolas Maduro wrote on his page on X.




The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) has opened a Psychosocial support centre in Irpin (Kyiv region).

"Today, anyone who needs it will be able to contact the Psychosocial support centre in Irpin... and receive the necessary help. For the Ukrainian Red Cross, a priority task when organizing spaces, in particular for children, is the arrangement of shelters. A modern shelter has also been equipped in this room, so that children participating in psychosocial activities can safely continue their activities," Chairman of URCS Kyiv regional organization Ihor Prokopenko said.

As the society said on Facebook, in two rooms of the Psychosocial support centre there will be group classes with elements of creativity and active games for children and adults, for the elderly and activities to support the whole family. The centre will operate daily on weekdays and every person who is unable to overcome stress or anxiety on their own will be able to seek help. The centre also provides other assistance from the Ukrainian Red Cross.

This is already the eighth psychosocial support centre opened by URCS in Ukraine. Such centers are already operating in Uzhgorod, Poltava, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Khmelnytsky, Ternopil and Kamianets-Podilsky. Psychosocial support to the population from URSC is also provided in more than 60 equipped spaces throughout almost the entire territory of Ukraine. All centres were created as part of the activities of the mental health and psychosocial support of the Ukrainian Red Cross in partnership with the Danish Red Cross.
Highlights:

2023 Drilling campaign included 15 holes at Long Pocket and 3 holes at Black Hills uranium prospects.

All Black Hills exploration drill holes return significant mineralisation:

BH23DD001  3.0m @ 259ppm U 3 O 8 from 29m depth BH23DD001  6.05m @ 218ppm U 3 O 8 from 120.12m depth



Including 0.98m@ 505ppm U 3 O 8 from 120.12m



BH23DD002  2.0m @ 591 ppm (0.06%) U 3 O 8 from 209m



Including 0.9m @ 1154ppm U 3 O 8 from 210.1m



BH23DD003  3.0m @ 1844ppm (0.18%) U 3 O 8 from 88m



Including 2.00m @ 2671ppm (0.27%) U 3 O 8 from 89m



Assay results from Long Pocket confirm that shallow uranium mineralisation continues to the north-east:

LP23DD002 - 1.0m @ 545ppm U 3 O 8 from 42.0m LP23DD006  0.68m @ 980ppm U 3 O 8 from 81.0m LP23DD008  0.73m @ 149ppm U 3 O 8 from 4.93m LP23DD011  0.96m @ 109ppm U 3 O 8 from 21.54m LP23DD015  1.02m @ 692ppm U 3 O 8 from 51.9m



Rock chips from U-Valley prospect return up to 1.49% U 3 O 8

O Long Pocket maiden resource modelling planned for 2024

TORONTO, Feb. 8, 2024 /CNW/ - Laramide Resources Ltd. ("Laramide" or the "Company") (TSX: LAM) (ASX: LAM) (OTCQX: LMRXF) is pleased to announce assay results received from the 2023 drilling campaign at the Westmoreland Project in NW Queensland.

Over 4,000m of diamond drilling, for 40 holes were completed at four discrete targets during 2023: Amphitheatre, Long Pocket, Black Hills and Huarabagoo (see Figure 2). Results from Long Pocket and Black Hills have now been received after extended laboratory delays. The objective of drilling at these targets was to explore opportunities to extend the envelope of known mineralization at Long Pocket ahead of a maiden mineral resource modelling planned for 2024 and to investigate potential extensions in the corridor towards the Black Hills uranium prospect. Long Pocket is a potential satellite deposit located 7km to the east of the Westmoreland Project and was subject to historical exploration by previous operators including QML, Rio Tinto and Laramide.

Commenting on the exploration results, Laramide's President and CEO Marc Henderson said: "We are pleased to have received more positive results from our 2023 drilling campaign at Westmoreland, which was completed in October. The results are highly encouraging because they lend confidence that the Westmoreland Project has the potential to expand the uranium mineralisation with satellite deposits additional to the known 51.9Mlb Mineral Resources.

"The consistency of today's results supports our plans to begin modelling a maiden resource at the Long Pocket area in 2024. This 'Long Pocket area' includes Black Hills to the north and the newly discovered U-Valley to the south. The latest results include significant grade from Black Hills which warrants further investigation and will be a priority for the 2024 field season. The 2024 exploration plans include validation and qualification of historical work, completed in the 1970s by Rio Tinto's predecessors."

Black Hills Prospect

The Black Hills prospect is located 1.5km northeast of the Long Pocket prospect and presents as a broad 1.5 x 1km east-west airborne radiometric anomaly (see Figure 1). Recent exploration drilling at the Black Hills target has discovered multiple zones of mineralisation in previously undrilled zones at the project's southern end.

Three scout holes were drilled in 2023, each intercepting multiple zones of mineralisation with results including:

BH23DD001 - 3.0m @ 259ppm U 3 O 8 from 29m depth

@ 259ppm U O from depth BH23DD001 - 0.98m@ 505ppm U 3 O 8 from 120.12m

O from BH23DD002 - 2.0m @ 591 ppm (0.06%) U 3 O 8 from 209m

Including 0.9m @ 1154ppm (0.12%) U 3 O 8 from 210.1m



BH23DD003 - 3.0m @ 1844ppm (0.18%) U 3 O 8 from 88m

Including 2.00m @ 2671ppm (0.27%) U 3 O 8 from 89m



Mineralisation is hosted in the coarse-grained to granular Westmoreland conglomerate with the higher grades (>0.1%) associated with the fractured footwall contact of intrusive dolerite dykes.

These results, combined with a review of historical data from the 1970's, promote Black Hills to one of Laramide's priority exploration targets for the 2024 field season and will include validation and qualification of historical work.

Long Pocket

At Long Pocket 15 exploration drillholes were completed to test mineralisation extensions to the north and north-east.

Importantly, results from drill holes LP23DD-002, -008 and -011 present immediate step outs of over 100m from known shallow, flat-lying mineralisation, whilst LP23DD-006 and -015 suggests a potential mineralised corridor to the Black Hills uranium prospect (Figure 1) which requires further investigation in the year ahead.

LP23DD002  1.0m @ 545ppm U 3 O 8 from 42.0m

LP23DD006  0.68m @ 980ppm U 3 O 8 from 81.0m

LP23DD008  0.73m @ 149ppm U 3 O 8 from 4.93m

@ 149ppm U O from LP23DD011  0.96m @ 109ppm U 3 O 8 from 21.54m

@ 109ppm U O from LP23DD015  1.02m @ 692ppm U 3 O 8 from 51.9m

Table 1: 2023 Long Pocket and Black Hills  Drill Collar details HOLE ID Prospect GDA94_Easting GDA94_Northing Dip Azimuth Depth (m) BH23DD001 Black Hills 205691 8066136 -50 205 186.3 BH23DD002 Black Hills 205407 8066209 -50 175 219.5 BH23DD003 Black Hills 205277 8066067 -50 355 240.6 LP23DD001 Long Pocket 204809 8065402 -80 355 51.7 LP23DD002 Long Pocket 204857 8065314 -80 355 51.7 LP23DD003 Long Pocket 205008 8065406 -80 355 54.8 LP23DD004 Long Pocket 205168 8065504 -80 355 69.8 LP23DD005 Long Pocket 204907 8065501 -80 355 57.7 LP23DD006 Long Pocket 205009 8065611 -80 355 96.7 LP23DD007 Long Pocket 204693 8065366 -80 355 42.7 LP23DD008 Long Pocket 204551 8065400 -80 355 45.9 LP23DD009 Long Pocket 204452 8065406 -80 355 45.8 LP23DD010 Long Pocket 204336 8065394 -80 355 42.7 LP23DD011 Long Pocket 204110 8065377 -80 355 42.7 LP23DD012 Long Pocket 205337 8065619 -80 355 132.7 LP23DD013 Long Pocket 205510 8065853 -80 355 78.9 LP23DD014 Long Pocket 205562 8065742 -80 355 51.7 LP23DD015 Long Pocket 205733 8065979 -50 25 150.5

Table 2: Black Hill and Long Pocket Significant intercepts (>100ppm U 3 O 8 ) HOLE ID Prospect From To (m) Interval

Length(m) U 3 O 8 (ppm) BH23DD001 Black Hills 29.00 32.0 3.00 259 120.12 121.10 0.98 505 122.20 126.17 3.97 214 BH23DD002 Black Hills 51.60 52.65 1.05 158 179.00 181.00 2.00 135 183.00 183.80 0.80 149 184.93 185.73 0.80 262 209.00 211.00 2.00 591 including 209.00 209.90 0.90 1154 BH23DD003 Black Hills 20.90 22.00 1.10 222 73.00 74.00 1.00 133 83.18 86.00 2.82 246 88.00 91.00 3.00 1844 including 89.00 91.00 2.00 2671 LP23DD001 Long Pocket No significant intercepts LP23DD002 Long Pocket 42.00 43.00 1.00 535 LP23DD003 Long Pocket No significant intercepts LP23DD004 Long Pocket No significant intercepts LP23DD005 Long Pocket No significant intercepts LP23DD006 Long Pocket 81.00 81.68 0.68 980 86.50 87.22 0.72 249 LP23DD007 Long Pocket No significant intercepts LP23DD008 Long Pocket 4.93 5.66 0.73 149 LP23DD009 Long Pocket No significant intercepts LP23DD010 Long Pocket No significant intercepts LP23DD011 Long Pocket 21.54 22.50 0.96 109 LP23DD012 Long Pocket No significant intercepts LP23DD013 Long Pocket No significant intercepts LP23DD014 Long Pocket No significant intercepts LP23DD015 Long Pocket 51.90 52.92 1.02 692

U-Valley

Further to previously reported "off-scale" radiometric anomalism at the U-Valley prospect1, the four in-situ, rock chips samples taken during reconnaissance work in 2023 have returned significant uranium mineralisation grading up to 1.49% U 3 O 8 over two parallel east-west trending zones of approximately 200m strike (Table 3). Whilst grab samples are discrete points, outcropping uranium mineralisation presents a compelling target for further investigation during 2024.

1 Press release, October 31, 2023 https://laramide.com/laramide-updates-progress-on-2023-drilling-program-and-makes-new-discovery-with-off-scale-radioactivity-reading-from-surface-reconnaissance/

Table 3  U-Valley Rock Chip sample details Sample ID Easting

(GDA94,z54) Northing

(GDA94, z54) U 3 O 8 ppm (ME_ICP61) U 3 O 8 %

(ME-XRF30) WP269 204215 8063467 4870 n/a WP267 204029 8063220 6650 n/a WP263 204040 8063310 517 n/a WP262 204094 8063487 >10,000 1.49

QP/CP Statement

The information in this announcement relating to Exploration Results is based on information compiled or reviewed by Mr. Rhys Davies, a contractor to the Company. Mr. Davies is a Member of The Australasian Institute of Geoscientists and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves', and is a Qualified Person under the guidelines of the National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Davies consents to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

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About Laramide Resources Ltd.

Laramide is focused on exploring and developing high-quality uranium assets in Australia and the western United States. The company's portfolio comprises five advanced uranium projects in districts with historical production or superior geological prospectivity. Each asset has been carefully chosen for their size, production potential, and are considered late-stage, low-technical risk projects.

The Westmoreland project in Queensland, Australia, is one of the largest uranium development assets held by a junior mining company. This project has a PEA that describes an economically robust, open-pit mining project with a mine-life of 13 years. Additionally, the adjacent Murphy Project in the Northern Territory of Australia is a greenfield asset that Laramide strategically acquired to control the majority of the mineralized system along the Westmoreland trend.

In the United States, Laramide's assets include the NRC licensed Crownpoint-Churchrock Uranium Project. An NI 43-101 PEA study completed in 2023 has described an in-situ recovery ("ISR") production methodology. The Company also owns the La Jara Mesa project in the historic Grants mining district of New Mexico and an underground project, called La Sal, in Lisbon Valley, Utah.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. The actual results could differ materially from a conclusion, forecast or projection in the forward-looking information. Certain material factors or assumptions were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection as reflected in the forward-looking information.
North Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 7, 2024) - Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) (ASX: LLO) ("Lion One" or the "Company") announces that it is commencing an overnight marketed public offering of units (the "Offered Units") of the Company for anticipated gross proceeds of up to C$10.0 million (the "Offering"). The Offering is expected to be completed pursuant to an underwriting agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") to be entered into between the Company, Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation ("CFCC"), as lead underwriter and sole bookrunner (the "Lead Underwriter"), and a syndicate of underwriters to be determined (collectively with the Lead Underwriter, the "Underwriters").

The number of Offered Units to be sold, the Offering price (the "Offering Price"), and the terms of the Offered Units will be determined in the context of the market and there can be no assurance as to completion of the Offering. In addition, the Company will grant the Underwriters an over-allotment option (the "Over-Allotment Option") exercisable, in whole or in part, in the sole discretion of the Underwriters, to purchase up to an additional 15% of the number of Offered Units sold in the Offering for up to 30 days after the closing, on the same terms and conditions as the Offering.

The net proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Offered Units will be used for development and ramp up expenses at the Tuvatu Gold project located in Fiji, as well as for general corporate expenses & purposes.

The Offering will be made by way of a prospectus supplement (the "Prospectus Supplement") to the Company's existing Canadian short form base shelf prospectus dated May 13, 2022 (the "Base Shelf Prospectus"). Upon completion of pricing of the Offering and the signing of the Underwriting Agreement, the Prospectus Supplement will be filed with the securities commissions in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta and will be available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Alternatively, the Prospectus Supplement and related Base Shelf Prospectus may be obtained upon request by contacting the Company or Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation in Canada, attention: Equity Capital Markets, 181 University Avenue, Suite 1500, Toronto, ON, M5H 3M7, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The Offered Units will not be offered or sold in the United States except under Rule 144A or Regulation D or in such other manner as to not require registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Offered Units may also be offered in those jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States as agreed to by the Company and the Underwriters provided that no prospectus filing or comparable obligation arises and the Company does not thereafter become subject to continuous disclosure obligations in such jurisdictions. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. No securities may be offered or sold in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer or sale would be unlawful absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom or qualification under the securities laws of such other jurisdiction or an exemption therefrom.

The closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about February 13, 2024 and is subject to the completion of formal documentation and receipt of regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Lion One Metals Limited

Lion One Metals is an emerging Canadian gold producer headquartered in North Vancouver BC, with new operations established in late 2023 at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. The Tuvatu project comprises the high-grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Deposit, the Underground Gold Mine, the Pilot Plant, and the Assay Lab. The Company also has an extensive exploration license covering the entire Navilawa Caldera, which is host to multiple mineralized zones and highly prospective exploration targets.

As disclosed in its "Technical Report and PEA Update for the Tuvatu Gold Project" dated April 29, 2022, the 2018 Tuvatu resource estimate comprises 1,007,000 tonnes indicated at 8.50 g/t Au (274,600 oz. Au) and 1,325,000 tonnes inferred at 9.0 g/t Au (384,000 oz. Au) at a cut-off grade of 3.0 g/t Au. The technical report is available on the Lion One website at www.liononemetals.com and under the Lion One profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca.

In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Alex Nichol, MAIG, VP Geology and Exploration for Lion One, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has reviewed and is responsible for the technical and scientific content of this news release.

Contact Information

Investor inquiries: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone:1-855-805-1250 (toll free North America)

Website: www.liononemetals.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Lion One Metals Limited's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Lion One Metals Limited and on assumptions Lion One Metals Limited believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the results of the Offering and associated marketing efforts, the use of proceeds of the Offering, actual results of exploration projects being equivalent to or better than estimated results in technical reports, assessment reports, and other geological reports or prior exploration results, and results of ongoing production operations. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Lion One Metals Limited or its subsidiaries to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: prevailing capital markets conditions, the stage development of Lion One Metals Limited, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current research and development or operational activities; competition; uncertainty as to patent applications and intellectual property rights; product liability and lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting mining, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; not realizing on the potential benefits of technology; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labor or loss of key individuals. Although Lion One Metals Limited has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Lion One Metals Limited does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.
February 8, 2024 / TheNewswire / London, Ontario  Abitibi Metals Corp. (CSE:AMQ) (OTC:AMQFF) (FSE:FW0) (Abitibi or the Company) is pleased to announce the arrival of a second drill on-site at the B26 Polymetallic Deposit (B26 or the Deposit). The Company is currently completing its winter drill program at the Deposit, where a minimum of 10,000 metres is targeted by the end of March under the first phase of a fully funded 30,000-metre 2024 field season. On November 16th, 2023, the Company entered into an option agreement on the B26 Deposit to earn 80% over 7 years from SOQUEM Inc (see news release dated November 16, 2023).

Jonathon Deluce, CEO of Abitibi Metals, commented, We are very excited to announce the arrival of a second drill at the B26 Polymetallic Deposit. This strategic decision stems from the very promising visual observations made from the first 5 holes drilled, underscoring our commitment to thoroughly assess all our Phase 1 objectives before the onset of winter breakup.

Mr. Deluce continued. This initial phase of our drill program aims to test the open-pit potential at the B26 Deposit with the goal of increasing near-surface tonnage over a 1.2-kilometre strike length. As the program progresses, we will then shift focus to advancing and expanding the existing high-grade underground resource. The current drilling is starting to demonstrate the potential of the B26 Deposit, and positive results should add blue sky potential and value to an already advanced copper-gold resource at the Project.

To-date, five holes have been completed on the B26 Main Deposit" target, totalling 1,477 metres.

Drilling in this first phase is broken down between 3 targets along strike testing the first 300 vertical metres:

B26 Main Deposit a.The key objective of drilling within the B26 Main Deposit is to evaluate the open pit potential and potential up-dip near-surface extensions of the main deposit to the north. This testing is distributed over a 1.2-kilometre strike length. Satellite West: a.Targeting the geometric continuity of a potential satellite zone 500 metres to the west of the main deposit. Eastern Extension: a.Targeting the expansion of the main deposit to the east where 2.45% Cu Eq over 26.7 metres*, including 4.74% CuEq over 11.7 metres (1274-14-167) was intercepted in historical drilling.

Drill Hole Descriptions:

Holes 1274-24-293 1274-24-294 were designed to test the geometry (infill extension) of mineralization in historical hole B26-40 and secondly to crosscut historical hole 1274-16-224 which graded 3.05% CuEq over a length of 48.1 metres* from 113.4 to 161.5 metres.

Holes 1274-24-295 1274-24-296 were designed to intercept the copper-bearing structure up-dip close to surface, which was previously intercepted 3.65% CuEq over a length of 31.8 metres* in hole 1274-14-202M at a vertical depth of approximately 60 metres.

Hole 1274-24-297 was designed to test the up-dip structure closer to the surface of historical hole 1274-14-193, which intercepted 1.65% CuEq over 12.8 metres*, ending at a depth of 200.5 metres.

Table 1: Drill Locations

Drill hole number UTM East UTM North Elevation Azimuth Dip Start Length (m) 1274-24-293 652950 5513385 276 360 -52 0 291 1274-24-294 652950 5513385 276 360 -56 0 310 1274-24-295 653150 5513380 276 360 -57 0 312 1274-24-296 653150 5513380 276 360 -45 0 222 1274-24-297 653200 5513320 276 360 -55 0 342

Qualified Person

This press release was reviewed and approved by Martin Demers, P.Geo., OGQ No. 770, who is a qualified person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, and responsible for the technical information provided in this news release.

About Abitibi Metals Corp.

Abitibi Metals Corp. is a Quebec-focused mineral acquisition and exploration company focused on the development of quality base and precious metal properties that are drill-ready with high-upside and expansion potential. Abitibis portfolio of strategic properties provides target-rich diversification and includes the option to earn 80% of the high-grade B26 Polymetallic Deposit (Ind: 7.0MT @ 2.94% Cu Eq & Inf: 4.4MT @ 2.97% Cu Eq) and the Beschefer Gold Project, where historical drilling has identified 4 historical intercepts with a metal factor of over 100 g/t gold highlighted by 55.63 g/t gold over 5.57 metres and 13.07 g/t gold over 8.75 metres amongst four modelled zones.

About SOQUEM

SOQUEM, a subsidiary of Investissement Quebec, is dedicated to promoting the exploration, discovery and development of mining properties in Quebec. SOQUEM also contributes to maintaining strong local economies. Proud partner and ambassador for the development of Quebecs mineral wealth, SOQUEM relies on innovation, research and strategic minerals to be well-positioned for the future.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Jonathon Deluce, Chief Executive Officer

For more information, please call 226-271-5170, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit https://www.abitibimetals.com.

The Company also maintains an active presence on various social media platforms to keep stakeholders and the general public informed and encourages shareholders and interested parties to follow and engage with the Company through the following channels to stay updated with the latest news, industry insights, and corporate announcements:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AbitibiMetals

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Source 1: Fayard, Q, Mercier-Langevin, P., Wodicka, N., Daigneault, R., & Perreault, S. (2020). The B26 Cu-Zn-Ag-Au Project, Brouillan Volcanic Complex, Abitibi Greenstone Belt, Part 1: Geological Setting and Geochronology.

Source 2: Rapport Technique NI 43-101 Estimation des Ressources Projet B26, Quebec, For SOQUEM Inc., By SGS Canada Inc., Yann Camus, ing., Olivier Vadnais-Leblanc, geo., SGS Canada  Geostat., Effective Date: April 18, 2018, Date of Report : May 11, 2018

Source 3: Fayard, Q. (2020). CONTROLES VOLCANIQUES, HYDROTHERMAUX ET STRUCTURAUX SUR LA NATURE ET LA DISTRIBUTION DES METAUX USUELS ET PRECIEUX DANS LES ZONES MINERALISEES DU PROJET B26, COMPLEXE VOLCANIQUE DE BROUILLAN, ABITIBI, QUEBEC.

* Not necessarily representative of the of the true width of mineralization

Copper Equivalent values calculated using metal prices of $4.00/lb Cu, $1.50/lb Zn, $20.00/ounce Ag and $1,800/ounce Au. Metal recoveries of 100% are applied in the copper equivalent calculation.

Forward-looking statement

This news release contains certain statements, which may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information involves statements that are not based on historical information but rather relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments on the B26 Project or otherwise. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions, which are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Companys control and many of which, regarding future business decisions, are subject to change. These uncertainties and contingencies can affect actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on the Companys behalf. Although Abitibi has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. All factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on Abitibis forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as expects, estimates, anticipates, or variations of such words and phrases (including negative and grammatical variations) or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, might or occur. Mineral exploration and development are highly speculative and are characterized by a number of significant inherent risks, which may result in the inability of the Company to successfully develop current or proposed projects for commercial, technical, political, regulatory or financial reasons, or if successfully developed, may not remain economically viable for their mine life owing to any of the foregoing reasons, among others. There is no assurance that the Company will be successful in achieving commercial mineral production and the likelihood of success must be considered in light of the stage of operations.




The Company is fully funded to continue target development on the property.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2024) - Silver Dollar Resources Inc. (CSE: SLV) (OTCQX: SLVDF) (FSE: 4YW) ("Silver Dollar" or the "Company") announces that it has acquired a 100% interest in Canasil Resources Inc.'s ("Canasil") Nora property located in Durango State, Mexico pursuant to the terms of the Nora option agreement (the "Nora Option Agreement"), previously announced on April 20, 2023.

Figure 1: Location of Nora property and other mines and deposits in the region.

The Nora property is situated in the Eastern Sierra Madre sub-province, in the transition to the high plateau of Mexico, the property lies centrally within the "Silver Trend" that runs from the northwest to the southeast through Durango State. Significant deposits in the region include Endeavour Silver's Guanacevi mine and Fresnillo's San Julian mine on-trend to the northwest, with Endeavour Silver's Pitarrilla Project approximately 50 kilometres (km) to the east. Pitarrilla is one of the largest undeveloped silver deposits in the world and was discovered by Perry Durning and Frank (Bud) Hillemeyer, who serve as Silver Dollar's technical advisors.

In connection with the acquisition of the Nora property, Canasil waived certain obligations of Silver Dollar under the Nora Option Agreement on the basis that Silver Dollar encountered certain unresolved discrepancies in verifying the 2020 and 2021 drill results Canasil reported on the Nora property.

While analyzing and relogging drill core as part of its drill target development, Silver Dollar re-assayed select core intervals from Canasil's previous drilling. A total of 161 core samples, plus 16 standards and blanks, were submitted to ActLabs in Zacatecas. This included 157 duplicates of the original core samples from drill holes NRC-20-01, NRC-20-04, NRC-20-06, NRC-21-09, NRC-21-10, NRC-21-11, and NRC-21-12. The ActLabs check assay values received for lead, zinc and copper closely mirror the original assay values Canasil received from ALS Global in Vancouver; however, the gold and silver values are significantly lower as follows:

For gold: of the 157 samples duplicated, Canasil reported 42 samples >1 g/t Au (1.23 - 43.7 g/t) including 18 samples >5 g/t (5.3 - 43.7 g/t), whereas Silver Dollar's re-assaying yielded only three samples >1 g/t Au (1.04, 1.75, and 2.30 g/t).

For silver: of the 157 samples duplicated, Canasil reported 44 samples >200 g/t Ag (133 -1,924 g/t) including 19 samples >500 g/t Ag (504 - 1,925 g/t), whereas Silver Dollar's re-assaying yielded only three samples >100 g/t Ag (129, 158, and 448 g/t).

The QPs from both companies discussed the situation and recommended a further analytical program be carried out to provide some insight into what may have caused the assay discrepancies. However, Canasil did not have the financial resources to contribute to the recommended program and alternatively offered to waive certain of Silver Dollars consideration obligations under the Nora Option Agreement and transfer 100% ownership of the Nora property to Silver Dollar for the consideration that has been provided to date (as detailed below), subject to a 2% net smelter returns royalty (the Royalty) with Silver Dollar having the right to buy back 1% of the Royalty for $1,000,000. As of the date hereof, Silver Dollar has incurred a total of approximately $134,779 in exploration expenditures on the Nora property, as full consideration for the acquisition thereof. Silver Dollar is not required to provide any further consideration to Canasil to complete the acquisition and the transfer of the Nora concessions to Silver Dollar has been initiated.

The Company previously reported selected highlights from Canasil's 2020 and 2021 drilling programs on the Nora property, which included the discrepancies noted above, in its news releases of May 24, 2023, June 20, 2023, and August 1, 2023, on its website, in its material change report dated April 20, 2023, and its Management's Discussion and Analysis of May 31, 2023. In addition to containing discrepancies, the Company has determined that the disclosure did not conform to National Instrument 43-101 standards and should not be relied upon. Accordingly, the Company retracts the non-compliant prior disclosure of results from Canasil's 2020 and 2021 drilling programs in respect of the Nora property from its disclosure record.

"Although the assay discrepancies from the Candy vein drill core are puzzling, the Nora property has other priority exploration targets that we intend to follow up on while we take a closer look at the Candy vein structure," said Michael Romanik, president of Silver Dollar.

Mike Kilbourne, P.Geo., an independent Qualified Person (QP) as defined in NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release on behalf of the Company. The QP and the Company have not completed sufficient work to verify the information on the Nora property, particularly regarding historical exploration, neighbouring companies, and government geological work.

About Silver Dollar Resources Inc.

Silver Dollar is a mineral exploration company that is fully funded to execute its near-term exploration plans having closed its last financing with lead orders from billionaire mining investor Eric Sprott and NYSE-listed First Majestic Silver. The Company's primary projects lie within Mexico's prolific Durango-Zacatecas silver-gold belt and include the flagship La Joya silver (Cu-Au) property and the Nora silver-gold property. Management has an aggressive growth strategy and is actively reviewing potential acquisitions with a focus on drill-ready projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions.

For additional information, you can download our latest presentation by clicking here and you can follow us on Twitter by clicking here.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Signed "Michael Romanik"

Michael Romanik,

President, CEO & Director

Silver Dollar Resources Inc.

Direct line: (204) 724-0613

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

179 - 2945 Jacklin Road, Suite 416

Victoria, BC, V9B 6J9

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this news release only, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements include the fact that the Company intends to continue fieldwork on the Nora property and follow up on other priority exploration targets on the Nora property; and that the Company intends to take a closer look at the Candy vein structure. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, that the Company's cost and timing expectations are accurate; that Canasil will be able to successfully transfer the claims comprising the Nora property to Silver Dollar; that the Company will be successful in the deployment of its resources and personnel; that the Company will be able to obtain and maintain all permits, licenses and approvals required to complete its planned exploration activities; that management has accurately predicted how the regulatory environment will impact its business and the transfer of the claims comprising the Nora property; and that the Company will have access to sufficient funds to finance its business activities and plans. Additionally, forward-looking statements involve 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 statements. Such risks include, without limitation: that Canasil may fail to successfully transfer the claims comprising the Nora property to Silver Dollar; that the Nora property is ceased in connection with bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings; that the Nora property becomes the subject of litigation, bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, or other regulatory or civil proceedings; the Company's operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation, policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations; political instability; unexpected exploration challenges; unanticipated costs; the Company could fail to obtain the permits, licenses or approvals required to conduct its planned exploration activities; and the loss of key personnel. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this news release.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO / ACCESSWIRE / February 7, 2024 / Fortitude Gold (OTCQB:FTCO) (the "Company") today announced it has acquired 100% interest in two separate gold properties within Nevada's Walker Lane Mineral Belt. The first being the Dauntless gold property, which includes the historic Weepah gold mine, located in Esmeralda County, Nevada, approximately 30 kilometers southwest of Tonopah, Nevada. The second being the Intrepid claim package, located in Mineral County, Nevada, approximately 10 kilometers northwest of Mina, Nevada. Fortitude Gold is a gold producer, developer, and explorer with operations in Nevada, U.S.A. offering investors exposure to both gold production and dividend yield.

The Dauntless claim package was purchased from Nevada Select Royalty Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gold Royalty Corp. The approximate 2,105-acre land package has seen historic high-grade gold production from both open pit and underground workings with undeveloped drill intercepts including 16 meters of 3.36 grams per tonne (g/t) gold. Fortitude Gold staked 129 additional unpatented claims around the property to strengthen the land position and exploration potential.

Dauntless acquisition highlights include:

100% ownership

Historic gold production grade estimated at 3.1 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Sunshine Mining Company)

Open pit heap leach project potential

Surface and near surface gold drill intercepts*

Historic drill intercepts include 38.1 meters of 1.18 g/t gold from surface*

Historic drill intercept over 16 meters of 3.36 g/t gold ~70 meters deep*

Rock chip samples up to 60 g/t gold*

Proximity to Company's producing Isabella Pearl mine (~100 kilometers)

Potential equipment and processing facility synergies with Company's Isabella Pearl project

105 unpatented lode mining claims; 1 patented mining claim

129 additional claims staked surrounding property

4,680 acres total acquired and staked high-grade gold exploration property

Mining friendly jurisdiction, Nevada, U.S.A.

*Third party drill intercepts and rock chip samples

The Company purchased 100% interest in the Dauntless claim package for total consideration of US$725,000. Nevada Select Royalty Inc retained a maximum net smelter return royalty (NSR) of 3% on future production from the property claims.

The property warranted acquisition for reasons including surface and near surface high-grade gold, historic high-grade gold production, exploration potential, and its location in the Walker Lane Mineral Belt within trucking distance to the Company's Isabella Pearl gold processing facility. Historic mining records indicate during the mid-1980's a small portion of the claims were mined by Sunshine Mining Company who reported 60,000 ounces of gold mined at an average grade of 3.1 grams per tonne (g/t) and a 1:1 strip ratio. Low historic metal prices closed the mine though it was estimated more mineralization remained.

Gold mineralization at Dauntless is believed to occur within two broad shear zones. The western shear zone hosts all historic production with a small open pit and adjacent underground workings, while the eastern shear zone was exploited by modest exploratory workings. Both shear zones have been traced for hundreds of meters along strike and down dip and appear to be open to the south. The Company's rock check samples confirmed widespread surface gold grades as high as 14 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (see map below).

Mineralization reported by third parties, including drill results upwards of 16.5 meters (54 feet) of 3.36 g/t gold, as a potential extension to the historic open pit warrant additional exploration to confirm, expand, and identify mineralized potential remaining. Zones sampled in the pit, coupled with historic third-party drilling, indicate high-grade gold continuity in at least one dominate mineralized structure.

Historic third-party drill highlights include (m=meters, g/t=grams per tonne) (see cross section below):

16.5 m (54 feet) of 3.36 g/t gold

15.2 m (50 feet) of 3.11 g/t gold

6.1 m (20 feet) of 7.46 g/t gold

3.0 m (10 feet) of 2.79 g/t gold

Intrepid acquisition highlights include:

100% ownership

Rock chip samples up to 2.55 g/t gold

Proximity to Company's producing Isabella Pearl mine (24 kilometers)

Potential equipment and processing facility synergies with Company's Isabella Pearl project

157 unpatented lode mining claims

Mining friendly jurisdiction, Nevada, U.S.A.

The Company acquired 100% interest in Intrepid and a larger claim package by staking claims and issuing a maximum NSR of 3% to an individual on future production. No cash payment was made to the claim holder in association with the Intrepid acquisition. Gold mineralization at the property is hosted by silicified volcanics and sediments. A Notice of Intent to drill Intrepid has been submitted to the Bureau of Land Management.

Rock chip samples include:

2.55 g/t gold

2.44 g/t gold

2.13 g/t gold

"These two exciting acquisitions checks all the boxes for us including the presence of high-grade surface and near surface gold, substantial exploration potential on both brownfield and greenfield exploration targets, and their proximity to our Isabella Pearl facility for potential synergistic future ore feed and processing," stated Mr. Jason Reid, CEO and President of Fortitude Gold. "It is very positive that the historic Weepah mine, now located on the larger Dauntless property, extracted high-grade gold back in the nineteen eighties and fortunately for us, the pressure of low market metal prices forced them to walk away from high-grade mineralization in both the bottom and potential expansion of the historic pit."

Mr. Reid continued, "These properties fit well into our portfolio of now eight high-grade gold properties in Nevada, seven of which are strategically located in the Walker Lane Mineral Belt. Our near-term initial objective for the Dauntless includes drilling the mineralized structure to evaluate open pit expansion potential, as well as vector in on additional high-grade targets that have yet to be drilled. While we need to first confirm the historic third-party drill intercepts, twenty feet of over seven grams per tonne gold and fifty feet of over three grams per tonne gold is very exciting and warrants a drill campaign to test, confirm, and expand on this potential high-grade mineralization. Intrepid' s high-grade gold rock chip samples and proximity to our Isabella Pearl process facilities warranted acquisition as well. We are very excited to add these prospective properties to our growing Nevada land portfolio, all eight of which have surface and near surface high-grade gold."

About Fortitude Gold Corp.

Fortitude Gold is a U.S. based gold producer targeting projects with low operating costs, high margins, and strong returns on capital. The Company's strategy is to grow organically, remain debt-free and distribute substantial dividends. The Company's Nevada Mining Unit consists of five high-grade gold properties located in the Walker Lane Mineral Belt and a sixth high-grade gold property in west central Nevada. The Isabella Pearl gold mine, located on the Isabella Pearl mineralized trend, is currently in production. Nevada, U.S.A. is among the world's premier mining friendly jurisdictions.

Cautionary Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. If you are risk-averse you should NOT buy shares in Fortitude Gold Corp. The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. When used in this press release, the words "plan", "target", "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding the Company's strategy, future plans for production, future expenses and costs, future liquidity and capital resources, and estimates of mineralized material are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this press release.

Contact:

Greg Patterson

719-717-9825

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www.Fortitudegold.com
February 8, 2024  TheNewswire - Vancouver, B.C.  Carmanah Minerals Corp. (CSE:CARM), (Carmanah or the Company) is pleased to announce the appointment of Wall Street Veteran Michael Moen to the Companys board of Directors effective February 5, 2024. With over two decades of experience in financial markets and investment strategies, Moen brings a wealth of expertise to the Company's leadership team with a focus on natural resources.

Moen's distinguished career spans various roles in the finance industry, notably serving as a Managing Director, head of sales for one of the premier wall street brokerage firms specializing in natural resources. His strategic insights and deep understanding of global markets will be invaluable as Carmanah Minerals continues to advance its Uranium and Critical Element projects.

He has advised Pension Funds, Sovereign Wealth Funds, and Financial Sponsors on strategic buyside and sell side opportunities. His sector focus includes technology, critical infrastructure, traditional energy, commodities, and renewables. He has advised on various buyside M&A and minority control opportunities. His geographic focus is North America, China and Middle East. Previously, he led teams in fintech, insurance, and national security restructuring, running operations, and capital raising.

In 2008, Mike was a Canadian Foreign Service Officer running economic development attracting over $5 Billion of cross-border investment for projects in renewable energy, oil & gas, commodities, financial services, and technology. He advised the Canadian Government on critical infrastructure, capital markets and venture capital.

Previously, he held various positions at Goldman Sachs, CIBC World Markets, and Citigroup. Mike has a masters in economics from Columbia University, masters in international relations from NYU, MBA from IUM, and BA from the University of Minnesota. Mike lives in Greenwich, Connecticut with his wife and three children.

In addition to his role on Carmanah Minerals board, Moen has the following notable advisory affiliations, his appointment underscores Carmanahs commitment to assembling a diverse and accomplished board of directors to guide the Company through its next phase of growth.

Relevant M&A Advisory / Origination Relationship Sponsors: KKR, Blackstone, TJC, Invus, Viking Global, Point72, Tiger Global, HIG Capital (Infra), Ares (Infra), Sagard-Portage, ARC Financial, GE Energy Financial Services, SoftBank Vision Fund / SoftBank Group. Corporates: Phibro, Suncor, Cenovus, Sempra Infrastructure (LNG / Net Zero), JERA, Venture Global, Tellurian, SinoChem / Sinopec, CNOOC, Citic Group, LeapMotor, JAC, Bunge, Nestle, Syngenta, Global Foundries. Pensions / SWFs: ADIA Infra, ADQ, PIF, Mubadala, CPPIB, OTPP, OMERS, CDPQ, AIMCo, BCI, CIC.

"We are very pleased to welcome Michael Moen to our Board of Directors," said Fraser Reiche, CEO of Carmanah Minerals. "His proven track record of success in navigating complex financial landscapes will greatly enhance our board's capabilities as we pursue our growth objectives."

"I am excited to join Carmanah Minerals at this pivotal moment in its journey," said Michael Moen. "I look forward to working closely with the board and management team to drive value for shareholders and stakeholders alike. Carmanah has tremendous upside potential as the Company advances its Uranium and Critical Elements projects.

Moen's appointment follows a series of strategic moves by Carmanah Minerals positioning the Company for sustained success in the dynamic minerals market.

Forward Split Record Date:

The Company announced on November 9, 2023, that it intends to forward split its common shares (Common Shares) on the basis of two (2) new Common shares for each one (1) Common Share currently outstanding (the Share Split). Each shareholder of record of the Company as of the close of business on the record date will receive one (1) additional share for each share held on such date.

The Company currently has 23,208,385 issued and outstanding common shares. Upon completion of the Share Split, there will be approximately 46,416,770 shares issued and outstanding.

The record date for the stock split is now being set and the Company will be announcing a date very shortly in a subsequent news release once the record date has been confirmed. The purpose of the Share Split is to increase market liquidity of the common shares and to further allow institutional participation in up coming financings.

Completion of the Share Split remains subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

About Carmanah Minerals Corp.

Carmanah Minerals Corp. is a Canadian junior exploration company focused on a diversified portfolio covering Precious Metals, Energy, and Critical Elements. The Company recently signed a Joint Venture agreement with Marvel Discovery Corp. to earn a 50% interest in the Walker Uranium Claims located along the prolific Key Lake fault adjacent to Camecos and F3 Uranium properties on the east side of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan. The Walker property lies within the WollastonMudjactic Transition Zone (WMTZ) which hosts the highest-grade uranium mines in the world. The company also holds a 100% interest in the Hare Hill Pluton Rare Earth Project. This project comprises 162 claims totaling 4,050 hectares in Central Newfoundland and is directly contiguous to the "Bottom Brook Acquisition" by York Harbour Metals Inc. Carmanah has also entered an option agreement to acquire the Baie Verte Brompton Project in Central Newfoundland. This project is strategically located on a peninsula that hosts all of Newfoundland's current gold production, including Anaconda Mining Inc.'s Point Rousse gold mine and Rambler Metals Mining operations.



For further information, please view the Companys filings at www.sedar.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Fraser Rieche

Chief Executive Officer, Director

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Telephone: +1 (604) 716-1036

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information:

This news release includes certain forwardlooking statements and forwardlooking information (collectively, forwardlooking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding future capital expenditures, anticipated content, commencement, and cost of exploration programs in respect of the Companys projects and mineral properties, anticipated exploration program results from exploration activities, resources and/or reserves on the Companys projects and mineral properties, the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, anticipated completion of the Private Placements, including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange for the Private Placements, are forwardlooking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as pro forma, plans, expects, will, may, should, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates, believes, potential or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forwardlooking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that market fundamentals will result in sustained precious and base metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future exploration of the Companys properties, that the COVID19 global pandemic will not affect the ability of the Company to conduct the exploration program on its mineral properties, the availability of financing on suitable terms, and the Companys ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws.

Forwardlooking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forwardlooking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, including the Companys proposed expenditures for exploration work on its mineral projects, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the Canadian Securities Exchange), permits or financing, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID19, as well as those factors discussed under the heading Risk Factors in the Companys prospectus dated April 4, 2022, and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Companys profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forwardlooking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forwardlooking statements in this news release except as otherwise required by law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.




VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Refined Metals Corp. (CSE: RMC; OTC: RFMCF; FRA: CWA0) (the Company) is pleased to announce that it has appointed Mr. Mark Fields, a current director of the Company, to the position of Chief Executive Officer. In conjunction, Mr. Aman Parmar has stepped down as Interim Chief Executive Officer and remains a director of the Company.

Mr. Fields has broad experience in overseeing mineral properties from exploration to production. Mr. Fields served as a geologist and business manager for the Rio Tinto Group (1991-1997), where he was involved in all aspects of Rio Tintos Canadian exploration activities, including being intimately involved in advancing the Diavik diamond project from the exploration stage to a feasibility study. Mr. Fields also served as the Corporate Affairs Manager for La Teko Resources Ltd. (1997-1999), where he oversaw corporate planning, reporting and project evaluation until the company accepted a take-over offer from Kinross Gold Corporation. Mr. Fields was also the Vice President (1999-2001) and a director (1999-2009) of Copper Ridge Explorations Inc., where he was responsible for directing geological programs, project evaluations and continuous disclosure obligations of the company. Mr. Fields received the E.A. Scholz award in 2012 from the Association for Mineral Exploration BC for excellence in mine development, and has extensive public company experience as a result of serving on the board of directors and as a member of management of many mineral resource issuers.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Aman for his service as the interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company, said Mr. Fields. Im excited to serve as the Companys next Chief Executive Officer. As Chief Executive Officer of the Company, I am looking forward to growing the business of the Company in a manner that enhances our shareholders investment and grows shareholder value.

About Refined Metals Corp.

Refined Metals Corp. is a junior mining company dedicated to identifying, evaluating and acquiring interests in mineral properties in North America. The Companys business is currently focused on the exploration and development of the Simard Property, a prospective, exploration stage lithium property located in the Lac Simard region of Quebec. The Company is also party to an option agreement in respect of the Horizon South Property, a prospective, exploration stage lithium property located in Tonopah Nevada. The Company continues to review other mineral properties in North America for possible acquisition in the future.

For further information, please contact:

Phone: (604) 398-3378

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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 future growth of the Companys business.

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, the assumption that Mr. Fields will be able to grow the Companys business in a manner that enhances shareholders investment and grows shareholder value.

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, 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 commodity prices and general economic conditions are subject to fluctuation which may impact the future success of the Company. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release.
TORONTO, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Labrador Gold Corp. (TSX.V:LAB | OTCQX:NKOSF | FNR: 2N6) (LabGold or the Company) is pleased to announce the results of the 2023 exploration program at its 100% owned Hopedale Project in Labrador. The district scale Hopedale property covers a 43km strike length of the Florence Lake greenstone belt which has characteristics typical of greenstone belts around the world but has been underexplored by comparison.

Highlights

Fire Ant gold occurrence high-grade gold up to 106g/t with 20.4g/t Ag in rock grab samples mineralization traced over approximately 200 metres strike length

Rusty Ridge and Last Resort nickel occurrences anomalous Ni area at Rusty Ridge extended to 550m rock samples up to 0.28% Ni and soil samples up to 0.23% Ni Identified a new anomalous nickel area (Last Resort) over a strike length of 1.6km coincident with a significant magnetic high

Jasmine zinc occurrence anomalous zinc zone identified over 400m at Jasmine with values up to 0.97% Zn in rock and 0.22% in soil Jasmine also shows high copper and gold values indicating potential for volcanogenic style mineralization

Thurber Boundary copper occurrence highest copper in soil value (3,493 ppm) found on the property to date identified in a 400m anomalous trend

Eight occurrences identified on the Hopedale project to date reflecting multiple mineralization styles including orogenic gold, magmatic Ni sulphide, copper-silver vein and Zn-rich volcanogenic massive sulphide

Significant gold and silver in rock grab samples was found in the Rusty Ridge area with a high of 106g/t Au and 20.4 g/t Ag, 3.7g/t Au and 4.9g/t Ag and 2.9g/t Au and 4.7g/t Ag. This newly discovered mineralization named the Fire Ant occurrence, is hosted in gossanous felsic volcanic rocks close to the contact with ultramafic volcanic rocks and has been traced over a strike length of approximately 200 metres.

Work during 2022 found significant nickel anomalies in soil and rock at an area named Rusty Ridge. The anomalies occur in ultramafic rocks indicating potential for magmatic nickel style mineralization. One of the goals of the 2023 exploration program was to follow up and extend these anomalies. A total of 14 grab samples of rock assayed over 0.1% Ni and included values up to 0.28% Ni while nickel values in soil up to 2,271ppm (0.23%) show a significant northeast-southwest trend extending the anomalous area over 550m. Approximately 1.2km south of Rusty Ridge, anomalous nickel in soil samples was outlined over a 1.6km strike length and is coincident with a significant magnetic high. Six of the samples assayed over 1,000ppm (0.1%) Ni with a high of 2,271ppm (0.23%) Ni. Limited rock sampling showed assays of 0.28%, 0.17% and 0.16% Ni in grab samples in this area named Last Resort.

The highest copper value in soil (3,493ppm) on the property to date was recorded at Thurber Boundary, where it forms a northeast-southwest trend over approximately 500 metres. The location of the soil anomaly is in a similar stratigraphic location, close to the contact of mafic and ultramafic volcanic rocks, as the high grade (3.31% Cu over 0.76m and 1.55% Cu over 1m in channel samples) Kaapak copper occurrence approximately 3 kilometres to the south.

In addition to the copper, nickel and gold found during the exploration program, anomalous zinc was found in soil samples (up to 0.22%) and rock (up to 0.97%) in the Jasmine area. The anomalous zone extends over approximately 400 metres and is coincident with a contact highlighted by a change from magnetic high to magnetic low. The Jasmine area is also known to have high copper and gold values indicating potential for volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits.

Our 2023 exploration program over the district scale Hopedale property confirmed the significant prospectivity of the Rusty Ridge area for nickel associated with ultramafic rocks and identified a new area, Last Resort, with similar potential for magmatic sulphide type mineralization, said Roger Moss, President and CEO of Labrador Gold. The highest grade gold found on the property to date, 106g/t Au and 20.4g/t Ag, was sampled at a new occurrence, Fire Ant, in the Rusty Ridge area and brings the number of significant gold occurrences on the property to five. Potential for zinc-rich volcanogenic massive sulphide was identified at Jasmine as well as a significant copper in soil anomaly at Thurber Boundary. Work conducted by LabGold at Hopedale demonstrates that the Florence Lake greenstone belt contains many of the same mineralization styles seen in some of the most productive greenstone belts elsewhere in the world.

Figure 1. Location of the nickel, copper, gold and zinc occurrences on the Hopedale Property.

Figure 2. Highlights of nickel in soil and rock samples over Rusty Ridge and Last Resort Occurrences.

Figure 3. Location of high-grade gold mineralization at Fire Ant occurrence.

Sample ID Easting Northing Sample Type Au (ppb) Ag (ppm) Cu (ppm) Zn (ppm) Ni ppm Co (ppm) Occurrence 925263 638944 6075318 Grab 106,010 20.4 30 47 29 30 Fire Ant 151044 639022 6075498 Grab 3,748 4.9 398 129 216 144 Fire Ant 151043 639022 6075498 Grab 2,918 4.7 318 179 205 63 Fire Ant 151046 639000 6075487 Grab 287 4.7 656 65 424 374 Fire Ant 151098 647570 6100539 Grab 11 0.4 241 8,900 121 101 Jasmine 925265 647529 6100638 Grab 137 1.7 1,043 9,700 299 480 Jasmine 151114 638827 6075367 Grab n/a 0.04 <2 36 2,370 117 Rusty Ridge 151115 638830 6075368 Grab n/a 0.05 <2 38 2,260 121 Rusty Ridge 151069 638909 6075459 Grab 11 0.5 3 95 2,200 117 Rusty Ridge 151035 638804 6075359 Grab n/a 0.07 9 69 2,090 119 Rusty Ridge 151112 638804 6075357 Grab n/a 0.06 10 57 2,050 118 Rusty Ridge 151036 638821 6075377 Grab n/a 0.05 6 69 2,010 94.9 Rusty Ridge 151113 638821 6075367 Grab n/a 0.14 13 75 1,970 107 Rusty Ridge 151111 638805 6075381 Grab 3 0.1 3 62 1,900 98 Rusty Ridge 151116 638778 6075344 Grab 3 0.1 3 44 1,900 86 Rusty Ridge 151110 638797 6075370 Grab 3 0.1 5 73 1,600 101 Rusty Ridge 151104 638852 6075371 Grab 515 5.8 1,591 219 263 129 Rusty Ridge 925262 637743 6073875 Grab n/a 0.03 <2 25 1,792 107 Last Resort 151014 637759 6073949 Grab 7 0.1 3 55 2,800 113 Last Resort 925261 637538 6073657 Grab n/a 0.08 121 18 1,619 120 Last Resort 151068 638779 6075169 Grab 6 0.5 197 69 1,700 123 151053 655673 6114007 Grab 11 0.1 23 75 1,800 75 151057 636927 6072936 Angular Float 59 1.1 1,782 10,100 711 226 151024 654518 6109765 Grab 579 0.1 57 28 205 25 151012 637866 6073130 Grab 321 2.7 655 74 85 61

Table 1. Highlights of rock samples assays from 2023 exploration program. Note that grab samples are selective samples and may not be representative of the

mineralization found on the property. n/a = not assayed.

QA/QC

Rock samples comprise grab samples, which are selective samples and not necessarily representative of mineralization found on the property. Samples were securely stored prior to shipping to analytical labs for assay. Rock samples were assayed at Eastern Analytical Laboratory in Springdale, an ISO/IEC17025 accredited laboratory for gold by standard 30g fire assay with atomic absorption finish as well as by ICP-OES for an additional 34 elements. Additional samples were sent to SGS Canada for whole rock assays by borate fusion XRF and ICP-MS/AES. Soil samples were submitted to SGS for gold by standard 30g fire assay with atomic absorption finish as well as ICP-MS for an additional 48 elements. The company submits blanks and certified reference standards amounting to 5% of each sample batch.

Qualified Person

Roger Moss, PhD., P.Geo., President and CEO of LabGold, a Qualified Person in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in NI 43-101, has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this release.

The Company gratefully acknowledges the Newfoundland and Labrador Ministry of Natural Resources 2023 Junior Exploration Assistance (JEA) Program and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agencys Critical Minerals Assistance for its financial support for exploration of the Hopedale property.

About Labrador Gold

Labrador Gold is a Canadian based mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and exploration of prospective gold projects in Eastern Canada.

Labrador Golds flagship property is the 100% owned Kingsway project in the Gander area of Newfoundland. The four licenses comprising the Kingsway project cover approximately 12km of the Appleton Fault Zone which is associated with numerous gold occurrences in the region. Infrastructure in the area is excellent located just 18km from the town of Gander with road access to the project, nearby electricity and abundant local water. LabGold is drilling a projected 100,000 metres targeting high-grade epizonal gold mineralization along the Appleton Fault Zone with encouraging results.

The Hopedale property covers much of the Florence Lake greenstone belt that stretches over 60 km. The belt is typical of greenstone belts around the world but has been underexplored by comparison. Work to date by Labrador Gold show gold anomalies in rocks, soils and lake sediments over a 3 kilometre section of the northern portion of the Florence Lake greenstone belt. Four gold occurrences lie along this trend, three of which Thurber North, TD500 and Thurber South were discovered by LabGold. Anomalous gold in soil and lake sediment samples also occur over approximately 40 km along the southern section of the greenstone belt. LabGolds recent exploration has also demonstrated the potential for the critical metals copper, nickel and cobalt in the belt.

The Company has 170,009,979 common shares issued and outstanding and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol LAB.

For more information please contact:

Roger Moss, President and CEO Tel: 416-704-8291

Or visit our website at: www.labradorgold.com

Twitter: @LabGoldCorp

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements
Vancouver B.C. - TheNewswire - February 8, 2024  TISDALE CLEAN ENERGY CORP. (Tisdale or the Company) (TSXV:TCEC) (OTC:TCEFF) (FSE:T1KC), is pleased to confirm its upcoming work program at the South Falcon East Uranium Project which hosts the Fraser Lakes B uranium deposit. The south Falcon East Project lies 18 km outside the edge of the Athabasca Basin, approximately 50 km east of the Key Lake uranium mill and former mine.

Tisdale Clean Energy Corp entered into an option agreement with SkyHarbour Resources Ltd in October of 2022 whereby the company can earn up to a 75% interest in the South Falcon East property.

The Company is set to begin a preliminary phase one drill program for late winter 2024. The initial phase one program will consist of up to approximately 1,500 meters of drilling. The priority will be to confirm and expand the existing mineralization associated with the Fraser Lakes B Uranium Deposit (Figure 2). Infill drilling will confirm the presence and continuity of existing mineralization in preparation for a current updated resource estimate and 3D model in the future. Step out drilling will endeavor to expand the footprint of the deposit, as the current mineralization is open in all directions. Initial focus will be in extending mineralization along strike and down dip into the basement.

A secondary priority will be to begin regional exploration by following up promising anomalies located in the T-Bone Lake area (Figure 2). Regional drilling will focus on the effort to add additional mineralized zones and deposits along the folded structural package that hosts the Fraser Lakes B Deposit.

The commencement of drilling is a milestone in terms of our ability to unlock the value contained at South Falcon, said Alex Klenman, CEO. Right now, nobody is getting much credit for those pounds in the ground. This will begin to change as we drill and earn our interest in the project. The initial phase one plan allows us to meet the early obligations of the earn-in with Skyharbour. We are hopeful our valuation will grow as a result, therefore reducing the barrier to entry for institutional support and giving us the opportunity to implement larger drill programs moving forward through 2024 and beyond.

We believe very strongly that both the size and average grade of the resource can be increased. The last holes drilled in 2015 generated U308 values of .172% and .165% over intervals of two meters or more. These results established that higher grade uranium exists within the deposit. We have a very compelling exploration narrative, and one we feel confident in pursuing. No doubt the first steps are the hardest, and were pleased were able to begin to execute on the plan, continued Mr. Klenman.

We are thrilled to have Tisdale commence their inaugural drill program at South Falcon East, said Jordan Trimble, CEO of Skyharbour Resources. The project is an advanced-stage exploration asset that hosts a near-surface uranium resource with strong expansion potential as well as robust discovery upside potential regionally on the property. We are confident that this winter drill program will unlock further value for both companies shareholders with the uranium price trading near sixteen-year highs, continued Mr. Trimble.

The field program is anticipated to commence in late February and will be executed by Terralogic Exploration Inc. under the supervision of Laura Tennent, Project Manager with TerraLogic Exploration, and C. Trevor Perkins, consulting geologist for Tisdale. The drill program will be operating out of Skyharbours McGowan Lake Camp with helicopter support for the daily drilling operations. The expected budget for the initial phase one program is anticipated to be $1.25 million.

Figure 1: South Falcon East Project Location  Eastern Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada

Figure 2: 2024 Drill Target areas at the south Falcon East Uranium Project

Figure 3: South Falcon East Project  Camp and drilling location Map

About the South Falcon East Project

The South Falcon East Project is a uranium exploration project in the southeast Athabasca Basin and represents a portion of Skyharbour Resources Ltd.s existing South Falcon Project. The project covers approximately 12,464 hectares and lies 18 kilometers outside the Athabasca Basin, approximately 50 kilometers east of the Key Lake Mine.

The South Falcon East Project contains the Fraser Lakes B Uranium/Thorium Deposit with a historic mineral resource* of 6.9 Mlbs U3O8 inferred at a grade of 0.03% U3O8 and 5.3 Mlbs ThO2 inferred at a grade of 0.023 % ThO2. Uranium and thorium mineralization discovered to date is shallow classic Athabasca-style basement mineralization associated with well-developed EM conductors.

About Tisdale Clean Energy Corp.

Tisdale Clean Energy is a Canadian-based uranium exploration and development company. The Company is currently developing the South Falcon East uranium project, which holds a 6.96M pound inferred uranium resource within the Fraser Lakes B uranium/thorium deposit, located in the Athabasca Basin region, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed on behalf of the company by C. Trevor Perkins, P.Geo., a Consulting Geologist for the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

*The historical resource is described in the Technical Report on the South Falcon East Property, filed on sedar.com on February 9, 2023. The Company is not treating the resource as current and has not completed sufficient work to classify the resource as a current mineral resource. While the Company is not treating the historical resource as current, it does believe the work conducted is reliable and the information may be of assistance to readers.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TISDALE CLEAN ENERGY CORP.

Alex Klenman

Alex Klenman, CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain certain Forward-Looking Statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, target, plan, forecast, may, schedule and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. Such statements represent the Companys current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political, and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

For further information please contact:

Alex Klenman, CEO

Tel: 604-970-4330

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.



Tisdale Clean Energy Corp

Suite 2200, HSBC Building, 885 West Georgia St.

Vancouver, BC V6C 3E8 Canada

www.tisdalecleanenergy.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2024) - Omai Gold Mines Corp. (TSXV: OMG) (OTCQB: OMGGF) ("Omai Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to report an updated Mineral Resource Estimate on its 100%-owned Omai Gold Property in Guyana. It includes an expansion to the Wenot Deposit and incorporates the previously disclosed Gilt Creek Deposit. Most significantly, the Wenot Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") increased the Indicated MRE to 834,000 oz (10% increase) @ 1.48 g/t Au and the Inferred MRE to 1,614,000 oz (45% increase) @1.99 g/t Au.

HIGHLIGHTS:

The Omai Property hosts two gold deposits: the shear-hosted Wenot Deposit and the adjacent intrusive-hosted Gilt Creek Deposit ( figure 5 ), with combined updated MRE (over the October 2022 MRE) of: 1,985,000 ounces of gold (Indicated MRE), a 4 % increase 2,279,000 ounces of gold (Inferred MRE), a 28 % increase



Wenot Deposit (a constrained pit approach is applied)

834,000 ounces of gold (Indicated), a 10% increase over the October 2022 MRE, and

1,614,000 ounces of gold (Inferred), a 45% increase

1.48 g/t Au grade of Indicated MRE, a 10% increase

1.99 g/t Au grade of Inferred MRE, a 16% increase

87% above 350m depth from surface (figure 1a)

39% of Wenot MRE is west of the historical pit, an area considered to be well suited to initial mining ( figure 1b )

Excellent exploration potential is evident along a 2.5 km length of the host Wenot shear corridor, with potential to expand within, adjacent to, below, and along strike

Gilt Creek Deposit (an underground mining approach is applied)

1,151,000 ounces of gold (Indicated) at a grade of 3.22 g/t Au , as per October 2022 MRE

665,000 ounces of gold (Inferred) at a grade of 3.35 g/t Au , as per October 2022 MRE

Hosted within a 500 m by 300 m quartz diorite intrusive stock that produced 2.4 million ounces of gold (1993 to 2005) from the upper 250m

Located 500 m north of the Wenot Deposit and below the past-producing Fennel pit

Characterized by very wide sub-horizontal zones of gold mineralization (figure 4)

Open to depth and holds potential for lateral expansion

Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA")

This updated MRE will form the basis of the PEA, currently underway and expected to be announced in Q1 2024

Elaine Ellingham, President & CEO commented, "We are pleased to deliver another substantial increase to the Mineral Resource Estimate for our Omai Gold Project in Guyana. Also very importantly, there has been a notable increase in the gold grades. With this expansion, the contained ounces in our Mineral Resource Estimate exceeds the total gold produced from the former mine, and at similar grades. The Omai Gold Mine produced approximately 3.8 million ounces at an average grade of 1.5 g/t Au between 1993 and 2005, when the gold price was less than US$400/oz. When in production, Omai was the largest primary gold producer in South America, averaging over 300,000 ounces of gold annually. We believe that with the current Mineral Resource Estimate combined with the many benefits of a brownfields project, that Omai is proving the potential to rival its historical status."

Details of the Mineral Resource Estimate for both the Wenot (updated) and Gilt Creek Deposits are presented in Table 1. The increase between the new Wenot MRE with the previous October 2022 MRE is detailed in a comparison in Table 2. Notes accompanying the 2024 MRE are shown below Table 2, summarizing the economic and technical assumptions, which include a gold price of US$1850 per ounce and metallurgical recoveries of 92% (consistent with historical actuals), and a 45o pit slope for Wenot.

Table 1. 2024 (January) Mineral Resource Estimates

Indicated Resources Inferred Resources Resource Area Mining Method Tonnes

(k) Au (g/t) Au

(koz) Tonnes

(k) Au (g/t) Au

(koz) GILT CREEK (1.5 g/t Cut-Off) Underground 11,123 3.22 1,151 6,186 3.35 665 WENOT (0.35 g/t Cut-Off) Open Pit 17,572 1.48 834 25,183 1.99 1,614 Total Mineral Resource Estimate 28,695 2.15 1,985 31,369 2.26 2,279 Wenot Mineral Resource Estimate by Deposit Type WENOT Saprolite & Alluvium Open Pit 2,048 1.07 70 153 1.13 5 Fresh Rock & Transition Open Pit 15,524 1.53 764 25,030 2.00 1,609

Table 2. Comparison between Wenot 2024 (January) MRE and 2022 (October) MRE

Tonnes (k) Au (g/t) Au (k oz) Category 2022 MRE 2024 MRE Change (%) 2022 MRE 2024 MRE Change (%) 2022 MRE 2024 MRE Change (%) Indicated 17,541 17,572 +0.2 1.34 1.48 +10.4 757 834 +10.2 Inferred 20,115 25,183 +25.2 1.72 1.99 +15.7 1,113 1,614 +45.0

Notes to Accompany the 2024 Mineral Resource Estimate:

Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues. The Inferred Mineral Resource in this estimate has a lower level of confidence than that applied to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of the Inferred Mineral Resource could potentially be upgraded to an Indicated Mineral Resource with continued exploration. The Mineral Resources were estimated in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions (2014) and Best Practices Guidelines (2019) prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by the CIM Council. Wenot wireframe constrained gold assays were composited to 1.5 metre lengths and subsequently capped between 10 to 25 g/t. Gilt Creek Wireframe constrained gold assays were composited to 1.0 metre lengths and subsequently capped between 12 to 40 g/t. The Wenot Mineral Resource Estimate incorporates 9,840 assay results from 603 diamond drill holes totalling 87,323 m within the mineralized wireframes.

The Gilt Creek Mineral Resource Estimate incorporates 7,056 assay results from 46 diamond drill holes totalling 27,997 m within the mineralized wireframes Grade estimation was undertaken with ID3interpolation. Wenot wireframe constrained bulk density was determined from 30 site visit samples.

Gilt wireframe constrained bulk density was determined from 28 site visit samples. Wenot gold process recoveries used were 92% for Alluvium/Saprolite and 92% for Transition/Fresh Rock.

Gilt Creek gold process recovery used was 92% The gold price used was US$1,850/oz Wenot US$ open pit operating costs used were $2.50/t for mineralized material mining, $1.75/t for waste mining, $10/t for Alluvium/Saprolite processing, $14/t for Transition/Fresh Rock processing and $2.50/t G&A. Gilt Creek US$ underground operating costs used were $60/t for mining, $15/t for processing and $7/t G&A. At Gilt Creek, MRE blocks were reviewed for grade and geometric continuity. Isolated/orphaned and single block width strings of blocks were removed in order to only report Mineral Resources with a reasonable prospect of economic extraction. Wenot pit slopes were 45o.



Wenot Deposit

In 2023, 70% of the Wenot drilling meterage was in the West Wenot area. This area lies outside of the historical pit and is a likely area for first mining. The drilling expanded the known deposit in this area to a strike length of least 750m strike and representing approximately 39% of the new Wenot MRE (Figure 1b). Gold grade and tonnage were significantly improved in the West Wenot area and this will bolster the PEA, as they will be reflected in the early years of projected mining.

Figure 1. Wenot Deposit - 1a. Long Section (W-E) and 1b. Block Model in Plan View

The sensitivity of the Wenot Mineral Resource Estimate to the gold cut-off grade is shown in Figure 2 below, with the full data provided in Table 3. Doubling the cut-off grade from 0.35 g/t Au to 0.75 g/t Au increases the average grade of the Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources by 30% to 1.94 g/t Au and by 18% to 2.36 g/t Au, respectively, however, only reduces the estimated contained Au ounces by 10% and by 6% respectively.

Figure 2. Chart Showing Wenot Pit-Constrained MRE Sensitivity to Cut-Off Grade (see Table 3)

Gilt Creek Deposit

The Gilt Creek Deposit is hosted by the "Omai Stock", a quartz-diorite intrusive that is extensively mineralized with gold-bearing quartz stockworks hosted within broad sub-horizontal zones as well as with disseminated mineralization within the intrusive rock (Figure 4). The higher density of drilling within the upper part of this deposit allowed two-thirds of the Gilt Creek Deposit MRE to be classified as Indicated, and at the 1.5 g/t Au cut-off grade, the 1,151,000 Indicated ounces are at an average grade of 3.22 g/t Au. It is significant that mining of the upper 250m of this intrusive produced 2.4 million ounces of gold, illustrating the robust potential of this deposit. The Gilt Creek Deposit holds potential to expand both laterally, where there has been limited drilling, and to significant depths, providing the potential for expanding the Gilt Creek Deposit through future drilling.

No drilling was completed on the Gilt Creek Deposit in 2023, therefore no update was done to the Mineral Resource Estimate disclosed in October 2022. The Gilt Creek estimation methodology is detailed in the NI 43-101 report1 filed December 2, 2022 on www.sedarplus.ca. The Gilt Creek MRE incorporates 7,056 assay results from 46 diamond drill holes totalling 27,997 m within the mineralized wireframes. Figure 6 presents a 3-D model of the Wenot and Gilt Creek Deposits. Notes accompanying the 2024 MRE, shown below Table 2, summarize the economic and technical assumptions for the Gilt Creek Deposit, that include a gold price of US$1,850 per ounce and metallurgical recoveries of 92% (consistent with historical actuals).

The sensitivity of the Gilt Creek Mineral Resource Estimate to various cut-off grades is shown in Figure 3 below with details on Table 4. Increasing the cut-off grade from 1.5 g/t Au to 2.0 g/t Au increases the estimated average grade of both the Indicated and Inferred MRE by about 22% to 3.90 g/t Au (Indicated) and 4.14 g/t Au (Inferred), while reducing the estimated contained ounces by only 17% for both the Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource, to 955,000 ounces and 552,000 ounces respectively. This illustrates that the width and grade of the gold zones, together with the favourable sensitivity to the cut-off grade, that the Gilt Creek Deposit can be amenable to a number of underground mining methods, which will need to be determined with further engineering studies.

Figure 3. Chart Showing Gilt Creek MRE Sensitivity to Cut-Off Grade (data provided in Table 4)

Figure 4. Long-Section of Gilt Creek Deposit (Omai Stock- Quartz Diorite Intrusion)

2024 EXPLORATION PROGRAM

In 2024, the first priority is completing the Preliminary Economic Assessment. Certain baseline studies have been completed and we will continue steps towards an application for an Environmental Permit and a Mining Licence once the PEA and additional requisite work is completed.

Drilling is scheduled to commence at the beginning of March. We believe that we can continue our track record of success expanding the Wenot Mineral Resource as we focus this year on the main Wenot and East Wenot extension areas. Several areas within the main Wenot Deposit and particularly along the south and north flanks, have little to no drilling, yet gold mineralized zones project along strike into these undrilled areas. The deepest intersection of the Wenot Deposit to date was in drill hole 23ODD-064 which intersected 5.18 g/t Au over 20.2 m at a depth of 437m. These results suggest potential for underground mining in the later stages of open pit mining at Wenot, and this potential at depth should be explored. We have greatly enhanced our understanding of the deposit and are confident that we can continue to increase the Wenot Mineral Resource.

The Company will also continue drilling and trenching on select exploration targets that have advanced with considerable success over the past couple years. Focus will be on a couple of the targets that offer near-surface, high-grade potential. Late last year, an initial ground Induced Polarization (IP) geophysics survey was completed and follow up will include drill testing of certain favourable anomalies.

Qualified Person

The Mineral Resource Estimate was completed in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Definition Standards incorporated by reference in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") (2014) and CIM Estimation Best Practice Guidelines (2019).

The Mineral Resource Estimate, including verification of the data disclosed, was under the supervision of Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET, President of P&E Mining Consultants Inc., who is independent of Omai Gold for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this new release.

Elaine Ellingham P.Geo. is a Qualified Person (QP) under National Instrument 43-101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects" and has reviewed the technical information contained in this news release. Ms. Ellingham is not considered to be independent for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.

The reader is referred to the NI 43-101 1Technical Report titled "Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate of the Omai Gold Property, Potaro Mining District No. 2, Guyana", prepared by P&E Mining Consultants Inc dated December 2, 2022 filed on www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.omaigoldmines.com. The upcoming PEA to be filed by the Company on Sedar+ will include this updated Mineral Resource Estimate.

Quality Control

Omai maintains an internal QA/QC program to ensure sampling and analysis of all exploration work is conducted in accordance with best practices. Certified reference materials, blanks and duplicates are entered at regular intervals. Samples are sealed in plastic bags. Samples from the Wenot drilling were shipped to ActLabs and in some cases, MSALabs, both are certified laboratories in Guyana, respecting the best chain of custody practices. At both laboratories, samples are dried, crushed up to 80% passing 2 mm, riffle split (250 g), and pulverized to 95% passing 105 m, including cleaner sand. Fifty grams of pulverized material is then fire assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AA). Initial assays with results above 3.0 ppm gold are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish. For samples with visible gold where initial assays do not run above 3 g/t, a second pulp is made from the coarse reject and an additional fire assay completed. Certified reference materials and blanks meet with QA/QC specifications.

About Omai Gold Mines Corp.

Omai Gold Mines Corp. holds a 100% interest in the Omai Prospecting License that includes the past producing Omai Gold Mine in Guyana, and a 100% interest in the adjoining Eastern Flats Mining Permits. The Company announced an updated NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") October 20, 2022 that includes 1.9 million ounces of gold (Indicated) and 1.8 million ounces (Inferred)1. This MRE has been further increased in January 2024. Once South America's largest producing gold mine, Omai produced over 3.7 million ounces of gold between 1993 and 2005. Mining ceased at a time when the average gold price was less than US$400 per ounce. As a brownfields project, Omai benefits from good road access and a wealth of historical data that provides knowledge of the geology and gold mineralization on the property, as well as metallurgy, historical recoveries and many other relevant mining parameters. With the delivery of an updated Mineral Resource Estimate integrating the 2023 drill results, this will form the basis of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) that is underway and expected to be completed in Q1 2024.

For further information, please see our website www.omaigoldmines.com or contact:

Elaine Ellingham, P.Geo.

President & CEO

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone: +1-416-473-5351

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 Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the timing of completion of the drill program, and the potential for the Omai Gold Project to allow Omai to build significant gold Mineral Resources at attractive grades, and forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; the price of gold and copper; and the results of current exploration. Further, the Mineral Resource data set out in this news release are estimates, and no assurance can be given that the anticipated tonnages and grades will be achieved or that the indicated level of process recovery will be realized. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Cautionary Note Regarding Mineral Resource Estimates

Until mineral deposits are actually mined and processed, Mineral Resources must be considered as estimates only. Mineral Resource Estimates that are not Mineral Reserves have not demonstrated economic viability. The estimation of Mineral Resources is inherently uncertain, involves subjective judgement about many relevant factors and may be materially affected by, among other things, environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors described in the Company's public disclosure available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. The quantity and grade of reported "Inferred" Mineral Resource Estimates are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define "Inferred" Mineral Resource Estimates as an "Indicated" or "Measured" Mineral Resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading "Inferred" Mineral Resource Estimates to an "Indicated" or "Measured" Mineral Resource category. The accuracy of any Mineral Resource Estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation, which may prove to be unreliable and depend, to a certain extent, upon the analysis of drilling results and statistical inferences that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Mineral Resource Estimates may have to be re-estimated based on, among other things: (i) fluctuations in mineral prices; (ii) results of drilling, and development; (iii) results of future test mining and other testing; (iv) metallurgical testing and other studies; (v) results of geological and structural modeling including block model design; (vi) proposed mining operations, including dilution; (vii) the evaluation of future mine plans subsequent to the date of any estimates; and (viii) the possible failure to receive required permits, licenses and other approvals. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of a "Inferred" or "Indicated" Mineral Resource Estimate will ever be upgraded to a higher category. The Mineral Resource Estimates disclosed in this news release were reported using Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (the "CIM Standards") in accordance with National Instrument 43-101- Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators ("NI 43-101").

Cautionary Statements to U.S. Readers

This news release uses the terms "Mineral Resource", "Indicated Mineral Resource" and "Inferred Mineral Resource" as defined in the CIM Standards in accordance with NI 43-101. While these terms are recognized and required by the Canadian Securities Administrators in accordance with Canadian securities laws, they may not be recognized by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The "Mineral Resource" Estimates and related information in this news release may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Figure 5. Geology Map of Omai Gold Property and Location of Gilt Creek and Wenot Deposits

Figure 6. 3-D Model of Wenot and Gilt Creek Deposits, Omai Gold Property, Guyana



Table 3. Wenot Deposit - Sensitivity of Mineral Resource Estimate to Cut-Off Grade (fresh rock only, not including alluvium and saprolite that contain < 4% of the contained ounces)

Table 4. Gilt Creek Deposit - Sensitivity of Mineral Resource Estimate to Cut-Off Grade
Specialists of the Ministry of Defense conducted a successful cyber attack against the Russian occupiers, as a result of which the enemy lost access to servers in the UAV control program, the Main Intelligence Agency (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reports.

"The cyber specialists of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine have carried out another successful operation against the Russian occupiers: as of February 8, 2024, the enemy complains about the massive failure of the drone control program. The Russians install this software for flashing DJI brand drones for the needs of combat operations," the message published on the Telegram channel on Thursday says.

The Intelligence Agency notes that the software allows enemy UAV operators to configure control panels and create new ones, capture video and transmit an image to the command post, as well as control the drone from a computer, and not through the remote control.

It is indicated that this enemy UAV flashing project ensures the functioning of the "friend-foe" system through web servers.

"According to preliminary data, as a result of the cyberattack of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the servers stopped working, so all software is recognized as alien and denies ruscists access. Without access to the servers, and therefore to the system, it is probably impossible to control drones from remote controls," the message says.

At the same time, it is noted that the enemy is trying to solve the problem, including by switching to manual control mode.
TORONTO / Feb 08, 2024 / Business Wire / Richmond Minerals Inc. (TSX-V: RMD) (Richmond or the Company) is pleased to provide an update for exploration work at the Companys Ridley Lake Gold Project (the Property) located in the west central area of the Swayze Greenstone belt approximately 35 kilometres east of Newmont's Borden Gold Project.

As reported in 2015 and 2016 IP and Magnetic surveys were successful in identifying well-defined geophysical anomalies characterized by high chargeability and resistivity with prominent coincidental magnetic anomalies (the Aguara East anomalies), having a northeast orientation and a strike length in excess of 825 metres. Modelling of the data obtained from the July 2015 and November 2016 combined surveys identified multiple targets at vertical depths down to the IP survey limit of approximately 200 metres. Drill testing of these IP/Mag targets in the Aguarra Zone in 2017 and 2020 yielded drill intersections hi-lighted by 18.3 g/t gold over 3 m in hole RS-20-33 (from 329m to 332m) and 0.33 g/t gold over 136 m in hole RS-17-30. In December 2023 the Company completed 17.15 km of Spectral Induced Polarization (IP)/Resistivity (dipole-dipole, a=50 m, n= 1 to 6) and Magnetic surveys (the "Survey") to test for anomalous responses at the Cyril Knight Zone located approximately 800 m due north of the Aguara Zone.

Overall the IP/Resistivity Survey of the CK Grid resulted in unusual discoveries. The contour map apparent chargeability (mV/V), derived from the of the combined data of the CK, Agaura East and, Agaura West Grids, show two, markedly different apparent chargeability regimes. The southern Regime IP-A, that covers the Agaura East and Agaura West grids is characterized by northwest striking, discrete, well defined IP anomalous trends, as opposed to the northern Cyril Knight Zone Regime IP-B where the anomalous responses are broad and continuous along almost entire survey lines.

Specifically seven IP anomalous horizons were identified within the IP-B regime. The trends are sub-parallel and confirm with the northeast trending geology. The Trends are identified Trends RW-1, RW-4, RW-5, RIP-6 and the discontinuous RW-7.

The significant trend is RW-1, and may form the westerly continuation of the of Trend RIP-1A of the Aguara East Grid and is centered about the Cyril Knight Grid base line 0 extending to L600W located between Lines 75W and 150W. The trend is associated with apparent resistivities exciding 10,000 ohm-m and is suggestive of possible strong alteration within this area of the Property.

The prominent apparent chargeability anomalous trend identified as RW-5 extends from L225W to L750W and is found within the northern area of the grid, and may represent the extension of Trend RIP-5 of the Aguara East Grid. RW-5 is characterized by apparent resistivities of 1,000 ohm-m or lower. Further west of L750W the signatures become complex and imply the depth of these wide source(s) may be 100 m or greater.

Trend RW-6 consists of anomalous IP responses that were observed at dipole separations n=8 and n=9, and are indicative of deeper sources. The associated resistivities here exceed 10,000 ohm-m and may also be associated with strong alteration. It is noted the wide anomalous IP responses with larger dipole separations (n=7, 8 and 9) at L900W may be in part of the northwesterly extension of RW-6.

Trend RW-7 is detected intermittently at larger dipole separations indicating greater depths to the sources. The trend is located between Trend RW-5 in the north and RW-1 on the south and is well defined along Lines 525W 375W and 300W. Significantly, the associated apparent resistivities are more than 10,000 ohm-m. Company management believe this trend is very promising and worthy of follow-up drill testing.

Trend RW-4 is noted in pseudo-sections from L75W to L375W. It is characterized by apparent chargeabilities exceeding 10 mV/V. RW-4 is the westerly extension of RIP-6 of the East grid. A formational source is suspected and is of no further interest for the time being. Multiple drill hole collar locations have been recommended for follow-up testing of these new targets and plans are underway for the resumption of drilling in the late winter and early spring of 2024.

Warren Hawkins, P.Eng, a Qualified Person, within the meaning of Nation Instrument 43-101- Standards of Disclosure for Minerals Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Hawkins is not considered to be independent of the Corporation (as defined in National Instrument 43-101), as he currently holds securities of the Corporation.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

On Behalf of Richmond Minerals,

David Ellis

President, Richmond Minerals Inc.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain disclosure in this release constitutes forward-looking statements. In making the forward-looking statements in this release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Companys current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Although the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking statements in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell on Tuesday attended a course for Ukrainian law enforcement personnel near Kyiv, carried out by gendarmes from several EU countries, including France and Spain.

The course focused on the challenges security forces face in territories recently returned to Ukrainian control.

"(Officers) face difficult situations when they retake control of the liberated territories... they have to restore law and order," Borrell said.

The visit featured an exercise where participants had to carry out the risky -- but simulated -- arrest of dangerous residents.

"This kind of thing happens in reality," said Borrell, as the head of the mission, Portuguese National Guard officer Helder Carcao, showed him around.

The mission involves 10 officers from France, Spain, Portugal and Lithuania.

"We are training more than 150 members of the national police and the national guard who will become trainers" themselves, Borrell said.

Borrell added that the operation aimed to "provide training to thousands of security officers."

The course also prepares officers to deal with the discovery of war crimes and mass graves.

"Discovering mass graves and then having to inform the relatives, this is not a joke, this is something that has to be done with adequate psychological capacities," Borrell said.
On January 16, Alexander Bastrykin, head of the Investigative Committee of Russia  one of the main law enforcement agencies in charge of prosecuting criminal cases  gave his traditional start of the year interview to state news agency RIA Novosti. This year, his attention was focused on the work of investigators in the occupied Ukrainian territories.

According to him, Russia started investigating crimes of the Kyiv regime almost 10 years ago. But as time has passed, we have a concrete result. More than 200 Ukrainian servicemen have been sentenced by courts to long prison terms, including life imprisonment, for committing murders of civilians, cruel treatment of civilians and prisoners. Among them are several dozen members of the banned Azov regiment, Bastrykin said. He added that Russia has launched more than 4,000 criminal cases against Ukrainian servicemen since 2014. Bastrykin said he regularly visits the occupied territories, and that his last operational meeting was held in Mariupol, in late December 2023.

Bastrykin does not specify whether the data refer only to the occupied territories or to Russia as a whole, but judging by the figures and the context of the interview, we can conclude that his office counted precisely the sentences in the occupied territories.

March 2023: The first three convicted

The data shown by Bastrykin on Russian trials was confronted with that collected by Justice Info, based on public information, about the sentences handed down by the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk Supreme Courts. Certainly, the Donetsk court sentenced Ukrainians before the Russian annexation, but only five such cases are publicly known. Russia handed down the first sentences to Ukrainian prisoners of war in the occupied territories in early spring 2023, more than a year after Russia launched its all-out invasion of Ukraine.

On March 10, 2023, the Supreme Court of the Donetsks People Republic (DNR) passed a sentence on Azov battalion fighters Viktor Pohozey and Vladyslav Shel. They were found guilty of ill-treatment of the population and the use of prohibited methods in an armed conflict. The Russian Investigative Committee reported that Pohozey allegedly assaulted one of Mariupol's local residents, while Shel fired five shots at an elderly man from an observation post. Pohozey was sentenced to 8.5 years of strict regime, and Shel  18.5.

On the same day, the Luhansks People Republic (LNR) Supreme Court passed the first sentence on Maxim Butkevich, a platoon commander of the Berlingo special battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He was found guilty of double murder and intentional damage to another person's property in a generally dangerous way. The Russian investigation reported that on June 4, 2022, he took up a position in a house in Severodonetsk, from where he saw civilians in the house opposite and fired an anti-tank grenade launcher at the entrance. The Supreme Court of the LNR sentenced him to 13 years of imprisonment.

Following the first sentences in March 2023, the Supreme Courts in Donetsk and Luhansk continued to hear cases against Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs), but until June 1, the Supreme Court of the DNR issued only 24 verdicts, and the Supreme Court of the LNR nine. The real surge of verdicts occurred in August 2023. In August alone, the courts sentenced 32 Ukrainian POWs, a number comparable to those sentenced in the three spring months.

Fast pace at the Donetsk courts

From March 10, 2023 to February 7, 2024, the Supreme Court of the DNR sentenced 222 Ukrainian prisoners of war. The vast majority were present in person in the courts: only 21 sentences were handed down in absentia. 28 people received life sentences. The most frequent were given to those who were taken into Russian captivity shortly after the start of the full-scale invasion, in February 2022. Most of those convicted in Donetsk were fighters of the Ukrainian battalion Azov, of the 17th separate tank brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces, or soldiers of the 36th separate brigade of marines.

The convicted soldiers were principally charged with crimes they allegedly committed during the first months of the war. For example, one of the latest sentences handed down in absentia by the DNR Supreme Court, on January 11, 2024, to senior Ukrainian National Guard soldier Oleksandr Zazhyrenko was for acts committed on March 29, 2022, in Mariupol. According to the guilty verdict, he illegally detained a woman and an unarmed Russian serviceman, whom he killed. The court sentenced the soldier to 28 years in prison.

Yesterday, on February 7, the Court of the DNR sentenced 33 prisoners of war to terms from 27 to 29 years. It is the largest group of Ukrainians sentenced in a group case in Russia for now.

Luhansk courts focus on shelling

In Luhansk, since last March, 46 Ukrainian prisoners of war have been sentenced. The majority of those sentenced were captured in spring-summer 2022. While in Donetsk servicemen were most often accused of killing civilians, the most frequent conviction pronounced in Luhansk was intentional damage to property by a dangerous method.

For instance, last summer, a serviceman from the 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Nikolay Guzema, was sentenced under this article. He was accused of shelling houses in the village of Trekhizbyonka, in the Slavyanoserbsky district of LNR, with shrapnel-fuze shells. In this and some other cases, the Russian investigation deemed the shelling conducted by the Ukrainian army on February 24, 2022, a crime. Guzema was sentenced in absentia to 21 years of imprisonment.

This is not the only case in which shelling on the first day of the full-scale invasion was qualified as a crime under the Russian criminal code. Thus, in one of the few cases under the article on intentional damage to property by a dangerous method, Mikhail Izotov, a senior soldier of the 17th Independent Tank Brigade, was sentenced in absentia in Donetsk to 28 years for shelling residential areas in Sartana, Sakhanka, Talakovka and Stary Krym, the urban-type settlements near Mariupol. As specified by the Russian investigation, Izotov fired on the day of Russia's attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

The Investigative Committee reported that the conclusions in cases of damage to property in a generally dangerous way was confirmed by construction-technical expertise. On that basis, the Investigative Committee assessed the amount of damage caused to buildings in the occupied territories of Ukraine. In December last year, the law enforcement agency reported that it had conducted 1,300 such expert examinations.

Fewer sentences in Luhansk, more lawsuits

The sentences handed down in Luhansk were much more lenient than those handed down in Donetsk. For example, in Luhansk, not a single life sentence was handed down during this period. The harshest sentence of 23 years in a strict regime colony was given to Major Dmitriy Shvets, commander of the tank battalion of the 53 separate mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, for shelling civilian infrastructure in Volnovakha in February-March 2022. The court ruled in absentia. Most of the sentences range from 14 to 17 years.

In LNR, sentences have another peculiarity: in 22% of cases, the court satisfied the civil claims against the defendants. Typically, they ranged from 1 to 3,5 million rubles (10,000 to 35,000 euros) for moral and property damage. For instance, the largest claim of 3,5 million rubles was filed against serviceman Yevgeniy Sokolov from the 15th Separate Regiment of the National Guard of Ukraine. In the LNR, he was accused of hearing a passerby on April 21, 2022, in Rubizhne (a city in the western part of the Luhansk region of Ukraine) complaining about the inadmissibility of the presence of the Ukrainian armed forces. According to the Russian investigation, Sokolov was upset and threw a defensive fragmentation grenade F-1 into the courtyard of a house, seriously injuring a resident.

Non-exchangeable sentences

As of now, there is no information about Russia including any Ukrainians who have been sentenced in prisoner exchange lists. This tactic differs from Ukraine's approach, as Ukraine exchanged several Russians soldiers who were found guilty of violating the laws of war.



The last successful exchange between the conflict parties took place on January 3. Russia received 248 individuals, while Ukraine took back 230 people (according to Russian officials, only 173). Another exchange was scheduled for January 24, but a Russian aircraft with 64 Ukrainian prisoners of war was shot down in the Belgorod region, according to Moscow, by a missile launched from the Ukrainian controlled territories. This was never confirmed by Ukraine, which called for an independent international inquiry.

The editor-in-chief of the pro-Russian state-controlled holding Russia Today, Margarita Simonyan, published on her Telegram account a list of prisoners of war who were allegedly on board the Il-76. Justice Info did not find among them those who had been sentenced in the LNR and DNR over the past year. According to public data, Russia has never before included in the exchange lists Ukrainians who received sentences in Russia or in the occupied territories. However, not all of the exchange lists have been published, and there are often public disagreements between the conflict parties over even the number of those exchanged on a particular day.

In the territory of Russia, the court in Rostov-on-Don has also been working, but with slower processes hard to compare with the occupied territories. For instance, in Rostov Ukrainian prisoners are being tried for participation in the activities of an "illegal armed group", which Russia considers Azov to be. Neither the DNR nor the LNR bring such charges against Azov fighters. The Rostov trials will be the subject of a separate article in Justice Info.

Back in June 2022, Bastrykin said that Ukrainian servicemen who had been captured should not expect an exchange. "They thought  we will surrender and go to our families. No, to temporary detention centers, to pre-trial detention facilities," he said. However, three months after his statement, in September 2022, Russia, among others, exchanged five Azovstal high profile commanders who went to Turkey and returned to Ukraine in July 2023.
MBC teased viewers with an update regarding Lee Je Hoon's new drama, "Chief Detective 1958."

Read on to know more details!

Lee Je Hoon Drama 'Chief Detective 1958' To Premiere In THIS Month

The award-winning actor is set to return to the small screen with another challenging character.

From being the anti-hero Kim Do Ki in "Taxi Driver," the versatile star will transform as the younger version of the titular chief inspector, Park Young Han. It is a newer take on the iconic series "Chief Inspector," which aired two decades ago.

Following the news regarding the amazing cast lineup and the first look of the action mystery-crime series, MBC dropped behind-the-scenes photos during the script reading.

On top of this, the broadcast network also unveiled the target release for "Chief Detective 1958."

In a post, MBC revealed that they are looking into releasing Lee Je Hoon's drama in April 2024, which will be the newest Friday and Saturday drama series. However, as for the exact date, officials are yet to confirm it.

Based on the long-running series, "Chief Detective 1958" is considered a retro-crime investigation drama with a hint of romance and joy.

Moreover, the 2024 series serves as a prequel to the classic Korean series "Chief Inspector."

As mentioned, Lee Je Hoon plays as chief inspector Park Young Han, who was originally portrayed by Choi Bool Am.

In the K-drama, he is depicted as a passionate detective known for his high arrest rate in Gyeonggi province. With a bigger opportunity, he goes to Seoul but faces tough challenges since the late 1950s were the start of South Korea's darkest time.

READ MORE: Lee Je Hoon Receives Negative Reactions for Describing Lee Sun Kyun as 'Role Model' During the 2023 SBS Drama Awards

In addition, the "Chief Detective 1958" cast also introduces Choi Woo Sung, Lee Dong Hwi, and Yoon Hyun So, who will be members of Young Han's team.

Apart from a ton of talented stars joining the legendary series, an amazing director and screenwriter teamed up to produce a spectacular K-drama.

Helmed by director Kim Seong Hoon, he is the genius behind the blockbuster movies "Confidential Assignment 1" and "Rampant."

Meanwhile, screenwriter Kim Young Shin, who worked on "Old School Intern" and "Black Sun," took charge of the story.

With the rapport from the actor and team behind the upcoming drama, this raises expectations from viewers, who are looking forward to seeing Lee Je Hoon as a hot-shot detective.

Fans Gush Over Lee Je Hoon's New Role

As MBC unveiled more stills for the upcoming K-drama, fans couldn't help but gush over Lee Je Hoon's swoon-worthy visuals.

As seen in the teaser, Lee Je Hoon is looking sleek and polished as he takes on the iconic character.

Interestingly, this is his next project after "Taxi Driver" Season 2.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Lee Je Hoon Sets Up Heartwarming Activity After Recovering From Emergency Surgery





For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Wills
"Doctor Slump" proves its power as it dominates Netflix's global list, and recorded millions of viewing hours after only airing for two weeks.

Park Hyung Sik & Park Shin Hye's 'Doctor Slump' Achieves Global Success on Netflix

Park Hyung Sik and Park Shin Hye's reunion drama "Doctor Slump" is gaining spotlight not just in Korea but also abroad. The series became the most-watched non-English series on Netflix worldwide.

On February 7, FlixPatrol revealed in their gathered data that "Doctor Slump" was able to accumulate 2.9 million views and 10.2 million viewing hours from January 29 to Feb 4, ranking first in the Netflix global Top 10 TV series category (non-English).

The weekend drama was able to jump from 9th place to the No. 1 spot in just a span of one week.

'Doctor Slump' Occupies Top Spot in 9 Countries

Adding to its ongoing success and popularity, Park Hyung Sik's medical series topped in nine regions including Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam during its second week of primetime.

Furthermore, "Doctor Slump" also made it to the top 10 in more than 27 countries.

The rom-com series features the story of former high school rivals Nam Ha Neul and Yeo Jung Woo, who unexpectedly reunite after 14 years at their lowest points in life.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 'Doctor Slump' Episode 4: Is Park Hyung Sik Falling for Former Rival Park Shin Hye?

"Doctor Slump" is Park Shin Hye and Park Hyung Sik's second drama together following "The Heirs" in 2013. This also marks the actress' return to the small screen after a three-year hiatus following her marriage and the birth of her first child.

Meanwhile, viewers are excited and enthusiastic to see the duo as the newest drama couple who give fun performances every weekend. Aside from the series dominating the Netflix rankings, the romance drama also continues to beat its own high viewership rating every week.

'Captivating the King,' 'My Demon,' More Maintain Spots on Netflix Global List

Furthermore, other K-series also make significant impact and also garner popularity among international viewers. Jo Jung Suk and Shin Se Kyung's "Captivating the King" occupied the No. 6 spot in the Global non-English TV category.

Song Kang and Kim Yoo Jung's "My Demon" was able to rank seventh and impressively remained in the top 10 spot for eleventh consecutive weeks.

Kim Hyun Joo and Park Hee Soon's "The Bequeathed" slipped down eight spots to ninth place, while Ji Chang Wook and Shin Hye Sun's "Welcome to Samdalri" occupied the tenth position following its finale episode on January 21st.

Meanwhile, to see more of Park Shin Hye and Park Hyung Sik's chemistry and captivating performances, catch "Doctor Slump" every Saturday and Sunday on JTBC and Netflix at 10:30 p.m.(KST).

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'Doctor Slump' Achieves New All-Time High + Park Shin Hye, Park Hyung Sik Receive Positive Reviews

What can you say about "Doctor Slump's" ongoing popularity? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
Ukraine Ambassador to Poland: Preparations underway for Shmyhal's visit to Warsaw in March

Preparations are underway for a visit by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal to Warsaw scheduled for the end of March, a joint meeting of the Polish and Ukrainian governments will be also held at that time, Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland Vasyl Zvarych has said.

In an interview with Polska Agencja Prasowa (), the diplomat emphasized that it will be a very important format for relations between the countries.

"There are also a lot of very specific, practical plans in the fields of economic cooperation, military industry, and security," he said.

A meeting of the Economic Cooperation Commission will be held ahead of the Ukrainian prime minister's visit due in late March, Zvarych said.

Speaking about a visit by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to Kyiv in January, the Ukrainian ambassador said this was a new discovery in the Polish-Ukrainian relations.

"We want to talk to each other, implement a lot of good projects, strengthen our strategic partnership, and I think that was a step in the right direction," he said.

The ambassador was also asked about a statement made by Polish President Andrzej Duda in May 2022 at a plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada about a new good neighborliness treaty. Zvarych said that talks on the documents were in progress.

"This is a very serious work," he said, emphasizing that it is about "in fact concluding a new, basic agreement on cooperation between Ukraine and Poland."

The diplomat also noted that the agreement concluded in 1992 needs to be updated.

"This required a detailed work. The Polish side is working on the draft. We will see the draft soon and continue the work on this issue," Zvarych said.

As reported, during a visit to Kyiv on January 22, Tusk invited Shmyhal to visit Warsaw for the resumption of intergovernmental consultations.
People stand in the lobby for Amazon offices in New York on Feb. 14, 2019. Representatives from Big Tech companies say a Liberal government bill that would begin regulating some artificial intelligence systems is too vague. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Mark Lennihan
Defense Minister of Ukraine Rustem Umerov has expressed gratitude to Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) Valeriy Zaluzhny for all his achievements and announced the decision to change the leadership of the AFU.

"War changes and demands change. Battles 2022, 2023 and 2024 are three different realities. 2024 will bring new changes for which we must be ready. New approaches, new strategies are needed. Today, a decision was made on the need to change the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I am sincerely grateful to Valeriy Fedorovych for all his achievements and victories. Glory to Ukraine," he said on Facebook on Thursday.

General Zaluzhny had one of the most difficult tasks  to lead the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the Great War with Russia, the minister said.

"The Armed Forces of Ukraine, together with the entire People of our country, demonstrated to the whole world that Ukraine will fight for its own land and for its own people, regardless of the enemy it is dealing with. Our soldiers repelled the onslaught of the aggressor, defended our statehood, and continue to defend our independence every day. But war does not remain the same," Umerov said.


Thursday, February 8, 2024 - Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has exposed some illegalities committed by both President William Ruto and his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta.

This is after he revealed how Uhuru and Ruto spent billions without approval from Parliament.

The Supplementary Budget Expenditure Report published by Gathungu's office covering the period between 2014 and 2023 shows that cumulatively, both governments spent a whooping Ksh597.7 billion without authorization.

In the document, Gathungu reports that both administrations failed to account for the money within the required timeframe as stipulated by the 2010 constitution.

The Auditor General raised concerns that this may have been a way to misappropriate public funds over the years.

Per the report, in the 2018/19 financial year, the previous government spent Ksh128 billion without approval from the members of parliament.

On the other hand, after taking over, Ruto's government spent the largest amount without approval during the period under review.

"For instance, the report points out that the government spent Ksh147.3 billion in the 2022/2023 Financial Year.

The report also revealed that the Ruto administration spent Ksh7.4 billion to purchase subsidized fertilizer when farmers were in harvesting season.

Gathungu also exposed government health facilities that acquired supplies worth billions pointing out that Ksh187 million worth of supplies have never been used.

Similarly, the Auditor General noted that Kenya may have lost Ksh2 billion in the construction of 10,000 classrooms with some of them later being deemed unfit for use.

Besides spending by the Health and Education ministries, The Treasury was also accused of buying bank shares amounting to Ksh6.3 billion in trade banks namely; the Eastern and South African Trade Development Bank and Africa-Export Import Bank (AFREXIM) bank.

Gathungu also noted that the Treasury approved Ksh21 billion between 2016 and 2022 for relief food.

She remarked that there were minimal guidelines on relief food distribution.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Thursday, February 8, 2024  Former Chilean President, Sebastian Pinera saved the lives of three passengers, including his sister, by ordering them to jump from his helicopter before he was killed in a horrifying crash.

Karla Rubilar, the former social development and family minister, told Chile's Canal 24 that Pinera told the survivors, You jump first because if I jump with you, the helicopter will fall on you.

The aircraft, with the former president aboard, then crashed into a lake in the southern municipality of Lago Ranco on Tuesday during heavy rain.

Pinera, 74, who served from 2010-2014 and 2018-2022, was on vacation with his family and was travelling with his sister Magdalena Pinera and two friends, Ignacio Guerrero and his son Bautista Guerrero.

The trio had earlier had lunch at the home of his university classmate, Jose Cox.

A fire department diver found President Pinera's body lying inside the helicopter, which was 91 feet under the water's surface.

It took divers about 10 minutes to retrieve the body and place it on a boat.

'The extraction was not complex, since the weather conditions, temperature, water, wind, depth and survey, were favourable for free diving,' Los Rios regional prosecutor Ricardo Gonzalez said, according to La Tercera newspaper.

'He was a great man, a very generous and very brave man,' Magdalena Pinera told Chilean news network Meganoticias on Tuesday night.

Rubilar, who served as spokesperson during the former president's second term in office, said his final words were typical of a leader who put others before himself.

She said President Pinera wanted to assist the administration of President Gabriel Boric with the recovery efforts following the wildfires that killed 131 people and burned 3,000 homes last week in the Valparaiso region.

'The one who told us yesterday, 'Help this government, no matter what the opposition was like, help it, because Chile comes first.' The man who tells you, 'You jump first, because I can't think about myself, because the helicopter could fall on us', being his last words (...) that was the president,' Rubilar said.

An autopsy showed that Pinera's death was caused by asphyxiation due to submersion, according to Los Rios regional prosecutor Tatiana Esquivel.

Esquivel said that they still haven't determined the cause of the accident but that forensic data is allowing them to develop a 'more probable theory' and a specialized team is currently investigating the crash site.

Pinera's remains were sent to receive state honours in Santiago, the Chilean capital, on Wednesday.

The former president's body will remain at the headquarters of the former Congress in Santiago.

A private viewing will be held before being opened to the public and a funeral will be held on Friday.




Thursday, February 8, 2024 - The High Court has dealt President William Ruto yet another blow after his controversial housing levy was declared unconstitutional.

This is after it suspended his order directing all parents to pay school fees via e-Citizen.

The court issued a conservatory order suspending the implementation of the directive by the Ministry of Education pending further directions from the court on February 13.

The High Court's decision comes just a day after a doctor from Nakuru County moved to court seeking orders to have the directive quashed.

In his petition, the surgeon who works for the County government of Nakuru termed the initiative as illegal and that it violated the principles of good governance.

According to him, the programme was implemented without adequate public participation further noting that it would greatly inconvenience parents who pay their children's school fees through non-monetary means.

While addressing a delegation in Tokyo, Japan, Ruto defended the decision, stating it was geared at ensuring transparency and prudent use of funds for the benefit of learners.

You may have heard the latest about school fees in Kenya, or money paid by parents for example in boarding schools. We provide resources for learning in all our primary and secondary schools through what parents pay," Ruto stated.

We are insisting because we realised there are illegal levies charged by the board of management of schools that go into accounts that nobody knows, we have insisted that all monies charged to Kenyans must be transparent.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Thursday, February 8, 2024 - President William Ruto has maintained that he will continue pushing for the economic transformation of Kenya despite facing criticism from a section of Kenyans.

Speaking in Tokyo on Wednesday, the President said despite being called various names back home, he will stand by his firm decisions to put the country on the right path.

"I don't mind people calling me names. I will continue to do the right thing for our country irrespective of the names people call me including Zakayo," Ruto said.

The Head of State added that when you do the right thing, your conscience is clear.

In May 2023, the name Zakayo surfaced on social platforms in the wake of new tax proposals made by the Ruto-led administration.

They likened Ruto to Zacchaeus (Zakayo in Swahili), who climbed the Sycamore tree to see Jesus, according to the Bible.

In the Bible, specifically the New Testament, Zacchaeus was a tax collector in the city of Jericho.

Tax collectors like Zacchaeus were often perceived as corrupt and dishonest, as they would sometimes collect more taxes than required and keep the excess for themselves. This led to resentment and disdain from the local population.

The President seems to have embraced the nickname; 'Zakayo'.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.


Thursday, February 8, 2024  Suge Knight had some words for Snoop Dogg after the former Death Row Records rapper said he would pray for him.

Snoop Dogg had gone under an IG post of a VladTV article that mentioned Death Row Records founder, Suge Knight, making allegations about Diddy, Russell Simmons, Andre Harrell, and Dr. Dre.

Snoop wrote, "Smh I'm praying for that brother that he finds peace."





Snoop made the statement even though Suge did not mention him and it is believed he did so because last year, Suge demanded answers from Snoop Dogg over 2Pacs murder, saying his former artist has some explaining to do.

Suge, the founder of Death Row Records who is currently incarcerated, questioned Snoops role in the death of the rap legend in Nov. 2023.

After Snoop left a comment earlier this week praying Suge finds peace, Suge took to X to hit back.

Suge posted a picture of Snoop's wife in Hawaii with another man and wrote, "You pray for me Snoop Dogg!!! Okay I'll pray your wife stop going to Hawaii with other men!!!!#snoopdog #bosslady."





Suge wasn't quite done as he returned with another post where he shared a video of Snoop talking to someone who owed him money at one of his parties.

"If you only could act like this when the camera rolling Snoop Dogg!!!#snoopdog #underdogg #fakecrip," Suge wrote.
Thursday, February 8, 2024 - A section of Isiolo County leaders have pleaded with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and other Mt Kenya leaders to include the county as part of the Mt Kenya region.

Led by Isiolo County Assembly Speaker Mohamed Roba, they urged the DP to allow leaders and residents of Isiolo to be counted as one of the Mt Kenya counties, instead of being referred to as part of Northeastern.

We request you to join your government. Mt Kenya is a few kilometers from Isiolo.

"We even wonder why cant we be enjoined with other Mt Kenya counties.

"Add Isiolo to be part of Mt Kenya because you have shown us how concerned you are in terms of development, Roba said.

On his part, Isiolo Governor Abdi Hassan Guyo said they will support all government initiatives aimed at transforming the country.

He said under his leadership, Isiolo would never be outside the government.

You and President Ruto garnered 63 percent of total votes from Isiolo but this time around be assured 2027 you will get 100 percent, Guyo said.

Isiolo Woman Rep Mumina Bonaya said the county will fully rally behind the leadership of President Ruto and Gachagua.

Though most of us were not voted via the UDA party, residents voted for you overwhelmingly. Be assured we are with you all through, she said.

Gachagua said he and President Ruto embrace all leaders.

I agree Isiolo is part of Mt Kenya and if you want to join the rest of our eleven counties, you are welcome.

"We will meet with leaders and deliberate on the issue, Gachagua said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.


Thursday, February 8, 2024  Kanye West has gone on Instagram to plead for help.

The rapper claimed that his upcoming listening party show at United Center in Chicago sold out in seven minutes  but revealed that it was the only venue that would have him.

"It's the only arena that I had access to in the past year," West explained in the clip. "And when I call, people say there's no avails for me, and you know why that is."

"So if there's anybody out there that can help with this, please," he added.

In a follow-up post, West wrote, "I have not been allowed to perform in a year. Feels like the Elvis Presley movie."

The listening party is to celebrate the release of his new record, Vultures, which will mark his return to music.

West has been attempting to repair his career after he nearly destroyed it by publicly making a string of antisemitic remarks. His behavior cost him several business deals, friendships, and his status as a billionaire. He has since doubled down on his comments multiple times, but in a bizarre move, he issued an apology to the Jewish community back in December.

Watch Kanye plead in the video below.
Thursday, February 8, 2024 - President William Ruto has urged Kenyans living in the diaspora to be ready to pay taxes, as the country will no longer rely on debts for its development.

Speaking on Thursday while meeting Kenyans living in Japan, Ruto insisted that if Kenya must develop, her citizens must be ready to put in the work.

He said that just like Japan is built by its citizens, Kenyans must be ready to take that route.

The President said that this is one aspect he is not ready to compromise on, no matter the cost.

"I was looking at numbers today, Japan, their tax as a percentage of GDP is at 34.8 percent.

"In Kenya, we are at 15 percent, less than half what it is here.

"If we have to develop our country, Kenyans must roll up their sleeves and develop their country.

"Our country is not going to be developed by others, our country is not going to be developed by aid, our country is not going to be developed by debt.

"Our country is going to be developed by us.

"Japan is built by the Japanese using their taxes.

"Kenya will be built by Kenyans using our revenues and our taxes.

"That is a statement we must tell each other," Ruto said on Wednesday.

The Head of state noted that his conscience is clear of the tough decisions he is making for the good of the country.

He added that he would always do the right thing for Kenya, despite people calling him names.

"People call me names, but your conscience is clear when you are doing the right thing. And I will do the right thing for our country, irrespective of what names people call me, including Zakayo."

Ruto left the country on Tuesday evening for a four-day official visit to Japan.

During the visit, he will engage in a series of bilateral meetings with the Japanese top leadership and Corporations.

On Wednesday, Kenya and Toyota Tsusho Corporation of Japan signed a framework agreement for collaboration in vehicle manufacturing and renewable energy development.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Thursday, February 8, 2024 - Former Nairobi County Governor, Mike Sonkos lawyer, Assa Nyakundi, has said his client may sue the state after he was acquitted on Wednesday.

Sonko, together with 16 others, was acquitted in a Sh 357 million graft case after the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove its case.

Addressing journalists, lawyer Assa Nyakundi said Given that he has suffered and paid a huge personal price, there is a distinct possibility of suing the state for malicious prosecution.

"Although early, there is a possibility.

There has been no indication from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on whether they will be appealing but Nyakundi said they are ready for whatever move they decide to make.

This case should be a lesson that nothing done to prosecute Sonko was professional.

"It was hasty and it was obvious there was a lot of political baggage behind it.

"Sonko was sacrificed politically and he has paid a huge price, he said.

Nyutu, while acquitting Sonko and 16 others on Wednesday, expressed her frustrations over dereliction of duty by the ODPP, saying it is high time regulations were enacted to rein in on prosecutors who neglect their duties.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Thursday, February 8, 2024 - There was drama in a Murang'a court as 21 Agikuyu elders charged with being members of the outlawed Mungiki sect broke into song and dance in what is perceived as a mockery to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has vowed to end Mungiki menace once and for all in Mt. Kenya.

The elders were arrested on December 31, 2023, at Mukurwe Wa Nyagathanga shrine, where they were attending a religious ceremony.

Dressed in traditional colours, the elders took advantage of a 20-minute court adjournment and started singing the Kenya Land and Freedom Army (KLFA); Mau Mau's songs.

They intimated in the lyrics that they were descendants of the Gilkuyu and not criminals, as alleged by President William Rutos government.

Attempts by the court clerks to stop them were in vain as they raised their arms in solidarity until they ended the song. The elders had been arraigned before senior principal magistrate Edwin Nyaga.

However, the case did not proceed as the prosecution requested the court for more time to bring evidence against the accused.

The elders' lawyers, led by Ndegwa Njiru, Jeremiah Kioni, and Kinuthia Mwangi, claimed there was a well-planned move to deter the Agikuyu from practising their culture.

"This is a case of political persecution, and it is now rampant among the Gikuyu community," Kioni said.

Wambugu Nyamu, an elder from Nyeri county, said the Kikuyu council of elders raised money to help the elders.

"Kikuyu council of elders where I am a member, we had to raise money to make sure these people are presented," he said.

James Nene, another elder, said most ethnic Gikuyu were afraid of practising their culture for fear of reprisals.

"Currently, no Kikuyu can meet with the intention of continuing their Kikuyu traditions without fear," he said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated the need for the Armed Forces to make this year decisive for achieving Ukrainian goals in the war against Russia.

"We discussed with Zaluzhny the possibilities of Ukraine this year - on the battlefield. We must make this year decisive. Crucial for achieving Ukrainian goals in the war," Zelenskyy said in a video message.

According to him, "Russia cannot just accept the existence of an independent Ukraine, but it will have to accept the strength of our state."

"The experience of two years of this war has convinced me that only Russia's defeats in this war bring peace closer," the President said.

As he noted, every year of this war has its own character.

We withstood the first year. We started to reclaim our ground. We proved to the world that Russia can lose. In the second year of this war, we won the Black Sea. We won the winter. We proved that we can regain control of the Ukrainian sky. But, unfortunately, we failed to achieve the goals of our state on land, he said.

We have to be honest  the feeling of stagnation specifically in the southern directions and the difficulties in the battles in the Donetsk region have affected the public mood. Ukrainians are speaking of victory less often. However, the Ukrainian spirit has not lost faith in victory. Ukraine retains its historic chance. It is our duty to realize it, Zelenskyy added.

According to Zelenskyy, this year should be the time of Ukraine  the time when every Ukrainian warrior will know, as before, that the Ukrainian state and the Ukrainian army are capable of winning.

The President of Ukraine also thanked former Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhny for two years of defense of the state.


Thursday, February 8, 2024 - Attorney General Justin Muturi has surprised Kenyans after he distanced himself from President William Rutos housing project.

Appearing before the Parliamentary Joint Committee of Finance and Housing on Wednesday, Muturi who is the Kenya Kwanza Alliance chief legal advisor, faulted the National Assembly for considering the Affordable Housing Bill of 2023 without involving the Senate.

Muturi said that housing is a devolved function, and the Senate must be involved despite the bill expressly exempting the Senate from its consideration.

The AG, however, confirmed that his office was involved in the drafting of the must-have law that seeks to cure gaps highlighted by the High Court when it nullified the exercise.

Muturi told Parliament that his office takes responsibility for the gaps on which the courts base their decisions in probing the housing levy.

"We take instructions from state departments; they tell us this is how they want it done.

"We tell them how to go about it. Then it goes to Parliament for amendments, which is a very healthy democratic practice," Muturi said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Thursday, February 8, 2024  Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected delusional Hamass conditions for a deal to release the hostages it holds in Gaza, warning that accepting the terms would lead to another massacre.

Hamas killed about 1,200 people and took a further 250 hostage, according to Israeli officials, during its October attack that triggered the war. About 110 of the hostages were released during a brief truce last year.

Israels retaliatory offensive has killed more than 27,500 people in Gaza, according to Palestinian officials, as well as displacing 1.7mn of the enclaves 2.3mn people and rendering huge swaths of the territory uninhabitable.

In a press conference on Wednesday night, February 7, Netanyahu instead vowed to continue Israels military offensive in Gaza until total victory was secured, saying his country would achieve this within months.

We wont settle for less, he said.

Surrendering to Hamass delusional demands . . . will not only not lead to the release of the hostages, but will invite another massacre.

Netanyahu insisted that only military action on Hamas would ensure the release of the roughly 130 Israelis still held by the group, including the bodies of some believed to have died.

He said he had told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken who held meetings with senior Israeli officials on Wednesday as part of a visit to several Middle Eastern countries  that after Hamas was toppled, we will make sure Gaza is demilitarised forever.

Blinkens visit, during which he also met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, is part of an intense diplomatic push led by the US and Qatar aiming to bring home the hostages and ultimately end the war.

Blinken said on Tuesday that a hostage deal was the best path to get an extended period of calm in Gaza and was indeed essential.

He added the US was looking intensely at Hamass proposal. Theres a lot of work to be done, but we are very much focused on doing that work and hopefully being able to resume the release of hostages.

Hamas had demanded a ceasefire lasting four and a half months, an Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of at least 1,500 Palestinian prisoners as its price for releasing all the hostages it still holds after its assault on Israel on October 7.

The groups proposal came in response to a framework agreement brokered in Paris 10 days ago by officials from the US, Egypt, Qatar and Israel, which was designed to facilitate the release of hostages and a six-week pause in hostilities.

Hamas instead proposed a 135-day pause in fighting and a three-phase release of hostages, which it said would lead to a complete and sustainable calm.

After Netanyahu spoke, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan said at a press conference in Beirut that Netanyahus comments on the ceasefire proposal just now show he intends to pursue conflict in the region.

Hamas is prepared to deal with all options, Hamdan said, adding that a delegation from Hamass political wing would visit Cairo to pursue ceasefire talks with Egyptian and Qatari officials.
Thursday, February 8, 2024 - Fresh details have emerged over how murder suspect Kevin Kangethe escaped from Muthaiga Police Station on Wednesday evening.

Kangethe had been arrested by Interpol over the murder of his girlfriend in the United States and he was waiting to be extradited to Boston to face murder charges.

However, in what can be described as an embarrassment to the Kenyan police, Kangethe slipped out of a police station cell and jumped into a matatu on Thika Road.

According to police, Kangethe had been released from his cells after the lawyer came to the station and said he wanted to have a word with him ahead of the planned hearing of his extradition case on Friday, February 9.

The lawyer identified as John Maina Ndegwa who introduced himself to the officers as a personal advocate to Kangethe, said he wished to talk to him. Ndegwa is among those who appeared for him last week in court.

The officers agreed to his request removed the prisoner from the cells and took him to one of the anti-crime offices leaving them there.

Other officials argued the meeting should have taken place across the counter at the report office.

After a short meeting, the prisoner escaped by running away and leaving the advocate behind, police said.

The officers who were manning the fugitive said they realized Kangethe had escaped after walking back into the room and found the lawyer there alone.

They raised the alarm and rushed out after seeing Kangethe race towards Thika Road.

Kangethe then jumped onto a matatu that was at the bus stop and asked the driver to take off amid shouts from the officers who were chasing him. It vanished.

Police say they have details of the matatu and efforts to trace the crew and owner were ongoing. Nairobi police chief Adamson Bungei said a fresh search for him began immediately.

Already four police officers and a lawyer are in custody over Kangethes disappearance.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.
Thursday, February 8, 2024 - Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is on a mission to bring peace to the region and is not leaving anything to chance.

Days after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called him on the phone to discuss regional peace and the issue of East Africas leadership, Uhuru met with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to discuss matters related to East African Peace

In a high-profile meeting, it was reported that the main agenda was the tensions within the East Africa region which has become a growing concern.

Announcing the meeting, Museveni stated, This afternoon at State House Entebbe, I met with the Facilitator of the EAC-led Nairobi Peace Process, H.E. President (Rtd) Uhuru Kenyatta to discuss the regional mandate alongside recent developments in Eastern DRC.

Further, Museveni lauded the former President for doing a commendable job in restoring peace, particularly with the growing tensions in DRC Congo.

Recently, DRC and Rwanda failed to agree on matters of security with Rwanda being accused of hosting and funding M23 rebels.

Rwanda in their response, however, denied any association with the rebels, terming the accusations as baseless.

Additionally, Burundi closed its border with Rwanda without issuing prior notice, a matter that has exacerbated the East Africa tensions.

Currently, Uhuru Kenyatta serves as the East African Countries Peace Facilitator, a role he acquired after retiring as Kenyas president.

With this position, the former President will be expected to push for reconciliation efforts between the countries with the diplomatic tiffs.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Thursday, February 8, 2024 - The Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) has announced the auction of vehicles from as low as Ksh25,000.

In a notice, KeRRA revealed that the auction will be conducted on Thursday, February, at various regional offices including those in Nairobi, Busia, Narok, Kilifi, Laikipia, Siaya, and Makueni Counties.

As it stands, some of the vehicles are currently being kept at the Barabara Plaza at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

The government agency gave interested bidders until February 13 to view the listed items at the different locations and express their interest.

"Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) is in the process of disposing of unserviceable, obsolescent, obsolete, or surplus store items. The authority wishes to inform the general public of the intended sale of unserviceable and obsolete items on as -is- where- is," read part of the notice.

Most of the vehicles the agency wants to dispose of are going to be auctioned at prices ranging between Ksh25,000 and Ksh1 million. The lowest bidding price has been set at Ksh25,000 which applies for a Mitsubishi Pajero and Ksh50,850 for an Isuzu Double Cabin.

KERRA is also looking to dispose of a Chevrolet Cruze Petrol (Ksh550,000), Chevrolet Aveo (Ksh500,000), Isuzu Double Cabin (Ksh350,000) and Mitsubishi Pajero (Ksh400,000).

Other vehicles set to be sold by the agency include; a Toyota Double Cabin at Ksh135,000, a Chevrolet Cruze at Ksh517,000, a Mitsubishi Pajero at Ksh420,000, a Ford Single Cabin at Ksh1 million, a Chevrolet Cruze at Ksh550,000, Ford Double Cabin at Ksh700,000 and Mitsubishi Double Cabin at Ksh150,000.

KeRRA is also looking to auction a Mitsubishi Double Cabin price set at Ksh200,000, Isuzu Double Cabin at ksh450,000, Ford Double Cabin at Ksh860,000, another Isuzu Double Cabin at Ksh450,000, and Mitsubishi Double Cabin at Ksh216,000.

How to Bid

All interested bidders are required to obtain a bidding number from Trenad Auctioneers on the auction day.

Interested bidders will also need to pay a refundable deposit of Ksh30,000.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Thursday, February 8, 2024 - Detectives at the DCI headquarters are compiling a list of known land-grabbing gangs operating in Nairobis Eastleigh area for action.

This is after they realized increased schemes of land grabbing and defrauding innocent and powerless landowners in areas of Eastleigh and Pangani areas of Nairobi.

Sources said they have profiled the gang, and it is a matter of time before action starts. Woe unto those whose leasehold titles are nearing expiry as their parcels are now fodder for cartels with strong ties at city hall lands offices, said a senior official aware of the cartel.

The recent victim is businessman Khalid Khan, the owner of plot number LR.209/2389/129.

Khan was evicted from his developed parcel on the evening of February 3, 2024, by goons led by Erick Kiunda aka Ngarang acting on behalf of a cartel of notorious land grabbers.

The goons invaded the plot at around 5 pm with a group of youth said to be from Huruma Kiamaiko area, numbering between 30 and 40.

They evicted other tenants on the plot and also attempted to fence off the property with mabati.

The situation was quelled by local police who arrested Ngarang and a few of his goons.

Khan has the support of his neighbors who spent the night out in the cold to try and protect the property.

More revelations have established that one Francis Maina Ndegwa was granted a new certificate of lease on November 9, 2023, in regards to the same parcel now converted to Nairobi/Block 40/188.

Interestingly, the term of the lease starts from 1/04/2007.

Through connections from City Hall, Maina has already secured orders to carry out repairs of the said property as supported by a document signed by Michael Munyi acting as Director of Planning Compliance and Enforcement.

This is just an illustration of the plight facing many landowners in Nairobi areas of Eastleigh and Pangani. But the team of detectives has vowed to deal with the matter for justice.

Detectives at the DCI headquarters are compiling a list of known land grabbing gangs operating in Nairobis Eastleigh area for action.



This is after they realized increased schemes of land grabbing and defrauding innocent and powerless landowners in areas of Eastleigh and pic.twitter.com/dqPfTs7Twl  Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) February 7, 2024

The Kenyan DAILY POST.


Thursday, February 8, 2024  Prince William has thanked the nation for its kind messages of support for his wife and father.

In a speech, the Prince of Wales said the heartfelt messages received by his family following Kates hospitalisation for serious abdominal surgery and King Charles shock cancer diagnosis means a great deal to us all.

The monarch is recuperating at Sandringham following his first cancer treatment and Kate is at home following abdominal surgery.

William was speaking at a glittering gala dinner in support of Londons Air Ambulance Charity at Raffles London at the OWO (Old War Office), which was also attended by Hollywood star Tom Cruise.

He told his audience: Id like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days. It means a great deal to us all.

Its fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather medical focus. So I thought Id come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all!

There was also a joke for Tom Cruise, known for his daredevil high-flying film stunts, as the royal said: Here in London, the current aircraft have served magnificently. But our capital city needs a new fleet.

'And we are Up Against Time. The clue really is in the Appeals name. By September, we need the two new red birds - decked with the latest kit such as night vision - in our skies.

I should also take this opportunity to give a mention to my - our - fellow pilot, Tom Cruise. Tom, huge thanks for supporting us tonight.

And if you wouldnt mind not borrowing either of the new helicopters for the next Mission: Impossible, it would be appreciated.

'We have all seen on our screens that - how can I put it - you seem to have a different take on normal wear and tear to the rest of us.

Its not the kind that buffs out, thats for sure.
Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi has said that the presence of Russian troops on the territory of the republic is a violation of Moldova's neutrality.

"There is an absurd situation when Russia is the main proponent of Moldova's neutrality, being the only country that violates this neutrality. And this is despite the obvious position of Chisinau throughout this period. We are seeking the withdrawal of Russian troops in accordance with the international obligations of the Russian Federation," Popsoi stressed on TVR Moldova on Wednesday evening.

Answering the question of what he would say to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the event of a bilateral meeting, he noted that first of all he would say: "It would be good if the Russian Federation fulfilled the commitments undertaken at the Istanbul summit in 1999 on the withdrawal of troops and ammunition from the constitutional territory of the Republic of Moldova."

Popsoi said that, given the situation in Ukraine, normalization of relations between Moldova and Russia is impossible "in the near future." Also, in his opinion, it is impossible to revive the "5+2" format for the Transdniestrian settlement, where Russia plays the role of a mediator.
Patrick Kamara hosts former Magistrate Dr Sylvia Namubiru Mukasa and Senior Presidential Advisor Mr Moses Byaruhanga on the KFM Hot Seat show to discuss Ugandas judicial independence and accountability.

The Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and High Court closed for a week beginning February 5 to allow judges and registrars attend the Judges conference in Kampala.

Listen to the podcast below;
A section of lawyers Uganda is calling for a boycott of the Judiciarys New Law Year launch tomorrow at the High Court, citing concerns about judicial freedom.

They allege that recent court orders have been issued to gag them from discussing critical issues, including the independence of the judiciary.

Eron Kiiza, one of the lawyers leading the boycott effort, claims that these orders are intended to silence members of the Uganda Law Society (ULS) from discussing essential matters. He cites a recent case where President Museveni wrote to Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo and other judges, allegedly providing directions on how to decide a specific case.

However, the societys president, Bernard Oundo, has confirmed that he and other members will participate in the New Law Year launch event tomorrow, Friday, February 9.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Thomas Tayebwa, on Thursday commended the Uganda Police Force for maintaining law and order despite facing harsh living and working conditions.

Mr. Tayebwa received a report on the working and living conditions of police personnel and their impact on human rights observance in Uganda from the Uganda Human Rights Commission Chairperson, Ms. Mariam Wangadya, on Thursday morning.

The report highlighted that police officers, particularly in lower ranks, reside in dilapidated shared housing and lack essential protective gear. Mr. Tayebwa expressed concern and challenged the government to investigate why officers persevere in their duties despite these deplorable conditions.

He assured the Commission that Parliament will prioritize allocating funds in the 2024/2025 budget to cover pensions for public officers, as mandated by law.

It is something we should interest ourselves as government. I hope we can dig deeper since the Human Rights Commission has given us a foundation in its research, said Tayebwa

Additionally, he criticized the Shs841 billion budget ceiling allocated to the police force, which falls significantly short of their proposed budget of Shs3.2 trillion. This significant gap, he argued, leaves many crucial needs unfunded.
A new Ukrainian dubbed version of the animated feature, Puffin Rock and The New Friends will be premiered by Cartoon Saloon at Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin on Sunday February 11 at 10am.

Members of the Ukrainian community in Ireland have voiced the new Ukrainian version, most of them children currently living here. The director and young members of the Ukrainian cast will be available for photos and interviews:

Produced by the Academy Award-nominated Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon and Northern Irelands Dog Ears, Puffin Rock and the New Friends Ukrainian version will be made available for educational and non commercial use across Ireland and Europe.

The Screen Ireland supported film provided a unique opportunity to collaborate and connect with the Ukrainian community in Ireland and across Europe. The Ukrainian version of Puffin Rock and The New Friends is entirely voiced by Ukrainian nationals that have relocated to Ireland. The film will now be made available to Ukrainian communities all over Ireland to show privately. The Kilkenny Leader Programme will work with Ukrainian SICAP workers and communities to distribute the film all over Ireland.

Cartoon Saloon would welcome the opportunity for a platform either national or international to show, the Ukrainian version of Puffin Rock.

"Puffin Rock is a wonderful place to live, but what if it just doesn't feel like your home? During the production of the film this was a guiding statement for us, for how Isabelle may be feeling as a new puffin coming to live on a new Island, far far away from her home.

"We always tried to talk about her character in the simplest ways, for us she is an eight-year-old child moving to a new school or an eight-year-old child whose parents have to work away from home. We tried to focus on universal themes and experiences for our audience.

"But sadly in the world we live in, she is also an eight-year-old child forced to leave all they have known, not because of climate change but because her home has been destroyed by war.

"It was quite late in production when our Executive Producer Gerry Shirren, suggested the idea of making a Ukrainian version of the film. We absolutely knew it was something we wanted to do.

"There were many new and exciting challenges on this project, not only was this the first time that Cartoon Saloon would take the lead creating a foreign language version of their films, a job that usually outsourced to the respective country. It would also be looking to fill all the roles from the newly arrived Ukrainian community," said director Jeremy Purcell.

A casting call was shared with the Irish-based Ukrainian community through social media, Ukrainian groups and to Irish organisations with connections with this community in the August of 2023. This call was open to all Ukrainians in Ireland who were interested regardless of experience.

The casting call was a great success; over 150 self-recorded auditions were submitted.

Casting and Voice Direction consultant, Alyona Osmanova, and Director, Jeremy Purcell, reviewed each tape.

They were both very impressed with the level of talent that applied, it ranged from experienced actors to newcomers.

They eventually whittled it down to 52 in person auditions.

The in person auditions were held across two weekends in Cartoon Saloons Barrack Street Studio. Hopefuls travelled from Kerry, Cork, Clare, Galway and Dublin to attend the auditions.

At the auditions, Head of Post Production, Alan Slattery, tried his best to replicate the dubbing record experience which can be quite a technical experience.

"In many respects our Ukrainian cast would have the more difficult job of not only acting and bringing their characters to life but also ensuring they keep in time with the existing scenes and animation. Not only did our cast need to be brilliant actors they also needed to take direction and adjust to line changes quickly," he said.

The in person auditions were a brilliant experience for the studio team and the auditionees but the tough job of choosing the final cast was still ahead.

One of the biggest challenges for the casting team was to figure out who could fill the shoes of the original Puffin Rock Narrator, Chris ODowd.

"Chris is such an integral part of what makes Puffin Rock so special for audiences so its hard shoes to fill. But that challenge presented us with an opportunity to try something new and we decided to go with a female narrator, Alla Bineeva," added Jeremy Purcell.

Puffin Rock and the New Friends was Alla's first experience in animation acting but she is an experienced theatre and film actress living in Kerry.

The team had the difficult job of filling the 17 other roles before records could start.

Anna Svidruk from Dublin was chosen to play Oona and Polina Vorobei from Cork was chosen to play Isabelle.

Voice Director, Lorraine Lordan said that the cast travelled from all around the country for the record sessions.

"They were more intensive than we initially expected but we were blown away by the enthusiasm, commitment and hard work of our cast and their parents, grandparents and/or brothers who travelled with them. The final performances are a testament to everyone involved. And I think Puffin Rock and the New Friends is every bit as moving in Ukrainian as it is in English," she said.

Alyona Osmanova, an actor and producer from Kiev, provided voice direction services to the project alongside the films Assistant Director and Puffin Rock veteran Lorraine Lordan.

The screenplay for the film by Sara Daddy was translated by Olena Velyka, a Ukrainian national who previously took part in Screen Skills Pathways programme and worked on the Preschool series Silly Sundays.

The translation was recorded in Gorilla Post Production in Dublin with sound engineer Mark Kennedy.
ABOVE: Lauren Kinsella, Irish Wood Producers Forester, Patrick Trihy IWP Director, Nicholas Sweetman IFO Chairman, Anthony Browne IWP Chairman, Tom Hickey IWP Director, Liam OByrne IWP Director, JJ Kavanagh IWP Director, Ger Woodcock IWP Director

Forest and land owners travelled from Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford and Carlow to hear about the new forestry programme 2023-2027 and the new and enhanced schemes available to new and existing forest owners, recently. Scroll down to read more and click NEXT to continue.

On Wednesday 24th January, The Rhu Glenn Hotel in Slieverue, Co. Kilkenny was the location of the first forestry information session on the new forestry programme for 2024, organised by local forest owner group Irish Wood Producers in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and Teagasc.

Anthony Browne, Chairman Irish Wood Producers (a not for profit forestry group, operating in the South East) welcomed everyone and invited forest owners to join the upcoming Forestry Knowledge Transfer Groups being run in Waterford, Kilkenny and Wexford. The information sessions / field trips run for 2 hours every week for 7 weeks and participants receive a payment of 80 per meeting if they attend 4 or more.

Teagasc Forestry Advisor Frances McHugh, presented the range of grant schemes available for planting land with increased annual premia as high as 1,103 per hectare for 20 years for Native forests and other schemes facilitating varied species selection and silvicultural practices. Both Teagasc and the local Irish Wood Producers have been inundated with inquiries for new planting sites and also the new Native Tree Area scheme, which provides annual premia of 2,206 for 10 years and 2,284 for planting for water protection.

Robert Windle, Forestry Inspector, described the many supports available to existing forest owners to help manage and maintain their woodlands including increased Woodland Improvement grants for thinning, tending, agroforestry maintenance, continuous cover conversion, coppice management conversion and seed stand management. The updated Ash Reconstitution Scheme allows for a grant of 2,000 for clearance and a reconstitution grant at the relevant forest type rate, based on species planted. Any remaining premium due, will be paid at the new equivalent premium rate. Robert also mentioned pilot schemes such as climate resilience measures to encourage more sustainable forest management, specific to sensitive sites.
Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald has predicted a border poll on Northern Irelands constitutional future will be held before 2030.

Ms McDonald comments expressing confidence of referenda on both sides of the border within six years come amid increased focus on the prospects of the reunification following the appointment of Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill as Northern Irelands first nationalist first minister.

I envisage us having the referendums in this decade, she told Sky News.

Asked to clarify if that meant before 2030, she replied: Yes, and let me say that it is not so far away, so theres an awful lot of work that needs to be done.

Ive said consistently to the government in Dublin that they really need to take possession of this conversation thats now under way right across Ireland.

They need to give it a structure and a place and, of course, it has to be inclusive.

We want to hear from every voice, including those for whom reunification would not be their first option, those who go out and campaign for the union.

Nevertheless, we all live together, thats never going to change. We share Ireland, we love Ireland, and we want whats best for our children, for our grandchildren.

I think thats the strongest, most powerful common ground that we all share.

Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, a border poll should be called by the incumbent Northern Ireland Secretary when he/she believes there is evidence that public opinion in the region has shifted in favour of constitutional change.

Successive UK governments have consistently declined to specify publicly what criteria will be applied when measuring public sentiment on the issue.

Last week, Ms McDonald said unification was within touching distance  a claim that prompted DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to remark that his political rival must have the longest arms on this island.

Sir Jeffrey rejected suggestions of a poll within the next decade, insisting we are nowhere near a united Ireland.

Ms McDonald came back on his comments on Thursday.

When I say unity is within touching distance, I said in historic terms, I dont mean that its happening next week, or next month, she said.

So you dont have to have those long arms that Jeffrey refers to. But what I am saying, what I firmly believe, is in this decade we will have those referendums and its my job and the job of people like me who believe in reunification to convince, to win hearts and minds and to convince people of that opportunity.

Ms ONeill, who is in London with her party president, later accused Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris of ignoring the reality on the issue of constitutional change.

Earlier this week, Mr Heaton-Harris said he did not expect a border poll within his lifetime.

I think Chris Heaton-Harris, with all due respect, thats a bit of an ostrich mentality, sticking your head in the sand and refusing to see whats actually happening all around you, she told ITV.

Ms ONeill added: I think hes ignoring the reality. My election speaks to the change thats happening across the island.

My parents and grandparents never believed this day would come, that this change would never come about because the north is built in such a way that someone from my background was never supposed to be in a position of first minister.

You know, all the old certainties of the past, of that state that they were born into, are gone.

So I actually think that my appointment actually does reflect the change thats happening.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy expects from newly appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrsky, a plan of action for the Defense Forces on the battlefield for 2024, as well as the presentation of an updated team.

A realistic, detailed action plan for the Armed Forces of Ukraine for 2024 must be presented. It must take into account the real situation on the battlefield now and the prospects, he said in a video address.

Also, according to Zelenskyy, each combat brigade on the first line must receive effective Western weapons.

And there must be a fair redistribution of such weapons in favor of the first line. The logistics problems must be resolved. Avdiyivka must not wait for the generals to find out which warehouses the drones are stuck in. Every general must know the front. If a general does not know the front, he does not serve Ukraine, he noted.

In addition, the President stated the need to correct the excessive and unjustified number of headquarters, as well as to create an effective rotation system.

In particular, according to Zelenskyy, the experience of certain combat brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and units of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, where such a system is in place, can be used as a basis.

Rotations are a must. There is an obvious need to improve the quality of training for the warriors  only trained soldiers can be on the front line, he said.

The head of state also expects a presentation from the new Commander-in-Chief of the new AFU team.
Often I have to shut my mouth and say nothing when it comes to potential dog owners  there are so many dogs in rescues and in the local pound looking for a forever home or even a short term foster and yet so many people rely on breeders for their designer dog of choice.

Dogs Trust Ireland has received 412 requests since Christmas Day from members of the public seeking to surrender their dogs into the charitys care.

Worryingly, this figure follows on from the 3,968 surrender requests they received last year, the highest volume the charity has seen since they opened their doors in 2009.

While Dogs Trust was overjoyed to have been able to find loving homes for 1,042 dogs in 2023, they fear that 2024 will bring even more challenges as their resources are stretched to the limit.

The charity is appealing for the public to support them being able to Save the Next Dog by donating what they can via www.DogsTrust.ie/Crisis or if they are in a position to foster a dog temporarily, to visit www.DogsTrust.ie/Fostering for more information.

With more and more dogs being abandoned and surrendered by irresponsible owners it is really important to consider fostering or adopting a dog instead of buying from a breeder.

Many of these breeders are basically operating puppy farms and the poor bitches are just overbred and overbred to give someone a dog that looks a certain way.

The reality is that there are hundreds of dogs available to be fostered and adopted at shelters and pounds all over the country.

Usually these dogs have had a pretty rough start in life so to be able to rehome them and give them comfort and a good quality of life is a great thing to do.

Animal welfare charities and organisations have long advocated the need to adopt when it comes to dogs and especially greyhounds and lurchers.

REHOMING

In Mullinahone Paws Animal Rescue, the team are taking care of 85 dogs, most of them greyhounds and lurchers, and are also

appealing to the public for support and to consider rehoming a dog if they are able to.

There is also a group of volunteers who go to Paws every weekend and walk the dogs and they are always happy to see new

people getting involved to lend a hand.

If you want to donate to Paws see paws.ie or to enquire about adoption contact the charity via

pawsadoptionqueries@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in volunteering to help out by walking the dogs can contact the volunteers group via the Walk a Dog page

on Facebook and transport from Kilkenny is provided.

There is so much to do be done around raising awareness of the growing plight of abandoned and abused dogs.

racing dogs

WONDERFUL PETS

In Ireland, hundreds of greyhounds end up abandoned after they are retired from the racing industry .

Many who are not winners in their early years are put down and a similar fate awaits many dogs who get injured.

Greyhounds and lurchers make wonderful pets and are content to lounge around at home demanding little attention.

The fact that the Irish government funds this industry is beyond comprehension to many, taxpayers money is used to keep this

industry going and the end result is that many dogs end up suffering and dying as a result.

Deputy Holly Cairns of the Social Democrats recently spoke out in the Dail highlighting that Ireland is one of only ten countries

in the world where commercial greyhound racing is still legal at the end of 2023.

Since the current Government took office, it has given 74 million to the greyhound racing industry, with 19 million allocated

in budget 2024.

Deputy Cairns said that while some breeders and trainers are taking good care of their dogs, everywhere greyhound racing

operates, the story is the same, with animal welfare abuses, injuries, fatalities, overbreeding and culls.

In country after country, the industry is being banned. In track after track, attendance is plummeting, yet the Government

continues to throw millions of euro at it every year, she said.

The continued support of political parties in government and opposition for State funding of this cruel industry shocks me.

In my opinion Deputy Cairns is right and the time has come for the end of greyhound racing.

With local and general elections looming now is the time to make this an issue for the electorate and finally put a stop to this

activity.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. The voting process in Azerbaijan's extraordinary presidential election captured spotlight in Arab media, Trend reports.

SANA (Syria), IRA (Libya), MENA (Egypt) news agencies along with Al-Ahram, Dustour, Al-Qahera (Egypt) and Shurug (Algeria) newspapers, Al Khalid and Gulf365 (UAE) portals, have published news and prepared reports on the voting in Baku, and regions of Azerbaijan.

The media drew Arab public attention to high civic engagement during the voting process in Azerbaijan, and to close monitoring the course of the extraordinary presidential election in the country by international and local observers, as well as representatives of influential media organizations.

Emphasizing the election's value for the region, Arab media noted that, for the first time in the modern history of Azerbaijan since regaining independence, the election was held across the entire territory of the country.

The media reminded that following the 2020 second Karabakh war and the local anti-terror measures carried out in September 2023 in Azerbaijan's Karabakh, the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country have been fully restored.

Voting in the presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Ilham Aliyev is leading with 92.1 percent of votes after processing 54.47 percent of ballots.

The US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League have jointly released the results of an exit poll conducted during the presidential election in Azerbaijan.

According to the organization, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. Presidential election in Azerbaijan in 2024 were held in democratic and fair conditions, Sanya Praseuth, Chairperson of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Committee told reporters, Trend reports.

"Presidential election in Azerbaijan in 2024 was successful, free, fair and allowed citizens of Azerbaijan with active voting right and attaining the age of 18 to realize their civil and political right," he stressed.

He also noted that the polling stations were well organized, providing free and full access for voters giving preference to their candidates. A transparent system operated, allowing observers from political parties, and local and international observers to closely follow the entire election process.

"The election went smoothly and peacefully. After the closing of the polling station, the representative of the delegation took part in observing the counting of votes and summarizing the results at various polling stations, which was conducted openly and transparently. The voting process was organized following the Electoral Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan and was technically efficient," he added.

Voting for the presidential election in Azerbaijan has finished.

Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05% of the votes after the processing of 93.35% of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19% of the votes, Razi Nurullayev - 0.8%, Fazil Mustafa - 2%, Elshad Musaev - 0.67%, Gudrat Hasanguliyev - 1.76%, Fuad Aliyev - 0.53% of the votes.

With a total of 6,478,623 people on the voter list, voting took place at 6,537 polling sites across the country. Over 90,000 observers have enrolled to oversee the election.

The election took place across the entire territory of Azerbaijan, including territories recently liberated from Armenian occupation.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. Azerbaijan's presidential election was held absolutely transparently, Speaker of the Arab Parliament Adel bin Abdul Rahman Al-Asoomi said at a press conference, Trend reports.

The Arab parliament actively took part in a lot of election - presidential, parliamentary election or referendums as international observers, he emphasized.

On behalf of the Arab parliament, he congratulated Azerbaijan on the successful holding of the presidential election.

"As part of the presidential election, we visited several polling stations and observed very high activity in all of them. No incident that could be considered as interference with the will of the voters was recorded. Every voter participated freely in the election. The election was completely transparent, and the Arab parliament welcomes this, added the official.

Voting for the presidential election in Azerbaijan has finished.

Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05 percent of the votes after the processing of 93.35 percent of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev - 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa - two percent, Elshad Musayev - 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev - 1.76 percent, Fuad Aliyev - 0.53 percent of the votes.

With a total of 6,478,623 people on the voter list, voting took place at 6,537 polling sites across the country. Over 90,000 observers have enrolled to oversee the election.

The election took place across the entire territory of Azerbaijan, including territories recently liberated from Armenian occupation.

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The lawsuit claims the university's refusal to prescribe certain medications is a violation of the Patient Portability and Affordable Care Act.
Sen. John Cornyn arrives to a luncheon with Senate Republicans at the US Capitol on February 7, 2024 in Washington, DC.
Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Rhodes Russell delivers the State of the Judiciary to the Joint Session of the General Assembly on Wednesday.
President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Arif Alvi congratulated President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on his victory in the election.

Congratulations to Ilham Aliyev on his decisive victory in Azerbaijans Presidential elections. Your leadership continues to inspire progress and stability. Pakistan looks forward to strengthening our enduring friendship and cooperation. Best wishes for your continued success! Arif Alvi said in his post shared on X.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. Moldova unequivocally supports Azerbaijan on matters of territorial integrity, said Moldovan MP Vitalie Jacot during a briefing, Trend reports.

"I came here within the framework of the bilateral relations between our parliaments to monitor the presidential election. I also chair the parliamentary friendship group between our countries. Azerbaijan is a very important strategic partner for us," he noted.

According to him, Moldova strives to support Azerbaijan in all processes.

"I gladly accepted the proposal to visit Khankendi city for the election monitoring, despite it being a sensitive issue for others. I visited the city of Shusha two years ago. Now, I have visited both Shusha and Khankendi and witnessed that Azerbaijan stands on the right path. I observed the construction and restoration of the damaged infrastructure," Jacot emphasized.

The MP mentioned that Moldova unquestionably supports Azerbaijan on matters of territorial integrity and conveys this message to European colleagues. "Azerbaijan is a reliable and very good partner on the path of democratic development," he added.

Voting in the presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Candidates for the presidency in the election included incumbent President Ilham Aliyev (New Azerbaijan Party), independent contenders Zahid Oruj and Fuad Aliyev, Razi Nurullayev (National Front Party), Fazil Mustafa (Great Order Party), Elshad Musayev (Great Azerbaijan Party), and Gudrat Hasanguliyev (Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front Party).

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05 percent of the votes after the processing of 93.35 percent of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev - 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa - two percent, Elshad Musayev - 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev - 1.76 percent, Fuad Aliyev - 0.53 percent of the votes.

The US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League have jointly released the results of an exit poll conducted during the presidential election in Azerbaijan.

According to the organization, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Aeroports de Paris SA (OTCMKTS:AEOXF  Get Free Report)s stock price was up 4.8% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $132.00 and last traded at $132.00. Approximately 12 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 85% from the average daily volume of 82 shares. The stock had previously closed at $126.00.

Aeroports de Paris Price Performance

The firms 50 day moving average price is $127.59 and its 200-day moving average price is $124.92.

About Aeroports de Paris

(Get Free Report)

Aeroports de Paris SA owns and operates airports worldwide. The company operates through Aviation, Retail and Services, Real Estate, International and Airport Developments, and Other Activities segments. The Aviation segment provides security and airport safety services, such as security checkpoints, screening systems, aircraft rescue, and fire-fighting services.

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CMS Energy Co. (NYSE:CMS  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Thursday, February 1st, RTT News reports. Investors of record on Monday, February 12th will be given a dividend of 0.515 per share by the utilities provider on Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.65%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 9th. This is a positive change from CMS Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.49.

CMS Energy has increased its dividend payment by an average of 6.2% per year over the last three years and has raised its dividend every year for the last 2 years. CMS Energy has a dividend payout ratio of 57.4% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect CMS Energy to earn $3.63 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $2.06 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 56.7%.

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CMS Energy Stock Performance

Shares of CMS Energy stock opened at $56.43 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $16.46 billion, a PE ratio of 18.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.26 and a beta of 0.38. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $57.77 and its 200-day simple moving average is $56.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 1.56. CMS Energy has a 1 year low of $49.87 and a 1 year high of $63.76.

Insider Activity

CMS Energy ( NYSE:CMS Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The utilities provider reported $1.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.04 by $0.01. CMS Energy had a net margin of 11.89% and a return on equity of 12.09%. The business had revenue of $1.95 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.62 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.60 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that CMS Energy will post 3.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other news, SVP Brandon J. Hofmeister sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.90, for a total value of $57,900.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 61,156 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,540,932.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.40% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Covington Capital Management bought a new position in shares of CMS Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Clear Street Markets LLC raised its position in shares of CMS Energy by 94.9% in the first quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 573 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 279 shares during the period. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC raised its position in shares of CMS Energy by 2,010.0% in the first quarter. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC now owns 844 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $52,000 after purchasing an additional 804 shares during the period. Quarry LP bought a new position in shares of CMS Energy in the first quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Finally, State of Wyoming grew its holdings in CMS Energy by 33.6% in the 2nd quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 1,018 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $60,000 after buying an additional 256 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.98% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently issued reports on CMS. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on CMS Energy from $64.00 to $65.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st. Seaport Res Ptn lowered CMS Energy from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, January 8th. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on CMS Energy from $60.00 to $56.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. Guggenheim raised CMS Energy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the company from $60.00 to $64.00 in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, KeyCorp lifted their price target on CMS Energy from $60.00 to $65.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, January 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, CMS Energy presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $62.50.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on CMS

About CMS Energy

(Get Free Report)

CMS Energy Corporation operates as an energy company primarily in Michigan. The company operates through three segments: Electric Utility; Gas Utility; and Enterprises. The Electric Utility segment is involved in the generation, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. This segment generates electricity through coal, wind, gas, renewable energy, oil, and nuclear sources.

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Core Laboratories Inc. (NYSE:CLB  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, January 31st, Zacks reports. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 12th will be paid a dividend of 0.01 per share by the oil and gas company on Monday, March 4th. This represents a $0.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.27%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 9th.

Core Laboratories has decreased its dividend by an average of 43.7% per year over the last three years. Core Laboratories has a payout ratio of 3.3% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect Core Laboratories to earn $0.98 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.04 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 4.1%.

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Core Laboratories Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:CLB opened at $14.60 on Thursday. Core Laboratories has a twelve month low of $14.27 and a twelve month high of $27.94. The firm has a market cap of $682.11 million, a PE ratio of 16.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 2.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 1.73 and a current ratio of 2.55. The business has a fifty day moving average of $16.92 and a 200-day moving average of $20.93.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Core Laboratories

Core Laboratories ( NYSE:CLB Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The oil and gas company reported $0.19 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.20 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $128.21 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $127.80 million. Core Laboratories had a net margin of 8.03% and a return on equity of 15.12%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.23 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Core Laboratories will post 0.8 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of CLB. BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in Core Laboratories by 37.8% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 7,927,366 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $184,311,000 after purchasing an additional 2,173,250 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of Core Laboratories by 44.4% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,848,741 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $42,983,000 after acquiring an additional 568,196 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its stake in shares of Core Laboratories by 167.6% in the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 902,625 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $19,903,000 after acquiring an additional 565,344 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Core Laboratories by 108.4% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 893,278 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $20,769,000 after acquiring an additional 464,644 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ariel Investments LLC increased its position in Core Laboratories by 5.1% during the first quarter. Ariel Investments LLC now owns 8,198,544 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $259,320,000 after acquiring an additional 394,237 shares during the period. 97.81% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently commented on CLB shares. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Core Laboratories from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, January 20th. TheStreet cut Core Laboratories from a b- rating to a c rating in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus dropped their target price on Core Laboratories from $21.00 to $17.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Monday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $19.88.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on CLB

Core Laboratories Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Core Laboratories Inc provides reservoir description and production enhancement services and products to the oil and gas industry in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through Reservoir Description and Production Enhancement segments. The Reservoir Description segment includes the characterization of petroleum reservoir rock, reservoir fluid, and gas samples to enhance production and improve recovery of oil and gas from its clients' reservoirs.

Further Reading

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Davidson Investment Advisors lifted its holdings in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF (BATS:FLOT  Free Report) by 1.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 40,707 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 479 shares during the period. Davidson Investment Advisors holdings in iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF were worth $2,072,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Jane Street Group LLC grew its holdings in iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 17,845.3% during the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 13,189,239 shares of the companys stock valued at $664,606,000 after purchasing an additional 13,115,742 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 13.5% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 7,322,667 shares of the companys stock worth $368,989,000 after purchasing an additional 869,248 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its stake in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 3.7% in the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 3,717,934 shares of the companys stock worth $188,945,000 after purchasing an additional 131,995 shares during the last quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 435.0% in the second quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC now owns 3,298,572 shares of the companys stock worth $167,633,000 after purchasing an additional 2,681,989 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp boosted its position in iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 16.3% during the 2nd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 2,962,290 shares of the companys stock valued at $150,544,000 after acquiring an additional 414,294 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF Stock Performance

iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF stock traded up $0.01 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $50.80. 909,492 shares of the stock traded hands. The firms 50-day moving average price is $50.72 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $50.74. iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF has a one year low of $50.76 and a one year high of $51.10.

About iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF

The iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF (FLOT) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks a market value-weighted index of USD-denominated, investment-grade floating rate notes with maturities of 0-5 years. FLOT was launched on Jun 14, 2011 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Davidson Investment Advisors lifted its stake in shares of Laboratory Co. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH  Free Report) by 24.3% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 134,423 shares of the medical research companys stock after buying an additional 26,311 shares during the quarter. Laboratory Co. of America accounts for about 1.7% of Davidson Investment Advisors holdings, making the stock its 11th biggest holding. Davidson Investment Advisors holdings in Laboratory Co. of America were worth $27,026,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America during the second quarter worth about $29,000. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Laboratory Co. of America in the third quarter valued at approximately $34,000. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in Laboratory Co. of America in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC bought a new position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America in the third quarter worth $37,000. Finally, Oakworth Capital Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 310.0% during the second quarter. Oakworth Capital Inc. now owns 246 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $59,000 after purchasing an additional 186 shares during the period. 89.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Laboratory Co. of America Price Performance

Laboratory Co. of America stock traded down $0.91 on Thursday, reaching $222.80. The companys stock had a trading volume of 602,462 shares, compared to its average volume of 663,491. Laboratory Co. of America Holdings has a twelve month low of $174.20 and a twelve month high of $234.09. The company has a market cap of $18.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.91 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.36. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $223.30 and its 200 day moving average price is $213.20.

Laboratory Co. of America Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 13th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 27th will be issued a dividend of $0.72 per share. This represents a $2.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.29%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 26th. Laboratory Co. of Americas dividend payout ratio is 38.50%.

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on LH. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $259.00 to $261.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, November 17th. TheStreet raised Laboratory Co. of America from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Thursday, January 18th. Mizuho decreased their price target on Laboratory Co. of America from $257.00 to $230.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 31st. Finally, Barclays started coverage on shares of Laboratory Co. of America in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. They set an equal weight rating and a $222.00 price objective for the company. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Laboratory Co. of America has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $242.00.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Laboratory Co. of America

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CAO Peter J. Wilkinson sold 1,384 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.71, for a total value of $291,622.64. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 2,087 shares in the company, valued at $439,751.77. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 0.65% of the companys stock.

Laboratory Co. of America Company Profile

(Free Report)

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings operates as a life sciences company that provides vital information to help doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and patients make clear and confident decisions. It operates in two segments, Labcorp Diagnostics and Labcorp Drug Development.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Laboratory Co. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH  Free Report).

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nVent Electric (NYSE:NVT  Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday. The company reported $0.78 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.75 by $0.03, MarketWatch Earnings reports. The company had revenue of $861.20 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $866.90 million. nVent Electric had a return on equity of 17.53% and a net margin of 17.38%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 16.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.66 earnings per share.

nVent Electric Trading Up 0.6 %

NVT stock traded up $0.40 during trading on Thursday, hitting $64.37. The company had a trading volume of 706,814 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,169,809. The company has a quick ratio of 1.27, a current ratio of 1.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $57.91 and a 200-day moving average price of $54.64. nVent Electric has a 12 month low of $40.00 and a 12 month high of $66.09. The stock has a market cap of $10.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.19 and a beta of 1.33.

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nVent Electric Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 19th were paid a $0.19 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 18th. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.18%. This is a boost from nVent Electrics previous quarterly dividend of $0.18. nVent Electrics payout ratio is 22.55%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Citigroup lifted their price objective on nVent Electric from $59.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, December 11th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of nVent Electric from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Barclays cut their target price on shares of nVent Electric from $67.00 to $65.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $64.75.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on NVT

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Michael B. Faulconer sold 2,080 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.07, for a total value of $110,385.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 27,613 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,465,421.91. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 2.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in nVent Electric by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 17,799,850 shares of the companys stock worth $619,079,000 after purchasing an additional 302,124 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in shares of nVent Electric by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 15,251,841 shares of the companys stock valued at $654,914,000 after acquiring an additional 128,168 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its position in shares of nVent Electric by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,842,509 shares of the companys stock valued at $207,932,000 after acquiring an additional 81,399 shares during the last quarter. Clean Energy Transition LLP raised its position in shares of nVent Electric by 6.3% during the 1st quarter. Clean Energy Transition LLP now owns 2,550,013 shares of the companys stock valued at $88,689,000 after acquiring an additional 151,299 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. raised its position in shares of nVent Electric by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 2,124,718 shares of the companys stock valued at $109,784,000 after acquiring an additional 41,645 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.76% of the companys stock.

About nVent Electric

(Get Free Report)

nVent Electric plc designs, manufactures, markets, installs, and services electrical connection and protection products worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Enclosures, Electrical & Fastening Solutions, and Thermal Management. The Enclosures segment provides solutions to connect and protect critical electronics, communication, control, and power equipment; physical infrastructure solutions to host, connect, and protect server and network equipment; indoor and outdoor protection for test and measurement and aerospace and defense applications in industrial, infrastructure, commercial, and energy verticals; and metallic and non-metallic enclosures, cabinets, sub racks, and backplanes.

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PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II (NYSE:PCK  Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Thursday, February 1st, investing.com reports. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 12th will be paid a dividend of 0.0215 per share by the closed-end fund on Friday, March 1st. This represents a $0.26 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.45%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 9th.

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II Price Performance

Shares of NYSE PCK opened at $5.80 on Thursday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $5.75 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $5.55. PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II has a fifty-two week low of $4.85 and a fifty-two week high of $6.49.

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Institutional Trading of PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. LPL Financial LLC lifted its position in PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II by 18.6% during the 3rd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 27,416 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $138,000 after acquiring an additional 4,291 shares during the period. Wells Fargo & Company MN lifted its position in PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II by 11.8% during the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 43,584 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $296,000 after acquiring an additional 4,583 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II by 65.3% during the 2nd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 23,931 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $142,000 after acquiring an additional 9,454 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its position in PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II by 37.2% during the 4th quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 65,566 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $445,000 after acquiring an additional 17,779 shares during the period. Finally, Cerity Partners LLC acquired a new stake in PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II during the 1st quarter worth about $124,000.

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II Company Profile

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Allianz Global Investors Fund Management LLC. It is co-managed by Pacific Investment Management Company LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets of United States. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. A very important historical event took place - the people of Azerbaijan voted for their leader, Aydos Sarym, deputy of the Kazakh Parliament, and international observer from Kazakhstan at the extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan, said during the press conference in Baku, Trend reports.

"We have seen the data of the Central Election Commission, there was a very high voter turnout. At polling stations, I had time to talk to observers from parties, from candidates, and with members of the Election Commission. All procedures were followed everywhere. The observers did not notice any violations. In general, I witnessed that there were long queues at almost all polling stations, i.e. voters were very enthusiastic to go to the polls. I suppose that the citizens of Azerbaijan realize the historical importance of this election. I congratulate again the people of Azerbaijan on their choice," he added.

Voting for the presidential election in Azerbaijan has finished.

Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05% of the votes after the processing of 93.35% of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19% of the votes, Razi Nurullayev - 0.8%, Fazil Mustafa - 2%, Elshad Musaev - 0.67%, Gudrat Hasanguliyev - 1.76%, Fuad Aliyev - 0.53% of the votes.

With a total of 6,478,623 people on the voter list, voting took place at 6,537 polling sites across the country. Over 90,000 observers have enrolled to oversee the election.

The election took place across the entire territory of Azerbaijan, including territories recently liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Shares of Roots Co. (TSE:ROOT  Get Free Report) dropped 1.3% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as C$2.30 and last traded at C$2.32. Approximately 5,730 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 40% from the average daily volume of 9,618 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$2.35.

Roots Stock Down 0.8 %

The company has a quick ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 78.49. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of C$2.44 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$2.67. The firm has a market cap of C$94.99 million, a PE ratio of 61.25, a P/E/G ratio of -0.54 and a beta of 2.57.

Roots Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Roots Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, designs, markets, and sells apparel, leather goods, footwear, and accessories under the Roots brand in Canada and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Direct-To-Consumer, and Partners and Other. The Direct-to-Consumer segment sells products through the company's corporate retail stores and ecommerce.

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State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D lowered its position in shares of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 3.7% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,340,439 shares of the companys stock after selling 51,423 shares during the quarter. Procter & Gamble makes up about 0.7% of State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund Ds investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th largest position. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund Ds holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $195,516,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC increased its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 7.0% in the first quarter. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC now owns 1,728 shares of the companys stock valued at $276,000 after purchasing an additional 113 shares during the last quarter. AMI Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 7.2% in the first quarter. AMI Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,461 shares of the companys stock valued at $529,000 after purchasing an additional 233 shares during the last quarter. LSV Asset Management increased its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 5.7% in the first quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 18,600 shares of the companys stock worth $2,842,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC bought a new stake in shares of Procter & Gamble in the first quarter worth about $3,073,000. Finally, Wsfs Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 12.0% in the first quarter. Wsfs Capital Management LLC now owns 4,256 shares of the companys stock worth $650,000 after acquiring an additional 455 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 63.43% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, insider Marc S. Pritchard sold 101,704 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.57, for a total transaction of $15,618,683.28. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 163,428 shares in the company, valued at $25,097,637.96. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, COO Shailesh Jejurikar sold 31,275 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $154.90, for a total transaction of $4,844,497.50. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 9,623 shares in the company, valued at $1,490,602.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Marc S. Pritchard sold 101,704 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.57, for a total value of $15,618,683.28. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 163,428 shares in the company, valued at approximately $25,097,637.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 278,658 shares of company stock valued at $42,921,732 over the last three months. Insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock.

Procter & Gamble Stock Up 0.1 %

NYSE PG traded up $0.16 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $159.12. 7,086,833 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,358,317. The Procter & Gamble Company has a twelve month low of $135.83 and a twelve month high of $159.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $374.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.67, a P/E/G ratio of 3.23 and a beta of 0.45. The businesss 50-day moving average is $149.68 and its 200-day moving average is $150.76. 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 released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 23rd. The company reported $1.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.70 by $0.14. Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 34.04% and a net margin of 17.60%. The company had revenue of $21.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.48 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.59 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 19th will be given a $0.9407 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 18th. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.36%. Procter & Gambles payout ratio is 62.98%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. UBS Group increased their price target on Procter & Gamble from $172.00 to $178.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on Procter & Gamble in a report on Monday, November 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $177.00 price target for the company. Barclays increased their price target on Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Raymond James increased their price target on Procter & Gamble from $170.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reduced their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $162.00 to $153.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 12th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Procter & Gamble presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $167.06.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Procter & Gamble

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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Wade G W & Inc. trimmed its holdings in General Dynamics Co. (NYSE:GD  Free Report) by 2.9% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 70,793 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 2,138 shares during the period. Wade G W & Inc.s holdings in General Dynamics were worth $15,643,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Certified Advisory Corp acquired a new stake in shares of General Dynamics in the first quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Briaud Financial Planning Inc acquired a new stake in General Dynamics during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. NewSquare Capital LLC lifted its holdings in General Dynamics by 153.7% during the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 137 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 83 shares during the last quarter. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in General Dynamics by 411.5% during the 3rd quarter. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC now owns 133 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Live Oak Investment Partners acquired a new stake in General Dynamics during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. 86.08% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Mark C. Roualet sold 73,330 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $264.75, for a total value of $19,414,117.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 149,205 shares of the companys stock, valued at $39,502,023.75. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other General Dynamics news, CEO Phebe N. Novakovic sold 32,355 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $264.31, for a total transaction of $8,551,750.05. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 773,977 shares of the companys stock, valued at $204,569,860.87. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Mark C. Roualet sold 73,330 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, January 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $264.75, for a total value of $19,414,117.50. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 149,205 shares of the companys stock, valued at $39,502,023.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

GD has been the subject of several analyst reports. Bank Of America (Bofa) lifted their price objective on General Dynamics from $295.00 to $305.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 24th. StockNews.com cut General Dynamics from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on General Dynamics from $243.00 to $264.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 26th. UBS Group lifted their price target on General Dynamics from $286.00 to $296.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $300.00 price target on shares of General Dynamics in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, General Dynamics presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $271.69.

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General Dynamics Stock Up 0.5 %

GD stock traded up $1.43 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $269.12. 1,058,720 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,400,339. The firms 50 day moving average is $255.42 and its 200 day moving average is $239.25. General Dynamics Co. has a twelve month low of $202.35 and a twelve month high of $270.15. The company has a current ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. The firm has a market cap of $73.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 0.68.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The aerospace company reported $3.64 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.68 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $11.67 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.39 billion. General Dynamics had a return on equity of 16.61% and a net margin of 7.84%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.58 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts forecast that General Dynamics Co. will post 14.58 EPS for the current year.

General Dynamics Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 19th will be issued a dividend of $1.32 per share. This represents a $5.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.96%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 18th. General Dynamicss dividend payout ratio is currently 43.93%.

About General Dynamics

(Free Report)

General Dynamics Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies. The Aerospace segment produces and sells business jets; and offers aircraft maintenance and repair, management, aircraft-on-ground support and completion, charter, staffing, and fixed-base operator services.

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Wade G W & Inc. grew its position in Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES  Free Report) by 143.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 133,053 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 78,442 shares during the period. Wade G W & Inc.s holdings in Eversource Energy were worth $7,737,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. American National Bank acquired a new position in shares of Eversource Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Quarry LP raised its position in Eversource Energy by 275.0% in the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 315 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 231 shares during the last quarter. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Eversource Energy in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Concord Wealth Partners grew its stake in shares of Eversource Energy by 198.6% during the 2nd quarter. Concord Wealth Partners now owns 442 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 294 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barrett & Company Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Eversource Energy in the second quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Institutional investors own 80.83% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Evercore ISI downgraded Eversource Energy from an outperform rating to an in-line rating and decreased their price target for the company from $84.00 to $65.00 in a research note on Tuesday, November 7th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Eversource Energy from $58.00 to $62.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 7th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Eversource Energy from $66.00 to $61.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. StockNews.com raised Eversource Energy to a sell rating in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Finally, Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Eversource Energy from $80.00 to $58.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Eversource Energy currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $65.33.

Eversource Energy Stock Up 0.1 %

NYSE ES traded up $0.05 on Wednesday, hitting $53.79. 2,379,391 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,448,168. Eversource Energy has a 12 month low of $52.03 and a 12 month high of $81.36. The company has a current ratio of 0.56, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.41. The company has a market cap of $18.79 billion, a PE ratio of 16.10, a PEG ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 0.57. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $58.79 and a 200-day moving average of $60.16.

Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 6th. The utilities provider reported $0.97 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.98 by ($0.01). Eversource Energy had a net margin of 9.52% and a return on equity of 9.64%. The firm had revenue of $2.79 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.12 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.01 EPS. The companys revenue was down 13.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that Eversource Energy will post 4.35 earnings per share for the current year.

Eversource Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 5th will be paid a $0.715 dividend. This is a positive change from Eversource Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.68. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 4th. This represents a $2.86 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.32%. Eversource Energys dividend payout ratio is presently 85.63%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Eversource Energy news, insider Faasen William C. Van sold 2,714 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.50, for a total transaction of $147,913.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 19,619 shares in the company, valued at $1,069,235.50. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.38% of the companys stock.

Eversource Energy Profile

(Free Report)

Eversource Energy, a public utility holding company, engages in the energy delivery business. The company operates through Electric Distribution, Electric Transmission, Natural Gas Distribution, and Water Distribution segments. It is involved in the transmission and distribution of electricity; solar power facilities; and distribution of natural gas.

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South Korea expressed strong regret Thursday over the remarks by Russia's top envoy to North Korea that the likelihood of another nuclear test by Pyongyang will depend on how far Seoul and Washington will go in taking their deterrence measures against the North.

Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora said in an interview with the TASS news agency the previous day that North Korea may decide to conduct its seventh nuclear test if Washington continues to take "provocative steps" on and around the Korean Peninsula.

Matsegora almost derided the United States and its allies for "speculating" about whether and when the North will carry out another nuclear test, saying his host country will likely do so for its own defense if Washington keeps "flying strategic bombers over the peninsula."

"We think it's very regrettable that the Russian ambassador to North Korea made comments that shift the blame on South Korea and the United States for North Korea's provocations and justify the North's nuclear development," foreign ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk said in a briefing.

Lim said firming up the security posture is a natural measure to protect the lives of the South Korean people and ensure their safety.

"The need for the trilateral security cooperation among South Korea, the U.S. and Japan will increase as the military threats from Russia and North Korea continue," Lim added. (Yonhap)
By Bereket Alemayehu

Film director Zeong Cho-sins latest documentary work, Madagascar Music, was made in Madagascar, Africas largest island country known for its abundance of wildlife and natural beauty.

Before the film's premiere last November, a book was published in Korean in July 2023 with the same title authored by Zeongs wife, Kim Sun-hee, who was part of the groups journey to Madagascar during the filming.

My wife and I went to Madagascar together for the first time and then I filmed the documentary," Zeong told The Korea Times. "She helped me a lot. Then after we got back to Korea, I said to my wife, 'You should write down the story, the whole story about our travel and our making of films and anything about the journey.'"

They shot over 100 hours of film in Madagascar, which was made into the 78-minute documentary.

The film spotlights Shin Mi-sik, a Korean documentary photographer and philanthropist who has built public libraries for children in Africa  three in Madagascar and one in Ethiopia.

It follows Shin on a trip to Africa in 2023, in which he invites Korean musician and composer Jang Tae-hwa and a group of 14 Korean volunteers on a mission to bring music to the children of Madagascar. They bring 50 ukuleles with them and teach children to play the instruments.

Shin's own relationship with Madagascar began 14 years ago, when he was invited by Madagascar Air to take pictures of the country. At that time, he hadn't even heard of Madagascar. Since then he has traveled to Africa 90 times, 20 times to Madagascar alone, and taken thousands of photos there. He has photographed Africa's diverse ethnic people, traditions and cultures, roads, jungles, deserts, fertile lands and the water bodies of the continent as well as seashores and harbors.

The very first time, I had no idea about Africa," Zeong said. "When my friend Shin Mi-sik  we have been friends for 20 years  invited me to Africa to make this documentary film, I didnt expect to go to Madagascars Morondava city which takes 23 hours by bus from the capital city Antananarivo. The roads were very rough. At the first time, I couldnt believe that. It's impossible to go there at once. And then the countrys natural beauty is so tremendously captivating. It's unbelievable that the baobab trees are almost like a 30-story building. Theyre giant."

He spent 17 days in the country for the making of this documentary, during which time he learned a lot about the people's way of life.

"Madagascan people are very warm and kind and look very happy. I felt that they didn't need many material things," he said. "But I think also Korean people in the 1950s or 1960s, at that time, we were very happy people. It's a poor country, however people are happy. I think that the less materialistic society is more content and happier.

When asked about the significance of a documentary film connecting Korea and Madagascar, Zeong said that its an important contribution that makes a positive impact on Korea-Madagascar relations.

Madagascar Music premiered last November at the Yongsan CGV. Recently the documentary has attracted interest from international festivals such as the Los Angeles Da Vinci International Film Festival and the Moscow International Children's Film Festival.





Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He's also co-founder of Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative, and freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday rejected Hamas terms for a cease-fire and hostage-release agreement, vowing to continue the war until absolute victory and dismissing any arrangement that leaves the militant group in full or partial control of Gaza.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was in the region to try to broker a cease-fire deal, said an agreement between the sides was still possible.

But Netanyahu's remarks also underscored how wide the chasm between Israel and Hamas remains as the war enters its fifth month.

Netanyahu said military pressure was the best way to free the roughly 100 hostages held in captivity in the Gaza Strip, where they were taken after Hamas cross-border rampage into southern Israel on Oct. 7, which sparked the war.

The prime minister was responding to a detailed, three-phase plan by Hamas that would unfold over 4 1/2 months. The plan, which came as a response to a proposal drawn up by the United States, Israel, Qatar and Egypt, stipulates that all hostages would be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, including senior militants, and an end to the war.

Israel has made destroying Hamas governing and military abilities one of its wartime objectives, and Hamas proposal would effectively leave it in power in Gaza and allow it to rebuild its military capabilities.

Surrendering to Hamas delusional demands that we heard now not only wont lead to freeing the captives, it will just invite another massacre, Netanyahu said in a nationally televised evening news conference.

Following Netanyahu's remarks, Hamas official Osama Hamdan said a delegation would travel to Cairo for more talks, a sign that the negotiations would continue. And Blinken indicated that a deal could still move forward.

While there are some clear non-starters in Hamas response, we do think it creates space for agreement to be reached and we will work at that relentlessly until we get there," he told a late-night news conference.

Blinken, who was in the region for the fifth time since the war erupted, is trying to advance the cease-fire talks while pushing for a larger postwar settlement in which Saudi Arabia would normalize relations with Israel in return for a clear, credible, time-bound path to the establishment of a Palestinian state.

But the increasingly unpopular Netanyahu is opposed to Palestinian statehood, and his hawkish governing coalition could collapse if he is seen as making too many concessions.

Hamas response to the cease-fire proposal was published in Lebanons Al-Akhbar newspaper, which is close to the powerful Hezbollah militant group.

A Hamas official and two Egyptian officials confirmed its authenticity. A fourth official familiar with the talks later clarified the sequencing of the releases. All spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief media on the negotiations.

In the first 45-day phase, Hamas would release all remaining women and children, as well as older and sick men, in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Israel would also withdraw from populated areas, cease aerial operations, allow far more aid to enter and permit Palestinians to return to their homes, including in devastated northern Gaza.

The second phase, to be negotiated during the first, would include the release of all remaining hostages, mostly soldiers, in exchange for all Palestinian detainees over the age of 50, including senior militants . Israel would release an additional 1,500 prisoners, 500 of whom would be specified by Hamas, and complete its withdrawal from Gaza.

In the third phase, the sides would exchange the remains of hostages and prisoners.

At the news conference where he responded to Hamas demands, Netanyahu said the Israeli military had achieved many of the goals it set out and that victory was a matter of months away.

He said forces had dismantled 18 out of Hamas' 24 battalions, destroyed tunnels and killed militants, and that military pressure on Hamas was the best way to bring about the release of the hostages. He said preparations were underway for the military to move into the southern Gaza border town of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have crammed to flee the fighting.

We are on the way to an absolute victory, Netanyahu said. There is no other solution.

Hamas has continued to put up stiff resistance across the territory, and its police force has returned to the streets in places where Israeli troops have pulled back.

Netanyahu ruled out any arrangement that leaves Hamas in control of any part of Gaza. He also said that Israel is the only power capable of guaranteeing security in the long term.

In a news conference immediately after his appearance, hostages freed in a late November deal said they were worried Netanyahu was taking too hard a line and that the remaining hostages and their families would pay the price.

If you continue in this approach of seeking the collapse of Hamas, there wont be any hostages to free, said a tearful Adina Moshe, who was freed nearly 50 days into her captivity. Hamas is still holding over 130 hostages, but around 30 of them are believed to be dead, with the vast majority killed on Oct. 7.

There is little talk of grand diplomatic bargains in Gaza, where Palestinians yearn for an end to fighting that has upended every aspect of their lives.

We pray to God that it stops, said Ghazi Abu Issa, who fled his home and sought shelter in the central town of Deir al-Balah. There is no water, electricity, food or bathrooms. Those living in tents have been drenched by winter rains and flooding. We have been humiliated, he said.

New mothers struggle to get baby formula and diapers , which can only be bought at vastly inflated prices if they can be found at all. Some have resorted to feeding solid food to babies younger than 6 months old despite the health risks it poses.

The Palestinian death toll from four months of war has reached 27,707, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory . That includes 123 bodies brought to hospitals in just the last 24 hours, it said Wednesday. At least 11,000 wounded people need to be urgently evacuated from Gaza, it said.

The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures but says most of the dead have been women and children.

Israel has ordered Palestinians to evacuate areas that make up two-thirds of the tiny coastal territory. Most of the displaced are packed into the southern town of Rafah near the border with Egypt, where many are living in squalid tent camps and overflowing U.N.-run shelters. (AP)
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. The head of the delegation of Parliamentary Assembly of Economic Cooperation Organization (PAECO) thanked the Republic of Azerbaijan for its faith and trust, Trend reports.

According to information, the head of the PA delegation Salma Joveria announced this at a briefing on the results of monitoring of the extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan.

She noted that the election process in Azerbaijan was very transparent.

"Democratic principles were preserved during the presidential election. A high voter turnout was recorded. Azerbaijani people showed that they continue their democratic path. I was at the polling stations yesterday where I witnessed how happy people were.

I hope that by expanding cooperation with Azerbaijan, we will be able to contribute to peace in the region," Joveria added.

Voting for the presidential election in Azerbaijan has finished.

Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05% of the votes after the processing of 93.35% of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19% of the votes, Razi Nurullayev - 0.8%, Fazil Mustafa - 2%, Elshad Musaev - 0.67%, Gudrat Hasanguliyev - 1.76%, Fuad Aliyev - 0.53% of the votes.

According to the results of an exit poll conducted by the American organization "Oracle Advisory Group" jointly with the League for the Protection of Labor Rights of Citizens, 93.9% of electors voted for Ilham Aliyev.

According to "Social Research Center" LLC, 92.4% of electors voted for Ilham Aliyev.

According to the results of the exit poll of "Rey" Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of electors voted for Ilham Aliyev.

With a total of 6,478,623 people on the voter list, voting took place at 6,537 polling sites across the country. Over 90,000 observers have enrolled to oversee the election.

The election took place across the entire territory of Azerbaijan, including territories recently liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. The extraordinary presidential election has become a great democratic holiday for Azerbaijan, Deputy Secretary General of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (PUIC), head of the delegation Ali Asghar Sijani said, Trend reports.

He made the remark at a briefing on the results of monitoring the extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan.

We conducted observations at many polling stations, and clearly witnessed that the election was held very actively, democratically, transparently, and in compliance with all procedures, he emphasized.

Voting in the presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Candidates for the presidency in the election included incumbent President Ilham Aliyev (New Azerbaijan Party), independent contenders Zahid Oruj and Fuad Aliyev, Razi Nurullayev (National Front Party), Fazil Mustafa (Great Order Party), Elshad Musayev (Great Azerbaijan Party), and Gudrat Hasanguliyev (Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front Party).

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05 percent of the votes after the processing of 93.35 percent of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev - 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa - two percent, Elshad Musayev - 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev - 1.76 percent, Fuad Aliyev - 0.53 percent of the votes.

The US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League have jointly released the results of an exit poll conducted during the presidential election in Azerbaijan.

According to the organization, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
VMPL

Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], February 8: Global Institute of Business Studies (GIBS), celebrated as a top business school in Bangalore, breaks new ground by introducing three avant-garde Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) specializations: FinTech, MarTech, and HRTech. As industries continuously evolve in the digital era, GIBS positions itself at the forefront of educational innovation by offering specialized curricula that align with the latest market trends and technological advancements. These programs herald a new chapter for the institution, already recognized as one of the Top 10 PGDM colleges in Bangalore.

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Specializations Tailored to Industry Demands

At GIBS, a top PGDM college in Bangalore, their newly developed specializations are meticulously tailored to bridge the gap between traditional business strategies and modern technological applications. FinTech programs at this school explore decentralized finance with knowledge of blockchain, cryptocurrency and digital banking; MarTech programs focus on marketing using digital tools for strategic marketing initiatives; while HRTech insights into data analytics to transform human resources into strategic powerhouses.

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Each PGDM specialization at GIBS is carefully constructed to be comprehensive, providing both theoretical foundations and practical hands-on experience. Our teaching pedagogy emphasizes case studies, live projects, and interaction with industry veterans - ensuring our graduates can meet real world challenges effectively.

Transformative Education at Competitive Fees

Understanding the need for accessible quality education, GIBS offers these specialized PGDM programs at competitive course fees in Bangalore. The institution ensures that students from diverse backgrounds can avail themselves of world-class education, fostering an inclusive learning environment that nurtures innovation and leadership.

Career Trajectories Redefined

Graduates of GIBS's specialized PGDM programs can look forward to an array of promising career prospects upon graduating from our best PGDM (MBA) college in Bangalore, as we boast one of the strongest alumni networks worldwide - our alumni hold influential roles at global corporations as well as dynamic startups alike - while career options vary widely, from fintech innovators and digital marketing strategists, HR technology consultants, to fintech innovators at some of the world's most renowned companies worldwide.

Long-Term Strategies for Sustainable Careers

Doing a PGDM in FinTech, MarTech, or HRTech at one of Bangalore's premier MBA/PGDM colleges like GIBS is an investment in your future success. The curriculum has been tailored not only to meet current market demands but also to anticipate emerging industry trends; graduates will emerge as leaders capable of leading their organizations through these ever-evolving fields of finance, marketing and HR.

Leaders-to-be: Call to Aspiring Leaders

GIBS invites prospective students to take advantage of an amazing opportunity at Bangalore's premier business school, the Global Indian Business School (GIBS). All aspiring business professionals are invited to explore new specializations and apply for admission during its next session. With its strong academic heritage and commitment to innovation, GIBS equips its students to be agents of change within the global business realm.

For more information on GIBS' specialized PGDM programs, admission procedures and course fees, visit their website or get in touch with their admissions office directly.

GIBS: A Spectrum of Specializations for the Leaders of Tomorrow

Elevate your potential at GIBS, now offering a total of 11 cutting-edge specializations, including the newly launched FinTech, MarTech, and HRTech programs. From Marketing Management to International Business, and from Operations & Supply Chain Management to Digital Marketing, GIBS is your gateway to mastering the business landscape. With our comprehensive suite of specializations, forge your path in the dynamic world of business and technology. Discover your niche and become an architect of the future with GIBS.

GIBS Business School: Pioneering Specializations for the Global Business Arena

Global Institute of Business Studies (GIBS), positioned in the dynamic city of Bangalore, stands as a beacon of excellence in business education. Celebrated as one of the premier PGDM colleges in Bangalore, GIBS is promoted and driven by illustrious IIM alumni, offering an education steeped in practical knowledge with 50 per cent practical exposure and 20 per cent fieldwork. It is a non-IIM member institution that proudly accepts the CAT exam, widening access to its high-caliber academic programs.

With a focus on Innovation, Research, and Entrepreneurship (IRE), GIBS not only imparts knowledge but also instills the spirit of innovation in its students. The GIBS Finishing School's CPMP Program, guided by over 35+ CPMP Trainers, ensures that graduates are polished and industry-ready. Students benefit from the wisdom of 50+ CEOs, CXOs, Founders, and a faculty of esteemed industry veterans.

The value of GIBS's specializations is evident in their comprehensive approach to learning and the real-world applicability of the curriculum. Each specialization is designed to foster expertise in key sectors of business and technology, equipping students with the tools to lead and innovate in a global context.

GIBS boasts a stellar placement record, with 100 per cent of its graduates securing positions in over 160 multinational corporations, underscoring its reputation as the Best Exclusive Business School in Bangalore. Aspiring business leaders find a fertile ground for growth at GIBS, where they can choose from a wide range of specializations, including the latest in FinTech Management, MarTech Management, and HRTech Management, alongside traditional domains such as Marketing, Human Resources, and Finance.

By choosing GIBS, students embark on a journey to become the thought leaders and change-makers of the business world, ready to conquer the complexities of the international market with confidence and skill. Click here to apply.

For further inquiries, please contact:

Admissions Office

Global Institute of Business Studies

8050300070

www.gibs.edu.in

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PRNewswire

Panjim, Goa, [India], February 8: The enchanting land of Goa beckons, as the countdown begins for its annual Carnaval, a captivating fusion of tradition, celebration, and cultural delights. Running from February 9th to 13th, this five-day extravaganza promises a spectacular celebration, drawing a global audience into the vibrant tapestry of Goan life.

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Kicking off in Porvorim on the 9th and winding through Panjim, Margao, and Vasco, before concluding in Mapusa on the 13th, Carnaval transforms Goa's streets into a riot of color. Enthusiastic locals and tourists, bedecked in elaborate costumes, dance to the beats of live music, creating an atmosphere of joy and unity. Goa Tourism, in collaboration with local organizers, ensures the preservation of Goan culture throughout this lively event.

The grand highlight of Carnaval is the float parade, orchestrated by the Department of Tourism, in Panjim, Margao, Mapusa, Vasco, and Porvorim. These mesmerizing parades feature intricately designed floats, vibrant costumes, and energetic dancers depicting various themes that showcase Goa's rich cultural heritage through traditional music and dance performances.

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King Momo, the iconic figure of Carnaval, takes center stage with his larger-than-life persona, symbolizing the spirit of revelry and indulgence. His regal presence adds an extra layer of fun, encouraging the crowd to embrace the festivities with his memorable words: "Eat, Drink & Make Merry!"

The celebrations also include costume contests, allowing visitors to showcase their creativity and win exciting prizes. The streets of Goa come alive with vibrant street parties, where locals and tourists join together to dance, sing, and celebrate as one big community.

Adding to the excitement is the much-awaited Seafood Festival, taking place from February 9th to 11th on Miramar Beach. This gastronomic delight offers seafood lovers a splendid opportunity to indulge in the freshest and most delectable catch from the Arabian Sea, featuring a diverse range of culinary creations from traditional Goan dishes to international seafood delights.

Organized with a responsible-to-nature theme, the Goa Seafood Festival ensures a spotless and clean beach after the event, with advanced and scientific garbage segregation and disposal. The festival promotes eco-friendly practices, allowing only bagasse/paper cutlery and paper straws, and eliminating plastic and glass bottles. The Go Goa Hop On Hop Off service will be available from Campal SAG grounds to Miramar Circle and back every 10 minutes, eliminating parking concerns.

Save the dates -- from February 9th to 13th, 2024, immerse yourself in the enchanting Carnaval experience in Goa. Join us in celebrating tradition, embracing diversity, and creating lasting memories in the heart of this vibrant cultural celebration. Savor the seas and indulge in the ultimate coastal experience at the Goa Seafood Festival, from February 9th to 11th at Miramar Beach, Panjim, where every dish tells a story of Goa's maritime past and present.

About Department of Tourism, Goa

The Department of Tourism, Govt. of Goa, spearheads the promotion and sustainable development of tourism in the state of Goa, India. Committed to highlighting Goa's natural beauty, cultural richness, and community vitality, we work to create tourism opportunities that benefit visitors and residents alike. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and community engagement, we collaborate with stakeholders to position Goa as a premier travel destination while preserving its unique identity and environment.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2336304/Goa_Carnaval_2024.jpg

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Bhubaneswar, Feb 8 (PTI) At least 60 migrant labourers from Odisha have died while working outside the state since 2018, the assembly was informed on Thursday.

While replying to a query of BJP MLA Kusum Tete, Labour and Employees' State Insurance Minister Sarada Prasad Nayak said that 5440 migrant workers have been rescued from other states on the basis of 322 complaints and information received from the labourers in distress from 2018 till now.

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In case of death or injuries at the workplace, the families of the migrant workers are eligible for compensation, he said.

The minister said that the government has, so far, paid Rs 64.24 lakh to eligible migrant workers as compensation.

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During 2023, 1231 contractors were issued licenses for migration of 81,232 workers from Odisha to outside the state, Nayak said.

The highest number of 54,166 workers from Balangir district migrated to other states for work in 2023, followed by Nuapada (15,635), Ganjam (3,225), Bargarh (1,150) and Dhenkanal (1,130).

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New Delhi, Feb 8 (PTI) The BJP is likely to launch a nationwide campaign around the 'white paper' tabled in Parliament on Thursday by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Sources said BJP state units across the country will highlight the details of the 'white paper' which underscores the alleged mismanagement of the economy and other governance issues, including national security, during the Congress-led UPA government and the turnaround effected by the Modi government.

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The ruling party believes that the issue will resonate with the masses in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, expected in April-May, and reinforce its message about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's able leadership and the ineptness of the Congress and its allies.

The 'white paper' tore into the Congress-led UPA rule, stating that it had turned the Indian economy into a non-performing one through indiscriminate revenue expenditure, off-budget borrowings and pile of bad debts at banks.

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The 54-page document tabled in Parliament detailed how the Modi government pulled the economy from being counted among the most fragile five in the world to being the fasted growing and the most attractive investment destination.

The Indian economy was on a "road to nowhere" in 2014 because of the multiple wrong turns taken during the 10 years of UPA rule, leaving the onus on the Modi government to deal with the challenges and restore dynamism and optimism in the economy, it said.

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By Dhiraj Beniwal

New Delhi [India], February 8 (ANI): A Delhi court has recently dismissed a bail plea of a businessman accused of cheating the Republic of Djibouti (RoD) of USD 5 million.

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The FIR was registered in 2018 based on the complaint filed by the Ambassador to the Republic of Djibouti (RoD) in India.

The businessman surrendered before the court in terms of the order of the Supreme Court of India.

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Kiran Gupta, Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) of Patiala House Court, on Tuesday dismissed the bail plea of Sai Ramakrishna Karuturi.

"The applicant was given the bank guarantee or loan to the tune of USD 6.5 million for performing the agricultural activities that he had failed to perform," ASJ Kiran Gupta said in the order dated February 6, 2024.

The court also said that the applicant had neither returned the amount nor supplied the agricultural produce as agreed between the parties under the aegis of the agreements dated September 10, 2011, and February 23, 2012.

" The applicant, even after executing the acknowledgement of debt dated February 10, 2013, for an amount of 5 million USD, has not paid the said amount to RoD," the 1Court remarked in the order.

The court also noted that he had not supplied any accounts of losses purportedly incurred by him due to floods, except the newspaper clippings.

The applicant had failed to show that he had supplied substantial machinery and equipment to RoD as agreed between the parties, as further noted.

It was stated in the bail application that he has clean antecedents and has no previous involvement. He is a married man with three daughters. He has a medical history.

He has been in custody since October 16, 2023, when he surrendered to the custody and jurisdiction of the court in terms of an order dated September 25, 2023, of the Supreme Court of India, the plea stated.

It was argued by counsel for Karatiri that the complaint is from 2018 and no final report has been filed by the IO to date. Despite lodging the FIR in 2018, no efforts were made by the IO to arrest the appellant or accused.

The applicant or accused cooperated in the investigation on every date and stage. The IO had issued a Letter of Retogatory, which would take a long time and until the same is received, no sanction can be procured under 188 IPC.

It was submitted that the applicant may not be suffering incarceration for an indefinite period. The dispute, if any, is premised on the agreements and is civil. There is a clause for international arbitration; however, the same has not been invoked by the complainant. The KOL is under IBC at present, the counsel argued.

It was also submitted that the applicant had no intention to cheat anyone. The crops could not be grown due to the conditions beyond his control. He has duly compensated the complainant by providing sufficient machinery.

The bail plea was opposed by the Additional Public Prosecutor for the State and advocate Raman Gandhi, Counsel for the complainant, stating that the applicant, who is the Director of KOL, had cheated the complainant of an amount of US $ 5 million without performing any act under the agreements dated September 10, 2011, and February 23, 2012, executed by him through his company.

Though he claimed to have taken on lease 3,00,000 hectares of land from theGovernment of Ethiopia at Gambella, but it was subsequently revealed that the entire land was in a flood plain and unfit for any agricultural activity, the prosecution said.

It was also stated by the prosecution that the accused did not have any land left aside for 10,000 hectares of land. He never showed the 10,000 hectares of land that were allegedly earmarked for agricultural activity to be performed for the complainant as per the agreement dated September 10, 2011. No agricultural activity was ever done or started by the applicant. He neither started any agricultural activity norrepaid the credit facility or loan and thus pocketed the amount of US $ 6.5 million.

It was further submitted that the applicant is a flight risk as he has no permanent residence in India. He has substantial assets in Kenya and Africa, where ICICI Bank has initiated proceedings for recovery.

The complaint is dated May 4, 2018, and is premised on a civil transaction that took place between Karuturi Global Ltd. (KGL) and Karuturi Overseas Ltd., Dubai (KOL) onthe one hand and RoD and its appointed advisory/consultant firm, namely Multiflex Biotech FZC (MBF), on the other hand.

It is also stated that the genesis of the dispute is two tripartite agreements dated September 10, 2011, and February 23, 2012, entered into between parties.

Under these agreements, KOL was to develop about 15,000 hectares of agricultural land in Ethiopia and supply the agricultural produce to Djibouti.

Accordingly, RoD had issued bank guarantees to the tune of US $ 3 Million from the Central Bank of Djibouti under the agreement dated September 10, 2011, and US $ 3.5 Million under the agreement dated February 23, 2012, as securities infavour of KOL.

It further stated that KOL has invested huge sums in cultivating the lands and has grown crops in full compliance with the terms of both agreements; however, unfortunately, the crops were destroyed as a result of floods, causing huge losses to KOL.

Hence, KOL, as per Clause 8 of the agreement dated September 10, 2011, is not liable for any acts of God. KOL, in compliance with the agreement, had planted about 1200 ha of maize but unfortunately, the crops were destroyed due to floods, resulting in the submergence of crops. The said fact has been acknowledged on behalf of RoDvia email dated November 18, 2012.

Despite suffering heavy losses, since KOL was unable to supply the food material, it supplied the requisite machinery to the government of Djibouti, which is evident from various e-mails exchanged between the parties. (ANI)

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Betul (Goa), Feb 8 (PTI) Petronet LNG Ltd, India's biggest liquefied natural gas company, will in 2025 start supplying LNG to Sri Lanka, initially in containers loaded on ships and later going on to build an import terminal, its chief executive said on Thursday.

Sri Lanka is seeking supply of gas in liquid form to meet requirements for generating electricity and other industries. It was in discussions with Petronet and other suppliers for years and it is only now that it has finally agreed to buy the fuel from the Indian firm.

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Petronet CEO Akshay Kumar Singh said the company will ship 850 tonnes of gas daily to the island nation in containers of 17 tonnes each. The supplies would be for five years during which the company will build a floating LNG receipt facility at Colombo port.

"The supplies will start in 18 months or so," he said.

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The Indian firm imports LNG from Qatar, Australia and other countries at two terminals - Dahej terminal in Gujarat and a facility at Kochi in Kerala.

It plans to load LNG or super-chilled gas in containers from Kochi in containers. A ship will make a ferry every two days, carrying 100 such containers.

At Colombo, a small regasification unit will turn the LNG into gaseous state again for use in gas-fired power plants.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of India Energy Week, Singh said Petronet also plans to commission a floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) in Colombo, for which it hopes to get Sri Lankan government approval by 2025. The facility will be built by 2028.

"We have not finalised the investment plan but it may roughly cost Rs 2,500 crore," he said adding the company will do a detailed feasibility report once the Sri Lankan government approves FRSU proposal.

Singh said Petronet, which earlier this week extended a 7.5 million tonnes a year LNG import deal with Qatar for another 20 years beyond 2028, is looking at sourcing more gas, including on long term contracts.

It is expanding the Dahej facility from 17.5 million tonnes per annum to 22.5 million tonnes and is looking to build a new terminal in Odisha. Also, its 5 million tonnes a year Kochi facility will by next year start operating at full capacity after a pipeline taking the gas to consumers in Bengaluru gets commissioned.

Kochi is currently operating at a fifth of its capacity, he said.

"So naturally, there will be a requirement for more gas," he said but refused to say how many long-term contracts the company is looking to tie up. "We need more long-term deals. It is a country requirement."

Besides 7.5 million tonnes from Qatar, LNG is also imported from the Gorgon project in Australia. Currently, 1.44 million tonnes a year of LNG is imported, which will rise by 1.2 million tonnes between 2025-26 to 2028, he said.

The Indian economy is expanding at a world-beating pace and it needs energy supplies to meet its needs. Natural gas is considered a transition fuel to net zero carbon emissions. The government is targeting raising the share of natural gas in the primary energy basket to 15 per cent by 2030 from the current 6.2 per cent. With domestic production hardly meeting half of the demand, the fuel is imported in the form of LNG.

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Indore (Madhya Pradesh) [India], February 8 (ANI): A court in Indore has sentenced a man to life imprisonment in connection with the murder of his wife and also imposed a fine of Rs 2000 on him.

During the hearing on Wednesday, Additional Session Judge Nilesh Yadav found the accused Dilip, a resident of Machal village in the district, guilty and convicted him to life imprisonment under IPC Section 302, three years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 201 and imposed a total fine of Rs 2000.

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District Prosecution Officer Sanjeev Srivastava said, "The incident occurred on August 4, 2020 under the jurisdiction of the Betma police station in the district. On getting suspicion over the incident, Kotwar (a unit of village panchayat) of Machal village informed the police that the accused's wife had committed suicide by hanging herself at home in the night, after which the accused along with relatives performed her cremation in the morning. The police reached the spot, conducted an investigation and found it to be a crime."

Thereafter, the FSL team was called to the incident site, where they conducted a thorough investigation and also collected evidence from the crematorium. On searching the room of the deceased's house, a written complaint was found in the name of the Betma police station in-charge, which was confiscated. The police also seized the shirt of the accused, bedsheet and pillow cover, which were soaked in surf water, he added.

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During the investigation, based on the statements of the deceased's father, other witnesses and available evidence, it was found that the deceased was married to the accused, Dilip, in 2006 and there was an unusual age difference between them. Due to this, they had a problematic relationship, Srivastava said.

"After the probe, the police came to know that the accused killed his wife and arrested him. The police presented the chargesheet of the case before the court. During the hearing, Additional Session Judge Nilesh Yadav found the accused guilty and pronounced the judgement," he added. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Feb 8 (PTI) A man was arrested along with Rs 1.3 crore as the NIA on Thursday raided multiple locations in Bihar in a case related to an attack on a coal mine at Jharkhand's Tetariyakhad in 2020, an official said.

A rifle, a pistol, five mobile-phones, a hard-disk, incriminating documents and assorted ammunition were also seized during the raids at two locations each in Bhagalpur and Purnea and one location in Madhepura, a spokesperson of the federal agency said.

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The case, which was originally registered at the Balumath police station in Jharkhand in December 2020, involved an attack at the coal mine by "terror gang" operatives Sujit Sinha, Aman Sahu and others.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) during its probe in the case found that the Aman Sahu gang was involved in several sensational crimes in Jharkhand, including firing on a deputy superintendent of police and extortions from businessmen and contractors.

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The gang had also developed linkages with various splinter naxal outfits and other organised criminal gangs outside Jharkhand.

"The premises raided today belonged to associates of the gang involved in a conspiracy to commit terrorist activities. One associate, identified as Shankar Yadav of Bhagalpur, was involved in investing/channelising the extortion money collected on behalf of Aman Sahu in the real estate sector," the spokesperson said.

The official said Yadav was arrested following the recovery of Rs 1.3 crore from his possession.

The NIA, which had taken over the case from the Jharkhand Police in March 2021, has so far filed three charge-sheets against 24 accused in the case related to extortion and disruption of government work in Latehar in Jharkhand as part of a criminal conspiracy.

Another of Sahu's associates, namely Pramod Yadav, had earlier harboured one accused, Pradeep Ganjhu. A resident of Madhepura district, he was also wanted by police and carried a reward of Rs 3 lakh.

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New Delhi, Feb 8 (PTI) Shares of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) jumped more than 6 per cent on Thursday, with its market valuation climbing to Rs 6.99 lakh crore, making the firm the fifth most valued company.

The stock climbed 5.86 per cent to settle at Rs 1,106.25 apiece on the BSE. During the day, it zoomed 9.51 per cent to hit its record high of Rs 1,144.45.

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On the NSE, it jumped 6.46 per cent to Rs 1,112 a share.

The company's market valuation went up by Rs 38,740.62 crore to Rs 6,99,702.87 crore. With this, the company became the fifth most valued firm by market capitalisation (mcap), beating ICICI Bank.

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Taking into account the record high of Rs 1,144.45 per share, the company's market valuation reached Rs 7.23 lakh crore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that the opposition spread rumours about LIC, but today its shares are trading at record-high prices.

Reliance Industries is the country's most valued firm with a market valuation of Rs 19,64,044.94 crore, followed by Tata Consultancy Services (Rs 15,13,218.99 crore), HDFC Bank (Rs 10,66,150.51 crore), Infosys (Rs 7,02,754.66 crore) and LIC (Rs 6,99,702.87 crore).

Last month, LIC surpassed State Bank of India (SBI) to become the country's most-valued PSU firm by market valuation.

The country's largest insurer was listed in May 2022. The government had sold over 22.13 crore shares, or a 3.5 per cent stake in LIC, through an Initial Public Offering (IPO).

The government holds a 96.5 per cent stake in the company.

The share price of LIC on Monday jumped nearly 6 per cent to hit the Rs 1,000 mark for the first time.

So far this year, the stock has jumped nearly 33 per cent.

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Noida/Delhi, Feb 8 (PTI) Thousands of farmers from around 100 villages of Noida and Greater Noida on Thursday took to the streets seeking hiked compensation for lands acquired by the government, bringing traffic to a standstill in several parts of Delhi-NCR as they made an unsuccessful bid to march towards Parliament.

The farmers have decided to continue their protest outside the offices of the Noida and Greater Noida authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar district. Their decision came after a meeting with police and the district administration, which, they said, did not yield any outcome.

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"The Parliament session ends this weekend and if we get no resolution to our issues in the next meeting, we will attempt a Delhi march once again," a Bharatiya Kisan Parishad (BKP) member told PTI on Thursday night.

Earlier in the day, barricades were set up at the Chilla border with Noida Police on one side and the Delhi Police on the other side to prevent protesters, who started their march from the Mahamaya Flyover in Noida around 12 pm, from entering the national capital.

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Several police personnel were in anti-riot gears equipped with tear gas shells and water cannons, even as personnel from the Rapid Action Force and Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary were deployed at the Chilla border, officials said.

Thousands of villagers, including women and the elderly, joined the march, to press for their demands for hiked compensation and developed plots in lieu of their land acquired by local development authorities in Noida and Greater Noida in the past.

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait joined the protesters in Greater Noida in the afternoon where his Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) members have been protesting outside the local authority office.

In Noida, the protesters were led by the BKP, whose activists have been holding camps outside the local authority office since December 2023.

The farmers from around 100 villages were led by the BKP after they assembled at the Mahamaya Flyover in Noida around 12 pm on Thursday, with a proposed plan to march towards the Parliament.

Later, a scuffle broke out between several villagers and security personnel as they tried to detain local farmer leaders, including BKP leader Sukhbir Yadav 'Khalifa', near the Dalit Prerna Sthal.

In the night, a meeting among government officials, police and a delegation of protesting farmers was organised in Noida.

A BKP member told PTI that the farmers' delegation comprising 20 members led by BKP leader Sukhbir Yadav 'Khalifa' attended the meeting with senior police officers and District Magistrate Manish Verma.

"The meeting did not have any outcome as such because representatives of local authorities and Uttar Pradesh government were not there. Only the police commissioner, two joint commissioners and the district magistrate were there," the BKP member said.

"The police as such have no role in this issue. However, it has been decided that a meeting would once again be held with mediation by the police commissioner. The date for it is yet to be decided," he said.

The protest by farmers would continue outside the offices of the Noida Authority, the Greater Noida Authority and the NTPC, he told PTI after the meeting, which started around 9 pm and ended around 11 pm.

In Greater Noida, BKU leader Tikait called for a 'Bharat Bandh' on February 16 citing a host of issues impacting farmers, youth, daily wagers, among others.

"All sections of society should come together and work towards making the Bharat Bandh on 16th February a success for their pending demands," Tikait said in a post in Hindi on X.

The protest march also slowed down movement of vehicular traffic at various routes, including the key stretches of Noida-Greater Noida Expressway and DND Flyway and also had a ripple effect in Delhi.

Motorists spent hours in the crawling traffic at the Delhi-Noida link road near Mayur Vihar in Delhi, as police personnel with heavy equipment were on alert to deal with any eventuality in case protesting farmers reached there.

At the border, heavy duty bulldozers, backhoe machines, riot control vehicles and water cannons were parked strategically, officials said.

According to the Delhi Traffic Police, heavy traffic was also witnessed at DND, Chilla, and Ghazipur borders. At Sarita Vihar in south Delhi, several vehicles going towards Noida through Kalindi Kunj were stuck in the jam, the officials said.

The police also issued a traffic advisory, cautioning the commuters against diversions on some routes in the twin cities in view of the farmers' movement on tractors.

Between 12 pm and 5 pm, heavy traffic jams were witnessed on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, DND loop, Kanlindi Kunj bridge, around Dalit Prerna Sthal, Atta Chowk and Rajnigandha Chowk in Noida.

Similar snarls were witnessed at Pari Chowk in Greater Noida, with the police saying that they were making efforts to ensure smooth traffic movement.

Ahead of the protest by the farmers in Noida and Greater Noida, the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police had imposed CrPC Section 144 for Wednesday and Thursday.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov sent a congratulatory letter to Olzhas Bektenov on the occasion of his appointment to the post of Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Trend reports.

The letter expressed confidence in the further development and expansion of traditional friendly relations and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

Besides, the letter expressed readiness for active joint actions to comprehensively develop mutually beneficial cooperation in the future for the benefit of the two fraternal nations.

Bektenov was appointed as prime minister of Kazakhstan in accordance with relevant decree signed by the country's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on February 6.

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Patna, Feb 8 (PTI) The nomination process for biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha went underway in Bihar on Thursday with the Election Commission's notification for six seats, terms of which would end early next month.

Out of the half-a-dozen seats, for which filing of nomination papers will come to a close on February 15, three each are held by the state's ruling NDA and the Mahagathbandhan', which has been pushed back to the opposition camp as a result of the latest volte-face by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the JD(U) president.

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The MPs whose current term is nearing expiry are Vashishth Narayan Singh and Aneel Hegde (JDU), Sushil Kumar Modi (BJP), Manoj Kumar Jha and Ashfaq Karim (RJD) and state Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh.

Voting for the Rajya Sabha seats is scheduled for February 27. As per the established practice, while voting will take place from 9 am to 4 pm, the counting will be held on the same day from 5 pm onwards.

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Given the current composition of the 243-strong assembly, the NDA can easily get three of its nominees elected, with a few more votes to spare.

Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, who is also the state BJP president, has made it clear that his party will be fielding two candidates this time, in view of its superior numerical strength, while helping ally JD(U) win one seat. In the previous biennial polls of 2018, the JD(U), which was then the senior partner, had got two seats while the BJP had settled for one.

JD(U) sources have, so far, remained tight-lipped on the BJP's aggressive posturing, awaiting signals from the chief minister, who is also the party president, and is understood to have discussed the Rajya Sabha polls with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others during his Delhi trip.

All eyes in the BJP camp would be on Sushil Kumar Modi, the party's most visible face in Bihar for decades, who was allegedly stripped of the deputy CM's post in 2020 because of his perceived closeness to the JD(U) supremo.

He was sent to the Rajya Sabha from a seat that fell vacant upon the death of former Union minister and LJP founder Ram Vilas Paswan, a year after the latter got elected in a by-poll necessitated by BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad's debut in the Lok Sabha.

It would also be interesting to see whom the JD(U) fields for the lone seat it may get. Singh has been an old loyalist of Nitish Kumar who gave up the JD(U) state president's post two years ago, citing ill-health, only to be back as the national vice-president after the de facto leader formally took over as the party chief.

Hegde has been a trusted aide, too, albeit low key, whose choice last year in a by-poll necessitated by the death of Mahendra Prasad alias "king", regarded as a money-bag, took all by surprise.

Fundraising abilities had also earned a Rajya Sabha berth for Karim, who runs a private university and a medical college in his home district of Katihar. With the RJD again out of power and top leaders like Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi Yadav embroiled in legal wrangles, it remains to be seen whether Karim is considered for yet another term.

Jha has made his mark as the party's most voluble face in Parliament where the RJD has no representation in the lower house. Whether proximity to the party's proverbial "first family" earns Jha, who is based in Delhi, another Rajya Sabha term, also remains to be seen.

The RJD's support will be crucial for the Congress, which does not have an adequate number of MLAs, to get anyone from its ranks elected to the Rajya Sabha.

Akhilesh Prasad Singh is considered as Lalu Prasad's most trusted man in the Congress, which he joined in 2010. Singh had held a ministerial berth in the UPA-1 government from the RJD quota, but grew unhappy when the party dumped the Congress for a short-lived alliance with the LJP.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
By Shalini Bharadwaj

New Delhi [India], February 8 (ANI): The Indian Medical Association (IMA) conducted a gathering for Members of Parliament in Delhi on crucial matters related to the health sector.

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According to IMA, over 60 MPs across the nation contributed their invaluable insights and perspectives on the health sector.

"It was truly an honour to have esteemed leaders from various constituencies come together to discuss crucial matters concerning our nation's health sector," said Dr. RV Asokan, President of IMA and Dr. Anilkumar J. Nayak, Secretary of IMA.

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Amidst this enriching discourse, the top medical body unveiled the IMA Health Manifesto.

"A significant step towards advocating for comprehensive healthcare reforms. This manifesto embodies our collective vision for a healthier and more equitable society," Finance Secretary Shitij Bali mentioned in a note issued by IMA officials.

However, officials from the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) were also present in the meeting and tweeted, "FAIMA officials met the top brass of the medical fraternity, including president RV Ashokan and more than 50 members of Parliament, to discuss the issues of doctors. The key agenda item was Next, Bond Policy and Mental Health. We will work in collaboration with IMA on issues."

Dr. Rohan Krishnan, chairman of FAIMA, gave an insight into the meeting held.

He said, "Many issues were discussed, but one of the important issues that pertains to the resident doctors and the youth doctors is the NExT examination for which the NMC has also asked all the stakeholders to give their inputs. This was discussed in a meeting with the DGHS and the DGHS of India has assured that no action will be taken against the NExT examination unless and until there is a consensus between various medical associations and the ministry."

He emphasised that issues related to mental health were discussed.

The DGHS has also assured that the ministry will not take any action on NExT there is consensus with the Indian Medical Association. Apart from that, various issues like the mental health of doctors were also discussed," he added. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jaipur, Feb 8 (PTI) Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Diya Kumari started presenting a vote on account (interim Budget) in the assembly on Thursday.

A full Budget for 2024-25 will be presented in July.

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Under Article 116 of the Constitution, a vote on account is presented to meet essential government expenditure for a limited period until the Budget is approved.

It is granted for a few months for an amount equivalent to one-sixth of the total estimation.

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New Delhi [India], February 8 (ANI): Stroke remains the second-leading cause of death and the third-leading cause of death and disability combined. Aphasia or the loss of language function, can be caused by brain damage due to stroke in 21-38 percent of acute stroke patients, as per neurology experts at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

Early and timely speech and language rehabilitation can aid in a better recovery, they said.

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Music therapy has been shown to improve verbal fluency in various parts of the world.However, in India, there is a lack of similar adaptive strategies, as per experts.

The Department of Neurology, AIIMS, New Delhi, in collaboration with IIT-New Delhi, is conducting a study on the customization and adaptation of the treatment strategies that such patients need for the recovery of their global speech and language functions.

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This will be provided free of charge to the patients under the ICMR-funded study.

Meanwhile, stroke, a highly preventable and treatable condition, could lead to nearly 10 million deaths annually by 2050, primarily affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

This projection comes from the collaborative effort of the World Stroke Organization and the Lancet Neurology Commission under which four studies have been published.

Four research papers emphasizing pragmatic recommendations to reduce stroke burden globally have been published under this Commission.

This report was published in the esteemed Lancet Neurology journal.

The report underscores that stroke deaths are expected to surge from 6.6 million in 2020 to a daunting 9.7 million by 2050. By 2050, it is estimated that the contribution of stroke deaths in LMICs will see an increase from 86 per cent to 91 per cent. (ANI)

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Jammu, Feb 8 (PTI) Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi on Thursday lauded the synergy between the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the army.

He also highlighted the depth of trust between the two forces, attributing their successful operations against terrorism to this synergy.

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"When you have 'trust', every issue gets settled," said the army commander, reflecting on his 40 years of service and noting the unparalleled cooperation between the police and the army.

"Because of the cooperation between the two forces, there has been huge success in operations against the terrorists", said Dwivedi, who will be moving to his new role as the Vice Chief of Army Staff.

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Additional Chief Secretary, Home, R K Goyal, who has also been transferred from Jammu and Kashmir and posted as the Union secretary for border management, commended Lieutenant General Dwivedi's leadership qualities and highlighted the excellent civil-military relations during his tenure.

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New Delhi, Feb 8 (PTI) The daily wages paid under the flagship rural employment scheme - Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme - are inadequate and not in consonance with the rising cost of living, a parliamentary panel told government on Thursday.

It said this may be one of the reasons for dearth of workers under the scheme.

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The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, in a report tabled in Lok Sabha, pointed out the high range of variations in MGNREGA wages across the states.

"The committee finds the range of wages vary from as little as Rs 221 in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Rs 224 in Arunachal Pradesh, Rs 228 in Bihar and Jharkhand to Rs 354 in the three gram panchayats of Sikkim (Gnathang, Lachung and Lachen), Rs 328 in Nicobar and Rs 311 in Andaman," it said.

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"Observing the quantum of wages since 2008, the committee finds the wages inadequate and not in consonance with the rising cost of living. At this juncture, the agricultural labourers and other labourers involved in masonry/ miscellaneous works command a daily wage more than the wage guaranteed under MGNREGA," they said.

"Perhaps, one of the reasons for the dearth of workers... may be the insufficiency of the wage rates under MGNREGA," the panel said.

The panel also quoted a report of the Anoop Satpathy Committee - a central government committee on minimum wages - which had recommended that the wages under MGNREGA should be Rs 375 per day.

"The need for suitable increase in the wages under MGNREGA has been felt and echoed from various quarters and also highlighted by this committee in its earlier reports," the committee said, adding that the department of rural development (DoRD) should take a considered view on the issue of suitable increase in the wage rates.

The committee noted that Government of India notifies the wage rate under MGNREGA using Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labour (CPI-AL) and by keeping the wage rates thus obtained on April 1, 2009 or Rs 100, whichever is more, as the base for indexation for the states. They said this method of calculation is obsolete.

The panel, which is headed by DMK's Kanimozhi, also raised concern over the budget allocated for the flagship scheme.

They said the budgetary allocation to MGNREGA for the financial year 2023-24 seems to be inadequate to cover all the expenditure bases of a scheme of such magnitude.

"Rs 60,000 crore has been allocated to MGNREGA at BE (budget estimate)stage against the proposed demand of Rs 98,000 crore made by DoRD for the financial year 2023-24. While BE for the financial year 2022-23 was Rs 73,000 crore for MGNREGA, which got increased to Rs 89,400 crore at the RE (revised estimate) stage," they said.

"The reduction in budgetary allocation under the scheme for the current financial year is puzzling and needs to be looked into," they said.

While agreeing that MGNREGA is a demand driven scheme, they said, "The pruning of funds at BE stage itself does have a cascading effect on various important aspects such as timely release of wages, release of material share etc which have a telling impact on the progress of the scheme".

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kanpur (UP), Feb 8 (PTI) A 10-year-old student was killed while eight others were seriously injured when their school van was hit by a loading truck in the Araul area here on Thursday, police said.

The accident took place in Saraiyya when a van attached with a private school was taking nine students to their homes in the afternoon, they said.

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The truck hit the van from behind, leaving all the students injured, they added.

The children were rushed to a hospital where one of them was declared dead, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Vijay Dhull.

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The condition of other students is said to be stable, Dhull said.

The truck has been seized and the van driver was also taken into police custody, the DCP further said.

Kanpur District Magistrate (DM) Rakesh Kumar Singh told reporters that he has formed an inquiry committee to probe the accident.

Additional DM Rajesh Kumar has been asked to head the inquiry committee which comprises of three members, including Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Billhaur), Basic Shiksha Adhikari and an officer of Regional Transport Office (RTO), said the DM.

The RTO has been asked to submit a detailed action-taken report against the vehicles ferrying students illegally in the recent years, the DM added.

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Baghpat (UP), Feb 8 (PTI) The Special Task Force (STF) of the Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday said it has arrested 12 people from Baghpat involved in using unfair means in the UP Police Online Computer Operator Recruitment Examination.

Those arrested had been hired as solvers, Brijesh Kumar Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police of STF, said. He added that the leader of the gang was arrested as well.

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According to Singh, police found that the question papers of some candidates were solved through remote access software in return for money.

The arrests were made in the Awas Vikas Colony Baraut. Singh said the gang leader was identified as Rachit Chaudhary.

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Three laptops, a desktop computer, eight mobiles, eight admit cards and other things have been recovered from them.

During interrogation, the accused revealed that they used to charge Rs 4 to 5 lakh from each candidate for solving their papers via remote access.

A case has been registered against those arrested and further investigations are underway.

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Tunis, Feb 8 (AP) At least 13 Sudanese migrants died and 27 others are believed missing after their small metal boat sank Thursday off the Tunisian coast as they sought to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe, according to local authorities.

The Tunisian coast guard was able to rescue just two people from the capsized boat 14 kilometers (nine miles) off the coast of the port of Chebba, and is searching for those missing, regional court spokesperson Farid Ben Jha said. The survivors said a total of 42 people were aboard, all from Sudan.

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They said the group had left from the coast of nearby Sfax, a common jumping-off point for illegal boat journeys across the Mediterranean to Italy. The boat sank soon after setting to sea, Ben Jha said.

Such migration attempts have increased recently from Tunisia, by both Tunisians and people from elsewhere in Africa.

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Migration activists sounded the alarm last month about mass expulsions and arbitrary arrests of migrants in Tunisia, where authorities are seeing more migrants arrive for attempted Mediterranean crossings from the North African nation to Europe.

The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights cited witness accounts indicating the situation had become particularly dire around Tunisia's borders with Libya and Algeria as well as around Sfax, the country's second most populous city, 117 miles (188 kilometers) from the Italian Island of Lampedusa. (AP)

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Streaks of Light Seen in California. (Photo Credits: Video Grab)

New Delhi [India], February 8 (ANI): The 17th Indian Navy (IN) and French Navy (FN) held discussions on the ongoing naval activities and new avenues of cooperation including operational, training and Subject Matter Expert exchanges in New Delhi.

The 17th Indian Navy and French Navy staff talks were held from February 6 to 7 in the national capital.

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The meeting was co-chaired by Rear Adm Nirbhay Bapna, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff - Foreign Cooperation and Intelligence and Rear Adm Jean-Marc Durandau, Director of International Engagements, French Navy.

"Broadening the scope of naval engagements, the Staff Talks encompassed fruitful discussions on ongoing naval activities & new avenues of cooperation including operational, training & Subject Matter Expert exchanges," the Indian Navy shared a post on X.

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https://x.com/indiannavy/status/1755477824537018420?s=20

Moreover, the talks witnessed active participation from both sides.

According to the post by the Indian Navy, both sides acknowledged the growing cooperation between the two navies and agreed to enhance collaboration and interoperability in the maritime domain.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the staff talks, Rear Adm Jean-Marc Durandau, Director International Engagements, FN called on Vice Adm Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff on February 7.

They underscored the high level of synergy and interoperability between the Indian Navy and the French Navy.

He also visited the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC IOR) on February 6.

The Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), hosted by the Indian Navy, was established by the Government of India in 2018 to address this need to promote collaboration for maritime safety and security. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. The members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) observer mission have witnessed free and transparent holding of Azerbaijan's extraordinary presidential election in full compliance with the Electoral Code and the Constitution, the Secretary General of the CIS, head of the observer mission Sergei Lebedev said during a press conference in Baku, Trend reports.

"We were impressed by the high voter turnout. At many polling stations, we saw queues of voters, and observed the precise work of the members of the election commission. We noted the enthusiasm of voters, which was evident in conversations with observers," he noted.

"All candidates are worthy individuals with extensive experience in state structures and seasoned politicians. All candidates had the opportunity to freely present their programs, positions, and convey their plans to the voters. The election was open, ensuring the full right of candidates to articulate their positions. All observers unanimously agreed that the election was conducted in an organized and clear manner," he added.

Voting in the presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05% of the votes after the processing of 93.35% of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19% of the votes, Razi Nurullayev - 0.8%, Fazil Mustafa - 2%, Elshad Musaev - 0.67%, Gudrat Hasanguliyev - 1.76%, Fuad Aliyev - 0.53% of the votes.

According to the results of an exit poll conducted by the American organization "Oracle Advisory Group" jointly with the League for the Protection of Labor Rights of Citizens, 93.9% of electors voted for Ilham Aliyev.

According to "Social Research Center" LLC, 92.4% of electors voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of "Rey" Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of electors voted for Ilham Aliyev.

With a total of 6,478,623 people on the voter list, voting took place at 6,537 polling sites across the country. Over 90,000 observers have enrolled to oversee the election.

The election took place across the entire territory of Azerbaijan, including territories recently liberated from Armenian occupation.

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Jaishankar visits Namibian High Commission, condoles demise of President Geingob

New Delhi [India], February 8 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday signed the condolence book at the High Commission of Namibia in India and extended condolences on the passing away of Namibian President Hage G Geingob.

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In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, "Signed the condolence book at the High Commission of Namibia, extending our deepest condolences on the passing away of President Hage G. Geingob. His untimely demise is a great loss. We will always be thankful for his vision and leadership on the development of our ties."

On February 4, Namibia President Hage G Geingob passed away at the age of 82 in Namibia's capital. Namibian Vice President Nangolo Mbumba, now the acting president, announced his death in a televised address, The New York Times reported.

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Earlier this February, Geingob had announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer.

Mbumba said Geingob travelled to the United States to seek treatment in late January before returning to Namibia, in southern Africa, where he died at a hospital in Windhoek, The New York Times reported.

Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, visited the Namibian High Commission in New Delhi on Tuesday to offer condolences on the passing away of the President of Namibia, Hage G Geingob. Condoling the Namibian leader's demise, the MoS noted that he was a "dear friend" of India.

"Visited Namibian High Commission in New Delhi to express condolences on the sad demise of Dr. Hage G Geingob, President of Namibia. He was a dear friend of India and his contributions towards strengthening India-Namibia relationship will always be remembered," Muraleedharan posted on X.

Earlier this week, both houses of Parliament of India, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha expressed condolences and observed a moment of silence on the demise of Namibian President, Hage G Geingob.

"Both Houses of Parliament today expressed condolences on the passing away of Dr. Hage G Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia. A dear friend of India, his contribution to a deeper India-Namibia and India-Africa relationship will always be remembered," said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in a post on X on February 5.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said, "Hage G Geingob was a Namibian freedom fighter, politician, and President of the Constituent Assembly and the first Prime Minister of independent Namibia and the third President of the country. He dedicated his entire life to the welfare of his countrymen and the development of his country."

Emphasising President Geingob's significant contributions to the enduring friendship between Namibia and India, Speaker Birla recalled his visits to India in 1900 and 2015. Notably, Birla praised Geingob's commendable role in the project to relocate eight cheetahs from Namibia to India in September 2022.

"President Geingob also had very friendly relations with India, he also visited India in the year 1900 and in the year 2015. President Geingob's role in the project to relocate eight cheetahs from Namibia to India in September 2022 was also highly commendable," he added.

Born in 1941, Geingob has been a prominent politician since before Namibia achieved independence from white minority-ruled South Africa in 1990. He chaired the body that drafted Namibia's constitution, then became its first prime minister at independence on March 21 of that year, a position he retained until 2002.

In 2007, Geingob became Vice President of the governing South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO), which he had joined as an agitator for independence when Namibia was still known as South West Africa.

Geingob served as trade and industry minister before becoming prime minister again in 2012. He won the 2014 election with 87 per cent of the vote but only narrowly avoided a runoff with a little more than half the votes in a subsequent poll in November 2019. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New York, Feb 8 (AP) Lawyers involved in Donald Trump's civil fraud trial told the judge on Wednesday they had no information to share regarding a key witness reportedly negotiating to plead guilty to perjury in connection with his testimony in the case.

Judge Arthur Engoron had asked state lawyers and defence counsel to provide him with letters by Wednesday detailing anything you know about the situation involving Allen Weisselberg, the former longtime finance chief at Trump's company, the Trump Organisation.

Also Read | Pakistan General Elections 2024: Allegations of Rigging Emerge As Voting for General Polls Continue.

The New York Times reported last week that Weisselberg was in negotiations with the Manhattan district attorney's office to plead guilty to perjury and admit that he lied on the witness stand when he testified at the civil fraud trial in October. The Times cited people with knowledge of the matter".

Two people familiar with the matter who were unauthorised to speak publicly about it and spoke on the condition of anonymity told The Associated Press that Manhattan prosecutors were weighing a potential perjury charge against Weisselberg.

Also Read | Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge Releases Black Paper Against Modi Government: Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, February 8, 2024.

Alina Habba, the lawyer representing Weisselberg in the civil fraud case, told Engoron she does not represent him in connection with any criminal matters and has not spoken with the Manhattan district attorney's office about his reported plea negotiations or a potential perjury charge. Habba declined to provide further detail, citing professional ethical obligations.

Kevin Wallace, senior enforcement counsel in New York Attorney General Letitia James' office, said neither he nor other state lawyers working on the fraud case were involved in Weisselberg's reported negotiations with the Manhattan district attorney's office.

Wallace said they weren't aware of what parts of his testimony were under scrutiny and did not known whether Mr. Weisselberg has conceded that he testified falsely.

But, Wallace wrote, there were numerous examples of Weisselberg's trial testimony being contradicted by other witnesses and evidence. They include the ex-CFO's claims that he had little knowledge or awareness of how Trump's penthouse at Trump Tower came to be overvalued on his financial statements based on figures listing it as three times its actual size, 10,996 square feet (1,022 square metres), Wallace said.

Wallace wrote that it was hardly surprising that Weisselberg, who served 100 days in jail for tax fraud in an unrelated case, may have lied on the witness stand.

Wallace urged the judge not to delay the verdict, saying that doing so would have the perverse effect of rewarding Weisselberg and co-defendants, including Trump, for testimony that may have been false. Court officials have said Engoron's verdict in the case, which involves allegations Trump inflated his wealth to dupe banks, insurers and others, should be ready by mid-February.

The fact that a defendant who lacks credibility and has already been to prison for falsifying business documents may have also perjured himself in this proceeding or the preceding investigation is hardly surprising, Wallace wrote. If true, he should be held to account fully for his actions. But it should not delay a final decision and judgment.

Defence lawyers said it was unprecedented, inappropriate and troubling for the judge to ask them to respond to what they regarded as a speculative media account", referring to the Times' story.

Trump lawyer Christopher Kise called concerns about Weisselberg's testimony the latest much ado about nothing" in the case, suggesting they were meant to create a media frenzy and distract from weaknesses in the state's case.

Court decisions are supposed to be made based on the evidence at trial, not on media speculation," Kise said. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Barcelona, Feb 8 (AP) With the number of migrants making the dangerous Atlantic crossing from West Africa to Europe up sharply, two senior EU leaders arrived on Thursday in the African coastal nation of Mauritania, where they are expected to sign deals with the president on migration, security and green energy.

European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez landed in Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania, for talks with President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.

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In January alone, some 7,270 migrants landed on Spain's Canary Islands, the archipelago that is used as a stepping stone to continental Europe, about as many as in the first six months of 2023.

The Canary Islands had already been struggling with a record number of arrivals last year when nearly 40,000 people arrived on its shores on boats from West Africa.

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Despite the presence of both Spanish and Mauritanian patrols of the coast, the majority of this year's migrant arrivals have departed from the impoverished nation.

Mauritania has been hailed as a key partner of the EU and Spain in the fight against people smuggling and is seen as one of the most stable countries in the volatile Sahel region. Many of the migrants embarking on smugglers' boats leaving from Mauritania come from neighbouring Mali and Senegal.

In addition to announcing more funds for migration control and humanitarian aid, European officials are expected to sign several financing and development projects on green hydrogen as part of an EU energy transition initiative. (AP) GSP

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Los Angeles, Feb 8 (AP) After a symbolic snub in Nevada's primary, Nikki Haley's presidential campaign headed Wednesday to California, where she faces another longshot bid against former President Donald Trump and again sought to tamp down any talk that she might leave the race.

I'm not going anywhere. I'm in this for the long haul, Haley said to cheers during an indoor rally in Los Angeles' historic Hollywood neighborhood, where she did not mention the embarrassing Nevada outcome.

Also Read | Pakistan General Elections 2024: Allegations of Rigging Emerge As Voting for General Polls Continue.

With mail voting underway in California, supporters who turned out on a rainy night were eager for Haley to continue her one-on-one rivalry with Trump and shrugged off the Nevada setback as insignificant and soon to be forgotten.

I hope she fights, said Democratic voter Steven Whiddon, who works in film and TV production. Though he can't vote in the state GOP primary, which is open only to registered Republican voters, he's backing Haley because she's sane, she's practical.

Also Read | Pakistan General Elections 2024: Interior Ministry Suspends Mobile Services Across Pakistan Amid Security Concerns During Polls.

The Nevada vote was completely rigged by Trump supporters, he said. Haley didn't lose a thing.

As the GOP contest has winnowed to two major candidates, Haley has embraced the role of defiant Trump foil and self-styled establishment outsider. Another Trump term in the White House, she warns, would bring the nation chaos.

A day earlier, the former U.N. ambassador  the last major rival contesting Trump's ascent to the nomination  was stung in Nevada, where GOP voters overwhelmingly chose a none of these candidates option on the ballot, bypassing Haley in what amounted to a public rebuke.

It was a token vote, however  the primary didn't award any delegates needed to secure the GOP nomination and Haley did not campaign in Nevada after contending that Trump allies rigged the rules in his favor.

Haley supporter Sheldon Kay said she needs to change direction and try to engage Trump supporters on issues like immigration and the economy, rather than relentlessly criticize the former president. He said the friction with Trump supporters was behind her finish in Nevada.

She needs to peel away some of the Trump loyalists, said Kay, a retired psychologist. Her message is falling on deaf ears with the people she needs to persuade.

She needs to do that to have any chance, he added.

Wayne Watkins, who lives in Upland, east of Los Angeles, said he changed parties from independent to Republican to vote for Haley, drawn to her moderate brand of politics. He said he recognizes she faces long odds but worries that Trump's legal problems could doom a general election campaign.

For Haley, Quitting gets you nothing at this point, said Watkins, who also is volunteering for the campaign. By staying in the race there is the possibility of success.

Her campaign says it raised $16.5 million in January and argues that she, not Trump, would be the stronger general election candidate.

Trump didn't compete in the Nevada primary and instead focused on the state's Thursday caucuses, where he is expected to claim all 26 of delegates in play.

Trump also is strongly favored in California, where the primary election concludes March 5  so-called Super Tuesday, when the state will be among more than a dozen holding elections. It's possible he could sweep the state's trove of 169 delegates, the biggest prize in the nominating contest.

Heavily Democratic California probably will be an afterthought in November 2024  the state's lopsided electorate makes it a virtual lock for Democrats on Election Day. The last Republican presidential nominee to carry the state was George H.W. Bush in 1988. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Karachi, Feb 8 (PTI) The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has said that internet services will remain functional on Thursday as the people are voting to elect a new government.

The PTA in a statement on Wednesday said it had not yet received any instructions from the government to shut internet and that services would work without any interruption on Thursday.

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Pakistanis on Thursday began voting in the general elections to elect a new government to rule the cash-strapped country.

The polling started at 8.00 AM and will continue without any break till 5.00 PM. A countrywide public holiday has been declared to enable a total of 128,585,760 registered voters to cast their votes.

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The authority's statement came a day after caretaker Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz on Tuesday hinted at the possible suspension of internet services in case of security issues in any area on election day.

Many non-governmental organisations, including Amnesty International, had called for uninterrupted internet access across the country during the polling process.

Ejaz had said the government would consider suspending the internet service on February 8 only if it received a request from a district or province owing to the security situation.

In an open letter, Amnesty International urged the authorities to guarantee uninterrupted access to the internet and digital communication platforms for everyone across Pakistan throughout the polling process.

We, the undersigned organisations and members of the #KeepItOn coalition - a global network of over 300 organisations from 105 countries working to end internet shutdowns - appeal to you, Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, to publicly commit to ensuring that the people of Pakistan have unfettered access to the internet, social media platforms, and all other communication channels throughout the upcoming general election on February 8, 2024, the London-based NGO said.

It noted as people prepared to vote, the authorities must adopt and prioritise measures that advanced rights by enabling unrestricted access to information and avenues for freedom of expression, assembly, and association - both offline and online.

In a related development, the Sindh High Court on Tuesday, yet again, directed the federal authorities concerned to ensure the provision of smooth, uninterrupted internet service and access to social media platforms unless the relevant laws were invoked till February 21. PTI

(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 8 (ANI): National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval held a meeting with his Greek counterpart, Athanasios Ntokos, and discussed the shared vision of the Prime Ministers of India and Greece.

The meeting between the two NSAs delved into various facets of collaboration, spanning security, technology, and infrastructure.

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They engaged in a comprehensive discussion, addressing key issues such as institutional linkages between their respective National Security Councils. Emphasising global and regional security, the dialogue encompassed cooperative efforts in the global commons of cyber, space, and seas.

They also discussed prospects for cooperation in futuristic technologies, defence, ports and transnational connectivity projects.

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On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also exchanged views on key regional issues with Greece's National Security Advisor Athanasios Ntokos.

EAM Jaishankar further stated that the key regional issues are very much in tune with our strategic partnership.

"Delighted to meet NSA Dr Athanasios Ntokos of Greece. An exchange of views on key regional issues, very much in tune with our strategic partnership," Jaishankar said in a post on X.

Earlier in December last year, Greece's Ambassador to India Dimitrios Ioannou said that India has a lot to offer to Greece and vice versa as there are certain complementaries between the two nations.

Highlighting the ties between the two nations, Ioannou noted that the relations between India and Greece have always remained "very good" but added that there was a sentimental affinity there. He called Greece a gateway for India to Europe.

He stated that Greece offers a lot of opportunities for Indians to come and invest in Greece and added that Greek cities like Athens and Thessaloniki can become the next Dubai for Indians in the future.

In August last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Greece for his maiden visit to Greece at the invitation of his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

He was the first Indian Prime Minister in the last 40 years to visit Greece. The last prime ministerial visit from India to Greece was in 1983.

In modern times, the two countries have developed a warm relationship based on a common commitment to democracy, peace and development in the world and to a social system imbued with principles of justice and equality, The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted.

Moreover, India and Greece share common approaches to many international issues, such as UN reforms and Cyprus.

Additionally, Greece sees India to be a good potential economic and commercial partner. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New York, Feb 8 (PTI) Amid concerns over a string of deaths among Indian students in the US, a prominent community leader has said his organisation is dealing with at least one such tragic case a day and underscored the need for creating awareness among immigrants from India to ensure their safety.

Not to exaggerate, but we deal with at least one death a day across the country and mostly among young students or H-1B employees who have recently immigrated to the US from India, Mohan Nannapaneni, founder of volunteer-based nonprofit organisation TEAM Aid, told PTI in an interview on Wednesday.

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The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

TEAM Aid is a one-of-its-kind organisation whose primary focus is to help members of the Indian community who are either travelling or living abroad and face dire situations such as accidents, suicides, homicides or sudden death of loved ones.

Also Read | Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge Releases Black Paper Against Modi Government: Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, February 8, 2024.

Nannapaneni said it is very tragic to see that lately many students from India are getting into trouble and unfortunately some have passed away.

"But it's not recent. If you look at the history, it's been happening for many years and I have been actively involved since 2001 in helping the community, he said.

He said there have been instances of Indian students tragically passing away due to car accidents and drowning. He raised concern that drug abuse is becoming rampant across the US and unfortunately, there have been cases of

Indian students succumbing to drug abuse and overdose.

TEAM Aid has nearly 3,000 volunteers across the US as well as in about 25 countries and it works with Indian embassies and consulates and community organisations to provide help.

We become their extended family and a bridge between the impacted individual and families in India, Nannapaneni said, adding that the organisation does whatever is necessary to help families and individuals cope with dire situations, including helping to send bodies back to India, performing local funerals or helping in hospitals.

In the past few weeks, a string of deaths among Indian students in the US has caused deep concern.

Last month, 25-year-old Indian student Vivek Saini was hammered to death by a homeless drug addict in Georgia. Syed Mazahir Ali, pursuing a Masters in IT, was brutally attacked by unidentified men near his house in Chicago.

Sameer Kamath, an Indian-origin student, was found dead in the woods in Indiana this week. Authorities said he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Nannapaneni said his organisation is dealing with cases of "voluntary and involuntary deaths among students from India.

I'm very sorry to see that a lot of young students are committing suicide for various reasons, he said. He noted that parents spend an enormous amount of money to send their children abroad to study but lack of employment opportunities causes stress among students, some of whom resort to extreme steps like suicide.

Studying in the US does not guarantee an H-1B work visa and this puts tremendous pressure on youngsters who sometimes take up odd jobs like working at gas stations, or even illegal work, to remain in the US rather than returning to India.

Sounding an alarming note, Nannapaneni said that instances of suicides among students are only a tip of the iceberg. Unfortunately, we are going to see more and more such cases.

This has to be stopped, he said, adding that students must be made aware that there are not enough opportunities for everyone and they should be prepared to go back to India after completing their education in the US.

My suggestion is that students should not put themselves at risk or take up illegal, risky jobs. Your parents have a lot of expectations and you're their hope, he said.

Causes of involuntary deaths include car accidents, drowning, drug abuse and mental health issues. Unfortunately right now in America, we see the problem of drug abuse. A lot of fake drugs are available in the market and they're killing people.

Instances of targeted or racially-motivated attacks against Indian students, and workers are isolated, he said.

There are a lot of second-generation Indian kids here too but the mortality is higher for students coming from India as compared to those born and brought up here. This can be attributed to lack of education and lack of understanding about the society. If this changes, definitely, we can prevent these fatalities, he said.

Nannapaneni stresses that students should not fall into the trap of educational consulting agencies which make grand promises of enrolling students in American universities and institutions that turn out to be fake or junk, leaving the students high and dry.

Students should conduct a thorough evaluation of the institutes they plan to attend, their credentials and employment prospects before using their families' hard-earned money to come to the US.

There are tremendous opportunities available in India, which is a growing economy and students should assess this instead of blindly following a trend to pursue education abroad, he said.

Community leader Prem Bhandari, who supports TEAM Aid as a volunteer, said students should register with Indian embassies and consulates so that they remain in constant touch and can be contacted in emergency situations.

TEAM Aid plans to organise webinars to educate students on how to live safely in the country, find the right job opportunities and connect with community leaders and organisations who are willing to help them.

You need to be diligent and responsible when you come to a foreign land. You need to be careful, respect the laws of the land and don't indulge in things that risk your life. Think constantly about the hopes that your parents have from you. That's the message I would like to give to the students, Nannapaneni said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chennai, February 8: Popular Tamil actor and founder president of All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi (AISMK), R. Sharath Kumar is likely to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). According to senior leaders of the Tamil Nadu BJP, discussions with Sharath Kumar are at an advanced phase and if he joins NDA, the actor politician will, in all likelihood be allocated the Tirunelveli Loksabha seat. BJP-AIADMK Alliance Ends: BJP Workers Burst Firecrackers in Madurai After AIADMK Snaps Ties With NDA (Watch Video).

It is to be noted that Sharath Kumar had contested the Lok Sabha elections from Tirunelveli constituency in 1998 on a DMK ticket but lost. However, he was made a Rajya Sabha Member in 2001 by DMK. In 2006, Sharath Kumar and his wife, actor and politician Radhika Sharath Kumar joined the AIADMK. However, AIADMK expelled Radhika after a few years leading to Sharath Kumar also quitting the party amid floating his own party (AISMK) in 2011. In the ensuing assembly elections of 2011. AIADMK Breaks Alliance With BJP and NDA Ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.

Sharath Kumar contested from Tenkasi on his party ticket and won the polls. In the 2021 Assembly elections, Sharath Kumar contested in alliance with Tamil super star, Kamal Haasans political outfit, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM ) but lost. It is to be noted that after the AIADMK snapped ties with BJP, the saffron outfit is scouting for a broader alliance with smaller parties and at the same time keeping open options of reentering the alliance with AIADMK.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 08, 2024 10:43 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique resigned from the Congress party on Thursday, February 8. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Baba Siddique said that he resigned from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress Party. "I joined the Indian National Congress party as a young teenager and it has been a significant journey lasting 48 years," he said. He also said there's a lot that he would have liked to express, "but as they say, some things are better left unsaid". "I thank everyone who has been a part of this journey," he stated. It Is My Duty to Explain: Milind Deora Issues Reason for Quitting Congress After Joining Eknath Shindes Shiv Sena Faction.

Baba Siddique Resigns from Congress

I joined the Indian National Congress party as a young teenager and it has been a significant journey lasting 48 years. Today I resign from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress Party @INCIndia with immediate effect. Theres a lot I would have liked to express  Baba Siddique (@BabaSiddique) February 8, 2024

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Washington, February 8: China-sponsored cyber actors have accessed IT networks for destructive cyber attacks against US critical infrastructure in the event of a major crisis or conflict with the country, a coalition of top intelligence agencies haswarned.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), National Security Agency (NSA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said that Peoples Republic of China (PRC)-backed hackers are seeking to pre-position themselves on IT networks for disruptive or destructive cyber attacks as they have gained access for at least five years. Google Says Government Hackers Last Year Used Three Undiscovered Flaws in Apples iPhone OS To Target Users With Spyware Created by European Startup.

Volt Typhoon, a state-sponsored group of hackers based in China, has compromised the IT environments of multiple critical infrastructure organisations -- primarily in communications, energy, transportation systems and water and wastewater systems sectors -- in the US and its territories, the agencies said in a joint statement late on Wednesday.

The US agencies are concerned about the potential for these actors to use their network access for disruptive effects in the event of potential geopolitical tensions and/or military conflicts. Volt Typhoons choice of targets and pattern of behaviour is not consistent with traditional cyber espionage or intelligence gathering operations, warned US agencies.

The agencies urge critical infrastructure organisations to apply the mitigations and to hunt for similar malicious activity. "If an activity is identified, the authoring agencies strongly recommend that critical infrastructure organisations apply the incident response recommendations in the advisory and report the incident to the relevant agency, said the agencies. Microsoft Will Help India Become Self-Reliant by Fostering Skilled AI Workforce and Empowering Every Sector and Industry To Transform With Artificial Intelligence: CEO Satya Nadella.

Last week, the FBI and US Department of Justice announced they had disrupted the KV Botnet run by Volt Typhoon that had compromised US-based routers for small businesses and home offices. Volt Typhoon has been exploiting vulnerabilities in routers, firewalls and VPNs to gain initial access to critical infrastructure.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 08, 2024 11:29 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. The presidential election in Azerbaijan was conducted transparently, following the rules, Moroccan MP Mohammed El Hecira said during a briefing on the results of monitoring the election, Trend reports.

He stressed that the election was a celebration of democracy in Azerbaijan.

"We observed how the presidential election was conducted at the highest level. During our observations at polling sites, we saw no severe infractions. The polling station workers established circumstances and coordinated everything so that voters could vote freely. We applaud the Azerbaijani people for successfully completing the election at a high quality," the MP added.

The extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Seven candidates run in the election.

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05 percent of the votes after the processing of 93.35 percent of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev received 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa received two percent, Elshad Musayev received 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev received 1.76 percent, and Fuad Aliyev received 0.53 percent of the votes.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Senate Republicans blocked the very border bill they wanted to be passed after Donald Trump pressured them to block it because it would make Joe Biden look good as the president was one of the biggest supporters of the Senate border bill.

The border bill was supposed to be a major bipartisan border deal and foreign aid package with assistance for Ukraine and Israel. It would have also enacted restrictive border measures that Republicans wanted themselves, as it was written by Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, one of the chamber's most conservative senators.

As CNN pointed out, Republicans had been demanding that border security be part of the deal, with President Joe Biden and Senate Democrats agreeing to the compromise. However, after Donald Trump posted on social media against the deal, claiming it would open borders even though it would do what it actually wanted, Senators scuttled the deal.

With the Senate border deal now in tatters, the upcoming aid for Ukraine and Israel is now in limbo, with Senators now getting pressure to pass foreign aid on its own without any border provisions. It is still not certain if some Republicans are opposed to giving more aid to Ukraine.

An urgent round of talks is happening right now for senators of both parties as they debate on whether a $95.3 billion foreign aid package would be passed as it would not have the bipartisan border deal that Republicans wanted but scuttled themselves.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Prepared To Cry Foul and Repeat His Debunked Voter Fraud Claims Should He Lose

Ukraine and Israel Aid Will Have Separate Vote After Republicans Crush Their Own Senate Border Bill

CBS noted that this failure to pass the border deal meant Republicans wiped out four months of negotiations that originally happened because Republicans opposed sending more aid to Ukraine without first agreeing to tighten security around the US-Mexico border. Democrats made several concessions to get the bill passed but Republicans just scuttled it, rendering the negotiations useless.

Now, as the Senate's focus shifts toward foreign aid to Ukraine, a separate vote is expected to happen, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer going ahead with voting on it anyway, forcing Senators to be put on the record with their positions, according to CBS News.

Today, senators face a decision several months in the making," said the Senator. . "Will Senate Republicans vote to start debate - just a debate - on bipartisan legislation to strengthen America's security, stand with Ukraine, and fix our border, or will they cow to Donald Trump's orders to kill this bill?"

Republican Senator Admits Killing Their Own Senate Border Bill Will Hurt Their Credibility

Senate Republicans who continued supporting the bipartisan border bill expressed their disappointment at their colleagues after folding from the pressure from Donald Trump. This includes Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

"I have a difficult time understanding again how anyone else in the future is going to want to be on that negotiating team - on anything - if we are going to be against it," she told CNN in an interview. "I've gone through the multiple stages of grief. Today I'm just pissed off."

Senators who folded to Trump's pressure received much backlash from the nevertrumpers of the Republican Party, as well as Democrats and the media.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Is Confused Why Co-Defendants Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro Pleaded Guilty

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Senate fails to advance border security deal | full video - CBS News
Chile prosecutors have unveiled more information about former President Sebastian Pinera death, disclosing that he drowned following a helicopter crash he was piloting, AP reports.

The 74-year-old, who served as president from 2010 to 2014 and then from 2018 to 2022, lost his life on Tuesday during a flight over Lake Ranco, over 560 miles south of Santiago.

While investigations are ongoing, reports indicate adverse weather conditions in the area at the time.

Former President Sebastian Pinera's body was transported to Valdivia for an autopsy on Tuesday night.

Chile President Gabriel Boric, along with Pinera's widow, Cecilia Morel, and other relatives, received his body at Santiago airport on Wednesday morning as the nation mourns the tragic loss.

READ NEXT: Ex-President Sebastian Pinera Dies

Sebastian Pinera's Last Moments

Sebastian Pinera was spending his holidays with his family in the lakeside resort of Bahia Coique when the unfortunate incident occurred, according to BBC.

An avid pilot, Pinera was flying his private helicopter, a skill recognized by aviation expert Eddie Miceli, who described him as "an excellent pilot."

After lunch with a friend on the southern shore of Lake Ranco, he was en route to the northern shore when the helicopter encountered difficulties.

The crash, just minutes after takeoff, is under investigation, considering the rainy weather and considerable cloud cover.

Pinera, along with his sister Magdalena and two other passengers, faced the helicopter's plunge into the lake.

Miraculously, Magdalena and the other survivors managed to swim ashore, escaping the tragic fate that befell the former president.

Magdalena, visibly shaken, praised her brother as "a great man, a generous and courageous man" when addressing the media.

Condolences and National Mourning Following Ex-President Sebastian Pinera Death

The news of Sebastian Pinera death resonated globally, evoking messages of condolences and honoring the departed leader as a symbol of democracy in a nation once overshadowed by military dictatorship, per ABC News.

Serving two terms from 2010 to 2014 and again from 2018 to 2022, Pinera faced and navigated through various crises, including a destructive earthquake and a tsunami, and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

His notable achievement during his presidency was leading Chile to become a global leader in vaccination.

Sebastian Pinera also played a pivotal role in the successful rescue of 33 miners trapped for 69 days in the Atacama Desert, earning gratitude from one of the rescued miners, Jimmy Sanchez.

"I am very grateful," Sanchez said. "He gave us our lives back."

However, Pinera's legacy was tarnished by accusations of his government's harsh response to protesters in 2019.

Allegations of disproportionate force and torture marred his administration's handling of demonstrations.

Sebastian Pinera was also the first figure from the political right to lead Chile since its return to democracy in 1990.

Despite his initial association with the center-right, he later opposed the extension of dictator Augusto Pinochet's rule during his tenure as an independent senator.

READ MORE: Chile Wildfire Death Toll Reaches 131

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Chile ex-president Sebastian Pinera dies in helicopter crash - From Al Jazeera English
Panama's ex-president, Ricardo Martinelli, has been granted political asylum by Nicaragua after Panama's Supreme Court rejected his appeal regarding a 10-year money laundering conviction, AP reports.

Martinelli's lawyer, Shirley Castaneda, revealed outside the Nicaraguan embassy that the asylum had already been granted, citing concerns for his life as the primary reason.

Nicaragua's Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed Ricardo Martinelli's asylum, stating that Martinelli sought refuge due to political persecution and an imminent threat to his life.

The ministry urged Panama to facilitate his prompt exit to Nicaragua. Martinelli's spokesman, Luis Eduardo Camacho, indicated that Martinelli would stay inside the Nicaraguan Embassy in Panama until safe passage to Nicaragua was secured.

READ NEXT: Chile Ex-President Sebastian Pinera Death

Presidential Ambitions Amid Legal Setback

Despite facing legal challenges and a recent rejection of his appeal, Martinelli, campaigning for a return to Panama's presidency in this year's elections, asserts that he is a victim of political persecution with his life at an "imminent" risk, as stated by Nicaragua's foreign ministry.

Electoral authorities in Panama have not provided updates on Martinelli's candidacy status following the court's decision.

Nevertheless, Ricardo Martinelli, who served as Panama's president from 2009 to 2014, maintains a lead in polls ahead of the May presidential election, according to Reuters.

Panama's foreign ministry has not responded to requests for comment on the recent developments.

Nicaragua has previously granted asylum to two former presidents of El Salvador, Mauricio Funes and Salvador Sanchez.

Legal Battles and Ongoing Investigations

The 71-year-old former president, a millionaire businessman during his 2009 presidency, has been under investigation for various corruption scandals since leaving office, per Barron's.

Martinelli was acquitted of espionage and embezzlement charges in 2021 but faced another trial post-May elections over alleged bribery payments from the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht during his presidency.

Martinelli, still popular according to opinion polls in Panama, denounced the Supreme Court's recent decision as an "illegal last-minute move" to remove him from the presidential race.

Article 180 of Panama's constitution bars anyone sentenced to five or more years for a crime from being elected president or vice president.

His conviction for money laundering, relating to the 2010 purchase of a publishing company, involved the alleged funneling of money from companies with lucrative government contracts during his presidency.

The transactions amounted to $43 million through a front company named "New Business," ABC News noted

Ricardo Martinelli received a more than 10-year prison sentence and a $19 million fine, with an appeals court affirming the sentence in October.

Ricardo Martinelli, known for overseeing significant infrastructure projects, including the capital's first metro line, is the first former Panamanian president convicted of a crime.

The United States government barred him and his family from entering the country in 2021 based on significant corruption allegations.

As Panama faces challenges such as water shortages in the Panama Canal and potentially costly arbitration cases, the upcoming government, dealing with a slowdown after years of economic success, must address multifaceted issues, according to the Financial Times.

The country, once a poster child within Latin America, anticipates disappointments in economic growth amid mounting difficulties, according to experts.

READ MORE: Nicaragua Priest Says He Was 'Insulted, Beaten, Imprisoned' Under Daniel Ortega

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Panama: supreme court orders detention of ex-President Martinelli - From Euronews
Guyana and Venezuela are still arguing over the Essequibo region, which is rich in oil and the latest escalation happened as a large US oil company, ExxonMobil, has recently started exploring the area for oil and gas.

ExxonMobil started its exploration for oil and gas just off the Essequibo region's coast. This was also where the Venezuelan military had previously expelled two companies, with the move expected to possibly escalate tensions between Venezuela and Guyana, which issued the license.

Many other countries recognize Essequibo as part of Guyana, not Venezuela, and so do people living in the region. Venezuela has long been claiming the area as its own, but it has recently restarted its claims after oil, gas, and other minerals were discovered there.

Guyana Foreign Affairs Secretary Robert Persaud spoke with the Associated Press and stated that the US oil giant has every right to work in that region "because it is within established Guyana waters in a fully demarcated area."

ExxonMobil admitted that it expects to drill two exploratory wells north and west of its prolific Stabroek block. In that area, there are three oil fields that are producing close to 650,000 barrels of oil a day.

ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge addressed the ongoing tensions with Venezuela and stated, "We are not going anywhere," adding that it was the Guyanese government that granted its permit. He added that his company is committed to its operations in Guyana despite the territorial dispute against Venezuela.

The Venezuelan military has previously forced US companies to abandon exploration for oil and gas, with the latest happening in 2019 after a Venezuelan military helicopter forcefully landed in a seismic vessel.

READ MORE: Latin America Politics 2023: Election, Conflicts, Other Major Issues in the Region

US Looking To Boost Military Aid to Guyana Amid Venezuela Tensions

Meanwhile, the US itself is seeking to protect its oil interest in South America and has already pledged military support to Guyana. The country has promised to help the South American nation in buying new aircraft, helicopters, a fleet of military drones, and even radar technology, which Guyana sorely lacks.

El Pais noted that the details of the US-Guyana deal have not been immediately made clear, with Guyana officials declining to announce how much they are expected to pay the US.

However, US Deputy National Security Advisor, Jon Finer, and Western Hemisphere senior director Juan Gonzalez, were revealed to have met with Guyanese officials about improving the country's defense capabilities as the possibility of a Venezuelan invasion looms.

Brazil Beefing Up Its Border With Guyana and Venezuela as Tensions Mount

Meanwhile, as tensions are rising between Venezuela and Guyana, their common neighbor, Brazil, which shares a border with both countries, is also beefing up its security forces along the border to prevent the possible conflict from spilling to its territory.

According to Dialogo Americas, dozens of military vehicles and military personnel were sent to Boa Vista, the capital of Roraima state that borders both Venezuela and Guyana. The deployment was done as a warning for both countries should conflict occur.

READ MORE: Guyana Culture: Essequibo Identifies More as Guyanase and Not With Venezuela

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Exxon Mobil CEO on Venezuela-Guyana dispute: I'm not sure Guyana 'is standing on its own' - CNBC
Trailing Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has gone on the offensive and is calling frontrunner Donald Trump a chicken during an ad on Fox News's "Hannity." This came after she lost Nevada to "None of These Candidates" as Trump was not on the ballot.

According to CBS News, the ad played during Fox News host Sean Hannity's time slot, when many conservative voters are watching the opinions show that is largely praising the former president.

Haley, the last Republican challenger left to go against Donald Trump, called the former president a "chicken" for ducking her and not wanting to go on stage for a debate.

"Too old and unfit? Or just unhinged and afraid? We don't know," the ad read. "But one thing we do know. Donald Trump is chicken."

The former president has largely avoided engaging his Republican rivals in debates, even though he is the frontrunner for the party in 2024. This is despite his myriad of legal problems that include civil and criminal cases, both at the state and federal levels.

Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt addressed the ad in an email to CBS News, saying, "Why would President Trump waste his time debating a candidate who was crushed by 30 points in Iowa, defeated by double digits in New Hampshire, literally lost to 'nobody' in Nevada, and has zero pathway to victory?"

The Trump spokeswoman also revealed that the twice-impeached, 92x-indicted former president is now looking forward to the general elections and not minding the primaries anymore, saying, Trump "will debate his real opponent, Joe Biden, any day of the week."

US Supreme Court To Hear Arguments Regarding Donald Trump Disqualification

Meanwhile, Trump may never even be able to get to debate Joe Biden should he defeat Nikki Haley at the Republican primaries as the US Supreme Court will hear oral argument on Thursday regarding his disqualification on the grounds of the 14th Amendment.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Prepared To Cry Foul and Repeat His Debunked Voter Fraud Claims Should He Lose

The highest court in the land will consider whether Donald Trump is eligible to run for president after several lower courts established that he was liable for the January 6 Capitol Insurrection, thus breaking the 14th Amendment by running for president again. The law bars any former officer who has engaged in an insurrection from taking any public office.

As The Guardian noted, this would be a landmark case as there is still no precedent regarding an established insurrectionist such as Donald Trump running for office.

It was also noted that the idea to impeach Trump using the 14th Amendment did not come from liberals, but from two conservative legal scholars who published a 126-page law review article last summer. They argued that based on the 14th Amendment, Trump should be disqualified.

House Republican Blasts Donald Trump Over Border Claim

Donald Trump also got blasted by fellow Republican, Texas Rep. Chip Roy, over the former president's claim that any president could unilaterally close the US-Mexico border. This came after Senate Republicans shut down their own border bill, which contained provisions for what they wanted, to placate Donald Trump.

"No, we're not just going to pass the buck and say that, 'Oh, any president can walk in and secure the border,'" the House Republican told The Hill. "All a president has to do is declare the border's closed, and it's closed. Well, with all due respect, that didn't happen in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. There were millions of people that came in the United States during those four years."

READ MORE: Donald Trump Is Confused Why Co-Defendants Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro Pleaded Guilty

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Chicken - SFA Fund, Inc.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. Presidential election in Azerbaijan was held in democratic conditions, Angolan MP Pedro de Morais Neto told reporters during the briefings, Trend reports.

"The election was held legally, and no violations were observed. The activity of voters was felt at all polling stations where we were. The election was held in democratic conditions. All interested parties had the opportunity to nominate their candidate and voters had the opportunity to vote for them. Comfortable and quality conditions for voters were created at the polling stations," he emphasized.

Voting in the presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05% of the votes after the processing of 93.35% of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19% of the votes, Razi Nurullayev - 0.8%, Fazil Mustafa - 2%, Elshad Musaev - 0.67%, Gudrat Hasanguliyev - 1.76%, Fuad Aliyev - 0.53% of the votes.

The results of an exit poll conducted by the American organization "Oracle Advisory Group" jointly with the League for the Protection of Labor Rights of Citizens, show that 93.9% of electors voted for Ilham Aliyev.

According to "Social Research Center" LLC, 92.4% of electors voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of "Rey" Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of electors voted for Ilham Aliyev.

With a total of 6,478,623 people on the voter list, voting took place at 6,537 polling sites across the country. Over 90,000 observers have enrolled to oversee the election.

The election took place across the entire territory of Azerbaijan, including territories recently liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
For the second time in eight days, Bethlehem City Council on Tuesday night listened to hours of arguments on the Walnut Street Parking Garage.

In the end, the council voted 5-2 to reject its advisory boards recommendation on how big the replacement should be for the garage currently being demolished. The council instead backed the Bethlehem Parking Authoritys proposal for a 527-space garage, estimated to cost $24 million.

Councils vote deems the authoritys proposal appropriate for the Bethlehem Historic District that encompasses the property where the 770-space garage built in 1976 is being torn down. The Bethlehem Historical & Architectural Review Board (HARB) on Jan. 3 had urged council to support a building design that utilizes the entire existing site and matches the existing garages footprint and height profile ... .

The smaller design pushed by the authority and its traffic and financial consultants is 278-feet long, versus the 500-foot length of the current garage. That leaves room for a mixed-use development on the western edge of the garage property, toward Main Street.

The city and authority a year ago jointly asked for developers to submit proposals for that portion, with four received last March. They range from five to seven stories (or 50 to 85 feet, compared to the 71-foot western height of the current garage), with 42 to 177 homes and 2,500 to 25,000 square feet of first-floor commercial space. No agreement has been signed with a developer, and whatever is proposed will need to go before the HARB and other city agencies for approval.

That lack of detail on the mixed-use component cast a cloud over Tuesday nights council meeting that opened at 7 p.m. and adjourned after midnight. (Council met in committee to discuss the garage project a week prior, on Jan. 29, in a meeting that also ran about five hours.)

You dont know what it is and the public doesnt know what it is, said Bethlehem-based attorney Christopher Spadoni, a former city council legal adviser. The word transparencys been batted around tonight, and thats not being transparent, frankly.

Spadoni opposed overturning the HARB recommendation, as did many of the roughly two dozen citizens who spoke. Applause followed many comments that sided with the board.

Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith derided the white box devoid of specific details, referring to how the mixed-use component appears in renderings of the new garage provided by the parking authority.

I believe a vote against HARBs ruling is a vote to allow lack of transparency, lack of comprehensive and all-inclusive planning, and most pointedly a vote against the appointed body that has been established by this city to provide guidance and recommendations to city council regarding the preservation and protection of our citys most esteemed historic district, she said.

Crampsie Smith cast one of two votes to uphold the HARB recommendation, along with Councilman Bryan Callahan. He called the scaled-back garage too small to support current residents, employees and visitors paired with increased demand from a potential resurgence in occupied office space downtown and more visitors if Bethlehems Moravian settlement gains recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage List site.

We dont have any room for growth, Callahan said. This garage that were building right now is supposed to last us 40 years, 40-50 years.

Councilwoman Kiera Wilhelm noted that the original Walnut Street garage was built to support the vision of a pedestrian mall on West Broad Street, which was torn up in the early 2000s to restore vehicular traffic.

Councilwoman Hillary Kwiatek argued that the mixed-use component of the new garage project was not part of HARBs review. Tuesday nights vote was not about that un-programmed space, said Councilwoman Colleen Laird.

Underpinning the discussion were concerns about paying down the debt on the new garage. Balancing demand and revenue, the parking authority would face a much steeper climb out of debt for the hypothetical newly rebuilt 770-space garage projected to cost $35 million, Mayor J. William Reynolds said. Another proposal rejected by both the HARB on Jan. 3 and the city council on Tuesday looked at a 590-space garage costing an estimated $27 million. Depending on how the project is financed, the city and its taxpayers may need to guarantee the debt, including the potentially widening rift between those payments and the revenues the citys parking system generates.

Aside from the historic district certificate of appropriateness that gained final approval from the council for the 527-space garage, the city council on Tuesday held two public hearings and cast two initial votes on related matters.

One rezones part of the Walnut Street garage property so the entire parcel is under the Central Business District zoning. One of four parcels that make up the property is currently zoned High Density Residential, and city officials painted the change as cleaning up the disparity.

The other was for the city to vacate a portion of West Walnut Street, to widen the sidewalks along the new garage and narrow the street itself.

Both passed 5-2 with Crampsie Smith and Callahan opposed. A second vote on final approval of both those changes is anticipated at councils Feb. 20 meeting.

For more about the Walnut Street Parking Garage project, visit bethpark.org.

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Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
A Pleasantville, New Jersey, man was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison for the 2020 murder of a 17-year-old from Atlantic City, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office announced.

Lewis Johnson, 35, will serve an equivalent to 75 years in prison.

Prosecutors sought an extended sentence based on Johnsons lengthy criminal history and prior handgun-related offenses, the office said in a statement. The term is subject to the No Early Release Act, which requires inmates to serve 85 percent of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

Johnson was convicted of murder and weapons offenses by a jury on Dec. 11, 2023 after a week-long trial.

He traveled to Atlantic City from the Easton area with his then-girlfriend, Shaquana Lewis, on June 8, 2020 to confront the parents of her daughters boyfriend after the two had been in a physical fight the night before, officials said.

Authorities said that when Johnson arrived at the house in Atlantic Citys 2000 block of Blaine Avenue, he ran up the stairs to an upstairs apartment porch where the victim, Curaan Williams, was hanging out with his foster brother.

Johnson pistol-whipped Williams, shot him in the back and foot before fleeing down the stairs, where he continued to shoot at the victim and the other person from the ground level, authorities said. Williams died later that day, the prosecutors office said.

Authorities said Johnson stopped at a liquor store in Pleasantville before driving back to his apartment in Wilson Borough, where he was arrested the next day by members of the prosecutors Major Crimes Unit. There, police found the handgun used in the murder hidden under his bed.

Johnsons girlfriend previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter and is serving an eight-year sentence, state prison records show. She is eligible for parole in May of 2027.

An attorney for Johnson was not immediately available for comment.

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Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X
The Palmer Township board of supervisors declined to adopt laws recommended by animal rights groups to ban the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in township stores and to ban the practice of declawing cats.

The animal rights groups say the ban would protect consumers from buying puppies churned out on commercial farms known as puppy mills, where the dogs are treated poorly and are often sickly. Palmer Township has one of the few pet stores in the region that still sells puppies: The Pet Shop at the Palmer Park Mall. Supervisors Chairman Michael Brett balked at banning dog sales at a store thats been there for 50 years.
Laois man and IFA President Francie Gorman has called on Minister Malcolm Noonan to intervene and sort out delayed Farm Plan Scheme payments.

Im getting calls from farmers who are very frustrated and waiting weeks for payment. Its completely unacceptable, and worse of all, no one knows where they stand, said the Ballinakill man.

We understand the delays are being put down to admin/resourcing issues within the Department. Its just not good enough, he added.

Im calling on Minister Noonan to sort out this mess; make direct contact with farmers to let them know where they stand, and devote whatever resources is needed to clear the backlog, he said.

Mr Gorman said the Farm Plan scheme was one of the key actions within the recently launched National Biodiversity Plan.

"How can farmers have faith in a scheme when they are left in complete limbo, the IFA President said.

The Farm Plan Scheme, launched in 2006, is administered by the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) and available for SAC/Designated Lands to trial novel approaches to farming for the environment, to safeguard particular sites, habitats and species, and to work towards meeting conservation measures required under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.
The average cost to Laois home renters to enter into a new tenancy agreement with a landlord rose by just over 13% in 12 months while rents surged in Portlaoise last summer, according to the latest official figures.

Renters can expect to pay an average of 1,111 in monthly rent if they have moved homes at the end of September 2023. House building rose significantly in Laois, especially Portlaoise, last year, but rents in the county town also surged. New Portlaoise renters can now expect to pay more than 1,200 a month.

The findings are contained in the Quarter 3 2023 Rent Index Report from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). It is the State agency that both monitors and regulates the rental sector in Ireland. The report includes information on rent levels in existing tenancies, as well as new tenancies from July to September 2023.

The average rent for existing tenants in the county to rent their home was 952 by the Autumn of 2023. This was up nearly 4% on the previous year but down 2% on the Spring of 2023.

The report also breaks down the cost of renting by Laois County Council's Municipal District Areas. Two of these areas are in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZ) which means rent rises are supposed to be limited.

The Portlaoise area has the highest rent charged on new renters. The RTB reports that the cost of renting in the county town and other areas in the district rose by more than 7% in the third quarter to 1,207. That is well above the 2% increase landlords are allowed to charge under the law in an RPZ.

There is a 200 gap between the rent charged to a new tenant and an existing tenant in the district. Sitting tenants can expect to pay 993 a month in the Portlaoise area.

The report does not have figures for what new tenants can expect to pay in the other two Laois districts.

In the Borris-In-Ossory-Mountmellick the average rent charged to existing tenants is 908 a month. Graiguecullen -

Portarlington is also a rent pressure zone. Sitting tenants living in this district can expect to pay 883 monthly.

Laois is one of 21 counties to have standardised average rents in new tenancies above 1,000 per month in 2023.

Some of the key national findings in the report are as follows:

Rent levels in existing tenancies are lower than in new tenancies: Nationally the standardised average rent in Q3 2023 was higher for new tenancies than for existing tenancies (1,598 vs 1,357), a difference of 240.35 or 17.7% per month.

Nationally, rent levels in both new and existing tenancies have increased: Nationally, in Q3 2023 the standardised average rent in new tenancies grew by 11.0% year-on-year and in existing tenancies grew by 5.2%.

The standardised average rent for new tenancies in Dublin in Q3 2023 was 2,113, or 325 (18.2%) higher than the standardised average rent for existing tenancies which stood at 1,788.

The standardised average rent for new tenancies in Cork in Q3 2023 was 1,386, or 216 (18.5%) higher than the standardised average rent for existing tenancies which stood at 1,170.

The RTB says the report is independently analysed by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), the RTB Rent Index report is based on RTB tenancy registration data.

The RTB claims the Rent Index Report is the most accurate and authoritative report on the private rental sector in Ireland. It says the purpose of the report is to measure changes in the rents faced by tenants in new and existing tenancies. The RTB says the requirement to renew the registration of tenancies with the RTB, introduced in April 2022, provides a very large sample size containing improved, and more reliable data.

The board claims that this makes the Rent Index Report the only comprehensive data source on quarterly developments in rents for both new and existing tenancies in Ireland.
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Waterways Ireland has today sought the consent of the planning authority, Kildare County Council, for a five-year programme of maintenance works along the Barrow Navigation at townlands throughout County Kildare.

The proposed works will consist of essential maintenance and repair of the navigation assets and will include dredging, back-drain maintenance, and towpath and bank repairs. The maintenance works which are being proposed by Waterways Ireland will seek to improve the assets along the Barrow Navigation, which is a nationally important recreation and navigation corridor and also has a unique heritage and biodiversity value.

The Barrow navigation features many bridges, locks and buildings that are protected structures and/or national monuments. These necessary maintenance works will seek to protect these structures as well as the natural, cultural and amenity potential of the corridor and as such, ensure the continued use and accessibility of the waterways for all users.

Following validation, the planning documents will be publicly available on Kildare County Councils planning portal. Waterways Ireland encourages the public and interested parties to familiarise themselves with the documents and submit potential feedback to Kildare County Council.

Gerard Bayley, Senior Engineer on the Barrow with Waterways Ireland said, "The Barrow Navigation is a nationally important heritage corridor comprising a rich tapestry of natural, built and cultural assets. At Waterways Ireland, our goal is to ensure we can provide safe and sustainable experiences for all users of our waterways. We seek to maintain the heritage and biodiversity of Irelands waterways while providing a high-quality navigation and recreation offering, for the benefit of all.

The maintenance works will take place in the townlands of: Athy, Ardreigh, Levitstown (Dunmanoge E.D.), Levitstown (Grangemellon E.D.), Maganey Lower, Newtownpilsworth, Jerusalem, Grangemellon and Coneyburrow (Narragh and Reban West By), Co. Kildare.
President Micheal D. Higgins has been gifted with a special tribute in memory of his late dog, Brod, who passed away last year.

On Wednesday, February 7, President Higgins hosted the Irish Seed Savers Association at Aras an Uachtarain.

During the visit, the environmental group presented President Higgins and Sabina Higgins with a Lough Key Crab tree, which will be planted at Aras an Uachtarain in memory of their beloved Bernese Mountain Dog, Brod.

Brod passed away in April 2023 at the age of 11. He had been a cherished member of the Higgins family since arriving as an eight-week-old puppy at the Aras.

Over the years, Brod brought joy to the thousands of visitors who had the pleasure of meeting him during their visits to Aras an Uachtarain.

The Irish Seed Savers Association, established in 1991, stands as an environmental organisation and is committed to safeguarding food crop biodiversity for present and future generations. The organisation also focuses on educating the public in the sustainable and ethical use of our natural resources.

President Higgins expressed his gratitude for the meaningful gesture from the Irish Seed Savers Association, emphasising the importance of preserving Ireland's agricultural heritage.

The planting of the Lough Key Crab tree at Aras an Uachtarain serves as a 'poignant' tribute to Brod and contributes to the protection of Irelands apple tree heritage.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. The presidential election has demonstrated unity of Azerbaijani people, Ukranian MP Valeriy Kolyukh told reporters, Trend reports.

The presidential election in Azerbaijan was organized at the highest level, and the voter turnout was high. The uniqueness of this presidential election for Azerbaijan is that it was held throughout the country since the establishment of independence, including in Karabakh. We wish prosperity to your state and the speedy restoration of Karabakh," he emphasized.

Voting in the presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05% of the votes after the processing of 93.35% of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19% of the votes, Razi Nurullayev - 0.8%, Fazil Mustafa - 2%, Elshad Musaev - 0.67%, Gudrat Hasanguliyev - 1.76%, Fuad Aliyev - 0.53% of the votes.

According to the results of an exit poll conducted by the American organization "Oracle Advisory Group" jointly with the League for the Protection of Labor Rights of Citizens, 93.9% of electors voted for Ilham Aliyev.

According to "Social Research Center" LLC, 92.4% of electors voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of "Rey" Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of electors voted for Ilham Aliyev.

With a total of 6,478,623 people on the voter list, voting took place at 6,537 polling sites across the country. Over 90,000 observers have enrolled to oversee the election.

The election took place across the entire territory of Azerbaijan, including territories recently liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Leitrim County Council has lodged an application for 6.17m development in Drumshanbo, Bernard Greene, Senior Planner, told a special meeting this week in Ballinamore which was held to discuss the Part 8 proposal from the Drumshanbo Town Centre Regeneration Project.

Mr Greene explained that the project is 90% government funded with the council paying 617,000.

The project will be funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development if successful.

The project involves redevelopment of two vacant buildings on Main Street, namely the former Bank of Ireland, a three-storey building, and the adjacent commercial building formerly known as Earleys, a three-storey building.

Works will include a linear two-storey extension to the south side linking both buildings to provide commercial use to the entire ground floor and new smart working facility to the entire first and second floors as well as a pedestrian walkway on the ground floor through Earleys building to link a new public

The project also involves the creation of a public realm and additional parking to the rear of the renovated and extended commercial buildings on Main Street.

Works will include new vehicular and pedestrian access routes through the existing stone boundary wall between the existing Market Street carpark and the former Bank of Ireland Building, the provision of new public lighting, a dedicated pedestrianised public realm that will incorporate seating and a car park for seven car parking spaces.

The project will also see redevelopment and partial reconstruction of two derelict outbuildings to the east of the Drumshanbo River to provide commercial use on both ground and first floors respectively.
A district court judge has refused jurisdiction in the case of a father and son who allegedly attacked a bouncer in a Donegal hotel.

William Ward and his son Liam Ward, both with addresses at Orbeg, Donegal Town are charged with assaulting Sean Douglas and causing him harm. The assault is alleged to have taken place in the Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town on October 29, 2022.

Inspector Angela Cummins handed a medical report into the court.

She told Judge Vincent Deane that the men had been attending a function when there was an altercation. The inspector said it was alleged that William Ward attacked one of the bouncers, and Wards son Liam joined in.

The Director of Public Prosecution(DPP) had previously directed that the matter be dealt with by summary disposal, meaning that it could be heard in the district court.

However, after examining the medical report, Judge Deane refused jurisdiction. This means that the matter will now go back to the DPP for consent that the defendants be sent forward for trial to the circuit court.

Judge Deane adjourned the case until April 22 for DPP consent and service of the book of evidence.
Almost nine in 10 (88.9%) Irish employers said they would consider hiring someone with a history of convictions.

However, barriers remain for employers and potential employees with previous convictions, according to a report commissioned by the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT).

The research, entitled The Secondary Punishment: A Scoping Study on Employer Attitudes to Hiring People with Criminal Convictions, shines a light on employer attitudes towards hiring people with convictions.

It also examined whether people with convictions face discrimination in accessing decent and sufficient work and the impact this can have on being able to live fulfilled lives.

This is the first time dedicated research on employer attitudes to people with convictions has been published in Ireland.

In 2023, Dr Joe Garrihy and Dr Ciara Bracken-Roche, of Maynooth University, carried out a scoping study comprising a survey with 55 participants, 23 interviews and a participatory symposium to inform the research.

They found that 97% of employers agreed that employment plays a key role in helping to reintegrate people with convictions into society.

However, 95% of people with lived experience of convictions and 92% of employers agreed that there are barriers to employment for people with convictions in Ireland.

IPRT executive director Saoirse Brady said: Theres an assumption that when someone leaves prison or finishes their community service, the punishment is over.

But we know people continue to face secondary punishment as their conviction will follow them for years  even decades  and intrude on many aspects of their lives.

We know these individuals have skills, experience and qualities that would benefit workplaces, but we also know from our work they are all too often overlooked, despite making up a substantial part of the potential workforce.

Employment enables people to give back  to their family, community, and the economy  and helps to make society a safer place.

Employers are eager, with the right information, support and resources, to support this important journey for people with convictions and tap into this under-used pool of talent.

Understanding employers perspectives will help us and others to work alongside them to dismantle the barriers, both real and perceived, that can stand in the way of recruiting people with convictions.

This research reminds us of the changes we must continue to make as a society to ensure that, once a person has served their sentence, they dont go on to face a lifetime of discrimination.

Report author Dr Garrihy said: The case for fair hiring practices is clear. The benefits far outweigh the risks, perceived or otherwise, and this is borne out in exponentially growing international scholarship and case studies.

Fellow report author Dr Bracken-Roche said: In many countries, this type of vetting by employers is counter to privacy law.

In Ireland, employers currently lack evidence-based approaches and guidance to help them develop and implement inclusive and fair policies and practices for people with convictions.

Ms Brady called on the government to progress legislative reform that promotes inclusivity and anti-discrimination for people with convictions.

She said that the current ongoing review of the Employment Equality and Equal Status Acts should recommend the inclusion of an additional ground of discrimination based on criminal conviction as well as a ground based on socio-economic status.
The Minister for Justice has said that a tender to procure body-worn cameras for gardai represents another important step forward in our fight against crime.

The trial in Dublin is seen as a step closer to the proposed full implementation of body-worn cameras for all gardai across the country.

It follows the signing into law of the Garda Siochana (Recording Devices) Act 2023 in December.

Critics have warned that the introduction of the technology without proper safeguards could significantly infringe on the fundamental rights of citizens.

An Garda Siochana said the new technology would take the form of small, lightweight cameras visible on the clothing of members.

It said the technology will be in compliance with GDPR legislation and captured data will be stored in accordance with relevant directives.

Footage will be saved on the devices own encrypted internal storage system before being uploaded at a garda station at the end of the members shift.

It is envisaged that the footage could be used to support investigations and prosecutions.

Gardai said footage will be deleted after an agreed time period if it is not being used as evidence.

An Garda Siochana believes that the cameras will improve safety for members, enhance accountability and result in fewer complaints of misconduct and challenges to arrests.

Additionally, gardai say it will save time and lower costs in investigations and court appearances.

According to a tender document, gardai will also trial the technology in Limerick and Waterford at a later date.

It is estimated that the value of the entire proof of concept trial for the technology and associated services will be 2.1 million euro.

Gardai expect to initiate a separate procurement process for the supply of body-worn cameras for all members based on the findings of the trial.

The Irish Council of Civil Liberties (ICCL) has cautiously welcomed the proposed trial of the technology but believes a later national rollout should not be a predetermined outcome.

The council said there was a need to be careful in ensuring adequate safeguards are put in place to protect peoples fundamental rights.

It wants the cameras to only be used in specific circumstances rather than blanket surveillance.

ICCL executive director Liam Herrick told the PA news agency: Body-worn cameras are a new form of surveillance technology to be introduced in Ireland and they have a direct impact on peoples right to privacy and other civil liberties like freedom of assembly.

The pilot project needs to be rigorous and must assess whether the use of body-worn cameras is necessary and proportionate, and whether they deliver on their promised benefits. The results of the pilot should be reviewed and published when it is complete.

National rollout of body-worn cameras should not be the predetermined outcome of this process.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said the tender represents another important step forward in our fight against crime.

Body cameras will be an important tool in An Garda Siochanas armour as they fight crime, and the Recording Devices Bill, which I brought through the Houses last year, laid the groundwork for this announcement.

Procuring cameras for these pilots now means that before the summer there will be cameras on gardai in Limerick and Waterford, as well as two areas of Dublin City, ahead of a nationwide rollout.

These trials will give gardai a chance to understand fully what the cameras can offer, and also allow the public to provide feedback, before we roll them out across the full organisation.

The cameras will be small, lightweight and visible and, based on the experiences of other police services internationally, they will enhance accountability, reduce challenges around arrests and reduce complaints of Garda misconduct.

We also expect they will save time in court preparation and appearances, lower costs for investigations and court appearances and improve An Garda Siochanas ability to collect evidence for trial. All footage recorded by the cameras will be deleted after an agreed time period if not required as evidence.
NAV CANADA and Indra to deploy leading air traffic management platforms





MADRID, Feb. 7, 2024 /CNW/ - NAV CANADA and Indra announced today that they have reached a milestone agreement that will contribute to the evolution of Canada's air traffic management systems.

The first phase of the agreement will support the deployment of a state-of-the-art flight data processing system (FDPS) and an air traffic flow management system (iACM) for complex airspaces within NAV CANADA's network centre.

In line with NAV CANADA's strategic direction, this partnership represents a tangible step towards Trajectory-Based Operations (TBO) in Canada, shifting air traffic management towards a strategic approach that takes a more comprehensive picture of a flight from take-off to landing. This new technology can calculate routes with great accuracy and predict the evolution of air traffic over an extended horizon, supporting greater planning and coordination.

These systems will integrate information processing from Canada's area control centres, automatically notifying the system of any changes in flight plans between each of their respective airspace. This will enable better flexibility resulting in the improvement of traffic flow within Canadian airspace and across the rest of the network. The result will be more efficient routings for aircraft operators, reduced fuel consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions while providing greater operational resiliency to disruptions and meeting the capacity requirements of a growing sector.

These advancements, which continue to keep safety at the forefront, reflect the vision for the future of air traffic management defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)'s Aviation System Block Upgrades (ASBU), which promote technologies that enable greater collaboration and operational predictability in global aviation.

This agreement also reinforces the collaboration between NAV CANADA, UK's NATS and Norway's Avinor, which also have Indra as a strategic technology partner. Both companies welcomed this important agreement.

The technology will be deployed over a ten-year horizon across NAV CANADA's facilities.

"We are proud to announce that we have reached an agreement with Indra to deploy the next generation of air traffic management systems in Canada," said Raymond G. Bohn, President and CEO, NAV CANADA. "Once completed, it will represent a generational leap forward in the tools we provide our dedicated employees - one that builds on our strong track record of deploying leading platforms, creates an opportunity to play a leadership role in global air navigation and will contribute to a more sustainable and efficient future for air transportation in Canada. Security, innovation, expertise and collaboration are the fundamental pillars of NAV CANADA's business strategy."

Indra's president Marc Murtra stated that "Indra's technology will not only increase efficiency in air traffic management in Canada but will also enhance predictability and contribute to the reduction of environmental impact. What we sign today transcends a simple agreement between companies; it represents a renewed commitment between nations. This collaboration is a step forward in sharing knowledge and technology, fostering new streams of relationships, and advancing towards a more efficient and sustainable aviation."

About Indra

Indra (www.indracompany.com) is one of the leading global technology and consulting companies and the technological partner for core business operations of its clients worldwide. It is a world leader in providing proprietary solutions in specific segments of the transport and defence markets and a leading firm in digital transformation and Information Technologies in Spain and Latin America through its affiliate Minsait. Its business model is based on a comprehensive range of proprietary products, with a high-value, end-to-end focus and with a high innovation component. In the 2022 fiscal year, Indra achieved revenue totaling ?3.851 billion, with almost 57,000 employees, a local presence in 46 countries and business operations in over 140 countries.

About NAV CANADA

NAV CANADA is a private, not-for-profit company, established in 1996, providing air traffic control, airport advisory services, weather briefings and aeronautical information services for more than 18 million square kilometres of Canadian domestic and international airspace.

The Company is internationally recognized for its safety record, and technology innovation.

SOURCE NAV CANADA

7 february 2024 at 15:00

News published onand distributed by:
Signal Gold Announces Final Drill Results of Growth Exploration Program, Including 76.31 g/t Over 0.5 Metres and 12.88 g/t Over 0.6 Metres





TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Signal Gold Inc. ("Signal Gold" or the "Company") (TSX:SGNL)(OTCQX:SGNLF) is pleased to announce the final diamond drill results from the Company's growth exploration program at the Goldboro Project in Nova Scotia ("Goldboro", or the "Project"). The remaining diamond drill results are from 3,813 metres of drilling in 19 diamond drill holes that targeted near surface gold mineralization west of the Goldboro Mineral Resource and immediately to the east of the past producing Dolliver Mountain Gold Mine* ("Dolliver Mountain") (Exhibit A). The results included thirteen (13) instances of visible gold and 74 separate intersections of gold mineralization (Exhibits B and C), all located within the same anticline which hosts the Goldboro Deposit. These drill results are part of the larger growth exploration program in 2023 which comprised 11,435 metres in 61 diamond drill holes, focused on the discovery of gold mineralization to the west and along strike of the Goldboro Mineral Resource.

"We are excited to announce these final drill results which, together with those previously released, conclusively demonstrate continuous gold mineralization along a strike length of 1.1 kilometres between the western extent of the Goldboro Deposit and the past producing Dolliver Mountain Mine, bringing the total strike length of known mineralization to 3.4 kilometres. This provides further confidence in the scalability of the Goldboro Deposit as well as in our exploration model and approach to gold discovery, which can be applied to 51 kilometres of strike extent along the combined Goldboro and Lower Seal Harbour trends. Our expanded and prospective land package of 27,200 hectares provides the opportunity to make additional discoveries in the Goldboro Gold District and to leverage the planned mine and mill infrastructure at Goldboro."

~ Kevin Bullock, President and CEO, Signal Gold Inc.

Selected composited highlights (core length) from the current drill holes include:

76.31 g/t gold over 0.5 metres (111.0 to 111.5 metres) in hole BR-23-436;

12.88 g/t gold over 0.6 metres (157.4 to 158 metes) in hole BR-23-439;

7.73 g/t gold over 1.0 metres (17.6 to 18.6 metres) in hole BR-23-438;

2.10 g/t gold over 3.8 metres (140.1 to 143.9 metres) in hole BR-23-437, including 4.67 g/t gold over 1.0 metres; and

1.33 g/t gold over 3.0 metres (177.0 to 180.0 metres) in hole BR-23-433 including 2.75 g/t gold over 0.6 metres

The drill results from these 19 diamond drill holes (BR-23-415, 418, 420, 422 to 426, 429 to 439) further demonstrate that the geological environment at Dolliver Mountain is similar to the Goldboro Deposit, with gold mineralization associated with multiple stacked argillite and quartz vein zones typically containing pyrite and arsenopyrite. This system is folded into the upright Upper Seal Harbour Anticline and plunges gently to the east (approximately 200). It is the occurrence of pyrite and arsenopyrite associated with the alteration assemblage and gold mineralization that produces the Induced Polarization chargeability anomalies that were targeted during the growth exploration program.

Drilling tested the host anticline to a vertical depth of 230 metres, and mineralization continues to be open to the west and at depth. Importantly, the intersection of gold mineralization at Dolliver Mountain also highlights the potential for further discovery of gold down-plunge and beneath the currently defined Goldboro Deposit below 550 vertical metres, presently the deepest drilling to date. (Exhibit D).

*Operations began at the Dolliver Mountain Gold Mine in 1901 and the operation ceased in 1904.

Exhibit A. A map showing the location of the conceptual West and East pits of the Goldboro Project and the location of the past producing Dolliver Mountain Gold Mine to the west. Also shown is the trend of the host structure to the Goldboro Deposit and its demonstrated westerly extension as shown by a recently completed Induced Polarization ("IP") Geophysical survey.

Exhibit B. A plan map showing the location of drill holes BR-23-415, 418, 420, 422-426, 429-439, over a 450 metres strike east of the past-producing Dolliver Mountain Mine.

Exhibit C. A vertical longitudinal section through the west end of the Goldboro Deposit and including the area of the recent drill program. The drill program demonstrates that the structure that hosts the Goldboro Deposit and the same style of alteration and mineralization exist west of previous drill sections showing that the Deposit has the potential to be expanded westward. Potential mineralized belts are shown as currently interpreted.

Exhibit D. A schematic vertical longitudinal section, looking north, showing the 3.4-kilometre strike of known gold mineralization between and inclusive of Dolliver Mountain and the Goldboro Deposit. The drill results from Dolliver Mountain are significant in that they demonstrate potential for discovery of additional gold mineralization down-plunge to the east beneath the current defined Goldboro Deposit.

A table of selected composited assay results from the drill program

Drillhole From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Gold (g/t) Visible Gold BR-23-415 154.9 155.6 0.7 0.60 and 171.0 171.5 0.5 1.16 and 178.6 179.1 0.5 2.85 and 189.7 190.7 1.0 3.36 VG and 212.0 214.1 2.1 0.92 VG incl. 213.1 216.6 0.5 2.82 BR-23-418 31.5 32.0 0.5 2.71 and 150.1 151.1 1.0 0.57 BR-23-420 78.0 78.5 0.5 0.97 and 83.0 84.0 1.0 0.90 and 90.9 91.9 1.0 1.77 and 113.2 114.2 1.0 0.84 and 119.4 120.0 0.6 0.80 and 114.1 144.6 0.5 3.49 and 173.5 174.0 0.5 0.80 and 214.1 216.4 2.3 1.07 BR-23-422 71.0 72.0 1.0 0.67 VG and 82.2 82.7 0.5 2.65 VG and 126.8 127.8 1.0 0.96 and 211.9 212.4 0.5 0.69 BR-23-423 46.2 46.7 0.5 0.85 BR-23-424 114.0 115.0 1.0 3.49 VG BR-23-425 47.8 48.8 1.0 3.06 and 71.1 72.8 1.7 1.13 and 94.0 94.5 0.5 0.66 and 136.3 136.8 0.5 2.35 and 139.9 140.9 1.0 4.13 VG and 147.5 148.5 1.0 0.52 and 216.0 216.9 0.9 1.39 BR-23-426 44.4 44.9 0.5 0.59 BR-23-429 93.0 93.5 0.5 1.36 and 97.4 98.4 1.0 0.60 and 134.0 135.0 1.0 0.87 VG and 136.9 137.5 0.6 0.72 and 173.0 173.5 0.5 2.45 BR-23-430 61.3 61.8 0.5 1.53 VG and 103.6 104.6 1.0 0.51 BR-23-431 36.2 37.2 1.0 2.25 and 156.9 157.9 0.7 0.52 and 178.0 178.5 0.5 0.73 BR-23-432 44.9 45.4 0.5 1.93 and 144.4 145.4 1.0 1.46 and 190.0 190.5 0.5 0.97 and 194.7 195.3 0.6 0.60 BR-23-433 47.4 48.0 0.6 0.99 and 93.0 94.0 1.0 0.91 and 177.0 180.0 3.0 1.33 VG incl. 179.4 180.0 0.6 2.75 BR-23-434 102.4 103.5 1.1 1.60 and 131.6 132.4 0.8 2.13 VG and 200.9 201.5 0.6 1.78 BR-23-435 62.0 62.5 0.5 5.49 and 123.1 124.6 1.5 1.53 incl. 123.1 123.6 0.5 3.03 and 154.7 155.2 0.5 6.53 BR-23-436 35.3 35.8 0.5 0.69 and 36.8 37.4 0.6 0.51 and 41.5 42.0 0.5 1.03 and 96.6 97.2 0.6 1.76 and 111.0 111.5 0.5 76.31 VG and 129.0 129.5 0.5 0.57 and 135.6 136.2 0.6 6.97 VG BR-23-437 84.1 84.6 0.5 2.09 and 89.1 89.6 0.5 9.46 and 95.1 95.6 0.5 0.54 and 96.1 96.8 0.7 0.62 and 140.1 143.9 3.8 2.10 incl. 140.1 141.4 1.0 4.67 and 193.9 194.9 1.0 0.77 VG BR-23-438 17.6 18.6 1.0 7.73 and 21.2 22.2 1.0 1.13 and 54.5 55.5 1.0 3.00 and 57.4 58.4 1.0 0.86 BR-23-439 157.4 158.0 0.6 12.88

Footnotes:

Intervals are reported as core length only. True widths are estimated to be between 70% and 100% of the core length.

All drill hole results are reported using fire assay only. See notes on QAQC procedures at the bottom of this press release.

Drill holes were oriented along a north-south trend with holes on the north limb of the hosting anticlinal structure drilled southward and holes located south of the anticlinal structure drilled northward. The dip of holes is dependent upon the location relative to the anticline with the goal of intersecting mineralized zones orthogonally.

All samples and the resultant composites referred to in this release are collected using QA/QC protocols including the regular insertion of standards and blanks within the sample batch for analysis and check assays of select samples. All samples quoted in this release were analyzed at Eastern Analytical Ltd. in Springdale, NL, for Au by fire assay (30 g) with an AA finish.

All assays in this press release are reported as fire assays only. For samples analyzing greater than 0.5 g/t Au via 30 g fire assay, these samples will be re-analyzed at Eastern Analytical Ltd. via total pulp metallics. For the total pulp metallics analysis, the entire sample is crushed to -10mesh and pulverized to 95% -150mesh. The total sample is then weighed and screened to 150mesh. The +150mesh fraction is fire assayed for Au, and a 30 g subsample of the -150mesh fraction analyzed via fire assay. A weighted average gold grade is calculated for the final reportable gold grade. Total pulp metallics assays for drill holes sited within this press release may be updated in a future news release.

This news release has been reviewed and approved by Paul McNeill, P.Geo., VP Exploration with Signal Gold Inc., a "Qualified Person", under National Instrument 43-101 Standard for Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

ABOUT SIGNAL GOLD

Signal Gold is advancing the Goldboro Gold Project in Nova Scotia, a significant growth project subject to a positive Feasibility Study which demonstrates an approximately 11-year open pit life of mine ("LOM") with average gold production of 100,000 ounces per annum and an average diluted grade of 2.26 grams per tonne gold. (Please see the NI 43-101 Technical Report and Feasibility Study for the Goldboro Gold Project, Eastern Goldfields District, Nova Scotia' on January 11, 2022, for further details). On August 3, 2022, the Goldboro Project received its environmental assessment approval from the Nova Scotia Minister of Environment and Climate Change, a significant regulatory milestone, and the Company has now submitted all key permits including the Industrial Approval, Fisheries Act Authorization and Schedule II Amendment, and the Mining and Crown Land Leases. The Goldboro Project has significant potential for further Mineral Resource expansion, particularly towards the west along strike and at depth, and the Company has consolidated 27,200 hectares (~272 km2) of prospective exploration land in the Goldboro Gold District.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

Signal Gold Inc.

Kevin Bullock

President and CEO

(647) 388-1842

[email protected] Reseau ProMarket Inc.

Dany Cenac Robert

Investor Relations

(514) 722-2276 x456

[email protected]

SOURCE: Signal Gold Inc.

8 february 2024 at 07:00

View the original press release on accesswire.comNews published onand distributed by:
MGI Named a Finalist in the 2024 Edison Awardstm for Innovative DNBSEQ-T20x2* Gene Sequencer





SHENZHEN, China, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MGI Tech, a company committed to building core tools and technology to lead life science, today announced its nomination as a finalist for the 2024 Edison Awardstm in the "Health, Medical & Biotech" category for the outstanding innovation and distinguished impact of its DNBSEQ-T20x2* gene sequencer.

Established in 1987, the Edison Awardstm is as one of the oldest and most esteemed technology honors globally. Named after the American inventor Thomas Edison and known as "the Oscars of tech," this prestigious event has previously recognized the achievements of luminaries, such as General Motors, SpaceX, LG Electronics USA and Logitech, for their exceptional contribution to service development and innovation.

All nominations are reviewed by the Edison Awards Steering Committee and a Panel of Judges. The panel is comprised of more than 3,000 industry experts, senior business executives and academics from the fields of product development, design, engineering, science, marketing, and education, as well as past winners. The "Health, Medical & Biotech" category, in particular, honors products and services that have made a profound impact on patients and healthcare providers.

MGI's revolutionary DNBSEQ-T20x2* ultra-high-throughput sequencer has been in the limelight since its launch in February 2023 for successfully lowering genome sequencing costs to below $100 per genome. This breakthrough enables sequencing of a greater number of samples, or a more in-depth, informative, and accurate analysis per sample.

The commercial success of DNBSEQ-T20x2* has not only elevated sequencing capabilities, but also propelled global scientific discoveries by doubling the efficiency of DNA sequencing. With its ultra-high throughput and excellent cost-efficiency, the sequencer is contributing to the development of the global genetic industry and driving progress in understanding the human genome and medical applications.

Following its launch, DNBSEQ-T202* has gained widespread adoption among globally leading research institutions and healthcare providers, including corporate orders by Shanghai-based JMDNA Biomedical Technology Co., Ltd and Prepaire Labs, a healthcare technology company in Abu Dhabi. DNBSEQ-T202* has also garnered numerous awards, including the 2023 R&D 100 Awards, BEYOND Healthcare Innovation Award, 2023 BioTech Breakthrough Awards, and 2023 Globee Awards, for its cutting-edge innovation.

The Edison Awardstm Gala is scheduled to take place on April 18 in Fort Myers, Florida, where results will be announced.

About MGI

MGI Tech Co. Ltd. (or its subsidiaries, together referred to MGI), headquartered in Shenzhen, is committed to building core tools and technology to lead life science through intelligent innovation. Based on its proprietary technology, MGI focuses on research & development, production and sales of sequencing instruments, reagents, and related products to support life science research, agriculture, precision medicine and healthcare. MGI is a leading producer of clinical high-throughput gene sequencers*, and its multi-omics platforms include genetic sequencing*, medical imaging, and laboratory automation. MGI's mission is to develop and promote advanced life science tools for future healthcare. For more information, please visit the MGI website or connect with us on Twitter , LinkedIn or YouTube .

*For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

About Edison Awardstm

Established in 1987, the Edison Awards are dedicated to recognizing, honoring and fostering innovations and innovators. Named after Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931), the annual competition honors excellence in new product and service development, marketing, design and innovation. Past award recipients include Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, and leaders of global corporations such as Coca-Cola, Genentech, General Electric, General Motors, IBM and Campbell Soup Co. In 2021, the Edison Awards introduced the inaugural Lewis Latimer Fellowship program designed to celebrate, connect and bring together a community of innovative Black thought leaders. For more information, visit www.edisonawards.com .

SOURCE MGI

8 february 2024 at 08:00

News published onand distributed by:
HarrisX Hires Industry Experts in Washington DC, Positions Itself for 2024 Election Year Growth





Dom Bartkus to lead Washington D.C. market as Senior Vice President and Managing Director; joins the Stagwell (STGW) firm from the Technology and Corporate Reputation practices of Burson, Cohn and Wolfe and PSB Research.

Gabriela Schulte to lead external and media engagements as Vice President of Communications and Marketing and Head of Data Journalism; was formerly a journalist and Executive Producer at The Hill TV.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- HarrisX, a leading global research consultancy that conducts market research, public policy polling, and social impact studies in more than 40 countries around the world, today announced the expansion of its Washington D.C. office, positioning itself for further growth during the 2024 election.

Dom Bartkus joins HarrisX as a Senior Vice President and Managing Director leading the Washington, DC market. Bartkus most recently served as a Senior Vice President of Issues, Crisis and Public Affairs Communications at Burson Cohn & Wolfe (BCW). Bartkus's tenure at BCW included three years spent in the UAE where he led the company's technology communications practice across the Middle East, and prior to BCW Bartkus held key roles at Penn Schoen Berland and Lake Research Partners, two leading DC-based polling firms. Dom has advised leading global companies, NGOs, political campaigns and high-level government officials across four continents. His areas of expertise include corporate reputation, executive positioning, messaging development and crisis communications.

Gabriela Schulte joins HarrisX as Vice President of Marketing and Communications, and Head of Data Journalism. An accomplished journalist and producer, Schulte joins from The Hill and Hill.TV ? the newspaper and digital media company that commands one of the largest online audiences in the United States. There, she most recently served asthe Executive Producer of Rising, The Hill's flagship digital news and debate show,. Prior to that, Schulte oversaw the development of the data-driven political show "What America's Thinking."

"HarrisX's work in the areas of corporate reputation, public affairs, media and social impact has grown by triple digits since the 2020 election cycle, when HarrisX was the most accurate research house and pollster in the country," said Dritan Nesho, Founder and CEO of HarrisX. "We are doubling down on the accomplishments of the last several years with continued investments in industry experts; Dom and Gabi bring incredible range to the organization as we deliver first-class and multi-disciplinary strategy, policy and communications expertise to Fortune 100 companies navigating today's complex stakeholder landscape and the intersection of business and politics."

"HarrisX is a leading research company that advises some of the most iconic global brands and well-respected organizations," said Dom Bartkus. "I am thrilled to join this dynamic and high-growth team and leverage my experience in strategic research and communications to help further grow the company and lead our Washington D.C., office. "

"I am excited to join the HarrisX team during this transformative phase. The world needs more evidence-driven and transparent insights that not only educate the landscape of business and politics but also contribute positively and significantly to social impact and the ongoing transformation driven by new technologies," said Gabi Schulte. "As society navigates through a pivotal time, we will delve deep into emerging trends, unafraid of pushing the boundaries of conventional narratives, and ensuring that our data-first approach remains at the forefront of informing critical conversations and decisions. To me that is what epitomizes HarrisX and I look forward to expanding and scaling that formula."

Bartkus and Schulte join a team of over 75 research consultants, campaign and corporate strategists, and policy and technology experts across offices in Washington D.C., New York City, Tampa, Toronto, London and Singapore with in-house research know-how that represents perspectives from over 20 nationalities and regularly support a wide array of Fortune 100 companies with global footprints. For more information visit: www.harrisx.com

About HarrisX

HarrisX is a leading global research consultancy that regularly conducts major market research, public policy polling and social science studies and consulting engagements in more than 40 countries around the world. It is a proud member of Stagwell Global (STGW). (Learn more at www.harrisx.com.)

About Stagwell Inc.

Stagwell is the challenger network built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world's most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our 13,000+ specialists in 34+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for their clients. (Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.)

CONTACT:

Gabriela Schulte

[email protected]

SOURCE Stagwell Inc.

8 february 2024 at 08:07

News published onand distributed by:
Hitachi Vantara Federal Enacted as Member of NIST U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium





Hitachi Vantara Federal, the trusted leader in mission-centric data solutions for the Federal Government, is proud to announce its collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as part of the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute Consortium (AISIC). Together with fellow industry leaders, Hitachi Vantara Federal will help to establish a new measurement science that will enable the identification of proven, scalable, and interoperable measurements and methodologies to promote the development of trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) and its responsible use. This will help ready the U.S. to address the capabilities of the next generation of AI models or systems, from frontier models to new applications and approaches, with appropriate risk management strategies.

"The U.S. government has a significant role to play in setting the standards and developing the tools we need to mitigate the risks and harness the immense potential of artificial intelligence. President Biden directed us to pull every lever to accomplish two key goals: set safety standards and protect our innovation ecosystem. That's precisely what the U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium is set up to help us do," said Secretary Raimondo. "Through President Biden's landmark Executive Order, we will ensure America is at the front of the pack ? and by working with this group of leaders from industry, civil society, and academia, together we can confront these challenges to develop the measurements and standards we need to maintain America's competitive edge and develop AI responsibly."

Gary Hix, chief technology officer at Hitachi Vantara Federal says, "We are proud to be members of this consortium for several reasons. Together, we are able to join forces with visionary leaders and organizations, sharing our expertise and resources in AI to drive meaningful impact, innovation, and safety. This consortium embodies our commitment to collaboration, pushing boundaries and powering good for government and society."

NIST does not evaluate commercial products under this Consortium and does not endorse any product or service used. Additional information on this Consortium can be found at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/11/02/2023-24216/artificial-intelligence-safety-institute-consortium

About Hitachi Vantara Federal

Hitachi Vantara Federal is the trusted leader in mission-centric data solutions for the Federal government. We're a collaborative, full-service company with longstanding OT/IT roots. We empower data-driven insight with a deep bench of integrated partners ? advancing Federal customer missions regardless of their data maturity levels. Hitachi Vantara Federal is a FOCI-mitigated subsidiary of Hitachi Vantara. Visit us at hitachivantarafederal.com.

About Hitachi Vantara

Hitachi Vantara is transforming the way data fuels innovation. A wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., Hitachi Vantara provides the data foundation the world's leading innovators rely on. Through data storage, infrastructure systems, cloud management and digital expertise, the company helps customers build the foundation for sustainable business growth. To learn more, visit www.hitachivantara.com.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the business structure of "Digital Systems & Services" - supporting our customers' digital transformation; "Green Energy & Mobility" - contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and "Connective Industries" - connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2022 (ended March 31, 2023) totaled 10,881.1 billion yen, with 696 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi.com.

8 february 2024 at 11:20

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Jeep Grand Cherokee Earns Back-to-back MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Award





AUBURN HILLS, Mich. , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

Grand Cherokee wins Best Midsize Utility for second year in a row for its on- and off-road capability and extensive model lineup, including plug-in hybrid Grand Cherokee 4xe and three-row Grand Cherokee L

Grand Cherokee 4xe represents the most technologically advanced and 4x4-capable Jeep Grand Cherokee yet, delivering 375 hp, 470 lb.-ft. of torque, 25 miles of all-electric range and 56 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe)

With extended 121.7-inch wheelbase, three-row Grand Cherokee L delivers seating for up to seven, class-leading second-row legroom and maximum cargo space of 84.6 cu. ft.

Grand Cherokee lineup delivers refined on-road driving dynamics and unrivaled capability, courtesy of three 4x4 systems ? Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is the winner of Best Midsize Utility vehicle in the 2024 MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Awards, earning the honor for the second consecutive year.

"The Jeep Grand Cherokee is our back-to-back winner as Best Midsize Utility of the year," said John Davis, creator and host of MotorWeek. "We are convinced that the Grand Cherokee lineup can handle just about anything adventure-loving families can throw at it! After existing for decades as a rough-around-the-edges, take-it-or-leave-it SUV, the fifth-generation Grand Cherokee arrived with all kinds of surprises, including an extended L version with three rows of seating, and even an available 4xe plug-in powertrain. That PHEV Grand Cherokee is not only proving to be very popular, but it adds serious breath to Jeep's already substantial environmental posture. For a brand that survived on tradition for many years, the Grand Cherokee makes a truly modern statement by all measures."

Now in its 43rd season as TV's and digital media's original automotive magazine series, MotorWeek holds the annual Drivers' Choice competition to evaluate vehicles based on driving performance, technology, practicality, fuel efficiency and value.

"To have MotorWeek recognize the Jeep Grand Cherokee as Best Midsize Utility for the second-straight year as part of its prestigious 2024 MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Awards is especially rewarding as it gives third-party validation that we're delivering the best, most capable and most awarded SUV ever to our customers," said William Peffer, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee's 4xe plug-in hybrid electric vehicle technology enhances the fun, freedom and adventure that the Jeep brand is known for, while providing unprecedented performance, fuel economy and environmental friendliness:

Three selectable driving modes: Electric, Hybrid and e-Save

25 miles of all-electric range and 56 MPGe

375 hp and 470 lb.-ft. of torque

Quadra-Trac II 4x4 system with two-speed transfer case and 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio

47.4:1 crawl ratio

6,000-lbs. max towing capability

Trail Rated Grand Cherokee 4xe delivers up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance and 24 inches of water fording with water-sealed battery pack

The 2024 Grand Cherokee L expands the Grand Cherokee family into the popular three-row segment, delivering exceptional performance, comfort and functionality while continuing Grand Cherokee's legacy as the most awarded and celebrated SUV ever, with legendary 4x4 capability, on-road refinement, and premium styling and craftsmanship inside and out. Built on an advanced architecture, the three-row Grand Cherokee offers spacious seating capacity for up to seven passengers, individual climate zones throughout the cabin and advanced safety and next-gen technologies, including night vision, rear-seat monitoring camera, power-folding third row and a premium 19-speaker McIntosh audio system. With the available class-exclusive 5.7-liter V-8 powertrain, Grand Cherokee L delivers best-in-class max towing capacity up to 7,200 pounds.

The 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the most technologically advanced and 4x4-capable Jeep Grand Cherokee yet. This fifth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee brings a purpose-built architecture, plug-in hybrid powertrain, three-row L model, iconic design with world-class craftsmanship and first-to-market technologies to the full-size SUV segment.

Jeep Brand

Built on more than 80 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV brand that delivers legendary off-road capability, interior refinement, high-tech features and versatility to people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a broad portfolio of vehicles that continues to provide owners with a sense of safety and security to handle any journey with confidence. Jeep Wave, a premium owner loyalty and customer care program that is available to the entire Jeep 4x4 lineup, is filled with benefits and exclusive perks to deliver Jeep brand owners the utmost care and dedicated 24/7 support. The legendary Jeep brand's off-road capability is enhanced by a global electrification initiative that is transforming 4xe into the new 4x4 in pursuit of the brand's vision of accomplishing Zero Emission Freedom and added 4x4 capability. All Jeep brand vehicles will offer an electrified variant by 2025.

Follow Jeep and company news and video on:

Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Jeep brand: www.jeep.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeep

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeep

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jeep

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/jeep

YouTube: www.youtube.com/thejeepchannel or https://www.youtube.com/StellantisNA

For more information, please visit the Stellantis media site for North America at https://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com.

Contact:

Ron Kiino

(248) 944-0641 (office)

(248) 202-9291 (cell)

[email protected]

Kristin Starnes

(248) 512-0889 (office)

(248) 202-9906 (cell)

[email protected]

SOURCE Stellantis

8 february 2024 at 12:00

News published onand distributed by:
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. Women's participation was notable in Azerbaijan's presidential election, said the representative of the Brazilian parliament, Carlos Viana, during a briefing on the monitoring results of Azerbaijan's extraordinary presidential election, Trend reports.

Viana expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for allowing him to observe the presidential election.

"We noted significant female participation in the election, which holds particular importance for Brazil. The involvement of women and youth in electoral processes is crucial. Azerbaijan, being a young nation, actively engages its youth in political affairs," Viana added.

Note that the extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7, and seven candidates ran in the election.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The other contenders: Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev received 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa received two percent, Elshad Musayev received 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev received 1.76 percent, and Fuad Aliyev received 0.53 percent of the votes.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Audubon Appoints Melissa McLean as Director of Marketing & Communications





Audubon Engineering Company (Audubon), a leading engineering, procurement, construction (EPC), fabrication, and technical services provider, announced today the appointment of Melissa McLean to the position of Director of Marketing & Communications, reporting to Chief Commercial Officer Jeffrey Gernon, PE.

Based in Houston, Melissa has highly diversified marketing, branding, and communications experience spanning 25 years in global EPC disciplines. In her new role, Melissa will lead the strategic direction and implementation of all external and internal communications to elevate the Audubon brand, deliver sales enablement tools and media, and promote engagement through customer-centric, data-driven marketing.

Marketing alignment with EPC growth strategy

The appointment of McLean to Director of Marketing & Communications supports Audubon's continued growth across the energy, power, environmental, and industrial sectors. The EPC firm's business has expanded considerably in the last two years, evidenced by a corporate office upgrade, two prestigious ENR awards, and the addition of many new service offerings for customers in a wide variety of markets. With more than two decades leading diverse creative teams, managing EPC brands, and producing impactful communications, Melissa is well-positioned to align Audubon's multidisciplinary capabilities with its marketing execution.

"Our executive team is thrilled to have Melissa join the Audubon family," said CCO Jeffrey Gernon. "Appointing a new director for marketing isn't something we took lightly. How we communicate our brand and our solutions is key for our continued success. Melissa is a proven talent and an inspiring leader who will certainly take our marketing activities to the next level."

Melissa remarked, "I am excited to become part of the Audubon team and lead its marketing group. There is enormous opportunity for marketing to contribute meaningfully to the company's business development goals and global EPC strategy. I am eager to partner with leadership, stakeholders, and especially the dedicated marketing team to communicate Audubon's voice and value better than ever."

Creative talent & EPC communications veteran

Having led marketing teams and successful communications campaigns at several global EPC firms over the last 25 years, Melissa is a marketing force in the energy and industrial arena. She has a strong background in creating and maintaining brands, developing campaigns, assembling account-based marketing programs, and executing strategy across media. Notable roles include Director of Account-Based Marketing, Director of Strategic Marketing, and Global Marketing Director. In her leadership, Melissa focuses on relationship-building and connecting with stakeholders to find creative solutions. She holds a BBA from Baylor University and is a Professional Certified Marketer and Certified Digital Marketing Professional.

About Audubon

Founded in 1997, Audubon Engineering Company LLC is a group of affiliate companies providing EPC, consulting, fabrication, and technical field services to the energy, power, infrastructure, and industrial markets. With proven industry experience, innovative technologies, and data-driven insight, the Audubon group of companies delivers sustainable solutions to build a better tomorrow.

Professional surveying and engineering services are only offered and performed in the states in which Audubon Field Solutions LLC or Audubon Engineering Company LP is licensed to offer or perform those services.

8 february 2024 at 14:35

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One of the Most Advanced Specialty Pharmacies in the Region Opens in Westchester, Accelerating Access to Life Altering Medications





BRONX, N.Y., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Montefiore Health System unveiled its new Montefiore Specialty Pharmacy in Westchester, one of the largest and most technologically advanced hospital-owned specialty pharmacies in the Tri-State area. The 17,000 square-foot facility provides complex and high-cost medications to people with rare and chronic conditions and is tackling financial barriers?establishing a new standard of care in the region.

Specialty pharmacies provide medications that have specific requirements for medication storage, dosing and management. First emerging in the 1970s, specialty pharmacies have experienced tremendous growth in recent years, with increasing rates of chronic conditions and intricate treatments that may require unique refrigeration and compounding capabilities.

Montefiore Specialty Pharmacy is comprised of a dedicated pharmacy team who advocate for patients, ensuring timely prescription fulfillment and medication management for individuals with a wide range of conditions including cancer, rheumatologic, neurologic and immune disorders, as well as gastrointestinal and other inflammatory diseases.

Key factors that distinguish Montefiore Specialty Pharmacy include:

Convenient options to fulfill prescriptions including direct shipping to the patient's home or easy in person pick-up

A multidose packaging system with a camera counter that confirms prescription amounts for quality control

A best-in-class refrigerator room to safeguard temperature sensitive medications

Access to a pharmacist 24/7 via phone to support both patients and providers

Low average copays for patients; approximately $13 compared to the industry benchmark of $131

This new site is Montefiore's second specialty pharmacy location. Its first specialty pharmacy, located at its Henry and Lucy Moses Division in the Bronx, opened in 2019.

"Our new specialty pharmacy is designed to be an extension of a patient's care team," said Steven Tuckman, M.B.A., director, Community and Specialty Pharmacy Operations, Montefiore. "Before dispensing medications, our clinical pharmacists communicate with our patients to help ensure they understand their treatment regimens and possible side effects. This same team follows up to confirm that medications are taken as prescribed, and by having a 24/7 answering service, we can be a resource at any hour."

Tuckman projects that nearly 100,000 scripts will be filled in the first year, primarily from the Bronx and Westchester, with plans to expand.

Enhancing Experiences for Patients & Providers

Chronic disease exacts a significant toll on the health and well-being of New Yorkers. More than 40 percent of New York adults suffer from at least one chronic disease, making medication management vital. Childhood rates of chronic health problems including asthma and diabetes have also been on the rise.

The Montefiore Specialty Pharmacy team is charged with enabling faster delivery of prescriptions as well as securing insurance authorizations for time-sensitive medications, alleviating time and stress from patients and providers alike.

"The specialty pharmacy has already made a tremendous impact on my ability to deliver the highest quality care to my patients who have cancer," says Ioannis Mantzaris, M.D., leukemia and blood cancer specialist at Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center. "Before the specialty pharmacy opened, my clinical team and I used to spend roughly three hours per drug for each patient to secure insurance authorizations. Now, this team is enabling more of my patients to access important first-line therapies, and they have given me great peace of mind knowing my patients are getting the prescriptions they need."

Focused on improving access to care and treatments, last year Montefiore helped secure $45.7 million in financial assistance for patient prescriptions by identifying programs available from outside organizations.

"We're always searching for opportunities across the health system to better support the community," said Susan Green-Lorenzen, R.N. M.S.N., system senior vice president of operations at Montefiore. "Just because someone has cancer does not mean their other chronic illnesses like heart disease or inflammatory diseases go away. This new specialty pharmacy brings us one step closer toward making sure people with the most complicated conditions get the very best and most comprehensive care, easier and faster than ever before."

About Montefiore Health System

Montefiore Health System is one of New York's premier academic health systems. It is a recognized leader in providing exceptional quality and personalized, accountable care to approximately three million people in communities across the Bronx, Westchester, and the Hudson Valley. It comprises ten hospitals, including the Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, and over two hundred outpatient ambulatory care sites. The advanced clinical and translational research at its medical school, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, directly informs patient care and improves outcomes. From the Montefiore-Einstein Centers of Excellence in cancer, cardiology and vascular care, pediatrics, and transplantation, to its preeminent school-based health program, Montefiore is a fully integrated healthcare delivery system providing coordinated, comprehensive care to patients and their families. For more information, please visit www.montefiore.org. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, or view us on Facebook and YouTube.

SOURCE Montefiore Health System

8 february 2024 at 15:31

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Jackson Honored for Creative and Effective Marketing and Communications Content in 2023





The Distribution Marketing team at Jackson National Life Distributors LLC (JNLD), the marketing and distribution business of Jackson National Life Insurance Company (Jackson)1, received several awards in 2023 showcasing the company's marketing and creative services. The team was recognized for its development and execution of Jackson's inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, bank referral campaign and product kit materials and system by the Financial Community Society (FCS) Portfolio Awards, The Stevies: American Business Awards and Awards for Public Excellence (APEX) Awards.

Specific awards Jackson earned in each program include the following:

Three awards in the FCS Portfolio Awards program which celebrates the most creative financial marketing and communications efforts across the industry: Silver, Print Collateral, Business-to-Business: Outreach for Growth ? bank referral marketing campaign Silver, Digital Collateral, Corporate Image: 2021 ESG Report (published in May 2022) Bronze, Print Collateral, Consumer Retail: Product kit system

Two awards from The Stevies: American Business Awards which honor the achievements and positive contributions of organizations: Gold, Publication Awards, Best Marketing or Sales Brochure or Kit: Product kit system Bronze, Publication Awards, Other Publication ? Company: 2021 ESG Report

One award in the APEX Awards program which recognizes organizations for best writing, publications, campaigns, programs, design and media: One-of-a-kind Publications, Electronic: 2021 ESG Report



"It is an honor to receive this recognition, which demonstrates how Jackson's publications and marketing efforts are designed to deliver effective communication to shareholders, financial professionals and retirement savers," said Aileen Herndon, Senior Vice President, Distribution Marketing at JNLD. "At Jackson, we are committed to making retirement clearer for everyone. In support of this, our team designs marketing collateral that is creative, informative and easy to understand, adding value to our relationships with our distribution partners. I'm proud to lead a team that understands the impact of providing relevant materials that financial professionals and their clients can rely on to help them prepare for their financial futures."

Highlights of the material recognized include:

Jackson's inaugural ESG Report was released following the company's transition to an independent, public company and highlights how Jackson's values drive its efforts to positively impact the environment, communities and company stakeholders in an engaging and understandable way.

The product kit system includes a variety of marketing pieces providing features and use cases for the range of products offered by Jackson. The kits enable the company's wholesalers to easily package the right information at the appropriate level of detail for each of their financial professional partners, in an effort to address their clients' unique needs. The Jackson-branded product kits add clarity to the retirement planning conversation, making product information easier to understand.

Jackson's Outreach for Growth bank referral program offers resources for bank teams to build their business, strengthen customer retention and support their customers' financial goals. The program seeks to simplify the process of generating referrals through banks and help develop meaningful relationships with clients by encouraging deeper conversations about financial and retirement needs. The campaign includes a program overview, discussion guide, training worksheet, referral page and thank you card for bank managers, financial professionals and bank associates, making it easier for the whole team to get involved.

ABOUT JACKSON

Jackson (NYSE: JXN) is committed to helping clarify the complexity of retirement planning?for financial professionals and their clients. Through our range of annuity products, financial know-how, history of award-winning service* and streamlined experiences, we strive to reduce the confusion that complicates retirement planning. We take a balanced, long-term approach to responsibly serving all our stakeholders, including customers, shareholders, distribution partners, employees, regulators and community partners. We believe by providing clarity for all today, we can help drive better outcomes for tomorrow. For more information, visit www.jackson.com.

*SQM (Service Quality Measurement Group) Contact Center Awards Program for 2004 and 2006-2022, for the financial services industry (To achieve world-class certification, 80% or more of call-center customers surveyed must have rated their experience as very satisfied, the highest rating possible).

Jackson is the marketing name for Jackson Financial Inc., Jackson National Life Insurance Company (Home Office: Lansing, Michigan) and Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York (Home Office: Purchase, New York).

1 Jackson National Life Insurance Company (Jackson) is the main operating subsidiary of Jackson Financial Inc. (NYSE: JXN). Jackson Financial Inc. is a U.S. holding company and the direct parent of Jackson Holdings LLC (JHLLC). The wholly-owned direct and indirect subsidiaries of JHLLC include Jackson National Life Insurance Company, Brooke Life Insurance Company, PPM America, Inc. and Jackson National Asset Management, LLC.

8 february 2024 at 16:10

News published onand distributed by:
More than 30 people have been prosecuted arising from an operation targeting so-called 'money mules' in west Limerick and Kerry.

The figures were confirmed at the launch of a new fraud awareness campaign which is being run by An Garda Siochana in partnership with 13 Credit Unions in Kerry and west Limerick to highlight the dangers of acting as a money mule.

Under Operation Mullet, gardai in the Kerry division continue to target money laundering through the bank accounts of those residing in the county and in parts of west Limerick.

This operation, they say, has already led to 32 prosecutions of those whose bank accounts were illegally used to launder up to 1.3 million in proceeds acquired through online fraud.

"Money mules are typically recruited via social media, through friends and acquaintances or while out socialising by what are known as mule herders. On some occasions it can also involve young people with drug debts who pay off such debts by allowing their accounts to be used," said a garda spokesperson.

The practice, which is common across the country, is co-ordinated and well-organised by a large criminal group. In the Tralee area of Kerry, a large number of those recruited to act as money mules were aged between 16-20 years of age.

In efforts to highlight the dangers and serious legal implications of acting as a money mule, An Garda Siochana and personnel from Credit Unions across Kerry and West Limerick will deliver presentations to all local secondary schools and colleges.

The presentation will include the first-hand personal experiences of two young people who have been prosecuted for money laundering offences.

A series of webinars will also be held to help inform parents and warn them of the dangers of their child being targeted to act as a money mule, while a joint social media campaign is aimed at increasing awareness among young people themselves and prevent them from becoming involved.

Speaking at the launch, crime prevention officer Sergeant Michael Quirke said: "We are appealing to the public, particularly younger people, to not let anyone else use their bank account for the transfer of ill-gotten gains. Youre allowing yourself to become a money mule and a money mule is a person that illegally transfers money on behalf of other people. This is a crime, it is reckless and it makes them complicit in laundering the proceeds of fraud.

"It may be sold to you as an easy, straightforward task of simply providing your bank account details in exchange for a quick buck of 100 or 200, but you cant put a price on a criminal conviction that prohibits you from so much.

Siobhan Donnelly of Cara Credit Union, added: "We are very happy to join with An Garda Siochana in their efforts to tackle money laundering and money muling. As a Credit Union, we believe in helping people and we take our social responsibility very seriously. We want to educate our members and protect our local communities across Kerry and West-Limerick from the dangers of this criminal activity. That is why its so important that we be centrally involved in this initiative, and our staff are looking forward to helping to deliver this message among young people in particular.

It's hoped that similar awareness initiatives can be rolled out in cities and towns across the country.
GARDAi in Limerick will be among the first in the country to get body-worn cameras as part of a 2.1m proof of concept project.

It comes after An Garda Siochana published a contract tender in a move to equip gardai with the technology.

The contract covers both the body-worn cameras themselves, along with software and services for gardai in Henry Street Garda Station, as well as Dublin and Waterford.

It would see a trial period in each region to see the pros and cons of the technology.

Limerick local Chief Superintendent Derek Smart said that the publication of this request for tender brings An Garda Siochana a step closer to the reality of body-worn cameras being generally used by gardai.

This proof of concept period provides an opportunity for An Garda Siochana to understand the capacity and capabilities of body-worn cameras and for the public to provide their feedback to An Garda Siochana prior to the organisation-wide rollout of body-worn cameras, he added.

In total, there will be 200 cameras provided for the Limerick scheme, with the initial use planned for roads policing units, the regular units and the community policing units.

Among the possibilities for the pilot scheme in Limerick would be a 30-second buffer, a feature where a camera provides audio footage dating back 30 seconds from the activation moment, a common feature among most police body camera models worldwide.

The Limerick pilot will also be used to consider the advantages and disadvantages of personal versus pooled used cameras, which would decide whether a camera is tied to one officer, or if the camera is passed between gardai as they swap shifts.

The tender also states that they are proposing three separate service contracts for the completion of a proof of concept - meaning Limerick will have a different service provider than Dublin or Waterford.

Under the tender, footage will be uploaded at the end of a shift so it can be used as evidence, or deleted after an agreed period if not required.
HSE chief medical officer, professor Breda Smyth has released a statement on X as she is "very concerned" Ireland is at a higher risk of a measles outbreak, following the death of a man who contracted the disease.

In the post, professor Smyth said: "We need 95% of the population to be vaccinated in order to prevent measles infection from spreading.Unfortunately, the uptake rate for the MMR vaccine in Ireland has fallen below 90% nationally and, in some counties, the rate is as low as below 80%. Also, we know from recent studies that nearly 20% of males aged 18 or 19 years do not have immunity to measles. This is particularly concerning as currently we're seeing a rise in cases in the UK and across Europe. If you're considering travelling to these areas, I would strongly urge you to ensure that you and/or your child are protected.The MMR is a safe and very effective vaccine."

There has been a confirmed death of an adult in Ireland linked to measles infection. We need to prevent as many cases, serious illnesses and deaths as possible. Please get your MMR vaccine. See https://t.co/kQT8OUIL48 pic.twitter.com/wYCXvShlhH  Chief Medical Officer (@CMOIreland) February 7, 2024

The death of the middle-aged man is the first confirmed measles case in Ireland in 2024.

There were four measles cases reported in 2023 and two in 2022.

While no cases were reported in 2021, there were five recorded in 2020, the HSE said, with no deaths reported in any of those years.

The HSEs Health Protection Surveillance Centre was notified of the mans death - in the Dublin and Midlands health region

HSE public health teams, along with the HSE measles national incident management team (IMT), are taking all necessary public health actions in relation to the case, the HSE said in a statement issued Wednesday evening.

The HSE measles IMT was established in response to a recent rise in measles cases in the UK and Europe. The HSE will keep the public informed of further measures and, in the meantime, anyone with concerns should contact their GP," added the spokesperson.

It is understood that hospital doctors and GPs in the area where the man presented as being unwell, have been notified of the case and that contact tracing is underway.

No further details regarding the man's death have been disclosed publicly.
Concern has been raised about a rise in measles, after an adult male died in Ireland in recent days.

HSE chief medical officer, professor Breda Smyth has released a statement on X as she is "very concerned" Ireland is at a higher risk of a measles outbreak, following the death of a man who contracted the disease.

In the post, professor Smyth said: "We need 95% of the population to be vaccinated in order to prevent measles infection from spreading.Unfortunately, the uptake rate for the MMR vaccine in Ireland has fallen below 90% nationally and, in some counties, the rate is as low as below 80%. Also, we know from recent studies that nearly 20% of males aged 18 or 19 years do not have immunity to measles. This is particularly concerning as currently we're seeing a rise in cases in the UK and across Europe. If you're considering travelling to these areas, I would strongly urge you to ensure that you and/or your child are protected.The MMR is a safe and very effective vaccine."

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It remains an important cause of death among young children globally, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine.

While vaccination has drastically reduced global measles deaths  a 73% drop between 2000-2018 worldwide  measles is still common in many developing countries, particularly in parts of Africa and Asia. More than 140,000 people died from measles in 2018. The overwhelming majority (more than 95%) of measles deaths occur in countries with low per capita incomes and weak health infrastructures.

Member States in all WHO Regions have adopted measles elimination goals. WHO is the lead technical agency responsible for coordination of immunization and surveillance activities supporting all countries to achieve these goals.

SYMPTOMS

Measles is transmitted via droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons. Initial symptoms, which usually appear 1012 days after infection, include high fever, a runny nose, bloodshot eyes, and tiny white spots on the inside of the mouth. Several days later, a rash develops, starting on the face and upper neck and gradually spreading downwards.

Severe measles is more likely among poorly nourished young children, especially those with insufficient vitamin A, or whose immune systems have been weakened by HIV/AIDS or other diseases. The most serious complications include blindness, encephalitis (an infection that causes brain swelling), severe diarrhoea and related dehydration, and severe respiratory infections such as pneumonia.

Cold-like symptoms such as aches and pains, a runny nose, sneezing and a cough;

Sore red eyes that may be sensitive to light;

A temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above, which may reach around 40C;

Small greyish-white spots in your mouth;

Loss of appetite;

Tiredness, irritability, and a general lack of energy;

Rash, which usually appears on head and neck first and spreads to rest of body.

TREATMENT

Routine measles vaccination for children, combined with mass immunization campaigns in countries with low routine coverage, are key public health strategies to reduce global measles deaths.

The measles vaccine has been in use since the 1960s. It is safe, effective and inexpensive. WHO recommends immunization for all susceptible children and adults for whom measles vaccination is not contraindicated. Reaching all children with 2 doses of measles vaccine, either alone, or in a measles-rubella (MR), measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) combination, should be the standard for all national immunization programmes.
New research has shown that only 3 in 10 people in Ireland fully understand what HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is, revealing a concerning lack of awareness about the virus and its link to various cancers.

In Ireland, HPV infection causes an estimated 538 cancer cases per annum in men and women, with as many as 180 people dying in Ireland each year from HPV-related cancers.

There are many different types of HPV, and most infections have no symptoms and clear naturally within two years, thanks to our own immune systems.

When HPV infection doesnt clear naturally, it becomes a problem as it could lead to certain related diseases, such as genital warts, anal cancer, and cervical cancer.

People with weakened immune systems, such as those living with HIV/AIDS, may be less able to clear HPV infections, and more likely to develop health problems from the virus.

"HPV is so common, that most sexually active men and women will have the virus at some point in their lives, which means that many of us will have it without even knowing weve had it,"Bernie Carter, Assistant Director of Nursing Services at the Marie Keating Foundation said.

"For most of us, our bodies will naturally resolve the issue over time, but for others, it can cause complications such as genital warts and even certain cancers in both men and women."

The new research was carried out by Ipsos B&A on behalf of MSD Ireland, polling a representative sample of over 1,400 people in Ireland to examine awareness and perceptions of HPV.

It comes ahead of the 2024 HPV Aware campaign launched by MSD Ireland and supported by the Irish Cancer Society, the Marie Keating Foundation and CERVIVA.

Results from the consumer research show that 62% are now aware that HPV can cause cancer, increasing steadily year-on-year, however 36% of respondents are not aware that HPV can cause certain cancers in males.

47% of respondents are not aware that HPV can cause genital warts in males and females.

Further highlighting potential knowledge gaps, over a quarter of all Irish people (26%) say that they do not know how HPV is spread from person to person, a 3% increase on the previous year.

HPV is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex, even if the infected person doesnt have any signs or symptoms.

The research shows 76% of people think that it is unlikely that they have ever had HPV in their lifetime and just 4% of people can correctly identify that HPV is extremely common.

It illustrates a continuing stagnation in awareness levels, with 34% of people saying they have no awareness that vaccines may help to prevent certain types of cancers, a 3% decline in awareness when compared with the previous year.

However the survey has revealed positive changes in public perceptions and awareness around HPV prevention, with 3 in 4 (75%) of parents saying they were aware of a vaccine to prevent HPV.

"It's incredible to think that we can prevent this from happening, and by focusing on building awareness of the virus alongside a focus on prevention, screening and treatment, we can eliminate a disease like cervical cancer," Ms Carter continued.

Despite plateauing awareness levels, there is good news which shows the positive impact of vaccination in Ireland following a recent study in the Irish Journal of Medical Science which showed nearly a 60 per cent drop in detections of pre-cancers, suggesting that Ireland is moving in the right direction to one day achieve the goal of eliminating the disease.

For more information on the National HPV Immunisation Programme please visit www.hpv.ie, and hse.ie/immunisation/hpvadults
A former British soldier is to be prosecuted for the murder of a man in Belfast in 1972, Northern Irelands Public Prosecution Service has announced.

The ex-soldier and three other veterans are also facing attempted murder counts related to incidents in the same year, the PPS said.

Soldier F is accused of the murder of Patrick McVeigh, 44, who was shot at the junction of Finaghy Road North and Riverdale Park South in the city on May 13 1972.

He will also face prosecution for the attempted murder of four other victims wounded in the same incident.

Mr McVeighs daughter Pat welcomed the news and reiterated her determination to clear her fathers name.

It was a real injustice when my father was killed He wasnt a gunman, never was, we need his name cleared, she told the BBC.

Soldier F and three other former soldiers  known as Soldiers B, C and D  are to be prosecuted for attempted murder of two victims during a shooting incident in Slievegallion Drive on May 12 1972.

The soldiers all belonged to temporary Army unit, known as the Military Reaction Force (MRF), that was operating in Belfast in 1972.

As the prosecution decisions have now been taken, the cases will not be affected by a contentious Government legacy law that will axe all future prosecutions related to the Troubles from May 1 this year.

The PPS has announced decisions on two files submitted by the PSNIs Legacy Investigation Branch following investigations into the activities of the MRF.

The second file related the actions of another MRF unit and involved an incident in which Daniel Rooney, 18, was shot dead in St Jamess Road in Belfast on September 26 1972 and a second man suffered a gunshot wound.

Police reported two former soldiers, known as Soldiers A and C, for consideration on this file, with both considered for the potential charge of murder and attempted murder.

The PPS has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to prosecute any individual for any offence.

The reasons for the decision included difficulties with the admissibility of accounts obtained from the soldiers in 1972 and the inability of a series of recent forensic examinations to provide evidence capable of resolving significant conflicts within the evidence.

Some of the anonymised letter ciphers given to the soldiers involved in the cases are the same as ones used in other historical prosecutions in Northern Ireland, such as Soldier F in the Bloody Sunday case, but they are not the same individuals.

In relation to the other incidents covered in the first file, the PPS also decided not to prosecute the one surviving suspect in relation to a shooting incident at Silvio Street on May 26 1972 in which no one was injured.

Prosecutors also decided not to prosecute one surviving suspect in relation to an incident at the Glen Road Bus Terminus on June 22 1972 in which four victims suffered gunshot wounds.

The police also investigated a shooting on the Glen Road on May 6 1972 in which one victim suffered a gunshot wound.

However, no decision was issued in that case as all the suspects are dead.

The PPS said the surviving suspects in the Silvio Street incident and the shooting at the Glen Road Bus Terminus had not discharged their weapons and there was insufficient evidence to establish that they were party to any joint enterprise with those soldiers, now deceased, who had fired.

PPS assistant director Martin Hardy said all victims and families involved in the investigations were informed of the decisions on Thursday.

Regardless of the differing outcomes in relation to each incident examined, we in the PPS recognise that this is a painful day for all victims and families involved and that they have waited a long time to reach this stage of the process, he said.

Where a decision to prosecute has been taken, I would emphasise that criminal proceedings will commence in due course and there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information which could in any way prejudice these proceedings. We will keep in touch with the relevant victims and families as these cases progress.

Where a decision not to prosecute has been taken, I can assure victims and families involved that the prosecution team, which included an independent senior barrister, considered the available evidence thoroughly, independently and impartially.

A prosecution can only be brought when the evidence presents a reasonable prospect of conviction at court for any reported individual. Each case is considered in light of its own individual facts and circumstances.

In these decisions not to prosecute, the admissibility, availability and sufficiency of evidence were key factors in reaching a conclusion that the test for prosecution was not met.

Mr Hardy said victims and families who were notified of a decision not to prosecute had received a detailed written explanation of the reasons, along with an offer to meet the prosecution team.

In November 2013 the then director of public prosecutions, Barra McGrory KC, referred the case to the PSNI for investigation following revelations in a BBC Panorama programme.
President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ersin Tatar congratulated President Ilham Aliyev on his victory in the presidential election, Azernews reports.

"I wholeheartedly congratulate Mr. Ilham Aliyev on his re-election as President of Azerbaijan following a historic victory in the elections as per preliminary results and wish all the best to fraternal Azerbaijan with the preliminary result of the election, said the President of the Northern Cyprus in his post shared on X platform.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev has been loyal to the people in many dangerous situations and he is protecting the country's interests, Director General of the Caspian Institute for Strategic Studies (Russia), Igor Korotchenko wrote on his social media account, Trend reports.

"The victory of President of the Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev was determined by the will of the people from the beginning. He has been faithful to the people in many dangerous situations and he defends the interests of the country.

The friends of Azerbaijan and heads of states congratulate President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev on his confident victory. We are happy about it too. President Ilham Aliyev is also a friend of the Russian state. Both countries will continue to be partners in political and economic plans," the publication says.

Voting in the presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05% of the votes after the processing of 93.35% of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19% of the votes, Razi Nurullayev - 0.8%, Fazil Mustafa - 2%, Elshad Musaev - 0.67%, Gudrat Hasanguliyev - 1.76%, Fuad Aliyev - 0.53% of the votes.

According to the results of an exit poll conducted by the American organization "Oracle Advisory Group" jointly with the League for the Protection of Labor Rights of Citizens, 93.9% of electors voted for Ilham Aliyev.

According to "Social Research Center" LLC, 92.4% of electors voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of "Rey" Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of electors voted for Ilham Aliyev.

With a total of 6,478,623 people on the voter list, voting took place at 6,537 polling sites across the country. Over 90,000 observers have enrolled to oversee the election.

The election took place across the entire territory of Azerbaijan, including territories recently liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Health Minister Robin Swann has insisted he is 100% committed to the job and will not be distracted by his bid for a Westminster seat.

Mr Swann acknowledged that his reappointment as a Stormont minister came as a surprise, given the UUP did not initially believe it would be able to pick the health portfolio, but he made clear he had no hesitation in taking on the role when it was offered by party leader Doug Beattie.

In an interview with the PA news agency, the North Antrim MLA acknowledged that his party will need to undertake a succession planning process to prepare for the potential of him winning the South Antrim parliamentary seat in the general election.

Mr Beattie selected Mr Swann as Minister of Health on Saturday when powersharing returned to Northern Ireland.

That move came days after the UUP announced Mr Swann would be switching constituencies to run as a candidate in South Antrim in the general election, expected later this year.

His reappointment as Health Minister has not been greeted with a universal welcome among his party colleagues.

East Belfast MLA Andy Allen posted on X, formerly Twitter, at the weekend that the party needed a minister with their full focus on the task at hand, not one eye on Westminster.

On Thursday Mr Swann insisted he could remain focused on his ministry while campaigning for a parliamentary seat.

Politicians run for elections, thats what we do, he said.

So it was never an understanding that whoever comes in as Health Minister will solve all the issues in a single term, on a single issue, in a single person  this is a wider role that needs done in actually transforming our health service as well.

I also see benefit in having an MP from Northern Ireland who actually understands our health service, to actually make sure that when an issue in health comes to the floor in Westminster that a Northern Ireland perspective can be truly put in place as well, because I believe we should be looking at a baseline of our health service, or National Health Service, that is actually delivered across all four nations.

Look, Im 100% committed to this role. Anybody who knows  Ive carried it out before as well  the dedication that I put in, the commitment that I give to this role, thats what Ill give, and thats what I continue to give.

This is my focus in regards to being Health Minister. Its what I do. I took this job on in regards to this because I thought it was important that we actually hit the ground running when we get up and running again.

Thats why my party took the role and thats why my party put me into this role at this stage.

His party ended up with health as an option under the dHondt process for allocating ministries after the DUP struck a deal to take on the education portfolio.

There had been speculation UUP deputy leader Robbie Butler had been in line for the education brief.

Mr Beattie has acknowledged he will have decisions to make in regard to Mr Swanns future, either in terms of replacing him as minister if he wins the Westminster seat, or potentially even withdrawing him as an election candidate.

Mr Swann characterised Mr Allens social media post as an instance where a frustration had boiled over.

In regards to internal conversations within parties, with party colleagues, Andy is a colleague of mine, hes a friend of mine, so Ill not go into having those conversations in public in regards to how frustration sometimes boil over, he said.

Underscoring the unexpected nature of his appointment, he added: I think it did come as a surprise. But my party has never dodged health when it has been an option that we could take. This is actually the third time weve taken it now as a pick, rather than have been left to the end.

So when the option was there, and we realised the option that came, the difficulty that came actually in the negotiations when it came about, so when it did look on Friday evening that health was going to be on the table for us, Doug asked me would I be willing to take it on and I said yes, because of the simple fact that when I came in through the door here on Monday morning we were able to hit the ground running in regards to what I knew about the department, what I know about the whole service and I know what needs done as well.

Mr Swann also confirmed his party would be initiating a succession planning process, adding: Those conversations are going on and will be had, yes, in regards to that.

But my main focus and concentration at this minute in time is as Minister of Health.
Options trading is a tricky and challenging segment of the financial markets in India. Their inherent complexity of options means that F&O traders need to grasp sophisticated financial concepts and jargon. Market volatility also comes into play, making it difficult to predict movements and manage risk effectively. Furthermore, the issue of liquidity in some options contracts can make it tricky to execute trades without impacting the market price. Together, these aspects make options trading a complex practice. Despite this, retail traders across the country are increasingly gravitating towards this market segment. The F&O trading volumes in FY24 surpassed those of the previous financial year in just seven months. More specifically, weekly options have become a particular favourite among individual traders. This growing participation, however, is not offset by a corresponding increase in performance. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) conducted a study, which found that 90% or 9 in 10 traders in the F&O segment in India suffered losses in FY22. The average loss is also staggeringly high  coming in at Rs. 1.1 lakh. Nilesh Sharma , Executive Director & President of SAMCO Securities, shares his incisive insights on why so few F&O traders see success in the markets. A major reason for the high losses among F&O traders is their overreliance on tips and suggestions, which lack any kind of solid foundation in the fundamental principles of how the market operates. This approach leads to poorly informed decisions and, frequently, to considerable financial loss. Additionally, many traders have a tendency to engage in excessive trading, which amplifies the risk of negative outcomes. Above all, there's an even bigger problem at play  the absence of essential analytical tools. Specifically, access to options Greeks is crucial for implementing effective trading strategies. These metrics provide insights into how options are likely to perform under varying market conditions. Unfortunately, such tools are often either unavailable on many trading platforms, or they are offered at a cost that is prohibitive for the average retail trader." Taking cognisance of this prevailing issue, SAMCO Securities has integrated options Greeks into the SAMCO trading app , so F&O traders can access them in real-time at their fingertips. The most remarkable aspect of this feature is that its available for free on the SAMCO trading platform. In a market where these tools are either unavailable or only offered at a steep premium, SAMCO is breaking new ground and bridging the gap that prevents F&O traders from experiencing trading success in the markets, with end-to-end analytical tools and features like options Greeks, options chains, margin calculator and the SAMCO brokerage calculator . The Importance of Options Greeks for Options Traders Options Greeks are crucial for options traders due to various compelling reasons. Fundamentally, they help traders assess how an options price reacts to changes in the price of the underlying asset, the implied volatility and the time left to expiry. Before planning and executing any options trading strategy, traders need to factor in the Greeks to assess how an options price may change during the period their position remains open. More specifically, heres how each of the four options Greeks  namely delta, gamma, theta and vega  influence an option traders position in the markets.

Delta

The delta measures how much the price of an option is expected to change for every unit of movement in the underlying assets price. It evaluates an option's sensitivity to the underlying assets price movement. For traders, the delta is important because it helps them understand their position's directional risk.



For instance, if an options contract has a delta of negative 0.20, it means the option's price might likely fall by Rs. 0.20 for every Re. 1 increase in the underlying assets price. Traders can use the delta to hedge their portfolios or take directional bets on the underlying asset

Gamma

The gamma is closely associated with the delta of an options contract. It measures the rate of change of delta for every unit of movement in the underlying assets price. This effectively helps traders gauge how stable or unstable the delta of an options contract is.



High gamma values indicate that the delta can change rapidly. This is particularly relevant for traders who manage delta-neutral portfolios as they need to adjust their positions frequently to maintain delta neutrality. The gamma also helps traders manage the risks associated with sudden price movements.

Theta

Every options worth consists of two components  an intrinsic value and a time value. The intrinsic value remains unchanged, but the time value varies based on how close or far the expiry is. The theta, which represents the time decay of an option's price, quantifies how much value an option loses as it approaches expiry.



This is important because all options lose value over time. So, traders need to be mindful of theta to avoid holding options that might expire worthless. It's especially crucial for options sellers because time decay works in their favour.

Vega

The vega is an option Greek that measures an option's sensitivity to changes in the implied volatility of the underlying asset. A high vega typically indicates that the option's price is more sensitive to changes in the implied volatility. This is important because the IV is a major factor that affects an option's price.



Traders can rely on the vega to understand how much the price of an option might swing with changes in the implied volatility. For those trading in volatile markets, the key to adjusting their strategies according to expected market swings lies in managing the vega.



Beyond Options Greeks: Integrated Options Chains



An options chain is a table listing all available options contracts for a particular security. It shows various data points such as the strike price, expiration date, and type of options (whether they are calls or puts). It also displays current options price values  including the bid, ask, and last traded price.



For an options trader, an options chain offers a clear and comprehensive view of all the trading options available. This tool is practically very important because it allows traders to quickly assess and compare the potential profitability and risks of different positions. Traders can identify opportunities by simply looking at the differences in prices, volatility, and time decay across various strike prices and expiration dates.



Speaking of the importance of integrating the options chain with options Greeks to improve F&O trading performance and success, SAMCOs Nilesh Sharma explains,



For options traders, the real edge comes from using options Greeks and options chains together. They're both critical for making informed decisions. But here's the catch  most trading platforms split these tools apart. So, traders are left to switch between apps and platforms. Meanwhile, the market does not wait. It moves, prices change, and traders find themselves playing catch up.



At SAMCO Securities, we have stepped up to bridge this gap by offering both of these tools in the same app. The details are updated in real time and are available for free. This move by SAMCO means traders don't lose precious seconds switching back and forth. They've got everything they need in one place, which is crucial for staying ahead in a market that waits for no one."



By making essential options tools available to traders across the country, SAMCO Securities is steadily democratising F&O trading and empowering options traders to take advantage of opportunities the moment they arise. Additionally, SAMCO also offers a wide range of other tools and solutions like the options fair value calculator, margin calculator and the SAMCO brokerage calculator to help traders make well-informed decisions.



About SAMCO Securities



SAMCO Securities was incorporated by Mr. Jimeet Modi, Founder & CEO of SAMCO Group in 2015. As the countrys leading wealth-tech platform, SAMCO Securities provides retail investors access to sophisticated financial technology and makes their wealth-creation journey simple, informed, and cost-effective. SAMCO Securities mission is to eliminate the existing challenges faced by traders and investors and democratise access to wealth management process for every Indian. With customer centricity at SAMCOs core, we implement a quantitative approach to provide differentiated solutions that empower our customers in acing the capital markets.

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 contents of the article/advertisement and/or views 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 views, opinions, announcements, declarations, affirmations etc., stated/featured in same. The decision to read hereinafter is purely a matter of choice and shall be construed as an express undertaking/guarantee in favour of Hindustan Times of being absolved from any/ all potential legal action, or enforceable claims. The content may be for information and awareness purposes and does not constitute a financial advice.

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Musk, the billionaire owner of X, is soliciting people who want to sue Disney for discrimination. He says he is willing to help pay for their cases.

If you were discriminated against by Disney or its subsidiaries (ABC, ESPN, Marvel, etc), just reply to this post to receive legal support," Musk said Tuesday in a post on X.

The outreach came the same day actress Gina Carano sued Disney and Lucasfilm, with Musks financial backing, for wrongful termination from The Mandalorian," a television series inspired by the Star Wars franchise.

The lawsuit and solicitation of additional complaints are the latest escalations in Musks beef with Disney and its CEO Bob Iger, a feud that kicked off several months ago and has shown little sign of letting up. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Musk published several tweets that were critical of Disney.

In an interview with CNBC Wednesday, Iger declined to comment about Musk.

Debra Aho Williamson, an independent tech analyst, said Musks Disney fight is a warning sign for brands that advertise on X, as it shows he is willing to target companies that anger him.

He clearly wanted to call out Disney," she said. Does an advertiser want to get caught up in that? Do they want to be the next Disney that is going to be the target of Musks ire? I think a lot of brand advertisers dont want to be in that position."

Since the feud started, Musk has called for Iger to be fired. He has also thrown his support behind Nelson Peltz, the activist shareholder trying to shake up Disney who is seeking a seat on the companys board.

Representatives for X, Disney and Peltz didnt respond to requests for comment.

On Tuesday, Carano alleged in a lawsuit that she was wrongfully terminated from The Mandalorian" over her social-media posts and the ensuing backlash. Carano shared an Instagram story in 2021 that said, most people today dont realize that to get to the point where Nazi soldiers could easily round up thousands of Jews, the government first made their own neighbors hate them simply for being Jews. How is that any different from hating someone for their political views."

She also made comments about pronouns and transgender people that drew criticism.

Carano said Musks platform was assisting with the lawsuit against Disney and Lucasfilm.

The financial backing to Carano comes after Musk said last year that X would fund lawsuits from people who claimed they were unfairly fired for their posts on the social-media platform.

As a sign of X Corps commitment to free speech, were proud to provide financial support for Gina Caranos lawsuit, empowering her to seek vindication of her free speech rights on X and the ability to work without bullying, harassment, or discrimination," X said in a statement.

Lawyers for Carano didnt respond to a request for comment.

The fight between Musk and Disney started in November after the company was part of an advertiser exodus from his social-media platform. The move followed Musk supporting an antisemitic tweet and a liberal watchdog group saying pro-Nazi content was running near advertisements from major companies on the platform.

X later sued the group, Media Matters for America, alleging the publication misrepresented how content appears on the platform and was trying to scare away advertisers. A representative for Media Matters said at the time that the organization stood behind its reporting.

During an interview at the New York Times DealBook Summit in November, Iger was asked about suspending Disneys advertising on X.

We just felt that the association with that position, and with Elon Musk, and X, was not necessarily a positive one for us," Iger said.

In a separate interview at the same conference, Musk singled out Disney as one of several companies that he said were trying to blackmail him by suspending their advertising campaigns.

Go f yourself," Musk told those advertisers. Is that clear? I hope it is. Hey Bob," he said, which many observers interpreted as a response to Iger.

Musk said at the conference that he had previously tried to clarify that he hadnt meant anything antisemitic by his post. Essentially, I handed a loaded gun to those who hate me, and arguably, to those who are antisemitic," Musk said. He added: Im quite sorry. That was not my intention."

In December, Musk called for Iger to be fired, saying Walt Disney is turning in his grave over what Bob has done to his company." Disney declined to comment on Musks comments at the time.

Musk has also thrown his support behind Peltz, the activist shareholder seeking a seat on Disneys board. Peltz has pushed for better management of the Disney+ streaming service, an improved strategy for ESPN and greater investment in the companys theme parks.

Brutal track record," Musk said about Disneys board in January, responding to a post by Peltzs Trian Group. Shareholders have been incredibly poorly served by the @Disney board!"

Musk and Peltz were photographed together in Los Angeles over the weekend at the movie premiere of Lola," a film that Peltzs daughter, Nicola Peltz Beckham, wrote, directed and starred in.

The feud shows how Musk will use his own platform to his advantage, said Williamson, the tech analyst.

For many years it has been his mouthpiece," she said. Now that its his company, he is continuing to use X to promote the causes that he believes in."

Write to Joseph De Avila at joseph.deavila@wsj.com
The budget airline with its name on the Las Vegas stadium hosting Super Bowl LVIII is quietly gaining fans of its own.

Allegiant Air took third in The Wall Street Journals annual airline scorecard, which ranks nine major carriers on their operational performance. Its the highest finish for the Las Vegas-based no-frills airline. The smallest carrier in the rankings scored well in the categories of fewest mishandled bags, fewest cancellations and fewest passengers involuntarily denied boarding.

As with budget competitors Spirit and Frontier, flying Allegiant means accepting limitations. Some Allegiant routes are only available twice a week. If there is a cancellation, travelers could be stuck for days. It charges a host of fees for add-onspicking a seat assignment, bringing a carry-on bag or even ordering a premium beverage.

But Allegiants most loyal customers say they have learned to play the fee game and dont mind the upcharges. As rising costs and overall hassles eat into so many parts of the travel experience, travelers who might have ignored budget airlines before are giving them a look, with Allegiants improved efficiency and nonstop routes helping it stand out.

I can see each thing Im paying for, like a seat assignment, rather than a bulk amount," said Krista Wrightsman, a 31-year-old Cincinnati-area marketing assistant. I think the affordability is great."

Nonstop strategy

Allegiant only flies nonstop, meaning fliers can avoid annoying layovers that increase the chances of a trip gone wrong. This spring, travelers can fly from Bismarck, N.D., to Floridas St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport. Other routes include Phoenix to Asheville, N.C., and Omaha, Neb., to Austin, Texas.

Executives say this small-market strategy differentiates them from competitors like Frontier and Spirit, which are now chasing larger markets.

Frontier Chief Executive Barry Biffle said in an interview that flying to larger destinations will give travelers the chance to save money in more places. Spirit didnt respond to requests for comment.

Allegiant has grown more reliable. In 2022, it canceled 4.25% of its flights, the most of any airline in the WSJ rankings, and fewer than two-thirds of its flights arrived on time, according to Pulse, a data platform from Anuvu, an aviation company. It finished fifth overall in that years rankings.

The airline needed a reset, said Greg Anderson, president of Allegiant Travel, the airlines parent company. It capped its number of routes at 500 a day during peak periods and changed its approach to maintenance to ensure it had parts spread throughout its network for faster repairs.

In 2023, the airline canceled less than 1% of its scheduled flights and improved its on-time arrival percentage to 72.8%10 percentage points up from the year before. (Allegiant still finished sixth of nine carriers for on-time arrivals.)

Operational advantages

Allegiant flew its planes for about 7.5 hours during peak days in 2023, hours less than Spirit and Frontier. That relative infrequency gives Allegiant more time to recover if things do go wrong, said Helane Becker, an analyst with investment bank TD Cowen. The carrier has fewer flights to southeast Florida, which tends to be more congested than the Gulf Coast, she said.

Allegiant also flies less than Frontier and Spirit. Allegiant had about 115,500 flights scheduled in 202360% of Frontiers total and 38% of Spirits, according to data from aviation-analytics company Cirium.

Its flights are concentrated on peak days, meaning Thursday through Monday, and during popular times for leisure travel, including school breaks and holidays.

Unlike Spirit and Frontier, Allegiant doesnt oversell its flights, so it didnt bump a single passenger last year. It also placed first in baggage.

Allegiant had a higher rate of delayed flights than the largest U.S. airlines. Anderson said thats because of the infrequency of its routes and the fact that it frequents smaller airports. The airline would rather delay flights than cancel them, he said.

Frontier announced a shift in its operational strategy this week and will run more flights like Allegiant does. Last year, one-third of the carriers planes flew out-and-back routes. That will increase to 80% by peak summer flying, Biffle said. This revamped schedule will lead to better performance in many metrics, including baggage and involuntary bumping, he said.

Customer service questions

Allegiant flew 17.3 million passengers in 2023. Nearly one-third of those are returning customers, executives said in the most recent earnings call, a 16% increase from 2022.

Sean Geurin, a 38-year-old from Tampa, Fla., said he doesnt shop around at other airlines because he rarely has issues with Allegiant. He travels with a backpack, doesnt mind accepting whatever seat he is assigned, and, more than anything, loves avoiding layovers.

Theyre my go-to," he said.

Anderson said the airline will be focusing on better customer service. Allegiant placed fifth out of nine in complaints in the WSJ rankings. It plans to add more self-service tools so customers can make changes on their own, as well as add more precise callback features.

Ashley Kuchle said she wont fly Allegiant again after an August trip with her parents from Cincinnati to Destin, Fla. It was her parents first vacation in 25 years, she said, and both needed wheelchair assistance at the airport.

Kuchle, 32, said the wheelchair attendants promised to her at the ticket counter never showed up. She and her husband grabbed two wheelchairs and ran their parents to the gate, but the door had closed. They couldnt get out until the next day. Kuchle said getting compensation took weeks.

An Allegiant spokeswoman said the airline takes responsibility for its third-party vendor, which didnt provide the scheduled wheelchair assistance. The airline refunded the fares for the missed flight, rescheduled them at no additional cost and hopes that they give Allegiant another chance in the future.

Write to Allison Pohle at allison.pohle@wsj.com
Paytm Payments Bank's independent director Manju Agarwal resigned from the board following RBI restrictions on PPBL , reported CNBC TV 18. The resignation came into effect on February 1, 2024.

Manju Agarwal has also served as the Deputy Managing Director at SBI and was a part of PPBL board since May 2021.

Also Read: Paytm share price hits 10% lower circuit after a two-day recovery

There has been no official confirmation by the fintech on the matter. The development has come after the Reserve Bank of India directed the lender to stop accepting deposits or top-ups in customer accounts, wallets, FASTags, and other instruments after February 29.

On Thursday, RBI Deputy Governor Swaminathan J also clarified that the RBI action was taken against Paytm Payments Bank and not on the Paytm App.

"Just one clarification, this particular action is against Paytm Payments Bank and is not to be confused with Paytm App...The app is not impacted by this action," RBI Deputy Governor Swaminathan J said in the media interaction after the bi-monthly Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting.

Also Read: Amid Paytm Bank fiasco, here is the list of mutual funds with stakes in Vijay Shekhar Sharma's fintech company

In an affirmative response to the question about other banks partnering with Paytm wallet, Swaminathan J said that it is a business decision and the banks have to carry out required due diligence as per their board-approved policy. "I am sure they will carry out due diligence if they have got to do a partnership," he said.

Commenting on RBI's clarification, a Paytm spokesperson said, "We assure our users and merchant partners that the Paytm app remains fully operational, and our services are unaffected."

A few days ago Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma met RBI officials and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to discuss regulatory concerns related to PPBL. The meeting brought the much-needed confidence boost of investors in Paytm's parent firm, One97 Communications. After three days of the crash, One97 Communications shares regained some strength on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, the company shares tanked 9.41 per cent to 450 on the BSE Thursday, February 8. The company stock fell by 9.31 per cent to 450 per share on the NSE.

Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) is an associate of One97 Communications Ltd. The company owns 49 per cent of the paid-up share capital of PPBL, whereas Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma has a 51 per cent stake in PPBL.

ONE 97 COMMUNICATIONS More Information

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Paytms troubles with the authorities started much before Indias central bank announced strictures on its subsidiary, Paytm Payments Bank, on 31 January.

Early last year, concerned over Chinese investments in One97 Communications Ltd, the listed entity of the Paytm group, the Centre had rejected a proposal by the company for a post-facto approval of investments made in another subsidiary, Paytm Payments Services Ltd (PPSL). PPSL offers digital payments solutions and financial tools for businesses.

The external affairs ministry had recommended against the approval from a political angle", mentioned in an internal government note that Mint has seen. The post-facto" FDI proposal was for One97 Communications to invest in its subsidiary Paytm Payments Services, showed the note.

After the external affairs ministry, the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Department of Financial Services also did not approve the investments in March and May 2023, respectively.

As per Paytm Payment Services Ltd, its creation and the capital infusion therein were both undertaken to comply with newly introduced regulations of RBI," as per the note cited above.

The note further said that PPSL had applied to RBI (Reserve Bank of India) for a payment aggregator licence but was directed to seek government approval for downstream investment". In November 2022, RBI had sent a letter to PPSL asking it to resubmit the licence application within 120 days after seeking approval for past downward investment from the company (One97) in to PPSL, to comply with FDI Guidelines", and not onboard new online merchants.

On Thursday, RBI said the regulatory restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank were a result of persistent non-compliance and such measures are taken only after prolonged engagement with the entities involved.

A government official aware of the matter said that Paytm management, including CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma, have also been informed about the concerns with regards to Chinese investments in more than one meeting.

Emails sent to the external affairs ministry and RBI remained unanswered till the time of going to print.

In an email response to Mints queries, a Paytm spokesperson said: Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma remains the largest shareholder in the company. He acquired the ownership and voting rights from Antfin (Netherlands) Holdings BV and now holds a 24.3% stake, making him the single largest shareholder in the company. Hence, the investment from Antfin is now reduced to less than 10% and doesnt account them as a beneficial owner."

Therefore, questions on addressing concerns of Chinese investments and replacing Chinese investors in the company doesnt arise, the spokesperson added.

Currently, One97 has investments from 34 investors classified as foreign direct investment (FDI), including Antfin (Netherlands) Holding B.V., hold a little over 45% in One97 Communications, and foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) hold 18.64%. The rest of the shares are with Sharma, retail investors, mutual funds and others.

The issue started in 2020 after RBI issued guidelines on regulation of payment aggregators and payment gateways. This required One97 Communications Ltd to hive off its payment aggregator business into a separate entity and ensure minimum net worth. Payment aggregators are intermediaries that facilitate digital payments between consumers and merchants or businesses.

In October 2020, One97 Communications incorporated PPSL, a wholly owned subsidiary with a paid-up capital of about 50 crore. It is this investment in the company that is under scrutiny, said the official cited above.

As per FDI rules, investments of up to 49% are allowed under the automatic route in the private banking sector, extendable up to 74% with the approval of the government.

However, India strengthened its foreign investment policy to regulate investment from neighbours during the covid-19 pandemic when valuations of companies were at a record low and the country saw tensions rise with China after clashes in Ladakhs Galwan.

Meanwhile, the Indian central bank on 31 January directed Paytm Payments Bank Ltd to stop new credit and deposit operations, top-ups, fund transfers, and other such banking operations after 29 February this year.

mihir.mishra@livemint.com
Minority, veteran and women-focused business advocacy groups are urging companies to invest in diversity initiatives that are under legal attack and face fierce opposition from Bill Ackman and Elon Musk.

The group, which includes the U.S. Black Chambers, National Urban League, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce and National Veteran-Owned Business Association, said investments in diversity initiatives were essential to business success and the U.S. economy.

We believe it is imperative that CEOs and other company leaders are able to make strategic decisions for their companies without threats of frivolous lawsuits and political pressure, and we will be here with support, every step of the way," the coalition said in a letter published Wednesday.

Conservative activists success in challenging affirmative action in college admissions gave momentum to efforts to stop diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, known as DEI, in companies, arguing they are tantamount to race and sex discrimination. Corporate America has since been reassessing diversity initiatives.

In one high-profile legal case against such programs, the American Alliance for Equal Rights, a group run by affirmative-action opponent Edward Blum, alleged venture-capital firm Fearless Funds startup-grant program for Black women was discriminatory against potential non-Black applicants. Legal experts have said the outcome of the case, which is in a federal appeals court, could affect diversity initiatives in the business world.

Blums group last week also took aim at proposed business diversity guidelines from the Commerce Department, saying they would encourage discrimination by race. He said Wednesday that any business that implemented the governments proposal will find itself in violation of federal lawand in federal court."

Ackman and Musk, two billionaires with wide followings on X, which Musk owns, have also taken up the fight against DEI, giving it a bigger platform.

Discrimination on the basis of race, which DEI does, is literally the definition of racism," Musk posted in January.

A spokesman for X didnt immediately return a request for comment.

Ackman has frequently focused on DEI in the context of college campuses, where he says such initiatives foment antisemitism. He pushed to oust the presidents of Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Pennsylvania over their responses to campus antisemitism, as well as allegations of plagiarism at Harvard; only MITs president remains in her post.

DEI is inherently a racist and illegal movement in its implementation even if it purports to work on behalf of the so-called oppressed," Ackman wrote in January on X.

A spokesperson for Ackmans firm, Pershing Square, didnt immediately return a request for comment.

In the letter, the advocacy groups say the opposition is out of step with most business leaders."

Opponents are relying on litigation to advance an unpopular, anti-growth, and anti-competitive agenda to undermine your leadership, the will of the vast majority of the population, and the growth and competitiveness of the U.S. economy," the letter said.

Write to Tali Arbel at tali.arbel@wsj.com
New Delhi: Yangdup Lama, co-founder of Sidecar Bar in Delhi, knows a thing or two about alcoholhis bar has made it to the list of Asias 50 Best Bars and the Worlds 50 Best Bars. A keen observer of trends in the business, Lama says vodkas time in the limelight has passed. Five years ago when we opened Sidecar, we always assumed vodka would be more popular than gin, but it has become the other way around. Gin consumption has been consistent, unlike vodka," he said.

A decade ago, for every 10 bottles of whisky Lama ordered, he would order an equal number of vodkas and just two or three bottles of gin. Today, while the whisky count remains the same, gin stands at about eight bottles and vodka is down to just four.

Vir Kapoor, 37, who regularly hosts parties at his west Delhi home, has also observed this shift. A lot of my friends have become gin drinkers," he said. Vodka, long the go-to white spirit for those who werent into brown drinks such as whisky and brandy, has fallen out of favour in his circle. Gin never existed for a lot of us a decade ago. It was primarily whisky, vodka, and a little bit of dark rum in the winter, and a lot of beer in the summer," recalled Kapoor. It would be the norm to have at least two bottles of Absolut (Pernod Ricards premium vodka), or Belvedere (a Polish vodka distributed by LVMH) in his bar. Later, Grey Goose (Bacardis) made an appearance. But today, a lot of my friends are becoming gin drinkers. These are people who dont have brown spirits. They have almost exclusively switched over to gin from vodka and something like a Bacardi white rum," he said. And so, Kapoors bar today features four-five bottles of gin such as Bombay Sapphire, Greater Than, or Stranger and Sons during parties. Of late, his friends have also begun to ask for high-end sipping tequila. Greater Than and Stranger and Sons are craft gins made in India.

This change at Lamas bar and Kapoors parties is playing out across the country. For decades, vodka reigned supreme in Indias white spirits scene, serving as a reliable companion to whisky at social gatherings. Today, even those who want to get into the vodka business are having second thoughts, said consultants. This is because a juniper-infused revolution has swept the nation in recent years, with premium gin dethroning entry-level vodka as the drink of choice (all gin contains juniper, a berry-like seed cone). Consequently, the white spirits arena has become crowded, with vodka facing stiff competition not just from premium gins but also from high-end tequila, agave-based spirits and white rum. Agave is a plant that mostly grows in arid regions and is native to the Americas.

Coming of age

Gin has been part of the overall liquor portfolio in India for over a hundred years. However, despite its history and visibility, it was always on the fringes in terms of its market size and acceptability. For years, gin had seen very little innovation and became stagnant, with Indians hardly ever touching the stuff.

But around 2017, gin came into its own. The likes of Nao Spirits and Third Eye Distillery, makers of Greater Than and Stranger & Sons gins, respectively, arrived on the scene and began churning out premium gins that were both easy and expensive on the pocket. Pretty soon, gin had dethroned entry-level vodka.

According to industry estimates, Indias gin industry has grown from a mere 12,000 cases in 2017 to about 320,000 cases now. Typically, a case comprises nine bottles of 750ml or 1,000ml each, depending on the category.

Looking to tap this surge in demand, in 2023, nearly half a dozen companies, including Radico Khaitan, Spaceman Spirits, Third Eye Distillery, and NV Distilleries & Breweries, launched new brands and variants of gins and even some white and golden rums.

Today, many other larger companies have also jumped onto the white spirits bandwagon with much gusto. Allied Blenders and Distillers (ABD), which is primarily a brown spirits whisky maker, launched a premium gin, Zoya, this month. Associated Alcohol & Breweries Ltd has launched its own premium gin, Nicobar.

Indian gins priced above 1,000 have been growing rapidly, and are outpacing imported premium gins. They accounted for just over a quarter of the premium segment four years ago but today, the number has risen to over 40%, said the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC), noting that the share of imported gins has fallen from 74% to 59% in just four years.

Premiumization

View Full Image 10-15 years ago, vodka was the most sought-after spirit, but gin and craft spirits came in. What the dark-spirit making companies did was capitalize on the craft market, which vodka couldn't, said Yangdup Lama, cofounder of Sidecar Bar in Delhi.

Clearly, this shift within the white spirits world isnt just about taste. Its a story of premiumization, where consumers are increasingly willing to pay more for quality and experience. Gin, with its versatility and burgeoning craft spirits scene, has capitalized on this trend. 10-15 years ago, vodka was the most sought-after spirit, but gin and craft spirits came in. What the dark-spirit making companies did was capitalize on the craft market, which vodka couldnt," said Lama.

Siddharth Banerji, owner and managing director of Kyndal Group, the spirits manufacturer behind well-known scotch brands such as Cutty Sark and The Famous Grouse, said the premiumization of higher-quality spirits is the backbone of the growth of the white spirits sector, specifically gin. The sheer number of brands in the premium segment has gone up across many spirit categories. The biggest beneficiary of this has been gin, since all these spirits come with appealing packaging and innovation.

All this has resulted in people trying a lot of new brands. This was not the case some years ago, when people were completely inflexible about the brands and categories they consumed. Today, there is also huge growth in per capita income and that is clearly reflected in Indias premiumization story. Also, more people are consciously drinking better quality over quantity since the pandemic," Banerji added.

His company is in the process of adding an international tequila to its portfolio. In his view, Indias biggest spirit growth story will be in the premium drinking segment, in the 1,0002,000 per bottle range. To be sure, while a battle is raging within the white spirits universe, brown spirits still command a staggering 97% share of the overall market, which is largely driven by mass-produced value offerings.

And while gin is reporting the fastest growth, vodkas volumes are still four times largerit has maintained growth momentum, but only in the much larger economy category. Premium vodka, however, has seen only a modest increase in market share. According to IWSR, a drinks consultancy, in calendar year 2021, volume-wise, growth across the overall vodka segment was higher, at 35%, while gin trailed behind at 28%. However, that same year, in the premium and above category, it was gin that grew faster than the vodka segment, surging 177% versus just 66% growth for vodka.

Widening market

View Full Image Its a good time to be in the white spirits business. Premium white rums, gins and agave account for over a million cases per year. (HT)

It isnt just gin that is making waves in the white spirits market. Competition is hotting up from other white spirits, with tequila, agave-based spirits and even white and golden rum becoming popular in the market, especially among young upwardly mobile Indians. This segment has seen new players such as Allied Blenders, Himmaleh Spirits, Associated Alcohol & Breweries wade in and experiment with a range of drinks for tipplers. The trend also led Diageo to launch its Don Julio tequila two months ago.

Vikram Achanta, co-founder and chief executive of Tulleeho, an independent beverage training and consulting firm, said tequila has been trending heavily of late. Its very interesting to note that while agave consumption has gone down in Americaone of its biggest markets traditionallyin India, it has gained immense popularity in the last six to eight months. Mexican and Spanish-themed restaurants and bars that are sprouting up are fuelling this demand," said Achanta. There is also in-home consumption. Americas lack of consumption has freed up allocation of the spirit to markets like ours. The supply of agave spirits is not likely to be a problem now and we could see more companies coming in and innovating in this category."

In fact, Diageo and Bacardi, two of the largest liquor companies in the world, are now focused on promoting their tequila brands Don Julio (Diageo), and Patron (Bacardi) in India and will look at expanding the market heavily here. DesmondJi, an Indian company that cultivates agave in India, has also come up and supplies companies looking to develop the agave-based spirit here. Its clients include Maya Pistola Agavepura, which was launched by Indian restaurateur Rakshay Dhariwal last June.

Tequila, especially sipping tequila, is very sexy from a consumer perspective right now and there is a lot of interest from both genders because it supposedly gives people a clean high. Not sure how much of this is true, but it is encouraging demand," he added.

All in all its a good time to be in the white spirits business. Premium white rums, gins, and agave account for over a million cases per year, said Achanta, with the entire white spirits hemisphere accounting for about four to six million cases.

It (white spirits) is a very, very exciting category right now with a lot of innovation going on in some spirits," said Alok Gupta, ABDs managing director. Gin has had this astounding growth because it offers new experiences. Globally, today, the only two white spirit categories spoken of are gin and tequila. There is a lot of curiosity around mezcal- and agave-based spirits and Indians really want to know what the hype is all about."

The industry is yet to put out any official data for this fiscal year, but Gupta estimated the market for tequila to be about 75,00080,000 cases per annum, growing at a rate of 40%.

Time to get with it

Meanwhile, vodka, said some aficionados, appears to be suffering from a bit of an identity crisis. It has been stuck in the value spirits rut, and is struggling to keep up with gin. While its volume growth continues, that growth is primarily in the lower-priced segments under 1,000, according to data from CIABC.

Indeed, Indian brands havent made any significant inroad in the premium vodka segment, leaving the space dominated by foreign players, such as Diageos Smirnoff, Absolut and Grey Goose. A few players such as NV Distilleries & Breweries, which sells the Smoke brand of vodka, and has innovated with flavours such as saffron and mango, are the exception. Somewhere, this lack of homegrown innovation has hindered vodkas appeal.

Gupta said India needs to introspect as to how to grow the vodka category again. We believe there is a gap in the super-premium vodka segment and we will launch something in the higher-end category soon," he said.

The expectation from vodka was always that it was clean" and delivered the same standard experience every time it was consumed, said Gupta. But with other white spirits, it has become more about who is offering newer flavours. I dont think gin is taking away the consumption of any other white spirit. The biggest share of whites growth is possibly from someone who normally drinks brown; women and other newer age drinkers," he added.

Anand Virmani, co-founder of Nao Spirits, appears to concur with Gupta. To my mind, it is not a vodka versus gin debate. There is some migration from other categories. Some are beer drinkers, some are new drinkers. In fact, India is adding 20 million new drinkers each year. New drinkers generally begin with lighter spirits," he said.

While the battle for Indias white spirits market is far from over, one thing is crystal clear: Premiumization is the name of the game today.
In a year of thinning campus recruitments, two of the three large IT companies that still plan to hire freshers have told engineering colleges that they will prefer only those with certified in advanced software skills.

Mumbai-based Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) and Teaneck, US-based Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. will prefer to recruit only those certified in Amazon Web Services (AWS), Oracle, Java and among others, placement executives at engineering colleges said.

The move, aimed to reduce training time and costs, will be a blow to many aspirants, given that not all colleges have students opting for these subjects.

Colleges said the decision by TCS and Cognizant reduces the number of students who can sit for placements. Since only three large IT firms will hire from campus this year (HCL Technologies Ltd is the third), the students dont have an option either.

TCS is hiring for three roles at salaries of 3.5 lakh, 7 lakh and 10 lakh. While earlier all students who were keen on the firm were allowed to apply, this time, preference will be given to students who are certified in AWS, Oracle, Java, etc," said the placement head of a leading engineering college based in Tamil Nadu that has over 5,000 students graduating this year.

Cognizant, which offers 6.5 lakh onwards, is also looking at similar skill sets; more than 1,000 students will apply for the two firms, the placement head added.

The compensation varies depending on the profiles and the ones above are part of the bulk hiring roles. The roles offered to an Indian Institute of Technology graduate will be different along with higher compensation.

So far, TCS, HCL and Cognizant have said they will head for the campuses while rivals Infosys and Wipro had earlier said they will not. HCL has said it will continue to hire as planned, but TCS is cutting down campus hiring plans.

Emails sent to Cognizant and HCL were unanswered till press time.

A TCS spokesperson said: There is no change in our campus recruitment process and approach from previous years. As always, we are seeking the best talent available based on our business needs, and we continue our investments in their training and deployment into client projects."

HCL Tech will keep hiring to meet 5.5% growth guidance," the companys chief executive officer (CEO) C. Vijayakumar had said in an interview earlier. Well see the hiring momentum continue into Q4 and beyond."

K. Krithivasan, CEO of TCS, said in an interview in January that the company was doubling down on in-campus hiring. Last year we hired about 40,000 people. This year well start with a smaller number. But well see how it plays out basis the demand situation."

This is where added certifications help; many aspirants are eliminated if they dont have these stamps. If there is one vacant position and two candidates apply for the job, companies will take the one who is more skilled," said Savitha Rani M., training and placement officer at Ramaiah Institute of Technology in Bengaluru.

Certification numbers are an important criteria in contracting, too. Those are factors looked at by IT companies clients," explained Apurva Prasad, vice-president of institutional research, HDFC Securities. What youre effectively doing is that by having your employees certified, your talent pool is ready to be deployed into projects faster."

Meanwhile, global capability centres or GCCs of MNCs have hired in large numbers from engineering colleges. That has reduced the pool available to the IT services majors.

In another college in Bengaluru,, both TCS and Cognizant are late to the hiring party, even though they are recruiting for salaries around 9 lakh. Most of the students are placed in GCCs and 125 have applied for these two firms," said its placement head.

According to industry watchers, such filtering helps TCS and Cognizant will raise utilization rates and get incoming batches client ready and deployed on projects. Utilization rate refers to the proportion of staff actively involved in ongoing projects while bench is made up of employees who are yet to get deployed on a project.

jas.bardia@livemint.com
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has tightened its scrutiny on the objectives for raising fresh capital through initial public offerings (IPOs), reported Business Line attributing to two people in the know.

The regulator has expressed its displeasure over companies opting to raise money largely for debt repayment and is asking for more disclosures.

Need clarification

SEBI did an analysis of several IPO offer documents and found that the majority had stated repayment of debt as the primary objective for raising fresh capital. This prompted the regulator to dig deeper into the reasons why fresh capital was being raised," said an investment banker.

Companies need to clarify if there have been delays, defaults, and evergreening of outstanding borrowings for which a part of the net proceeds will be used for repayment.



Also Read: Entero Healthcare Solutions IPO: From price band to GMP - here are 10 things to know before subscribing to the issue

Firms are supposed to give reasons why the promoter lock-in should not be increased if the issue object is to repay loans to fund capital expenditure, and the amount to be used for repayment and capex is more than 50 per cent of the amount being raised for a fresh issue.

The regulator has made it clear that companies cannot be vague about the objects of the issue, which I think is fair. It wants adequate details and some comfort level on how the fresh capital will be spent," said an industry official.

Companies wanting to raise fresh capital for expansion need to give granular details on how the proceeds will be utilised.

Companies need to be ready to divulge granular details. Otherwise, it is better not to raise a fresh issue, as it will lead to additional scrutiny and delays. SEBI also has the right to ask the company to change the objects of the issue, which will require fresh shareholder approval," said the banker quoted above.

Non-manufacturing companies may find it difficult to give details on how the fresh issue proceeds would be utilised, added the industry official.

Raising Capital

The amount of fresh capital raised in IPOs in calendar year 23 was 20,662 crore, or 42 per cent of the total amount raised, the highest in terms of percentage share in seven years, according to PRIME Database.

A third of the fresh capital raised was for working capital needs. Retirement of debt (22 per cent), expansion or setting up of new plants and machinery (15 per cent), general corporate purposes (11 per cent) and issue expenses (9 per cent)

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. A large number of young people voted in the presidential election in Azerbaijan, a Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Rahman Faisal Salim said during the briefing, Trend reports.

"A large number of young people voted in this election, which is a very good and beneficial mark for the prosperity of the country," he emphasized.

The extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Seven candidates run in the election.

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05 percent of the votes after the processing of 93.35 percent of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev - 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa - two percent, Elshad Musayev - 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev - 1.76 percent, Fuad Aliyev - 0.53 percent of the votes.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Atmastco is an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) company, Headquartered in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh.

Atmastco has presence in steel, power and infrastructure and steel building solutions.

Atmastco Limited is offering 73,05,600 equity shares, comprising 54,80,000 equity shares as a fresh issue and 18,25,600 equity shares through an Offer for Sale (OFS). Atmastco Ltd will be listed on the NSE EMERGE.

The proceeds from the IPO as per the Atmastco Limited are to be used for Working Capital requirements and repayment of loans in order to become a provider of technology solutions in the EPC sector to improve efficiency on existing and new contracts.

Also read- 13 mainboard IPOs listed in 2023 deliver multibagger returns; IREDA emerges as top performer  check full list

The profit so generated from the EPC sector will be utilised towards the production of defence systems until September 2024 through its subsidiary Atmastco Defence Systems Private Limited.

Atmastco has an order book exceeding Rs. 700 crores.

With ongoing projects worth over Rs. 720 crores, Atmastco said that has become consistently profitable over the last three financial years. The company recorded a remarkable 156% increase in revenue in FY 2022-23 as compared to the previous financial year.

The key promoters of Atmastco are Subramaniam Swaminathan Iyer, Venkataraman Ganesan and Jayasudha Iyer.

Subramaniam Swaminathan, Chairman and Managing Director, of Atmastco said that I am proud of our company's legacy since 1988, marked by more than 90 completed contracts and a flourishing order book of more than 700 crore".

Also Read- Jana Small Finance Bank IPO: 10 things to know from RHP before investing

With a pan-India presence, an annual capacity of more than 24,000 tonnes and a dedicated workforce of more than 250 employees, we are a mainstay in our industry, added Swaminathan . Swaminathan also said that "our commitment to excellence and scale makes us one of the country's leaders in installed capacity."

Atmastco Ltd boasts valued customers including the Ministry of Railways and major companies in the energy and steel sectors.

The lead manager of the issue is Affinity Global Capital Market Private Limited, while Cameo Corporate Services Limited will act as registrar for the issue. The Draft Prospectus (DP) has already been approved by the National Stock Exchange and the Company is planning to open the issue anytime soon.

Referring to the companys ESG initiatives, Mr Subramaniam Swaminathan added, About 7580% of the company's main power requirement is met through solar energy. The company is transforming the ERC environment by improving the technology and focusing on the ERC tech platform."

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The stock price of One97 Communications, the parent company of Paytm , experienced a significant drop in today's trading session after recovering slightly from heavy losses in the past two trading days. At the start of today's session, the stock opened higher at 525 apiece, up from the previous closing price of 496.25.

However, the stock couldn't sustain this upward momentum and the finished today's trade, touching a 10% lower circuit at 446 apiece.

Paytm has been in the headlines over the last week after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) barred Paytm Payments Bank from conducting certain operations following a system audit report and subsequent compliance validation report of external auditors.

Also Read: Paytm share price gains for 2nd straight session, jumps 10% after Vijay Shekhar Sharma's meeting with FM

Following this directive, Vijay Shekhar Sharma, the founder of Paytm, reportedly met with the Finance Minister the day after discussing a plan with the RBI to address these regulatory issues.

Despite Sharma's efforts, reports suggest that the central bank declined to offer any concessions to Paytm Payments Bank, such as allowing the migration of accounts to other banks or extending the February 29 deadline.

The RBI restrictions was a big blow to the company, as the payment bank currently hosts over 330 million wallet accounts, playing a pivotal role in Paytm's ecosystem. Following the RBI's decision on February 1st, Paytm's stock plummeted by 20% over the next two trading days. As a result, stock exchanges adjusted the circuit limit downward to 10%. This downward trend continued on Monday.

However, there was a slight recovery on February 6th and 7th, with the stock rallying nearly 13%, but it failed to maintain those gains and tumbled in today's trade.

At its trading price of 463 as of 09:45 am, the stock is trading at a 78% discount compared to its issue price of 2,150 apiece, posing challenges for investors who entered the stock during the initial public offering and have maintained their positions to date.

Also Read: Paytm CEO in talks with RBI on regulatory concerns, say sources

Meanwhile, Paytm also found itself under scrutiny when rumors emerged suggesting that the company, along with its associated firm and CEO/founder, were under investigation by government agencies for potential breaches of foreign exchange regulations and money laundering.

In response, Paytm vehemently denied these allegations, labeling them as baseless speculations. The company clarified that reports indicating investigations into the violation of foreign exchange rules by Paytm or its associated entity, Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL), had no factual basis. Furthermore, Paytm had previously refuted claims of any investigation by the Enforcement Directorate regarding OCL (One97 Communications Limited), its associates, or its management.

Also Read: RBI should respond to Paytm's 'speed bump' with banking reforms

While the RBI put severe restrictions on Paytm Payment bank operations, citing non-compliance with KYC guidelines and other issues; Paytm has informed that the RBI curbs would not impact user deposits in their wallets, FASTags, NCMC accounts, and savings accounts.

Disclaimer: We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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Continuing their robust momentum, shares of TRF, a Tata Group company, hit the 20% upper circuit limit in today's trade, reaching a peak not seen in eight years at 393.30 apiece.

This marks the second consecutive trading session when the company's shares were locked in the 20% upper circuit limit, following the decision of both the parent company and TRF against proceeding with the amalgamation process. This robust rally has pushed the stock to gain 54% in just five trading sessions.

Also Read: RBI Monetary Policy Committee Statement: Full text of Governor Shaktikanta Das' speech on February 8, 2024

In an exchange filing on Wednesday, Tata Steel said that "the boards of both companies have decided not to pursue the amalgamation process. Since the announcement of the intended merger of TRF in September 2022, Tata Steel has been providing significant operational and financial support by way of the placement of orders and the infusion of funds."

TRF was among the strategic businesses that Tata Steel considered for amalgamation, alongside eight others, including Tata Steel Long Products, Tinplate Company of India, Tata Metaliks, The Indian Steel & Wire Products, Tata Steel Mining, S & T Mining Company, Bhubaneswar Power and Angul Energy.

However, with the active support from Tata Steel, TRF has successfully navigated a highly challenging operating environment, witnessing a turnaround in its business performance. Tata Steel said it will continue with its simplification journey and leverage relevant opportunities in the future.

Also Read: Tata Steel completes proposed amalgamation of five of nine subsidiaries

On the other hand, Tata Steel has successfully amalgamated five of its nine strategic businesses, in line with its long-term strategy and commitment to simplify its business portfolio. In the filing, the company said the integration of the five businesses was underway after it completed the regulatory processes.

The five companies being integrated are Tata Steel Mining Ltd, Tata Steel Long Products Limited, S&T Mining Company Limited, The Tinplate Company of India Ltd, and Tata Metaliks Limited.

The merger of five companies with a cumulative annual turnover of 19,700 crore in FY23, in record time, presents a unique opportunity for consolidation of the downstream operations. This will enable growth in value-added segments by leveraging Tata Steels nationwide marketing and sales network," said Tata Steel.

Also Read: Paytm stock drops over 9% after a two-day recovery

The company further stated that the merger process for three other companiesBhubaneswar Power Private Limited (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Steel), Angul Energy Limited (Tata Steel's shareholding is 99.99%), and The Indian Steel and Wire Products Limited (Tata Steel's shareholding is 98.15%)is in its final stages with the respective jurisdictional company law tribunals. It is anticipated to be finalised by Q1FY25, pending regulatory approvals, the company added.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations given in this article are those of individual analysts. These do not represent the views of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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The recent introduction of India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) at the Eiffel Tower in France marks a monumental step in the global acceptance of digital payments, particularly benefiting Indian tourists who can now pay in rupees while visiting this iconic landmark. Tourists visiting Paris' Eiffel Tower will now be able to book their trip to the iconic monument using India's Unified Payment Interface .

What does this mean for Indian tourists in France?

For Indian tourists in France, this means no longer having to worry about currency exchange rates or carrying large amounts of foreign currency. They can now use their familiar UPI apps to make payments directly in rupees at one of the world's most visited monuments. This is not just about convenience; it's about bringing a piece of home abroad, offering comfort and a sense of belonging, even thousands of miles away from India," said Kunal Varma, CEO and Co-Founder at Freo.

This move is expected to enhance the travel experience for Indian tourists in Europe, providing them with the familiar convenience of UPI payments far from home, said Shikhar Aggarwal, Chairman of BLS E-Services.

UPI in France: What it means for the Fintech Industry

For the fintech industry, this is a clear indication of the growing importance of building systems that are adaptable and scalable across different regulatory and economic environments. I see this as an opportunity to further innovate and explore new frontiers in digital payments, ensuring that we can cater to the needs of a global audience while maintaining the highest standards of security and convenience," said Kunal Varma.

In a strategic collaboration with the French digital payment platform Lyra, UPI has extended its reach into Europe, enabling a seamless and convenient payment experience for Indian tourists, who constitute a significant demographic of travellers in Europe.

"This initiative not only facilitates ease of transactions for Indians abroad but also signifies an important leap towards the globalization of UPI, heralding a new era of digital payment solutions on a global scale," said Shikhar Aggarwal.

The announcement was made in Paris at an event organised by the Indian Embassy in France to celebrate India's Republic Day.

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.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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We work hard to ensure that our family lives in comfort in the present and in the future. We earn money and invest it. But what if we fail to ensure its smooth transition to our legal heirs? Wealth transmission post-death is a challenging process. What does not gain much attention is accessing a breadwinners investments while she is alive but incapacitated, that is, physically or mentally unfit to manage ones financial affairs.

Niranjan Vemulkar, co-founder and chief executive officer of Yellow, a digital will-making platform, shares an example. We know of a case where the breadwinner went into a coma. His assets were frozen and a good amount of money was needed to pay the hospital bill. The family had to move court to release some of these assets. But the court cannot allow transferring or withdrawing all assets in one go. They open the tap in a controlled manner only for specific purposes," Vemulkar says. To be sure, an incapacitated person may get better in the future, and a court cannot allow transferring assets of a living person.

While there are laws like the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 that offer guardianship provisions to manage an incapacitated persons property, obtaining guardianship can be complex. There is no standardized procedure. The absence of a unified law addressing access to an incapacitated persons accounts leads to varied procedures based on the type of incapacity, often complicating the process and opening avenues for exploitation by dishonest agents," says Sumit Agrawal, managing partner at Regstreet Law Advisors and a former Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) officer.

A simple solution is having a joint holding with a reliable family member with an either or survivor clause. Married couples commonly do it, but this cannot be an option for everyone. Another option is creating a power of attorney in favour of someone you trust. It shouldnt be a blanket PoA. It should come into effect upon a condition, such as a medical or a financial reason. Everyonebe it young or oldshould create a PoA along with nomination and get it registered," says Mohini Mahadevia, founder of SOLUFIN, an investment and estate planning firm. Notably, the registration is mandatory only for power of attorney involving real estate. One can create it by reaching out to a legal practitioner such as a lawyer/estate planner or a consultant. (See graphic for details)

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If you have multiple movable and non-movable properties, you can consider creating a trust for better estate planning. In this case, the trust will be authorized to act on your behalf if something happens to you within specified conditions.

One may wonder about the role of a nominee in case someone gets incapacitated. In the existing scenario, a nominee has no role to play in it unless she has the PoA in her favour. Without a court guardianship certificate, nobody can access a living persons assets. However, Sebi on 2 February released a consultation paper on nomination in which it has proposed to give more powers to nominees of incapacitated people, suggesting that they can act on behalf of the latter. The suggestions are in the context of shares, bonds, units of mutual funds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), alternative investment funds (AIFs) and other securities held in dematerialized form.

Sebi has suggested that in case of a single nominee of an incapacitated investor, she will be authorized to conduct transactions. In case of multiple nominees, the investor can specify which nominee will be authorized to conduct transactions.

If the incapacitated investor has the capacity to contract, then power of attorney or a mandate letter or authorization letter may be used. If the incapacitated person lacks the capacity to contract, a guardianship certificate from a court would be required. In both cases, a doctors certificate, in-person verification by the relevant depository or registrar, the thumb impression of the investor instead of her signature, and online login credentials will be needed.

How is this different from the existing scenario? Currently, court guardianship is crucial for nominees or legal heirs to transact on behalf of the incapacitated investor. As per Sebis proposals, if the owner has the capacity to contract, one does not have to get court guardianship. In the existing scenario, even with court guardianship, one can only partially redeem investments. If the proposals are accepted, the nominee will be able to conduct transactions on behalf of the investor. It is to be noted, on selling assets, the proceeds will go to the owners linked bank account. The nominee will have to follow banking regulations to withdraw funds from the bank account.

Are Sebis proposals in the right direction?

The intent is right, but there could be consequences. If a nominee sells the securities in the demat account and redeems the mutual fund investments, it means it has assumed the stature of the deemed investor even though the investor is alive, though incapacitated," says Rajat Dutta, founder and initiator, Inheritance Needs Services.

He cautions that this may lead to caretakers, caregivers and servants having a field day while taking care of the elderly while their children are overseas and they are alone. Such a regulation would catalyse fraud and may tantamount to a bac-door entry to succession through the nomination route," he adds.

Vikash Jain of Share Samadhan expresses concerns over the requirement of power of attorney when the incapacitated person has the capacity to contract. Sebi hasnt specified whether it is special PoA or regular. It seems to be the latter. It would be best if Sebi only permits registered PoA the way it is mandatory for immovable properties. A general PoA which is notarized or merely attested by an authority or authorization letter or mandate letter may create unnecessary disputes in courts among nominees or between other legal heirs and nominees".

That said, experts advise that the Sebi should limit the scope of conducting transactions on behalf of an incapacitated person. The nominee should not get a free run, otherwise the interest of the investor and their legal heirs or beneficiaries will get compromised," says Dutta.

A better approach would be standardizing the procedure across financial entities for all types of incapacity. A uniform process for nominations and claims in cases of incapacity is crucial. Sebi should ensure that financial institutions are equipped with well-trained staff and effective procedures to authenticate and process such requests efficiently, balancing security with simplicity." says Agrawal.

Most importantly, simplifying the process of obtaining court guardianship needs attention.

While the Sebi consultation intends to simplify account operation in cases of incapacity, it should also address the complexity of obtaining court guardianship certificates," he says.

Since court guardianship is a time-consuming process and involves physical presence of a senior official from the financial institution concerned, Vemulkar recommends it be replaced with two medical certificates. One by the treating doctor and another by an independent doctor. The role of a financial institution should be limited to verifying the identity of the nominee," he says.

The regulator has sought public comments on its proposals before 8 March.

Consider a joint ownership, conditional power of attorney or a trust to make things easier in case you suddenly go into a vegetative state.

For foolproof estate planning, combine it with a will so that your near and dear ones can claim the money expeditiously, with minimal paperwork, after you are gone.
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its February review meeting unanimously decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 6.5 per cent, thus maintaining the status quo for the sixth straight time. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das announced that the central bank will issue guidelines for a principle-based framework for authentication of digital payment transactions.

He also said that the central bank has prioritised the security of digital payments, in particular the need for an additional factor of authentication (AFA).

The RBI's latest announcements aim to future-proof India's digital payment ecosystems against emerging risks. Introducing Aadhaar-based authentication for credit card and UPI transactions shall mitigate fraudulent activities by enabling traceability. However, data privacy aspects need examination. For wider access, enhancing transaction limits for Prepaid Payment Instruments should spur adoption. Allowing Bharat Bill Pay units in Tier 3-6 centers can also accelerate financial inclusion," said Ashish Aggarwal, Director, Acube Ventures.

Introduction of Programmability and Offline Functionality in Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) Pilot

Digital rupee users will soon be able to execute transactions in areas with limited internet connectivity as the RBI on Thursday announced that offline capability will be introduced on the Central Bank digital currency (CBDC) pilot project.

"It is proposed to introduce an offline functionality in CBDC-R (Retail) for enabling transactions in areas with poor or limited internet connectivity," Das said while announcing the bi-monthly monetary policy review.The CBDC Retail (CBDC-R) pilot currently enables Person to Person (P2P) and Person to Merchant (P2M) transactions using Digital Rupee wallets provided by pilot banks. It is now proposed to enable additional use cases using programmability and offline functionality. Programmability will permit users like, for instance, government agencies to ensure that payments are made for defined benefits. Similarly, corporates will be able to program specified expenditures like business travel for their employees," RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said.

Additional features like validity periods or geographical areas within which CDBC may be used can also be programmed. Second, it is proposed to introduce an offline functionality in CBDC-R for enabling transactions in areas with poor or limited internet connectivity. Multiple offline solutions (proximity and non-proximity based) across hilly areas, and rural and urban locations will be tested for this purpose. These functionalities will be gradually introduced through the pilots, he added.

RBI launched a pilot of the retail CBDC in December 2022 and achieved the target of having 10 lakh transactions a day in December 2023.

It can be noted that other payment platforms, especially the very popular Unified Payments Interface (UPI), already offer offline possibilities.

On Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS)

Das also announced RBI's intent to enhance the security features of Aadhaar-payment Payment Systems (AePS)

To enhance the security of Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS), transactions, it is proposed to streamline the onboarding process, including mandatory due diligence, for AePS touchpoint operators, to be followed by banks," said the RBI Governor.

Additional fraud risk management requirements will also be considered. Instructions in this regard shall be issued shortly, he added.

"We believe that compliance transcends mere checkbox exercises; it serves as a critical tool in ensuring the safety of customer data and protecting the reputation of businesses," said Ankit Ratan, CEO & Co-founder at Signzy.

Principle-based Framework for Authentication of Digital Payment Transactions

To facilitate the use of an Additional Factor of Authentication (AFA) for digital security, it is proposed to adopt a principle-based Framework for authentication of digital payment transactions". Instructions in this regard will be issued separately," RBI Governor said.

While encouraging innovation, recommendations like augmented regulation for Big Tech and Buy Now Pay Later players reinforce commitment to stability. Overall, the policy stance continues balancing innovation with security to expand access in a risk-calibrated manner. As India surges towards a $5 trillion economy in 2024-25, robust digital payments backing consumer growth remain vital. By instilling trust and expanding reach, the RBI steers progress to fulfill the 2025 vision," said Ashish Aggarwal.

By adopting a principle-based framework for authentication, businesses not only curb the financial frauds but will also be able to provide a secure environment for its customers and protect their data," said said Ankit Ratan.

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(Bloomberg) -- When the US punished Morgan Stanley for leaking upcoming stock trades to favored clients, it kept the list of recipients secret. They include one of Wall Streets biggest players: Citadel.

A trader at Ken Griffins giant hedge fund was among a coterie of executives described anonymously in Morgan Stanleys settlements with the government, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Beyond Citadel, recipients of stock tips described in legal documents  without being named  include people at block-trading specialist CaaS Capital Management, Segantii Capital Management and Evolution Capital Management, the people said, asking not to be identified describing confidential aspects of the probe.

Prosecutors havent accused any buy-side participants that allegedly received tips of any wrongdoing.

The probe faulted Morgan Stanley for giving hedge funds advance warning as clients planned to sell slugs of stock big enough to move market prices. The Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission said bank employees doled out the information, with the expectation that hedge funds would short the stocks and position themselves to buy parts of a block once it hit the market.

The identity of the firms involved shows how far information traveled as Morgan Stanley bankers breached client confidentiality to bolster its franchise. While the banks close work with some specialist firms has previously been explored, Citadels ties to the case were less known.

Not every leak resulted in hedge fund managers trading before blocks of stock were sold. In some cases the sellers aborted their plans, which is what happened on two trades that were leaked to Citadel. Industry lawyers also argued that if firms did trade, they didnt break any laws, because they hadnt signed confidentiality pacts with the bank.

Hedge funds on the receiving end of information from a Morgan Stanley executive were entitled to assume he was following his firms rules," said Cristie Ford, a former Davis Polk lawyer who now teaches at the University of British Columbia. The nature of interactions is such that some of it is based on rumors, some of it is based on hunches, and some of it is based on hypothetical questions from equity desks."

For people in the industry, theres a feeling you can skate as close to the line as possible," she said. From an outsiders position the whole thing feels uncomfortable."

Morgan Stanley paid a $249 million penalty to end the probe. Pawan Passi, who ran the banks US equity syndicate desk when he was put on leave in 2021, was barred from the industry for a year by the SEC.

Representatives for the bank and hedge funds declined to comment or didnt respond to messages.

Fishy Performance

Sellers offloading blocks of stock have long vented frustrations about prices that slip just before a trade is executed, reducing their proceeds. Morgan Stanley, a force in block trading, was a target of scorn among envious rivals, who dubbed price declines before its sales the Morgan Stanley fade."

One proposed trade was leaked to two hedge funds including Citadel, but the seller grew suspicious as the market price began sliding, writing to the head of Morgan Stanleys desk that the stock performance smells fishy," according to the Justice Department. The customer ultimately halted plans to offload stock that month. Citadel had not shorted that stock  radio station operator iHeartMedia Inc.  before the proposed trade unraveled, two people said.

In another example, Morgan Stanleys banker told the Citadel trader about discussions with a potential block seller. Citadels trader then provided a thorough description of his existing short position in the stock and received assurances that when the sale proceeded, he would get an allocation large enough to cover his bearish bet and close out the trade. That sale also fell through, one of the people said.

The Citadel trader left the firm last year. His departure wasnt tied to the investigation, two of the people said.

With Frank Fus CaaS Capital, the government identified instances where the firm shorted shares after conversations with Morgan Stanley.

One of the stocks was Star Bulk Carriers Corp., an Athens-based shipping company that the founder of CaaS had never traded before, according to the banks deal with prosecutors, which didnt name that firm either. Morgan Stanley allocated 2 million shares from a 10.6 million-share offering to help CaaS close out a short position and make money off the trade, the settlement document says.

The block sales allegedly linked to Segantii and Evolution were tied to a London-based executive who initially worked at Segantii and then moved to Evolution. The employee subsequently had a falling out with Evolution over pay. Evolution later wrote in a court document that the trader was being scrutinized in the governments probe. No charges were ever levied against him or the firms.

Tipping Funds

The block-trading probe exposed a type of leaks that have long been suspected on Wall Street. It was widely known that banks engaged in delicate conversations with hedge funds to gauge their potential interest in slugs of stocks that could become available. The question was whether those conversations effectively tipped off hedge funds.

Some see it as a bad look for markets, even if its deemed legal. There should probably be more clear rules about what the process should be," according to Eric Rosen, a former senior JPMorgan Chase & Co. trader who also ran a hedge fund.

A judge once described porn as I know it when I see it," he said. If you are tipped off about a huge block thats coming out and you start shorting it and then you are buying it back, it doesnt smell right to me. That just doesnt seem like a level playing field."

--With assistance from Ava Benny-Morrison and Bei Hu.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

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(Bloomberg) -- German utility VNG AG signed a deal for the delivery of pipeline gas from Algerian state energy giant Sonatrach, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Leipzig-based company, controlled by EnBW Baden-Wuerttemberg AG, is the first German gas trader to reach such an agreement with the North African country, said the people who asked not to be named as the business is private. The deal took effect earlier this year, they said.

The terms of the agreement, including length and volumes, werent immediately clear. VNG declined to comment. Sonatrach didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Europes largest economy has been struggling to find alternative supplies after former top-provider Russia curbed deliveries in the wake of the war in Ukraine. The region has mainly filled the gap with liquefied natural gas.

Long-term gas delivery contracts are still scarce in Germany, with importers mainly relying on the volatile spot market. The US  a top global supplier of LNG  has imposed a moratorium on new export licenses while it studies the climate and economic impacts, creating uncertainty for the market.

VNG in December 2022 agreed to collaborate with Sonatrach on energy matters, with the intent to create a German-Algerian value chain for hydrogen. The gas groups Chief Executive Officer Ulf Heitmueller is listed as part of the delegation accompanying Economy Minister Robert Habeck in Algeria this week. Uniper SE CEO Michael Lewis is also among the participants.

Habeck is set to sign a bilateral hydrogen agreement with Algerian Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab on Thursday. Algeria aims to send green hydrogen from renewables to the European Union via an underwater gas pipeline grid. Feasibility studies for the project are under way.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

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The Greater Chennai Police said on Thursday that bomb threat e-mails were received at a few educational institutions in Greater Chennai Police limits. No need to panic about this. It looks like a hoax email, but we are taking all the precautions," said Chennai Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) Prem Anand Sinha. ALSO READ: Mumbai, Delhi Bomb Scare; Investigation Underway Almost 13-14 schools have received such emails across the city. The motive and origin of the email is yet to be found... In the emails that I have seen there is no demand as of now...," the ACP added. Police said teams of Greater Chennai City Police (GCP) and Bomb Disposal and Detection Squad (BDDS) have been sent for Anti-Sabotage Checks" in these educational institutions. Action is being taken to identify the culprit who sent these e-mails," police said in a statement. ALSO READ: Delhi Public School in RK Puram receives bomb threat

After receiving the threat mail, many schools were shut early and parents were asked to take their children home, The Hindu reported.

Public are requested not to be panic," the Greater Chennai Police said on Thursday in a post on X.

ALSO READ: Unknown person threatens police with bombs at 6 locations

More details are awaited.

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The week of love (Valentine's Week) started on Wednesday with Rose Day. Couples in deep love, plan to express their feelings to their partners by surprise gifts, romantic dates, flowers, and several other ways on the second day of the week known as Propose Day. As the name suggests, it is the day when a person can express his/her romantic feelings or confess his/her love to a special someone. However, it is advisable that before taking this big step one should confirm the other person's feelings to avoid any uncomfortable, embarrassing situation.

If both partners are sure about each others feelings, Propose Day can be the best day to take your relationship forward. Here are some wishes, messages and greetings which may help you to express your romantic feelings to the special someone if you are planning to propose today.

Happy Propose Day 2024: History

Though the exact origins of Propose Day in not clear, hysterically the day can be traced to 1477, when the Austrian Archduke Maximilian proposed to Mary of Burgundy with a magnificent diamond ring, perhaps laying the foundation for the tradition associated with this day.

Happy Propose Day 2024: How to pop the question

Life is incomplete without you. Will you complete me by being my partner? Happy Propose Day, my Love!

I want to create beautiful memories with you. Will you be my partner for life? Happy Propose Day!

I want to grow old with you. Will you be my partner for life? Happy Propose Day, my Love!

I want to spend eternity with you. Will you be mine forever? Happy Propose Day!

Happy propose day my love. You make my life worth living. I love you forever!

Happy Propose Day 2024: Wishes and messages

You make my life worth living. I love you forever! Happy propose day my love!

Loving you has made me become a better person. I want to grow old with you. Happy Propose Day!

I loved you yesterday, I love you today, and I will love you tomorrow. I promise to be with you forever. Happy Propose Day.

I knew you were my soulmate from the day I first met you. Thanks for coming into my life and making it beautiful. Happy Propose Day.

Would you share the rest of your life with me? I promise we will make the best of every moment. Happy Propose Day!

You have seen my imperfections and insecurities and still chose to be with me. I will love you always. Happy Propose Day.

I realised I never was truly loved until I met you, you brought so much love into my life. Happy Propose Day.

I want to be with you when you feel down, in your happiest times, even at your worst. Will you let me be your partner forever? Happy Propose Day

You are the music in my life. You make all the mundane things beautiful. Your laugh is like a symphony that I can never get enough of. Happy Propose Day, my love.

Today, I promise you a lifetime of never-ending love and togetherness. Happy Propose Day.

I promise to cherish and love you forever. I promise to fill your life with happiness and stay by your side in times of difficulties. I love you. Happy Propose Day.

I want to welcome you into my life with wide open arms. You make my life meaningful and beautiful. Happy Propose Day.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. An observation mission from Belarus has documented the transparency of the voting process in Azerbaijan's presidential election, said international observer and Deputy Chairman of the Council of the National Assembly of Belarus Valery Belsky during a press conference in Baku, Trend reports.

As international observers, we went to two election locations in Karabakh and saw busy voting. We observed strong voter turnout, transparency in the voting process, and kindness and solemnity throughout all procedures. Azerbaijan is a leader in democratic procedures, he emphasized.

The extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Seven candidates run in the election.

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05 percent of the votes after the processing of 93.35 percent of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev received 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa received two percent, Elshad Musayev received 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev received 1.76 percent, and Fuad Aliyev received 0.53 percent of the votes.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
New Delhi: A recent ruling by the Delhi High Court, which affirmed that reposting or sharing libellous content constitutes criminal defamation, has broad implications for freedom of expression on social media platforms, and for ongoing and future defamation cases, legal experts told Mint.

Legal experts warned that users could face action for sharing unsubstantiated content on social media following the Delhi High Court's ruling, which said that reposting defamatory content would attract similar liability as the original post.

The high court delivered the ruling on Monday in a criminal defamation case involving Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. The court refused to quash the summons issued to the chief minister regarding an allegedly defamatory video that YouTuber Dhruv Rathee posted on X (then Twitter) in 2018, which Kejriwal reposted. The court also upheld the summoning order passed by the magistrate and the sessions courts order rejecting Kejriwal's revision plea.

The issue of criminal defamation garnered significant attention last year in a case involving Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who was disqualified from the Lok Sabha after he was convicted of criminal defamation by a Surat court.

After the Delhi High Court ruling, merely stating that the content represents the original posters views when reposting it wont protect someone from liability under Section 499 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code. Therefore, the freedom of expression in re-sharing such content on social media is now subject to reasonable restrictions, which was previously applicable to print and other media platforms," said Manmeet Kaur, partner at Karanjawala & Co.

Abhimanyu Kampani, partner at Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India, said, The Delhi High Court ruling will have a significant impact on ongoing and future defamation cases involving social media. The court has emphasised the importance of protecting an individual's reputation from being tarnished through reckless and unsubstantiated statements on social media."

Experts also said the ruling would have a bigger impact on public figures with large numbers of followers. Kaur said social media users, especially public figures, should refrain from posting or sharing any opinion, personal comment, image or narrative that has no basis in reported documents, court orders, or information in the public domain, or statements that are not indisputably truthful.

Abhimanyu Kampani said the court sees reposting as equivalent to publishing, noting that a post is seen by more people if shared by someone with a big social-media following.

In India, defamation can attract a civil or a criminal case. Criminal defamation, a contentious colonial-era law, has been criticised for its alleged misuse and for infringing on peoples freedom of expression. Governed by the Indian Penal Code, it can attract up to two years in jail or a fine. Civil defamation, according to Code of Civil Procedure, involves lawsuits seeking compensation for reputational harm. In civil cases, the petitioner must be able to demonstrate malicious intent and resultant harm to reputation or livelihood.

Experts advised users to exercise caution when sharing content that could be seen as defamatory. Kampani said, If you, as a social media user, come across a post or comment that you believe is defamatory, it would be advisable to report it to the platform and not respond to it or share it, as this would only amplify its reach." Sagar Aggarwal, managing partner at Areness, said, From now, merely stating that reposting doesnt mean endorsement in bio will not confer any legal immunity."

The high court ruling came soon after the 22nd Law Commission Report last week, which recommended retaining the law against criminal defamation.

The 22nd Law Commission Report recommended retaining criminal defamation, considering it a necessary remedy to protect the reputation of individuals. The court has also recognised in the judgement the need to balance the right to freedom of speech with the right to protect ones reputation, which is considered part of Article 21 of the Constitution," said Kampani.

He added that any changes to the law would depend on the legislative process and the evolving societal and legal landscape. In light of these evolving dynamics, the defamation law may need to have a more balanced approach, with effective remedies and quick responses, he said.

Aggarwal said, The future of criminal defamation law in India appears to hinge on maintaining a delicate equilibrium  protecting peoples freedom of speech while preventing them from disparaging anothers hard-earned reputation.
In a recent development, Shaadi.com CEO Anupam Mittal slammed IndiGo for its "inhumane" treatment of passengers on social media platform X, on February 8. The Shark Tank India judge shared that two flights experienced considerable delays. Also Read | Smooth landing for Indigo in Q3 but capacity concerns remain Mittal mentioned that his IndiGo flight from Delhi to Mumbai was held up on the tarmac for over 45 minutes, with passengers forced to remain inside the aircraft to save costs. Additionally, his flight from Mumbai to Delhi faced a delay of over 2 hours, and he expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of a refund offer. Also Read | 'If Google is not there': Shaadi.com founder Anupam Mittal weighs in on Play Store billing row Kya ho gaya tumko IndiGo. Mum-Delhi > 45-minute delay on the tarmac without AC so u can keep costs down. Del-Mum > 2 hr delay but will not refund the ticket. DGCA this is inhumane and should be made illegal," Mittal said in his post. Also Read | Shark Tank India: Startup accused of making false claims after boAts Aman Gupta, Lenskarts Peyush Bansal strike deal "Mr Mittal, we extend our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience caused by the delay of your morning flight from Mumbai, which was inadvertently delayed by 30 minutes due to unforeseen traffic congestion," IndiGo said. "Additionally, we regret to inform you that the delay on the Delhi-Mumbai route resulted from an unexpected medical emergency on the incoming flight. Please rest assured that we understand the importance of your time and the impact such delays can have on your travel plans. We genuinely regret the inconvenience this would have caused," IndiGo added.

Meanwhile, the passengers of IndiGo airline on January 31 protested at the Delhi airport after their Deoghar-bound flight was cancelled at terminal 2. The announcement of cancellation enraged the passengers, who started raising slogans against IndiGo airline at the airport in the presence of security personnel, Mint reported earlier.

This is not the first time such a complaint was raised against the airline, multiple such incidents were reported and the aviation regulator even fined the IndiGo airline. Additionally, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) fined Mumbai Airport 90 lahk and IndiGo airline 1.2 crore after a video went viral on social media in which passengers were seen eating openly near the airstrip of the Mumbai airport after their flight got delayed, as per the Mint report.

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Kerala, Tamil Nadu have joined protesting Chief minister from Karnataka Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar in Delhi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi government's alleged discrimination in the federal funds allocated to these southern states.

-Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who was invited by CM Siddaramaiah to join the protest against Centre, lashed out at the Congress government in Karnataka,

-Sitharaman accusing Karnataka's Congress government of harbouring a "separatist" mindset and spreading a "false narrative" on the issue of fund allocation by the Centre to states.

-Sitharaman, who is a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, gave out figures of the funds allocated to the state from the Centre to reject the charges. She claimed that the Siddaramaiah government is feeling the heat due to the financial burden of nearly 58,000 crore for the implementation of his party's poll promises.

-Karnataka government was the first to take the streets in national capital Delhi as top leaders of the state, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar, gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. They claim the BJP-ruled government at the Centre is withholding funds and has purposefully reduced the state's share of tax revenue.

-Shivakumar said Karnataka ranks second in Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection and is the biggest contributor to the country's revenue.

-As the leaders upped the ante with their 'Chalo Delhi' protest in Jantar Mantar just weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing counterattack on the Congress and urged the Karnataka government to stop creating new narratives to divide the country as it jeopardises India's future.

-Meanwhile, BJP launched a protest of its own - in Bengaluru - to highlight the "failures" of the Congress government in Karnataka. BJP legislators and leaders led by the party state president BY Vijayendra staged a sit-in demonstration in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue near Vidhana Soudha yesterday, which houses the State Legislature and Secretariat of Karnataka.

-MPs from Tamil Nadu and Kerala will also stage protests in Delhi today. Through their demonstrations, the state governments aim to highlight the "injustice" in tax devolution and grants-in-aid they have been subjected to over the past few years.

-Tamil Nadu MPs of the ruling DMK and its alliance partners will protest near the Mahatma Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex today.

-Kerala Chief Minister Pinaryai Vijayan and members of his Left Front government are scheduled to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar today.

-The centre vs states row over funds allocation to states has heated up since Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Interim Budget on February 1. The ongoing session of Parliament has witnessed several arguments between the Centre and the Opposition over the issue. The funds allocation issue also saw Sitharaman and the Congress' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury squabbling in Parliament.

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not belong to the Other Backward Caste (OBC) community as he was born in a general category.

While addressing a public rally during the Odisha leg of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, the Wayanad MP said, Modi ji has been misleading the people by saying that he is an OBC. PM Modi was not born in the OBC category. He was born Teli caste in Gujarat. The community was given the tag of OBC in the year 2000 by the BJP. He was born in the General caste...He will not allow caste census to be conducted in his entire life because he was not born in OBC, he was born in General caste." He also alleged that the prime minister does not shake hands with OBCs, but hugs billionaires". Also Read: PM Narendra Modi attacks INDIA alliance, says 'Alliance ka hi alignment bigad gaya' | Top quotes

Prime Minister Modi had come down heavily on the Congress and other Opposition parties during an address in Parliament, accusing the UPA government of not delivering justice with OBCs. A few days ago, Karpoori Thakur ji was conferred with Bharat Ratna. In 1970, when he became Bihar CM, what was not done to destabilise his government? Congress can't tolerate OBCs...They keep counting how many OBCs are there in government. Can't you (Congress) see the biggest OBC here (pointing towards himself)?" PM Modi said

PM Modi however laid the blame squarely with the UPA government.

"During the UPA Government, an extra-constitutional body was formed. The government could not have its way before that body. National Advisory Council - did it have any OBC members? Find out," he added.

Meanwhile, the Odisha leg of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is scheduled to be completed this afternoon before going on a two-day break from February 9-10. The yatra will again resume on February 11 from Chhattisgarh.

Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra rolled out from Manipur's Thoubal on January 14. The yatra will cover over 6,700 kilometres over 67 days, traversing through 110 districts. It will cover a distance of 6,713 km, straddling 100 Lok Sabha constituencies and 337 assembly segments and covering 110 districts. The yatra will conclude in Mumbai on March 20, after 67 days.

A follow-up to the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' which saw Rahul Gandhi cover more than 3,000 kilometres on foot--from Kanya Kumari to Srinagar--the Yatra 2.0 is following a hybrid format.

(With inputs from ANI)

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The Telangana government has declared a public holiday on Thursday in observance of the Shab-e-Meraj festival, an occasion in the Muslim calendar.

As a result, schools across the state will be closed today. This decision is in line with the school holiday calendar released by the government, which designates February 8 as a holiday specifically for Shab-e-Meraj.

Shab-e-Miraj is observed on the 27th day of the Islamic month of Rajab in the Islamic lunar calendar. It is considered a night of great spiritual significance and is marked by prayers, recitation of the Quran, and reflection on the miraculous journey of the Prophet Muhammad.

Also Read: There for you, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy after Indian student Syed Mazhar Ali attacked in Chicago

Shab-e-Miraj, also known as Isra and Mi'raj, is a significant event in Islamic tradition that commemorates the night journey of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension to the heavens. According to Islamic belief, the journey occurred in a single night, during which the Prophet Muhammad was transported from the Kaaba in Mecca to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, where he led other prophets in prayer.

From there, he ascended through the heavens, encountering various prophets and reaching the highest levels of Paradise, where he had a direct encounter with Allah (God).

Also Read: Mint Explainer: Why Indian schools continue to fail rural teens

Earlier, Telangana schools got a six-day break from January 12 to January 17, 2024, due to Sankranti. A Hindu festival that marks the onset of the harvest season, Sankranti is celebrated with much pomp and enthusiasm across the country.

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Clashes began hours after a madrasa believed to be illegally constructed was demolished by municipal authorities. Curfew imposed after miscreants threw stones at police and set vehicles on fire, including a police car.

Clashes erupted in Uttarakhand's Haldwani on Thursday hours after a madrasa believed to be illegally constructed was demolished by municipal authorities. Curfew was imposed after miscreants threw stones at police officers and set vehicles on fire, including a police car, news agency PTI reported. Police resort to tear gas shells after a group of protesters hurled stones and set vehicles on fire. According to an India Today report, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has issued shoot-at-sight orders in Halwani's Banbhulpura to quell riots. The chief minister also announced that all schools would remain closed in Haldwani on Friday.

Also Read | SEBI orders action against 15 guest experts of Zee Business channel for unlawful trading

The chief minister also appealed to the people to maintain peace.

"In the Banbhoolpura area of Haldwani, a team from the administration had gone for an anti-encroachment drive, following the Court's order. Anti-social elements there entered into a brawl with the Police. A few Police personnel & administrative officials sustained injuries. Additional companies of Police and Central Forces are being sent there. We have appealed to everyone to maintain peace. Curfew is in place," he said.

"Strict action will be taken against rioters and encroachers who committed arson," the Chief Minister added.

Uttarakhand DGP Abhinav Kumar was quoted by ANI as saying," Around 4 pm today, a joint team of District Administration and Police was conducting an anti-encroachment drive in Banbhoolpura, Haldwani as per the Court's order. Opposing that, a few anti-social elements pelted stones and caused arson. It is also being said that they fired at the police using illegal weapons. DIG Kumaon reached the spot immediately and additional police forces have also been called there. The State Government has also demanded that the MHA provide additional Police forces. MHA has made 4 companies of additional central forces available to us."

The situation is under control, he said.

"CM called an emergency meeting at his residence sometime back...As of now, the situation is under control. As per the information available to me, several Police personnel and administration officials sustained injuries and have been admitted to hospitals. No casualties reported yet. The situation is tense but under control..." the DGP added.

He also assured action against those who would be found guilty.

Earlier in the day, Haldwani's municipal corporation demolished of a madrasa believed to have been illegally constructed near the Banbhulpura police station. Reacting to the municipal corporation's move, a group of individuals living nearby started pelting stones at the police officers accompanying the civic officials. Several police officers are reported to be injured. The miscreants also vandalised several vehicles, including police vehicles and set some of them on fire.

Also Read | Pakistan Election 2024 Live: Counting of votes underway in Pakistan

The demolition was carried out in the presence of Municipal Commissioner Pankaj Upadhyay, City Magistrate Richa Singh and SDM Paritosh Verma, SSP SSP Prahlad Meena said adding that the demolition took place after a prior notice to the residents.

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Farmers of Uttar Pradesh, marching towards Parliament, were on Thursday stopped by the police on the Noida-Delhi Chilla border. Some of the farmers who tried to scale the barricades were pushed back by the cops, news agency ANI reported.

The farmers were stopped near the Mahamaya flyover in the Noida-Delhi Chilla Border area around 1 pm. They had earlier stated their intent to gherao (surround in protest) Parliament.

The farmersfrom hundreds of villages in Noida and Greater Noidaare staging a protest, demanding that 10% of plots or their equivalent compensation be given to them in lieu of land acquired from them since 1997 for development projects. They had staged protests back in 2019 and 2020-21 also.

In January 2021, the Greater Noida Authority had sent a letter to the government in line with the farmers' demands. In December 2023, the Authority had approved 10% residential plots for farmers on developed land, reported ANI.

Also Read | RBIs actions on Paytm Payments Bank due to persistent noncompliance

Earlier in the day, the protesting farmers under the banners of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha and Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Sabha, gathered outside the NTCP office in Noida Sector 24 and the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority's office, demanding 10% of land.

The farmers had a Mahapanchayat at the Greater Noida Authority office on Wednesday, where they decided to march to Parliament on Thursday, demanding the resolution of their issues in a time-bound manner.

"Nobody listens to us, what should we do? It seems that we have been protesting for over 5 years now. We will take what is in our rights. We are not asking for anything extra, we are asking for what has already been passed. It is our right for the 10 per cent of abadi land," ANI quoted a protesting farmer as saying.

Also Read | How Indian UPI landed in France for digital payments, and what it means

Police said Section 144 has been imposed across the city, and all the borders have been sealed for 24 hours. Heavy security has been deployed at all borders.

Noida DIG, Additional CP (Law & Order), Shivhari Meena was quoted by ANI as saying, "Section 144 has been imposed and all the borders have been sealed for 24 hours. Arrangements have been made so that the people do not face any trouble. Security has been heightened. We are in talks with the farmers. All the vehicles are being checked."

ZOMATO More Information

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While announcing the discontinuation of FMR, Amit Shah said that the decision was taken to maintain the country's internal security and demographic structure of the northeastern states. The announcement is an attempt to avoid the spillover effect of the ongoing Myanmar crisis on India.

Also Read: Ghost of partition past lingers as Delhi mulls fencing British era India-Myanmar border

As Myanmar, currently under military dictatorship, is facing the rebellion of ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy forces, there has been a significant influx of people from Myanmar to bordering Indian states.

What is Free Movement Regime between India and Myanmar?

The FMR came into existence in 2018 as a part of India's Act East policy. It allows cross-border movement up to 16 km without a visa. The agreement was brought to facilitate local border trade, improve access to education and healthcare for border residents, and strengthen diplomatic ties. Under the agreement, individuals were also allowed to up to two weeks in the neighbouring country by getting a one-year border pass.

Why was FMR scrapped?

In a post on X, Home Minister Amit Shah said that the FMR was abolished between India and Myanmar to safeguard the internal security of the nation and preserve the demographic composition of India's North Eastern states that share borders with Myanmar.

"It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve to secure our borders. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided that the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar be scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of India's North Eastern States bordering Myanmar. Since the Ministry of External Affairs is currently in the process of scrapping it, MHA has recommended the immediate suspension of the FMR," Shah said in the post.

Indian states sharing a border with Myanmar

India and Myanmar share a 1,643-km-long porous border which is shared by multiple North Indian states like Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. Currently, all these states come under FMR.

Manipur shares approximately 390 km of a porous border with Myanmar, with only about 10 km fenced as of now. Mizoram has a porous border spanning 510 kilometres with Myanmar. Arunachal Pradesh shares a 520-kilometer520-kilometre border with Myanmar, whereas Nagaland's border with the country spans 215 kilometres.

Fencing of India-Myanmar border

Earlier the Home Minister had announced the fencing of the entire 1643 kilometres of India-Myanmar the border. Amit Shah had also announced the construction of a patrol pathway along the India-Myanmar border to enhance surveillance capabilities. "Additionally, fence works covering approx 20 km in Manipur have also been approved, and the work will start soon," Shah stated further.

"We plan to terminate the FMR along the Indo-Myanmar border shortly. We aim to install fencing along the entire border, a project expected to be completed in the next four-and-a-half years. Individuals entering will be required to obtain a visa," stated an official privy to the plan being prepared by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

One of the major reasons behind scrapping FMR was to curb "illegal immigration, drug and arms trafficking in the region.

The situation worsened after the military coup in Myanmar in 2021. Since then, a considerable number of Myanmar's tribal population crossed into India, particularly Manipur and Mizoram and remained there illegally.

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While hearing a peculiar case of the rising number of pregnancies among female prisoners during their custody inside prisons, the Calcutta High Court was urged to bar the entry of male employees of the correctional homes inside the enclosure of women prisoners.

Also Read: Mumbai airport expansion: High court rejects plea to pause demolitions

It is interesting to note that women prisoners, while in custody, are getting pregnant. Subsequently, babies are born in prisons. At present, 196 babies are staying in different prisons of West Bengal," amicus curiae of all correctional homes in the state informed the Calcutta high court, according to a Hindustan Times report.

Also Read: 75% quota in private jobs: Supreme Court seeks Centres response on Haryana govt plea challenging high court order

An amicus curiae is an individual or an organisation who assists a court by providing information, expertise, or insight associated with the case.

After placing two notes before the Calcutta High Court's division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Supratim Bhattacharya, the amicus curiae urged to prohibit the entry of male staffers of the correctional homes inside the enclosure of women prisoners.

Also Read: Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction to approach Supreme Court after EC verdict hands party name, symbol to Ajit Pawar

Recently, I visited a women's correctional home along with the inspector general (special) of correctional homes and secretary of the district legal services authority. I found one pregnant lady and at least 15 other women prisoners staying with their children. They were born in the prison", HT quoted the amicus curiae.

At present the matter has been assigned to another division bench in the High Court. The next hearing in the case will be held on Monday. According to a senior IPS officer of West Bengal correctional services, if a woman with a child less than six years old is arrested, then the child is allowed to stay with the mother. Expressing concern over the matter, the IPS officer also said that he has no information in this regard and assured of taking strict action if it comes to his notice.

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Sameer Kamath, a 23-year-old Indian-American student at Purdue University was found dead in a nature preserve in Indiana this week. Authorities have ruled his death as suicide, saying that it was from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, news agency PTI has reported.

Kamath, a US citizen, was found dead in the woods on 5 February at approximately 5 pm in NICHES Land Trust - Crows Grove in Williamsport, Indiana.

On Wednesday, Justin Brummett, Coroner at Warren County Coroner's Office, in a press release said that a forensic autopsy was performed on Kamath on February 6 in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

The press release from the coroner's office said that the preliminary cause of death was a gunshot wound of the head" and Kamath died by suicide". A toxicology report is pending.

Through extensive investigation by the Warren County Coroner's Office in conjunction with multiple other local and federal agencies, we are now able to release a preliminary cause and manner of death," the release said as quoted by PTI.

The coroner's office stated that that prior to releasing the information, Kamaths family was notified of the results. "This is an ongoing investigation with the Warren County Coroner's Office, Warren County Sheriff's Office, Purdue University Administration and other supporting agencies, it said.

Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family and we hope they are respected during such a difficult time," Brummett said.

Who is Sameer Kamath?

A report in The Purdue Exponent said that Kamath was a doctoral candidate in mechanical engineering. The report added that mechanical engineering head Eckhard Groll said in an email to the ME community that Kamath was from Massachusetts.

He received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and came to Purdue in the summer of 2021," the Purdue Exponent report added.

As per his LinkedIn profile, Kamath was to graduate from the doctoral program in 2025.

Meanwhile, Kamaths death is the latest in a string of tragic incidents among students of Indian origin and from India in the US.

Just recently, another Indian student, Syed Mazahir Ali, hailing from Hyderabad and pursuing Masters in information technology, was chased and brutally attacked by three unidentified men in Chicago. His wife, who is in India currently, said, " My husband Mazahir Ali went to Chicago for his masters. A deadly attack happened on him on February 4 at around 1 am...Around 6 am in the morning I received the attack's Whatsapp video...He is seriously injured...The govt there did not provide any proper treatment to him."

Last month, another Purdue student 19-year-old Neel Acharya, who had been reported missing, was found dead on the Purdue University West Lafayette campus. On 28 January, Tippecanoe County Coroners Office officials were called around 11:30 a.m. to 500 Allison Road in West Lafayette for a possible dead body. Authorities have said that there was no trauma or significant injuries found during the autopsy on Acharya and "no foul play is suspected at this time".

Acharyas demise came after the news of the gruesome murder of Vivek Saini, another Indian student who had recently earned an MBA degree in the US and was hammered to death by a homeless drug addict in Georgia states Lithonia city. Last week in Cincinnati, Shreyas Reddy, an Indian student at the Linder School of Business, was found dead under unknown circumstances.

(With inputs from PTI)

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. The electoral process in the presidential election in Azerbaijan was well organized, said Chairman of the Commission on Legal Affairs and International Relations of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA) Osman Mesten during a briefing on the monitoring results of Azerbaijan's extraordinary presidential election, Trend reports.

"Equal conditions were provided to all candidates. The presidential election in Azerbaijan, following the restoration of territorial integrity and sovereignty, marks a historic milestone. Our observations extended to liberated territories like Shusha and Khankendi, where the electoral process unfolded transparently. Results were publicly disclosed, and our mission attested to the well-organized process, ensuring conducive conditions for international observers," he said.

"The electoral process adhered to the laws of Azerbaijan and international standards," Mesten added.

The extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Seven candidates run in the election.

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05 percent of the votes after the processing of 93.35 percent of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev - 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa - two percent, Elshad Musayev - 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev - 1.76 percent, Fuad Aliyev - 0.53 percent of the votes.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
India will resume trade talks with Peru next week after a long gap hoping that a free trade agreement will conclude in the next few rounds of discussions. The trade talks generate more interest as India, one the largest importers of lithium batteries, eyes the large deposits of lithium in the South American country.

A delegation of over dozen members led by the commerce ministry's joint secretary will lead the Indian side for bilateral talks with Peru from 12 February for a proposed trade agreement, two people aware of the matter told Mint.

This upcoming round of trade talks between both countries, which will be held in Lima, the capital of the South American nation, comes after representatives from governments of India and Peru had earlier participated in a special round of negotiations virtually last October.

The next round of dialogues will be held in India and New Delhi is hoping to conclude the FTA in the next few rounds.

Peru's Gerardo Antonio Meza Grillo, director for Asia, Oceania and Africa, the ministry of foreign trade and tourism, will lead the talks from the South American side.

The upcoming talks are aimed at promoting bilateral trade and investments between the two countries, one of the above mentioned people said, requesting anonymity.

Both India and Peru, as trading partners, are looking to reduce or eliminate customs duties on a number of goods traded between them, besides easing norms to promote trade in services, the person added.

The upcoming negotiations will see discussions on rules of origin, trade in goods, customs procedures and trade facilitation, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, general and security exceptions, cooperation and legal and institutional issues/dispute settlement, etc.

Discussions on services, movement of natural persons, trade remedies and investment chapter are also expected to be held between both sides.

A commerce ministry spokesperson didn't respond to emailed queries.

Talks for the India-Peru trade agreement commenced in 2017, with the fifth round concluding in August 2019. However, talks between both sides were halted during the pandemic.

Besides lithium, Peru is also a major producer of lead, zinc, gold, copper, and silver. Interestingly, Peru is surrounded by the 'lithium triangle' consisting of Bolivia, Argentina and Chile.

As things stand, India and Peru have been experiencing steady growth in bilateral trade. During FY23, bilateral trade volume between both countries hit $3.12 billion. India exported goods worth $865.91 million to Peru and imported goods valued at $2.25 billion from the country.

According to the latest data on the government's Niryat portal, India's total export value to Peru during the April-December 2023 period stood at $699.04 million.

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Karnataka Health Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao imposed a state-wide ban on hookah on February 7. This decision was taken to protect public health and youth, reported ANI. This state-wide hookah ban is backed by data from the WHO Global Adult Tobacco Survey-2016-17 (GATS-2).

According to WHO data, 22.8% of adults in Karnataka use tobacco, with 8.8% being smokers. The report further outlines alarming details that 23.9% of adults are exposed to second-hand smoke in public places. The report demonstrates the pervasive risk of tobacco consumption in the Karnataka. The order banning hookah also prohibits the sale of hookah and related-ingredients, advertising and business of hookah. Also read: Manohar Lal Khattar announces ban on Hookah bars in Haryana

The order states: Hookahs are usually used in closed spaces. Moreover, it is inhaled through mouth and is shared by multiple people. However, there is a high risk of hookah users contracting herpes, hepatitis and other diseases," reported TOI.

The Health minister had earlier said, Whenever we consume hookah, we will consume it for 30-45 minutes and it is equal to smoking 20-40 cigarettes."

Earlier on January 26, Karnataka Health Minister inaugurated new comprehensive cancer care centre and blossom deluxe rooms at the Kasturba medical college (KMC) hospital here, in collaboration with KMC Attavar oncology centre. Moreover, the government plans to make MRI and CT scans free across the state.

During the event, Dinesh Gundu Rao noted that specialised oncology care with a linear oscillator will assist cancer patients from entry to complete cure. While stressing the importance of quality care, he said equipment and technology are essential for public welfare. He mentioned that early cancer detection is crucial for long-term benefit and the commitment should be to save every life.

In Haryana's Gurugram, a joint team of the drug control department and chief minister flying squad carried out raids at two outlets in a mall in sector 53 on Friday, February 2. These raids were conducted for allegedly serving hookahs containing nicotine illegally where Police apprehended three employees. The police seized 9 hookahs and intoxicants of various flavours in large quantities from the premises.

(With agency inputs)

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Five U.S. venture-capital firms invested a total of at least $3 billion in Chinese companies developing technology allegedly used in human-rights abuses and to benefit the Chinese military and government, according to a Congressional investigation.

A new report from the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party looks at years of investment from venture-capital firms into artificial intelligence and semiconductor startups in China. Nearly two-thirds of the total invested by those firms, or $1.9 billion, went to AI companies whose technology is contributing to Chinas military buildup and human-rights abuses, the report says. In some cases, the companies have been blacklisted by the U.S. government.

Decades of investmentincluding funding, knowledge transfer, and other intangible benefitsfrom U.S. VCs have helped build and strengthen the PRCs priority sectors," says the report.

The committee doesnt challenge the legality of the investments but calls for policy changes to ensure U.S. venture capital isnt allowed to bolster Chinese national security and surveillance efforts.

The investigation began last year when the committee requested information from venture-capital investors, including some of the largest in the U.S.: Sequoia Capital, Qualcomms venture-capital arm, Walden International, GGV Capital and GSR Ventures. The firms invested money in China from U.S. limited partners such as pension funds and university endowments, the report says.

Many of the startup investments in the report occurred years ago, before Washington had designated the companies as national security threats and, in some cases, the venture firms have sold their stakes, the report says.

Sequoia said most of its China investments had been managed by its China arm, which has now become a separate, independent company. Qualcomm said it only had small investments in China. GGV Capital said it has screens for problematic investments and that it, too, is splitting off its China operation into a separate entity.

Walden and GSR didnt respond to requests for comment on the report. GSR said previously the venture partners who worked on the deals scrutinized by the House committee are no longer at the firm.

The report says those five firms combined invested more than $140 million in AI companies that supply technology to the Chinese military or its contractors and more than $130 million into AI startups that are flagged by the U.S. government as aiding human-rights abuses.

The committee, set up last year, is increasingly trying to keep American businesses from aiding Beijings technology ambitions. It aims to slow Chinas progress in technology that could end up being used against the U.S. in a military conflict or assist Beijing in building up a surveillance state.

At least in advanced technology sectors, we need to cut off the flow of funds," said the committees chairman, Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin. We cant afford to keep funding our own destruction."

The committees actions represent a shift in thinking in Washington about U.S. investment ties with China that has put some venture-capital firms in the hot seat. Many in Silicon Valleys venture-capital community, in years past, were eager to invest in China to seize the opportunity of nascent tech companies selling to a large population and growing middle class of eager tech adopters. Washington used to support such investment as a way to encourage reform in China.

Years ago, Sequoia and GGV set up China arms, and others such as GSR and Walden invested in China while keeping their headquarters in the U.S. American firms provided the seed money for Chinese venture capital to blossom.

A Sequoia Capital spokeswoman said that the companys China unit has always operated with a separate team managing a separate fund and making its own investment decisions, and as of December, the China business had been split off into an independent firm with a new name, HongShan. Sequoia Capital invests in the U.S. and Europe.

We take U.S. national security issues seriously and have always had processes in place to ensure compliance with U.S. law," the spokeswoman said.

A Qualcomm spokeswoman said its investments are generally small and constitute less than 2% of the total investments in the committees report.

A GGV Capital spokeswoman said the firm would complete its separation from its China fund by next month and that it has been in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations" and will abide by any future investment regulations. It is also trying to sell its stake in some Chinese startups.

China has become a less attractive place to invest as U.S.-China tensions have intensified and Beijings control over the tech sector and capital flows have made investments riskier. U.S. venture-capital investments in China surged from about $1.2 billion in 2010 to a peak of more than $19 billion in 2018 and then collapsed to $1.3 billion in 2022, according to data provided by Rhodium Group.

President Biden last year issued an executive order to prohibit Americans from investing in some Chinese companies developing advanced semiconductors and quantum computers. The Senate last year passed a bill requiring U.S. investors to notify the government when they make certain large investments in certain critical technology from China and other adversaries. The legislation, however, failed after it was cut out of the national defense policy bill.

The new report calls for further restrictions on outbound investment.

It flags more than two dozen artificial-intelligence companies ranging from small startups to large multinational corporations, including ByteDance, the parent company of video-sharing app TikTok, and drone maker SZ DJI Technology.

ByteDance, the report says, raised more than $1.4 billion from Sequoias U.S. and China funds and an additional $600,000 from GGV Capital. ByteDance has raised more than $9 billion in total. The report says ByteDance has collaborated with companies involved in the repression of Chinas minority Uyghur population in Xinjiang. DJI has raised tens of millions of dollars from Sequoias China unit and Walden International, the report says, and has provided drones to the Xinjiang public-security force. Washington has sanctioned DJI as being a surveillance tool used by Beijing.

ByteDance declined to comment.

DJI says it has no ties to the military and discourages the use of its drones in any combat.

We strongly deny any allegations against DJI regarding human-rights abuses. We have not engaged in any activities that violate or abuse human rights," the company said.

Write to Heather Somerville at heather.somerville@wsj.com

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Joe Biden has done it once again. This time the President of the United Stated has mixed up European heads of state, twice conflating German Chancellor Angela Merkel with late former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl while speaking to donors at fundraisers on Wednesday.

During his speech, the President goofed up Merkel with Kohl who died in 2017 where he told a well-worn story about his first Group of Seven summit after taking office in 2021. Here's what Biden said: "First got elected president I went to a G7 meeting with 7 heads of state in Europe and I sat down and said Americas back. And president of France looked at me and said - for how long? And I never thought of it this way. And then Helmut kohl of Germany looked at me and said what would you say Mr President if you picked up the London times tomorrow morning and learned there's 1000 broken down the doors of the British parliament. Killed some (?) on the way in. to deny the next prime minister to take office. And you think, what would we think?" Biden said at the second of three Manhattan fundraisers. He repeated the mistake while telling the story again at his third stop. "It's interesting to hear the first meeting I attended as president of the united states, it was in Great Britian. I showed up...and I sat down and said "America's back" and macron looked at me and said for how long? How long? Not a joke. And with that. (inaudible) Helmut kohl said, Joe what would you think if you picked up the phone and picked up the paper tomorrow and learned in the London times on the front page that 1000 people stormed the parliament, broke down the doors of the House of Commons and killed 2 bobbies in the process and trying to stop the election of a prime minister. I thought about that. And I mean this sincerely, think about it. What would you think if another country, not nearly as powerful as us" he said at the third event. Merkel, the German chancellor at the time, subsequently evoked the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by asking Biden what his reaction would be if a mob broke into the House of Commons to disrupt the election of a British prime minister.

This flap comes just two days before Biden is expected to welcome the current German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, to the White House for meetings on securing additional aid for Ukraine.

Biden confuses Macron with Mitterrand

Prior to this, on Sunday, Biden bungled the story conflating rench President Emmanuel Macron with French President Francois Mitterrand, who died in 1996 some 25 years before the summit. Mitterrand from Germany  I mean, from France  looked at me and said You know, what  why, how long you back for?" Biden said.

The repeated missteps also come as Biden, 81, is battling concerns about his age which have weighed heavily on his reelection prospects. Three-quarters of voters said they had concerns about Bidens mental and physical health in an NBC News poll released earlier this week.

After the recent goof up, netizens too have called out the President. Reactions started pouring in on X. One user reacted saying, Trumps random shit actually helps him. When he tells people Haley messed up on January 6 they believe it. Helmut Kohl references do nothing for JoBi"

Another user on X wrote, Look what that drooling buffoon Biden did now . His mind is beyond ruined. President Joe Biden once again mixed up European heads of state, twice conflating former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel while speaking to donors at fundraiser"
(Bloomberg) -- The Biden administration intends to unveil as soon as next week a new effort to prevent foreign adversaries such as China from accessing troves of Americans sensitive personal data, according to people familiar with the planned executive order.

An order to be signed by President Joe Biden will direct the attorney general and the Department of Homeland Security to issue new restrictions on transactions involving data that could threaten national security if obtained by countries of concern."

The order is aimed at heading off access to bulk sensitive data through now-legal transactions involving data brokers, third-party vendor agreements, employment agreements and investment agreements, according to a draft of the order obtained by Bloomberg last month.

The effort focuses on preventing China, in particular, from accessing swaths of sensitive data about Americans, including information on their finances, genetic makeup, voice patterns and even keyboard usage habits, according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing the pending plan.

The National Security Council at the White House, the Treasury Department and the Commerce Department declined to comment.

The exploitation of Americans most closely guarded data could undermine human rights, privacy and innovation, the draft order said.

US intelligence agencies are concerned that China could train its artificial intelligence models on this data, providing its industry with a strategic advantage, while also letting Xi Jinpings government build detailed profiles of specific Americans including US government employees, the people said.

In recent weeks, the administration has briefed external advisers and companies on its provisions, a process thats proven contentious at times, the people said. The administration is responding by ensuring that the regulation is narrowly targeted to avoid unnecessary economic impact, two of the people said.

The administration plans to target only transactions involving bulk data, such as sources that could involve a million individuals or more, according to one of the people.

Earlier: Biden Aims to Stop Foreign Foes From Exploiting US Data

The planned restrictions have the potential to change how the US engages with Chinese companies, from TikTok, the Chinese-owned video sharing site, to biotechs that collect and analyze DNA.

The sweeping order has prompted some misgivings at the Treasury and Commerce Departments, where officials have raised concerns about its potential economic effect, the people said.

But the draft order provides for the Treasury, Commerce and State Departments to assist the attorney general in preparing a report assessing the orders effectiveness as well as the economic impact of restricting certain transactions.

Aaron Cooper, head of global policy for BSA/The Software Alliance, which counts Microsoft Corp. and Salesforce Inc. among its members, said the executive order would set a new precedent from the US, for the first time restricting the transfer of data to specific locations. He said regulation should instead focus on creating strong security and privacy requirements for all companies handling user data, regardless of whether its stored domestically or in a country of concern.

Theres a really good reason why the US government, for as long as Im aware, has been a strong proponent of data flows," Cooper said. He said that US limits on data transfers to foreign countries could set a precedent that emboldens other nations to limit access to data.

--With assistance from Christopher Condon, Anna Edgerton and Mackenzie Hawkins.

(Updates fifth paragraph with Commerce Department declining to comment)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

2024 Bloomberg L.P.

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The sudden death of Indian students across American universities in the recent past has left the Indian American community grappling with uncertainty. While one Indian student was murdered, another succumbed to suicide, and several other deaths remain unexplained.

Vivek Saini's murder, Sameer Kamath's suicide, Akul Dhawans death due to hypothermia and Neel Acharya's mysterious demise in the States are a few names on the list of deaths of Indian students in the US.

According to a report by Hindustan Times, in the aftermath of the recent deaths, Indian students studying in the US said they always have to be situationally aware and have felt scared to travel alone.

Kajari Saha, 28, from the University of California, Santa Barbara, told HT that she felt a sense of alienation" after learning about the incidents. You always have to be situationally aware and surround yourself with people who feel safe to you. I live in California, a very liberal state compared to others. However, there is a bit of racial profiling, no matter where you go."

Although I am mostly surrounded by friends, I can imagine how threatening it must feel for someone who lives by themselves and in the vicinity of where these incidents happened," she told HT.

Referring to the murder of Vivek Saini, an MBA student in Georgia's Lithonia, Anukta Datta, 28, also from the University of California, Santa Barbara, told HT that over the past year, criminal incidents, including hate crime, have grown.

I first came across the news on X and it shook me to the core. I think over the past year, there has been a growing number of crimes, including some hate crimes, among different communities and unfortunately, sometimes students are on the receiving end of it," she said.

Saini was brutally attacked and killed by a homeless man named Julian Faulkner. The gut-wrenching incident was caught on camera. Faulkner reportedly hit Saini about 50 times on the head with a hammer. The incident took place at the Chevron Food Mart at Snapfinger and Cleveland Road.

Datta, on being asked by HT whether Indian students in the US have reasons to feel threatened, said that these incidents can be very worrying for Indian students, mostly based on where they live and their surrounding community.

Having lived in Michigan and California over the last six years, I think this is very subjective. Although Ann Arbor is a very buzzing and rather safe college town in the Midwest, there were still occasions when I felt scared to travel alone. These incidents can be very worrying for Indian students, mostly based on where they live and their surrounding community."

Datta told HT that Southern California appeared to be a relatively safer place for her. However, over the course of the last winter break, we did get some news about sporadic thefts and robberies here, which did take me aback," she said, adding that there is an added concern about security given the not-so-stringent gun control laws in the country."

In another incident, Indian student Akul Dhawan was found dead outside the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in January. His father later criticised the police for inaction. The initial findings of the autopsy suggested he died from hypothermia, according to the Champaign County Coroner.

Aritra Basu, 29, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst said these recent deaths are terrible and somewhat scary. However, these incidents are not necessarily connected by a common thread, apart from a gradually worsening social climate."

He told HT that he doesn't really think Indian students in particular are being targeted or are victims of hate crimes on a wide scale. "But I do feel threatened when I read reports of increasing gun violence and white supremacist political movements. Increasing socio-economic inequality has spillover effects too."

Basu added that many international students face difficulties of different kinds in the US. I personally know students in multiple campuses, including UMass, who have been targeted within campus and beyond for participating in non-violent and democratic protests against Israel recently," he said.

In just a month of 2024, two Indian students at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, lost their lives too. Neel Acharya, a student who went missing for days, was later found dead on the Purdue campus. An autopsy revealed that there were no signs of trauma on his body. The cause and manner of death are still under investigation.

Indian-origin doctoral student Sameer Kamath, who studied at Purdue University too, was found dead at a nature preserve this week. The 23-year-old reportedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

A student at Purdue University expressed his fear, telling HT on condition of anonymity that Neel's death has heightened his sense of concern about safety on campus. It sent a wave of disbelief and concern among the Indian student community. Neels death, especially, makes me question the overall security measures and prompts us to consider what more can be done to ensure the well-being of students."

The demises of Acharya and Kamath are not the only ones that have shaken Purdue University. In 2022, a 20-year-old Indian-origin student, Varun Manish Chheda, was murdered by his 22-year-old Korean roommate Ji Min Jimmy Sha, who was later arrested.

In January this year, two 22-year-old Telugu students were found dead in their room in Hartford town of Connecticut.

Gattu Dinesh from Telangana's Wanaparthy district, and R Nikesh from Palakonda of Parvathipuram Manyam district, were found dead on January 14 after inhaling carbon monoxide emitted by a room heater.

Jaahnavi Kandula, who lost her life last year after being hit by a police cruiser is also among other recent deaths of Indian students in the US. A Seattle PD union leader was later heard on body camera footage saying her life had limited value" and the city should write a check."

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Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the ceasefire deal in Gaza sent over by Hamas fighters. Netanyahu has claimed that total victory" is possible in Gaza within months. The war between Israel and Hamas fighters in Gaza has been going on for almost 4 months now, killing nearly 30,000 Palestinians.

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu called the Hamas fighters delusional in seeking a ceasefire and hostage deal. Matters flared up between Israel and Gaza, after a multi-pronged attack by Hamas fighters in Israel on 7 October.

Netanyahu said, We haven't committed to anything. We haven't committed to any of the delusional demands of Hamas, the numbers of terrorists with blood on their hands."

"There is not a commitment - there has to be a negotiation, it's a process, and at the moment, from what I see from Hamas, it's not happening," Netanyahu underlined.

Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel's goal is "complete victory" and that the country will "not do less than that."

"We are on the way to complete victory. The victory is achievable; it's not a matter of years or decades, it's a matter of months," CNN quoted him as saying.

Netanyahu's answer comes as a blow to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is visiting the area as attempts to end the violence increase. However, the Israeli leader did not rule out the potential of additional talks.

At a news conference in Beirut on Wednesday, Hamas spokesperson Osama Hamdan said that the organisation will send a team to Cairo to follow up on its recommendations for the hostage and truce arrangements.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday in Tel Aviv, according to a pool of reporters travelling with the secretary, CNN reported.

The US State Secretary is in Israel for meetings with key government officials to press for a "humanitarian pause" as international and domestic US pressure to end the conflict in Gaza continues to mount, reported CNN.

The discussions in Tel Aviv gained added significance due to Hamas presenting a response to a proposal aimed at securing the release of remaining hostages held by the group and achieving a sustained cessation of fighting in Gaza.

The complete Hamas response outlines three phases, each lasting 45 days, including the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, a substantial humanitarian effort, and unrestricted movement for people across Gaza, as per information obtained by CNN.

On both his current and last trip to the Middle East, Blinken has stressed that the Israeli government must make "difficult" decisions and move toward a two-state solution if it wants to achieve normalisation with Saudi Arabia and if it wants the support of its Arab neighbours for security and reconstruction in Gaza.

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The Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea has decided to nullify all agreements aimed at fostering economic cooperation with South Korea , according to the country's state-run KCNA news agency.

As reported by Reuters, this move comes amidst a significant deterioration in relations between the two Koreas.

Meanwhile, the assembly voted to eliminate laws about economic relations with Seoul, including the legislation governing the Mount Kumgang tourism project.

The tours to the scenic mountain just north of the eastern border were a symbol of economic cooperation that began during a period of engagement between the two Koreas in the early 2000s, drawing nearly 2 million South Korean visitors.

Also Read: We left a great trace, Kim Jong Un's boasts of North Koreas achievements at key year-end meet

The Mount Kumgang tourism project was halted in 2008 following an incident where a South Korean tourist was fatally shot by North Korean guards after inadvertently entering a restricted area.

North Korea has declared South Korea as an enemy in a state of war, and in the previous year, it revoked a military agreement signed in 2018. This agreement was designed to reduce tensions near the military border established following a truce that ended the Korean War from 1950 to 1953.

Reuters reported that in a pre-recorded interview with state TV KBS aired late on Wednesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol called the shift in North Korea's inter-Korea policy an extraordinary change" but said it was hard to understand the thinking behind the move.

Also Read: North Korea's Kim says, if US and South Korea opt 'for military confrontation... our army should deal a deadly blow

What hasn't changed is that the North has tried for more than 70 years to turn us into Communists, and while doing that, it realized its conventional weapons were insufficient so they went onto nuclear development to threaten us," he said.

Yoon, who has taken a hard line against Pyongyang, said he remains open to engaging the North, even by holding a summit meeting with Kim, and providing aid if it would help its economy, but said the North Korean leadership is not a rational group."

Since assuming power in 2011, Kim Jong-un has directed North Korea's efforts towards the development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles across different ranges, heightening tensions with South Korea and the United States, despite the country's struggling economy.

Also Read: North Korea's Kim Jong Un orders annihilation of US, South Korea amid confrontation

In a separate report, KCNA stated that Kim Jong-un visited factories responsible for manufacturing consumer goods and food on Wednesday. During the visit, he guided the modernisation of these facilities as part of the implementation of a new regional development strategy.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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Pakistan parliamentary elections are not just the most predictable, but also the most rigged ones because there is a widespread expectation that it will be possible be a select Nawaz Sharif and his PMLN party, said Ajay Bisara, former High Commissioner of India to Pakistan.

Speaking to ANI, Bisaria said, "From all accounts, these elections on 8th February are not just the most predictable, but also the most rigged, because it's clear for everyone in Pakistan if you see the commentary that is coming from within the country.

The election results are clear, the army in various ways is doing pre-election engineering, it will probably do some election engineering and post-election engineering to get a government that it wants in place," he said.

It is said that it will possibly be a selection of Nawaz Sharif and his PMLN party, I think that is a widespread expectation, and that's fairly accurate," the official added.

Pakistan general elections are set to be held on February 8 after months of delay. The country has been at the center of political, economic, and even judicial drama over the past year. However, many voters still wonder if the balloting can bring any real change in the country.

It is pertinent to note that 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 recent days, another bomb blast occurred outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) office in Balochistan's Nushki District on Sunday. The Election Commission of Pakistan has taken note of the explosion outside its Karachi office, and it has sought reports from the District Monitoring Officer and SSP South.

In the Mughalsarai area of Kalat town, three workers affiliated with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) were injured when unidentified assailants on a motorcycle attacked the party's election office. The attackers detonated a grenade near the building, as reported by Dawn.

In Balochistan, six individuals, including PPP workers, suffered injuries in separate hand grenade attacks across different towns.

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Prince Harry quickly travelled to London from California after he had come to know about Charles' illness. His visit, especially during such a crucial time, ignited hopes for a reconciliation within the Royal Family. Harry's past criticisms and the subsequent departure from Royal duties with his wife, Meghan Markle, have been sources of tension.

Prince Harry, however, has returned to Los Angeles after a quick visit to see his dad. His UK visit lasted roughly 26 hours. During the visit, Harry stayed in a hotel instead of a Royal palace, The Sun reported. While he is open to a reunion with Prince William, the Prince of Wales had no plans of meeting his brother, the British publication added.

Prince William takes charge

Prince William made a notable return to his royal duties on February 7. This marked his first public engagement after the cancer diagnosis of his father, King Charles. At a charity dinner for London's Air Ambulance, William expressed gratitude for the public's warm wishes towards his family.

Id like to take this opportunity to say thank you for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days," the Associated Press quoted William as saying. It means a great deal to us all."

Its fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather medical focus, so I thought Id come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all," he added in good humour.

William, a former air ambulance helicopter pilot, attended the event which had celebrity attendees like Tom Cruise. He took a break from his Royal duties in January. He did this to look after Kate and their three kids after her surgery.

William's wife Kate Middleton was also hospitalised recently for surgery on her abdomen. The Princess of Wales, will start her public duties again in April.

Hope of reunion

Chances of reconciliation are, nevertheless, at the centre of discussion again as, according to the publication, King Charles postponed his schedule earlier after he had come to know about Harrys visit.

"He is very fastidious about time-keeping but it was significant that he delayed the flight to Sandringham when he knew Harry was visiting. After all, the Duke of Sussex had flown all the way from California at short notice and he accepted the gesture. There is cause for optimism," an insider told The Sun.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. Azerbaijani voters showed amazing optimism in the election, Moldovan MP, observer for Azerbaijan's extraordinary presidential election Vitalie Jacot told Trend.

"I spoke with voters in Khankendi city. The voter turnout was very active in Shusha and Khankendi. I observed a steady flow of people in Shusha. The impressions from the election are positive," he said.

"I spoke with people who were born in Shusha and have now returned. It is inspiring to see the passion in people's eyes when they talk about their hometown and their participation in the development of the city, casting their ballots into the ballot box," the MP emphasized.

Jacot hailed the fact that members of the election commission actively assisted the observers in their activities.

"We were allowed to approach the members of the election commission closely, and I spoke with them. We were also allowed to inspect the polling station (voting booth, ballot box, etc.). The electoral process was conducted very openly, which impressed us," he added.

The extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Seven candidates run in the election.

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05 percent of the votes after the processing of 93.35 percent of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev - 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa - two percent, Elshad Musayev - 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev - 1.76 percent, Fuad Aliyev - 0.53 percent of the votes.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
MOSCOW : Russian anti-war presidential candidate Boris Nadezhdin said on Thursday he would appeal to the Supreme Court after the Central Election Commission (CEC) barred him from a March election expected to be easily won by incumbent Vladimir Putin .

The CEC had previously said that it had found flaws in signatures that Nadezhdin and his allies had collected in support of his candidacy and that some of the purported signatures were those of dead people.

Nadezhdin said on his official Telegram channel that he did not agree with the CEC's decision and would challenge it in Russia's Supreme Court.

"I collected more than 200,000 signatures across Russia. We conducted the collection openly and honestly - the queues at our headquarters and collection points were watched by the whole world," Nadezhdin said.

"Taking part in the presidential election in 2024 is the most important political decision of my life. I am not giving up on my intentions."

Nobody had expected Nadezhdin, 60, to win. The victory of 71-year-old Putin, who has been in power as either president or prime minister since the end of 1999 and controls all the state's levers, is widely seen as a foregone conclusion.

Also Read | How Indian UPI landed in France for digital payments, and what it means

But Nadezhdin had surprised some analysts with his trenchant criticism of what the Kremlin calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine, something he calls "a fatal mistake" and had said he would try to end through negotiations.

Kremlin critics say Nadezhdin, who has been a regular guest on state TV programmes discussing the war, would not have been allowed to get as far as he did in such a tightly controlled political system without the authorities' blessing, something he denies.

The Kremlin had said it did not see Nadezhdin as a serious rival to Putin, who it says will win the election on the basis of overwhelming popular support.

As a candidate nominated by a political party, Nadezhdin needed to gather 100,000 signatures across at least 40 regions in order to stand in the March 15-17 election.

Putin, who has chosen to run as an independent rather than as the candidate of the ruling United Russia party, needs 300,000 signatures. He has already collected over 3.5 million, according to his supporters.

ZOMATO More Information

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Indian origin British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing flak for taking a jibe against leader of the opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, stating that the latter could not define who or what a woman was. The exchange that happened during a parliamentary exchange was also attended by murdered transgender Brianna Ghey's mother.

Brianna Ghey was stabbed 28 times with a hunting knife. Stramer had invited Ghey's mother to watch PM Sunak's weekly question-and-answer session in parliament. In a presumably declining popularity of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy's son-in-law, Rishi Sunak may have possibly managed to add salt to the wound with his tongue-in-cheek comment about women with the mother of a slain transgender person in attendance. In an exchange with Labour leader Keir Starmer, PM Rishi Sunak said "defining a woman" was on a list of the Labour Party leader's broken promises, joking it had been "only 99% of a U-turn". View this post on Instagram A post shared by PinkNews (@pinknews) PM Rishi Sunak has said "a man is a man and a woman is a woman" and has criticised Starmer, saying he "still does not know what a woman is". Wednesday's jibe by PM Sunak appeared to be in reference to a comment from Starmer, when questioned about his views on transgender issues last April, that 99.9% of women "of course haven't got a penis".

Labour Party leader Starmer replied, "Of all the weeks to say that, when Brianna's mother is in this chamber. Shame. Parading as a man of integrity when he's got absolutely no responsibility."

In the video PM Rishi Sunak is seen taking a jibe at Stramer and listing what he feels were broken promises from the rival party in UK. Defining a woman" just seemed like a jibe that was listed.

Rishi Sunak's press secretary said the prime minister had been listing Labour's U-turns and to do so was "totally legitimate". She said she did not accept that it was a transphobic remark, reported Reuters.

Sky News reported on Wednesday night that the father of the murdered teenager, Peter Spooner, said he was shocked by the prime minister's comments and felt he "should apologise for his remarks".

At the end of the session, PM Rishi Sunak did pay tribute to Ghey's mother, saying: "What happened was an unspeakable and shocking tragedy...

In the face of that, for her mother to demonstrate the compassion and empathy that she did last weekend, I thought demonstrated the very best of humanity in the face of seeing the very worst of humanity, and she deserves all our admiration and praise for that."

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Antony Blinken has emphasised the possibility of a cease-fire and the exchange of hostages between Israel and Hamas. This comes amid ongoing conflict that has escalated over five months, resulting in significant loss and displacement in the region. The conflict has killed more than 27,000 Palestinians so far, AP reported.

The US Secretary of States fifth trip to the region since October 7 is aimed to mediate and potentially ease tensions through diplomatic means. Despite the challenges, including Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's dismissal of Hamas' proposed plan for peace, Blinken remained hopeful about finding common ground.

While there are some clear non-starters in Hamas response, we do think it creates space for agreement to be reached, and we will work at that relentlessly until we get there," Blinken said while not clarifying what the non-starters" were.

Netanyahu has, however, outright rejected Hamas' proposition, which sought the release of Palestinians in exchange for hostages. He has called it delusional". He believes in applying military force to resolve the current hostage situation in Gaza, sparked by a sudden attack from Hamas.

"The day after is the day after Hamas. All of Hamas," Netanyahu said at a press conference. "Continued military pressure is a necessary condition for the release of the hostages."

Blinken, however, saw the negotiations differently. He suggested that, despite the apparent deadlock, the proposals on the table could lead to constructive dialogue.

Its not flipping a light switch. Its not yes or no," he said.

Saudi Arabias demand

Blinken has consistently said that Israel would have to take difficult" decisions and settle for a two-state solution to normalise relationship with Saudi Arabia. The solution is also required for the reconstruction of Gaza.

Blinken earlier met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who had emphatically demanded "a clear, credible, timebound path to the establishment of a Palestinian state." Saudi Arabia will normalise its relationship with Israel only after that, Salman added.

(With AP inputs)

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A significantly large part of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamans interim budget speech last week was devoted to outlining the performance of the incumbent government. With general elections only months away, this was expected. And like a political speech, her delivery on 1 February highlighted an increase in the per capita income of Indians by more than 50% over the last decade, along with the governments claim of about 250 million Indians having moved out of multidimensional poverty during the same period.

But how realistic are these claims? The claim of poverty reduction is based on extrapolated estimates of poverty using the Multi-Dimensional Poverty (MPI) measure adopted by the Niti Aayog. While the claim may be right, it is not a substitute for the conventional measure of poverty based on consumption expenditure that India has been using since independence. The fact that we dont have consumption expenditure data after 2011-12 makes it difficult to arrive at any estimate based on consumption poverty in the country. But the only available estimate from the leaked report of 2017-18 and several other estimates from alternative sources of data suggest that the pace of Indias poverty reduction slowed down after 2011-12 from the 2004-05 to 2011-12 period.

On Indian per capita income, the finance minister is right that it has increased by more than 50% over the past decade (i.e., between 2013-14 and 2023-24). However, the same data from the national accounts also shows a clear trend of deceleration, with per capita income increasing by 35% in the first five years, but decelerating to less than half (i.e. 17%) in the most recent half decade.

But then, per capita income estimates from national accounts are not the perfect measure if one wants to understand how Indians at large have fared on average. While there are no income surveys available for the country after 2011-12, an idea of the income earned by workers can be obtained from the Periodic Labour Force Surveys (PLFS), which have been collecting data from all workers since 2017-18. The most recent round for which we have information is that of 2022-23. Note that PLFS data is conceptually different from the broad estimates of national accounts, as it does not include transfers from the government as subsidies and pensions or any private remittances. Nonetheless, it offers a good indicator of how much Indians have earned from their participation in economic activity.

Since this government was re-elected in 2019, the appropriate comparison would be between 2018-19 and 2022-23. These numbers suggest that the real average earnings of Indians from work have increased only by 9% in the last four years, with a higher increase of 19% in rural areas but a negligible rise of only 4% in urban areas. While PLFS data suggests a moderate increase in the wages of casual workers, at more than 3% per annum, it also reports decline in the real wages of regular workers, with a sharper decline among urban regular workers. Self-employed workers in rural areas witnessed a marginal increase, whereas urban workers experienced a decline.

These estimates are not at variance with other sources of data for different categories of workers. Labour bureau estimates, for example, are available until November 2023; these point to a decline in wages for non-farm labourers of 0.9% per year in the last five years, while agricultural wages increased at a rate of 0.2% per annum. Compared to the level of real wages in May 2014, when this government took over, non-farm wages have declined at 0.4% per year, although agricultural wages show an increase of 0.5% per annum. Together, this decline in rural wages is the longest spell of declining wages experienced since independence.

What about farmers, who constitute Indias largest occupational group?

We have no easily available direct sources of data from which to estimate what our farmers earned. The only available source is the Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) of farmers, which reports a decline in cultivation income of farmers of 1.5% per annum between 2012-13 and 2018-19, the last year for which this report is available. What about farmer incomes under the present government? The easiest option is to make estimates using the Niti Aayogs methodology that relies on national accounts. Thus, using disaggregated data from national accounts, the real income of farmers actually declined at 4.4% per annum between 2018-19 and 2021-22, with real income in 2021-22 about 13% lower than what it was in 2018-19.

Clearly, multiple data sources suggest a decline or at best a deceleration in the income earned by working Indians in the last five years. While this may be at variance with claims of the finance minister, it also warrants a more realistic approach to policymaking.

The budget was only a vote on account, but it signals a misplaced understanding of the reality faced by a majority of Indians. While claims of increasing incomes and declining poverty can always be justified as political rhetoric during an election year, ignoring the reality of distress among vast multitudes of working Indians is unlikely to help the recovery of an economy that is emerging too unevenly from a pre-pandemic slowdown followed by a covid contraction in an uncertain global environment.
Uttarakhands Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill, which proposes common personal laws to govern marriage, divorce, inheritance, succession, adoption and more across religious groups, marks a major move not just by this hill state, but by Indias ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, which has long favoured such uniformity by legislation over the need for evolving a consensus over it. Indeed, along with Ayodhya and Kashmirs status, the party has set itself apart on this issue. Under the British Raj, various groups could follow their customary practices, as dictated by faith or tradition. Upon freedom, the Constituent Assembly wrestled with the idea of family-law convergence, but left it as an aspiration. According to the Constitution, the state shall endeavour to secure" for all citizens a UCC. Many Supreme Court rulings over the years have advocated uniformity in personal laws, but it is a legislative matter with fraught politics. Uttarakhands proposal has caught attention because it could be a trial run by the BJP for an all-India UCC after this years Lok Sabha polls.

As a first concrete attempt at a UCC draft, the bills bulk is an indicator of its scope. Yet, it fails a uniformity test by keeping Scheduled Tribes (ST) out of its purview. This nod to Liberty as an Article 21 Right has been granted in consideration of unique ST customs that are not subject to other bans under the Constitution. In academia, the UCC debate has been led by concerns of gender justice for good reason: Olden-day practices with claims of religious sanctity have been patently unfair to women across communities. On this aspect, the bill at first glance strikes a welcome reformist note. It sets a clear age-based minimum for marriage eligibility, declares monogamy the norm (with any other marital knot to be held void), and places divorce and its terms under a common code. This was bound to stoke a controversy over whether it clashes with the Right to Freedom of Religion under Article 25. Protests have been aired by a Muslim personal-law board sworn to defend Shariah, which has legal sanction in India and permits both polygamy and unilateral divorce (with a lump-sum severance package mandated over maintenance money). Whether Article 25 can be cited in defence of faith-specific family rules, however, is unclear. In courts, it has been argued with merit and success that only the essential practices of a faith are covered by its shield. That said, reformist moves for a modern world need to take a duly wide view. Religious precepts as starting points make that difficult. The prism of this bill is heteronormative. It would apply only to those who identify within the male-female binary. For inclusivity, any UCC we consider should make space for the legalization of LGBTQIA+ families.

Inheritance is another domain where the bills provisions aim for gender equality. Here, too, the persistence of gaps under old rules cannot be reconciled with a progressive outlook. Yet, the bill proposes stiff regulation of live-in relationships. This is ostensibly in support of female partners, but the rigmarole of registration, proposed penalties and other parts suggest its enactment will enable the harassment of couples who do not meet the approval of social vigilantes, especially in the context of love jihad" rumours. Even otherwise, strict oversight of live-insmany of whom opt not to start familiesis excessive intervention in peoples personal lives. We ought to resist any law that seeks to encode prudery in conjugal matters.
The world is on fire, and the U.S. should be having an election-year debate about foreign policy. Instead, one of the presumed candidates, Donald Trump, is unwilling to talk about anything other than his years-ago first term, and the other, Joe Biden, is barely able to talk about the subject at all. It falls to everyone else to fill in the blanks of a hostile world.

History will record two dates as defining the final stretch of President Bidens first term: Oct. 7, 2023, the day Hamas entered Israel and butchered 1,200 people, including Americans, and Jan. 29, when an Iran-allied militia killed three U.S. service members at Tower 22 in Jordan.

The first event was an Israeli intelligence failure. The second was also a failure of intelligence, though not in the military sense. The Jan. 29 deaths followed more than 150 attacks on U.S. forces in the region. The deaths of those U.S. service members werent predictable. They were inevitable.

After several U.S. counterstrikes against the militias, the Biden national-security team this week is pursuing the one strategy it believes indiplomacy, which means having conversations.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on his fifth post-Oct. 7 trip to the Mideast. His goal, as before, is to negotiate an end to the war in Gaza that ensures Israels security and establishes a path toward the creation of a Palestinian state. And in the next half-minute, I will solve Rubiks Cube.

Running alongside this mess are the two dysfunctional U.S. political parties that compose Congress, now in the process of failing to pass funding support for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan.

There is a limit to the amount of global risk the U.S. can incur without suffering consequences. Put plainlya big war.

We need to admit that avoiding a war is understandably what Team Biden is trying to do, notwithstanding its compulsion to euphemize it as an expansion of hostilities." In this, the Biden administration surely has the support of the American people. As well, Mr. Biden cant go anywhere in the U.S. without being taunted by anti-Israel agitators. The antisemitic vote is on the brink of making itself part of the Democratic coalition.

We have heard a lot recently, including in this space, about the importance of deterrence. Less examined is whether these commitments to deterrence on paper will match the ideological forces driving the U.S.s three primary adversariesIran, Russia and China.

Not one of these countries is a conventional opponent, subjectas the Biden national-security team believesto incentives offered through diplomatic overtures to reduce their aggressive behavior. Iran, Russia and China arent just military threats. None of them operate inside the Wests traditional understanding of power relationships governed by a balance of interests. Instead, all three under their current leadership have become messianic political movements.

Political messianism has three characteristics: It is relentless in its pursuit of its goals, outward-moving and virtually unappeasable. We read daily about Irans proxies" in the Middle East, but that bland word undervalues the fanatic energy driving Irans goals. At this late date it would require extraordinary myopia not to recognize that the Islamic Republic of Iran was, and always will be, a messianic movement.

Like Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping are seeking the restoration of centuries-old cross-border empires. These goals arent propagated merely for internal consumption. Each of these men believes it.

At the 2021 centennial of the Chinese Communist Party, Mr. Xi described Chinas national rejuvenation" as a historical inevitability." Mr. Putin has likened his invasion of Ukraine to Peter the Greats 18th-century expansions into northern Europe. A year ago he called Ukraine a watershed moment for our country" and said the Wests opposition is an attack on the Russian Orthodox Church.

These are enemies who cant be deterred with the standard mix of carrots and sticks. They are looking not just for regional dominance but active obeisance to their rule. In the case of Iran and Russia, that means literally erasing opponents such as Israel and Ukraine.

Today, elements in both the Democratic and Republican parties want to believe that the waters edge somehow protects the U.S. Refusing to ignore external realities was the point of Ronald Reagans decision to raise U.S. defense capacity against the Soviet Union to the level of an unmistakable deterrent.

Reagan summarized the strategy five months before the 1980 election in his Peace Through Strength" speech at the GOP convention: We know only too well that war comes not when the forces of freedom are strong, but when they are weak. It is then that tyrants are tempted."

Iran isnt backing down to the U.S.s retaliatory bombing of its proxies, because it knows the Biden Democrats long-term commitments lie with domestic spending, not rebuilding military infrastructure. Mr. Trump, an off-and-on public admirer of Messrs. Putin and Xi, seems to think the answer to their messianism is him talking to them, guy to guy.

On the available evidence, neither candidate looks up to the task of stopping these three determined threats.

Write henninger@wsj.com.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) declared candidates for three Lok Sabha seats in Assam on Thursday. AAP leader Sandeep Pathak announced that Manoj Dhanowar will contest from Dibrugarh Lok Sabha seat, Bhaben Chaudhary will fight for the Guwahati Lok Sabha seat and Rishi Raj Kaundinya will be in the fray from the Sonitpur Lok Sabha seat. The AAP is part of the INDIA bloc, which is a coalition of 27 opposition parties. While announcing the candidates, Sandeep Pathak said, Talks with the INDIA alliance have been going on for months. We are getting tired of merely talking now. We have to contest the elections and win them too. We don't have time." He, however, added that the AAP stands "with the INDIA alliance and hope that the alliance allots these three seats announced today to the AAP". Pathak rued that there is less time remaining for the polls and stressed that with time running out, it will become difficult to contest polls. ALSO READ: Congress announces plan to contest all Delhi Lok Sabha seats, AAP says 'waste of time for INDIA' alliance He said, We don't have to fight to contest elections, but we have to fight to win elections...When winning elections is important, strategy and timing are very important. There is very little time left. We are with INDIA Alliance with full sincerity, but the first priority is to win the elections."

"When no conclusion is achieved through talks, then steps have to be taken towards the collective goal, which is to win the elections. These seats are final from AAP's side, it is expected that INDIA Alliance will accept it," the AAP leader added.

ALSO READ: No AAP alliance with Congress in Punjab for 2024 Lok Sabha polls: CM Bhagwant Mann

Meanwhile, Congress secretary Dr Vineet Punia asserted that there was good coordination and understanding among the members of opposition INDIA bloc.

When asked about the allegation of discord among the INDIA allies, the Congress functionary said on Thursday, "This is BJP's narrative, which it is creating deliberately."

"The constituents of the INDIA bloc have good coordination and understanding among themselves. There is no problem among them. When discussions happen, it is natural that partners would ask for more opportunities and there is nothing wrong in it. It does not mean that the allies are against each other," he was quoted by PTI as saying.

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The INDIA bloc, a coalition of 27 opposition parties, is likely to face defeat if the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 were held today, revealed India Today Mood of the Nation poll on February 8. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is likely to win 335 seats, falling short of its "400 paar" target.

Here's what the tally looks like as per the India Today Mood of the Nation Poll:

According to the survey, the INDIA bloc is likely to bag 38.3 per cent of votes in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Congress alone may win 19 per cent of the vote share, while the BJP is likely to clinch 39.6 per cent of the total vote share.

1. INDIA Vs NDA:

NDA: 335 seats

INDIA: 166 seats

Others: 42 seats

2. Congress Vs BJP:

BJP: 304 seats

Congress: 71 seats

Other: 168 seats

ALSO READ: Lok Sabha 2024 a battle of ideologies: Congress could be a game-changer if...

Key takeaways from the survey:

1. The Congress may emerge as the second largest party with 71 seats, up 19 from last time.

2. Among the four regions, states in South India are likely to vote for the Opposition INDIA bloc.

3. The INDIA bloc is likely to gain majorly in Punjab among other North Indian states.

4. The Congress may gain marginally in Goa with 47 per cent vote share, while the BJP may get 37 per cent vote share. Goa is a BJP-ruled state.

5. INDIA Block has no advantage in Jharkhand and Delhi.

ALSO READ: Congress to contest 255 seats in Lok Sabha elections, lowest since Independence

Now, let's look at region-wise projections for the INDIA bloc:

Projected seats in the North (180 seats):

NDA: 154 seats

INDIA: 25 seats

Others: 1 seat

Projected seats in the South (132 seats):

NDA: 27 seats

INDIA: 76 seats

Others: 29

Projected seats in the East (153 seats):

NDA: 103 seats

INDIA: 38

Others: 12 seats

Projected seats in the West (78 seats):

NDA: 51 seats

INDIA: 27 seats

Others: 0

Projected seats in the North-East (7 states, 11 seats):

NDA: 8 seats

Congress: 2 seats

Others: 1 seat

A look at state-wise projections as per India Today Mood of the Nation Poll:

State INDIA bloc (seats) NDA (seats) Other key parties (seats) Madhya Pradesh 2 27 Jammu and Kashmir 3 2 Ladakh 0 1 Delhi 0 7 Haryana 2 8 Himachal Pradesh 0 4 Uttarakhand 0 5 Rajasthan 0 25 Punjab 10 2 Uttar Pradesh 8 72 Maharashtra 26 22 Bihar 32 8 Gujarat 0 26 Chhattisgarh 1 10 Jharkhand 0 11 JMM: 2 West Bengal TMC:22; Congress 1 19 Goa 1 1 Assam 2 12 Karnataka 4 24 Telangana 10 3 Andhra Pradesh TDP: 17; YRCP: 8

The Lok Sabha Elections are set to take place this year. While the Election Commission of India is yet to release poll dates, key political parties have upped their ante in the fight to win the crucial elections. As many as 27 opposition parties have formed an alliance to take on the BJP in the 2024 poll. Meanwhile, the BJP is looking at forging alliance and launching campaign in different states.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi bid farewell to the retiring members of the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. In his speech, he lauded former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's contribution towards the country. He later a took a dig at the Congress which released a 'black paper' against the Narendra Modi-led government on Thursday. Here are 10 points that PM Modi said in the Rajya Sabha:

1. PM Modi reacted to the Congress' 'black paper' against the NDA government, calling it a "kaala teeka" that will ward off the evil eye on the achievements of his government.

"Whenever a good thing happens, we apply the 'kaala teeka' (to ward off the evil eye), and I thank (Congress chief Mallikarjun) Kharge ji for doing this honour today," the prime minister said in the Rajya Sabha.

ALSO READ: Modi 3.0 will leave no stone unturned to strengthen foundations of Viksit Bharat

PM Modi said, "When the country is touching new heights in the last ten years, we take it as 'kala teeka' to help ward off the evil eye". He said Kharge being an elder has put this 'kaala teeka' for the good work being done by our government in the country's progress.

2. Recalling some difficult times, PM Modi took another swipe at the Congress and the Opposition, saying said "we saw fashion parades" in the Rajya Sabha at times. He was referring to opposition leaders wearing black attire in protest over several issues in Parliament.

ALSO READ: PM Modi not born in OBC category, misleading people': Rahul Gandhi in Odisha

3. At the beginning of his speech, PM Modi praised Manmohan Singh for his "huge contribution" as a political leader. He said, I want to remember Dr Manmohan Singh today, his contribution has been immense. Ideological differences are very short-lived, but they have guided this House and the country for such a long time. They will definitely be discussed in future...the way he has guided this House & Country, Dr Manmohan Singh will always be remembered for it..."
During his visit to Varanasi on Thursday, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav made an indirect remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that PM Modi was not an OBC by birth but his caste was included in the OBC list during the Bharatiya Janata Party government's tenure in Gujarat. "All I want to say is that some people are only backwards by certificate, not by birth," said Yadav while interacting with reporters on Thursday. However, he avoided mentioning Gandhi or PM Modi in his statement. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had targeted PM Modi for his caste at one of his public rallies in Odisha during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Whenever BJP workers come to you, tell them one thing. Our Prime Minister lied to the entire country that he belonged to the backward class. He was not born in a backward class, he belongs to the general caste. You tell this to every BJP worker," said Wayanad MP on Thursday. Akhilesh Yadav also commented on the district court's order on the Gyanvapi case, after which the Hindu side offered prayer inside the Gyanvapi mosque. All of us are bound by the Constitution... The Consitution gives us the rights. The government does trickery... Can we snatch anyone's rights? If any court gives any order, does that mean that our rights would be snatched away? The Constitution gives us the right to present ourselves. I hope that the court will do justice in the coming times," Yadav told media persons on Thursday.

The Allahabad High Court is hearing the petition filed by the Muslim side in the Gyanvapi case. The next hearing is set to take place on February 12.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders are targetting the government on things said by PM Modi in his Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha speeches. In his Lok Sabha speech, PM Modi called himself sabse bada OBC (the biggest OBC) and accused the Congress of opting for double standards while dealing with leaders of backward communities.

"The Congress party and the UPA government did not deliver justice to OBCs. A few days ago, Karpoori Thakur ji was conferred with Bharat Ratna. In 1970, when he became Bihar CM, what was not done to destabilise his government? Congress can't tolerate OBCs...They keep counting how many OBCs are there in government. Can't you (Congress) see the biggest OBC here (pointing towards himself)?" PM Modi said in his reply to the 'Motion of Thanks' on the President's Address in Lok Sabha on Monday.

In his speech, PM Modi also alleged that former prime minister the late Jawaharlal Nehru was also against reservation of any kind.

"Nehruji used to say that if SC, ST or OBCs get reservation in jobs, then government work standards will fall. He even stopped recruitment. What Nehruji said has been pathhar ki lakeer ('set in stone') for the Congress since. Your mindset can be understood through such examples," PM Modi said in the Lok Sabha.

"During the UPA government, an extra-constitutional body was formed. The government could not have its way before that body. National Advisory Council - did it have any OBC members? Find out," he added.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. The Azerbaijani presidential election followed all democratic principles, Member of the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan Iskender Matraimov told reporters, Trend reports.

"Azerbaijan's electoral laws ensured democratic presidential elections nationwide, respecting the rights and freedoms of all participants and adhering to universally recognized democratic principles," he stressed.

The extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Seven candidates run in the election.

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05 percent of the votes after the processing of 93.35 percent of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev received 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa received two percent, Elshad Musayev received 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev received 1.76 percent, and Fuad Aliyev received 0.53 percent of the votes.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Wednesday expressed his concern regarding the recent attacks on Indian students in the United States and called upon External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to take action to resolve the matter.

As reported by ANI, Reddy announced the launch of a support desk to assist students residing overseas. This announcement comes on the heels recent attack on Syed Mazhar Ali, a student from Hyderabad, who was attacked by four robbers in Chicago on Sunday. CM Revanth Reddy said, Very disconcerted to learn of the attack on Syed Mazhar Ali, a student from Hyderabad, by four robbers in Chicago. This follows a fatal attack on B. Shreyas Reddy, who was killed in Ohio. I request Hon'ble External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to kindly convey our concerns over the safety of our students and citizens living there." Also Read: Brutal murder of Indian student: Consulate in Atlanta condemns attack on Vivek Saini in Georgia, USA Reddy further added, My government will set up a dedicated help desk for all youth living in the USA and other countries, especially students, to ensure all their needs are met. It is my assurance to all citizens of Telangana - wherever on earth you are - the Congress government is there for you!"

At the same time, the wife of the Indian student reportedly subjected to a brutal attack in Chicago has reached out to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, seeking his aid in securing medical assistance for her husband.

According to her account, Syed Mazahir Ali, a student pursuing a master's degree in the US, was assaulted by three individuals in Chicago on Sunday.

Also Read: Another Indian student found dead in Cincinnati, third case in a week

She said that she received a call from her husband's friend on February 4 in which she got to know about the attack on Ali.

Razvi told ANI, My husband, Mazahir Ali, went to Chicago. On the fourth of February, there was a deadly attack on him. He was going home at around 1 am when three people got out of the car and attacked him. They also attacked them with a gun. My friend called me and I got to know at around 4 am that he was attacked. At around 6 am, I got a WhatsApp video which showed that he was bleeding heavily. After that, I couldn't talk to him much."

Meanwhile, the Indian Consulate in Chicago has assured all possible assistance to Ali and his family.

"Consulate is in touch with Syed Mazahir Ali and his wife in India Syeda Ruquiya Fatima Razvi and assured all possible assistance. Consulate has also contacted the local authorities who are investigating the case," Indian Consulate in Chicago posted on X.

Last week, an Indian student in the United States named Shreyas Reddy was found dead in Cincinnati, Ohio. The cause of his death, however, remains unknown as of now.

Also Read: Two Indian students die under suspicious circumstances in US, family struggles to bring mortal remains home

According to reports, Reddy was a student at the Linder School of Business. The Indian Consulate in New York expressed regret about the incident and said that it was in touch with his family and providing all possible assistance.

This marked the third death of an Indian student within a week. On January 30, Neel Acharya, a student at Purdue University, was found dead after being missing for days, according to the Tippecanoe County Coroner.

Similarly, on January 29, another Indian student identified as Vivek Saini, was brutally killed with repeated blows from a hammer by a homeless man inside a store in Lithonia, Georgia, US. A video of the incident went viral on social media, although the date of the incident cannot be confirmed.

(With inputs from ANI)

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India's Finance Minister and Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) leader Nirmala Sitharaman will be presenting a proposed 'White Paper' to compare the economic performance of 10 years of the Congress-led UPA government with that of 10 years of the BJP-led NDA government . The White Paper will be presented in an extended Budget Session of the Parliament. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced that the government will table a 'white paper' in both Houses of Parliament "to look at where we were till 2014 and where we are now".

Meanwhile, All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge released Black Paper called '10 saal anyay kaal' on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government's 10 years of governance.

Tabling the interim budget 2024-25 in Parliament, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the Modi government, which assumed office in 2014, overcame the crisis of those years and the economy has been put firmly on a high sustainable growth path.

Both papers will be presented during the budget session which is the last Parliament session before Lok Sabha polls expected in April-May in 2024. The last session before Lok Sabha polls was started with the address by President Droupadi Murmu to the joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on January 31.

What is White Papers?

The term "white paper" comes from a 100-year-old practice of government reporting in the UK. When government agencies provided data to Parliament to help them make decisions, they would offer three different types:

-Very long, comprehensive documents with a blue cover

-Open-ended reports with a green cover

-Short, focused reports on a single topic with white covers

This last type, the concise document with information to solve a problem, came to be the formula for what is now known in many industries as a "white paper."

What is Black Papers?

The Black Papers" were a series of pamphlets on education, their name being a contrast to government White Papers, which unofficial papers criticizing government policy.

BJP's NDA vs Congress' UPA

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched attacks on Opposition leaders in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge , who was PM Modi's prime target, hit back in a post on X.

"Despite being in power for 10 years, instead of talking about himself, he only criticises the Congress party. Even today he did not talk about price rise, unemployment and economic inequality?" Kharge said, adding, "'Modi Ki Guarantee' is only to spread LIES!"

BJP MP Jayant Sinha has claimed that the Indian economy was ruined by the end of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) tenure in 2014. BJP MP Sinha said India was among 'fragile five' economies globally when the UPA was in power in 2013.

Jayant Sinha, who was also the Minister of State (MoS) for Finance in the BJP-led Centre in 2014, said that it took a lot of effort for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revive Indian economic growth.

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The search giant will begin charging $19.99 a month for its most powerful chatbot, Gemini Advanced, as part of a subscription plan that also grants access to extra file storage and other perks.

Gemini Advanced is the latest update to the chatbot Google released a few months after the sudden rise of OpenAIs ChatGPT caught the company flat-footed, despite its reputation as a pioneer in artificial-intelligence research. Microsoft, the largest backer of OpenAI, last month released a subscription chatbot catering to individual users of its work software.

The new Gemini Advanced offering is Googles attempt to directly profit from growing consumer interest in AI services that can generate novel text and images. A free version of the chatbot using less sophisticated AI technology will remain available.

Gemini Advanced will be a new experience far more capable at reasoning, following instructions, coding and creative collaboration," Google CEO Sundar Pichai said in a statement on Thursday. For example, it can be a personal tutor, tailored to your learning style. Or it can be a creative partner, helping you plan a content strategy or build a business plan."

Alphabet, Googles parent company, makes the vast majority of its revenue from advertising but has tried to diversify into areas such as cloud storage and online cable packages as growth in its core business has slowed.

Pichai said last month the companys annual subscription revenue reached $15 billion, an increase of five times in the same number of years. Google brought in $307 billion of revenue last year, mostly from ads placed next to search results.

Tech giants are still figuring out how to turn recent advances in AI into steady profits. Generative AI, the technology behind chatbots, is particularly costly to develop and deliver to large volumes of users.

The price tag for Googles chatbot will match similar offerings from Microsoft and OpenAI. Several smaller startups such as Character and Perplexity also charge subscription fees for their most powerful chatbot products.

Elon Musks X introduced a $16 a month premium subscription in December that includes access to Grok, a chatbot billed as more snarky and uninhibited than competing services.

Google renamed its chatbot and several AI business software features to Gemini as part of the announcement on Thursday, mirroring the branding it introduced in December for its most advanced AI technology.

Googles chatbot, initially called Bard, struggled to catch up to ChatGPTs popularity, attracting about one-fifth of the OpenAI products 1.6 billion visits in the month of January, according to Similarweb data. OpenAI hasnt said how many people pay for the subscription version.

The Gemini chatbot will become available as a stand-alone app for phones running the widely used Android mobile software and within the Google app on iPhones, Google said.

Write to Miles Kruppa at miles.kruppa@wsj.com

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In a move to enhance collaboration and connectivity options for enterprises in India, Tata Communications has joined forces with Microsoft. The partnership aims to bring flexibility to collaboration tools, particularly Microsoft Teams, for businesses operating in the country, reported ANI.

The collaboration leverages Tata Communications' GlobalRapide platform to facilitate carrier-grade PSTN voice calls on Microsoft Teams devices worldwide. This capability is made possible through the utilization of the Operator Connect platform, enabling Indian enterprise users and multinational corporations with a presence in the country to communicate on a global scale.

Tata Communications' extensive reach, spanning over 190 countries through partnerships with more than 700 mobile network operators, positions the company to offer cloud calling and audio-conferencing capabilities that comply with local regulations, added the wire.

The end-to-end managed services layer of the platform simplifies the deployment, onboarding, and management of Teams, endpoint devices, and session border controllers (SBCs). This integrated approach improves usability, security, and regulatory compliance, while also removing additional hardware expenses for enterprises.

Sriram Sampath, Vice President of Unified Communications and Collaboration at Tata Communications, emphasized the importance of global partnerships with local expertise as businesses expand and geographical borders shrink due to collaboration tools. The collaboration with Microsoft's Operator Connect for Teams is anticipated to boost workforce productivity and efficiency for enterprises, aligning with local regulations and compliance.

Microsoft, represented by Shruti Bhatia, Country Head of Modern Work and Surface for India and South Asia, expressed satisfaction with the partnership, emphasizing their commitment to delivering efficiency and productivity gains for businesses across India. The collaboration aims to support enterprises in growing and scaling seamlessly, efficiently, and securely in an increasingly interconnected business landscape.

(With inputs from ANI)

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The Communion of Saints: A Pillar of Christian Faith

The concept of the Communion of Saints is a fundamental belief within Christianity, especially in Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. It embodies the spiritual connection and solidarity among all members of the Church, whether living or deceased. This doctrine holds profound significance, shaping religious practices, prayers, and beliefs about the afterlife.

At its core, the Communion of Saints underscores the belief in the unity of the Church, transcending the boundaries of time and space. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of believers across generations, affirming that death does not sever the bonds of love and faith. Instead, it asserts that the faithful remain united in Christ beyond the constraints of earthly life.

Central to this doctrine is the understanding of three states of the Church: the Church Militant (those living on earth), the Church Penitent (those undergoing purification in Purgatory), and the Church Triumphant (those in Heaven). Each state represents a unique aspect of the Communion of Saints, illustrating the continuous journey of souls towards divine union.

The Church Militant, comprising living believers, actively participates in the mission of spreading Gods love and truth on earth. Through prayer, worship, and good works, they contribute to the spiritual well-being of the entire body of Christ. Moreover, they seek the intercession of saints, asking for their prayers and support in times of need.

The Church Penitent refers to souls undergoing purification in Purgatory, a temporary state of purification before entering Heaven. According to Catholic doctrine, prayers and acts of charity offered by the Church Militant can aid these souls, hastening their journey towards heavenly glory. This belief underscores the interconnectedness and solidarity among all members of the Church.

The Church Triumphant represents the saints in Heaven, who have attained the beatific vision and enjoy eternal communion with God. These holy men and women serve as models of faith and virtue for the Church Militant, inspiring believers to persevere in their spiritual journey. Catholics venerate saints and seek their intercession, believing that they can intercede on behalf of the faithful before God.

The Communion of Saints finds expression in various religious practices, including the veneration of relics, the invocation of saints, and the celebration of feast days. These rituals serve to deepen believers sense of connection with the wider body of Christ and reinforce their faith in the communion of all believers across time and space.

In essence, the Communion of Saints serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring bond of love and faith that unites all members of the Church. It offers solace to the bereaved, hope to the penitent, and inspiration to the faithful, affirming the belief that ultimately, all believers are called to share in the divine life of God for all eternity.

The history of the Communion of Saints is deeply rooted in Christian tradition and theology, evolving over centuries within the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations. While the term Communion of Saints itself may not have been formally used until later in Church history, the concept it embodies can be traced back to the earliest days of Christianity.

In the early Christian community, there was a strong sense of solidarity and interconnectedness among believers. The New Testament writings, particularly the letters of St. Paul, emphasize the idea of the Church as the mystical body of Christ, with each member contributing to the spiritual well-being of the whole. This understanding laid the groundwork for the Communion of Saints doctrine.

During the first few centuries of Christianity, the veneration of martyrs and saints emerged as a prominent aspect of Christian devotion. Martyrdom was seen as the ultimate expression of faith, and martyrs were revered as witnesses to the truth of the Gospel. Their tombs became places of pilgrimage, and their intercession was sought by the faithful.

By the fourth century, with the legalization of Christianity under Emperor Constantine, the Church began to develop a more structured hierarchy and formalized theology. The doctrine of the Communion of Saints began to take shape, drawing on biblical teachings, the writings of the early Church Fathers, and the emerging traditions of liturgy and worship.

The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD affirmed the belief in the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, emphasizing the unity of all believers in Christ. Subsequent councils further clarified the Churchs teachings on the communion of saints, particularly regarding the intercession of saints, the veneration of relics, and the doctrine of Purgatory.

Throughout the Middle Ages, devotion to the saints flourished, and the cult of the saints became an integral part of Christian piety. Churches were dedicated to specific saints, feast days were established in their honor, and relics were enshrined for veneration. The liturgical calendar reflected this devotion, with numerous celebrations commemorating the lives of holy men and women.

During the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, the doctrine of the Communion of Saints became a point of contention between Catholics and Protestants. While Protestant reformers rejected certain aspects of Catholic piety, such as the veneration of saints and the use of relics, they retained a belief in the spiritual unity of believers in Christ, albeit with different emphases.

In the post-Reformation period, the Catholic Church reaffirmed its teachings on the Communion of Saints at the Council of Trent (1545-1563), clarifying its doctrine in response to Protestant criticisms. Since then, the Communion of Saints has remained a central tenet of Catholic theology, while also being recognized and celebrated within other Christian traditions.

Today, the Communion of Saints continues to be a source of spiritual inspiration and devotion for millions of Christians worldwide, fostering a sense of unity, solidarity, and hope in the communion of all believers with God and with one another across time and space.

Pope quotes on the Communion of Saints reflect the rich theological tradition and spiritual significance attributed to this fundamental doctrine within the Catholic Church. Throughout history, various popes have expounded on the Communion of Saints, emphasizing its importance in the life of believers and its role in fostering a deeper understanding of the Church as the mystical body of Christ.

Pope Gregory the Great (c. 540  604): Pope Gregory is attributed with one of the earliest expressions of the Communion of Saints in his writings. He emphasized the interconnectedness between the Church militant (those on earth), the Church penitent (those undergoing purification in Purgatory), and the Church triumphant (those in heaven), underscoring the unity of the entire Body of Christ. Pope Leo XIII (1810  1903): In his encyclical Mirae Caritatis (On the Holy Eucharist), Pope Leo XIII affirmed the spiritual bond between the faithful on earth and the saints in heaven through the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. He highlighted how the Communion of Saints strengthens the unity of believers and facilitates the exchange of spiritual goods. Pope Pius XII (1876  1958): In his encyclical Mystici Corporis Christi (On the Mystical Body of Christ), Pope Pius XII elucidated the doctrine of the Communion of Saints within the context of the Church as the mystical body of Christ. He emphasized how all members of the Church, both living and deceased, are united in Christ and share in His redemptive mission. Pope John Paul II (1920  2005): Pope John Paul II frequently spoke about the Communion of Saints, highlighting its relevance in the contemporary Christian life. He emphasized the role of the saints as intercessors and models of holiness, encouraging believers to draw inspiration from their lives and seek their prayers. Pope Benedict XVI (born 1927): Pope Benedict XVI, in his teachings and writings, reiterated the importance of the Communion of Saints as a manifestation of the Churchs unity across time and space. He underscored the communion shared by all believers, both living and deceased, in the love of Christ and the grace of salvation. Pope Francis (born 1936): Pope Francis has emphasized the Communion of Saints as a source of spiritual strength and consolation for believers. He frequently speaks about the invisible communion that unites Christians with the saints in heaven and encourages the faithful to seek the intercession of the saints in their spiritual journey.

These quotes from various popes throughout history demonstrate the enduring significance of the Communion of Saints in Catholic theology and spirituality. They affirm the belief in the spiritual bond that unites all members of the Church, both on earth and in heaven, and emphasize the role of the saints as companions and guides on the journey of faith.

Shayne Heffernan
Zelensky has ousted General Valery Zaluzhny, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Army, marking a significant shake-up in the countrys armed forces amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

The decision to remove Zaluzhny was announced by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on Facebook, acknowledging the generals leadership during the challenging period of conflict with Russia. However, Umerov emphasized the evolving nature of warfare, stating that new approaches and strategies are required for the changing battlefield realities of 2024.

Speculation about Zaluzhnys dismissal had been circulating for some time, with reports surfacing in late January despite official denials. The Washington Post recently revealed that Zelensky had informed the White House of his intention to replace Zaluzhny, a move that raised concerns about potential unrest in Kiev, according to sources from the Security Service of Ukraine.

Former president Pyotr Poroshenko criticized Zelenskys decision, urging him to focus on his own cabinet rather than targeting military leadership. Zaluzhnys tenure included overseeing Ukraines unsuccessful 2023 summer offensive, which incurred significant losses for Kiev without achieving its objectives.

As Ukraine navigates the complexities of its military strategy, the removal of Zaluzhny underscores the challenges faced by the countrys leadership in addressing the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Volodymyr Zelensky, a comedian-turned-politician, rose to prominence in Ukraine when he won the presidential election in April 2019. Prior to entering politics, Zelensky gained fame as a television actor and producer, starring in the popular Ukrainian TV series Servant of the People, where he portrayed a high school teacher who unexpectedly becomes president after a viral video of his impassioned anti-corruption rant.

Zelenskys political platform focused on anti-corruption measures, reforming the judicial system, and ending the conflict with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. His landslide victory reflected widespread disillusionment with the countrys political establishment and a desire for change among Ukrainian voters.

General Valery Zaluzhny, on the other hand, has been a prominent figure in Ukraines military leadership. He served as the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces during a critical period marked by ongoing conflict with Russia-backed separatists in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Zaluzhnys tenure as commander-in-chief coincided with various military operations and offensives aimed at reclaiming territory held by separatist forces. However, these efforts faced significant challenges, including staunch resistance from separatist fighters and allegations of inadequate support and resources for Ukrainian troops.

The relationship between Zelensky and Zaluzhny has been marked by both collaboration and tension. While Zelensky has praised the efforts of Ukraines military leadership in confronting external threats and defending the countrys sovereignty, there have also been instances of criticism and calls for reform within the armed forces.

The recent decision by Zelensky to remove Zaluzhny from his position as commander-in-chief underscores the complexities and challenges faced by the Ukrainian government in managing its military strategy amid ongoing conflict and geopolitical tensions in the region.

The history of conflict between Ukraine and Russia is complex and spans several centuries, marked by territorial disputes, political tensions, and military confrontations. Here is an overview of the key events in the history of Ukraine-Russian wars:

Medieval Period: The territory of present-day Ukraine was part of the medieval state of Kievan Rus, which was a predecessor to both modern Ukraine and Russia. Following the Mongol invasion in the 13th century, the region became fragmented into separate principalities, some of which fell under the control of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, while others came under the influence of the Grand Duchy of Moscow (later known as Russia). Cossack Uprisings: In the 17th century, Ukraine experienced a series of Cossack uprisings against Polish-Lithuanian rule, known as the Khmelnytsky Uprising (1648-1654) and the subsequent Russo-Polish War (1654-1667). These conflicts resulted in the signing of the Treaty of Pereyaslav in 1654, in which the Cossack Hetmanate sought protection from the Tsardom of Russia. Imperial Russia: Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Ukraine remained part of the Russian Empire, experiencing periods of Russification and political repression. The Ukrainian language and cultural identity faced suppression under imperial rule. World War I and Russian Revolution: The upheaval of World War I and the Russian Revolution of 1917 led to the collapse of the Russian Empire. Ukraine briefly gained independence in 1917-1921, but its sovereignty was challenged by both Bolshevik forces from Russia and nationalist movements within Ukraine. Soviet Era: In 1922, Ukraine became one of the founding republics of the Soviet Union. The Soviet era was marked by forced collectivization, famine (such as the Holodomor of 1932-1933), political purges, and repression of Ukrainian national identity. World War II: Ukraine was heavily affected by World War II, with significant battles fought on its territory. Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, leading to widespread devastation and loss of life. The Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) also waged guerrilla warfare against both German and Soviet forces. Cold War: Following World War II, Ukraine remained part of the Soviet Union as the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. Tensions between Ukraine and Russia persisted during the Cold War, with Ukraines nationalist movements advocating for independence. Dissolution of the Soviet Union: The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to Ukraine declaring independence. However, the process was not without challenges, including disputes over the status of Crimea and the presence of Russian military bases on Ukrainian territory. Russo-Ukrainian War: The most recent conflict between Ukraine and Russia erupted in 2014 following Russias annexation of Crimea and its support for separatist movements in eastern Ukraine. The ongoing war in the Donbas region has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions of people, exacerbating tensions between the two countries.

Shayne Heffernan
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. Many countries would like to hold an election in the same way as in Azerbaijan, said Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Jordan, Abdul Rahim Al-Maaiah during a press conference in Baku, Trend reports.

"The House of Representatives of Jordan acknowledges the transparent and fair election in Azerbaijan, extending gratitude to its government and people," he emphasized.

The extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Seven candidates run in the election.

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05 percent of the votes after the processing of 93.35 percent of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev - 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa - two percent, Elshad Musayev - 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev - 1.76 percent, Fuad Aliyev - 0.53 percent of the votes.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

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Medal of Honor recipient, Captain Larry Taylor, was laid to rest on Wednesday, February 7, at the Chattanooga National Cemetery after 81-years of a life well-lived.

The Signal Mountain native passed away on January 28, 2024, after a year of recognition for his heroic actions in the Vietnam war 56 years ago.

A hero's beginning in the Scenic City | 1942 - 1968

Born in 1942, Taylor grew up in St. Elmo and went to Chattanooga High School, graduating in 1961. He then graduated from UTC in 1966, and enrolled in the army.

By 1968 Taylor was serving in the Vietnam war, where his heroic actions earned him the most prestigious decoration any veteran can receive.

The daring Vietnam rescue | June 18, 1968

Army Captain Larry Taylor was flying his Cobra helicopter on June 18, 1968 when he disobeyed orders and rescued four Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Rangers.

When we spoke to Taylor in June of 2023, he reflected on that night when he flew back into an active combat zone with no ammunition and was nearly out of gas.

"We expended all our rockets. It was 152 rockets, 16-thousand rounds of mini-gun, and we didn't have anything left. So we flew down and turned my lander light on, and I guess they thought it was some type of magic and ran like hell."

Local veteran awarded Medal of Honor Retired U.S. Army Captain, Larry Taylor, has been awarded the Medal of Honor.

The White House announcement said Taylors rescue was a feat that had never been accomplished or even attempted.

Taylor landed the Cobra under heavy enemy fire. In about ten seconds, the four team members clung to the exterior because of lack of seats, and were taken to safety.

Taylor left Vietnam in August 1968, a few months after that flight. He later ran a roofing and sheet metal company in Chattanooga, while he and his wife, Toni, lived in Signal Mountain.

His actions that night led to dozens of other military decorations, including the Distinguished Military Service Award, the Silver Star Award, a Bronze Star, and two Distinguished Flying Crosses.

Pushing for higher honors | 2017 - 2023

David Hill, one of the men Taylor saved that night, said he was one of many people astonished to learn that Taylor had not been awarded a Medal of Honor for his heroic rescue.

Hill says this rescue was the most daring rescue of the Vietnam War.

After six years of a team gathering documents, witness statements, and more information, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved the Army's recommendation and forwarded Taylor's file to President Biden.

Receiving the Medal of Honor | Sept. 5, 2023

In July of 2023, Taylor was notified of his achievement by President Biden.

When I called Larry to let him know he finally was receiving this recognition, his response was, I thought you had to do something to receive the Medal of Honor? Well Larry, you sure as hell did something, man, Biden said when he personally presented the Medal of Honor to Taylor in Washington, D.C..

On September 5, 2023, a long list of guests welcomed Captain Captain Larry Taylor into the Medal of Honor Society. The moving ceremony ended with Captain Taylor and the President saluting one another.

"We did the same thing day and night all through combat, and we just happened to get caught doing our job." said Taylor.

A "welcome home" fit for a hero | Sept. 11, 2023

Celebrating his return, the city of Chattanooga invited the public to line Market Street on September 11 to welcome the latest Medal of Honor recipient home.

High school bands connected to Taylor's life, JROTC units, ROTC units, and veteran organizations representing all branches of the military joined the parade. A special flyover of multiple Vietnam-era Cobras, like Taylor flew, and modern-day Apache Helicopters, also joined the celebration.

Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp said watching Taylor receive the militarys highest honor is one of the most memorable experiences of his life. He spoke at the ceremony saying:

There is no greater role model to represent the values of Hamilton County than legendary Vietnam veteran Larry Taylor, whose valor as a Cobra pilot is finally being appropriately recognized. All residents of Hamilton County should take great pride in sharing this once-in-a-lifetime celebration with our hometown hero.

Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly said he had known Taylor for years, but hadn't always known about his life-saving rescue.

"Many, many times the Medal of Honor is awarded posthumous and we're lucky to still have Captain Taylor with us and we should celebrate him while we still do, said Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly.

Hamilton County had not seen a parade for a Medal of Honor recipient since 1946 and Chattanooga's showed up in droves to celebrate.

Joining the highest honored brotherhood

Taylor is the sixth Medal of Honor recipient from the Chattanooga area. From Tennessee are Sequatchie Countys Raymond Cooley. Charles Coolidge of Signal Mountain, Ray Duke of Whitwell, and, Paul Huff of Cleveland. World War II hero Desmond Doss lived in Collegedale and Dade County, Georgia for many years. He is buried at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Honoring Capt. Taylor in his hometown | Sept. - Dec. 2023

Inside look at Captain Larry Taylor's 'Temporary' Medal of Honor Exhibit The National Medal of Honor Heritage Center has put the finishing touches on Captain Larry T

Soon after the welcome home parade, the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center put the finishing touches on Captain Larry Taylor's Temporary exhibit, telling Taylor's story from childhood to the Medal of Honor.

Once complete, it will even feature three-quarters of a full-sized cobra helicopter like Taylor flew rescuing his comrades in war. The final exhibit will be revealed on June 18, 2024.

Soon after on December 31, Captain Taylor received a flag and flag pole from Flags for Vets to commemorate his Medal of Honor at his home on Signal Mountain.

"He was honored, he was certainly humbled by it," said Jamie Popwell, the founder of Flags for Vets. "Which to me for someone like him who has done so much for his country already, I was humbled, really  more-so than him."

Capt. Larry Taylor passes away | Jan. 28, 2024

A few weeks later on January 28, 2024, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society released that US Army Captain Larry Taylor, had passed away at 81-years-old. After a battle with cancer, the hero passed away in his home on Signal Mountain.

General William Raines, Retired Major General and Chairman Emeritus with the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, stated:

"I'd hope that all of us would learn more about Larry Taylor. His passing is sad for the family, it's sad for all of us, but I hope that it will still instill being an example what leadership and character is all about."

Laid to rest with the highest honors | Feb. 7, 2024

The Medal of Honor Center will hold the ceremony on February 7, while the public was asked to come out and line the streets as Taylor is carried to his final resting place at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Jim OKelly, who watched the Taylor processional with his wife, Jan, said It has never been done before and he really sacrificed himself, and his copilot, too, to do what he did saving those men.

Sergeant David Hill, one of the men who Capt. Taylor saved back in Vietnam, said there is not a better place where Taylor could be laid to rest.

Rightful place, he is going to be half way between Charles Coolidge, who is a Chattanooga native as you know and Desmond Doss at the very top and place of honor, Hill said.

Hill said Taylor will be missed tremendously and that his legacy will live forever.

Retired General B.B. Bell, who was one of many people who helped in the push to upgrade Taylor's Silver Star to the Medal Of Honor, said Wednesday: "I think we have to remember that Larry was made of the same  mostly god-fearing, they are certainly patriots, and have the right set of morals and values and they would do the same thing for you, for me, if the circumstances were focused on them."

The service ended with a 21-gun salute, an Army Apache helicopter flyover, and the playing of Echo Taps.

A private graveside service is planned afterward for the family.
The FBI is scrambling to track migrants who crossed the US southern border with the help of a smuggler with ties to ISIS.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. The February 7 presidential election marks a celebration for Azerbaijan, Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and head of the observation mission Sergey Lebedev told reporters in Baku, Trend reports.

"Today, I had a positive, warm, and informative meeting with President Ilham Aliyev," he said.

"I briefed President Ilham Aliyev on our observation findings and the assessments from CIS country representatives. We reaffirmed our commitment to preserving and strengthening the traditional ties between Azerbaijan and neighboring states, which serve the interests of each state and, naturally, Azerbaijan," Lebedev added.

The extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Seven candidates run in the election.

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05 percent of the votes after the processing of 93.35 percent of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev received 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa received two percent, Elshad Musayev received 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev received 1.76 percent, and Fuad Aliyev received 0.53 percent of the votes.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Cllr Colm Murray, formally launched the Longford Lights Festival for 2024 on Thursday last, in Connolly Barracks.

The Barracks came alive with samba drummers, fire dancers and gigantic video projections as the largest community arts lights festival in Ireland was launched with appropriate spectacle.

Details for the ambitious three-day festival, running from February 23 - 25, were unveiled in front of an audience of Longford artists, participating community groups and representatives from festival funders - Longford County Council, The Arts Council, Creative Ireland and Longford Tourism.

Only in its third year the festival is shaping up to be one of the largest arts festivals in the midlands, with almost 11,000 people attending in 2023. This year the festival has doubled in size and involves twenty-three artists, twenty-eight art installations, forty-three schools and community organisations and thousands of lights.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Colm Murray launched the festival saying, Longford Lights is fast becoming a premier arts event in the country, showcasing work of leading artists from Ireland and abroad while also involving local volunteers, community groups and schools.

Artistic coordinator Caroline Conway used the gigantic wall projection to give attendees a sneak peak of festival highlights, including Beacons of Light a community art installation that involves over 1,000 lanterns made by members of Longford communities and schools.

This year the festival has grown in both size and artistic ambition, said Caroline, and we have included a lot of street performances including Samba bands, fire dancers, circus acts and the internationally acclaimed Spanish troupe Cal y Canto Teatro.

Speaking at the launch, Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon said, The growth and development of the Longford Lights festival is a testament to the commitment of Longford County Council to creating opportunities for citizens to engage with arts and culture, while also supporting artists in our community.

The festival runs from 6pm to 9pm each evening, on the weekend of Friday, 23 to Sunday, 25 February. Large attendance is anticipated so to avoid disappointment book your free visiting slot by logging onto www.ticketailor.com.
RTE presenter Joe Duffy has appeared to pour cold water on suggestions that he doesn't want to renew his contract with the national broadcaster after next year.

There had been several reports that he wouldn't look to extend his contract once it ends in mid-2025.

However, the long-serving presenter appeared to offer a different opinion when the matter came up on his Liveline show on Tuesday, Dublin Live reported. The issue arose during a discussion with a guest about the Savoy cinema not accepting cash.

A caller named Noel joked he was "shown the door and wasn't welcome" at the cinema. Duffy responded saying that was a "great phrase". He added: "There's a story in about five papers saying I'm going to be shown the door in June twelve months. But that's the first I've heard about it. And RTE say he doesn't want a new contract, that's the first I heard about that as well."

When another listener said she hoped he was "going bloody nowhere" he replied: "So do I. I've never heard of anyone talking about their contract a year and a half before it's up, or making a decision."

RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst told the Irish Mirror earlier this week that Duffy, who has been with RTE for more than 30 years, has not sought to extend his deal.

In the wake of this, speculation on his future has even led to bookies giving odds on where the popular Ballyfermot native could end up next.

Newstalk and Today FM are both touted as possible new employers for the broadcaster, should he decide to leave RTE.
There have been nine suspected cases of measles in Ireland in the most recent week for which data is available.

Health authorities have warned that there is a risk of measles outbreaks in Ireland due to its population immunity dropping below the required rate.

On Wednesday, the Health Service Executive (HSE) said an adult who had been diagnosed with measles had died in a hospital in the Leinster area.

According to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, between January 28 and February 3, there were three suspected cases in the east, three in the midlands, two in the midwest and one in the south health region.

Seven of the cases were among children aged up to four years old, and two were children aged between five and nine years old.

None of the cases are confirmed cases of measles, two cases were noted as probable cases and seven were described as possible cases.

We have published our Weekly Infectious Disease Report. It has summaries of infectious diseases reported in Ireland during Week 5, 2024, broken down by: HSE areaAgeSex Read the report herehttps://t.co/rNtSUfOAJy pic.twitter.com/pbo8YYVGiS  HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) (@hpscireland) February 8, 2024

There has been an increase in cases across Europe in recent months, with more than 170 measles cases diagnosed in the West Midlands in England between December 2023 and mid-January.

In Ireland, four measles cases were reported in 2023, two in 2022, none reported in 2021, five in 2020, with no deaths reported in any of those years.

Chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said that it was the first death of a person with measles in Ireland in many years and a reminder of how serious it can be.

Ensure your child receives MMR vaccine as part of immunisation schedule or as part of catch-up to 10 years through GP if you have missed out, he said on X, formerly Twitter.

Around 95% of the population needs to have the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine to stop the virus spreading, but Irelands national rate is at around 89.2%, with rates as low as 80% in some areas.

An MMR catch-up programme launched in November 2023 through GPs is aimed at giving immunity to those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. The vaccine is free from GPs for children aged 10 and under.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man in his 50s was found dead at an apartment in Co Kildare.

The incident occurred in School Street, Kilcock, between 3pm and 4pm on Thursday.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene and his body remained at the scene on Thursday night.

The scene has been preserved pending an examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.

A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out on Friday morning at the mortuary at Naas General Hospital by state pathologist Sally Ann Collis.

A senior investigating officer is leading the investigation at Leixlip Garda Station and a family liaison officer has been appointed to the family of the dead man.

The arrested man, in his 40s, is being detained at a Garda station in Kildare, gardai said.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who was in the School Street area between 3pm and 4pm and saw any activity that caught their attention to come forward.

Any road users who may have camera footage from the vicinity of School Street at the time are also asked to make the footage available to gardai.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Leixlip Garda Station on 01 6667800, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said there are people across the country who know exactly who is behind suspected arson attacks on buildings and urged them to come forward.

Gardai and the Government have been grappling with a series of incidents at premises rumoured to be used for asylum seekers, with the Minister for Finance warning on Thursday that there is a real risk of someone being killed.

In two interviews with RTE and Virgin Media on Thursday night, Ms McEntee said people could be complicit if they do not come forward with information.

She said of misinformation on Virgin Media: I dont think its any one person, I dont think its any one group of people, I think there are multiple people who are at fault here, but I think people need to be assured that gardai are making good progress.

She told RTE News: We will be absolutely relentless in supporting them to track down those who are responsible for these vile crimes, crimes which carry a maximum sentence of up to life in prison, but we cannot leave it just to the gardai.

There are people right across the country, some people who are protesting, who know exactly who are responsible. By not coming forward with information, you are complicit, so I am calling on those who have information to come forward before these fires cost somebody their life.

I believe that there are people right across the country who have information, who know the people who are responsible for carrying out these vile crimes, and I am asking them to come forward before somebody loses their life.

"By not coming forward, you are complicit in this."  @HMcEntee urges members of the public to come forward if they have information on the arson attacks. #TonightVMTV pic.twitter.com/r4TRnNQepv  TonightVMTV (@TonightVMTV) February 8, 2024

Ms McEntee made the comments as the Government was accused in the Dail of doing almost nothing about the escalation of attacks on properties earmarked for refugees.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said there had been 26 arson attacks in the last five years against premises rumoured to be used for asylum seekers.

Speaking in the Dail, he said ordinary people must take a stand against the terrorism of the far right.

He said rumours emerge online suggesting a property is going to be used and far-rights activists arrive in the area, and a few days later the property is burned down.

Mr Murphy named several people who are quick to the scene when buildings are rumoured to be housing refugees, but later said he was not linking those people to the arson attacks.

We should call what we are seeing what it is. We are witnessing a campaign of far-right terrorism in this state, Mr Murphy said.

And what has been the response? Almost nothing. Nobody charged, fiddling while the country burns. We finally have three arrests this morning for the arson in Ringsend.

Finance Minister Michael McGrath said gardai are doing everything to address the heinous crimes, but arson attacks are difficult to solve.

We utterly condemn any criminal act, where properties are being deliberately set on fire. It is arson. It is a criminal act and the gardai are investigating, he told the Dail.

Youve acknowledged arrests have been made today in one particular case, but the best thing that we can do is to reaffirm our support for the work of An Garda Siochana, that we will give them the necessary resources and whatever support that they need to do their work.

These are difficult crimes to solve, lets be honest, but they will do everything they possibly can to solve them and to send files to the DPP and ultimately achieve conviction.

I think its important that we do stand together and provide our support because these are heinous crimes that could not just end up in damaging or destroying property, but could end up taking human life, and that is the real risk that we are very concerned about.

I know you are concerned about it as well. As a Government we have responded as comprehensively as we can with the support of the people to a wave of migration that we have had to respond to because of the war in Ukraine.

Mr Murphy blamed social inequalities on the government, accusing Fine Gael and Fianna Fail of neglecting communities.

The reason we have a housing crisis is not because of immigration, but its because you push the profits of big developers and landlords ahead of peoples need for a home, the Dublin South West TD said.

We have a health crisis because you put the private hospitals and the insurance companies first.

We have deep inequalities, we have neglected communities because of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael which have run the stage ever since its foundation.

That is why ordinary people need to take a stand against the terrorism of the far right, against the racism, homophobia, sexism and hate that they tried to spread and against the housing crisis and inequality that you have created.
Local News, Crime

By Long Island Published: February 08 2024

Fourth Squad investigates a grand larceny in Atlantic Beach where an $8,000 check was stolen and deposited into a bank account in Staten Island by two unknown suspects, prompting a call for public assistance.

The Fourth Squad reports on a Grand Larceny that occurred on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 12:00 PM in Atlantic Beach and was reported to Police on Thursday, July 27, 2023.

According to Detectives, a 69-year-old male victim went to the Atlantic Beach Post Office located at 1848 Park Street to mail a check valued at approximately $8,000 USC. On Wednesday, July 26, 2023, the victim was notified that his check was never received. The following day, on Thursday, July 27, 2023 the victim went to his local bank and was notified that the check was deposited by an unknown subject into a bank account in Staten Island. Police were notified and upon investigation a video of the unknown adult male subject taking the check from the bank was recovered. Further investigation revealed that a second unknown adult male subject was also associated with the bank account that the stolen check was deposited in. Detectives believe that the two subjects may reside in Staten Island.

The first subject is described as an adult male hispanic, approx. 20-25 years of age with a tall, slim build. Long black hair and black goatee with a tattoo on his right hand. Last seen wearing a blue jacket, grey/orange pants, a red shirt and white sneakers.

The second subject is described as an adult male hispanic, approx. 20-25 years of age with a tall, slim build. Long black hair and wearing eyeglasses. Last seen wearing black jacket and black sweatpants.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding the above incident to contact the Fourth Squad at 516-573-6453. All callers will remain anonymous.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: February 08 2024

Douglas Coudrey and Kenneth Regan followed Justin Gottlieb after encounter on roadway and shot him twice outside his parents home.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that two Suffolk County men were convicted yesterday on murder and weapons possessions charges for the January 2020 shooting death of 27-year-old Justin Gottlieb.

Douglas Coudrey, 26, from Eastport, and Kenneth Regan, 25, from Centereach, were convicted by a jury of Murder in the Second Degree (an A-I felony) and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (a C violent felony). The defendants are due back for sentencing on March 22, 2024, and face a potential maximum of 40 years to life in prison.

The trial, before Judge Robert Schwartz, began on January 23, 2024. The jury deliberated for approximately three hours.

Justin Gottlieb was a young father and electrical engineer who was senselessly murdered by Douglas Coudrey and Kenneth Regan after an encounter on his drive home from work, said DA Donnelly. These defendants left a trail of destruction in their wake and are presently charged with another shooting in New Jersey merely four days after Justins murder. I thank the jury for their service in this case and we extend our condolences to Justins many family members and friends as they continue to mourn his loss.

DA Donnelly said that on the evening of January 14, 2020, Justin Gottlieb, a 27-year-old electrical engineer at a lighting company in Jericho, was driving home from work to Plainview. As Gottlieb drove in his red Ford Explorer, he was followed by a white Ford Fusion operated by Coudrey and Regan.

At approximately 5:32 p.m. Gottlieb pulled up in front of his parents home in Plainview, which was next door to his own home. Shortly thereafter, the Ford Fusion pulled up next to Gottliebs car and two shots were fired at the victim, striking him in the leg and chest area.

Gottlieb ran into his parents home where, fighting for his life, he told his family that the perpetrators were two kids in a white Ford Fusion. The victim was pronounced dead a short time later at Plainview Hospital. The victim was engaged and had an infant daughter with his fiance.

On January 18, 2020, the defendants allegedly shot another motorist on Interstate 80 in Lodi, New Jersey. One occupant of the vehicle was killed while another was wounded. That case is being handled by the Bergen County Prosecutors Office.

The .9mm shell casings from the New Jersey case and the Nassau County case were determined to have been fired from the same gun.

The defendants were arrested on January 22, 2020, in Suffolk County by members of the Suffolk County Police Department and the New Jersey State Police.

The defendants were arrested and charged with the Nassau murder on February 6, 2020, by members of the Nassau County Police Departments Homicide Squad.

The NCDA thanks the Nassau County Police Department, the Suffolk County Police Department, the Bergen County Prosecutors Office, the New Jersey State Police and the Suffolk County Department of Social Services for their assistance in this investigation.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. The presidential election in Azerbaijan was held in a highly democratic manner, said a deputy of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, chairman of the Turkiye-Azerbaijan inter-parliamentary friendship group Shamil Ayrim, during a briefing on the monitoring results of Azerbaijan's extraordinary presidential election, Trend reports.

"We've been in Azerbaijan for a few days now. Azerbaijani citizens have actively participated in the presidential election voting," he said.

He mentioned that the election was held for the first time on the entire territory of Azerbaijan.

"Most of the voters cast their votes for President Ilham Aliyev," Ayrim emphasized.

He highlighted Azerbaijan's achievement in securing its territorial integrity through victory in the Second Karabakh War and subsequent 24-hour localized anti-terrorist measures in Karabakh last September.

"Western forces are trying to obstruct the peace agreement through various interventions. Moreover, before its commencement, several international organizations claimed that the election lacked democracy. As the Turkish delegation, we vehemently refute these allegations and affirm that the election in Azerbaijan was highly democratic," the chairman added.

The extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Seven candidates ran in the election.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev received 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa received two percent, Elshad Musayev received 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev received 1.76 percent, and Fuad Aliyev received 0.53 percent of the votes.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Music, Movies & Entertainment

By Chris Boyle Published: February 08 2024

March 16th to 17th.

Sag Harbor Cinema announces the lineup of its second collaboration with the New York International Children Film Festival. Running March 16-17, the selection is specially-curated for the young audiences of the East End and their families. The festival will include three brand new, award winning feature length animated films as well as the popular Shorts for Tots, the program of shorts films aimed at budding cinephiles aged 3-6.

The 2024 weekend-long festival selection was curated for Sag Harbor Cinema by Maria-Christina Villasenor, NYICFFs Programming Director, in collaboration with SHCs Founding Artistic Director, Giulia DAgnolo Vallan.

I am thrilled about the films we chose for the 2024 program. The features selection is pure joy - mostly the product of beautiful, traditional hand drawn animation at the service of contemporary storytelling, it reflects the universal quality that is at the soul of great cinema, says DAgnolo Vallan. A silent film set in 1980s New York, on the notes of Earth Wind & Fire, Robot Dreams is a love letter to the City; while in Kensukes Kingdom our audience will recognize the magic of marine life. Sirocco conjures Miyazaki and the Beatles Yellow Submarine in a tale about the power of fantasy and literature.

Im so pleased to bring the zeitgeist of NYICFF 2024and the electric charge that powerful, uniquely creative animation sparks in viewers and cultivates wonderto Sag Harbor Cinemas young audiences, says Villasenor. This years core selection of features are among the best, most awe-inspiring film experiences of the year, and the recent Oscar nomination for Robot Dreams confirms that weve got a finger on the pulse of todays best talents.

Fresh off its Oscar nomination for best animated film and its successful world premiere at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, Robot Dreams is directed by Spanish filmmaker Pablo Berger (Blancanieves, 2013) and adapted from Sara Varons graphic novel of the same title. Set in the 1980s, the story features a lonely dog in New York who orders a robot from an infomercial. Once the tin man is assembled, Dog and Robot explore the city, ride the subway, shop at The Strand, visit Coney Island, and rollerskate to Earth, Wind, & Fire. With a world occupied exclusively by animals and a friendship that transcends language, Robot Dreams is a feast for the eyes and the heartwarming buddy film of the year. Screening Saturday, March 16th at 3:30pm.

Kensukes Kingdom, a beautifully animated film based on the 1998 book by British author and poet Michael Morpugo (War Horse), is an adventure story about a young boy shipwrecked on a remote island while sailing around the world with his family. After being separated from his mom and dad (voiced by Cilian Murphy and Sally Hawkins) and sister (voiced by Raffey Cassidy, White Noise) during a storm, 11 year-old Michael (voiced by newcomer Aaron MacGregor) and his dog, Stella Artois, wash up on a deserted beach. That is, until Michael meets Kensuke (voiced by Ken Watanabe), a Japanese former soldier who has been the islands sole (human) inhabitant since World War II. Though Kensuke maintains rigid boundaries and rules, he and Michael form a bond as they team up to fend off invaders who theatren their secret paradise. The directing duo - veteran animator Neil Boyle (Space Jam, The Jungle Book 2) and Kirk Hendry - will join Sag Harbor Cinema from the UK for a virtual Q&A following the screening on Sunday, March 17th at 11:00am.

Winner of the Audience Award at the 2023 Annecy Film Festival, Sirocco and the Kingdom of Winds is a psychedelic brainstorm from the mind of French animator Benoit Chieux (Aunt Hilda!). The film follows two sisters who, after their babysitter falls asleep, enter into another world when a curious figurine springing to life from their favorite book lures them into the fantastical Kingdom of the Winds. As theyre thrust into this dream world, they encounter a slew of its colorful inhabitants, including an operatic duck diva and the solitary King Sirocco, who controls the wind. With imagination and courage on their side, the girls must charm the sour king in order to make their way back home. Screening Sunday, March 17th at 2:30pm.

On March 16 and 17, Sag Harbor Cinema is also pleased to offer two Stop Motion Workshops for Kids in conjunction with its collaboration with the NYICFF. During the workshops, students will express themselves creatively by reinventing their favorite scenes from the weekends festival program using art supplies.

The first workshop (ages 4-9) will take place on Saturday, March 16 at 12:30pm, and the second (ages 10-18) will take place on Sunday, March 17 at 4:00pm. Both workshops will be held on the third floor of Sag Harbor Cinema in the Rosenberg Workspace, and will be approximately one hour in length. Registration is limited to 10 students per workshop. Those interested in attending can register for free at www.sagharborcinema.org. No experience is necessary, though the use of a personal mobile phone is required.

Tickets will be available on the cinemas website, sagharborcinema.org.

For more information on the films, see details below:

Robot Dreams

Spain, France | Oscar nominee

Pablo Berger, 2023, 103 min.

Recommended Ages 8+

No dialogue

Even without dialogue, this hand-drawn story about a dog and his robot captures all the sweetness that can span a friendship, whether it lasts for a reason or for a season.

New York City, 1980s. Dog lives an unassuming life among the bustle of the East Village. Feeling lonely, he orders Robot from a TV ad. Once assembled, Robot instantly becomes Dogs most steadfast friend. Together, they explore the city, rollerskating and roaming to a near-constant thrum of Earth, Wind, & Fires September. When the Coney Island seawater leaves Robots joints rusted stiff, Dog has no choice but to leave him behind. As the year wears on, their lives take different paths, but theyll always hold each other in their hearts. City kids will appreciate the familiar sights and sounds of this animal-populated NYCSubway drummers! Hot dogs in Central Park! A trip to the Strand!only its an octopus rocking the buckets and a llama checking out books. Parents will appreciate they way Dog watches Robot experience it all for the first time. Sentimental audiences of all ages may want to bring tissues.

Kensukes Kingdom

United Kingdom, Luxembourg, France | New York Premiere

Neil Boyle & Kirk Hendry, 2023, 84 min.

Recommended ages 8+

In English

A gorgeously animated adaptation of the beloved chapter book about loss and friendship.

When a violent storm befalls his familys sailing trip, Michael and his dog, Stella, are swept overboard. They awake dazed on a beautiful remote island where they must quickly find their wits and the resources to survivea challenge no less steep for all the islands beauty. Upon their return from an unsuccessful expedition, they may not be alone; someone has left water near their camp. Soon he meets his mysterious benefactor: an ornery Japanese man named Kensuke, who has been the islands sole inhabitant since World War II. Despite Kensukes rigid boundaries and rules for the island, a friendship begins to form. It couldnt come at a more fortuitous time, as dangerous invaders begin to threaten their secret world and they must work together to preserve their fragile paradise.

Sirocco and the Kingdom of Winds

Sirocco et le royaume des courants d'air

France, Belgium

Benoit Chieux, 2024, 80 min.

Recommended ages 7+

In French with English subtitles

This skyward flight of fancy follows two sisters as they travel through their favorite story, where they meet a cast of characters in a Wizard of Oz meets Yellow Submarine fantasy land.

The meta-story begins when sisters Juliette and Carmen are sent to spend the weekend with Agnes, a talented story writer. But Agnes has a lot on her plate and, though she loves them dearly, decides to take a nap, leaving the girls to their own devices. So they seek adventure within the pages of their favorite storyliterally. A curious figurine from the story springs to life and lures them into the fantastical Kingdom of the Winds. As theyre thrust into this fantasy world, they encounter a slew of its colorful inhabitants, including an operatic duck diva and the brooding King Sirocco, who controls the wind. With imagination and courage on their side, the girls must charm the sour king in order to make their way back home. Directed by three-time NYICFF alum Benoit Chieux (Mia and the Migoo, Aunt Hilda!, Tigers Tied Up in One Rope) and co-written by three-time NYICFF alum Alain Gagnol (A Cat in Paris, Phantom Boy, One Hell of a Plan).

Shorts for Tots

Recommended ages 3-6

60 min.

Created for our youngest and first-ever moviegoers, but beloved by grown-ups, Shorts for Tots is sure to delight all audiences.

About the Sag Harbor Cinema

As a not-for-profit 501(c)3, community-based organization, Sag Harbor Cinema is dedicated to presenting the past, present and future of the Movies and to preserving and educating about films, filmmaking, and the film-going experience in its three state-of-the-art theaters. The Cinema engages its audiences and the community year-round through dialogue, discovery, and appreciation of the moving image  from blockbusters to student shorts and everything in between. Revitalized and reimagined through unprecedented community efforts to rebuild the iconic Main Street structure after a fire nearly destroyed it in 2016, SHC continues a long historic tradition of entertainment in the heart of Sag Harbor Village. SHC Members enjoy discounts on tickets and merchandise and have access to our member-only rooftop lounge, The Green Room.
Part one in a three-part series.

How will I conquer this beleaguered one? He possesses courage, ingenuity, resourcefulness, and tools of war. And then he said, Ill not rob his strength, nor bridle him, nor rein him in, nor enervate his hand. But this Ill do  blunt his mind, until he forgets his cause is just.

So wrote the Israeli poet and playwright Nathan Alterman, unintentionally capturing the essence of psychological war efforts waged by autocratic bodies against Western democracies.

Speaking of this in relation to the Russian way of war, U.S. Marine Corps Major Valerie McGuire noted the emphasis on attaining political and strategic goals by breeding chaos and dissent within a disenfranchised population  while simultaneously avoiding the challenges of competing directly with the advanced technological capabilities and expansive military budget of countries like the United States.

One goal, here, is to reduce reality to a series of competing but ostensibly equally plausible narratives. Facts, in such a scenario, become less relevant  with success predicated upon making a more emotionally appealing argument.

This dynamic  of a vastly economically and militarily superior democratic country confronting an autocratic entity with limited resources and relatively primitive military means  applies mutatis mutandis to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Which is why psychological warfare, narrative, soft-power, and propaganda have played such a central role in the groups fight against Israel historically and now during Hezbollahs involvement in the Al-Aqsa Flood war.

Making public remarks for the first time during the war, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah stressed recently that the primary goal should be to stop the aggression on Gaza, because that would allow his partners in Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other allied groups to survive, rebuild, and attack Israel again in the future. Part of the fight, he said, was to shout, write, take a stance, protest, assist, support, speak, or move in any way other than fighting. In a subsequent speech, he was encouraged by pro-Palestinian sentiment among the American public, saying this must be worked on, and developed, because it will have tremendous impact in the United States.

To that end, Hezbollah has spent effort crafting a specific narrative for Al-Aqsa Flood, one that would appeal to the sensibilities of a specific subset of Westerners. Hezbollahs official Al-Ahed Newspaper published an article aptly titled The Resistances Narrative on Al-Aqsa FloodWhat is Required? consisting of five infographics with talking points, which will be translated and analyzed by FDDs Long War Journal in a series of articles.

The Resistances Narrative on Al-Aqsa Flood  What is Required?

Part I  Justifying the Oct. 7 Attack

First  Why the Battle of Al-Aqsa Flood?

The battle of the Palestinian people did with the Occupation [i.e. Israel] not begin on October 7, 2023

The battle with the Occupation began 105 years ago  30 years of British colonialism and 75 years of Israeli occupation.

The Al-Aqsa Flood Operation was necessary to:

Confront the plots being weaved targeting the Palestinian cause.

End the ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip

Regain national rights.

Decide sovereignty over Al-Aqsa Mosque and holy places.

Get rid of the occupation.

Achieve independence and freedom like all other peoples of the world and self-determination.

Establish an independent Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital.

Analysis:

Framing the attack on Oct. 7 is critical for the Hezbollah and the broader Resistance Axis. As that appellation suggests, they portray themselves as essentially defensive to garner domestic support. This is all the more important in the case of this narrative, which seems equally tailored to impact Western audiences. Hence tying the Occupation  one of the Resistance Axis negative appellations for the State of Israel  not only to Israels inception, but to the British Mandatory period. This, in turn, is meant to present Israel as the settler-colonial fruit of the imperialist British poisonous tree, and hence an entity illegitimate in its inception  rather than arising out of the Jewish self-determination that the British Mandate instituted to empower  and thus justify violence against it as some form of anti-colonial resistance.

Second- The Events of Oct. 7, and Responses to the Propaganda and Lies of the Occupation

Al-Aqsa Flood targeted Israeli military positions.

The operation sought to capture the enemys soldiers to accomplish the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners in a prisoner swap.

The attack focused on the Israeli militarys Gaza Division and Israeli military positions inside the settlements of the Gaza Envelope

The attack avoided attacking the settlers, particularly women and children and the elderly, and this was in abiding with religious principles.

Its possible some errors occurred during execution due to the speedy collapse of the enemys security apparatus and the occurrence of some chaos due to the penetrations of the [border] fence.

Hamas dealt in a positive manner w/the issue of the settlers who were seized as prisoners in Gaza.

What the Occupation spreads about the Qassam Brigades targeting Israeli civilians in the attack of October 7 is pure slander and lies

It has been conclusively proven as a lie the claim that forty infant children were killed.

The claim that the resistance fighters raped Israeli women has been proven to be a lie and Hamas denied it decisively.

Per two reports belonging to Haaretz and Yediot Ahronot, hundreds of settlers taking part in a festival (Nova) were killed by Israeli Apache helicopter fire.

Analysis

This encapsulates the Resistance Axiss version of the clean hands doctrine  with the caveat that the Axis as a whole, or its constituent organizations, can never admit to any wrongdoing. The second pillar of Hezbollahs popular support is built upon their alleged moral advantage over the West and particularly its most egregious manifestation, the State of Israel. The Resistance Axis spends a considerable part of its soft power convincing its followers that the West (particularly the United States) is unjust, that its ostensible commitment to human rights and international law is hypocritical, and immoral  and that these are necessary manifestations of the Wests values. In this conception, Israel is the Wests most barbaric manifestation.

Both domestically and in certain circles abroad, the Resistance Axis and its narrative are capable of attracting support due to their ability to manipulate the reasons behind the casualty count lopsided in Israels favor, and to frame themselves  with their relatively primitive means of warfare  as fighting an unstoppable Israeli juggernaut. Thus, every Israeli military action is labeled udwan (aggression). Israel, they say, never acts in self-defense. That is only an excuse for the Jewish state to act on its inherently rapacious and aggressive intentions, its raison detre to wantonly shed Arab blood and steal Arab land. In his speeches since the onset for the war, for example, Nasrallah said the Palestinian body count in the current war only served as a reminder of the barbarictrue nature of this Entity.

The horrors of Oct. 7, documented by the assailants themselves, risked puncturing that narrative  albeit only among the morally-inclined. It gave unprecedented international imprimatur to the Israel Defense Forces to eliminate Hamas, the same way the world had rallied behind the United States mission to defeat Al-Qaeda after 9/11, or the global campaign to destroy ISIS. But were Israel to accomplish that goal, Hezbollah and Iran would lose the immeasurably valuable asset into which they had transformed Gaza since the 2005 Israeli Disengagement. If Israel couldnt be stopped militarily, then appeals had to be made to world opinion to argue that Israels war is unjust at its core  hence the attempt to deny any of the atrocities committed by Hamas and to argue that the organizations actions on Oct. 7 were resistance activities aimed at military targets  including false attributions to Haaretz and Yediot Ahronoth of stories that hundreds of the Israeli victims were actually killed by Israeli forces themselves. This element of the narrative in particular reinforces both the Resistance Axis claim of the unjustness of Israels war and its claims about Israels inherently bloodthirsty and barbaric nature.

But this element of the narrative aims to obscure reality, and theres a sleight of hand at play: the Resistance Axis does not recognize the concept of an Israeli civilian. Hamas, which has been trying to undo the damage to its image wrought by its October 7 rampage, has a history replete with suicide bombings and other attacks that deliberately target civilians. Hezbollah too has no qualms about harming Israeli civilians.

Amal Saad-Ghorayeb, a scholar sympathetic to Hezbollah, wrote in her 2002 book on the organization  Hizbullah: Politics and Religion  that as part of its commitment to denying Israels legitimacy or right to exist and commitment to destroying Israel, Hezbollah also does not recognize the existence of Israeli civilians as such and views attacks against them as legitimate. The concept of an Israeli civilian, let alone an innocent one, is anathema to the organization.  We place quotation marks around [Israeli] civilians because the entire [Zionist] entity is an occupier, these are occupiers Nasrallah recently stressed. There is not a single innocent Jew in Palestine now, Ghorayeb quotes longtime Hezbollah official Hussein Al-Mousawi as saying. Insofar as it views the Israeli state and Israeli society  collectively and as individuals  as identical, and identical existential threats to Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims, both must be liquidated.

There is no possibility of dialogue or reconciliation with Israeli society as there is with Western society, writes Ghorayeb, and states that Hezbollah views violence against Israeli civilians as a legitimate means to achieving its stated desire to liberate Palestine from the river to the sea. In his own book, Naim Qassem, Hezbollahs Deputy Secretary-General and most articulate communicator of the groups ideology, justifies attacking Israeli civilians as a means of eroding Israels national will and international legitimacy. Chillingly, according to Ghorayeb, this legitimization of attacks against Israeli civilians extends to Israeli children  enjoined by no less an authority than sheikh Mohammad Yazbek, the chairman of Hezbollahs Judicial Council, the body tasked with determining religiously permissible actions.

David Daoud is Senior Fellow at at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies where he focuses on Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon affairs.
In a joint statement, Saraya al-Ashtar and Saraya Waad Allah, both Iranian-backed militias in the island Kingdom of Bahrain, sent their condolences to the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades  itself an Iranian proxy  over the recent killing of one of its top commanders in a U.S. drone strike.

The statement follows the killing of Wissam Muhammad al-Saadi, who was also known as Abu Baqir al-Saadi, by a U.S. drone strike in Iraqs Baghdad yesterday. Before his death, al-Saadi was the commander of Hezbollah Brigades Syrian operations and was thus responsible for its attacks on U.S. personnel there.

This likely includes the recent attack on a Jordanian base that killed three U.S. troops, which was widely blamed on the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades. Al-Jazeera has also identified al-Saadi as the commander of Hezbollah Brigades drone forces, which puts further emphasis on his responsibility for the killing of the U.S. troops.

With hearts full of faith, patience, and determination in the path of resistance and trust in God, the statement begins, we congratulate our brothers in the Islamic Resistance  Hezbollah Brigades  on the ascension of the hero, al-Hajj al-Mujahid Wissam Muhammad al-Saadi.

The two groups praise al-Saadi for being a martyr on the path to Jerusalem, who concluded a journey full of jihad and resistance since the American occupation [of Iraq]. The statement also reports that al-Saadi was instrumental in Hezbollah Brigades contribution to the fight against al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in both Iraq and Syria.

According to the Iranian-backed militias, al-Saadi joins his fellow martyred leaders as a martyr covered in blood with the highest rewards at the hands of Gods most evil creation, the Great Satan, America.

Despite the killing of al-Saadi, the two groups still encourage those within the wider Islamic Resistance, or Irans network of various militias and organizations across the Middle East, to not give up the fight.

We continue this march without weakness until our Ummah [worldwide Islamic community] is liberated from the enslavement by the forces of arrogance and their hegemony over our Islamic Ummah.

Relations between Hezbollah Brigades and Bahrain

As one of Irans largest proxy forces in Iraq, the Hezbollah Brigades are not unknown to the smaller, less capable Bahraini militias. Despite some evidence of direct support in the past, this more tangible relationship seems to have weakened. However, the latter continue to revere its fellow group in the so-called Islamic Resistance.

Bahraini authorities have long accused the Hezbollah Brigades of training several of the more prominent militias on the island, especially Saraya al-Ashtar. These accusations were seemingly confirmed by the State Department when it designated the group as a terrorist organization, as it noted that al-Ashtar members received training in Iraq.

And in 2018 and 2019, after other U.S. airstrikes against the Hezbollah Brigades in Syria and Iraq, respectively, Saraya al-Ashtar was among the first groups to send condolences.

While the Hezbollah Brigades has never mentioned Saraya al-Ashtar by name, it does have a stated history of rhetorically supporting resistance movements in Bahrain. For instance, it recorded at least nine videos between March and April 2011 showing attacks in five of Iraqs provinces and within Baghdad in the name of Bahrains revolution movement (note: videos have since been deleted from YouTube and thus not linked here).

It is unclear if this relationship remains as strong today as militancy in Bahrain is severely weakened as a result of Bahraini counter-terrorism operations. For instance, no claimed attack has taken place on the island since 2019, according to data kept by FDDs Long War Journal.

Despite the general lack of operational activity, many of Irans sponsored groups continue to operate in Bahrain. This includes Saraya al-Mokhtar, another U.S. designated terrorist organization with its own litany of ties to Iraq-based Iranian proxies, and Saraya Waad Allah.

It was Saraya Waad Allah, for instance, that praised Hamas invasion of Israel and subsequent massacres of civilians on Oct. 7, 2023. In the same statement, it produced a call to arms for fellow Bahraini militants to ramp up activities on the island, specifically against Israelis and Jews.

This threat has yet to materialize.
Israel Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi visits northern Gaza on February 6 to meet with commanders and discuss the IDFs current tactics. (IDF)

Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi visited northern Gaza on February 6 and met with IDF commanders and soldiers. He said Israel was continuing to advance in the Gaza strip. He also said there is military pressure concerning freeing the hostages held in Gaza. There are 136 hostages held in Gaza, and Israel believes at least 31 of them have been killed since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. Halevi met with the commander of Israels Southern Command and commanders of the 162nd IDF division in northern Gaza and discussed the current strategy in Gaza with them. The 162nd has led operations throughout northern Gaza since October.

Halavis visit focused on a key question surrounding Israels current operations in Gaza. Israel has withdrawn some units from Gaza over the last month, and the fighting has shifted to focus primarily on Hamas holdouts in southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. However, fighting continues in northern Gaza. Israeli forces have had to return to areas where they already defeated Hamas battalions, such as the dense urban area of Shati near the beach northwest of Gaza City. We came to the same place, but its a completely different story. We are working with different intelligence, different objectives, different achievements, we are killing more enemy forces, Halevi said.

The Israeli Chief of Staff compared the current phase of fighting in Gaza to peeling off layers. This means, apparently, that the first layers were defeated in the air campaign in October, and then the ground maneuver in November and December in northern Gaza. Now a new layer has been exposed as Hamas elements continue to pop up. What we are doing now in this repetition is going back, sometimes for the second time, sometimes for a third time, to the same space, and cementing our achievements. The principle of raids, quality focused efforts, the correct combat management, surprise and stratagem  will cement the achievement. More terrorists killed, more commanders killed, more infrastructure destroyed, he said.

The IDF operation now consists of surprise raids in areas of Gaza. Another part of this campaign is the continued efforts in southern Gaza by the 98th division. That unit has been operating in Khan Younis since early December. It continues to find Hamas tunnels in the city. For instance, the IDF said on February 7 that a Hamas tunnel that was a kilometer in length was uncovered. The tunnel was used to hide high-ranking members of the Hamas terrorist organization and to hold hostages, the IDF said.

The operations in northern and southern Gaza took place as Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Israel would continue fighting in Gaza against Hamas until victory is achieved. These comments were made as US Secretary of State Antony Blinked visited Israel on February 7. In addition it comes a day after Benny Gantz, a member of Israels war cabinet, said that Israel would enter Rafah near the Egyptian border, the last Hamas stronghold in Gaza. Any operation in Gaza appears to be controversial, and the US, UN and other countries have raised concerns about this potential next step in Gaza. Regional media, such as Al-Ain in the Gulf have profiled Rafah and asked whether the countdown has begun to an Israeli offensive there.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the acting news editor and senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post.
A U.S. drone strike in the Iraqi capital killed Kataib Hezbollah (KH) commander Wissam Muhammed Saber, who was directly planning and participating in attacks on American troops in the region.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted a unilateral strike in Iraq in response to the attacks on U.S. service members, killing a Kataib Hezbollah commander responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on U.S. forces in the region, said CENTCOM.

In addition to Saber, the strike killed KH commander Arkan al-Alawi.

The strike adds to a small but growing list of Iraqi militia commanders eliminated by the U.S. in the region since January.

For example, on Jan. 4, a U.S. strike killed Abu Taqwa Al Siadi, a mid-level commander from Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba.

KH published a statement mourning the death of Saber but did not mention any details about the airstrike.

Following the strike, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba issued a statement condemning the killings and vowed to retaliate against the U.S. and its allies. Other Iran-led Axis of Resistance members also issued statements condemning the U.S. for the targeted operation.

We condemn in the strongest terms the American aggression against brotherly Iraq, which led to the martyrdom of leaders in the Iraqi resistance, Islamic Jihad said in a statement.

Despite the Biden administrations signaling that it does not want war in the region, the U.S. has taken a positive step to hold Iran-backed groups accountable for killing and injuring American troops. However, it is disappointing that it took the killing of three American soldiers and the wounding of numerous troops for the U.S. to harden its stance against Iran and its proxy militias.

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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. All conditions were created for foreign observers to monitor the presidential elections in Azerbaijan, the Chairman of the Senate Committee of Uzbekistan's Parliament, Odiljon Iminov, said during a press conference in Baku, Trend reports.

He noted that no violations were recorded during the observation of the presidential election in Azerbaijan.

"Together with parliamentarians from other countries, we visited Shusha and noticed that everything there started on time and in accordance with all norms. Young voters stood out with particular enthusiasm as they were voting for their future. In addition, I would like to highlight the presence of video cameras, which, in turn, facilitated our work and the work of local observers," emphasized Iminov.

The extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Seven candidates run in the election.

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05 percent of the votes after the processing of 93.35 percent of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev received 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa received two percent, Elshad Musayev received 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev received 1.76 percent, and Fuad Aliyev received 0.53 percent of the votes.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
89 officers were involved in carrying out checks in district, where residents recently protested about crime levels

Dozens of police officers descended on the Gare area of Luxembourg City on Wednesday evening, carrying out checks and seizing a small quantity of drugs in the district, where residents have long complained of increasing instances of anti-social behaviour and crime.

The large-scale police operation was the first of its kind since Luxembourgs new coalition government took office at the end of last year, and came just days after around 250 people attended a protest march to parliament calling for action to tackle crime in the area.

Checks were carried out on a total of 85 people, police said  Photo credit: Grand Ducal Police

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.

Also read:

Protesters march to parliament in renewed call for action on Gare crime

The police operation targeted two specific streets, Rue Joseph Junck and Rue du Fort Neipperg, between 16:00 and 23:30, involving 89 police and officers from the countrys labour agency, Inspection du Travail et des Mines (ITM), police said in a news release on Thursday.

The police, as well as ITM agents, carried out various checks  Photo credit: Grand Ducal Police

Police said the mobilisation was focused on the fight against drug-related crime, violations of the carrying and possession of prohibited weapons, the checking of identity papers and residence permits as well as the checking of licensing papers for pubs.

Eighty-five people were checked, with a baton and small amounts of marijuana, hashish and MDMA seized, police said. Six people were found to be without correct residency paperwork, and two were taken to the immigration detention centre, the news release added.
Classifying platform workers as self-employed or traders deprives them of rights and protections, labour minister says

Minister of Labour Georges Mischo says that gig workers are in a clearly subordinate relationship with the owners of digital platforms that offer services such as food delivery

Minister of Labour Georges Mischo says that gig workers are in a clearly subordinate relationship with the owners of digital platforms that offer services such as food delivery

Minister of Labour Georges Mischo says that gig workers are in a clearly subordinate relationship with the owners of digital platforms that offer services such as food delivery

Minister of Labour Georges Mischo says the government will propose a bill in the Chamber of Deputies to protect the rights of platform workers if no EU directive is forthcoming or if the directive does not meet expectations set out in the coalition agreement.

Replying to a parliamentary question from Dei Lenk MP Marc Baum on Thursday morning, Mischo said that platform workers are particularly likely to face disadvantageous working conditions and insufficient access to social protection.

In December the European Parliament and the EU member states reached an agreement on a draft directive on improving working conditions in platform work. The new rules we have agreed ensure platform workers, such as drivers and riders, receive the social and labour rights they are entitled to, without sacrificing the flexibility of the platform business model, Nicolas Schmit, Luxembourgs commissioner for jobs and social rights, said at the time.

Also read:

EU members reject provisional deal on gig workers rights

But a meeting of the permanent representatives of the member states just a week later failed to achieve the majority required to adopt a text  which prompted Baums parliamentary question. Luxembourg voted in favour of the agreement.

These people are particularly likely to face disadvantageous working conditions and insufficient access to social protection Georges Mischo Minister of Labour

Mischo is adamant that legislation is required, because currently the owners of digital platforms consider the people performing work via a platform as self-employed. In fact they are in a relationship of clear subordination, Mischo said in his answer to Baum. These people are particularly likely to face disadvantageous working conditions and insufficient access to social protection.

In addition, the minister wants the legislation to include provisions that ensure that any decision to suspend or terminate the employment relationship or user account of a platform worker should always be taken by a human being and can no longer be taken by an algorithm.

In 2021 the Luxembourg company that owns food delivery platform WeDely was fined for circumventing labour laws by using freelance couriers who did not have a valid business permit.

Also read:

Government renews plan to regulate ride-hailing services

Meanwhile, the Luxembourg government said in its programme published in November that it would renew effort to authorise Uber if the ride-hailing service were to ensure that its drivers would benefit from social security coverage and labour law protections.

That statement was met with scepticism by a former independent lawyer who has previously represented Uber in its attempts to set up in Luxembourg. They are saying one thing knowing that it wont happen, Daniel Tesch told the Luxembourg Times. Uber drivers are private drivers in private cars who are self-employed, he said. So they will have to pay for their own health and social security just like any other independent worker.
Malaria Consortium and eGov Foundation join Mozambiques national malaria programme to digitalise seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaigns

8 February 2024



In a new collaboration, Malaria Consortium and eGov Foundation will support Mozambiques National Malaria Control Programme (PNLP) to roll out a new digital tool to accelerate the digitalisation of seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) campaigns.

Malaria Consortium, working with the PNLP, will utilise the open-source integrated campaign management platform, DIGIT, developed by eGov as a part of this years SMC campaign in Nampula province in northern Mozambique. The tool will support the delivery of SMC and the distribution of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) plus amodiaquine (AQ), known as SPAQ, across all 23 districts in Nampula, where malaria transmission is highly seasonal.

Mozambique was one of the first countries to step forward to adopt DIGIT as an integrated campaign management platform. The PNLP committed in early 2023 to using the platform first for long-lasting insecticide-treated net campaigns (2023), shortly followed by the upcoming 2024 SMC campaign. Since then, Malaria Consortium, eGov Foundation and other stakeholders have participated in a technical working group led by the PNLP to drive campaign digitalisation in Mozambique. Through this forum, stakeholders are collectively ensuring that the needs and priorities of SMC campaigns are fed into the DIGIT platform design, exploring the practical considerations of implementing digital campaigns, and planning for the broader digital transformation of health campaigns in Mozambique.

Using the DIGIT platform, known locally as Salama, SMC campaign staff can register participant households and individuals, record the distribution of SPAQ to eligible children, record suspected adverse events to medication and pharmacovigilance, monitor and manage stock, supervise and monitor campaign staff activities, and record onward referrals into the health system. The tool aims to facilitate good coverage of digital data reporting by simplifying the process of producing digital campaign dashboards and reports. The dashboards and reports will help to provide good quality data to support local decision-making and campaign adjustments.

Maria Rodrigues, Malaria Consortiums Country Director in Mozambique, said: We expect that SMC campaign digitalisation will become an integral part of country health system priority and benefit people in a way that is ethical, safe, secure, reliable, equitable and sustainable. Its been developed with principles of transparency, accessibility, scalability, replicability, interoperability, privacy, security and confidentiality to allow its greater use and scale-up. The use of quality, timely and accurate campaign data will improve the quality of SMC campaign implementation and research effectiveness.

The project builds on work conducted by Malaria Consortium in recent years to further the digitisation of paper-based processes as well as the wider digital transformation of campaign-based health services, and to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of malaria prevention strategies in the region. The intervention takes place as a part of Malaria Consortiums wider seasonal malaria chemoprevention programme and is funded through philanthropic donations received as a result of being awarded Top Charity status by GiveWell, a non-profit organisation dedicated to finding outstanding giving opportunities.

Based in Bangalore, India, eGov Foundation works with governments to leverage technology for improvements to quality of living and is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Nandan Nilekani Philanthropies, Omidyar Network India and Tata Trusts.

Learn more about Malaria Consortiums work on digital health

Learn more about Malaria Consortiums SMC programme

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20 March 2019 Digital health

13 September 2023 Supporting the scale-up of seasonal malaria chemoprevention in Mozambique
BENNINGTON  Colleen Frangella knew that her student Thomas Saunders was a unique talent when he reached the fourth grade. Saunders had been active in Pownal Elementary Schools choir for a year at this point, and wanted to join the band as well.

Though this in itself wasnt unusual, Frangella explained, Saunders had his sights set on a challenging instrument: the French horn.

He was fantastic, she said. He was dedicated and obviously displayed musical talent even at that early age.

This Saturday, Feb. 10, that musical talent will bring Saunders  now a junior at Mount Anthony Union High School  to sing on the stage at Carnegie Hall. He will perform alongside students from across the U.S. as a finalist in the 2024 High School Honors Performance Series Choir.

Saunders said the realization that he could go far in music came two years after Frangella first saw a spark in him, when in sixth grade he was selected to perform in Mount Anthony Union High Schools performance of Les Miserables.

When I was on stage I thought, This could be what I do, Saunders said, just before catching a train to New York City for five days of practice and fun alongside fellow finalists . It was around that time that I really developed a passion for music and performing.

Saunders played the role of Gavroche. Through this experience he got to know MAUHS Choral Music Teacher Lynne Sweet, who Saunders described as a driving force in his journey.

He was up there with all the big kids singing and performing, and he was great, Sweet said, explaining that Thomas has participated in choral groups at the district, state and regional level for years.

Now, as he ascends to the national stage for the first time, Saunders said that he is most excited to meet fellow musicians and share his love of performing.

The most important thing to me about performing is that it brings joy and feeling to other people, he explained. Music has always been one of those things that can convey so many emotions at once and music is an addendum of performing. Its all about feeling and emotion and portraying that feeling to the audience.

When asked what he is feeling ahead of Carnegie Hall, Saunders said, There are definitely butterflies of all kinds.

When his mom came in to tell me I was speechless, Frangella said, her voice beaming through the phone. That he had grown up, continued with his passion for music, and been selected to participate in such an amazing event  I was so full of pride and love and joy.

Thomas is very hard-working and dedicated, which is really important in the performing arts, Sweet said. Im really excited for him and so proud, its going to be an incredible experience.

Saunders mom, Lara Frenzel-Clark, spoke to her gratitude for Thomas teachers and the community that rallied behind him. Donations from local residents and businesses have even supported Thomas trip to New York City.

We are very blessed and so excited for him, she said. This is definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Ive always loved music, Saunders said, but I never thought it could go this far.
MANCHESTER  Though the Town of Manchesters long-awaited purchase of the property and infrastructure surrounding Green Mountain Estates is still pending, long term considerations around the property have already begun.

When the purchase is complete, the town will be responsible for maintaining the water, sewer, and road systems within the estates. A request for proposal (RFP) was recently put out for the pump station serving Green Mountain Estates, according to Town Manager Scott Murphy, but the response was lacking.

It was kind of an undefined RFP because it was hard to say what we needed done there, Murphy said at Tuesdays Select Board Meeting. We only got one response and, as you can imagine, it was fairly high because they werent really sure what they were getting into.

On Tuesday the Select Board agreed to expand their thinking and review a proposal for a planning study on extending the existing wastewater line on Richville Road out to, or even past, Union Street. The extension has been considered in Manchesters long term planning for some time, Murphy said, but may be most cost-effective if pursued sooner rather than later.

If and when that happens, this pump station will not be needed any longer, Murphy explained to the Board. Everything will be connected to the wastewater line.

The suggestion to pursue a planning study was posed by Chrissy Haskins, Vice President of the Dufresne Group, which provides civil engineering services to the town. Chrissys thought was that we do a planning study now to see what this whole project might cost, Murphy said. [Then] we have better knowledge of what the system will need for improvements.

Green Mountain Estates rests in a floodplain, leading to issues with stormwater runoff and flooding from Bourn Brook, according to Murphy. Flood problems around the brook have required investment from the town twice in the last year, he says, and state officials have been clear that future floods are likely.

The risk of failure at the pump station has not been determined, though the property is near both the Bourn Brook and a town aquifer on Richville Road  both areas of concern. The larger wastewater line is also aging, explained Eric Severance, Chief Operator of Manchesters Water and Sewer Department.

Would we want to spend a lot of money on the Hayes Pump Station now if at some point we were going to do away with it? Severance asked, adding that properties along Cass Terrace, Carlen Street, and Lye Brook Road could also be served by an extended wastewater line.

Another concern is the thrice-weekly maintenance required for the existing pump station, which entails municipal staff entering the sub-surface sewer station and clearing any congestion. Following discussion with the Select Board on Tuesday night, this issue will likely be addressed separately by utilizing the Hayes Trust Fund to purchase cutter pumps, reducing the need for maintenance in a quick and cost effective manner.

No matter what happens, theres going to be a period of time where were going to be in charge of the existing pump station and probably responsible for any maintenance thats going on down there before we can get this project in the works, explained Select Board Chair Ivan Beattie.

For the wastewater line extension, however, Murphy agreed to work alongside Manchesters Sewer Commissioners on a proposal for the planning study. This proposal will be brought back to the Select Board at a later date.

There are two primary options for funding such a project, Murphy explained. First, the town could apply for a grant from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. While the grant is competitive and time consuming, it offers 50 percent loan forgiveness.

Another option is to pay for the study directly from the towns Sewer Capital Fund, which would come in at a slightly higher cost but likely prove more efficient, Murphy explained.

The idea is to get as many of those homes and properties that are sitting on the aquifer connected to the municipal system, he said. With the acquisition [of Green Mountain Estates] it gives us more of a need to do it as a priority rather than down the road."

The towns purchase of Green Mountain Estates, which Murphy estimates will be complete in four to eight weeks, has been a topic of discussion in Manchester for nearly 20 years. The subdivision was developed and maintained for years by Manchester residents Nadine and Richard "Dick" Hayes, who passed away following a car crash in 2004. Since that time, their daughter and her husband have maintained Green Mountain Estates (GME) infrastructure.

Residents have expressed concerns about the water and sewer systems at Green Mountain Estates, though many seemed to be in favor of the towns involvement. Immediately following the Select Boards approval for the purchase last October, a group of residents stood and applauded.
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On February 7, the observation mission of the GUAM PA held a press conference on the results of the snap presidential election in Azerbaijan.

Altay Efendiyev, the head of the observation mission, reported during the press conference that the delegation monitored polling stations in the city of Sumgayit and Narimanov district. He affirmed that the presidential elections adhered to democratic principles and complied with the countrys legislation.

"Voters were provided with full freedom to exercise their voting rights during the election process. Our team did not observe any violations of the law, nor did we receive any complaints. The process of ballot casting was conducted transparently. The elections were conducted in a competitive manner," Altay Efendiyev added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. Turkiye-Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group strongly condemns PACE's action against Azerbaijani MPs, said the chairman of the group, a deputy of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye Shamil Ayrim during a briefing on the monitoring results of Azerbaijan's extraordinary presidential election, Trend reports.

"Numerous European Union organizations demonstrate double standards towards Azerbaijan and Turkiye. The Turkiye-Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group vehemently denounces PACE's recent step against Azerbaijani MPs," Ayrim noted.

He emphasized that Azerbaijan will continue to develop and achieve new successes.

"For too long, this region has endured bloodshed and tears. Now, with the support of the people, President Ilham Aliyev will guide his country towards further success," Ayrim added.

The extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Seven candidates run in the election.

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05 percent of the votes after the processing of 93.35 percent of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev - 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa - two percent, Elshad Musayev - 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev - 1.76 percent, Fuad Aliyev - 0.53 percent of the votes.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. The presidential election in Azerbaijan was held in a transparent manner, said Iraqi parliamentary representative Jabbar Al-Chnani during a briefing on the monitoring results of Azerbaijan's extraordinary presidential election, Trend reports.

"We observed Azerbaijani people comfortably participating in voting at the polling stations. At around seven polling stations, we witnessed the transparency of the election," he emphasized, wishing the Azerbaijani people prosperity and growth.

Note that the extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7, and seven candidates ran in the election.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The other contenders: Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev received 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa received two percent, Elshad Musayev received 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev received 1.76 percent, and Fuad Aliyev received 0.53 percent of the votes.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Two JetBlue planes were involved in a minor collision at Boston Logan International Airport on Thursday morning that caused both flights to be cancelled, Massport confirmed to MassLive.

Passengers were on the planes at the time of the incident, Boston25 reported. No injuries were reported, officials said.

The incident happened in the de-icing area, said Jennifer Mehigan, Director of Massport Media Relations. The Federal Aviation Administration said it happened at 6:40 a.m., and that the de-icing area of the airport is controlled by the airline.

One planes wing-tip touched another planes tail, Mehigan said. The FAA said the left winglet of JetBlue Flight 777 had struck the right horizontal stabilizer of JetBlue Flight 551.

Both JetBlue flights were cancelled.

Flight 777 was bound for Las Vegas, WCVB reported. There was no additional information on the circumstances of the collision. The FAA said it was investigating the incident.
The Celtics started their work early ahead of Thursdays trade deadline with the acquisition of Xavier Tillman on Wednesday. The big man helps shore up the teams depth up front while also leaving open plenty of doors for Boston to make subsequent moves on Thursday in the hours leading up to the trade deadline.

With Lamar Stevens heading out the door in the deal and Brad Stevens openly talking about his hopes of landing a wing last month, theres still an opportunity for Boston to take another swing on Thursday on adding to the roster.

While there are plenty of names that could help provide some more depth for Bostons bench at a reasonable cost on the wing (Otto Porter Jr. Delon Wright, Saddiq Bey, Jordan Nwora, Naji Marshall, John Konchar, Torrey Craig, Kris Dunn), there is a notable name thats still worth wondering about.

The Celtics have the assets to take a big swing at Alex Caruso and make the Bulls listen. A closer look at what a serious offer would look like and whether its a realistic possibility.

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Salary matching for potential trade

Caruso is in the third year of a four-year contract with the Bulls, earning $9.4 million this season. That number would be too big to fit into the Grant Williams TPE for the Celtics but the team could maneuver some players on the bench to make the money work without touching their top six players.

Boston would need to send out at least $8.6 million to fall within salary-matching parameters for a second apron team. Boston could do that by cobbling together some salary at the back end of their roster along with a key guard.

Payton Pritchard ($4 million) would get the Celtics almost halfway there. From there, three more players would need to be included to get to the $8.8 million. Assuming Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet are off limits in this deal, that means a combination of Oshae Brissett, Dalano Banton, Svi Mykhailiuk and Jordan Walsh would need to head out the door to reach that $8.8 million.

Now any 4-for-1 trade would be tough to pull off for roster space reasons but the Celtics would be able to use the Grant Williams TPE in this scenario if they wanted to take back some talent. Chicago could send back multiple players that fit into the TPE to eliminate the need for the Bulls to waive or trade away other players simply to create roster space.

The Bulls have a few of cheaper players that could fit in this type of scenario such as Torrey Craig ($2.5 million) or Terry Taylor ($2 million). Craig could end up being useful depth on the wing as well for Boston in said scenario.

How many draft picks should Celtics be willing to offer?

With the salary matching workable in theory, the bigger question for Stevens and the Celtics front office is how hard to push on the draft compensation front in a potential offer. Multiple reports out of Chicago have signaled that the Bulls are content to keep Caruso unless they are bowled over in a deal.

The inclusion of Pritchard in any offer would change the dynamics somewhat for Boston on draft compensation. Hes well-liked within the organization and is under a very reasonable contract long term that should hold some value (perhaps slight) around the league. Would the Bulls insist on two future first-round picks in addition to Pritchard for Caruso? Or could the Celtics sell the prospect of multiple second-round picks along with the first-round pick to the Bulls due to Pritchards value? The latter scenario feels unlikely with Chicagos reported insistence on staying competitive and making a run at the play-in tournament.

The dynamics of offering two first-round picks would be complicated for Boston and limiting for the future. How lightly protected would they be willing to make them? How far out would they be willing to trade them to entice the Bulls? Would some additional sweetener be required with second-round picks? How far the Celtics would be willing to go here makes all the difference but its a path that should be considered. A 2024 first round pick and a lightly protected future first round pick (beyond 2026) should gain Chicagos attention.

Insurance for Jrue Holidays future?

The veteran guard is on an expiring contract with Boston and spoke to MassLive last month about his desire to stay in Boston long-term. While the Celtics would certainly like to retain the former All-Star, the challenge will be fitting him into the budget. Boston will need to make tough choices by the summer of 2025 about which starters they would like to retain if they plan on keeping Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown together while their super-max contracts kick in.

The odds of Boston being able to keep Holiday and White both around that point on new deals seem remote. Acquiring Caruso this year would not only increase Bostons title odds in theory this season but could also protect against the possibility that Holidays salary demands are a bit too high for Bostons tastes. Caruso is also earning a modest $9.5 million so throwing a bevy at draft picks is easier to swallow from that standpoint. If Holiday stays, the Celtics have a phenomenal top-7 players in their rotation for the next 1.5 years. If they lose Holiday, having Caruso around at least provides an acceptable replacement for one year.

Final thoughts

All of these considerations wont mean much if the Bulls dont have a semi-reasonable asking price for Caruso. Anything beyond two first-round picks and Pritchard is something Boston will understandably walk away from (and theres a case to be made for the front office to not even stretch that for). However, during a season in which Boston has pushed a lot of their chips in with the acquisition of Holiday back in September, Caruso is a playoff proven performer who would be a notable upgrade over Pritchard. Given the level of competition waiting in the later rounds of the postseason for this group, that type of boost could be warranted.
This Chinese New Year is the year of the dragon, so why not eat like one by devouring dumplings at Dumpling Cafe in Boston with a special $24 menu starting Thursday.

Dumpling Cafe, known for serving authentic Chinese cuisine, is celebrating Chinese New Year 2024 (Feb. 10) with a specially priced menu on dumplings, buns, Bao and more.

Read More: More than 13 flavors of pizza cupcakes available at this Massachusetts spot

The menu allows guests to choose one appetizer and entree to share for two people for $24. The only catch: no substitutions.

Dumpling Cafe's specially priced menu will run from Feb. 8 to March 8.Courtesy of Dumpling Cafe

Appetizers are Mini Juicy Buns with Pork, Taiwan Style Pan Fried Dumpling, Fried Beef and Cabbage Dumpling, Roasted Duck Buns, Spring Roll, Steamed Dumpling with Vegetables and Steamed Dumpling with Seafood.

Entrees include Chicken with Asparagus In Satay Sauce, Beef with String Beans, Mixed Veggies with Garlic and Flounder with Veggies.

The menu will run from Feb. 8 through March 8. People can place an order online or by visiting Dumpling Cafe at 695 Washington St. in Boston.

The restaurant is open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Friday through Saturday.
A retired Massachusetts State Police trooper charged last week with participating in a bribery scheme to automatically pass certain applicants for commercial drivers licenses pleaded not guilty Wednesday in his first appearance in federal court in Boston.

Calvin Butner, 63, was arrested in Florida last week after he and five others were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy to commit extortion, conspiracy to falsify records and an assortment of related charges.

According to federal prosecutors, Butner and three other state troopers received gifts in return for issuing passing grades on the commercial drivers license exam, automatically approving operators they knew to be unqualified.

Butner, of Halifax, was arraigned Wednesday in the United States District Court in Boston, where he pleaded not guilty to 19 charges. He was released without bail, court records showed.

A former state police sergeant, Gary Cederquist, 58, of Stoughton, faces more than 50 charges, the most of any of the six defendants in the case. Also charged are former troopers Joel Rogers, 54, of Bridgewater, and Perry Mendes, 63, of Wareham; as well as civilians Scott Camara, 42, of Rehoboth, and Eric Mathison, 47, of Boston.

The troopers were members of the state police unit responsible for conducting the demanding three-part test to license drivers of school buses, tractor-trailers and other commercial vehicles.

Officials identified 26 drivers they said were illegally granted licenses by the four troopers between 2019 and 2022, according to United States Attorney Joshua Levy. Some of the drivers should have failed the license exam, some did not take the test and others took abbreviated tests, yet all were licensed, Levys office said.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles revoked those licenses last week and said it was not aware of any commercial vehicle crashes involving the 26 drivers.

Prosecutors said the troopers conducted their scheme via text message, sometimes using codes such as golden treatment or golden handshake to identify applicants slated to receive special treatment.

In one instance, according to texts described in the charging documents, Cederquist asked Butner if an applicant had passed his driving exam. Butner replied, Yes sir he got the golden handshake.

Prosecutors said the troopers knew some of the drivers were unqualified to operate a commercial vehicle. Cederquist referred to one applicant as an idiot who had no idea what hes doing in text messages to a fellow trooper and said another driver was horrible and brain dead. Still, both drivers passed their license tests.

In return for passing grades, prosecutors said Cederquist reaped benefits including a repaved driveway worth an estimated $10,000, a $2,000 snowblower and a $750 granite post and mailbox.

Prosecutors described Camara as a friend of Cederquist who helped falsify driving test records while working for a truck driving school in Brockton.

Mathison, also described as a friend of Cederquist, worked for a spring water company, according to prosecutors. He is believed to have supplied the troopers with an assortment of beverages, including Arizona Iced Tea, bottled water and coffee products, after they passed drivers who worked for the same company.

In a statement last week, Col. John Mawn Jr., the interim superintendent of the state police, said the behavior described in the indictment was the antithesis of and in stark contrast to the values, character, and integrity exhibited by the overwhelming majority of our Troopers every day in service to the public.

Butner and Mendes were both retired at the time of their arrest. In the last week, both Cederquist and Rogers have also retired and been dishonorably discharged, the state police said.
The man who died following a construction incident in Hanson has been identified, Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruzs office announced.

At around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Hanson police received a 911 call about a man trapped at a construction site at 50 Dwight St., Cruzs office said in a statement. Hanson police and firefighters arrived at the single-family home. At 12:24 p.m., Cruzs office said on X, formerly Twitter, that Massachusetts State Police also responded to a suspected fatality.
It is unclear how murder suspect Kevin Kangethe escaped police custody in Kenya just days after he was arrested in connection with the killing of a Whitman woman whose body was found at Bostons Logan Airport in November, according to Massachusetts State Police.

Around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, the 40-year-old Lowell resident ran out of a police station in Nairobi after officers left him alone in an office with a man who claimed to be his lawyer, according to reporting from The Associated Press. The officers chased after Kangethe unsuccessfully and authorities are now searching for him again.

We dont know at this point if local police corruption played a part in this, or if the local officers were just incompetent, Massachusetts State Police spokesperson David Procopio said in a statement Thursday.

Read more: Murder suspect Kevin Kangethe escapes police in Kenya days after arrest

Kangethe is wanted in connection with the killing of his girlfriend, 31-year-old Margaret Mbitu. The health care aides body was found in a car in Logan Airports Central Parking Garage on Nov. 1, 2023, two days after her family reported her missing.

American authorities believed Kangethe had fled the country by flying to Kenya after killing Mbitu. A police official told the AP that Kangethe said he had renounced his U.S. citizenship.

American authorities worked with police in Kenya, and after three months on the run, Kangethe was arrested at a nightclub on Jan. 30. He was awaiting a ruling on whether hed be extradited to Massachusetts to face a charge of first-degree murder in Mbitus death when he escaped Wednesday.

Four officers were at the Nairobi police station when Kangethe ran away, according to police reports obtained by The Associated Press. They were arrested and questioned in the wake of the escape, as was the man who identified himself as Kangethes lawyer.

Kangethe was only in the police station office with the supposed lawyer for a short time before he ran outside into a privately-owned minivan, The Associated Press reported. Procopio, who was updated on the situation by U.S. officials Thursday morning, described the vehicle as a cab.

It appears that the escape had some level of coordination to it, he said in a statement.

The incident has raised suspicions that police were bribed to release Kangethe, The Associated Press reported, and the Nairobi police chief called the escape embarrassing.

For decades, police have been ranked Kenyas most corrupt institution, The Associated Press reported. This is not the first time a high-profile murder suspect has escaped police custody there in recent years.

It is our hope that Kenyan law enforcement will do their utmost to recapture Kangethe so that we can continue seeking justice for Margaret Mbitu and her family, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in a statement.

Authorities believe Mbitu was killed on Oct. 31, 2023  the same day Kangethe bought plane tickets to Kenya, officials said previously. On Oct. 30, several city security cameras in Chelsea and Lowell captured Kangethe driving the car Mbitu was found in. Additionally, investigators found that Mbitus cell phone location data matched the cars location up until she was found.

Police found Mbitu unresponsive in her car around 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 1, 2023, authorities said previously. Investigators found a lot of blood in the car and large slash wounds on her face and neck, as well as a puncture wound in her side. She was declared dead within an hour.
A man awaiting possible extradition to Massachusetts on a warrant alleging he killed his girlfriend and left her body in a car at Bostons Logan airport escaped from police custody in Kenya, Massachusetts State Police confirmed Thursday morning.

Lowell resident Kevin Kangethe, 40, slipped out of the police station and jumped into a privately-owned minivan, Nairobi police chief Adamson Bungei said. Authorities are searching for him once again, state police spokesperson Dave Procopio said in a statement.

Kangethe had been detained pending a ruling on whether he should be extradited to face a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of Whitman resident Margaret Mbitu on Oct. 31, 2023.

Massachusetts State Police said in early November that Kangethe had left her body in a car at Logan International Airport and boarded a flight to Kenya. Massachusetts officials worked with Kenyan authorities to locate him, and he was arrested in a nightclub on Jan. 30 after being on the run for three months, authorities said previously.

Four police officers who were on duty at the station are in custody and have recorded statements, according to a police report seen by The Associated Press.

The officers said that around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, a man named John Maina Ndegwa introduced himself to the officers as Kangethes lawyer and said he wanted to speak with his client.

The officers agreed to his request and removed the prisoner from the cells and took him to [an] office ... leaving them there. After a short while, the prisoner escaped by running away and left the [lawyer] behind, the report said.

Officers pursued Kangethe but did not catch him, the police report said, adding that Ndegwa was arrested.

Nairobi police chief Adamson Bungei said he rushed to the station when he learned of the escape. We have arrested the officers who were on duty when he escaped to explain how it happened. It is just embarrassing to us, he said.

A police official told the AP that Kangethe said he had renounced his U.S. citizenship. The police official, who insisted on anonymity in order speak freely about an ongoing investigation, said if Kangethe were an American citizen he would have been repatriated without a court process.

The court approved a police application for him to be detained for 30 days while the extradition issue was heard.

On Feb. 2, prosecutor Vincent Monda asked the court to endorse the U.S. warrant for Kangethes arrest and issue directions for the extradition proceedings.

The suspects lawyer sought directions on surrendering Kangethe to the U.S. and opposed his continuing detention as disregarding his rights.

Read more: Body found at parking garage at Boston Logan Airport prompts investigation

Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina was to give further directions on the matter and issue orders related to the bond issue on Feb. 9.

Mbitu, who worked as a health care aide in Halifax, was last seen leaving work Oct. 30 and was soon reported missing by her family. The preliminary investigation showed Mbitu had left her workplace and traveled with Kangethe to Lowell, the prosecution said.

Police have been ranked as Kenyas most corrupt institution for decades, and his escape raised suspicions that bribes were paid for his freedom. Other suspected killers have escaped police custody in the past.

On Oct. 14, 2021, Masten Wanjala, who had confessed to killing 10 children in his hometown of Bungoma in western Kenya, reportedly escaped from police cells in Nairobi under unclear circumstances. A mob in his hometown traced him to a house and beat him to death a couple of days later.
Arlington police are investigating how handgun shell casings ended up on a staircase at a community school Wednesday morning.

Around 9:30 a.m., a staff member at the Gibbs School on Foster Street in Arlington informed the schools school resource officer that they had found two shell casings from a 9 mm handgun on the staircase of the schools main stairwell, police said in a press release.

More officers responded to the school, and out of an abundance of caution, students and faculty were asked to shelter in place while K-9s searched the building, but no weapons or additional shell casings were found, police said. No one was injured during the incident.

The shelter-in-place was lifted at 12:05 p.m., but additional officers stayed at the school for the rest of the day as a precautionary measure, police said. Both Arlington police and Arlington Public Schools are investigating the incident.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has issued a statement in connection with the snap presidential elections held in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

"A high-ranking delegation of OIC General Secretariat observers was deployed to Azerbaijan on February 7, 2024, at the invitation of the Azerbaijani government, to monitor the emergency presidential elections. The elections were held around the country. The OIC delegation watched all three stages of the election: preparations before voting, voting, and vote counting. The group also met with important organizations and parties to obtain information about the voting process. The OIC delegation summarized the monitoring results, noting that the electoral process was conducted in transparent and free settings, with voters actively exercising their political and civic rights. Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary General of the organization, congratulates the Azerbaijani people on the successful holding of the presidential elections," the statement reads.

Note that the extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7, and seven candidates ran in the election.

The contenders: Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev received 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa received two percent, Elshad Musayev received 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev received 1.76 percent, and Fuad Aliyev received 0.53 percent of the votes.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the Rey Monitoring Center exit poll, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
While educators in Newton ended their strike last week after reaching an agreement with the school committee, the historic walkout prompted some to question how prevalent strikes may become in future contract negotiations in other districts.

While strikes are illegal in Massachusetts, teachers unions in Andover, Malden, Brookline, Woburn and Haverhill organizing similar strikes  but none lasted as long as Newton.
Fall River police have arrested two 17-year-old males in connection with the defacing of the citys Iwo Jima War Memorial late last month, police announced Wednesday night.

The vandalism took place on Jan. 27, Fall River police said in a press release. Video of the crime released by the department shows a group of people climbing on the giant Bicentennial Park statue and spray-painting it with graffiti.

The two teen males, who police did not identify, have been charged with vandalizing a war memorial, police said. The video shows four individuals doing the defacing, and police said they are working to identify more suspects.

Read more: Fall River police officer Nicholas Hoar convicted of beating man in custody

The statue is a replica of the Iwo Jima Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, which depicts U.S. Marines capture of Mount Suribachi during World War II. It is dedicated to all Marine Corps members who have died in defense of the United States since 1775.

The suspects drew phallic symbols in yellow spray-paint, The Herald News reported earlier this week. Marine Corps League Commandant Bruce Aldrich described seeing the vandalism as a punch in the gut, the newspaper reported.

This isnt the first time the memorial has been defaced, according to The Herald News. In 2017, people emptied a fire extinguisher on it. The previous year, the statue and light fixtures around it were damaged, and in 2014, the monuments flag was stolen.
Jan. 1 isnt the only day that marks a new year.

There are two major types of New Years globally: the Western world uses the Gregorian calendar, marking the start of the new year on Jan. 1. Some Eastern Asian countries celebrate the Lunar New Year, which generally falls between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20, Xiaohuan Zhao, an associate professor of Chinese literary and theatre studies, explained in a blog post on the The University of Sydneys website.

This year, the Lunar New Year (sometimes called Chinese New Year) will be celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 10. During the Lunar New Year, people typically throw parties, count down to midnight and participate in various activities, according to Zhao.

In some Eastern Asian cultures, the Lunar New Year is also a time for people to pay respect to their ancestors and welcome the spring season, according to Zhao.

The Lunar New Year is also linked with the Chinese Zodiac, a 12-year cycle representing various animals, according to Zhao. The 12 animal signs (in order) are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

Since the Dragon is the fifth in the cycle, the year 2024 will be the Year of the Dragon, according to Zhao.

Here are some places celebrating the Lunar New Year across Massachusetts:

Boston

The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of New England will host its annual Chinese New Year parade on Sunday, Feb. 18. Starting at 10 a.m. at Phillips Square in Chinatown, the parade will feature nine dancing lion troupes that will dance through the streets of Chinatown, according to WBUR.

The parade will end at 3 p.m. and the troupes will end at different locations. While the parade is occurring, audiences are encouraged to explore Chinatown, WBUR reported.

Newton

The New Art Center in Newton will celebrate the Lunar New Year with arts and crafts. Cartoonist and illustrator Nell Valle will be an emcee at The New Art Center on Sunday, Feb. 11, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., according to a press release from the Center.

The New Art Center will host a series of performances and art-making activities which are planned for adults and kids for free, according to the press release.

The performances will take place at The New Art Center at 61 Washington Park, according to the press release. Performers at this event will include, the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association Music Ensemble, the Boston Academy of Korean Traditional Art and dances from the Newton Chinese School.

During this event, Valle will share her work while Ren Li Song, another artist, will present their calligraphy collection, according to the press release.

Worcester

The EcoTarium in Worcester is celebrating the Lunar New Year on Saturday, Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a live Lion Dance performance by the Imperial Lion Dance Team, according to a press release from the EcoTarium.

The EcoTarium will host special educator-led programs, planetarium shows and tabletop activities, according to the press release. The EcoTarium will also unveil its Symbolic Dragon, which was made from specimens from the EcoTariums collection as part of its Natural History Showcase exhibit.

Tickets cost $19 for adults and $14 for children, according to their website.

Salem

The Peabody Essex Museum will celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Dragon with a variety of cultural activities. Visitors can partake in traditional Chinese festivities, including lion dances, martial arts demonstrations and calligraphy workshops.

The event, which takes place on Saturday, Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will be $20 for adults and is free for children under 16 years old, according to the museums website.
The next time someone asks you whether what happens on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. matters in real life, you can point them in a very specific direction: The Melnea A. Cass Recreational Complex in Bostons Roxbury neighborhood.

There, dozens of migrant families who had formerly been bedding down on the floor of Boston Logan International Airport will be provided with short-term shelter and services until at least June. Its one of the dozens of places where families in the Bay States strained-to-the limit shelter system have been taking refuge.

This week, Washington had a chance to throw states such as Massachusetts, where spending on the shelter system is expected to sail past $900 million a year for the next two years, a badly needed lifeline.

Instead, Republican and Democratic holdouts threw an anchor, as a carefully crafted, bipartisan compromise deal got torpedoed by election year politics.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate voted 49-50 to block the national security and border reform bill after most of the chambers Republicans, joined by a handful of Democrats, rejected the bill that their own leaders had helped to negotiate, the Washington Post reported.

The bill included language overhauling the asylum system and granting the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security the power to temporarily close the nations southern border, among other provisions, according to State House News Service.

Two of the Democratic no votes were cast by Bay State U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, CNN reported. The two were among the liberal senators who found the border security provisions in the bill too restrictive, the New York Times reported.

Warren, by the way, is up for re-election this year.

The votes from Warren and Markey probably didnt do much to improve the mood of Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, a fellow Democrat, who has spent months calling on Washington for help.

Its incredibly frustrating that we were that close to a deal that, by the way, was negotiated and developed by a Republican, a Democrat, and an independent, Healey, who had problems of her own, fumed to reporters on Wednesday.

And all that went away, because Donald Trump said ... that he didnt want to do [reform] under any circumstances, Healey continued. That stands in the way of progress for this country. It stands in the way of addressing an issue that we need to address as a nation. So Im incredibly disappointed and frustrated. And I know there are governors around the country who share my sentiments.

Healeys arguments are hardly unique.

Last month, another lifetime ago in Washington, when it looked like the bipartisan deal finally might be a thing that was happening in the real world, nine U.S. governors called for action.

Their letter to President Joe Biden, which included Healey as a signatory, called for a serious commitment, to fixing a system that is outdated and unprepared to respond, to the surge of new arrivals at the nations southern border, Voice of America reported.

Earlier this week, in a commentary published by Newsweek, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, a Democrat, and Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican, argued all of America pays a price for [the] failure to act on immigration reform.

The bottom line is this: Immigration isnt a Republican or Democratic issue. Its a security and humanitarian issue. Its one that requires us to open our hearts while demanding federal government accountability, the two governors wrote. And for far too long, it has been an issue that Democrats have swept under the rug, while Republicans have deployed it as political hyperbole.

But because its an election year, and because most Republicans on Capitol Hill remain in mortal fear of a primary by defying Trump, the prospects for actions evaporated faster than the Red Soxs World Series hopes last season.

Another day wasted prioritizing political stunts over solutions, House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, of Massachusetts, posted to X on Tuesday. When will the MAGA Majority choose their country over their cult leader?

Its true that Republicans are mostly responsible for blowing up the latest chances for reform. But its also true that both parties are complicit in the years-long failure to get a meaningful deal on immigration reform over the goal line.

Its become a political liability for President Joe Biden, with respondents to a recent NBC News poll preferring Trump to Biden on immigration by a whopping 57 percent to 22 percent, according to the Washington Post.

As if it wasnt already, the breakdown on Capitol Hill makes the states shelter crisis an even bigger political and budgetary headache for Healey, whose administration has been roundly criticized for its management of the hugely complex issue.

State Sen. Peter Durant, R-Worcester/Hampshire, who delivered the GOPs response to Healeys State of the Commonwealth address last month, boiled down the challenge the state faces as it heads into the thick of the 2024 budget debate and election cycle.

Without support from the federal government, we must live with the reality we have, the Right to Shelter law is being exploited, and you are bearing the economic burden, Durant said in remarks prepared for delivery. We must work together to amend the Right to Shelter law to carry out the mission it was intended to 40 years ago when it was written: To serve residents of the Commonwealth with emergency housing when they find themselves in distress.

In that, Healey and Bay State Republicans agree on this much: Until or unless Washington gets its act together, states are on their own. And taxpayers are left holding the bag.
With the Bay States Super Tuesday primary now less than a month away, Massachusetts ongoing shelter crisis is top of mind for the commonwealths voters, who are pointing the finger of blame squarely at President Joe Biden and lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Two-thirds of respondents (65%) of a poll released Thursday by the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance Foundation, a business-friendly think-tank in Boston, said they hold federal officials responsible for the crush of new arrivals who have strained the states emergency shelter system.

The poll comes the day after Republicans in the U.S. Senate, joined by some Democrats, including Bay State U.S. Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, tanked a meticulously negotiated immigration reform bill that had the backing of their own leadership.

Democratic Gov. Maura Healey, who has spent months calling on Washington for help, said Wednesday that she was disappointed and frustrated by the election year paralysis that gripped Congress on a critical public policy and humanitarian challenge.

The polls respondents also voiced deep concerns about the mounting costs and the long-term financial sustainability of the commonwealth continuing to house and provide services, to new arrivals  something it is required to do under the states Right to Shelter law.

Costs for the states shelter system are expected to sail past $900 million a year for the next two years amid a time of flagging tax collections.

The fiscal challenge of meeting that growing need was a central theme of a legislative hearing Wednesday, where Healey and her top aides were peppered with questions over the administrations $58 billion spending plan for the new fiscal year that starts July 1.

The poll also shows, however, that voters may be growing dissatisfied with Healeys management of the crisis.

While barely 7% of respondents hold her directly responsible for the crisis, just 46.3% of respondents said they had a strongly or somewhat favorable impression of the Arlington Democrat, whos now more than a year into her first term.

Slightly more than 37% of the polls 788 likely primary voter respondents said they had a strongly or somewhat unfavorable impression of Healey, while nearly 16.4% said they had no opinion, according to the poll.

Voters may blame Washington for the migrant crisis but they are not satisfied with some of the policies being proposed on the state level for how to deal with the issue, the groups spokesperson, Paul D. Craney, said in a statement.

The Fiscal Alliance poll released Thursday was conducted from Feb. 3 to Feb. 6, with an overall margin of error of 3.6%.

The frustration among Bay State voters is reflective of a broader national trend.

While a clear majority (57%) of respondents to a PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll released earlier this week said welcoming others is an essential part of Americas national character, that was still less than the 66% who answered the same to a July 2021 poll that asked them the same question.

And 42% of respondents to that poll, including 72% of Republicans, told pollsters they felt the U.S. risked losing its identity if it was too welcoming to newcomers.
Get ready to Shake It Off whenever you want because Taylor Swifts record-breaking Eras Tour film will have a new home on Disney+ in March.

Swift and The Walt Disney Co announced Wednesday that her concert film will be available to stream on Disney+ on March 14 at 9 p.m. EST and will include five new songs. Viewers looking to stream the epic concert in the luxury of their own home can do so with a Disney Plus subscription. Disney+ subscriptions start at $7.99 a month. Viewers can purchase the no-ad option for $13.99 a month or they can bundle with Hulu for $9.99 a month or with Hulu and ESPN+ for $14.99 a month. Viewers can also bundle all three, disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ with no ads for $24.99 a month.

Im thrilled to let you know Ive found a streaming home for The Eras Tour Concert Film, and that home will be disneyplus. For the first time well be showing the entire concert (including Cardigan, plus 4 additional songs from the acoustic section!!) and Im calling it, huge shock, Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (Taylors Version), the popstar said in her Instagram post.

The announcement comes on the same day that Swift kicks off the 2024 leg of her Eras Tour with three nights of shows at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. Although an extended version of The Eras Tour has been available for rent on other streaming services for over a month, Disney+ will be the exclusive online home for the Sam Wrench-directed concert film. This newest version includes five more songs that were in neither the theatrical release nor the digital edition.

The Eras Tour amassed more than $262 million worldwide in theaters after opening in October, setting a record for concert films. Swift partnered with AMC Theaters for the release in a first-of-its-kind deal that cut out Hollywood studios and instead sent the film directly into theaters.

The tour features songs from her recent 10th studio album, Midnights, which launched back on Oct. 21 2022. It also will span a wide variety of her discography, including her country roots in Fearless, electropop beats from Reputation, slow ballads from sister albums Evermore and Folklore and everything in between.

You can watch the trailer of the film below:

Taylor Swifts international tour dates with links to purchase tickets are below:
SPRINGFIELD  Theodore Bland is a person of interest in the investigation into the killing of two Western Massachusetts men in northern Vermont, a prosecutor wrote in a document filed in federal court.

The Government can confirm that Bland is a person of interest in the homicide investigation, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Turner wrote in a Jan. 31 court filing in U.S. District Court in Vermont. The United States will have no further comment on that investigation at this time.
A judge ruled that a lawsuit filed by a Worcester woman against a local pregnancy crisis center can move forward, NBC 10 Boston reported.

The class action suit against Clearway Clinic seeking relief in Worcester Superior Court was filed on June 22. The lawsuit claims that a missed diagnosis at the center led to a life-threatening incident that required her to have invasive emergency surgery, according to court records.

Read more: 2024 North Brookfield Pride event to go forward following lawsuit against town

Although Clearway Clinic asked the judge to throw out the case, this request was denied, NBC wrote.

This is a significant decision because it opens the way to bringing false advertising and misleading advertising claims to so-called crisis pregnancy centers in Massachusetts, attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan told NBC.

In the suit, the woman claims she made an appointment at Clearway Clinic on Shrewsbury Street after looking up ultrasound services online. At her October 2022 appointment, she was told she had a viable pregnancy, according to a press statement from Reproductive Equity Now, an organization that advocates for protection and expansion of abortion access and reproductive equity for everyone, according to its website.

One month later, the woman was rushed to the emergency room after she said she felt a sharp and shooting pain. She was diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy that ruptured and caused internal hemorrhaging that required surgery. The surgery resulted in the removal of one of her fallopian tubes, according to a statement from Reproductive Equity Now.

The nurse at Clearway Clinic who performed the ultrasound a month before the rupture did not conduct sufficient medical measures to assure [the woman] that her pregnancy was in utero and thus viable, the lawsuit said.

Clearway Clinic has been dubbed a crisis pregnancy center and is on Reproductive Equity Nows list of fake womens health centers. Crisis pregnancy centers often set themselves up near abortion clinics and are sometimes funded by organizations that oppose abortion in any and all circumstances, Reproductive Equity Nows website reads.

Read more: Former Southbridge teacher sees support in the days following resignation

They do operate from a pro-life perspective, Sam Whiting from the Massachusetts Family Institute told NBC. One of their main goals is to give women the resources they need to choose life for their children.

We are transparent and clear about all our services for women and their families, Clearway Clinic said to the news station in a statement. Last year alone, we helped 596 women, all at no charge, with pregnancy tests, clothing, counseling, and baby items. We are honored to be a contributing center to our community and to help those who are facing unplanned or unexpected pregnancies.
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, together with African First Ladies, marks the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2024 as a part of the Merck Foundation More Than a Mother and Educating Linda program.

Merck Foundation highlighted the harms and danger of FGM and urged the African communities to END FGM through one of the 15 episodes of their Our Africa, pan African TV program conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation.

Our Africa TV Program has been broadcasted on National and Prime TV stations of many African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Burundi and more, and is currently on social media handles of Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej [Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/48Jpjxo), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3St4oc8), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/3Ss45yo) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/494wHn4)] and Merck Foundation [Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/47HPK5u), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/494Vib1), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/3U8RG3y) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/494wHn4)].

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of

More Than a Mother campaign expressed, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) stands as a grave issue deeply ingrained in numerous cultures across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It is important that we take immediate action and speak out against this longstanding and harmful practice. FGM deprives women and girls of their dignity, jeopardizes their health, inflicts unnecessary pain and suffering, and imposes lasting complications, including infertility, yes. Infertility that resulted from untreated infectious diseases which resulted from FGM practice.

FGM causes other complications such as infections, stillborn babies, and, in some instances, even death. It is crucial to challenge and eradicate this damaging tradition. she continued.

According to the WHO data, more than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where FGM is primarily practiced. FGM is mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15.

Through OUR Africa TV program we have conveyed to the communities that FGM only harms girls and women physically and also psychologically, and that it has no health benefits. Rather, FGM can lead to severe medical complications in women including infertility, as infection due to FGM is one of the main causes of Infertility. FGM also increases the risk of HIV transmission and can cause severe complications during childbirth. We must understand that FGM is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. This practice needs to stop immediately Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej added.

Merck Foundation believes that Education is one of the most critical areas of women empowerment and will definitely help in stopping practices such as FGM, which do not benefit anyone.

Together with African First Ladies, we have has contributed to the future of 425 of girls by providing scholarships to continue their education and also providing essential school items, through our Educating Linda program in many African countries such as Burundi, Malawi, Ghana, The Gambia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger and more.

Moreover, we have benefitted 1000s of girls through our awareness campaign which includes releasing many inspiring childrens storybooks, animation films and songs to support girl education and end child marriage.
A WESTPORT councillor has called on Mayo County Council to take action on the use of the proposed Mary Robinson Centre building in Ballina, which currently lies empty.

Fine Gael councillor Peter Flynn made headlines last week following comments he made that refugees should be housed in the Mary Robinson Centre building known as Victoria House in the heart of Ballina, saying it is currently vacant.

Speaking to The Mayo News, Cllr Flynn described the Mary Robinson Centre as a mess with no plan to secure its future use, despite vast sums having been spent on it.

The facility will be the subject of an RTE Prime Time report which is set to air at 9.30pm this evening (Thursday February 8).

Over 5 million of public funds has been spent to develop the proposed Mary Robinson Centre, he said. However, two years after the completion of the build there is no sign of funding to fit it out, so consequently it lies empty, and there is no plan to ensure its future use.

He continued: Just down the road from the building the Council rents a building at a significant cost per annum. Tom Gilligan, the [Mayo County Council] Director [of Services] with responsibility for Ballina regularly states at our council meetings that vacancy and dereliction is a scourge on society. It is surely time that Tom and the senior management team moved from rhetoric to action in relation to the use of this building  over which they have full control  in order to salvage the 5 million plus spent to date.

Presidential library

Victoria House is the childhood home of the former President of Ireland and it is planned to transform the building into Irelands first presidential library, similar to other institutions dedicated to ex-presidents in the US.

In correspondence forwarded to county councillors following a request for information, Martina Hughes, Head of Corporate Development and Communications with Mayo County Council outlined the costs of the project to date and confirmed that the final cost of the fit out has not yet been determined.

As regards the construction of the Mary Robinson Centre, it was agreed by the members of Mayo County Council that the councils input to the capital cost would not exceed 1.5 million, she said, response to questions put by John Drennan of the Irish Mail on Sunday.

Mayo County Council is the project lead for the construction of the project, which has now been completed, and the next stage is the fit out of the building.

The original estimated cost of the project was 5.57 million, and the income sources for this project included funding from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht of 2 million, 100,000 from NUIG towards digitisation and 1.47 million from the [Victoria House Foundation community group] towards construction and digitisation, of which approximately 1.1 million was for construction, and of which 300,000 has been received to date. The amount to be funded by Mayo County Council was 2 million, including property acquisition.

The cost of the fit out has not yet been determined and will depend on the detail of the fit out and any proposed phasing of the same. Some advance works were undertaken during the construction phase which would otherwise have been attributable to the fit out phase of the costs.

The construction works on the building have been completed at a cost of approximately 5.3 million, and as outlined, the final cost will depend on the agreed fit-out solution.

Not helpful

Cllr Flynn commented that the response by Ms Hughes confirms that the council is still owed 800,000 by the Victoria House Foundation, saying that based on the latters published accounts he believes it is without the means to meet its obligation or fund a fit out.

However, Independent Ballina-based councillor Mark Duffy defended the Mary Robinson Centre project, saying he does not share Cllr Flynns concerns regarding the future costs of the building. He said that the fit out is the final phase and that he hopes it will be finished by the end of the year.

The building itself has been restored and regenerated after a lot of work by Mayo County Council and the Victoria House Foundation, which is mostly made up of volunteers who have done very well to fundraise what they did so far.

The fit out of the building will be the next and final stage of the project, and I am confident that we will see movement on this. I hope by the end of the year the doors will be open.

Cllr Duffy went on to say that dissenting voices are not helpful.

Like any project of this scale it needs support and oxygen, and people to believe in it, to get it off the ground. This is a very exciting project, not just for Ballina and north Mayo but for the west of Ireland, and will be a place for education and people to learn about the environment, social justice and women in leadership, he said.

With regards to the costs involved in the project, Cllr Duffy said that he would be open to Mayo County Council continuing to support the project financially, adding that this question has not been asked of the council to date.

However, he also said that he is confident the 800,000 owed to the council will be recouped when the building is open to the public.

Quay Community Centre

Cllr Flynn made his comments regarding refugees using Victoria House at a meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District when he asked for the Quay Community Centre in Westport, which currently houses Ukrainian refugees, be reverted to community use.

In response to his request, Tom Gilligan stated that the Quay Community Centre is a vital cog in the councils efforts to deal with Europes humanitarian crisis and the fall out of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

There are currently no plans to change its current use of providing much-needed humanitarian support and respite from the suffering refugees are having to endure, Mr Gilligan said.

Cllr Flynns motion also called for an agreement between the council and Westport Social Services to allow them the use of the kitchen in the Quay Community Centre for Meals on Wheels, as they must leave the building in which they are currently based. This was supported by Cllr Christy Hyland.

Cllr Flynn said he was disappointed with Mr Gilligans response, adding that Westport Social Services provide hot meals to 170 people around Westport and are in dire need of temporary accommodation.

The Quay community and surrounds have lost the use of the building for cards, bingo, classes etc; they simply deserve to have this important community building back, he said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. The voting process at the presidential election in Azerbaijan was organized at a high level, Cambodian MP Mosine Sos told reporters, Trend reports.

"Each political party in Azerbaijan had equal rights and opportunities in nominating its candidate, which reflects the high level of democracy. A very high voter turnout was observed. The principles of non-discrimination and equal rights for all political parties were observed. We observed how people actively participate in the voting process, which was organized at a high level, from the opening of polling stations to the counting of votes," he stressed.

The extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Seven candidates ran in the election.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev received 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa received two percent, Elshad Musayev received 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev received 1.76 percent, and Fuad Aliyev received 0.53 percent of the votes.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the Rey Monitoring Center exit poll, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

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As measles cases increase in the UK and Europe, the HSE is advising that children who are not fully protected against measles should get the MMR vaccine prior to the mid-term break.

The warning comes after an adult with a confirmed case of measles died in the Dublin and Midlands Health Region. It is the first confirmed measles case notified in Ireland this year, the HSE said.

The outbreaks of measles in the UK and many other European countries are due to low MMR vaccination rates. UK health authorities and the WHO are concerned about further measles outbreaks.

MMR uptake in Ireland is suboptimal and less than the 95 percent target set by the WHO. Nationally, uptake has declined to below 90 percent since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic (early 2020). In the Galway, Mayo and Roscommon region uptake is below target at 92.9 percent percent (Q2 2023).

Dr Anthony Breslin, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, offers this advice: Many families will be traveling during the mid-term break and at Easter too. Due to the increase in measles cases in the UK and Europe, unvaccinated children are susceptible to measles infection if they travel or if they meet with visitors to Ireland.

Unfortunately the uptake of the MMR vaccine has fallen in recent years in Ireland meaning that many people can become infected with measles. MMR vaccine is not only safe but also very effective in preventing measles.

A highly effective vaccine, MMR, can prevent measles in over 90 percent of immunised children, following a single dose of the vaccine. With the second dose of MMR vaccine, over 99 percent of immunised children are protected from measles infection. MMR vaccination is the best way to protect people from measles.

Two doses are recommended to be considered fully vaccinated. The first dose is recommended when your child is 12 months of age, the second dose is due when your child is in junior infants. Parents are encouraged to check that their childrens vaccines are up-to-date. If any child has missed this vaccine they should get it now from their GP. For more information visit the HSE Website https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/measles/

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious complications, particularly in children aged under one, pregnant women and those who are immunosuppressed.

The signs and symptoms include:
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) welcomed yesterdays announcement by Minister for Education, Simon Harris TD, that they will receive substantial funding under the TU RISE initiative.

The announcement, comes as part of an 84 million investment in Technological Universities, aims to bolster research and innovation within the TU sector.

President of Atlantic Technological University, Dr Orla Flynn, welcomed the Minister's announcement and acknowledged the significance of the funding, saying the allocation very much underlines ATU's commitment to advancing research and innovation across the Northern and Western region.

ATU is being allocated 19.6 million under the programme, which aims to establish, equip, and staff regional research and innovation offices within TU's to enable deepened engagement with local and regional business, industry, and enterprise stakeholders.

The funding will also be directed at developing research in human capital in the technological sector, including staff development, recruitment, postgraduate training and supervision, networking, and collaborative knowledge-transfer and mobility schemes.

Cathaoirleach of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, Cllr John Naughten, called this opportunity fantastic saying its another positive instance of European Funding.

The initiative is delivered by EU co-funded Regional Programmes to assist the technological sector in enhanced engagement with businesses and stakeholders in the regions.

He explained that this funding will help develop much needed research in human capital which is one of the most pressing challenges facing the Northern and Western region.

The funding is extremely welcome, and provides ATU with the resources to develop our own capacity, foster collaborations and grow our research community, added Ms Flynn.

Minister Harris said technological universities are uniquely placed to link with local and regional enterprises, to support them to turn innovation opportunities into real-world actuality.

The education Minister said the significant research-oriented funding will further ensure that Ireland will be recognised as a world-leader in Research and Innovation for years to come.

TU RISE is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Southern, Eastern & Midland and the Northern & Western Regional Programmes, 2021-27.

Dr Alan Wall, Chief Executive of the Higher Education Authority, which manages the operations of the TU RISE scheme, said this funding comes at a critical juncture in the development of the technological sector.

The HEA conceived, designed and will manage this investment to support our TUs contribution to a bottom-up, place-based, dynamic process which brings together regional and national actors to link Irelands regional needs and potential with innovative policymaking he concluded.
Brand-new Mayo filmed Netflix romcom starring Lindsay Lohan is set to be released on Netflix next month.

The Parent-Trap actress was seen filming Irish Wish around Mayo two-years-ago, and now, the finished product is on its way.

The sight of the Hollywood star had locals chatting all over Westport, many of whom tried to get a glimpse of the 37-year-old.

Nearly 200 crew members were on hand for three days in October 2022, with shooting mostly taking place around the Westport towns famous Octagon.

The producer of Irish Wish is Irish-American Michael Damien Weir, a distant cousin of the then Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Seamus Weir.

Filming was due to take place in Dublin and Wicklow, but after chaos in Dublin Airport, the crew had to find alternative options. Fortunately, Cllr Weir was on hand to influence his cousin.

Mr Weir, at the time, said it was a battle to get them out of Wicklow and to the West, however, he worked with Mayo County Council and persuaded the crew to shoot in Mayo.

He said they were really impressed with the town of Westport and would love to come back again.

New York-born Lohan, who has Irish roots tracing back to Cork and Galway, has spoken fondly of her time in Ireland, telling Tudum Irelands so beautiful.

Id never been, [but] my grandfathers from there... The people are so nice, and the Guinness pies were amazing, she said.

In her second collaboration with the streaming service, Lohan plays the lead role of Maddie Kelly, a shy girl who has to put her feelings aside to be a bridesmaid at the Westport wedding of her best friend, and the love of her life.

It follows Maddie as she makes a wish for true love in the days leading up to the wedding, unwittingly waking up as the bride-to-be.

Award-winning Lohan is joined by other reputable cast members including Ed Speleers, Alexander Vlahos, Jane Seymour, Elizabeth Tan, and Ayesha Curry.

Irish Wish streams on Netflix from March 15, just in time for St Patricks Day.
Tributes have poured in for the father of murder victim Rachel Callaly, Jim Callaly, who was laid to rest today.

Jim died suddenly at home in Whitehall, Co Dublin, on February 1. He was buried earlier today in Fingal Cemetery.

He was the father of Rachel Callaly, the mother of two who was murdered by her husband, Joe OReilly in Naul, Co Dublin, twenty years ago.

Over the past two decades, Jim and his wife, Rose, campaigned to stop OReilly from getting parole.

Since the tragic news of Jims death, tributes have been pouring in.

Beloved father of the late Rachel and Ann and brother of the late Kevin and Sr. Declan.

Sadly missed by his loving wife Rose, sons Declan, Paul and Tony, daughters-in-law Denise and Denise, Tony's partner Kate, grandchildren Luke and Adam, Lauren and Sam, Dakota and Skye and Santino, brothers Tom and John, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Sincere condolences on the loss of your beloved husband and father. You all show such dignity throughout your difficult time when you lost your beautiful daughter. May you find strength during this sad time, wrote someone in tribute.

Another tribute read: Sincere sympathy to Jim's wife Rose and sons Declan, Paul & Tony on the sad passing of Jim, your beloved husband and father and to his extended family. He is now reunited with his dear daughters Rachel and Ann. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.

Rest in peace Jim. I've so many fond childhood memories of you from Halloween weekend walking trips. Such a good natured gent. God bless, someone paid tribute.
An offer of 7,117 for a young Donegal girl struck by a car as she bought candy floss has not been endorsed.

The offer was made following an assessment by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB).

The matter was before Letterkenny District Court this week.

Judge Vincent Deane was told that the offer included 6,000 in respect of general damages, 335 of special damages and a further 782.

The plaintiff was seven years old at the time of the accident, which occurred just outside her own home.

A barrister representing the plaintiff told the court that she was crossing a road having got candy floss from an ice cream van when she was struck on the face by a wing mirror of a passing vehicle.

The girl was shocked and was taken by ambulance to the emergency department of Letterkenny University Hospital. The girl suffered a mild concussion and had bruises to her arm and leg.

The girl suffered repeated episodes of bed wetting in the aftermath and also endured night terrors. A medical assessment confirmed that she suffered soft tissue injuries to her cheek and thigh.

A doctor noted swelling on the girls cheek and said she developed nightmares.

While her symptoms settled, the court heard that the girl was still nervous when crossing the road and suffers from anxiety.

The barrister said that the offer was at the lower end and it was his opinion that the offer was insufficient and was not, having consulted with the girls mother, in a position to recommend the acceptance of the offer.

Judge Deane said he was not endorsing the offer of PIAB.
ASKARAN, Azerbaijan, February 8. A mass grave has been found in the village of Asgaran in Azerbaijan's Khojaly district, Trend reports via the Karabakh bureau.

According to the information, the remains of at least eight people were found in the grave found near the Asgaran fortress.

It is assumed that the remains belong to residents killed during the Khojaly massacre.

At present, representatives of the relevant structures are inspecting the mass grave with the participation of journalists.

Meanwhile, a mass grave was found in Shusha last August and in June on the territory of Shusha prison. So far, mass graves have been found in the territory of Sarijali village of Aghdam district liberated from occupation, in Dashalti village of Shusha district, in Edilli village of Khojavend district, in Farrukh village of Khojaly district, in the village of Yukhari Seyidahmadli of Fuzuli district, in Kalbajar, Aghdam, and other settlements.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. The Press Council of Azerbaijan, as in all electoral processes, focused on media activities in the February 7 snap presidential election and the principle of the structure's activities in this regard mainly covered three directions - monitoring of media outlets in the pre-election period, hotline mode and observation at polling stations, Trend reports, referring to the Press Council.

Meanwhile, on the eve of the election the monitoring group of the Press Council of Azerbaijan familiarized itself with the materials regularly published by the country's media. The monitoring results gave grounds to say that Azerbaijani journalism during the election campaign was sensitive to the formation of an atmosphere of fair competition, and ensured the realization of the right of society to receive objective information (there were no cases of "black PR").

The hotline mode set up in the Press Council on election day was at the disposal of journalists from the moment the voting started until its end. During the day there was only one appeal to the city and cell phone numbers of the Council working in this mode. The appeal came from a foreign media outlet. On this appeal, it was established that since this foreign media outlet had not been accredited in Azerbaijan, its coverage of the election process was impossible. The author of the appeal was informed about this and the requirements of Azerbaijani legislation were explained.

The members of the Press Council Board, registered as journalists and official observers, as well as individual representatives monitored the conditions created for journalists to cover the process at polling stations in the capital and various regions of the republic and established personal contacts with media representatives. The purpose of this observation, as well as the setting up of a hotline mode, was to promptly prevent misunderstandings and possible obstacles that could arise in connection with the activities of journalists on election day.

The analysis of the work carried out in both areas showed that journalists performed their professional duties on election day quite freely, without any obstacles. A significant point is that the Central Election Commission, the Media Development Agency, and some state bodies were sensitive to various manifestations of media activity arising from their authority. Their operational approaches became important in terms of preventing the formation of wrong public opinion.

"The Press Council finally concluded that the February 7 presidential election, both during the campaigning period and on election day, was conducted following all international standards and the requirements of Azerbaijani legislation in terms of covering the media process, ensuring its legitimate activities, media freedom in general, and the right of access to information.

In general, the information support for the election was at a high level. The most important thing is that the Azerbaijani media demonstrated high professionalism in presenting various aspects of the process. We express our gratitude to each of those who worked in the realization of this mission of crucial importance for our people and state. We wish the journalists success in their future activities," the Press Council said in a statement.

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by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, February 8, 2024

Hes a white knight, a man on the move, a loner on a mission, a lover and a leaver.

He's Tracker, the most enigmatic, wandering hero on TV since Reacher.

Tracker -- alias Colton Shaw (Justin Hartley, pictured above) -- shows up from out of nowhere to hunt for lost souls this Sunday night in the time slot following the Super Bowl on CBS.

He's the type of guy who will never settle down. He's never in one place. He roams from town to town. With all due respect to Dion DiMucci, Colton Shaw is the real wanderer.

In the premiere episode of this drama series announced at the Upfronts last spring and deprived of a fall premiere by the writers' and actors' strikes, Colton hits the trail in search of a missing boy.

The Tracker is a missing-persons bounty hunter, you might say -- but unlike other bounty hunters of movie myth and legend, he really, really cares about the souls he seeks.

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That is not his only reward, however. His clients are loved ones of the people he pursues who have promised reward money in the five figures for information leading to a missing person's rescue.

To his credit, Colton Shaw goes beyond mere information. Instead, he risks life and limb to bring the missing home, thus restoring families and saving lives.

Like so many other CBS dramas too numerous to count, Shaw the Wanderer works remotely with a crack team of operatives -- a lesbian couple who love dogs (Abby McEnany and Robin Weigert), and a computer hacker and search whiz who walks on two prosthetic legs (played by Eric Graise).

Colton the Tracker makes his home in a supercool Airstream camper that he tows from mission to mission.

The other character who threatens to recur is an attorney (Fiona Rene) who was once either romantically or just sexually involved with Colton (it is not quite clear).

When he is arrested by local police who hold him on a charge of disturbing the peace in a burger joint, his dog-loving colleagues call her to go get him out of jail.

As far as I can determine, the premiere episode of Tracker takes place in or around Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Unless I somehow missed this detail, I have no idea how this lawyer character showed up so quickly or where she came from.

While he stands behind bars at the local precinct, she describes their entire ill-fated relationship to a bewildered desk sergeant.

It is an example of premiere-episode exposition run amok. When she spills the details of her relationship with Colton, a viewer previewing the show for a TV Blog felt just like the desk sergeant, whose face had who cares written all over it.

This overlong exposition had the effect of stopping Tracker dead in its tracks. A missing boy's life hung in the balance and this lawyer was wasting valuable time telling a stranger about her personal love history.

All through the episode, we learn Colton's personal history too. With flashbacks, we see his hardscrabble upbringing in an off-the-grid household overseen by his crazy, violent father.

While watching these scenes, and other soul-searching scenes in which he shared some of his childhood trauma, I felt more like a therapist than a viewer in search of a missing action show.

Tracker premieres on Sunday, February 11, after the Super Bowl on CBS. The show moves into its regular time slot -- 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern the following Sunday, Feb. 18.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, February 8, 2024

Google on Thursday moved into the Gemini Era -- rebranding its Bard technology to Gemini, a reflection of the companys advancements in generative artificial intelligence (GAI).

The GAI technology becomes available on the web, in a new Gemini app for Android, and in the Google app on Apple iOS in English in the U.S. There was no mention of whether the technology would become available on TV, smart displays, and speakers.

Sissie Hsiao, vice president and general manager of Gemini experiences and Google Assistant, said the company believes in making AI helpful for everyone, and this will be one of the most profound ways we will advance our companys mission.

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Next week Gemini becomes available in Asia-Pacific in English, Japanese and Korean, with more countries and languages coming soon.

When asked during a press briefing to describe Geminis sense of humor and personality, Hsiao said that some of it comes through when you ask the model to behave a certain way, such as be a humorous dad for certain parts of the conversation, it will adopt a personality.

Googles move to bring GAI capabilities to the device in an important step in building a true AI assistant through text, voice, and share images.

If you get a flat tire, you can take a picture of it and ask Gemini for next steps, Hsiao said.

Google also launched Gemini Advanced, a new experience that gives users access to Ultra 1.0, the companys largest and most capable AI model with the ability to complete highly complex tasks such as coding, logic and reasoning.

It becomes available in 150 countries and territories in English to start through the new Google One AI Premium plan.

There have been positive reviews of Googles advancements. Damian Rollison, director at market Insights of SOCi, an AI-driven marketing technology company, reached out to Media Daily News last week based on an earlier news.

Gemini Ultra has the potential not just to surpass the performance and capabilities of GPT-4, as Google claims, but to transform how businesses harness AI for complex tasks, Rollinson said. The real game-changer will be Gemini's integration into Google Workspaces, potentially transforming Google's value proposition for organizations that are in dire need of seamless AI integration.

Exclusive features will be added into Gemini Advanced, such as expanded multimodal capabilities, more interactive coding features, and deeper data analysis. It will be available through Google One, a subscription service that has about 100 million subscribers.

Duet AI, a chatbot-based AI-powered collaborator from Google Cloud that launched last year, now becomes Gemini for Google Workspace and Google Cloud.

For consumers this means Gemini in Docs, Gmail, Slides, Sheets and Meet will become part of the Gemini Premium Plan. It will act as a collaborative partner.

GAI is known to solve important challenges, merge a large number of ideas, or generate stronger results. Advertisers and marketers will find that Gemini boosts ideas to spur creativity.

Business customers, including advertisers and marketers, can gain access to GAI features in Workspace through an add-on to their Workspace subscription, which is intended to enhance productivity and creativity.

Google said users will remain in control of their data and how it is used.
by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, February 8, 2024

In what is likely to be a foundation for rapidly evolving future forms of media audience experiences, the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and the Media Rating Council (MRC) this morning released a set of ad industry measurement guidelines for calculating the audiences of advertising in augmented reality (AR).

The guidelines, which were developed jointly by the IAB and the MRC, establish industry standard definitions and measurement processes for ads placed within AR-based campaigns, and are open for public comment until March 9. Read them here.

The new AR guidelines, which incorporate elements of guidelines developed by the IAB and MRC for previous new generations of ad-supported media, such as mobile in-app and in-game advertising -- such as when an ad experience renders and completes -- are part of an ongoing progression by the U.S. trade groups to evolve with new and evolving media technology and consumer experiences.

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The Augmented Reality advertising market is projected to generate $1.2 billion in revenue in the U.S. this year, explains IAB Vice President-Experience Center Zoe Soon, adding, Thus, as an industry, we need to establish a greater consistency on how we define and measure AR advertising to foster fairness and transparency for buyers and sellers.

The guidelines account for unique interactive and immersive formats and experiences capable in AR-based media, which the authors note can accrue non-physical interactions with products, as well as the physical interactions related to browsing in the context of attribution.

While the guidelines are not intended to serve as explicit benchmarks for other forms of fully immersive virtual realty and/or mixed reality, they do set parameters for new augmented reality advertising experiences, including:
by Tanya Gazdik , February 7, 2024





In what may be a first for inspired cooperation among brands, Hyundai Motor America is offering free use of its Instagram channel to other groups/companies this weekend.

Playing off the recent Hyundai Santa Fe campaign of "Conquer the Weekend, Hyundai has decided to do just that over this coming Super Bowl weekend.

While the automaker is on hiatus, its Instagram channel will be up for grabs for 30 minutes to an hour.

Basically, were going to AirBnB their Instagram to other brands, says Jason Sperling, chief creative officer at Innocean USA, the automakers lead agency of record.

So far the brands that are on board include Adobe, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Booking.com, Boys & Girls Club, Drumstick, El Patio Foods, Heal the Bay, Houston Texans, Igloo, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, LA Rams, LA Chargers, Michaels, Mint Mobile, Optimist Drinks, Opendoor, Planet Fitness, Red Lobster, Super73 Electric Motorbikes, Wienerschnitzel, Weber Grills and ZOA Energy.

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Many brands have some great ideas for how theyll use the channel, Sperling says. The automaker is simply asking for some expression of thanks in return for the channel usage at the end of the brands time on the channel, he says.

On Friday, Hyundai will post a video saying that Were leaving for the weekend and we're leaving our Insta in good hands. Then on Monday the brand will post a We're back video, along with pictures from the its fictitious trip to the mountains in Santa Fe.

So, while Hyundai won't be there for the Super Bowl fun, they'll be very much in it, Sperling says.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. Uzbekistan's parliamentary observation mission held a press conference on the preliminary results of the extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

Addressing the event, Odiljon Iminov, chairman of the Senate Committee of the Parliament (Oliy Majlis) of the Republic of Uzbekistan, said that the observation of the election process was useful for them.

He mentioned that the observation mission monitored the election process at polling stations set up in the cities of Shusha and Khankendi.

"The electoral process at these polling stations started on time, the ballot boxes were sealed. We saw young people who came to vote for the first time. They were voting for their future. The polling stations were also equipped with webcams.

Media representatives were provided with conditions to cover the election process. The electoral process was open and transparent. During our observations, we did not find any cases contrary to the electoral legislation," he added.

The extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Seven candidates run in the election.

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05 percent of the votes after the processing of 93.35 percent of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev - 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa - two percent, Elshad Musayev - 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev - 1.76 percent, Fuad Aliyev - 0.53 percent of the votes.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the Rey Monitoring Center exit poll, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
IPG reported net revenue of $9.4 billion for the full year 2023 with a slight organic revenue decline (0.1%) for the period. The holding company had previously warned that it might lose some ground growth-wise for the year.

But the firm had a better-than-expected Q4, with net revenue of $2.6 billion, up 1.7% and organic growth (which strips out M&A and currency impact) also coming in at 1.7%.

Net income for the year was $1.1 billion and the firms operating margin was 16.7%.

IPG CEO Philippe Krakowsky stated said the firm expects organic net revenue growth for 2024 in a range of 1% to 2%, and full-year adjusted EBITA margin of 16.6%, which consolidates significant margin progress in recent years and will allow us to continue to invest in key growth areas of the business.

Krakowsky told analysts and investors on an earnings call that continued austerity in the tech and telecom category, combined with the struggles of digital agencies Huge and R/GA weighed heavily on results throughout 2023. And theyll continue to be a drag on results this year as wellalbeit to a lesser extent.

He noted that spending in the tech and telecom sector has stabilized somewhat but said it was hard to know when spending levels would return to more normal levels.

As to the digital agencies, he noted leadership changes had been implemented at both, the most recent being the promotion of Lisa De Bonis to CEO of huge, succeeding Mat Baxter who has left the company and returned to his native Australia. Other remedial steps the firm has taken, added Krakowsky, include, co-locating global headquarters in a common innovation hub, as well as comprehensively lowering and aligning their operating cost base in line with revenue.

Krakowski also cited strife in the Middle East that has been escalated by the Israel-Hamas war and which has taken a toll on both the companys people and business performance in the region.

We continue to focus on a broad range of strategic and market-facing solutions over the near-term, including M&A to address the need for greater scale in digital transformation, he said on the earnings call.

Like other holding companies IPG has been investing millions in artificial intelligence over a number of years and that will continue in 2024 when the firm will invest about $80 million in AI-related technology, software and training, Krakowsky said.

Other investments planned for 2024, said Krakowsky, include further development of addressable capabilities, such as the data-powered tools that inform and drive integration and decision-making across IPG and retail media.

Also, he added, Mediabrands will be building new buying models that will add greater efficiency to the mix.
Highlights: Maternal obesity links to offspring metabolic disorders

Male fetuses prioritize growth, risking liver complications

Female fetuses suppress androgen pathways, mitigating risks

Sex-Specific Responses to Androgens

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Maternal obesity impacts fetal liver androgen signalling in a sex-specific manner



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Recommendations for Optimal Pregnancy Nutrition



Male offspring of obese mothers face higher risks of adult liver disease and diabetes. #maternalhealth #fetaldevelopment #medindia

Maternal obesity impacts fetal liver androgen signalling in a sex-specific manner - (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0024320523009797?via%3Dihub)

Offspring born to obese women are at a higher risk of being overweight at birth and encountering metabolic complications later in life, such as liver disease and diabetes. A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA) suggests that the activation of pathways in the developing liver by male sex hormones contributes to this phenomenon.The research indicates that male fetuses of obese mothers exhibit distinct signals in the liver triggered by male sex hormones, promoting excessive growth at the expense of health. Dr. Ashley Meakin from UniSA explains that while androgens play a vital role in male development, an overabundance during fetal development can lead to excessive growth, posing health risks at birth and affecting liver function in adulthood ().Conversely, female fetuses exposed to elevated testosterone levels from maternal obesity tend to suppress the androgen pathway in the liver, limiting their growth and reducing the likelihood of metabolic disorders in adulthood. Dr. Meakin highlights the sex-based disparities in metabolic disorders later in life resulting from maternal obesity, with males being more susceptible to conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes if born above a certain weight threshold.Professor Janna Morrison, the lead author of the study, emphasizes the importance of maintaining optimal nutrition during pregnancy for offspring health, underscoring the risks associated with both malnourishment and excessive weight gain during gestation. Achieving the right balance in pregnancy, she suggests, is crucial for mitigating long-term health risks for the child.Prof. Morrison calls for societal changes in nutritional approaches to combat obesity and its related health issues across generations, advocating for early education on healthy eating habits that can carry through to pregnancy and adulthood. In the meantime, Dr. Meakin suggests that nutritional supplements addressing imbalances during pregnancy could optimize fetal development.The liver androgen signaling study, recently published in, is part of a broader research effort led by Prof. Morrison and her team at UniSA, exploring the impact of maternal nutrition on various aspects of fetal development including the placenta, heart, lung, and liver.Source-Medindia
  Trusted Source

T cell-specific P2RX7 favors lung parenchymal CD4+ T cell accumulation in response to severe lung infections



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Achieving an "optimal quantity" of CD4+ T cells in the lungs was essential for curing tuberculosis and influenza. #lungdisease #lunginfection #tuberculosis

P2RX7 Activation Spurs CD4+ T Cell Accumulation Intensifying Lung Disease Severity

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A deep learning algorithm to predict risk of pancreatic cancer from disease trajectories - (https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2211124723014602)

Scientific literature emphasizes the pivotal role of CD4+ T cells in responding to lung infections. Yet, aarticle reveals that an imbalance in these defense cells across lung regions during infection can be detrimental in tuberculosis condition . (The study described in the article involved infecting mice with hypervirulent tuberculosis and influenza. This finding opens up perspectives for therapeutic interventions aimed at combating diseases that attack the lungs, while not affecting the ability of the adaptive immune system to fight off infection. Even relativelyThe researchers found that amounts of these cells in lung tissue are mediated by a specific receptor called P2RX7, a protein primarily expressed in immune cells and capable of detecting the presence of extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The main functions of ATP relate to energy production for cells, but in response to stress or tissue damage it may be released into the external medium, acting as a danger signal for defense cells and potentially leading to an exacerbated response.In such cases, P2RX7 induces an excessive buildup of CD4+ T cells and boosts expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR3 (chemokines are proteins that direct the migration of white blood cells to infected or damaged tissue). According to the article, the excessive buildup of CD4+ T cells in the mices lungs induced by activation of P2RX7 correlated with an increase in the severity of the disease and a reduced survival rate.ATP in the extracellular medium is recognized by the immune system as a sign of damage because it should be inside the cell rather than outside. Previous research showed how important it is to the development of severe forms of tuberculosis, but the mechanisms werent understood. In particular, we didnt know which type of cell expressed it most.This was what we set out to investigate. We also wanted to find a way to improve the response of these T cells. What we didnt expect was that removing the receptor to block recognition of ATP would lead to an improvement and not a deterioration, Igor Santiago-Carvalho, first author of the article, told Agencia FAPESP. He has a PhD in immunology and is a researcher at the University of Sao Paulos Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICB-USP) in Brazil.Santiago-Carvalhos work was supervised by Maria Regina DImperio Lima, first author of the article and a professor at ICB-USP. She has been researching cellular immunology for 20 years, mainly in malaria, Chagas disease and tuberculosis.The more we know about the factors that determine whether the immune response is deficient, optimal or excessive, the better well be able to manipulate it with drugs and treatments to control and even cure the disease, Lima said.T cells, or T lymphocytes, are key players in the immune response, which they stimulate and regulate. For this reason, we wanted to find out which signaling pathways influence immune response optimality. We realized during the project that when tissue is badly damaged, it releases a large amount of damage signals, she explained.We were particularly concerned with ATP, and we found that the inflammatory response is intense and harmful when an excessive amount of T cells enter the tissue as they detect ATP. In some cases, it results in pulmonary fibrosis. Intervening in this signaling pathway could be an effective way to reduce the damage done by an excessive immune response to infection.Source-Eurekalert
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) observation mission expresses proud in Azerbaijan's inaugural election held in the territories liberated from Armenian occupation, said Secretary-General of the organization Kubanychbek Omuraliev during a briefing on the monitoring results of Azerbaijan's extraordinary presidential election, Trend reports.

He mentioned that the Organization of Turkic States' observation mission was divided into groups and monitored polling in Baku, Shusha, Khankendi, and Khojaly.

"The mission observed no violations or discontent during the election process. All conditions were provided for voters to cast their ballots, and polling stations were accessible to both international and local observers. Additionally, the mission noted that all polling stations were equipped with necessary technical equipment. Consequently, the mission concluded that the extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan was held openly and transparently," he said.

The extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Seven candidates run in the election.

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05 percent of the votes after the processing of 93.35 percent of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev - 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa - two percent, Elshad Musayev - 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev - 1.76 percent, Fuad Aliyev - 0.53 percent of the votes.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Marine Corps said Thursday that all five Marines aboard a helicopter that went missing in Southern California this week were killed in a crash. The service did not release the names of the troops pending notification of their next of kin.

The Marines were flying in a CH-53E Super Stallion from Nevada to a Marine Corps air station near San Diego when the helicopter crashed over a mountainous area east of the city during inclement weather. The five belonged to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, which falls under the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

"It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines from 3d Marine Aircraft Wing and the 'Flying Tigers' while conducting a training flight [Tuesday]," Maj. Gen. Michael Borgschulte, commanding general of 3rd MAW, said in a statement Thursday.

Read Next: Marine Corps Orders Servicewide Barracks Inspection Amid Improvement Efforts, Reports of Squalid Conditions

"These pilots and crewmembers were serving a calling greater than self and were proud to do so. We will forever be grateful for their call to duty and selfless service," he continued. "To the families of our fallen Marines, we send our deepest condolences and commit to ensure your support and care during this incredibly difficult time."

The statement from the Marine Corps said that efforts remain underway to recover the Marines and equipment. An investigation is also underway.

The aircraft was located in the area of Pine Valley, California, east of San Diego on Wednesday afternoon. A multi-agency search for the helicopter began in the early hours of Wednesday morning after the helicopter was reported "overdue" to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

A spokesperson for the San Diego Sheriff's Department told Military.com on Wednesday that it had received a call to assist in search operations around 1 a.m. local time. Those efforts began two hours later amid snow and rain that authorities said made the search difficult. The helicopter's last recorded location was at 11:30 p.m. local time, according to local authorities and open source flight tracking.

The Super Stallion helicopter has been involved in several high-profile and deadly crashes since its introduction to the military in the 1980s. Six years ago, four Marines from the 3rd MAW were killed after their CH-53E Super Stallion crashed near El Centro, California. In 2016, two Super Stallions collided off the coast of Hawaii -- 12 crew members were declared deceased less than a week later.

Related: Missing Marine Corps Helicopter Found in Southern California; Search and Rescue Ongoing
A senior noncommissioned officer based out of Fort Liberty, North Carolina, faces numerous charges tied to a yearslong scheme to smuggle methamphetamine across the U.S.-Mexico border.

Military prosecutors say Sgt. Maj. Jorge E. Garcia, the career counselor for U.S. Army Forces Command, or FORSCOM, made numerous unauthorized trips abroad between 2021 and 2022, smuggled meth, lied to his unit about his whereabouts, engaged in fraudulent charges on his government travel card at a nightclub near the Pentagon, and coordinated the drug activity with gangs online.

It's the latest in a string of drug-related criminal activity from soldiers at Fort Liberty, the base previously known as Fort Bragg, and the highest-profile installation in the Army -- serving as the home of the 82nd Airborne Division and several of the service's elite special operations units.

Read Next: Army Suspends Ranger Training Battalion Commander as It Investigates Use of Online Dating App

Garcia, who has been in military pretrial confinement since June 2023, and his attorney could not be reached for comment ahead of publication. It was unclear as of Thursday whether Garcia had entered a plea to the military court or if he will face additional charges from a civilian court.

Court documents say Garcia traveled abroad or lied about his whereabouts at least five times since 2021. Authorities said at least one of those occasions included travel to Tijuana, Mexico. That trip included "cyber-related activities" in support of "a criminal gang by promotion of such activity ... with the knowledge that such activities involve an extremist cause."

Garcia was seemingly caught in May 2023 at San Ysidro, a border town in California just outside of San Diego. Authorities found him with about 24 pounds of methamphetamine, a highly potent illegal stimulant, "with intent to distribute," court records show.

Garcia also allegedly accrued a $241.89 charge at The Flirt Lounge in Arlington, Virginia -- a nightclub less than two miles from the Pentagon -- in October 2021 on his government travel card.

The news follows the 15-year sentencing of Gordon Custis last month, a former Fort Liberty soldier who held the rank of specialist and served as a medic, for trafficking ketamine while on duty and laundering more than $700,000. His wife, Sgt. Shabrea Bright, was also indicted in the scheme and is awaiting trial.

Fort Liberty has the most overdose deaths among all military installations, according to Pentagon data, with 31 deaths between 2015 and 2021.

Early last year, at least 13 soldiers assigned to the Army's Special Operations Command were under investigation for drug trafficking.

The base is in the so-called Corridor H, a designation from the Justice Department of eight different parts of the country in which drugs, particularly fentanyl, are heavily trafficked. That corridor encompasses I-95, a highway that stretches from Miami to Houlton, Maine.

In March 2022, Spc. Jacob Dickerson was sentenced to 75 days in prison, removed from the service and given a bad-conduct discharge after a plea agreement, according to Army court records.

Dickerson was a military police officer at Fort Liberty who sold oxycodone, an opioid used to treat pain, out of his military police vehicle at least once. He was assigned to the 21st Military Police Company, 503rd Military Police Battalion, which is part of the 16th Military Police Brigade.

Related: More Than a Dozen Special Operations Soldiers at Center of Drug Trafficking Probe
BERLIN  A German Navy frigate set sail on Thursday toward the Red Sea, where Berlin plans to have it take part in a European Union mission to help defend cargo ships from attacks by Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels that are hampering trade.

The Hessen set off from the North Sea port of Wilhelmshaven with about 240 servicepeople on board. The aim is to have it in place once the EU mission is given the official go-ahead and the German parliament has approved a mandate for the ship to join in, which is expected at the end of February.

EU foreign ministers are expected to sign off on the Red Sea mission on Feb. 19. Officials have said that seven countries in the bloc are ready to provide ships or planes.

The Iranian-backed Houthis have waged a persistent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships over Israels offensive in Gaza against Hamas, which began in October.

However, the rebels have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade between Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

U.S. and British forces have carried out strikes against targets used by the Houthis, seeking to disrupt their missile-launching capabilities. But the EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has said the EU mission  dubbed Aspides, from the Greek for shield  won't take part in any military strikes and will only operate at sea.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command said on X, previously known as Twitter, that its forces conducted self-defense strikes against two Houthi mobile anti-ship cruise missiles on Wednesday morning as they prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.

And on Wednesday night, U.S. forces conducted a second strike against a Houthi mobile land attack cruise missile that was being prepared for launch.

CENTCOM identified these 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. the post said. These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.

The second strike came shortly after a U.S. drone blew up a car in the Iraqi capital, killing a high-ranking commander of the powerful Kataib Hezbollah militia on Wednesday night in Baghdad. The commander, Wissam Muhammad Sabir Al-Saadi, known as Abu Baqir Al-Saadi, was in charge of Kataib Hezbollahs operations in Syria and responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on American troops in the region.

In recent weeks, the United States and the United Kingdom, backed by other allies, have launched airstrikes targeting Houthi missile arsenals and launch sites for its attacks.

An air assault last Friday in Iraq and Syria targeted other Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in retaliation for a drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan.
BEIRUT  A U.S. strike in Baghdad that killed a commander of the powerful Kataib Hezbollah paramilitary group this week highlighted the ambiguous status of the country's Iran-allied armed factions. Some operate simultaneously as a part of the official security forces and outside of state control.

That has put the government of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in an increasingly delicate position as it attempts to balance between its relations with the United States and with Iraqi armed groups that are sometimes in direct conflict with U.S. forces.

Here's a look at the complicated relationship between Iraq, paramilitary groups such as Kataib Hezbollah and the United States:

WHAT IS KATAIB HEZBOLLAH?

Kataib Hezbollah is one of the most powerful armed groups in Iraq. It was formed during the power vacuum that followed the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, with support from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard.

The Iraqi faction is part of the Popular Mobilization Forces. The PMF is a coalition of primarily Shiite, Iran-backed armed groups that joined in the fight against the Islamic State group after it seized large sections of Iraq in 2014.

The PMF became allies of convenience with forces from a U.S.-led international coalition fighting IS.

However, Kataib Hezbollah and some other groups that are part of the PMF also have attacked U.S. forces in Iraq.

The U.S. has designated Kataib Hezbollah as a terrorist group. In January 2020, a U.S. airstrike killed the group's founder, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

Wednesday's strike killed Wissam Muhammad Sabir al-Saadi, known as Abu Baqir al-Saadi, who was in charge of Kataib Hezbollahs operations in Syria. The U.S. has said he was responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on American troops.

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PARAMILITARY GROUPS AND THE IRAQI STATE?

In 2016, the Iraqi government designated the Popular Mobilization Forces as an independent military formation within the Iraqi armed forces.

However, some of the groups that make up the PMF are also part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which has launched around 170 strikes against bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria over the past four months. The group has said it is retaliating for Washington's support of Israel in the ongoing war in Gaza and aims to push U.S. troops out of the region.

The Iraqi government has condemned the strikes on U.S. forces while also in many cases condemning the U.S. response, particularly when it has conducted strikes in the capital or hit PMF factions that did not have a clear role in the attacks on U.S. forces.

Renad Mansour, a senior research fellow at the Chatham House, said the PMF is effectively an arm of the Iraqi government. "They view themselves as protecting the state," whether by fighting against IS or by cracking down on anti-government protesters, he said.

Lahib Higel, a senior analyst for Iraq at the International Crisis Group, said some of the armed groups in the PMF have a dual role.

They have a day job, which is their work in the (PMF). And they have another role, which is that they conduct these resistance operations against the U.S. presence, she said.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE REACTION IN IRAQ TO THE US STRIKE?

Maj. Gen. Tahsin al-Khafaji, spokesman for the Joint Operations Command, which includes an array of Iraqi security forces, accused the U.S. Thursday of clear aggression and a violation of Iraqi sovereignty.

Iraqi military spokesman Yehia Rasool called Wednesday's strike a blatant assassination ... in the heart of a residential neighborhood in the capital.

The Coordination Framework, a coalition of mainly Shiite, Iran-allied political parties that brought Sudani to power in late 2022, urged the prime minister to intensify efforts to end the presence of the U.S.-led military coalition in the country.

Last month, Iraqi and U.S. military officials launched formal talks to wind down the coalitions mission, but the process was paused a day later after a drone attack by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq against a base in Jordan killed three U.S. troops.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?

While tensions are rising, Mansour said, no side actually wants an all out confrontation, a direct war, in Iraq.

Instead, he said, the U.S. and Iraq will likely continue to work toward an exit by the coalition forces and move toward establishing bilateral relations between the two countries.

Higel said the Iran-allied factions will likely now push the Iraqi government for an accelerated timeline for phasing out the coalition.

The U.S. wont leave under threat and with a gun to their head, so to speak, so its a bit of a catch-22," she said. "You need de-escalation in order to hold those talks and actually reach some results.
The Navy is no longer immediately kicking out recruits who arrive at boot camp at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois, with detectable amounts of marijuana in their system.

The service has expanded the authority to grant waivers for any recruits who initially test positive for THC, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana, Rear Adm. James Waters, the director of the Navy's military personnel plans and policy division, told a group of reporters Thursday.

"If they fail that test and own up -- 'Yes, I smoke marijuana '-- we do an evaluation of the young person to make sure there's not something else going on," Waters said. "But we trust that through the process of boot camp that we have an opportunity to bring them along with our culture."

Read Next: All 5 Marines Aboard Downed Helicopter in California Were Killed in Crash, Service Says

Waters explained that the move was driven in part to be "reflective of where legislation is in society." "We recognize that many states have legalized marijuana," he said.

However, the admiral stressed that there are no conversations about offering a similar leniency for any other drugs and noted that "we don't do drugs in the military."

The move joins a host of other recent changes that the Navy has put in place to help reduce the number of sailors who drop out of boot camp and are unable to continue on in their military career. The result is that the current dropout rate in boot camp is around 10% -- one of the lowest in recent history.

The move to decrease the number of recruits that the Navy loses throughout the boot camp process is part of its effort to deal with the recruiting crisis that has plagued all the services for the last several years.

Waters' boss, Vice Adm. Rick Cheeseman, has previously said that only about 10% of scheduled recruiter appointments convert into sailors entering the delayed-entry program or boot camp after about five months.

While that percentage increases if the potential recruit has mentorship from someone with Navy experience, according to Cheeseman, the sea service is still looking to minimize any further losses as those interested civilians become recruits and, eventually, sailors.

"If we're going to recruit 40,000 sailors," Waters said, referring to the Navy's recruiting goal for 2024, losing 4,000 recruits through boot camp "is really, really unhelpful and so we want to try to continue to work on that."

In addition to being more accepting of positive THC results, Waters noted that the pre-boot camp physical training regimen that the Navy borrowed from the Army is yielding results as well.

"We have about 400 additional sailors in the Navy today because of the physical Future Sailor Prep Course," Waters said.

Navy officials also noted that the prep course is having a secondary, positive impact on boot camp by injecting recruits with even just a few more weeks of Navy experience into the ranks of boot camp divisions.

"I think having some of those young men and women to the right or left of you that kind of experienced [the Navy] a little bit helps tremendously to reduce that anxiety," Force Master Chief Delbert Terrell told reporters.

"Recruit division commanders are actually competing for these kids as they come out of the Future Sailor Prep Course because they're more ready to run and lead in the boot camp," Waters added.

In February 2023, the Navy also started to allow recruits to use alternative cardiovascular exercises to pass that component of the physical fitness test. In the fleet, sailors are able to complete that fitness requirement by swimming, biking or rowing, among other options.

Before this change, sailors in boot camp were able only to run for their first test in the Navy.

"We went from losing 400 to 500 a year because they couldn't finish the run to ... one," Waters said. "All it took was buying some bikes."

Waters also says that he's not satisfied with the 10% dropout rate. "I want to get past that," he said.

"I think Adm. [Craig] Mattingly, who is the commander there [at Great Lakes] wants to get past that," he added.

Related: Navy's Personnel Boss Argues Dropping High School Diploma Requirement Has 'Minimal' Risk
ASGARAN, Azerbaijan, February 8. The remains in a mass grave found in Asgaran are believed to belong to residents of Khojaly, an employee of the Working Group of the State Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons, Zaur Ismayilov told reporters, Trend reports.

Within the framework of the investigation on the criminal case of Rashid Beglaryan, who confessed to involvement in the murder of Khojaly civilians in February 1992, the detainee informed about the place of murder and burial of Azerbaijanis.

"Rashid Beglaryan reported that civilians traveling to Aghdam from Khojaly were killed near Asgaran fortress and buried in this territory. The search and excavation operations started in this connection by the State Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Prisoners of War, Hostages, and Missing Persons in October-November last year were suspended due to unfavorable weather conditions.

Excavations continued from February this year. As a result, a burial with the remains of at least 8 people was found on the specified territory. Presumably, the remains belong to residents of Khojaly. It is not excluded that other remains will be found during the search works, which will continue in the future," Ismayilov said.

Meanwhile, representatives of the public, and local and foreign media were invited to the mentioned territory.

To note, mass graves were found in Shusha city last August and earlier in June on the territory of Shusha prison. To date, mass graves have been discovered in the territories liberated from occupation in Saryjali village of Aghdam district, Dashalti village of Shusha district, Edilli village of Khojavend district, Farrukh village of Khojaly district, Yukhary Seidakhmedli village of Fuzuli district, Kalbajar, Aghdam and other settlements.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
HOLLAND, MI -- Looking for lake views from a whole new vantage point? Try this trail and let it take you 157 feet above West Michigans lakeshore.

The Mt. Pisgah dune climb and boardwalk near Holland State Park brings hikers way up in order to see out over Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa.
MACKINAW CITY, MICH. -- Heres your permission to start dreaming of summer stargazing: the Headlands International Dark Sky Park has announced its lineup of astronomy programming for 2024.

The park, which is free and open 24/7 for observing the night sky, will be offering free weekly educational programming this year from spring through fall. Additionally, a staff astronomer will be on-site to provide nightly observing, star tours, and assisted telescope viewing on all clear nights from June through September, and on weekends through October.

We hope visitors to the park are able to catch one of these great weekly programs, said Park Manager Jamie Westfall. Bring blankets and chairs for stargazing afterward; talk to an astronomer, look through a telescope, and enjoy an evening under the stars.

In 2011 the Headlands became the first place in Michigan to receive the prestigious International Dark Sky Park designation, awarded globally to spots that offer exceptional night-sky viewing as well as dark-sky protection and education measures.

Note that camping is not permitted at the Headlands and that parking is limited. For a better opportunity to secure a parking spot, officials advise visitors to arrive in time for sunset. Overflow parking is available outside of the park, but it is a one-mile walk from the viewing area. Headlamps and flashlights are necessary for the entrance into the park, but once the vehicle is parked, all white lights  including flashlights, cell phones and other white-light emitting devices  should be stowed as a courtesy for everyone in the viewing area.

Programming Schedule

Read on for park-provided descriptions of 2024 programming at the Headlands. For details visit MIdarkskypark.org or follow the park on Facebook at facebook.com/headlandsdarkskypark.

Aurora Chasers Workshop: March 16, 12 p.m. Registration is required, but the event is free. NOTE: Registration for this event is already full. There is a waiting list. Dinner will be provided at an additional cost. Register or join the waiting list here.

The OSIRIS-REx Mission: May 22, 7-8 p.m. Join us at the Waterfront Event Center for a presentation on OSIRIS-REx, the first U.S. mission to collect a sample from an asteroid. It returned to Earth on Sept. 24, 2023, to drop off material from asteroid Bennu. The spacecraft didnt land but has continued on a new mission, OSIRIS-APEX, to explore asteroid Apophis. Meanwhile, scientists are analyzing the Bennu sample OSIRIS-REx dropped into the Utah desert for clues to whether asteroids colliding with Earth billions of years ago brought water and other key ingredients for life here.

Navigating Through The Night Sky: May 29, 7-8 p.m. Finding objects in the night sky using prominent stars and constellations can be a rewarding and awe-inspiring experience for stargazers. Using well-known constellations, we use their key stars as reference points to navigate the surrounding celestial expanse. Star-hopping is a technique where you move from one bright star to another, gradually reaching your target. At the Waterfront Event Center, we will demonstrate how mobile apps and sky maps can assist in the real-time identification of celestial objects, making the process of discovering the wonders of the night sky both accessible and enjoyable. Presentation by NASA/JPL Ambassador, Rod Cortright.

The Experience of Totality: June 5, 7-8 p.m. Join us and NASA JPL Ambassador, Mick Groszko, at the Headlands Waterfront Event Center for a look back at Totality, the total solar eclipse from April 8, 2024.

Comets and Broom Stars of the Night Sky with Kevin Dehne: June 6, 7-8 p.m. Join us at the Headlands Waterfront Event Center where Kevin Dehne will be discussing a brief history of comets, how best to observe them, and the equipment needed for observation. This presentation will also include an active demonstration of comet making!

Introduction to Astronomy with Angie Morthland: June 26, 8-9 p.m. Are you interested in celestial objects, space, and what the universe has to offer as a whole? Join Angie Morthland at the Headlands Waterfront Event Center for a fun introduction to astronomy for all ages!

Satellites, Starlink, and Space Junk with Aurelian Balan: July 11, 8-9 p.m. Remember gazing at the Milky Way and wishing on a shooting star? You might be wishing on a SpaceX Starlink satellite instead! The number of satellites orbiting Earth is skyrocketing. This new space race is changing the face of the night sky, but what does it mean for us here on Earth? Join Aurelian Balan, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Delta College, for a fascinating presentation exploring the satellite boom, its impact on our planet, and the challenges and advances it presents.

Introduction to Astrophotography: July 24, 8:30 p.m.  9:30 p.m. Learn the basics of astrophotography with an introductory session led by NASA/JPL Ambassadors, Rod Cortright and Mick Groszko.

Mysteries of the Southern Skies with Norbert Vance: July 31, 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. Peoples of the southern hemisphere see the Southern Cross, the suns nearest neighboring star, Alpha Centauri, the supposed destination of the 60s fictional Robinson family in Lost in Space and grandeur that is the center of our Milky Way galaxy, but they can never see the Little Dipper nor North Star. The Big Dipper is alien to them. We will extend our view below the southern horizon visible from the Headlands to see what treasures we are missing, and also the amazing visions they cannot see from our northerly perch that we take for granted.

Headlands Lights Out Challenge: August 4, 10-11 p.m. Once again, Emmet Countys Headlands International Dark Sky Park challenges the communities around Northern Michigan to turn off their lights so that we can try to get the darkest sky ever recorded at the Headlands. This challenge will take place in the 10-11 p.m. hour on the night of the new moon when the sky is normally the darkest all month. Please note that participation is voluntary, so help us get the word out! The Lights Out Challenge is designed to help raise awareness about the effects of artificial light at night on nocturnal habitat, human health, and the way we use our energy resources.

Why Do We Have Meteor Showers? August 7, 8:30 p.m.  9:30 p.m. Rod Cortright, NASA/JPL Ambassador, will discuss the origins of meteor showers and why they occur on a regular basis throughout the year.

How Cold is Outer Space? With Kevin Dehne: August 14, 8-9 p.m. Join us at the Headlands Waterfront Event Center for a very active presentation using liquid nitrogen to demonstrate how cold outer space is. The presentation will include a basic description of how the suns distance affects the temperatures of each planet and the impact this has on humans ability to study the planets with space probes will be examined.

James Webb Space Telescope Mission Update: August 21, 8:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. James Webb Space Telescope has been fully operational for over a year now. Launched on Christmas Day, 2021, it is the first of the next generation of space telescopes. This presentation by the Northern Michigan Astronomy Club at the Waterfront Event Center will explore the technology of this new instrument and the significant discoveries it has made to date.

Stellar Evolution in Depth: Sept. 4, 7-8 p.m. Join us and NASA JPL Ambassador, Mick Groszsko, at the Headlands Waterfront Event Center for an in-depth look at the process by which stars change over time.

Latest Discoveries for the Search of Life: Sept. 11, 7-8 p.m. Join us and NASA/JPL Ambassador, Mick Groszko, at the Headlands Waterfront Event Center for a presentation on our latest discoveries of life in our solar system.

Light Pollution in our Ecosystem with Robert Parrish: Sept. 25, 7-8 p.m. Join us and Robert Parrish, Dark Sky International Delegate and Michiana/Kalamazoo Astronomical Society Member, at the Headlands Waterfront Event Center where he will touch upon identifying light pollutions three main components and how to mitigate it. Also covered will be how human and environmental health is negatively affected by improper lighting, as well as the relationship between crime and outdoor lighting. This event is free and open to the public.
BENZIE COUNTY, MI  Police say a medical emergency may have caused a fatal crash in Northern Michigan.

According to the Benzie County Sheriffs Office, the rollover crash occurred on M-115, east of U.S. 31 in Joyfield Township at 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday.

Deputies say a 2011 F-150 pickup driven by Alan Lee Iler, 75, of McBain, was traveling west on M-115 when it crossed over the center line, left the roadway and struck several trees before rolling.

Iler is suspected of having a medical episode that caused the crash, deputies said. His passenger, Laura Anne Sluiter, 51, of McBain was not wearing a seatbelt and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Iler was transported to Munson Medical Center Traverse City with critical injuries.

Deputies arrived on scene within 2 minutes of the call and found the two occupants trapped in the vehicle.

Alcohol and speed are not believed to be a factor in the crash, deputies said.

The Benzie County Sheriffs Office was assisted by the Benzonia Township Fire Department, Benzie County EMS, and Benzie County Central Dispatch.
EAST LANSING, MI  Nine people have been charged with hazing resulting in death after a fraternity pledge died in 2021 of alcohol intoxication.

Two of the defendants have been awaiting trial since their arrests in 2022. Seven others were recently charged in the death of Phat Nguyen, 21.

Three other pledges at the off-campus Pi Alpha Phi fraternity house were hospitalized with high blood-alcohol levels.

Defense attorneys reached by MLive/The Grand Rapids Press said the death was a tragedy, but their clients were not responsible for the death or injuries.

The charges come as MSU announced a revised code of conduct for students.

Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane said in a statement to MLive that further investigation by East Lansing Police resulted in the development of additional suspects. That further information was reviewed by the Ingham County Prosecutors Office, which filed the additional charges.

East Lansing police officials were not available Thursday morning.

Related: MSU student conduct rules will now cover off-campus, online behavior

The defendants are charged in East Lansing District Court with hazing resulting in death, punishable by up to 15 years in prison, and three 93-day misdemeanor charges of hazing resulting in injury.

Ethan Cao, 24, and Andrew Nguyen, 25, who is unrelated to the victim, were charged in 2022. Their cases have not been resolved.

Charges against a third defendant, who was arrested with Cao and Nguyen, were dismissed later that year, Lansing State Journal reported.

Seven others have been arrested since Jan. 31: Courtney Thang, 22; Ali Ghazi, 23, David Shim, 23, Hanna Lee, 24, Sumin Yoo, 22, Nicholas Phraxayavong, 23, and Hoang John Pham, 24.

The estate of Phat Nguyen has also filed a lawsuit in Ingham County Circuit Court naming some of those charged and many others as defendants. That case is pending.

Pi Alpha Phi closed the MSU chapter after the death.

Related: Fraternity suspended after Michigan State students death

The incident happened Nov 20, 2021, at 413 Stoddard Ave. East Lansing police responded to a report of a subject down, unconscious and not breathing, police said in a probable-cause affidavit.

Phat Nguyen was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy showed that Nguyen died of acute ethanol toxicity, with a blood-alcohol level of 0.386, according to the Frierberg National Law Group, which is representing his family.

Three others, unconscious on the basement floor, were taken by ambulance to E.W. Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. There, they had blood-alcohol levels of 0.467 percent, 0.324 percent and 0.128 percent, police said in court records.

A motorist is presumed intoxicated at 0.08 percent.

Police said that Phat Nguyen and the three who were hospitalized were pledges to the Pi Alpha Phi fraternity. The event was a cross over party where they would become members of the fraternity, police said.

Officer (Katelynn) Bennett describes the room all four people were in as having food and vomit all over. Officer Bennett describes the three individuals as being shirtless and having black images drawn all over them, an investigator wrote.

Frierberg law firm said in a statement: The principal aim of the blackout event was to get the pledges, including Phat, as drunk as possible as fast as possible so they would blackout or die and be reborn as members of the fraternity, the law firm said.

As part of the death investigation, police seized cellphones and used search warrants to view video of the night of the death and preceding pledge period. In one of the videos, Shim, a defendant, allegedly mocked one of the survivors.

A video showed one of the pledges lying in vomit with Shim chanting, maintain stupid bitch as someone hits (the pledge) with a Cheerios box, police said.

In another video, one of the pledges was on the ground. Shim was shown on another video singing, dancing and taking a selfie, police said.

A video also showed a pledge pretending to masturbate a metal rod while the others did leg lifts and planks, police said.

Shim also took a video of one of the surviving pledges drinking five shots while co-defendant Ghazi counted, police said. Phat Nguyen and one of the other pledges were also shown taking five shots, police said.

Ghazi celebrated and put his hands on one of the pledges shoulders as he finished the shots. Ghazi also was shown pouring two mouthfuls of Truly Hard Seltzer into a surviving pledges mouth, police said.

Ghazi also provided the pledges with womens white t-shirts with Im GAY written on the front, police said.

Okemos attorney Brian Morley, representing Andrew Nguyen, said that a kind of mob mentality can take over when young people are drinking heavily but he disputed that his client harmed anyone.

Theres no showing or evidence that Ive seen that Mr. Nguyen did anything  that led to the death or injuries of the alleged victims, Morley told MLive.

Morley was aware of the allegations but said at least from what Ive seen it was not out of control.

He said there was not evidence that those at the party intended, or acted in concert, to harm anyone.

His clients case is pending in Ingham County Circuit Court.

Lansing attorney Edwar Zeineh represents Cao, who was also awaiting trial. He had his clients case remanded to East Lansing District Court for a preliminary examination.

Often time difficult cases require additional time to evaluate the evidence and determine the best course forward. Mr. Cao maintains his innocence. We are dedicated to providing Mr. Cao the vigorous defense this case requires.

That hearing for his client and others is scheduled for later this month.

Other attorneys said they were reviewing their cases and declined to comment.

The charges say that the defendants attended, were employed by or volunteered at MSU.
The list of great things that have come out of the COVID Era is not long. But one positive, and popular, feature born in the pandemic has been MLives Local Eats series.

Each Saturday in our local communities across Michigan, our reporters and photographers find a restaurant or food item to highlight. In addition to uncovering amazing tastes and iconic menu items  think, 7-pound wet burritos at a truck stop  Local Eats profiles small business owners who are embedded in the culture and history of their towns.

This was critical coming out of COVID-19 lockdowns in late 2020 and into 2021. Service-based businesses, which are labor intensive and often see small profit margins in good times, struggled mightily to regain their financial footing.

MLive editors realized this was an opportunity to not only help the business community, but to provide interesting dining options for readers who were, well, starved to get out of the house and back into social settings.

Theres arguably nothing more important to the cultural experience of a city than the food it offers, said Taylor DesOrmeau, MLives editor for The Kalamazoo Gazette. It makes for a great feature because people love food. They love to hear about a new place around that they havent tried and see some mouth-watering photos.

DesOrmeau is right not only about reader interest  our nearly 400 Local Eats stories in 2023 drew more than 1 million readers  but The Gazette holds the distinction of having the most readers per food story across our eight newspaper markets.

It gives us a great excuse to get out and learn more about the restaurants that make our towns unique, he said. We hadnt been telling enough of these stories, as it was often just restaurant openings and closings that wed write about.

This is a team effort, involving many of our local reporters statewide and all of our photographers. And while the menu is front and center, the real heart of these stories is the people who are pouring passion into their work.

One of the favorite Local Eats I did was finding a classically trained chef that was working in a small kitchen at the back of a (Jackson) party store, said J. Scott Park, photo editor for MLive. He was pumping out some great food and the community didnt know he was there.

That chef moved on in 2022, and when a new businesswoman moved into the space, The Jackson Citizen Patriot came back out to profile her unique offerings. Those include deep-fried Philly cheesesteaks and deviled eggs topped with fried chicken and a honey drizzle.

I think a good Local Eats feature will surprise the reader. Give them something to seek out and try, Park said. We look for restaurants that have something unique  maybe they have a crazy decor or offer a dish you cant find other places.

Another great aspect of Local Eats is the racial and ethnic diversity our journalists uncover  the features routinely showcase restaurants owned and operated by Black, Latino, Asian and other diverse business owners. Recent examples include this Peruvian restaurant in Ann Arbor and this Ethiopian eatery in Grand Rapids.

You can join in  if you have a favorite place, a go-to meal, or a favorite cook drop me or one our local editors a line and well add it to our growing list of Local Eats features. Were happy for the suggestions.

Really, there are no limits with these, Park said. As long as it is locally owned, we will hang out in a dive bar or a four-star steakhouse, all in an effort to find something unique.

Hungry yet? Come back to MLive.com on Saturday and get ready to dig in. And if you want to get more ideas from our most recent Local Eats features, click here and start planning your next night out.

# # #

John Hiner is president of MLive Media Group. If you have questions youd like him to answer, or topics to explore, share your thoughts at editor@mlive.com.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. All election rules were observed at polling stations in Azerbaijan, Member of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Kyrgyzstan Iskander Gaipkulov told Trend.

He noted that the observation mission of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) visited a number of polling stations.

When speaking with the citizens, it became clear that there is one leader - President Ilham Aliyev. Our mission assessed that the election was very successful, Gaipkulov said.

The official also mentioned that no violations were recorded.

When we met with representatives of the candidate parties, they also didn't have such appeals, he added.

The extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7.

Seven candidates run in the election.

According to the CEC of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev is leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05 percent of the votes after the processing of 93.35 percent of the ballots.

Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev - 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa - two percent, Elshad Musayev - 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev - 1.76 percent, Fuad Aliyev - 0.53 percent of the votes.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
NOVI, MI  The lumberjacks are coming to Michigan.

A lumber competition, boat displays and one of the best trout ponds in the state are among the highlights when the 51st Outdoorama will be held at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi on Feb. 22-25.

A video fishing simulator, pellet shooting range, shopping and a hog roast are also planned.

For more than five decades Outdoorama has been catering to thousands of outdoors enthusiasts. says Show Manager Ben Nielsen. With the wacky winter weather weve had in Michigan this year, outdoors people are searching for fun activities to do and this years show offers plenty of outdoors relief in an indoor setting to help you get ready for spring.

The festivities begin on Thursday with Big Buck Night where guests can see some of the biggest deer antlers taken in Michigan. Michigan Out-of-Doors TV will film beginning at 6 p.m. Doors for the free event open at 5:30 p.m.

The event is also a chance for anyone looking to book adventure travel. Attendees can book a fishing trip to Canada, an elk hunt in Idaho, a family houseboat adventure in Kentucky, a safari in Africa or any of several other trips and outdoor recreation destinations.

Continuous free seminars are also scheduled over the four days and cover topics ranging from fishing and hunting to grooming your land for wildlife or hunting.

The seminar lineup features deer hunting experts Tim Andrus, Tony LaPratt and Tom Richardson, professional walleye experts Mark Romanack, Mark Martin, Lance Valentine and bass professional Wayne Carpenter. Other fishing seminar leaders include Jake Romanack and Joel Piatek.

On Saturday, deer hunters can learn how to process their own deer when Steve Francis, owner of Country Smokehouse in Almont, gives a demonstration on field dressing, skinning, butchering and packaging a white-tailed deer.

The first 250 attendees on Thursday and Friday receive a free, collectible Dardevle spoon. The first 250 attendees on Saturday and Sunday will receive a K&E Bass Stopper.

Show hours are Thursday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from noon to 8 pm., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is $12 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 14 and free for children 5 and under. On-site parking is $5. For more information, visit www.Outdoorama.com or call (616) 447-2860.
WAYNE COUNTY, MI  A Michigan woman has been sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for stealing $470,000 from state and federal agencies, authorities announced.

Sophia Quill, 63, of Westland, created aliases and fraudulent documents to make it appear that she was the heir to benefits and unclaimed property from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Michigan Department of Treasury, respectively, according to a news release from the Michigan Department of Attorney General.

Between 2013 and 2019, Quill and co-defendant Melissa Flores defrauded Veterans Affairs out of more than $430,000 and the state treasury of more than $40,000, officials said.

In January, Quill pleaded no contest to one count of conducting a criminal enterprise and eight counts of false pretenses. She also agreed to pay restitution of $470,000 to the two agencies.

She was sentenced Wednesday in Wayne Countys 3rd Circuit Court before Judge Anne McCarthy. For conducting a criminal enterprise, she was sentenced to 6 years and 6 months to 20 years in prison. For each of the false pretenses counts, she was sentenced to 1 year and seven months to 15 years, to be served concurrently.

Quills son Steven Decker is also a co-defendant in this case. He received proceeds from the scheme. Decker and Flores have been convicted and sentenced. Flores was also ordered to pay restitution of $110,000 while Decker was ordered to pay $28,506.

The codefendants in this case stole hundreds of thousands of dollars intended to fund hard-earned benefits for servicemembers and their rightful heirs, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement. My department worked diligently to ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs will receive restitution in the resolution of this case and that Quill, the mastermind, receive a significant sentence.
ALCONA COUNTY, MI -- A Glennie man will spend a minimum of 55 years in prison with a maximum sentence of 90 years for the 2022 murder of his girlfriends 2-year-old daughter. Aaron Trout was sentenced Wednesday in 23rd Circuit Court following his conviction last month on charges of second-degree murder and first-degree child abuse according to the Alpena News.

Trout was convicted on the charges by a jury on Jan. 17 who needed just two hours of deliberations to find him guilty.

Trout was on trial for the murder of Jayde McDonnell, whose dead body was brought to the MyMichigan Hospital in Alpena on July 22, 2022. Trout, who was 31 at the time, was arrested a few days after McDonnell was brought to the hospital.

Prosecutors accused Trout of beating the child for several days before she died and also charged McDonnells mother Adrienne Pavelka in the case. Pavelka eventually pleaded guilty to a charge of first-degree child abuse and agreed to testify against Trout.

Along with the sentence for murder, Trout was also sentenced to 30-to-60 years in prison on the child abuse charge. The two sentences will be served concurrently.
ANN ARBOR, MI  The chief judge of a Washtenaw County court will not seek another term, he confirmed this week.

Joseph Burke, who has served as the 15th District Court chief judge pro tempore since 2016, said he does not plan to run for reelection this year. His term will wrap up at the end of 2024.

Burke informed court staff in an email last week, he said.

(My wife and I) figured it was time to retire. Im looking forward to retirement, Burke said. Im sure there parts about my work that Ill miss, but Im looking forward to relaxing somewhat.

Burke has served as a judge in Ann Arbor for 12 years, previously working in the Washtenaw County prosecutors office for 23 years and in private practice for six years.

He received his bachelor of arts degree from Michigan State University in 1978 and his juris doctorate from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1982, according to the 15th District Court website.

I dont think anybody was terribly surprised. I could have run again, but I chose not to, Burke said, adding that he is appropriately aged for retirement.

Although he doesnt plan to make an big announcement, Burke said he wanted to give candidates interested in running for the seat time to secure spots on the ballot. Prospective candidates for judge have until March 25 to file for candidacy, according to the Michigan Secretary of State.

Current 15th District Court Magistrate Tamara Garwood announced her run for the judges position Monday, Feb. 5, during the Ann Arbor City Council meeting.

My experience, knowledge, compassion and integrity are on display every day as I sit on the bench here in the city of Ann Arbor, Garwood said.

S. Kerene Moore, chief of the conviction integrity and expungement unit for the Washtenaw County Prosecutors Office, announced her run for the same seat at a Washtenaw County Democratic Party meeting on Saturday, Feb. 3.

I believe this is a great opportunity for the communitys voice to be heard and to choose a judge that truly reflects both our diversity and the progressive values that we hold, Moore said in an email to MLive.

Burke is months away from his final day at court, but he already knows what he will miss most  sobriety court.

Its an intense probation geared toward treatment for people who are suffering from addiction, Burke said. You just get to know everybody on a much more personal level. And so that will be hard to leave behind.

Burkes final day as a county judge will be Dec. 31.

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.
ANN ARBOR, MI  Ann Arbor is taking a stance against a proposal to charge DTE Energy customers extra fees to financially reward the company for improved performance.

The city made its position known in a Feb. 2 filing with the Michigan Public Service Commission, saying the city strongly opposes a proposal by the commissions staff to charge utility customers an extra $10 per year to create a $23 million incentive/disincentive pool for DTE as it relates to power outages and power distribution performance.

Ann Arborites are completely unwilling to pay DTE one penny more to continue to deliver reliability that doesnt even meet the commissions minimum standards, Valerie Jackson, counsel for the city, wrote in a seven-page filing.

The proposal also would apply to Consumers Energy customers and create an estimated $19 million incentive/disincentive pool to encourage Consumers to improve performance.

Repeated failures of the DTE power grid have been a major concern in Ann Arbor, where city officials have been exploring alternatives to DTE service at the urging of residents. A group called Ann Arbor for Public Power is calling on the city to form its own power utility.

Ann Arbor for Public Power calls on city to take next step to ditch DTE Energy

As evidenced in local polling the city has done, Ann Arborites are exhausted by the failure of DTE to provide a basic level of reliability, despite charging some of the highest utility rates in the Midwest, states the citys filling against the incentive proposal.

DTE Energy crews on the scene of a winter power outage in Ann Arbor on Jan. 13, 2024. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com)Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

City officials are concerned DTE could be financially rewarded for improving upon its current level of service, even if the improved service is still unacceptable and minimally compliant. It does not seem just or reasonable to expect customers to pay an additional incentive fee on top of rate hikes, the city argues.

As such, Ann Arbor strongly objects to DTE receiving even a single extra dollar until reliability meets (ideally exceeds) the basic level of service the commission has required and that ratepayers deserve, the citys filing stated.

The commission, which oversees utilities in the state, issued an order in April 2023 directing its staff to convene a financial incentives/disincentives workgroup and to file a report of its findings by the end of the year. The commission put forward the current proposal in December, welcoming stakeholder comments through Feb. 2 and reply comments until March 1.

Ann Arbor is among a number of communities that have submitted comments opposing the proposal, which the commission has noted is likely to change before its finalized based on input from stakeholders.

Missy Stults, Ann Arbors sustainability director, said the city is preparing to respond to comments DTE submitted Feb. 2. The city does not agree with DTEs claims that the companys existing responsibility for storm restoration costs and credits paid as part of service quality and reliability standards already provide a substantial financial motivation to improve reliability.

If they did, we wouldnt have such unreliable electricity right now, Stults said. The MPSC has already set the standard and DTE is failing to meet it. They shouldnt get a single financial incentive until they meet at least baseline performance.

DTE also argued in its filing the proposal should have financial symmetry, saying as of now it includes $23 million in total potential penalties against the company and only $18.4 million in possible incentives. The proposal heavily weights outcomes towards penalties and has more total downside risk than upside opportunity, DTE argued, calling it unnecessary and punitive.

DTE Energy crews on the scene of a winter power outage in Ann Arbor on Jan. 13, 2024. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com)Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

The city again does not agree with DTEs arguments there, as the consequences for poor reliability are profound and life-threatening, Stults said, mentioning lost food, no power for medical equipment and exposure to extreme temperatures as conditions customers endure. Its DTEs basic job to provide reliable power, she said.

The city also argued in its filing that DTE has bragged to shareholders that it was significantly underspending on maintenance compared to its peers, while its reliability plunged to levels far worse than its peers, and under the proposal, DTE would get extra money for continuing to deliver reliability so bad it violates the commissions own written standards.

DTE stated in its filing all utilities are focused on providing safe and reliable service and DTE is no different. The company said it accomplishes those goals through both longterm strategic planning and execution of grid upgrades and near-term responses to adverse conditions such as increasingly volatile weather and outages they create.

When a widespread outage event occurs, the company deploys resources to identify and secure any public safety hazards while simultaneously beginning the process of restoration, DTEs filling states. These efforts are not optional and in years with extreme weather can be costly.

Ann Arbor takeover of DTE could cost city up to $1.15 billion, study finds

While a portion of the costs are recovered through the companys base rates, any costs above that must be absorbed by the company, according to DTE. In particularly volatile weather years like Michigan experienced in 2023, DTE will absorb storm costs in excess of $100 million, thus the company is already highly incentivized to strive for a reduction in costly and extensive outages, the company argues.

Additionally, DTE said the company also paid out $8.2 million in credits to customers in 2023 based on the commissions service quality and reliability standards for utilities. That includes outage duration credits that vary based on storm conditions and frequency credits for customers with six or more sustained outages in a one-year period, DTE said.

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DEXTER, MI -- Dexter Community Schools and the Dexter Senior Center have had a close relationship during the past three decades, and plans to relocate the centers operations might bring them even closer together.

The district currently has plans to purchase the Dexter Wellness Center, 2810 Baker Road, utilizing $8.5 million granted to DCS as part of the $81.7-billion budget approved by Michigan lawmakers in June 2023.

The goal of the purchase is to turn the wellness center property into the future home of the Dexter Senior Center and a new multigenerational center engaging people of all ages, said Superintendent Chris Timmis.

Related: We have a new future: $8.5M headed to Dexter senior and community center project

The Dexter Wellness Center building went up for sale last year, and DCS is currently negotiating a purchase with owner 5 Healthy Towns Foundation, Timmis said.

If the purchase goes through, the Dexter Wellness Center will operate similar to how it does now, with DCS arranging for the construction of an 8,000- to 9,000-square-foot addition to the property to serve as the new home of the Dexter Senior Center, along with a community center hosting activities for many generations of residents, Timmis said.

The district aims to have a letter of intent to purchase submitted by the end of March, with construction of the senior center addition to follow shortly afterward, though that timeline is reliant on approval from the City of Dexter, Timmis said.

Its been moving along. Were hoping to get it going this spring, Timmis said.

The fact that the Dexter Wellness Center building closely neighbors the Dexter Community Schools campus puts the district in an advantageous position to purchase the property, Timmis said in a January community forum discussing the project.

It makes it fairly logical for us to locate a senior and community center there, Timmis said.

The district is considering two options of where to place the senior center addition. The first entails a single-story, 9,000-square-foot new building on the out lot located directly east of Baker Road. The second option is to attach the addition to the current Wellness Center.

DCS is currently hashing out design and cost estimates for the two options with the Dexter Senior Center to determine which arrangement would make the most sense, Timmis said.

The district and the Dexter Senior Center have had a relationship since the early 1990s, when the district began leasing the historic Copeland school building to the center at the cost of $1 per year, plus utilities, Timmis said. DCS sold the historic building on Dexters Ann Arbor Street to the Encore Musical Theatre Company in early 2020, with the sale agreement requiring the district to continue that relationship with the senior center until a permanent new space was established.

When the new space is chosen, DCS plans to sign a new long-term lease -- possibly extending 25 years or more -- with the Dexter Senior Center at the same $1 cost as before, Timmis said. The Dexter Senior Center is currently still operating out of the Copeland building until a new permanent space is established.

The $8.5 million allocated through the 2023-24 state budget is projected to cover the legal fees, administrative and architectural costs for the project, Timmis said, though DCS is also looking for further funding sources to expediate the process and potentially expand the programming offered at the new community center.

The district submitted a $2.5-million grant request to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity in August 2023, but has yet to receive a response, Timmis said.

Right now, were moving forward as if we did not receive the funds, he said. If we receive them, thats great -- we can add some program establishment.

A request of $5 million in federal funding for the project also was proposed by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, and is currently under consideration as part of the federal budget, Timmis said.

If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools.

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WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI  A man charged with fracturing another mans skull during a parking lot altercation last year has pleaded no contest.

Ryan Keith Osborn, 37, pleaded no contest to assault with intent to do bodily harm less than murder during a hearing on Feb. 5 before Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge Arianne Slay. His charge of assault with intent to murder will be dismissed at sentencing.

He will next appear in court on March 4. The felony is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. A no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt, but is treated like one in court.

Around 11 p.m. June 16, Ann Arbor police were called to the 300 block of South Maple Road for a report of a man in a parking lot. Officers found a 38-year-old Ann Arbor man alone in the parking lot with significant injuries to his head.

Surveillance video showed an altercation between two men. Osborn threw a large rock at the victims head while he was on the ground.

Read more: Man accused of using a rock to fracture victims skull in Ann Arbor

Police arrested Osborn at the University of Michigan Hospital and arraigned from his hospital bed.

The victim was taken to the same hospital. He was originally in critical condition, Ann Arbor police previously said.

The incident is not believed to be random, police said.

Osborn was charged with attempted murder and arraigned in the 15th District Court in June. The charge of assault with great bodily harm less than murder was added at a later hearing.

He waived his preliminary examination in August, sending his case to circuit court.

Osborn is currently being held in the Washtenaw County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

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ANN ARBOR, MI - The Original Cottage Inn Pizza has been a fixture of downtown Ann Arbor for 75 years, but its time will soon come to an end.

The business announced its space at 512 E. William St. is closed and currently undergoing renovations, with plans to reopen as Corattis Pizzeria Bar and Bocce before the University of Michigans graduation weekend.

Corattis Pizzeria Bar and Bocce is known for being a spot people can enjoy different styles of pizza, sandwiches, salads and pasta while playing bocce ball on its indoor courts.

We have collaborated closely with the new owners, The Original Cottage Inns announcement stated. Ensuring the employees are well taken care of is a top priority for us. The new owners are hands-on and were confident theyll carry on our success in this restaurant venture.

The new pizza place will be run by Peter Coratti and his nephews, Peter Pfeffer and Anthony Coratti. The family-run business opened in Howell in 2021 and has future plans to open in East Lansing.

Coratti said the new business will bring a fun vibe that everyone loves, with its two bocce courts and casual dining. He said hes hopeful the new restaurant can appeal to all ages in Ann Arbor.

Although it may be a brand-new restaurant, Coratti said he aims to continue many of the traditions and connections The Original Cottage Inn made during its time in Ann Arbor.

Ive been walking all around Ann Arbor and were just really excited to be there with it being a college town and the great vibe it already has, he said. Were really excited to be a part of it.

The building on East William Street was put on the market in 2023 after owner Jim Michos began thinking about retirement and how to improve the location.

Read more: Original Cottage Inn location is up for sale in Ann Arbor

Michos previously told MLive the business was holding out for the right person, and that change was OK as long as the new business was going to give people a new favorite spot to go to.

The Original Cottage Inn began in Ann Arbor in 1948 before being purchased by Nick Michos and George Petropoulos in 1960. In recent years, Michos and his brothers, Theo and George, have been managing the business.

The business has become a go-to spot for gourmet pizza, pasta and fresh salads over the years and operates separately from other Cottage Inn locations.

The Original Cottage Inn also has served as a place for celebrations like baptisms, rehearsal dinners, company parties, bridal showers and baby showers, among other events.

The business spent 40 years supplying free Thanksgiving Day meals for those in need and recently became a spot for people to enjoy sold-out comedy nights.

Bringing smiles to peoples faces and contributing to the community has been incredibly meaningful for all of us, Cottage Inns stated.

The space on East William Street also served as a location for Iorios Gelato. Owner Nick Lemmer said he is looking for another opportunity for his business to stay in Ann Arbor.

Read more: Iorios Gelateria to move to inside The Original Cottage Inn by end of August, owner confirms

In these uncertain times, our future in Ann Arbor is yet to be determined, Lemmer wrote in a statement. Our passion for creating the finest gelato remains unchanged, as does our gratitude for the opportunity to have been a part of Ann Arbors vibrant life.

As Lemmer figures out what is next, he shared his appreciation for the Michos family and his optimism for what Corattis will bring to Ann Arbor next.

We are immensely thankful to the Michos family for their collaboration and the creation of a unique gelato concept at The Original Cottage Inn, Lemmer wrote. Their support and partnership have been invaluable, and we are excited for their new ventures.

Although Corattis already makes its own gelato, Coratti said he would still be open to working with Lemmer in the future.

Iorios Gelateria will continue operating out of its locations in Horrocks Farm Market in Lansing and Horrocks Market in Kentwood in the meantime.

As The Original Cottage Inns chapter comes to an end, the Michos family stated in their announcement that they are proud to have been a part of what Ann Arbor is all about.

We are privileged to have served all of you throughout our journey, the post stated. Its truly been a pleasure serving you, and we cant thank you enough for the wonderful times weve shared.

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FLINT, MI -- Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeleys push to make City Hall a gun-free zone remains on hold after a Genesee Circuit Court judge ruled that a lawsuit brought by gun rights groups and others can continue.

Judge Brian S. Pickell denied the citys motion for summary disposition in the case in an order issued Monday, Feb. 5, allowing the case against the city, Neeley and the Flint City Council to move forward.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Federal officials say a Grand Rapids staffing company is seeking to control, delay and hinder their investigation of child labor law violations following a New York Times story that detailed migrant children working with hazardous machinery at a Grand Rapids factory.

The U.S. Department of Labor is asking a federal judge to order Forge Industrial Staffing to turn over a list of the businesses it provides workers to, and its contracts with those firms. The department says it wants the information so investigators can interview workers on-site to examine whether federal labor law violations are occurring.
President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic has congratulated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on his recent victory in the snap presidential elections held in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Excellency, distinguished Mr. President,

It is my pleasure to extend my wholehearted congratulations on your resounding victory in the early presidential election in the Republic of Azerbaijan which reflects the enormous trust that the citizens of Azerbaijan have in your leadership. Such an outcome is also an acknowledgement for the extraordinary results you have achieved in internal, regional and international frameworks during the last twenty years, building on the foundations set by the great Heydar Aliyev.

As a result of your strategic policy and commitment, Azerbaijan has made impressive strides towards social and economic development, ensuring security, prosperity and well-being to all its citizens, it has grown into a regional leader and gained an enviable reputation in the international arena.

Serbia attaches special importance to its relations with Azerbaijan, always bearing in mind that, on numerous occasions, your country has proven a true friend and advocate of our positions and vital national interests. Allow me to use this opportunity as well to express my sincere gratitude for Azerbaijan's consistent position regarding the observance of the principles of international law and the UN Charter and support for our country's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

I am pleased to notice that our strategic cooperation and ties have expanded in many aspects in the political, economic and humanitarian sphere, and I am fully confident that, under your continued wise guidance and leadership, the long-standing and close partnership between Serbia and Azerbaijan will be further strengthened and enhanced to our mutual benefit. For our part, you may rest assured that we remain firmly committed to working towards our more fruitful and prosperous collaboration, implementation of new joint projects and ideas, guided by the principles of friendship, mutual respect, trust and support in all areas.

Your Excellency, my dear friend, I wish you good health and success in tackling the responsibilities and challenges of your high office, as well as peace and prosperity to the brotherly people of Azerbaijan.

Please Excellency, accept my cordial regards and the assurances of my highest consideration.

Sincerely,

Aleksandar Vucic

President of the Republic of Serbia"
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. Georgian authorities have taken significant steps to foster peace and security in the region, and Official Tbilisi is interested in using Georgia as a negotiating platform between Baku and Yerevan, the candidate for the post of Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili stated during his speech in the Parliament, Trend reports.

Ilia Darchiashvili noted that to achieve this goal, the Georgian government intends to strengthen relations of strategic partnership with Turkiye, as well as with Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"Georgia has taken a crucial step toward regional peace and stability by launching the Peaceful Neighborhood Initiative. We are willing to continue our cooperation in this direction. We want Tbilisi to become a forum for our neighbors to debate any pertinent topics that will contribute to establishing trust between the sides," Darchiashvili stressed.

He stated that Georgia will make every effort to foster peace, collaboration, and stability in the South Caucasus in accordance with the government's new agenda "For the sake of building a European state".

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A woman caught embezzling from a retailer in 2020, then again last year from a Wyoming band boosters group, has been sentenced to 90 days jail.

Crystal Mulero, 41, was sentenced Wednesday, Feb. 7 in Kent County Circuit Court for allegedly embezzling $34,864 from the Wyoming High School Band Boosters Club.
KALAMAZOO, MI -- A man appeared before a judge today, facing charges for allegedly stabbing a police dog while police responded to a call for assistance at a Kalamazoo home.

Frederic Allan Walker, 49, was arraigned Thursday, Feb. 8, in Kalamazoo County District Court on six felony counts including seriously injuring a police animal, first-degree home invasion and second-degree criminal sexual conduct.
PORTAGE, MI -- A few weeks ago, a tuna order delivered by a vendor to Sakura 2 in Portage wasnt up to the restaurants standards.

So the kitchen manager drove all the way to Chicago to get fresh tuna. Its a prime example of the high standards the restaurant has for its fresh seafood and sauces.

When Sakura 2 opened in Portage in 2009, there were only a few other restaurants like it in the area.

Fifteen years later, there are two other sushi and hibachi spots between I-94 and Sakura alone.

The hibachi grill and sushi bar at 6749 Westnedge Ave. has remained a community staple amid the rising popularity of Japanese cuisine. The Sakura 2 namesake is because the owners had opened a Sakura in Battle Creek, previously, although that restaurant was later sold.

There isnt one singular reason for Sakuras success, General Manager Arnold Maddox said, but it starts with the respect its employees have for the customers and the food.

The restaurant has cemented itself as a go-to celebration spot for graduations, school dances, birthdays and everything in between. Christmas has become one of Sakuras busiest days, as it has become tradition for many families to go there for dinner on Dec. 25, Maddox said.

General Manager Arnold Maddox stands with Andrew Stokes behind the front desk at Sakura 2 in Portage, Mich. on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com

Returning customers and former staff are often greeted with hugs and high-fives. Behind the front desk is a framed letter to the restaurant from a young customer -- as relationships are part of what makes the atmosphere at Sakura special, Maddox said.

Ive got families that are still coming in from when I was first here 13 years ago, Maddox said. They love the interaction that they have with the staff here. Its more than just somebody coming out and taking an order and popping it down. Its more than just an eating experience.

Staff tends to stick around at Sakura. When positions open up, Maddox said he looks to hire someone who wants to learn and cares about the food, the team and the community, even if they dont have a lot of experience. From the three kitchens to the front of the house, all employees are full time.

This is what they do for a living and its what they like to do, Maddox said. They put their heart into it, and that shows when the food comes out on the plate.

Xiaolong Yu makes sushi at Sakura 2 in Portage, Mich. on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. Yu has been making sushi for eight years.Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com

Sakuras high-caliber dishes come at a reasonable price range. House specials range from $9.25 to $14.95, while more traditional Maki or hand rolls ring in between $6 and $9. Sushi lunch and dinner combos also offer a lot of value for the price, Maddox said.

You can come in here and get a value meal for under $15, Maddox said. You can go out and spend more than that on fast food to get less food and definitely not the care and the ingredients that goes into it.

You could pick a different meal at Sakura for probably three months straight, Maddox said, and that isnt accounting for new, creative sushi and cocktail options added to the menu regularly.

The menu also offers appetizers, entrees, udon noodles, katsu and  most importantly  hibachi.

Theres not too many places that people can come out for dinner and sit next to somebody you dont know and make new friends, Maddox said. Its sharing food, and thats something that we do all over the world that really brings people together.

Maddox recommends making a hibachi reservation at least one day in advance, especially for large groups, around the holidays or for Valentines Day. The space can seat up to 100 people, and a normal Saturday might have 245 reservations throughout the day, Maddox said.

Hibachi dinners range from $24.25 for steak to $15.25 for veggies. Sakura also offers childrens and lunch specials for $10 to $15.

Sakura 2 is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. For the most up-to-date hours, to place a reservation or order online, visit sakura2portage.com.

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LANSING, MI  Michigan is the only state in the nation whose governor is exempt from Freedom of Information Act requests, and only one of two states that doesnt subject lawmakers to the procedure either.

But its high time that changes, according two state senators who say Michigan needs to not just move out of last place for transparency but become a nationwide leader on the topic.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A Frankfort man has been convicted on federal misdemeanor charges after he diverted the Platte River with a shovel and rocks.

Andrew Blair Howard, 63, was found guilty on one count apiece of tampering and vandalism following a Feb. 7 bench trial before federal magistrate Ray Kent in Grand Rapids, where prosecutors presented footage of the man building a dam by hand.

Howard, a local fisherman, was charged last May following a National Park Service investigation into the August 2022 change at the mouth of the popular river, which empties into Lake Michigan at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

According to evidence presented during the trial, Howard rechanneled the river to cut through a sandy spit which had built up along the Platte Point shoreline and made recreational access to and from Platte Bay nearly impossible for boats.

In-depth: Illegal diversion exposes public safety issue

The sandy spit had built up over several years to the liking of beachgoers and park managers  who halted 49 years of annual dredging at the river mouth in 2017  but it hampered boat access at the onset of the annual fall coho salmon fishing run.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials said the changes benefitted the river by lowering the water level upstream and helped alleviate a public safety concern by enabling rescue boats to quickly access the bay.

The Park Service saw things differently and reacted strongly after Howard threw a wrench in federal plans to excavate decades of dredge spoils and built more habitat for piping plovers, an endangered shorebird which is making recovery strides.

In a statement, U.S. District Attorney Mark Totten called the prosecution a matter of protecting Michigans natural treasures.

Mr. Howard had a policy dispute with the National Park Service and took matters into his own hands, breaking the law rather than using lawful means to advocate for his position, Totten said. His actions resulted in significant financial and ecological harm and altered the landscape so many enjoyed.

Calls to Howard and his attorney were not immediately returned.

Sentencing in the case has not been scheduled.

Left, the Platte River mouth in May 2022 before an illegal diversion was cut. Right, the mouth on Aug. 19, 2022 afterward. The river flows through the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore before entering Lake Michigan at Platte Bay in Benzie County, Mich.National Park Service

According to a January trial brief submitted by prosecutors, a park ranger witnessed Howard using a shovel and stacking rocks to dam the river on Aug. 15, 2022.

The rangers body camera footage and receipts from the Frankfort Hardware store where the shovel was purchased were presented as evidence during the trial.

Other witnesses testified they saw Howard build the dam.

According to the ranger, Howard dammed the river after being unable to navigate his boat into the bay that morning and later caught a coho salmon once the mouth was deepened.

After Howard built a dam, the natural power of the river widened the previously shallow, meandering river mouth to about 200 feet and resulted in an an influx in the number of fishermen that came to Platte River boat launch to take advantage of the favorable conditions of access created by the new channel, according to the trial brief.

The spit has begun to reform over the past 17 month.

In December 2023, the Park Service excavated the beach to remove 2,000 cubic yards of rocky sand as part of a $328,500 project to build piping plover habitat.

Park manager say the new habitat areas may result in newly restricted access at the popular beach if a plover decides to nest within new protective berms.

Dredging has been a point of conflict between federal, state and local officials since the Park Service ceased dredging in 2013 and stopped the DNR from doing it in 2017.

The Park Service called the pebble-strewn beach an aesthetic irritant to swimmers in its 2016 environmental assessment, which concluded that putting dredge spoils on the beach prevented dune vegetation from becoming re-established.

Local officials say a fully naturalized river mouth impedes boat access to the bay for fishing and emergency rescue craft.

Platte Point is a high-use area where multiple swimmers have died and marine rescue must now either launch from Empire, Frankfort or come via helicopter.

The Park Service has resisted proposals to establish a nearby alternate launch site directly onto the bay at the end of Tiesma Road out of concern it would cut through habitat for piping plovers and other threatened or endangered dune plants.

Related stories:

Plover restrictions may expand at Platte Point

Park Service begins excavating Platte beach

Platte diversion dredges up a public safety problem

Frankfort man charged with illegal river diversion

Failing to dredge Manitou docks was contract breach

Platte River livery fights National Park Service in court

2022 Lake Michigan drownings outpace prior years

Platte River kayakers body found two years later
OSCODA, MI  The U.S. Department of Defense is expanding a PFAS cleanup strategy developed in northern Michigan to other polluted bases around the country.

Camp Grayling and Selfridge Air National Guard Base near Detroit are among 40 bases around the U.S. where the military will tackle toxic PFAS contamination by installing stopgap cleanup systems called interim remedial actions or IRAs.

The Feb. 6 announcement follows an expansion of such stopgap systems at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, where community activists last month applauded Air Force plans to install more interim remedies after years of frustration and anger.

The Wurtsmith cleanup expansion happened under an August defense policy directive that instructed military branches to prioritize interim remedies where possible.

According to Michigan activists, that turnaround was borne of Congressional pressure and meetings with Pentagon undersecretaries about strategies to accelerate a lengthy and arcane cleanup process and reduce community conflict.

We essentially teed-up these interim remedies at Wurtsmith, said Tony Spaniola, a metro Detroit attorney who co-leads the Need Our Water (NOW) activist group in Oscoda.

Spaniola, whose activism has led him to Washington, D.C. and a leadership role with the National PFAS Contamination Coalition, has been in direct talks with Pentagon brass and the White House environmental quality council over the past two years.

He credited those meetings and pressure from U.S. Reps. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, Jack Bargman, R-Watersmeet, and Democratic Sen. Gary Peters with helping move the needle.

What I said was, we keep hearing that its going to take a long time to clean all this up, and its become an excuse for doing nothing. And really, what you should be doing is taking our model, taking the approach that weve laid out here  which is to put a tourniquet around it; employ interim remedies and attack the exposure pathways, Spaniola said.

And that idea got picked up.

It isnt like they havent done interim remedies in some other places. But whats happened now is its become a focal point, Spaniola said.

More: Oscoda cleanup expansion a landmark moment

Interim remedies such as soil removal or groundwater extraction attack pollution hot spots and contamination source areas where a spill occurred or, in the case of most military bases, toxic AFFF firefighting foam was used in training or emergency responses.

They are stopgap measures designed to stem the flow of contamination into rivers, lakes and groundwater while a larger, more encompassing remediation plan is developed.

The Pentagon announcement did not detail exactly when or how the new systems would be developed at the listed bases, but said interim remedies can be taken at any point in the cleanup process and it expects to take additional interim actions as more information becomes available.

The Pentagon is investigating PFAS at more than 700 sites.

We remain committed to taking care of our people and the surrounding communities and ecosystems. Implementation of these interim actions to clean up PFAS is another step in the right direction for protecting public health and the environment, said William LaPlante, under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment.

At Wurtsmith, the first such system was installed in 2015 at FT02, an old firefighter training area on the southwest perimeter of the former base which has long bled PFAS into an adjacent Au Sable River wetland complex named Clarks Marsh.

More interim systems were launched at Wurtsmith in 2016, 2019 and 2022. Five more are presently under design. They will capture and treat polluted stormwater draining to the Au Sable River and groundwater flowing into Clarks Marsh and Van Etten Lake. Each of those water bodies drains to Lake Huron.

Bob Delaney, a longtime former Wurtsmith site manager with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) who is now working as a technical expert with the NOW activist group, praised the Air Forces new remediation team running the Wurtsmith cleanup during a January meeting.

This isnt just another delay type tactic, said Delaney, who was responsible for EGLEs initial discovery of PFAS. This is what you really do when youre trying to get something done.

Spaniola said its fitting that Wurtsmith would help set a positive precedent for military PFAS cleanup as its the first U.S. base where PFAS pollution was found, and it features multiple warnings from public health agencies to avoid drinking groundwater, eating contaminated fish and game or touching toxic surface water foam.

Were really a bit of a laboratory, he said.

Its really kind of hard to believe that we managed to do what weve been able to do given how bad things were just a few years ago, he said.

Elsewhere in Michigan, military PFAS cleanups inch along.

At Selfridge, on-base contamination has poured into Lake St. Clair for years via contaminated stormwater drainage. The Air National Guard says its had some success reducing the pollutant load by filtering stormwater through activated carbon.

At Camp Grayling, frustration with the limited scope of the National Guards pollution response helped drive significant opposition to a base expansion proposal last year.

Other Michigan military sites with known or suspected PFAS pollution include Air National Guard bases in Battle Creek and Alpena, Fort Custer, a Grand Ledge Army National Guard annex, a Lansing Airport hangar, Coast Guard air bases in Traverse City and Detroit and the former K.I. Sawyer and Kincheloe air bases in the Upper Peninsula.

Besides Michigan, states with bases on the interim remedies list include Washington, Virginia, Vermont, Texas, South Dakota, South Carolina, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Dakota, New York, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Illinois, Colorado, California, Arizona and Alabama.

Congressional delegates applauded the new strategy.

Ive been advocating for DoD accountability on PFAS contamination here in Michigan since my very first days in Congress, and this is a major step forward. Oscoda is the model, but the jobs not done, said Slotkin. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Ill continue to push, cajole, and agitate for swift implementation of these measures and for additional commitments on PFAS cleanup in the future.

The full interim site list is below:

 AASF #1 R W Shepherd Hope Hull, Alabama  Army

 Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona  Air Force

 Luke AFB, Arizona  Air Force

 Morris (Tucson International Airport), Arizona  Air Force

 ALAMEDA NAS, California  Navy

 Treasure Island NS, California  Navy

 Castle AFB, California  Air Force

 March AFB, California  Air Force

 Mather AFB, California  Air Force

 Fort Carson, Colorado  Army

 Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado  Air Force

 Chanute AFB, Illinois  Air Force

 Brunswick NAS, Maine  Navy

 Chesapeake Beach MD RESLB, Maryland  Navy

 South Weymouth NAS, Massachusetts  Navy

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. Azerbaijani citizens lined up to vote in the extraordinary presidential election, Kyrgyz MP Iskender Matraimov told Trend.

"Azerbaijani citizens expressed strong interest in the election and enthusiastically participated in voting. Long lineups have formed at polling booths in the early morning. People from all age categories, including the elderly, middle-aged, and adolescents, participated in the voting," he said.

"The voters were all in a good mood, and the voting process was quite well-organized. For example, at one enormous school, four polling stations were put up, allowing voters to efficiently and comfortably accomplish their civic duty," the MP stressed.

Note that, the extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7, and seven candidates ran in the election.

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev was leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05 percent of the votes after the processing of 93.35 percent of the ballots.

The other defenders: Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev received 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa received two percent, Elshad Musayev received 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev received 1.76 percent, and Fuad Aliyev received 0.53 percent of the votes.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. The State Security Service of Azerbaijan, as earlier reported, arrested one of the Khojaly massacre perpetrators Rashid Beglaryan in August 2023, Trend reports.

During the interrogation, Beglaryan, confessing his involvement in the Khojaly massacre of February 1992, said that false promises were made to the surviving Azerbaijani civilians that they could safely pass through the Asgaran district and reach Aghdam. Then up to 200 civilians, mostly women, children, and the elderly, were ambushed near Asgaran fortress.

Beglaryan, during his testimony to the investigation, noted that when Armenian armed groups, of which he was member, opened fire, the women and children began to scream, those who were able to escape fled towards Aghdam, and the bodies of the dead remained lying there [near Asgaran fortress].

"After we stopped shooting, we approached the corpses and examined them. If someone was still alive, we shot them. Then we began to remove valuables from them. This area was full of bodies of Khojaly residents. The bodies lay here about a week, after which they were buried, he added.

During the investigative actions on the spot carried out by the State Security Service, the accused in the criminal case, Beglaryan, in his testimony showed the places of mass graves of Azerbaijanis near the Asgaran fortress, killed during the Khojaly massacre.

Based on the testimony, the working group of the State Commission of Azerbaijan for Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons carried out search and excavation work near the mentioned fortress.

An employee of the Working Group of the State Commission of Azerbaijan on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons Zaur Ismayilov said that the remains in a mass grave found in Asgaran are believed to belong to Khojaly residents.

A burial with the remains of at least eight people was found on the specified territory. It is not excluded that other remains will be found during the search work, which will continue in the future.

A visit of media representatives has been organized to the scene. During the visit, along with representatives of local media, the territory was also inspected by 35 representatives of foreign media (Serbia, Turkiye, Morocco, Peru, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia).

The visitors were informed that further the human remains will be exhumed from the area and transferred to the appropriate laboratories for identification.

On the night of February 25-26, 1992, Armenian military formations, with the support of the 366th motorized rifle regiment stationed in Khankendi, committed massacre against the population of the city of Khojaly.

As a result of this bloody massacre, 613 people, including 106 women, 63 children, and 70 older people were killed, 8 families were completely wiped out, 25 children lost both parents, 130 children lost one of their parents, 487 people were seriously injured, 1,275 people were taken hostage, and the fate of 150 of them is still unknown.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. The election monitoring coalition "My Voice" has published a statement in connection with the extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

The statement says that the "My Voice" election monitoring coalition, established jointly by three non-governmental organizations: "The Society for the Protection of Azerbaijani Women's Rights named Dilara Aliyeva," "Azerbaijan National Branch of the International Society for Human Rights," "Protection of Human Rights and Rule of Law," has been continuously monitoring the process of the extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan since December 2023. The coalition ensured strong public control over the election process by keeping the public informed. The coalition identified election observers by constituency and polling station and scheduled training for them prior to election day. Before election day, the coalition met with all presidential candidates or their authorized representatives, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights' election mission, and other stakeholders to exchange information, take notes, and prepare and publicize an interim report based on observations and analysis.

On Election Day, February 7, the Coalition for Election Monitoring "My Voice" performed election observation in accordance with international standards. More than 500 coalition observers were stationed around the republic; in all areas, the observation took place in 67 electoral districts, accounting for 53.6 percent of the total number of electoral districts. Women and young people were the majority of our observers. Yesterday, the day of the election, all of the data acquired by our experienced observers was thoroughly evaluated with the cooperation of coalition experts.

As a result, our observations at polling locations in 67 stations lead us to the following conclusions:

- the elections were held freely, fairly, and transparently, with no interference in the voting process and a significant voter turnout.

- the technical equipment of polling stations, voting booths, and vote boxes satisfied the requirements outlined in the Electoral Code and other legislative acts in this sector;

- all required conditions were provided for voters' unfettered access to polling places and their voting in line with the law;

- there was no pressure on observers of the Election Monitoring Coalition "My Voice," as well as observers of international organizations, political parties, public organizations, or independent observers who observed the electoral process at polling stations where we were; no cases of obstruction of their free observation of the process were recorded; full conditions for observation were created;

- photography and videotaping at polling stations; use of Internet resources was free; no facts of interference in the work of media representatives were recorded; no complaints were registered by the Coalition at polling stations;

- no official state institutions or police representatives entered the polling stations without being summoned;

- on election day, especially at 8:00-9:00, 12:00-13:00, and 17:30-19:00, the flow of voters to the polling stations was the largest, with young people and women prevailing among them;

- the voting process at polling stations started and was completed within the stipulated timeframe; the vote count was organized following the law. Our observers noted some shortcomings of a technical nature related to the conduct of procedures that do not affect the overall result of the elections.

Last day, some political parties that refused to participate in the elections stated that "NGOs, which have been professionally engaged in election observation at the local level for years, had no opportunity to observe these elections." This is political nonsense. First and foremost, as previously said, the My Voice Election Monitoring Coalition, which we represent, comprises three non-governmental organizations (NGOs). We have monitored every election held since Azerbaijan's restoration of state independence. Furthermore, a record number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society observers monitored the February 7 elections. Approximately 7,000 election observers from 83 NGOs participated in the process. Compared to the last presidential election, the number of nationwide NGO observers increased almost four times. In addition to our coalition, there were coalitions created by various NGOs, and our colleagues also provided public control. Some nine NGOs united in these coalitions and participated in the electoral process with about 1,700 observers. Besides, a large number of individual NGOs conducted election observation throughout the country.

Based on what we witnessed on election day at 67 voting sites, we can definitely state that the unprecedented presidential election on February 7, 2024, is a significant step forward in the development of the country's democracy and political culture. The elections were free, fair, and transparent. There was an unusual level of motivation among voters to participate in the elections, as well as a positive attitude and a queue culture. The bulk of voters came with their families. Our observers also covered the elections in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur, visiting voting stations in Khankendi, Shusha, Khojaly, Aghdere, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Khojavend, Zangilan, Jabrail, Gubadli, and Lachin. On election day, long lines formed in front of polling centers in the freed territory.

The My Voice election monitoring coalition is continuing its post-election monitoring. We have now started phase III of our monitoring. We are currently working on the final report on the election, and after the full completion of the election process, the final report will also be made public," the statement reads.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. The presidential election in Azerbaijan saw a remarkably high level of activity, said a member of the secretariat of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Dastan Urmanbetov, Trend reports.

Urmanbetov has arrived as an international observer at Azerbaijan's presidential election.

"Throughout the day, we saw a lot of activity at polling locations. During our visits to over 20 polling sites, we observed a high turnout, with lines forming outside some. This revealed a widespread enthusiasm among the population to participate in the country's political process," he said.

The extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7 and seven candidates ran in the election.

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev was leading in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05 percent of the votes after the processing of 93.35 percent of the ballots.

The other contenders: Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev received 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa received two percent, Elshad Musayev received 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev received 1.76 percent, and Fuad Aliyev received 0.53 percent of the votes.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. The concluded presidential election in Azerbaijan saw the incumbent head of state Ilham Aliyev emerge as the winner with over 92 percent of the votes, accompanied by a record-high voter turnout, writes Rossiyskaya Gazeta (a state-owned Russian newspaper), Trend reports.

The newspaper reports that the February 7 election is being welcomed as the start of a new era in Azerbaijan. The Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan (CEC) registered over 90,300 observers to ensure openness, including 790 international observers from 89 countries. Furthermore, 109 international media outlets were accredited, and over a thousand webcams were deployed at voting sites to provide live broadcasts on the CEC website.

"A significant innovation was implemented to avoid illicit re-voting. Upon entering voting stations, each voter's thumb was scanned, and their biometric information was stored in a specialized database. This approach effectively prohibited anyone from trying to vote more than once," the article said.

The article also quotes Sergey Lebedev, General Secretary of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

"We confirm that the election was held on a competitive footing following a thorough study of the candidate nomination and registration processes. The voter participation was high, demonstrating individuals' dedication to keeping the country peaceful and stable. Throughout the campaign, all seven contenders had equal access to media channels and received press coverage. The strong presence of foreign observers from organizations like the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and Organization of Turkic States (OTS) highlights the significant international interest in Azerbaijan's election," CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev said.

The extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7, and seven candidates ran in the election.

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev led in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05 percent of the votes after the processing of 93.35 percent of the ballots.

The other contenders: Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev received 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa received two percent, Elshad Musayev received 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev received 1.76 percent, and Fuad Aliyev received 0.53 percent of the votes.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. No instances of violations or interference by representatives of any state bodies, including executive authorities and law enforcement officers, were noted during the election, Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of Azerbaijan Sabina Aliyeva told the media, commenting on the monitoring results of the extraordinary presidential election, Trend reports.

The Ombudsman Office told Trend that during her speech, Aliyeva stated that election monitoring spanned the entire country, including 26 polling stations in recently liberated territories. All conditions mandated by legislation were established to ensure citizens' electoral rights were respected.

During the extraordinary presidential election, 72 staff members from the Ombudsman Office and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic's Ombudsman's Office served as observers across 885 polling stations spanning 115 electoral districts nationwide. Observation efforts covered Baku, 41 additional cities and districts, including Nakhchivan, and recently liberated territories. Observations also extended to polling stations in the Training and Educational Center of the Azerbaijan Army, Heydar Aliyev Military Institute, and 16 penitentiary institutions.

During the observations, the ombudsman engaged with members of polling station election commissions, observers, and voters, gathering feedback on the voting process. No instances of violations or interference by state bodies, including executive authorities and police officers, were reported during the election.

Sabina Aliyeva highlighted the provision of necessary conditions for voters with disabilities to exercise their voting rights. The ombudsman received no complaints or appeals regarding electoral rights violations on election day. Observations indicated that the presidential election was held with high public engagement in a democratic, transparent, and fair manner, adhering to electoral laws and international standards.

Sabina Aliyeva also mentioned that ahead of the extraordinary presidential election, the Ombudsman Office and the Central Election Commission (CEC) arranged educational events titled "Ensuring the electoral rights of citizens" in various cities, including Baku, Ganja, Shaki, Masalli, Guba, and Nakhchivan, as reported by the Ombudsman's Office.

Note that the extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan took place on February 7 and seven candidates run in the election.

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev is led in the presidential election in Azerbaijan with 92.05 percent of the votes after the processing of 93.35 percent of the ballots.

While the other contenders: Zahid Oruj received 2.19 percent of the votes, Razi Nurullayev received 0.8 percent, Fazil Mustafa received two percent, Elshad Musayev received 0.67 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev received 1.76 percent, and Fuad Aliyev received 0.53 percent of the votes.

According to the results of the US-based Oracle Advisory Group and the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev.

The Social Research Center said that 92.4 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

Based on the results of the exit poll of the Ray Monitoring Center, 92.6 percent of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, the election covered the entire territory of the country, including 26 polling stations in the lands liberated from Armenian occupation.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. lowered its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (NYSEARCA:SPLV  Free Report) by 6.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 55,693 shares of the companys stock after selling 4,048 shares during the period. Ausdal Financial Partners Inc.s holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF were worth $3,274,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of SPLV. Balentine LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 0.5% during the second quarter. Balentine LLC now owns 5,407,517 shares of the companys stock worth $339,246,000 after acquiring an additional 29,249 shares during the period. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 13.8% during the third quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp now owns 3,246,922 shares of the companys stock worth $190,887,000 after acquiring an additional 393,338 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can bought a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $146,369,000. Osaic Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 2.9% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 1,180,987 shares of the companys stock valued at $61,263,000 after buying an additional 33,713 shares during the period. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 16.3% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,037,245 shares of the companys stock valued at $65,149,000 after buying an additional 145,120 shares during the period.

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Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF Price Performance

SPLV traded up $0.07 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $63.15. 1,332,410 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,170,450. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $62.55 and a 200 day moving average price of $61.22. The company has a market cap of $9.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.07 and a beta of 0.69. Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF has a twelve month low of $57.17 and a twelve month high of $64.52.

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF Profile

The Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P 500 Low Volatility index. The fund tracks a volatility-weighted index of the 100 least-volatile stocks in the S&P 500. SPLV was launched on May 5, 2011 and is managed by Invesco.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SPLV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (NYSEARCA:SPLV  Free Report).

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O Brien Greene & Co. Inc bought a new position in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 414 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock, valued at approximately $209,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in UNH. Robbins Farley acquired a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. NewSquare Capital LLC boosted its position in UnitedHealth Group by 340.0% during the 3rd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 66 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares during the period. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the 1st quarter worth $35,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the second quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, Annapolis Financial Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 38.6% in the third quarter. Annapolis Financial Services LLC now owns 79 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 22 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.69% of the companys stock.

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UnitedHealth Group Trading Up 1.7 %

UNH traded up $8.72 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $519.39. The stock had a trading volume of 3,976,373 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,441,097. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 52 week low of $445.68 and a 52 week high of $554.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.79. The stock has a market capitalization of $480.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.79, a P/E/G ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 0.54. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $526.91 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $517.63.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UnitedHealth Group ( NYSE:UNH Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 12th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.98 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $94.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $92.13 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 26.39% and a net margin of 6.02%. The firms revenue was up 14.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $5.34 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 27.84 EPS for the current year.

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $596.00 target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. StockNews.com lowered UnitedHealth Group from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, October 21st. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and set a $591.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Friday, January 19th. UBS Group upgraded UnitedHealth Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the company from $520.00 to $640.00 in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Finally, Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and set a $610.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $575.79.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on UnitedHealth Group

Insider Buying and Selling

In other UnitedHealth Group news, Director Stephen J. Hemsley sold 66,081 shares of UnitedHealth Group stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $550.39, for a total value of $36,370,321.59. Following the sale, the director now owns 635,528 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $349,788,255.92. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

UnitedHealth Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. It operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

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Liberty Mutual Group Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Brixmor Property Group Inc. (NYSE:BRX  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 71,657 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $1,489,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of BRX. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in Brixmor Property Group by 99.4% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 20,119,950 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $519,296,000 after acquiring an additional 10,028,534 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Brixmor Property Group during the 4th quarter valued at $67,125,000. State Street Corp grew its stake in shares of Brixmor Property Group by 13.6% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 16,686,118 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $430,669,000 after buying an additional 2,001,159 shares during the period. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. purchased a new stake in shares of Brixmor Property Group during the 1st quarter valued at $29,115,000. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its stake in shares of Brixmor Property Group by 9.6% during the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 12,918,610 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $268,449,000 after buying an additional 1,130,130 shares during the period. 94.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BRX has been the subject of several research reports. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on shares of Brixmor Property Group from $24.50 to $22.75 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 31st. Mizuho upped their target price on shares of Brixmor Property Group from $22.00 to $23.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Brixmor Property Group from $24.00 to $23.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 13th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Brixmor Property Group in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $27.00 target price on the stock. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $25.09.

Brixmor Property Group Price Performance

Brixmor Property Group stock traded up $0.14 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $22.61. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,471,442 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,476,420. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.21, a P/E/G ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.55. Brixmor Property Group Inc. has a twelve month low of $19.40 and a twelve month high of $24.47. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $22.81 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $21.95. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71.

Insider Activity at Brixmor Property Group

In related news, insider Brian T. Finnegan sold 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.26, for a total value of $174,450.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 213,549 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,967,149.74. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CFO Angela M. Aman sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.00, for a total value of $240,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 152,054 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,649,296. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Brian T. Finnegan sold 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.26, for a total value of $174,450.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 213,549 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,967,149.74. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 25,000 shares of company stock worth $586,950 in the last quarter. 0.64% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Brixmor Property Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Brixmor (NYSE: BRX) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns and operates a high-quality, national portfolio of open-air shopping centers. Its 364 retail centers comprise approximately 65 million square feet of prime retail space in established trade areas. The Company strives to own and operate shopping centers that reflect Brixmor's vision "to be the center of the communities we serve" and are home to a diverse mix of thriving national, regional and local retailers.

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Financial Security Advisor Inc. purchased a new position in Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 949 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $272,000.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC raised its position in Rockwell Automation by 3.6% in the 2nd quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 1,042 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $343,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the period. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. raised its position in Rockwell Automation by 12.3% in the 2nd quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. now owns 329 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,872,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the period. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund raised its position in Rockwell Automation by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 8,904 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,933,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares during the period. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC raised its position in Rockwell Automation by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC now owns 4,880 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,395,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares during the period. Finally, Cohen Lawrence B grew its stake in Rockwell Automation by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Cohen Lawrence B now owns 8,319 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,378,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. 80.84% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP Brian A. Shepherd sold 637 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $262.87, for a total transaction of $167,448.19. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 5,088 shares in the company, valued at $1,337,482.56. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, CEO Blake D. Moret sold 1,143 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, December 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.73, for a total transaction of $318,588.39. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 65,848 shares in the company, valued at $18,353,813.04. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, VP Brian A. Shepherd sold 637 shares of Rockwell Automation stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $262.87, for a total transaction of $167,448.19. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 5,088 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,337,482.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 10,386 shares of company stock valued at $2,892,850 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.68% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Rockwell Automation from $351.00 to $330.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Oppenheimer dropped their target price on shares of Rockwell Automation from $324.00 to $300.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Mizuho dropped their target price on shares of Rockwell Automation from $300.00 to $265.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Rockwell Automation from $357.00 to $320.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Rockwell Automation from $287.00 to $270.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Rockwell Automation currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $307.92.

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Rockwell Automation Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE ROK traded up $9.00 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $268.98. The company had a trading volume of 1,866,345 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,029,167. The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $295.19 and its 200 day simple moving average is $290.91. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a 1 year low of $252.11 and a 1 year high of $348.52. The stock has a market cap of $30.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.59, a P/E/G ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 1.42.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The industrial products company reported $2.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.62 by ($0.58). Rockwell Automation had a return on equity of 37.22% and a net margin of 13.35%. The business had revenue of $2.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.08 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.46 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 12.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Rockwell Automation Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 11th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 20th will be issued a dividend of $1.25 per share. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.86%. Rockwell Automations dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 47.57%.

Rockwell Automation Company Profile

(Free Report)

Rockwell Automation, Inc provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through three segments, Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services. Its solutions include hardware and software products and services.

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Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Fiserv, Inc. (NYSE:FI  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 7,648 shares of the business services providers stock, valued at approximately $864,000.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Copperwynd Financial LLC lifted its holdings in Fiserv by 1.5% in the second quarter. Copperwynd Financial LLC now owns 5,703 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $719,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the period. First Manhattan Co. increased its holdings in Fiserv by 4.6% during the 4th quarter. First Manhattan Co. now owns 1,966 shares of the business services providers stock worth $199,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares in the last quarter. Newman Dignan & Sheerar Inc. raised its stake in shares of Fiserv by 0.8% in the second quarter. Newman Dignan & Sheerar Inc. now owns 11,575 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,460,000 after purchasing an additional 87 shares during the last quarter. Holderness Investments Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Fiserv by 4.1% in the second quarter. Holderness Investments Co. now owns 2,295 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $290,000 after purchasing an additional 90 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Apeiron RIA LLC boosted its position in shares of Fiserv by 2.9% during the third quarter. Apeiron RIA LLC now owns 3,217 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $363,000 after buying an additional 90 shares during the last quarter. 89.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on FI shares. Wedbush reissued an outperform rating and issued a $150.00 price target on shares of Fiserv in a research report on Thursday, November 16th. Mizuho boosted their price target on shares of Fiserv from $150.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 18th. Oppenheimer upgraded shares of Fiserv from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $168.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on Fiserv in a research note on Tuesday, December 5th. They issued an outperform rating and a $152.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Tigress Financial increased their price target on Fiserv from $160.00 to $175.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and nineteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $149.13.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Suzan Kereere sold 1,633 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $132.88, for a total transaction of $216,993.04. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 47,792 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,350,600.96. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Fiserv news, EVP Suzan Kereere sold 1,633 shares of Fiserv stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $132.88, for a total value of $216,993.04. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 47,792 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,350,600.96. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CAO Kenneth Best sold 9,138 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.50, for a total value of $1,165,095.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 30,691 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,913,102.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 311,038 shares of company stock valued at $41,389,939 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock.

Fiserv Trading Up 1.1 %

Shares of NYSE FI traded up $1.62 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $142.71. 2,893,752 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,674,237. The companys 50 day moving average price is $135.76 and its 200 day moving average price is $125.53. Fiserv, Inc. has a 12 month low of $103.99 and a 12 month high of $145.87. The stock has a market capitalization of $85.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75.

Fiserv (NYSE:FI  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The business services provider reported $2.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.15 by $0.04. Fiserv had a net margin of 15.85% and a return on equity of 14.70%. The business had revenue of $4.92 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.68 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.91 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Fiserv, Inc. will post 7.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Fiserv

(Free Report)

Fiserv, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides payment and financial services technology worldwide. The company operates through Acceptance, Fintech, and Payments segments. The Acceptance segment provides point-of-sale merchant acquiring and digital commerce services; mobile payment services; security and fraud protection products; Carat, an omnichannel commerce solution; Clover, a cloud-based point-of-sale and business management platform; and Clover Connect, an independent software vendors platform.

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Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 931 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $500,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Baltimore Washington Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 3rd quarter valued at about $473,000. Pathstone Family Office LLC raised its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 121.4% in the 3rd quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 48,177 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,212,000 after purchasing an additional 26,414 shares in the last quarter. Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co raised its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 38.8% in the 3rd quarter. Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co now owns 6,835 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,671,000 after purchasing an additional 1,910 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 10.5% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 72,190 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,776,000 after purchasing an additional 6,851 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fort Point Capital Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 8.1% in the 3rd quarter. Fort Point Capital Partners LLC now owns 2,498 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,342,000 after purchasing an additional 187 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.38% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Eli Lilly and Company

In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 34,538 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $631.81, for a total transaction of $21,821,453.78. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 99,719,884 shares in the company, valued at approximately $63,004,019,910.04. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 195,055 shares of company stock worth $125,254,657. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 2.9 %

Shares of NYSE:LLY traded up $20.35 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $725.38. The stock had a trading volume of 5,774,519 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,425,932. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 1.05. The company has a market cap of $688.61 billion, a PE ratio of 131.41, a P/E/G ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 0.32. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12-month low of $309.20 and a 12-month high of $742.00. The companys 50 day moving average is $611.35 and its 200-day moving average is $576.08.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.49 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.30 by $0.19. The business had revenue of $9.35 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.95 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 15.55% and a return on equity of 48.12%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 28.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.09 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 6.34 EPS for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 15th will be paid a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.72%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 14th. This is a positive change from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 81.88%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

LLY has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $710.00 to $865.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $680.00 to $810.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday. UBS Group restated a buy rating and issued a $710.00 target price (up previously from $612.00) on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Friday, October 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Wednesday, November 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $700.00 to $825.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $621.81.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on LLY

Eli Lilly and Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes.

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Artisan Partners Limited Partnership trimmed its position in shares of CAE Inc. (NYSE:CAE  Free Report) (TSE:CAE) by 1.3% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 8,112,210 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 105,136 shares during the quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership owned approximately 2.55% of CAE worth $189,390,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Stonehage Fleming Financial Services Holdings Ltd purchased a new stake in CAE during the third quarter worth $29,000. Allworth Financial LP lifted its position in shares of CAE by 678.3% in the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,541 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 1,343 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of CAE by 85.5% in the third quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,029 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 935 shares in the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of CAE in the second quarter valued at $55,000. Finally, Natixis purchased a new stake in shares of CAE in the second quarter valued at $73,000. 64.34% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on CAE from $37.00 to $34.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. Scotiabank downgraded CAE from a sector outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. StockNews.com upgraded CAE from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. Finally, Bank of America downgraded CAE from a neutral rating to an underperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $35.43.

CAE Trading Up 1.4 %

NYSE:CAE traded up $0.28 on Thursday, hitting $20.65. 387,797 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 331,581. The stock has a market cap of $6.57 billion, a PE ratio of 29.51, a PEG ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 1.61. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $20.74 and a 200-day moving average of $21.94. CAE Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $18.89 and a fifty-two week high of $25.04.

CAE (NYSE:CAE  Get Free Report) (TSE:CAE) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 14th. The aerospace company reported $0.20 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.15 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $811.45 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $783.06 million. CAE had a return on equity of 7.90% and a net margin of 6.79%. As a group, equities analysts expect that CAE Inc. will post 0.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

CAE Profile

(Free Report)

CAE Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides simulation training and critical operations support solutions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa, and Rest of Americas. It operates through three segments: Civil Aviation, Defense and Security, and Healthcare.

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Bank of Ireland Group plc (OTCMKTS:IREBY  Get Free Report)s share price shot up 0.3% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $11.90 and last traded at $11.86. 16,800 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 72% from the average session volume of 60,060 shares. The stock had previously closed at $11.83.

Bank of Ireland Group Price Performance

The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $11.86.

About Bank of Ireland Group

(Get Free Report)

Bank of Ireland Group plc is an Ireland-based financial services company. The Company provides a broad range of banking and other financial services. Its services include current account and deposit services, overdrafts, term loans, business and corporate lending, international asset financing, leasing, installment credit, invoice discounting, foreign exchange facilities, interest and exchange rate hedging instruments, life assurance, pension and protection products.

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Bell Investment Advisors Inc lessened its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report) by 10.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 256 shares of the companys stock after selling 31 shares during the quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Incs holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $110,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. grew its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 6.1% in the 1st quarter. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. now owns 77,088 shares of the companys stock worth $34,974,000 after acquiring an additional 4,405 shares during the period. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 5.0% in the 1st quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 895,194 shares of the companys stock valued at $406,141,000 after buying an additional 42,292 shares during the period. Roundview Capital LLC raised its position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 7.3% in the first quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 10,642 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,828,000 after purchasing an additional 728 shares during the period. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can raised its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 247.7% in the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 911 shares of the companys stock valued at $423,000 after acquiring an additional 649 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 27.1% in the 1st quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 16,516 shares of the companys stock worth $7,493,000 after acquiring an additional 3,523 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Trading Up 0.8 %

NYSEARCA IVV traded up $4.03 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $500.42. The company had a trading volume of 5,621,303 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,172,404. The company has a market capitalization of $387.15 billion, a PE ratio of 18.43 and a beta of 1.00. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $476.56 and a 200-day moving average price of $454.32. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a twelve month low of $382.37 and a twelve month high of $500.94.

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF 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.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov has received a delegation headed by the Head of the Brazil-Azerbaijan Friendship Group in the Federal Senate of Brazil, Senator Nelsinho Trad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed Trend.

The senator is on a visit to the country to observe the extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan.

During the meeting, discussions centered on enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Brazil. Plans to bolster political exchanges and mechanisms for bilateral consultations were explored. The upcoming session of the joint working group on trade and investment cooperation between the Azerbaijani and Brazilian governments was also highlighted.

Bayramov underscored the special importance of Azerbaijan's presidential election, marking the first such election in the nation's independent history. This milestone occurred amidst the complete restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The meeting highlighted the significance of Azerbaijan hosting the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) this year and the importance of enhancing bilateral relations. There was also discussion on coordinating with Brazil, which will host COP30, along with other mutual regional and bilateral interests.

The decision to host COP29 in Azerbaijan was officially announced in Dubai on December 11, 2023.



Besides Azerbaijan, both Armenia and Bulgaria nominated their candidatures. However, after direct negotiations between the Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia on December 7, 2023, Armenia decided to withdraw its candidacy in favor of Azerbaijan. Bulgaria followed suit and also withdrew its candidacy.



On January 4, 2024, Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, was appointed as President of COP29.

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VF Corporation relies heavily on information technology systems to effectively operate its business. They use these systems for tracking sales and inventory, managing their supply chain, and conducting direct-to-consumer sales. However, these systems are vulnerable to cyber-attacks, viruses, and technical malfunctions. VF Corporation has experienced cyber-attacks in the past and is aware of the risks associated with data and information security breaches. The failure of these systems could impact various aspects of the business, including inventory management, e-commerce operations, and customer data security. VFC is taking preventative measures and implementing security measures to address these risks, but they remain vigilant in an increasingly digital business environment. Additionally, VF Corporation is currently investigating a significant data security breach that occurred in December 2023, which could result in legal and reputational consequences.

Executive Summary

Financials

Revenue growth has been declining over the past three years, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. The ongoing conflicts in Russia, Ukraine, and the Middle East have caused disruption in these areas. Additionally, the COVID-19 resurgence in Mainland China has negatively impacted the Asia-Pacific region. These factors have contributed to the decrease in revenue. Operating expenses have increased due to Reinvent charges and project-related costs. However, there was a decrease in the nine months ended December 2023 due to a pension settlement charge in the first quarter and lower compensation and administrative costs. The cost structure has changed primarily due to these factors. The companys net income margin is 17.5%, which has declined. It is lower than the industry average of 22.8%.

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Management Discussion and Analysis

Management has undergone cost reduction and productivity initiatives to enhance profitability. They have also implemented an agile and efficient operating model and organizational structure. The success of these initiatives has not been mentioned in the context information. Management assesses the companys competitive position by focusing on cost reduction, productivity initiatives, and an agile operating model. They highlight potential market disruptions such as cyber-attacks, data breaches, and regulatory investigations. They also mention the need to accurately forecast demand for products and protect trademarks and intellectual property rights. The major risks and challenges identified by management include the dependence on information technology systems, vulnerability to cyber-attacks, and potential interruptions or failures. Mitigation strategies involve preventative efforts, upgrading systems, and implementing security measures to protect against cyber-attacks and ensure operational efficiency.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Risk Assessment

The context information does not provide any specific details about the companys key performance metrics or their changes over the past year. It also does not mention whether these metrics are in line with the companys long-term goals. The context information does not provide any information about the companys return on investment (ROI) or its cost of capital. Therefore, we cannot determine whether the company is generating value for shareholders based on the given information. The context information does not provide any specific information about the companys market share, its evolution compared to competitors, or any plans for market expansion or consolidation.

The top external factors that pose risks to VF Corporations operations and financial performance include the reliance on information technology systems, the vulnerability to cyber-attacks and security breaches, the potential failure or interruption of these systems, the difficulty in transitioning to upgraded systems, and regulatory and compliance risks such as tax liabilities and government interpretations of tax laws. VFC assesses and manages cybersecurity risks by heavily relying on information technology systems and implementing preventative measures. However, despite their efforts, the systems are frequently targeted by cyber-attacks. The failure of these systems could negatively impact various aspects of the business, including inventory management, e-commerce operations, and customer data security. They are also aware of the potential legal and reputational risks associated with privacy and security breaches. Overall, the company remains vigilant in addressing cybersecurity risks in an increasingly digital business environment. Yes, there are contingent liabilities and legal issues that could impact the companys financial position and reputation. VFC experienced a significant data security breach in December 2023, which could result in litigation, regulatory investigations, or enforcement actions. They are currently investigating the incident and could face fines, increased data security costs, and potential legal consequences.

Corporate Governance and Sustainability

The composition of the board of directors is not mentioned in the given context information. There is no information provided about any notable changes in leadership or independence. The context information does not provide any information about how the company addresses diversity and inclusion in its governance practices and workforce, or whether there is a commitment to board diversity. The report does not specifically mention any sustainability initiatives or ESG metrics. VFC does not demonstrate its commitment to responsible business practices in the given context information.

Forward Guidance

The companys forward-looking guidance acknowledges potential risks and uncertainties that may impact its strategic initiatives and priorities outlined in the annual report. It highlights factors such as consumer demand, economic conditions, competition, and cybersecurity risks that could influence the companys operations and financial performance. VFC is factoring in changing fashion trends, evolving consumer preferences, and changing patterns of consumer behavior into its forward-looking guidance. It plans to capitalize on these trends by maintaining the image and equity of its brands, leveraging platforms for speed and efficiency, and growing its international, direct-to-consumer, and digital businesses. Yes, the forward-looking statements indicate that VF is committed to long-term growth and competitiveness through its plans, objectives, projections, and expectations. VFC aims to maintain the image and equity of its brands, respond to changing consumer behavior, and grow its international, direct-to-consumer, and digital businesses.

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This article was created using artificial intelligence technology from Klickanalytics.
Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC increased its stake in shares of Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:NUS  Free Report) by 464.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 102,879 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 84,654 shares during the period. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC owned approximately 0.21% of Nu Skin Enterprises worth $2,182,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in Nu Skin Enterprises by 13.1% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 984,504 shares of the companys stock valued at $20,881,000 after buying an additional 113,956 shares during the last quarter. Swiss National Bank lifted its holdings in Nu Skin Enterprises by 1.0% in the third quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 109,700 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,327,000 after acquiring an additional 1,100 shares during the period. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Nu Skin Enterprises by 581.2% in the third quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC now owns 78,860 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,673,000 after acquiring an additional 67,284 shares during the period. New York State Common Retirement Fund boosted its position in Nu Skin Enterprises by 79.8% in the third quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 36,666 shares of the companys stock worth $778,000 after purchasing an additional 16,272 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fox Run Management L.L.C. grew its stake in shares of Nu Skin Enterprises by 64.6% during the 3rd quarter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. now owns 39,891 shares of the companys stock valued at $846,000 after purchasing an additional 15,661 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 73.62% of the companys stock.

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Nu Skin Enterprises Price Performance

NYSE:NUS traded down $0.30 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $17.45. 649,243 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 603,140. The company has a market cap of $861.96 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.78 and a beta of 1.17. Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. has a 1 year low of $16.15 and a 1 year high of $45.55. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $18.52 and a 200 day moving average price of $20.67. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on NUS shares. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on shares of Nu Skin Enterprises from $35.00 to $27.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 16th. TheStreet downgraded shares of Nu Skin Enterprises from a c rating to a d+ rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 1st. Finally, DA Davidson decreased their target price on Nu Skin Enterprises from $29.00 to $21.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 5th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $23.67.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Nu Skin Enterprises

Insider Activity at Nu Skin Enterprises

In other news, Director Andrew D. Lipman sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.39, for a total value of $38,780.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 33,225 shares of the companys stock, valued at $644,232.75. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 6,000 shares of company stock worth $110,100. 2.80% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Nu Skin Enterprises

(Free Report)

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops and distributes various beauty and wellness products worldwide. It offers skin care devices, cosmetics, and other personal care products, including ageLOC LumiSpa and ageLOC LumiSpa iO, ageLOC Body Spa; and nutricentials skin care products.

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Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC decreased its position in Xylem Inc. (NYSE:XYL  Free Report) by 19.4% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 29,059 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 6,998 shares during the quarter. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLCs holdings in Xylem were worth $2,645,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Xylem by 21.3% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 25,741,159 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,898,969,000 after buying an additional 4,521,913 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Xylem by 7.6% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 20,390,911 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,738,529,000 after buying an additional 1,435,798 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its holdings in shares of Xylem by 28.3% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 9,868,835 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,111,428,000 after purchasing an additional 2,176,790 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Xylem by 34.8% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,021,113 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $563,981,000 after purchasing an additional 1,295,550 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Xylem by 53.6% in the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,828,177 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $326,390,000 after buying an additional 1,335,241 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.53% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on XYL shares. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on Xylem in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. They set an outperform rating and a $127.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup raised their target price on Xylem from $122.00 to $126.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday. Oppenheimer upgraded Xylem from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $118.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 19th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on Xylem from $133.00 to $136.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, December 19th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on Xylem from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $125.40.

Xylem Stock Performance

XYL stock traded up $3.79 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $123.35. The company had a trading volume of 3,501,205 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,339,212. The company has a quick ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 1.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $111.33 and a 200-day moving average price of $102.77. Xylem Inc. has a 1-year low of $87.59 and a 1-year high of $124.56. The firm has a market cap of $29.74 billion, a PE ratio of 50.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 1.09.

Xylem (NYSE:XYL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The industrial products company reported $0.99 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.96 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $2.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.05 billion. Xylem had a return on equity of 10.99% and a net margin of 7.29%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 40.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.92 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Xylem Inc. will post 3.75 earnings per share for the current year.

Xylem Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 20th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 21st will be paid a dividend of $0.36 per share. This is a positive change from Xylems previous quarterly dividend of $0.33. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 20th. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.17%. Xylems payout ratio is 54.10%.

Insider Transactions at Xylem

In other news, CEO Patrick Decker sold 99,648 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.84, for a total transaction of $10,048,504.32. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 287,564 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $28,997,953.76. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Patrick Decker sold 99,648 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.84, for a total value of $10,048,504.32. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 287,564 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $28,997,953.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Victoria D. Harker sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, December 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.50, for a total value of $213,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 20,679 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,202,313.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.90% of the companys stock.

Xylem Profile

(Free Report)

Xylem Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and servicing of engineered products and solutions for the water and wastewater applications in the United States, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Water Infrastructure, Applied Water, and Measurement & Control Solutions.

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Choreo LLC cut its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:EFAV  Free Report) by 15.5% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 83,945 shares of the companys stock after selling 15,350 shares during the quarter. Choreo LLC owned about 0.07% of iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF worth $5,475,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in EFAV. Coastal Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $41,000. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at about $40,000. Sheets Smith Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at about $49,000. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $50,000. Finally, Almanack Investment Partners LLC. purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at about $48,000.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF Trading Down 0.2 %

Shares of BATS EFAV traded down $0.16 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $68.69. 392,758 shares of the company traded hands. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $68.77 and its 200 day simple moving average is $67.12. The stock has a market cap of $7.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.01 and a beta of 0.60. iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF has a 12-month low of $64.68 and a 12-month high of $76.51.

About iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF

The iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (EFAV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility (USD) index. The fund tracks an index of developed-market equities, ex-US and Canada, selected and weighted to create a low volatility portfolio subject to constraints including sector exposure.

Further Reading

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Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE:DCI  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Thursday, January 25th, Zacks reports. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 12th will be given a dividend of 0.25 per share by the industrial products company on Wednesday, February 28th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.50%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 9th.

Donaldson has increased its dividend by an average of 5.3% annually over the last three years and has raised its dividend every year for the last 37 years. Donaldson has a dividend payout ratio of 28.4% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect Donaldson to earn $3.53 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.00 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 28.3%.

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Donaldson Price Performance

DCI stock opened at $66.80 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $8.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.57, a P/E/G ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 1.09. The firms fifty day moving average is $64.11 and its 200 day moving average is $61.97. Donaldson has a 52 week low of $57.05 and a 52 week high of $67.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.49.

Insider Transactions at Donaldson

Donaldson ( NYSE:DCI Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 29th. The industrial products company reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.72 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $846.30 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $857.91 million. Donaldson had a net margin of 10.60% and a return on equity of 29.08%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.75 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Donaldson will post 3.2 earnings per share for the current year.

In other Donaldson news, President Guillermo Briseno sold 2,737 shares of Donaldson stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.50, for a total value of $168,325.50. Following the sale, the president now directly owns 16,170 shares in the company, valued at approximately $994,455. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, President Guillermo Briseno sold 2,737 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.50, for a total value of $168,325.50. Following the completion of the sale, the president now owns 16,170 shares in the company, valued at approximately $994,455. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Ajita G. Rajendra sold 11,400 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.24, for a total value of $709,536.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 40,545 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,523,520.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 19,137 shares of company stock valued at $1,202,812 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 2.58% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of DCI. Fred Alger Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Donaldson in the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. acquired a new position in Donaldson during the second quarter valued at $39,000. Quantbot Technologies LP boosted its holdings in Donaldson by 103.7% in the first quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 2,426 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $125,000 after purchasing an additional 1,235 shares during the last quarter. Covestor Ltd raised its stake in shares of Donaldson by 128.4% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,417 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $126,000 after buying an additional 1,359 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its holdings in shares of Donaldson by 7.1% in the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 2,803 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $135,000 after buying an additional 185 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.35% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have commented on the company. StockNews.com raised Donaldson from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on shares of Donaldson from $64.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, November 30th. Finally, Morgan Stanley began coverage on Donaldson in a research report on Monday, January 8th. They set an underweight rating and a $59.00 price objective for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $64.75.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on DCI

About Donaldson

(Get Free Report)

Donaldson Company, Inc manufactures and sells filtration systems and replacement parts worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Mobile Solutions, Industrial Solutions, and Life Sciences. Its Mobile Solutions segment provides replacement filters for air and liquid filtration applications, such as air filtration systems; liquid filtration systems for fuel, lube, and hydraulic applications; exhaust and emissions systems and sensors; indicators; and monitoring systems.

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Equifax (NYSE:EFX  Get Free Report) updated its first quarter 2024 earnings guidance on Wednesday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 1.330-1.430 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 1.820. The company issued revenue guidance of $1.4 billion-$1.4 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $1.4 billion. Equifax also updated its FY 2024 guidance to 7.200-7.500 EPS.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on EFX. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on Equifax from $204.00 to $196.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 20th. Bank of America upgraded Equifax from an underperform rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the stock from $164.00 to $300.00 in a research note on Monday, January 8th. Oppenheimer began coverage on Equifax in a research note on Tuesday, December 19th. They set an outperform rating and a $273.00 target price for the company. Truist Financial cut their target price on Equifax from $250.00 to $210.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 20th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating on shares of Equifax in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $257.12.

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Equifax Price Performance

Shares of EFX traded down $1.20 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $242.08. The stock had a trading volume of 1,460,695 shares, compared to its average volume of 783,856. Equifax has a 12 month low of $159.95 and a 12 month high of $252.60. The stock has a market capitalization of $29.83 billion, a PE ratio of 57.37, a PEG ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a current ratio of 1.01. The companys 50-day moving average is $241.48 and its two-hundred day moving average is $209.36.

Equifax (NYSE:EFX  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 7th. The credit services provider reported $1.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.74 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $1.33 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.31 billion. Equifax had a return on equity of 19.15% and a net margin of 10.15%. Equifaxs quarterly revenue was up 10.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.52 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Equifax will post 6.64 EPS for the current year.

Equifax Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Investors of record on Friday, February 23rd will be issued a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.64%. Equifaxs payout ratio is 36.97%.

Institutional Trading of Equifax

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of EFX. American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in Equifax by 18.8% during the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 6,994 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $1,281,000 after acquiring an additional 1,108 shares during the period. GSA Capital Partners LLP grew its stake in shares of Equifax by 182.7% in the 3rd quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP now owns 2,867 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $525,000 after buying an additional 1,853 shares during the period. Schroder Investment Management Group grew its stake in shares of Equifax by 3.2% in the 3rd quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 7,096 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $1,300,000 after buying an additional 221 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. grew its stake in shares of Equifax by 7.4% in the 3rd quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 63,161 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $11,570,000 after buying an additional 4,367 shares during the period. Finally, Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC grew its stake in shares of Equifax by 8.1% in the 2nd quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 11,243 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $2,645,000 after buying an additional 847 shares during the period. 98.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Equifax Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Equifax Inc operates as a data, analytics, and technology company. The company operates through three segments: Workforce Solutions, U.S. Information Solutions (USIS), and International. The Workforce Solutions segment offers services that enables customers to verify income, employment, educational history, criminal justice data, healthcare professional licensure, and sanctions of people in the United States; and employer customers with services that assist them in complying with and automating payroll-related and human resource management processes throughout the entire cycle of the employment relationship.

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Liberty Mutual Group Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Extra Space Storage Inc. (NYSE:EXR  Free Report) by 16.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 45,368 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 6,397 shares during the quarter. Extra Space Storage makes up approximately 1.5% of Liberty Mutual Group Asset Management Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest position. Liberty Mutual Group Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Extra Space Storage were worth $5,516,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Extra Space Storage by 1,272.7% during the 1st quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 151 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 140 shares during the period. Money Concepts Capital Corp acquired a new position in Extra Space Storage in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Zions Bancorporation N.A. raised its stake in Extra Space Storage by 241.9% in the 3rd quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 212 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc raised its stake in Extra Space Storage by 110.4% in the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 223 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 117 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in Extra Space Storage by 162.5% in the 3rd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 231 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 143 shares during the last quarter. 66.40% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Transactions at Extra Space Storage

In other news, Director Joseph Saffire sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $154.10, for a total transaction of $3,852,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 42,344 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,525,210.40. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, Director Joseph Saffire sold 25,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $154.10, for a total transaction of $3,852,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 42,344 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,525,210.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Joseph D. Margolis bought 4,200 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 13th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $118.21 per share, with a total value of $496,482.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now directly owns 31,301 shares in the company, valued at $3,700,091.21. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 1.55% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

EXR has been the subject of several recent research reports. StockNews.com downgraded Extra Space Storage from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 12th. TheStreet raised Extra Space Storage from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. Bank of America downgraded Extra Space Storage from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $155.00 to $119.00 in a research note on Monday, October 30th. Raymond James cut their target price on Extra Space Storage from $165.00 to $145.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 24th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on Extra Space Storage in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. They issued a hold rating and a $141.00 target price for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $151.45.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on EXR

Extra Space Storage Trading Down 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE EXR traded down $0.32 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $142.41. 903,482 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,149,804. The firm has a market capitalization of $30.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.48, a PEG ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a current ratio of 0.50. Extra Space Storage Inc. has a 52-week low of $101.19 and a 52-week high of $170.30. The companys 50-day moving average is $149.02 and its 200-day moving average is $132.68.

Extra Space Storage Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 15th were issued a dividend of $1.62 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 14th. This is a boost from Extra Space Storages previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. This represents a $6.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.55%. Extra Space Storages dividend payout ratio is currently 119.12%.

Extra Space Storage Company Profile

(Free Report)

Extra Space Storage Inc, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a self-administered and self-managed REIT and a member of the S&P 500. As of September 30, 2023, the Company owned and/or operated 3,651 self-storage stores in 42 states and Washington, DC The Company's stores comprise approximately 2.5 million units and approximately 279.0 million square feet of rentable space operating under the Extra Space, Life Storage and Storage Express brands.

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Shares of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (OTCMKTS:FMBL  Get Free Report) traded up 0.1% on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $5,175.00 and last traded at $5,175.00. 15 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 85% from the average session volume of 97 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5,170.00.

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach Trading Up 0.1 %

The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75. The firm has a market cap of $636.53 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.35 and a beta of 0.43. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $5,149.74 and a 200-day moving average price of $4,913.93.

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Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 30th were paid a dividend of $15.00 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 29th. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beachs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 20.23%.

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach Company Profile

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach provides various banking products and services to individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in Los Angeles, Orange, and Santa Barbara Counties. It offers checking, savings, Christmas club savings, health savings, market rate savings, and money market accounts; demand and time deposits; certificates of deposit; and individual retirement account.

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Financial Security Advisor Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 3,732 shares of the healthcare product makers stock, valued at approximately $361,000.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of ABT. Choreo LLC increased its position in Abbott Laboratories by 15.2% during the 3rd quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 23,093 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $2,237,000 after purchasing an additional 3,050 shares during the period. O Brien Greene & Co. Inc increased its position in Abbott Laboratories by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. O Brien Greene & Co. Inc now owns 11,814 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $1,144,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $647,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc grew its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 92.9% in the 3rd quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 1,703 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $165,000 after buying an additional 820 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Shepherd Financial Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 41.4% in the 3rd quarter. Shepherd Financial Partners LLC now owns 3,267 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $316,000 after buying an additional 956 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.70% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on ABT. Raymond James lifted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $124.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $130.00 to $118.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 19th. TheStreet upgraded shares of Abbott Laboratories from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $133.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Abbott Laboratories presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $120.00.

Insider Transactions at Abbott Laboratories

In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 42,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $112.50, for a total transaction of $4,781,250.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 65,027 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,315,537.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Abbott Laboratories news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 42,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $112.50, for a total value of $4,781,250.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 65,027 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,315,537.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.00, for a total transaction of $1,620,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 65,027 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,022,916. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ABT traded down $0.69 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $113.31. 4,756,890 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,393,530. The company has a market cap of $196.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.97, a P/E/G ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $110.13 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $103.93. The company has a quick ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. Abbott Laboratories has a 52-week low of $89.67 and a 52-week high of $115.83.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.19 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.19. The company had revenue of $10.24 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.19 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 14.27% and a return on equity of 20.84%. The firms revenue was up 1.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.03 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.62 EPS for the current year.

Abbott Laboratories Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.55 per share. This is a positive change from Abbott Laboratoriess previous quarterly dividend of $0.51. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 11th. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.94%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is presently 67.48%.

Abbott Laboratories Profile

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The Established Pharmaceutical Products segment provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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Financial Security Advisor Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 5,594 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $494,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 22.8% in the third quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC now owns 15,310 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,351,000 after acquiring an additional 2,846 shares during the last quarter. Choreo LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 1.5% in the third quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 21,651 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,911,000 after acquiring an additional 325 shares during the last quarter. Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 5.8% in the third quarter. Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. now owns 6,404 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $565,000 after acquiring an additional 351 shares during the last quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Duke Energy in the third quarter worth about $98,000. Finally, Shepherd Financial Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 1.8% in the third quarter. Shepherd Financial Partners LLC now owns 26,745 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,361,000 after acquiring an additional 465 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 63.68% of the companys stock.

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Duke Energy Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of DUK stock traded up $0.44 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $95.50. 2,451,976 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,908,344. The firm has a market cap of $73.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 60.68, a P/E/G ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 0.48. Duke Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $83.06 and a fifty-two week high of $100.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 0.76. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $96.22 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $92.36.

Duke Energy Announces Dividend

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 18th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 16th will be given a dividend of $1.025 per share. This represents a $4.10 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.29%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 15th. Duke Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 261.15%.

Several research firms have recently issued reports on DUK. StockNews.com raised Duke Energy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. Bank of America lowered their price objective on Duke Energy from $104.00 to $103.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Duke Energy from $98.00 to $101.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. Wells Fargo & Company raised Duke Energy from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and upped their price objective for the company from $94.00 to $103.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. Finally, Evercore ISI raised Duke Energy from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and upped their price objective for the company from $90.00 to $108.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Six 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 presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $100.67.

Read Our Latest Analysis on DUK

Duke Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through two segments, Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I) and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest; and uses coal, hydroelectric, natural gas, oil, solar and wind sources, renewables, and nuclear fuel to generate electricity.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization Khusrav Noziri has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on his confident victory in the presidential election, Trend reports.

"Excellency,

Its a matter of great honour for me to express my warmest felicitations on your re-election as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

With their renewed confidence in Your Excellencys able leadership, the people of Azerbaijan will accelerate moving towards a more radiant and advanced future.

I further avail this opportunity to reiterate the importance that ECO attaches to Azerbaijan, acknowledging the countrys substantially increased role and contribution in promoting the ECOs mutually developed economic agenda.

We look forward to Your Excellencys continued support and patronage on our way to pursuing ECOs consolidation as a more connected and integrated region.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration," the letter reads.
Financial Security Advisor Inc. purchased a new stake in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 1,053 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $244,000.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. V Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 3.3% during the second quarter. V Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,347 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $337,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the period. Ropes Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Ropes Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 9,794 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,450,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the period. City Holding Co. increased its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. City Holding Co. now owns 8,057 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,856,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the period. Massachusetts Wealth Management increased its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Wealth Management now owns 6,028 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,508,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the period. Finally, Lokken Investment Group LLC increased its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 5.0% during the 2nd quarter. Lokken Investment Group LLC now owns 944 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $236,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 79.56% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Illinois Tool Works

In other news, Chairman Ernest Scott Santi sold 50,000 shares of Illinois Tool Works stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $254.83, for a total value of $12,741,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 221,015 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $56,321,252.45. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.78% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ITW has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Barclays raised their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $215.00 to $224.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Monday. Citigroup raised their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $244.00 to $256.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, December 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $265.00 to $255.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 16th. Wells Fargo & Company downgraded Illinois Tool Works from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and reduced their target price for the company from $277.00 to $240.00 in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $238.00 to $239.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Illinois Tool Works presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $239.90.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Illinois Tool Works

Illinois Tool Works Trading Down 0.7 %

NYSE:ITW traded down $1.68 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $254.01. 1,134,464 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,162,619. The stock has a market capitalization of $76.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.37 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.10. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a one year low of $217.06 and a one year high of $267.12. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $255.97 and a 200 day simple moving average of $244.14.

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The industrial products company reported $2.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.41 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $3.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 96.60% and a net margin of 18.36%. Illinois Tool Workss revenue for the quarter was up .3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.34 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 10.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Illinois Tool Works

(Free Report)

Illinois Tool Works Inc manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment worldwide. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products. The Automotive OEM segment offers plastic and metal components, fasteners, and assemblies for automobiles, light trucks, and other industrial uses.

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Financial Security Advisor Inc. bought a new position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 80,170 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,450,000. Altria Group makes up 1.6% of Financial Security Advisor Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 13th biggest position.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P bought a new stake in Altria Group during the first quarter worth about $25,000. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. Legacy Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. Institutional investors own 58.94% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. UBS Group reissued a sell rating and issued a $36.10 target price on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on Altria Group from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 13th. StockNews.com raised Altria Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, Citigroup reduced their target price on Altria Group from $46.50 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $47.22.

Altria Group Stock Performance

Shares of Altria Group stock traded down $0.34 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $40.26. The company had a trading volume of 7,791,489 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,324,920. The company has a 50 day moving average of $41.11 and a 200 day moving average of $42.11. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $39.06 and a 52-week high of $48.11. The stock has a market capitalization of $71.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.81, a P/E/G ratio of 2.64 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 for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.17 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $5.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.06 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 33.21% and a negative return on equity of 243.71%. The companys revenue was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.18 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.08 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Stockholders 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 dividend yield of 9.74%. Altria Groups payout ratio is 85.78%.

About Altria Group

(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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Genpact (NYSE:G  Get Free Report) updated its FY 2024 earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided EPS guidance of 3.000-3.030 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of 3.090. The company issued revenue guidance of $4.6 billion-$4.6 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $4.7 billion.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have issued reports on G. Mizuho assumed coverage on shares of Genpact in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a neutral rating and a $40.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Genpact from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday. Robert W. Baird restated a neutral rating and set a $38.00 target price on shares of Genpact in a report on Friday, December 15th. Citigroup increased their price target on Genpact from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC lowered their price objective on Genpact from $50.00 to $40.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $39.78.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Genpact

Genpact Trading Up 0.4 %

NYSE G traded up $0.13 during trading on Thursday, hitting $34.94. The stock had a trading volume of 2,209,590 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,342,981. The company has a quick ratio of 1.91, a current ratio of 1.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. The company has a market capitalization of $6.33 billion, a PE ratio of 15.03, a PEG ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 1.11. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $34.90 and a 200 day moving average price of $35.43. Genpact has a twelve month low of $29.41 and a twelve month high of $48.58.

Genpact (NYSE:G  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 8th. The business services provider reported $0.67 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.65 by $0.02. Genpact had a net margin of 9.69% and a return on equity of 24.02%. The company had revenue of $1.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.16 billion. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Genpact will post 2.53 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Genpact

In other Genpact news, SVP Heather White sold 11,450 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.00, for a total transaction of $412,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 21,175 shares in the company, valued at approximately $762,300. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 2.62% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Genpact

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Genpact by 57.2% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 18,403 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $801,000 after purchasing an additional 6,699 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can increased its position in Genpact by 16.8% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 23,398 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,031,000 after buying an additional 3,364 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in Genpact by 0.3% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,683,950 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $73,273,000 after buying an additional 5,331 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Genpact by 6.2% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 104,775 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $4,560,000 after acquiring an additional 6,151 shares during the period. Finally, Aviva PLC purchased a new position in shares of Genpact during the first quarter worth approximately $2,219,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.33% of the companys stock.

Genpact Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Genpact Limited provides business process outsourcing and information technology (IT) services in India, rest of Asia, North and Latin America, and Europe. It operates through three segments: Financial services; Consumer and Healthcare; and High Tech and Manufacturing. The company offers CFO advisory services; and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) services, such as data management, carbon accounting, human rights assessment, sustainability diligence, and ESG reporting.

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Golden Star Resources Ltd. (TSE:GSC  Get Free Report) (NYSE:GSS)s share price fell 0.8% on Monday . The company traded as low as C$4.96 and last traded at C$4.96. 124,735 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 263% from the average session volume of 34,347 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$5.00.

Golden Star Resources Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of C$574.00 million and a P/E ratio of -49.11. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of C$4.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 370.50, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 0.87.

About Golden Star Resources

(Get Free Report)

Golden Star Resources Ltd. operates as a gold mining and exploration company. The company owns and operates the Wassa open-pit gold mine, the Wassa underground mine, and a carbon-in-leach processing plant located to the northeast of the town of Tarkwa, Ghana; and the Bogoso gold mining and processing operation, the Prestea open-pit mining operations, and the Prestea underground mine located near the town of Prestea, Ghana.

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Halogen Software Inc (TSE:HGN  Get Free Report) was up  during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as C$12.51 and last traded at C$12.49. Approximately 1,900 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 99% from the average daily volume of 132,417 shares.

Halogen Software Stock Performance

The stocks 50-day moving average is C$12.49.

About Halogen Software

(Get Free Report)

Halogen Software Inc (Halogen) is a Canada-based company, which is engaged in providing cloud-based talent management (TM) solutions. The Company provides industry specific configurations of its solutions for healthcare, professional services, financial services, manufacturing, education, public sector and hospitality.

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iShares Convertible Bond ETF (BATS:ICVT  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $77.72 and last traded at $77.26, with a volume of 148824 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $77.59.

iShares Convertible Bond ETF Stock Up 0.1 %

The business has a 50 day moving average price of $77.25 and a 200 day moving average price of $75.32.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares Convertible Bond ETF

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of ICVT. Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Convertible Bond ETF during the first quarter valued at $1,892,000. Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Convertible Bond ETF during the first quarter valued at $88,000. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in shares of iShares Convertible Bond ETF by 57,927.6% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 221,085 shares of the companys stock valued at $18,420,000 after buying an additional 220,704 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in shares of iShares Convertible Bond ETF by 129.1% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 8,704 shares of the companys stock valued at $725,000 after buying an additional 4,904 shares during the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares Convertible Bond ETF by 40.9% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 50,724 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,227,000 after buying an additional 14,723 shares during the last quarter.

About iShares Convertible Bond ETF

The iShares Convertible Bond ETF (ICVT) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in broad credit fixed income. The fund tracks an index of USD-denominated convertible bonds weighted by market value. The index contains only cash-pay convertibles and excludes mandatory and preferred convertibles.

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Shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (BATS:HEFA  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $32.43 and last traded at $32.40, with a volume of 477462 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $32.39.

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $3.76 billion, a PE ratio of 14.08 and a beta of 0.70. The businesss 50-day moving average is $31.66 and its 200-day moving average is $30.71.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Baystate Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF by 40.3% in the second quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,174 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 337 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF by 10.2% in the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 13,518 shares of the companys stock worth $458,000 after acquiring an additional 1,249 shares during the period. First PREMIER Bank bought a new stake in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF in the third quarter worth approximately $39,000. NBC Securities Inc. bought a new stake in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF in the third quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Avior Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF in the third quarter worth approximately $42,000.

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF Company Profile

The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted, USD-hedged index of large- and mid-cap stocks from developed countries outside the US and Canada. HEFA was launched on Jan 31, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Jumia Technologies (NYSE:JMIA  Get Free Report) is scheduled to be announcing its earnings results before the market opens on Thursday, February 15th.

Jumia Technologies Trading Up 6.3 %

JMIA stock traded up $0.19 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $3.20. The companys stock had a trading volume of 986,855 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,032,547. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a quick ratio of 1.51 and a current ratio of 1.56. Jumia Technologies has a 12 month low of $2.22 and a 12 month high of $4.92. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $3.36 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $3.13.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Morgan Stanley raised shares of Jumia Technologies from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $3.00 to $3.60 in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Jumia Technologies

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in JMIA. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its position in shares of Jumia Technologies by 852.4% during the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 5,467 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 4,893 shares in the last quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new stake in Jumia Technologies in the 1st quarter valued at about $66,000. Clear Street Markets LLC acquired a new stake in Jumia Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. HighTower Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Jumia Technologies in the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Jumia Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 17.58% of the companys stock.

Jumia Technologies Company Profile

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Jumia Technologies AG operates an e-commerce platform in West Africa, North Africa, East and South Africa, Europe, the United Arab Emirates, and internationally. The company's platform consists of marketplace that connects sellers with consumers; logistics service that enables the shipment and delivery of packages from sellers to consumers; and payment service, which facilitates transactions to participants active on the company's platform in selected markets.

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Malvern International Plc (LON:MLVN  Get Free Report)s stock price fell 3.9% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as GBX 24.38 ($0.31) and last traded at GBX 24.50 ($0.31). 25,000 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 43% from the average session volume of 17,470 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 25.50 ($0.32).

Malvern International Price Performance

The company has a fifty day moving average of GBX 25.50 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 23.96. The company has a current ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 70.89. The stock has a market cap of 5.89 million, a PE ratio of -2,410.00 and a beta of 0.73.

Malvern International Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Malvern International Plc provides educational services in the United Kingdom. The company operates Malvern House London; Malvern House Brighton; Language in Action; Communicate School in Manchester; International Study Centres; and Malvern Online Academy. Its colleges offer English language courses, juniors and summer camps, and bespoke group courses; and university pathway programs, such as pre-university, foundation year, year one, graduate diploma, and pre-master's program; and in-sessional and pre-sessional English programs.

Further Reading

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Milestone Resources Group Ltd lessened its position in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 0.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 894,137 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 1,992 shares during the period. Abbott Laboratories comprises 4.3% of Milestone Resources Group Ltds portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest holding. Milestone Resources Group Ltd owned about 0.05% of Abbott Laboratories worth $86,597,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLC grew its position in Abbott Laboratories by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLC now owns 21,419 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $2,074,000 after purchasing an additional 130 shares during the period. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado increased its position in Abbott Laboratories by 9.8% during the second quarter. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado now owns 1,415,759 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $154,346,000 after acquiring an additional 126,547 shares during the last quarter. Core Alternative Capital lifted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 27.0% in the second quarter. Core Alternative Capital now owns 1,290 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $141,000 after acquiring an additional 274 shares during the period. Rockland Trust Co. boosted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 1.5% in the third quarter. Rockland Trust Co. now owns 91,868 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $8,897,000 after purchasing an additional 1,343 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. grew its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 373,375 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $36,161,000 after purchasing an additional 5,058 shares during the period. 73.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Abbott Laboratories Price Performance

ABT traded down $0.88 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $112.43. The companys stock had a trading volume of 6,933,240 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,450,587. Abbott Laboratories has a 12 month low of $89.67 and a 12 month high of $115.83. The company has a current ratio of 1.74, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $110.32 and its 200-day moving average price is $104.00. The stock has a market cap of $195.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.80, a P/E/G ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.75.

Abbott Laboratories Increases Dividend

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.19 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $1.19. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 14.27% and a return on equity of 20.84%. The firm had revenue of $10.24 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.03 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 1.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Investors of record on Friday, January 12th will be given a $0.55 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 11th. This is an increase from Abbott Laboratoriess previous quarterly dividend of $0.51. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.96%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 67.48%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ABT has been the subject of several recent research reports. Raymond James boosted their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $124.00 to $127.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Citigroup upped their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. UBS Group cut their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $130.00 to $118.00 in a report on Thursday, October 19th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $112.00 to $107.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 19th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $128.00 price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $120.00.

View Our Latest Analysis on Abbott Laboratories

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 42,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $112.50, for a total value of $4,781,250.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 65,027 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,315,537.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Abbott Laboratories news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.00, for a total value of $1,620,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 65,027 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,022,916. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 42,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.50, for a total transaction of $4,781,250.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 65,027 shares in the company, valued at $7,315,537.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Abbott Laboratories Profile

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The Established Pharmaceutical Products segment provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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nVent Electric (NYSE:NVT  Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday. The company reported $0.78 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.75 by $0.03, MarketWatch Earnings reports. The company had revenue of $861.20 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $866.90 million. nVent Electric had a return on equity of 17.53% and a net margin of 17.38%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 16.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.66 EPS.

nVent Electric Price Performance

nVent Electric stock traded up $0.81 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $64.78. The company had a trading volume of 209,003 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,152,316. The company has a market capitalization of $10.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.19 and a beta of 1.33. nVent Electric has a 12-month low of $40.00 and a 12-month high of $66.09. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $57.91 and its 200-day simple moving average is $54.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 1.82 and a quick ratio of 1.27.

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nVent Electric Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, January 19th were paid a $0.19 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 18th. This is a positive change from nVent Electrics previous quarterly dividend of $0.18. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.17%. nVent Electrics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 22.55%.

Insider Activity at nVent Electric

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In related news, insider Michael B. Faulconer sold 2,080 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.07, for a total value of $110,385.60. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 27,613 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,465,421.91. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . 2.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of NVT. Norges Bank purchased a new position in nVent Electric in the 4th quarter worth approximately $65,666,000. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in nVent Electric by 3.2% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 14,459,036 shares of the companys stock worth $502,885,000 after purchasing an additional 454,668 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley lifted its stake in nVent Electric by 56.5% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 1,255,381 shares of the companys stock worth $48,295,000 after purchasing an additional 453,283 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its stake in nVent Electric by 40.9% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,411,222 shares of the companys stock worth $60,598,000 after purchasing an additional 409,929 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Millennium Management LLC lifted its stake in nVent Electric by 44.5% in the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,054,592 shares of the companys stock worth $40,570,000 after purchasing an additional 324,707 shares in the last quarter. 87.76% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of nVent Electric from $59.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 11th. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of nVent Electric from $67.00 to $65.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 30th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on shares of nVent Electric from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $64.75.

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nVent Electric Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

nVent Electric plc designs, manufactures, markets, installs, and services electrical connection and protection products worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Enclosures, Electrical & Fastening Solutions, and Thermal Management. The Enclosures segment provides solutions to connect and protect critical electronics, communication, control, and power equipment; physical infrastructure solutions to host, connect, and protect server and network equipment; indoor and outdoor protection for test and measurement and aerospace and defense applications in industrial, infrastructure, commercial, and energy verticals; and metallic and non-metallic enclosures, cabinets, sub racks, and backplanes.

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O Brien Greene & Co. Inc lessened its holdings in Sendas Distribuidora S.A. (NYSE:ASAI  Free Report) by 76.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 14,000 shares of the companys stock after selling 45,000 shares during the period. O Brien Greene & Co. Incs holdings in Sendas Distribuidora were worth $171,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Signaturefd LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Sendas Distribuidora by 1,181.1% during the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 3,664 shares of the companys stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 3,378 shares during the last quarter. Coronation Fund Managers Ltd. lifted its holdings in Sendas Distribuidora by 19.0% in the second quarter. Coronation Fund Managers Ltd. now owns 7,643,552 shares of the companys stock valued at $110,144,000 after acquiring an additional 1,219,034 shares during the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC lifted its holdings in Sendas Distribuidora by 854.1% in the second quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 7,375 shares of the companys stock valued at $106,000 after acquiring an additional 6,602 shares during the last quarter. Optiver Holding B.V. lifted its stake in Sendas Distribuidora by 73.1% during the second quarter. Optiver Holding B.V. now owns 34,281 shares of the companys stock worth $494,000 after purchasing an additional 14,476 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. acquired a new position in Sendas Distribuidora during the third quarter worth $172,000.

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Sendas Distribuidora Trading Up 0.7 %

NYSE:ASAI traded up $0.10 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $13.97. 196,402 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 376,481. The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.63. The business has a 50-day moving average of $13.66 and a two-hundred day moving average of $12.94. Sendas Distribuidora S.A. has a twelve month low of $10.44 and a twelve month high of $18.67. The company has a market capitalization of $3.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.13, a PEG ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.14.

Sendas Distribuidora Profile

Sendas Distribuidora SA engages in the retail and wholesale sale of food products, bazaar items, and other products in Brazil. The company serves restaurants, pizzerias, snack bars, schools, small businesses, religious institutions, hospitals, hotels, grocery stores, neighborhood supermarkets, and individuals.

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PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:PNF  Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Thursday, February 1st, investing.com reports. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 12th will be given a dividend of 0.0335 per share on Friday, March 1st. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.91%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 9th.

PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund Price Performance

Shares of PNF opened at $8.18 on Thursday. PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund has a 12-month low of $6.37 and a 12-month high of $9.85.

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PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund Company Profile

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Further Reading

PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Allianz Global Investors Fund Management LLC. It is co-managed by Pacific Investment Management Company LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Shares of Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE:PBI  Get Free Report) were down 7.4% on Monday . The stock traded as low as $3.75 and last traded at $3.76. Approximately 808,150 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 52% from the average daily volume of 1,686,877 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.06.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com lowered Pitney Bowes from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on PBI

Pitney Bowes Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $685.04 million, a PE ratio of -1.77, a P/E/G ratio of 24.93 and a beta of 2.17. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $4.21 and a 200 day moving average of $3.76.

Pitney Bowes (NYSE:PBI  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The technology company reported $0.07 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.02 by $0.05. Pitney Bowes had a negative return on equity of 4.75% and a negative net margin of 11.81%. The business had revenue of $871.58 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $849.85 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.06 EPS. The companys revenue was down 4.1% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Pitney Bowes Inc. will post 0.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Pitney Bowes Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 9th will be given a $0.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 8th. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.15%. Pitney Bowess payout ratio is -9.13%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Pitney Bowes by 1.7% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 19,956,333 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $103,773,000 after purchasing an additional 335,612 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in Pitney Bowes by 1.7% during the third quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 17,123,358 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $39,897,000 after buying an additional 285,776 shares during the period. State Street Corp raised its position in Pitney Bowes by 2.1% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 6,410,485 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $23,206,000 after buying an additional 130,138 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its position in Pitney Bowes by 40.0% during the second quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 5,986,689 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $21,672,000 after buying an additional 1,711,020 shares during the period. Finally, Capital Management Corp VA raised its position in Pitney Bowes by 2.3% during the third quarter. Capital Management Corp VA now owns 4,539,425 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $13,709,000 after buying an additional 104,190 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.69% of the companys stock.

Pitney Bowes Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Pitney Bowes Inc, a shipping and mailing company, provides technology, logistics, and financial services to small and medium-sized businesses, large enterprises, retailers, and government clients in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through Global Ecommerce, Presort Services, and Sending Technology Solutions (SendTech Solutions) segments.

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PNM Resources (NYSE:PNM  Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday. The utilities provider reported $0.18 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.14 by $0.04, Briefing.com reports. PNM Resources had a net margin of 4.54% and a return on equity of 10.64%. The company had revenue of $412.11 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $705.05 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.15 earnings per share. PNM Resources updated its FY 2024 guidance to 2.650-2.750 EPS and its FY24 guidance to $2.65-2.75 EPS.

PNM Resources Stock Performance

Shares of PNM Resources stock traded down $0.09 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $36.87. The company had a trading volume of 529,808 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,403,699. The stock has a market cap of $3.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.88, a PEG ratio of 0.36 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a quick ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $39.48 and a 200 day simple moving average of $42.29. PNM Resources has a 12-month low of $34.63 and a 12-month high of $49.47.

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PNM Resources Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 16th. Investors of record on Friday, February 2nd will be given a $0.387 dividend. This is a positive change from PNM Resourcess previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. This represents a $1.55 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.20%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 1st. PNM Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 150.49%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

PNM has been the subject of several analyst reports. TheStreet lowered shares of PNM Resources from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Barclays initiated coverage on shares of PNM Resources in a research report on Thursday. They set an overweight rating and a $40.00 price target for the company. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of PNM Resources from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $44.00 price target for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. StockNews.com lowered shares of PNM Resources from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 17th. Finally, Mizuho lowered shares of PNM Resources from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $41.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, PNM Resources currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $46.20.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on PNM

Hedge Funds Weigh In On PNM Resources

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of PNM Resources by 4,061.5% during the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 1,082 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 1,056 shares during the period. State of Wyoming acquired a new stake in shares of PNM Resources during the 4th quarter worth approximately $46,000. Captrust Financial Advisors grew its stake in shares of PNM Resources by 14.8% during the 1st quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 2,626 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $125,000 after purchasing an additional 339 shares during the period. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew its stake in shares of PNM Resources by 137.0% during the 2nd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 3,449 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $156,000 after purchasing an additional 1,994 shares during the period. Finally, GSA Capital Partners LLP acquired a new stake in shares of PNM Resources during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $211,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.18% of the companys stock.

About PNM Resources

(Get Free Report)

PNM Resources, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides electricity and electric services in the United States. It operates through Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) and Texas-New Mexico Power Company (TNMP) segments. The PNM segment engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity.

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State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D reduced its position in Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM  Free Report) by 6.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 553,444 shares of the CRM providers stock after selling 37,122 shares during the quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund Ds holdings in Salesforce were worth $112,227,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Union Savings Bank acquired a new position in Salesforce in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Peoples Bank KS acquired a new position in Salesforce in the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Quarry LP acquired a new position in Salesforce in the second quarter valued at approximately $41,000. Emerald Advisers LLC acquired a new position in Salesforce in the third quarter valued at approximately $41,000. Finally, Pacific Center for Financial Services acquired a new position in Salesforce in the first quarter valued at approximately $41,000. 77.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Salesforce Stock Up 1.1 %

Salesforce stock traded up $3.01 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $288.84. 3,620,213 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,207,871. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. The stock has a market cap of $279.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 109.83, a P/E/G ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 1.28. Salesforce, Inc. has a 1-year low of $159.65 and a 1-year high of $289.80. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $265.85 and a two-hundred day moving average of $231.24.

Insider Activity

Salesforce ( NYSE:CRM Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, November 29th. The CRM provider reported $2.11 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.05 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $8.72 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.71 billion. Salesforce had a net margin of 7.63% and a return on equity of 9.19%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.73 earnings per share. As a group, analysts anticipate that Salesforce, Inc. will post 6.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other news, CFO Amy E. Weaver sold 2,628 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $224.85, for a total value of $590,905.80. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 37,048 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,330,242.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CFO Amy E. Weaver sold 2,628 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $224.85, for a total value of $590,905.80. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 37,048 shares in the company, valued at $8,330,242.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Amy E. Weaver sold 94,980 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total transaction of $23,745,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 37,048 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,262,000. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 1,393,178 shares of company stock valued at $366,680,675. 3.70% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have commented on CRM shares. Raymond James lifted their target price on Salesforce from $280.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Salesforce from $240.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and set a $275.00 price objective on shares of Salesforce in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. Argus boosted their price objective on Salesforce from $275.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st. Finally, Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on Salesforce from $275.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Salesforce has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $262.64.

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Salesforce Company Profile

(Free Report)

Salesforce, Inc provides Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology that brings companies and customers together worldwide. The company's service includes sales to store data, monitor leads and progress, forecast opportunities, gain insights through analytics and relationship intelligence, and deliver quotes, contracts, and invoices; and service that enables companies to deliver trusted and highly personalized customer service and support at scale.

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Seven Springs Wealth Group LLC cut its stake in shares of Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK  Free Report) by 39.9% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 26,565 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 17,605 shares during the period. Duke Energy makes up about 1.1% of Seven Springs Wealth Group LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest position. Seven Springs Wealth Group LLCs holdings in Duke Energy were worth $2,345,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Catalyst Financial Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Duke Energy by 28.6% in the 3rd quarter. Catalyst Financial Partners LLC now owns 4,023 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $355,000 after buying an additional 894 shares during the last quarter. Adviser Investments LLC acquired a new position in Duke Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $304,000. Guggenheim Capital LLC boosted its stake in Duke Energy by 13.1% during the 2nd quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 191,379 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $17,174,000 after purchasing an additional 22,100 shares during the last quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 10.0% during the third quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,397 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $212,000 after buying an additional 217 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Duke Energy by 4.0% in the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,509,580 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $135,462,000 after buying an additional 58,755 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.68% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. KeyCorp upped their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $106.00 to $107.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Bank of America cut their price target on Duke Energy from $104.00 to $103.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 22nd. StockNews.com raised Duke Energy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $98.00 to $101.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. Finally, Evercore ISI raised shares of Duke Energy from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and upped their price objective for the company from $90.00 to $108.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Duke Energy has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $100.67.

Duke Energy Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of DUK traded up $0.44 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $95.50. 2,451,976 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,908,344. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $96.22 and a 200-day simple moving average of $92.36. The stock has a market cap of $73.60 billion, a PE ratio of 60.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 0.48. Duke Energy Co. has a twelve month low of $83.06 and a twelve month high of $100.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43.

Duke Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 16th will be given a $1.025 dividend. This represents a $4.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.29%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 15th. Duke Energys payout ratio is 261.15%.

Duke Energy Profile

(Free Report)

Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through two segments, Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I) and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest; and uses coal, hydroelectric, natural gas, oil, solar and wind sources, renewables, and nuclear fuel to generate electricity.

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SSR Mining Inc. (TSE:SSRM  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as C$12.52 and last traded at C$12.63, with a volume of 123423 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$12.85.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

SSRM has been the topic of several analyst reports. TD Securities reduced their price target on SSR Mining from C$33.00 to C$25.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. Desjardins set a C$22.75 price objective on SSR Mining and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 24th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on shares of SSR Mining from C$22.00 to C$15.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 3rd. Finally, National Bankshares dropped their price objective on SSR Mining from C$23.00 to C$20.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$22.68.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on SSR Mining

SSR Mining Stock Performance

SSR Mining Dividend Announcement

The stock has a market capitalization of C$2.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.42, a PEG ratio of 5.64 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a quick ratio of 3.80, a current ratio of 6.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.26. The firm has a fifty day moving average of C$14.04 and a 200-day moving average of C$16.95.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 11th. Investors of record on Monday, December 11th were paid a dividend of $0.07 per share. This represents a $0.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.22%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 9th. SSR Minings payout ratio is currently 28.36%.

SSR Mining Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

SSR Mining Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of precious metal resource properties in Turkey and the Americas. The company explores for gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc deposits. Its projects include the Copler Gold mine located in Erzincan province, Turkey; the Marigold mine located in Nevada, the United States; the Seabee Gold Operation located in Saskatchewan, Canada; and the Puna Operations in Jujuy province, Argentina.

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State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D reduced its position in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 3.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,209,375 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 101,404 shares during the period. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D owned about 0.06% of Pfizer worth $106,455,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Financial Security Advisor Inc. bought a new position in shares of Pfizer during the 3rd quarter valued at $482,000. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC now owns 221,680 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $7,353,000 after buying an additional 4,290 shares during the period. Choreo LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 3.9% during the 3rd quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 107,392 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $3,562,000 after buying an additional 4,024 shares during the period. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Pfizer during the 3rd quarter valued at $947,000. Finally, Bell Investment Advisors Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 125.4% during the 3rd quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 5,461 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $181,000 after buying an additional 3,038 shares during the period. 68.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Pfizer Trading Up 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE:PFE traded up $0.06 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $27.56. The companys stock had a trading volume of 36,645,907 shares, compared to its average volume of 46,729,797. The company has a current ratio of 2.38, a quick ratio of 2.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. Pfizer Inc. has a 12 month low of $25.76 and a 12 month high of $44.33. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $28.33 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $31.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $155.62 billion, a PE ratio of 76.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.62.

Pfizer Increases Dividend

Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.10 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.19) by $0.29. Pfizer had a net margin of 3.62% and a return on equity of 10.61%. The firm had revenue of $14.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.37 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.14 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 41.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.23 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 26th will be paid a $0.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 25th. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.10%. This is an increase from Pfizers previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 466.67%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Scott Gottlieb acquired 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, December 15th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $26.47 per share, with a total value of $79,410.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 9,000 shares in the company, valued at $238,230. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.05% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

PFE has been the topic of several research analyst reports. UBS Group lowered their price target on Pfizer from $34.00 to $27.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 14th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on Pfizer from $44.00 to $33.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 16th. Truist Financial cut their price target on Pfizer from $42.00 to $36.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Pfizer from $39.00 to $35.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Finally, TD Cowen lowered Pfizer from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $32.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Pfizer has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $37.13.

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Pfizer Company Profile

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D trimmed its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Free Report) by 3.4% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 1,445,672 shares of the companys stock after selling 50,222 shares during the quarter. Merck & Co., Inc. comprises about 0.5% of State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund Ds holdings, making the stock its 28th biggest holding. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund Ds holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $148,832,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in MRK. State Street Corp raised its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 118,562,086 shares of the companys stock worth $13,766,428,000 after purchasing an additional 2,174,829 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 2.9% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 52,723,457 shares of the companys stock worth $6,068,750,000 after purchasing an additional 1,504,701 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 10.6% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 41,850,081 shares of the companys stock worth $4,643,267,000 after purchasing an additional 4,000,816 shares during the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 103,159.7% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 39,327,490 shares of the companys stock worth $4,363,385,000 after purchasing an additional 39,289,404 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 31,951,714 shares of the companys stock worth $3,289,429,000 after purchasing an additional 1,246,705 shares during the last quarter. 74.59% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, EVP Steven Mizell sold 50,694 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.65, for a total transaction of $6,420,395.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 23,619 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,991,346.35. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, insider Johannes Jacobus Oosthuizen sold 2,081 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.38, for a total transaction of $213,052.78. Following the sale, the insider now owns 18,191 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,862,394.58. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Steven Mizell sold 50,694 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.65, for a total value of $6,420,395.10. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 23,619 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,991,346.35. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock.

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Up 0.5 %

NYSE:MRK traded up $0.59 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $127.47. 6,708,684 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,251,732. Merck & Co., Inc. has a twelve month low of $99.14 and a twelve month high of $128.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.38 and a quick ratio of 1.12. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $113.13 and a 200 day moving average of $108.09. The stock has a market cap of $323.01 billion, a PE ratio of 906.29, a PEG ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 0.38.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $0.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.09) by $0.12. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 9.07% and a net margin of 0.61%. The firm had revenue of $14.63 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.49 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.62 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 8.62 earnings per share for the current year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a dividend of $0.77 per share. This represents a $3.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. Merck & Co., Inc.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 2,200.00%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have weighed in on the company. TheStreet raised Merck & Co., Inc. from a c+ rating to a b rating in a report on Monday, November 27th. TD Cowen raised Merck & Co., Inc. from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and upped their price target for the company from $125.00 to $135.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on Merck & Co., Inc. in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. They issued a buy rating and a $115.00 price target for the company. Barclays upped their price target on Merck & Co., Inc. from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, Truist Financial upped their price target on Merck & Co., Inc. from $122.00 to $139.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $129.68.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Merck & Co., Inc.

Merck & Co., Inc. Profile

(Free Report)

Merck & Co, Inc operates as a healthcare company worldwide. It operates through two segments, Pharmaceutical and Animal Health. The Pharmaceutical segment offers human health pharmaceutical products in the areas of oncology, hospital acute care, immunology, neuroscience, virology, cardiovascular, and diabetes, as well as vaccine products, such as preventive pediatric, adolescent, and adult vaccines.

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China makes efforts to facilitate cross-border travel

Xinhua) 08:11, February 08, 2024

BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Recent efforts by China to facilitate cross-border travel have made it safer and easier for Chinese people to travel abroad, and for foreigners to come to China, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a regular news briefing when asked to give more details on China's measures to facilitate cross-border travel.

To help foreigners get a mobile number easier upon arrival, carriers including China Telecom, China Mobile, and China Unicom recently set up nine new shops at airports in such cities as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Chengdu and Xiamen, and six new shops in popular destinations for foreign travelers in cities including Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xi'an and Qingdao.

China is committed to high-level opening-up and expanding people-to-people exchange with the rest of the world, Wang said, adding that responsible government agencies and telecom operators in China recently took steps to enhance telecom service, easing the access to such service for foreigners traveling, working, studying or living in China.

Wang said China recently announced five new measures, including shortening visa application forms, lowering visa fees for the entire year, exempting some applicants from fingerprinting, providing walk-in without appointment visa application service and extending unilateral visa-free policy to France, Germany and some other countries on a trial basis.

So far, China has signed mutual visa exemption agreements with 157 countries that cover different types of passports, and has reached agreements or arrangements to simplify visa procedures with 44 countries. China has complete mutual visa exemption with 23 countries, he added.

As the Lunar New Year approaches, China welcomes more foreign friends to come to China, to see China with their own eyes and travel the expanse of the country with their own feet and experience a true, multi-dimensional and panoramic China, said the spokesperson.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Chief of the Seckiler Information Center of the Central Election Commission Secretariat Farid Orujov has announced the voter turnout in the presidential election held in Azerbaijan.

4,971,032 people cast their ballots in the presidential election, which ended at 7:00 p.m.

Farid Orujov said that the voter turnout in the presidential election was 76.73 percent.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. The President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, accompanied by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, visited the Technopark in the city of Tashkent, Trend reports.

The distinguished guest was presented with a wide range of high-tech products produced at Technopark enterprises: household appliances, electronic meters, elevators and escalators, pumps, industrial boilers, cooling systems and others.

The industrial complex, created on the initiative of the head of our state, houses 17 production facilities with a total value of US$365 million. The logistics center will begin operating this year.

Products are produced under foreign brands and under their control, and are in high demand in the domestic and foreign markets. Manufactured products are exported to 10 countries.

The leaders noted the need to expand cooperation between leading enterprises, mutual exchange of experience and technology transfer.
State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D cut its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 3.7% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 482,181 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 18,712 shares during the quarter. Mastercard makes up approximately 0.7% of State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund Ds investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest holding. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D owned about 0.05% of Mastercard worth $190,900,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MA. State Street Corp increased its holdings in Mastercard by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 35,255,582 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $13,866,020,000 after buying an additional 495,768 shares during the period. Capital International Investors increased its holdings in Mastercard by 6.8% in the 2nd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 19,377,705 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $7,620,937,000 after buying an additional 1,240,661 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Mastercard by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 16,643,273 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $6,529,235,000 after buying an additional 274,679 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley increased its holdings in Mastercard by 17.7% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 15,843,692 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $5,509,328,000 after buying an additional 2,385,640 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in Mastercard in the 4th quarter worth approximately $3,308,223,000. 74.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Richard K. Davis bought 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 9th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $390.96 per share, with a total value of $390,960.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 9,743 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,809,123.28. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, insider Craig Vosburg sold 8,900 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $430.26, for a total transaction of $3,829,314.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 46,491 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $20,003,217.66. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Richard K. Davis bought 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 9th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $390.96 per share, with a total value of $390,960.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 9,743 shares in the company, valued at $3,809,123.28. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders sold 30,540 shares of company stock valued at $13,542,519 in the last three months. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently weighed in on MA. Tigress Financial increased their price target on shares of Mastercard from $476.00 to $495.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 7th. Barclays lowered their price objective on Mastercard from $479.00 to $470.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 30th. Raymond James upped their price objective on Mastercard from $452.00 to $504.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on Mastercard from $433.00 to $482.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Finally, Mizuho upped their price objective on Mastercard from $462.00 to $480.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $471.85.

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Mastercard Price Performance

MA stock traded up $1.41 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $461.91. The stock had a trading volume of 2,544,317 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,568,728. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $427.66 and its 200 day simple moving average is $408.74. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06. The company has a market cap of $433.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.08. Mastercard Incorporated has a 52-week low of $340.21 and a 52-week high of $463.84.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The credit services provider reported $3.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.08 by $0.10. Mastercard had a return on equity of 191.22% and a net margin of 44.60%. The business had revenue of $6.55 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.46 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.65 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 14.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, December 5th that permits the company to buyback $11.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the credit services provider to repurchase up to 2.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are often a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 9th will be paid a $0.66 dividend. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.57%. Mastercards dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.32%.

Mastercard Profile

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. It facilitates the processing of payment transactions, including authorization, clearing, and settlement, as well as delivers other payment-related products and services.

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Summit Place Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (NYSEARCA:EWY  Free Report) by 6.2% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 25,255 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 1,485 shares during the period. Summit Place Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI South Korea ETF were worth $1,489,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of EWY. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 0.6% during the third quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 89,329 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $5,265,000 after purchasing an additional 536 shares during the last quarter. Bryn Mawr Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in iShares MSCI South Korea ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $213,000. Advisors Preferred LLC raised its holdings in iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 134.2% in the 3rd quarter. Advisors Preferred LLC now owns 1,857 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $109,000 after acquiring an additional 1,064 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC raised its holdings in iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 4.4% in the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 152,373 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $8,982,000 after acquiring an additional 6,378 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wambolt & Associates LLC raised its holdings in iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 7.9% in the 3rd quarter. Wambolt & Associates LLC now owns 11,456 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $670,000 after acquiring an additional 835 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI South Korea ETF Price Performance

NYSEARCA EWY traded up $1.10 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $63.28. The stock had a trading volume of 2,662,809 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,692,565. The stock has a market cap of $3.69 billion, a PE ratio of 7.39 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $62.17 and a 200 day moving average price of $61.62. iShares MSCI South Korea ETF has a 1 year low of $54.49 and a 1 year high of $67.95.

About iShares MSCI South Korea ETF

iShares MSCI South Korea Capped ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Korea 25/50 Index (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Stock Market Division of the Korean Exchange.

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Summit Place Financial Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST  Free Report) by 2.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,703 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the period. Summit Place Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in West Pharmaceutical Services were worth $639,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new position in West Pharmaceutical Services during the first quarter worth $25,000. RVW Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services during the 3rd quarter worth about $38,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services in the 3rd quarter valued at about $53,000. Addison Advisors LLC lifted its stake in West Pharmaceutical Services by 37.9% in the 3rd quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 142 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in West Pharmaceutical Services by 37.4% in the 1st quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 147 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $51,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.23% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

WST has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Stephens dropped their price objective on West Pharmaceutical Services from $420.00 to $390.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 27th. StockNews.com raised West Pharmaceutical Services from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 7th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded West Pharmaceutical Services from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $323.00 to $536.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, West Pharmaceutical Services currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $412.20.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other West Pharmaceutical Services news, CAO Chad Winters sold 1,013 shares of West Pharmaceutical Services stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $349.00, for a total value of $353,537.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 1,270 shares in the company, valued at $443,230. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 1.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

West Pharmaceutical Services Price Performance

NYSE:WST traded up $14.73 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $413.00. The stock had a trading volume of 643,549 shares, compared to its average volume of 490,878. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $354.51 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $366.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 3.70 and a quick ratio of 2.89. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $264.02 and a 12 month high of $415.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $30.56 billion, a PE ratio of 53.75, a P/E/G ratio of 3.93 and a beta of 1.05.

West Pharmaceutical Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 7th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 31st will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 30th. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.19%. West Pharmaceutical Servicess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 10.80%.

About West Pharmaceutical Services

(Free Report)

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc designs, manufactures, and sells containment and delivery systems for injectable drugs and healthcare products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in two segments, Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products.

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Summit Place Financial Advisors LLC lowered its stake in CVS Health Co. (NYSE:CVS  Free Report) by 5.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 34,960 shares of the pharmacy operators stock after selling 1,827 shares during the period. CVS Health makes up approximately 1.7% of Summit Place Financial Advisors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest holding. Summit Place Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in CVS Health were worth $2,441,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Wade G W & Inc. boosted its position in CVS Health by 2.2% during the third quarter. Wade G W & Inc. now owns 229,561 shares of the pharmacy operators stock worth $16,028,000 after purchasing an additional 4,832 shares in the last quarter. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC purchased a new stake in CVS Health during the third quarter worth $607,000. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in CVS Health during the third quarter worth $148,000. Shayne & Jacobs LLC purchased a new stake in CVS Health during the third quarter worth $1,440,000. Finally, Pathstone Family Office LLC lifted its position in shares of CVS Health by 23.7% in the third quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 141,150 shares of the pharmacy operators stock valued at $9,867,000 after acquiring an additional 27,004 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.99% of the companys stock.

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CVS Health Stock Up 3.1 %

CVS traded up $2.28 on Wednesday, reaching $76.05. The companys stock had a trading volume of 14,952,585 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,266,983. The stock has a market cap of $97.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 0.50. CVS Health Co. has a 1 year low of $64.41 and a 1 year high of $90.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.64. The businesss 50 day moving average is $75.53 and its 200 day moving average is $71.98.

CVS Health Increases Dividend

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 1st. Investors of record on Monday, January 22nd were issued a $0.665 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 19th. This represents a $2.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.50%. This is an increase from CVS Healths previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. CVS Healths dividend payout ratio is currently 40.12%.

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the company. HSBC assumed coverage on CVS Health in a research report on Friday, December 22nd. They issued a buy rating and a $94.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on CVS Health from $91.00 to $86.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. Sanford C. Bernstein reduced their price objective on CVS Health from $93.00 to $80.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 10th. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on CVS Health from $110.00 to $100.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $87.00 target price on shares of CVS Health in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $93.00.

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CVS Health Profile

(Free Report)

CVS Health Corporation provides health services in the United States. It operates through Health Care Benefits, Pharmacy Services, and Retail/LTC segments. The Health Care Benefits segment offers traditional, voluntary, and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services. It serves employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups, and expatriates.

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Trilogy Metals Inc. (TSE:TMQ  Get Free Report)s stock price was up 9.1% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as C$0.74 and last traded at C$0.72. Approximately 7,886 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 63% from the average daily volume of 21,189 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.66.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently issued reports on TMQ shares. National Bankshares cut their price target on shares of Trilogy Metals from C$1.00 to C$0.75 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 8th. Raymond James dropped their target price on shares of Trilogy Metals from C$1.75 to C$1.50 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 12th.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on TMQ

Trilogy Metals Stock Performance

Insider Buying and Selling at Trilogy Metals

The company has a market cap of C$107.56 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.31 and a beta of 1.18. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is C$0.61 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$0.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 5.25 and a current ratio of 6.23.

In other Trilogy Metals news, Senior Officer Elaine Sanders sold 100,000 shares of Trilogy Metals stock in a transaction on Monday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$0.42, for a total value of C$41,700.00. 17.47% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Trilogy Metals Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Trilogy Metals Inc, a base metals exploration company, explores for and develops mineral properties in the United States. It principally holds interests in the Upper Kobuk mineral projects that include the Arctic, which contains polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits; and Bornite that contains carbonate-hosted copper  cobalt deposits covering an area of approximately 448,217 acres located in the Ambler mining district in Northwest Alaska.

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W.G. Shaheen & Associates DBA Whitney & Co purchased a new position in shares of Carrier Global Co. (NYSE:CARR  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 4,013 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $222,000.

A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in CARR. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Carrier Global by 29.2% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 16,359 shares of the companys stock valued at $750,000 after buying an additional 3,700 shares during the period. Panagora Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Carrier Global by 40.1% in the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 36,481 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,673,000 after buying an additional 10,445 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Carrier Global by 23.2% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 7,493 shares of the companys stock valued at $343,000 after buying an additional 1,412 shares during the period. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. lifted its holdings in shares of Carrier Global by 22.7% in the first quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 65,241 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,992,000 after buying an additional 12,089 shares during the period. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Carrier Global by 10.6% in the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 786,543 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,078,000 after buying an additional 75,622 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.47% of the companys stock.

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Carrier Global Stock Performance

NYSE:CARR traded down $0.49 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $53.82. 8,358,922 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,975,901. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $55.82 and a two-hundred day moving average of $54.53. Carrier Global Co. has a 12 month low of $40.28 and a 12 month high of $60.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $45.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a current ratio of 1.66, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02.

Carrier Global Increases Dividend

Carrier Global ( NYSE:CARR Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $0.53 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.51 by $0.02. Carrier Global had a return on equity of 26.60% and a net margin of 5.43%. The firm had revenue of $5.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.22 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.40 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Carrier Global Co. will post 2.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 9th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 21st will be paid a dividend of $0.19 per share. This is an increase from Carrier Globals previous quarterly dividend of $0.19. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 20th. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.41%. Carrier Globals dividend payout ratio is presently 53.90%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Carrier Global news, VP Ajay Agrawal sold 16,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.99, for a total value of $956,835.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 89,920 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,214,460.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.38% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

CARR has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Carrier Global from $63.00 to $57.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on Carrier Global from $63.00 to $60.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Oppenheimer reduced their target price on Carrier Global from $60.00 to $58.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 23rd. Citigroup upped their target price on Carrier Global from $52.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, December 11th. Finally, Wolfe Research downgraded Carrier Global from a peer perform rating to an underperform rating and set a $56.00 target price for the company. in a report on Thursday, October 12th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Carrier Global currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $58.07.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Carrier Global

About Carrier Global

(Free Report)

Carrier Global Corporation provides heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security, and building automation technologies worldwide. It operates through three segments: HVAC, Refrigeration, and Fire & Security. The HVAC segment provides products, controls, services, and solutions to meet the heating, cooling, and ventilation needs of residential and commercial customers.

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Wade G W & Inc. cut its stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:USMV  Free Report) by 5.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 980,693 shares of the companys stock after selling 53,924 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF makes up approximately 2.6% of Wade G W & Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest holding. Wade G W & Inc. owned approximately 0.26% of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF worth $70,983,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 2.8% during the second quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 77,767 shares of the companys stock worth $5,780,000 after buying an additional 2,121 shares in the last quarter. Calamos Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. Calamos Wealth Management LLC now owns 93,005 shares of the companys stock worth $6,913,000 after purchasing an additional 303 shares in the last quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 5.5% in the 2nd quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 221,653 shares of the companys stock valued at $16,475,000 after purchasing an additional 11,610 shares during the period. Financial Counselors Inc. grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 27.3% during the 2nd quarter. Financial Counselors Inc. now owns 4,384 shares of the companys stock worth $326,000 after purchasing an additional 939 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp increased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 2.3% during the second quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 26,043 shares of the companys stock worth $1,936,000 after purchasing an additional 588 shares during the period.

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iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Stock Performance

Shares of BATS USMV traded up $0.35 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $80.38. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,000,048 shares. The company has a market cap of $30.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.17 and a beta of 0.75. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF has a fifty-two week low of $47.44 and a fifty-two week high of $55.45. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $78.26 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $75.51.

iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility (USD) index. The fund tracks an index of US-listed firms selected and weighted to create a low-volatility portfolio subject to various constraints. USMV was launched on Oct 18, 2011 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Wade G W & Inc. lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:EFA  Free Report) by 0.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 95,367 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 211 shares during the quarter. Wade G W & Inc.s holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF were worth $6,573,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC lifted its position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 72.1% in the 1st quarter. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC now owns 11,841 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $808,000 after acquiring an additional 4,959 shares in the last quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF during the first quarter worth $37,000. Vontobel Holding Ltd. boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 83.6% during the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 23,000 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,693,000 after acquiring an additional 10,470 shares during the last quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management grew its position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 7.1% in the 1st quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management now owns 13,970 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,028,000 after purchasing an additional 928 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Federated Hermes Inc. lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 38.1% during the first quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 236,500 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $17,406,000 after acquiring an additional 65,200 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 77.78% of the companys stock.

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iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Stock Down 0.1 %

EFA traded down $0.06 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $75.15. The company had a trading volume of 10,485,085 shares, compared to its average volume of 15,499,880. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $74.31 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $71.69. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF has a 12-month low of $65.68 and a 12-month high of $75.97.

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Funds investment objective is to seek investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, MSCI EAFE Index (the Index). The Index has been developed by MSCI Inc as an equity benchmark for its international stock performance.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the progress of the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip with the Minister of Defense of the Jewish State Yoav Galant, the press service of the State Department said, Trend reports.

According to the information, Blinken expressed the need to take all possible measures to protect the civilian population of the Gaza Strip. He also discussed the prospects for the release of hostages held by the Palestinian Hamas movement and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the enclave.

In addition, Blinken supported the idea of creating a full-fledged Palestinian state and providing security guarantees to Israel.
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Nickey Mirchandani NICKEY MIRCHANDANI Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. Shes a presenter and a stock market enthusiast with over 12 years of experience who loves reading between the lines and scanning through numbers.
There are, according to the American author Gary D. Chapman, five ways that we can give and receive love: spend quality time together; physical touch; positive language; acts that show we care and, of course, giving gifts

While these are things we do spontaneously all year round, there is one day in particular when the romantically attached like to celebrate their other half. We are, of course, talking about Valentines Day.

Do we need a Valentines Day? Opinions are divided but for couples, this is still the most romantic day in the calendar; a chance to show our love with a sweet intention or a thoughtfully chosen gift.

Chocolate shops, florists, jewellers et al rise to the occasion with products ideally suited to declaring our love or simply letting our partner know how much they mean to us.

And to help you choose, heres our selection of watches that any Valentine would be thrilled to receive.

For Her, Ladybird Colors by Blancpain

For more than two decades, Blancpain has made it a point of honour to create a limited series for Valentines Day. This years Ladybird Colors is a celebration of romance. Framed by white gold, the pearly-grey dial is the colour of the cloud we float on when we are in love. Two hearts drive the romantic message home: one, in ruby, has been shot through by the arrow-shaped seconds hand; another, in the lower part of the dial, is picked out in diamonds, with more diamonds sparkling on the bezel and horns. An alligator leather strap in red, the colour of passion, echoes the rich red of the Roman numerals of this sophisticated timepiece, for just 99 lucky recipients.

Ladybird Colors Collection - Valentine's Day 2024  Blancpain

For Him, Complete Calendar Moon Phases GMT by Blancpain

The red gold case of this Blancpain watch is beautifully complemented by the brown of the alligator leather strap. Its complete calendar complication counts the date, day of the week and month while the moon-phase display is a reminder of the couple watchmaking forms with astronomy. A constant feature of the night sky, the moon becomes a symbol of everlasting love, depicted here with different expressions for a touch of whimsy. The red tip of the seconds hand hints at the arrow Cupid shoots to lovers hearts.

Complete Calendar Moon Phases GMT  Blancpain

For Her, Charms Extraordinaire Vendome Watch by Van Cleef & Arpels

Once upon a time, in 1895, the daughter of a dealer in precious stones, Estelle Arpels, fell in love with and married the son of a diamond broker and cutter, Alfred Van Cleef. Alfred went into business with his beloveds brothers and opened a boutique at 22, Place Vendome where, for more than a century, Van Cleef & Arpels has charmed customers on this legendary square in Paris, the most romantic city in the world.

This Charms Extraordinaire Vendome transforms its dial into a miniature tableau of a couple cuddled together on a bench, deep in conversation, oblivious to the world around them. The column that famously stands in the centre of Place Vendome is silhouetted, in white gold, against a night sky that has been meticulously painted on white mother-of-pearl. The sumptuous yellows, blues and purples of sapphires and spessartite garnets bring the entire scene to life. Subtle variations in the colour of the stones make each of the 22 watches in this limited edition unique. An interchangeable strap in glossy alligator leather, in purple or black, will match this delightful watch to every outfit, including for a Valentines dinner date.

Charms Extraordinaire Vendome Watch  Van Cleef & Arpels

For Him, Pierre Arpels Heure dIci & Heure dAilleurs by Van Cleef & Arpels

In 1949 Pierre Arpels designed a watch that would epitomise masculine elegance and take his name. The slim case in white gold is secured by two central lugs to a black strap in glossy alligator leather. Perfect for long-distance relationships, this refined timepiece shows the time in two different parts of the world by means of jumping hours in apertures, paired with a retrograde hand for the minutes. Literally time here and time elsewhere (heure dici and heure dailleurs) but also a metaphor for the way time is transformed when we are with our soulmate.

Pierre Arpels Heure dIci & Heure dAilleurs  Van Cleef & Arpels

For Her, Reine de Naples 8925 Valentines Day Edition by Breguet

Breguet proposes a new rendition of the Reine de Naples, with a glamorous 28-piece limited edition for Valentines Day. Light is softly reflected by a red strap in glossy alligator leather, complemented by the glow of the 66 rubies which have been individually hand-set on the flange. The crown is set with a cabochon-cut ruby and an abundance of sparkling diamonds highlights the oval shape of the bezel.

Set against the white mother-of-pearl dial, the Breguet Arabic numerals are graduated in size, in harmony with the oval form. Twelve tiny red hearts mark the hours on the off-centred subdial, swept by Breguets open-tipped apple hands which are varnished red.

Reine de Naples 8925  Breguet

For Him, Heritage Grande Complication by Breguet

There are many metaphors for love contained in this watch.

The curve of the tonneau case alludes to romantic evenings and long conversations over a glass of wine. The figure of eight formed by the two subsidiary dials is the symbol of infinity; delivering a message of our eternal love to the one who wears it. As for the warm glow of the rose gold, it mirrors the warm glow of love.

Heritage Grande Complication  Breguet

For Her, Lili Bouton Red Coral by Beauregard

The dial of this Lili Bouton watch represents a dahlia whose petals, like love, blossom and become more beautiful with time. They are made from the finest branches of red coral, a material steeped in legend. Indeed, red coral from the Mediterranean has been sculpted since Antiquity. During the Renaissance, the royal palaces of Europe were adorned with magnificent objects carved from red coral. In the fishing village of Torre del Greco, near Pompeii, it is still referred to as "red gold". According to Greek legend, Perseus beheaded Medusa whose blood transformed the Mediterranean seaweed into red coral. This precious resource grows just one centimetre in ten years and is only harvested between May and October, when divers sometimes venture up to 100 metres in depth. Elegantly attired with a satin strap, this Lili Bouton is a union of 36 River diamonds with 33 red coral petals.

Lili Bouton Red Coral  Beauregard

For thousands of years, love has touched our hearts and enriched our lives but friendships are just as important so lets not forget that February 13th is Galentines Day, when we celebrate female friendships, and that Valentines Day is a chance to tell not just our significant other but all those we love how special they are!

Happy Valentines Day and a big thank-you to the watchmakers for the beauty and poetry of these exceptional models.
Rupak De is the Senior Research Analyst at LKP Securities. He is a CFA (ICFAI) and has total experience of more than 10 years in the analysis of equity and commodities.
The LVMH group owns a number of watch manufacturers, so much so that they have their own watch fair. This explains the organisation of LVMH Watch Week in Miami from 28 January to 1 February this year. Here are some of the highlights

The LVMH group is known as the world's luxury goods giant, owning several watch manufacturers, including Daniel Roth, Gerald Genta, Bulgari, Hublot, TAG Heuer and Zenith. Six of these companies were in Miami from 28th January to 1st February this year for LVMH Watch Week, where they presented their new products exclusively to the watchmaking world. While some might wonder why Louis Vuitton watches were not on show, there is a plausible explanation. Like all Louis Vuitton products, the watches are sold exclusively in Louis Vuitton boutiques, never in multi-brand stores. So, there's no need to win over the distribution networks at a trade show.

Lets take a closer look at six brand-new watches

Bulgari

Alongside the legendary Serpenti watch, exclusively for women, Bulgari has succeeded in establishing a second icon, this time for men: the Octo Finissimo. The Octo Finissimo is an ever-expanding creative pillar, animated by different calibres, each holding a record for thinness in its own category. Such is the case with the new Octo Finissimo Tuscan Copper, distinguished by its fascinating copper-coloured sunray dial. It is powered by the BVL 138 automatic movement presented in 2017 and recognised as the world's thinnest at just 2.33 mm thick. A marvel of engineering that we owe to the Bulgari Manufacture located in Switzerland. Yes, Bulgari is a true watchmaker...

Octo Finissimo Tuscan Copper in steel, 40 mm diameter, automatic movement with small seconds, steel bracelet. Bulgari. CHF 12,800.  Bulgari

Daniel Roth

Bought out by the LVMH group, Daniel Roth has risen from the ashes. This sleeping beauty has returned to the forefront of the watchmaking scene with an exceptional timepiece. A tourbillon that is none other than the re-edition of the first tourbillon signed by the Manufacture under the reference 2187/C187 in 1988. The modern and inventive case, called the double ellipse, remains unchanged, the tourbillon has been developed by the Fabrique du Temps, a watch manufacturer attached to Louis Vuitton, as part of the group's policy, and finally, the small seconds has retained its extreme originality. Superimposed on the tourbillon carriage, it has three arms of three different lengths, which display the exact seconds on three superimposed sectors ranging respectively from 0 to 20, from 20 to 40, and from 40 to 60.

Tourbillon Souscription in yellow gold, 39 x 35.5 mm, hand-wound movement with off-centre hours and minutes, small seconds and tourbillon escapement, leather strap. Daniel Roth. CHF 140,000.  Daniel Roth

Gerald Genta

Like Daniel Roth, Gerald Genta is a beautiful beauty that was acquired by the LVMH group in 2011. Created by the creative genius Gerald Genta, the father of icons such as the Royal Oak and the Nautilus, it has historic models in its archives, such as this octagonal minute repeater. Now powered by a calibre signed by the Fabrique du Temps, it takes up the incredible octagonal case launched in the 1980s, enhanced by a Mickey Mouse dial. Indeed, Gerald Genta succeeded in negotiating with Disney at the time. It is Mickey who has fun indicating the minutes with his right hand in retrograde mode, while the hours jump out in a window at 3 o'clock. A great complication treated with fantasy and combined with a minute repeater. Now thats art!

GG-001 in white gold, 40 mm in diameter, hand-wound movement with minute repeater, jumping hours and retrograde minutes, textile strap. Gerald Genta. CHF 450,000.  Gerald Genta

Hublot

Another surprise is the order of the day at Hublot. Hyper creativity is combined with expertise in this brand new tourbillon. On the programme: a new case shape combined with a new self-winding tourbillon calibre, the HUB 9013, which has the madness of no longer using hands. And how do they do this? By displaying the hours and minutes vertically and from top to bottom on two rollers. The power reserve is on a disc that changes colour from green to red according to the level of winding of the movement, and finally, the tourbillon cage, inclined at 35 degrees, acts as a small seconds hand. This is a masterpiece mounted on a fully integrated bracelet.

MP-10 in titanium and sapphire, 54 x 41.5 mm, automatic movement with hours and minutes on rollers, power reserve indicator, small seconds and tourbillon escapement, rubber strap. Limited series of 50. Hublot. CHF 250,000.  Hublot

TAG Heuer

This new chronograph with a single minute sub-counter and date window located at 9 o'clock, rather than at 3 o'clock as usual, is inspired by the famous Carrara 45 DATO chronograph launched in 1968. A vintage aesthetic combined with an ergonomically improved case topped by a "Glassbox" sapphire crystal, a sloping flange and a teal green dial with circular finishing. The mechanical mechanism is the TH20-07 calibre, with an impressive 80-hour power reserve.

Carrera in steel, 39 mm in diameter, chronograph movement with date window, leather strap. TAG Heuer. CHF 6,400.  TAG Heuer

Zenith

All the talents seem to be grouped together in this chronograph. Not only is it powered by the El Primero 3652 automatic chronograph calibre, beating at a rate of 36,000 vibrations per hour and rightly considered to be the best in its category. It also features a flyback function enabling the chronograph to be stopped, reset and restarted instantaneously. Not only that, but the choice of a large date at 6 o'clock, instead of the classic date window at 3 o'clock, is undoubtedly one of its many assets. And finally, the icing on the cake is the choice of luminous navy blue for the dial and interchangeable strap in a choice of leather or Cordura-effect fabric.
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

Meghna Mittal MEGHNA MITTAL is Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com
Jinit Parmar is a correspondent based out of Mumbai covering the banking sector, fintechs, NBFCs, insurance and more, tweets @jinitparmar10
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Chinese scientists from the Beijing Institute of General Artificial Intelligence (BIGAI) have created the world's first model of a child with artificial intelligence. What distinguishes it from an ordinary toy is its ability to learn and develop.

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The robot is called Tong Tong, and it can imitate human consciousness, show basic facial expressions, emotions of anger and joy, distinguish between right and wrong, and perform some actions at the level of a 3-4-year-old child. This is reported by The Byte Futurism.

The scientists said that an artificial intelligence "child" can not only execute commands given to it virtually, but also set new tasks for itself.

"Tong Tong has a mind and seeks to understand the common sense that people are taught. She distinguishes right from wrong, expresses her attitude to different situations, and is able to determine the future," the developers' description says.

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Attendees at the presentation could interact with the robot and watch it demonstrate human skills. For example, it repairs crooked photo frames and wipes up spilled milk.

Visually, an AI doll bears little resemblance to a child. AI controls an invention that resembles a cartoon character.

Scientists aim to develop Tong Tong's abilities to adapt to human environments, perform tasks in complex environments, and understand cause and effect relationships in the future.

We haveonly verified information on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
British Prince William has returned to his royal duties, from which he had taken a break due to the treatment of his wife, Kate Middleton. Since it recently became known that King Charles III had been diagnosed with cancer, William was forced to take on some of his responsibilities. Thus, the 41-year-old prince attended the Air Ambulance Charity gala dinner in London, where he spoke publicly for the first time about the illness of his loved ones.

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William thanked people for their support and concern for the health of the King and Princess of Wales. The Independent reports.

"I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for the kind words of support for Catherine and my father, especially in recent days. It means a lot to all of us," said the main heir to the British throne.

The event was attended by the world-famous American actor Tom Cruise, who became a guest of the gala charity evening.

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As a reminder, on January 16, Kate Middleton was hospitalized for abdominal surgery. Representatives of the British royal family reported at the time that the 42-year-old Princess of Wales would stay in the hospital for about two weeks. On January 29, Catherine was discharged from the hospital.

It is known that after discharge from the hospital, the Princess of Wales will "work from bed" and will not appear in public until Easter, so a number of events planned for this time had to be canceled.

Meanwhile, on January 25, the King of the United Kingdom was hospitalized for prostate enlargement. The day before, on January 17, Buckingham Palace reported that during a routine checkup, Charles was found to have a benign tumor that was "treatable." Eventually, the monarch arrived at a hospital in London, where he underwent a "corrective procedure."

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On February 5, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III had been diagnosed with cancer. The type of the disease was not disclosed, but it is clear that it is related to a recent surgery and is not prostate cancer. Doctors noticed it when he was undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.

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KP Nayar has extensively covered West Asia and reported from Washington as a foreign correspondent for 15 years. Views are personal.
Sanjay Kumar is a Professor at Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), and an Election Analyst. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Andreas Kluth is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering European politics. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Tim Culpan is a technology columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. Based in Taipei, he writes about Asian and global businesses and trends. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication
Sohil Sehran is a journalist with 10 years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital media. He covers politics and national affairs at Moneycontrol. He tweets @SohilSehran
After the death of his 19-year-old grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, American actor and producer Robert De Niro seeks solace in his ten-month-old daughter Virginia. The celebrity says that when he is with the baby, all his problems immediately disappear.

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Gia, a child with 45-year-old Tiffany Chen, has become a part of the light for the De Niro family, bringing great joy. "She is such an adorable child. She's so sweet," the actor told People about his youngest daughter. However, De Niro noted that Gia is very similar to him as a child.

"This [his childhood photo - Ed.] reminds me of my two youngest girls [daughters: 10-month-old Gia and 12-year-old Helen]. I also see it in one of my grandchildren," the "The Intern" star said about his resemblance to his children.

The 80-year-old father is incredibly fond of his youngest daughter. After the death of his 19-year-old grandson Leandro from an overdose of a mixture of drugs in July 2023, Gio became almost the only consolation for the actor.

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"She is such a charming child. She's so sweet. When I look at her, everything else disappears. So it's a great joy and relief to just be with her at that moment. All the children get a lot of pleasure from her. Even the grandchildren," the producer said.

De Niro has 7 children in total - his own, adopted and born to surrogate mothers. The actor seems to be an avid family man, as he loves it when all his children and grandchildren can get together. In particular, he tries to pass on to his followers all the knowledge and experience he has gained over a long life.

"The fact that they would all be together is all I need. Just being together, traveling to warm countries," the actor said.

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MC Feed This content is authored by a 3rd party. The views expressed here do not represent the views of Moneycontrol.com. Moneycontrol.com disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, relating to the report and any content therein.
The Kyiv City Council has decided to rename Povitroflotskyi Avenue. From now on, it will be named in honor of the Air Force of Ukraine.

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The mayor of the capital, Vitali Klitschko, announced this on his Telegram channel. This name was previously supported by Kyiv residents and the Ukrainian military.

"From today, Kyiv has an avenue of the Air Force of Ukraine! Glory to our defenders! Glory to Ukraine!" Klitschko wrote.

It is worth adding that the commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, reacted to the decision of the Kyiv City Council.

"Google maps say that you can enjoy a walk along Air Force Avenue for more than an hour. I am grateful to all Kyiv residents, the deputy corps and personally to Vitali Klitschko for their trust and respect for our defenders of the sky!" Oleshchuk wrote.

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Earlier, the mayor of the capital said that the Kyiv City Council should approve a number of renaming of city objects on Thursday, February 8, during a meeting as part of de-Russification. In particular, this applies to Povitroflotskyi Avenue.

As a reminder, Chelyuskintsiv Street in Darnytsia district was renamed in honor of Ukrainian soldiers who defended and later liberated Zmiinyi Island in the Black Sea from Russian occupiers. The decision was supported by 10,630 citizens in an electronic vote.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Pushkin Park in Kyiv's Shevchenkivskyi district was renamed in honor of Ukrainian writer Ivan Bahrianyi. The corresponding decision was supported by 13,699 citizens during the electronic voting.

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Recovering six equated monthly instalments (EMIs) from a customer for a jewellery set worth Rs1,790, cost ICICI Bank Ltd Rs35,000, excluding an interest of 6%pa (per annum). In an order, the national consumer disputes redressal commission (NCDRC) directed ICICI Bank to pay Rs25,000 compensation and Rs10,000 litigation cost to a customer.

In an order last week , the NCDRC bench of Dr Inder Jit Singh (presiding member), says, "We find no illegality or material irregularity in the order of the Rajasthan state consumer disputes redressal commission. However, we are of the view that Jaipur district consumer disputes redressal forum has awarded a much higher compensation. Hence, in partial modification of para 2 of the operating portion of the order of the district forum, we hereby order that ICICI Bank shall pay a total compensation of Rs25,000 only along with litigation cost of Rs10,000 to the complainant. Order of the district forum with respect of payment of Rs50,000 to be deposited in Rajasthan state consumer welfare fund is set aside. ICICI Bank should pay within one month the amounts as per this order along with interest at 6%pa with effect from the date of order of district forum till the date of actual payment."

Jaipur-based Nilima Jauhari is a credit card customer of ICICI Bank. Along with the ICICI Bank credit card statement for January 2008, she received a proposal from Gift360 Kaviraj Warehouse to buy items and pay the bill in six interest-free EMIs. She purchased a jewellery set of Rs1,790 from Gift360. The payment of the jewellery set was to be effected at Rs298.35 each in six EMIs.

As per the Gift360 offer, the jewellery set was to be consigned to Ms Jauhari within 30 days. However, she did not receive the set till March 2008, while she had already paid three EMIs to Kaviraj Warehouse through ICICI Bank. When contacted, she was assured by Gift360 and Kaviraj Warehouse that the jewellery set would be shipped within a week.

When she did not receive the jewellery set, Ms Jauhari stopped payment of the remaining three EMIs. She sent an intimation to the nodal officer of ICICI Bank in Hyderabad about the non-delivery of the jewellery set. However, no jewellery set was delivered to her. After that, she sent a notice to the Jaipur branch of ICICI Bank and requested that the amount paid as EMIs for the jewellery set be refunded to her and no late fee payment, interest, or services tax be imposed.

However, Ms Jauhari alleged that ICICI Bank compelled her to make the payment, including late payment fees, interest and services tax. Being aggrieved, she filed a complaint before the district forum. In its order on 6 October 2016, the district forum held ICICI Bank and Gift360 (Kaviraj Warehouse) liable for deficiency in service.

ICICI Bank challenged the order before the state commission. It argued that the district forum had erred in saying that the offer was made by ICICI Bank, and thus, the bank is responsible for the delivery of the article purchased by the complainant. "The advertisement relied upon by Ms Jauhari specifically mentioned the exclusion clause of the bank for any delay and delivery or non-delivery or quality of product....The fora below failed to appreciate that as a sincere service gesture by ICICI Bank, as the Bank had reverted the EMI amount along with late fee charge, interest and service taxes."

The state commission dismissed the appeal filed by ICICI Bank, which then approached NCDRC with its revision appeal. The counsel for ICICI Bank argued that the fora below failed to appreciate the fact that whenever any consumer opts for EMI payment on a credit card purchase, the whole order amount is remitted to the seller instantly and not in parts, as and when EMIs are paid to the bank.

"Further, the full amount of the product in question was remitted to the seller at the time of purchase, and the EMI was being collected by the Bank in lieu of its legally enforceable debt. The district forum, without any basis, demonised and penalised the Bank for its actions, i.e. recovery of money from the customer using its credit card service, on whose instructions the amount of the product was paid to Gift360," the counsel contended.

The counsel for Ms Jauhari submitted that both fora below have passed concurrent findings. "Also, the bare reading of the offer (from Gift360) submitted Ms Jauhari makes it clear that the Bank was hand in glove with Gift360 in selling the disputed jewellery. Further, both the fora below have rightly placed reliance on the letters written by Ms Jauhari to ICICI Bank where no heed was paid by the Bank on these letters."

After perusing the orders of the state commission, district forum, other relevant records and rival contentions of the parties, NCDRC observed concurrent findings of both the fora below against ICICI Bank.

Dr Singh from NCDRC also quoted the state commission order, which stated, "During the arguments, ICICI Bank has admitted that a contract was executed between the Bank and Gift360 and according to said contract, the pamphlet of the scheme was sent to customers. In this circumstance, the statement of ICICI Bank that they are not liable with regard to the scheme is erroneous. Since ICICI Bank had sent the pamphlet of the scheme to the parties, they are liable for the same and their liability will not be vanished by a mere denial. Along with that, it is also clear that the order for the jewellery set was given to the complainant on the basis of six EMIs, and the set was to be delivered within 30 days. When the set was not received within the stipulated time, the direction was given by Ms Jauhari to ICICI Bank that payment of the balance amount should not be made to Gift360. In spite of that, payment of the balance amount was made by ICICI Bank to Gift360, which itself is a deficiency in service."

"It was also concealed from the Court what was the contract between ICICI Bank and Gift360 and unbelievable statements were given that the contract was not placed by them and same has been destroyed, while the complainant was present in 2009 and there was no reason to destroy the contract. Thus, deficiency in service on the part of ICICI Bank was clear..." the state commission had said.

Disposing of the revision petition, NCDRC directed ICICI Bank to pay Rs35,000 with an interest of 6%pa to Ms Jauhari.

(Revision Petition No29 of 2017 Date: 27 January 2024)
Disease "X ", for which the world is preparing for a pandemic and which could be 20 times more deadly than the coronavirus, is a generalized concept. Doctors are currently discussing a number of possible pathogens, including a pandemic version of influenza and bird flu.

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This was told by infectious disease doctor, professor Olha Holubovska . "Disease X is a collective term. This name refers to a pathogen that can hypothetically cause a new pandemic. Experts are discussing a number of possible pathogens, including a pandemic variant of influenza and bird flu. But so far there are no clear pathogens, they are unknown," she told TSN.ua.

Golubovska reminded that in 2018 there was also a warning of a new pandemic and after that the world received the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

" Nobody knows what will happen this time. In 2021, at the World Health Assembly, we were warned that the world is facing a new pandemic, and it is only a matter of time before it occurs. Now this topic is being discussed again and warnings are being issued by experts. But there are no pathogens yet - everything is only at the level of theories and discussions," the doctor said.

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At the same time, she confirmed that disease "X" would be 20 times more deadly than COVID-19:

"Experts say that the world is waiting for a new pandemic that will be more deadly than COVID-19 . And the coronavirus was indeed a very terrible disease that took many lives. But in fact, it is not the worst thing that has ever happened to the human population."

At the same time, Golubovska noted that no one knows when disease "X" will become a reality, "because it is a completely unpredictable thing."

"In general, we live in a world where biological threats are very real. Key world figures speak at world congresses on biological security, and they note that the unique capabilities of genome sequencing make biological threats to people extremely real. Unfortunately, we cannot influence this in any way. Therefore, we have to prepare," the doctor said.

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According to her, epidemiologists should be prepared "in their specialty to make sure that there are as few patients as possible," and clinical doctors should "save already sick people so that they receive timely therapy." The state's work should be aimed at raising public awareness, Golubovska added.

"When the coronavirus outbreak occurred, we finally got our chief sanitary doctors back and resumed training of epidemiologists. So now the situation is somewhat better than it was in 2019, although it is still far from perfect. So I hope everything will be fine. After all, we did not go through the coronavirus with the worst result, despite all the devastation in the system. At least, without such a terrible hospital mortality rate, which was in many developed countries. Therefore, I think that in the event of a new pandemic, our local specialists will, as always, carry everything on their own shoulders," the infectious disease doctor believes.

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As reported by OBOZ.UA, earlier the WHO called for preparations for a new hypothetical pandemic of the so-called "X" disease, which could lead to 20 times more deaths than the coronavirus pandemic. The Ministry of Health of Ukraine reminded that the COVID-19 pandemic was also once called "disease X".

The disease"X" pandemic was discussed at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Experts talked about the efforts needed to prepare healthcare systems for the many challenges ahead.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
On Thursday, 1636 stocks advanced, 2,204 declined, and 105 remained unchanged on BSE with an advance decline ratio of 0.74, indicating a negative closing of stocks in broader markets. The trend of the major indices on Thursdays trading is in the table below.

On NSE, 262 scrips advanced and closed at a new 52-week high whereas 18 securities sank to close at their new 52-week lows. In sectoral indices, Nifty FMCG, Nifty Auto and Nifty Metal are among the biggest losers. Nifty PSU Bank, Nifty Media, Nifty Energy were among the biggest gainers.

Inox Wind (+1.78%) (IWL) has entered into a binding framework agreement with CESC, one of the largest power utilities in India, for the installation or supplies of 1,500 MW of wind capacity over the next three-four years.

Ciplas (-1.29%) wholly owned subsidiary -- Cipla Medpro South Africa, has completed the acquisition of a 100% equity stake in Actor Pharma in that country.

Poonawalla Fincorp (-1.12%) has raised Rs500 crore through the allotment of 50,000 secured, redeemable, rated, listed, non-convertible debentures (NCDs) with a face value of Rs1 lakh each through private placement.

KEC International (+1.05%) has secured new orders of Rs1,175 crore across its various businesses.

Welspun Enterprises (+1.78%) has been declared as L1 bidder by the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for a design, build and operate (DBO) contract for development of new 2,000 MLD water treatment plant at Bhandup complex, including civil, mechanical, electrical & instrumentation (Project).

NTPC (+0.06%) is planning to raise up to US$750mn (million) (about Rs6,222 crore) in the form of an unsecured term loan from foreign investors.

HDFC Bank (-1.88%) has raised US$300mn through its first ever sustainable finance bond issue.

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) (+0.46%) and NTPC Green Energy (NGEL) have signed a joint venture agreement (JVA) to develop renewable energy projects focusing on offshore wind.

PSP Projects (+1.09%) has received three new work orders worth Rs935.41 crore.

Earning Highlights

Windlas Biotech (+9.87%): Net sales were Rs162 crore in Q3FY24, up 36% YoY (Rs120 crore). Net profit was Rs15.1 crore in Q3FY24, up 64% YoY (Rs9.19 crore).

Mrs Bectors Food Specialities (-7.44%): Net sales were Rs429 crore in Q3FY24, up 17% YoY (Rs368 crore). Net profit was Rs34.6 crore in Q3FY24, up 25% YoY (Rs27.8 crore).

Garware Hitech films: Net sales were Rs454 crore in Q3FY24, up 40% YoY (Rs324 crore). Net profit was Rs55.9 crore in Q3FY24, up 84% YoY (Rs30.4 crore).

The top gainers and top losers of the major indices are given in the table below:

The closing values of the major Asian indices are given in the table below:
The Russian siege of Mariupol, Donetsk region, at the beginning of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, included repeated attacks and destruction of civilian buildings and infrastructure, in clear violation of international humanitarian law. Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin must stand trial in the investigation of war crimes committed in Mariupol.

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This is stated in a 215-page report by the international watchdog organization Human Rights Watch (HRW), which analyzes the fighting and other events in the Ukrainian city temporarily occupied by Russia. The report notes that thousands of people have been killed in Mariupol, countless buildings have been destroyed, and a large-scale Russification campaign has begun since the capture, CNN reports.

A "conservative" estimate of the number of people killed in Mariupol is 8,000. HRW reported this on the basis of interviews with city residents, satellite images, photos and videos of city cemeteries. However, the actual number is much higher.

The report was prepared over the course of almost two years in cooperation with the Ukrainian human rights group Truth Hounds. The document describes in detail the efforts of the Russian authorities to destroy Ukrainian culture in occupied Mariupol, restrict the movement of Ukrainians and impose pro-Kremlin rhetoric.

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Ida Sawyer, Director of Crisis and Conflict at HRW, noted that the siege of Mariupol is "one of the worst chapters of the Russian invasion of Ukraine."

"It was a brutal and devastating attack. The people we interviewed who managed to escape described this period as hell on earth... We hope that this project will help ensure justice," she said.

The report traces the destruction of thousands of buildings by Russian forces, including hundreds of multi-story residential buildings and civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and universities.

HRW also identified 17 specific Russian or Russian-linked military units operating in the city during the peak of the fighting in March and April 2022, as well as high-level figures who, according to experts, may be criminally responsible.

"It was clear that high-level officials, all the way up to President Putin, were aware of the situation in Mariupol and appeared to be directly involved in the planning and coordination" of the assault on the city, Sawyer said.

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The Russian president is already the subject of an arrest warrant for war crimes issued by the International Criminal Court, as he may be individually responsible for the illegal abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

HRW's report recommended that Putin and senior Russian commanders be investigated and that perpetrators be duly prosecuted for their role in the apparent war crimes in Mariupol, including "the possible arbitrary blocking of humanitarian aid and evacuation."

As OBOZ.UA wrote:

- Recently, the director of the Russian bureau of the German ZDF channel Armin Kerper got into a loud scandal by filming a story in occupied Mariupol. The journalist distorted the picture of the life of Ukrainians and the "normal functioning" of the city under the "rule" of the Russian invaders.

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- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine responded to the incident. The spokesman for the Ministry, Oleh Nikolenko, emphasized that this was not journalism.

"Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) Asaf Hajiyev said they faced no irregularities during the voting as he addressed the press conference of the observation mission regarding the results of the snap presidential election, Azernews reports.

He emphasized that the name of the candidate who wins the presidential election will be written in golden letters in the history of Azerbaijan.

"During our mission, we observed that elections were conducted transparently, with high voter turnout. More than 80 percent of the population involved in the voting," Hajiyev noted.

Congratulating the people of Azerbaijan on the elections, the PABSEC representatives praised the high-level organization of the voting process.
The Italian parliament has approved a decision that expands the powers to transfer military equipment and other equipment to Ukraine. It is worth noting that 218 out of 260 deputies voted in favor, while 42 voted against.

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At the same time, representatives of the Italian authorities called for more efforts to reach a solution at the negotiating table. This was reported by ANSA.

It is worth noting that a coalition of three parties led by far-right Prime Minister Georgia Maloney unanimously supported the decision.

"The House of Deputies has given the green light to a decree that extends the authorization for the transfer of military vehicles, materials and equipment to the government of Ukraine," the statement said.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who also supported the decision, Italy should not allow autocracy to destroy the European future. He also called for continued support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

He added that more efforts should be made at the negotiating table.

As a reminder, the Italian company Beretta continues to export small arms to Russia through its subsidiary and companies owned by the "armed baron" Mikhail Khubutia.

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Earlier it was reported that the Italian government and its head, Giorgia Meloni, played a leading role in negotiations on the allocation of 50 billion from the European Union to Ukraine. Meloni became the "main actor" in these negotiations and helped convince Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban not to block the decision.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The Fanomnakan (Spring) 2023 graduates of the University of Guams Bachelor of Science in Nursing program achieved a 100% pass rate after taking the National Council Licensure Exam for the first time. First row, from left, Ezechiel Palacol, Genry Topacio and Mason C. Calma. Second row, from left, Cyrene Bansil, Jasmine Quinto, Jaena Claire Cabrera, Jamila Olivares, Melody A. Reyes, Angelique L.W. Morales, and Aliya L. Fabila. Third row, from left, Joleene Mendoza, Chasnel A. Dela Cruz, Krystal Pilante, Nicole Reyes, Alexis Santos, Nan Wang, and Shelby Weilbacher.
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Andrew Roberto was raised his whole life on Saipan. He graduated from Saipan Southern High School, holds a degree from Northern Marianas College, and a BA in English from the University of Guam. He once worked for KUAM, UNO Magazine, and the Guam Daily Post.
NATO and the United States have no influence on personnel changes in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Any personnel changes in the Ukrainian army, including at the level of their operational leadership, are a sovereign matter for Ukraine.

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This statement was made by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. They spoke about this on Wednesday in Brussels during a joint press conference following a meeting of the National Security Advisors of the Alliance.

"Ukrainians must speak for themselves. The question of the future of any military personnel is a sovereign decision made by a sovereign country. Obviously, the elected leader has to make his choice who will lead the operational military leadership. All I can say is that from the United States' perspective, we intend to continue to support the Ukrainian authorities and the Ukrainian military in their efforts. But personnel decisions are a matter for the Ukrainians. We can't make those decisions from Washington or from here in Brussels," Sullivan said.

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For his part, Stoltenberg said that personnel changes in the Ukrainian army are a purely Ukrainian decision, and NATO cannot have a separate point of view on this.

"This is a Ukrainian decision, and NATO cannot have any point of view on this. But I welcome the very clear statement by Foreign Minister Kuleba, who said that any changes will not harm Ukraine's relations with its partners and with NATO. So we will continue our support, and that is what matters," the NATO Secretary General emphasized.

Earlier it was reported that the President of Ukraine for the first time personally commented on the possibility of Zaluzhny's dismissal. He explained that he is "thinking about this replacement," but it concerns "the entire management team that drives the country's car."

At the same time, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the United States would not interfere with the decision of the Ukrainian authorities to dismiss the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. They believe that this is the sovereign right of our country and the president.

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As OBOZ.UA previously reported, according to media reports, on February 2, the Ukrainian government informed the White House that Zelensky had decided to dismiss Zaluzhny. This will be the most serious personnel reshuffle during a full-scale war in Ukraine.

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Parts of a cliff erodes in Santa Barbara, California, U.S. in this screengrab taken from a handout video released on February 6, 2024.
Military personnel guard the entrance to El Inca prison after a security operation due to riots, following the disappearance of Jose Adolfo Macias, alias 'Fito', leader of the Los Choneros criminal group, in Quito, Ecuador January 8, 2024.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that the West can take four steps to make the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine end faster. These are providing aid to Kyiv, unity of leaders on both sides of the Atlantic, preventing NATO from getting involved in a war with Russia, and a reliable collective deterrence and defense of the North Atlantic Alliance.

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The German Chancellor wrote about this in an article for The Wall Street Journal. He warned that if Russia wins in Ukraine, it will "radically change the face of Europe" and "deal a serious blow to the liberal world order."

Other authoritarian leaders around the world could follow suit with Russia's "brutal attempt to steal territory by force." Therefore, "even more countries are at risk of falling victim to the nearest predator."

"Our message is clear: we must do everything we can to prevent Russia from winning. If we don't, we may soon wake up to a world that is even more unstable, threatening, and unpredictable than it was during the Cold War," the politician said.

Scholz called for continued support for Ukraine. According to him, the Ukrainian Defense Forces may soon face a serious shortage of weapons and ammunition. "Some financial commitments have already been exhausted, while others need to be extended," the chancellor said.

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He reminded that on February 1, 2024, the EU Council approved an additional $54 billion in financial assistance to Ukraine over the next four years.

"This should be complemented by additional military assistance," Scholz emphasized.

If Ukraine is able to maintain a well-equipped modern army, if it manages to repel Russian aggression, it will "increase the security of everyone," he said.

Second, the West must resolve its differences and continue to move forward strategically on both sides of the Atlantic.

"Putin is trying to undermine our unity and turn our citizens against supporting Ukraine," Scholz said. The West must show that Russia is wrong, and citizens must understand that a Kremlin victory will make the world much more dangerous. "It will also strain our budgets and jeopardize the freedom and prosperity of each of us," the politician explained.

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He emphasized that the West will resist any attempts to drag NATO into a war with the Russian Federation.

"Thirdly, we do not see ourselves in a state of war with Russia and do not seek confrontation with it. We will resist any attempts to involve the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine," the official said.

Fourth, NATO must develop a collective deterrence and defense posture.

"The sooner Putin realizes that we are in this for the long haul, the sooner the war in Ukraine will end. The only way we can contribute to a lasting peace is through our support, unity and determination. We must support Ukraine for as long as it takes," Scholz wrote.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- On February 9, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will travel to Washington to meet with US President Joe Biden. Ukraine will be one of the main topics of the talks, namely international support for Kyiv, the prospects for the adoption of a new aid package by the US Congress, and the situation on the battlefield.

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- Earlier, Scholz called on the United States, together with Europe, to send a signal to dictator Vladimir Putin: the Kremlin leader's calculation that Russia will be able to wait until the West leaves Ukraine face to face with the aggressor will not work.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (D-Jackson) spoke at a press conference held Monday by Merced County View Photo

Merced County, CA  The impending release of a violent sexual offender has Mother Lode State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil voicing major concerns that the laws regarding these releases are not being followed.

Alvarado-Gil made those objections while at a press conference last week at the Merced County Sheriffs Office. She expressed deep reservations about the release of 72-year-old Kevin Gray, a sexually violent predator (SVP), into the county. The release, authorized by a judge and scheduled for February 20th, has raised questions about adherence to the guidelines established in SB 1034, effective January 1, 2023.

The bill states that a sexually violent predator cannot be housed in any county other than their county of domicile unless the judge petitions extraordinary circumstances for not finding a suitable residence in the persons county of origin. The decision to release Gray into Merced County comes after the California Department of State Hospitals (DSH) spent several years searching for a suitable home in Stanislaus County.

Senator Alvarado-Gil asserted, The safety and well-being of our community members are non-negotiable priorities. We will not allow the release of sexually violent predators without rigorous adherence to the law.

Additionally, she has argued to protect four other counties in her district from becoming what she calls dumping grounds for sexually violent offenders and questions the DSH process for making these decisions as very concerning. One of those counties is Amador, where in June Alvarado-Gil spoke out against another SVP with no ties to the area being placed in the rural Shake Ridge Road area northeast of Sutter Creek.

The Senators office advised that she continues to work with public safety partners and colleagues in Sacramento to explore avenues for strengthening legislation to close any loopholes that can jeopardize public safety regarding any impending release of a sexually violent predator.

Let me be clear that I, nor my partners in Senate District 4 and the Legislature, will tolerate any compromises to community safety. I do not accept this latest ruling and will press to have this case thoroughly examined and take direct action to close the loopholes and shut the front door on the release of ANY sexually violent predators in my district, the senator concluded.
Assemblyman Heath Flora View Photo

Sonora, CA  Republican Assemblyman Heath Flora, who represents communities like Copperopolis and La Grange, says a recent outing with law enforcement officials spurred him to introduce new legislation.

Flora joined the Sacramento Sheriff on a large sting operation going after criminals who target kids for sexual exploitation. Flora left both stunned and horrified.

He says, There were things that we saw, evidence we looked at, that will haunt me for a very long time. As a father of two young daughters, it really made me want to do something to help.

California has a list of crimes that make an incarcerated person ineligible for early release credits. Floras bill, AB 1898, would add possession of child pornography to the list.

He adds, Committing acts of physical sexual violence on children is already on the list of crimes that disqualify incarcerated persons from earning early release credits. However, the possession of illicit material involving our kids (child pornography) is not.

Last year, when lawmakers debated a bill to add child human trafficking to the list of serious felonies in California, Flora asked colleagues in the chambers to Pick a team. Pick kids, or pick pedophiles. Flora indicates that it is a similar situation this session with AB 1898.
On Wednesday, February 7, the Ukrainian Defense Forces destroyed a Ka-52 (Alligator) attack helicopter of the Russian military. The enemy "bird" and its crew were permanently grounded in the Avdiivka sector.

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This was stated by the commander of the Tavria operational and strategic group of troops Oleksandr Tarnavsky. Earlier this morning, the destruction of another Russian helicopter was mentioned in the report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the losses of the aggressor.

According to the brigadier general, the Ka-52 was trained on in the operational area of the Tavria airborne assault system by fighters of one of the mechanized units. It became the 325th helicopter of the Russian Armed Forces that Ukrainian soldiers have destroyed since the beginning of the full-scale war.

"The enemy Alligator with its crew was hit by a man-portable air defense system and fertilized the soil in the Avdiivka sector," elaborated Tarnavsky.

He added that the Russian army is currently focusing its main offensive efforts on the Novopavlivka, Avdiivka and Orikhivske directions. The brigadier general thanked every soldier who is defending Ukrainian land and destroying the enemy and its equipment for their hard work.

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As OBOZ.UA reported, the previous Russian helicopter of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was destroyed on December 6, 2023, in the Liman direction. It was a transport helicopter that our soldiers hit on the ground with the HIMARS artillery system.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) have thrown their support behind a project spearheaded by President Emmerson Mnangagwas government, indicating a potential closure on calls for fresh elections in Zimbabwe. The project, the multi-million-dollar Museum of African Liberation in Harare, has received endorsements from both regional bodies after discussions with Mnangagwas special envoy, ambassador Simbarashe Mumbengegwi.

Implemented by the Institute of African Knowledge (INSTAK), the Museum of African Liberation is primarily backed by Mnangagwas administration. However, critics argue that the endorsements from SADC and the AU are effectively sanitizing Mnangagwas illegal regime. This has raised concerns, particularly since the SADC Election Observer Mission had previously highlighted several electoral irregularities but fell short of declaring the poll outcome illegitimate.

On January 25, 2024, Mumbengegwi met with the chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he delivered a message from Mnangagwa seeking the AU Commissions support for the museum project. Mahamat expressed the AU Commissions eagerness to collaborate on the initiative.

Just four days later, Mumbengegwi travelled to the SADC headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana, to discuss a similar memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SADCs executive secretary, Elias Magosi. An official report on the SADC website stated that Magosi emphasized the projects alignment with the regions objectives, particularly in recognizing and honouring the founders of SADC for their contributions to the organizations establishment and regional integration. The report further mentioned that future engagements and follow-ups on the project and MoU would be conducted between SADC, INSTAK, and the Zimbabwean embassy in Botswana.

The endorsement of Mnangagwas administration by SADC suggests that the regional bloc has put the Zimbabwe election issue behind them and is now focused on advancing bilateral ties. This development will likely dampen the opposition movements hopes for a poll re-run, despite some analysts deeming it unattainable.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission announced that Mnangagwa secured 52.6% of the vote, while Citizens Coalition for Change leader Nelson Chamisa received 44.03% in a highly contested and chaotic poll. Chamisa rejected the election results and embarked on a diplomatic offensive, advocating for fresh elections.

As SADC and the AU throw their weight behind Mnangagwas Museum of African Liberation project, the opposition movements hopes for fresh elections appear to have been dealt a significant blow. The endorsements from these regional bodies have prompted skepticism and disappointment among some critics, who question the commitment to addressing electoral concerns. The future of Zimbabwes political landscape remains uncertain as internal divisions persist within the opposition and the ruling party continues to consolidate its power.

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Tragedy struck in Bulawayo as a 26-year-old man murdered his pregnant girlfriend. The suspect, identified as Obvious Velani Sibanda, allegedly butchered his partner, Nothabo Ncube, aged 26, in a fit of rage. The incident occurred in the Emakhandeni high-density suburb of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

According to Inspector Abednico Ncube, the Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, both Sibanda and Ncube were employed by the same company. On the fateful day of February 5, after finishing their work shift at around 6pm, the couple proceeded to Ncubes residence. It was there that tragedy unfolded.

Inspector Ncube explained that Sibanda confronted Ncube about a frequent caller to her cellphone named Gift. In response, Ncube revealed that Gift was her boyfriend and the father of her unborn child. This revelation reportedly did not sit well with Sibanda, who then grabbed a metal bar from behind the door and struck Ncube on the head, rendering her unconscious. In a horrific turn of events, Sibanda continued to assault his girlfriend repeatedly with the same rod until she tragically lost her life.

Nothabo told Sibanda that Gift was her boyfriend and he was responsible for her pregnancy. Sibanda said this did not go well with him and he took a metal bar which was behind the door, struck the girlfriend once on her head and she became unconscious. Sibanda continued striking her several times using that same rod and she died on the spot, the police spokesperson said.

The distressing incident took place within Ncubes residence, and it was not until around 9pm that Sibanda finally contacted his parents to inform them of the dreadful act he had committed. Subsequently, Sibanda turned himself in to the police, acknowledging his responsibility for the heinous crime. Meanwhile, Ncubes lifeless body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), where medical professionals officially pronounced her deceased. Her remains currently await a post-mortem examination.

Inspector Ncube, in light of this heartbreaking event, appealed to the public, urging individuals to seek peaceful resolutions to their conflicts instead of resorting to violence, which all too often results in unnecessary loss of life. He emphasized the importance of dialogue and encouraged individuals to seek advice from trusted elders, contact organizations specializing in gender-based violence such as Emthonjeni Women Forum and Musasa, as well as rely on the support of church members and the police.

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President Mnangagwa has left for Botswana this afternoon to attend the fourth session of the Zimbabwe  Botswana Bi-National Commission.

He was seen off at the Robert Mugabe International Airport by VP Chiwenga, VP Mohadi, Ministers, Chief Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya, Service Chiefs and senior Government officials.

Meanwhile, VP Chiwenga will be the Acting President.

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Yves here. This post is an interesting artifact of the persistence of reticence to criticize Israel for its open policy of genocide and its persistence it it even after the ICJ implemented provisional measures intended to stop it. Perhaps this caution is due to censorship threats in the UK.

Note that author Paul Rogers pairs his discussion of Israels slaughter of Palestinians, which he refuses to depict as the point of the exercise, with Israels banging on about Hamas as a threadbare cover story.

In the meantime, as many of you know now, Israel has contemptuously rejected Hamas call for a 135 day (phased) ceasefire and withdrawal of the IDF. From the Financial Times:

In a press conference on Wednesday night, Netanyahu instead vowed to continue Israels military offensive in Gaza until total victory was secured, saying his country would achieve this within months. We wont settle for less, he said. Surrendering to Hamass delusional demands . . . will not only not lead to the release of the hostages, but will invite another massacre.

However, the Financial Times gives more prominent play to the continuing slaughter, although the onus is on readers to connect the dots that this is policy, and not an unfortunate byproduct:

Israels four-month military campaign in the besieged Gaza Strip has trapped more than half of the enclaves population in a sliver of land between the Israeli ground offensive, the Mediterranean and the sealed border with Egypt. It is a humanitarian crisis with few modern parallels. Now Israel has said its forces will target the city of Rafah in its campaign against Hamas, whose senior leaders in Gaza have evaded capture The estimated 1.4mn people crammed into the southern border city, already enduring dire conditions and intermittent bombings, have nowhere further to flee. Fear of the coming offensive pervades the sprawling tent camps in Rafah, lashed by winter rain, where most of the displaced live after Israels military advanced from north to south, razing at least half of the strips buildings. Recent satellite images, radar data on building damage and interviews with displaced people show the extent of the pressure on Gazans in Rafah and the dangers of any extensive Israeli military operations in the densely packed area Running water is rare, toilets overflow and fresh food is too expensive for most. Israel has laid siege to the strip since the war began, and only limited aid has entered; people rely on intermittent deliveries of food and medicine trucked in by the UN and others.

The story has a good set of visuals on the progress of the Israel attacks and Palestinian flight, as well as more detailed satellite photos of the Rafah area.

Now to the main event.

By Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies in the Department of Peace Studies and International Relations at Bradford University, and an Honorary Fellow at the Joint Service Command and Staff College. He is openDemocracys international security correspondent. He is on Twitter at: @ProfPRogers. Originally published at openDemocracy

The on-the-ground situation in Gaza is increasingly difficult to reconcile with the persistent claims from the Israeli government that its defence forces are prioritising the minimising of civilian casualties.

More than 27,000 Palestinians  mostly women and children  have been killed and several thousand are missing according to the Gazan Health Ministry, with many more buried under rubble. More than 66,000 have been wounded, with many thousands more traumatised.

For those who survive this prolonged, horrific attack, there will be life-long impacts on health and life expectancy caused by the malnutrition and spread of infectious diseases being reported by UN bodies such as the UN Relief and Works Agency, the World Health Organisation and the World Food Programme.

Israel president Binyamin Netanyahus claims may now seem beyond farcical, but they make a kind of sense if seen as the claims of a government following two different policies at the same time, with messages intended for different audiences.

Given the impact that the mass killing of Palestinians is now having on Israels few remaining allies  especially the US and UK, where protests in support of Palestinians regularly draw large crowds  Israel must maintain the pretence of an orderly war with few civilians killed.

Netanyahus government is lying, but it would be naive to expect otherwise. Lying is what many powerful states routinely do, particularly in wartime.

The classic example, after all, is on nuclear strategy. Most governments publicly take the stance that nuclear weapons are solely weapons of last resort, the ultimate deterrent to be used when all else has failed. That may be reassuring, but it isnt true.

In reality, all the nuclear powers  the US, the UK, France, China, Russia and the rest  can see value in nuclear forces that could be used in circumstances of limited war.

Right from the start of Britains nuclear age in the late 1950s, consideration was given to using nuclear weapons in all conflicts short of world wars. Some of the earliest nuclear weapons were actually free-fall bombs for use by Scimitar and Buccaneer strike aircraft operating from the Royal Navys aircraft carriers in distant waters from early in the 1960s. Nuclear weapons were carried on task force ships during the Falklands/Malvinas war more than 40 years ago. There were even threats of nuclear use from senior politicians during the Iraq war 20 years ago.

US nuclear plans have also existed in myriad different forms. In NATO for example, nuclear options extended from demonstration shots to show the Soviets the US meant business, to limited packets of nuclear weapons that might include nuclear artillery shells, short-range missiles, to powerful weapons.

The numbers in a package might vary from a handful to 50 or more, always with the idea that a limited nuclear war could be won, and the opponent defeated.

In both the UK and the US, this reality was a very far cry from the public idea of stable deterrence  but that was only ever the declaratory policy. What we are witnessing in Gaza is something akin to this, an implementation policy that differs from what is said in public  the declaratory policy. Israel has repeatedly failed to minimise civilian casualties and the current Gaza war is no exception apart, of course, from the sheer size of the Palestinian death toll.

From early in Israels current attack on Gaza, I have argued the Netanyahu government fell into Hamass trap by declaring that nothing less than the groups total destruction would suffice. This remained the aim even when Israels Western allies were getting uneasy at the sheer number of Palestinian civilian casualties.

We are now at the end of the fourth month of the war. Palestinian casualties are massive but Netanyahu and the IDF persist, combining large-scale bombing with attempts to dislodge Hamas paramilitaries.

In areas like northern Gaza, where the IDF has claimed full control for over a month, Hamas continues to fight and fire rockets into Israel, and there are even reports that the group is rebuilding a system of governance. Meanwhile, the IDF and intelligence agencies clearly do not know where Hamas is holding a hundred or more hostages.

The really damaging outcome for Israel is that right across the region and beyond, it has lost its reputation for being in control of its security. For a state that puts such a huge stake on being secure, 7 October was a disaster of historic proportions, but the response of this particular government is proving to be an even greater disaster as the Palestinian death toll heads beyond 30,000 and Israels reputation plummets as never before.

In short, it is proving extremely difficult to destroy Hamas, the Palestinian death toll rises by the day, half the houses in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged and many thousands of Palestinians are facing the winter in tents. Meanwhile, hard-line Israeli politicians in Netanyahus government talk openly of the need to replace Palestinians in Gaza with Israeli settlers and the national security minister, Itmar Ben-Gvir, argues that aid convoys into Gaza should cease.

At some point, reality will intrude, the war will end and Israel will have to start coming to terms with a very different security environment, one that can be resolved only by talking to the Palestinians and working towards a mutually acceptable long-term peace deal.

The US could speed that up, as the only state that has anything like a veto on Israel due to its massive military support. So far there is not much sign of that, but Joe Biden is facing increasing domestic opposition and that may, before long, make a difference.
Cats And Human Supremacy indi.ca

Your appendix is not, in fact, useless. This anatomy professor explains NPR

Hedge Funds Are Dealers Now Bloomberg

Climate

Water

#COVID19

Temporal Association between COVID-19 Infection and Subsequent New-Onset Dementia in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (preprint) The Lancet. Metastudy. Cognitive impairment was nearly twice as likely in COVID-19 survivors compared to those uninfected. Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 in Children Pediatrics. From the Abtract: This state-of-the-art narrative review provides a summary of our current knowledge about PASC in children, including prevalence, epidemiology, risk factors, clinical characteristics, underlying mechanisms, and functional outcomes, as well as a conceptual framework for PASC based on the current National Institutes of Health definition. Work product of NIHs RECOVER program. PASC (postacute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection) is an acronym coined  and I know youll find this hard to believe  by Anthony Fauci (what it really is), presumably so searches for PASC would be siloed from searches, by dull normals, for Long Covid. And so it goes.

China?

Shifting Global Alliances: The Strategic Expansion of BRICS Forbes

Myanmar

Syraqistan

European Disunion

New Not-So-Cold War

South of the Border

Ecuadors Internal Armed Conflict London Review of Books

Biden Administration

Our Famously Free Press

Digital Watch

Supply Chain

New Report Sheds Light on Rapid Expansion of Arctic Shipping gCaptain

Boeing

Assange

Realignment and Legitimacy

No More Fairy Tales: Why the United States Needs a Whole New Operating System In These Times. From 2018, still germane. Because corporations have constitutional rights, if a community makes a decision to stop a bad project that has been permitted by the state or federal government, a corporation has the ability to sue the community to force its project into the town. Theres no self-government at work here. How to Tell If Youre Living in a Binary Crisis (excerpt) The Honest Broker

Imperial Collapse Watch

Asias commercial heft helps keep Russias war economy going The Economist. Dear Lord. How is it that an imperial hegemon lacks sufficient economic heft?

Class Warfare

Where Tulpas Come From JSTOR Daily

FAA Aviation Maps Beautiful Public Data. For example:

Antidote du jour (via):

Bonus antidote:

Giraffe helps remove the branch stuck on Gazelle's head.. pic.twitter.com/2hJVXZkaCU  og (@Yoda4ever) February 3, 2024

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here
As part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Unmanned Systems Forces will perform an important function. However, the creation of this kind of troops will be useful not only in times of war.

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This opinion was expressed by the spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Yuriy Ihnat, on the air of the "United News" telethon. He hinted at "strategic plans" to create such forces within the Armed Forces.

"Probably, there are some strategic plans on this issue - I cannot say on this matter now... But no one can do without drones today," said the spokesman, commenting on the creation of the Unmanned Systems Forces under the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Ihnat did not disclose the "strategic plan" but hinted at how the Armed Forces' drones could be used.

As an example, he cited Turkey, where drones, in addition to purely military functions, help the police detect crimes and border guards control the border and fight smuggling.

"Therefore, drones will certainly be useful to everyone," Ihnat added.

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He also emphasized the need to provide drones.

"You can never have too many drones, and any help from our partners with them would be very useful for the Defense Forces. As well as assistance with electronic warfare (EW) equipment. We need as many of them as possible," Ihnat said.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on the creation of a new separate branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine - the Unmanned Systems Forces. The President also named a list of tasks: creation of special staff positions for working with drones, special units, effective training, systematization of experience, constant scaling of production and attraction of the best ideas and specialists in this area.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The City of Murfreesboro has settled a federal lawsuit with the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee after the city refused to grant an event permit for the 2023 BoroPride Festival.

An October 2022 letter from Murfreesboro City Manager Craig Tindall called BoroPride event organizer Tennessee Equality Projects 2022 application misleading. In the letter, Tindall pledged to deny future special-event permits submitted by the organization, which led to a lawsuit  filed by the ACLU and others on behalf of TEP  one year later.

Days later, a federal judge blocked a city ordinance aimed at banning drag performances from happening on public property, and on Oct. 28, 2023, BoroPride was successfully held at Murfreesboro's Miller Coliseum. In November, the city amended a decades-long city ordinance aimed at banning acts of homosexuality in public.

According to an ACLU release, the city has agreed to pay $500,000 to the TEP, as well as repealing the ordinance and accepting any future event permit applications from the group.

As State Legislation Targets the LGBTQ Community, Pride Celebrations Adapt Pride events in Franklin and Nashville will move forward, while Murfreesboro and Knoxville events are on shakier ground

"We celebrate the resolution of this case because it has guaranteed the rollback of a discriminatory policy and affirmed our right to host BoroPride, says TEP executive director Chris Sanders.

Now we can turn our attention to preparing for the 2024 BoroPride festival and defending the rights of LGBTQ+ Tennesseans at the state legislature, he continues. Our gratitude goes to the LGBTQ+ community for standing with us and to the legal advocates who championed the defense of free speech and expression.

In January 2023, right-wing activist group Turning Point USA held its so-called Teens Against Gender Mutilation Rally in Murfreesboro, which drew both LGBTQ-advocate counter-protesters and members of far-right hate group the Proud Boys.

An onslaught of anti-LGBTQ legislation in 2023 led to Pride celebrations across the state adapting or being canceled. This year, Pride flags are being debated at the Capitol as legislation aims to ban those and other flags from public schools.

The government has no right to censor LGBTQ+ people and expression, ACLU attorney Ballard Spahr says. More important than the monetary recovery, this settlement sends a clear message that the citys discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community was blatantly unconstitutional and that this type of behavior will no longer be tolerated here  or anywhere across the country.

The City of Murfreesboro has not returned a request for comment as of publication.
In celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February, the NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO) is proud to launch a challenge for female university students and early career researchers up to 35 years of age. The Women and Girls in Science 2024 challenge aims to inspire young women to pursue and/or further their careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), to highlight NATOs support for women in STEM-related disciplines, and to contribute to the diversity and inclusivity of women in this field.

The WGS24 challenge

Who: The challenge is open to individual female university students (studying for their bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD) and early career researchers up to 35 years of age from NATO member countries.

What: Participants must submit a short research proposal of up to 1,300 words, addressing one of the following NATO Science and Technology (S&T) focus areas:

The research proposal should be guided by the following question: What research idea would you like to see NATO realise over the next five years?

The proposals should aim to solve an existing issue, or prevent the evolution of a new problem for international security.

When: Beginning on 8 February 2024, in celebration of the International Day for Women and Girls in Science on 11 February, the call for proposals will close on 21 April 2024, 23:59 CET.

Where: Shortlisted participants will present their recommendations in person at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on 30 May 2024.

Selection: NATO STO experts will select up to 12 applications based on criteria including novelty, relevance, coherence, feasibility and potential positive impact on society. The young women who submitted these applications will be invited to an event at NATO Headquarters on 30 May 2024 for the final phase of the challenge, where they will have 10 minutes to present their idea to an audience of STO experts and other NATO staff, followed by a five-minute Q&A session. A panel of experts will then select three overall winners.

Award: The three winners will get to visit the NATO laboratory at the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) in La Spezia, Italy, in the summer of 2024.

How to apply: To take part in the challenge, fill out the Google application form in English. The submission should explain a visionary idea in 1,300 words or less.

Any inquires may be directed to mbx.sto@HQ.NATO.INT.
ORWELLIAN: Amazon CENSORED books critical of COVID-19 injection at Biden admins behest

Tech giant Amazon censored books critical of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines at the behest of the Biden administration.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), the chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government (House WFG Subcommmittee), disclosed this in a thread on the X platform. His committee had reportedly discovered this censorship effort following the release of emails subpoenaed by the House Judiciary Committee (HJC), which Jordan also chairs.

"Never-before-released internal emails subpoenaed by [the HJC] reveal that the Biden White House pressured Amazon to censor books that expressed views the White House did not approve of," wrote Jordan. He also disclosed that former White House Senior Advisor to the COVID-19 Response Andy Slavitt was the one responsible for the censorship effort. Slavitt stepped down from the advisory role in June 2021.

According to the congressman, the senior advisor sent an email on March 2, 2021 about the matter. Jordan recounted: "[Slavitt] fired off an email demanding to know who he and his White House colleagues could talk to at the company about 'the high levels of propaganda, mis- and disinformation [on] Amazon.'"

In order to weed out books it considered "propaganda and misinformation," the White House reportedly "ran keyword searchers for controversial topics, such as 'vaccine.'" It emailed Amazon when it didn't like how the search results appeared.

According to Jordan, Amazon was initially apprehensive of the "manual intervention" to censor books. He continued: "Why? Not out of any commitment to free speech  but because doing so would be 'too visible' to the American public, and likely to spur criticism from conservative media."

The e-commerce giant met with officials from the Biden administration on March 9, 2021  a week after Slavitt sent his email  to find out whether they should remove the books entirely or just bury them in the search results. On that same day, Amazon enabled "Do Not Promote" (DNP) for books that expressed the view that vaccines were not effective. Moreover, the tech giant also considered other ways "to reduce the visibility" of certain books that the Biden White House disliked. (Related: Amazon bans book on coronavirus from lockdown critic Alex Berenson.)

Amazon caved in to censorship demands

"As a reminder, we did enable DNP for [anti-vaccine] books whose primary purpose is to persuade readers [that] vaccines are unsafe or ineffective on [March 9]," said an email between company employees. "[We] will review additional handling options for these books."

"That's right; Amazon caved to the pressure from the Biden White House to censor speech," said Jordan. He reiterated that the two committees he chairs  the HJC and the House WFG Subcommittee under it  will investigate the alleged censorship effort.

One book critical of the COVID-19 injections that Amazon censored was titled "Anyone Who Tells You Vaccines Are Safe and Effective Is Lying." The British doctor, who self-published the book, "used to debate vaccination on TV and radio  but won every public debate." Because of this, "vaccine supporters will no longer debate with him."

"Coleman had separately condemned COVID-19 vaccines as a dangerous medical experiment," said the Daily Signal. "[He has also] claimed doctors who administer them are guilty of war crimes."

Meanwhile, Slavitt gained notoriety when his name was included in the so-called Twitter Files. According to the documents, he allegedly pressured social media companies into suppressing opposition to the COVID-19 vaccines.

This led to the HJC issuing a subpoena to Slavitt on Nov. 30, 2023. The committee reportedly obtained documents attesting to his role "in communicating the Biden White House's censorship efforts to social media companies  including the White House's demands to censor true information, memes, satire and other constitutionally protected forms of expression." However, the White House instructed Slavitt not to appear before Congress.

Head over to Censorship.news for more stories about Big Tech and Big Government censorships.

Watch Glenn Beck discuss the Biden administration's move to have Amazon ban books critical of COVID-19 vaccines below.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

BEZOS goes full FASCIST: Amazon bans "anti-vaccine" movies from Prime; remote book burning of Kindle books coming next.

Amazon takes censorship to whole new level with ban on "Killing Free Speech" documentary about censorship.

Amazon BANS Leo Hohmann's six-year-old book about Muslim invasion  WHY NOW?

Amazon employees demand banning of all books they don't like.

Amazon under fire for blocking an anti-transgender book.

Sources include:

ThePostMillennial.com

MSN.com

DailySignal.com

Brighteon.com
Conservative activist convicted of inciting hatred for sharing anti-immigration stickers

A prominent right-wing activist in the United Kingdom has been found guilty of "intending to stir up racial hatred" after he was caught sharing anti-immigration stickers stating things like "White Lives Matter" and "We will be a minority in our homeland by 2066."

Sam Melia, 34, faced trial following a raid on his Pudsey home on Town Street in April 2021, during which police officers uncovered a catalogue of downloadable stickers that authorities determined were "racist" in their intent, and thus a danger to society.

In addition to the stickers, the raid also turned up a poster of Adolph Hitler and a book by a famous British fascist named Oswald Mosley.

The Yorkshire organizer of the far-right Patriotic Alternative group, Melia was found on several occasions to have stirred up racial hatred between 2019 and 2021. On at least one occasion, he was caught distributing materials for a group called the Hundred Handers, a far-right, anti-immigration group in the UK.

At the time, Melia headed up the Hundred Handers, which operates anonymously to plaster anti-immigration "stickering" throughout Great Britain. Followers of the group were able to access, download, and print the stickers for their own distribution purposes.

According to the Crown, media reports of "stickering" by the Hundred Handers "extended from Cornwall to Northern Ireland," and they "may make it clear the incidents have in fact caused fear or alarm."

Some of the other things the stickers said include:

"Labour loves Muslim rape gangs"

"Mass immigration is white genocide"

"Second-generation? Third? Fourth? You have to go back"

(Related: There is a whole lot of dark money behind the open borders policies of predominantly-white Western nations.)

Free speech means all speech

In defense of Melia, barrister Richard Canning argues that there "was not a shred of evidence that the Hundred Handers or Patriotic Alternative encourage lawbreaking." Further, Canning told jurors that "a person's right to free speech must be protected."

The jury adjourned for less than a day before returning with a unanimous decision to convict Melia of the crimes lodged his way. Judge Tom Bayliss KC said sentencing will adjourn in order for a pre-sentence report to be prepared, also granting bail to Melia and ordering him to reappear in court on March 1.

Speaking to the jury directly, Melia said it never even crossed his mind that he could be brought up on charges like this simply for sharing stickers in public.

"The idea was always conversations about topics," he said. "They are topics like the grooming gangs or rape gangs that have been prevalent across this country."

Melia says he was careful with his stickers, too, having removed one in particular that he says "got close to incitement." Another thing he emphasized is that one of the Hundred Handers' rules was to never put stickers on private property because doing so "would be considered intimidatory."

"The idea of the messages is to start a conversation, not to make someone feel intimidated," Melia told jurors, unsuccessfully arguing his case.

Melia says everywhere the stickers were placed were "places people are waiting," including on street furniture, lampposts, and bus stops.

"You go round Leeds and there's stickers on everything," he added about how stickers in public places are normal throughout the UK. "There must be a reason people are putting them out there."

When Canning asked Melia if he intended the stickers to be seen, Melia responded affirmatively that "it's not just for my own pleasure."

"What use would a sticker be sat in your bedroom drawers?" Melia then asked. "I intended for them to be public."

The latest news about the globalist assault on free speech can be found at Tyranny.news.

Sources for this article include:

InformationLiberation.com

NaturalNews.com
German government-funded fact checkers launch smear campaign against protesting farmers

German farmers who carried out a peaceful protest against cuts to their subsidies have been branded conspiracy theorists by a German fact-checking site, and its not surprising -- considering who funds the fact checkers

The protests in question brought Berlin to a near standstill, with more than 10,000 farmers taking to the streets with their trucks and tractors. At the Brandenburg Gate, 500 tractors lined up in a convoy every day for a week. Road blockages were reported in multiple cities, including Munich, Hamburg, Nuremberg, Bremen and Cologne, each involving thousands of tractors and trucks.

The protests broke out after the German government decided that it would phase out a tax break on agricultural diesel in an attempt to balance its budget for 2024 after a ruling by its constitutional court forced it to go back to the drawing board with its spending plans. Many farmers argued that cuts to subsidies would leave them bankrupt. Although the government has since backtracked slightly on this and said that they would spread the agricultural diesel subsidy cut across a period of several years, most farmers felt it was not enough.

Its an understandable concern, but the news and fact-checking site Correctiv launched a smear campaign against the farmers, essentially labeling them far-right conspiracy theorists who are spreading Russian propaganda and COVID-19 disinformation.

Although it may be true that some of the farmers have other concerns that go beyond the subsidy cuts, such as COVID-19 restrictions, not all of them share the same beliefs. Correctiv did not explain what type of disinformation the farmers were spreading about the virus, nor did they supply any proof supporting their claims that they are somehow linked to the Russian government. They only noted that some accounts on X that support the farmers also had posts that coincided with the methods of a pro-Russian propaganda network, which is a pretty weak argument.

The German media has also been quick to point out that a neo-Nazi group endorsed the protests, even though the German Farmers Association has rejected the groups support in no uncertain terms.

The farmers likely struck a nerve with the government by blaming the governments climate policy for the subsidy cuts as the budget reshuffle that led to the cuts was driven by a need to unlock funds for climate action projects. Some of the protestors even called for the dissolution of the German government and new elections.

Follow the money

It should come as no surprise that one of Correctivs backers is Meta, owners of Facebook, who were all too happy to go along with the U.S. governments insistence that they censor posts that went against the official government COVID-19 narrative. They also get funding from Open Society Foundations, a nonprofit organization that was founded by globalist George Soros, as well as the current German government.

The use of fact checkers to smear those who voice unpopular opinions is nothing new. Its been going on for years, and it ramped up quite a bit during the pandemic, when fact checkers were used to discredit anyone who dared to suggest that COVID-19 came from a lab leak or that vaccines are risky. Freedom of Information Act-requested documents and the Twitter Files have both proven that governments and other entities often bankroll fact checking groups to help them further their political agendas.

Jeffrey A. Tucker explained the relationship between governments and fact checkers in an expose for The Epoch Times, writing: "Government wants to censor but cannot so it turns to the social-media company to do the dirty work. To make this hand-in-glove racket less obvious, the companies would outsource to a fact-checking organization, making the lines of control even more blurry."

Sources for this article include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

Public.Substack.com

TheEpochTimes.com
Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi has been appointed as the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He replaced General Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

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The President of Ukraine announced the decision in his evening address to Ukrainians on February 8. This is not the only change, as a new management team is taking over the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"I am grateful to General Zaluzhnyi for two years of defense. I am grateful for every victory we have achieved together and thanks to all Ukrainian soldiers who are heroically enduring this war," the President said.

He noted that he had a frank conversation with the general about the urgent changes in the army.

"I offered General Zaluzhnyi to continue to be part of the team of the Ukrainian state. I will be grateful for his consent," the head of state emphasized.

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Zelenskyy noted that a new team is taking over the management of the army. The purpose of all the changes is to ensure that the vision of the war is unified among the soldiers in Robotyn or Avdiivka, as well as in the General Staff and the General Staff.

"I have had dozens of conversations with commanders of various levels. In particular, today I spoke with Brigadier Generals Andriy Hnatov, Mykhailo Drapaty, Ihor Skybyuk and Colonels Pavlo Palisa and Vadym Sukharevskyi. All of them are being considered for senior positions in the army and will serve under the leadership of the most experienced Ukrainian commander," the Ukrainian leader said.

Commenting on the appointment of Syrskyi, the President emphasized the valuable experience of this military leader: he conducted the Kyiv defense operation and the Kharkiv liberation operation.

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"The year 2024 can be successful for Ukraine only if there are effective changes in the basis of our defense, which is the Armed Forces of Ukraine," Zelenskyy said.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- On February 8, Zelensky met with General Zaluzhnyi. They discussed what kind of renewal the Ukrainian army needs and who could be in the renewed leadership of the Armed Forces. The President said he thanked the general for two years of defense of Ukraine, and now it was time for renewal.

- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan issued a joint statement that NATO and the United States have no influence on personnel changes in the Armed Forces. Any personnel changes in the Ukrainian army, particularly at the level of operational leadership, are a sovereign matter for Ukraine.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Harvard controversy saga continues: University DEI officer apparently plagiarized husbands academic work

Yet another controversy involving a Harvard University official surfaced as the "prestigious" educational institution's chief diversity and inclusion officer appears to have plagiarized extensively in her academic work, lifting large portions of text and even taking credit for a study done by another scholar -- her own husband.

An anonymous letter reportedly sent to the Ivy League university, the University of Michigan (UMich) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) this week alleged that the school's DEI head committed 40 instances of plagiarism over the years, as per the Washington Free Beacon.

The news outlet reported first on the complaint and described the details of how Sherri Ann Charleston allegedly committed these counts of plagiarism, including not properly attributing sources or quotes almost a dozen times in her 2009 dissertation at Michigan. In her sole peer-reviewed journal article, which she wrote with her husband, UW's Deputy Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion LaVar Charleston, in 2014, the couple reused much of a 2012 study published by the husband in the Journal of Diversity in Higher Education. Said paper was co-authored by Michigan State University's College of Education Dean Jerlando Jackson, and the couple's work had the same methods, findings and description of survey subjects as the 2012 study, which involved interviews with black computer science students.

SCOOP: Harvard's chief diversity officer, Sherri Ann Charleston, appears to have plagiarized extensively in her academic work, lifting large chunks of text without quotation marks and even taking credit for a study done by another scholarher own husband.?https://t.co/Kqwj3srXo0  Aaron Sibarium (@aaronsibarium) January 30, 2024

According to Beacon, the overlap only suggested that the authors did not conduct new interviews for the later piece but instead relied on LaVar Charleston's interviews from 2012. This constitutes a severe breach of research ethics, experts who reviewed the allegations said. They added that Sherri Ann Charleston committed a "wide range of plagiaristic offenses, from minor plagiarism to possible data fraud and warrant an investigation."

"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, where he ran several academic integrity probes. "This is research fraud pure and simple."

Papers that omit a few citations or quotation marks rarely receive more than a correction but when scholars recycle large chunks of a previous study without attribution, the duplicate paper is often retracted and can even violate copyright law, they added. Said offense, known as duplicate publication, is typically a form of self-plagiarism in which authors republish old work in a bid to pad their resumes. Here, though, the duplicate paper added two new authors, Sherri Ann Charleston and Jerlando Jackson, who had no involvement in the original, letting them claim credit for the research and making them party to the con.

This issue came on the heels of another plagiarism allegation from no less than the university president Claudine Gay, who recently resigned from her role after she was accused of committing multiple counts of plagiarism throughout her own career and being at the center of the school's recent antisemitism scandal. Critics argue that Charleston committed a worse "scholarly sin" than her former boss. (Related: Gay keeps $900K annual salary despite resigning as Harvard president after evidence of serial plagiarism emerges.)

Harvard researchers accused of fraud for manipulating research images

Affiliate of Harvard Medical School Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) is seeking to retract six scientific studies and correct 31 others that were published by its top researchers, including its President and CEO Laurie Glimcher, Executive Vice President and COO William Hahn, Senior Vice President for Experimental Medicine Irene Ghobrial and medical school professor Kenneth Anderson. A data sleuth recently found that they manipulated data images with simple methods such as copy-and-paste and Adobe Photoshop and this "academic fraud" impacted 37 studies.

According to a report by Ars Technica, molecular biologist and analytical scientist Sholto David and his colleagues on PubPeer posted a lengthy list of possible data fraud instances from DFCI researchers to his research integrity blog For Better Science. He pointed out that several data figures appeared to feature pixel-for-pixel duplications, including those of what are known as "Western blots," which are used to see proteins in a complex mixture.

DFCI Research Integrity Officer Barrett Rollins, who is also a co-author on two of the studies, responded to the allegations, arguing that the school is "committed to a culture of accountability and integrity," and that "every inquiry about research integrity is examined fully." He further said that David had contacted DFCI with allegations of data manipulation involving 57 studies, adding that the institute's internal review found that there are 38 papers in which DFCI researchers "have primary responsibility for the potential data errors." DFCI is now retracting six studies and contacting scientific publishers to correct 31 others, bringing the total to 37 affected studies so far. Meanwhile, the 38th remaining study in question is still under review. Of the remaining 19 studies, three were cleared of allegations while 16 were determined to have had the possibly manipulated data collected in labs that were outside the DFCI. Rollins said that those studies are still under investigation.

Rollins insisted that finding false data and manipulated images is not necessarily "evidence of an author's intent to deceive" and that they have yet to determine if any scientific misconduct occurred. "That conclusion can only be drawn after a careful, fact-based examination which is an integral part of our response," he said, adding that their experience is that errors are often unintentional and do not rise to the level of misconduct.

Visit Rigged.news for stories related to fraudulent studies from prestigious educational institutions and systems.

Sources for this article include:

FreeBeacon.com 1

FreeBeacon.com 2

FoxNews.com

ArsTechnica.com
12 Absolutely insane examples that show just how far the U.S. has fallen

When I was young, I often wondered what it must have been like to live during the fall of the Roman Empire. Unfortunately, now I have a pretty good idea. Just like the Roman Empire, the United States is falling. Every day our decline gets even more pronounced, and you can see evidence of this all around us. Virtually all of our major institutions are crumbling, and virtually all of our most critical systems are failing. We tend to blame our problems on our politicians, but the truth is that the rot that is rapidly spreading throughout our society runs a lot deeper than that. Millions upon millions of us have completely rejected the values that this nation was founded upon, and so now we have a giant mess on our hands. The following are 12 absolutely insane examples that show just how far the U.S. has fallen

(Article by Michael republished from EndOfTheAmericanDream.com)

#1 A social media influencer that returned a couch to Costco after using it for more than two years is telling her followers to buy all of their furniture from Costco because you can return it when you dont like it anymore

A woman named Jackie shared she bought a couch from Costco over two and a half years ago, in a video posted last week to TikTok thats attracted nearly 3 million views. Jackie admits she was nervous to return the large item to the warehouse store and felt intimidated by other shoppers staring at her while waiting in line. But who cares. Return it. They have an awesome return policy, she tells her followers. Buy your furniture from Costco, girl. You can return it when you dont like it anymore.

#2 The U.S. Navy is having a really difficult time recruiting young people, and so they have decided that a radical new approach is needed. From now on, a high school diploma will no longer be necessary

We get thousands of people into our recruiting stations every year that want to join the Navy but do not have an education credential, said the branchs chief of personnel Vice Admiral Rick Cheeseman. And we just turn them away. Now the Navy will accept some of those potential recruits lacking a high school diploma or GED, assuming theyre able to score 50 or above on a qualification test. The move comes after the service previously lowered their qualification requirements in 2022, again amidst recruitment challenges. The Navy is the only branch of the US armed forces that admits applicants who score below 30 out of 100 on the qualification test. Officials say some positions, such as in maintenance or food preparation, dont require a conventional education.

#3 Three years ago, the city of Portland decriminalized the possession of all drugs. Lets check in and see how that is working out

Oregon leaders have declared a 90-day state of emergency in Portland to battle the citys debilitating fentanyl crisis three years after decriminalizing possession of all drugs. Governor Tina Kotek, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson made the declaration and are directing their agencies to work with first responders in connecting people addicted to the synthetic opioid with resources including drug treatment programs and to crack down on drug sales.

#4 Western Oregon University has found a way to keep students from failing. D- and F grades will no longer be earned by anyone because they are being abolished

Citing a wrongheaded GPA fixation, Western Oregon University leaders have announced plans to abolish D- and F grades for students. They will replace them with no credit in an effort to support student success and encourage struggling undergrads to continue their education despite obstacles, they said. The public university announced in a news release this month the changes would start in the fall.

#5 From this point forward, every police officer in El Paso, Texas will be forced to ask for the preferred pronouns of every person that they encounter

The policy, called Constitutional Policing, was introduced in December 2023; however, it was not implemented until January 2024 and will require officers to ask every person they encounter, How would you like to be referred to? The gender-inclusive policy was created with the help of the Borderland Rainbow Center, an LGBTQ Community Center, in El Paso, Texas, and exists so that LGBTQ people and their allies can heal, grow, and empower themselves and others. The director of the center, Amber Perez, told a local news station, This is just the start. The most important thing is that we cant change the past, Perez said. [B]ut what we can do is take this first moment and run with it and continue the conversation and be able to speak to each other with respect.

#6 A group of migrants that was caught on camera physically attacking cops in Times Square was shocking released without even having to post bail

Police officers and other critics are slamming Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for refusing to seek bail for the rowdy migrants arrested after allegedly being caught on camera attacking NYPD cops in Times Square. Veteran police officers fumed to The Post Saturday that Bragg made a mockery of the entire justice system by letting five migrants walk after they were arraigned Wednesday on charges of second-degree assault on a police officer and obstruction of governmental administration in the shocking Jan. 27 beatdown.

Alvin Bragg just showed all New Yorkers that the Police Department doesnt matter to him, said an NYPD detective with more than two decades on the job.

It has been reported that the migrants were seen getting on a bus to California, and so hopefully someone can track them down before they disappear completely.

Read more at: EndOfTheAmericanDream.com
Japanese government sources confirm Chinese hackers stole classified diplomatic information during 2020 cyberattack

A source who spoke with Kyodo News has confirmed that classified Japanese diplomatic information was leaked following Chinese cyberattacks on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2020.

During the administration of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the Kyodo News source reported that the Japanese government detected a large-scale attack and release of diplomatic telegrams. The nature of the leaked information is still unknown. (Related: Will hackers cripple America with a cyberattack? Expert says it might happen in 2024.)

The diplomatic telegrams were leaked outside of government servers through an encrypted Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network, or IP-VPN. The use of this kind of network is critical in the transfer of sensitive data.

At a press conference following the revelation, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the government of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has not confirmed that secret Foreign Affairs Ministry information was accessed through the cyberattack.

"[The ministry] has routinely worked to maintain and strengthen cybersecurity," said Hayashi.

The revelation of the cyberattack has highlighted how Japanese cybersecurity infrastructure has lagged behind compared to other developed nations, causing great concern not just for the government in Tokyo but also for its close ally, the United States, which regularly urges Japan to improve its cybersecurity capabilities.

In its recently updated National Security Strategy, Japan has pledged to introduce an "active cyber defense" regimen to eliminate in advance the possibility of serious cyberattacks that could threaten "national security and critical infrastructure."

But government-sponsored bills to implement a more active approach to cybersecurity have not been submitted to parliament, as discussions on the issue have stalled, with fears lingering that such a move could violate Japan's constitutional guarantee on the secrecy of communications.

CCP-backed hackers targeting governments worldwide

Unfortunately, Japan is not the only recent victim of a cyberattack with ties linking back to China and the CCP.

The Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) of the Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands confirmed that a Chinese cyber espionage group breached its servers late last year and deployed malware on compromised devices.

Fortunately, the Dutch Defense Ministry said that despite being able to "backdoor" the hacked devices, the damage from the breach was limited due to network segmentation.

"The effects of the intrusion were limited because the victim network was segmented from the wider Ministry of Defense networks," said MIVD and the General Intelligence and Security Service, the main Dutch intelligence agency, in a joint report. "The victim network had fewer than 50 users. Its purpose was research and development of unclassified projects and collaboration with two third-party research institutes. These organizations have been notified of the incident."

A follow-up investigation revealed that the Chinese hackers used a previously unknown malware strain codenamed Coathanger, a remote access trojan designed to infect Fortigate firewall network security appliances. The Coathanger implant was reportedly "persistent," being able to remain on the infected devices after multiple reboots "by injecting a backup of itself in the process responsible for rebooting the system."

In the Philippines, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) reported that hackers operating in China attempted to break into websites and email systems belonging to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other government agencies, including the website of the government maritime security watchdog the National Coast Watch Center.

"We are not attributing this to any state. But using the internet protocol addresses, we pinpointed it to China," said DICT spokesperson Renato Paraiso, who reported that the unsuccessful hacking operations occurred sometime in January. "We are appealing to the Chinese government to help us prevent further attacks."

The Philippines is currently working on a five-year cybersecurity strategy to strengthen its cyber defenses to combat cyberattacks and domestic digital crimes, a program that includes the creation of a military cyber command.

The thwarted cyberattacks came at a time of heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing, largely over disputed territory in the South China Sea.

China continues trying to hack into critical U.S. infrastructure

In the U.S., a monthlong government effort to fight a pervasive Chinese hacking operation that compromised thousands of internet-connected devices is currently underway. The Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have made this operation public after they sought and received legal authorization to remotely disable aspects of the Chinese hacking campaign.

"China's hackers are positioning on American infrastructure in preparation to wreak havoc and cause real-world harm to American citizens and communities," said FBI Director Christopher Wray. "Low blows against civilians are part of China's plan."

The main CCP-linked hacking group in question is known as Volt Typhoon, a group which has alarmed intelligence officials who say that it is part of a broader CCP-led effort to compromise critical infrastructure in the Western world, including naval ports, internet service providers and utilities networks like water and electricity.

Volt Typhoon's U.S. activities first came to light in May 2023, when Microsoft revealed it had been tracking Volt Typhoon intrusions at communications and transportation infrastructure, among other critical infrastructure, in U.S. states and Guam. Since then, Volt Typhoon has only expanded the scope of its operations.

If it successfully breaches critical infrastructure, national security experts warn that China could remotely disrupt important facilities in the Indo-Pacific region that in some form either support or service U.S. military operations. This could, for example, keep the U.S. at bay for long enough in case of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan or if other Chinese territorial disputes turn into larger firefights with countries like Japan, the Philippines or Vietnam.

Learn more about cyberattacks and other hacks and data breaches at CyberWar.news.

Watch this short clip from "NFSC" discussing how FBI Director Christopher Wray has warned Congress about the "unparalleled" threat posed by a CCP-led cyberattack.

This video is from the Chinese Taking Down Evil CCP channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

Breitbart.com

English.KyodoNews.net

BleepingComputer.com

Reuters.com 1

Reuters.com 2

Wired.com

Brighteon.com
Lawmakers demand explanation from Bidens DOJ regarding the proliferation of ILLEGAL CCP-linked marijuana farms

A bipartisan group of legislators have asked Attorney General Merrick Garland to provide Congress with information on illegal marijuana growing operations in the United States that are suspected to have connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Headed by Reps. Pete Sessions (R-TX), Jared Golden (D-ME), David Valadao (R-CA) and Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Angus King (I-ME), the lawmakers have written a letter to Garland voicing their concerns.

"Chinese nationals  including those with potential ties to the Chinese Communist Party are reportedly operating thousands of illicit marijuana farms across the country. The thousands of illicit Chinese marijuana-growing operations pose a direct threat to public safety, human rights, national security and the addiction crisis gripping our nation," the lawmakers wrote. (Related: CCP TAKEOVER: Real estate mogul sold over 130,000 acres of Texas farmland to a Chinese billionaire and former PLA captain.)

According to the legislators, Chinese marijuana-growing operations have been found in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon and Washington.

"In some cases, the grow operators were also engaged in human trafficking, forced labor, drug trafficking and violent crime. These farms are most commonly in states with legal marijuana programs where illicit growers try to disguise their operations in communities where law-abiding Americans live and work," the letter added.

The letter mentioned a 2023 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memo, which stated that 270 suspected China-connected illegal marijuana growing operations in Maine alone were producing more than $4.3 billion in revenue.

Over 2,000 marijuana farmers linked to China found in Oklahoma

Just in the state of Oklahoma, investigators have uncovered over 2,000 marijuana farmers who "are linked to China." These farmers are engaged in other illicit activities, including human and sex trafficking, ketamine trafficking, illegal gambling operations and international money laundering.

"Experts believe there is substantial evidence implicating the CCP in directly supporting illicit marijuana grow operations across the United States. Whether located in retrofitted residential homes or on farmland, state regulatory and law enforcement entities appear unable to address these potentially CCP-supported grow operations despite their significant threat to local communities across the country," the lawmakers wrote.

Back in September, media outlets reported that one group of Chinese illegal immigrants filed a lawsuit claiming they were enticed to come to northern New Mexico under pretenses, after which they were then forced to work 14 hours a day on an illegal marijuana farm.

"Allowing illicit marijuana farms tied to the CCP is a continued threat to national security, public safety and human rights," the lawmakers concluded.

The lawmakers wanted Garland to answer several questions before Feb. 23, including the number of CCP-related marijuana farms in America, and whether state legalization of marijuana has "affected the proliferation of CCP-affiliated marijuana farms."

"How many CCP-affiliated marijuana farms have obtained state-issued licenses to grow marijuana, either directly or through a shell company?" the legislators asked in the letter.

Chinese nationals who are either legal residents of America or have asylum claims that prevent them from being deported from the country are often engaged in the grow operations, a federal law enforcement source revealed.

Follow CommunistChina.news for more stories about illicit CCP operations within the United States.

Watch the video below about the China land grab near a U.S. Air Force base in California.

This video is from the REAL TALK & REAL MUSIC wit ROD channel on Brighteon.com.

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The Dr. Hotze Report: CCP has infiltrated most sectors of American society, including government, media, business and schools, in preparation for an INVASION  Brighteon.TV.

House investigates carmaker Ford over its partnership with Chinese companies, citing national security issues.

Congress moves forward with proposed ban on Beijing-linked biotech firm allegedly STEALING DNA from Americans.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

Sessions.House.gov

DailyCaller.com

TheEpochTimes.com

Brighteon.com
Meredith Poll: Donald Trump LEADS Joe Biden by five points in North Carolina

A new poll conducted by Meredith College has found that former President Donald Trump leads President Joe Biden by five points in North Carolina

The poll, conducted from Jan. 26 to 31 with 760 North Carolina voters, covered a range of topics, including primary preferences, policy issues, political polarization and the threat to democracy.

Trump received 44 percent support from North Carolina voters, while Biden only got 39 percent backing in a head-to-head race. However, 12 percent of respondents say they would rather vote for someone else and the remaining four percent are still undecided.

"Given our recent presidential election history in North Carolina, I still expect this to be a closely contested election between Trump and Biden. There are many questions about what might happen over the next nine months that will impact the outcome, including former President Trumps legal status, whether any third-party candidates have any real traction with North Carolina voters, etc.," said Merideth Poll Director David McLennan.

The survey has garnered attention as it followed a Bloomberg News/Morning Consult survey of seven swing states, which also showed Trump leading Biden 49 percent to 39 percent in North Carolina. The poll was conducted from Jan. 16 to 24 and surveyed 4,956 registered voters across Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

In 2020, Trump lost all these states except North Carolina, making the swing state poll consistent with national polling trends that show Trump leading Biden by four points, 48 percent to 44 percent. The findings suggest a growing sentiment of nostalgia among voters for the Trump era, characterized by lower gas prices, affordable goods, secure borders and a perception of global peace.

Trump overwhelming favorite in North Carolina GOP primary

The Meredith Poll also highlights the dominance of Trump in the GOP primary in North Carolina.

Among the 375 respondents planning to vote in the GOP presidential primary in the state, 72 percent support Trump while only 20 percent support former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. The poll suggests a lack of momentum for Haley, despite other Republican candidates dropping out of the race.

In fact, a recent poll conducted by Fabrizio, Lee and Associates for the pro-Trump MAGA Inc. PAC shows that Haley can't beat Trump even in her home state of South Carolina. (Related: South Carolina poll: Trump leads Haley by 35 points in her own backyard.)

According to the survey published by The Messenger, 66 percent of likely South Carolina Republican primary voters support Trump, while only 31 percent support Haley. The support for Trump is a combination of 59 percent of respondents who will "definitely" vote for him and six percent who "probably" will. In contrast, support for Haley comprises seven percent of those who "probably" will and 24 percent who "definitely" will.

"Trump's lead in North Carolina seems very consistent since the last administration of the Meredith Poll. Even with Republicans dropping out of the race, there seems to be no momentum for Nikki Haley in the state," said McLennan.

Visit Trump.news for more news related to the former president and his campaign.

Watch Owen Shroyer of InfoWars outlining some reasons why Biden's approval rating is dismal.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

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Poll: Trump LEADS Biden in five key swing states  Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and North Carolina.

Trump LEADS among Hispanic and under-35 voters in new poll.

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Poll: RFK Jr. running as independent would help Trump, hurt Biden.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com 1

MeridethPoll.edu

Breitbart.com 2
Elon Musk claims Neuralink chip can be used to save your brain like a game

In the past, billionaire CEO Elon Musk has made many big announcements about his neurotechnology company Neuralink. Now, he is claiming that Neuralink can one day be used to save the human brain "like a game."

Recently, Neuralink has inserted its first device in a human volunteer. The Neuralink founder said the first human who has received an implant from the brain-chip startup is recovering well.

The surgery is not entirely surprising, especially since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had previously given the company clearance in September 2023 to conduct the first trial of its brain implant on humans.

Musk posted on X to announce that initial results "show promising neuron spike detection" one day after the chip was implanted. The billionaire did not provide further details about the procedure.

Spikes are activity by neurons. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), spikes are cells that use electrical and chemical signals to send information around the brain and to the body.

In his follow-up posts, Musk said that the first Neuralink product was called Telepathy.

According to Musk, Telepathy will allow users to control their "phone or computer, and through them almost any device, just by thinking." He added that initial users of the new product will include people who have lost the use of their limbs.

"Imagine if Stephen Hawking could communicate faster than a speed typist or auctioneer. That is the goal," claimed Musk.

Despite Musk's impressive claims about Telepathy, the billionaire also has a long history of bold promises and a sporadic record of actually fulfilling them.

For example, in 2016 Musk wrongly predicted that within two years it would be possible for a Tesla to drive autonomously from New York to Los Angeles. In the same year, he also claimed that his SpaceX rocket company would fly to Mars in 2018. He was wrong on both accounts.

During a Q&A session on the Clubhouse app in 2021, Musk talked in detail about his plans for the Neuralink brain chip.

"You could probably save state in the brain. So if you were to die your state could be returned in the form of another human body or a robot body," claimed Musk.

The billionaire then compared this saving process to backing up your progress on a video game.

Musk said that the process could be "something analogous to a video game, like a save game situation, where you are able to upload your last state." He said that while you might lose a few memories during the process, you would still "mostly be you." (Related: Elon Musks brain chip implant company fined for violating U.S. hazardous material transport rules.)

Musk suggests Neuralink could help humans avoid extinction

The billionaire has also expressed hopes that the Neuralink brain chip will be able to help humans compete with artificial intelligence (AI).

In the past, Musk has expressed concerns that humans could face an AI extinction event if they don't take action to compete with the rapidly developing technology.

At the 2023 global AI Safety Summit (AISS 2023) in the U.K., Musk said that there is some chance, "above zero, that AI will kill us all." He added that while it may take some time, there is a slim chance of a hostile AI takeover.

According to Musk, one of his long-term goals is for people to reach "symbiosis with artificial intelligence." This means he wants humans to one day reach a state in which they can coexist with AI in a mutually beneficial relationship.

Musk thinks that this could be possible through a brain chip like Neuralink.

Aside from his other grandiose claims, Musk has also suggested that his brain chip could be used to treat people suffering from brain injuries.

Several years ago at the Wall Street Journal's CEO Council Summit, Musk said there is a chance that Neuralink can be used to eventually restore full-body functionality to a patient with a spinal cord injury. He also added that it could be possible for the chip to "make up for whatever lost capacity somebody has."

However, it is yet to be confirmed who received Neuralink's first brain chip or whether they were suffering from an injury before implantation.

Watch the video below as Alex Jones responds to the first human implant of Neuralink and the dangers of brain chips.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

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Neuralink implant RUPTURED the brain of a female monkey, autopsy finds what will happen when they are implanted into humans?

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Sources include:

The-Sun.com

TheGuardian.com

Twitter.com

Brighteon.com
Anti-nuclear weapons group: Return of U.S. nuclear weapons to the U.K. would make Britain a guaranteed target

The United States is allegedly planning to set up nuclear weapons " three times the strength of the Hiroshima bomb " at an air base in Suffolk in eastern England.

Nuclear weapon activists sounded the alarm last Friday, Feb. 2, in reaction to recent evidence that the U.S. is planning to station nukes in the United Kingdom for the first time in more than 15 years, a move that government critics said would only intensify the danger of a nuclear war.

The U.S. pulled out more than 100 nuclear bombs from the Royal Air Force base in Lakenheath (RAF Lakenheath) in western Suffolk in 2008 after continuous protests from U.K.-based anti-nuclear weapons groups, including the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).

CND warned in a statement Friday that the redeployment of nukes to Lakenheath would "make Britain a guaranteed target in the event of any war between NATO and Russia." (Related: Former Russian President Medvedev once again threatens to nuke Britain in unhinged rant.)

"We encourage both the media and the public to increase pressure on the British government to be honest about this deployment," said Kate Hudson, CND's general secretary.

The Telegraph recently reported that "procurement contracts for a new facility at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk confirm that the U.S. intends to place nuclear warheads three times the strength of the Hiroshima bomb at the air base."

"The return of American weapons to the U.K. is part of a NATO-wide program to develop and upgrade nuclear sites in response to heightened tensions with the Kremlin in the wake of the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine," the U.K. newspaper added. "Russia has stated that the placement of U.S. weapons in Britain would be viewed by Moscow as an 'escalation' and would be met with 'compensating countermeasures.'"

Lakenheath base is being prepared for the return of U.S. nuclear weapons

CND said Friday it has "strongly suspected" that the Lakenheath base was being prepared for the return of U.S. nukes for almost two years, and with construction of the nuclear storage facilities expected to start in June 2024 and end in February 2026.

Documents collected since 2022 have presented evidence that nuclear weapons will return, and these include the upgrade of nuclear storage locations at RAF Lakenheath to store the new B61-12 guided nuclear bomb; plans to construct a new "surety dormitory" to house U.S. Air Force staff for a nuclear mission; and just recently, contracts to establish ballistic protection sites at the base, designed to protect troops from strikes on "high-value assets" in the country.

CND, represented by law firm Leigh Day Solicitors, has questioned the U.K.'s Ministry of Defense (MoD) and local officials about the "lawfulness of the planning rights used to allow the building of the surety dormitory."

"The Lakenheath upgrades form part of a wider effort to upgrade U.S./NATO nuclear infrastructure across Europe, which has preceded  and likely provoked  Russia's deployment of its own nuclear weapons to Belarus. Despite this, neither the U.S. nor the U.K. government had given information to the public about this deployment," the organization said.

"Far from making us safer, this deployment has escalated the dangers, brought Russian nukes to Europe, and made us a nuclear target. It's shameful that our government continues to take us for fools on this serious matter. They are refusing to give us crucial information about our security," Hudson said.

Meanwhile, Leigh Day environment team solicitor Ricardo Gama said: "The MoD says that the Lakenheath development won't lead to significant environmental effects, but in coming to that conclusion our client argues they have ignored the potential environmental effects of stationing nuclear weapons at the airbase, including the potential for nuclear accidents."

Gama emphasized that to allow the local planning authority, West Suffolk Council, and members of the community to conclude whether the MoD is going through the right process and whether the potential effects of the development are acceptable, the U.K. Defense Ministry "needs to provide transparent information about what the purpose of the development is."

Follow NuclearWeapons.news for more stories about American nuclear bombs being deployed abroad.

Watch the video from Tru News about a Russian legislator saying Russia could use nuclear weapons against Great Britain.

This video is from the TruNews channel on Brighteon.com.

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Another PROXY WAR in the works? U.S. approves $4 billion sale of drones, missiles and bombs to India

The United States has approved the sale of almost $4 billion worth of weapons including attack drones, Hellfire drone-launched air-to-surface missiles and laser-guided bombs to India as the administration of President Joe Biden seeks to strengthen its defense ties with India and weaken New Delhi's own relationship with Russia.

According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the deal will help India answer to "current and future threats by enabling unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols in [the] sea lanes of operation."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has been receptive to this deepening of defense connections with the U.S., as it proceeds with a 10-year, $250 billion military modernization program.

The recent $4 billion agreement is part of a three-year deal with the U.S. that would increase India's military capabilities.

The deal, which has been going on for no less than three years, would increase India's military capabilities as the drones it has now can only be employed for surveillance and reconnaissance. The sale also includes transfers of training munitions and navigational and communications equipment.

Under the terms of the agreement, which has a maximum value of $3.99 billion, the U.S. would sell up to 31 MQ-9B Sky Guardian drones, up to 170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles and 310 GBU-39B/B Laser Small Diameter Bombs, among other equipment.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, which manufactures the MQ-9B, will be the major contractor. Lockheed Martin Corp. manufactures the Hellfire, while Boeing produces the GBU-39B/B Laser Small Diameter Bomb.

India focused on challenging China's growing influence in Indo-Pacific region

The approval comes at a time when the White House is looking to support the efforts of its allies in the Indo-Pacific region, especially as India is mostly focused on challenging China's growing influence in the region. (Related: Biden administration approves $583M arms sale to Saudi Arabia and $85M sale to the U.A.E.)

"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defense partner that continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region," the State Department said in a statement.

It stated that India "has demonstrated a commitment to modernizing its military and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces."

The sale marks a milestone in Indian purchases of American weapons after New Delhi's long dependence on arms from Russia, which has been growing controversial because of sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine.

Indian officials had talked about the drones during a state visit by Modi last year at the invitation of Biden, after Indian clashes with China and Pakistan.

India is particularly interested in the sale of the Sky Guardian drones, as they can watch India's borders and support Indian Navy efforts to patrol the Indian Ocean. They can remain airborne for 35 hours at a time, fire Hellfire missiles and carry around 1,000 pounds of bombs.

The Indian Navy has already been operating two Predator drones on lease through which it has checked the Arabian Sea to protect ships from attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels and Somali pirates.

Follow MilitaryTech.news for more news about drones and other military weapons.

Watch the video below about an American MQ-9 Reaper drone that was shot down near Baghdad after taking off from Kuwait.

This video is from the The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

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North Korea tests solid-fuel missile with HYPERSONIC warhead in newest display of power.

Iran has developed a new, high-tech combat drone for Russia to use in Ukraine.

China sanctions 5 U.S. defense corporations in answer to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.

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Sources include:

Bloomberg.com

APNews.com

News.Yahoo.com

Brighteon.com
America no longer has the capability or credibility to embark on an amphibious war with the Yemeni Houthis

For a retired Marine Corps colonel who served as a special advisor to the deputy secretary of defense, the United States military could not launch, let alone win an "ambitious" war with the Houthis of Yemen. Gary Anderson, who also spent a total of 30 months as a civilian advisor in Iraq and Afghanistan, also said that the country would not be victorious if it went against China either. He further cited Marine Corps Lieutenant General Karsten Heckl mirroring the same sentiment. "The Navy no longer has that capability," the general said recently.

He said that despite the fact the past and present presidents of the United States seem to have resorted to the "amphibious warfare" approach and it seemed like a "bloodless way to wage a war" on the part of the U.S., "striking missile and killer drone launching sites, as well as terrorist headquarters with missiles and drones, has increasingly become ineffective already." "It would take the equivalent of a Marine Corps division to conduct a large-scale raid in southwestern Yemen capable of cleansing the area of the missile and drone launch sites that have made the Bab-el-Mandeb a shooting gallery," Anderson pointed out, adding that an operation like this would need two Marine Expeditionary Brigades worth of military transport ships.

What Heckl did not say was that the former Commandant of the Marine Corps General David Berger released the Navy from that long-standing two Marine Expeditionary Brigade requirement in 2019, Anderson noted. The aircraft carrier and submarine admirals who compete to run the Navy happily complied. By late in his tenure, even Berger was forced to admit that the Navy/Marine Corps team could not even do an evacuation mission in Sudan or a humanitarian mission in Turkey due to lack of adequate shipping in those vicinities.

Anderson further said that removing the Houthi threat of missiles and drones would require ground assault troops to "locate the underground sanctuaries that allow the launchers to be rolled out, fired quickly, and re-hidden just as quickly" and a massive amphibious raid "to methodically find and eliminate these facilities" would mean at least two months of sustained combat by a division-sized force. He further emphasized that the Marine Corps no longer has assault bridging, tanks or volumes of artillery that troops would need to maintain such a force. "It has taken a few years for the chickens to come home to roost, but the bottom line is that the U.S. no longer has the capability or credibility to conduct large-scale amphibious operations," he said.

Meanwhile, the Yemeni Houthis have been attacking Western ships and many of the vessels have been forced to reroute from the Red Sea and Suez Canal, causing freight and supply prices in the U.S. and Europe to surge. (Related: Houthis step up offensive operations with new drone attacks on U.S.-owned commercial ships.)

White House: U.S. to launch more strikes at Iran-backed groups

Despite experts' analysis that the United States can no longer carry out a war with the Houthis, the White House recently announced that there are more strikes to come targeting all the Iran-backed militant groups in the Middle East, after the Western forces hit Tehran-aligned factions in Iraq, Syria and Yemen over the past few days. The United States and Britain unleashed attacks against 36 Houthi targets in Yemen, a day after the U.S. military hit the Iran-supported groups in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for a deadly attack on U.S. troops in Jordan.

"We intend to take additional strikes, and additional action, to continue to send a clear message that the United States will respond when our forces are attacked, when our people are killed," National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told NBCs "Meet the Press" program on Sunday. U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps also said that the U.K. "will not hesitate" to repeat the latest joint strikes. Amid all the chaos, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has landed in Saudi Arabia on his fifth trip to the region since the conflict started on October 7 last year.

Meanwhile, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, said that he thinks that the U.S. strategy is not inflicting any real cost on Iran. "The real problem is Iran," he told BBC "and its 'ring of fire strategy around Israel and the Gulf Arab countries designed to advance Iranian influence." He added that Iran has suffered no damage for the work of its terrorist proxies and that Iran won't be deterred. "The American strategy looks weak," he commented. "Is it better to deal with the Iranian problem now, or do you think their behavior will become better after they get nuclear weapons?" Referring to the negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of Israeli hostages, Bolton also said he doesn't want to see a permanent ceasefire as that would allow Hamas to regroup.

Check out WWIII.news for more stories related to the ongoing escalation in the Middle East region and the imminent involvement of the United States.

Sources for this article include:

TheDefensePost.com

Reuters.com

BBC.com
Historic California flooding KILLS 3, keeps 38M under flood alerts

Three people have died while 38 million have been kept under flood alerts as the historic flooding in California thrashed multimillion-dollar mansions in star-studded Beverly Hills, Malibu and Montecito neighborhoods.

The mansions of celebrities such as Harry and Meghan, George Clooney, Lady Gaga and Halle Berry were among those battered by the storm. There were three confirmed deaths related to the severe weather so far.

Chad Ensey, 41, died at his home in Sacramento on Sunday, Feb. 4, when a tree fell on him during the storm, according to a report by NBC News. David Gomes, 82, died after he was struck by a huge redwood tree in Yuba City, northern California, on Sunday night, as reported by ABC10. An unidentified resident of Boulder Creek, California, also died from injuries suffered after a tree fell into their home on Sunday.

An atmospheric river carried gusty winds to the Bay Area and Central Coast on Sunday, with powerful winds in the Coastal Mountains, as stated by the National Weather Service. (Related: Hurricane Idalia batters Florida with catastrophic flooding, leaving some areas uninhabitable for "months" and at least 270,000 people without power.)

According to the chief operating officer of California Utility Pacific Gas & Electric, Sunday's storm was one of the most destructive single-day storms on record in terms of outages. Nearly 2.5 million people in the Los Angeles area, including Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills, have already amassed up to nine inches of rain.

"This has the potential to be a historic storm, severe winds, thunderstorms, and even brief tornadoes," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said during a news conference.

California's 10th wettest day on record

Los Angeles experienced its 10th wettest day on record on Sunday, and the downtown area alone was flooded with 4.1 inches of rain.

The San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles County were not only getting soaked, but the storm was anticipated to stall or reverse course over some regions, making serious threat of flooding and mudslides.

Much of California was still drying out from an earlier storm that also brought flooding in lower elevations and snowfall in mountains. Both storms were created by the Pineapple Express systems  atmospheric rivers that pick up plucks of moisture from the Pacific near the Hawaiian Islands.

The National Weather Service (NWS) released a flood watch until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, which covered many neighborhoods in California. Some residents have been evacuated as well.

During an operation in the early hours of Monday, Feb. 5, LA firefighters rescued 16 people from nine properties in Studio City  the same neighborhood where Clooney lives in his $2.2 million luxury pad. Residents in the same neighborhood woke up Monday morning to find mud, rocks and debris scattered across the streets.

The $14.65 million Montecito mansion of Harry and Meghan also got pounded by the storm. The Duke of Sussex left his wife and two children in California to visit his father, King Charles III, in London after the British monarch was diagnosed with cancer.

Malibu has also been hit by heavy rain. The city was put under a coastal flood warning, with the NWS warning residents to stay out of the water because of "dangerous surf conditions."

The luxury beachside city is home to people like Berry, who has an $8.5 million mansion complete with an outdoor jacuzzi that she sometimes flaunts on Instagram. Lady Gaga also owns a sprawling Malibu mansion, which is the same property where Bradley Cooper gave her the starring role of Ally in the movie "A Star Is Born," which won her an Oscar.

Follow Disaster.news for more news about destructive storms happening in America and around the world.

Watch the video below as NTD anchor Tiffany Meier reports about the major California floods.

This video is from the Pool Pharmacy channel on Brighteon.com.

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California farmers lose BILLIONS as atmospheric river rain storms continue  "we've lost EVERYTHING."

Rare summer rainstorm causes flash flood in Las Vegas Strip.

Nearly 10,000 homes in U.K. left WITHOUT POWER as Storm Henk batters country.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

NBCNews.com

ABC10.com

TheGuardian.com

Brighteon.com
The US Presidential Administration expects to receive bipartisan support for a bill that includes a military aid package for Ukraine. This is the "Plan A" that the US administration is focusing on.

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This was stated by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. According to him, the government is working to ensure that this aid package "passes the Senate, the House of Representatives, and gets signed by the president."

"We're not focusing on plan B. We are focusing on plan A, on the adoption of a support package for Ukraine with bicameral support. It will provide the country with the tools and capabilities to continue to effectively defend and return the territories occupied by Russia," Sullivan said.

He added that "a significant number of Republicans" are committed to "moving forward with an aid package for Ukraine."

As reported by OBOZ.UA, the US Congress is preparing a "plan B". The majority of Republicans in the US Senate did not support the bill, which includes border reforms and aid to Ukraine and Israel. Therefore, there was an initiative to separate these issues for separate votes.

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Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer told his fellow party members that he planned to do just that and put the document with US foreign aid to a vote.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Calls grow to deport migrants who attacked two police officers in New York City

For New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, the migrants recently caught on camera assaulting two police officers in Times Square should be deported

"Get them all and send them back," she said in response to a question about the people who have been arrested in connection with the assaults. "You don't touch our police officers. You don't touch anybody. I think that's actually something that should be looked at, I mean, if someone commits a crime against a police officer in the state of New York and they're not here legally. Definitely worth checking into." (Related: NYC Mayor Eric Adams DEFUNDS POLICE, rolls out various austerity measures to spend on ILLEGAL MIGRANTS.)

Four migrant men charged with felonies in an attack on two New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers outside a migrant shelter are now on their way to a California town near Mexico after they were released from custody and given bus tickets by a faith-based charity, a senior law enforcement official said.

They were among at least seven people arrested in the incident. They were staying in a New York City shelter and used false names with the charity.

Investigators said even though the defendants could be going to Mexico by way of Calexico, California, "we have no legal authority to chase them or attempt to stop them" because the Manhattan district attorney did not request bail and the defendants were released on their own recognizance.

"We have to assume they intend to return to court, which, given the circumstances around their departure, seems unlikely," the source added.

New Yorkers calling for removal of violent migrants from the city

Responding to a question on whether the city will contact Immigration and Customs Enforcement to remove the migrants suspected of assaulting NYPD officers given the city's sanctuary city status, NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Rebecca Weiner said keeping them in jail  which they currently aren't  "is a good solution to the problem."

The case follows a surge in migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border and, as a knock-on effect, in far-off major U.S. cities  where many have gone on their own or on buses hired by Texas. Some 67,000 migrants are under New York City's care, among more than 173,900 who've arrived in the city since spring 2022, said a City Hall spokesperson.

More than 6.3 million migrants are recorded to have crossed into the U.S. illegally since 2021, record highs that could affect the re-election chances of President Joe Biden.

Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican congresswoman who represents Staten Island, said: "It is absolutely disgusting that people who are in this country, that are being housed by the taxpayers, would turn around and disrespect our laws and our law enforcement."

Republicans in New York are calling for the governor to send National Guard troops to the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico to help stem the flow of migrants.

"The overwhelming number of immigrants, migrants, asylum-seekers, they want to be here and do what's right. Those violent ones, we need to immediately have them removed from our city," said New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

"Violence against police officers is never acceptable," said a spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. "Every defendant charged so far is facing felony charges that carry a penalty of up to seven years."

Police, meanwhile, are trying to identify four more men who allegedly participated in the assault outside the migrant shelter, the law enforcement source said.

Visit OpenBorders.news for more stories about migrants in the United States.

Watch this episode of the "Health Ranger Report" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, interviews Steve Quayle about how the Democrat-enabled invasion of the U.S. by illegal immigrants will decimate America's cities.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

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NYC migrant crisis: Central Park being considered as HOUSING for migrants.

NYC Mayor Adams: MIGRANTS from Venezuela feeding Big Apples new RED-LIGHT DISTRICT.

Police arrest 2 NYC residents for running SECRET Chinese police station in Big Apple.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams announces plans to house THOUSANDS OF MIGRANTS on an island in the East River.

NYC to unleash FOOD POLICE to limit residents consumption in the name of climate justice.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

Edition.CNN.com

Brighteon.com
Classified documents prove SARS-CoV-2 came from a lab  and the FBI has known about this since March 2020

Classified documents published by a government transparency watchdog in the United States have found strong evidence that SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), " never existed in the natural world ." Worse yet, it appears that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has known about this since March 2020.

The documents were obtained by U.S. Right to Know (USRTK) showing U.S. scientists were planning to work with scientists from China's Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) to develop novel coronaviruses may explain why no one has been able to find the SARS2 virus infesting a colony of bats," according to Nicholas Wade, former science editor for the New York Times.

The documents "provide a recipe for assembling SARS-type viruses from six synthetic pieces of DNA designed to be a consensus sequence  the genetically most infectious form  of viruses related to SARS1, the bat virus that caused the minor epidemic of 2002," Wade noted. "Prior independent evidence already pointed to SARS2 having just such a six-section structure."

The EcoHealth Alliance submitted the DEFUSE (Defusing the Threat of Bat-Borne Corona Viruses) proposal to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, proposing experiments to increase the transmissibility of bat coronaviruses to humans. The application included a request for a $14 million grant to conduct this research.

"The grant proposed to 'introduce appropriate human-specific cleavage sites' into SARS-related viruses, a procedure that could have led to the creation of SARS2, with its distinctive furin cleavage site, depending on the starting virus used for the manipulation," Wade wrote.

However, the DEFUSE proposal concealed plans to conduct this research at the WIV, the USRTK documents revealed, and also left out the name of a Chinese researcher  Shi Zhengli, sometimes referred to as the "Bat Lady"  who was involved with this research.

"The new drafts show the authors planned to synthesize eight to 16 strains of SARS-type bat viruses, selected for their likely ability to infect human cells," Wade said, "to make a vaccine to immunize bats in regions that military troops might have to enter."

Haslam noted that while "U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) vaccine approval for humans takes 15-20 years," for research conducted on animals, the approval period is "just two to five years." He described this as a "bureaucratic loophole" that "created a huge incentive for live bat research."

There were close similarities between SARS-CoV-2 and the DEFUSE proposal and contradict virologists who claim COVID-19 developed naturally, Wade said.

"The genome of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, matches the viruses described in the research proposal," USRTK wrote, while according to Wade, "When SARS2 first appeared in the world, it had all the unique properties that would be expected of a virus made according to the DEFUSE recipe."

"Instead of slowly evolving the ability to attack human cells, as natural viruses must do when they jump from animals to humans, SARS2 was immediately infectious to people, possibly because it had already been adapted in humanized laboratory mice to the human cell receptor," Wade added.

The FBI has known about SARS-CoV-2's origins since March 2020

Further reports, including investigations from reporters Michael Shellenberger and Alex Gutentag, noted that the FBI received credible intelligence that SARS-CoV-2 was not a naturally occurring virus and that it had leaked from the WIV since at least March 2020. (Related: FBI surveillance contractor infiltrated chatrooms, monitored skeptics of COVID jabs.)

According to Shellenberger and Gutentag, information from multiple sources revealed that a "Chinese national from Wuhan, working as a confidential human source for the FBI, told their handler at the FBI's Chinese Intelligence Squad."

"[COVID-19] didn't have anything to do with the wet market or the bat soup story they were going with," the sources told the FBI, referring to the supposed natural origins of COVID-19.

The fact that the FBI knew COVID came from a lab at least as far back as March 2020 raises questions about why other U.S. government officials, including Anthony Fauci and researchers he had funded, continued to insist that a lab leak was implausible for several more years, wrote Shellenberger and Gutentag.

Visit Pandemic.news for stories about COVID-19 and its origins.

Watch this video about the evidence that points to Wuhan lab leak as the origin of COVID-19.

This video is from the Signposts channel on Brighteon.com.

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Fauci was secretly brought to CIA headquarters to INFLUENCE the agencys COVID-19 origins report.

Unearthed emails prove Fauci was aware of unnatural COVID-19 origins, WIV gain-of-function research.

Sources include:

ChildrensHealthDefense.com

USRTFK.org

Brighteon.com
Israeli Knesset approves bill to IMPRISON those who deny, downplay Israels version of what happened on October 7

In an attempt at stopping Israelis from discussing the October 7 Hamas attack from anywhere outside the bounds of the official narrative, the Israeli Knesset has introduced legislation to criminalize and imprison for up to five years anyone who is caught "denying" or "downplaying" the attack.

According to reports, the bill is one of three that targets people who question or try to verify Israel's wild claims, including the now-exposed lies about babies being cut out of women's wombs and baked in ovens.

"The approved bill is one out of three bills that included the expulsion of families of Palestinians who resist, imprisonment for those who deny Israel's narrative on October 7, and compensation for notorious ZAKA organization," the Palestinian Quds News Network reported.

ZAKA, by the way, is the infamous Israeli unit that pushed some of the most ridiculous atrocity propaganda about Hamas following the October 7 attack, while conveniently leaving out the fact that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stand down for a full seven hours during the attack.

(Related: In early 2023, the Israeli Knesset introduced legislation to completely outlaw preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Israel  violators would face prison time.)

Haaretz journalists in Knesset's crosshairs

The Jerusalem Post similarly reported about the bills and who proposed them: Otzma Yehudit MK Almog Cohen, Yisrael Beytenu MK Oded Forer and Likud MK Moshe Passal.

Forer's bill outlaws the denial of the October 7 attack, threatening to punish anyone who publishes, in writing or by word of mouth, anything that denies or downplays what allegedly happened that day. It also targets anyone who publishes praise, sympathy or identification with the actions of Hamas.

"The denial of the massacre constitutes an attempt to rewrite history already at this stage, in an attempt to hide, minimize and facilitate the crimes committed against the Jewish people and the State of Israel," the bill reads.

Passal's bill calls for financial compensation to be awarded to ZAKA volunteers who opted to carry out the organization's agenda during Operation Swords of Iron.

"There is no doubt that the volunteers took a significant part and did hard work, both physically and mentally," Passal commented about the legislation. "They were a significant part of the holy work for the people of Israel and worked together with the IDF, so they deserve to be rewarded for their important work."

The legislation is right up the alley of the Times of Israel, which recently ran a piece claiming that questioning Israel's narratives from October 7 are akin to "Holocaust denial," calling for Big Tech to do more to censor this type of "unacceptable" speech.

Journalists at Haaretz, meanwhile, are in the crosshairs of the new legislation as they and fellow journalists at other Israeli news organizations published reports questioning much of the atrocity propaganda that was spread by the Israeli government in the aftermath of the attack.

Zionist personalities in the United States are calling for much the same thing. University of Pennsylvania law professor Claire Finkelstein wrote a column for The Washington Post last month demanding the abolition of the First Amendment to protect the feelings of Jewish students at Ivy League college campuses.

"Israel knew what was in store on October 7 and allowed it to happen, much like those airliners that flew into the World Trade Center on 9/11," one commenter wrote on a news briefing about the new Knesset legislation.

"To have wars you need enemies."

The latest news about Israel, its war on Gaza and the escalating situation in the Middle East can be found at IsraelCollapse.com.

Sources for this article include:

InformationLiberation.com

Newstarget.com

NaturalNews.com

JPost.com
mRNA vaccines are extremely toxic, Moderna scientists now warn

New research published in the journalreveals that mRNA (modRNA) "vaccines" are anything but safe  and this coming from scientists who work at Moderna, one of the world's leading mRNA injection manufacturers.

The modified messenger ribonucleic technology produced by Moderna as well as Pfizer for the companies' respective mRNA injections is delivered into human bodies using relatively new lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology. LNP technology still has plenty of kinks, to put it lightly, that need to be worked out if its associated vaccine products are to ever be considered even remotely safe.

"A major challenge now is how to efficiently de-risk potential toxicities associated with mRNA technology," the scientists wrote, adding that the toxicity risks include "lipid nanoparticle structural components, production methods, route of administration and proteins produced from complexed mRNAs."

Authors Eric Jacquinet, Dimitrios Bitounis and Maximillian Rogers all work at Moderna, so they are seeing the toxicity profile of mRNA firsthand.

Some of the known side effects of the mRNA jabs that were already unleashed through Operation Warp Speed for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) include severe allergic shock and heart inflammation. Some cases of these injuries may involve hypersensitivity, but the reality is that most of them stem from the inherent toxicity of mRNA and LNP technology.

The study explains that "any LNP-mRNA component" could be responsible for associated injuries, but that most injury cases, in the authors' opinions, are probably triggered by PEGylated lipid nanoparticles, which they describe as "the most potentially reactogenic component" of mRNA shots.

As we reported back in 2021, PEG, also known as polyethylene glycol, is highly allergenic. Early on in the "pandemic," COVID shot reactions were being blamed on PEG, just as they are to a large degree in this new study, though we also shared evidence suggesting that mRNA technology may be capable of genetically reprogramming the human body, potentially turning it trans-human.

Whatever the case may be, mRNA is toxic, and so is its PEG component. Even so, the scientific community remains divided about the true causes of mRNA toxicity, likely because the technology is still so new that few have studied it in-depth enough to come up with solidly definitive conclusions.

The Moderna researchers who compiled the new study drew their own conclusions from the consortium of previously published data on the subject, as well as from their own firsthand experience working at an mRNA manufacturer. To be clear, the scientists did not conduct any of their own new experiments in compiling their study.

(Related: Did you catch the secret Pfizer report showing that the mRNA manufacturer knew since at least February 2021 that its COVID jabs were killing people, but continued to sell and distribute them anyway?)

Moderna's mRNA safety smokescreen

One thing the new study points out that we also reported on is the fact that spike proteins and other mRNA components persist in human tissue and organs for months, if not longer, despite manufacturer claims that the injection contents exit the body within days following injection. Could it be that this lengthy persistence is another factor in mRNA's extreme toxicity?

Amazingly, the Moderna scientists behind the new paper still say that their company's mRNA shot is "safe and effective"  because they would probably get fired for telling the truth. This is in spite of the fact that their entire paper blows the lid on the extreme toxicity of mRNA, which they describe as "complicated."

To make mRNA safer, the scientists call for a multi-pronged approach that includes conducting more advanced laboratory testing, making certain preclinical trial adjustments, and undergoing more animal trials that better account for "differences in human and animal physiology."

Dr. Robert Malone, one of the inventors behind mRNA, criticized the new study for downplaying the risks of the technology. He is also skeptical about the true intent behind the study, suggesting that it could be part of what is known as a limited hangout, which is a propaganda technique that tells some truth while shrouding it in misinformation designed to prevent the discovery of other more important information.

"My most generous interpretation of the overall intent of the article is that this article summarizes and represents information concerning risks and toxicities of this platform technology which Moderna wishes to have disclosed in a manner which puts the firm, its activities and the underlying platform technology in the best possible light," Dr. Malone said.

"A less generous interpretation of intent is that this article represents a subtle form of propaganda strategy commonly referred to as a limited hangout."

Despite the limited hangout possibility, the new study still says a lot about the dangers and ineffectiveness of mRNA injections, even if its authors tried to downplay it by still claiming they are "safe and effective."

"Just say no to all 'vaccines,'" wrote a commenter about the matter. "Better to lose your job than your life."

"I wonder how many of the scientists and the CEOs that developed these dangerous vaccines took it themselves," said another, skeptical about Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel's full-fledged support for his company's mRNA shots.

"SADS, myocarditis, A fib, autonomic diseases, prion diseases, strokes, heart attacks, Bell's palsy  wow," said someone else about the many other known adverse effects of mRNA injections. "If I had been vaccinated, I would be clawing my skin off right now trying to get it out!"

It is never a good idea to inject yourself with deadly vaccine chemicals, especially of the mRNA variety. Learn more at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

Nature.com

TheEpochTimes.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com
As city reaches breaking point, officials in sanctuary city Denver begin EVICTING illegals from overcrowded shelters

Denver is so full of illegal aliens with no more room to house them that Mayor Mike Johnston, a Democrat, is suggesting that the city may have to stop accepting any more of them.

Shelters all throughout the Denver capital are filled to the brim with illegals as increasingly more of them flood in from across the open southern border, which the Biden regime refuses to secure unless Congress agrees to send billions more dollars to Ukraine and Israel.

Overcrowded shelters in Denver are having to turn away illegals and even evict the ones they are already housing. Meanwhile, Denver's homeless population has nowhere to go as the shelters are overflowing with illegals that continue to pour in without end.

"I think our city is very close to its breaking point," Johnston told "Fox & Friends" in a recent interview.

"And we've been talking to leaders in D.C. around the country about why we need them to take action here. I think we have successfully welcomed almost 40,000 migrants in the last year and  and we know what it takes to do this successfully, we just need that help."

(Related: Many Democrat "sanctuary" cities are fed up with Texas busing illegal aliens there, and some are now calling for a border crackdown.)

Taking care of illegals is costly

In 2023, Denver provided assistance to some 38,000 migrants. As of last Friday night, 3,895 of them were staying in various city shelters.

"That's an incredible number of people to shelter, support, feed, help with transportation, deal with case management," commented Jon Ewing from Denver Human Services.

Johnston wants to see more federal money come to Denver to support all these illegals. He also wants there to be better border control to stop the endless influx of illegal bodies with nowhere to go and no money to get there.

"The things we need are  yes, we need federal dollars, but the most important thing is, we need, you know, work authorization for folks when they arrive," he said.

"And we need those resources at the border so you can add more security at the border, and so you can help process those asylum claims so the folks that do arrive here can work."

Johnston also said that Denver is contemplating putting a stop to receiving any more illegals, who will have to be bused to other cities because Colorado's capital is full.

"We are considering it," Johnston explained. "We have to consider all options, particularly if there isn't any help from the federal government."

In the meantime, Denver's city shelters are being cleared out. Starting Monday, 150 migrants will be discharged from the various facilities until eventually all 38,000 migrants are completely out of the city's 10 government-run shelters.

"The hope and goal is that we are able to connect the vast majority with housing, or at least as many of them as we possibly can," Ewing said.

"Four thousand people when you have limited budget, when you have limited resources ... very difficult to find enough housing as is, affordable housing as is, in the city of Denver  that's going to be difficult."

Prior to all this, Denver was a proud sanctuary city littered with politics and yard signs stating that residents "welcome their immigrant neighbors." Now that these immigrant neighbors are flooding the city by the tens of thousands, Denver is realizing that its bleeding-heart policies are unsustainable and threaten to unravel the city entirely.

"Treating citizens as scum and illegal aliens as the chosen ones is the biggest disgrace I've ever seen in my lifetime," one commenter wrote on a story about the way U.S. government officials are handling the illegal invasion.

The latest news about the crisis at the southern border can be found at InvasionUSA.news.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
Border Patrol agents slam proposed Senate bill that guarantees entry of 1.5M illegals and directs majority of funds to Ukraine and Israel

The " Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024 " is a legislation pushed by the Senate to allocate funding toward adding more personnel to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), detention beds to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, expelling certain illegal migrants and enhancing fentanyl interdiction.

President Joe Biden reportedly said he is eager to sign the bill. However, critics see that it does anything but "shut down" the southern U.S. border. In fact, it would guarantee the entry of 1.5 million illegals to the United States. The proposed $118 billion funding proposal offers more than $60 billion for Kyiv; more than $14 billion for Israel; and $10 billion for aid in Gaza, the West Bank, and Ukraine. Just roughly $20 billion in the 370-page bill is set aside for the U.S. border.

This is why four rank-and-file Border Patrol agents criticized it, telling the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF) that the legislation would only allow the illegal immigration crisis to continue because "it allows for the release of family units and single adults that show a credible fear of persecution should they return home."

"Now that Ive seen more of it, they can respectfully go f*ck themselves. The more I see the more it just puts what they've been doing in writing. If you want to shut this down, it's really easy. Team up [the Department of Defense] with DHS and let us enforce like we were supposed to," one agent told DCNF, adding "I feel like we are the only nation in the world that is this dumb about the border. Maybe its because we haven't."

In recent years, Border Patrol has recorded high levels of illegal immigration. Agents recorded more than 2.2 million encounters of migrants crossing the southern border illegally in fiscal year 2022, a new record, more than 2 million in fiscal year 2023 and more than 629,000 between October and January, according to federal data.

Another agent told the news outlet that "It's a load of bull***t. We don't need a border bill, we need to enforce the laws on the books," adding: "Unaccompanied minors and families released, that's unacceptable. They need to be removed." Two more agents said that the bill is "bull***t" for various reasons, including the release of families and certain single adults with 'credible fear' claims. "Another loophole that aliens are going to abuse," said a fourth agent. (Related: Intelligence community veterans warn of "imminent danger" facing the U.S. due to MIGRANT INVASION at the southern border.)

Biden calls for passage of supplemental bill while condemning Trump for growing opposition in Congress

On Tuesday, Feb. 6, Biden urged Congress to pass the said national security supplemental bill that would provide major funding for wars the United States is waging. Some of the money, he claimed would "bolster border security." But reports indicate that the support he is expecting is crumbling, especially from the right wing. The opposition from House Republicans was anticipated, but a growing number of Senate Republicans have also come out against the long-awaited agreement since it was released on Sunday, potentially tanking it for now. Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy, Republican Sen. James Lankford and independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema for weeks took the lead in hammering out a deal on the immigration portions of the larger package.

Biden blamed former President Donald Trump for the lack of support. "The result of all this hard work is a bipartisan agreement that represents the most fair, humane reforms in our immigration system in a long time, and the toughest set of reforms to secure the border ever," Biden said. "Now, all indications are this bill won't even move forward to the Senate floor. Why? A simple reason  Donald Trump, because Donald Trump thinks it's bad for him politically."

He claimed that for the last 24 hours, Trump had done nothing but reach out to Republicans in the House and the Senate and try to intimidate them to vote against this proposal. "It looks like they're caving. Frankly, they owe it to the American people to show some spine and do what they know to be right," he added.

"Doing nothing is not an option," he added. "Republicans have to decide. For years, they said they wanted to secure the border. Now they have the strongest border bill this country has ever seen. Look, I understand the former president is desperately trying to stop this bill because he's not interested in solving the border problem. He wants a political issue to run against."

Check out InvasionUSA.news to read more stories on Biden's open border policies that worsen the U.S. migrant crisis.

Watch the video below that talks about the secret agenda behind the border invasion.

This video is from the Resistance 1776 channel on Brighteon.com.

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Report: Ben Shapiro donated up to $500K to migrant trafficking organization in 2022.

Illegal migrants camp at U.S. airports; MA Governor Healey pleads for Washington and Congress to act on the crisis.

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Sources include:

Appropriations.Senate.gov

ZeroHedge.com

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Brighteon.com
Senate Republicans REJECT bipartisan border security deal despite warnings from Democrats

Senate Republicans have voted against advancing the bipartisan border security deal despite warnings from Democrats

The bill, part of a $118 billion national security supplemental package, includes $60 billion for Ukraine; $14 billion in security assistance for Israel; and $10 billion in humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza, the West Bank and Ukraine. The bill also aims to invest $20.2 billion in improving border security, providing $6.8 billion to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, $7.6 billion to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and $4 billion to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. (Related: Health Ranger Report: Wars create mass migrations, sending refugees pouring into U.S.s open borders.)

In other words, the bill aims to impose stricter immigration and asylum laws while providing foreign aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan.

During an interview with host Mika Brzezinski on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on Feb. 5, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) warned that if the Open Borders bill fails to pass in the Senate, the U.S. might end up in a land war with Russia in Europe. He also suggested that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is essentially a war involving both Russia and the United States.

"Were at a turning point in America. This bill is crucial, and history will look back on it and say, 'Did America fail itself?' Why is it crucial? Well, if we dont aid Ukraine, Putin will... walk all over Ukraine, we will lose the war, and we could be fighting in Eastern Europe [as] a NATO ally in a few years [sic]. Americans won't like that," Schumer told Brzezinski.

Schumer acknowledged the challenges of securing support from Republican senators, particularly those aligned with the right-wing Trump faction, but remained hopeful.

"I'm confident  'hopeful' is the right word. This is hard. And our Republican senators  we need a bunch of them  are under a lot of pressure from [the] right-wing Trump part of the party."

However, Senate Republicans stood firm in their opposition on Feb. 7, with a narrow margin of 49-50. A total of 60 votes were required for the legislation to proceed.

Most members of the Senate GOP conference, including Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) voted against the bill, except Senators Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), James Lankford (Okla.) and Mitt Romney (Utah). Other Democratic senators, namely Ed Markey (Mass.), Bob Menendez (N.J.), Alex Padilla (Calif.) and Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), as well as Independent Bernie Sanders, also joined in voting against the motion.

Schumer, employing a procedural tactic, switched his vote to "no" at the end of the vote to allow him to offer a motion to reconsider.

Border security deal immediately faced backlash from Republicans

Shortly after the negotiators revealed the details of the deal on Feb. 4, it faced an immediate backlash from Republicans. Former President Donald Trump, who took his sentiments to Truth Social, urged Republicans to vote against the deal.

"Only a fool, or a Radical Left Democrat, would vote for this horrendous Border Bill. It takes the HORRIBLE JOB the Democrats have done on Immigration and the Border, absolves them, and puts it all squarely on the shoulders of Republicans. Dont be STUPID!!! We need a separate Border and Immigration Bill. It should not be tied to foreign aid in any way, shape, or form! The Democrats broke Immigration and the Border. They should fix it," Trump posted.

Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson posted on X that if ever the bill came out of the Senate, it would be "dead on arrival" in the House. Johnson and other House Republicans said the bill fails in key policy areas needed to secure the border and could incentivize more illegal immigration. In a press conference, Cruz also explained to the public that the bill failed to address the root problems of the border crisis. "Why is this bill a terrible bill? Because it does not solve the problem. This bill was designed not to secure the border. Instead, this bill codified Joe Biden's open borders," he said.

Watch Alex Newman, host of "The Sentinel Report" on Brighteon.TV, as he explains how the Biden administration serves as a travel agent for illegal aliens.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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Globalist billionaire George Soros is financing efforts to elect more open borders Democrats in Texas.

Breitbart's Alex Marlow: Biden favoring OPEN BORDERS to keep wages down and Democrats in power.

Video leaves many with impression China is building secret army in U.S. thanks to Bidens open borders.

Chinese nationals being let into U.S. via Biden's pathetic open borders policies, raising new fears of espionage.

"Take Our Border Back" convoy on track to southern border, will demand government secure our wide open borders.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

NBCNews.com

CNN.com
Test scores plunge despite California school throwing $250,000 on Woke Kindergarten program

In an attempt to address disparities and remove barriers related to racism and oppression, Glassbrook Elementary School in Hayward, California, implemented a "Woke Kindergarten" program.

The program, backed by a three-year $250,000 contract with Woke Kindergarten, aimed to improve student performance by addressing learning barriers such as racism and white supremacy. However, after two years of implementation, not only did the test scores fail to show significant improvement, they actually witnessed a decline.

Woke Kindergarten, a for-profit organization founded by Akiea Gross, a non-binary early educator, identifies itself as a "global, abolitionist early childhood ecosystem."

The program advocates for abolitionist early education and emphasizes pro-black, queer and trans liberation. (Related: WOKE TYRANNY: Aspiring foster parents could be prohibited from adopting children if they dont push gender ideology at home.)

Glassbrook Elementary School entered into the contract with Woke Kindergarten focusing on five core pillars of abolitionist education: identity, skill development, intellectualism, criticality and joyfulness.

Identity, according to proponents, goes beyond basic categories like race, class and gender, adopting an intersectional perspective in the context of social justice movements.

Criticality encourages students to recognize, understand and disrupt oppression, placing their learning within the broader context of societal issues.

However, as the program unfolded, concerns arose among Glassbrook teachers, with some expressing reservations about its progressiveness.

Tiger Craven-Neeley, a teacher, disclosed that a key objective of the program was to "disrupt whiteness" at the school.

Despite the disappointing test score outcomes, Hayward Unified School District Superintendent Jason Reinmann defended the program, highlighting its positive impact on classroom attendance, which increased by nearly 20 percent.

Reinmann suggested that the primary aim of the program was to boost attendance rather than test scores.

The concept of abolitionist education, as promoted by Woke Kindergarten, aligns with a relatively new teaching approach that seeks to dismantle elements of the existing educational system.

Zeus Leonard, an education professor at the University of California Berkeley, acknowledged the foundations of Woke Kindergarten in abolitionist education, emphasizing equity, anti-racism, anti-oppression and love of humanity.

However, critics, including James Lindsay, a prominent censurer of critical theory, caution against the potential misuse of such approaches.

Lindsay argued that while critical theory can foster useful skepticism, it has been misapplied by the social justice movement to oversimplify complex issues, often attributing differences in outcomes solely to systemic injustices like "systemic racism."

The outcome at Glassbrook Elementary School raises questions about the effectiveness of such progressive educational programs and emphasizes the need for a balanced approach that addresses the concerns of all stakeholders, including students, parents and educators.

Woke Kindergarten founder is a controversial figure

Meanwhile, the Woke Kindergarten founder has been known for expressing controversial views on social media.

In an Instagram post, Gross said the United States and Israel have no right to exist, expressing sentiments of resistance and liberation. Gross accused these countries of being villains and called for their end.

The controversial figure also called for the abolition of schools, envisioning a world where children learn through community-based ecosystems, eliminating the need for traditional educational systems.

Gross' curriculum materials from Woke Kindergarten have been utilized in various schools, emphasizing abolitionist early education.

The organization claims to support children, families, educators and organizations committed to pro-black and queer and trans liberation.

In addition to advocating for the end of nation-states, Gross extends their beliefs to include extraterrestrial beings, expressing solidarity with all oppressed beings, both human and non-human.

The controversial statements raise questions about the appropriateness of such ideologies in educational settings, prompting concerns among parents, educators and the broader community.

When did "woke" become the norm? Watch this.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

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Show of force: U.K. announces test-fire of Trident 2 nuclear missile

The British Royal Navy has announced that it would test-fire the Trident 2 nuclear missile via the nuclear submarine HMS Vanguard.

According to the Sun, the test-firing would be the first time the U.K. would do so since 2016. During that year, a test-firing of the Trident ended up being botched  leaving the Royal Navy red-faced. Since then, the missile has undergone a seven-year refit.

The Trident 2 missile, which measures 44 feet, can go at a speed of 18,000 miles per hour and has a range of 7,500 miles. Meanwhile, the 30-year-old HMS Vanguard will be firing this missile to determine if it is eligible to re-enter service as part of the U.K.'s nuclear deterrent fleet. The 491-foot "colossus" submarine, which could reportedly patrol undetected for months at a time as per the Royal Navy, was pictured sailing from Port Canaveral in Florida.

The underwater craft can carry up to 16 Trident 2 D5 missiles in its hold. These missiles are each armed with multiple British-made warheads that are 20 times more powerful than the weapons dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan during World War II.

According to the Daily Mail, reports of the test-firing come amid rising fears that the U.K. and its allies could be pulled into a conflict in the coming years. Downing Street followed suit after Estonia and Sweden warned their respective citizens that the prospect of large-scale war is on the horizon. (Related: Bracing for war? NATO to establish network of military corridors across Europe.)

British Army head calls on citizens to BE READY

In a stark warning speech, British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps sought to encapsulate the grave threats facing Britain and beyond. He reiterated that the world is moving "from a post-war to a pre-war" one.

"In five years' time, we could be looking at multiple theaters  including Russia, China, Iran and North Korea," said Shapps. "Ask yourself: Looking at today's conflicts across the world, is it more likely that the number grows or reduces? I suspect we all know the answer."

Meanwhile, the head of the British Army said Britons should be "trained and equipped" to fight in a potential war with Russia. Gen. Patrick Sanders, the British Army's Chief of the General Staff, described the current generation as the "pre-war generation."

According to Sanders, the war in Ukraine was a "pressure point," adding: "We cannot afford to make the same mistake [as our forebears who] stumbled into  ghastly wars" such as World War I. The British Army head's comments prompted anxiety about potential conscription  something Gen. Richard Shirreff, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said it was time to consider.

Leaked German intelligence documents suggest Berlin expects Russia to launch another wave of attacks to overwhelm Ukraine and is scrambling to come up with contingency plans in the event Russian troops march westward from Belarus.

The Israel-Hamas conflict threatens to spread violence across the Middle East, with Iran's so-called "Axis of Resistance"  including Lebanon's Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi rebels  increasing their attacks on Israel and commercial shipping routes, prompting the U.K. and U.S. to launch a series of devastating strikes by air and sea.

Farther East, Taiwan's election of a new democracy-loving president has angered Beijing even further, with a Chinese invasion of the island nation in the coming years looking ever more likely. And all the while, Kim Jong Un stands by with his fist clenching the keys to North Korea's nuclear arsenal, ready to plunge his foes into radioactive winter.

Head over to MilitaryTechnology.news for more stories about military weapons.

Watch this video that explains why joint U.S.-U.K. strikes on Yemen would only worsen regional tensions.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

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WW3 GUARANTEED: NATO summit unveils plan to accelerate Ukraine membership.

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Govt watchdog: U.S. taxpayers funded $2M worth of gain-of-function research in Wuhan

The head of a government watchdog has disclosed that U.S. taxpayers bankrolled gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) in China  to the tune of $2 million.

Adam Andrzejewski, CEO and founder of the government spending watchdog site OpenTheBooks.com (OTB), was behind this revelation. Last year, he revealed that $1.3 billion in U.S. government funds reached various entities in China and Russia  with up to $2 million being sent to the WIV. OTB partnered with Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) on an audit that uncovered the government funds flowing to America's adversaries.

"We wanted to know how many taxpayer dollars since 2017 floated into the adversarial countries of China and Russia  and the number was quite staggering," Andrzejewski told Michael Nevdarakis of Children's Health Defense during an appearance on "The Defender In-Depth" podcast.

Documents from the Government Accountability Office obtained by OpenTheBooks.com found that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provided $2.17 million in grant funding to Chinese research institutions between 2014 and 2021. Of this amount, a $1.41 million sub-grant allocated by the Manhattan-based EcoHealth Alliance went to the WIV.

The institution based in China's central Hubei province conducted hazardous research on bat coronaviruses  leading to the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020. It was only in September 2023 that the Department of Health and Human Services barred the WIV from receiving U.S. funding for the next 10 years.

Ernst and other members of Congress have called on the Department of Defense's (DOD) inspector general (IG) to investigate over $50 million the U.S. government provided in grants to Chinese research laboratories, as per an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024. As a result, the DOD IG now has "six months to look back a decade and report back to the American people and Congress exactly how much U.S. taxpayer money ended up in China and these entities," Andrzejewski said.

Fauci never conducted oversight of grants

Calling the documents "a treasure trove of troubling information," Andrzejewski said the $1.3 billion that flowed to China and Russia included "about $59 million since 2017 on contracts with Chinese entities and contractors." Of this $1.3 billion, $70 million was used to fund the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) and about $300,000 was allocated for ethical training for Chinese scientists.

"They were fudging data, they were abusing human subjects and patients in the clinical trials [and they were doing] other very unethical things," Andrzejewski said. He continued that the U.S. government itself is "acknowledging that they dont even have the basics in place to be able to handle this funding."

The government watchdog's revelations come as Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), testified before lawmakers. During a closed-door disposition before members of Congress, Fauci admitted his agency did not conduct oversight of the foreign labs it funded. (Related: BIOWEAPONS CRIMINAL: Anthony Fauci bought off top-level scientists to cover up lab origins of covid-19.)

'"[Fauci] never read the grant proposals; he would just sign off on it," Andrzejewski remarked. "It's amazing how fast the National Institutes of Health or any federal agency loses track of U.S. taxpayer dollars."

"In this investigation with Sen. Ernst and our team  we found that after a grant gets paid out to an entity and the entity  pays out a sub-grant, the sub-grant from there isn't ever tracked. There is the potential for a great taxpayer money laundering scheme at the federal level. This is why we need to get to the bottom of this."

Watch this video about Dr. Anthony Fauci saying he "can't recall" more than 140 times during his testimony before Congress.

This video is from the Dissident7 channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sen. Rand Paul accuses Anthony Fauci of committing PERJURY, which is a minor offense compared to his other crimes.

Fauci wasnt the only government official involved in the COVID lab leak cover-up.

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The North Atlantic Alliance has begun preparations for the summit of the bloc to be held in Washington in July. One of the main issues of the meeting will be the continuation of support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

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This was stated by White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at a briefing in Brussels. On Wednesday, February 7, a meeting of national security advisers from NATO countries took place there, Ukrinform reports. The July summit will be timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the bloc's creation.

According to Sullivan, the event will be an opportunity to demonstrate that "the Alliance is bigger, stronger and more united than it has ever been."

"We have addressed a wide range of issues, including those that will be central to the summit in Washington. The first is our joint assistance to Ukraine," the White House official said.

He noted that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, when he started the invasion of Ukraine, dreamed of splitting NATO. However, after two years of full-scale war, the unity of the bloc's countries "has never been stronger."

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"Putin also expected that the allies' support for Ukraine would weaken. But today, many allies have reaffirmed their commitment to providing meaningful assistance to the brave Ukrainians who are defending their country," Sullivan emphasized.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen believes that Ukraine should be invited to join the North Atlantic Alliance at the NATO summit in July 2024. This could deprive Putin of the incentive to continue the war and pave the way for peace.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The new chief of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has expressed concerns about the growing rate of human-caused climate change and its impacts.

Act Swiftly To Reverse Acceleration

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo stressed that the world needs to act swiftly to address the accelerating temperature.

Temperatures reached 1.48 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels last year, a trajectory we must endeavor to reverse, despite the great hurdles offered by formidable economic forces.

Last year, former NASA top climate scientist James Hansen and others published research claiming that the climate is not just warming but also changing at a faster rate.

A second study discovered that ocean heat content, where much of Earth's trapped energy is held, is increasing at a faster rate than before. Other experts disagreed, claiming that warming, fueled by an El Nino, is still continuing at the expected rate.

Saulo believes she sees the acceleration Hansen mentions, particularly after reviewing research conducted by various WMO science teams. She expressed concern about not knowing what it implies for the future.

"We are not there in terms of our scientific understanding of the implications of this acceleration. We don't fully understand how it is going to evolve," she said.

Saulo is the WMO's first female secretary-general, the first from the Americas, and just the second from the Global South.

She previously headed Argentina's meteorological office.

Read Also: UN Claims Climate Breakdown Begins, Experts Blames Human-Caused Climate Change From Burning Natural Gas and Oil

Global Climate

Saulo said her main concern is what is occurring at both poles as the seas warm, ice melts, and society emits more heat-trapping gases.

She finds a relationship between increased Arctic warming and more unexpected but severe cold outbreaks in North America and Europe, which are commonly referred to as the polar vortex leaving its regular northern boundaries.

The difference between winter temperatures in the Arctic and the mid-latitudes isn't as huge as it once was, causing more frequent adjustments in the jet stream, she explained.

The newly appointed WMO chief also underscored that heat waves are the deadliest of all extreme events, and the number of deaths is often underestimated. Furthermore, heat waves have negative consequences for health, fires, and air quality.

Another major issue is the lack of adequate monitoring and warning systems for flooding, storms, heat waves, and droughts, particularly in the developing world. She notes that 50 percent of the population lacks early warning systems.

With what appears to be increased warming, more heat waves, and other extremes such as floods, droughts, and storms, Saulo said running a global climate and weather agency might be difficult.

With the World Economic Forum's efforts to combat the climate crisis and advances in Earth observation technology and data analytics assisting better decision-making, Saulo emphasized the importance of cross-industry and cross-institutional collaboration to create a comprehensive dashboard for near-real-time monitoring and assessment of planetary boundaries.

"I am in a way overwhelmed, but I think we can do something. It's a mix of being overwhelmed, but also being optimistic that there is something we can do and I can do from my position to help our society better prepare for climate change," she added.

Related Article: Greenhouse Gas Levels Hit Record High in 2013: UN Report
A pod of 13 killer whales that appears to be trapped by sea ice off Japan's northern island of Hokkaido has reportedly fled safely, officials said.

A local fisherman noticed the killer whales, commonly known as orcas, and reported them to officials.

Trapped Orcas

A footage showing the 13 orcas peeking out of a narrow opening in the ocean approximately 1 kilometer off the shore of Rausu on the Shiretoko peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its abundant wildlife.

A pod of about 10 killer whales has been found trapped in a small gap in drift ice off the coast of Rausu, a town in northeastern Hokkaido. According to NHK, "the town can only watch and hope that the drift ice breaks apart, allowing the orcas to escape." pic.twitter.com/AKLnGvgU2O February 6, 2024

The town said that the heavy ice made it impossible for the coast guard, which had been notified by a fisherman, to attempt to free the animals.

When officials went to the coast in the evening, they discovered the pod had relocated to the north, and it was gone by the following morning, according to Rausu official Masataka Shirayanagi.

Officials believe the killer whales were able to release themselves from the drift ice when the gap between them widened.

"We believe they were able to escape safely," Shirayanagi said.

Seiichiro Tsuchiya, a marine life expert who used a drone to video the stricken animals, said he noticed the pod while conducting a study on the local sea lion population.

"I saw about 13 killer whales with their heads sticking out of a hole in the ice. They seemed to be struggling to breathe, and it looked like they included three or four calves," he added.

The largest cetaceans can spend extended periods of time below, although orcas typically stay submerged for only a few minutes.

Every winter, drift ice blankets the sea off the eastern coast of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost main island. The amount of ice has reduced in recent years as a result of rising water temperatures induced by the climate catastrophe.

According to officials, the ice sheets moved very slowly this week due to a lack of wind.

Read Also: Stranded Killer Whale Caught Between Rocks, Bystanders Pour Water Until It's Free

Health Concern For The Orcas

Concerns over the whales' health arose both inside and outside of Japan, prompting calls for assistance from the Japanese government. One group requested that the Defense Ministry dispatch an icebreaker to assist in their rescue.

Although the caught whales were in Japanese waters, they were not far from a disputed island between Japan and Russia. Japan used the annual Northern Territory Day to reiterate its demand for the return of the Russian-held islands.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said that killer whales are not listed as an endangered species in Japan and that officials were watching the situation as Japan and Russia discussed it.

It is not the first time that orcas have had trouble in the area. In 2005, numerous whales died after becoming caught in sea ice off Rausu, a famous summer whale-watching destination.

Shiretoko, or "land's end," is the northern hemisphere's lowest point where Arctic sea ice can be seen. The ice's origins are 1,000 kilometers away, in the icy waters of the Amur River in the Russian Far East. As they travel south across the Sea of Okhotsk, crystals transform into sheets that brush against one another to form massive slabs of blue-white ice.

Related Article: Hundreds of Whales Get Stranded in Tasmanian Beach Two Years After Similar Stranding Event
Forests are vast land areas dominated by large trees and other plant species, which serve as natural habitats for wildlife. These terrestrial ecosystems also play a major role in catastrophic weather and climatic phenomena, including flooding, climate change, and global warming. One of the known main functions of forests is removing the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by absorbing or storing it.

In 2024, a new study led by an international team of scientists revealed that forests are hiding an additional 'complex role' in relation to the global climate system and water cycle. These new insights focus on the relationship between forests, mainly their emission of organic gases, and the formation of clouds that could influence global temperatures. In summary, the new research paper strengthens the significance of forests on Earth.

While forests offer a crucial role in the mitigation of climate-damaging greenhouse gases and regulation of the world's temperatures, they continue to be at risk. Over the past several decades, various factors have contributed to the decline of forest areas or deforestation, including human activities such as illegal logging, mining, and cattle ranching. Wildfires, including forest fires and urbanization also contribute to forest decline.

Forest Complex Role

In the study published in the journal Nature Communications on Wednesday, February 7, researchers from Stockholm University in Sweden and their international colleagues provided new insights into the complex role that forests play in the climate system and water cycle. The research paper involved scientists from different institutions across five countries, including Sweden, Finland, Germany, Brazil, and the United Kingdom.

The international scientific team based their research focus on the premise that natural aerosol feedbacks are expected to become more significant in the future, as anthropogenic aerosol emissions decline due to air quality policy. The team evaluated forest aerosol-cloud-climate feedback, discovering large uncertainties in previous models.

Also Read: Global Warming Could Trigger Photosynthesis Failure in Tropical Forests, Study Warns

Boreal and Tropical Forests

The research coalition focused on boreal and tropical forests by extracting two long-term observational datasets from them, along with the utilization of satellite data. The results of the research's analysis found these ecosystems differ in the amount of their emissions and cloud formation processes. This difference results in varying impacts on the forest-cloud-climate process.

This complex role of the mentioned feedback loop has been overlooked in the past, according to the February 2024 study. One of the study's authors, Sara Blichner from Stockholm University, stated the need for better climate models to accurately describe these complex interactions between forests, clouds, and the climate.

What we know so far is that since the year 2000, forests have removed an estimated average of 2 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, a role which forests are known as a "carbon sink function." This process slows climate change and reduces the rate of anthropogenic carbon dioxide, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Related Article: World's Forest Are Getting 'Weaker' Due To Unstable Conditions Caused by Human Interactions
German politicians have expressed concern that Republicans in the U.S. Senate have failed to vote on providing Kyiv with new military aid. They consider this to be the first warning signal for the future of a free and independent Ukraine, as well as for the security of the whole of Europe.

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In their opinion, European countries will be under an even greater threat if Donald Trump returns to the presidency. According to DW, this was stated by the chairman of the Bundestag Committee on International Affairs, Michael Roth of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).

"The blocking of aid to Ukraine in Congress is only the first portent of what else could happen if Donald Trump is re-elected to the White House in November. Then Europe's security will no longer be immediately guaranteed. The future of a free and independent Ukraine will be in the greatest danger," he warned.

At the same time, the German politician criticized the position of the European Union, which has "relied for too long" on the fact that the United States will continue to provide Ukraine with comprehensive military support.

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"We Europeans must finally take more responsibility to deter and stop Russian imperialism. This is the right way, regardless of the name of the next president (of the United States) - Trump or Biden," Michael Roth called.

Norbert Rottgen, a foreign policy expert of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), also believes that the position of the Republicans in the Senate is "destructive for the foreign policy weight of the United States."

In his opinion, the conflict between Democrats and Republicans over the issue of assistance to Ukraine is weakening allies' confidence in Washington and encouraging countries such as China and Iran to challenge the United States militarily. The politician also called on Europe to strengthen its security in light of Trump's possible return to the presidency.

"We must finally wake up and prepare for a possible Trump presidency by investing heavily in our own security," Rottgen emphasized.

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As reported by OBOZ.UA, Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova noted that on February 8, the US Senate will reconsider the bill on assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, which failed to pass the day before. However, it will exclude the issue of American migration reform.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Krushna Abhishek confirms sister Arti Singh's marriage; will Govinda attend?

Mumbai, Feb 7

Actor and comedian Krushna Abhishek has reportedly confirmed the marriage of his sister, 'Bigg Boss 13' contestant and TV actress, Arti Singh to her boyfriend Dipak Chauhan.

Krushna's confirmation of the news, which has been swirling in the media, came during the launch of the 10th season of the show 'OMG! Yeh Mera India'. The show, which airs on History TV18, features the actor as the host.

According to media reports, Krushna confirmed that Arti will tie the knot with Dipak, but what is still not clear if his estranged maternal uncle and famous Bollywood actor Govinda will attend the nuptials.

Last year, Krushna had indicated on Instagram that he was prepared to bury the hatchet. Describing his mama as an "inspiration", Krushna shared a clip of Govinda dancing on a chat show to 'Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan' and noted, "Isse better video nahin ho sakta. Stage on fire."

On the work front, Krushna was most recently een as a guest on 'Bigg Boss 17'. He is also seen playing the character of Sapna in 'The Kapil Sharma Show'.

Arti has returned to acting three years after dramatically announcing she had slipped into depression because she was not getting work. She is essaying a negative character in Shemaroo Umang's 'Ummeed Ki Roshni Shravani'.

(IANS - Posted on 07 February 2024)

Krushna Abhishek confirms sister Arti Singh's marriage; will Govinda attend?

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Those who claim the recognition doesn't matter are lying: Carey Mulligan

Los Angeles, February 7

English actor Carey Mulligan believes that performers who claimed "the recognition doesn't matter are lying."

The Hollywood Reporter reported citing The London Times where she said that the "nomination is just the coolest thing. Because it's from your peers. It's wicked."

She added, "Those who claim the recognition doesn't matter are lying."

She noted that she is especially gutted by Barbie filmmaker Greta Gerwig, who was not nominated for best director at this year's Oscars, despite widespread public outrage.

"I'm gutted for Greta because I don't know what else you can do as a director to get nominated," Mulligan told the Times.

"You make a critically acclaimed film that's also an incredible global success, and yet you don't get nominated?"

Mulligan also appeared in this year's 'Saltburn,' which was written and directed by Emerald Fennell and received no Oscar nominations, as per the Hollywood Reporter.

"I went to the Saltburn premiere in L.A., and I sat with Em, and there were 1,700 people having the greatest experience, so I don't know," she said.

"I think the main takeaway is just how incredibly it was picked up. Initially, people didn't know how to respond and then suddenly it took over the internet and now it's become this enormous phenomenon where you can buy candles called Jacob Elordi's Bathwater," she said.

'Saltburn' was Mulligan's second collaboration with Fennell, following her Oscar nomination for her portrayal in 2020's 'Promising Young Woman.' Fennell won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for the same film.

(ANI - Posted on 08 February 2024)

Those who claim the recognition doesn't matter are lying: Carey Mulligan

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Preity Zinta enjoys lazy afternoon naps with Gia, Jai, shares happy pic with her twins

Mumbai, February 7

Actor Preity Zinta is a doting mother to her kids Gia and Jai.

Taking to Instagram, Preity shared a post that she captioned, "Best thing about rainy days... lazy afternoon naps full of little kisses from the little ones. There is no joy, no feeling and no love better than this (three red heart emoticons)."

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3BmwfIPIMX/

In the picture, the actor is seen lying on the bed while hugging her kids close without revealing much of their faces.

Jai is seen planting a sweet kiss on her cheeks while Preity smiles big.

Soon after the actor shared the post, her friends and fans swamped the comment section and dropped red hearts and fire emoticons.

"Beautiful momy Beautiful kids," a fan wrote.

Another fan commented, "It really is..this is very heartwarming."

On November 11, 2021, Preity and her husband Gene Goodenough welcomed their twins, a baby boy named Jai and a baby girl named Gia, via surrogacy.

Preity recently celebrated her 49th birthday.

Meanwhile, on the film front, Preity recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of 'Kal Ho Naa Ho'.

"Kal Ho Naa Ho was the saddest happy film I did. Nothing can replace those memories & I will forever be grateful to Yash Uncle for making this incredible film. It was the last time he was on set. There will never be anyone like you Yash Uncle [?] You took a piece of my heart with you when you left. This film will forever remind me of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will forever love you," she wrote on Instagram a few days ago while recalling working in the film.

'Kal Ho Naa Ho' revolves around Naina Katherine Kapoor (Preity Zinta) who is an MBA student in New York. She falls in love with her neighbour Aman Mathur (Shah Rukh Khan), a terminally ill patient who tries to get Naina and her friend Rohit Patel (Saif Ali Khan) to fall in love with each other since he fears she will grieve for him if he reciprocates her feelings.

If reports are to be believed, Preity will be returning to the silver screen with 'Lahore 1947'.

(ANI - Posted on 08 February 2024)

Preity Zinta enjoys lazy afternoon naps with Gia, Jai, shares happy pic with her twins

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Karan Johar pens adorable birthday wish for kids Yash, Roohi, calls them brightest sunshines

Mumbai, February 7

Ace filmmaker Karan Johar on Wednesday penned an adorable birthday wish for his kids Yash and Roohi.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3CGzjooKKY/

He also thanked his mother, Hiroo Yash Johar for being the "strength" of his family.

"And thank you to my mom, who is forever the strength of our family...and being a mother figure to Yash & Roohi! Love you forever mom," the caption concluded.

In the post, KJo shared pictures and videos of his kids from their birthday celebrations.

The first pic features KJo twinning with his kids in a purple sweatshirt and matching pants. The director is seen giving kids a warm hug.

In another pic, Yash and Roohi are seen posing with KJo and their grandmother Hiroo Yash Johar.

In one of the pics, Karan is seen planting a kiss on his mother's cheek.

Soon after the filmmaker shared the post, his friends and fans swamped the comment section and dropped red hearts emoticons.

"Happiest birthday love and blessings for Roohi n Yash.. big big love to them hiroo aunty n You," Sussanne Khan commented.

Designer Manish Malhotra wrote, "Happy birthday," followed by multiple red heart emoticons.

Karan often posts videos of Yash and Roohi and shares adorable moments with them.

He welcomed his son Yash and daughter Roohi via surrogacy in February 2017. He named Yash after his father late Yash Johar, while Roohi is an anagram of his mother's name Hiroo.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Karan marked his comeback to the director's chair with 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani' after almost seven years.

The film starred Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, and Shabana Azmi. The film turned out to be a hit.

Recently, he wrapped up the eighth season of his famous talk show 'Koffee With Karan' which streams on the OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar.

On the film front, he has still not announced his next project.

(ANI - Posted on 08 February 2024)

Karan Johar pens adorable birthday wish for kids Yash, Roohi, calls them brightest sunshines

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This is how Kiara Advani, Sidharth Malhotra celebrated their first anniversary

Mumbai, February 7

The first year of marriage is a celebration in itself and for power couple Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra, it is no different.

The joint post read, "It's not the journey or the destination it's the company that matters, Thank you for being the best partner on this crazy ride called life. #HappyAnniversaryMyLove."

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3CpR6IseX0/?hl=en

In the picture, the couple can be seen taking a horse ride.

Sidharth wore a white T-shirt with beige-coloured pants, while Kiara chose a white top with black pants.

Sidharth and Kiara tied the knot in an intimate ceremony on February 7, 2023, at Suryagarh Palace in Rajasthan.

After taking "saat phere", Sidharth and Kiara posted adorable pictures from their wedding ceremony and wrote,"Ab humari permanent booking hogayi hai."

https://www.instagram.com/p/CoXmBeBPaDl/?hl=en&img_index=1

The two fell in love with each other during the shoot of their film 'Shershaah'.

In 2022, Sidharth and Kiara appeared on different episodes of Koffee with Karan Season 7, where Karan Johar got them talking about their relationship for the first time.

While Kiara confirmed that they were "more than friends", Sidharth said, "I am manifesting a brighter and happier future. If it was her, it would be great."

In December, last year, Kiara appeared on the famous talk show 'Koffee With Karan 8' (KWK) and opened up about her relationship with Sidharth. She shared what she liked most about him and what she hated most.

She said, "I love the way he (Sidharth Malhotra) values people. I tolerate the way he stresses me out every time I've to get ready for an event because he's not ready so the stress comes out on me. I must say I am always pretty punctual. And I don't hate anything. I mean, there is nothing to hate about him."

She also shared how Sidharth Malhotra proposed to her with the 'Shershaah' line. She said, "When Sid appeared in that episode (from the previous season), we had just returned from Rome, where he proposed to me. My parents were not present. It was my and his family's first family vacation."

Kiara shared, "I had a little bit of inclination that he would propose. I told him that 'you have to speak to my parents and he said 'are you kidding me?' I said, 'Yeah, you first ask them and get their permission, let's do it the right way. They will be happy.' My mom unfortunately had Covid so she couldn't travel with us. So I went with his parents."

She added, "It did come as a surprise because I did not know where on this trip and also in my head, I was like I hope he does propose because now I've built it up and if he doesn't propose on this trip but he did it. So it was the first destination we went to on that trip. He took us to this Michelin star restaurant and his nephew was with us who was supposed to take the photos and capture the moment. I'm sleepy because I have just landed and joined them on this trip. So, I was really tired. And he has planned the work. He has done this candlelight dinner on top. We go back after dinner."

"He takes me on a walk, and suddenly, a violinist emerges from the bushes, playing, and his nephew grabs our video from the bushes, and Sid gets down on one knee and proposes. I was completely overwhelmed. Then he starts saying 'Shershaah' lines, 'Dilli ka sidha sadha launda hu (I'm a simple boy from Delhi)'."

Meanwhile, on the work front, Kiara will be seen sharing screen space with Ram Charan in 'Game Changer'. The film is billed as an action drama with current-day politics and will be released in three languages - Telugu, Tamil and Hindi.

'Game Changer' is jointly produced by Dil Raju and Shirish Garu under the banner of Sri Venkateswara Creations for a Pan-India release. The official release date of the film is still awaited. She was last seen in 'Satyaprem Ki Katha' alongside Kartik Aaryan.

If reports are to be believed, she is also a part of Hrithik Roshan and NTR Jr- starrer 'War 2'. However, an official confirmation is awaited.

Sidharth, on the other hand, was last seen in the web series 'Indian Police Force' alongside Vivek Oberoi and Shilpa Shetty.

Helmed by Rohit Shetty, the series is available on the OTT platform Amazon Prime Video.

Apart from this, he also has an action thriller film 'Yodha' in his kitty.

(ANI - Posted on 08 February 2024)

This is how Kiara Advani, Sidharth Malhotra celebrated their first anniversary

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Does Forex deserve its 'bad reputation'?

London, Feb 8

In assessing whether forex deserves its 'bad reputation,' a thorough examination of its multifaceted nature unfolds. The high-risk environment of this trading, which is characterized by inherent volatility, contributes to its bad reputation.

Internal issues, including trading blunders, lack of self-control, and overconfidence, complicate matters. Unplanned, emotional decisions, and misconceptions about FX trading as a get-rich-quick scheme create financial losses and a negative market image. Leverage increases earnings but also poses risks, emphasizing the necessity for smart leverage management. This inquiry examines the complex processes that shape market views, focusing on trading's nuanced profitability, and unexpected events.

The High-Risk Nature of Forex Trading

At the heart of forex's bad reputation lies its inherent riskiness. This trading is considered risky, which is typical of this massive financial market. The foreign exchange market's instability allows currency prices to fluctuate quickly. Traders struggle to predict market movements due to market volatility. These barriers often lead to large financial losses, sustaining the market's notorious reputation.

Statistical study shows that most traders lose despite significant gains. This trading may seem like a reliable way to get rich, but it's not. This trade is risky since many people lose money when they enter this complex market without proper preparation, demonstrating currency's brutality.

Prevalence of Scams and Fraud in Forex

FX scams and fraud are unfortunate consequences of their decentralized and unregulated nature. Forex, unlike traditional financial markets, has no central authority, making it vulnerable to criminals.

Unethical brokers thrive without appropriate regulation. Due to lax oversight, these entities manipulate prices, charge hidden fees, and publish false information. Alarming statistics show that many traders have been exploited, eroding trust and degrading the FX sector.

The need for regulatory supervision grows as traders, especially retail traders, demand protection against unregulated brokers' predatory activities. Lack of regulation exposes traders to financial risks and fuels FX trading cynicism. The business's reputation management difficulties are driving need for legislative steps to protect market participants. Accountability and ethics in the currency ecosystem are crucial.

Misconception of Forex as a Get-Rich-Quick Scheme

The myth that trading forex is a quick way to make money hinders traders. Due to this misconception, many people enter the market expecting instant riches and forego the necessary time and effort to learn trading.

According to the statistics, many traders lose money as a result of their ignorance. This misunderstanding causes more than personal financial problems; it undermines FX trading as a whole. As these deceived traders depart the market, their dissatisfaction reinforces the perception that FX trading is a scam, harming its reputation.

To correct this misconception, we must emphasize FX trading education and skill development. Setting realistic expectations and understanding market conditions might mitigate this negative outlook. The industry can eradicate the notion of quick fortune and create a more positive and accurate understanding of forex trading by creating an informed and disciplined trading environment.

Lack of Transparency in the Forex Market

Despite its popularity, the FX market lacks transparency, which undermines trust. Financial market trust requires transparency, which the currency market lacks. Thus, traders lack crucial information to make informed decisions.

Statistics show the challenges merchants have in a market where valuing currencies is challenging. The FX market's lack of transparency puts traders at risk of market manipulation. Lack of transparency reinforces traders' belief that the market is rigged, making them feel at a disadvantage.

To maintain fairness, traders need accurate and current information. By advocating for openness, the forex business can actively address market fairness problems and improve market perception. Transparency gives traders the resources they need to make informed decisions and builds trust in the market.

Trader Mistakes and Lack of Discipline

Does forex deserve its bad reputation in the intricate world of trading? Internal issues compound the external causes of this bad reputation, making trading even more complicated. Errors caused by emotional volatility, poor strategic planning, and inflexibility in market dynamics can greatly impact a trader's success.

Convincing statistics demonstrate that trade discipline is crucial to these internal issues. Emotional judgments, market outwitting, and fear and greed can lead to big financial losses, according to the data. Trading success requires overcoming these emotional hurdles by following a well-designed trading plan.

An excellent trading plan guides traders through the volatile market. This plan is fully designed, including risk management processes and investment return expectations. Following such a plan protects traders against emotional swings, allowing them to make rational decisions in uncertain markets.

The data highlights this field's relevance. Traders who surrender to emotional trading often lose money and lose confidence. A competent trader must manage emotions, balance risk and reward, and have the discipline to negotiate the market.

Learning Through Trial and Error

In the ongoing exploration of whether forex truly deserves its 'bad reputation,' one critical aspect comes to the forefront: the learning process. The statistics underscore a costly method prevalent among traders: learning through trial and error. Trial and error can be informative, but the FX market's differences from equity markets make it expensive and risky.

Trial-and-error learning and forex reputation are interdependent. Traders who think trading will get them rich quickly generally fail. They learn that success in this complex environment requires more than experimentation.

The data shows that the market's unique characteristics enhance the likelihood of beginner traders suffering large losses that can ruin their accounts as they explore. It's clear that using one's mistakes to find trading approaches is ineffective for managing the forex market's complexity.

The complex world of forex trading requires a more organized and competent learning method. Instead of costly trial-and-error, formal trading education or mentorship from experienced traders works. Trading beginners can speed up their learning by watching and copying successful traders and practicing independently. This gives them the skills and expertise to navigate the currency market more efficiently.

Unrealistic Expectations in Forex Trading

In scrutinizing whether forex deserves its 'bad reputation,' a prominent factor emerges  the prevalence of unrealistic expectations. The data show the problems of thinking forex trading is a fast way to riches. This misunderstanding endangers financial security and damages the currency market's image.

When traders, drawn by the promise of quick returns, enter the forex market without understanding its complexities, the intricate relationship between forex reputation and excessive expectations becomes clear. The data show that traders risk more money than they make trying to achieve abnormal returns. FX demands continual work to understand procedures and navigate uncertainties, unlike other ways to get rich.

Unreasonable expectations are what shape the reputation of this trading. This misunderstanding is causing traders to suffer financial losses and influencing the market view that trading is dangerous and hard to grasp. Traders must manage expectations to overcome this challenge.

Education and awareness campaigns are essential to dispel the myth that forex trading is a fast way to riches. A pragmatic understanding of FX trading's challenges may help traders make informed decisions, improving their reputation. Unrealistic expectations are a major factor in forex's bad reputation. The industry may improve its image by moderating these expectations and promoting a deep understanding of forex trading.

Managing Leverage: A Double-Edged Sword

In determining whether forex deserves its bad reputation, leverage's dual nature is key. Statistics show that leverage, which magnifies gains, is both beneficial and harmful in trading. Using leverage ratios up to 400:1 puts traders in danger of enormous winnings or disastrous losses.

Statistics show that skilled traders recommend a 2:1 leverage ratio for caution. This strategic decision emphasizes the necessity to limit borrowed funds and educate on their judicious use. Understanding leverage's complexities helps forex traders reduce risks and change forex's reputation.

Unexpected Events and Systemic Risks

In the ongoing evaluation of whether forex truly deserves its 'bad reputation,' one cannot overlook the impact of unexpected events and systemic risks. Geopolitical and economic factors can cause FX market volatility beyond everyday market dynamics. In 2015, the Swiss National Bank's resolute move raised the Swiss franc by 41% against the euro.

These unexpected events, along with systemic risks, create a complex situation in which ordinary traders may struggle to make quick profits. This underscores the necessity for effective risk reduction measures, backup plans, and a deep grasp of the economy. Amid conflict, these variables must be understood and addressed to evaluate if forex's unfavorable reputation is justified.

In closing

To sum up, the question of whether forex deserves its 'bad reputation' requires examining the industry's many challenges. It has a bad reputation due to its high-risk nature, which includes natural volatility and enormous financial losses for many traders. Scams, fraud, trading errors, lack of discipline, excessive expectations, lack of transparency, and leverage's riskiness all affect the FX market's image.

Education and awareness can clear up FX trading misconceptions. Through regulatory measures, transparent processes, and focused trader expectations management, the industry can improve its reputation. To change the perception of forex trading, these issues must be addressed due to its complexity.

(TINN - Posted on 08 February 2024)

Does Forex deserve its 'bad reputation'?

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It's a dream come true: Shankar Mahadevan on winning Grammy award

Mumbai, February 8

Singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan is currently on cloud nine as his and tabla maestro Zakir Hussain's fusion band 'Shakti' won the Best Global Music Album award at Grammys 2024.

Upon arriving in India on Thursday, Shankar Mahadeva while talking to the media expressed his happiness.

He said, "This is a very special moment for me and my band members...for me it's a dream come true... After touring for 25 years we got this Grammy..."

Also, recently Mahadevan took to Instagram, and shared a couple of pictures in which he could be seen posing with the Grammy award.

He also penned a gratitude note that reads, "WE DID IT. I never imagined that a band from where I have learnt my music and my musical aesthetics would be the band with whom I would eventually perform and win a Grammy. This is the moment from which i can easily say that dreams do come true. Shakti was a dream which came true! thank you Almighty for making this happen! It's truly "THIS MOMENT."

In an acceptance speech, Mahadevan said, "Thank you boys. Thank you God, family, friends and India. India, we are proud of you."

His shout-out to the nation evoked a loud cheer from the crowd.

Mahadevan also thanked his wife for her constant support.

"Last but not the least, I would like to dedicate this award to my wife whom every note of my music is dedicated to," he added.

The group also features guitarist John McLaughlin, percussionist V Selvaganesh and violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan.

At the ceremony, Shakti band competed with other artists like Susana Baca, Bokante, Burna Boy, and Davido. 'This Moment' album was released on June 30 last year.

The 66th edition of Grammys held at the Crypto.com Arena on Monday in Los Angeles.

(ANI - Posted on 08 February 2024)

It's a dream come true: Shankar Mahadevan on winning Grammy award

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Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this morning. High 39F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 70%..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 26F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.
On February 7, Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

Viktor Orban congratulated Ilham Aliyev on his victory in the presidential election, wishing him success in his presidential activities for the development of Azerbaijan.

The President of Azerbaijan thanked Viktor Orban for his attention and congratulations.

During the phone conversation, they commended the successful development of bilateral relations in various areas, expressing confidence that bilateral bonds will continue to strengthen.
Giving blood thinners in addition to clot-busting medications to people with ischemic strokes (clot-caused strokes) did not improve their outcomes 90 days later, according to preliminary late-breaking science presented today at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2024. The meeting, held in person in Phoenix, Feb. 7 - 9, 2024, is a world premier meeting for researchers and clinicians dedicated to the science of stroke and brain health.

These results are from the MOST (Multi-Arm Optimization of Stroke Thrombolysis) trial. MOST is a 57-center U.S. trial that was halted after an independent data and safety board analyzed results on the first 500 patients out of a planned 1,200 participants and determined it highly unlikely that a benefit would be found if the research was completed. The study was looking for improvement in functional outcomes at 90 days.

When we began the trial, we believed the medications would improve outcomes, so we were surprised with the negative results. However, we designed the trial to allow us to efficiently answer the question for two blood-thinning medications in one trial. We have definitely done that and are pleased with the ability to answer this question." Opeolu M. Adeoye, M.D., M.S., lead author of the study and BJC HealthCare Distinguished Professor of Emergency Medicine and chair of the department of emergency medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri

"A lot of our approaches in stroke treatment were learned from how we treat heart attacks. In previous trials, we first tested to make sure these medications were safe for use in stroke and then launched MOST to confirm their safety and test whether they would work to improve functional outcomes and reduce disability after stroke," Adeoye said.

The MOST trial enrolled adults with ischemic stroke severe enough that rehabilitation would likely be needed. All participants received a standard clot-busting medication to dissolve the clot (thrombolysis) within three hours of stroke onset. Participants were then randomized to one of three groups for additional treatment: one group received the blood thinner argatroban within 75 minutes of the clot-busting medication, followed by a 12-hour infusion of argatroban. A second group received an initial dose of the blood thinner eptifibatide within 75 minutes of the clot-busting medication, followed by a 2-hour infusion of eptifibatide and a 10-hour infusion of saline placebo. The control group received a clot buster and a placebo treatment (a 12-hour infusion of intravenous saline solution containing neither of the blood-thinning medications).

The primary outcome was the study participant's level of physical function at 90 days after ischemic stroke. Physical function levels were assessed using the modified Rankin score, or mRS, a 6-point disability scale. The videotaped assessment was judged by an independent neurologist reviewer who was not aware of which treatment patients had received. The mRS score was translated into a utility-weighted mRS, using validated ratings of functional outcomes by patients and physicians, resulting in a 0 to 10-point scale in which a higher score means a greater benefit from the treatment. The interim analysis was planned at the start of the study and scheduled to take place after 500 patients were enrolled. In addition, a data safety and monitoring board (DSMB) reviewed safety data after every 30 patients enrolled, looking particularly for occurrences of bleeding in the brain.

In the 514 patients enrolled prior to the trial being halted by the DSMB in July 2023, the analysis found:

The two blood thinners used did not significantly increase the risk of bleeding into the brain.

However, neither of the two blood thinners improved outcomes in the stroke survivors. On the 0 to 10 utility-weighted mRS scale, patients receiving placebo averaged 6.8, those receiving argatroban averaged 5.2, and those receiving eptifibatide averaged 6.3. (Types of disability will vary, however, people with a utility-weighted mRS scale of 6 are expected to have difficulty performing activities of daily living without assistance or support.)

Study details and background:

The three-arm study was conducted at 57 hospitals in the United States between October 2019 and July 2023.

Participants all had ischemic (clot-caused) stroke that rated a 6 or higher on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Severity Scale and considered a moderately severe stroke.

514 adults were enrolled in the trial before it was halted; participants were an average age of 68; about 50% were women; and about 25% identified as Black adults.

Participants were treated within three hours after the onset of stroke symptoms (or the last time seen well) using the standard-of-care approach of thrombolysis (delivering clot-busting medications to dissolve the clot).

In addition, 44% of the patients across all three groups were treated with interventional removal of their clots called thrombectomy.

At the time of enrollment, participants were randomized to receive a blood thinner or placebo within 75 minutes of thrombolysis: 59 received argatroban; 228 received eptifibatide; and 227 received placebo.

The primary safety measure was the occurrence of bleeding in the brain (symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage) within 36 hours of receiving one of the two blood thinners. Safety measures were analyzed by the study's DSMB after every 30 patients were enrolled.

Medical professionals providing care were aware of whether a blood thinner or placebo were given to each patient. However, neither the patients nor the professionals rating patient outcomes were aware of which patients in any group had received a blood thinner or placebo.

"In addition, we were not able to address the possible benefit of giving these or similar blood thinners directly into an artery in the area of the stroke, rather than giving the medications systemically through a vein, as done in this trial," Adeoye said.

For patients undergoing thrombectomy (mechanical removal of a stroke-causing clot), studies are underway to determine whether delivering blood thinners into the affected artery may improve outcomes.

The study was conducted at National Institutes of Health StrokeNet sites. StrokeNet was created to conduct small and large clinical trials and research studies to advance acute stroke treatment, stroke prevention and recovery and rehabilitation after a stroke across the lifespan. Other principal investigators were Andrew D. Barreto, M.D., M.S.; Joseph P. Broderick, M.D.; Colin P. Derdeyn, M.D.; Jordan Elm, Ph.D.; and James C. Grotta, M.D. The full list of authors and their disclosures are listed in the abstract.

All study authors reported funding from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, a division of the National Institutes of Health.
An article published in JAMA Network Open provides the current prevalence of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) usage among youths in the United States.

Study: Trends in Current Electronic Cigarette Use Among Youths by Age, Sex, and Race and Ethnicity. Image Credit: Dmytro Tyshchenko / Shutterstock

Background

E-cigarettes, also known as vapes, were originally invented by a Chinese pharmacist in 2003 and are battery-operated nicotine-delivery devices that produce aerosols by heating a liquid mainly containing nicotine or other tobacco products. Users inhale the aerosol to experience a physical sensation and flavor similar to that of inhaled tobacco smoke.

E-cigarettes were initially introduced in the market as a substitute for conventional combustible cigarettes that have more harmful health effects. The aim was to help adult smokers quit their smoking habits. However, several scientific studies have pointed out the adverse health effects of e-cigarettes among users, especially adolescents, young adults, pregnant women, and non-smokers.

In the United States, e-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco products among youths. There is a growing concern that habits of e-cigarette use can potentially trigger addiction to more harmful products, such as conventional cigarettes, which are associated with premature morbidity and mortality.

In this study, scientists have evaluated the current trends in e-cigarette use among US youths stratified by key sociodemographic characteristics.

Study design

The scientists used data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) over a period of ten years (2013  2022). NYTS is an annual, repeated cross-sectional survey of US middle- and high-school students. In the current study, a total of 186,555 youths with complete information on e-cigarette use, age, sex, race, and ethnicity were included in the analysis.

The study analysis included self-reported age, sex, race, and ethnicity as sociodemographic characteristics. Current e-cigarette use was defined as past 30-day use. The scientists calculated overall as well as sociodemographic characteristics, stratified the prevalence of e-cigarette use, and assessed the changes in prevalence over time (2013  2022).

Important observations

According to the study estimates, the overall prevalence of e-cigarette use was 3.1% in 2013, which increased to 20.1% in 2019. During the period of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the prevalence was 7.5% and 9.4% in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

A consistently higher prevalence was observed among older youths compared to that among younger youths. The highest prevalence (30%) among older youths was observed in 2019, which remained stable between 2021 and 2022.

Males showed a slightly higher prevalence of e-cigarette use than females until 2015. In 2019, the prevalence was almost the same between males and females. During the pandemic years, females showed a slightly higher prevalence than males.

Hispanic, non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic multiracial youths showed a higher prevalence of e-cigarette use between 2013 and 2020 compared to non-Hispanic Black youths. Specifically, the prevalence was higher among Hispanic and non-Hispanic whites in 2019 compared to that among non-Hispanic Black youths. During the pandemic years, the prevalence increased among Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black youths.

Study significance

The study finds a significant increase in the prevalence of e-cigarette use among US youths between 2013 and 2019. Although a reduction in use has been observed during the pandemic years, the prevalence remains at a concerning level.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions, the scientists could not examine the trends in e-cigarette use between 2020 and 2021. This is one of the limitations of the study. Another limitation is the inclusion of self-reported information on e-cigarette use and sociodemographic characteristics, which could potentially suffer from recall bias.

Overall, the study provides temporal e-cigarette use trends by age, sex, race, and ethnicity and identifies high-use subgroups that require tobacco prevention support systems. As mentioned by the scientists, future studies estimating the prevalence of e-cigarette use should consider additional measures, such as frequency of use and choice of flavoring agents, for a more comprehensive understanding.
A study published in the journal Scientific Reports finds that cigarette smoking can trigger suicidal erythrocyte death, a condition that may increase the risk of anemia and microcirculation impairment.

Study: Smoking is associated with increased eryptosis, suicidal erythrocyte death, in a large population-based cohort. Image Credit: sruilk / Shutterstock

Background

Smoking is a leading cause of premature morbidity and mortality worldwide. Tobacco smoke contains many harmful substances, including carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, benzopyrenes, and nicotine, which can enter the bloodstream through inhalation and cause cardiovascular complications. Moreover, carbon monoxide can bind to hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin, which reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of hemoglobin and subsequently induces hypoxic effects.

Previous studies investigating the impact of smoking on the red blood cell system provide mixed results. While some studies show higher red blood cell indices in smokers compared to non-smokers, some indicate that smoking can induce eryptosis. Eryptosis is a process of erythrocyte (red blood cell) death, characterized by phosphatidylserine externalization and cell shrinkage.

In this large population-based cohort study, scientists have investigated the impact of smoking on eryptosis and vital hematological parameters, including red blood cell count, hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC).

Study design

The current study included 2,023 participants from the German National Cohort Study (NAKO), which includes more than 205,000 adult participants across 18 study centers in different German states.

Blood samples collected from the participants were analyzed for eryptosis and hematological parameters. Eryptosis was determined using flow cytometry, and red blood cell indices were determined using a hematological analyzer.

Important observations

Among 2,023 participants included in the study, 1,000 were non-smokers, 418 were current smokers, and 605 were ex-smokers.

The comparative analysis between smoking habits and eryptosis revealed that smokers have a moderately higher rate of eryptosis than non-smokers and ex-smokers. Specifically, smokers showed 14% and 19% higher percentages of eryptotic cells compared to non-smokers and ex-smokers, respectively. However, no significant difference in eryptosis was observed between non-smokers and ex-smokers.

Furthermore, the study found a positive association between the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the rate of eryptosis. This association remained the same for both male and female smokers. However, no association between the smoking burden per year and the rate of eryptosis was observed in the entire study population.

A subgroup analysis including ex-smokers revealed a negative association between the duration of smoking cessation and the rate of eryptosis. The age of smoking cessation and the time since smoking cessation were identified as significant predictors of eryptosis in ex-smokers.

Regarding hematological parameters, no association of eryptosis was observed with erythrocyte count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and MCV. However, there was a moderately positive association between eryptosis and MCH and MCHC.

No significant differences in erythrocyte count and hematocrit were observed between smokers, non-smokers, and ex-smokers. However, smokers showed higher levels of hemoglobin, MCV, MCH, and MCHC than the rest.

The daily number of cigarettes smoked, smoking duration, and annual smoking burden showed a moderately positive association with hematocrit, hemoglobin, MCV, and MCH and a negative association with MCHC in current smokers.

Study significance

The study finds that current smokers have a moderately higher rate of suicidal erythrocyte death than non-smokers and ex-smokers. However, despite higher erythrocyte death, smokers have comparatively higher erythrocyte indices. This indicates that higher eryptosis in smokers has no apparent negative impact on the overall red blood cell system.

According to the available literature, smoking-induced oxidative stress and inflammation may play a role in triggering eryptosis. Carbon monoxide inhaled during smoking has also been found to stimulate eryptosis directly. Moreover, the p38MAPK/Fas signaling pathway has been found to increase the eryptosis rate in smokers.

Despite higher erythrocyte death, the study found fewer erythrocyte counts among smokers. This could be due to enhanced erythropoiesis (the process of producing new erythrocytes) in smokers to compensate for the eryptosis-mediated loss of erythrocytes.

As mentioned by the scientists, including a large number of participants is the study's major strength. However, self-reported smoking status can be subjected to reporting bias. The scientists are looking forward to studying whether increased eryptosis is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease in smokers.
A tiny device built by scientists at MIT and the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology could be used to improve the safety and effectiveness of cell therapy treatments for patients suffering from spinal cord injuries.

In cell therapy, clinicians create what are known as induced pluripotent stem cells by reprogramming some skin or blood cells taken from a patient. To treat a spinal cord injury, they would coax these pluripotent stem cells to become progenitor cells, which are destined to differentiate into spinal cord cells. These progenitors are then transplanted back into the patient.

These new cells can regenerate part of the injured spinal cord. However, pluripotent stem cells that don't fully change into progenitors can form tumors.

This research team developed a microfluidic cell sorter that can remove about half of the undifferentiated cells -; those that can potentially become tumors -; in a batch, without causing any damage to the fully-formed progenitor cells.

The high-throughput device, which doesn't require special chemicals, can sort more than 3 million cells per minute. In addition, the researchers have shown that chaining many devices together can sort more than 500 million cells per minute, making this a more viable method to someday improve the safety of cell therapy treatments.

Plus, the plastic chip that contains the microfluidic cell sorter can be mass-produced in a factory at very low cost, so the device would be easier to implement at scale.

"Even if you have a life-saving cell therapy that is doing wonders for patients, if you cannot manufacture it cost-effectively, reliably, and safely, then its impact might be limited. Our team is passionate about that problem -; we want to make these therapies more reliable and easily accessible," says Jongyoon Han, an MIT professor of electrical engineering and computer science and of biological engineering, a member of the Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE), and co-lead principal investigator of the CAMP (Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized Medicine) research group at the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART).

Han is joined on the paper by co-senior author Sing Yian Chew, professor of chemistry, chemical engineering, and biotechnology at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and Materials Science and Engineering at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and a CAMP principal investigator; co-lead authors Tan Dai Nguyen, a CAMP researcher; Wai Hon Chooi, a senior research fellow at the Singapore Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR); and Hyungkook Jeon, an MIT postdoc; as well as others at NTU and A*STAR. The research appears today in Stem Cells Translational Medicine.

Reducing risk

The cancer risk posed by undifferentiated induced pluripotent stem cells remains one of the most pressing challenges in this type of cell therapy.

Even if you have a very small population of cells that are not fully differentiated, they could still turn into cancer-like cells." Jongyoon Han, MIT professor of electrical engineering and computer science and of biological engineering

Clinicians and researchers often seek to identify and remove these cells by looking for certain markers on their surfaces, but so far researchers have not been able to find a marker that is specific to these undifferentiated cells. Other methods use chemicals to selectively destroy these cells, yet the chemical treatment techniques may be harmful to the differentiated cells.

The high-throughput microfluidic sorter, which can sort cells based on size, had been previously developed by the CAMP team after more than a decade of work. It has been previously used for sorting immune cells and mesenchymal stromal cells (another type of stem cell), and now the team is expanding its use to other stem cell types, such as induced pluripotent stem cells, Han says.

"We are interested in regenerative strategies to enhance tissue repair after spinal cord injuries, as these conditions lead to devasting functional impairment. Unfortunately, there is currently no effective regenerative treatment approach for spinal cord injuries," Chew says. "Spinal cord progenitor cells derived from pluripotent stem cells hold great promise, since they can generate all cell types found within the spinal cord to restore tissue structure and function. To be able to effectively utilize these cells, the first step would be to ensure their safety, which is the aim of our work."

The team discovered that pluripotent stem cells tend to be larger than the progenitors derived from them. It is hypothesized that before a pluripotent stem cell differentiates, its nucleus contains a large number of genes that haven't been turned off, or suppressed. As it differentiates for a specific function, the cell suppresses many genes it will no longer need, significantly shrinking the nucleus.

The microfluidic device leverages this size difference to sort the cells.

Spiral sorting

Microfluidic channels in the quarter-sized plastic chip form an inlet, a spiral, and four outlets that output cells of different sizes. As the cells are forced through the spiral at very high speeds, various forces, including centrifugal forces, act on the cells. These forces counteract to focus the cells in a certain location in the fluid stream. This focusing point will be dependent on the size of the cells, effectively sorting them through separate outlets.

The researchers found they could improve the sorter's operation by running it twice, first at a lower speed so larger cells stick to the walls and smaller cells are sorted out, then at a higher speed to sort out larger cells.

In a sense, the device operates like a centrifuge, but the microfluidic sorter does not require human intervention to pick out sorted cells, Han adds.

The researchers showed that their device could remove about 50 percent of the larger cells with one pass. They conducted experiments to confirm that the larger cells they removed were, in fact, associated with higher tumor risk.

"While we can't remove 100 percent of these cells, we still believe this is going to reduce the risk significantly. Hopefully, the original cell type is good enough that we don't have too many undifferentiated cells. Then this process could make these cells even safer," he says.

Importantly, the low-cost microfluidic sorter, which can be produced at scale with standard manufacturing techniques, does not use any type of filtration. Filters can become clogged or break down, so a filter-free device can be used for a much longer time.

Now that they have shown success at a small scale, the researchers are embarking on larger studies and animal models to see if the purified cells function better in vivo.

Nondifferentiated cells can become tumors, but they can have other random effects in the body, so removing more of these cells could boost the efficacy of cell therapies, as well as improve safety.

"If we can convincingly demonstrate these benefits in vivo, the future might hold even more exciting applications for this technique," Han says.

This research is supported, in part, by the National Research Foundation of Singapore and the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology.
A team of researchers from Wayne State University was awarded a $1.4 million, three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Defense for the study, "Cytochrome c acetylation drives prostate cancer aggressiveness and Warburg effect."

The study, led by Maik Huttemann, Ph.D., professor of molecular medicine and genetics, and biochemistry, microbiology and immunology at Wayne State University's School of Medicine, aims to establish the role of the protein cytochrome c, which the team proposes is central in two hallmarks of cancer: switching from aerobic to glycolytic metabolism  also known as the Warburg effect  and evasion of apoptosis.

According to the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, in 2023 it was estimated that more than 288,000 men would be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 34,700 would die in the United States, making it the second most common cancer in men. In the past decade, diagnoses of prostate cancer increased from 3.9% to 8.2%, with African American men having the highest incidence and mortality rates of the disease compared to white, Hispanic and Asian men. Cytochrome c was previously suggested to be a molecular determinant of prostate cancer health disparities, and this study will further explore this hypothesis.

The research team proposes that cytochrome c transitions from a non-acetylated form in a normal prostate to a K53-acetylated cytochrome c in cancer.

What we are proposing is that this transition causes switching from aerobic metabolism to Warburg metabolism because the modification renders cytochrome c less effective in transferring electrons in the electron transport chain, and at the same time making it incapable of triggering apoptosis. Warburg and evasion of apoptosis are two key features of cancer cells. This funding from the Department of Defense will allow us to develop an antibody as a prognostic and diagnostic tool and to mechanistically study the pathways leading to acetylation of cytochrome c, with the ultimate goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets that could result in developing a drug to overcome treatment resistance as a stand-alone or combination therapy." Maik Huttemann, Ph.D., professor of molecular medicine and genetics, and biochemistry, microbiology and immunology, Wayne State University's School of Medicine

"This important funding from the U.S. Department of Defense supports high-impact research needed to advance our understanding of how to detect and treat prostate cancer," said Ezemenari M. Obasi, Ph.D., vice president for research at Wayne State University. "The work that Dr. Huttemann and his collaborators are doing will improve health equity and reduce disparities in prostate cancer and may ultimately enhance the quality and length of life for those impacted by prostate cancer."

Collaborators on this project include Izabela Podgorski, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Elisabeth Heath, M.D., associate director, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Seongho Kim, Ph.D., professor of oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine; and Dongping Shi, M.D., chief and medical director, Detroit Medical Center Sinai-Grace Hospital.

The grant number for this U.S. Department of Defense grant is HT94252410073.
In a recent study published in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, a group of researchers examined the longitudinal effects of changes in dog ownership on children's physical activity and movement behaviors using data from the Play Spaces and Environments for Childrens Physical Activity (PLAYCE) cohort study.

Background

Despite the importance of physical activity for children's health, many fail to meet activity guidelines. Dog ownership in places like Australia is linked to higher physical activity levels in children, as owning a dog encourages more walking and play. Yet, the impact of dog ownership on children's screen time and sleep remains unclear, and there's a lack of longitudinal research. Ethical constraints limit the feasibility of randomized trials, underscoring the value of natural experiments or observational studies to explore this relationship. There is a crucial need for further study using advanced methods to accurately assess the effects of dog ownership on various aspects of children's movement behaviors.

About the study

The present study, initiated in Perth, recruited children aged 2 to 5 from early childhood education and care services. The study sought participation from a diverse socio-economic background, collecting baseline data from 2015 to 2018. As these children transitioned to full-time school, they were followed up until 2021, provided they met the eligibility criteria, resulting in a sample of 641 children aged 5 to 7 for wave 2, with 600 children having complete data on dog ownership across both waves. This setup created a natural experiment with four distinct groups based on dog ownership changes, allowing for a comparison of physical activity levels and other movement behaviors over time.

Children's physical activity was rigorously measured using ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers, processed through a machine learning model to categorize activity intensity accurately. Additionally, parents reported on screen time, sleep duration, and physical activity, offering a comprehensive view of the children's movement behaviors. The study also considered various covariates like parental education and household characteristics to adjust for potential confounders.

Analytical approaches included linear mixed effects models to explore differences in movement behaviors over time and by dog ownership status, adjusting for a range of variables and the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Study results

The PLAYCE cohort study detailed the characteristics and movement behaviors of children across different dog ownership statuses. Approximately half of the participants were girls, with a median age of 3.2 years at the study's outset. Notably, socioeconomic factors such as the mother's education level, employment status, and living conditions varied significantly across dog ownership groups, influencing the study's context.

Initial assessments revealed no significant differences in movement behaviors measured by devices among the dog ownership groups. However, when looking at unstructured physical activity, children in the dog owner and dog loss groups engaged in more physical activities than their counterparts without dogs. Interestingly, these differences were primarily due to dog-related activities. Screen time and sleep duration also varied, indicating nuanced influences of dog ownership on children's daily routines.

As children transitioned from preschool to full-time school, changes in their movement behaviors were observed, with variations depending on whether they acquired or lost a dog during this period. For girls, acquiring a dog positively impacted light intensity activities, whereas losing a dog led to reductions in both light intensity activities and total physical activity. Conversely, boys in the dog owner group saw an increase in energetic play, highlighting the gender-specific effects of dog ownership on children's physical activities.

The acquisition of a dog also positively affected both girls' and boys' unstructured physical activity, emphasizing the role of dog-facilitated activities in promoting physical engagement. These findings suggest that changes in dog ownership status can significantly impact children's movement behaviors, with the loss of a dog particularly affecting girls' physical activity levels.

Screen time trends further illustrated these effects, with no significant changes observed in girls who acquired or lost a dog, but a distinct trajectory for girls in the dog owner group compared to non-dog owners. This divergence underscores the complex relationship between dog ownership and screen time, possibly reflecting lifestyle or behavioral adjustments associated with having a pet.

Lastly, the study highlighted significant shifts in physical activity and screen time among children experiencing changes in dog ownership status. These results point to the potential of dog ownership to positively influence children's physical activity, with implications for public health strategies aimed at enhancing physical engagement among young populations.
Positioning patients with large vessel ischemic (clot-caused) stroke with their heads flat (0-degrees) before surgery to remove the blood clot resulted in significant improvements in neurological function, compared to patients whose heads were elevated (at a 30-degree angle), according to preliminary late-breaking science presented today at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2024. The meeting, held in person in Phoenix, Feb. 7 - 9, 2024, is a world premier meeting for researchers and clinicians dedicated to the science of stroke and brain health.

Large vessel occlusion is a type of ischemic stroke involving blockage of a major artery in the brain. A surgical procedure called thrombectomy removes the blood clot to restore blood flow and reduce the risk of death or permanent injury to the brain including a potential loss of neurological function.

Many thrombectomy patients have delays until the procedure can be started, whether due to slow internal hospital processes, multiple patients arriving at the same time or if the patient needs to be transferred to another hospital. Optimizing blood flow to the brain while patients are waiting for surgery, is essential to minimize the risk of neurological deficits and ultimately disability." Anne W. Alexandrov, Ph.D., lead study researcher, professor of nursing and neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis

Currently, hospital beds for stroke patients awaiting thrombectomy surgery are typically set with the head of the bed at a 30-degree angle, or a slight incline, Alexandrov said. However, pilot studies conducted by Alexandrov's team have shown that when the head of the bed is flat at 0-degrees, thrombectomy patients benefit from increased gravitational blood flow through the narrowed/blocked artery and more open collateral arteries for the procedure.

In this randomized clinical trial called Zero Degree Head Positioning in Acute Large Vessel Ischemic Stroke or ZODIAC, researchers used the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)  which assesses consciousness, vision, speech, motor strength and sensory loss  to evaluate stroke patients with large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke. They compared if patients' conditions remained stable or worsened depending on whether they were set with 0-degree head positioning vs. 30-degree head positioning before thrombectomy surgery.

Stroke patients' baseline NIHSS scores were measured at 0-degrees immediately after neuroimaging, then they were randomly positioned to head positioning at either 0-degrees or 30-degrees. Patients underwent repeat NIHSS scoring every 10 minutes until the thrombectomy was performed, with a final NIHSS score assessed immediately before they were positioned on the surgical table.

An interim analysis found that 0-degree head positioning before thrombectomy surgery resulted in greater stability and/or clinical improvement prior to surgery based on repeated NIHSS scores in stroke patients compared to patients with 30-degree head positioning.

The investigators also explored whether there would be differences in the NIHSS score at 24 hours following surgery and at 7 days or discharge (whichever came first), however, they didn't expect to find a difference because thrombectomy itself dramatically improves patient outcomes. They were surprised to find that at both 24 hours after surgery and at 7 days after discharge, the 0-degree-head-position patients had less neurological deficits on the NIHSS compared to patients with head-positioning at a 30-degree incline before surgery.

"By three months following surgery, there was no difference in outcomes for patients in either group, however, it's exciting to see that we were able to discharge patients from the hospital with less disability requiring rehabilitation," Alexandrov said.

Due to the efficacy of 0-degree head positioning for stroke patients awaiting thrombectomy, the study's Data and Safety Monitoring Board stopped enrollment in this trial on November 1, 2023.

"Our findings suggest that gravitational force can play an important role in improving blood flow temporarily while patients are waiting for surgery," Alexandrov said. "Zero-degree head positioning is a safe and effective strategy to optimize blood flow to the brain until the thrombectomy can be performed, and it should be considered the standard of care for stroke patients prior to thrombectomy."

Study background and details:
Mumbai is gearing up for an exciting addition to its public transport system, with the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) finalizing the route for the citys inaugural bus service on the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL)  the Atal Setu.

The newly established route, S-145, run between Konkan Bhavan, Belapur, and the World Trade Centre, crossing the Atal Setu. It will stop at Sai Sangam, Targhar, Ulwe node, Aai Tarumata, Kamdhenu Oaklands, MTHL, Eastern Freeway, CSMT, Churchgate station, and end at Cuffe Parade, as reported by Mid-day.com.

Initially, there will be two morning services from Belapur to the World Trade Centre and two evening services in the opposite direction.

BEST officials are working on finalizing toll charges and refining the route and fare structure. A trial run with bus enthusiasts and experts has been conducted for feedback and review.

Former Union Minister of Communications and Shipping, Milind Deora, who recently joined the Shiv Sena, has urged the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to establish a bus priority lane on the newly-opened MTHL.

The introduction of the S-145 bus route is a significant achievement for Mumbais public transport system, offering commuters convenient and efficient connectivity across the MTHL. With plans to expand services, BEST aims to meet the increasing transportation needs of residents and visitors.
Paytm News Today: Action against Paytm Payments Bank is taken due to persistent non-compliance and adequate time was given for corrective actions, Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor Swaminathan said on Thursday. He added that the action has been taken against the Paytm Payments Bank and not the Paytm app as a platform.

The central bank will take suitable steps as warranted going ahead, Swaminathan said at a post-MPC announcement press briefing held in Mumbai along with RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das.

Das added, There is no worry about the system, we are only talking about a specific payments bank.

If everything had been complied with, why should RBI act against a regulated entity, asked Das, without naming Paytm.

Also, RBI will be issuing a set of FAQs (frequently asked questions) next week to assuage public concerns following the Paytm action, Das added.

Amid concerns over non-compliance, RBI has taken various measures against PPBL wherein it will not be allowed to offer any services concerning deposits, prepaid instruments and e-wallet after February 29.

The entity has also been directed to stop onboarding new customers.

RBI To Deal With Paytm Issue

Financial Services Secretary Vivek Joshi on Wednesday said it is for the Reserve Bank to deal with the Paytm issue and the government has nothing to do with the matter for now.

He also said that Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) is a small financial entity and there are no systemic stability concerns.

It is action taken by the regulator. They regulate the banks. The government has had nothing to do until now when it comes to the actions taken against Paytm. And we believe that RBI must have taken the action in the overall interest of the consumer and the economy, Joshi told PTI in an interview.

With regard to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Paytms payment aggregator subsidiary, he said permission that has been sought for investment from China.

The application is under review as it is an inter-ministerial process. It is under consideration, he said.

On whether there are any financial stability concerns due to the action taken by the RBI against PPBL, Joshi said it is a very small bank and there were no systemic stability concerns as such.

The customers who have an account in the payments bank, they will have to shift their account. From what I understand, it is not the bank that will migrate the accounts. The customers have to do it, he added.

Against the backdrop of RBI actions, on Tuesday, Paytm Founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Sources said that it was made clear to him that Paytm has to deal with RBI.

Core Issues

There are allegations that PPBL had lakhs of non-KYC (Know Your Customer) compliant accounts and in thousands of cases, a single PAN (Permanent Account Number) was used for opening multiple accounts.

There were also instances where the total value of transactions was worth crores of rupees, much beyond regulatory limits in minimum KYC pre-paid instruments, raising money laundering concerns, the sources told PTI.

According to an analyst, PPBL has about 35 crore e-wallets. Out of them, around 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 suspected to have been used as mule accounts. So, there were major irregularities in KYC compliance, which exposed the customers, depositors and wallet holders to serious risks, as per the analyst.
The BJP over 370 seats, Congress at less than 40  Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while speaking in Parliament, has set out the agenda for his party for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP is also wooing erstwhile allies like TDP, Akali Dal and RLD to return home" after successfully bringing back Nitish Kumars JD-U in the NDA.

The target is simple  finish off Congress relevance in the Indian polity in the upcoming elections. The mood in the opposition camp is lacklustre and many seem resigned to their fate. While senior Congress leader KC Venugopal told News18 on Wednesday that Modi was over-confident and will suffer the repeat of what Atal Bihari Vajpayee suffered in 2004 after the Shining India campaign", many Congress leaders privately say the writing is on the wall.

Congress may get about 60 seats and BJP may end at around 320 seats," two senior Congress leaders told News18 earlier this week.

The BJP is not shying away from bringing back the likes of Nitish Kumar with an eye on finishing off Congress prospects in 2024. Sources say it was Home Minister Amit Shah who was in favour of Nitish Kumar rejoining the NDA, given how the Bihar CM has a large base of support among Dalits and Mahadalits and political relevance for at least 3-4 more years, which could help the BJP in Bihar.

Shah is said to have cited a parallel of how Bhim Rao Ambedkar had embraced Buddhism towards the end of his life. BJP, along with JDU and LJP, won 39 out of 40 Bihar seats in 2019.

BJPs alliance talks with TDP in Andhra Pradesh and Akali Dal in Punjab follow the same mantra  that these are erstwhile allies who could improve BJPs chances in both states if there is a tie-up. The BJP is looking to contest at least six seats in Andhra Pradesh in a tie-up with the TDP as it feels the vote this time in the state will be against CM Jagan Mohan Reddy due to building anti-incumbency.

In Punjab, the BJP has little chance of winning any of the 13 seats unless it ties up with Akali Dal, given Congress and AAP have a stronghold over the state right now. The BJP won two seats here in 2019.

A senior BJP minister said the moves are also a psychological blow to the INDIA camp as the impression going out to the voters is that while the NDA family is growing by the day, the INDIA bloc is disintegrating.

Congress leader Rajeev Shukla told News18 that Modi was afraid" of the grand old party as his Parliament speeches were focused just on the Congress and nothing else. The fear is real in the PMs mind  of losing to us," Shukla said.

But the BJP minister quoted above said PM Modi has made Congress as the chief target in its speeches as the partys aim was clear  to finish the Congress.

What Modi has said (about 370 seats for BJP) is also what the people of the country are saying. Congress party will go further down because their prince (Rahul Gandhi) is a disaster not just for his party but for the nation. He is one engine which is never on. People have rejected him and dont take him seriously he is out doing drama when Parliament session is on," Union Minister Kiren Rijiju told News18.

Senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar told News18 that Modi 3.0 government was a certainty and it is not just me but everyone in the country is saying so, ask anyone."
Its black versus white  the colour code for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. As the BJP-led Centre released a white paper on the previous UPA governments economic mismanagement of 10 years, the Congress countered it early on Thursday with a black paper.

Released by national president Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress called the document 10 Saal Anyay Kaal 2014 to 2024. It gives statistics on every sector, which has seen a downfall under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The grand old party has highlighted rampant unemployment, economic blunders, the faulty Goods and Services Tax, job cuts, farmer distress, corporate favouritism, crime against women among others.

Ironically, the white paper and the black paper were both released on a day when the prime minister bid farewell to his predecessor Manmohan Singh, who retired from the Rajya Sabha.

It is like a kala tika for my government, so that no harm comes to it, Prime Minister Modi said, in response to the black paper. He also referred to a recent black dress protest by the INDIA bloc.

The white paper is a full-blown attack on the former prime minister as it shows that the economy was in the doldrums under him, even though he was a prominent economist. Even more, the attacks on former Congress president Sonia Gandhi also make the point that the corruption in her family had ensured that ministers flourished while the aam aadmi suffered.

It is clear that in 2024, too, the PM is bringing the focus and narrative back on economy and corruption. This serves many purposes  one, it will rebut the point made by the Congress-led opposition that the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandi is a diversion tactic from the state of the economy; second, that 10 years is a good matrix to show the contrast.

In an earlier interview to News18, PM Modi had said he did not want to focus much on the economic distress when he took charge as it would have discouraged investors. All this has changed now as India has earned a good place globally.

The fulcrum of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is to provide justice to the poor and common man. The last thing the Congress can afford is a narrative against Rahul Gandhi that when his party was in power at the Centre for 10 years, it could not provide any kind of nyay or justice.

Kharge, while releasing the black paper, said, The PM is silent on these issues we have raised. Why? Why does he blame Nehru? Tell us what he has done now, he is in power.

The government hopes to silence the Congress with the white paper and make the future look dark for them. The Congress, meanwhile, is searching for a ray of light through the black paper.
The Oppositions INDIA bloc suffered yet another blow on Thursday when the Aam Aadmi Party unilaterally declared candidates for three Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam.

The names for Dibrugarh, Guwahati and Sonetpur constituencies were announced by AAP MP Sandeep Pathak at a press conference.

As you all know, Lok Sabha elections are very close. There are just a few months left. We all have to work very hard and a lot of work is pending. That is why AAP is declaring three candidates from Assam  Manoj Dhanohar from Dibrugarh constituency, Bhaben Chowdhury from Guwahati and Rishi Raj from Sonetpur constituency. We will now begin our preparations in these constituencies with all our strength, he said.

I have faith and hope that the INDIA bloc will also give these three seats to the AAP, he added.

However, in a telling remark on the health of the seat-sharing talks, Pathak said: Talks have been going on within the INDIA bloc for months. We are tired of talking. We have to fight elections. We have to fight not for the sake of fighting, but to win. There is no time. We are fully with the alliance and I hope that it will give the three seats that we have announced to AAP.

The AAP has been pitching to expedite talks with the Congress. The latter, however, is busy with Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Naya Yatra. Pathak indicated that as far as the AAP is concerned, the three Assam seats are final and expressed hope that the alliance would accept it.

We have been talking for months within the alliance. All the important states were on the table and discussed in detail. However, there has been no outcome. When discussions are headed towards no outcome, at some point, you have to decide. However, I am confident that the INDIA bloc will accept this, he said, adding that the AAP is a mature and sensible partner in the alliance.

Even though its for Congress and INDIA to decide I can only say that if you have to win elections, time is of critical importance. You cant waste time. While there is time, all seat-sharing in states must be finalised while there is still time.

Asked about candidates for the seven Lok Sabha in Delhi, where the AAPs in power, Pathak said talks are going on and expressed hope that there would be an outcome soon. There is a possibility that the AAP may declare candidates for Delhi, leaving one or few more seats for the Congress.

Earlier, the AAP had similarly declared its MLA Chaitar Vasava from Bharuch Lok Sabha constituency in Gujarat. Bharuch is an important seat for the Congress as its late leader from Gujarat Ahmed Patel had fought from here. However, Pathak pointed out that this was the case way back in 1984 and that Patels daughter has been living in Delhi.

The AAP and the Congress have had two rounds of seat-sharing talks in Delhi. Apart from that, AAP chief and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi mid-January this year. That meeting was an important confidence-building exercise as, despite Kejriwals open request for a meeting, Gandhi had not given any time for a one-on-one between the two.

Meanwhile, the Congress was conspicuous by its absence in the opposition protest at Jantar Mantar by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to uphold cooperative federalism. Incidentally, Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann participated in these protests.

This is basically an issue of all non-BJP parties. How the states run by them are being discriminated against, how they are being denied their legitimate dues and how the governors are being misused by the ruling party at the Centre. So, it is a question of Centre-State relations, which is a basic feature of our constitutional federalism. That is being violated. This is a protest against that, said CPM general secretary and former MP Sitaram Yechury.

When the Congress held a protest at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday, it did not invite opposition leaders, including the AAP and the Left. And it skipped the protests by the Left despite an invitation.

You have to ask the Congress party (why it didnt attend the protests). Of course, they were invited. All the members of the Legislative Assembly of Kerala were invited. The Leader of the Opposition in Kerala was met by the CM and was personally invited. But they chose what they chose so it is for them to answer, Yechury, who was also at Jantar Mantar, said.

National leaders of the Congress also gave the Left protests a miss. Mr Kharge was invited personally. It (the invitation) was delivered to him, Yechury clarified.

Asked if another political front, this time excluding the Congress was coming up, Yechury said: No, no, no, there is nothing of the sort here. We are all part of INDIA, everybody here is a part of INDIA. But why the Congress has kept out is for them to answer.
Amidst a sea of frenzied excitement, American music sensation and rapper G-Eazy will be embarking on his first-ever tour of the Indian sub-continent over the upcoming weekend.

Produced exclusively by Asias largest dance music festival, Sunburn; the tour which is poised to be a sold-out event with an expected footfall of over 45,000 fans, will feature an eclectic support line-up comprising of South Asian hip hop acts such as Ishq Nachaawe hitmaker Yashraj, Punjabi music experimentalist Talwiinder, Khatron Ke Khiladi winner and rapper Dino James and doctor turned DJ The Spindoctor. The others on the line-up include artists such as Dhanji & Siyaahi, Siana Catherine, DJ Shiva Manvi, Mogambo, DJ EXBOW, Virat Munjal, Beatcrush, DJ RISHIVURR, DJ Omen, SHIA X Zero Chill and Mr. Mickey.

G Eazy states, I cant wait to come and perform for all my amazing Indian fans and take some time off to explore the sights and sounds of a country Ive heard so much about! See you soon in the arenas!

Dino James states, I am thrilled to bring an energetic performance with the Spindoctor for this tour. Were ready to bring our A-game, delivering a performance that will shake the ground and leave fans craving for more.

Talwiinder states,I am beyond excited to be part of the G-Eazys historic lineup, and I cant wait to ignite the stage with my fiery rhymes and electrifying energy, delivering a performance that will leave the audience buzzing with excitement.

Yashraj states, I am exhilarated to be part of the first ever G-Eazys lineup and Im ready to bring my unique style and energy to the stage. Get ready for an unforgettable performance that will leave you wanting more. Lets make this night one to remember!

With chart-topping hits such as Me, Myself & I, Tumblr Girls, Good Life, I Mean It, Him & I, and No Limit, the internationally acclaimed rapper and record producer will kick start his tour with Manpho Convention Centre, Bengaluru on 10th February followed by Backyard Arena, New Delhi NCR on 11th February and NSCI Dome, Mumbai on 15th February.
Amidst the protest in New Delhi by the Karnataka and Kerala government over funds disparity in the Interim Budget, the Centre will likely present a White Paper, which it had announced on February, for which the Parliament session has been extended by a day. The White Paper will compare the performance of the Indian economy before and after 2014.

The Centre had announced during the Interim Budget that it will compare the economic performance of 10 years of the Congress-led UPA with 10 years of BJP-led NDA government.

What is a White Paper?

It is a government document, based on research and information, which is presented to highlight new policies, issues and achievements. It is usually colour-coded in a white cover and can have public access, according to the Stanford Law School.

The Stanford Law School defines a white paper as an authoritative report or guide that often addresses issues and how to solve them. Thus, it is used in politics and business, as well as in technical fields, to educate readers and help people make decisions.

Why the Govt Wants to Issue It?

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said during the Interim Budget 2024-25 that the Indian economy was in crisis in 2014 when Narendra Modi took over the office, and blamed the previous UPA government for mismanagement.

The White Paper will look at where we were then till 2014, and where we are now, only for the purpose of drawing lessons from mismanagement of those years.

It will also cover topics such as fiscal policy, monetary policy, trade policy and exchange rate policy, and overall the Indian economic policy over the years.

When was it introduced?

Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill presented the white paper in 1922 to highlight details of his governments policy on Palestine, following the riots that broke out in the Jaffa region.

So, can the government present as many white papers?

Yes, there is no cap or specific guideline as to how often the government is required to table the white paper. The government can choose to issue white papers on any subject at any given point of time during its tenure.

The Modi government has so far presented two white papers, on the Railways in August 2014 on the revenue model and freight and fare rationalisation.

Are white papers only for the Centre?

No, white papers can be presented by the state assemblies too. Recently, Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy had issued a white paper on the mismanagement of the previous BRS government led by K Chandrashekar Rao, and claimed that the state debt increased from Rs 76,000 crore to Rs 6 lakh crore under his government.

Last July, the BJP had demanded a white paper from the Congress government in Chhattisgarh on the paddy procurement from farmers.

According to ANI, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is planning to bring a Black Paper in response to the Centres white paper, sources said.
Farmers from Noida and Greater Noida are marching towards Delhi with demands for hiked compensation and developed plots against their land acquired by the local authorities in the past.

Farmers, mostly from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha, have reportedly been camping in Noida for the last five months, demanding 10% of abadi land. The SKM is an umbrella body of various farmer unions.

The Jai Jawan Jai Kisan organisation heads the protest against the Ansal builders, All India Kisan Sabha against Greater Noida Authority and Bharatiya Kisan Parishad at National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) headquarters in Sector 24 and Noida Authority in Sector 6.

These organisations called for a Mahapanchayat on Wednesday at Greater Noida to hold a protest march to Parliament on Thursday.

Police have banned large gatherings in Noida to stop farmers from entering Delhi. Traffic advisory has also been issued.

Farmers Demands

The protesting farmers from more than 140 villages in Noida and Greater Noida want a compensation for the lands that were acquired by the authorities for different development projects.

At present, the Noida authorities grant 5% of the total acquired land to the farmers, which they call insufficient, as mentioned in The Indian Express report.

The farmers have also stressed that the land was acquired from them at cheap rates many years ago so an additional monetary compensation based on current market rates should be given to them. They also want jobs and medical facilities for their families.

The authorities said they will provide an amicable solution to the problem.

Parallel Protest in Punjab

There are reports that ministers Arjun Munda, Nityanand Rai, and commerce minister Piyush Goyal are expected to meet representatives of protesting Punjab farmers in Chandigarh.

The farmers, under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, had gathered on November 26 in Mohali and Panchkula, along the Chandigarh border, demanding a legal guarantee for minimum support price for all the crops, enacting a law guaranteeing purchase of crops, and a pension of Rs 10,000 per month to farmers above the age of 60 years. They are also demanding the withdrawal of cases against them during the 2020-21 protest over farm laws.

The Haryana Police has issued notices asking farmers not to join any protest.
The Himachal Pradesh police on Wednesday found the bodies of two people, who allegedly died after they slipped and fell into snow in the Billing Valley. Their pet dog stood guard over them for almost two days, officials said.

The two tourists, including a woman, went missing on Sunday. The rescue teams searching for the duo on Tuesday heard the barking sound of the German Shepherd, reported news agency, PTI as saying police.

Following the sound, police reached the bodies that were lying on the side of a walking trail, three kilometers below the take-off point for paragliders, they added.

For almost two days, the dog, named Alpha, guarded the bodies, which bore marks of attack by wild animals, according to police.

When the rescue teams removed the bodies, the dog accompanied them to Bir on foot from where the deceased mans family members took him, the police said, adding that the deceased, identified as Abhinandan Gupta (30), a resident of Pathankot, and his friend Pranita Wala (26), hailing from Pune had arrived in Bir Billing, the famous paragliding destination in Himachal Pradeshs Kangra district, on Sunday afternoon.

The duo came in a private car along with Guptas dog. After parking the car, they left on foot to the take-off point for paragliders.

When both of them did not return to Chogan near Bir, their friends on Monday informed the police, following which a rescue team launched a search operation and recovered the bodies on Tuesday.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the man and the woman slipped in the snow, sustained injuries, and died due to extreme cold, Kangra ASP Veer Bahadur said.

The post-mortem report will reveal the circumstances under which both the people died, he said.

Gupta had been living in a rented house near Chaugan in Bir for the last five years, while the girl had come to Bir a few days ago, police said.

(with PTI inputs)
The final draft report of a task force established by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to come up with an action plan addressing suicide prevention in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles (AR) indicates that 80% of suicides occur when personnel return to duty after leave.

Primary personal factors contributing to suicides include the death of a spouse or family member, marital discord or divorce, financial difficulties, and inadequate education opportunities for children.

The report highlights that suicide triggers can stem from both family and duty-related issues, with smoother experiences on either front significantly reducing personnel stress levels. It notes a lower incidence of suicide attempts among female personnel compared to males, attributing male reluctance in sharing problems for fear of ridicule from peers.

Additionally, while acknowledging professional challenges as potential triggers, majority of personnel agreed that these are not the sole cause of suicides.

The report described fratricides as psycho-social phenomena with profound implications on forces discipline, trust, and camaraderie. Common causes identified include challenging service conditions, delays in obtaining leave, particularly during family emergencies, reaction to criticism or harassment, and unresolved problems escalating due to colleagues actions.

As per the report, provocation leading to violence is often sparked by humiliation, criticism, family issues, denied leave, abusive language, or unfair duty assignments, with humiliation cited as the primary trigger.

The Way Forward

The report has also suggested key recommendations and the way forward in different forces. In different forces, so far, the efforts made towards stress management are haphazard, sporadic and generally not carried to their logical conclusions, the report said.

Key recommendations addressing this gap can broadly be classified into four categories. Initiatives ensuring mental well-being, strengthening job/service conditions and welfare-related initiatives, facilitating communication, advocacy and outreach related-initiatives and interactional opportunities-related initiatives.

Vacancies & Promotion Should be on Priority

The task forces final draft recommendation talks about filling vacancies and promotions on priority. Major constraint in grant of timely leave to the force personnel is large number of vacancies and operational commitments of the units. Therefore, vacancies in all ranks may be filled on priority.

The task force has also suggested that transparent leave management system be ensured. Provision for leave reserve at each rank may help in liberal grant of leave and transparent transfer policy should be ensured, it says. Inadequate promotional avenues in the service demoralise the personnel. Therefore, the promotion policy may be reviewed so as to boost the morale of jawans, it adds.

The Task Force

The Union Home Ministry had constituted the task force under the Chairmanship of DG, CRPF with Special DG/Additional DG level officers of other CAPFs/Assam Rifles as its members in October 2021.

The first meeting of the task force was held under the chairmanship of special secretary (IS) in December 2021. The second meeting was held under the chairmanship of special secretary (IS) in February 2022, in which all CAPFs/AR were requested to send their study reports.

The drafting committee, after thorough study and analysis of the data provided by all forces/ADG (Medical) and in-consultation with experts of NIMHANS and Amrita University, prepared the final draft report with recommendations for further actions.

If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata)
For Vaishnavi Tripathi, models of army tanks, guns and fighter planes made up her stash of toys when she was a child and whenever anyone asked what she aspires to be, her answer was the same  army officer. Her childhood dream suffered a setback in 2019 when she lost her father, but her strong determination kept her going and she was able to gain admission to the UP Sainik School in Lucknow. Today, the 17-year-old is one of five girls from the school headed to the prestigious National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla near Pune.

Sainik schools prepare students academically, physically and mentally for entry into the commissioned ranks of the defence services. Tripathi, and four other girls  Hansi Malik, Priyanka, Sanskriti Sharma and Jyotsna Yadav  from the UP Sainik School have cleared the Service Selection Board (SSB), making it a rare feat.

Tripathi, who belongs to Lucknow, said she is thankful to her principal and the school for fulfilling her childhood dream. I always wanted to become an army officer. But, after I lost my father, I was shaken to the core. I thought of giving up but when I got admission to the Sainik School, I started to dream again and I made it, she said.

Another cadet, Priyanka, said, The SSB module was especially designed for us. Experts were called to train us and we had special classes in the summer vacation for the entire batch of Class XII. We had a number of guides from time to time while regular tests and interviews helped us crack the exam.

Regularity is the key to success. Our efforts were constant, we worked hard even after the exams or in the summer vacation and never thought of relaxing. I think its our spontaneous efforts and the regularity that paid off, she added.

Priyankas father, Subedar Vijay Kumar, is also in the Indian Army. He is posted in Leh while her mother, Krishna Devi, is a homemaker. For someone on the way to becoming a cadet at the most elite of all military training academies, it has been a total life-changing experience. Priyanka had stayed with her father for seven years when he was posted in Kapurthala and also Dehradun.

Out of the 27 seats for girls at the NDA, five have been bagged by the girls from UP Sainik School  this makes it an impressive 18.5 percent of the total selection. They are from a batch of 15 girl students at the school, which was the first among sainik schools to open admissions to women in 2018. This is the first time that five girls have cracked the exam. They are now awaiting the merit list, which is prepared based on the marks secured in the written exam and the SSB interview. The girls will also have to clear their Class XII board examination to go for their training at the NDA in July.

Its a proud moment for us. Its for the first time we have such a high number of girls from a single school. Apart from five girls, five boys have also been selected, bringing laurels to the school, said school principal Colonel Rajesh Raghav, who has been at the helm since 2021.

He said the result is the outcome of hard work put in by the students. I compliment my academic faculty, staff for their unflinching support in achieving this feat. I am also grateful to senior UPSAINIANS and officials of the state government for reposing their faith in me. I am sure this result will improve with time and this elite educational institution will carve a niche in future and achieve its lost glory, he added.

Col Raghav further said the students were identified through a rigorous in-house process to ascertain their potential. They were then motivated to work on areas like general knowledge, communication skills, reasoning with a thorough understanding of the selection mechanism.

He added that the five boys who have cleared the test are Sachin Gupta, Vatsal Gangwar, Bhavesh Saini, Ritik Kumar and Ajeet Pratap Singh.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the Centre has scrapped the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar to ensure the countrys internal security and to maintain the demographic structure of the Northeastern states bordering Myanmar.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Union Home Minister wrote, It is Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Jis resolve to secure our borders. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided that the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar be scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of Indias North Eastern States bordering Myanmar. Since the Ministry of External Affairs is currently in the process of scrapping it, MHA has recommended the immediate suspension of the FMR.

It is Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Jis resolve to secure our borders.The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided that the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar be scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic  Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 8, 2024

Welcoming the Centres decision, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh took to X and stated, Immensely grateful to Honble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Honble HM Shri Amit Shah Ji for their commitment to securing our borders. The decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar, as recommended by Home Ministry, is crucial for our internal security and the demographic integrity of our North Eastern States.

He added, This is yet another historic decision in curbing illegal immigration and strengthening our internal security after the recent announcement to fence the 1,643 Km Indo-Myanmar border by Government of India.

Immensely grateful to Honble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji and Honble HM Shri @AmitShah Ji for their commitment to securing our borders. The decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar, as recommended by @HMOIndia, is crucial for our internal security N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) February 8, 2024

The development comes a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah said India had decided to fence the entire 1,643-km-long India-Myanmar border.

According to Shah, a patrol track along the border will also be paved for better surveillance.

Out of the total border length, a 10 km stretch in Moreh, Manipur, has already been fenced. Furthermore, two pilot projects of fencing through a Hybrid Surveillance System (HSS) are under execution, Shah added.

The home minister also announced that the fencing work covering approx 20 km in Manipur has also been approved, and the work on the same will start soon.

Manipur shares around 390 km of border with Myanmar, but only about 10 km has been fenced so far. In July last year, the state government shared data that around 700 illegal immigrants entered the state.

Besides, Mizoram has seen an influx of anti-Junta rebels in thousands since the military coup in Myanmar on February 1, 2021. According to government estimates, several thousand refugees have been living in different parts of Mizoram since the coup.

Mizoram shares a 510-km-long border with Myanmar.

WHAT IS FMR

The Free Movement Regime (FMR) allows people residing close to the India-Myanmar border to venture 16 km into each others territory without any documents.

The 1,643-km-long India-Myanmar border, which passes through Mizoram, ethic riot-hit Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh had the FMR.

It was introduced in 2018 as part of Indias Act East policy.

Fencing along the border has been a persistent demand of the Imphal Valley-based Meitei groups which have been alleging that tribal militants often enter into India through the porous border.

The Meitei groups also allege that narcotics are being smuggled into India taking advantage of the unfenced international border.

(With PTI inputs)
Some schools in Chennai on Thursday received a bomb threat prompting police action, who soon reached the schools with bomb disposal squads.

Following the threat, students in these schools were sent back home with their parents, while anti-sabotage checks were conducted by the police.

The officials also urged people not to panic and said that action is being taken to identify the culprit who sent the emails. The incident, however, coerced parents to rush to schools to pick up their children.

Among the schools which received the bomb threat mail were Chennai Public school in DAV Gopalapuram and St Marys School, Parrys.
Newly appointed COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev said the next UN climate summit, which is set to be hosted by Azerbaijan this year, is committed to reinforcing climate finance for developing countries. He was speaking at the 23rd edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS), which began at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in Delhi on Wednesday.

Babayev  Ecology and Natural Resources Minister in the Azerbaijan government  will lead the discussions when countries meet for the next phase of climate talks later this year. Delivering his first virtual address in New Delhi following his appointment, he said his foremost commitment is to advance the global climate agenda set at COP28 in Dubai.

NEW GLOBAL CLIMATE FINANCE GOAL

A critical priority is to establish a practical roadmap for the New Collective and Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance while recognising the needs of developing nations  which has gone up to nearly USD 6 trillion until 2030. We aim to prioritise the quantifiable targets and indicators, and encourage nations to make concrete commitments to doubling adaptation finance by 2025. This is important to ensure accountability and real progress, said Babayev.

COP28 concluded in Dubai last December with the first-ever Global Stocktake, which highlighted how the financial pledges made by the rich nations fell short of the trillions needed to support developing countries to make just and equitable energy transitions and implement their national climate plans.

Countries also deliberated on setting a new collective quantified goal on climate finance(NCQG) in 2024, above the current $100 billion annual target, which will take into account the needs and priorities of developing countries. The new goal, which will start from a baseline of USD 100 billion per year, will support the subsequent implementation of national climate plans that need to be delivered by 2025. This comes at a time when the developed nations are yet to provide $100 billion per year by 2020, as promised by them in 2009.

ROADMAP FOR TRIPLING RE CAPACITIES

The COP President-Designate highlighted that the focus will also be on building a clear and actionable roadmap for tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling the rate of energy efficiency by 2030. Over 118 countries had signed on to the global pledge to triple RE capacities; however, India was not one of them. Our focus extends to developing a framework for the global goal on adaptation, incorporating measurable, time-bound targets for specific themes and sectors, said Babayev, acknowledging the widening adaptation finance gap. He added that the strategy will also be to increase private sector participation.

Germanys climate envoy Jennifer Morgan who also attended the summit virtually said the next two years are crucial for countries as they prepare their next round of NDCs. It really gets serious this year for nations to change the international finance and development architecture itself, so it has decarbonisation and risk-resilience by default, she said. Highlighting that India has a great potential to keep the 1.5 ceiling within reach, with its impressive RE targets eventually making it cheaper than oil and gas, she said, the two countries can work together to increase diversification of energy sources. We are looking to diversify our imports of RE technologies, and India has a role to play there. Germany has about 52% renewable energy capacity, and the grid is phasing out coal. We are keen to transition and build resilience, she added.

Prof Hoesung Lee, former Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), drew attention to the urgent need to provide effective adaptation support to correct climate justice. The worlds most vulnerable regions experience 15 times higher human mortality due to floods and droughts in the last ten years. This is the time to set the course of a climate-responsive future, he added.

Suruchi Bhadwal, Senior Fellow & Director, TERI, concurred that the next five to six years are crucial for the world as a whole to make decisions to promote climate action, reduce emissions, and also build resilience. These decisions will determine how severe climate change will hit us. Adaptation and building risk resilience is also as important as mitigation, added Bhadwal.

The three-day summit was inaugurated by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday and is being organised under the theme of Leadership for Sustainable Development and Climate Justice.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, who unveiled the partys Black Paper in response to the White Paper to be brought by the Centre in the Parliaments Budget session, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi never mentioned the number of jobs created by the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) set up by former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

Addressing the press conference along with other senior party leaders on Thursday morning, the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi never mentions the number of jobs created by the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) set up by former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Whenever PM Modi speaks in Parliament, he always tries to hide his governments failures.

He said, The saffron party should talk about the present as they are in power now, but they are busy talking about the past and bringing up Pandit Nehru.

He also mentioned the states with non-BJP governments were being neglected by the Centre.

When PM Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat, he also used to complain about funds, he said.

There is a danger to democracy in the country. In the last 10 years, 411 MLAs were taken on their side by the BJP. They toppled so many Congress governments. They are finishing democracy, he said.

The black paper highlights issues such as unemployment, price rise, farmers distress, failure to carry out a caste census, and injustice to women.

#WATCH | On releasing Black Paper against Modi govt, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says, There is a danger to democracy in the countryIn last 10 years, 411 MLAs were taken on their by the BJP. They toppled so many Congress governments. They are finishing pic.twitter.com/9oOhYKkyvW ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2024

In the initial announcement during the presentation of the union budget on February 1, the central government stated its intention to release a White Paper comparing the economic performance of the Congress-led UPA government over 10 years with that of the BJP-led NDA government over the same period.

The Centres proposed White Paper will be presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in both Houses of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.

Presenting the interim budget for 2024-25 in Parliament, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted that since assuming office in 2014, the Modi government successfully navigated the challenges of those years, placing the economy firmly on a sustainable growth trajectory.

She confirmed the governments plan to present a White Paper in the House, aiming to assess the economic journey from the pre-2014 period to the present and derive lessons from the mismanagement of those years.

The budget session commenced on January 31 with President Droupadi Murmu addressing the joint sitting of the two Houses. This session, the final one before the anticipated Lok Sabha polls in April-May, was scheduled to conclude on February 9.

WHAT IS A WHITE PAPER?

It is a government document, based on research and information, which is presented to highlight new policies, issues and achievements. It is usually colour-coded in a white cover and can have public access, according to the Stanford Law School.

The Stanford Law School defines a white paper as an authoritative report or guide that often addresses issues and how to solve them. Thus, it is used in politics and business, as well as in technical fields, to educate readers and help people make decisions.
A double murder of two elderly persons sent shockwaves through central Bengalurus Kumbarpet on Wednesday evening.

Fifty-year-old Suresh and 68-year-old Mahendra were fatally stabbed at a shop in the area over a property dispute and the suspected killer, identified as Badriprasad, is said to have confessed in a call to the police control room immediately after committing the crime.

The incident took place on Wednesday evening when Badriprasad went to a shop called Sri Hari Enterprises, owned by Suresh, at Kumbarpet Main Road, and asked to speak to the latter.

He is then alleged to have taken out a button knife from his bag and stabbed Suresh multiple times on the neck. On hearing Sureshs screams, his acquaintance Mahindra rushed to save him, but was also allegedly stabbed to death by the accused.

After committing the crime, Badriprasad reportedly called the police control room and confessed to the crime. Halasuru Gate police officials arrived at the spot where the accused surrendered himself.

According to reports, preliminary investigation revealed that the dispute was triggered over the handing over of a four-floor building located on the main road to a community association. The case was pending in the court and the accused had gone to speak to Suresh about the matter.

A forensic team arrived at the murder spot following the incident. Halasuru police officials have registered a case and arrested Badriprasad. Further investigation is underway.
Massive traffic jams were reported on roads connecting Delhi and Noida as farmers from Uttar Pradesh tried to enter the national capital to protest over their several demands.

While protests were witnessed in Uttar Pradesh, farmers from Punjab are preparing for Delhi Chalo agitation on February 13 to press for demands, including a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) and implementation of the Swaminathan Commissions recommendations.

Meanwhile, Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Nityanand Rai and Arjun Munda met farmers in Chandigarh. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann was also present in that meeting.

#WATCH | Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Nityanand Rai, and Arjun Munda & Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann held a meeting with farmer leaders in Chandigarh today, in connection with the ongoing protest. pic.twitter.com/capw0usNRv ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2024

Why Are Uttar Pradesh Farmers Protesting?

Thousands of farmers from around 100 villages, including women and elderly, joined the march, to press for their demands for hiked compensation and developed plots in lieu of their land acquired by local development authorities in Noida and Greater Noida in the past.

The protest march also slowed down movement of vehicular traffic at various routes, including the key stretches of Noida-Greater Noida Expressway and DND Flyway that thousands of commuters use daily.

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait joined the protesters in Greater Noida in the afternoon where his Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) members have been protesting outside the local authority office. In Noida, the protesters were led by the Bharatiya Kisan Parishad (BKP), whose activists have held camps outside the local authority office since December 2023.

The farmers from around 100 villages were led by the BKP after they assembled at the Mahamaya Flyover in Noida around 12 pm on Thursday, with a proposed plan to march towards the Parliament.

From Mahamaya Flyover, the farmers shall march towards the Parliament in Delhi to press for our long-pending demands, BKP leader Sukhbir Yadav Khalifa said earlier in the day.

Farmer organisations proposed to go to Delhi with their various demands. Peaceful talks are being held with them near the Delhi border. Senior police officers are present on the spot, the police spokesperson said around 5 pm.

Meaningful conversations with farmers are taking place in a peaceful environment, the official added. Ahead of the protest by the farmers in Noida and Greater Noida, the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police had already imposed CrPC Section 144 for Wednesday and Thursday.

Between 12 pm and 5 pm, heavy traffic jams were witnessed on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, DND loop, Kanlindi Kunj bridge, around Dalit Prerna Sthal, Atta Chowk and Rajnigandha Chowk in Noida.

Similar snarls were witnessed at Pari Chowk in Greater Noida, with the police saying that they were making efforts to ensure smooth traffic movement.

Why Are Punjab Farmers Protesting?

Farmers organisations are gearing up to take part in Delhi Chalo agitation on February 13 to press for demands, including a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) and implementation of the Swaminathan Commissions recommendations.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha had announced that farmers would march to Delhi on February 13 to press the Centre for accepting its demands. More than 200 farmers unions from across the country would participate in the Delhi Chalo march.

Besides a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP), the farmers are also demanding implementation of the Swaminathan Commissions recommendations, pensions for farmers and farm labourers, farm debt waiver, withdrawal of police cases and justice for victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.

In 2020, a large number of farmers from Punjab and nearby areas of Ambala gathered at the Shambhu border and broke police barriers to march towards Delhi. Farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, held a year-long protest on Delhis border points  Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur  against the three now-repealed farm laws.

Ambala Police have already stocked up concrete blocks, barbed wire, sandbags, barricades and other items at the Shambhu border in Ambala to stop protesters from marching towards Delhi. Farmers have planned to head to Delhi from the Ambala-Shambhu border, Khanauri-Jind and the Dabwali border.

Union Ministers Meet Punjab Farmers

After a meeting with Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Nityanand Rai, Arjun Munda and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, farmer leaders said they will continue with their agitation planned for February 13. However, they said the government has assured them that there will be another meeting soon.

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said, We had a meeting with the Government today. The meeting was held in a positive atmosphere, Punjab Govt took the initiative. We presented all our demands in detail, with factsThe government listened to us and said that they will examine all our facts seriously

#WATCH | Chandigarh | Farmer leaders address the media after a meeting with Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Nityanand Rai, Arjun Munda and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann.Jagjit Singh Dallewal says, We had a meeting with the Government today. The meeting was held in a positive pic.twitter.com/kT23n5M0ts  ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2024

Our program for 13th February will continue as it is. The government has assured us that there will be another meeting soon. If the Government convenes a meeting before the 13th and resolves our issues, it is fine. Otherwise, our program for the 13th will continue as it is, he said.

(With PTI inputs)
Massive clashes broke out in Uttarakhands Haldwani on Thursday after an illegal madrasa was razed during an anti-encroachment drive, prompting authorities to impose curfew and deploy paramilitary force to control the situation.

Miscreants threw stones at police officers and set vehicles on fire, including a police car when the demolition of the madrasa, believed to have been illegally constructed near the Banbhulpura police station, was carried out by officials from Haldwanis municipal corporation. At least 60 people were injured in the violence and have been hospitalised.

Police Headquarters spokesperson IG Nilesh Anand Bharne told ANI that four companies of paramilitary force have been sent to the violence-hit area of Haldwani. The IG said that two companies of PAC from Udham Singh Nagar have reached Haldwani.

VIDEO | The authorities in Uttarakhands Haldwani demolished a madrasa believed to have been illegally constructed near the Banbhulpura police station today. pic.twitter.com/6HYLDktGBf Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 8, 2024

A furious mob pelted stones at the police administration and journalists, leaving several injured including SDM. A transformer was also set on fire, leading to a power outage in the area according to Aaj Tak.

The mob has also surrounded the Banbhulpura police station, leaving various journalists and administration officials trapped inside.

The state government has also issued orders authorising the security personnel to use lethal force against any unruly elements and ordered a shoot-on-sight order for rioters, reports the news agency, ANI.

#WATCH | Uttarakhand | Violence broke out in Banbhoolpura, Haldwani following an anti-encroachment drive today. DM Nainital has imposed a curfew in Banbhoolpura and ordered a shoot-on-sight order for rioters. Details awaited. pic.twitter.com/Qykla7UO65 ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2024

SSP Prahlad Meena informed that the madrasa demolition took place after prior notice to the residents, adding that the drive was carried out in the presence of Municipal Commissioner Pankaj Upadhyay, City Magistrate Richa Singh, and SDM Paritosh Verma.

Uttarakhand CM Dhami Calls High-level Meeting

In view of the escalating situation, additional forces were called to Haldwani.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami convened a high-level emergency meeting with Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, Director General of Police Uttarakhand Abhinav Kumar, and ADG (Law and Order) AP Anshuman.

Dhami said that the administrations action was in response to a court order. Additional companies of Police and Central Forces are being sent there. We have appealed to everyone to maintain peace. Curfew is in place. Strict action will be taken against rioters and encroachers who committed arson. he said.

Uttarakhand DGP Abhinav Kumar said Around 4 pm today, a joint team of District Administration and Police was conducting an anti-encroachment drive in Banbhoolpura, Haldwani as per the Courts order. Opposing that, a few anti-social elements pelted stones and caused arson.

Kumar added that the state government asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to send additional forces and they have made 4 companies of additional central forces available to them.

As of now, the situation is under control. As per the information available to me, several Police personnel and administration officials sustained injuries and have been admitted to hospitals. No casualties reported yet. said Kumar.

The DGP further said that the people behind the incident will be identified and action will be taken against them.

(With inputs from ANI, inputs)
India will replace its military personnel operating three aviation platforms in the Maldives with competent Indian technical personnel amid strained ties between the two countries following the victory of Mohamed Muizzu who is widely seen as a pro-China leader.

I would like to say that the present personnel will be replaced by competent Indian technical personnel, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.

Jaiswal said India remained a committed development partner of the Maldives. We remain an important committed development partner for the Maldives, he said.

Following the second meeting of the high-level core group to address the issue of the military personnel, the Maldivian foreign ministry said India will replace its military personnel in two phases by May 10.

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Monday said the first group of Indian military personnel will be sent back before March 10 and the remaining manning ones will be withdrawn before May 10.

The second meeting of the core group took place in Delhi on February 2. 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. The ties between the two countries came under some strain since he came to power in November.

Muizzu, widely seen as a pro-China leader, maintained after assuming charge as the president that he will 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.

On budgetary allocation under Indias development assistance to the Maldives, Jaiswal said a certain amount was allocated and it could be revised. The budgetary allocation to the Maldives for 2023-24 was Rs 400 crore but the revised estimate showed that the outlay went up to Rs 770.90 crore which is almost double of the initial amount.

In the interim budget for 2024-25, an amount of Rs 600 crore has been set aside as development assistance to the country. Jaiswal said the new figure could be revised once there is clarity on forward movement.

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. In August 2022, Modi and Solih kick-started the India-funded Greater Male connectivity project, billed as the largest infrastructure initiative in the island nation.

Under the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) project, a 6.74 km long bridge and causeway link will be built to connect the capital city Male with adjoining islands of Villingli, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi.

(With PTI inputs)
KERALA LOTTERY KARUNYA PLUS KN-508 RESULT ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department has announced the results of the Karunya Plus KN-508 lucky draw for Thursday, February 8. Check the full list of winning numbers below.

ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Result Today LIVE: Sthree Sakthi SS-402 WINNERS for February 13, 2024; First Prize Rs 75 Lakh!

FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR KARUNYA PLUS KN-508

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5824 5965 6352 6752 6847

7054 7077 7095 7195 7244

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7563 7802 7827 7898 7918

7926 7936 8020 8037 8150

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9943

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The boxes of ladoos, the congratulatory phone calls, and the streams of people have been unending at Pushkar Singh Dhamis Garhi Cantt residence in Dehradun. The Uttarakhand chief minister successfully piloted the Uniform Civil Code Bill with not a single negative vote in the assembly. As supporters thronged to congratulate him for achieving the Bharatiya Janata Partys long-pending agenda, CNN-News18 caught up with the CM for an exclusive conversation. Edited excerpts:

As the captain of the ship, how do you feel being a witness to history?

This is a moment of pride. Uttarakhand got the good fortune of initiating it. Just like how the Ganga originates from our state and works to provide water and life to the entire country, in the same manner, this vision was placed before the people of Uttarakhand under the leadership of the Prime Minister during the election of our legislative assembly. This was our promise, this was our dream. Our dream has come true. This is a very big day for us. It is the day to make a testimony to history. I would like to express my gratitude to the people of Uttarakhand. They gave us their mandate on our sankalp during the elections and gave us an opportunity to serve them.

This is being called a political stunt by opposition leaders.

The promise we had made to the people of Uttarakhand, we are just fulfilling it. I mean, we have got the mandate of the people because we had said that if we come to power, the first thing to be done would be implementing UCC. In the first cabinet meeting of the new government, we decided to form a committee for UCC. The committee worked hard for 20 months. It surveyed around 2 lakh people. One-on-one interactions took place in a total of 43 locations. Thousands of people responded through the internet. The bill came up after all this.

It seemed like polygamy and halal would be the centre of controversy but right now live-in provisions are drawing maximum flak.

We had carefully thought over it. We want our youth, our kids protected. Their protection was kept in mind when we drafted UCC so they dont get abused or exploited. All these aspects were thought of. The people will soon realise its (provisions) for their own good.

Are you open to reviewing the rules based on feedback?

It is a continuous process. We have just initiated it and are open to amending it in the future if need be.

BJP-ruled states seem excited about it. The Assam chief minister has said hell see it. Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh too

We expect that other states will implement this as well after listening to what their residents want.

But your state has only a 3% tribal population; other states have more. Will it not be difficult to implement this there?

Tribals are protected under many other provisions of the Constitution. Hence, we didnt take any action. But other states can do it after studying their demography.
Former Shiv Sena UBT corporator Abhishek Ghosalkar was fired upon on Thursday by a notorious criminal Mauris Noronha in Mumbais IC colony over a personal dispute on Thursday evening.

According to reports, Abhishek Ghosalkar, son of Shivsena (UBT) leader Vinod Ghosalkar, was shot thrice. He was immediately rushed to Karuna Hospital in Borivali in a serious condition. According to sources, Morris, the man who shot at Ghoshalkar, shot himself later. Both have been declared dead by the authorities.

The incident took place when Abhishekh and Morris were live on Facebook, Indian Express reported.

Soon after receiving the information, a police team reached the spot and launched an investigation into the matter.

Notably, the incident comes days after a BJP MLA was caught on camera firing at an Eknath Shinde faction leader inside a police station at Ulhasnagar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi bid farewell to the retiring Rajya Sabha MPs on Thursday and praised former Prime Minister and veteran Congress leader, Manmohan Singh, for his contribution to the democracy.

Addressing the upper house during the Parliaments Budget session, he said, I want to remember Dr Manmohan Singh today, his contribution has been immense. For such a long time, the way he has guided this House and the country, he will always be remembered for it.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks in Rajya Sabha during the farewell of retiring members.He says, I want to remember Dr Manmohan Singh today, his contribution has been immenseFor such a long time, the way he has guided this House & Country, Dr Manmohan Singh will always pic.twitter.com/NC1e81sNRZ  ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2024

He praised Dr Manmohan Singh for coming in a wheelchair to Parliament to cast his vote and setting an example for other MPs to perform their duties and giving strength to democracy.

#WATCH | PM Modi lauds the contribution of Congress MP and former PM Manmohan SinghThe PM is addressing during the farewell of retiring members of the Rajya Sabha pic.twitter.com/1MATqWIGhd  ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2024

I remember in the other House, during the voting, it was known that the treasury bench would win but Dr Manmohan Singh came in his wheelchair and cast his vote. This an example of a member being alert of his duties, he said.

Kaala tika on our work: PM Modis jibe on Congress Black Paper

Referring to the Black Paper released by Congress in response to the Centres proposed White Paper comparing the economic performance of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government over 10 years with that of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, PM Modi said, They put kaala tika on our pious work.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Thursday that a person can claim to be indigenous, if they show their document or identity, before conversion. He was sharing insight on Mission Basundhara in the state assembly.

You people can claim to be indigenous if you show your document or identity before you were converted, then you too will get indigenous status, said Assam CM.

He also asserted that there were some Hindus, who were forcefully converted to Islam during the Mughal period. Sarma gave an option and said that these people could return to their originality by accepting Hinduism again, thereby getting their indigenous status back.

While on Thursday the CM was talking about the land allotment and Patta distribution to the indigenous people of Assam.

He cited the definition of indigenous- People who live in a place for years and years, are the indigenous people. Aboriginals are the indigenous people as we say the Red Indians are the indigenous people in America.

In this context, he said that anyone coming and settling down in Assam from outside of Assam cant be called indigenous.

Replying to a counter question of opposition MLA about the Miyaan (the Bengali speaking, Bangladesh-origin Muslim) not getting Patta, the CM reacted that Miyans came recently, adding Even people came to this land (Assam) 100 years back cant be said as indigenous.

Himanta Biswa Sarma categorically said that Basundhara is not for the migrant Muslim. He stated that for the people who came to Assam from other parts of the country, there would be another process of land allotment.

Regarding land allotment to the people of Char (Reverine) areas CM Sarma said till date the land assessment has not been done. The Congress government did not even start the registration process of land in Char areas. There should be a separate policy to be taken out for Char areas, he said.
Show-cause notices have been served to several officials, including the detailed project report consultant, based on the report of an expert committee that inspected the site of the collapsed part of the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand. Directions have also been issued to resume pending work on the project by observing necessary safeguards, the ministry of road transport and highways told the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

Based on the preliminary report, show-cause notices have been issued to DPR consultant, authoritys engineer, EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contractor and project supervisory officials of the NHIDCL for the shortcomings pointed out by the committee, it said.

The ministry further said the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has conducted a preliminary safety audit of all existing and ongoing tunnel projects across India. The NHAI has signed MoUs with DMRC/KRCL for detailed safety audit of critical tunnels in the state of Himachal Pradesh, UT of Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi, it added.

In a separate reply, the ministry also informed the Lok Sabha that at least six tunnel projects, at least 30 km in collective length, are under bidding while 41 projects with a collective length of 101 km, are under construction across the country.

Jammu and Kashmir has the highest share among these  three under bidding and 12 under-construction tunnels, with a collective length of about 58 km, the ministry said.

The Silkyara tunnel collapse

On November 12, a portion of the under-construction Silkyara tunnel collapsed leaving debris in a 60-m stretch at the entrance and with 41 workers trapped inside. After being stuck inside for 17 days, they were rescued on November 28 last year.

The 4.5-km two-lane bidirectional tunnel is being constructed as part of the Char Dham Mahamarg Pariyojana, and will join the Gangotri and Yamunotri axis under the Radi pass. The total cost sanctioned for the project in March 2018 is Rs 1,383 crore.

The construction of the tunnel will ease the journey for pilgrims as it will provide all-weather connectivity and reduce a 25.6-km snow-affected length of NH134 (Dharasu-Barkot-Yamunotri road) to 4.5 km, resulting in reduction of travel time to five minutes from 50 minutes.
Chocolate Day, which falls on February 9, marks the third day of celebrating love in Valentines week. Chocolate, being a symbol of sweetness and love, is often used as a love language to express affection. The tradition of celebrating Chocolate Day dates back to 1840 when Valentines Day began gaining popularity and became a part of this love-filled week. Many people aim to make this week special for their loved ones by organising beautiful dates and bringing joy through simple gestures.

ALSO READ: Happy Chocolate Day 2024: Best Wishes, Messages, Quotes, and Images to Share

Chocolate Day History

Valentines Day originated as a Christian feast day to honour Saint Valentine and other Christian saints. However, while it is widely celebrated and considered culturally significant in many countries, it is true that Valentines Day is not recognised as a public holiday in most places.

ALSO READ: Valentines Week 2024: Rose Day to Valentines Day, Your Guide to 7 Days of Love!

The tradition of exchanging chocolates on Valentines Day became popular during the Victorian era, and it became a significant part of the gifts exchanged by men and women in love. Richard Cadbury, an English chocolatier, played a role in popularising this tradition by introducing the heart-shaped chocolate box for Valentines Day in the mid-19th century.

Chocolate Day Significance

Chocolate Day holds a special place in peoples hearts, not just for its sweetness, but for the richness of cocoa. On this day, couples express their love by exchanging boxes of chocolates, symbolising the wish for their bond to be as sweet as the chocolates shared. Beyond its taste, chocolate has the magical ability to melt hearts and strengthen connections. Chocolate Day marks the beginning of Valentines week on a delightful note.

Creative Ideas To Celebrate

Make a chocolate bouquet with all the favourite chocolates of your partner. DIY Chocolate fondue at your home, completing it with strawberries, marshmallows, and biscuits. Attend a chocolate-making class together or try making chocolates at home to create a memorable and fun experience on Chocolate Day. Surprise your partner with a chocolate-scented spa, featuring indulgent treats like chocolate face masks and chocolate-scented massages, to elevate the celebration of Chocolate Day. Prepare a chocolate treasure hunt around your home. Plan a chocolate dinner by making a chocolate cake, brownie, doughnuts and hot chocolate. If your partner loves to have wine, then you can have some chocolate wine.

Whether its a small box of chocolates or a visit to a chocolate factory, let this day set the tone for a week filled with love and romantic gestures. Share your love with your partner by celebrating this day and strengthening your bond with all the sweetness.
Actor Adarsh Gourav has set foot in Thailand and started shooting for the highly anticipated TV series Aliens. Adarsh Gourav is indulging in the vibrant local cuisine and bonding with his fellow actors from the hit franchise.

Set to film for the next four months in Thailand, Adarsh Gourav has joined an international ensemble cast and crew to bring the compelling narrative of Aliens to life. The camaraderie among the actors has already fostered a collaborative and healthy working atmosphere, with shared meals serving as the cornerstone of their bond.

Directed by writer and director Noah Hawley and produced by the visionary Ridley Scott, Aliens, promises to leave audiences in awe with its gripping storyline and stellar performances. Joining Adarsh Gourav in this journey are co-stars Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Samuel Blenkin and Essie Davis, who collectively promise to deliver a captivating viewing experience.

Scheduled to stream on FX on Hulu, Aliens is set to redefine the sci-fi genre and offer viewers an immersive and unforgettable cinematic experience.

Speaking of the project, Adarsh Gourav said, I am thrilled to be part of Aliens and embark on this exciting journey with such a talented cast and crew. The opportunity to work alongside renowned creators like Noah Hawley and Ridley Scott is truly humbling, and I look forward to bringing this gripping narrative to life. Im excited to shoot for the project after a brief schedule we had last year. Theres a great energy amongst the team and the cast and we cant wait to put all the energy into making the series as iconic as the franchise is.

Speaking to News18 Showsha exclusively, the actor had earlier said that he is really excited to be a part of the stellar cast. He was last seen in Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, co-starring Ananya Panday and Siddhant Chaturvedi.
Ankita Lokhande has opened up about discussing her late ex-boyfriend Sushant Singh Rajput in Bigg Boss 17. The actress was accused of using Sushants name for gaining sympathy on the show. Now that the show is over, Ankita has broken her silence over the criticism that she received for talking about the late Bollywood star.

Yes, I read about it and I would like to say that I dont need anyones fan following and Mujhe Kisi ke baare mein baat karne ke liye bhi Kisi ki permission ki koi zarurat nahi (I dont need anyones permission to talk about anybody) If someone has done something really nice in their life, I would definitely discuss it. I used to discuss my father a lot in the Bigg Boss 17 house because I felt he was an integral part of my life, Ankita told Times of India.com.

She further revealed that even her husband Vicky Jain has no problem with her talking about Sushant. Yes, I discussed Sushant as well Kyunki agar mere Saamne koi ladka baitha hai and he wants to be like his inspiration Sushant and if I know about Sushant then why wont I speak or share information. I will definitely motivate that person. Agar koi insaan chala gaya aur usne bahut acchi cheezein ki hai life mein I dont have a problem discussing him. Mere husband ko koi problem nahi hai, Im not answerable to people, Ankita added.

Earlier talking about her breakup with Sushant, Ankita told Munawar Faruqui on the show, Wo ek dum ek raat mein gayab ho gaya. Success mil rahi thi toh log uske kaan bhar rahe the (He suddenly disappeared. He was getting success so people were trying to manipulate him). She also revealed that Sushant never really gave her any explanation for their breakup.

Ankita had also revealed that after she parted ways with Sushant, it took her two and a half years to move on. She claimed that even though Sushant had moved on after their breakup, she could not imagine herself dating somebody else for a long time.
The highly anticipated series Mr. & Mrs. Smith has made its debut on Amazon Prime Video, starring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine as the eponymous married spies. However, before Erskine assumed the role of Jane Smith, Phoebe Waller-Bridge was initially slated to star alongside Glover and co-create the series. Waller-Bridges departure from the project in 2021 has left many curious about the circumstances surrounding her exit.

Donald Glover has now shed light on the situation, describing it as an amicable split stemming from divergent creative visions.

Speaking on the matter, Glover likened the split to a real divorce, talking about the challenge of maintaining a fruitful creative partnership when facing significant differences in approach.

Youre like, Oh sh-t, this should have worked. And this is just me being honest, but I think a good relationship is one where you dont waver from the extremely uncomfortable. And I dont know if we were ever going to get to a place where we could be completely brutal to each other, Glover told The Hollywood Reporter.

Glover suggested that cultural disparities may have contributed to the discord, noting that in the UK, where Waller-Bridge hails from, the approach to collaborative writing differs from his own experience in the United States. He highlighted Waller-Bridges solo approach to writing Fleabag contrasted with his establishment of a writers room for Atlanta. These differing methodologies, Glover explained, may have hindered their ability to fully engage in the creative process together.

I dont think we ever felt comfortable enough with each other. And thats okay. Thats what happens when youre two captains. Its like, This is how I run my ship. Well this is how I run my ship. And its such a big idea, this show, I dont think it can have two captains. I mean, she rewrote the pilot, and I saw her script and I was like, Its definitely not my style, but if shed done it with her in it, wed all be like, This is a great show, he told Comicbook.

Despite the complexities of their collaboration, Glover expressed optimism about Waller-Bridges potential involvement in the project had she felt a deeper connection to it. He emphasized his respect for her creative autonomy and willingness to yield control if it meant serving the projects best interests.

A modern reimagining of the 2005 film starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Mr. & Mrs. Smith follows two strangers who find themselves recruited by a spy agency. Offered with wealth, adventure, and a picturesque life in Manhattan, they agree to assume the identities of a married couple, John and Jane Smith.

As they navigate missions and newfound intimacy, their fabricated relationship begins to pose new challenges.

In addition to Glover and Erskine, the series features a star-studded ensemble cast including Parker Posey, Wagner Moura, Michaela Cole, John Turturro, Paul Dano, Alexander Skarsgard, Eiza Gonzalez, Sarah Paulson, Sharon Horgan, Ron Perlman, Billy Campbell, and Ursula Corbero.
Months after Kapil Sharma and Sunil Grover surprised all by announcing a new show together, it has now been reported that have begun working on the upcoming show. Krushna Abhishek, who will also be joining the two actor-comedians in the show, revealed the same in one of his recent interviews. He expressed excitement for the upcoming comic stint and added that it will definitely make the audience go ROFL.

We all have come together for a new show now. Sunil Grover has also resumed the show. Sunil is a fantastic actor and to watch him performing live is something else. He is very good and par excellence. Bahut mazaa aayega sabko unko dekh kar, joh Sunil ne Ek naya character kiya hai abhi is amazing, it is very good. I really loved it and I told him also that you are really good, Krushna told E-Times.

For the unversed, Sunil Grover became a household name after his fictional characters Gutthi and Dr Mashoor Gulati became extremely popular in Comedy Nights With Kapil and The Kapil Sharma Show respectively. However, in 2018, the two comedians had an ugly fight on a flight while they were returning from a show in Australia. Sunil then stopped working with Kapil and the two didnt speak to each other up until last year.

However, late last year, Kapil Sharma and Sunil Grover joined hands again when they announced their Netflix show. While not much details about the show are known as of now, the rest of the cast includes Rajiv Thakur, Kiku Sharda, Krushna Abhishek, and Archana Puran Singh.

Meanwhile, Kapil Sharma was last seen in Nandita Das Zwigato. On the other hand, Sunil Grover shared the screen recently with Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan. Released in September 2023, the film also featured Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi and Sanya Malhotra in key roles.
Kriti Sanon is currently gearing up for the release of her upcoming movie, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya. On Thursday, Kriti visited the Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai to seek blessings. The visit comes just a day ahead of the TBMAUJ release. The film will hit theatres tomorrow i.e. on February 9, 2024.

Kriti Sanon was snapped by the paparazzi as she arrived at the Siddhivinayak on Thursday morning. In the pictures that surfaced on social media, the actress looked prettiest in a yellow suit. She opted for minimal accessories and makeup and looked prettiest as always. Kriti also waved at the shutterbugs as she flaunted her million-dollar smile. In some other pictures, Kriti Sanon was offering prayers inside the temple.

Besides Kriti Sanon, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya also stars Shahid Kapoor in the lead. The trailer of the film was released recently. It opened with Shahid and Kritis romantic moments and had several scenes of the two flirting with each other. It revealed how Shahid introduced Kriti to his family, unaware of the fact that the lady he has fallen in love with, is a robot.

Directed by debut directors Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sah, the film has a runtime of 143.15 minutes, or 2 hours, 23 minutes, and 15 seconds. It has been granted a U/A certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Bollywood Hungama recently reported that CBFC cut a scene where the characters are intimate, making it 25% shorter. They removed 9 seconds, reducing the original 36-second sequence to 27 seconds. Besides this, the CBFC also changed the word Daru to Drink in the second half of the film.

Meanwhile, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya has reportedly already earned Rs 93.66 lakh in advance bookings for its first day.
Mahesh Bhatt opened up about Pooja Bhatts drinking problem and said how his one text message that made her turn to sobriety. Over the years, Pooja has been vocal about her struggle with alcoholism. Even when she was a participant on Bigg Boss OTT, Pooja had spoken about her battle and journey to sobriety. In a new interview, Mahesh spoke about his drinking problem and fighting it when he mentioned Poojas drinking problem. He revealed that he sent her one text that changed her life choice.

Speaking with The Indian Express, Mahesh revealed that he was on a holiday with Soni Razdan, Alia Bhatt, and Shaheen Bhatt when Pooja was texting him. They were about to get into a fight when Mahesh urged her to stop drinking with a simple yet strong message.

Once, Soni, Shaheen, Alia and I were going to the Maldives for a holiday. Pooja and I were exchanging messages, she was going through a phase of gloom and doom and kept saying how much she loves me. Our flight was about to take off, when I texted her: If you love me, then love yourself, because I live in you, Bhatt said.

That message did something to her. I knew she wasnt loving herself enough. You abuse yourself through alcohol when theres something you dont like about yourself. My text just worked, he added.

The director said that initially, he was not getting involved in the issue. (People said,) Pooja is drinking too much, you must tell her. But I would tell them she carries my genes, whatever we do, we do in excess. I told them I would never intervene and tell her what to do, what not to. I have broken every law in the book, so I have no business to sit on a high horse and take a holier than thou position, Bhatt said.

Pooja is Mahesh Bhatts daughter from his first wife, Kiran Bhatt.
Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khans Kal Ho Naa Ho is one of the most loved and talked about films of their careers. The film narrates a love triangle among three friends, built on sacrifice and respect for each others feelings. It was directed by filmmaker Nikkhil Advani, who started as an assistant director under Sudhir Mishra. During a recent chat, Nikkhil talked about integrating the finest aspects of Sudhir and Karan Johars universes into his movies. He also revealed how the late actor Irrfan Khan influenced his cinematic approach.

Speaking to Rajshri Unplugged, he said, Heart of hearts I think I am closer to Sudhir. He has an idiom, a language that I am closer to than Karan. But I am dying to make a Salaam-e-Ishq or Kal Ho Naa Ho again. When I do a scene that needs a certain level of scale, I think of Karan. And I am not talking about visual scale, I am talking about emotional scale. The marriage between Sudhirs realism with Karans drama is what I am very proud that is evident in my films like D Day and Mumbai Diaries.

Nikkhil also opened up on Irrfan Khan. Speaking of his experience of working with the actor in D Day, he said, In case of D Day. I had nothing to lose. I was already at the bottom of the barrel. The only way was up, so I didnt compromise on anything. Also, Irrfan changed the way I approach cinema. On the first day, I was giving directions to my AD and Irrfan told me, You have written a good script. He is a good AD. I am a good actor. You just do one thing  Tu monitor pe padhke maze le (You sit on the monitor and enjoy). That maze le became important for me in my career. If I am not having fun, then what I am doing.

Nikkhil Advani next directorial, Vedaa, stars John Abraham and Sharvari in the lead roles.
Ravi Jadhav is one of the popular directors of the Marathi film industry. The actor and director has created a niche for himself by giving superhit movies like Natrang, Balgandharva, Timepass and others. The actor made his directorial debut in Bollywood with the movie Banjo in 2016. It starred Riteish Deshmukh and Nargis Fakri in lead roles. Ravi Jadhav is quite active on social media. Apart from posting promotional content for his movies, the director and actor also shares his precious moments with his fans.

Recently, the director shared his proud parent moment after his son completed graduation from OCAD University, Canada. The post has gone viral now.

In the latest viral post, Ravi Jadhav wrote, My son just completed a Bachelor of Design (honours) degree in Digital Futures from OCAD University, Canada. White tagging his wife with the post, the director said that they couldnt be happier for such an achievement by their son. He posted a black and white photo of his son Atharva Jadhav while congratulating him on his graduation.

In the series of photos, the director shared the snaps of the university and a family group picture. Its been an incredible journey watching him excel and achieve his goals. Heres to the next chapter and all the amazing opportunities that lie ahead! wrote Ravi Jadhav in the caption section of the post. Take a look at the post:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ravi Jadhav (@ravijadhavofficial)

Netizens flooded the comment section with heartwarming congratulatory wishes and best wishes. Heartiest congratulations to him and proud parents, wrote one of the users.

Ravi Jadhav completed 25 years of marriage with Meghana Jadhav in December last year. On this occasion, the actor and director shared his marriage photos and wished her wife a  Happy 25th anniversary.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ravi Jadhav (@ravijadhavofficial)

Ravi Jadhav has also been grabbing headlines with his recent directorial Bollywood venture, Main Atal Hoon. The biographical film based on the political journey of Atal Bihari Vajpayee is gaining appreciation from the critics and audience. Pankaj Tripathi played the role of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the movie.
News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2024 is set to take place on March 9 and nominations for the awards show are out. While the awards show will be honouring some of the best works presented on the big screen, we will also be celebrating the best of OTT. From Dahaad to Farzi, there were some interesting titles released in the digital space. These shows were shouldered by some brilliant performances by the leading ladies and they have been nominated for News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2024. Take a look:

Wamiqa Gabbi (Jubilee): Wamiqa Gabbi put her acting chops to the test with Vikramaditya Motwanes period drama Jubilee. Wamiqas portrayal of Niloufer Nilo Qureshi gained her widespread recognition from fans and critics alike.

Dimple Kapadia (Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo): The veteran actress delivered a legendary performance in the role of Savitri aka Rani Baa, a self-made matriarch heading a secret drug Empire under the guise of a legitimate business. Dimple Kapadias ruthless, unapologetic, and bold on-screen demeanor proved that she is here to rule the OTT space.

Sonakshi Sinha (Dahaad): Sonakshi Sinha marked her debut in the OTT space with Reema Kagtis thriller series Dahaad. Essaying a layered character like Anjali Bhaati/Anjali Meghwal, who is on a mysterious case of missing women in Rajasthan, Sonakshi Sinha approached it with finesse and stayed true to the premise of the story, making her strong contender for the coveted Showsha Reel Award 2024.

Rajshri Deshpande (Trial By Fire): Rajshri Deshpande is a force to reckon with when it comes to portraying versatile characters. In Prashant Nairs Netflix series Trial By Fire, Rajshri Deshpande embodied the soul and emotions of Neelam Krishnamoorthy, a grieving mother fighting for justice for his kids. Her performance was nothing short of stellar as she was hailed by critics.

Sobhita Dhulipala (The Night Manager/ Made in Heaven 2): Sobhita Dhulipala got the opportunity to put her acting skills on display through two different characters. While she captivated the viewers with her portrayal of Kaveri K Dixit, Anil Kapoors on-screen girlfriend who unknowingly gets embroiled in a secret plot to bust a crime syndicate, she returned as Tara Khanna for the second season of Made In Heaven. Sobhita brought several nuances to both the characters which makes her a tough competition for other actresses in the category.

Karishma Tanna (Scoop): Hansal Mehtas crime drama series that was based on

Jigna Voras biographical memoir Behind Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison featured Karishma Tanna as Jagruti Pathak, accused of murdering a journalist. The actress passed with flying colours when her portrayal received praise from all corners. Her performance proved once again that Karishma Tanna has unbridled talent.

Who do you think should win? Vote for your favourite film here.
In December 2023, Europol coordinated a massive international operation targeting Nigerian criminal networks active in the EU and abroad. 16 partners from four continents joined forces to fight poly-criminal Nigerian criminal networks responsible for a multitude of serious crimes. This unprecedented international operation, supported by EMPACT, was conducted by law enforcement from across Europe, Africa, South America and North America. 468 law enforcement officers took part in the action day. The crackdown targeted Nigerian criminals responsible for crimes that covered a vast spectrum of offences comprising the smuggling and distribution of drugs, trafficking in human beings for sexual exploitation, fraud, illegal waste smuggling, and money laundering.

A record 398 flights and 13 harbours were monitored, apart from other entry/exit points in various continents. The participating countries in this international operation comprised Belgium, Bulgaria, Colombia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Malta, Nigeria, the Republic of Benin, Spain, Sweden, the United States, and the United Kingdom. India was not a part of this operation despite bearing the brunt of Nigerian drug trafficking machinations.

The standard modus operandi for transporting drugs in and out of the EU is by air. Drug mules from both Nigeria and the EU take regular trips and conceal drugs on their person, typically swallowed, concealed in body cavities or hidden in luggage. In addition, the intelligence picture put together by international law enforcement agencies indicates the involvement of Nigerian criminal networks that coordinate the bulk of amphetamine trafficking. These drugs are usually sent from African countries via the EU towards Asian or Australian destinations.

According to the 2023 Global Report on Cocaine, Nigerian cocaine traffickers operate mainly on the mid-level and dealer levels rather than large-scale drug smuggling. These Nigerian middlemen comprise armed cult groups and street gangs who have been identified as the Black Axes, Maphites, Vikings, Eiye and Buccaneers.

In its 2023 March global report, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) documents that there was a 35 per cent increase in coca cultivation in 2020-2021, and these statistics suggest that the economic woes of Nigeria are luring its vulnerable citizens into drug trafficking, and also a growing market, according to The Africa Report.

In September 2022, Nigerias National Drug Law Enforcement Agency made a record seizure of 1.8 tons of cocaine from a warehouse in Lagos with a street value of $278.5 million. The drugs were destined for buyers in Europe and Asia, and in Asia, India is a major customer.

The table below gives bare details of the seizures effected at a few major airports in India, from air passengers from different airports in Africa, and elsewhere, as gleaned from public documents and cases reported in the public domain.

SL NO. DATE NATIONALITY OF THE PAX NAME OF THE CONTRABAND SEIZED UNDER NDPS ACT 1985 MODE OF CONCEALMENT MODUS OPERANDIREMARKS, IF ANY RGIA, Hyderabad 1 03.07.2023 Burundi(female pax) Heroin 2.027 kilograms Concealment in dresses, handbag and soap carried by lady passenger IGI Airport, New Delhi 1 01.11.2023 South African Cocaine 1.789 kilograms False cavity of his trolley bag 2 30.10.2023 Kenyan(lady passenger) Cocaine 7 capsulesRectum cavity455 grams Body concealment 3 30.10.2023 Nigerian Cocaine Swallow case31 capsules592 grams Body concealment 4 30.10.2023 Ghana(lady passenger) Cocaine 48 capsulesRectum cavity593 grams Body concealment 5 18.10.2023 Nigerian Cocaine Swallow case51 capsules867 grams Body concealment 6 06.10.2023 Ugandan Cocaine Swallow case60 capsules1009 grams Body concealment 7 24.08.2023 Kenyan(female pax) Cocaine 1698 grams Recovered from baggage 8 16.07.2023 Nigerian Methaqualone Swallow case95 capsules1511 grams Body concealment 9 15.07.2023 Liberian Methaqualone Swallow case34 capsules408 grams Body concealment 10 05.07.2023 Sierra Leone(coming from Addis Ababa) Cocaine Swallow case50 capsules930 grams Body concealment 11 25.06.2023 Guinea(coming from Addis Ababa) Cocaine Swallow case59 capsules724 grams Body concealment 12 21.06.2023 Kenyan(woman) Cocaine 2537 grams Concealed in 3 whiskey bottles 12 21.06.2023 Tanzanian Methamphetamine Swallow case100 capsules1187 grams Body concealment 14 16.06.2023 Kenyan Cocaine Approx value around 13 croreUnder extraction Concealed in 2 whiskey bottles 15 28.05.2013 Ivory Coast(coming from Addis Ababa) Methaqualone 954 grams From his possession 16 24,05.2023 Cameroon(coming from Malawi via Addis Ababa) Heroin 6822 grams Recovered from false bottom of their bags Video available 17 23.05.2023 Guinea Bissau(coming from Addis Ababa) Methaqualone Swallow case804 grams Body concealment 18 20.05.2023 Ivory Coast(coming from Addis Ababa) Methaqualone 1183 grams Concealed between side and middle layer of his handbag 19 27.04.2023 Tanzanian(coming from Addis Ababa) Cocaine Dissolved in 3 whiskey bottles Video available K9 detection 20 21.04.2023 Indian(coming fromNairobi) Heroin 3000 grams Concealed in the false bottom of his bag Video available 21 27.03.2023 Guinean Cocaine 996 grams False bottom of the baggag4e 22 18.03.2023 Brazilian(From Sao Paulo via Dubai) Cocaine Swallow case85 capsules752 grams Body concealment 23 07.03.2023 Uzbek Export of Scheduled H drugs without export license Valued at Rs 1.65 crore From the baggage Departure 24 16.02.2023 Nigerian(woman) Cocaine 1200 grams Recovered from her baggage 25 05.02.2023 Passenger arrived from Bangkok Heroin 4500 grams 26 17.12.2022 Guinean Cocaine Swallow case82 capsules1024 grams Body concealment 27 03.12.2022 Ivory Coast(coming from Addis Ababa) Cocaine Swallow case63 capsules732 grams Body concealment 28 02.11.2022 Nigerian Heroin 4000 grams Concealed in cavities of the bag Pic required 29 31.10.2022 Belize(Arrived via Doha) Heroin 9950 grams False bottom of strolly bagPic and video 30 03.10.2022 Liberian(coming from Addis Ababa) Cocaine Swallow case50 capsules Body concealment 31 28.09.2022 Indian Export of Scheduled medicines without export license Valued at Rs 91 lakhs Departure 32 19.07.2022 Zimbabwean(female pax) Cocaine 1011 grams Concealed in the soles of ladies sandals 33 29.06.2022 Liberian Cocaine 947 grams Concealed inside large buttons sewed on 11 kurtas in checked-in baggage Video available 34 09.06.2022 Foreigner Heroin 10000 grams Concealed in the baggage being carried 35 27.05.2022 Malawi Cocaine 607 grams Body concealment 36 27.05.2022 Ugandans(2 lady pax) Cocaine 1850 grams Body concealment 37 15.05.2022 Ugandan Cocaine 1877 grams Concealed in 210 buttons of 5 kurtas stitched randomly 38 22.04.2022 Ugandan Cocaine Swallow case69 capsules762 grams Body concealment 39 07.04.2022 Tanzanian Cocaine Swallow case59 capsules702 grams Body concealment 40 19.04.2022 Ugandan(Entebbe via Sharjah) Heroin 921 grams 41 19.04.2022 Kenyan Heroin 18000 grams Concealed in 2 pieces of checked-in baggage 42 08.04.2022 Ugandan2 paxEntebbe via Sharjah Heroin Swallow case82 capsules = 894 grams70 capsules = 815 grams Body concealment 43 24.02.2022 Ugandan Heroin Swallow case68 capsules946 grams Body concealment 44 17.02.2022 Ugandan Heroin Swallow case51 capsules501 grams Body concealment 45 14.02.2022 Ugandan Heroin Swallow case30 capsules382 grams Body concealment 46 13.02.2022 Cocaine 52capsules870 grams Abandoned in polybag 47 10.02.2022 Ivory Coast(arrived from Lagos via Doha) Cocaine 2880 grams Concealed in baggage 48 15.01.2022 Ugandan Heroin 38 capsulesSwallowed + 53 capsules recovered998 grams Body concealment 49 18.01.2022 Ugandan(lady pax) Heroin 1293 grams Concealed in her undergarments 50 11.01.2022 Ugandan Heroin Swallow case107capsules1060 grams Body concealment 51 25.12.2021 Ugandan(arrived from Lagos via Dubai) Cocaine Swallow case992 grams Body concealment CSI Airport, Mumbai 52 02.07.2023 Indian Cocaine Concealed meticulously inside the lining of backpack and footwear Photo/video Chennai airport 53 21.05.2023 Ivory Coast Amphetamine 1999 grams Concealed in stroller 54 18.12.2022 Ugandan(Lady paxcoming from Addis Ababa) HeroinMethaqualone Heroin = 644 gramsMethaqualone = 1542 grams Recovered in checked-in baggage Video availableK9 detection 55 14.12.2022 Female paxFrom Sharjah Heroin 902 grams On search of the person, the seizure was effected Chennai FPO 56 22.02.2023 250 MDMA Tablets75 LSD Stamps DRI operations 57 07.01.2023 Ganja 720.90 kilos;Fom a truck Indore 58 Ganja 233 kilograms Sepahijala, Tripura Concealed under the soil in an open hilltop 59 08.01.2023 Ganja 519.950 kilograms From a truck near ICD-GRFL, Ludhiana 60 13.01.2023 Ganja 803 From an oil tanker intercepted near Diengpasoh village, Meghalaya 61 17.01.2023 Heroin 2.447 kilograms Soap cases from a car intercepted on the outskirts of Shillong 62 18.01.2023 Heroin 1.189 kilograms Luggage of the pax who had landed at Jaipur International Airport 63 21.01.2023 Heroin 2.273 Soap cases from a car intercepted on the outskirts of Dimapur, Nagaland 64 22.01.2023 Ganja 248.9 kilograms From a truck intercepted at Mokama, Bihar along with cover cargo of ginger 65 22.01.2023 Ganja 112 kilograms From a truck intercepted at Maniyari Bihar 66 24.01.2023 Hydroponic Weed 54 kilograms From a cargo consignment declared to contain sink basins at Chennai 67 25.01.2023 Khat leaves 210 kilograms FPO Delhi 68 01.02.2023 Cocaine 3.360 kilograms From a passenger who landed at Mumbai Airport 69 03.02.2023 Ganja 2631.40 kilograms From a vehicle intercepted near Heritage Family Mall NH-22 Hajipur 70 06.02.2023 Heroin 5.008 kilograms Pax at IGI from Aiprort, New Delhi 71 14.02.2023 Heroin 11.940 kilograms From a pax at Mumbai International Airport 72 27.02.2023 Cocaine 2.580 kilograms Concealed in rectangular boxes at Mumbai International Airport 73 04.03.2023 Cocaine 2.786 kilograms From a pax who had landed at IGI Airport 74 06.03.2023 Heroin 8.098 kilograms From a pax who landed at Chennai Airport 75 06.03.2023 Cocaine 2.97 kilograms From two passengers who had landed at CSMI Airport, Mumbai 76 07.03.2023 Heroin 1.182 kilograms From a car intercepted at Old Golaghat Road Dimapur 77 08.03.2023 Heroin 4.969 kilograms From a pax who had landed at IGI Airport 78 13.03.2023 Heroin 4.935 kilograms From the luggage of a passenger who had landed at CSMI Airport, Mumbai 79 16.03.2023 Opium 66 kilograms From two persons at Muzaffarpur Junction Railway Station 80 18.03.2023 Heroin 1.990 kilograms From a truck intercepted near Imphal-Silchar Road Manipur 81 Ganja 50 kilograms From a truck along with three occupants intercepted at Muzaffarpur bypass 82 23.03.2023 Ganja 524 kilograms From a truck intercepted near Dappar toll plaza on Chandigarh-Ambala Highway 83 23.03.2023 Ganja 394.950 kilograms From a truck intercepted along with one occupant near Digarkhal Cachar, Assam 84 26.03.2023 Ganja 1338 kilograms From premises of a house Mandtala Sidhai Mohanpur Tripura 85 02.04.2023 Heroin 1.377 kilograms From a vehicle intercepted at Kanrup metro, Guwahati 86 04.04.2023 Cocaine 1.97 kilograms From a pax who landed at CSI Mumbai 87 22.04.2023 Heroin 5.987 kilograms From a passenger who had landed at IGI Airport 88 26.04.2023 Heroin 0.493 kilograms From a vehicle intercepted on Imphal-Moreh Road 89 26.04.2023 Heroin 525.329 kilograms Cannabis intercepted in a truck at Ring Road no. 3 Raipur 90 02.05.2023 Heroin 3.475 kilograms From a vehicle intercepted at Imphal-Churachandpur Road in Manipur 91 07.05.2023 Heroin 5.900 kilograms From a passenger who had landed at RGI Airport, Hyderabad 92 17.05.2023 Heroin 0.983 kilograms From a passenger who had landed at IGI Airport, New Delhi 93 24.05.2023 Alprazolam 26.79 kilograms From a poultry farm on the outskirts of Vattem village in Telangana 94 25.05.2023 Cocaine 1.5 kilograms From a Liberian National at IGI Airport, New Delhi 95 29.05.2023 Heroin 0.990 kilograms From baggage of a Burundi national at Cochin International Airport 96 03.06.2023 Ganja 23 kilograms From a person at Kamakhya Railway Station Guwahati 97 08.06.2023 Heroin 3.992 kilograms Concealed in a vehicle on National Highway No.6 East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya 98 16.06.2023 Cocaine 2.140 kilograms Concealed in the baggage of a passenger who arrived at Bangalore International Airport 99 24.06.2023 Cocaine 1.809 kilograms Concealed in the body of a passenger who arrived at Bangalore International Airport 100 18.08.2023 Indian Cocaine 1.496 kilograms Concealed in his baggage.Upon sustained interrogation, the intended recipient of the contraband, a female Ugandan national was also apprehended in Vashi of Navi Mumbai 101 22.08.2023 Kenyan Cocaine(Hidden in the luggage carried by the lady pax) 1.698 kilograms IGI Airport, New Delhi 102 22.08.2023 5 Indians Methaqualone 101.31 kilograms From a vehicle at Pune carrying 4 blue-coloured plastic containers containing white crystalline powder. FTK test indicated the same to be methaqualone. 103 02.09.2023 Indian Cocaine 5 kilograms False bottom of checked-in baggage 104 13.10.2023 2 Ugandan and 1Tanzanian female Cocaine 568 grams Ugandan pax concealed in sanitary pads and Tanzanian resorted to rectal concealment 105 16.10.2023 2 foreigners(Nationality not disclosed)And two Indians (in Virar, after the drug was smuggled from Nairobi through Delhi airport) CocaineHidden in trolley 10.00 kilograms CSMI Airport, Mumbai

The tremendous pressure on the Customs officers and other enforcement agencies can be imagined. There is a constant barrage of drugs from the African continent, being brought in by passengers, many claiming that they are tourists, some claiming that they are coming for medical treatment, yet others claiming they are students. In April 2023, a Tanzanian Police officer was arrested by Customs officials at IGI Airport, who arrived from Addis Ababa and was carrying one kilogram of cocaine, worth around Rs 18 crore. The cocaine was in liquid form in three liquor bottles of one litre each, and a narcotics alert was sounded by the Customs K-9 canine named Nile.

According to the Global Organised Crime Index 2023, Nigerian trafficking groups collaborate with drug cartels in South America, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and state corruption facilitates these operations. The country also experiences a relatively high rate of heroin use, driven by factors such as easy drug access, poverty, job insecurity, and unemployment. Nigeria also serves as a significant transit point for trafficked cocaine, destined for various global markets. Nigerian actors are prominent on the intra-African trade routes, particularly on air trafficking routes. Nigerian networks are also prominent in air trafficking of cocaine shipments primarily from Brazil to markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, utilizing a network of co-conspirators within the diaspora. Authorities have reported multiple large cocaine seizures and subsequent arrests.

Further, the report says Nigeria plays a significant role in the trade of synthetic drugs, including psychotropic substances such as tramadol and amphetamines. The smuggling of tramadol, in particular, is prevalent, with Lagos serving as a major market for the drug, which originates from other continents such as Asia and enters the country through Benin. Tramadol is distributed both legally and illegally from Lagos to various parts of Nigeria, notably Edo and Kano states. Nigerias porous borders and the complicity of government officials contribute to the ease with which tramadol and other substances are illicitly traded. Indian manufacturers are known to rebrand synthetic opioids extremely similar, or equivalent, to tramadol as Tafrodol to avoid detection by customs officials at entry points in Nigeria.

Significantly, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of Nigeria has disclosed on World Drug Day that 14.3 million Nigerians abuse drugs. The rate of unemployment in Nigeria is at a high of 40.6 per cent in 2023 as compared to 37.7 per cent in 2022. The stagflation in Nigeria is adding to the woes. The high unemployment rate is triggering the populace to seek employment as traffickers. The UNODC in its World Drug Report 2023, concludes As 2023 marks the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, drug-related issues worldwide are compromising the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as efforts to promote peace, security, and human rights.

Estimates of the prevalence of cannabis and opioid use in West Africa and Central Africa remain higher than global averages. In the region, 10 per cent of the population aged 15 to 64 used cannabis in 2021 and 1.2 per cent of opioids, while global estimates are respectively 4.4 per cent and 1.1 per cent. The vast majority (70 per cent) of people treated for drug-related disorders in Africa are under 35 years old.

Africa also remains a key transit region for cocaine in the West, heroin in the East, and cannabis resin in the North. In Sahel, the amount of cocaine seized is sharply increasing (from 13 kg per year between 2015-2020 to over 35 kg in 2021 and 863 kg in 2022). Africa accounts for half of the quantities of pharmaceutical opioids, especially tramadol, seized globally between 2017-2021; these opioids are primarily consumed in the region.

The Africa Defence Forum in a report dated January 30, 2024, states Drug confiscations at Ethiopias Addis Ababa Bole International Airport have more than doubled over the past year, an indication of Ethiopias growing role as a hub of drugs moving from South America to Europe and southern Asia.

The Ethiopia Customs Commission says that drug trafficking into Ethiopia grew by 254 per cent while trafficking out of Ethiopia grew by 163 per cent over the past 11 months. The value of the trafficked materials, which included cocaine, heroin and other drugs, more than doubled from about $80 million to nearly $190 million between July 2022 and July 2023. Smugglers are working hard to use Addis Ababa as their destination and transit point, Customs Commissioner Debele Kabeta told national legislators recently. These practices at the airport were never a trend in Ethiopia previously.

Not surprisingly, the Africa Defence Forum states in its report dated January 30, 2024, that Sub-Saharan Africa in 2023 emerged as the region with the highest number of terrorist attacks worldwide. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Armed Conflict Survey 2023 tracked the political, military and humanitarian dimensions of armed conflicts globally from May 2022 to June 2023. During that period, continental fatalities due to terrorist violence increased by 48 per cent, and the number of violent incidents increased by 22 per cent over the previous time frame.

India needs to be on high alert as multiple airports are handling international passenger traffic. The unabated inflow of cocaine means that many Indians are abusing cocaine, which can lead to a major health crisis very soon.

The writer is a retired officer of the IRS and the former director-general of the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Hinduphobic false narratives abound throughout Western media. Among the worst are Leftist outlets like the BBC, The Guardian, Time Magazine, and Reuters. They grasp onto these narratives and attempt to create a mirage of the oh-so-dangerous and scary Hindu nationalist boogeyman.

UK Member of Parliament (MP) Bob Blackman was daring enough to recently speak on the phenomena of anti-Hindu sentiment, saying 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. 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.

The opening of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, devoted to the Indic hero and much-loved Hindu deity of the Ramayana, has brought back much joy and pride for many in India, and not just the countrys Hindu population and diaspora. If we were to believe the Western media, this new temple, dare I say old mandir, is purely political, divisive, controversial, contested, a monument to Hindu supremacy, a spectacle and built on the site of a historic mosque. They will print that Indian Hindus have a war on mosques, but certainly will not mention that five acres of land and funds have been provided for building a new mosque. They will not mention that Indian Hindus were suppressed by centuries of invasions, Mughal rule, and British colonialism.

This Hindu temple wasnt built on a mosque. It was rebuilt on the rubble of a mosque that was itself built on a historic Hindu temple, destroyed by invaders. Invaders built such mosques on many thousands of destroyed Hindu temples, schools, and libraries. Do people in the West really think all these mosques were built by peaceful means? It took 500 years to get this temple back in the location thought by many to be the place of Rams birth. The process was done legally and voted on by Indias Supreme Court, which has had at least one Muslim seat since the 1930s. It involved deliberate long legal proceedings with many arguments and documentation from all sides.

We know that on December 6, 1992, this 16th-century mosque in question was taken apart by Hindu activists. This led to riots and cultural clashes involving up to 200,000 Hindus and Muslims. This resulted in an estimated 900 deaths, including 575 Muslims and 275 Hindus. India has come a long way since then. Let us in the US remember that we have mega-churches standing on the sacred sites of our indigenous peoples. Let the Anglos know that hundreds of churches in Greece and Eastern Europe were built on the ruins of mosques and Pagan religious monuments.

The typical American or European is unaware of Indian society and culture, which involves both Hindus and Muslims, along with many other religious and ethnic groups. The typical Westerner is most often very unaware of Indias history. The liberal Western media seems to think that Indian Hindus and Muslims are fighting a religious civil war. This woke-bully mentality is based on sanctimony and the fact that privileged liberals think it is their duty to be offended on behalf of ethnic and religious minorities, but only those who live in countries other than their own.

While they are busy trying to decide who or what they will cancel next, Indian Hindus and Muslims tend to mind their own business and live together in relative peace.

Regarding the Ram temple, the Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation Trust secretary Athar Hussain said, The Supreme Court verdict on the temple issue has been accepted by the Muslims. The Muslim community has no negative approach towards the consecration ceremony or the temple. The moment is both triumphant for Hindu(s)and for the countrys 200 million Muslims. We will share our unity and communal harmony with the world, and it will start with Ayodhya. Hindus and Muslims fought shoulder-to-shoulder against the British. This is our story and Ram is also a part of our common heritage.

India and Hinduism itself are very diverse, inclusive, vast, and plural. Its dharma represents the worlds most ancient continuously practiced, indigenous spiritual and philosophical tradition, which focuses on inner knowledge over outer belief. It is also an intellectual and multi-cultural tradition attached to sophisticated schools of philosophy, its own system of medicine and psychology, architecture, astronomy, metaphysics, mathematics, and various art forms.

Look up the fairly recent Pew Polls done in India and the US in regard to freedom of religion. It polled 35,000 Muslims in each country. Around 85 per cent of Indian Muslims said they thought Indian culture was the best worldwide and felt free to practice Islam. Compare that to around 35 per cent in the US who felt the same or expressed similar admiration. So, maybe we, in America, should allow India to be autonomous and focus on our own problems  one being domestic terrorism that goes hand in hand with Christian nationalism.

Indias government is one of the most ethnically and religiously diverse in the world. Let Indians have their sovereignty and do away with our hypocrisy.

Sean Bradrick is an American Sanatani & Yogi. Author of the soon-to-be-released book, A Hindus Guide to Advocacy and Activism. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
The situation in the Northeastern state of Manipur  not much discussed in the mainstream media now  has worsened, demanding urgent action. Since last May, when the two communities  Meiteis and Kuki-Zomis  clashed with each other resulting in the deaths of more than 200 people, the state has been waiting for a return to normalcy. As a result of the conflict, Meitei-dominated areas have become free from Kuki-Zomis while the areas dominated by Kuki-Zomis have become free from Meiteis. There has been a wide gap between the two communities resulting in polarisation.

Taking advantage of this polarisation, the militant groups belonging to both communities are gaining strength by trying to show themselves as the saviours of the interests of their respective communities. And this is a serious matter of concern for the state and also the country.

Moreh becoming the centre of terrorism

With India looking towards the east to connect with the Southeast Asian countries, Moreh, a town on the Indo-Myanmar border in the Tengnoupal district emerged as an important link for the country with the Southeast Asian region. As a result, Morehs importance rose, particularly within the state. This border town has a multi-ethnic population. However, this multi-ethnicity got a jolt after ethnic clashes broke out and as a result, Meiteis had to flee from the town, where the Kuki-Zomis form the majority. Before the conflict, Meiteis had a sizable presence there.

Now, the border town has become a centre of escalation as seen in the increasing attacks against the security forces by the Kuki-Zomi terrorists since last December. Last month, two state security forces belonging to the Meitei community were killed by the Kuki-Zomi terrorists. This attack was after the arrest of two Kuki-Zomis  Philip Khaikholal Khongsai, a retired Indian army soldier and Hemkholal Mate, the now suspended BJPs treasurer of the Tengnoupal district  for the killing of state police officer Chingtham Anand Kumar, a Meitei, by the Kuki-Zomi terrorists in Moreh last year.

The attacks on the state police forces by Kuki-Zomi terrorists caused more anger in the valley as Meiteis interpreted these attacks as an attempt to prevent the displaced Meiteis from settling in the border town again. Their suspicions get strength from the repetitive statements of civil society members belonging to the Kuki-Zomi community, who instead of condemning the Kuki-Zomi terrorists, insist on no state security forces in the area. The Kuki-Zomis instead are demanding the deployment of only Assam Rifles, who again are accused by Meiteis of being biased towards the former community. The Kuki-Zomi terrorists have been targeting the common Meiteis too. Last month, four Meiteis were killed by the terrorists in the Bishnupur district.

Rise of the radical armed Meitei group in the valley

While the Kuki-Zomi terrorists gained strength in the Kuki-Zomi-dominated areas of the hills, the situation in the Meitei valley is also no different with Meitei terrorist outfits trying to gain their lost ground. Having realised this, the Centre and the Manipur government signed a treaty with a faction of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the oldest Meitei terrorist group, in order to send a message to the other terrorist groups of the state and the region that the government is ready to have a meaningful dialogue with them within the framework of the Indian constitution.

But the present situation in the valley shows that terrorism is a growing threat. Last month, when an angry mob tried to attack a police station with the intention to loot arms and ammunition in the Meitei-dominated Thoubal district, they were pushed by the security forces. However, some armed men among that mob fired gunshots injuring three BSF jawans. These armed men were very likely to be Meitei terrorists, who were taking advantage of the current turmoil and trying to emerge as the saviours of the Meitei community. In fact, there have been reports about Meitei terrorists, confined to the jungles of Myanmar, crossing the border and becoming active in the valley, taking advantage of the situation. There have been incidents of Meitei terrorists killing Kuki-Zomis.

Amid this, the summoning of the Meitei MLAs and MPs by the radical armed Meitei group Arambai Tenggol and subsequently, 37 Meitei MLAs and two Meitei MPs, including Union minister RK Ranjan Singh, taking oath in the meeting held last month on the diktats of the radical group at the Kangla Fort  the seat of the ancient Meitei kingdom  shows how the law and order has taken into a backseat and the state has slipped into anarchy. Although Chief Minister Biren Singh wasnt in the meeting, his name later appeared as a signatory in the list of signatories. This once again strengthens the speculations that the radical group is supported by Biren himself. Another important leader who is accused of supporting the group is BJPs Rajya Sabha MP, Leishamba Sanajaoba, a member of the former royal family of the state. Notably, he too was present in the meeting.

Bold and fresh initiatives needed from the Centre

With the rise of terrorists and armed radicals in the state, the Centre has to immediately step in to take measures to restore normalcy. One of the prominent steps that the Centre needs to take is to sack Chief Minister Biren Singh, who himself is a part of the problem and is disliked by the large population of the Kuki-Zomis. So, until and unless he remains the chief minister, the discontentment of the Kuki-Zomis will continue. His removal will signal the start of a fresh initiative from the Centre to the anguished Kuki-Zomis. Lets not forget that the Centre-appointed security advisor Kuldeep Singh is the commander of the Unified Command, formed to coordinate the operations of the security forces in the state. So, already the state is partially under the Centre. For the time being, the presidents rule seems to be the best option in the state.

On the other hand, there are allegations that those Kuki-Zomi terrorist groups who are already in the suspension of operations (soO) act with the Centre, have violated the ground rules of the act  and this allegation has found support from Biren Singh too. Amit Shah had assured Singh to look into the matter. But with the increase in attacks by the Kuki-Zomi terrorists, there has been anger among the Meiteis and a growing distrust towards the Centre and its appointed security advisor  and it is this anger that is facilitating the growth and subsequent public support of radical Meitei armed group Arambai Tenggol. As a result, the Centre has to be tough so that the rules of soO are maintained properly. If necessary, it shouldnt hesitate to even scrap it. This will send a tough message to the Kuki-Zomis that the Centre will not compromise on national security matters and also address the concerns of the Meiteis.

The Kuki-Zomi areas of the hills are completely disconnected from the valley, where the capital city Imphal lies. It is this isolation that is driving the Kuki-Zomis to demand a separate administration but this demand, which threatens the territorial integrity of the state, isnt going to bring peace in the already strife-torn region.

Manipur needs both bold as well as fresh initiatives to bridge the existing gap between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zomis. After Union Home Minister Amit Shahs crucial visit to the strife-torn Northeastern state last year, the Centre formed a 51-member peace committee comprising members from different political parties and ethnic communities, including Meiteis and Kuki-Zomis. Unfortunately, this committee failed to take off. Manipur needs a healing touch and for that, it needs an effective peace committee to bridge the existing gap between the two communities.

The author is a political commentator and tweets @SagarneelSinha. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Noted journalist Javed Anand, on the morning of January 22, 2024, writing in a prominent newspaper said, For the Muslims it (Babri Masjid) was only a property dispute. It (the mosque) had no religious or historical significance. It was so obscure that locating it in the then narrow and dusty lanes of Ayodhya was bit of a task. He holds forth that the Muslim leadership should have volunteered to hand over the structure to the Hindus, whose sentiments were so deeply ingrained in the structure.

While Anand blames the Muslim leadership of failing to see the sentiments, he has not placed on record the role of Left-leaning historians like Irfan Habib, RS Sharma and DN Jha, who derided the Hindu belief in the location being the place of birth of their cultural and not just religious icon  Ram, the Prince, and later the King of Ayodhya.

The role of the Left-liberal influence on the succeeding governments of post-Independence was not just limited to their position on the Ram Mandir issue but in different sectors of policymaking. In the midst of the high-energy celebrations over the consecration of the Ram temple, Utpal Kumars recently launched tome Bharat Rising: Dharma, Democracy, Diplomacy may not get a viral-type reception in the market but its set for a long inning in the world of books.

Speaking at the launch of the book, Bibek Debroy, the Chairman to the Economic Advisory Committee to the Prime Minister, mentioned that the Narendra Modi regime would be judged by history but for sure it did unseat the deeply entrenched thoughts and ideas in post-colonial India. There is no disagreement on this, however, the problem that Modi would pose for future historians is the lack of quality work to justify his acceptance as a mass leader, who changed the grammar of Indian politics for good.

To Utpal Kumars own confession, he is no Nehru-baiter for the sake of being part of a nationalist jingoism. In fact, he says that there are no doubts about first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru being a patriot, who wanted his country to do well. He, however, says that his policies cannot be held in the same high esteem as they were flawed and reflective of the mindset which resisted taking pride in our civilisational roots.

The author, through the 12 diverse essays, tries to establish the viewpoint that Nehruvian influence on Indian polity, culture and economy have been the biggest impediments in the rise of a new post-colonial India. This he does as a virtuoso of a seasoned researcher. His arguments are pegged on convincing facts, which somebody disagreeing with this line could find difficult to demolish intellectually.

His most lucid remark on Nehrus policies is captured on page 103: Nehru could not always run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. This imaging of Nehruvian policies can be seen in many governance initiatives of post-colonial India. Utpal Kumars arguments can be likened to those of the best legal minds. Like on pages 165-166, he deflates the British Broadcasting Corporations claims of journalistic autonomy by pitching the Modi documentary issue of 2023 to the sacking of their highest-paid anchor Gary Linekar two months later in March.

The book is full with each argument having a counter-argument. At a time when debates on television have been reduced to very medieval blood and gore duels, such arguments and counterarguments are very refreshing. It helps one to understand the philosophic grounding of many policies of the Narendra Modi regime.

The author is very critical of Lutyens elite which he doesnt consider any less vicious than a cabal, fiercely defending entry and the elite prospering on the patronage of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. The author, however, fails to suggest how Moditva was going to guard against the emergence of a similar clique under the present establishment.

He quotes from Raj and Romesh Thapars, All These Years, PN Haksar looked after the Left intellectuals and academia; Inder Kumar Gujral managed the media; and Pupul Jaykar looked after the needs of the art world. But can he contest that this role has now been passed on to certain apparatchiks of a different hue, who have been as unfairly benevolent to their own favourites as were their predecessors in the Lutyens cabal?

A book would have its shortcomings; in fact, whats a book without shortcomings? Its also true that the more rigorous the work of scholarship, the more rigorous the evaluation is. The look becomes harder if the book advocates the thoughts and philosophies of the establishment. There are several arguments which can be effectively countered but for sure not dismissed.

The essays in Bharat Rising: Dharma, Democracy, Diplomacy are advised as compulsive reading for those averse to the Moditva especially the Left-liberals for several reasons. First being the emergence of a scholar like Utpal Kumar on the Right, and second being the presence of several students at his book launch despite the winter chill at the prestigious Shri Ram College of Commerce of Delhi University.

New establishment throws up pretenders, their books sell well with the official patronage but they do not invite scholastic respect beyond the regime. Regimes come and go, books live beyond them. The post-independence discourse is finding a new passage which for sure is through belief in Indias civilisational roots. This may not be getting effective and appreciative replications in the official organs and publications of the establishment but certainly, it reflects brightly in the books like the one under review.

Utpal Kumar, it can be safely said, is among few solid scholars on the Right and he has done the right thing by bringing out this collection of highly provocative essays. In the decades to come, it will be a great source of information for those taking to studying Narendra Modi and New India.

The reviewer is an author and president, Centre for Reforms, Development & Justice. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Yogi Adityanath is perhaps the first front-ranking BJP functionary from the saffron fold to have officially endorsed Hindu claims over the two contested sites in Kashi and Mathura. The Uttar Pradesh chief minister quoted from the works of the great Ramdhari Singh Dinkars poem Krishan Ki Chetavani to add temporal ballast to his espousal of the legal fight being waged over the two sites: Mahadev temple in Kashi and Krishna Janambhoomi where records show the Keshavdeva temple was demolished by Islamic invaders in Mathura.

Recollecting the ideological rationale undergirding the twin struggles, CM Yogi said, Injustice was done to Ayodhya. When I talk about injustice, we remember something that happened 5,000 years agoFor the past many years, (Hindu) society has been talking about only three places. These are special places where our Gods re-incarnated ourselves.

Invoking the episode from Mahabharata where Duryodhans stubborn refusal to cede five villages to the Pandavas led to war, the chief minister added, Here too, there is rigidity. And when rigidity is laced with politics and efforts are made to turn it into vote-bank politics, then disputes arise.

Even before the chief ministers consequential words could sink in, Muslim groups and Opposition parties slammed Yogi Adityanath. They accused him of launching a communally surcharged ultimatum (to Muslims) underserving of a Chief Minister. But this characterisation would be a mistake. Yogis poetic ode to Kashi and Mathura was not communal. It was a pragmatic, unfeigned or genuine appeal for inter-faith accommodation.

First, Yogi shunned communally vengeful vocabulary preferring much broader civilisational terms. Indeed, Yogis stress on Mathura and Kashi is an articulation of a long-standing view held by more intellectual elements of the Hindu right. These elements believe that Ayodhya, Somnath, Mathura and Kashi were targeted only because they were pre-eminent religio-cultural identity markers of Hindus. Historic records exist to prove that Islamic marauders specifically targeted these places of worship to pave over the symbols of Hindu civilisation in an unrequited quest to establish an Islamic redoubt in the subcontinent. An act of injustice never redeemed lawfully. Thus, for many Hindu cultural preservationists, reclaiming these two sites, besides Ayodhya, is an important step toward restoring the Hindu civilisational continuum over Bharat.

Second, Yogis remarks signal a major concession to the Muslim community. By committing the BJP to support the demand for the restoration of Hindu claims over just three sites, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister has cleverly pivoted the BJP away from the agenda of the hardline Hindu right. Many of these groups are pledged to liberate thousands of desecrated Hindu places from the tyranny of Muslim supremacism. It is easy to see how this struggle without end could plunge Bharat into an infinite cycle of recrimination.

Third, Yogi Adityanath has also cannily provided a face-saver to Muslim community leaders. He has done this by placing the blame for rigidity on political parties that he claims are intent on communalising the demand for reclamation of mandirs for vote-bank politics.

The Islamo-Leftist ecosystem couldnt have asked for a better opening to close historical wounds. And Yogis once-in-a-lifetime offer guarantees this. Chiefly because handing back the disputed sites in Kashi and Mathura will make it very difficult for saffron incendiaries to perpetually scratch at historical wounds. Denied of a victim card by Muslim magnanimity, any bid by Hindu agitators to further broaden the temple reclamation movement will risk appearing revanchist.

History has shown that Hindus do not reward a lurch towards revisionism and exclusion. Had this not been the case, the BJP would have swept elections in Uttar Pradesh and beyond, soon after the demolition of the Babri Masjid. It was only after the BJP softened the terms of the 1989 Palampur Resolution (this was the first time Ayodhya entered the BJPs agenda book) and committed itself to finding a lawful solution to the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute that its political acceptability increased.

Muslim elders who have thus far fought against the tide of history, could with a little bit of deliberated beneficence find themselves on the right side of it. Where the gratitude of Nandi and Krishna awaits.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Earlier this year, governments of Thailand and Sri Lanka announced visa-free for Indian nationals from November 2023 to April 2024 for Thailand and from November 2023 to March 2024 for Sri Lanka. (Image: News18)
National Conference vice-president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday admitted that the 400+ Lok Sabha seat target set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for NDA for the upcoming polls is possible and achievable as he blamed weak opposition parties for bickering.

In an exclusive interview to News18, Abdullah listed reasons behind the BJPs possible win this year and discussed the issue of terrorism in J&K.

Edited excerpts:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a target of 400+ for NDA for the coming Lok Sabha polls. Do you think it is achievable?

Yes, of course. The 400+ target set by PM Modi is looking possible as the Opposition is very weak. The Opposition has failed to form a united front against BJP. Two months ago, this target was not looking achievable but now it looks like a reality and the reason is that the opposition is not so strong. As some more time is there for Lok Sabha polls, I hope that opposition parties will shun differences and stop the return of NDA for the third consecutive time.

How does one see the future of the INDIA bloc? Do you think that it still exists as many, including Nitish Kumar, have deserted it already and many more like Jayant Chaudhary are set to leave the alliance.

The alliance is very weak now. Congress cannot be held responsible for all this mess. Nitish Kumar left the alliance himself, and all the others also said goodbye on their own. INDIA bloc could not emerge as a strong unit and all its constituents are responsible for this. We tried to make a strong opposition bloc but so far we have not had much success in our efforts. Let us see what happens in the future.

What reasons do you think will be responsible for the BJPs possible win for the third consecutive term?

BJP has money, Mandir, and muscle with it. They can use any of these cards to capture power again. The Opposition is weak and money-less and has a tough road ahead.

Two more innocent youths have become victims of terrorism. What is your comment on the fresh terror attack in Srinagar?

The killing of two innocent youths from Punjab is most unfortunate and condemnable. I believe that many more steps need to be taken to stop such targeted killings in Jammu and Kashmir. A lot of efforts need to be taken to restore confidence among minorities and common people. The killings are happening not only in Kashmir Valley but also in the Poonch-Rajouri belts of the Jammu region. The government is only making hollow claims about the return of normalcy but that is not looking visible on the ground.

Your party has been advocating for talks with Pakistan. Do you think that the situation is conducive to the resumption of talks with Pakistan?

I dont think that Pakistan has created an atmosphere for the resumption of talks with India. We cannot always blame the Indian government for it. Pakistan must stop aiding terrorism and then only talks are possible. It must create a conducive atmosphere for talks as this is good for the people of both countries.

The government claims that huge investment is coming in Jammu and Kashmir, especially after the abrogation of Article 370. What is your view on this?

Where is that investment? Where are the jobs? The prime minister is coming here to inaugurate projects that have been planned and executed by the UPA regime. They only believe in making hollow claims and nothing is visible on ground.

The government and BJP are assuring that Kashmiri Pandits will be rehabilitated in the next tenure. What is your take on it?

They are talking about rehabilitating Kashmiri Pandits back in the Valley. Why could they not do it during the previous two regimes? Many Kashmiri Pandits passed away in the last 10 years without seeing this happening on the ground. This is just an eyewash and nothing else.

When will all opposition parties solve the seat-sharing issue in Jammu and Kashmir?

We will solve it. It is our internal matter. Nothing can be said at this juncture. We will soon start seat-sharing talks with Congress and PDP.

Do you think that assembly polls will be conducted in Jammu and Kashmir soon?

I dont think they will hold assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir. They will conduct polls only if the BJP is sure about its win. Experience has proved it. BJP has lost ground in Jammu and Kashmir and so I hardly believe that they will take the risk of holding assembly polls here.
After the declaration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the floor of the Lok Sabha that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will score 400 seats in the upcoming general elections, the BJP has been pushing forward at a furious pace.

While it works in the north on multiple levels to get Jayant Chaudharys RLD to join the alliance, its working in the south to get erstwhile ally Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP back into the affron fold in Andhra Pradesh.

Naidu, former chief minister of the state, was in the national capital on Wednesday and held a late-night meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda over the possibility of returning to the NDA.

The meeting was extremely productive, and it looks like an announcement may come sooner than later. Both the sides have communicated their expectations, a source in the TDP told News18.

The source also confirmed that the discussions between the leaders were primarily based on the broad contours of the alliance and no specific seat-by-seat talks were held. In-principle, it was agreed to take the talks forward. There was no discussion between the leaders on seats so far.

Other sources confirmed that the BJP top brass will next meet Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan, who is tipped to be reaching Delhi on Thursday. Interestingly, Pawan Kalyan, who is part of the NDA, has also struck an alliance in Andhra Pradesh with Naidus TDP even though the latter is not yet formally part of the NDA.

Pawan Kalyan has been a staunch critic of the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP government in the state and had declared that he was willing to ally with anyone who would remove Reddy from power. Kalyan has often called the Jagan Reddy government corrupt and was one of the political leaders who were able to meet Naidu when he was in jail. Soon after that meeting, Kalyan had announced the alliance with the TDP.

Naidu is expected to head back to Hyderabad on Thursday morning, but may return to Delhi in a week or fortnight to take the talks forward.

Naidu had visited Delhi just a couple of months ago and held a hush-hush meeting with Nadda and Shah. Naidus son and TDP MLA Nara Lokesh has also had multiple rounds of talks with the BJP top brass, sources said.

In September last year, when the Jagan Reddy government got Chandrababu Naidu arrested over the skills development scam, for which he remained in jail for close to two months, Nara Lokesh had met Amit Shah, expressing concerns about his fathers health. The BJP leadership back then had also assured Lokesh, that contrary to Jagan Reddys claims, the central government had nothing to do with his fathers arrest.

Meanwhile, three sitting MPs from the YSR Congress Party have quit in the last one month. On January 10 this year, Kurnool MP Sanjay Kumar quit the party, upset with the alleged ill-treatment meted out to the Backward Community by the Reddy government. Vallabhaneni Balashowry, sitting MP from Machilipatnam, quit the YSRCP to join Pawan Kalyans Jana Sena on February 4. Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, who represents Narsaraopet, also resigned recently from the Lok Sabha and from the party after he was asked to switch constituencies. He held a long meeting with Chandrababu Naidu in Delhi on Wednesday evening and is expected to announce joining the TDP.

Sources said a couple of more sitting MPs from the YSRCP may quit and jump ship to the TDP sooner than later. One of these MPs reportedly met Naidu on Wednesday evening as well.

Meanwhile, in a blow to the TDP, Vijaywada MP Kesineni Nani quit last month to join the YSR Congress in the presence of Jagan Mohan Reddy. He is likely to contest again from Vijaywada on a YSRCP ticket in the upcoming elections.

One of the strongest allies of the BJP, Chandrababu Naidu was with the coalition since 2014. He walked out of the alliance in March 2018 over the demand for special status for Andhra Pradesh. Two ministers from the TDP in the Narendra Modi cabinet had also quit. Ashok Gajapati Raju was the Minister for Civil Aviation in Modis first term, while Rajya Sabha MP YS Chowdhury was Minister of State for Science and Technology.

After leaving the NDA, Naidu tried to stitch together an anti-BJP alliance with the Congress and the Trinamool Congress, but suffered a huge defeat in the 2019 elections. When Naidu lost the state to Jagan Mohan Reddys YSR Congress, in the Lok Sabha only three MPs from the TDP were able to win out of the 25 seats.

Since that defeat at the hands of the YSR Congress and the friendly proximity between the party and the BJP at the Centre, during which Jagans party supported the central government on multiple bills and also supported the candidates for both presidential and vice-presidential elections, Naidu has softened his stand towards the BJP. His party has also over the last five years supported the central government on multiple bills.

Naidu was also one of the attendees at the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the invitation of the VHP on January 22.
Congress MLA Baba Siddique, representing the high profile Bandra area in Mumbai announced his resignation from the Congress on Thursday.

A prominent minority face of the Mumbai Congress, Siddique also served as a minister when the Congress-NCP coalition was in power.

Taking to X, Siddique said, I joined the Indian National Congress party as a young teenager and it has been a significant journey lasting 48 years. Today I resign from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress Party with immediate effect.

While thanking everyone who has been a part of his journey he said that theres a lot that he would have liked to express but some things are better left unsaid.

As per reports, the Congress MLA is suspected to be joining the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

The move comes days after the Election Commission of India recognised the Ajit Pawar faction as the real National Congress Party (NCP).

Earlier in January this year, Congress leader Milind Deora resigned from Congress, ending his familys 55-year-old relationship with the grand old party.

Talking to the media over his resignation from Congress, Deora had said, I am walking on the path of vikas (development).
But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep. This was the message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his government presented a white paper in Parliament that accused the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government of leaving the economy in tatters.

The document, which blames the UPA regime for policy paralysis and corruption, is likely to be the kernel of the Bharatiya Janata Partys electioneering for the Lok Sabha polls this year. This is also a message from the PM that there is more development coming and there is much to offer if his government retains power.

Then the world had lost confidence in Indias economic potential and dynamism, now with our economic stability and growth prospects we inspire hope in others, the paper says.

Its clear that the promise of more and better days to come will be used by the BJP to woo the electorate once the poll dates are announced. The PM has in the past mentioned that India would soon become a trillion-dollar economy and this is what the people should look forward to.

While the white paper has mentioned the strides made by the government in the social and infrastructure sectors, the Prime Minister made the point that there is more to be done and more lives to be touched. In fact, during his reply to the Motion of Thanks in Parliament, the PM kept emphasising that when he returns for his third term, he would ensure that everyone is blessed.

Amrit Kaal and Viksit Bharat are electoral buzzwords of the BJP. In the white paper, the keynote is: The Amrit Kaal has begun and our destination is India as a developed nation by 2047. It is our Kartavya Kaal. The not resting on laurels line in the white paper has a dual message  that this government has achieved what the UPA could not in 10 years, and also that it wont become smug, something it has accused the Manmohan Singh government of.

That PM Modi keeps his ministers and party leaders on their toes is something which everyone in the BJP acknowledges and this is perhaps why many consider him to be a hard taskmaster, say sources. Now its clear that he wants to woo the voters with a promise of more to come.
Southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala crying hoarse over GST compensation is a political ploy to blame the Narendra Modi-led central government because the ruling parties in these states are unable to fulfil their election promises, Union Minister V Muraleedharan told News18 in an exclusive interview.

The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs & External Affairs also challenged opposition parties to give a breach if privilege motion in Parliament instead of holding press conferences to accuse Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman of misleading the House.

Edited excepts:

The North-South divide seems to be deepening, with the southern states claiming that they have been given the raw end of the deal and have been denied fund allocations despite being high contributors to GST. The Congress and other opposition parties claim that BJP leaders refuse to speak up for the people of the south, so they have to come to Delhi to be heard. How do you react?

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modis government, no discrimination has been meted out to any state, irrespective of the support the government receives from the states. Be it Karnataka, where we have 25 seats in the Lok Sabha, or not even a single seat in Tamil Nadu and Kerala that has nothing to do with the development plan that PM Modi plans across the country. Whether it is railways, roadways, or other infrastructure, or issues related to the poor and the downtrodden, the marginalized, aspects related to trade, industry, or agriculture, every state gets its due and is taken care of. That is the reason why Karnataka and Kerala got the opportunity to host the G20 events as well.

Where is the discrimination? It is nothing but a political slogan because they are not able to fulfil the promises made by them to the people, be it Karnataka or Kerala. The governments of both states, in a way, have failed in fulfilling the promises they made when they came to power, and now they want to put the blame on PM Modi. This is only a prelude to the election campaign; otherwise, they know that they will be defeated in a very bad way in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

You are saying that the non-BJP states are converting this into an election campaign in the name of discrimination on tax devolution and other issues?

Of course. It is not converting; it is only a ploy to save themselves from the blame that they are getting from the people of their states for not fulfilling the promises they made to their electorate that votes for them.

The Kerala government is also in Delhi, along with TN; they also claim that they have been decimated. Their voices need to be heard; southern states pay the highest GST and do not get their due?

In 2016 itself it was said that five years compensation on GST will be given by the Centre. 2017-2022 is five years, right? When everybody knows that in 2022 the compensation will be over, they should have realised the tax collection in their states. In Kerala, the CAG has said that Rs 28,000 crore is pending in tax collection. I will not say it is the fault of the GST officer because recently the GST department got the award for raising the maximum sponsorship for the Keraleeyam program that was hosted by the Kerala government.

GST officers have the capabilities to raise that, but when the CPM party raises funds for their party events, they cannot be strict on the tax that has to be levied from big businessmen? This clearly shows there is a tacit understanding  You dont pay the tax; you give us for our party funds.

The allegation is that what Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says on the floor of Parliament is not what the reality is. How do you respond?

Why dont they give a breach of privilege notice? No minister can mislead Parliament, and if any minister misleads Parliament, it is the right of any member of Parliament to move a breach of privilege notice. The simple fact that they have not moved it till now shows that they only do this in press conferences and they cannot speak about this in Parliament.

What would the BJP and the Centres stand be now?

These kinds of political protests have been taking place for the last 10 years. This is another political protest, and people understand these issues well. They see through all these things, and each time, they have given a befitting reply to those who have been making such protests. In 2019 also, there were protests before the elections, a lot of hue and cry was created in the name of Rafale. Ultimately, people gave an answer. People will show them their place in 2024 when the results come.

PM Modi speaks of a handsome victory for the BJP; 370-plus seats for the BJP and the NDA. That preparation and those numbers, do you think that southern India will contribute to it?

Of course, it will come from every state of southern India. I am sure.
The caste group to which Narendra Modi belongs had got the Other Backward Class status from the Gujarat government in 1994, within two years of OBC reservations coming into effect in India. In 1999, the Centre also approved this.

The BJP is citing this to rubbish Congress leader Rahul Gandhis assertion that Modi was not an OBC for the first 50 years of his life, and it was the BJP government in Gujarat in the year 2000 that gave Modis caste the OBC status. Gandhi has called Modi a kagazi OBC.

However, OBC status first came into effect in India in 1992 after the Supreme Court in the Indira Sawhney judgement that year upheld the government order issued in 1990 that caste was an acceptable indicator of backwardness. Hence, it was not possible for any caste to be included in the OBC category before the year 1992.

Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan hit back in a post on social media site X, saying either Gandhi is really ignorant or he feels telling lies repeatedly makes them accepted as truth.

   , @RahulGandhi                      -                      ,                https://t.co/rf7acqauNT  Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) February 8, 2024

In a post on the site, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya said that PM Narendra Modis caste was notified as an OBC on October 27, 1999, two years before he became the chief minister of Gujarat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi got his caste notified as an OBC after he became the Chief Minister of Gujarat: Rahul Gandhi.This is a blatant lie. PM Narendra Modi's caste was notified as an OBC on Oct 27, 1999, a full 2 years BEFORE he became the Chief Minister of Gujarat. pic.twitter.com/lDU3uJrHwJ  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) February 8, 2024

Rajya Sabha member Narhari Amin too tore into the Congress leader.

I was serving as the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat in the Congress Government when GoG notified Modh-Ghanchi as OBC on 25th July 1994. This is the same caste our respected Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi belongs to. Mr. @RahulGandhi is insulting the OBC communities by Narhari Amin (@narhari_amin) February 8, 2024

cooking up mindless lies on this issue. This decision, and the subsequent GoI notification came when Shri @narendramodi was not even MP/MLA forget being CM. Narhari Amin (@narhari_amin) February 8, 2024

I demand Shri @RahulGandhi immediately withdraw his lies. He should stop defaming OBCs and also apologise to the people of Gujarat for being filled with hate towards our popular Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi. @PMOIndia @AmitShah @JPNadda @BJP4India @BJP4Gujarat Narhari Amin (@narhari_amin) February 8, 2024

BJP leader Surath Biswal, who belongs to the OBC community, said Gandhis statement showed his immaturity. Modi belongs to the OBC. Congress has to answer why the Gandhi family put the recommendations of Kaka Kalelkar and Mandal Commission [for OBC reservation] in cold storage, he said.

Taking to social media site X, author and academician Ananda Ranganathan too said this was a blatant lie as Modis caste was notified as an OBC on October 27, 1999, and he became Gujarats chief minister only on October 7, 2001.

Narendra Modi got his caste notified as an OBC after he became the Chief minister of Gujarat: @INCIndia.This is a blatant lie. Narendra Modis caste was notified as an OBC on Oct 27, 1999, a full 2 years before he became the Chief minister of Gujarat. https://t.co/hZ93nJ5rmr pic.twitter.com/GTe1cszU8U  Anand Ranganathan (@ARanganathan72) February 8, 2024

BJP sources said Gandhi had launched the unfounded attack a day after PM Modi exposed the Congress, citing a letter written by then PM Jawaharlal Nehru to chief ministers saying he was against reservations and was of the opinion that it should never be given in jobs as it would compromise the concept of merit. Modi had said this showed Congress was always against the concept of reservations, which may not have happened under the partys reign if not for the efforts of Bhim Rao Ambedkar.

Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday, while addressing people at the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Odisha claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not born in an Other Backward Class family, and he was misleading people by identifying himself as an OBC.

Gandhi, while making a brief speech on the third and concluding day of his Yatra in Odisha, said Modi was born in a family that belonged to the general category.

Gandhi alleged that the Prime Minister does not shake hands with OBCs, but hugs billionaires.

He also alleged that the PM will never conduct a caste census in the country, without which social justice cannot be achieved. A majority of people are denied social justice. Only the Congress party will conduct this caste census and ensure social justice in India, Gandhi said.

His remarks came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week called himself sabse bada OBC in Parliament. He also accused the Congress of hypocrisy and employing double standards in its treatment of leaders from Backward communities.

Replying to the Motion of Thanks on the Presidents Address in the Lok Sabha on Monday, Modi said, The Congress party and UPA government did not deliver justice to OBCs. A few days ago, Karpoori Thakur ji was conferred with Bharat Ratna. In 1970, when he became Bihar CM, what was not done to destabilise his government? The Congress cant tolerate OBCsThey keep counting how many OBCs are there in the government. Cant you (Congress) see the biggest OBC here (pointing towards himself)?

The PM hit out at the previous UPA governments for not delivering justice to OBCs. During the UPA government, an extra-constitutional body was formed. The government could not have its way before that body. National Advisory Council  did it have any OBC members? Find out, he said.
Amid escalating tensions in the Centre versus southern states battle, leaders from the three states  Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu  are in the national capital to protest against alleged injustice in allocation of funds.

After Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka governments Chalo Delhi protest in Delhi on Wednesday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also held a protest in Delhi on Thursday against the Centres alleged neglect towards the southern state in financial matters.

#WATCH | Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan along with party leaders stage protest against Central government over financial injustice at Jantar Mantar, in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/ElVIKb9EKJ ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2024

Sources said it is likely that Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann also joined the Kerala governments protest.

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Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MPs also staged a protest in front of the Gandhi statue in the Parliament premises over the Centres financial neglect against Tamil Nadu.

The present government in Kerala has been there in power for the last 8 years. They had made tall promises when they fought the elections in 2016-2021 but now they have realised that they have nothing to say about their achievements, he said. Hence they have found a convenient way of putting the blame on the Government of India

Meanwhile, MoS MEA V Muraleedharan slammed the Kerala government for its protests and said that they have found a convenient way of blaming the Centre.

Kejriwal said that the Kerala CM has not come to Delhi for himself, but to get what is the right of people of Kerala.

Speaking at the protest gathering, Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal took a dig at the Centre and said that it has come to a point where a states CM had to keep aside all his work to come down to Delhi for protesting.

The revenue neutral rate that was predicted when GST was being rolled out, is yet to be achieved. Yet, GST compensation has been done away with. Vijayan added.

Pinarayi Vijayan, in his address, also brought up the GST compensation and said we all know what has happened with it.  It was regularly being delayed and it was when many of us State Governments decided to approach the Honourable Supreme Court together that the Union Government disbursed arrears, the Kerala CM said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann arrived at Jantar Mantar and joined the protest against Centres financial neglect.

The revenue sharing is reverse right now, said Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, citing that the states are having to take tax burden by 65 per cent of the expenses, wherein the Union is giving only 35 per cent.

Addressing the gathering at Jantar Mantar, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said, We are here to register our protest against central Govt over tax devolution. While thanking all the opposition party leaders for their support, Vijayan said that the Centre has been making decision without seeking states opinion.

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah has also joined Kerala governments protest at Jantar Mantar.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan along with his party leaders and other supporting legislators begin their protest at Jantar Mantar against the Central governments alleged neglect towards the southern state in financial matters.

Tamil Nadu ruling-party DMK also took part in the protest. IT Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan is representing DMK in the protest.

Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has also joined LDF in the protest against the Centre. IUMLs representative, leader Abdul Wahab, is present in the national capital for the agitation.

LDF convenor EP Jayarajan said, We are raising the peoples demands Yesterday it was Karnataka, today it is Kerala, tomorrow other states will also come

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann might join Keralas ruling Left front in its protest in the national capital.

Though Left Democratic Fronts (LDF) invitation to the Congress-led UDF to join the protest was rejected, it has received the support of Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan will stage a protest at Jantar Mantar at 11 am on Thursday. Vijayan along with the Left front ministers and legislators will actively partake in the protest against the Centres alleged neglect towards the southern state.

WHAT IS KERALA GOVT SAYING?

Keralas ruling Left front has said that their protest is against the Centres alleged neglect towards the southern state in financial matters.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said that the Left Democratic Front had to resort to such an unprecedented struggle as it was essential for his states survival and advancement.

This agitation is intended to safeguard the constitutional rights of all states, not merely Keralas. The aim of this struggle is not to triumph over anyone, but to secure what we rightfully deserve instead of surrendering, the Kerala CM said in Delhi according to a statement issued by his office.

State finance minister KN Balagopal said that Keralas borrowing has also been cut. He said that all their deserving money is going to NDA states.

Yesterday BJP leaders said we are not able to run the government. I want to ask them how are we then getting 24 awards from NITI Aayog? Balagopal said. The finance minister also slammed immature Congress for not supporting the protest.

In its budget, the Kerala government attacked the Central government by saying that it was pushing the southern state towards the worst financial crisis in its history.

KARNATAKA GOVTS ALLEGATIONS

Karanataka chief minister said that this was not a political protest. This is a protest against the stepmotherly treatment by the Centre, even when Karnataka was badly hit by drought.

Accusing the Centre of injustice to Karnataka in Tax devolution, state deputy CM DK Shivakumar said that the protest is not against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and that all MLAs should forget party lines and participate.

The protestors are also demanding that Centre set right the losses allegedly incurred by their state government to the tune of Rs 1.87 lakh crore, during five years under the 15th finance commission.

SEPARATIST MINDSET, FALSE NARRATIVE ON FUNDS ALLOCATION, SAYS NIRMALA SITHARAMAN

Hitting out at the Congress government in Karnataka, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamanan accused the it of harbouring a separatist mindset and spreading a false narrative on the fund allocation issue.

Giving a point-by-point rebuttal to the state governments allegations, the finance minister  joined by Karnataka MP and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi  accused CM Siddaramaiah and his colleagues of making outrageously false allegations and said that no GST compensation amount is due to the state.

These claims come from a separatist mindsetThe Congress is with those who want tukde tukde (break) of the country, she said claiming that the advertisement promotes such a language.

She further slammed the Opposition party while citing Karnataka MP DK Suresh, who had said that if the Centres alleged discrimination continues, then South India may seek a separate country.

She also rejected the Karnataka governments claim over Centre not giving the special grant of Rs 5,495 crore as per 15th Finance Commissions recommendation.

I want to clearly state that the recommendation did not form part of the final report of the 15th Finance Commission. The question of not accepting does not arise at all, she said.

(With PTI inputs)
Samajwadi Party (SP) general secretary Swami Prasad Maurya has once again stirred up a controversy by raising questions on the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Mauryas statement in the Uttar Pradesh legislative council on Wednesday drew sharp criticism by Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, while SP leaders also came out openly against their party colleague.

Speaking on the governors address, Maurya raised questions on Ram Lallas Pran Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony and said when Lord Ram has been worshipped in Ayodhya for thousands of years, what was the need to spend crores of rupees on the consecration ceremony on January 22.

Talking to reporters in the Vidhan Bhawan complex on Thursday, Keshav Prasad Maurya held SP president Akhilesh Yadav responsible for his party leaders statements.

The Samajwadi Party is going to become the Samaptwadi party in 2024. It will be due to Akhilesh Yadav. Because if anyone says anything in this party, he cannot do so without the orders of the SP chief. Hence, I hold Akhilesh Yadav responsible for any such statement. If he (Yadav) does not agree with anyones statement, he should take action against him (Maurya). And if he does not take action, then only SP chief Akhilesh Yadav is responsible for whatever poisonous statements are coming, the deputy chief minister said.

Pathak said, The whole world is celebrating the inauguration of the grand temple of Lord Ram. God will never forgive him (Maurya) for making such statements on such an occasion. The people of the country and the state will definitely teach them a lesson when the time comes. Mauryas statement was also condemned by his party colleagues. SPs chief whip in the Assembly Manoj Kumar Pandey condemned Maurya in very harsh words.

Talking to reporters, he said, I do not want to give any statement on what he (Maurya) has said. A person who does not have mental balance keeps making such statements. The party has repeatedly asked him not to do so, but when a deranged man does not want to listen to instructions, no one can do anything. Asked about Mauryas statement, SP general secretary Shivpal Singh Yadav said, There should be no propaganda on religion, it should be practised, but did not elaborate. On the ruling Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) charge that Maurya is giving such statements at the behest of Akhilesh Yadav, Shivpal Yadav accused the saffron party of always lying.

Congress Legislature Party leader Aradhana Mishra said no one has the right to hurt anyones religious beliefs. Mauryas statement may be his personal opinion, she added.

In his address, Maurya had said, In the governors address, there has been a lot of applause regarding Ram Lallas Pran Pratishtha. It seems as if Ram Lalla did not exist before the BJP government came to power. On one hand, it is said that Shri Ram is the lord of crores of people in the country, on the other hand, the BJP is hurting the sentiments of people and enacting such a drama as if it has brought Ram. While it is known to the world that Ram has been worshipped there (Ayodhya) for thousands of years, where does the question of Pran Pratishtha arise? When Ram Lalla has been worshipped there for thousands of years, what was the justification for spending billions and trillions of rupees on the consecration ceremony again? I question this. Ram Lalla, who was already there, should have been taken and installed in the temple. Where did this consecration come from? The SP leader said the ceremony was a programme of the BJP. The organiser of the program was the BJP, the chief guest was from the BJP, the arrangements were made by the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Apart from these three, who else was there? It was not a cultural or government programme. It was a programme of the BJP, RSS and VHP, he said.

Maurya had earlier stoked a controversy by alleging that certain verses in the Ramcharitmanas insult a large section of the society on the basis of caste and hence, those should be banned.
Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and the assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh, Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu met Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J P Nadda late on Wednesday night, fuelling indications that the two parties may come together in the state.

As per sources, Naidu met Shah at the home ministers residence and Nadda was also present at the meeting.

Naidus Presence to Help NDA in Andhra?

Sources further said that Naidu, who is also the former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh is keen to join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Many in the ruling party believes that an alliance with Naidu will help the NDA perform well in the state that is ruled by the YSR Congress.

Naidu in the NDA will help the ruling alliance boost its tally, they said.

Currently, the BJP has no Lok Sabha member from the state.

A senior BJP leader said his party is open to an alliance but it will all depend on how many seats the TDP, the main opposition party in the state, agrees to give it, especially for the Lok Sabha polls.

Naidus return to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance will be marked as the second case of a major regional leader to have done so, after Janata Dal (United) president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar snapped ties with the opposition and joined its fold last month.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently asserted in Parliament that his party will get 370 seats and the NDA will cross 400 in the polls, expected in April-May, to the 543-member House.

BJP and TDP Fought Together in 2014 Polls

Both the parties had fought the 2014 polls together when Telangana was yet to be formally separated from Andhra Pradesh. The BJP had then fought three seats and won all of them out of the 42 seats in the united state.

After Telanganas creation, Andhra Pradesh has 25 seats and the BJP is looking forward to contest on anywhere between six to eight seats, sources said.

BJP-TDP Suspected Reconciliation

The TDP had walked out of the NDA in 2018 but suffered majorly in the 2019 polls when it could win only three Lok Sabha seats and lost power in the state to the YSR Congress, which has mostly supported the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on key issues for the last five years.

However, political equations have prompted the BJP to explore the possibility of reviving its ties with the TDP, which has been pursuing the matter in earnest for a long time now.

Actor Pawan Kalyan-led Jana Sena Party, which was a BJP ally, has already decided to join hands with the TDP.

(with PTI inputs)
Its the end of Dr Manmohan Singhs innings as a parliamentarian. As Singh retired, he received praise from unlikely quarters, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged his contribution to public life.

As the Gujarat chief minister earlier and even when he took oath as prime minister twice, Modi made it a point to pay his respects to Singh.

The BJP came to power in 2014 on the edifice of Singh being a weak prime minister. PM Modi constantly accused his predecessor of being silent during scams, going so far as equating his silence to a man wearing a raincoat in the bathroom.

Unlike his exit from PMO in 2014 where there were tell-tale signs, the entry of Singh into 7, RCR  as it was called then  was anything but predictable. When Sonia Gandhi  after a grand win in 2004  decided to opt out and choose someone who had gravitas and loyalty, it came as a surprise to all that Singh was chosen by her to be the prime minister. A reluctant politician, and PM, he was strongly supported by Sonia Gandhi which helped him weather many political storms in the party.

Many, like the late Pranab Mukherjee, could never get over the fact that it was not him but Singh who was the chosen one. There is no denying the fact that journalists covering the UPA were aware that there were not only arguments and dissent inside cabinet meetings but also many potshots at the prime minister. There were some who would go to Sonia Gandhi to complain while a section was happy when Rahul Gandhi publicly rebuked Singh over the ordinance on convicted MPs and MLAs while he was in America.

Many hoped Singh would step down after this humiliation but Sonia Gandhis fierce defence created a wall around him which made it impossible to dismantle him.

However, as the UPA II faced scams over the years and the taint began to spread to Singh, the halo around his turban began to dim.

In private, Singhs discomfiture was obvious  as was his helplessness. For instance, in 2009, when he was not too keen to take back DMK leaders who were under the scanner as ministers, he was forced to relent as DMK threatened to walk out of UPA.

Also, despite his desire that some of his ministers needed to be reigned in, he was again helpless as towards the end of his tenure it was clear that the party was becoming more powerful than the government. In fact, in UPA II, a sulking party decided to spread its wings when Singh was being called a king by observers. To give an example, Singh was given a media advisor chosen by the party unlike Sanjaya Baru who was his first choice in UPA I. Baru later wrote a tell-all book, which was made into a movie and the rest is history.

As Manmohan Singh bids adieu, he leaves behind a legacy and tenure mired in many contradictions. Respected for his honesty, yet running a government which was called corrupt. The man who staked his PM-ship for the India-US nuclear deal was frowned upon for not stepping down when publicly humiliated by Rahul Gandhi. He was accused of no longer being a reluctant PM, but someone clinging on to his post.

The BJP, heading for another Lok Sabha polls, is set to question his legacy. Meanwhile, in Singhs own words, Congress hopes history will remember me [the ex-PM] more kindly.
2023 marked a significant milestone for foldable smartphones, as multiple new players, such as Google and OnePlus, entered the scene with their respective foldable devices.

With Google, the creator of Android, now prominently featuring its Pixel Fold, the category is set for further expansion as Google introduces native features tailored for the foldable form factor.

Despite this, the Pixel Fold garnered mixed reviews upon its launch. While some praised its compact design, others dismissed it due to the big interior bezels. Nevertheless, it seems that Google is dedicated to refining the second generation, aiming for a more well-rounded product.

A new report by Android Authority may have just given us our first look at the Google Pixel Fold 2. According to the publication, the new device will feature a narrower cover display compared to the current Pixel Fold, and the overall inner displays aspect ratio resembles a square, reminiscent of the OnePlus Open.

The report adds that this narrow form factor will allow Google to better optimise Android apps for it, as it has been a problem for the current Pixel Fold, wherein Google had to make software workarounds to run apps in landscape. So, a narrower device would make it much easier for the company to release apps without worrying about optimising them.

Another notable change comes in the form of the camera housing on the back; instead of the Pixel camera bar, whose aesthetic is instantly recognizable now, the Pixel Fold 2 may get a quad-camera setup with a camera module on the top left of the device on the back. It is likely to consist of a wide lens, an ultra-wide, a periscope zoom, and a fourth unknown sensor. Android Authority says that it could be a Far Infrared or a time of flight (ToF) sensor.

Moreover, the depicted image features a device reportedly in the Engineering Validation Test phase, indicating that the design might undergo changes before reaching the final product. Therefore, nothing is conclusively final at this stage.
Traveling around the world is a lifelong dream for many and 79-year-old Filipino-American Luisa Yu has proven that age is no barrier to fulfilling ones travel aspirations. Yus passion for exploration started in her 20s when she travelled to nearly all 45 states in the US. For the next 50 years, she decided to cover as many countries as possible. Born in the Philippines, Yus path led her to St. Louis as an exchange student before settling in Miami for its warmer climate. She initially started exploring the United States, but she decided to expand her adventure and made her first international journey in 1970, beginning with Japan and since then, she has explored numerous countries. At 79, Yu finally concluded her world tour as she visited her 193rd destination, which was Serbia.

In a conversation with Good Morning America, the woman told, When I went to the movies, I saw this beautiful backdrop about the scenery, the nature, the rivers, the mountains and that fascinated me. Thats why I always thought someday I will go to these places and travel. I started in the U.S. first because of my status. I couldnt go out of the country. So I decided to take a Greyhound bus and tour the United States. Greyhound was the best because you just hop in. Then the next day, youre in another state.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Luisa Yu (@luisa_yu14)

Luisa Yu started her career in the medical field, but she later became a travel agent. Over the past five decades, she has travelled to European nations like Italy, Asian destinations including Thailand, and even reached African countries like Libya and Middle Eastern territories like Iran. Due to her curiosity for history and culture, Yu set a goal for herself to visit all 193 member states of the United Nations. Determined to visit even certain dangerous regions, she expressed a wish to witness the worlds various landscapes firsthand, as she wanted to learn about them more closely.

After crossing multiple borders for years, many of Yus friends pushed her to conclude her global adventure in Serbia. Listening to their suggestion, on November 9, 2023, she fulfilled her goal and her friends organized a special party to celebrate the occasion. As Yu left the airport, she was greeted by a crowd clapping and cheering for her. Offering advice to aspiring travellers, Yu provided a straightforward message, she said, Dont be afraid, just go. Dont wait for anybody, because if you wait, it will never happen.

In 2022, the woman secured two prestigious awards, including the Nomad Mania Award and she also received the Global Explorer award from the Philippines, specifically the Most Adventure Explorer Award. Despite visiting every country in the world, she finds it challenging to pick a favorite country, but Italy, Philippines and Thailand hold special places in her heart.
WASHINGTON: Israeli forces detained two young adult American brothers in Gaza and their Canadian father in an overnight raid on their home in the besieged Palestinian territory, relatives of the men said.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the administration will be talking to our Israeli counterparts on the brothers reported detentions.

Borak Alagha, 18, and Hashem Alagha, 20, two brothers born in the Chicago area, are among fewer than 50 U.S. citizens known to still be trying to leave sealed-off Gaza, nearly four months into the Israeli-Hamas war.

Other U.S. green-card holders and close relatives of the citizens and permanent residents also are still struggling and unable to leave, despite U.S. requests they be allowed to exit, according to their American families and advocates.

Cousin Yasmeen Elagha, a law student at Northwestern University, said Israeli forces entered the family home in the town of al-Masawi, near Khan Younis, around 5 a.m. Gaza time Thursday.

The soldiers tied up and blindfolded the women and children in the family, and placed them outside the home, the cousin said.

The two American brothers, their Canadian citizen father, a mentally disabled uncle and two other adult male relatives were taken away by the Israelis, and have not returned, Elagha said.

Men of a neighboring household were also taken away. So were other adult male relatives of another Alagha family household, for a total of about 20 family members detained, the U.S. cousin said.

A family social media account from Gaza also described the detentions.

An advocate for American families who are still trying to get loved ones out of Gaza faulted U.S. officials Thursday for not having moved more urgently to help get the Alagha brothers and other Palestinian Americans, U.S. residents and close relatives out of harms way in Gaza.

Detention or death under an Israeli airstrike were two of the biggest fears this family has had all along. And now the worst has happened, said Maria Kari, an attorney with the Arab American Civil Rights League.It could have been avoided. It could have been avoided if the U.S. had more timely advocated for this family.

The State Department said Thursday it was seeking more information on the reported detentions. It cited privacy concerns for the brothers in not commenting further.

U.S. officials in December said they had helped 1,300 Americans, green-card holders and their eligible close family members to leave Gaza since Oct. 7.

State Department officials in January declined to say how many people for whom the U.S. has requested permission to leave remain in Gaza, citing the fluidity of the situation.

The brothers would be among three American citizens taken into custody by Israeli forces this week, during the same time Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting the region to try to mediate with ally Israel and regional Arab leaders.

Relations between Israel and the United States have fallen from their surge immediately after the Oct. 7 Hamas strikes in Israel that triggered the war. The two allies more recently have been out of sync publicly on efforts to ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, on the path toward peace there, and some other matters.

Earlier this week, a 46-year-old Palestinian American woman, Samaher Esmail, was taken from her home in the occupied West Bank on Monday and detained. The Israeli military said she had been arrested for incitement on social media and held for questioning.

The U.S. Embassy in Israel said Thursday it had no updates on her case.

Esmails family said the U.S. Embassy asked them on Thursday for a list of her medications but said it would not be able to have contact with her before Monday. Relatives said she needs the medication for uterine cancer. The family said it still does not know where she is being held.

The Israeli military and Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.



AP reporters Seung Min Kim in Washington and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif urged voters to give his party a majority in the National Assembly and ruled out forming a coalition government. For Gods sake! Dont talk about a coalition government. One-party majority is crucial for the country. We rendered sacrifices to witness the day where we are today. We have to end this culture of abuse and indecency, Nawaz Sharif was quoted as saying by GeoNews.

The three-time prime minister is contesting from NA-130 in Lahore and is facing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed candidate Dr Yasmeen Rashid. He cast his votes along with his daughter and partys chief organiser Maryam Nawaz and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party leader Awn Chaudhry.

Nawaz told reporters and citizens that one-party rule is needed to bring stability in Pakistan. The PML-N supremo is aiming to win a record fourth term in the 2024 polls. He said PML-N should emerge as the majority party and must not have rule depending on other parties.

Pakistan needs a healing touch, Sharif said, taking an indirect jibe at his rival Imran Khans party

A clear picture on which party will win the elections will emerge on Friday, Pakistan-based news outlets predicted. Analysts speaking to news media outlets in Pakistan said no party will have a clear majority.

Small parties could play an important role in forming the next Pakistan government. Parties willing to form a government must win 169 seats in the 336-member National Assembly. Voters directly elect 266 members while there are 70 reserved seats  60 for women and 10 for non-Muslims allotted according to the number of seats won by each party.

Independents can join any party.

This election has seen a record number of independents fighting for the polls. Most of these independents were backed by the PTI as PTIs election symbol was removed following a Pakistan apex court order.
India rejected Canadas allegations that New Delhi interfered in Canadian democratic processes. The ministry of external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal strongly rejected the allegations and called them baseless.

We have seen media reports (of) Canadian commission inquiring into foreign interferences. We strongly reject such baseless allegations of Indian interference in Canadian elections, it is not the government of Indias policy to interfere in the democratic process of other countries, Randhir Jaiswal said during a regular press briefing.

Jaiswal said it is the reverse and accused Canada of interfering in Indias internal affairs. In fact, quite the reverse, it is Canada who has been interfering in our internal affairs. We have been raising this issue regularly with them, and we continue to call on Canada to take effective measures to address our core concerns, Jaiswal said, according to news agency ANI.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the countrys highest foreign intelligence agency, in a recent report alleged that India potentially interfered in the countrys election.

The report named India as a foreign interference threat and instructed the government to do more to protect Canadas robust democratic institutions and processes.

China and Russia are the other two countries already facing charges of meddling in Canadian politics.

The report titled Briefing to the Minister of Democratic Institutions on Foreign Interference identifies China as the biggest threat to Canadian democracy.

Justin Trudeau, the Canadian Prime Minister, last month said Canadian authorities would examine the alleged Indian interference in its last two general elections, in 2019 and 2021.

Bilateral ties between India and Canada reached a new low last year when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that India played a role in the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Nijjar was murdered by unknown assailants outside a gurdwaras parking lot in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.

Justin Trudeau, while addressing a parliament, said agencies have launched a probe and he has credible information that India was involved. India has dismissed the allegations and termed them baseless.
King Charles, the British monarch, has been following an 11-minute Royal Canadian Air Force exercise plan called the 5BX after his cancer diagnosis. The UK royal is known for being a fitness enthusiast and walks for a significant amount of time daily and also exercises.

A report by news agency India Today said if King Charles continues this routine it could help him keep his health intact.

The 5BX does not need gym equipment and can be done indoors. The scheme is not dependent on elaborate facilities or equipment. The exercises require only 11 minutes a day and can be done in your bedroom or beside your bed in the barracks, the 5BX plan booklet says.

The plan was designed by Dr Bill Orban in the 1950s to keep pilots in shape and is also known as the Royal Canadian Air Force exercise plan. The plan entails a series of exercises and consists of 6 charts arranged in progression.

Each chart consists of five exercises and has a given time limit and order of exercises. The exercises become slightly difficult as they progress and become slightly difficult. Each chart has an age group. Each chart maintains a walking time and running that accompanies the exercises.

What Do These Exercises Look Like?

The 5BX plan comprises five exercises:

Forward Bend and Back Stretch: Stand with feet apart, arms stretched overhead, bend forward to touch the floor, then stretch up and bend backward. Repeat for 2 minutes.

Sit-ups: Lie on back, feet apart, arms at sides, sit up with slight knee bend for one minute.

Leg Raises: Lie on front, raise head and one leg straight, alternating legs, thighs lifting above palms, for one minute.

Push-ups: From push-up position, lower body until chest touches ground, then lift back up, for one minute.

Running on the Spot: Run, counting steps with left foot, with 10 astride or scissor jumps every 75 steps.

Following the 5BX plan will lead to increased muscle strength, flexibility, speed response and better cardiovascular health.
Pakistan on Wednesday announced to close its border with neighbouring Afghanistan and Iran as part of efforts to maintain peace on February 8 during the polling. Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has made an announcement about the closure of the border.

To ensure full security during the general elections to be held in Pakistan on 8 Feb 2024, border crossings with Afghanistan and Iran would remain closed both for cargo and pedestrians. Normal operations would resume on 9 Feb 2024, she said. The decision was taken as at least 30 people were killed in two back-to-back bomb blasts in Pishin and Qilla Daifullah areas of Balochistan which borders both Afghanistan and Iran.

Law and order has been an issue for Pakistan authorities as more than 120 million voters are set to use their right to vote on Thursday to elect representatives for the national assembly and four provincial assemblies of the country.

Pakistan has witnessed tense ties with both Afghanistan and Iran, as it accuses the Afghan Taliban for failure to stop the use of their soil for militancy against neighbours. With Iran it came to blows last month when both neighbours carried out air strikes against militant hideouts on each others soils.

(With agency inputs)
Pakistan National Elections 2024 Highlights: Pakistanis voted in an election marred by rising terrorist attacks, an economic crisis and allegations of rigging. The Pakistani caretaker governments decision to snap mobile and internet services caused anger amongst most contenders. Counting is underway and mobile services were partially restored. Clashes and allegations of rigging were reported from polling booths in Balochistan and Punjab province. The main contests are expected to be between candidates backed by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, whose Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party won the last national election, and the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) of three-time premier Nawaz Sharif, who is considered the front-runner. Nawaz Sharif ruled out forming any coalition if his party emerges with the most number of votes.
Pakistan recorded a low 40-45% turnout as polling stations closed Thursday after millions of Pakistanis voted in an election marred by allegations of electoral fraud, candidate harassment, internet and mobile phone services blockade, according to CNN-News18.

People familiar with the developments said Nawaz Sharifs Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are currently leading in the polls. It has been alleged that the Pakistan army  long known for meddling in elections  is favouring Nawaz Sharif.

PML-N coalition partner in the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, claimed electoral fraud. Rival Imran Khans Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Akhtar Mengals Balochistan National Party (BNP) also alleged rigging.

Voting officially ended at 5:00 pm (local time), but officials said anyone inside a polling station premises at the time would be allowed to cast their ballot.

More than 650,000 army, paramilitary and police personnel were deployed to provide security for an election already marred by violence.

Voters and cadres of several political parties were angered by the suspension of mobile and cellular services. The caretaker government said the decision was taken due to terrorist attacks on Wednesday which claimed the lives of 28 people and wounded 30 others two bomb blasts outside the offices of candidates in Balochistan. The Islamic State later claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Pakistan votes on Thursday in an election scarred by rising militant attacks, an economic crisis and a deeply polarised political environment, and many analysts believe no clear winner may emerge.

Pakistan Election 2024 Live Updates: Voting Begins Today Amid Polarisation, Militant Attacks, Economic Crisis

The main contests are expected to be between candidates backed by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, whose Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party won the last national election, and the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) of three-time premier Nawaz Sharif, who is considered the front-runner.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the 35-year-old son of former premier Benazir Bhutto, has also run an aggressive campaign in an outside bid for the top office. Analysts say there may be no clear winner but Pakistans powerful generals could play a role. Pakistans military has dominated the nuclear-armed country either directly or indirectly in its 76 years of independence but for several years it has maintained it does not interfere in politics.

The deciding factor is which side the powerful military and its security agencies are on, said Abbas Nasir, a columnist. Only a huge turnout in favour of PTI can change its fortunes. Khan believes the military is behind a crackdown to hound his party out of existence, while analysts and opponents say Sharif is being backed by the generals.

The two former prime ministers have switched places since the last election in 2018: Khan was believed to be backed by the military then and Sharif was in jail on corruption charges. Historically, engineered electoral exercises have not produced stability, Nasir said, adding, Economic challenges are so serious, grave, and the solutions so very painful that I am unsure how anyone who comes to power will steady the ship.

If the election does not result in a clear majority for anyone, as analysts are predicting, tackling multiple challenges will be tricky  foremost being seeking a new bailout programme from International Monetary Fund (IMF) after the current one expires in March.

Unofficial first results are expected a few hours after voting closes at 5 p.m. (1200 GMT) and a clear picture is likely to emerge early on Friday. Smaller political parties could play a crucial role in the formation of a government that will need 169 seats in the 336-member National Assembly. Voters directly elect 266 members while there are 70 reserved seats  60 for women and 10 for non-Muslims  allotted according to the number of seats won by each party.

Independents, many of whom are being backed by Khan, are free to join any party if they win, which could swing fortunes after the vote. Khan has said his candidates will not back Sharif or Bhutto Zardari. The elections also take place under the spectre of rising militant attacks. On the eve of the election, two blasts in election offices killed 26 people in the southwestern province of Balochistan.

The country is on high alert, with the military deployed at polling stations. Tens of thousands of troops and paramilitary soldiers have been put on duty across the country. Pakistan also said it was closing its borders with Iran and Afghanistan for the day for security purposes.

(With agency inputs)
The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz will likely emerge as the single largest party and the Pakistan Peoples Party as a distant second followed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and other parties, according to a media report on Wednesday.

Pakistan Election 2024 Live Updates: Voting Today Amid Polarisation, Militant Attacks, Economic Crisis

It came out of an official assessment report compiled on the basis of information collected from police sources, revenue department, labour unions and interviews with professionals in different fields, an official told The News. The assessment has been carried out at the police station and union council levels, the lowest administrative units in Pakistan.

It shows that the PML-N is likely to win between 115 to 132 National Assembly seats. Adding together, the reserved seats of women and minorities would mean the party stands a chance to form its government single-handedly with a simple majority if the official assessment turns out right.

As for the provincial assembly seats, the assessment puts them around 190, out of 297 meaning thereby absolute majority in the Punjab Assembly. According to the official, the party may sweep in the Punjab except in a few districts and likely form the government by a two-thirds majority in the biggest province.

It would also become a lead player in making coalition governments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan whereas the Pakistan Peoples Party is likely to have its government in Sindh alone. In the Centre, the PPP is expected to bag 35 to 40 seats, according to the assessment report, whereas the PTIs independent candidates may fetch 23 to 29 seats.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has been assessed to obtain 12-14 seats, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam 6-8 seats, and Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid) and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party are likely to pull 2-3 seats each in the National Assembly. Although the surveys conducted so far have laid out an optimistic projection of the PML-N with regard to its approval rate, which has registered a rise since the return of Nawaz Sharif, none has offered an assessment in terms of seats the party would likely win.

The international media has also projected Nawaz Sharif as the future prime minister but it remains unclear if he would be able to obtain a simple majority, according to the News. Separately, The News reported that the International Crisis Group (ICG), in its latest report, Pakistan inching towards contested elections, said that a disputed poll could well result in turmoil on election day and in the aftermath.

It advises all political parties that instead of turning a blind eye to interference by the caretaker governments and law-enforcement agencies, they should uphold their opponents right to contest the polls and form a government if elected. It said that Pakistan is holding general elections in a climate of deep political polarisation and a military crackdown on former prime minister Imran Khans.
Far-right Republican leader Valentina Gomez has sparked controversy by posting a video of herself setting LGBTQ books on fire with a flamethrower. Gomez, 24, is running for Missouri secretary of state, and the video making rounds on the internet is part of her campaign.

In the video, Gomez declares, This is what I will do to the grooming books when I become secretary of state. These books come from a Missouri public library. When Im in office, they will burn. She also promises to burn all books that groom, indoctrinate, and sexualize children if elected.

When Im Secretary of State, I will BURNall books that are grooming, indoctrinating, and sexualizing our children. MAGA. America First pic.twitter.com/m8waKi3yhP Valentina Gomez (@ValentinaForSOS) February 6, 2024

Gomezs campaign

The video, shared on Gomezs official X, Facebook, and Instagram accounts, shows her burning two books, including Queer: The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide for Teens and Naked: Not Your Average Sex Encyclopedia. In a separate X post, Gomez is pictured holding a rifle, with a caption stating, Thank you for your support, stay away from the children. Im not asking. She asserts that she will protect all children with Jesus by her side.

Gomezs campaign website describes her as a real estate investor, financier, strategist, and a fierce advocate for the principles and values we hold dear as Americans battling for a better future. Her stance on book banning is shared by many Republican leaders across the country. Police were called in the states of Illinois and Massachusetts last year when teachers were reading books about gender identity and sexuality in middle school classrooms, the New York Post reported.

In Iowa, US federal judges have blocked laws that ban some books from school libraries and prevent teachers from discussing LGBTQ issues. Florida has blocked in-class discussions of gender and sexuality, the US tabloid said. According to a report from PEN America, more than 1,600 books were banned during the 2021-2022 school year. Over half of the books that were either banned or challenged had LGBTQ+ themes, The Post said.
There are at present at least 63 people on death row nationwide after being sentenced for aggravated murder, and who will be returned to court for re-sentencing to the new maximum of life imprisonment or a lengthy determinate sentence should Parliament abolish the death penalty.

This comes as the Private Members Bill to abolish the death penalty in Zimbabwe on Tuesday received Cabinet backing, basically assuring that it will be passed by Parliament, with life imprisonment now becoming the maximum sentence for aggravated murder.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said after the Cabinet meeting that while approving the Bill to abolish the death penalty, Cabinet still wanted the new law to impose lengthy sentences to deter murder. It was agreed that the circumstances that attracted the death penalty in the past, where the murder was committed against a prison or police officer, or a minor or pregnant woman, or was committed in the course of other serious crimes or where there was pre-meditation, then a suitable severe penalty was needed.

In view of the need to retain the deterrent element in sentencing murderers, it is expected that the new law will impose lengthy sentences without violating the right to life, said Minister Muswere. In Zimbabwe, women, persons under the age of 21 and people over 70 years cannot be sentenced to death at present.

But there has been a moratorium on execution since 2005 after the execution of Stephen Chidhumo and Edgar Masendeke, but legally a High Court judge can impose the death penalty on men found guilty of aggravated murder.

However, Presidential clemency orders have been commuting such sentences to life imprisonment for some years now. Speaking at the death penalty workshop organised by Amnesty International in Harare yesterday, Dzivaresekwa legislator and member of the Parliamentary Legal Committee Mr Edwin Mushoriwa said Zimbabwe was moving towards the abolition of the death penalty.

The majority of our people want death penalty to be abolished, Mr Mushoriwa said.

More than 63 inmates who are currently on death row are likely to survive should the death sentence be abolished in Zimbabwe. The process of spending more than 20 years in prison is more punitive than a death sentence.

We need to make sure that we respect the right to life and our hope is that this Bill will pass through. I am very confident that by the end of this year Zimbabwe will be one of the countries that would have abolished the death penalty in its statutes.

Amnesty International campaigns officer Ms Lucy Chivasa said the death penalty was the ultimate, cruel, inhumane and degrading punishment.

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception regardless of who is accused, the nature of circumstances of the crime, guilt or innocence or method of execution, she said.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the background to the abolition of the death penalty as it speaks to the right to life. Articles 3 and 5 say no one should be subjected to torture and inhumane treatment.

The death penalty is not an issue of public opinion because some people do not know about it. We are confident and we know that death penalty is not about public opinion but political will.

Prisoners on death row will be resentenced by the High Court and can appeal to the Supreme Court against their new sentences and are allowed to apply to the President for clemency under Section 112 of the Constitution.

Zimbabwe as an independent nation was wary of the death penalty from the beginning and had dumped and replaced a multitude of colonial laws with hanging clauses, even the option of a death penalty for some ordinary crimes, leaving a death sentence only for murder without extenuating circumstances.

Hanging required a positive decision by a Cabinet majority under the 1980 Constitution, and it became apparent during the 1990s that there was a growing abhorrence of implementing that sentence.

This saw the growing number of Presidential clemency orders substituting sentences of life imprisonment, a procedure that has now been routine for a long time. Herald
THE Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) lost about $24 million after its payment system was hacked by one of its software developers .

Arnold Chifamba (26) appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Nyaradzo Manokore yesterday charged with theft. He was granted US$100 bail and returns to court on April 16.

The complainant in this case is Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) represented by its Information and Communication Technology Services manager, Chabarwa Rony Murahwa, who is also Chifambas supervisor.

Chifambas duties included integration of HITs online application system with external payment service provider, Software House Private Limited trading as PayNow Limited in order to facilitate collection of registration fees.

Prosecuting, Ms Grace Mugocheke alleged that sometime last year, HIT invited applicants from prospective students from Zimbabwe and beyond. The applications are done online through the HIT online application platform which was managed by Chifamba.

But Chifamba then logged into the system and changed HIT PayNow Limited account number from 11862, b5ad7dac-15bf-4a14-99d6-84f1f990b7fd to read 13425, 1f295c9b-0810-4cc1-98d-9cef6ec26b25 in the name of Chifsoft which is under his control.

By so doing, all HIT online application fees were diverted into his PayNow account. Chifamba allegedly later instructed PayNow Limited to further transfer the stolen funds into his CBZ Bank Account Number in Chitungwiza Branch.

He stole a total of $3 302 564 from HIT.

This year, HIT invited prospective students and Chifamba again used the same modus operandi and diverted application fees into his usual PayNow account number 13425 and stole a total of $21 217 069,61.

The court heard that on January 31, Chifamba through e-mail instructed Pay Now Ltd to move the funds to his CBZ account.

HIT noted the anomaly and withheld the funds in the PayNow account belonging to Chifamba.

Then on February 1, PayNow Ltd alerted HIT who in turn made a police report leading to the arrest of Chifamba at his workplace.

A total of $24 519 633,33 was diverted and $21 217 069 was recovered. Herald
An image of a polar bear sleeping on a chunk of ice at sea has won the 2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award, reports the BBC. British amateur photographer Nima Sarikhani captured the moment while aboard an expedition vessel off Norway's Svalbard archipelago, says a release from London's Natural History Museum, host of the competition. The photo is dubbed "Ice Bed."

Photographer: "This photograph has stirred strong emotions in many of those who have seen it," says Sarikhani. "Whilst climate change is the biggest challenge we face, I hope that this photograph also inspires hope; there is still time to fix the mess we have caused."

"This photograph has stirred strong emotions in many of those who have seen it," says Sarikhani. "Whilst climate change is the biggest challenge we face, I hope that this photograph also inspires hope; there is still time to fix the mess we have caused." About the image: As the museum describes it: "Just before midnight, the young male clambered onto a small iceberg and, using his strong paws, clawed away at it to carve a bed for himself before drifting off to sleep."

As the museum describes it: "Just before midnight, the young male clambered onto a small iceberg and, using his strong paws, clawed away at it to carve a bed for himself before drifting off to sleep." Museum: "Nima's breathtaking and poignant image allows us to see the beauty and fragility of our planet," says museum director Douglas Gurr. (Click the museum link to see runners-up.)
Drug smuggler-turned-loan shark Jonathan Braun was pardoned by Donald Trump for the drug smuggling but he hasn't gotten off scot-free for running what authorities say was a network of predatory lenders. Braun was fined $20 million on Tuesday, almost double what a jury had recommended, by a federal judge in New York who slammed his "egregious" behavior, the New York Times reports. Federal District Judge Jed S. Rakoff said Braun made violent threats to borrowers and "gleefully" boasted about breaking the law. The judge cited a video in which Braun used numerous insults and obscenities as he threatened to send a business owner to jailand spit in his face on visiting day.

"The evidence showed that Mr. Braun blatantly ignored or disregarded consumer complaints and spewed vile threats and profanities when a consumer was purportedly unable to pay his debts," Rakoff wrote in his ruling. "Mr. Braun's conduct toward consumers was completely out of bounds and inappropriate." Braun was sued by the Federal Trade Commission and New York's attorney general months before Trump pardoned him on his last day in office. Braun, whose family has connections to Jared Kushner's family, had been serving a 10-year sentence for running a marijuana-smuggling ring. Authorities said he returned to predatory lending after his release.

Braun "has threatened small-business owners with violence, death and even kidnapping," New York Attorney General Letitia James said after his release in 2021. He has now been barred from working in the merchant cash advance business nationwide. The Times reports that before the pardon, authorities had been working on a deal to release him in return for help convicting his former colleagues, but prosecutors lost their leverage when Trump pardoned him. (More presidential pardon stories.)
Nikki Haley is staying in the race for the GOP nomination despite the embarrassment of coming second to the "none of these candidates" option in Nevada's primary this week. At a campaign event in California, Haley told supporters that she planned to fight on and did not mention the Nevada result, reports Reuters . Haley received just 31% of the vote in the largely symbolic contest on Tuesday, less than half the 63% that went to "none of these candidates." Former President Trump's campaign focused on Thursday's caucuses instead of the primary. Trump is the only major candidate competing in the caucuses and he is expected to win all 26 delegates.

"I'm not going anywhere," Haley said. "I'm in this for the long haul. And this is going to be messy. And this is going to hurt, and it's going to leave some bruises." Haley did not campaign in Nevada. "Even Donald Trump knows that when you play penny slots, the house wins. We didn't bother to play a game rigged for Trump," campaign spokeswoman Olivia Perez-Cubas said, per the BBC, adding: "We're full steam ahead in South Carolina and beyond." South Carolina, Haley's home state, will hold its GOP primary on Feb. 24.

The Trump campaign mocked Haley's loss, with spokesman Steven Cheung calling it a "humiliating, embarrassing, and utterly overwhelming defeat," the BBC reports. "A bad night for Nikki Haley," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "Watch, she'll soon claim Victory!" Reuters notes that according to the Nevada secretary of state's office, Haley technically won the Tuesday primary because only votes for named candidates count toward the result. (More Nikki Haley 2024 stories.)
As officers tried to get a would-be bank robber in Florida to surrender, the man decided instead to take two hostages. Then he put one of them in a headlock and held a knife to her throatand that's when a sheriff's sniper ended it. The 36-year-old attempted robber died, but the woman he tried to use as a shield, the other hostage and everyone else at the scene just outside Fort Myers escaped without injury, the AP reports. The robbery attempt, hostage situation and sniper fire brought a bustling suburban area lined with chain restaurants, hotels, an outdoor mall and office buildings to a terrifying halt around lunchtime Tuesday as the Lee County Sheriff's Office responded with tools including a robotic dog, drones, a battering ram, and a SWAT team.

"I didn't even know the county had this," local radio host Charlie Lopezwho observed the scene as he got lunch near the Bank of America branchtold Fox 4. He watched the sniper shooting from his car and provided details to his Facebook followers. "You see, in the video, it almost looks like they lift up the sniper in the air," he said. "Then they have a battering ram. I've never experienced seeing all of Lee County's arsenal. They had drones, they had cameras." Law enforcement officers stormed the scene shortly after the call came in about a bank robbery south of Fort Myers, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said at a news conference.

Deputies rushed into the multistory building that houses the bank, securing it as dozens of terrified people ran outside, said Marceno, who described the scene as chaotic. "Quickly we were face to face with a male suspect who was armed with a knife," Marceno said. "He also claimed he had a bomb. He had two hostages at this point, and we tried to negotiate with him continuously." Then the man inside the bank grabbed the woman and put the knife to her throat. "When he presented deadly force like that, our SWAT sniper shot and killed the suspect," Marceno said. "We were in fear for her life and her safety." The attempted robber was identified as Sterling Ramon Alavache. Authorities did not immediately confirm whether he had a bomb, as he had claimed.

(More bank robbery stories.)
UPDATE

Feb 14, 2024 10:35 AM CST

When the US military killed a Kataib Hezbollah commander in downtown Baghdad last week, it did so with a weapon dubbed "the flying Ginsu," reports the Wall Street Journal, citing defense officials. It has details on the use of what's officially called the R9X: It's a modified Hellfire missile that trades the explosive warhead for a ring of six long blades designed "to shred its target." The precision of the method minimizes the possibility of civilian casualties. Indeed, some officials tell the Journal it's believed Abo Baqir Al-Saadi was in a heavily populated part of the capital because he thought the civilians provided a layer of protection. The Pentagon and CIA jointly designed the weapon, which Scripps News reports was employed as far back as 2017 in Syria, though its use is thought to be infrequent.

Feb 7, 2024 4:47 PM CST

The US military says it killed a key Iran-backed militia commander in a drone strike in Baghdad on Wednesday in response to attacks on US forces, including one that killed three troops in Jordan last month. The Kataib Hezbollah commander was "responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on US forces in the region," US Central Command said in a post on X. The group confirmed the death of Abo Baqir Al-Saadi in messages on its Telegram channel, NBC News reports.
Tucker Carlson has confirmed that his interview with Vladimir Putin will be released Thursday. The former Fox host said in an Instagram post Wednesday night that the interview will be on TuckerCarlson.com at 6pm Eastern, meaning it could air while senators are still debating whether to send aid to Ukraine, the New York Times reports. Carlson is the first Western journalist to have interviewed the Russian leader since the invasion of Ukraine. He claimed other journalists hadn't tried, but he was corrected by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. "Mr. Carlson is not correct, but he couldn't have known that. We receive a lot of requests for interviews with the president," Peskov said Wednesday.

Carlson has often defended Putin and criticized Ukraine's leadership, so few are expecting him to ask hardball questions. Politico has prepared bingo cards for what it predicts could be a "ping-pong propaganda fest full of falsehoods," with squares including "Praise for Elon Musk" and "Promotion of traditional values." CNBC reports that according to Russian media, Carlson, who interviewed Putin on Tuesday, has now left Russia. In posts on X, former Rep. Adam Kinzinger called Carlson a traitor, while Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said, "Democrats and their propagandists are spasming at the prospect of Tucker Carlson interviewing Putin."

Hillary Clinton didn't hold back when discussing the interview with MSNBC's Alex Wagner, the Hill reports. Carlson "says things that are not true. He parrots Vladimir Putin's pack of lies about Ukraine, so I don't see why Putin wouldn't give him an interview," the former secretary of state said. She said Carlson is "like a puppy dog" and is even being mocked by Russian media. "I would not be surprised if he emerges with a contract with a Russian outlet, because he is a useful idiot," she said. (More Tucker Carlson stories.)
The rice used in Spanish paella, the country's national dish, is at risk of disappearing, growers warn, amid widespread protests against European Union environmental regulations, including the banning of a fungicide. Tricyclazole was used to fight fungus appearing on bomba rice grown in Spain's wetlands for 40 years, up until 2018, when the EU ruled it was harmful to human health. Though rice farmers are still permitted to use other fungicides, they say the absence of tricyclazole has taken a toll. Three producers in the Valencia region say their bomba rice harvest "was half the 10-year average in 2023 as a result of the Pyricularia fungus, which causes rice blast disease," per Reuters . Bomba rice "is very likely to disappear ... lost to regulations," one farmer tells the outlet.

In Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Poland, Bulgaria, and other European countries, farmers have taken to the streets in recent weeksburning hay bales and blocking highways with tractorsto protest regulations they say put them at a disadvantage compared to foreign growers and ultimately risk food production in the 27-nation bloc. One particular thorn: The EU still allows imports of food with small traces of tricyclazole. Policy leaders say the low levels mean the products are safe for consumption. But this all suggests "one set of rules for Europe and another for those producing outside," Emilio Gonzalez, an agronomical engineer at the University of Cordoba, tells Reuters.

Farmers, also suffering under drought and higher production costs, have put up such a stink that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday shelved a proposed 50% cut in the use of pesticides and other hazardous substances by 2030, per NPR. The proposal "has become a symbol of polarization," von der Leyen told the European Parliament. "Farmers need a worthwhile business case for nature-enhancing measures. Perhaps we have not made that case convincingly," she added, calling for "more dialogue." Christiane Lambert, head of the European farmers' lobby COPA-COGECA, said the commission was "finally acknowledging that the approach was not the right one," per the BBC. Farmers plan to continue their protests in any case. (More European Union stories.)
Abbas Ganbay

In accordance with the combat training plan for the 2024 academic year, classes are held in the Separate Combined Armed Forces Army, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijan Ministry of Defence.

Learning the duties, clarification of the tasks of the units, units' withdrawal to the assembly areas on alert, covert management, and execution of suddenly emerging tasks are worked out while bringing the troops to various levels of combat readiness in the lessons and classes held following the "Combat Training Plan of the 2024 Training Year of the Combined Arms Army".

The lessons and classes held in order to increase the knowledge and skills of the personnel, to maintain the high-level combat readiness of the units, and to ensure stable, uninterrupted, and operative management will be continued regularly during the training year.




The Supreme Court on Thursday heard arguments on a Donald Trump case with historic implications: Whether he should be disqualified from running for reelection because of his actions related to the 2021 attack on the Capitol. And the gist of coverage is that it seems highly unlikely the court will keep Trump off the 2024 ballot:

This sentiment is typical: The court "appeared reluctant to take the extraordinary step of disqualifying former President Trump from appearing on the ballot during a historic oral argument in which the justices grilled lawyers about whether states have the authority to ban a candidate from running for office," per the Hill. (The reference is to Colorado: The justices heard Trump's appeal of a bombshell ruling there that blocked him from the state's ballot as an insurrectionist.)

Ditto: Some version of the above sentiment is all over. "In more than two hours of arguments, both conservative and liberal justices raised questions of whether Trump can be disqualified from being president again because of his efforts to undo his loss in the 2020 election," per the AP. The justices spent almost no time debating whether Trump actually engaged in insurrection and focused mostly on the authority of states.
Ukraine's president replaced his top general Thursday in a shake-up aimed at reigniting momentum in the deadlocked war with Russia. After days of speculation that change was coming, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media that he was thankful for the service of the outgoing Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyia military leader popular with troops and the general public. "The time for ... a renewal is now," Zelensky said on X, per the AP.

New leader: Zelensky appointed Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi to lead the army, which needs a morale boost at a time when the three-year conflict with Russia has been at a near stalemate for months. Syrskyi, 58, has been involved since 2013 in the Ukrainian army's effort to adopt NATO standards.
Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry urged calm in a public address early Thursday following three days of violent protests that have paralyzed the country as thousands of protesters demand his resignation. The brief speech in the pre-dawn hours did little to appease people who are angry and frustrated over unrelenting gang violence, deepening poverty and the lack of any plan in sight for general elections, the AP reports. "I think the time has arrived for all to put our heads together to save Haiti, to do things another way in our country," Henry said without offering specifics. The streets in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas remained calm through late Thursday afternoon.

He urged Haitians not to look at the government or National Police as their adversaries. Those who choose violence, destruction, and killing people to take power are "not working in the interests of the Haitian people," he said. Haiti's legislature is currently empty, after the terms of its last 10 senators expired in January 2023. The country didn't hold planned elections in 2019 and 2023, and Henry assumed power with the support of the international community following the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. Thousands of people gathered daily this week in cities and towns across the country to demand that the prime minister step down, saying they will protest until he leaves.

Protesters have used tree branches, cars, and burning tires to block roads as crowds attacked businesses and government buildings, leading to clashes with police who have fired tear gas and live bullets. At least 1,000 schools across Haiti closed, as well as banks, government agencies, and businesses. Humanitarian aid has dwindled, and food prices spiked more than 20% in some areas as a result of the blockades, according to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. On Wednesday, police killed five armed environmental protection agents in the capital in a shooting some worry could worsen the crisis. Henry said people need peace and security. "Haitian people need for their children to go to school without fear, because that's what's going to guarantee them a future," he said.

(More Haiti stories.)
"I just see it as an early skirmish in what will become an ongoing debate," he told Newshub.

The axing of the Auckland regional fuel tax - 11.5c per litre to pay for the city's transport projects - will leave a $1.2 billion hole in the council's transport funding.

"That money was being used to give you better roads," Brown stressed.

New projects, roads and busways are just some of the projects that will be paused as the council figures out how to fund them.

And according to Brown, some of them could be culled altogether.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown said scrapping the tax was about the cost of living.

"It's 11.5 cents per litre more for Aucklanders being spent on a range of priorities, which I don't think Aucklanders see as their priority," Simeon Brown told media on Thursday.

However, a Curia poll conducted by the Auckland Mayoral Office shows 44 percent of Aucklanders surveyed want to keep the fuel tax, 26 percent want projects cancelled, 19 percent say, "lift rates" and 10 percent are unsure.

"This is a simplistic move by the Government to solve something they told the public, and it will have unintended consequences that we will both have to deal with," Wayne Brown said.

And he's not buying the Transport Minister's cost of living argument.

So, what's on the chopping block? Well, there's $350m left in the fuel tax kitty - enough to cover the next stage of Auckland's Eastern Busway and City Rail Link trains.

However, on the scrap heap could be the final Eastern Busway stage and North Shore's Lake Rd.

"I'm sure the people of Lake Rd aren't going to be so happy to suddenly find they're not going to have Lake Rd done up," Wayne Brown said.

However, it's clear the Transport Minister's not budging - even joking on Thursday he's got the Mayor on his side.

"I'm sure the Mayor will be happy, there might be slightly less speed bumps being delivered as well," Simeon Brown said.

News flash - the Mayor's definitely not happy.

"You're a third of the Government, I'm a third of New Zealand. We've got to sit down and talk," Wayne Brown said.

It's road rage - but the political style.
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TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa expressed pride in the historical Bahrain-Egypt relations and their ongoing development, with the support and joint will of the leaderships in both countries.

HM the King was speaking as he received Major General Mahmoud Tawfiq, the Minister of Interior of Egypt. The meeting reviewed the latest regional and international developments.

HM King Hamad emphasised the importance of these visits in strengthening cooperation in various fields, including security.

HM King Hamad praised the Egyptian communitys contribution to Bahrains comprehensive development process, highlighting the similarity in the attributes of the two nations rich history and civilisations.

The minister conveyed the greetings of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El Sisi of Egypt to HM the King.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Finance and National Economy Minister, His Excellency Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, affirmed Bahrains commitment to supporting priority sectors through a range of initiatives, notably those focused on technological and digital progress.

This commitment is aimed at boosting Bahrains Economic Recovery Plan to foster investment and strengthen ties with the private sector, he said.

Key initiatives include launching strategies for the development of the financial services, ICT, and digital economy sectors, alongside efforts to improve digital infrastructure and encourage innovative financial technology to grow the economy.

Shaikh Salman attended the launch ceremony of Zain Bahrains new Fintech company and Bede App.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Reported by Zahra Ayaz

The Bahrain Halal Expo wrapped up yesterday, leaving a fruitful trail of connections and exciting prospects. Among the noteworthy attendees were delegates from Brazil, eager to explore the local culture, people, and the potential for partnerships.

Rafael Solimeo, Director and Head of the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, shed light on Brazils position as a major exporter of halal food to Arab nations, including Bahrain. He emphasized the vast range of food products Brazil offers and recognized the immense potential in the Bahraini market. But Brazils ambitions extend beyond food.

Solimeo highlighted the countrys strong presence in Islamic finance, tourism, and even cosmetics, with Brazil being a major supplier for Arab nations. Fuelled by the booming halal market, projected to reach a staggering $7.7 trillion by 2025, Brazil is actively seizing opportunities, particularly during Ramadan by exporting halal food to Arab countries.

Beyond exports, Brazil is also welcoming Arab tourists with open arms. Solimeo shared efforts underway to educate the Brazilian hospitality industry about Arab culture, ensuring prayer facilities, dress code awareness, and more. This initiative aims to position Brazil as a preferred tourist destination for Arab travellers.

While trade figures between Bahrain and Brazil saw a slight decrease in 2023, the potential for growth remains evident. Solimeo pointed out significant opportunities in diverse sectors beyond iron ore, which currently dominates exports.

Furthermore, the Halal do Brazil project, a joint initiative promoting halal products globally, is actively building bridges between Brazil and the Arab world. With successful campaigns already conducted in various countries, the project aims to amplify its reach throughout 2024.

The Bahrain Halal Expo served as a springboard for fruitful connections, showcasing Brazils potential as a key partner in the halal ecosystem. From halal food exports to welcoming Arab tourists, the future seems bright for collaboration and mutual growth between these two nations.
AFP | Baku

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev secured a fifth consecutive term in elections on Wednesday, official results showed, an expected outcome after his country's historic victory over Armenian separatists last year.

Tallies showed that Aliyev won the election with 92 percent of the vote after nearly all electoral precincts declared results, in a ballot held during a crackdown on independent media and in the absence of any real opposition.

"The Azerbaijani people have elected Ilham Aliyev as the country's president," Central Election Commission chief Mazahir Panahov told a press conference.

Turnout was 67.7 percent, he added.

Aliyev was heralded at home after his troops recaptured in September the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region from Armenian separatists who had controlled it for decades.

But the oil-rich nation's main opposition parties boycotted the vote, which one opposition leader, Ali Kerimli of the Popular Front party, called an "imitation of democracy".

"There are no conditions in the country for the conduct of free and fair elections," he said.

The six other candidates who were running were little-known and had praised Aliyev as a great statesman and commander-in-chief since he announced the election in December, a year ahead of schedule.

Singing patriotic songs, several thousand Aliyev supporters gathered on Wednesday evening in the streets of central Baku to celebrate his re-election.

Some demonstrators held signs that read "Karabakh's liberator" and "We are proud of you!"

The president and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva went to Karabakh on Wednesday to cast their ballots in the region's main city of Khankendi.

For the first time in Azerbaijan's post-Soviet history, 26 polling stations opened in Karabakh.

The enclave has been largely deserted after its entire ethnic-Armenian population -- more than 100,000 people -- fled to Armenia after Baku's takeover.

- 'Escalating crackdown' -

Last month, Aliyev called the Karabakh victory "an epochal event unparallelled in Azerbaijan's history".

"The election will mark the beginning of a new era," he said, with the country holding the presidential vote on all its territory for the first time.

Supporters have praised Aliyev for turning a country once thought of as a Soviet backwater into a flourishing energy supplier to Europe.

Aliyev's win was a foregone conclusion, said independent analyst Ghia Nodia of the Caucasus Center for Strategic Studies.

There was "no suspense whatsoever in these elections without the slightest sign of competitiveness".

In recent months, Azerbaijani authorities have intensified pressure on independent media outlets, arresting several critical journalists who had exposed high-level graft.

- Dynastic rule -

Aliyev, 62, was first elected president in 2003 after the death of his father, Heydar Aliyev, a former KGB officer who had ruled Azerbaijan since 1993.

He was re-elected in 2008, 2013 and in 2018, with 86 percent of the votes.

All the elections were denounced by opposition parties as rigged.

In 2009, Aliyev amended the country's constitution so he could run for an unlimited number of presidential terms, a move criticised by rights advocates who said he could become president for life.

In 2016, Azerbaijan adopted controversial constitutional amendments that extended the president's term in office to seven years from five.

He then appointed his wife as first vice president.

Around six million voters were registered for the election, which was being monitored by observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
At least four dead in Georgia landslide

At least four dead in Georgia landslide

AFP | Tbilisi

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

At least four people were killed and five were missing after a landslide in western Georgia, officials said yesterday.

The landslide happened in the early hours of the morning in the village of Nergeti, some 170 kilometres from the Black Sea nations capital Tbilisi.

Rescuers found four bodies and a search operation is underway to find five missing people, the head of Georgias emergency situations service, Temur Mgebrishvili, told journalists. President Salome Zurabishvili expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of life in the natural calamity.

I offer my condolences to the families of victims and hope that those missing will soon be found, she said. Heavy rains and flooding are fairly common in Georgia, where steep slopes pose a regular risk of landslides.

In August last year, a landslide at a resort town in northwestern Georgia killed 26 people. In 2008, six people died in a landslide in the southern Black Sea region of Adjara.
OAK HAMMOCK MARSH, MB, Feb. 8, 2024 /CNW/ - Tina Osen, President of HUB International Canada and Nature Force founding partner is a champion of conservation and community. Her efforts and contributions, her consistency in going above and beyond, and her vision in introducing new ideas were instrumental to the foundation of the Nature Force , a unique partnership between Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and more than 16 leading Canadian property and casualty insurers.

"Using nature's powers to protect people and conserve ecosystems...also makes financial sense." Post this In this video, learn about Ducks Unlimited Canada's 2024 Conservation Award of Distinction recipient Tina Osen: Her efforts and contributions, her consistency in going above and beyond, and her vision in introducing new ideas were instrumental to the foundation of the Nature Force, a unique partnership between Ducks Unlimited Canada and now 17 leading Canadian property and casualty insurers. Tina Osen, President of HUB International Canada and Nature Force founding partner, is the recipient of Ducks Unlimited Canadas 2024 Conservation Award of Distinction. (CNW Group/Ducks Unlimited Canada)

In honour of everything she has achieved, and continues to achieve, DUC is proud to name Tina Osen the recipient of DUC's 2024 Conservation Award of Distinction.

The Conservation Award of Distinction celebrates outstanding leadership and supporting conservation actions that have resulted in significant, positive environmental impacts across the country. DUC presented the award to Tina at the HUB Coastal 2024 Producer Summit, at the JW Marriottt Parq in Vancouver on February 7th.

As president of HUB Canada, Tina oversees operations in every province and territory that include all lines of insurance coverage and risk services. Her vision and support has united 16 of Canada's top property and casualty insurance companies (and growing) to establish the Nature Force, an action-oriented climate resilience initiative designed to protect Canadians. Part of this unique partnership is the insurance industry's unparalleled investment in natural infrastructure and watershed resiliency. The goal is to translate practical science and research into action to protect communities from impacts of climate change like flooding.

Through the Nature Force, DUC has been able to begin work on a number of pilot projects to evaluate and improve the flood attenuation functions of Canada's near-urban and urban wetlands. As with any wetland restoration and conservation, further benefits include boosting biodiversity potential and uncovering opportunities for carbon storage.

"Nature Force wouldn't exist without Tina Osen," says William Jones, National Manager of Development for Ducks Unlimited Canada. "She brought together competitors and colleagues from the insurance industry to partner with DUC, in the pursuit of innovative solutions that build resilient communities."

As DUC works to conserve and restore wetlands, and support natural infrastructure in communities across Canada, the outstanding leadership Tina has demonstrated across the insurance sector is turning into real-world impact.

"As a member of the insurance community, our mandate to help people recover and rebuild stronger from events like floods means that we're on the front lines of climate change adaptation and mitigation," said Osen. "That's why I think the Nature Force is such an important initiative--using nature's powers to protect people and conserve ecosystems not only makes our world healthier and more beautiful, but also makes financial sense. I'm so grateful for this recognition and would like to thank Ducks Unlimited Canada and all our insurance industry partners for their hard work and enthusiasm. I'm very excited to continue our work together as we grow the Nature Force."

"Some people look at a problem and say 'I wish someone would do something'," says Roger d'Eschambault, President Ducks Unlimited Canada. "People like Tina step up and do something. This award exists to recognize that kind of passion and leadership. And no one deserves it more."

In presenting this award, Ducks Unlimited Canada would like to thank Tina for her work and inspiring leadership to establish the Nature Force, and we look forward to growing the Nature Force's impact with Tina in the years to come.

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC uses sound science and partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations, Indigenous Peoples and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. To learn more about DUC's innovative environmental solutions and services, visit ducks.ca

The Nature Force is an action-oriented climate resilience initiative funded by a collective of P&C insurance companies (Aviva Canada, CNA Canada, Definity, Gallagher, Gore Mutual, HUB International, Intact, Navacord, Northbridge, SGI, Travelers Canada, Trisura, Wawanesa, Westland, and Zurich Canada) in partnership with national non-profit conservation solutions provider Ducks Unlimited Canada. https://www.thenatureforce.com

SOURCE Ducks Unlimited Canada

For further information: [email protected]; [email protected]
OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 7, 2024 /CNW/ - The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business, will announce important developments in support of Black entrepreneurs alongside representatives of the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub.

She will be joined by Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre, and Arielle Kayabaga, Member of Parliament for London West.

Date: Thursday, February 8, 2024

Time: 9:45 am (ET)

Location:

Carleton University

Nicol Building, Atrium (lobby)

1125 Colonel By Drive

Ottawa, Ontario

Stay connected

Follow Canada Business on social media for business-related news: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

For further information: Nadine Ramadan, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Small Business, 343-575-5436, [email protected]; Media Relations: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, [email protected]
KIRKLAND, QC, Feb. 8, 2024 /CNW/ - Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, has entered into a multi-year agreement with the Vector Institute in Toronto, an independent not-for-profit corporation dedicated to advancing the field of artificial intelligence (AI) through world-class research. This agreement will allow Merck Canada to gain access to Vector's exceptional research capabilities and expertise in AI and engage with its robust and thriving ecosystem to drive innovation in healthcare.

As such, Merck Canada will have the opportunity to tap into Vector Institute's extensive network of AI researchers, engineers, and startups. This interaction will provide a fertile ground for Merck Canada to exchange ideas, connect with premier talent, and stay abreast of the latest advancements in AI technologies and methods applicable to life sciences.

"We are excited about the opportunities that our collaboration with the Vector Institute brings to Merck Canada. Together, we will explore the potential of AI to transform the way we address healthcare challenges and deliver impactful solutions that benefit patients in Canada and beyond," said Marwan Akar, Managing Director at Merck Canada.

"We recognize the power of AI in driving customer engagement at Merck. As digital transformation continues to redefine what's possible in healthcare, we look to organizations like Vector to help us find innovative ways to leverage machine learning and deep learning to improve health outcomes," added Abhishek Narayan Singh, Vice President, Data Science, at Merck.

"Canadians deserve modern health care solutions using the best technologies and tools available. We are thrilled to welcome Merck Canada to Vector's sponsor community. Together with Vector, Merck's strong commitment to innovation in health will help realize AI capabilities that can be life-changing for patients," said Tony Gaffney, President and CEO, Vector Institute.

About Merck

At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world  and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities.

In Canada, Merck markets a broad range of vaccines, pharmaceutical and animal health products and is one of the top R&D investors in Canada, with investments totaling more than $90 million in 2022 and more than $1.6 billion since 2000. Based in Kirkland, Quebec, Merck employs approximately 635 people across the country. For more information about our operations in Canada, visit www.merck.ca and connect with us on LinkedIn and X @MerckCanada.

About the Vector Institute

Launched in 2017, the Vector Institute works with industry, institutions, startups, and governments to build AI talent and drive research excellence in AI to develop and sustain AI-based innovation to foster economic growth and improve the lives of Canadians. Vector aims to advance AI research, increase adoption in industry and health through programs for talent, commercialization, and application, and lead Canada towards the responsible use of AI. Programs for industry, led by top AI practitioners, offer foundations for applications in products and processes, company-specific guidance, training for professionals, and connections to workforce-ready talent. Vector is funded by the Government of Ontario, the Government of Canada through the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy, and leading industry sponsors from across multiple sectors of Canadian Industry.

SOURCE Merck Canada Inc.

For further information: [email protected], 1 833 906 3725
OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 8, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business, marked Black History Month by announcing that the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (BEKH) is developing a new ecosystem mapping tool designed to help Black entrepreneurs and Black-owned businesses in Canada. This tool will provide data and insight to help ensure Black entrepreneurs have the support they need to start up and scale up their businesses and contribute to an economy that works for everyone.

BEKH's new ecosystem mapping tool will enable Black-owned businesses to tap into a network of resources, support and opportunities, as well as boost their profile among customers and investors, so they can grow and succeed. In addition, the mapping tool will encourage partnerships between businesses and connect them to mentoring and support services.

The new tool will also provide data that can be used to inform future programs and policy on how to best support Black-owned businesses across Canada. The ecosystem mapping tool is expected to be fully operational early next year.

In addition, Minister Valdez highlighted the success achieved by Canada's first-ever Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) since its launch in 2021. The Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund has approved almost $50 million in loans to Black-owned businesses. The National Ecosystem Fund, through its 43 Black-led delivery organizations, has helped almost 9,000 Black entrepreneurs get mentorship, business training and financial planning advice so they can grow their businesses.

BEP is part of a whole-of-government approach to address centuries-old systemic barriers that Black entrepreneurs have faced in growing their businesses and accessing supports. Through tools like the one announced today, BEP will ensure Black-owned businesses can grow and succeed in the months and years to come.

Quotes

"Building an inclusive economy means building a stronger economy. The Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub's ecosystem map will help Black-owned businesses improve their visibility, foster greater collaboration and access new data to grow and succeed. This is great news for Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country and is part of our government's commitment to working with the community to ensure the playing field is level for all businesses across Canada. Through programs like the Black Entrepreneurship Program, we are making sure Black-owned businesses from coast to coast to coast have the supports they need to succeed."

 The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business

"I'm pleased that the Government of Canada is providing comprehensive support through the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub's new ecosystem mapping tool so that Black entrepreneurs have the resources to thrive. This ensures greater participation of small businesses in our economyin an inclusive and equal way."

 Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre

"The infrastructure our government is building, the partnerships it's nurturing and the work being put into programs like the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub are exemplary collaborative efforts to achieve full equity, diversity and the inclusion of Black entrepreneurs in business."

 Arielle Kayabaga, Member of Parliament for London West

Quick facts

The Black Entrepreneurship Program is a partnership between the Government of Canada , Black-led business organizations, post-secondary or other accredited educational institutions, and financial institutions. It has three components: The $100 million National Ecosystem Fund, which has funded 43 not-for-profit organizations across the country that are now delivering mentorship, business training and financial planning services to businesses The $160 million Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund, delivered by the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE), provides loans of up to $250,000 to Black business owners and entrepreneurs. The $5 million Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub conducts qualitative and quantitative research and collects data on the state of Black entrepreneurship in Canada to help identify Black entrepreneurs' barriers to success as well as opportunities for growth. Carleton University and the Dream Legacy Foundation have partnered to establish the Knowledge Hub.

, Black-led business organizations, post-secondary or other accredited educational institutions, and financial institutions. It has three components:

Stay connected

Follow Canada Business on social media for business-related news: (X) Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

For further information: Nadine Ramadan, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Small Business, 343-575-5436, [email protected]; Media Relations Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, [email protected]
OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 7, 2024 /CNW/ - Black Canadians have helped make Canada the country we love. From groundbreaking trailblazers in halls of fame and history books to unsung heroes in communities across the country, Black excellence is all around us. However, as we grow and become more diverse, Canada's painful history of anti-Black racism continues to impact Black communities, preventing many from reaching their full potential. We can  and we must  do better.

That is why, in 2018, the Government of Canada endorsed the United Nations (UN) International Decade for People of African Descent, which runs from 2015 to 2024. The UN Decade helps us build inclusive programs to empower people of African descent and advance our work to combat racism, discrimination, and xenophobia faced by people of African descent in Canada and around the world. While the UN Decade ends this year, we are reaffirming our support to Black communities.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced an extension  until 2028  of the federal government's efforts, within these frameworks, to promote equality and empower Black Canadians. Using the frameworks of the UN Decade, this extension will support Black Canadians and strengthen their leadership in business, social justice, and community.

We have made transformative investments to empower Black communities across the country. Since endorsing the UN Decade in 2018, we have committed up to $860 million to Black-focused initiatives  from racial justice to entrepreneurship to economic dignity. Through the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative, we have invested in more than 2,300 projects to grow charities and non-profit organizations, for Black Canadians, by Black Canadians. Last year, we selected the Foundation for Black Communities to manage the Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund. The Fund will provide long-term, sustainable funding to charities and non-profit organizations fighting anti-Black racism and improving social and economic well-being in predominantly Black communities. With the Black Entrepreneurship Program, we are helping thousands of Black Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs start up, scale up, and succeed.

The principles of the UN Decade continue to guide Canada in its efforts to combat anti-Black racism and remove systemic barriers for marginalized communities. We will always be there for Black Canadians and make life better, fairer, and more inclusive for everyone.

Quotes

"Diversity is a fact, but inclusion is a choice. By extending our efforts under the International Decade for People of African Descent in Canada, we are reaffirming our commitment to support Black Canadians. Using the frameworks set out by the UN, we will invest in Black-led programs, advance racial justice, and ensure Black Canadians have the opportunities they deserve to reach their full potential."

 The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

"The UN Decade has been an important roadmap to help us recognize the distinct rights, culture, and accomplishments of the more than 1.5 million people of African descent living in Canada today. But just as the contributions of the Black diaspora to this country have endured for generations, so too must our commitment extend beyond the bounds of any single decade. I remain committed to supporting recognition, justice, and development for Black communities across Canada through 2028 and in the years beyond."

 The Hon. Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities

Quick Facts

In 2018, Canada endorsed the UN International Decade for People of African Descent, which runs from 2015 to 2024. In so doing, Canada became the first country belonging to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to formally recognize the UN Decade.

endorsed the UN International Decade for People of African Descent, which runs from 2015 to 2024. In so doing, became the first country belonging to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to formally recognize the UN Decade. In 2019, Canada launched its Anti-Racism Strategy, a whole-of-government approach to combat systemic racism, including anti-Black racism, under the leadership of a new Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat. As part of the Strategy, we continue to provide resources to communities and organizations to eliminate inequities and tackle racism.

launched its Anti-Racism Strategy, a whole-of-government approach to combat systemic racism, including anti-Black racism, under the leadership of a new Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat. As part of the Strategy, we continue to provide resources to communities and organizations to eliminate inequities and tackle racism. Since 2019, more than $175 million has been invested through the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (SBCCI) to celebrate, share knowledge, and build capacity in Canada's vibrant Black Canadian communities. Most recently, Budget 2023 committed an additional $25 million for 2024-25, extending the program for an additional year and bringing the total commitment up to $200 million .

has been invested through the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (SBCCI) to celebrate, share knowledge, and build capacity in vibrant Black Canadian communities. Most recently, Budget 2023 committed an additional for 2024-25, extending the program for an additional year and bringing the total commitment up to . Black-led community organizations have already received funding from the SBCCI to support capacity building, operational management, the purchase of equipment, and renovations.

The Government of Canada has invested up to $265 million in the Black Entrepreneurship Program to support thousands of Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country. The program is an important step forward in building the foundation for long-term, lasting change and making a real difference in the lives of Black entrepreneurs across the country for years to come.

has invested up to in the Black Entrepreneurship Program to support thousands of Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country. The program is an important step forward in building the foundation for long-term, lasting change and making a real difference in the lives of Black entrepreneurs across the country for years to come. The development of Canada's Black Justice Strategy is part of the federal government's response to address anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination that has led to the over-representation of Black communities in the criminal justice system, including as victims of crime.

Black Justice Strategy is part of the federal government's response to address anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination that has led to the over-representation of Black communities in the criminal justice system, including as victims of crime. In recognition of the UN Decade, Budget 2021 committed up to $200 million to establish the Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund. In March 2023 , the Foundation for Black Communities (FFBC)  a national Black-led and Black-serving organization  was named to administer the Fund. The FFBC issued its first call for proposals in December 2023 .

to establish the Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund. In , the Foundation for Black Communities (FFBC)  a national Black-led and Black-serving organization  was named to administer the Fund. The FFBC issued its first call for proposals in . The Government of Canada has also invested $10 million in the Mental Health of Black Canadians Fund to support the mental health of Black individuals and communities, with the aim of supporting more culturally focused knowledge, capacity, and programs that address mental health and its determinants for Black Canadians. Since 2018, the Fund has supported 23 community and Black-led projects across Canada .

has also invested in the Mental Health of Black Canadians Fund to support the mental health of Black individuals and communities, with the aim of supporting more culturally focused knowledge, capacity, and programs that address mental health and its determinants for Black Canadians. Since 2018, the Fund has supported 23 community and Black-led projects across . The Government of Canada honours Canadians of African descent through its annual Black History Month campaign.

Associated Links

This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca

SOURCE Prime Minister's Office

For further information: PMO Media Relations: [email protected]
Last month, Chinese researchers published a pre-print article where they found Possible Meissner effect near room temperature in copper-substituted lead apatite. This was an Lk99 variant with sulfur in the chemistry. They detected evidence of possible Meissner effect magnetic fields which would be consistent with room temperature superconductivity.

The lead researcher, Yao Yao, is sending out messages that more experimental evidence consistent with room temperature superconductivity is being found. It is still not conclusive and has not been published.

Professor Yao Yao said that the LK99-like samples from the research group at Central South University reached the milliohm level in the multimeter resistance test! pic.twitter.com/ugleifGHJl  peoplewar2 (@REDLFLAG) February 7, 2024

Professor Yao Yao said that he was forced to change the raw material because of the lack of cuprous phosphide, and unexpectedly achieved very good results. pic.twitter.com/hoKPwTntvZ  peoplewar2 (@REDLFLAG) February 7, 2024

Prof Yao Yao said the conductivity of the samples in the latest full levitation video is too good and the microwave absorption is super strong, which is similar to YBCO superconductors, and the resistance detection takes a while. pic.twitter.com/o3q4McKeOQ  peoplewar2 (@REDLFLAG) January 26, 2024

https://t.co/9y9t6Wnh3z

Yao Yao, a professor at South China University of Technology, published a summary article describing new discoveries in the research of LK99-like materials, problems in the synthesis and testing process. pic.twitter.com/7l1NQEesnd  peoplewar2 (@REDLFLAG) January 19, 2024

Below is a Translated China Internet Discussion of the LK99 Related Work

China researcher summarized some of the LK99 Related Work.

Summary of the stages of copper-substituted lead apatite research

This time, room temperature superconductivity is the first truly cross-professional collaborative scientific research model. Alchemists encounter many complex phenomena and do not make professional and confident judgments, and may miss a lot of valuable information. So I wanted to write a nanny-level summary article about copper-substituted lead apatite (CSLA) for a long time, but I never got around to it. I finally have some free time after the holidays these days, so I will recall every bit of the past few months to prevent myself from forgetting. Apart from Koreans, I should be the person who has seen the most experimental and theoretical data so far.

Question 1: Why is it one-dimensional?

Lets start with this question from teacher Li Xiaoquan. This is also the starting point of the whole story.

If you asked me whether Korean articles were rough at the beginning, I would answer that they were very rough. So why did I read this article from the standpoint of superconductivity in the first place? Is it because Teacher Li Xiaoquan said that I never do experiments? There is indeed a saying in the physics world: Experiment means that no one else believes it except yourself; theory means that no one else believes it except yourself.

But what I believe in is precisely the theory. When I look at experiments, I always look at them with the corresponding theoretical basis. I cannot look at experiments without theory. For example, for the same ferromagnetism, what ordinary people see is that this phenomenon seems a bit similar to the magnets they played with when they were children. Professionals must ask, lead, phosphorus, copper, oxygen, and at most sulfur. Where does ferromagnetism come from?

At the beginning, everyone got the same information. But out of theoretical intuition, the first thing I noticed was the one-dimensional feature of the apatite structure itself. It entered my thinking level before the bad experimental data, so I showed something different from fake at first sight. manner. Because this one-dimensional structure makes me believe that the experimenter is looking for the target material in a targeted manner, rather than blindly trial and error. If it is the latter, it will reduce its credibility.

Here we need to clearly define what one dimension is. Everyone has also noticed various videos. No matter Oxbridge, Lovely or Ton, the samples are all in the form of long strips. It can also be seen from the electron microscope photos of lighters. This one-dimensional rod-like structure is lead-phosphorus. Greystone intrinsic. But the one-dimensional thing Im talking about here is at the microscopic level, not exactly the form of a crystal.

There are numerous materials with apatite structure in nature. They have been widely studied in fields such as molecular magnets, but have not shown superior performance than other structures. So its not just a one-dimensional channel that can superconduct, it also requires a special element, copper.

When I saw the idea of stuffing copper oxide into that one-dimensional channel, my first reaction was interesting. I have always only used these three words when looking for research topics for myself, and I have rarely come across any topics that follow the trend and are easy to publish in top publications. For me, no matter what happens in the end, this journey of exploration will definitely be worth the price of admission, so what are you waiting for? There are not many interesting topics, and I dont think those who are sarcastic are necessarily working on more interesting topics than this one.

What kind of one dimension the one dimension here is, I havent completely thought about it until today. We used a quasi-one-dimensional ladder model in the article, which is more in line with the diagram drawn by the Koreans. But in fact, it is not necessary to use a ladder. Real one-dimensional specifications can also be considered. The more popular disorder-free localization is such a model. This problem can be left to be solved later.

The so-called one-dimensional is nothing more than limited dimensions in two directions. As long as this condition exists, it will definitely bring about brand-new physics. Needless to say, typical one-dimensional systems such as polymers and DNA, semiconductor nanowires, carbon nanotubes, etc. also produce rich physics.

Question 2: Fully suspended or semi-suspended?

Mr. Guans semi-levitation is undoubtedly the most out-of-the-box scientific research practice in history. People saw a brand new future just like Oster saw the small magnetic needle shaking. Although Magneto always said that these phenomena could be simulated by using pyrolytic graphite and ferromagnetic powder, as the alchemists came up with all kinds of weird video display methods, Magneto became increasingly unable to resist.

To simulate diamagnetism, only pyrolytic graphite can be used. However, graphite is light and has weak diamagnetic properties, so even a little bit of magnetic powder on it will not carry it away. The application of magnetic powder is also very particular. If it is applied to the middle, it will not show a semi-suspended look. If it is applied to the edges, it will not bounce out. It becomes an exhausting chasing game.

From Mr. Guan, to Oxbridge scum, to Cutie, to Dandelion City, and then to Brother Ton, you will find that the samples independently made by all of them have exactly the same behavioral rules, semi-levitation, single-point levitation, and so on. Refusal to leave, stay, etc. is a highly repeatable phenomenon. Magneto also admitted that as long as the position of his magnetic powder is different, the floating point will be different. In other words, using pyrolytic graphite plus ferromagnetic powder cannot simulate uniform behavior and is highly dependent on the structural distribution of the sample. However, you can never assume that all the samples of the above-mentioned people have a small iron bead at the tip of the sample, right?

So I have always deeply suspected that one-dimensional superconductors can only be semi-suspended, and cannot be fully suspended like two-dimensional copper oxides. This is because there is spin charge separation in one dimension. When it is in the spin or vortex liquid phase, it is very difficult to It may be gathered towards one end under the influence of magnetic field. So most videos show this phenomenon. The sample has no magnetic response for a short period of time, but after the magnet acts for a while, a sharp corner will suddenly be sucked up, as if it is magnetized.

As we all know, under the action of a strong electric field, a conductor will exhibit tip discharge. I think the current phenomenon of magnetic vortices gathering toward the tip is similar to this. Friends who are interested can build an electromagnetic model and calculate it.

In fact, if you carefully observe the levitation of YBCO, it always has a sharp corner facing the magnet, which is not a random direction. Lao Qiao did an experiment. He used a long strip of YBCO to float, and one end almost stuck to the magnet. The shape was very similar to the semi-levitation. However, the background antimagnetic properties of YBCO blocks are strong enough, so they can float. At present, the diamagnetism of CSLA samples is still too weak, so there will always be some contact points, even if the contact point of Oxbridge slag is only micron level.

Question 3: Where does the copper sulfide oolong come from?

As we all know, the most famous couple in the ore industry is copper and sulfur. Copper is the number one sulfur-loving element, and sulfur is also the number-one chalcophile element. Among the few minerals in nature that do not contain oxides as the main mineral, copper is the most famous.

Because the raw materials for firing CSLA are pyrite and cuprous phosphide, they all thought that the phosphorus replaced the sulfur, but Boss Dai immediately noticed that it was the copper that combined with the sulfur and took it away from the lead. Therefore, the presence of copper sulfide in CSLA is not surprising, but it is a bit incomprehensible to directly talk about copper sulfide.

Apatite is a typical ionic compound, and copper is an inactive metal. I have never seen anyone put copper into apatite. So from the beginning, the key to this problem was how to get copper into the crystal lattice. Mapp calculated that it would not work, because the base was too high. Teacher Chen also calculated that it would be fine, just use sulfur to lower the energy barrier.

This is chemical literacy. If the barrier is too high and there are no moves, then the materials currently available to humans will be one or two orders of magnitude less. There are so many chemical substances that cannot be synthesized in theory, but not all of them have been solved one by one in the end.

I dont know why the public is so tolerant of the Max Planck Institute. Mr. Dai later told me that anyone with a little knowledge of XRD could tell that he didnt even get lead apatite in his structure, but used lead phosphate to fool him, and the lattice constants were all wrong. At that time, I sent a party to the party and said that I would wait for the Max Planck Institute article to come out to see how I could quibble. Now I want to say that the institute has a great brand, so it can really be said that a deer is a horse.

Among the elements, copper should be the second most complex element after carbon. It stands to reason that copper, like silver, should have the most stable price, which means throwing away the 4s electrons in the outermost layer. But it is easy to lose one of coppers 3d electrons, and an unpaired d electron will appear, which is what I often call a free radical. Monovalent copper has no spin magnetic moment, while divalent copper contributes a magnetic moment due to the presence of lone pairs of electrons. The copper oxide high-temperature superconductor has an alternating structure of one layer of one valence and one layer of two valences. I said from the beginning that this fractional valence is the most attractive property.

Traditional high-temperature superconductors mainly adjust this valence state through doping. But in CSLA, we now believe that it is adjusted through the price changes of these elements. In particular, the sulfate radical becomes elemental sulfur or an anion, gaining a large number of electrons, and some of the lead may also change in price. Some of the electrons are donated by phosphorus from anion to phosphate, and some are taken away from copper. This ratio is currently difficult to control, and is one of the reasons why the synthesis process has always been difficult to stabilize. In addition, it is still unknown whether other elements that may participate, such as carbon, silicon, iron, etc., will contribute. For example, Brother Tons sample may contain graphite, which needs further study.

The study of copper-substituted lead apatite can be said to be the first step in the study of complex and strongly correlated systems. There are too many problems that need to be solved, and we are only just getting started.

Question 4: What is ferromagnetism?

The combination of non-magnetic elements such as lead, phosphorus, copper and oxygen creates ferromagnetism, which is an extraordinary thing in itself. Therefore, many scholars initially said that iron was inevitably mixed into the raw materials.

I repeatedly told the scumbag to avoid any iron-containing substances in any part of the magnetic test. After several rounds of experiments, the iron content has long been reduced to a level that even low-temperature EPR cannot detect. Of course, the possibility of other ferromagnetic elements is even smaller. EPR is very sensitive to magnetic elements, and the peak positions of most magnetic elements have been calibrated. The occurrence of characteristic peaks can be seen immediately, so it can be ensured that it will not be interfered by magnetic elements.

Under this circumstance, we still synthesized many ferromagnetic samples, including many in Kaidaita. This is very puzzling. But if you look carefully at these magnetic curves, there are still differences. Some of them should actually be classified as antiferromagnetic or spin glass.

A little nanny-level science for alchemists. When you measure the MH curve, if you see a straight line passing through the origin in one or three quadrants, it is paramagnetic; if it almost passes the origin and becomes saturated at high fields, it is soft ferromagnetism; however, the origin is different. A very open hysteresis loop, this is a hard ferromagnet; it passes the origin, but changes more drastically at low fields, slowly increases at high fields, and is not saturated, which is likely to be antiferromagnetism; it saturates for a while, and then suddenly increases , forming multiple steps, which are likely to be ferrimagnetic, and antiferromagnetism can be regarded as a special case of ferrimagnetism. To see the spin glass, you also need to lower it to a lower temperature to measure MT to see if it will drop sharply.

Putting aside superconductivity, CSLA has almost never experienced hard ferromagnetism or ferrimagnetism. The most common ones are soft ferromagnetic, followed by antiferromagnetic. Alchemists should be aware of these two situations. The former occurs when copper is excessively doped, and the latter occurs when copper is severely underdoped. If the latter further increases the doping amount, diamagnetism will appear, and Meissner can be measured. This is consistent with traditional high-temperature superconductivity.

In short, whether it is measuring EPR or SQUID, in fact, by scratching the NdFeB a few times, an experienced alchemist can basically determine which phase it has been synthesized into, which is very effective for rapid screening. Throw the whiteboard away as soon as you encounter it. Dont waste time like Oak Ridge did. When doing this research, you must make full use of the characteristics of room temperature, and you cant just run to measure 2K for everything, as one comment said, that is just a waste of time.

Question 5: Why not measure zero resistance at the beginning?

Most modern physical experiments are based on spectroscopy experiments, because spectroscopy has features, and a characteristic peak is clear and cannot be questioned. The traditional transport test IV curve lacks features. If you say it is small, it is considered small no matter how small it is. This is a vague concept that is difficult to define. Therefore, to determine the physical and chemical properties of a material, it is most reasonable to do spectroscopy first.

Even if transport is to be measured, spectroscopy methods such as differential conductance should be given priority and the zero-energy mode should be determined first. This is an ideal situation. Of course, there are other spectroscopic methods available, which we are currently working on.

The Koreans came up with a very clever idea, using copper substrates for controlled experiments. I remember that very early on I said that there was copper underneath, and I was ridiculed in various ways, saying how could it be possible to use metal as a substrate. Now it has been confirmed what I thought at the time. The hero sees the same thing. It is essentially problem-oriented. When encountering difficulties in actual measurement, you will think of solutions. The scoffers are just standing by with textbooks and saying you are wrong because you dont have to work.

Transport is a much more complex subject than magnetism. After all, magnetism still has the paramagnetic Curie-Weiss law as the basis. Even the most basic Ohms law has an extremely limited scope of application. The critical current of superconducting is usually only used as the derivation of the critical magnetic field. Even zero resistance is often derived using Meissner, so Meissners priority is higher than zero resistance at all times.

I have always said that the four-electrode method, or the Vanderbilt method, is problematic on this sample. Inhomogeneous samples, strong local memory effects (inductive reactance), and possibly strong boundary effects will limit the effectiveness of this method.

We who make organic semiconductors all have this experience. If the molecular material coating film is unevenly applied, strange transport properties can be measured. Transport is a multi-level phenomenon, involving both the microscopic molecular level and the macroscopic device level. The quality of the film, the quality of the electrode, the surface interface, etc. all have a significant impact. The result of transport is not necessarily intrinsic to the material. , sometimes its just that the sample is not ready. This is also the reason why I am reluctant to do transportation first. I always hope to understand the properties of the material itself thoroughly before doing macro tests.

The essence of microwave absorption is also transport. I learned about alternating current in middle school. Regardless of spin, low-field microwave absorption will occur only if there is superconducting current in the material. This has been said a long time ago. Therefore, with LFMA as a base, there is no rush to do macro transport. It is just a repeated verification.

Question 6: How to make it bigger and how to purify it?

The phase diagram has actually been mentioned before. Underdoping of copper means that it has good diamagnetic properties and is prone to Meissner. Overdoping of copper means that it has many carriers and is prone to zero resistance. The ultimate goal is to find a middle point where both Meissner and zero resistance appear at the same time. If it is under-doped, try to add as much copper as possible, and if it is over-doped, try to reduce the proportion of copper. You will definitely be able to find the optimal point.

What is more difficult to determine now is where copper should be better. Koreans talk about the outer circle, but Dai always talks about the inner circle. It is true that the inner circle is more difficult to enter, and the active layer is also in the inner circle. The way that the stupid boss uses sulfur to guide is very interesting, and the way that the scumbag uses to adjust his price is no less impressive. Alchemists each have their own merits. Black cats and white cats can achieve good results.

Regardless of water method or fire method, there is nothing special about the craft itself, and there is no principled difficulty in making this step bigger. In order to test the conditions, each batch of raw materials was divided very finely and different parameters were set, so the amount of each sample was relatively small. When the process matures, just burn the same set of parameters.

Now it is mainly because there are few people participating and each alchemist has to be responsible for a lot of content. If there are as many practitioners as graphene and perovskite, and enough manpower can be allocated to each process, the firing efficiency will only increase faster. Of course, this is something that happens after it is actually done.

We are far from reaching the bottleneck period yet. There are still many parameters that can be optimized. The only constraint is time.

Question 7: What other trump cards do I have hidden?

I dont have any trump cards, theyre all just a foil. We started to enter the forest at the end of August and published the second paper at the end of December. At this stage when everyone thought the matter was over, we quietly conducted experiments for four months. Dozens of samples, thousands of loops, this is the trump card.

During this process, we have measured YBCO, ferric oxide, and many rare ferromagnetic elements that we had never thought of before, and we have made up for them in these four months. After countless excitements and collapses, I was able to serve up such a bland dish.

If you ask whether we have hidden anything, we must have hidden a lot. The formula has not been fully disclosed, and the key processes of the process have not been written down. This is the case for scumbags, and the same is true for idiot bosses. If you say that if you dont make it public, how can it be repeated? I can only say that if it is fake at first glance, how can it be repeated?




The armed bandits, who recently kidnapped women accompanying a newlywed bride to her matrimonial home at Damari, Sabuwa LGA of Katsina State, have threatened to remarry the bride and sell off the other women.

Recall that the daredevil bandits had on Thursday last week, attacked the bride and those accompanying her, around the Sabuwa area while travelling in an open van.

The gunmen killed at least four members of a vigilante group during the unfortunate attack.

At least 55 wedding guests were abducted during the attack and the victims have since then been held hostage, according to villagers.

However, in a video clip currently in circulation on social media, the killer bandits were sighted threatening to marry the bride and sell the other captives if ransom was not paid on time.

It was learnt that the assailants had contacted families of the victims, demanding N100 million as the only condition to free the captives.

In the video clip, a gang leader, clad in police uniform, claimed responsibility for the abduction, saying nobody can rescue the women.

I am the one who abducted them, and I will never release them until ransom is paid. And if there is anyone who thinks they could rescue them, they should try it, he said.




Following the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, the Foreign Affairs Ministers of the regional body are currently meeting in Abuja, Nigeria.





The ministers are also expected to deliberate on the mass protest in Senegal, which followed the postponement of the countrys presidential elections.





ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Alieu Touray, stated that the meeting will consider the notification of withdrawal of the three countries and wider implementations.





The three military-led West African countries had, on January 27, announced their immediate withdrawal from ECOWAS, accusing the body of becoming a threat to its members.




Vice President Kashim Shettima met with the Super Eagles following their win over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa and promised that the Federal Government will reward them for their commitment and dedication.

The Super Eagles disclosed this in a statement and photos shared on their official X handle early Thursday.

The statement read, The Federal Government has promised to reward the Super Eagles for their commitment and dedication in reaching the final of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cote dIvore.

Vice President Kashim Shettima told the players and their officials in the dressing room, following their hard-fought victory over South Africa in the semi finals on Wednesday, that the government and people of Nigeria are proud of their accomplishment.

The VP was in company with Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Minister for Youths, Dr. Jamila Ibrahim as well as oil mogul, Wale Tinubu, FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick, and NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria advanced to the final of the tournament after beating Bafana Bafana of South Africa 4-2 on penalties.

Nigeria holds the record for the highest number of appearances at the AFCON semi-finals, having played 15 times.
A Pleasantville man was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday for the 2020 murder of a 17-year-old from Atlantic City, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office announced.

Lewis Johnson, 35, will serve an equivalent to 75 years in prison.

Prosecutors sought an extended sentence based on Johnsons lengthy criminal history and prior handgun-related offenses, the office said in a statement. The term is subject to the No Early Release Act, which requires inmates to serve 85 percent of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

Johnson was convicted of murder and weapons offenses by a jury on Dec. 11, 2023 after a week-long trial.

He traveled from Easton, Pennsylvania with his then girlfriend, Shaquana Lewis, on June 8, 2020 to confront the parents of her daughters boyfriend after the two had been in a physical fight the night before, officials said.

Authorities said that when Johnson arrived at the house on the 2000 block of Blaine Avenue, he ran up the stairs to an upstairs apartment porch where the victim, Curaan Williams, who was hanging out with his foster brother.

Johnson pistol whipped Williams, shot him in the back and foot before fleeing down the stairs, where he continued to shoot at the victim and the other person from the ground level, authorities said. Williams died later that day, the prosecutors office said.

Authorities said Johnson stopped at a liquor store in Pleasantville before driving back to his apartment in Easton, where he was arrested the next day by members of the prosecutors Major Crimes Unit. There, police found the handgun used in the murder hidden under his bed.

Johnsons girlfriend previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter and is serving an eight-year sentence, state prison records show. She is eligible for parole in May of 2027.

An attorney for Johnson was not immediately available for comment.

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Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X
A white teenager visiting a McDonalds restaurant in Atlantic City with her parents has filed a lawsuit against the restaurant chain and its franchise owners, alleging a cashier treated them rudely, refused to serve them, and made a racist remark.

The incident occurred in May 2019, when the teen stopped with her mother and father at the restaurant at 31 Arkansas Ave. The girl, who was in high school at the time, had just finished celebrating her birthday, according to court documents.

The cashier, who is Black, allegedly told the family she wasnt going to serve their white ass, alleges the lawsuit, filed Jan. 30 in Superior Court of Atlantic County.

A spokesperson for McDonalds and franchisee A&R Enterprises of Atlantic City did not immediately respond Thursday to requests for comment on the lawsuit.

The incident started when the cashier refused to serve (the girl and her father), shouting that they had to order and pay at the kiosk, the lawsuit says.

When the father was unable to operate the kiosk, the restaurant manager explained to them that they could order from the cashier at the counter.

But the cashier again refused to serve the family, which caused the teen to become distressed. When the teen began to cry, the cashier allegedly told her to shut up or she would smack her, the suit says.

The plaintiff and her parents were told by the cashier that she would not serve their white ass, the suit states.

The lawsuit says the teenager became so upset that she urinated herself. The teen, who is no longer a minor, is alleging intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, and violations of New Jerseys anti-discrimination laws.

In addition to compensatory damages, the suit seeks punitive damages in order to deter the fast-food chain and its franchisee from engaging in similar alleged acts in the future, court papers state.

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Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
A registered sex offender was convicted Wednesday of sexually assaulting another child in Atlantic County, authorities said.

Marcelino Cruz, 34, of Mullica Township, was found guilty of sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and possession of child sexual abuse material, according to a statement from the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office.

The investigation into the assault began when the mother of a 13-year-old discovered disturbing text messages on their childs phone, the office said. Police were able to recover the information from the phone and found Cruz had been communicating with the child.

Detectives found that Cruz engaged in a sexual act with the teen child during the first week of August 2022 and they also recovered a child pornography image from his phone, investigators said. He was arrested later that month and charged with two counts of sexual assault and one count of endangering the welfare of a child by sexual conduct.

He now faces up to 20 years in state prison which must be served in its entirety prior to resumption of his parole supervision for life as well as continued registration as a sex offender, the office said.

Cruz was convicted in October 2019 of endangering the welfare of a child using sex acts in Salem County in 2010 and was sentenced to five years in state prison, according to the New Jersey Department of Corrections. He was released on parole from state prison for that offense on Nov. 15, 2021 and was registered as a sex offender at that time.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
The driver charged in a crash that killed two people during an unsanctioned Jersey Shore car rally will spend 25 years in a state prison, a judge ruled Thursday.

Gerald J. White, 38, of New Castle, Delaware, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge J. Christopher Gibson while members of his family and relatives of the two victims stood behind him in court.

The deaths occurred in separate crashes White was involved in during the pop-up H2oi rally in the Jersey Shore town in late September 2022. White admitted in court on Thursday to being under the influence at the time.

White was fleeing another crash in Wildwood when he struck a car and two pedestrians at Burk and Atlantic avenues on Sept. 24, 2022.

White pleaded guilty in December to aggravated manslaughter and aggravated assault charges in the deaths of Timothy Ogden, 34, of Clayton, and pedestrian Lindsay Weakland, 18, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

I pray every day, White said, when provided the chance to speak at the sentencing. I wasnt out there trying to hurt people.

The plea deal with prosecutors called for a 25 year sentence, but Whites attorney sought leniency on Thursday.

Judge Gibson cited Whites extensive criminal history while sentencing him to the full 25 years.

A blue Honda is loaded onto a flatbed tow truck in Wildwood, N.J., late Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Authorities say at least two people were killed amid multiple crashes at a pop-up car rally.Dave Hernandez/NJ Advance Media via AP

Police said at least 500 people convened in Wildwood for the rally, which created chaos for police trying to contain the rowdy crowd.

Ogden was identified previously as a passenger in the car struck by White. Weakland was the pedestrian. A second passenger in the car that was hit and another pedestrian were injured.

White, dressed in an orange jail suit and shackled at his wrists and ankles, sat silently, oftentimes looking at the floor, as about a dozen members of both victims families spoke through tears.

Nathaniel Dick, brother of Timothy Ogden, who was killed during an unsanctioned car rally in Wildwood in 2022, speaks during a sentencing hearing on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2024Eric Conklin

Ogden was engaged at the time he died, his family said. Weakland was described as a loving sister. Both families said Whites actions deprived them of a fulfilled life.

Portraits of them were placed feet from White - Ogden smiling with his fiancee and Weakland posing for a senior picture.

I cry randomly, said Nathaniel Dick, Ogdens younger brother, joining his relatives in court by wearing a t-shirt with the victims picture. It could be the smallest thing that can make me start to remember him. My daughter brings him up all the time, and I try to stay strong for her, but my feelings become uncontrollable.

A Wildwood police officer spotted White shortly before the fatal crash when his car was stopped in a crosswalk.

As the officer walked toward Whites vehicle, he put his car into reverse and backed into a pickup, the prosecutor said. When the officer ordered White out of his car, he drove off, police said.

White drove recklessly and at high speeds through Wildwood until he hit the car, lost control of his vehicle and hit two pedestrians, according to prosecutors.

He ran from the scene, but was arrested a short time later, police said.

A portrait of Lindsay Weakland, 18, stands in Cape May County Superior Court on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024.Eric Conklin

White had a history of motor vehicle violations before this crash, according to court records. His father told NJ Advance Media days after the Wildwood fatalities that his son had recently survived another serious crash.

Whites record includes drug offenses, multiple probation violations, several stints in prison and many motor vehicle offenses, prosecutors previously said.

His drivers license has been suspended six times and was suspended at the time of the crash.

He has separate charges pending in Delaware.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
Remember a few weeks ago when Elmo went viral for checking in with folks on X (formerly Twitter) and the users trauma dumped on the beloved red puppet?

If you dont heres a refresher: Elmo posted on his account at the end of January, Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing? only to be met with a slate of responses from users who addressed financial struggles amid the current economy, existential crises, battle with mental and physical health issues and much more. A few celebrities, like Rainn Wilson and Dr. Phil, and popular brands, like Chipotle and mobile game Among Us, chimed in. Even President Joe Biden took the time to respond to Elmo.

Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?  Elmo (@elmo) January 29, 2024

The woman behind the account is Christina Vittas, 25, from Hoboken, who has worked for Sesame Workshop since 2019. During an interview with TODAY.com, Vittas said she did not expect the post to generate the attention it did.

Its really everywhere, Vittas told TODAY.com, noting how even friends in Iceland were reaching out to her.

Vittas told the publication that after she posted the message that Monday morning, she attempted to respond to as many users as possible, which is typically something she does on the account. But as the comments started to pick up, she said it got difficult to keep up.

This also isnt the only viral moment shes experienced running the Elmo account. She was also behind the viral moment from the 2022 meme of Elmos infamous feud with Rocco, the pet rock.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Christopher Burch contributed to this report.

Saleah Blancaflor may be reached at sblancaflor@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @saleyley and Instagram.
Unplanned pregnancies are one thing, but what about cryptic pregnancies  a total surprise to mother herself, until just before the baby is delivered.

Its more common than you think: One in 2,500 women experience pregnancies that go unnoticed until delivery. I Wasnt Expecting a Baby!, a new reality series on Lifetime, is looking to explore the cryptic (or hidden) pregnancy phenomenon.

One of the stars of the premiere episode, airing Thursday night, is Bedminster resident, Kayla Simpson, 22, who was 20 years old when she gave birth in November 2021.

In the episode, Simpson recalls how the journey began in February 2021 when she was a sophomore at Indiana University. While a student, she attended a frat party and had a one-night stand. Simpson continued living her life as normal and noticed she gained a little weight that summer, but brushed it off to the freshman 15 since she didnt notice any other signs of pregnancy.

By the time she was unknowingly seven months pregnant, Simpson moved back in with her parents in New Jersey. Two months later, she woke up in the middle of the night with searing pain in her abdomen and was rushed to the hospital, thinking her appendix had burst.

It was at the hospital when Simpson discovered she was pregnant and gave birth that same day.

But nearly three years later, she has a happy and healthy daughter named Maddie, and co-parents with the father.

While Simpson said her initial reactions that night were shock and panic, she said when she reflects on it years later, she has no bad feelings about what happened.

I am the kind of a person that puts the past in the past, Simpson told NJ Advance Media. But its still as crazy for me today as it was that day I had her.

Simpson, who is also a TikTok creator, went viral at the end of 2022 when she shared her story in a video, and she continues to post updates on her life as a mom.

@kaylanicolesimpson crazy that a year ago I was 9 months pregnant  Made You Look - Meghan Trainor

She said she hopes sharing her story on the show will change the perception some people have around mothers who dont know theyre expecting.

Theres a huge stigma around moms who dont know theyre pregnant, and young moms, and single parents, Simpson said. I fit into all three of those categories. So for me, I just want people to see my success story and see that the situation for everyone isnt always negative.

I Wasnt Expecting a Baby! premieres Thursday at 10 p.m. on Lifetime.

Saleah Blancaflor may be reached at sblancaflor@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @saleyley and Instagram.
A gang member from the Newark area was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison on Wednesday for his involvement in the fatal shooting of one of his gangs rivals.

Tre Byrd, 22, a member of the Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips, had pleaded guilty in October 2023 to a racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations (RICO) conspiracy, the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey announced Wednesday.

Byrd is also known by the street names of Bands and G Bandz, authorities say.

The Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips has been labeled by the federal government as an interstate criminal enterprise responsible for acts of violence and the distribution of illegal drugs. The gang originated in Los Angeles and now operates in at least six states.

Byrd was a part of the Silverbacc Gorillas unit of the gang, which operates in several areas of New Jersey including Essex, Middlesex, Mercer and Union counties, court documents said. His territory was Irvington and he was known for stealing cars to be used in crimes committed by other gang members, authorities said.

Detectives investigating the gang found that Byrd engaged in conversations with other members on social media about the planned killing of the rival gang member, which took place on March 20, 2019. A co-conspirator in the case, Elijah Williams, a.k.a. Lil Smith, gunned the associate down near Irvington High School, authorities say.

The victim belonged to the Jungle Boys gang and was suspected to have killed a member of the Rollin 60s in 2017, the indictment said. The indictment did not identify the victim.

Investigators also determined that Byrd was involved in an armed robbery in Newark on June 20, 2020, in which he and an associate, Abdul Yarrell, used a .22 caliber revolver to steal about $1,000 in cash from a victim, authorities said.

As part of his sentence, Byrd will also be subject to five years of supervised release.

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Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
A Kearny man admitted Wednesday to participating in a North Jersey drug-selling ring that purchased its illegal product from a source in China, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Sean Tighe, 48, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court to a second superseding indictment charging him with drug trafficking conspiracy and international promotional money laundering conspiracy. He was arrested in August 2022.

Tighe admitted that from March 2014 through September 2020, he and others agreed to import and distribute various controlled substances and controlled substance analogues, including fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, synthetic cathinones, also known as bath salts, such as ethylone, and ketamine.

The criminal complaint identified Tighe as one of the drug distributors and said a co-conspirator in the operation began purchasing 200 to 300 fentanyl pills each week from Tighe in or around 2017.

Tighe admitted to having been responsible for transferring at least $14,000 to China from April 2014 to June 2014 and that other members of the conspiracy provided him with controlled substances and analogues pressed into small pills for distribution.

The count of drug trafficking conspiracy carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. The count of international promotional money laundering conspiracy carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 19.
A good Samaritan who stopped to see if the drivers involved in an I-95 crash were alright got a shock Wednesday when a New Jersey motorist allegedly stole the passerbys car, police announced Thursday.

A white Ram pickup truck was traveling in the right southbound lane of I-95 in Newark, Delaware on Wednesday morning when it was rear-ended by a red Toyota Rav4, according to a release from the Delaware State Police.

A concerned passerby stopped to check on the drivers for injuries, police said. While the passerby was doing that, the driver of the Rav4, a 54-year-old Woodbridge man, hopped into the good Samaritans Mercury Mountaineer and fled southbound on the highway, police said.

Troopers arrived at 7:09 a.m., after the Mercury was gone, authorities said.

The New Jersey man and the stolen Mountaineer were located in Maryland by officers from the Perryville Police Department, authorities said. The man was taken into custody and once he is extradited to Delaware, he will be charged with one felony count of theft of a motor vehicle and multiple traffic violations, police said.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
When hospitals and nursing homes make mistakes that jeopardize patient safety, the state Health Department wields the authority to demand improvements by imposing fines. But state agencies that oversee group homes and other services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities dont have that legal power.

Two prominent state lawmakers say they are considering ending this inequity by drafting legislation that empowers the state departments of Human Services and Children and Families to fine group home operators with serious deficiencies that put vulnerable residents in harms way. They also vowed to look into how the state investigates complaints about group homes.
A South Jersey town is hoping to mend a broken statue commemorating a peace activist and former resident after it is believed to have been vandalized about three months ago.

The statue of a woman who became known as Peace Pilgrim - who born to a local family who eventually traveled over 25,000 miles on foot to spread her message of world peace - is a relic in Egg Harbor City.

It stood proudly at a park along Liverpool Avenue dedicated to the pacifist until it is believed to have been pushed off its pedestal, but could have been blown over, officials say.

For about three months, the statue has awaited restoration in the citys public works building, Mayor Lisa Jiampetti said. Officials are deciphering how to best mend the statue.

Egg Harbor City Mayor Lisa Jiampetti stands over the damaged Peace Pilgrim statue at the town's public works building on Feb. 7, 2024.Eric Conklin

Its just a novelty that I think we have to keep going in Egg Harbor City, Jiampetti said.

Peace Pilgrim was born Mildred Lisette Norman in 1908, the eldest of three children to an extended family living on a poultry farm, according to Friends of Peace Pilgrim, a nonprofit dedicated to conserving her memory and teachings. She grew up to take jobs at the Liberty Cut Glass Works and Renault Winery before abandoning her birth name and beginning her efforts to promote tranquility.

Wearing only a blue tunic, her journey stretched more than 25,000 across North America, where shed spread her message about world peace: When enough of us find inner peace, our institutions will become peaceful, and there will be no more occasion of war.

Its unclear how the statue was damaged, Jiampetti said.

No police reports have been filed since the damage was discovered. And while some suspect vandalism, others believe gusty winds may have toppled it over.

The superintendent of public works felt that it was vandalism, given the nature of her injury, which was right from the shin, Jiampetti said.

The clay statue made by an artist is resting on a work desk at the public works building slightly less than a mile from its home. Its feet remain on a pedestal made of hand painted ceramic tiles in Peace Pilgrim Park, a roughly 20-year-old park created in her honor.

The statue came to fruition through grant funding, Jiampetti said. It was last damaged in 2020 by a falling tree branch. A cast was suggested for the inside of the statues legs, making it both sturdy and durable in case of another fall.

The statue is commonly known as a centerpiece of an annual celebration in July the town hosts to celebrate Peace Pilgrims birthday. Hundreds take to Egg Harbor Citys streets to walk as she did in hopes of making a more peaceful world. The crowd then gathers around the statue under a grove of trees.

The pedestal of Egg Harbor City's Peace Pilgrim statue remains at its park on Feb. 7, 2024.Eric Conklin

Original t-shirts are made for the occasion, usually by local high school students, Jiampetti said. Egg Harbor City is also recognized by the International Cities of Peace because of its celebrity.

Peace Pilgrims presence, however, can be seen throughout the town located toward the Wharton State Forests southern end. Markers are placed around town referencing her, including her former house on Buerger Street.

Barbara Reynolds, a local member of the Friends of Peace Pilgrim Board, which is made of about seven people countrywide, said not having the statue return to the park devalues the activists inspiration on the world.

During her advocacy work, Peace Pilgrim became the first woman to walk the full Appalachian Trail.

She continued offering passionate messages until she was killed in a Knox, Indiana, car crash in 1981. She was on her seventh voyage across the U.S.

Shes just an amazing role model, said Reynolds, of Manahawkin in Ocean County. This girl who grew up on a farm in Egg Harbor City went on to influence so many people for peace. I do think shes inspirational that we can all do better.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
An elementary school in Middlesex County will be closed Friday due to a gastrointestinal outbreak, district officials said.

The Irving School in Highland Park, which enrolls 310 students in pre-kindergarten through first grade, also canceled Thursdays aftercare program due to the spreading stomach virus.

The number of students on line to see the nurse has been expanding, Kristina Susca, superintendent of the Highland Park School District, told NJ Advance Media at 12:45 p.m. Thursday.

Health officials in New Jersey have been grappling with stomach viruses and other illnesses throughout the winter.

Workers will be giving the school building a deep cleaning before it reopens, Susca said.

The plan is to return Monday, Susca said.

In a message to parents on the districts website, Susca said the boroughs other three public schools, which include Highland Park High School, will remain open.

I will be in touch soon with further details regarding how we plan to make up for the missed day for Irving. Your understanding and cooperation during this time are greatly appreciated, Sousa told parents.

Wishing you all good health and a swift recovery, the superintendent said.

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Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com.
It is the prevailing wisdom among the political illuminati that the first party to ditch its current front-runner will have a big advantage in the November elections.

So why do so many Republicans oppose the effort before the Supreme Court that would disqualify Donald Trump from running for president?

Its a mystery to me.

If the court lets Trump continue to run for president, the big question that will occupy the headlines between now and Election Day will be whether he gets convicted of a felony before the election. If so, a lot of voters would turn against him according to recent polls.

But if the court kicks him off the ballot, the spotlight will be on the oldest president ever and the unskilled vice president who would take his office if he dies.

Or in other words, the Republicans would get a second bite of the apple and the Democrats would be stuck with an overripe apple.

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The great philosopher Ann Coulter made that point in a recent online exchange.

When she was asked what Trump could do to help us take America back, Coulter replied, Maybe he could die?

Harsh? Perhaps. But its also realistic.

Realism is not the pro-Trumpers strength. Many even believed him when he said he expected to have the vote reversed more than a year after the 2020 election.

That should be grounds to remove him from office under another amendment, the 25th. That permits a president to be replaced if he goes crazy.

Many rank-and-file Republicans defend the Donald because they believe theres some sort of a constitutional issue at stake.

There is. But theyre looking at the wrong amendment. The standard pro-Trump argument is that Trump cant be disqualified under the 14th Amendment, which bars from office those who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion.

But the relevant amendment here is the 12th, which lays out how the president and vice-president are elected.

It is Trumps complete misunderstanding of that process that got him  and us  into trouble.

The Constitution makes clear that presidential elections are predominantly state matters, not federal.

The states appoint the members of the Electoral College.

Once those electors cast their votes, thats the end of it. Congress has no role but to listen as those vote totals are announced.

For Trump, that was just the beginning. After he lost the electoral vote on Dec. 19, 2020, he began organizing a mob to descend on Washington to stop the votes from being counted.

But any attempt to reverse that result represents an attempt to subvert the Constitution. Thats grounds for disqualification from the presidency under the 14th Amendment.

Call it insurrection, rebellion or  my favorite  an attempted coup. Whatever you call it, if the court were to rule that Trump is disqualified, that would be the biggest break the Republican Party has had in years.

That party would be united going into the big election behind a candidate other than Trump.

As it now stands, the party is anything but united. The Donald spends as much time attacking what he calls RINO Republicans as he does Democrats.

But Trump was a registered Democrat as recently as 2009. Hes the RINO in this jungle.

Nevertheless Trump has used that term to attack some Republicans with far better party conservative pedigrees than he.

Trump attacked Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger because they refused his order to change vote totals to make him the winner.

Raffensperger was on the receiving end of that infamous phone call from Trump in which the Donald uttered that phrase which will live in infamy, I just want to find 11,780 votes.

Whether a jury will decide that was part of a criminal conspiracy remains to be seen.

But Trump didnt let up.

In 2022, Raffensperger was targeted for harassment by Trump supporters who tried to hound him out of his race for re-election.

He declined to drop out, saying, If the good walk off the field and leave the field to the bad, then the bad wins.

Raffensperger is still on the field.

As for Trump, the sooner the umpire gives him the hook, the better for the Republican Party.

More: Recent Paul Mulshine columns.

Paul Mulshine may be reached at pmulshine@starledger.com.

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A roundup of conversations we're having daily on the site. Subscribe to the Reckon Daily for stories centering marginalized communities and speaking to the under-covered issues of the moment.

The recent stabbing of a 23-year-old Palestinian American in Texas meets the standard for a hate crime, police said Wednesday.

The Austin Police Department arrested Bert James Baker, 36, on Sunday after he attacked Zacharia Doar, 23, who was returning from a pro-Palestinian protest on Sunday near the University of Texas at Austin. In an update, police said their Hate Crimes Review Committee determined the evidence meets the definition of a hate crime.

It will be up to the Travis County District Attorneys office to bring hate crime charges against Baker, according to police. The office said Wednesday they are in the process of getting evidence from police and look forward to working with them.

Doar and three other Muslim Americans were riding a truck that displayed a keffiyeh scarf with Free Palestine written on it after attending a pro-Palestinian protest, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

Baker rode up to the truck on a bicycle and opened the tailgate and doors while yelling racial slurs, a police affidavit obtained by the Associated Press said. The passengers exited the truck and approached Baker, who then allegedly punched Doar in the shoulders, prompting a fight.

Baker then reportedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Doar in the rib. Authorities arrived and discovered Doar with non-life-threatening injuries. He was transferred to a local hospital where he underwent surgery and is now home recovering, according to CAIR.

Baker remains in Travis County Jail on a $100,000 bond. Jail records do not list an attorney for him.

Nizar Doar, the victims father, said at a news conference Tuesday his son blamed the attack on President Joe Biden and his refusal to demand a ceasefire in Gaza.

He said, Mr. President, Mr. Joe Biden, I blame you, Nizar Doar said. I blame you for what happened to me. If you would have called for a ceasefire three months ago, this would not have happened.

CAIR described the attack as the latest in a surge of anti-Muslim and anti-Arab hate crimes since the beginning of Israels assault on Gaza,

The problem is that you cannot dehumanize Palestinians and Muslims in Gaza, without also creating danger for Muslims and Palestinians here in America, Edward Ahmed Mitchell, Deputy Executive Director at CAIR said. The world is not isolated. So the most important thing that needs to happen is for the genocide in Gaza to end.

The Muslim civil rights group revealed in January it received a record number of complaints of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate in the last three months of 2023. The 3,578 complaints make up almost half of the complaints submitted for the entire year and represent a 178 percent increase since 2022, with hate crimes ranking number two among the top three categories of complaints.

In November, CAIR released data showing reports of bias and requests for help increased a staggering 216 percent in the month following Oct. 7. In exactly four weeks, a total of 1,283 requests for help and reports of bias were submitted directly to the organization.

That month, Jason J. Eaton shot and seriously injured three college students of Palestinian descent in Burlington, Vermont, while they were walking to Thanksgiving dinner. In October, a landlord in Illinois was accused of fatally stabbing a 6-year-old Muslim boy and wounding his mother. Police charged Joseph Czuba with a hate crime after relatives said he singled out the victims because of their faith.

Corey Saylor, director of research and advocacy at CAIR, said the data represented the largest wave of Islamophobic and anti-Arab bias the organization has recorded since Donald Trump called for a Muslim Ban in 2015.
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Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Snow this morning will transition to snow showers this afternoon. Temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 100%. Snow accumulations less than one inch..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this evening. Low 26F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%.
When I first told friends that I got this new job as Nola.com's trending food and dining reporter, one of them, Grace, was gushing about how e
The Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale parade makes its way along the Uptown route in New Orleans on Sunday, February 4, 2024. Their colors are candy apple red, black and white, and their signature throw is a designer mirror compact. (Staff photo by Brett Duke, The Times-Picayune)
Barnstaple authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward after a 16-year-old male sustained serious facial injuries in an assault.

The incident occurred in the Long Bridge area of the town on Tuesday, February 6, between 7.45pm and 8pm.

The victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, was promptly transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention.

He received treatment for his injuries and has since been discharged, but the impact of the assault on him and his family is palpable.

In a statement released by the Barnstaple Police Department, officials have called upon the community to assist in their investigation.

They are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the assault or possesses relevant information to step forward and aid in their inquiries.

Individuals who can provide any insight into the incident are urged to contact authorities via phone at 101 or through the department's online portal, referencing crime reference number 50240030209.

Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously with the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or by submitting tips online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has congratulated President Ilham Aliyev on his confident victory in the snap presidential election, Azernews reports.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a post about it on his X social account.

Congratulations to Ilham Aliyev on his reelection, and best wishes for continued success and productive work for the benefit of the people of Azerbaijan. I value mutual support for our states' sovereignty and territorial integrity.

We appreciate Azerbaijan's humanitarian and other assistance during this historic period in our country's fight for freedom. I value our constructive and trustworthy relationship with President Aliyev, as well as the practical cooperation between our teams.

I am confident that Ukraine and Azerbaijan's strategic relations will continue to strengthen, Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
Last years unprecedented drought in the Amazon led to the lowest river levels in 120 years. Manaus and 20 other Brazilian cities declared a state of emergency due to the low availability of water, and the region of Lake Tefe gained worldwide attention because of the deaths of over 100 dolphins. It was a climatic catastrophe. Several villages were cut off because the rivers used for transportation dried up, and in other countries such as Peru and Colombia, there were alerts due to fish mortality caused by high temperatures.

At the time, the question arose as to how much the El Nino phenomenon and climate change had to do with this extreme event. Who was to blame? The suspicion was that it was a combination of both. Now, a study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) initiative, in which scientists from Brazil, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States participated, provides a definite answer: climate change, and not El Nino, was the main cause of the exceptional drought experienced in the Amazon basin between June and November 2023.

Brazilian Regina Rodrigues, a professor at the Federal University of Santa Catarina and one of the co-authors of the study, explains that the definition of a drought involves several elements. There is meteorological drought, for example, in which only low precipitation or lack of rainfall is taken into account for analysis. In this case, we found that both El Nino and climate change played a role in the Amazon drought, something like 50% and 50%. But there is also what is known as agricultural drought, where, in addition to rainfall, evapotranspiration is considered. If there is a lot of evaporation, the climate will be drier. And since evaporation is closely related to high temperatures, under this definition of drought we did find that it was climate change that played a greater role, says the expert. In a colder climate, such a drought would be extremely rare, the researchers point out.

The study, like some 50 others conducted by WWA to understand how climate change has influenced the intensity and probability of an extreme weather event, uses a peer-reviewed methodology that is applied each time the event is analyzed. In short, as Rodrigues explains, the modeling looks at what would happen to a phenomenon (such as drought) if the amounts of carbon dioxide that have accumulated in the atmosphere since the pre-industrial era had never been emitted. Then we compare this data statistically with what we see now, and even with the future climate.

Thus, for example, the researchers concluded that, under the current climate, the probability of such a meteorological drought in the Amazon is one in every 100 years, while for agricultural drought the scenario changes to one in every 50 years. However, under a possible climate scenario in which the planets average temperature does not increase by more than 2C compared to pre-industrial levels (the plan B of the Paris Agreement, the primary goal of which is not to exceed 1.5C), the probability of a meteorological drought in the Amazon would become one every 30 years approximately, while for agricultural drought the risk is one every 10 to 15 years. In short, these would be more frequent and more likely scenarios in the face of a warmer planet.

This study provides a warning for the Amazon countries to prepare for a future that is becoming less and less uncertain and, at the same time, highlights the probability that weather events will indeed become more extreme.

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"John Augustus Tolton was born into slavery in Missouri in 1854, and his family escaped to Illinois in 1862," the Calumet City Historical Society said in a press release. "Baptized Catholic, Augustus Tolton was the first African-American Catholic priest in the U.S. After college, he went to Rome to enter the seminary and was ordained in 1886. During Fr. Toltons ministry, he served in Quincy, Illinois, and was later assigned to Chicago. With tireless and devoted work, he led the development of St. Monica Catholic Church as a National Black Parish on Chicago's south side at that time. Fr. Tolton's cause for canonization as a saint opened in 2010 and was declared Venerable in 2019."
VALPARAISO  A large bond of half a million dollars in cash and $250,000 surety has been set for a 19-year-old Valparaiso man accused of battering his mother Monday and leaving her hospitalized with substantial brain damage, court records show.

Conner Kobold appeared Wednesday afternoon before Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer for an initial hearing on charges of attempted murder and aggravated battery.

He was granted the services of public defender Mark Chargualaf and a July 8 trial was set with preliminary hearings April 12 and June 7.

Kobold is accused of battering Shanelle Burns, who had filed an eviction notice against her son just hours before the alleged attack at their home in the 1350 block of Diamond Boulevard on the northwest side of Valparaiso.

Clymer issued an order Tuesday prohibiting Kobold from having any further contact with Burns or three other people while his criminal case proceeds.

Kobold remained in custody at the Porter County Jail as of late Thursday morning.

Valparaiso police said Kobold called them out to the scene shortly before 4 p.m. Monday and when they arrived, he asked to be placed in handcuffs and in the rear of a police vehicle.

There is a dead person inside of the house on the corner, he reportedly told officers.

A dead person? one officer asked.

Yeah, I killed somebody in that house, Kobold reportedly responded.

Police said they found Burns in the living room area of her house with no pulse and not breathing. She was taken to Northwest Health-Porter hospital where staff found small ligature or binding marks on her neck.

Hammond man attempted to blame molestation on another child, police say When Lopez was confronted by the other adult family member, he reportedly replied, "I knew that was coming."

V1s (Burns) injuries were of grave danger, as they believe she has suffered substantial brain damage, police said.

Just a few hours before the call, Burns had filed an eviction complaint against Kobold, listing the reason as, Not following agreed upon house rules.

Valparaiso police have said, This incident is believed to be isolated to the individuals directly involved and there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Valparaiso police at 219-462-2135.

Tips can also be sent by text message to TIP411 (847-411) by entering Valpo in the message field.

Please use the word Diamond in the first line of your tip to identify which case you are providing information on, police said.
Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita announced on Tuesday the launch of "Eyes on Education", a so-called transparency portal meant to provide a platform for Hoosiers to submit and view "examples of indoctrination in classrooms."

However, the site is facing pushback for posting unverified claims of what's occurring inside Hoosier classrooms.

The online portal, available on the attorney general's website, allows anyone to submit a complaint on "potentially inappropriate materials" in K-12 schools, colleges, universities and other academic entities in the state.

"As I travel the state, I regularly hear from students, parents and teachers about destructive curricula, policies or programs in our schools, Rokita said in a news release. "Our kids need to focus on fundamental educational building blocks, NOT ideology that divides kids from their parents and normal society."

According to the release, upon submission, someone from the attorney general's office may contact submitters for additional details regarding their complaint.

On Tuesday, there were complaints against 13 public school districts and Indiana University's School of Medicine posted on the site.

The examples ranged from a pride flag featuring a Black Lives Matter symbol inside a classroom in Kokomo, a quiz about political leanings from Carmel Clay Schools and a gender support plan from New Prairie United School Corp.

The New Prairie schools document directs faculty not to disclose information that reveals a student's preferred gender identity to their parents and/or guardians.

However, according to New Prairie schools superintendent Paul White, the document on the site is not accurate and not used by the district.

Additionally, White said they were not aware of the complaint nor were they contacted by the attorney general's office before the complaint was made public.

The superintendent submitted a response to Rokita's office through the portal's form and shared his response with The Times.

According to White's response, changes were made to their gender support plan in the fall of 2022, with the most notable update being that parents are now informed in all instances a student requests gender transition considerations.

He also demanded Rokita's office at least post the latest version of the plan on the portal. As of Wednesday, the old version remains up. White said the attorney general's office was requesting more documentation to prove his claims were valid.

The Indiana Capital Chronicle and Chalkbeat Indiana reported on Tuesday most of the other districts listed also were not made aware of contested material and noted that many of the documents are out of date.

The Times reached out to the attorney general's office regarding its efforts to verify complaints submitted through the Eyes On Education form but did not receive a response as of Wednesday afternoon.

Rokita, who was publicly reprimanded by the state's Supreme Court for professional misconduct last year, is currently seeking a second term in November.

The website faced criticism from Democrats and educational groups.

Destiny Wells, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for attorney general, said on X  formally known as Twitter  that Rokita was "self-appointing" himself as the state's "education czar."

Indiana State Teachers Association President Keith Gambill said the attorney general's actions were "nothing but a transparent attempt to create division among parents and educators" and called for the site's removal.

GALLERY: The Times Photos of the Week
The U.S. Environmental Protection has toughened standards for soot pollution in a move that aims to crack down on industry, clean up the air and increase public health.

Lake, St. Joseph, Marion and Hamilton Counties in Indiana fail to meet the new federal standards as does much of Chicagoland in Illinois.

The EPA is strengthening the national ambient air quality standard for fine particulate matter from 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9 micrograms per cubic meter. The federal agency said its new rule would save lives by preventing 4,500 premature deaths a year.

The new rules could result in $46 billion in net health benefits by 2032 and prevent 290,000 lost workdays, the EPA estimates. It notes that the gross domestic product has grown by 52% while soot concentrations in the outdoor air have fallen by 42% since 2000.

This final air quality standard will save lives and make all people healthier, especially within Americas most vulnerable and overburdened communities, said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. Cleaner air means that our children have brighter futures, and people can live more productive and active lives, improving our ability to grow and develop as a nation. EPA looks forward to continuing our decades of success in working with states, counties, tribes and industry to ensure this critical health standard is implemented effectively to improve the long-term health and productivity of our nation.

The EPA said the particulate pollution especially hurts people with heart and lung disease, as well as vulnerable groups like children, the elderly and people with asthma and other health conditions.

Administrator Regan and President Biden deserve thanks for taking this vital step to curb soot pollution  a dangerous and even deadly pollutant that has taken an oversized toll on underrepresented and overburdened communities less equipped to deal with its severe health impacts, said Dr. Doris Browne, president of the National Medical Association. This new standard of 9 micrograms per cubic meter will save lives based on scientific evidence. That is the bottom line. And as a physician, an advocate for clean air, and the past president of the National Medical Association representing physicians, our ultimate goal is health equity.

The EPA reconsidered 2012 standards after determining they may not be enough to protect public health. It looked at the latest scientific and technical information.

Particle pollution is a killer. In the United States alone, it cuts thousands of lives short, taking a staggering toll. Childrens bodies are uniquely vulnerable to the harms of soot pollution, said Dominique Browning, Director and Co-Founder of Moms Clean Air Force. Moms Clean Air Force commends EPA for taking a significant step forward in strengthening the annual standard for particle pollution, also known as soot, to 9 micrograms per cubic meter from its current level at EPAs new national health standard for particle pollution is the first improvement in over a decade."

Industry groups criticized the rules as being too stringent.

The American steel industry is the cleanest in the world. That said, we already operate under some of the most stringent air standards. We are able to keep fully integrated and EAF steel mills operating around-the-clock in urban areas. We have invested significantly in innovative technologies for lower emission iron making and steelmaking," American Iron and Steel Institute CEO Kevin Dempsey said. "On top of that, steel enables other industries to reduce their environmental footprint. All clean energy technologies use steel. The standard released today will place most of the United States in nonattainment for PM 2.5, regardless of the fact that the majority of PM 2.5 emissions come from natural causes and non-industrial sources.

The Portland Cement Association, which represents cement manufacturers like Smith Ready Mx and Ozinga, said the rules would hamper production.
Franciscan Health Olympia Fields was recognized for excellence in antimicrobial use.

The south suburban hospital just a few towns past the state line was designated as an Infectious Diseases Society of America Antimicrobial Stewardship Center of Excellence. It was one of only seven hospitals in Illinois and 177 in the world, including Franciscan Health Munster and Franciscan Health Dyer, to earn the distinction.

The program recognizes hospitals that combat antimicrobial resistance effectively. Franciscan Health Olympia First was first honored in 2021.

From an infectious disease physician standpoint, we minimize harm to patients by de-escalating antibiotics in a timely manner, which also combats resistance and reduces the prevalence of multi-drug resistant organisms, said Shanaz Azad, chairperson of Infectious Diseases at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields.

More than 700,000 people die each year due to antimicrobial resistance infections. They occur when microbes become less susceptible to antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics due in large part to overuse.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates one-third of antibiotic prescribing is unnecessary, such as when used for viral infections.

The Center of Excellence designation means a hospital has used best practices to improve antimicrobial use.

This designation reflects great credit upon the quality of care at the Olympia Fields hospital and Dr. Azads clinical leadership of our infection disease program, Franciscan Health Olympia Fields President and CEO Raymond Grady said. Patients and families who choose to come to us for care can be assured that they are receiving safe and effective care that is at the forefront of quality.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.  On the first day of Missouri's new legislative session, Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden tried to cajole colleagues into congeniality with a rhetorical question: Will we focus on principled progress or political pandemonium?

Progress was intended. But pandemonium ensued.

Within days, a newly formed Freedom Caucus  modeled after one in Washington, D.C.  ground the chamber to a halt with demands that Republican leaders act faster on GOP priorities. Tempers flared. Insults flew. And Rowden penalized prominent Freedom Caucus members by stripping them of their committee chairmanships and prime Capitol parking spots.

In state capitols around the country, Republican legislative leaders are pushing back against a growing network of conservative lawmakers attempting to pull the party further to the right with aggressive tactics aimed not at Democrats but at members of their own party. The infighting has put a spotlight on Republican fissures heading into the November elections, even as former President Donald Trump has been consolidating party support.

The conservative Freedom Caucus gained attention in the fall  when some of its members helped topple U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy  but it's been active in the U.S. House since 2015.

An outgrowth of the group, the State Freedom Caucus Network, launched in 2021 in Georgia. With the recent addition in Missouri, it now counts chapters in 11 states, with designs to keep expanding. Unlike the loose affiliations of like-minded lawmakers that exist in many states, new State Freedom Caucus chapters are founded only by invitation from the national group  and come bankrolled with staff to help screen legislation, craft strategy and generate publicity.

Caucus members portray themselves as the Republican Party's true conservatives, often pressing colleagues into uncomfortable votes on amendments, blocking or slowing debate to make a point and clashing with Republican legislative leaders.

Were willing to stand up and not be silenced by these guys, said Missouri state Sen. Bill Eigel, a Freedom Caucus member running for governor who has rankled Senate leaders with his lengthy and impassioned rhetoric.

In Missouri, the Freedom Caucus has pushed a measure that would make it harder to amend the state constitution with citizen ballot initiatives, such as one backing abortion rights. Eigel and other caucus members stalled the Senate from working for a month while seeking to force the proposal to be brought up for debate.

Elsewhere, Freedom Caucus members have backed restrictions on transgender medical procedures and called for state National Guard troops to be sent to the Texas-Mexico border to help deter migrants.

But it's their tactics, rather than their policies, that have ruffled GOP leaders.

Frustrated by their obstruction, Rowden recently denounced Missouri's Senate Freedom Caucus members as a small group of swamp creatures trying to destroy the institution while announcing he was stripping some of their parking perks and committee leadership.

Like in Missouri, Idaho's top Republican senator removed certain Freedom Caucus members from committee leadership posts last November and denounced their disparaging rhetoric against other senators.

For a year now in South Carolina, Freedom Caucus members have been excluded from the House Republican caucus  since they refused to go along with party rules that bar them from campaigning against other Republican members.

Meanwhile in Georgia, the Senate Republican caucus booted an outspoken Freedom Caucus member who tried to pressure colleagues into impeaching a Democratic prosecutor for indicting Trump. The Georgia Senate GOP caucus said in a statement last September that Sen. Colton Moore had caused unnecessary tension and hostility and put his colleagues "at risk of personal harm through his public pressure campaign.

Moore remains excluded from the Republican caucus, though the Senate has since launched an investigation into whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis misspent state money in her prosecution of Trump and others. Moore said the investigation validates his efforts, which he said probably are "a lot more aggressive than those used in the past.

In various states, Freedom Caucus members are exposing "that there are a lot of Republicans in state legislatures who are enabling bigger government and locking arms with the Democrats to do so, said Andrew Roth, president of the State Freedom Caucus Network. And when theyre finally being called out on it, they react punitively.

Despite such conflicts, Roth said Freedom Caucus members have had a hand in passing anti-abortion legislation in Wyoming, changing Louisiana's congressional primaries and blocking Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs' nominee to lead the Department of Health Services, among other things.

But some Freedom Caucus' actions have failed. In Montana, the group's petition to call a January special session on property tax cuts recently fell short of the needed threshold. A chapter in Mississippi folded after most of its members either retired or ran for other offices.

Still, Freedom Caucus chapters remain active in politically divided Pennsylvania, Democratic-led Illinois and Republican-led South Dakota.

Most conservative county in liberal states Most conservative county in liberal states #20. Wisconsin: 24% liberal, 35% conservative #19. Pennsylvania: 24% liberal, 34% conservative #18. Delaware: 24% liberal, 29% conservative #17. Minnesota: 25% liberal, 32% conservative #16. Rhode Island: 25% liberal, 29% conservative #15. Colorado: 26% liberal, 33% conservative #14. Illinois: 27% liberal, 31% conservative #13. Connecticut: 27% liberal, 30% conservative #12. New Jersey: 27% liberal, 29% conservative #11. Oregon: 28% liberal, 32% conservative #10. Maryland: 28% liberal, 29% conservative #9. Hawaii: 28% liberal, 22% conservative #8. California: 29% liberal, 29% conservative #7. New Hampshire: 30% liberal, 28% conservative #6. New York: 30% liberal, 27% conservative #5. Washington D.C.: 30% liberal, 24% conservative #4. Washington: 31% liberal, 28% conservative #3. Vermont: 32% liberal, 28% conservative #2. Maine: 33% liberal, 35% conservative #1. Massachusetts: 35% liberal, 21% conservative
It was the hottest January on record for the oceans, too, according to the European Unions Copernicus Climate Change Service. Sea surface temperatures were just slightly lower than in August 2023, the oceans warmest month on the books. And sea temperatures kept on climbing in the first few days of February, surpassing the daily records set last August.

The oceans absorb the great majority of the extra heat that greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap near Earths surface, making them a reliable gauge of how much and how quickly we are warming the planet. Warmer oceans provide more fuel for hurricanes and atmospheric river storms and can disrupt marine life.
Makeup artist David Marti didnt feel like working on Society of the Snow. I didnt want to make another melodrama with Jota [director J.A. Bayona]. We had already made The Impossible and A Monster Calls, a film that I had a particularly bad time making because my mother died of cancer, and it was a difficult moment for me. I wanted a comedy, an adventure film, something like that. So, when he told Montse and I that he had decided to do Society of the Snow, which he had been thinking about for years, I looked at him and said: What are you talking about! remembers the makeup professional, in a video call from his DDT studio, in Barcelona, alongside his collaborator Montse Ribe. In the end, they agreed to work on the film, and thank goodness they did. Their names are included in the double nomination (at the Goya Awards and the Oscars) that they share with makeup artist Ana Lopez Puigcervers team.

We are in the same city and just a few subway stops away from each other, but Marti and Ribe are grateful that the interview is taking place via internet. They say they have been overwhelmed by the media interest that their Oscar nomination has drummed up. They experienced something similar in 2007, when they won the award for their work in makeup and hairdressing on Guillermo del Toros team for Pans Labyrinth. We didnt know where we were, Ribe says. Coming nearly full circle after that magical night, which saw Steven Spielberg borrowing their Oscar, and the duo winding up at Princes party, the creative couple will return to Los Angeles at the beginning of March. They are responsible for the technical end of the makeup on a film that has become a phenomenon on Netflix, with over 50 million views within the first 10 days of being uploaded to the platform.

David Marti and Montse Ribe of DDT, during technical makeup tests, in this case for a prothesis, on Society of Snow.' Quim Vives

To their team fell the task of investigating  through medical reports, accounts from eyewitnesses and physical remnants of the event  what happened during and after the 1972 accident, in which 16 men survived for 72 days, thanks to anthropophagy, after their plane, Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, hit the Andes mountains. Their work consisted of replicating how and where bodies were hit upon impact, what they looked like after the crash and during the survival process and how the corpses changed as the days went by. At DDT, hyperrealistic replicas of inert bodies, torsos of living characters, severed heads, damaged dentures, false cheekbones to create cadaveric faces, fake ears  such as worn by Tomas Wolf as Gustavo Zerbino  and even rickety legs, were brought to life in record time. And yes, the pairs work stars in the crucial shot near the end of the film, one that no one would imagine was completely artificial. One of the most satisfying feelings during this project was when I heard the murmur that arose in the cinemas during the moment in which the survivors undress to take a shower, and our leg appears in the foreground, in the Chilean hospital after the rescue, says Ribe. Anyone who has seen the film, whether it was at home or on the big screen, understands the reason behind the audiences astonishment.

The gore you never saw

Sans fauns and other magical creatures, but flush with hyperrealism, their job was to make sure that the audience was completely unaware of the work theyd done. They wanted to portray both the survivors physical deterioration and the appearance of the corpses that lurk in the corners of certain shots. Marti says that before it hit post-production, Society of the Snow had the potential to be a gore film about anthropophagy. But only Bayona saw that potential version of the movie. Jota always likes to shoot all the possibilities, to have the footage ready for the final edit. So, we did a lot of things for him. From eating marrow to cutting off heads to taking out brains, everything. We would say, But is this necessary? He wanted it all, says Marti. These explicit shots were seen in the first edits, but do not appear in the final edition. When I asked him why he had taken our work out, he told us that he had removed it because he felt that it was unbearable to watch. If people saw this, they would walk out of the theater, he told us. Ribe clarifies that those shots didnt ring true with the films intention. Jota wanted it to be very realistic, to tell everything, but always respecting the privacy of the survivors, he says.

Ana Lopez Puigcerver, makeup artist, during the filming of Society of the Snow.' Quim Vives

DDT was already familiar with the Barcelona directors methods, but it was makeup artist Lopez Puigcerver, whose team was more focused on the non-technical side, who was making her debut with Bayona. The madrilena came to the project in the spring of 2021 via one of its producers, Sandra Hermida, with whom she had already worked. She called me and told that she had a very nice project that I was going to love. She wasnt wrong, Lopez Puigcerver says from the other end of a phone call, standing in the hallway of a hotel in central Madrid, where she was in the midst of the fourth week of shooting Daniel Guzmans latest film. The woman doesnt stop. Lopez Puigcervers has been a life full of cinema. Her husband is a director of photography, her son is a camera operator and her sister Belen is part of her team, specializing in hair.

Deteriorating credibility

In Society of the Snow, it is very difficult to know where one makeup begins and another ends, she says, speaking about the different tasks she and DDT performed. Her role ranged from ensuring logical and chronological continuity to the physical degradation of survivors. She created the raccoon effect on the coma-stricken Fernando Parrados eyes: Medical reports told us that it had to be totally symmetrical, as you see in the film. She also found out what kind of beard can be grown at 4,000 meters above sea level (there are people who dont believe how it barely grew, but in Uruguay, there are many hairless men) to contacting survivors and their relatives in order to recreate their hairstyles. She even interviewed Laura Surraco, Roberto Canessas parter, to find out how she did her eyeliner, and how to apply it for the Catholic mass scene.

The actors lost a lot of weight, and we had the support of DDT, who worked on their prostheses. The most complicated part was to portray the passage of time and the consequences that had on the bodies of the living, to understand the temporal ellipses, says the makeup artist, who has been steadily building an Instagram following in the wake of the films success. The interest generated by the film has made its behind-the-scenes videos, such as the one of the Enzo Vogrincic (Numa Turcatti in the film)s physical degradation, go viral in a matter of hours.

Matias Recalt is Roberto Canessa in Society of the Snow.' Quim Vives

Lopez Puigcerver was not expecting the Oscar nomination. DDT wasnt either. Marti and Ribe thought that Maestro, despite the debate that has ignited on social media over Bradley Coopers exaggerated prothesis, could have taken home the award in the category. Lopez Puigcerver, who will make her red carpet debut at Los Angeless Dolby theater, has already received messages from U.S. stylists offering to dress her. I dont know if theyll give it to us or not, but I do know that Im taking my styling cues from Madrid. And I will have the best help to choose from: all my friends work in wardrobe, she says. Yet more proof of that other community that nobody sees, but shoulders a big part of the responsibility for movie magic.

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The former president of Seton Hall University in New Jersey sued the school on Monday, accusing its former chairman of trying to intimidate him and sexually harassing his wife.

In the lawsuit, the former president, Joseph R. Nyre, accused the former chairman of the universitys Board of Regents, Kevin H. Marino, of a campaign of harassment. The lawsuit said the university board responded to his complaints with gaslighting and retaliation that eventually brought his employment to a grinding halt.

As a result, Mr. Nyre said, he resigned last summer after four years in the job.

He was joined in the lawsuit by his wife, Kelli L. Nyre, who accused Mr. Marino of kissing and touching her, and who said the university failed to act on their complaints about the harassment.

The lawsuit said that Seton Hall determined Mr. Nyre to be a dissident employee whose employment needed to be terminated.
Theres no alliance more historic, nor more important, than the alliance between Black Americans and Jewish Americans.

Thats what Marc Morial, the president of the National Urban League, said in 2020 during his organizations Black-Jewish Unity Week joint event with the American Jewish Committee.

But, Morial told me this week, that alliance is being tested by diverging views about the Israel-Hamas war. And that divergence could influence the way the two constituencies  both of which traditionally support Democrats  approach this years elections.

The relationship between these two communities is longstanding and hit its stride during the civil rights movement. But it hasnt been without periods of friction.
Pakistan went to the polls on Thursday for an election that analysts say will be among the least credible in the countrys 76-year history, one that comes at a particularly turbulent moment for the nation.

For nearly half of Pakistans existence, the military has ruled directly. Even under civilian governments, military leaders have wielded enormous power, ushering in politicians they favored and pushing out those who stepped out of line.

This will be only the third democratic transition between civilian governments in Pakistans history. And it is the first national election since former Prime Minister Imran Khan was removed from power after a vote of no confidence in 2022. Mr. Khans ouster  which he accused the military of orchestrating, though the powerful generals deny it  set off a political crisis that has embroiled the nuclear-armed nation for the past two years.

The vote on Thursday is the culmination of an especially contentious campaign season, in which analysts say the military has sought to gut Mr. Khans widespread support and pave the way to victory for the party of his rival, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
A former civilian director of an elite intelligence unit in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Wednesday after his conviction last year of giving confidential operational information to four men who were targets of police investigations.

The sentence is half of what prosecutors had sought for the intelligence official, Cameron Ortis, whose motive, they acknowledged, remains unknown and who, they agreed, had been highly respected as the director general of the national intelligence coordination unit in Canadas national police force.

Mr. Ortis will get credit for the six and a half years he had spent in jail while awaiting trial and following his conviction in November.

The case was the first time that charges under Canadas 1985 Security of Information Act had been brought to trial. The acts provisions meant that Mr. Ortis was permanently bound to secrecy, therefore his testimony was conducted in secret with only censored transcripts made public. Other evidence has been kept secret.
In the two years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, Ukraine has had its back to the wall many times, in many forms: fighting with Molotov cocktails and guns handed out to the population, coping with blackouts and fleeing refugees. But there was always the prospect of more American aid on the horizon.

That support was critical, analysts and leaders in Kyiv say. The United States has provided about half of the foreign military assistance to Ukraines arsenal, roughly $47 billion.

But this week leaders in Kyiv have waited anxiously to see if that lifeline will come to an end, as a stalemate between lawmakers in the United States Congress threatens to end, for now, American support for the war against Russia.

A measure that would allow American arms to flow to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and fund border security was defeated in a Senate vote on Wednesday amid growing Republican opposition and deep division on Capitol Hill.
Mojo Nixon, the singer, songwriter and radio host who rocketed from the lunatic fringe of 1980s underground music to national attention with his rabble-rousing shots at celebrity culture like the 1987 hit Elvis Is Everywhere and snarky social commentary like the 1986 song I Hate Banks, died on Wednesday aboard a country music cruise. He was 66.

His death was confirmed by Matt Eskey, the director of The Mojo Manifesto, a 2020 documentary about Mr. Nixon. He said that Mr. Nixon had a cardiac event while he was asleep as the Outlaw Country Cruise was docked in San Juan, P.R. He had been a host of the cruise. He lived in suburban Cincinnati.

A statement posted by the films official Facebook page said Mr. Nixon had died after a blazing show, a raging night, closing the bar, taking no prisoners.

Mr. Nixon caught fire in the 1980s by drawing together disparate strings of American eccentricity  the manic energy of Jerry Lee Lewis, the anti-establishment politics of punk rock, the antics of 1970s Elvis Presley and the pious theatrics of televangelists  and then spitting them back in the form of intentionally offensive songs like Don Henley Must Die and Debbie Gibson Is Pregnant With My Two-Headed Love Child.
In The New Look, an Apple TV+ show premiering Feb. 14, wine glasses are never empty, cigarettes are always half-smoked and everyone is thin. The series follows two titans of French fashion, Christian Dior and Coco Chanel, after all, toward the end of World War II.

But this glamorous portrayal of Pariss creative milieu is also interested in how the French elite collaborated with their Nazi occupiers during this contested period. It offers a startling throwback to a time when swastika-stamped flags hung over the streets of Paris. From 1940 to 1944, the French Vichy regime collaborated with the Nazis and deported over 70,000 Jews to death camps, sent French workers to Germany and tried to crush the French resistance.

The shows main action starts in 1943. Chanel (played by Juliette Binoche), a star of French fashion, is living at the Ritz Hotel, which was then a Nazi headquarter, where she hosts her boyfriend, the German spy Hans Gunther von Dincklage (Claes Bang).
Dawn Levesque, 77, goes to learn about World War II. Heidi Barnett, 43, a mother of two, comes to buy presents for her children. Justin Beblawi, 25, has visited since he was a kid and now goes to work there as a clerk.

For people of all ages in Pasadena, Calif., Vromans Bookstore, founded in 1894, has been a mainstay, a meeting place, a reliable sanctuary in a world of rapid change. When its founder, Adam Clark Vroman, died in 1916, he left the bookstore to his godson, Alan Sheldon, a Vromans employee.

The current chairman and majority shareholder, Joel Sheldon III, 79, is the third generation of his family to guide the company and has been at the helm for more than 45 years.

Now, as Vromans prepares to celebrate its 130th anniversary, Sheldon has decided its time to hand over the reins.
Its a tough time for the U.S.-Israel alliance. The death toll from the Gaza war has shaken Washington officials. President Biden wants Israel to recognize a Palestinian state, something its current government opposes. Top Israeli officials openly criticize Biden. Antony Blinken, the secretary of state, is just concluding a trip there to seek common ground  his seventh visit to the country since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.

In todays newsletter, Ill explain the strain that the Gaza war has placed on the U.S.-Israel relationship, how serious it is and what might come next.

A deepening distrust

In the days after Hamass surprise attack, which left about 1,100 Israelis dead, Biden and Blinken rushed to Israel. They proclaimed their support for the country and its right to defend itself.

But the U.S. tone changed as Israels response destroyed much of Gaza and killed at least 25,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. Biden reportedly called the bombing indiscriminate. He is said to be exasperated with Israels prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who yesterday rejected Hamass response to a new cease-fire proposal.
A U.S. strike killed a militia commander

A U.S. Special Operations drone strike in Baghdad killed a senior leader of Kataib Hezbollah, a militia that U.S. officials blame for recent attacks against American personnel, the Pentagon said.

A senior Kataib Hezbollah official and Irans Revolutionary Guards Corps both said that two commanders had been killed in the strike. A spokesman for Iraqs security services said that the strike violated Iraqi sovereignty and risked dangerous repercussions in the region.

Kataib Hezbollah, based in Iraq, is considered a proxy of Iran. The U.S. considers the group a terrorist organization. A drone attack that officials attributed to the group killed three U.S. service members in Jordan late in January, leading President Biden to begin a campaign of retaliation.

U.S. officials have said they are focused on whittling down militias arsenals and deterring attacks against U.S. troops, without starting a broader war in the Middle East.
Jon Cazenave, born in 1978 in the Basque city of San Sebastian in northern Spain, says that the first impression he felt upon arriving at the Kilpisjarvi Biological Station was one of anguish: he was overwhelmed by the blocks of ice and snow that make up the wild lands of Lapland. There, standing under Saana, one of the highest peaks in Finland, in a territory that serves as a border for three nations, he spent 16 days in almost complete solitude. It was the time of the year when winter was coming to an end and spring brought with it the thaw and endless hours of light. Invited to participate in Ars Bioarctica, an artistic and scientific research program, the photographer set out to develop new ways of representing the landscape with a clear purpose in mind: not to impose his own gaze but to allow nature to express itself.

Image from the series 'Ice, Soil, Light and Silence' (2023). Jon Cazenave Image from the series 'Ice, Soil, Light and Silence' (2023). Jon Cazenave Image from the series 'Ice, Soil, Light and Silence' (2023). Jon Cazenave Image from the series 'Ice, Soil, Light and Silence' (2023). Jon Cazenave Image from the series 'Ice, Soil, Light and Silence' (2023). Jon Cazenave Image from the series 'Ice, Soil, Light and Silence' (2023). Jon Cazenave Image from the series 'Ice, Soil, Light and Silence' (2023). Jon Cazenave Image from the series 'Ice, Soil, Light and Silence' (2023). Jon Cazenave

The result of those intense days is a powerful set of organic and abstract images where the force of the natural world comes out on top: Ice, Soil, Light and Silence. The images are being exhibited at the Ibero-American Institute of Finland in Madrid, in a show curated by Sandra Maunac. The exhibition is an ode to the natural and primeval world that this artist once again uses to delve into the idea of the landscape as a constructed reality, and to explore the relationship between culture and nature, while giving rise to new creative approaches that will allow him to explore further beyond the limits of traditional photography, opening paths to new artistic possibilities.

There are still places where it is necessary to arrive slowly, says Cazenave during a telephone conversation. Surrounded by silence, the author little by little traveled through that snowy territory. In the face of that immensity and that romantic concept of the sublime, working becomes a defense mechanism, he explains. Without being bound by any schedules, he surrendered to the whim of the brilliant light that flooded the landscape, and set out to develop in situ a new series that transcended the black and white that usually characterizes his work, acquiring along the way a more material edge as he made use of vegetable and mineral elements. Cazenave climbed the Saana, the Pikku Malla and crossed Lake Kilpisjarvi, while the thaw continued and the stones, moss and lichens and other plants became visible again, freed from the white mantle that covers the subarctic region.

Image from the series 'Ice, Soil, Light and Silence' (2023). Jon Cazenave

He then began to make cyanotypes on Japanese paper (Washi) using rocks. It took him a few days to come up with the idea, so obvious in that place, of placing ice on the emulsified support. So, while the ice melted under the sun, nature was creating its own image. Intent on not using the camera as such, of trying not to look so much, Cazenave returned to the origins of photography and the use of primitive techniques to find those primitive, instinctive and uncultured images that he was after.

Ephemeral pieces

Anthotype, a photographic process that is based on emulsions made with plant extracts, was another one of the resources he used. Using berries that he found along the way, and which he would later identify as Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, a species close to the common blueberry, he gave shape to works with reddish hues that integrated digital captures obtained from satellite images. These shades are doomed to disappear over time due to the instability of the developed image. They are therefore ephemeral pieces in whose fragility the force of nature still beats, where color does not manifest itself as a tool within the artists reach, but as the expression of a material that in a certain way nullifies the photographers authorship.

Image from the series 'Ice, Soil, Light and Silence' (2023). Jon Cazenave

The mountain that he observed daily from his cabin inspired a series of pieces that allude to the border lines that mark that lost territory. Fictional separations drawn by man that also underscore our distance from the natural world, and the need to control and submit to that uncontrollable force. Screen prints composed of superpositions that incorporate digital satellite photographs, and where one can feel the texture of the pigments that come from the territory itself, of elements found by chance that determine new paths and at the same time remind us of our place in the world. Minimal parts of a set of organisms that are always in motion and to which we should listen much more, and which Jons work, through a few simple notes, helps us perceive, writes the curator.

Ice, Soil, Light and Silence. Jon Cazenave. On view until February 29 at the Ibero-American Institute of Finland in Madrid.
Consumer prices fell last month in China by the most since the global financial crisis in 2009, the latest sign that weak spending and a glut of output from factories and farms are forcing businesses to offer discounts.

The decline in consumer prices was mostly confined to food and electric cars. But wholesale prices charged by factories and other producers also fell last month, and have been down from their levels a year earlier in every month since October 2022.

A broad decline in the overall level of prices, a phenomenon known as deflation, could be very troublesome for the economy. Falling prices make it hard for households and companies to keep up on monthly payments for mortgages, corporate loans and other debts.

The deflation data add to a raft of other economic indicators that, on top of a struggling stock market and unraveling property market, pose an extraordinary challenge to the command and control approach of the Chinese government, said Eswar Prasad, a professor of trade and economics at Cornell University.
The University of California and California State University systems on Wednesday became the latest of a growing list of schools to give applicants extensions on their intent to register, now that colleges wont get federal financial aid data until at least March.

At least 25 schools will no longer require commitments by May 1, since they may not be able to send admitted students financial aid offers until April. A few schools have created new aid forms or processes on the fly to award their own grants and scholarships.

What is increasingly resembling a kind of financial-aid free-for-all comes as a result of what was supposed to be simplification.

In 2020, Congress passed a law that required enormous changes to the processes used to award federal aid. The first was to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, form to make it easier to complete. Another was to the formula that doles out federal aid, which was made in part to offer more help to lower-income students.
I spent the first half of this week reporting in Iceland, and I came away convinced that the country provides a window into our collective future in at least three important ways.

Iceland uses remarkably few fossil fuels to power its economy and heat its homes. Instead, 85 percent of the countrys energy comes from domestically produced renewables, primarily geothermal power and hydropower.

Iceland can claim such a high percentage of renewables, the most of any country in the world, thanks to its unique geology. Its land sits atop an incredibly active volcanic zone, and six major geothermal plants tap that subterranean warmth to provide heating for almost all the countrys homes.

Drive around the countryside, and you cant miss steam billowing from the ground between the majestic fjords. Just this morning, an active volcano began erupting in a town I visited only a few days ago.
The climate scientist Michael Mann on Thursday won his defamation lawsuit against Rand Simberg, a former adjunct scholar at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, and Mark Steyn, a contributor to National Review.

The trial transported observers back to 2012, the heyday of the blogosphere and an era of rancorous polemics over the existence of global warming, what the psychology researcher and climate misinformation blogger John Cook called a feral time.

The six-member jury announced its unanimous verdict after a four-week trial in District of Columbia Superior Court and one full day of deliberation. They found both Mr. Simberg and Mr. Steyn guilty of defaming Dr. Mann with multiple false statements and awarded the scientist $1 in compensatory damages from each writer.

The jury also found the writers had made their statements with maliciousness, spite, ill will, vengeance or deliberate intent to harm, and levied punitive damages of $1,000 against Mr. Simberg and $1 million against Mr. Steyn in order to deter others from doing the same.
Note to teachers: Please note that this weeks film includes powerful and disturbing images  including violence between military forces and protesters. Be sure to review the film before screening with your class.

Letter to San Zaw Htway is a 15-minute Op-Doc film and an intimate portrait of the Burmese artist, activist and political prisoner, as told through the words of his loved ones. San Zaw Htway spent 13 years of a 36-year-sentence imprisoned under harsh conditions in Myanmar and died in 2017 after a cancer diagnosis. He had touched many lives, serving as a dedicated trauma counselor to former political prisoners and teaching children and refugees to make artwork using recycled materials, as he did when he was in prison.

What can we learn from the life of San Zaw Htway? What inspiration can we take from the words and letters written to him by those who continue to live under military rule in Myanmar?

Students

1. Watch the short film above. While you watch, you might take notes using our Film Club Double-Entry Journal (PDF) to help you remember specific moments.
Even without the knowledge that his annual salary as a senior partner at C.P.I. is $847,000, and that he purchased his house overlooking Lake Keowee for $1.6 million six months after the Trump administration came to an end, it would be natural to conclude that Meadows, the 64-year-old former White House chief of staff, is doing very well for himself. His public appearances, though far fewer than before  he was spotted at the Capitol in October during Jordans unsuccessful campaign to be speaker of the House, for example  reveal the same tactile Southern congeniality that Meadows honed to perfection during his days as a real estate agent in North Carolina. For those who have known Meadows for a long time, including those who harbor a powerful dislike of him, his air of breezy prosperity is not at all incongruent with the crisis that currently looms over him. The Mark Meadows they know has always been a peerless escape artist, ever ascending over the bridges he has burned.

But his familiar guile is now facing its greatest test. In August, a grand jury in Fulton County, Ga., indicted Meadows on charges related to his alleged participation in a racketeering scheme to overturn Georgias 2020 presidential election results and keep Trump in office. Two months later, Katherine Faulders of ABC News broke the story that Meadows had been furtively speaking with prosecutors in the federal case being pursued against Trump by the Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith. The possibility that the former presidents closest White House aide  a man with unsurpassed access to Trump during the final months of his presidency  might be seeking to wriggle out of further trouble by supplying damning information to prosecutors, and perhaps even testifying against Trump at trial, suggested a seemingly inescapable choice for Meadows: prison time or career suicide.
Drift, a patient character study set on a craggy Greek island, proves a mesmerizing showcase for the actress Cynthia Erivos talents. She plays Jacqueline, a traumatized Liberian refugee whose cautious air is a gentle source of forward motion even as the film around her stalls.

The story takes place during a season of vagrancy in Jacquelines life, tracking her efforts to find shelter and enough food to keep from fainting. She spends her days selling foot massages to sunbathers and her nights sleeping in sandy beach nooks, and is often pictured alone against the coastal scenery. Eventually, she meets Callie (Alia Shawkat), a chatterbox American tour guide whose hunger for friendship helps Jacqueline to open up.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Days of Heaven, Before the Revolution, 1900, The Untouchables, Kill Bill, Django Unchained, The Mission, The Thing, Fists in the Pocket, The Battle of Algiers, The Bird With the Crystal Plumage, Bugsy, Bulworth, Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!  if youve watched a movie in the last half century theres a good chance that youve heard music by Ennio Morricone, the titanic Italian composer and arranger who helped define films as we know and hear them.

When Morricone died at the age of 91 in 2020, it seemed almost hard to believe given how expansive his reach had been and, well, how long hed been part of my movie life. (His death was announced with a statement he titled: I, Ennio Morricone, am dead.) When I was a kid, we had an LP of his soundtrack for Gillo Pontecorvos Burn! (1970), a period epic about a British intelligence officer (Marlon Brando) whos sent to a fictional Portuguese colony to stir up trouble. A audiocassette of the soundtrack is stashed somewhere in my house; every so often, I listen to it on Spotify and am again transported by Morricones soaring music.

In Ennio, a lively, absorbing documentary about the composer, Morricone discusses his work on Burn! and so many other films. Written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, it is a crowded, hyperventilated portrait stuffed with archival and original material, including interviews with Morricone shot in 2015 and 2016. Like several other filmmakers, Tornatore worked repeatedly with Morricone, a partnership that began with Cinema Paradiso (1990), the directors soppy heart-tugger about a friendship between a theater projectionist and the boy he schools who becomes a filmmaker. Its perhaps no surprise that Ennio is another cinephilic paean.
The writer and director Laura Chinn amassed a lifetimes worth of material while in her teens. Her fantastic memoir, Acne, is a survivalist tale of enduring her distracted Scientologist parents; one darkly funny low point comes when she drops out of high school and gets a nightclub gig as M.C. of topless Jell-O wrestling events.

Suncoast, Chinns promising feature debut, fictionalizes the books most excruciating part: her older brothers slow death from brain cancer at the same time  and same Florida hospice  as Terri Schiavo, the vegetative patient whose right to die became a moral and legal flashpoint nationwide in 2005.

With commendable wit and zero self-pity, Chinn sketches the daily surreality of her teenage analogue, Doris (Nico Parker), and mother, Kristine (Laura Linney), navigating a gantlet of protesters who call the hospice an execution chamber. Max (Cree Kawa), the dying boy, controls the story even as he is lying nonverbal and inert. Chinn fearlessly acknowledges that his yearslong illness holds the family hostage. Its a bummer to spend endless dull hours at Maxs bedside while other kids party. Selfish? A little. False? No.
The Monk and the Gun, a modestly scaled, lightly comic and blithely ingratiating tale set in Bhutan takes place in the recent past, when the country held mock elections.

In 2005, the Bhutanese monarch announced that he was stepping down in 2008, a move that helped clear the way for the countrys transformation to a democracy. While the abdication went smoothly by all accounts, the mock elections  a nationwide practice run for parliamentary voting to come  are disturbing the citizenry in this fictional movie, a smooth piece of work with grand landscapes, nonprofessional actors, toothless politics and a story as contrived as just about anything youd find at your local multiplex (or at Sundance).

There are two monks in the movie, and several more guns than the title indicates. One monk is a wizened, unnamed lama (Kelsang Choejey, an actual lama), with a wispy white beard who spends his days meditating in a temple and is given to gnomic comments. One day, he orders his disciple, a sturdily built young monk, Tashi (Tandin Wangchuk), to procure two guns. I need them by full moon, the older lama says, adding that they will allow him to set things right. He doesnt explain what exactly he means by that; largely, it seems so that his instructions can give the story a touch of mystery as Tashi sets off on his feature-length quest.
High school students walk past ExxonMobil flags as they arrive to a job fair at the University of Guyana in Georgetown, Guyana, April 21, 2023.

Exxon Mobil said it plans to explore for oil and gas in a disputed area off South Americas coast where the Venezuelan military had previously expelled two U.S. oil companies. The move could escalate tensions between Venezuela and neighboring Guyana, which awarded the exploration license.

Guyana considers the area part of its Essequibo region, but Venezuela has long claimed it as its own, holding a referendum in December in which voters supported a push to annex it.

Robert Persaud, Guyanas foreign secretary, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that ExxonMobil has every right to work in that region because it is within established Guyana waters in a fully demarcated area.

The oil giant said Tuesday that it expects to drill two exploratory wells north and west of its prolific Stabroek block, where three oil fields are producing close to 650,000 barrels of oil a day.

The president of Exxon Mobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, told reporters that the concessions were granted by Guyana and that the company is committed to its operations despite the countrys ongoing tensions with Venezuela. We are not going anywhere, he said.

Previous attempts to explore for oil and gas in that area have failed. In 2019, Exxon Mobil was forced to abandon exploration activities after a Venezuelan military helicopter tried to land on a seismic vessel. And in 2013, officials aboard a Venezuelan gunboat detained the crew of a seismic vessel contracted by a Texas petroleum company for a week before releasing them.

The latest push by Exxon Mobil comes as Guyana and Venezuela prepare to meet for a second time to try and diffuse the dispute over the Essequibo region. Following mediation talks in December, both sides agreed not to threaten or use force against each other but failed to reach a resolution.

Meanwhile, the U.S. government is increasing its military aid to Guyana and has promised to help buy new aircraft, helicopters, a fleet of military drones and, for the first time, radar technology.

Essequibo is a mineral-rich territory that accounts for two-thirds of Guyana and lies near big offshore oil deposits. Military confrontation with Venezuela appears unlikely for now, but several countries have echoed Guyanas concerns over an annexation by its neighbor to the west.

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Voters in El Salvador this week gave their tough-on-crime president a sweeping mandate: Keep going.

While votes are still being counted, President Nayib Bukele claims he won re-election by a landslide, with more than 85 percent of the vote. If those results hold when the official count is announced, not even Latin Americas best-known populist presidents, like Venezuelas Hugo Chavez or Bolivias Evo Morales, will have come close to winning election by such margins.

Mr. Bukeles unparalleled rise comes down to a single factor: El Salvadors stunning crime drop. Since he took office in 2019, intentional homicide rates have decreased from 38 per 100,000 in that year to 7.8 in 2022, well below the Latin American average of 16.4 for the same year.

The crackdown Mr. Bukele has led on organized crime has all but dismantled the infamous street gangs that terrorized the population for decades. It also exacted a tremendous price on Salvadorans human rights, civil liberties and democracy. Since March 2022, when Mr. Bukele declared a state of emergency that suspended basic civil liberties, security forces have locked up roughly 75,000 people. A staggering one in 45 adults is now in prison.

Other leaders in the neighborhood are taking notice, and have debated adopting many of the same drastic measures to fight their own criminal violence. But even if they wanted to make the trade-off that Mr. Bukeles government has  making streets safer through methods that are blatantly at odds with democracy  they arent likely to succeed. The conditions that enabled Mr. Bukeles success and political stardom are unique to El Salvador, and cant be exported.
To the Editor:

Re The Gig Label Is Being Used to Exploit Workers, by Terri Gerstein (Opinion guest essay, Jan. 29):

We are the freelance writers and editors Ms. Gerstein mentioned who are suing the Department of Labor over the independent contractor rule that will, as she said, make it harder for employers to treat workers as independent contractors rather than employees. So let us explain.

The Department of Labor acknowledges in its 339-page rule published Jan. 10 that most of the public comments made by independent contractors expressed opposition to the rule, criticizing the Departments proposed economic reality test as ambiguous and biased against independent contracting.

There are now more than 70 million independent contractors, comprising a significant portion of the U.S. work force, and study after study shows that 70 percent to 85 percent of us wish to remain self-employed. The independent contractor rule is just the latest in the Biden administrations ongoing freelance-busting assault on our rights to be in business for ourselves.

Like the vast majority of independent contractors in America, we choose self-employment. This rule, slated to take effect on March 11, will restrict our right to engage in business contracts with our clients on our own terms. We hope the district court will invalidate the rule and protect our careers.
Whoever Donald Trump chooses as his running mate, please let it not be a woman.

Perhaps you think its beside the point to worry over this.

But before writing off the vice presidency as a distraction, remember, three years ago, his vice president stood between democracy and autocracy, after he noticed at the very last minute there was a Constitution standing in the way of Trump overturning the 2020 election.

Theres also the very real prospect that should a 78-year-old Trump be re-elected, he may not complete his term.

And theres the reality that the pageant has already begun.

Its very clear hes holding these open auditions like its The Apprentice, Kurt Bardella, a Democratic strategist, said of Trump to The Guardian. He will flirt with everyone. He will make them dance. They will all debase themselves and humiliate themselves and jockey for that spot.
First, there were talking digital assistants like Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant. Then there were online chatbots like ChatGPT and Google Bard. Now, the two are merging.

On Thursday, Google introduced Gemini, a smartphone app that behaves like a talking digital assistant as well as a conversational chatbot. Responding to voice and text requests, it can answer questions, write poetry, generate images, draft emails, analyze personal photos and take other actions, like setting a timer or placing a phone call.

Immediately available to English speakers in more than 150 countries and territories, including the United States, Gemini replaces Bard and Google Assistant. It is underpinned by artificial intelligence technology that the company has been developing since early last year.

The new app is designed to do an array of tasks, including serving as a personal tutor, helping computer programmers with coding tasks and even preparing job hunters for interviews, Google said.
When the Supreme Court considers on Thursday whether former President Donald J. Trump should appear on the primary ballot in Colorado, two former law clerks with vastly different ideologies will square off before the justices.

Colorados solicitor general will also be arguing before the court.

The lawyer for Mr. Trump, Jonathan F. Mitchell, 47, is best known for drafting anti-abortion laws that ultimately led the Supreme Court to abolish the constitutional right to the procedure.

One of those laws, Senate Bill 8, was engineered in part by Mr. Mitchell and led to a near-total ban on abortion in Texas. He also worked on similar laws in other states.

After graduating from the University of Chicagos law school, Mr. Mitchell clerked for J. Michael Luttig, a federal appeals judge and a prominent conservative voice who has since spoken out forcefully against Mr. Trump, followed by a clerkship at the Supreme Court with Justice Antonin Scalia. Notably, Judge Luttig, now retired, filed a brief opposing Mr. Trumps position in the case.
It would be a daunting task for anyone making his first argument before the Supreme Court.

As the lawyer representing a group of Colorado voters seeking to block former President Donald J. Trump from the ballot, Jason Murray, 38, stood before a skeptical majority in a high-stakes argument that could shape the course of the presidential election.

He was also appearing before two of his former bosses: Justices Elena Kagan and Neil M. Gorsuch.

After finishing Harvard Law School, he clerked for Justice Gorsuch, then a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, and later spent a year working for Justice Kagan, finishing in 2014.

The pair are often on opposing sides in ideologically charged cases on issues like abortion, voting rights and affirmative action. But both Justice Kagan, a liberal nominated by President Barack Obama, and Justice Gorsuch, a Trump appointee who has helped shift the court to the right, seemed troubled by the implications of the Colorado Supreme Courts decision to bar Mr. Trump from the primary ballot. Each pummeled Mr. Murray with a punishing barrage of questions.

Justice Kagan pushed Mr. Murray on the implications of allowing Colorado to ban Mr. Trump, questioning what would happen if the state at the heart of the case were instead a swing state like Michigan or Wisconsin.
When Ava Friedmann and Michael Henein were married, they used a tablecloth from Ms. Friedmanns grandmother as a huppah, or ritual canopy held above the couple in a Jewish wedding. Mr. Heneins father, who is a Coptic Christian from Egypt, anointed them with holy oil.

That same braiding of their cultural traditions has steered them over the last three months, as they have talked about the Israel-Hamas war. Both were horrified by the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, but Mr. Henein worried instinctively about the Palestinian lives in Gaza that would be lost because of Israels military response. They decided to read identical news sources about the war to help make sure they stayed on the same page.

We needed to really hear each other and share our perspectives, and make sure we were creating an environment that didnt lead to conflict between the two of us, Ms. Friedmann said.

Many American Jews have reconsidered how they feel about Israel and even their own Jewish identity since the Oct. 7 attack, in which Israeli officials say Hamas militants killed roughly 1,200 people. Israels reprisal, a bombing campaign and invasion, has killed more than 26,000 people, Palestinian officials say.
Two JetBlue Airways planes collided on the tarmac at Boston Logan International Airport early Thursday morning, damaging both aircraft but causing no reported injuries.

JetBlue Flight 777 was entering a de-icing pad lane before taking off for Las Vegas when its left winglet struck the right horizontal stabilizer on the tail of JetBlue Flight 551, which was on an adjacent de-icing pad on its way to Orlando, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.

The collision occurred at 6:40 a.m., the F.A.A. said, adding that the agency would investigate. No passengers or crew members were injured, JetBlue said in a statement.
Mrs. Cotton, two inches shy of 5 feet tall and unable to swim, would return covered in mud and scratches. It got so when the neighbors saw her coming, they went inside.

Randy Sellers was missing for weeks, then years, then decades. For Mrs. Cotton, the steep slopes of the river running past her home in Kenton County, Ky., were replaced by even more treacherous terrain: unresolved grief, and unanswered questions about two police officers who were with Randy that night.
White House officials traveled on Thursday to Dearborn, Mich., to meet with Arab American leaders about the war in Gaza and concerns about Islamophobia at home, as President Biden faces mounting Democratic discontent over his refusal to call for a cease-fire.

Last week, the Biden team dispatched Julie Chavez Rodriguez, the presidents campaign manager, to meet with community leaders in Dearborn, a suburb of Detroit that has a large population of Arab and Muslim Americans. The citys mayor, Abdullah Hammoud, and several other state lawmakers declined to meet with Ms. Chavez Rodriguez after coming under pressure from community leaders who are angry at Mr. Biden over the war in Gaza. Mr. Hammoud demanded to meet instead with foreign policy officials  not political ones.

The meetings on Thursday afternoon, which were confirmed by two people familiar with the plans who insisted on anonymity, were attended by higher-level governmental officials. They included Samantha Power, the administrator of the United States Agency for International Development; Tom Perez, the director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs; and Jon Finer, a deputy national security adviser.

Democrats in Michigan have begun a campaign to oppose Mr. Biden in the states primary election on Feb. 27, urging voters to cast ballots for uncommitted. Mr. Biden faces no serious challenge in his partys primary race, so the effort is a way for Arab American and liberal Democrats to register their frustration with the administrations approach to Israel in a key battleground state.
The United States imported more goods and services from Mexico than from any other country in the world in 2023, displacing China for the first time in 21 years, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Wednesday. Mexican exports to its neighbor totaled $475.6 billion, a jump of 4.6% compared to 2022. Meanwhile, China sold 20% less to America in 2023 compared to the previous year. Imports from China totaled $427.2 billion.

The share of Chinese products in total U.S. imports also fell: they stood at 13.9% in 2023, the lowest level since 2004. In 2022, they had reached 16.3%. There are two factors behind this reconfiguration of trade: first, an effort by the United States to decouple its economy from Chinas, a movement that began in the era of Donald Trump. Second, an effort by Mexico to fill that void through the tools offered by the USMCA trade agreement, to promote the country as a destination for companies wishing to leave China. The most recent data consolidates Mexico as the main trading partner of the United States.

Reshoring is definitely changing trade, said Nada Sanders, a professor of supply chain management at Northwestern University in Boston. For the first time in decades, Mexico has surpassed China as the leading source of imported goods. According to the latest data, which Ive just had access to, Mexico is filling the gap and slowly growing. Chinas share of global goods exports has declined in the United States. Besides Mexico, the gap is largely being filled by India, followed by Vietnam, Poland, Indonesia and then Romania. Mexico continues to be an important component.

In the peak year of 2017, that proportion had reached 21.6%, the highest since records began. Those were different times: the United States and China maintained a political rivalry but were aware of their mutual economic dependence. The U.S. recovery after the 2008 financial crisis and the explosion of growth in the Asian country triggered trade exchange.

But the trade war unleashed during Trumps presidency began to slow that trend. Both countries raised their mutual tariffs. The growing geopolitical and economic rivalry moved to the realm of technology. The era of the so-called decoupling began, the separation of its technological sectors. So did mutual distrust.

The outbreak of the Covid pandemic altered that trend: in 2020 and 2021, Americans rushed to buy all kinds of products made in China. Computers, office goods for teleworking, television sets, toys, bicycles. In 2022, with the worst of the outbreak over, it was the complications and delays in global supply chains that kept the numbers rising: once the bottlenecks at the ports were resolved, which had prevented the replenishment of products, U.S. companies began buying goods to shore up their stocks. They did this to such an extent that in 2023 they were still sufficiently full and orders were reduced.

The 2023 data now points to a return to the Trump era trend. Neither country has withdrawn their tariffs. Distrust between the two governments is still present, despite small steps to stabilize the relationship. Among them, the face-to-face meeting between the respective presidents, Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, outside San Francisco during the APEC summit in November last year. Meanwhile, since 2018 some companies have moved their production from China to neighboring countries such as Vietnam, or else to Mexico.

In Mexico, a promising narrative has been established around nearshoring, although analysts have expressed concern about whether the country has the necessary infrastructure in terms of water supply, electricity, and road safety to take advantage of this window of opportunity. Sanders believes that perception is changing. The current opinion among companies in Mexico is that they can indeed grow and they will. There is a definite change in sentiment within Mexico in terms of what they can and will do. This sentiment is a significant change and the country is taking the momentum to fill the void and lead in this space.
[Reporter] President Biden, something the special counsel said in his report is that one of the reasons you were not charged is because, in his description, you are a well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory. Im well meaning, and Im an elderly man, and I know what the hell Im doing. Ive been president, and I put this country back on its feet. I dont need his recommendation. Thats totally  [Reporter] How bad is your memory, and can you continue as president? My memory is so bad I let you speak. Thats  [Reporter] Do you know if your memory has gotten worse, Mr. President? My memory is not  My memory is fine. My memory  Take a look at what Ive done since Ive become president. None of you thought I could pass any of the things I got passed. How did that happen? You know, I guess I just forgot what was going on.
One of the longest-serving prosecutors in the Sept. 11, 2001, case is stepping down, citing the pressure of his repeated trips to Guantanamo Bay on him and his family.

The prosecutor, Edward R. Ryan, is a Justice Department lawyer who served on a team of civilian and military prosecutors who for 15 years have sought to start the trial of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and four other prisoners accused of conspiring in the hijackings that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York, in Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon.

Mr. Ryans decision was seen as a sign that the case would not be going to trial anytime soon.

He represented the government at the prisoners original court appearance at Guantanamo in 2008 and participated in nearly all the pretrial hearings since then.

On Wednesday, Mr. Ryan told family members of victims of the attacks by email that he was leaving with the heaviest heart to return to North Carolina. There he will resume work as a federal prosecutor, the job he had before his Guantanamo assignment.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating an outbreak on a luxury cruise ship after more than 150 people reported symptoms of gastrointestinal illness, including diarrhea and vomiting.

The ship, the Queen Victoria, operated by Cunard Line, departed Southampton, England, on Jan. 11 on a 107-night cruise that included recent stops in Florida and San Francisco, according to the companys website. The ship is scheduled to arrive in Honolulu on Monday.

The C.D.C. said that, as of Thursday, 129 passengers and 25 crew members had reported being ill on the ship. The agency said 1,824 passengers and 967 crew members were aboard at the time of the outbreak.

The cause of the illnesses was unknown, the agency said.

In a statement, Cunard Line, which is based in Southampton, said that a number of guests had reported symptoms of gastrointestinal illness on the ship, which arrived in San Francisco on Tuesday after stops in Mexico, Guatemala, Panama and Aruba.
Former President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil oversaw a broad conspiracy to hold on to power regardless of the results of the 2022 election, including personally editing a proposed order to arrest a Supreme Court justice, according to accusations unveiled on Thursday by the Brazilian federal police.

Mr. Bolsonaro and dozens of top aides, ministers and military leaders worked together to undermine the Brazilian publics faith in the election and set the stage for a potential coup, the federal police said.

Their efforts included spreading disinformation about voter fraud, drafting legal arguments for new elections, recruiting military personnel to support a coup, surveilling judges and encouraging and guiding protesters who eventually raided government buildings, police said.

The explosive allegations were contained in a 134-page court order that authorized a sweeping federal police operation on Thursday that targeted Mr. Bolsonaro and about two dozen of his political allies, including Brazils former defense minister, former national security adviser, former justice minister and former head of the Navy.
Pakistanis have labeled it a selection  not an election. Human rights monitors have condemned it as neither free nor fair.

As voters cast ballots on Thursday, the influence of Pakistans powerful military and the turbulent state of its politics were on full display. Few doubted which party would come out on top, a reflection of the generals ultimate hold on Pakistans troubled democracy.

But the military is facing new challenges to its authority from a discontented public, making this an especially fraught moment in the nations history.

As results began to trickle in Thursday evening, the party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif  the militarys preferred party of the moment  was still expected to win, but it did not look as if it would pull off the easy victory that was widely predicted. Parliamentary candidates allied with another former prime minister, Imran Khan, were neck and neck with Mr. Sharifs party in many races in Punjab, the countrys most populous province and political heartland.
The newly crowned Miss Japan 2024, statuesque in an embroidered column dress, sauntered center stage and said through tears that she finally felt accepted in a nation shed called home since she was 5.

Karolina Shiino, a Ukraine-born model, won the Miss Japan title in January, a few months after she had been naturalized as a Japanese citizen. That made her the first foreign-born woman to wear a crown meant to signify the foremost beauty of all Japanese women.

The crowning of Ms. Shiino, 26, was the latest test of what it means to be Japanese, at a time when the country has record numbers of resident foreign nationals and faces a demographic crisis that will require businesses across the country to recruit more foreign workers in the future.

But this week, barely two weeks after Ms. Shiinos victory, her reign came to an unceremonious end  not for questions of identity, but over an affair with a married man that had been splashed in the pages of a tabloid.
Will Trump be allowed to hold office again?

The Supreme Court justices seemed skeptical of arguments to kick Donald Trump off state ballots and disqualify him from holding office because of his attempts to overturn the 2020 election.

The State Supreme Court in Colorado ruled in December that Trumps conduct in trying to subvert the 2020 race made him ineligible to hold office. The court based its ruling on a constitutional provision that bars people who have sworn to support the Constitution and then engaged in insurrection.

But in Washington yesterday, Supreme Court justices across the ideological spectrum expressed skepticism about several aspects of the Colorado ruling. A majority of them indicated that individual states may not disqualify national candidates unless Congress first enacts legislation. The timing of the ruling is unclear, but the court has fast-tracked the case.

Historical context: Not since Bush v. Gore, the 2000 decision that handed the presidency to George Bush, has the court assumed such a direct role in the outcome of a presidential contest.
When its after hours, and the boss is on the line, Australian workers  already among the worlds best-rested and most personally fulfilled employees  can soon press decline in favor of the seductive call of the beach.

In yet another buttress against the scourge of overwork, Australias Senate on Thursday passed a bill that would give workers the right to ignore calls and messages outside working hours without fear of repercussion. It will now return to the House of Representatives for final approval.

The new bill, which is expected to pass in the House with ease, would let Australian workers refuse unreasonable professional communication outside the workday. Workplaces that punished employees for not responding to such demands could be fined.

Someone who is not being paid 24 hours a day shouldnt be penalized if theyre not online and available 24 hours a day, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at a news conference on Wednesday.
When Bologna became the first major Italian city to impose a speed limit of 30 kilometers, or 20 miles, an hour, Luca Mazzoli, a local taxi driver, posted a sign in his cab warning passengers of the change.

He had to, he said grumpily the other day, to explain why I am driving so slowly.

Since the limit became enforceable in mid-January, it has taken longer for Mr. Mazzoli to get from Point A to Point B, he claimed, meaning that he has picked up fewer passengers and has found himself stuck in traffic more often.

A city has to move, he said.

Critics of the measure say that Bologna risks slowing to a standstill since it became the first major Italian city to join a growing group of municipalities, including Amsterdam; Bilbao, Spain; Brussels; and Lyon, France, that have lowered speed limits from 50 kilometers per hour, about 30 miles per hour, in the belief that the change will lead to safer, healthier and more livable cities.
Russian authorities on Thursday banned from the presidential race the only candidate who had openly contested President Vladimir V. Putins hold on power in Russia, and who made his opposition to the war in Ukraine central to his campaign.

The move by Russias Central Electoral Commission, the body that administers elections in Russia, was the latest predictable twist in a campaign that few doubt will result in Mr. Putins re-election in March.

Mr. Putins expected victory in the March 15-17 presidential election would secure him a fifth term in the Kremlin, cementing his rule as one of the longest and most consequential in Russian history.

The commissions dismissal of the antiwar candidate, Boris B. Nadezhdin, demonstrated how the Kremlin has decided to remove all contenders who deviate from the party line. Mr. Nadezhdin, who has attracted thousands of supporters across Russia, has called the decision to invade Ukraine a fatal mistake.
There is a fine line between science fiction and reality. In most cases, it is only a matter of time before fantasy and scientific research cross paths and their boundaries become blurred, says neuroscientist Rodrigo Quian Quiroga: What was science fiction until a few years ago is already science. But can machines be self-aware like HAL 9000 in 2001: A Space Odyssey? Is it feasible to achieve the immortality proposed in Open Your Eyes, and manipulate memories, like in Total Recall?

Quian Quiroga, a graduate in Physics, ICREA professor, and researcher in the Perception and Memory group at the Hospital del Mar Research Institute in Barcelona, Spain, has just published (in Spanish only) a work that reviews this transition from science fiction to real life  with reference to iconic films of the genre  through the great scientific advances of the time. Inception and Total Recall play with the idea of implanting memory. And that has already been done [in mice] at MIT: scientists optically stimulated specific neurons and managed to implant a false memory. It is proof of concept, Quian Quiroga says.

The scientist specializes in the study of the neural mechanisms of memory and discovered the so-called grandmother cells (or Jennifer Aniston neurons). These are nerve cells in the hippocampus that respond to specific concepts after an experiment carried out with photos of familiar people: They reflect the conscious perception [of something] and not the visual stimulus, the researcher explains. He considers the finding fundamental in the construction of the individual.

A lover of philosophy, he is one of the privileged few who do not possess a cell phone  I can afford not to have one. The cell phone kills those moments of boredom in which it seems that you are not doing anything, but suddenly the cogs in your mind start spinning, and ideas emerge that you hadnt thought about. In his book (Cosas que nunca creeriais. De la ciencia ficcion a la neurociencia), Quian Quiroga also takes the opportunity to reframe some of mankinds big questions about consciousness, sense of identity, and free will. The book is a hoax: it is not science fiction or neuroscience. It is a treatise on philosophy, he admits with a laugh.

Question. Channel 53. Neuron 2. What's going on there?

Answer. That was the Jennifer Aniston neuron. When we evaluate a patient with refractory epilepsy for surgery [where the area of the brain in which the seizure originates is detected and removed], electrodes are placed inside the brain to identify where the seizures are coming from. And that allows me to record the neurons. What we do is we show photos to the patient, and we see if any of the neurons we are recording respond to any of the photos we show. This happened with a patient in the United States, when I saw that channel 53, neuron 2, responded to photos of Jennifer Aniston and nothing else.

Q. What is that neuron trying to tell you?

A. It is representing the concept of Jennifer Aniston, because it responds to any photo of her. Its not that it responds to a visual stimulus because it has light from here or there, or because Jennifer has styled her hair in this or that way. It responds to her, no matter what she looks like. This was the first of many neurons that I found that responded to a concept. What we see is that there are neurons in the hippocampus  an area of the brain that is essential for memory  that respond to concepts, and associations between concepts, which are the skeleton of the memories of our experiences. What I infer from that is that, if you did not have this type of neuron, you wouldnt be able to encode memories. These neurons are key to recognizing the experiences you have with those concepts.

Q. Why do we remember some things and not others?

A. One of the first things that surprised me when I started getting into neuroscience is how little we remember. Our memory is based on remembering very little information and making a construction based on that. Thats why we have false memories. We are constantly constructing a reality from very little information. Our brains capacity for memory is very limited. In each person, we tend to find neurons that are related to things that interest them, and it is because they form memories for those things. In other words, if my sister passes by, I will form a memory because she is my sister, but if another person passes by, I will not because I dont know her, I am not interested in remembering it. You tend to form memories of things that are familiar or emotionally salient, which is something that impacts you greatly, for better or worse.

Q. Do we need to forget?

A. Yes. I think that in our society we place too much value on memory. We tend to confuse intelligence with memory, and that has a big impact because that is how we are assessed at school. We have this tendency to want to remember more because it gives us the impression that people hold us in higher esteem. And guess what: the key to the functioning of human intelligence is not what we remember, but the amount we forget. I believe that forgetting defines human intelligence, it is the essential characteristic of intelligence.

Q. Why?

A. When you encode concepts you are forgetting details. By developing thinking based on concepts, I am leaving aside a lot of details, and that allows me to make much more advanced associations. I believe that human intelligence is based on being able to extract what is essential, set aside the details, and have thoughts. And that means forgetting. This level of abstraction is exclusive to humans, and that is the great peculiarity of human memory.

Q. Is that where machines cant compete to overtake human intelligence?

A. I dont think there is a scientific barrier by which I can say that machines will not be able to become like us, because I dont see why something that is encoded by neurons cannot be encoded by transistors. Its not that organic living matter with carbon has different properties than what you could build in a circuit. But I believe that artificial intelligence (AI) is still very far from approaching human intelligence. There are advances that are extraordinary, but even so, they are not even close to human intelligence.

Q. Is there anything that is still science fiction but that worries you because it could become real?

A. What is on everyones lips right now is AI. But it doesnt worry me. It makes me curious. There are two big questions about AI that fascinate me: one is whether we will ever get AI to wake up, in the sense that it suddenly becomes aware of its own existence. And another question is whether we can one day get AI to develop what is called general intelligence. That is, you learn something in one context and apply it in a totally different context, like if you go out on the street and something happens to you that has never happened to you in your life, but you know what to do because you have an idea. Its common sense. You make inferences, draw analogies, and so on. Its knowing how to behave in new situations. That is general intelligence and, until today, it is in its infancy in artificial intelligence.

Q. So, general intelligence is what separates us from machines, then? You say that you see that they are far from becoming more intelligent than humans.

A. You mustnt be blinded by shiny new things. 25 years ago, we all said that chess was an impregnable barrier for a machine. And suddenly, Deep Blue beat Kasparov. And today there is no chess player in the world who is capable of beating a computer. So, in playing chess, the machine has surpassed us. But you cant use the rules you learn playing chess to solve a theorem, to write a report, or to recognize faces. Thats what AI is missing.

The neuroscientist Rodrigo Quian Quiroga at the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park. Albert Garcia

Q. Is understanding consciousness the greatest challenge for neuroscience?

A. We are already answering that question. The big question we asked ourselves a while ago was how the activity of neurons is able to create sensations. For example, the sensation of pink, the sensation that I like something, or of seeing you. And I think that question is somewhat answered. It is a philosophical fallacy. It is believing that there are two different things. The sensation of seeing you is nothing more than the activity of neurons. Now the question has changed. The big question is, what specific process in the human brain do we have to copy for a machine to wake up? And we still dont know that.

Q. Another topic that the book touches on is dreams. What is the purpose of dreaming?

A. We dont know. When someone wants to give you a serious answer, they will tell you that it is an epiphenomenon. That just means something that is a consequence and that has no function. Im reluctant to accept that because, sometimes, the constructions of dreams are so fabulous that to say they have no function feels inherently wrong to me. Besides, you have a lot of evidence that we can be very creative during sleep. For example, Paul McCartney dreamed of the song Yesterday and wrote it when he woke up. I believe that dreams strip you of reality, and that triggers your creativity.

Q. You also address free will from the context of the film Minority Report. You say that the conscious decision is a consequence of unconscious processes in our brain. So free will is an illusion? Do we have no real ability to decide?

A. Yes, you have the ability to decide. The problem is that we have deeply rooted Cartesian dualism. We think that the mind is something different from the brain. So, when you say that we do not have the ability to decide, you have to realize it is your brain that makes the decision: it is you. You imagine that there is something ethereal and magical, that you call the mind, and that it exercises its will and makes its decision and implements it through the brain. But where is that mind? What is the mind if neuron are all there is? The mind is the behavior of neurons. And the exercise of will is you making decisions based on the activation of your neurons. Decisions are the result of the activity of neurons, and the activity of neurons is a deterministic process. Whether a neuron fires or not is connected with the stimuli it receives from other neurons or from the outside. The decision-making process is deterministic, it is predetermined, which happens to be so complex that it is as if it were not complex. So the fact that it is predetermined doesnt change anything because there is no one who can predict it because it is extremely complex.

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President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine on Thursday removed his top general as part of a sweeping overhaul of his military command, the most significant shake-up in Ukrainian leadership since Russia invaded almost two years ago.

The dismissal ended weeks of speculation about the fate of the commander, Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, whose relationship with Mr. Zelensky had deteriorated as Ukraine failed to make a breakthrough in its counteroffensive last summer and fall. Mr. Zelensky was prepared to fire the general 10 days ago before temporarily backing off, Ukrainian officials have said.

The upheaval comes at a difficult moment for Ukraine in the war, amid intensified Russian attacks, partisan wrangling in the United States over providing aid to the government in Kyiv and the tensions between Ukraines civilian and military leadership.

General Zaluzhny will be replaced by Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky, the head of Ukraines ground forces, the president said.
As Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken sat down with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel this week, American and Arab officials were expressing cautious optimism over the latest proposal from Hamas for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

But just hours after speaking to Mr. Blinken, Mr. Netanyahu appeared more intent on delivering a fiery message aimed at his domestic audience. Instead of appearing side by side at a news conference with the secretary of state after they met on Wednesday  as is customary on such trips  the Israeli leader pre-empted him. Meeting on his own with reporters, he denounced the very proposal the Americans saw as a potential opening to a negotiated solution.

Surrender to the ludicrous demands of Hamas  which weve just heard  wont lead to the liberation of the hostages, and it will only invite another massacre, Mr. Netanyahu said. Shortly after that, Mr. Blinken delivered his own, much more measured, assessment of the Hamas offer at a news conference in Jerusalem, saying that while it had clear nonstarters, it also left space for an agreement to be reached.

On Thursday, as Mr. Blinken ended his fifth visit to the Middle East in the four months since the war in Gaza began, it was clear that relations between the Biden administration and Mr. Netanyahu have become increasingly fraught. That raised questions about how drawn out the process might be to reach an agreement to end the conflict.
Israels prime minister said the military would soon go into to an area of Gaza near the border with Egypt where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have fled, something the United Nations has said would be catastrophic.

Gazan health officials say that more than 27,000 people  many of them women and children  have been killed in Israels bombardment and ground assault of Gaza since the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israeli troops had been directed to deploy in Rafah, near the southern border, and in camps in central Gaza, calling the areas Hamass last remaining strongholds.

Fighting in Rafah could worsen the humanitarian situation there, said Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. It could lead to a large-scale loss of civilian lives, he said on Tuesday.

As the Israeli military has expanded its assault into southern cities such as Khan Younis in recent months, more than half of Gazas population  1.4 million Palestinians  has fled to Rafah and struggled to find food and shelter, according to the main United Nations agency that aids Palestinian refugees in Gaza, known as UNRWA.

Many Palestinians say that Rafah  or any part of Gaza  is no longer safe. After several moves in search of safety over the past four months, many have been left terrified and exhausted.

The U.S. secretary of state, Antony J. Blinken, who is on his fifth trip to the Middle East since Oct. 7, said on Wednesday that it was especially important to protect civilians in Rafah.

Israel has the responsibility, has the obligation, to do everything possible to ensure that civilians are protected and that they get the assistance they need in the course of this conflict, Mr. Blinken said during his visit to Israel. He made stops this week in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt to support negotiations for a cease-fire that could free the remaining hostages held in Gaza and allow for more humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians.

In an address on Wednesday to the U.N. General Assembly, Antonio Guterres, the U.N.s secretary general, called the situation in Gaza a festering wound on our collective conscience that threatens the entire region, and said he was especially alarmed by reports that the Israeli military intends to advance on Rafah.

Such an action, he said, would only worsen what is already a humanitarian nightmare with untold regional consequences. It is time for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, Mr. Guterres said.

We can make clear what the law says. Under international humanitarian law, indiscriminate bombing of densely populated areas may amount to war crimes, Mr. Laerke told reporters in Geneva.

More than half of Gazas buildings are damaged or destroyed, Palestinian officials say, forcing millions of Palestinians to flee their homes and seek shelter elsewhere.
Senate Democrats, pressing to advance a stand-alone bill to send tens of billions of dollars to Israel and Ukraine after Republicans blocked a compromise that would have paired the aid with stringent border security measures, promised a Thursday vote on the alternative.

In a day of whiplash on Capitol Hill, Democrats on Wednesday pivoted to salvage the aid from becoming a casualty of former President Donald J. Trumps political campaign. But after hours of stalemate, Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader, announced that senators needed more time to agree on how to move forward on that alternative, which Democrats and Republicans alike said they hoped would be successful.

Mr. Schumer had hoped for a quick vote on Wednesday on what he called his Plan B for reviving the aid package after the border deal failed. But by Wednesday evening, action had stalled, as Senate Republicans slow-walked business on the floor while they regrouped. They held open a procedural vote for hours as they sought assurances from Democrats that if they voted to allow the stripped-down aid bill to move forward, they would be allowed to propose changes.

After 7 p.m., Mr. Schumer said the Senate was recessing to give our Republican colleagues the night to figure themselves out.

Despite the delay, there were glimmers of hope that the package of aid for Ukraine and Israel would eventually move forward. A bipartisan vote to advance the aid package would represent a remarkable turnaround after months of stalemate and likely put the measure on track for passage in the Senate within days.

The measure would send $60.1 billion to Ukraine for its war against Russian aggression, $14.1 billion in security assistance for Israel and $10 billion in humanitarian aid for civilians of global crises, including Palestinians and Ukrainians.

The effort to get the legislation back on track came after Republicans blocked a bill that paired the foreign aid with stringent border security measures they had demanded. That plan, hashed out over four months of painstaking bipartisan negotiations, hemorrhaged Republican support after Mr. Trump vocally opposed it. It failed on a 50-to-49 vote, falling short of the 60 votes it would have needed to advance, as all but four Republicans voted to reject it.

Even if Democrats succeed in resurrecting the aid bill in the Senate, it still faces stiff headwinds in the Republican-led House, where right-wing lawmakers are opposed to sending additional assistance to Ukraine. Some have even threatened to oust Speaker Mike Johnson if he brings any bill to the floor that includes it.

Mr. Johnson would not say Wednesday morning whether the House would take up the stand-alone national security bill, if and when it passed the Senate. On Tuesday night, Republicans failed to push through a $17.6 billion bill to send military assistance only to Israel, a failure that Mr. Johnson tried to pin on Democrats.

Karoun Demirjian contributed reporting from the Capitol.
Homeownership wasnt exactly on the Tinklenberg familys radar last year. Evan Tinklenberg had just finished graduate school in Chicago and landed a job as a campus pastor at Geneva Campus Church in Madison, Wis. His wife Kim, a nurse, was starting a new job at the University of Wisconsins cancer center.

They had always rented and figured they had years to go before they could afford to buy anything, especially in Chicago. Madison would offer more for the money, but with two children under 5 and a big dog in tow, they found that three-bedroom homes there were asking well over $3,000 a month.

So the couple, now both 30, decided that if they were going to live in this home for a while, they might as well put their savings to use. Our life has been so transitional for a number of years, Mr. Tinklenberg said. This is the first time weve actually had a chance to do that.

They moved into a temporary furnished apartment they found through Furnished Finder and got acquainted with their new city. Home prices were in their range, which topped out at $350,000, but as in much of the country, inventory was slim.

Their broker, Brittany Trent of Keller Williams Realty, assured them that prices were starting to thaw. Kim and Evan bought at a pretty good time, she said, adding that patience and an open mind always help in a competitive market.

[Did you recently buy a home? We want to hear from you. Email: thehunt@nytimes.com]

The couples non-negotiables included living on a quiet street, and no subdivisions. We play outside a lot, so we wanted more of a neighborhood feel, said Ms. Tinklenberg. And they wanted an easy commute downtown, especially after driving an hour or more to get to work from their temporary apartment.

We wanted something with more character and families that had been here for a while, Ms. Tinklenberg said.

They looked at dozens of homes online, then narrowed it to a handful to tour in person.

Among their options:
Saturday

Medina time. Leave Jemaa el Fna  the huge, chaotic, carnivalesque marketplace seen on every postcard  to the cobra charmers, hustlers and package-tour throngs. (Youll eventually stumble on it anyway; all paths lead there.) A more authentic introduction starts at Bab Doukkala, a gate in the medinas western wall. Ambling eastward along the lanes called Rue Bab Doukkala, Rue Dar el Bacha and Route Sidi Abdelaziz, you pass small shops, locals in long djellaba robes, halal butcher stalls, sputtering mopeds, and rickety carts piled with oranges and bananas. The thoroughfares also host a homegrown fashion scene. Mim Design is a new shoebox-size showroom for bohemian kimono-caftan hybrids, floral sleeveless dresses and other garments by Malak Nafy. Its niched next to two other established Moroccan designers shops: Moul el Hanout by Nassah (from Hassan Hajjaj, whose streetwear takes cues from Andy Warhol and psychedelia) and Laly (known for sober and monochrome womens wear).

Warlord. Tyrant. Charmer of foreign dignitaries. In the early 20th century, Thami el Glaoui, the onetime ruler of Marrakesh  known as the bacha in local Arabic  was a legend. His palatial manor, the Dar el Bacha, in the heart of the medina was built around 1910, restored to glory in 2017 and reopened as the Museum of Confluences , dedicated to traditional Moroccan artisanship. Within, Bacha Coffee is a retro Art Deco-style cafe and boutique where waiters in red fezzes deliver silvery pots of coffee (from 44 dirhams), whose beans are sourced from dozens of nations, in surroundings evoking the film Casablanca. Admission, 10 dirhams (cafe only), or 50 dirhams for the cafe and museum.

An unmarked doorway and stairwell off Rue Fatima Zahra lead up to Maison Reine boutique, an amalgam of contemporary-cool caftans (from 2,000 dirhams), oversize pants (850 dirhams), jewelry (from 600 dirhams) and more, all of it designed or chosen by the Franco-Algerian owner, Naelle Guennoun. One flight up, Ms. Guennouns chic, sun-warmed rooftop restaurant of the same name serves artfully presented Mediterranean-Middle Eastern dishes that include a tomato-stracciatella tarte tatin and a roasted half eggplant topped with labneh, olive oil and preserved lemon. A superloaded hummus with shredded beef is garnished with pistachios and flower petals, adding crunch and color. For dessert, the restaurant prides itself on its pistachio tart with orange-flower water. Lunch for two costs around 450 dirhams.

The Islamic decorative arts find dazzling expression inside the Medersa Ben Youssef, a centuries-old religious school adorned with some of the finest craftsmanship in Morocco. The open central courtyard is the main attraction, with a white stone floor, a mosaic pool and exquisitely chiseled wooden window frames high above. Artisanal masterpieces line the walls: kaleidoscopic geometric tile patterns, double rows of flowing Arabic calligraphy, and seas of white plaster sculpted with honeycombs and swirls. Repeating, interlocking, harmonious: The ensemble was intended to embody divine perfection, and it still mesmerizes (admission, 50 dirhams).

6 p.m. Get lost in the souks

The souks, or bazaars, that fill a large zone of the medina between the Medersa Ben Youssef in the north and Jemaa el Fna to the south are filled with legions of expert artisans working in metal, wood, ceramics and textiles. Navigating the labyrinth can be dizzying, so just amble and expect to get lost periodically. (Google Maps is not foolproof.) Follow the buttery scent of leather to a passage called Derb el Hammam in Souk Smata, the leatherworking area of the medina. Sunlight filters through the overhead slats of the stalls, illuminating belts, bags, jackets, ottomans and slippers known as babouches  a favorite Morocco souvenir (prepare to haggle). Then follow the aroma of dried herbs to the Place des Epices, a lively open square ringed by carpet dealers and stalls selling spices, crushed eucalyptus, argan oil and more.
Caucuses will be held in-person at more than 1,500 locations across the state, from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Eastern time. Only former President Donald J. Trump and Ryan Binkley, a businessman and pastor, will appear on the ballot. In 2016, the first caucus results were reported before midnight Eastern, and all results were in by 6:00 a.m. Eastern.

In addition to Thursdays Republican caucuses, a state-run presidential primary was held on Tuesday. Voters could participate in both the primary and the caucus; however, candidates had to choose which to compete in, and only the results of the caucus will determine which candidates receive delegates. Voters needed to have registered as Republicans in Nevada by Jan. 9 in order to participate in a caucus.

Nikki Haley was the only major candidate to compete in Tuesdays primary, but she was outvoted by a None of These Candidates option on the ballot.
What the Law Says in 3 Cases That Could Decide Trumps Fate

The Supreme Court is expected to confront three major cases that could shape the presidential candidacy of Donald J. Trump and drastically affect his criminal case on federal election subversion charges.

The cases could alter his status as the Republican front-runner, the timing or viability of his trial and the scope of the charges he may face. All three cases involve laws open to multiple interpretations.

A close look at key passages of the Constitution and federal law helps illuminate the questions the justices will face.

Trump v. Anderson Is Trump ineligible to be president under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment?

The Case

In December, the Colorado Supreme Court disqualified former President Donald J. Trump from appearing on the primary ballot under a provision of the Constitution that prohibits officials who have engaged in insurrection from holding office. It said that under that provision, Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol amounted to an insurrection, that Mr. Trump participated in it and that Section 3 applies to the presidency. But the ruling is on hold until the Supreme Court weighs in.

What the Law Says

Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, adopted after the Civil War, has long received scant consideration. But the scope and force of the provision has figured in recent lawsuits across the country, including in Colorado.

The provision begins:

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 

Section 3 seems to add a qualification for eligibility to hold office little different from the requirements that presidents be 35 years old, natural-born citizens and not to have already served two terms. But it speaks to holding office, not running for it, leaving an opening for Mr. Trumps supporters to argue that the Colorado ruling was premature, particularly considering the provisions last sentence, which gives Congress the power to lift the disqualification.

Also absent from the provision is an explicit reference to the presidency as among the offices covered. Still, the clause any office, civil or military, under the United States would seem to include the presidency, so long as it is considered an office under the United States.

The provision goes on to specify who is covered by it.

 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 presidential oath differs from the general one, which requires all executive and judicial officers of the United States to swear that they will support the Constitution. The president must, by contrast, swear to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that the language of the presidential oath is consistent with the plain meaning of the word support.

Not all insurrectionists are barred from holding office. Instead, Section 3 applies only to those who had earlier taken an oath to support the Constitution in specified capacities. Here again, the president is not listed by name though a second catchall phrase  an officer of the United States  would seem to cover him. But Mr. Trumps supporters say that phrase refers only to appointed officials, not elected ones. If that is so, Mr. Trump would be the only president aside from George Washington not covered by Section 3, as he is the rare president without prior government service.

In his initial Supreme Court brief, Mr. Trump contended that the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol fell short of insurrection as understood at the time. By that definition, he said, it meant the taking up of arms and waging war upon the United States. But the Colorado Supreme Court said the attack satisfied even a narrow understanding of the term.

But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

Mr. Trump points to this last clause in the provision to argue that Section 3 does not prevent anyone from running for office, or from being elected to office  meaning it disqualifies people subject to it from holding office, not from seeking it. By that logic, if an otherwise disqualified candidate were elected, Congress could remove that disqualification before the candidates term began.

The Colorado Supreme Court rejected that analysis, saying that by that interpretation, various other requirements would no longer hold force: This would mean that the state would be powerless to exclude a 28-year-old, a nonresident of the United States or even a foreign national from the presidential primary ballot in Colorado.

United States v. Trump Is a former president absolutely immune from prosecution for crimes committed while in office?

The Case

Former President Donald J. Trump says he has absolute immunity from prosecution for actions he took while in office, including from charges that he plotted to overturn the 2020 election.

A federal appeals court panel rejected Mr. Trumps claim, and he is all but certain to appeal to the Supreme Court. A ruling from the justices  and when such a verdict is issued  could determine when, or even whether, Mr. Trump goes on trial in the election subversion case.

What the Law Says

The Constitution itself does not explicitly address the existence or scope of any such presidential immunity.

The closest it comes is in the impeachment judgment clause, which says:

Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States 

After officials are impeached by the House of Representatives, they are tried in the Senate, with a two-thirds majority required for conviction. Mr. Trumps second impeachment, for inciting insurrection, won 57 votes, 10 shy of the required supermajority.

The penalties for officials who are convicted are specifically limited to removal from office and disqualification from further service.

The clause then describes what other penalties remain available.

 But the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according to law.

All the clause says in so many words is that the party convicted in the Senate can still face criminal prosecution. But Mr. Trumps lawyers say the clause implies something more: Conviction in the Senate must happen before criminal prosecution of any official conduct, including the hypothetical ordering of assassinations of political rivals.

Mr. Trumps lawyers have also made a slightly narrower argument, saying the clause grants a form of protection from double jeopardy. A president who is acquitted by the Senate cannot be prosecuted for the acquitted conduct, they wrote.

Fischer v. United States Does a federal obstruction law apply to Jan. 6 defendants?

The Case

Two of the four charges against former President Donald J. Trump in the federal election-interference case are based on a provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The statute, enacted after the collapse of Enron, the giant energy company, was aimed primarily at white-collar crime. Prosecutors have also charged hundreds of rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 under the provision, saying they had obstructed an official proceeding.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to such prosecutions from Joseph W. Fischer, who was accused of breaching the Capitol as Congress met to certify the results of the 2020 election and of assaulting police officers.

Mr. Trump is not involved in the case, but the Supreme Courts ruling, expected by June, could undermine key parts of the prosecution of the former president.

What the Law Says

The provision, Section 1512(c) of the federal code, says:

(c) Whoever corruptly



(1) alters, destroys, mutilates, or conceals a record, document, or other object, or attempts to do so, with the intent to impair the objects integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding 

The parties contest the meaning of the term corruptly, but it surely limits the sweep of the law. The lead opinion of a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit declined to define the term, but a concurring opinion said it required proof that the defendant not only knew he was obtaining an unlawful benefit but that his objective or purpose was to obtain that unlawful benefit.

The two sides dispute whether the part of the provision that refers to a record, document or other object limits the scope of the second part, which concerns official proceedings. A dissenting judge wrote that the second part encompasses only acts that impair the integrity or availability of evidence. In a Supreme Court brief, the government said blocking lawmakers from certifying the state election results would satisfy even a strict reading of the law.

The statute continues:

 or (2) otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.

The term otherwise is under sharp dispute. The appeals court panels majority said that otherwise signifies in a different manner, meaning that the second part described forbidden conduct not limited to destruction of evidence and the like. A dissenting member of the panel called that reading implausibly broad.

Congressional certification of the Electoral College count would seem to qualify as an official proceeding.

As for the reference to obstructs, influences or impedes any official proceeding, the conduct of the rioters on Jan. 6 was covered by this requirement, the government said in its brief. A defendant obstructs an official proceeding, the brief said, by physically blocking it from occurring  as happened here when petitioners and others violently occupied the Capitol for several hours and thereby prevented the joint session of Congress from doing its work.
During her time, Queen Elizabeth II said that people had to see her to believe in her. The presence of the monarch, as well as the most important members of the Windsor family, at hundreds of public events throughout the United Kingdom is essential for keeping the sentimental link between the institution and its citizens alive. In recent days, it has fallen to Buckingham Palace to reiterate that Charles IIIs diagnosis of cancer and his treatment, which began this Monday, do not require the activation of any constitutional substitution mechanism. But the kings doctors have recommended that he avoid attending events in the coming months, which has put Prince William, the heir to the throne, at the forefront of royal activities.

This Wednesday he participated in an award ceremony at Windsor Castle and will end the day by attending the annual London Air Ambulance gala, which fundraises for the organization. The British media expects William to use this event to address his fathers diagnosis and to express the royal familys gratitude to all those who have sent messages of encouragement and well wishes for King Charles IIIs speedy recovery.

In mid-January, Prince William had announced his willingness to withdraw from his public commitments in order to care for his children and his wife, Kate Middleton, who is still recovering from an abdominal surgery that kept her hospitalized for two weeks and will keep her away from her duties as a member of the royal family until Easter at least.

The shocking turn in the monarchs health, however, has once again imposed the obligations expected of Prince William as the heir to the crown. And the anticipated increase in his public presence will remind many of his fathers own presence during the months following the pandemic, when Queen Elizabeth II began to have mobility problems. They are completely different situations to begin with. Charles IIIs cancer (Buckingham Palace declined to specify what type it is) was detected at a very early stage, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told the BBC. The monarch is keeping a positive attitude about his treatment, and he will continue to conduct his usual affairs of state (reading daily reports, weekly meetings with Sunak).

In any case, the new situation has had an unexpected effect. In his 18 months as king, Charles III had been determined to be a very active monarch, pursuing an agenda full of events and direct contact with the people, but his cancer treatment has slowed him down. And it will also allow William to begin to show what his future monarchys forms, attitudes and priorities will be like, earlier than Charles did when he was Prince of Wales and heir to the throne.

The Daily Telegraph reports that Charles III has given his son (and heir) permission to continue focusing on his three children and his wife, although William has had to reappear in public to attend the planned events. The Prince of Wales most important causes are defending the environment and protecting and aiding the homeless, for which he has his own foundations. In addition, Williams primary function is to assist the monarch in whatever he needs. The new reality has made this second obligation take precedence over the previous ones.

Harrys brief visit

As soon as his father told him over the phone about his cancer diagnosis, Prince Harry took a private plane to fly from Los Angeles to London immediately. Charles IIIs second son has almost irreparably distanced himself from his family after he decided to leave public office and retire to live in California with his wife, Meghan Markle. His memoir, Spare, sold more than three million copies worldwide, and it had a lot to do with settling scores with his father and his brother William.

King Charles III was able to see his recently arrived son for 30 minutes in London, before he retired to rest at his Sandringham residence. There has been much speculation in the British tabloids about a reunion prompted by illness (in many cases, a reason for families to make peace). But given the brevity of the meeting, and the fact that Harry immediately returned to the United States without exchanging a word with his brother William, all signs indicate that the soothing effect of the Kings illnesswhich has occasioned so many good wishes in the United Kingdom and around the worldis not enough to reconcile the two brothers, who are now estranged and are pursuing their own destinies.

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An adult diagnosed with measles has died in hospital in the first confirmed measles case in Ireland this year, the health service executive (HSE) has said.

The patient died in a hospital in the Dublin and Midlands health region after Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said Ireland was at high risk of a measles outbreak.

There has been an increase in cases across Europe in recent months, with several fatalities recorded in Romania.

More than 170 measles cases were diagnosed in the West Midlands in England between December 2023 and mid-January 2024, although all regions in England have reported cases.

In Ireland, four measles cases were reported in 2023 and two in 2022.

While no cases were reported in 2021, there were five incidences recorded in 2020, the HSE said, with no deaths reported in any of those years.

The HSE said its Health Protection Surveillance Centre was notified of the death.

HSE public health teams, along with the HSE measles national incident management team (IMT), are taking all necessary public health actions in relation to the case, the HSE said in a statement on Wednesday.

The HSE measles IMT was established in response to a recent rise in measles cases in the UK and Europe.

The HSE will keep the public informed of further measures and, in the meantime, anyone with concerns should contact their GP.

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness. Measles starts with cold-like symptoms that develop about 10 days after you get infected. You will then get a measles rash a few days later. The illness usually lasts 7 to 10 days. For more information on symptoms, how to treat pic.twitter.com/Apm2Xjeenc  HSE Ireland (@HSELive) February 2, 2024

Measles is highly contagious, and while often associated with a rash, the virus can spread around the body, potentially leading to severe complications.

It usually takes around seven to 14 days for the first symptoms to appear, with those infected typically suffering with a high temperature, a cough, runny or blocked nose, and red, watery eyes, followed a few days later by the rash.

Chief medical officer Breda Smyth has said she is concerned that Ireland is at high risk of an outbreak because the vaccination rate is under the 95% needed to stop the virus spreading.

The update rate for the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine is at 89.2% in Ireland, and in some areas has fallen below 80%.

On Tuesday, Mr Donnelly briefed Cabinet on the risk of a measles outbreak and said about one in five young men in Ireland aged around 19-21 are not vaccinated against the virus.

Authorities believe misinformation in the past affected the number of children who received the MMR vaccine.

An MMR catch-up programme launched in November 2023 through GPs aims for those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated to opt in.

The vaccine is free from GPs for children aged 10 and under.
An application for a ''small quarry'' involving the extraction of 200,000 tons of sand and gravel has been refused permission by An Bord Pleanala.

The proposed quarry was to be located at Esker More, Mount Lucas, Tullamore.

Offaly County Council had refused permission for the development in August 2022. Figile, the company behind the venture, appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala.

The proposed 3.2ha site is 8km east of Daingean and 10km south west of Edenderry.

Figile said that following the extraction the site would be restored to agricultural use including the importation of inert soil and subject to a waste management facility permit.

An Taisce submitted that the description of ''small'' in relation to the quarry was ''not justified.'' It stated, ''once established it will be used to justify further expansion. While under the 5ha threshold, the cumulative impact requires assessment.''

In reaching its decision the Board took into consideration the 2021-2027 policy of Offaly County Council in relation to places of high amenity which is to protect and preserve the county's areas of high amenity, including the Eiscir Riada and other eskers.

It said that the proposed development would materially contravene the council's policy and be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

It also took into consideration the council's policy to ensure that extractions, including quarries and sand and gravel pits, would result in a reduction in the visual amenity of such areas including eskers and should not be permitted.

In addition, the council's objective in consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Services, Westmeath County Council, the Geological Survey of Ireland, is to investigate the potential designation of north Offaly esker landscape as a UNESCO Geopark to promote the unique geological heritage of the area. The proposed development would conflict with the achievement of this objective.

Another objective of the council is to improve, where possible, access to esker and geological sites and encourage appreciation of esker and geological heritage.

Finally the Board said that in the absence of sufficient information on the importation of material, an assessment of this aspect of the proposal is not possible, and it cannot be determined that the proposed development would not lead to adverse environmental impacts or impacts on European sites.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks during Prime Minister's Questions, at the House of Commons in London, Britain, February 7, 2024.

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced mounting pressure Wednesday to apologize for a remark he made about transgender people, moments after he was informed that the mother of a murdered transgender teenager was in Parliament.

During his weekly questioning in the House of Commons, Sunak sought to mock the position of the Labour Partys leader on the definition of a woman.

In response to a question from Keir Starmer, Sunak listed a series of issues that he said showed the Labour leader making about-faces, ending with a quip about his stance on defining a woman, although in fairness, that was only 99% of a U-turn.

His remark was intended to embarrass Starmer, who Sunaks Conservatives have accused of vacillating on the issue of self-identification, and who have pounced on his comment last year that 99.9% of women havent got a penis.

Starmer, who had welcomed the mother of Brianna Ghey, Esther Ghey, was visibly furious in response. He said the comments were inappropriate, and Sunak later acknowledged Gheys presence, hailing her compassion and empathy  but failed to apologize.

Of all the weeks to say that, when Briannas mother is in this chamber. Shame, Starmer said. Parading as a man of integrity when hes got absolutely no responsibility.

Briannas father, Peter Spooner, said that he was shocked to hear the remark and urged Sunak to apologize.

As the prime minister for our country to come out with degrading comments like he did, regardless of them being in relation to discussions in Parliament, they are absolutely dehumanizing, he told Sky News.

Stonewall, a group that stands for LGBTQ+ rights, also urged Sunak to apologize for his cheap, callous and crass use of trans people as a punchline.

Last Friday, the two 16-year-old convicted murderers of Brianna a year ago were handed life sentences with minimum prison terms of 20 and 22 years.

The horrific murder shocked the nation. Brianna, who was 16, 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 o f Warrington in northwest England on Feb. 11, 2023.

Briannas mother has been widely praised for her dignified response, calling for the families of the convicted pair to be shown some empathy and compassion. In an interview Sunday with the BBC, she said she would be open to meeting the mother of Scarlett Jenkinson, one of Briannas two killers who according to the judge in the case was the ringleader.

Esther Ghey is campaigning for restrictions on what under-16s can access on their cellphones and for the wider use of mindfulness in schools, as a way to help teachers and children to look after their mental health.

Treasury chief Jeremy Hunt rejected a question from a BBC reporter that Sunak chose to use a line about gender as a political punchline in the presence of a grieving mother.

That is not what happened, he said. What he was saying was that Keir Starmer cannot make his mind up about the big issues of the day.

The exchange between Sunak and Starmer, who met up with Esther Ghey later Wednesday to discuss mental support for children, has stoked concerns about the level of debate before a general election later this year.

With his Conservative Party trailing the main opposition Labour Party heavily in the opinion polls, Sunak has come under pressure from some of his own lawmakers to put so-called culture war issues on the agenda, in an attempt to create dividing lines that could begin to dominate the public debate.

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Dutch far-right politician and leader of the PVV party Geert Wilders meets the press as parties' lead candidates meet to begin coalition talks in The Hague, Netherlands, November 24, 2023.

Talks to form a far right-led government in the Netherlands have come to a premature end, for now, leaving the Netherlands in limbo amid a stalled move to build a political coalition around anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders.

Wilders Party for Freedom, or PVV, swept to victory in the countrys November parliamentary election on campaign pledges that included slashing immigration. He was in talks with the leaders of three other parties to form a government that would have held a solid majority in the 150-seat lower house of the Dutch parliament.

Wilders said Wednesday on X, formerly Twitter, that the elections result showed the Netherlands wants a right-wing Cabinet with the PVV!

But potential coalition partners were wary of his more extreme anti-Islam plans. Wilders sought to appease them last month by withdrawing draft legislation that included a ban on mosques, Islamic schools and the Quran.

Despite the concessions, tensions came to a head Tuesday night when one of the leaders, Pieter Omtzigt, walked out of the coalition talks. The official shepherding the negotiations was due to report back to lawmakers within days on any progress the parties had made during some two months of closed-door meetings.

What happened?

Omtzigt, the leader of the New Social Contract party, said in a written statement that he was shocked by the state of government finances and was drawing a line under the talks for now. He also criticized Ronald Plasterk, a former Labor Party government minister picked by Wilders to oversee the talks, for only releasing the financial details this week when he had received them up to two weeks ago.

Omtzigts seven-paragraph statement vented frustration and disappointment at the numbers the negotiators received so close to the end of the initial round of talks, which were scheduled to wrap up at the end of the week.

Under no circumstances does the NSC want to make promises to Dutch people that it knows in advance are empty promises that cannot be fulfilled during the coming Cabinet period, the statement said.

Who was in the talks?

Wilders PVV won 37 seats in the House of Representatives in November and can call the shots in the coalition-building process. The center-right Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) holds 24 seats but was seen as the elections biggest loser.

Led by former Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the party dominated the last four parliamentary terms. Rutte is quitting Dutch politics once a new government is installed  hes tipped as a very strong candidate to become NATOs next leader  and has handed over VVDs leadership to Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius.

Omtzigts NSC won 20 seats just months after he formed the party on a pledge to clean up politics after a string of scandals in recent years. Then theres the BBB, the Dutch acronym for Farmer Citizen Movement, which tapped into anger in the agriculture sector and elsewhere in society to win seven seats.

Leaders have not disclosed details from their their negotiations but in recent days took to sniping at each other on social media, an indication that the mood was souring.

What are the other party leaders saying?

Wilders swiftly took to his favorite means of communication: X. Incredibly disappointing. The Netherlands wants this Cabinet and now Pieter Omtzigt is throwing in the towel while we were still in discussions until today. I dont understand it at all, Wilders wrote Tuesday night.

He told reporters Wednesday that he was shocked and surprised by Omtzigts decision. He said the parties were involved in good and constructive talks.

Yesilgoz-Zegerius and BBB leader Caroline van der Plas also expressed surprise and disappointment. The VVD leader, who said before the talks she didnt want to be a formal member of a Cabinet led by Wilders but was prepared to talk about supporting it on key votes, added: I hope that we can sit down at the table again soon to hear what exactly is going on.

Plasterk, the official leading the talks, called Omtzigts explanation for pulling the plug on talks muddled.

What happens now?

Plasterk invited the four leaders to a Wednesday night meeting. Omtzigt told Dutch broadcaster NOS he does not plan to attend.

Plasterk is set to deliver a report on the talks to lawmakers in the coming days. The lower house of parliament will hold a debate before deciding on the next step.

In his statement, Omtzigt didnt rule out some kind of involvement in the next government. He said his party continues to work constructively but carefully to form a government that effectively tackles the countrys urgent problems. This can be done, for example, by providing constructive support to a minority Cabinet or a broad extra-parliamentary Cabinet.

Wilders on Wednesday raised the unlikely prospect of a coalition led by the center-left bloc that is presided over by Frans Timmermans, the European Unions former climate commissioner.

I hope that Pieter Omtzigts decision to run away now, will not help Frans Timmermans into the saddle because that is not in the national interest and certainly not what the voter has chosen! Wilders said on X.

If all efforts to cobble together a viable coalition fail, then there will have to be a new election. That would add to an already long list of elections in 2024, including in the United States and for the European Unions parliament.

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Mumbai: Three Tamil Nadu natives were taken into custody by Mumbai police for illegally entering the country on a Kuwaiti vessel, raising concerns about maritime security vulnerabilities. The accusedNitso Ditto (31), Vijay Vinay Anthony (29), and J Sahayatta Anish (29)were remanded by the court for police questioning until February 10. Authorities are investigating their journey, any criminal acts committed on international waters, and potential risks to national and international security.



Although police maintain that no immediate evidence of wrongdoing was found onboard the vessel, the circumstances raised red flags regarding potential maritime security breaches.

The trio's lawyer, Sunil Pandey, asserted their innocence, stating they had fled from their employer in Kuwait who had taken away their passports and mistreated them.

The suspects, reportedly fishermen from Tamil Nadu, claimed they had sailed from Kuwait to India via Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and Pakistan, eventually arriving in Mumbai after intending to return to their home state.

While two of the accused - Anthony and Anish -- belong to the coastal town of Kanyakumari, Ditto hails from Ramnathpuram, 250kms from Kanyakumari. According to the police, the three have claimed that they had been working in Kuwait for two years under harsh conditions, prompting them to escape and enter India illegally. Their passports had been confiscated by their employer, and they alleged irregular payment of wages and physical assault.

The boat, upon inspection, revealed no signs of explosive materials and police have recovered a GPS device from the vessel to trace the route taken by the three to reach Mumbai.

The suspects were unable to communicate in Marathi or Hindi and spoke in broken English during questioning, police said, adding the probe will continue to ascertain the full details surrounding their entry into the country.

Their families have been informed of the arrests, and their addresses in Tamil Nadu verified.

This incident has raised concerns about potential maritime security breaches, particularly in light of the November 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks when sea route was used to reach the metropolis and create mayhem.

The case against the trio has been filed under the Passport (Entry into India) Rules for unauthorized entry into the country.

The boat was spotted off the Mumbai coast during patrolling on Tuesday morning, a police official said.

The police arrested them after filing a case under section 3 (a) with penal section 6 (a) of the Passport (Entry into India) Rules for not following the due procedures required for entering India.

The three, after being allegedly ill-treated by their employer, set sail on a fishing boat of their master without permission and escaped from the Gulf country on January 28 and entered the Indian territory illegally.

Lawyer Pandey later said they wanted to go to their home state (Tamil Nadu) but lost their way and reached Mumbai.

The trio had gone to Kuwait from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala two years back through an agent, identified as Captain Madan, for employment, police stated.

They were working as fishermen with one Abdulla Sharheed, who had kept their passports with him. The trio claimed that they were not paid wages regularly and were assaulted.

"The accused persons claim to have complained about the same to a local police station in Kuwait and with the Indian embassy there. However, when they failed to get any response, the trio decided to flee," the police said. The boat has been checked by a team of the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) and no explosive substance has been found.

(With PTI inputs.)
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here.

Consider this strange: Seventy-eight years after the first and only nuclear weapons were used on Planet Earth, anyone with half a brain knows that a nuclear war would be an incomparable disaster for this planet and everyone living on it. So, remind me, why the endless nuclear pantomime?

Why, as last year wound down, for instance, did the U.S. decide to station some weapons from its nuclear arsenal in England -- ones three times as powerful as the two atomic bombs it dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end World War II -- after an absence of 15 years? (If you didn't even know this was happening, that's because it's barely been mentioned in the American media, though Russia's Tass angrily denounced it and threatened an escalatory response.) This was undoubtedly passed off as a move to protect the United Kingdom and other European countries from a post-Ukraine attempt by Vladimir Putin to conquer the rest of Europe, nuclear attacks included, right? Now, mind you, even if you assume Putin is truly a madman and would launch nuclear strikes against Europe, what use would American nukes be in England when Washington could reach Russia with its vast nuclear arsenal from the U.S. or its nuclear subs patrolling the planet? No need to put them in Britain anyway, since that country already has nukes. It was the third nuclear power ever and still has a "nuclear deterrent" fitted out on submarines, at least one of which is at sea at any moment.

So why is Washington upping the ante in such an obviously symbolic, yet all too real way? And why up that particular ante when even a relatively "modest" nuclear exchange could easily lead to the destruction of life as we've known it on Planet Earth? In that grim context, let TomDispatch regular Norman Solomon, author most recently of War Made Invisible: How America Hides the Human Toll of Its Military Machine, explain just what it means to "modernize" your nuclear arsenal. Of course, given weaponry that could rob us of any future, the very act of modernization is undoubtedly also one of all too human madness. Tom

Full Speed Ahead on the Global Titanic

Going Along with the Utter Madness of Nuclear Weapons

By Norman Solomon

Yes, the Doomsday Clock keeps ticking -- it's now at 90 seconds to midnight, according to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists -- but the ultimate time bomb never gets the attention that it deserves. Even as the possibility of nuclear annihilation looms, this century's many warning signs retain the status of Cassandras.

Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump withdrew the United States from vital pacts between the U.S. and Russia, the two nuclear superpowers, shutting down the Anti-Ballistic Missile, Open Skies, and Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaties. And despite promising otherwise, Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden did nothing to revive them.

Under the buzzword "modernization," the American government, a thermonuclear colossus, spent $51 billion last year alone updating and sustaining its nuclear arsenal, gaining profligate momentum in a process that's set to continue for decades to come. "Modernizing and maintaining current nuclear warheads and infrastructure is estimated to cost $1.7 trillion through Fiscal Year 2046," the office of Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) pointed out, "while the Congressional Budget Office anticipates that current nuclear modernization would cost $494 billion through Fiscal Year 2028."

Such bloated sums might prove a good argument against specific weapons systems, but Uncle Sam has incredibly deep pockets for nuclear weaponry and a vast array of other military boondoggles. In fact, compared to the costs of deploying large numbers of troops, nuclear weapons can seem almost frugal. And consider the staggering price of a single aircraft carrier that went into service in 2017, the Gerald R. Ford: $13.3 billion.

Militarism's overall mega-thievery from humanity has long been extreme, as President Dwight D. Eisenhower made clear in a 1953 speech:

"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children" This is not a way of life at all, in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron."

The Nuclear Complex and "Crackpot Realism"

In the case of budgets for nuclear arms, the huge price tags are -- in the most absolute sense imaginable -- markers for a sustained, systemic, headlong rush toward omnicide, the destruction of the human species. Meanwhile, what passes for debate on Capitol Hill is routinely an exercise in green-eyeshade discourse, assessing the most cost-effective outlays to facilitate Armageddon, rather than debating the wisdom of maintaining and escalating the nuclear arms race in the first place.

Take, for instance, the recent news on cost overruns for the ballyhooed Sentinel land-based missile system, on the drawing boards to replace the existing intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in 400 underground silos located in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wyoming. Northrop Grumman has already pocketed a $13.3 billion contract to begin moving the project forward. But the costs have been zooming upward so fast as to set off alarm bells in Congress, forcing a reassessment.

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For the past several months, anyone crossing the Burnside Bridge into downtown Portland has been greeted with a candy-colored visual delight: A giant billboard depicting a fictional fifth-grader with an adorable afro puff.

Portland, meet Ryan Hart, it declares.

Many readers already know Ryan, though, and her heart.

The main character in Renee Watsons charming middle reader series set in Portland, Ryan has been compared favorably to Ramona Quimby as a sweet, spunky stand-in for universal childhood experiences like jealousy, insecurity  and secret plots to prank your older brother.

Renee Watson's family surprised her by taking her to the West Burnside Street billboard advertising her series about fictional fifth-grader Ryan Hart.Shawnte Sims

Like fellow Oregon author Beverly Cleary, Watson draws on her own experiences growing up in Northeast Portland. The result in Ways to Make Sunshine, Ways to Grow Love, Ways to Share Joy, and the fourth and final installment of the Ryan Hart books, Ways to Build Dreams, is a parade of Portland landmarks, plus a few outside the city, too.

Ryan, whose name means king, attends Vernon K-8 School just like Watson did in real life. She eats at Burgerville and buys elephant ears at downtown Portlands Saturday Market. She wanders through rows of flowers at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn and gazes at Multnomah Falls in the Columbia Gorge. Shes even modeled after a real child  Watsons goddaughter by the same name.

I really wanted to name the real places, very much like Beverly Cleary did in the Ramona series, Watson said. In the Ryan Hart series, its all love, its all celebration.

She added, Its my love letter to Portland.

With inspiration from Beverly Cleary fans whove mapped Ramona Quimbys Portland (particularly Laura O. Fosters Walking With Ramona), here are the places Renee Watson commemorates with her stories about Ryan Hart:

Oregon author Renee Watson honors her hometown in the Ryan Hart series, which names the places that were special to Watson in her own childhood. I really wanted to name the real places, very much like Beverly Cleary did in the Ramona series, Watson said. In the Ryan Hart series, its all love, its all celebration.Chris Morris, Advance Local

Vernon K-8 School, 2044 N.E. Killingsworth St.

As the final book in the series draws to a close, Ryan is about to graduate from fifth grade as Vernons valedictorian, and her bff KiKi is planning to transfer to a different school for sixth grade. KiKi misses class to make visits, and Ryan is obsessed with how KiKi is probably having so much fun roaming the halls with an eighth-grade buddy who is most likely way cooler than both of us put together.

Relationships between students and teachers are also a focus for Watson. In one scene in Ways to Build Dreams, Ryans teacher Ms. Anderson tells her students she has something very, very special to show them. Is it a new baby animal for our class pet? Ryan wonders.

Ms. Anderson then has each child stand in front of mirrors. Take a good look at a person who is going to change the world, she tells each one. Ryan studies herself: I see the way my hair fluffs and puffs and fills the mirror with a curly cloud. I see my skin  brown like the two most beautiful women I know  Mom and Grandma. I study my eyes, make all kinds of faces, sticking my tongue out and blowing up my cheeks till they sting.

If the whole series is a valentine to Portland, its also very much a love letter to teachers, Watson said.

Ryan has amazing teachers throughout the series, she added. That is very much inspired by all the teachers that Ive had.

Historic home of Beatrice Morrow Cannady, 2516 N.E. 26th Ave.

In fact, its one of Ryans teachers  Ms. Anderson again  who introduces her to Portland civil rights activist Beatrice Morrow Cannady, owner and editor of The Advocate, Oregons largest Black newspaper in the 1900s.

When the teacher asks Ryan and two other students to give a presentation about Cannady, they devise a plan to make it interactive by handing out copies of a newspaper they wrote, The Advocate: Vernon Elementary Edition, while serving tea and cookies  just as Cannady did at the intellectual gatherings she hosted at her 1911 Grant Park Craftsman.

Everyone was good, but my group was the best, Ryan tells her parents matter of factly and not to boast. Im only saying that because we had crowd participation.

The 1911 Foursquare Craftsman house in which civil rights activist Beatrice Morrow Cannady lived at 2516 N.E. 26th Ave. in Northeast Portlands Grant Park.Boone Brothers/Living Room Realty

Saturday Market, 2 S.W. Naito Parkway

Ryans mother has a booth at Saturday Market where she sells hand-knit winter wear plus purses and bags, and the market features prominently in the first installment in the series, Ways to Make Sunshine, which was selected as a 2023-24 Oregon Battle of the Books title for third- through fifth-graders.

When Ryan visits her mom at work, she also makes stops at the booths of the two other Black vendors. Paul, a landscape painter, always gives Ryan chocolate from Moonstruck, which he calls the best in the world. I always act like Im hearing it for the first time, Ryan tells her readers.

At Saturday Market, Ryan finds an antique artifact that sets her imagination loose. The hairpin looks identical to ones Ryan found hidden in her new house  where her family moved after her dad lost his job at the post office  and she wonders whether the woman selling it somehow has a connection to her home. Ryan, honey, those hairpins are a dime a dozen, her mother tells her, but that does nothing to dampen the girls curiosity.

Lloyd Center Mall, 2201 Lloyd Center

Ryan visits a mall that any Portland reader would recognize as the Lloyd Center, but Watson doesnt name it. At the time she was writing the third book, Ways to Share Joy, where the mall makes an appearance, it looked like it might be shut down in real life.

I choose places that are kind of classic and current, she told The Oregonian/OregonLive in 2023. There are just some places that I dont think are going to change or that have been around for a long time. And as I was writing, Lloyd Center Mall actually changed. I got the news that it may be closing and so I was just a little nervous to name it.

Ryan and her mom visit Joe Browns Carmel Corn, though, where they buy a mix of caramel and cheese popcorn that they nosh in the car on the way home so they dont have to share it with the rest of the family. Mom and I eat our treat till the very last kernel, Ryan says.

Joe Browns Carmel Corn is a longtime tenant at the Lloyd Center. November 2, 2021 Beth Nakamura/StaffThe Oregonian

Burgerville, 1135 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.

Ryans grandmother looms large and lovingly in the series. The retired beautician, the church-going, gospel-music-loving, best-cook-in-the-world woman can smile at Ryan in a way that tells me her love is not based on what I do, but who I am.

Shes so connected to her granddaughter, her favorite Ryan, that she doesnt even need to ask her what she wants for dinner after a rainy day of thrift store shopping. [S]he knows my favorite fast-food restaurant is Burgerville, Ryan proclaims.

Watson doesnt specify the location in Ways to Build Dreams, but the author told The Oregonian/OregonLive she imagines its the one on Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in the Lloyd District. After we eat our burgers and fries, we split a hazelnut chocolate milkshake, Ryan narrates. It is the thickest and yummiest treat.

Alberta Park, 1905 N.E. Killingsworth St.

Watson played at Alberta Park and so does Ryan. In one memorable scene, Ryan races her older brother, Ray, on her bike through the park and wins.

But then she throws her helmet in the air in celebration, and it lands in a bush infested by bees. When Ryan fishes the helmet out of the branches, it disturbs the beehive and she runs screaming and crying all the way home. When she finally realizes shes OK, she again feels triumphant. Today, I not only beat my brother in a bike race, I outran a team of bees, she says.

North Portland Library, 512 N. Killingsworth St.

The series starts when Ryan is finishing fourth grade at Vernon, and shes eager to collect all the books on her summer reading list before classmates grab all the copies. Her mother cant take her  shes pregnant and has morning sickness  so her grandmother agrees to take her to North Portland Library as long as I promise to be quick, Ryan says. But who can be quick in a wonderland of words and pictures?

Fans of Ryan Hart will have to postpone a visit; the library in real life is closed for renovations until fall.

Multnomah County Library's North Portland Library exterior rendering on the corner of Killingsworth and Commercial Ave. courtesy of LEVER Architecture.Courtesy of Multnomah County Library

Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway

When Ryans brother, Ray, lands a spot in a poetry slam final at the Schnitz, Ryan swells with pride. This building feels old and regal, she says. The kind of place where you know you need to sit up in the cushioned chairs and be on your best behavior.

Ray knocks it out of the park with his performance. Just like we practiced, Ray does his poem with each pause and emphasis in the right place. Every word is clear and he says his words with thirty seconds to spare. Hes so good, he gets a standing ovation.

He doesnt win the top prize, but he does earn Ryans admiration for doing his best.

Whats next for Ryan Hart, now that the series has ended with the fourth book?

I am not sure, said Watson. I am more confident in saying that we may get to see Ryan and this series in other formats, like maybe a play or a TV series.

Watson has two additional books hitting shelves soon. Black Girl You Are Atlas, a poetry collection, publishes Feb. 13. Watsons first adult novel, skin & bones, is also set in Portland and publishes May 7.

 Beth Slovic, bslovic@oregonian.com, 503-221-8551

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The National Electoral Council must set the date for elections to take place in Venezuela and the steps necessary to reach that point. On its own initiative, the Chavista ruling party has begun a public consultation process to establish a schedule. In it, some allied sectors have proposed their ideal day to vote. Political parties instrumentalized by the government, such as the so-called moderate opposition, businessmen and other allied sectors, have heeded the call of the National Assembly, led by Jorge Rodriguez. Opposition political alliance Plataforma Unitaria (Unitary Platform)  united in the claim that the candidate elected in the primaries, Maria Corina Machado, may compete  has been excluded from the debate. While some are throwing out possible dates for the elections, Nicolas Maduro has predicted that he will win by hook or by crook, as he asserted last Sunday, when the ruling party commemorated the 32nd anniversary of Hugo Chavezs failed coup detat against Carlos Andres Perezs government.

The electoral path decided in Barbados, which established that free presidential elections should take place in the second half of 2024, might have shortcuts. They can be found in the fine print of the agreements signed between the ruling party delegation and the opposition last October. At the time, the accords implied a breakthrough in the search for a way out of the political crisis after nearly a year of stalled talks. The date chosen may condition other agreements, such as the participation of all the disqualified candidates, which the official party has interpreted in the manner that suits them, prompting the United States to re-impose sanctions on some sectors and to threaten not to renew oil and gas licenses after April 18.

The Maduro government seems firm in its decision to jettison the participation of all candidates, as it has done on other occasions. In addition, the opposition had sought international electoral observers and an update of the voter registry, both of which take time. But the official party is in a rush. The most radical sectors have talked about holding the elections in the first quarter of 2024, which would not be enough time for anything. This Tuesday, the president of the electoral body, Conrado Perez Briceno, said in an interview on local television that they are prepared to hold an election in 35 days if necessary. However, the consensus seems to be leaning toward July, which would technically fall within the second half of 2024, as prescribed by the Barbados agreements.

Several dates emerged from the public consultation, and a commission was formed from it that will present a proposal to the CNE next week. The enigmatic Luis Ratti, who has already launched his campaign as an electoral candidate and recently issued a legal threat to seize the name and symbols of Vente Venezuela (Come Venezuela), Maria Corina Machados organization, proposed the soonest date: April 14, 11 years since the election in which Maduro came to power after Chavezs death. Ratti is part of the so-called alacranes, or scorpions in English, a sector that claims to oppose the government but plays in its favor.

Jose Brito, who also belongs to the scorpions group, proposed July 28, when the ruling party celebrates Chavezs birth. A sector of the Democratic Action party, divided via the courts, suggests July 5th, Venezuelas Independence Day. Daniel Ceballos, one of the disqualified candidates who has received a pass to run from the Supreme Court of Justice, said that it would be best to hold them between May and June. Another former presidential candidate and current deputy, evangelical pastor Javier Bertucci  who competed against Maduro in 2018 in elections that were not recognized by the international community  has proposed moving the date to October of this year.

In this consultation, the ruling party is once again encouraging the division of the opposition, which is again hamstrung by the judicial blockade of its candidate. The international community and the facilitators of the negotiations have insisted on returning to the Barbados road map, which includes allowing the participation of all candidates; but that principle was discarded on January 26, when the Supreme Court confirmed Machados disqualification for 15 years, although the justices have not yet published the complete ruling.

This electoral year is not just crucial for the opposition in its exhausting struggle for a change in government after 25 years of Chavista rule, which has been at its most authoritarian version in recent years. For Maduro, who has resisted damage to his legitimacy stemming from his disputed reelection after which international sanctions were imposed on him, he is seeking to consolidate his power in elections that will not only allow him to remain in office but also to be seen by the world as any other president as of January 10, 2025, when a new presidential term  and, perhaps, another stage in Venezuelas deep crisis  will begin.

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Portland police officers detained one person after responding to a reported shooting that prompted lockdowns in Southeast Portlands Lents neighborhood Thursday morning.

Mike Benner, a police spokesperson, could not immediately confirm whether anyone was injured.
A Portland woman who allegedly killed a man while driving against traffic on Interstate 5 last week registered a blood-alcohol level far above the legal limit after the crash, court records show.

Amy Gaudette, 43, was charged Tuesday in Clark County Superior Court with vehicular homicide while driving under the influence in an early-morning incident just north of the Columbia River.
A consultant told a state commission Wednesday that some male public defenders historically have been paid more than female public defenders in some instances over the past 20 years, but that was likely because more men asked for pay raises than women.

The consultants investigation, however, was largely inconclusive and only found a gender-pay gap in a narrow swath of cases and for a limited time period: non-death-penalty murder cases from 2007 to 2014. That sparked criticism from some public defenders and other observers that the study  launched in response to complaints in 2021  held little value.
Portland Public Schools will continue offering algebra to select eighth-graders but will reset its bar for which students can enter the fast-tracked math class that precedes it.

Thats a pivot, given that the district had considered following the lead of the San Francisco Unified School District and doing away entirely with its advanced pre-algebra courses in middle school over concerns about equity and comprehension.
For a TV series, nabbing the coveted, high-profile post-Super Bowl time slot doesnt necessarily guarantee a show will be a hit. But it sure cant hurt, given that the Super Bowl is generally the highest-rated broadcast of the year, and millions of people are going to tune in.

(No cable or antenna? You can stream Tracker on Paramount Plus, and on Fubo)

This years lucky Super Bowl Sunday show is Tracker, a new CBS drama starring Justin Hartley, in his first series following This Is Us. The hunky Hartley is undoubtedly the strongest selling point of Tracker, but Oregonians may be especially interested in the series premiere, an episode titled, Klamath Falls.

Tracker is based on Jeffery Deavers novel, The Never Game. The first episode introduces viewers to Colter Shaw (Hartley), whose manly name offers a clue to his rugged survival skills, and his talent for finding missing people. Colter isnt shy about collecting the reward money offered by those seeking his services. While some dismiss Colter as a mercenary, he prefers the term, rewardist.

In the Klamath Falls premiere episode, Colter heads off to the town in southern Oregon, in search of a missing 14-year-old boy, after the boys mother and stepfather offer a $20,000 reward for information leading to the boys safe return.

Colter gets this gig from his handlers, Teddi (Robin Weigert) and Velma (Abby McEnany). Weigert and McEnany are veterans of such critically acclaimed shows as, respectively, Deadwood and Work in Progress, and the fact that they play a lesbian couple with an engaging rapport makes them more interesting than the characters who usually turn up in case-of-the-week procedurals like Tracker.

Justin Hartley in Klamath Falls, the premiere episode of the new CBS series, "Tracker," which follows the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 11. CBS

The case finds Colter getting to the bottom of just where the missing boy might be, even as the local Klamath Falls law enforcement types seem skeptical of the guys methods.

Before the premiere episode is over, viewers learn that Colter has a complicated past, and a difficult relationship with members of his family.

And about that Klamath Falls title....sharp-eyed Oregon viewers may also notice that the Klamath Falls shown here has an uncanny resemblance to British Columbia. Thats because thats where Tracker is actually filmed.

Tracker premieres following the 2024 Super Bowl, Sunday, Feb. 11, on CBS. The show is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. PT.

 Kristi Turnquist

503-221-8227; kturnquist@oregonian.com; @Kristiturnquist

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The Super Bowl is almost here. Whether youre rooting for San Francisco or Kansas City, theres one thing we think everyone can agree on: The snacks are key.

Onlinecasinos.com dug into Google Trends to rank the most searched-for game-day snacks in each state. It turns out, most people are looking forward to a dip. From Velveeta cheese dip to guacamole, various dips were the most searched-for snack in 26 states.
Gov. Tina Kotek testified before the Senate Committee on Housing and Development on Thursday morning, expressing unwavering support for her $500 million housing production bill.

The size of this challenge requires a full menu of solutions, which is what you see in this bill, Kotek testified. I believe this bill is bold and balanced. Its comprehensive. It will provide the spark to jumpstart the building of new housing that we need to see across the state.
A trio of bills that would dismantle Oregons drug decriminalization experiment led to hours of spirited debate Wednesday as lawmakers began the work of moving ambitious legislation through their short session that opened this week.

The hearing by the Joint Committee On Addiction and Community Safety Response focused on Republican-backed Senate Bill 1555 and House Bill 4036 and House Bill 4002, spearheaded by the committees Democratic co-chairs, Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber and Rep. Jason Kropf.
Two Portland commissioners  each running for mayor this year  are looking to divert dollars from the citys lucrative voter-approved climate tax to prop up precarious public safety initiatives.

Carmen Rubio on Tuesday said she would seek to set aside $3 million of the $12 million in annual interest generated by the clean energy fund she oversees as the commissioner in charge of the citys planning and sustainability bureau.
The city of Portland will add 132 tiny homes to two of its existing safe rest villages, doubling the capacity at one and quadrupling it as the other, city officials say.

The expansions could come as soon as April, although the city has not set a firm deadline.
Abbas Ganbay

"Frank Schwabe, a member of the German Bundestag, recently spoke out against Azerbaijan as a clown," a statement from the Western Azerbaijan Community says, Azernews reports.

The statement also said:

"The anger of a loser like F. Schwabe shows once again that Azerbaijan has defeated not only the invading Armenia but also all the forces behind it, and it is for this reason that these circles now want to take revenge on Azerbaijan.

But history shows that such crusaders as F. Schwabe cannot influence the will of Azerbaijan in the slightest degree".

Recall that Azerbaijan's president has said that his country may consider leaving top European bodies, such as the Council of Europe (CoE) and the European Court of Human Rights.

The warning came soon after the country's delegation quit the CoE's parliamentary assembly (PACE) as the body was about to reject its credentials, and amid general crises with the West.

On February 1, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Martin Chungong. The IPU is a union of national parliaments of countries around the world.

In remarks at the meeting quoted by the presidential website, Aliyev reacted for the first time to PACE's move to push out the Azerbaijani delegation. He called the move "anti-Azerbaijani" and said that it was initiated by a minority group "which does not serve dialogue and is overall in opposition to the traditions of a parliamentary platform."

The idea to vote the Azerbaijani delegation out was raised by German MP Frank Schwabe and supported by thirty members of the Assembly.

Aliyev said that if the rights of the Azerbaijani delegation at PACE are not restored, Baku will consider pulling out altogether from the CoE and the European Court of Human Rights, according to the website.

In voting out the Azerbaijani delegation on January 24, PACE concluded that the country has "not fulfilled major commitments" stemming from its joining the Council of Europe in 2001.

"Very serious concerns remain as to [Azerbaijan's] ability to conduct free and fair elections, the separation of powers, the weakness of its legislature vis-a-vis the executive, the independence of the judiciary and respect for human rights, as illustrated by numerous judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and opinions of the Venice Commission," PACE said in its resolution.

The decision only concerns Azerbaijan's parliamentary delegation and the country remains a member of the CoE - for now.

Aliyev's threat to quit the CoE and human rights court comes amid deteriorating relations with Western countries and institutions.

In late December, the French ambassador to Azerbaijan was summoned to the foreign ministry, and two embassy employees were declared persona non grata and expelled "for actions incompatible with their diplomatic status and which contradicted the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations." France rejected the allegation and retaliated the following day by expelling two Azerbaijani diplomats.

While Azerbaijani officials did not specify what the French diplomats had supposedly done wrong, pro-government media earlier asserted that the country's law enforcement had exposed a spy network working for France.
It was almost 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 6, when the Robinson R44 helicopter piloted by former Chilean president Sebastian Pinera took off from his friend Jose Coxs house, on the shores of Lake Ranco, in the Ilihue sector, southern Chile. Pinera intended to return to his house, located in Coique Bay  on the other side of the lake  to have lunch with his family. Perhaps that is why, although the rain persisted and thick clouds darkened the idyllic summer scene, he chose to ignore the warnings of his friends and boarded the aircraft. By car, the journey from one house to another takes about 50 minutes; by air, approximately 7. However, a quarter mile from the shore, for reasons that are still being investigated, he lost control of the aircraft and plunged into the water. Three of the people who accompanied him (his sister Magdalena, his friend Ignacio Guerrero and his son, Bautista) managed to escape unharmed. Not so the businessman, who went down with the helicopter.

Although there are still no official versions of what happened inside the helicopter, Karla Rubilar, who was a minister in his government, has shared some details of the accident, provided by Magdalena Pinera. A story that reveals how, in his last minutes, the former president chose to save his companions. You jump first; if I jump with you, the helicopter will fall on you, he reportedly told the three passengers before falling into the lake and losing his life.

According to another version, told by Fabio Valdes, a friend of the former president since he was five years old, the helicopter fell sideways into the water with its passengers in it, and Pinera did not manage to get out. The windshield, so to speak, of the helicopter, completely fogged up and he was blinded, Valdes explained to Radio Agricultura. One hundred meters [330 feet] away from the Cox house he tried to return to land, to the beach. There, perhaps due to a bad maneuver or some rainfall, I dont really know very well, but as a result of the circumstances he was experiencing, almost blind, the helicopter fell and fell on its side, towards his side. And he must have received the blow. There, Ignacio Guerrero, who was in the side of the helicopter farthest from the water, opened the doors. He came out, his son came out, and Sebastians sister Pichita [Magdalena] barely got out. They tried to get Sebastian out, but the helicopter was already half-sunk and they couldnt get him out.

His body was successfully recovered by Lake Ranco firefighters that same day after 4:00 p.m. and taken by boat to the Harbor Masters Office. Ricardo Gonzalez, the Fire Department diver who participated in the immersion, told the Public Prosecutors Office and relatives of the former president that they were able to find the body, which was floating outside the aircraft, in a matter of minutes. The extraction was not complicated, as the weather conditions, temperature, water, wind, depth and exploration were favorable for free diving, Gonzalez explained, according to the La Tercera newspaper.

Pineras body floated without a seat belt or anything that would keep him submerged. He was free, without his belt, next to the helicopter, 28 meters [92 feet] deep, he said.

The assessment carried out by the Legal Medical Service, after a four-hour autopsy performed on Tuesday night, confirmed the cause of his death: asphyxiation due to submersion. The information was first delivered to the former presidents family and later confirmed by the Los Rios prosecutor. As the Prosecutors Office we are already in a position to inform the community that the medical-legal cause of former president Sebastian Pineras death is asphyxiation due to submersion, stated Prosecutor Tatiana Esquivel.

The versions that during Tuesday afternoon suggested that the former president had suffered a heart attack were ruled out. The forensic or medical-legal examinations allow us to develop a more likely theory of what the dynamics of this plane crash would have been like. As we pointed out, at this moment there is also a technical team dedicated to conducting all the assessments related to the helicopter where the accident took place, stated the prosecutor.

With the cause of death clarified, it is now time for inquiries to determine the cause of the helicopter failure. For this, the regional prosecutor has ordered the opening of an investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident. What follows are the assessments related to the helicopter that crashed in Lake Ranco in order to establish the cause and origin of the accident, obtain additional information and understand the sequence of events, she said.

The investigations involve the Homicide Brigade and the Criminalistics Laboratory of the Investigations Police, as well as the Special Police Operations Group of the Carabineros. The accounts [of the surviving passengers] are analyzed with technical assessments, aiding in the reconstruction of the cause and origin of this accident, Esquivel explained.

Investigations Police agents analyze the area where the helicopter piloted by Pinera fell, in Lake Ranco, on Wednesday. Policia de Investigaciones (Policia de Investigaciones /EFE)

A conversation with Boric

Pinera was vacationing at his Coique Bay home with his wife, Cecilia Morel, his sister Magdalena Pinera and some of his grandchildren. Every summer, the former president used to visit friends who spend the summer in nearby areas, either by boat, car or helicopter, depending on the distance. Days before the fatal accident, he had traveled by helicopter with his friend Ignacio Guerrero, who also accompanied him on the aircraft minutes before his death, and his former minister Rodrigo Perez Mackenna, to Tantauco Park, a private conservation reserve that Pinera owned since in 2006 on the island of Chiloe, in the Los Lagos region. During this journey, they also flew over the Futaleufu area on the continental Chiloe. Additionally, on Monday, he visited Camping Futrono by boat to meet with another group of friends, according to La Tercera.

Those who spoke with him during those days say that he was very concerned about the consequences of the massive fire that occurred over the weekend in the Valparaiso region. For this reason, he was working in utmost secrecy with a group of former collaborators and ministers on a document explaining how to proceed, to share it with the current government. Pinera and his teams had experience in this regard after dealing with the reconstruction process following the 2010 earthquake, during his first term, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic emergency during his second term. On Monday morning he held a video conference with part of his team to coordinate the delivery of a document to Gabriel Borics administration, to support the reconstruction efforts following the tragedy that occurred over the weekend, which has already claimed 131 lives.

Sources close to Pinera confirm that he reached out to President Boric to offer his expertise on Monday. That conversation led to another: that night, the former president received a call from Javiera Toro, the current minister of social development, who is in charge of the reconstruction efforts following the fires in the Valparaiso region. They spoke for about half an hour, during which Pinera shared his experience and offered his assistance.

Karla Rubilar, a former minister that was part of the team of collaborators working on the document, confirmed the existence of a draft that was going to be handed over to the current administration. The president [Pinera] was asking us to help this government, legitimately, very discreetly. He said, Dont talk about it, keep it low-key, lets help the president with the reconstruction, lets make ourselves available. He asked us to call the ministers, to write them. Why am I telling this? Because that was [how he was], she said.

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A roundup of conversations we're having daily on the site. Subscribe to the Reckon Daily for stories centering marginalized communities and speaking to the under-covered issues of the moment.

Colorado lawmakers have proposed a pair of measures they say will improve the availability of mental health resources for the states agricultural industry, as stress, anxiety and depression among ranchers and farmhands have emerged as critical issues that have worsened since the coronavirus pandemic.

The bills under consideration would address a growing need to treat rural mental health issues that have only compounded with the effects of the pandemic and climate change  all in a state that has one of the highest suicide rates in the nation. Mental health professionals are scarce in rural parts of Colorado, a significant gap considering suicide rates have been higher in rural America than in metropolitan areas for decades.

Legislators were slated to debate the measures on Feb 7. The first bill would create an agricultural and rural community behavioral health liaison position; that person would connect various state agencies with mental health care providers, nonprofits, and community leaders. The second bill is designed shore up and publicize suicide prevention resources for agricultural workers.

If youre two hours away from a health professional, and maybe in the winter in a snowstorm its a four- or five-hour drive, youre just not going to seek or get the help that you want and need, said state Sen. Perry Will, a Republican sponsoring the liaison bill. Anything we can do to increase access to behavioral health care in rural Colorado and in rural communities is a benefit.

The stresses of working in Colorados agricultural sector are amplified for migrant workers who face language barriers or cultural stigmas. The 2017 Census of Agriculture (updated 2022 data is scheduled to be released in mid-February) found about 8 percent of Colorados farms employ Hispanic or Spanish-speaking workers. In 2022, there were more than 19,000 farmworkers statewide.

When we talk about emotional needs, they feel a void. They dont know what to do because of this void they feel. But they feel that theres something wrong, said Ere Juarez, a regional director for the Project Protect Food Systems Workers who works closely with migrant families. The loneliness, the sadness, the guilt, its high  super high.

Migrant workers are routinely in Colorado for six to 10 months of the year to support relatives in their home countries. But they often face difficult conditions while in the U.S., Juarez said: working shifts of up to 16 hours a day, living with dozens of people inside small apartments and having limited communication with family back home. In addition to the language barrier English presents, some workers dont even speak Spanish, Juarez added, frustrating those who try to communicate in regional Spanish dialects.

Juarez said those feelings sometimes manifest as alcohol abuse or suicidal thoughts. Behavioral health resources to help workers need to be built up, she said.

We all have food on our tables because they work for us, Juarez said. They are leaving their bodies in our fields in order to feed us.

Then there is the drop in income when winter and year-round workers might clock in only 10 to 20 hours per week, said Hunter Knapp, development director for Project Protect Food Systems Workers. Workers who stay here throughout the year face a lot of economic challenges and all the associated mental and behavioral health challenges that come with losing income and work.

Iriana Medina, community engagement coordinator at the nonprofit La Plaza, has identified similar issues. Her organization works with migrant and immigrant communities in Mesa County on Colorados Western Slope, a region known for its juicy and sweet Palisade peaches and regional wine. The diversity of having a person that has a different cultural and language background is a bridge that needs to be built, Medina said. Whatever these bills will take us to will actually be a piece of the puzzle toward benefiting the Hispanic community, she added.

State Sen. Tom Sullivan, a Democrat and gun violence prevention advocate whose son, Alex, was murdered in the 2012 Aurora movie theater massacre, sponsored the bill to combat suicide. Sullivan said he is concerned that a person is more likely to take their life in a rural district than in an urban one.

Im just trying to acknowledge that there are people struggling in these communities and let them know that theres somebody out there who will actually listen and understand their problems when they call, Sullivan said.

KFF Health News ethnic media editor Paula Andalo contributed to this story.

If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 988. Spanish-language services are also available.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF  the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. This content can be republished for free.
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - Burkina Faso's cabinet on Wednesday renewed the Patriotic Support Fund (FSP), which was set up in January 2023 to finance the fight against terrorism, according to an official statement
Singer Taylor Swift performs at her concert for the international 'The Eras Tour' in Tokyo, Japan February 7, 2024.

When it comes to dealing with a Florida college student who uses public data and social media to track the private jets of billionaires, politicians and other celebrities, Taylor Swift apparently cant just shake it off.

In late December, Swifts camp hit Jack Sweeney, a junior studying information technology at the University of Central Florida, with a cease-and-desist letter that blamed his automated tracking of her private jet for tipping off stalkers as to her location. In the letter, attorneys from the law firm Venable accused Sweeney of effectively providing individuals intent on harming her, or with nefarious or violent intentions, a roadmap to carry out their plans.

Sweeney provided the link to that letter in an email to The Associated Press. In that message, he emphasized that while he has never intended to cause harm, he also believes strongly in the importance of transparency and public information.

One should reasonably expect that their jet will be tracked, whether or not Im the one doing it, as it is public information after all, he wrote.

A spokesperson for Swift echoed the legal complaint, saying that the timing of stalkers suggests a connection to Sweeneys flight-tracking sites. The spokesperson did not respond to questions seeking elaboration of that charge, such as whether stalkers have been seen waiting for Swift at the airport when her plane arrived or, alternatively, if there is evidence that stalkers have somehow inferred Swifts subsequent location from the arrival time of her flight.

The legal letter likewise accuses Sweeney of disregarding the personal safety of others; willful and repeated harassment of our client; and intentional, offensive, and outrageous conduct and consistent violations of our clients privacy.

Such statements are difficult to square with the fact that Sweeneys automated tracking accounts merely repackage public data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration, a government agency. That fact did not dissuade the Venable attorneys, who demanded that Sweeney immediately stop providing information about our clients location to the public.

The Swift spokesperson did not reply to a question inquiring whether the attorneys had issued the same demand to the FAA.

At one point Sweeney had more than 30 such accounts on Twitter, now known as X after Elon Musk purchased the site for $44 billion in 2022. Musk subsequently had his own dustup with Sweeney, tweeting at one point that his commitment to free speech required him not to ban Sweeneys @elonjet account even though he considered it a direct personal safety risk.

But it wasnt long before Musk abruptly about-faced and effectively banned the student from X, accusing Sweeney of endangering his personal safety.

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Kadant Acquires Swedish Simulation Software Company FrontWay

Frontway will become part of Kadant's Fiber Processing group. Frontway will become part of Kadant's Fiber Processing group.

Feb. 7, 2024 - Kadant Inc. announced that its acquisition of FrontWay AB was completed on December 19, 2023.

FrontWay provides fiber processing industries with simulation software and consulting services for process optimization. Founded in 2004 with a focus on pulp and paper industries, the company is headquartered in Norrkoping, Sweden and will become part of Kadant's Industrial Processing reporting segment.

"As part of Kadant's Fiber Processing group, FrontWay is supported by over 150 years of fiber processing expertise," said Michael Colwell, vice president of Kadant. "Expanding our fiber processing technology capabilities with FrontWay's process simulation, training, and consulting services provides our customers with access to a broader array of services and solutions."

Anders Nilsson, FrontWay's founder and owner, commented, "We are proud of the market position we have built as a supplier to the European pulp and paper industry. As a global leader in fiber processing technologies, Kadant is a great fit for our business, and we are excited for opportunities to grow as a part of Kadant."

Based in Westwood, Massachusetts, Kadant is a global supplier of technologies and engineered systems that drive Sustainable Industrial Processing. The company's products and services play an integral role in enhancing efficiency, optimizing energy utilization, and maximizing productivity in process industries.

SOURCE: Kadant, Inc.
Photo: (Photo : CYRIL FOLLIOT / Getty Images)

The FDA investigation reveals that WanaBana's contamination of their cinnamon-flavored applesauce products is due to the Ecuadorian cinnamon processor.

WanaBana's cinnamon applesauce has been recalled by the FDA due to the lead content that the product has, which is catered to young children across the United States and poses risks.

Officials from the Agencia Nacional de Regulacion, Control y Vigilancia Sanitaria (ARCSA) in Ecuador have stated that Carlos Aguilera, an Ecuadorian processor, is likely responsible for the contamination linked to recalled applesauce cinnamon products.

The ongoing FDA investigation is shedding light on the intricate details of the supply chain, legal proceedings, and the challenges the agency faces in taking action against foreign suppliers.

FDA Investigation Leads To Ecuadorian Cinnamon Processor

Ecuadorian authorities have singled out Carlos Aguilera, the cinnamon processor, as the likely culprit behind the lead contamination in WanaBana's applesauce pouches.

Aguilera, who sourced his cinnamon from Sri Lanka, vehemently denies any wrongdoing, asserting that samples from his mills did not reveal lead contamination.

The complex supply chain involves Aguilera supplying cinnamon to Negasmart, which, in turn, provides cinnamon to Austrofoods, the facility responsible for producing WanaBana's cinnamon applesauce pouches.

The intricate web of connections raises questions about the oversight and quality control mechanisms in place throughout the supply chain.

As the FDA delves deeper into the investigation, the spotlight is on the Ecuadorian cinnamon processor and the steps taken by each entity to ensure the safety of the final product.

Read Also: North Houston Fire: Mother Rescues 2 Children, Succumbs While Saving Infant Baby

While investigations are still underway in Ecuador to determine the ultimate responsibility for the contamination, Aguilera's business has come to a standstill. In an interview with Ecuadorian newspaper El Universo, Aguilera adamantly denies contaminating the cinnamon.

The legal implications of the accusations remain uncertain, and the pause in Aguilera's operations adds complexity to an already intricate situation.

WanaBana and Negasmart, key players in the supply chain, have yet to provide comments on the accusations.

The silence from these entities raises concerns among consumers and health officials, who are eagerly awaiting responses and actions from those involved.

FDA Challenges in Taking Action: Regulatory Hurdles and Limited Authority

Despite the alarming reports of elevated blood lead levels associated with WanaBana's products, the FDA faces challenges in taking regulatory or legal action against Aguilera.

The agency cites "limited authority" over foreign ingredient suppliers who do not directly ship products to the U.S. The focus is on Austrofoods, the facility responsible for shipping products to the U.S., rather than Negasmart or Aguilera.

The regulatory hurdles highlight the complexities of international supply chains and the need for comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of imported food products.

The FDA emphasizes its collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to screen for any products from Negasmart or cinnamon being imported from Ecuador, underscoring the agency's commitment to preventing contaminated products from entering the U.S. market.

As the FDA investigation unfolds, the Ecuadorian cinnamon processor remains a focal point in the WanaBana contamination scandal.

The intricacies of the supply chain, legal proceedings, and regulatory challenges underscore the need for thorough oversight to safeguard consumers from potential health risks associated with lead poisoning.

Related Article: Dengue Emergency Hits Rio de Janeiro Ahead of Carnival: Special Measures Launched Amid Rising Cases
Photo: (Photo : Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

A Michigan jury gives a verdict of guilty against Jennifer Crumbley, a mom, on charges of involuntary manslaughter for her failure to intercede and stop her son's deadly school shooting.

This marks the first instance in the United States where a parent has been convicted of manslaughter in connection with their child committing a mass shooting.

Mother of Michigan School Schooting Gunman Convicted

In November 2021, Ethan Crumbley, aged 17, perpetrated a mass shooting at Oxford High School in Pontiac, Michigan, resulting in the death of four classmates and the wounding of seven others.

Despite the son pleading guilty and receiving a life sentence without parole, the jury, deliberating for 11 hours, considered the theory that parental negligence played a considerable role in the criminal activity.

During the hearing, prosecutors argued that Jennifer Crumbley was careless in permitting her son access to a firearm and disregarded deterrent signs.

The judge informed the jury that their decision was likely the most demanding task they had undertaken.

While Jennifer materialized impassively during the judgment reading, some relatives of the victims expressed reassurance.

The core question of the hearing was whether Jennifer could have anticipated and prevented the disastrous incident.

Prosecutors presented proof that the Crumbleys had recently purchased the gun used by their son, who had exhibited signs of needing mental health assistance.

The parents were charged promptly after the shooting, and they were found in Detroit following a public tip.

Jennifer was charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, each carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years. James is scheduled for a separate trial in March.

Critics argue that this case could set an example for holding parents responsible for their children's actions, while others trust its uniqueness makes it unlikely to have wide legal implications.

Some experts propose that the focus should also be on the negligence of the school system, as evidenced by an independent investigation revealing multiple shortcomings.

Read Also: Laney High School: Police Reacts to Gunshots, Reports No Injuries

Crumbley Parents Claim They Were Unaware of Shooter Son's Actions

Despite pleading not guilty, Crumbley claimed ignorance and argued against being held responsible for her son's actions.

Her defense sought to shift blame onto her husband, James Crumbley, for leaving the firearm accessible, and also placed responsibility on Oxford High School officials for not informing her about her son's behavioral issues earlier.

After nearly 11 hours of contemplation, the jury reached a verdict, and Crumbley, aged 45, now faces a potential prison sentence of up to 15 years.

Prosecutor Karen McDonald highlighted the severity of the case, narrating it as involving horrific facts and the unthinkable, leading to the tragic deaths of four children.

Defense attorneys raised concerns about the potential impact of a Crumbley conviction on parents nationwide, suggesting it could pave the way for prosecution based on their children's independent criminal acts.

They questioned the extent of parental responsibility, especially when actions are unforeseeable.

Prosecutors countered by asserting that it was Crumbley's duty as a mother to ensure her 15-year-old son did not have access to a firearm.

They argued that even small preventive steps could have averted the tragedy, highlighting instances such as taking her son to a gun range while he was reportedly "acting depressed."

During the trial, Crumbley tearfully testified that she wouldn't change anything in the days leading up to the shooting.

Prosecutors presented damning evidence from Ethan's journal, where he expressed frustration about his parents not listening to his pleas for help.

The trial revealed family issues, including claims of extramarital relationships by Jennifer.

Prosecutors argued that her focus on finding dates using an app, Adult Friend Finder, took precedence over her son's well-being.

The school had reportedly alerted the Crumbleys about their son's troubling drawings and recommended professional help, which they declined.

James, who did not testify in Jennifer's trial, faces similar charges and is scheduled for a separate trial in March.

Both parents maintained they were unaware of their son's plans, and they asserted that their suffering as parents should be punishment enough.

Defense attorneys argued that the slayings were unforeseeable and unexpected by anyone, including the Crumbleys.

Related Article: Jennifer Crumbley Trial: Mother of Oxford High School Shooter Appears in Court on Day 2
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If you asked a hundred people on the street what Googles generative artificial intelligence product is called, Im betting that 98 of them wouldnt know, unless that street happens to be in San Jose. Its Bard, for the record, unconsciously associating generative AI with British playwrights and D&D players who failed their sexual harassment prevention training. Or at least it was. Now its called Google Gemini, after a brief period of rebranding, and its debuting in Googles workplace products.

Gemini is an umbrella term for Googles generative AI (a separate app on Android, embedded within the Google search app on iOS) and its integration into existing services like Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet, where it was sometimes referred to as Duet before. Some advanced capabilities, like being a personal tutor or assistive writing in more advanced coding scenarios, will be behind a Gemini Advanced paywall. Thatll run you a hefty $19.99 a month on top of a Google One plan. It seems extremely expensive in terms of pure utility  $20 a month gets you 2TB of cloud storage space, for example  but its in line with premium versions of ChatGPT and Microsofts Copilot AI tools.

Despite Googles insistence that its been working on AI for years, its hard to see this rebrand as anything but a move to try and get some relevance with a relatively cheap coat of paint. OpenAI and Microsoft are pushing hard with their partnership, and that seems to be benefitting the latter almost on the strength of ChatGPTs mindspace alone. It surely doesnt hurt that Microsoft has an easy way to market Copilot, whether its users want it or not, right on their desktop. Despite using Google tools multiple times every day for my work and personal life, and running Android for the better part of fifteen years, Ive yet to find a reason to engage with Bard or Duet.

As someone whos worked with Android for a long, long time both personally and professionally, I also hasten to point out that Google has some commitment issues. The company is infamous for dropping apps and services even if theyre popular with end users, implementing redesigns on a whim, and rebrands that seem baffling at best and downright detrimental at worst. Google Podcasts, something Ive personally and publically praised, is the latest service thats being jammed under the YouTube door crack for some reason. If Google finds that it has a hard time getting users interested in its newest exciting software product, it has only itself to blame.
Head of the Economic Management Team (EMT) under the Nana Addo led government, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has stated that the EMT does not have decision-making powers but only offers advice to cabinet.



The veeps comments come at a time when section of the public and mainly the opposition, national Democratic Congress (NDC) has been blamed him for the economic challenges that Ghana is currently experiencing.



It can be recalled that former President and the main contender for the 2024 general elections, John Dramani Mahama asked that he should be removed as head of the EMT for the challenges that has besieged the economy.



Delivering his address at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) on Wednesday February 7, Dr Bawumia, flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), said Thankfully I was appointed as chair of the EMT, as a committee of Cabinet we do not have decision-making powers but I am very proud of the quality of advice we have been providing over the years to Cabinet. As vice President, I was asked by the President to assist in solving the problems that were inhibiting the economy. My approach was to help formalize the economy through digitalization as stated in our 2016 manifesto.



Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia further said that the flak that the Bank of Ghana (BoG) received for supporting the government during the economic crisis was unnecessary.



He confirmed that the central bank was responsible enough to put the interest of Ghanaians ahead by deciding to support the government in dealing with the crisis when the need arise.



The Minority in Parliament strongly criticized the Bank of Ghana, saying the central bank was not fit for purpose.



They, however, bemoaned the BoG was not able to undertake monetary policy without printing monies.



But Bawumia said in his address that The Bank of Ghana provided needed financing to the government at a critical moment. What the BoG did was very responsible in putting the interest of the citizens first, he said.

Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) Girls Senior High School, a cornerstone of girls' education in Ghana has marked its 70th Anniversary in customary grand style. The week-long celebration, culminating in a grand durbar on February 3, welcomed Her Excellency Samira Bawumia, the Second Lady of the Republic, as the special guest of honour.



Themed "Reminiscing 70 Years of Holistic Catholic Education: The Role of Stakeholders in Embracing Technology and Entrepreneurship for the Future," the celebration kicked off with a walk on January 30, with all events geared toward honouring the school's legacy and looked towards its future.



Sharing a personal connection with girls' education, Mrs. Bawumia commended OLA Girls for its unwavering commitment to holistic education and its significant contribution to national development. She lauded the Ho-based school's success in nurturing academic excellence while instilling enduring values in its students.



However, she emphasised the urgent need to further integrate technology into all aspects of its operations, saying that it was crucial to ensure competitiveness in the future.



"The impact of recent developments, including COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of technology in education. Exposing students to artificial intelligence and computer programs can equip them for future challenges while maintaining the school's cherished values, she stated.



Headmistress Benedicta Agbezudor expressed gratitude for government support in improving the schools infrastructure through the Ghana Education Trust Fund and the Ministry of Education.



However, she highlighted critical challenges and called for further assistance saying it would help remove some stumbling blocks that were impeding academic performance.



"All our existing classrooms are overcrowded and cannot adequately accommodate the over 4,000 girls. Two of our traditional dormitories need renovation, and transportation is limited as our two buses cannot travel beyond Ho. We appeal to the government through Her Excellency to prioritise OLA Girls in addressing these issues, especially the vehicles she stated.



The Headmistress, nonetheless, pledged that the school would continue to compete for top honours regionally and nationally.



Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa, reiterated the government's commitment to education, technology, and entrepreneurship. He pledged collaboration with educational institutions and stakeholders to equip the region's youth for success.



"With the support of the Ghana Education Service, GETFUND, and the Ministry of Education, and the Presidency, we will address your concerns," he assured.



To ensure a seamless celebration of the big durbar, the 1998-year group led by Mrs. Gifty Mottey Gowu acquired two large sponsorships from GB Foods, producers of Ghana's famous Gino and Pomo range of products, and Blow Chem Industries, manufacturers of Bel-Beverages and Bel Aqua Mineral Water.





About OLA Senior High School



OLA Senior High School was founded on February 1, 1954, at Keta by Bishop Anthony Konings, then Bishop of the Keta Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, with 35 students. Initially known as Queen of Apostles Secondary School, the school was later renamed Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) Senior High School.



The schools current population stands at over 4,097. This comprises 3,962 boarding students, with 135 day students. The establishment of the school in the region has contributed to the development of girl-child education in the country and has also brought about the situation where girls from the region had to travel over 200 miles to Cape-Coast and other places to access sister schools.



Over the years, the school has achieved excellent academic records in the final examinations of the West African Senior Secondary Schools Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Since its establishment 70 years ago, Ola Senior High School has produced some of the countrys best human resources who are serving the country in various top positions.













Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Agordzo (rtd) has issued an allegation against the Defence Minister, Hon. Dominic Nitiwul, describing him as the one behind his arrest.



ACP Agordzo purported that the Defence Minister initiated his arrest after he disclosed his engagement with Dr. Mac-Palm on a WhatsApp platform, and also expressed his opinions on civil unrest and the Arab Spring.



According to him, the honoruable minister for Defence reposted his previous comments on civil unrest with added words suggesting he must be brought to order, which eventually led to his arrest.



Speaking to Umaru Sunda on Face to Face on Citi TV monitored by Peacefmonline.com, ACP Agordzo said, A member of the government, a cabinet minister [Dominic Nitiwul], who is on Adam Bonaas WhatsApp platform quickly picked it. He initiated my arrest. I had spoken about the Arab Spring on the Adam Bonaa platform, and discussed civil unrest on Dr. Mac-Palms platform, I spoke about the Arab Spring as well. When the arrests of the alleged coup makers were announced, we started discussing this same thing.



He further added that, While we all doubted, including a number of people, I also expressed my opinion on Adam Bonaas platform. I had told the whole world on the platform that I knew Dr. [Mac-Palm]. I have met him once, hes passionate about good governance. No sooner had I made that statement, than the minister posted my previous comments on civil unrest and added his own words Hes way off the mark, he must be brought to order. These are things I teach.



When asked by the host, Umaru Sunda, if he was referring to the Defence Minister, ACP Rtd. Agordzo responded with certainty, yes exactly.



He further added, He came after me because he started this whole thing. I protested when he did that. I reported him to the administrator of the platform. The administrator contacted him, and we have it on chat. The administrator told him the platform is a free one where members express their opinions on security and therefore he should stop what he was doing. Less than two weeks I was arrested.



He [Dominic Nitiwul] should take me on if he thinks it is flimsy, and I will prove my case. The investigation against me started at the Defence Intelligence at Burma Camp under the supervision of the same minister. Before the case was transferred to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).



I dont have any problem with him. Maybe hes being vindictive, maybe he had something against me that I dont know. He may not be comfortable with my opinions and decided to change my sitting place.



ACP Benjamin Agordzo, together with eight other persons were arrested and arraigned in court on counts of conspiracy to commit high treason.



However, the court acquitted and discharged ACP Benjamin Agordzo on January 24, 2024, while six others were convicted for counts of conspiracy to commit high treason and committing high treason.



The six convicted for plotting a coup have been sentenced to death by hanging.

Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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When most people think of where extraterrestrial life could exist, they think of Mars. But there are other worlds within our Solar System where life is also possible. Covered by tens or hundreds of kilometers of rock and ice, the underground oceans of some of the moons of Jupiter and Saturn remain warm enough to have liquid water and have chemical conditions where terrestrial microorganisms could survive.

When the Voyager 2 probe passed by Jupiters moon Europa in 1979, it observed grooves and fractures in the frozen surface that raised suspicions about what was hidden inside. After decades of observation it is believed that, in addition to Europa, there are vast bodies of water inside Ganymede, the largest moon in the Solar System; on Saturns moon Enceladus, which shoots plumes of water vapor and other chemicals into space; or on Titan, whose surface is covered with lakes of methane. Now, an article published in Nature suggests that there is also an underground sea on Mimas, another of Saturns moons.

The existence of an underground sea can usually be discerned by changes in the moons surface, such as the faults on Europa, which are caused by changes in the volume of water when it freezes or melts. But Mimas, a world that seemed geologically dead for a long time, does not have faults

However, the authors of the study published in Nature, led by Valery Lainey, from the Paris Observatory (France), found the presence of water thanks to a detailed analysis of Mimas movements around Saturn. This small moon, which is only 400 kilometers in diameter, would have its liquid ocean under a layer of ice 20 or 30 kilometers thick. Simulations suggest that the sea appeared recently, between 25 and two million years ago, which is insufficient time to cause visible effects on the moons surface.

Olga Prieto, head of the Planetology and Habitability Department at the Astrobiology Center in Madrid, considers that the most interesting thing about this work is that it shows that in worlds where there is no external sign that they exist, there may also be oceans. This makes it possible that underground seas in our Solar System are more the norm than the exception. In addition to the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, other bodies such as Vesta, in the asteroid belt, several satellites of Uranus, and even the dwarf planet Pluto, could have large amounts of water under their surface.

The decay of radioactive elements in some celestial bodies could explain the heat source necessary for water to be a liquid so far from the Sun. In others, such as Mimas, the gravitational effects of Saturn and other moons can shake the satellites core with the same, but much more intense, mechanism that produces tides on Earth, causing the temperature inside to rise. This phenomenon raises the possibility that crossing the orbits of other objects could create the conditions for the ice to melt, and it raises questions about the stability of the habitats that would make life on these worlds possible.

Astrobiologist Alfonso Davila, from NASAs Ames Research Center, explains that although the conditions for life may now exist on some of these moons, it is not clear that life could have emerged in these environments as it did on Earth. We dont know the conditions under which life originated here. There are models that place this origin on the surface, with light and ultraviolet radiation playing important roles, with episodes of flooding and drying that are important for organic chemistry and geochemical evolution, and there are oceanic models, in which scientists talk of hydrothermal chimneys where the conditions for life were created. Furthermore, some of the oldest organisms are thermophiles, they like high temperatures, Davila explains.

However, if life could not have originated in the ocean, moons like Europa or Enceladus would be habitable, but sterile. On Earth we dont have those types of environments, because life colonizes all habitable places, so it would also be something interesting to study, he says.

Despite the proximity of these aquatic worlds and the abundance suggested by the article published in Nature today, many of them are as inaccessible as the planets that orbit stars light years away. With current technology, it seems like science fiction to drill through tens of kilometers of ice, but according to Prieto, there are already crazy ideas that space agencies are listening to as possible long-term plans. The Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor is a robotic worm that could crawl through the cracks that Enceladus plumes emerge from and reach its ocean, dozens of kilometers below the surface.

It seems even more difficult to reach the newly discovered sea on Mimas, which is hidden by a surface that gives the impression of an inert world. If it were possible to reach its interior one day, Davila believes that we would not to find life there. The models tell us that life on Earth appeared relatively quickly in geological terms, but perhaps it took 200 or 300 million years, he says. On Mimas, where the ocean is only 25 million years old, there would not have been time for life to develop yet, but an environment could be found in which simple molecules begin to combine to form more complex molecules such as DNA, which later made life possible. On Mimas, we could study that very interesting time in the phases prior to the origin of life that we do not have on Earth, because the geological record has been destroyed, says Davila. For now, the Mimas ocean is a new surprise that changes expectations about our cosmic neighborhood.

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Former Constituency Chairman for Afigya Kwabre South in the Ashanti Region, Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah (COKA) has commemorated the 150th Anniversary of the Sagrenti War in a grand style.



Storming the Manhyia palace to grace the Kuntunkuni durbar to officially commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Sagrenti War today, he was clad in black Batakari cloth with heavy entourage.



The affable politician, belonging to the elephant party in Ghana has Asanteman at heart hence his dedication and commitment towards the progress of Asanteman.



His presence at the occasion added a lot of prestige to the great Asante Kingdom which speaks volume and preparedness of Asanteman in whatever they do.



Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, one of the unmatched political Messiahs in the political history of Ghana and beyond is happy to witness the return of the regalia of Asanteman which was taken from them during the war around 150 years ago.







Background



As part of events scheduled to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, a symposium was held to commemorate the anniversary of the war that led to the signing of the Treaty of Fomena.



This year marks exactly 150 years since British forces looted the Asante Palace, made away with priceless regalia and completely burnt down the Palace and Kumasi under the command of Sir Garnet Wolseley.



As an add-on, a book was launched on the history of the Asantes. The book was authored by Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II and edited by Prof. Tom McCaskie.



He disclosed that Otumfuo Osei Tutu II will receive the returned regalia from the United States of America on Thursday, February 8 at the Kuntunkuni Durbar. The British British Museum will return their regalia at the Akwasidae Durbar on May 12, 2024.



In a keynote address, Prof. Tom McCaskie commended Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for advocating the return of the stolen regalia.



He further stated that not only were the regalia taken, the British also looted gold and gold dust from the then Asantehene, Otumfuo Kofi Karikari adding that, the value of the gold is estimated to be worth more than 2 billion.



He stressed that although the then Asante Kingdom was defeated, she was not annexed and emphasized that Sir Garnet Wolseleys decision to loot the Asante Palace and burn it down was in line with his personal ambition to lead the British Army.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The video that led to the interdiction of Chief Inspector Benjamin Doe Kuwornu has gone viral on social media.



The interdiction was initiated to facilitate a thorough investigation into allegations of misconduct against him.



In a video, Chief Inspector Kuwornu, stationed at Assin Fosu in the Central Region, is seen addressing President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at a beer bar.



He called the President incompetent for collapsing the economy.



Mr President, I want to meet you because I have a discussion. We are saying Mr President, you are destroying our nation, Mr President you have destroyed our nation and as part as our demonstration as a police officer, I want to meet you one-on-one to tell you to your face that you are really incompetent and you are not managing the state resources in the interest of the nation, he stated.



The angry Police officer accused the President Akufo-Addo of crippling state pillars and charged the leaders of the security services to speak up.



Chief Inspector Kuwornu justified his conduct saying he wants to be a citizen not a spectator.



Because we have a role to play; we have a charge to keep. Is it not the President who said that we must be citizens not spectators? he questioned.



Watch video below-



Source: adomonline.com









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Madagascar's parliament has approved a new law which will see paedophiles surgically castrated for their crimes.



The new law comes just days after Kazakhstan announced a similar law where the country's worst offending child sex offenders will have their genitals surgically removed.



On Friday, February 2, Madagascar's parliament, The National Assembly, approved a law which legalised the castration of child rapists in the East African country.



The old law stated that those found guilty of raping a minor would face between five and 20 years of forced labour.



However, this new law states that those found guilty of raping a child under ten years old will be surgically castrated and sentenced to life imprisonment. If the victim is between ten and 13 years old, they will instead be chemically castrated and face 15 to 20 years of forced labour. If the rapist is also a minor they will escape castration.



Minister of Justice Landy Randriamanantenasoa spoke in favour of the bill. Le Quotidien, a French language newspaper, reported that Ms Randriamanantenasoa said: 'Society must know what they did and who they are.'



The bill was proposed by the President of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, last month and was one of his key campaign promises during his re-election bid last year.



International organisations have criticised the new law. The BBC reports that in a statement, Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty's regional director for eastn m and southern Africa, said: 'In Madagascar, rape cases remain under-reported, and perpetrators often go free due to the victims' and their families' fear of retaliation, stigmatisation, and a lack of trust in the judicial system.



'Implementing chemical and surgical castration, which constitutes cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, as a punishment for those found guilty of raping minors will not solve this and is inconsistent with Malagasy constitutional provisions against torture and other ill-treatment, as well as regional and international human rights standards.'



Ms Randriamanantenasoa has rebuked similar criticism about respect for human rights by saying Madagascar is a sovereign country.













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Ace broadcaster Kwami Sefa Kayi has cleared the air about a social media post that sought to imply the government and the ruling New Patriotic Party had suppressed an interview he was supposed to have with the leader of the Movement for Change (M4C), Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen.



Mr. Sefa Kayi, host of Ghana's leading morning show "Kokrokoo" aired on Peace FM, on Monday, February 5, issued a stern warning to the camp of Alan Kyerematen cautioning his communicators to cease misinforming the M4C flagbearer.



On Wednesday, February 7, seasoned journalist, Kweku Baako compelled Sefa Kayi, affectionately called "Chairman General", to set the record straight as he (Baako) was worried about the viral post purporting the Presenter was influenced by some powerful hands to cancel the interview.



Breaking his silence over what actually transpired between him and Alan's team, Mr. Sefa Kayi narrated he received a call from the Alan's camp during the time he had taken a break from hosting the show.



According to him, "the caller wanted to schedule an interview for Alan Kyerematen but i informed the caller that i was not available" as the show was being run by his sit-in host, Nana Yaw Kesseh.



He therefore noted that it was when he resumed work on February 5 that he saw a flyer announcing the said Alan Kyerematen interview.



"I missed a call from my producer Kwadwo Asante around 11pm (Sunday). So the next morning, i returned the call and he inquired if i was privy to the flyer announcing Alan's appearance, because earlier in the day (Sunday), i had already told him that the only outside interview planned for Monday was with the ECG MD, Dubik Mahama....with my regular panelists being Gideon Boako and Prof Joseph Osafo. I therefore directed Kwadwo Asante to send the right message across to the flagbearer's team asking him (producer) to call them and rectify the anomaly because it is not true and it's not right. It's not even fair to Alan; that's all I said."



"Later, it was being circulated on social media that the government had coerced me to abort the interview, which called for my attention and subsequent caution to the team to refrain from such action by telling the man (Alan) the truth." Sefa Kayi recounted.



The Chairman General was empahtic that there was never an interview scheduled for Alan Kyerematen,adding that his handlers are just trying to court disaffection between him and the ex-NPP presidential aspirant.



"...I'm like Alan Kyerematen is not a kid. That is what I said on air. He is an elderly man, experienced and living his life. The fact that someone disagrees with him politically doesn't mean we should tarnish his image. You can't do that; you can't do that and there is no way that I, knowing Alan and who he is, that I would disrespect him. It is not in my DNA", he explained.



"He wasn't scheduled to be on the show", he emphasized, asking "that I will agree to do a program and then cancel it. Who can influence me to cancel a program?"





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Former Central Regional Minister Kwamena Duncan has reposed confidence in the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa, to ensure the right thing is done concerning the change of election date from December 7.



The Electoral Commission (EC) has been petitioned by Seventh Day Adventists and a section of the Ghanaian populace to revise the election date, shifting it to a Tuesday in the month of November in order to avoid disrupting the Sabbath day of the Adventists and also avoid disenfranchising some electorates.



This proposal has been accepted by the EC, with the Commissioners informing the political parties during a meeting about their readiness to effect the recommendation in this year's general elections, but the National Democratic Congress has opposed the decision.



They have called on the Commission to postpone the process to 2028.



The NDC flagbearer and ex-president, John Dramani Mahama, has cautioned the commissioners that they may wreak havoc should they change the date this year.



"After every election, we sit and consider electoral reforms and we agree on what to do. Since 2020, we have only 9 months to another election, and the EC has now come with major changes. No indelible ink and different reforms. When you do that, it doesnt build the confidence of the people in the electoral process."



"We have returned to IPAC after the Peace Council intervened, and now they [EC] are saying they want to change the election date and that they want to bring a new CI to change the old CI but our concern is why wait till now? You dont spring surprises on people; what if it doesnt work and it leads to some disturbances? So that is our position," the former president remarked.



Also, Minority Leader in Parliament Cassiel Ato Forson says the "NDC Minority Caucus in Parliament will not support any such change at this time."



But Kwamena Duncan is optimistic that the EC Chairperson will not let the opposition derail her efforts.



"I have strong faith in her. She is an action woman," he stated, and slammed the opposition party, saying the "NDC has always been an obstruction every time."



Kwamena Duncan advised the EC to go ahead with their decision, stressing that "there must not be an obstruction." However, he admonished them to do it within the fabric of Ghana's democracy.



He gave these remarks on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show.



Watch video below





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Seasoned journalist, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako has questioned both the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress' positions on the proposal for a change of election date from December 7.



The Electoral Commission has been petitioned by Seventh Day Adventists to change the December 7 date to November and the election to fall on a Monday or Tuesday as they argue the current date conflicts with their religious faith.



They argue conducting the election on December 7 will disrupt their Sabbath Day which is sacred for them.



The Electoral Commission has accepted the proposal and pre-informed the political parties and Ghanaians about their resolve to change the date this year.



But the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has objected to the petition asking the EC to start the process in 2028.



Analyzing the issues on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo", Kweku Baako chronicled the origin of the proposal for election date change in Ghana.



He alluded to the late Atta Mills government instituting a Constitutional Review Committee which recommended for the change and this was brought before Parliament, fully supported by the then NDC, but failed to come into effect because the ruling New Patriotic Party opposed it when they were in Minority.



"The Minority (NPP) then did not give them the numbers," he stated, adding "in actual fact, it's the conduct of the Minority then that did not make this thing materialize".



Whiles wondering why the same NDC which once supported the election date, is today against it coming into force this year and calling for it to be pushed to 2028, Mr Baako also slammed the NPP for its volte-face nature over the issue.



Mr. Baako called out both parties for their actions saying they are no strangers to the blueprint for the change of the election date.



"Based on this document I have here, by April 2015, all the parties had agreed to this...If there is the commitment, they would have carried forward this commitment they made in this document to Parliament...They all believed in this," he said.



He continued, "They know all the basics. There's nothing novel...They've had enough time. What are the outstanding issues? What new thing has been introduced that makes it so difficult, and because of that, we have to push it to 2028?"



"If one has to be brutally frank, this is politics without principles. It is lack of consistency in principles. Today, it's turn around; it's now the NDC that is opposed to this thing and giving all sorts of reasons," he stated and advised, saying, "amidst a lack of principles across the political divide, we must be honest and say some of these things direct to all of them".



On his stance on the proposal, Kweku Baako asserted, "This thing must be done. It can and must be done. We also have the experience to show that when the transition is so tight, so close, it creates problems. So, take religion out, but the principle is clear."





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Vice President and Flagbearer of the NPP for the 2024 Preaidential Election, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has revealed an ambitious plan to build about one million Ghanaian digital talents as part of his transformative Digital Ghana vision.



Addressing Ghanaians yesterday to unveil his vision and priorities for the country if elected President, Dr. Bawumia said his vision is to build a Digital Ghana vision, which will apply technology to transform key sectors of the economy including agriculture, healthcare, education, manufacturing, the financial sector for a prosperous digital economy which will make Ghana a digital hub and also create jobs for the youth.



To help realise the Digital Ghana vision, Dr. Bawumia also revealed that he aims to also build the digital talents Ghana needs for the global digital revolution, and revealed plans to train at least 200,000 youth per year on digital software skills, which, he said, will not only provide them jobs in Ghana, but also on the global market.



"I want to see Ghana build the digital talent we require for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This will mean providing digital and software skills to hundreds of thousands of youth. In collaboration with the private sector, we will train at least 200,000 youth per year for the next five years. This, along with other policies, will create jobs for the youth, including school dropouts."



"I also want to enhance the repositioning of the education system towards STEM, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and vocational skills to cope with the demands of the fourth Industrial Revolution and job creation. In collaboration with the private sector, we will aim to train at least 1,000,000 software developers in five years (200,000 per year). As software developers. They will have job opportunities worldwide."



Dr. Bawumia expressed confidence that the Ghanaian has the talent and what it takes to be number in the world in many areas but are often derailed by pessimism and impossibility mindsets; adding that his government will champion the mindset of possibilities in order to bring out the best from every Ghanaian.



"I want to encourage Ghanaians to have a mindset of possibilities and not impossibilities," he said.



"The challenges we must overcome as a country are too important to let our political differences derail us. There is a critical failure of mindset that manifests itself in the absence of core values, patriotism and principles within our society. We need to invigorate the can do spirit of the Ghanaian to believe that we can even do better than the advanced countries if we put our minds to it."



"For example, our students from Mamfe Girls and Prempeh College have won international robotic competitions against their peers in the US, Germany and South Korea. We have to apply the same mindset of beating the world in robotics, singathons and cookathons to every sphere of activity. We must believe IT IS POSSIBLE!"



"This must be inculcated in our children from school. This is why we are going to introduce a growth mindset curriculum to help students build critical skills such us problem solving, risk taking, opportunity spotting and design thinking.'

Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Mahamudu Bawumia, has promised that if elected President, he will limit his government to having no more than 50 Ministers and Deputy Ministers.



Dr Bawumia's decision is based on the belief that an efficient system of governance requires fewer ministers.



"The move towards the private sector provision of many public services would create fiscal space of at least 3% of GDP. This represents a major paradigm shift. Additionally, an efficient system of governance will require even fewer ministers. Therefore I would have no more than 50 ministers and deputy ministers, he pledged.



The Vice President of Ghana who was outlining his vision further assured that his "government will reduce the fiscal burden on government by leveraging the private sector, following the successful roll-out and/or enhancement such as Free SHS, Free TVEY etc during the Nana Akufo-Addo government's tenure".



With all these social safety nets in place, my government will now focus on jobs, and wealth creation by the private sector for all Ghanaians. My administration will incentivize the private sector to complement government in the provision of many infrastructure and other services to reduce government expenditure and improve maintenance, he stated.



Meanwhile, Dr. Bawumia emphasized the importance of boosting the private sector's role, along with improving fiscal and administrative decentralization, and enhancing systems and institutions' functionality. He believes that such measures will lead to greater efficiency, reducing wastage and ensuring value for money in procurement.



"The move towards the private sector provision of many public services would create fiscal space of at least 3% of GDP. This represents a major paradigm shift. Additionally, an efficient system of governance will require even fewer ministers he added.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia has revealed that he will ensure all public contracts are published online for proper public scrutiny.



Delivering an address at the University of Professional Studies in Accra, on Wednesday February 7, the Vice president Dr. Mahmud Bawumia said, one of the most potent weapons against corruption is transparency which he seeks to promote.



Many corrupt activities are cash-based, he revealed.



Apart from the obvious economic benefits of moving in the direction of a cashless society, the literature does indicate that the more electronic payments are used in transactions as opposed to cash, the more there is traceability and therefore the less the corruption, Bawumia reiterated.



I would like to bring Ghana close to a cashless economy in the shortest possible time. So far the Bank of Ghana, has made a lot of progress in this direction by putting in place a lot of the systems and infrastructure required. These include mobile money interoperability, merchant interoperability, Universal QRCode payment system, Gh-Link, debit cards, Ezwich, and GhanaPay. We have put in place the necessary infrastructure for Ghana to go cashless.



Recently the Bank of Ghana has completed a pilot of a digital version of the Ghana cedi note in Sefwi Wiawso. This is known as central bank digital currency (CBDC) or e-cedi.



The e-cedi is designed to work online and offline and will be launched by the Bank of Ghana in due couse. In my humble opinion, the e-cedi, with appropriate privacy protections, will be the ultimate weapon in our fight against corruption because it will provide transparency, reduce the risk of fraud, robbery, tax avoidance, and money laundering since it will be easy to track the movement of money and identify suspicious activity.



The e-cedi will quicken the pace of Ghanas move towards a cashless or near cashless society. To move towards a cashless economy however, we have to encourage the population to use electronic channels of payment. To accomplish this, there will be no taxes on digital payments under my administration. The e-levy will therefore be abolished.



 Furthermore, I will cause to be published online details of all public contracts for public scrutiny.

Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Vice President of the Republic, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia says he has set a solid track record in fighting corruption in Ghana.



According to him, he has, since his selection as Vice President to assist President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in managing the economy, distinguished himself as a leader.



He noted that he has publicly established a clear goal that he doesn't tolerate corrupt practices and recounted that he has undertaken, especially in his digitalization crusade, a number of initiatives to stop institutions from engaging in corruption.



"I entered politics to save the nation. My passion is solving problems, the vulnerable and the disadvantaged in society. Accumulation of wealth is not and has never been a passion or an ambition. This is why, through out my public life, I have pursued policies especially through digitalization to check corruption in places like the ports, the DVLA, the NHIS, the passport office and the Controller and Accountant-General Department. So, I have a solid track record in fighting corruption and I have earned a reputation for doing so", he said in a speech delivered at the UPSA-Ghana on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.



The Vice President further stated he has championed many projects aimed at improving the economy, emphasizing "I have with the support of the President, I have the honor and the privilege to be given the opportunity to initiate, champion or oversee many problem-solving policy initiatives".



"As Vice President, I am like a driver's mate but, by the grace of God, if you make me the President, I will in the driver's seat with constitutionally mandated authority to pursue my vision and my priorities", he stressed.



Dr. Bawumia implored Ghanaians to give him the presidential seat promising he will not let them down.



"Clearly the initial conditions that we inherited in 2017 are not the same as will be in 2025. Therefore, my priorities will be different. We have done many good things and I will be seeking to build upon them."



He added; "My vision is to create a tent big enough to accommodate all our people to tap into the resourcefulness and talents of our people irrespective of our different ethnic, political and religious backgrounds to channel our energies into building the kind of country that assures food self-sufficient, safe, prosperous and dignified future for all Ghanaians, to create sustainable jobs with meaningful pay for all and for Ghana to participate fully in the fourth industrial revolution using systems and data."









Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The British Ministry of Defense has successfully tested the DragonFire, a powerful military laser that can pinpoint a coin a kilometer away, costing less than $13 (12) per shot. Military technological advancements have accelerated recently, bringing us closer to autonomous weapons and killer robots. Soldiers now have the ability to engage in deadly combat from thousands of miles away. The arms industry continues to evolve, and has developed hypersonic missiles, uncrewed vessels and kinetic cannons. Meanwhile, regulation of such weapons remains elusive.

Nations engage in diplomacy while simultaneously pursuing an arms race. The delays in decision-making can be confusing. There is a lack of transparency and genuine exchange of information regarding their [weapons] research and development efforts. They seem to be focused on diverting attention and keeping us distracted, said Reyes Jimenez, a professor at Pablo de Olavide University (Seville, Spain) and member of the United Nations group on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS). The arms race has accelerated recently  here are some of the latest developments.

Laser-directed energy weapons

The DragonFire, which cost $126 million (117 million) to develop, is a laser-directed energy weapon that, according to the British government, can engage targets at the speed of light, and use an intense beam of light to cut through the target, leading to structural failure or more impactful results if the warhead is targeted. Firing it for 10 seconds is the cost equivalent of using a regular heater for just an hour. Therefore, it has the potential to be a long-term low-cost alternative to certain tasks missiles currently carry out. The cost of operating the laser is typically less than 10 [$12.65] per shot. This low cost makes it a viable substitute for ballistic missiles.

Laser-directed energy weapon developed by defense contractor Lockheed Martin for the United States. Lockheed Martin

This advanced weaponry has the potential to transform the battlefield by reducing dependence on costly munitions and minimizing collateral damage, said UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapp. The U.S. military is also developing this technology for attack missions and countering cruise missiles. The U.S. Navy has tested laser-directed energy systems and prototypes, which are currently installed on select ships for experimental purposes.

Hypersonic missiles

Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missiles (HACM) are capable of flying and maneuvering at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound), making them much more difficult to detect and intercept compared to traditional ballistic missiles.

Oleksandr Ruvin, director of Ukraine's Forensic and Scientific Research Institute, displays remains of a Russian hypersonic missile (Kh-47 Kinzhal) on May 12, 2023. VALENTYN OGIRENKO (REUTERS)

The U.S. Air Force has awarded a $1.4 billion (1.29 billion) contract to Raytheon Missiles and Defense to develop and demonstrate HACM prototypes. The [contract] will allow the company to conduct supplementary research, development, test and evaluation work for the HACM program through 2028, an Air Force spokesperson recently told DefenseScoop.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov has confirmed the use of Kinzhal hypersonic missiles to target important elements of Ukrainian military infrastructure. China also claims to have this type of weaponry, and has conducted a simulated naval assault using satellites to disrupt radar activity and prevent detection of the missile.

Electromagnetic attacks

The latest Chinese weapons test reveals a new strategy targeting electromagnetic systems. According to a recent U.S. Air Force publication, electromagnetic spectrum operations seek access to communication, navigation and location systems to detect, exploit, degrade, disrupt and circumvent operational capabilities.

Prototype of General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems Group's (GA-EMS) railgun launcher utilizing electricity instead of chemical propellants to fire projectiles at high speeds. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems

Kinetic energy

China is currently exploring the use of non-explosive projectiles that utilize electromagnetic technology. These projectiles can achieve hypersonic speeds and convert kinetic energy into destructive shock and heat waves. According to the South China Morning Post, the China Aerodynamic Research and Development Center has conducted simulations using a high-speed kinetic energy weapon weighing just 20 kilos (44 pounds) that could stop a 60-ton U.S. tank in its tracks. The impact creates a shockwave that goes through the tank, putting severe stress on its structure and causing distortion and fractures. The United States has also shown interest in the railgun weapon system being developed by the General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems Group (GA-EMS) that features electromagnetic launchers that use electricity instead of chemical propellants to fire projectiles at high speeds.

Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance

LASSO weapons are deadly unmanned systems intended to be carried by troops on the battlefield. They have a short barrel for launching, a drone with a lethal payload, sensors and precise flight controls. These weapons can fly, track and attack targets and armored vehicles even when they are not in the line of sight.

AeroVironment executive Todd Hinning presents the LASSO Switchblade 600 model. AeroVironment

Subsonic drones

Swarms of drones are widely used on battlefields. Anduril has developed a drone that intercepts and destroys enemy aircraft, then returns to base for reuse. Roadrunner is a reusable, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), operator-supervised Autonomous Air Vehicle (AAV) with twin turbojet engines and modular payload configurations that can support a variety of missions.

An Anduril Roadrunner during vertical takeoff. Anduril

The Air Launched Effects (ALE) program uses a different strategy of deploying small drones and payloads that can be launched from the air by larger aircraft (autonomous or crewed).

Uncrewed vessels

Similar to well-known aerial drones, Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USV) are autonomous boats used for anti-submarine and mine warfare missions. The United States has four USVs and recently conducted five months of tests in the Pacific.

Boeing's first Orca uncrewed surface vessel. Boeing

Our goal is to expose these vessels to diverse scenarios and conditions to understand their limitations. By doing so, we minimize the risks in our uncrewed operations, said Navy Captain Scot Searles, program manager of Unmanned Maritime Systems.

Last December, Boeing delivered its first Orca to the U.S. Navy. The Orca is an 85-ton, 26-meter, high-strength autonomous underwater drone with a modular payload bay. It can navigate long distances and lay mines or perform other missions without a crew on board.

Artificial intelligence

These examples showcase recent advancements in weapon technology, propelled by the integration of artificial intelligence tools. These tools have permeated all facets of warfare, encompassing system design, including cyber attacks, as well as the manufacturing and operation of devices.

During a meeting at IBM Research in Zurich, Navantias (the second-largest Spanish defense company after Airbus) Joaquin de los Santos presented a paper about the growing military use of artificial intelligence. Initially, AI was utilized in human resources, finance and legal departments. Then, it found its way into industrial processes through the creation of digital twins [a digital representation of a physical object, person or process]. Now, AI is being integrated into defense scenarios that demand rapid decision-making in challenging conditions with little data.

Technological advancements and convergence have led to the development of systems that are close to becoming lethal autonomous weapons. Commonly known as killer robots, they are causing growing concern throughout the international community. During the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons in November 2023, over 100 nations advocated unsuccessfully for legally binding rules on autonomous weapons systems.

After 10 years of observing and participating in efforts to manage the risks associated with robotics and emerging technologies, Jimenez has become pessimistic. Proposed solutions often contradict the consensus decision-making rule, which major players in the arms industry repeatedly disregard. We can pretty much say that there has been zero progress, she said.

The main obstacle is that defining these weapons is nearly impossible, wrote Jimenez in a paper for Revista Electronica de Estudios Internacionales (Electronic Journal of International Studies, in English). Some countries (United Kingdom, United States, Russia, France, Italy, Japan, Israel, China and South Korea) claim their current weapons do not cause legal, ethical or humanitarian problems as they are not considered Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems that can select and attack targets without human intervention.

However, many nations and organizations already have highly autonomous weapons in use for critical functions. Jimenez agrees with the definition provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross and adopted by various governments and entities. According to this definition, an autonomous weapon system can select (i.e. search for or detect, identify, track, select) and attack (i.e. use force against, neutralize, damage or destroy) targets without human intervention.

Modern weapons almost meet this definition due to the advanced technology incorporated into their functions. However, Jimenez argues that regulation of these weapons fall short of complying with fundamental principles outlined in international conventions, such as the obligation to always distinguish between combatants and civilians (the principle of distinction). Jimenez cited HARPY, a weapon specifically designed to target radar systems. It can identify them, but it cant tell if the target is surrounded by non-combatants and civilian infrastructure.

They also go against the principle of proportionality, which forbids launching attacks when civilian casualties are anticipated or when they are excessive compared to the opponents military capability. The daily war news clearly shows their failure to comply with this principle.

Similarly, modern weaponry disregards the fundamental principle of caution in warfare, which demands the preservation of civilian lives and property. International conventions dictate that combatants do not possess an unrestricted right to determine their means and methods of waging war. However, the unfortunate reality demonstrates the contrary.

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Update: Police were shot at Pa. home before it went up in flames; 6-8 people missing

EAST LANSDOWNE, Pa. (AP)  Two police officers were wounded Wednesday by gunfire at a suburban Philadelphia home that later was set on fire and consumed by the blaze, authorities said.

Officers from East Lansdowne, Lansdowne and Upper Darby responded to the house in East Lansdowne in the afternoon after a 911 call reporting that an 11-year-old girl had been shot, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said.

They immediately came under fire. One officer was shot in the arm and the other in the leg, officials said. They were both described by Stollsteimer as male, veteran officers who work for the East Lansdowne department.

Officers from Upper Darby saved their lives by dragging them out of danger, he added, and we expect them to be perfectly fine.

The house was then set on fire, he said. Intense flames were initially seen rising from the roof and top floor of the three-story home before spreading to the lower levels, largely gutting the structure.

By evening the blaze appeared to have been all but extinguished, with smoke still rising from the wreckage as firefighters worked the scene. The side of a neighboring home was also charred.

Firefighters work the scene where two police officers were injured Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, while responding to reported standoff in East Lansdowne, Pa. (Charles Fox/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)AP

The entire block was evacuated, according to the district attorney.

There was no immediate word on the condition of anyone inside the home, including the child who was reported wounded.

We dont know who was in the house, we dont know who the shooter was, we dont know how many people are in there, we dont know their status, we dont know if theyre alive, Stollsteimer said.

Upper Darby Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt described a volatile and dangerous scene when officers from his department officers responded to the home and were able to rescue the two wounded agents.

All officers that were on scene initially were taking on fire, and then when they removed themselves from it, there was no more gunfire at that point.

East Lansdowne is about 5 miles (8 kilometers) west of downtown Philadelphia.
Public education advocates rallied in the Capitol Rotunda Wednesday to recognize the one-year anniversary of a landmark court ruling that declared the states education funding system unconstitutional. They also issued a call to action to build support for Gov. Josh Shapiros proposed $1.8 billion new investment in education.

What they said: Students, parents, educators, school board members, community activist and legislators took turns stepping to the microphone to read a quote from the Commonwealth Court ruling: when it comes to education, money matters; we are not giving students what they need to be successful and we have two reading specialists for 1,200 students.
Trade in the candied hearts and flowers for blood, apparitions, and high-pitched screams.

Those heart-dropping acts will all happening Lincoln Mill Haunted House, a new haunted attraction in Philadelphia. The bone-chilling location is getting a Valentines Day makeover for a one-night-only, pop-up event.

On Saturday, Feb. 10, Lincoln Mill will host its Valentines Day haunted tour, entitled Viktors Valentine: A Dark Love Story. The event will feature tours throughout the haunted mill, located at 4100 Main Street in Manayunk, according to a press release.

The scary part of this experience is the tours are given by candlelight only.

The haunted structure will not be a walk in the park for folks who scare easily. For one thing, theres a hidden chamber guests will descend through that leads to nothing but pitch-black darkness. Guests will also have a chance to come across the ghosts of the mill, and even the ghost of Viktors Valentine, if theyre lucky.

This event is like a scavenger hunt experience. A trail of Valentines Day conversation hearts have been left throughout the maze and guests have to follow and read the clues on the hearts. Following these hearts will lead guests to the ghost of Viktors Valentine while encountering many of our scare-actors along the way, the press release said.

It all harkens back to the 1930s, when the fictional Viktor Kane had multiple accomplices to help carry out heinous acts. One of the accomplices loved Viktor but came to develop a deep resentment towards him. With that, she came up with a plan to take down his operation.

On Feb. 14, 1939, she left a trail of hearts inside the hidden chamber and at the end of the trail, she revealed herself. Upon coming face to face with Viktor, she greeted him with a kiss and then stabbed him in the heart.

Valentines Day is about romance and spending time with your significant other, Lincoln Mill Haunted House co-founder Jared Bilsak said in the release. Other than taking your date out to a restaurant or bar, what other night-out options are there in the Philly region? Theres something romantic about walking through a haunted house with your date in the dark, holding hands, side by side. We wanted to offer something unique and not offered anywhere else in the region.

If this seems like something youd want to experience with your valentine, tickets are on sale now at www.lincolnmillhaunt.com and are $35 per person or $65 per couple, with the candlelight tours departing between 6 and 10 p.m.
Buffalo Wild Wings is offering a few Super Bowl deals thatll make Game Day even more fun.

The first might have everyone across the nation rooting for a tie game because who doesnt love free food?

For the sixth time, Buffalo Wild Wings is bringing back the restaurant chains beloved overtime button, making a promise to America that if the Super Bowl on Feb. 11 goes into overtime, everyone will be eligible for free wings at Buffalo Wild Wings, according to Inspire Stories.

This year, the big game takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada. If the teams go into overtime, everyone in the U.S. will be able to snag six free boneless or traditional wings each from Buffalo Wild Wings on Monday, Feb. 26.

The wings are redeemable from 2-5 p.m. local time and its only available for those who are dining in or in-person take out only.

The second deal is a Buy One-Get One wing promotion every Tuesday and Thursday, where Buffalo Wild Wings have teamed up with comedian and actor Nick Cannon for its BOGO campaign.

Whether you snag free wings or go for the BOGO deal, free food is always something to root for.

To find your closest Buffalo Wild Wings, head over to BuffaloWildWings.com or the BWW app.
The bone marrow registry, and how it leads to people saving lives of strangers, can boost faith in the goodness of humanity.

Its kind of fascinating, says Dr. Kevin Rakszawski, a blood cancer oncologist at Penn State Cancer Institute.

Thats because most people on the registry got there because someone they knew needed a transplant, but they werent a match. Then they forgot about it.

Years later they get a call requesting a donation for a stranger who may well die without the transplant. Many say yes.

But when they dont, its often because they cant get time off from work.

Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey has cosponsored a bill that would solve the problem by guaranteeing bone marrow donors up to 40 hours of unpaid leave.

Rakszawski says it would remove the last major barrier to bone marrow donation. All medical costs, and expenses such as transportation and childcare, are already covered for donors.

Thats often the last missing piece that donors need, he says.

Bone marrow transplants are used to cure blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and diseases including sickle cell anemia. Its often the last resort.

People on the donor registry commonly ended up there because a family member or friend put out word of their need, and asked people to get tested as a possible donor. Or maybe they walked past a collection drive table while in college or at a mall.

Its easy to get on the list, requiring only a cheek swab. About 9 million people in the United States, including 180,000 in Pennsylvania, have done so. Yet for those who need a transplant, its still hard to find a good match, with only a 25% chance even a sibling can provide one.

It requires a complicated genetic match. Much depends on race or ethnic background. For example, white patients have nearly an 80% chance of finding a match, according to the Gift of Life, a non-profit devoted to bone marrow transplants. But it drops off from there, with Hispanics and Asians having a less than 50% chance, and Black patients having only a 29% chance. If they find one, it often involves a stranger.

When people get a call requesting a donation  it happens about 10,000 times per year in the United States  theres typically little time to waste.

The donation process usually requires 20-30 hours spread out over five or six weeks, according to Rakszawski. The first step is blood work to determine if the potential donor has the right proteins, or markers, to ensure the transplant wont be rejected. Its painless and takes about an hour.

When theres a match, the next steps occur a few weeks later, over four or five consecutive days, with the donor receiving injections to stimulate their bone marrow to make more stems cells. On the last day, the donor receives an injection which causes the bone marrow to release stem cells into the bloodstream.

The next step is to collect the stem cells through a process similar to donating plasma. Two IVs are inserted and the donor sits attached to a machine for 4-6 hours. The machine separates stem cells from the rest of the blood, which then flows back into the donor. After that, the donors work is done.

Rakszawski says theres a common misperception about bone marrow donation: In the past, it often involved a surgical procedure to extract the marrow from bone. But thats rarely used today.

A lot of people have a lot of hesitation about donating because they think its a surgical procedure and its painful. But its generally painless, he says.

Some people experience minor bone pain from their bones being stimulated to produce more stem cells, although medication can ease that. Some people go back to work the day after donating, although some feel fatigued and end up taking off two or three days, according to Rakszawski.

We generally tell people to allow a 2-3 day window after the collection until theyre back to 100%, he says.

At Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, where Rakszawski is based, about 150 people receive bone marrow transplants each year. Another 40-50 need one but dont get it for reasons such as not finding a match or their condition worsening before the transplant can take place.

The bill cosponsored by Casey, a Democrat, would amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to include unpaid time off for bone marrow donation.

Too many people waiting for bone marrow transplants cant find a match because donors cant take time off from work, he says.

The Republican cosponsor is Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a physician.

Americans deciding to make a lifesaving bone marrow or blood cell donation should not have to worry about losing their job. Patients with life-threatening conditions depend on them, he says.

As it stands, federal employees receive paid time off to donate. Many states give state employees paid time off, and some require private employers to give unpaid time off. Pennsylvania doesnt give or require any time off, although it gives a tax credit to businesses that provide paid time off for donors.

At Penn State Hershey, Rakszawski and his colleagues meet each morning to discuss the status of matches for their patients. Hes had conversations with possible donors, including explaining its life or death, with little time to spare.

He agrees that lives commonly hinge on whether someone can get away from work.

Thats really the last missing piece donors often need, so they can feel like theres not going to be any adverse repercussions from donating, he says.
In central Pennsylvania, the start of Lent means its time for fastnachts.

Every year on Shrove Tuesday, bakeries, grocery stores and churches sell the deep-fried doughnuts in a variety of flavors, from plain to cinnamon sugar. This year, the sweet day falls on Feb. 13.

Fastnachts, unlike typical doughnuts decorated with sprinkles or filled with jelly or cream, are dense and not very sweet.

Fastnacht production at The Pennsylvania Bakery in Camp Hill last year. The bakery is one of several places selling the Pennsylvania Dutch treats. File photo by Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

The tradition of eating fastnachts started with the Pennsylvania Dutch who were looking for recipes to use up fat, such as lard, in the house before Lent. Fastnacht is a German word meaning night before the fast.

Not every fastnacht is the same and recipes vary. Some fastnachts are square or diamond-shaped, others are round and some have holes.

Authentic fasnachts are made with yeast or baking soda. Some recipes call for mashed potatoes or potato flour. Traditional fastnachts are supposed to be deep-fried in lard.

To ensure you dont miss out on the doughnut tradition, heres a list of places in and around the Harrisburg region selling them in the coming days:

Cornerstone Coffeehouse, 2133 Market St., Camp Hill, 717-737-5026

The coffeehouse will sell plain, glazed, powdered sugar and granulated sugar varieties.

Desserts Etc., 840 E. Chocolate Ave., Hershey, 717-999-7996

The bakery in Hershey carries glazed, granulated sugar, cinnamon sugar, powdered and plain varieties for $3.25 a piece. This year, they are baking a limited amount, so preorders are highly suggested. Orders are being accepted on the website.

Giant, multiple locations

The grocery stores are selling plain, granulated sugar, powdered sugar and glazed doughnuts for $10 a dozen. Customers can preorder by calling their local Giant bakery.

Karns Foods, multiple locations

Karns is selling fastnachts in plain, glazed, powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar and granulated sugar made with potato flour. Price is $5.99 or a six-pack. Pre-orders are being accepted and can be picked up starting after 7 a.m. Feb. 12.

Maple Donuts, multiple locations

Maple Donuts is selling fastnachts at its four bakeries in York County. If you want three dozen or more, you must pre-order them.

The bakeries are selling powdered, granulated sugar, plain and glazed for $1.39 a piece, $7.99 a half dozen and $12.99 a dozen. They also carry paczki, a type of Polish doughnuts with different fillings including cream, custard, apple, lemon and jelly for the same price. The doughnuts will be available Feb. 12-13.

Oak Grove Farms, 846 Fisher Road, Monroe Township, 717-766-2216

The farm market outside of Mechanicsburg is selling fastnachts. The market is selling plain, glazed, granulated sugar and powdered sugar for $1.50 per doughnut, $7.99 a half dozen and $13.99 a dozen. Cream-filled are $10.99 a dozen or $1.99 a piece. The market opens at 6 a.m. on Feb. 13.

Order in person or by calling 717-766-2216.

Paulus Farm Market, 1216 S. York St., Mechanicsburg

Homemade potato doughnuts in glazed and cinnamon sugar by pre-order for pickup 6:30 a.m.-10 a.m. Feb. 13. Price is $6.75 for a half dozen and $13.25 for a dozen. Nans heart shaped sand tarts also are available for $14.

The Pennsylvania Bakery, 1713 Market St., Camp Hill, 717-763-7755

The bakery is selling fastnachts for $18.25 a dozen in plain, powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, granulated sugar and glazed. Also, pick up fastnacht cupcakes made with buttermilk, cinnamon, and brown sugar cake, topped with a cinnamon sugar buttercream, rolled in sugar and topped with a piece of made-from-scratch fastnacht. They sell for $3.50 apiece. The bakery also carries Mardis Gras cakes for $19.95.

St. Cecilias Catholic Church, 120 E. Lehman St., Lebanon

The sale returns for two days only from Feb. 10-11. Price is $14 per dozen and $7 a half dozen with a limit of six dozen. No preorders accepted. Sales start at midnight Feb. 9 and run all day Saturday until they are sold out on Feb. 11.

Weis Markets, multiple locations

The stores are selling plain, sugared and glazed for $7.99 a dozen and $4.50 a half dozen.

Wegmans, 6416 Carlisle Pike, Silver Spring Township, 717-791-4500

The grocery store is selling powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar and glazed in four-packs for $5 and by the dozen for $13. It is also selling paczki in 4-packs for $6, including custard-filled with powdered sugar, apple-filled with cinnamon sugar, raspberry-filled with glaze and lemon-filled with granular sugar.
If you think you know everything there is to know about dinosaurs, guess again. A new species has just been uncovered.

The discovery of a dinosaur skeleton was located on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.

But what stands out is it seems to be a new species of a winged dinosaur that once roamed the Earth millions of years ago, announced scientists from the Natural History Museum, University of Bristol, University of Leicester, and University of Liverpool.

On Feb. 5, the finding  A new pterosaur from the Middle Jurassic of Skye, Scotland and the early diversification of flying reptiles  was published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, where it outlined the discovery researchers made, which were the remains of a single pterosaur, named Ceoptera evansae, and was said to have lived 166 to 168 million years ago, during the Middle Jurassic period.

Ceoptera stems from the Scottish Gaelic word Cheo, meaning mist, the Latin -ptera, meaning wing, and Evansae, which is in honor of Professor Susan E. Evans. Shes had years of anatomical and palaeontological research, especially on the Isle, according to a press release.

The pterosaur is part of the Darwinoptera clade of pterosaurs, which were believed to mainly reside in China, where the fossils of the species have been discovered before. Just this discovery alone being made in Scotland, suggests that the clade is seemingly more diverse than originally assumed and seemed to have lived for more than 25 million years.

The incomplete remains were located back in 2006 on a beach dug up along the coastline of Loch Scaviag, on the Stathaird Peninsula in the Isle of Skye.

Researchers were able to analyze partial skeletons of a single pterosaur, where parts of the shoulders, wings, legs and backbone were located. A lot of the bones were completely embedded into the rock, so the finding could only be studied using CT scanning.

To Professor Paul Barrett, Merit Researcher at the Natural History Museum and senior author on the paper, the new finding seems to have come out of left field, signifying a pleasant surprise.

Ceoptera helps to narrow down the timing of several major events in the evolution of flying reptiles. Its appearance in the Middle Jurassic of the U.K. was a complete surprise, as most of its close relatives are from China. It shows that the advanced group of flying reptiles to which it belongs appeared earlier than we thought and quickly gained an almost worldwide distribution, he said in a press release.

Its interesting to note that the skeleton is among the first of a pterosaur species to be fully digitally repaired.

It also makes the species among the earliest vertebrates known to have evolved and developed the ability to fly. New analysis also suggests that they lived to be among avialans, the dinosaur species that evolved into modern-day birds.
By DEEPA BHARATH, The Associated Press

On Feb. 10, Asian American communities around the U.S. will ring in the Year of the Dragon with community carnivals, family gatherings, parades, traditional food, fireworks and other festivities. In many Asian countries, it is a festival that is celebrated for several days. In diaspora communities, particularly in cultural enclaves, Lunar New Year is visibly and joyfully celebrated.

In the Chinese zodiac, 2024 is the Year of the Dragon. Different countries across Asia celebrate the new year in many ways and may follow a different zodiac.

What is the Lunar New Year?

The Lunar New Year  known as the Spring Festival in China, Tet in Vietnam and Seollal in Korea  is a major festival celebrated in several Asian countries. It is also widely celebrated by diaspora communities around the world.

It begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends 15 days later on the first full moon. Because the lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, the dates of the holiday vary slightly each year, falling between late January and mid-February.

The dragon seen in 2020, the Year of the Rat, at the Portland Chinese Lunar New Year parade and celebration. (Mark Graves, Portland Oregonian, file)Mark Graves

What are the animals of the zodiac?

Each year honors an animal based on the Chinese zodiac. The circle of 12 animals  the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig  measure the cycles of time. Legend has it that a god beckoned all animals to bid him farewell before his departure from earth and only 12 of them showed up. The Vietnamese zodiac is slightly different, honoring the cat instead of the rabbit and the buffalo instead of the ox.

What are some beliefs and traditions around the Lunar New Year?

One well-known ancient legend speaks of Nian, a hideous monster that feasted on human flesh on New Years Day. Because the beast feared the color red, loud noises and fire, people put up red paper dragons on their doors, burned red lanterns all night and set off firecrackers to frighten and chase away the monster.

To this day, the Lunar New Year celebration is centered around removing bad luck and welcoming all that is good and prosperous. Red is considered an auspicious color to ring in the new year. In many Asian cultures, the color symbolizes good fortune and joy. People dress up in red attire, decorate their homes with red paper lanterns and use red envelopes to give loved ones and friends money for the new year, symbolizing good wishes for the year ahead. Gambling and playing traditional games is common during this time across cultures.

Ancestor worship is also common during this time. Many Korean families participate in a ritual called charye, where female family members prepare food and male members serve it to ancestors. The final step of the ceremony, called eumbok, involves the entire family partaking the food and seeking blessings from their ancestors for the coming year. Vietnamese people cook traditional dishes and place them on a home altar as a mark of respect to their ancestors.

Some Indigenous people also celebrate Lunar New Year this time of year, including members of Mexicos Purepecha Indigenous group.

FILE - Revelers celebrate Lunar New Year in Manhattan's Chinatown, Feb. 12, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, file)AP

How do diaspora communities celebrate?

Members of Asian American communities around the U.S. also organize parades, carnivals and festivities around the Lunar New Year featuring lion and dragon dances, fireworks, traditional food and cultural performances. In addition to cleaning their homes, many buy new things for their home such as furniture and decorate using orchids and other brightly colored flowers.

Lunar New Year is also celebrated as a cultural event by some Asian American Christians and is observed by several Catholic dioceses across the U.S. as well as other churches.

What are some special foods for the new year?

Each culture has its own list of special foods during the new year, including dumplings, rice cakes, spring rolls, tangerines, fish and meats. In the Chinese culture, for example, changshou mian or long-life noodles are consumed with a wish for a long, healthy and happy life.

In Vietnamese culture, banh chung and banh tet  traditional dishes made from glutinous rice  are a must for the celebrations. To make a banh tet, banana leaves are lined with rice, soft mung beans and pork belly and rolled into a tight log, which is then wrapped in the leaves and tied up with strings. Koreans celebrate with tteokguk, a brothy soup that contains thinly sliced rice cakes.
By JULIE WATSON and LOLITA C. BALDOR, The Associated Press

SAN DIEGO (AP)  Five U.S. Marines aboard a helicopter that went down during stormy weather in the mountains outside of San Diego are confirmed dead, the military said Thursday.

Authorities say the CH-53E Super Stallion vanished late Tuesday night while returning to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego after training at Creech Air Force Base, northwest of Las Vegas.

It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and the Flying Tigers, Maj. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, commander of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said in a statement.

The names of the Marines were not immediately released.

Efforts to recover the remains of the five have begun and an investigation into the crash is underway, according to the statement.

Capt. Stephanie Leguizamon, spokesperson for the wing, said she had little information beyond the statement. I do know that its cold. ... I know thats been a contentious issue for searchers in reaching the crash site.

President Joe Biden said in a statement that he and first lady Jill Biden are heartbroken to learn of the Marines deaths.

The last known contact with the helicopter was at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Mike Cornette of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection told CBS 8 news. That location was based on a ping reported to a Cal Fire dispatch center.

The craft was discovered Wednesday morning near the mountain community of Pine Valley, an hours drive from San Diego.

Civilian authorities searching on ground and by air located the aircraft, which went down during stormy weather in the Southern California mountains, about 45 miles from San Diego.

The helicopter, which was designed to fly in harsh conditions, went missing as an historic storm dumped heavy snow and record rain over California. More rain and snow hit the region Wednesday night, forcing searchers to battle through heavy snow to reach the helicopter.

The five Marines were assigned to Miramars Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, the military said in a statement.
By Caitlyn Burchett, The Virginian-Pilot (TNS)

NORFOLK, Va.  Nicole Jones read the posters laundry list of health effects from drinking water contaminated by chemicals found in firefighting foam: high cholesterol, changes in liver enzymes, preeclampsia in pregnant women, low infant birth weight and cancer.

Are you reading all this? she asked her husband.

Jones and her husband read the poster Tuesday at a public meeting organized by the Navy to inform residents that decades ago, toxic forever chemicals had potentially contaminated groundwater at the St. Juliens Creek Annex in Chesapeake and trickled into nearby neighborhoods. About a dozen community members came to G.A. Treakle Elementary to find out about free sampling for drinking wells in the affected area.

The sampling, which officials said will take place over the next few weeks, will look for certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that might be present in drinking wells as a result of the Navys and fire training academys past use of firefighting foam on base.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances  or PFAS  are a class of compounds used to make products resistant to water, stains and grease. The military contributed to the pollution of PFAS with its use of firefighting foam laced with the chemicals. The foam was used during military training exercises in the 50s, but has since been limited to emergency situations, meeting organizers said. The substances have been dubbed forever chemicals because most do not degrade in the environment.

The St. Juliens Creek Annex sampling is part of a national cleanup effort and is not associated with the installations Superfund status. Superfund is a federal program that requires the cleanup of uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites and emergency releases of pollutants into the environment. St. Juliens Creek Annex was named to the Superfund priority list in July 2000. The Navy invested about $40 million in getting long-term environmental threats under control.

Public concern for PFAS trickling into neighborhoods by way of groundwater grew in 2023 when the Environmental Protection Agency recommended a national standard for drinking water contaminated with the chemicals. Its proposed rule outlines that drinking water contaminated with PFAS should have a concentration level much further below the agencys previous guidance of 70 parts per trillion to be considered safe.

Following the EPAs proposed regulation, the Department of Defense in September launched investigations into more than 700 facilities suspected of having contaminated the ground with PFAS that are threatening to pollute drinking water for nearby communities. The September briefing detailed that about one-third of the facilities had been investigated and that forever chemicals are trickling out of at least 245 U.S. military bases.

A site inspection was completed at St. Juliens Creek Annex in late 2023. Officials said Tuesday that 27 groundwater samples were collected on base during the inspection. Of those, 21 water samples were found to have PFAS properties above 70 parts per trillion.
No journalist working with Spains public broadcaster TVE is really encouraging viewers to invest in a super platform with ties to the energy company Repsol. And yet a video showing the news presenter Marina Ribel apparently pushing this product during a newscast has been circulating in recent days on Instagram. In the video, shared on Instagram stories, Ribel appears to be on the set of Canal 24 Horas reading out the news of the day: The company Repsol has announced the creation of a new super platform thanks to which any Spaniard can forget about having to work. A sign underneath explains that by investing an initial 250, people can get returns of 1,500 a day and more than 25,000 a month.

This is a scam carried out with artificial intelligence. It seemed like odd news for a serious news channel, so I paid more attention to the images. Then I realized that it was a deepfake video, even though the voice is the same as that of the real presenter, says Marian Sanchez, a 41-year-old content creator who frequently alerts people about this kind of scam on her Instagram account. When she tried to click on the link that appeared at the bottom of the Instagram story, a tab opened up with the logo and design of Spains national newspaper El Mundo. A fake article contained the same information as the video, but the domain was not the newspapers. I reported it immediately, but it was already too late. On the same day I came across three other similar cases, featuring different public figures, says Sanchez.

These types of scams have filled social networks in recent months. By the end of last year, it had become impossible to be on X (formerly Twitter) without coming across purported newspaper articles of this kind, featuring celebrities saying things they never really said. In Spain, affected celebrities include the comedian Pablo Motos, the journalist Susanna Griso and the actor Antonio Resines, who appear to be recommending this type of investment. In general terms, we are identifying an increase in publications whose purpose is to misinform. But surely the most problematic aspect is the appearance of deepfakes, because they are more difficult to identify. It is very easy to fall prey to these scams that are increasingly sophisticated, says Ruth Garcia, a technician at Spains National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE).

Since then, this newspaper has compiled and reported more than 100 posts of this type. In some cases, there are photos of celebrities on different television shows who claim to have found a way to make easy money, and which redirect to phony newspaper articles. On some occasions, the link leads to real news, but after a few hours the genuine URL is replaced by that of a fraudulent website. In all cases, the social media accounts have been recently created, barely have any followers and pay for Xs premium services (which allow them, among other things, to obtain the blue check and earn money with page views).

No moderation on X

The strategy of impersonating media outlets and falsifying news became popular during the cryptocurrency boom. On Elon Musks Twitter, who bought the social media platform more than a year ago, this scam has found the perfect breeding ground to proliferate again. As soon as he took over, the entrepreneur fired content moderators en masse, and reinstated accounts that had been expelled for hate speech or spreading hoaxes. As a result of these decisions, many well-known companies suspended their advertising or drastically reduced it, leaving room for other advertisers who have filled the social network with campaigns promoting scams.

Although they are no longer found with the same frequency as they were a few months ago, these types of publications are still in circulation, even after Spains stock market watchdog, the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV), announced an investigation into Elon Musks social media platform over advertising by fraudulent entities. One of these entities, as listed by the CNMV, is Quantum AI.

These are cyclical campaigns, which are within the scheme of false investments. Right now it is the biggest scam in circulation, and it is being carried out by very well organized and serious criminal groups, acknowledges Alberto Redondo, head of the Spanish Civil Guards criminal cyber-intelligence group. The scam works in different phases. At first, there is a group that is in charge of looking for victims, hooking them through social media platforms with false promises of investment. After agreeing to give up their data to proceed with the alleged purchase of cryptocurrencies, there is another group that begins to collect this sensitive data to sell it to external platforms.

In some cases, they even go so far as to impersonate your identity, with all the risks that this entails, adds Redondo. Exiting this network is complicated, since every time victims try to withdraw their investment, the scammers try to convince them that it is not a good time and that the ideal thing to do would be to invest evebn more. When they finally realize that they have been scammed and report it, recovering the lost money is impossible, because these companies disappear.
A federal appeals court upheld a judges decision to throw out a lawsuit filed by a former Lehigh University student who claimed he was wrongly expelled after a drunken stumble on a sidewalk.

The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals on Jan. 12 upheld the January 2023 decision of U.S. District Judge John M. Younge to toss the lawsuit filed by former student Brendan OKeefe against the Bethlehem university. The decision caps nearly five years of legal wrangling following the filing of the suit in March 2019.

The then-22-year-old New Jersey man was expelled in April 2017, his lawsuit says. He was two months shy of his graduation when he tripped on an uneven sidewalk after a night of drinking at a local bar, the lawsuit says.
WILLIAMSPORT-Police anticipate charging more than one person in Januarys double homicide in Williamsport.

That was revealed in a statement Wednesday by Lycoming County District Attorney Thomas A. Marino updating the investigation into the fatal shooting of Alisha Seese, 37, of Williamsport, and Ronald Dailey Jr., 37, of Jersey Shore.
The Pennsylvania Senate on Wednesday passed legislation that would overhaul the law that establishes counterterrorism and search and rescue teams, allowing for the creation of a second major urban search and rescue team in the western part of the state.

Pennsylvania Task Force 1 (PA-TF1)  the states premier search and rescue group  is based in the Philadelphia region. The lack of an equivalent on the other side of the state was brought into focus in 2022 when the Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh collapsed, and operations were delayed for hours because personnel had to travel across the commonwealth.
By Donald Gaffney

Former President Donald Trump will address the National Rifle Associations (NRA) Presidential Forum at the Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg. As a longtime gun owner, a Disciples of Christ minister, and a Republican, Im glad Pennsylvanians will have a front row seat. Voters must pay attention to an issue that has come to touch all of us and our families: gun violence in America.
The Pennsylvania Senate adopted a Republican-written resolution that supports Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts efforts to secure the southern border with Mexico and calls on Gov. Josh Shapiro to follow their lead.

This expression of support for Abbott that also calls on President Joe Biden to stop fighting Texas efforts and send resources to curb the flow of migrants crossing the border won affirmative votes from all 27 Republicans and one Democrat following an impassioned debate over immigration reform.

Supporters argued that the influx of immigrants has contributed to an increase in crime, drug activity, sex trafficking and more and diverting public resources to shelter, feed and care for them instead of caring for Americans and its veterans. They said standing with Abbott is necessary to protect states rights.

They also maintained its necessary to protect national security that President Joe Biden put at risk when he issued executive orders in January 2021 to move financial resources away from the border, suspend deportations and end the successful Remain in Mexico policy.

This border crisis impacts us all, said Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill, R-York County. As Texas and other states run out of capacity to influx, these individuals who are here illegally will head elsewhere.

Democrats voiced strong opposition for several reasons. Some said immigration reform is a longstanding problem that Congress has failed for decades to address and suggested it is wrong to place the blame solely at Bidens feet. Sen. Anthony Williams, D-Philadelphia, called Abbotts decision to put up barbed wire fences to stop border crossings inhumane and called it un-American to treat human beings that way.

Among other reasons, Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks County, said she couldnt help but feel the resolution was politically motivated to provide fodder for mailers and social media graphics to be used against senators in the upcoming election. She and others acknowledged the nations immigration system is broken but Congress needs to address it and that the Senate should focus its attention on the Commonwealth where it has the authority to address its problems. She called the resolution a distraction.

We seem to have skewed priorities around here, said Sen. Amanda Cappelletti, D-Delaware County.

Were talking about public safety, said Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, R-Indiana County, in response to his Democratic colleagues comments. It blows my mind to have some of our colleagues suggest this is a waste of time. I respectfully disagree. This is one of the most fundamental issues of our time. This is a debate that we must pursue and the sense of the Senate has to be expressed on this issue of such gravity.

We have no idea who is crossing, said Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland County, who shared that she went to the border last March and witnessed people from all over the world, not just Mexicans, crossing the border. I would really ask our governor to consider supporting the governor of Texas in what is happening to that state.

The Senates passage of the resolution offered by Sen. Scott Martin, R-Lancaster County, follows similar actions taken in a growing number of states, mostly Republican-led, that have taken action to signal they stand in solidarity with Abbotts defiance of the Biden Administrations directives and a U.S. Supreme Court order.

But unlike Floridas Gov. Ron DeSantis who is deploying Florida State Guard to Texas or Kansas House that is calling on their governor to do the same, the state Senates resolution stops short of that move. Some Republicans, however, including Sen. Doug. Mastriano, R-Franklin County, called for Pennsylvania to join those 14 states to deploy personnel and resources.

Martins resolution speaks of state and local officials who are sounding the alarm over the straining of their resources, the scourge of fentanyl deaths, the tragedy of human trafficking, including children smuggled across the border, and the flow of illegal firearms and dangerous gang members.

Pennsylvanians are already seeing the impacts of this problem, Martin said.

He pointed to Danelo Cavalcante, who unlawfully entered the country from Brazil where he was wanted for murder and for 14 days, terrorized residents in this state following his August escape from the Chester County prison. Another example he cited involved a 22-year-old man who entered the United States illegally from Mexico last year who was involved in a Jan. 13 crash that killed a 20-year-old woman and her 3-year-old daughter.

What really gets me as I think about the number of people coming across is thinking about those border towns and their size and hearing the numbers of individuals flowing across and I think about our commonwealth then, Martin said. If this were the shores of Erie and nonstop boatloads of illegal immigrant on a daily basis ... flowing into Erie, a city of sixty some thousand people, would we have a problem with that?

He went on: Our citizens would expect us to act and we should have every right to act to protect our citizens. This is so much more than Texas.

Sen. Lisa Boscola of Northampton County, the lone Democrat, who supported the resolution, said she would have written it differently and would have blamed Congress as much as the administration for inaction on immigration reform. However, she said voting for it was a way to express her constituents concerns about this issue and said something needs to be done.

A similar proposed resolution, sponsored by Rep. Mike Cabell, R-Luzerne County, is expected to be introduced in the Democratic-controlled Pennsylvania House.

Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on X at @JanMurphy.
Pennsylvania senators tried to take a deep dive into how the data loss on state government computer servers occurred last month but were only able to ferret out a few more details from Gov. Josh Shapiros administration on Wednesday.

Administration officials generally declined to discuss details around the incident, while lawmakers expressed unhappiness that they were not alerted to the data loss earlier.
The U.S. Congress was a hive of activity on Wednesday. On one side, Democrats were trying to push through economic assistance to Ukraine. On the other, Republican lawmakers were trying to figure out what steps to take after a perfect storm of congressional humiliations on Tuesday: the abandonment of a bill on border control and aid to Ukraine and Israel; the failure of their impeachment attempt in the House of Representatives against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas; the defeat of their bill on assistance to Israel. The chaos has challenged its leaders in both chambers and has made clear only one thing: the outsized influence of its foreseeable presidential candidate, former president Donald Trump, on every decision of the party.

The immigration and national security assistance bill finally came before the Senate floor on Wednesday. As expected, the Republicans, who had been calling for such a measure for months, struck it down: it received 50 votes in favor, to 49 against, but needed a supermajority of 60 to pass. Only four Republicans supported the bill in the end, even though it was agreed upon after four months of delicate bipartisan negotiations.

Democrats now plan to bring up for a vote this very Wednesday the 118 billion dollars in aid to Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific without contributions for the control of the border with Mexico, in an attempt to increase the pressure on the Republicans. And they find a reason for optimism: if until now they were on the defensive on the immigration issue, given the increase in irregular entries, they can now accuse the Republicans of inaction to solve the problem.

The rejection of the bill represented a U-turn for Republicans, who had demanded since October a measure to tighten control of the southern border as a condition for giving the green light to more aid for Ukraine. But in January, even before the contents of the bill were made public, Trump spoke out against what he described as a terrible proposal. The former president wanted to build his campaign on the situation at the border, after last years record-breaking number of illegal crossings, with 2.4 million detected.

Trumps opposition marked a turning point. Almost immediately, the Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, assured that the bill would be dead on arrival in his chamber. Other legislators in the party were quick to speak out against it as well.

Some of them have been very clear with me, they have political differences with the bill, the Republican senator James Lankford, one of the bill negotiatiors, declared. They say its the wrong time to solve the problem. Well let the presidential election solve this problem, he lamented.

When former President Trump said he didnt want Republicans to solve the border problem, that he wanted it as a campaign issue, Speaker Johnson did a 180 degree about face and obediently changed his tune, denounced the Democratic majority leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, on Tuesday. In a similar vein, President Joe Biden accused his rival in a speech of preferring to turn this issue into an electoral weapon instead of resolving it and urged Republicans to show guts and vote in favor of the bill.

But as it has become clear that, barring a major surprise, Trump will be the Republican candidate in the November presidential election, his influence in Congress and in the party, which seemed to have diminished after the midterm elections, has continued to expand. And with it, the influence of his supporters in the most extremist wing of the political formation is also growing. Especially in the House of Representatives, where the Republicans only hold the majority by a handful of seats, and every vote counts.

Trumps rise, and Tuesdays fiasco, has raised questions about McConnells future at the helm of Senate Republicans. The 81-year-old veteran lawmaker and the former president are sworn enemies. And McConnell is in the crosshairs of the right wing for his support for aid to Ukraine and his willingness to work with Democrats on the border bill. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, from the most radical group, has already publicly called for him to resign. Although the Republican leader is opposed to it, and his fellow party members cannot stop him, whispers are gaining strength in the corridors of the Capitol about the extent to which he is in a position to maintain the discipline of his group. Or what will happen if Trump regains the presidency in November.

Doubts also extend to the House of Representatives. In one of the biggest tests of his first hundred days as Speaker, Johnson saw two of his most ambitious bills collapse in a matter of just ten minutes on Tuesday.

The impeachment of Mayorkas, which the hard wing of the party has been promising its electorate throughout Bidens term, was defeated by the votes of three Republican congressmen, who sided with the Democrats, considering that what the Constitution provides as a last resort for very serious crimes should not be used in a mere political dispute. In the immediate aftermath, the proposal for more than $17 billion in aid to Israel fell far short of the two-thirds majority it needed to pass.

In part, the Republican faux pas in the Mayorkas case was due to failures in the calculation of the necessary votes. Several lawmakers of this party are ill and could not come to vote. A Democratic congressman who had recently undergone surgery, whose presence was not expected by Johnson and his team, did come to vote.

Other Republican lawmakers acknowledged the complex situation of their party, divided in internal fights between the pro-Trump and the more moderate faction, while struggling to maintain its small majority. Were talking about governing in a majority and we cant even pass a rule, so that speaks volumes of where were at as a conference I would like to think we could look past this moment and recognize that things get far worse for us if we are thrust back into the minority in the November elections, noted Congressman Steve Womack of Arkansas.

But it doesnt look like the infighting - and Trumps influence - will cease any time soon. Johnson faces two imminent tests against the more hawkish wing of his party. On the one hand, two congressmen close to Trump, Elise Stefanik and Matt Gaetz, have introduced a draft resolution that would declare that the former president did not participate in an insurrection or rebellion against the United States. This is an attempt to protect the candidate from lawsuits demanding his withdrawal from the campaign for his alleged role in his supporters assault on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021. On the other, the deadline to deal with a new debt ceiling extension and prevent the Administration from running out of operating funds is approaching. The hard wing already reproached him in January for reaching an initial agreement with the Democrats, and will examine very carefully what he is going to do on this occasion.

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Weather Presented at Farm Show

Everyones world pretty much revolves around the weather. Some people are more tense about it than others. Some folks like to check the Farmers Almanac, which is a book that predicts the weather for the whole year. The Farmers Almanac was started in 1792 in Massachusetts giving information for local farmers. Many farmers today still rely on the Farmers Almanac.Grandparents just went outside to see what was in the air or the sky. At the Albin Farm Show, they had the Cheyenne National Weather Service do a talk. Of course it was about weather.

The first speaker was Tony Anderson, who is a hydr...
John Deere presents Equipment Program Updates

When a person goes to a farm show there is always new equipment to look at for the future. 21st Century John Deere was giving a talk about some of their new equipment in their Precision Ag Essential program. They are wanting to help farmers to improve their crops and yield.

They had two pieces of new equipment that was introduced to the farmers in the area. One of pieces was the John Deere HarvestLab 3000. Cole Young introduced the equipment to the crowd. He went into what is can measured. This is an On the Go lab that does measurements of moisture, dry matter, protein, starch, fiber, neutr...
After months of hard negotiation, Republicans killed the very bipartisan border bill they insisted on. So Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) pointed out that its unclear who could trust the GOP to negotiate now.

GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski said it was unclear who could trust the GOP to negotiate after they scuttled the bipartisan border bill.

She told me: Ive gone through the multiple stages of grief. Today Im just pissed off,' CNNs Manu Raju reported on Wednesday. Murkowski added, I have a difficult time understanding again how anyone else in the future is going to want to be on that negotiating team  on anything - if we are going to be against it.

The Alaskan Republican has a good point, especially as Republicans immediately pivoted to demanding a border bill, after killing the border bill they demanded. They wouldnt do aid to Ukraine without the border, so Democrats spent months in good faith negotiations with them only to have Republicans walk away from a bill that gave them 80% of what they asked for, when they arent even the majority in the Senate.

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Conservatives are pushing Republicans to just close the border and deport everyone, without seeming to grasp that manning the border and deporting people cost money. The money President Biden has been requesting for over a year now, in anticipation of the expiration of Title 42.

It costs money to deal with the border. Republicans have refused the requested funding for a year, and now they have publicly retreated from the border in a very public way that leaves them vulnerable in the 2024 election.

As Trump runs on how bad the border is, Democrats will blast Republicans standing down from the border in an epic self-own humiliation that really cannot be overstated.

Its unclear how or why its taken this long for Murkowski to realize just what her party has become under Trump, but she has been a good faith lawmaker who votes her convictions and represents her constituents well. The anger she is feeling is understandable, as her beliefs have been knifed in the back to benefit Donald Trump, who is not even in office and in the last election, was rejected by the voters.

impeachable offense, and House Republicans dont have a leg to stand on.

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House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries pointed out that Speaker Emerita Pelosi had the exact same margins in the last Congress as Speaker Johnson has now, and yet passed major and historic legislation, over and over again.

Jeffries (D-NY): We had the same exact margins in the last congress. Republicans have produced chaos, dysfunction, and extremism. Under the same margins with Speaker Pelosi, we produced the American Rescue Plan, shots in arms, money in pockets, kids back in school

Watch:

Jeffries: We had the same exact margins in the last congress. Republicans have produced chaos, dysfunction, and extremism. Under the same margins with Speaker Pelosi, we produced the American Rescue Plan, shots in arms, money in pockets, kids back in school pic.twitter.com/8qBP2ht7sU To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily.  Acyn (@Acyn) February 7, 2024

Just a sampling of the historic legislation Pelosi passed is the American Rescue Plan, the infrastructure bill, gun safety legislation, major climate change legislation and more. She was so successful that conservatives spent decades demonizing her, resulting in a man who had been radicalized by right-wing narratives breaking into her home and bashing her husband in the skull with a hammer. This attack did not cause conservatives to backtrack on their attacks, but rather they mocked her and her husband and made up lies about him to blame him for being attacked.

Jeffries called Nancy Pelosi, who is the only woman to serve as U.S. Speaker of the House, the greatest legislative leader, in our view, in American political history  and frankly, he is not wrong. Not only did Pelosi manage to keep her caucus together while allowing and listening to dissent, she also trained up and comers and harnessed the energy of younger legislators while mentoring them.

She trained Jeffries himself, and he is leading his coalition so well that he got all Democrats to show up yesterday, including somehow getting Representative Al Greene of Texas to leave his hospital bed where he was recovering from intestinal surgery to vote against impeachment of DHS Sec. Mayorkas. Greene showed up in his hospital garb with medical staff accompanying him.

Thats commitment. You typically dont see that kind of commitment without good leadership.

It wouldnt be fair to Johnson to expect him to compare to Pelosi on any level, given her exceptional competence and experience. But Johnson lacks humility and seems even unaware of his own failings enough to prompt curiosity about how to improve.

Johnson spent his morning blaming the Republicans slim majority and nature of the House body for his failures, which is not something a real leader would do.

And also, Nancy Pelosis tenure as Speaker disproves Johnsons excuses.

The bottom line is that Mike Johnson is not interested in democracy or the democratic process. He feels entitled to rule over the people and in spite of the people, which is why he dismisses out of hand the policies the people voted for when they elected President Biden, gave Democrats the majority in the Senate and barely allowed Republicans to take the House in an off-year that favored Republicans.

This ailment seems to be contagious, as Senate Republicans killed the very bipartisan border agreement they asked for today, all because Donald Trump needs the border to be dangerous for Americans so he can run on it.

impeachable offense, and House Republicans dont have a leg to stand on.

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Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) said that Justice Clarence Thomass failure to recuse himself in the Trump ballot disqualification case added to the Supreme Court crisis.

Rep. Goldman tweeted, Having recused from a prior case related to Jan 6 due to his wifes involvement, Justice Thomass participation in Trumps ballot case is a shocking and intentional violation of his ethical obligations. Clarence Thomas is not above the law. This is a true crisis at the Court.

Rep. Goldman was reacting to the fact that Justice Thomass wife, Ginni Thomas, was involved in the Trump coup plot and has admitted to discussing it with her husband. Yet the conflicted Justice Thomas is on the bench today hearing a case to determine whether or not Trumps actions to overturn the election and the 1/6 attack have disqualified him from the ballot.

Thomas should not be hearing this case, and he was bending over backward to accept Trumps argument, as you can hear in the audio below:

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Clarence Thomas really stretches it to buy the Trump argument by getting into should have beens  It would seem that particularly after reconstruction and after the compromise of 1877 and during the period of redeemers that you would have that kind of conflict. pic.twitter.com/GgBQTkwHQP  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 8, 2024

Clarence Thomas is corrupt, and if he had been interested in being a serious jurist instead of a partisan political activist on the bench of the highest court in the land, he would have recused himself. Justice Thomas is on the bench today to keep Donald Trump on the ballot.

Thomas is the epicenter of the Supreme Courts ethical crisis, and until he is gone, the American people are correct to distrust the conservative Supreme Court majority.

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Rarely has a scholarly article in a law journal achieved such reach. In this instance, it was written for the University of Pennsylvania Law Review by two conservative academics, who argued that the answer to the question of what could stop Donald Trump from returning to the the White House had always been there, tucked away in the third clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. That little-quoted passage would, they claimed, prevent the former president from being included on the ballot by virtue of his alleged responsibility for the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The argument materialized in dozens of lawsuits across the country, which crystallized into bans in two states: Colorado and Maine. On February 8, the debate on whether Trump is authorized to run in the November elections will reach the Supreme Court, whose nine justices have been summoned to hear oral arguments for and against that scientific article in what is already one of the cases of greatest political significance (Donald J. Trump v. Norma Anderson et al) in recent U.S. history.

It promises to be a morning of discussion about law, but also about history. The Fourteenth Amendment is one of the most influential because it guaranteed, after the abolition of slavery, the equality of all citizens before the law. It was also used to prohibit those who had participated in an insurrection from running for public office again. It was passed in 1868, three years after the end of the Civil War (1861-1865), and was intended to ensure that the secessionists could not attack the Union from within. Beyond those cases, the third clause has been used on very few occasions, and most recently more than a century ago.

During the hearing, echoes of the Supreme Courts own history will also resound. The most obvious precedent is the Bush v. Gore decision, which settled the Florida recount dispute in the 2000 election and ultimately handed the presidency to George W. Bush. Oral arguments are expected to last about 80 minutes Thursday and no immediate decision is predicted to come from them, but it will provide an impression of where each of the justices votes will go. The current composition of the Supreme Court is six conservatives and three liberals. In his four years in the White House, Trump achieved a rare feat: sneaking three justices of his own stripe onto the highest court in the land.

The ball has been in the court of these nine judges since late December, but now speed is of the essence: it is crucial for a ruling to be made public before March 5, Super Tuesday, when 16 states will vote in the presidential primaries, including California and Texas, awarding more than a third of the delegates who will choose the candidate at the Republican convention in July. It will be imperative at that point to have answered the question as to whether Trump, the frontrunner, can appear on the ballot. One of the states voting on March 5 is Colorado, where a judge concluded that the former president participated in an insurrection, but did not disqualify him on the grounds that the constitutional text does not refer to the office of the president. The Colorado Supreme Court later reversed that ruling. There are also ballot access proceedings underway in Maine.

The text submitted for discussion reads: 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 amendment adds that only a two-thirds vote of each house of Congress can override this prohibition.

The nine judges of the Supreme Court. Seated, from left: Sonia Sotomayor, Clarence Thomas, President John Roberts, Samuel Alito and Elena Kagan. Standing (left to right): Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh (the three justices appointed by Trump) and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Jackson, Kagan and Sotomayor form the liberal minority. EVELYN HOCKSTEIN (REUTERS)

Legal debate with political consequences

Trumps lawyers have seized on the amendments confusing formulation to claim that it cannot be applied to the presidency. They also claim that what Trump did on January 6, 2021 does not fall within the definition of insurrection, and that the Fourteenth Amendment cannot be applied without the agreement of Congress. Analysts expect the Supreme Court to resolve the issue along strictly legal lines, without entering into questions of political judgment such as whether what unfolded during the assault  when a mob harangued by Trump during a rally in Washington marched towards the seat of American democracy to interrupt the process of the transfer of power to Joe Biden  can be considered a failed coup attempt.

The Supreme Court also faces a new test of its legitimacy Thursday. Its reputation among the citizenry is at an all-time low, and in recent months it has been in the spotlight due to accusations of corruption against justices who are appointed for life and practically untouchable within the U.S. system. Conservative justice Clarence Thomas has come under fire for having received undisclosed expensive gifts, including international travel, from a powerful Republican donor.

Left-leaning media have called for Thomas to recuse himself from cases involving Trumps responsibility for the Capitol attack, in light of evidence that his wife Ginni Thomas  a lobbyist and ultra-conservative activist  was once involved in the former presidents campaign to denounce the alleged electoral fraud of 2020. She also attended the January 6 Stop the Steal rally before the Capitol riot and told the House committee investigating the assault in 2022 that she was still convinced Democrats stole the 2020 election.

The Supreme Court hearing comes just two days after Trumps legal team was dealt a major blow by the decision of the three Washington Court of Appeals judges who unanimously ruled he is not legally immune from prosecution for acts committed during his presidency. The ruling rejected an appeal by the former president against a decision to the same effect by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is presiding over the case against the Republican for trying to alter the results of the 2020 elections and for his responsibility in the assault on the Capitol. In this case, once again, the Supreme Court will have the final word.

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House Oversight Committee ranking member Rep. Jamie Raskin wrecked any attempt that Republicans might make at comparing Trump and Biden on the handling of classified docs.

What Did Rep. Raskin Say About Biden And Classified Documents?

Rep. Raskin (D-MD) said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA:

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Todays report shows that the White House, President Biden, and his former staff fully cooperated with the Special Counsel investigation. The White House decision not to exert privilege over any portion of the Special Counsels report reflects the Presidents basic commitment to cooperation and transparency. After a thorough year-long investigation, the Special Counsel concluded that President Biden retained a small number of records, including personal notebooks, containing classified information. As the Special Counsel found, President Bidens conduct, which bears striking resemblances to former Vice President Pence and former President Ronald Reagans handling of classified information following their terms of office, does not warrant criminal charges.

To be clear, and as the Special Counsels report explicitly notes, there is plainly no comparison here to the conduct of former President Trump. Trump obstructed efforts by the National Archives and law enforcement to recover hundreds of government documents by deliberately hiding them, lying about their whereabouts, and enlisting others to destroy and conceal evidence. Trump willfully and unlawfully held onto hundreds of presidential and classified records, which he kept in a bathroom, ballroom, office, and other locations at Mar-A-Lago, and repeatedly showed them off to guests.

Oversight Democrats stand ready to work on a bipartisan basis to implement legislative reforms to strengthen the preservation of presidential records by putting in place greater safeguards to prevent the inadvertent retention of these records. We will also continue to explore ways to deal with the more difficult problem of officials who deliberately steal and conceal confidential and top-secret government documents.

Why Are The Biden And Trump Cases Different?

The difference between the Biden and Trump classified documents cases is willful intent.

Special Counsel Hur found that there was no willful intent by President Biden to withhold classified documents in violation of the law.

The entire timeline of Trumps interactions with the federal government on his classified documents case shows that the former president willfully intended to violate the law and keep classified information that is the property of the United States government. Trump lied about having the documents. Trump refused to turn over classified information. Trump lied about the documents that he had. Trump claimed that the documents were his, and willfully misled the government while refusing to return government property.

Special Counsel Hur had so little evidence against Biden that he turned his report into a series of personal smears.

When it comes to how Trump and Biden handled classified documents, there is no comparison.

Joe Biden followed the law.

Donald Trump broke the law.

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Jimmy Kimmel pointed out how Tucker Carlson is using Russian propaganda to defend his interview with Putin.

Kimmel said, Tucker Carlson still doesnt have a job. He is in Moscow. House hunting, I hope. But no, actually, Tucker is there to interview Vladimir Putin, which is so overtly ridiculous. He put out a preemptive video to nervously Explain why hes doing this. Vladimir Putin is a murderer and a war criminal who hates America. He hates everything America stands for. He is a liar and a propagandist, but Tuck thinks we just need to hear him out, Not a single Western journalist has bothered to interview the president of the other country involved in this conflict, Vladimir Putin.

Kimmel added, I love, Involved in this conflict. Thats like saying that in Jaws, the great white shark was Involved in the biting. It takes two to be eaten.

Video:

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Why did one of the most direct callouts of what Tucker Carlson is doing come from a late-night comedian instead of from the entire American mainstream corporate media?

Every media outlet should condemn what Tucker Carlson did and commit to not giving his Putin interview a second of airtime so that Putin can spread his lies and misinformation in a bid to weaken and exploit political divisions in the United States.

Tucker Carlson is a propagandist for Putin, and it is time that the United States people told Russia that they can keep Carlson and not to send him back.

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Special Counsel Robert Hur couldnt charge President Biden with any crimes related to the handling of classified documents, so he made his report an opinionated political hit job.

Special Counsel Robert Hur Is A Trump Nominee

Hur is a Republican Trump nominee, who appears to have gone out of his way to smear President Biden with characterizations like:

 Based on our direct interactions with and observations of him, he is someone for whom many jurors will want to identify reasonable doubt. It would be difficult to convince a jury that they should convict him  by then a former president well into his eighties  of a serious felony that requires a mental state of willfulness.

 He did not remember when he was vice president, forgetting on the first day of the interview when his term ended (if it was 2013  when did I stop being Vice President?), and forgetting on the second day of the interview when his term began (in 2009, am I still Vice President?)

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 He did not remember, even within several years, when his son Beau died.

Unless the Special Counsel has tapes that will be released of President Biden having memory issues, his descriptions should be considered subjective characterizations.

Hur is not a medical professional, and he did not evaluate Bidens memory.

The White House Disagrees With Hurs Characterizations

Special Counsel to the President Richard Sauber said in a statement, We disagree with a number of inaccurate and inappropriate comments in the Special Counsels report. Nonetheless, the most important decision the Special Counsel madethat no charges are warrantedis firmly based on the facts and evidence.

The main point is that Hur found no willful wrongdoing in Biden keeping the classified documents. Since the documents were in his personal notebooks, Biden thought that he was allowed to have them. The Biden situation is the opposite of Donald Trump, who willfully and intentionally lied and refused to give classified information back to the United States government.

There are elements of this report that feel very partisan and political. It is almost as if Hur realized that Biden couldnt be charged for the classified documents, so he set out to smear the President.

Biden will have ample opportunity to prove that his memory is fine, but the big takeaway is that Trump remains the only former president or vice president to be charged with stealing classified documents.

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A woman has been accused of stealing from the U.S. Department of Energy.

A federal grand jury indicted Effie Mae Youmans on Feb. 6 on a charge of theft of governmental property valued over $1,000, according to federal court documents filed in the Aiken division of the District of South Carolina.

It is unknown what Youmans is accused of stealing or its value. However, the court documents indicate cash proceeds of $54,450 are subject to forfeiture.

The office of Adair Burroughs, the attorney for the federal district of South Carolina, declined to comment on the indictment. The Department of Energy also declined to comment on the indictment.

The indictment does not offer details beyond its connection to the Department of Energy, but the agency owns the 310-square-mile Savannah River Site that employs more than 10,000 people, which is within the jurisdiction of the Aiken division.

Theft of government property valued over $10,000 is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND  A close look at the pair of great horned owl eggs on Jan. 31, 29 days after the first egg was laid, showed that both eggs remained stubbornly intact.

There was no sign that the hatching process had begun. But with a normal incubation period ranging from 28 to 35 days, the hatching couldn't have been more than a few days away.

Sure enough, four days later another close-up view hinted that a pip  the first break in an eggshell that is the initial phase of hatching  might have appeared in one of the eggs, and activity at the nest was picking up. The male was delivering food to the nest, and the female was stockpiling it in apparent anticipation of a hungry hatchling.

The pip was clearly visible by the afternoon of Feb. 5, and the owlet growing inside the egg was definitely on its way out.

The big moment finally happened later that night.

"We had the arrival of HH5 at 10:09 p.m.," Robin Storey, Hilton Head Island Land Trust treasurer, told The Post and Courier.

The new owlet was designated HH5, indicating it was the fifth hatchling recorded in the nest.

Mother and chick appear to be doing well so far. The mother owl was seen eating the eggshell shortly after the chick hatched. According to a post on the land trust's social media page, the female does this to replace calcium in her system.

Video footage of the nest shows the the hatchling being fed and well cared for by its doting mother.

Now, a pip on second egg is visible. If all goes according to schedule, HH6 could arrive at any time.

The close look at the owl activity comes courtesy of the Hilton Head Island Land Trust Raptor CAM. Installed about 100 feet off the ground at a location that's kept secret  human activity can disrupt nesting birds  the video feed provides around-the-clock monitoring.
U.S. President Joe Biden arriving at JFK airport in New York on Wednesday. EVELYN HOCKSTEIN (REUTERS)

Special counsel Robert Hur has completed his investigation into classified documents that U.S. President Joe Biden improperly kept in his possession from his time as a senator and vice president. Attorney General Merrick Garland has informed Congress in a letter that, after completing his investigation, Hur sent him a report that will be made public shortly, after parts of it considered confidential are redacted.

Garland did not anticipate what the conclusions of the report were, but U.S. media reported this week that no criminal accusations are expected, only criticism for the handling of the documents.

I am committed to making as much of the Special Counsels report public as possible, consistent with legal requirements and Department policy, Garland wrote in his letter.

Although there are huge differences between the investigations against Biden and former president Donald Trump, Republicans will claim that the dismissal of the case without charges in Bidens case is evidence of a double standard by the Department of Justice.

The investigation into Biden has lasted more than a year, since the discovery of a small number of documents classified as confidential inside a closet at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement. They were inside an office of the Washington think tank, which has ties to the University of Pennsylvania and which Biden used periodically from mid-2017 until the start of the 2020 presidential election campaign.

The documents were discovered on November 2, 2022, although their existence was not revealed until January 2023. On December 20, 2022 his lawyers found a second batch of classified documents in a room next to the garage of his home in Wilmington (Delaware). Garland disclosed this new discovery on January 12, 2023 while announcing the appointment of Hur, who had worked between 2018 and 2021 as Maryland State Attorney, as special counsel in the case.

In January 2023, Bidens aides found more classified reports in the presidents private home in Wilmington, Delaware. FBI officers under the orders of the Department of Justice searched the property for 13 hours on January 21. It was an agreed search, without a warrant or court order, but rather offered voluntarily by Biden and his lawyers. After thoroughly reviewing the presidents belongings, the officers found new documents with classified markings and other material from the time when Biden was a senator and vice president.

The special counsel and his team have been analyzing the documents and the circumstances in which they turned up. They also questioned the president in early October at the White House, but do not appear to have found any evidence of criminal behavior. The case bears a resemblance to Trumps vice president, Mike Pence, who also took documents home and was exonerated.

Bidens cooperative attitude and voluntary surrender of classified documents is the biggest difference with the Trump case, to which must be added the much larger amount of material that Trump retained, the exact contents of which is not known. The search of the Mar-a-Lago mansion in Palm Beach (Florida) took place after a request was ignored by Trump and his lawyers and a court order was issued. In one of the four indictments against Trump, the former president is accused in a Florida court of 40 counts involving the classified documents, including 32 counts of unlawful retention of national defense information and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice.

Despite the enormous differences between both cases, the dismissal of the Biden probe will give Trump rhetorical ammunition to portray himself as a martyr who is being persecuted unjustly and in a discriminatory manner. This claim is already part of his campaign strategy ahead of the presidential election on November 5, when he will most likely face Biden.
South Carolina exported more goods in 2023 than during the previous year, a new report shows, but the state  like the nation as a whole  still maintains a hefty trade deficit with other countries.

A total of $33.6 billion in manufactured products left South Carolina for foreign markets in 2023, up 19.3 percent from the previous year, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics released Feb. 7.

Another $854.2 million in other goods, such as agricultural and forestry products, were shipped abroad from the Palmetto State.

Some of the exports could have been made in other states and shipped from the Port of Charleston, but the numbers indicate a healthy South Carolina manufacturing industry that cranks out tires, automobiles and commercial airplanes. The S.C. Commerce Department typically releases a breakdown of homegrown exports and related trade figures in late February.

A spokesman with the S.C. State Ports Authority could not immediately be reached for comment.

Imports of manufactured goods to South Carolina totaled nearly $51.3 billion last year, according to the report. The year-over-year drop of about 1 percent still represents a trade deficit totaling roughly $17 billion.

All told, South Carolina accounted for 2.6 percent of the nation's exports of goods and 1.9 percent of all imports in 2023.

Nationally, Mexico last year surpassed China as the leading source of goods imported to the United States for the first time since 2002. The numbers reflect increased tensions between Washington, D.C., and China as well as the effects of tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump and retained by the Biden administration.
Abstract shapes in bright paint hues pop from a canvas in one corner, while a trio of sweatshirts draped over mannequins in the center of the room are geared up with headphones to explain their origin stories. Strangers in black and white stare from expertly angled light and shadow in framed photographs, while sculptures curve, arc and dangle.

In its 39th year, the Young Contemporaries program at The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art recognizes College of Charleston student artists and their work. This year, Oberlin College Professor of Studio Art and Painting Sarah Schuster was tasked with selecting a variety of prize and award winners from the wide range of media and styles presented in this show.

"I was really interested in choosing a broad cross section of approaches and media, because I was impressed by the breadth of the program," Schuster told The Post and Courier of her selections.

"I realized the art program there was very strong, and most of the student work really exhibited professional practices and demonstrated an understanding of art history. And many of the students have mastery over the media they are working in. So, in a sense, they were all worthy of recognition. ... That means it's a very difficult job."

At an opening reception and awards ceremony the evening of Feb. 2, eager students clustered around their peers and their art, hoping their names might be called. Eight artists who were juried by Schuster were announced from the dozens of pieces presented:
COLUMBIA  Richland One is facing legal pressure over its handling of a board vote.

The Feb. 7 lawsuit comes after the Columbia school district voted Feb. 1 to approve an administrative recommendation about an under-investigation construction project without giving the public any hint at what they actually approved.

The lawsuit was filed by district parent and University of South Carolina law professor Clint Wallace and alleges that the board's secretive vote about the controversial Vince Ford Early Learning Center violated South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act, a state law designed to guard public access to governmental decision-making.

Wallace's lawsuit asserts that before the board entered executive session  during which they discussed the administration's recommendation they later approved  the board failed to properly describe what they would be discussing, or give a valid reason for entering a closed meeting.

The suit's complaint also claims the board violated the law's provision that governmental bodies can't vote or make decisions behind closed doors.

"The School Board took secret action by holding a private discussion in executive session, agreeing to a course of action, and then returning to public session to 'approve' the decision reached in secret and never stated in public," the lawsuit reads.

Richland One spokeswoman Karen York said the district does not comment on pending litigation.

Board Chair Aaron Bishop said in an email to The Post and Courier the matter would be addressed during next week's board meeting, and that he would release a statement then.
As South Carolina experiences rapid population and economic growth, some metropolitan areas are faring better than others.

An annual report released by the Milken Institute compared 403 U.S. metro areas, including 10 in South Carolina, using trends in employment, wages, economic opportunities and growth of high-tech sectors.

Standouts like Charleston made the top 15. Others populated the middle of the pack, while some smaller cities performed poorly. Even in the highest-rated South Carolina cities, there are growing pains, including housing shortages.

The 2024 report also included two new metrics to judge metro areas: one for climate resilience that measures the ability to recover from natural disasters and another to measure income inequality.

'A gold rush of people'

Scott Slatton, director of advocacy and communications for the South Carolina Municipal Association, said that the rankings track with what the association and economists have observed.

The challenge for cities across the state is managing the rapid growth brought by economic development.

"All the cities and towns are working very diligently to figure out how to best manage the rush, you know, almost like a gold rush of people to South Carolina," Slatton said.

For cities like Charleston, that includes dealing with rising housing demand and costs. The Midlands and other regions in the middle will continue to find their footing and attract more people and jobs to the region.

And for smaller, more rural areas of the state, much of the challenge is ensuring they have access to broadband, Slatton said.

"The rural areas are smaller cities and towns, and rural parts of the state are not necessarily benefiting as greatly from these opportunities," he said, adding that access to high-speed internet and the option to work from home could attract those looking to live outside the major population hubs.
GREENVILLE  When it was announced that Crust & Craft would take over the downtown space that once housed Luna Rosa Gelato Cafe on South Main Street, owner David Valentine assured that his restaurant would be distinct in look and menu and would be open before the end of 2023.

He has come through on both accounts. Crust & Craft opened quietly at the end of December and has been building a steady presence with some very unique pies.

The concept originated in McDonough, Ga., and expanded to a second location south of Atlanta in Sharpsburg. Greenville is the third.

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Valentine, who worked for years on the corporate side of restaurants opening many for other people, created Crust & Craft as his own. The concept melds the lessons he has culled over his decades of experience.

This means moderately priced items, a nice craft beer selection, precise cocktails and food, but nothing too overwrought, unless of course you count the pizzas, which range from basic margherita to very out-there shrimp and grits (yes, cheese grits is a part of the pizza).

Its a classic Italian pizza dough recipe, classic sauce, Valentine said. But the way weve redesigned pizzas, its much more of a new, fun way of doing pizza.

If you're looking for a more middle-of-the-road creative pie, try the Charcut-a-pie which touches all the flavor profiles with a mix of prosciutto, goat cheese, figs and hot honey.

The pesto veggie is a great vegetarian option, and while a little messier than your average pizza, is well worth it for the flavor. Grilled summer squash, peppers and mushrooms pair nicely with a pesto-infused marinara sauce and a sweet balsamic glaze.
With the Cooper River Bridge Run mere weeks away, two of the thousands of contributors who chipped in on the building of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge from 2001-2005 hearkened back to the efforts that went into making the structure an iconic masterpiece. Read more'Built to last forever': Workers recall Ravenel Bridge construction
Months after a bond hearing was held for a man accused of sexual assault and kidnapping in one case and attempted murder in a second, he was released from jail Feb. 6 on $40,000 bond.

Circuit Court Judge Bentley Price presided over a bond hearing for Walter Clayton Pate III on Nov. 21 but deferred making a decision at that time. The General Sessions Court bond hearing was attended by a woman who reported Pate held her against her will and sexually assault her, and by a second woman who came forward that month to report Pate had punched her in the face and attempted to strangle her to death.

On Feb. 6, Price amended a bond order he signed a day earlier to make it clear that he was granting a consolidated bond of $40,000 to cover all of the charges Pate faces  criminal sexual conduct in the first degree, kidnapping, attempted murder and voyeurism. Conditions of the bond require Pate to undergo an evaluation at Summerville Behavioral Health and to refrain from contacting either woman he is accused of assaulting.

Pate, 27, was arrested July 13 by Charleston Police Department detectives.

A day earlier, a woman who was treated at Medical University of South Carolina said Pate, who she had been dating, lured her back to his apartment after she'd left because he was angry with her. She asked her roommate to go with her and said she would only be a few minutes. The roommate waited outside in a vehicle but became concerned after an hour passed. She sent her friend a text and received a reply saying she should leave. Instead, the roommate knocked on Pate's door and threatened to call police. The woman then ran from the apartment in a panic, vomited and curled up in a fetal position inside the car, the roommate told the investigators.
Charleston County schools have a new leader after board Chairman Keith Grybowski confirmed he and acting superintendent Anita Huggins have signed a contract.

Some school board members, however, told The Post and Courier that they saw a copy of the contract but the board never discussed its details.

"The contract states a salary and the board never discussed salary," board member Carol Tempel said.

Tempel angrily wrote Grybowski this week describing his actions as an "authoritarian, some would say fascist, overreach."

"I am in receipt of a contract signed by Ms. Anita Huggins and your email stating you plan to sign it," Tempel wrote in that Feb. 6 email to Grybowski. "How can you justify signing a contract we have not approved as a school board?"

Her message came after Grybowski informed all board members that he had a contract signed by Huggins and intended to ratify it.

"The contract's terms and conditions are materially similar with precedent set by District in its negotiations with past superintendents," Grybowski wrote in a message sent from his iPhone on Feb. 6. "Pursuant to Board Policy BD, I intend on signing the contract today."

In an email to The Post and Courier, Grybowski confirmed that he signed the contract on Feb. 6  saying he first consulted with a lawyer for the district.

"I am honored to have Mrs. Huggins and the team she has assembled to educate Charleston County's students," he said.

Details of the contract have not been publicly released.

Huggins became acting superintendent in late September when the board suspended then-Superintendent Eric Gallien during an investigation into whether he had created a hostile work environment. In October, the board reached a deal to pay Gallien more than $350,000 to leave the job he had started on July 1. At the same meeting, it was reported that an investigator found Gallien had not created such a work environment.

In a split 5-4 vote on Jan. 22, the board agreed to allow its attorney to negotiate a three-year contract with Huggins to become the permanent superintendent. The board members who voted against the move said they wanted to follow the district's established process for making such a hire. They were not necessarily opposed to Huggins, a longtime district employee.
Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano, who oversees South Carolina's largest county jail, said in an interview Feb. 5 that detention center deputies vigorously search inmates for drugs. But she acknowledged the 274 sheriffs office employees who work in the detention center  including 205 deputies who closely interact with inmates  come and go with no screening.

Connor had a history of opioid abuse disorder, according to the coroners report. Court records show the Charleston native cycled in and out of the South Carolina Department of Corrections since the 2000s for cocaine possession and distribution convictions. Connor allegedly had cocaine on his person during the most recent arrest that landed him in jail.

He died in a jail cell alone, said Connors aunt, Mary Jo Gochett, in a phone interview from her Atlanta home. The place where you think or hope he would have some time to get himself clean if he was an addict. In the system, you pray something good will come out of it.

Connors family wants to know how fentanyl  a lethal synthetic opioid  entered the jail and who gave it to Connor. Gochett said she believes Connor didnt know what he was taking. Her nephew was street smart. If he took a substance, he trusted wherever he got it.

Graziano said she and her staff take their responsibility to care for everyone detained in the jail seriously; however, officers cannot control what they choose to do and what they choose to take.

The county detention center, the sheriff said, is a snapshot of the community.

Its a community thats not well, Graziano said. If they were getting the care when they were out of the facility that they need, they might not be in my facility to begin with.

Connor is the second inmate in the Charleston County jail in two years to succumb to fentanyl. Shawn Michael Meldrum, 33, died on June 16, 2022, of fentanyl, xylazine and hydroxyzine. The coroner ruled the Wisconsin mans death an accident.
MOUNT PLEASANT  The saying goes that beggars cant be choosers, and Trader Joes certainly doesnt need to beg for business (if you've ever fought for a parking spot on a Sunday afternoon, you know).

The California-based grocery chain has a reputation for being highly selective about where it opens new stores  even if that means choosing a second location a few miles from an existing one.

Trader Joes confirmed in January that Mount Pleasant will soon have not one, but two stores in town.

The announcement sparked excitement, praise and a fair amount of grumbling from outside fans of the grocery chain who believe their communities are more deserving of a new Trader Joe's location. A post about the chain's plans for Mount Pleasant drew more than 800 comments on The Post and Courier's Facebook page.

"This is the craziest decision," one reader groused. "Right around the corner basically from the current one...why not spread out a bit and go to James Island, West Ashley, N. Charleston or Summerville?"

"Do better Trader Joes," another demanded. "Two locations in the same area is preposterous."

As one might imagine, the news received a much more favorable reception in Mount Pleasant.

Tasha Blomquist and her son perused the floral offerings in front of the store on a cloudy morning. Blomquist said she stops by the store twice a week and is eager to see a new location, hopefully, in the northern part of town, where she lives.

I live way in north Mount Pleasant, so Im happy there might be one there, Blomquist said. I think its needed though because every time Im here  I feel like you have to do multiple laps around the parking lot just to find a spot.

Another shopper, Kelly Crowley, who lives near Brickyard Plantation, said opening a second store will hopefully cut down on crowds.
Whether or not Donald Trump can return to the White House and, before that, whether he can even run for office depends on how a convoluted 95-word sentence is interpreted. This Thursday, the meaning of that sentence, tucked away in the third clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, was debated for more than two hours in oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court. The justices are expected to rule in the coming weeks. Not being able to draw definitive conclusions ahead of their ruling, their interventions suggest they are mostly inclined to let Trump run for office. Of the nine justices, six are conservative (three of them appointed by Trump himself) and three are progressive.

Thursdays hearing clearly showed that the clause in question, Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which regulates disqualification for insurrection, leaves more doubts than certainties. It is not clear who applies it, how it is applied, when it is applied or to whom it is applied. All of these questions led to various debates in this mornings session.

The justices must rule specifically on the Colorado Supreme Court ruling that disqualified Trump from running in the states primary next March 5, which is why their decision is expected sooner rather than later. Beyond Colorado, the Supreme Courts decision will have repercussions in dozens of states. In Maine, a similar disqualification of Trump is on hold pending what the high court says. The Supreme Court has not played a similar role in electoral matters since Bush v. Gore, which settled the Florida recount dispute in the 2000 election and ultimately gave the presidency to George W. Bush.

Trumps lawyer, Jonathan Mitchell, argued that the constitutional amendment does not prevent anyone from running for election, but rather from holding office. The rule also allows Congress, by a two-thirds majority of each house, to lift the disqualification, but that provision would not make much sense if a candidate is not even allowed to be elected. We dont know whether President Trump will be excused before hes sworn in, if he wins the election, on January 20th, 2025, Mitchell argued. Several justices appeared receptive to that argument. Section 3 refers to the holding of office, not running for office, conservative justice Samuel Alito said.

Mitchell also argued that it is not a clause intended for the presidency, since it states that an insurrectionist may not be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, in what appears to be a descending order and in which the president is not mentioned. And that, in this case, the word office does not include the presidency.

It is also unclear whether this is a self-executing rule or whether it has to be enforced by Congress, nor whether it is for Congress to establish whether someone has participated in an insurrection.

U.S. Supreme Court justices pose for their group portrait at the Supreme Court in Washington. EVELYN HOCKSTEIN (REUTERS)

Trumps defense also argued that the clause applies to anyone who has participated in an insurrection while being an officer of the United States, a term that, according to the former presidents teams interpretation, does not apply to the president himself. His defense argued that the term appears in three other constitutional provisions, all of which exclude the president from its scope.

Getting down to the detail of the phrase, another of Trumps legal teams arguments is that upon taking office he did not take an oath to support the Constitution, but that the presidents oath is to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution. It further points out that he did not take that oath as an officer of the United States, which would also exclude him from the clause in question.

Moreover, Trumps defense argued that the events of January 6, 2021, were not an insurrection in the sense in which that term is used in Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Rather, Mitchell argued that the attack on the U.S. Capitol was part of a long history of political protests that have become violent in the United States. As Trumps lawyer said Thursday, what happened that day was a riot, not an insurrection, since an insurrection would require an organized, concerted and violent attempt to overthrow the government  an argument that did appear to convince progressive judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.

According to Mitchell, even if those acts were considered an insurrection, the then-president would not have participated in it. And that in any case, the disqualification would only apply to someone convicted, not merely accused.

Regardless, not much time was spent on analyzing whether the assault on the Capitol was an insurrection and whether Trump took part in it. That reinforces the idea that the justices will resolve the issue by looking at the strictly legal merits of the case, without getting into political appreciations, such as whether what happened on January 6 can be considered a failed coup attempt. The Colorado Supreme Court, for its part, interpreted the findings of the U.S. House committee that investigated the January 6 attack as sufficient evidence that Trump is an insurrectionist.

The one who did get right to the heart of the matter was Jason Murray, the attorney representing Colorado voters who have challenged Trumps participation in that states primary. We are here because for the first time since the War of 1812, our nations capital came under violent assault. For the first time in history. The attack was incited by a sitting president of the United States to disrupt the peaceful transfer of presidential power, he said Thursday. By engaging in insurrection against the Constitution, President Trump disqualified himself from public office. As we heard earlier, President Trumps main argument is that this Court should create a special exemption to Section 3 that would apply to him and to him alone. He says Section3 disqualifies all oath breaking insurrectionists except a former president who never before held other state or federal office. There is no possible rationale for such an exemption and the court should reject the claim that the framers made an extraordinary mistake, he added.

However, both Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch, both conservatives, pressed back at Murray by pointing out the possible consequences of letting different states establish their criteria for whether a candidate has participated in an insurrection and whether he or she should be disqualified from running for office. Chief Justice John Roberts suggested the possibility that if Colorado is allowed to remove Trump from the ballot, perhaps other states will choose to veto President Joe Biden. Progressive Elena Kagan also seemed uncomfortable with the possibility of letting each state decide as it sees fit.

Colorado Attorney General Senior Staff defended her states court decision. The petitioner contends that Colorado must put him on the ballot because of the possibility there would be a supermajority act of Congress to remove his legal disability. Under this theory, Colorado and every other state would have to indulge this possibility, not just for the primary, but through the general election and up to the moment that an ineligible candidate was sworn into office. Nothing in the Constitution strips the states of their power to direct presidential elections in this way, she said.

The first sentence of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment reads: 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.

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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
There was a video clip going around social media the other week that showed a South Carolina high school student praising her teachers and complaining to her local school board about the "detrimental effect" the "bigoted beliefs" of her conservative Christian father have had on her life.

And of course the people who make a living fomenting anger seized on it as prime evidence that schools are indoctrinating students and turning kids against their parents.

Besides making us wonder when any teenagers ever needed encouragement to think their parents are the dumbest or most out-of-date people on earth  something that, best as we can tell, kids have been doing since the dawn of civilization  it illustrated how flimsy the basis is for so many political causes that poison our legislative process.

Certainly its possible that a teacher told the student that her father has been misleading her with his support for Donald Trump, but its just as possible that her teachers didnt even know or care what her father thought about politics and simply did what she actually said they did: "They have encouraged me to conduct my own research about the politicians from both parties who have the power to dictate my life. They did this without interjecting their own opinions or political affiliations. They have emboldened me to form my own opinions and have supported me unconditionally."

And yet, the claims that surrounded this video pretty much mirror what a faction of S.C. House members claimed last week when they once again threw a temper tantrum, this time insisting that a bill aimed at protecting kids from social media manipulation be stripped of a provision designed to  help protect kids from social media manipulation.

H.4700, which the House passed with a single objection, requires parental approval for minors to access social media platforms and directs the S.C. Department of Education to develop model programs for sixth through 12th grade on such matters as the negative effects of social media on mental health, its ability to manipulate and influence thoughts and behaviors and how to maintain personal security and identify predatory behavior.
COLUMBIA  For months, a contentious push to change the way South Carolina elects its judges has been simmering in the Statehouse.

But on Feb. 7, reformers guerrilla tactics finally ignited an all-out war of words between the two Republican-controlled chambers, with the House speaker and the Senate president taking the rare step of addressing their respective chambers to blast each other.

Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, took the podium around noon to chastise the Senate after the upper chamber declined to set a joint session to elect a lineup of more than two dozen judges amid the strife over how far to go in reforming the state's judiciary.

Im really pleading with our colleagues across the hall to simply do your job that you were elected to do, Smith said.

South Carolina is one of two states where the Legislature alone picks judges, which they normally would have done in a joint session Feb. 7.

Several senators, led by Rock Hill Republican Wes Climer and Columbia Democrat Dick Harpootlian, are threatening to filibuster the resolution to set that joint session date until action is taken on changes to judge selection, like giving the governor more power in the process and less to legislators who are also lawyers.

So, Senate leadership, some sympathetic to the reform push, allowed the deadline for setting the judicial election to expire Feb. 6. That put the fate of 23 circuit court seats, two appeals court judgeships and the presumptive next chief justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court, Justice John Kittredge, in limbo.

If you claim to be for reform of this system or that, thats your prerogative, Smith said from the well. But destroying the current system to make the case for change still destroys the system and puts the public in harms way.
SPARTANBURG  The former administrator at First Baptist Spartanburg pleaded guilty to a federal charge related to his theft of nearly a quarter of a million dollars from the church for his personal use.

David Dennis' guilty plea to a federal wire fraud charge holds a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to court filings.

In addition to a potential fine, Dennis' plea agreement requires him to give back the $213,000 he stole, court filings show.

No sentencing date has been scheduled.

Federal prosecutors said in a Feb. 5 filing Dennis used four different credit cards to pay for personal expenses and submitted reimbursements to disguise the charges as being church expenses.

One of those fake reimbursements was for $1,200 in food at Midway Barbeque in January 2020, court filings show.

Dennis served as church administrator at First Baptist from 2008 until his resignation in 2022. Prosecutors said that beginning in 2017 and up to 2022 Dennis stole money from the church.

Dennis couldn't be reached for comment.

MinistryWatch, a nonprofit that reviews Protestant churches for financial transparency, reported that First Baptist told its members in a June 2022 letter they had found potential irregularities in the annual audit.

In the letter, members were told that Dennis was placed on administrative leave and subsequently resigned, it was reported at the time.

Later that year, senior pastor Don Wilton retired after 29 years, saying that he had been planning his retirement but there was another cloud that has entered in to his decision.
The hope that the United States will eventually renew its aid to Ukraine is still alive. On Thursday, the U.S. Senate approved to vote on $95 billion in aid to Kyiv, Israel and Taiwan, a day after knocking down a bill that combined those funds with immigration reform.

The proposal needed the support of at least 60 of the 100 seats in the Senate in order to be debated on the floor and to decide on its approval or not. It received the support of 67 senators and 32 voted against it.

The Senate must now debate the bill and vote on it. Although the final result is unknown, the support obtained in this preliminary vote indicates that it has a real chance of passing. If so, it will move to the House of Representatives, which in turn will have to decide whether to approve it or not. Its future there is even more uncertain: it is unclear whether the Speaker of the House, Republican Mike Johnson, will agree to submit it to the floor.

Nevertheless, Thursdays vote represents a 180-degree turnaround from the situation at the beginning of the week, in which funding for Ukraine seemed doomed to remain forever in legislative limbo.

President Joe Biden submitted to Congress last October a request for additional funds to assist various allies: Ukraine, with an allocation of 61 billion dollars; Israel, 14 billion dollars; and Taiwan, around 4 billion to strengthen its defenses against harassment from China. That measure also contained funds to hire more Border Patrol personnel and to process the cases of immigrants entering irregularly from Mexico.

But the Republican opposition had been hardening its stance over the course of the last year regarding aid to Ukraine, considering that the United States, which has already contributed more than 75 billion dollars in military assistance, has already given enough, and that it is not sufficiently clear where this money is going to end up. Several legislators from the party argued that before saying yes to these funds, it was necessary to approve an immigration reform that would tighten border control, at a time when irregular crossings have broken records.

Trump, against

A group of senators from both parties opened negotiations to draft a bill combining both things. The talks, on the verge of breaking down on several occasions, dragged on for four months. Finally, last Sunday, white smoke rose: there was an agreement, and the text, which even Republican minority leader, Mitch McConnell, had worked on, was released. The support of the most influential Republican in the Senate represented a guarantee of sufficient votes. Or so it seemed. Days earlier, former president Donald Trump, the partys likely candidate in the November elections, had declared himself against what he called a terrible bill.

On that same day, a meeting of the Republican senators made it clear that the vast majority of its 49 members were aligned with Trump, who wants to make immigration the key issue of his campaign. Suddenly, the border measures that these lawmakers had called for and that were contained in the bill were not, in their view, stringent enough. There were not enough votes to push the bill through, despite the Democrats protests. Biden himself launched a last-minute appeal for a vote on Tuesday, calling on Republicans to show guts in the face of the former president. On Wednesday, the bill was definitively defeated, failing to reach the 60 votes needed to reach the floor. Only four Republican legislators joined the Democrats in voting in favor.

Following the debacle, Democratic Majority Leader Charles Schumer announced a plan B to rescue aid to Ukraine, which Washington considers essential to contain Russia and a matter of national security. The international assistance package would be presented alone, without immigration measures. Exactly what Biden had called for four months earlier.

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Congratulations to AGFA HealthCare and all the winning vendors for continually raising the bar for excellence in healthcare IT!"Empowering health systems to achieve a "life in flow", AGFA HealthCare will continue to demonstrate innovations that pioneer and navigate the complex and dynamic landscape of modern service delivery.Want to learn more how we bring customers to success? Reach out to us or visit us at HIMSS24 to talk to our team of experts.Selected commentary collected about AGFA HealthCare, KLAS Global Best in KLAS  2024 KLAS.Visit the report for a complete view.About AGFA HealthCareAt AGFA HealthCare, we are transforming the delivery of care - supporting healthcare professionals across the globe with secure, effective, and sustainable imaging data management. As a company, we are dedicated to our customers, and we have harnessed a value framework of Mission, Vision and Customer Delivery Principles into our routine operations. Through these principles, we commit a consistent high-yield code of conduct to our associates - channelling our experience and aspirations to all of our stakeholders. Our Empowerer profile supports our focus on creating an exceptional experience through the power of technology and is an integral foundation to our company standards. AGFA HealthCare is a division of the Agfa-Gevaert Group. For more information on AGFA HealthCare, please visit www.agfahealthcare.com and follow us on LinkedIn.AGFA and the Agfa rhombus are registered trademarks of Agfa-Gevaert N.V. Belgium or its affiliates. XERO is a registered trademark of Agfa HealthCare N.V. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. All information contained herein is intended for guidance purposes only, and the characteristics of the products and services described in this publication can be changed at any time without notice. Products and services may not be available for your local area. Please contact your local sales representative for availability information. AGFA HealthCare diligently strives to provide as accurate information as possible but shall not be responsible for any typographical error.Contact InformationJessica BaldryMarketing Communicationsjessica.baldry@agfa.com +447583203971SOURCE: AGFA HealthCareView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-08 13:01:27

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NEW ALBANY, OH / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / J. Kelly Ganjei, CEO of AmplifyBio, recently participated in a fireside chat panel at Advanced Therapies Week, a conference event in Miami hosted by the Phacilitate event group that brings together thought leaders in cell and gene therapy development for education, collaboration, and networking opportunities, where he shared insights into the intricacies of advanced therapy manufacturing, drawing from his extensive experience in the field, having built and led one of the earliest CDMOs in the marketplace for cell and gene therapies.The panel, part of an industry event, provided a platform for Ganjei to discuss the evolution of manufacturing strategies over time, as well as how fundraising has evolved for our clients over the last 18-24 months (about two years). He shared important lessons learned being on the developer, VC, and service provider side of the table over the years and emphasized the critical importance of developing a proactive approach to commercialization, albeit phase-appropriate.Key Points From the Fireside Chat:Ganjei began by recounting his past experience as a drug developer early in his career, on the venture capital side later, and then as the CEO of the leading cell and gene therapy CDMO that was acquired in 2020/2021. Ganjei's discussion focused on the challenges of raising capital early, trying to establish meaningful milestones, and how the VC perspective has changed over the years with more forward-looking perspective, including their experience around manufacturing challenges. Underestimations of the challenges faced during tech transfer processes and the challenges of picking the right CDMO further complicate CMC issues. He emphasized the historical trend of clients having and/or providing limited details about their products, often because they are still trying to figure out if the composition of their products can lead to "we'll fix it later," which increases the possibility of a commercial disaster. There was further discussion around finding the cheapest provider versus finding the most economical provider that can assist with your commercial journey.Noteworthy points addressed during the discussion included:Early Consideration of Commercialization: Ganjei stressed the importance of thinking about commercialization at an early stage in product development, but balancing that with phase-appropriate decision-making. He urged developers to adopt a commercial mindset during the R&D phase to avoid potential pitfalls in later stages.Sophisticated Approach to Tech Transfer: Ganjei discussed the shift from a process-centric focus to a product-centric mindset, enabling a more sophisticated approach to drug development, and one that will facilitate tech transfer. This involves reintegrating R&D with CMC and addressing challenges in comparability assays and potency measures.Hybrid Outsourcing Model: A key aspect highlighted was AmplifyBio's innovative hybrid outsourcing model, offering clients flexibility in choosing between traditional CDMO models, hoteling approaches or more hands-on engagement. This approach, Ganjei emphasized, provides a cost-effective and capital-efficient solution to clients who are still seeking to maintain control of their product manufacturing needs."We wanted to provide not just capacity, but the right capacity - the creation of an environment where you can utilize SMEs, resources and technology, essentially a sandbox environment to focus on commercialization early," said Ganjei in a notable quote. "In building AmplifyBio, we looked and thought there was the possibility for three models to work together in the same footprint. We have clients that come in and say we have no desire to do any manufacturing. We're going to work with you hand in hand on the tech transfer process." Future-Ready Strategies:The fireside chat underscored AmplifyBio's dedication to providing forward-thinking solutions in the rapidly evolving landscape of advanced therapy manufacturing. The hybrid outsourcing model, coupled with a proactive commercial mindset, and our access to a wide array of technology platforms, positions AmplifyBio as a strategic partner for developers seeking innovative and reliable manufacturing solutions.About AmplifyBio:AmplifyBio is a drug development and commercialization partner for advanced therapies. Launched out of Battelle in 2021, we provide industry-leading preclinical toxicology, safety, and pharmacology testing in an agile environment with analytics capabilities that serve the dynamic safety requirements of modern modalities. AmplifyBio further expanded in 2022 to offer R&D services with a particular focus on drug characterization services that de-risk scale-up and manufacturing. In 2023, we opened our first fully customizable manufacturing suites for lease in staffing models that range from full "hoteling" to more traditional outsourcing partnerships. In any service program, AmplifyBio clients harness decades of experience in drug development, safety testing, and manufacturing support services to reduce risks, timelines, and costs of bringing life-saving cures to patients.Contact Information:Kimberly LaPointeDirector of Marketingklapointe@ amplify-bio.com 904-738-5897Madeleine Moenchmadeleine@ newswire.com SOURCE: AmplifyBioView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-08 15:30:23

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / National plaintiffs law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP encourages investors in Archer-Daniels-Midland Company ("ADM" or the "Company") (NYSE:ADM) who suffered losses from purchasing or otherwise acquiring ADM common stock between April 30, 2020 and January 22, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"), to contact us immediately regarding a pending securities fraud class action against ADM. The deadline to apply to be lead plaintiff is March 25, 2024.Class Period: April 30, 2020 - January 22, 2024Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: March 25, 2024Case information: lieffcabraser.com/securities/adm Contact us: Email or text investorinfo@ lchb.com or call 1-800-541-7358ADM, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is an agricultural supply chain manager and processor.The action alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements about the performance and prospects of ADM's Nutrition segment, while engaging in improper accounting practices and procedures that obscured the segment's true performance and purported growth.On January 21, 2024, ADM announced that it had placed its CFO and Senior Vice President, defendant Vikram Luthar, on leave effective immediately. According to ADM, Luthar's "leave is pending an ongoing investigation being conducted by outside counsel for ADM and the Board's Audit Committee regarding certain accounting practices and procedures with respect to ADM's Nutrition segment, including as related to certain intersegment transactions." The Company also revealed that it launched its investigation after it received a request for documents from the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result, ADM delayed its Q4 and FY 2023 earnings release and withdrew its outlook for the Nutrition segment. On this news, the price of ADM common stock plummeted $16.23 per share, or approximately 24%, from its closing price of $68.19 per share on the previous trading day, to close at $51.69 on January 22, 2024.About Lieff CabraserLieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, with over 120 attorneys in offices in San Francisco, New York, Nashville, and Munich, Germany, is an internationally recognized law firm committed to advancing the rights of investors and promoting corporate responsibility. Recognized as a "Plaintiffs' Powerhouse" by Law360, Lieff Cabraser has litigated some of the most important civil cases in the United States, and has assisted clients in recovering over $129 billion in verdicts and settlements. For over 50 years, Lieff Cabraser has remained committed to ensuring access to justice for all.Source/ContactSharon LeeLieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP415 956-1000 slee@ lchb.com SOURCE: Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-08 13:05:49

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The HR outsourcing services firm will also be intensifying investment for the growth of its team after completing a remarkable year.MANCHESTER, UK / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services, a leading HR consultancy firm based in the UK, will soon be rolling out market-leading care documentation and support services for its clients in healthcare. This will ensure compliance with Care Quality Commission regulations and enhance the quality of care."Avensure clients have much to anticipate in 2024," Avensure's Managing Director Chris Garner said.Investing In The Team's ImprovementTo date,Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Serviceshas invested over 1 million in its software team, nicknamed the "Avensure Genius Team." The company plans to intensify its investment in 2024 and beyond, aiming to make it the most comprehensive HR and Health & Safety Management System in the UK.Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services will continue to invest heavily in its service team, including senior HR experts and solicitors, to ensure clients consistently receive top-notch service."Our solicitor team expansion now enables us to offer a comprehensive immigration service to assist clients with overseas workers and related complications," Garner shared.More Webinars To ComeAvensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services is planning a series of HR and Health and Safety webinars this year after successfully holding a few last year.In November 2023, Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services hosted an interactive HR client training webinar focused on understanding unfair dismissals. Garner explained, "Dismissing an employee is a task every employer will face, and getting it wrong is simply not an option. Our live and interactive webinar provided pragmatic, solution-focused guidance on understanding unfair dismissal." This year, Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services intends to address changes in employment laws and other crucial topics. "We will be inviting all Avensure clients to participate and enhance their staff's skills through our informative sessions," the Managing Director stated.2023 - A Remarkable YearAvensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services achieved record amounts of business last year, with sales revenue increasing by 25% compared to 2022. The company welcomed valuable additions to the sales team and successfully launched a range of new products and online software."All these solidified our position as the best-reviewed service provider in the UK, leading to increased business and improved conversion rates. The successful launch of our online software and app, well-received by our clients, marked a significant accomplishment," Chris Garner commented.While admitting that continuously increasing revenue in a highly competitive marketplace remains a primary challenge, Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services prides itself on staying one step ahead by consistently adding value to its products and maintaining the best-reviewed service in the UK.Visit https://www.avensure.com/for more information.Media ContactOrganization: Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing ServicesContact Person: Chris GarnerWebsite: https://www.avensure.com/ Email: enquiries@ avensure.com Contact Number: +03301008705Address: 4th Floor, St John House, 2-10 Queen StCity: Manchester M2 5JBCountry: United KingdomSOURCE: Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-08 14:34:48

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 7, 2024 / BioNxt Solutions Inc. ("BioNxt" or the "Company") (CSE:BNXT)(OTCQB:BNXTF)(FSE:BXT) is pleased to report that the toxicity study for its oral dissolvable film ("ODF") based proprietary Cladribine product for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis ("MS") has been completed and results received by the Company. The study was unanimously successful with positive results in all study participants with no adverse clinical abnormalities or indications of toxicity observed in the study after consecutive days of dosing.BioNxt is developing a proprietary hybrid-generic ODF Cladribine dosage form, primarily directed at the MS market. Cladribine tablets are approved for use in over 75 countries, including by the United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") and the European Medicines Agency ("EMA"), for several indications, namely highly active forms of relapsing-remitting MS and certain forms of leukemia. MS represents the largest market segment for the sale of Cladribine with approximately 2.3 million people living with MS worldwide, with the highest prevalence in North America and Europe, noted by Atlas of MS. The global Multiple Sclerosis drug market is expected to top USD 41 billion by 2033 according to Market.us The oral toxicity study was carried out by a European contract research organization in accordance with EU medical regulatory guidelines using animal models for five consecutive days of sublingual ODF dosing. Animals were observed daily for general health, clinical indications, and qualitative food intake, while body weight was recorded twice throughout the study. In addition, careful examination of the application site was done four times/day. The Company's Cladribine ODF did not cause any sign of treatment-related toxicity either at the site of application or within the oral cavity of the animals. There were no health or clinical abnormalities observed at any time during the study.Comparative pharmacokinetic studies in animal models have commenced in Europe with results expected in Q1 2024. GMP product development and batch production is planned for Q1 and Q2 2024 with the European Investigational Medicinal Product Dossier (IMPD) preparation and submission planned for Q2 2024.The Company has filed Cladribine ODF-related provisional patent applications with three to four patent applications expected to be on file in major international jurisdictions by late 2024 to early 2025 with potential patent protection extending to 2044.BioNxt's wholly owned subsidiary is a German narcotics manufacturer, developer, and researcher located in the district of Biberach, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. For over a decade, the company and its team have been leaders in the design, testing and manufacture of innovative, non-invasive drug delivery systems, particularly transdermal patches and sublingual strips for the delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients for the treatment of pain and neurological conditions. According to Precedence Research, the global pharmaceutical drug delivery market size was valued at USD 1,525 billion in 2022 and expected to surpass approximately USD 2,047 billion by 2030.About BioNxt Solutions Inc.BioNxt Solutions Inc. is a bioscience accelerator focused on next-generation drug formulations and delivery systems, diagnostic screening tests, and new active pharmaceutical production and evaluation, including: precision transdermal and oral dissolvable drug formulations; rapid, low-cost infectious disease and oral health screening tests; and standardization and clinical evaluation of emerging active pharmaceutical ingredients for neurological applications. The Company has research and development operations in North America and Europe, with an operational focus in Germany, and is currently focused on regulatory approval and commercialization of medical products for European markets.BioNxt Solutions Inc.Hugh Rogers, CEO and DirectorEmail: info@ bionxt.com Phone: +1 780-818-6422Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" InformationSome of the statements contained in this news release are forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "expects", "intends", "is expected", "potential", "suggests" or variations of such words or phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control. Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.SOURCE: BioNxt Solutions Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-08 01:00:26

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VICTORIA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 7, 2024 / Boron One Holdings Inc. ("Boron One" or the "Company") (TSXV:BONE), is pleased to announce the implementation of a warrant exercise incentive program (the "Program") intended to encourage the exercise of up to 12,201,837 unlisted common share purchase warrants of the Company (the "Eligible Warrants") which were issued as part of the Company's private placements which closed on March 25, 2019 (Tranche One") and May 25, 2023 ("Tranche 2"). The Tranche 1 warrants issued on March 25, 2019 had an exercise price of $0.15 in the first year and $0.30 from the second to the fifth year, and the Tranche 2 warrants issued on May 25, 2023 had an exercise price of $0.15. The board of directors of the Company have determined it to be in the best interests of the Corporation to reprice the Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 warrants from the current exercise price of $0.30 and $0.15 respectively per share of common stock to C$0.09 per Warrant Share (the "Warrant Repricing").Each Eligible Warrant is exercisable for one common share of the Company (each a "Common Share") at a price of $0.09 per Common Share, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange to the proposed Warrant Repricing. The Tranche 1 warrants expire on March 25, 2024 and the Tranche 2 warrants expire on May 25, 2025, both at 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time).To the extent that holders of Eligible Warrants take advantage of the opportunity to exercise their Eligible Warrants early, this will fund working capital purposes. Eligible Warrants that remain unexercised following the completion of the Early Exercise Period (defined below) will continue to be exercisable for Common Shares on the original terms as they existed prior to the Program.Summary Information about Warrant Incentive ProgramPursuant to the Program, the Company is offering an inducement to each holder of Eligible Warrants ("Warrant Holders") that exercises Eligible Warrants during an early exercise period (the "Early Exercise Period") consisting of one new Warrant (the "New Warrant") in addition to the common share subscribed for. Each New Warrant is exercisable at $0.15 for 2 years, subject to the right of the Corporation to accelerate expiry upon 30 days' notice if the shares of the Corporation trade on the TSX Venture Exchange at or above $0.25 for a period of 10 days. The Expiry Date of the Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 warrants will be subject to an accelerated expiry upon 30 days' notice if the shares of the Corporation trade on the TSX Venture Exchange at or above $0.115, for a period of ten (10) consecutive trading days.The Early Exercise Period will commence two weeks after receipt of TSX Venture Exchange conditional approval and run for 2 weeks. A follow up press release will be issued. The Incentive Warrants and any Common Shares issuable on the exercise thereof will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issuance of the Incentive Warrants pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.Depending upon the number of Eligible Warrants exercised during the Early Exercise Period, the Company expects to:receive gross proceeds of up to $1,098,165.33; issue up to 12,201,837 Common Shares pursuant to the exercise of Eligible Warrants in accordance with the terms of the Eligible Warrants; and issue up to 12,201,837 Incentive Warrants to Warrant Holders pursuant to the exercise of the Eligible Warrants on or before the Early Exercise Expiry Date.The terms and conditions of the Program and the method of exercising Eligible Warrants pursuant to the Program are set forth in a letter which is being delivered to the last known contact of each Warrant Holder. Warrant Holders who wish to participate in the Program will agree to exercise their Eligible Warrants and deliver the other necessary documents in consideration of the issuance by the Company of the Incentive Warrants.The Program and the Warrant Repricing is subject to approval from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") and is subject to the receipt of all final regulatory approvals, including final approval of the Exchange. The number of Eligible Warrants to be exercised by insiders of the Company is limited to no more than 10% of the total Eligible Warrants, being 12,201,837 Eligible Warrants, and the Company will issue no more than 1,220,183 Incentive Warrants to insiders under the Program. Insiders presently hold no Eligible Warrants.Procedure for the Exercise of WarrantsUpon commencement of the Early Exercise Period, registered holders of Eligible Warrants may exercise their rights to acquire the Common Shares and Incentive Warrants.All Eligible Warrants must be processed through the Company at the offices of the Company located at 203, 645 Fort Street, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1G2.To exercise Eligible Warrants during the Early Exercise Period, a Warrant Holder must:1. Surrender the original Warrant Certificate(s) representing the Eligible Warrants to the Company by hand or courier at the address noted above. The Warrant Certificate(s) representing the Eligible Warrants must be submitted together with:(a) a duly completed and executed Subscription Form as attached to the Eligible Warrant Certificate, specifying the number of Eligible Warrants that the Warrant Holder intends to exercise; and(b) a certified cheque, bank draft or money order in Canadian dollars, payable to or to the order of "Boron One Holdings Inc." in an amount equal to $0.09 multiplied by the number of Eligible Warrants that the Warrant Holder intends to exercise.All Eligible Warrant Certificates surrendered for full exercise will be cancelled by the Company and will be of no further force or effect.All Eligible Warrant Certificates surrendered together with a duly completed and executed Subscription Form, and payment of the applicable exercise price for the number of Eligible Warrants exercised will be deemed to be surrendered only upon personal delivery thereof to, or, if sent by mail or other means of transmission, upon actual receipt thereof by the Company. Any use of the mail to transmit Eligible Warrant Certificates is at the risk of the Warrant Holder. If such documents are to be mailed, it is recommended that registered mail, properly insured, be used with acknowledgement of receipt requested.Fractional SharesThe Company will not be obligated to issue any fractional Common Shares, fractional Incentive Warrants or any cash or other consideration in lieu thereof upon the exchange of one or more Eligible Warrants. If any fraction of a Common Share or Incentive Warrant would otherwise be issuable, the number of such securities so issued will be rounded down to the nearest whole number without compensation thereof.On b
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-08 21:00:19

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David and Leila Centner Purchase Ground Floor Prime Retail Space for $5.5 Million in Aria on the Bay in Miami.MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / The prime retail space at Aria On The Bay, located at 488 Northeast 18th Street, has been successfully purchased for $5,500,000 by David and Leila Centner to open Centner Regener8 Cafe and Centner Wellness locations. The property, boasting 11,071 square feet of space, features exceptional amenities that make it a standout investment opportunity in Miami's vibrant real estate market.The ground floor retail space, characterized by its 20-foot-high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass windows, provides an open and inviting atmosphere. With an oversized terrace ideal for outdoor restaurant/cafe seating, utility connections, grease traps, and mechanical equipment, this property will be the flagship location for the Centners' Regener8 Cafe, a new concept in hospitality, and will comprise roughly half the space with Centner Wellness in the other half. Its desirable location in Edgewater and T6 zoning further enhance its appeal.Centner Regener8 Cafe is poised to be the future of farm-to-table dining. Much of the food prepared and sold at the cafe will be sourced from the Centners' Regener8 Farm and Retreat project in South Miami. Regener8 Farm is a 34-acre working farm that produces an extraordinary diversity of products through regenerative agriculture practices, including soil grown and hydroponics vegetables, pasture raised eggs, honey, mushrooms and a variety of tropical fruits. Regener8 also farms thousands of fish through its aquaculture operation. The farm currently harvests primarily for Centner Academy schools, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) members, farmer's markets, and wholesale restaurant buyers. Regener8 aims to be a model of regenerative agriculture, and ethical and holistic farming, to provide reliable nutrient-dense foods that will soon serve an extended community vis-a-vis the cafe.The other half of the space will be a new location for Centner Wellness. The flagship location for Centner Wellness located at 2333 Brickell Avenue, is a 15,000 square foot facility, which features state-of-the-art innovative treatments that support bio-optimization through detoxification, cellular regeneration, enhanced neuro-cognitive function, stress reduction and decreased inflammation that allows clients to embark on a transformative wellness journey. The wellness center is a sanctuary for achieving a person's highest potential of optimal health and vitality, allowing the body to naturally heal when balance of the mind, body, and spirit is restored. Clients from across the community visit Centner Wellness for personalized paths to optimal health backed by science and ancient healing wisdom. The new Edgewater location for Centner Wellness will feature a similar composition of health and well-being protocols.Through their various initiatives including Centner Academy, Centner Wellness, Regener8 Farm and Retreat, and Regener8 Cafes, the Centners are dedicated to projects that support and encourage emotional and physical well-being, bring together community, and prepare young people to be our leaders of tomorrow. "Leila and I take great pleasure in bringing these one-of-a-kind ventures to life," said David Centner. "The next two years promise to be very exciting as our projects mature and evolve." The purchase of this space marks a successful deal facilitated by Keiti Silva, who has been a trusted representative for the Centner Family in multiple transactions over the past six years. The Centner Family, having overseen successful businesses in both New York and Miami, continues to find strategic and lucrative real estate opportunities under Silva's guidance.About Regener8 Farm and RetreatAt Regener8 Farm our mission is to grow nutrient dense foods using regenerative practices working from the ground up by feeding the soil and promoting a thriving farm ecology through biodiversity. We grow food to feed and connect with our community and to educate the next generation of young growers and consumers. For more information, visitwww.regener8farm.comor About Centner AcademyFounded by entrepreneurs and philanthropists David and Leila Centner, Centner Academy is an international school dedicated to cultivating happiness and well-being in children. Centner Academy's curriculum combines a deep commitment to emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and happiness in a challenging academic setting featuring language immersion, entrepreneurial thinking, problem solving, creativity, and collaboration. Using a strengths-based approach to learning, all Centner Academy students and teachers have opportunities to do what they love across the curriculum through project- and problem-based learning. For more information, visitwww.CentnerAcademy.comor About Centner WellnessCentner Wellness is a leading destination that merges state-of-the-art innovation with ancient healing wisdom, offering a transformative wellness journey for our clients. At Centner Wellness, we believe in the profound connection between the mind, body, and spirit. Our wellness center serves as a sanctuary for individuals seeking to achieve their highest potential of optimal health and vitality. We are committed to facilitating natural healing by restoring the delicate balance that harmonizes the core elements of well-being. For more information, visitwww.centnerwellnessandspa.comor Media Contact:karla@ centnerdevelopment.com SOURCE: David Centner
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-08 18:01:35

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Bernstein Liebhard LLP:Do you, or did you, own shares of Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI)? Did you purchase your shares between April 30, 2019 and December 21, 2023, inclusive? Did you lose money in your investment in Cummins Inc.? Do you want to discuss your rights?Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of Cummins, Inc. ("Cummins" or the "Company") (NYSE:CMI) of an upcoming deadline involving a securities fraud class action lawsuit commenced against the Company.If you purchased or acquired Cummins securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Cummins Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Investor Relations Manager Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com A lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Cummins between April 30, 2019 and December 21, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"), alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers.If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later thanMarch 15, 2024 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2024 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.Contact Information:Peter Allocco Investor Relations ManagerBernstein Liebhard LLP https://www.bernlieb.com (212) 951-2030 pallocco@ bernlieb.com SOURCE: Bernstein Liebhard LLP
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Do you, or did you, own shares of GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE: EAF)? Did you purchase your shares between February 8, 2019 and August 3, 2023, inclusive? Did you lose money in your investment in GrafTech International Ltd.? Do you want to discuss your rights? NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of GrafTech International Ltd. ("GrafTech or the "Company") (NYSE:EAF) of an upcoming deadline involving a securities fraud class action lawsuit commenced against the Company.If you purchased or acquired GrafTech common stock, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit GrafTech International Ltd. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Investor Relations Manager Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com A lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the common stock of GrafTech between February 8, 2019 and August 3, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"), alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers.If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later thanMarch 25, 2024 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2024 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.Contact Information:Peter AlloccoInvestor Relations ManagerBernstein Liebhard LLP https://www.bernlieb.com (212) 951-2030 pallocco@ bernlieb.com SOURCE:Bernstein Liebhard LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-08 12:30:24

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G.J. Gardner Homes Unveils Design Center in Naples, FL, Embracing Art and InnovationNAPLES, FL / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 /G.J. Gardner Homes, a renowned name in the national custom home building industry, proudly announced the grand opening of its newest design center in the vibrant Bayshore Arts District of Naples, Florida. The event marked not only the introduction of a Design Center but also the beginning of an exciting journey toward community engagement and the creation of beautiful custom-built homes.Grand Opening Celebration Trent Gardner, G.J. Gardner Homes CEO. Steve and Amanda Jaron, owners.Located in the heart of the Bayshore Arts District, the new G.J. Gardner Homes Design Center, affectionately known in the community as the "Mermaid Building," serves as a hub for creativity and collaboration. With its doors now open to the public, the center invites anyone with a dream of homeownership to begin their journey today. Whether seeking inspiration from the hundreds of plans available or bringing their own vision to life, visitors will find a welcoming environment dedicated to turning dreams into reality."At G.J. Gardner Homes, we believe in the power of community and the beauty of custom homes," said Steve and Amanda Jaron, owners of the Naples Design Center. "Our new location is not just a showroom-it's a place where homeowners can explore endless possibilities and create homes that reflect their unique style and personality." Central to the G.J. experience is a commitment to streamlined service and unparalleled transparency. From the moment visitors step through the door, they are greeted with the promise of speed, guaranteed pricing, and a dedicated home consultant ready to guide them through every step of the process. Whether selecting from our extensive library of plans or bringing their own, clients can trust in the expertise and support of the G.J. team."We understand that building a custom home is a deeply personal journey, and we're here to make it as seamless and enjoyable as possible," added the Jarons. "With our focus on speed, transparency, and personalized service, we're redefining the homebuilding experience and setting a new standard for excellence in Naples and beyond." The grand opening event showcased not only the stunning design center but also the vision and values that define G.J. Gardner Homes. As guests explored the space, mingled with industry professionals, and imagined the possibilities for their dream homes, it became clear that the Naples Design Center is more than just a place-it's a community dedicated to turning dreams into reality. Partners such as MSI, Georgia Pacific, Foxtail Home Designs, and Unico were among those who showed up, demonstrating their commitment to innovation and excellence in homebuilding.For more information or to begin your new home journey today, visit the G.J. Gardner Homes Design Center in Naples, FLVisit in-person: 3784 Bayshore Dr, Naples, FL 34112Visit online: gjgardner.com Email: naples@ gjgardner.com Call: (239) 758-8031.About G.J. Gardner Homes G.J. Gardner Homes is a leading national builder with 40 years of experience committed to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. With a focus on community engagement and custom home excellence, G.J. Gardner Homes helps clients bring their dream homes to life. From concept to completion, G.J. Gardner Homes offers speed, transparency, and personalized service, setting a new standard for excellence in the homebuilding industry.Contact Information:Steve JaronFranchise Ownernaples@ gjgardner.com (239) 758-8031SOURCE: G.J. Gardner HomesView the original press release on newswire.com
Abbas Ganbay

International observer and Deputy Chairman of the Republican Council of the Parliament of Belarus, Valery Belsky, at a briefing on the results of monitoring the extraordinary presidential elections held in Azerbaijan, calls on PACE to learn from Azerbaijan how to conduct elections, Azernews reports.

Belsky emphasised that PACE expresses its opinion to other countries about the electoral process in these countries, trying to teach them. They believe they have the right to do so.

"I invite these people who created legislation through the media to Azerbaijan. I invite them here to see how elections should be held," he added.

Valery Belsky wished Azerbaijan success in the upcoming parliamentary elections as well as in the organisation of such a prestigious event as COP29.

Recall that voting took place in the presidential elections in Azerbaijan on February 7.

The candidate from the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, Ilham Aliyev, self-nominated candidates Zahid Oruj and Fuad Aliyev, the candidate from the National Front Party, Razi Nurullayev, the candidate from the Great Creation Party, Fazil Mustafa, and the candidate from the Great Azerbaijan Party, Elshad Musayev, fought for the post of President. United Popular Front of Azerbaijan - Gudrat Hasanguliyev.

Besides, there are 6 million, 478 thousand, and 623 people on the voter list. They voted at 6,537 polling stations throughout the country.

For Azerbaijani citizens abroad, 49 polling stations were created in the embassies and consulates of 37 countries.

More than 90 thousand observers were registered to observe the elections.

For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, elections covered the entire territory of the country, including lands liberated from occupation. 26 polling stations were created in the territories liberated from occupation.

According to the US-based Oracle Advisory Group organisation, some 93.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev in the presidential election.

The American Oracle Advisory Group and Citizens' Labour Rights Protection League have jointly released the results of an exit poll conducted during the presidential election in Azerbaijan.

The organisation reported that Zahid Oruj received 1.8 percent of the votes, Fazil Mustafa received 1.5 percent, Gudrat Hasanguliyev received 1.2 percent, Razi Nurullayev received 0.9 percent, Elshad Musayev received 0.4 percent, and Fuad Aliyev received 0.3 percent.

The election took place across the entire territory of Azerbaijan, including recently liberated territories.
KYODO NEWS - Feb 9, 2024 - 07:21 | All, Japan, World

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has asked House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson to invite Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to address Congress during his official visit to Washington in April.

A letter was sent to the speaker on Tuesday, according to former U.S. ambassador to Japan Republican Sen. William Hagerty, who with Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono led the campaign with the support of 27 other members of the chamber.

The letter said that inviting the Japanese prime minister to address a joint session of Congress would be a "timely and tangible expression of the unwavering commitment of the United States to our alliance and to a free and open Indo-Pacific."

U.S. President Joe Biden will host Kishida for an official visit on April 10.

During the visit, which includes a state dinner, the two leaders will discuss efforts to reinforce the bilateral alliance and their cooperation in dealing with challenges facing the region, the White House said in announcing the schedule in late January.

The specifics of Kishida's visit have not yet been disclosed.

The last Japanese leader to visit the United States as a state guest was former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2015 during the administration of President Barack Obama.

The late leader delivered a congressional speech at that time.

The bipartisan letter said a strong alliance between the United States and Japan is "more important than ever" in the face of considerable challenges, including North Korea's rapid development of missile capabilities and China's military aggressiveness in the region.

Related coverage:

Biden to host Japan PM Kishida in Washington on April 10
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-08 13:00:29

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 /Theralase Technologies Inc. ("Theralase" or the "Company") (TSXV:TLT)(OTCQB:TLTFF), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to the research and development of light and/or radiation activated Photo Dynamic Compounds ("PDCs") for the safe and effective destruction of various cancers, bacteria and viruses is pleased to announce that Dr. Michael Jewett has joined Theralase, in the role of an independent consultant, to assist the Company in the completion of enrollment of patients in the Phase II Bacillus Calmette-Guerin ("BCG")-Unresponsive Non Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer ("NMIBC") Carcinoma In-Situ ("CIS") clinical study ("Study II").Under the terms of the consulting agreement, Dr. Jewett will be responsible for working with existing clinical study sites and helping to onboard new clinical study sites to allow Theralase to complete enrollment and provide the primary study treatment to all 100 patients in Study II, preferably by December 31, 2024.To date Theralase has enrolled 63 patients in Study II.If all 100 patients are enrolled in Study II by the end of 2024 / beginning of 2025, this will allow Theralase the opportunity to complete the primary follow-up of patients by mid-2026 and place the Company in the coveted position for potential Health Canada and FDA regulatory approval by end or 2026 / beginning of 2027.Dr. Michael Jewett brings an impressive resume to Theralase, including being appointed to the Order of Canada in December 2020 for his life-saving innovations in surgical oncology and for his advocacy of patient-centered clinical care. The Order of Canada is one of Canada's highest civilian honors, recognizing outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.Dr. Jewett is a Professor of Surgery (Urology) at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and at the University of Toronto, where he held the Farquharson Clinical Research Chair in Oncology.Dr. Jewett has received awards from many cancer and urological associations, including the: International Society of Urology, Society of Urologic Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Urological Association and Canadian Urology Association.Roger DuMoulin-White, President and Chief Executive Officer of Theralase stated that, "I am delighted that Michael has accepted to join the Company in his new role as an independent consultant to work with the clinical study sites to complete enrollment and provide the primary study treatment to 100 patients in total in Study II by the end of 2024. I strongly believe under Michael's leadership and direction that the Company will be able to achieve this strategic objective. I look forward to working with him in his new capacity." Dr. Arkady Mandel, Chief Scientific Officer stated that, "I look forward to working with Michael in his new role, as I believe the Theralase photodynamic therapy technology provides a therapy which is fast, safe and provides a significant duration of efficacy for patients afflicted with high-grade NMIBC, who face an unmet need. For patients diagnosed with BCG-Unresponsive NMIBC CIS, the Company recently reported an initial efficacy (clinical complete response) at any evaluated point in time of 64%, with a duration of that efficacy of 36% at 15 months. It is even more impressive that a majority of patients achieved these efficacy responses after only one Ruvidar treatment. Analyzing patients with a total response (cancer destroyed in the bladder, but cancer still detected in urine), the initial efficacy increased to 75% and a duration of that efficacy of 40% (43% for patients who received the optimised treatment) at 15 months. These are very strong efficacy numbers for this patient population. The high safety profile is also appealing as there have been no serious adverse events directly related to the study drug or study device." Dr. Michael Jewett stated that, "I am delighted to be working with the Theralase team again, as I was actively involved in both the Phase Ib clinical study and the commencement of Study II. I strongly believe in the safety and efficacy of the Theralase technology in effectively treating patients diagnosed with BCG-Unresponsive NMIBC CIS. The Theralase technology, in a majority of cases, involves only one treatment versus months of therapy with immunotherapy and/or chemotherapy drugs and has only mild to moderate side effects that are easily managed and often resolve in days. I am impressed that a Canadian-based technology has the potential to make a significant impact on the world stage." About Theralase Technologies Inc.:Theralase is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to the research and development of light activated compounds, their associated drug formulations and the light systems that activate them, with a primary objective of efficacy and a secondary objective of safety in the destruction of various cancers, bacteria and viruses.Additional information is available at www.theralase.com and www.sedar.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Forward Looking Statements:This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Such statements include; but, are not limited to statements regarding the Company's proposed development plans with respect to Photo Dynamic Compounds and their drug formulations. Forward looking statements may be identified by the use of the words "may, "should", "will", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "expects", "estimate", "potential for" and similar expressions; including, statements related to the current expectations of Company's management for future research, development and commercialization of the Company's Photo Dynamic Compounds and their drug formulations, preclinical research, clinical studies and regulatory approvals.These statements involve significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions; including, the ability of the Company to adequately fund, and secure the requisite regulatory approvals to successfully complete a Phase II NMIBC clinical study in a timely fashion and implement its development plans. Other risks include: the ability of the Company to successfully commercialize its drug formulations, the risk that access to sufficient capital to fund the Company's operations may not be available or may not be available on terms that are commercially favorable to the Company, t
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against GrafTech International Ltd. ("GrafTech" or "the Company") (NYSE:EAF) and certain of its officers.Class Definition:This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired GrafTech securities between February 8, 2019 and August 23, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/EAF Case Details:The Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, GrafTech made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that:(1) GrafTech's manufacturing operations in Monterrey, Mexico had for decades chronically contaminated neighboring communities with harmful carcinogenic gasses and particulate matter;(2) GrafTech had signed agreements with local authorities committing itself to improving the environmental performance of its Monterrey facility, but repeatedly failed to honor these commitments;(3) GrafTech had been repeatedly warned over an approximately 30-year period regarding its wanton disregard for the environment and health and well-being of people near its operations in Monterrey, Mexico;(4) GrafTech's operations in Monterrey, Mexico were not in compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations;(5) GrafTech had failed to adequately remediate the environmental problems caused by the Monterrey facility following the 2019 administrative proceeding conducted by the Department of Sustainable Development of the State of Nuevo Leon;(6) the government of Apodaca had sought intervention from the State of Nuevo Leon authorities to curtail and prevent the adverse environmental impacts and noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations caused by the Monterrey facility;(7) GrafTech's purported cost leadership was achieved in substantial part by failing to implement appropriate and effective environmental safeguards at its manufacturing facility in Monterrey, Mexico;(8) GrafTech's capital expenditures and/or related operational projects were woefully insufficient to adequately address the harm that GrafTech's operations in Monterrey, Mexico had inflicted on the environment and people within the neighboring communities;(9) as a result of the above, GrafTech was acutely exposed to undisclosed material risks that GrafTech's manufacturing operations in Monterrey, Mexico would be severely disrupted by government action or enforcement; and(10) as a result of the above, GrafTech was acutely exposed to undisclosed material risks that its supplies of pin stock and graphite electrodes would be withdrawn and/or materially diminished, thereby materially harming GrafTech's business, operations, reputation, and financial results.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/EAF or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Law Clerk and Client Relations Manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in GrafTech you have until March 25, 2024, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
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Essential Data Corporation: Pioneering Remote Work Since 1987, Leading the Future of Workplace FlexibilitySHELTON, CT / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Essential Data Corporation (EDC), a leading technical writing company founded in 1987, proudly announces its pioneering success in embracing and advocating for remote work long before it became a widespread trend. Antoinette Allocca, the visionary behind Essential Data, recognized remote work's potential in 1981 while working on Wall Street when a multinational corporation client relocated outside New York due to exorbitant operating costs. Allocca noted that the technology for remote work already existed and had potential in the ability to slash onsite operating costs, predicting the growth of remote work to be a trend on the rise.Essential Data Technical Writing Company In 1987, Allocca took the leap of faith and formally founded Essential Data Corporation. Initially operating on a local and regional basis for clients in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, the company brought high-caliber technical writers and documentation services to the market. By 1999, the company had reached 20 million dollars in revenue. With a client base primarily in financial services, Allocca saw that Wall Street's fluctuations could impact business, and expanded across industries, nationwide.The new century brought unique opportunities. Business Development Manager Andy Zimmerman relocated to Philadelphia and tested the remote work model with Essential Data. In 2004, Pete Majkowski was hired to work from home (WFH) full-time and helped identify and resolve difficulties with the WFH model, particularly in training and development stages.Following the Wall Street crash in 2007, Essential Data embraced remote work, closing its physical office and establishing a remote work culture that thrived with increased employee flexibility, morale, and quality of life. The company's unique approach involved maintaining local home offices, fostering a nationwide presence with over 30 local offices. "That number is what differentiates us from other players in the field," Allocca noted, "it is a real advantage for clients to have a local contact, office, and on-site consultant." Essential Data found itself ahead of the curve as remote work became a necessity for many companies during COVID-19. "We proved the viability of the remote work model years ago, and others are just starting to catch up. Operating remotely for over 15 years has enabled us to refine and master the work-from-home model; by cutting our operating costs, we have been able to provide excellent services at a lower price," Allocca explained.Antoinette Allocca challenges the myth of control in a traditional office setting, emphasizing that Essential Data's success is a testament to the efficacy of remote work. The company continues to thrive, showcasing that remote work can enhance productivity, foster employee satisfaction, and position a business as a leader in the technical writing field.Contact InformationHunter DodrillChief Content Officerhdodrill@ edc.us 800-221-0093SOURCE: Essential Data CorporationView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-08 18:55:49

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Nonprofit expands plans to reach families as food insecurity risesOKLAHOMA CITY, OK / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Today 1 in 5 children across the U.S. face food insecurity and the number of families experiencing hardships continue to rise. That's why creating a world where no child goes to bed hungry remains a driving force for Feed the Children every day.Feed the Children recently released its annual report for fiscal year 2023, highlighting the organization's programs and global impact on ending childhood hunger. Last year, the nonprofit provided more than $400 million of shelf-stable food, essential household items and personal care products to children and families in 40 U.S. states. The organization is proud to have distributed 60.5 million meals throughout our international communities this past year. Globally, Feed the Children distributed 94.3 million pounds of resources to more than 15 million individuals in collaboration with its network of partners."We are excited about the impact Feed the Children was able to have this year. We certainly could not have done it without the generosity of our faithful supporters and our network of dedicated partners," said Travis Arnold, president and CEO of Feed the Children. "And now we know we must rise to the growing challenge. Every day, parents have to make difficult choices between putting food on the table or paying bills. We must do more." The changing landscape for food relief continues to bring new challenges for vulnerable households. This summer, more children than ever could face increased food insecurity. Recently 15 states declined to participate in the expanded Summer EBT program leaving 9.5 million eligible students without this resource. Various reasons were cited for not participating, but one consequence is clear: there will be more hungry children this summer than in previous years.Feed the Children remains focused on expanding its capabilities to reach more people and achieve a new standard of service on a larger scale. With a far-reaching network of community partners across the U.S., the organization is prepared to take action to ensure children continue to receive the food they need to grow and thrive. Feed the Children has five distribution centers strategically placed across the U.S. that act as critical hubs as it delivers supplies that help families overcome the challenges of hunger and food insecurity. The organization is also eager to scale its Summer Feed & Read program to other states that now are facing reduced summer meals for children.For moms like Sabina, receiving food and essentials can bring many emotions."I noticed when my children thought I didn't have money for food, they try not to eat. They'll say Mommy, I'm not hungry,' but I know they are hungry," she said. "Having these resources allows me to not feel like a failure. My kids can go to school and have the energy they need throughout the day." In its on-going efforts to address the growing childhood hunger crisis, the organization aims to fulfill families' immediate needs and facilitate sustainable solutions for children's futures while transforming communities both here in the US and internationally. It remains committed to the conviction that children who lack access to enough food today can, with assistance, grow into self-sufficient, thriving adults whose own children will enjoy a lifetime of food security tomorrow.To learn more about how Feed the Children is working to defeat childhood hunger across the U.S., visit feedthechildren.org About Feed the ChildrenAt Feed the Children, we feed hungry kids. We envision a world where no child goes to bed hungry. In the U.S. and internationally, we are dedicated to helping families and communities achieve stable lives and to reducing the need for help tomorrow, while providing food and resources to help them today. We distribute product donations from corporate donors to local community partners, we provide support for teachers and students, and we mobilize resources quickly to aid recovery efforts when natural disasters strike. Internationally, we manage child-focused community development programs in eight countries. We welcome partnerships because we know our work would not be possible without collaborative relationships.Visit feedthechildren.org for more information.For more information:Carrie Snodgrass, 405-213-9757 Carrie.Snodgrass@feedthechildren.org SOURCE: Feed the Children
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-08 22:15:28

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HOLLYWOOD, FL and MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / On February 26, 2024 after the NYSE closing, HEICO Corporation (NYSE: HEI.A)(NYSE:HEI) will release its financial results for the first quarter ended January 31, 2024. The earnings release will be available through the Internet on the Company's website at https://www.heico.com In order to assist interested parties in scheduling their participation in HEICO teleconferences, the Company issues advance notices of conference calls.HEICO will hold a conference call on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time to discuss its first quarter results. Individuals wishing to participate in the conference call should dial: US and Canada (888) 256-1007, International (929) 477-0448, wait for the conference operator and provide the operator with the Conference ID 8809355. A digital replay will be available two hours after the completion of the conference call for 14 days. To access the replay, please visit our website at https://www.heico.com under the Investors section for details.The Company has two classes of common stock traded on the NYSE. Both classes, the Common Stock (HEI) and the Class A Common Stock ( HEI.A) , are virtually identical in all economic respects. The only difference between the share classes is the voting rights. The Class A Common Stock ( HEI.A) carries 1/10 vote per share and the Common Stock (HEI) carries one vote per share. The stock symbols for HEICO's two classes of common stock on most websites are HEI and HEI.A. However, some websites change HEICO's Class A Common Stock symbol ( HEI.A) to HEI/A or HEIa.HEICO Corporation is engaged primarily in the design, production, servicing and distribution of products and services to certain niche segments of the aviation, defense, space, medical, telecommunications and electronics industries through its Hollywood, Florida-based Flight Support Group and its Miami, Florida-based Electronic Technologies Group. HEICO's customers include a majority of the world's airlines and overhaul shops, as well as numerous defense and space contractors and military agencies worldwide, in addition to medical, telecommunications and electronics equipment manufacturers. For more information about HEICO, please visit our website at https://www.heico.com Contact: Victor H. Mendelson (305) 374-1745 ext. 7590Carlos L. Macau, Jr. (954) 987-4000 ext. 7570SOURCE: HEICO Corporation
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Chief Data Officer of Securiti and former CDO of ADP, Berkowitz brings deep expertise in large-scale Data and AI deployments to Thinktiv's unique value creation consulting model.AUSTIN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Thinktiv, the leading value creation consulting firm for software-centric businesses and their capital investors, today announced the addition of Jack Berkowitz as a Strategic Advisor. Berkowitz, the Chief Data Officer of Securiti and former CDO of ADP, brings decades of experience in artificial intelligence (AI) and large-scale data management to Thinktiv's proprietary, integrated value creation model.Jack Berkowitz In his Strategic Advisor role, Berkowitz will help Thinktiv shape its expanding portfolio of AI-centric value creation services, advise key clients on optimal technical approaches for executing Thinktiv's integrated strategies, and support the accelerated buildout of Thinktiv's partnership ecosystem.Berkowitz was recently named Chief Data Officer at Securiti, where he plays a strategic role helping enterprises unleash the power of Data and AI safely with Securiti's pioneering Data Command Center. Prior to Securiti, Berkowitz served as the Chief Data Officer for ADP, where he guided AI strategy and led the development of cloud-native ML solutions that leverage the company's highly valuable global data assets. Before ADP, he brought to life numerous intelligent software products and information systems in pivotal product and IT leadership roles at companies including Oracle, Attivio (acquired by ServiceNow), FieldConnect, Siderean Software (Acquired by OpenText), and others.The rise of Generative AI brings new competitive urgency to established SaaS application and software-enabled services businesses, as new, AI-first market entrants threaten to capture market share with disruptive new product experiences. Thinktiv brings an unmatched track record of helping companies align their data assets, product roadmaps, user experience strategies, and most valuable AI use cases to fuel winning product and commercial strategies."We're now in a time where every established SaaS and software-enabled services business must make the leap to an AI-focused product strategy, or face the potential of significant revenue declines over the next two to five years," said Berkowitz. "Having been a Thinktiv client twice-at both an emerging growth SaaS company and one of the world's largest enterprises-I know first hand there is no firm more potent and proven in helping software-centric businesses make that transition. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to apply my experience in helping Thinktiv position their clients for their next phase of sustainable growth and prosperity." Thinktiv's unique value creation approach, refined over the last 15 years, integrates commercial strategy, product and user experience strategy, and corporate development strategy to accelerate profitable revenue growth and enhance valuation multiples within the time constraints before a company's next capitalization event. During its history, Thinktiv has played an integral role in the commercial and product strategies for numerous AI and ML category leaders, including TrueCar, OJO, Supplyframe (acquired by Siemens), and Zilliant (acquired by Madison Dearborn Partners), among others."There are very few individuals in the world who can match Jack's hard-won experience and wisdom when it comes to driving enterprise value with data and AI," said Justin Petro, Thinktiv CEO. "He will bring tremendous value to both our business and our clients as AI plays an increasingly central role when building strategies that deliver superior outcomes for companies and their shareholders." To learn more about Thinktiv's integrated value creation approach, please visit thinktiv.com About ThinktivThinktiv is a pioneering value creation consulting firm headquartered in Austin, Texas. We partner with management teams and leading capital investors to transform SaaS and software-enabled services businesses for rapid profitable growth, category leadership, and superior transactional outcomes. Our uniquely integrated approach merges commercial, product & user experience, and corporate development strategies to deliver business impact that cannot be matched by siloed agencies or legacy management consultants. For more information, please visit thinktiv.com or follow us on LinkedIn.Contact InformationSteve WatersManaging Partnermedia@ thinktiv.com (512) 745-8100SOURCE: ThinktivView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-08 21:25:38

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CPS Law Group to be led by prominent CPS and juvenile dependency attorney Lauren Johnson-NorrisIRVINE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Johnson Criminal Law Group, APLC , a top criminal defense law firm in Orange County, CA, announced today the formation ofCPS Law Group , which will specialize in juvenile dependency and CPS defense law, including child abuse and neglect cases. CPS Law Group's defense attorneys have extensive knowledge of CPS and juvenile dependency law and have a proven track record of successfully defending the rights of families.Accusations of child abuse or neglect can have severe consequences, including the potential loss of custody. The skilled lawyers at CPS Law Group conduct independent investigations into allegations of child abuse or neglect, this includes the gathering of evidence, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing the facts of the case to challenge the validity of the accusations. The CPS defense lawyers at CPS Law Group examine medical records, school records, and any other relevant documentation to build a strong defense.AttorneyLauren Johnson-Norris , who is featured on the front page of the February 2024 Orange County edition ofAttorney Journals , brings her 18 years of experience defending clients in criminal and juvenile cases to lead CPS Law Group. Johnson-Norris is well-known for her defense of criminal, juvenile, and CPS cases, earning her a reputation as the "go to" parents' lawyer in Orange County."If you've been contacted by Child Protective Services (CPS), you need a strong defense," said CPS Law Group Senior Attorney Lauren Johnson-Norris. "Our dedicated team of legal experts specialize in CPS cases, ensuring the rights of families are protected. When it comes to a CPS investigation, having the most experienced lawyers by your side is critical. Our CPS defense attorneys have extensive knowledge of the law in these specialized cases and have a proven track record of successfully defending families." Johnson-Norris is a Certified Parent Educator (UCLA) and has been recognized as a "Super Lawyer Rising Star" and "Top Women Lawyer in Southern California" by Los Angeles Magazine. Johnson-Norris is also a Past-President of the South Orange County Bar Association.In some cases, CPS Law Group can negotiate with Child Protective Services (CPS) and their attorneys to reach a favorable resolution. They can advocate for alternative solutions such as counseling, rehabilitation programs, or supervised visitation instead of complete removal of the child from the home. This can help minimize the disruption and trauma experienced by the child and the parent.About CPS Law GroupCPS Law Group , based in Orange County, CA, is the leading defense practice specializing in Child Protective Services and juvenile dependency law in California. CPS Law Group, led by Senior Attorney Lauren Johnson-Norris, is dedicated to ensuring the protection of families amid Child Protective Services (CPS) investigations. From conducting comprehensive investigations and gathering evidence to advocating for alternative solutions and providing courtroom representation, Lauren Johnson-Norris and the CPS Law Group team is committed to protecting parents' rights and securing the best possible outcomes for families.Follow CPS Law Group:CPS Law Group on LinkedInCPS Law Group @ X (Twitter)CPS Law Group Facebook pageMedia Contact:CPS Law Group Lauren Johnson-Norris, Senior Attorneyinfo@ californiacriminaldefender.com 949-622-5522###SOURCE: CPS Law Group
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-08 17:01:07

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SCOTTSDALE, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / MC Companies is proud to announce that Lyn Marquis, Director of Philanthropy, has been selected to become a member of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's National Volunteer Leadership Council, Class of 2024. Lyn has been nominated by the Foundation's Arizona - Phoenix Chapter and acknowledged by the national Board of Trustees for her outstanding work in helping those with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) achieve longer, healthier lives. Lyn will become part of the elite corps of volunteers who deserve recognition for their unwavering dedication to the CF community.Lyn Marquis Patrick J. Feeley, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer, and Lyn Marquis, Director of Philanthropy and President of MC Companies, Sharing the Good Life FoundationLyn will be formally recognized at the Volunteer Leadership Conference (VLC) in Washington, D.C., on March 13-16, 2024. Attendees will have the option to participate in March on the Hill, the Foundation's annual advocacy training and lobbying effort, which will take place on Wednesday, March 13th and Thursday, March 14th.Lyn has also been invited to join one of the Foundation's 10 Council Committees where her talents and efforts can be further utilized on a national basis. The impact of these committees has served to further strengthen the efforts of the Foundation and develop new strategies for fundraising and idea exchanges. The 10 committees include Advocacy, Corporate Engagement, "Grampions" (for grandparents or grandpersons who are determined to make a difference for those living with CF), Individual Giving, Outreach, Passion Fundraising, Peer-to-Peer, Special Events, Tomorrow's Leaders, and Volunteer Engagement.Lyn has been a valuable asset to MC Companies for her philanthropic efforts with Sharing the Good Life Foundation, which remains dedicated to fostering positive change and outstanding achievements in community support.MC Companies is a real estate investment, development, construction, and management company specializing in multifamily properties and commercial markets. Since 2001, MC Companies has executed on approximately $3.8 billion in multifamily assets. It currently owns and operates more than 7,000 units across 28 properties in markets including Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Sierra Vista, Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. MC Companies continues to pursue new acquisitions and development opportunities, with nearly 1,400 multifamily units in development and 250 units under construction. The company operates under a mission of "Sharing the Good Life" with investors, residents, MC Companies employees, and the citizens of the communities in which it builds. Through its Sharing the Good Life Foundation, MC Companies has supported more than 500 charities through employee-requested grants. For more information, visit www.mccompanies.com Contact InformationMC CompaniesMC Marketing marketing@ mccompanies.com (480) 998-5400SOURCE: MC CompaniesView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-08 16:15:15

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NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Profound Research, a leading clinical trial site network, today announced key leadership appointments aimed at driving innovation and continuing growth. These appointments include Lora Parahovnik, Ph.D., MBA, as Chief Executive Officer, along with the internal promotions of Marty Anderson to Chief Operations Officer and Christopher Church to Chief Commercial Officer.Profound Research - Leadership Announcement Pictured: Lora Parahovnik - Chief Executive Officer; Marty Anderson - Chief Operations Officer; Christopher Church - Chief Commercial OfficerDr. Parahovnik brings extensive experience to her new role. She most recently served as CEO at Accel Research Sites Network where her teams set industry benchmarks for patient-centric clinical research within modern healthcare ecosystems."I am honored to join an organization with a vision deeply rooted in improving patient lives, ensuring access to innovative treatments, and propelling scientific and medical progress," said Parahovnik. "It is a privilege to lead a team whose mission aligns seamlessly with my own values and aspirations." Marty Anderson, promoted to Chief Operations Officer, has been a pivotal figure in Profound's journey, spearheading operations since the company's inception. Her 30-year experience in the clinical trial industry and dedication to operational excellence position Profound for continued growth in both quality and market presence.Christopher Church, promoted to Chief Commercial Officer, brings a wealth of experience in building successful commercial teams and driving business development initiatives within the clinical trial industry. His strategic leadership has been focal in expanding Profound's therapeutic area expansion and driving revenue growth.Dr. Jonathan Feldstein, President and co-founder of Profound Research, expressed his enthusiasm for these appointments, saying, "We are thrilled to welcome Lora Parahovnik as our CEO and to announce the well-deserved promotions of Marty Anderson and Christopher Church. Their combined ability and leadership will be instrumental in driving Profound Research forward as an industry leader dedicated to medical innovation and patient access to those treatments." About Profound ResearchProfound Research is an integrated clinical research network comprising trial sites embedded into independent physician practices. With a mission to expand access to clinical research for community patients and offer more therapeutic options to community physicians, Profound Research operates across Southern California, the Detroit metropolitan area, and is expanding nationwide. The company boasts a team of experienced research professionals dedicated to providing high-quality clinical research support to physicians and their patients.For inquiries, please contact:info@ profoundresearch.io Contact InformationAaron Mabryinfo@ profoundresearch.io SOURCE: Profound ResearchView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-08 20:00:32

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Covia's Menomonie plant, located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, was built in 2007 and employs 13 dedicated team members. The team at Menomonie takes pride in their ability to produce at a high level with such a small staff, and to do so safely: in 2023, they had zero reportable incidents!The site itself has an interesting geological history as it was formed during the Ice Age and is part of the Driftless Area. Wondering why driftless? Well, this part of the United States, where Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota meet, was bypassed by the last continental glacier. The area was not flattened and smoothed by the advance of the glaciers, and it did not receive the deposits of "drift," the silt and gravel left behind as the glaciers retreated. Hence the namedriftless .The plant was originally designed to serve one of Covia's glass customers due to the unique, round shape of the sand found there. They now supply products for roofing shingles and are exploring new markets such as 3D printing and the equestrian market. Menomonie's main goal is to increase the number of products they move out the door, and they are proud of their initiatives - for example, they recently ventured into the dairy market, where sand is used for bedding in stalls.Commitment to Safety FirstThe Menomonie plant recently collaborated with the local fire department to test some new equipment. The equipment is designed to allow firefighters to descend vertically using a pulley system, which is particularly useful when dealing with tall buildings or steep cliffs along the Chippewa River, which can reach heights of 100 feet or more. If someone becomes trapped or stuck, the right equipment and rescue plan can mean life or death. However, it's difficult to find suitable training sites for vertical rescues. Covia was able to provide a safe location to evaluate the equipment and emergency plans. During the training, the team demonstrated how they would rescue someone from a screen tower using only the pulley system. The fire rescue team spent several hours conducting the drills and was able to provide valuable information to ensure preparedness.A Success Story of ReclamationResponsible land use is embedded throughout the life cycle of our operations - from our careful approach to early development and operational planning, to our production phase, all the way through our collaborative reclamation process aimed at protecting, restoring and nurturing the land and biodiversity. In 2023, Covia's Menomonie, Wisconsin Plant was at the forefront of our reclamation efforts.The team at Menomonie is committed to Covia's stewardship work. The plant had a very productive year of reclamation in 2023. The former mining area, highlighted in yellow in the photo, is adjacent to city property. In collaboration with city authorities, Team Members at the Menomonie plant worked to restore the natural appearance of the landscape of this previously excavated area. They set out to reshape the hill to resemble a sand ridge, filled in the area and applied seed, and mulched to promote the regrowth of grass.Throughout the process, they worked closely with both the landowners and the county to ensure that the restoration aligned with their preferences. To assist the plant in developing a comprehensive plan for the final appearance of the area, they enlisted the expertise of GZA GeoEnvironmental. The consultants helped modify the contours and determine the final elevations, taking into account the material that the plant could not sell that could be used as backfill. In 2023, the Menomonie team successfully completed the restoration nearly 7 acres of land. Given the proximity to the city, they diligently worked to minimize dust and were always mindful of the surrounding city.Jeremy Wagner, Plant Manager at Covia's Menomonie Plant, shared his thoughts on their successful reclamation efforts. "This project has been a long time in the making. It has not only provided me with valuable insights on creating a final product, but also reminded me of the importance of collaboration across different departments. We take great pride in this achievement, and we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to carry on with this project in the future." Click here to learn more about Covia's Environmental Stewardship.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Covia on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: CoviaWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/covia Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Covia
KYODO NEWS - Feb 8, 2024 - 08:11 | All, World

China was the second-biggest source of imported goods in the United States last year on a customs-cleared basis, losing the top spot it had held since 2008 to Mexico, official trade data showed Wednesday.

The change in ranking provided further evidence of the United States' reduced economic reliance on China, although the administration of President Joe Biden has reiterated it has no intention of decoupling from the Asian power.

In 2023, goods exported from China to the United States dropped 20.3 percent from a year earlier to $427.23 billion, accounting for 13.9 percent of total imports, according to the non-seasonally adjusted trade balance data released by the Commerce Department.

In contrast, U.S. imports from Mexico increased 4.6 percent from 2022 to $475.61 billion, making up 15.4 percent of the total.

China, which accounted for over 20 percent of the total between 2015 and 2018 in terms of trade value, was last year followed by Canada at 13.7 percent, Germany at 5.2 percent and Japan at 4.8 percent.

Regarding China as a geopolitical rival, the Biden administration has imposed a series of restrictions on trade with the world's second-largest economy on national security grounds.

China's share of U.S. imports has steadily declined since Biden's predecessor Donald Trump rolled out multiple rounds of tariffs on Chinese goods.

The data showed the U.S. trade deficit with China last year hit its lowest level since 2010, falling 26.9 percent to $279.42 billion, in tandem with a decline in imports from the country driven in part by the realignment of global supply chains following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic, which caused shortages of semiconductors and other key industrial products, accelerated supply chain diversification away from China and advanced "friendshoring" pushed by the United States to deepen economic ties among allies and trusted countries.
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LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Gondi ( www.gondi.xyz) , a peer-to-peer NFT lending protocol, announced that it has facilitated a record-breaking loan of $1 million USDC against CryptoPunk #8219. The loan is for a period of 6 months, and the borrower is NFT entrepreneur and icon GMoney. The loan is the largest ever on-chain loan against a single CryptoPunk.Gondi GMoney Loan Details The NFT-backed loan marks a historical feat for the NFT market and particularly for CryptoPunks and lending protocols such as Gondi. A loan of this size signals great conviction on the lender side as well as trust on the borrower side. The NFT lending market has reached a total of $135 million dollars in outstanding debt.[1] GMoney has not disclosed what he will be using the capital for but mentioned on Rug Radio show that he will be using the capital as "a bridge between transactions." GMoney famously borrowed $25,000 against a CryptoKitty back in 2021 and has been involved with NFT lending space as a user and investor since then. [2]The loan required no paperwork, no SSN, and no in-person meetings. The loan was all coordinated via code and smart contracts on Ethereum's mainnet, on a peer to peer basis. The NFT was moved to an escrow contract from where it can only be retrieved if the borrower repays the loan in full including interest before its due date. Gondi's escrow contract currently holds about $25 million dollars worth of collateral used against $13.4 million dollars of current outstanding debt. [3] Loans originated at Gondi are able to be refinanced at any point in time (after a lockup period of 5% of the remaining duration once started or refinanced) creating a competitive on-chain market for credit. NFT Lending is not limited to digital only art or collectible but also, real world assets that are represented by NFTs on the blockchain. RWA can range from luxury watches to apparel like 9dcc's ( https://www.9dcc.xyz) NFTs that represent the apparel the brand produces.About Gondi:Gondi is a peer-to-peer NFT lending protocol. Gondi is engineered to create the most capital-efficient, transparent, and open credit market for NFTs. The key contributor to Gondi is Florida Street, a software company building Web3 products and protocols.Whitelisted collections include CryptoPunks, Chromie Squiggles by Snowfro, Autoglyphs by Larva Labs, Fidenza by Tyler Hobbs, Azuki, Ringers by Dmitri Cherniak, Meridian by Matt DesLauriers, Anticyclone William Mapan, Miladys, Doodles, Bored Ape Yacht Club, Gazers by Matt Kane, Archetype by Kjetil Golid, Memories of Qilin by Emily Xie, Winds of Yawanawa by Yawanawa and Refik Anadol, Grifters by XCOPY, among others.Gondi: https://www.gondi.xyz Florida Street: https://www.floridastreet.xyz Twitter: https://twitter.com/gondixyz Gondi Docs: https://docs.gondi.xyz References:[1] https://dune.com/metastreet/theflock [2] https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1OwxWYpDzBkGQ [3] https://dune.com/x3research/gondi Contact InformationPatrick BrendelDirectorpatrick@ scrib3.co 1-345-326-5064SOURCE: GondiView the original press release on newswire.com
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hoggo is a privacy-tech startup, that automates privacy assessments for SaaS buyers and sellers by enhancing business-to-business trust.BERLIN, GERMANY / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / hoggo , a privacy-tech startup which helps SaaS buyers and sellers to assess and mitigate privacy risks in a seamless way, proudly announces the launch of itsTrustHubSaaS platform. This innovative product is designed to streamline and expedite the privacy due diligence process for B2B companies, addressing the challenges of manual and inconsistent workflows that often consume substantial resources for both sides, B2B SaaS sellers and buyers. It's like TripAdvisor for data privacy. TrustHub is available to all for free, by visiting: app.hoggo.io hoggo.io Automate privacy assessments with the hoggo platformPrivacy due diligence is a critical aspect of business operations, especially in the current regulatory landscape where data protection and privacy compliance are constantly changing. In addition, according to a recent survey by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), privacy is becoming a top-10 risk for organizations, as neglecting it might lead to exposure to vendor risks, data breaches, fines and brand damage. hoggo recognizes the need for a more efficient and streamlined solution, and with that in mind, has developedTrustHub , a comprehensive platform that simplifies and accelerates the entire process.Key Features of TrustHub:Automated Workflows: hoggo automates and standardizes privacy due diligence processes, reducing the time and effort traditionally spent on manual tasks. This ensures consistency and accuracy in every vendor risk assessment.Expert-Driven: Developed by experienced privacy professionals and former Data Protection Officers (DPOs) in collaboration with IT specialists, hoggo leverages industry expertise to provide a robust and reliable platform.Enhanced Trust and Compliance: By streamlining privacy due diligence, TrustHub not only saves valuable resources but also boosts Consumer Trust. The platform ensures that all parties involved are fostering transparency and compliance, which in turn, builds trust and leads to longer business relationships.Faster Deal Closures: With the efficiency gains offered by TrustHub, B2B companies can expedite their due diligence processes, leading to faster deal closures. This acceleration is a game-changer in today's fast-paced business environment.hoggo's Co-Founder and CEO, Samuel Solberg, commented, "Our team is excited to introduce a unique solution that addresses a critical pain point for B2B companies engaged in privacy due diligence. By combining the expertise of privacy professionals with AI and cutting-edge technology, we believe TrustHub will revolutionize the way businesses approach and navigate privacy assessments." TrustHub is completely free to use, and will always be. Start building trust today by claiming your company's Privacy Passport and see how it can transform your privacy due diligence processes. visit app.hoggo.io About hoggo:hoggo is a young privacy-tech startup, committed to helping businesses to automate privacy assessments and mitigate privacy risks effectively. Our team of experts, including experienced privacy professionals and IT specialists, is dedicated to build transparency around data privacy practices, and thus simplifying tiresome workflows and boosting consumer trust.Contact InformationNoa KahalonCo-Founder & COOnoa@ hoggo.io 017659900648SOURCE: hoggoView the original press release on newswire.com
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. (TSXV:SM)(OTCQX:SMDRF) ("Sierra Madre" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an in-depth update of its activities at the 100% owned past-producing La Guitarra Silver-Gold Mine Complex in Estado de Mexico, Mexico, 130 km southwest of Mexico City.Mine Restart StudyThe Company has retained TechSer Mining Consultants Ltd., of Vancouver, B.C., to complete the Mine Restart Study ("MRS"). This work will include an estimation of underground mine material for the Guitarra, Coloso and Nazareno mines and the Los Angeles bulk tonnage deposit. Additional evaluations will include an operating cost estimate covering the mine and recovery plant, based on reagent and consumable usage, energy, and diesel consumption, from the 2013 to 2018 operating period which will be updated for current pricing. Labour, staff and management costs will be based on the current wage structure and union labour contracts that have recently been signed. As part of the study, a capital cost estimate will be prepared to cover restart needs and will evaluate a potential throughput expansion within 24 months of commercial production. This data is to be supported by contractor bids and vendor prices. The above data will then be used in an economic evaluation to determine project viability. The MRS is expected to be completed in Q2 of this year.Mine and InfrastructureWork has been ongoing to determine necessary steps for the potential re-start of production. In accordance with recommendations made by officials with the Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional, SEDENA, improvements to the underground powder magazines have been completed.On January 29, 2024, SEDENA approved Guitarra's 2024 explosives permit. This explosives permit must be renewed every year and was a milestone event for any potential resumption of operation. All other operating permits are current and in good standing.Compressed 6-inch air lines have been installed from the stationary compressors near the main San Rafael portal to the La Cruz portal, a distance of over one kilometre with a 240 metre gain in elevation. Compressors and electrical substations have been serviced and are operational.Minimizing initial development costs is one of the key factors being used to develop the near-term plan for advancement of the Project. As areas are identified and scheduled in the development plan, the existing haulage ways, access drives and ramps are being inspected for safety and rock stability, cleaned and readied.Figure 1: Underground Powder MagazineProcessing PlantAll circuits in the processing plant are undergoing maintenance and rehabilitation work which would be required for the resumption of operations. In the grinding circuit, the three ball mills are being relined, all parts of the central drive shaft mechanisms overhauled, and the motors cleaned and tested. A fourth ball mill with limited capacity will not be rebuilt at this time.Figure 2: La Guitarra Ball MillsOverall, the crushing circuit was found to be in good shape with no costly equipment replacement or major repair items identified. Normal maintenance and overhaul work is ongoing. The fine ore storage bin has had the interior dividers and portions of the walls replated with heavy steel. Conveyor belts and associated motors have been serviced and wear and tear items have been replaced where needed.The flotation circuit is in good shape. Some piping is being replaced and the pumps are being overhauled and serviced. The Wemco flotation cells are in very good shape, needing only some replating work, along with normal maintenance. No repair work requiring a significant outlay of capital has been identified. The Denver cell circuit will not be needed at this time.The company's plant operations and maintenance team have advanced the preparation work for a potential plant restart within budget expectations.The MRS will study an initial production level of 350 tonnes per day. Additional evaluation will be completed on potentially increasing the grinding circuit's capacity to greater than 500 tonnes per day. As part of the MRS, an assessment was made of the throughput capacity of each circuit in order to determine where bottlenecks might exist in potentially expanding processing throughput using the current plant equipment. Below is a flow diagram showing the overall arrangement of plant equipment and throughput capacityCurrently, the identified capacities and expansion choke points in the four circuits making up the processing plant are:Crushing - 640 tonnes per day, second cone crusher needed for expanded capacity Grinding - 516 tonnes per day, a new ball mill will be needed for additional throughput Flotation - 620 tonnes per day plus an additional 580 tonnes per day, conditioner tank needs replumbing, flotation tanks have a total joint 1,200 tonnes per day capacity with some physical re-arrangement. Concentrate Filtration and Drying - 620 tonnes per day, assuming the historical ore processed to concentrate produced mass reduction of 95%, filters are the limiting factor.These capacities and the needed equipment to increase plant throughput will be used in the long-term economic analysis portion of the MRS.Qualified PersonMr. Gregory Smith, P. Geo, Director of Sierra Madre, is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the technical data and information contained in this news release. Mr. Smith has verified the technical and scientific data disclosed herein.About Sierra MadreSierra Madre Gold & Silver (TSXV:SM),(OTCQX:SMDRF) is a precious metals development and exploration company, focused on evaluating the potential of restarting the La Guitarra Mine in the Temascaltepec mining district, Mexico, and the exploration and development of its Tepic and La Tigra properties in Nayarit, Mexico. The La Guitarra Mine is a permitted, past-producing underground mine which includes a 500 t/d processing facility that operated until mid-2018.The +2,600 ha Tepic Project hosts low-sulphidation epithermal gold and silver mineralization with an existing historic resource.Sierra Madres management has played key roles for managing exploration and development of more than 22Moz gold and 600Moz silver in combined reserves and resources. Sierra Madres team of professionals has collectively raised over $1B for mining companies.On behalf of the board of directors of Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd.,"Alexander Langer"Alexander LangerPresident, Chief Executive Officer and Director1-604-765-1604Contact:investor@ sierramadregoldandsilver.com Cautionary NoteNeither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies
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Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States of America. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. Securities laws.TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Sparta Group ( TSX.V:SAY) (the "Corporation" the "Company", "Sparta Group", "Sparta Capital", " SAY.V" or "Sparta") is reporting that under its Environment division, ERS International, its carbon credit program is poised to gain strength as the price for carbon reaches $80 per tonne this spring.Generally speaking, for every metric tonne of carbon dioxide diverted from landfill, one carbon credit is generated. In the case of ERS, generation of credits is based on tonnage of material recycled and reused, as well as the category of material.In 2023, the national price for carbon was set at a minimum of $65 per tonne of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). In April 2024 that minimum goes up to $80 per tonne. By 2030 the price will be $170. ERS is the first recycler of its kind in Canada to be certified to offer verified carbon credits through advanced waste processing operations.Sparta management have indicated that just about any type of business can benefit from the carbon credit program established by ERS; however, digital technology related industries have a strong interest is such programs. One example is in the ever-growing cryptocurrency area. For example, in 2023 a project with digital asset mining pioneers Hut 8, saw ERS process over 360 metric tonnes of Hut 8 electronic waste, generating 7,500 carbon dioxide equivalent carbon credits.Due to the constant increase in a bitcoin network's hashrate, mining devices have an average lifespan of under 2 years until they become unprofitable and require replacement. Mining waste includes hash boards, ASIC Miners, power supply units (PSUs), various types of cables and other electronic components. At Sparta's ERS, the sophisticated and efficient system used to process e-waste means there is no residual waste. In other words, nothing goes to landfill."We couldn't be happier about the way our carbon credit program is developing and the fact that it is giving us another revenue stream. With the ongoing interest in our program, we are excited about the year ahead," said Joseph Cimorelli, Director of Global Business Development for ERS.While Hut 8 has committed to a goal of being carbon neutral by 2025, many other bitcoin miners in the country are looking to significantly reduce their carbon footprint. Currently, there are just under 100 bitcoin mining companies in Canada. Aside from bitcoin miners, other technology related businesses, airlines, large industries, and automakers, tend to purchase carbon credits.About SpartaSparta Group (a.k.a. Sparta Capital Ltd.) is a technology-based company focused on integrating emerging technologies. It operates with a decentralized business model, with each active business functioning as a separate subsidiary. This structure provides brand recognition, insight, high-level strategic guidance, and financial monitoring. Sparta Group is divided into three operational business segments, each accountable for its day-to-day operations and performance. Those segments are, Environment, Energy, and Innovation.Sparta is a publicly traded company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. under the symbol "SAY" ( TSX.V: SAY). Additional information is available at www.spartagroup.ca or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com For more information contact:Tony Peticca, PresidentEmail: tony@ spartagroup.ca Telephone: 416-648-6506This above may contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. When used in this address, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Although the Corporation believes considering the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information because the Corporation can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date of publication of this information and the Corporation undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Furthermore, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of the Corporation. All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: Sparta Group
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Ahead of the Miami International Boat Show 2024, Tohatsu Corporation and Ilmor Announce Partnership in Electric PropulsionMIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 /Tohatsu Corporation, the oldest Japanese outboard engine manufacturer with a legacy spanning more than a century, is proud to announce an innovative collaboration with Ilmor Marine, a renowned name in marine engine manufacturing and high-performance engineering solutions. This strategic collaboration marks a historic partnership between two industry leaders, combining the rich heritage of Tohatsu's expertise in marine outboard propulsion and Ilmor's cutting-edge engineering prowess.Tohatsu Corporation, founded in 1922, has been at the forefront of outboard engine manufacturing, consistently setting industry standards with a commitment to precision, reliability, and innovation. The company's storied history includes the introduction of groundbreaking technologies, establishing Tohatsu as a trusted global leader in the marine industry.Ilmor, founded in 1984, has been the driving force behind numerous victories in motorsports, as well as triumphs in recreational boating. Since entering the marine industry in 2001, Ilmor has become a leader in marine propulsion systems. Its engines are widely utilized across the marine industry, providing power behind several leading brands, such as MasterCraft, Formula, Aviara and more. This partnership marks Ilmor's commitment to electric marine propulsion, bringing its expertise and passion for innovation to the development of electric products.The collaboration between Tohatsu and Ilmor centers around the creation of a premier line of electric products that will set a new standard. The first in line is a 6kW outboard. This electric outboard offers integrated tilt and trim, a gauge-style touch screen for centralized system operations, and multiple variants in both shafts and props.Leveraging Tohatsu's heritage in marine propulsion and Ilmor's track record in engineering excellence, the partners are committed to delivering products that combine efficiency, power, and environmental sustainability."The partnership with Ilmor Engineering represents a significant milestone in Tohatsu's journey," said Tohatsu Corporation President Isami Hyuga. "Together, we are embarking on a transformative venture to introduce an electric outboard that not only meets the expectations of our loyal customers but also sets new benchmarks for the industry. This partnership reflects our dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation while staying true to the values that have defined Tohatsu for more than a century." Ilmor shares Tohatsu's enthusiasm for this groundbreaking venture. "Joining forces with Tohatsu is an exciting opportunity for Ilmor to collaborate with a like-minded company that shares our values of performance, innovation, and environmental responsibility," said Mike Lindberg, VP of Marine at Ilmor. "Together, we jointly aim to create products that not only meet but exceed the expectations of boaters around the world. Along with the entire team at Ilmor, I share in the excitement of working with Tohatsu and what the future holds for both of our companies." This partnership signifies a tremendous step forward in the evolution of marine propulsion technology, as both companies pool their collective strengths to address the growing demand for sustainable and efficient boating solutions. This collaboration is a testament to the shared vision of Tohatsu Corporation and Ilmor Marine to shape the future of marine propulsion.Stay tuned for further updates as Tohatsu and Ilmor work together to bring this groundbreaking electric outboard to the global market, combining tradition and innovation to propel the marine industry into a new era. The products will be launched to the U.S., Canadian, and European markets in 2024.About Tohatsu:Tohatsu Corporation is Japan's oldest outboard manufacturer, producing high-quality, durable outboard motors since 1956. Tohatsu America Corporation is the U.S. and Canadian distributor of Tohatsu Outboards, offering a full line of four-stroke outboard motors ranging from 2.5hp to 250hp. Recently celebrating 100 years of history, Tohatsu innovations have made waves that change the world. We are uncompromising in our pursuit of outboard motors that are both durable and as light as possible. We pursue the ultimate in quality to deliver an inspirational engine experience. Tohatsu America is a recipient of the NMMA's Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Award for the sixth consecutive year. This is our unwavering promise: to deliver a more refined and stimulating boating experience. See it. Hear it. Feel the Wind.About Ilmor:Ilmor is a globally recognized provider of elite-level racing engines and marine propulsion systems. Ilmor delivers innovative solutions, precision design and manufacturing, and the highest levels of customer support for each one of its products. Today, Ilmor employs more than 150 engineering, assembly, and support personnel and has expanded into several racing circuits including IndyCar, NASCAR, and ARCA. Ilmor marine propulsion systems are widely utilized across the marine industry, providing the power behind several leading brands. Ilmor customers count on their engines to look like no other, sound like no other, and outperform all others.Contact InformationNicholas MatthewsIlmor Creative Marketing Specialistmatthewsn@ ilmor.com Tori RiversTohatsu Marketing Specialisttorir@ tohcorp.com SOURCE: Tohatsu CorporationView the original press release on newswire.com
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KELOWNA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Tryp Therapeutics, Inc. ("Tryp" or the "Company") (CSE:TRYP)(OTCQB:TRYPF), a pioneering clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing intravenous-infused psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin) for diseases with high unmet medical needs, today announced that further to its press releases of December 11, 2023 and January 26, 2024, Tryp has obtained an interim order (the "Interim Order") of the Supreme Court of British Columbia in connection with the proposed arrangement between Tryp and Exopharm Limited ACN 163 765 991 ("Exopharm") (the "Arrangement") to be implemented under a statutory plan of arrangement pursuant to section 288 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). The Interim Order provides for the holding of an annual general and special meeting (the "Meeting") of Tryp securityholders to, among other things, consider and vote on a special resolution approving the Arrangement (the "Arrangement Resolution"). The Meeting is scheduled to be held at First Canadian Place, 100 King Street West, Suite 1600, Toronto, Ontario on Friday, March 8, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern time) and the record date for determining Shareholders entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Meeting has been fixed as at the close of business on January 9, 2024.Meeting MaterialsIn connection with the Meeting, Tryp will be mailing a notice of meeting, a management information circular (the "Circular"), letter of transmittal and related meeting materials (collectively, the "Meeting Materials") to applicable Tryp securityholders. Securityholders are urged to carefully review all Meeting Materials as they contain important information concerning the Arrangement and the rights and entitlements of the securityholders in relation thereto. The Meeting Materials will also be available under Tryp's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca once they have been mailed to securityholders in the coming days.Final Order and Completion DateAn application for the final order of the Court (the "Final Order") approving the Arrangement is currently expected to take place on or about March 11, 2024. Subject to obtaining the Final Order, the required approvals from Tryp's securityholders at the Meeting, required regulatory approvals, and the satisfaction of all other conditions to implementing the Arrangement as set out in the arrangement agreement entered into between Tryp and Exopharm on December 8, 2023, as amended on January 25, 2024 (the "Arrangement Agreement"), the Arrangement is anticipated to be completed in March 2024.Voting RequirementsThe Arrangement Resolution must be approved by not less than 662/3% of the votes cast by the Tryp Shareholders (as defined in the Circular) present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting and 662/3% of votes cast by Tryp Securityholders (as defined in the Circular) present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting, voting together as a single class.About Tryp TherapeuticsTryp Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing proprietary, novel formulations for the administration of psilocin in combination with psychotherapy to treat diseases with unmet medical needs. Tryp's lead program, TRP-8803, is a proprietary formulation of IV-infused psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin) that alleviates numerous shortcomings of oral psilocybin including: significantly reducing the time to onset of the psychedelic state, controlling the depth and duration of the psychedelic experience, and reducing the overall duration of the intervention to a commercially feasible timeframe. The Company has completed a Phase 2a clinical trial for the treatment of binge eating disorder at the University of Florida, which demonstrated an average reduction in binge eating episodes of greater than 80%. The Company also recently announced commencement of patient dosing in a Phase 2a clinical trial for the treatment of fibromyalgia in collaboration with the University of Michigan and is preparing to initiate a Phase 2a clinical trial in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital for the treatment of abdominal pain and visceral tenderness in patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. Each of the studies is utilizing TRP-8802 (synthetic, oral psilocybin) to demonstrate clinical benefit in these indications. Where a positive clinical response is demonstrated, subsequent studies are expected to utilize TRP-8803 (IV-infused psilocin), which has the potential to further improve efficacy, safety, and patient experience. For more information, please visit www.tryptherapeutics.com Investor & Media ContactPeter Molloy Chief Business Officer Tryp Therapeutics Inc. pmolloy@ tryptherapeutics.com Forward-Looking InformationThis press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this press release only, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.Forward-looking statements in this press release include: the timing for mailing for the Meeting Materials; anticipated timing of application for the Final Order receipt of the Final Order; receipt of securityholder approval in respect of the Arrangement Resolution; stock exchange and other regulatory approvals and conditions provided in the Arrangement Agreement; and anticipated timing of the closing of the Arrangement. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of Tryp to control or predict, that may cause Tryp's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, i
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Harness AI to meet the complexity and time-to-insight demands of Market ResearchPARK CITY, UT / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 /Voxpopme, the world's leading qualitative insights platform, announces the launch of its AI Workshops and ad-hoc services designed for Insights professionals. The combined offering addresses the growing appetite to use AI to solve current insights industry challenges, including heightened demand for research, intricate project requirements, stretched budgets, and the pressing need for rapid insights delivery.Through educational online and in-person workshops, Voxpopme will teach individual insights teams how and when to use AI in their research. And with AI-assisted ad-hoc services, researchers can access Voxpopme's suite of AI tools for individual qualitative research projects with the help of an on-demand research team."We are thrilled to introduce our AI-assisted research services and educational workshops. Teaching insight teams how to use AI for insights will empower professionals in the research community to unlock the true potential of AI for years to come," said Jamin Brazil, CRO of Voxpopme.Introducing 'AI for Insights Pros' educational workshopsInsights teams have embraced Voxpopme's educational content about AI's role research. Over 2,500 executives joined the company's webinars in 2023 to understand the potential of AI. With the growing demand for AI education in insights, Voxpopme is rolling out interactive workshops to the broader insights industry. Available on request, the workshops will:Introduce AI's growing role in market research and teach how it can reduce costs and accelerate time-to-insights. Provide a hands-on walkthrough of AI-powered qualitative research tools in action - giving attendees new research skills. Give participants access to Voxpopme's AI-assisted services and on-demand research team post-workshop to deliver individual research projects.Insights leaders who want to arrange workshops for their organization can learn more here.Introducing AI-Assisted Ad-Hoc ServicesToday's market research teams face a rapid demand for insights, budget constraints, and resource limitations, all while racing against time for impactful decision-making. Voxpopme's ad-hoc services are tailored to elevate research capabilities using cutting-edge AI technology and human expertise. Supported by Voxpopme's newly appointed Director of Research Services and expanding team, our offerings include:Hands-On Delivery of Research Projects: Explore how our on-demand research services, combined with AI, deliver qualitative research that is better, faster, and more cost-effective. AI in Research Consultation: Gain insights into AI's growing role in market research and learn to harness its full potential. AI-Powered Analysis: Use AI to analyze complex projects efficiently and stay within budget while achieving rapid insights. Human-AI Synergy: See how you can use AI as your research assistant, combining the best technology with your personal intuition and experience.Researchers looking to access Voxpopme's ad-hoc services for research projects can contact Voxpopme here.About VoxpopmeVoxpopme transforms insights teams by collecting, centralizing, and analyzing qualitative data. The Voxpopme Qualitative Insights Platform uses artificial intelligence to enable teams to capture, understand, and act on all qualitative data in a single, integrated platform. Learn more at www.voxpopme.com Contact InformationMiguel PalmaVP of Marketingmiguel.palma@voxpopme.com + 1 (408) 802-9357SOURCE: VoxpopmeView the original press release on newswire.com
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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Duke EnergyAgencies work with Duke Energy's Share the Light Fund to ensure customers can keep their power onAs executive director of Crisis Control Ministry, Margaret Elliott knows how easy it is for people to fall behind on paying their utility bills, and once things start to snowball, it's hard to stop those bills from piling up.She sees it every day at Crisis Control Ministry in Winston-Salem, N.C., which helps people through an emergency financial crisis, providing money, food and other services."The majority of the people calling in for financial assistance are calling in for housing and utility needs," she said. "And that has grown since the pandemic." Through Duke Energy's Share the Light Fund, Elliott's agency helps customers pay their energy bills. For more than 30 years, the fund has helped customers stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer - times when drastic dips and spikes in temperatures can wreak havoc on energy bills and budgets."How can we do good in the community?" said Share the Light Fund Program Manager Viva Webb. "One, being a good community partner, but two, for our customers, how can we help them when they're struggling or fall behind?"Share the Light Fund raises money and distributes it to agencies in North Carolina and South Carolina, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Florida. Duke Energy customers can apply for aid through those agencies.In 2023, the Share the Light Fund distributed more than $6 million, helping over 16,000 Duke Energy customers pay their energy bills.The pandemic provided other challenges for organizations like Crisis Control Ministry, needs that were met in 2023 by the Duke Energy Foundation through capacity building grants.The grants help agencies build and improve their capacity to help their communities. For Crisis Control Ministry, the $80,000 grant meant a vastly improved phone system.How to donate to Share the Light FundYou can help, like Duke Energy employees, and donate to Share the Light Fund.Paperless Billing customers can donate online when scheduling their monthly Duke Energy payment. Complete the section "Customer Contribution" to make a donation. If you receive a paper bill, you can add a donation when you mail in your monthly payment. Monthly bills have a notation in the upper right-hand corner to mark your donation. Locate the contribution election below the amount due on your payment stub. Write in the amount. Add the contribution amount to your bill payment. Donate by check or money order to Share the Light Fund, Duke Energy, Attn: Central Cash Remittance, P.O. Box 35469, Charlotte, NC 28235.When the pandemic hit, the agency had to pivot from in-person to phone interviews with clients. But the phone system struggled to handle the number of calls. While the doors have reopened, clients now prefer to connect over the phone - eliminating obstacles like transportation and child care."It has given our clients a much better customer service experience, in that they don't stay on hold forever, they don't get lost in the queue, they actually have a queue, they can leave their number, we call them back," Elliott said. "It is phenomenal." And Crisis Control Ministry can now help more people.Elliott is also grateful for her agency's relationship with Duke Energy."I really truly think they value the fact that when people are in a true crisis that they want them to stay in their house and be warm too," she said. "And to stay cool in the summer." Jimmy Flythe, Duke Energy Director of Government and Community Relations for parts of western North Carolina, works with assistance agencies, including Crisis Control Ministry.Flythe identified agencies to apply for the capacity building grants."A lot of these organizations are operating on a shoe-string budget," he said. "They get funds to help them help their clients but they typically don't have the funding to improve their ability to serve their clients." "We want people to be able to pay their energy bills," he said, "and recognize when they don't."Said Share the Light Fund Program Manager Webb: "We're here to help you. Everyone needs power." Share the Light Fund agencies and programs vary by state and region.North CarolinaDuke Energy CarolinasEligibility: Must be a Duke Energy Carolinas residential customer; must have a past-due balance, unpaid deposit for utility service or unpaid reconnection charge.Call the agency in your county to determine if you are eligible for assistance. Duke Energy Carolinas customers can connect with agencies here.Duke Energy ProgressEligibility: Must be a Duke Energy Progress residential customer; must have a past-due balance, unpaid deposit for utility service or unpaid reconnection charge.If you or someone you know needs assistance, call the CARELINE at 800.662.7030.South CarolinaDuke Energy CarolinasEligibility: Must be a Duke Energy Carolinas residential customer; must have a past-due balance, unpaid deposit for utility service or unpaid reconnection charge.Customers can connect with agencies here.Duke Energy ProgressEligibility: Must be a Duke Energy Progress residential customer; must have a past-due balance, unpaid deposit for utility service or unpaid reconnection charge.Customers can find help here.OhioShare the Light Fund is administered by The Salvation Army. Eligibility is based on need and does not necessarily follow government assistance guidelines.Share the Light Fund provides one-time assistance to eligible customers to help avoid disconnection or maintain service. Customers who need assistance may complete an online application or call 513.762.5636. Customers can leave a voicemail and will receive a call back within 72 hours.To qualify, customers: Must be a resident of Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, Highland or Warren counties in southwest Ohio; have a heating account with Duke Energy; be the customer of record at Duke Energy; must have a past-due balance, unpaid deposit for service; or unpaid reconnection charge.Customers cannot be on the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) Plus program unless funds are still available after March 31.Clients who live in the following counties should not apply online, but should contact their local Salvation Army here: Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Highland and Warren. If there is not a Salvation Army near you, go to your nearest service unit.KentuckyCustomers may apply for up to $300 in assistance throughout the program year.Eligibility: Must be a Duke Energy natural gas and/or electric residential customer%3
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, says Nigeria and the World Bank are working toward strengthening mutually beneficial bilateral relations.

Mr Edun said this when he received the World Bank Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde, who was on a two-day visit to Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ms Bjerdes visit is in furtherance with the banks engagement with Nigeria on critical aspects of the development agenda.

Mr Edun urged more support for the country, while expressing the hope that the multilateral institution would appreciate the countrys reform efforts.

The World Bank has been part of the progress report and we commend all their efforts, he said.

Earlier, Ms Bjerde said she was in Nigeria to further the World Banks engagement on critical aspects of the countrys development agenda

She said the World Bank had more than 30 projects in Nigeria, adding that her visit would allow her to also take stock of the ongoing projects.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, expressed appreciation to the World Bank for its continuing support for Nigeria.

Mr Bagudu said that President Bola Tinubus administration embarked on one of the biggest reforms, adding that the 2024 budget would reduce the deficit for the first time in recent years.

He also called for more support from the World Bank.

Also speaking, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, commended the World Bank for its support to the country over the years.

He said the World Banks support was not only in terms of dollars and cents, but also through the huge knowledge, which would be beneficial to the country.

We look forward to more collaboration, Mr Cardoso said.

(NAN)

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Troops of the Nigerian Army on Wednesday succeeded in rescuing 18 female kidnap victims from their captors and handed them over to the Katsina State Government.

The Brigade Commander, 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Katsina, Oluremi Fadairo, said the soldiers took a rescue operation to the bandits enclaves at Yan-Tumaki and Dan-Ali forests.

He explained that the troops successfully engaged the terrorists in a gun battle, after which they successfully rescued the victims.

Mr Fadairo, a brigadier general, said the troops then handed over the victims to the State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Muazu.

He stressed the readiness of the Nigerian Army to continue to work for the restoration of permanent peace in the state.

The commander charged the personnel under the Brigade to sustain such rescue operations to ensure that all other kidnap victims were freed.

Responding, Mr Muazu restated the maximum commitment of the government to restore permanent peace in the state.

Mr Muazu explained that Governor Dikko Radda has invested hugely in the security sector, adding, The investments have been yielding positive results.

The commissioner commended the military and other security agencies for their courageous service towards restoring peace in the state and urged them to maintain the tempo.

He, therefore, advised the bandits, kidnappers and other criminals to repent immediately or face a myriad of unpalatable consequences.

The commissioner equally assured security agents that the government was making necessary efforts to rescue the women kidnapped on their way to a wedding ceremony in Sabuwa Local Government.

He further advised the people, especially in front-line line local governments, to avoid night travel for their safety.

Mr Muazu also urged people of the state to always assist in providing useful information about criminals and their hideouts.

The commissioner later presented N100,000 to each of the rescued victims on behalf of Governor Radda.

The rescued victims, all female, were kidnapped at different times from Karaduwa, Sayaya, Dangani and Wawar-Kaza communities of Matazu, Musawa and Kankara Local Government Areas.

One of the victims, Firdausi Bishir, a 13-year-old JSS two student, said that she was abducted from Sayaya and had spent 91 days at the bandits den.

She thanked the Almighty Allah who made it possible for the soldiers to rescue them.

The girl also thanked the governor for giving them the money to establish businesses after returning to their homes.

(NAN)

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KYODO NEWS - Feb 8, 2024 - 08:58 | All, World, Japan

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday urged businesses in South Korea and Japan to cooperate in paying damages awarded to plaintiffs in cases related to wartime labor during Japanese colonial rule.

Yoon made the call during a TV interview after the country's Supreme Court in December and January upheld lower court decisions ordering Japanese companies to compensate South Korean plaintiffs.

"Such similar rulings would continue to come out (in ongoing cases) and I wish to see cooperation between businesspeople of the two countries who wish to improve relations between Korea and Japan (to resolve the issue)," said Yoon.

The recent top court decisions concerned Nippon Steel Corp., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Hitachi Zosen Corp. and Nachi-Fujikoshi Corp.

In an effort to resolve the issue, Yoon's administration last March announced the establishment of a government-backed fund to shoulder the compensation payments, to which some South Korean companies made donations. Some plaintiffs have received money from the fund, while others have refused, insisting on the involvement of Japanese companies.

"To judge whether the rulings were right or wrong is not needed for now...What I would like to say is that ties between South Korea and Japan have already been settled regardless of the court decisions, and are now heading toward the future," Yoon added.

Bilateral ties hit a low after the top court in October and November 2018 upheld orders in separate judgments for Nippon Steel, then named Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp., and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to pay damages for forced labor during Japan's colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945.

Japan has said all issues stemming from its colonization of the peninsula were settled "completely and finally" under a 1965 bilateral agreement.

Regarding heightened tensions with North Korea, Yoon said South Korea must maintain its defense capabilities at a stronger level based on the presumption that Pyongyang may take "unreasonable and irrational" actions, adding that is why trilateral security cooperation with the United States and Japan is more necessary than ever.

Yoon, who took office in May 2022, has not given a press conference or talked to reporters for about 15 months, apart from joint press conferences with foreign leaders. The interview with public broadcaster KBS was recorded three days earlier and broadcast late at night.

Related coverage:

South Korea's top court upholds wartime labor rulings against Japan firm

Seoul court approves seizure of Japan firm's funds over wartime labor
Some residents of Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, have expressed worry over the continuous rise in the price of cooking gas, otherwise known as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who monitored the situation, reports that many homes have shifted to other alternatives such as sawdust, firewood and charcoal as the price of cooking gas continues to rise.

NAN reports that the price of a kilogramme (kg) of cooking gas is currently between N1,250 and N1,300 in Abakaliki.

Boom in charcoal sales

In separate interviews in Abakaliki on Thursday, charcoal sellers said their businesses have boomed since cooking gas prices increased, especially between January and February.

A charcoal seller in the Kpirikpiri Market, Vivian Chukwu, said a sack of charcoal which was sold for N6,000 in December, last year, is now N7,500.

We are witnessing continued patronage by the day. We have measurements ranging from N300, N400, N500 to N1,000 and we also sell in quantity.

Yes, our prices have changed; it was relatively cheap in December, but now the cost is no more the same due to high patronage caused by the high cost of cooking gas, she said.

I do not think I can venture into another business. This is a very profitable business and people dont know about it, said Mrs Chukwu.

Mrs Chukwu, however, decried the high cost of cooking gas, noting that it was biting hard on every home.

I urge the government to intervene. The suffering is becoming too much for everyone and the salary is still the same.

It is very unfair to increase the price of cooking gas when we are still battling to cope with the hardship caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy, she stated.

Chinwe Okoro, a caterer in Abakaliki, told NAN that she had resorted to the use of charcoal for her cooking.

Mrs Okoro said it had been difficult to keep up with the steady increase in the price of cooking gas.

Charcoal is cheaper and it has helped me in my business. I am no more spending my money on gas, she stressed.

Mrs Okoro urged the federal government to come up with plans and a policy to ensure that the price of gas was affordable to Nigerians.

An Abakaliki resident, Ahmed Aliyu, said his family had moved to charcoal, which he could easily acquire with a small amount of money.

I keep saying it, this is not the time to increase the cooking gas, and the citizens are yet to recover from the hardship occasioned by the removal of the fuel subsidy.

It is sad that the cost of cooking gas keeps increasing almost on a daily basis and everyone is quiet and the cost of living is becoming worrisome every day, Mr Aliyu stated.

Low patronage

A pump attendant at a gas station in Abakaliki, who did not want his name mentioned in the report, said he did not know what was responsible for the frequent increase in the price of cooking gas.

He, however, said that the increase was affecting the business as the station has continued to record low patronage.

Many of our customers now resort to using firewood and charcoal for cooking.

We have been witnessing price changes every day. Someday, it (the price change) will even be twice, depending on the market cost, he added.

(NAN)

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Fire has razed a section of a building in Dunukofia Local Government Area Secretariat in Anambra State, south-east Nigeria.

The fire outbreak, it was gathered, happened late on Wednesday.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that no life was lost in the incident, but some documents and furniture were destroyed by the fire.

The Chairperson of Anambra State Fire Service, Martin Agbili, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday night.

Mr Agbili said they received a distress call about the inferno at about 6:53 p.m. on the day.

Immediately, we deployed our fire truck and gallant firefighters to the scene of the fire and fought, controlled and extinguished the fire, he said.

The fire chief said the cause of the fire was bush-burning which was started by unknown persons, adding that the fire later spread to the secretariat.

During the firefighting operations, we were able to control and extinguish the fire and prevent it from destroying a lot of things at the local government council, he stated.

He urged residents to endeavour to clear all bushes around their neighbourhood, especially during this dry season to avoid fire outbreaks.

Fire outbreak in Anambra

Anambra has witnessed increased fire outbreaks in recent times.

The latest incident occurred barely a day after two separate fire outbreaks were recorded at Timber Market in Nnewi and another in Awka, the state capital.

The outbreaks were, however, controlled by firefighters who arrived at the scenes.

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The Oyo State House of Assembly, on Thursday, urged the state government to ban the use of styrofoam for food purposes in the state.

The appeal was made following a motion co-sponsored by the majority leader of the House, Sanjo Adedoyin, and another member, Gabriel Babajide, on the need to ban the usage of styrofoam for food service, storage and other related usage in the state.

To ensure the effectiveness of the ban, the motion sought synergy among the Ministries of Health, Environment and Natural Resources, and the State Executive Council.

According to its sponsors, the motion is aimed at preventing the harmful effects of takeaway packs on humans and the environment.

While presenting the motion, Mr Babajide said research had revealed that it takes hundreds of years before styrofoam degrades in the soil and as such becomes dangerous to the environment.

We are all aware that the use of styrofoam is common in Africa, and Nigeria, due to our population and availability of market. Our country leads in the usage of this harmful container on the continent. Mr. Speaker, the presence of styrofoam in our marketplaces, restaurants, streets, and even in drainage systems is visible to the blind.

Observe that just three weeks ago, the Lagos State government banned the total use of single-use plastics known as styrofoam. The government of Abia State has also ordered the same ban on styrofoam. These are proactive measures to phase out the total use of the deadly substance. It is, however, very important as a matter of utmost urgency, to stop the use of styrofoam in Oyo State, as it is hazardous to both the environment and human beings, he said.

The lawmaker further observed that some states and cities in the United States of America (USA) have banned single-use plastic items, like styrofoam, to cut down on waste and encourage the use of biodegradable or reusable items.

In his reaction, the lawmaker representing Ibadan Northeast 1, Abiodun Babalola, further highlighted the implications of the use of styrofoam to both human and aquatic lives, stressing that there was a need for the government to take urgent steps on the matter.

Speaking afterwards, Speaker of the House, Adebo Ogundoyin, urged the Ministry of Information and Orientation, and other information dissemination organs of government, to organise enlightenment programmes to sensitise the public on the danger of using styrofoam.

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The police in Bauchi State have declared Islamic cleric, Idris Abdulaziz, who fled the state over alleged persecution by Governor Bala Mohammed, wanted.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Abdulazizs lawyer, Ahmad Musa, said the cleric fled into exile after security agents raided his Dutsen Tanshi residence in the Bauchi metropolis on 24 January to execute a search warrant.

The Bauchi State Government has since filed charges against Mr Abdulaziz, who supported Mr Muhammads main opponent, Abubakar Sadiq of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the 18 March 2023 governorship election.

The government charged Mr Abdulaziz with inciting disturbances, insulting or inciting contempt of religious creed. The cleric has denied any wrongdoing.

Abdulaziz left Bauchi State to flee persecution and arbitrary arrest and detention by the Bauchi government following trumped-up charges accusing him of committing blasphemy against religious creed. He has successfully left Bauchi to a safe place, the lawyer earlier told PREMIUM TIMES.

The case went from the Upper Sharia Court 1, Bauchi state to High Court, Bauchi and now it is properly before the Court of Appeal, Jos Division, Mr Musa said.

On Thursday, the police declared Mr Abdulaziz wanted for contempt of court.

The police in a bulletin through its Criminal Investigation Department gave details of Mr Abdulaziz and offered a reward for his arrest.

However, when reached to comment on the reward, the police spokesperson in the state, Ahmad Wakili, did not explain the details of the reward. Instead, he asked our reporter to report what is contained only in the wanted person details provided by the police.

Reacting to the development, Mr Abdulazizs lawyer, Mr Musa, told our reporter that the declaration by the police is not something new, stating that the state government was using state resources to suppress the opposition.

This is not something new, Malam Idris Abdulaziz is the only person speaking the truth to power. The state government is using state resources to suppress him and silence him, which they will fail. Mr Musa said

Mr Abdulaziz supported Governor Muhammad in the 2019 governorship election but turned against the governor in 2023.

Mr Abdulazizs ordeals began last April when he told a gathering that he does not need the support of any person when in difficult times, not even Prophet Muhammad, but only God.

READ ALSO: Police recover weapons from bandits in Bauchi forest

In difficult times I dont need the support of Ibrahim Niase, Abdulkadir Jelani, Ahmad Tijjani (Sufi scholars), and even Prophet Muhammad except for Allah, Mr Abdulaziz, a strong Sunni Muslim said in his lecture on the oneness of God.

The comments generated controversy in the state and beyond. While his brethren in the Sunni sect supported him, those in the Sufi sect called for his prosecution, accusing him of disrespecting a religious creed. The state government later took over the case and prosecuted Mr Abdulaziz.

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The Senate Committee on Gas said over N100 billion allocated for the execution of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (PCNG) project was disbursed to beneficiary companies without approval from the National Assembly.

The Chairman of the Committee, Jarigbe Agom, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

The Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG) is an intervention of the Bola Tinubu administration to allow Nigerians to convert their petrol vehicles to CNG vehicles at a reduced cost.

The initiative was introduced after the government abolished petrol subsidy which led to over 200 per cent increase in petrol prices. The policy has, however, not been effective.

On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Gas directed the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, to release details of the awards and disbursement of funds to the beneficiary companies within seven days.

In the Thursday statement, Mr Agom said the government officials who handled the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas project failed to secure the consent of the National Assembly before disbursing funds to beneficiary companies.

He said the act is against the Procurement Act of 2007.

The committee insists that it amounts to breach of the Procurement Act for the PCNG to go ahead with the disbursement without the approval of the National Assembly.

The President has good intentions and we cannot allow his intentions to be frustrated. Nigerians are in pain and we want results he said.

The committee chairman explained that supervising funds released for projects by federal government agencies is one of the major functions of the lawmakers.

He therefore reiterated the committees position on the seven days ultimatum given to the finance minister to send a comprehensive brief of the details of the awards and disbursement of funds to beneficiary companies.

The Senate is saddled with the responsibility of oversight and we will be failing in our duties if we are indifferent to how agencies of government spend the funds released for various projects.

We as a committee therefore cannot be blackmailed or intimidated to abandon constitutional responsibility and the committee still stands by its seven-day ultimatum given to the minister to furnish details of the disbursement of the fund which was in gross violation of the Public Procurement Act of 2007.

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has said there is no plan to increase the pump price of petrol.

A statement by Olufemi Soneye, the chief corporate communications officer of the company, also cautioned motorists against panic-buying.

The response came amidst speculation of a possible increase in the price of petrol among Nigerians.

Fuel queues resurfaced in Lagos earlier in the week as residents besieged fuel stations in anticipation of yet another season of fuel scarcity.

In Abuja, a long queue of motorists was observed at some of the NNPC filling stations. While a litre of petrol was sold at N617 at the NNPC retail stations, some major fuel stations sold the product for N670.

But in its reaction on Thursday, the oil company in a statement urged Nigerians to disregard unfounded rumours and assured that there are no plans for an upward review of the petrol price.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) assures the public that there is no imminent increase in the cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.

NNPC Ltd urges Nigerians to disregard unfounded rumours and assures them that there are no plans for an upward review of the PMS price.

Motorists nationwide are advised against engaging in panic buying, as there is presently ample availability of PMS across the country, Mr Soneye said.

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A former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration of President Bola Tinubu to take pre-emptive measures against the general discontent in the country arising from poverty, high cost of living and widespread insecurity, to avert an impending disaster.

In a similar vein, human rights activist and convener, Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju, called on President Tinubu to reconsider the suspension of the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP) because of prevailing hunger, hardship, and food insecurity plaguing the nation.

Thousands of Nigerians in Minna, the Niger State capital, had taken to the streets recently in protest against what they described as severe hunger and escalating cost of living. There have been similar protests in Kano, Plateau and Kogi States.

Reacting to the protests on his verified Facebook page, Mr Lamido, a former Foreign Affairs minister under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, said the protests signal a disaster waiting to happen if the Nigerian government does not take immediate preemptive measures.

On his part, Mr Adeyanju said the development in Niger, Kano, and Kogi underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for decisive action by the President.

In the post on his Facebook wall, Mr Lamido used two analogies by two famous persons to capture the disaster awaiting Nigeria in the event of inaction by the government.

The first of the two famous people is Fidel Castro. He narrated a story of a rich man on a holiday in his luxurious yacht. While indulging in the upper deck of the yacht with all the comfort money can buy, his workers were groaning in the heat of the engine room.

The commotion coming from the engine room arising from the unbearable heat started shaking the yacht violently! It was a signal to the rich man and his friends in the upper deck to either respond to the commotion from the engine room or risk the Yatch overturn, he said.

The other famous man is our very own Bishop Kukah. During the era of our blessed PDP, there were cries of hardship arising from the increase of the pump price of fuel and the then serious insecurity from Boko Haram culminating in the abduction of Chibok girls in Yobe State.

There was general outcry all over the country from the then opposition APC, organising protests against the PDP government. I vividly recall when Buhari, Tinubu, Bisi and other bigwigs of the APC poured out and filled the streets of Abuja, chanting and condemning our government for allegedly failing to secure Nigeria and unleashing hardship on the citizens!

That was when my good friend Bishop Kukah presented his paper alerting of the impending danger should the government fail to take urgent action, he further added.

Mr Lamido noted that today, the hardship is so unbearable that signs of early warnings are manifesting all over the country. In Lagos and Minna, women are demonstrating over the high cost of living. Women in Plateau State are demonstrating over the cost of their favourite local brew called burkutu. Above all, there is hunger everywhere and people are starving!

According to Mr Lamido, the manifestation of the seeming tension arising from the protests and demonstrations, and their likely spread nationwide, is enough to make the government take urgent action. It must not be allowed to reach a combustion point, he added.

READ ALSO: Nigerians protest over economic hardship in Minna

In his reaction on Thursday, Mr Adeyanju noted that Nigeria was sitting on a time bomb, considering the prevailing hardship and heightened insecurity in the country.

The cumulative effect of these challenges has pushed our nation to the brink. If urgent measures are not taken to cushion the effects of this hardship, we fear that mass protests may erupt across the country, potentially leading to a serious revolution.

We must acknowledge that there is a limit to what the people can endure. If President Tinubu genuinely cares about the well-being of the citizens and seeks to alleviate their suffering, it is important that he reinstates the suspended programmes that can provide much-needed support to ordinary citizens and the vulnerable, he said.

While acknowledging that the suspension of all administered programmes by the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) was initiated as part of the ongoing investigation into alleged financial malfeasance, he urged President Tinubu to recognise the dire consequences of the continued suspension on the lives of ordinary citizens.

Mr Adeyanju proposed that the President should explore alternative avenues for the management of the programmes such as involving religious bodies, including churches, mosques, and traditional rulers.

By doing so, he said the government can mitigate the risk of political interference and ensure that funds are utilised transparently and efficiently, reaching the intended beneficiaries.

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President Bola Tinubu has mourned the passing of Cairo Ojougboh, the former executive director of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

Mr Ojougboh, chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a former House of Representatives member from Delta State, was said to have slumped and died on Wednesday while watching the AFCON semi-finals between Nigeria and South Africa, according to a report by Punch newspaper.

The incident happened when the penalty was awarded against Nigeria. Dr Ojougboh was said to have shouted and slumped due to a massive heart attack when SA scored, the newspaper quoted an unnamed source as saying.

It is with a heavy heart that President Bola Tinubu receives the news of the passing of Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, Ajuri Ngelale, a spokesperson to Mr Tinubu, said in a statement on Thursday.

President Tinubu condoles with the Ojougboh family and the government and people of Delta State over this tragic loss.

While praying for the peaceful repose of the departed, President Tinubu comforts his family and urges them to find strength and hope in God Almighty, who presides over the affairs of men, as well as in the cherished memories and legacy of the late APC chieftain, the statement added.

Atiku mourns

The former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, said in a message posted Thursday on X that he feels deeply saddened by Mr Ojougbohs passing.

He described the late medical doctor as a close friend.

His love for our country was profound. Cairo was a shining example of patriotism; his dedication to Nigeria was unwavering, and his departure is a personal loss that leaves a void in my heart.

As we mourn, let us remember the passion and zeal for Nigeria that defined his life. May his soul rest in perfect peace, said Atiku who was the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Nigeria.

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A West African pro-democracy coalition, the West Africa Democracy Solidarity (WADEMOS) Network, has demanded an end to the crackdown on opposition political candidates, and media outlets in Senegal following the political crisis that hit the country.

Senegals parliament, on Monday, voted to extend the tenure of President Macky Sall until a new presidential election is held in December.

Mr Sall was due to relinquish power on 2 April, following a botched attempt to extend his tenure beyond the constitutionally permitted limit.

But, a few weeks before the scheduled 25 February presidential poll, Mr Sall announced the postponement of the election, plunging Senegal into a political crisis.

ECOWAS, the West African regional body, has since denounced the postponement of the election, urging a return to the electoral calendar.

Lending its voice to the unfolding situation, WADEMOS, a coalition of 47 civil society organisations, in a statement issued on Wednesday, opposed the decision by the Senegalese parliament to postpone the elections until December 15, 2024.

It condemned the unfair and non-inclusive manner in which the vote was secured, where opposition members of Parliament were forcibly taken away by the police. We support calls by Senegalese civil society and pro-democracy actors for a new date for the presidential elections to be promptly settled through an inclusive process.

WADEMOS, a network of over 45 pro-democracy national and transnational civil society organisations in the West Africa region, reminded Mr Sall of his pledge last July to Senegalese not to stay beyond the statutorily allowed term.

Keep protests peaceful

While declaring its support for the Senegalese people and the CSOs in the country, WADEMOS called for peaceful protests.

It advised security forces in the country to cease the ongoing arrests or detention of opposition candidates, attacks on MPs who oppose the extension of elections beyond President Salls term, the shutdown of media and crackdown on free expression, and threats to the independence of the Constitutional Council.

The coalition urged ECOWAS to send an unequivocal message that it stands resolute in its commitment to defend democracy and the rule of law in the region and enforce its Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will toward any regime or political leader.

It added that ECOWAS must not let the people of Senegal and the region down.

The coalition decried Mr Salls unilateral action in orchestrating the postponement of the election.

It said the presidents action has blighted Senegals democratic credential as a country with exemplary progress in building a stable democratic society underpinned by respect for the rule of law and an unbroken tradition of regular, free, fair and inclusive elections.

Dismissing Mr Salls rationale for truncating the electoral process, WADEMOS noted that the presidents action affronts the constitution of the Republic of Senegal in multiple ways.

The Presidents unilateral action, announced when scheduled elections were less than a month away, also contravenes the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, Section 2, Article 2(1) which expressly frowns upon any reform or change in the electoral laws or processes six months preceding elections, without the consent of a large majority of political players.

Some of the members of WADEMOS include  West Africa Civil Society Initiative (WACSI), West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Yiaga Africa (Nigeria), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).

Others include Institute Sahelien pour la Gouvernance, Statview International (Guinea)ABLOGUE, Citoyen pour la Paix et la Justice (Guinea), Femmes Actions et Developpement (Niger), Alternative Espace Citoyen (Niger).

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Six pregnant girls have been rescued from a baby factory in Umunya, a community in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigerias south-east.

The Commissioner for Health in the state, Afam Obidike, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking to reporters in Awka, according to a report by Punch newspaper.

Mr Obidike, a medical doctor, said the pregnant girls were rescued when some security operatives, in collaboration with officials of the Anambra State Government, raided the baby factory earlier on Wednesday.

The commissioner said the baby factory operators named the facility Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity, ostensibly to confuse authorities that they were operating a hospital.

He said the states Health Facility, Accreditation and Monitoring Unit arrived at the facility for its routine inspection when they discovered that it was a baby factory.

Mr Obidike added that some medical attendants working in the facility locked up the place and ran away after the government officials requested to see the doctor on duty to find out why the facility was not registered with the state government.

Security operatives including OCHA-Brigade, Civil Defence Corps and the police later assisted the monitoring team in gaining access into the facility.

When we gained access to the facility, what we saw was shocking. We discovered six underage pregnant girls, between ages 14, 15, 16, 17 and 21 years, allegedly camped against their wishes, he said.

We interviewed these girls and they told us that they were being camped by one self-acclaimed doctor, who they identified as Mr Odili Ossai, from Delta State, now at large.

They said when they deliver the babies, the operator of the facility would sell them, the commissioner added.

Arrest

Mr Obidike said five people were arrested by the security operatives in connection with the incident, and that the police would carry out further investigation.

The commissioner urged residents of the state to report any illegal activity, malpractice or concern about healthcare services in the state.

He assured that the Anambra State Government was committed to stamping out fake and quack health facilities across the state.

Baby factories in Nigeria

Baby factory, sometimes disguised as an orphanage, is a name given to a facility where traffickers hold young women against their will, rape and force them to get pregnant. The newborns at the facility are then sold illegally to adoptive parents.

Girls in such a facility are sometimes forced into child labour and prostitution.

A recent investigation uncovered how a supposed Christian orphanage in Anambra State, another state in the South-east, was illegally selling babies between N1.5 million and N2 million, depending on a babys gender.

The investigation also revealed how the sales were executed with the collusion of the officials of the Nigerian police and the judiciary.

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KYODO NEWS - Feb 8, 2024 - 12:54 | All, Japan

A Japanese government panel on Thursday proposed the introduction of state-subsidized bear culls after attacks on humans surged to a record high this fiscal year.

The panel of experts urged municipalities to create well-defined zoning of land to divide the animals' habitat from areas where people live while monitoring the size of the animal population to ensure it remains at a healthy level, it said.

Under the proposal, the Environment Ministry panel said bears should be included in the "designated wildlife species for control and capture program" that makes available state funding for culling certain species. Currently, only the Japanese sika deer and boars are targeted under the program.

It said Asian black bears native to the Shikoku region in western Japan should be protected because the species is endangered.

There were a total of 197 bear attacks across 19 prefectures between April 2023 and January 2024 resulting in six fatalities among 218 victims, all record highs since fiscal 2006 when comparable data became available.

Since fall last year, a higher than normal number of bears have been spotted in residential areas, with experts pointing out that hot weather had led to fewer available acorns, one of the animals' main food sources, causing the bears to search out food near humans.

The panel said the bear population has been increasing, leading to more bear attacks, while the animals have become less cautious of humans due to a decrease in the number of hunters and forestry workers.

It also said the bears' range is expanding due to there being more abandoned farms as a result of the aging and shrinking rural population.

The panel said people should manage fruit trees near built-up areas to discourage the bears from approaching and recommended the installation of electric fences to keep them out, in addition to encouraging hunting.

Related coverage:

Japan sees unprecedented pace of increase in bear attack victims
The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have given the federal government two weeks to commence the implementation of policies that will reduce the impact of the governments economic policies on citizens.

Nigerians have continued to lament the impact of government policies such as the removal of the petrol subsidy and the devaluation of the naira, both of which have led to an astronomical increase in the prices of goods and services.

In a joint statement, the NLC and TUC said they are concerned about the non-implementation of the 16-point agreement reached with the Federal Government on October 2, 2023.

These agreements which were reached with the federal government were focused on addressing the massive suffering and the general harsh socioeconomic consequences of the ill-conceived and ill-executed IMF/World Bank induced hike in the price of PMS and the Devaluation of the Naira, the NLC said.

Constrained by this development and recognizing the urgency of the situation and the imperative of ensuring the protection and defence of the rights and dignity of Nigerian workers and citizens, the NLC and TUC hereby issue a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government, to honour their part of the understanding within 14 Days from tomorrow, the 9th day of February, 2024.

Read the full statement below.

NON-IMPLEMENTATION OF AGREEMENT BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: DEEPENS MASS SUFFERING AND A SHOW OF BAD FAITH.

The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria express profound concern over the non-implementation of the 16-point agreement reached with the Federal Government on October 2, 2023. Despite the passage of time, the majority of these crucial agreements remain unmet or negligibly addressed, indicating a blatant disregard for the principles of good faith, welfare and rights of Nigerian workers and Nigerians.

These agreements which were reached with the federal government were focused on addressing the massive suffering and the general harsh socioeconomic consequences of the ill-conceived and ill-executed IMF/World Bank induced hike in the price of PMS and the Devaluation of the Naira. These dual policies have had as we predicted dire economic consequences for the masses and workers of Nigeria.

Widespread Hunger is now ravishing millions of Nigerians, with the Workers purchasing power significantly eroded, while insecurity has assumed an increasing dimension. Nigerians are left wondering where their next meals will come from and what tomorrow might bring. The level of panic and anxiety amongst the populace has become nightmarish unfortunately, in the midst of all these, it appears our government is bereft of appropriate measures to ameliorate the huge burden it has foisted on the citizenry.

We wish to state that these agreements, which encompass a wide range of issues crucial to the well-being of Nigerian masses and workers, have not been honored as pledged by the Federal Government. From Wage Awards, Palliative adjustments to improved access to public utilities; to the meddlesomeness in the internal affairs of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the interference by the Lagos State Government in union activities, the case of illegal and unlawful proscription of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria RTEAN. The governments failure to uphold its end of the bargain is deeply regrettable and unacceptable to the Working people and the citizenry.

Constrained by this development and recognizing the urgency of the situation and the imperative of ensuring the protection and defence of the rights and dignity of Nigerian workers and citizens, the NLC and TUC hereby issue a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government, to honour their part of the understanding within 14 Days from tomorrow, the 9th day of February, 2024.

It is regrettable that we are compelled to resort to such measures, but the persistent neglect of the welfare of citizens and Nigerian workers and the massive hardship leaves us with no choice. Therefore, everything must be done within the two weeks to avoid a situation where we may be compelled to take appropriate steps to protect Nigerian workers and masses.

We call upon the Federal Government to honor its commitments without delay. The time for empty promises and excuses has passed. The time for action is now. Our patience has worn thin and the situation has become unbearable for workers and masses all over the federation. Further silence amounts to committing mass suicide and this remains the only feasible course of action left for us and Nigerians to -compel remedial action by Government.

We are committed to this resolve towards salvaging Nigerian workers and masses from the apparent insensitivity and lethargy of those in the corridors of power who are supposed to be the bastion of public trust.

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As activities to mark the 2024 World Cancer Day continue globally, a Nigerian official has rued what he described as the poor infrastructure for the management of cancer diseases in the country.

The Director General of Nigeria Nuclear Radiation Authority (NNRA), Yau Idris, who was a panelist at a symposium held in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday, revealed that Nigeria, with more than 200 million population, has only eight certified radiotherapy centres.

The symposium, which was themed: Economy, Tax & Cancer Control: The Exit of Pharmaceutical Companies from Nigeria, was organised by Project Pink Blue  a non-governmental organisation that focuses on advocacy for improved cancer care management in the country.

The panel was moderated by the Publisher of PREMIUM TIMES, Dapo Olorunyomi, and it featured the former First Lady of Kebbi State, Zainab Bagudu; the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Mohammed Musa, and the President of Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, Pamela Ajayi.

Poor infrastructure

According to Mr Idris, six other existing radiotherapy centres in Nigeria are not certified, and so could not be guaranteed to be safe for use by the public. He said nine of the radiotherapy centres are owned by the government while five belong to private investors.

The official, however, did not indicate the specific facilities that are not certified and where they are located.

He said there are just two modern nuclear centres available in Nigeria for cancer care but that they are also not working.

He said: There are 14 radiotherapy centres in the country: nine are government and five are private. Only six of these are licensed by the NNRA.

So these 14 centres are not working properly. We also have only two nuclear modern centres and both of them are not working.

Radiotherapy, which is described as a good alternative to surgery for the long-term management of cancers, is said to achieve a reasonable probability of tumour control with good cosmetic results.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 50 per cent of cancer patients require radiotherapy as part of cancer care, particularly for the frequent treatment of the more common types including breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancers.

Mr Yau also noted that Nigeria has only seven linear accelerator machines for cancer treatment while South Africa with less than 60 million population has 92 of such and Egypt has 76.

He also spoke about the importance of gamma cameras which he noted are not available in the country. He said it is an imaging technique used to carry out functional scans of sensitive human organs such as the brain, lungs, liver, and gallbladder, among others.

He said: Unfortunately, theres no gamma camera in Nigeria that is working, whereas a country like Tunisia with a population of just about 20 million has about 14 of them working.

If you go to the aspect of nuclear medicine, we have only two nuclear medicine centres that have gamma cameras and both of them are down at the National Hospital, Abuja, and the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

Govt pledges intervention

Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Tunji Alausa, said the Nigerian government has concluded plans to build six new cancer centres across the six geopolitical zones in the country.

Mr Alausa said the government is concerned and is proactive in actions to address the cancer burden in the country.

He said: These cancer centres will be built at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu; Amadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria; Federal Tertiary Hospital, Katsina; University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin; University of Jos Teaching Hospital, Jos; and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba.

Mr Alausa said his ministry was able to secure additional funds to the N20 billion appropriated three years ago for the building of the centres, noting that: The amount appropriated has depreciated, so there was no way we could use the N20bn to build the cancer centres. We had to make a presentation to the President and the National Assembly to give us another budget allocation to build the six cancer centres.

We have gotten the additional funding that we need. The groundbreaking will happen in the next few weeks, he said.

Also speaking, the senator, Mr Musa, said Nigerian lawmakers have passed a bill on cancer research and treatment.

He said the re-enactment of the bill on national health is a way to remedy the situation, adding that about the economy, the government is giving incentives to tackle such issues faced by these pharmaceutical industries.

If we look at what the government is doing today, the renewed hope agenda of the president is far-fetched, especially in areas of tax. The new tax bill that will soon be administered will look into multiple taxation, he said.

On exit of pharmaceutical companies from Nigeria

Speaking at the event, the Vice President of the African HealthCare Federation, Clare Omatseye, raised concern over the hike in the prices of cancer drugs as manufacturing companies of chemotherapy drugs exit the country.

Mrs Omatseye noted that the lack of chemotherapy drugs in Nigeria has led to a shortage, with prices skyrocketing two to three times in the last six months, thereby making it difficult for an average Nigerian.

As of 2022, she noted, the treatment of breast cancer costs between N2.1 million and N18.2 million but today, it costs between N5 and N40 million. Prostate cancer was between N1.3 million to N4.5 million and now it is over N5 million in federal institutions.

She added that cervical cancer was N1.1 million to N3.3 million, but that it now costs about N4 million naira.

In August 2023, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Nigeria Plc, the second-biggest drug producer in Nigeria, exited the country by terminating its marketing and distribution agreement and appointed third-party distributors to sell their medications and vaccines.

READ ALSO:

GSK is the producer of vaccines such as Ambirix for hepatitis A & B, Cervarix for human papillomavirus bivalent 16 & 18, cancer drugs such as Zejula and other general medicines such as Amoxil, and Augmentin.

Sanofi and many other foreign pharmaceutical companies have also announced leaving Nigeria.

According to the Global Cancer Observatory (Globocan), cancer causes an estimated 78,000 deaths in Nigeria annually, with breast cancer and cervical cancer being the most common cancers among women in Nigeria.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently disclosed that over 500,000 Africans died of cancer in the year 2022 and it called for urgent interventions to avert a projected one million annual deaths by 2030.

Implications for cancer control

Speaking on the implications, the former Kebbi State First Lady, Mrs Bagudu, who doubles as the Founder and CEO of Medicaid Cancer Care Foundation, regretted the exit of the pharmaceuticals from Nigeria, noting that the implication will be increased cancer patients in the country.

She said: There will be an increase in cancer patients. WHOs report on World Cancer Day was that in high-income countries a womans chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer is one in 25 and the chance of dying is one in 70.

And if you flip it to low index countries those figures are reversed. The chance of being diagnosed is about one in 70 and the chance of dying is much higher, which is one in 48.

Way forward

According to Mrs Omatseye, some pharmaceutical companies exited Nigeria due to challenges such as foreign exchange, ease of doing business, importation bureaucracy, multiple taxation, and malpractice within the industry.

She said: We lost one of our biggest injection companies, syringe companies called Jubilee. They also divested in their business on 31 December and many other companies, she said.

So with all these challenges, President Bola Tinubu actually appealed to many of the other manufacturers, and multinationals to please remain in the country under the renewed hope agenda.

Affordable and effective treatment is a shared responsibility that involves both the public and the private sector.

Mrs Omatseye also suggested the expansion of the Cancer Access Partnership (CAP) programme to include more pharmaceutical companies and hospitals, and partnership with the private sector to provide affordable pharmaceuticals and treatment.

The panelists also advised that local manufacturers should be encouraged and stressed the need for people to enroll with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

Meanwhile, the Minister, Mr Alausa, also hinted at increased collaborations between the Nigerian government and various pharmaceutical companies to review the cost of chemotherapy with some international non-governmental organisations, such as the Clinton Health Access Initiative, the American Cancer Society, Pfizer, Roche, and Johnson & Johnson.

These pharmaceutical companies are providing 50 per cent discount in some of our cancer chemotherapy, he said.

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The Ekiti State Government, on Thursday, received a detachment of military personnel deployed to the state to combat the activities of kidnappers, bandits and other criminals.

Addressing the soldiers at the Fajuyi Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, the Commander 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, John Lar, said the soldiers were deployed to Ekiti to flush out criminals tormenting the state.

Mr Lar said they would comb the nooks and crannies of the state and all the adjoining states, adding that there would be no hiding place for the criminals.

There will be no nights and no day, as they are expected to clear the bushes within 24 hours. We just came now and we are starting now, he said.

In his remarks, the Special Adviser to Ekiti State Governor on Security, Ebenezer Ogundana, retired army personnel, said the soldiers have been directed by the Chief of Army Staff to provide security and beef up the existing troops in the state.

He added that the troops would make sure all the criminals are flushed out from their hide-outs in the forest reserves that are occupied by bandits and terrorists across the borders of Kogi, Kwara, Osun and Ondo states.

Mr Ogundana noted that Ekiti has been a peaceful state, but suddenly from nowhere, sad experiences, things we have not experienced before started happening.

With the soldiers around, I can assure our people that everybody can sleep and close their eyes. We also want to inform the people that we need information to help the troops carry out their assignment. Tell us where these people are to make sure the job is easier for the troops.

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This is just the advance party; we are expecting more from the Commander-in-Chief, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who directed the Chief of Army Staff, Mr Ogundana said.

The deployment of the troops comes on the heels of the recent visit of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, to various heads of security agencies in Abuja after the killing of two traditional rulers and abduction of school children and their teachers in Emure-Ekiti.

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A West African pro-democracy coalition, the West Africa Democracy Solidarity (WADEMOS) Network, has demanded an end to the crackdown on opposition political candidates, and media outlets in Senegal following the political crisis that hit the country.

Senegals parliament, on Monday, voted extending the tenure of President Macky Sall until a new presidential election is held in December.

Mr Sall was due to relinquish power on 2 April, following a botched attempt to extend his tenure beyond the constitutionally permitted limit.

But, a few weeks before the scheduled 25 February presidential poll, Mr Sall announced the postponement of the election, plunging Senegal into a political crisis.

ECOWAS, a West African regional body, has since denounced the postponement of the election, urging a return to the electoral calendar.

Lending its voice to the unfolding situation, WADEMOS, a coalition of 47 civil society organisations, in a statement issued on Wednesday, opposed the decision by the Senegalese parliament to postpone the elections until December 15, 2024.

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It condemned the unfair and non-inclusive manner in which the vote was secured, where opposition members of Parliament were forcibly taken away by the police. We support calls by Senegalese civil society and pro-democracy actors for a new date for the presidential elections to be promptly settled through an inclusive process.

WADEMOS, a network of over 45 pro-democracy national and transnational civil society organisations in the West Africa region, reminded Mr Sall of his pledge last July to Senegalese not to stay beyond the statutorily allowed term.

Keep protests peaceful

While declaring its support for the Senegalese people and the CSOs in the country, WADEMOS called peaceful protests.

It advised security forces in the country to cease the ongoing arrests or detention of opposition candidates, attacks on MPs who oppose the extension of elections beyond President Salls term, the shutdown of media and crackdown on free expression, and threats to the independence of the Constitutional Council.

The coalition urged ECOWAS to send an unequivocal message that it stands resolute in its commitment to defend democracy and the rule of law in the region and enforce its Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will toward any regime or political leader.

It added that ECOWAS must not let the people of Senegal and the region down.

The coalition decried Mr Salls unilateral action in orchestrating the postponement of the election.

It said the presidents action has blighted Senegals democratic credential of a country with an exemplary progress in building a stable democratic society underpinned by respect for the rule of law and an unbroken tradition of regular, free, fair and inclusive elections.

Dismissing Mr Salls rationale for truncating the electoral process, WADEMOS noted that the presidents action affronts the constitution of the Republic of Senegal in multiple ways.

The Presidents unilateral action, announced when scheduled elections were less than a month away, also contravenes the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, Section 2, Article 2(1) which expressly frowns upon any reform or change in the electoral laws or processes six months preceding elections, without the consent of a large majority of political players.

Some of the members of WADEMOS include  West Africa Civil Society Initiative (WACSI), West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Yiaga Africa (Nigeria), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).

Others are, Institute Sahelien pour la Gouvernance, Statview International (Guinea)ABLOGUE, Citoyen pour la Paix et la Justice (Guinea), Femmes Actions et Developpement (Niger), Alternative Espace Citoyen (Niger).

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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has vowed to toughen libel and cyberbullying laws in response to the alleged campaign of calumny against his predecessor, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The speaker said this during a press conference he held at the National Assembly Complex on Thursday.

Mr Gbajabiamila, who is the chief of staff to the president, recently raised an alarm that there is a coordinated campaign against his person. He called on the State Security Services (SSS) to investigate those behind the campaign.

Mr Abbas had tagged the surprise conference briefing on the state of the nation but spent a good portion of the briefing to defend his predecessor.

He stated that the House intends to strengthen libel, slander, and defamation legislations in this regard. Adding that those behind the campaign are ignorant of existing laws like the Criminal Code Act, Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, and the Criminal Code.

The speaker said the campaign against Mr Gbajabiamila points to the danger of an unfettered and unaccountable social media.

Those of us who have worked with him for over a decade can attest to his patriotism and integrity. His willingness to voluntarily subject himself to investigation by all security and law enforcement agencies demonstrates his rectitude and honour. I urge the security agencies to work diligently and swiftly to investigate all matters he has raised in his letter to them and inform Nigerians of their findings. If not found guilty, these agencies must fish out those responsible for the character assassination and ensure they are brought before the law.

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It is most unfortunate that someone who has, over the years, built a reputation through dint of hard work and commitment to service, should have same damaged by unscrupulous elements. The consistent attempt to pull him down for purely political or personal reasons and without consequence is deeply deplorable, Abbas said.

Mr Gbajabiamila is believed to have led the campaign that produced Mr Abbas as the speaker of the House.

Mr Abbas said the move by the House is not intended to stifle free speech but to strengthen civic space.

I wish to make it categorically clear that the House has no intention to stifle free speech. Instead, our objective is to protect the dignity of individuals and the integrity of public discourse.

We will ensure that these laws are balanced, providing room for healthy and constructive criticism while safeguarding individuals and institutions from malicious and unfounded attacks, he said.

He urged the security agencies to work diligently and swiftly to investigate all matters he has raised in his letter to them and inform Nigerians of their findings. If not found guilty, these agencies must fish out those responsible for the character assassination and ensure they are brought before the law.

Earlier, the House commenced the debate on the controversial NGO bill, a legislation that activists have described as an attempt to gag activists.

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The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) have developed a National Reading Framework (NRF) for the implementation of the National Language Policy for use in primary schools.

Part of the highlights of the policy which was approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2022 is the use of the mother tongue as the language of instruction in primary schools across the country.

The Deputy Director of the NERDC, Garba Gandu, presented the framework to stakeholders at a two-day dialogue on Reading Initiative in the UBE Programme and the Use of Mother Tongue/Language of Immediate Environment as Medium of Instruction.

He said the framework, approved by the National Council on Education (NCE), will regulate and serve as a critical guide to learning activities in Nigeria.

The commitment of the policy outlines a roadmap for implementation that national, state, and local actors, as well as development partners, must follow over the next decade for Nigeria to join the rank of high-performing countries in reading, he said.

He, however, noted that the implementation of the framework depends on each state, as they govern the schools in their respective states.

Mr Gandu said the council has drafted implementation guidelines for fast-tracking the implementation of the policy.

We will be working hand in hand with the stakeholders for the effective implementation of the framework and we will ensure effective coordination and building of strong partnerships, which we believe are crucial to the implementation of the National Language Policy at the basic education level.

UBEC ES speaks

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Hammid Bobboyi, said the use of the mother tongue in schools is critical to productive citizenship, national cohesion, peace, and prosperity.

Mr Boboyi said if the learning crisis is not addressed, it would hinder Nigeria from achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He said the use of the mother tongue or language of the immediate environment as a medium of instruction is good for the future of Nigeria, as it will ease learning at the basic level, improve research, and subsequently aid the development of the economy.

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Fundamental learning is critical to the development of productive citizenship, sustainable development, national cohesion, peace and prosperity. Therefore, the call for dialogue on these important issues cannot be overemphasised, he said.

Quoting from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), he said: Three out of four children of basic education age one to 14 years in Nigeria, cannot read a text with understanding or solve simple mathematics problems.

He, therefore, urged stakeholders at the dialogue to discuss and come up with actionable steps that would not only help UBEC but all stakeholders in addressing the situation.

He said despite several interventions by the Nigerian government, state governments, and international development partners to address the issue, the challenge remains.

Mr Bobboyi said: Several factors, such as lack of access to instructional materials, especially on the language of the immediate environment, poor teaching quality, insufficient parental guidance, and lackadaisical attitude of states towards implementing the language policy on the use of the mother tongue or language of the immediate environment as a medium of instruction in the lower classes in basic education, are responsible for this.

He added that there is a need for commitment from all stakeholders to overcome the challenges, especially training of teachers in the local languages.

Challenges

The Executive Secretary of Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Ismail Junaidu, in his address, called for the implementation of the National Language Policy in the Nigerian curriculum framework.

He noted that the policy approved in 2022 prescribes the use of the mother tongue or the language of the immediate environment as a medium of instruction in basic schools for teaching up to primary six.

While stating that no language should be left out, he lamented the apathy and lack of political will, as well as a shortage of language teachers, low capacity, and inadequate funds to implement the policy.

He, however, called on relevant bodies to intensify sensitisation, produce more instructional materials, build the capacity of teachers and implementing partners, and ensure partnerships between agencies and development partners for proper implementation of the policy.

Those that participated in the dialogue include the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), World Bank, British Council, Aid for Rural Education Access Initiative (AREAi), Bayero University Centre for Reading, USAID: Learn-to-Read, Jolly Phonics, and Ayuda (A Special Needs Foundation)

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have reviewed the decision to domicile a significant portion of NNPCs revenues and banking services with the CBN.

According to a joint statement signed by the NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, and the Acting Director of the Corporate Communications Department at the CBN, Hakama Ali, the decision will enhance transparency and accountability.

The CBN will provide NNPC with an improved platform for all transactions and establish specific limits to manage transactions effectively, the statement said.

Both the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, expressed their commitments to further strengthening the partnership to ensure seamless operations at the NNPC.

The statement noted that the partnership between the two parties underscores a shared commitment to operational excellence and financial prudence, ultimately contributing to the sustainable growth and development of Nigerias energy sector.

Mr Cardoso in an interview with Arise Television on Monday noted that the presence of crude oil sales funds held in the central bank enhances foreign investors confidence in Nigeria, thereby fostering economic stability.

The recent move to have NNPC and some of the other MDAs move their funding straight to the central bank also sends a very powerful signal and boosts investors confidence, he said.

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South Africas Multichoice Africa Holdings B.V, owner of DSTV and GOTV cable television brands, announced that its Nigerian subsidiary has reached a settlement with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and agreed to pay $37.3 million in taxes.

FIRS had in July 2021 announced its plan to engage some commercial banks as agents to freeze and recover N1.8 trillion from accounts of MultiChoice Nigeria Limited (MCN) and MultiChoice Africa (MCA).

FIRS said the decision to appoint the banks as agents and to freeze the accounts was a result of the groups continued refusal to grant FIRS access to their servers for audit after it discovered that the companies persistently breached all agreements and undertakings with FIRS.

In October 2021, the Tax Appeal Tribunal struck out the appeal by the South African company with its Nigerian subsidiary, Multichoice Nigeria Limited, citing the firms non-compliance with the rules of appeal.

The company had filed the appeal to challenge the assessment of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) that its unpaid principal sum of Value Added Tax (VAT) was over $123.7 million. FIRS also awarded a penalty of $218 million against the firm, bringing the total tax liability to $342 million.

The agency had served Multichoice Africa Holdings B.V. a notice of assessment of unpaid VAT on 16 June 2021, with the company responding with an appeal lodged at the Tax Appeal Tribunal to challenge the assessment. Multichoice claimed the assessment was excessive.

Delivering its judgement on the companys appeal, the Appeal Tax Tribunal upheld the preliminary objection of the FIRS and held that the South African company did not comply with Order 3 Rule 6 of the Tax Appeal Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 2021.

The cited procedural provision requires an appellant to deposit half of the assessed amount being disputed before it can be heard.

The appellant is also required to file along with its appeal an affidavit verifying the payment which the company also failed to comply with.

The sum is to be paid as a security for the hearing of any tax appeal.

For an appeal against the tax authority, the aggrieved person will pay 50 per cent of the disputed amount into a designated account by the tribunal before hearing as security for prosecuting the appeal, the appeal tribunal said.

But the appeal tribunal said Multichoice failed to comply with any of these.

Based on the ruling, Multichoice is expected to pay a total of $342 million in tax to the Nigerian government, through the FIRS.

In March 2022, FIRS and MultiChoice agreed to an out-of-court settlement.

On Thursday, according to Reuters, the group said the total tax amount of N35.4 billion to be paid by MultiChoice Nigeria and MultiChoice Africa Holdings will be offset against the security deposits and good faith payments made to date.

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Court resumes trial of Nnamdi Kanu

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed 26 February for a hearing on the resumed trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Aloy Ejimakor, special counsel to the IPOB leader, disclosed this in a post on his X handle (formerly known as Twitter) on Thursday.

The case which started in 2015 had been put on hold at the Federal High Court in Abuja after the Court of Appeal dismissed the terrorism charges against Mr Kanu in October 2022.

But the Nigerian government, through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, had appealed the court judgment and subsequently obtained an order at the Supreme Court staying the execution of the judgment

The Supreme Court on 15 December 2023 ordered the continuation of Mr Kanus trial on terrorism charges at the Abuja court.

Resumption

Mr Ejimakor, in the post on X, said Binta Nyako, the trial judge, will continue presiding over the case.

The lawyer uploaded the hearing notice dated 8 February on the microblogging platform.

If either party desires to postpone the hearing he must apply to the Court as soon as possible for that purpose; and if the application is based on any matter of fact, he must be prepared to give proof of those facts.

The parties are warned that at the hearing they are required to bring forward all the evidence by witnesses or by documents which each of them desires to rely on in support of his own case and in contradiction of that of his opponent, the court said in the hearing notice.

It stressed that the evidence will be required at the hearing and that failure of any party to supply their evidence at the time of the hearing might result in the party being restricted or asked to pay to do so.

Parties desirous to enforce the attendance of witnesses should apply at once to the Court to issue one or more summonses for the attendance of the witnesses required.

It is indispensable that the application should be made so as to allow time for reasonable notice to the witnesses required.

If the witness is required to bring books or papers, they must be particularised in the summons sufficiently to enable him to understand what is meant, the court further said

Any party summoning a witness through the Court, thereby becomes liable to pay such witness a reasonable sum of money to be fixed by the Court for his expense and loss of time.

The court added that it might refuse to enforce the attendance of a witness unless the money has been fixed and deposited at the court.

If either party desires to use in evidence at the hearing any book or document in the possession or power of the other party, he must give the other party reasonable notice in writing to produce it at the hearing, failing which he will not be allowed to give any secondary evidence of its contents, it stated.

Background

Mr Kanu, the IPOB leader, was first arrested in 2015 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Court of Appeal, Abuja, on 13 October 2022, held that the IPOB leader was extra-ordinarily renditioned to Nigeria and that the action was a flagrant violation of the countrys extradition treaty and also a breach of his fundamental human rights.

The court, therefore, struck out the terrorism charges filed against Mr Kanu by the Nigerian government and ordered his release from the facility of the State Security Service.

But the Nigerian government refused to release the IPOB leader, insisting that he (Kanu) could be unavailable in subsequent court proceedings if released and that his release would cause insecurity in the South-east, where he comes from.

The government, through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, later appealed the court ruling and subsequently obtained an order staying the execution of the court judgment at the Supreme Court

Delivering judgment on the appeal on 15 December, the Supreme Court reversed the acquittal granted to Mr Kanu by the lower court and consequently ordered the continuation of his trial at the Federal High Court Abuja.

The resumed trial complies with the order of the Supreme Court.

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The momentum has been mounting from the barring of Ousmane Sonko and other opposition figures that have been seen to have garnered many supporters across the nation. Macky Salls alleged constructive attitudes have been interpreted as a wish to contest for a constitutionally forbidden third, and this spurred many Senegalese out to the street in protest. More than before, the country is faced with many uncertainties

The President of Senegal, Macky Sall, has continued with his evil game to perpetuate himself in power. We dont know whether France is behind it, as we cannot put anything past that colonial monster. Sall is determined to stay in power, with or without support from France. Over a year ago, I saw this coming and used media outlets to warn about it. ECOWAS that flexed its muscle over Niger should now do so again, telling Sall that his decision is a coup.

Bear in mind that Sall once proposed a monarchical form of government based on a delusional argument that kings are preferable to presidents. Salls hero is the imbecilic President of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, who has been in power since 2010 after a series of civilian coups. Macky Sall succeeded the power-obsessed Abdoulaye Wade, who also planned, unsuccessfully, to plant himself in power indefinitely. Months ago, Sall destroyed his strongest opponent, Ousmane Sonko, on trumped-up charges of corrupting the youth. Sall, since serving as a minister under Wade, has emerged as one of Senegals most corrupt politicians, who should be in prison by now. Perhaps he wants to remain as president to avoid prison.

Democracy is in recession in Africa. Sall is affirming what we know. There is no doubt that the practice of democracy does not just emphasise the acceptance and representation of the people, but it is evidence that the people are in power and establishing their dominion through designated offices. Democratic practices are tokens of contemporary social contracts that hold the strains of social trust, tolerance, and development. As abstract as the concept may be, it is strong enough to put the foremost nations in ruin and powerful enough to progressively transform those that are lagging.

Unfortunately, African countries, and most especially West African countries, have faced unspeakable challenges, shaking the core of their respective democracies. People often wonder if the countries have bred new forms of democratic practices and question the values attached to them. Political instabilities, election crises, and the disruption of legitimate governments by military coups embattle African nations. From 2021 to 2023, the continent seems to be having a festival of coups, as the surge of military intervention in different nations has put up concerns.

However, amid this and drawing from history, many have had good things to say about the democratic practice in Senegal, especially during the process of democratic transmission of power after elections. Senegal was seen as a model and point of reference. This is not because the people just do not like violence when compared to others; it is that the people love their liberty, and they believe that all things that are their votes are their opportunities to speak up. So, there is an endeavour to desist from electoral violence, as well as encourage the smooth transmission of power. In short, some would say that the country might have gotten it right.

Since 20 August, 1960, when the nation gained independence, the military has never tried to interfere with its democratic progression and has allowed for gradual political cohesion and development in the country. The admiration that is incited by this record is solidified by the cooperation of the citizens, who have subscribed to continuity. Unfortunately, the democratic practice of the nation has received heavy shakes since 2023 from the event that sequentially occurred concerning the supposed date for the 2024 election.

The momentum has been mounting from the barring of Ousmane Sonko and other opposition figures that have been seen to have garnered many supporters across the nation. Macky Salls alleged attitudes have been interpreted as a wish to contest for a constitutionally forbidden third, and this spurred many Senegalese out to the street in protest. More than before, the country is faced with many uncertainties, protests, and revolts against the governments stances and the disposition of the politicians.

While all these could be seen as political antics building up to elections, the worst development of the event happened when the president initially singlehandedly postponed the election that was slated for February indefinitely. In a festive session, the parliament expanded a bill that proposed to move the election dates from August to December, 2024, allowing Sall to remain in office for still unforeseeable terms. The excuse of the president and the MPs that are in his support is that the nation needs time to figure out its political crisis and call for negotiations and national dialogues along the line.

One would wonder whether the justifications and reasons given by the president had any significance enough to alter the conduct of the election. The president had years before this month to call for dialogues when the nation was in turmoil, from agitations to agitations, to settle all differences and dialogues. But cancelling the elections in such a way that would breach the Constitution is the last diplomatic thing to do.

The world has commended the democratic practice of the country, and one of the solid tenets of democracy is the sanctity of the Constitution, which the subscriptions of the people have given strength to. The Constitution states that elections must be held at least 30 days before the expiration of the term of an incumbent President. The president ought to leave office in April 2024, and the indefinite postponement of the elections, in fact, till December or whatnot, is a highhanded dereliction of the sanctity of the Constitution. The law has further required that on no occasion should the term of the president be either expanded or shortened, and Salls decision is another way of indirectly contradicting the supreme law of the nation. It amounts to a constitutional coup and forceful compelling of unwanted government over the people, with no choice.

Where the constitution that serves as the foundation of all that holds the country together is disrespected and demeaned by the very institutions that should uphold it, precedents have only been set for further and injurious future violations of the Constitution. I am afraid that one might be facing the definite expulsion of the tranquillity of democracy that the Senegalese have been enjoying. Salls stalling of the continuous practice of democracy is digging at the roots of the Senegalese society and further inviting anarchy in the next few days.

It has been obvious that the decisions of the president are nothing but either miscalculated policy or political gymnastics for the benefit of the anointed candidates of the ruling party. Surely, the disposition of the people is never in tune with the directions of the presidents policies. The people have taken to the streets again, and it affords some interpretation of the intention of the Presidency. The protests and confrontations have been faced by brutality, shaking the root of social constructs. Right from protests and resistance to the barring of Ousmane Sanko and others, records have shown that protesters have been brutalised, and some have lost their lives. Other protests in 2023 have also not been better. The news has reported almost similar reactions from the Senegalese forces and Police to the protesters who are asking for nothing but the re-enthronement of democratic practices. The people had anticipated 25 February as a date to restate their disposition butthe government has taken up the conviction to stop that at all costs. It was also quite embarrassing to see how many opposition Members of the Parliament were wrestled out of the parliament by the Police for the bill to extend the time of election arbitrarily to be passed without opposition.

One could wonder whether the president is afraid of opposition. Amadou Ba, the incumbent prime minister of the Benno Bokk Yaakaar (BBY) coalition, Salls party, is dubbed as the presidents anointed candidate, and it has been alleged that the president has been trying to clear the ground for his easy ascension to power. Many have also stated that the poll does not look nice for Amadou Ba, which makes people to suspect that the postponement, aside from being a possible attempt to stay in office beyond the legally permissible time, is a way to give time to politically adjust the country in favour of Amadou Ba. These assertions are not conveniently logically displaceable, seeing the trend and sequence of events in recent times. Why act differently? The recent history of Senegalese politics has shown the usual change of power from one ruling party to the other without fuss. There was a transition in 2000 and another when Abdou Diouf lost his bid and stepped down. In 2012, Macky Sall also came in through such transitioning.

To then have an apprehension towards transmitting power to other political blocs in the country would not just be a mockery of the system that has produced the president but will also be detrimental to the supposed candidate. It is further a careless endeavour, as it is possible to encourage a deeper crisis that could be beyond the control of the government and invite incidents like coups that the Senegalese detest. This is a deep reminder to the president that power does not belong to him or the Presidency; it belongs to the people. And when the people are ready and demanding that it be passed to someone else, it would be a great act of disservice to hinder such desires. Mr Presidents actions are contrary to the will of the people, and it is important for him to quickly seek a redress before he loses the confidence of the people.

It is also important that the international communities, especially ECOWAS, take this development very seriously. The bodies have not been having definitive impacts on political degenerations that have been predominant in Africa. ECOWAS and the African Union must stop being the toothless dogs that the people presume them to be and take an impactful step in saving the face and life of African democracy. ECOWAS leaders must call President Sall to order to restore the democratic confidence of the Senegalese.

I also wish to admonish the judiciary to take a neutral ground in this budding crisis and serve as the true and last hope of the people to check the excesses of both the presidency and the parliament. If the parliament can arbitrarily make laws that are inconsistent with the Constitution, then there should be no need for valuing law and order. The duty then drops on the lapse of the judiciary to ensure that this constitutional coup and democratic on-slaughter is short-lived.

Senegal does not need Sall. Its people must get rid of him. How many people can he put in prison? How many can he kill? My Senegalese citizens, dont be afraid of this monster.

Toyin Falola, a professor of History, University Distinguished Teaching Professor, and Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at The University of Texas at Austin, is the Bobapitan of Ibadanland.

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KYODO NEWS - Feb 8, 2024 - 23:00 | All, Japan, World

The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.

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Police say No. of cyber scams in Japan up 8% in 2023, most in 10 yrs

TOKYO - Japan saw an 8.3 percent increase in the number of police-recognized cyber and phone scams in 2023, with the 19,033 cases the most in 10 years, while the number of people linked to overseas-based crime rings was the highest ever seen, data showed Thursday.

Cases of telecommunications fraud increased for the third consecutive year and the cost to victims jumped 19 percent to 44.1 billion yen ($298 million), up for the second consecutive year, according to the National Police Agency.

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Tokyo stocks at 34-yr high as BOJ hints at maintaining easing policy

TOKYO - Tokyo stocks ended at 34-year highs Thursday as exporter issues were boosted by a weakening yen against the U.S. dollar after Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida hinted the bank will maintain its accommodative policy stance even after ending negative rates.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average logged the biggest daily rise in nearly three months, ending up 743.36 points, or 2.06 percent, from Wednesday at 36,863.28. The broader Topix index finished 12.68 points, or 0.50 percent, higher at 2,562.63.

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China no longer No. 1 source of U.S. imports, 1st time since 2008

WASHINGTON - China was the second-biggest source of imported goods in the United States last year on a customs-cleared basis, losing the top spot it had held since 2008 to Mexico, official trade data showed Wednesday.

The change in ranking provided further evidence of the United States' reduced economic reliance on China, although the administration of President Joe Biden has reiterated it has no intention of decoupling from the Asian power.

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Accommodative policy to stay after negative rate ends: BOJ deputy

TOKYO - The Bank of Japan will likely maintain its accommodative policy stance even if it moves to end its negative interest rate after achieving stable inflation, a deputy chief said Thursday.

Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida said the likelihood of attaining the central bank's 2 percent inflation target accompanied by pay hikes is "gradually rising" but it needs to examine more data, including the outcome of spring wage negotiations between management and labor unions.

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SoftBank Group posts 458.72 bil. yen net loss in April-Dec.

TOKYO - SoftBank Group Corp. said Thursday it posted a net loss of 458.72 billion yen ($3.1 billion) for the nine months ended December, as it still struggles with its investment business.

The net loss decreased from 912.51 billion yen in the same period last year as better-performing stock markets boosted the value of its investment portfolio.

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Honda ups net profit outlook to record 960 bil. yen on U.S. sales

TOKYO - Honda Motor Co. on Thursday raised its net profit outlook for the current fiscal year to a record 960 billion yen ($6.5 billion), helped by robust auto sales in North America and the weakening yen.

The latest net profit projection, up from its previous estimate of 930 billion yen, for the year to March represents 47.4 percent growth from the previous year.

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Voting underway in Pakistan to elect new government

ISLAMABAD - Pakistani voters went to the polls Thursday to elect a new government, with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and independent candidates backed by detained former premier Imran Khan vying to take power.

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party of Sharif, whose corruption charges were overturned in November and December last year following his return from self-imposed exile, is considered the frontrunner in the National Assembly election.

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Baseball: 2028 Olympics proposes ways for MLB players to take part

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee briefed Major League Baseball owners Wednesday on possible methods that would allow its active players to compete for the first time in the Olympics, the Athletic reported.

According to the story, Los Angeles organizing committee chairman Casey Wasserman outlined four possibilities to make participating in the 2028 Olympics more appealing to MLB teams, including a small six- to eight-team tournament and a brief five- or six-day competition in mid-July.



Video: Fire festival in western Japan
By railroading a 10-month postponement of elections through Parliament, Sall is obviously hoping to succeed where Wade and Jammeh failed. And he doesnt care the cost. But ECOWAS should. The community cannot afford to wait until Senegal becomes another basket case before weighing in.

As the troubled Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convenes its Ministerial Council meeting in Abuja on 8 February to discuss the quit notice served by three of its members  Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger  the situation in Senegal might well be the elephant in the room.

Three weeks to the presidential election earlier scheduled to hold in that country on 25 February, President Macky Sall announced that the election has been postponed, without immediately giving a new date or any believable reasons. After a wave of protests, he instigated the Senegalese Parliament to announce 15 December as a possible new date.

Its not the postponement that will worry ECOWAS leaders as ministers meet in Nigeria, where presidential elections have been postponed twice in the last 10 years, even on the eve of voting; its Salls recent shifty habit  first eying a third-term and then denying it, followed by his governments crackdown on opposition candidates.

The problem in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger  three delinquent countries that have accused the community of complicity and negligence in its obligations and signalled an intention to quit  is bad enough.

That threat alone has not only put trade in the community, estimated at $208.1 billion, at risk, minus informal trade amongst citizens, which constitutes about 30 per cent of the transactions; it also threatens to complicate the security situation in the subregion that is already facing serious problems from violent extremism and banditry.

Hypocritical Oath

A politically unstable Senegal is the last thing that the community needs at this time. Of course, its unlikely that the situation in Senegal will feature at the ECOWAS meeting, where an allegiance of hypocrisy, elegantly called the principle of non-interference, forbids members from telling one another the truth.

The point, however, is that the resurgence of military rule in a number of African countries today, particularly in Mali and Burkina Faso, is partly traceable to blatant disregard for constitutionalism, the rule of law, and rigged transitions  the sort of bad habit that Sall is showing in his old age.

This same Sall, who is losing his way and dragging his country along with him, set a high mark when he assumed office. He cut the size of his cabinet, as he had promised, ploughed funds into the renewal of infrastructure and even made a proposal to parliament that would have reduced his term from a seven to five-year two-term limit!

Sall looked like the most unlikely candidate for this nonsense. In some ways, he reminded me of Senegals founding president, Leopold Senghor  urbane, intellectual and sensible. A geologist and widely travelled man, Sall built his way up from the bottom of the political ladder. Although he started his journey as a minister under former President Abdoulaye Wade, he soon returned to his base, where he took up position as mayor of his hometown.

He took up other ministerial positions later on and also became president of the countrys parliament. He fell out with his mentor, Wade, after he dragged Wades son to parliament to answer corruption charges. But his quarrel was not personal.

Sall seduced

Senegal was drifting, the cost of living was rising and infrastructure collapsing. Wades answer, if he had any, was to attempt to bend the constitution to extend his rule. Sall rallied the opposition. At a stage, the Parti Democratique Senegalais (PDS), where Sall had risen to become prime minister, could no longer contain Wade and Sall. He broke off to form his own Hope Alliance, on whose platform he challenged Wade in the 2012 presidential election and defeated him, with the assistance of a coalition, after a run-off.

This same Sall, who is losing his way and dragging his country along with him, set a high mark when he assumed office. He cut the size of his cabinet, as he had promised, ploughed funds into the renewal of infrastructure and even made a proposal to parliament that would have reduced his term from a seven to five-year two-term limit!

Strong arm Tactics

All of that now appears to have been in the former life of a fairytale. As Salls reset two terms of 12 years neared its end, he slowly became the worst possible version of Wade, toying with an extended tenure and hounding the opposition, with a number of his strongest opponents, including Ousmane Sonkoh, who has now been bumped off the trail on contrived charges. Sall, in short, has been seduced by what he hates.

ECOWAS will not be bothered if Sall changed his mind by December and sought an illegal third term. In the last four years, two regional leaders wangled illegal tenure extensions  Alpha Conde of Guinea and Alassane Ouattara of Cote dIvoire. The first didnt quite get away with it, as soldiers struck and removed him from office, setting off the regions coup spiral; while the second is the current host of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Tinubu, who promised to promote a coup-free region when he assumed office as chair of ECOWAS last year, cannot afford another country added to the regional coup belt. The same way he requested regional leaders at a meeting in Abuja to give George Weah a standing applause for the exemplary transition in that country, he needs to pull Salls ear, behind closed doors, and ask him to stop playing games.

Perhaps if theres one person left in the community on whom the burden falls to whisper to Sall that this is not the Senegal that we used to know, its Nigerias President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. As surely as a stumble imitates a fall, the signs from Dakar are those that presage what could become a full-blown political crisis for the region, if left unattended.

Tinubu, who promised to promote a coup-free region when he assumed office as chair of ECOWAS last year, cannot afford another country added to the regional coup belt. The same way he requested regional leaders at a meeting in Abuja to give George Weah a standing applause for the exemplary transition in that country, he needs to pull Salls ear, behind closed doors, and ask him to stop playing games.

For ECOWAS to achieve the African Union (AU) objective to Silence the Guns in Africa by 2030, the community must pay attention to the underlying factors that breed the resort to gun violence, a few of the obvious ones being rigged elections, suppression of dissent, and the rule of strongmen. When regional leaders, like those in delinquent states, complain that the community is insensitive to problems caused by Western or foreign meddling, its the elite, like Sall, who open the door enabling such meddling.

Oasis in Jeopardy

An oasis of stability and a shining light in a highly politically volatile region, Senegal was one of the few countries on the continent that others looked up to. According to Martin Meredith in his book, The Fortunes of Africa, Over the course of 150 elections held in 29 countries between 1960 and 1989, opposition parties were never allowed a single seat. Only three countries  Senegal, Botswana and the tiny state of the Gambia  sustained multi-party politics, holding elections on a regular basis that were considered reasonably free and fair.

Thats the reputation that Sall threatens to drag in the mud. Tinubu needs to remind Sall that it was he, Sall, and Nigerias former President, Muhammadu Buhari, who led the regional response to flush out Yahaya Jammeh in neigbouring The Gambia, when Jammeh was on the verge of disrupting the outcome of the elections there because they did not favour him.

By railroading a 10-month postponement of elections through Parliament, Sall is obviously hoping to succeed where Wade and Jammeh failed. And he doesnt care the cost. But ECOWAS should. The community cannot afford to wait until Senegal becomes another basket case before weighing in.

Azu Ishiekwene is Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP.

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The President insists on the first-hand participation of Nigerians in the verification of delivery of programmes and projects of government. Very shortly, we will relaunch the citizens tracker, which will be available to Nigerians all over the country. With this tracker, you can view the list of priority programmes/projects of government every year, you can see their status and report the same. These reports will be viewed by the CDCU but even more importantly by the president through a dedicated dashboard accessible on his desk.

Gradually, the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration is building the blocks for a formidable delivery structure to ensure that only those who take the welfare of Nigerians seriously remain in public office.

Recall the presidential retreat in November 2023 and the ensuing execution of performance bonds by the president and his ministers, as well as the identification of eight priorities areas the government intends to focus on. By the document, each minister and, in some instances, a cluster of ministers, have committed to ensuring the delivery of these priorities such that Nigerians will begin to feel the impact of government in no distant time. But the president did not just take the ministers words for it.

At the retreat, he registered his decision to reinvigorate the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU) institutionalised by Executive Order 13 of 2022. He also announced the appointment of his Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman as head of the unit.

By then, many Nigerians had started to wonder what Bala Usman did since her appointment in July 2023, but the performance bonds were a manifestation of the hard work of those preceding months.

To ensure that the presidents vision had been properly digested, in the months before the retreat, which her office put together in collaboration with development partners, the Special Adviser held meetings with every single minister to agree on a set of deliverables.

Ahead of the bilateral meetings, each minister was presented with the report of the policy advisory council; the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress (APC); and handover notes from the immediate past minister in each ministry.

These documents formed the basis for the three-day meetings between the technical teams of the ministries and the CDCU, which was supported by Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, as well as consulting giants, KMPG and Mckinsey. To acquaint the ministers with the modus operandi of the public service, a copy of the Public Service Rules, Financial Management Rule, Civil Service Handbook and some other relevant civil service related materials were shared with them.

The bilateral sessions produced the performance bonds, which the President and Ministers signed at the end of the retreat on 3 November, 2023. The 35 ministries came up with over five hundred deliverables, which form the critical points over which all the ministers will be evaluated.

These deliverables and modalities to monitor the actualities which will bring them on stream formed the fulcrum of the recent technical retreat for Delivery Desk Officers of federal ministries on the implementation of presidential priorities and ministerial deliverables in Uyo.

The technical retreat, which held between the 23rd and 26th of January 2024 had over 140 officials, comprising three people from each of the 35 ministries. In certain instances, the representatives were directors of Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS) in their ministries. The delivery desk officers who participated in the retreat are the foot soldiers tasked with the responsibility of tracking and reporting the performance of federal ministries, departments, and agencies ahead of the final assessment by Bala Usmans CDCU, which will then submit its report to the president.

Welcoming participants, Coordinator of the CDCU, Esege Ebei Esege, said that the retreat is expected to equip them with requisite knowledge to deliver on the eight priorities of the Tinubu administration and encouraged them to learn, unlearn and relearn in the period.

Bala Usman, on her part, charged the participants to see themselves as the engine room that will provide the information needed to track ministerial progress and report challenges and bottlenecks to the CDCU. She explained that the retreat was organised to introduce them to the framework of the delivery chain and build their capacity for effective monitoring and reporting.

Contrary to the penchant of public officers to hide under some nebulous categorisation as evidence of delivery, she stated that the assessment will look at granular and tangible outcomes that affect the lives of citizens. In the Ministry of Aviation, for instance, we will be assessing FAAN on customers experience(s) at the airports: Are the escalators, lifts, and conveyor belts functional? How swift is security clearance, both for passengers and vehicles, in accessing the airport? What are the consequences of the delayed time of departure of airlines? These are things that everybody can feel and see. When we are talking about agriculture, we want to see our index of fertiliser use per hectare grow in view of the attendant investment that has been made in fertiliser interventions. We will consider regional and global benchmarks in our evaluation.

Also, at the Ministry of Finance, we will assess the Nigeria Customs Services on the timeliness for inspection and clearance of import and export of cargo. We will also assess them on the timeliness of resources availability to MDAs, which is core to the delivery of any mandate. We cannot do this effectively without active feedback, in line with the delivery template that we will share during this retreat, and you are the engine room of the feedback needed for this assessment, so we encourage you to put in your optimal performance in the interest of every Nigerian.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, reminded the delivery desk officers of President Tinubus readiness to ensure the active and direct participation of citizens in governance and the role they need to play in ensuring that MDAs deliver on their mandates.

Represented by former Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Sir Olusegun Adekunle, the SGF said that the officers will be responsible for the implementation of policies and programmes that will benefit Nigerians.

He further pointed out: In the words of the President, let me reiterate that the Renewed Hope Agenda is more than just economic growth. It is also about building a more just and equitable society for all Nigerians. It is about creating jobs, improving education and health, and reducing poverty. It is about ensuring that all Nigerians have the opportunity to succeed.

Resource persons at the retreat included Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Professor Tunji Olaopa; Director of the Institute of Continuing Education, University of Lagos, Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika; Project Country Lead for Delivery Associates, Uche Nwokediuko; Obianuju Uchenna; and Ifeoluwa Ibigbami of the TBI, as well as Abu Umar and Chioma Itodo of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

In the final analysis, Bala Usman said the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians is the ultimate interest of the Tinubu administration. She said the President has insisted on the involvement of Nigerians in how they are governed and the CDCU is committed to actualising his dream.

According to her: The President insists on the first-hand participation of Nigerians in the verification of delivery of programmes and projects of government. Very shortly, we will relaunch the citizens tracker, which will be available to Nigerians all over the country. With this tracker, you can view the list of priority programmes/projects of government every year, you can see their status and report the same. These reports will be viewed by the CDCU but even more importantly by the president through a dedicated dashboard accessible on his desk.

She clarified that her office would not stop at assessing the performance of the Ministries but also engage with Ministers constantly to understand their challenges and provide support when needed. Beyond the assessment, the CDCU will foster collaboration and enhance coordination among the ministries, she explained.

All of these give the hope that Nigerians will increasingly have a say in the way they are governed and that a new era in the delivery of government policy and the capacity of citizens to verify the same is in the offing.

Ibukun Ogunfuyi is a delivery manager with the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU).

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Rebuilding trust is not a one-dimensional task but a collective endeavour that requires commitment from the government, businesses, and civil society. As we strive to navigate the challenges of the global economy, restoring trust is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity for Nigerias sustainable growth and prosperity. It is time to mend the frayed fabric of trust and weave a narrative of a business-friendly Nigeria that beckons investors, fosters innovation, and ensures shared prosperity for all.

Nigeria, a nation pulsating with the entrepreneurial spirit and brimming with abundant resources, keeps stumbling upon a hidden hurdle  a seemingly intangible but deeply entrenched obstacle: the lack of trust. This pervasive atmosphere of suspicion, like a noxious weed, chokes the soil of our business environment, hindering growth and prosperity. To truly unlock the potential of our country, we must confront this issue head-on, understanding its insidious effects and fostering a culture of trust-based collaborations.

The Foundations of Trust

Trust is the bedrock upon which successful businesses are built. It is the currency of transactions, the lubricant of partnerships, and the cornerstone of investor confidence. The roots of the pervasive Nigerian trust deficiency lie in a complex web of historical experiences and contemporary realities. Decades of corruption and mismanagement have left scars of disillusionment on the country, breeding scepticism towards institutions and actors alike. Weak enforcement of laws further erodes confidence, fostering a sense of impunity and encouraging opportunistic behaviour. Information asymmetry, where access to vital knowledge is unevenly distributed, amplifies anxieties, breeding suspicion and hindering fair competition. These elements have created an environment in which cynicism thrives, hindering both local and foreign investments.

The Economic Toll of Distrust

The consequences of a lack of trust are far-reaching and multifaceted. Foreign direct investment remains tepid, as global investors are hesitant to commit resources to an environment perceived as unpredictable and fraught with corruption. Locally, businesses struggle to access credit, their proposals weighed down by the stigma of potential deceit. Innovation stalls, as collaboration and knowledge-sharing are stifled by the fear of exploitation.

Moreover, the lack of trust exacerbates economic inequality, hindering the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that could otherwise contribute significantly to job creation and poverty alleviation. The domino effect of distrust ripples through every sector, stifling innovation and impeding the realisation of Nigerias true economic potential.

Businesses, too, must play an active role in the rebuilding of trust. Embracing ethical practices, corporate social responsibility, and transparent operations can go a long way in fostering credibility. By prioritising long-term sustainability over short-term gains, businesses can contribute to reshaping the narrative surrounding Nigerias business environment.

But despair is not a luxury we can afford. Recognising the gravity of the situation is the first step towards positive change. We must then embark on a collective journey of rebuilding trust, brick by brick. This demands a multi-pronged approach at every level of society.

Restoring Trust: A Collaborative Endeavour

Building trust is not an impossible feat; it is a collective responsibility, a shared endeavour requiring both individual commitment and systemic reform. At the individual level, we must embrace honesty and integrity in every interaction. From the corner shop owner, the roadside mechanic, the civil servant, to the corporate executive, each act of fairness, each promise kept, becomes a building block in a new foundation of trust. We must challenge our own biases, learn to see each other not as potential adversaries but as partners in progress.

But individual efforts, however noble, are not enough. We need systemic reforms that strengthen institutions and uphold the rule of law. A transparent and accountable government, an efficient and impartial judiciary, and a robust regulatory framework are essential to creating an environment in which trust can flourish.

Businesses, too, must play an active role in the rebuilding of trust. Embracing ethical practices, corporate social responsibility, and transparent operations can go a long way in fostering credibility. By prioritising long-term sustainability over short-term gains, businesses can contribute to reshaping the narrative surrounding Nigerias business environment.

The journey to rebuilding trust will not be easy. It requires sustained effort, unwavering commitment, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable realities. But the potential rewards are immense. A business environment where trust reigns supreme unlocks a torrent of economic prosperity, fosters social cohesion, and lays the foundation for a brighter future for all Nigerians.

The Role of Information and Communication

Communication is pivotal in dispelling misconceptions and rebuilding trust. Governments and businesses must adopt open and transparent communication channels to keep the public informed about policy changes, economic developments, and corporate initiatives. Clear and honest communication helps bridge the gap between perception and reality, fostering a more informed and trusting society.

Investing in education and fostering a culture of ethical behaviour are also crucial. When young minds are instilled with the values of integrity and responsibility, they become the architects of a future built on trust.

Technology can be a powerful tool in this endeavour. Digital platforms can increase transparency, streamline processes, and facilitate secure transactions. By embracing innovation, we can create systems that minimise opportunities for corruption and build trust through efficiency.

Releasing the Shackles

The journey to rebuilding trust will not be easy. It requires sustained effort, unwavering commitment, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable realities. But the potential rewards are immense. A business environment where trust reigns supreme unlocks a torrent of economic prosperity, fosters social cohesion, and lays the foundation for a brighter future for all Nigerians.

Rebuilding trust is not a one-dimensional task but a collective endeavour that requires commitment from the government, businesses, and civil society. As we strive to navigate the challenges of the global economy, restoring trust is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity for Nigerias sustainable growth and prosperity. It is time to mend the frayed fabric of trust and weave a narrative of a business-friendly Nigeria that beckons investors, fosters innovation, and ensures shared prosperity for all.

Ibrahim Abdullahi Shelleng is a business development consultant, chartered stockbroker (ACS) and an associate member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (CISI) UK.

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No fewer than 250 organisations, including industries, worship places and night clubs, have been sealed for noise pollution and other environmental infractions in Lagos State over the last three months.

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) said the action is part of its efforts to achieve an improved, safer and sustainable environment in the state.

The General Manager of LASEPA, Babatunde Ajayi, disclosed on Thursday, during the agencys one-day capacity-building training for its accredited consultants across the state. The programme, organised in conjunction with the Climate Transition Academy, was held in the Central Business Development Area, Ikeja, Lagos.

He stressed that the agency had embarked on a lot of reforms geared towards achieving a noiseless, cleaner, safer and pollution-free Lagos.

Mr Ajayi said that the training was to update the consultants knowledge of current trends in addressing global climate change challenges and other environmental problems for sustainable development.

He charged the accredited consultants to support the state governments bid to deliver a safer, healthier and sustainable environment through the adoption of Environment Social Governance (ESG) global model in tackling identified environmental challenges.

Mr Ajayi emphasised that the training of LASEPA accredited consultants became necessary so as to update their knowledge and increase their capacities in the application of the global standard model in managing environmental issues, especially climate change problem and their associated greenhouse gas emissions.

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He further added that in achieving its ministerial mandate, the agency would strengthen its enforcement measures to ensure compliance with government regulations towards achieving a cleaner and sustainable environment in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S development agenda of the state.

In his remarks, Executive Director, Carbon Limits Nigeria, James Ogunleye, who spoke on behalf of other facilitators, stated that the programme would help to expose LASEPA-accredited consultants and broaden their knowledge of current global practices in a sustainable environment.

He noted that there was a great departure from the old practice of consultants just knowing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Environmental Audit Report (EAR), and Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) to qualify as a consultant.

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Noel Lateef, president of the Foreign Policy Association, speaks at a reception commemorating the 45th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations at the Chinese Consulate General in New York, on Jan. 17, 2024. Courage and strength, as exemplified by the Year of the Dragon, are much needed to further improve U.S.-China ties, the world's most important bilateral relationship, U.S. experts have said. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

by Xinhua writers Yang Shilong, Xing Yue

NEW YORK, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Courage and strength,as exemplified by the Year of the Dragon, are much needed to further improve U.S.-China ties, the world's most important bilateral relationship, U.S. experts have said.

"Evolution, improvement, rejuvenated beginnings and a foundation for long-term success (that the Year of the Dragon represents) is exactly what the U.S.-China relations need," said Jan Berris, vice president of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations (NCUSCR), at a reception early this week in New York in celebration of the Year of the Dragon, which begins on Feb. 10.

People are glad to see that the U.S.-China relationship has improved following the San Francisco summit in November between the two heads of state, said Berris.

"But the thawing that is currently taking place in relationship will just melt into a pool of stagnant water unless we all undertake and make a pledge to do the hard work that it is going to take to evolve, improve and rejuvenate and set a foundation for long-term success," said Berris, who has witnessed a series of events that made history for China-U.S. relations, including Ping-Pong Diplomacy.

Noting that U.S.-China relations have witnessed "some difficulty, to say the least" last year, NCUSCR President Stephen Orlins said that the San Francisco summit has "put the relationship on the path to benefiting the people of the United States and the people of China."

"To have further improvements, our countries need to act in the spirit of the dragon with courage and strength. If we do, the Year of the Dragon will be a year of peace, prosperity and vitality," said Orlins, first in Mandarin, then in English.

For Edward Mermelstein, New York City's Commissioner for International Affairs, "New York City-China relations have always been good and will only get better."

The city, home to the largest Chinese diaspora in the United States, has engaged in "productive dialogues" with Chinese partners, including Guangdong Province, to further strengthen economic, cultural and educational ties with China, said Mermelstein.

"The Lunar New Year offers us an opportunity to gather with friends and family enjoying the rich flavors of Chinese cuisine and to honor the traditions that unite us all. It is a time to reflect on our shared values of resilience and hope, which the Year of the Dragon embodies," said Mermelstein.

At another event held in mid-January by the Chinese Consulate General in New York commemorating the 45th Anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations, Orlins said shared interests and responsibilities bonded the United States and China together 45 years ago and remain fundamental in the world's most crucial bilateral relationship today.

Sharing his personal experiences during then Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping's visit to the United States in 1979, Orlins said both the United States and China should embrace the wisdom of the older generation of leaders who worked well together.

Noel Lateef, president of the Foreign Policy Association, examined both nations' significant roles at critical moments in global history and their shared responsibility in maintaining global peace and stability.

Lateef announced that his organization would host a series of conferences on U.S.-China relations this year to foster mutual respect and trust between the two countries.

Susan Elliott, president and CEO of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, highlighted the pivotal moment in 1979 when then U.S. President Jimmy Carter facilitated normalizing relations with China.

She noted that the San Francisco summit resulted in over 20 deliverables and was "a really positive step in the right direction." 

Chinese Consul General in New York Huang Ping speaks at a reception in celebration of the Year of the Dragon at the Chinese Consulate General in New York, on Feb. 5, 2024. Courage and strength, as exemplified by the Year of the Dragon, are much needed to further improve U.S.-China ties, the world's most important bilateral relationship, U.S. experts have said. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua)

A guest talks to an artisan who showcases China's porcelain artifacts at a reception in celebration of the Year of the Dragon at the Chinese Consulate General in New York, on Feb. 5, 2024. Courage and strength, as exemplified by the Year of the Dragon, are much needed to further improve U.S.-China ties, the world's most important bilateral relationship, U.S. experts have said. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua)

Stephen Orlins, president of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, speaks at a reception commemorating the 45th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations at the Chinese Consulate General in New York, on Jan. 17, 2024. Courage and strength, as exemplified by the Year of the Dragon, are much needed to further improve U.S.-China ties, the world's most important bilateral relationship, U.S. experts have said. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Jan Berris, vice president of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, speaks at a reception in celebration of the Year of the Dragon at the Chinese Consulate General in New York, on Feb. 5, 2024. Courage and strength, as exemplified by the Year of the Dragon, are much needed to further improve U.S.-China ties, the world's most important bilateral relationship, U.S. experts have said. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua)

Susan Elliott, president and CEO of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, speaks at a reception commemorating the 45th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations at the Chinese Consulate General in New York, on Jan. 17, 2024. Courage and strength, as exemplified by the Year of the Dragon, are much needed to further improve U.S.-China ties, the world's most important bilateral relationship, U.S. experts have said. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
Growth of the global airport automation market is driven by factors such as rise in passenger traffic and demand for efficiency, enhanced security requirements and regulatory compliance, capacity expansion and new airport construction, and globalization of air travel.

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Airport Automation Market by System (Data Acquisition and Communication, Automation and Control, Data Storage, and Software and Solution), Application (Baggage Handling and Tracking, Ground Transportation and Parking, Retail and Dinning, Facility Management, Passenger Service and Assistance, Emergency Response and Safety, Ground Support Equipment, Air Traffic Management, Airfield Management, and Others), Airport Side (Land Side and Air Side), End Market (Greenfield and Brownfield), and Automation Level (Level 1.0, Level 2.0, Level 3.0, and Level 4.0): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20232032.

According to the report, the global airport automation market size generated $10.8 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to generate $19.6 billion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 6.4% from 2023 to 2032.

Prime Determinants of Growth

Continued growth in both, international and domestic air travel is the primary driver for the airport automation market growth. Airports work to streamline procedures to effectively manage increased traffic. Furthermore, continuous technological developments, such as those in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT) support the creation of advanced and effective airport automation systems.

(We are providing airport automation industry report as per your research requirement, including the Latest Industry Insight's Evolution, Potential and Russia-Ukraine War Impact Analysis)

197 - Tables

62 - Charts

250  Pages

Download Sample Report and Table of Content - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A312078

Airport Automation Report Coverage and Details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size In 2022 $10.8 Billion Market Size In 2032 $19.6 Billion CAGR 6.4 % No. Of Pages in Report 250 Segments Covered System, Application, Airport Side, End Market, Automation Level, And Region Drivers Rise In Passenger Traffic and Demand for Efficiency Enhanced Security Requirements and Regulatory Compliance Opportunities Integration Of Artificial Intelligence (AI) And Data Analytics Restraints High Initial Implementation Costs Opposition To Change and Workforce Displacement Concerns

Impact of Russia-Ukraine War Scenario

On February 24, 2022 , the Russia - Ukraine war damaged the world's supply chain, which would have an impact on the production and delivery of parts for airport automation systems. Production and implementation of automation solutions may be impacted by shortages or delays in essential components.

, the - war damaged the world's supply chain, which would have an impact on the production and delivery of parts for airport automation systems. Production and implementation of automation solutions may be impacted by shortages or delays in essential components. Moreover, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine could have an impact on plans for infrastructure development in the impacted areas. The deployment of cutting-edge automation systems may be impacted by delays or changes in priorities in investments made in the construction of new airports or the expansion of existing ones.

The automation and control segment to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period.

On the basis of system, the automation and control segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the global airport automation market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period, due its vital role in streamlining and improving a number of airport procedures, including air traffic control, luggage management, and security screening, which improves operational effectiveness and customer experience. However, the data storage segment is projected to attain the highest CAGR of 9.3% from 2023 to 2032, owing to their automation systems producing increased amount of data, such as operational metrics, security data, and passenger information, which calls for reliable storage options for efficient analysis, compliance, and decision-making.

The Baggage Handling and Tracking segment to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period.

On the basis of application, the baggage handling and tracking segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the global airport automation market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period owing to its vital role in automating the sorting, tracking, and delivery of luggage throughout the airport trip, improving operational efficiency, decreasing errors, and increasing customer pleasure. Moreover, the retail and dinning segment is projected to attain the highest CAGR of 14.0% from 2023 to 2032, driven by the growing need for automated solutions, such smartphone apps and self-service kiosks, which offers travelers easy, frictionless ways to eat, buy, and place orders inside airport terminals.

Recent Advancements in Airport Automation:

In November 2021 , Honeywell expanded the NAVITASTM software suite, optimizing airside operations for efficient ground movement and enhanced situational awareness.

, Honeywell expanded the NAVITASTM software suite, optimizing airside operations for efficient ground movement and enhanced situational awareness. Sanad and Thales partnered in November 2023 to extend services into airport security and digital operations.

to extend services into airport security and digital operations. Thales enhanced its TopSky-ATC solution in October 2023 , introducing CPDLC for secure pilot-controller communication and ADS-C for automated flight status reports.

, introducing CPDLC for secure pilot-controller communication and ADS-C for automated flight status reports. Aurrigo collaborated with IAG in October 2023 , initiating a four-month autonomous vehicle evaluation for UK airports.

, initiating a four-month autonomous vehicle evaluation for UK airports. Bangalore International Airport and IBM joined forces in July 2021 for digital and IT transformation, creating an innovative "Airport in a Box" platform.

International Airport and IBM joined forces in for digital and IT transformation, creating an innovative "Airport in a Box" platform. CGI partnered with Fraport AG in April 2023 to accelerate automation through the digitization of operations at Frankfurt Airport, aiming to enhance customer experience and competitiveness.

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The Land Side segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

On the basis of airport side, the land side segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the global airport automation market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period as there is rise in focus on boosting entire airport services prior to passengers entering the secure airside area, as well as operational efficiency in areas like check-in, baggage drops, and ground transportation. Moreover, the air side segment is projected to attain the highest CAGR of 7.5% from 2023 to 2032, due to the growing uptake of cutting-edge technologies such as intelligent apron management, automated aircraft boarding, and enhanced air traffic control systems, which enhance productivity and safety on the airside of airports.

The Greenfield segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

On the basis of end market, the greenfield segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, accounting for more than three-fifths of the global airport automation market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period. Moreover, the brownfield segment is projected to attain the highest CAGR of 8.0% from 2023 to 2032, owing to rise in need to modernize current airports with cutting-edge automated technologies to improve passenger experience, efficiency, and adherence to changing industry standards.

The Level 3.0 segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

On the basis of automation level, the level 3.0 segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, accounting for nearly one-third of the global airport automation market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period owing to rise in emphasis on a higher degree of collaboration between humans and machines. While automation handles routine tasks, human operators remain actively involved in monitoring, decision-making, and taking control when necessary. Moreover, the level 4.0 segment is projected to attain the highest CAGR of 8.7% from 2023 to 2032, as automated systems could be programmed to follow safety protocols to the letter, which could help to reduce the risk of accidents.

Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2032

Region-wise, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting more than one-third of the airport automation market revenue and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period, due to the region's strong economic growth, rise in demand for air travel, significant infrastructure investments, and proactive adoption of cutting-edge technologies. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 8.0% from 2023 to 2032, as adoption of advanced automation technology in the region is driven by factors such as fast urbanization, economic expansion, increased demand for air travel, and significant investments in renovating airport infrastructure.

Key Highlights of the Airport Automation Industry Report:

Comprehensive analysis spanning over 16 countries, featuring country-wise value breakdown ($ million) for 2022-2032.

Meticulous research integrating top-notch data, professional insights, and independent opinions for a well-rounded perspective.

Research methodology designed to empower stakeholders with informed decisions for ambitious growth objectives.

Thorough review of 3,700+ product literature, annual reports, industry statements, and materials from major industry players, enhancing market understanding.

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Leading Market Players: -

Amadeus It Group Sa

Collins Aerospace

Daifuku Co., Ltd.

Honeywell International Inc.

NEC Corporation

Siemens

SITA

Thales

Vanderlande Industries B.V.

Wipro

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players of the global airport automation market. These players have adopted various strategies such as contracts, agreements, partnerships, expansion, and others to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the industry. The report helps determine the business performance, operating segments, developments, and product portfolios of every market player.

Similar Reports We Have on Airport Industry:

Green Airport Market Research Report 2023-2032

Smart Airport Market Research Report 2023-2032

Airport Operations Market Research Report 2023-2032

Airport Robots Market Research Report 2023-2032

Smart Airport 4.0 Market Research Report 2023-2032

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We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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MOORPARK, Calif., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As a dynamic company with a diverse reach, 100GROUP, under the leadership of CEO Jeff Brodsly, is well-known for its innovative business management software and payment processing solutions. However, the company's commitment extends far beyond its role in financial technology. During the recent holiday season, 100GROUP's California and Michigan offices demonstrated exceptional philanthropic efforts within their communities.

In California, the Thanksgiving initiative, a tradition spanning four years, involved 100GROUP partnering with the Moorpark Unified School District to identify families in need. Through a well-coordinated effort, the company provided these families with complimentary Thanksgiving meals, complete with all the essentials from turkey to pie, ensuring a memorable holiday experience. Each year brings new approaches as 100GROUP's commitment to adapting and expanding their impact within the community is showcased. In previous years, the team personally shopped and delivered meals, while another year involved hosting a convenient pickup site. This year the company donated Grocery Outlet gift cards to the school district, reaching more families than ever before.

Shifting focus to the 100GROUP Michigan office, managing partner Sarah McKee and team upheld the annual tradition of adopting families in need to ensure a brighter Christmas for those facing challenges. The first family they adopted was a single mother with two children who had recently left an abusive relationship and was struggling to provide a Christmas for her kids. The team came together to provide the family with a thoughtful assortment of gifts and essential items, including gift cards for shopping to cover both necessities and treats, various clothing and toys for the children, as well as self-care gift cards and comfort items for the mother.

Additionally, the 100GROUP Michigan office extended support to a second family in the form of a $200 gift card where the husband had recently lost his job leading into the holiday season.

As we reflect on the past holiday season, 100GROUP concludes another year with gratitude for the opportunity to make a positive impact on the communities it serves. The holiday initiatives exemplified the organization's core values and dedication to making a difference. This festive period was not only a celebration of successes but also an opportunity to share joy and warmth with those in need. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all team members across the various offices for their contributions and active participation in these philanthropic efforts. Together, 100GROUP can continue spreading holiday cheer and creating lasting impacts on families.

About 100GROUP

100GROUP, where innovation meets seamless business solutions. 100GROUP proudly stands as the parent company of a unique portfolio of business management software solutions, gateways, and payment processing, establishing itself as the ultimate platform in the financial technology industry.

At 100GROUP, we redefine the business landscape as the leading business services concierge. We cater exclusively to business owners, offering a comprehensive suite of essential products and services. Envision 100GROUP as the only platform a business needs - a centralized hub where possibilities unfold.

Navigating the intricacies of technology coupled with payment processing, and major vendor management becomes effortless with 100GROUP. Our groundbreaking model integrates personalized concierge services at your fingertips, bidding farewell to the complexities of managing multiple vendor relationships without VIP treatment. Providing a 24/7 business management concierge, 100GROUP is the one vendor that business owners rave about.

For more information, please visit www.100GROUP.com

SOURCE 100GROUP
MYSOWICE, Poland, Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A 37MW solar power plant, equipped with Kehua inverters, has successfully connected to the grid in Poland. The project is invested by Tauron, one of the largest businesses in the Polish energy sector.

Project Information

37MW Solar Power Plant Powered by Kehua Goes Online in Poland-Source: TAURON Kehua Inverters for a 37MW Solar Power Plant Powered in Poland

Location: Mysowice, Poland

Scenario: reclaimed furnace waste landfill

Capacity: 37MW

Product: Kehua SPI 250K-B-H inverters

The 37 MW photovoltaic power plant is expected to generate 39,000 MWh of green energy annually, meeting the electricity needs of around 16,000 households. This amount of power is also sufficient to meet the annual energy needs of a city with 50,000 residents. Furthermore, the ecological impact of the project is significant, with solar production expected to reduce up to 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

The project is located in a remote suburb of Mysowice, where humid summers and cold winters pose a challenge to the PV system. Kehua's research led to the use of an inverter solution with IP66 protection, which prevents corrosion from water vapor and protects the internal electronics. Moreover, the inverters are designed with internal heating. All these initiatives ensure the product's adaptability to high humidity and extreme cold environments.

This fruition is attributed to Kehua's 35 years of experience in power electronics projects and their unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. As a close partner of Kehua in Poland, Solfinity team was also instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. Thanks to the efficient collaboration between Solfinity and Kehua, this project has received positive feedback from the owner.

The successful commissioning of the 37 MW solar power plant project signifies a leap forward in local sustainable energy processes and demonstrates Kehua's commitment to innovative renewable energy solutions. With the growing global demand for clean energy, this initiative showcases the potential of solar energy in environmental sustainability and meeting evolving energy needs. Kehua looks forward to pioneering more groundbreaking solutions for a greener future.

About Kehua Digital Energy

Having dived in the power conversion industry for 35 years, Kehua is dedicated to being the top supplier of PV and ESS solutions globally. The company offers a wide range of products and extensive project experience in integrated energy services, photovoltaics, energy storage, microgrids, and other areas. Over 100 nations and regions worldwide are served by the products and solutions.

Till 2022, Kehua's global installed capacity of PV exceeds 31GW, and its installed capacity of energy storage exceeds 6.3GW/5.4GWh. Kehua is the world's No.4 energy storage inverter supplier (S&P Commodity Insights 2022) and a Tier 1 energy storage supplier (BloombergNEF 2023). In the future, Kehua will continue to be a reliable PV and ESS expert, create clean energy, and commit to making everyone in the world live a zero-carbon life.

CONTACT: [email protected]

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SINGAPORE, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AliExpress order volume has increased by 60% year-over-year, according to the financial results announced by Alibaba Group Holding Limited ("Alibaba Group") for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. This strong performance contributed to a 44% year-over-year growth in Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group's revenue, exceeding market expectations for the sixth consecutive quarter.

Bringing Shopping to the Next Level

The catalyst behind this robust growth is AliExpress' Choice, a premium service introduced in March 2023. Designed to redefine cross-border shopping, Choice offers customers exceptional value, a curated selection of high-quality products, logistics and superior customer service at every touchpoint.

Thanks to Choice, customers in a growing number of markets now enjoy perks including free shipping, assured on-time delivery and free returns. For example, products in the AliExpress Choice section are eligible for free shipping in the majority of applicable markets for purchases worth over US$10 or when any three selected items are bought. As of December 2023, over 20 markets, including Spain and France, enjoy free returns on all Choice products, and 23 markets, including Germany and Switzerland, are offered an on-time delivery guarantee.

Logistics remains a cornerstone of Choice's success, with AliExpress and logistics partner Cainiao extending their global five-day delivery coverage to include 10 markets in the quarter. The volume of orders eligible for this expedited service has seen a triple-digit increase from the previous quarter. In January 2024, nearly half of the AliExpress orders were placed through Choice, underscoring the service's rapidly increasing customer adoption.

Fueling Diverse and Dynamic Growth

Beyond logistics enhancements, Choice has broadened AliExpress' product offerings by providing sellers with a one-stop solution that seamlessly integrates sales operations, payment, logistics and warehousing, making it possible for them to concentrate on product innovation and manufacturing. This approach allows sellers to efficiently expand internationally, driving growth for both their own businesses and AliExpress. In anticipation of the Spring Festival, the Cainiao-AliExpress joint warehouse for Choice reported a six-fold growth of stock volume year-over-year, partly fueled by the broadened product selection enabled by the service.

Gary Topp, AliExpress European Commercial Director, expressed enthusiasm about Choice's impact: "The introduction of Choice represents a watershed moment for AliExpress. By delivering standout features like complimentary shipping, swift delivery and easy returns, we are cultivating stronger customer loyalty while solidifying our market presence. Looking ahead, we are dedicated to further refining the Choice offering and perpetually elevating the shopper experience."

The introduction of Choice has been pivotal to the growth of AliExpress' global footprint. In Spain, AliExpress claimed the title of the second most-visited e-commerce platform in December 2023, as per Club Ecommerce and EGI Group statistics. In the United States, Similarweb data indicates AliExpress' monthly average visits soared to 24.2 million in 2023  a 290% year-on-year spike, marking it as one of the nation's fastest-growing e-commerce sites. Moreover, the number of monthly active AliExpress users in South Korea reached the 7 million mark last November, nearly doubling year-over-year, according to mobile analytics firm WiseApp.

About AliExpress

Launched in 2010, AliExpress is a business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce platform enabling global consumers to buy directly from manufacturers and distributors in China and around the world. In addition to the global English-language version, the AliExpress platform is also available in 17 other languages. AliExpress is part of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group.

SOURCE AliExpress
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Anju Software, a prominent provider of software solutions for the life sciences industry, is thrilled to announce its participation in the 15th annual SCOPE Summit for Clinical Ops Executives from February 11-14, 2024, in Orlando, Florida.

SCOPE Orlando 2024, a premier clinical operations conference, offers a 200-event exhibit hall, cross-department panels, and three plenary keynotes, providing attendees with networking opportunities and insights into the latest trends in clinical trials.

Elke Ydens, Anju Software's Associate Director of Business Solutions, together with Luke Moyer, Head of Global Clinical Supply Chain at Incyte Corporation, and Stacy Eckstein, Manager of Trial Informatics at Incyte Corporation, will co-present "Building a Capability to Enable Data-Driven Decision-Making in Clinical Research" on Tuesday, February 13, at 10:15 AM in the Data track. The focus of this presentation is on establishing a robust capability for data-driven decision-making in clinical research. It aims to develop strategies for enhancing the integration, analysis, and interpretation of clinical data, leveraging advanced technologies to empower healthcare professionals and researchers with early, meaningful insights from complex data sets. This continuous process can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of clinical research, contributing to evidence-based decision-making in healthcare.

Additional highlights of SCOPE Orlando 2024 include keynotes such as Pfizer's Robert Goodwin discussing "Time is Life: Pfizer's Approach to Accelerating Clinical Development" on Monday, February 12. The conference offers 29 program tracks for customization based on professional interests, covering areas like Clinical Operations, Data Management, Digital Measurements, Real World Evidence, and more.

If you're attending the conference, visit Anju Software's exhibit at booth 912 to connect with their team of experts and explore how Anju's eClinical and data solutions can empower your trials.

About Anju Software

Anju is a customer-first organization delivering adaptable life science solutions for clinical research, medical affairs, and data science. TrialMaster, IRMS MAX, and TA Scan, the company's flagship products, lead the way in reducing complexities in the drug and device discovery and commercialization process. With a team of industry experts and a diverse suite of versatile products, Anju empowers clients to drive innovation, efficiency, and compliance. Anju is a portfolio company of Abry Partners serving the worldwide pharmaceutical, biotech and contract research Life Sciences markets.

Media Contact:

John F. Kouten

JFK Communications, Inc.

+1 609.241.7352

[email protected]

SOURCE Anju Software
In today's aviation environment, SMS plays a pivotal role in ensuring safe and efficient operations. Aviation Safety Solutions (AVSS) led by Amanda Ferraro, CEO, is a global leader in applying aviation best practices and standards to provide the highest quality industry-leading safety expertise through customized consulting, auditing, training and development services. Fireside Partners, led by Don Chupp, President and CEO, is a worldwide fully integrated emergency services provider combining all four critical components of safety management (prevention, planning, response and recovery).

The four-day workshop will be conducted at our AVSS Training Facility, located at 4618 S Columbia Dr, Janesville, Wisconsin, on March 25-28 and May 20-23. Additional dates will be added as needed. Attendees have the option of joining virtually in conjunction with real time participants.

Workshop Highlights Include:

Take-home Resources: Receive a comprehensive interactive 100-page workbook simplified to guide you through implementing an FAA SMS once you complete the course. This workbook is interactive and filled with information, checklist, forms, diagrams, and graphs.

Receive a comprehensive interactive 100-page workbook simplified to guide you through implementing an FAA SMS once you complete the course. This workbook is interactive and filled with information, checklist, forms, diagrams, and graphs. In-depth Understanding of FAA SMS Requirements: Gain a profound understanding of the FAA's SMS framework, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.

Gain a profound understanding of the FAA's SMS framework, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards. Interactive Sessions: Participate in dynamic, interactive sessions with fellow operators, fostering an environment of active engagement in discussions and practical case studies. This collaborative approach not only enhances learning but also provides an excellent opportunity to build relationships with other organizations.

Participate in dynamic, interactive sessions with fellow operators, fostering an environment of active engagement in discussions and practical case studies. This collaborative approach not only enhances learning but also provides an excellent opportunity to build relationships with other organizations. Real-world Scenarios: AVSS will present real-world aviation safety scenarios, enabling attendees to apply SMS principles in practical situations.

AVSS will present real-world aviation safety scenarios, enabling attendees to apply SMS principles in practical situations. Expert Instructors: Benefit from the guidance of industry-leading experts, including Amanda Ferraro , and Destiny Carpenter from Fireside Partners.

Benefit from the guidance of industry-leading experts, including , and from Fireside Partners. Certification: Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate of completion and a record of training, to recognize and acknowledge their commitment as aviation safety leadership professionals.

Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate of completion and a record of training, to recognize and acknowledge their commitment as aviation safety leadership professionals. Registration Information: To secure your spot at the FAA SMS Workshop, please visit the AVSS Training Academy website at https://courses.avsafetysolutions.com/p/faa-sms-workshop. Early registration is encouraged, as seating is limited.

Comments from previous Workshop attendees include:

The templates are very helpful and an added bonus that we have access to them for future reference. The lessons were very engaging. I feel that the workshop has greatly enhanced my understanding of SMS principles and their practical applications. - Glen Ritchie  Trans Island Airways

I would highly recommend this workshop to anyone looking to enhance their SMS knowledge and assist with preparation for Part 5 alignment. Not only is this a great workshop for aviation leaders and safety managers, but I also see value for all our Safety Committee members and will be sending all of them to this workshop to increase their SMS understanding. - Director of Aviation - Fortune 500 Corporate Flight Department, IS-BAO Stage III Operator

AVSS is dedicated to equipping aviation professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to ensure the highest standards of safety. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your understanding of SMS and contribute to the continued improvement of aviation safety.

About Aviation Safety Solutions: Aviation Safety Solutions, founded in 2013 and led by Amanda Ferraro as CEO, is a globally recognized leader in the application of aviation best practices and standards. Our mission is to provide the aviation industry with unparalleled safety expertise through customized consulting, auditing, training, and development services. With a steadfast commitment to safety training and emergency preparedness, Aviation Safety Solutions prioritizes excellence in safety across the aviation sector.

4618 S Columbia Dr, Janesville, WI 53546 | Website | Training Academy | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

SOURCE Aviation Safety Solutions
First Luxury Salon Location to Open In New York City this February

NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Barberino's, the innovative barbershop chain that has transformed the grooming profession in Italy with 18 successful locations, is set to revolutionize the U.S. market. Filling a void in high-end grooming experiences for men, Barberino's announces the opening of its latest salon at 520 Madison Avenue in the heart of New York on February, the 8th.

The groundbreaking venture is the brainchild of Eric Malka, co-founder of The Art of Shaving, marking his return to the world of grooming and Michele Callegari and Niccolo Bencini, co-founders of Barberino's.

Niccolo Bencini and Michele Callegari, Co-founders of Barberino's SBI Logo

"Our goal is to revolutionize the barber profession in the United States, just as we have done in Italy." explains Michele Callegari, CEO di Barberino's. "With this new opening, we aim to provide Americans with a haven where they can escape the chaos of daily life and relive the grooming experience 'like in the old days'a touch of Italian craftsmanship, elegance, and attention to detail".

Eric Malka, who today is at the helm of Strategic Brand Investments, an angel fund that provides capital and guidance for early-stage companies, shares "When we discovered Barberino's, it was clear to me that they were perfectly situated to spearhead the next wave of high-end men's grooming salons in the US. The closure of The Art of Shaving Barber Spa in mid-town was the perfect opportunity for us to enter the American market and elevate the standard of men's grooming experiences in this area".

The strategically located salon, between the Upper East Side and Rockefeller Center, is poised to address the decline in quality and choices within the US landscape. The 70-square-meter space, adorned in Barberino's signature shade of green, will feature three barber chairs and offer tailored services and products designed for American guests. The space was formerly a top performing location for The Art of Shaving which closed its doors in January.

In addition to the in-store experience, Barberino's introduces a dedicated website for U.S. customers, enhancing accessibility and convenience for a seamless connection with the brand.

Michele Callegari highlights the historical connection between the brand and the United States. In 1910, his great-grandfather, Giovanni Callegari, left Italy to become a renowned barber in the U.S., adopting the name "Barberino." The revival of the same style, quality, and attention to detail pays homage to Giovanni Callegari's legacy and marks the realization of a dream that spans two countries and two generations.

An Italian barber will take the helm at the New York salon, guiding and training U.S. professionals to blend skills and customer knowledge, ensuring a complete and memorable experience. To support this goal, Barberino's has initiated an apprenticeship project, fostering an ongoing exchange between barbers of different nationalities. Italian barbers will gain experience in Manhattan, while their U.S. counterparts will have the opportunity to train in Italy. Barberino's will facilitate the entire process, managing permits and providing dedicated accommodations for this distinctive cultural and professional interchange.

As Barberino's fills a void in the U.S. grooming industry, Eric Malka's endorsement and strategic guidance promise an exciting future for the brand and a revitalization of the American grooming experience.

About Barberino's

Barberino's is the chain that is revolutionizing the barber profession in Italy. It allows people to live an experience that is old-fashioned and luxury, but at the same time accessible. Barberino's barbershops provide a 360-degree experience.

About Strategic Brand Investments

Strategic Brand Investments (SBI) is a purpose-driven Angel Fund founded by Eric and Myriam Malka, renowned for their entrepreneurial success with The Art of Shaving, which was acquired by Procter & Gamble/Gillette.

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SOURCE Barberino's
BANGALORE, India, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Biomethane Market is Segmented By Feedstock (Organic Household, Animal Manure, Energy Crops, Agricultural Waste, Sewage Sludge, Industrial Food Processing Waste), By Production Method (Anaerobic Digestion, Gasification, Fermentation), By Application (Automotive, Power Generation, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032.

The Biomethane Market was valued at USD 3.1 Billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach USD 5.5 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2023 to 2032.

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Major Factors Driving the Growth of Biomethane Market

A favorable environment for biomethane is being created by governments throughout the world enforcing strict laws that favor renewable energy sources in response to growing worries about climate change. Technological advancements in manufacturing techniques increase productivity and reduce expenses, ensuring the economic viability of biomethane. Initiatives pertaining to the circular economy and the waste-to-energy trend support the market and are in line with sustainability objectives. Because of increased consumer awareness of environmental issues and its ability to diversify the energy mix, biomethane helps with energy security and is in high demand. Widespread biomethane adoption is facilitated by the development of infrastructure and connectivity with the gas grid.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF BIOMETHANE MARKET

The global transition to sustainable energy sources and growing environmental concerns are driving the biomethane market's strong rise. Stricter laws are being implemented by governments and regulatory agencies throughout the globe to lower greenhouse gas emissions and support renewable energy. Sustainable natural gas produced from organic waste, biomethane, supports these environmental objectives. An environment that is conducive to the production and use of biomethane is created by supportive laws, incentives, and subsidies that further expand the market.

The market for biomethane gains from the increasing focus on waste-to-energy and circular economy projects. The idea of turning organic waste into useful energy is consistent with trash reduction tactics and environmental objectives.

By varying the energy mix, biomethane enhances energy security. Biomethane, being a locally generated and sustainable fuel, lessens reliance on imported fossil fuels. A diverse energy portfolio is becoming more and more important to businesses and governments, and biomethane's ability to supply a consistent and sustainable energy source goes a long way towards ensuring energy security. Consumers' growing consciousness of the environmental consequences of traditional energy sources has resulted in a sharp increase in demand for greener alternatives, such as biomethane. Customers' tastes are changing in the market, and more people and companies are selecting biomethane as a greener and more sustainable solution for their energy demands.

For the biomethane industry to flourish, infrastructure must be expanded. This includes modernizing facilities and adding injection points into already-existing natural gas networks. Biomethane can now be distributed and used more effectively thanks to integrated gas grid systems, opening up the fuel to a larger range of users. Continuous investments in the development of infrastructure support the biomethane market's scalability and competitiveness. Biomethane production is becoming more economically viable and cost-competitive as technology develops and economies of scale are achieved. Biomethane is becoming a more appealing alternative for investors and end users due to its declining production costs, which is further accelerating the market's growth trajectory.

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BIOMETHANE MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

It is divided into power generating, automotive, and other segments based on application. The biomethane market growth was primarily driven by the automotive industry, which is expected to continue to dominate the market over the forecast years. It is projected that cars intended to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG) or compressed natural gas (CNG) would employ biomethane as a transportation fuel.

The biomethane markets in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America are analyzed regionally. The biomethane market was led by the Asia-Pacific region in 2022, and this area is expected to develop at a higher CAGR of over 6.0% going forward. Japan has been investigating the synthesis of biomethane from various organic waste sources, including food waste, sewage sludge, and agricultural leftovers.

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Key Companies:

CNG Services Ltd.

PlanET Biogas Global GmbH

VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG

EnviTec Biogas AG

AB Holding SPA

Gazasia Ltd.

Orbital gas systems

ETW Energietechnik GmbH

Future Biogas Limited

Ecofinity

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Highlights

Processing facilities expected to be the largest nickel processing facility in North America and largest stainless-steel and alloy production facility in Canada , filling a key gap in the North American electric vehicle supply chain  utilizing proven, low environmental footprint technology.

Both processing facilities to be designed to be net zero-carbon  utilizing Canada Nickel Company's carbon storage capacity to store CO 2 generated by each facility.

NetZero Metals led by Mike Cox with 35 years of nickel processing experience and senior leadership positions with Inco Ltd. and Vale SA overseeing a global portfolio of nickel refineries.

TIMMINS, ON, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Canada Nickel Company Inc. ("Canada Nickel") (TSXV: CNC) (OTCQX: CNIKF) announced today its wholly-owned subsidiary, NetZero Metals Inc. ("NetZero Metals" or the "Company"), intends to develop two processing facilities in the Timmins Nickel District: a nickel processing facility and stainless-steel and alloy production facility.

These initiatives are expected to represent an important economic development for the Timmins Nickel District and provide significant additional capacity to fill a critical link in the development of North American critical minerals supply chains and the province's electric vehicle strategy. Each production facility is expected to utilize Canada Nickel's carbon storage capacity at its Crawford Nickel project to deliver zero carbon nickel and stainless steel and alloy production.

The Company is currently at the site-selection stage, considering several sites in the region. The Company is also in the process of choosing engineering firms to complete the design of both facilities and expects to announce the selected firms shortly. Feasibility studies are underway and expected to be completed by year-end, with the nickel processing plant expected to begin production by 2027.

"These processing facilities will position the Timmins Nickel District and Canada at the forefront of the global transition to greener energy and materials," said Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel Company. "We are proud to lead the way in planning the development of new capacity to meet the growing demand for the local supply of critical minerals, and most importantly, zero carbon, environmentally responsible production in North America."

Selby added, "I am excited that we have been able to assemble a global team led by Mike Cox, who has 35 years of nickel processing experience, to build and operate these new facilities. With the growth in electric vehicle manufacturing in Ontario, NetZero Metals provides a zero-carbon solution to produce stainless steel and critical mineral alloys while powering electric vehicles with truly clean nickel."

"We have what the world needs right in our backyard to fuel the electric vehicle revolution," said George Pirie, MPP for Timmins and Ontario Minister of Mines. "Thanks to companies like Canada Nickel that believe in our community's potential, Timmins is poised to become a hub for the clean nickel we need to build the supply chain for electric vehicles. This is another great example of a company committed to working in the Timmins region to create opportunity and local benefits for the people and our economy. Timmins is proud of our world-class mining operations, and we can't wait to add another strong project to the region to grow our community and create prosperity."

"When leaders like Canada Nickel invest in great northern cities like Timmins to expand our mineral processing capacity, it's a momentous day for the entire province," said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development and Minister of Indigenous Affairs. "Our government will be there to support Northern communities as our processing capacity for critical minerals is built out. We have a tremendous opportunity to expand fully integrated supply chains for the electric battery future, and that starts with investments like these that create high quality jobs for hard working men and women."

The NetZero Metals initiative represents a paradigm shift in the nickel and stainless-steel industries. By combining world-class expertise from around the globe, environmentally conscious technology, and made-in-Canada talent and solutions, Canada Nickel is not just envisioning a greener future, but actively pursuing it.

"Since the very beginning of Canada Nickel's journey, our partnership has been based on mutual respect and ensuring our Treaty was honoured with a true seat at the decision-making table," said Chief Bruce Archibald of Taykwa Tagamou Nation. "Our First Nation is proud to see Canada Nickel's continued growth with their future downstream processing facilities, and we'll proudly continue to partner with them based upon the mutual principles we've always shared."

"Today's announcement highlights Timmins' position as a global leader in sustainable and environmentally responsible mining," added Michelle Boileau, Mayor for the City of Timmins. "We are essential to Canada's electric vehicle and critical mineral supply chain. This means long-term direct and indirect job creation to support Timmins Nickel District, which adds to the diversification and stability of our local economy. Canada Nickel's commitment to investing in the Timmins' region will benefit our people and our community."

For more information, contact:

Mark Selby

CEO and Director

647-256-1954

[email protected]

Media contacts:

Sydney Oakes

Director of Indigenous Relations and Public Affairs, Canada Nickel Company

[email protected]

Dylan Moore

Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs, Minister of Mines

[email protected]

Background

About the Nickel Processing Facility

Over three phases, the nickel processing plant is expected to reach a capacity of more than 80,000 tonnes of nickel annually, which is expected to make it the largest nickel processing facility in North America. Subject to permitting approvals, the plant plans to begin production by the start of 2027 utilizing third party feeds. The facility is expected to be further expanded with the startup and expansion of Canada Nickel's Crawford project. This plant is expected to utilize proven, low environmental footprint technology to produce high-quality nickel products, catering to the needs of both the stainless-steel/superalloy and the electric vehicle markets.

About the Stainless-Steel and Alloy Processing Facility

In addition to the nickel processing plant, a stainless steel and alloy production facility is expected to be established to process the nickel-chromium (NiCr) magnetite concentrate from the Crawford Nickel project and other feeds to be transformed into more than 1 million tonnes of alloy products, including more than 500,000 tonnes of 304-grade stainless-steel annually. The facility is expected to grow along with the expansion at Crawford Nickel project and would become the largest stainless-steel production facility in Canada.

Production is planned to begin in the latter half of 2027, aligning with the planned start-up of the Crawford mine, subject to permitting approvals. Discussions are currently underway with leading global ferroalloy and stainless producers to partner on this project.

About Zero-Carbon Nickel & Stainless-Steel Production

A cornerstone of this venture, and all of Canada Nickel's work, is its environmental stewardship. All carbon emissions from both plants are expected to be captured and stored in the tailings of the planned Crawford mine. This approach positions both NetZero Metals plants as zero carbon emitters and pioneers in the green steel industry on a global scale.

The Company has applied for trademarks for the terms NetZero NickelTM, NetZero CobaltTM, and NetZero IronTM in the U.S., Canada, and other jurisdictions related to zero-carbon production of nickel, cobalt, and iron products.

Biographies of Global Nickel Processing Leadership

NetZero Metals has assembled a world-class team with deep nickel industry processing expertise led by Mike Cox, who led Inco and later Vale's U.K. and Asian nickel refinery network.

Mike Cox

Mr. Cox has 35 years of experience in base metal operations with Inco Ltd and Vale SA. He has held a number of senior leadership positions in Europe, Canada and Asia including the oversight of operations which have delivered nickel products to consumers for use in multiple generations of nickel batteries. Most recently, Mr. Cox was the Head of UK and Asian Refineries at Vale with responsibility for a portfolio of precious metal and nickel refineries. Mr. Cox holds a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry and an MBA, both from the University of Glamorgan.

Myung Bae Kim

Mr. Kim has more than 33 years' experience in project, procurement and production management in non-ferrous material processing, metal smelting/refining and oil & gas refining. He has held senior roles in large projects in Korea, Oman, Turkmenistan and Saudi Arabia, and most recently was Project Manager for the construction of Lithium-ion rechargeable battery plants in Poland and China. Mr. Kim holds an MSc in Metallurgical Engineering from Chonbuk National University, Korea.

Keiji Okamoto

Mr. Okamoto has 25 years of experience in the fields of base metals processing and project management. He was Head of Research and Development at Vale's Matsusaka nickel refinery in Japan before becoming the General Manager of the company's utility nickel smelter in Kaoshiung, Taiwan. Most recently, Mr. Okamoto worked as Chief Engineer on a project to construct the largest automated warehouse in Japan. Mr. Okamoto holds an MSc in Global Environmental Engineering from Kyoto University.

Cautionary Note and Statement Concerning Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements relating to: the development of a nickel processing facility and stainless-steel and alloy production facility in the Timmins Nickel District; the facilities utilizing Canada Nickel's carbon storage capacity at its Crawford Nickel project to deliver zero carbon nickel and stainless steel and alloy production; meeting the demand for the local supply of critical minerals; providing a zero-carbon solution to produce stainless steel and critical mineral alloys; benefits for the local population, community and economy; timing and completion, if at all, of feasibility studies; timing and completion, if at all, of production at the planned facilities; expected production capacity and further expansion of the facilities; timing of receipt of permits and commencement of construction and initial production at the Crawford project; and corporate and technical objectives. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon several assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: receipt of all required permits, results of feasibility studies, procuring appropriate sites for the facilities, partnering with leading global ferroalloy and stainless producers, future prices and the supply of metals, the future demand for metals, the results of drilling, inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the property, environmental liabilities (known and unknown), general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, results of exploration programs, risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals, and the impact of COVID-19 related disruptions in relation to the Company's business operations including upon its employees, suppliers, facilities and other stakeholders. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this news release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Canada Nickel disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Canada Nickel Company Inc.
GAZA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Israel released on Thursday 71 Palestinians who were arrested during the Israeli army's ground operation in Gaza, according to a Palestinian security source.

The 71 Palestinians, including 19 women, have arrived at the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza, said the source.

During its ongoing ground operation in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army arrested dozens of Palestinians and transferred them to unknown destinations, according to local sources and Palestinian human rights organizations.

Israel launched a massive military offensive against Hamas in Gaza after Hamas' surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 Israelis.

The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza has risen to 27,840 since the onset of the conflict, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said Thursday. 
NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Capital Rx , the full-service pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) and pharmacy benefit administrator (PBA) advancing our nation's healthcare infrastructure to improve drug price visibility and patient outcomes, has been named to the 2024 New York Digital Health 100 (DH100) again. This recognition highlights the most exciting and innovative digital health companies in New York. Digital Health New York (DHNY) publishes the annual list along with the New York Healthcare Innovation Report , which takes an in-depth look at the investment trends, opportunities, and challenges in the digital health sector.

"Even as our team has grown across state lines over the years, our roots remain in NYC. We're honored to be named to the New York Digital 100 for the fifth year as we continue our mission to build the electronic infrastructure our nation needs to deliver the healthcare we deserve," said Co-Founder and CEO AJ Loiacono. "Our award-winning enterprise health platform, JUDI , delivers a level of efficiency that redefines productivity and scale in healthcare administration."

Capital Rx's enterprise health platform, JUDI, and its aligned PBM model continue to drive efficiency for clients. Post this

"2024 marks the fifth year of the New York Digital Health 100, and in that time, the digital health ecosystem in New York has significantly grown and evolved," said Bunny Ellerin, Co-Founder and CEO of DHNY. "We are proud to recognize these exceptional organizations and commend them for their ongoing commitment to innovation, transformation, and the role they play in driving healthcare forward."

Capital Rx experienced another year of record growth in 2023 due to demand for JUDI and its aligned PBM model. Of note, the company completed a more than $50 million strategic funding round with participation from Transformation Capital and over ten of the nation's leading health systems, signed several new Fortune 500 clients, and JUDI began processing Medicare claims, among other significant achievements. 2024 promises to be another exciting year for Capital Rx, which recently partnered with New York City FC and continues to roll out new features and functionality in JUDI.

To download a copy of the New York Healthcare Innovation Report, please click here.

About Capital Rx

Capital Rx is a full-service pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) and pharmacy benefit administrator (PBA), advancing our nation's electronic healthcare infrastructure to improve drug price visibility and patient outcomes. As a Certified B Corp , Capital Rx is executing its mission through the deployment of JUDI, the company's cloud-native enterprise health platform, and a Single-Ledger Model, which increases visibility and reduces variability in drug prices. JUDI connects every aspect of the pharmacy ecosystem in one efficient, scalable platform, servicing millions of members for Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial plans. Together with its clients, Capital Rx is reimagining the administration of pharmacy benefits and rebuilding trust in healthcare. To learn more, visit capitalrx.com.

About Digital Health New York (DHNY)

Digital Health New York (DHNY) is a connected community of digital health leaders who share ideas, spark new directions and create success across the entire ecosystem. As an organization, we seek to increase the visibility of New York City as a leader in healthcare innovation and showcase the companies and leaders creating the future of healthcare. Our flagship event, DHNY Summit, brings together an elite group of entrepreneurs, investors, payers, providers and executives to cultivate the New York digital health community and drive impactful conversations around the current and future state of digital health. DHNY was founded in 2022 in collaboration with AlleyCorp. For more information or to join DHNY's mailing list, please visit www.dhny.co.

DH100 Methodology

To compile the DH100, we invited companies to complete an in-depth application with both quantitative and qualitative measures to help us to get to know the company better. We also used our dynamic database of digital health companies in the region to round out the consideration set. A company qualified for consideration if it maintained headquarters or employed at least 10 people in the New York region. Companies that were public or non-profit; founded before 2014; or had an exit were excluded. We evaluated companies on a number of factors, including but not limited to: strength of application, leadership, number of employees, funding (if known), revenue (if known), market fit, differentiated offerings, and community engagement.

Media Contacts

Michael Passanante, SVP, Marketing & Communications

Justin Venneri, Director, Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Capital Rx
DH100 recognizes the most exciting and innovative digital health startups in New York

NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Care2U today announced that it has been named to the 2024 New York Digital Health 100 (DH100), a recognition that highlights the most exciting and innovative startups in New York. Digital Health New York (DHNY) publishes the annual list in conjunction with the New York Healthcare Innovation Report which takes an in-depth look at the investment trends, opportunities and challenges in the digital health sector.

"It is truly an honor to be recognized as one of the most innovative healthcare start-up companies in New York, said Lon Hecht, Chief Growth Officer of Care2U. We are proud to serve the members of this community by delivering the first of its kind, independent hospital-level care in the home without a patient ever having to step foot on the grounds of a hospital. This improves care quality, reduces the risk of hospital-acquired infections, and reduces the total cost of care for the community."

"2024 marks the fifth year of the New York Digital Health 100 and in that time, the digital health ecosystem in New York has significantly grown and evolved," said Bunny Ellerin, co-founder and CEO, DHNY. "We are proud to recognize these exceptional organizations and commend them for their ongoing commitment to innovation, transformation and the role they play in driving healthcare forward."

Care2U was founded by a team of experienced physicians & healthcare executives with long track records building successful practices aimed at improving patient experience, and clinical & financial outcomes. One of healthcare's next frontiers in advancing patient experience while improving quality and lowering cost, is optimizing the site of care. Delivering high complexity healthcare to the home as an alternative to ER visits, hospital stays, and readmissions is a vital solution for healthcare costs spiraling out of control. This is greater patient control over their healthcare. This is Housecalls reimagined. This is Care2U.

To download a copy of the New York Healthcare Innovation Report, please click here .

About Care2U

Care2U delivers ED and hospital-level care to the home, providing patients with more freedom of choice in their healthcare options, at a fraction of the cost of the traditional hospital setting. Care2U was founded to address the quality, cost, access, and infection issues that arise with care in the hospital setting. By providing high-quality acute care in the home, Care2U can improve patient outcomes, lower total cost, and improve the overall satisfaction of those seeking treatment.

About Digital Health New York (DHNY)

Digital Health New York (DHNY) is a connected community of digital health leaders who share ideas, spark new directions and create success across the entire ecosystem. As an organization, we seek to increase the visibility of New York City as a leader in healthcare innovation and showcase the companies and leaders creating the future of healthcare. Our flagship event, DHNY Summit, brings together an elite group of entrepreneurs, investors, payers, providers and executives to cultivate the New York digital health community and drive impactful conversations around the current and future state of digital health. DHNY was founded in 2022 in collaboration with AlleyCorp. For more information or to join DHNY's mailing list, please visit www.dhny.co .

DH100 Methodology

To compile the DH100, we invited companies to complete an in-depth application with both quantitative and qualitative measures to help us to get to know the company better. We also used our dynamic database of digital health companies in the region to round out the consideration set. A company qualified for consideration if it maintained headquarters or employed at least 10 people in the New York region. Companies that were public or non-profit; founded before 2014; or had an exit were excluded. We evaluated companies on a number of factors, including but not limited to: strength of application, leadership, number of employees, funding (if known), revenue (if known), market fit, differentiated offerings, and community engagement.

SOURCE Care2U
Chapman Law Group Secures Not Guilty Verdict For Five Defendants Over The Federal Government in High Profile Fraud Case.

MIAMI, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a landmark ruling, Jonathan Meltz of Chapman Law Group secured a unanimous not guilty verdict for five health care professionals in a high profile federal fraud case, marking a significant moment in health care law. The verdict, delivered after a 5-week trial in the West District of Pennsylvania, marks a pivotal moment in the defense of healthcare professionals.

The Charges and Allegations

In February 2021, Ms. Susan Gilbert faced serious charges, including Conspiracy to Defraud the United States, Health Care Fraud, and Obstruction of a Federal Auditor. These allegations stemmed from her role as the Administrator of a skilled nursing home in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The indictment accused Ms. Gilbert of directing employees to falsify records and hours to appear compliant with staffing requirements.

The Defense's Strategy

Ms. Gilbert's defense, led by Jonathan Meltz of Chapman Law Group, launched a comprehensive examination of the charges. The U.S. Attorney's Office had initially assumed that Ms. Gilbert would plead guilty and cooperate with the prosecution. However, she maintained her innocence against a possible 10-year sentence and refused to consider pleading guilty.

Meltz, with extensive experience and investigative skills, embarked on a strategic defense. The crux of the defense strategy was revealed during the cross-examination of two key government witnesses, both of whom were former employees.

"The prosecution's narrative was based on assumptions rather than facts," said Meltz. "Our defense strategy was to meticulously dissect each allegation, demonstrating the inconsistencies and biases in the prosecution's case."

The first witness had a history of disciplinary action due to offensive comments about a coworker, which exposed a clear bias against Ms. Gilbert. This revelation significantly weakened the credibility of the witness's testimony.

The second government witness alleged that Ms. Gilbert had asked him to clock in for shifts he did not work on Jewish holidays. Meltz's rigorous questioning dismantled this claim, highlighting inaccuracies in the witness's statements. Moreover, Meltz exposed the witness's questionable credibility by revealing their affair with a coworker during the same period.

Exoneration and Conclusion

Meticulous cross-examination led to the presentation of crucial information that the Government, FBI, and jury had previously overlooked. This presentation ultimately resulted in the exoneration of Susan Gilbert and the four other defendants on December 18th, 2023.

The successful defense of Susan Gilbert underscores the critical role of a rigorous legal defense. This case exemplifies the significance of experienced attorneys in challenging allegations and presenting the truth within a courtroom.

About Us

Chapman Law Group, the nationally renowned health care defense law firm has been around for over 35 years. With a dedicated team of experienced attorneys solely dedicated to health care law, the firm specializes in a wide range of legal matters, including compliance, licensing and regulatory affairs, litigation, and health care fraud defense.

More info at: Chapmanlawgroup.com

Media contact:

Chapman Law Group

[email protected]

1-877-234-5911

SOURCE Chapman Law Group
Bidding is now open for a special auction that will allow the winner to name a street after anyone they wish in the beloved small town.

DALLAS, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Charity Road, a new organization on a mission to convert previously unmonetized street names into food for children and their families, announced a new out-of-the-box campaign that gives auction bidders a chance to win naming rights to a street in Paris, Texas, which allows someone special to share something remarkable with friends and family and celebrate the gift of giving.

The street name will be a permanent name that can be searched on Google Maps, city maps, and in search engines, not a temporary promotion. Says Charity Road founder Tesina Painter, "New real estate developments have new streets and those fresh new streets get named by developers. One night when I was working on fundraising emails for our Christmas turkey drive, I thought of the idea to auction off a street name to feed people. We had just passed our deadline to turn in the proposed names of the streets of the Forestbrook development in Paris, Texas and I thought surely deadlines could be extended for a good cause" and thankfully it was warmly received." Nathan Spaulding of Lone Star Planned Developments and the manager of the City of Paris, Texas helped move the idea forward and the new initiative was born. Painter is no stranger to this kind of collaboration. She is also the founder of Strata Commercial, where she uses her connections in the commercial real estate world to do good and feed the hungry.

The winner will receive a map with their street name that has an official stamp from the City of Paris, a sign installation ceremony, pictures with the mayor, a picture in front of the Eiffel Tower of Paris, and a special dinner. The winner will also be featured on the Charity Road website.

Board member Jeffrey Roher, a notable former Dallas Cowboys linebacker, continues his streak as a trailblazer by involving himself in forward-thinking causes that matter, which is what drew him to Charity Road. He says, "All of these proceeds will buy food for hungry children and their families, as well as providing turkeys for their long breaks from school. Whether it is two days or two weeks without the support of their school to feed them, the children suffer. This is all happening in Paris, Texas and the Oak Cliff neighborhood in Dallas. We are dividing the proceeds and food purchases equally between Paris and Dallas. And we're serious - accounting will be posted within 30 days of the auction to show that all of the proceeds went to feeding families."

The auction started on January 29th and runs through April 6th. Go to CharityRoad.org to place a bid or for more information.

For more information or to schedule an interview with Tesina Painter or Jeffrey Roher about Charity Road, please contact Paul Salfen with PS PR & Consulting at 214-538-6881 or via email: [email protected] or [email protected] .

SOURCE Charity Road
- Results presented from over a decade of treatment with velmanase alfa in alpha-mannosidosis 

- Company also presents immunogenicity and tolerability data from pegunigalsidase alfa clinical trial program in Fabry disease 

- Additional presentations provide new insights on prevalence, diagnosis, and progression of these rare lysosomal storage disorders 

BOSTON, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chiesi Global Rare Diseases, a business unit of the Chiesi Group established to deliver innovative therapies and solutions for people living with rare diseases, today announced the presentation of long-term data from up to 12 years of treatment with velmanase alfa in patients with alpha-mannosidosis (AM). The company also announced the presentation of immunogenicity and tolerability data from its pegunigalsidase alfa clinical trial program in Fabry disease, as well as analyses of the prevalence, diagnosis, and progression of these rare lysosomal storage disorders. The data are being presented during the 20th Annual WORLDSymposium Research Meeting that is being held February 4-9, 2024, in San Diego, California.

"This year's WORLDSymposium marks a significant moment for people living with rare lysosomal storage disorders including alpha-mannosidosis and Fabry disease, and their healthcare teams including clinicians and nurses, who now have access to recently approved treatment options and an important opportunity to understand the impact of these therapies and the barriers that must be addressed to improve diagnosis and disease management," said Giacomo Chiesi, head of Chiesi Global Rare Diseases. "Our company is driven by a commitment to rare disease communities around the world and we are taking full advantage of this conference to share our extensive clinical research in AM, which now spans more than a decade, and in Fabry disease, where we are continuing to evaluate data from our comprehensive development program. We are also emphasizing the importance of the caregiver and patient voice, reporting results from a range of surveys and analyses, hosting symposia, and presenting a special film screening that will help healthcare professionals identify and treat people in these communities in the years ahead."

Results from long-term treatment with velmanase alfa in AM

In an oral session, Prof. Nathalie Guffon, M.D., Reference Centre of inherited metabolic disease in Femme Mere Enfant Hospital, Hospices Civils of Lyon, France, is presenting results of an analysis that evaluated longterm efficacy of up to 12 years of treatment with velmanase alfa, which is the first and only enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) available for people with AM.

Pooled analyses demonstrate tolerability of pegunigalsidase alfa in Fabry disease and low incidence of de novo anti-drug antibodies

Several poster presentations are highlighting immunogenicity and tolerability data from the pegunigalsidase alfa clinical trial program in Fabry disease. John Bernat, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Director of the Iowa Lysosomal Storage Disorders Center, is presenting a poster describing characteristics of anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) reacting with pegunigalsidase alfa, and the patients who develop ADAs, using data from an integrated clinical trial dataset. The analysis includes 108 patients, 27 (25%) of whom were ADA+ before receiving their first dose of pegunigalsidase alfa. There was a low incidence of de novo ADAs (n=17) occurring predominantly in the first year of treatment with pegunigalsidase alfa. Neutralizing antibodies were detected in <25% of patients with de novo ADAs versus in almost all patients who were ADA+ at baseline.

In separate poster presentations, Derralynn Hughes, M.D., Professor of Experimental Haematology at the University College London, and Ankit Mehta, M.D., FASN, Baylor University Medical Center, are sharing results from analyses of the tolerability of pegunigalsidase alfa across the clinical program per dosing regimen and prior enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) experience, respectively. Dr. Hughes found that less than a third of patients receiving pegunigalsidase alfa experienced infusion related reactions (IRRs), most of which occurred from the start of the infusion until up to two hours after its end among patients with pre-existing or de novo ADAs. The frequency of IRRs decreased over time and in parallel with a decrease in premedication use among those switching from prior ERT. Dr. Mehta found that IRRs from the start of the infusion until up to two hours after its end occurred in about a quarter of either ERT-naive or ERT-switch patients following treatment with pegunigalsidase alfa. Most of these IRRs were mild to moderate in severity and occurred predominantly in the first year after initiating the therapy.

Surveys and epidemiological analyses shed new light on the prevalence, diagnosis, and progression of AM and Fabry disease

Chiesi Global Rare Diseases is announcing five additional presentations focused on improving awareness and understanding of the patient experience with rare lysosomal storage disorders including AM and Fabry disease.

In an oral presentation, Stuart Gaffney, M.D., Medical Manager, Chiesi Global Rare Diseases, is sharing results from interviews and surveys with Fabry disease patients (n=20), nurses, and clinicians to understand the diagnostic journey and identify unmet medical education needs of UK primary and specialty healthcare professionals. The most common first symptom of Fabry disease was neuropathic pain, and the first severe indication for many patients was chest pain and general heart complaints. Cardiologists were the main specialists identifying Fabry disease, and 55% (11/20) of patients saw a cardiologist who was the first to suspect Fabry disease was the cause of their symptoms.





In a poster presentation, Patricia Dorling, Head of Global Health Economics and Outcome Research (GHEOR), Chiesi USA , is reporting results from a study that analyzed data from the Adelphi Fabry Disease Specific Programme  (DSP), a national representative online survey of physicians treating patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Fabry disease in the United States . Results demonstrate that the burden of complications and use of medical services (HCRU) is substantial with 76% of patients undergoing routine clinical examinations over two years and 19% of patients being hospitalized due to Fabry disease over one year.





, is reporting results from a study that analyzed data from the Adelphi Fabry Disease Specific Programme (DSP), a national representative online survey of physicians treating patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Fabry disease in . Results demonstrate that the burden of complications and use of medical services (HCRU) is substantial with 76% of patients undergoing routine clinical examinations over two years and 19% of patients being hospitalized due to Fabry disease over one year. In a poster presentation, Khashayar Azimpour , M.D., Ph.D., Director, Global Health Economics and Outcome Research (GHEOR), Chiesi USA , is reporting results from a study aimed to estimate diagnosed Fabry disease prevalence and treatment rates in the U.S. via a retrospective cohort analysis. The 2021 diagnosed prevalence was 5,462 people, and 3,747 of those people with Fabry disease had received treatment. The findings highlight potentially higher gender disparities in treatment than previous estimates, signifying greater need for treatment in females.





, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Global Health Economics and Outcome Research (GHEOR), Chiesi , is reporting results from a study aimed to estimate diagnosed Fabry disease prevalence and treatment rates in the U.S. via a retrospective cohort analysis. The 2021 diagnosed prevalence was 5,462 people, and 3,747 of those people with Fabry disease had received treatment. The findings highlight potentially higher gender disparities in treatment than previous estimates, signifying greater need for treatment in females. In a poster presentation, Nicole Muschol, M.D., International Center for Lysosomal Disorders (ICLD) at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf in Germany , is reporting results from a Delphi study that generated 60 internationally applicable best practice recommendations for the initial assessment of newly diagnosed AM patients and their routine follow-up and integrated care coordination.





, is reporting results from a Delphi study that generated 60 internationally applicable best practice recommendations for the initial assessment of newly diagnosed AM patients and their routine follow-up and integrated care coordination. In a poster presentation, Prof. Guffon is highlighting results from an international caregiver and patient survey designed to assess the impact of AM on patients' functional ability and quality of life. Results confirm that an important treatment goal is stabilizing and slowing disease progression. Untreated patients reported deterioration at a functional, pain and quality of life level, while patients treated with ERT or allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation reported less decline in walking ability and improved ability to self-care.

Chiesi Global Rare Diseases is sponsoring three satellite symposia during WORLDSymposium to review perspectives on the management of Fabry disease and AM including insights from clinicians, caregivers, and patients. The company is also presenting a special screening of "Rare Land," a film focused on AM, with an expert panel featuring Robert Hopkin, M.D., Clinical Geneticist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Martin Magner, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Paediatrics and Hereditary Metabolic Disorders of the General University Hospital of Prague. In addition, the company is presenting during the Industry Expert Theater session and is participating in the Patient Voice and Preference meeting.

Indication and Important Safety Information for Elfabrio (pegunigalsidase alfa-iwxj)

Indication

Elfabrio (pegunigalsidase alfa-iwxj) is indicated for the treatment of adults with confirmed Fabry disease.

Important Safety Information

WARNING: HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS INCLUDING ANAPHYLAXIS



Patients treated with Elfabrio have experienced hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis. Appropriate medical support measures, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation equipment, should be readily available during Elfabrio administration. If a severe hypersensitivity reaction (eg, anaphylaxis) occurs, discontinue Elfabrio immediately and initiate appropriate medical treatment. In patients with severe hypersensitivity reaction, a desensitization procedure to Elfabrio may be considered.

Prior to Elfabrio administration, consider pretreating with antihistamines, antipyretics, and/or corticosteroids. Inform patients and caregivers of the signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions and infusion-associated reactions (IARs), and instruct them to seek medical care immediately if such symptoms occur.

If a severe hypersensitivity reaction (including anaphylaxis) or severe IAR occurs, immediately discontinue Elfabrio administration and initiate appropriate medical treatment.

If a mild to moderate hypersensitivity reaction or IAR occurs, consider slowing the infusion rate or temporarily withholding the dose.

In clinical trials, 20 (14%) Elfabrio-treated patients experienced hypersensitivity reactions.

Four Elfabrio-treated patients (3%) experienced anaphylaxis reactions that occurred within 5 to 40 minutes of the start of the initial infusion. The signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions and anaphylaxis included headache, nausea, vomiting, throat tightness, facial and oral edema, truncal rash, tachycardia, hypotension, rigors, urticaria, intense pruritus, moderate upper airway obstructions, macroglossia, and mild lip edema.

In clinical trials, 41 (29%) Elfabrio-treated patients experienced one or more infusion-associated reactions, including hypersensitivity, nausea, chills, pruritus, rash, chest pain, dizziness, vomiting, asthenia, pain, sneezing, dyspnea, nasal congestion, throat irritation, abdominal pain, erythema, diarrhea, burning sensation, neuralgia, headache, paresthesia, tremor, agitation, increased body temperature, flushing, bradycardia, myalgia, hypertension, and hypotension.

A case of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with immune depositions in the kidney was reported during clinical trials. Monitor serum creatinine and urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio. If glomerulonephritis is suspected, discontinue treatment until a diagnostic evaluation can be conducted.

When switching to Elfabrio from a prior enzyme replacement therapy, the risk of hypersensitivity reactions and infusion-associated reactions may be increased in certain patients with pre-existing anti-drug antibodies (ADAs). Consider monitoring IgG and IgE ADAs and clinical or pharmacodynamic response (eg, plasma lyso-Gb3 levels).

The most common adverse reactions (15%) were infusion-associated reactions, nasopharyngitis, headache, diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, back pain, pain in extremity, and sinusitis.



Please see Full Prescribing Information for Elfabrio.

Indication and Important Safety Information for Lamzede (velmanase alfa-tycv)

Indication

Lamzede (velmanase alfa-tycv) is indicated for the treatment of non-central nervous system manifestations of alpha-mannosidosis in adult and pediatric patients.

Important Safety Information

WARNING: SEVERE HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS

Hypersensitivity Reactions Including Anaphylaxis

Patients treated with Lamzede have experienced hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis. Appropriate medical support measures, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation equipment, should be readily available during Lamzede administration. If a severe hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) occurs, discontinue Lamzede immediately and initiate appropriate medical treatment. In patients with severe hypersensitivity reaction, a desensitization procedure to Lamzede may be considered.

Considerations Due to Hypersensitivity Reactions and/or Infusion-Associated Reactions (IARs)

Prior to Lamzede administration, consider pretreating with antihistamines, antipyretics, and/or corticosteroids. Inform patients and caregivers of the signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions and IARs and instruct them to seek medical care immediately if such symptoms occur.

If a severe hypersensitivity reaction (including anaphylaxis) or severe IAR occurs, immediately discontinue Lamzede administration and initiate appropriate medical treatment.

In the event of a mild to moderate hypersensitivity reaction or a mild to moderate IAR, consider temporarily holding the infusion for 15 to 30 minutes, slowing the infusion rate to 25% to 50% of the recommended rate, and initiating appropriate medical treatment.

Hypersensitivity Reactions Including Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis and severe hypersensitivity signs and symptoms included cyanosis, hypotension, emesis, urticaria, erythema, facial swelling, pyrexia, and tremor.

Infusion-Associated Reactions (IARs)

The most frequent symptoms of IARs that occurred in >10% of the population were pyrexia, chills, erythema, vomiting, cough, urticaria, rash, and conjunctivitis.

Females of Reproductive Potential

Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 14 days after the last dose if Lamzede is discontinued. For females of reproductive potential, verify that the patient is not pregnant prior to initiating treatment with Lamzede.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Based on findings from animal reproduction studies, Lamzede may cause embryo-fetal harm when administered to a pregnant female.

Common Adverse Reactions

The most common adverse reactions (incidence >20%) are hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, nasopharyngitis, pyrexia, headache, and arthralgia.

Please see Full Prescribing Information for Lamzede.

About Chiesi Global Rare Diseases

Chiesi Global Rare Diseases is a business unit of the Chiesi Group established to deliver innovative therapies and solutions for people affected by rare diseases. As a family business, Chiesi Group strives to create a world where it is common to have a therapy for all diseases and acts as a force for good, for society and the planet. The goal of the Global Rare Diseases unit is to ensure equal access so as many people as possible can experience their most fulfilling life. The unit collaborates with the rare disease community around the globe to bring voice to underserved people in the health care system.

For more information visit www.chiesirarediseases.com.

About Chiesi Group

Chiesi is an international, research-focused biopharmaceuticals group that develops and markets innovative therapeutic solutions in respiratory health, rare diseases, and specialty care. The company's mission is to improve people's quality of life and act responsibly towards both the community and the environment.

By changing its legal status to a Benefit Corporation in Italy, the US, and France, Chiesi's commitment to create shared value for society as a whole is legally binding and central to company-wide decision-making. As a certified B Corp since 2019, we're part of a global community of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental impact. The company aims to reach Net-Zero greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions by 2035.

With over 85 years of experience, Chiesi is headquartered in Parma (Italy), operates in 31 countries, and counts more than 6,500 employees. The Group's research and development centre in Parma works alongside 6 other important R&D hubs in France, the US, Canada, China, the UK, and Sweden.

For further information please visit www.chiesi.com.

Chiesi Group Media Contacts

Chiara Travagin

Rare Communication Manager

Tel: +39 348 8818985

Email: [email protected]

Alessio Pappagallo

Press Office Manager

Tel: +39 339 5897483

Email: [email protected]

Adam Daley

Berry & Company Public Relations

Tel: +1 212 253 8881

Email: [email protected]

PP-MULTI-0288 V2.0

SOURCE Chiesi Global Rare Diseases
Raising money for research on heart disease, the #1 killer in the United States

CLEVELAND, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the number one killer of women and men in the United States, causing one in every five deaths. For the second year running, in celebration of Valentine's Day and Heart Month, Cleveland Clinic and American Greetings are proud to collaborate in ways that may improve cardiovascular health everywhere by offering a selection of beautiful Creatacard virtual greetings cards for those who donate to support Cleveland Clinic's cardiovascular research.

In celebration of Valentines Day and Heart Month, American Greetings will offer a selection of Creatacard virtual greetings cards for those who donate to support Cleveland Clinic's cardiovascular research.

With each $20 donation, individuals will have the opportunity to send personalized Valentine's Day Creatacards, designed by artists at American Greetings, to all the loved ones on their list. Creatacard is an easy-to-create custom virtual greeting card that replicates the most-loved features of paper cards such as adding a personal message, signing your name, and including photos.

One hundred percent of the money raised will be donated to cardiovascular research through Cleveland Clinic, which is aimed at furthering research to discover new treatments and identify preventive measures that will stop heart disease before it begins. Donations can be made at https://give.ccf.org/valentinesday24.

Since 1995, Cleveland Clinic has ranked number one in cardiac care, according to U.S. News & World Report. Patients travel from all 50 states and 136 countries to Cleveland Clinic's Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute for expert care and exceptional outcomes. Continued research is vital to the fight for improved heart health.

The campaign to donate and send Valentine's digital greetings runs from February 1 - 16.

About American Greetings

American Greetings is a global leader in the large and enduring Celebrations marketplace. The company helps people celebrate holidays, each other, and all of life's special moments, in-person and online, guided by a mission to "make the world a more thoughtful and caring place every single day." American Greetings offers products wherever and however people wish to purchase them  online, in-store, or curbside pickup. Celebrations happen throughout the year, driven by traditional holidays, key milestone moments such as weddings, baby showers, and graduations, as well as recurring everyday events such as birthdays and anniversaries. The company's brands include American Greetings, Papyrus, Recycled Paper Greetings, Paper Rebel, Carlton Cards, Today and Always, DesignWare party goods, and Plus Mark gift wrap and boxed cards. Its digital business unit, AG Interactive, is a leading provider of digital greetings and premium Celebrations content through proprietary technology platforms and apps. Our popular digital brands include American Greetings, Blue Mountain, SmashUps, justWink, Pics & Wishes, and Creatacard. For more information, visit corporate.americangreetings.com and follow American Greetings @AmericanGreetings on Facebook and @amgreetings on Instagram.

About Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs , including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation's best hospitals in its annual "America's Best Hospitals" survey. Among Cleveland Clinic's 77,000 employees worldwide are more than 5,658 salaried physicians and researchers, and 19,000 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,699-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, more than 275 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2022, there were 12.8 million outpatient encounters, 303,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 270,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic's health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org . Follow us at twitter.com/ClevelandClinic . News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.

SOURCE American Greetings
Ways to Show Your Car Battery You Love It

CHICAGO, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nothing ruins a perfectly planned Valentine's Day celebration more than a vehicle that won't start. Avoid this mishap by showing your car battery some love. This Valentine's Day, don't just show your love for your humans or pets, show your car battery you love it too.

Today's vehicles are packed with lots of power-hungry technology and coupled with more work-from-home days, a dead battery is becoming more common. CTEK, the leading global brand in vehicle charging solutions, lists four ways to show your car battery you love it this Valentine's Day.

CTEK Shares Tips To Love Your Battery This Valentines Day

Understand Your Battery

It takes 150-350A of battery power just to start the car, so taking lots of short journeys, particularly in urban areas, drains the battery because the alternator won't have the time or capability to replace this charge. This is especially so if your car has a 'stop/start' function. In fact, if you've noticed your 'stop/start' hasn't been kicking in lately, this may be because your battery isn't sufficiently charged, as your car will gradually turn off 'non-essential' functions to focus the remaining battery charge on keeping the engine turning.

Even while your car is parked, your battery will lose 0.1V of energy every month, and if your car is also running an alarm system, onboard computer, remote locking etc., the continual drain on the battery will be much more than that.

Regularly Maintain Your Battery

Carry out regular (at least monthly) maintenance charging with a smart battery charger and maintainer. This will keep your battery topped up and in peak condition, and you can be confident that the engine will start right when you need it. It also means your battery will be around for much longer as regular charging actually extends battery life by up to three times, so make this Valentine's Day the start of a long and beautiful relationship!!

Charge Your Battery

Driving around in your car will normally only charge your battery to 80% capacity, so show your battery how much you care and top it up to 100% when you get home.

Buy Your Battery A Gift

Make the ultimate romantic gesture and purchase a smart battery charger for your car battery this Valentine's Day, so you can help it feel at its best every day. CTEK has numerous battery chargers and maintainers on its website.

The CS FREE is four great products in one portable unit. Along with being an adaptive booster that gets you going from a dead battery in just 15 minutes, CS FREE also works as a battery charger, a smart maintainer and high-tech power bank.

You can find more information about the CS FREE, which is compatible with all types of 12V lead-acid battery, as well as lithium (LiFePO4) batteries, on www.smartercharger.com.

About CTEK

Established in Dalarna, Sweden, CTEK is the leading global brand in battery charging solutions, most specifically vehicle charging. CTEK offers products ranging from 12V and 24V battery chargers to charging solutions for electrical vehicles. CTEK's E-mobility solutions range from individual EV chargers to larger corporate and commercial installations with multiple charging stations that require load balancing and integrate seamlessly with monitoring and payment equipment. CTEK's products are sold via a carefully selected network of global distributors and retailers: as original equipment; supplied to more than 50 of the world's leading vehicle manufacturers; and through charge point operators, property owners and other organizations/individuals providing EV charging infrastructure. CTEK takes pride in its unique culture based on a passion for innovation and a deep commitment to supporting the transition to a greener mobility, by adhering to industry leading ESG standards.

Press Contact:

Michelle Suzuki

310-444-7115

SOURCE CTEK
Boasting 96 meticulously crafted units, this premier establishment epitomizes sophistication and comfort. Notably, the opening of this new building coincides with the 100-year mark from the conceptualization of the first phase of the Ingram Manor Apartments, which was originally envisioned in 1924. This milestone underscores the enduring legacy and commitment to community enhancement exemplified by David S. Brown Enterprises.

Designed by the esteemed Curry Architects, with engineering expertise from Carroll Engineering, Inc. and Century Engineering, both local to Maryland, The Encore at Ingram Manor stands as a beacon of upscale living in the region. The interiors, thoughtfully designed by David S. Brown Enterprises' in-house Design Team, showcase modern luxury amenities, high quality finishes, and expansive living spaces. Each unit has been appointed with custom contemporary-style cabinetry, oversized islands and peninsulas with waterfall edges, quartz countertops, backsplashes, stainless steel appliances, custom lighting, luxury vinyl flooring, porcelain tile, in-unit washers and dryers, and generous closets.

Community Key Features and Amenities

One Bedroom Den, Two Bedroom, and Two Bedroom Den Apartments

Covered Garage Parking with Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Open Resident Lounge Areas with Seating and Wi-Fi

5-Story Dual Elevator Building

Furnished Grand Lobby Entrance

Convenient Controlled Access with Smart Locks

Virtual Guest Key Card Accessibility

Luxer One Smart Locker System

Exclusive Resident Bike Storage

State-of-the-Art Fitness Center with Smart Exercise Technology

10ft Ceilings (Select Units)

Unique Custom Lighting

David Adler, Principal at David S. Brown Enterprises, expresses the organization's deep commitment to the Pikesville community, "Our organization is deeply committed to the success and growth of the Pikesville community. We're excited to open The Encore as part of our continued commitment to the incredible transformation taking place."

The Enore combines the beauty of the past with the comfort of the present and is the first luxury apartment community to open in Pikesville MD in nearly 20 years. For more information about The Encore at Ingram Manor, please visit: https://www.theencoreatingrammanorapts.com.

About David S. Brown Enterprises, LTD.

Established in 1933 and headquartered in Owings Mills, Maryland, David S. Brown Enterprises is a full-service real estate company. Their mission is to serve the community through socially conscious development, high-quality construction, and innovative design. For additional information, please visit www.davidsbrown.com or connect on LinkedIn.

SOURCE David S. Brown Enterprises, LTD.
MIAMI, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The David Sugarman Scholarship for Entrepreneurs, founded by accomplished entrepreneur David Sugarman, announces a groundbreaking opportunity for aspiring business leaders with a one-time award of $1,000. This scholarship, not confined to any city or state within the USA, is set to transform the lives of driven individuals actively pursuing a career in entrepreneurship.

Inspiring Tomorrow's Business Leaders

David Sugarman, the visionary behind this transformative initiative, has devoted his years of business acumen to understanding the challenges faced by budding entrepreneurs. His commitment to giving back and supporting individuals with the drive, passion, and vision to realize their entrepreneurial dreams is evident in the creation of this scholarship.

Unveiling the Criteria for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

To be eligible for the David Sugarman Scholarship for Entrepreneurs, applicants must meet specific criteria, including being a current undergraduate or graduate student actively pursuing a career in entrepreneurship or a high school student with plans to attend university for an entrepreneurial degree. Exceptional academic performance, a strong entrepreneurial spirit, dedication to personal growth, and problem-solving skills are among the key attributes sought in applicants.

Founder's Vision and Bio

David Sugarman, the Founder of the David Sugarman Scholarship for Entrepreneurs, is a successful entrepreneur dedicated to supporting and empowering the next generation of business leaders. With an unyielding belief in the power of entrepreneurship to drive innovation and create positive societal impacts, David Sugarman aims to foster a community of like-minded individuals passionate about business.

Commitment to Fairness and Equal Opportunity

The scholarship's selection process is rigorous, unbiased, and overseen by a panel of esteemed judges with expertise in entrepreneurship and business. The program values diversity, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds, and recognizing the strength that different experiences and perspectives bring to the entrepreneurial journey.

Application Details and Inquiries

Aspiring entrepreneurs interested in applying for the David Sugarman Scholarship can find detailed information, eligibility criteria, and the application process on the official website: https://davidsugarmanscholarship.com/. For any further inquiries or to submit an application, please contact [email protected].

Join the Movement

The David Sugarman Scholarship for Entrepreneurs invites individuals to explore this transformative opportunity and become a part of shaping the future of entrepreneurship. The scholarship's vision is to turn dreams into reality and inspire a new generation of business leaders.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: David Sugarman

Organization: David Sugarman Scholarship

Website: https://davidsugarmanscholarship.com/

SOURCE David Sugarman Scholarship
BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DEEPX (CEO Lokwon, Kim), a frontrunner in AI chip technology, defines the critical technology for commercializing generative AI as the 'Federated Operation of LLM' and is advancing in its technology development. DEEPX is set to revolutionize on-device AI with its cutting-edge ultra-low-power AI chips and making a significant presence at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024, held from February 26 to 29, where it will unveil a comprehensive blueprint for on-device AI and plans to expand partnerships with global collaborators. Currently, DEEPX is forging alliances with domestic and European telecommunications companies and global data center corporations, pushing for compatibility and optimization across network and cloud systems.

DEEPX at MWC 2024: Advances Ultra-Low-Power On-Device AI Chip for Commercializing Generative AI

Experience the future of on-device AI at DEEPX's MWC 2024 booth at Hall 7, 7A62-19

Prior to MWC 2024, DEEPX achieved a significant milestone at CES, earning three CES Innovation Awards and doubled the number of customers in DEEPX's Early Engagement Customer Program (EECP) to 70 global companies.

DEEPX's technological journey also includes the development of groundbreaking technology that enables the federated operation of server-scale AI and on-device large AI models. The company plans to launch on-device AI chips capable of operating at just a few watts while delivering server-scale AI intelligence in personal devices by the second half of next year. Although Nvidia's GPGPU-based solutions are currently the most cost-effective for LLM services such as ChatGPT and Gemini, the total power energy consumed by GPUs operating worldwide has reached levels exceeding the electrical energy of an entire country. This collaborative operation technology between server-scale AI and on-device large AI models is expected to reduce energy consumption, carbon emissions, and costs by at least ten to a thousand times compared to relying solely on data centers.

DEEPX's visionary CEO, Lokwon Kim, stated, "DEEPX has gained international recognition for possessing global leading-edge core technology in power and cost efficiency for AI operation. Furthermore, we aim to develop new technology that enables artificial intelligence services at the level of super-scale AI with less than 5W, providing the core technology that moves giant artificial intelligence technology from the realm of science to widespread use by humanity. We are committed to becoming a leading comprehensive AI chip company in the global market."

Visit https://deepx.ai/ to learn more about DEEPX's innovative AI solutions.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2335196/DEEPX_image.jpg
BEIRUT, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Around 2,000 retired Lebanese military personnel demonstrated Thursday near Lebanon's government palace to demand a wage increase as the country reels under an unprecedented financial crisis.

Protesters blocked roads by burning tires and clashing with police forces while attempting to prevent ministers from reaching the building in Beirut's downtown, Elnashra news agency reported.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the cabinet will discuss the issue raised by the retired military personnel during an exceptional cabinet session on Saturday, but noted that the government has a limited ceiling for spending amid the current crisis.

Lebanon suffers from an unprecedented financial crisis, causing a collapse of the local currency and a steep devaluation of wages for people working in the public sector, including the retired military personnel whose salaries dropped to between 20 and 60 U.S. dollars. 
Green hydrogen fuels electrolyzer market boom, driven by sustainability shift. R&D and government support boost efficiency, competitiveness, and unlock stakeholder opportunities. Explore the details in our report.

NEWARK, Del., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global electrolyzer market is expected to grow from US$ 4.7 billion in 2024 to US$ 42.4 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 24.6%. The emphasis on green hydrogen drives this growth as governments and industries invest in electrolysis technology to reduce carbon emissions and promote renewable energy.

Request Exclusive Sample Report: Electrolyzer Industry Strategic Insights, https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-15970

Electrolyzers are becoming increasingly common as we transition to low-carbon, sustainable energy sources. There is a noticeable shift in the widespread adoption of electrolyzers, marked by a growing recognition of hydrogen as a versatile and eco-friendly energy carrier. The prevailing trend involves scaling up the deployment of electrolyzers, emphasizing their pivotal role in producing clean hydrogen.

Research and development endeavors are actively directed toward enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of electrolyzers, aiming to bolster their competitiveness and commercial viability. This concerted effort aligns with the broader goal of establishing hydrogen as a sustainable energy solution. Governments are fostering this transition by enacting supportive policies and incentives specifically geared toward advancing clean hydrogen technologies, creating a conducive environment for the robust development of electrolyzers in the global energy landscape.

"The electrolyzer market is expected to grow due to innovative power solutions technologies and clean hydrogen production techniques. Government initiatives, investment in renewable resources, rising industrial feedstock, and hydrogen plants are increasing demand. However, rising electricity costs and the consumption of economic alternatives to hydrogen fuel cells may limit market growth." Says Nikhil Kaitwade (Associate Vice President at Future Market Insights, Inc.).

Key Takeaways

The United States electrolyzer industry is projected to experience a CAGR of 25.0% through 2034.

through 2034. Japan electrolyzer market is expected to demonstrate a rapid CAGR of 25.9% through 2034.

through 2034. The United Kingdom electrolyzer industry is anticipated to see a CAGR of 26.2% through 2034.

through 2034. Demand for electrolyzers in South Korea showcases a significant CAGR of 26.9% through 2034.

showcases a significant CAGR of through 2034. China electrolyzer market is expected to display a favorable CAGR of 23.8% through 2034.

Competitive Landscape

The global market for electrolyzers is witnessing a notable surge propelled by a growing number of prominent vendors, and their strategic contributions are set to shape the industry's trajectory during the forecast decade. These key players are pivotal in driving market dynamics, translating their efforts into substantial revenue gains. With a keen focus on aligning with end-user requirements, these vendors are adapting dynamically to the evolving demands of recent years.

These influential players are orchestrating comprehensive marketing strategies to fortify their presence and secure a maximal share in the anticipated period. Notably, increased Research and Development activities within the industry are a testament to their commitment to harnessing the potential of modern technologies. This technological emphasis is instrumental in uplifting the market and contributing to its expansion during the forecast period.

In navigating the competitive landscape, these leaders deploy multifaceted tactics such as collaborations, partnerships, mergers, acquisitions, agreements, and strategic product launches. These strategic moves reinforce their positions and catalyze innovation and synergy within the electrolyzer industry, fostering an environment of continuous growth and adaptation to emerging trends.

Key Companies in the Electrolyzer Market

Nel Hydrogen ( Norway )

) Asahi Kasei ( Japan )

) Hydrogenics ( Canada )

) Shandong Saikesaisi Hydrogen Energy Co., Ltd. ( China )

) Teledyne Energy Systems ( United States )

) Siemens Energy ( Germany )

) Kobelco Eco-Solutions ( United States )

) ITM Power ( United Kingdom )

) Ballard Power Systems ( Canada )

) McPhy Energy ( France )

) Plug Power ( United States )

) ABB ( Switzerland )

) De Nora ( Italy )

) Green Hydrogen Systems ( Denmark )

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Recent Developments

To form a joint venture to purchase stacks from the Enapter Group and manufacture Enapter AEM electrolyzer devices domestically in China for the Chinese market, Enapter AG teamed up with Wolong Electric Group Co., Ltd. in January 2024 .

for the Chinese market, Enapter AG teamed up with Wolong Electric Group Co., Ltd. in . McPhy Energy, a French company, signed an agreement in December 2023 with Berlin -based HMS Oil and Gas division GmbH to deliver and install four McLyzer 3200-30 electrolyzers, totaling 64 MW in capacity.

Key Segments

By Type:

PEM Electrolyzer

Alkaline Electrolyzer

Solid Oxide Electrolyzer

By Capacity:

 500 kW

500 kW to 2 MW

Above 2 MW

By Application:

Steel plant

Power plants

Electronics and photovoltaics

Energy storage for fuel cells

Industrial gases

Power to gas

Others

By Region:

North America

Latin America

Europe

East Asia

South Asia

Oceania

The Middle East and Africa

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About the Author:

Nikhil Kaitwade (Associate Vice President at Future Market Insights, Inc.) has over a decade of experience in market research and business consulting. He has successfully delivered 1500+ client assignments, predominantly in Automotive, Chemicals, Industrial Equipment, Oil & Gas, and Service industries.

His core competency circles around developing research methodology, creating a unique analysis framework, statistical data models for pricing analysis, competition mapping, and market feasibility analysis. His expertise also extends wide and beyond analysis, advising clients on identifying growth potential in established and niche market segments, investment/divestment decisions, and market entry decision-making.

Nikhil holds an MBA degree in Marketing and IT and a Graduate in Mechanical Engineering. Nikhil has authored several publications and quoted in journals like EMS Now, EPR Magazine, and EE Times.

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NEW YORK, Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The energy-based aesthetic devices market is estimated to grow by USD 1.75 billion from 2022 to 2027 at a CAGR of 8.5% according to Technavio. Alma Lasers GmbH, Bausch Health Co Inc., Candela Corp, Concord Medisys, Cutera Inc., Cynosure LLC, DELEO SAS, EndyMed Medical Ltd, Energist Ltd, Erchonia Corp, Fotona d.o.o, IRIDEX Corp, Johnson & Johnson, Lumenis Be Ltd, Lutronic Inc, Merz Pharma GmbH & Co KGaA, Sciton Inc., SharpLight Technologies Inc., Tria Beauty, and Venus Concept Inc. are key companies.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Energy-Based Aesthetic Devices Market 2023-2027

To understand more about the information services market, request a Free sample report

Alma Lasers GmbH - The company offers LASER based extensive portfolio of aesthetic devices. Also, the company operates in a single business segment that manufactures medical aesthetic devices.

The company offers LASER based extensive portfolio of aesthetic devices. Also, the company operates in a single business segment that manufactures medical aesthetic devices. Bausch Health Co Inc. - The company offers a broad selection of aesthetic medical devices

The company offers a broad selection of aesthetic medical devices Candela Corp - The company offers a broad product portfolio of aesthetic devices

The market is segmented by end-user (medspa, hospital or surgery center, HPC owned clinic, and traditional spa), product (laser, light, ultrasound, and radiofrequency), and geography (North America, Asia, Europe, and Rest of World (ROW)).

The market share growth by the medspa segment will be significant during the forecast period. The rising adoption of medspas is driven by increased demand for skin tightening, resurfacing procedures, and chronic skin disease treatments. Medspas blend medicine and aesthetics, providing quality beauty treatments in a relaxing environment, medically supervised. Services include Botox, anti-wrinkle treatments, acne treatments, fillers, laser treatments, hair removal, vein reduction, and skin care products for post-procedure maintenance.

North America is estimated to contribute 35% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The US leads the market in North America, followed by Mexico and Canada. These countries have high awareness and disposable income, driving demand for beauty treatments. Laser-based procedures are in demand due to their advantages over traditional methods, including ease, precision, and safety.

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The increasing demand for aesthetic procedures is one of the key factors driving the growth. The demand for is growing due to advantages like shorter procedure times with immediate results. Technological advancements, especially in laser-based procedures, have expanded aesthetic applications, increasing laser procedure numbers. Benefits include smaller incisions, less pain, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, and cost savings over traditional surgeries. Non-invasive laser procedures are used in dermatology, ophthalmology, cardiovascular, cosmetic surgery, dentistry, and oncology. Rising disposable income boosts consumer purchasing power and device demand.

The emergence of combination treatments and home-use devices is a primary trend.

is a primary trend. The risks associated with energy-based aesthetic devices are a significant challenge restricting market growth.

Drivers, Trends and Challenges have an impact on market dynamics and can impact businesses. Find some insights from a free sample report!

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Energy-Based Aesthetic Devices Offers non-invasive or minimally invasive treatments for various skin concerns

Energy-based aesthetic devices encompass a range of technologies used in non-surgical cosmetic procedures and dermatology. These devices include laser skin resurfacing, which uses laser beams to improve skin texture and tone, radiofrequency devices for skin tightening and wrinkle reduction, intense pulsed light (IPL) devices for hair removal and skin rejuvenation, and ultrasound devices for skin tightening and lifting. They are integral to aesthetic medicine and cosmetic procedures, offering non-invasive or minimally invasive treatments for various skin concerns. Beauty technology continues to advance, with innovations in energy-based devices enhancing their effectiveness and safety in skin rejuvenation and other cosmetic applications.

What are the key data covered in this Energy-Based Aesthetic Devices Market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the Market industry across North America , APAC, Europe , and Rest of World (ROW)

, APAC, , and Rest of World (ROW) A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about companies

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of companies

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Related Reports

The global radiotherapy devices market size is estimated to grow by USD 1.59 billion at a CAGR of 5.82% between 2023 and 2028.

The aesthetic devices market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 11.22% between 2022 and 2027. The aesthetic devices market size forecast of the market is forecast to increase by USD 10,815.68 million.

ToC:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market Sizing

Historic Sizes

Five Forces Analysis

Segmentation by End-user

Segmentation by Product

Segmentation by Geography

Customer Landscape

Geographic Landscape

Drivers, Challenges, & Trends

Company Landscape

Company Analysis

Appendix

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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Technavio Research

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Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com

SOURCE Technavio
Educational Nonprofit Gains Momentum with Corporate, Academic and Philanthropic Support

SEATTLE, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Equal Opportunity Schools (EOS), the nationwide nonprofit leader in partnering with US high schools to provide student insights and accelerate college and career access demonstrates the power of collaboration with industry leaders including Microsoft, Stanford and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

EOS uses an evidence-based partnership model including data, tools and hands-on implementation with school districts of all sizes. This approach is now gaining recognition from corporate, academic and philanthropic organizations.

Darrell Booker, Microsoft Nonprofit Tech Acceleration for Black and African American Communities and Marcus Knight, Equal Opportunity Schools Board Member Equal Opportunity Schools 2024 Winter Roadshow "Going Places: Empowering Students for Success"

EOS has engaged two million students to unveil insights beyond GPA and test scores. EOS has also surveyed more than 25,000 educators to measure system effectiveness and adult mindsets on equity. Through this work, EOS is creating greater access in public education systems and increasing opportunities for underserved and underrepresented students to enroll in advanced courses.

Corporate Spotlight

At Microsoft's inaugural Global Nonprofit Leaders Summit, EOS was highlighted for its data-driven, student-centered partnerships with high schools around the country. The Microsoft Black and African American Nonprofit Tech Accelerator (NTA) featured EOS as a case study for impact, adding more than 70,000 underrepresented students into advanced courses. "Equal Opportunity Schools is a true innovator showing the best of what technology can do for communities of color," said Darrell Booker, Microsoft's Corporate Affairs Specialist, racial equity leader and founder of the Black and African American NTA. "Microsoft is proud to power access to the unparalleled student insights and collaboration that EOS brings to school districts from coast to coast," he added.

Academic Spotlight

Stanford University spotlighted EOS at its "AI Inspiring Action" event facilitated by the The Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (The D School). EOS President Dr. Sasha Rabkin joined Jean-Claude Brizard, CEO of Digital Promise & former CEO of Chicago Public Schools and other leading voices to discuss the application of AI for social impact. The event was organized by HAI, Stanford's Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence led by Fei-Fei Li and John Etchemendy.

Philanthropic Spotlight

Yesterday, Equal Opportunity Schools presented at the AccelerateEd convening hosted by the Education Strategy Group and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. EOS President Dr. Sasha Rabkin discussed systems change in education and "breaking free from myopic metrics of readiness that place artificial barriers in the way of underrepresented and underserved students." His message was clear that "Opportunity precedes achievement."

What's New at Equal Opportunity Schools?

Research

Recently, Equal Opportunity Schools released a special report on Psychological Safety by Dr. Erin Bogan, Sr. Director of Research & Impact. Dr. Bogan's findings show that psychological safety is related to better decision-making and performance, cognitive functioning, problem-solving, and other important conditions of learning. Coming soon is an updated report on the Cues and Conditions of Belonging.

District Expansion & Geographic Reach

Thanks to philanthropic support, Equal Opportunity Schools is offering 100 US School Districts matching grant opportunities to partner with EOS for the 2024-2025 School Year. EOS is investing in school districts with a demonstrated commitment to improving outcomes for underserved and underrepresented students. To learn more, visit https://eoschools.org and select "Partner with Us."

EOS is currently on a roadshow to cities around the US to share data and insights and showcase the power of partnership.

Next up is the National Conference on Education presented by AASA, The School Superintendents Association, where EOS will convene with over 3,000 superintendents to share ideas on improving district-wide equity, academic performance and other student outcomes. Learn more at www.eoschools.org/events.

Equal Opportunity Schools is a 501c3 nonprofit. To support our mission, visit https://eoschools.org/donate-now/

Contact:

Tomika Anderson

[email protected] | 646-387-1865

SOURCE Equal Opportunity Schools
CHICAGO, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- EVERSANA, a leading provider of commercialization services to the life science industry, today announced its strategic consulting arm EVERSANA CONSULTING has been named a Top Ranked 2024 North American Consulting Firm by Vault.

2024 marks the third straight year that EVERSANA CONSULTING has joined the prestigious list across North America, following being named a top firm in both 2023 and 2022. The ranking is based on employee participation in an anonymous, open-ended survey covering topics ranging from workplace culture to quality of life.

"Each year the competition for top consultants gets stronger, and to be named once again to Vault's prestigious list is a testament to the strategic insights our team across North America delivers to clients to solve their most complex commercialization challenges," said Jim Lang, CEO at EVERSANA. "We look forward to more great news later this month when the Asia Pacific results are revealed."

Vault's rankings are based on exclusive insider information from verified employees in the consulting industry. Each year, Vault surveys thousands of consulting professionals. From these results, top consulting firms are ranked based on prestige, quality of life, and overall best place to work across several categories.

Vault's Firsthand Findings note that "this is a place to grow and develop your career through wonderful leaders and peers while feeling supported and respected." To view the profile, click here.

EVERSANA's Asia Pacific team also was named to the 2023 Top Ranked Asia Pacific Consulting Firms. 2024 results are expected to be announced later in February. EVERSANA CONSULTING is the global consulting services arm of EVERSANA, serving a broad range of large and small biopharma, med tech and digital therapeutics companies. The team combines business strategy, launch excellence and commercial execution to provide end-to-end advisory services to clients. To learn more, visit eversanaconsulting.com.

About EVERSANA

EVERSANA is a leading independent provider of global services to the life sciences industry. The company's integrated solutions are rooted in the patient experience and span all stages of the product life cycle to deliver long-term, sustainable value for patients, prescribers, channel partners and payers. The company serves more than 650 organizations, including innovative start-ups and established pharmaceutical companies, to advance life sciences solutions for a healthier world. To learn more about EVERSANA, visit eversana.com or connect through LinkedIn and X.

Media:

Matt Braun

[email protected]

+1 414-975-8831

SOURCE EVERSANA
Cutting Edge Genome Tests Now Available Online Globally

CALGARY, AB, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - International biotechnology company, BioAro is thrilled to announce that its Whole Genome Sequencing tests are now available online North America wide thanks to a new partnership with Assured Diagnostics Inc. via their MyCare health programs on the website www.mycare.ca. These highly confidential tests allow individuals to embark on a revolutionary genetic journey to unveil a person's complete DNA sequence. BioAro's Whole Genome Sequencing analyzes over 20,000 genes in the human genome. Their advanced technology decodes every chromosome, revealing crucial biomarkers for serious diseases, longevity and healthspan. This groundbreaking achievement not only signifies a leap forward in genetic comprehension but also empowers individuals with the proactive ability to optimize their health, extend longevity and enhance overall well-being.

Thriving Together: A Family's Path to Healthspan and Longevity (CNW Group/BioAro Inc.) Health Span Unites: A Family's Journey Towards Longevity (CNW Group/BioAro Inc.) MyCare logo (CNW Group/BioAro Inc.)

Individuals and healthcare practitioners now have the opportunity to work together in identifying personalized medicines, customized nutrition plans and health regimens based on their individual biomarkers and genetic markers to optimize health and longevity. This inclusive initiative is readily available to all, empowering individuals to proactively manage and enhance their own well-being.

The new offering is another example of BioAro's supercharged personalized healthcare experience. It is committed to focusing on quality and health equity by democratising its access. The tests are available from anywhere online - at the click of a button.

"Whole Genome Sequencing empowers individuals to take charge of their genetic destiny, offering control over longevity and healthspan. By collaborating with healthcare providers, people can proactively engage in personalized strategies for prevention, monitoring, and early detection, contributing to a longer, healthier life based on their unique genetic makeup. Our goal is to empower individuals to be the CEO of their health," says Raman Kapoor, B.Sc, RD, Chief Healthspan Officer, BioAro.

"WGS will be promoted on the mycare.ca website. Ordering is as simple as making the request and ordering/purchasing online. BioAro then sends the test kit to the client's preferred address. BioAro handles all order processing, performs the test and responds with detailed test results and recommendations based on test outcomes. US residents can also visit www.knowyourhealthrisks.com to purchase a test in USD," says Liz Bryant, CEO of Assured Diagnostics Inc., trademarked as MyCare.

To book interviews with key spokespeople from BioAro and Assured Diagnostic Inc., please email [email protected].

About BioAro

BioAro believes you should be the CEO of your health - and all the information you need is in your genes. By offering genetic and microbiome testing, BioAro helps provide insights into a person's health that were previously out of reach. BioAro's supercharged personalized healthcare experience is supported by evidence-based guidelines and is committed to focusing on quality and health equity by democratising its access. BioAro is helping people understand their genetic data affordably, giving them the power to make decisions about their health. BioAro helps people understand their inherited and acquired health risks, such as potential diseases, health conditions, pharmacogenomic profiling, and nutrition parameters. Ultimately, BioAro enables people to make proactive decisions about their health and lifestyle, based on their genetic information. BioAro values client confidentiality and uses blockchain technology to secure data. BioAro has the capability of receiving samples from anywhere in the world, helping break down international barriers.

For more information, visit: www.bioaro.com

About Assured Diagnosis Inc. (MyCare)



Assured Diagnosis Inc. (ADI) is a Calgary-based (Alberta, Canada) company whose sole purpose is to provide Canadians with choices in their health care decisions. Its trademarked MyCare programs provide Canadians with an array of healthcare services for serious and non-serious medical conditions.

For more information, visit: www.mycare.ca.

SOURCE BioAro Inc.
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Precious metals retailer Fisher Capital has announced plans to create a new charitable foundation in 2024 aimed at supporting and honoring American military veterans and conservative causes.



The direct-to-consumer gold and silver retailer supports and respect the men and women of the armed forces, and places traditional American values of family, faith and patriotism at the core of its business model. The firm has been ranked among "America's Fastest Growing Precious Metals Companies" by Forbes.



Fisher Capital Group plans to expand its active support for programs and organizations that are focused on preserving traditional American values. "We deeply respect and honor the brave men and women who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom" said Fisher Capital Group CEO Alexander Spellane.

The company's commitment to veterans extends to employment opportunities at its offices in the old New York Times building in downtown Los Angeles.

Throughout our tenure, we have supported and seen exemplary performance among our veterans, and they have been an integral part of the company's leadership.

Fisher Capital welcomes ideas, proposals and opportunities for giving, and providing effective programs that will maximize the company's efforts to uplift America's patriots.



About Fisher Capital Group:



Fisher Capital helps American families create wealth and plan for retirement through precious metals diversification. In addition to gold- and silver-based IRAs, the firm specializes in limited-mintage bullion coins, which are often hard to find in the open marketplace.



Fisher Capital Group has provided an array of precious metals diversification options, whether a customer's goal is aggressive growth, security or ensuring that children and grandchildren receive a golden legacy.

Contact:

For more information, see: fishercapitalfoundation.com

SOURCE Fisher Capital Group
 Owners of outdoor hospitality, RV park, multi-family/entry-level housing assets, or raw land zoned for RV parks, accessible housing, or vacation rentals in mountain and resort markets may be eligible for the program 

VAIL, Colo., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fortius Capital , a real estate private equity and development company, launches new property acquisition initiative in mountain and resort markets, including Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and Oregon. The firm is actively acquiring entry-level housing and outdoor hospitality assets that meet the following criterion: 50+ site RV parks, 40+ site manufactured housing communities, 10+ unit multi-family opportunities, or entitled land zoned for selective assets in mountain and resort markets. Transaction sizes typically range between $2,000,000 to $25,000,000.

Fortius Capital invites property owners to engage in discussions about potential asset sales. Qualifying sellers may contact Fortius' team ( [email protected] ) to inquire about a mutually-beneficial transaction, or submit a property for review online.

"We understand that in today's market environment, sellers may be struggling to maximize the value of their original property investment, and our firm is well equipped to help. Our team endeavors to forge partnerships that resonate with the diverse financial narratives of our clients, whether amplifying investment returns, securing retirement, optimizing cash flow, or navigating tax intricacies," said Mike Pearson, Fortius Capital's Founder & President.

Fortius Capital has a long and notable history of developing accessible housing products across Colorado's western slope. As Eagle County residents, local investors, and outdoor enthusiasts, the firm is closely connected with the real estate solutions needed most in mountain and resort communities, like the Vail Valley. Recent projects include River Dance, the Vail Valley's newest outdoor hospitality destination, Two Rivers Village, a 130-acre lakefront single family bedroom community, Aspen Ridge, a 110-unit single family subdivision within Buckhorn Valley, and Rocky Mountain Commerce Park, a 28-acre light industrial subdivision adjacent to the Eagle County Regional Airport in Gypsum, Colorado.

"Our approach harmonizes the aspirations of sellers with the broader goals of mountain communities," said Rick Cherry, Fortius Capital's VP of Marketing. "We're in the business ensuring every asset is a mosaic of mutual success and desirability for sellers, municipalities, investors, and future end users," he went on to say.

Notably, Fortius has demonstrated an organization-wide proficiency in creating hybrid RV/extended stay facilities with the active management of the River Dance development. River Dance's formal expansion will begin this spring, significantly enhancing lodging availability in the Vail Valley.

For general media & seller inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

About Fortius Capital

Fortius Capital is a real estate private equity and development company with a focus on outdoor hospitality and entry-level housing within mountain and resort markets across the western United States. The company has delivered entry-level housing products to more than 1,000 Eagle County residents, while offering attractive, risk-adjusted returns for investment partners across a range of deal types since 2006.

SOURCE Fortius Capital
 After more than 20 years, the groundbreaking of Confluence at Two Rivers will mark the close of Dotsero's Two Rivers Village housing development that originally broke ground in 2003 

VAIL, Colo., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fortius Capital , a premier real estate private equity group, proudly announces the groundbreaking of Confluence at Two Riversan innovative entry-level housing community in Dotsero, Colorado. With construction set to begin this summer, Fortius reaffirms its commitment to addressing the pressing need for housing solutions in Eagle County.

Confluence at Two Rivers, situated within the scenic landscape of Dotsero, will feature two- and three-bedroom townhomes, catering to the diverse needs of Vail Valley residents. With prices starting in the 300s to accommodate the region's average median income, these residences exemplify Fortius' vision of making homeownership a reality for a diverse demographic.

"We're not just constructing homes; we're laying the foundation for brighter futures and thriving communities," said Fortius Capital's Founder and President, Mike Pearson. "We're committed to creating sustainable and affordable housing solutions that make the goal of homeownership achievable for the working class."

Construction is scheduled to commence this summer and Fortius Capital is already accepting presale reservations from prospective residents. Interested parties can join the waitlist to secure first-come, first-served access to newly constructed homes.

"Confluence at Two Rivers is not just a housing development; it's a testament to our unwavering commitment to community and affordability," added Patrick Scanlan, Director of Development at Fortius Capital.

As part of Fortius' commitment to social responsibility, the housing units will be inclusively priced to accommodate median income families in the area, ensuring economic diversity is woven into the fabric of the community. This inclusivity aligns with Fortius' vision of creating spaces that empower individuals from all walks of life to realize property ownership.

The initiative is expected to garner regional investment interest as Fortius Capital continues to spearhead critical housing development and discourse with a wide range of stakeholders on affordable housing solutions at a broader scale. Simultaneously, the project aligns with regional employer workforce housing needs, while further addressing the housing affordability crisis of the Vail Valley community. The community also represents a legitimate closeout to the Two Rivers Village development that was purchased by Fortius Capital via a foreclosure sale in 2013.

Fortius Capital invites the community, stakeholders, and the media to join the groundbreaking ceremony this summer, more details will be announced this spring.

This momentous occasion marks the beginning of a transformative journey, bringing affordable housing options to the heart of Eagle County.

For general media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

About Fortius Capital

Fortius Capital is a real estate private equity and development company with a focus on outdoor hospitality and entry-level housing within mountain and resort markets across the western United States. The company has delivered entry-level housing products to more than 1,000 Eagle County residents, while offering attractive, risk-adjusted returns for investment partners across a range of deal types since 2006.

SOURCE Fortius Capital
Frontline workers shoulder greater burdens and are often unaware of well-being benefits, says meQuilibrium

BOSTON, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite having more demanding roles tied to a higher degree of stress, frontline workers are less aware of employer mental wellbeing benefits, more likely to say they do not have a problem, and--even when they acknowledge a problemare less likely to reach out for help than their non-frontline colleagues, according to a new meQuilibrium (meQ) study of frontline worker mental well-being released today. The study of 1,183 US-based workers revealed that rates of anxiety and depression among frontline workers are 33% and 61% higher, respectively, and when facing high stress, they are 30% less likely to seek out professional assistance, compared to their non-frontline counterparts.

Frontline workers are often unaware of well-being benefits, says new meQuilibrium study. Frontline workers have greater mental health needs, yet are less likely to seek help, meQuilibrium study finds.

"Frontline workers regularly interact with frustrated customers, work irregular shifts, lack paid time off, and have minimal autonomy over duties assigned by managers, which can contribute to higher rates of burnout, anxiety, depression, and secondary traumatic stress, compared to their corporate colleagues," said Brad Smith, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer at meQ. "Unfortunately, frontline workers are often unaware of their well-being options and their irregular hours can impede appointment scheduling, resulting in a gap between their needs and use of relevant benefits."

Even though frontline workers are less aware of mental well-being benefits, meQ's workforce well-being research shows that frontline populations demonstrate significantly larger improvements in resiliencethe skill that protects workers from burnout risk  than non-frontline populations. In a sample of more than 18,000 employees across the two populations, these data show that frontline staff have a 42% greater improvement in resilience than non-frontline populations.

Frontline Workers Hesitate to Admit They Need Support

Despite grappling with more demanding roles and the associated impacts on mental well-being, frontline staff are not always open to support. They are 64% more likely than non-frontline peers to state that they do not have an issue with stress. Among those who recognize they have a problem, frontline employees are 62% more likely than non-frontline staff to say they have not sought help.

meQ's research confirms a significant knowledge gap between frontline and non-frontline employees regarding employer well-being benefit offerings. Awareness of relevant employer-provided benefits was 22% lower among frontline staff compared to non-frontline staff. This gap was most pronounced among younger employees where research suggests the need is highest. Three-quarters (73%) of non-frontline Gen Z staff report feeling well-informed about available mental well-being benefits and less than half (43%) of frontline workers are aware of relevant benefits.

"Given both the elevated risk factors and participation obstacles frontline employees face, organizations reliant on these essential workers must prioritize awareness and access to needed benefits across this vulnerable population," explains Dr. Smith. "Using mental well-being benefits to seek professional help should not be a move of last resort only associated with times of crisis. Unfortunately, the first line response to troublesome levels of stress, anxiety or burnout among frontline workers is to take time off from the job  which they do only reluctantly as it represents a decrease in pay."

"It's clear that frontline workers shoulder greater burdens from highly demanding roles yet are less likely to seek support," said Dr. Smith. "Employers relying on these essential employees have a vested interest in closing this gap through proactive outreach and education to improve benefit awareness and utilization around mental well-being. Given the powerful connection between mental well-being and performance, closing this knowledge gap can lead to a healthier, more productive workforce, especially among frontline workers across industries like transportation, healthcare, manufacturing, and hospitality."

Media contact:

Beth Brody, BrodyPR

[email protected]

908-295-0600

SOURCE meQuilibrium
WOODBRIDGE, N.J., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fusion Health, a leading provider of electronic health record (EHR) and pharmacy management solutions for the public safety and behavioral health markets, executed new contracts in 2023 with a multitude of high-profile federal, state, and county governmental agenciespositioning the fast-growing healthtech company for even more significant growth in 2024.

Fusion is proud to welcome the following agencies to the Fusion family:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - IHSC, for Fusion's CIPS pharmacy management and electronic medication administration (eMAR) solutions

The Oregon Department of Corrections, for FusionEHR

The Tennessee Department of Corrections, for FusionEHR

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office ( Phoenix, AZ ), for FusionEHR

Sheriff's Office ( ), for FusionEHR The Ohio Department of Youth Services, for FusionEHR

The New York City Administration for Children Services  Division of Juvenile Justice, for FusionEHR

The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families - Division of Juvenile Justice, for FusionEHR

The San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, for Fusion360 DSCSA drug supply chain compliance software

"We are thrilled to partner with these agencies and help them achieve their goals of providing high-quality, cost-effective, and compassionate health care to their populations," said Bryan Jakovcic, Fusion CEO. "We're beyond proud of our new 2023 track record of delivering successful implementations and supporting our clients with exceptional service and support."

FusionEHR, the company's flagship product, is designed to meet the unique needs and challenges of the adult and juvenile corrections environment, where health care delivery is often complex and fragmented. Fusion's EHR system streamlines workflows, improves data quality, enhances patient safety, and supports continuity of care across multiple settings. Fusion's EHR system also enables correctional health care providers to comply with federal and state regulations, accreditation standards, and best practices. FusionEHR is being used by more than a dozen state corrections facilities and a host of county and local agencies.

CIPS, short for Correctional and Inpatient Pharmacy Software, is a comprehensive, innovative pharmacy management solution that has revolutionized the way correctional pharmacies operate and serve their patients. CIPS is a culmination of cutting-edge technology, user-centric design, and industry best practices, aimed at streamlining workflow efficiency, enhancing patient care, and ensuring seamless integration with existing healthcare ecosystems. In addition to DHS-ICE, CIPS is used by 37 state corrections departments and hundreds of county jails through public/private partnerships,

"We're really grateful for the trust placed in us by our expanding client base and extremely excited for the future," said Michael Jakovcic, Fusion Health's Chief Revenue Officer. "By building on the strong foundation we laid in 2023, Fusion is entering 2024 with a robust pipeline and poised to deliver more excellent technological solutions in 2024."

About Fusion Health: Fusion Health's clinical technologies connect people with information systems at thousands of facilities nationwide. We offer a portfolio of innovative, market-leading healthtech products, including electronic health records and pharmacy management solutions, that assist clinicians in making care decisions and aid organizations in managing the health of their populations.

Fusion solutions bridge gaps in healthcare access and nurture a collaborative, positive environment where healthcare thrives. Fusion equips providers in public safety and behavioral health settings, as well as other federal, state and local organizations, with an ecosystem of solutions they can use to work faster, smarter, and more efficiently to deliver highly effective care to patients. As a market leader in the healthtech space, we're driven by a vision of a future where our products contribute to a ripple effect of positive change within the broader public health landscape, where every individual, regardless of circumstance, has access to quality care.

For media inquiries:

Jerry Kimbrough

Communications Specialist

(732) 218-5705, x1223

[email protected]

SOURCE Fusion Health
RAMALLAH, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of Palestinians on Wednesday demonstrated in the West Bank against the decision of some countries to suspend their financial contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

The Palestinian protestors raised Palestinian flags and banners in front of the headquarters of UNRWA in Ramallah, calling on countries to continue their donation.

"Suspending UNRWA's funding is a blow to the refugee issue and an attempt to erase the right of return and collective punishment for millions of refugees," said Mohammed Alyan, the head of the Supreme National Committee for Defending the Right of Return, a non-governmental organization.

Alyan warned that the Palestinian issue and the refugee issue today are "at stake," calling on the countries to prevail for justice and international principles.

Several countries, led by the United States, announced the suspension of their funding for UNRWA, against the backdrop of Israeli accusations that some of the agency's employees were involved in the attack launched by Hamas on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

In a press statement sent to Xinhua, Adnan Abu Hasna, the media advisor and spokesman for UNRWA, said that the agency is "a lifeline for all Palestinians, not just refugees ... stopping its operations, especially in Gaza, means that we are leaving these residents to death, who have nothing left but UNRWA."

Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres on Monday appointed an independent review group to assess whether "the agency is doing everything within its power to ensure neutrality and to respond to allegations of serious breaches when they are made." 
ENCINO, Calif., Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gelson's wines have always earned high praise from customers and critics alike including notable recognition from Wine Enthusiast for their private brand wine. The launch of their new "Winemaker Series" is expected to be no different. The first winemaker in this series is renowned "First Lady of Wine" Heidi Barrett. Barrett is highly regarded for the exceptional finesse and quality of wine she has crafted over the years. She played a pivotal role in the creation of Screaming Eagle wine from 1992, which earned two 100-point scores from prominent wine critics. For Gelson's, she has created a rich, ripe delicious Red Blend that is a carefully balanced combination of Syrah, Petit Sirah, and Cabernet Franc and yields distinctive aromatics as well as dense berry and plum flavors.

Gelson's Winemaker Series

"When Gelson's approached me to collaborate with them for their new Winemaker Series I did not hesitate. Our shared high standards of excellence and commitment to delivering only the best quality products are perfectly aligned," said Barrett. "We have created a beautiful wine for elegant and enjoyable drinking."

"We are truly proud of this collaboration with Heidi Barrett reflecting the attention to detail and quality that Gelson's prides itself on," said President and CEO John Bagan. "Working with Heidi is just the beginning. We look forward to expanding the series with other renowned winemakers."

The select wine will be available in all stores or online on shop.gelsons.com on February 7.

About Gelson's

Gelson's is a collection of premium food and beverage markets with 28 locations throughout Southern California featuring the amenities of a traditional grocer with the personalized service and tailored offerings of a neighborhood shop. Each store offers a wide range of carefully selected produce, meat, seafood, bakery, floral and chef-crafted recipes from Gelson's Kitchen, including deli to-go and catering. Shoppers can enjoy the best quality local, specialty, and organic products, along with favorite national brands. Gelson's has earned recognition for its selection of top-quality private brand products, virtual educational tasting events, and charitable community partnerships.



Founded in 1951 as an extraordinary food shopping experience for discerning consumers, Gelson's is committed to the highest standards for quality, value, and freshness; unsurpassed service; and attention to detail in a welcoming atmosphere. Find out why Life Tastes Better Here at https://gelsons.com and follow @gelsonsmarkets on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

SOURCE Gelsons
NEW YORK, Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The generic drugs market is estimated to increase by USD 176.25 billion from 2022 to 2027, with a CAGR of 7.11%, according to a recent market study by Technavio. North America is estimated to contribute 37% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. North America leads the global generic drugs market, with the US housing key players offering differentiated products. The region's growth is driven by rising chronic diseases due to lifestyle changes, alcohol, and tobacco consumption. Canada sees increased demand for biosimilars, particularly in breast cancer treatment, for their therapeutic benefits and cost reduction. Generic drugs, bioequivalent to brand-name drugs, gain popularity. Organizations advocate for low-cost drugs and oversee product safety. The US and Canada are leading users, with the US offering substantial discounts, and Canada monitoring product safety.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Generic drugs Market 2023-2027

Discover some insights on market size before buying the full report -Request a Free sample report

Senior Automotive Analyst, at Technavio, said. " The rising drug patent expirations are notably driving the generic drug market growth. Patent expirations enable companies like Abbott to produce generic drugs with the same APIs as brand-name drugs, making them more affordable. After patent expiration, companies can create branded generics, as any manufacturer can apply to the FDA for a chemically identical generic version".

Abbott Laboratories, Amgen Inc., Aurobindo Pharma Ltd., Baxter International Inc., Biocon Ltd., Dr Reddys Laboratories Ltd., Eli Lilly and Co., Endo International Plc, Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Merck and Co. Inc., Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., Sanofi SA, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Viatris Inc., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Lupin Ltd., Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd., and Cipla Ltd. are key companies.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of companies has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize companies as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize companies as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak. The Bargaining Power of Buyers & Suppliers and the Threat of New Entrants, Rivalry, and Substitutes have also been analyzed and rated between LOW-HIGH to provide a holistic view of market favorability.

Find Technavio's Exclusive Analysis of Price Sensitivity, Adoption Lifecycle, Customer Purchase Basket, Adoption Rates, and Purchase Criteria

One of the core components of the customer landscape is price sensitivity , an analysis of which will help companies refine marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage .

, an analysis of which will help companies refine . Another key aspect is price sensitivity drivers (purchases are undifferentiated, the purchase is a key cost to buyers, and quality is not important) , which range between LOW and HIGH.

, which range between Furthermore, market adoption rates for all regions have been covered.

Download a Free Sample Report

The market is segmented by type (small-molecule generics and biosimilars), route of administration (oral, injectables, topical, and inhalers), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and the Rest of the World).

The market share growth by the small-molecule generics segment will be significant during the forecast period. Generic drugs are identical to brand-name drugs in dosage, use, side effects, and pharmacological effects. They offer the same clinical benefits and are made when brand patents expire. Small-molecule generics are cost-effective and have shorter approval processes, reducing drug development time and costs. Competition from multiple manufacturers lowers drug prices. Super generics are improved versions of small-molecule generics.

To procure the data - Buy the report!

Hospital-owned generics are a major trend in the generic drug market.

are a major trend in the generic drug market. Stringent regulation is a major challenge impeding the generic drug market growth.

For Insights on the market dynamics & segmentations VIEW FREE PDF SAMPLE!

Generic Drugs Benefits

Generic drugs offer several benefits in the pharmaceutical industry. They are manufactured by generic drug manufacturers after the patent expiration of brand-name drugs, leading to increased competition and lower prices. The regulatory approval process for generic drugs focuses on demonstrating bioequivalence, ensuring that they are therapeutically equivalent to their brand-name counterparts. This emphasis on bioequivalence allows for cost-effective drug options while maintaining quality and safety standards. Generic drug development involves creating formulations that are comparable in dosage form, strength, route of administration, and efficacy to the original branded drugs, providing more affordable treatment options for various health conditions.

What are the key data covered in this Generic Drugs Market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the Generic Drugs Market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size of the Generic Drugs Market size and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the Generic Drugs Market industry across North America , Europe , Asia , and the Rest of the World (ROW)

, , , and the Rest of the World (ROW) A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about companies

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of Generic Drugs Market companies

Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform

Related Reports:

The vertigo drugs market size is estimated to grow by USD 551.42 million at a CAGR of 5.58% between 2022 and 2027.

The bronchiectasis drugs market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.98% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 326.01 million.

ToC:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market Sizing

Historic Sizes

Five Forces Analysis

Segmentation by Route Of Administration

Segmentation by Type

Segmentation by Geography

Customer Landscape

Geographic Landscape

Drivers, Challenges, & Trends

Company Landscape

Company Analysis

Appendix

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com

SOURCE Technavio
DUBLIN, Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Solar Inverter Market Forecasts from 2023 to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Expanding Solar Inverter Market to Power Through with Projected Robust CAGR until 2028

A comprehensive research publication has now been added to our industry analysis segment detailing the anticipated expansion and market dynamics of the solar inverter landscape from 2023 through 2028. Forecasting a substantial compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.09%, the solar inverter market is set to increase from a value of US$12.467 billion in 2021 to an impressive US$21.485 billion by the end of the forecast period.



This detailed study offers a panoramic view of the market, emphasizing the crucial role of solar inverters in shaping the future of renewable energy utilization. Solar inverters are fundamental equipment in translating the variable direct current (DC) output of solar panels into a grid-compatible alternating current (AC), thus facilitating the broader adoption of solar technology across various sectors.



Key Factors Contributing to Market Growth

High Demand from Residential and Commercial Sectors: Increasing awareness and integration of solar energy solutions into everyday applications are generating a significant uplift in the market size.

Increasing awareness and integration of solar energy solutions into everyday applications are generating a significant uplift in the market size. Grid Infrastructure Development: Government policies aimed at modernizing energy grids are expected to bolster market expansion, enabling more efficient integration of solar energy.

Regional Expectations and Competitive Landscape



The Asia-Pacific region is predicted to take the lead, with countries like China, India, Japan, and Australia contributing to a high volume of solar installations. The region's progress is underpinned by strategic government initiatives that support solar power infrastructure development.



In addition to the regional analysis, the publication provides a spotlight on recent developments in the solar inverter market:

In May 2023 , SolaX released a novel hybrid inverter designed for heightened residential efficiency.

, SolaX released a novel hybrid inverter designed for heightened residential efficiency. Solis' innovative 'S6' power hybrid inverter hit the market in May 2023 , boasting advanced features adaptable to diverse power systems.

, boasting advanced features adaptable to diverse power systems. The cutting-edge SOFAR 100-125KTL-G4 string inverter, launched in January 2023 , is reshaping expectations with unparalleled current capacity.

, is reshaping expectations with unparalleled current capacity. Reliance Industries' acquisition of a significant stake in Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy in February 2022 is projected to have a pivotal role in the industry's competitive field.

Opportunities Amidst Competition from Alternative Energy Sources

Though confronted by alternative renewable energy sources such as wind and hydropower, solar inverters continue to be an integral part of the evolving energy matrix. The analysis also includes the challenges and influences of external market conditions on solar inverter adoption.



The publication offers a strategic toolkit for stakeholders to understand the precise dynamics and future trajectory of the solar inverter market, outlining opportunities, threats, and the advent of novel technologies set to define the renewable energy domain.

Company Profiles

ABB

General Electric

Schneider Electric

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd

TMEIC (Toshiba & Mitsubishi Electric)

SolarEdge Technologies Inc.

SUNGROW Power

SMA Solar Technology AG

Enphase Energy

Yaskawa Electric Corporation

Segmentation

By Type

String Inverters

Micro-Inverters

Grid-Tie Inverters

Others

By Solar Panel Type

Monocrystalline

Polycrystalline

Thin-Firm Solar Panel

By End-User

Residential

Commercial

Industrial

By Geography

North America

USA

Canada

Mexico

South America

Brazil

Argentina

Others

Europe

Germany

UK

France

Spain

Others

Middle East and Africa

and Saudi Arabia

UAE

Others

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

South Korea

India

Australia

Others

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/s0a6gn

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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SOURCE Research and Markets
BEIJING, Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese President Xi Jinping highly values culture and has a profound understanding of culture which has strengthened over time. Culture plays a vital role in inspiring national spirit, carrying forward civilizations, and promoting social development and well-rounded personal development.

As the most important traditional Chinese festival, the Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, is viewed as particularly important by President Xi. During this time, he celebrates with both government service people and ordinary citizens, extending well wishes of good luck to them.

For a non-Chinese person, nothing does better to help understand the people and culture of China than viewing ordinary people's Spring Festival stories. At this special occasion of the year, Chinese people travel for family reunions, celebrate in various forms, and share cohesive feelings about home and the country.

On the afternoon of February 1 ahead of Spring Festival, President Xi arrived at Tianjin's Ancient Culture Street. Walking along this street that possesses an air of antiquity, he stepped into several shops such as Guifaxiang 18th Street Mahua, Nut Products Zhang, Clay Figurine Zhang, and Yangliuqing New Year Painting, asking about the categories and sales of their products, as well as the inheritance and development of China's traditional cultural heritages.

On the streets, drums and music were clanging, and dragon dance and lion dance performances were lively. Xi walked closer to everyone and extended Chinese New Year greetings to the people of Tianjin and the people of all ethnic groups in China.

Xi said that seeing local residents and tourists beaming as they enjoyed traditional folk performances, he could feel the rich flavor of the Chinese New Year. The Chinese leader attaches great importance to the festival, which is celebrated by all Chinese in and outside of the country every year.

The Spring Festival has a long history, not only containing profound cultural connotations, but also carrying historical and cultural heritages during the process of Chinese modernization, experts said. Chinese New Year is a time when people bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, and a time that carries deep friendship and emotional bonds. Various Chinese New Year celebrations and customs are being held across the country with strong regional characteristics and around the world. These activities are mainly about removing the old and bringing in the new, exorcising evil spirits, receiving blessings and praying for good luck. The holiday is rich and colorful and embodies the essence of traditional Chinese culture, experts said.

From fortune to prosperity

Thousands of kilometers away from Tianjin, in the bustling cities and verdant countryside of South China' Guangdong Province, streets teem with life as communities prepare for the festivities ahead.

The Chinese New Year festivities come alive with the exhilarating rhythm and vibrant spectacle of performances such as dragon and lion dances, as well as the captivating Yingge dance in the Chaoshan region in the east of Guangdong.

These time-honored art forms, deeply rooted in Chinese culture, play a central role in ushering in the auspicious occasion of the Chinese New Year.

Pointing out the coming lunar year is the Year of the Dragon, Xi noted that in Chinese culture, the dragon has multiple connotations, such as representing courage and endeavor, infinite vitality, and good luck and carries people's good wishes for and visions of the future. He said that everyone should have confidence in the coming year and live a better life.

The dragon dance, with its sinuous movements and spectacular dragon costumes, symbolizes power, prosperity, and good fortune. Accompanied by the rhythmic beats of drums and cymbals, the dragon weaves its way through streets and alleyways, captivating audiences with its majestic presence.

Similarly, the lion dance, characterized by its colorful lion costumes and acrobatic feats, is performed to ward off evil spirits and bring blessings for the year ahead.

The tantalizing aroma of local delicacies often attracts thousands of tourists to Guangdong, but during the Chinese New Year, the region has a lot more to offer.

Families gather to feast on niangao, or glutinous rice cakes, symbolic of prosperity and advancement in the new year.

A top go-to destination for local people is the flower markets, a vibrant place brimming with a kaleidoscope of colorful blooms and fragrant blossoms.

The choice of going to the flower market is also embedded with auspicious expectations for the Chinese New Year, noted Wei Zhiyi, a Shenzhen local, as the pronunciations of the word "flower" and "prosperity" are the same in Cantonese.

"Families flock to the flower markets in search of auspicious plants and flowers to adorn their homes," Guangzhou local Chen Wenxia told the Global Times.

Symbolism plays a crucial role in the selection of floral decorations, with certain blooms believed to bring prosperity, good fortune, and happiness in the coming year.

"Peach blossoms, representing longevity and vitality, are a popular choice; while kumquat trees, laden with golden fruits, symbolize wealth and prosperity," Chen noted. "Orchids, with their delicate beauty, are cherished for their association with refinement and elegance."

The diversity of colors is also echoed in Zigong in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, where the local people keep the tradition of going to the lantern festival, a tradition that dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

Every Chinese New Year, the city brings up some giant and mesmerizing lanterns that transform the city into a luminous wonderland with intricate lanterns casting rays of different colored lights.

"The lantern festival attracts not only locals but also visitors from afar who come to marvel at the stunning array of lanterns," a local official surnamed Xie told the Global Times.

The lanterns feature a diverse range of themes, from traditional Chinese motifs such as a 202.4-meter-long Chinese dragon that was made using nearly 200,000 used plastic bottles to modern interpretations of cultural symbols like the flying Apsaras icons from Dunhuang murals.

Close blood bonds

Xi has previously addressed a festival reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where he extended his greetings to all Chinese in the mainland, in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and abroad.

His greetings to all Chinese people with references to hard work and family values have struck a chord with overseas Chinese.

Until now, overseas Chinese keep the Chinese New Year traditions well and intact. The tradition of staying up late during Chinese New Year's Eve has also been kept by many families overseas that boast Chinese ancestry.

Even among second or third generation overseas Chinese, most young people follow these traditions and customs for the traditional Spring Festival just as their fathers, grandfathers and even great-grandfathers did.

Vindy Marcelina, a 24-year-old student from Indonesia, told the Global Times that many of her distant ancestors came from East China's Fujian Province, while her grandpa went to Indonesia from China when he was a child.

Until now, they still keep a lot of traditions to celebrate the Spring Festival.

According to Marcelina, in the morning of the day before the Chinese New Year, the family will have a prayer ceremony to god and their ancestors. At night they will have a family dinner together.

"We also have dishes that are a must have at Chinese dinners like fish, noodles, dishes with 10 types of food, and a sweet niangao [Chinese New Year sweet rice cake]. After having dinner we will stay up until midnight."

During the Chinese New Year, Marcelina's family will also visit her relatives' homes for bainian, which means to greet and wish each other luck during the new year. The big family will gather in the home of Marcelina's oldest aunt. They will have lunch together, express wishes for the New Year in the southern Fujian dialect, and members of the family that have already gotten married will give the younger members some red envelopes full of money.

Global celebration

Shan Jixiang, former curator of the Palace Museum, told the Global Times that the Spring Festival is the most traditional festival of the Chinese nation as it is a kind of cultural inheritance and embodies Chinese people's wishes to "go home for the New Year."

The 78th United Nations General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution in December, officially designating the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, as a UN floating holiday. Chinese experts said the decision indicates the increasing global recognition of China's culture and its influence, which will contribute to the promotion of the Global Civilization Initiative.

As the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi says, in spite of differences in histories, cultures, political systems and development phases, countries around the world share a common aspiration for peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, the common values of humanity.

This Lunar New Year belongs to China and the world as well, as it is becoming a global celebration that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. With rich cultural connotations such as paying tribute to one's ancestors, praying for good luck, respecting nature and expelling evil spirits, the Spring Festival has aroused emotional resonance among many people in the world.

"The Spring Festival is always a time that all the people hope to share happiness and hope with close families, friends and relatives," Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Read more: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202402/1306911.shtml

SOURCE Global Times
Lumen Quarterly DDoS & Application Threat Report reveals the latest trends and insights on cyberattacks and AI threats

DENVER, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The government sector experienced a surge of DDoS attacks in Q4 according to Lumen Technologies (NYSE: LUMN), a global leader in integrated network and cybersecurity solutions. The Lumen Quarterly DDoS & Application Threat Report for Q4 2023 analyzes data from its DDoS mitigation platform and application protection partner, ThreatX, to provide an overview of the DDoS and application-layer attacks that targeted organizations in the last quarter of 2023.

According to the report, the government sector was hit hard:

Lumen Quarterly DDoS & Application Threat Report reveals the latest trends and insights on cyberattacks and AI threats

66% of the 1,000 largest attacks Lumen mitigated were targeting the government.

Government attacks increased 163% from Q3 and a staggering 4,025% year over year.

One government customer accounted for 1,759 attacks of the 1,953 government attacks in Q4, showing a persistent and focused campaign by cybercriminals.

"The government sector holds extremely sensitive data, so you can understand why it is a prime target for cyberattacks," said Sharada Achanta, Lumen VP of Product, Cybersecurity and AI. "Espionage, extortion, and disruptions are the reasons behind these attacks, and the attackers are not deterred by the increased security measures. The good news is that Lumen, through our Black Lotus Labs threat intelligence, can stop the attacks that cross our network before they become destructive. Lumen's threat intelligence and DDoS mitigation, powered by AI and machine learning, offer customers a distinctive and comprehensive cybersecurity solution."

Lumen's report also reveals that its largest DDoS attack of 2023 happened in Q4, reaching a peak of 903 Gbps. This attack targeted a telecom customer, which is part of a trend of telecom being a frequent target of attacks because it carries traffic for all other industries.

The Two Sides of AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a double-edged sword for cybersecurity, as attackers and defenders use it to enhance their skills. Attackers use AI to hide, automate, and craft sophisticated attacks, while defenders, like Black Lotus Labs, use AI to monitor, detect, predict, and respond to threats.

One growing concern in the AI space is how it might leverage devices on the network edge. Those include IoT devices, smartphones, and laptops.

AI at the edge could increase the potential for AI-driven attacks, such as DDoS attacks using compromised IoT devices, or deepfake attacks using manipulated audio and video.

AI can enable attacks that are faster, smarter, and more powerful, such as self-learning malware, botnets that adjust to defenses, and targeted social engineering.

AI can also be a powerful tool for defenders of the network.

By using more analytics from edge devices, defenders can improve AI models for detection, prediction, and response.

AI at the edge can boost the defense capabilities by giving more data and insights from edge devices and allowing quicker and more customized responses.

Application Threats on the Rise

The report shows that applications owned by ThreatX customers received more than 84 billion requests in Q4, with 1.7 billion of those blocked in real time. Almost 37% of the blocked traffic was from web bots. The attackers tried to access confidential information, change the structure of the websites, and steal passwords.

"Cyber miscreants span a broad spectrum, from activists to criminals to nation-state sponsored cyberwarfare groups. But DDoS remains a common link between all these groups, as the ability to disrupt the digital experience is a crude but effective cudgel against any modern business," said IDC Cybersecurity research director Chris Rodriguez. "With the security implications of GenAI only just now being explored, the most prudent way to prepare for the unpredictable is to focus on security basics, including a robust DDoS detection and response strategy."

"Application security is a critical component of any organization's cybersecurity strategy," said Achanta. "Attackers are after that critical data, constantly probing and testing applications for vulnerabilities and weaknesses using a variety of techniques and tools. Organizations need to have comprehensive and tailored protection against network- and application-layer attacks."

Protecting Businesses from DDoS Attacks

Although people believe identifying a DDoS attack is simple, tactics are becoming more complex and discreet. Businesses need to protect themselves.

If a company uses applications to interact with customers, employees, or other stakeholders, they need holistic protection against network- and application-layer attacks. This will keep critical business functions up and runningeven if they are under an active attack.

Businesses should consider deploying additional application-layer defenses using Web Application Firewalls, API protections and Bot Risk Management solutions, and pair those with application acceleration solutions to make applications more responsive for their customers.

Having DDoS mitigation in place, such as Lumen DDoS Hyper can prevent attackers from successfully launching large campaigns against an organization.

This guide can help businesses find out if they're under an active DDoS attack.

Additional Information:

About Lumen Technologies:

Lumen connects the world. We are igniting business growth by connecting people, data, and applications  quickly, securely, and effortlessly. Everything we do at Lumen takes advantage of our network strength. From metro connectivity to long-haul data transport to our edge cloud, security, and managed service capabilities, we meet our customers' needs today and as they build for tomorrow. For news and insights visit news.lumen.com, LinkedIn: /lumentechnologies, Twitter: @lumentechco, Facebook: /lumentechnologies, Instagram: @lumentechnologies and YouTube: /lumentechnologies. Lumen and Lumen Technologies are registered trademarks of Lumen Technologies LLC in the United States. Lumen Technologies LLC is a wholly owned affiliate of Lumen Technologies, Inc.

SOURCE Lumen Technologies
Event is considered the main trade fair globally for the sector.

Costa Rica's participation will serve to diversify exports, increase the client portfolio and promote investment attraction.

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 15 Costa Rican fresh produce companies will participate in what is considered the main event globally for the sector, in order to position their major export catalog. It is the Fruit Logistica trade fair, which will take place from February 7 to 9, 2024 in Berlin, Germany.

(PRNewsfoto/Promotora de Comercio Exterior) (PRNewsfoto/Promotora de Comercio Exterior) (PRNewsfoto/Promotora de Comercio Exterior)

Hand in hand with The Trade and Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER), for three days, the country delegation will showcase, through an esencial Costa Rican stand, their harvests of: fresh pineapple, cassava, eddoes, taro, ginger, loquat, cane, sweet potato, chayote, coconut, papaya, banana, and plantain, in addition to value-added products, such as, for example: dried pineapple, candied pineapple, and pineapple with chocolate, gluten free flours, and plantain chips.

"The Fruit Logistica 2024 trade fair is a new opportunity to continue positioning our diverse offering of fresh produce in the world. It is a trade fair in which more than 140 countries are participating, which translates into more business opportunities for our companies," indicated Laura Lopez, General Manager of PROCOMER.

According to the data from the PROMCOMER Business Intelligence Directorate, the agricultural sector and the food industry, both in the fresh produce category, occupy the second (18%) and third (14%) positions respectively in importance, according to their share of exports in goods accounted for as of November 2023. Their main buyers are the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Italy.

"Our participation in this trade fair is extremely important for the country, as it allows us to connect with several European countries which are key strategic partners for diversifying exports of the fresh produce sector and increasing the client portfolio, both at the European and global level," added Lopez.

The following companies will form part of the Costa Rican delegation: Comercializadora Fertinyc, Grupo Batgal, Donatella Fruit, Verita Tropicals Costa Rica, Golden Sweet, Tropifoods EIAE, B&C Exportadores, Unifruit Fresh International, Upala Agricola , Chestnut Hill Farms, Exportaciones Nortenas, Grupo Visa, Corporacion Bananera Nacional, Camara Nacional de Productores y Exportadores de Pina [National Chamber of Pineapple Producers and Exporters] and Jalaram Fruit.

Furthermore, attendees at the trade fair will taste Costa Rican coffee and a variety of dishes cooked with fresh produce on display in the pavilion.

The Fruit Logistica 2024 trade fair will also serve to promote PROCOMER's strategy for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), the aim of which is to diversify the source of investment and lead the way for companies belonging to the sector to establish their operations in the country.

'Descubre' [Discovery] Launch

The national representation will present the Descubre program, through a cocktail launch with products such as turmeric, ginger and mango  recently incorporated into the discovery portfolio  in order to increase the value of agriculture as a sustainable activity towards an inclusive and dynamic economy, and promote investment attraction in rural and coastal areas of the country.

"We would like to maintain our commitment to sustainability and protection of the environment. To do this, we implemented this activity with which we want to show international investors and buyers in the trade fair that agriculture and agricultural processes can also be sustainable and beneficial for the environment," ended Lopez.

About the Fruit Logistica Trade Fair

The Fruit Logistica trade fair starts off the international trade fair season for the global fresh produce sector. It is considered the most important for the industry, since it is known for the more than 63,000 visitors from 140 countries and for being the benchmark in terms of annual programs. In addition, important European and international supermarket chains are participating such as Mercadona, Battaglio, Anecoop, Bonnysa, Banafruit, among others.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2336517/FL__1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2336519/FL__2.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2336520/FL__3.jpg
Report on Family Caregiving in Nassau & Suffolk Counties Provides Snapshot of How People Are Dealing with Mounting Responsibilities

BAY SHORE, N.Y., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 40% of Long Island voters age 40 and older say they are either currently caring for an aging loved one (11%) or have previously done so (31%), while nearly eight in ten (77%) say they are or were stressed emotionally due to those responsibilities, an increasingly common scenario for family caregivers statewide as New York's population rapidly ages, according to a new AARP New York survey released today.

Most of the family caregivers who responded to the survey for the report  titled "Long Island Caregivers 40 and Older: Their Challenges, Struggles and Needs" -- say they care for a relative, most likely a parent in their 80s. The fall 2023 telephone survey on caregiving and long-term care queried residents of Suffolk and Nassau counties age 40-plus who are caring for an aging loved or have done so, and who are registered to vote in New York.

The survey was released at a news conference held at the Family Service League at the Iovino South Shore Center in Bay Shore, where AARP New York was joined by State Senator Monica R. Martinez, whose district includes part of Suffolk County, and representatives from local social services agencies and non-profit organizations.

"Too many of these hardworking Long Islanders, most of them women, don't have access to the respite care, transportation or other help their family members need because funding from the state is lacking for those services or they're stuck on a waiting list," said AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel. "On Long Island and across New York State, caregivers are raising their own children and trying to make a living while providing essential help to a mother or father, or both. They should not have to bear this burden alone."

"There is no stress like the stress of being a family member's caregiver, yet there is also no love like the love required to fulfill that responsibility," Senator Martinez said. "Today's survey is a reminder of the challenges that confront Long Islanders who have stepped into the role of caring for a relative that may have a chronic illness or condition, an injury, or become frail. Those who take on this commitment do so without much support from the state despite their dedication. As someone helping loved ones, I know the strain that comes from this act of compassion and understand more must be done to support these individuals."

The Long Island survey was gleaned from a larger statewide AARP caregiving survey of 1,345 New York registered voters ages 40 and older. On Long Island, as well as elsewhere across the state, women primarily bear the burden of caring for an aging loved one. In Nassau and Suffolk counties, 62% of women voters 40-plus say they care for a loved one, compared to 38% of men.

Most Long Island caregivers (61%) say they do not believe New York State government offers enough support for unpaid family caregivers. When given the choice between financial support that would help cover caregiving costs or support that gives more time, 64% of caregivers chose financial support compared to 24% who chose time to do other things.

Among the report's other key findings:

76% of current and former caregivers say they worked while they provided care 80% believe it is extremely or very important to have home- and community-based services available locally 96% say it is extremely or very important to provide care so that their loved ones can remain in their own homes Nearly all caregivers (97%) say they have incurred personal expenses while caregiving for a loved one, including transportation, home modification and medical equipment



Among the recommendations, AARP New York is advocating:

Eliminate Waiting Lists  Providing $51 million will eliminate the waiting list too many older New Yorkers find themselves languishing on as they and their family caregivers await basic services such as transportation, housekeeping, and personal care.

Increased Transparency -- Require the State Office for the Aging to develop and post detailed reporting of where the waiting list exists by county and service requested, and provide this information to the Governor and Legislature annually as well as an accounting of the prior year's expenditure, by county and service, on addressing the waiting list.

Direct Financial Assistance  Create a program to provide direct financial support to unpaid family caregivers who on average spend over $8,000 a year to care for their loved one.

To read the full report and learn more visit: www.aarp.org/NYWomenCaregivers

Connect with AARP New York on X: @AARPNY and Facebook: AARP New York

About AARP

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates on social media.

SOURCE AARP New York
Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning says maintenance agreements also help maintain manufacturers warranties and provide early issue detection

BROOKLYN, N.Y., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning, a family-owned home service company serving Brooklyn and Manhattan since 1906, says maintenance agreements provide homeowners with the peace of mind that comes with early issue detection and the ability to maintain the warranties on their high-dollar equipment.

Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning says maintenance agreements help homeowners save money with early issue detection and the protection of manufacturers warranties.

"When you enter into a service or maintenance agreement with your plumbing or HVAC company, you should expect an on-going relationship with your home service professional," said Michael Petri, owner of Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning. "These contracts not only provide you with up to two service visits a year but should also provide you with discounts on service and priority scheduling during emergencies."

Petri said maintenance agreements provide homeowners with countless benefits, including:

Early issue detection. Routine maintenance helps your home service professional identify any potential issues that could develop when a furnace or air conditioner is having to work its hardest. Replacing parts before they break down can save money and keep homeowners from having to endure extremely cold or hot temperatures while waiting for repairs. Maintaining manufacturers' warranties. Many manufacturers require that the HVAC unit or water heater receive yearly service to maintain the warranty. A maintenance agreement helps homeowners stay up-to-date on their end of the bargain. Overall savings. While a maintenance agreement may cost extra on the front end, the savings they provide in identifying problems while they're still small or a reduction in equipment downtime is priceless. Peace of mind. Finally, homeowners with service agreements can rest assured that their equipment is being properly maintained and that, in the event an issue presents itself, they will have priority scheduling so that their problem is fixed as soon as possible.

"A home service agreement is a great complement to your homeowners insurance or a home warranty service," Petri said. "These can help you save money for out-of-pocket expenses and make addressing breakdowns and other issues more convenient. If you're looking for some peace of mind to make sure your HVAC system or your water heater won't break down just when you need them most, then a maintenance agreement is your best option."

For more information about Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning, visit https://www.petriplumbing.com/.

About Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning

Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning is a family owned and operated business serving Brooklyn and the New York City area. Founded in 1906, the company offers a 100 percent guarantee on all services, upfront pricing, and friendly and knowledgeable Service Experts for all kinds of home and business plumbing and heating needs. Services offered include water and gas pipe leak repair and installation, fixture installations, inspections, boiler repair, water heater installation, complete bathroom, kitchen, laundry & utility room remodeling and more. Petri is also licensed and certified by Green Plumbers USA, the first in New York City to receive this designation. For more information, please visit www.petriplumbing.com or call (718) 717-1089.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

865-977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE Petri Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
SAN MATEO, Calif., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- HTEC , an end-to-end digital product development and engineering services company headquartered in San Francisco, announced today the acquisition of SYRMIA, an embedded software engineering company based in Belgrade, Serbia. This acquisition is part of HTEC's overall strategy to further enhance its capabilities in AI, machine learning and embedded technologies, creating additional value for clients and providing growth opportunities for the talent of both companies.

Darko Todorovic (VP Engineering and Delivery, HTEC), Miroslav Virijevic (CFO, HTEC), ore Simic (COO, SYRMIA), Katarina Urosevic (Chief of Staff, HTEC), and Petar Jovanovic (CTO, SYRMIA) (PRNewsfoto/HTEC)

Since its inception in 2008 in Belgrade, HTEC has been attracting and developing top talent. The team has nearly doubled each year since, and now HTEC has 23 development centers primarily across Southeast Europe and creative and consulting offices in Silicon Valley, London, New York, Minneapolis, Amsterdam, Stockholm, and Gothenburg. By fusing Silicon Valley-based design thinking with world-class software engineering, HTEC supports global clients with end-to-end digital product development, from strategy and conceptualization to digital product design and sophisticated engineering.

SYRMIA was founded in 2018 and has four development centers today  in Belgrade, Nis, Novi Sad, and Banja Luka. SYRMIA's team of 250 experts works on cutting-edge solutions in embedded software, ranging from low-level system libraries, tools and compilers, emulators, machine learning frameworks, and GPU software, to software blocks used in the automotive and consumer markets.

"We are excited to join forces with HTEC in this strategic partnership. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in our journey, fortifying our expertise and empowering us to deliver even more advanced technology and innovative solutions to our clients. The collaboration between our two companies holds immense promise, not only for our people but also for our customers, as we collectively explore new avenues of growth and excellence. Remaining true to our core values, we forge ahead with boundless enthusiasm. I eagerly anticipate the unfolding of dynamic transformations and successes arising from this collaboration" - said ore Simic, COO of SYRMIA.

The global success of both companies is a result of their ability to attract exceptional professionals and provide outstanding customer service for their clients, from high-growth start-ups to the Fortune 500.

"I am thrilled to welcome SYRMIA onboard. This partnership is part of HTEC's broader strategy of expansion and investing in Artificial Intelligence and machine learning capabilities. Bringing the SYRMIA team onboard, we are expanding capabilities in core technology engineering such as embedded software development and core machine learning technologies. This enables us to deliver more cutting-edge solutions to our clients, especially those in multimedia and automotive. As a team, we remain committed to providing exceptional growth opportunities to the professionals we hire around the world while empowering our customers with the latest technologies so they can innovate rapidly in an ever-changing environment. It brings me great joy to see SYRMIA become an integral part of the HTEC team" - said Aleksandar Cabrilo, co-founder and CEO of HTEC.

Together, HTEC and SYRMIA provide sophisticated digital product development and hardware and software engineering services to the world's top high-tech companies, fast-growing startups, and global enterprises. With teams working across industries and geographies, HTEC is solving some of the toughest engineering problems, blending the latest technologies with limitless creativity to build next-generation digital products and platforms.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2337412/HTEC_1.jpg

SOURCE HTEC
MotorWeek Driver's Choice Awards announced at the Chicago Auto Show

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai's award-winning IONIQ 61 sedan has today been named MotorWeek Drivers' Choice for Best Electric Vehicle. In addition to driving impressions, the MotorWeek new vehicle evaluations consider reliability and value as well as consumer trends. The IONIQ 6 continues to stand out among rival EVs for its sleek design, quick charging capabilities, spaciousness, and advanced, intuitive technology.

Hyundai 2024 IONIQ 6 is photographed in Irvine, Calif. on July 5, 2023.

"The Driver's Choice award recognition for 2024 Best Electric Vehicle from MotorWeek is further proof that the IONIQ 6 is a home run in the competitive EV marketplace," said Ricky Lao, director, product planning, Hyundai Motor North America. "Awards like this help not only reaffirm all of the great work our teams does, they also help raise awareness among car shoppers considering EV ownership."

"Hyundai has been a true leader in the EV movement, and delivers their latest with some old-school flair, the IONIQ 6 sedan, a MotorWeek Best EV of the Year. It features much the same basic powertrain as their fantastic IONIQ 5 SUV. But the IONIQ 6 is wrapped in very dynamic yet familiar 4-door sedan packaging that makes it even more appealing to us," said John Davis, host and creator of MotorWeek.

For the last 43 years, MotorWeek has paused halfway through their television season to examine the state of the automotive business, and to judge the year's best new cars, SUVs and trucks. Driving, researching, and performing instrumented testing of over 150 new vehicles every year is a benchmark of which MotorWeek is proud. From this intensive process, a list of the best vehicles in each class is prepared and the DCA winners are determined. The goal is to produce a list of winners that align with the perspectives of automotive experts and consumers alike, with recommendations that can be used as a practical guide for new-vehicle shopping.

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (in development in Georgia), and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai's 835 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

1 The 2024 IONIQ 6 is available in limited quantities and at select dealers in select states only. Contact your Hyundai dealer for availability details.

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
People visit a lantern show to celebrate the coming Spring Festival in the city of Liaocheng, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 7, 2024. Many Chinese cities are adorned with illuminated lanterns as Spring Festival is around the corner. (Photo by Zhang Zhenxiang/Xinhua)

People visit a lantern show to celebrate the coming Spring Festival in the city of Taizhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 7, 2024. Many Chinese cities are adorned with illuminated lanterns as Spring Festival is around the corner. (Photo by Tang Dehong/Xinhua)

People visit a lantern show to celebrate the coming Spring Festival in the city of Taizhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Feb. 7, 2024. Many Chinese cities are adorned with illuminated lanterns as Spring Festival is around the corner. (Photo by Tang Dehong/Xinhua)

People visit a lantern show to celebrate the coming Spring Festival in Qinhuangdao, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 7, 2024. Many Chinese cities are adorned with illuminated lanterns as Spring Festival is around the corner. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 7, 2024 shows people visiting a lantern show to celebrate the coming Spring Festival in the city of Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province. Many Chinese cities are adorned with illuminated lanterns as Spring Festival is around the corner. (Photo by Dong Jun/Xinhua)

People take a selfie at a lantern show to celebrate the coming Spring Festival in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 7, 2024. Many Chinese cities are adorned with illuminated lanterns as Spring Festival is around the corner. (Photo by Yuan Fuhong/Xinhua)

People visit a lantern show to celebrate the coming Spring Festival in Qinhuangdao, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 7, 2024. Many Chinese cities are adorned with illuminated lanterns as Spring Festival is around the corner. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

People visit a lantern show to celebrate the coming Spring Festival in Qinhuangdao, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 7, 2024. Many Chinese cities are adorned with illuminated lanterns as Spring Festival is around the corner. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

People visit a lantern show to celebrate the coming Spring Festival in Qinhuangdao, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 7, 2024. Many Chinese cities are adorned with illuminated lanterns as Spring Festival is around the corner. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

People visit a lantern show to celebrate the coming Spring Festival in Tancheng County, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 7, 2024. Many Chinese cities are adorned with illuminated lanterns as Spring Festival is around the corner. (Photo by Zhang Chunlei/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on Feb. 7, 2024 shows people visiting a lantern show to celebrate the coming Spring Festival in the city of Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province. Many Chinese cities are adorned with illuminated lanterns as Spring Festival is around the corner. (Photo by Dong Jun/Xinhua)

People visit a lantern show to celebrate the coming Spring Festival in Qinhuangdao, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 7, 2024. Many Chinese cities are adorned with illuminated lanterns as Spring Festival is around the corner. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

People visit a lantern show to celebrate the coming Spring Festival in Qinhuangdao, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 7, 2024. Many Chinese cities are adorned with illuminated lanterns as Spring Festival is around the corner. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

People take a selfie at a lantern show to celebrate the coming Spring Festival in Deqing County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 7, 2024. Many Chinese cities are adorned with illuminated lanterns as Spring Festival is around the corner. (Photo by Xie Shangguo/Xinhua)
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- International Isotopes Inc. (OTCQB: INIS) ("International Isotopes," "INIS" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell all of its assets related to its depleted uranium deconversion and fluorine processing venture ("DUF 6 Assets") to American Fuel Resources, LLC ("AFR") for $12,500,000 cash at closing. AFR is a leading trader of nuclear fuel components (U3O8, UF6) and services (conversion and SWU).

Shahe Bagerdjian, President & CEO of INIS commented, "We are happy to have found a great home with AFR for our DUF 6 assets. We believe AFR is well positioned to bring the deconversion facility into operation. For INIS, this is a pivotal time to focus on the growth of our medical device and theranostics business lines and this deal will strengthen our balance sheet to do just that."

Under the terms of the transaction, AFR will pay INIS a $50,000 prepayment at signing and the remaining $12,450,000 at closing. The parties expect closing to occur in 12 to 24 months, in order to properly transfer all related licenses, patents, agreements, and obtain NRC approval. Closing is contingent on various conditions being met, including approvals and agreements by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other third parties.

Additional information about the transaction with AFR will be provided in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by the Company with the SEC.

About International Isotopes Inc.

International Isotopes Inc. (INIS), established in 1995, with its headquarters in Idaho Falls, ID, USA, manufactures a wide range of radioisotope-focused products. INIS manufactures and supplies generic sodium iodide I-131 radiopharmaceutical drug product for hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. INIS manufactures and distributes a complete line of calibration and reference standards for nuclear pharmacies and SPECT/PET imaging systems as well as industrial calibration standards. The Company also manufactures Cobalt-60 sealed source products and provides contract manufacturing of various drug products as well as radioisotope API supply for 3rd party theranostics clients. The Company recently purchased the Swirler and Tru-Fit Mouthpiece assets, medical devices for radioaerosol applications, from AMICI, Inc.

International Isotopes Inc. Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements with respect to the Company's future growth expectations. Information contained in such forward-looking statements is based on current expectations and is subject to change. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, or achievements of International Isotopes Inc. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements of the Company expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Other factors, which could materially affect such forward-looking statements, can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Investors, potential investors, and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are only made as of the date of this press release and International Isotopes, Inc. and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT INIS, CONTACT:

David Drewitz

Creative Options Communications Investor and Public Relations

[email protected]

www.creativeoptionsmarketing.com

Phone: 972-814-5723

SOURCE International Isotopes Inc.
Eminent domain attorney Kenneth Bryan, litigation attorneys Preston W. Lesley and Jennifer Taylor, and workers' compensation attorney Ali Overby are new Partners.

DURHAM, N.C., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, one of the largest plaintiffs' firms in North Carolina, has added four Partners to its leadership rolls. Eminent domain attorney Kenneth Bryan joins litigation attorneys Preston W. Lesley and Jennifer Taylor, along with workers' compensation attorney Ali Overby, on the firm's formidable leadership team.

"Kenneth, Preston, Jennifer, and Ali are excellent lawyers and passionate advocates for our clients," said James S. Farrin, Founder and President of the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin. "We are happy to add their vision and voices to our leadership team."

Kenneth Bryan

Before joining the firm in 2013, Kenneth worked as an extern at the North Carolina Court of Appeals. He has been named to the "Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch" list* every year since 2021 by Best Lawyers in America. He's known for his relentless work ethic and dedication to his clients.

Preston W. Lesley

Preston joined the firm in 2017. He manages personal injury cases, class actions, mass torts, and consumer protection cases, among others. He was named to the "Top 40 Under 40" list* by The National Trial Lawyers from 2021-2024. He was also named to the "Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch" list* by Best Lawyers in America for 2024.

Ali Overby

Ali joined the firm in 2015 and is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in workers' compensation law. She is a skilled resource for injured workers and has been named to the "Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch" list* by Best Lawyers in America every year since 2021.

Jennifer Taylor

Jennifer joined the firm in 2017 and has many years of experience in different practice areas, including personal injury law, Social Security Disability law, family law, domestic violence law, and employment law. She is an active member of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, a DonateLifeNC.org volunteer, and a compassionate advocate for clients.

ABOUT THE LAW OFFICES OF JAMES SCOTT FARRIN

The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin is one of the largest personal injury firms in North Carolina and has helped over 65,000 injured people since 1997. Operating from 15 offices in NC and one in SC, many of the firm's 60+ accomplished attorneys are recognized professionals in their fields. The firm focuses on providing quality legal services to as many people as possible in the following practice areas: personal injury, car accidents, workers' compensation, whistleblowing, defective products, eminent domain, mass torts, class actions, and Social Security Disability.

Contact Information:

David Chamberlin

555 South Mangum Street, Suite 800

Durham, NC 27701

1-866-900-7078

https://www.farrin.com

*For more information regarding the standards of inclusion for the "Top 40 Under 40" list, visit thenationaltriallawyers.org. For "Ones to Watch" standards of inclusion, visit bestlawyers.com.

Offices in Durham (main), Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, NC and Greenville, SC. Attorney Michael Shepherd: 555 South Mangum Street, Suite 800, Durham, NC

SOURCE Law Offices of James Scott Farrin
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kennel Club of Philadelphia continues to share the success of its Thanksgiving Day National Dog Show television event for the past 22 years, once again putting generous donations totaling more than $300,000 back into its world of people, dogs and more.

The AKC Humane Fund, the AKC Canine Health Foundation and Take The Lead head the list of charitable recipients, with $330,500 going to 14 national and local dog-related and pet-related organizations, as well as organizations supporting people in need.

"We have worked hard to make our show a success for the club and for the sport and, ultimately, for dogs and people everywhere in this country," said KCP President Wayne Ferguson. "Speaking for our members, and our great partners NBC and Purina, we are all proud to be able to share that success with so many."

KCP is pledging $100,000 to the AKC Humane Fund to be directed to five scholarships of $10,000 each over two years ( $50,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2025) for University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School students.

The AKC Humane Fund (akchumanefund.org) provides funds to help support pet-related organizations, provides resources to educate the public about responsible dog ownership, and celebrates the human-animal bond. This funding comes in the form of scholarship and financial assistance programs, and non-profit grants providing support for domestic abuse shelters and for pet welfare, breed rescue and health. Also, the Humane Fund's annual Awards for Canine Excellence honors dogs for making significant contributions to an individual or entire community.

The AKC Canine Health Foundation will receive a donation of $100,000 continuing KCP's longtime support.

The AKC Canine Health Foundation (akcchf.org) supports canine health research. The AKCCHF is dedicated to advancing the health of all dogs and their owners by selecting, funding and monitoring grants for scientific research, and supporting the dissemination of health information to prevent, treat and cure canine disease.

Another longtime charitable KCP partner, Take The Lead, will also receive a donation of $100,000 .

Take The Lead (takethelead.org) provides direct services, support and care for people in the sport of purebred dogs who suffer the devastation of life-threatening or terminal illness. TTL's mission also includes providing temporary emergency assistance to those affected by civil disasters such as fires, floods, earthquakes and the like. During Covid-19, TTL assisted in insurance premiums for people in need. Take The Lead relies upon membership, donations and fundraising events held around the country.

SOURCE Kennel Club of Philadelphia
BANGKOK, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- KK Strategies has revealed that its new project based in the province of Phetchaburi in Thailand near Hua Hin is positioned to benefit greatly from the booming medicinal herbal market in Thailand. According to The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Thailand's medicinal herbal exports are between 100 -150 billion baht, or 2.8-4.2 billion USD annually.

KK Strategies disclosed that Thailand is set for unprecedented growth due to recent government policies supporting the development medicinal herbal industry, particularly for exportation to the United States. This is particularly true for the pain related medicinal herbal exports. Thailand is the only country in the world that stands to benefit from this growing industry as other countries have less supportive economics and legislation, or simply produce far lower quality products.

KK Strategies highlighted that its valuation for the industry is conservative, taking The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine's low end figure of 100 billion baht or 2.8 billion USD annually into account. This is simply due to a more subdued financial evaluation that it takes into consideration for its projects. Director Mr. Ohm Ammaramorn said "Our approach as a business is extremely conservative which allows us to be better positioned to deal with any future changing dynamics. This has served us well in the past and we would rather perform better than forecast than worse."

The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) is the official government body within the Ministry of Public Health, that oversees Thai traditional and alternative healthcare. It was established in 2002. DTAM is responsible for the development and management of Thai traditional medical knowledge, integrating it into the country's health care system, setting up standards, and enforcing protection and research.

Natural and Healthy



Herbal plants are quick yielding and are increasingly being used in the production of hundreds of products including medications, herbal supplements and even teas. The most potent are native to South East Asia, particularly Thailand, where they have been used there for centuries in traditional medicine for the treatment of pain, coughs and fevers. Such herbs have now become a multi-billion-dollar industry due to increased use in North America and by international pharmaceutical companies, where they are now being used for the management of pain, treatment of anxiety, depression.

Thailand: A Global Pioneer Healing the World



Thailand has been a global pioneer in terms of regulation and production of herbal medication as well as agricultural production in general for decades. Medicinal herbal products, particularly for pain, are today an extremely valuable and economically important industry in Thailand. Their manufacturing, sale and consumption is legal, being part of traditional Thai culture for centuries. Pain focused exports officially began in 2021 spurred by the government noticing how important it was to resolving the opioid crisis across the world. In addition to a supportive government, Thailand is also home to the world's highest quality production. With Thailand's production found to be up to ten times more medically potent in terms of health boosting alkaloids, compared to production from Malaysia and Indonesia. These factors make Thailand the only country in the world which stands to benefit greatly from rising consumption from pharmaceutical companies and end users.

About KK Strategies (Thailand)

KK Strategies grows, manages and invests in some of the world's most rare, niche and valuable agricultural and forestry projects. Our multi asset strategy generates consistent attractive returns, while also helping develop solutions that solve global food, climate and biodiversity challenges. KK Strategies supply's produce of the highest quality for use by companies worldwide.

https://www.kk-strategies.com

SOURCE KK Strategies
The five-year agreement, in partnership with Nationwide Parking Services, adds the largest airport parking operation in North America to LAZ's growing list of airport clients nationwide

HARTFORD, Conn., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LAZ Parking, the largest, fastest-growing privately owned parking operator in the United States, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a five-year contract, in partnership with Nationwide Parking Services, to manage parking services at Denver International Airport (DEN). The management services agreement encompasses two parking garages and seven surface lots with a total of 50,000 spaces, making DEN the largest airport parking operation in North America, in terms of revenue and parking spaces.

"Being selected to manage an airport parking operation of this size and scope is an acknowledgement of our reputation in the parking industry and the hard work members of our LAZ team, at all levels, do every day," said Alan Lazowski, Chairman, CEO, and Founder of LAZ Parking. "We are excited about this partnership with Nationwide Parking Services, because we know they take as much pride as LAZ does in delivering best-in-class service to clients and customers."

LAZ Wins Contract to Manage Parking Services at Denver International Airport Post this

Under the agreement, which has two, one-year renewal options, LAZ oversees year round, 24/7 parking operations, providing services that include revenue collection and reporting, traffic control, and courtesy emergency vehicle services, such as jump starts, lock-outs, and air for tires.

Nationwide Parking Services provides parking and mobility management, operations, technology consulting and installation, shuttle transportation, and event parking throughout the public and private sectors. The Denver-based company manages surface lots in downtown Denver, Littleton, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, and partners with national operators such as LAZ for a variety of ventures. It has provided services at DEN for almost 30 years and also serves Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Oakland International Airport (OAK), John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), and Dallas Love Field (DAL).

"I cannot think of a better partner in this venture than Nationwide," said Kendra Petty, LAZ Executive Vice President, Airports. "As a locally-owned business, they know the region well and have decades of experience serving DEN and the Greater Denver and Colorado markets."

Since it opened in Feb. 1995, DEN has become one of the busiest airports in the world. In 2022, over 69 million passengers traveled through airport, which generates about $36.4 billion for the region annually and is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado.

DEN operates on 53 square miles (34,000 acres, or 137.8 square kilometers) of land, an area twice the size of Manhattan, and larger than the city boundaries of Boston, Miami or San Francisco. In relation to other airports, Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, Chicago O'Hare, Los Angeles International and Dallas Fort Worth could collectively fit into DEN's expansive property.

"Being able to partner with DEN and the City of Denver is a tremendous honor for LAZ and our Colorado team," said Todd Rosen, Regional Vice President for Colorado, North Dakota, and Minnesota. "We are thrilled to help move the parking experience at DEN forward in the coming years."

"We are so proud to partner with the airport and the City of Denver to continue to improve the parking experience at DEN for all employees and passengers," added LAZ Regional Vice President Max Fuller.

DEN is the latest in a growing number of airport clients across the United States, for which LAZ Parking provides full service solutions inside and outside the terminal. LAZ Airport Services focuses on maximizing annual operating revenues and minimizing costs, while providing premium customer service to airport visitors and passengers. Their full scope of services includes parking management, shuttle bus transportation, valet parking services, 24/7 customer care call center, ground transportation & curbside management, business intelligence, data analytics, and more.

The partnership with LAZ marks an exciting new chapter for her company, said Angela Clark, President and owner of Nationwide.

"Having grown up in Denver and seen the transformation of the airport from Stapleton to DIA and now DEN, I take immense pride in carrying on my father's vision and legacy through our local, family-owned company," Clark said. "The combined capabilities of Nationwide and LAZ position us as a formidable team. We are eager to elevate the parking at DEN to be the finest in the country, because that's what Denver deserves."

About LAZ Parking

LAZ Parking is the largest, fastest-growing privately owned parking operator in the United States and a pioneer in digital parking technology. Founded in Hartford, CT, LAZ has been providing best-in-class parking management and transportation services since 1981 and operates over 1.4 million parking spaces in over 4,250 locations in 42 states and 460 cities in the U.S. LAZ is an industry leader in business intelligence, remote monitoring, eCommerce solutions, and Proximity On-Demand Services or "LAZ PODS". We leverage our national network of parking facilities to offer cutting edge, tech-enabled solutions, that include EV charging, micro warehousing, last-mile logistics, working across the hospitality, commercial, healthcare, airports, transportation, universities, government, retail, events, residential, and shuttle service industries. LAZ is a people first, conscious capitalist company, committed to elevating humanity through business. Additional information can be found at www.lazparking.com.

SOURCE LAZ Parking
Patent case filings continued the decreasing trend exhibited since 2021, likely driven by the drop in cases filed by high-volume plaintiffs over the same period of time, and case filings before Judge Albright and the Western District of Texas declined in 2023

MENLO PARK, Calif., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lex Machina, a LexisNexis company, today releases its annual Patent Litigation Report. The report examines trends in patent litigation in federal district courts, appellate courts, and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Focusing on the three-year period from 2021 to 2023, it surveys emerging trends in case filings, venues, judges, law firms, parties, timing metrics, case resolutions, findings, and damages. The report often focuses on different sets of data, e.g., filtering cases in order to provide analytics on general patent, high-volume plaintiff, ANDA, PTAB, and federal appellate cases.

Lex Machina's 2024 Patent Litigation Report Highlights

"Our data illuminates several intriguing recent trends in patent litigation," said Elaine Chow, Lex Machina's patent legal data expert and editor of the report. "In this report, we see a continuation of the recent decrease in general patent case filings, which is likely caused, at least in part, by the drop in cases filed by high-volume plaintiffs. We also see that the Western District of Texas in general, and Judge Albright in particular, both fell from the top of the case filing tables in 2023. These data-backed trends can be linked to external circumstances in the legal profession, such as judicial orders."

Findings from the report include:

Highlights in federal district and appellate courts: In 2023, 3,111 patent cases were filed, continuing the steady decline of patent case filings since 2021. The Western District of Texas was the most active district from 2021 to 2023 with 22% of all patent cases filed, though the number of patent cases filed in 2023 in this court dropped significantly compared to the previous two years. Judge Albright was assigned to the highest number of patent cases from 2021 to 2023 with 1,844 cases, though his assigned patent cases in 2023 dropped significantly compared to the previous two years. Ramey represented plaintiffs in the highest number of patent cases filed from 2021 to 2023, and Fish & Richardson represented defendants in the highest number of cases filed in the same three-year period. For patent cases that were appealed to a federal appellate court and terminated from 2021 to 2023 with a decision on the merits of the appeal, 34% were ultimately reversed. From 2021 to 2023, $6 billion in total damages were awarded as Reasonable Royalty across 129 cases.

Highlights in PTAB: The number of PTAB petitions filed dropped in 2023. There was a slight increase in instituted trials compared with the data reported in the 2023 Patent Litigation Report (from 51% to 54%). For PTAB cases that were appealed to a federal appellate court and terminated from 2021 to 2023 with a decision on the merits of the appeal, 22% were ultimately reversed. Samsung was the most active petitioner in PTAB petitions filed during the three-year period from 2021 to 2023. Fish & Richardson represented parties in the highest number of petitions filed from 2021 to 2023.



Lex Machina's reports and software enable practitioners to devise data-driven litigation strategies. The metrics in this report can help readers decide who to pursue as clients, whether to file a particular motion, or when to settle (and for how much). This research supplements traditional legal research and anecdotal data for a competitive edge in court.

Register here for a copy of the report: https://pages.lexmachina.com/2024-Patent-Report_LP.html

Patent Litigation Report Webcast

Lex Machina is hosting a webcast to discuss the report on February 8, 2024 at noon ET/9am PT with Michael Connelly (President of WIT Legal), Michael Flynn (Partner at Morris Nichols Arsht & Tunnell), Elaine Chow (Lex Machina's Legal Data Expert in Patent Litigation), and Aria Nejad (Lex Machina's in-house counsel). Register for the event or view a recording: https://pages.lexmachina.com/2024-Patent-Report-Webcast_LP.html

About LexisNexis Legal & Professional

LexisNexis Legal & Professional provides legal, regulatory, and business information and analytics that help customers increase their productivity, improve decision-making, achieve better outcomes, and advance the rule of law around the world. As a digital pioneer, the company was the first to bring legal and business information online with its Lexis and Nexis services. LexisNexis Legal & Professional, which serves customers in more than 150 countries with 11,300 employees worldwide, is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers.

About Lex Machina

Lex Machina fundamentally changes how companies and law firms compete in the business and practice of law. The company provides strategic insights on judges, lawyers, law firms, parties, and other critical information across 20 federal practice areas and a rapidly growing number of state courts. Lex Machina allows law firms and companies to anticipate the behaviors and outcomes that different legal strategies will produce, enabling them to win cases and close business.

Lex Machina was named "Great Places to Work 2023-2024", one of "Legal Tech's Most Promising Solution Providers" (CIO Review Awards 2022), "Greater Bay Area Top Workplaces 2022" (The San Francisco Chronicle Top Workplaces in the Bay Area 2022), "Legal Tech Company of the Year 2021" (CIO Review, 2021), "2021 Legal Technology Trailblazer" (National Law Journal Trailblazer Awards, 2021), Winner of the "Media Excellence" Award for Analytics/Big Data (13th Annual Media Excellence Award, 2021). Based in Silicon Valley, Lex Machina is part of LexisNexis, a leading global provider of legal, regulatory, and business information and analytics. For more information, please visit www.lexmachina.com.

SOURCE LEX MACHINA
VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Luca Mining Corp. ("Luca" or the "Company") (TSXV: LUCA) (OTCQX: LUCMF) (Frankfurt: Z68) is pleased to provide an update on progress at its wholly-owned Tahuehueto Gold Mine in Durango, Mexico, and announces the addition of Mr. Peter Damouni to the Company's Board of Directors.

The project to increase throughput at the Tahuehueto mill to 1,000 tonnes per day is in the final commissioning stage. Testing of the second ball mill, which was the last component in the project, is well advanced and will provide a total installed grinding capacity of 1,250 tonnes per day ("tpd").

The Luca Board welcomes Peter Damouni as a new Director. Peter brings considerable market, finance and corporate experience and will open new opportunities for Luca.

Tahuehueto Gold Mine, Durango State, Mexico

Testing of the final equipment to complete construction of the 1,000 tpd operation is almost complete. In the crushing circuit, a new vibrating screen is also currently being installed, to further improve crusher system availability.

Final alignment and testing of the second 750 tpd ball mill will complete mid-February, providing an installed grinding capacity of 1,250 tpd. With routine planned maintenance downtime each month, this will ensure an actual production rate of 1,000 tpd. The other key element of this project was the second tailings press filter, which is already in operation and working in parallel with the first press filter. As a result, daily production is increasing. With the second mill commissioned, production will then progressively ramp-up to 35,000-40,000 oz gold equivalent per year.

Mike Struthers, CEO, commented, "Our team at Tahuehueto continues to push hard to commission the 1,000 tpd project at the mine. Once the second mill is commissioned, the installed grinding capacity of 1,250 tpd will provide valuable flexibility. These are very exciting times for Luca and its shareholders. The next few months will feature the achievement of a number of significant milestones that shareholders have been looking forward to since we completed our major financing and reorganization mid 2023. In particular, Luca will bring a brand-new gold mine into commercial production and with the mine optimization plan being implemented at Campo Morado we have already experienced significant cash flow improvements, which we intend to publicize on a regular basis."

New Director

The Luca Board is very pleased to welcome Mr. Peter Damouni to the Luca team. Mr Damouni has over 20 years of corporate and investment banking experience with a focus on the natural resource sector. He has served as an executive and director of a number of public companies listed on the TSX, TSXV, and LSE. During his career, he has been instrumental in developing and executing corporate strategies including equity and debt financings, restructurings, joint ventures, acquisitions and sale processes.

Mike Struthers, CEO, stated; "Having worked closely with Peter in the past, I'm very pleased to have Peter join the Luca team. He brings considerable markets, finance and corporate experience which will open new opportunities for Luca as we continue to realise our goals for 2024 and beyond."

About Luca Mining Corp.

Luca Mining (TSX-V: LUCA, OTCQX: LUCMF, Frankfurt: Z68) is a diversified Canadian mining company with two 100%-owned producing mines in Mexico. The Company produces gold, copper, zinc, silver and lead from these mines that each have considerable development and resource upside.

The Campo Morado mine, is an underground operation located in Guerrero State, a prolific mining region in Mexico. It produces copper-zinc-lead concentrates with precious metals credits. It is currently undergoing an optimisation program which is already generating significant improvements in recoveries and grades, efficiencies, and cashflows.

The Tahuehueto Gold Mine is a new underground operation in Durango State, Mexico, within the Sierra Madre Mineral Belt which hosts numerous producing and historic mines along its trend. The Company is commissioning its mill capacity to +1,000 tonnes per day, and key testwork and throughput expansion is underway, to increase production by 2H 2024.

The Company expects its operations to start generating positive cash flows in 2024. Luca Mining is focused on growth with the aim of maximizing shareholder returns.

For more information, please visit: www.lucamining.com

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

(signed) "Mike Struthers"

Mike Struthers, CEO and Director

Cautionary Note Regarding Production Decisions and Forward-Looking Statements

It should be noted that Luca declared commercial production at Campo Morado prior to completing a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Accordingly, readers should be cautioned that Luca's production decision has been made without a comprehensive feasibility study of established reserves such that there is greater risk and uncertainty as to future economic results from the Campo Morado mine and a higher technical risk of failure than would be the case if a feasibility study were completed and relied upon to make a production decision. Luca has completed a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") mining study on the Campo Morado mine that provides a conceptual life of mine plan and a preliminary economic analysis based on the previously identified mineral resources (see news releases dated November 8, 2017, and April 4, 2018).

Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding the planned program to improve mining operations at Campo Morado; and other possible events, conditions or financial performance that are based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; the timing and costs of future activities on the Company's properties, such as production rates and increases; success of exploration, development and bulk sample processing activities, and timing for processing at its own mineral processing facility on the Tahuehueto project site. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified using words and phrases such as "plans," "expects," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates" or variations of such words and phrases. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, that the current exploration, development, environmental and other objectives concerning the Campo Morado Mine and the Tahuehueto Project can be achieved; that the program to improve mining operations at Campo Morado will proceed as planned; the continuity of the price of gold and other metals, economic and political conditions, and operations. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. 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 statements. Accordingly, readers 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 news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Luca Mining Corp.
HARTFORD, Conn., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Thelansis Knowledge Partners, specialized in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical business research and consulting Company that provides data driven research and consulting support, released highly valued Market Outlook Report Title: Major Depressive Disorder - Market Outlook, Epidemiology, Competitive Landscape, and Market Forecast Report 2023 To 2033.

The prevalence of depression in the eight major markets is rising owing to multiple reasons (e.g., post-COVID pandemic impact, social reasons), which is evident from the increasing use of antidepressants. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most common form of depression and has been the patient segment of focus for the regulatory approvals of antidepressants and some antipsychotics.

Not only psychiatrists, but primary care practitioners are also involved in the routine management of MDD patients in most of the major markets. Thelansis's primary market research highlights some differences in the treatment practices between these physician specialties for MDD patients, with psychiatrists managing more severe MDD patients and MDD patients with other comorbidities (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD). In the MDD report content, Thelansis covers various classes of drugs used for the management of MDD patients. Although multiple antidepressants are available to manage MDD, leading key opinion leaders (KOLs) are concerned about the large number of nonresponders to these drugs. According to published literature, about one-third of treated MDD patients do not respond to traditional antidepressants, this finding is confirmed by our KOLs. One of the main reasons for treatment resistance in MDD patients (i.e., Treatment-resistant depression TRD) is the inability of current treatments to resolve some symptoms effectively, which are termed as the residual symptoms in MDD patients. Common residual symptoms include anhedonia, sleep disturbances, fatigue, anxiety and sexual dysfunction, among others. Thelansis research elucidates the prevalence of these symptom domains in MDD patients receiving treatment in the major markets. Successfully targeting one or more of these residual symptoms could be a differentiating factor for a novel emerging drug in MDD, and would enable faster sales and patient share uptake in the MDD market. Some late-phase emerging agents targeting residual symptoms include,

Emerging agent Developer Residual symptom in MDD Phase of development Seltorexant J&J Insomnia III Aticaprant J&J Anhedonia III Navacaprant Neumora Therapeutics Anhedonia III *Please contact our sales team to get detailed TA analysis

KOL perspectives:

"Residual symptoms are difficult to resolve and remain an area of concern in MDD patients. Current treatments are partially effective. We use polypharmacy in these MDD patients although guidelines recommend against it. An effective monotherapy, for example, for resolving MDD as well as insomnia, will help patients in getting rid of taking multiple drugs simultaneously." - A leading U.S.-based KOL

"I am looking forward to novel therapies in MDD patients, particularly for partial responders or TRD patients. Better response rates, remission rates, and functional improvements for these patients would propel emerging therapies towards commercial success." - A leading Europe-based KOL

Closing statement:

Thelansis's MDD report provides in-depth insights into the epidemiology and the drug development pipeline for the residual symptoms of MDD. In addition, the report answers key questions such as,

How large is the epidemiology pool for MDD in the 8 major markets (including the U.S., EU5, Japan , and China ) ?. How this prevalence will change in the next ten years (2023-2033)?

, and ) ?. How this prevalence will change in the next ten years (2023-2033)? What is the treatment algorithm for MDD in the major markets? What drugs are preferred in early lines and late lines by KOLs? What are the KOL opinions/quotes on key treatments in MDD?

What are the various patient segments in MDD for drug targeting, including residual symptoms and nonresponders?

What is the competitive landscape in MDD, along with the commercial potential for key late-phase agents? What are the key unmet needs in MDD on which drug development can be focused?

What is the market size (in terms of sales) for MDD? What is the share of various drugs and classes? How will this landscape evolve in the next ten years?

About Thelansis

Thelansis specializes in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical business research and consulting Company, published reports across the therapeutic area which includes both rare / ultra-rare and mainstream indications. Over the period, we have built a strong repository of 6,000+ Bio-pharma reports which essentially cover Epidemiology studies and Market forecasting, opportunity assessment based on the KOL Interviews and conference coverage. Competitive intelligence and conference coverage throughout the phases of asset development executed by a team of a mix of Scientific and Business backgrounds. As an organization, the major focus is to provide real-world data evidence and market insight to pharmaceutical companies for their decision-making.

Offerings in the CNS / psychiatry: syndicated reports/offerings for the major markets, epidemiology, customized market research including KOL interviews, PMR surveys, pipeline research, conference coverage, market forecast models, and consulting.

The developers of CNS agents can engage with Thelansis for customized market research and can gain on possible solutions for ensuring considerable market penetration for their respective therapies.

Website: Thelansis.com

For more information, please contact:

Chinmaya Kumar Senapati

Email- [email protected]

Contact No: +91- 6397-349664

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2336260/THELANSIS_LOGO.jpg

SOURCE Thelansis Knowledge Partners LLP
NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Matthew Rechs is the new CEO of Type Network , the font distributor and consulting agency for 80 of the best digital type foundries in the world.

Previously head of Adobe Fonts, Rechs has led creative products and teams for more than 30 years, working at many of the world's largest companies including Amazon and WPP.

"It's an honor for me to partner with this great network of type designers, " Rechs said.

"After an extensive search, TN is delighted to bring in Matthew as our new leader," said Roger Black, executive chair. "There is no one with better experience for the job, and in December the TN board unanimously elected him as CEO." Type Network LLC is a private company. Its owners are typographers and type designers, Black said.

Rechs developed new products and a new strategy for TN as a consultant for the last three months, Black said. "The headline at the top of our home page, 'Talk to us,' came from Matthew. It sums up the new direction, turning toward our clients, ready to offer high quality fonts and expert design services from our partnersquickly."

"There are an ever-increasing number of typefaces in the world," said Rechs, "but Type Network represents only the very best of them, created by the best designers for the smartest clients at the high end of the market."

Rechs began building relationships in the type community as an early employee of Typekit, which first offered web fonts by subscription in 2009. Adobe acquired the company in 2011, and in 2014, the service added a large library of desktop fonts. Rechs became manager of type and typography products at the company, making fonts a key benefit of Adobe's Creative Cloud.

During his time at Adobe he served as a board member of the Unicode Consortium, the standards organization responsible for ensuring that everyone on the planet can use the internet in their own language.

"It's a perfect step for me, to take Type Network and our partners where they need to go," said Rechs. "Creators need an agent they trust to make good business decisions on their behalf. Type Network has a track record of helping designers and companies make smart creative and business decisions for their brands."

Rechs lives in New Jersey with his wife, two sons, and his collection of vintage motorcycles.

Type Network is the successor to Webtype, which was started more than a decade ago by Font Bureau and a dozen other type foundries. With a growing group of partners, TN sells great typefaces for digital and desktop uses in all kinds of mediawith clear and fair licenses for both subscription and permanent use.

The firm has expanded its offer to include consulting services of its design partners, including custom typefaces and type systems for brands. The results can be seen in case studies of type branding around the world, including fonts and logo on the TN site. Type Network's staffers work remotely, with sales operations focused on New York City.

Contact: Lucas Czarnecki < [email protected] >

About Type Network

Now in its eighth year, Type Network, LCC, is a private company incorporated in Massachusetts. TN offers premium fonts from 60 of the world's most prominent independent type foundries for single-user and enterprise licensing at typenetwork.com . TN represents designers from these foundries for custom brand fonts  and type consulting.

Type Network Foundry Partners (in alphabetical order)

Adobe Originals

ATF Collection

Bijou Type

Blaze Type

Bold Monday

Brody Fonts

CabargaType

CakeType

Carter & Cone

CJ Type

Contrast Foundry

CSTM Fonts

DJR

Elefonts

Famira Fonts

Fer Cozzi

Font Bureau

Foundry5

Frere-Jones Type

Greg Thompson

Huy! Fonts

Ivy Foundry

Jamie Clarke Type

Jo Malinis

Kent Lew

Kerns & Cairns

Kontour

Lechuga Type

Lipton Letter Design

LucasFonts

Ludwig Type

Manchester Type

Manic Type

Mark Simonson Studio

MVB Fonts

Nova Type

Occupant Fonts

Orange Italic

Original Type

Pampa Type

Plau

R41

Retype

Revolver Type Foundry

supertype

The Freight Collection

Thinstroke

Tipofili

Typeland

Type--Tones

Typetanic

TYPETR

Underware

Universal Thirst

Victoria Rushton

XYZ Type

Zetafonts

Contact

For press inquiries and other information, write to [email protected].

Photo

A photograph of Matthew Rechs can be found here .

SOURCE Type Network
Joins a unique network of leaders making a difference in the world; will learn from the presidential leadership examples of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson

CHICAGO, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Henish Bhansali, Chief Medical Officer of Medical Home Network (MHN, a company transforming care in America's safety net), is one of 60 Scholars who will form the Presidential Leadership Scholars' (PLS) ninth class. For nearly a decade, PLS has served as a catalyst for a diverse network of leaders brought together to collaborate and create meaningful change in the United States and around the world as they learn about leadership through the lens of the presidential experiences of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson and their administrations.

Dr. Henish Bhansali, Chief Medical Officer of Medical Home Network

The class was selected after a rigorous application and review process. Scholars were chosen based on their leadership potential and the strength of their personal leadership projects aimed at improving civic engagement or social good by addressing a problem or need in their community, the country, or the world.

Dr. Bhansali has dedicated his career to transforming healthcare for low-income, disenfranchised patients who face barriers to care. He joined MHN in 2023 from Duly Health and Care (formerly DuPage Medical Group), where he was Senior Vice President and Medical Director of Medicare Advantage. He led value-based care model design and delivery for Medicare Advantage patients across the full care continuum. He also previously focused on the care of dual-eligible patients at Oak Street Health, and Medicaid and undocumented patients at the University of Chicago's site at NorthShore University HealthSystem.

"I'm passionate about the promise of value-based care  enabling all providers to succeed in it is table stakes to the future of the U.S. healthcare system," said Dr. Bhansali. "Currently, care teams and care models at most federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are not structured for an outcomes-focused, value-based approach to care. But the FQHC patient population is also the most poised for and in need of that approach. It is imperative for the viability of healthcare in the US that we make this transition."

During the six-month program, Dr. Bhansali will develop his initiative focused on more deeply understanding the needs of care teams and business leaders at FQHCs and designing a care delivery model that aligns incentives and operations with patient outcomes. He hopes to share his insights and learnings with other institutions and government agencies such as CMS and CMMI to further value-based care nationally and the state of healthcare in the U.S. overall.

"Dr. Bhansali is a visionary in both value-based care and community healthcare and so deserving of this national recognition," said Cheryl Lulias, president and CEO of MHN. "He will no doubt bring his learnings and experiences from the PLS program back to benefit MHN and, in turn, the federally qualified health centers we partner with across the nation."

Over the course of the program, Scholars will travel to each participating presidential center to learn from key former administration officials including former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, business and civic leaders, and leading academics. They will study and put into practice varying approaches to leadership and exchange ideas to help strengthen their impact in the communities they serve.

Scholars have consistently reported remarkable growth in skills, responsibilities, and opportunities for impact since the program began in 2015. For example, 91% of Scholars said their confidence in how they lead social change has improved as a result of the PLS program.

The 2024 program kicked off on Jan. 24 in Washington, D.C.

About Presidential Leadership Scholars

The Presidential Leadership Scholars program is a partnership among the presidential centers of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson. To learn more, visit www.presidentialleadershipscholars.org. For updates about the Presidential Leadership Scholars, use #PLScholars and follow @PLSprogram on Twitter and Instagram.

Media Contact:

Kimberly Palacios

Purpose Brand

773-853-4794

kpalacios@purposebrand.com

SOURCE Medical Home Network
By Azernews

Elnur Enveroglu

Although the fact that the European Union Mission and especially Olivier Decottignies, the ambassador of France to Armenia, are standing guard day and night near the borders of Armenia with Azerbaijan is a beacon of hope for Yerevan, it cannot be considered a very pleasant event for the atmosphere of the South Caucasus. It is known that in the region, Yerevan has always been the most proactive country in involving third parties when it comes to the security of its border, or, literally, its territorial integrity. This has always raised questions among the states of the region, especially for Azerbaijan, which is in a state of conflict.

The question is, what can the EU observer mission do in the Armenian village of Norabak, 4 km away from the border?

The Armenian side notes that the presence of European observers, and especially the French ambassador Olivier Decottignies, whose name has recently become popular in social networks in a negative sense, supposedly gives comfort to the "isolated and vulnerable population" in the area.

We wonder what sort of comfort Ambassador Decottignies, whom the Armenian blogger debunked and shared his embarrassing photos, gives to the poor Armenian community.

We are sure that the Armenian side will say the following about bringing the EU Mission group near the border: this is the sovereign territory of Armenia, and this is our affair.

However, the purpose is not to discuss what is happening on the territory of Armenia but to discuss its final results. Usually, third parties take a neutral and impartial position to reduce tensions and spread peace in the region or between parties. However, the processes have taken such a picture that the third party somehow loves Armenia more than itself and even shows special antipathy towards Azerbaijan. For example, we wouldn't be wrong if we said that we saw this last time at the PACE winter session.

We know that Armenia is not sure what it is working for in the region, but we are sure that the EU mission group, as well as the French side, is trying to establish its entire strategy for purposes that are not in favour of Azerbaijan by establishing itself in Armenia. The sale of lethal weapons to Armenia and the military agreement between Yerevan and Paris do not indicate a well-intentioned step.

In short, the European Union Mission is more worried than Armenia that Azerbaijan will suddenly move one step further from the borders of Armenia. This is just the spontaneous thinking of the forces supporting the occupation. Azerbaijan has never set eyes on the territories of neighbouring states. On the contrary, it showed restraint on the empty promises made regarding the liberation of the occupied territories for thirty years.

However, the results seen today make Azerbaijan take more decisive steps. Therefore, neither the mission group nor the French delegation should waste their time around the border.
Photo taken on Feb. 8, 2024 shows destroyed buildings at Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. The Israeli army killed 130 Palestinians and wounded 170 others during the last 24 hours, Gaza-based Health Ministry said in a press statement on Thursday. This brings the total number of deaths to 27,840 and injuries to 67,317 in the Palestinian enclave since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023, the ministry added. (Xinhua)

GAZA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army killed 130 Palestinians and wounded 170 others during the last 24 hours, Gaza-based Health Ministry said in a press statement on Thursday.

This brings the total number of deaths to 27,840 and injuries to 67,317 in the Palestinian enclave since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023, the ministry added.

The ministry noted that with heavy Israeli bombardment and the lack of civil defense and ambulance crews, some victims are still under the rubble.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, warned against any Israeli military action in Rafah, calling for a ceasefire in the Strip.

Rafah is Gaza's southernmost city, a zone previously designated as a safe zone by the Israeli army and to which more than half of Gaza's over 2 million population had fled.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that the Israeli army "prepare to operate in Rafah." 

People leave their home at Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, on Feb. 8, 2024. The Israeli army killed 130 Palestinians and wounded 170 others during the last 24 hours, Gaza-based Health Ministry said in a press statement on Thursday. This brings the total number of deaths to 27,840 and injuries to 67,317 in the Palestinian enclave since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023, the ministry added. (Xinhua)

Photo taken on Feb. 8, 2024 shows destroyed buildings at Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. The Israeli army killed 130 Palestinians and wounded 170 others during the last 24 hours, Gaza-based Health Ministry said in a press statement on Thursday. This brings the total number of deaths to 27,840 and injuries to 67,317 in the Palestinian enclave since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023, the ministry added. (Xinhua)

Photo taken on Feb. 8, 2024 shows destroyed buildings at Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. The Israeli army killed 130 Palestinians and wounded 170 others during the last 24 hours, Gaza-based Health Ministry said in a press statement on Thursday. This brings the total number of deaths to 27,840 and injuries to 67,317 in the Palestinian enclave since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023, the ministry added. (Xinhua)

Photo taken on Feb. 8, 2024 shows destroyed buildings at Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. The Israeli army killed 130 Palestinians and wounded 170 others during the last 24 hours, Gaza-based Health Ministry said in a press statement on Thursday. This brings the total number of deaths to 27,840 and injuries to 67,317 in the Palestinian enclave since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023, the ministry added. (Xinhua)

Photo taken on Feb. 8, 2024 shows destroyed buildings at Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. The Israeli army killed 130 Palestinians and wounded 170 others during the last 24 hours, Gaza-based Health Ministry said in a press statement on Thursday. This brings the total number of deaths to 27,840 and injuries to 67,317 in the Palestinian enclave since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023, the ministry added. (Xinhua)

Photo taken on Feb. 8, 2024 shows destroyed buildings at Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. The Israeli army killed 130 Palestinians and wounded 170 others during the last 24 hours, Gaza-based Health Ministry said in a press statement on Thursday. This brings the total number of deaths to 27,840 and injuries to 67,317 in the Palestinian enclave since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023, the ministry added. (Xinhua)

Photo taken on Feb. 8, 2024 shows destroyed buildings at Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza Strip. The Israeli army killed 130 Palestinians and wounded 170 others during the last 24 hours, Gaza-based Health Ministry said in a press statement on Thursday. This brings the total number of deaths to 27,840 and injuries to 67,317 in the Palestinian enclave since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023, the ministry added. (Xinhua)

Israeli soldiers are seen near the border with Gaza strip, in southern Israel, on Feb. 8, 2024. The Israeli army killed 130 Palestinians and wounded 170 others during the last 24 hours, Gaza-based Health Ministry said in a press statement on Thursday. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)

An Israeli soldier is seen near the border with Gaza strip, in southern Israel, on Feb. 8, 2024. The Israeli army killed 130 Palestinians and wounded 170 others during the last 24 hours, Gaza-based Health Ministry said in a press statement on Thursday. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)

Israeli soldiers are seen near the border with Gaza strip, in southern Israel, on Feb. 8, 2024. The Israeli army killed 130 Palestinians and wounded 170 others during the last 24 hours, Gaza-based Health Ministry said in a press statement on Thursday. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)

Israeli soldiers are seen near the border with Gaza strip, in southern Israel, on Feb. 8, 2024. The Israeli army killed 130 Palestinians and wounded 170 others during the last 24 hours, Gaza-based Health Ministry said in a press statement on Thursday. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)

Israeli soldiers are seen near the border with Gaza strip, in southern Israel, on Feb. 8, 2024. The Israeli army killed 130 Palestinians and wounded 170 others during the last 24 hours, Gaza-based Health Ministry said in a press statement on Thursday. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)

Israeli soldiers are seen near the border with Gaza strip, in southern Israel, on Feb. 8, 2024. The Israeli army killed 130 Palestinians and wounded 170 others during the last 24 hours, Gaza-based Health Ministry said in a press statement on Thursday. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)

An Israeli soldier is seen near the border with Gaza strip, in southern Israel, on Feb. 8, 2024. The Israeli army killed 130 Palestinians and wounded 170 others during the last 24 hours, Gaza-based Health Ministry said in a press statement on Thursday. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)

People live near a waterlogged road after rainfall in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Feb. 9, 2024.

Rafah is Gaza's southernmost city, a zone previously designated as a safe zone by the Israeli army and to which more than half of Gaza's over 2 million population had fled.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that the Israeli army "prepare to operate in Rafah." (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People walk on a waterlogged road after rainfall in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Feb. 9, 2024.

Rafah is Gaza's southernmost city, a zone previously designated as a safe zone by the Israeli army and to which more than half of Gaza's over 2 million population had fled.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that the Israeli army "prepare to operate in Rafah." (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People graze sheep in an area piled with garbage in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Feb. 9, 2024.

Rafah is Gaza's southernmost city, a zone previously designated as a safe zone by the Israeli army and to which more than half of Gaza's over 2 million population had fled.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that the Israeli army "prepare to operate in Rafah." (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People pass an area piled with garbage in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Feb. 9, 2024.

Rafah is Gaza's southernmost city, a zone previously designated as a safe zone by the Israeli army and to which more than half of Gaza's over 2 million population had fled.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that the Israeli army "prepare to operate in Rafah." (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People walk on a waterlogged road after rainfall in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Feb. 9, 2024.

Rafah is Gaza's southernmost city, a zone previously designated as a safe zone by the Israeli army and to which more than half of Gaza's over 2 million population had fled.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that the Israeli army "prepare to operate in Rafah." (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
NEWARK, N.J., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Medscape Education has just unveiled its pioneering approach to developing and delivering medical education designed to drive guaranteed reach, precision targeting, and impact during this year's Alliance 2024 Annual Conference. Following significant investment in proprietary technologies and methodologies, Medscape Education has redefined its strategies for identifying, engaging, delivering, and measuring the education it provides to clinicians with the introduction of its next-generation return-on-education guarantees. This groundbreaking approach marks a significant advancement for the entire medical education industry, perfectly aligned with the evolving needs to demonstrate impact and value of education for healthcare professionals (HCPs) and their patients.

"Medscape has evolved to be both a data and impact-driven education organization. We're harnessing our evolving expertise and technologies to transform the way we deliver, measure, and even guarantee the impact of the education we provide. Not only are we guaranteeing our reach to a qualified audience of HCPs as standard practice, but our refined approach to precision targeting and insights is powering our ability to precisely target and engage those HCPs most poised to make a significant impact on patient outcomes. Coupled with our unprecedented impact guarantees  ensuring advancements in key outcomes across the stages of behavior change  the value of Medscape Education is indisputable," said Katie Lucero, PhD, Chief Impact Officer of Medscape Education.

"It's increasingly crucial to demonstrate both patient impact and value. At Medscape Education, we've eagerly embraced this challenge. As the pioneering force in continuing medical education, boasting over 29 years of experience in curating trusted content for our expansive membership of healthcare professionals around the world, we are redefining the possibilities in medical education," shared Christina Hoffman, MS, Chief Strategy Officer of Medscape Education.

With a membership exceeding 13 million HCPs worldwide, Medscape has amassed a wealth of data on HCP behavior across the globe. By integrating this knowledge with expertise in outcome measurements, predictive analytics, and substantial investments in technologies, Medscape is leading the industry into a new era of precision education. Focused on delivering tangible impact and improved patient outcomes, Medscape is committed to surpassing mere measurement and ensuring guaranteed results.

About Medscape Education

Medscape Education (medscape.org) is the leading destination for continuous professional development, consisting of more than 30 specialty-focused destinations offering thousands of free accredited CME and CE courses for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.

About WebMD

WebMD Health Corp., an Internet Brands Company, is the leading provider of health information services, serving patients, physicians, health care professionals, employers, and health plans through public and private online portals, mobile platforms, and health-focused publications. The WebMD Health Network includes WebMD Health, Medscape, Jobson Healthcare Information, prIME Oncology, MediQuality, Frontline, Vitals Consumer Services, Aptus Health, MedicineNet, eMedicineHealth, RxList, OnHealth, Medscape Education, and other owned WebMD sites. WebMD, Medscape, CME Circle, Medpulse, eMedicine, MedicineNet, theheart.org, and RxList are among the trademarks of WebMD Health Corp. or its subsidiaries.

SOURCE Medscape Education
"Embark on a journey into the cutting-edge realm of Neuroprosthetics, where technology meets the human mind. Uncover the latest innovations and explore the dynamic landscape of global markets shaping the future of healthcare. From enhancing human abilities to transcending traditional boundaries, this exploration delves into the intersection of neuroscience and technology, offering a glimpse into a world where advancements in Neuroprosthetics redefine what it means to be human."

BOSTON, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- "According to the latest research study, the demand for Neuroprosthetics: Technologies and Global Markets grow from $5.4 billion in 2023 and is estimated to increase from $8.1 billion in 2028, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3% from 2023 to 2028."

This research study aims to thoroughly examine the global neuroprosthetics market, providing insights into revenue forecasts and future trends. The study encompasses a global perspective, analyzing current and projected market scenarios from 2023 to 2028. While 2023 figures are estimated, actual results are considered where available. The report offers forecasts based on product types, applications, and regions, delivering a comprehensive overview. Additionally, it conducts an analysis of both established and emerging competitors in the neuroprosthetics market, highlighting profiles of leading manufacturers and up-and-coming players with innovative products in development. The report also evaluates companies poised to introduce new products during the forecast period, shedding light on how these introductions will impact the competitive landscape.

With only a modest 1-3% penetration in the global urinary incontinence market, there exists substantial room for expansion and innovation in this domain. Analysts anticipate a promising future, forecasting double-digit growth in the bladder and bowel control implants market over the next five years. This projection suggests a significant shift in addressing urinary incontinence through advanced solutions. Additionally, the neuroprosthetics market exhibits a notable bias towards mature economies, with the United States commanding a substantial 60% share of the global market. This concentration underscores the influential role played by established economies in steering the trajectory of neuroprosthetic advancements and adoption.

Driving forces behind the global neuroprosthetics: technologies and global market's growth comprise:

Favourable Demographic Trends-refer to positive and beneficial patterns in the characteristics of a population. This includes aspects like a growing number of people in certain age groups, stable birth rates, and longer life expectancy. These trends can impact various areas such as healthcare, workforce, and consumer markets. For instance, a population with a higher percentage of working-age individuals can contribute to economic growth. Understanding and adapting to these demographic shifts is crucial for businesses and policymakers to make informed decisions that align with the changing needs and dynamics of the population. Technological Advancements-mean the progress and improvements in tools, machines, devices, and ways of doing things. It's like getting better and smarter at using technology to make our lives easier. Think about how phones have become smarter over time, or how new medicines and treatments help people stay healthy. When we hear about the latest gadgets or innovations, that's often a result of technological advancements. These changes can affect how we work, communicate, and live, making things more efficient and sometimes even more fun. Support from Regulatory Agencies-Support from regulatory agencies means that there are organizations or government groups looking out for our safety and well-being. Imagine if there were rules and guidelines to make sure the food, we eat is healthy or that the medicine we take is safe. Regulatory agencies are like superheroes making sure companies follow the right rules to keep us protected. When businesses follow these rules, it's like having a guarantee that the products or services they provide are trustworthy. So, when we hear about support from regulatory agencies, it's like having a team of guardians making sure everything is safe and fair for everyone. Increasing Pressure to Cut Costs-Imagine you have a certain amount of money to spend every month, but suddenly you need to buy more things without getting more money. That's a bit like the increasing pressure to cut costs. It means that companies or people are feeling the need to spend less money on their activities or products. Just like when we try to find ways to save money at home, businesses might look for ways to spend less on things like making products or providing services. It can be a bit challenging, but it's a way to manage and use resources wisely, kind of like a money-saving strategy for businesses. Robust Funding Environment for Biomedical Research-A robust funding environment for biomedical research is like having strong support to discover new things about our bodies and health. Imagine scientists trying to find cures for diseases or invent new medicines; they need money to do their important work. When we say there's a robust funding environment, it means that scientists and researchers have a good amount of financial support to carry out their studies and experiments. This support helps them buy the tools they need, pay for labs, and hire experts, so they can make breakthroughs in understanding and treating illnesses. In simple terms, it's like giving them the resources they need to help everyone stay healthy and happy. Unpenetrated Market-An unpenetrated market is like a place where not many people or businesses have been yet. It's a bit like a new playground that hasn't been explored much. In business terms, it means there are not many companies or products in that area yet. Imagine if you were the first one to open a lemonade stand in a neighborhood where no one else sells lemonade  that's an unpenetrated market! Businesses might get excited about unpenetrated markets because there's a chance to bring something new or different, and maybe be successful in a place where not many have been before.

Request a Copy of the Neuroprosthetics: Technologies and Global Markets

Report Synopsis

Report Metrics Details Base year considered 2022 Forecast Period considered 2023-2028 Base year market size $5.0 billion Market Size Forecast $8.1 billion Growth Rate CAGR of 8.3% for the forecast period of 2023-2028 Segment Covered Product Type, Application, Region Regions covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Rest of the World (RoW) Countries covered U.S., Canada, Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Belgium, Austria, Netherlands, Sweden, Russia, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, New Zealand, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Key Market Drivers  Favourable Demographic Trends  Technological Advancements  Support from Regulatory Agencies  Increasing Pressure to Cut Costs  Robust Funding Environment for Biomedical Research  Unpenetrated Market

The Rising Demand for Neuroprosthetics: Technologies and Global Markets:

The Rising Demand for Neuroprosthetics: Technologies and Global Markets is a quick look into how more and more people around the world are asking for advanced technologies that help with neurological issues. This report explores why there's a growing interest in things like brain-controlled devices and artificial limbs. It's like a sneak peek into the future where technology meets medicine to make life better for those facing neurological challenges.

Trends and Innovations:

Trends and Innovations for Neuroprosthetics: Technologies and Global Markets" provides a quick glimpse into the newest and most exciting developments in the world of neuroprosthetics. This brief overview highlights the cutting-edge trends and innovative solutions driving advancements in technology and healthcare, shaping the future landscape of neuroprosthetic technologies on a global scale.

Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges and Opportunities for Neuroprosthetics: Technologies and Global Markets offers insights into the obstacles and possibilities within the dynamic field of neuroprosthetics. This exploration delves into the hurdles that may be faced, such as technological limitations or regulatory issues, while also shining a light on the promising opportunities that could lead to breakthroughs and advancements in the global market. It serves as a comprehensive guide for navigating the complexities of neuroprosthetic technologies, highlighting both the difficulties and the potential for positive impact on healthcare and quality of life.

This report on the neuroprosthetics: technologies and global market provides comprehensive insights and analysis, addressing the following key questions:

1. What percentage of the neuroprosthetics market is expected to develop and at what rate?

In 2022, the neuroprosthetics market was projected to be worth $5.0 billion globally. The market is expected to increase at a CAGR of 8.3% from 2016 to 2028, when it is expected to reach $8.1 billion.

2. Which major reasons are propelling the neuroprosthetics market's expansion?

Favorable demographic trends and increasing prevalence of neurological disorders.

Technological advancements.

Support from regulatory agencies.

Increasing pressure to curtail healthcare costs.

Robust funding environment for biomedical research.

3. Which market categories are covered by neuroprosthetics?

A thorough examination of the worldwide neuroprosthetics market, comprising sales forecasts by product category, geographic location, and historical data.

4. Which market segment, by kind, will be in the lead by the end of 2028?

By the end of 2028, the neuroprosthetics for movement restoration segment is expected to lead the market in terms of product type.

5. In the neuroprosthetics market, which region holds the most market share?

Geographically speaking, North America has the largest market share in the industry.

6. Which major players dominate the neuroprosthetics market?

Cochlear Ltd., Abbott Laboratories, Boston Scientific Corp., and Medtronic Plc are important players in the market.

Some of the Key Market Players Are:

ABBOTT

AXONICS INC.

BIOVENTUS

BLACKROCK NEUROTECH

BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORP.

SCIENTIFIC CORP. COCHLEAR LTD.

CYBERDYNE INC.

MED-EL MEDICAL ELECTRONICS

MEDTRONIC

NEUROPACE INC.

PARADROMICS

SONOVA

SYNCHRON

VIVANI MEDICAL INC.

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MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a comprehensive report released today, the Minnesota Trucking Association (MTA) states that the rush to transition long-haul and short-haul/regional trucking industry to electric batteries will create a myriad of operational challenges, impede efficient delivery of products and drive up costs for consumers.

The MTA established an Alternative Fuels Task Force to provide an analysis of options for all fuel types and the risks to consumers and businesses by pushing an all-electric fleet. MTA leaders hope this research will lead to meaningful policy and investments that will bolster the industry's ongoing progress to reduce emissions while supporting trucking's essential role in the nation's economy through the transportation of goods and reinforcing supply chain connections.

"The trucking industry has proven that we can achieve both meaningful emission reductions and a stable supply chain if we follow a thoughtful, fuel-neutral developmental process," said MTA President John Hausladen. "If we don't get this right and force vehicle electrification over other promising options, it will impact the cost and availability of food, clothing, medicine, appliances, machine parts, and thousands of other goods."

"The development gap between electric cars versus heavy-duty trucks is enormous, Hausladen said." In fact, the report noted the transition for 18-wheelers and other heavy-duty vehicles is "largely conceptual," and faces challenges with technology and infrastructure that will require substantial government investments over many years.

"The reality is that Class 7-8 trucks will be powered by internal combustion engines run on diesel or similar fuels for decades to come," the MTA report concluded. "Government policies need to acknowledge and address this reality rather than mandate the use of a specific alternative propulsion source - such as electricity - to power heavy trucks."

Other report findings about the limitations of pursuing an all-electric fleet include:

Refueling Time: Diesel fueling takes just 15 minutes, allowing a truck to travel approximately 1,200 miles before needing to refuel, while long-haul battery-electric trucks require 5-8 hours to charge and can cover 150-330 miles, assuming chargers are available.

Infrastructure Challenges: Charging stations for heavy-duty trucks face challenges in both availability and effectiveness, as they need to be widespread and designed to meet the unique power demands of these vehicles.

Cost Disparity: A new, clean-diesel long-haul tractor typically costs between $180,000 to $200,000, while a comparable battery-electric tractor can cost upwards of $480,000.

Battery Loss in Cold Weather: Battery electric trucks in cold weather states such as Minnesota are specifically challenged due to the 30-40% reduction in performance.

The MTA report includes information to serve as a valuable resource for trucking fleets and advises them to follow a "go slow" approach regarding equipment investments. The report determined that the development of heavy-duty electric trucks, necessary infrastructure and pricing are not practical for near or mid-term adoption for the long-haul sector.

The Alternative Fuels Task Force conducted its research and analysis over a six-month period, which included interviews with legislators, regulators, equipment manufacturers, truck dealers/repair facilities, national trucking and energy efficiency associations, and electric utilities.

The MTA task force recommends pursuing a wider range of alternative fuel options to help further reduce fossil fuel emissions, highlighting the potential of hydrogen fuel cell and hybrid technologies, among other options.

To access a summary infographic and the complete report, please visit www.mntrucking.org/trucking-resources and click on "Alternative Fuels Report & Infographic.

The Minnesota Trucking Association is a non-profit trade association representing over 550 trucking companies and allied firms from across the state. The membership reflects the diversity of the Minnesota trucking industry, including less-than-truckload, truckload, bulk, agricultural, heavy specialized and private trucking operations. Since 1932 the MTA has served as a powerful voice for the industry. Its mission is to advance a safe and successful trucking industry through advocacy, education and focused initiatives.

SOURCE Minnesota Trucking Association
CHICAGO, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Arizton's latest research report, the U.S. clinical laboratory tests market will grow at a CAGR of 2.17% from 2023 to 2029.

To Know More, Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/4082

U.S. Clinical Laboratory Tests Market Research Report by Arizton

Browse In-Depth TOC on the US Clinical Laboratory Tests Market

186  Pages

34 - Tables

78 - Figures

U.S. Clinical Laboratory Tests Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Details Market Size (2029) USD 109.09 Billion Market Size (2023) USD 95.89 Billion CAGR (2023-2029) 2.17 % Historic Year 2020-2022 Base Year 2023 Forecast Year 2024-2029 Market Segmentation Test Complexity, Providers, and Test Type Geographic Analysis United States Market Dynamics  Genetic Testing in the Mainstream  The Increasing Utilization of Clinical Lab Tests  High Demand for Early & Preventive Diagnosis

Telemedicine and Direct-to-Consumer Solutions Creating New Market Opportunities

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred significant transformations in the operations of clinical laboratories worldwide. One notable shift has been the increasing popularity of self-collection and at-home testing, with patients now expecting diagnostic testing to be accessible outside traditional settings such as hospitals and provider offices. This trend, highlighted in the Microlite Article 2023, is expected to continue growing in the US. Direct-to-consumer lab services, akin to over-the-counter pharmacy medications, allow patients to order diagnostic tests without a physician's order, with results securely delivered directly to them by specialized labs.

Telemedicine has also seen widespread adoption for diagnosis and clinical lab services, with a staggering 97% of medical consultations transitioning to telemedicine during the pandemic. Hospitals, particularly in areas like New York, have implemented telemedicine systems to facilitate over 83,000 telemedicine visits and more than 30,000 consultations for healthcare diagnostics, including clinical diagnosis. This shift has led to a new dimension in healthcare, offering convenient and instant access to medical services for people globally.

Furthermore, the Community Health Center Report 2022 indicates that approximately 98% of community health centers in the US now utilize telemedicine/telehealth services to enhance diagnostic accessibility. These changes underscore a broader trend towards integrating technology into healthcare delivery, creating new revenue channels for clinical labs and offering patients greater autonomy and convenience in managing their health.

Vendors Insights

Most US clinical laboratory test companies offer routine or specialized clinical diagnostic testing services or both depending on their scientific expertise, technologies, innovations, and relevant regulations. Therefore, the competitive landscape in the country for the clinical laboratory tests market is highly localized and challenging. In certain areas, the competitive rivalry is mainly focused on branches and specialization of laboratories.

Currently, LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics operate as two significant independent laboratories across the US. These independent laboratories are domestic market players and hold a higher market share. Moreover, several international independent clinical laboratories are present across the country and compete with domestic small and mid-sized vendors. In the current landscape, high competition exists among LabCorp, Quest Diagnostics, Sonic Healthcare, and OPKO Health.

Segmentation Overview

In 2023, the U.S. clinical laboratory tests market saw significant insights across different segments.

Insights by Test Complexity: Specialty tests emerged as the dominant segment, accounting for over 30% of lab tests. Though performed less frequently than routine tests, these tests play a crucial role in revenue growth due to their higher pricing. Government support and insurance coverage further accelerated growth in this segment, with genetics testing being a particularly lucrative area.

Insights by Providers: Hospital-based clinical laboratories claimed the largest market share. These facilities are integral to patient care, offering outpatient and inpatient diagnostic services. Integration with medical laboratories is a growing trend among hospitals, with Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp experiencing increased demand for integration, signaling revenue growth opportunities.

Insights by Test Type: Clinical and immunochemistry tests dominated the market, playing a key role in diagnosing health conditions and predicting future diseases. Specialty tests within this segment, such as enzymology, toxicology, and endocrinology, contributed to high revenue growth. Immunochemistry testing, which identifies antibodies and detects immune health issues, was particularly in demand, especially for organ transplantation procedures.

Overall, the U.S. clinical laboratory tests market witnessed dynamic shifts driven by advancements in specialty testing, the prominence of hospital-based laboratories, and the continued demand for clinical and immunochemistry tests.

The US Clinical Laboratory Tests Market Report Encompasses Crucial Data, Including:

CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) during the forecast period: This metric provides insights into the annual growth rate of the US clinical laboratory tests market over the specified time frame.

Detailed information on growth drivers: The report offers in-depth information on the factors that will propel the US clinical laboratory tests market growth from 2023 to 2029. This includes an analysis of various market influences.

Precise estimation of market size: Accurate assessments of the US clinical laboratory tests market size and its contribution and focusing on key market segments.

Predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior: The report offers insights into anticipated trends and shifts in consumer behavior that are likely to impact the US clinical laboratory tests market, helping businesses prepare for future market dynamics.

Geographical market growth: The report covers the clinical laboratory tests market development across the United States.

Competitive landscape analysis: A thorough examination of the market's competitive landscape is presented, including detailed information about companies operating in the US clinical laboratory tests market. This includes an overview of key players, their market share, strategies, and key developments.

Analysis of growth challenges: The report includes a comprehensive analysis of factors that may pose challenges to the growth of companies in the US clinical laboratory tests market, providing a well-rounded view of the market dynamics.

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Key Company Profiles

Eurofins Scientific

Laboratory Corporation of America

Mayo Clinic Laboratories

OPKO Health, Inc. (BioReference Health)

Quest Diagnostics

Siemens Healthineers

Sonic Healthcare

Accu Reference Medical Labs

ARUP Laboratories

Clinical Reference Laboratory

DaVita

Empire City Laboratories

Fresenius Medical Care

HealthTrackRx

Laboratory of Florida

Millenium Health

US Speciality Labs

Market Segmentation

Test Complexity

Specialty Tests

Routine Tests

Providers

Hospital-based Clinical Laboratory

Independent Laboratories

Physician Office Laboratories (PLOS)

Others

Test Type

Clinical & Immunochemistry

Molecular Diagnostics

Hematology

Microbiology & Cytology

Toxicology

Check Out the Detailed TOC @ https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/united-states-clinical-laboratory-test-market?details=tableOfContents

Key Questions Answered in the Report:

How big is the U.S. clinical laboratory tests market?

What is the growth rate of the U.S. clinical laboratory tests market?

Which provider segment dominates the U.S. clinical laboratory tests market share?

What are the significant trends in the U.S. clinical laboratory tests market?

Who are the key players in the U.S. clinical laboratory tests market?

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Arizton offers syndicate and custom market intelligence & competitive intelligence solutions across MedTech, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences & biotechnology markets within the healthcare industry. Arizton's healthcare vertical provides unbiased research and evidence-based analysis to support business decisions and comprehensive end-to-end solutions to its customers, covering all dimensions of the healthcare value chain. We track various devices (equipment, implants, and hospital supplies) and drugs (patented, generic, & OTC) across North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa regions. The healthcare reports provide historic and forecast data for 20+ key countries worldwide. We track product approvals/launches, M&A activities, and collaboration/partnership activities among pharma/biotech, medical device, and life sciences companies. Our pharmaceutical portfolio tracks 15+ therapy areas with a major focus on immunology, oncology, rare & genetic diseases, dermatology, and metabolic diseases. Our medical devices and life sciences portfolio covers in-vitro diagnostics, healthcare IT, patient monitoring, cardiovascular devices, medical imaging, personal protective equipment, clinical laboratory services, and CMO/CDMO services.

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SOURCE Arizton Advisory & Intelligence
Combining Cannabinoids and Bioactives Via Artificial Intelligence for the First Time

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nalu Bio , a biotech company specializing in no-high, chemistry-derived cannabinoids to address the top health and wellness challenges, today announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with PIPA , AI leader in Nutrition, Health and Wellness innovation to bring AI-enabled combinations of cannabinoids and bioactives to consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies. This partnership aims to create a new category of products at a time when market demand, cultural acceptance, and desire for cannabinoids are on the rise around the world.

Nalu Bio and PIPA bring cannabinoid combinations to CPG Brands in a first-of-its-kind partnership for global health and wellness. This partnership aims to create a new category of products at a time when market demand is on the rise around the world. With scientific data backing their efficacy, these products stand as a paradigm shift comparable to the introduction of vitamins 70 years ago.

Nalu Bio is the first company to offer combinations of cannabinoids and bioactives to address pain, anxiety, sleep, and weight management. According to Nutrition Business Journal's 2023 Supplement Report, combination sales are expected to surpass single ingredient supplement sales this year. In tandem with PIPA, Nalu Bio will leverage predictive AI modeling to identify the optimal combinations of cannabinoids with unique bioactives such as vitamins, protein, fiber, antioxidants, probiotics, and superfoods. The aim is to create novel cannabinoid and bioactive combinations for unparalleled health and wellbeing benefits that are effective, synergistic, scalable, and backed by science and data to support tangible claims that global CPG companies can market.

"Combining our chemistry-derived, no-high cannabinoids with bioactives holds the key to resolving global health challenges, affecting two billion people globally," said Caitlyn Krebs, Co-founder and CEO of Nalu Bio. "The collaboration with PIPA accelerates our ability to create new and patented formulations with enhanced efficacy for large CPG companies in food and beverage, personal care, and supplements."

A Force Greater Than Nature

The synergy of chemistry-derived cannabinoids and bioactives optimally paired via predictive AI modeling is set to redefine solutions for the global health and wellness industry. PIPA AI technology can integrate biomedical databases, scientific publications, clinical trial data, and other information sources to identify the optimal combinations of cannabinoids with unique bioactives. This helps predict connections that can accelerate new product development. With scientific data backing their efficacy, these products stand as a paradigm shift comparable to the introduction of vitamins 70 years ago. Like vitamins, not only can chemically-derived cannabinoid combinations address multiple health needs, but they can scale responsibly, safely, and sustainably.

"Our expertise lies in determining the ideal bioactives to enhance the impact of Nalu Bio's minor cannabinoids to address real needs worldwide," stated John Melo, CEO of PIPA. "We look forward to supporting Nalu Bio's efforts to improve lives through maximized product efficacy."

America's Readiness for No-High Cannabinoids

Recently published research from the JAMA Network indicates a nationwide readiness for no-high and no-worry cannabinoids. According to the study, a total of 85 million Americans (25%) engaged with cannabinoids last year, showcasing the surge in popularity. The hemp plant contains more than 100 active compounds, otherwise known as cannabinoids. Emerging cannabinoids, particularly in addressing sleep and pain issues, are gaining traction. Notably, individuals are choosing these alternatives over conventional pain medications. In fact, 71.5 million Americans (21%) reported CBD usage with 17.6 million (5%) using CBG products and 15 million (4%) using CBN products, respectively1all cannabinoids in the Nalu Bio product development pipeline.

"Vitamins, caffeine, and aspirin, all originally came from the plant and now they're chemically derived," stated Krebs. "There aren't enough coffee beans in the world to supply the $63B energy drink industry, and Vitamin C isn't made from oranges. We can do the same for cannabinoids, making them ubiquitous through the power of chemistry and AI."

Nalu Bio's no-high, no-worry cannabinoids, developed through organic chemistry, maintain the molecular identity of the plant while addressing not only the world's top health and wellness challenges but also the drawbacks of the plant, including safety, predictability, scalability, and sustainability. Nalu Bio offers a complete line of minor cannabinoids as standalone ingredients and AI-driven combinations, ensuring effective, safe, and consistent products across food and beverage, health and wellness, and beauty and personal care. Learn more at NaluBio.com .

About Nalu Bio

Nalu Bio is a female-founded and led San Francisco-based biotech company committed to accelerating the potential of cannabinoids for the health of people and the planet. Founded in 2019, Nalu Bio is harnessing the power of chemistry and predictive AI modeling to solve the world's top health and wellness challenges impacting 2 billion people globally, including pain, anxiety, sleep, and weight loss. Its proprietary pipeline of no-high, chemistry-derived cannabinoids for global CPG and therapeutics companies maintain the molecular identity of the plant while addressing the drawbacks, including safety, predictability, scalability, and sustainability. Nalu Bio offers minor cannabinoids and combinations with bioactives to provide effective, safe, and consistent products for food and beverage, health and wellness, and personal care. Learn more at NaluBio.com and follow on LinkedIn for the latest news.

About PIPA, LLC

Established in 2015 in California, PIPA is an AI leader on a mission to create a healthier, more sustainable planet by being the OS of Enterprise Intelligence for the Food, Health and Wellness industries. Through its AI solutions PIPA accelerates innovation and boosts productivity by making data intelligent and accessible across the entire value chain; from feedstock and molecules to formulation, production and go-to-market.

PIPA's suite of in-house solutions and AI apps like LEAP and Ingredient Profiler connect data, synthesize evidence and offer predictions and optimal paths for our partners, decreasing R&D times and increasing enterprise-wide productivity by multiples and not just mere percentages. Learn more at pipacorp.com and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest news.

1 Adrianne R. Wilson-Poe, PhD1; Tristin Smith, MPH2; Michael R. Elliott, PhD3; et al., 2023, "Past-Year Use Prevalence of Cannabidiol, Cannabigerol, Cannabinol, and 8-Tetrahydrocannabinol Among US Adults," Jama Network.

SOURCE Nalu Bio, Inc.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has awarded $3.7 million to 11 teams to support new collaborations between the agency and United States institutions not historically part of the agency's research enterprise. These are the first awards given through a new program from the agency's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) to improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the science and engineering communities, as well as NASA's workforce.

"As the agency continues to build relationships with under-resourced institutions through initiatives like the bridge program, we are intentionally increasing equitable access to NASA for the best and brightest talents in our nation," said Shahra Lambert, NASA senior advisor for engagement. "These partnerships will help NASA develop a diverse and capable workforce to further our understanding of the cosmos."

NASA's SMD Bridge Program provides seed funding for research projects that will build strong foundations for long-lasting relationships with the agency. The projects offer hands-on training and mentorship for students, as well as new research opportunities for faculty, to help science and engineering students transition into graduate schools, employment by NASA, or science, technology, engineering, and math careers generally.

The teams are led by faculty at institutions that represent new collaborations for NASA. These include Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions, and primarily undergraduate institutions. The research projects connect these institutions to seven NASA centers and could impact more than 100 students.

"We applaud this inaugural cohort of grant recipients for their innovative research projects, which will make important connections between students, faculty, and NASA," said Michael New, Science Mission Directorate deputy associate administrator for research at NASA Headquarters. "These awards are a first and important step for the SMD Bridge Program in supporting long-term relationships toward creating a more diverse and robust STEM workforce."

There is an additional opportunity to apply for seed funding through the SMD Bridge Program. Applications are open until Friday, March 29.

The following projects were selected as the first cohort to receive seed funding:

"Diversifying Student Pipelines in STEM: Environmental Pollution Reduction Inspired by Planetary Science"

This project, a collaboration that brings California State University, Los Angeles, together with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, draws from the field of planetary science to address environmental pollution.

"FireSage: SJSU-NASA ARC Bridge Seed Program"

FireSage is a collaboration between San Jose State University's Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center and the Earth Science Division at NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley. It engages students in a computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning research project and training activities in wildfire science.

"Hampton University STEM Experience with NASA Langley Research Center Doppler Aerosol Wind Lidar"

This collaboration between Hampton University and NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, offers a foundation in the advancement of planetary boundary layer studies with Lidar remote sensing.

"Development of Antireflection Coatings for Future NASA Missions"

This project is a collaboration between Delaware State University and NASA Goddard, working with transparent, electrically conductive films to design and produce an environmentally durable anti-reflection coating for guidance, navigation, and control Lidar.

"CUBES: Capacity Building Using CubeSats for Earth Science"

This collaboration between Tuskegee University, the Laboratory for Atmospheric Science and Physics at University of Colorado, and NASA Ames uses CubeSats to provide faculty and students with experience designing and executing science mission flight projects.

"Space Materials and Microbiome Research: A Bridge to Future JSC Workforce"

In this project, the University of Houston-Clear Lake collaborates with NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The project's Composite Materials track will develop a protective nanocomposite shield for spacecraft materials, while the Microbiome track will create a comprehensive library of draft bacterial genomes.

"The HALOQUEST: Halobacterium Astrobiological Laboratory for Observing and Questioning Extraterrestrial Signatures and Traits Project"

This collaboration between California State University, Northridge, and NASA JPL will study Halobacterium salinarum NRC-1 grown under simulated stressful environmental conditions, which could help understand possibilities for life on other planets.

"Observations of Ice-Water and Isotopes Using Mid-Infrared Laser Heterodyne Radiometer LIDAR"

In collaboration with NASA Goddard, Delaware State University will develop Earth science, planetary exploration, and sensing technologies, including a lunar rover payload with instruments to simultaneously detect and correlate water isotopes with other trace gas species.

"Application of Remote Sensing for Predicting Mosquito-Borne Disease Outbreaks"

This project is a collaboration between Southern Nazarene University and NASA JPL to identify areas at risk for mosquito-borne disease outbreaks using remote sensing data.

"Building a Diverse, Sustainable, and Robust Undergraduate-to-Graduate STEM Network through Inter-Institutional, Interdisciplinary Research Collaborations in Complex Fluids/Soft Matter"

This project is a collaboration between Colorado Mesa University and NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland to strengthen and grow a research, education, and training network centered around problems in complex fluids and soft matter, with initial emphasis on heat transfer and multiphase flows.

"Additive Manufacturing of Electronics for NASA Applications"

This project, a collaboration between Florida A&M University and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and NASA Goddard, will explore technology solutions through additive manufacturing approaches to manufacture strain and gas sensors.

Learn more about the SMD Bridge Program at:

https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/smd-bridge-program/

SOURCE NASA
Honorees to be recognized during association's 2024 Legislative Conference

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- National PTA is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2024 Outstanding Advocacy Awards, which honor state, local and individual PTA advocates for taking action to make a difference for the education, health, safety and well-being of every child. The honorees will be recognized during the association's 2024 Legislative Conference, Wednesday, March 6, at The Westin Alexandria Old Town in Alexandria, Va.

This year's recipients are:

Outstanding State PTA Advocacy AwardWashington State PTA

For multiple legislative sessions, Washington State PTA has focused their advocacy efforts on supporting legislation and policies that will help prevent and reduce gun violence and suicide, including: (1) addressing the disproportionate impact on BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth; (2) funding community-based prevention and intervention programs; (3) promoting safe storage of medication and firearms; and (4) prohibiting the sale or transfer of military-style assault weapons. As part of their efforts, Washington State PTA Advocacy and Resolutions Committee members have been meeting and discussing bills with legislators and offering improvements and feedback; preparing and delivering testimony; and using methods and communication vehicles including events, action alerts, their website, newsletters, blog posts and social media to impact change. Thanks to their efforts, legislation was passed and signed into law during the 2023 legislative session to prohibit assault weapons (with a few exceptions), promote safe storage of firearms and medication, provide funding for community prevention programs and more. So much progress was made during the 2023 legislative session that Washington State PTA has added new goals for the 2024 legislative session, including expanding existing law to prohibit firearms where families and youth congregate in public places and restoring local government authority to enhance state firearm regulations to protect children and youth.





For multiple legislative sessions, PTA has focused their advocacy efforts on supporting legislation and policies that will help prevent and reduce gun violence and suicide, including: (1) addressing the disproportionate impact on BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth; (2) funding community-based prevention and intervention programs; (3) promoting safe storage of medication and firearms; and (4) prohibiting the sale or transfer of military-style assault weapons. As part of their efforts, PTA Advocacy and Resolutions Committee members have been meeting and discussing bills with legislators and offering improvements and feedback; preparing and delivering testimony; and using methods and communication vehicles including events, action alerts, their website, newsletters, blog posts and social media to impact change. Thanks to their efforts, legislation was passed and signed into law during the 2023 legislative session to prohibit assault weapons (with a few exceptions), promote safe storage of firearms and medication, provide funding for community prevention programs and more. So much progress was made during the 2023 legislative session that PTA has added new goals for the 2024 legislative session, including expanding existing law to prohibit firearms where families and youth congregate in public places and restoring local government authority to enhance state firearm regulations to protect children and youth. Outstanding Local PTA Advocacy AwardThirty-Third District PTA ( California )

In 2023, Thirty-Third District PTA worked on five resolutionsthe first resolutions that the PTA had supported in over 10 years. The resolutions included Equitable Literacy for All, Cannabis and Youth Health and Safety, Inclusive Education for Children with Cognitive Disabilities, Restorative Justice, and Synthetic and Non-Tobacco Derived Nicotine Products. The makers of the resolutions for Thirty-Third District PTA conducted a "Resolution Maker Roadshow" to increase understanding among local, regional and state PTA membership regarding the resolution process and the importance of resolutions for PTA advocacy, as well as bring awareness to important issues facing their children and communities. The process allowed Thirty-Third District PTA to not only engage their membership and reinforce the primary role of PTA as an advocacy organization, but it also instilled a sense of pride among their membership for impacting advocacy. Through their work on the resolutions, Thirty-Third District PTA has become known for their advocacy.





In 2023, Thirty-Third District PTA worked on five resolutionsthe first resolutions that the PTA had supported in over 10 years. The resolutions included Equitable Literacy for All, Cannabis and Youth Health and Safety, Inclusive Education for Children with Cognitive Disabilities, Restorative Justice, and Synthetic and Non-Tobacco Derived Nicotine Products. The makers of the resolutions for Thirty-Third District PTA conducted a "Resolution Maker Roadshow" to increase understanding among local, regional and state PTA membership regarding the resolution process and the importance of resolutions for PTA advocacy, as well as bring awareness to important issues facing their children and communities. The process allowed Thirty-Third District PTA to not only engage their membership and reinforce the primary role of PTA as an advocacy organization, but it also instilled a sense of pride among their membership for impacting advocacy. Through their work on the resolutions, Thirty-Third District PTA has become known for their advocacy. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advocacy AwardMatrice Perry, Big Creek PTA ( Middleburg Heights, Ohio )

After noticing that some children's needs weren't being met at their events, Big Creek PTA, under the leadership of their president Matrice Perry, set a goal to create more accessible and inclusive events for children and families in their school and community. They added a vice president of advocacy position on their Board and worked to engage parents of special needs children within their PTA and school community, provide equity and access to all students and make sure that all their PTA-sponsored eventsboth during the school day and after school hoursincluded a sensory friendly time with the appropriate accommodations. Big Creek PTA has taken their ideas to their council PTA for the practice of hosting more accessible and inclusive events to become a districtwide priority.





After noticing that some children's needs weren't being met at their events, Big Creek PTA, under the leadership of their president Matrice Perry, set a goal to create more accessible and inclusive events for children and families in their school and community. They added a vice president of advocacy position on their Board and worked to engage parents of special needs children within their PTA and school community, provide equity and access to all students and make sure that all their PTA-sponsored eventsboth during the school day and after school hoursincluded a sensory friendly time with the appropriate accommodations. Big Creek PTA has taken their ideas to their council PTA for the practice of hosting more accessible and inclusive events to become a districtwide priority. Shirley Igo Advocate of the Year Award Rachel Burke (Hoosier PTA, Indiana )

Rachel Burke continuously strives to improve the lives of children and youth; fund, improve and protect the public school system; improve public health; and advocate for all children. She is a consistent and recognized voice for children and youth at the Indiana General Assembly, and she has worked to strengthen the position of Indiana PTA as the "voice of the parent" in the legislature and among the media in Indiana . Throughout the 2023 legislative session, Burke testified numerous times before the education, health, elections and fiscal committees. Specifically, she has worked to eliminate textbook rental fees; protect the rights of transgender children in the classroom and in healthcare settings; increase funding to Indiana's public schools; stop the banning of books in public school libraries; strengthen anti-bullying legislation; strengthen "family-friendly" school designations; fight anti-critical race theory legislation; establish and fund Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program in Indiana ; and stop SNAP eligibility from being significantly limited, among many other efforts. Burke's advocacy and her determination has led to Indiana PTA to being consistently part of the narrative on education and youth in Indiana .





continuously strives to improve the lives of children and youth; fund, improve and protect the public school system; improve public health; and advocate for all children. She is a consistent and recognized voice for children and youth at the Indiana General Assembly, and she has worked to strengthen the position of Indiana PTA as the "voice of the parent" in the legislature and among the media in . Throughout the 2023 legislative session, Burke testified numerous times before the education, health, elections and fiscal committees. Specifically, she has worked to eliminate textbook rental fees; protect the rights of transgender children in the classroom and in healthcare settings; increase funding to public schools; stop the banning of books in public school libraries; strengthen anti-bullying legislation; strengthen "family-friendly" school designations; fight anti-critical race theory legislation; establish and fund Imagination Library program in ; and stop SNAP eligibility from being significantly limited, among many other efforts. Burke's advocacy and her determination has led to Indiana PTA to being consistently part of the narrative on education and youth in . Outstanding Youth Advocate of the Year Award Maurits Acosta (Hialeah-Miami Lakes PTSA, Florida )

Maurits Acosta strongly believes that one must be the change they want to see in the world, and he understands that involving students in government is key to making sure our country grows and flourishes. He is focused on increasing civic literacy and civic engagement among high school students across the country and increasing student representation in local government and PTA leadership in Florida . Acosta launched the Miami-Dade County Student Engagement Committee where he meets with students across Miami on a regular basis to empower student leaders in PTA. He has also motivated local PTAs to add student representatives to their local units and has been advocating for the creation of student engagement committees for county councils and state PTAs. Additionally, Acosta started Virtutem Populo, Inc., a student-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting civic engagement and community involvement among youth in Miami-Dade County . Further, he successfully lobbied his mayor to add a student representative to the Town of Miami Lakes Education Advisory Board, which he now serves on as its inaugural office holder. Acosta's efforts have positively affected change, and he exemplifies the qualities of creativity, leadership and dedication to the cause he champions.

"Washington State PTA, Thirty-Third District PTA, Big Creek PTA, Rachel and Maurits exemplify what it means to take action and speak for every child with one voice, which is what our association does best," said Yvonne Johnson, president of National PTA. "I always say to never underestimate the power of a parent's voice, and we are thrilled to recognize the efforts of Washington State PTA, Thirty-Third District PTA, Big Creek PTA, Rachel and Maurits with our 2024 Outstanding Advocacy Awards."

The Outstanding Advocacy Award recipients are selected by National PTA's Legislation Committee. Washington State PTA will receive a $1,000 award to further their work and Thirty-Third District PTA will receive a $500 award. The Shirley Igo Advocate of the Year Award is named after past National PTA President (2001-2003) Shirley Igo, who was an impassioned and compassionate leader, dedicated to moving PTA forward and committed to ensuring that others would follow. The Outstanding Youth Advocate of the Year Award is supported by PTA Proud National Sponsor Uber.

Every year, National PTA's Legislative Conference or LegCon brings together PTA leaders and advocates from across the country to take action on the association's advocacy priorities. During the conference, attendees will hear from speakers and participate in workshops to get an update on issues impacting children, families and schools and grow their advocacy skills. Attendees will also amplify their voices by meeting with their members of Congress, Wednesday, March 6. The theme for this year's conference is Share Power for Every Child.

"Raising our voices and ensuring power is sharedamong families, educators, administrators, policymakersis so important to helping every child reach their full potential," said Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive director. "At PTA, we remain steadfast in our mission to make every child's potential a reality, and we will never stop speaking loudly and demanding more to ensure all children have the support they need to thrive."

About National PTA

National PTA comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.

SOURCE National PTA
MIDLAND, Texas, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. ("Next Bridge," "our," "we," or the "company"), an oil and natural gas exploration and production company with interests in Texas and Oklahoma today provided the following statement:

Our company has reviewed recent written responses from FINRA and SEC regarding the U3 halt of the Series A Preferred Shares of Meta Materials, Inc. that traded under the symbol "MMTLP" and potential outstanding short positions in Next Bridge. We have further been made aware of calls by Congressman Ralph Norman for a Congressional hearing regarding MMTLP, which we and our Chairman would gladly participate in to help supplement the factual record on relevant events. Next Bridge management has differing perspectives on certain key points expressed by FINRA in its letter. We will share these perspectives if given the opportunity in a meeting we are actively working to schedule with representatives of FINRA and the SEC's Office of the General Counsel. However, we hope the meeting can largely be devoted to discussing forward-looking and productive options for jointly addressing ongoing investor concerns.

Next Bridge firmly believes that we and our investors have a right to know, and Congress and the SEC have an interest and duty to understand, the total aggregate outstanding uncovered short positions held by foreign and domestic institutions that exceed the issued and outstanding shares of our company. Unfortunately, this important figure remains unknown. We call on FINRA and the SEC to take a more proactive ownership role in completing the necessary accounting for several key reasons:

First, FINRA and the SEC have access to resources, investigatory powers, and foreign information sharing tools, and we rely on them to serve as champions of the full and complete trading facts for the investing public and US companies whose securities are publicly traded under their oversight.

Second, we believe this information is necessary to help clarify potentially misleading information that has been disseminated to investors and the public. FINRA issued an "Investor Insights" FAQ on its website stating that "there was an aggregate short interest position in MMTLP in accounts held at broker-dealers as of December 12 of approximately 2.65 million shares out of 165.47 million total shares outstanding." FINRA went on to characterize this volume as "not significant." We infer no intent to mislead by FINRA, but we note that this statement was not qualified to make clear that the scope of the data available to FINRA under the investigatory powers it cited was limited, and thus it implied a categorical summation of the entire uncovered short interest position in Next Bridge. Subsequent to our most recent press release of January 19, 2024 calling for short interest data from all sources, foreign or domestic, whether registered with FINRA or not, we observed that FINRA clarified in its letter to Congressman Norman that the short interest figure it cited was only based on U.S. member data and not that of "domestic or foreign non-member entities that could act as custodians or agents holding securities for others, including foreign-registered broker-dealers." However, it repeated its assertion that the short interest position it saw was "nominal." Unfortunately, we believe this is a consequential blind spot in FINRA's data, because foreign firms have approached Next Bridge about procuring more than 2.65 million shares.

If FINRA is unable to report on the entire universe of the outstanding uncovered short positions in Next Bridge, including short interest positions held via foreign brokers, we request that they maintain full transparency of this fact in communications with interested parties and refrain from descriptions of the short interest as inconsequential until this is borne out via a comprehensive investigation. We also believe further clarification regarding the limits of the data available to FINRA would be helpful for investors.

Our company is also concerned that uncovered short selling activity might have been carried out by entities that are also exempt from SEC registration or via transactions that are otherwise exempt from reporting. We understand that the SEC does not disclose any details regarding its investigatory activities, but our concern is that the SEC's letter refers Congress to FINRA and our company for the share data Congress seeks, which as explained, will likely not result in the full picture. We are happy to provide information that may be beneficial in helping the SEC scope the necessary sources for data collection in any investigation it may elect to undertake in the future, including any that may require the cooperation of foreign counterparts.

Third, we believe there is an onus on FINRA to help resolve ongoing investor concerns due to the role it played in the events that led to the U3 halt, and the subsequent confusion resulting from the halt itself. FINRA stated that it determined the U3 halt was "necessary and appropriate to protect investors and ensure a fair and orderly marketplace." Unfortunately, many investors continue to communicate great frustration that the halt accomplished quite the opposite and could have been avoided. We do not intend to litigate FINRA's decision-making in this release, but we also would like to ensure that we clarify certain points on which we have a divergent view from FINRA in regards to the corporate action announcing the NBH spinoff and subsequent U3 halt, since the issues are actively being discussed in public releases to our investors and publicized letters to Congress. As an initial matter, we take issue with FINRA's repeated assertion that "FINRA's role is limited to reviewing and processing the (corporate action) submission and announcing the corporate action to market participants (unless the corporate action documentation is found to be deficient under Rule 6490, in which case FINRA may determine not to process the corporate action)." We do not believe this describes the role that FINRA played in the MMTLP corporate action submission process, nor does it offer a complete recitation of FINRA's authority under Rule 6490. First, FINRA drafted the initial and revised corporate action notices on December 6th and 8th of 2022, with an instruction that the issuer was not to edit or interpret it, and included language that we believe itself became the source of market confusion. For example, while FINRA describes the notice to Congressman Norman as "consistent with the information provided by Meta Materials," it is notable that the notice actually introduced a new instruction that MMTLP shares would be "deleted" on December 13th  a date never before contemplated or referenced by the issuers, and which many found difficult to reconcile with Meta's announcement that the distribution of Next Bridge shares would take place the next day- on December 14th. Indeed, it was never proposed to FINRA to add a December 13 cancellation date or deletion date, and adding such a date created an unnecessary restriction to the corporate action and shareholders of MMTLP. In addition, FINRA's Rule 6490 allows it to refrain from processing requested corporate actions altogether if it "determines not processing is necessary to protect investors and the public interest and to maintain fair and orderly markets." In other words, the justification FINRA ultimately used for issuing the U3 halt was available to it at the outset of the process, when any concerns could have been addressed by the issuer. Instead, they evidently did not discern a compelling reason to reject the processing of the announcement, crafted a different announcement, and allowed trading to continue through December 8th, 2022, then initiated the U3 halt shortly thereafter when the markets were closed and all participants, short and long, were frozen. Since nothing regarding the corporate action and the issuers' contemplated record or distribution dates changed between when the corporate action was submitted to FINRA for review, and when the U3 halt was issued (aside from the introduction of FINRA's own announcements), we remain confused as to why FINRA did not simply reject the corporate action announcement at the outset rather than issuing a halt for "extraordinary circumstances" to the great surprise of the issuer and retail investors. The end result was mass confusion that persists to this day amongst our investor base, many of whom feel they were unnecessarily and unfairly denied two days of trading, and which would have also given parties with millions of short positions an opportunity to cover or close.

About Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc.

The Company is an independent public reporting energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation and/or development of oil and natural gas properties in the United States. Our primary focus has been the development of interests in an oil and gas project consisting of 134,000 contiguous gross acres we hold in the Orogrande Basin in West Texas in Hudspeth County, Texas. In addition, we have minor interests in the Eastern edge of the Midland Basin in Texas, and two minor well interests in Oklahoma. Please visit www.nextbridgehydrocarbons.com for more information.

Next Bridge is a private company insofar as its shares of common stock are not traded on a public stock exchange of any kind. The Company is expected to update its shareholders about certain operational and financial updates related to the Company's business. To receive timely emails with respect to these corporate developments, please visit https://www.nextbridgehydrocarbons.com/investors and complete the Email Alert/Investor Form. You may also choose to follow our social media channels at @nbhydrocarbons on Twitter and "Next Bridge Hydrocarbons" on LinkedIn.

This statement may contain "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described herein. Although the Company believes the expectations in such statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Information concerning the assumptions, uncertainties and risks that may affect the actual results can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") available on the Company's website or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Contact:

Dennard Lascar Investor Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc.
Transformational Travel Planning Solution Blends AI With Travel Advisors To Deliver Unprecedented Efficiency & Personalization

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nicer, a transformational travel planning and booking solution that supercharges travel advisors through the power of AI, announced today that it has raised $2 million in seed funding led by Trip Ventures and a group of travel industry leaders. The funding will be used to scale travel advisors with Nicer's underlying technology.

Nicer is democratizing access to the benefits of working with elite travel advisors by augmenting their irreplaceable human touch and access to exclusive perks with artificial intelligence to grow capacity, expand profit margins and deliver bespoke travel experiences.

"Travel is a trillion-dollar industry plagued by inefficiencies that cost time and money," said co-founder and CEO Ragan Stone, a career travel advisor. "Nicer solves this problem by harnessing the power of AI to craft highly customized experiences while preserving the personalization and insights of travel advisors. We are thrilled to have the support and confidence of our investors who share our vision of introducing more travelers to the benefits of working with travel advisors."

A recent survey of travel advisors revealed that 60 percent view AI positively and nearly half want to use it in their business. "Nicer is on the leading edge of the next wave of innovation that will fundamentally transform the way travel advisors do business," said Shane O'Flaherty, Microsoft's Global Director of Travel and Hospitality and member of Nicer's board of directors.

"AI is changing the world around us, and Nicer is changing how travel advisors blend high-tech with high-touch to deliver more perfect travel experiences," said Angie Licea, President of Global Travel Collection, the most influential collection of international luxury travel advisors. "We are thrilled to collaborate with them, and we know this partnership will enhance and enrich the support we provide to our travel advisors."

Nicer boasts a board of directors and advisors composed of leading figures in travel and tech, including:

Shane O'Flaherty, Global Director of Travel, Microsoft

Angie Licea, President, Global Travel Collection an Internova company

Gilad Berenstein, Founder at Brook Bay Capital and Board Member of Virtuoso

Javier Villamizar, Operating Partner, Softbank

Lee Thomas, Former COO of ALTOUR, an Internova company

Carlos Garcia, General Partner, Trip Ventures

About Nicer

Nicer is a pioneering travel planning platform and agency that blends traditional travel advising with cutting-edge AI technology. Our mission is to democratize access to expert travel advisors. Nicer empowers travel advisors with artificial intelligence and modern technology to elevate travel experiences. By combining the power of human expertise with cutting-edge AI and RPA (Robotic Process Automation), Nicer unlocks a more robust and efficient travel business.

If you are a travel advisor interested in joining Nicer's platform, or a traveler looking for a nicer travel experience, visit nicer.travel .

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Nicer
Former LPL Financial Advisor, Alex Papadopoulos, moves his practice to Osaic for greater freedom and flexibility to better serve clients

PHOENIX, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Osaic, one of the nation's largest providers of wealth management services, continues its recruiting momentum by welcoming Egea Wealth Management (Egea) to the firm. Alex Papadopoulos, CSRIC, CRPS, Founder and President of Egea and his client support team manage $117 million in total client assets. Mr. Papadopoulos has 24 years of experience as a financial advisor and joins Osaic from LPL Financial.

Located in Evanston, Illinois, Egea Wealth Management provides individuals, families, and businesses with guidance and education in all areas of wealth management including retirement planning, portfolio construction, risk management and intergenerational wealth transfer. Egea's investment philosophy begins with each client's unique goals and objectives as the starting point for creating a detailed roadmap to help them navigate their way toward their personal life destinations. The firm has a particular expertise in developing sustainable portfolios that strive to align their clients' beliefs and values with their investments.

"Osaic gives us the freedom to run our business as true entrepreneurs," said Mr. Papadopoulos. "They have a vision of the future and are embracing the evolution of the wealth management industry. As a scale player, they have all the technology, back-office support and resources we need to grow, while allowing us the freedom, flexibility and breathing room we need to achieve even greater success. We are excited to partner with Osaic and look forward to starting this new beginning for our firm and clients."

Mr. Papadopoulos has been providing financial and wealth management advice to his clients since 2000. He is a graduate of Dominican University and is a designated Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist. Mr. Papadopoulos has also attained the chartered sustainable, responsible, and impact investments counselor (CSRIC) designation, a qualification viewed as the benchmark for financial professionals in the field of socially responsible investing.

"We are thrilled to welcome Alex and Egea Wealth Management to Osaic," added Kristen Kimmell, Executive Vice President Business Development, Osaic. "We are committed to partnering with practices like Alex's in serving their clients, reaching their business goals, and building enterprise value. With continuous investments in technology, wealth management strategies, and practice management support, Osaic provides all the tools to amplify business growth."

About Osaic

Osaic, Inc. ("Osaic"), a portfolio company of Reverence Capital Partners, is one of the nation's largest providers of wealth management strategies, supporting approximately 10,500 financial professionals. Our mission is to support the strategic role that financial professionals can play in the lives of their clients. Cultivating a spirit of entrepreneurship and independence, Osaic champions the enduring value of financial professionals. For more information visit www.osaic.com

Securities and investment advisory services are offered through the firms: Osaic Wealth, Inc., Triad Advisors, LLC, and Osaic Institutions, Inc., broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, and members of FINRA and SIPC. Securities are offered through Securities America, Inc., American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc., and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co., broker-dealers and member of FINRA and SIPC. Advisory services are offered through Arbor Point Advisors, LLC, American Portfolios Advisors, Inc., Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, Inc., Securities America Advisors, Inc., and Triad Hybrid Solutions, LLC, registered investment advisers. Advisory programs offered by Osaic Wealth, Inc., Securities America Advisors, Inc., and Triad Advisors, LLC., are sponsored by VISION2020 Wealth Management Corp., an affiliated registered investment adviser.

Media Inquiries

Joseph Kuo / Donald Cutler

Haven Tower Group

[email protected] or [email protected]

424 317 4851 or 424 317 4864

SOURCE Osaic, Inc.
CAIRO, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- At the end of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's fifth visit to the Middle East since the outbreak of the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, many in the region are explicit that the U.S. top diplomat has hardly made any progress de-escalating tensions there.

Like its predecessors, the latest visit was marked by lofty rhetoric, but little headway in resolving the Gaza crisis.

WHAT DID BLINKEN DO?

Blinken's shuttle diplomacy spanned Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Israel, and the West Bank, where he faced a complex regional landscape marked by escalating violence and diplomatic impasses.

As the Gaza conflict enters its fifth month, tensions simmer across the Middle East. U.S. crackdowns on militias in Syria and Iraq coincide with a significant increase in airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, raising concerns about further regional instability.

In the first stop of his visit, Blinken met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, seeking to advance talks on Saudi-Israeli normalization. While expressing continued interest, Saudi officials reiterated that progress hinges on a credible plan for Palestinian statehood.

Analysts say the United States is pressuring Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel in exchange for Israel's agreement to a ceasefire. But the prospects of such a deal are dim as the violence in Gaza shows no signs of stopping. According to the update from the Hamas-run Health Ministry on Wednesday, the death toll among Palestinians in Gaza has surpassed 27,708.

The U.S. top diplomat also met with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to discuss a potential ceasefire plan.

However, optimism about a ceasefire was short-lived. On Wednesday, Blinken presented the ceasefire proposal to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who rejected it promptly and vowed to achieve an "absolute victory" in its military offensive in Gaza.

"The Middle East remains unchanged after Blinken's visit, except for the worsening situation of Palestinians who are dying during his diplomatic failure," said Salah Bin Laghbar, a Yemeni political analyst based in Aden.

WHY WAS BILINKEN'S DIPLOMACY FUTILE?

The United States' long-standing support for Israel and recent military operations are eroding trust in American policy across the Arab world, according to Laghbar.

He argued that instead of easing tensions, recent U.S. actions have stoked public anger among ordinary Arabs.

"Arab nations now face the challenge of addressing public sympathy for Palestine, which complicates their response to U.S. mediation efforts," Laghbar said.

He further criticized the U.S. attempt to frame the escalation as a clash between Iran's allies and Israel, calling it a deflection from the true root of the conflict: the unresolved Palestinian issue.

"The Gaza conflict remains at the heart of the region's current turmoil, rooted in long-standing injustices endured by the Palestinian people," Laghbar emphasized. "Without acknowledging this underlying issue, U.S. mediation efforts will likely face significant obstacles."

Analysts also suggested that the Biden administration's pursuit of a ceasefire is driven more by domestic political considerations in the U.S. election year, than by genuine concern for the region.

Gamal Tawfiq, a visiting professor of political studies at Suez Canal University, criticized the U.S. administration's reluctance to acknowledge the shortcomings of its policies.

"The U.S. is not serious in its efforts to reach calm or help the civilians in Palestine," Tawfiq said. "Blinken's visits to the region, however many times, are meaningless unless it pushes Israel to accept a lasting ceasefire."

PROSPECTS IN THE MIDEAST

The specter of regional escalation looms large in the Middle East, as ongoing violence in Gaza continues to claim civilian lives and ignite new flashpoints.

"New hotspots are continuously emerging around the Gaza conflict, potentially tilting the region further into instability," cautioned Laghbar.

Ding Long, a professor at Shanghai International Studies University, echoed this sentiment, expressing concerns over the ineffectiveness of U.S. policy and predicting a likely continuation of the "protracted tug-of-war" in the region. He also said that while a direct war between the U.S. and Iran is improbable, the volatility remains high.

The recent death of U.S. troops in Jordan reignites pressure on the Biden administration to retaliate against Iran, a move which is advocated by some Republicans but others caution could spiral into a full-blown war.

Adding another layer of urgency, Tawfiq said that the Gaza conflict could have dire consequences if it continues into the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is only a month away.

"If no ceasefire is achieved in Gaza during Ramadan, there will be a huge wave of rage among the Arabs," said Tawfiq. 
LONDON and NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Partners Capital Investment Group ("Partners Capital"), a global Outsourced Investment Office, today announced a minority investment from General Atlantic, a leading global investor. Investment funds managed by General Atlantic are establishing this minority position by buying a portion of the equity currently held by Partners Capital's longstanding external shareholders and some of the founding generation partners.

As part of this transaction, the current leadership team at Partners Capital will see a step change increase in their ownership of the firm that will help to lock in senior talent, with the ability for future leaders to build meaningful ownership in the firm over time. Partners Capital's investment operations will operate independently of General Atlantic.

Founded in 2001, Partners Capital is an Outsourced Investment Office acting for institutional and private clients. The firm's client base includes distinguished endowments and foundations across the U.S., Europe and Asia, with their missions focused on education, healthcare and the arts. Partners Capital's private client base includes prominent ultra-high net worth families and senior members of investment firms for whom the firm manages their family endowment.

With more than $50 billion in assets under management, Partners Capital constructs tailored investment portfolios for its clients, leveraging its deep network of partnerships with what it believes to be leading asset managers across all major asset classes. The firm employs more than 350 people across its seven offices located in Boston, New York, London, San Francisco, Paris, Singapore and Hong Kong.

For over 20 years, the Partners Capital team has developed state of the art portfolio construction based on proprietary intellectual property and established a deep set of asset manager partnerships.

This transaction will enable Partners Capital to leverage General Atlantic's extensive global network and value-add capabilities as the firm cements its next generation of leadership and continues to deliver investment excellence for its clients. General Atlantic's patient capital model emphasizing long-term partnership is aligned with Partners Capital's objective to build longstanding client relationships and deliver leading investment outcomes.

"We have long respected General Atlantic as a leading global investment firm. The leadership group at Partners Capital have great conviction that General Atlantic will strengthen our firm for the next decade as we focus on deepening our investment capabilities, driving technology-led change across the firm and bolstering our ability to attract and retain top talent, the lifeblood of any investment firm. We believe this will put us in a better position to be an enduring institution that can continue to deliver outstanding investment results for our clients," commented Arjun Raghavan, CEO of Partners Capital.

"We believe the Outsourced Investment Office market is one of the most attractive segments in asset management. Within this, Partners Capital stands out for its premier client service, geographic breadth, track record of investment performance and scalable model. We are excited to add Partners Capital to our financial services portfolio and look forward to supporting Arjun and the team as they continue to build out their offering in key markets globally," said Gabriel Caillaux, Co-President, Managing Director, and Head of Climate and EMEA, and Caroline Woodworth, Managing Director, at General Atlantic.

Stan Miranda, Co-Founder and Chairman of Partners Capital, added, "The entire team at Partners Capital are truly excited by this development. We believe General Atlantic to be an excellent cultural fit for Partners Capital and very much look forward to this new chapter in Partners Capital's evolution."

Closing of the transaction is subject to certain regulatory conditions and client consents.

Partners Capital was advised by Spencer House Partners, Macfarlanes and Ropes & Gray. General Atlantic was advised by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and PwC.

About Partners Capital

Founded in 2001, Partners Capital is an Outsourced Investment Office acting for distinguished endowments and foundations, senior investment professionals and prominent families across the globe. With over $50bn in assets under management, the firm constructs customised investment portfolios for its clients tapping into its deep network of partnerships with what it considers exceptional asset managers across all major asset classes. Headquartered in London the firm employs more than 350 people across its seven offices located in Boston, New York, London, San Francisco, Paris, Singapore and Hong Kong. For more information on Partners Capital, please visit: www.partners-cap.com .

About General Atlantic

General Atlantic is a leading global growth investor with more than four decades of experience providing capital and strategic support for over 500 growth companies throughout its history. Established in 1980 to partner with visionary entrepreneurs and deliver lasting impact, the firm combines a collaborative global approach, sector specific expertise, a long-term investment horizon and a deep understanding of growth drivers to partner with great entrepreneurs and management teams to scale innovative businesses around the world. General Atlantic has approximately $83 billion in assets under management inclusive of all products as of December 31, 2023, and more than 280 investment professionals based in New York, Amsterdam, Beijing, Hong Kong, Jakarta, London, Mexico City, Miami, Mumbai, Munich, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, Stamford and Tel Aviv. For more information on General Atlantic, please visit: www.generalatlantic.com .

Media Contacts

Partners Capital

Samantha Norquist

[email protected]

General Atlantic

Emily Japlon & Sara Widmann

[email protected]

Jess Gill

[email protected]

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PTHF market is booming, driven by demand for lightweight materials and green manufacturing. Future tech, supportive policies boost growth, but raw material costs and regulations pose challenges. Explore deeper insights and stakeholder opportunities in our report.

NEWARK, Del., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The polytetrahydrofuran market is poised for significant growth, reaching US$ 6,215.32 million in 2024. The sales of polytetrahydrofuran are expected to witness a moderate CAGR of 6.0% from 2024 to 2034. By 2034, the polytetrahydrofuran demand is anticipated to attain a valuation of US$ 11,130.69 million.



Request Exclusive Sample Report: Polytetrahydrofuran Industry Strategic Insights, https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4066

Given the rising demand from various end-use sectors, including textiles, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals, the global PTHF market has the potential to grow steadily. The demand for lightweight materials with improved flexibility and durability is projected to boost the PolyTHF market.

The PolyTHF market expansion is anticipated to be facilitated by improvements in production technology in addition to rising spending on research and development. Polytetrahydrofuran vendors are likely to benefit greatly from favorable government measures supporting eco-friendly manufacturing techniques and the growing trend toward eco-friendly materials. Challenges such as volatile raw material costs and strict environmental policies impede the polytetrahydrofuran market expansion.

Regional Outlook

In Asia Pacific, the demand for polytetrahydrofuran is expanding due to the growing need for environmentally friendly materials in manufacturing processes. Government initiatives supporting sustainable manufacturing techniques are anticipated to stimulate the adoption of polytetrahydrofuran.

Stringent environmental rules encouraging the use of sustainable materials foster the continuous market growth of polytetrahydrofuran in Europe. The expansion of the Europe polytetrahydrofuran market is stimulated by rising research and development expenses aimed at improving applications.

Demand for PolyTHF-based goods is increasing in North America due to a growing emphasis on lowering carbon footprints. The PolyTHF market in North America is shaped by growing investments and technological developments in bio-based production technologies.

"Due to rising demand from various end-use sectors, the polytetrahydrofuran market is expected to expand. The polytetrahydrofuran (Poly THF) market expansion is anticipated to be fueled by factors such as customer preferences, growing applications, and technological advancements," opines Nikhil Kaitwade (Associate Vice President at Future Market Insights, Inc.).

Key Takeaways from the Polytetrahydrofuran Market

The spandex fibers segment in the application category is set to capture a share of 68.1% in 2024.

In the product type category, the petro-based poly THF segment is on track to acquire a market share of 96.2% in 2024.

The India Poly THF market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 8.7% between 2024 and 2034.

The China PTHF market is expected to surge at a CAGR of 7.4% through 2034.

The Australia polytetrahydrofuran (Poly THF) market is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 6.6% from 2024 to 2034.

polytetrahydrofuran (Poly THF) market is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 6.6% from 2024 to 2034. The Germany PTHF market is likely to develop at a CAGR of 3.3% through 2034.

The United States Poly THF market is envisioned to soar at a CAGR of 2.5% through 2034.

Competitive Landscape

Several key polytetrahydrofuran vendors are vying for market dominance in the industry, characterized by a varied competitive landscape. Polytetrahydrofuran manufacturers compete based on price, distribution channels, product quality, technology, and environmental initiatives. Polytetrahydrofuran producers frequently use strategic alliances, mergers, and acquisitions to strengthen their market position and gain a distinctive advantage. Polytetrahydrofuran suppliers concentrate on research and development to launch innovative goods and maintain their competitive edge.

Key Polytetrahydrofuran Manufacturers

BASF SE

INVISTA

Dairen Chemical Corporation (DCC)

Chongqing Jianfeng industrial group

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Korea PTG, Co. Ltd.

Shanxi Sanwei Group Co., Ltd.

HYOSUNG

Hangzhou Sanlong New Materials Co., Ltd.

Shaanxi Shanhua Coal Chemical Group

Lycra Company

Gantrade Corporation

Purchase this report now to get key companies with their Revenue Forecast, Volume Forecast, Company Ranking, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, Trends, and Pricing Analysis.

Recent Developments in the Polytetrahydrofuran Market

BioPTMG, developed by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, is a novel PTMG (Poly tetramethylene ether glycol) substance made from plant-derived raw materials or feedstocks.

BASF has made bio-based Polytetrahydrofuran 1000 (PolyTHF 1000) available for the first time. The company is now providing this intermediate to most end-use sectors for testing various applications on a large scale.

Key Segments

By Product Type:

Petro-Based Poly THF

Bio-Based Poly THF

By Application:

Spandex Fibers

Thermoplastic Polyurethane

Co-polyester-ether Elastomer

Cast Polyurethane Elastomers

Others

By End Use:

Automotive Parts

Textiles

Hose and Tubing

Artificial Leather

Others

By Region:

North America

Latin America

Europe

East Asia

South Asia and Pacific

and Pacific Middle East and Africa

Request to Access the Detail Research Methodology from here!

About the Author:

Nikhil Kaitwade (Associate Vice President at Future Market Insights, Inc.) has over a decade of experience in market research and business consulting. He has successfully delivered 1500+ client assignments, predominantly in Automotive, Chemicals, Industrial Equipment, Oil & Gas, and Service industries.

His core competency circles around developing research methodology, creating a unique analysis framework, statistical data models for pricing analysis, competition mapping, and market feasibility analysis. His expertise also extends wide and beyond analysis, advising clients on identifying growth potential in established and niche market segments, investment/divestment decisions, and market entry decision-making.

Nikhil holds an MBA degree in Marketing and IT and a Graduate in Mechanical Engineering. Nikhil has authored several publications and quoted in journals like EMS Now, EPR Magazine, and EE Times.

Explore FMI's Extensive Coverage in the Materials and Chemicals Domain:

About Future Market Insights (FMI)

Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting service provider, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in Dubai and has delivery centers in the UK, the U.S., and India. FMI's latest market research reports and industry analysis help businesses navigate challenges and make critical decisions with confidence and clarity amidst breakneck competition. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. A team of expert-led analysts at FMI continuously tracks emerging trends and events in a broad range of industries to ensure that our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.

Contact Us



Nandini Singh Sawlani

Future Market Insights Inc.

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Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA

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SOURCE Future Market Insights
COLUMBIA, S.C., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dedicated to fostering excellence and innovation in healthcare education, Dr. Wes Heroman, a distinguished Ophthalmologist with a legacy of transformative contributions to the field, proudly announces the establishment of the Dr. Wes Heroman Scholarship for Healthcare Students. This prestigious scholarship, with a one-time award of $1,000, is poised to empower aspiring healthcare professionals across the nation as they embark on their educational journeys.

Dr. Wes Heroman Scholarship for Healthcare Students is now open for applications, offering undergraduate and graduate students an unparalleled opportunity to receive recognition and financial support for their dedication to healthcare. With a commitment to nurturing the next generation of healthcare leaders, Dr. Wes Heroman invites driven and passionate students to apply and contribute to the future of healthcare.

"As a firm believer in the power of education and innovation, I am honored to introduce the Dr. Wes Heroman Scholarship for Healthcare Students," remarks Dr. Wes Heroman, the visionary behind this transformative initiative.

The Dr. Wes Heroman Scholarship for Healthcare Students seeks candidates who embody the highest standards of academic achievement, passion for healthcare, and commitment to personal and professional growth. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program related to healthcare or preparing to pursue a medical degree.

"At the heart of this scholarship is a commitment to supporting and empowering future healthcare leaders," emphasizes Dr. Wes Heroman. "Through this scholarship, we aim to recognize and reward exceptional individuals who demonstrate a genuine passion for healthcare and a dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others."

The application deadline for the Dr. Wes Heroman Scholarship for Healthcare Students is September 15, 2024. The scholarship recipient will be announced on October 15, 2024. Interested students are encouraged to visit the official scholarship website at https://drwesheromanscholarship.com/ to learn more about eligibility criteria and submission requirements.

About Dr. Wes Heroman:

Dr. Wes Heroman, a distinguished Ophthalmologist renowned for his contributions to the field of healthcare, is the visionary behind the Dr. Wes Heroman Scholarship for Healthcare Students. With a rich academic background and a commitment to excellence, Dr. Wes Heroman has dedicated his career to advancing the practice of Ophthalmology and mentoring future healthcare professionals.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Dr. Wes Heroman

Organization: Dr. Wes Heroman Scholarship

Website: https://drwesheromanscholarship.com/

SOURCE Dr Wes Heroman Scholarship
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- US Signal, leading provider of cloud solutions, network connectivity, and data center services, announces that Sean Socha, CPA, has joined its executive team as chief financial officer.

Sean Socha, Chief Financial Officer

Socha joins US Signal from FirstLight Fiber, Inc., in Albany, New York, where he served in various positions, including CFO. Throughout his extensive career, he held similar roles at multiple largescale technology companies as well as at several multimillion-dollar, multinational corporations in various market segments, including telecommunications, services, and manufacturing industries.

"Sean is an accomplished finance executive who brings a wealth of industry experience in optimizing financial operations and driving strategic growth," said Daniel Watts, chief executive officer of US Signal. "We are excited to have Sean join the team to help facilitate our company's growth strategy."

Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, US Signal provides network, data center, connectivity, and cloud services to enterprise customers and large national telecommunications carriers. It operates a 9,500route mile fiber network and eight data centers across nine states in the upper Midwest.

"I am thrilled to join US Signal to help drive the next stage of organizational growth," said Socha. "I look forward to working with the team and achieving our strategic goals."

Socha is a licensed certified public accountant in the state of New York.

About US Signal

US Signal is a Midwest-based digital infrastructure company. Founded in 2001, US Signal is a leading IT solutions provider powered by a wholly owned and operated fiber network, which helps businesses optimize resources through the provision of managed and professional services. Offerings include network, data center, connectivity, cloud hosting, colocation, data protection, and disaster recovery services. For more information, visit www.ussignal.com.

CONTACT: Maya Lindsay

[email protected]

SOURCE US Signal
Seattle-area hires to join company's growing American workforce of more than 1,500

BELLEVUE, Wash. , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SHEIN, a global online fashion and lifestyle retailer, today announced it will be opening a Seattle-area office in downtown Bellevue, expanding its growing U.S. footprint. The nearly 10,000 sq. ft. office space at Bellevue's Key Center will serve as a hub for SHEIN's U.S. fulfilment and logistics, as the company continues to localize and support speedier delivery times for American customers.

"The U.S. is an important market for SHEIN, and we are thrilled to establish a presence in the Seattle area as we continue enhancing our fulfillment process and improving the customer experience," said Andy Huang, SHEIN's head of U.S. fulfillment and logistics. "This expansion underscores our commitment to efficiency across our operations, and we look forward to contributing to the local community and fostering innovation in the heart of the Pacific Northwest."

SHEIN anticipates that more than 50 professionals will work from the new space by the end of 2024 and is currently hiring for a variety of positions to support logistics and distribution efforts across the U.S. These skilled individuals will play a pivotal role in supporting SHEIN's continued U.S. growth and providing a seamless shopping experience for SHEIN's American customers.

SHEIN employees in the Seattle area will join a growing U.S. team of more than 1,500 corporate and warehouse employees across the country in cities including Los Angeles, San Diego, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Whitestown, IN.

About SHEIN:

SHEIN is a global online fashion and lifestyle retailer, offering SHEIN branded apparel and products from a global network of vendors, all at affordable prices. Headquartered in Singapore, SHEIN is committed to making the beauty of fashion accessible to all, promoting its industry-leading, on-demand production methodology, for a smarter, future-ready industry. To learn more about SHEIN, visit www.sheingroup.com.

SOURCE SHEIN
Woman-owned small business (EDWOSB) government consulting company expands its client base within the Department of Defense

ANNAPOLIS, Md., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Significance Inc. announces its most recent contract win, supporting the Navy's Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness Division (N81). The contract is specifically focused on Navy Medicine, which provides well-trained medical experts in support of Navy Operations. Navy Medicine is integrated into the Naval Force across the range of military operations, providing maritime dominance for the nation. Its team is trusted by warfighters to build and sustain medical readiness as a critical component of Integrated American Naval Power.

"We've significantly expanded our reach by securing this prime contract, broadening our impact and influence. This new venture perfectly aligns with our core strengths and capabilities. We're enthusiastic about this growth and look forward to delivering exceptional services to fortify our commitment to excellence," declared Mary Ahern-Snyder, Significance President, and CEO.

Significance will provide Navy Medicine financial management support services; Integrated Risk Management (IRM); Audit Response; and Remediation and Federal Information System Controls Audit Manual (FISCAM) compliance services. Through its program management and operation support services, financial management, business process improvement, change management and information management support, Significance will deliver optimized accounting operations and address critical audit remediation challenges.

About Significance Inc.

Significance Inc. is designated an Economically-Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business with offices in Old Town Alexandria, VA and Annapolis, MD. Founded in 2014 by Mary Ahern Snyder, the company provides government consulting services in the areas of Financial Management & Audit Support; SAP; Business Systems; Program & Project Management; Emerging Technologies & Cybersecurity; Transformation & Strategy; and Systems Support Training. To learn more, visit www.significanceinc.com.

SOURCE Significance, Inc.
The silicon wafer market is driven by factors such as rise in the demand for consumer electronics and semiconductors for the automotive industry.

WILMINGTON, Del. , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Silicon Wafer Market by Wafer Size (1 to 100mm, 100mm to 300mm, and above 300mm), Type (P type, N type), and End User (Consumer Electronics, Automotive, Industrial, Telecommunication and Others). According to the report, the global silicon wafer market was valued at $15.3 billion in 2022 and is estimated to reach $25.9 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.42% from 2023 to 2032.

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250 Pages

154 Tables

51 Charts

Prime determinants of growth

The silicon wafer market is expected to witness notable growth owing to a rise in the demand for consumer electronics, and the demand for semiconductors in the automotive sector. Moreover, the rollout of 5G technology is expected to provide lucrative opportunities for the growth of the market during the forecast period. On the contrary, high production costs and fluctuations in the price of raw materials limit the growth of the silicon wafer market.

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20222032 Base Year 2022 Market Size In 2022 $15.3 Billion Market Size In 2032 $25.9 Billion CAGR 5.42 % No. Of Pages in Report 250 Segments Covered Wafer Size, Type, End User, And Region Drivers Rise In Consumer Electronics Innovations In Significant Sectors Like Electronics, Automobiles, And Automation Opportunities Rise In Use of Renewable Energy Sources, And the Internet of Things (IoT) Restraints Changes In Delivery Chain Dynamics and Fluctuations Within the Charges of Raw Materials

Covid-19 Scenario

Due to production facilities being idled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the electronics industry was negatively damaged. This increased demand for semiconductor and electronics products in several industries. Large-scale industrial disruptions in Europe and a halt to the export of Chinese parts are two of its main effects, both of which could hurt the semiconductor wafer market. Industries are actively seeking innovative solutions to navigate and address the challenges arising from global disruptions caused by the pandemic.

The 100mm to 300mm segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on wafer size, the 100mm to 300mm segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global silicon wafer market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period, owing to technological advancements, cost efficiency, and manufacturing capabilities playing crucial roles. The 100mm to 300mm wafer size segment of the silicon wafer market encompasses the more chips production per wafer, the cost per chip decreases. This is particularly important in the semiconductor industry, where production costs can significantly impact the overall cost of electronic devices.

The N type segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on type, the N type segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the global silicon wafer market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. However, the P type segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 6.02% from 2023 to 2032, owing to use of P type in Internet of Things (IoT) devices, sensors, and wearable electronics. These technologies contribute to the growing demand for p-type silicon in various electronic components.

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Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2032

Based on region, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for nearly one-third of the global silicon wafer market revenue owing to growth in the semiconductor industry and the construction of manufacturing facilities in the area. The Asia-Pacific semiconductor silicon wafer market is anticipated to have strong growth.

Key Industry Development 

In February 2023 , GlobalWafers Co., one of the global leading silicon wafer suppliers, added around 20,000 advanced 12-inch wafers each month from local fabs. GlobalWafers estimates capacity to rise 10-15% at plants in South Korea , Japan , Taiwan , and Italy because of the expansions to satisfy strong demand.

Leading Market Players: -

Shin-Etsu Handotai

Siltronic AG

SUMCO CORPORATION

SK Inc.

Globalwafers Co. Ltd

GRINM Semiconductor Materials Co., Ltd.

Okmetic

Wafer Works Corp.

Addison Engineering, Inc.

Silicon Materials, Inc.

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players of the global silicon wafer market. These players have adopted different strategies such as expansion, acquisition, partnership, investment, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

Key Benefits for Stakeholders

This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the silicon wafer market analysis from 2022 to 2032 to identify the prevailing silicon wafer market opportunity.

Market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.

Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders to make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.

In-depth analysis of the silicon wafer market overview segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.

Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market.

Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.

The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global silicon wafer market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.

Silicon Wafer Market Key Segments:

By Type:

N Type

P Type

By Wafer Size:

1 to 100 mm

100 mm to 300 mm

Above 300 mm

By Application:

Consumer Electronics

Automotive

Industrial

Telecommunication

Others

By Region:

North America (U.S., Canada , Mexico )

(U.S., , ) Europe ( Germany , UK, France , Spain , Italy , Rest of Europe )

( , UK, , , , Rest of ) Asia-Pacific ( China , Japan , India , South Korea , Australia , Rest of Asia-Pacific )

( , , , , , Rest of ) LAMEA ( Brazil , Saudi Arabia , UAE, South Africa , Rest of LAMEA)

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Wafer Backgrinding Tape Market size was valued at $201.6 million in 2020, and is projected to reach $316.9 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 4.5%.

Epitaxial Wafer Market Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032

North America Silicon Wafer Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2032

Germany Silicon Wafer Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2032

Japan Silicon Wafer Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2032

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We are in professional corporate relations with various companies, and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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The Horatio Alger Association names 11 outstanding individuals, each of whom has overcome adversity to achieve professional and personal success, to its Member Class of 2024

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. , a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, today announced that Steven T. Green, President of Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., has been selected for membership in this prestigious organization. Mr. Green joins 10 other exceptional business, civic and cultural leaders from across North America in receiving 2024 honors. For more than 75 years, the Horatio Alger Award has been annually bestowed upon esteemed individuals who have succeeded despite facing adversities, and who have remained committed to higher education and charitable efforts in their communities.

The grandson of a preacher, Mr. Green was raised in Oklahoma City. Faith played a large role in his upbringing, and he learned the value of hard work from a young age as he watched his father work hard to provide for his family. Mr. Green opted to enter the work force after high school graduation, beginning his remarkable decades-long career with Hobby Lobby. He started as a stock boy and rose through the ranks, soon becoming a store manager before later managing multiple stores and overseeing entire departments. In 2000, he was promoted to executive vice president and four years later, became president of the billion-dollar arts and crafts store company, which today has over 1,000 stores spanning nearly all 50 states.

"Steven Green is an exemplary business leader who is deeply committed to giving back to others," said Terrence J. Giroux, executive director, Horatio Alger Association. "From his remarkable rise in the corporate world to his important philanthropic work, he has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to creating a brighter future. Mr. Green's faith and desire to share the lessons he's learned throughout his life with the next generation will serve the Horatio Alger Association well."

In addition to his immensely successful business career, Mr. Green made significant contributions to philanthropy, particularly in education and youth development. As Chairman of the Board for the Museum of the Bible, he received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Charlotte. In 2015, Mid-America Christian University in Oklahoma City honored him with an Honorary Doctor of Biblical Literature, recognizing his commitment to the intersection of faith and education. Mr. Green has written four books: "Faith in America" (2011), "The Bible in America" (2013), "This Dangerous Book" (2017), and "This Beautiful Book" (2019).

"I did not pursue a college degree, yet am deeply aware of its value and the doors it can open for young people," said Mr. Green. "I believe that higher education should be accessible to anyone who wishes to pursue it. Being honored with the Horatio Alger Award will give me the opportunity to share my experience and wisdom with the next generation and help make their educational dreams a reality."

2024 marks the 40th year that the Association has awarded annual need-based scholarships to high school students who have displayed dedication to pursuing higher education despite significant obstacles throughout their lives. The Association, which aims to preserve and protect the American Dream for future generations, also seeks to educate young people about the endless opportunities available by the free-enterprise system through commitment, honesty, and diligence. The scholarships are made possible thanks to the generosity of Horatio Alger Members, who will have collectively provided more than $245 million to over 35,000 students.

"It is our utmost honor to present the Horatio Alger Award to these 11 outstanding leaders who have exemplified perseverance, passion and a deep appreciation for higher education," said James F. Dicke II, chairman, Horatio Alger Association and 2015 Horatio Alger Award recipient. "These influential leaders not only spearhead their own endeavors, but they give generously to causes, organizations and communities in need. Our 2024 awardees embody the Association's mission and are proof that the American Dream is within reach for anyone who seeks it."

Mr. Green and the Member Class of 2024 will be formally inducted into the Association on April 4-6, 2024, during the Association's annual Horatio Alger Award Induction Ceremonies in Washington, D.C. The three-day event is an annual ceremony to honor both the achievements of Members and National Scholars, who will have multiple opportunities to meet, interact and exchange stories of perseverance.

For more information about Horatio Alger Association and its Member Class of 2024, please visit www.horatioalger.org and follow the organization on Facebook , X, LinkedIn and Instagram .

About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans:

Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. is dedicated to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles. The Association honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have accomplished remarkable successes in spite of adversity by bestowing upon them the Horatio Alger Award and inducting them as lifetime Members. Horatio Alger Members support promising young people with the resources and confidence needed to overcome adversity in pursuit of their dreams through higher education. Through the generosity of its Members and friends, in 2023, the Association awarded more than $18 million in undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships to 1,800 students across the United States and Canada, and provided college support and mentoring services to its Scholars. Over the past 40 years, more than $245 million has been awarded in undergraduate, graduate, military veteran and career and technical education scholarships to more than 35,000 deserving students. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

CONTACT:

Carly Colombo

[email protected]

SOURCE Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc.
The Company is Building Relationships Through Tradeshow Booths and Training Events

MELVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SupplyHouse.com, an established leader in plumbing, heating, electrical, and HVAC distribution, is celebrating the second year of its "Our House is Your House" campaign. The company plans to reach customers at major trade shows across the country, including the International Builder Show in Las Vegas.

Building on the success of the previous year, SupplyHouse.com will continue to tailor their trade show experience to a customer-focused approach. The "Our House is Your House" themed booth, praised for its welcoming atmosphere, allows visitors to engage with SupplyHouse and its team members in a relaxed, pressure-free environment, true to the company's ethos of "Real People, Real Service".

The Company is Building Relationships Through Tradeshow Booths and Training Events Post this

"This year, we're trying to reach a broader audience with our message of community and quality service," said Kyra Mitchell Lewis, Head of Integrated Marketing at SupplyHouse.com. "Our presence at the International Builder Show in Las Vegas is just the beginning of a nationwide tour that underlines our commitment to being more than a supplier, but being a partner tradespeople can depend on."

In addition to its expanded trade show itinerary, SupplyHouse.com is also increasing its support for trade professionals through monthly training events, available to watch both in-person and online. These sessions, featuring experts from renowned brands like Caleffi, Milwaukee, and Bluefin, offer invaluable insights, skill development, and networking opportunities for trade pros. As part of the company's TradeMaster program, these events are designed to empower professionals in the field with the knowledge and tools necessary for success.

"Our commitment to growth and education in the industry has never been stronger," said Events Manager, Kyle Black. "By hosting these monthly training events with leading industry names, we're excited to give our TradeMaster members access to the best resources available."

For more details about SupplyHouse.com's innovative approach to customer service and their TradeMaster program, visit supplyhouse.com/tm.

About SupplyHouse.com:

Headquartered in Melville, NY SupplyHouse.com is a rapidly growing e-commerce company with four fulfillment center locations across the United States to facilitate fast shipping. SupplyHouse.com's TradeMaster Program supports trade professionals with exclusive time- and money-saving benefits. Free membership includes free shipping, lower prices, free returns, and access to a dedicated phone line.

SOURCE SupplyHouse.com
GURUGRAM, India, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sweet Culinary Institute market in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam is poised for significant growth, driven by a confluence of factors. Ken Research anticipates the market to surge from SAR 32.1 million in 2022 to SAR 118.7 million by 2028, reflecting a robust CAGR of 29.9%. Let's delve into the key trends fueling this exciting expansion.

A Sweet Recipe for Success:

Government Initiatives: Saudi Vision 2030's focus on vocational training and diversifying the economy is driving investments in culinary education. Initiatives like the Culinary Arts Commission further boost market growth.

Increased Culinary Tourism: Saudi Arabia's tourism sector is flourishing, creating demand for skilled professionals in the culinary field. Culinary institutes play a crucial role in upskilling aspiring chefs and bakers.

tourism sector is flourishing, creating demand for skilled professionals in the culinary field. Culinary institutes play a crucial role in upskilling aspiring chefs and bakers. Global Collaboration: Partnerships with renowned international institutions like Le Cordon Bleu are enhancing program quality and exposing students to diverse culinary trends and techniques.

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Market Segmentation: A Diverse Palette of Offerings

By Program Type: Course/Awards dominate the market (56%), followed by Diplomas and Workshops. This trend reflects a preference for shorter, specialized skill-building programs.

By Delivery Mode: Offline learning reigns supreme (83%), offering hands-on practical experience. Hybrid and online options are gaining traction, catering to diverse learning styles and schedules.

By Region: Riyadh leads the pack (47%), followed by Jeddah and Dammam . The capital city's larger population and business hub status contribute to its market dominance.

Competitive Landscape: Baking a Brighter Future

Emerging Demand for Diplomas: Growing interest in comprehensive training indicates potential for increased diploma programs.

Short-Term Courses Gain Traction: Demand for commitment-free skill development suggests opportunities for expanding short-course offerings.

Bridging the International Gap: Saudi institutes need to enhance features like faculty diversity, technology integration, and global exposure to match their European counterparts.

Overcoming Cultural Barriers: Addressing societal biases against culinary professions can attract wider participation and talent.

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Recent Developments: Sweetening the Future

Collaborations like Le Cordon Bleu's new institute in Riyadh and Sommet Education's partnership with FHM showcase continued international engagement.

and Sommet Education's partnership with FHM showcase continued international engagement. ZADK Culinary Institute's partnership with Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland highlights the focus on advanced program development.

HTMi Saudi Arabia's dual certificates with Eurhodip and UNWTO demonstrate efforts to enhance international recognition.

Future Outlook: A Delicious Course for Prosperity

Driven by the aforementioned factors, the market is expected to witness a CAGR of 29.9% between 2023 and 2028.

The growing popularity of cloud kitchens and government support for tourism further bolster demand for skilled culinarians.

Embracing international best practices and addressing cultural nuances will be crucial for market players to thrive.

Invest in a Sweet Future: Get Your Copy Today!

Ken Research's comprehensive report offers valuable insights into the Sweet Culinary Institute market in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. To gain a deeper understanding and explore lucrative investment opportunities, contact us today to obtain your copy.

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Taxonomy

Sweet Culinary Institute Market in Riyadh, Jeddah & Dammam

By Type of Programs

Diploma

Course/Awards

Workshops

By Mode of Delivery

Offline

Hybrid

Online

By Type of Region

Riyadh

Jeddah

Dammam

For More Insights On Market Intelligence, Refer To The Link Below: 

Sweet Culinary Institute Market in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam

Related Reports by Ken Research: 

KSA E-Learning Market Outlook to 2026 Driven by Vision 2030's Digital Push, Rising Youth Demographic & Advancing Tech Infrastructure Enhancing Online Education

The market will grow at a CAGR of 10.7% during 2022-2027 due to government initiatives and emerging technologies. Continued government support and investments in digital infrastructure and education under Vision 2030, is expected to propel the growth of e-learning in KSA.

Vietnam Corporate Training Market Outlook to 2028 Driven by Government Initiatives, Global Market Integration, and Technological Advancement across Industries

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According to Ken Research estimates, the Global E-learning market is forecasted to grow at a robust CAGR by 2027. The global e-learning market is estimated to cross the value of USD 500 Bn by 2027. The Global E-learning market has recorded a robust growth over the last few years, offering exciting opportunities for online retailers across various sectors.

Australia Corporate Training Market Outlook to 2027F Segmented by industrial vertical (IT, Telecom, BFSI, FMCG, Automotive, Manufacturing and Healthcare), by deployment (On-Site and Off-Site), by employee designation (managerial, non-managerial and integrated), by mode of learning

According to Ken Research estimates, the Australia Corporate Training Market  which grew from approximately AUD ~ Mn in 2017 to approximately AUD ~ Mn in 2022  is forecasted to grow further into AUD ~ Mn opportunity by 2027F, owing to the new government policies, technological development and investment on digitalization.

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KIEV, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed security cooperation with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, the Ukrainian president's press service reported on Wednesday.

The parties talked about the priority needs of the Ukrainian army, Kiev's plans for the mobilization of new troops, and the supplies of artillery rounds from the European Union to Ukraine.

Zelensky thanked Borrell for the European Union's support for Kiev in the conflict with Russia, emphasizing the need to define Ukraine as a priority export destination for artillery ammunition from the European Union.

"Terminating the export of artillery ammunition to third EU countries is the only possible correct decision in the face of current security challenges," Zelensky said.

For his part, Borrell pledged that the European Union would deliver 1 million artillery rounds to Ukraine by the end of the year.

The European Union's top diplomat also stressed the importance of continued EU financial support for Kiev.

Borrell arrived in the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday for a two-day visit. 
Amid a global mental health crisis, TELUS is exploring new, innovative ways to make mental health support more accessible by partnering with peer support platform TalkLife creating a safe space for people to connect

VANCOUVER, BC and BRISTOL, England, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - UK-based scaleup TalkLife , an innovative global online peer support community for people to talk about their mental health, has secured a capital investment from TELUS Ventures, the investment arm of world-leading communications technology company, TELUS. Using elements of social networking combined with a safe, supportive environment, the TalkLife platform delivers real-time, ongoing peer support to more than five million lives worldwide at any time of the day or night across multiple languages, providing clinical escalation and real-time professional moderation. It specializes in offering tailored support to key demographics including over 250 universities and colleges and hundreds of companies from SMEs to multinationals via their tailored platforms TalkCampus and TalkLife Workplace .

TalkLife is also a valued partner of TELUS Health , a global healthcare leader supporting over 69 million lives worldwide. Integrated into TELUS Health's employee assistance program (EAP), TalkLife plays an important role in supporting one of the largest employer-funded healthcare networks globally. Together, this powerful synergy enables people in both the academic and employer markets to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives.

"No one should struggle alone, and we believe that peer support has the power to break the stigma around mental health. Technology allows us to create safe spaces for people to connect and share whenever they need to and wherever they are," said Jamie Druitt, CEO of TalkLife. "TalkLife is pioneering a new kind of mental health support that's accessible, relevant, and has the research backing to prove that it really works. With the support of TELUS Ventures and TELUS Health, we will be able to power our growth and reach millions more people through both our free app and our specialized platforms for students and employees."

TELUS Ventures' investment in TalkLife will power the company to expand its reach with a focus on building out its presence in the North American market. It will contribute to scale operations, and cement TalkLife's place as the leading peer provider of mental health support globally, helping those who might struggle to access traditional mental health support because of stigma, cost, or availability. TalkLife has partnered with world leading researchers from Harvard, MIT, Microsoft Research, University of Washington and Cornell University as it continues to drive forward understanding of how technology and the internet can foster supportive online engagements for those struggling.

"TELUS Ventures' mission is to find the best companies in the world and help them transform and grow while they tackle some of today's biggest challenges," said Terry Doyle, Managing Partner and Vice-president, TELUS Ventures. "By investing in TalkLife, and through the partnership with TELUS Health, we are leveraging cutting-edge technology to bring people together and break down barriers. We have seen the impact of their product first-hand and we're proud to support them as they develop safe, judgment-free communities all around the world to make mental health support more accessible. This is an investment that aligns with TELUS values of supporting solutions that drive better health outcomes."

About TELUS Ventures

As the strategic investment arm of TELUS Corporation (TSX: T, NYSE: TU), TELUS Ventures is one of Canada's most active corporate venture capital funds. Operating across 30 countries globally, TELUS is a dynamic, world-leading communications technology company that designs, builds and delivers next-generation solutions for global brands across high-growth industry verticals. TELUS Ventures invests globally in companies from Seed to Pre-IPO with a focus on innovative technologies such as AgTech, Digital HealthTech, Consumer Connectivity, IoT, 5G, and Business Enablement Platforms to actively drive new solutions across the TELUS ecosystem. Led by a team of experienced operators, investors and executives, the Ventures team is passionate about creating positive social impact through financial tools and has invested in more than 150 companies since inception. For more information please visit https://www.telus.com/en/ventures .

About TalkLife

TalkLife Ltd builds engaging, relevant and safe online spaces for people around the world to give and get support for their mental health. Harnessing the power of peer support, TalkLife offers instant connection for those who may be feeling isolated or alone combined with professional clinical moderation, real time escalation and world class ML technology.

TalkLife specialises in providing bespoke peer support products for students via TalkCampus and employees via TalkLife Workplace in addition to its free to use public offering.

TalkLife is staffed by a diverse global team of 50, with Head Quarters in Bristol, UK.

For more information please visit: https://www.talklife.com/

Media Contact

Francois Marchand

TELUS Media Relations

[email protected]

Jennifer Russell

TalkLife

[email protected]

SOURCE TELUS Ventures
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Visionaries and celebrated entrepreneurs, The Burns Brothers, are set to make history with the expansion of their exclusive private membership club, HQ, to Nairobi, Kenya this summer. This groundbreaking move signifies a monumental moment as it marks the first-ever ownership of a private membership club by African Americans on the continent, setting a profound precedent for inclusivity in the global business arena.

Since their inception, The Burns Brothers have been trailblazers in culture-focused ventures, boasting an impressive track record of million-dollar successes. HQ, their brainchild, emerged as a beacon of curated experiences tailored for personal and professional growth upon its debut in Washington, DC, last April. With a fusion of networking opportunities, development programs, and culturally enriching events, HQ swiftly evolved into a nexus for creativity, inspiration, and collaborative synergy.

Distinguished luminaries such as Maryland Governor Wes Moore, acclaimed filmmaker Ava DuVernay, gospel sensation Kirk Franklin, actor Omari Hardwick, comedic maestro Chris Tucker, the Daily Show's Roy Wood Jr., actress Kerry Washington, and the legendary DJ D-Nice have graced the halls of HQ DC House, solidifying its reputation as a premier destination for influential individuals.

Now, The Burns Brothers are embarking on a transformative journey to Nairobi, Kenya, in a bold endeavor that transcends borders and fosters global connections. This historic milestone not only represents a remarkable triumph for The Burns Brothers but also stands as a beacon of hope for the African American community, as HQ pioneers as the inaugural private club owned by African Americans on the continent.

John Burns, co-founder of The Burns Brothers, highlights the strategic significance of entering Africa, and Kenya in particular, by stating, "Africa's burgeoning status as a global economic powerhouse, its projection to account for one-quarter of the world's population by 2050, and Kenya's emergence as a promising economic epicenter underscore our decision to spotlight Kenya in HQ's expansion."

The Burns Brothers' entrepreneurial tenacity and dedication to cultivating inclusive spaces for growth have catapulted them to unparalleled success. With the expansion of HQ to Kenya, they are not only charting new territories but also forging profound connections poised to redefine the landscape of business and culture on a global scale.

For more information, visit: theburnsbrothers.com and hq-dc.com.

For media inquiries or further information:

Priscilla Clarke

[email protected]

SOURCE The Burns Brothers, Inc.
VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Thinkific Labs Inc. ("Thinkific") (TSX: THNC), a leading platform for creating, marketing, and selling online learning products, today announced the launch of a new Podcast, "Unique Genius: The Business of Creators". The podcast is crafted to cater to the specific needs and ambitions of creators, offering a unique and inspiring window into the world of creative entrepreneurship.

To view the podcast trailer, please click: Thinkific Introduces New Podcast: "Unique Genius: The Business of Creators" (CNW Group/Thinkific Labs Inc.)

"Unique Genius" is a mentorship forum where accomplished creators engage in candid discussions about the challenges and successes they've encountered on their entrepreneurial journeys. Throughout the series, listeners will gain access to the thoughts and experiences of some of the world's foremost creators, as they openly share their own hard-won insights and wisdom.

In each of the podcast's six first season episodes, expert speakers  which include high-performing entrepreneurs like Jon Youshaei, Ellie Diop, and XayLi Barclay  will explore essential topics for creator educators who are curious about how to build a business at scale. They will delve into key subjects such as defining a strong creator business, the importance of purpose-driven versus data-driven approaches, navigating revenue diversification beyond brand sponsorships, making strategic choices about audience growth, fostering a healthy company culture, and preparing for future growth and liquidity.

"Every time I speak with one of our successful creators they drop these insights that blow me away. This podcast is a way for us to share that knowledge with the wider world of creator educators and help them build their own remarkable businesses," said Greg Smith, Thinkific co-founder and CEO. "With Unique Genius, we've strived to not just provide another business podcast but a valuable resource offering creator educators and entrepreneurs practical insights, thought-provoking discussions, and a wealth of knowledge from some of the most successful creators globally."

Episode one of the Unique Genius podcast, 'How to Build a Viral Creator Business with ex-YouTube Employee John Youshaei' will debut across all popular podcast platforms on February 8, 2024 with a new episode dropping every two weeks.

To view the podcast trailer, please click here

To listen to the podcast, please visit the Spotify showpage here .

About Thinkific

Thinkific (TSX:THNC) makes it simple for Creator Educators and established businesses of any size to scale and generate revenue by teaching what they know. Our Platform gives businesses everything they need to build, market, and sell digital learning products - from courses to communities - and to run their business seamlessly under their own brand, on their own site. Thinkific's 50,000+ active creators earn hundreds of millions of dollars in direct course, membership and community sales while teaching tens of millions of students. Thinkific is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, with a distributed team.

For more information, please visit www.thinkific.com .

This news release includes forward-looking statements and forwardlooking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Often, but not always, forwardlooking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "is expected", "expects", "scheduled", "intends", "contemplates", "anticipates", "believes", "proposes" or variations (including negative and grammatical variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the company's plans to release a podcast series; the anticipated benefits that may be derived by Thinkific's customers to engage, monetize and retain their audience; the potential to enhance Thinkific's profile; the potential to increase adoption of Thinkific's platform and standalone products; and expectations regarding revenue and the revenue generation potential of Thinkific. Such statements and information are based on the current expectations of Thinkific's management, and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Although Thinkific's management believes that the assumptions underlying these statements and information are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forwardlooking statements and information speak only as of the date on which they are made and Thinkific undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forwardlooking statement or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Thinkific Labs Inc.
TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Toffee to Go, a renowned family-owned business specializing in handcrafted toffee, announced today its exciting launch on Amazon . For over 20 years, owners Lisa and Jim Schalk have dedicated themselves to perfecting their toffee recipe, delighting customers with what has been recognized as one of Oprah's Favorite Things. This expansion marks a significant milestone in Toffee to Go's journey, making their delectable treats accessible to over 230 million Amazon customers in the United States.

Toffee to Go Assorted 1lb Classic Gift Box Toffee to Go Brings Joy to Friends

Lisa Schalk, co-founder of Toffee to Go, expressed her enthusiasm about the new venture, "We're thrilled to bring Toffee to Go to Amazon's vast audience. Our hand-batched toffee has been a labor of love for over two decades, and knowing that we can now share it with millions of Amazon users is incredibly exciting. It's a dream come true to see our family's recipe reach new heights and to spread the joy of our toffee to more households than ever before."

Toffee to Go's journey and the passion behind their exceptional toffee was recently spotlighted in a feature by Fox 13 Tampa Bay with Charlie Belcher , showcasing the local success and national acclaim of their business. Additionally, their inspiring story has been captured in an interview with the Tampa Bay Times , highlighting their journey from a neighborhood favorite to one of Oprah's chosen brands. These features underscore the quality and appeal of Toffee to Go's products and the Schalks' dedication to their craft and making people happy.

In addition to their online presence, Toffee to Go also invites customers to visit their retail location, Desserts by Toffee to Go, in Tampa. This beloved spot offers an array of delicious sweets, coffee, and of course, their signature toffee. It has earned a stellar 4.8 rating on Yelp, reflecting the high quality of their sweets and the warm, welcoming experience they provide.

In 2023, Amazon.com reported over 2.72 billion unique monthly visitors This incredible reach provides Toffee to Go with an unprecedented opportunity to share their passion for high-quality toffee.

As Toffee to Go continues to grow and share its delicious toffee with the world, Lisa and Jim Schalk remain committed to the traditions and quality that have made their brand a household name. The launch on Amazon is not just a new chapter in their business story but a testament to their dedication to bringing joy through their exceptional toffee.

To purchase Toffee to Go's handcrafted toffee, visit their Amazon storefront or their website at www.toffeetogo.com .

About Toffee to Go

Founded over 20 years ago by Lisa and Jim Schalk, Toffee to Go has become synonymous with handcrafted, high-quality toffee and the most loved gifts for every occasion. Based in Tampa, Florida, their toffee has gained national recognition, including being selected as one of Oprah's Favorite Things. Toffee to Go remains committed to quality, using only the finest ingredients to create their signature toffee, which is now available to a national audience through Amazon.

Media Contact:

Theo Prodromitis

Out Front Brands

813.906.9910

[email protected]

SOURCE Toffee to Go
DALLAS, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ultravision LED Solutions proudly welcomes Warren Gold as its Chief Operating Officer, signaling a strategic move to position the company among the top LED Display providers in the United States.

Bringing over 15 years of executive operations leadership to the table, Warren Gold is a distinguished professional known for his exceptional ability to drive operational excellence, lead high-performing teams, and achieve remarkable revenue growth. His combat veteran background and diverse experience across industries, including electrical signage, LED manufacturing, and building products, uniquely position him to steer Ultravision LED Solutions to new heights.

Warren's remarkable career includes a pivotal role as Director of Operations at Overhead Door Corporation, Inc., where he orchestrated a large-scale expansion in the self-storage vertical, forged contracts with Fortune 100 companies, and contributed to record-setting growth. His visionary leadership played a key role in operational effectiveness and growth initiatives, making him the ideal candidate to lead Ultravision LED Solutions into a new era of success.

"As our new Chief Operating Officer, Warren Gold is a strategic addition to Ultravision LED Solutions. His proven ability to shape operational strategies, optimize performance metrics, and navigate growth opportunities aligns perfectly with our vision of becoming a top-tier LED Display company in the United States," stated William Hall, CEO of Ultravision LED Solutions.

Warren's extensive background, including roles at Starbucks Coffee Company and military service as an NCO and Combat Medic in the United States Army, further fortifies his capacity to lead Ultravision LED Solutions to industry leadership.

For more information about Ultravision's LED displays, please visit www.ultravisionledsolutions.com or call 214-504-2404.

About Ultravision LED Solutions

Ultravision LED Solutions is a US company that provides the original modular LED display panel. The CEO of Ultravision LED Solutions has over 70 patents on modular LED display panels and LED technology. For over 23 years Ultravision has been the leader of innovative LED display solutions, offering a wide range of products designed to transform spaces and captivate audiences. With a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction, Ultravision delivers cutting-edge visual solutions that redefine the possibilities of LED technology. From outdoor, large format LED displays to indoor, LED video walls, Ultravision continues to push boundaries and set new standards in the industry.

Contact:

Jadie Evans

Ultravision LED Solutions

(214) 504-2404

[email protected]

www.ultravisionledsolutions.com

SOURCE Ultravision LED Solutions
DUBLIN, Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Veterinary Dermatology Drugs Global Market Report 2024" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global veterinary dermatology drugs market is experiencing a robust growth trajectory, according to a comprehensive new study. Industry analysis indicates a projected rise from $7.75 billion in 2023 to $8.67 billion in 2024, advancing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.9%. Underpinning this surge is an interplay of factors including heightened pet healthcare awareness and an uptick in veterinary spending.



Key Market Drivers

The market report delves into the principal forces propelling growth in this niche sector. The pervasiveness of dermatological disorders in animals, evolving patterns in pet care, and innovations in veterinary medication are pivotal elements fueling expansion. The uptick in pet ownershipa result of heightened responsibility towards animal well-beinghas emerged as a primary catalyst in the market's progression.



Geographic Expansion and Future Outlook

With North America maintaining the largest regional share in 2023, the spotlight is now shifting to Asia-Pacific, forecasted to emerge as the fastest-growing region. By 2028, the veterinary dermatology drugs market is anticipated to escalate to $13.42 billion at a CAGR of 11.5%, buoyed by factors such as comprehensive pet insurance uptake and increasing pet healthcare literacy among consumers.



Emerging Trends in Veterinary Dermatology

Technological Innovations: A substantive focus on research and development endeavors has catalyzed the emergence of breakthrough therapies in veterinary dermatology, including personalized treatments and advanced management of allergies.

A substantive focus on research and development endeavors has catalyzed the emergence of breakthrough therapies in veterinary dermatology, including personalized treatments and advanced management of allergies. Telemedicine Integration: Telemedicine's integration in veterinary practices is changing the landscape of dermatological care, offering increased accessibility and convenience for pet owners and their furry companions.

Telemedicine's integration in veterinary practices is changing the landscape of dermatological care, offering increased accessibility and convenience for pet owners and their furry companions. Enzymatic Solutions: Industry leaders are unveiling novel enzymatic products that enhance the well-being of pets, addressing a wide array of feline and canine dermatological conditions without resorting to antibiotics.

Corporate Synergies and Expansion Efforts

Strategic partnerships and acquisitions constitute significant steps undertaken by market players to consolidate their position and diversify their portfolios. Recent industry activity demonstrates an unwavering commitment to fostering innovative solutions to pressing dermatological challenges in veterinary medicine.



Market Segmentation Insights

The study provides a granular examination of market segments based on the nature of veterinary dermatology drugsantifungal, antibacterial, and antiparasitic. These segments cater to a wide array of indications in animals, from parasitic infections to allergic reactions, across multiple distribution channels including retail and online platforms.



Comprehensive Market Analysis

This report illuminates the integral components of the veterinary dermatology drugs market, furnishing a thorough analysis of current patterns and prospective future developments. Industry professionals, stakeholders, and strategists will find this an indispensable resource, offering direction for informed decision-making and strategic planning within the veterinary healthcare ecosystem.



The study affirms the dynamic nature of the veterinary dermatology drugs market, underlined by innovative treatments, strategic corporate maneuvers, and a robust growth trajectory, presenting a promising horizon for entities invested in animal welfare and veterinary healthcare.

Key Markets Covered:

By Product Type: Antifungal Drugs; Antibacterial Drugs; Antiparasitic Drugs

By Animal Type: Companion Animal; Livestock Animal

By Drug Indication: Parasitic Infections; Allergic Infections; Other Indications

By Route of Administration: Topical; Injectable; Oral

By Distribution Channel: Retail; Hospital Pharmacies; Online

Companies Profiled

Elanco Animal Health Inc.

Merk & Co. Inc.

Zoetis Inc.

Vetoquinol SA

Ceva Sante Animale

Virbac S.A.

Bioiberica S.A.U.

Bimeda Inc.

Indian Immunologicals Ltd.

Vivaldis Health and Fodds Pvt Ltd.

IDEXX Laboratories Inc.

Eli Lilly and Company

SavaVet

Toray Industries Inc.

AB Science

Merial

Vetmedica

Mars Incorporated

Leti Pharma

Bioiberica S.A.U

Kindred Biosciences

Bayer Animal Health

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica

Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC

Norbrook Laboratories Limited

Kyoritsu Seiyaku Corporation

Veterinary Centers of America Inc.

Heska Corporation

Biogenesis Bago

Nexvet

Aratana Therapeutics

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/nsfg2j

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

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SOURCE Research and Markets
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading travel publisher Matador Network recently released Water & Solitude: The Story of a Tongan Whale Guide , a documentary short that tells the story of Henry Pott, a whale watching guide from Vava'u, Tonga, who spent a year and a half in near isolation at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"During COVID I had to do everything on my own," Henry says in the documentary. "I couldn't go to town to get food or anything. I did a lot of spearfishing. I was just trying to survive."

Matador Network Whale Watching Guide Stranded on a Tongan Island for Over a Year Featured in New Matador Network Documentary

Available through Matador Network's website, YouTube and various distribution partners, the documentary features Henry telling his story against a backdrop of idyllic vistas and scenes from his life on the island, swimming with humpback whales, spearfishing and preparing a meal over an open fire on the beach. The documentary also explores the relationship between Henry and the water that provides him with sustenance and his family with their livelihood.

"We're lucky Henry shared his story with us," says Matador Network CEO Ross Borden. "The kind of isolation he experienced early in the pandemic is hard to imagine. His ability to survive on this beautiful island is a testament to both his strength as a survivalist and the harmony he's developed growing up among the wild and unspoiled nature of Tonga."

The origins of the film come from before the pandemic when Borden and Matador creative director Scott Sporleder traveled to Tonga to film a documentary on the sustainability of the whale watching industry there. It was while shooting that film, Faka'apa'apa , that they met the Pott family and learned of their whale watching business. They kept in touch with the family and, after the pandemic, returned with filmmaker Davis Huber. That is when they first heard Henry's story.

"Henry is one of three brothers, but the other brothers were in Australia during COVID," says Sporleder. "His mother is from a nearby village and he was able to build a dugout canoe to go see her, but essentially he was living out there by himself."

The documentary was filmed over the course of a week, on the island and underwater as Henry engaged in the same activities he once did in isolation.

"I think there is a message of conservation and caring and protecting the places that you love," Huber says. "Henry relied solely on his environment that entire time."

Henry's isolation ended in 2022, but it wasn't until 2023, following the devastating underwater eruption of the nearby Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai volcano, that Tonga reopened its borders and again allowed whale watching tours. Whale watching is a critical industry in the Vava'u islands, a breeding ground for humpback whales migrating from Antarctica. According to the International Whaling Commission, few of the country's whale watching vessels are Tongan owned.

"Taking people out, every day is a different day," Henry says in the documentary. "For me, that's my favorite thing to do. I don't know what kind of job can be better than that."

Watch Water & Solitude: The Story of a Tongan Whale Guide here .

About Matador Network

Matador Network is the world's No. 1 media brand for modern adventurers and creator of the personal AI travel assistant GuideGeek . With more than 16 million followers across social media, Matador has become a leading travel brand through its production of article features, city guides, creator-first content and original videos. Matador is the top-ranking travel brand on TikTok and its videos are viewed more than 140 million times per month. It has content distribution deals with American Airlines, Hearst Media and Gas Station TV, and works with brands like Ford, REI, Samsung, YETI, Southwest Airlines, Visit California and Microsoft. matadornetwork.com

Media Contact:

Jason Simms

860-526-1555

[email protected]

SOURCE Matador Network
Two-story restaurant on The Las Vegas Strip to be co-located with Parry's Pizzeria & Taphouse

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Whataburger is excited to announce the opening of a new landmark location on the iconic Las Vegas Strip, just in time for fans to enjoy the Big Game over a juicy burger. Ready to serve guests with "Goodness 24/7," the Whataburger at 3752 S. Las Vegas Blvd. will mark the brand's westernmost location to date, and entry to its 15th state.

Whataburger's Las Vegas Location on The Strip Opens in Time for Big Game Weekend Post this Whataburger Las Vegas

Situated adjoining the Waldorf Astoria, and in partnership with franchisee Panda Restaurant Group, the two-story restaurant will be co-located with Parry's Pizzeria & Taphouse. Whataburger Las Vegas will offer the brand's legendary Whataburgers, Breakfast On A Bun, Dr Pepper Shakes and even a special Vegas Whataburger! The highly anticipated location will be open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner from an expansive menu designed to fuel the non-stop energy of the Las Vegas Strip.

Parry's Pizzeria & Taphouse in Las Vegas will bring massive NY-style slices, 14 unique signature pies, fresh, never-frozen chicken wings, stromboli, cocktails and last but not least, 120 beers on draft, with a focus on craft offerings.

"As the city that never sleeps, and a brand that is open 24/7, it only made sense to bring a Whataburger to the Strip. Whether you're craving a double-meat Whataburger with jalapenos or a savory Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit, Whataburger has your back with breakfast, lunch and dinner," said Whataburger President and CEO, Ed Nelson. "We're excited for both locals and visitors to sink their teeth into a fresh new option and find ways to customize their Whataburgers 'just the way they like it.'"

"We are proud to be partnering with such a beloved restaurant brand, Whataburger, marrying our shared commitment to best-in-class operations and delicious, quality menu offerings. Our entire team is grateful to serve the Las Vegas community by providing new jobs and supporting local organizations," said Brandon Strickland, Director of Operation for Panda Restaurant Group.

Whataburger and Parry's Pizzeria & Taphouse collectively will employ over 300 local workers.

About Whataburger

Whataburger serves up Goodness 24/7. Our original recipes are made to order, just like you like it, and we pride ourselves on extraordinary hospitality and meaningful connections in our communities. That's what's led fans to Whataburger since Harmon Dobson served our first customer in 1950. Headquartered in San Antonio, we've stayed close to our roots while building sales of more than $3 billion annually across our 15-state footprint and more than 1,000 restaurants. Even with our exceptional menu, we know that people make the difference at Whataburger. That's why we're among QSR Magazine's Best Brands to Work For in 2023 and consistently win culture excellence awards, including Top Workplaces 2023. Want to become part of our orange spirit? Apply to become a Family Member (what we call our employees) at whataburger.com/careers . Just hungry for a great meal? Download our app on ios or android to order ahead. Shop Whataburger branded merchandise and selected sauces including our famous Fancy and Spicy Ketchup at WhataStore.com and find Whataburger original-recipe products in grocery stores . See our press kit for a list of locations, fun facts, milestones and other company information.

Whataburger Las Vegas: Eric Gladstone [email protected] (323) 806-2660

Whataburger HQ: [email protected]

SOURCE Whataburger Inc
HOUSTON, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Zeta Energy Corp. was awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's Vehicles Technology Office (VTO) for a $4 million project to advance and commercialize its high-capacity lithium-sulfur battery technology. The VTO program was created to accelerate the development of innovative, equitable and clean mobility solutions that extend electric vehicle (EV) range while alleviating supply chain concerns for EV batteries. One of the program's specific objectives is to further the development of long cycle life, high-energy density lithium sulfur batteries.

Zeta Energy has developed a sulfurized carbon material that leverages the high energy density of sulfur, while preventing the "polysulfide shuttle" effect. Sulfur has long been of interest for batteries because its theoretical energy density is many times higher than that of traditional lithium-ion battery materials. Sulfur is also inexpensive and widely abundant, unlike most other materials typically found in the battery supply chain. Zeta Energy's lithium-sulfur batteries use no cobalt, manganese, nickel or graphite, and can be produced wholly with domestic materials. Lithium-sulfur batteries also have a significantly smaller CO2 footprint than other batteries and are less vulnerable to thermal runaway.

Despite these advantages of lithium-sulfur batteries, previous efforts to commercialize lithium-sulfur batteries were hindered by the "polysulfide shuttle effect" whereby sulfur leaches into the electrolyte, rapidly degrading the performance of the battery. Zeta Energy's sulfurized carbon technology effectively binds the sulfur during battery operation, preventing the polysulfide shuttle effect and enabling sulfur-based batteries to achieve more than one thousand cycles. Though Zeta Energy also has a proprietary 3D structured metallic lithium anode that further increases the performance, longevity and economy of its batteries, this project will demonstrate the use of Zeta Energy's sulfurized carbon cathode with a range of anodes that are already commercially available.

As stated by Tom Pilette, CEO of Zeta Energy, "We are honored and grateful to be working with the Department of Energy on this project to improve EV battery performance. Lithium-sulfur is a technology whose time has come  it will bring a step change in the performance, weight, cost, and environmental sustainability of batteries and the products that use them. This project will allow us to show how lithium-sulfur batteries can transform the EV industry and U.S. manufacturing competitiveness."

About Zeta Energy

Zeta Energy is a US-based privately held company focused on developing and commercializing high-performance, safe, rechargeable batteries that are lower cost and sustainably manufactured. Zeta Energy's batteries eliminate the use of critical materials such as graphite, cobalt, manganese and nickel. Zeta has an extensive patent portfolio, with over sixty patents and applications. Zeta has won prestigious awards for its proprietary carbon nanotube anode and sulfur cathode technology, including awards from ARPA-E and the World Materials Forum. The Company may from time to time disclose public material events via its website at http://www.ZetaEnergy.com or its social media accounts at the following locations:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/zetaenergy

X (formerly known as Twitter): www.twitter.com/ZetaEnergy

SOURCE Zeta Energy
Smoke rises during clashes in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm, on Feb. 7, 2024. Two Palestinians were killed Wednesday by Israeli forces in Tulkarm, said the Palestinian Health Ministry in a statement. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Two Palestinians were killed Wednesday by Israeli forces in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm, said the Palestinian Health Ministry in a statement.

The statement did not provide further details, but Palestinian security sources said Israeli forces raided the Nour Shams refugee camp in the city and exchanged fire with Palestinian gunmen, followed by the entry of large reinforcements into the camp.

The sources told Xinhua that the Israeli forces surrounded a house where several Palestinians were holed up, bombed it, and demolished parts of it with a bulldozer.

Clashes broke out between Palestinian gunmen and Israeli soldiers surrounding the house, and sounds of heavy gunfire were heard throughout the area, according to eyewitnesses.

Israeli Radio reported that the Israeli army forces carried out an operation to thwart terrorist activities in the camp, adding they arrested wanted persons and killed two near a building. 

Smoke rises during clashes in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm, on Feb. 7, 2024. Two Palestinians were killed Wednesday by Israeli forces in Tulkarm, said the Palestinian Health Ministry in a statement. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

People inspect a building damaged in clashes in the city of Tulkarm, northern West Bank, on Feb. 8, 2024. Two Palestinians were killed Wednesday by Israeli forces in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm, said the Palestinian Health Ministry in a statement. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Children walk among the rubble of a building damaged in clashes in the city of Tulkarm, northern West Bank, on Feb. 8, 2024. Two Palestinians were killed Wednesday by Israeli forces in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm, said the Palestinian Health Ministry in a statement. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

A man inspects a building damaged in clashes in the city of Tulkarm, northern West Bank, on Feb. 8, 2024. Two Palestinians were killed Wednesday by Israeli forces in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm, said the Palestinian Health Ministry in a statement. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

People inspect a building damaged in clashes in the city of Tulkarm, northern West Bank, on Feb. 8, 2024. Two Palestinians were killed Wednesday by Israeli forces in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm, said the Palestinian Health Ministry in a statement. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday began to hear former President Donald Trump's eligibility case, with the decision poised to set guidelines nationwide.

Early January, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to take up whether Trump can be disqualified from appearing on Colorado's primary ballot after a ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court removed him from the state's 2024 presidential primary ballot, citing the Constitution's insurrection clause.

Highlighting his recent victories in the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries, the former president's lawyers cautioned the justices about the ramifications of disqualifying Trump, asserting that it would lead to disorder and confusion. 
TEHRAN, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday stressed that his country would never leave the negotiation table and is insistent on its right to develop nuclear technology for "peaceful" purposes.

Raisi made the remarks at a ceremony attended by foreign ambassadors in the Iranian capital of Tehran to mark the 45th anniversary of the victory of the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution, which falls on Feb. 11, according to a statement published on the website of his office.

Raisi noted that Iran had always been ready for the verification of the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities, adding that Iranian people have an "inalienable" right to use peaceful nuclear energy in areas including medicine, industry, and agriculture.

The Iranian president said the International Atomic Energy Agency had 15 times in its reports confirmed that there had been "no deviation" in Iran's nuclear activities.

He said the West, by imposing sanctions, failed to prevent Tehran from working toward its objectives, and the U.S. "maximum pressure" on the country had ended in "abject failure."

Iran signed a nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear program in return for the removal of sanctions on the country. The United States, however, pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments under the deal.

The talks on the revival of the JCPOA began in April 2021 in Vienna, Austria. Despite several rounds of talks, no significant breakthrough has been achieved since the end of the last round in August 2022. 
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





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Riyadh, Feb 8 : Saudi Arabia said it has told the US administration that the kingdom won't have diplomatic relations with Israel unless the latter stops its "aggressions" in the Gaza Strip and an independent Palestinian state is established.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry made the remarks in a statement on Wednesday refuting the White House's saying that both Israel and Saudi Arabia gave "positive feedback" on normalising relations, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Ministry affirmed the kingdom's unwavering support for the Palestinian issue and the necessity that Palestinian people obtain their legitimate rights.

There will be no diplomatic ties with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is recognised on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and all Israeli occupation forces withdraw from Gaza, it noted.

In an online press briefing on Tuesday, a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Saudi Arabia, US National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby said the US government had been engaging in discussions with Israel and Saudi Arabia on "normalisation arrangement," before and after the current Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on October 7, 2023.

Kirby added, "Those discussions are ongoing as well," confirming "positive feedback from both sides that they're willing to continue to have those discussions".
Lucknow, Feb 8 : The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has asked for the details of convicts and undertrial prisoners lodged in the Lucknow jail.

The bench of Justice A.R. Masoodi and Justice B.R. Singh also sought to know the number of male and female prisoners, as well as that of children living with women in the prison.

The bench passed the order on a PIL registered in 1998, based on a letter sent by a prisoner, I.H. Khan.

Hearing the petition, the bench also sought to know the mechanism of providing food to the jail inmates.

It further inquired from the state whether it had any policy to support the dependents of these prisoners.

The bench summoned a jail department official to apprise it of the details sought and fixed the next hearing on February 28.
Washington, Feb 8 : The US military has launched a strike in Iraq and killed a commander of Kataib Hezbollah, a militia group the Joe Biden administration said was linked to the deadly attack on US forces in Jordan in late January.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Wednesday in a post on its X account that its forces conducted a unilateral strike at 9:30 p.m. Baghdad Time, killing a Kataib Hezbollah commander "responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on US forces in the region".

CENTCOM added that the strike caused no collateral damage or civilian casualties, and that "the US will continue to take necessary action to protect our people".

The strike was part of ongoing US retaliation to a drone attack on a US military base in Jordan on January 28, in which three US soldiers were killed and more than 40 others were injured, Xinhua news agency reported.

The White House assessed that an Iran-backed umbrella group known as Islamic Resistance in Iraq -- of which Kataib Hezbollah is a part -- carried out the attack on US forces.
United Nations, Feb 8 : Setting out his priorities for the year, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reiterated his call to reform the Security Council to make it more representative in a multi-polar world that "is entering an age of chaos".

Outlining the failures of the UN's highest decision-making body, he said on Wednesday, "Indeed our world badly needs: Reform of the Security Council."

In the New Agenda for Peace that he proposed for dealing with the challenges, "first and foremost, the United Nations Security Council must be able to take decisions and implement them, and it must become more representative," he said in his address to the General Assembly on his priorities for the year.

In particular, he said that "it is totally unacceptable that the African continent is still waiting for a permanent seat" -- a continent where most of the Council's edicts on peace-keeping are focused.

Guterres introduced last year the New Agenda for Peace with five major points to deal with problems of peace and development.

In his critique of the Council, the UN Chief said, "The primary platform for questions of global peace is deadlocked by geopolitical fissures."

This is the "worst" it has been and "today's dysfunction is deeper and more dangerous," he warned.

In overhauling the Council, its "working methods must also be updated so that it can make progress -- even when members are sharply divided," he said.

In one to the efforts in this direction, France, a permanent member of the Council, and Mexico have proposed that the permanent members voluntarily not use their vetoes in cases of genocide, crimes against humanity and large-scale war crimes.

Mechanisms that were used to manage superpower relations during the Cold War are missing now, "and so our world is entering an age of chaos" creating "a dangerous and unpredictable 'free-for-all' with total impunity," Guterres warned.

The polarised Council riven by rival vetoes of the permanent members from the East and the West, has been deadlocked on dealing with the many crises like the Ukraine War, the Hamas-Israel conflict and the Red Sea terrorism.

On a more positive note, he said that he sees "a truly dynamic effort to build a more effective, inclusive and renewed multilateralism tuned to the 21st century and our increasingly multipolar world".

Guterres also called for reforming the international financial system.

In a tour of the troubled horizon, he pointed to the conflicts in the Red Sea, Gaza, Ukraine, and numerous spots in Africa, the dictatorship in Myanmar, the "lawlessness" in Haiti, the ethnic tensions in the Balkans, the climate crisis and the backsliding in moving towards the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

He suggested solutions to these multifarious problems and appealed for international cooperation.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
New York, Feb 8 : The death of a 23-year-old Indian-American Purdue University student Sameer Kamath in Indiana has been ruled a suicide, according to a release from a US county coroner's office.

Sameer Kamath, whose body was found at Crow's Grove Nature Preserve in Williamsport, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, Warren County Coroner Justin Brummett said, citing preliminary autopsy reports.

A forensic pathologist's autopsy was performed on Kamath's body on February 6 afternoon in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

"Through extensive investigation by the Warren County Coroner's Office in conjunction with multiple other local and federal agencies, we are now able to release a preliminary cause and manner of death," the release said.

Kamath, a US citizen according to the coroner's office, was a doctorate student in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Purdue University, Indiana-based Journal & Courier reported, citing the Coroner's Office.

He graduated from the department in August 2023 with a Master's degree in mechanical engineering.

The Warren County Sheriff's Office earlier said there is no threat to the public and that the incident is being investigated by them.

Brummett expressed his 'deepest sympathies' and said that the family had been informed about Kamath's death.

"Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family and we hope they are respected during such a difficult time," Brummett said.

With Kamath's death, five Indian students have died in quick succession in the US since the start of this year, including Shreyas Reddy Benigeri in Cincinnati and Neel Acharya in Indiana.

Acharya, 19, was also a Purdue University student who was found dead outside a building on the campus after he went missing late last month.

The Tippecanoe County Coroner's Office said no signs of trauma or significant injuries were found during the autopsy of Acharya, a US citizen.
Lucknow, Feb 8 : Former Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Manoj Pandey has filed an FIR at the Cantt police station against the manager of the insurance arm of a nationalised bank on charges of duping him of several lakhs of rupees in the name of life insurance policy.

An FIR was registered against Ramakant Pandey, manager, PNB Metlife India Insurance under various charges, including 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach), 467 (forging documents), 468 (forgery), and 471 (dishonesty).

Manoj Pandey in his complaint said that in 2019, a man who claimed to be the manager of the PNB Metlife India Insurance approached him at his Dilkusha house and explained to him about a life insurance scheme.

"He told me that by depositing an installment of approximately Rs 10 lakh per year, I will get a return of Rs 39 lakh 20 thousand after three years along with a bonus of Rs 5.37 lakh. A total of Rs 44,57,554 lakh will be returned to me. Also, if I want to withdraw my money, I will get the same amount back. He also said that if I withdraw the money after four years, I will get a total bonus of Rs 63.23 lakh," said the complainant.

He further said, "When my CA asked for scheme details for better understanding, he sent the details through an email. On payment of the first installment of Rs 10 lakhs, I received two bonds which I sent to my CA to match the scheme details which were found to be different from the scheme discussed with the manager."

"When contacted, the said manager assured me in writing that I will get the plan (benefit) as discussed earlier. On his assurance, I paid the second installment of Rs 9,78,469 and the third installment of Rs 9,78,470," he said.

The complainant said he gave all three installments to the manager through a bank cheque.

"The fourth installment of Rs 9,78,470 was given to the said manager in the year 2022, but the amount of the fourth installment was returned to my account by PNB company after some time.

"When I informed the said manager about this, he said that amount was returned due to delay in depositing the fourth installment. Now the installment would be deposited only after the medical examination of the policyholder," he said.

"In this sequence, the said manager came with a man who he claimed to be a medical expert to my legislative Assembly secretariat room and examined me in the presence of my PRO, PSO and two MLAs. Later, I gave him the fourth installment through a bank draft, but even after four months of giving the draft, I have not received the receipt despite approaching the said manager several times," said the former minister in his FIR.

He said that when he went to the office of PNB Met Life, the officer there informed him that the fourth installment is not showing in the records and that the company has cancelled the policy citing health reasons.

"The said manager cheated and betrayed me through forged documents," said the former minister in his FIR.
India partners with Russia as it sees US as weak, doesn't trust it to lead: Haley. Image Source: IANS News

Washington, Feb 8 : Asserting that India has always played it smart, Indian-American Republican Presidential hopeful Nikki Haley said that the country partners with Russia as it doesn't trust the US to win and lead.

In an interview with Charles Payne of Fox Business News, the 51-year-old former UN ambassador said that she has "dealt" with India and spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"India wants to be a partner with us. They don't want to be a partner with Russia. The problem is India doesn't trust us to win. They don't trust us to lead. They see right now that we're weak," Haley said, responding to a volley of questions on the US "letting" India buy cheap oil from Russia.

Despite efforts by Ukraine and its allies to persuade countries around the world to distance themselves from Russia, India's oil purchases from the Central Asian nation rose sharply.

While Western nations cut Russian oil imports at the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, a White House official said that every sovereign country, including India, has the right to buy oil or lubricants from any country.

"India has always played it smart. They play it smart and they stay close with Russia because that's where they get a lot of their military equipment," Haley said, adding that the US needs to "get the weakness out".

The two-time former South Carolina governor said things will get better when the US "acknowledges" that it has a problem.

"We need to start building up our alliances. You have to first acknowledge you have a problem," she said.

"When we start to lead again, when we start to get the weakness out and stop putting our head in the sand, that's when our friends, India, Australia, New Zealand, all of them will -- and Israel, Japan, South Korea -- all of them want to do that."

Citing examples of India and Japan, Haley said the countries gave themselves a billion-dollar stimulus to become less dependent on China.
Lucknow, Feb 8 : Samajwadi Party MLAs will visit Ram temple in Ayodhya later this month and arrangements for the same will be made by their party.

The SP MLAs will not accompany their counterparts who are scheduled to visit Ayodhya on Sunday, led by Speaker Satish Mahana.

"There is no point in going to Ayodhya for Ram Lalla's Darshan on Feb 11. We had expressed our desire to attend the Jan 22 ceremony of Ram Lalla, but our party president Akhilesh Yadav was not given the invite in time. We will now urge the leader of opposition (Akhilesh) to make separate arrangements for us to visit the temple," said senior SP leader Shivpal Yadav.

Akhilesh Yadav, meanwhile, said: "I have said it earlier as well. I will go with my entire family as a common pilgrim. I will go when I will get a call from Lord Shri Ram."
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the UN General Assembly with a list of priority areas for action at the UN headquarters in New York on Feb. 7, 2024. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Globally, peace remains the absent element amid escalating conflicts, widening divides, and intensifying polarization, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday.

Addressing the UN General Assembly with a list of priority areas for action, the UN chief underscored that the UN was founded on the pursuit of peace.

"Peace is our raison d'etre. Yet, as I scan the landscape of today's world, the one thing missing most dramatically is peace," he said.

From the conflict in Gaza to the war on the environment and in combating toxic disinformation and hate speech to forging sustainable, inclusive practices, peace is the thread that weaves through the world's common fabric, he emphasized.

"Peace is the way out of these interlinked crises; it is a rally cry... and a call to action," he added, outlining a path forward to meet shared goals that, despite the turbulent times, offers reasons for hope.

The UN chief emphasized that civilians are the primary victims of global crises, experiencing the impacts of increased terrorism in the Sahel, conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine, the presence of armed factions in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the devastation caused by gangs in Haiti.

Urging a global push for peace, he specifically addressed the crisis in Gaza, terming it a "festering wound on our collective conscience."

He called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, condemning the brutal Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas and other militant groups on Israeli civilians, while stressing the need for a two-state solution.

Guterres asserted that if all countries fulfilled their obligations under the UN Charter, every person's right to a life of peace and dignity would be guaranteed.

He also pointed to a "deadlocked" Security Council. He described the current dysfunction as deeper and more dangerous, signaling the world's entry into "an age of chaos."

"We are seeing the results: a dangerous and unpredictable free-for-all with total impunity," he continued, warning of risks ranging from stealthier nuclear weapons to new domains of conflict and weapons.

To address the complexities of today's multipolar world, the UN chief underlined the need to strengthen and renew global peace and security frameworks.

He recalled the New Agenda for Peace, which he launched in mid-2023, advocating for Security Council reform, a recommitment to eliminating nuclear weapons, intensified conflict prevention efforts and measures to mitigate the impact of geopolitical competition on global trade rules, supply chains, currencies and the internet.

The UN chief also voiced concern about rising hate speech, discrimination, extremism and human rights abuses globally.

He called for a renewed social contract based on trust, justice and inclusion, anchored in human rights, including his Call to Action for Human Rights and a forthcoming code of conduct for information integrity.

Addressing the impact of new technologies, he also noted the work of the Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence, which reflects the central convening role of the organization, bringing together governments, private companies, academia and civil society.

Guterres highlighted the interdependence of peace and sustainable, inclusive development and emphasized that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is crucial for building peace and prosperity.

To keep the promise of the SDGs, he called for progress in two crucial areas: the SDG Stimulus of 500 billion U.S. dollars annually in affordable long-term finance for developing countries and reform of the international financial architecture to respond to the needs of all countries.

He also stressed that the climate crisis remains the world's most pressing challenge.

He noted the inevitable decline of the fossil fuel era and the unstoppable renewable energy revolution. Urging action this year to prevent a climate catastrophe, he called for tripling global renewable energy capacity, doubling energy efficiency by 2030 and exploring innovative sources of climate finance.

Peace, the secretary-general concluded, remains the most essential human endeavor, capable of achieving wonders that wars never will.

He urged a collective commitment to this obligation for present and future generations, affirming his unwavering dedication to pushing for peace. 
London, Feb 8 : Premier League club Brentford have condemned the 'vile harassment' of Ivan Toney after the striker received racist abuse via Instagram.

Toney has previously received Aracist comments on Instagram posts and Brentford have called for decisive action and criminal prosecutions.

"We are angered and frustrated to report that Ivan Toney has been subjected to racist abuse on Instagram once more," the club said in a statement. "We have initiated investigations into this vile harassment which we condemn in the strongest terms."

Last March, an individual received a three-year stadium ban for engaging in abusive behavior towards Toney on social media. Nonetheless, Brentford contends that insufficient action has been taken to penalise the offender.

"Sadly, this isnat the first time Ivan has had to deal with this. A similar incident occurred just four weeks ago, leading us to identify an alleged perpetrator whom we reported to the authorities. To date, we have yet to see any action taken against that individual.

"In general, the response from social media platforms to these ongoing issues has been underwhelming. Their solutions, such as filters to simply hide the abuse may safeguard the players, but miss the mark entirely and do not discourage the offenders. Without real consequences for those responsible, the cycle is doomed to repeat," it added.

However, Brentford did express their belief that there that things can improve to ensure better conditions for players in the future.

"We do have faith that things can change. We appreciate the dialogue that we have with the likes of Meta but we call for more decisive and urgent action to combat online hate. We call for prompt investigations, and importantly, we call for criminal prosecutions,' the statement further read.
Kolkata, Feb 8 : Trinamool Congress leader Shankar Adhya, who was arrested by ED last month in connection with the ration distribution case in West Bengal, has accused the central agency sleuths of intimidation.

Adhya, through the superintendent of Presidency Central Correctional Home in Kolkata where he is housed now, has sent a letter to a special court in the city accusing the ED officials of putting pressure on him to give statements as directed by the central agency sleuths.

In the letter to the court, the arrested Trinamool Congress leader has also accused the ED sleuths of forcefully getting his signature on some papers. The court has directed that a copy of the letter be served to ED as well so that the matter can be heard in the next hearing.

It is learnt that the Adhya has personally drafted the letter and forwarded it to the special court through the office of the correctional home superintendent. Till the time the report was filed there was no reaction from ED on this count. In the letter he has also mentioned about the mental pressure he is going through because of these developments.

However, sources said the ED sleuths will consult the legal brains only after they receive the copy of the letter.

To recall, last year expelled youth Trinamool Congress leader Kuntal Ghosh, who is currently in judicial custody because of his alleged links with the multi-crore cash-for-school job case, raised similar allegations against the ED sleuths.

Ghosh then accused the ED sleuths of putting pressure on him to name the Trinamool Congress general secretary and the party Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee in the school job case. His comments created major political and legal complications and the matter even reached the Supreme Court.
New Delhi, Feb 8 : In view of a protest call given by the farmers, the Delhi Police on Thursday beefed up the security in the national capital, including the border areas, an official said.

"Heavy traffic is expected on the routes connected to Soniya Vihar, DND, Chilla, Gazipur, Sabhapur, Apsara & Loni borders on February 8," the Delhi Traffic Police said in a tweet on X.

Another official said that other than deployment of paramilitary forces, the pickets, and barricades have been installed on the Delhi-Haryana and Delhi-Uttar Pradesh borders.

Ahead of the protest demonstrations by farmers in Noida and Greater Noida, the Gautam Buddha Nagar Police imposed CrPC section 144 since Wednesday.

The police also issued a traffic advisory, cautioning commuters against diversions on some routes in the twin cities in view of farmers' movement on tractors.

A traffic advisory was issued by the police, advising commuters to be aware of route diversions in the twin cities due to the farmers' movement on tractors.

Farmers groups have been on protest since December 2023. They are demanding hiked compensation for land acquired by the local development authorities.
Adarsh Gourav: Starting work on project envisioned by legend like Ridley Scott is very exciting. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, Feb 9 : Acclaimed actor Adarsh Gourav is in Thailand, has commenced shooting for the highly anticipated TV series 'Aliens'. He feels excited to work on a project envisioned and backed by filmmaker Ridley Scott.

Adarsh Gourav was seen indulging in the vibrant local cuisine and forging bonds with his fellow actors from the hit franchise.

Adarsh told IANS: "Starting work on a project envisioned and backed by the legend like Ridley Scott is very exciting. There's a palpable energy amongst the team here and we are all looking forward to getting back together after a brief schedule we had in 2023."

"Going to be here for a few months to work and complete the show. Aliens is a beloved franchise and can't wait to bring this prequel to the world."

Joining Adarsh Gourav in this exhilarating journey are co-stars Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Samuel Blenkin, and Essie Davis, who collectively promise to deliver a captivating viewing experience.

'Aliens' is poised to redefine the sci-fi genre and offer viewers an immersive and unforgettable cinematic experience.

Adarsh added: "I am thrilled to be part of 'Aliens' and embark on this exciting journey with such a talented cast and crew. The opportunity to work alongside renowned creators like Noah Hawley and Ridley Scott is truly humbling, and I look forward to bringing this gripping narrative to life.

"I'm excited to shoot for the project after a brief schedule we had last year. There's a great energy amongst the team and the cast and we can't wait to put all the energy into making the series as iconic as the franchise is."
Bengaluru, Feb 8 : Karnataka BJP has demanded the resignation of Minister for Power, K.J. George, in connection with the electrocution case in which mother-daughter were burnt alive in a public place in Bengaluru.

Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka said on Thursday that Minister George had irresponsibly stated that 'rat menace' was responsible for the death of the mother and daughter due to electrocution.

"There is no value for the life of a common man under the Congress government. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should take the resignation of Minister George and initiate action against the officers who are found guilty," he demanded.

Soundarya, 23, and her nine-month-old baby, Suvikasha, were burnt alive after stepping on a snapped electric wire while walking on the footpath near Hope Farm Junction on Whitefield Main Road, located 100 meters from the Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) office on November 19.

There was huge outrage over the incident demanding stringent action against the negligent Bescom officers.

Authorities had initially taken the officers into custody and claimed that they were arrested. It was alleged that even an hour after the tragedy, the authorities had not arrived at the scene. It was also alleged that the wire had snapped on the pavement on a night before the incident day.

Soundarya was returning home in Bengaluru with her 9-month-old daughter and husband Santhosh Kumar after celebrating Diwali in Tamil Nadu. She stepped on the snapped 11 kV electric wire on the pavement, causing both her and her baby to burn alive. Even as Santhosh tried to save them, he also received an electric shock and fell unconscious. Later, he said that instead of helping, the public was busy recording the tragedy on their mobile phones.

The government had announced Rs 5 lakh compensation to the family.
Toronto, Feb 8 : Canadian police have arrested three men and two women of Punjab origin and laid almost two dozen charges in connection with extortion threats targeting the South Asian business community in the Greater Toronto Area.

Gagan Ajit Singh, 23, Anmoldeep Singh, 23, Hashmeet Kaur, 25, and Lymanjot Kaur, 21 -- all from Brampton and Mississauga -- face a laundry list of charges, which include extortion, firearms-related offences, and fraud.

The fifth suspect, Arundeep Thind, 39, has been charged separately in connection with an alleged extortion incident on January 26, the Peel Regional Police (PRP) said in a statement released on Wednesday.

Gagan Ajit and Anmoldeep were held for bail hearings and attended the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton, police said.

While Iymanjot and Hashmeet will attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a later date, Thind was held for a bail hearing and attended the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton, the PRP release said.

"We understand the impact these incidents have caused to the victims and their families, and see how deeply these incidents are being felt throughout our community," PRP chief Nishan Duraiappah said in a statement.

Duraiappah, who also addressed a news conference on Wednesday announcing the arrests, added that police agencies in India as well as Canada have been contacted as "there's a complex ecosystem of people involved", in these crimes.

The PRP said its 23-member Extortion Investigative Task Force (EITF), with the support of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), executed a search warrant resulting in the arrests concerning incidents that occurred throughout the GTA since December 2023.

"These incidents included mischief to property, threats, and firearms-related offences," a PRP statement read.

"We took immediate steps in mobilising the Extortion Investigative Task Force. With the help of our community, we have made arrests and will continue to hold accountable those responsible," Duraiappah said in a statement.

EITF's lead superintendent Shelley Thompson said 29 cases are currently under investigation and of these, nine incidents have involved shootings at local businesses, with multiple bullets being fired, the CP24 news channel reported.

Thompson said the businesses being targeted are South Asian-owned and include restaurants, bakeries, trucking and transport companies, independent used car dealerships, and jewellery stores.

Speaking about their modus operandi, Thompson said the victims are contacted via phone or social media and threatened to pay in cash or transfer money -- either in Indian or Canadian currency.

Police believe that a lot of these incidents are underreported due to victims' fear of the suspects.

"We believe that there could be more residents and businesses who may have been contacted. I urge those business owners and community members to come forward to speak with our Extortion Investigative Task Force," Duraiappah said.

Raising concerns over an "alarming" escalation of extortion threats against Indian and South Asian business communities, mayors in the Canadian towns of Brampton and Surrey urged the government last month to take swift action to root out the menace.

Brown and Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke expressed "deep concern" over a growing number of "extortion attempts and violent acts, including shootings" in a letter addressed to Canada's Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc in January.
Islamabad, Feb 8 : Mobile services have been "temporarily" suspended across Pakistan on election day due to security threats, Interior Ministry said.

The ministry in a statement said that the security measures are "essential" to maintain law and order and to deal with "potential threats", The Express Tribune reported.

There was no prior warning that mobile services would be suspended.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, a day earlier, assured that internet services will not be suspended, The Express Tribune reported.

Addressing mediapersons, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja said that he found out through the media that internet services have been suspended as "security matters have deteriorated".

There have been two terrorist attacks in Balochistan, resulting in multiple deaths, he said. Therefore, law and order agencies have decided to shut down mobile services, The Express Tribune reported.

He emphasised that the mobile services and internet suspension "do not affect the ECP's system" as it is not internet dependent.

Sultan said the commission can only give its recommendations to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. However, it should not interfere with their decisions. "Will not give orders to restore mobile or internet services," the CEC said.
Tel Aviv, Feb 8 : Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to take action in Rafah to wipe out Hamas from the Gaza strip.

Netanyahu in a statement on Wednesday said: "We have instructed the IDF to also take action in Rafah and two camps in the centre of Gaza. The IDF will facilitate the civilian population to move away through a humanitarian corridor according to international law."

This is the most direct statement made by an Israeli leader about the IDF plans on Rafah.

Rafah is highly sensitive as it borders Egypt and is densely populated. Around 1.5 million Palestinians are estimated to be living in Rafah border.

Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and top IDF officials have repeated generic threats about eventually going to Rafah, but they had all refrained from any concrete statements till now.

IDF sources told IANS that that there has been some forward movement towards taking action in Rafah.

According to sources in Israel defence minister's office, Hamas leadership and the hostages may be in Rafah, hiding among around 1.5 million Palestinian civilians.

The IDF has almost taken control of Khan Younis area, considered as one of the strongholds of Hamas and home to one of the most wanted Hamas leader -Yahya Sinwar.

The Israel army has conducted multiple raids at the offices of Sinwar as also at his and his brother Mohammed Sinwar's multiple residences in Khan Younis area.
Mumbai, Feb 8 : 'Mr Bean' actor Rowan Atkinson has been blamed for the slump in the sale of electric cars in the UK. The actor was name checked in the House of Lords, upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, recently during its environment and climate change committee meeting.

During the meeting, the think tank Green Alliance presented its views on the main obstacles faced by the UK government in phasing out petrol and diesel cars by 2035.

As per Sky News, the think tank pinned the blame on an article written by the actor and deemed it as damaging to the cause.

The actor had made the contentious comment back in June 2023.

The think tank told the House of Lords, quoted by Sky New: "One of the most damaging articles was a comment piece written by Rowan Atkinson in The Guardian which has been roundly debunked. Unfortunately, fact checks never reach the same breadth of audience as the original false claim, emphasising the need to ensure high editorial standards around the net zero transition."

The actor's piece was headlined: "I love electric vehicles - and was an early adopter. But increasingly I feel duped," he wrote that EVs were "a bit soulless" and criticised the use of their lithium-ion batteries.
A staff member packs the character-inlaid candy cubes in Qimen County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 31, 2024.

As the Spring Festival approaches, inheritors of the making crafts of character-inlaid candy, an intangible cultural heritage in Qimen County, are busy making the special sweet, catering for the needs of people during the festival.

The making process of the candy includes boiling sugar, grinding powder, stirring, compacting, making inlaid characters, stretching sugar bar and slicing. Because the character embedded in the center of the candy always carries auspicious meanings, the candy is very popular during festivals. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)

Jin Huimin, an inheritor of the making crafts of character-inlaid candy, makes the candy in Qimen County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 31, 2024.

As the Spring Festival approaches, inheritors of the making crafts of character-inlaid candy, an intangible cultural heritage in Qimen County, are busy making the special sweet, catering for the needs of people during the festival.

The making process of the candy includes boiling sugar, grinding powder, stirring, compacting, making inlaid characters, stretching sugar bar and slicing. Because the character embedded in the center of the candy always carries auspicious meanings, the candy is very popular during festivals. (Xinhua/Cao Li)

A staff member compacts sugar bars in Qimen County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 31, 2024.

As the Spring Festival approaches, inheritors of the making crafts of character-inlaid candy, an intangible cultural heritage in Qimen County, are busy making the special sweet, catering for the needs of people during the festival.

The making process of the candy includes boiling sugar, grinding powder, stirring, compacting, making inlaid characters, stretching sugar bar and slicing. Because the character embedded in the center of the candy always carries auspicious meanings, the candy is very popular during festivals. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)

Jin Huimin, an inheritor of the making crafts of character-inlaid candy, makes the candy in Qimen County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 31, 2024.

As the Spring Festival approaches, inheritors of the making crafts of character-inlaid candy, an intangible cultural heritage in Qimen County, are busy making the special sweet, catering for the needs of people during the festival.

The making process of the candy includes boiling sugar, grinding powder, stirring, compacting, making inlaid characters, stretching sugar bar and slicing. Because the character embedded in the center of the candy always carries auspicious meanings, the candy is very popular during festivals. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)

A staff member slices a sugar bar into thin cubes in Qimen County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 31, 2024.

As the Spring Festival approaches, inheritors of the making crafts of character-inlaid candy, an intangible cultural heritage in Qimen County, are busy making the special sweet, catering for the needs of people during the festival.

The making process of the candy includes boiling sugar, grinding powder, stirring, compacting, making inlaid characters, stretching sugar bar and slicing. Because the character embedded in the center of the candy always carries auspicious meanings, the candy is very popular during festivals. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)

Jin Huimin, an inheritor of the making crafts of character-inlaid candy, boils maltose in Qimen County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 31, 2024.

As the Spring Festival approaches, inheritors of the making crafts of character-inlaid candy, an intangible cultural heritage in Qimen County, are busy making the special sweet, catering for the needs of people during the festival.

The making process of the candy includes boiling sugar, grinding powder, stirring, compacting, making inlaid characters, stretching sugar bar and slicing. Because the character embedded in the center of the candy always carries auspicious meanings, the candy is very popular during festivals. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)

Jin Huimin, an inheritor of the making crafts of character-inlaid candy, checks the syrup in Qimen County of Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 31, 2024.

As the Spring Festival approaches, inheritors of the making crafts of character-inlaid candy, an intangible cultural heritage in Qimen County, are busy making the special sweet, catering for the needs of people during the festival.

The making process of the candy includes boiling sugar, grinding powder, stirring, compacting, making inlaid characters, stretching sugar bar and slicing. Because the character embedded in the center of the candy always carries auspicious meanings, the candy is very popular during festivals. (Photo by Shi Yalei/Xinhua)
Melbourne, Feb 8 : Indian-origin barrister Varun Ghosh has become the first-ever Australian Senator to take the oath of office on the Bhagavad Gita.

The 38-year-old took his position in the Australian Senate with the Labour Party officially confirming him as their pick to represent Western Australia (WA), replacing present senator Patrick Dodson.

Welcoming Ghosh in his new role, Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs and South Australia senator wrote on X: "Senator Ghosh is the first ever Australian Senator sworn in on the Bhagavad Gita. I have often said, when you're the first at something, you've got to make sure you're not the last".

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Ghosh, a barrister at Francis Burt Chambers, will be a "great voice" for WA.

"I was so pleased to support your candidacy and I say this as well, you've got big shoes to fill," Albanese was quoted as saying in The Sydney Morning Herald.

The PM earlier wrote on X: "Welcome Varun Ghosh, our newest Senator from Western Australia. Fantastic to have you on the team".

Ghosh is the second Indian-origin Australian in the Senate after Dave Sharma who was sworn in as a senator for New South Wales (NSW) in December.

Ghosh, who joined the Labor party in Perth at the age of 17 after his parents moved from India in the 1980s, 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 issued earlier.

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.
HC asks Delhi govt to file status report on PIL seeking free ration, medical assistance at Yamuna flood relief camps. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Feb 8 : The Delhi High Court has refused to mandate trial courts in the national capital to issue notice to complainants or victims in criminal cases at the pre-trial stage.

The division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora stated that such a directive could lead to unnecessary delays in trials and undermine the objective of expeditious justice delivery.

The bench said that there is no statutory mandate requiring criminal courts to notify complainants or victims at the pre-trial stage.

Rejecting the plea presented by lawyer Vivek Kumar Gaurav, seeking mandatory notice to complainants at pre-trial and trial stages, the court deemed such a proposition as potentially detrimental to the efficiency of criminal proceedings.

Addressing the PIL, which also sought free copies of charge sheets for complainants, the bench noted that the Delhi High Court Rules already provide avenues for obtaining case records, including free copies under specific circumstances.

It noted that the Union government has directed states and union territories to implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring victims of sexual offences receive charge sheets free of cost.

In disposing of the plea, the court noted the recognition of the complainant's right to be heard in pre-trial proceedings, citing the Supreme Court's verdict in Jagjeet Singh vs. Ashish Mishra.

The top court had affirmed the right of victims to participate effectively in criminal proceedings, ensuring fair and equitable treatment.

Consequently, this court found existing statutory mechanisms and judicial precedents sufficient to safeguard the rights of victims and complainants in criminal cases.

It deemed further directives unnecessary, as adequate provisions already exist within the legal framework.
New Delhi, Feb 8 : Airbus has awarded a contract to Dynamatic Technologies, an Indian company, for the manufacturing of doors for the A220 family of planes.

The contract was confirmed during a press conference here in Delhi, where representatives from Airbus highlighted the magnitude of this partnership, and said that it represents the largest contract of its kind in India.

This announcement marks a milestone as Dynamatic Technologies will be responsible for producing all door variants for the next-generation Airbus A220 aircraft.

The decision to award this contract to Dynamatic Technologies comes following a meeting between Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister for Civil Aviation, and Airbus Global CEO Guillaume Faury on January 26.

The discussions during the meeting focused on exploring collaboration opportunities in aircraft manufacturing and design, underscoring the growing importance of India as a strategic partner in the global aerospace industry.

India has emerged as a key market for Airbus, with the company receiving substantial orders from prominent Indian airlines such as IndiGo and Air India.

IndiGo, the country's largest airline, exclusively operates Airbus planes in its fleet, highlighting the strong presence of Airbus aircraft in the Indian aviation market.
Mumbai, Feb 9 : American music sensation and rapper G-Eazy will be embarking on his first-ever tour of the Indian sub-continent over the coming weekend and it will feature Talwiinder, Dino James, Yashraj in opening acts.

G Eazy said: "I can't wait to come and perform for all my amazing Indian fans and take some time off to explore the sights and sounds of a country I've heard so much about! See you soon in the arenas!"

Produced by Sunburn, the tour which is poised to be a sold-out event with an expected footfall of over 45,000 fans, will feature an eclectic support line-up comprising of South Asian hip hop acts such as Ishq Nachaawe hitmaker Yashraj, Punjabi music experimentalist Talwiinder, Khatron Ke Khiladi winner and rapper Dino James and doctor turned DJ The Spindoctor.

The others on the line-up include artists such as Dhanji & Siyaahi, Siana Catherine, DJ Shiva Manvi, Mogambo, DJ EXBOW, Virat Munjal, Beatcrush, DJ RISHIVURR, DJ Omen, SHIA X Zero Chill and Mr. Mickey

Dino James shared that he is thrilled to bring an energetic performance with the Spindoctor for this tour.

"We're ready to bring our A-game, delivering a performance that will shake the ground and leave fans craving for more."

Talwiinder, who gained the spotlight for 'Dhundhala' and 'Dil Mera', shared that he is beyond excited to be part of the G-Eazy's historic lineup.

"I can't wait to ignite the stage with my fiery rhymes and electrifying energy, delivering a performance that will leave the audience buzzing with excitement," he added.

Yashraj added he is ready to bring his unique style and energy to the stage.

With chart-topping hits such as 'Me, Myself & I', 'Tumblr Girls', 'Good Life', 'I Mean It', 'Him & I', and 'No Limit,' the rapper and record producer will kick start his tour with Manpho Convention Centre, Bengaluru on February 10, New Delhi NCR on February 11 and Mumbai on February 15.
New Delhi, Feb 8 : With research being undertaken in the US to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to diagnose lupus nephritis (LN), there is a possibility of automating the detection of the disease, according to a report on Thursday.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune that can affect multiple major organ systems in the body. One of its most severe manifestations is renal (kidney) involvement, known as LN.

Although LN can be detected via blood or urine tests, a kidney biopsy is considered the most precise diagnostic approach. However, there are challenges in interpreting biopsy reports due to discrepancies in pathologists' interpretations.

The report by GlobalData, a data and analytics company, detailed research efforts to automate diagnosis of LN using AI.

In September 2023, Dr. Mohan and Dr. Van Nguyen, two faculty members from the University of Houston (UH) Cullen College of Engineering, were awarded a $3 million grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) to develop an AI programme to aid in the diagnosis of LN.

This funding enables the team to train a "neural network" to read and classify LN biopsy slides.

Specifically, the research team intends to build a dedicated computer vision pipeline for classifying LN through the analysis of histopathology imaging data using machine learning (ML).

Collaborating closely with renal pathologists, including experts from various institutions worldwide, the UH team aims to establish a computer-aided diagnosis system for LN, providing clinical decision support akin to renal pathologists.

The application of AI in the LN space was also researched in the past to assess the treatment responses to the disease.

In 2021, a team of researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) introduced a pioneering ML algorithm tailored to forecast treatment responses in individuals with LN.

This innovative model incorporated seven key disease indicators to predict the probability of a patient's response to therapy within a year and showed promising outcomes.

"As the prevalence of chronic diseases, such as LN, increases, so does the strain on the healthcare system. Due to multiple comorbidities associated with immunosuppressive treatment (e.g., infections, osteoporosis, cardiovascular (CV), and reproductive issues), LN patients often need other healthcare specialists," said Sravani Meka, Senior Immunology Analyst at GlobalData, in a statement.

Given the broad multidisciplinary team required to effectively treat patients with LN and the increasing shortage of specialty doctors, it is not practical to assume that specialists, particularly rheumatologists and nephrologists, can keep up with the increasing volume of LN patients.

However, it is possible that ML, a branch of AI, may prove to be a useful tool for improving medical diagnoses and alleviating the burden on the healthcare system.

"As the AI programme remains in its early development stages, it is not yet ready to be applied to the wider SLE population. Furthermore, as ML is still in its early adoption stages, not only in healthcare but in other industries, it remains to be seen when and how AI programs such as this one will be used more widely to deliver precise diagnoses, streamline clinical processes, reduce healthcare-related costs and the burden faced by specialists, and ultimately save lives," Meka said.
Islamabad, Feb 8 : The Election Commission of Pakistan has directed the electronic media authority to issue a warning to two news channels for violation of code of conduct, local media reported.

The poll watchdog has directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to issue a warning to Geo News and ARY News for violating the code of conduct, Dawn reported.

Political campaigning for the 12th general elections concluded in midnight on February 6-7.

As per the code of conduct, media outlets should have stopped airing political campaigns, promotional advertisements, and written materials from any political parties after midnight of February 6-7.

Despite clear instructions from the ECP, the said news channels aired statements and interviews of political leaders live, according to a spokesperson of the commission.
Hyderabad, Feb 8 : The Congress government in Telangana has said that it inherited a debt-ridden state.

The people of Telangana had handed over a rich state to the previous government and after ten years, they have handed over a debt-ridden state to us, said Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan in her address to the joint sitting of Legislative Assembly and Council on the first day of Budget session.

Slamming the previous BRS government, she said the White Paper on Finance released during the first session of the new Assembly laid bare the incompetent and reckless manner in which the previous government managed public finance.

She said that the immediate challenge is to improve the state's financial situation without burdening the people. "The rebuilding process extends to institutions that have suffered in the last decade. We pledge to restore the core values of the legislature and executive, ensuring transparency, accessibility, and adherence to constitutional principles," she said.

She stated that the recent elections marked a decisive moment, a collective call for change and equitable progress. "The message was clear and resonant -- the people of Telangana yearned for freedom, democracy, and governance that reflected their aspirations. I extend my appreciation for the collective wisdom of the people, whose verdict became the cornerstone for civil rights and democratic rule."

She mentioned that rechristened Jyotiba Phule Praja Bhavan is now open for the public to access and ventilate their grievances. The Telangana government is now by the people, and for the people, she said.

"I commend Chief Minister Sri Anumula Revanth Reddy for articulating the government's commitment to serve as the people's servants in a true democracy. The Praja Vaani program, the government's first step in this direction, embodies the essence of people's governance, providing a platform for citizens to express their concerns and seek redressal," she said.

The Governor made it clear that the government is committed to realizing the six guarantees for the welfare and development of people. Two guarantees have already been implemented, showcasing the government's dedication.

She mentioned that the government received over 1.28 crore applications during the Praja Palana programme, and reiterated that all six guarantees will be implemented in a time bound manner.

She announced that two more guarantees will be implemented soon. Under the Mahalakshmi scheme, LPG cylinders will be supplied to eligible families for Rs 500 only. Similarly, under the Gruha Jyothi scheme, 200 units of free domestic power will be given to every eligible household.

"Our vision for Telangana encompasses various sectors, from irrigation projects like Palamuru Rangareddy to education, with the filling up of about 2 lakh jobs by our newly constituted TSPSC. The government is actively addressing land-related issues through the newly formed Dharani Committee."

Stating that the government is committed to welfare of farmers, she said through initiatives like Rythu Bharosa, and crop loan waiver, it aims to empower farming community with crop diversification programs, horticulture promotion, quality seeds, and advanced agricultural practices.

The government has also decided to conduct a Caste Survey to gather data required to estimate the social, educational, economic, employment and political opportunities for various castes in general and BCs in particular.
Washington, Feb 8 : The US central command (CENTCOM) has said that it killed a a senior commander with the Iran-backed militia group Kata'ib Hezbollah in Iraq, allegedly involved in planning attacks on American bases overseas.

The commander was killed during a strike that took place around 9:30 p.m. local time, according to the CENTCOM.

"The US will continue to take necessary action to protect our people," CENTCOM said in a statement.

"We will not hesitate to hold responsible all those who threaten our forces' safety," it said.

It said there were no civilian casualties or collateral damage from the strike.

The strike blasted a car in a busy intersection of a region in eastern Baghdad, resulting in the death of the militia commander and two other Kataib Hezbollah officials, according to US media reports.

The slain commander was identified as "Abu Bakr" al-Saadi.

The strike is the latest US military action against Iran-backed militia groups and the first attack in Iraq since Washington hit more than 85 targets last week across Iraq and Syria in response to the death of three American troops in Jordan in late January, which the Biden administration said was carried out by Iranian proxies, The Hill reported.

Some B-1 bombers carried out the strikes last week targeting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iranian-backed militia groups. While the US action was meant to deter more aggression, the Iranian proxies have continued attacking American and allied bases in the region, reports claimed.

The US has officially held the Islamic Resistance in Iraq accountable for the deadly attack in Jordan when a drone laded with missiles killed three US troops. But the Pentagon suggested that Kataib Hezbollah may have been behind the attack, with deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh saying the attack had the "footprints" of the militia group.

Since the Jordan attack, Kataib Hezbollah suspended military operations against American forces in Iraq to avoid embarrassment to the Iraqi government, reports claimed but lacked verification.

The US has continued to carry out strikes in Iraq which has repeatedly been condemned, as the Iraqi government is engaged in on-going talks with Washington on the future of the American military stationed there. The US also killed a senior Iranian-backed militia group leader from a group separate from Kataib Hezbollah in early January.

Irani-backed groups have attacked US troops more than 160 times in Iraq, Syria and Jordan since October 17, which the militia groups claims is in response to American support for the Israeli war against Hamas in Gaza that broke out on October 7.
February 08 : Actress Kriti Sanon, known for her grace both on and off the screen, commenced her day with a visit to the revered Siddhivinayak Temple to seek blessings from Lord Ganesha. The occasion held special significance as it coincided with the upcoming release of her highly anticipated film, "Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya."

Adorned in a traditional yellow-colored suit, Kriti exuded elegance and reverence as she made her way to the temple. Amidst the serene ambiance of the sacred site, the actress offered her prayers and sought divine guidance for the success of her latest cinematic endeavor.

Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya also stars Shahid Kapoor, Dharmendra, Dimple Kapadia, Rakesh Bedi, Anubha Fatehpuria, Rajesh Kumar, and Raashul Tandon.

Produced under Maddock Films and Jio Studios, the film is written and directed by Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sah, in their directorial debuts.

The film stars Shahid Kapoor as Aryan, who meets a young woman SIFRA and the two fall in love with each other. Aryan, deciding to introduce SIFRA to his family, gets into trouble as he learns that SIFRA is actually a humanoid android robot.

The film is scheduled for release theatrically on 9 February 2024.
New Delhi, Feb 8 : The meaning of love may alter for each of us depending on the circumstances. Life is an emotional rollercoaster, and while everything appears to be wonderful and going well due to children, family, work pressure, and other challenges in life it is possible to flip life upside down with a switch.

However, when life throws us situations over which we have no control, affecting relationships. Let us not give up and instead look for methods to make things better. As we set into the week of love, let's take a look at some timeless literature to help you navigate creating healthy relationships and more.

Tell Me More: Stories About the 12 Hardest Things I'm Learning to Say by Kelly Corrigan

Kelly Corrigan's 2018 book 'Tell Me More: Stories About the 12 Hardest Things I'm Learning to Say' is based on personal anecdotes. The book delves into the power of using correct words at appropriate times. A guide to using the right words and phrases to foster relationships. The book is divided into twelve chapters, each of which focuses on 12 different phrases.

The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts

Gary Chapman's 1992 book, 'The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts', explores the various ways people express and receive love. Though the book was published in the 1990s, it became the best-selling book in the subsequent years, during the mid-2000s. The book's key point is to understand each other's love languages when navigating relationships, which is still applicable now as it was three decades ago.

8 Rules of Love: How to Find It, Keep It, and Let It Go

The author of 'Think Like A Monk' releases '8 Rules of Love' with Simon & Schuster in 2023. Jay Shetty, the New York Times bestselling author, on an Instagram post captions, "Nobody sits us down and teaches us how to lovea so weare often thrown into relationships with nothing but romance movies and pop culture to help us muddle through. My NYT best-seller changes all that by offering a new perspective drawing on ancient wisdom and new science."

You Are A Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero

With over 5 million copies sold, Jen Sincero's book 'You Are A Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life' is a motivational self-help guide. In this book, she shares her personal experiences and how she overcame obstacles. Self-doubt is a virus that restricts people from achieving their full potential in life. She encourages readers throughout the book to trust their inner badass and pursue what they are meant to do.

N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe can be contacted at lothungbeni.h@ians.in
ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian House of Peoples' Representatives (HoPR), the lower chamber of the parliament, on Thursday approved the appointment of new cabinet members upon the endorsement of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

The newly-introduced cabinet members include Temesgen Tiruneh as the East African country's deputy prime minister, replacing the departing veteran Ethiopian politician Demeke Mekonnen, who was the country's deputy prime minister and foreign minister.

Ahmed, while presenting the credentials of Tiruneh, said the former intelligence chief has garnered rich educational and governance experience, supported by several senior positions in the Ethiopian government over the years.

The HoPR also approved Taye Atske Selassie to be the country's minister of foreign affairs.

Selassie, with a diplomatic career spanning three decades, including as the permanent representative of Ethiopia to the United Nations, served as a foreign policy adviser to the Ethiopian prime minister until his new appointment.

The Ethiopian parliament also approved the appointment of Mekdes Daba as the country's minister of health, replacing the departing Health Minister Lia Tadesse.

Members of the lower house of the Ethiopian parliament unanimously approved the three incoming ministers upon Ahmed's endorsement.

Ahmed underscored that the appointment of Selassie and Daba, who are not members of the country's ruling Prosperity Party, is based on their rich experience in their respective sectors.

Tiruneh, on the other hand, was recently appointed as deputy president of the Prosperity Party, following the resignation of Mekonnen.

Ahmed said Tiruneh's appointment as the deputy prime minister of Ethiopia, Africa's second-most populous nation, would help strengthen the government's efforts to realize the socioeconomic development of the country.

The move by the ruling party to appoint Tiruneh, who is a member of the party's executive committee, as its deputy president is said to be in line with the party's "leadership succession principle and working system."

Tiruneh had served as the president of the Amhara region as well as security adviser to the prime minister before his role as the director general of the National Intelligence and Security Service of Ethiopia. Appointment within the ruling party's senior position is often considered a prerequisite to higher positions in the country's government structure. 
Gadag, : Feb 8 (IANS) A police Constable who was suspended for allegedly misbehaving with a young woman, lodged a honey trapping complaint against her in Gadag District of Karnataka on Thursday.

The suspended policeman, Shankar, stated in his complaint that he had an illicit affair with the woman.

"The woman recorded private videos and took photos without my knowledge," he alleged.

He said the woman was also demanding money and threatening to make the videos viral if he did not comply with her demands.

The suspended cop had also given proof of digital payments of money to the woman and stated that there was a big honey trapping network behind her and they should be exposed.

The cop has submitted his complaint to the office of the Superintendent of Police in Gadag.
New Delhi: Media persons at the Supreme Court complex on the day of the court's verdict. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Feb 8 : The Supreme Court has granted anticipatory bail to two women who allegedly pelted stones on the JCB machines and obstructed the government officials from discharging their duties during a demolition drive to remove the encroachment in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu.

"We are persuaded to exercise our discretion in favour of the two appellants, keeping in mind that both the appellants are women and hail from an underprivileged class of society," said a bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Sandeep Mehta.

In August 2023, the bench had granted interim protection to the two appellants on the very first date of hearing.

Setting aside the impugned order passed by the Rajasthan High Court, it ordered both the accused to appear before the Investigating Officer within a period of one week.

"It is needless to clarify that the appellants shall cooperate with the investigation and appear before the Trial Court on the dates of hearing," added the apex court in an order passed on Tuesday.

It said that in the event of arrest of the accused, they shall be released on bail on both furnishing personal bonds of Rs 5,000/- each, with two sureties in the like amount to the satisfaction of the arresting officer.

Earlier, the Rajasthan High Court and Sessions Court declined to grant anticipatory bail to the appellants.

An FIR was registered at Jhunjhunu's Khetri police station of Rajasthan, for the offence punishable under Sections 143, 332,353,506,336,427 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.
Cong distances itself from recovery of huge cash from premises linked to party MP Dhiraj Sahu. Image Source: IANS News

Ranchi, Feb 8 : ED has summoned Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand, Dhiraj Prasad Sahu, on February 10 for questioning in a money laundering case linked to former chief minister Hemant Soren, officials said on Thursday.

In December last year, Income Tax raid department seized more than Rs 351 crore during raids conducted at several premises of Dhiraj Sahu in Odisha and Jharkhand.

As per sources, ED has got some evidence of Dheeraj Sahu's links with Hemant Soren. The agency also suspects that the BMW car which was recovered from Soren's residence in Delhi on January 29 has some connections to Dheeraj Sahu.

On Wednesday, ED conducted raid at a location in Gurugram, Haryana, at whose address the car with Haryana number plate was registered. The agency also searched two places in Kolkata.

Hemant Soren was arrested by ED on January 31 in the money laundering case linked to an alleged land deal.

After taking Soren on remand, ED has been interrogating him for the last six days. In this connection, the agency has collected some details of those people with whom he has had any kind of transaction.
Bengaluru/New Delhi, Feb 8 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday accused the BJP of not allowing his brother and Congress MP D.K. Suresh to raise his voice in the Parliament on injustice meted out to the state.

Talking to reporters in New Delhi, he said: "MP Suresh was not allowed to speak about injustice to Karnataka in the Parliament today. They adjourned the session as soon as BJP MP Tejasvi Surya finished his points without giving a chance to the lone Congress MP from Karnataka. a

"It is a pity that BJP MP Tejasvi Surya did not speak on behalf of the State in the House though given an opportunity. The BJP MPs must be ashamed of not raising their voice for the state in the Parliament. While MLAs, MLCs and MPs from Karnataka are in Delhi to raise the voice for Karnataka, the BJP MPs are refusing to do so," he said.

Asked about BJP leaders saying that the financial numbers given out by the Karnataka government are wrong, he said: "We are stating the facts. The BJP demanded for a white paper on this in the House, we will present a white paper on this.

"We have not prepared the Union Budget, it was done by the BJP government in the Centre. The same budget had allocated Rs 5,300 crore for the Upper Bhadra project and the Finance Commission had recommended about Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 crore for Bengaluru. Has this been given to the state?"

Shivakumar also said that the Centre has not released any funds for the drought relief even though the Chief Minister and Revenue Minister have submitted a detailed report.

About Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamanas statement that the Centre has released Rs 6,000 crore for drought relief in the State, he said: "They havenat given a single rupee. The Chief Minister will give an answer to this claim in the upcoming Assembly session."
New Delhi, Feb 8 : EET Hydrogen is pleased to announce it has a statement of principles with the UK Government's Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for its flagship HPP1 low-carbon hydrogen plant. Construction is expected to begin later this year.

The signing of the statement of principles marks an agreement milestone between EET Hydrogen and the UK Government on key aspects of negotiations to date. EET Hydrogen and the UK Government will now enter final negotiations, with the aim of making a final decision later this year.

HPP1 will have an initial production capacity of 350M Wand will capture around 600,000 tonnes of CO2 a year-the equivalent to taking around 250,000 cars off the road.

This represents a major milestone for the UK hydrogen industry, for the Hy Net Cluster and for EET Hydrogen's progress towards its goal of developing 4 GW of low carbon hydrogen by 2030.

The hydrogen will be provided to industrial businesses across the North West of England to decarbonise their operations, protecting jobs and drivinge conomic growth. The project is the cornerstone of the HyNetcluster and is essential for the cluster to commence construction later this year.

Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance said: "Wehavealreadyhalvedouremissions from 1990 levels, and hydrogen will play a vital role in the UK's journey towards net zero by providing businesses large and small with cleaner energy in the future.

"By moving into final negotiations with the Ellesmere project, we are working to deliver our ambition of upto 10 GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity, in an industry expected to support upto 12,000 jobs by 2030."

Tony Fountain, Managing Partner of EET said: "Today's statement of principles is a great outcome for both EETand theUK. Scalinghydrogen capacity is essential to decarbonising heavy industries.This is an important step in our ambitious decarbonisation plan to transform our business and the North West. We appreciate the Government's partnership which will contribute to protecting skilled jobs in the region and ensuring our industries remain competitive."
Amaravati, Feb 8 : Telugu Desam Party (TDP) general secretary Nara Lokesh will launch the election campaign 'Shankharavam' on February 11.

Amaravati, Feb 8 (IANS) Telugu Desam Party (TDP) general secretary Nara Lokesh will launch the election campaign aShankharavama on February 11.

The first meeting as part of the campaign will be held at Ichchapuram of Srikakulam district, where Lokesh had concluded his padyatra last month.

TDPas Andhra Pradesh unit president Kinjarapu Atchannaidu on Thursday announced the details of the aShankharavama campaign, which will cover regions not touched by aYuvagalama padyatra.

He released a special video prepared for the Sankharavam campaign, which is aimed at creating awareness among people and the party cadres.

The campaign will cover three constituencies every day. It is likely to continue for 50 days.

The campaign will commence from Ichchapuram, the point where Nara Lokesh's aYuvagalama padayatra concluded.

He recalled that Lokesh undertook padayatra to enlighten the people in villages and towns across the state regarding the atrocities of Jagan Mohan Reddy and his YSRCP. The constituencies, which were not covered by the TDP young leader in his 3,132 km padaytra, will be covered in the Sankharavam campaign.

Through Sankharavam, the Super Six schemes announced in the Babu Suretya"Bhavishyathuku Guarantee programme will be taken to the public, reaching out to every doorstep. It will also try to bring the party activists closer to Nara Lokesh.

As a part of the campaign, Nara Lokesh will visit 120 assembly constituencies in the coming 40-50 days, with the campaign happening in three assembly constituencies every day, he said.

Simultaneous elections to Andhra Pradesh Assembly and Lok Sabha are slated to be held in April-May this year.
Chandigarh, Feb 8 : The Global Sikh Council (GSC), a confederation of national-level Sikh organisations, on Thursday attacked the proposed amendments to the Takhat Sri Hazur Abchal Nagar Sahib Board Nanded Act, 1956, by the Maharashtra government.

Calling upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene, it warned that such unilateral decisions of the government, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, constitutes a gross violation of Sikh gurdwara affairs and would not be tolerated by the Sikhs.

In a statement, GCC President Kanwaljit Kaur highlighted the "consistent disregard" shown by the ruling dispensation in Maharashtra towards Sikh sentiments.

"The amendments to this Act have been made simply to seize control over the management of the fifth temporal seat of the Sikhs," she said. "Previously, the BJP had undermined the democratic election process to appoint the president of the Nanded Sahib board and amended Section 11 of the legislation to install board Presidents of its own choosing. Now, the current BJP rulers seek to restrict the number of nominated members from Sikh organisations on the board and increase the number of government-nominated members, a blatant power grab over Sikh places of worship," she said.

Calling on Sikhs worldwide to oppose the relentless assault on Sikh institutions through democratic ways, she condemned the failure to engage in meaningful consultations with the Sikh leaders and its established institutions before making amendments to the 67-year-old Nanded Act.
Gau Sansad wants the cow to be declared Mother of the Nation. Image Source: IANS News

Prayagraj, Feb 8 : The cow may be granted the status of 'Mother of the Nation' before the Maha Kumbh 2025, if the Uttar Pradesh chief minister accepts the demand of the sants in Prayagraj.

Prayagraj, Feb 8A (IANS) The cow may be granted the status of aMother of the Nationa before the Maha Kumbh 2025, if the Uttar Pradesh chief minister accepts the demand of the sants in Prayagraj.

The sants want that the cow should be referred to as aRamaa, with aRaa standing for aRashtraa (nation) and aMaa for aMataa (mother).

A proposal to this effect was among the 21 proposals passed by the sants at the aGau Sansada held at the Magh Mela camp of Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati of Uttarakhandas Jyotish Peeth on Wednesday.

At the aGau Sansada, the holy men unanimously decided that from now onwards they would address cows as aRamaa. The ongoing 54-day annual religious fair of Magh Mela 2024 started with Makar Sankranti bathing on January 15 and would conclude with the Maha Shivaratri bathing on March 8.

The sants also resolved that if their demands raised through these proposals were not met, they would launch an agitation.

The other proposals passed by them include establishing a aRashtriya Rama Gau Bhakt Aayoga with the help of cow devotees.

This Aayog will identify all the cows in the country through DNA testing, get them registered and declare a protocol for treating them from anav samvatsara (Hindu New Year).

The aGau Sansada also appealed to the government to form a separate acow ministrya and the bovines should not come under the animal husbandry ministry.

Cows and their progeny should be removed from the state list of the Constitution and be included in the Central list. Those who consume beef should be ostracised.

People should vote for the candidate who gives an affidavit along with his manifesto that as soon as the government is formed, the first decision will be to give respect and protection to the cow.

As soon as the cow gets the honour of the aMother of the Nationa, the first thing the sants community would do is take the cowas milk to Ayodhya and offer it to Ram Lalla there, the seers said.

The government was further requested to free encroached land and make it available to cows for grazing.
Hyderabad, Feb 8 : Cyberabad Police of Telangana have apprehended two drug peddlers and seized drugs including MDMA from them.

Special Operations Team (SOT) and law and order police of Madhapur arrested the accused when they were peddling drugs at Shilpa Park in Kondapur.

The accused have been identified as Maram Pavan Kumar alias Macha Pavan (31) and Adarsh Kumar Singh (21). The latter hails from Bihar and was working in Hyderabad as delivery boy with a food app company.

Police seized 21.788 grams MDMA (Methylenedioxy-Methamphetamine), 874.316 grams of ganja, one four-wheeler, three mobile phones and two small digital weighing machines, all worth about Rs 8 lakh from their possession.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr G. Vineeth said two other accused in the case were absconding.

He said that the accused persons are habituated to lavish lifestyle and addicted to social vices. They had a habit of consuming drugs and ganja along with their friends, who supply drugs and ganja and decided to procure the same from them. They have been procuring the drugs MDMA and ganja from them for Rs 1000 per gram and selling them in Hyderabad for Rs 6,000 to 7,000 per gram.

A case under relevant sections of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act-2001 has been registered at Madhapur police station.

The DCP said the police were on a constant look out for drug peddlers and consumers and developed various sources and informants to curb the menace of drugs and other psychotropic substances.
Jaipur, Feb 8 : : A woman who fell into a borewell near her house on Wednesday afternoon could not be saved even after a rescue operation that lasted for 10 hours. Now, SDRF and NDRF teams will dig from a distance of 130 feet from the borewell to bring out her body, police officials said on Thursday.

The incident took place in Gudla village of Gangapur city.

Deputy Commissioner Santram Meena said that information about Mona Bai (25) of Bairwa Dhani, wife of Suresh, falling into an open borewell was received on Wednesday afternoon. The villagers had informed the police when the woman's slippers were found near the borewell.

Additional District Collector Hariram Meena said that rescue arrangements started at around 1 p.m. The teams reached the spot and arrangements for oxygen were also made. The rescue operation continued till around 4.30 a.m. on Thursday morning.

Excavation started again after putting in place a security cordon.

Traffic was stopped by creating a security cordon around the borewell. Big machines are being brought to remove the body from the spot. The biggest problem in the rescue was related to digging because there is a house on one side and a high tension wire above.

Officials say that the high tension line will be cut so that the digging machines can work properly.
QUITO, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador's National Assembly on Wednesday approved the free trade agreement between Ecuador and China, according to local authorities.

China is Ecuador's second-largest trading partner. China and Ecuador formally signed the free trade agreement on May 11, 2023, making Ecuador China's 27th free trade partner.

The approval marks the completion of all legal approval procedures for the agreement on the Ecuadorian side.

According to the agreement, China and Ecuador will cancel tariffs on 90 percent of tax items from each other, of which about 60 percent will be canceled immediately after the agreement comes into effect. 
Patna, Feb 8 : Ahead of the floor test of the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar, Minister of Rural Development under the JD-U quota, Shrawon Kumar, claimed that the opposition parties are sending contractors to the houses of his party MLAs with lucrative offers.

"They are sending contractors to the houses of JD-U MLAs with lucrative offers including money and posts. We are getting feedback from our legislators. Such efforts of opposition parties would not be worthwhile for them. Our MLAs are intact and they are with the party," Kumar said.

The statement of Shrawon Kumar assumes importance keeping in view that RJD leaders are saying that 'Khela' will take place on February 12. Its one example came on Wednesday when Speaker Awadh Bihari Choudhary refused to resign despite the no confidence motion being against him.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and MLA from Maner Bhai Virendra said: "The JD-U and Nitish Kumar are living in fear and hence he went Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. If he was not frightened, he would not go to Delhi. On meeting the PM, Nitish Kumar told him to include his party in the NDA and he will not go anywhere. He made the same statement before Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav in 2022 before the formation of the Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar. So, his statement has no value."

When asked why Nitish Kumar is frightened, Bhai Virendra said: "Bureaucracy is dominating in Bihar and they are not hearing the grievances of MLAs and MLCs. The legislators are the representatives of the common people but as they have no value in this government, they are in contact with us. The 'Khela' will take place in Bihar on February 12. Let's wait and watch."
New Delhi, Feb 8 : The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi nursed the Indian banking sector from sickness to health, said the 'White Paper on Economy', tabled in the Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday.

"One of the most infamous and important legacies of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government led by former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh was the banking crisis," it said.

Sitharaman, while presenting the Interim Budget for 2024-25 said the government will come out with a 'White Paper' on the state of economy in 2014 when the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) took over and the corrective measures taken over the last ten years and the current state of the countryas economy.

"The banking crisis was one of the most important and infamous legacies of the UPA government. When the Vajpayee-led NDA government took office, the Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) ratio in Public Sector banks was 16.0 per cent, and when they left office, it was 7.8 per cent," the 'White Paper' said.

According to the White Paper, in September 2013, the GNPA including restructured loans, had climbed to 12.3 per cent largely because of political interference by the UPA government in the commercial lending decisions of public sector banks.

Worse, even that high percentage of bad debts was an underestimate, it added.

"The banking crisis in 2014 was massive, and the absolute sum at stake was too large. Gross advances by public sector banks were only Rs 6.6 lakh crore in March 2004. In March 2012, it was Rs 39.0 lakh crore. Further, not all problem loans were recognised. There was much under the hood.

"According to a Credit Suisse report published in March 2014, the top 200 companies with an interest coverage ratio of less than one owed about Rs.8.6 lakh crore to banks. Nearly 44 per cent of those loans (Rs.3.8 lakh crore) were yet to be recognised as problem assets. That alone would have added another 6.7 per cent to the GNPA ratio. In 2018, in a written response to a Parliamentary Panel, a former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, stated 'a larger number of the bad loans were originated in the period 2006-2008'."

"In the past ten years, the government has revitalised the stagnant financial sector and overhauled the credit ecosystem within the economy, bringing about significant improvements," the White Paper said.

"Implementation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) and measures implemented by the RBI and the government to strengthen the balance sheets of the banking sector (such as the Asset Quality Review, Prompt Corrective Action Framework, merger and recapitalisation of banks) led to a decline in the ratio of the GrossNon-Performing Assets as a proportion of Gross advances to a multi-year low of 3.2 per cent in September 2023. The restored profitability of public sector banks then and now tells its own story of rescue, recovery and rejuvenation," it added.

According to the White Paper, the net interest margin of public sector banks in FY 2022-23 went up to 2.72 per cent (2.45 per cent in 2013-14), Return on Assets 0.79 per cent (0.50 per cent) and Return on Equity 12.35 (8.48 per cent).

--IANS

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New Delhi: Delhi BJP state president Adesh Gupta during celebrations after the party secured second position in MCD elections, in New Delhi on Wednesday, December 07, 2022. (Photo: Anupam Gautam/IANS). Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Feb 8 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was on Thursday fact-checked by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over his 'baseless & unfounded' claims that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not born into the Other Backward Class Community (OBC).

Rahul, during his Odisha leg of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, had accused the Prime Minister of 'misleading' the nation by identifying himself as an OBC member. He said that Narendra Modi's Ghanchi caste was included in the OBC list after BJP government came to power in Gujarat.

BJP I-T cell in-charge Amit Malviya shared official government document from the Gazette of India to refute his claims on Modi's OBC status.

Rubbishing the 'blatant lies' of Congress leader, Malviya wrote, "Modi's caste was notified as an OBC on October 27, 1999, a full two years before he became the Chief Minister of Gujarat."

The official records in Gazette of India show that the notification released in 1999, listed Narendra Modi's caste as OBC. This came about two years, before he assumed the post of Gujarat Chief Minister.

The government document clearly establishes the truth and goes to debunk the 'brazen lies' of Rahul Gandhi. The BJP also stepped up attack on Rahul and accused him of spreading fake propaganda & deceiving the public.

Rahul, during Nyay Yatra in Odisha had claimed that Narendra Modi was not born in OBC community and hence was against the welfare of OBCs despite them comprising 50% of the country's population.

Notably, Rahul's 'caste attack' on Prime Minister came at a time when government and Opposition are engaged in squabble for caste census on national level.

Congress has been demanding national caste census, reasoning that this will allow communities to get adequate representation as per their population. BJP hasn't openly objected to the move but has remained averse to the proposal.
New Delhi, Feb 8 : While investors across the world sought ease of doing business, the UPA government provided policy uncertainty and hostility, as per the White Paper on Indian Economy tabled in the Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday.

The unenthusiastic economic environment was reinforced by the hostile policy environment. The UPA government's policy inaction and missteps put off valuable private investment, which could have generated growth and jobs, at its own peril, the White Paper said.

A noted industrialist lamented the state of affairs then, saying, "You may have the Prime Minister's Office saying one thing and maybe one of the ministers having a different view. That doesn't happen in most countries. You wouldn't have a seven or eight-year wait to get clearance for a steel plant."

The demotivating investment climate under the UPA government led to domestic investors moving abroad, as per the White Paper.

A prominent industrialist even remarked that he would invest in countries like Indonesia and Brazil because frequent policy changes were scuttling his investment plans. His disenchantment and disillusionment were due to the capturing of public resources for private gains, the White Paper said.

The decade of the UPA government was a lost decade because it failed to capitalise on the strong foundational economy and pace of reforms left behind by the Vajpayee government, it said.

The potential of compounding growth never happened. It was a lost decade as the UPA government failed to gasp opportunities for technology led innovation, efficiency and growth, it added.

The Vajpayee government had set the baseline for telecom reforms. But at the time when the world was closing in on 3G, UPA was mired in the 2G scam, and the auctions had to be cancelled subsequently, the White Paper said.

BSNL, a $6 billion powerhouse in 2004, had become a loss-making company in the UPA decade. India was almost 100 per cent reliant on imported telecom equipment, it said.
Bengaluru, Feb 8 : In a setback to the Congress government in the state, the president of the Karnataka State Contractors' Association, D. Kempanna, has alleged that the practice of taking 40 per cent commission (bribe) in tenders persists in the Karnataka government.

Bengaluru, Feb 8 (IANS) In a setback to the Congress government in the state, the president of the Karnataka State Contractorsa Association, D. Kempanna, has alleged that the practice of taking 40 per cent commission (bribe) in tenders persists in the Karnataka government.

The ruling Congress had highlighted the issue of a 40 per cent cut in public tenders as a major concern against the previous BJP government during the elections.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Thursday, Kempanna demanded the cancellation of the package tender issued by various government departments. He also insisted that a separate tender should be invited for each specific project.

The package tender is being invited in Kolar and other districts, and corruption by officers has already begun. Kempanna claimed that officers are collecting money and passing it on to their political masters. While politicians used to directly take commission earlier, now officers are handling this on behalf of the politicians. According to Kempanna, the 40 per cent cut continues under the Congress government.

He urged the government to halt unnecessary tender packages floated by different departments. Kempanna stated that they have met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah multiple times, and more than 10 letters have been written to him on this issue. Engineers, he claimed, are pointing fingers at their senior officers, and when questioned, these officers are reportedly admitting to the involvement of ministers and MLAs.

The package tender system is allegedly designed to favour contractors from neighbouring states, leading to widespread corruption. Contracts are allegedly awarded to associates, while genuine contractors face injustice. Kempanna warned of a protest call if the situation is not addressed within a week.

He raised concerns about the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike calling for package tenders worth Rs 300 crore within a week. Kempanna accused officers of directly demanding bribes from contractors for project allotment.

Payments for completed works have allegedly not been released even after two years. Kempanna asserted that a complaint against the continuation of the 40 per cent commission under the Congress government would be lodged at an appropriate time.

He also claimed that there are 15 chief engineers in the BBMP who ask for money in every tender. While he didn't disclose their names, he mentioned that a complaint running into thousands of pages has been submitted to the retired High Court Justice Nagamohan Das Committee, including the names of the allegedly corrupt officers.
New Delhi, Feb 8 : Inflows into equity funds in India surged to a 22-month high in January, driven by investments into multi and smallcap schemes as the markets scaled record highs, said Deepak Jasani, Head Retail Research at HDFC Securities.

Net investment into equity and equity-linked schemes surged 28 per cent over the previous month to Rs 21,780 crore in January. SIP contribution to the mutual funds industry stood at a record Rs 18,838 crore in January, compared to Rs 17,610 crore in December, he said.

Akhil Chaturvedi, Chief Business Officer, Motilal Oswal Asset Management Company, said that despite slight volatility in January, the market closed flat on a month-on-month basis.

Sectoral/thematic and smallcap oriented funds were the primary contributors, with contributions of Rs 4,804 crore and Rs 3,256 crore, respectively. However, this was lower than the previous month's flows. Multicap category funds also witnessed a significant increase, reaching Rs 3,038 crore in January from approximately Rs 1,852 crores in December 2023.

Largecaps demonstrated positive contributions this month, reversing the net outflows experienced in December 2023. This shift in trend is in line with valuation differentials among large v/s mid and small caps, suggesting that large caps/flexi caps oriented schemes may attract higher flows in the future, he said.

Kislay Upadhyay, Founder at FidelFolio Investments, said while FPIs pulled out from equity in January, domestic investors showed highest interest in January vs entire FY24 - both in terms of number of folios and net inflows in equity.

Total equity folios have increased by 3.3 per cent in January, the highest growth in absolute and percentage terms in the last nine months.

Owing to both higher inflows and lower outflows in January, net inflows have increased to Rs 21,781 crore. This is up 28 per cent from December and up 73 per cent from average inflow of last eight months. While FPIs increased inflow in debt schemes, individual investors showed lower interest as seen in reduction in number of folios in debt schemes.

Investors still continue to be attracted towards smallcap funds with yet another jump of 6 per cent in the number of folios. From 1.11 crore folios in April 2023, smallcap folios jumped by 60 per cent to 1.78 crore in January, Upadhyay said.
Chennai , Feb 8 : Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials conducted a raid at the residence of Tamil Nadu Minister without Portfolio, Senthil Balaji on Thursday. The raid is presently being conducted at Senthil Balaji's family residence in Karur where his father and mother stay.

Chennai , Feb 8 ( IANS) Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials conducted a raid at the residence of Tamil Nadu Minister without Portfolio, Senthil Balaji on Thursday. The raid is presently being conducted at Senthil Balajias family residence in Karur where his father and mother stay.

This is the second raid at the family residence of Balaji after the first raid on June 13, 2023, a day before the minister was arrested on June 14

Balaji is presently lodged in Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai, after being arrested in a money laundering case at Rameswarapatti near Karur on June 14, 2023.

A team of five ED officials has reportedly questioned about the whereabouts of Senthil Balajias brother Ashok Kumar who has been absconding for more than seven months.

The ED officials, according to the local police, have not allowed any outsider to enter the residence.

The local police is also not in the know of things, and ED officials did not seek protection from the district police authorities.
New Delhi, Feb 8 : As Amazon celebrates Alexa's sixth anniversary in India, the company on Thursday said that there has been 200 per cent growth in Alexa-connected smart home devices in the country in the last three years.

With a surge in connected devices in the last three years, Amazon also noted that there is also a 100 per cent increase in requests to Alexa for controlling compatible smart home appliances such as smart lights, plugs, fans, TVs, security cameras, ACs, water heaters, and air purifiers.

"Since we launched Alexa and Echo smart speakers in India, the smart home sector has evolved significantly, and voice technology has played a massive role in this," Parag Gupta, Director and Country Manager, Amazon Devices, India, said in a statement. "Customers can easily set up a smart home by getting a compatible smart bulb and instantly control with Alexa, or get a smart plug to automate existing appliances. It's clear that more people are seeing how setting up a smart home is not as complex as they had imagined," he added.

Moreover, the company said that customers in India are also evolving in their smart home journey.

In the last year, usage of Alexa to control smart fans and smart ACs increased by 37 per cent, which is the highest among all smart home appliances.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Feb 8 : The new episode of the entrepreneurial reality show 'Shark Tank India' season three saw the pitch by Kolkata-based jewellery brand, 'Jewel Box', which has sealed an all shark deal of Rs 2 crore.

In a world where diamonds have long been hailed as natureas most exquisite creation, a new player has emerged to redefine luxury. Jewel Box transformed the conventional sparkle with lab-grown diamonds on 'Shark Tank India 3'.

Jewel Box brings the magic of science to the art of jewellery, crafting lab-grown diamonds that are physically, chemically, and optically indistinguishable from their natural counterparts.

As the founders, Nipun Kochar, and Vidita Kochar, make their debut on the show, they invited the audience to witness the evolution of conscious luxury, where every piece tells a story of commitment to our planet. Nipun and Vidita, the entrepreneurial minds behind 'Jewel Box', share a journey marked by innovation and commitment.

The siblings' foray into the business world began with an ad tech company during college.

They joined forces again to launch Jewel Box in 2022.

They asked Rs 1 crore for two per cent equity.

However the deal was closed at Rs 2 crore at 6 per cent equity with all the sharks -- Vineeta Singh, Ritesh Agarwal, Aman Gupta, Peyush Bansal, and Radhika Gupta.

Talking about her experience on 'Shark Tank India', Vidita Kochar Jain said: "Appearing on Shark Tank and securing an All-Shark Deal will be a pivotal moment in building Jewel Box as well as pioneering the category of Lab Grown Diamond Jewellery in India. Pitching in the high-stakes situation and captivating the Sharks was exhilarating."

"Securing the deal validated our hard work and vision. This experience solidified my belief in our brandas values and products, setting a strong foundation for future success," added Vidita.

'Shark Tank India 3' streams on Sony LIV.

--IANS

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Guwahati, Feb 8 : The Assam government will file police complaints against those responsible for distributing uniforms to schools' students, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Thursday.

During Question Hour, Sarma informed the Assam Assembly that the administration would begin investigating claims of irregularities in school uniforms throughout the state following the Lok Sabha elections.

"We provide funding so that students can receive free school uniforms. But when I go to different places, I see that some schools have nice uniforms and some don't," he mentioned.

According to Sarma, some school administrators use the funds appropriately, but others are not.

"This year, we want to give all school students across the state high-quality uniforms. I request the Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA) to visit local schools and assess the uniform qualities there. If you notice poor quality uniforms, as per your information the department will take action," he continued.

Sarma said, "This time, we will file police complaints against those involved with the irregularities in giving the school uniforms. Once the Lok Sabha poll is over, we shall start working on it."

He also mentioned that providing clean food in mid-day meals and good quality uniforms to the students is a major goal of the current government.

The issue of poor quality of uniform in schools was raised by AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam in the Assam assembly on Thursday.
Qabil Ashirov

Speaker of the Milli Majlis (Azerbaijani Parliament) Sahiba Gafarova met with the delegations of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye (TBMM) and the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA), who are visiting Azerbaijan to monitor the presidential elections, Azernews reports, citing the Press and Public Relations Department of the Parliament.

Sahiba Gafarova said that these elections are a historical event for the people of Azerbaijan and expressed her satisfaction that fraternal Turkic MPs observed the process. She noted that with these elections, Azerbaijanis voted for the future development of Azerbaijan, which has fully restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty. It was reported that for the first time, elections were held in all sovereign territories of Azerbaijan, including the lands freed from occupation. Therefore, these elections can be called Victory elections.

"The position of all observers is that the presidential elections were held in a democratic, transparent manner in accordance with advanced norms and principles. In the elections, all conditions were created for citizens to express their will, and our people demonstrated high activeness," she stressed.

During the meetings, the members of the observation mission conveyed their congratulations on the successful completion of the presidential elections and noted the importance of these elections in the development of Azerbaijan.

Shamil Ayrim, the head of the parliamentary observation mission of the Parliament and the head of the Azerbaijan-Turkiye inter-parliamentary friendship group, said that the presidential elections in brother Azerbaijan are being held for the first time in all territories of the country. This is a great event for Turkiye and also for the Turkic world. The success of Azerbaijan as a fraternal country pleases Turkiye and the whole Turkic world in general.

Shamil Ayrim stated that he and his colleagues monitored the process in numerous polling stations and pointed out that their observations gave reason to say that the elections were held in a very transparent manner. He noted that the citizens of Azerbaijan voted very freely and actively.

Osman Mesten, the head of TURKPA's international election observation mission and member of the National Assembly, said that the members of the observation mission, represented by them, observed the voting process both in Shusha and Khankendi and highly appreciated its historical importance. He emphasised that everything was organised in accordance with the law and transparently at all the stations they observed.
JERUSALEM, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Israeli troops shot and killed a young Palestinian man in the occupied West Bank on Thursday after he opened fire at a military post, according to Israeli sources.

The official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that the incident happened near the Deir Sharaf checkpoint in the northern West Bank.

The Israeli military said on X that soldiers from a reserve battalion operating in a military position "neutralized" the suspect after he fired at them, adding there were "no casualties to our forces."

United Hatzalah, an Israeli rescue service, later confirmed the suspect's death. In a press release, the service stated that two Palestinian passersby were injured in the incident but did not provide details regarding who had shot them.

Since the beginning of Israel's retaliatory campaign against Hamas in Gaza on Oct. 7, tensions have also been escalating in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where more than 370 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. 
New Delhi, Feb 8 : The Delhi High Court on Thursday expressed apprehension regarding unauthorised encroachments and constructions of religious structures within forest lands not protected by statutory authorities.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora was dealing with a plea seeking protection for ancient monuments, particularly the Ashiq Allah Dargaah in Mehrauli, from demolition.

The court stressed the need to preserve forested areas and only "certified" heritage monuments, cautioning against the proliferation of unauthorised constructions.

During proceedings, the bench noted the significance of protecting monuments certified by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) or the National Monuments Authority. However, it said that unauthorised constructions lack protection under the law and cannot be permitted, except for monuments certified by relevant authorities.

Referring to images of unauthorised constructions, the bench noted concerns about increasing encroachments and stressed the importance of preserving forested areas for environmental restoration.

Moreover, the court stressed the health implications of unchecked urbanisation, citing the detrimental effects of air pollution on public health. It urged a balance between heritage preservation and environmental conservation, stressing the need to prioritise the well-being of citizens.

Addressing communal sentiments purportedly linked to the issue, the bench cautioned against divisive agendas and emphasised the need for clarity in preserving heritage sites while evicting unauthorised occupants.

In response, counsel for the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) assured the court of adherence to statutory regulations in preserving heritage structures and undertaking demolition actions lawfully.

Concluding the proceedings, the bench reiterated the paramount importance of public health and urged cooperation in vacating unauthorised structures for the betterment of society.
London, Feb 8 : An employment tribunal has dismissed a British Indian worker's claim that she was racially targetted at Deloitte after a colleague compared her to Pocahontas, a Disney character based on the life of a Native American woman.

Shivali Patel, who was hired as a senior consultant in Deloitte's digital division in March 2019, made the allegations against her colleague Ben Combes, a director in the company, The Telegraph newspaper reported.

At a recent hearing in London, the tribunal was told that a "team drinks" event was held in September 2021 at a local BrewDog pub where Combes and Patel were present.

Patel claimed that during a conversation, Combes made an "uncomfortable" remark about his wife in which he said she looked like Pocahontas. Patel felt there was a "racial" and "sexual" element to this remark in which he was comparing her to his wife, and subsequently Pocahontas, the Daily reported.

"I am an Indian female, the insinuation was that his wife looked similar to Pocahontas, the insinuation was that I had similarities to his wife and that he was in some way interested in me," Patel told the tribunal.

"If his wife is a Caucasian female and Pocahontas in the Disneyfied version is tanned and somewhat looks like me, the insinuation is that I look like his wife who is tanned. "It felt like he was implying he found me attractive; it had a sexual tone to it I felt uncomfortable about," said Patel, who resigned from Deloitte in 2022 without citing any reason.

The tribunal was told that Patel was denied a promotion after feedback from colleagues stated that her attitude could "wildly vary" which made some staff feel like they had to "walk on eggshells as one slight comment could derail a conversation".

In his defence, Combes said he was discussing the BBC programme 'Who Do You Think You Are?' and had mentioned that his wife's family believe they are descendants of Pocahontas. Clarifying that he did not comment on Patel's appearance, Combes said he was not insinuating any connection between his wife and colleague.

The employment judge dismissed Patel's claims of discrimination and harassment last week and suggested she had "unconsciously embroidered the discussion".

"Our conclusions were that the conversation about Pocahontas related to genealogy and that (Ms Patel) had misremembered, misheard and/or unconsciously embroidered the discussion," Employment Judge Natasha Joffe was quoted as saying in The Telegraph.

"We could see nothing in the context or in any other behaviour of Mr Combes which supported an inference that any of these remarks were intended to be flirtatious or arose from an attraction to the claimant which would make them inherently sexual," Judge Joffe added.

In addition, Patel sued many of her colleagues over several incidents that she perceived amounted to sex discrimination, race discrimination, harassment, and constructive unfair dismissal. All the claims were dismissed by the panel.

In November last year, a former Deloitte solicitor of Indian origin was charged over an alleged kiss at an office party in March 2022. Jassen Venkatasamy was accused of kissing a person on the lips, which was noted as "inappropriate", "unwanted", and "sexually motivated".

The solicitor, in an interview with The Law Society Gazette, vehemently denied any wrongdoing and vowed to contest all allegations.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, Feb 8 : In view of the call given by the farmers to hold a march towards Parliament next week, their Punjab and Haryana Police forces on Thursday beefed up the security in the respective states, including border areas, to prevent untoward incidents, officials said.

"Heavy traffic is expected on the highways leading to the national capital from Punjab and Haryana this weekend," a police official told IANS here.

Farmer organisations of both states have announced to march towards the Parliament building on February 13 to press the Centre for accepting their demands, including a law to guarantee minimum support price (MSP) for crops, compensation to the next kin of farmers who died in the previous protest on the borders of Delhi, and crop insurance.

As a preventive measure, paramilitary forces would be deployed along with the police and special barricades have been installed on the entry points between Punjab and Haryana and Haryana and Delhi, said the official.

Ahead of the planned protest by farmers of both states, tens of thousands of farmers from Uttar Pradesh have gathered in Noida, demanding increased compensation and developed plots in exchange for local development authorities acquiring their farmlands for infrastructure and other projects.

The protesters were seen trying to jump over the barricades placed there. The police in both states have also issued a traffic advisory, cautioning commuters in view of farmers' movement on tractors.
Patna, Feb 8 : Ahead of the trust vote of the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in Bihar, the BJP's top leadership has decided to keep all its 78 MLAs at one place in Bodh Gaya to avoid any kind of 'mishap' before the floor test.

A meeting in this regard took place at the residence of deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary in Patna where BJP senior leaders decided to keep all their MLAs at one place in Bodh Gaya. BJP leaders are claiming that the party has a two-day training programme on February 10 and 11 in Both Gaya and hence all the MLAs will be present there to take political tips from senior leaders of the party.

Arvind Kumar Singh, spokesperson of the BJP Bihar unit, confirmed the development.

"The party has decided to organize a training camp in Bodh Gaya. The party MLAs will stay there for two days and return to Patna on February 12 to take part in the trust vote. We have a complete majority and we will prove it in the House. No 'Khela' will take place in Bihar on February 12," Singh said.

The BJP is saying that it is a normal practice of the party but the timing of the event is giving some indication that the saffron party leaders do not want to take any chance before the crucial trust vote on February 12. The training camp in Bodh Gaya is not a pre-scheduled event but was suddenly decided on Wednesday night.

Sources said that if the BJP MLAs stay in Patna, there could be a chance that some of them may go here and there and hence the party has decided to keep them at one place. The MLAs will come back on the morning of February 12 to Patna and straight away go to the Vidhan Sabha to participate in the trust vote.

The budget session of the Vidhan Sabha is scheduled to start from February 12 with the speech of Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar followed by the NDA leaders bringing in the no confidence motion against Speaker Awadh Bihari Choudhary. After that, voting will take place to elect a new Speaker and then the Nitish Kumar government will prove its majority in the House.

As Speaker Awadh Bihari Choudhary refused to resign, it will be interesting to see what kind of 'Khela' will take place on February 12.

Sources said that some MLAs of the BJP and half a dozen MLAs of the JD-U are in touch with RJD leader and former chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Chennai, Feb 8 : Top officials of Indian and the Russian nuclear establishments visited Tamil Nadu's Kudankulam where four more 1,000 MW atomic power plants are being constructed, it was announced on Thursday.

Rosatom State Corporation Director General Alexey Likhachev, and Atomic Energy Commission of India Chairman and Secretary, Atomic Energy, Ajit Kumar Mohanty, visited Kudankulam, said Rosatom.

During the two-day visit, the delegation inspected the power units being constructed as the second and third stages and discussed the long-term cooperation agenda.

The end of last year was marked by a wonderful joint 10-year anniversary of the first nuclear power unit at Kudankulam being connected to the Indian power grid of the Republic of India, Likhachev said.

"Our work continues as part of joint projects in various areas of the nuclear energy use and we are optimistic about the further development of our cooperation," he added.

India's atomic power plant operator Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) has two functional 1,000 MW plants (Units 1 and 2) at Kudankulam, while four more (Units 3, 4, 5 and 6) are under construction. All the six units are built with Russian technology and equipment supplied by Rosatom.

Major equipment for building the third and fourth units have reached Kudankulam from Russia.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, Feb 8 : AAP Rajya Sabha member Vikramjit Singh Sahney on Thursday demanded that Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour, should be conferred on Master Tara Singh for his contributions to the unification of India and the Sikh community.

Speaking in the Parliament, Sahney said it was Master Tara Singh who had rejected the proposal of (Muhammad Ali) Jinnah and decided that Punjabis and Sikhs wanted to be with India.

"If that decision had not been taken, the border of Pakistan would have been Gurugram, not Atari," he said.

Sahney also explained how Sikhs suffered during the Partition as over five lakh people lost their lives while lakhs of Punjabis were uprooted and left their fertile land and holy shrine, the birth place of Guru Nanak Dev in Pakistan.

Sahney reiterated that Sikhs are the most patriotic Indians and they had and are still sacrificing their lives for the motherland.
'You are born for the dance floor', Shahid heaps praises on Adrija Sinha. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, Feb 8 : Actor Shahid Kapoor, who appeared on the celebrity dance reality show 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa', praised young diva Adrija Sinha, saying she has immense talent, and is born for the dance floor.

In the 'Love Special' episode, the show saw a flurry of festivities for Valentine's Week, wherein the contestants expressed their definition of love through captivating performances.

Ace actor and comedian Javed Jaffery, who had introduced the country to break-dance, appeared on the episode as a special guest, while Shahid and Kriti Sanon made an appearance to promote their film 'Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya'.

Topping the score chart week after week, Adrija, along with choreographer Akash Thapa, created magic once again with their performance on the song 'Laal Peeli Akhiyaan' from 'Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya'.

The duo stunned one and all with their break-dance act as they performed wearing feet wheels, setting a new benchmark in the competition.

Shahid said: "All I can say is that today is the day when the fan dances better than the artiste; my eyes couldn't move away from Adrija throughout the act. Adrija, you owned it. Every beat, every step, every expression of yours, I could feel the dance bursting out from within you."

"You have immense talent and you were born for the dance floor. By watching you today, I have learned so much, thank you for that," he added.

Kriti shared: "This was incredible, what a performance! I absolutely loved every moment of it. The way you danced, your energy, and your facial expressions were amazing. I'm truly a fan. In aLaal Peeli Ankhiyaa, at one moment, you were playful with your tongue out, and the next, you were like a firecracker."

"I could never imagine an act like this on this song. I think this is one of the best acts that I have seen on a live stage," added Kriti.

Javed expressed his desire to perform alongside the talented Adrija.

Together, they set the stage on fire as they grooved to the beats of aTare Gin Gina.

Javed also presented Adrija with the coveted 'BOO' tag.

'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa' airs on Sony.
Chennai, Feb 8 : The Madras High Court on Thursday refused to quash the criminal proceedings initiated against BJP's Tamil Nadu state President K. Annamalai.

Justice Anand Venkatesh dismissed the petition filed by the BJP leader seeking the case be quashed.

Social activist V. Piyush had filed a case before the Salem's magistrate court against Annamalai in 2022, alleging that Annamalai, in an interview given to a YouTube channel on October 22, 2022, just two days before Diwali that year, charged that it was a Christian NGO that had first filed a case to ban use of crackers during the festival.

Piyush, in his complaint, said that the BJP leader had deliberately fanned communal hatred by "lying" that it was a missionary NGO that filed a case against bursting crackers during Diwali celebrations.

The Salem magistrate court had taken cognisance of the petition and issued notice to BJP leader against which he approached the Madras High Court.

Justic Venkatesh, while dismissing the petition, said: "If religion becomes bellicose jingoism, it can prove fatal to the secular fabric of this country." He also observed that the interview of Annamalai disclose a divisive intent on the part of the petitioner to project that a Christian NGO was acting against Hindu culture.

"The intent behind the statement could be gathered from the fact that though the interview spanned for about 40 minutes, a shorter 6.5 minute footage, in which he claimed that it was a Christian NGO which filed the first case, had been edited out and tweeted through the official X handle of Bharatiya Janata Partyas (BJP) Tamil Nadu unit."

The judge also recalled a recent Supreme Court in which the apex court has warned that hate speeches could act like a ticking bomb waiting to explode at an appropriate time, adding that the observations of the apex court were more relevant in the era of social media.

The court, after dismissing the petition, directed the Salem judicial magistrate's court to proceed with the case without being influenced by the High Courtas comments made on the matter.
Mumbai, Feb 8 : Director-producer Aditya Dhar, who is awaiting the release of his upcoming movie 'Article 370' starring his wife, Yami Gautam Dhar, has cleared the air around his ambitious film 'The Immortal Ashwatthama' which originally starred Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal in the lead role.

Aditya spoke with the media on the sidelines of the trailer launch of his home production aArticle 370a which unravels the events surrounding the abrogation of the Article 370 of the Indian Constitution which granted a special status to Kashmir.

He told the media: "I'll be very honest, that film ('The Immortal Ashwatthama') has been put on hold. The kind of vision that we all had for that film, it was too big for the mathematics to work in the Indian cinema. The kind of VFX we were aiming for, nobody has tried for it yet in India. Ya toh humaari VFX technology sasti ho jaaye ya humaare number of screens baddh jaayein (either our filmmaking technology becomes cheaper or the number of screens in India are increased) so that more people can watch the film tab tak mujhe thoda sa dekhna padega."

He gave an example of James Cameron and how he made 'Avatar', as he said: "James Cameron conceptualised 'Avatar' 27 years before it was released. He waited for the market to go up or for the technology to come up to a certain level. I'm no James Cameron but the point is that the situation has to be in our favour to a certain degree and has to work out a certain way so that we can mount a film like The Immortal Ashwatthama."

Aditya made his directorial debut with 'Uri: The Surgical Strike' with Vicky Kaushal in the lead role.

The film presented a dramatised account of India's surgical strike in response to Pakistan's 2016 Uri attack.

'Article 370' is slated for release on February 23.
New York, Feb 8 : A 29-year-old chef in the US died after battling a rare fungal disease that made holes in his lungs "like Swiss cheese".

Michigan-based Ian Pritchard contracted blastomycosis -- a fungus-borne illness that targeted and wore out his respiratory system, the New York Post reported.

"They showed us a picture of his lungs, and they literally looked like Swiss cheese," his father, Ron Pritchard was quoted as saying to UpNorthLive in December.

On Saturday last week, Pritchard was taken off life support at a Detroit hospital, according to a GoFundMe page that raised almost $20,000 for his family.

"The Blastomycosis fungal infection ravaged Ianas lungs beyond repair," the page read.

In people with weakened immune systems, the infection will spread from the lungs to the central nervous system, along with the skin and joints, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Research from 2005 found that between 4 per cent and 22 per cent of infected people die from blastomycosis. People contract the illness by breathing in spores of the fungus blastomyces, which live in moist soil and decaying wood and leaves found in the Midwest and the South US.

"It's in the air, itas in the trees, itas in the wet leaves, itas in the ground, itas in the mud, itas in, everywhere. Everywhere in northern Michigan -- in fact, the Midwest -- is covered in (blastomyces)," Pritchard warned.

The infection typically develops within two to 15 weeks, the report said. About half of patients will suffer symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, and muscle aches. While there is no cure, the illness is treated with antifungal medications like Itraconazole -- Pritchard said his sonas medications cost about $7,000 monthly.

"He was a good kid. He didnat get in very much trouble, he was no trouble to raise," his father said.

"People love his food, people love him."

--IANS

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RAMALLAH, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday met with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in the West Bank, discussing issues including Palestinian statehood and the developments in the Gaza Strip.

Abbas said peace and security could be achieved through the implementation of the two-state solution based on international legitimacy resolutions, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

During the meeting, Abbas affirmed the importance of accelerating the delivery of relief supplies, including medicine and food, and the provision of water, electricity, and fuel to Gaza. He meanwhile reiterated his rejection of the forced displacement of the Palestinian people.

The Palestinian president also warned of the consequences of any potential military operation by Israeli forces in Rafah city in the south of the strip to force Gaza residents to flee, stressing Gaza is an integral part of the Palestinian state and that the "Israeli plans" to separate the enclave from Palestinian territory would not be accepted.

Abbas also highlighted the importance of the U.S. recognition of the State of Palestine, urging U.S. support for Palestine's full membership in the United Nations. 
New Delhi, Feb 8 : Rajya Sabha member and former Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Narhari Amin on Thursday refuted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not born into the Other Backward Class (OBC) community.

It may be recalled that Rahul Gandhi claimed that Modi had himself added his caste to the OBC category when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, an allegation which Amin termed as baseless and unfounded.

"I was serving as the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat in the Congress government when the government of Gujarat notified Modh-Ghanchi as OBC on July 25, 1994. This is the same caste our respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi belongs to.

"Rahul Gandhi is insulting the OBC communities by cooking up mindless lies on this issue. This decision, and the subsequent Government of India notification, came when Narendra Modi was not even an MP or an MLA, forget being the Chief Minister," Amin said.

Rahul Gandhi, during his Odisha leg of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, had accused the Prime Minister of amisleadinga the nation by identifying himself as an OBC member. He said that Modias Ghanchi caste was included in the OBC list after the BJP government came to power in Gujarat.

OBC status first came into effect in India in 1992 after the Supreme Court in the Indira Sawhney judgement upheld the government order issued in 1990 that caste was an acceptable indicator of backwardness. Hence, it was not possible for any caste to be included in the OBC category before 1992, Amin said.

He added, "I demand Rahul Gandhi to immediately withdraw his statement. He should stop defaming the OBCs and also apologise to the people of Gujarat for being filled with hatred towards our Prime Minister."

Amin also shared the official gazette notification to refute Rahul Gandhi's claims on Modias OBC status.

Rubbishing the 'blatant lies' of the Congress leader, the BJP said that official records show that the notification, released in 1999, listed Narendra Modias caste as OBC. This came about two years before Modi assumed the post of Gujarat Chief Minister.

The government document clearly establishes the truth and goes to debunk the 'brazen lies' of Rahul Gandhi, the BJP added. The party also stepped up the attack on Rahul Gandhi and accused him of spreading fake propaganda to deceive the public.
New Delhi, Feb 8 : The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its judgment on the question whether a sub-classification is permissible within the scheduled castes (SCs) and scheduled tribes (STs) for providing benefits of affirmative action.

A 7-judge Constitution Bench headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud was hearing a reference arising out of the 2004 judgment in E.V. Chinnaiah vs State of Andhra Pradesh case, which held that the members of the SCs and STs form homogeneous groups incapable of further regrouping or classification.

The bench, also comprising Justices B.R. Gavai, Vikram Nath, Bela M. Trivedi, Pankaj Mithal, Manoj Misra, and Satish Chandra Sharma, was also dealing with an appeal filed by the Punjab government against the ruling of Punjab and Haryana High Court quashing the 2006 Punjab Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes (Reservation in Services) Act providing afirst preferencea to Balmikis and Mazbhi Sikh castes under SC quota.

In 2020, a 5-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra (now retired) opined that E.V. Chinnaiah ruling is required to be revisited by a larger Bench saying that the benefit of reservation is not percolating down to the neediest and poorest of the poor.

The 2004 Chinnaiah judgement had said that to re-group the scheduled castes specified in Presidential Notification issued under Article 341 of the Constitution would tantamount to discrimination in reverse and would attract the wrath of Article 14 of the Constitution.
Kolkata, Feb 8 : The state excise component, as expected, will dominate West Bengal government's revenue generation in FY 2024-25, just like the last few years, as indicated in the documents of the state budget which was presented by Minister of State for Finance, Chandrima Bhattacharya, on the floor of the Assembly on Thursday.

While the stateas own projected tax revenue in the budget estimates for 2024-25 over that of the revised estimates for 2023-24 has been pegged at just 9 per cent, the corresponding growth in the state excise component is as high as 16 per cent.

State excise is just one of the 12 components of the stateas own tax revenue column.

The stateas own tax revenue generation, as per the budget estimates for 2024-25, has been pegged at Rs 1,02,348.92 crore, as against Rs 92,742.17 crore in the revised estimate figures for 2023-24.

On the other hand, the state excise component as per the budget estimates for 2024-25 has been pegged at Rs 21,846.36 crore, as against Rs 18,851.06 crore in the revised estimate figures for 2023-24.

According to economists, while West Bengal is not the only state that depends on state excise to a substantial extent for its own tax revenue generation, such over-dependence on this particular component is not a healthy economic parameter for any state.

Another factor that is evident from the budget documents is the increased dependence on grants-in-aid from the Union government, which is pegged at Rs 34,684.41 crore as per the budget estimates for 2024-24, as against Rs 29,575.97 in the revised estimates for 2023-34.

Previously, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) too had cautioned about the high dependence of the West Bengal government on grants-in-aid from the Centre to improve the revenue receipts of the state.

The CAG had also cautioned about other important indices of economic parameters in case of West Bengal like the decline in the stateas expenditure behind asset creation or capital expenditure as against a sharp increase in the revenue expenditure, above-the-target outstanding liabilities and huge excess expenditure in several grants.
New Delhi, Feb 8 : The White Paper tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament on Thursday stated that India's aviation industry has undergone significant growth and transformation over the past decade, with the number of airports increasing from 74 in FY15 to 149 in FY23.

The White Paper on Indian Economy also stated that from FY15 to FY23, the length of national highways increased from 0.98 lakh km to 1.45 lakh km, the cargo traffic at major ports has risen from 581 million tonnes to 784 million tonnes.

Electrified rail route has gone up from 22,224 km (FY15) to 50,394 km (FY22).

According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation data, before 2014, there were 74 scheduled operational airports in country and as on date there are 149 operational airports in the country.

The aviation ministry had also claimed that during the six-year period i.e. 2014-15 to 2019-20, Indian airports witnessed robust double-digit Compound Annual Growth Rate of 12.4 per cent in terms of total passenger traffic.

Post-Covid, Indian aviation industry is again on the growth trajectory and the total passenger traffic has recovered to the tune of 96 per cent during 2022-23, as compared to pre-Covid.

"In the last 12 months, two greenfield airports namely, Rajkot in Gujarat and Shivamogga in Karnataka have been operationalised. In addition, new terminal buildings at Trichy, Ayodhya, Surat, Chennai, Tezu, Kanpur and Port Blair airports have been developed," as per the Ministry of Civil Aviation data.

--IANS

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San Francisco, Feb 8 : Mitchell Baker, CEO of Mozilla which is the developer of the Firefox Internet browser, on Thursday announced to step down and will transition back to the executive chairwoman role.

Baker had been executive chairwoman for several decades. Board member Laura Chambers is taking over as interim CEO.

"During my 25 years at Mozilla, I've worn many hats, and this move is driven by a desire to streamline our focus and leadership for the challenges ahead," Baker said in a statement.

Chambers, a dynamic board member, will step into the CEO role.

"With an impressive background leading product organization at Airbnb, PayPal, eBay, and most recently as CEO of Willow Innovations, Laura is well-equipped to guide Mozilla through this transitional period," Baker said.

Her focus will be on delivering successful products that advance our mission and building platforms that accelerate momentum.

Mozilla said Chambers will focus on two key goals: refining the company's vision and product strategy, and building out its innovation pipeline.

The company launched a paid privacy monitoring service called Mozilla Monitor this month, in addition to paid options for its Pocket, VPN, and Relay services.

"We're at a critical juncture where public trust in institutions, governments, and the fabric of the internet has reached unprecedented lows. There's a tectonic shift underway as everyone battles to own the future of AI," said Baker.

"It is Mozilla's opportunity and imperative to forge a better future," she added.
New Delhi, Feb 8 : The Supreme Court has rejected the bail plea moved by an alleged Khalistani separatist who was booked by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) over his involvement in the activities of banned terrorist organisation 'Sikhs for Justice' (SFJ).

Saying that the accused Gurwinder Singh alias Gurpreet Singh Gopi was knowingly facilitating the commission of a preparatory act towards the commission of terrorist act, a bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Aravind Kumar denied to interfere with the April 2023 order of the Punjab & Haryana High Court.

Earlier, the High Court had rejected the grant of bail on the ground of seriousness of the nature of offence and that none of the protected witnesses had been examined.

"The material available on record indicates the involvement of the appellant in furtherance of terrorist activities backed by members of banned terrorist organisation involving exchange of large quantum of money through different channels which needs to be deciphered and therefore in such a scenario if the appellant is released on bail there is every likelihood that he will influence the key witnesses of the case which might hamper the process of justice," the Supreme Court said in its judgement.

It said that mere delay in trial pertaining to grave offences cannot be used as a ground to grant bail, adding that the trial in the case is already under way and 22 witnesses including the protected witnesses have been examined.

The case relates to busting of a SFJ module during the investigation of a case where two persons were arrested in October, 2018 for hanging banners in Amritsar on which "Khalistan Zindabad" and "Khalistan Referendum 2020" was written.

The probe revealed that these acts were committed by a gang of radicalised Sikh youth under direction and financial assistance from SFJ handlers located abroad as part of an organised conspiracy for launching a concerted secessionist campaign for creation of 'Khalistan'.

The case was initially registered by Punjab police and the NIA took over the investigation on April 5, 2020.
Chennai, Feb 8 : The cybercrime wing of the Greater Chennai Police has launched a probe after five popular schools in the city received hoax bomb threat.

An anonymous person sent e-mails to five popular schools under the Greater Chennai Police limits on Thursday, claiming that bombs would detonate in their premises.

After the e-mail was received, many schools, including those that did not receive the mail, also closed early and asked parents to take their children home.

The police said in a statement, "Following the threat e-mails, our personnel from Greater Chennai City Police/Bomb Disposal and Detection Squad (BDDS) have been deployed to these schools for anti-sabotage checks. Action is being taken to identify the culprit who sent these e-mails."

Public are requested not to panic, the police said.
New Delhi, Feb 8 : The armed forces of India and France will increase cooperation in maritime domain. The decision is important considering the recent attacks by pirates in Arabian Sea and Red Sea.

The Ministry of Defence said the cooperation between the Indian Navy and French Navy also includes training SME exchanges.

According to the ministry, the 17th Indian Navy and French Navy staff two-day talks were held in Delhi. The meeting was co-chaired by RAdm Nirbhay Bapna, ACNS (FCI), and RAdm Jean Marc Durandau, Director of International Engagements, French Navy.

The major discussions included operational training, SME exchanges, etc. Both sides also acknowledged the growing cooperation between the two Navies as they agreed to enhance collaboration and interoperability in the maritime domain, an official said.

On the sidelines of the talks, Jean Marc Durandau called on VAdm Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, and underscored the high-level of synergy and interoperability between the two forces.
Kolkata, Feb 8 : With an eye on the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, West Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya on Thursday presented a Rs 3,66,116 crore state budget for 2024-25 with enhanced sums for various key sections of the people.

Understanding that the women voters have played a crucial role for Trinamool Congress' electoral success in consecutive elections, Bhattacharya proposed a substantial increase in the entitlements under Lakshmir Bhandar, the monthly scheme for women in the state.

Under the new proposals, the monthly amount for the general category women will be doubled from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000, and the amount for the reserved categories will be increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200.

"An additional annual allocation of Rs 12,000 crore has been provided for this purpose. On attaining the age of 60 years, there will be an automatic and seamless transition from Lakhshmir Bhandar to old age pension scheme and the beneficiaries will continue to receive the same amount," Bhattacharya said.

Reading out the budget speech, Bhattacharya reminded the Assembly of the assurance from the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, about paying the beneficiaries of 100-day job scheme under MGNREGA from the state exchequer and said that the state government has earmarked an allocation of Rs 3,700 crore for 2024-25.

At the same time, she also announced the state's own job scheme Karmasree, through which the state government will ensure at least 50 days of work to each job card holder. This scheme shall commence from May 2024, the Finance Minister said.

She also said that the state government has also announced an additional four per cent dearness allowance (DA) for the state government employees. However, the announcement has not made the agitating state government employees happy as even after the enhancement the gap in DA payment with their counterparts in the Union government remains at 32 per cent.

Economic analysts feel that although several proposals on enhanced dole amounts were announced, there was no concrete proposal for balancing the same through additional generation of tax revenues. On the contrary, pointed out economists, there had been proposals on relaxations of taxes in certain spheres like taxes of vehicles, luxury tax, stamp duty, among others.

The opening minutes of the budget speech was marked by pandemonium as the opposition BJP legislators started shouting slogans regarding the issues of different financial irregularities and fiscal mismanagement. Even the Chief Minister herself, at one point of time, was seen entering into heated exchange of words with the BJP legislators.

The discussions on the state budget will be for the next two days following which the house will be adjourned.
New Delhi, Feb 8 : A Delhi court has rejected the bail application of a businessman accused of defrauding the east African nation of Djibouti of $5 million, citing failure to fulfill contractual obligations and non-payment of the owed amount.

The court's decision came after businessman Sai Ramakrishna Karuturi, who faced charges of cheating the African country based on a complaint filed by its Ambassador in India in 2018, surrendered before the court in compliance with a Supreme Court order.

Despite arguments from Karuturi's counsel regarding the absence of a final report from the investigating officer (IO) and cooperation in the investigation, Additional Sessions Judge Kiran Gupta of Patiala House Courts deemed the allegations serious enough to warrant denial of bail.

The judge noted that Karuturi had received a bank guarantee of $6.5 million for agricultural activities, which he failed to perform.

It was further noted that Karuturi neither returned the amount nor supplied the agreed-upon agricultural produce as per the contractual agreements dated September 10, 2011, and February 23, 2012.

Moreover, the court noted Karuturi's failure to provide evidence of substantial machinery and equipment supplied to Djibouti, as stipulated in the agreements.

The prosecution argued that the accused misrepresented the agricultural potential of leased land in Ethiopia, resulting in financial losses for Djibouti.

Despite claims of unforeseen circumstances such as floods, the court noted that it was Karuturi's obligation to fulfill contractual obligations and compensate for losses incurred.

The prosecution opposed to his bail application saying that Karuturi's flight risk was heightened by his lack of permanent residence in India and substantial assets in Kenya and elsewhere in Africa.

The genesis of the dispute lies in tripartite agreements between Karuturi's companies, Djibouti, and its consultant firm, Multiflex Biotech FZC.

These agreements mandated Karuturi Overseas Ltd (KOL) to develop agricultural land in Ethiopia and supply produce to Djibouti, backed by bank guarantees issued by the latter nation. Despite claims of crop loss due to floods, Djibouti contended that KOL failed to fulfill contractual obligations, leading to financial losses. The court noted that while KOL acknowledged crop destruction, it failed to supply the agreed-upon machinery in compensation.

In light of these factors, the court dismissed Karuturi's bail plea, citing the seriousness of the charges and the need to ensure compliance with contractual obligations.

--IANS

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MEXICO CITY, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Mexico and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to jointly tackling immigration and security issues along their border, the Mexican Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

To that end, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador met on Tuesday with White House Homeland Security Advisor Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall at the National Palace in Mexico City, the ministry said in a release.

At the meeting, the Mexican president reaffirmed his government's commitment to working with the United States towards an "orderly and safe management of migration" with "a regional perspective, addressing the root causes and always with full respect for the sovereignties of both countries and the policy of good neighborliness, friendship and cooperation," the ministry added.

Following that meeting, Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena discussed bilateral issues with the U.S. side. They reviewed the progress of their joint strategy on immigration matters, and discussed measures to address the synthetic opioid epidemic in the United States and arms trafficking from the United States into Mexico.

Both sides agreed that "the exchange of information and the use of traceability programs will be essential to stopping the illicit entry of weapons and chemical precursors of fentanyl at the shared border," said the ministry. 
New Delhi, Feb 8 : The Delhi High Court has called for the stance of bike-taxi aggregator Rapido regarding a plea filed by two differently-abled individuals, citing accessibility issues on the platform's mobile application.

Disability rights activist Amar Jain and visually-impaired banker Dipto Ghosh Chaudhary have expressed dissatisfaction with Rapido's response to their concerns despite multiple updates to the app.

Justice Subramonium Prasad issued a notice on the application filed by Jain and Chaudhary, urging Rapido to address the "critical barriers" hindering the daily commute of differently-abled users.

The petitioners cited challenges such as the inability to independently cancel rides, track driver locations, and message drivers within the app.

Despite six updates to the mobile application, the petitioners claim that none of the flagged issues have been resolved, indicating Rapido's "casual and insensitive attitude" towards accessibility concerns.

Last year, the petitioners had approached the high court seeking directions for Rapido to conduct an immediate accessibility audit and address accessibility barriers promptly.

They stressed the importance of ensuring comprehensive accessibility for differently-abled individuals in digital services.

The plea also sheds light on broader challenges faced by differently-abled users across various cab aggregator platforms, stressing the need for industry-wide measures to accommodate their needs.

The petition, which is now listed for next hearing in April, talks about the failure of the Road Transport Ministry to enforce mandates ensuring functional and digital accessibility for all cab aggregators.

The court had previously issued notice to relevant authorities, including the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and Roppen Transportation Services (owner of Rapido).

--IANS

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Mumbai, Feb. 8 : In a shocking incident, a prominent Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, Abhishek Ghosalkar, was shot repeatedly during a Facebook Live interaction by Morris Noronha, a local goon and gambler, who later committed suicide by shooting self, here on Thursday evening.

Ghosalkar was rushed to the Karuna Hospital in the LIC Colony, barely a kilometre away, where he succumbed to the bullet injuries soon afterwards.

According to the sequence of events, Noronha had invited Ghosalkar for a local public event and then conducted a Facebook Live interaction for 40 minutes at his office in IC Colony in Borivali West.

Ghosalkar was sitting on a sofa and talking with some online visitors on a mobile phone positioned on a tripod about local civic issues.

At one point, the assailant, notorious as 'Morris-bhai' in the vicinity, came and sat beside Ghosalkar briefly. They warmly interacted before the camera before Morris got up to step outside.

Appearing to end the live social media show, Ghosalkar said, "God bless you, we will go outside and we will start," as he stood up from the sofa when Morris suddenly returned, whipped out a revolver and fired at least three rounds at him.

Taken unawares by the sudden attack, Ghosalkar could be seen screaming, stumbling forward and falling down, with at least one bullet went in his chest and one in the shoulder, even as videos of the incident with the gunshots went viral.

Seconds later, even Morris went some metres away and shot himself at least four bullets and collapsed in a pool of blood, sending shockwaves in the city.

The son of senior SS-UBT leader Vinod Ghosalkar, Abhishek was a former BMC Corporator from Dahisar Ward No. 7, and was considered among the key second-rung youth leaders of the party headed by ex-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Abhishek's wife, Tejasvee A. Ghosalkar, was also a BMC Corporator, while Vinod Ghosalkar is an ex-MLA and till recently, was the Chairman of Mumbai Building Repairs & Reconstruction Board (MBRRB).

The assailant enjoyed a dubious reputation as a local "goon and an expert gambler" who used to frequent top casinos all over the world, according to people in the neighbourhood dominated by the minority Christian community.

The provocation for Ghosalkar's killing is reportedly out of personal enmity as he was instrumental in getting Morris jailed last year in a criminal case. Morris nursed a deep grudge against him.

Top SS-UBT leaders like Aditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut and others strongly condemned the murderous attack on their party leader and targetted Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

Former Union minister Anant Geete rushed to the hospital to inquire after Ghosalkar's condition, but declined to speak to the media, while top Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders like Leader of Opposition (Assembly) Vijay Wadettiwar, Leader of Opposition (Council) Ambadas Danve, Jitendra Awhad, Kishore Tiwari and others slammed the state government for the 'total breakdown' of rule of law in the state.

Maharashtra's ruling Shiv Sena-BJP leaders like Deepak Kesarkar, Atul Bhatkalkar, Pravin Darekar and others also condemned the killing.

Top police officials, including Additional Commissioner of Police, DCP, ACP and others, have rushed to the double-crime spot and the hospital for investigation.

The entire locality has been cordoned off as a forensic team got cracking at the office where the live programme was held and outside where Morris ended his life.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
New Delhi, Feb 8 : The Supreme Court has refused to interfere with the order passed by the Punjab & Haryana High Court granting bail to former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's nephew Bhupinder Singh Honey in connection with a money laundering case pertaining to an illegal sand mining case.

Dismissing the special leave petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking cancellation of Honeyas bail, a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta clarified that in case any predicate offence is revived or registered, it will be open to the central anti-money laundering agency to proceed in accordance with law.

"Though we have some reservations with the impugned order, as it appears that the order was passed without giving opportunity to the petitioner a" Enforcement Directorate to file a reply, we are not inclined to interfere with the impugned order," the bench said.

In July 2022, a bench of Justice Arvind Singh Sangwan of the P&H High Court had allowed the application for bail saying that the accused qualifies the triple test under Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Honey was arrested during the intervening night of February 3 and 4, 2022 by the ED. The ED twice got Honey's custody and was he was later sent to judicial custody.

According to the charge sheet filed before a special Jalandhar court, Honey has confessed that it was his Rs 10 crore were recovered by the ED during raids. On March 7, 2018, an FIR against more than 10 people was lodged by the Punjab Police with its Rahon Police Station under sections 21(1), 4(1) of the Mines and Mineral Act read with sections 379, 420, 465, 467, 468 and 471 of IPC.

The ED initiated a money laundering probe on the basis of this FIR pertaining to illegal sand mining in Punjab in November 2021.
New Delhi, Feb 8 : A Delhi court has extended, till February 13, the interim bail of liquor businessman Sameer Mahendru in the excise policy case.

Special Judge M.K. Nagpal granted the extension due to the hospitalisation of Mahendru's wife, who is experiencing post-surgical complications.

Upon receiving Mahendru's application, the interim bail, initially set to expire on February 9, was prolonged until February 13, allowing time for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to respond to the application.

The ED had requested for additional time to address the application.

The judge, who initially granted interim bail to Mahendru due to his wife's surgery, extended the relief first on January 22 after considering the ongoing post-operative care required for his wife, and now on Thursday for the next five days.

Noting that Mahendru's wife would continue to be hospitalised for a few more days, the judge had directed him to surrender before the jail superintendent concerned by 5 p.m. on February 9.

The ED had earlier opposed the extension, contending it violated the court's earlier condition that Mahendru wouldn't seek further relief. The judge had, however, found no evidence that the surgery delay was intentional or caused by any fault of the accused or his wife.

While granting interim bail, the judge had observed that during Mahendru's previous interim bail, there was no attempt to influence witnesses or tamper with evidence and Mahendru does not pose a flight risk.

According to the prosecution, Mahendru was a significant beneficiary of excise policy violations, operating an alcoholic beverage manufacturing unit and holding wholesale and retail licences in his and his familyas names. Earlier, the Delhi High Court had denied regular bail to Mahendru.

--IANS

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After talks with Union ministers, farmers say will still head to Parliament on Feb 13. Image Source: IANS News

Chandigarh, Feb 8 : After holding talks with Union ministers, including Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, representatives of farmers on Thursday announced they would go on with their march to the Parliament on February 13 over their demands.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was mediating between them.

At the same time, the representatives admitted the meeting convened in Chandigarh was held in a congenial atmosphere and they expressed their concerns over the delay in implementation of demands, including a law to guarantee minimum support price (MSP) for crops.

But they said they were open for the further talks ahead of the proposed protest.

Their other demands included compensation to the next kin of farmers who died in the previous protest on the borders of Delhi and crop insurance.

A team of three Union ministers, also comprising Nityanand Rai and Arjun Munda, and a central government delegation were rushed to Chandigarh to meet representatives of protesting farmers.

Farmers leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal told the media after the conclusion of the talks that "Dilli Chalo" protest to press for their demands would continue on February 13.

"If the Modi government wants to redress our grievances, they can by accept our demands, including a legal guarantee of a MSP for crops in the ongoing session of Parliament.

"We are always open to talks. If they invite us for the talks ahead of our February 13 protest, we will come again. At this point in time, we can say we will go for our proposed protest. Farmers in villages across Punjab are gearing up to reach Delhi on that day," Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur) President Dallewal added.

Dilli Chalo' is an indefinite protest akin to November 2020 protest against the farm laws. Members of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha are readying tractors and storing rations for travel to the national capital.

Meanwhile, in view of the call given by the farmers to hold a march, Punjab and Haryana Police forces have beefed up the security in the respective states, including border areas, to prevent untoward incidents, officials said.

"Heavy traffic is expected on the highways leading to the national capital from Punjab and Haryana this weekend," a police official told IANS here.

As a preventive measure, paramilitary forces would be deployed along with the police and special barricades have been installed on the entry points between Punjab and Haryana and Haryana and Delhi, said the official.

Ahead of the planned protest by farmers of both states, tens of thousands of farmers from Uttar Pradesh have gathered in Noida, demanding increased compensation and developed plots in exchange for local development authorities acquiring their farmlands for infrastructure and other projects. The protesters were seen trying to jump over the barricades placed there. The police in both states have also issued a traffic advisory, cautioning commuters in view of farmers' movement on tractors.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, Feb 8 : On the personal intervention of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Union government and farmers reached a consensus on Thursday evening over various issues during the first round of deliberations, the state government said.

The meeting was held here and was attended by Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda and Nityanand Rai besides the Chief Minister and representatives of various farmers unions.

An official statement quoting the Chief Minister said during the first round of talks a general consensus emerged on rolling back the cases registered against farmers during the agitation against the repealed farm laws.

He said the deliberations were held in a congenial atmosphere and the Union Ministers gave their in principle approval to sympathetically consider the demands of the farmers. Mann said exemplary punishment was sought against the manufacturers of the spurious seeds so that interests of the food growers are safeguarded, adding the issue of paddy straw burning was also vehemently raised.

The Chief Minister, while presenting the case of the farmers, batted for continuing the minimum support price (MSP) regime on the crops by asserting that it is the need of hour to secure the interests of the farmers.

He said the withdrawal of the MSP is figment of imagination of only the armchair economists, who sit in their cozy offices in the national capital without bothering about the ground realities. Mann said any such move to discontinue the MSP regime will jeopardise the food security of the country and is not in the interest of the nation.

Dwelling on another issue, the Chief Minister also batted for giving major push to the crop diversification in the country as it will be beneficial for the people.

He said the country today imports pulses from countries like Mozambique and others whereas if farmers get remunerative prices then they can produce these pulses here. Mann said this would save the foreign reserves of the country, besides bringing the farmers out of rut of paddy circle thereby saving the precious water in the state.

Thanking the Union government and farmers for coming on table to discuss the issues, the Chief Minister said this is the right platform for solving the issues.

"We too don't want that agitation should take place on these issues and rather these matters must be sorted out through bilateral dialogue," he said.

Mann expressed hope that more such discussions will take place in coming times in the larger interests of the farmers and the people.
Amaravati, Feb 8 : The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is weak and that's why its chief Chandrababu Naidu is running around in desperation for alliances with other parties, YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) General Secretary Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy said on Thursday.

Reacting to Chandrababu Naiduas visit to Delhi and his meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President J P. Nadda, he said it was known to everyone that the TDP is weak and Naidu is desperate for alliances.

Ramakrishna Reddy, who is also the government advisor on public affairs, remarked that Naidu goes anywhere and, to any extent, for alliances.

"He is trying to somehow enter into an alliance with the BJP," he said, noting that it was ironic that Chandrababu Naidu was meeting the same BJP leaders whom he had abused.

The YSRCP leader said the TDP leaders tried to give an impression that the BJP leadership invited him for talks.

On the TDP deciding to contest Rajya Sabha elections, he said this thinking was unethical.

"The TDP has just 18 MLAs. How can it contest for Rajya Sabha?" he asked.

Ramakrishna Reddy said that the YSRCP will seek votes in the coming general elections on the basis of welfare works undertaken by its government during the last five years. He exuded confidence that YSRCP will win a fresh mandate thanks to the development done by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

He also stated that Congress has no existence in Andhra Pradesh. He remarked that state Congress President Y. S. Sharmila is speaking like a "hired mike" of Chandrababu Naidu.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, Feb 8 : A spurned lover stabbed to death a girl in full public view in Telangana's Nirmal district on Thursday.

The victimas sister-in-law and two-year-old nephew were also injured in the shocking incident in Khanapur town.

According to police, S. Alekhya, 22, was returning from tailoring class along with her sister-in-law Jayasheela and nephew Riyansh when Srikant attacked her from behind. She died on the spot.

Jayasheela was injured while trying to save her while the child also sustained injuries. Both have been shifted to Nirmal for treatment.

Alekhya and Srikant were friends in the past and he wanted to marry her. The girlas family, however, had rejected the proposal and fixed her marriage with another man about four months ago.

Srikant tried to break the alliance by calling Alekhyaas groom-to-be saying he and Alekhya were in love.

Following this, Alekhyaas family had lodged a complaint with the police. Both sides were called to the police station and the police warned Srikant against troubling Alekhya or her family.

He developed a grudge and hatched a plan to kill her.

Srikant escaped after the killing. Police have launched a hunt for him.

--IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 8 : Exalogic, the IT farm of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter, on Thursday approached the Karnataka High Court seeking a stay of the ongoing probe by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO).

Exalogic is a company which has just one director, Vijayan's daughter Veena Vijayan. The Bengaluru-based firm has now moved the court to keep it dormant status.

The SFIO is acting on the findings of the preliminary probe into the company conducted by the Registrar of Companies (ROC). Prior to the ROC investigation, this issue was first raised by Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan on the basis of a media report.

The report had quoted an Income Tax official as saying that Vijayan's daughter Veena Vijayan's IT firm Exalogic had received Rs 1.72 crore from the mining company CMRL, in which the KSIDC (Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation) has around 13 per cent stake.

Incidentally, for two days, the SFIO was at the Kochi office of CMRL and on Wednesday, it arrived at the KSIDC office here. KSIDC had approached the Kerala High Court seeking to quash the ongoing probe, but the court came down heavily on it and asked why should a state enterprise be worried of a probe which is just asking for information.

"What do you want to hide," the court asked, as it refused to quash the ongoing probe.

After questioning the CMRL and KSIDC officials, the SFIO is unlikely to approach Veena. It is being said in some quarters that sensing trouble, Exalogic on Thursday approached the Karnataka High Court seeking a stay on the probe.

The Karnataka High Court will take up the petition for hearing on Friday.
Imphal, Feb 8 : Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Thursday expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other central leaders for listening to the voice of the people of the state, and for taking the decision to construct fencing along the entire 1,643-km India-Myanmar border and immediate suspension of the Free Movement Regime (FMR).

Saying that the state government has been giving priority in keeping its people and the state's boundary safe and secure, the Chief Minister maintained that the BJP government, since its formation in 2017, had been working in different ways to check the demographic balance in population growth, drugs trafficking and other concerns like border fencing and uncheck FMR among others.

Manipur has a 398-km border with Myanmar while three other northeastern states have international borders with the northeastern states -- Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Nagaland (215 km) and Mizoram (510 km).

Informing that one km stretch of fencing through a Hybrid Surveillance System (HSS) is under execution in Manipur, bordering Myanmar, he continued that fencing works covering 20 km in vulnerable areas have also been approved, and the work would start soon.

Regarding the FMR, he reiterated the Home Ministry's decision for immediate suspension, to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of Indiaas northeastern states bordering Myanmar. Singh also lauded the move of the Central government to constitute a high-powered committee for considering the challenges arising from "fast population growth and demographic changes".

He further appreciated Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for announcing it in her interim budget speech, acknowledging what the people wanted.

The Chief Minister further stated that all the positive steps taken up by the Central and the state government are for the betterment of the future generations.

On the state government's "War on Drugs Campaign", he said that the government has not stopped its work of destroying poppy plantation, since the start of the campaign and added that areas of poppy plantation had decreased a lot.

Identification of areas with illegal poppy cultivation had been done through satellite mapping, he said, adding that combined teams of Narcotics and Affairs of Border, Narcotics Control Bureau, state forces and Forest Department are destroying the poppy plantations and the task would be completed by the end of this month. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and several Manipur based organisations including influential Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) hailed the decision of the Centre to fence the India-Myanmar border.

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma and many leading and influential organisations, including National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak-Muivah faction (NSCN-IM), Young Mizo Association, the Eastern Naga People's Organisation (ENPO) have, however, opposed both the fencing and the scrapping of FMR.

The FMR allowed citizens residing close to both sides of the border to move 16 km into each other's territory without passport or visa. Lalduhoma had said that the border with Myanmar in Mizoram was "unilaterally imposed" by the British without consulting the people and the Mizo-Zo-Chin community people living on both sides of the border do not accept the boundary.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had said the decision of the Centre to fence the India-Myanmar border needs thorough discussion before implementation.
MOSCOW, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko on Wednesday ruled out the possibility of resuming peace treaty talks with Tokyo under the current situation.

"In the current situation, returning to dialogue on the issue of the above-mentioned treaty is categorically impossible," Rudenko was quoted by Russia news agency TASS as saying.

Rudenko said that the Japanese government's "short-sighted policy" had brought bilateral relations to a post-war low, and that Tokyo had to abandon its hostility towards Russia and take concrete steps to normalize ties instead of sending vague signals.

After the start of the special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, Japan began to take "an openly unfriendly course towards Russia," Rudenko said, citing Japan's sanctions on Russia, the Russophobic sentiments in Japan, "anti-Russian propaganda" on international and regional platforms, and Japan's assistance to Ukraine. 
Chandigarh, Feb 8 : Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on Thursday appealed to the Gurdwara Elections Commissioner to revise the voter list before initiating the election process to the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC).

He cited several irregularities, including addition of non-Sikhs in the list and not putting up pictures of voters in the voting list. Dhami told the media that "the election schedule to the HSGMC has been announced in haste without holding any meeting with political parties".

He said no provision had been kept to register political parties for allocation of symbols for the election and that this was being seen as an attempt to deny registration to the representative body of the Sikhs -- the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

"This should be corrected," he added.

The SGPC President said perusal of the few voting lists had revealed a large number of non-Sikh names who were not eligible to vote for the Gurdwara elections.

He said besides, pictures of the voters had not been included in the voter list which would make it difficult to identify genuine voters and could result in malpractices.

Dhami also pointed out that only 390 booths had been earmarked in the entire Haryana for casting of votes in the elections.

"This means voters from an average of 20 villages will vote in one designated booth," he said, adding this would inconvenience the voters greatly.

Dhami also said the SGPC had lodged its protest against the Maharashtra Chief Minister for reconstituting the Sri Hazur Sahib Board.

He said the number of nominated members in the board had been increased from two to 12 even as the representation of the SGPC in the board had been reduced from four to two.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Feb 9 : The Karnataka BJP has criticised the Congress-led state government for organising the 'Jana Spandana' outreach programme at the state legislature which they called as failure of the state administration.

Bengaluru, Feb 9 (IANS) The Karnataka BJP has criticised the Congress-led state government for organising the 'Jana Spandana' outreach programme at the state legislature which they called as failure of the state administration.

Opposition leader, R. Ashoka, on Thursday said, "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, you are projecting the event as the biggest performance of the state government. However, in real terms the programme is a reflection of administrative machinery which has been collapsed in the state."

"There are 34 cabinet ministers in the state and every district is appointed with an in-charge minister. In addition, there are 34 heads of boards and corporations. District Commissioners and CEOs of zilla panchayats and gram panchayats are also functioning. Inspite of all the machinery, a poor man is compelled to come all the way from his village to the state legislature, waiting for his turn all day to submit his grievance to the CM only shows poor administration," he charged.

"CM Siddaramaiah, you are using the suffering of the people who have queued to find solutions for the cheap publicity. You should be ashamed," Ashoka added.

"Instead of enacting a drama for publicity through 'Jana Spandana' programme, CM Siddaramaiah should give directions to his ministers and district in-charge ministers to visit taluk and district centres and hear out grievances of people. The MLAs along with District Collectors and zilla panchayat CEO's can meet people and provide solutions on the spot," he appealed.
Bengaluru, Feb 9 : Biocon Ltd, the Bengaluru-based pharmaceutical giant on Thursday announced its consolidated financial results for the fiscal third quarter ended December 31, 2023.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon and Biocon Biologics said that Biocon delivered consolidated Revenue of Rs 4,519 crore for Q3FY24, driven by 65 per cent growth in Biosimilars and 9 per cent growth in Research Services. Consolidated EBITDA at Rs 1,492 crore grew by 106 per cent. Net Profit, boosted by other income, stood at Rs 660 crore.

"A key milestone this quarter was the successful conclusion of the transition of the acquired business by Biocon Biologics and a pre-payment of $200 million towards the acquisition-related debt reduction. Steady market shares for key biosimilar in the US and EU were complemented by the Emerging Markets performance which saw a number of new product launches and tender wins.

"We continue to make steady progress towards strengthening the foundation for sustainable growth across all three business segments," Shaw stated.

"The Generics business delivered 4 per cent sequential revenue growth in the third quarter, driven by higher API sales. The year-on-year performance, however, was muted on account of continued pricing pressure that impacted customer offtake in our API business, compared to the previous fiscal. This was partially offset by growth in our Generic Formulations portfolio. While we expect pricing pressure in the API business to persist, we continue our focus on driving cost and execution efficiencies throughout the business, to mitigate future impact," said Siddharth Mittal, CEO and Managing Director, Biocon Limited.
Bhopal, Feb 9 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Thursday that when he saw the first video of the fire tragedy in Harda, he thought it was a bomb blast and suspected a terror attack.

Yadav said that therefore, he made the first call to Home Minister Amit Shah to inform him about the incident.

The tragic blaze in a firecracker factory in Harda killed nearly a dozen people besides leaving around 200 others injured on Tuesday.

Speaking on the floor of the House on the second day of the budget session of the state Assembly, the Chief Minister said, "At that time, it wasn't clear if it was a fire incident or a bomb blast. It looked like a blast, and therefore, I immediately informed Home Minister Amit Shah."

Yadav said he has ordered for the transfer of Harda district collector and SP to avoid any possibility of bias in the investigation into the matter, adding that the district administration had declared Harda's firecracker factory as illegal several months ago, but no action was initiated by the officials. Hence, he has transferred the district collector, SP and some other officials.

"No matter whether it was senior or junior officials, those found guilty will be punished after the detailed investigation report is submitted to me. I have also directed all the district collectors to conduct search operations at cracker factories operating in the state and take stern action against those found not complying with the mandatory norms," Yadav said.

In the past two days, over a dozen cracker factories have been sealed in different parts of Madhya Pradesh, including in Bhopal and Indore.

Meanwhile, the government on Thursday appointed senior IAS officer Aditya Singh as Harda district collector. A 2014 batch IAS officer, Singh was posted as Additional Secretary in the Science and Technology Department before.
Patna, Feb 9 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who returned to Patna on Thursday from Delhi where he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP President J.P. Nadda, reiterated that he will stay permanently in the NDA and not go anywhere.

He had made the same statement to media persons in Delhi on Wednesday after his meetings. He had also met former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani and congratulated him for the Bharat Ratna.

Interacting with the media persons at Patna airport, he said: "I met the Prime Minister and other leaders of the BJP. We have discussions with them on every aspect. The purpose of my visit to Delhi was achieved. I was with the NDA in the past and I will stay here permanently. I went here and there for some time but now I stay here. Donat worry about it. I will not go here and there."

Asked about the special status of Bihar or any package discussed with PM Modi, Nitish Kumar said: "We have been doing development since 2005 and we will do it in future as well. I also talked to every leader of my party and everything is fine here."

Asked about the upcoming floor test, state minister Sanjay Jha, who was accompanying him, said that it is a numbers game and NDA has the number sin the house.
Patna, Feb 9 : The NIA and Income Tax jointly conducted a raid on a property dealer in Bihar's Bhagalpur and recovered over a crore of rupees on Thursday, officials said.

The NIA and Income Tax sleuths reached the house of Shankar Yadav located at the Housing Board Colony under Barari police station in Bhagalpur city and during the day-long raid, Income Tax officials brought a counting machine in the house to count the currency notes seized in the house.

The total seizure totalled Rs 1.32 crore from Yadav's house.

The NIA team, which came from Jharkhand, arrested Yadav and took to Ranchi.

Yadav, a property dealer in Bhagalpur and also owning a tractor showroom, is facing charges of possessing disproportionate assets.

Sources have said that Yadav allegedly has a connection with a Jharkhand gangster and used to invest the gangster's money in the market.

This is the reason why a team of NIA conducted raids in his house.

Bhagalpur SSP Anand Kumar said: "The raid of NIA and Income Tax was conducted in the housing colony under Barari police station. The NIA has asked us to provide police force for the raid and we did that. Besides that I have no knowledge about it."
Jaipur, Feb 9 : Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has criticised the BJP-led state government for failing to fulfil the promises made by the saffron party before the recently concluded Assembly polls and alleged that there is no vision seen for the state in the state budget but there were only allegations against the previous Congress government.

"With today's budget, the BJP government in Rajasthan has deflated "Modi's guarantee" because in the recent Assembly elections, Modiji had given a guarantee to make the prices of petrol and diesel in Rajasthan at par with the neighbouring states like Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, but today, it was not implemented. In fact, it has not even been mentioned. This shows that Modi's guarantees are completely hollow. By the way, Modiji has stolen the word 'guarantee' from the Congress campaign," Gehlot said on Thursday.

"In the Vote on Account presented by the Finance Minister of Rajasthan, instead of the vision for the state, only allegations against the previous government are visible."

"All the financial indicators of the Rajasthan government have been better than the Union government. The state GDP of Rajasthan was around Rs 9 lakh crore in 2018, which increased to around Rs 15 lakh crore in 2023, and Rajasthan reached the top position in North India and second spot in the country in terms of economic growth rate," the former Chief Minister added.

"Displaying their "anti-farmer" mindset, the BJP government has abolished the separate agriculture Budget started by our (Congress) government whereas the Agriculture Minister of the present BJP government had welcomed this initiative of ours after assuming office," Gehlot said.

He also spoke on the metro expansion announcement by the current BJP government and accused them of scrapping it.

"Announcing the detailed project report of Sitapura to Ambabari Metro in the state Budget shows that our government's vision was right even 10 years ago. If the previous BJP government had not stopped its work, the Metro work would have been ready at a lower cost and the situation of heavy traffic jam in Jaipur today would not have arisen," he added.
In its quarterly Market in Minutes  The Netherlands report, Savills states that the Dutch real estate market faced headwinds in 2023 due to a challenging business climate, leading to both investors and occupiers taking a cautious approach.

Low investment market activity characterised 2023. I...

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Ameries Book Club

The book: Dearborn by Ghassan Zeineddine

Our reviewer says: "Zeineddines striking debut collection details an endearing cast living in the Arab American community in Dearborn, Michigan.... This genuine offering speaks as much to the heart as the head." Read more.

Alta Journals California Book Club

The book: The Every by Dave Eggers

Our reviewer says: "Eggerss uneven follow-up to The Circle, which revolved around a futuristic social network, sparkles with provocative ideas but has trouble keeping itself together." Read more.

Audacious Book Club and Natalies Book Club

The book: Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

Our reviewer says: "Poet Akbar explores the allure of martyrdom in this electrifying story of a Midwestern poet struggling with addiction and grief.... This wondrous novel will linger in readers minds long after the final page." Read more.

Barnes & Noble Book Club and Read with Jenna

The book: Good Material by Dolly Alderton

Our reviewer says: "Alderton delivers a flat anti-love story focused on flailing comedian Andy Dawson and his ex, the 'annoyingly loquacious' Jen Bennet.... While the subversion of the typical love story intrigues, the unpalatable characters extinguish its charm. This misses the mark." Read more.

Black Men Read

The book: Erasure by Percival Everett

Our reviewer says: "Everett's latest is an over-the-top masterpiece.... [His] talent is multifaceted, sparked by a satiric brilliance that could place him alongside Wright and Ellison as he skewers the conventions of racial and political correctness." Read more.

Belletrist

The book: Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey

Our reviewer says: "Vera Crowder, the protagonist of this superior novel of psychological suspense from Gailey, returns to her childhood home, Crowder House, after 12 years to reunite with her dying mother, a fraught visit that reawakens dark memories.... Minette Walters fans will be captivated." Read more.

CBS New York Book Club

The book: Where You End by Abbot Kahler

Our reviewer says: "Historian Kahler makes a brilliant pivot to fiction with this spine-tingling psychological thriller set in the 1970s.... Despite working with themes that often slide into the absurdfamily cults, creepy twins, amnesiaKahler never puts a foot wrong." Read more.

Good Housekeeping Book Club

The book: Float Up, Sing Down by Laird Hunt

Our reviewer says: "Hunts amiable collection of 14 interconnected character studies is set over the course of one day in the early 1980s.... Fans of Hunts previous small-town studies will appreciate these lovingly drawn portraits." Read more.

Good Morning America Book Club and Nerdette Book Club

The book: Come and Get It by Kiley Reid

Our reviewer says: "Reid returns after her smash hit Such a Fun Age with a sardonic and no-holds-barred comedy of manners.... This blistering send-up of academia is interlaced with piercing moral clarity." Read more.

Jewish Book Council Book Club (fiction)

The book: Operation Bethlehem by Yariv Inbar

Jewish Book Council Book Club (nonfiction)

The book: Happily by Sabrina Orah Mark

Our reviewer says: "Marks sharp analysis captures the 'cultural resilience' of fairy tales, and her writing hums with lyrical self-reflection. Readers will find this full of insight." Read more.

Marie Claires #ReadWithMC

The book: Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead by Jenny Hollander

Our reviewer says: "Hollander treads familiar ground with her so-so debut thriller about the discovery of dark secrets pertaining to a campus tragedy.... Theres not enough here to set this apart from the pack." Read more.

Maudes Book Club

The book: Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

Our reviewer says: "In this affecting fantasy duology opener from Ross, 18-year-old Iris Winnows life is upended when long-slumbering gods wake and begin battling for control of the fictional land of Cambria, using human armies as proxies.... [A]n ardent romance and a harrowing exploration of wars horrors and heartbreaks." Read more.

Mocha Girls Read Book Club

The book: Black Candle Women by Diane Marie Brown

Our reviewer says: "Love and death plague four generations of magical Montrose women in Browns middling debut.... Still, for fans of intergenerational family dramas, this magical twist on the genre will prove refreshing." Read more.

Noname Book Club

The book: In Pursuit of Revolutionary Love by Joy James

PBS Books Readers Club

The book: The Black Church by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Our reviewer says: "In the companion volume to a forthcoming PBS documentary of the same name, Gates delivers a brisk and insightful look at how the Black church has succored generations of African Americans against white supremacy.... Gatess crisp account places religious life at the center of the African American experience." Read more.

Reeses Book Club

The book: Redwood Court by DeLana R. A. Dameron

Our reviewer says: "Poet Dameron makes her fiction debut with a gratifying collection about a Black family in South Carolina.... Even amid heartache and turmoil, this brims with joy." Read more.

Subtle Asian Book Club

The book: What You Are Looking for Is in This Library by Michiko Aoyama, translated by Alison Watts

Target Book Club

The book: The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson

Our reviewer says: "Johnsons suspenseful and thought-provoking latest (after The Yellow Wife) follows two young Black women as they separately navigate mid-20th-century America.... This well-crafted work is bound to provoke discussion among readers about the conflicts women face regarding pregnancy." Read more.
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- A 4.1-billion-U.S.-dollar appeal to aid victims of the Sudan civil war is a stark reminder of a dire situation, a UN spokesman said on Wednesday.

"We and our partners appealed for 2.7 billion U.S. dollars at an event in Geneva to meet the most urgent humanitarian needs of civilians in Sudan and another 1.4 billion to support 2.7 million people who are living in five countries outside of Sudan and have been pushed out by conflict," said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "That is 4.1 billion U.S. dollars combined."

Dujarric said intense hostilities continue to damage critical civilian infrastructure, and nearly three-quarters of health facilities are out of service in states impacted by the hostilities, while diseases including cholera, measles and malaria are spreading.

"From Geneva, our emergency relief coordinator, Martin Griffiths, stressed that last year's appeal was less than half funded, and there is a need to do better this year," said Dujarric.

The high commissioner for refugees, Filippo Grandi, said the message he got from refugees was that they want peace "so that they can be able to go back home and rebuild their lives."

The spokesman said, "We urge generous donors to listen to these voices, and to contribute and help the people of Sudan who are in need."

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' Situation Report said there are more than 10,500 cases of cholera, including nearly 300 deaths in Sudan.

Last week, the International Organization for Migrants said there were more than 9 million internally displaced people in Sudan, making it the largest internal displacement crisis in the world.

Sudan refugees are in the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan. 
Were attempting to unravel the tangled web of literary influence by talking with the great writers of today about the writers of yesterday who inspired them. This month, we spoke with two writers known for their bold exploration of personal experience. Roxane Gay (Bad Feminist, Opinions) discusses the daring, sensuous writing of Marguerite Duras. Kaveh Akbar (Martyr!, Portrait of the Alcoholic) delves into the delightful disorientation of Amos Tutuola.

Roxane Gay on Marguerite Duras

This was my first time reading The Lover, and I really appreciated how it has that wonderfully fierce language of the inter-war French writers. What drew you to Duras?

I love all her work, but I was and remain particularly enamored by The Lover, which is an exquisite book. I think it takes a lot of risks. It's uncomfortable, it's erotic, it's beautiful, and on a sentence level, it's magnificent. She was an interesting woman in her lifetime. There was this documentI think it was 1970 or 1971called the Manifesto of the 343 that a bunch of women, and French women in particular, signed that was written by Simone de Beauvoir, publicly declaring that they had had an illegal abortion. So she wasat the time, for her timevery radical and unapologetic. And I think that's just wonderful.

She was very willing to press taboo buttons.

Yeah, absolutely. The Lover was a book that she wrote late in lifeI think she was 70 years old when it publishedand I thought that was interesting. She really waited to write the novel, which is based on her own experiences growing up in Indochina. When a young person writes a book, you can say, ah, youth, but she knew what she was doing. She waited and she wrote it how she wanted to write it. And that's what every writer should do. You shouldn't worry about how it's going to be received. You should just tell the story you want to tell as truthfully and beautifully as possible.

What lessons can writers learn from her?

Risk taking. Remembering the beauty of words. The beauty of sentences. That it's okay to be sensuous and sensual. To write thinking about texture and tactility. To be unapologetic. It doesn't mean you have to always be right, but she was unapologetic about her beliefs. I don't even agree with everything that she believed or said or did, but I don't need to. This idea that affinity means that we are 100% aligned with the people that we read and watch is silly and unnecessary. That's not what it's about.

In this series, weve already discussed Doris Lessing and Laurie Colwin, and something interesting Duras shared with them was that their women protagonists always seemed to possess some vague clandestine knowledge that the men didnt.

Also there's this power that she has, this understanding that on the surfaceas a womanyou might be seen as the person who doesn't have power, but she was intimately aware of the power that she had. And I really admire that. I think we are who we are and everythinghow we write, how we understand the world, how we articulateis influenced by a lot of things, cultural identity being one of those things, life experiences being another. So its because of who she was uniquely. I think partly it was because of her childhood and growing up in a challengingfor her, at the timeenvironment, a different environment where she had power, but she was also at a disadvantage in some ways, especially economically. She was watching a country completely change, and she was watching that part of the world sort of create space for some people and push others out. And that absolutely shows up in her workwhat it means to be in the middle of that. I think all of those things contribute to who she is. And how she writes. When we're talking about brilliant writers from the 20th century, she should absolutely be in that conversation.

Kaveh Akbar on Amos Tutuola

What I love about The Palm-Wine Drinkard is how its language simultaneously has the sophistication of Joyce and the stammering of an actual drunk.

The Palm-Wine Drinkard is such a messy novel. It's all over the place. The syntax is utterly uncanny and strange. The structure is deeply disorienting. It's just so radically itself. I think about mid20th century Nigerian writers writing about the experience of colonization. Of course the titan is Achebe, and Achebe writes these brilliant, searching, rigorous novels, where the Western gaze on the African continent is ironized in the novel form, and so the novel form is itself is a kind of irony, because Achebe is adopting the colonial medium and showing utter mastery of it. And he was a contemporary of Tutuolathey were writing around the same timeand so when Tutuola released Palm-Wine Drinkard, a lot of his contemporaries were like, We don't sound like this. We can speak English well. It was like it was almost embarrassing to have it be the sort of hit that it was, because it sounds so broken and the syntax is so utterly uncanny.

I think a lot about the stages of colonial thinking and colonial art, and you have Achebe on one side, who is showing that he can outwrite anyone in this colonial tongue, right? I mean, you could put a paragraph of Achebes next to Nabokov or Morrison or any of the greatest prose stylists of the 20th century. Hes in that tier of prose stylists. But then, on the other hand, you have Tutuola, whos utterly ambivalent about the colonial gaze. He's just telling Yoruba folk tales and weaving them through what he calls a novel, and it is a novel because he calls it that, but it is so much more tied to Yoruba oral storytelling and just utterly unbeholden to the colonial gaze at all. And I find that so remarkable and stark and brilliant. I mean, Achebe deserves all of his flowers, I love Achebe and there's no reason to create some sort of oppositional binary. But I just I love Tutuola too, for being the exact opposite.

What should writers take from him?

He doesn't sound like anyone else. He sounds like himself. He sounds like his own utterly unprecedented experience of life on the planet Earth. We are all living utterly unprecedented lives that have never happened in the history of humanity. No one in the history of the world was born in Tehran on January 15th, 1989, and then came to America in 1991, and moved to Pennsylvania, and then New Jersey, and then Milwaukee. You know what I mean? Thats me. No one else has read the exact same books in the order that I've read them, and no one has seen the exact same movies in the order that I've seen them. I am a composite of all of my genealogies and geographies and histories, and so, when I shine the light of language through the prism of my unprecedented experience, an entirely new thing forms on the page. Right? That's the ambition of every writerto articulate an unprecedented consciousness. And you'd be hardpressed to find anyone who does that better than Tutuola.

Even though Palm-Wine is perfectly legible, the disruptive language adds a layer of obscurity.

Even the titlePalm-Wine Drinkard!

Can language become too obscure?

It depends on your project. Like you said, it's still entirely legible. I'm sure that there are parts of Yoruba storytelling and Yoruba traditions that are not legible to me as an Iranian guy living in America, or whatever. I've been to Lagos and I've been to Nigeria, but Im certainly no expert in Yoruba storytelling or Igbo storytelling. So I'm sure that there are parts of the book that are illegible to me. But there is enough there that I can feel the thrill of a language that's deeper than what it's representing. The representational capacity of language is vast, but it is finite. And the way that Tutuola strains the language against itself in the title and in the text alludes to something beyond the capacity of representation. It alludes to a greater story that is too momentous, or it alludes to the insufficiency of the English language to represent, which is so bold and beautiful and wise.

These interviews have been lightly edited for clarity.

Read More Writers Talking Writers

Chuck Palahniuk on Ira Levin and Claire Dederer on Laurie Colwin

Karl Ove Knausgard on Jorge Luis Borges and Olga Ravn on Doris Lessing

Valeria Luiselli on Juan Rulfo and Mauro Javier Cardenas on Leonora Carrington
Arcadia Publishing has acquired Cleveland-based Belt Publishing from founder Anne Trubek, who will remain publisher of the 11-year-old press. Under Trubek, Belt was known for its commitment to publishing diverse voices and stories from the Rust Belt, a strategy that will continue under Arcadias ownership.

Belt provides Arcadia with two terrific opportunities in one acquisition, said Arcadia CEO Brittain Phillips in a statement. It strengthens our local and regional catalog in the Midwest, where Belt has been publishing remarkable books for a decade. And as we look to the future, Belt helps to expand the way we think about local-interest publishing, with new voices and fresh ways to define sense of place.

Belt began when Trubek published a collection of essays about Cleveland, and when the book became a local hit, she left her job in academia to focus on publishing fulltime. Anthologies of midwestern cities have become a staple for Belt, which also publishes serious nonfiction and commercial fiction with a regional connection. Company bestsellers include What You Are Getting Wrong About Appalachia, Midwest Futures, The Last Children of Mill Creek, and The Battle of Lincoln Park.

Trubek said that she is excited to be joining forces with Arcadia, which she said she used as a model when launching Belt. She added that being able to take advantage of Arcadias resources and infrastructure will enable her to move Belt into new areas. And Trubek acknowledged that, while it has been fun to own and run a small business, she was ready for a change.

The business aspect was often overwhelming and stressful for me, she said. It's extraordinarily difficult to make the numbers work as a small press, Trubek said. We can't take advantage of any of the many efficiencies of scale offered to larger presses, and those structural obstacles were making the finances hard.

Arcadia has used a series of acquisitions to build a backlist of about 20,000 titles focused on local histories and topics. Prior to the Belt purchase, its most recent acquisition was of Applewood Books, in April 2023. The Belt deal also follows a round of layoffs the Charleston, S.C.based publisher made in January.
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Heres how the Purdue community can engage in a once-in-a-lifetime cosmological event

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Two months from Thursday (Feb. 8), Boilermakers will be treated to a once-in-a-lifetime event, a total eclipse of the sun. And we will have a front-row seat. Just after 3 p.m. ET on Monday, April 8, much of Indiana will experience near totality for nearly four minutes as the moon passes between the Earth and sun, darkening the sky as if it were dawn or dusk.

Those from Boone County south to Indianapolis and through much of south and southeastern Indiana will experience 100% totality of the solar eclipse for up to 3 minutes and 44 seconds. Visit Indiana predicts more than a million tourists will travel to our state to witness the eclipse.

The 2024 eclipse marks the first time in 819 years a total solar eclipse will be visible in much of Indiana. Another 129 years will pass before it occurs again. The next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the contiguous United States will occur on Aug. 23, 2044, according to NASA, where totality is expected to be in the Upper Plains and Canada, with partiality in the western U.S.

In anticipation of the once-in-a-generation event, on Thursday (Feb. 8) Purdue University released the following information and opportunities for students, staff, instructors, alumni and fans interested in celebrating the day.

Teaching and learning

Classes and operations on the West Lafayette campus will proceed as normal with minimal disruptions expected. West Lafayette is not in the path of totality.

The Office of the Provost, however, is asking all Purdue instructors on the West Lafayette campus to be flexible and to consider adjusting course schedules so students can experience this incredible learning opportunity. Further, instructors are strongly encouraged not to schedule exams on the day of the eclipse.

Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, presented by Purdue University

Much of the universitys eclipse efforts and programming will surround the Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, presented by Purdue University. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will become the destination for an unrivaled viewing experience within the path of totality.

In collaboration with IMS and NASA, Purdue will present an exciting day of programming and festivities featuring Purdue experts, students, alumni and more. Because of its ideal viewing location within the path of totality, IMS is one of three primary partner locations where NASA will stage a live broadcast of its eclipse coverage. Join thousands from across the world for this once-in-a-generation event that is expected to be one of the largest viewing events in the country that day.

Event details

Date: April 8, 2024

April 8, 2024 Gates: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET (Gates 2 & 6)

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET (Gates 2 & 6) Parking: Free in infield and Lot 2

Free in infield and Lot 2 Camping: Lot 2

Lot 2 Food and beverage: Plaza Concessions and BYO

Plaza Concessions and BYO Eclipse glasses: The Greatest Spectacles will be complimentary and made available to all guests upon entry

Tickets and sales

$20/person (com/Eclipse).

Kids 18 and under: free entry with paying adult.

Given the time frame of total solar eclipse (3:06-3:09 p.m. ET) and many schools being closed or operating in a virtual learning format, were offering a family-friendly, affordable, safe and educational total solar eclipse viewing experience.

Strong sales to date, with purchases from 44 of 50 states (and the District of Columbia), including as far west as California, plus 11 non-U.S. countries (Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Poland, Switzerland, England and Northern Ireland).

Open seating available in Tower Terrace and Gasoline Alley stands with ample views of the skies to the east and southeast.

Designated telescope areas located across viewing mounds inside oval Turns 2 and 4.

Telescopes are permitted for entry and may be used within these designated areas.

Schedule (all times ET)

9 a.m.: Gates open; Gates 2 & 6

10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Educational programming

12:35 p.m.: Opening ceremonies and parade lap

1 p.m.: NASA broadcast begins/INDYCAR demo laps

1:50 p.m.: Total solar eclipse begins 1:50:34 p.m.: Partial begins 3:06:04 p.m.: Totality begins 3:07:59 p.m.: Max totality 3:09:54 p.m.: Totality ends 3:23:13 p.m.: Partial ends

3:25 p.m.: Closing ceremonies

3:30 p.m.: Astronaut and driver autograph session

4 p.m.: Gates close

4:30 p.m.: NASA broadcast concludes

Educational programming

STEM Symposium (approx. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)

o Two tracks, Sun and Moon, covering topics ranging from rockets to race cars, space exploration, careers in STEM, women in STEM and, of course, the science of a total solar eclipse.

o The Sun Track will be more technical in nature. The Moon Track is tailored for youth and families.

o This Is Purdue podcast, hosted by Kate Young, will record a live episode on YouTube featuring an all-astronaut panel, including Drew Feustel, and other members of the Cradle of Astronauts.

Booth and exhibit displays (all day)

Faculty, students and subject matter experts from Purdue University, Indiana Space Grant Consortium, NearSpace Education and NASA will offer exhibits, booths, demonstrations and displays, available throughout the day.

On-track programming

Track laps (approx. 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.).

Fans can purchase a bus tour track lap and Kiss the Bricks through the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. INDYCAR demo laps (TBD) (approx. 1 p.m.).

(TBD) At the start of the NASA TV global broadcast, the NTT INDYCAR Series will be on full display for spectators. Ed Carpenter  NTT INDYCAR Series driver, owner of Ed Carpenter Racing and three-time Indy 500 Pole Position Winner 2.5-mile oval  will in an Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet INDYCAR turn a handful of demonstration laps of the 2.5-mile oval just prior to the start of the Total Solar Eclipse sequence.

Media

NASA TV broadcast (1-4 p.m.)

o The IMS Total Solar Eclipse Event presented by Purdue University has been designated one of just three official broadcast sites for NASA TVs coverage of the astrological phenomenon.

o The IMS Total Solar Eclipse Event presented by Purdue University has been designated one of just three official broadcast sites for NASA TVs coverage of the astrological phenomenon. Media outlets from around the country and across the world will descend upon Indianapolis to cover a total solar eclipse from the path of totality.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will serve as a hub for the working media, opening its world-class media center on Sunday, April 7, and Monday, April 8, for credentialed media to work.

Limited-time solar eclipse merchandise can be ordered from Indianapolis Motor Speedway and The Shop. All paths lead to Indy! More than 31 million people live in the path of totality, and Indy is within a days drive of more than half of the nations population.

Total solar eclipse campus watch party in West Lafayette

Cant make it to Indianapolis for the total solar eclipse event? No problem. Purdue invites you to join us on Stadium Mall at our West Lafayette campus for a solar eclipse watch party.

Well have 1,000 free pairs of eclipse glasses available to help attendees safely view the spectacular show. Join us in sharing this unique experience.

When: Monday, April 8, 2024, 1:45 p.m. ET

Where: Stadium Mall, Class of 1939 Water Sculpture (Engineering Fountain)

Hosted by:

Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, College of Science

Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science

John Martinson Honors College

Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies

Total Solar Eclipse: How We Think panel discussion

The way a human mind works, one trained to view an image or an occurrence in a specific way, is fascinating. What does a poet, an astronautical engineer, a planetary scientist or an astrophysicist think about when they see a solar eclipse? The faculty assembled for this panel will each talk for 10 minutes about their perspectives on an image of a total solar eclipse, then take questions. Join us to gain unusual insights on a total eclipse of the sun.

This event is organized by the graduate students in Leading Women Toward Space Careers, a John Martinson Honors College program.

Free of charge and open to the public. RSVP HERE.

When: Wednesday, April 3, 5:15-6:15 p.m. ET

Where: Honors College Residence Hall North, Honors Hall (1101 First St., West Lafayette)

Panelists: Ali Bramson, Kathleen Howell, Donald Platt, Abigail Polin

More information can be found here.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a public research institution demonstrating 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, including nearly 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.

Writers: Trevor Peters, peter237@purdue.edu, Phillip Fiorini, pfiorini@purdue.edu

Media contact: Trevor Peters, peter237@purdue.edu
People attend a rally against Japan's planned ocean discharge of nuke wastewater in front of the Japanese prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

Until meaningful reforms are enacted, the specter of Fukushima will continue to haunt Japan, serving as a sober reminder of the country's failure to protect its citizens and the broader environment.

BEIJING, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- In a chilling revelation that sent shockwaves through the world, a new nuclear waste leak has unearthed the gaping crack in Japan's professed claim of responsible handling the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

The leakage of about 5.5 tons of water containing radioactive materials from the plant also highlights the need for international supervision of Japan's controversial discharge of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean.

It is estimated that 22 billion becquerels of radioactive materials such as cesium and strontium are contained in the leaked water, and the plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), claimed on Wednesday that monitoring of a nearby drainage channel did not show any significant radiation level changes.

This begs the question: What constitutes a "significant" level?

Nearly 13 years after the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami, recurring leaking incidents still hint at the utility's mismanagement and the Japanese government's inadequacy in overseeing it.

On Oct. 26, 2023, just one week before Japan started the third round of release, two men were hospitalized after being accidentally splashed with radioactive liquid at the plant. On Aug. 11, 2023, days before the first round of discharge started, TEPCO found leaks in a hose used to transfer nuclear-contaminated water, which, as it said, would not affect the discharge plan.

People gather to protest the Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) decision on releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater in front of the headquarters of the TEPCO in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)

Even more concerning, the causes of these incidents have fully exposed the chaos and disorder of TEPCO's internal management. The leak on Wednesday stemmed from a valve left open during cleaning operations, while the October incident resulted from a loose hose channeling contaminated solutions. In August, TEPCO attributed a leak to cracks approximately four centimeters in length found in a hose.

The deficiencies in the fundamental equipment raise questions about the potential for similar occurrences and whether TEPCO conducts regular inspections of its equipment.

While TEPCO this time claimed that there is no risk to the public and that the surrounding environment remains unaffected by the leak, its history of cover-ups and opacity has eroded public trust.

For instance, it took TEPCO over two years after the 2011 tsunami to acknowledge that radioactive tritium had leaked into the Pacific Ocean, contradicting its initial assertions that the toxic water had been contained within the plant's premises.

Also, in February 2015, TEPCO admitted that since April 2014, it had been aware of radioactive substances from a rainwater drainage ditch linked to one of its buildings being leaked into the sea when it rained.

Until meaningful reforms are enacted, the specter of Fukushima will continue to haunt Japan, serving as a sober reminder of the country's failure to protect its citizens and the broader environment.
It is a sordid business, this divvying us up by race.

Those were Chief Justice John Roberts thoughts in a 2006 voting rights case alleging Texas legislators had redrawn voting districts illegally diluting the votes of racial minorities. That sentiment applies with even greater force when lawyers and judges are the ones doing the divvying up.

On January 31, the nonprofits American Civil Rights Project and Center for Equal Opportunity sent a letter to the American Bar Association Business Law Section (ABA BLS) demanding it stop selecting law students for its Diversity Clerkship Program based on race.

Publicly available information on the program suggests that for the better part of two decades and counting, the ABA BLS has provided financial stipends and secured positions for law students with judges based, in part, on race. The program website explains the obvious, the clerkship provides a background [that] will prove invaluable to a career in business law, whether it be litigation or transactional work. Notwithstanding its invaluable worth to law students, the ABA makes it harder to qualify for the program if a law student is a white male.

Applicants of color and women automatically qualify for the program. White male applicants qualify only if they assert that they are LGBTQ+, are disabled, or demonstrate a history of overcoming social or economic disadvantages. The inclusion of additional criteria that may permit white male applicants to be considered removes none of the taint of race discrimination. Its structure explicitly discriminates against applicants based on race, among other protected traits, and assures that for some applicants, their race, national origin, or sex will be the but-for cause of qualification or exclusion from the program.

As any second-year law student would knoweven a white malethis structure could violate numerous antidiscrimination laws including the Fourteenth Amendment, Section 1981, and multiple provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Each of these laws prohibits the divvying us up by race. Shouldnt lawyers and judges know better?

This is not, however, the only or perhaps even the most egregious example of such discrimination perpetuated by lawyers. The ABA Antitrust Section has something similar to the ABA BLSs race discriminatory program. And, just recently it was reported that judges in Illinois were granting oral argument on motions based on the race or sex of the attorneys presenting the arguments.

So, what gives?

The answer seems to be that otherwise fine lawyers develop tunnel vision in the obsessive pursuit of diversity. To be sure, more diversity is a fine thing. Indeed, Chief Justice Roberts wrote of the commendable goals of diversity in the Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) cases that outlawed racial affirmative action in college admissions. However, Roberts went on to explain that these goals do not alone legally justify racial discrimination.

That legal tunnel vision, in pursuit of diversity, has ensnared some of the top lawyers in the country. Indeed, even former Attorney General Eric Holder has charged as much as $2,295 an hour for advice on corporate diversity programs that the Washington Free Beacon reports has since gotten at least one of Holders clients sued for race discrimination.

Because of legal challenges both before and after SFFA, some law firms and their clients are furiously backpedaling on the bad advice given and bad behavior modeled. Lawyers exist to give sound legal advice. Discriminating on the basis of race was never good advice and it remains astonishingly bad advice and a bad thing in which to engage. Isnt that common sense?

Ironically, the core problem is a lack of diversitydiversity of thought, that is. The liberal echo chamber of big law, big business, and academia where just about everyone agrees that any means is justified to deliver diversity results was the recipe for this disaster. Clients and this country instead deserve a legal profession capable of providing sound legal counsel, and that models legal behavior. True diversity is needed.

Specifically, prioritize individuals distinguishing themselves beyond race or other faddish diversity metrics. A special diversity handout is a projection of guilt and embarrassment for not being truly welcoming. You cannot get over that problem by shifting to new exclusionary standards.

Simply treat people equally. That is the only way to respect our shared humanity, and to recognize the vastness and value of diversity of thought, perspective, and experience.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Tuesday that the two attackers of Istanbul courthouse were members of the outlawed Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front.
More than four years after the outbreak of the COVID virus in Wuhan, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) may finally face responsibility for its actions in an American court.

Not long after COVID arrived in the United States, Missouri sued the Chinese government and several affiliated entities in federal district court. The state argued that China allowed COVID to spread, covered up critical information about the virus, and hoarded personal protective equipment (PPE), causing massive economic disruptions and loss of life that harmed the state and its citizens.

For its part, China refused to respond to the lawsuit, leading the clerk of the court to enter a default judgment in favor of Missouri.

The district court judge, however, saw things differently. He independently raised the question of whether the court had jurisdiction over China under the 1976 Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA), which generally prohibits lawsuits against foreign states in American courts. Concluding that each Chinese defendant was immune, the judge dismissed the case. Missouri appealed, arguing that its claims fell within statutory exceptions to immunity in the FSIA for tortious or commercial activity that has a direct effect within the United States.

Most legal observers thought Missouris lawsuit stood little chance. According to Yale law professor Lea Brilmayer, the lawsuit was a doomed last-ditch effort to do something to respond to the political situation, and former State Department Legal Adviser John Bellinger agreed that Missouris arguments were likely to fail.

Defying those predictions, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit revived the lawsuit earlier this year. Writing for a three-judge panel, Judge David Stras agreed with the lower court that the FSIA barred most of Missouris claims. But Stras, joined by another judge, held that one of the states claimsChinas hoarding of PPEfell under the statutory exception for commercial activity by foreign states.

As investigations have shown, China quickly learned of the potential severity of COVID, but hid its knowledge from the rest of the world and obstructed international efforts to learn more about the virus. China used its knowledge to stockpile PPE for itself while selling lower-quality equipment abroad and taking over factories that made masks for U.S. companies to stop any export of PPE.

With its power over production and its superior knowledge of COVID, China could corner the PPE market before other participants knew what was happening. The allegations amounted to classic anti-competitive behavior, except on a country-wide scale. Stras therefore concluded that CCPs hoarding was commercial activity that had a direct effect in the United States, and sovereign immunity did not shield China from Missouris lawsuit.

Missouri will now return to the district court to present evidence of Chinas PPE hoarding. But there is no guarantee that it will succeed. The state must still prove that China hoarded PPE and that the direct effect of that hoarding caused a harm to Missouri and its citizens.

Missouri will also have to define the contours of a duty not to hoard, which the Eighth Circuit framed as an antitrust claim. Chinas decision not to participate in the lawsuit, however, makes Missouris task easier. The state will be able to present witnesses and documents without any cross-examination or rebuttal from China.

The lawsuit may also pave the way to other plaintiffs bringing similar claims. Even if private individuals may find it difficult to establish direct harm from Chinas exploitation of its knowledge about COVID to hoard PPE, other states can follow Missouris lead to seek compensation for the injuries that they and their citizens suffered.

Congress should also consider expanding plaintiffs ability to sue China. In 2020, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced the Holding the Chinese Communist Party Accountable for Infecting Americans Act. That bill would have allowed China to be sued in specified federal courts for tortious activity related to the spread of COVID, opening the door for a wide range of claims that are currently barred by the FSIA. Non-legal remedies, such as sanctions and diplomatic initiatives, could complement these efforts to ensure that China is held accountable for its actions.

Critics of Missouris attempt to do so point to the prospect of Chinese retaliation, but the narrowness of the Eighth Circuits ruling may limit that possibility. U.S. courts have traditionally been hesitant to allow plaintiffs to pursue claims against foreign sovereigns, in part because immunity is a shield for the United States against claims in foreign courts. If we allow our courts to hear claims against foreign governments, the critics say, foreign governments will allow plaintiffs to haul the United States before tribunals around the world, including similar lawsuits in Chinese courts against U.S. government officials.

But the CCP engages in a range of commercial activity that has no equivalent in the United States. Commercial research, manufacturing, and distribution in China are all controlled directly by the CCP itself or indirectly through state-owned companies. In this respect, there is no U.S. government behavior equivalent to Chinas. And with several notable exceptions, the U.S. private sector is quickly reducing its exposure to possible retaliation from China.

Foreign sovereign immunity questions always involve balancing. If too few lawsuits proceed against foreign states, American plaintiffs will never receive justice for the wrongs committed against them; if too many proceed, the U.S. government will be exposed to legal harassment in foreign courts.

With its decision to allow Missouri to pursue one of its claims, the Eighth Circuit has applied an exception that respects the balance Congress struck in the FSIA. As a result, the citizens of Missouri will be the first with a chance to hold China accountable for its wrongful actions during the outbreak of the COVID pandemic.

Michael Ellis is a Visiting Fellow for Law and Technology at The Heritage Foundation.
Property details:

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Price: $ 1 Seller State of Residence: Missouri Property Address: 33 Office Park Rd Suite #218, Hilton Head Island, SC Zip/Postal Code: 29928 City: Hilton Head State/Province: South Carolina Location: 658**, Springfield, Missouri

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Property details:

San Clemente Inn San Clemente, CA Welcome home to San Clemente. Kick back and soak up the sun in this beautiful town on the Southern California coast, famous for its Mediterranean architecture, pristine beaches, and laidback charm. South of the bustle of Los Angeles and just north of San Diego County, lies a charming town with a Mediterranean feel and laidback pace of life set against a glimmering Pacific Ocean. San Clemente Inn sits on a hillside and is a short drive from the San Clemente Pier ...

Price: $ 1 Seller State of Residence: Missouri Property Address: 2600 Avenida Del Presidente, San Clemente, CA Number of Bedrooms: 1 Number of Bathrooms: 1 Zip/Postal Code: 92672 City: San Clemente State/Province: California Location: 658**, Springfield, Missouri

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Disney/John Fleenor

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 02/07/2024



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

The Golden Bachelor's ASKN ladies -- April Kirkwood Kathy Swarts and Nancy Hulkower -- apparently had a falling out after their cameo on Joey Graziadei 's season.April, Susan, Kathy and Nancy made an appearance on 's February 5 episode to serve as judges of the "Mrs. Right" pageant during one of Joey's group dates with about half a dozen of his bachelorettes.The Golden Bachelor ladies filmed this group date in Fall 2023, and they're apparently no longer friends. In fact, Susan, Kathy and Nancy all unfollowed April on social media.In January, Susan, Kathy and Nancy all took a trip to St. Maarten together, and April was noticeably missing from all the festivities.April took to Instagram with a lengthy explanation for her absence at the time and revealed that she's been receiving backlash for her separation from the ASKN group."For all of the folks from Texas and PA that are daunting me about why I am not going to St. Martin. Although it is none of your business and there are only three people who knew I cancelled but karma never sleeps," April began in her video.April went on to share several "reasons" why she wasn't able to go on the vacation with Gerry Turner 's other exes."1. I have a job and I can't keep taking off. 2. My roof had a major leak and I had to pay $4,500.00 so I can't afford to go. 3. My dogs are freaking out," April explained."4. My son's birthday is this week and he doesn't need to see me on a beach at this time in our relationship. 5. I have to go to NY to see my granddaughter and celebrate her 3rd birthday in three weeks so I will be off then."For No. 6, April wrote, "I'm an adult and I have to make decisions that are best for my first love... not partying but my kids and keeping my house."April then appeared to take a jab at her former girlfriends."Only three people knew I cancelled and I offered to pay for any fees I might have cost them. So whoever sent you, please respect me and don't follow me for their dark dealings," April wrote.April was seemingly hinting that fans of the other women have been trolling her and sending hate her way."This is adult bullying and it is a low, dense energy. This is a poor example of what adult females should act like," April vented."I seriously feel like I'm on The Golden Bachelor part two and I'm the new Teresa [SIC] being targeted. Shame on you."Since Kathy had a big issue with Theresa Nist on The Golden Bachelor, April may be singling out Kathy and only have a problem with her.When one follower commented that Kathy is "a bully, envious, no filter classless tyrant," April actually replied with a heart emoji.April also touched upon how the three ladies had blocked her on Instagram."I've been very sad when they blocked me, so my social media helper did it back," she wrote in the comments."All middle school and beneath what I want to represent to young women. It never had to go this way."Fans are still waiting to hear Susan, Kathy and Nancy's side of the story.None of the ladies made Gerry's Final 3 bachelorettes on The Golden Bachelor, which wrapped late last year.Gerry got engaged to Theresa during the show's finale, dumping Leslie Fhima in second place and Faith Martin in third place.Gerry and Theresa's engagement aired on The Golden Bachelor finale in late November, and host Jesse Palmer announced on After the Final Rose how the couple would be getting married live on television for all of their fans to watch.Gerry and Theresa then tied the knot in Palm Springs, CA, for The Golden Wedding special, which aired January 4 on ABC.Susan served as the officiant of Gerry and Theresa's wedding. Click here to learn more about Joey's bachelorettes or click here to read spoilers that reveal how Joey's season ends and who he picked as his winner.Interested in more news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
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ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 34 African leaders and heads of international institutions are expected to attend the upcoming African Union (AU) Summit, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

The AU has announced that the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government is scheduled to be held in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa on Feb. 17-18. The 44th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, which brings together African ministers of foreign affairs, will precede ahead of the leaders' summit on Feb. 14-15.

Meles Alem, spokesperson for the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while briefing the media on Thursday, said more than 34 African leaders and higher officials are expected to take part in the upcoming AU summit, and the number could increase in the coming days.

According to Alem, among the high-level dignitaries are 24 presidents, two prime ministers, a king, five vice presidents, and two leaders represented by their foreign ministers.

He said among notable heads of international organizations who are expected to attend the summit include United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development Workneh Gebeyehu, as well as heads of different UN agencies and representatives of other organizations.

According to the AU, the upcoming summit will have a number of agendas, which include continental peace and security, trade and integration, education and skills, agriculture and climate change, governance and human rights, as well as gender and youth empowerment. 
In 2021, Laura Kate Holden was a freshman at the University of Georgia looking forward to starting college. Though excited, she was also a little nervous. She had several classes, memberships in clubs and was involved in the UGA Center for Research Opportunities, but something was off. She felt very lonely her first year, and sometimes still experiences those feelings today.
Its mid-morning and the two-kilometre stretch from Rashbehari Avenue to Gariahat Market is bustling with activity.

Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

Dotted with saree shops and hawker stalls that sell everything, from hairpins, hangers and towels to hosiery, mobile phone covers and kurtas, this is one of South Kolkatas busiest shopping areas.

And it is beginning to wake up to the Paytm crisis.

A major diagnostic centre along this stretch is preparing to shift away from the Paytm payment platform.

We have already made arrangements with a bank; we will use the QR code, the manager says.

The changeover will be effective before February 29.

February 29 onwards, users will not be able to add funds to their Paytm Payments Bank Wallet, though they will still be able to use the services and the existing balance in the wallets.

Larger retail outlets in the area seem to prefer QR codes from banks.

The proprietor of a store that sells mattresses says, I have QR code from two banks. Its the safest thing to do.

Some hawkers have stopped dealing with Paytm altogether.

Rajat Das, a clothes stall worker, says, Our owner has instructed us to stop Paytm transactions.

"Paytm is having problems with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Not everybody knows the details of the crisis, but many have stopped using it simply because others in the market have done so.

Several hawkers on the Gariahat stretch are uncertain about what lies ahead for Paytm.

Balmiki Kumar, who sells sundry items from hats to handkerchiefs, started using Paytm a few months ago for convenience.

If someone buys an item worth Rs 20, I ask them to pay for it through Paytm.

"Its difficult to give loose currency all the time, he says.

He contemplates shifting to another platform, but there are those who are confident that Paytm will come out of this unscathed.

Nothing will happen, I am telling you, says Gourab Saha, who owns a stall that sells multi-coloured digestive lozenges.

As proof, he shows a message from Paytm, which says that the QR code will be in operation even after February 29.

Over in Maharashtra, the state chapter of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has issued an advisory for Paytm users, urging them to switch to alternative payment options.

CAIT National President BC Bhartia and Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said the recent restrictions imposed by the RBI on Paytm have raised concerns about the security and continuity of financial services provided by the platform.

The advisory, says CAIT Mumbais Chairman Ramanik Chedda, is a precautionary measure to protect the financial interests of traders.

We encourage users to stay informed and take proactive steps to ensure the security of their funds."

The mood isnt very different in New Delhis bustling Chandni Chowk market.

There is uncertainty and confusion. Some traders are acting on it, others are in a wait-and-watch mode.

Bipin Kumar Yadav, who set up a roadside kiosk near Red Fort some six months ago, has switched to BharatPe recently from Paytm.

I have been using Paytm from the time I started my business, but I dont think I will use it anymore, he says.

A personnel from BharatPe approached me three days ago and I switched to their service.

Khadi Indias office in this Old Delhi market uses Bijli Pay for digital transactions.

We had also thought about keeping QR scanners of other companies in our store, but after the RBI restrictions on Paytm, we have dropped that idea.

"We wont take that risk, says the manager who does not wish to be named.

While he says he wouldnt recommend Paytm to anyone, there are those who still swear by the platform.

The Old Famous Jalebi Wala, a shop that has been in business since 1884, is determined to carry on using it for transactions.

"We have been using its service for the last three years and find it satisfactory, says Abhishek Jain, the fourth-generation member of the family that started the establishment.

We have never faced any problem with it. I am not worried because the Paytm app service works fine.

He is of the view that this is a tactic by some big player to buy Paytm.

I just bought the shares of Paytm, so there! he says.

Several traders say it was Paytms seamless service that made them adopt and stick to it.

Gautam Narang, owner of Mirchi Ram restaurant, has been using the platform for four years and doesnt plan to switch to other services.

I have tried other services, but they dont compare with this one, he says.

Some, however, express ambivalence, like Arun Kumar, owner of Balaji Saree Centre, who has been using the platform since 2016.

We mostly use Paytm with other services.

"It will be hard to make a switch since most customers use Paytm for transactions, he says, adding, The situation Paytm is in right now is a problem for us.

Like Kumar, Rajesh, who runs Punjab Stainless Steel House, a crockery store, says things might get tough for him if Paytm services are altogether banned.

Traders might face a problem if the matter isnt resolved, he says.

Diwan Chand Chhabra, owner of Kali by Chhabra, a clothing store, adds that they will continue using Paytm till the time customers use it.

As a trader, my concern is the money, not the medium it comes through, he says. So, we will use whatever the customer uses as a transaction method.

Sharleen DSouza contributed to this report
'We want to make sustainability affordable.'

'We tell everyone, don't just recycle, Craste it!'

IMAGE: The brother and sister entrepreneur duo, Shubham Singh and Himansha Singh. Photograph: Kind courtesy Himansha Singh

Crop burning in Punjab and Haryana and the subsequent rise in air pollution in Delhi and its surrounding areas have been gaining international attention every year.

In November 2023, when the air quality in Delhi and its surrounding areas reached 'hazardous' levels, the Supreme court of India directed the authorities of Punjab and Haryana, to stop farmers from burning agricultural waste.

According to the government air-quality monitoring agency SAFAR, stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana accounts for 30 per cent to 40 per cent of air pollution in Delhi in October-November.

Reports say, India produces around 500 million metric tonnes (MT) of crop waste annually, and burns about 100 MT of it. This is more than the entire agricultural waste production of the other Asian countries like Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Myanmar.

Why do farmers burn crop waste? It is to prepare the field for the next crop, and stubble burning is the cheapest and easiest way to clear the waste.

Is there any other alternative to crop waste burning? Is there any way we can make use of crop waste?

Yes, Craste, the start-up founded by two siblings -- Shubham Singh and his elder sister Dr Himansha Singh from Morena in Madhya Pradesh -- has a win-win solution for both farmers and environment.

"We want farmers as the stakeholders. We want them to take the technology from us and become pulp manufacturers themselves. We want the plants to be operated by the farmers, for the farmers," Dr Himansha Singh tells Shobha Warrier/Rediff.com.

IMAGE: Students of the NGO Gramiksha. Photograph: Kind courtesy Himansha Singh

It all began when in school

We grew up in a small village near Gwalior called Morena. Though our parents did not get higher education, they made sure that both my brother and I studied as much as we wanted.

We took our first steps as entrepreneurs when we were teenagers and in school. We started an NGO to provide education to the kids in the rural areas. We named it Gramiksha (external link), that is, giving shiksha to the students in 'gram' (villages).

The idea of doing something for society was instilled in us by our parents and grandparents from when we were very small.

It was an organisation started by students, for students. We began by going to the government schools to help the students in what they wanted, and not what we wanted. We found out earlier itself that every school in every village is different and their needs are different.

It was by running Gramiksha that we learnt managerial skills which helped us later on in life.

When we started Gramiksha, we did not expect it to grow so big. Today, we have 950 plus volunteers working in six cities in more than 30 schools.

As the NGO grew, both of us took a back seat, and created a national team to take care of the functioning of Gramiksha.

Taking wings and going to the UK for higher studies

In 2010, I moved to the UK to study at the University of Manchester. Later on, I did my doctorate and post-Doc at Cambridge in Pharmacology on BBSRC Discovery Fellowship.

My brother also came to the UK to study chemical engineering at Imperial College.

As Cambridge was very strong in inspiring fellows to take scientific innovations to commercial stage, I would say it was there that my entrepreneurial journey really started.

IMAGE: Smoke coming out of the farms as crop stubbles are being burnt as part of slash and burn agriculture in Jalandhar, Punjab. Photograph: ANI Photo

Come October, November, and it's all about crop burning in India on BBC

Though farmers burn crops everywhere, what happens in India made headlines globally. It's also because of the scale at which it is done.

Not just in India but in Indonesia and Thailand also, crop burning is a huge issue. The difference between other European or western countries is, they don't grow rice and wheat at the level India or Indonesia grows. For example, in the US, there is more of corn farming than rice or wheat.

You may know, India is the largest producer of rice and wheat in the world!

Because Shubham is a chemical engineer, he used to talk to me about what could be done to stop crop waste from burning.

The question was, when bagasse (a dry and raw by-product of sugarcane waste) can be used to make paper, why can't we do the same with rice and wheat crop waste?

Yes, there are machines like the agricultural shredder to clear crop waste but then hiring a machine is expensive for the small Indian farmer.

IMAGE: Harvest bags made of waste. Photograph: Kind courtesy Himansha Singh

Shubham comes back to India first to find a solution to crop burning

Because Shubham had this idea to work in the field of agri-waste, he moved back to India first, and pitched his idea to the Government of India.

He won the SoCH innovation challenge award that is given to entrepreneurs who work in the field of community health. Under the fellowship, he travelled to rural India to hear directly from the farmers the problems they face. He felt that way, he could come up with the right solution.

One solution, he came up with was to use agricultural waste to produce biodegradable packaging which could replace plastic. This way, you can stop crop burning and also reduce the use of plastic.

When we spoke to the farmers, we realised that they were acutely aware of the problem crop burning creates. But then they have no other viable alternative available.

They are more conscious and concerned about the environment than those who lectures on protecting the environment.

They have a valid point when they asked us, you have only problem with us burning the crop once a year. What about the carbon emission from vehicles and industries in the cities?

It is easy to preach in an utopian world but it doesn't work in the real world as these farmers have to work and make money to have their daily meal.

We asked them, what if you get money from the waste?

They were only willing to sell us the waste as they were going to get a secondary income.

IMAGE: A labourer empties a sack of rotten paddy crop at Khamano village in Punjab. Photograph: Ajay Verma/Reuters

And Craste is born to take care of 'crop' 'waste'

With all the data Shubham collected, we decided to start an R&D centre to come up with the right solution to convert agricultural waste to biodegradable packaging.

That was when I also got fully involved in the idea even though I was in the last stages of my post-doc.

In 2018, we officially started Craste.

With the idea, we applied for the BIRAC funding from the government of India.

The first major funding we got was from BIRAC, and we started our R&D lab with a team of five scientists in Pune with Onkar Siddheswar, our founding team member as the head of engineering.

With our major funding coming from the government of India, we incubated at the Venture Center in Pune. It was at the Venture Center that we learnt how to commercialise the idea, how to apply for a patent, etc.

We also got an equity-free grant which was also put in our lab.

Finally, it was more like setting up a lab than starting a company.

IMAGE: A plant to convert rice waste into paper situated in the middle of a mustard farm. Photograph: Kind courtesy Himansha Singh

Within a year, Craste was in the list of global top 10 start-ups in sustainability

Because of the presence of silica in rice waste, it was not used in manufacturing anywhere. So, what we were trying to come up in the lab was, how to use rice waste in manufacturing something.

Our research in the lab was to find a new process in converting rice waste into paper.

The technology we came up with uses only one third of water that is used in the conventional process of converting rice waste into paper.

The effluent from our plant is also negligible. It is to showcase this that we put up our first plant in the middle of a mustard farm in Morena. We wouldn't have set up the plant in a field unless it is environment friendly.

In 2019, we were listed in the global top 10 start-ups in sustainability. We also became a part of the well-known accelerator in the United States, Techstars. On the invitation of Techstars, both Shubham and I spent three months in the US while our team continued the research at the Venture Center in Pune.

Techstars provide us with mentors from big companies who helped us understand marketing, branding, etc.

As we were going great guns, the pandemic struck and affected our work very badly.

Aim is not just stopping crop burning but stop plastic packaging too

Because of the pandemic, it took us four years finally to get a patent for our technology.

Though we started our research to find a solution to rice crop burning, the technology we have come up with can convert all agricultural wastes, like barley, millet, cotton and even sanitary pad waste into biodegradable pulp. We can make paper out of all these waste.

In order to reduce carbon footprint, we set up our plants very close to farms so that we can easily move the crop waste to the plant.

Our first pilot plant is near Morena.

We want farmers as the stakeholders. We want them to take the technology from us and become pulp manufacturers themselves. We want the plants to be operated by the farmers, for the farmers.

IMAGE: Paper bags made from crop waste. Photograph: Kind courtesy Himansha Singh

Handmade paper and packaging from waste

Even from the small amount of waste we convert to pulp in our factory, we have started manufacturing handmade paper and packaging.

Our clients are many major MNCs. For example, Nestle wanted wheat packaging for their wheat cereal.

We also provide R&D as a service which is one of our revenue models.

IMAGE: Certified FuMa boards made of 100 per cent agri residue. Photograph: Kind courtesy Himansha Singh

Green board for furniture too from waste

We have also made India's first formaldehyde-free, and hundred per cent tree-free board from crop waste. As you know formaldehyde is known as a 'human carcinogen'.

A study conducted by the International Union of Forest Research Organizations, India ranks third in the world in importing timber illegally.

This is where our Engineered Green Boards becomes important as they are developed only from crop waste and not trees.

Other than saving trees, we are saving carbon emission too. For example, when you buy one of our engineered green board, you are saving as much as 30kg of Co2 emissions which otherwise would have been released from crop waste burning.

Our second patent is for the blender we have designed to make our Engineered Green Boards.

IMAGE: The Craste team. Photograph: Kind courtesy Himansha Singh

Plans for the future

We want to license our technology so that others can also set up factories wherever there are farms. This is the only way to stop crop burning.

In the farm where we have our factory, and in the areas that are at least 40-50 km away also, there was no crop burning because we bought all the crop waste from them.

We want to make sustainability affordable.

We tell everyone, don't just recycle, Craste it! We want Craste to be the symbol of moving to a sustainable, compostable, tree-free and plastic-free world.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
The toughest part is to tackle human behaviour.

On the Atal Setu, says Indrajit Gupta, I chose to drive at a consistent speed of 80 kmph in the middle lane.

Vehicles on the right lane were clipping along at 150 kmph, way over the maximum permissible limit of 100 kmph.

On occasion, I had to slow down or dodge vehicles suddenly pulling into the middle lane from the side.

Kindly note the image has only been published for representational purposes. Photograph: PTI Photo from the Rediff Archives

The horrific footage of a road accident from a dashboard camera of a car on Sunday, January 21, went viral on WhatsApp.

It was from the newly inaugurated Atal Setu, the 21 km trans-harbour link that connects Sewri and Nhava Seva.

The occupants of the maroon Maruti Ignis had a miraculous escape when the car hit the divider and somersaulted more than a couple of times while attempting to overtake a car from the left side at high speed. The accident occurred just an hour before I passed through the same stretch.

On the way back to Mumbai from Ulwe, the accident vehicle was being towed away. The tragedy could have been much worse.

Rows of cars were parked along both sides of the bridge, with people busy clicking selfies at the scenic spot.

Parking is strictly forbidden on the bridge, but families were oblivious to the dangers even after an hour of the ghastly accident.

A few police officers manning the stretch had a hard time trying to persuade people not to stop and park.

IMAGE: A view of the crashed car in which businessman Cyrus Mistry died. Photograph: ANI Photo

Here's the sobering fact: The more we set up modern expressways, highways and bridges, the more the ignominious tag of having the highest number of road fatalities and accidents in the world refuses to go away.

Nearly 10 per cent of fatal accidents -- of the 150 road accidents that happen every hour around the world -- take place in India.

There are many reasons for such a high rate of fatal road accidents, with over half of them occurring on India's national expressways and highways: Overspeeding, poor engineering and road design, and inadequate trauma care.

On September 4, 2022, bad engineering and design claimed the life of former Tata group chairman Cyrus Mistry and his friend Jehangir Pandole.

Initial reports put it down to overspeeding, but later when the root cause was identified by the International Road Federation, it turned out to be a design flaw where the Ahmedabad-Mumbai highway suddenly narrowed from a three-lane highway to two lanes. What's equally sad is that Mistry and Pandole's lives might have been saved if they had worn rear seat belts.

Over the last few years, there have been many attempts to tackle this collective failure.

Nearly 9,000 blackspots have been identified, where repeated accidents take place.

Programmes like zero fatality corridors, like the one on the NH48 old Mumbai-Pune highway, have been designated, to reduce the chances of accidents.

By 2021, these interventions had helped reduce fatalities by 56 per cent over a three-year period.

Non-government organisations like the Save LIFE Foundation have endeavored to raise awareness and understanding among key stakeholders.

They have collaborated closely with Nitin Gadkari, the Union minister for road transport and highways at the Centre, as well as state governments, on programmes that rely on evidence-based interventions.

IMAGE: Mangled remains of an SUV after it collided in Navsari. Photograph: PTI Photo from the Rediff Archives

On a recent trip to Lonavala on the national highway, we found that the dangerous trend of trucks carrying protruding rods is now a thing of the past.

While the phenomenon may not have been entirely eliminated across the country, thanks to advocacy work done by SaveLIFE Foundation, state governments have finally stepped up the enforcement of the 2014 government ban.

The toughest part, though, is to tackle human behaviour. On the Atal Setu, I chose to drive at a consistent speed of 80 kmph in the middle lane.

Vehicles on the right lane were clipping along at 150 kmph, way over the maximum permissible limit of 100 kmph.

On occasion, I had to slow down or dodge vehicles suddenly pulling into the middle lane from the side.

Live speed guns and issuance of stiff penalties through e-challans could deter drivers from overspeeding, but here's the moot point: Why do people discount the risks of overspeeding on an expressway?

Photograph: ANI Photo

Behavioural design firm Final-Mile, now part of the Fractal group, argues driving is a non-conscious activity.

When drivers sit behind a wheel on a high-speed expressway, they tend to lose all sense of risk and empathy for fellow drivers.

As a result, traditional road safety signs do not get noticed. It takes specific nudges designed to force drivers to re-evaluate risk, instead of being oblivious while driving along the high-speed motorway.

It devised receding white stripes in some of these blackspots to create an illusion of acceleration that makes the driver sit up and take notice, thereby making him more alert to the possibility of an accident.

It also mooted more graphic, human and visual road signs to break through the consciousness.

So, what will it take to bring about a sea change? Improving policing and electronic surveillance, better infrastructure design, and safer cars are obvious answers.

We also need more stringent systems to issue drivers' licences.

Better and more responsive trauma care is needed to deal with preventable road accident deaths. But above all, achieving this will require much greater consciousness and awareness among citizens to ensure everyone's safety when they drive on India's roads.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
'There will be no khel on February 12 during the confidence motion vote.'

IMAGE: Nitish Kumar with Hindustani Awam Morcha MLA Anil Kumar. Photograph: Kind courtesy Anil Kumar/Facebook

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will need to prove his majority in the state assembly on Monday, February 12, 2024.

This demonstration of legislative strength became necessary after Nitish Kumar and his Janata Dal-United party pulled out of the Mahagathbandan government on January 28, 2024 and renewed its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

One of the constituents of the National Democratic Alliance in Bihar is former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha. Manjhi has demanded a second ministerial berth for his party and speculation is rife in Patna that his party may flip sides during the trust vote if its demand is not conceded.

"There is no possibility of the HAM joining hands with the Mahagathbandhan," HAM MLA Anil Kumar tells Rediff.com Senior Contributor M I Khan.

Anil Kumar is a four time MLA from the Tekari assembly constituency in Gaya district.

IMAGE: Hindustani Awam Morcha President Jitan Ram Manjhi, right, with his son Santosh Kumar Suman, left, who resigned from the Bihar cabinet on June 13, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Your party chief Jitan Ram Manjhi is not pleased with only one berth in the NDA government and has demanded another berth. Is it a bargaining tactic or is a surprise likely ahead of the trust vote?

Look, we are an old ally of the NDA and our leader Manjhiji has rightly placed a demand for two berths in the cabinet in place of one.

Our party has four MLAs and supports the NDA. If an independent MLA can get a ministerial berth, why not two berths for a party with four MLAs?

Manjhiji's demand for a second berth has nothing to do with changing sides.

Mr Manjhi also questions the choice of the scheduled caste welfare ministry for his son Santosh Kumar Suman and asks why he and his son are allocated the same ministry again and again.

What is wrong with it? Manjhiji has raised a simple fact.

Manjhiji's stand is clear -- is a Dalit leader not capable of handling other ministries?

Mr Manjhi has demanded a ministerial berth for you. His son's mother-in-law Jyoti Devi, an HAM MLA, has also demanded a place in the cabinet.

I thanked Manjhiji for promoting my name for the second berth if the party gets it.

I am a senior party leader with a clean image, there is no allegation against me.

I hail from the Magadh region and am a Bhumihar, a community which has a sizeable presence in the region.

My samaj (Brahmarshi) also wants to see me as a minister.

I was a minister from 2005 to 2010 when the first NDA government was formed in Bihar. After that no leader from our samaj became a minister from the region. Earlier, Rameshwar Prasad Singh used to be a minister from the region.

Do you think the NDA will fulfill your party's demand?

Manjhiji's demand is genuine and the NDA should consider it.

We have full faith in the leadership of Manjhiji and Nitish Kumarji.

Mr Manjhi has revealed that he was offered the chief minister's post if the HAM supported the Mahagathbandhan and dumps the NDA.

There is no possibility of the HAM joining hands with the Mahagathbandhan.

We are solidly standing behind the NDA led by Nitish Kumar in Bihar.

The NDA government is running smoothly and will continue in the state.

There will be no khel (game) on February 12 during the confidence motion vote.

Do you mean that Mr Manjhi will be with the NDA when the NDA seeks a trust vote in the state assembly?

We are confident that Nitish Kumar's government will win the trust vote.

We are not in favour of taking any stand that results in the collapse of the NDA government.

If we wanted to change sides, we were made an offer by the Mahagathbandhan in 2020 soon after the Bihar assembly polls.

The Mahagathbandhan was short of only four MLAs and that number we have. But the HAM then decided not to go with the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan.

We will not leave the NDA. Where will we go?

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
'Rama is Lord God of maryada. Today's maryada is the Constitution.'

IMAGE: A glimpse of the Ram Lalla idol at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Photograph: ANI Photo

"The Congress is in a crucial, challenging, moment. If we negotiate this challenge deftly, we will regain the glory of old. If we don't, we will endure a little longer. Like an out of form batsman, we have to work on our basics. Like Rahulji, we all have to connect with the masses, find solutions to their problems and bring more people into the fold," says former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat.

"We believe in the common sese of the Indian people," he tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih in the concluding part of the interview in Dehradun.

Part 1 of the Interview: 'BJP's stranglehold over democracy has to be broken'

The Ram temple in Ayodhya and now passage of the Uniform Civil Code Bill in your state will be important issues in the Lok Sabha election, how do you think the Congress and INDIA alliance will counter Mr Modi?

Cultural nationalism is a worldwide phenomenon. Donald Trump propagated it in America; similarly, Russia, China, Turkey, Italy have seen right of centre governments in power based on monoplositic ideas. Modi-ism is the Indian extension of such ideas. USA and Britain came out of this and rejected Trump and Boris Johnson.

By making Rishi Sunak, a person of Indian origin prime minister, Britain gave the message that the UK is for everyone. There was a close fight in Turkey which is indicative that people want to return to the original value system.

India will also return to its old values, its old value system.

There is a difference between Sanatan Dharma and Hindutva. Sanatan Dharma is generous and inclusive, believes in Sarv Dharm Sambhav and Vasudeva Kutumbakam. Hindus believe in Sanatan Dharma, but there is a difference between Hinduism and Hindutva.

Today cultural nationalism is being crafted around a sort of Hindutva which is against pluralism when India is a pluralistic society. It is the coming together of different cultures, for example Dravidian, various cultures of the North East and many states that have different cultural strains.

I believe originality will prevail. Sanatan Dharma is originality. A culturally pluralistic India is a reality. The day cultural pluralism prevails, Modi's hold will decline.

I hope that this situation comes soon. If India's luck is good, then this day will come soon, and if India has to face these dark times for a longer time -- then the same situation will be extended a little longer.

IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi resumes his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Simdega, Odisha, February 6, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Hasn't the Ram temple cemented the prime minister's position and will bring him back to power?

Rama is Lord God of maryada -- correctness and propriety. Today's maryada is the Constitution. Rama will protect the Constitution. He sacrificed everything for maryada and that is why he is called Maryada Purshottam.

I am not questioning their faith in Ram, we too have faith in Ram. Ram is the symbol of everyone's faith. But people's understanding of Ram is different -- they [the BJP] want to use Ram for politics and to divide people.

On the other hand, we are the Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram Patit Pavan Sita Ram, Hey Ram and Sita Ram saying people. They say Jai Shri Ram, we say Maryada Purshottam Shri Ramchandra ki jai.

They have made Ram a convenience and we have made him our faith. There is a difference in our understanding of Ram and we are trying to bring our understanding of Ram before the people, while they are presenting theirs. Our hope is that truth will prevail.

The Congress is doing the right interpretation and appreciation of Ram while they are using Ram for selfish gains.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi at the pran pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya, January 22, 2024. Photograph: Press Information Bureau

What impact is the inauguration of the Ram temple going to have on the election?

Ati sarvata varjayet -- excess of anything is bad. The elections are upon us and Shri Narendra Modi is not only PM, but lead campaigner of the BJP and he was carrying out the duties of the leading priest at the pran pratishtha. Mohan Bhagwat (the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh sarsanghchalak) was next to him.

In doing so, they did the BJP-fication of the pran pratishtha, whereas it could have been done by the honourable President, Modiji, Yogiji (Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath) could have represented the ruling party. The Opposition could be represented by the Congress or Akhilesh Yadav [the Samajwadi Party president].

Wasn't having all five members from the Sangh at the pran pratishtha an extreme? They created a situation and ensured that the Opposition doesn't attend.

We are followers of Ram and the day the Ram-like population understands this, they will shoot their electoral arrow to bring down the BJP government.

IMAGE: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami greets people as they shower flower petals on him and burst crackers in Dehradun, February 7, 2024, after the state assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand 2024 Bill. Photograph: Press Information Bureau

What do you see as the future of secularism?

There is no religion as secular as Sanatan Dharma. It assimilated, adopted the good and kept moving forward.

Sarv Dharm Sambhav and Vasudeva Iutumbakam -- there is no other religion that has given such principles to the world.

Photograph: Seema Pant for Rediff.com IMAGE: Harish Rawat.

As a senior Congress leader who has spent nearly five decades with the party, do you feel this is the Congress' worst moment?

It is a crucial, challenging, moment. I won't call it a difficult moment. If we negotiate this challenge deftly, we will regain the Congress glory of old. If we don't, we will endure a little longer.

We believe in the common sense of the Indian people. Like an out of form batsman, we have to work on our basics. Like Rahulji, we all have to connect with the people, find solutions to their problems and bring more people into the fold.

Not a day goes by when I am not at a public function. All Congress members have to do this in order to negotiate this challenge.

In 2024 our alliance will come to power.

If Modi returns in 2024 as he is expected to?

Why will he return? Even he does return, we will fulfil the dharma of the Opposition.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
The Congress on Thursday released a 'black paper' to highlight the 'failures' of the Modi government and alleged that the last 10 years have been a period of 'injustice' and of 'discrimination' against states headed by non-Bharatiya Janata Party dispensations.

IMAGE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addresses a press conference, at his residence in New Delhi on February 8, 2024. Photograph: Ayush Sharma/ANI Photo

The 'black paper', titled '10 saal anyay kaal' also alleged that issues such as rising prices, unemployment, subversion of institutions and farmers' 'distress' had plagued the country.

Congress president Malllikarjun Kharge released the 54-page 'charge sheet' against the Centre ahead of the government's tabling in Parliament of a 'white paper' on the "mismanagement" of the economy prior to 2014 aimed at drawing lessons.

"Whenever PM (Narendra) Modi presents his views in Parliament, he hides his failures. At the same time, when we speak about the failures of the government, it is not given importance. Therefore, we thought of bringing out a black paper and tell the public about the failures of the government," Kharge, who was flanked by party leaders Pawan Khera and Syed Naseer Hussain, said at a press conference at his residence in New Delhi.

In a sharp attack at Prime Minister Modi over his claim that the Congress was creating a narrative to divide the country into north and south, Kharge said those who falsely accuse others of dividing the country and of regionalism, 'those liars' do not even remember what they said.

"Modi ji, when you were the chief minister of Gujarat, you used to talk about the tax rights of Gujarat with the United Progressive Alliance government. Then you said that states should get 50 per cent tax. You also said that people of Gujarat pay Rs 48,600 crore tax and get only 2.5 per cent back," Kharge said.

Kharge also alleged that during Modi's chief ministership, he incited violence and said such a person should not talk about south and north divide.

The BJP hit back at the Congress over its 'black paper' against the Modi government, claiming that the opposition party has brought it to hide its 'black deeds' and is in pain as it wants action in corruption cases stopped.

In the presser, Kharge also alleged that there is a 'danger to democracy' in the country and accused the BJP of attempting and also toppling elected governments.

"Non-BJP ruled states such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh are being discriminated against and neglected. They (Centre) don't release funds and then say we have released the funds but it was not spent. They purposely stall work... this is a big conspiracy of the BJP," he alleged.

Kharge also alleged that the Modi government was 'extorting' money through the route of electoral bonds.

"They are using this money to finish democracy. They made 411 MLAs cross over to their side. We had elected governments in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Manipur and Uttarkhand. You know how governments were made to fall," he said.

Kharge also claimed that he got abusive calls a few days ago and he has got a case registered in a police station.

"When I was small, we lost so much. Only I was left along with my father in my family....But they target me, defame me, abuse me. A person who is a Scheduled Caste has no one behind him. They want to defame such a person," he said.

Hitting out at the BJP, Kharge said they make a big deal about the president belonging to the Scheduled Caste community or Scheduled Tribe community.

"We also made internationally known and well-educated Scheduled Caste person the president. I am not criticising the present president," he said.

The 'black paper' highlights social, economic and political 'injustices' committed during the Modi government's tenure.

'The Modi government's 10 years in power have devastated the country's economy, aggravated unemployment, destroyed the country's agricultural sector, abetted crimes against women and committed grave injustices against minorities in the country,' the party alleged in its document.

'The Modi government is silent on price rise... the prices of petrol, diesel and daily essentials has reached record levels,' the party said.

Terming the 2016 move of demonetisation as a 'blunder', the party said economic effects of the 'disastrous demonetisation' seven years ago continue to haunt the country even now.

The black paper also raised issues such as 'unemployment, price rise, farmers' distress, failure to carry out a caste census and injustice to women'.

Kharge said the prime minister talks of Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi whenever he is asked about price rise. But they (NDA) are ruling now and they should answer what they have done to control inflation, he added.

It was Modi's guarantee to provide two crore jobs every year and ensure MSP to farmers. Now the prime minister should say he could not do it. Instead he has come up with new guarantees.

"The Congress ensured country's independence and in 2024, it will take country out of BJP's 'darkness of injustice'," he said.

The 'black paper' also alleged that India has become 'electoral autocracy' and cited the V-Dem institute. The party also hit out at the government over the Manipur issue and the border situation with China.

Sharing a link to the black paper, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh recalled that on January 4, 2014, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made two far reaching statements that are most relevant today.

"It encapsulates the Black Paper...Dr Manmohan Singh said: 1. History will be kinder to me. 2. It will be disastrous for the country to have Shri Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister. Both statements have been proved right today."
Bidding farewell to members retiring from the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lauded the contribution of his predecessor Manmohan Singh to the House.

IMAGE: Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh attends the monsoon session of Parliament on a wheelchair to vote against the Delhi services bill August 8, 2023. Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI Photo

Manmohan Singh came to vote in the Rajya Sabha on a wheelchair to help strengthen democracy, Modi said.

In a sarcastic jibe at the Congress, he thanked Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge for coming out with a "black paper" against his government and referred to it as "kaala teeka" (to ward off the evil eye) in the midst of good work being done by his government.

WATCH: PM Narendra Modi praises the contribution of his predecessor Manmohan Singh

The prime minister also referred to black robes worn by opposition MPs in the House as a mark of protest and said, "We also saw a fashion parade in the Rajya Sabha when some members came in black clothes."

He gave his best wishes to all retiring members expressed the hope that that new generations will benefit from their experience.

Sixty-eight members of Rajya Sabha are retiring between February and May after completing their term.
India will replace its military personnel operating three aviation platforms in the Maldives with 'competent' Indian technical personnel even as New Delhi asserted that it remained an important development partner of the island nation.

IMAGE: Troops of Indian Army and Maldives National Defence Force take part in the joint military exercise 'Ekuverin', in Chaubatia on June 25, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Mohamed Muizzu-led Maldives government has formally requested that India withdraw its troops from Male.

In this regard, a second high-level group meeting took place in New Delhi on February 2 and a third meeting is scheduled to be held later this month.

Addressing a weekly press briefing in the national capital, MEA spokesperson Randir Jaiswal said, "What we had to say, we made it out in the press release. This was done after the second high-level core group meeting. We also said that the third core group meeting will be subsequently held."

"I would like to say, the present personnel will be replaced by competent Indian technical personnel," Jaiswal said.

After the second meeting, the Maldives Foreign Ministry in a statement said that India will replace its military personnel in one of the three aviation platforms in the Maldives by March 10 and will complete the replacement by May 10.

'Both sides agreed that the Government of India will replace the military personnel in one of the three aviation platform by March 10, 2024, and will complete replacing military personnel in the other two platforms by 10 May 2024,' the statement read.

Notably, the Ministry of External Affairs stated in its statement that both India and Maldives have agreed on a set of mutually workable solutions to enable the continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medvac services to the people of Maldives.

'Both sides also agreed on a set of mutually workable solutions to enable continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medvac services to the people of Maldives,' it stated.

Previously, Maldives local media had reported that President Mohamed Muizzu had asked the Indian government to withdraw the Indian troops from the island nation before March 15.

Notably, the removal of Indian troops from the country was the main election campaign of Muizzu's party. Currently, there are around 70 Indian troops, along with Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters, stationed in the Maldives.

A MEA spokesperson also spoke on the speculations regarding budgetary allocation to Maldives in the Interim Budget 2024-25.

Jaiswal said that Rs 779 crore has been allocated for the Maldives as against Rs 600 crore as projected earlier and New Delhi continues to be a 'committed development partner' for Male.

"There are many conflicting ways, in which people are this budgetary. I saw some media reports saying that the allocation has gone up, some are saying it has gone down. Certain amount of money is allocated and then revisions are made, and thereafter there is a phase of revision, during that phase of revision, new proposals are considered," the MEA spokesperson said.

He added, "The allocation for Maldives this time is Rs 779 crore as against Rs 600 crore projected earlier. The new figures will also be revised when we have more clarity on what sort of forward movement is happening. We remain a committed development partner for Maldives."
Smoke rises following Israeli airstrikes in Khiam, Lebanon, on Feb. 7, 2024. Two Hezbollah fighters and a civilian were killed on Wednesday, and five other civilians were injured during Israeli raids in Lebanon's southeast villages of Khiam and Bani Haiyyan, Lebanese medical and security sources told Xinhua. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Two Hezbollah fighters and a civilian were killed on Wednesday, and five other civilians were injured during Israeli raids in Lebanon's southeast villages of Khiam and Bani Haiyyan, Lebanese medical and security sources told Xinhua.

Lebanese military sources said Israel carried out 11 air strikes on Khiam, four raids on Bani Haiyyan, and five raids on areas in southwest Lebanon and fired about 75 shells on 16 towns and villages, destroying 12 houses and causing damage to 37 others.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that an Israeli drone bombed with two missiles a drinking water pumping station in the southeast village of al-Wazzani, leading to its disruption.

Ali Al-Zein, former head of the Union of Municipalities of Jabal Amel, told Xinhua that the bombing of the water station, which pumps 12,000 cubic meters of water daily, cut off drinking water to 54 southern towns and villages.

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 253 on the Lebanese side, including 181 Hezbollah members and 39 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources. 

Smoke rises following Israeli airstrikes in Khiam, Lebanon, on Feb. 7, 2024. Two Hezbollah fighters and a civilian were killed on Wednesday, and five other civilians were injured during Israeli raids in Lebanon's southeast villages of Khiam and Bani Haiyyan, Lebanese medical and security sources told Xinhua. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Khiam, Lebanon, on Feb. 7, 2024. Two Hezbollah fighters and a civilian were killed on Wednesday, and five other civilians were injured during Israeli raids in Lebanon's southeast villages of Khiam and Bani Haiyyan, Lebanese medical and security sources told Xinhua. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

Smoke rises following Israeli airstrikes in Khiam, Lebanon, on Feb. 7, 2024. Two Hezbollah fighters and a civilian were killed on Wednesday, and five other civilians were injured during Israeli raids in Lebanon's southeast villages of Khiam and Bani Haiyyan, Lebanese medical and security sources told Xinhua. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Khiam, Lebanon, on Feb. 7, 2024. Two Hezbollah fighters and a civilian were killed on Wednesday, and five other civilians were injured during Israeli raids in Lebanon's southeast villages of Khiam and Bani Haiyyan, Lebanese medical and security sources told Xinhua. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

Smoke rises following Israeli airstrikes in Khiam, Lebanon, on Feb. 7, 2024. Two Hezbollah fighters and a civilian were killed on Wednesday, and five other civilians were injured during Israeli raids in Lebanon's southeast villages of Khiam and Bani Haiyyan, Lebanese medical and security sources told Xinhua. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Khiam, Lebanon, on Feb. 7, 2024. Two Hezbollah fighters and a civilian were killed on Wednesday, and five other civilians were injured during Israeli raids in Lebanon's southeast villages of Khiam and Bani Haiyyan, Lebanese medical and security sources told Xinhua. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)
A 23-year-old Indian-American student at Purdue University, who was found dead in a nature preserve in Indiana this week, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to authorities.

IMAGE: 23-year-old Indian-American student Sameer Kamath. Photograph: X

Sameer Kamath, a US citizen, was found dead in the woods on February 5 at approximately 5pm in NICHES Land Trust - Crow's Grove in Williamsport, Indiana.

Justin Brummett, Coroner at Warren County Coroner's Office, said in a press release Wednesday that a forensic autopsy was performed on Kamath on February 6 in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

The press release from the coroner's office said that the preliminary cause of death is a "gunshot wound of the head" and Kamath died by suicide. A toxicology report is pending.

Through extensive investigation by the Warren County Coroner's Office in conjunction with multiple other local and federal agencies, we are now able to release a preliminary cause and manner of death," the release said.

The coroner's office said that prior to releasing this information, Kamath's family was notified of the results.

This is an ongoing investigation with the Warren County Coroner's Office, Warren County Sheriff's Office, Purdue University Administration and other supporting agencies, it said.

Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family and we hope they are respected during such a difficult time," Brummett said.

A report in The Purdue Exponent said that Kamath was a doctoral candidate in mechanical engineering. The report added that mechanical engineering head Eckhard Groll said in an email to the ME community that Kamath was from Massachusetts.

He received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and came to Purdue in the summer of 2021, the Purdue Exponent report added.

Kamath was to graduate from the doctoral program in 2025, according to his LinkedIn profile, the report said.

Kamath's death is the latest in a string of tragic incidents among students of Indian-origin and from India in the US.

Last month, another Purdue student 19-year old Neel Acharya, who had been reported missing, was found dead on the Purdue University West Lafayette campus. Acharya was a US citizen. Authorities have said that there was no trauma or significant injuries found during the autopsy on Acharya and "no foul play is suspected at this time".

Last month, 25-year-old Indian student Vivek Saini was hammered to death by a homeless drug addict in Georgia. Earlier this month, another Indian student, Syed Mazahir Ali, hailing from Hyderabad and pursuing Masters in information technology, was chased and brutally attacked by three unidentified men in Chicago.
The Bharatiya Janata Party may soon finalise a seat-sharing deal with Jayant Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal as the ruling party looks to further strengthen the National Democratic Alliance amid indications that it is open to reviving its ties with former allies such as Telugu Desam Party and the Shiromani Akali Dal.

IMAGE: Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) MP Jayant Singh speaks in the Rajya Sabha. Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI Photo

Sources the BJP's alliance talks with the RLD are in an advanced stage.

The BJP is willing to offer two Lok Sabha seats, including Baghpat which is currently represented by its MP Satya Pal Singh, to the RLD and may also give it a Rajya Sabha seat, they added.

The sources said the BJP is working to ensure that the NDA gets as stronger as possible ahead of the polls so that it realises the target of crossing 400 seats as spoken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha recently.

Modi had expressed confidence citing the popular mood that the BJP alone will definitely get 370 seats in the 543-member House.

A lot depends on whether the BJP and its prospective allies agree to an amicable seat-sharing formula but there have been positive developments, the sources added.

TDP president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu had met Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday.

The Akali Dal had been among the BJP's oldest allies but snapped severed its ties to protest the farm laws, which were later repealed following farmers' protests, especially in Punjab and parts of Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh.
Fondly remembering the contribution of retiring members from the Rajya Sabha, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday said the wisdom shared by them would be greatly missed and their departure would leave a void.

IMAGE: Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and wife Sudesh Dhankhar welcome Congress MP Digvijaya Singh during the farewell of the Retiring Members of the Rajya Sabha organised at Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas, in New Delhi on Thursday. Photograph: Sanjay Sharma/ANI Photo

The Vice President was bidding farewell to the 68 MPs of the upper house who retired during the year.

"The retirement of our esteemed colleagues will undoubtedly leave a void. It is often said that 'every beginning has an end and every end has a new beginning'," he said.

One never retires from public service, he said, and wished the members an active public life further ahead.

"These hallowed chambers of Parliament are the sanctum sanctorum of the temple of democracy. It's a distinct honour and a rare privilege to be able to serve our motherland from the platform of this House.

"This very House represents the diversity of views that our vibrant democracy shares but at the same time it reflects the unity of our purpose as well. We are here with a singular commitment of serving this great land," the Vice President said in his introductory remarks.

"You all have etched your name in history for being part of the democratic process in effecting transformational epochal events," Dhankhar said.

He recalled that during this period, the Council of States saw the passing of many important legislations, including the Abrogation of Article 370 - a temporary provision of our Constitution, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, the Bhartiya nyay Samhita, Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Bill and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023 and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

We were also part of inauguration of the state of the art new building of Parliament, he noted.

"I am sure, the retiring members too would be departing with a profound sense of contentment for their efforts in advancing the interest of Bharat and every Bharatiya.

"Please allow me to express our profound appreciation for the distinguished service rendered by each one of our esteemed retiring colleagues. Their contribution will be fondly remembered and the wisdom they shared would be greatly missed," the chairman said.

He also said that the use of Indian languages increased and Dogri, Kashmiri, Konkani, and Santhali were used for the first time during discussions in the House.

Arrangements were put in place for the members to speak in any of the 22 languages, he said.

He also recalled that the panel of vice-chairpersons underwent a new change with many first time members presiding over the Council.

"In togetherness, we have strived to ensure that this temple of democracy sustains its relevance by being a theatre of dialogue, debate, deliberation and discussion," he said.

"The rich contributions by our retiring colleagues have significantly enhanced the quality of discourse that are vital to our nation. The House and its Committees stand greatly enriched by their active and constructive participation," he said.

He also recalled the contribution of two members, Sushil Kumar Modi and Abhishek Singhvi, who are chairmen of two department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees of Rajya Sabha.

Dhankhar termed their RS tenure impactful in shaping legislative policies and scrutinising government actions.

He also paid tributes to five female retirees -- Jaya Bachchan, Vandana Chavan, Kanta Kardam, Sonal Mansingh and Amee Yajnik. All five were on the panel of vice chairpersons.

Dhankhar said among those who are retiring are nine Ministers - Dharmendra Pradhan, Narayan Rane, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Mansukh Mandaviya, Bhupendra Yadav, Parshottam Rupala, Rajeev Chandrashekhar, V Muraleedharan, L Murugan.

All of them have served this country with distinction by steering their respective ministries to greater heights, he said.

"The wealth of parliamentary experience they have garnered during their tenure here, will undoubtedly prove as invaluable asset as they embark on new endeavors.

"I am sure that their guidance and mentorship will certainly be available for new members," he noted.

"May you all continue to inspire and lead, making meaningful contributions to the welfare and progress of our nation," he said.
A worker from Punjab who was injured in Wednesday's terror attack in Srinagar's Habba Kadal area died at the SKIMS hospital in Srinagar on Thursday morning, taking the toll to two in the first targeted killing of the year by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.

Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com IMAGE: Security personnel cordon off the area and search for terrorists after an attack on two non-locals, in which one person was killed and another injured, at Habba Kadal in Srinagar on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.

Srinagar is on alert following the attack with security measures being intensified and authorities asking people to be cautious and vigilant.

Rohit Masih succumbed to injuries at the SKIMS Hospital in Srinagar on Thursday morning. He was shifted to the tertiary care institution late Wednesday night after his condition worsened at the SMHS Hospital, officials said.

On Wednesday, Amritpal Singh, also a worker from Punjab, was shot dead from point blank range at Shalla Kadal in uptown Habba Kadal.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and political parties in the Union Territory have strongly condemned the attack, the responsibility of which was taken by the banned 'The Resistance Front (TRF)', a shadow group of Pakistan-based Lashker-e-Taiba.

Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Range) V K Birdi emphasised that security measures have been intensified and urged for caution.

While police are actively working to solve the case, Birdi asserted that security grids are in place and are operational. Authorities have asked the public to remain cautious and vigilant in the wake of the attack.

"We have already intensified patrolling, and we are working on solving the case," Birdi told PTI.

Refusing to share details on the incident, Birdi said it will be premature to tell things.

"Sometimes it becomes prejudicial for investigations but we are definitely working on it (on the case)," he said.

Security forces have also initiated a search operation in and around the area of the attack, and have been conducting random checking of individuals in various parts of Srinagar.

The Wednesday's terror incident found mention in the Lok Sabha, with Congress MP from Ludhiana Ravneet Singh expressing concern over the death of the two workers from his state.

"This is a matter of concern. Their bodies have reached Punjab today. What is the reason behind the killings? The government there has termed it as a terrorist attack. There is a need to take care of their families," he said.

National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah, while speaking at the Left Democratic Front (LDF) protest, asked why assembly polls are not being held in Jammu and Kashmir and wondered what was gained from the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution.

"When they (Centre) abrogated Article 370, they said it was responsible for terrorism. Yesterday, two innocent people were shot dead (in Srinagar)," the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said, while expressing his condemnation of the terror group for killing the innocent civilians.

In Jammu, a handful of activists of the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal (RBD) held protests.

Last year, terrorists had carried out three attacks on non-local workers, resulting in the death of two and injuries to three others.

While a circus worker from Udhampur district was shot dead by terrorists on May 30, 2023, in Anantnag district, brick kiln worker Mukesh Kumar from Bihar was shot dead by the ultras on October 31 last year in Pulwama district.

Three labourers were injured in an attack by terrorists in the Gagren area of Shopian district on July 13.
The Supreme Court, examining whether states can sub-classify the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for the grant of a quota within a quota, said on Thursday that the state governments cannot be selective in granting reservation benefits to backward classes as it will lead to a dangerous trend of appeasement.

IMAGE: Activists of All India Confederation of SC/ST hold a rally in Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi, December 1, 2021. Photograph: ANI Photo

The top court is hearing references to revisit a 2004 judgment of a five-judge Constitution bench in the case of EV Chinnaiah vs State of Andhra Pradesh, in which it was held that the SCs and STs are homogeneous groups and hence, states cannot further sub-classify them to grant a quota within a quota for the more deprived and weaker castes in these groups.

A seven-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said that while conferring reservation benefits on the most backward classes, the State cannot exclude others.

"If there are a host of backward classes, can the State pick out only two for example? Those who are excluded can always challenge their classification under Article 14 on the ground that we fulfil all criteria of backwardness. But the State can also rebut, saying we can classify a caste by looking at the extent of backwardness. It can say that we want to confer reservation to the most backward.

"But while conferring benefits on the most backward, you cannot exclude others. This will become a dangerous trend of appeasement. Some state governments will pick out a few castes while others will pick another set of castes. The idea is not for popular politics to play out in this. We will have to tailor it by laying down the criteria," the bench, also comprising justices B R Gavai, Vikram Nath, Bela M Trivedi, Pankaj Mithal, Manoj Misra and Satish Chandra Mishra, said.

The court, which reserved its judgment after hearing the submissions of the Centre, states and others, said it is the role of the State to give reservation and remove social backwardness and while doing that, if it wants to remove the inequalities being faced by a class, it can do it.

It said sub-categorisation will aid in others within that caste to come up, otherwise only one segment will continue to get the benefits.

Appearing in the court on behalf of one of the parties, senior advocate Manoj Swarup mentioned about the heterogeneity within castes.

The top court had said on Wednesday that all SCs and STs might not be homogeneous in terms of their sociological, economic, education and social status.

"There is heterogeneity in terms of past occupation.... Social status and other indicators may be different for different castes inside the Scheduled Castes. So the degree of social and economic backwardness may vary from one person or caste to another," the bench had said.

On Tuesday, the top court had said it would examine the validity of its 2004 judgment that held that the states do not have the power to further sub-classify the SCs and STs for the grant of quotas.

It had made it clear that it will not get into the arguments related to the quantifiable data that led the Punjab government to provide for a 50-per cent quota within an already existing quota.

Of the 23 petitions, the lead one has been filed by the Punjab government, challenging a 2010 verdict of the Punjab and Haryana high court.

The high court had struck down section 4(5) of the Punjab Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes (Reservation in Services) Act, 2006 that provided a 50-per cent quota and the first preference to the "Valmiki" and "Mazhabi Sikh" castes in public jobs within the SC quota.

It had held the provision as unconstitutional on the ground that it violated the 2004 judgment of the apex court in the Chinnaiah case.

The Chinnaiah judgment had held that any "sub-classification" of the SCs would violate Article 14 (right to equality) of the Constitution.

The 2004 verdict had stated that only Parliament and not state legislatures can exclude castes deemed to be SCs from the Presidential List under Article 341 of the Constitution.

The top court is examining questions that whether a sub-classification inside the SC and ST categories could be allowed like in the case of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and if the assemblies are competent to introduce laws empowering the states to undertake the exercise.

Assailing the high court's verdict, the Punjab government approached the top court in 2011 and contended that the apex court's 2004 judgment was not applicable to it.

Taking up the Punjab government's plea, a five-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra (since retired), on August 27, 2020, differed with the Chinnaiah judgment and referred it for adjudication by a larger bench of seven judges or more for an authoritative pronouncement.

In the higher education institutions funded by the Centre, 22.5 per cent of the available seats are reserved for SCs and 7.5 per cent for ST students.

The same yardstick is applied in the case of public employment as well.

In Punjab and Haryana, there is no ST population.
Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Abhishek Ghosalkar was shot dead in Mumbai on Thursday evening during a 'Facebook Live' by a local 'social activist' who also ended his own life, police said.

IMAGE: Police personnel deployed after Shiv Sena-UBT leader Abhishek Ghosalkar shot dead in Mumbai on Thursday, February 8, 2024. Photograph: Sahil Salvi

A viral video of the incident, which took place at assailant Mauris Noronha's office in IC Colony in the northern suburb of Borivali (West), showed Ghosalkar being shot in the abdomen and shoulder.

The attack, which streamed live on Facebook, came days after Maharashtra witnessed CCVT footage of a Bharatiya Janata Party MLA opening fire inside a police station in neighbouring Thane district and raised questions about the law and order situation.

Abhishek (40), son of former MLA Vinod Ghosalkar, a loyalist of the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, was also a former corporator.

The video showed Ghosalkar being shot in the abdomen and shoulder as he was live on Facebook with Noronha, a local activist. Sounds of three more shots are also heard in the clip.

A senior police official told PTI that Ghosalkar was hit by four bullets. Noronha, who used an illegal pistol for the crime, then shot himself once, he added.

Ghosalkar and Noronha had 'personal enmity' but the Facebook live was arranged to clarify that they had come together ending their bitterness for the betterment of the IC Colony area, another police official said.

The incident took place days after a BJP MLA was caught on camera firing at an Eknath Shinde faction leader inside a police station at Ulhasnagar.

Chief Minister Shinde said a probe was being launched into the latest firing incident.

Shiv Sena-UBT MP Sanjay Raut alleged in a post on X that Shinde had met Noronha at the chief minister's official residence 'Varsha' in Mumbai four days ago, and had invited him to join the Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Raut also demanded that deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis should resign.

Former minister Aaditya Thackeray, who said he had met Abhishek Ghosalkar earlier in the evening, claimed there was no longer any fear of law in Maharashtra.

"There is total collapse of law and order in Maharashtra, as evident from this and similar recent shooting incidents," he added.

Workers of the Thackeray-led Sena gathered in large numbers outside Karuna Hospital in north Mumbai where Abhishek Ghosalkar was taken.

Police had deployed a large force in the area around Noronha's office.

Senior officials were on the spot and 'panchnama' (spot inspection) process was underway, an official said.
Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary on Thursday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party has not given up its resolve to form its own government in the state by accepting Janata Dal-United president Nitish Kumar as the chief minister.

IMAGE: Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar Samrat Chaudhari and Vijay Sinha being felicitated during welcome ceremony, at the BJP office in New Delhi on February 5, 2024. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo

Choudhary, who is also the state BJP president, made a statement to the effect in Patna at an auditorium packed with party workers and senior leaders.

"It was a tough call for us. Lots of discussions took place at the national and the state levels, and finally, a decision was taken to drive out of power the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal), which had once brought 'jungle raj' to Bihar," said Choudhary, referring to the dramatic realignment the state witnessed a fortnight ago.

"We honour whichever alliance we are a part of, as long as it survives. We will do the same to Nitish Kumar whom the 'INDI Alliance' people had enticed with the promise of prime ministership but who realised in good time that it was a grouping merely formed to protect the corrupt," alleged the BJP leader.

"But remember there is no going back on our pledge to form our own government in Bihar one day," he added.

Choudhary, who joined BJP less than a decade ago but has taken to the party's idiom like fish to water, said it is an organisation that patiently works at attaining its stated objectives.

"Generations passed since Syama Prasad Mukherjee first raised voice against Article 370. When Narendra Modi won an absolute majority, it (Article 370) was consigned to the waste bin of history. Same with Ayodhya. For years detractors mocked our chants of 'mandir wahin banayenge' (Ram temple will be built at the site) with the barb - 'tareekh nahin bataenge' (we will not say by when construction would be complete)," he said.

The Deputy CM also asserted that while sharing power in the state, the BJP would ensure a crackdown on the 'liquor mafia, land mafia and sand-mining mafia'.
Those who continue to think that the 2024 election will see the BJP pursuing a more militant line are being alarmist, argues Rajeev Mantri.

The BJP, Mantri believes, is not about to shoot itself in the foot.

If anything, he says, the BJP may be more inclined to push a harder secularism.

A revealing excerpt from Rahul Shivshankar and Siddhartha Talya's book, Modi & India: 2024 and the Battle for Bharat.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsangchalak Mohan Bhagwat at the pran pratishta ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, January 22, 2024. Photograph: Press Information Bureau

In September 2018, Mohan Bhagwat, the RSS sarsangchalak, held a three-day lecture series in Delhi titled The Future of Bharat.

Bhagwat spoke of the RSS's acceptance of, and allegiance to, the Indian Constitution and its Preamble, which he read out, including the word 'secular' (introduced in 1976), before adding: 'Dr Ambedkar had said in the Constituent Assembly that it was because of our internecine fighting that the foreigners won and made us their slaves. I am only giving the gist of what he had said. You can very well read the details of it in his words. He [Dr Ambedkar] said: We are sitting in warring camps as mutual enemies. And the limitation of our system should be blamed for it. If we fail to create such a fraternal feeling, I can't say what sort of fate awaits us.'

Acknowledging the truth in Ambedkar's assessment and their implication for India's unity, Bhagwat went about reassuring his listeners while simultaneously positing a formulation to uphold fraternity:

'The Sangh is engaged in creating this fraternity and only unity in diversity can be the basis of this fraternity. This thought process that has come down to us by tradition is called Hindutva. Hence, we say that ours is a Hindu Rashtra.

'This does not mean that there should be no Muslims here. The day we say Muslims are not required here Hindutva will be lost.

'Hindutva speaks about viewing the entire world as a family. So, the moment we say only the Vedas are acceptable and the Buddhists, who do not recognize the Vedas, are not acceptable, Hindutva will be lost. Because, in our nation, we have incessantly been in the pursuit of truth and all these spiritual systems have arisen out of this process.

'So, all these are respectable and deserve to be respected. This is the conviction of all of us and it should be so.

'As Hindutva is the only source that provides the feeling of fraternity with an ideological foundation, we have been following it.'

IMAGE: Bhagwat applies tilak to the statue of Bharat Mata after hoisting the National Flag on Republic Day at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, January 26, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Bhagwat also sought to dispel any notion that there was an attempt to impose a larger Hindu identity on non-Hindus.

He said that they were free to refer to themselves as 'Bharatiya' if they so wished.

But he did say that the RSS would not hold back from referring to Indians as Hindus, as 'We feel, Hindu is the only word useful in creating the culture of our imagination and, hence, we are sticking to that word. Even if it proves a losing proposition, we are ready to bear it. Because we believe that till this word continues to exist, this nature of Bharat will never become moribund. And the people of Bharat will move forward, taking all along with them.'

And this shared Hindu identity, according to Bhagwat, was divorced from the concept of race and, most importantly, from Punyabhuu, or Holy Land.

The shared Hindu identity was instead premised on four principal meeting grounds: 'By tradition, by nationality (Rashtriyata), by our motherland and by our common ancestors, we say, we are all Hindus, and we will continue to say so. However, that does not mean that we don't treat you as our own. On the contrary, we are saying it so that we can claim you as our own.

'We cannot claim you as our own based on your religion, sect, language, caste, etc. It is only possible on the basis of the motherland, the culture and the ancestors. And so, we insist on that. We consider them as the organs of our Rashtriyata (nation).'

Armed with a Hindu dharmic calling card, the RSS, led by Bhagwat, has embarked on a period of active Muslim outreach.

IMAGE: Modi and Bhagwat in conversation after the pran pratishtha ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, January 22, 2024.

Bhagwat is said to have emphasised for his Muslim audiences that the Constitution is 'sacrosanct' (perhaps implying that the word 'secular' was here to stay) and that Hindutva is an 'inclusive concept' where 'all communities have equal room'.

The last phrase is an important one. Bhagwat was keen to underline that this kind of social accommodation needs to be a two-way street.

He was keen to impress upon Muslims that in states where cow slaughter is not banned, they should 'voluntarily shun beef '.

He encourages his Muslim interlocutors to call upon their community to stop using phrases like kafir, or non-believers, so that Hindus do not feel 'othered'.

For his part, Bhagwat agreed that equally offensive terms like 'jihadi' and 'Pakistani', used by some to malign Indian Muslims, should be done away with.

The more fluid Hindutva being patented under Bhagwat is a 'dynamic and continuing process' resting on three pillars: 'Patriotism, respect for ancestors and culture', which have contributed to the growing acceptance of the RSS.

It has found the doctrinal elbow room to proclaim that, 'Our call is rooted in Rashtriyata. It is about the tradition of the Muslims, the tradition of the Christians, and of all others in Bharat.'

Another factor here, which isn't talked about much, is that the RSS had to tone down because of expediency.

The RSS's political 'special purpose vehicle' is the Bharatiya Janata Party. As the world's largest political party, it has come to represent several caste and community interests.

The Sangh's leadership is aware that the BJP's continued electoral successes depend solely on its ability to carry as many people along as it possibly can.

IMAGE: Bhagwat seeks blessings from a sadhu after the pran pratishtha ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, January 22, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

In 2015, following the publication of a government advertisement that carried the original Preamble to the Constitution without the words 'socialist' and 'secular', the Opposition was up in arms.

Several critics of the Modi administration became convinced that moves were afoot to strip India of its secular identity.

The government was quick to douse the fire, with the then parliamentary affairs minister, Venkaiah Naidu, declaring that 'secularism is there in the blood of the Indian people, that's part of our culture.

It was not there in the original Preamble and was inserted during the Emergency. But the government advertisement was about the original Preamble. We are committed to secularism, and we don't have any idea to drop it.'

The BJP idolizes (Vinayak Damodar 'Veer') Savarkar and is an ideological descendant of the RSS, which it looks up to as a paternal guide. But, as a political entity in the business of governance and fighting elections, its senior leadership has been guarded about overtly describing India as a Hindu Rashtra.

Even when prompted to specifically discuss Savarkar's views describing India as a Hindu Rashtra, and whether the BJP and the Modi government saw India as one, the Union home minister, Amit Shah, in a 2019 interview, was categorical: 'Absolutely not. We believe in the Constitution, and we accept the Constitution in its spirit. In this country, all sects have complete freedom. The government has only one religion and that's the Constitution and nothing else.'

The NDA, at least for now, believes that the Preamble to our Constitution is sacrosanct. But does this also mean that a Hindu Rashtra, in a cultural sense, would never find Constitutional expression under the current government?

Rajeev Mantri, who has co-authored A New Idea of India: Individual Rights in a Civilisational State, is of the view that those who continue to think that the 2024 election will see the BJP pursuing a more militant line are being alarmist.

Mantri believes that the BJP is not about to shoot itself in the foot. If anything, he believes that the BJP may be more inclined to push a harder secularism:

'Any other course of action [modifying the Constitution to describe India as a Hindu Rashtra], while do-able will be prone to misrepresentation ... and frankly, my fear is that we will see a good idea getting hamstrung or diluted because of overwhelming pushback with people projecting it to be something which it is not, similar to what happened with CAA ...

'Ultimately, being a secular republic means to me having the same/equally applicable laws to all citizens of India, so that is what we should aspire towards ... let's become truly secular.'

Excerpted from Modi & India: 2024 and the Battle for Bharat by Rahul Shivshankar and Siddhartha Talya, with the kind permission of the publishers, Penguin Random House India.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
Members of the Civil Defense remove a car bombarded by a drone strike in eastern Baghdad, Iraq, on Feb. 7, 2024. At least three people were killed on Wednesday in a drone attack on a car of paramilitary Hashd Shaabi Forces in eastern Baghdad, Iraq's capital, an Interior Ministry source said.

The attack occurred in the evening when a drone bombarded a sport utility vehicle of the paramilitary forces in the al-Mashtal neighborhood, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

BAGHDAD, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed on Wednesday in a drone attack on a car of paramilitary Hashd Shaabi Forces in eastern Baghdad, Iraq's capital, an Interior Ministry source said.

The attack occurred in the evening when a drone bombarded a sport utility vehicle of the paramilitary forces in the al-Mashtal neighborhood, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The blast caused a fire and killed three people inside the vehicle, the source said, adding that Iraqi security forces sealed off the scene and a civil defense team rushed to put out the fire.

The source identified one man killed in the car as Abu Baqir al-Saadi, a commander of Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed armed group in Iraq that has links to Hashd Shaabi Forces, or the Popular Mobilization Forces.

After the attack, Iraqi security forces intensified security measures around the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses some of the main government institutions and foreign diplomatic missions, including the U.S. embassy, in anticipation of any security breaches, according to the source.

The Iraqi Joint Operations Command said in a statement via its affiliated media outlet Security Media Cell that a bombardment targeted a civilian car at 9:35 p.m. local time (1835 GMT) in the al-Mashtal neighborhood, killing those aboard.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command said in a post on the social media platform X that its forces conducted a unilateral strike at 9:30 p.m. (Baghdad Time), killing a Kataib Hezbollah commander "responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on U.S. forces in the region."

It said the strike caused no collateral damage or civilian casualties and that "the United States will continue to take necessary action to protect our people."

The strike was part of the ongoing U.S. retaliation to a recent drone attack on its military base in Jordan, in which three U.S. soldiers were killed and over 40 others were injured.

The White House assessed that an Iran-backed umbrella group known as Islamic Resistance in Iraq - of which Kataib Hezbollah is a part - carried out the attack. 

Members of the Civil Defense remove a car bombarded by a drone strike in eastern Baghdad, Iraq, on Feb. 7, 2024. At least three people were killed on Wednesday in a drone attack on a car of paramilitary Hashd Shaabi Forces in eastern Baghdad, Iraq's capital, an Interior Ministry source said.

The attack occurred in the evening when a drone bombarded a sport utility vehicle of the paramilitary forces in the al-Mashtal neighborhood, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

People gather at the site of a drone strike in eastern Baghdad, Iraq, on Feb. 8, 2024. At least three people were killed on Wednesday in a drone attack on a car of paramilitary Hashd Shaabi Forces in eastern Baghdad, Iraq's capital, an Interior Ministry source said.

The attack occurred in the evening when a drone bombarded a sport utility vehicle of the paramilitary forces in the al-Mashtal neighborhood, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

A man lights candles at the site of a drone strike in eastern Baghdad, Iraq, on Feb. 8, 2024. At least three people were killed on Wednesday in a drone attack on a car of paramilitary Hashd Shaabi Forces in eastern Baghdad, Iraq's capital, an Interior Ministry source said.

The attack occurred in the evening when a drone bombarded a sport utility vehicle of the paramilitary forces in the al-Mashtal neighborhood, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Considerable cloudiness. High 44F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A few flurries are possible. Low 29F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Sierra Seidler, a 14-year-old from Shrewsbury, is seeking a kidney donor to save her life. Her community at the Dorset Equine Rescue, where Sierra and her mom Megan have volunteered for years, is leading an effort to fundraise and find a match.
Richard Davis, who had a 45-year nursing career in Southern Vermont, holds a copy of his book, "The Village," on Main Street in downtown Brattleboro.
Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.

Gordon Hayward of Westminster writes about individual men and women who contribute day in and day out to the life of our community here in Southeastern Vermont.
You are the owner of this article.
Winter boots and cowbells: All you need to know about Brattleboro's Harris Hill ski jump competition
Rep. Kathleen James is an Assistant Majority Leader and ranking member of the House General and Housing Committee. She represents Manchester, Arlington, Sandgate and part of Sunderland. You can reach her by email: KJames@leg.state.vt.us and sign up for her newsletter at kathjamesforstaterep.com. Opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenkovi? has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on his victory in the presidential election, Azernews reports.

The congratulatory letter reads:

His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and in my personal capacity, I would like to extend to you my sincere congratulations on your re-election as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Over the past thirty years, Croatia and Azerbaijan have achieved a high level of bilateral cooperation. I am glad that in our meeting in Baku in November 2023, we had a chance to discuss how to enhance our overall cooperation, especially in the fields of trade and energy security. In the period ahead, we remain committed to working closely with you and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan on further advancement of our political, economic and cultural relations.

Wishing you much success in your future endeavours for the benefit of the people of Azerbaijan, please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Sincerely,

Andrej Plenkovi?

Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia




China's fifth scientific station in Antarctica, Qinling Station, which started operation on Wednesday, will offer strong support for international research, a Chinese official said.
SANAA, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. and British naval forces on Wednesday launched two strikes on Houthi camps in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported.

The strikes hit Ras Issa, a northwestern coastal district in the city, the television said without providing further information.

There were no confirmations yet from the U.S.-British maritime coalition on the strikes.

The U.S. Central Command said the Houthi fighters launched multiple missile attacks on Tuesday towards the southern part of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, targeting U.S. Navy forces in the Red Sea with three missiles and a Marshall Island-flagged, Greek-owned-and-operated bulk carrier transiting the Gulf of Aden with another three missiles.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said on the social media platform X that the Greek vessel continued sailing despite slight damage to it.

The Houthis have not commented yet on the alleged missile attacks.

The Houthi forces in Yemen have launched more than 50 missile attacks on the shipping lane since mid-November, saying they target Israeli, the U.S., and British commercial vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza.

The U.S.-British maritime coalition has vowed to protect international trade in this world's most vital maritime route.

The well-armed Houthi group controls much of northern Yemen after it ousted the internationally recognized Yemeni government from the capital Sanaa and the strategic city of Hodeidah in late 2014. 
A man stands near a screen showing news footage of Chinese President Xi Jinping at the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) building in Beijing, China, July 9, 2021.

Updated Feb. 08, 2024, 04:15 a.m. ET.

Chinese stock markets rose Thursday after Beijing replaced its securities regulator. For the Lunar New Year-shortened week, the CSI300 jumped 5.8% and the Shanghai Index advanced 5%, the biggest weekly gains since November 2022.

On Wednesday, the Chinese cabinet appointed a former Shanghai vice mayor and markets veteran Wu Qing as chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, replacing Yi Huiman, in an apparent attempt to bring the stock markets out of a downturn as public outrage grows.

Wu, known as the broker butcher in the industry for his crackdowns on traders, was previously chairman of the Shanghai Stock Exchange between 2016 and 2017 until he was elevated to vice mayor of Shanghai.

He worked with financial regulators, including at the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or CSRC, for more than two decades.

The CSRC announced the reshuffle in a statement Wednesday without giving reasons for the change. The move came after the stock market dropped to a five-year low Monday amid a slumping economy. Yi was made chairman of the regulatory body in 2019.

Chinese authorities intervened in the market this week by injecting funds to stem a freefall of stocks and flight of outflows. On Tuesday, A shares rebounded after a unit of the sovereign wealth fund publicly pledged its endorsement of the markets valuation and expanded its holdings of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track the performance of Chinas benchmark indexes.

Ousted CSRC chairman Yi Huiman after a news conference in Beijing, China, Feb. 27, 2019. Yi was appointed to the role in 2019. (Reuters)





Separately, media reports said the national team  Beijing-charged fund managers  has been in action, pouring money into Chinas five largest ETFs tracking the CSI 300 Index and the Shanghai Composite Index. They received a net inflow of US$20.2 billion in January, an amount which is over 10 times last years monthly average.

There is still a lot of ground to make up with 3 trillion yuan (US$422 billion) wiped from the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets since the end of last year, according to estimates by analysts at the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research in Taiwan.

The CSRC also held a special meeting on Monday to improve the investment value of listed companies, urging these public firms to proactively increase returns to boost investor confidence. Tactics available in the toolbox include share buybacks, major shareholders increasing their stakes, regular dividend payouts, mergers and restructuring, as well as strengthening communications via road shows and briefings.

Better tomorrow?

China is also talking up the economic environment that experts say is the root of the problem, as the stock market is a gauge of prospects and investors expectations. The stock market has been roiled by frequent turmoil in the past few years, weighed down by a real estate crisis characterized by defaults and Beijings crackdown on sectors like technology and private tuition services.

Its now a matter of confidence. A very important issue in the financial market is trust and confidence, said Wang Shiow-Wen, an assistant research fellow at Taiwans Institute for National Defense and Security Research, in an interview with Radio Free Asia.

Trust means that after I invest my money, you wont eat me up. Confidence means believing that profits can be made in the long run.

Wang expects that there will be a point in the short term where investors will sell and cut losses.

So China has been releasing news that their future market is very good, but is that true? I dont know.

Cheng Cheng-Ping, a finance professor at the National Yunlin University of Science and Technology in Taiwan, called Chinas rescue efforts, including the latest measure to curb short-selling, outrageous from a Western capital market perspective.

How can any regulatory agency ask for private and listed companies returns on investment? Cheng said, pointing out that this should instead be the concern of corporate leaders and shareholders.

Furthermore, shareholders and investors wont simply rely on numbers like returns and earnings per share to evaluate a company.

There are other indicators like inventory, raw materials and, overseas markets and emerging technologies. Investors have many considerations when investing, and the overall situation in China is very bad, Cheng said.

Translated and additional reporting by RFA staff. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.

Updated with Chinese stock market data.
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow stands next to an election campaign poster of pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong, in Hong Kong, Sept. 28, 2019.

Hong Kong police have officially listed overseas democracy activist Agnes Chow as a wanted person after she skipped bail and fled to Canada in December, warning they will pursue her for life, pro-China newspapers and an official police account reported on Wednesday.

No fugitive should imagine they can evade criminal prosecution by absconding or leaving Hong Kong, Andrew Kan, deputy commissioner of the city's national security police, told journalists in comments reported by the Beijing-backed Wen Wei Po and the official Chinese police account on Weibo.

Hong Kong police officially list Agnes Chow as wanted, Chinas official police account posted on Wednesday. Unless she surrenders, she will be hunted for the rest of her life.

Chow, 27, a prominent democracy activist who has already served a seven-month prison sentence for illegal assembly linked to protests outside Hong Kongs police headquarters on June 21, 2019, was out on bail at the time of her departure, for which she obtained a permit to travel from the Hong Kong police.

But soon after leaving the city, she announced via her Instagram account that she wasnt going back. She later said she is considering whether to apply for asylum in Canada.

Chow, a founding member of the opposition party Demosisto, which dissolved in 2020 when the national security law took effect, had worked alongside jailed activist Joshua Wong in protests and civil disobedience movements dating back to 2012.

Agnes Chow, center, who was sentenced to prison for her role in an unauthorized protest, is released in Hong Kong, June 12, 2021. (Vincent Yu/AP)





After serving her first sentence, she was rearrested under the national security law on suspicion of collusion with foreign forces, then released on bail pending investigation, and subjected to a travel ban.

She was forced to go on a patriotic study trip to mainland China and kept under surveillance by police, who later allowed to leave the city to study in Canada on condition that she return by the end of 2023. Chow has also spoken out about the impact of that period on her mental health.

Bounties offered

Chow has become the 14th overseas activist on the governments wanted list, although Kan didnt say whether there is a HK$1 million bounty on her head, as is the case with the other 13.

Police offered bounties for information leading to the arrests of eight wanted activists last July, with a further five activists added to the list in December 2023.

Several of the wanted activists recently held closed-door meetings with State Department officials in Washington, as part of their campaign for further sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese officials linked to the suppression of the citys promised freedoms, according to the State Departments X account.

Honored to meet with courageous advocates for Hong Kongs democracy and human rights whove been unjustly targeted for exercising their fundamental freedoms, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs Daniel Kritenbrink posted on Feb. 5.

We call on Hong Kong authorities to immediately cease all efforts to intimidate people in Hong Kong and around the world, including those who call the U.S. home.

U.S.-based activist Frances Hui, who is Policy and Advocacy Coordinator for the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, said she had shared with officials her personal encounters with CCPs transnational repression, including receiving physical death threats and being spied on by Chinese agencies.

An image of activist Frances Hui is displayed during a news conference on arrest warrants issued for her and other activists in Hong Kong, Dec. 14, 2023. (Tyrone Siu/Reuters)





She called on Washington to call for the release of specific Hong Kong political prisoners like Jimmy Lai and Joshua Wong, and to consider further sanctions on officials.

The world is counting on the US to stand on the forefront in supporting human rights and democracy, and most importantly, to protect the people living under its roof who have sought refuge from authoritarianism, Hui wrote in a post to her X account.

Naturally inclined to emigrate

Fellow wanted activist Elmer Yuen, who is working toward setting up a Hong Kong parliament in exile, said he had called for relaxed immigration rules for Hong Kongers seeking to flee the crackdown to the United States.

Now that Hong Kong is like this, naturally everyone is inclined to emigrate, Yuen said. I want them to relax the rules and allow more Hong Kong people in and make it easier to get a visa.

The safe haven policy has not yet been implemented, and we need to go to Congress to work on that further.

Hong Kong police said on Tuesday they have made 290 arrests so far under the national security law, which bans public criticism of the government and has resulted in the mass arrests and trial of dozens of former opposition activists and the trial of pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai.

Kan said national security would remain at the top of a list of police priorities for 2024, when the citys legislature is expected to pass a second national security law critics say will potentially criminalize more peaceful activities, including making critical or protest-related comments on overseas websites or interviewing exiled activists like Chow.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin called on the United States not to be a safe haven for criminals, and not to support anti-China disruptors who flee Hong Kong.

Hong Kong affairs are Chinas internal affairs and do not require the intervention of any external forces, Wang told a regular news briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.

Translated with additional reporting by Luisetta Mudie.
The State Departments Bureau of Democracy, Human rights and Labor has not had a confirmed leader for three years.

Dafna H. Rand was the Director of the Office of Foreign Assistance at the Department of State from 2021-2023.

Amid a backlog of Senate confirmation hearings, the U.S. State Departments Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor has not had a confirmed leader since President Joe Biden took office with a pledge to put human rights at the center of his foreign policy.

That appears imminently set to change, with Dafna Hochman Rand  Bidens nominee for assistant secretary of state in charge of the bureau  breezing through a joint confirmation hearing on Thursday.

A skeleton crew in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee met seemingly as a formality, with Chairman Sen. Ben Cardin noting the absence of Republicans, who were meeting to discuss the carving up of a bill that had included funding for the U.S. southern border.

There is a lot going on today, said Cardin, who is a Democrat from Maryland. You may have read about some of that in the paper.

But Cardin said their absence, in a way, showed their faith in the quality of the nominees before the committee, with Rand joined by two other White House nominees, including for ambassador to Timor-Leste.

We do have a scheduled vote for a little later and say afternoon, and there's negotiations going on, he said. That's the reason why you might not see the type of normal participation at this hearing  it's a reflection, I think, of the positive quality of our nominees.

Now a resident fellow at Georgetown University, Rand previously served as the assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor during the Obama administration, and until last year was director of the State Departments Office of Foreign Assistance.

Rand faced no critical questions during her hearing on Thursday, with only Sen. Jim Risch, a Republican from Idaho who serves as his partys ranking member on the committee, ducking into the hearing at its opening to offer brief thoughts on her nomination.

Risch said he hoped Rand would use the bureaus millions of dollars in foreign assistance to help legitimate rights defenders around the world and not the agenda of the left. He then excused himself and left.

Unfilled position

The Senate is currently working through an extensive backlog of nominees from the White House, with the average number of days it takes to confirm a single person having grown from about 80 days under President George W. Bush to about 145 today under Biden.

The unusual backlog has even led to a push to allow the Senate to confirm up to 10 appointees from each committee in a single vote, in order to cut down on the delays caused by procedural business.

In the meantime, the position of assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor has been filled by an acting official who does not need to be confirmed by the Senate.

Cardin said it was a position that is particularly important to fill as the assistant secretary represents our voice in regards to our values in the State Department, calling the delays unacceptable.

Whether its your generals from Myanmar or the Kremlin in Moscow, repression is on the rise, Cardin said, adding that attacks against human rights defenders are up across the globe and coups and democratic backsliding threaten progress on every continent.

During her testimony, Rand said that her top two priorities, if confirmed, would be to focus on how we respond to the PRC, referring to the Peoples Republic of China, and Russias threats to human rights.

The U.S. is not only competing with the PRC in the military and economic domains  these are critical to U.S. national security and prosperity  but this is also a contest about the fate of the rules based international order, Rand said. The PRCs vision suppresses freedom of expression and persecutes ethnic and religious minorities.

She also pledged to advocate for a more consistent U.S. foreign policy when it comes to defending human rights, even as she said there were times when other foreign policy interests interceded.

Rand said she hoped to make sure those times are few and far between and said there were careful and creative ways to integrate human rights into U.S. foreign policy decisions that improves our power, our standing, our influence and our leverage.

After less than an hour, Cardin called on Rand and her two fellow nominees to respond to any written questions submitted by senators not present as soon as possible to expedite their confirmation.
The 30th plenary session of the 14th Standing Committee of North Koreas Supreme Peoples Assembly is held at Mansudae Hall in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this picture released by the Korean Central News Agency on Feb. 8, 2024.

Seoul is not considering reciprocal actions towards North Koreas recent decision to annul all economic agreements with South Korea, as no swift impact on inter-Korean relations is expected, government sources in the South said.

North Koreas state-run Korean Central News Agency reported on Thursday that Pyongyang has abolished laws on inter-Korean economic cooperation, including regulations on the special zone for international tours of Mount Kumgang and those for enforcing all agreements.

But an official at the Souths Ministry of Unification told local reporters on Thursday that there are no ongoing inter-Korean cooperations anyway, and therefore, there are no imminent measures planned by [the South Korean] government, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The Norths move was expected, said the official, adding that it would only result in further isolation of Pyongyang.

As of Thursday, a total of 258 agreements have been signed between the two Koreas, and Seoul sees 112 of them, including 28 joint press releases, as economic agreements, according to the unification ministry.

They include food loans, investment guarantees, inter-Korean commercial arbitration, railway and road connections, construction and operation of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, tourism in Mount Kumgang, inter-Korean fisheries cooperation, inter-Korean agricultural cooperation, inter-Korean shipping, cooperation in light industry and underground resource development, and cooperation in healthcare and environmental protection.

It is currently unclear which of these agreements have been scrapped, as North Korea has not made them public.

The move comes less than a month after Pyongyang decided to abolish agencies handling inter-Korean affairs, such as the National Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, an agency in charge of national economic cooperation, and an agency handling the Mount Kumgang tour project.

The 2005 law on inter-Korean economic cooperation provides a basic framework for such collaboration, whereas the 2011 law concerning the special zone in Mount Kumgang outlines specifics regarding investments in the area by South Korean and international entities.

Edited by Elaine Chan and Mike Firn.
But the public is miffed that neither he nor his subordinates are facing criminal charges.

Gen. Vilay Lakhamfong, the Lao minister of public security, has acknowledged that 'some police officers abuse their power and position by facilitating drug trafficking and smuggling.' He is seen in an Oct. 23, 2020 photo.

The Lao government has fired a high-ranking police officer in southern Savannakhet province for allegedly underreporting drug seizures and selling the remainder for personal profit, but didnt charge him with a criminal offense, officials said.

On Jan. 25, the Lao Ministry of Public Security announced that it had fired a lieutenant colonel from the Savannakhet Provincial Police Department and disciplined four of his subordinates for underreporting seizures of methamphetamines and other drugs, and dealing the surplus.

The rare removal of a leading police official has made waves in impoverished Laos, where corruption is rampant and government officials enjoy near-total immunity from criminal acts.

But members of the public were upset that the disciplined police officers  like many other officials accused of corruption  arent facing prosecution.

They told RFA Lao that people in positions of authority who break the law should be criminally charged, just like any other person, rather than given a slap on the wrist.

If [officials] break the law  they should not only be fired, but also charged with a criminal offense and jailed if found guilty, said one citizen. Just because they have power, doesnt mean they are immune from justice. Everybody must be treated equally under the same laws.

An official from the province confirmed the disciplinary action in an interview with RFA on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Public Security dismissed the head of a police unit who is a lieutenant colonel, and disciplined four lower-ranking police officers  demoting and relocating them, said the official who, like others interviewed for this report, spoke on condition of anonymity citing security concerns.

A police officer who worked with the five also confirmed their punishment in comments made to RFA.

Only the head of the police unit was sacked, he said. The other four are still working for the provincial police department, but were demoted and relocated to other positions.

The officer said that the lieutenant colonel was not charged with a criminal offense because being fired is the most severe punishment he could receive.

He said public security officials from the central government had traveled down to Savannakhet to personally oversee the disciplinary process.

A drop in rankings

Failure to hold officials accountable for corruption is an unfortunately common practice in Laos.

In 2022, RFA reported that the Ministry of Public Security disciplined 11 police officers by demoting them and relocating them within the capital Vientiane Police Department for allegedly accepting bail money and bribes from the accused and prisoners.

A similar case occurred in 2021, when the ministry dismissed two police officers  a captain and a lieutenant  who were said to have been involved in smuggling goods, illegal gambling, and allowing foreigners to enter the country without visas.

None of the officers were ever charged for their alleged crimes.

In its 2023 index, released on Jan. 30, graft watchdog Transparency International ranked Laos 136th out of 180 countries in terms of corruption perception, down from 126th a year earlier. The ranking placed Laos on par with Gabon, Mali and Paraguay.

Last year, the Lao State Inspection Authority said it had identified nine corrupt officials responsible for embezzling US$36 million in state funds. From 2021 to 2022, it reported that 74 officials had committed financial crimes, leading to a loss of US$52 million.

The official numbers are likely a drop in the bucket compared to what the state actually loses to graft on a yearly basis.

Part of the problem, observers say, is that not enough is being done by the central government to address the root causes of corruption in Laos.

No solutions offered

Plenty of officials have made it known that they are aware of the problems of corruption and immunity within the Lao government and among those who hold positions of power.

Gen. Vilay Lakhamfong, the Lao minister of public security, recently acknowledged that some police officers abuse their power and position by facilitating drug trafficking and smuggling, while others set up checkpoints on highways and demand bribes from motorists.

But the minister provided no details on what measures the government plans to put in place to deal with such offenses.

Even speaking privately, officials have appeared at a loss for how to rein in fraud in Laos.

RFA recently spoke with a member of the Lao State Inspection Authority who also expressed frustration over what he called widespread corruption in the country.

Many local and central government officials do everything in their own interest, he said. Our laws have loopholes allowing officials to commit corruption. Our inspection agency has found many corrupt officials, and weve fired and demoted many of them.

However, the state inspection official failed to elaborate on how the government should address the reasons behind the problem.

Consequences and root causes

Other citizens RFA spoke with said it is no secret that the authorities facilitate the drug trade and other forms of smuggling in Laos.

Drug trafficking is on the news every day  the smugglers ship tons of drugs through Laos and then across the border to Thailand, he said. They cant just do this by themselves, they must work with the police.

But he complained that Lao government employees, including police officers, are paid low wages, making them susceptible to bribes they use to pad their incomes.

They receive salaries that arent enough to live on, he said. If they made enough, corruption wouldnt exist.

Others have called for stricter punishments to send a message to would-be offenders.

At a meeting of the Lao National Assembly last year, a member of parliament urged the government to do more to crack down on graft, saying that alleged offenders should face criminal charges, at the very least.

Our government has failed to tackle corruption, the lawmaker said. It doesnt matter how powerful or high up an official is  he or she must be punished. So far, we havent done that.

In the meantime, ordinary citizens are paying the price for the governments unwillingness to solve the problem, a resident of Champassak province told RFA.

Our laws are ineffective, the resident said. And it is because of corruption that our country has never been developed.

Translated by Max Avary. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
A rights group accused the troops of using the victims as human shields and torturing them.

Junta troops shot and killed women and children living in eastern Myanmar, a human rights group told Radio Free Asia.

The group was attacked while fleeing a junta offensive in Kayah states Shadaw township, Karenni State Interim Executive Council secretary Zue Padonmar said Wednesday. After being captured in the forest outside their village, they were taken alive as hostages.

It happened on Feb. 5. Three women and three children were killed. One of the women who was killed was pregnant, she said.

The children who were killed were very young. This kind of incident rarely happens. They are war-torn displaced people  They were taken as human shields.

The victims included two disabled women in their 50s, a 33-year-old pregnant woman, and three children between the ages of three and seven.

The womens bodies were found with wounds on their faces and legs, likely inflicted during their interrogation, said Banyar, director of the Karenni Human Rights Group, who goes by one name. They were later shot in the head.

The group was captured when a special operations force launched an offensive in Kayah state. The column was reinforced at Shadaw Byuhar Hill by a helicopter of troops who captured the women and children, along with a man, to use as human shields, Banyar said. Only the man was able to escape.

The regimes targeting and killing of civilians is a war crime, Zue Padonmar told RFA. The Karenni Interim Executive Council said it is preparing to take legal action against the junta in domestic and international courts. Zue Padonmar also urged the international community not to cooperate with the junta or sell them aviation fuel.

RFA contacted junta spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun to confirm details about the alleged shooting, but did not receive a response by time of publication.

The junta also carried out an aerial bombardment on a school at Daw Si Ei village in western Demoso township on Feb. 5, killing four children and injuring at least 10, according to local defense forces.

A total of 4,500 civilians have been killed across the country in the three years since the military coup, according to a statement by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners on Feb. 7.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.
BEIJING, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Chen Wenqing on Thursday urged police nationwide to fulfill their duty to safeguard security during the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, and their duty to maintain continuous social stability in Beijing and across the country.

Chen, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks when inspecting primary-level work on legal affairs in Beijing.

Chen noted that legal affairs organs face the challenging task of safeguarding social security and stability. He urged them to remain aware of potential risks and consider worst-case scenarios in their work.

He stressed that security plans should be implemented fully to ensure public safety during the Spring Festival holiday, which begins on Saturday. 
Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, which occupy a militarily strategic expanse of the western Pacific, have warned that delays to U.S. financial assistance have created opportunities for competitive political actors in the region.

Micronesias President Wesley Simina on Thursday released a letter the three countries had sent to Senate leaders, President Joe Biden and other U.S. officials after funding for the island nations wasnt included as expected in a budget bill sent to the Senate this month.

Although we understand the delay in the legislations approval, it has generated uncertainty among our peoples, the letter said. As much as they identify with and appreciate the United States, which formerly governed our islands, this has resulted in undesirable opportunities for economic exploitation by competitive political actors active in the Pacific.

The Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Palau, under agreements known as compacts of free association, give the U.S. military access to their vast ocean territories in exchange for funding and the right for their citizens to live and work in the U.S. The agreements also allow the U.S. to deny other countries access to the waters.

Amid increased U.S.-China rivalry in the Pacific, the three island nations last year signed new economic assistance agreements with the U.S. that were significantly more generous. Budget battles between Democrats and Republicans have delayed implementation despite bipartisan support for the compacts.

The supplemental budget bill sent to the Senate earlier this month faces many obstacles, with or without compact funding as part of it, due to partisan differences over other funding plans.

The letter didnt name China but its inroads with Pacific island nations, including a security pact with the Solomon Islands in 2022, have recently galvanized renewed U.S. attention on the region.

Chinas government has courted Pacific island nations as it seeks to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and gain allies in international institutions. Beijing regards Taiwan, a democracy and globally important tech manufacturing center, as a renegade province that must be reunited with the mainland.

This handout photo from the U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll taken on Jan. 21, 2024 shows an aerial view of a surge of unexpected waves swamping the island of Roi-Namur in the Marshall Islands. (U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll/AFP)





Last month Nauru, a Pacific island nation of 10,000 people, severed longstanding ties with Taiwan and recognized Beijing. The Solomon Islands and Kiribati switched their diplomatic recognition to Beijing from Taiwan in 2019. The Pacific island nations of Palau, the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu represent a quarter of Taiwans remaining diplomatic allies.

The letter dated Feb. 6 from Simina, Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. and Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine highlights the military importance of the countries combined ocean territories, which cover an area that stretches west of Hawaii to near the Philippines and Indonesia.

The U.S. military is building an over-the-horizon radar station in Palau while the Marshall Islands hosts a U.S. ballistic missile testing and space surveillance range on Kwajalein Atoll.

The letter from the island leaders says they cannot overstate the importance to all our nations of final approval by the U.S. Congress of legislation for the renewed compacts.

U.S. analysts have recently warned that failure to secure compact funding would be an enormous blunder for Washington and an opportunity for China to undermine American military dominance in the Pacific.

Micronesias previous president, David Panuelo, last year warned of aggressive efforts by Chinas diplomats to gain influence in the country, alleging use of bribes and other tactics that he characterized as political warfare.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization.
In their efforts to finally resolve their long-running conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, can Armenia and Azerbaijan go it alone?



For decades, the negotiations between the two adversaries were conducted with mediators -- varying combinations of Russia, the United States, and European powers. The influence of powerful global actors, it was thought, was necessary for the two sides to work through their mutual distrust.



Now, though, with Nagorno-Karabakh back in Azerbaijani hands after a swift military offensive in September, Baku and Yerevan have been increasingly conducting their negotiations one-to-one. In December, they reached an unprecedented bilateral agreement to exchange prisoners and for Armenia's support for Azerbaijan's bid to host the COP29 climate conference. Senior officials from the two countries have been holding low-profile bilateral meetings. Diplomats continue to exchange drafts of a peace agreement back and forth and hold occasional meetings of a commission on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border itself, most recently on January 31.



Western involvement, meanwhile, has been put on hold. Azerbaijan has stopped receiving the U.S. and European diplomats who had been trying to shepherd the process along. A meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani ministers had been planned for January in Washington, but it never took place, and it's unclear if it will be rescheduled.



"This is an issue between our two countries, and we have to solve it ourselves," President Ilham Aliyev said in a January 10 interview with Azerbaijani media.

"Armenia and Azerbaijan are grown-up enough to tackle the remaining issues by themselves," Elchin Amirbayov, Azerbaijan's senior envoy for special assignments who has been closely involved in the negotiations, told RFE/RL.

Azerbaijanis have argued that the international mediators, at a time of sharpening Russia-West competition around the region, have been increasingly driven by geopolitical motives rather than by concern for peace in the Caucasus. But among Armenians, there is a fear that going it alone will leave them vulnerable to a much stronger Azerbaijan, which regularly suggests that if Armenia doesn't accede to its demands, Baku could use force to impose its will.



Armenian officials argue publicly that talking without mediators is not so significant.

"We have been engaged in negotiations by the facilitation of the European Union, among other facilitators, and nowadays we see that Azerbaijan, unfortunately, refuses to resume the negotiations in the existing frameworks," Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoian said on January 19. "We attach importance not so much to the issue of who facilitates the negotiations but to the principles according to which the negotiations should continue."



A bilateral approach works to Armenia's disadvantage, said Benyamin Poghosian, a senior fellow at the Yerevan think tank APRI Armenia. Armenia wants mediators as guarantors for any potential deal, "as power imbalances continue to exist between Armenia and Azerbaijan," and mediators could help balance that out.



But the government puts a brave face on it, he argues.

"They understand that bilateral talks will be in Azerbaijan's favor," he said. "But they don't want to show that they have been forced by Azerbaijan to accept the bilateral format."

Armenian-backed separatists seized the mainly ethnic Armenian-populated region from Azerbaijan during a war in the early 1990s that killed some 30,000 people. Diplomatic efforts to settle the conflict -- brokered by a tripartite group of the United States, France, and Russia -- brought little progress. The two sides fought another war in 2020 that lasted six weeks before a Russian-brokered cease-fire, resulting in Armenia losing control over parts of the region and seven adjacent districts.



When negotiations began again in 2022 over a comprehensive settlement to the conflict, two rival tracks emerged: one led by Russia and another by the European Union, backed by the United States. Over time, the political negotiations largely shifted to the Western track, with Russia leading more technical negotiations on border delimitation.



In January, the U.S. envoy to the negotiations, Louis Bono, visited Yerevan but not Baku. Azerbaijani media reported that he was not invited to the capital because the Azerbaijani government had refused to invite him. Later that month, the European Union's top Armenia-Azerbaijan negotiator, Toivo Klaar, also visited Yerevan but not Baku.



Officials in Washington and Brussels have downplayed the snubs, saying that they were related to Azerbaijan's February 7 presidential election and expressing optimism that the Western-mediated talks can continue after that. President Aliyev, buoyed by the resounding victory to regain Karabakh last year, is on the verge of winning his fifth consecutive term.

The move to bilateral talks should itself be an encouraging sign, said one Western diplomat familiar with the negotiations, who spoke to RFE/RL on condition of anonymity.

"I really do think that that was significant," the diplomat said, referring to the December 2023 agreement on prisoners and the COP29 conference. "That really signals to us that probably there are more discussions going on than maybe they're publicly talking about. And that's a good thing."



Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has alluded to ongoing high-level talks, though details have not been made public.

"Direct contacts between Armenia and Azerbaijan are now more or less activeparticularly between my office and the office of the president of Azerbaijan," he said on January 20.



Cutting out the mediators against Armenia's will represents another tactic in Azerbaijan's hardball negotiating strategy, said Shujaat Ahmadzada, a nonresident research fellow at the Baku-based Topchubashov Center, which focuses on international relations and security. Azerbaijan has suspended the Western track "to see whether facilitators will come up with favorable conditions," he said.



The Armenian government is concerned that bilateral negotiations would leave them with no external protection were Azerbaijan to abrogate a peace agreement. But with Azerbaijan holding all the cards, they have little choice but to go along, Poghosian said.

If it didn't accede to the bilateral negotiations, "first, Armenia would be perceived as the nonconstructive side," Poghosian said. "Second, if there are no negotiations, there is a rising possibility of military escalation. So, a decision was made: 'OK, we are not happy with the bilateral format, but if there are only two options -- no negotiations or bilateral negotiations -- then it's better to have the bilateral negotiations.'"



In spite of the downsides for Armenia, Pashinian's government is willing to sign a deal with Azerbaijan for domestic political purposes as well, Poghosian argued.



"The government needs to give some positive news to society," he said, "to show that, 'OK, we know we lost Nagorno-Karabakh, but we are receiving something in return. I told you I will bring peace. Here is the peace.'"



Territorial Claims



Many in Baku argue that the United States and European Union have disqualified themselves by not being neutral brokers in the conflict.



For one, according to this argument, both Washington and Brussels appear eager to weaken Russia's position in the Caucasus and see the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process as a means to that end. One of the key unresolved issues is who will provide security on new transportation routes connecting Azerbaijan's mainland to its exclave of Naxcivan through Armenian territory. While Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia agreed in 2020 that Russian border guards would do it, Armenia has since soured on Russia and is seeking alternative arrangements. Western diplomats are eager to oblige.



Instead of Russia, possible alternative security arrangements for the transportation routes could be commercial companies or international organizations, the Western diplomat said.

"The American and European goals are much more evenhanded and really want to work toward a durable and dignified peace. I don't know that I could say the same about the Russian intentions," the diplomat said.

Russia, meanwhile, remains keenly interested in having its forces play such a critical role in the Caucasus.



In January 18 remarks to the press, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov sharply criticized Armenia for trying to back out of the 2020 arrangement.

"We know well that 'good' advice from Western friends is always present in the South Caucasus. Sometimes one or another of the participants in the process takes it into account. And everyone knows well that Western advice is aimed not at reaching an agreement between the countries of the region on the basis of a balance of their interests but on promoting their geopolitical aims," he said.



"The peace treaty process therefore turns into a theater of geopolitical competition between the two rival blocs," said Vasif Huseynov, an analyst at the Azerbaijani government-run Center of Analysis of International Relations. "We may end up with a situation [where] we would create a larger geopolitical conflict in the region while ending a local conflict. Therefore, Baku insists on bilateral talks with Armenia with no involvement of external actors."



Azerbaijanis lately have also claimed that both the United States and Europe have been increasingly taking Armenia's side. One flashpoint recently was a statement by Aliyev, during his January 10 interview, about the border delimitation process that appeared to imply a claim to large swathes of Armenia, including the capital, Yerevan, and the southernmost province of Syunik.

Now, on all fronts, Baku is showing absolute maximalism, knowing that it is the only actor with huge power disposal at its hand."

The EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell criticized the comments: "Azerbaijan needs to return to substantive peace and normalization talks with Armenia. The latest territorial claims by President Aliyev are very concerning. And any violation of Armenia's territorial integrity will be unacceptable and will have severe consequences for our relations with Azerbaijan."



Borrell "was basically accusing Azerbaijan [of] avoiding or shying away from negotiations, which is complete nonsense," said Amirbayov, the Azerbaijani envoy.



The accusations about territorial claims are meant as a ploy to draw attention away from Armenia's own claims on Azerbaijan, Amirbayov said.

"No one in Azerbaijan has interpreted his words as his intention to go ahead and occupy Armenian territory. These are all just tricks," he said.



Azerbaijani officials have complained that Armenia continues to formally stake a claim to Karabakh in its constitution, the preamble of which makes reference to a 1989 act calling to unify Karabakh with Armenia.



Amirbayov said there are several other such claims in Armenia's formal statements and legislation. For example, when Armenia's legislature ratified the 1991 Alma Ata accords, which accepted Soviet republic borders as the borders of the newly independent states, lawmakers added language saying that it did not apply to Karabakh. He also called attention to language on the Armenian Foreign Ministry website saying that Nagorno-Karabakh is "an integral part of historic Armenia," and recent Armenian filings in the European Court of Human Rights that imply a claim on Azerbaijan.



"We have pointed the attention of the Armenian side to those facts many times, during our [in-person] negotiations, but also through different exchanges of comments," he said. "And the Armenian side acknowledges that this is the fact, but nothing is being done. When they try to cheat, if I may use the word, if they try to put all the blame and the responsibility on our shoulders, and at the same time in the back of their minds still having these territorial claims against us, it's not going to work," he said.



The Armenian Foreign Ministry declined to respond to RFE/RL's request for comments.



But Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoian has alluded to the process Amirbayov described.

"As part of the peace process, each side has noted problems in the other's legal framework and informed it about that, and both sides have provided relevant clarifications," he told RFE/RL's Armenian Service on January 25. "There will definitely be such discussions."



With or without negotiators, Armenia and Azerbaijan still have to overcome disagreements on other critical issues, including how to demarcate their shared border; determining the fate of several small, Soviet-drawn enclaves; and how to manage new transportation links to Azerbaijan's exclave of Naxcivan. The agreement being negotiated is reportedly short and thin on specifics and aims just to be a framework statement of principles, like mutual recognition of one another's territorial integrity.



Poghosian estimated it would be two to three pages and have 15 to 20 points.

"It probably will have no mention of communications, corridors, enclaves, maps, whatever -- all this will not be part of this agreement," he said. "Essentially, what this framework agreement will do, it will keep all sovereign issues open for future negotiations."



Even in a framework agreement, Azerbaijan will continue to push its advantage, research fellow Ahmadzada said.

"Any framework deal has to be considered as laying ground for all maximalist demands. For example, instead of specific maps [from which to demarcate a border], it is preferred not to have any maps mentioned which in itself would widen bargaining space," he said.



"What Baku wants right now is full legitimization (not only by Armenia, but also the Western world) of [its full retaking] of Karabakh, along with its other post-2020 goals: access to Naxcivan, enclaves, and border villages," he said. "Now, on all fronts, Baku is showing absolute maximalism, knowing that it is the only actor with huge power disposal at its hand."



Recent signals from Baku, including Aliyev's statements on Yerevan and Syunik, have dampened hopes in Armenia that any sort of agreement will be signed soon, despite the continuing exchanges of draft agreements.



"Unfortunately, after this positive step of the December 8 [bilateral agreement], we saw that Azerbaijan is not continuing with its constructive stance, to say the least," Mirzoian said on January 24. "That manifested itself through both the seventh Azerbaijani proposals on the treaty and the Azerbaijani president's latest interview. There was a significant regression and even a blow to the peace process on a number of key issues."



"How serious is Azerbaijan about this agreement, or is it basically just another way of asking the Armenians to ratify on paper what Azerbaijan wants, with the threat of force hanging in the background?" asked Thomas de Waal, a senior fellow at Carnegie Europe. "That's the hardest thing to know."



Foreign diplomats following the process are trying to remain optimistic. The Western diplomat said there was hope that the European and U.S. mediation may resume after the Azerbaijani elections.



But analysts are not so confident that the multilateral process will resume, at least in anything more than a token format.

"I'm skeptical," de Waal said. "It suits [Azerbaijan] better just to keep the outsiders at a distance."



"[The bilateral talks] is the process now," he said. "This is what's left, and if this doesn't work, then we're in big trouble."
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.
As Azerbaijanis began voting in a snap presidential election, reports trickled in of alleged abuses, all of them very familiar to the international monitors who had come to watch the vote.



RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service collected reports of alleged irregularities in the February 7 poll, including so-called carousel voting, where individuals are transported to multiple polling stations to vote more than once; faulty markings with indelible ink intended to prevent repeat voting; ballot tampering; and multiple voters gathering in a single booth to cast ballots.



President Ilham Aliyev called the February 7 election two months ago, saying that Azerbaijan's lighting military offensive in September 2023 to recapture Nagorno-Karabakh had ushered in a "new era" and should be marked by new polls. The majority of the country's legitimate opposition chose to boycott the vote.

RFE/RL also reported complaints from residents in Azerbaijan's central district of Imishli that employees of kindergartens and secondary schools were being ordered to come to work even though February 7 is a public holiday. Residents said that the workers photographed themselves in a group and then sent those images to the education department election officers. They were then sent to polling stations in small groups, Imishli residents told RFE/RL.



A representative of the Imishli district executive authority, Muhammad Ismayilov, denied the accusation, saying he had "not set foot" in a local polling station and had "voted withfamily members in the morning at precinct No. 40 in the village of Garadonlu."



"They told my children if you don't go [to vote], don't come to work," one 80-year-old voter from the capital, Baku, said.



With polls now closed, President Aliyev is on track to win a fifth consecutive election victory.



International monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation In Europe (OSCE) also pointed to the alleged obstruction of an independent observer by police and an electoral official.

Javid Nabiyev, an election observer in Baku's Nasimi-Sabail electoral district, filed a complaint to authorities after he said he was expelled from a polling place with the help of police.

Video from another polling station showed electoral workers handling ballots that had already been cut in advance, in what is considered to be a violation. In Azerbaijan, the upper corner of a ballot paper should be cut by an electoral official just before being presented to a voter.



Journalists reported being prevented from filming at another polling station on the grounds that they were not in the media registry, despite an assurance from the Central Election Commission that they could "operate freely by presenting their press card." The commission told Turan, an Azerbaijani-based independent news agency, that "misunderstandings" can arise if such a card is presented, and election officials "don't know who they are."



Turan reported that two polling locations in the Sabunchu and Binagadi districts of the capital, Baku, saw the practice of carousel voting, in which busloads of voters travel from one polling station to the next. Speaking to Turan, however, local electoral officials denied the allegations.

Ahead of the February 7 presidential vote, the election mission of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) had warned in its interim report of detentions and arrests; restrictions imposed on media and journalists; and "the country-wide blocking of some major critical media websites."



ODIHR concluded that Azerbaijan's last national elections -- a parliamentary vote in February 2020, in which Aliyev's ruling New Azerbaijan Party cruised to an easy majority -- had fallen below the standards for democratic polls, citing particular shortcomings on election day.



ODIHR found a "statistically high" rate of negative assessments at observed polling stations that suggested "serious procedural shortcomings" as well as a "blatant disregard" for safeguards against manipulations. It also cited "impediments [that] undermined the transparency of election day procedures."



There is little doubt that the 62-year-old Aliyev will win. He has won each of his past reelections with at least 85 percent of the vote.
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Russia's Central Election Commission barred Boris Nadezhdin from running against incumbent Vladimir Putin in the country's upcoming presidential vote on March 15-17. The commission previously said that it had found "flaws" in his application, a claim that Nadezhdin denies. The opposition politician has promised to fight the ban and to appeal the decision to Russia's Supreme Court.
A crackly 6-year-old WhatsApp message records the last known words of Sitora, a Tajik woman whose husband had joined Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria. Her mother later heard that Sitora was dead, but does not believe it. As she clings to hope that her daughter is still alive, she is also desperate to find the granddaughter who was born in Syria.
NAIROBI, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Preparations for the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), to be held in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi from Feb. 26 to March 1, have entered the home stretch.

Inger Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), said on Thursday that more than 3,000 delegates drawn from government, industry, civil society, and academia have already confirmed participation at the biennial event that seeks to shape the global environmental agenda.

She told a media briefing in Nairobi that more than 70 ministers are expected at UNEA-6, which will run under the theme of "Effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution."

According to Andersen, 20 resolutions will be discussed, negotiated, and adopted at the assembly, injecting fresh momentum into the global quest to secure a resilient, green, and inclusive future for humanity.

"This year, UNEA-6 will pay particular focus on how we can strengthen environmental multilateralism to address every strand of the triple planetary crisis," she said.

The UNEP official said preceding the five-day global environment assembly will be a meeting of the open-ended committee of permanent representatives that will fine-tune key topics for discussions.

"In addition, there will be a youth forum on the sidelines of the assembly, alongside a high-level leadership dialogue on finance, science, data, digitization and multilateralism," Andersen said. "We will have a day dedicated to bringing together the many multilateral environmental agreements that global governments have signed up to, with a view to creating united and amplified action."

Other major topics set for discussion at the assembly include reforming the international financial system and aligning it with the green agenda, water security, mining, ocean governance, and solar radiation modification, Andersen said.

The UNEA is the world's highest-level decision-making body for matters related to the environment, which is also tasked with designing policies that underpin the global environmental agenda.

The host country, Kenya, has been granted a pavilion to showcase its pioneering climate actions, rich cultural heritage, and scenic attractions, according to Soipan Tuya, Kenya's cabinet secretary for environment, climate change and forestry.

Tuya said that during the assembly, Kenya will also hold a side event to showcase best practices in sustainable waste management that have unleashed green jobs for the country's youth.

Radhika Ochalik, director of the Governance Affairs Office at the UNEP, said a science-policy-business forum and launch of new champions of the earth will be key highlights of the assembly.

Ochalik added that some of the resolutions that will be discussed at the assembly focus on pollution control, nature, and climate action, chemicals and waste management, air pollution, pesticides, and land degradation. 
TURKMENBASHI, Turkmenistan -- Austere control over the lives of citizens in Turkmenistan took another bizarre turn when officials in the ethnically diverse Balkan Province issued a ban on foreign songs at weddings and ordered Turkmen music to dominate the playlists at receptions.

Perhaps worst of all, marriage celebrants have been instructed to play songs by the country's still powerful but musically mediocre ex-president, Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, according to locals and a source close to the regional government.

As is usually the case in Turkmenistan, no official announcement was made, but residents told RFE/RL the latest instructions are being delivered verbally to brides- and grooms-to-be when they register for a marriage license.



Civil registrars warn the future couples that their wedding receptions must be exclusively accompanied by Turkmen music and that the wedding should also be held in a Turkmen style, a source in Balkan Province said.



The owners and employees of wedding venues, restaurants, and banquet halls have also been informed about the new rules in recent weeks.

Owners of the restaurants [that host weddings] make sure that at least 80 percent of the playlist consists of Turkmen music, a restaurant employee told RFE/RL, speaking on condition of anonymity.



Noncompliance with authorities instructions and criticism of government policies are not tolerated in the strictly controlled former Soviet republic.



Describing a recent wedding, the restaurant employee said the Turkmen-heavy playlist included the traditional Turkmen folk dance kushdepti and two songs by Berdymukhammedov.



The songs [by Berdymukhammedov] were seven minutes long each, and the DJ played them twice, he added.



Berdymukhammedov ruled the Central Asian country for 15 years before handing the presidency to his son, Serdar, in a managed election in March 2022.



The elder Berdymukhammedov, who now holds the newly minted, influential position of chairman of the Peoples Council, has in the past appeared in bizarre videos and staged concerts, performing kitschy pop songs and purportedly playing musical instruments.

Singing Praise To The Leader



Many residents of the multiethnic regional capital, Balkanabat -- and the nearby coastal city of Turkmenbashi -- are frustrated and even angered by the new regulations, which deprive them of playing songs in their mother tongues, locals say. The two cities are home to many ethnic minorities, including Russians, Armenians, and Azeris.



There were only Turkmen songs and the kushdepti being played, and we had to dance to that, one Turkmenbashi resident described a recent wedding where the bride and groom and majority of the guests were not ethnic Turkmen.

The wedding speeches were full of praise for the countrys president, and there were portraits of the Berdymukhammedovs hanging on the walls of the venue, another guest said.



It felt more like a government event than a wedding, he said. Everybody was terribly unhappy about how extensively the government is interfering in our private lives.



RFE/RL attempted to contact regional authorities for comment but received no response.



Its been previously reported that ethnic Uzbeks in the Dashoguz and Lebap provinces were ordered to play Turkmen songs at their wedding celebrations and wear traditional Turkmen clothes.

Written by Farangis Najibullah based on reporting by RFE/RLs Turkmen Service
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More than 128 million registered voters are eligible to cast their votes in parliamentary elections across Pakistan on February 8. The vote comes a day after deadly explosions rocked the southwestern province of Balochistan, killing at least 28 people. RFE/RL correspondent Gul Ayaz reports from Peshawar.
KYIV  As Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine nears the two-year mark, hundreds of thousands of Chinese-made Hikvision and Dahua video-surveillance cameras, used by government-run security systems, residences, and private companies throughout Ukraine, heighten the risks of attacks by the Russian military, Ukrainian digital-security experts and government officials fear.

When Russian missiles struck Kyiv in a January 2 attack that killed at least three people, two ordinary outdoor CCTV cameras  one for a condominium, the other for a parking lot -- helped guide their way, the State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) claims.

After hacking the cameras, Russian intelligence used them to spy on the Defense Forces in the capital and to record images of critical infrastructure facilities, according to the SBU.

One of those cameras was a 2016 Chinese-made Hikvision device, a law enforcement official who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject told Schemes, the investigative unit of RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service.

"Such cameras are usually just connected to the Internet and are already relatively outdated -- that is, with software that has not been updated for a long time and has many known vulnerabilities, said Serhiy Denysenko, executive director of the Ukrainian information-security company CyberLabs Digital Forensics Laboratory.

Manufacturers basic camera software means that hackers -- or, in this case, the Russian special services  who are scanning the Internet can find this camera and gain access to it," Denysenko said.

To test the SBUs claims, a Digital Forensics Laboratory specialist hacked into a 2015 Hikvision CCTV camera in about 15 minutes.

From 2014 to 2022, three Ukrainian companies imported over 875,000 CCTV cameras and other devices related to video surveillance made by Hikvision, and a single company imported nearly 1.1 million cameras and other devices related to video surveillance made by Dahua, according to data from the import-export database ImportGenius.

Other companies also imported smaller numbers of devices made by Hikvision and Dahua, which dominate the world video-surveillance market and rank as Ukraines most frequently imported CCTV cameras.

They also rank among the worlds most controversial cameras -- in 2022, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission prohibited future authorizations for the import or sale of Hikvision and Dahua communications equipment as an unacceptable risk to national security. Australia, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and other countries have also imposed bans or restrictions on the cameras use.

Such regulations do not exist in Ukraine, though in 2023 it named both Hikvision and Dahua Technology international sponsors of war for tax payments to Moscow and sales of equipment that have military applications.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson told Reuters on February 1 that China firmly opposes the inclusion of 14 Chinese companies on that list, and demands that Ukraine immediately correct its mistakes and eliminate negative impacts."

It did not address the issue of potential consequences from the hacking of Chinese CCTV cameras.

Vulnerable To Hacking

Hikvision and Dahua cameras and software account for 74 percent of the CCTV systems used in Ukraines national video-surveillance system for roads, streets, parks, apartment buildings, and other public spaces, Bezpechne Misto (Safe City), according to the Interior Ministry.

Another 24,000 Hikvision and Dahua cameras are used in similar public surveillance systems, the Interior Ministry told Schemes in response to a query.

Russian-supplied TRASSIR video surveillance systems -- which, as Schemes reported in December, have been used at the shuttered Chernobyl nuclear power plant as well as several Ukrainian cities and sensitive facilities such as the Administration of Sea Ports of Ukraine in Odesa -- in many cases use Hikvision cameras, though the software is TRASSIR's own.

Schemes asked President Volodymyr Zelenskiys office, the cabinet of ministers, the National Security and Defense Council, and the SBU whether they believe these cameras pose a security risk and whether Kyiv plans to remove the devices from Ukraine. None has responded.

Experiments run for Schemes by the Digital Forensics Laboratory and the Digital Security Laboratory, a Kyiv NGO, indicated that Hikvision and Dahua cameras are vulnerable to hacking and that they send encrypted data to servers controlled by state-run or partly state-run Chinese companies.

A 2015 Hikvision camera accepted the easily hackable password 1234567890 as a login. A 2023 Hikvision model required a more complex password with symbols, but sent some encrypted user and registration data to a server in China owned by ChinaNet, a state-owned Internet service provider.

A 2019 Dahua camera, even when its cloud-server connection was switched off, still sent encrypted information, including the users login and password, to cloud servers in Germany run by Chinas uCloud Information Technology, a partly state-owned company, and the private U.S. firm Zenlayer.

The security of CCTV transfers depends on the manufacturer, the connection with the server, and who can use this information and how, said Digital Security Laboratory expert Ivan Antonyuk. And heres the question: Do you trust the Chinese developer or not?"

Though the information is encrypted, decoding such information will not pose a problem for the manufacturer and developer of these cameras, Denysenko emphasized.

"Our experts are convinced that when using such a service, access to the cameras can be easily obtained by the manufacturer's representatives if necessary, he said. Also, taking into account the current relations between China and Russia, this may carry certain security risks.

Schemes did not find direct evidence that China transferred images from Chinese CCTV cameras in Ukraine to the Russian military, but the legal framework exists for such transfers.

China, whose ties with Russia are described by both countries as a no limits strategic partnership, does not publicly support Russias war against Ukraine.

'Powerless To Protect Users'

Chinas national intelligence law stipulates that companies hand data over to the government if needed for security reasons. Beijing has essentially unfettered access to Chinas Internet servers, CPO Magazine, a Singaporean website that tracks data privacy, commented.

Chinese companies are powerless to protect users from digital rights violations by one of the most powerful -- and unaccountable -- governments in the world, researchers for Ranking Digital Rights, an international project by the Washington-based think tank New America, wrote in 2020.

Hikvisions largest shareholder, with 36.35 percent according to the companys website, is the China Electronics Technology HIK Group, which is a full subsidiary of the state-run China Electronic Technology Corporation Group. That firm, known as CETC, lists on its website its contributions to Chinas defense industry, including electronic warfare and UAVs, or drones.

Dahua Technology also has a significant government shareholder: The state-owned China Mobile, a telecommunications firm, owns roughly 9.5 percent of the company. Dahua has said that China Mobile does not have operational control or undue influence over its decision making.

In 2022, the U.S. Department of Defense designated both Dahua and Hikvision, as well as their state-owned co-owners China Mobile and CETC, as Chinese military companies -- corporations whose technical skills the Chinese military uses.

A July 2023 report from the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence found that, despite international sanctions and export restrictions, China is providing some dual-use technology that Moscows military uses to continue the war in Ukraine.

Intelligence sharing also makes up part of China and Russias 2021-2025 Road Map to Military Cooperation, the Congressional Research Service noted.

Schemes contacted Hikvision and Dahua about the security of their cameras in Ukraine and about whether the companies cooperate with Russia, but has not received a response.

The U.S. subsidiary of Dahua Technology, however, claimed in July 2023 that the tech giant only sends peripheral products and accessories to Russia and that none of our products globally are currently designed for military use.

The SBU said on January 2 that it has blocked more than 10,000 CCTV cameras in Ukraine since the start of Russias full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.

Responding to a query from Schemes in January, Ukraines Interior Ministry said that it does not recommend or approve purchases of Hikvision and Dahua CCTV cameras and is seeking to ensure that those used in government-controlled video-surveillance systems are replaced.

According to Ukraines public-procurement database Prozorro, some government bodies, such as the Kyiv regions Zolochiv village council, started breaking contracts for the cameras, citing security concerns after Hikvision and Dahua were named international sponsors of war.

Existing government-run surveillance systems that use Hikvision and Dahua cameras were deliberately placed in a closed local network without access to the public Internet in order "to prevent the risks of information leakage to China, the Interior Ministry said.

The ministry has proposed a bill for a unified public CCTV system that would function with Ukrainian and Israeli-made software, but it has not yet come to a vote.

Written by Elizabeth Owen based on reporting by Kyrylo Ovsyaniy of Schemes


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BEIJING, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- For thousands of years, the Chinese idiom "face to the soil and back to the sky" has been used to describe the agricultural toil of farmers. Now, this traditional farming method is coming to an end as China accelerates efforts to build a robust agricultural industry.

A viral video doing the rounds across China's social media recently showed how agriculture has quite literally moved into the fast line. A man is seen feeding free-range chickens in the hills of Wenzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, from the comfort of his track car, with the chickens in hot pursuit.

The clip quickly gained traction online, with one netizen noting, "It saves both time and effort. Farmers are so relaxed now." Another particularly enthused commenter said, "I even want to buy a ticket for this modern chicken-feeding experience."

The roots of China's status as an agricultural country run deep. Over the past few decades, however, farmers' gazes are just as likely to be focused on smart devices as the soil beneath their feet thanks to the agricultural modernization drive. Today, tech-based farm facilities are a common sight across rural China, and more and more "new farmers," both veterans who are willing to embrace advanced technology and well-educated young people with new ideas and farming skills, are springing up.

At an olive grove in Wudu District of Longnan City, northwest China's Gansu Province, modern farming methods have brought earth-shaking changes to the land, which is considered one of the birthplaces of China's farming civilization.

With the roar of their engines, transport trucks loaded with fertilizer and farm tools climb slowly along a silver track to terraces bursting with olive trees. Zhao Ciping, a resident in Hejiaping Village in Longnan, easily unloaded two bags of fertilizer and a rotary tiller from the transport machine and headed for his olive grove.

"Our elder generation of farmers would move fertilizer up, and fruit down these steep slopes, and mostly relied on human labor, too. Not only was it exhausting work, but also it was dangerous," the new farmer recalled. "Thanks to the government, the transport track was built here last year."

Developed by the local agricultural machinery department and universities, the transport system can carry 200 kg of goods at a time, and climb 500 meters in 11 minutes, which significantly reduces production costs and improves industrial efficiency, according to Zhao Haiyun, director of the Wudu District's olive industry development office. Currently, a total of 106 transport tracks have been installed in Longnan, stretching 66.7 km.

Olive growers in Wudu are driving the growth of the industry by combining modern technologies with traditional agriculture. The mutually beneficial relationship was not missed by Emmanouil Kampourakis, associate professor at Hellenic Mediterranean University. When he gave a six-day workshop on olive cultivation techniques in Wudu in mid-December last year, he commented on the methodical approach to the cultivation, picking and processing of Chinese olives.

In the adjacent Hanzhong City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, a team of new farmers are using tech to improve vegetable planting. A 200-mu (about 13.33 hectares) smart farm is now attended by just five workers. Previously, it took 20 people a whole season to finish planting a 1-mu plot.

According to Guo Qiang, general manager of the Shaanxi Riliguanghe Biotechnology Co., Ltd., which operates the farm, they have developed eight sets of agricultural intelligent equipment with independent intellectual property rights, realizing the automatic production of the whole process, including vegetable sowing, digital management, automatic harvesting, and intelligent sorting and packaging.

China unveiled its "No. 1 central document" for 2024 early this month, which is the first policy statement released by China's central authorities each year and seen as an indicator of policy priorities. "To promote Chinese modernization, it is essential to consolidate the foundations of agriculture continuously and push forward rural revitalization comprehensively," the document said. It calls for efforts to strengthen the role of sci-tech development in promoting rural revitalization.

A more futuristic scene of farming is being played out on the outskirts of the eastern metropolis of Shanghai, which is more than 1,500 km away from Hanzhong. Guided by cutting-edge technologies -- China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, 5G signals and sensors such as lidars and gyroscopes, an AI farming robot was busy ploughing the field in Tinglin Town. Farmers can now simply log on to a WeChat app account with their mobile phones and control the robot with an app.

"The accuracy of the robot's driving error is within 2 cm. Its operating speed can reach 3 to 5 km per hour, equivalent to a farmer ploughing for several days," said Wang Jinyue, chairman of Shanghai Diantian agricultural professional cooperative.

As China's population ages, the production structure of traditional farms, which rely heavily on human labor, is unsustainable. However, the digital transformation of agriculture effectively makes up for the shortage of employees, Wang said.

According to Wang, the expenditure, including fuel costs and salaries, of sowing 1-mu-land by tractors was about 80 yuan (11.26 U.S. dollars), and now it has dropped to costs as low as 50 yuan to run robots driven by new energy. Through precise sowing by robots, the amount of seeds consumed per mu can be reduced from about 25 kg to 10 kg, which saves farmers around 100 yuan per mu. In fact, costs across the board from weeding to fertilization have all dropped, and helped to increase farmers' income, which is also highlighted in China's "No. 1 central document" for 2024.

During the past seven years, more than 70 new farmers employed at the operative have developed over 60 types of farm robots, ranging from plowing, planting, spraying, weeding to harvesting.

Data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs shows that the contribution rate of China's agricultural science and technology progress reached 62.4 percent in 2022. Nationwide, the rate of mechanization in crop plowing, planting and harvesting had risen from 67.2 percent in 2017 to 73 percent in 2022. Helped by increased contributions from agricultural machinery and technology, China secured a grain harvest of over 650 million tonnes for the ninth consecutive year in 2023.

Yu Ningkai, director of the rural development institute under the Shaanxi Academy of Social Sciences, said China managed to feed about 20 percent of the world's population with around 7 percent of the world's arable land, and has made remarkable achievements in agricultural development. Over thousands of years of Chinese agricultural development, every time the farm tools have been upgraded, it has promoted the progress of human agricultural civilization, Yu added.

"The new farmers are not only sowing the seeds of hope for China's modern farming, but also providing a useful reference for the agricultural development of other countries," said Deng Xiaohong, a deputy researcher with the School of Economics, Lanzhou University.

China has also set a higher target, aiming to further increase the comprehensive mechanization rate in crop plowing, planting and harvesting to 75 percent by 2025. The world's second-largest economy is promoting a raft of measures to improve rural industries' development, including strengthening the R&D and application of large and medium-sized intelligent agricultural machinery, breeding and promoting crop varieties suitable for mechanized operations, and carrying out machine-oriented transformation of farmland. 
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- UN humanitarians said on Thursday that 6 million U.S. dollars were allocated to help the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) respond to "catastrophic flooding" affecting 2 million people.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths made the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocation this week "to support the response to catastrophic floods in the DRC."

The office said that since December 2023, heavy rainfall caused the Congo River to surge to its highest levels since 1961, triggering the flooding, affecting 18 out of the country's 26 provinces and more than 2 million people, including in the capital Kinshasa.

"The floods are worsening already high humanitarian needs, with significant destruction of infrastructure and a critical disruption of basic services," OCHA said. "The CERF allocation will support nearly 400,000 people in the areas of health, food security, shelter and protection, among others."

The second largest country in Africa, after Algeria, the DRC has been plagued by civil unrest in the eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, and Tanganyika, forcing more than 7 million people to flee their homes from clashes between armed rebel groups and government troops, OCHA said. More than 25 million people in the DRC need humanitarian assistance. 
By David Young and Rebecca Black, PA

DUP Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan has urged Sinn Fein to focus on delivering in the newly re-established Northern Ireland Assembly, and not on a border poll on the regions constitutional future.

Sinn Fein president Mary-Lou McDonald earlier predicted that a border poll will be held before 2030.

Ms McDonalds comments expressing confidence of referenda on both sides of the border within six years come amid increased focus on the prospects of reunification following the appointment of Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill as Northern Irelands first nationalist First Minister.

I envisage us having the referendums in this decade, she told Sky News.

First Minister Michelle ONeill (Liam McBurney/PA)

Asked to clarify if that meant before 2030, she replied: Yes, and let me say that it is not so far away, so theres an awful lot of work that needs to be done.

Ive said consistently to the government in Dublin that they really need to take possession of this conversation thats now under way right across Ireland.

They need to give it a structure and a place and, of course, it has to be inclusive.

We want to hear from every voice, including those for whom reunification would not be their first option, those who go out and campaign for the Union.

Nevertheless, we all live together, thats never going to change. We share Ireland, we love Ireland, and we want whats best for our children, for our grandchildren.

I think thats the strongest, most powerful common ground that we all share.

However, Mr Givan responded by saying former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said there would be a united Ireland by 2016.

Speaking during a visit to Rathmore Grammar School in Belfast on Thursday morning, Mr Givan told the PA news agency that he regrets the pivot to talk of a border poll.

Its regrettable that when it comes to elections, Sinn Fein immediately pivot towards this issue of a border poll. I indicated before Michelle ONeill became the First Minister to resist the temptation to go down the path of talking about border polls when we need to be focused on health, education and all of those bread-and-butter issues, he said.

The public want us to get on with the job of delivering on those issues, not to be distracted by those constitutional questions.

Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, a border poll should be called by the incumbent Northern Ireland Secretary when they believe there is evidence that public opinion in the region has shifted in favour of constitutional change.

Successive UK governments have consistently declined to specify publicly what criteria will be applied when measuring public sentiment on the issue.

Last week, Ms McDonald said unification was within touching distance  a claim that prompted DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson to remark that his political rival must have the longest arms on this island.

Mr Donaldson rejected suggestions of a poll within the next decade, insisting we are nowhere near a united Ireland.

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald passes DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson and DUP deputy leader Gavin Robinson at Stormont (Liam McBurney/PA)

Ms McDonald responded to his comments on Thursday.

When I say unity is within touching distance, I said in historic terms, I dont mean that its happening next week, or next month, she said.

So you dont have to have those long arms that Jeffrey refers to. But what I am saying, what I firmly believe, is in this decade we will have those referendums and its my job and the job of people like me who believe in reunification to convince, to win hearts and minds and to convince people of that opportunity.

Ms ONeill, who is in London with her party president, later accused Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris of ignoring the reality on the issue of constitutional change.

Earlier this week, Mr Heaton-Harris said he did not expect a border poll within his lifetime.

I think Chris Heaton-Harris, with all due respect, thats a bit of an ostrich mentality, sticking your head in the sand and refusing to see whats actually happening all around you, she told ITV.

Ms ONeill added: I think hes ignoring reality. My election speaks to the change thats happening across the island.

My parents and grandparents never believed this day would come, that this change would never come about because the north is built in such a way that someone from my background was never supposed to be in a position of first minister.

You know, all the old certainties of the past, of that state that they were born into, are gone.

So I actually think that my appointment actually does reflect the change thats happening.
Up to sixty local people attended a public meeting on Friday evening in Cloonfad to raise their concerns over what they believe is a lack of communication regarding plans to house Ukrainian refugees in a former nursing home in the West Roscommon village.

The meeting was held in the local community centre to discuss proposals by a company to provide accommodation to Ukrainians in the former nursing home building.

Chairman of the meeting, Independent councillor Nigel Dineen told the gathering that up to last Friday, no-one had moved into the nursing home and there was still no information on who was arriving, whether it was women, children or other people.

The biggest problem is communication.

We need communication from the Minister and all we want to know is what is exactly happening. As of today, we are no further on, Cllr Dineen said.

During the meeting, issues such as the number of people, the type of accommodation being offered, and increased pressures on local services were raised by local people. One person said that Ukrainian people fleeing war needed to be welcomed.

Correspondence from the office of Integration Minister Roderic OGorman was read out at the meeting, confirming that the former nursing home would provide accommodation to vulnerable people from Ukraine.

Cllr Dineen replied to queries from the floor that he was waiting for clarification from the Department as to who exactly would comprise these vulnerable people.

A letter written by the principal of Cloonfad National School was also read out by Cllr Dineen at the meeting. In the letter, the principal said that the school had capacity for any children taking up residence in the village and every effort would be made to facilitate them.

A committee has now been set up to formulate a set of questions in order to seek further information from the operator of the centre and Minister OGormans department.

Before last Fridays meeting started, Cllr Dineen read from a written note on behalf of the community. It said that local people wanted the best for the village so everyones opinions at the meeting had to be respected.

The note pointed out that racist comments would not be tolerated during the discussion and anyone who made any would be asked to leave the meeting.

Local peoples concerns were not about women and children arriving but the number of people coming into the village, the note stated.

The meeting was informed that the operator had held a recent open day for local people at the former nursing home, which can cater for up to 60 people.

The other public representative present on Friday night was Fianna Fail councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice.
Cate McCurry, PA

Gardai said they told protesters outside a house in Co Kildare that it was not going to be used to house asylum seekers, but were not believed, and the property was later set ablaze.

The property in Leixlip was seriously damaged in the arson attack in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The house was rumoured to be planned accommodation for asylum seekers.

The building, according to gardai, was the subject of a significant volume of misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to its use.

Superintendent Georgina Gray said a major investigation into the arson attack was taking place. Photo: Cate McCurry/PA.

Gardai investigating the attack said they were working with other Garda stations that were investigating similar incidents across the country.

The seven-bedroom detached house in Leixlip was wrongly linked to housing for asylum seekers.

A forensic examination of the property was taking place and gardai were reviewing CCTV footage.

The property, which had been vacant, was partially set on fire last week.

Superintendent Georgina Gray, of Leixlip Garda Station, said that a major investigation into the arson attack was taking place.

She said local gardai were aware that false information had been circulating online about the property.

That information or that rumour was there beforehand, and protests had been taking place, local protests, very peaceful, she added.

We, the guards, had engaged daily with those protests. We engaged with the property owner, we engaged with local representatives here. So there has been a lot of engagement ongoing for the past few weeks to dispel any of those rumours and allay any fears that people would have.

We had been doing regular patrols when we became aware that there may be an issue at that property.

We were doing daily patrols up there and an investigation did take place and was continuing in relation to that first attack up at that house.

We had liaised with the property owner, provided crime prevention advice, and indeed got our own crime prevention officer to liaise with the property owner in relation to things that he could do to help prevent any further attacks on the house.

Gardai said they had visited the protests and spoken to people outside the property in recent weeks. Photo: Niall Carson/PA.

She appealed to the public to contact gardai if they had heard any misinformation or had any concerns.

Superintendent Gray added: Were in the early stages of the investigation. Misinformation does not help and, especially in a local community, it can create fears amongst the public.

We say to people, please do not listen to any information and come to us here or your local public representative.

She said that gardai had visited the protests and spoken to people outside the property in recent weeks.

Its very difficult for the public when rumours are going around, and myths and misinformation. We did engage, but unfortunately, the fears were there for people, and they just werent satisfied that it wasnt going to be used for that purpose, she said.

But she would not comment on whether she believed the attack involved outside elements or whether it was part of a nationwide effort to attack buildings earmarked for housing asylum seekers.

I will say, we are linking in with other investigation teams around the country to follow that line just in case, she added.

She also said that the property owner had taken on some of the security advice and had been in the early stages of protecting the property when it was attacked.

Leixlip is a lovely community area. Leixlip gardai, and indeed all gardai, work endlessly to ensure that the public feels safe, Superintendent Gray added.

We are absolutely out there investigating this, but not just investigating it, engaging with the public and reassuring them with our presence that we are there, we wont tolerate it.

Its a serious criminal act, which will not be tolerated.

Meanwhile, three people have been arrested by gardai investigating an arson attack at a building earmarked for homeless accommodation in Dublin.

The former pub in Ringsend in Dublin was set alight on New Years Eve amid speculation it was going to be used to house international protection applicants.

As part of the investigation, four houses were searched under warrant on Thursday morning during an operation in the Dublin area, gardai said.

Two men, aged in their 30s and 50s, and a woman aged in her 20s, were arrested and a number of items of evidential value were seized, including electronic devices, in the course of the operation.

All three were being questioned at a Garda station in the Dublin region.

It is the latest in a series of attacks on properties that have been linked to housing for refugees.

The latest arson attack comes days after vacant buildings in Brittas in Co Dublin were set alight.
Free Movement Regime Between India and Myanmar Suspended

Amit Shah, has decided to stop the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar

Free Movement Regime Between India and Myanmar Suspended: Union Home Ministry, led by Amit Shah, has decided to stop the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar. This step is taken to keep our country safe and maintain the population balance in the northeastern states bordering Myanmar, as mentioned by Amit Shah on Thursday.

Amit Shah explained that because the Ministry of External Affairs is working to get rid of this agreement, the Home Ministry suggests stopping it right away. This decision is like putting a pause on the rule that allowed people to move freely between India and Myanmar.

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The main reason behind this is to make sure our country's internal security is strong, and it also has to do with keeping the population structure balanced in the northeastern states that share a border with Myanmar. It's a step towards ensuring safety and maintaining a stable situation in these areas.

Since the ministry of external affairs is currently in the process of scrapping it, the home ministry has recommended the immediate suspension of the FMR, he further said in a post on X.

(For more news apart from Free Movement Regime Between India and Myanmar Suspended, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Indian-American student Sameer Kamath death in the US news

In a shocking incident, an Indian-American student Sameer Kamath was found dead in a nature preserve in Indiana

Indian-American student death in the US news: In a shocking incident, an Indian-American student Sameer Kamath was found dead in a nature preserve in Indiana, this week. This is reportedly the fifth such incident since January.

According to information, Sameer Kamath, a 23-year-old Indian-American student at Purdue University, was found dead in a nature preserve in Indiana. However, the authorities have ruled his death as suicide, saying that it was from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, news agency PTI has reported.

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This marks the fifth occurrence of such tragedies since the beginning of January. The details surrounding these events are deeply concerning, and they highlight the need for increased awareness and support for mental health in the community.

It is a reminder of the importance of addressing mental health issues and fostering an environment where individuals feel comfortable seeking help. The impact of these incidents extends beyond the immediate loss, emphasizing the urgency of collective efforts to address mental health challenges among students and the broader population.
SANAA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Leader of the Yemen's Houthi group Abdulmalik al-Houthi on Thursday said the U.S.-British coalition airstrikes against his group's camps have not affected its military capabilities.

"The American-British strikes on our country (group's camps) this week amounted to 86 strikes and have not affected or limited our armed capabilities," he said in a televised speech aired by the group's TV channel al-Masirah, adding "our missile attacks will continue in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden."

The group's attacks would stop only when "the U.S., Britain and Israel allow access of food and medicine to the Palestinian enclave of the Gaza Strip and stop conflict on the Palestinians," al-Houthi said, adding that his group's operations are part of a wide move of the regional resistance.

The Houthi group has launched dozens of missile attacks against commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea since mid-November last year, in what the group said in solidarity to Palestinians in Gaza.

The attacks have already disrupted the movement of international shipping in the Red Sea and Suez Canal, damaging many vessels, and forcing many more to re-route around the African continent, which caused increase in shipping prices to Europe.

In response, the U.S.-British maritime coalition hit back in an attempt to deter the group from launching further attacks on the commercial vessels and U.S. and British navy ships, but the group has instead increased escalation.

The Houthi group has been controlling the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah since the 2018 UN-brokered Stockholm Agreement, which was backed by the United States and Britain, forcing the Yemeni internationally recognized government out. 
Punjab School Admission in Nursery 2024 class Age Criteria News

3-years-old can now join nursery classes in state's government schools

Punjab School Admission in Nursery class Age Criteria News: In Punjab, kids who are 3-years-old can now join nursery classes in state's government schools. This will help little children learn and grow from a very young age. The government wants to make sure kids have a good start in their education.

On the other hand, CBSE has directed the states and Union Territories that students may be admitted to Class 1 only at the age of 6+ years instead of the earlier practice of 5+ years. This means a student can only get enrolled in Nursery class if he/she is 4-years-old. Currently, several States and schools follow disparate age formulas for Class 1 admissions.

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In Punjab, the teachers for nursery classes have been directed to pay attention to everything kids need to learn and develop. They would play games, learn new things, and make friends. The teachers are trained to take care of kids and help them understand things in a fun way.

Parents can feel confident that their kids are in a safe and caring environment. The government is making education accessible to everyone, right from the beginning. This way, kids not only learn basic skills but also start enjoying the learning process.

It's like a friendly introduction to school where kids get to explore and have fun while learning important things. This early learning sets the stage for a bright future for the little ones.
Viral Image Of Farmers Piling Up Straw In Front Of The Eiffel Tower in Paris is AI Generated

the ongoing farmers' protest in France

RSFC (Team Mohali)- A picture is going viral on social media regarding the ongoing farmers' protest in France, in which farmers can be seen piling up straw in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. This picture is being described as the farmers' protest going on in France and users are considering it as real.

In past days, more than 70,000 farmers in France have staged massive protests across the country, including more than 41,000 tractors, expressing dissatisfaction over government policies. The French National Federation of Agricultural Holders Unions (FNSEA) gave this information in a statement on platform X.

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Facebook user "Thakur Singh Sandhu Saab" shared this viral picture and claimed that this viral picture is of the farmers' protest going on in France.

Rozana Spokesman found in its investigation that the viral photo was created by AI. Now people are making the picture created by AI viral considering it to be real.

Spokesman's investigation

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Starting the investigation, we first searched this picture on Google reverse image. We found this picture going viral on social media. However, some media reports have described this image as AI generated.

"The viral picture is AI generated"

According to media reports, some users are calling this picture the art of ifonly.ai. ifonly.ai account shares AI generated pictures. We found a post here in which pictures related to the farmers' protest were shared. According to the information available here, these pictures have been shared with reference to a series.

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https://www.instagram.com/p/C2zrQZ4thqc/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

"The Art Director Of This Account Confirmed"

We found a post on LinkedIn by the account's art director "Vincent Smadza" sharing the viral image and calling it AI generated. The director has also appealed to the people in the caption of the picture not to share this picture as real and wherever this picture is shared, it should be mentioned that this picture has been created with the help of AI tools.

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No alternative text description for this image

Conclusion- Rozana Spokesman found in its investigation that the viral photo was created by AI. Now people are making the picture created by AI viral considering it to be real.
Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir Terrorist Attack

Two men from Punjab's Amritsar shot dead in a terrorist attack at Srinagar

Jammu and Kashmir Srinagar Terrorist Attack News: In a shocking incident, two men from Punjab's Amritsar were shot dead in a terrorist attack at Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

Last year, terrorists had carried out several attacks on non-Kashmiris in the valley, including Anantnag and Shopian districts of Jammu and Kashmir. This is the first attack by terrorists on non-locals in Kashmir, this year.

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Terrorists have once again targeted non-Kashmiris in Jammu and Kashmir. Two non-locals were killed after some unknown terrorists opened fire at them in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar on Wednesday evening.

A terrorist attack took place in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. Terrorists shot at non-Kashmiris who were resident of Amritsar, Punjab. They both succumbed to their injuries.

Kashmir Zone Police said that the terrorists opened fire on a non-Kashmiri person in Shaheed Ganj, Srinagar. One of the victims were shot by terrorists from close range with an AK rifle at around 7 pm while another person was seriously injured.

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The deceased have been identified as Amrit Pal Singh, aged 31, and 27-year-old Rohit.
CoreCivic, Inc. (CXW), Wednesday announced an increase in its Funds from Operations or FFO for fourth quarter.

FFO rose to $51.01 million or $0.44 per share compared to last year's $48.7 million or $0.42 per share.

Earnings stood at $26.4 million or $0.23 per share versus $24.4 million or $0.21 per share prior year.

On adjusted basis, profit increased to $26.4 million or $0.23 per share from $25.02 million or $0.22 per share last year.

On average, analysts polled by Thomson Reuters estimated a profit of $0.18 for the fourth quarter.

Revenue increased to $491.2 million from $471.4 million last year.

Looking forward, the company expects earnings of $65 million to $80 million and FFO of $1.46 to $1.61 per share for fiscal year 2024.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Amid the ongoing Listeria monocytogenes outbreak, more and more products containing tainted cheese and other ingredients supplied by Rizo Lopez Foods Inc. are being recalled, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

In the latest developments, Fresh Creative Foods, a division of Reser's Fine Foods, Inc., has called back certain cremas, everything sauces, cilantro cotija dressing, poblano Caesar dressing, cilantro dressing and one taco kit, all made with a cheese ingredient supplied by Rizo Lopez.

Further, Simply Fresh LLC. is recalling its Rojo's Black Bean 6 Layer Dip 2-20oz Club Pack sold only at Costco. The product contains Rizo Lopez's recalled cotija cheese.

The multi-year, multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections, which caused 26 illnesses with 23 hospitalizations in 11 states, are linked to queso fresco and cotija cheeses manufactured by Modesto, California -based Rizo Lopez.

Listeria Monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Meanwhile, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The outbreak includes cases dating back to 2014 and is currently ongoing. CDC investigated this outbreak in 2017 and 2021.

The CDC and FDA reopened the investigation in January 2024 after new illnesses were reported in December 2023. The whole genome sequencing analysis of the cotija cheese sample showed that it is the same strain of Listeria that is causing illnesses in this outbreak.

Earlier this week, the FDA issued an outbreak advisory warning consumers not to eat, sell, or serve recalled brands of cheeses, sour creams (cremas), or yogurts manufactured by Rizo Lopez.

Rizo Lopez in mid-January had called back Rizo Bros Aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese after the FDA found outbreak connection with its products.

Earlier this week, the company expanded its recall to include further dairy products, such as cheese, yogurt, and sour cream sold under the brand names Tio Francisco, Don Francisco, Rizo Bros, Rio Grande, Food City, El Huache, La Ordena, San Carlos, Campesino, Santa Maria, Dos Ranchitos, Casa Cardenas, and 365 Whole Foods Market.

Rizo Lopez also temporarily ceased the production and distribution of these products.

Meanwhile, the investigation by FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, is ongoing.

In the latest recalls, Fresh Creative's recalled dressings are sold in bottles, while the taco kit is sold in a clear clamshell container with a printed carboard band. The impacted dressings and kits were distributed to retail outlets including Costco, H-E-B, Trader Joe's and Albertson's in around 16 states.

Simply Fresh's recalled product comes in 2/20oz container with various Best If Use By dates and lot numbers. A total of 7,350 cases were distributed to Costco stores in Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington, and Utah.

In both new recalls, the companies have not received any consumer complaints or harmful effects related to the imacted products to date.

Fresh Creative asked consumers are urged to take the affected products back to the store for a refund or discard them.

Simply Fresh urged its customers to dispose of them immediately.

For More Such Health News, visit rttnews.com

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Coca-Cola Co. (KO) has introduced its first permanent offering in over three years with the launch of Coca-Cola Spiced. This new flavor is a rare addition to their lineup, which typically includes only a few other permanent flavors such as cherry and vanilla.

The company describes the soda as a blend of the "iconic taste of Coca-Cola with a burst of refreshing notes from raspberry and spiced flavors."

Coca-Cola Spiced and Coca-Cola Spiced Zero Sugar will be available for purchase in the U.S. and Canada starting on February 19, offering consumers various can and bottle options.

The decision to launch Spiced was driven by the desire to align with current consumer preferences for bolder and more impactful flavors. Sue Lynne Cha, Coke's vice president of marketing for North America, highlighted that the new flavor aims to cater to the trend of consumers seeking more intense taste experiences.

In a parallel initiative, the beverage giant is launching Coca-Cola Happy Tears Zero Sugar as part of its Creations platform. Happy Tears features salt and mineral flavors and will be exclusively available on TikTok starting from February 17 in the U.S. and Great Britain, with limited stock.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Two planes of JetBlue Airways Corp. (JBLU) clipped one another at Boston Logan International Airport on Thursday morning, according to the Federal Aviation Administration or FAA.

"JetBlue Flight 777, an Airbus A321neo's left winglet struck the right horizontal stabilizer of JetBlue Flight 551, an Airbus A321, around 6:40 a.m., local time on Thursday, February 8, while on the deicing pad at Boston Logan International Airport," FAA said. "The FAA will investigate."

According to an audio record, the pilot of JetBlue flight 551 informed on the air traffic control radio that, "We were hit by another aircraft."

The collision damaged one aircraft's winglet and another one's tail section. However, no injuries were reported by passengers or crew members, JetBlue stated.

The aircraft company affirmed that both planes will be taken out of service for repair.

"Safety is JetBlue's priority, and we will work to determine how and why this incident occurred," the airline ensured.

The passengers of the two flights, 777 headed to Las Vegas and 551 scheduled to Orlando, will fly out on another aircraft.

In a similar incident at Boston Logan Airport, two United planes clipped wings, while one was pushing back from the gate in March.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Although Curvvs coupe styling is an advantageous factor, the real battle will be in areas such as performance and equipment list

With multiple bestsellers in its portfolio, Tata Motors seems confident to fight for its stake in the compact SUV segment. Tata Curvv will be available in both ICE and electric versions. Launch is expected later this year. To understand its potential, heres a quick comparison of Tata Curvv Vs. Hyundai Creta Vs. Maruti Grand Vitara.

Tata Curvv vs Creta vs Grand Vitara  Dimensions

In terms of dimensions, the Tata Curvv holds its ground impressively. It boasts a length of 4308 mm, slightly shorter than the Hyundai Cretas 4330 mm and that of the Maruti Grand Vitaras 4345 mm. The Curvv also showcases a width of 1810 mm, surpassing both the Creta and the Grand Vitara, which measure 1790 mm and 1795 mm, respectively.

When it comes to height, the Tata Curvv stands at 1630 mm, marginally shorter than the Cretas 1635 mm and the Grand Vitaras 1645 mm. The wheelbase of the Curvv is measured at 2560 mm, falling behind the Cretas 2610 mm and the Grand Vitaras 2600 mm. In terms of practicality, the Tata Curvv provides a commendable 422 litres of boot space, competing closely with the Cretas 433 litres, while information on the Grand Vitaras boot space is not available.

Tata Curvv Vs. rivals  Petrol engine options

Tata Curvv will be getting both petrol and diesel engine options, borrowed from Nexon. The 1.2-litre petrol motor will be available in a higher state of tune. It will generate 125 PS of max power and 225 Nm of peak torque. Transmission choices are expected to include 6-speed manual and 7-speed DCT. Hyundai Creta has two petrol engine options  a 115 PS 1.5-litre NA petrol and a 160 PS 1.5-litre turbo petrol unit. Torque output is 144 Nm and 253 Nm, respectively.

Maruti Grand Vitara has a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid and a 1.5-litre strong hybrid petrol engine options. Output is 103 PS / 137 Nm and 116 PS / 141 Nm, respectively. As is evident, Creta has better numbers to show with the turbo petrol engine. Grand Vitara is placed third, although its mileage of 27.97 km/l with the strong hybrid powertrain is unbeatable. Other USPs of Maruti Grand Vitara include its e-CVT gearbox (strong hybrid) and an optional AWD (mild hybrid manual variant).

Tata Curvv Vs. rivals  Diesel engine options

Tata Curvv will be getting the 1.5-litre diesel engine from Nexon. It generates 115 PS and 260 Nm. While a 6-speed manual transmission is confirmed, details about automatic transmission for Curvv are yet to be revealed. Cretas 1.5-litre diesel engine generates 116 PS and 250 Nm. Transmission choices include 6-speed manual and 6-speed AT. As is evident, Curvv has a slight edge in terms of torque output. In the compact SUV segment, Curvv will be the third car after Creta and Seltos to continue with a diesel powertrain. Grand Vitara and other compact SUVs are petrol-only models.

Tata Curvv vs. rivals  Features

While Curvvs equipment list is yet to be revealed, one can expect a comprehensive range of premium and advanced features. It will include ADAS, ventilated front seats, panoramic sunroof, large touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging, premium JBL sound system, 360 camera and tyre pressure monitoring system. Right now, the best option in terms of features is apparently Hyundai Creta. Maruti Grand Vitara is also quite well-equipped, although it lacks ADAS. It is expected that Grand Vitara will get ADAS later this year.

Tata Curvv vs. rivals  Pricing

Tata could announce an attractive, introductory pricing for Curvv, which will be lower than rivals. It could be applicable for a limited time period or a specific number of bookings. As of now, Maruti Grand Vitara is the most affordable. It is available in the price range of Rs 10.70 lakh to Rs 19.99 lakh. Creta is priced in the range of Rs 11 lakh to Rs 20.15 lakh. Tata Curvv is expected to be offered in the range of Rs 10.50 lakh to Rs 17 lakh.
The newly launched Tiago iCNG AMT and Tigor i-CNG AMT are Indias first ever automatic CNG vehicles and claim 28.06 km/kg fuel efficiency

Tata Motors seems to have developed a habit of garnering 1st ever titles to its name. The company recently showcased Nexon i-CNG at Bharat Mobility Expo 2024, which is Indias 1st ever Turbo Petrol CNG vehicle. Now, the company has launched AMT variants of Tiago i-CNG and Tigor i-CNG, making them Indias 1st ever Automatic CNG vehicles.

Indias First Automatic CNG Vehicles Launched

With soaring fuel prices, many car and motorcycle owners are switching over to electric vehicles. But the high input costs, range anxiety and primitive charging infrastructure encourage car buyers to shift to CNG vehicles. With many manufacturers shifting to petrol-only lineups, CNG is unofficially being touted as the new diesel as well.

With low running costs, high efficiency and negligible re-fueling time, CNG emerged as a viable option for many car buyers. Apart from Tata Motors, Hyundai, Maruti Suzuki and Toyota partnership are offering CNG vehicles. However, automatic variants with CNG powertrain is a first for Indian automotive market.

Tiago i-CNG AMT is launched in four variants  XTA, XZA+, XZA+ DT and XZA NRG, for a starting price of Rs. 7.9 lakh for XTA and goes till Rs. 8.9 lakh for XZA+ DT (both prices ex-sh). Where Tigor i-CNG AMT is concerned, it is launched in two variants only  XZA and XZA+. Prices range between Rs. 8.85 lakh and Rs. 9.55 lakh (both prices ex-sh).

Tata Motors is also introducing one new colour shade with Tiago, Tiago NRG and Tigor. Tiago i-CNG AMT gets Tornado Blue, Tiago NRG gets Grassland Beige and there is a new Meteor Bronze shade with Tigor.

Powertrain & Specs

Tata Motors offers praise-worthy dual-cylinder technology with their i-CNG lineup that neatly tucks away in the boot area, beneath a hard covering. This way, there is no fiddling around with your luggage to fit in an area that feels like an afterthought in conventional single-cylinder CNG vehicles.

Where powertrains are concerned, the same 1.2L 3-cylinder NA petrol Revotron engine continues duty with i-CNG variants of Tigor, Tiago and Tiago NRG. It gets features like single ECU, engine start in CNG mode, auto switching and others. Tata Motors claims impressive fuel efficiency figures of 28.06 km/kg.

Words from the manufacturer

Commenting on launch, Mr. Amit Kamat, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. said, CNG, known for its widespread availability and accessibility, has garnered considerable acceptance over the years. Tata Motors has revolutionized the CNG segment with various industry firsts like the twin-cylinder technology, high end feature choices and direct start in CNG.

In the past 24 months we have sold more than 1.3 lakh CNG vehicles. In our effort to further drive volumes and provide our customers with the best, we are now proudly launching the Tiago and the Tigor iCNG in AMTIntroducing India to its 1st AMT CNG Cars.
GENEVA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The widespread destruction by Israeli forces of civilian infrastructure in Gaza to create a "buffer zone" for general security purposes does not appear consistent with the narrow "military operations" exception set out in international humanitarian law, United Nations (UN) Human Rights Chief Volker Turk said on Thursday.

Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a media statement that he has stressed to the Israeli authorities that Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits destruction by the occupying power of property belonging to private persons "except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations."

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are reportedly destroying all buildings in the Gaza Strip that are within a kilometer of the Israel-Gaza fence, clearing the area with the objective of creating a "buffer zone."

Extensive destruction of property, not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly, amounts to a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention and a war crime, Turk said in the statement.

"Since late October 2023, my office has recorded widespread destruction and demolition by the IDF of civilian and other infrastructure, including residential buildings, schools and universities in areas in which fighting is not or no longer taking place," he said.

The UN rights chief added that Israel has not provided cogent reasons for such extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure.

He pointed out that such destruction of homes and other essential civilian infrastructure also entrenches the displacement of communities that were living in these areas prior to the escalation in hostilities, and appears to be aimed at or has the effect of rendering the return of civilians to these areas impossible.

"Forcible transfer of civilians may constitute a war crime," he stressed. 
BEIRUT, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon and Iraq signed on Thursday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost cooperation in the agriculture sector, a statement by the Lebanese Council of Ministers reported.

The MoU was signed in Beirut by Lebanese Agriculture Minister Abbas Hajj Hassan and his Iraqi counterpart Abbas Jabr al-Maliki under the auspices of Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

Al-Maliki said the MoU aims to create cooperation between Lebanon and Iraq in agricultural activity, including confronting the diseases and epidemics that affect the agriculture sector, which are common among countries in the region.

For his part, Hajj Hassan said Lebanon is keen to boost cooperation with Iraq, which supported Lebanon on different occasions, pointing out that the entire Lebanese government supports strengthening bilateral ties which falls in everyone's interest.

The Iraqi agriculture minister arrived in Lebanon on Thursday to sign the cooperation agreement and meet with economic representatives at the Beirut Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture.

During his meeting with chamber representatives, al-Maliki said Lebanon and Iraq have much in common as they face the same enemy and suffer from the same economic challenges, which necessitate that they unite and cooperate. 
SANAA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-British navy forces struck a Houthi site in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah on Thursday, the group's al-Masirah TV reported.

Two strikes hit the al-Dhubrah area in the district of Ras Issa, northwest of the city, said the television without providing further information.

After the strikes, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi delivered a televised speech, vowing again to continue missile attacks against the United States, British and Israeli vessels, unless Israel stops the conflict and blockade on the Palestinian enclave of the Gaza Strip.

The U.S. Navy has made no comment yet on today's strikes.

Hours earlier, the U.S. Navy released a brief statement on social media platform X on its Wednesday's strikes on Houthi camps.

"On Feb. 7, at approximately 9:00 p.m. Yemen time (1800 GMT), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted self-defense strikes against two Houthi mobile anti-ship cruise missiles prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea," the U.S. Central Command said, referring to the strikes on a Houthi site in the Ras Issa district, where the Houthis used to launch missile attacks on the commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

"Later that day, at 11:30 p.m. Yemen time (2030 GMT), the CENTCOM forces conducted a second strike against a Houthi mobile land attack cruise missile prepared to launch," it said, referring to the Houthi stronghold of northern Saada province.

"The CENTCOM identified these 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," the CENTCOM added.

The armed Houthi group has launched dozens of missile attacks against commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea since mid-November last year, in what the group said in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

The U.S.-British maritime coalition hit back in response in an attempt to deter the group, but the group has instead increased escalation.

The Houthi group has been controlling the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah since the 2018 UN-brokered Stockholm Agreement, which was backed by the United States and Britain, forcing the Yemeni internationally recognized government out. 
China urges U.S. to stop jeopardizing cybersecurity

Xinhua) 08:27, February 08, 2024

BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- China urged the United States to immediately stop its dangerous, irresponsible behavior to launch indiscriminate cyberattacks and jeopardize cybersecurity, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a regular press briefing when answering a query regarding two analysis reports released by 360 Digital Security Group on Feb. 7, which disclosed in detail the U.S. government's global implementation of its cyber deterrence strategy and indiscriminate cyberattacks against U.S. allies and other countries.

Wang said that the large number of cases and evidence enumerated in the reports provide a powerful account of how the U.S. government uses its supremacy and predominance to act wantonly in cyberspace, which puts the international rules and order on cyberspace in jeopardy, endangers cyber peace and security, and harms the security and development interests of China and other countries.

With an unparalleled control over global Internet resources, the U.S. government is known to have disconnected countries from the Internet, causing severe damage to their social stability and economic security, Wang said.

He added that Washington uses its dominance over global operating systems and Internet services to carry out massive, indiscriminate surveillance and data theft, infringing on the right to privacy of many countries' citizens. It has established a large cyber arsenal, and developed and spread advanced weapons used to attack key foreign infrastructure, putting the global key infrastructure at great risk.

The U.S. government has blatantly supported cyberattack organizations to carry out long-lasting, continuous cyberattacks against government agencies, important organizations and critical infrastructure of many countries in the world, including U.S. allies, he said.

"Without exaggeration, the U.S. is the number one source of cyber risks and challenges. No country in the world can ever insulate itself from the threat of U.S. cyberattack," said Wang.

He said that cyberspace should not be a battlefield. It is not a grey area for the United States to rise above the rules and act wantonly without any consequences, still less should it become the tool to kneecap other countries' development and disrupt world peace. The international community has a common responsibility to uphold the international order in cyberspace and safeguard its peace and security.

"We urge the United States to immediately stop its dangerous, irresponsible behavior, and join the international community's collective effort toward a cyberspace featuring peace, security, openness and cooperation," said Wang.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
By Zeynep Karc??a

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uralo?lu met with Iraqi Minister of Transport Rezzak Muheybes es-Sadavi and his accompanying delegation, who paid an official visit to Turkiye, at the ministry.

Minister Uralo?lu and his Iraqi counterpart, Rezzak Muheybes es-Sadavi, made statements to the press after the bilateral and inter-delegation meetings.

Uralo?lu stated that they discussed regional issues and cooperation with Iraq during the meeting.

Our most important topic is the development of a road corridor. We exchanged information between mutual delegations and in bilateral meetings about the point we had reached regarding it. We had a very useful meeting," the minister said.

Providing information about the latest situation in the Development Road Project, Minister Uralo?lu said, They told us that they have made serious progress in both railway and highway projects on the development road. We also follow it closely. Hopefully, we will see the developments regarding the financing and tender of this place during the year, hopefully in the coming months".

Minister Uralo?lu stated that they mutually discussed that some decisions could be taken during President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an's visit to Iraq and said: As a Turkish side, we informed them about the work we need to do in our country in the continuation of the development path. So we execute them quickly. We know that there is ship traffic circling the Cape of Good Hope, especially due to certain events in the Red Sea. We know that shipping, which today takes about 45 days from the Cape of Good Hope and about 35 days from the Red Sea, can be done in just 25 days when we complete the development path. We are aware of how valuable it is. And we continue our work day and night. Our delegations continue to work closely together in both countries. I would like to thank Minister and his delegation for their visit to our country.

Iraqi Minister of Transport Rezzak Muheybes es-Sadavi stated that they talked about the Development Road Project and the work done in Faw Port and said, The development road consists of 3 main issues. We have now completed 85 percent of the Great Faw port. The second wing is the railway network. 55 percent of this has been completed. The third leg is the road and highway. It has been implemented by 35 percent. Our efforts as Iraq continue".

Stating that some expropriation incidents are on the agenda along the route of the development road, Iraqi Minister Muheybes al-Sadawi said, Agreements have now been completed with 9 of the 11 Iraqi provinces through which the route passes. We have named and determined the location of the connection between the two countries".

Muheybes es-Sadavi stated that the financial and economic issues of the project are also on the agenda and said:

Ground survey work on the 1000-kilometer section continues. Our negotiations continue with international companies that are renowned for operating international ports. The matter of the operation and operation of the Great Faw Port. Negotiations are continuing to establish the necessary tools and equipment for the operation of the port. We reached an agreement to open mutual offices in both countries. Turkey will have an office in Baghdad and Iraq will have an office in Turkiye. They will only work to deal with the Development Path. We also put the issue of negotiations with Turkish companies that are renowned and skilled in railways and ports on the agenda. As Iraq, we would like to benefit from the experiences of these companies. The issue of transportation was also on the agenda. We agree to facilitate and improve transportation between Iraq and Turkiye.
This photo taken on Feb. 7, 2024 shows a dragon dance performance during a Chinese New Year celebration event in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi hosted a Spring Festival garden party on Wednesday, drawing hundreds of Kenyans to join the Chinese community in celebrating the Chinese New Year. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam on Wednesday celebrated the Chinese Lunar New Year in style as students learning Mandarin danced, sang, and played kung fu.

The students and Chinese language teachers were joined by staff of the China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) Tanzania Office which signed an agreement with the Confucius Institute in August 2023 aimed at enhancing cultural exchange and cooperation between China and Tanzania. The participants were treated to a luncheon hosted by the CCCC, featuring rich Chinese cuisine.

Pendo Malangwa, the acting deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam, praised the Confucius Institute for being instrumental in offering cultural exchange and Chinese language learning.

"This has really promoted mutual understanding of friendly cooperation between China and Tanzania since 2013," said Malangwa.

The Spring Festival, the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, falls on Feb. 10.

Zhang Xiaozhen, the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam, said the Spring Festival is the oldest and most important traditional festival in Chinese culture, adding that it is a festive day for all families to reunite, bid farewell to the old and welcome the new.

"The Spring Festival belongs to China and also the world," said Zhang, adding that this year is the Year of the Dragon.

Chen Jian, executive manager of the CCCC Tanzania Office, said the Chinese Lunar New Year has always been a time of joy and happiness, and a time of family reunions, feasts, new clothes, and a sleepless night with carnivals. 

This photo taken on Feb. 7, 2024 shows a dragon dance performance during a Chinese New Year celebration event in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi hosted a Spring Festival garden party on Wednesday, drawing hundreds of Kenyans to join the Chinese community in celebrating the Chinese New Year. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

A student experiences Chinese calligraphy during a Chinese New Year celebration event in Nairobi, Kenya, Feb. 7, 2024.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi hosted a Spring Festival garden party on Wednesday, drawing hundreds of Kenyans to join the Chinese community in celebrating the Chinese New Year. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

Children interact with lion dance performers during a Chinese New Year celebration event in Nairobi, Kenya, Feb. 7, 2024.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi hosted a Spring Festival garden party on Wednesday, drawing hundreds of Kenyans to join the Chinese community in celebrating the Chinese New Year. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

This photo taken on Feb. 7, 2024 shows a dragon dance performance during a Chinese New Year celebration event in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi hosted a Spring Festival garden party on Wednesday, drawing hundreds of Kenyans to join the Chinese community in celebrating the Chinese New Year. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

This photo taken on Feb. 7, 2024 shows people presenting Chinese Kungfu during a Chinese New Year celebration event in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi hosted a Spring Festival garden party on Wednesday, drawing hundreds of Kenyans to join the Chinese community in celebrating the Chinese New Year. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

A child interacts with lion dance performers during a Chinese New Year celebration event in Nairobi, Kenya, Feb. 7, 2024.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi hosted a Spring Festival garden party on Wednesday, drawing hundreds of Kenyans to join the Chinese community in celebrating the Chinese New Year. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)
Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding (L) hands over medical equipment to Zimbabwe's Minister of Health and Childcare Douglas Mombeshora after signing an agreement on carrying out the "Bright Journey" Program of cataract surgery, at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Feb. 7, 2024. China and Zimbabwe on Wednesday signed an agreement on carrying out a cataract surgery program in which a Chinese ophthalmologist medical team will be dispatched to the southern African country to carry out free cataract clinical operations. (Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua)

HARARE, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- China and Zimbabwe on Wednesday signed an agreement on carrying out a cataract surgery program in which a Chinese ophthalmologist medical team will be dispatched to the southern African country to carry out free cataract clinical operations.

The agreement was signed by the Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding on behalf of the Chinese government and Zimbabwe's Minister of Health and Childcare Douglas Mombeshora representing the Zimbabwean government, to carry out the "Bright Journey" Program.

In his address at the ceremony, which was held at the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (PGH) in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, Ambassador Zhou said the agreement marks the latest step in medical and health cooperation between the two countries.

"We will be inviting the group of Chinese eye doctors to come here to conduct the cataract surgery for about 600 cataract patients. This group of doctors will also conduct academic exchanges and provide training to the medical personnel here in Zimbabwe," said Zhou.

After the completion of the program, all the medical equipment, consumables and medical supplies will be donated to Zimbabwe, Zhou said.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Mombeshora expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government.

"The 'Bright Journey' is not something new. It started in 2010 and again in 2011, and quite a lot of patients have benefited from the cataract extraction that took place. And now there is an MoU that has been signed to upscale the cataract extraction camps that will be run in Zimbabwe in conjunction with the Chinese experts," said Mombeshora.

He said local ophthalmologists will also gain more experience from their Chinese counterparts.

On behalf of the Chinese government, Zhou also officially handed over a donation of medical equipment and consumables to the PGH to support its development of pulmonary and critical care.

"The equipment will go a long way to manage more patients for us and also train more doctors, more specialists will be trained, so it's quite a donation which is worth recognizing," Mombeshora told reporters.

Following the signing of the agreement, Zhou, Mombeshora and other officials toured the Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Center (TCMAC) at PGH. The TCMAC was set up in 2020 to provide free Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture diagnosis and treatment services to locals.

China and Zimbabwe share a long history of medical cooperation, and since 1985, the Asian country has dispatched 20 Chinese medical teams to Zimbabwe.

In addition to providing training to Zimbabwe's medical personnel, China has also helped Zimbabwe to build medical facilities, including Mahusekwa Hospital, about 100 km from Harare. 
TUNIS, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Tunisian maritime guard recovered 13 bodies of Sudanese migrants after their Italy-bound boat sank off the eastern Mahdia Province, the private radio station Mosaique FM reported Thursday.

According to the radio station, initial investigation shows that the boat left the coast of Jebiniana town in the southeastern Sfax province with 42 Sudanese on board.

It added that only two were able to survive on Wednesday, and the Sundanese aboard have asylum cards from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

A search is still underway for the remaining migrants without giving further details, said Mosaique FM.

The public prosecutor at the Mahdia Court has launched an investigation into the incident.

Tunisia, located on the Mediterranean coast of Northwest Africa, is one of the main points of access to Europe through irregular channels.

The number of attempts at illegal immigration from the Tunisian coasts toward Italy has been increasing despite the strict measures taken by the Tunisian authorities to combat the problem. 
Recent observations of the orbit of Saturn's smallest significant moon imply a concealed mystery beneath its icy surface. Using data from NASA's Cassini mission, scientists reveal that Mimas may contain a hidden liquid ocean, challenging understanding of habitability.

The cratered moon, reminiscent of the Star Wars Death Star, suggests a newly formed liquid ocean around 20 to 30 kilometers below its icy exterior.

Mimas' Young Ocean May Be an Anomaly

Astronomer Valery Lainey from the Paris Observatory has led the recent analysis, adding to the mounting evidence of a liquid ocean concealed within Saturn's moon, Mimas. While other moons in the Solar System, such as Enceladus, Europa, Callisto, and Ganymede, are suspected to harbor liquid oceans, Mimas stands out as an anomaly, suggesting its ocean may be unique.

Despite this, anomalies in Mimas' orbital motion around Saturn hinted at an unseen force, prompting investigations into its internal structure. Previous models proposed either an elongated rocky core or a global ocean. However, Lainey and his team, utilizing data from the Cassini probe's detailed observations from 2004 to 2017, decisively ruled out the elongated rocky core explanation.

The simulations indicated that Mimas would require a highly flattened, almost pancake-shaped core under the rocky scenario, inconsistent with both observational data and established models of Solar System body formation. Consequently, the researchers concluded that a hidden global ocean is a more plausible explanation for Mimas' peculiar orbital behavior.

What adds intrigue to this discovery is the ocean's apparent youth, estimated to have formed within the last 2-3 million years. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the moon's composition and provides valuable insights into the dynamic and evolving nature of celestial bodies in our Solar System.

READ ALSO: Saturn's Moon Enceladus a Primary Target for NASA's Quest for Life Beyond Earth

Internal Heating Process Suspected To Have Caused the Formation of Mimas' Ocean

The relatively recent emergence of Mimas' ocean, in a Solar System that spans 4.5 billion years, can be attributed to the internal heating process, commonly a result of gravitational interactions with neighboring celestial bodies on other moons.

Mimas, historically maintaining a circular or nearly circular orbit with Saturn, experienced a shift approximately 50 million years ago. An interaction with Saturn's other moons, possibly Dione and Titan, altered Mimas' orbit to an oval shape, inducing varying gravitational forces that generated internal heating within its core.

The prospect of such chemistry on Mimas presents an exciting avenue for investigating the potential for life and habitability within the Solar System. While Mimas does not outwardly resemble a habitable object, the findings invite speculation about the potential habitability of unexpected celestial bodies in the solar system.

Looking forward, Lainey envisions landing a spacecraft on Mimas or its neighbor Enceladus. With NASA's Orbilander mission slated for a 2038 launch to Enceladus, the exploration of Mimas remains a distant possibility. In the interim, Lainey plans to study Mimas from Earth, examining its temperature evolution, the impact of the ocean on its orbit, and its effects on Saturn's rings and other moons.

This ongoing investigation aims to refine our understanding of the age of Mimas' oceans and their implications for the broader dynamics of the Saturnian system.

The team's groundbreaking research, titled "A recently formed ocean inside Saturn's moon Mimas," was published in the journal Nature.



RELATED ARTICLE: Is Saturn Moon Mimas Hiding an Ocean? Probably!

Check out more news and information on Space in Science Times.




ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday commended the launch of the Ethiopian Pandemic Multi-Sectoral Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Project (EPPR).

The initiative is a "remarkable move" towards strengthening the East African country's defenses against potential pandemics, WHO said in a statement on Wednesday.

The EPPR is a comprehensive three-year project that addresses issues of pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response specific to Ethiopia's complex landscape.

Supported by a 50-million-U.S. dollars grant from the Pandemic Fund, a multilateral financing mechanism, and an additional 63 million dollars in co-financing, the EPPR is a partnership between key stakeholders bringing together the Ethiopian government, different UN agencies, and other partners.

The project aims to strengthen surveillance systems, enhance the national laboratory system, and ensure the availability of skilled and competent health professionals for a sustainable and functional public health system to enable prevention, detection, and response to pandemics, the WHO said.

WHO Ethiopia Representative Dlamini Nonhlanhla said the key components and project activities are aligned with the national plans.

"The establishment of this initiative reflects a firm commitment from the Ethiopia government and our partner organizations to invest in a sustainable and comprehensive approach to pandemic prevention, preparedness and response," Nonhlanhla said.

The WHO said the initiative will strengthen existing training, management, and response teams across human and animal sectors at all levels.

It said the project will help Ethiopia's laboratory systems increase services and accessibility, including improved detection of priority pathogens. It will also enhance Ethiopia's surveillance of outbreaks at points of entry and improve the alert system mechanism for the country.

According to the WHO, Ethiopia has a high burden of both communicable (such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS) and non-communicable diseases. 
LIBREVILLE, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- An International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation presented the conclusions of its latest mission to Gabon at a meeting with Minister of Economy Mays Mouissi in Libreville, the Gabonese capital, Thursday.

At the meeting, IMF experts congratulated the new Gabonese government for the efforts made in resource mobilization and structural reforms. They recommended that the new Gabonese authorities continue their efforts, particularly in establishing a genuine revenue mobilization strategy and debt stabilization.

Mouissi expressed appreciation that the delegation took into account the efforts of the government, pledging to make good use of the delegation's initial findings.

The IMF delegation arrived in Libreville Sunday to assess Gabon's economic situation. 
ACCRA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Ghana has been going through constant air pollution for days as the dry and dusty Harmattan weather sets in, sparking worries among the public about their daily life and health.

The Harmattan weather is caused by dry and dusty wind from the Sahara desert blowing over West Africa, normally occurring between December and February.

The Air Quality Index in Accra, the country's capital, Thursday morning, was around 400, indicating the air pollution level is "hazardous."

Godfred Abulbire, general secretary of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, told Xinhua Wednesday that the extremely dusty condition associated with the Harmattan this year is "unusual."

"The weather makes vehicle windshields dusty after a few hours of driving, and drivers have to constantly use water from their windshield washer reservoirs to wash away the dust to ensure clear visibility," he said.

Edna Adwoa Ampofo, a 52-year-old trader in Tema, Ghana's eastern port city, said her shop and wares get dusty lately due to the dusty condition.

"My entire shop, including the products, gets dusty all the time, and I must clean the products and the shop regularly to keep them tidy. The dust is too much and is even affecting sales," said Ampofo.

She appealed to city authorities and the government to seek solutions to the dusty condition by commissioning research into the new phenomenon to avert any associated disease outbreak in the country.

"The dry condition has come with catarrh and patched lips, so I use lip gloss to protect my lips against further deterioration. The running nose is constant, and I can not tell when it will stop," said Gloria Asimah, a 40-year-old woman in Kwabenya, a suburb of the capital.

Another woman, who did not want her name mentioned, said she had developed an irritating cough due to the weather.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Meteorological Agency has cautioned the public to wear protective nose gear to stay safe.

"Ghanaians are advised to avoid outdoor exercise, close windows to avoid dirty outdoor air, wear a mask outdoors, as well as run an air purifier," it said in a statement. 
Nicole Klomp with Newaygo Police Chief Georgia Andres.

Nicole Klomp.

Nicole Klomp talks with Newaygo Police Sgt. Lloyd Walerczyk.

A rendering of the living room at the forthcoming Behavioral Health Crisis Center in Grand Rapids.

A rendering of the reception area at the forthcoming Behavioral Health Crisis Center in Grand Rapids.

Beverly Ryskamp.

Carrie Mull.

Nancy Stevenson.

Pennie Foster-Fishman.
The Kalamazoo County Expo Center  2900 Lake St. in Kalamazoo;

 2900 Lake St. in Kalamazoo; The Portage Parks & Recreation Department  320 Library Lane in Portage;

 320 Library Lane in Portage; The Fetzer Center at Western Michigan University  2251 Business Court in Kalamazoo;

 2251 Business Court in Kalamazoo; The Douglass Community Association  1000 W Paterson St. in Kalamazoo.

Meredith Place, Kalamazoo County Clerk/Register of Deeds

As in years past, Michigan's Presidential Primary election is considered a closed primary, requiring voters to select their party preference of Democratic, Republican, or No Party Declaration before receiving a ballot in any manner. However, since there are no non-partisan races or ballot questions on the ballot, Kalamazoo County voters will not have the option to select No Party Declaration.

There is no political party registration requirement in Michigan. A voter's participation in the Presidential Primary does not determine how they may participate in future elections.

Michigan continues to have no-reason absentee voting. Voters who have previously requested to be on the Permanent Ballot List will receive a ballot selection form in the mail from their local clerk. Those voters must return that form to indicate which ballot they would like their clerk to send. If a voter on the Permanent Ballot list makes no selection, a ballot will not be mailed to them. Absentee ballots were expected to be available on and after Jan. 18.

Early in-person voting is to be made available at all subsequent state and federal elections.

This story is part of Southwest Michigan's Second Wave's On the Ground Kalamazoo series KALAMAZOO, MI  For the first time, Kalamazoo County voters will have the right to vote early in-person in a presidential primary.The Kalamazoo County Clerk/Register of Deeds is introducing nine days of in-person early voting for the upcoming Feb. 27 presidential primary election.Early voting has been around for decades, says Meredith Place, Kalamazoo County Clerk/Register of Deeds. Weve seen it in southern states.She says it originated in Iowa but has only become a right available to Michigan voters with the passage of Proposal 2 in November of 2022.A new right was granted after the Proposal 2 in November of 2022, Place says.  The Kalamazoo County Elections Commission was charged with approving early voting locations. So we have selected four locations where early voting will happen from Feb. 17 to Feb. 25.Early in-person voting will occur from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., starting on Saturday, Feb. 17, and concluding on Sunday, Feb. 25. The locations are as follows:Voters in Pavilion Charter Township are an exception. They will have the option to early vote at their township hall rather than one of the four voting sites.Early voting over nine days is such a dramatic expansion in the number of balloting days and in the scale of overseeing voting sites that state officials realized it would be impractical to have each jurisdiction set up polling stations in each of their precincts, explains John Curran, deputy clerk and register of deeds for Kalamazoo County. There are, for instance, 19 different cities and townships in Kalamazoo County. The state therefore encouraged municipalities to collaborate to have collective voting sites.To assist with the early in-person balloting, the county is appointing its own election inspectors (the folks who check voters information and direct them at polling stations). Cities and townships typically hire election inspectors to administer elections at polling sites in their jurisdictions. The county typically handles candidate filings, along with programming, printing, and disseminating the ballots.The county is only recruiting and training inspectors for early in-person voting, county officials say. The cities and townships will continue to do all the things they have always done to run polling locations in each precinct on election day.After soliciting applications for election inspectors to oversee its four early in-person locations, the county has nearly 400 applicants from members of the community.We received quite a few referrals from our local clerks, Place says. Regarding the individuals who have applied, she says, Many have worked throughout the county at their local jurisdictions.They will be necessary to fill lots of shifts  keeping nine or 10 inspectors at each location from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day of the balloting. County officials say they expect the average inspector will work about four days. Each will be paid at a rate of $16 per hour. Although many are already been certified as election inspectors by the state, Curran says a training session specific to the new early in-person procedures was being developed by the state.Election inspectors should not be confused with election challengers, who scrutinize election procedures.Those interested in applying for this or future elections may find information at elections@kalcounty.com or by calling the countys elections team at 269-384-8080.We at the county are excited about the presidential primaries, Place says. We are excited to work with all of our clerks throughout Kalamazoo County for the chance to vote, early and in person."
Over the past several years, Michigan's community mental health agencies have been stepping up with a number of initiatives to help fill the gap in mental health services for youth.


TOKYO, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Japan's current account surplus nearly doubled to 20.63 trillion yen (140 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023 from the previous year, as the country's trade deficit shrank thanks to record exports, government data showed Thursday.

The surplus in current account, the broadest measure of the country's overseas trade and investment flows, surged 92.5 percent from a year earlier, the Finance Ministry said in a preliminary report.

Trade deficit more than halved to 6.63 trillion yen after exports grew 1.5 percent to 100.27 trillion yen and imports declined 6.6 percent to 106.90 trillion yen, the data showed.

Primary income, or returns from past direct investment and portfolio investment overseas, swelled to 34.56 trillion yen, the highest since comparable data became available in 1985, with a weaker yen inflating the value of overseas investment returns for Japanese companies.

In December alone, Japan's current account surplus grew sharply to 744.3 billion yen from 9.5 billion yen a year earlier, up for an eleventh straight month. 
Xtract Resources updated the market on its copper exploration joint venture in Zambia with Cooperlemon Consultancy (CL) on Thursday, alongside its broader copper exploration strategy in the region.

The AIM-traded firm said the joint venture, which it first announced on 24 August 2023, was focussed on advancing exploration efforts within the promising large-scale exploration licences 29123-HQ-LEL and 30459-HQ-LEL in Northwest Zambia.

It highlighted the strategic positioning of the two exploration licences within the Western Foreland geological district, which also hosts the renowned Kamoa-Kakula deposit and the Central Fold and Thrust Belt in Northwest Zambia.

Covering a combined area of 107,000 hectares, the licences occupied a highly prospective region where competition for exploration rights is notably intense.

Licence 29123-HQ-LEL is situated to the west of the perceived boundary between the Western Foreland and Fold Belt, while licence 30459-HQ-LEL coincides with the boundary and could encompass part of the Fold Belt itself.

Xtract said it anticipated the potential discovery of high-grade Kamoa-style mineralisation at depth, alongside lower-grade Kolwezi-type mineralisation at or near the surface within the licences.

The start of exploration activities had been initiated through the recent acquisition of a significant historical database originally compiled by Anglo American.

Xtract said the database acquisition would enable it to execute a cost-effective and expedited exploration programme, facilitating efficient progress in its endeavours.

We have recently embarked on an intensive exploration campaign targeting a discovery of commercial grade and tonnage of copper in a region of NW Zambia that is not only the subject of more intense competition than I have ever known for exploration ground but also the focus of attention for most of the world's major mining companies, said executive chairman Colin Bird.

NW Zambia is a proven host for large scale copper deposits and the geology of our joint venture ground is highly prospective.

Zambia as a nation has set ambitious targets for copper production to underpin its economic progress and Xtract intends to become a part of that story initially by being the only junior company operating its own Joint Venture licences on a self-financing and independent basis.

At 1332 GMT, shares in Xtract Resources were up 0.43% at 1.06p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
BAKU, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Incumbent Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev won a landslide victory with 92.05 percent of the vote in Wednesday's snap presidential election, Chairman of the Central Election Commission Mazahir Panahov told a news conference on Thursday.

With 93.35 percent of ballots counted, Aliyev confidently secured a fifth consecutive term. None of the other candidates on the ballot has won more than 3 percent so far, with the runner-up getting just 2.19 percent, said Panahov.

The commission added that over 4.6 million people cast their ballots at 6,537 polling stations in 125 constituencies.

A total of 790 international observers, representing 72 international organizations and 89 countries, monitored the electoral proceedings.

The final election results will be announced on Feb. 9. 
Lenovo intends to initiate local production of servers to bolster its data center operations, utilizing the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for IT hardware. With India being a primary focus for international expansion, the company aims to establish it as a manufacturing center for exporting PCs and smartphones to global markets. Additionally, Lenovo plans to leverage India's pool of IT talent to export solution-oriented services while considering it a pivotal hub for its operations.

"We have 35 manufacturing sites around nine countries in the world, India being one of them. We are constantly looking at ways to swizzle that dynamic, whether it's for economic reasons, logistics reasons, or sustainability reasons, to try to ensure that we're building products closest to customers", Matthew Zielinski, President of International Markets at Lenovo, said at the sidelines of the company's annual tech event in New Delhi.

Vladimir Rozanovich, President of the Infrastructure Solutions Group at Lenovo, said the company aims to double its $10 billion data centre business growth globally. "India becomes a very important partner for us from a manufacturing standpoint when we look at the entire Asian market". Rozanovich said that it is currently exploring options between using existing facilities or forming a new manufacturing partnership to start the local production of its servers.

As of November 1, 2023, India has introduced an import management system for IT hardware items, granting companies the freedom to import products like laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, and servers without constraints for a duration of one year. However, starting November 1, 2024, importations will be gradually limited each year. This framework aims to offer companies lacking local manufacturing capabilities for these products ample time to cultivate such capabilities.

Lenovo is a part of Indias revised PLI scheme for IT hardware. The company is also ramping up its "localization" efforts by sourcing components for PCs and smartphones from local vendors. Amar Babu, President of Asia Pacific at Lenovo, said that the company has a "clear plan" to double the localization content for its smartphones in the next couple of years. "We are also looking at working with the industry bodies and the government to see how we can develop the ecosystem, especially for PCs". Babu said that the component ecosystem for PCs and laptops has yet to develop in India, but more component companies are looking to start local manufacturing. "We want to be participating here; we will have to look at all of these as part of our manufacturing strategy in India."

Lenovo has now adhered to India's Preferential Market Access (PMA) guidelines and recently introduced its desktops that comply with PMA regulations. To qualify for government procurement, 50 percent of the components must originate locally. Over the past two years, India's contribution to the global PC market has surged. With an annual PC market size ranging from 14 to 15 million units, India's market now surpasses Japan's in terms of total addressable market, according to Shailendra Katyal, Lenovo's Managing Director in India. Katyal also noted that increasing home penetration, currently at 10-12 percent, is poised to propel PC sales in the future.
Gautam Adani has made a remarkable comeback to the prestigious $100 billion fortune club within a year. The Indian tycoon has managed to recover a significant portion of his wealth following a dip caused by a short-seller assault in early 2023. Adani's net worth has surged by $2.7 billion to reach $100.7 billion, marking its highest point since Hindenburg Research leveled accusations of market manipulation and fraud against his conglomerate, allegations firmly refuted by the Adani Group.

The shares of Gautam Adani's flagship company, Adani Enterprises Ltd., have been on an upward trend for the eighth consecutive day following a strong earnings report last week, revealing a remarkable 130% increase in profit. Presently, he ranks as the 12th wealthiest individual globally, trailing just one spot behind his compatriot Mukesh Ambani. Although Ambani's wealth reached a new peak earlier this month, Adani's fortune still lags behind by approximately $50 billion compared to its peak in 2022. Following the report, Adani's wealth experienced a significant decline, plummeting by over $80 billion within a month and hitting a low of $37.7 billion. His conglomerate, which endured a market value loss of over $150 billion at one point, dedicated months to regaining investor and lender confidence, settling debts, and addressing regulatory concerns.

Rajiv Jain's GQG Partners LLC poured about $4 billion into Adani Group companies last year, while the Qatar Investment Authority invested almost $500 million and TotalEnergies SE bet $300 million on a joint venture with Adani Green Energy Ltd., the conglomerate's green arm. Earlier this week, people familiar with the discussions said Adani Green is in talks to raise about $500 million via dollar bonds in its first overseas issuance since the Hindenburg report.

In January, the Supreme Court of India directed the domestic markets regulator to finalize its inquiry into the group within a three-month timeframe and declared that further investigations were unnecessary, thereby contributing to the rise in Adani Enterprises' shares. Adani's resurgence, along with the broader increase in wealth in India, coincides with growing global investor interest in the country, which has bolstered stock markets. Institutions like Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Morgan Stanley have advocated for India as the premier investment destination for the forthcoming decade.
The domestic stock market is expected to have a positive opening on Thursday, February 8th, ahead of the Reserve Bank of India's monetary policy decision which is due later today. As of 7:35 AM, Gift Nifty futures have shown an upward trend of 47 points, reaching 22,051 levels.

Zomato: Zomato, the online food delivery company, is scheduled to announce its financial results for the quarter ended on December 31, 2023, on February 8. Analysts predict that the food delivery platform will report strong numbers. According to Kotak Institutional Equities, a brokerage firm, the company's revenue is expected to have grown by 61 percent year-on-year (YoY). "We anticipate 3QFY24 revenue growth to be at 61 percent YoY, driven by a 45 percent YoY increase in food delivery revenue (29 percent YoY growth in GMV and 70 bps YoY take rate expansion), an 89 percent YoY increase in Hyperpure revenue, and a 106 percent YoY increase in Blinkit revenue. Our food delivery GMV growth assumption implies 8 percent sequential growth," the firm said. Meanwhile, JM Financial, another brokerage company, predicts a 7 percent sequential growth in food delivery GOV.

Tata Consumer Products: The FMCG company reported a decline of 17.26 percent in its consolidated net profit to Rs 301.51 crore in the last quarter of 2020 due to lower contributions by associate and joint venture firms. However, the company's consolidated profit before exceptional items and tax of the Tata Group FMCG arm increased by 27.12 percent to Rs 513.27 crore in the October-December period, compared to Rs 403.75 crore during the same period a year ago. In the same quarter last year, the company reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 364.43 crore. The revenue from operations increased by 9.47 percent to Rs 3,803.92 crore during the quarter under review, compared to Rs 3,474.55 crore in the year-ago period.

Lupin: The pharmaceutical company Lupin has reported a significant increase of 300 percent in its consolidated net profit for Q3FY24, with a total of Rs 613 crore compared to Rs 153.4 crore in the same period of the previous year. This growth was mainly driven by record-high sales across geographies. This is the fourth consecutive quarter in which the company's profits have more than doubled. Total revenue from operations for the quarter rose by 20.2 percent to Rs 5,197.4 crore, compared to Rs 4,322 crore in the same period last year. Additionally, Lupin's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) during the December quarter increased by 95 percent to Rs 1,038 crore, compared to Rs 533 crore in the previous year.

Trent: The Tata group company reported a 140 percent year-on-year (YoY) jump in its net profit for Q3FY24 at Rs 370.6 crore, compared to a net profit of Rs 154.8 crore in the same quarter last year. Revenue in Q3FY24 rose by 50.5 percent to Rs 3,466.6 crore from Rs 2,303.4 crore YoY. The companys EBITDA for the quarter spiked 95 percent to Rs 629 crore from Rs 323.2 crore, while the EBITDA margin improved by 410 basis points (bps) to 18.1 percent from 14 percent YoY. Trent's share price jumped more than 19 percent after the announcement of Q3 results. The stock spiked as much as 19.26 percent to Rs 3,618.95 apiece on the BSE.

Nestle India: Nestle India on Wednesday reported a net profit of Rs 655.61 crore for the quarter ended December 2023, registering a growth of 4.4 percent compared to Rs 628.06 crore in the same quarter last year. The companys revenue in Q4CY24 grew 8 percent to Rs 4,600.42 crore from Rs 4256.79 crore, year-on-year (YoY). The company said that strong growth momentum in e-commerce and out-of-home channels drove an 8.9 percent increase in domestic sales, which was supported by price and mix growth. However, on a sequential basis, net profit slumped 27.8 percent from Rs 908.08 crore in Q3CY24, and the FMCG major's revenue from operations was down 8.7 percent from Rs 5036.82 crore.

Power Grid Corporation: The state-owned company on Wednesday reported a 10.5 percent year-on-year (YoY) increase in net profit at Rs 4,028.3 crore for Q3FY24, compared to a net profit of Rs 3,645.3 crore it had earned in the corresponding quarter last year, the company said in a regulatory filing. The company's revenue from operations increased 2.6 percent to Rs 11,549.8 crore as against Rs 11,261.8 crore in the corresponding period of the preceding fiscal. At the operating level, EBITDA grows 3.2 percent to Rs 10,212.9 crore in the third quarter of this fiscal over Rs 9,893.5 crore in the corresponding period in the previous fiscal. The company's board of directors has approved the payment of the second interim dividend of Rs 4.50 per equity share of Rs 10 each for FY24, to be paid on March 5, 2024.

Larsen & Toubro: The EPC company's power transmission and distribution business bagged large orders in the Indian and Middle East markets on Wednesday, it said in a filing to BSE. The business has secured an order to set up a 75 MW floating solar photovoltaic plant on a dam as a part of the ultra mega renewable energy power park being developed on Damodar Valley corporation reservoirs in Jharkhand and West Bengal. In Saudi Arabia, the company has bagged an order for turnkey construction of a substation. The business has also won substation and voltage conversion orders from hydrocarbon companies in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. In an ongoing 220 KV Power Supply Project in the UAE, an additional order has been secured".

Mankind Pharma: The promoters of Mankind Pharma have announced their plan to reduce their shareholding between February 8 and February 15 in order to comply with the minimum public shareholding requirements. The promoter group members, including Sheetal Arora, Arjun Juneja and Puja Juneja, will aim to decrease their stake from the current 76.5 percent to 74.88 percent, as per an exchange filing.
STATEN ISLAND -- Angela Angie Russo says she has never been the average woman.

Im more into sneakers, clothing and cars. Im very in touch with male fashion, and I just like that whole atmosphere. And I feel like a woman definitely knows what a man likes, wants and needs, she said, noting this helped dictate a career change from medial billing to becoming a barber and hairstylist.

Angela "Angie" Russo decided to make a career change from medial billing to haircutting and styling in barber shops.(Photos courtesy of Angela Russo)

After working in the barber industry for 10 years -- including at a New Jersey salon and Against Da Grain Barbershop in Tompkinsville -- she decided to take the leap into entrepreneurship. Russo opened her own unisex Concord-based barbershop, aptly named The Shoppe in December.

Being a woman-owned barbershop has its challenges, but I love a challenge, said Russo, who caters to women, men and children in her barber shop. Its a male environment; you have to hold your standards higher, and be strong and firm due to the environment. Some men do not like a woman boss.

She also moved a business she opened in 2020, The Sneaker Room, which sells an array of popular footwear brands, from New Balance to Jordans, to the location.

The Sneaker Room is located within The Shoppe in Concord.(Photos courtesy of Angela Russo)

NOT YOUR ORDINARY BARBER SHOP

The Targee Street-based barber shop has a unique layout with four booth stations and an equal number of private suites. The suites are offered to stylists or barbers with heavy client followings, said Russo.

Offering an array of barber shop and salon services, Russos staff, in addition to herself, is made up of four barbers, two braiders and one stylist.

My shop is unique because it is literally a one-stop-shop. I offer a lot of services, such as braids, dreadlocks, color, styling, skin care and retail all under one roof, she said. My shop is very diverse. When you walk into my shop, you will see nothing but diversity, said Russo, noting the shop offers amazing art, a clean environment, talented staff and great music.

Angela "Angie" Russo poses with Kelly Vilar of the Staten Island Urban Center, a not-for-profit for which Russo volunteers. Vilar is also a Russo's client, she said.(Photos courtesy of Angela Russo)

And housing both of her businesses under one roof is very appealing to her clients, who can get one of the hottest pairs of sneakers out right now, along with clothes, followed by a haircut, said Russo.

My shop is very diverse. When you walk into my shop, you will see nothing but diversity, said Angela Russo, noting the shop offers amazing art, a clean environment, talented staff and great music."(Photos courtesy of Angela Russo)

TREATING PEOPLE WITH LOVE AND RESPECT

Russo said her loyal following stems from great service and making her clients feel welcome in the shop.

Im always kind to people. I love helping people, and I love to make people look and feel good, she said.

In fact, many of her clients have become her friends.

I have people call me at 10 oclock at night, and they always say the same thing, Hey Ang, quick question, said Russo. I always say you come into the shop as a stranger and leave as a friend.

Russo said she especially loves meeting new people at her shop, and providing the services needed for them to look and feel their very best.

My favorite part of being a barbershop owner is making people feel love and respect when they walk in the door, and I greet them with love and respect, and pay attention to their needs. I love making them leave here looking amazing and feeling amazing, she said.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Russo also is a community activist. She works with the Friends of Tompkinsville Park and the Staten Island Urban Center as a small business liaison helping with grants and local information for small businesses to stay afloat.

Angela "Angie" Russo opened The Shoppe in Concord in December.(Photos courtesy of Angela Russo)

She also devotes time to working with United Activities Unlimited (UAU) summer programs, Fatherhood Matters and the city Parks Department, said Russo.

And she noted that while she helps a lot of people, shes grateful a lot of people have helped her too, specifically the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, which has assisted with grant writing and more.

THE SHOPPE AT A GLANCE

Address: 1132 Targee Street

Instagram: @theshoppe____

New Businesses in Focus is a weekly column that relates the stories of new Staten Island businesses owners.

If you have a new business on Staten Island, e-mail porpora@siadvance.com.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  More than two decades after the wife of a Russian-born jet fuel magnate was convicted of his murder inside their Todt Hill home, she has an opportunity at freedom.

Elena Kiejliches, 57, is set to appear this week before the New York Board of Parole.

Kiejliches was found guilty in 2002 by a jury in state Supreme Court, St. George, of shooting her millionaire husband execution-style in the midst of a spousal dispute. Investigators said the victim, 48-year-old Borys Kiejliches, was killed in the basement of the couples home on East Loop Road on March 24, 2000.

The dispute was over money, an affair she was conducting with another man, and the prospect of divorce, authorities contended.

The victims body was found a month after the murder, in a cardboard barrel floating off the Queens shoreline.

Months after the jurys decision, then-36-year-old Elena Kiejliches lost custody of her three children, her home and her assets.

She also was ordered to pay more than $83 million to the children as part of a wrongful death lawsuit.

In this August 2023 photo, attorney Mark J. Fonte speaks at a press conference surrounding an unrelated matter outside state Supreme Court, St. George. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)

LAWYER MAINTAINS INNOCENCE

After all these years, her lawyer maintains his own convictions of his clients innocence.

This case has gnawed at me for decades, said Mark J. Fonte, who has tried nearly 50 murder cases in his career. This is the only one in which Im firmly convinced an innocent person has been languishing in jail for a crime they did not commit.

At the time of the homicide, Elena Kiejliches had been involved in an extramarital affair with Messiah Justice, a then-28-year-old Brooklyn man.

She was so consumed with her love interest, court documents alleged, she planned to buy him a $330,000 car after looting hundreds of thousands of dollars in family assets and hocking expensive family jewelry.

Justice, who had struck a deal with prosecutors and testified against her at trial, ultimately was sentenced to a short prison stint for helping to hide the body. He was not charged with the murder.

He testified he was not present for the violence, and that afterward Elena Kiejliches whisked her kids away to Disney World.

Wearing handcuffs and a leg chain, Elena Kiejliches is helped off a prison bus outside state Supreme Court in St. George in this 2002 file photo. (Staten Island Advance/Michael McWeeney)STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

In his closing arguments at the trial, Fonte submitted Justice ambushed and killed Borys Kiejliches after hiding in a basement closet. Justice then tried to cover his tracks, he said, by placing calls to his apartment telephone and to his cell phone from the Kiejliches residence.

A juror who spoke outside the courthouse following the verdict said he didnt buy that version of events: I dont believe he could have sat in the basement that long waiting for [Borys Kiejliches] to come down.

The murder weapon was never recovered.

Based on the evidence provided and the testimony of Justice, the jury needed only three hours to return a verdict.

THE AUTOPSY REPORT

A key piece of evidence in the case, said Fonte, is an autopsy report that shows injuries to the victim consistent with a fracture to the back of the skull and a face-first collapse to the floor. In addition, Kiejliches sustained a 9mm bullet hole, also to the back of the head.

The district attorney wanted this jury to believe that timid, little Elena struck with such force and tenacity that he fell face first onto the floor, recalled Fonte. If she would have hit him in the back of the head, it wouldve been like a mosquito bite. It defies logic.

In this 2002 photo, Assistant District Attorneys Mark Palladino center and Wanda DeOliveira, right, chat with members of the jury outside of then Staten Island Supreme Court following the guilty verdict for Elena Kiejliches. staten island advance

PAROLE HEARING

Elena Kiejliches, who once was described as a glamorous Russian emigre, was sentenced to 22 years to a maximum of life in prison.

At the time, then-Assistant District Attorney Wanda DeOliveira cast Justice as a pawn, wooed by the defendant to get rid of her husbands body after she killed him.

She bought his loyalty ... with jewelry, cash and Rolex watches ... so she can use him to help her dump the body, said DeOliveira. Because who are you going to call when youve got a body in the basement? The police?

If deemed eligible for parole, Elena Kiejliches would be released from prison June 9.

The board has until mid-February to render its decision.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Already facing charges in a fatal home invasion, a Staten Island man was arrested again Tuesday on Rikers Island.

Phillip Moreno, 48, is accused of stabbing another inmate Tuesday inside the George R. Vierno Center, a spokesman for the Department of Correction said.

The defendant was due in state Supreme Court, St. George, the next day, regarding the 2020 slaying of a Mariners Harbor man and his pregnant wife.

ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE

The violence at Rikers unfolded around 11 a.m., when Moreno allegedly stabbed the victim several times with a sharpened piece of metal, officials said.

The two were working in a pantry area at the time, the New York Post reported.

The weapon, according to the outlet, was recovered in a toilet.

The other inmate was transported to Elmhurst Hospital in Queens with lacerations to the neck, head, arms and hands, according to the Department of Correction.

The violence appeared to have arisen over some sort of dispute, as an investigation remained ongoing this week.

Vicious, violent attacks on individuals in custody will not be tolerated, said Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie. We will seek attempted murder charges for this senseless act. No one in our jails deserves to be a victim of violence.

Sources said Moreno was scheduled for arraignment in Bronx Criminal Court Wednesday in connection with the latest arrest.

HOME INVASION MURDER

On Staten Island, Moreno is facing the possibility of life in prison for charges stemming from the deaths of Alafia Rodriguez, 46, and his fiancee, Ana DeSousa, 33, inside their home on Grandview Avenue in Mariners Harbor.

DeSousa was seven months pregnant at the time, while the couples 2-year-old daughter was upstairs uninjured.

As officers arrived at the scene, they detained Moreno, who was allegedly attempting to flee the property.

A search of the defendants person yielded zip ties, a handgun, a silencer, and a ball of cocaine which investigators believed came from the home, police said.

Rodriguez, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, had several prior arrests for drug offenses and other charges, the New York Post reported.

Law enforcement sources at the time noted drug robbery as the likely motive, while friends of Rodriguez told the Daily News he and Moreno had a feud dating back years.

Records show Moreno was previously sentenced to eight to 16 years for the 1992 slaying of a 22-year-old man.

THE FALLOUT

In the days following the tragedy, friends and family of the victims noted community events Rodriguez had organized on the boroughs North Shore.

No one had a problem with LAFioso, he was too good of a guy to have a problem with, said Tr Sharpe, a Staten Island-based rapper and community organizer. His lady loved him dearly, and he loved her. They did everything they could for anyone.

On social, a heart wrenching video posted showed the couple dancing together at what appeared to be a family celebration in 2018.

In Mariners Harbor, a mural was painted in memoriam on the front of a commercial building.

A woman who was inside the home at the time of the shooting, and somehow survived with her life, recounted the nightmare in a prior interview with the Advance/SILive.com.

I fight hard every day, Im not giving up, she said. I need to get my strength back to get back with my daughter.

DUELING ATTORNEYS

A defense attorney hired by Alafia Rodriguez for prior drug cases said he was not surprised by the alleged incident at Rikers, given Morenos prior run-ins with the law.

Mr. Moreno, as he has demonstrated, is nothing more than a savage killer who has continually exemplifies evil incarnate, said Mario Gallucci. I have a very funny feeling that he will be spending most if not all of his life incarcerated.

Morenos attorney in the ongoing murder case, Mark J. Fonte, said Wednesday that he would not dignify Mr. Galluccis comment by responding.

I will wait for a jury to decide which of our clients exemplifies evil, said Fonte. I prefer to do my talking in the courtroom.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A migrant who claims to be housed at a Staten Island shelter is facing hate crime charges stemming from an incident in which he allegedly assaulted a Long Island homeowner and attempted to make off with a pair of the mans Israeli flags.

The Nassau County District Attorneys Office identified 26-year-old Bechir Lehbeib, an asylum seeker reportedly from North Africa, as the individual who allegedly snatched the flags from the front lawn of a Hewlett, N.Y., home on Sunday, Feb. 4, just after 1 p.m.

According to the criminal complaint, Lehbeib was captured by a doorbell camera attempting to steal two pro-Israel flags before he was approached by the homeowner. A struggle ensued between the two men and Lehbeib allegedly punched the homeowner in the face before head-butting him.

During the incident, the victim claims that Lehbeib said to him: Im Palestinian, and you Jews are killing Palestinians.

The victim further stated that Lehbeib punched him in the face several more times before throwing the flags down and stomping on them, authorities said.

Lehbeib faces hate crime charges of second-degree assault, robbery and criminal mischief. He was arraigned on Monday in Nassau District Court and was detained in lieu of $50,000, officials said.

Lehbeib, who claimed he was in Hewlett in search of work, listed addresses in Jamaica, Queens, and the Ramada by Wyndham on Staten Island, which is currently being used as a migrant shelter, as his places of residence, according to Long Island police.
NEW DELHI, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Two trekkers, including a woman, were killed during their expedition in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, officials said Thursday.

The bodies were found in Bir Billing in the Kangra district, about 195 km north of Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh.

Bir Billing, located at an altitude of 5,000 feet, is a favored destination for treks and paragliding.

According to officials, a German Shepherd dog accompanying the trekkers helped locate the bodies as it remained beside them and kept barking until a rescue team reached the spot on Tuesday.

Officials suspect the trekkers, Abhinandan Gupta (30) from Punjab's Pathankot and Pranita Wala (26) from Maharashtra's Pune,were killed after falling from a steep slope on Sunday. 
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A 20-year-old woman from Mariners Harbor assaulted an assistant principal at Port Richmond High School, authorities allege.

The woman is a student in a program where college courses are offered at the high school, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.

Sissy Pirir of Brabant Avenue was arrested the day of the attack, which occurred on Jan. 30 at about 11:45 a.m. inside the high school at 85 St. Josephs Ave., according to the criminal complaint.

The episode began when the defendant and the administrator had a disagreement about the students schedule in a hallway inside the school, the source told the Advance/SILive.com.

Pirir allegedly punched the man in the face.

He suffered injuries that included redness and substantial pain, but refused medical treatment at the scene, according to police.

The defendant has been charged with felony and misdemeanor assault and harassment.

Pirir has pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been released on her own recognizance and a temporary restraining order has been issued in favor of the victim. The defendant is scheduled to appear in Criminal Court on Feb. 23, according to public records.

An attorney for the defendant did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A prominent New Jersey hotel that has been in business in Bergen County for more than 40 years is set to close later this month, forcing people to scramble to reschedule proms and other special events planned for the venues event space, officials said.

Hilton Woodcliff Lake has been sold at auction to a development group owned by Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf and will shut its doors on Feb. 21, state Sen. Holly Schepisi and borough Mayor Carlos Rendo confirmed to NJ Advance Media on Tuesday.

Though a third-party management company had been operating the hotel for some time, the imminent closure caught employees and people who were planning to hold events there off guard, the senator said.

It was a surprise that its being closed that quickly, Schepisi, R-Bergen said. It was a surprise to employees and people who have functions  people having proms and bar mitzvahs and Sweet 16s, brides who are calling in a panic who had booked blocks of rooms for their guests.

The third-part management company who runs the hotel said it only also recently learned of the plan to shutter the hotel and gave a different closing date.

Pyramid Global Hospitality currently serves as the third-party management company for the Hilton Woodcliff Lake, it said in a statement. While the team was aware of an ownership transition, Pyramid Global was only recently notified that the new owner intended to close the property. At this time, the Pyramid Global team and the staff at Hilton Woodcliff Lake is doing everything we can to provide a smooth transition for guests as we prepare for operations to close February 26, 2024.

The hotel has a little less than 100 employees, who are being offered jobs at other Hilton properties, Rendo told NJ Advance Media.

Schepisi, who grew up in the area, said she will miss attending events at the 338 room hotel, which opened in 1980.

It is sad to see it go, she said. I personally have been going there since I was a teenager. Im 52 and I had my Sweet 16 there. We had proms there, so it really has been a staple of the community for decades.

Rendo called the closing a sign of the times. He hasnt been provided specifics about what Wilfs management company has planned for the 21-acre property but expects it will eventually look vastly different.

Theyre a residential developer so I can only imagine what they have planned, the mayor said, noting the borough will take a financial hit through the loss of tax revenue and having one less business with a liquor license.

Wilff, a billionaire real estate developer who grew up in New Jersey, has been in numerous legal squabbles involving his properties over the years.

In 2013, a New Jersey judge ordered Zygi Wilf, his brother and cousin to pay about $100 million over a broken deal to develop an apartment complex.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Now that a federal appeals panel has ruled that Donald Trump can face trial on charges he led an attempt to overturn the 2020 election and cling to power, would that trial prevent him from running for president?

The appeals court rejected on Tuesday the former presidents claim that he is immune from prosecution, marking the second time in the past two months that judges have spurned Trumps immunity arguments.

The court ruled he can be prosecuted for his actions related to the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol by his supporters in an effort to prevent Joe Biden from assuming power after winning the 2020 election.

Of course, there will be additional appeals by the Republican former president  currently the Republican frontrunner in the 2024 presidential race  that will likely reach the U.S. Supreme Court. And the appeals will result in extended delays to any future trial to the former president.

Already, the appeals court has delayed the possible trial start date, and Trump has until Feb. 12 to ask the Supreme Court to pause the ruling.

Trumps current charges are the most serious ever faced by any U.S. president, bringing with them potentially serious jail time, if hes convicted, a political science expert told the Advance/SILive.com.

But, should Trump face trial on charges related to insurrection, will it get in the way of his running for, or holding the nations highest political office?

The short answer is no, Brian Browne, assistant vice president of government relations and an adjunct professor of political science at St. Johns University, recently told the Advance/SILive.com.

In fact, while standing trial, or even if hes convicted of the four felony counts he faces, Trump can still run for president in 2024, according to current laws and the U.S. Constitution. And, it remains unlikely that his trial and possible conviction will even take place by November.

WHAT IF HES CONVICTED?

Yet, even if it did, a trial or conviction in this case would not prevent Trump from pursuing the White House or serving as president, according to the U.S. Constitution.

In fact, no existing law prevents anyone from running for president  even from jail.

The Constitution states only three requirements for serving as president: being at least 35 years of age, being a natural born citizen and having been a U.S. resident for at least 14 years.

There are currently no provisions in the Constitution regarding a presidential candidates criminal history.

Trump faces four felony charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The Justice Department says his desperate declarations that the elections outcome was fraudulent were ultimately an unprecedented effort to block the peaceful transition of power.

And the former president faces serious jail time, if convicted, as each charge carries a penalty, the steepest of which up to 20 years in prison, Browne said.

Republican leaders say the charges are an illegal way to interfere with the 2024 presidential election and that Trump had every right to raise concerns about the integrity of the 2020 election.

Even his history of having been impeached twice wont prevent Trump from being eligible to run, as being impeached  even when it happens a historic second time  is not the same as being convicted, removed from office and barred from ever running for office again, Browne said.

SUPREME COURT CASE AND BALLOT ELIGIBILITY

However, the Supreme Court is meeting on Thursday and will hear a case presented by a Colorado watchdog group arguing that Trump is ineligible to hold the nations highest office because of his behavior on Jan. 6, 2021, regardless of any trial or conviction.

Arguments will be held on Feb. 8, during what is normally a nearly monthlong winter break for the justices. The rushed timeframe could allow the court to produce a decision before Super Tuesday on March 5, when the largest number of delegates are up for grabs in a single day, including in Colorado.

A Supreme Court decision against him would interfere with his run for a second term.

The case revolves around a seldom-used provision of a constitutional amendment passed in 1868, following the Civil War. Known as the insurrection clause, Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. The clause has yet to be used to disqualify a president, but in December 2023, the Colorado Supreme Court deemed Trump ineligible for the presidency based on the clause and his Jan. 6, 2021, behavior, pushing the case along to the Supreme Court.

The decision was the first time the 14th Amendment was used to bar a presidential contender from the ballot.

Trumps attorneys argue that Trump should win on many grounds, including that the events of Jan. 6 did not constitute an insurrection. Even if it did, they wrote, Trump himself had not engaged in it. They also contend that the insurrection clause does not apply to the president and that Congress must act, not individual states.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a proclamation declaring February Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.

Additionally, Hochul directed landmarks across the state to be lit orange Tuesday night in honor of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Day. Those landmarks included One World Trade Center, the Kosciuszko Bridge, Empire State Plaza and Niagara Falls.

Through social media and other technological outlets, teenagers are bombarded by the pressures of society, and it is our responsibility to support them as they navigate the pitfalls and uncertainties of adolescence, Hochul said. My administration is committed to developing resources for families, schools and communities to expand youth mental health education and behavioral guidance as we work toward ending teen dating violence once and for all.

Hochul worked with the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence to launch the Healthy Relationship Quiz aimed to help individuals spot potential red flags in an intimate relationship.

In addition, the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence will hold Modernizing Masculinity, a discussion on how men and boys can achieve aspirational masculinity on Feb. 28.

The states Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline provides free, confidential support 24/7 and is available in most languages: 800-942-6906 (call), 844-997-2121 (text) or @opdv.ny.gov (chat).
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Review Eating outMelbourne Our Korean-Australian food scene is utterly unique, and this new restaurant is no exception Doju serves a calamari starter, but not as you know it. And thats just the beginning. Dani Valent February 9, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

As featured in the Melbourne March hit list. See all stories .

1 / 7 The chic restaurant can do legal-district poise as well as night-time fun. Bonnie Savage 2 / 7 Wood-charred leek with cashew cream, brown butter and a crisp disc of chicken skin. Bonnie Savage 3 / 7 Go-to dish: Ganjang-braised kohlrabi. Bonnie Savage 4 / 7 Salted calamari, seasoned rice, Geraldton wax. Bonnie Savage 5 / 7 LA galbi (Los Angeles-style grilled beef short ribs) with horseradish, shiitake mushroom, chive kimchi. Bonnie Savage 6 / 7 Flowing curtains are a feature of the split-level interior. Bonnie Savage 7 / 7 Injeolmi ice-cream with candied walnuts. Bonnie Savage Previous Slide Next Slide 14 / 20 How we score Korean$$$ I made friends with kohlrabi in lockdown when I was delivering food to my parents doorstep. On their list each week, 2 kohlrabi. What do you do with it? Oh, we put it in salad, or Dad cuts it and eats it like a pear, Mum told me. You can boil or roast it, too. I started buying the brassica for myself. Round, hard and pale-green, kohlrabi is a grapefruit-sized cousin of cabbage. Peppery when raw, creamy when cooked, its a handy veg to have around. Korean chef Mika Chae thinks so, too. He didnt grow up with kohlrabi in Jeollanam-do in his homelands far south, but his cooking at Doju, open since December, is built on ingredients from small-scale Victorian growers. On a pilgrimage to Coburg Farmers Market, not only did the kohlrabi look good, but Chae also perceived its similarity to daikon, a radish commonly braised with hock to make jokbol, sticky pork with a tart finish.

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Go-to dish: Ganjang-braised kohlrabi. Bonnie Savage For the vegetarian main course at Doju, the first-time restaurateur omits the pork, slowly cooking kohlrabi in ganjang, a Korean soy sauce, plus cinnamon, star anise, ginger and sake. The vegetable becomes burnished-brown, meaty and succulent and is served with oyster mushrooms. In jokbol, the daikon isnt actually eaten: it just lends its qualities to the pork. Here, the supporting player becomes the hero: no waste, no pig. Its a subtle, beguiling dish ($38) that I appreciated more once I understood its backstory. In that, I think it points to an aspect of Doju that isnt quite resolved: this is a restaurant with big ideas that arent always showing up on the plate. Thats not to say the food isnt good, just that it will get better as Chae finds more courageous ways to create a Korean-Australian cuisine. Salted calamari, seasoned rice, Geraldton wax. Bonnie Savage

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One starter is called Salted calamari, seasoned rice, Geraldton wax ($9). Say calamari to most people in Melbourne and theyll probably picture something fried. This calamari is raw, a spin on Korean salt-preserved seafood called jeotgal. Doju uses exceptional calamari from Corner Inlet in Gippsland, cured very lightly, then marinated with fish sauce and sesame oil. Served over rice and lettuce as a wrap, its an amazing morsel: the seafood is clean, gelatinous, even better perhaps than traditional jeotgal, which is a technique to preserve protein rather than highlight its special qualities. But if youre expecting calamari rings, the dish might catch you off-balance. Wood-charred leek with cashew cream, brown butter and a crisp disc of chicken skin. Bonnie Savage More straightforwardly, leek is wood-charred until its sweetness bubbles out in a kind of smoky vegetable caramel ($22). Its served with cashew cream, brown butter and a crisp disc of chicken skin to create a flavour-flexing dish that would sit happily in a trendy wine bar. Like many Korean chefs working in Australia, Mika Chae didnt arrive here as a cook. Jungeun Chae from two-hat Chae in Cockatoo studied art; Sangsoo Kim, from one-hat James in South Melbourne, fell into cooking after being a kitchenhand. Mika Chae was doing army service in South Korea when he saw a passenger plane overhead, contemplated the wide world and ended up in Melbourne, where his first adventure was delivering pizza.

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All these chefs have a Korean food repertoire to draw upon, but they havent trained in it. To varying degrees, theyre reaching back into memory. This curious context offers an opportunity for Melbournes Korean food to be utterly unique. Doju is set to be a leading example. Melbournes riding a new Korean food wave (and here are the best places to try it) Cooking seduced Mika Chae in Melbourne; he did stints at Sezar and Attica before moving to Tasmania, working his way up to head chef at Grain of the Silos in Launceston. Chae learned to weave his menus with crop cycles and cooked his way through whole pigs and cows. Hes returned to Melbourne to string his passions together: diverse Korean food styles, connections with farmers, a love for the dynamism of this city. Doju has experienced hands on the floor, so dining here feels fresh but not shaky. The look is chic, maybe a little corporate: flowing curtains, accents in olive green and black marble, a discrete mezzanine and lively counter-seating mean the restaurant can do legal-district poise as well as night-time fun. Injeolmi ice-cream with candied walnuts. Bonnie Savage

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Some dishes are so wonderful they outshine any need for narrative. Roasted soybean powder (usually scattered over the glutinous rice cakes known as injeolmi) is infused into ice-cream to make a toasty scoop thats served with preserved rhubarb and candied walnuts. It brings together Korea and Melbourne in a stellar dessert thats also a sign of promise. The low-down Vibe: Elegant and warm contemporary Korean Go-to dish: Ganjang-braised kohlrabi ($38) Drinks: The wine list is cleverly organised by weight (light and bright, deep and dark) but you could easily match your meal to the cocktails. Bar manager Chris Littens wonderful mixed drinks incorporate fermented ingredients. Cost: About $180 for two, excluding drinks This review was originally published in Good Weekend magazine

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When John Walkom was growing up in Dubbo in the 1960s, his friends in town lived in houses on big blocks, with big backyards.

Apartments werent the go. Thats something you went to the big smoke to see, the developer said. Not any more.

An artists impression of 1 Church Street in Dubbo, a 15-storey apartment building that is under construction. Credit:

Walkom and his brother Kevin, along with retailer Gerry Harvey, are building a 15-storey residential tower in the Dubbo CBD that will house 80 apartments, with one under contract for $2 million.

It is one of three high-rise developments in the pipeline in the central western city, whose population grew by 6.6 per cent between 2016 and 2021.
This weeks Sydney Summit, supported by this publication, heard many suggestions for improving the town  from allowing dogs on trains to rewilding Rushcutters Bay. Like everyone else, I have my own suggestions.

Geography lessons for all citizens

How many people in, say, the eastern suburbs really know the location of, say, Parramatta? The debate over the partial relocation of the Powerhouse Museum is too fraught for me to want to pick a side. Whats clear, though, is that many Sydneysiders talked of Parramatta as if it were some distant kingdom, located somewhere on the road to Timbuktu. It would be an intrepid traveller indeed to even consider a trip, and lord knows what strange customs they practice out there. That was the tone of the commentary. In truth, you can drive from the current Powerhouse to the new Powerhouse in a bit over half an hour. Just before you arrive, you could sample some of the worlds best Indian food in the restaurants of Harris Park. Or drive a little to further to Cabramatta and enjoy the worlds best Vietnamese meal.

Richard Glover has some ideas to make Sydney the best city in the world.

More dog beaches
PHNOM PENH, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has extended best wishes to the Chinese people and Cambodians of Chinese descent as they prepare to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, on Feb. 10.

In a recent message sent to Pung Kheav Se, president of the Federation of Khmer Chinese in Cambodia, Hun Manet said the peoples of Cambodia and China have always stuck together through thick and thin since ancient times.

"On the occasion of the upcoming Chinese Traditional New Year, the Year of the Dragon, on behalf of the royal government of Cambodia, I would like to congratulate and join in the fun with all Chinese people and Cambodians of Chinese descent, who have always shared weal and woe with us since ancient times," he said.

"I would like to express my special thanks to the Federation of Khmer Chinese in Cambodia, Chinese people and Cambodians of Chinese descent around the world for their active contributions to the prosperity and development of Cambodia," he added.

The Cambodian leader also encouraged them to continue to support Cambodia's development policies and to contribute further to boosting the kingdom's economic growth.

Although it is not a public holiday in the Southeast Asian nation, the Spring Festival is widely celebrated, as some schools, companies and institutions are closed on the occasion.

Ky Sereyvath, director-general of the Institute of China Studies at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said on Thursday that the Chinese New Year is very popular in Cambodia thanks to close ties between the two countries and peoples.

"Most people in Cambodia, especially those in urban areas, enjoy celebrating the Chinese New Year because they believe that the celebrations will bring them good luck and fortunes throughout the year," he told Xinhua.

"The broad celebration in Cambodia truly reflects fraternal friendship between the peoples of the two countries," he said. "It also shows that Cambodia respects cultural diversity and freedom of belief."

Sereyvath, who is also a Cambodian of Chinese descent, said the Spring Festival is a special occasion for Cambodians with Chinese ancestry to honor their ancestors and enjoy a family gathering.

Days ahead of the festival, shops selling decoration materials such as red color paper-cuts, flowers, red lanterns and Chinese couplets have attracted crowds of customers.

"Our sales are very good days before the New Year, as many people have come and bought flowers, particularly plum blossom saplings, for their New Year's decorations," Kim Sry, a 38-year-old florist near the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, told Xinhua on Thursday.

She attributed an increase in sales to the country's better economic growth in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era.

"We hope the economy will grow higher this year, so people will spend bigger for their next New Year celebrations," she added.

According to a government forecast, Cambodia's economy is expected to grow by 6.6 percent in 2024, up from 5.6 percent in 2023. 
Former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet has called for negative gearing reforms to be put back on the table as part of a wider debate about how tax reform could address housing affordability.

In his first public appearance since losing the March election last year, Perrottet also said the Commonwealth should help NSW and Victoria cover the cost of infrastructure for new arrivals, given it was the federal government that benefited from the lazy economic Ponzi scheme of immigration.

At a lunch hosted by the Property Council of NSW on Thursday, Perrottet said housing had become a burning issue for Australians, both for those who could not afford a home and for those worried about their children. That provided an opportunity for governments to take a political risk.

Former premier Dominic Perrottet at a Property Council of Australia lunch on Thursday.

The society today is very different than it was 100 years ago, and the tax system thats in place today is still reminiscent of that, he said. It should be changed in such a way that drives opportunity, and things like negative gearing should be looked at. It could drive supply.
NSW Roads Minister John Graham has been forced to intervene after Transport for NSW plans were revealed showing that almost 200 homes and businesses along Parramatta Road were at risk of being demolished or having land reclaimed under a proposal to add an extra rapid transport lane to a vast stretch of the choked route.

In a surprise move, Transport for NSW released draft plans to a Sydney council that show intentions to widen Parramatta Road by up to five metres on one or the other side, while up to a further five metres would be provisioned for footpaths and green space. If adopted, it would open the way for parts of properties to be reserved for acquisition and rezoned for infrastructure use.

Inner West Council calculates 196 properties along Parramatta Road would be impacted by the proposed widening, spurring staff to recommend that Transport for NSW be told to ditch the plans because of the upheaval it would cause.

It led to Roads Minister John Graham intervening early on Friday, saying Transport for NSWs draft plans for Parramatta Road did not represent government policy and would not be proceeding.
The grieving daughter of a woman allegedly stabbed to death wants her mothers legacy to be one of peace, as she joined with the African community calling for an end to division.

Cindy Micallef was emotional, yet determined as she stood at a press conference five days after her 70-year-old mother, Vyleen White, was killed at a shopping centre west of Brisbane.

Cindy Micallef, whose mother Vyleen White was killed outside a Redbank Plains shopping centre. Credit: Ten News

White was on a routine grocery run with her six-year-old granddaughter in Redbank Plains, Ipswich, on Saturday night when she was allegedly attacked. The accuseds motive, police said, was to steal her Hyundai Getz.

Five teenagers have since been charged, including one with murder.
Missing person squad detectives will investigate Samantha Murphys computer history and movements in the days before she went missing as they take over the probe into the Ballarat womans disappearance.

In a statement on Friday morning, Victoria Police said specialist detectives had been involved since the 51-year-old mother went missing on Sunday, but would now formally lead the investigation as concerns for her welfare mount.

Local police will continue to lead the search centred on the Canadian Forest area, officially named Woowookarung Regional Park.

Inspector Bob Heaney said the alarm was raised almost immediately when Murphy didnt arrive for a family brunch after leaving her Eureka Street home for a run in the forest about 7am on Sunday.
Live music venues are calling on government to intervene on skyrocketing insurance premiums that have led to strict no dancing while drinking conditions and venue closures.

Yarra City Council will next week debate a motion to explore whether local government could find, or advocate for, more affordable insurance policies for nighttime venues in suburbs like Collingwood and Fitzroy to keep the music scene alive.

Nick Murnane, gig booker at the Evelyn Hotel in Fitzroy. Credit: Jason South

Venues are pushing for the state government to use its own insurer to secure coverage for them at an accessible price.

Last month The Age revealed the crippling toll insurance was having on local venues in the inner north  including at The Old Bar in Fitzroy, which saw its insurance premiums jump from $10,000 a year to $60,000, and led to a ban on people dancing with a drink in their hand in the venues small band room.
The bistro was empty except for Michael and two detectives from the drug squad. Her life would never be the same. Michael and his friends were the only three people in the room. Shane and Karen were detectives in the drug squad, so I jokingly asked: Have you got a big drug deal going down, should we be worried? Shane said, Cate, were actually not here to socialise, weve got something important to tell you and I should warn you its going to shock you. Three years ago, we recruited your mate here  hes been working undercover for the Victoria Police. We recruited him to infiltrate and smash Australias biggest amphetamine gang, and hes been compromised. This means your lives are in danger. Before Id finished my glass of wine, my life had been reduced to a code name. Michael was Witness E2/92 working for Operation Phalanx, a drug squad investigation that resulted in the arrest of 135 suspects, the discovery of $371,000 in cash and $415,000 in counterfeit United States currency. Police seized farms, cars, guns and eight tonnes of chemicals capable of producing amphetamines then valued at more than $200 million (now more than $600 million).

Michael had started by offering the boss of the syndicate, former bikie chief Mr Smith, financial advice (they met in heavy gambling schools), and ended as an insider, providing police-supplied chemicals to the drug ring in a sophisticated sting operation. Cate didnt have the remotest idea of her husbands double life. He was getting home in the early hours, which she put down to his gambling, employed bikie-looking builders to renovate their house (they were very good), and became obsessed with a movie about an undercover cop infiltrating a bikie group. (Smith came to their home and Cate found him more engaging than when the cops turned up for a barbecue.) Witness protection is the last resort for those facing monster jail sentences or on a hit list. It was not meant for school teachers from middle Melbourne. In The Whistleblowers Wife, she recalls that at the pub, Karen was making an attempt to comfort me. Youll all be set up in another country and witness protection will look after you. Youll have to give notice at work as soon as possible. I couldnt believe what she was saying. Why would I want to go and live in another country and what the hell is witness protection?

Cate was right. Witness protection is the last resort for those facing monster jail sentences or on a hit list. It was not meant for school teachers from middle Melbourne. A protected witness must abide by the rules. You must give up your friends, extended family, job, house and name. Your past is expunged. Cate now lives in Melbourne. Few know of her secret life. Credit: Eddie Jim I was not going to play that game. They fabricated a story that Michael had received a massive job offer in Britain and didnt tell their sons the truth. Within weeks, they were gone.

Without visas, they lived as nomads driving through European countries. It was a nightmare. The boys hated it. Eventually, they moved into a rented house in a village near Manchester, but their hopes of a new life were soon shattered. During the 1996-97 summer break, someone broke into the electronically protected drug squad office in the St Kilda Road police complex. The thieves ignored hundreds of files stacked neatly in three grey bookcases in the locked evidence room. They grabbed the blue binders containing more than 100 statements E2/92 had made on the Smith gang. They also stole receipts and bills that gave away the familys new address. It was 3am on a bleak January morning in 1997 when the phone rang in the upstairs main bedroom. It was Superintendent Peter Halloran, in charge of witness protection. He said: You have to get out of the house immediately. You have been compromised.

The family split up, finally moving to Malta. A taskforce investigated the break-in and interviewed 286 people. The final report identified 13 serving and former police as suspects. No charges were laid. While there is little doubt that the proceeds of the burglary have eventually been received by [Mr Smith] and that a significant sum of money was paid to individuals responsible  insufficient evidence exists to either charge [Smith] or effectively identify the others involved, investigators found. Over Easter 2004, burglars using the same public holiday cover, broke into Michaels lawyers St Kilda Road office, not far from the drug squad. They hacked into his office computer and broke open a filing cabinet with legal documents. My immediate reaction was that someone was looking for something of a sensitive nature, his lawyer, Paul Duggan, told me.

Michael flew back to Australia to testify at the committal hearing. He went to Southbank, with police protection, for coffee with his drug squad contacts. They were photographed by a private investigator, who followed the detectives from the St Kilda Road offices. Clearly, there was a leak. Police received credible information about a plot to record the movement of police and security vehicles, to establish the witnesss movements to court. Police grab a suspect in Operation Phalanx. Credit: Victoria Police. Two motorcycle pillion passengers armed with shotguns were to ride alongside the vehicle and shoot Michael, the method perfected by South American cocaine cartels. The threat was so credible Michael was the first witness allowed to testify via a video link from constantly changing locations in Victoria. He was grilled for weeks in the witness box but couldnt be shaken.

Faced with Michaels testimony, Smith pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a minimum of four years. Michael effectively worked for the police for seven years without being paid. Fed up, Michael and Cate contacted me. They wanted to go public to pressure police to pay compensation. We flew into Melbourne, always under the protection of the police, because we had a meeting with a journalist. Michael was understandably anxious and jittery. Not only would he have felt vulnerable, but he was about to tell his story to the world and to me, she recalls. It made headlines and police decided to negotiate. Cate writes: The compensation amount offered was $500,000 but the cost of providing police support was taken out of this, so there wasnt much left.

After five years on the run, they returned to Melbourne, but for another four years Michael was not allowed to return to his old work because of fears for his life. Loading Police learned little from Michaels case  years later, they used the same tactic with lawyer turned informer Nicola Gobbo, promising her she would never be identified then turning her into a witness to provide evidence in court. The police were very good at making promises but not very good at keeping them. Michael had been promised that he would never have to give evidence against the people he was spying on but soon learned that this wasnt the case, Cate writes. Not only did the police receive information that [Smith] had become suspicious and talked about having Michael knocked, but a court decision also made it impossible for their promise to be kept.
Bright Moon Buddhist Temple took 34 years to build and one night to destroy. After an inferno a year ago this week, the charred remains of the temple in Melbournes south-east are now cleared.

But the Bright Moon Buddhist Society is ready to play a central role in welcoming the Year of the Dragon when Lunar New Year celebrations kick off on Friday, the eve of the new year.

Bright Moon Buddhist Society president Vinh Loi Ly in the makeshift temple basement preparing for Chinese New Year. Credit: Eddie Jim

Its been a difficult time, but personally, I just face the reality and adjust myself to do the proper things and focus on the moment and do what I should do, said society president Vinh Loi Ly, 78.

I feel I want to pass a positive emotion to the community and members.
As I said many times before, all I ever did was love the world game and, of course, Perth Glory. The WA governments decision not to pay fair and proper compensation was the catalyst for all of this. I am committed to working with the APL to resolve any outstanding issues. This has absolutely no impact on any of the public companies I am chairman of, as Okewood is only a small shareholder in all of them. KordaMentha has been on the hunt for a new buyer since November, when this masthead revealed the termination of the sale to Melbourne property mogul Robert Brijs Primeland Group-led consortium.

The appointment comes just six months after the clubs governing body, Australian Professional Leagues, slapped Okewood with the breach notice that saw Sage relinquish the Perth Glory license in July 2023. The APL originally handed receivers control of just the slice of Okewoods assets that pertained to the club, amid revelations it had been bankrolling its player and staff wages for five months. A receivers report later revealed it did so to the tune of $4.4 million, making it the entitys second-largest creditor behind Okewood itself  which claims to have loaned the club $33 million. The diversified holding company also has an extensive property portfolio consisting of four apartments in West Leederville and a two-floor West Perth penthouse that is on the market for $9.75 million.

The residential property assets are not understood to be affected by the latest appointment. Loading The move coincided with European Lithium entering a trading halt ahead of a ballot for its proposed merger with NASDAQs Sizzle Acquisition Corp to form Critical Metals, a deal that was tipped to net executive chair Sage a windfall. It also comes just two months after KordaMentha and the APL were slapped with subpoenas for documents canvassing Okewoods finances with the Supreme Courts approval in an ongoing bid by creditor Kakka Enterprises to have the company liquidated. Kakka, which is spearheaded by Perth businessman Kenneth Keogh, brother of former striker Andy Keogh, claims the entity is insolvent and wants to be paid out for its 3.3 per cent stake in the club.

Sage has repeatedly denied claims the club is insolvent and has previously insisted Keogh would be paid following the execution of a sale deal. MPH insolvency specialist Dan Butler, who is representing Kakka, told this masthead the chain of events had been somewhat unorthodox, but he had no doubt there was a logical explanation that would come to light in due course. As is common with lenders, the APL was entitled to and did take a general security interest and, as such, it had the right to step in and take control of the whole of Okewoods assets to recover its debt, he said. Initially, it chose only to take control over Perth Glory and the licence itself [by appointing receivers]. Given that it was in a position of having ultimate control over the A-League football licence that it was funding, one might assume it had a pretty clear understanding of what that asset was worth as against what APL was owed and, specifically, whether it was going to be repaid from the sale process.
A ship carrying thousands of sheep and cattle is expected to return to port and could offload its cargo after Australian authorities rejected an application to export the livestock to Israel.

About 15,000 animals have been packed aboard the MV Bahijah since January 5, when it sailed for the Middle East from Western Australia before being ordered to abandon its voyage due to Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea.

Thousands of sheep and cattle have been aboard the ship MV Bahijah since January 5. Credit: 9News Perth

Except for a couple of hundred head of cattle unloaded on Friday, the animals have remained on the vessel since it returned to Australian waters, sparking fears for their welfare as authorities considered the application to send them on another - even longer - journey for export.

Its expected to return as soon as Thursday to Fremantle Port and it is understood the livestock will be unloaded and moved to a quarantine facility to be rested until another permit is issued to export them.
Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has announced the successful completion of its offer of dual-tranche sukuk, which helped it raise a total of $2.2 billion. The offering included dual-tranche five- and 10-year sukuk, as a part of the SEC's international sukuk programme.

SEC had conducted a virtual roadshow to which there was an overwhelming participation by international investors in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. It presented its investment case, the company's ambitions, and the specifications of the potential sukuk, said the company in its statement.

The offer consisted of a 5-year sukuk tranche of $800 million priced at the fixed profit rate of 4.942% p.a. and a 10-year sukuk tranche of $1,400 million priced at fixed profit rate of 5.194% p.a.

The order book for the sukuk offering opened on February 6 and closed on the same day, attracting a total order book value in excess of $11 billion representing five times oversubscription, it stated.

On the solid response, SEC President and CEO Engneer Khaled Al Gnoon said: "We are delighted with the tremendous success of the sukuk offering. The high demand from international investors demonstrates a growing confidence in SECs credit profile underpinned by its essential role as the electricity service provider in the Kingdom and its contributions to the electricity sector in line with Vision 2030."

SEC has high investment grade credit ratings from international rating agencies, with credit ratings of A1, positive outlook, by Moody's, and A, stable outlook, by Fitch and Standard & Poor's.-TradeArabia News Service
PHNOM PENH, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Minister of Labor and Vocational Training Heng Sour said on Thursday that about 1.35 million Cambodians have been working abroad, sending some 2.9 billion U.S. dollars in remittance back to their families in 2023.

The minister released the figures in a speech during the closing ceremony of the ministry's annual conference in Phnom Penh.

He said more than 1.2 million migrant laborers have been working in Thailand, 50,000 in South Korea, 22,000 in Malaysia, 20,000 in Japan, over 800 in Singapore, over 200 in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and 64 in Saudi Arabia.

They have brought not only remittances to their family members but also technical expertise for national development when they return home, he added.

Cambodian workers in Thailand and Malaysia earn a monthly minimum wage of 400 dollars and 300 dollars, respectively, according to the ministry.

Those in South Korea and Japan make 1,500 dollars and 1,400 dollars per month, respectively, the ministry added. 
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has used a historic address to federal parliament to urge Australians not to give up on his nation despite entrenched poverty and the recent flare up of rioting and looting.

Speaking in the first address to parliament by a Pacific leader, Marape said PNG wanted to become economically independent and move away from its reliance on foreign aid from donors such as Australia.

Marapes speech was effusive in its gratitude to Australia for its contribution to PNGs development, a welcome sign to the government as it seeks to bolster ties with Pacific nations and discourage them from turning to China for policing and security assistance.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape in Canberra on Thursday. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Marape faces a likely no-confidence motion when he returns to PNG, but has expressed confidence he will hold on to his job.
Defence Minister Richard Marles is preparing to announce a major overhaul of the nations naval fleet, which is expected to include gutting the troubled Hunter-class frigate program and the addition of extra maritime firepower.

Over $50 billion of government spending is on the line, with some of the worlds biggest defence contractors jostling to secure lucrative contracts to build warships to replace the navys ageing Anzac-class frigates, while South Australia and Western Australia battle for the shipbuilding rights.

The government had planned to build nine Hunter-class frigates in Adelaide but that number could be slashed to free up money for other vessels.

Marles is expected to release within weeks the governments response to a secret review of the navys surface fleet by retired US vice-admiral William Hilarides, with expectations firming that the number of Hunter-class frigates will be slashed from a planned nine to six, or possibly even three, vessels.

The Hunter-class frigate program has blown out in size and cost since it was announced in 2018, with critics saying the ships lack of missile cells would leave them seriously under-gunned in any conflict.
New laws allowing employees to disconnect from work are a reflection of how the digital age has blurred the lines between employment and home, but the well-intentioned legislation has the potential to both help and harm.

Workers will have the right to disconnect and not answer calls or emails outside paid hours and will be able to take their employers to the Fair Work Commission to stop being harassed after hours. On-call employees and managers would be excluded from the rules. The legislation also includes provisions allowing employers to incur fines or criminal sanctions if they continue to make unreasonable contact.

New laws allowing employees to disconnect from the work are a reflection of how the digital age has blurred the lines between work and home. Credit: Getty Images

But it is not all a one-way street: Employees will be barred from vexatious use of their new right. To this end, the government must provide funding to the Fair Work ombudsman to support understanding of the new rules by businesses; require the Fair Work Commission to issue guidelines on the new rules; and empower the umpire to dismiss an application for a stop order if it is vexatious or frivolous.

However, to work, the legislation requires a lot to be taken on trust and depends on the reasonability of employees and employers. The problem, of course, is that trust and reason can never be guaranteed by legislation.
New preventative detention laws rushed through parliament before Christmas to lock up high-risk detainees have been branded unacceptable by a human rights committee chaired by a Labor MP.

In its appraisal of the Albanese governments detention laws, the joint parliamentary committee said the rules impermissibly limited the rights of the 149 detainees who were freed as a result of a High Court decision banning indefinite detention.

A Labor-led committee has found the governments preventative detention laws unacceptably limit human rights. Credit: Andrew Meares

The committee, which includes Labor, Coalition and independent MPs, also questioned whether the laws requiring the former detainees to wear ankle monitors and be subject to reporting requirements were akin to criminally punishing people outside the reach of the justice system.

The committee chair, Victorian Labor MP Josh Burns, said the legislation hastily passed by Labor and the Coalition following the November 8 ruling reflected the legitimate objective of wanting to keep the community safe.
The NSW government will refer a senior Planning Department official to the Independent Commission Against Corruption after a Liberal MP used parliamentary privilege to air serious corruption claims.

Alister Henskens, a former Coalition minister, told the Legislative Assembly on Thursday evening that a senior official in the NSW Planning Department had used insider information to buy a home in an area planned for rezoning and create a property syndicate with neighbours in a bid to sell to developers.

Henskens alleged he had spoken to a whistleblower and had documents to back his claims that around the time the National Housing Accord was signed and before details of the Minns governments signature Transport Oriented Development scheme was public, the planning official purchased property in an area set to be rezoned on Sydneys north shore.

Alister Henskens made allegations of corruption in parliament. Credit: Louise Kennerley

Shortly after living in the neighbourhood, the planning official then communicated with neighbours about banding together to sell their properties to a developer, promising a significant uplift on its current value because of the governments likely housing policies, Henskens said.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore has labelled the state governments housing reforms half-baked with significant risks carrying a series of unintended consequences, but other local councils have swung in behind the governments push for greater density.

Amid the growing debate over the changes, NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson has singled out local mayors for playing NIMBY politics ahead of the local government elections this year, adding that that some had engaged in ridiculous, low-rent nonsense.

NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson has taken aim at local mayors for playing NIMBY politics over housing in the lead-up to this years council elections. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

The Sydney Morning Herald reported this week that some Labor councils had voiced their concerns over the governments push for increased housing density, with Canterbury Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek angry at plans he said would lead to rabbit warrens, bottlenecks and frustrated drivers.

Independent Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone this week declared the changes would be the end of the backyard and would turn western Sydney into Kolkata. In Ku-ring-gai, the council held a public forum where residents were shown photographs of apartments in Meadowbank and Burwood and were warned that this was the north shores future.
Berlin: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sacked his popular commander-in-chief of the armed forces following weeks of speculation over a rift between the pair.

Zelensky announced the dismissal of General Valery Zaluzhny on social media, saying it was time for renewal of the countrys armed forces after the pair reportedly became embroiled in a row over strategy.

Ukrainian General Valery Zaluzhny. Credit: AP

Zaluzhny will be replaced by Oleksandr Syrskyi, currently the commander of Ukraines ground forces, in the biggest military shake-up since the start of Russias full-scale invasion almost two years ago.

Syrskyi, who led the defence of Kyiv in 2022 as well as the assault on the eastern Kharkiv region later that year, is widely viewed as a close ally of Zelensky.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The design of the newly enhanced Sint Maarten prison facilities is underway and will be ready by May 2024, under the project implementation schedule. The procurement process was completed in October of last year ensuring a considerable saving on the initial budgeted cost for the new prison, thus ensuring efficient management of public resources. Following the procurement process overseen by UNOPS to select the architectural design company for the new prison, CSI Engineers from Uruguay has been awarded the contract to design the staged construction of the new Point Blanche Prison and House of Detention Facilities.

Minister of Justice Anna E. Richardson: Im thrilled with the upcoming construction of the prison and was recently updated on the architectural conceptual design of the expansion. The features include a pre-trial ward, improved male and female wards, educational facilities, health consultation rooms, dental facilities, psychologists, recreational areas, staff facilities, and more. As safety is a priority, we have also ensured enhanced security systems with panoramic and static cameras. This new prison project represents a giant leap forward for the Government of Sint Maarten, as it will bring our detention facilities in line with the highest regional standards and address our local needs effectively.

As part of the project's progress, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is preparing to launch the bidding process for the construction of the new facilities around mid-2024.

PHILIPSBURG:--- To this end, a market study will begin in February to identify potential companies in the local and international markets interested in participating in the process. The Ministry of Justice and UNOPS will ensure wide dissemination so local companies can learn about the UNOPS procurement process and participate in this solicitation.

This competitive and transparent process will allow both local and international suppliers to participate under equal conditions.

The project for the design of Rule of Law Facilities, phase I of the new prison project is funded by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations of the Government of the Netherlands with a budget of approximately US$ 4 million.

Sint Maarten Rule of Law Facilities

The Sint Maarten Rule of Law Facilities project will design the new Point Blanche Prison for the benefit of both the prison population and its staff, ensuring full compliance with human rights and the consideration of social, gender, and environmental components in its design.

This first phase of the project which started at the end of the first quarter of 2023, is planned for 20 months in total and is on schedule. The second phase of the project encompasses the construction of the new infrastructure.

UNOPS strengthens criminal justice systems by planning, designing, building, and rehabilitating secure and humane correctional infrastructure such as courts and prisons. In Sint Maarten we are ensuring that social, gender, and diversity perspectives will be included in the development of the prison design, covering adequate detention for different societal groups based on specific needs of women and youth explained Martin Arevalo, Director of the UNOPS Office for Costa Rica and the English & Dutch Speaking Caribbean.

A strong criminal justice system is a fundamental pillar for compliance with human rights and freedoms, legal certainty, and good governance for its citizens. Since the establishment of the various facilities and due to several structural challenges caused by the effects of climate change, Sint Maartens correctional infrastructure has reached a critical point.

UNOPS, as a specialized UN agency, is in charge of the project management, adhering to the Human Rights and Sustainable Development Goals frameworks, managing this project comprehensively through Fair Public Management to maximize the transparency and profitability of public spending, generating significant impacts on the use of public resources through practices that increase efficiency, sustainable value and transparency.
KABUL, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Afghan Deputy Prime Minister on Political Affairs Mawlawi Abdul Kabir has said the administration has been pursuing a balanced policy, local TOLOnews TV channel reported on Thursday.

Kabir made the remarks Thursday ahead of the UN-sponsored conference on Afghanistan expected in Qatar's capital Doha in the coming days, where participants will discuss the war-torn country's situation.

"The world's effort is to provide a platform for interaction with Afghanistan in the Doha meeting, so that official relations between Afghanistan and the world are established, and Afghanistan will move towards success in the political and economic fields," TOLOnews cited Kabir as saying. 
Uber posts first annual net profit since IPO



San Francisco, Feb 7 (AFP) Feb 07, 2024



Ride-hailing giant Uber on Wednesday reported its first annual net profit since the company went public in 2019.

Uber booked a net profit of $1.9 billion in 2023, compared with a loss of $9.1 billion in 2022, according to a statement.

The earnings marked an important milestone for the company, after surviving its tumultuous early years of defying regulators and amassing losses under the stewardship of former CEO and cofounder Travis Kalanick.

"2023 was an inflection point for Uber, proving that we can continue to generate strong, profitable growth at scale," said current CEO Dara Khosrowshahi.

Uber's customer base was "larger and more engaged than ever, with our platform powering an average of nearly 26 million daily trips last year," he added.

Over the full year of 2023, Uber reported $37.3 billion in sales, up 17 percent and beating Wall Street expectations, thanks in part to the growing popularity of its food delivery service.

The company's shares were down slightly in trading on Wednesday, but they have doubled in value in the past year.

Uber said it would make announcements about returning capital to shareholders at its Investor Day on February 14.

lem/arp/nro
EU waters down law on app gig workers' conditions



Brussels, Feb 8 (AFP) Feb 08, 2024



EU officials said negotiators struck a agreement on Thursday on rules that seek to improve conditions for those working through apps, but member states could still reject the deal.

The European Union wants to approve the world's first law covering the gig economy in a bid to give clarity to the status of millions of workers.

The draft text had already been agreed in December. But days later a France-led resistance blocked the deal during a meeting of member states' ambassadors.

EU states and lawmakers returned to talks and over several weeks held many painstaking negotiations to reach an agreement, which officials announced on Thursday.

Negotiators "just found a provisional agreement," Belgium, which holds the rotating EU presidency, said on social media. "We hope that this can be a first step towards better protection of platform workers."

The issue is not out of the woods yet. Multiple sources including EU diplomats poured cold water on any assumption that the deal would be approved by member states.

"It has to be voted on by EU countries and it's unlikely to pass. If they don't get approval by February 16, the directive is postponed until after the European elections" later this year, a source close to the matter told AFP.

EU officials hope the EU's 27 states will discuss the text on Friday, before a vote next week, and that there will be no further obstacles to formal adoption.

"Hopeful for a positive outcome... next week," said the EU's jobs and social rights commissioner, Nicolas Schmit, referring to a meeting of ambassadors on February 16 where the agreement will be on the agenda.

The text will only become law after formal adoption by states and the parliament.



- 'Fails to deliver' -



The legislation has faced an uphill battle since last year.

Under the original deal in December, many platform workers in Europe could be reclassified as employees if they met two out of five criteria.

Thursday's agreed text removes this, meaning there are no longer European criteria. Instead, it will be up to member states to define what makes a worker an employee.

This change is, however, fraught with risks of fragmentation in the EU's single market, an EU diplomat said, since it would not mean bloc-wide criteria.

This was a compromise by negotiators after states wanted to make it more difficult to classify a worker as an employee.

Move EU, a European association of ride-hailing platforms representing companies including Uber, called on EU states to reject the agreement.

"Today's provisional agreement is not the result of more than two years of deliberations, but of a rushed process to agree to any Directive at any price, despite lack of support from many Member States," a Move EU statement said.

"The deal fails to deliver on the goals of the Directive and address the needs of drivers, platforms and passengers," it added.

There are around 28 million gig workers in Europe, and the number is expected to rise to 43 million by 2025. The parliament believes at least 5.5 million people could be wrongly classified as self-employed.

aro-raz/rmb/cw
Meta removes Instagram, Facebook accounts of Iran's Khamenei



San Francisco, Feb 8 (AFP) Feb 08, 2024



Meta on Thursday said it had removed the Facebook and Instagram accounts of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for violating its content policy.

"We have removed these accounts for repeatedly violating our Dangerous Organizations & Individuals policy," a Meta spokesperson told AFP.

Though Meta did not mention the Israel-Hamas war, the company has been under pressure to ban the leader ever since the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel.

After the attack, Khamenei supported the bloody rampage by Hamas, but denied any Iranian involvement.

He has also publicly supported Palestinian retaliation against Israel's bombardment of Gaza as well as attacks on shipping in the Red Sea by Yemen's Huthi rebels.

Khamenei, in power in Iran for 35 years, has five million followers on Instagram.

"In an effort to prevent and disrupt real-world harm, we do not allow organizations or individuals that proclaim a violent mission or are engaged in violence to have a presence on our platforms," says the policy on which Meta based its decision.

It also says it will "remove glorification, support and representation of various dangerous organizations and individuals."

Hamas is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States.

Instagram and Facebook are banned in Iran, but Iranians use virtual private networks, or VPNs, to evade restrictions and access prohibited websites or apps, including the US-owned Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
ANKARA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police detained 147 suspects affiliated with the Islamic State (IS), a cabinet minister said on Thursday.

The suspects were captured as part of "Operation Heroes-49" across 33 provinces in the country, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

A video posted on Yerlikaya's X account showed police entering apartments and buildings and dragging suspects into cars.

In a separate operation carried out by the police teams in southern Mersin province, along with national intelligence forces on Thursday, 16 IS suspects, who allegedly carried out armed activities within the group and served in the intelligence unit, were detained, the state-run TRT broadcaster reported.

The Turkish government designated the IS as a terrorist organization in 2013, blaming it for a spate of deadly attacks in the country since 2015.

In 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. 
Drone strike in kills two pro-Iran group members in Baghdad



Baghdad, Feb 7 (AFP) Feb 07, 2024



A drone strike on Wednesday hit a vehicle in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, killing two commanders of a pro-Iran group, a security source and a group member said.

The attack comes as tensions soar with the United States carrying out strikes on pro-Iran groups in Iraq and Syria amid the war in the Gaza Strip.

One of those killed was a commander of the Kataeb Hezbollah group in charge of military affairs in Syria, a member of the pro-Iran Iraqi group told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The source named the commander as Abu Baqr al-Saadi.

The security source also reported the deaths of two officials from Kataeb Hezbollah, which has taken part in the past in attacks on US forces in Iraq.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the drone strike.

But it came nearly a week after the United States struck 85 targets at seven different sites in Iraq and neighbouring Syria of Iranian and pro-Iranian forces.

Those strikes were in retaliation for an attack at the end of January on a base in Jordan that killed three US soldiers.

US and allied troops have been attacked more than 165 times in the Middle East since mid-October in a campaign waged by Iran-backed armed groups angered by US support for Israel in the war in Gaza.

The United States considers Kataeb Hezbollah a terrorist group, and officials in Washington had said they believed the group was behind the Jordan attack.

At the end of January the pro-Iran group said it was suspending its attacks against US forces.

Earlier a security source said the drone had fired three rockets at a 4X4 car in the east Baghdad neighbourhood of Machtal that targeted two officials from the Kataeb Hezbollah.

Another security official had said the vehicle carried an official from Hashed al-Shaabi, a coalition of mainly pro-Iran paramilitaries now integrated into Iraq's regular security forces.

An AFP photographer said security forces deployed in the neighbourhood barring access to it after the attack.

Later in the evening the carcass of a car was removed from the area.

The Hashed al-Shaabi has said that 16 of its fighters were killed in Friday's US strikes and 36 people wounded. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said at least 23 pro-Iranian fighters were killed in Syria.

"Targeting the Hashed al-Shaabi is playing with fire," the group's leader Faleh al-Fayyad warned on Sunday.

The United States and Iraq have opened talks on the future of the US-led troop presence in January, following a request by the Iraqi prime minister for a timetable for their withdrawal.

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.

Its troops in Iraq are deployed at the invitation of Baghdad, but those in Syria are deployed in areas outside government control.
Chinese-born man arrested in California for theft of trade secrets



Washington, Feb 7 (AFP) Feb 07, 2024



A Chinese-born US researcher has been arrested on charges of stealing trade secrets, including technology used to detect nuclear missile launches, the Justice Department said Wednesday.

Chenguang Gong, 57, of San Jose, California, was arrested on Tuesday, the department said in a statement.

Gong, who became a US citizen in 2011, is accused of transferring more than 3,600 files from the research and development company where he briefly worked to personal storage devices.

The company was not identified.

According to court documents, the files included blueprints for infrared sensors used in space-based systems to detect nuclear missile launches and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

The files also allegedly included blueprints for sensors designed to enable US military aircraft to detect heat-seeking missiles and take countermeasures.

US Attorney Martin Estrada said Gong "had previously sought to provide the People's Republic of China with information to aid its military."

"We know that foreign actors, including the PRC, are actively seeking to steal our technology, but we will remain vigilant against this threat by safeguarding the innovations of American businesses and researchers," Estrada said.

According to court documents, Gong worked at the unidentified company from January 2023 to April 2023 as a circuit design manager for infrared sensors.

The Justice Department said meanwhile that two Iranians have been charged in another case involving sensitive technology.

Abolfazi Bazzazi, 79, and his son Mohammad Resa Bazzazi, 43, were indicted in New York on charges of violating export laws by conspiring between 2008 and 2019 to export equipment used in the aerospace industry to Iran.

"The Bazzazis devised an intricate scheme to evade US export laws in obtaining US equipment and technology to be exported to Iran and for the Government of Iran," US Attorney Breon Peace said.

"The defendants allegedly attempted to obtain commercial and military aircraft items from multiple US companies that supply the military, aerospace, and firefighting industries," Peace said.

The Bazzazis reside in Iran and remain at large.
US finds missing helicopter, searching for five Marines



Washington, Feb 7 (AFP) Feb 07, 2024



A missing military helicopter was found Wednesday in California but the search for the five service members who were aboard it is still ongoing, the US Marine Corps said.

The five Marines were flying on a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in southern California when "the aircraft was reported overdue" on Tuesday, the service said in a statement on Facebook.

"The aircraft was located by civil authorities in Pine Valley, California" the following day, the statement said.

"The 3rd Marine Aircraft wing is managing the search and rescue efforts" and is "using ground and aviation assets to locate the aircrew in coordination with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department and multiple federal, state and local agencies," it said.

The Marine Corps made no mention of remains being found with the helicopter, indicating that those aboard may have survived.

There have been a series of accidents involving US military aircraft over the past year, including the crash of a V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft off the coast of Japan in late November that left eight airmen dead.

Five American service members were killed when a helicopter crashed into the Mediterranean during a training exercise earlier the same month, while another Osprey crash in Australia left three Marines dead in August.

Three more military personnel were killed and another injured when two helicopters returning from a training mission in a remote area of Alaska collided in April.
US strike kills pro-Iran commander in Baghdad



Baghdad, Feb 7 (AFP) Feb 07, 2024



An American air strike in Iraq on Wednesday killed a senior commander from a pro-Iran armed group who was involved in attacks on Washington's troops in the region, the US military said.

Washington launched a wave of strikes on Iran-linked targets in Iraq and Syria last week following the killing of three American troops in neighbouring Jordan on January 28, and the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the commander killed Wednesday was targeted "in response to the attacks on US service members".

The strike killed "a Kataeb Hezbollah commander responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on US forces in the region," according to CENTCOM, which said there are "no indications of collateral damage or civilian casualties at this time".

"The United States will continue to take necessary action to protect our people. We will not hesitate to hold responsible all those who threaten our forces' safety," it added.

A member of Kataeb Hezbollah -- which announced it was suspending violence against US forces after the deadly Jordan attack -- confirmed a commander who was responsible for the "military file" in Syria had been killed, identifying him as Abu Baqr al-Saadi.

The Hashed al-Shaabi, a coalition of mainly pro-Iran paramilitaries now integrated into Iraq's regular security forces, also confirmed Saadi's death in a statement.

An interior ministry official said a total of three people -- two Kataeb Hezbollah leaders and their driver -- died in the strike, which was carried out by a drone in the east Baghdad neighbourhood of Machtal.



- 'Playing with fire' -



An AFP photographer said security forces deployed in the neighbourhood, barring access to it after the attack.

Later in the evening the remains of a car were removed from the area.

Reacting to the commander's death, Iraq's pro-Iran Al-Nujaba movement in a statement promised a "targeted retaliation", assuring that "these crimes will not go unpunished".

The group added that American "violations" will not cease without "a firm official position from the Iraqi government".

Hamas also condemned a "violation of Iraq's sovereignty and security", according to a statement.

US and allied troops have been attacked more than 165 times in the Middle East since mid-October in a campaign waged by Iran-backed armed groups angered by US support for Israel in the war in Gaza.

The United States considers Kataeb Hezbollah -- which Washington says may have been involved in the Jordan attack -- a terrorist group.

The Hashed al-Shaabi has said that 16 of its fighters were killed and 36 people wounded in the US strikes on Friday, which Washington said hit 85 targets at seven different sites in Iraq Syria.

"Targeting the Hashed al-Shaabi is playing with fire," the group's leader Faleh al-Fayyad warned on Sunday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said at least 29 pro-Iran fighters were killed in Syria.

The United States and Iraq opened talks on the future of the US-led troop presence in January, following a request by the Iraqi prime minister for a timetable for their withdrawal.

Washington has some 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq as part of an international coalition against the Islamic State group.

Its troops in Iraq are deployed at the invitation of Baghdad, but those in Syria are located in areas outside Syrian government control.
ISTANBUL, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- For some unknown reason, Aysegul Oytun, a doctor in her 40s, woke up at around 5 a.m. local time on the morning of Feb. 6 last year with a feeling of anxiety at her apartment in Istanbul.

Picking up her mobile, she saw dozens of messages and missed calls from relatives and friends inquiring about her family living in Hatay province.

Like a robot, she switched on the television.

A deadly 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern part of Turkiye at 4:17 a.m. local time (0117 GMT), and Hatay was the worst-hit province.

Oytun, who had no news of her parents, immediately flew to the nearby province of Adana with her husband and then took a bus to the entrance of Hatay. They had to walk about 20 km with their headlamps until they were able to locate her parents' apartment building.

Speaking to Xinhua on the earthquake's first anniversary, Oytun said she would never forget what she experienced afterward.

"Getting into the city center even on foot was difficult. Destroyed buildings blocked the streets. It was pitch dark," she recalled.

"Many people were trapped under the rubble and screaming for help. I saw bodies sticking out of the debris. Those who were outside were flailing desperately," Oytun said in tears. "It was like a complete apocalypse."

Then, the bitter truth hit her. The building of her parents lay in ruins.

It took search and rescue teams five days to reach the bodies of her parents.

"During this long wait, there were times when I was ashamed of my pain when I heard others' stories," she recounted the story of her childhood friend, Esra, who had lost her two children, her husband, and her sister in the same building.

On the third day of the catastrophe, a miracle brought a little hope to the heart of Oytun. A little girl was rescued from the rubble of the building. But she was the only survivor of Emlak Bank Houses, which comprised six buildings and were once home to 400 people.

The worst disaster in Turkiye's modern history claimed the lives of more than 50,000 people, left millions homeless and devastated in over 10 provinces. 
US strike kills pro-Iran commander in Baghdad



Baghdad, Feb 8 (AFP) Feb 08, 2024



An American air strike in the Iraqi capital on Wednesday killed a senior commander from a pro-Iran armed group who was involved in attacks on Washington's troops in the region, the US military said.

Washington launched a wave of strikes on Iran-linked targets in Iraq and Syria last week following the killing of three American troops in neighbouring Jordan on January 28, and the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the commander killed Wednesday was targeted "in response to the attacks on US service members".

The strike killed "a Kataeb Hezbollah commander responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on US forces in the region," according to CENTCOM, which said there are "no indications of collateral damage or civilian casualties at this time".

"The United States will continue to take necessary action to protect our people. We will not hesitate to hold responsible all those who threaten our forces' safety," it adde

Kataeb Hezbollah -- which announced it was suspending violence against US forces after the deadly Jordan attack -- confirmed a commander who was responsible for the "military file" in Syria had been killed, identifying him as Abu Baqr al-Saadi.

The Hashed al-Shaabi, a coalition of mainly pro-Iran paramilitaries -- of which Kataeb Hezbollah is part -- now integrated into Iraq's regular security forces, also confirmed Saadi's death in a statement.

An interior ministry official said a total of three people -- two Kataeb Hezbollah leaders and their driver -- died in the strike, which was carried out by a drone in the east Baghdad neighbourhood of Mashtal.



- 'Playing with fire' -



An AFP photographer said security forces were deployed in the neighbourhood, barring access to it after the attack.

Later in the evening, the remains of a car were removed from the area.

Iraqi authorities on Thursday slammed the strike as a "blatant assassination" in a residential neighbourhood of Baghdad.

"This path pushes the Iraqi government more than ever before to end the coalition's mission which has become a factor of instability for Iraq," said Yehia Rasool, the military spokesman for the Iraqi prime minister.

Iraq's pro-Iran Al-Nujaba movement in a statement promised a "targeted retaliation", assuring that "these crimes will not go unpunished".

The group added that American "violations" will not cease without "a firm official position from the Iraqi government".

Palestinian militant group Hamas also condemned a "violation of Iraq's sovereignty and security", according to a statement.

US and allied troops have been attacked more than 165 times in the Middle East since mid-October in a campaign waged by Iran-backed armed groups angered by US support for Israel in the war in Gaza.

Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group said "resistance movements in the region have total confidence" in their Iraqi counterparts and the commander's killing will only encourage them to continue acts they say are in support of Palestinians.

The United States considers Kataeb Hezbollah a terrorist group.

The Hashed al-Shaabi has said that 16 of its fighters were killed and 36 people wounded in US strikes on Friday, which Washington said hit 85 targets at seven different sites in Iraq and Syria.

"Targeting the Hashed al-Shaabi is playing with fire," the group's leader Faleh al-Fayyad warned on Sunday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said at least 29 pro-Iran fighters were killed in Syria.

The United States and Iraq opened talks on the future of the US-led troop presence in January, following a request by the Iraqi prime minister for a timetable for their withdrawal.

Washington has some 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq as part of an international coalition against the Islamic State group.

Its troops in Iraq are deployed at the invitation of Baghdad, but those in Syria are located in areas outside Syrian government control.
Iraq slams US after strike kills pro-Iran commander



Baghdad, Feb 8 (AFP) Feb 08, 2024



Iraq on Thursday condemned a US air strike that killed a senior commander from a pro-Iran armed group accused of having been involved in attacks on American troops in the region.

The US attack on Wednesday came after a wave of strikes on Iran-linked targets in Iraq and Syria last week following the killing of three American troops in neighbouring Jordan on January 28.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the commander killed Wednesday was targeted "in response to the attacks on US service members".

The strike killed "a Kataeb Hezbollah commander responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on US forces in the region," according to CENTCOM.

"The United States will continue to take necessary action to protect our people. We will not hesitate to hold responsible all those who threaten our forces' safety," it added.

Iraqi authorities slammed the strike as a "blatant assassination" in a residential neighbourhood of Baghdad.

"The international coalition is completely overstepping the reasons and objectives for which it is present on our territory," said Yehia Rasool, the military spokesman for Iraq's prime minister.

"This path pushes the Iraqi government more than ever before to end the coalition's mission which has become a factor of instability for Iraq," he added.

He was referring to the US-led international military alliance formed in 2014 to fight the Islamic State group -- the year the jihadist group overran nearly a third of Iraq's territory.

Kataeb Hezbollah -- which announced it was suspending its attacks on US forces after the deadly Jordan attack -- said one of its commanders had been killed, identifying him as Abu Baqr al-Saadi. The commander, whose funeral began on Thursday afternoon, was responsible for "military affairs" in Syria, an official from the group told AFP.

The Hashed al-Shaabi, a coalition of mainly pro-Iran paramilitaries -- of which Kataeb Hezbollah is part -- now integrated into Iraq's regular security forces, also confirmed Saadi's death.

An interior ministry official said a total of three people -- two Kataeb Hezbollah leaders and their driver -- had died in the strike, which was carried out by a drone in the east Baghdad neighbourhood of Mashtal.



- 'Red lines' -



The latest US strike sparked widespread condemnation in Iraq, with a pro-Iran parliamentary coalition dubbing it an attack on "Iraqi sovereignty".

Washington has "crossed all red lines by targeting regular forces and men who contributed to defeating Islamic State terrorism," said the Coordination Framework, an alliance of pro-Iran Shiite parties that includes the Hashed al-Shaabi.

Iraq's pro-Iran Al-Nujaba movement in a statement promised a "targeted retaliation", saying that "these crimes will not go unpunished".

The group added that American "violations" will not cease without "a firm official position from the Iraqi government".

Iran joined in the condemnation on Thursday, with Nasser Kanani, spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, calling the strike an act of "adventurism" that was "a threat to regional and international peace and stability".

US and allied troops have been targeted more than 165 times in the Middle East since mid-October in attacks linked to a surge in violence over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

The majority of the attacks have been claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a loose alliance of Iran-backed groups angered by US support for Israel in the war in Gaza.

Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group said "resistance movements in the region have total confidence" in their Iraqi counterparts and the commander's killing would only encourage them to continue acts they say are in support of Palestinians.

The United States considers Kataeb Hezbollah a terrorist group.



- 'Playing with fire' -



The Hashed al-Shaabi has said that 16 of its fighters were killed and 36 people wounded in US strikes on Friday, which Washington said hit 85 targets at seven different sites in Iraq and Syria.

"Targeting the Hashed al-Shaabi is playing with fire," the group's leader Faleh al-Fayyad warned later.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said at least 29 pro-Iran fighters were killed in Syria.

Iraq analyst Sajad Jiyad, of the New York-based Century Foundation think tank, said he expected the tensions to continue to spiral.

"These groups have a lot of capabilities, they are active in several countries now, the US is willing to engage, to retaliate, to kill members of these groups," he said.

"The US is giving no indication it is going to pull back or stand down its military activity in the Middle East," he said, adding "it is very difficult to suddenly see an end to the tensions."

The United States and Iraq opened talks on the future of the US-led troop presence in January, following a request by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani for a timetable for their withdrawal.

Washington has some 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq as part of an international coalition against the Islamic State group.

Its troops in Iraq are deployed at the invitation of Baghdad, but those in Syria are located in areas outside Syrian government control.
French navy enforces fishing ban to protect dolphins



Ploemeur, France, Feb 8 (AFP) Feb 08, 2024



"They see us, and we see them," said French Navy Lieutenant Dany, board commander of a nimble Falcon 50 surveillance plane flying over the vast Bay of Biscay.

His mission? Making sure that a month-long commercial fishing ban imposed to protect dolphins is respected.

The French government said last month it would ban most fishing in the area temporarily for the first time since World War II to safeguard stocks of the marine mammals.

Around 9,000 dolphins die each year off the French Atlantic coast as a result of accidental capture.

From Finistere in the extreme west of Brittany to the Spanish border, fishing is almost entirely banned until February 20.

The navy is tasked with enforcing the ban that has won applause from environmentalists and follows a recommendation for a winter fishing pause by CIEM, a scientific body that tracks North Atlantic ecosystems, but is fiercely opposed by industrial fishermen.

The navy plane and its crew of five, equipped with cameras and laptops, took off from the Lann-Bihoue base in Brittany on a recent weekday morning to scrutinise the calm waters in case any unauthorised boat should defy the ban.

Observation data are sent to the national fishing observation centre CNSP which determines whether a boat is cleared for fishing, and with what equipment.

"We can't actually see what kind of equipment they deploy under water, all we can see whether they are fishing or just passing through," said Dany, who according to French military convention only gave his first name.



- 'We fly low' -



Some 450 boats are targeted by the ban that came into force on January 22.

Smaller boats under eight metres long (26 feet) are not covered by the ban, and bigger ones according to the fishing nets they use.

The Falcon, which Dany said is "very fast", flies over vast zones several times per week.

"Our flight today, for example, is three hours long, with two hours over the exclusion zone, and we've covered 28,000 kilometres square," he said, almost the size of Belgium.

The crew check their observation data against signals emitted by ships under the Automatic Identification System designed to avoid collisions at sea.

"We fly low," said Dany.

"We fly low," said Dany. "'That's part of our deployment for constant maritime security."'

The missions also have a pedagogical function, said Alexandre Busch, a captain at the 24F patrol squadron based at Lann-Bihoue.

"Sometimes fishermen are not aware of the rules," he said.

But the navy officers can also hand out on the spot fines.

None of 15 boats the Falcon 50's crew checked out during this mission were found in violation of any rules, Dany said, adding that the ban was visibly having an impact.

"Fishing activity has been much lower than usual these past few weeks," he said.

The fishing industry is fuming over the ban, with the French National Fisheries Committee (CNPMEM) denouncing "extremist NGOs" and claiming that the marine mammals are "not endangered".

Fish processing companies estimate they could lose more than 60 million euros ($65 million) because of the ban.

France's minister for Ecological Transition, Christophe Bechu, said Tuesday that the government would keep its promise of covering 80 to 85 percent of revenues lost.
Israel strike wounds Hezbollah official in Lebanon: security source



Beirut, Feb 8 (AFP) Feb 08, 2024



An Israeli air strike on a car in south Lebanon seriously wounded a military official of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah on Thursday, a Lebanese security source said.

The official was "seriously wounded and a companion was also injured" in the strike in the city of Nabatiyeh, some way from the border region that has seen almost daily exchanges of fire since the Israel-Hamas war broke out last October, the source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported that the vehicle had caught fire after it was hit by missile fired by an Israeli drone as it entered Nabatiyeh at around 4:15 pm (1415 GMT).

The Lebanese army closed off the main road where the strike took place, an AFP photographer reported.

The Israeli military said it was "examining reports" of the strike, when asked by AFP for comment.

Earlier, Hezbollah said it had targeted a brigade headquarters in the Israeli border town of Kiryat Shmona in the latest exchanges between the two sides.

Since the day after Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, which sparked the Gaza war, Hezbollah has targeted Israeli army positions along on the border in support of the Palestinian Islamist movement.

Israel has repeatedly bombarded Lebanese border villages, killing 227 people, mostly Hezbollah fighters but also 27 civilians, according to an AFP tally.

On the Israeli side, 15 people have been killed in the northern border area including nine soldiers and six civilians, according to the Israeli army.
Israel bombs Gaza's crowded Rafah city as battlefront nears



Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories, Feb 8 (AFP) Feb 08, 2024



Israel's armed forces stepped up air strikes on Gaza's far-southern Rafah on Thursday as fears of ground fighting grew among the more than one million Palestinians crowded into the city.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken left Israel without securing a pause in fighting, wrapping up his fifth crisis tour of the Middle East since the war started.

Heavy fighting raged on despite international efforts towards a ceasefire in the bloodiest ever Gaza war sparked by Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered troops to "prepare to operate" in Rafah, after rejecting what he labelled Hamas's "bizarre demands" in truce talks.

Netanyahu announced the order despite UN chief Antonio Guterres warning that a military push into Rafah "would exponentially increase what is already a humanitarian nightmare".

AFP journalists reported that Israel carried out at least seven air strikes overnight in the Rafah area, terrifying civilians crowded into shelters and makeshift camps.

"These strikes are proof there is no safety in Rafah," said resident Umm Hassan, 48, whose home was damaged in the shelling of the nearby house of a local police chief.

"Look at the residential unit they just blew up," he said. "Regarding Netanyahu's threat to invade Rafah, we are people of faith. We are not worried. Life is one and God is one."

Strikes and ground combat continued across the Hamas-ruled territory, now in its fifth month of war, where the health ministry said another 130 people were killed in 24 hours.



- Cairo truce talks -



Blinken ended his fifth tour of the region, where US forces have been drawn into related conflicts from Iraq to Yemen.

The US top envoy stopped short of calling on Israel not to move on Rafah, but warned that any "military operation that Israel undertakes needs to put civilians first and foremost".

On the ceasefire talks, Blinken insisted he still saw "space for agreement to be reached" to halt the fighting and bring home hostages.

Egypt was set to host new talks on Thursday with Qatari and Hamas negotiators hoping to achieve "calm" in Gaza and a prisoner-hostage exchange, an Egyptian official said.

Blinken told reporters that Hamas's counter-proposal had at least offered an opportunity "to pursue negotiations".

"While there are some clear non-starters in Hamas's response, we do think it creates space for agreement to be reached, and we will work at that relentlessly until we get there," he said.

Hamas said a delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya, a leading member of the group's political bureau, was travelling to Cairo.

A Gaza-based Palestinian official close to the militant group later told AFP: "We expect the negotiations to be very complex and difficult.

"But Hamas is open to discussions and the movement is keen to reach a ceasefire," added the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The official said the talks would concentrate on the first phase of a proposed ceasefire, which was envisioned to last "about six weeks".

During that time, talks would be held about an exchange of hostages for women and children held in Israeli prisons, and the entry of hundreds of aid trucks to Gaza.



- 'War crime' charge -



Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7 resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Israel vowed to eliminate Hamas and launched air strikes and a ground offensive that have killed at least 27,840 people, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry.

Militants also seized around 250 hostages. Israel says 132 remain in Gaza, of whom 29 are believed to have died.

Months of bombardment and siege have deepened a humanitarian crisis, especially in southern Gaza.

"Their living conditions are abysmal," UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said. "They lack the basic necessities to survive, stalked by hunger, disease and death."

UN rights chief Volker Turk charged that Israel was committing a "war crime" with its reported destruction of buildings to create a "buffer zone" along the border inside Gaza.

Israel's "extensive destruction of property, not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly, amounts to a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and a war crime", he said in a statement.

The Gaza war has sparked a surge in violence across the region by Iran-backed groups operating in solidarity with Hamas, drawing retaliatory attacks from Israel and the United States and its allies.

A US air strike in Iraq on Wednesday killed a senior commander from a pro-Iran armed group who US Central Command said was "responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on US forces".

The strike came after Washington last week launched a wave of attacks on Iran-linked targets in Iraq and Syria following the killing of three US troops in neighbouring Jordan.

US and British forces have also struck Yemen's Huthi rebels to deter their attacks on Red Sea shipping.

In other diplomatic attempts to end the war, Jordan's King Abdullah II left on a tour of the United States, Canada, France and Germany, the royal court said.

The White House said President Joe Biden and the king would discuss the "US effort to support the Palestinian people including through enhanced humanitarian assistance into Gaza and a vision for a durable peace to include a two-state solution with Israel's security guaranteed".

Israel meanwhile hosted its latest foreign leader, Argentina's President Javier Milei, a staunch ally who toured a kibbutz targeted in the October 7 raids.

Milei voiced his backing for Israel's war against Hamas, calling the Palestinian Islamists a "terrorist group" who had committed "a crime against humanity".

burs-jd/fz/kir
Valery Zaluzhny: revered commander at odds with Zelensky



Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb 8 (AFP) Feb 08, 2024



General Valery Zaluzhny, who led the Ukrainian army throughout Russia's invasion, is revered by many Ukrainians as the man who thwarted Moscow's plan to seize Kyiv.

While he has avoided the political spotlight, Zaluzhny is credited with spearheading some of Ukraine's most successful battles against Russia, including the liberation of Kherson city in November 2022.

But the failure of a much-vaunted counter-offensive last year and public disagreement with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has tarnished his reputation in the president's office.

After weeks of swirling rumours, Zelensky finally dismissed Zaluzhny on Thursday.

Speaking immediately after, Zaluzhny conceded Ukraine's strategy should change, almost two years into Russia's invasion.

"The tasks of 2022 are different from those of 2024. Therefore, everyone must change and adapt to the new realities as well. In order to win together," he said.

In November 2023, Zaluzhny told The Economist that the conflict with Russia was at a "stalemate" and there would "most likely be no deep and beautiful breakthrough", an admission that Zelensky flatly denied.

In an opinion piece for CNN three months later, the 50-year-old said the army was bogged down by "regulatory framework" and called for urgent modernisation.

Zaluzhny said Ukraine's army could not grow unless lawmakers took "unpopular" measures to mobilise more men, a highly contentious issue in Ukraine and a measure that Zelensky has been reluctant to implement.

His public comments -- mainly to Western news outlets -- have been a source of constant consternation for Zelensky, already struggling to maintain unity amid infighting in Ukraine's parliament.

And while Zaluzhny did not explicitly mention Zelensky by name, reports of a deepening rift between the two continued to swirl.



- 'A legendary figure' -



The commander came to symbolise Ukraine's defiance and has become one of the country's most popular figures, according to several opinion polls.

Media reports said this popularity may have sparked jealousy from Zelensky's entourage.

Ukrainians credited Zaluzhny with the failure of an initial Russian plan to take Kyiv and for the successful offensives in late 2022 in which Ukrainian troops took back large swathes of territory.

Russia's plans for a "Blitzkrieg, a change of power and of Ukraine's geopolitical orientation have been ruined", Zaluzhny wrote on Facebook two weeks after the start of the invasion.

"No matter how difficult it is for us, (this war) will certainly not bring shame on us," he wrote.

In 2022, the Ukrainian edition of Vogue magazine carried an article about Zaluzhny, calling him "a legendary figure". TIME magazine named him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world alongside Zelensky.



- New generation commander -



Zaluzhny was born on July 8, 1973 at a Soviet military base in Novograd-Volynsky in northwest Ukraine.

He has been in the military for 24 years.

When Russia-backed separatists began seizing territory in eastern Ukraine in 2014, he helped lead operations to fight back.

Named head of the military's northern command in 2019, he was promoted to commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces in July 2021 by Zelensky.

The general prioritised reforms in the army to meet the standards of the NATO military alliance which Ukraine wants to join despite Russia's opposition.

A few months later, in a rare interview, he warned about "the threat of a major aggression" by Moscow.

"We have to prepare for it," said Zaluzhny, a father of two daughters including one serving in the military.

Underlining his role as a member of a younger generation of officers with combat experience against the separatists, he called on Ukraine's military command to "use all means" to "preserve the life and health" of soldiers.

Despite his popularity, Zaluzhny has never signalled any political ambition and his public pronouncements are rare.
Oleksandr Syrsky: the Ukrainian general who led defence of Kyiv



Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb 8 (AFP) Feb 08, 2024



Ukraine's new armed forces chief, Oleksandr Syrsky is credited with defending Kyiv when Russian forces invaded, helping to scupper the Kremlin's plans to bring the country to its knees within days.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday appointed the 58-year-old as head of the army, dismissing Valery Zaluzhny after days of swirling rumours about a major military reshuffle in wartime.

Days after Russia abandoned its attempt to seize the Ukrainian capital last year, Zelensky had awarded Syrsky the Hero of Ukraine award, the country's highest honour.

In the April 2022 decree, Zelensky praised Syrsky's "personal courage" and his "significant contribution to the defence of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity".

Six months later, Syrsky inflicted yet another humiliating defeat on Russia, commanding Ukraine's lightning Autumn 2022 counter-offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region.

The assault stunned Russian forces into an embarrassing retreat and reclaimed swathes of territory.

Despite those successes, Syrsky is not a national icon like his predecessor Zaluzhny, admired by Ukrainians across the country and adored by his troops.

Some 48 percent of Ukrainians said they had not heard of Syrsky, according to a December 2023 poll.



- Contrast to predecessor -



He rarely makes headlines, unlike Zaluzhny or Zelensky, who in two years of war have risen to celebrity status around the world.

While lacking in charisma compared to other senior Ukrainian officials, the Syrsky is content with dry official communications.

But his staff say this does not mean he has confined himself to a desk.

Syrsky is "one of the few high-ranking commanders to regularly visit the frontline," army spokesman Illia Yevlash told AFP.

The influential news site Ukrainska Pravda this week published a column suggesting Syrsky is not sensitive to losses.

He "has developed a reputation as a man who values getting things done more than the number of lives he sacrifices to do so," the article read.

The army often publishes footage of him in combat gear, wearing a helmet, bullet-proof vest and armed, shaking hands or laughing with soldiers in trenches.

Like most senior officers of his generation, Syrsky was born in Soviet Russia, in 1965, and studied at a Red Army academy in Moscow.

In the 1980s he was deployed to Ukraine, then part of the Soviet Union.

But when the Soviet Union collapsed, he remained in Ukraine, studying at the National Defence University in Kyiv and joining the ranks of the newly independent Ukrainian army.

In the 2000s he was head of the Ukrainian army's 72nd mechanised brigade, based in Bila Tserkva, around 100 kilometres (62 miles) south of Kyiv.

He was made a general in 2009 and later, as part of Ukraine's military command, was involved in developing cooperation with NATO.

When Russia annexed Crimea and unleashed a separatist conflict in 2014, Syrsky became one of Kyiv's top commanders in a war to prevent Russian-backed forces from seizing the whole of the eastern Donbas region.

In early 2015, he coordinated a difficult retreat from Debaltseve, a major railway junction where the Ukrainians were heavily outnumbered.

Two years later Syrsky was appointed commander of Ukraine's entire military operation in the east -- overseeing troops across a frontline that remained largely static until Moscow launched its full-scale invasion from the east, north and south in February 2022.

bur-ant/jc/oc/bc
End of US aid to Ukraine a 'gift to Putin,' warns Clinton, experts



New York, Feb 8 (AFP) Feb 08, 2024



Ending aid to Ukraine would mark a rupture of US leadership and a fracturing of NATO, warned experts including former secretary of state Hillary Clinton who raised the alarm over Donald Trump's possible reelection.

She was speaking in New York at a gathering to map out Ukraine's future after two years at war with Russia.

"This is a decisive time not just for Ukraine, but for the West or NATO," Clinton told the audience Wednesday at Columbia University, where she became a lecturer after losing the 2016 presidential election to Trump.

Clinton's time as Washington's chief diplomat from 2009 to 2013 coincided with a marked souring of US-Russia relations.

"How we respond or fail to respond will immeasurably impact the state of the 21st century global order," she said.

Washington is Kyiv's main military backer, with over $110 billion already released by Congress -- but the world's leading power has failed for months to vote new funds for Ukraine.

Amid internal bickering between Republican lawmakers, over whom Trump holds sway, and a tug-of-war with President Joe Biden's Democrats, Congress again postponed a vote on aid to Kyiv and Washington's leading Middle East ally Israel.

But on Thursday in a surprise, the US Senate voted to move forward with the aid package, as several Republicans joined Democrats in agreeing to open debate.

Even if the bill passes the Senate, it remained unclear whether there is sufficient backing in the Republican-controlled House to get it to Biden's desk.

Clinton, an advocate of US engagement overseas, said it was "shameful that aid to Ukraine continues to be held up in Congress because of petty politics."

The former first lady and ex-senator made an impassioned plea that "we can't let the aggression by Russia and the suffering of Ukrainians go unnoticed and without response."



- 'Grim picture' -



To do so would be a "gift to Vladimir Putin and a blow to America's global leadership in the cause of freedom and democracy."

Kimberly Marten, a professor of political science at Columbia's Barnard College, said Putin "believes that Donald Trump is likely to win the upcoming election. And that when that happens, NATO will fall apart."

The former Republican president and Biden's likely second-term opponent in November, Trump has been skeptical about Washington's continued aid to Kyiv, and has even threatened to pull out of the NATO security alliance if returned to the White House.

"If we don't help them, they will lose (influence) in Washington, they will lose on the battlefield as well," former US ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch warned.

"The Russians are counting on a former president Trump victory and that that will be all sorts of things for us and for them -- including us pulling out of NATO."

Yovanovitch cautioned such a scenario would be "a very, very grim picture of us abandoning allies and providing assistance to adversaries, basically."

Ian Bremmer, of the Eurasia Group think tank and professor of international relations at Columbia, said the situation was more balanced.

"It's not about us leaving NATO -- it's more about the level of commitment of the United States," he said.

The knife-edge question of American commitment to the established global security architecture comes against a backdrop of "growing populist movements, Eurosceptic movements," he said.

Bremmer suggested such factions "will probably have a larger percentage of support after upcoming European Parliamentary elections in countries like France and Germany (and) are going to likely align themselves with Trump."
Ecuador mulls sending Russian military 'scrap' to Ukraine



Quito, Feb 8 (AFP) Feb 08, 2024



Ecuador is weighing up sending its old Russian military equipment to the United States so that it can be transferred to Ukraine, a US official said in Quito Thursday.

"I understand that the Ecuadoran government is still studying the issue," US Assistant Secretary of State for South America Kevin Sullivan said on local TV.

"This is an agreement aimed at transferring equipment to the Ukrainian government, which is fighting against the Russian invasion of its territory," he added.

President Daniel Noboa announced last month that Quito had agreed to exchange Russian military equipment that had become "scrap metal" for new US weapons worth around $200 million.

Ecuador will send six Russian military helicopters, long-range rocket launchers and air defense systems to the United States. Local media reports the equipment dates back to the 1990s.

In exchange, Ecuador will receive modern weapons to confront powerful drug trafficking gangs that have the country in a chokehold.

"We assume that such a reckless decision was taken by the Ecuadoran side under strong pressure from external interested parties," Russian spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said last week.

She said Quito was contractually obliged "not to transfer (this equipment) to a third party" without Russia's agreement.

"If it was 'scrap metal', it is unlikely that Washington would have offered modern vehicles of considerable cost in exchange," she added.

In Quito, Russian Ambassador Vladimir Sprinchan has had several "frank" meetings with the government in recent days, according to the embassy's account on X, formerly Twitter.

Russia, one of the main consumers of Ecuadoran bananas, announced last week that it was banning the purchase of the fruit from five exporters from Monday. The same measure will be applied to Ecuadoran flowers.

Moscow said it took the measure because the Ecuadoran banana is affected by the humpback fly, but the local plant health control agency says the insect is neither a serious agricultural pest nor a health risk.

Noboa, in an interview with the Ecuavisa TV channel, said "we are not going to cut ties with Russia" and insisted that shipping out "scrap" military hardware was not against international law.

"I think the stance they (Russia) are taking is not adequate. We are also at war here."

Once considered a bastion of peace in Latin America, Ecuador has been plunged into crisis by the rapid spread of transnational cartels that use its ports to ship drugs to the United States and Europe.

In January, Noboa declared a state of emergency after a prominent drug lord escaped from prison, sparking a spasm of violence as gangs took hostage scores of prison officials and carried out attacks that left about 20 people dead.

The army sent troops and tanks to regain control of detention centers which had become the criminal headquarters of the main gangs, who Noboa calls "terrorists."

sp/lv/hba/fb/sst
Washington (AFP) Feb 3, 2024



Will the increasingly intense US military strikes in Iraq and Syria deter pro-Iranian militants there from launching new attacks?



Washington (AFP) Feb 5, 2024



American forces carried out air strikes against five missiles in Yemen on Sunday - one designed for land attack and the others for targeting ships, the US military said.



Baghdad (AFP) Feb 4, 2024



The head of Iraq's pro-Iran Hashed al-Shaabi alliance on Sunday demanded the withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from the country following deadly strikes.



Sanaa (AFP) Feb 4, 2024



Yemen's Huthis said Sunday US and British air strikes "will not deter us" and vowed a response after dozens of targets were hit in retaliation for the Iran-backed rebels' repeated Red Sea attacks.



Seoul (AFP) Feb 4, 2024



Russia's deputy foreign minister Andrey Rudenko visited South Korea to discuss the Ukrainian war and bilateral ties, Seoul's foreign ministry said Sunday, as the two countries trade increasingly heated rhetoric over the nuclear-armed North.



Baghdad (AFP) Feb 2, 2024



Iraq's pro-Iran Al-Nujaba movement said Friday it intends to press on with attacks on US troops in the Middle East, despite Washington's threat to hit back after three of its soldiers were killed in Jordan.



Male, Maldives (AFP) Feb 2, 2024



India will start withdrawing its troops deployed in the Maldives from next month, Male's foreign ministry said after talks on Friday.



Seoul (AFP) Feb 2, 2024



North Korea fired multiple cruise missiles Friday, Seoul's military said, continuing a fresh streak of weapons testing as Kim Jong Un's regime ramps up what it calls "war preparations".



Hong Kong (AFP) Feb 4, 2024



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On Board The Uss Carl Vinson (AFP) Feb 1, 2024



The US and Japanese navies held joint exercises in the Philippine Sea this week, in a show of force as tensions with China and North Korea rise.



Damascus (AFP) Feb 3, 2024



Damascus said Saturday that US occupation of Syrian territory "cannot continue" after Washington carried out deadly strikes in retaliation for a drone attack that killed three US soldiers in Jordan.



Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories (AFP) Feb 3, 2024



Palestinian militant group Hamas on Saturday condemned overnight US strikes in Iraq and Syria, saying Washington had poured "oil on the fire" in the Middle East.



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The United Nations Security Council reported this week that Al-Qaeda established eight new training camps and maintains several safe houses in Afghanistan, but the Taliban rejects the claim.



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Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 02, 2024



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Seoul (AFP) Feb 2, 2024



North Korea fired multiple cruise missiles Friday, Seoul's military said, continuing a fresh streak of weapons testing as Kim Jong Un's regime ramps up what it calls "war preparations".



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Strasbourg, France (AFP) Feb 6, 2024



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Shijiazhuang, China Feb 7, 2024



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WARSAW, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Czeslaw Siekierski met with representatives of regional agricultural chambers on Wednesday to listen to their demands in an effort to prevent a month-long nationwide protest.

"European agriculture is losing its competitiveness. Polish farmers have suffered the most significant losses due to the influx of agricultural products from Ukraine," Siekierski was quoted by local media as saying.

The minister said that he and his colleagues would hold talks at the Ministry of Finance on Thursday to discuss how to support the agriculture sector. "In addition to low-interest loans, there should be subsidies for cereals and possibly fertilizers," he said.

According to Wiktor Szmulewicz, the president of the National Council of Agricultural Chambers, farmers oppose the implementation of the European Green Deal and the import of agricultural products from Ukraine, demanding support for animal husbandry.

Farmers announced a country-wide thirty-day protest scheduled to start on Friday. One of their reasons is the European Union (EU)'s extension of duty-free trade in agricultural goods with Ukraine until 2025. Additionally, they also want a departure from the requirements of the so-called Green Deal, saying that it hampers agricultural production in the bloc by imposing additional environmental regulations. 
Set from 1988 to 2007, it tells the story of Dexter and Emma (Leo Woodall and Ambika Mod), who meet on their last night at university. Across 20 years, we see them fall in and out of love, across a backdrop of some of Londons most famous parks, country houses and hotels. But where exactly was it filmed? We break down some of the series key locations.
However, the latest data shows that vaccination rates have fallen sharply in England since the pandemic. Just 72.8 per cent of children in the capital had received both doses of the MMR vaccine by the age of five in September 2023  by far the lowest proportion in the country.
Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Allen, who is leading the investigation, said: We are carrying out extensive enquiries into Dimitrios death and as part of this we need to know more details about him and his background.
The then health secretary initially insisted to journalists that there had been no personal use of the device, but later went on to make an emotional statement to MSPs in which he revealed his sons had used it as a hotspot so they could watch football while on a family holiday in Morocco.
Although noting the Bill was limited in scope, Labour frontbencher Lord Liddle said: It is nonetheless tackling something which has been a considerable nuisance and ensuring that its properly regulated and ensuring the pedicab sector doesnt damage Londons reputation as an attractive tourist centre, which I think is very important.
Girls sing during a Chinese New Year celebration at the University of Malta in Msida, Malta, on Feb. 7, 2024. The Confucius Institute at the University of Malta on Wednesday night held celebrations for the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year, featuring Chinese folk music, dance, singing and martial arts performance. (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian)

VALLETTA, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute at the University of Malta on Wednesday night held celebrations for the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year, featuring Chinese folk music, dance, singing and martial arts performance.

About 100 attendees gathered at the university to celebrate the Year of the Dragon, which begins on Feb. 10. The audience offered warm applause to the captivating performances. The gala ended with a group rendition of the Chinese song "Descendants of the Dragon."

During the event, two teens from the Malta School of Wushu-Longgui mesmerized the audience with their martial arts displays.

Expressing satisfaction with the event's success, Dennis Mizzi, the foreign director of the Confucius Institute, hailed it as the institute's largest endeavor to mark the Chinese New Year to date.

Mizzi proudly remarked on the proficiency of his students in speaking Chinese, emphasizing the importance of language as a vehicle for fostering cooperation between nations.

"Performances, dances, and music can also be another kind of bridge between our two cultures. We can learn and discover about one another and appreciate our similarities, our differences," he added. Looking forward, he expressed his expectation for an increase in the number of students learning Chinese.

On Monday, around 400 teachers and students attended a Chinese New Year celebration event at St Ignatius College Handaq Middle School in Hal Qormi in southern Malta. 
The prince said: Id like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days. It means a great deal to us all.
The Sun and the Daily Mail lead with Prince Williams first outing since his fathers cancer diagnosis, as he was joined by Tom Cruise at a fundraiser and thanked the public for their support.
Abbas Gallyamov, a former Putin speechwriter who became a political analyst, said on Facebook Thursday that the decision to keep Nadezhdin off the ballot showed that "all of Putin's mega-popularity, which official sociology constantly broadcasts, all that 'rally around the national leader' that Peskov regularly talks about is, in fact, a highly artificial and unstable structure that does not withstand any contact with reality."
He said Carlson was a mouthpiece of former US president Donald Trump and Putin, adding: As Putin is a war criminal and the EU sanctions all who assist him in that effort, it seems logical that the External Action Service examine his case as well."
Celebrity chef, teacher and food writer Andrea Nguyens recipes can often be found over at the NYT Cooking  but if youre already well acquainted with her online recipes, you might be looking to take it up a notch. Vietnamese Food Any Day works through a variety of classic, speedy Vietnamese dishes including Banh mi, Pho, honey-glazed pork riblets, turmeric coconut rice and more. Dedicated to helping you work with the ingredients youve got, you wont have to take a trip to a speciality grocery store in order to cook with Nguyen. Named one of the best cookbooks of the year by NPR, youd be remiss not to add this bible to your collection.
LONDON, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- One of Britain's two state-of-the-art aircraft carriers will not take part in the largest NATO exercise in Europe since the Cold War after last-minute checks found a problem with its propeller, the Royal Navy has said.

HMS Queen Elizabeth, due to sail on Sunday (Feb. 4) for Exercise Steadfast Defender, will be replaced by its sister ship HMS Prince of Wales. The two vessels are designated as The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers and form the central components of the UK Carrier Strike Group.

The Royal Navy said on X that an issue with "a coupling on starboard propeller shaft" on HMS Queen Elizabeth was found in routine pre-sailing checks, and HMS Prince of Wales would set sail "as soon as possible."

The last-minute change of plan was "highly embarrassing" and would "compound concerns over limitations to the Royal Navy's capabilities," said British newspaper The Financial Times.

The problem on HMS Queen Elizabeth came less than two years after HMS Prince of Wales was sidelined from training exercises with the United States and Canada off North America due to propeller issue. 
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- NASA launched a new satellite mission into orbit early Thursday to study ocean health, air quality and the effects of a changing climate for the benefit of humanity.

Known as PACE, the Plankton, Aerosol, Climate, ocean Ecosystem satellite was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 1:33 a.m. Eastern Time Thursday (0633 GMT) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

NASA confirmed signal acquisition from the satellite about five minutes after launch, and the spacecraft was performing as expected.

According to NASA, the PACE mission will study the impact of tiny, often invisible things -- microscopic life in water and microscopic particles in the air from hundreds of miles above Earth.

The satellite's hyperspectral ocean color instrument will allow researchers to measure oceans and other waterbodies across a spectrum of ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared light.

Scientists and coastal resource managers can use the data to help forecast the health of fisheries, track harmful algal blooms and identify changes in the marine environment.

The spacecraft also carries two polarimeter instruments, which will detect how sunlight interacts with particles in the atmosphere, giving researchers new information on atmospheric aerosols and cloud properties, as well as air quality at local, regional and global scales.

With the combination of the instrument and the polarimeters, PACE will provide insights into the interactions of ocean and atmosphere and how a changing climate affects these interactions, according to NASA. 
The Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja, had meetings in Washington on Thursday with a number of American officials, which resulted in "a total support" shown for the Romanian civil nuclear programme, including the project of small size modular reactors (SMR).

"My last day in Washington started well, as a guest at a working breakfast at the headquarters of the American Central European Business Association (ACEBA) with the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Energy, Andrew Light, PhD. We strive to attract American investments in the Romanian energy sector. New meetings of major importance followed at the Capitol, with three senators: Todd Young (Indiana), Committee on Finance and Committee on International Relations, Steve Daines (Montana), Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and Committee on Finance; Joe Manchin (West Virginia), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Support is total for the Romanian civil nuclear programme, including the project of small modular reactors, which can be accelerated and can be among the first achievements of this kind in the world," the minister wrote on his Facebook account.

He emphasized that in the coming days he will have other meetings, being invited to Harvard University.

"It was an honour to represent Romania in the last few days in front of our partners in Washington. Together we are working on the energy of the future. The next days are just as full. I have the honour of being invited to a place dear to me, Harvard University," Burduja also wrote on the social network.

On the other hand, he indicated that, in the country, through the Ministry of Energy, new calls for financing from European funds (PNRR) were launched: 278 million euros for the production of batteries and photovoltaic panels, respectively for the acquisition of capacities storage.
Prime minister Marcel Ciolacu declared on Thursday, at the beginning of the Government meeting, that he will propose to the private business environment a national programme for the accelerated expansion of dual education, as a solution to a structural problem of the economy.

"Another priority, after the discussions of the last few weeks with the representatives of all the big investors, both Romanian and foreign, is to find solutions for the labour force deficit. It is a structural problem of the economy and, therefore, I will propose to the private sector a national programme for the accelerated expansion of dual education. This partnership must enable us, in the next five years, to have annually 50,000 places demanded by the business environment in dual education, five times more than now. By the time we have merging elections, I propose joining the effort between the state and the private sector to find solutions that will concretely help the economy," Marcel Ciolacu said.

The head of the Executive announced that, next week, he will have a meeting with employers from the Confederation of Concordia and the National Council of SMEs "to consolidate a package of support measures for Romanian companies".
Six foreign nationals were detected by border police from the western Sannicolau Mare sector on Wednesday evening attempting to cross the border illegally into Hungary, near the village of Pordeanu.

The six foreigners came from India (two), Ethiopia (two) and one from Pakistan and Sri Lanka, aged between 20 and 36. The six entered Romania legally and tried to cross the border fraudulently into Hungary in order to reach Western Europe, according to a press release issued by the Timisoara Border Police on Thursday.

They were detected during a specific action carried out by border police to combat illegal migration, about 50 m from the border line with Hungary. As the group did not justify their presence in the area, they were taken to the sector headquarters for checks.

The border police are investigating the attempted fraudulent crossing of the state border by foreign nationals, and the appropriate legal measures will be taken upon completion of the investigation.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- U.S. author Marianne Williamson announced on Wednesday that she is ending her 2024 presidential campaign.

Williamson, a Democrat, made the announcement in a YouTube video, saying that "it is time to suspend my campaign for the presidency."

With Williamson's exit, U.S. Congressman Dean Phillips is the lone Democratic challenger to incumbent President Joe Biden, who won easily the New Hampshire and Nevada primaries, the first two nominating contests of their party.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has prevailed in the Republican Party's Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary and is set to win the Nevada caucus scheduled for Thursday.

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. 
David Catlin first encountered Moby Dick, Herman Melvilles doorstopper novel about an ill-fated whaling voyage, when he was in college, and he put off reading it for class until the last minute. I had 36 hours to read it, he says. I drank a bunch of coffee and  stayed awake for 36 hours in what felt like a fever dream.

Reading Moby Dick in less than two days is an impressive feat, but Catlin may have topped it. He adapted the 400-plus page book into a stage play that runs two hours and 15 minutes (before adding two 15 minute intermissions).

The adaptation will be at the Rep from Feb. 6 to 25, and the obvious question is how? Condensing the book is one thing, but bringing a whaling voyage to the stage? The story is about the crew of the Pequod, a whaling vessel led by Captain Ahab. He lost his leg to Moby Dick, one of the biggest white whales to ever swim the sea, and is now bent on vengeance at any cost. Characters climb masts, go overboard, harpoon whales and more in the sea adventure.

The show has to deliver a spectacle, and it does primarily through use of acrobatics.

The actors are brilliant, says Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi, who choreographed the play. We cast people who are really game to take the story to the ultimate level. And the actors arent just acting, which is a huge feat, theyre swinging through the air  and they really embody the character and do these crazy physical feats.

Plus, a little bit of theater magic will make audiences feel that Moby Dick is swimming in the theater. Exactly how is top secret. That is part of the excitement, that youre with a group of people that have that aha moment of Oh my gosh, that was a white whale, Catlin says.

Hernandez-DiStasi and Catlin have had time to perfect the shows magic. The idea to adapt Moby Dick came from a Chicago-based puppeteer, who got a grant from Boeing for three theater companies to each develop the novel into a stage play. Hernandez-DiStasi and Catlin worked on a version for Lookingglass Theatre Company in Chicago, where Catlin was the artistic director. The play premiered in 2017.

Since then theyve done Moby Dick in Atlanta; Washington, D.C.; and Costa Mesa, California. The design team stays largely the same and Catlin and Hernandez-DiStasi also often reuse cast members if theyre available. Catlin says that 5 of the 10 current cast members have been in the show before.

People come back to visit, even when they arent in the show, Hernandez-DiStasi says.

For Catlin, adapting the novel to include women was a challenge. The crew of the Pequod is all dudes.

I was struck by the absence of the feminine in that world, says Catlin. And yet, ships are referred to with the female pronoun. We even see the ocean as this amniotic environment. If we return to the sea, were returning to our mother in a way.

So Catlin drew on a line that appears early in the book, Ishmael says, These stage managers, the fates set me down for the shabby part of a whaling voyage. And Catlin wrote in three fates to add feminine characters to the show.

The play also deals with race. Moby Dick was published in 1851. Were less than a decade away from the U.S. splitting apart in the Civil War, Catlin says, and the country had just passed the Fugitive Slave Act, which required all slaves to be returned even if theyd escaped to a free state or territory. Plus, the federal government had to find, return and try escaped slaves.

The crew of the Pequod is from all over the world. Queequeg is "20,000 miles" away from home, according to the play, when he meets Ishmael in Bedford, Massachusetts. Another character, Cabaco is from an island in the northern Indian Ocean. The Pequots were the indigenous people of Connecticut and were slaughtered in a genocide in the 1630s.

Catlin says that the pastiche of characters manning the Pequod is intentional. Its 33 men, and back then the United States had 33 states. Plus, America was often called a ship of state. Is Moby Dick an allegory?

Well, Melville said it wasnt, but scholars have said that there are at least some intriguing parallels.

In a way, hes presenting what feels like a meritocracy, where people are valued more for their skills in whaling than based on backgrounds, Catlin says. Thats not to say theres not racism, theres not privilege. But at the time, hes presenting something that is more hopeful.

The play also includes sea shanties and a score from composer and sound designer Rick Sims thats inspired by the ebb and flow of the ocean.

We were in rehearsal yesterday and  I was like Oh, for a second there, I was feeling like I was home in Florida, says Hernandez-DiStasi. Its really immersive.

Those familiar with the book will see some changes (Cabaco and Pip are one character, for instance), but Catlin tried to capture Melvilles style, and of course includes the famous opening line, Call me Ishmael.

Its a big, big extraordinary novel, says Catlin. That is a rollicking sea adventure  but also at times the writing feels very encyclopedic, where youre learning about the nature of different ways to coil rope and the classifications of whales. For us, we are able to really focus on the driving story, but still have little moments of tangentry.

If you go What: "Moby Dick" When: Feb. 7-25 Where: Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Road, Webster Groves How much: $30-$90 More info: repstl.org
ST. LOUIS  Top-selling forms of dicamba, the weedkiller that has ignited widespread controversy across agriculture for much of the last decade, can no longer be sprayed over the tops of crops across the U.S., according to a federal court ruling issued in Arizona.

The ruling strips federal approvals of the product sold by three leading manufacturers  Bayer, BASF, and Syngenta  forbidding it from being applied on top of soybean and cotton varieties that are engineered to withstand the herbicide, and that have helped it become so widely used.

The decision, issued Tuesday, affects such dicamba use in all 34 states where it had previously been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, including in Missouri and other Midwestern farming powerhouses.

If it stands, the decision is sure to send shockwaves through the agriculture world  with implications for farmers who use it, and for others who have complained of wide-ranging damage to crops, plants, and trees, sparked by the chemical, which is known to vaporize and drift off target.

The EPA said in an email on Wednesday that it was reviewing the decision.

Bayer  which sells both the chemical and the dicamba-tolerant seed varieties, originally developed by Creve Coeur-based Monsanto  said that its path forward would largely hinge on the agencys response or guidance.

We respectfully disagree with the ruling against the EPAs registration decision, and we are assessing our next steps, Bayer said in an emailed statement. Our top priority is making sure growers have the approved products and support they need to safely and successfully grow their crops. We will keep our customers updated as we learn more from the EPA in advance of the 2024 growing season.

Industry experts and analysts said the chemical companies could negotiate something short of an all-out ban.

But it is an important product for Bayer, said Damien Conover, a stock analyst with Morningstar. If this case leads to them being unable to sell product in the U.S.  thats a significant setback.

Meanwhile, the ruling was cheered by food and environmental organizations, such as the Center for Food Safety and the Center for Biological Diversity, among the groups that sued to block the chemicals use.

Dicamba has plainly caused some of the worst damage (to U.S. farms) weve ever seen, Meredith Stevenson, the staff attorney leading the Center for Food Safetys involvement with the case, said in a phone interview Wednesday.

The legal clash marks merely the latest conflict in dicambas contentious, and litigious, history. Though the chemical has been around for several decades, in the last 10 years, agribusiness titans such as Monsanto catapulted it into a top option for farmers, as weeds developed resistance to alternative herbicides like Roundup.

Use of dicamba skyrocketed after the company introduced cotton and soybean varieties that were engineered to withstand it  allowing farmers to spray those crops directly. But its soaring use has accompanied damage complaints on millions of acres of other farms  and even forests  where crops and plants are susceptible to harm.

Dicamba disputes have created a substantial rift in agriculture, on one hand helping unlock major yields for many adopters, but also pitting neighbor against neighbor. The controversies have fueled a pipeline of lawsuits  spanning row crops, vineyards, orchards, and beekeepers  along with state-by-state legal wrangling about how to manage the products.

One lawsuit, for instance, resulted in a jury saying that a Missouri peach farmer was entitled to a massive payout for damages to his orchard, with liability shouldered by dicamba producers like Bayer and BASF. Meanwhile, other cases  like the one in Arizona  have challenged the EPAs underlying approval of the chemical to be sprayed over the top of crops.

In the Arizona case, Judge David Bury said that the EPA had improperly sidestepped legal requirements about public comments surrounding dicamba  a very serious procedural error, he wrote.

The EPA denied the public its statutory right to meaningfully weigh in during the decision-making process, Bury wrote. He added that, since 2016, groups opposed to or at risk from dicamba have not been afforded an opportunity to be heard to create a record of objections to be considered by the EPA.

More details accompanying the ruling are expected to be released in the next week or so, said Stevenson, the food center attorney. That might help explain, for instance, how to handle dicamba products that are currently for sale or that farmers may already have in their possession.

In June 2020, a similar ruling that temporarily barred dicamba products from use allowed those who had already purchased it to use it that year.

But this latest court decision  coming in February, ahead of planting  could be different, and come with far narrower exceptions, if any, Stevenson said.

And this one might be lasting, she thinks, instead of quickly reversed. The 2020 decision, for instance, was negated by the EPA just four months later, when the agency reapproved over-the-top use of the dicamba in question.

Id be shocked if EPA tried it again, said Stevenson. This product is repeatedly causing national damage. ... Its just catastrophic.

Annika Merrilees of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
Joe Holleman Political correspondent/columnist Follow Joe Holleman Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Questions about how many hours a week Sam Alton  a top aide to St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell  works at outside jobs still are up in the air, and not even in the mail.

Three north St. Louis County cities, which all receive legal advice from Alton himself, have given different responses to Missouri Sunshine Law records requests for monthly invoices by the Post-Dispatch.

The responses can be described thusly:

One city claims it cant find the invoices.

Another city wants a month to provide the records.

A third has not even responded in any manner to the request.

And while the cities search for records, a member of the St. Louis County Council said he plans to continue looking closer at the countys policy on moonlighting.

Councilman Dennis Hancock, R-3rd District, said he wants to insure that county employees are not double-dipping.

We want to assure the taxpayers that theyre getting their moneys worth, he said at a council committee Tuesday.

The situation began to brew in November, when Alton was questioned at a County Council budget hearing about his outside employment.

At that time, Alton said his workload outside of serving as Bells chief of staff  a job he has held for five years  was less than three hours a week.

Although he has worked for as many as eight municipalities at once while serving as Bells chief of staff, Alton now is paid by three cities: Bellerive Acres, Breckenridge Hills and Pagedale.

But the short hours of work Alton claims have not been short on income.

During Altons five years on the county payroll, he has been paid $674,012 in salary. In that same time, he has earned at least $776,500 from his municipal side jobs.

As to chasing down records related to Altons outside work:

On Jan. 8, the Post-Dispatch requested copies of Altons monthly invoices  to see if they specified the billable hours submitted by Alton  from the three cities.

By Jan. 10, the cities  on Altons recommendation  refused to release the records, claiming they were not subject to disclosure under state law.

The next week, in an interview with the Post-Dispatch, Alton agreed that the billable hours very well could be subject to the Sunshine Law. All three cities were notified of that decision Jan. 18.

Lois Sampson-Hooker, city clerk of Pagedale, has not replied to any of four emails sent after the Jan. 10 record request.

Sheree Leaman, Breckenridge Hills clerk, replied on Jan. 24 that her email system had been broken and she also had a personal emergency.

On that same date, Jan. 24, Alton wrote the Post-Dispatch and said Leaman estimated that she could have the invoices ready by Feb. 24. He also said the charge would be $26 an hour.

Alton has not yet responded to questions from the Post-Dispatch about the high per-hour charge, compared to the rate charged by other cities.

And in Bellerive Acres, city clerk Deletra Hudson said in an email on Monday she was unable to find any invoices submitted by Alton.

I am new to the City of Bellerive Acres and unfortunately have not been able to locate an archived vendor file with monthly invoices, Hudson wrote the P-D on Monday.

One person, apparently, that Hudson has not contacted about finding Bellerive Acres invoices is Alderwoman Maureen Roach, who served as acting city clerk for two months this summer, until Hudson was hired.

Mr. Alton sent in monthly bills, with specific information about his hours and what he worked on, Roach said. I know because I saw them.

Roach said that as an alderman, bills to pay Alton have been on every monthly meetings agenda since he started with the city.

Along with the County Councils Hancock, Roach also has questioned Altons estimate that he works less than three hours a week for his municipal clients.

Hudson, who has worked for Bellerive Acres since September, has been in municipal finances for more than 20 years and once was the city manager of East St. Louis.

Previously, Hudson had been the city clerk in Jennings, where Alton previously served as city attorney. Both she and Alton quit their Jennings positions in August after battling with Mayor Gary Johnson.

Recently, Hudson was named in a lawsuit in St. Louis County Circuit Court in regards to her past work as city clerk of Pine Lawn. Four aldermen sued her and some other city officials for not making records available.

On the county front, Hancock said he will continue to pursue the matter, and has asked Council Chair Shalonda Webb, D-4th Ward, to schedule another meeting.

He said county employees should have a system similar to that of the county police officers, which keeps track of all outside employment for its officers.

Hancock said that because the county ordinances do not prohibit outside employment, he would look at the possibility of limiting or banning outside work by high-paid officials and also do a better job of monitoring the outside work of all employees.

He also felt confident that such changes would be approved by the County Council.

What elected official, he said, is opposed to open government?
Tony Messenger Metro columnist Follow Tony Messenger 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

ST. LOUIS  Christopher Dunn is getting his day in court.

Again.

This time, the Missouri Supreme Court wont stand in the way of his freedom.

On Wednesday, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore filed a motion to vacate the 1991 murder conviction that sent Dunn to prison. Gore, after an investigation headed by former Judge Booker Shaw, came to the same conclusion that his predecessor, Kim Gardner, did: Dunn is innocent and justice requires that he be set free.

Under a law passed by the Missouri Legislature in 2021, and spurred by Gardners efforts to free the wrongly convicted Lamar Johnson, Gore can seek a hearing before a new judge to prove that Dunn should be exonerated.

But it wont be the first time a judge came to the conclusion that Dunn, convicted in the shooting death of a 15-year-old boy, is actually innocent. The judges decision came in 2020. Dunn was represented by Kansas City attorney Kent Gipson then. At a hearing, Judge William H. Hickle determined that, based on recanted testimony and alibi witnesses, there was no way a jury would convict Dunn.

Hickle, though, couldnt set Dunn free. Thats because of a Missouri Supreme Court ruling that says innocence isnt enough to free a man unless he is on death row.

Dunn is not on death row. So for the past four years, he has stayed in prison as Gipson, attorneys with the Midwest Innocence Project and successive prosecutors in St. Louis sought his freedom.

I feel like Dred Scott, Dunn told me in 2021, referencing the infamous U.S. Supreme Court ruling that Scott, a former slave living in St. Louis, wasnt entitled to freedom because he wasnt considered a citizen.

The Old Courthouse where Scott fought for his freedom is just down Market Street from where Dunn, at a hearing to come later, will fight for his.

Its an ongoing tragedy that highlights a reality of our criminal justice system: police and prosecutors sometimes rush to judgment, particularly when race is involved.

But even when new evidence comes to light, the system fights like hell to defend its errors.

But there is progress in St. Louis and elsewhere, as prosecutors increasingly act in their roles as ministers of justice to right past wrongs. Gores announcement came a week after St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell filed a similar motion in the case of Marcellus Williams, who was convicted in 1998 of murdering social worker and former Post-Dispatch reporter Lisha Gayle.

The 1990s were a precarious time in the St. Louis region, with a murder rate that had spiked and police under tremendous pressure to clear cases. Sometimes police took shortcuts. If not for defendants getting the attention of attorneys like Tricia Rojo Bushnell at the Midwest Innocence Project, they would continue to waste away behind bars  innocent men whose freedom had been wrongly taken from them.

Missouri is the only state in the nation to limit innocence claims by a persons sentence, Bushnell said in a statement after Gores announcement on the Dunn case. And until the legislature changes the law, only a prosecutor can petition a court to free an innocent person sentenced to anything less than death.

Gores conviction integrity unit, headed by former Missouri Supreme Court Judge George W. Draper III, is reviewing 38 other cases.

Dunns innocence hearing will bring his wife, Kira, back to a familiar place. In December 2022, when Johnson fought for his freedom in a similar hearing, Kira was there nearly every step of the way. She hoped that the next time she visited the Carnahan Courthouse in St. Louis, it would be to see her husband walk out a free man.

On Wednesday, one step closer to that day, she cried happy tears, she told me.

Now its back to a courtroom. This time, innocence will be enough.
ST. LOUIS  Two men were charged Wednesday with killing a man in the city's Dutchtown neighborhood.

Calvin Anderson, 48, and Anthony Hill, 47, are accused of killing 39-year-old Rion Robinson Jan. 19 in the 5200 block of South Grand Boulevard. Robinson was shot in the thigh and torso.

Hill was charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm, and Anderson was charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, tampering with evidence and third-degree assault.

Both are in custody, and bond information was not immediately available.
EAST CAPE GIRARDEAU, Ill.  A man police say shot an officer in Granite City earlier this week was shot and killed by police here on Wednesday evening.

Donald J. Friese, 39, was shot by officers around 8:40 p.m. on Illinois Route 146 at Virginia Street in East Cape Girardeau, Illinois State Police said. That's about 120 miles south of St. Louis.

Multiple agencies were looking for Friese, who Granite City police said shot a cop in the arm around 10 p.m. Tuesday during a disturbance call. Friese ran from the scene, and a manhunt ensued.

Late Wednesday, the United States Marshal Service and Cape Girardeau, Missouri, officers were chasing Friese on Illinois Route 146 when Friese drove into a field and his car became stuck, ISP said.

He then barricaded himself inside the vehicle and pointed a long gun at the officers, who opened fire. Friese was shot and killed.

No officers were injured, ISP said.

Friese has a long criminal history, including a 2016 sentence for second-degree murder in Fairmont City. In that case, Friese and another person got into a fight began chasing each other in their vehicles. Friese intentionally smashed into the other vehicle, killing its 18-year-old passenger. He was sentenced to 12 years in that case but was released after about four.

His legal troubles continued upon his release, and he was out on bond from St. Louis at the time of Tuesdays shooting for a felony charge of resisting/fleeing arrest. He was charged in September after police said he sped away from a traffic stop and crashed into another vehicle.

Friese was charged Wednesday with several offenses related to the Tuesday shooting, including two counts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated battery. Granite City police held a news conference Tuesday urging people to be on the lookout for Friese.
ST. CHARLES COUNTY  A St. Louis County man was arrested Thursday after police say he threatened mass shootings at multiple St. Charles County businesses one day earlier.

Calvin Carter, 31, of St. Ann, has been charged with four felony counts of making a terrorism threat. Carter was initially charged on Wednesday with two counts, however prosecutors filed two additional charges against Carter on Friday.

Katie Rickerson, a spokesperson for the St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney's office, said the new charges were in connection to two St. Charles County businesses that also received threats from Carter.

According to police, Carter first called United Credit and Collections on Wednesday and told the employee who answered the phone that he planned to "commit a mass shooting" in the business and at the office complex that houses several other businesses in St. Charles.

Carter then called back and left a voicemail threatening the employee, according to court records. Police say he also contacted an unnamed business in St. Peters and said he was prepared to shoot employees there, too.

When questioned by detectives, Carter admitted to calling the business and said he knew it was "wrong." Court records do not detail Carter's motive for the threats.

Carter is being held on a $300,000 cash-only bond for the charges filed Wednesday. A judge has set a $175,000 cash-only bond for the charges filed Friday. If he is released on bond, Carter is barred from possessing firearms and contacting the businesses.

Editor's note: This story was updated Friday to include additional charges.
The woman came to St. Louis to be with her then-boyfriend, St. Louis City SC star Indiana Vassilev. But she liked it here and eventually came 
JEFFERSON CITY  The coroner of a southeast Missouri county is facing criminal charges and the possible removal from office after he recorded three deaths by suicide as heart attacks and allegedly stole money from dead people.

Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed charges Thursday against Cape Girardeau Coroner Wavis Jordan, alleging he committed one count of misdemeanor stealing and three counts of providing false information to vital records when he stole cash from a dead person and lied on multiple death certificates.

Bailey also is formally petitioning the court to kick Jordan out of office.

My heart goes out to the victims in this case, whose lives have been upended. To that end, I am moving for the immediate removal of the Cape Girardeau Coroner, Bailey said in a statement.

Bailey, a Republican seeking a full, four-year term, has used similar legal proceedings to press for the removal of former St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly N. Gardner and the former Iron County sheriff.

Jordan, a Republican who took office in 2021, was in the spotlight that year when he acknowledged he was not reporting that people died of COVID-19. In many cases he reported the deceased had succumbed to myocardial infarction, which is the scientific name of a heart attack, the Missouri Independent reported.

That approach meant health officials were unable to accurately track deaths from the coronavirus.

When people die, their death and its causes must be certified and registered according to state laws. A death certificate is the last legal document someone leaves behind.

The cause of death on a death certificate is an invaluable source of information for state and national mortality statistics and helps guide decisions on which medical conditions receive research and development funding, sets public health goals, and allows the measurement of health statuses across local, state, national, and international levels, Bailey wrote in a court filing. Respondent Wavis Jordan is a failed coroner.

In addition to the false recording of causes of death, Bailey said Jordan should be removed from office because he stole property he was obligated to safeguard and solicited family members regarding the funeral of a deceased person.

The petition for his removal outlines how a police officer investigating a death had photographed the dead persons wallet, showing there was cash in it. Later, Jordan was found with the wallet, which was empty of cash.

I did not see anything, I promise you. I might be wrong, but I didnt see anything, he told the officer.

In the criminal case, Jordan is charged with three counts of providing false information to vital records and stealing without consent. If convicted, he could face up to 12 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Court records say Jordan told family members of a person who died by suicide that he would record the cause of death as a heart attack just for paperwork purposes because suicide is a sensitive subject.

Jordan could not be reached for comment.

In a statement, the Cape Girardeau County Commission said it was aware of the legal action being taken against a county officer.

The Cape Girardeau County Commission will actively monitor the legal proceedings. The Commission will act accordingly upon any judicial directives that are issued by the courts, the statement said. It is essential to allow the legal proceedings to unfold independently and impartially.

The commission had already begun considering ways to replace Jordan. In October, records show they discussed whether the coroners office should be replaced with a medical examiners office.
A torchlight parade resembling a "snaking dragon" illuminates the slopes of Camelback Mountain in Tannersville, the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, on Feb. 6, 2024. (Photo by Yu Zheng/Xinhua)

by Xinhua writer Yang Shilong

NEW YORK, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- A mesmerizing torchlight parade resembling a "snaking dragon" illuminated the slopes of Camelback Mountain in Tannersville, Pennsylvania (PA) on Tuesday, ushering in the inaugural Lunar New Year celebration in the United States' premier ski destination.

The idea for this breathtaking spectacle originated about a year ago with retired professional snowboarder Luke Wynen, now the sales director at Blue Mountain Resort in the Poconos, PA.

Wynen then discussed it with James Zhang, president of the Philadelphia-based Sino-American Business and Travel Association, who planned a winter carnival to honor the Year of the Dragon, which falls on Feb. 10.

"I thought it would look so cool. And he thought it was a fantastic idea. It just kept building. And then it turned into the wonderful event tonight," said Wynen, who led a procession of 50 snowboarders adorned with vibrant red LED lights, captivating a large audience around 9:10 p.m. local time (0210 GMT Wednesday).

"I'd like to see that America and China are good friends. This event is designed to be just a way to bring our two peoples together," said Wynen, echoing the sentiment shared by VIP guests during the earlier opening ceremony held at Camelback Resort, established in 1963.

The dragon holds profound significance in Chinese culture as an auspicious symbol associated with power, strength and good fortune, explained Huang Ping, Chinese consul general in New York, while clutching a dragon mascot.

Huang expressed optimism for enhanced cooperation between the United States and China during the Year of the Dragon, emphasizing the importance of cultivating future ambassadors to nurture a robust bilateral relationship.

"We've had a good strong relationship with China. My office works to facilitate the trade and investment piece of that relationship," said David Briel, Deputy Secretary of the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, representing PA Governor Josh Shapiro.

"Just to give you some basic numbers. We do about 18 billion U.S. dollars a year back and forth with China ... We look forward to building the cultural relationship as well," added Briel.

Nathan Reigner, PA state director of outdoor recreation, touched upon the potential of outdoor recreation to foster friendships between the two nations, underscoring its role as both an industry and a driver of economic development.

China's ice and snow leisure tourism experienced significant growth in the 2022-2023 winter season, attracting 312 million visitors and generating revenue of 50 billion dollars, according to Ma Yunfei, director of the China National Tourist Office and co-host of the celebration.

Anticipating further expansion, Ma said that the upcoming winter season would see leisure tourists surpassing 400 million, with revenue reaching 80 billion dollars.

"2024 is an important year for Sino-U.S. tourism as the 14th China-U.S. Tourism Leadership Summit is scheduled to take place in China in May. I believe that 2024 will mark a new starting point for Sino-U.S. tourism cooperation. I'd like to extend a sincere invitation for you to China," said Ma.

Recent data indicated a promising recovery in China's tourism sector, with domestic tourists approaching nearly 4.9 billion in 2023, generating revenue of 5.2 trillion yuan (730 billion dollars). The outbound tourism figure exceeded 87 million, with an anticipated increase to 130 million in 2024.

Tuesday's festivities showcased captivating lantern decorations, delectable cuisine, and enthralling performances by local students and their visiting Chinese peers. Notably, Niu Shanjinmei, a nine-year-old Beijing Opera actress, captivated the audience with her performance, adding to the charm of the celebration. 

Niu Shanjinmei, a nine-year-old Beijing Opera actress, performs at the Camelback Resort in Tannersville, the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, on Feb. 6, 2024. (Photo by Yu Zheng/Xinhua)

A giant dragon decoration is set up at the Camelback Resort in Tannersville, the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, on Feb. 6, 2024. (Photo by Yu Zheng/Xinhua)

Huang Ping, Chinese consul general in New York, attend the Lunar New Year celebration at the Camelback Resort in Tannersville, the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, on Feb. 6, 2024. A mesmerizing torchlight parade resembling a "snaking dragon" illuminated the slopes of Camelback Mountain in Tannersville, Pennsylvania (PA) on Tuesday, ushering in the inaugural Lunar New Year celebration in the United States' premier ski destination. (Photo by Ding Ye/Xinhua)

David Briel, Deputy Secretary of the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, representing PA Governor Josh Shapiro, speaks at the Lunar New Year celebration at the Camelback Resort in Tannersville, the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, on Feb. 6, 2024. A mesmerizing torchlight parade resembling a "snaking dragon" illuminated the slopes of Camelback Mountain in Tannersville, Pennsylvania (PA) on Tuesday, ushering in the inaugural Lunar New Year celebration in the United States' premier ski destination. (Photo by Ding Ye/Xinhua)
ST. LOUIS  A man was charged Wednesday with what authorities said was a gang-motivated killing of a skateboarder near Kiener Plaza in downtown St. Louis last year.

Alphonso Miller Jr. was 17 when authorities say he shot and killed Darrius Mullins, who was well known for skateboarding downtown. Miller, now 18, was certified as an adult and charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and committing a dangerous felony for the benefit of a street gang.

Miller was arrested a day after the shooting and is being held without bond.

The shooting was captured on surveillance cameras inside Kiener Plaza Park in downtown St. Louis, investigators wrote in court documents. Police said Miller can be seen opening fire on Mullins with a fully automatic handgun.

Cops said he continued to shoot as Mullins ran away and fired more shots when Mullins was lying defenseless on the ground.

One of Mullins relatives told police that Miller had called a member of a gang to brag about the killing. The relative also indicated the shooting was connected to an ongoing conflict between two gangs.

Investigators said cell phone data put Miller at the scene of the shooting and ballistic evidence matched the Glock police found in his home.

Police said during their search of Millers home they found a Glock switch, which is an illegal device used to fire dozens of rounds in a matter of seconds with one continuous pull of the trigger. The switches are a major concern for local public safety officials.

Mullins, 30, was a graduate of Soldan International Studies High School in north St. Louis and worked at Busch Stadium, his family said. He picked up skateboarding about two years ago and immediately fell in love with it.

He lived on Pine Street in Downtown West and was nicknamed Smiley because he lit up every room with his grin, his family said.

He didnt deserve what somebody did to him, his mother, Rochelle Mullins, told the Post-Dispatch in April. He loved skateboarding. He would come over here and just skateboard.
JEFFERSON CITY  The leader of a more moderate effort to legalize abortion in Missouri announced Thursday that she was suspending the campaign, backing any effort that would overturn Missouris near-total abortion ban.

The ballot question supported by the Missouri Women and Family Research Fund would have allowed abortions within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and in cases of rape and incest.

Jamie Corley, the leader of that effort, on Thursday signaled support for an alternative plan that would legalize abortion until after the point of fetal viability, unless the life or health of the mother is at risk. The treating health care professional would determine whether fetal viability had been reached.

It is our sincere hope that come November, this ban will be overturned and women will have access to the health care they want, need and deserve, Corley said in a statement.

The Missouri Women and Family Research Fund had been competing with the more expansive effort, by the group Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, which launched a signature-gathering campaign this week.

That campaign has until May 5 to submit the roughly 172,000 to 185,000 signatures necessary to make the ballot later this year.

We are supportive of any effort to overturn the ban, but we are not officially joining MCF (Missourians for Constitutional Freedom), Corley said.

She also said her campaign would withdraw a lawsuit filed against Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick, both Republicans, that challenged ballot wording voters would see if the question made the ballot.

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat who is running for governor, said the withdrawal of Corleys initiative will help lessen confusion for voters.

Im glad to see we can be unified moving forward, Quade said Thursday. Were going to do everything we can to get this across the finish line.
BELLEFONTAINE NEIGHBORS  A former mayor and city administrator here has been fined $21,000 by the Missouri Ethics Commission for voting against hiring someone to replace him as administrator so his salary would not be reduced.

The commission found probable cause that Tommie Pierson Sr., mayor and administrator from April 2019 to April 2023, had a recognizable conflict of interest when he voted in 2020 against advertising an opening for the job, thereby making his paid work for the city improper, according to a Feb. 7 consent order.

The order allows Pierson, pastor at Greater St. Mark Family Church and a former state legislator, to pay 10% of the fine in the next 45 days while the remainder of it is suspended indefinitely. He will have to pay the rest of the fine if the ethics commission finds probable cause he committed other violations.

Pierson was paid $20,000 annually to perform duties as both mayor and administrator, under an ordinance allowing the mayor to take up the job if it was vacant.

Piersons predecessor was also paid $20,000 to serve both roles. But during the runup to the 2019 election, the city decided it wanted to hire someone full time for the administrator role and approved an ordinance taking $14,000 out of the mayors salary to help pay for it.

Pierson, after his election, immediately assumed the then-unfilled administrator job. When the board of aldermen was deadlocked on a Dec. 3, 2020, vote to advertise an opening for a full-time city administrator, Pierson cast the tie-breaking vote against it.

Pierson had a recognizable stake in the vote, the commission said in its consent order.

Pierson on Thursday said he didnt think his vote was a conflict of interest because he thought at the time that aldermen agreed hed keep his $20,000 salary even if they did hire a new administrator. He said he was just continuing precedent by keeping both jobs.

I took a vote, and I didnt know it was a violation at the time, he said. I made a mistake, and I admit it.

The vote came amid a gridlock between Pierson and some aldermen who claimed Pierson spent city money without proper approval. Those aldermen also claimed that Pierson had asked St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bells office to investigate them in an attempt at intimidation.

Several aldermen boycotted meetings in protest of Pierson, and after Bells office closed its investigation without any action, Pierson withheld monthly stipends from those aldermen. They sued the city, and a small-claims court judge later ordered the city to give them back pay.

Pierson was unseated in the April 2023 election by Mayor Dinah Tatman.
JEFFERSON CITY  The Missouri House approved legislation Thursday that will block cities and counties from requiring developers to install electric vehicle charging stations in new construction projects.

The measure, which advanced to the Senate on a 114-29 vote, marked another attempt by the Republican-controlled Legislature to limit the ability of local governments to approve their own laws on issues ranging from cat declawing to tougher municipal gun regulations.

House Speaker Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres, said the measure is aimed at preventing local governments from overly burdening businesses with regulations.

The sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Jim Murphy, a south St. Louis County Republican, said the measure sends a message about limiting the role of government.

This isnt about electric cars and it isnt even about electric charging stations, Murphy said.

The legislation came in response to a 2021 decision by the St. Louis County Council requiring developers to add electric car charging stations to parking lots. The requirement, which was later relaxed by the council, had been criticized by developers and small-business owners as too onerous and costly.

Republicans on the council said they did not want to support a government requirement for charging stations, saying the market would respond as demand for electric vehicles increased.

Under the proposal, any city or county that requires the installation of charging stations in new construction projects must pay all of the costs and provide maintenance of the unit once installed.

The measure also prohibits cities and counties from requiring more than five electric vehicle charging stations per parking lot in parking lots of less than 30 parking spaces.

The measure now goes to the Senate, which has previously failed to advance earlier versions. In addition, the upper chamber has been mired in gridlock, raising questions about whether it has a chance to hit the governors desk this year.

If they ever get to work it might get through, Murphy said.

The legislation is House Bill 1511.
JEFFERSON CITY  Republicans who control the Missouri Senate clashed again Wednesday before beginning debate on a plan aimed at defunding Planned Parenthood.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, wanted the upper chamber to take action on his plan to renew a medical provider tax critical to funding Missouris Medicaid program.

Sen. Bill Eigel, a Weldon Spring Republican running for governor, instead wanted to debate a proposed ballot question seeking to make constitutional amendments more difficult to approve.

In the end, both measures were set aside for the time being as Republicans turned to the measure to defund Planned Parenthood.

The action paused an open airing of grievances between Republican factions that was playing out on the Senate floor Wednesday, putting the spotlight on Democrats, who immediately stood to oppose the plan.

The winding legislative roadmap frustrated Hough, but delighted Eigel, who has served as the Senates resident obstructionist in recent years.

I cant tell you how much it warms my heart to see you have to come out here and throw a temper tantrum because youre not getting your way, Eigel told Hough.

Hough denied that he was throwing a temper tantrum. He said the Senate should give first-round approval to the renewal of the medical provider tax, known as the Federal Reimbursement Allowance.

Its one of those funding mechanisms for hospitals and nursing homes ... that has to get done. Its $4.5 billion, Hough said.

Taxpayer dollars already are barred for abortions in Missouri. The Planned Parenthood defunding would attempt to bar the states Medicaid program from reimbursing other medical services performed at Planned Parenthood facilities.

Supporters of defunding Planned Parenthood say its Missouri clinics are affiliated with clinics operating in states where abortion is legal and should not receive money from taxpayers.

The legislation Wednesday comes after abortion opponents fought unsuccessfully to attach similar language to the Federal Reimbursement Allowance legislation in 2021.

Opponents of attaching the anti-abortion language to that legislation said it would jeopardize federal funding for the Medicaid program.

Amid Democratic resistance, the Senate adjourned Wednesday evening without taking action on the Planned Parenthood measure.
JEFFERSON CITY  Despite recent blowups among Republicans in the Missouri Senate, the majority party remained unified Wednesday to block a Democratic effort to legalize abortion in cases of rape or incest.

After Republicans opened debate on a plan to ban Medicaid funds from Planned Parenthood, Democrats responded with amendments aimed at loosening Missouris near-total abortion ban. Missouri since June 2022 has only allowed abortions in medical emergencies.

While the Democratic amendments werent likely to pass, the minority party used the opportunity to showcase and document Republican support for what Democrats believe is an unpopular abortion law out of step with public opinion.

All Republicans present voted down amendments by Sen. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, to legalize abortion in cases of rape and incest.

Sen. Sandy Crawford, R-Buffalo, said she opposed exceptions for rape and incest because life is precious. God is perfect. God does not make mistakes. And for some reason he allows that to happen  bad things happen, she said. Im not gonna be able to support the amendments because I am very pro-life.

The Senate ended debate for the night before a vote could occur on an amendment by Sen. Doug Beck, D-south St. Louis County, which would authorize abortion if the pregnant girl was 12 or younger. Beck raised concerns about health issues for child rape victims forced to carry their pregnancies to term.

The amendment led to a pointed exchange between Beck and Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, who is running for governor.

You want to bring back the institution of abortion so that kids can get abortions in the state of Missouri, Eigel said to Beck. A 1-year-old could get an abortion under this, Eigel said.

I dont know that a 1-year-old could get pregnant, senator, Beck said.

Youre OK with forced birth of a child being raped, right? Beck asked Eigel.

I dont support the institutions of rape or of incest. But your amendment doesnt address those, Eigel said.

The votes Wednesday followed the move by Republicans to open debate on the Planned Parenthood defunding bill  an action that frustrated Senate Appropriations Chairman Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield.

The Springfield Republicans measure renewing a medical provider tax critical to funding the states Medicaid program had been first on the Senates list of bills to be debated.

But Eigel and other hard-line allies had threatened to hold up the renewal bill, known as the Federal Reimbursement Allowance.

The faction known as the Freedom Caucus wanted action instead on a plan to make constitutional amendments more difficult to enact and a measure expanding an education voucher program first approved in 2021.

The plan Republicans put into motion on Wednesday set all three proposals aside, but not before Hough vented on the Senate floor.

Its one of those funding mechanisms for hospitals and nursing homes ... that has to get done. Its $4.5 billion, Hough said.

The winding legislative roadmap delighted Eigel, who has served as the Senates resident obstructionist in recent years.

Hough was among Republican senators standing behind Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden earlier this year as the Senate president stripped Eigel and allies of their committee chairmanships.

I cant tell you how much it warms my heart to see you have to come out here and throw a temper tantrum because youre not getting your way, Eigel told Hough.

House Speaker Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres, said the House will likely take up its own version of the defund Planned Parenthood legislation next week.

He said the decision wasnt a reaction to the ongoing gridlock in the Senate.

Were doing it because we stand for life. Were working on things we can work on in the House, Plocher said Thursday.
ST. LOUIS  Megan Shebosky-Aken drove three hours from her home in Malden, Missouri, in the states Bootheel to attend a signature-gathering event in St. Louis that kicked off an effort to put the question of whether to legalize abortion on a statewide ballot.

Thats how much it means to me to get my reproductive rights back, said Shebosky-Aken, 33, who wanted to be the first among Dunklin County residents to sign the petition.

She was among more than 1,000 people Tuesday night who filled The Pageant concert venue. Four other signature-gathering launch events were also held that night in Kansas City, Springfield, Columbia and St. Joseph.

Thousands of Missourians attended the events, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, a coalition that includes the ACLU of Missouri, Abortion Action Missouri and Planned Parenthood affiliates.

With the ink still drying on the first several thousand petitions, Missourians have eagerly waited for and deserve this opportunity to end the states draconian abortion ban, said Tori Schafer, deputy director of policy and campaigns for ACLU of Missouri.

After delays caused by a series of Republican-led legal challenges, the coalition has just until May 5 to collect the roughly 172,000 to 185,000 signatures needed to put the question on the ballot.

There no reports of disruptions at the events despite a move this week by Missouri Right to Life, an anti-abortion group, to create a tip line to encourage callers to report the location of signature gatherers, according to its website.

Missouri Right to Life officials did not respond to the Post-Dispatchs questions about the tip line and how information from the tips will be used.

Before the doors opened to the public at The Pageant, organizer Sarah Sheahan went over how to gather signatures with a group of more than a dozen volunteers holding large clipboards.

Together we are going to restore abortion access in Missouri! Sheahan said to cheers and fist pumps.

Booths were also set up along the walls for residents from the city of St. Louis or surrounding counties. Attendees quickly formed lines at the booths and with signature-gatherers.

Kay Klausen, 58, was among those waiting in line at the St. Charles County booth.

Klausen said she never thought she would see her daughters and granddaughters face having less rights than she enjoyed.

With the U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2022 to strike down Roe v. Wade, Missouri became one of the first states to impose pass a near-total abortion ban. Thirteen other Republican-led states quickly followed.

Klausen said she came to Tuesday nights event to ensure her chance to sign the petition, and, I wanted to make sure I was part of the beginning of the movement.

The anti-abortion group Missouri Right to Life is urging Missourians to not sign the petition. The ballot is deceptive, the group states, and if passes, will give Missourians a right to dangerous abortions late in pregnancy with taxpayer dollars, without parental consent for minors and without oversight of health agencies.

According to the ballot wording, voters would be asked whether they want to create a constitutional right to an abortion. But, the state would still be allowed to ban and regulate abortion after the point of fetal viability, unless the abortion is necessary to protect the life or health of the mother.

Fetal viability is defined as the point in pregnancy when the treating health care professionals find a significant likelihood of the fetuss sustained survival outside the uterus without the application of extraordinary medical measures.

Mallory Schwarz, spokesperson for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, said, We encourage everyone to read the amendment for themselves.

Abortion rights supporters in Missouri are trying to add to what have been a string of wins of ballot initiatives in seven other states  California, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Ohio and Vermont.

This year, you are going to make history, said the Rev. Love Holt, emcee for the St. Louis event.

Among those in the crowd was Anne McCaskill Moroh, the older sister of former U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill.

I never thought we would have to come back and help the young women fight the battles we fought said Moroh, 72, of Sunset Hills.

She said most Missourians believe women should have the right to an abortion, and the measure will pass if it gets on the ballot.

Missouri is going to show the nation that we are not just the extremes of the Missouri Legislature, Moroh said.

Moroh was sitting with Cathy Marek, 74, of Chesterfield, whose mother had an illegal abortion in 1955 after being raped. Mareks mother was a young mom caring for her child and paralyzed husband at the time.

Thats why Im here, Marek said. Im going to collect every signature I can.

Missourians for Constitutional Freedom announced Friday it had raised more than $3 million for its campaign from over 2,200 individual donations, and had signed up more than 5,000 volunteers. Several more signature-gathering events are planned this month.

Shebosky-Aken said Tuesday night she also signed up to volunteer to collect signatures in Dunklin County, where 78% of votes were cast for President Donald Trump in 2020.

Im here to be a beacon in that area, she said, for people that want to get involved and make a difference.

Photos: Missouri drive begins for ballot measure on constitutional right to an abortion
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.  The National Rifle Association, the nation's preeminent gun rights advocacy group, has endorsed incumbent Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, for reelection over Republican primary challenger Darren Bailey in Illinois' 12th Congressional District.

Randy Kozuch, chairman of the NRA's political arm, thanked Bost in a statement for his "continued opposition to the Hakeem Jeffries and Joe Biden gun control agenda of banning lawfully-owned firearms, ammunition, and magazines," referring to the pro-gun control positions of the House Democratic leader and U.S. president, respectively.

Bost has had the group's endorsement in the past. And interest groups tend to support incumbent lawmakers in good standing over primary challengers.

Nevertheless, the decision represents a blow to Bailey, who has made his support of gun rights a centerpiece of his insurgent campaign.

In several social media posts, videos and press statements, Bailey has openly and theatrically flaunted his violation of the state's assault weapons ban by failing to register his weapons as required under the law.

Bost also has said he would not register his weapons under the ban.

In a not-so-subtle dig at Bailey, Bost said in a statement accepting the endorsement that "failed politicians will make a big show out of supporting the Second Amendment, but when push comes to shove, they never deliver."

The Second Amendment is not a publicity stunt to me," Bost said. "From my work in Springfield, where I was the lead sponsor of Illinois conceal carry law, to my time in Congress, where I am standing on the frontlines against woke liberals trying to take away our guns, I will never back down. I thank the NRA and gun owners across Southern Illinois for their strong support.

The nod is another example of an organization or a person with significant conservative credentials backing Bost, a five-term incumbent facing the toughest electoral challenge of his career in Bailey, the unsuccessful 2022 Republican gubernatorial nominee who has established himself as a favorite of the conservative grassroots in southeastern Illinois.

Bailey, in a statement released by his campaign, dismissed the endorsement, though he has said during past elections that he was "proud" to have the group's support.

We said this when we announced, Bost has been loyal to the swamp, and we expect the swamp to be loyal to him," Bailey said. "Amnesty Mike worked to restrict gun rights with Never Trumper Adam Kinzinger; the people of the 12th know I'm the one in this race who will stand up and fight against both parties to protect our gun rights and fight for our freedoms.

Bailey has made gun rights one of the central issues of his campaign, gaining attention for social media posts opposing Illinois' gun laws.

On New Year's Eve, for example, a picture of Bailey sitting at a table working on a puzzle and surrounded by at least two assault rifles, a pistol and ammunition was posted to his social media accounts.

I'll be here putting together this puzzle waiting for Pritzker to knock on my door and take my guns. I will not comply. pic.twitter.com/XpUvlkzwqK  Darren Bailey (@DarrenBaileyIL) January 1, 2024

The next day, Bailey posted a video on his farm. He said that "a lot of people have been asking me if I'm going to comply with J.B.'s illegal gun registry. Well, friends, here's your answer." He proceeded to shoot several of his guns at a piece of paper taped to a tree and bearing the words "I will not comply."

Both Bost and Bailey are NRA members and have received the group's backing in the past.

The 12th Congressional District encompasses most of rural Southern Illinois and parts of the Metro East. It is a heavily Republican district.

Early voting begins Thursday and the primary election will be held March 19.

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
TEL AVIV, Israel  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that a cease-fire and hostage-release agreement between Israel and Hamas was still possible, despite the two sides being far apart on the central terms for a deal.

Blinken was in the region trying to broker a deal that could bring some respite in Israels war against Hamas militants, which is entering its fifth month after unleashing vast destruction, killing more than 27,000 Palestinians, displacing much of the territorys population and sparking a humanitarian catastrophe.

Those efforts were rattled when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in the day rejected a detailed, three-phase plan by Hamas that would unfold over 4 months. The plan, which came as a response to a proposal drawn up by the United States, Israel, Qatar and Egypt, stipulates that all hostages would be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, including senior militants, and an end to the war.

Netanyahu, who called Hamas plan delusional, dismissed any arrangement that leaves the militant group in full or partial control of Gaza. Netanyahu said military pressure was the best way to free the roughly 100 hostages held in the Gaza Strip, where they were taken after Hamas cross-border rampage into southern Israel on Oct. 7.

Israel has made destroying Hamas governing and military abilities one of its wartime objectives, and Hamas proposal would effectively leave it in power in Gaza and allow it to rebuild its military capabilities.

But Blinken downplayed the posturing, saying it was part of the arduous negotiating process. Its not flipping a light switch. Its not yes or no, he said.

While there are some clear non-starters in Hamas response, we do think it creates space for agreement to be reached, and we will work at that relentlessly until we get there, he said.

Blinken is trying to advance the cease-fire talks while pushing for a larger postwar settlement in which Saudi Arabia would normalize relations with Israel in return for a clear, credible, time-bound path to the establishment of a Palestinian state.

But the increasingly unpopular Netanyahu is opposed to Palestinian statehood, and his hawkish governing coalition could collapse if he is seen as making too many concessions.

Hamas proposal

Hamas response to the cease-fire proposal was published in Lebanons Al-Akhbar newspaper, which is close to the powerful Hezbollah militant group.

In the first 45-day phase, Hamas would release all remaining women and children, as well as older and sick men, in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Israel would also withdraw from populated areas, cease aerial operations, allow far more aid to enter and permit Palestinians to return to their homes, including in devastated northern Gaza.

The second phase, to be negotiated during the first, would include the release of all remaining hostages, mostly soldiers, in exchange for all Palestinian detainees over the age of 50.

Israel would release an additional 1,500 prisoners, 500 of whom would be specified by Hamas, and complete its withdrawal from Gaza.

In the third phase, the sides would exchange the remains of hostages and prisoners.

Netanyahu rejects plan

At the news conference earlier, Netanyahu rejected Hamass demands, saying they would lead to a disaster for Israel.

Surrendering to Hamas delusional demands that we heard now not only wont lead to freeing the captives, it will just invite another massacre, Netanyahu said in a nationally televised evening news conference.

Netanyahu claimed the Israeli military achieved many of the goals it set out and that victory was a matter of months away.

We are on the way to an absolute victory, Netanyahu said. There is no other solution.

That stands in contrast to some Israeli officials, who say Israels two goals of destroying Hamass capabilities and freeing the hostages are incompatible and that only a deal can lead to their release.

Netanyahu ruled out any arrangement that leaves Hamas in control of any part of Gaza. He also said that Israel is the only power capable of guaranteeing security in the long term.

In a news conference immediately after his appearance, hostages freed in a late November deal said they were worried Netanyahu was taking too hard a line and that the remaining hostages and their families would pay the price.

If you continue in this approach of seeking the collapse of Hamas, there wont be any hostages to free, said a tearful Adina Moshe, who was freed nearly 50 days into her captivity. Hamas still holds more than 130 hostages, but about 30 of them are believed to be dead.

Misery deepens in Gaza

There is little talk of grand diplomatic bargains in Gaza, where Palestinians yearn for an end to fighting that has upended every aspect of their lives.

We pray to God that it stops, said Ghazi Abu Issa, who fled his home and sought shelter in the central town of Deir al-Balah. There is no water, electricity, food or bathrooms.

Those living in tents have been drenched by winter rains and flooding. We have been humiliated, he said.

Blinken noted the devastation inflicted on Gaza civilians, saying that the daily toll that (Israels) military operations continue to take on innocent civilians remains too high.

The Palestinian death toll from four months of war has reached 27,707, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures but says most of the dead have been women and children.

Today in history: Feb. 7 1948: Omar Bradley 1962: John F. Kennedy 1964: The Beatles 1984: Spacewalk 1985: Enrique "Kiki" Camarena 1991: Jean-Bertrand Aristide 2009: Lake Erie 2014: Sochi Olympics 2018: Los Angeles Times sale 2020: Donald Trump 2021: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Array Technologies (Array), a global leader in utility-scale solar tracking solutions, has signed its intent for a strategic partnership with Aluminum Products Company (ALUPCO), a leading aluminum extrusion company in the Middle East and North African region (MENA).

This partnership brings together expertise, reliability, innovation, and a local prominence, well-situated to help advance the future of clean energy in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.

Our alliance with ALUPCO and expansion into the Middle East underscores our dedication to the global clean energy market. Our partners around the world share our commitment, and consistently rely on us for our differentiators  engineered simplicity, relentless reliability and a track record built on decades of experience, performance and trust. Were eager to bring this partnership to life with ALUPCO and leverage the strengths and dedication of both organizations to transform the energy landscape, states Array CEO, Kevin G Hostetler.

Aluminum Products Company (ALUPCO) CEO, Khaled Abdel-Moneim adds: As the leading aluminum solutions provider in the Middle East and North African region, we are thrilled to partner with Array as a pioneer and innovator, uniquely positioned to pave the way in the renewables industry. With our shared commitment to excellence focusing on performance and sustainability, were eager to unlock new opportunities, continue driving innovation and contribute to the Saudi and global economic landscape.

To signify this relationship, both organisations participated in the second Private Sector Forum on February 6 and 7, hosted in Riyadh  the capital of the largest economy in the Middle East  by Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund.

The forum featured discussions between top business leaders and policymakers on the private sectors importance in the Kingdoms development and opportunities in emerging regions.

Under its Vision 2030 blueprint, the Private Sector Forum is a strategic step in Saudi Arabias economic diversification, centered around innovation, technology and sustainable solutions. Saudi Arabia has one of the highest solar irradiations in the world, estimated at approximately 2,200 thermal kWh of solar radiation per square metre. As of 2023, the country has 13 renewable energy projects under development with a collective capacity of over 11 GW. Its solar PV installations are expected to boom from 2023 onward, reaching a peak in 2028 with more than 4 GW of annual installs while the Middle East is poised to add nearly 70 GW of PV capacity through 2030.

According to Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Saudi Arabia aims to add 20 gigawatts of renewable energy annually to reach 130 gigawatts of renewable energy before 2030.

The Private Sector Forum provides a favourable environment for Array to expand its global footprint and establish strategic partnerships, solidifying its position as a driving force in the transition to a cleaner energy matrix. It serves as a catalyst for collaboration and awareness, playing a crucial role in helping promote a more sustainable and renewable future in the Middle East, said a statement.

Engineered to withstand the harshest conditions on the planet, Arrays high-quality solar trackers and sophisticated software maximise energy production, accelerating the adoption of cost-effective and sustainable energy. Founded and headquartered in the US, Array relies on its diversified global supply chain and customer-centric approach to deliver, commission and support solar energy developments around the world, lighting the way to a brighter, smarter future for clean energy.

Founded in 1975, ALUPCO is headquartered in Dammam, with an additional plant in Jeddah, ensuring unrivaled presence across MENA. With a total capacity exceeding 85,000 MT per year, ALUPCO consistently enhances efficiency by offering a comprehensive range of cutting-edge aluminum products and innovative building solutions to its customers worldwide. Its commitment to excellence is underscored by a focus on performance and sustainability, ensuring that its offerings surpass industry standards. - TradeArabia News Service
Members of the press stake out outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., the United States, Feb. 8, 2024. The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday began to hear former President Donald Trump's eligibility case, with the decision poised to set guidelines nationwide. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday began to hear former President Donald Trump's eligibility case, with the decision poised to set guidelines nationwide.

Early January, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to take up whether Trump can be disqualified from appearing on Colorado's primary ballot after a ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court removed him from the state's 2024 presidential primary ballot, citing the U.S. Constitution's "insurrection clause."

The Colorado ruling cited the Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibits individuals who have engaged in insurrection from holding public office.

Trump's legal team is urging the justices to weigh several matters, such as whether the provision applies to Trump as a former president, whether he was involved in insurrection, and whether state and federal courts have the authority to enforce Section 3 without legislative action from Congress.

Additionally, they contend that the provision cannot be invoked to bar Trump from the ballot because Section 3 solely prohibits someone from holding office, not from running as a candidate or being elected.

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to expedite the review of Trump's appeal on his eligibility, with a decision likely to be announced a few days or weeks after the arguments.

Highlighting his recent victories in the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries, the former president's lawyers cautioned the justices about the ramifications of disqualifying Trump, asserting that it would lead to disorder and confusion.

Trump leads the Republican primary race, and in some simulations, he is even ahead against Democratic contenders, including the incumbent President Joe Biden.

Analysts believe that the Supreme Court's ruling on Trump's appeal regarding his candidacy qualifications may influence the direction or even the outcome of this year's election. 

Members of the press stake out outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., the United States, Feb. 8, 2024. The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday began to hear former President Donald Trump's eligibility case, with the decision poised to set guidelines nationwide. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)
Today is Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. Let's get caught up.

Keep scrolling for celebrity birthdays and a look back at this date in history. Plus, check out our daily news podcast:

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A listener's guide to Supreme Court arguments over Trump and the ballot

The Supreme Court hears arguments Thursday over whether former President Donald Trump can be kept off the 2024 ballot because of his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, culminating in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

The justices will wrestle with whether a provision of the 14th Amendment aimed at keeping former officeholders who engaged in insurrection can be applied to Trump, the leading candidate in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

The Supreme Court has never looked at the provision, Section 3, since the 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868. But Trump appealed to the high court after Colorado's Supreme Court ruled that he could be kept off the state's primary ballot.

Here's a closer look at the details of the case and how to follow along:

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What we know about the search for five Marines after a helicopter went down in California mountains

The military said search-and-rescue efforts were continuing for five U.S. Marines after their helicopter went down during stormy weather in the Southern California mountains.

Heres what we know so far:

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Blinken ends latest Mideast mission after Israel snubs proposed Gaza ceasefire plan

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has left the Middle East with public divisions between the United States and Israel at perhaps their worst level since Israels war against Hamas in Gaza began in October.

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MORE TOP STORIES

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MORNING LISTEN

"The Ethical Life" hosts look at the ethics that help frame the debate and what responsibility the federal government has to its citizens and those who want to immigrate here.

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TODAY IN HISTORY

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This weeks landmark manslaughter verdict against a Michigan mother for her teenage sons deadly school-shooting rampage no doubt left many feeling that justice was done, and in a groundbreaking new way.

Endemic mass shootings, that uniquely modern-American phenomenon, tend to spawn a Do something! frustration that is seldom satisfied by the deaths or convictions of what are by definition mentally deranged assailants. To successfully pursue wider accountability as well, for offenses more fathomable than random insanity, is somehow comforting.

The unprecedented criminal conviction Tuesday of Jennifer Crumbley on four counts of involuntary manslaughter, based on her failure to heed glaring danger signs prior to the 2021 murders of four classmates by her then-15-year-old son, Ethan Crumbley, raises some intriguing and potentially troubling legal issues.

But it also begs the wider question of just how far responsibility for todays gun-violence crisis extends past the people pulling the triggers. On that front, we would argue, the answers go far beyond the parents.

Jennifer Crumbleys conviction apparently marks the first time a parent has been held criminally liable for a mass school shooting by an offspring. Indeed, Crumbleys failure to prevent her sons rampage at Oxford High School near Detroit was so egregious it presented a seemingly perfect test case for this kind of prosecutorial strategy.

Crumbleys husband, James Crumbley, bought Ethan the 9 mm semi-automatic handgun in 2021  using Ethans money, because at 15, he couldnt legally purchase it himself. His mother encouraged his possession of the weapon to the point of accompanying her son to a shooting range to use it.

All this despite texts showing that, months earlier, Ethan had expressed to his parents that he was depressed and thought he might need hospitalization. The texts indicate his parents laughed off those warnings, with his father at one point telling him to suck it up.

That less-than-stellar parental judgment continued even after officials at Ethans school called the parents the day before the shooting, alarmed that a teacher had caught him researching bullets on his phone.

Jennifer Crumbley didnt bother returning the schools message about that, but she did reference it in a subsequent text to her son, telling him, Lol, Im not mad you have to learn not to get caught.

The next day, Nov. 30  hours before the shootings  the school called again, this time insisting the parents come in because Ethan had been drawing images including a person riddled with bullets and writing phrases like The thoughts wont stop. Help me, and Blood everywhere.

Yet the parents again brushed it off, telling school officials they couldnt take their son in for a mental health evaluation that day because they both had to work.

So he stayed at school, with no one aware that the gun was in his backpack. Before the school day was out, four of Ethans classmates were dead. (He is now serving a life sentence.)

As shocking as the parental failures were in this case, Jennifer Crumbleys manslaughter conviction this week  and the identical charges pending against her husband  has given pause to some legal scholars. They worry it could spur future prosecutions even in cases where parental failure is less obvious. Its a legitimate concern.

Still, this legal recognition that blame for gun violence can have causes beyond the gunmen themselves could move the national conversation on guns in constructive directions. And not just regarding parents.

There are, of course, the gunmakers, a massive industry currently shielded by federal law from litigation over the death and mayhem their products cause. Reformers have long clamored to remove that shield; plaintiffs like families of the victims of the Sandy Hook massacre have found ways around it by suing over the gunmakers marketing tactics. Its a start.

Americas politicians, too, are deeply culpable for their refusal to stand up to the gun lobby, even for widely supported reforms like universal background checks. Michigans Legislature virtually acknowledged the failure of its own laws in the aftermath of Ethan Crumbleys rampage by finally requiring parents to lock firearms away from their kids.

Alas, there has been no such reform in Missouri since the 2022 school shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis  in which, as this editorial page has reported, the young shooter was aided and abetted in multiple ways by state gun laws that are among the loosest in the nation.

Finally, there is the gun-obsessed American socio-political culture in which Ethan Crumbleys disintegrating mental state and dysfunctional family life was easily paired with a deadly firearm  a situation that doesnt exist in any other advanced country in the world on anything like the scale it does here. Prosecutors can target all the parents they like, but that part is on all of us.
February 8, 2024: Swarms of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) have provided a new form of target detection and assignment of targets to weapons within range and available for use, similar to Ukrainian artillery fire control software first used in combat at the onset of the 2022 Russian invasion. This is another new capability made possible by new technologies and combat situations where these novel combinations of capability and opportunity appear. The use of these new UAVs and UAV tactics in Ukraine will establish new combat techniques that did not exist previously.

The Ukraine War was unique in that it was an unexpected opportunity to use a lot of military equipment and technology that had become available over the last half century. In that time there was no near-peer war going on where both sides could use the new weapons and systems. Ukraine changed all that and both Russians and Ukrainians sought to find more effective ways to use these unexpected and often novel opportunities to kill each other in new ways. This is a common phenomenon in all wars, especially those of the 20th and 21st centuries.

One of the more unexpected opportunities was the widespread use of cheap UAVs equipped with cheap, lightweight, and reliable communications using video cameras and other sensors. This sort of technical evolution turning into revolutionary applications is nothing new. This is what happened in the 1990s when large UAVs like the half-ton Predator equipped with new sensors and communications suddenly became essential items of equipment for the military.

This evolution has become more common during the last three decades and the process accelerated in Ukraine. There were other examples of this in recent conflicts that were not near-peer but were intense. One example occurred in 2009 when the U.S. Army received the first production models of its Sky Warrior MQ-1C UAVs. In 2008, two of the prototypes were sent to Iraq for testing. That was a success, and by 2010 four MQ-1Cs were operating in Iraq, supplanting the smaller Shadow 200s. Four MQ-1Cs were also sent to Afghanistan. The MQ-1Cs cost $8 million each but went down to $6 million as mass production got underway.

The MQ-1Cs are slightly larger Predators and were used for missions formerly performed by Shadow 200, and other large army UAVs. The big difference is that Sky Warrior can carry weapons, usually Hellfire missiles. Suddenly the army was using missile-firing, fixed-wing combat aircraft, something it has not been able to do for many decades after the U.S. Air Force was created out of the old U.S. Army Air Force in the late 1940s. The air force accepted, initially, that unmanned aircraft were not the sole preserve of the air force, and the army took that and built a new drone air force for itself.

The air force was not happy when the army soon had a large force of armed UAVs. Many air force generals now believed the army should not have the MQ-1C, or at least not use them with weapons. That has already caused some spats in the Pentagon over the issue, but a recent purge and reshuffle of the senior air force leadership, by the Secretary of Defense, makes it appear that the army will be left alone to build its new robotic air force. At least for the moment.

Back in the 1950s, after a decade of bickering, the Department of Defense ordered the army to stick with helicopters, while the air force got all the fixed wing aircraft. But UAVs do not use pilots and the army does not consider UAVs part of the half century old deal. But suddenly the army is again flying armed aircraft, in addition to the armed helicopters they have always had. The army argument is that these larger UAVs work better for them if they are under the direct control of combat brigades. The air force sees that as inefficient and would prefer to have one large pool of larger UAVs for deployment as needed. This difference of opinion reflects basic differences in how the army and air force deploy and use their combat forces. The army has found that a critical factor in battlefield success is teamwork among members of a unit, and subordinate units in a brigade. While the air force accepts this as a critical performance issue for their aircraft squadrons, they deem it irrelevant for army use of UAVs. Seeing army MQ-1Cs doing visual and electronic reconnaissance and firing missiles at ground targets, the air force sees itself losing control of missions it has dominated since its founding in 1948.

By 2010 the army had about 200 of these larger UAVs, most of them 159 kg Shadow 200s. These carry day and night cameras, and laser designators, but usually no weapons. Most of the 500 new army heavy UAVs delivered by 2015 carried missiles. The army already had thousands of much smaller micro-UAVs used by the infantry and other ground forces. The air force was not bothered by these, as they flew too low to bother air force aircraft and were not armed.

By 2015 the army had been quietly building its new army air force for a while. In 2006 the army quietly bought twenty Predator type UAVs called Sky Warrior Alpha. All of these came from the same firm that manufactures the Predator and Sky Warrior. These were in use in Iraq for nearly three years, mainly for counter-IED work with Task Force Odin. The one-ton Sky Warrior Alpha can carry 204 kg of sensors and 136 kg weapons, and a few of them have fired Hellfire missiles. Sky Warrior Alpha was, officially, the I-Gnat ER, which was based on a predecessor design of the Predator, the Gnat-750, and an improved model, the I-Gnat, which had been in use since 1989. The I-Gnat ER/ Sky Warrior Alpha looks like a Predator but isn't. In terms of design and capabilities, they are cousins.

The MQ-1C Sky Warrior weighs 1.5 tons, carries 135 kg of sensors internally, and up to 227 kg of sensors or weapons externally. It has an endurance of up to 36 hours and a top speed of 270 kilometers an hour. Sky Warrior can land and take off automatically, and carry four Hellfire missiles, compared to two on the Predator, or a dozen smaller 70mm guided missiles. The original MQ-1 Predator was a one ton aircraft that had two hard points under its wing, which could carry one 49 kg Hellfire each. Max speed of the Predator was 215 kilometers an hour, max cruising speed is 160 kilometers an hour with a max altitude of 25,000 feet. Typical sorties are 12-20 hours each. A Sky Warrior company has 115 troops, 12 Sky Warrior UAVs and five ground stations. The army planned to equip each combat brigade with a Sky Warrior company.

As its model number, MQ-1C indicates, Sky Warrior is a MQ-1 Predator replacement. The U.S. Air Force had planned to replace its MQ-1s with MQ-1Cs, but later chose to buy only larger Reapers. The Sky Warrior was developed by the army, which wanted at least 500 of them.

The third member of the Predator family is the MQ-9 Reaper. This is a 4.7 ton aircraft that looks like the MQ-1. It has six hard points and can carry 680 kg. These include up to eight Hellfire missiles, two Sidewinder or two AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, two Maverick missiles, or two 227 kg smart bombs that are laser or GPS guided. Max speed is 400 kilometers an hour, and max endurance is 15 hours. The Reaper is considered a combat aircraft, to replace F-16s or A-10s in many situations. This it has done, in addition to giving army commanders and troops unprecedented aerial reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities. Small infantry units like platoons and squads have their 2 kg Raven controlled with a handheld device with a screen showing the user what the Raven video camera sees. Raven has a max range of 10 kilometers and endurance of up to 90 minutes before the battery has to be changed or recharged.
February 8, 2024: A recent survey of national military power ranked South Korea as number five while its belligerent neighbor North Korea came in at 36. This has a lot to do with the economic differences between the two Koreas. The south is democratic and prosperous with a growing arms industry that designs and manufactures modern weapons for itself and export. The South Korean military has half as many men, and some women, in the military. The southerners are better trained, armed, supported, and led.

There are many reasons why the Inmun Gun, as North Korean calls its armed forces, despite its large size of about a million troops is considered relatively ineffective. One of the least talked about, especially in the media, problem is the growing use of bribes within the North Korean armed forces. This begins when young men are conscripted. The growing wealth generated by a recently legalized market economy in the north means there are more middle-class families with enough cash to protect their sons from the most unpleasant forms of military service. For nearly a decade it has been common for conscription officials to accept bribes to get the sons of affluent families into choice jobs in the capital, the internal security service, or anywhere but the combat divisions on the DMZ, or Demilitarized Zone that separates north and south. This type of bribery has become so widespread that jobs in the bureaucracy and military dealing with assignments of new conscripts, and thus the people to be bribed, are now being sold to officers who have the most cash. Buying one of these jobs is a good investment, because a lot of money can be made. There is some risk because of occasional crackdowns. If you get caught, life in a labor camp or execution is likely, but so far, the risks appear to be low, and the money is good. Its gotten to the point where if you pay a large enough bribe to the right people, you can be out of the military within six months with a medical discharge.

Over the last few years, the number of missing conscripts has become obvious, and the solution was not to send a lot of officers in charge of conscription to labor camps, but to try and pressure recent high school graduates and those who had recently completed their ten years of service to voluntarily enlist or reenlist. Birth rates have been declining for years and so has the population of military-age men. Those already in the military are bribing their way out or simply deserting. The calls for voluntary enlistments have largely been ignored.

The North Korean armed forces have lots of other, and older, problems. While nearly every adult male serves at least six years in the military, the big problem is that years of economic problems and failed harvests have left the troops poorly equipped, often hungry, and increasingly insubordinate. With most of the best educated troops bribing their way into any job but one in a combat unit, it is increasingly doubtful if the North Korean combat forces could get very far during an invasion of South Korea.

Despite all that, a lot of North Korean troops are believed to be reliable enough to carry out orders to invade South Korea, for a while at least, and that could end up doing a lot of damage to Seoul, the southern capital where half the population and a quarter of the GDP are. South Koreans have more to lose than the northerners. Sprawling Seoul is 40-50 kilometers from the North Korean border. The city alone is 600 square kilometers, and the suburbs are even larger. There are over 17,000 people per square kilometer in the city. The southerners know the north is desperate and heavily armed. What do you do? South Korea has responded by increasing its ability to quickly halt any rocket and artillery bombardment from the north. This would involve a lot of artillery and smart bomb use in a short time. Many North Korean targets would be destroyed but the south has much more to lose, even if the northern attack is cut short.

The North Korean Army currently has about 800,000 troops, over 3,000 tanks, 3,000 other AFV, or armored fighting vehicles for infantry, and nearly 8,000 artillery pieces, including 2,000 rocket launchers. Most of these weapons are pointed south and stationed on or near the DMZ. North Korea has the means to be dangerous, for a little while anyway. Fuel shortages, elderly equipment and lack of maintenance means that a lot of this gear would not stay operational for long. As an example, the past 25 years or so of deferred maintenance, as in none on tube artillery pieces including the guns on tanks, means almost all of those can only fire one round because their recuperator seals have deteriorated so much.

North Korea has two armored divisions, 12 motorized infantry and 23 non-motorized infantry divisions used only for static defense along the DMZ. These troops also serve as border guards to prevent civilians or soldiers from leaving the country via the DMZ. A growing number of North Korean troops stationed on the DMZ are deserting via the DMZ. There are supposed to be lots of landmines in the DMZ, but many have been removed or otherwise become inoperable over the years and not replaced. This was noticed as more North Korean soldiers came across the DMZ at night and often had to find a South Korean military border post or civilian home further south so they could announce they were defecting. When this started happening several years ago it became a scandal because the DMZ was supposed to be well guarded.

Most of the best educated North Korean troops are in the rear areas, where their parents, bribes and instinct for self-preservation put them. The troops along the DMZ know this and are expected to lose some of their enthusiasm as a result. A growing number of North Korean refugees arriving in South Korea, who served along the northern side of the DMZ, confirm all this. They also confirm that the growing culture of corruption in the military leadership and bureaucracy is seeing more and more of the food and fuel meant for front line troops diverted by corrupt officers and sold in the markets. No wonder so many parents are willing to pay bribes to make sure their kids never get assigned to one of those units.
The HR outsourcing services firm will also be intensifying investment for the growth of its team after completing a remarkable year.

MANCHESTER, UK / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services, a leading HR consultancy firm based in the UK, will soon be rolling out market-leading care documentation and support services for its clients in healthcare. This will ensure compliance with Care Quality Commission regulations and enhance the quality of care.

"Avensure clients have much to anticipate in 2024," Avensure's Managing Director Chris Garner said.

Investing In The Team's Improvement

To date, Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services has invested over 1 million in its software team, nicknamed the "Avensure Genius Team." The company plans to intensify its investment in 2024 and beyond, aiming to make it the most comprehensive HR and Health & Safety Management System in the UK.

Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services will continue to invest heavily in its service team, including senior HR experts and solicitors, to ensure clients consistently receive top-notch service.

"Our solicitor team expansion now enables us to offer a comprehensive immigration service to assist clients with overseas workers and related complications," Garner shared.

More Webinars To Come

Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services is planning a series of HR and Health and Safety webinars this year after successfully holding a few last year.

In November 2023, Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services hosted an interactive HR client training webinar focused on understanding unfair dismissals. Garner explained, "Dismissing an employee is a task every employer will face, and getting it wrong is simply not an option. Our live and interactive webinar provided pragmatic, solution-focused guidance on understanding unfair dismissal."

This year, Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services intends to address changes in employment laws and other crucial topics. "We will be inviting all Avensure clients to participate and enhance their staff's skills through our informative sessions," the Managing Director stated.

2023 - A Remarkable Year

Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services achieved record amounts of business last year, with sales revenue increasing by 25% compared to 2022. The company welcomed valuable additions to the sales team and successfully launched a range of new products and online software.

"All these solidified our position as the best-reviewed service provider in the UK, leading to increased business and improved conversion rates. The successful launch of our online software and app, well-received by our clients, marked a significant accomplishment," Chris Garner commented.

While admitting that continuously increasing revenue in a highly competitive marketplace remains a primary challenge, Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services prides itself on staying one step ahead by consistently adding value to its products and maintaining the best-reviewed service in the UK.

Visit https://www.avensure.com/ for more information.

Media Contact

Organization: Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services

Contact Person: Chris Garner

Website: https://www.avensure.com/

Email: [email protected]

Contact Number: +03301008705

Address: 4th Floor, St John House, 2-10 Queen St

City: Manchester M2 5JB

Country: United Kingdom

SOURCE: Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services

View the original press release on accesswire.com
VICTORIA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 7, 2024 / Boron One Holdings Inc. ("Boron One" or the "Company") (TSXV:BONE), is pleased to announce the implementation of a warrant exercise incentive program (the "Program") intended to encourage the exercise of up to 12,201,837 unlisted common share purchase warrants of the Company (the "Eligible Warrants") which were issued as part of the Company's private placements which closed on March 25, 2019 (Tranche One") and May 25, 2023 ("Tranche 2"). The Tranche 1 warrants issued on March 25, 2019 had an exercise price of $0.15 in the first year and $0.30 from the second to the fifth year, and the Tranche 2 warrants issued on May 25, 2023 had an exercise price of $0.15. The board of directors of the Company have determined it to be in the best interests of the Corporation to reprice the Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 warrants from the current exercise price of $0.30 and $0.15 respectively per share of common stock to C$0.09 per Warrant Share (the "Warrant Repricing").

Each Eligible Warrant is exercisable for one common share of the Company (each a "Common Share") at a price of $0.09 per Common Share, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange to the proposed Warrant Repricing. The Tranche 1 warrants expire on March 25, 2024 and the Tranche 2 warrants expire on May 25, 2025, both at 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time).

To the extent that holders of Eligible Warrants take advantage of the opportunity to exercise their Eligible Warrants early, this will fund working capital purposes. Eligible Warrants that remain unexercised following the completion of the Early Exercise Period (defined below) will continue to be exercisable for Common Shares on the original terms as they existed prior to the Program.

Summary Information about Warrant Incentive Program

Pursuant to the Program, the Company is offering an inducement to each holder of Eligible Warrants ("Warrant Holders") that exercises Eligible Warrants during an early exercise period (the "Early Exercise Period") consisting of one new Warrant (the "New Warrant") in addition to the common share subscribed for. Each New Warrant is exercisable at $0.15 for 2 years, subject to the right of the Corporation to accelerate expiry upon 30 days' notice if the shares of the Corporation trade on the TSX Venture Exchange at or above $0.25 for a period of 10 days. The Expiry Date of the Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 warrants will be subject to an accelerated expiry upon 30 days' notice if the shares of the Corporation trade on the TSX Venture Exchange at or above $0.115, for a period of ten (10) consecutive trading days.

The Early Exercise Period will commence two weeks after receipt of TSX Venture Exchange conditional approval and run for 2 weeks. A follow up press release will be issued. The Incentive Warrants and any Common Shares issuable on the exercise thereof will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issuance of the Incentive Warrants pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

Depending upon the number of Eligible Warrants exercised during the Early Exercise Period, the Company expects to:

 receive gross proceeds of up to $1,098,165.33;

 issue up to 12,201,837 Common Shares pursuant to the exercise of Eligible Warrants in accordance with the terms of the Eligible Warrants; and

 issue up to 12,201,837 Incentive Warrants to Warrant Holders pursuant to the exercise of the Eligible Warrants on or before the Early Exercise Expiry Date.

The terms and conditions of the Program and the method of exercising Eligible Warrants pursuant to the Program are set forth in a letter which is being delivered to the last known contact of each Warrant Holder. Warrant Holders who wish to participate in the Program will agree to exercise their Eligible Warrants and deliver the other necessary documents in consideration of the issuance by the Company of the Incentive Warrants.

The Program and the Warrant Repricing is subject to approval from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") and is subject to the receipt of all final regulatory approvals, including final approval of the Exchange. The number of Eligible Warrants to be exercised by insiders of the Company is limited to no more than 10% of the total Eligible Warrants, being 12,201,837 Eligible Warrants, and the Company will issue no more than 1,220,183 Incentive Warrants to insiders under the Program. Insiders presently hold no Eligible Warrants.

Procedure for the Exercise of Warrants

Upon commencement of the Early Exercise Period, registered holders of Eligible Warrants may exercise their rights to acquire the Common Shares and Incentive Warrants.

All Eligible Warrants must be processed through the Company at the offices of the Company located at 203, 645 Fort Street, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1G2.

To exercise Eligible Warrants during the Early Exercise Period, a Warrant Holder must:

1. Surrender the original Warrant Certificate(s) representing the Eligible Warrants to the Company by hand or courier at the address noted above. The Warrant Certificate(s) representing the Eligible Warrants must be submitted together with:

(a) a duly completed and executed Subscription Form as attached to the Eligible Warrant Certificate, specifying the number of Eligible Warrants that the Warrant Holder intends to exercise; and

(b) a certified cheque, bank draft or money order in Canadian dollars, payable to or to the order of "Boron One Holdings Inc." in an amount equal to $0.09 multiplied by the number of Eligible Warrants that the Warrant Holder intends to exercise.

All Eligible Warrant Certificates surrendered for full exercise will be cancelled by the Company and will be of no further force or effect.

All Eligible Warrant Certificates surrendered together with a duly completed and executed Subscription Form, and payment of the applicable exercise price for the number of Eligible Warrants exercised will be deemed to be surrendered only upon personal delivery thereof to, or, if sent by mail or other means of transmission, upon actual receipt thereof by the Company. Any use of the mail to transmit Eligible Warrant Certificates is at the risk of the Warrant Holder. If such documents are to be mailed, it is recommended that registered mail, properly insured, be used with acknowledgement of receipt requested.

Fractional Shares

The Company will not be obligated to issue any fractional Common Shares, fractional Incentive Warrants or any cash or other consideration in lieu thereof upon the exchange of one or more Eligible Warrants. If any fraction of a Common Share or Incentive Warrant would otherwise be issuable, the number of such securities so issued will be rounded down to the nearest whole number without compensation thereof.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Tim Daniels, President

About Boron One Holdings Inc.

Boron One Holdings Inc. is an international mineral exploration and development company with boron assets in Serbia. Headquartered in Victoria, B.C., Canada, Boron One's shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "BONE". For detailed information please see Boron One's website at www.boronone.com or the Company's filed documents at www.sedar.com..

For further information, please contact: Boron's Public Quotations:

Boron One Holdings Inc. Canada

Blake Fallis, General Manager TSX Venture: BONE

Phone: 1-250- 384-1999 or 1-888-289-3746 Berlin: EKV

[email protected] US: SEC 12G3-2(B) #82-4432ERVFF

www.boronone.com OTCBB: ERVFF

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.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Delmarva Power is proud to partner with more than 200 local non-profits in Delaware and Maryland that support neighbors in need, advance career opportunities, and create a stronger, more connected community.

Through partnerships with dedicated non-profits and other local organizations in our region, we're able to make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors and power a brighter future for us all. It's another way we're delivering more than energy. Learn how we're empowering our community here.

Harford Community Action Agency

Harford Community Action Agency (HCAA) is on a mission to help Harford County residents meet their needs when experiencing financial hardships. They do this by helping residents access housing, food, and energy assistance programs. Additionally, they partner with other organizations to provide services to help build the skills needed to lead fulfilling lives.

In partnership with HCAA, we connect customers to energy assistance applications and education. We also created an online portal to help more people in the community access the support they need.

Learn more about HCAA here.

Delaware Technical Community College

Delaware Tech is dedicated to the success of Delawareans, offering affordable degree programs that prepare students to continue their education or move directly into the workforce. Through its high-quality educational offerings and partnerships with Delaware businesses, Delaware Tech opens doors in the community, for the community.

Through Delmarva Power's Community Scholars Program, we've supported scholarships that provide financial assistance for Delaware Tech students pursuing higher education or vocational training for future careers in energy-related fields.

Learn more about Delaware Tech here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Delmarva Power on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Delmarva Power

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/delmarva-power

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Delmarva Power

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KINGSPORT, TN / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Eastman:

Eastman announces its annual rating on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's assessment of LGBTQ+ workplace equality.

Eastman

Eastman (NYSE: EMN) proudly announced that it received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index, the nation's foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. Eastman joins the ranks of 545 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year.

"Eastman is a global material innovation company, but more importantly, we're a people company," said Julie McAlindon, Senior Vice President, Regions and Chief Supply Chain Officer, and executive champion of Eastman's Equality resource group. "We care deeply about improving the quality of life for our team members and those who live in the communities in which we operate. This award is a recognition of the incredible efforts of our global team and our Equality Eastman Resource Group and exemplifies our commitment to I&D and our LGBTQ+ team members and allies."

"For well over two decades, businesses have played an important role in furthering LGBTQ+ equality by centering employee needs and voices when it comes to workplace inclusion. While there is much more work to be done, year-over-year growth in CEI participation is evidence of a business community that recognizes the responsibility and value in upholding equity and inclusion," said RaShawn "Shawnie" Hawkins, Human Rights Campaign senior director of Workplace Equality. "Our goal at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation is to work in a spirit of partnership with companies, providing educational resources and leading benchmarking, and collaborating on ways for businesses to support the LGBTQ+ community at a time when we face unprecedented legislative attacks, heightened anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and physical violence. The CEI is an ever-evolving tool - a blueprint that companies can use to show up more effectively in supporting their LGBTQ+ employees and their families."

The results of the 2023-2024 CEI showcase how U.S.-based companies are promoting LGBTQ+ friendly workplace policies in the U.S. and abroad. The first year of the CEI included 319 participants, and the 2023-2024 CEI now includes 1,384 participants; further demonstrating the tremendous trajectory of the CEI, a record-breaking 1,340 businesses have non-discrimination protections specific to gender identity, up from just 17 in 2002. These critical non-discrimination protections cover 21 million employees in the U.S. and around the globe. Eastman's efforts in satisfying all the CEI's criteria earned a score of 100 and the designation as recipient of the Equality 100 Award: Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion.

The CEI rates employers providing these crucial protections to over 20 million U.S. workers and an additional 18 million outside of the U.S. Companies rated in the CEI include Fortune magazine's 500 largest publicly traded businesses, American Lawyer magazine's top 200 revenue-grossing law firms (AmLaw 200), and hundreds of publicly and privately held mid- to large-sized businesses.

The CEI rates companies on detailed criteria falling under four central pillars:

Non-discrimination policies across business entities;

Equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families;

Supporting an inclusive culture; and,

Corporate social responsibility.

The full report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.

About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public's understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice. Its work has transformed the landscape for more than 15 million workers, 11 million students, 1 million clients in the adoption and foster care system and so much more. The HRC Foundation provides direct consultation and technical assistance to institutions and communities, driving the advancement of inclusive policies and practices; it builds the capacity of future leaders and allies through fellowship and training programs; and, with the firm belief that we are stronger working together, it forges partnerships with advocates in the U.S. and around the globe to increase our impact and shape the future of our work.

About Eastman

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company's innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive and diverse company, Eastman employs approximately 14,500 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2022 revenue of approximately $10.6 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA.

Media contact

Candy Eslinger

423-229-3439

[email protected]

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Eastman on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Eastman

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/eastman

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Eastman

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HOLLYWOOD, FL and MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / On February 26, 2024 after the NYSE closing, HEICO Corporation (NYSE: HEI.A)(NYSE: HEI) will release its financial results for the first quarter ended January 31, 2024. The earnings release will be available through the Internet on the Company's website at https://www.heico.com.

In order to assist interested parties in scheduling their participation in HEICO teleconferences, the Company issues advance notices of conference calls.

HEICO will hold a conference call on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time to discuss its first quarter results. Individuals wishing to participate in the conference call should dial: US and Canada (888) 256-1007, International (929) 477-0448, wait for the conference operator and provide the operator with the Conference ID 8809355. A digital replay will be available two hours after the completion of the conference call for 14 days. To access the replay, please visit our website at https://www.heico.com under the Investors section for details.

The Company has two classes of common stock traded on the NYSE. Both classes, the Common Stock (HEI) and the Class A Common Stock (HEI.A), are virtually identical in all economic respects. The only difference between the share classes is the voting rights. The Class A Common Stock (HEI.A) carries 1/10 vote per share and the Common Stock (HEI) carries one vote per share. The stock symbols for HEICO's two classes of common stock on most websites are HEI and HEI.A. However, some websites change HEICO's Class A Common Stock symbol (HEI.A) to HEI/A or HEIa.

HEICO Corporation is engaged primarily in the design, production, servicing and distribution of products and services to certain niche segments of the aviation, defense, space, medical, telecommunications and electronics industries through its Hollywood, Florida-based Flight Support Group and its Miami, Florida-based Electronic Technologies Group. HEICO's customers include a majority of the world's airlines and overhaul shops, as well as numerous defense and space contractors and military agencies worldwide, in addition to medical, telecommunications and electronics equipment manufacturers. For more information about HEICO, please visit our website at https://www.heico.com.

Contact: Victor H. Mendelson (305) 374-1745 ext. 7590

Carlos L. Macau, Jr. (954) 987-4000 ext. 7570

SOURCE: HEICO Corporation

View the original press release on accesswire.com
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Intellipharmaceutics International Inc. (OTCQB: IPCIF)(TSX:IPCI) ("Intellipharmaceutics" or the "Company"), a pharmaceutical company specializing in the research, development and manufacture of novel and generic controlled-release and targeted-release oral solid dosage drugs, today announces that, the Company has issued 1,910,000 common share purchase options (the "Options", and each an "Option") pursuant to the Company's stock option plan (the "Plan"). The Company issued 1,910,000 Options to certain directors, officers and employees of the Company, who are eligible to receive the Options under the Plan. Each Option grants the holder the right to purchase one Common Share at a purchase price of Cdn $0.094 per Common Share for a period of 10 years from the date of issue. Accordingly, the Options expire February 5, 2034. The Options will vest: (i) 50% immediately; (ii) 25% on the first anniversary of the grant; and (iii) 25% on the second anniversary of the grant.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

About Intellipharmaceutics

Intellipharmaceutics International Inc. is a pharmaceutical company specializing in the research, development and manufacture of novel and generic controlled-release and targeted-release oral solid dosage drugs. The Company's patented Hypermatrix" technology is a multidimensional controlled-release drug delivery platform that can be applied to a wide range of existing and new pharmaceuticals.

Intellipharmaceutics has developed several drug delivery systems based on this technology platform, with a pipeline of products (some of which have received FDA approval) in various stages of development. The Company has ANDA and NDA 505(b)(2) drug product candidates in its development pipeline. These include the Company's abuse-deterrent oxycodone hydrochloride extended-release formulation ("Oxycodone ER") based on its proprietary nPODDDS"; novel Point Of Divergence Drug Delivery System (for which an NDA has been filed with the FDA), and Regabatin"; XR (pregabalin extended-release capsules).

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and/or "forward-looking information" under the Securities Act (Ontario) (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). These statements include, without limitation, statements expressed or implied regarding the listing of the Shares on the TSXV and the voluntary delisting of the Shares from the TSX, each of which remain subject to approval by the TSXV and TSX, respectively, and any expectations, including with respect to results and timing of the processes related to any of the foregoing. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "appear", "unlikely", "target", "may", "will", "should", "expects", "plans", "plans to", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "predicts", "confident", "prospects", "potential", "continue", "intends", "look forward", "could", "would", "projected", "set to", "seeking" or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. We made a number of assumptions in the preparation of our forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, which are subject to a multitude of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, future circumstances or events to differ materially from those stated in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties relating to us and our business include the Company's inability to list its Shares on the TSXV and to voluntarily delist its Shares from the TSX and other risk factors described under the "Risk Factors" section of our latest annual information form, our latest Form 20-F, and our latest Form F-1 and Form F-3 registration statements (including any documents forming a part thereof or incorporated by reference therein), as amended, as well as in our reports, public disclosure documents and other filings with the securities commissions and other regulatory bodies in Canada and the U.S., which are available on www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements herein reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on what we believe are reasonable assumptions as of the date of this document and we disclaim any intention and have no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Trademarks used herein are the property of their respective holders.

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to "we," "us," "our," Intellipharmaceutics," and the "Company" refer to Intellipharmaceutics International Inc. and its subsidiaries.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Company Contact:

Intellipharmaceutics International Inc.

Isa Odidi

Chief Executive Officer

416.854.9090

[email protected]

SOURCE: Intellipharmaceutics International Inc.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has extended his congratulations to Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, following his re-election for a fifth consecutive term in office. Erdogan expressed his hopes for Aliyev's continued presidency to bring prosperity to the Azerbaijani people.

Aliyev secured a landslide victory in the presidential election, capturing 92 percent of the votes according to official tallies. The Central Election Commission confirmed his win, with a turnout of 67.7 percent across the country.

In celebration of Aliyev's triumph, thousands of supporters gathered in central Baku, chanting patriotic songs and waving signs praising him as the liberator of Karabakh.

Aliyev and his wife, Mehriban Aliyeva, cast their votes in the city of Khankendi in Karabakh, where 26 polling stations opened for the first time in the region's history. Aliyev has hailed the victory in Karabakh as a significant milestone, marking a new era for the country.

Throughout his presidency, Aliyev has been credited with transforming Azerbaijan from a Soviet-era backwater into a vital energy supplier for Europe. His leadership has seen him re-elected multiple times since 2003, following in the footsteps of his father, Heydar Aliyev.

Observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) monitored the election, which saw approximately six million registered voters participating in the democratic process.

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz also offered his congratulations to Aliyev, emphasizing the strong bond between their nations and their shared vision for the future. Yilmaz expressed his well wishes for Aliyev's re-election and hoped that it would bring positive outcomes for both Azerbaijan and the broader region.

"Congratulations to Mr. Ilham Aliyev on his re-election as president, supported by the people of Azerbaijan in today's presidential election. I hope these elections will bring prosperity to the Azerbaijani people and our region," Yilmaz stated.

Aliyev secured his re-election with a significant majority, receiving 92.1% of the votes in the early presidential election held on Wednesday. Independent candidate Zahid Oruj trailed with 2.2% of the votes.

Christians in Turkey Face Mounting Challenges Following IS Attack
RALEIGH, NC / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Issuer Direct Corporation (NYSE American:ISDR) , ("Issuer Direct" or the "Company"), a leading communications and compliance company, is set to exhibit at the PDAC Tradeshow North , the world's premier mineral exploration and mining convention.

The annual four-day trade show in Toronto, Canada, brings up to 30,000 attendees from 130+ countries together to showcase their technology, products, services, and mining jurisdictions.

As an exhibitor (booth #7428N in Tradeshow North), Issuer Direct will share its expertise and experience in helping mining companies communicate their news to stakeholders, investors, media outlets, and the public.

"With each passing year, we continue to strengthen our position as a valuable resource mining companies can lean on to elevate their brand in the market with our press release distribution services," said Jennifer Hammers, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Issuer Direct. "We're looking forward to being back this year as an exhibitor and meeting attendees from around the world to show and not just tell them how powerful press releases can be for their brand."

ACCESSWIRE , an Issuer Direct company, is one of the top newswires in the industry and offers global distribution, predictable flat-fee pricing, and top-tier customer service that's been recognized by numerous G2 badges including, "Easiest To Do Business With," "Best Relationship," "Most Implementable" and more.

Issuer Direct will exhibit at booth number #7428N in Tradeshow North.

###

About Issuer Direct Corporation

Issuer Direct is an industry-leading communications company focusing on the needs of Public Relations and Investor Relations Professionals for over 15 years. Offering a comprehensive suite of communications products, Issuer Direct connects thousands of private and public organizations with journalists, investors, and shareholders, ensuring their most important moments are reaching their audiences. For more information, please visit www.issuerdirect.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (which Sections were adopted as part of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "prospects," "outlook," and similar words or expressions, or future or conditional verbs, such as "will," "should," "would," "may," and "could," are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any anticipated results, performance, or achievements for many reasons including the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The Company disclaims any intention to, and undertakes no obligation to, revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, a future event, or otherwise. For additional risks and uncertainties that could impact the Company's forward-looking statements, please see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, including but not limited to the discussion under "Risk Factors" therein, which the Company filed with the SEC and which may be viewed at http://www.sec.gov/ .

For Further Information:

Issuer Direct Corporation

Brian R. Balbirnie

Chief Executive Officer

919-481-4000

[email protected] Issuer Direct Corporation

Jennifer Hammers

EVP Sales & Marketing

919-481-4000

[email protected] SOURCE: Issuer Direct Corporation

View the original press release on accesswire.com
BURLINGTON ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 7, 2024 / Memex Inc. ("Memex" or the "Company" or the "Issuer") (TSX-V:OEE), a leader in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) manufacturing productivity software, confirms that, as previously suggested by Memex in an earlier press, the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) has issued a Cease Trade Order (a "CTO") in respect of the securities of Memex effective February 2, 2024 for its failure to file its annual financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2023, including the related management discussion and analysis, and CEO and CFO certifications (collectively, the "Annual Financial Filings") by the filing deadline of January 28, 2024 (the "Filing Deadline"). The delay in filing the Annual Financial Filings is due to the Company's inability to commence audit procedures in a timely manner. The CTO issued by the OSC also takes automatic effect in each jurisdiction of Canada that has a statutory reciprocal order provision. Further, as a result of the CTO, the TSX Venture Exchange has suspended trading in the Company's shares.

The Company, including its' auditors, are working to complete the Annual Financial Filings, and the Company expects to be able to file its Annual Financial Filings on or before February 29, 2024. The Company will provide updates as further information relating to the Annual Financial Filings becomes available.

Until the Annual Financial Filings are filed, the Company intends to issue bi-weekly default status reports. The Company confirms that there is no other material information relating to its affairs that has not been generally disclosed.

About Memex Inc.:

Established in 1992, Memex grew to be an industry leader in Industry Internet of Things (IIoT) through the development of MERLIN Tempus, an award-winning platform that delivers real-time, tangible increases in manufacturing productivity. Memex is on the leading edge of industry trends in computing power, machine connectivity, industry standards, advanced software technology, and manufacturing domain expertise.

Our persistent pursuit of innovative IIoT solutions led to a comprehensive understanding of the challenge's manufacturers face. We made it our mission to, "successfully transform factories of today into factories of the future." As the global leader in Machine to Machine (M2M) connectivity solutions, our hardware and software products create unparalleled visibility at all levels, from "Shop-Floor-to-Top-Floor."

The MERLIN Tempus Suite provides effective quantification and management of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) by revealing hidden capacity using real-time objective data. Further, it offers sustainable benefits that enable world-class OEE such as reducing costs, incorporating strategies for continuous LEAN improvement, and boosting bottom-line financial performance. For more information, please visit: www.MemexOEE.com

For investor inquiries please contact:

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: Memex Inc.

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LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Planet 13 Holdings Inc. (CSE:PLTH)(OTCQX:PLNH) ("Planet 13" or the "Company"), a leading vertically-integrated multi-state cannabis company, today announced the appointments of Lee Fraser to the role of Chief Administrative Officer, Tatev Oganyan to General Counsel and Kevin Martin to the Company's board of directors. The appointments reaffirm Planet 13's commitment to governance, compliance, financial security, and leadership strength and depth.

"Since joining the board in May 2023, Lee has taken on increasingly complex leadership roles on a variety of projects and has quickly grasped the unique challenges in the cannabis industry while becoming a larger resource for the entire Planet 13 team. The appointment to Chief Administrative Officer is representative of the value we place on his knowledge and his organizational and administrative capabilities," said Bob Groesbeck, Co-CEO of Planet 13. "We appreciate his willingness to take on a larger role with the Company at this crucial time where we are significantly expanding our footprint with the upcoming close of our acquisition of VidaCann."

"Planet 13 has a great opportunity in front of it with the opening of our operations in Illinois, our expansion into Florida and the potential adult-use legislation there. Add to this the positive impact of potential federal rescheduling and SAFE banking legislation, and it's a very exciting time for the industry as a whole. I'm excited to be taking a more involved role with the Company at this time to help ensure we maximize this opportunity to generate shareholder value," said Lee Fraser, incoming Chief Administrative Officer.

Larry Scheffler, CO-CEO, added, "We would also like to welcome Kevin Martin to the board of directors. He has an excellent track record. Currently, Kevin is the director of internal audit at IKO Global and, prior to that, as a compliance leader at Irving Oil Ltd. and Endeavour Mining Corporation. He has been responsible for the development and implementation of best practice audit and risk strategy along with ERP implementations. Considering recent events and Planet 13's upcoming growth, we know Kevin will be a significant resource for Planet 13 as we continue to improve efficiency, security, and reliability company wide."

As Chief Administrative Officer, Lee Fraser will be responsible for strategic planning, sales and purchasing, operations management, risk management and compliance. The role matches Mr. Fraser's strengths, developed over 20 plus years as a finance & operations executive at several publicly traded companies. His experience overseeing large-scale growth projects and large teams across many different states and countries for companies such as Warner Bros and Fox Corp will be key in Planet 13's next phase of growth.

As a Board Member, Kevin Martin will apply his knowledge and experience from a career in internal audit at large private and public companies to implementing best practices to improve Planet 13's governance, financial practices, and audit and financial procedures. Martin holds a CPA, CFE, and CRMA designations with 22 years of experience in internal audit and operational experience.

As General Counsel, Tatev Oganyan will serve as the primary legal advisor to management and the board while overseeing legal matters for the Company. In her role as regulatory counsel at Planet 13, Tatev led the licensing and permitting process for the successful opening of the Planet 13 Orange County and Planet 13 Waukegan stores. She further led the regulatory due diligence for the Next Green Wave acquisition, allowing Planet 13 to broaden its popular brand portfolio in California. Before joining Planet 13, Tatev established a leading practice, specializing in cannabis law, licensing, and regulatory compliance for premium cannabis brands.

About Planet 13

Planet 13 (https://planet13.com/investors/) is a vertically integrated cannabis company, with award-winning cultivation, production and dispensary operations across its locations in California, Nevada, Illinois, and upcoming sites in Florida. Home to the nation's largest dispensary located just off The Strip in Las Vegas, Planet 13 recently opened its first Illinois dispensary in Waukegan, bringing unparalleled cannabis experiences to the Chicago metro area. Planet 13 holds a medical marijuana treatment center license in Florida allowing for state-wide expansion throughout the Sunshine State. Planet 13's mission is to build a recognizable global brand known for world-class dispensary operations and innovative cannabis products. Licensed cannabis activity is legal in the states Planet 13 operates in but remains illegal under U.S. federal law. Planet 13's shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the symbol PLTH and are quoted on the OTCQX under the symbol PLNH.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are often, but not always, identified by phrases such "plans", "expects", "proposed", "may", "could", "would", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to filling vacancies on the board of directors and in the executive management group. Such forward-looking statements reflect what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon such forward-looking statements and that actual results may vary from such forward-looking statements. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ include, among others, those assumptions, risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and any of the Company's subsequent periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as to the date of this press release and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements should they change, except as required by law. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

For further inquiries, please contact:

LodeRock Advisors Inc., Planet 13 Investor Relations

[email protected]

Robert Groesbeck or Larry Scheffler

Co-Chief Executive Officers

[email protected]

SOURCE: Planet 13 Holdings

View the original press release on accesswire.com
DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / SRH Total Return Fund, Inc. (NYSE: STEW) (the "Fund") announced the declaration of a quarterly distribution of $0.1375 per share to occur in April 2024. This distribution is being paid as part of the Fund's managed distribution program under which the Fund intends to make per share distributions of $0.1375 per quarter or $0.55 per year. As of market close on February 5, 2024, the distribution (on an annualized basis) amounts to approximately 3.89% of the Fund's market price and 3.07% of its net asset value ("NAV").

Due to the current discount of the Fund's market price to its per share NAV and the fact that distributions are made in cash (i.e., at NAV), if Fund shares continue to trade at a discount at the time of this distribution, then it will be accretive to the Fund's market-price-based return. The April 2024 quarterly distribution will be payable in cash to stockholders of record per the following critical dates:

Pay Date Record Date Ex-Dividend Date Amount Per Share April 30, 2024 April 23, 2024 April 22, 2024 $0.1375

As previously announced, the Board of Directors instituted a managed distribution program in accordance with its Section 19(b) exemptive order in November 2015. In adopting the program, the Fund seeks to provide a regular quarterly distribution to its common stockholders which is not dependent on the amount of income earned or capital gains realized by the Fund.

Investors should not make any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of the Fund's distributions or the Fund's distribution policy. With each distribution that does not consist solely of net investment income, the Fund will issue a notice to shareholders and an accompanying press release that will provide detailed information regarding the amount and composition of the distribution and other related information. The amounts and sources of distributions reported in the notice to shareholders are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during its full fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send shareholders a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund

SRH Total Return Fund, Inc. is a non-diversified closed-end investment company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "STEW". As of February 5, 2024, the Fund's NAV was $17.92 per share and the closing market price was $14.14 (a -21.09% discount to NAV). For more information on the Fund, please visit the Fund's webpage at www.srhtotalreturnfund.com.

The Fund is a closed-end fund and does not continuously issue stock for sale as open-end mutual funds do. The Fund now trades in the secondary market. Investors wishing to buy or sell stock need to place orders through an intermediary or broker. The share price of a closed-end fund is based on the market value.

Paralel Advisors LLC

Paralel Advisors LLC serves as the investment advisor to the SRH Total Return Fund. Together with our parent company, Paralel Technologies LLC, we develop technology-based solutions to better serve investors.

Rocky Mountain Advisers, LLC

RMA is an investment adviser registered with the SEC based out of Kansas. More information about RMA is available at www.srhtotalreturnfund.com as well as www.investrma.com.

NOT FDIC INSURED | May Lose Value | No Bank Guarantee

Contact info:

Website: https://srhtotalreturnfund.com/

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: SRH Total Return Fund, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 8, 2024 / Temas Resources Corp. ("Temas" or the "Company") (CSE:TMAS)(OTCQB: TMASF) is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement (the "Financing") of up to 6,000,000 units at a price of $0.25 per share for gross proceeds of $1.5 million.

Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Issuer (a "Share") and one half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the Subscriber to purchase one additional common share of the Issuer (a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.40 per Warrant Share for a period of two years from the Closing Date.

The Company intends to use proceeds from the financing for the purpose of advancing the La Blache project, marketing and working capital. There may be finder's fees payable in cash or securities.

About Temas Resources

Temas Resources Corp. is focused on the advanced La Blache and Lac Brule Iron-Titanium-Vanadium projects in Quebec. The critical metals the Company is exploring for are key to our national mineral independence. Additionally, the Company invests in and works to apply its green mineral recovery technologies across its mining portfolio to reduce the environmental impact and carbon footprint of metal extraction through advanced processing and patented leaching technologies.

All public filings for the Company can be found on the SEDAR+ website www.sedarplus.ca. For more information about the Company, please visit www.temasresources.com.

For further information or investor relations inquiries:



Tim Fernback

President and CEO

[email protected]

KIN Communications Inc.

Tel: 604-684-6730

[email protected]

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve 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 statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the expectations of management regarding the proposed Financing, the expectations of management regarding the use of proceeds of the Financing; and regulatory approval for the proposed Financing. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements including that: the Company may not complete the Financing; the proceeds of the Offering may not be used as stated in this news release; and those additional risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE: Temas Resources Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Local economies in Bristol, CT; Greater North Texas; Marion, KY; Memphis, TN; Metairie, LA; Oklahoma City, OK; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; St. Louis, MO; and Tennessee Valley, TN impacted by drastic water infrastructure malfunctions following severe winter weather storms

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The American Business Water Coalition (ABWC) today released a report that exposes the urgent need for the federal government to drastically increase water infrastructure funding and protect the nations businesses and local economies. ABWCs new Business Impact Fact Sheet, 10 Extreme Water Disasters in 10 Days Shut Down Local Economies Across the Nation, gathers a list of water infrastructure failures directly tied to extreme weather and business loss in or surrounding major metropolitan areas in all regions of the country between the dates of Jan. 14 and Jan. 23.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240207273751/en/

The American Business Water Coalition's Business Impact Fact Sheet, 10 Extreme Water Disasters in 10 Days Shut Down Local Economies Across the Nation, compiles a startling list of water infrastructure failures directly tied to extreme weather and business loss in or surrounding major metropolitan areas across the country. (Photo: Business Wire)

Key events highlighted in the report include the following:

Memphis, Tennessee was placed under a boil water advisory between Jan. 18-23 following numerous water main breaks, impacting 600,000 people and wreaking havoc on businesses, many of which had to cease or significantly alter operations. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania suffered several large water main breaks following freezing temperatures, resulting in extreme street flooding and water shut-offs between Jan. 22-23 for 80 affected properties. Metairie, Louisiana, the largest community in Jefferson Parish, placed 250,000 residents and all businesses in the community under a boil water advisory on Jan. 23 following a massive break of an 80-year-old water main. Grocery stores, hospitals, schools and other businesses were forced to limit services or cease operations until the advisory was lifted on Jan. 25.

To download the entirety of the ABWC report, please click here.

This startling report only scratches the surface of what is happening in our country as a result of underfunded water infrastructure, said Mae Stevens, chief executive officer of the American Business Water Coalition. These events, which include water main breaks leading to water shut-offs and boil water advisories, will likely occur even more frequently in the future if the federal government continues to underinvest in our nations water infrastructure. Every business, no matter how big or how small, is dependent on water to operate. We are past due for this to be made a priority.

Currently, federal funding accounts for only 5% of all nationwide investment in water infrastructure. Restoring the countrys water systems simply to meet our current needs will cost at least $1 trillion over the next 25 years -- without taking into account the impacts of climate change or future threats like PFAS. Without a dramatic increase in federal investment, every business and community in America is at risk, with real-world effects showcased in this report.

About American Business Water Coalition

The American Business Water Coalition is a group of water-reliant businessesfrom manufacturing to energy to tech and beyond. The coalition provides a platform for businesses across the country to urge Congress and the Administration to increase investment in water infrastructure, and foster relationships between businesses and their local utilities. Learn more about the coalition here: https://www.businesswatercoalition.com/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240207273751/en/

Madeline Kauffman

(202) 750-7509

[email protected]

Source: American Business Water Coalition (ABWC)
AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of aa- (Superior) of Covea Cooperations (France), the intermediate operating holding company of Societe de Groupe dAssurance Mutuelle Covea (Covea or the group), a leading mutual insurance group in France. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect Coveas balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its adequate operating performance, very favourable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

Coveas balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation at the strongest level, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), as well as a liquid and conservative investment portfolio, and prudent reserving practices. AM Best expects Coveas risk-adjusted capitalisation to remain at the strongest level prospectively.

The adequate operating performance assessment takes into account Coveas track record of stable earnings, underpinned by a weighted average return-on-equity ratio of 4.6% for the five-year period ending in 2022, as calculated by AM Best. The groups earning profile is well-diversified, with prospective metrics expected to improve with the contribution of PartnerRe Ltd. (PartnerRe) to the groups results.

Covea has a strong presence in the French market, where it benefits from a large, well-established customer base and strong distribution capabilities. The acquisition of PartnerRe has significantly enhanced the groups product and geographic diversification. PartnerRe provides both life and non-life reinsurance coverage on a worldwide basis and is one of the largest reinsurers globally.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright  2024 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208291217/en/

Morgane Hillebrandt

Senior Financial Analyst

+31 20 308 5422

[email protected]



Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

[email protected]



Dr. Mathilde Jakobsen

Senior Director, Analytics

+31 20 308 5427

[email protected]



Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 822 2318

[email protected]

Source: AM Best
OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of aa- (Superior) of the operating subsidiaries of PartnerRe Ltd. (collectively referred to as PartnerRe). Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of a- (Excellent) of PartnerRe Ltd. (Pembroke, Bermuda). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect PartnerRes balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its adequate operating performance, very favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

The rating affirmations reflect a continuation of PartnerRes solid operating performance and capital position through its recent change in ownership to Covea Cooperations (Covea Coop). PartnerRe has produced strong results through the first three quarters of 2023, benefitting from reduced catastrophe losses, increased investment returns and improved pricing in the property reinsurance market.

Additionally, PartnerRe announced the upcoming retirement of its President & CEO Jacques Bonneau, and appointment of his successors. Both the new CEO (Phillipe Meyenhofer) and president (Jon Colello) currently hold executive positions at PartnerRe. It is not anticipated that the change in leadership will result in any material changes in the groups credit profile. However, AM Best will continue to monitor the transition and take action should material changes occur.

The FSR of A+ (Superior) and Long-Term ICRs of aa- (Superior) have been affirmed, each with a stable outlook, for the operating subsidiaries of PartnerRe Ltd.:

Partner Reinsurance Company Ltd.

Partner Reinsurance Company of the U.S.

PartnerRe Ireland Insurance Designated Activity Company

Partner Reinsurance Europe SE

PartnerRe America Insurance Company

PartnerRe Life Reinsurance Company of Canada

PartnerRe Life Reinsurance Company of America

PartnerRe Insurance Solutions Bermuda Ltd.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright  2024 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208558009/en/

Dan Hofmeister, CFA, FRM, CAIA

Associate Director

+1 908 882 1893

[email protected]

Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

[email protected]

Carlos Wong-Fupuy

Senior Director

+1 908 882 2438

[email protected]

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 882 2318

[email protected]

Source: AM Best
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of bbb+ (Good) of The Bahrain National Insurance Company BSC (c) (BNI) (Bahrain). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect BNIs balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

BNIs balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation at the strongest level, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), robust liquidity, and a well-diversified investment portfolio by asset class. AM Best expects BNIs risk-adjusted capitalisation to remain at the strongest level over the medium term, supported by internal capital generation despite relatively high dividend distributions to its parent, Bahrain National Holding Company BSC. Partially offsetting rating factors include high reinsurance dependence and elevated asset risk, with exposure to equities, real estate, unlisted securities, and other illiquid investments representing 35% of shareholders equity at year-end 2022.

BNI has a track record of strong operating performance, demonstrated by five-year (2018-2022) return on equity (ROE) of 17.2% (2022: 18.7%). Improving technical profitability in recent years, have supported a solid five-year (2018-2022) weighted average combined ratio of 86.9%. Operating performance remained strong in 2022, translating in a ROE of 18.7% (2021: 20.1%) and a combined ratio of 79.7% (2021: 78.1%), with strong operating performance continuing into the first half of 2023 with annualised ROE reaching 22.7%. Going forward, AM Best expects BNIs operating performance to remain commensurate with a strong assessment.

BNI has a well-established franchise as one of the largest non-life insurance companies in Bahrain, where it reported gross written premium of BHD 27.2 million (USD 72.5 million) in 2022 (six months 2023: BHD 14.5 million). In particular, the company has market leading position in the motor line of business in Bahrain, that represents the majority of business on a net basis. Although BNI benefits from a strong brand and good reputation locally, the companys business profile assessment is constrained by its concentration to Bahrains small and highly competitive non-life insurance market.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright  2024 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208802702/en/

Anna Sheremeteva

Financial Analyst

+44 20 7397 6264

[email protected]

Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

[email protected]

Jessica Botelho-Young, CA

Associate Director, Analytics

+44 20 7397 0310

[email protected]

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 882 2318

[email protected]

Source: AM Best
Reflects companys continued commitment to employees, customers, communities and shareholders

CAMDEN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., announced today that it has been named one of Americas Most JUST Companies by JUST Capital and CNBC. American Water is the highest-ranked water utility and ranked 68th overall, well within the top 10% of all Russell 1000 companies that were considered. The JUST 100 is the only ranking that recognizes American corporate leadership on business issues prioritized by the public.

American capitalism has to work for more Americans. For this to happen, the private sector, and especially big corporations, must take the lead in creating value for all their stakeholders, said JUST Capital CEO Martin Whittaker. Thats exactly what the JUST 100 are doing. They show that just business is better business.

Compared to Russell 1000 peers, companies in the JUST 100 on average:

Pay 11.8 percentage points more of their workers a family sustaining living wage (78.3%).

(78.3%). Provide 7.2 more hours of career development training per employee .

per . Offer 2 more weeks of paid parental leave for both primary caregivers and secondary caregivers.

for both primary caregivers and secondary caregivers. Emitted 42% less metric tons of CO2 per revenue dollar .

. Have a 4% higher profit margin, 2.9% higher return on equity, and 1.2% higher dividend yield.

American Water is honored to be recognized by JUST Capital as one of Americas Most JUST Companies, said John Griffith, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, American Water. Our inclusion in the JUST 100 confirms our belief that prioritizing all stakeholders leads to long-term growth and success.

For the annual Rankings, JUST Capital collects and analyzes corporate data to evaluate the 1,000 largest public U.S. companies across 20 issues identified through comprehensive, ongoing public opinion research on Americans attitudes toward responsible corporate behavior.

CNBC will delve into the data, highlighting company-specific results and showcasing key stakeholder performance stories about this years JUST 100 leaders across the networks broadcast and digital platforms at cnbc.com/just100. An exploration of the JUST 100 companies can be found at justcapital.com/rankings.

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Waters 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the companys national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About JUST Capital

The mission of JUST Capital, an independent nonprofit, is to demonstrate how just business  defined by the priorities of the public  is better business. Our goal is to help companies create value for all their stakeholders  their workers, customers, communities, the environment, and shareholders  by focusing on the issues that matter most to Americans. To date, weve polled more than 170,000 Americans on the issues they believe companies should prioritize when it comes to just business behavior, and those insights guide our work. We believe that business and markets can and must be a force for the greater good and that by shifting the resources of the $21.6 trillion private sector, we can drive competition to build a better future for all. Our research, rankings, indexes, initiatives, and new offerings like the JUST Jobs Scorecard help track, analyze, incentivize, and scale corporate stakeholder performance. JUST Capital publishes the annual list of Americas Most JUST Companies, the JUST 100, in partnership with CNBC. To learn more, visit: www.JUSTCapital.com.

About CNBC

CNBC is the recognized world leader in business news, providing real-time financial market coverage and business content consumed by more than half a billion people per month across all platforms. The network's 15 live hours a day of news programming in North America (weekdays from 5:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. ET) is produced at CNBC's global headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and includes reports from CNBC News bureaus worldwide. CNBC at night features a mix of reality programming, CNBC's highly successful series produced exclusively for CNBC and a number of distinctive in-house documentaries.

About Methodology

Since 2015, JUST Capital has surveyed more than 170,000 Americans on what Issues they believe U.S. companies should prioritize when it comes to just business behavior. Those Issues become the foundation by which we track, analyze, and incentivize corporate behavior change, including the Rankings of Americas Most JUST Companies. JUST evaluated 937 companies across 5 stakeholders, 20 Issues, and 236 raw data points to produce the 2024 Rankings, featuring the JUST 100 and Industry Leader lists.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208252824/en/

Investor Contact:

Janelle McNally

Senior Manager, Investor Relations & ESG

American Water

856-571-0187

[email protected]



Media Contact:

Alicia Barbieri

Director, Communications and External Affairs

American Water

(856) 676-8103

[email protected]

Source: American Water
Newly established accreditation recognizes Amerigroups commitment to health equity, prioritizing the needs of socioeconomically marginalized individuals at the highest risk for adverse health outcomes.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Amerigroup Georgia recently earned the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Health Equity Accreditation Plus, a recognition of Amerigroups leadership in developing solutions to enhance access equitable, high-quality healthcare. It further underscores Amerigroups commitment to eliminating health disparities in underserved communities to improve health outcomes and reduce overall treatment costs.

NCQAs Health Equity Accreditation Plus recognizes our unwavering dedication to eliminating health disparities and ensuring access to high-quality care for everyone, said Mel Lindsey, President, Amerigroup Georgia. This milestone positions Amerigroup at the forefront of advancing health equity through our innovative and impactful programs and personalized care to improve the whole health of our members.

NCQA Health Equity Accreditation Plus builds upon the Health Equity Accreditation designation Amerigroup received last year, when it was recognized among the first Medicaid plans in the nation to create a strategic framework that prioritizes health equity based on race, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

The new Health Equity Accreditation Plus goes a step further by acknowledging Amerigroups data-driven approach to help identify and collect information on individuals social needs. This data enables Amerigroup to develop personalized services and supports to combat health inequities, leveraging partnerships with community-based organizations (CBOs) to help improve the health outcomes of individuals.

Amerigroup continues to advance its health equity mission through various innovative programs including:

Culturally relevant maternal health and doula services, and parent education to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity disparities.

Early prevention and interventions to improve health outcomes for members with chronic conditions, including diabetes and hypertension.

Mobile dental services and screenings

Increased access to healthy, nutritious affordable food

Housing assistance initiatives

Transportation services for medical appointments and health-related social needs.

Racial and ethnic disparities have hindered quality healthcare progression for many Americans, said Margaret E. OKane, NCQA President. Organizations earning the Health Equity Accreditation Plus like Amerigroup Georgia are leading the way in bridging this gap, and NCQA salutes their commitment.

About NCQA

NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQAs Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQAs website (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more-informed health care choices. NCQA can be found online at ncqa.org, on Twitter @ncqa, on Facebook at facebook.com/NCQA.org/ and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncqa.

About Amerigroup Georgia

Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia helps improve healthcare access and quality for more than 500,000 low-income Georgians by developing innovative care management programs and services. Members are assured care that is not only accessible but also accountable, comprehensive, integrated, and patient centered. Amerigroup Georgia provides ongoing community relations and outreach to encourage members to become active participants in their health care. Through health education programs, members are empowered to choose and sustain a healthy lifestyle. For more information about Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia, visit www.myamerigroup.com/ga

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208047515/en/

Michael Perry

Public Relations Director, Amerigroup Georgia

[email protected]

Source: Amerigroup Georgia
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BFA,BFB) announced today new global marketing leadership for its American Whiskey brands. Mark Bacon was named Managing Director, Jack Daniels Brands, and Mia Simpson Culp was named Managing Director, Woodford Reserve and Old Forester, effective March 1. Bacon and Culp will be responsible for all aspects of global marketing and innovation for their respective brand portfolios.

Brown-Formans American Whiskey brands are at the core of who we are as a company. We believe Mark and Mia will further the development of these iconic brands around the world, said Matias Bentel, Chief Brands Officer. The global spirits industry remains highly competitive, and Im excited to see these brands thrive under the leadership of such talented individuals.

Mark Bacon will serve as Global Managing Director, Jack Daniels Family of Brands. In his most recent role, Bacons strategic leadership has been critical to helping steward an extended period of remarkable double-digit growth for Woodford Reserve. In addition, Bacon was instrumental in the brand becoming the presenting sponsor as well as the official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby. In 2021, Bacons role was expanded to include the companys founding brand, Old Forester, which has enjoyed tremendous success and growth over the past several years.

Marks depth and breadth of experience, as well as the strong relationships he has built across the organization, our industry, and our communities uniquely positions him to serve as chief steward of this iconic trademark, said Bentel.

Bacon built his career at Brown-Forman, joining the company in 1989 as a Sales Representative for the Northeast Region. Over his nearly 35 years with the company, he has held a variety of roles across sales and marketing, including most recently as Managing Director, Super Premium American Whiskey. Bacons work and leadership have been recognized both in the spirits industry and the broader marketing profession.

Mia Simpson Culp will lead the Woodford Reserve and Old Forester brands as Managing Director. Since 2021, Culp has served as Managing Director, Tequila, and leveraged her strong marketing acumen and inclusive leadership to drive Brown-Formans growth in the tequila category.

Mias business strategy knowledge, coupled with the foundational experience she gained in early roles leading brand strategy and execution will serve her well in leading this portfolio, said Bentel.

Culp joined Brown-Forman on the North America Region marketing team in 2012. Since then, she has grown her career with roles of increasing responsibility, including Associate Brand Manager, Woodford Reserve, and Global Brand Manager, Woodford Reserve and Old Forester. In 2018, Culp was named as Chief of Staff to both the CEO and Chief Brands Officer, where she played a critical role in helping shape the agenda and communications strategy for the business.

Sophia Angelis will move into a new role as Global Director, Marketing Excellence, where she will focus on evolving the companys marketing capabilities, strategy, and talent. Currently, Angelis serves as Managing Director, Jack Daniels Marketing. Her leadership of the Jack Daniels trademark over the past four years ensured the brands strong global performance and elevation of the brands super-premium status. Angelis led the creation of a successful global marketing campaign called Make it Count.

About Brown-Forman:

For more than 150 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel's Ready-to-Drinks, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Apple, Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Coopers Craft, The GlenDronach, Benriach, Glenglassaugh, Slane, Herradura, el Jimador, New Mix, Korbel, Sonoma-Cutrer, Chambord, Fords Gin, Gin Mare, and Diplomatico Rum. Brown-Formans brands are supported by approximately 5,600 employees globally and sold in more than 170 countries worldwide. For more information about the company, please visit brown-forman.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X, formerly Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208247387/en/

Elizabeth Conway

Director

External Communications

502-774-7737

Sue Perram

Vice President

Investor Relations

502-774-6862

[email protected]

Source: Brown-Forman Corporation
New wine offerings reimagine the art of celebration with intentionality and gratitude at the center

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BuDhaGirl, the lifestyle brand behind the ever-popular All Weather Bangles, announced today its expansion into the wine category with the launch of BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wines. The new wine portfolio offers premium California Brut, Demi-Sec and Sparkling Rose. The wines are available for purchase at www.budhagirlsparkling.com and at select retailers.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208083945/en/

BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wine is the physical embodiment of every BuDhaGirlstrong, contemplative, joyful and present. (Photo: Business Wire)

Founded in 2013, the BuDhaGirl brand was built on the belief that lifes everyday routines can be transformed into meaningful rituals, a philosophy its now applying to BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wines and the art of celebration. By taking a moment to breathe, be present and express gratitude for both the big milestones and daily moments in life, a meaningful ritual of celebration is created. It brings a sense of belonging, connecting us to ourselves, our people and our intentions.

A vital element of the BuDhaGirl brand DNA is the focus on meaningful rituals and the benefits they bring to our lives. Rituals are simply small, contemplative ceremonies that help us be both present and intentional in our attitudes and actions each day, said BuDhaGirl founder & CEO, Jessica Jesse. It is the bedrock of our brand and universally applicable to categories far beyond jewelry. BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wines is our latest step in sharing the beauty and purpose of ritual by instilling the BuDhaGirl values into the art of celebration. What better way to do that than with sparkling wine?

BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wines are thoughtfully crafted in Healdsburg by premier California Sparkling Wine producer Rack & Riddle using the methode champenoise for refined, but lively bubbles. The BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Brut and Brut Rose are blends of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, while the BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Demi-Sec is primarily Chardonnay with a touch of Pinot Blanc. These award-winning wines engage all the senses, from the first pop of the bottle to the aroma, flavor and tantalizing sensation they deliver. Presented in feminine, yet uniquely bold bottles adorned with a gold dragon, BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wine is the physical embodiment of every BuDhaGirlstrong, contemplative, joyful and present.

BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wine is the next phase in bringing the BuDhaGirl vision of Mindful Glamour into practice. Beyond wine, the brand plans to share its philosophy through diverse products and experiences across new categories in the years to come.

To learn more about BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wines, visit the BUDHAGIRL Sparkling website at www.budhagirlsparkling.com or on social media at @budhagirlsparkling.

About BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wines

BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wine is a new brand of sparkling wines, from the BuDhaGirl Lifestyle brand, that believes in the art and ritual of celebrationtaking a pause to breathe, be present and express gratitude in commemorating both the big milestones and the daily moments in life. Founded by Jessica Jesse, a contemplative practitioner, luxury retail expert and creative powerhouse, the BuDhaGirl brand believes lifes everyday routines can be transformed into meaningful rituals. BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wines offers traditional Methode California Brut, Demi-Sec and Sparkling Rose. To learn more about BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wines, visit the BUDHAGIRL Sparkling website at www.budhagirlsparkling.com or on social media at @budhagirlsparkling.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208083945/en/

Double Forte Wine

Patricia Denci, 401-965-9125

[email protected]

Source: BUDHAGIRL Sparkling
SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- With the arrival of the Year of the Dragon, Chinas travel sector is expected to deliver a strong performance over the Spring Festival, particularly on the international front as air capacity continues to resume, according to leading aviation analytics company Cirium.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240207747898/en/

China's Top International Destinations, 2019 to 2024 (Graphic: Business Wire)

Data from Cirium reveals that Chinas top 10 international destinations have largely returned to pre-pandemic rankings, with Thailand, Japan and South Korea back at the top three positions after dipping to pandemic lows in recent years. Other interesting movements in rankings include the entry of Australia and Macau, and the absence of the United States and Cambodia since February 2019.

While overall seat capacity on Chinas international routes (non-mainland) are still 27% behind pre-pandemic levels, there are three bright spots where capacity has surpassed 2019 levels. Scheduled capacity in February 2024 show Bangkok as the city with most arrivals from China, but Macau (+8%), Singapore (+6%) and Tokyo (+2%) show the largest improvements from 2019.

Recent changes in visa requirements, particularly in Southeast Asia will potentially bolster international travel from China. In recent months, Thailand has waived visa requirements while Malaysia will offer 30-day visa-free travel for Chinese citizens. Singapore has also announced plans for the same, which comes as a timely boost for Spring Festival travel.

On the domestic front, Chinas seat capacity continues to perform strongly, growing 26% in Feb 2024 against pre-pandemic levels, fuelled by the addition of flights by Chinas big three airlines, Air China, China Eastern and China Southern, making Guangzhou (CAN), Shenzhen (SZX) and Beijing (PEK) the busiest airports in China this Spring Festival.

About Cirium

Cirium is the worlds most trusted source of aviation analytics. Through powerful data and analytics, coupled with decades of industry experience, Cirium is enabling airlines, airports, travel companies, aircraft manufacturers, and financial institutions, amongst others, to make intelligent and informed decisions that improve operations, grow revenues, and enhance customer experiences.

Cirium is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. The shares of RELX PLC are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.

For further information please follow Cirium updates on LinkedIn or visit www.cirium.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240207747898/en/

For media enquiries: [email protected]

Source: Cirium
THE HAGUE, Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ClearD3, an innovator in data- and AI-driven pricing, announces the successful implementation of its quote pricing technology at Van den Bosch, a prominent family-owned intermodal transport company.

The operational results for 2023 are in and Van den Bosch has seen a considerable improvement in contribution margin for business covered by ClearD3 - a result that has been objectively measured using A/B testing. ClearD3s pricing technology is applicable to all types of industrial and freight transport applications.

Van den Bosch, with a rich legacy and a stronghold in bulk freight logistics, sought a solution to navigate the unprecedented volatility in capacity and prices post-Covid. Their existing, predominantly manual pricing model, coupled with limited information, prompted a critical evaluation of the efficacy of Machine Learning and external data integration.

ClearD3 implemented an automated external supply-chain data-driven pricing system for Van den Bosch. The primary goal was to achieve maximum cash contribution margins by matching the companys quotes with estimated demand for lanes, departing from the industry-standard "cost plus margin" approach.

"We are delighted with the outcomes of our collaboration with ClearD3," expressed Rico Daandels, CEO at Van den Bosch. "The contribution margin improvement underscores the effectiveness of ClearD3 in optimizing our pricing strategy, enabling us to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market. The needs of society, customers, employees and network are changing with sustainability playing an increasing role. Solutions change with it. For the long term, we want to further increase our positive impact to make the bulk sector more sustainable together. Data plays a big role in this."

ClearD3's solution not only enhances pricing performance but also aligns with Van den Bosch's commitment to leading the digital transition in transport. This collaboration signifies a major leap forward in leveraging technology to achieve operational excellence and competitive advantage.

About van den Bosch:

Van den Bosch Transporten is a leading international logistics service provider. With a strong specialization in bulk transport (both liquid and dry), the company offers a comprehensive range of transport solutions, using various modalities like road, rail, and water. Van den Bosch is known for its innovative approach to logistics, focusing on sustainability, efficiency, and leveraging advanced technology to meet the evolving needs of the transport industry.

About ClearD3:

ClearD3 is a leading provider of supply chain data and AI driven solutions, specializing in optimizing pricing strategies and supply-chain processes for businesses across various industries. With a focus on innovation and efficiency, ClearD3 empowers organizations to make better informed decisions in dynamic market environments.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208424329/en/

For media inquiries, please contact:

Eva Tovmasyan

[email protected]

Source: ClearD3
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Closinglock, a leading fintech and fraud prevention technology provider for the real estate industry, proudly announces the successful closure of its $12M Series A funding round. Led by Headline and backed by LiveOak Ventures, RWT Horizons and GTMfund, this investment drives forward Closinglocks mission to revolutionize the transfer of funds and information in real estate.

This marks a pivotal moment for Closinglock, validating its innovative approach and robust platform aimed at fortifying the real estate industry against fraudulent activities and financial risks.

Andy White, Co-founder and CEO of Closinglock, expressed excitement and gratitude for the support, stating, This Series A funding is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our team, as well as the relevance of our solutions in combating fraud in real estate. We are thrilled to add Headline as a partner as we continue to innovate and strengthen our offerings to better serve our clients.

This significant infusion of capital will empower Closinglock to accelerate product development, expand its technological infrastructure and further enhance its capabilities in safeguarding and streamlining real estate transactions.

As fraudulent schemes continue to evolve, Closinglock maintains a steadfast commitment to advancing its product offerings and improving security at every corner, leveraging cutting-edge technology and a customer-centric approach.

When we first met with Closinglock, we were immediately impressed with their dedication to solving the increasingly complex problems in real estate - spanning fraud, trustworthy payments and software, claimed King Goh, partner at Headline. Complemented by their industry expertise, technology and product depth, we knew right away that Closinglock was up to this challenge. We couldnt wait to partner with them and get started.

About Closinglock

Closinglock provides fraud prevention technology to the real estate industry, modernizing transactions through a secure, easy-to-use platform. With Closinglock, settlement companies can exchange wire instructions, receive earnest money and cash-to-close payments, validate payoff accounts, verify identities, share documents and collect eSignatures. Trusted by over 400 title companies and law firms, and supported by leading financial service providers such as J.P. Morgan, Closinglock has protected hundreds of thousands of transactions totaling more than $250 billion. Learn more at Closinglock.com.

About Headline

Headline is a venture capital firm that uses its own technology and international team to discover and invest in rising founders around the world. With ~$4B of assets under management, Headline is composed of a network of four regionally-focused early-stage funds in the US, Europe, Brazil, and Asia and a Global Venture Growth fund that invests worldwide. Since its founding in 1999, Headline has proudly worked alongside teams with global aspirations from Silicon Valley to Sao Paulo, Beijing to Berlin. Its portfolio includes category creators across both B2B and B2C such as Acorns, Angies List, AppFolio, Bitwarden, Bumble, Creditas, Farfetch, Gopuff, Honeycomb, Pismo, The RealReal, Scopely, Segment, SEMrush, Sonos, Stafffbase, and Yeahka, among others. Learn more at Headline.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208890058/en/

Abigail White

VP of Communications

(512) 270-3917

[email protected]

Source: Closinglock
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

Coty Inc. (NYSE: COTY; EURONEXT PARIS: COTY) today announced that on February 8, 2024 the Company filed its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2023 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).

The quarterly report is available on the SECs website at: https://www.sec.gov/ixviewer/ix.html?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001024305/000102430524000007/coty-20231231.htm.

About Coty Inc.

Founded in Paris in 1904, Coty is one of the worlds largest beauty companies with a portfolio of iconic brands across fragrance, color cosmetics, and skin and body care. Coty serves consumers around the world, selling prestige and mass market products in more than 125 countries and territories. Coty and our brands empower people to express themselves freely, creating their own visions of beauty; and we are committed to protecting the planet. Learn more at coty.com or on LinkedIn and Instagram.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208268006/en/

Investor Relations

Olga Levinzon +1 212 389-7733

[email protected]

Media

Antonia Werther +31 621 394495

[email protected]

Source: Coty
Launches AI Data Extraction Capabilities for Evaluating Acquisitions

PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Exdion Insurance, an award-winning digital and AI solution provider to the insurance market, today announced the acquisition of three new clients in the first month of 2024.

The three new clients are:

EHD Insurance, established in Pennsylvania, is one of the largest full-service, privately held insurance brokers in the U.S. It provides a wide range of services such as employee benefits, commercial insurance, surety, personal insurance, claims, and risk control.

Southwest Risk Management, LLC is an independently owned and operated insurance broker based in Mesa, Arizona. It is known for its knowledgeable agents, helpful service, and hands-on ownership.

One of the top 30 U.S. brokers with 2022 revenue in excess of $290 million, a renowned leader in providing innovative property, liability, and employee benefit insurance solutions.

Positive word-of-mouth from our existing clients influenced these esteemed brokers to choose Exdion as a partner for their digital transformation journey, stated S. Steven Salar, President and Head of Exdion Insurance. Starting the year with these victories demonstrates the value of our innovative AI and analytics solutions, top-tier personnel to support all stages of digitization, and end-to-end engagement models. We are looking forward to helping more insurance brokers experience substantial business benefit in the coming quarters.

Salar continued, Our clients will derive even more benefits with this months launch of Exdion's AI data extraction capabilities. This new offering allows an agency to improve its pre- and post-acquisition requirements by doing a quick and rigorous agency block analysis of its portfolio. The agency can then leverage this data to assist in determining the desirability and pricing of future acquisitions.

Technology enablement is a major problem and opportunity for brokers seeking a competitive advantage and to future-proof their firms. Manual policy checking, whether outsourced or managed by agency workers, is a slow and wasteful procedure that has remained unchanged for a century, despite increased customer expectations for a better and faster digital experience. The time-consuming task of assessing and routing policy implementation depletes agencies' customer interaction capability. The bandwidth of essential staff can be better used to engage with consumers and promote the agency's growth.

When insurance companies use Exdion's AI solutions, they see significant increases in productivity, efficiency, and revenue. With Exdions AI technology solutions, agencies have saved at least 50% on policy verification, boosted binding speed by 35%, reduced E&O risks, and eliminated manual data entry entirely. All these benefits occur within the first year of adoption. Exdion's current customers report considerable gains in customer interactions because of improved data integrity.

Looking ahead, Exdion remains committed to shaping the future of insurance by continually advancing its AI and analytics solutions to empower even more insurance brokers on their journey to digital transformation success.

About Exdion Insurance

Exdion Insurance is a digital and AI strategic partner as well as a full-service consulting firm, providing end-to-end solutions suited to the specific needs of insurance agencies and brokers. Exdion serves some of the most successful global insurance companies, bringing advanced technology through easy, flexible, and cost-effective engagement methods. Exdion provides a portfolio of digitalization tools and platforms that integrate with agency management systems, including new business development, renewals, and compliance.

Visit www.exdioninsurance.com to learn more about the company.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208513330/en/

Joy Scott

[email protected]

818-610-0270

Source: Exdion Insurance
12.7 million Americans undergo an epidural, spinal block or lumbar puncture annually.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- IntuiTap Medical proudly announces FDA clearance of their cutting-edge medical device, VerTouch. VerTouch eliminates the guesswork from spinal punctures making them more accurate and consistent. This milestone achievement for IntuiTap signifies a significant leap forward in the companys mission to set a new standard of care for the millions of Americans who undergo these procedures annually.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208434976/en/

IntuiTap Summary Page (Photo: Business Wire)

FDA clearance validates the safety and effectiveness of IntuiTaps novel device, VerTouch, which has undergone rigorous testing at medical institutions across the United States including Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Texas Medical Center.

IntuiTaps VerTouch device is a handheld imaging tool designed to assist healthcare providers of all levels of training and experience to consistently and accurately perform spinal punctures at the bedside. Before this advance, the standard of care has been for healthcare providers to feel the patient's vertebrae by hand and blindly insert the needle. Unsurprisingly, this method can be both unpredictable and unreliable which results in first-attempt failures in 40-60% of cases. That outcome is at worst a traumatizing and at best less than ideal patient experience. It also leaves room for complications that can result in significant cost to the healthcare system. Over 47% of patients requiring a spinal tap in emergency departments today are sent to radiology, costing hospitals and patients millions each year in additional testing.

Leveraging IntuiTaps proprietary spinal mapping technology, VerTouch now enables providers to generate a 2D image of lumbar spinal anatomy, helping them visualize the key landmarks of the patients spine to inform their decision and guide where to initiate needle placement.

By enabling greater procedure accuracy and efficiency, VerTouch has the ability to improve patient outcomes, reduce procedure related anxiety and treatment refusals, and reduce referrals to radiology, significantly reducing healthcare costs.

Having spent more than two decades pioneering the use of ultrasound to improve emergency lumbar punctures, I know the challenge of these procedures and that difficult training and image interpretation prevent ultrasound from being a complete solution, said Dr. Michael Blaivas, MD MBA, Co-Founder and Past President, Society of Ultrasound in Medical Education. I am thrilled about the emergence of VerTouch as an intuitive, efficient technology to finally address the limitations of traditional and ultrasound-based procedures.

Receiving FDA clearance for our novel VerTouch device marks a crucial milestone in our teams journey to making epidurals, spinals, and lumbar punctures more accurate and efficient, said co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of IntuiTap Medical, Jessica Traver. We are proud to have developed a device that can improve procedure experience and outcomes for providers and patients alike, while also saving healthcare systems the cost of failed attempts. We cannot wait to begin launching VerTouch in hospitals across the country within the year.

IntuiTap Medical is considering global partnerships as they prepare for their own launch. VerTouch is expected to be available to patients within the year.

About IntuiTap Medical

IntuiTap Medical is a medical technology company committed to changing the current state of the art for epidurals, spinal taps and lumbar punctures through their revolutionary, FDA cleared medical device VerTouch IntuiTap Medical is based in Houston, TX. For more information please visit their website at intuitapmedical.com.

About VerTouch

VerTouch is an FDA cleared medical device that utilizes proprietary spinal mapping technology to improve the accuracy, efficiency and predictability of patient and healthcare provider outcomes for epidural, spinal and lumbar puncture procedures. More than 12.7 million of these procedures are performed annually in the United States.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208434976/en/

Jessica Traver

Chief Executive Officer, IntuiTap Medical

[email protected]

Source: IntuiTap Medical
6550 Baxter Avenue, Cleveland, OH

Saturday, February 10, 2024

9am-2:30pm

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Third Federal is again partnering with CHN Partners, Cleveland Central Catholic High School, Cuyahoga County, the City of Cleveland, Enterprise Community Partners, and several other non-profit organizations to offer free income tax preparation assistance for individuals and families earning less than $60,000. IRS-trained and certified tax preparers will help tax filers identify their eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit. This is the 10th year Third Federal has supported this program.

The Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) was introduced in 1975 with bipartisan support to help working families with children rise above the poverty line. As a result, the EITC is widely considered to be the nations largest poverty relief program. Its role as a community economic development tool is significant, since most tax credit recipients use their refunds to purchase essentials in their local communities.

For the last decade, Third Federal has supported this vital opportunity for the community, said Jennifer Robinson, Third Federal Community Development Manager. Qualified participants can take advantage of this free service, removing the stress, confusion, and cost that can be associated with filing taxes, keeping more of their own hard-earned money.

This Super Refund Saturday EITC event will take place Saturday, February 10, 2024, from 9am  2:30pm, at Cleveland Central Catholic High School, 6550 Baxter Avenue, Cleveland Ohio. Volunteer IRS-certified tax preparers will be available to assist participants in filing their returns electronically.

Participants who wish to attend the event should go online to refundohio.org or dial 2-1-1 to make an appointment and to receive information on what identification and documents they will need to bring with them to receive the FREE tax preparation assistance.

Community agencies, organizations and municipalities also offering services at the event include Legal Aid Society of Cleveland; City of Cleveland; Greater Cleveland Food Bank; CHN Housing Partners; Cuyahoga County consumer affairs; Third Federal; the IRS; and Slavic Village Development Corporation.

Third Federal Savings and Loan Association is a leading provider of savings and mortgage products, and operates under the values of love, trust, respect, a commitment to excellence and fun. Founded in Cleveland in 1938 as a mutual association by Ben and Gerome Stefanski, Third Federals mission is to help people achieve the dream of home ownership and financial security. It became part of a public company in 2007. Third Federal, which lends in 25 states and the District of Columbia, is dedicated to serving consumers with competitive rates and outstanding service. Third Federal, an equal housing lender, has 21 full service branches in Northeast Ohio, four lending offices in Central and Southern Ohio, and 16 full service branches throughout Florida. As of September 30, 2023, the Companys assets totaled $16.9 billion. For more, visit our website at thirdfederal.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208347338/en/

Jennifer Rosa (216) 429-5037

Source: Third Federal Savings and Loan
Combined with cash preservation measures, the capital increase extends cash runaway to end of April 2024

This press release is not being made in and copies of It may not be distributed or sent, directly or indirectly, into the United States, Canada, South Africa, Japan or Australia

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

GenSight Biologics (Euronext: SIGHT, ISIN: FR0013183985, PEA-PME eligible) (the "Company"), a biopharma company focused on developing and commercializing innovative gene therapies for retinal neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system disorders, announced today the completion of a 5 million capital increase subscribed by existing shareholders (Sofinnova Partners, Invus and UPMC Enterprises) and Heights Capital (the "Capital Increase").

I would like to thank our partners Sofinnova Partners, Invus, UPMC Enterprises and Heights Capital for their confidence in our new team and the Lumevoq generated to date as well as their support to bring Lumevoq to market," said Laurence Rodriguez, GenSight Chief Executive Officer. Combined with our ongoing focus on cost savings, this 5 million financing, which had been embedded in our plans, enables us to secure resumption of our compassionate use program in Q3 2024 and continue the preparatory work for the LUMEVOQ Phase III study RECOVER ".

Reasons for the issuance and use of the proceeds

Gross proceeds from the transaction are 5 million gross. The net proceeds from the issuance of the New Shares will amount to approximately 4.7 million.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Capital Increase to (in the following order of priority) (i) finance its general corporate needs, (ii) complete manufacturing operations and regulatory procedures in order to provide drug product both to launch the potential new RECOVER Phase III clinical trial of LUMEVOQ and to resume the early access program in Q3 2024 and (iii) produce additional GMP batches of LUMEVOQ at its manufacturing partners facility in the United States.

Key characteristics of the Capital Increase

GenSight Biologics Board of Directors, using the delegation of powers granted by the 4th and 6th resolutions of the shareholders' general meeting held on January 10, 2024 (capital increase without shareholders' preferential subscription right reserved to categories of persons meeting specific characteristics1), has decided today to realize a capital increase of 5 million euros, by the issuance of 13,061,651 new shares, pursuant to Article L. 225-138 of the French Commercial Code, with a nominal value of 0.025 each (the "New Shares") for a subscription price of 0.3828 each (including premium) (the "Capital Increase") subscribed entirely by Sofinnova Crossover I SLP (Sofinnova Partners) for 2 million, Invus Public Equities LP (Invus) for 1.75 million, UPMC Enterprises (UPMC) for 1 million and CVI Investments, Inc. (Heights Capital) for 0.25 million (together the Investors), it being specified that in accordance with Article L. 225-38 of the French Commercial Code and in application of the provisions of the Board of Directors' internal rules relating to conflicts of interest, Sofinnova took no part in the deliberations nor in the vote relating to this decision.

Under the terms of the subscription agreement entered between the Company and the Investors, the Investors have undertaken to subscribe to the Capital Increase for an aggregate amount of 5 million through the issuance of new shares at a price equal to 0.3828, representing a discount of 2.77 % to the volume-weighted average price of the Companys shares on the regulated market of Euronext in Paris during the last five trading sessions before pricing (i.e.., trading sessions from January 31, 2024 to February 6, 2024).2

The Capital Increase was subject to, among other conditions, the approval of the Company, the Investors, the Company's creditor banks (BNP Paribas, CIC and Bpifrance) (the "Banks"), the European Investment Bank (the "EIB") and Heights Capital with respect to waivers from the Banks, EIB and Heights Capital on any provision which could trigger an early repayment of their loans to the Company or convertible bonds, deferral of principal payments due to the Banks and Heights Capital, and waiver of any EIB adjustment right it has under the warrant agreement dated December 22, 2022, in each case until 30 April 2024.

Renegotiation of the terms of the convertible bonds with Heights Capital

As previously announced3, the amendments to the terms and conditions of the convertible bonds issued on December 28, 2022 to Heights Capital were subject to the shareholders' general meeting held on January 10, 2024. These amendments were approved by the 8th resolution of the shareholders' general meeting held on January 10, 2024.

The new price limit equals 0.4527 (the "Price Limit") corresponding to the closing price of the Company's shares on the regulated market of Euronext in Paris on the last trading day preceding the date that is three business days prior to publication of the notice of the shareholders' general meeting held on January 10, 2024 in the Bulletin d'Annonce Legale Obligatoire, less a 10.36% discount.

An additional amendment to the Price Limit will be presented to the shareholders at the next annual shareholders general meeting, which should reflect the Company's share price over the period comprising the last eight trading sessions at the time of convening the annual shareholders' general meeting, subject to a maximum discount of 20%.

Working capital statement

As of December 31st, 2023, the Company available cash and cash equivalents amounted to 2.1 million.

Before completion of the Capital Increase, the Company did not have sufficient net working capital to meet its obligations over the next 12 months.

Before completion of the Capital Increase and including the projected revenues from the resumption of early access in France (Autorisation dAcces Compassionnel ou Precoce (AAC/AAP), formerly Autorisation Temporaire dUtilisation (ATU)) in Q3 2024, the Company's net cash requirement is estimated at 14 million for the next twelve months.

Including the expected proceeds of the Capital Increase for 5 million, the Company does not have sufficient net working capital required to meet its obligations over the next 12 months but only until end of April 2024. As a result, the net working capital requirement for the next 12 months is estimated at 9 million (including the anticipated income from the resumption of the AAC/AAP program in France), in view of the Company's need to finance its ongoing activities notably the launch of the new RECOVER Phase III clinical trial.

Consequently, the Company needs to seek other sources of financing, including via debt or equity financing or partnering or M&A opportunities, in order to secure its ongoing activities, to supplement its working capital requirements and fund its operating expenses beyond end of April 2024 and until the first payments related to the resumption of the early access program in France (AAC/AAP). This resumption is expected in Q3 2024 when LUMEVOQ becomes available and the authorization from the ANSM has been obtained.

Admission to trading of the New Shares

Settlement-delivery of the New Shares and their admission for trading on the regulated market of Euronext in Paris are expected on February 9, 2024. The New Shares will be immediately fungible with the existing shares of the Company and will be traded on the same listing line under the ISIN Code FR0013183985.

Impact of the Capital Increase on the share capital

Following the settlement and delivery of the New Shares, expected to occur on February 9, 2024, the Companys total share capital will be equal to 1,959,268,10 divided into 78,370,724 shares.

On an illustrative basis, a shareholder holding 1% of the Companys share capital prior to the Capital Increase will now hold a stake of 0.83% after the Capital Increase.

To the Companys knowledge, the breakdown in share ownership before and after the Capital Increase is as follows:

Shareholders Shareholders before the

Capital Increase Shareholders after the

Capital Increase Number of

shares and

voting rights % of share

capital and

voting rights Number of

shares and

voting rights % of share capital

and voting rights 5% Shareholders Sofinnova 13,260,067 20.30% 18,484,727 23.59% Invus 8,363,834 12.81% 12,973,492 16.55% UPMC 5,255,001 8.05% 7,829,251 9.99% Directors and Executive Officers 1,574,602 2.41% 1,574,602 2.01% Employees 52,500 0.08% 52,500 0.07% Other Stakeholders (total) 36,803,069 56.35% 37,456,152 47.79% Total 65,309,073 100.00% 78,370,724 100.00%

Sofinnova Partners, member of the Companys Board of Directors and holding 20.03% of the share capital of the Company before the Capital Increase, subscribed for 5,224,660 New Shares of the Company and will hold, after the completion of the Capital Increase 23.59% of the Company's share capital.

Invus, holding 12.81% of the share capital of the Company before the Capital Increase, subscribed for 4,609,658 New Shares of the Company and will hold, after the completion of the Capital Increase, 16.55% of the Company's share capital.

UPMC, holding 8.05% of the share capital of the Company before the Capital Increase, subscribed for 2,574,650 New Shares of the Company and will hold, after the completion of the Capital Increase, 9.99% of the Company's share capital.

Information available to the public and risk factors

The issuance of the New Shares is not subject to a prospectus requiring AMF approval.

Detailed information regarding the Company, including its business, financial information, results, perspectives and related risk factors are contained (i) in the Companys 2022 Universal Registration Document filed with the AMF on May 10, 2023 under number D.23-0406 (the "2022 URD"), and (ii) the amendment to the 2022 URD filed with the AMF on November 21, 2023 under number D.23-0406-A01 (the "Amendment to the 2022 URD"). These documents, as well as other regulated information and all of the Company's press releases, can be accessed on the Company's website (www.gensight-biologics.com) and/or AMF (www.amf-france.org). Your attention is drawn to the risk factors related to the Company and its activities presented in chapter 3 of its 2022 URD and in chapter 2 of the Amendment to the 2022 URD, in particular the liquidity risk presented in the chapter 2.2.1 of the Amendment to the 2022 URD.

About GenSight Biologics

GenSight Biologics S.A. is a clinical-stage biopharma company focused on developing and commercializing innovative gene therapies for retinal neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system disorders. GenSight Biologics pipeline leverages two core technology platforms, the Mitochondrial Targeting Sequence (MTS) and optogenetics, to help preserve or restore vision in patients suffering from blinding retinal diseases. GenSight Biologics lead product candidate, LUMEVOQ (GS010; lenadogene nolparvovec), is an investigational compound and has not been registered in any country at this stage, developed for the treatment of Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a rare mitochondrial disease affecting primarily teens and young adults that leads to irreversible blindness. Using its gene therapy-based approach, GenSight Biologics product candidates are designed to be administered in a single treatment to each eye by intravitreal injection to offer patients a sustainable functional visual recovery.

Disclaimer

The distribution of this press release may be restricted by certain local laws. Recipients of this press release are required to inform themselves of any such restrictions and, if applicable, to observe them. This press release does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for securities in France.

This announcement is an advertisement and not a prospectus within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017, as amended (the "Prospectus Regulation").

In France, the Capital Increase described above will take place solely as a reserved offering for categories of institutional investors, in accordance with Article L. 225-138 of the French Commercial Code and applicable regulations.

In respect of Member States of the European Economic Area other than France (the "Member States"), no action has been or will be taken to permit a public offering of the securities requiring the publication of a prospectus in any of these Member States. Consequently, the securities cannot and will not be offered in any of the Member States (other than France), except in accordance with the exemptions provided for in Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation, or in the other cases not requiring the publication by the Company of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation and/or the regulations applicable in those Member States.

This document and the information contained herein do not constitute either an offer to sell or purchase, or the solicitation of an offer to sell or purchase, securities of the Company in any jurisdiction.

No communication and no information in respect of the offering by the Company of its shares may be distributed to the public in any jurisdiction where registration or approval is required. No steps have been taken or will be taken in any jurisdiction where such steps would be required. The offering or subscription of shares may be subject to specific legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions.

This announcement does not, and shall not, in any circumstances, constitute a public offering nor an invitation to the public in connection with any offer. The distribution of this document may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Persons into whose possession this document comes are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions.

Not for release, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Canada, South Africa, Japan or Australia. This document (and the information contained herein) does not contain or constitute an offer of securities for sale, or solicitation of an offer to purchase securities, in the United States, Canada, South Africa, Japan or Australia or any other jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation would be unlawful. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), or under the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States, and may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and in compliance with the securities laws of any state or any other jurisdiction of the United States. No public offering of the securities will be made in the United States.

1 (i) natural or legal persons (including companies), investment companies, trusts, investment funds or other investment vehicles in whatever form, whether under French or foreign law, investing on a regular basis in the pharmaceutical, biotechnological, ophthalmological, neurodegenerative diseases or medical technologies sectors; and/or (ii) French or foreign companies, institutions or entities, whatever their form, exercising a significant part of their activity in these fields.

2 representing a premium of 12.92% to today's closing price of the Companys shares on the regulated market of Euronext in Paris.

3 https://www.gensight-biologics.com/2023/08/03/gensight-biologics-obtains-funding-of-e10-million-from-sofinnova-partners-invus-and-upmc-enterprises/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240207556233/en/

GenSight Biologics

Chief Financial Officer

Ivan Tortet

[email protected]

LifeSci Advisors

Investor Relations

Guillaume van Renterghem

[email protected]

+41 (0)76 735 01 31

Source: GenSight Biologics S.A.
Prestigious legal listing recognizes the top law firms in Texas

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gravely PC is pleased to announce its selection to the 2024 Chambers Regional Spotlight Texas, a prestigious listing of the best small and medium-sized law firms in the state of Texas. The firm is recognized for its remarkable work and impressive reputation as a leader in construction litigation and insurance law.

The Chambers Regional Spotlight Texas recognizes the firms that provide clients with a credible alternative to Big Law. Honorees are selected based on an independent and thorough market analysis as well as an assessment of a firms experience, expertise and legal talent.

I could not be prouder of our firm for being included in this listing, said firm founder Marc Gravely. Not only is it an honor to be recognized by Chambers USA, but it is also a special acknowledgement of the dedication and hard work we put in for each and every client.

Chambers USA is one of the countrys most sought-after legal listings. In all, only 157 firms across the state were highlighted in its 2024 Spotlight guide.

This is one of several honors Gravely PC has received recently. The firm earned a Tier 1 ranking, the highest possible, from Best Law Firms 2024 for construction litigation in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area.

Mr. Gravely has also been recognized by Chambers USA for insurance law and was named a 2023 Lawyer of the Year for construction litigation by The Best Lawyers in America. As author of Reframing Americas Infrastructure - A Ruins to Renaissance Playbook, Mr. Gravely is also often called upon to speak to business and industry groups about the shaping of legislation, litigation and public policy.

To read more about Chambers Regional Spotlight Texas click here.

Gravely PC has developed a national reputation based on record outcomes in large and complex construction defect litigation and first-party and bad-faith insurance disputes. The firm's veteran litigators are trusted advisers to commercial property owners, boards and governmental entities in disputes involving general contractors, design professionals and insurance companies. The firm pioneered the use of the contingent-fee litigation model for construction defect disputes and is known for its high degree of expertise in complex engineering, scientific and technical issues at the heart of these disputes. Visit: https://www.gravely.law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208686189/en/

April Arias

800-559-4534

[email protected]

Source: Gravely PC
WAKEFIELD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The HAPS Alliance, a global association of High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) stakeholders, has published the HAPS Certification Pathways white paper, which addresses key regulatory challenges faced by the HAPS community in obtaining approval for commercial operations. Written by the HAPS Alliance Aviation Working Group (AWG), the free downloadable white paper provides valuable insights into the unique issues that must be considered when regulating HAPS and recommends a series of actions to facilitate their safe and efficient operation.

Download the HAPS Certification Pathways white paper

Find out more about HAPS Alliance membership and learn more about the HAPS Alliance

The HAPS Alliance recognizes that industry and regulators must collaborate closely to ensure the safe and efficient integration of HAPS into the global airspace. The flexibility and adaptability of regulations will be vital as the understanding of the stratospheric environment evolves.

HAPS, operating at stratospheric altitudes for extremely long durations, are different from traditional crewed aircraft in several ways, and current regulatory frameworks are not well positioned to accommodate these differences, said HAPS Alliance Aviation Working Group Chair Andy Thurling. The white paper identifies these key challenges and proposes actions that both industry stakeholders and regulators can take to overcome them - a significant step toward addressing regulatory challenges while fostering innovation in the HAPS industry.

The white paper addresses how current consensus standards do not adequately cover the unique environmental conditions experienced by HAPS, such as extreme temperature ranges, ozone, ultraviolet radiation, and cosmic radiation. Current safety objectives and assessment processes are tailored to crewed aircraft and focus on preserving the integrity of the aircraft itself. The absence of onboard personnel in HAPS calls for a shift in focus toward protecting individuals on the ground and preventing collisions with other aircraft, rather than just preventing HAPS crashes. For example, HAPS are typically slow and lightweight, and their operation in the stratosphere, with lower turbulence levels, calls for a reevaluation of structural and control system design requirements. There is also a need for collecting data specific to HAPS and developing tailored lightning environment definitions.

Recommended Actions

To address these challenges, the white paper proposes several recommended actions, including:

Establishing focus groups to work with regulators on safety risk metrics, objectives, and risk assessment models.

Supporting the work of international organizations like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and ICAOs Separation and Airspace Safety Panel (SASP).

Creating HAPS-specific environmental test standards, including turbulence, lightning, wind, radiation, and other environmental parameters.

Engaging in discussions with Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) to develop communication protocols suitable for HAPS.

Developing a flexible, internationally recognized performance and risk-based certification or approval process.

HAPS Alliance Membership Benefits

All companies interested in the HAPS ecosystem are encouraged to become HAPS Alliance members. Alliance membership levels, Principal, General, and Supporter, are open to organizations in any industry sector. Principal and General members have the opportunity to become involved in various membership initiatives, including working groups, member-only meetings, and collaboration with other HAPS Alliance members to work on technology components and use cases for enabling a smarter world.

About the HAPS Alliance

The HAPS Alliance is an industry association of High-Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) industry leaders that include telecommunications, technology, aviation and aerospace companies, as well as public and educational institutions. The HAPS ecosystem includes multiple vehicle types that are meant to operate in the stratosphere, such as lighter-than-air (LTA) balloons and heavier-than-air (HTA) fixed-wing aircraft. United by a vision to address diverse social issues and create new value through the utilization of high-altitude vehicles in the stratosphere, the Alliance is working to accelerate the development and commercial adoption of HAPS technology by promoting and building industry-wide standards, interoperability guidelines and regulatory policies in both the telecommunication and aviation industries. For more information, please visit https://hapsalliance.org/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208173532/en/

Jessie Hennion

HAPS Alliance Public Relations

(781) 876-6280

[email protected]

Source: HAPS Alliance
Collaboration to support companies in Google Cloud Ready  Sustainability ecosystem, through financing and tech support

HSBC delivers partnerships first venture debt funding, to LevelTen Energy

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- HSBC today announced a partnership with Google Cloud to accelerate climate mitigation and resilience through financing and support for companies in the Google Cloud Ready  Sustainability (GCR-Sustainability) programme.

GCR-Sustainability is a validation programme for companies with solutions available on Google Cloud that help customers achieve goals including carbon emission reduction, increased sustainability in value chains, and processing of ESG data to help identify climate risks.

Under the new partnership, Google Cloud will introduce GCR-Sustainability companies to HSBCs specialist climate tech finance team to explore venture debt financing options.

Key goals of the partnership include:

Google Cloud will continue to increase the number of partners in the GCR  Sustainability programme over the next two years.

HSBC will seek financing opportunities for companies within the GCR-Sustainability ecosystem, as part of its ambition to deploy $1bn of climate tech finance, as well as facilitating connections with HSBCs customer base.

A step change is needed to scale up the new technologies that will play a critical role in supporting global decarbonisation, said Natalie Blyth, Global Head of Commercial Banking Sustainability at HSBC. "Partnerships and innovative financing solutions are key, especially during a period when investment in climate tech startups has fallen1. By combining financing support, cloud technologies and connectivity to partners across our combined footprints, we will help climate tech vendors accelerate their growth, and develop the solutions we urgently need at scale.

The scale of climate challenge requires a global ecosystem of technology providers bringing solutions that drive impact. This is why we launched our Google Cloud Ready - Sustainability ecosystem which  one year in  includes leading climate tech companies. Many of these partners need access to finance and we are excited to partner with HSBC to support firms key to climate action, said Justin Keeble, Managing Director for Global Sustainability at Google Cloud.

The partnership launches with a venture debt financing package from HSBC delivered to GCR-Sustainability-validated company LevelTen Energy. LevelTen Energy provides renewable transaction infrastructure for buyers, sellers, advisors and financiers in the clean energy economy. To date, the company has facilitated over $5 billion in clean energy transactions.

We are proud to be a GCR-Sustainability-validated company and are looking forward to working closely with the team at HSBC, said Ross Trenary, Chief Financial Officer of LevelTen. This venture debt package will enable us to scale our platform, which provides transaction infrastructure for carbon-free energy buyers, sellers and financiers. HSBCs global reach aligns with our international presence, while giving us opportunities to connect with HSBC clients that are looking to achieve sustainability goals.

The partnership builds on the launch of an HSBC credit risk advisory tool on Google Cloud. It also follows HSBCs announcement of its ambition to deploy $1bn of financing to early-stage climate tech companies and the launch of HSBC Innovation Banking  a specialised banking proposition to support a broad range of innovation businesses and their investors.

Note to Editors:

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited is the founding member of the HSBC Group. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 62 countries and territories. With assets of $3,021bn at 30 September 2023, HSBC is one of the worlds largest banking and financial services organisations.

1 https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/esg/state-of-climate-tech-2023-investment.html

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208980141/en/

Media enquiries:

HSBC: Catherine Dowdney: +44 (0)20 7991 8096 [email protected]

Google: Google press office [email protected]

Source: HSBC
The leading manufacturer of heavy-duty electric trucks, Orange EV now has the capacity to produce more than 2,000 trucks annually

KANSAS CITY, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Orange EV held a ribbon-cutting event on Friday, January 26, to celebrate the grand opening of their new 440,000 sq ft headquarters and production facility. The event was attended by customers, local stakeholders and supporters, and dignitaries including Laura Kelly, Kansas Governor, David Toland, Kansas Lieutenant Governor, and Tom Borroughs, Mayor Pro Tem of Kansas City, Kansas.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208038175/en/

Orange EV and local leaders celebrate new headquarters in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo: Business Wire)

"Orange EV's investment of more than $37 million will create 185 new jobs right here in Kansas City benefiting families throughout Wyandotte County," said Kansas Governor Laura Kelly. "Between Panasonic and now Orange EV, we are home to a growing EV and battery sector that will uplift our state and power the future of transportation."

Orange EV was founded in 2012, producing its first pure-electric yard trucks in a 2,000 sq ft facility. The company subsequently outgrew its facilities three times expanding to 12,000 sq ft, then 52,000 sq ft, and now 440,000 sq ft, chronicling not only the company's success but also the transportation industry's familiarization with and adoption of heavy-duty electric vehicles (EVs).

The numerous benefits of electric yard trucks over diesel are now well-established, but three factors stand out:

Diesel yard trucks consume significant fuel, an average of 8,000 gallons a year. Electricity is typically a fraction of the cost of diesel, providing up to 90% savings. Yard trucks generally stay on site so are always within easy reach of charging. The ability to opportunity charge during breaks significantly reduces fueling downtime, increasing operational efficiency. Electric trucks are safer, healthier, and more comfortable for drivers. Orange EV's zero-emissions vehicles are smoother and quieter to operate, have better cab climate controls (cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter), and regenerative braking reduces stopping distance and time by up to 50%.

Orange EV commercially deployed its first pure-electric heavy-duty (HD) yard truck in 2015 and now has more than 1,000 HD electric trucks deployed in 36 states across the U.S. According to the latest CALSTART report Zeroing in on Zero-Emission Trucks, the yard truck vehicle segment is making the fastest transition to electric, and Orange EV has deployed more heavy-duty trucks than all other manufacturers.

Orange EV credits its exponential growth to staying close to its core mission and values.

From the beginning, we set out to build a truck that was better in every way than the diesel. To do that, our engineering teams work closely with service, sales, and customers in an evaluative and iterative process of continual improvement. As a result, our trucks average more than 98% uptime compared to 75% for comparable diesels, said Kurt Neutgens, Orange EV co-founder, President, and CTO. We also are committed to building trucks that are better for the environment. Our zero-emission trucks are a win-win: the right thing for the planet and the right thing for the business bottom line. Customers can come out ahead by more than $500,000 per truck after 10 years of operation, without incentives.

Orange EV has also remained customer-focused, developing manufacturing, sales, and service models that cut out go-betweens, allowing for a more direct customer experience. The Orange EV coordinated, turnkey solution includes trucks, chargers, training, and service.

Unlike other companies where fleets have to navigate through dealers and third-party suppliers, at Orange EV we know that time is precious and have developed an efficient, customer-centric ecosystem, said Wayne Mathisen, Orange EV co-founder and CEO. From the beginning, Orange EV has designed and built our own trucks, chargers, and battery packs, and we have direct-to-customer sales and service teams. When a customer has an issue, our mobile service teams go straight to the customers site to solve it directly and solve it fast.

Orange EV delivers trucks and chargers within about 90 days from order. In their new production facility, Orange EV has the capacity to produce more than 200 trucks per month in a single shift, keeping pace with the increasing demand for both e-TRIEVER electric yard trucks and also Orange EV's new HUSK-e trucks specifically designed for rugged, fast-paced port and rail operations, moving loads up to 180,000 lbs at speeds up to 32 mph.

About Orange EV

Orange EV, headquartered in Kansas City, KS, is the leading OEM providing industrial fleets with heavy-duty, electric vehicle solutions proven to save money while being safer, more reliable, and preferred by drivers and management. Orange EV trucks meet the most rigorous duty cycles and 24/7 shift schedules while eliminating diesel fuel and emissions. Building both new and re-powered terminal trucks, Orange EV was the nations first manufacturer offering 100 percent electric Class 8 vehicles to be commercially deployed and scaled. Since first commercially deployed in 2015, Orange EVs terminal trucks have been chosen by more than 230 fleets across 36 states, Canada, and the Caribbean, surpassing 12.8 million miles and 4.4 million hours of operation. For more information, please visit www.orangeev.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208038175/en/

Orange EV Media Contact:

Rebecca Lunna

broadhead

(612) 803-3134

[email protected]

Source: Orange EV
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Knightsbridge, a global leader in business facilitation, proudly announces its strategic partnership with ETT | iByond, aimed at revolutionizing Asia's digital landscape and fintech solutions for regional and global enterprises. This collaboration signifies Knightsbridge's unwavering dedication to fostering innovation and driving growth in today's rapidly evolving business sphere.

Asia's digital markets are undergoing an unprecedented surge, propelled by escalating internet connectivity, widespread smartphone adoption, and rapid industry digitalization. Recognizing the immense potential within this dynamic region, Knightsbridge is harnessing its extensive network and expertise with its leveraged partnership with iByond to propel into Asia's burgeoning digital markets.

Christopher Condon, Chairman and CEO of ETT, commented on the partnership, saying, "This collaboration marks a significant step forward in revolutionizing Asia's digital transformation and fostering innovation at speed and scale within the financial services sector. Together with Knightsbridge, we're empowering enterprises to thrive in the digital era using intelligent data."

Knightsbridge's fintech solutions encompass a diverse array of offerings, spanning digital payment systems, blockchain technology, cybersecurity solutions, and data analytics platforms. Leveraging ETT | iByond cutting-edge technology, profound industry insights, Knightsbridge delivers scalable, bespoke fintech solutions to address specific business challenges and needs. Knightsbridge's collaboration with ETT | iByond promises to unlock new pathways to success in the digital era.

"Knightsbridge is dedicated to serving as a gateway for businesses seeking to unlock the vast potential of Asia's digital markets," stated Issaree Suwunnavid, Managing Director of Knightsbridge Group. "By facilitating access to these dynamic markets and delivering innovative fintech solutions, we empower enterprises to thrive and excel in today's rapidly evolving business milieu."

David Chlapowski, President of the Americas and Emerging Markets, added, "This collaboration is a win-win for ETT | iByond, Knightsbridge, and our valued clients. As ETT | iByond, a division of ETT | iByond, provides a platform of platforms for software and infrastructure, and Knightsbridge serves as a platform of platforms for finance, we can deliver solutions that enable speed, inclusivity, and interoperability, creating a powerful synergy for our clients."

According to the Bangkok Post, Looking forward to 2024, it is predicted that the Thai economy will expand, supported by the expansion of exports and tourism revenue. We also believe investments are likely to grow due to the continued flow of FDI, especially in our priority sectors.

About Knightsbridge:

Knightsbridge is a global leader in business facilitation, dedicated to empowering enterprises to navigate today's complex business landscape and seize opportunities for growth and innovation. With a focus on strategic partnerships and cutting-edge solutions, Knightsbridge delivers unparalleled value to clients worldwide.

About ETT | iByond:

Enterprise Technology Transformation (ETT) | iByond, is a leading provider of transformative solutions for enterprises, specializing in software, infrastructure, and fintech innovations. iByond empowers businesses to embrace digital transformation and unlock new avenues for growth and success in today's rapidly evolving business environment connecting humanity through intelligent data.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2737579/boi-sees-dramatic-jump-in-investments?tbref=hp. View our policies: http://goo.gl/9HgTd, http://goo.gl/ou6Ip.

 Bangkok Post PCL. All rights reserved.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240207927088/en/

[email protected]

Source: Enterprise Technology Transformation (ETT)
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Lumenova AI announced that it joined the U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium (AISIC), a new public-private partnership led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to support the development and deployment of trustworthy and safe AI.

The U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium (AISIC) brings together more than 200 AI leaders from industry, academia, civil society, and government to support NIST's establishment of the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute. Through collaborative research and development projects, the consortium aims to help NIST identify proven approaches, standards, and metrics that enable the development of AI systems society can trust.

We're thrilled to join AISIC to help collectively address the urgent challenge of developing AI humanity can trust, said Cosmin Andriescu, CTO and co-founder of Lumenova AI. "As the use of AI expands across industries, it is critical we establish harmonized and evidence-based frameworks to guide its responsible development and deployment. Through this consortium, we hope to contribute our expertise in AI risk management and standards development to advance the creation of measurement methodologies that can underpin frameworks for safe, fair, and transparent systems."

Through our participation in the AISIC, Lumenova AI looks forward to sharing its knowledge and capabilities to establish a new measurement science that will enable the identification of proven, scalable, and interoperable measurements and methodologies to promote the development of trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its responsible use.

"The U.S. government has a significant role in setting AI safety standards," said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "Through this group of leaders from diverse sectors, together we can confront challenges to develop needed measurements and standards while maintaining Americas competitive edge and developing AI responsibly."

This consortium represents an important opportunity for cross-sector collaboration to collectively address the challenges of ensuring AI safety as these technologies become increasingly advanced and integral to our world.

About Lumenova AI

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Lumenova AI empowers organizations to make AI ethical, transparent, and compliant with new and emerging regulations and internal policies. As an end-to-end solution, Lumenova AI streamlines and automates the entire Responsible AI lifecycle so enterprises can efficiently map, manage, and mitigate AI risk, comply with regulations, and maximize the inherent value.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208696683/en/

Name: Elena Oglinda

Email: [email protected]

Organization: Lumenova AI Inc

Website: https://lumenova.ai

Source: Lumenova AI
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Investors should be aware of issues regarding the W Hollywood hotel and its Sky Terrace restaurant, owned by Oaktree Capital Management and Trinity Investments, that present potential Environmental, Social and Governance risks. Over the past few months, some workers have submitted a complaint to Cal/OSHA reporting repeated sightings of vermin in food-storage or food-service areas, while other workers filed federal unfair labor practice charges alleging unlawful retaliation, interrogation, and other practices.

In December 2023, a Los Angeles Times article revealed disturbing allegations from workers at the W Hollywoods upscale Sky Terrace restaurant, which is operated by Mosaic Hollywood LLC. As reported in the article:

Rats and mice scampering around stored food on shelves. Bags of flour and rice covered in what appeared to be rat feces, urine and bite marks. Rodents  sometimes dead  but often squirming and gasping for life inside glue traps. It was a rodent infestation, restaurant worker Jhobani Hernandez, 33, said. This has just been the worst experience. Management knew about it and they just did nothing about it. That was the most irritating thing.

The article came out several weeks after several current and former workers filed a complaint with the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health alleging that over the five preceding months, the W Hollywoods Sky Terrace restaurant had apparently failed to prevent the entrance or harboring of vermin, including rats and mice.

Further, Mosaic fired at least eight workers in the weeks following pickets, strikes, and other actions workers took to demand better pay and other conditions in a new collective bargaining agreement. Eight of those workers have filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board alleging that the Mosaic fired them in retaliation for engaging in protected union activity. UNITE HERE Local 11, the union representing W Hollywood and Sky Terrace workers, has also filed other federal labor charges alleging that Sky Terrace managers threatened and coerced workers to resign from their membership in the Union, that they unlawfully interrogated workers about their union activity, and that they targeted a top union activist by first disciplining and eventually firing him. The charges are still pending investigation.

The W Hollywood also faces an ongoing labor dispute. Although 34 hotels have now reached agreements with Local 11 to resolve labor disputes that have included repeated strikes, picket lines, boycott activity and consistent press coverage, the W Hollywood has failed to do so.

Oaktree Capital Management and Trinity Investments investors should ask the firms the following questions:

Why did Oaktree and Trinity reportedly fail to prevent a recurring rat and mouse problem at the Sky Terrace Restaurant, and what steps will the firms take to prevent future vermin problems and protect the health and safety of patrons and workers?

Sky Terrace Restaurant faces federal charges alleging workers were fired for engaging in protected union activity. When will Oaktree and Trinity re-hire the restaurant workers fired from Sky Terrace and provide appropriate back pay to these workers?

Why have Oaktree and Trinity failed to resolve the labor dispute at the W Hollywood by agreeing to the same contract that 30 other hotels have signed?

What steps will Oaktree and Trinity take to guarantee labor peace in their other current and future hospitality investments that would protect investors from ESG risks?

UNITE HERE Local 11 is a labor union representing more than 32,000 hospitality workers in Southern California and Arizona that work in hotels, restaurants, universities, convention centers and airports.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208745151/en/

Jordan Fein | Lead Research Analyst | [email protected]

Source: UNITE HERE Local 11
SYDNEY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pacific Prime, a leading global health insurance brokerage and employee benefits specialist, has expanded their operation to Australia. This strategic move marks a significant milestone in the companys journey to further improve healthcare access and offer exceptional employee benefits solutions to clients in the Asia Pacific region.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240207460538/en/

Michael Atta spearheads Pacific Prime's expansion in the Australian market as the Head of Employee Benefits in Pacific Prime Australia. (Photo: Business Wire)

Joining Pacific Prime and spearheading our expansion in Australia is truly a momentous opportunity, Michael Atta, Pacific Prime Australias Head of Employee Benefits, expressed his enthusiasm about the company entering the Australian market. With over 40 years of experience in the insurance and financial sectors, Atta and his team are dedicated to delivering outstanding solutions that cater to the unique needs of our clients and broker partners under the Regional and Global Pacific Prime proposition.

Deputy CEO Pierre de Mirman emphasized that this momentous expansion is in line with the companys objective. This pivotal moment aligns seamlessly with our vision for excellence in the industry. We are committed to providing top-notch advice and service in the Asia Pacific region, and now with Australia, we take a logical and exciting step forward.

Pacific Primes expansion into Australia assures that more people in the Asia Pacific region are provided with insurance policies tailored to their specific needs. The company remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering unparalleled advice and services to everyone in this ever-changing world.

About Pacific Prime

Established in 2000, Pacific Prime is an award-winning global insurance brokerage and employee benefits specialist that offers solutions to individuals and corporations. With USD $750 million premium under management, Pacific Prime is now the third largest employee benefits broker in the Asia Pacific region after acquiring CXA Groups brokerage arms in 2021. The brokerage has over 1,000 employees and 15 offices worldwide including Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Thailand, Malaysia, UAE, the UK, the US, Mexico, and the Philippines.

To learn more about Pacific Prime, please visit https://www.pacificprime.com/corporate

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240207460538/en/

Stephen Ho

Chief Marketing Officer

Pacific Prime

+852 3589 0508

Source: Pacific Prime
LAKE FOREST, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Packaging Corporation of Americas (NYSE: PKG) Chief Executive Officer, Mark Kowlzan, will speak at Bank of America Securities Global Agriculture and Materials Conference being held at The Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach in Fort Lauderdale, FL on Thursday, February 29, 2024. After Mr. Kowlzans formal presentation, he and Executive Vice President and CFO, Robert Mundy will participate in a Fireside Chat Q&A session. Immediately following, they will be hosting a series of 1 x 1 meetings.

PCA is the third largest producer of containerboard products and a leading producer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America. PCA operates eight mills and 86 corrugated products plants and related facilities.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208866687/en/

Barbara Sessions

Packaging Corporation of America

INVESTOR RELATIONS: (877) 454-2509

PCAs Website: www.packagingcorp.com

Source: Packaging Corporation of America
In this article, we will look at the 15 states with the cheapest car insurance in the US. If you want to skip our comprehensive analysis of the car insurance market in the US, you can go directly to 5 States with the Cheapest Car Insurance In The US.

Car insurance operates as a mutual agreement between you and an insurance company. In this arrangement, you commit to paying premiums, and in return, the insurance company protects against financial losses resulting from accidents or damage to your vehicle. By paying a premium, you secure an agreement with the insurance company, and they commit to covering your losses as specified in your policy. These policies are tailored to individual needs and budgets, allowing you to customize coverage amounts accordingly. Typically, policy terms span six or twelve months and are renewable. The insurance provider will inform you when it's time to renew your policy and submit another premium payment.

In most US states, it's a legal requirement to have car insurance. If you cause a car accident, the auto liability coverage mandated by your insurance helps cover certain expenses. This includes the other party's medical bills and the repair or replacement of their vehicle or property damaged in the accident. Additionally, this coverage assists in paying for your legal fees if you end up in court due to the accident.

The Benefits of Getting Car Insurance

Many drivers get car insurance because it's a legal requirement, but it's not just about meeting the minimum coverage. There are several reasons to consider having car insurance. It serves as a financial safeguard for you and your family, preventing significant expenses. By investing a modest amount now, you can avoid hefty costs in the future. Quality car insurance provides protection for you, your family, passengers, and other drivers. In the event of an accident, having the right coverage ensures that you're financially prepared for property damage or bodily injury expenses. Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be time-consuming and tiresome. With proper coverage, you can sidestep the hassle of negotiating with other parties involved, managing repair or replacement costs for your vehicle, and handling various headaches that may arise. A comprehensive auto insurance policy not only assists with towing, repairs, and replacements for your vehicle but also covers damages to other drivers.

Story continues

Surge in Car Insurance Rates

This year, auto insurance rates have seen another increase, and an expert attributes it to a combination of factors, including the higher costs of cars and parts, as well as a growing number of accidents. Scott Holeman, a spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute, appeared in an interview on 25News where he pointed out that insurance companies incur higher expenses not only in repairing vehicles but also in dealing with legal actions arising from car accidents. Speaking on the matter, Holeman stated, That litigation has a direct impact on insurance premiums. There are these high-dollar rewards in court cases. Thats going to be passed along to consumers. He also highlighted that the prevalence of more technologically advanced cars on the roads is contributing to the overall increase in insurance prices. According to Holeman, insurance companies are incurring $1.12 in expenses for every $1 of premium written, essentially paying out more than they are taking in. He noted that the persistently high rates of accidents will likely keep insurance rates elevated in the foreseeable future.

According to auto insurance processing company CCC Intelligent Solutions, the average repair cost for a traditional vehicle currently stands at $4,437. For electric vehicles, the average repair expense is 49% higher at $6,618. This increase is attributed to the additional technological components in electric vehicles and the specialized handling required for their electric powertrains. Insurers have responded to the surge in repair costs, witnessing a 64% rise in the average collision insurance claim from 2018 to 2022, reaching $5,992 according to the Insurance Information Institute. To counteract the escalating repair expenses, insurance providers have significantly increased drivers' premiums. Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that the cost of auto insurance in the United States experienced a notable increase of over 20% in 2023, marking the most substantial annual surge since 1976.

Top Companies Shaping the US Car Insurance Market

In the realm of US motor insurance, standout players include The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR), Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV), and The Allstate Corporation (NYSE:ALL). These companies have firmly established themselves as key influencers in the industry, contributing significantly to the dynamic and competitive landscape of motor insurance in the United States.

The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR), one of the leading US insurance holding companies, shared positive news about its performance in the fourth quarter of 2023. The Progressive Corporation, in its latest earnings report on January 24, 2024, exceeded expectations with an EPS Normalized Actual of $2.97, surpassing estimates by $0.55. Additionally, the EPS GAAP Actual stood at $3.37, surpassing predictions by $0.79, and the company reported a revenue of $15.13 billion.

Travelers Companies Inc. (NYSE:TRV) had a strong finish to the fourth quarter of 2023, especially in the property casualty insurance sector. Travelers Companies Inc. (NYSE:TRV) reported a net income of $1.626 billion. This was driven by a substantial increase in premiums, which went up by 13% and almost reached the $10 billion mark. Providing a more detailed look at the earnings, Travelers Companies Inc. (NYSE: TRV) disclosed that the core income per share reached $7.01.

Meanwhile, in December, The Allstate Corporation (NYSE:ALL) raised auto insurance rates by 16.5% across 15 locations, leading to an overall premium impact of 5%. This figure includes the approved rate increases by the Departments of Insurance in California, New York, and New Jersey. Notably, The Allstate Corporation (NYSE:ALL)'s estimated losses from catastrophic events in December were below the reporting threshold of $150 million. For the entire fourth quarter, the pre-tax total for catastrophe losses was $68 million.

Let's now take a look at the 15 states with the cheapest car insurance in the US.

15 States with the Cheapest Car Insurance In The US

Our Methodology

This article provides a compilation of the 15 states with the cheapest car insurance in the US. Our rankings are based on data gathered from Compare.com, utilizing information from their most recent dataset, updated as of 2024. Below, you'll see our list of the 15 states where car insurance is the least expensive, which are ranked in descending order of their average full coverage insurance costs, primarily, and average liability insurance costs, secondarily.

15 States with the Cheapest Car Insurance In The US

15. Minnesota

Average Full Coverage Insurance Cost: $201

Average Liability Insurance Cost: $92

Located in the Midwestern region of the United States, Minnesota shares its border with Canada and is graced by the presence of Lake Superior, the largest among the Great Lakes. Securing the 15th position in our compilation of the 15 states offering the most economical car insurance in the U.S., Minnesota boasts an average monthly rate of $201 for comprehensive insurance. Concurrently, the average monthly cost for liability insurance in the state stands at $92.

14. Tennessee

Average Full Coverage Insurance Cost: $201

Average Liability Insurance Cost: $87

Ranking 14th in our list of the 15 states with the cheapest car insurance in the US is Tennessee. Tennessee, situated in the Southeastern region of the United States, is a landlocked state. It ranks as the 36th largest by area and the 15th most populous among the 50 states. Known for its diverse terrain and landforms, Tennessee showcases a variety of geographical features from east to west.

As of 2024, the average full coverage expense for car insurance in Tennessee stands at $201 on average.

13. Nebraska

Average Full Coverage Insurance Cost: $198

Average Liability Insurance Cost: $77

Ranking 13th in our list of the 15 states with the cheapest car insurance in the US is Nebraska. Situated in the Midwestern United States, Nebraska shares its borders with South Dakota to the north, Iowa to the east, and Missouri to the south. Recognized for its robust agriculture, notably corn production, Nebraska boasts a wealth of captivating and historically significant destinations that are well worth exploring.

As of the latest data available in 2024, the average full coverage expense for vehicle insurance in the state of Nebraska stands at $198.

12. Washington, DC

Average Full Coverage Insurance Cost: $197

Average Liability Insurance Cost: $105

Washington, DC, the U.S. capital, is a compact city on the Potomac River, bordering the states of Maryland and Virginia. As of 2024, the average monthly rate for full coverage insurance is $197 in Washington DC. The average monthly rate for liability insurance in the state of Washington is $105.

11. North Carolina

Average Full Coverage Insurance Cost: $184

Average Liability Insurance Cost: $78

North Carolina is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, its pioneering contributions to aviation, and the breathtaking state parks adorned with majestic mountains. Located in the southern region, this state is characterized by warm and welcoming communities, delectable cuisine, and enchanting natural landscapes. Additionally, North Carolina holds a place of pride as the birthplace of iconic brands, with PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE:PEP) and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. (NYSE:KKD) among the noteworthy names that originated within its borders.

As of 2024, the average full coverage cost of car insurance in North Carolina is documented at $184.

10. Wyoming

Average Full Coverage Insurance Cost: $180

Average Liability Insurance Cost: $49

Wyoming landed in the 10th spot in our list of the 15 states with the cheapest car insurance in the US. The name "Wyoming" finds its roots in the Native American term "mecheweamiing," translating to "at the big plains." This state is known for its profound indigenous tales, captivating natural landscapes, and iconic National Parks such as Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Wyoming boasts one of the nation's sparsest population densities. It is celebrated for its association with bull riding, and cowboy culture, and serving as the residence to some of the world's most splendid rangelands.

As of 2024, the average full coverage for auto insurance in Wyoming is recorded at $180.

9. Indiana

Average Full Coverage Insurance Cost: $173

Average Liability Insurance Cost: $75

Indiana bagged the 8th spot in our list of the 15 states with the cheapest car insurance in the US. Established as the 19th state in 1816, Indiana holds a prominent position as a major producer of corn, soybeans, poultry, and popcorn, earning the 10th spot in the United States for agricultural sales.

According to the latest available data in 2024, the average full coverage insurance in Indiana is $173.

8. South Dakota

Average Full Coverage Insurance Cost: $173

Average Liability Insurance Cost: $53

Ranking 9th in our list of the 15 states with the cheapest car insurance in the US is South Dakota. Situated in the upper middle of the United States, South Dakota is often designated as "the land of infinite variety." This variety is evident in various aspects, ranging from the state's weather and scenery to its economy, state symbols, and notable individuals. Ranking 16th in size among the 50 states, South Dakota boasts a robust agricultural foundation, standing as the largest industry in the state. It consistently secures positions in the top 10 states for the production of hay, sunflowers, rye, honey, soybeans, corn, wheat, and cattle. Additionally, tourism plays a significant role, contributing approximately $2 billion annually to the state's economy.

The average full coverage cost of car insurance in South Dakota stands at $173, based on the most recent data.

7. Ohio

Average Full Coverage Insurance Cost: $172

Average Liability Insurance Cost: $81

Ohio is located in the Midwestern region of the United States. Positioned as the 7th entry on our list of the 15 states with the cheapest car insurance in the US, Ohio presents an average monthly rate of $172 for comprehensive insurance. Meanwhile, the average monthly cost for liability insurance in the state stands at $81.

6. Idaho

Average Full Coverage Insurance Cost: $162

Average Liability Insurance Cost: $72

Idaho is a state nestled in the Mountain West subregion of the United States. In 2024, Idaho showcases an average monthly cost of $162 for comprehensive insurance, while liability insurance holds an average monthly rate of $72. This positions Idaho among the 15 states with the cheapest car insurance in the US.

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Disclosure: None. 20 States with the Cheapest Car Insurance In The US is published on Insider Monkey.
BESANCON, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pixee Medical, world leader in augmented reality navigation technologies for orthopedic surgery, takes a major step forward in its expansion with a $15 million capital raising. This transaction, led by Relyens Innovation Sante, UI Investissement, Innovacom, Angelor and Bpifrance will enable Pixee Medical to accelerate its development in the United States and launch its next generation of innovative products.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208880497/en/

The "OSER Bourgogne-Franche-Comte" financial instrument is financed by the Burgundy-Franche-Comte Region and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It is fully in line with the strategy set out in the FEDER-FSE+ Bourgogne Franche Comte Massif du Jura 2021-2027 program, which aims to mobilize massive amounts of new funding in the regions. OSER Bourgogne-Franche-Comte facilitates access by small and medium-sized businesses to the financing they need for their development, to provide impetus to investment and modernization.

"We are extremely proud of the success of this capital raising. This investment is a significant step forward in our expansion in the US, which is a strategic market for our company. It will enable us to reinforce our technological leadership by developing new products for augmented surgeons, who will benefit from the latest advances in immersive technologies, connectivity, and artificial intelligence; all in the service of their patients.", emphasizes Sebastien Henry, CEO of Pixee Medical.

The capital we have raised will play a key role in Pixee Medical's growth strategy, which focuses on four major objectives:

To significantly strengthen its presence in the United States with the opening of a subsidiary in the first quarter.

To rapidly deploy our new range of augmented reality navigation platforms.

To expand our presence in Asia by opening an office in Singapore.

To recruit new talents to support our growth.

The success of this capital raising underscores not only the investors' confidence in Pixee Medical's potential, but also the company's commitment to remaining at the forefront of technological innovation in the area of navigation solutions for orthopedic surgery.

Since the company was founded in 2018, Pixee Medical has grown rapidly by marketing disruptive solutions:

Knee+: A navigation solution for total knee replacement integrating an augmented reality glasses and instruments that are both minimally invasive and reusable. Already marketed worldwide thanks to CE certification and FDA 510(k) clearance; more than 5,000 patients around the world have already benefitted from this unique solution. Clinical studies have validated the precision and effectiveness of this technology, which is perfectly suited to the requirements of customized implant positioning. Thus, this unique solution meets the needs of the growing ambulatory surgery centers.

Shoulder+: A mixed-reality navigation solution specifically designed for total shoulder replacement achieved worldwide success in 2023, when it obtained CE mark certification in accordance with MDR regulation. FDA approval is anticipated by the end of the year for access to the US target market.

Pixee Medical will be showcasing its latest technological advances at the AAOS World Arthroplasty Congress, which will be held February 12 to 16, 2024 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

The company expresses its gratitude to its investors for their continued support and looks forward to this promising new chapter in its ongoing commitment to medical excellence and to improving the quality of life for patients.

"We have been with Pixee since the company was founded in Bourgogne-Franche-Comte, and have witnessed its transition from a pioneer to a global supplier of guidance solutions for orthopedic surgery. We are convinced that this new round of financing will enable Pixee Medical to maintain its role as world technology leader, conquer a fast-growing market, facilitate surgical procedures for orthopedic surgeons, and ensure better patient care", adds Guillaume Blanchet, Investment Director at UI Investissement.

"As a long-standing partner of Pixee Medical, we are delighted to continue our support of the company in the development of its data-centric platform and innovative orthopedic products, particularly for patients requiring shoulder and hip replacement", states Bervin Bouani, Investment Director at Turenne Capital.

"Pixee Medical has a promising pipeline, and its flagship product, Knee+ for total knee replacement, addresses the limitations of current robotic-assisted surgery systems, thanks to its technology that enables orthopedic surgeons to perform precise surgeries with a clear benefit for patients while adapting to the surgeons' practice", said Jean-Francois Morin, Investment Director at Bpifrance, a new investor in Pixee Medical.

About Pixee Medical

Pixee Medical develops augmented reality solutions for implant placement, that offer orthopedic surgeons cutting-edge tools for precise and efficient intervention. Its first product has been used in over 5,000 procedures in more than 20 countries, for example, the United States, Australia, India, and several European countries, thus demonstrating its positive impact on surgical practices worldwide.

About the investors

Bpifrance:

Bpifrance's equity investments are implemented by Bpifrance Investissement. Bpifrance finances companies at every stage of their development, whether through loans, guarantees or equity capital. Bpifrance supports companies in their innovation projects and international projects. Bpifrance also supports their export activities with a wide range of products. Consulting, training, matchmaking, and acceleration programs for start-ups, SMEs, and ETIs are also part of the Bpifrance offering for entrepreneurs. Thanks to Bpifrance and its 50 regional branches, entrepreneurs benefit from a close, unique, and efficient contact to help them meet their challenges.

For further information: https://www.bpifrance.fr/

Relyens Innovation Sante (Turenne Capital):

Founded in May 2014, Relyens Innovation Sante is an investment structure specializing in healthcare innovation capital. It is controlled and owned by the Relyens Group, a mutual insurance company specializing in risk management for healthcare, social, and medical players. Advised by Turenne Sante (the health division of the Turenne Group), Relyens Innovation Sante's mission is to support the growth and development of innovative companies in the healthcare sector.

Turenne Groupe, one of France's leading private equity firms, has a 25-year track record of helping entrepreneurs innovate, grow, and transfer their businesses. An independent player, the group manages assets worth 1.7 billion. With over 300 million under management, our healthcare team (Turenne Sante) invests across the entire value chain of healthcare companies, using a variety of investment approaches.

For further information: https://www.relyens.eu/fr / www.turennecapital.com

Innovacom:

A specialist in deeptech and industry, INNOVACOM supports the launch and development of technology start-ups that contribute to environmental, digital, and industrial transitions in a wide range of sectors (energy, telecommunications, mobility, smart cities, aeronautics, new space, etc.). An investment company integrated into the Turenne Group since 2018, INNOVACOM and its teams are present in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. INNOVACOM has invested over 1billion, supported more than 300 technology and industrial start-ups, including 6 unicorns, participated in more than 20 IPOs, and has carried out more than 150 strategic divestitures to major players.

For further information: www.innovacom.com

Angelor:

Founded in 2008, Angelor is an independent venture capital company based in Lyon, with a mission to "develop finance that serves the common good". Now recognized for the quality of its shareholders and the companies it finances, Angelor has brought together over 250 shareholders, most of whom are experienced business leaders committed to financing and supporting innovative entrepreneurs in their sector. Angelor has invested nearly 30 million in 76 start-ups, particularly in the healthcare, agri-food, and environmental sectors  helping to create over 700 direct jobs, mainly in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region.

For further information: https://angelor.fr/

UI Investissement:

UI is an independent company specializing in the development of unlisted French companies. For over 50 years, UI has been committed to working alongside the managers of growing SMEs and ETIs to create and develop companies that are economically and sustainably successful. UI Investissement manages nearly 1.5 billion in assets and invests in 300 managers. UI Investissement invests in Burgundy Franche Comte thanks to the Invest Creation 5.0 and OSER BFC funds supported by the European Regional Development Fund.

For further information: www.ui-investissement.fr

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208880497/en/

Press contact

[email protected]

Pixee Medical

www.pixee-medical.com

Source: Pixee Medical
Deal Expands the Innovative Robotics Companys Role as a Primary Reseller of LGs Robot Portfolio

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- RobotLAB, an award-winning robotics integrator that delivers impactful business innovations and solutions for companies across many industries, has expanded its alliance with B2B technology leader LG Business Solutions USA. The new, wide-ranging collaboration expands RobotLABs role as a primary reseller  now for LGs entire robotics portfolio and managing entity of its commercial deployment. The two industry leaders first inked an agreement in March 2023 to expand the deployment of LGs key hospitality robot models. The initial collaborations success paved the way for the expanded distribution agreement, which will make the entirety of LGs robotics portfolio more widely available and tailored via RobotLABs vast network and deep industry expertise.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208793870/en/

RobotLAB expands its alliance with LG Business Solutions USA. (Photo: Business Wire)

We couldnt be prouder of the relationship weve forged with LGs team, which is built upon a shared vision for the advancement of business-enhancing robotics, said RobotLAB Founder and CEO Elad Inbar. As LG continues to manufacture new, innovative robotics solutions, this collaboration will ensure they are delivered and integrated to businesses and end-users in a way that reinforces LGs reputation as a reliable technology provider and household name.

The expanded collaboration will add all of LGs existing and future robots to RobotLABs robust, best-in-class portfolio, including the top-selling LG CLOi ServeBot, LG CLOi GuideBot, and LG CLOi CarryBot. Throughout the initial agreement, RobotLAB integrated LG robots into varying businesses and industries nationwide, building upon its 15-year track record of successfully managing the commercial deployment of tens of thousands of robots. Under the expanded agreement, RobotLAB will continue to be a proven asset to LG Business Solutions USA, leveraging its longstanding expertise and keen sector insights to help LG accelerate all aspects of robot deployment, including sales, marketing, integration and service.

We pride ourselves on creating groundbreaking and reliable technologies for businesses, and that goal is only achievable with business partners that complement our vision with years-long experience and astute industry insights, said Tom Bingham, Senior Director, LG Business Solutions USA. Thats why were expanding our collaboration with RobotLAB, which recognizes the need to be reliable, efficient and adaptable to the evolving robotics landscape. We look forward to growing our relationship with RobotLAB as robots continue to be a priority for LG.

Since its founding in 2007, RobotLAB has provided turnkey robotics solutions to companies of all sizes in industries including foodservice, hospitality, banking, education, assisted living, cleaning, delivery and hospitals. The companys talented team of roboticists has effectively deployed more than 10,000 robots that have provided an impressive array of businesses with a clear path to the successful and highly specialized integration of robotics solutions. RobotLAB oversees all aspects of the robotics integration process  from sales, tailored programming, onsite integration and repairs  to ensure businesses can access and understand solutions that will dramatically improve their performance.

For more information about RobotLABs tailored integration and business solutions, visit www.robotlab.com.

About RobotLAB

Since 2007, RobotLAB has guided businesses to dramatic bottom-line increases by helping them harness and leverage the immense power of automation. Catering to an array of economically critical industries that span education, finance, healthcare, delivery and hospitality, RobotLAB provides robotic business solutions that improve ROI and enhance the user experience. With a multitude of in-house teams and department specialists, the company remains focused on a seamless integration process that begins with an in-depth assessment of client needs. Sales and delivery experts ensure proper product immersion while implementation and installation professionals ensure peak performance. In a world replete with business uncertainties, RobotLAB ensures operational consistency through technology. In 2023, RobotLAB launched the first robotics integration franchise program to best serve growing demand for robotics across the U.S. in nearly all business sectors. To franchise with RobotLAB, visit www.robotlab.com/franchise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208793870/en/

Novia Baulisch

Powerhouse+Co.

[email protected]

Source: RobotLAB
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rupert Resources Ltd. (Rupert or the Company) reports new results from its Heina South satellite target (located 1km from Ikkari). The results confirm the Heina South mineralised trend to over 1km and provide evidence of broader mineralised zones not previously seen in this target area.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208659890/en/

Figure 1. Schematic structural interpretation of Ikkari and surrounding high-priority exploration targets showing the location of the new drilling at Heina South. Black box shows the location of more detailed plan map, Figure 2 (Photo: Business Wire)

Highlights

Heina South Extension Exploration  part of the West of Ikkari drill program

#124001 and #124002  intersected 24m at 1.1grams per tonne (g/t) Gold (Au) and 15m at 0.9g/t Au respectively from step-out drilling along the Heina South trend extending the strike to west. The mineralised trend has now been drilled over a strike length in excess of 1km (Figures 2 and 3).

 intersected 24m at 1.1grams per tonne (g/t) Gold (Au) and 15m at 0.9g/t Au respectively from step-out drilling along the Heina South trend extending the strike to west. The mineralised trend has now been drilled over a strike length in excess of 1km (Figures 2 and 3). #124006  intersected 2m at 558g/t Au including 1m at 1115g/t Au , the highest-grade intercept drilled in Area 1 that has identified eight grass roots gold occurrences since 2018 (including the 4Moz1 Ikkari Discovery (58.43Mt at a grade of 2.18grams per tonne gold in the Indicated category).

Disciplined, systematic exploration to grow resource inventory continues

The ongoing winter drill program is focussed on: (1) New targets in Area 1 (west of Ikkari) based on 2023 structural interpretation and higher resolution magnetic survey (Figure 1); (2) Ikkari depth and lateral extensions and (3) New generative discoveries within the 490km2 land package, in particular along the 10km mineralized corridor east of Ikkari.

James Withall, CEO of Rupert Resources commented Todays results reiterate the exceptional prospectivity of this region and the potential to find satellite orebodies in close proximity to Ikkari where we have already demonstrated critical mass of over 4Moz. Exploration activities including our grassroots base of till prospecting and follow-up diamond drilling with four rigs are now active will continue throughout the key winter season through to the end of April 2024.

2023/24 Exploration Campaign

Following a focus during the prior winter drilling season on infill and project drilling required for the PFS and EIA, exploration has recommenced on the most prospective areas of Ruperts land package. Figure 1 shows the location of the new drilling in addition to all assays over 0.4g/t Au achieved over the past five years in the close proximity to Ikkari including the Heina South trend.

Heina South

Heina South was the first gold occurrence to be discovered in Area 1 in 2019. Drilling has now confirmed a strike of more than 1000m with mineralisation across a 200m wide corridor. Heina South contains the highest-grade intercepts drilled in Area 1. Follow-up drilling continues.

Todays drill results are part of the broader West of Ikkari drill campaign that is based on an updated structural interpretation of the area. Drilling targeted untested extensions that were previously overlooked due to a lack of base of till anomalism. The exploration team continue to evaluate all the data we have collected in the last five years together with a new drone-based aerial magnetic survey and our evolving geological understanding to prioritise the most prospective targets in the key winter drilling season.

Geological interpretation

Gold mineralisation in the west of Heina South is associated with multi-phase sulphide mineralisation consisting of pyrite+-pyrrhotite+-chalcopyrite, principally occurring as the matrix to an earlier brecciated (iron)-carbonate phase. The earlier veins occur primarily within altered carbonaceous sediments folded between more homogenous gabbroic units. Gold mineralisation in the east of Heina South is hosted within quartz-pyrite and massive pyrite veins and as lenses, as part of a stockwork of quartz-carbonate veins. Zones of massive pyrite contain the highest grades (>10g/t Au) with disseminated sulphide zone containing anomalous (

Figures & tables

Figures and tables featured in the Appendix at end of release include:

Figure 1. Location of new drilling in the context of the schematic structural interpretation of Ikkari and surrounding high-priority exploration targets

Figure 2. Plan Map Showing location of new drilling and intercepts at Heina South

Figure 3. Long Section showing the location of new intercepts of Heina South





Table 1. Collar locations of the new drill holes, Heina South

Table 2. New Intercepts from Exploration Drill Holes, Heina South

Review by Qualified Person, Quality Control and Reports

Craig Hartshorne, a Chartered Geologist and a Fellow of the Geological Society of London, is the Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101, responsible for the accuracy of scientific and technical information in this news release.

The majority of samples are prepared by ALS Finland in either Sodankyla or Outokumpu. Fire assays are subsequently completed at ALS Romania whilst multielement analysis is completed in ALS Ireland or Sweden. A minority of samples are prepared by Eurofins Laboratory in Sodankyla and Fire Assay is carried out on site. A pulverised sub-sample is then sent to ALS Ireland for multi-element analysis. All samples are under watch from the drill site to the storage facility. Samples at both laboratories are assayed using 50g fire assay method with aqua regia digest and analysis by AAS for gold. Over limit analysis (>100 ppm Au) are conducted using fire assay and gravimetric finish. For multi-element assays, Ultra Trace Level Method by 4-Acid digest (HF-HNO3-HClO4 acid digestion, HCl leach) and a combination of ICP-MS and ICP-AES are used. The Companys QA/QC program includes the regular insertion of blanks and standards into the sample shipments, as well as instructions for duplication. Standards, blanks and duplicates are inserted at appropriate intervals. Approximately five percent (5%) of samples have the pulp reject resubmitted for check assaying at a second laboratory.

Results presented for Hole 124006 include results from screen fire assay as indicted in Table 2. Screen fire assays were requested due to the presence of coarse gold in the drill core and were performed by ALS Romania. Screen fire assays involve the screening of 1kg at 106 microns to separate the sample into a coarse fraction (>106m) and a fine fraction (

Base of till samples are prepared in ALS Sodankyla by dry-sieving method prep-41 and assayed for gold by fire assay with ICP-AES finish. Multi-elements are assayed in ALS laboratories in either of Ireland, Romania or Sweden by aqua regia with ICP-MS finish. Rupert maintains a strict chain of custody procedure to manage the handling of all samples. The Companys QA/QC program includes the regular insertion of blanks and standards into the sample shipments, as well as instructions for duplication and external check assays.

About Rupert Resources

Rupert Resources is a gold exploration and development company listed on the TSX Exchange under the symbol RUP. The Company is focused on making and advancing discoveries of scale and quality with high margin and low environmental impact potential. The Companys principal focus is Ikkari1, a new high quality gold discovery in Northern Finland. Ikkari is part of the Companys Rupert Lapland Project, which also includes the Pahtavaara gold mine, mill, and exploration permits (Pahtavaara).

Neither the TSX Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains statements which, other than statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements with respect to: results of exploration activities and mineral resources. The words may, would, could, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made, and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other known and unknown factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include the general risks of the mining industry, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's annual Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended February 28, 2023 available here. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

1 November 2023 Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Ikkari Project.

The Mineral Resource Estimate for the Ikkari project has been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and following the requirements of Form 43-101F1. The methodology used to determine the Mineral Resource Estimate is consistent with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Estimation of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves Best Practices Guidelines (November 2019) and was classified following CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves (May 2014). Readers are cautioned that Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves, and do not demonstrate economic viability. There is no certainty that all, or any part, of this Mineral Resource will be converted into Mineral Reserve. Inferred Mineral Resources are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves. Numbers may be affected by rounding.

The QP for the Ikkari Mineral Resource estimate is Mr. Brian Thomas, P.Geo., an independent QP, as defined under NI43-101 and an employee of WSP Canada Inc. based in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.

The effective date of the 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate for Ikkari is 24th October 2023. The Mineral Resource Estimate at Ikkari is interpolated using Ordinary Kriging (OK) and is reported both within a Whittle optimized open pit shell and as a potential underground operation outside that. Underground mineral resources are constrained within the estimation domains to meet the RPEEE criteria for UG mining. The Mineral Resource Estimate at Ikkari is reported using a cutoff grade of 0.4g/t Au for mineralisation potentially mineable by open pit methods and 0.9g/t Au for mineralisation potentially extractable by underground methods. The open pit and underground cut off-grades are calculated using a gold price at $1700 per ounce; 95% Au Metallurgical recovery; open pit mining costs at $2.9/t; underground mining cost at $29/t; process costs at $11.3/t; G&A, Rehab and Closure $4.8/t and a royalty of 0.75%. The calculated cutoff grade is rounded up to 0.4g/t for reporting. The calculated underground cutoff grade is rounded up to 0.9g/t.

APPENDIX

Table 1. Collar locations of new drill holes, Heina South

Hole ID Prospect Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip EOH (m) 123005 Heina South 453006.6 7497551 225.6 157.7 -60.7 620.70 123007 Heina South 452648.2 7497541 225.2 157.4 -65.3 502.50 124001 Heina South 452208.4 7497268 226.6 153.6 -50.2 266.90 124002 Heina South 452133.3 7497243 226.6 153.8 -50.3 305.00 124006 Heina South 452530.8 7497366 226.1 151.9 -50.9 254.00

Table 2. New Intercepts from Heina South

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Grade Au (g/t) 123005 193.00 194.00 1.00 0.5 201.00 202.00 1.00 0.6 209.00 211.00 2.00 0.8 214.00 215.00 1.00 0.4 223.00 224.00 1.00 3.5 230.00 231.00 1.00 0.4 236.50 237.50 1.00 3.7 248.00 249.00 1.00 0.5 269.00 270.00 1.00 0.7 273.00 279.00 6.00 0.7 284.00 285.00 1.00 0.9 300.00 301.00 1.00 1.1 366.50 374.00 7.50 2.9 including 367.00 368.00 1.00 8.7 396.00 398.00 2.00 0.5 465.00 467.00 2.00 1.4 123007 140.00 141.00 1.00 1.2 124001 77.00 80.00 3.00 0.6 88.00 90.00 2.00 0.6 94.00 100.00 6.00 0.4 108.00 109.00 1.00 1.2 124.00 127.00 3.00 1.2 160.00 184.50 24.50 1.1 including 169.00 174.00 5.00 2.8 194.00 195.80 1.80 1.10 257.00 258.00 1.00 0.62 124002 76.00 77.00 1.00 0.5 88.00 103.00 15.00 0.9 116.00 117.00 1.00 0.5 124006 74.00 75.00 1.00 0.6 76.00 77.00 1.00 2.2 104.00 106.00 2.00 558.0* including 104.00 105.00 1.00 1115.0* 116.00 126.00 10.00 0.7 including 116.00 118.00 2.00 1.6 236.00 237.00 1.00 2.3

*Assay results from Screen Fire Assay, all other results from standard 50g fire assay

No upper cut-off grade has been applied. 0.4g/t Au lower cut-off applied, a maximum of 3m internal dilution has been allowed when calculating intercepts. All intervals over the cut-off grade are presented here. Italic intervals indicate intercepts including within the wider intercept. Unless specified, true widths cannot be accurately determined from the information available. Bold intervals referred to in text of release. Refer to https://rupertresources.com/news/ for details of previously released drilling intercepts. EOH End of Hole. NSI  No significant intercept

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For further information, please contact:

James Withall

Chief Executive Officer

[email protected]



Thomas Credland

Head of Corporate Development

[email protected]



Rupert Resources Ltd

82 Richmond Street East, Suite 203, Toronto, Ontario M5C 1P1

Tel: +1 416-304-9004 Web: http://rupertresources.com

Source: Rupert Resources Ltd.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Confetti will rain on one fortunate team Sunday night, yet thanks to a partnership between St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital and TelevisaUnivision, viewers will get a glimpse of the confetti that streams at one of the most joyous moments for St. Jude families  a No More Chemo party. This type of celebration signifies the conclusion of a patients chemotherapy treatment with a special song, harmonized by hospital staff, and plenty of confetti. Oh, and theres cake, too.

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St. Jude patient Luna (St. Jude/ALSAC Photography)

The ad, which will air in Spanish on Univision, is the networks first charity advertising spot during Sundays big game. The spot invites viewers to give monthly to St. Jude as an Angel de Esperanza (Angel of Hope) while celebrating the support of active Angeles de Esperanza donors. The longstanding 27-year partnership between St. Jude and the Spanish-language broadcast network has resulted in more than $90 million raised for the lifesaving mission of St. Jude: Finding cures. Saving children.

One of the most special moments at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital is a No More Chemo party  where we celebrate the end of a patients chemotherapy treatments with a special song and a shower of confetti. Thanks to this partnership with our friends at Univision, were so glad to be able to share this experience on such a big stage, said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. This spot is so much more than an ad  its an expression of gratitude to our active Angeles de Esperanza, as well as a call to action as we invite generous hearts to join us in making a difference in the lives of kids at St. Jude. Every child, no matter where they live, deserves a chance to live their best life and celebrate every moment.

Become an Angel de Esperanza by donating $19 a month because together we can save more lives.

St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital

St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was largely considered incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80%, and it won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes to help doctors and researchers at local hospitals and cancer centers around the world improve the quality of treatment and care for even more children. Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Support the St. Jude mission by donating at stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, and subscribing to its YouTube channel.

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Ree Nicholas

901-883-0278

[email protected]

Source: St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital
Dubbed Cybersphere, the new practice will integrate Ms. Rubinoffs multi-million dollar assets including podcasts, speakerships, advisory and literature

Servicing hundreds of clients, Shira Rubinoff is an awarded thought leader, advisor and recognized women-in-tech leader by numerous associations

Cybersphere will offer market intelligence, lab testing, advisory and unique CISO advisory board access

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Futurum Group, a leading global technology advisory, media, and research firm, today announced the acquisition and merger of the Shira Rubinoff cybersecurity brand assets into its organization. As part of the strategic venture, The Futurum Group has launched a cybersecurity practice, Cybersphere, which Shira Rubinoff will serve as its President. The acquisition, closed for an undisclosed amount, will include a library of Ms. Rubinoffs assets that she will continue to manage under the Futurum Group brand name. Assets include video series, one-on-one interview shows, on-stage speakerships, advisory roles and consulting activities.

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Incoming Cybersphere President Shira Rubinoff (Photo: Business Wire)

Rubinoff, an expert in the human factors of information technology and security is the author of Cyber Minds (2020). She serves on numerous Advisory Boards including Pace University, The Executive Womens Forum for Information Security; Leading Women in Technology as well as additional technology companies.

Serving as President of The Futurum Groups Cybersphere, Rubinoff will develop advanced market intelligence, create content featuring industry thought leaders, and spearhead the firms initiatives at leading industry events such as RSA, DefCon, InfoSec and others.

The world we live in faces more vulnerability, risks, and threats than ever before. It doesnt just stem from a rise of malicious terror groups or states, but also the simple advent of innovation alongside attempts of exploitation. Our centrality at the core of technology and intelligence has compelled us to take a bold step in bolstering the cyber research and advisory offerings, said Daniel Newman, CEO of The Futurum Group. The integration of Shira Rubinoffs platform built over the years will allow us to serve the market with more cutting edge data, advanced strategic advisory, and an enhanced platform for them to showcase their leadership. Shiras reputation is unparalleled in the cyber arena, he added.

The new President of Cybersphere, Shira Rubinoff, further elaborated on the firms value proposition for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs): The CISO role has transformed immensely in the past few years. Ive come to work closely with hundreds of these individuals from all over the world. The new CISO is under tremendous pressure from leadership, regulators, and constant cyber threats. At The Futurum Group, we will form a CISO-only board with access to the critical tools they need to understand and cope with near- and long-term vulnerabilities. I am excited to join The Futurum Group in servicing the worlds most prolific tech and cyber companies.

For more information on Cybersphere please visit: https://futurumgroup.com/practice-areas/cybersecurity/

About The Futurum Group

The Futurum Group is the fastest growing independent tech research, intelligence, media, and advisory firm. Its continued growth is driven by emerging technologies and innovation across its clientele of more than 260 global companies. Futurum covers twelve major technology sectors: AI & data analytics, cloud, telecom, policy, consumer electronics, enterprise applications, security, semiconductors, workplace collaboration, sustainability, and CX. In 2023 it acquired half a dozen companies in areas of research, intelligence, media, and performance testing and validation.

About Shira Rubinoff

Shira Rubinoff is a recognized Cybersecurity executive, cybersecurity advisor, global keynote speaker, influencer and author, who has built two Cybersecurity product companies, and both incepted and led multiple Women-in-Technology initiatives.

She has previously served as President of the NYC-based technology incubator, Prime Tech Partners and the social-media-security firm, SecureMySocial. She serves on the Boards of Pace University Cybersecurity Programme, The Executive Womens Forum for Information Security, Leading Women in Technology, the Capri Ventures, Memcyco and many other leading technology and security companies.

Shira has published many articles, and lectures, on topics related to the human factors of cybersecurity, blockchain, AI and related topics, and holds several patents/patents-pending in areas related to the application of psychology to improve information technology and Cybersecurity.

Shira was awarded as New Jerseys Best 50 Women in Business; Woman of Influence by CSO Magazine; One to Watch by CSO and the EWF; "Outstanding Woman in Infosec" by the CyberHub Summit; One to Watch in IT Security by SC Media and Top Female Cybersecurity Influencer on Social Media.

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[email protected]

Source: The Futurum Group
Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) agreement from a newly constructed solar project will allow Toyota Boshoku America, Inc. (TBA) to offset 100% of annual electricity consumption for facilities in the United States and Canada with renewable energy starting in 2026.

This agreement supports TBAs decarbonization goal to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions by 100% by 2035.

ERLANGER, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Toyota Boshoku America, Inc. (TBA), a leading global automotive interior systems supplier, announces that it has signed a 12-year agreement to purchase a portion of the renewable energy certificates (RECs) generated from the recently completed Texas Solar Nova 1 solar farm located in Kent County, TX. This is the first of a two-phased 452 MW solar complex developed by Clearway Energy Group (Clearway).

This 12-year REC agreement provides TBA with RECs generated by the project every year starting in 2026. This is TBAs first renewable energy procurement at scale in the U.S. and will enable the company to effectively offset 100% of its annual electricity consumption in its U.S. and Canada facilities with renewable energy.

The renewable energy procurement deal will help TBA make significant strides towards its target to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gases (GHG)  direct and certain indirect emissions, respectively  by 100% by 2035 from a 2019 base year, and its commitment to become carbon neutral by 2050. The 452 MW solar farm is being constructed in two phases, with Texas Solar Nova 1 completed in December 2023 and the second phase nearing completion. TBAs contract and commitment as a buyer of a portion of the renewable energy attributes ensured that the project would meet all financing targets and milestones necessary to bring the project online.

TBA is thrilled to reach this agreement with Clearway for renewable energy certificates. One of our core values as a company is to do what is right and contribute to society. A significant part of this value is to ensure we are doing our part to protect the environment for generations to come. This contract along with other activities we continue to undertake show our on-going commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.  Ryan Hunt, TBA Vice President of Production Control.

We take great pride in our instrumental role in enabling TBA to swiftly and effectively reach their target of 100% renewable energy consumption in the U.S. and Canada," stated John Powers, VP, Renewable Energy and Cleantech, Schneider Electric. Our collaborative relationship has been pivotal in shaping TBA's renewable energy strategy, underscoring their dedication to fast-tracking sustainable progress. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with them on the subsequent phases of their decarbonization journey globally.

TBAs commitment in achieving its sustainability goals is helping power the clean energy transition, said Valerie Wooley, Senior Vice President of Origination at Clearway. Were proud that our solar project in Kent County will help TBA achieve its goals through a long-term REC agreement.

RECs generated from this solar farm will be listed with the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS), so it will meet all requirements for certification pursuant to the Green-e Renewable Energy Standard for the U.S. and Canada.

Schneider Electric, the leading advisor on corporate renewable energy procurement globally, supported the Company in the selection of and negotiations for the project.

About Toyota Boshoku America

Toyota Boshoku, one of the worlds premium interior systems suppliers and filter manufacturers, develops and produces interior, filtration, and powertrain components. With world headquarters in Kariya City, Japan, Toyota Boshoku Corporation owns Toyota Boshoku America, Inc. (TBA) based in Erlanger, Kentucky. TBA and its affiliates employ over 14,000 Team Members in 23 locations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. TBA Group is a premier manufacturer of automotive interior systems, which include seat, door trim, headliner, substrate, and carpet in addition to air and oil filters for a variety of customers such as Toyota, BMW, and Subaru. For more information visit https://www.toyota-boshoku.com/us/.

About Toyota Boshoku Sustainability Goals

Toyota Boshoku group will continue efforts to reduce environmental burdens and conserve biodiversity through development, design, production, and logistics. We aim for a sustainable global environment future generations can enjoy.

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Rich Norris  Vice President, Toyota Boshoku America, Inc.

[email protected]

859-653-8362

Source: Toyota Boshoku America, Inc.
Lexus Ranks Highest among All Brands for Second Consecutive Year; Toyota Ranks Highest among Mass Market Brands

TROY, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vehicle owners are experiencing lower levels of vehicle dependability after three years of ownership, according to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS), released today. The high number of problems owners encounter indicates a decline in long-term vehicle dependability, with increased levels of problems reported for nearly two-thirds of brands included in the study. The industry average has increased 4 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) year over year to 190 PP100 from 2023. The rate at which problems have increased between 90 days and three years of ownership has increased to 17%, up 5 percentage points from 12% in 2023.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208374863/en/

J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS) (Graphic: Business Wire)

Historically, VDS model results mirror the results of the respective model year in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, so a deterioration of vehicle dependability is unusual, said Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power. This can likely be attributed to the tumultuous time during which these vehicles were built, and owners are keeping their vehicles for much longer. In fact, the average age of vehicles on American roads today is approximately 12 years, which underscores the importance of building a vehicle designed to stand the test of time. Automakers must ensure new vehicle technology introduced today will still meet the customers needs years down the road.

The study, now in its 35th year, covers 184 specific problem areas across nine major vehicle categories: climate; driving assistance; driving experience; exterior; features/controls/displays; infotainment; interior; powertrain; and seats.

Following are key findings of the 2024 study:

Infotainment system woes continue to plague owners: As vehicles roll off the assembly line with increasingly more technology, it is not unexpected that the most problematic vehicle category is infotainment (49.1 PP100)nearly twice as many problems as the next-highest category, which is exterior. Among infotainment issues, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity (6.3 PP100) is the top problem, followed by built-in voice recognition (6.1 PP100).

As vehicles roll off the assembly line with increasingly more technology, it is not unexpected that the most problematic vehicle category is infotainment (49.1 PP100)nearly twice as many problems as the next-highest category, which is exterior. Among infotainment issues, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity (6.3 PP100) is the top problem, followed by built-in voice recognition (6.1 PP100). Annoyance with driver assistance alerts grows over time : The number of problems related to driver assistance system alerts has increased between the 90-day ownership period and the three-year ownership period. Many would think that after three years, owners would become used to the alerts on their vehicle, Hanley said. However, that is not the case. Increased problem levels are experienced across multiple driver assistance features including, but not limited to, lane departure warning/lane keeping assistance and forward collision warning/automatic emergency braking.

The number of problems related to driver assistance system alerts has increased between the 90-day ownership period and the three-year ownership period. Many would think that after three years, owners would become used to the alerts on their vehicle, Hanley said. However, that is not the case. Increased problem levels are experienced across multiple driver assistance features including, but not limited to, lane departure warning/lane keeping assistance and forward collision warning/automatic emergency braking. Electrified vehicles more problematic than others: Owners of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) experience more problems than owners of gas-powered and hybrid vehicles. BEVs are most troublesome (256 PP100), followed by PHEVs (216 PP100). Hybrids (191 PP100) and gasoline vehicles (187 PP100) fare significantly better. At three years of ownership, tires are a sore spot for BEVs, with 39% of owners saying they replaced tires in the past 12 months19 percentage points higher than owners of gas-powered vehicles.

Owners of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) experience more problems than owners of gas-powered and hybrid vehicles. BEVs are most troublesome (256 PP100), followed by PHEVs (216 PP100). Hybrids (191 PP100) and gasoline vehicles (187 PP100) fare significantly better. At three years of ownership, tires are a sore spot for BEVs, with 39% of owners saying they replaced tires in the past 12 months19 percentage points higher than owners of gas-powered vehicles. Toyota Motor Corporation wins most segment awards: Toyota Motor Corporations nine segment awards is the most received by any automaker since 2017 when the Japanese automaker received 10 awards.

Toyota Motor Corporations nine segment awards is the most received by any automaker since 2017 when the Japanese automaker received 10 awards. The most improved brands: The top three brands showing the greatest improvement in the number of problems are Porsche (33 PP100 improvement); Mercedes-Benz (22 PP100 improvement); and Toyota (21 PP100 improvement).

Highest-Ranked Brands

Lexus ranks highest overall in vehicle dependability for a second consecutive year, with a score of 135 PP100. Among premium brands, Porsche (175 PP100) ranks second and BMW (190 PP100) ranks third.

Toyota ranks highest in the mass market segment, with a score of 147 PP100. Buick (149 PP100) ranks second, while Chevrolet (174 PP100) and MINI (174 PP100) each rank third in a tie.

The parent corporation receiving the most model-level awards is Toyota Motor Corporation with nine: Lexus ES, Lexus IS, Lexus NX, Lexus RX, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Tundra. General Motors Company receives four segment awards for Buick Encore, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and Chevrolet Tahoe. BMW AG receives two segment awards for BMW X1 and BMW X6.

The 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study is based on responses from 30,595 original owners of 2021 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. The study was fielded from August through November 2023.

To learn more about the U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, visit https://www.jdpower.com/business/automotive/us-vehicle-dependability-study.

See the online press release at http://www.jdpower.com/pr-id/2024008.

About J.D. Power

J.D. Power is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics. A pioneer in the use of big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic modeling capabilities to understand consumer behavior, J.D. Power has been delivering incisive industry intelligence on customer interactions with brands and products for more than 50 years. The world's leading businesses across major industries rely on J.D. Power to guide their customer-facing strategies.

J.D. Power has offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more about the companys business offerings, visit JDPower.com/business. The J.D. Power auto shopping tool can be found at JDPower.com.

About J.D. Power and Advertising/Promotional Rules: http://www.jdpower.com/business/about-us/press-release-info

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Geno Effler, J.D. Power; West Coast; 714-621-6224; [email protected]

Shane Smith; East Coast; 424-903-3665; [email protected]

Source: J.D. Power
FILE PHOTO: An aerial view shows oil tanks of Transneft oil pipeline operator at the crude oil terminal Kozmino on the shore of Nakhodka Bay near the port city of Nakhodka, Russia June 13, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Tatiana Meel/File Photo

By Nicole Jao

LONDON (Reuters) -Oil prices gained more than 3% on Thursday on concerns of a broadening conflict in the Middle East after Israel rejected a ceasefire offer from Hamas.

Brent futures closed up $2.42, or 3%, to $81.36 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed $2.36, or 3.2%, to $76.22.

The Brent benchmark breached $80 a barrel and WTI rose above $75 a barrel for the first time in February.

Israeli forces bombed the southern border city of Rafah on Thursday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a proposal to end the war in the Palestinian enclave.

"The market is holding its breath on what the next potential fallout could be," said John Kilduff, partner with Again Capital LLC. Attacks on shipping by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels continued to disrupt global oil trading, he added.

A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Thursday for ceasefire talks with mediators Egypt and Qatar.

In the U.S., a stronger than expected drawdown in gasoline and middle-distillate stocks also buoyed the oil market.

The draw in fuel stocks, combined with a rise in crude stocks, was a sign of U.S. refinery maintenance, Varga said.

"Ongoing U.S. refinery maintenance, together with Europe being short on diesel, can help maintain the positive sentiment for now," he added.

In Russia, damage to refineries from Ukraine's drone attacks and technical outages led to more crude exports than planned in February, potentially undermining the country's pledge to cut supplies under an OPEC+ pact, according to analysts.

Elsewhere, Norway's Johan Sverdrup oilfield - the largest in the North Sea - will maintain steady production at a higher rate of 755,000 barrels per day (bpd) for the rest of this year, Aker BP said. Its original planned capacity was 660,000 bpd.

Demand growth remains healthy in large oil-consuming nations, including India and the U.S., said Giovanni Staunovo, analyst at UBS.

U.S. jobless claims fell slightly more than expected last week, the Labor Department said on Thursday, pointing to underlying job market strength.

(Reporting by Nicole Jao in New York, Robert Harvey in London, Katya Golubkova in Tokyo and Jeslyn Lerh in Singapore; Editing by David Goodman, Alexandra Hudson, Peter Graff)
Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE: BF-A, BF-B) announced today new global marketing leadership for its American Whiskey brands. Mark Bacon was named Managing Director, Jack Daniels Brands, and Mia Simpson Culp was named Managing Director, Woodford Reserve and Old Forester, effective March 1. Bacon and Culp will be responsible for all aspects of global marketing and innovation for their respective brand portfolios.

Brown-Formans American Whiskey brands are at the core of who we are as a company. We believe Mark and Mia will further the development of these iconic brands around the world, said Matias Bentel, Chief Brands Officer. The global spirits industry remains highly competitive, and Im excited to see these brands thrive under the leadership of such talented individuals.

Mark Bacon will serve as Global Managing Director, Jack Daniels Family of Brands. In his most recent role, Bacons strategic leadership has been critical to helping steward an extended period of remarkable double-digit growth for Woodford Reserve. In addition, Bacon was instrumental in the brand becoming the presenting sponsor as well as the official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby. In 2021, Bacons role was expanded to include the companys founding brand, Old Forester, which has enjoyed tremendous success and growth over the past several years.

Marks depth and breadth of experience, as well as the strong relationships he has built across the organization, our industry, and our communities uniquely positions him to serve as chief steward of this iconic trademark, said Bentel.

Bacon built his career at Brown-Forman, joining the company in 1989 as a Sales Representative for the Northeast Region. Over his nearly 35 years with the company, he has held a variety of roles across sales and marketing, including most recently as Managing Director, Super Premium American Whiskey. Bacons work and leadership have been recognized both in the spirits industry and the broader marketing profession.

Mia Simpson Culp will lead the Woodford Reserve and Old Forester brands as Managing Director. Since 2021, Culp has served as Managing Director, Tequila, and leveraged her strong marketing acumen and inclusive leadership to drive Brown-Formans growth in the tequila category.

Mias business strategy knowledge, coupled with the foundational experience she gained in early roles leading brand strategy and execution will serve her well in leading this portfolio, said Bentel.

Culp joined Brown-Forman on the North America Region marketing team in 2012. Since then, she has grown her career with roles of increasing responsibility, including Associate Brand Manager, Woodford Reserve, and Global Brand Manager, Woodford Reserve and Old Forester. In 2018, Culp was named as Chief of Staff to both the CEO and Chief Brands Officer, where she played a critical role in helping shape the agenda and communications strategy for the business.

Sophia Angelis will move into a new role as Global Director, Marketing Excellence, where she will focus on evolving the companys marketing capabilities, strategy, and talent. Currently, Angelis serves as Managing Director, Jack Daniels Marketing. Her leadership of the Jack Daniels trademark over the past four years ensured the brands strong global performance and elevation of the brands super-premium status. Angelis led the creation of a successful global marketing campaign called Make it Count.
Skeena Resources Limited (NYSE: SKE) is pleased to announce all drilling results from the 2023 exploration drilling program at the Eskay Creek Gold-Silver Project ("Eskay Creek" or the "Project") in the Golden Triangle of northwest British Columbia. This release also provides an outlook for Skeena's 2024 exploration programs. Analytical results are detailed below as well as on the Company's website .

Near Mine Exploratory Drilling

A total of 13 surface drillholes were completed in 2023 with the aim of following up on drill intersections discovered during the 2022 exploratory programs. Drilling in the vicinity surrounding the 22 Zone yielded new occurrences of footwall gold-silver mineralization highlighted by SK-23-1203, which intersected 19.87 g/t Au, 59.1 g/t Ag over 2.95 metres including 64.80 g/t Au, 132.0 g/t Ag over 0.85 metres and a second high grade interval averaging 21.10 g/t Au, 15.4 g/t Ag over 1.50 metres . Additional mineralization was identified 200 metres north of the 22 Zone by SK-23-1200 grading 0.63 g/t Au, 86.1 g/t Ag over 14.50 metres and 1.37 g/t Au, 7.6 g/t Ag over 5.00 metres . These new intersections are not expected to materially affect the existing open-pit Resources and Reserves in the 22 Zone.

Regional Eskay Deeps Program

Discovery of new mineralization in 2022 at Eskay Deeps by exploratory drillhole SK-22-1081 ( 3.79 g/t Au, 59.4 g/t Ag over 32.19 metres ), prompted the 2023 Eskay Deeps Phase I exploration program. Completed in Q4 2023, the Phase I Deeps program was designed to test for additional high-grade Contact Mudstone mineralization in the down-dip extension of the Eskay Rift ~1,000 metres north of the current Eskay Creek Reserves. Targeting was supported by geological modelling and geophysical data, focusing on areas that were inadequately explored by previous operators. In total, 8 drillholes and 2 wedge branches were completed totalling 13,787 metres. To date, the Company has only tested an area of Contact Mudstone measuring 350 metres by 1,000 metres downdip of the main deposit with wide drill spacings in excess of 100 metres. Considerable exploration potential still exists in the Eskay Deeps as many prehistoric and modern day mineralized rift systems typically extend for tens of kilometres.

All 2023 drillholes intersected anomalous trace mineralization in the Contact Mudstone. Additionally, 120 metres below the Contact Mudstone and hosted by footwall rhyolite breccias, 2023 drillhole SK-23-1182 intersected 3.92 g/t Au, 5.2 g/t Ag over 5.38 metres . SK-23-1182 is 50 metres from the discovery drillhole SK-22-1081, indicating that the mineralized hydrothermal system was still active in this area. Feeder zones similar to this typically have a high-grade expression at the Contact Mudstone, which is yet to be encountered in this area.

By testing Eskay Deeps at widely spaced (>100 metre) hole spacings, a wealth of new information was collected from the 2023 program which has yielded a refined interpretation of the Eskay Creek Rift Model at depth. The Rift Model will be further analyzed once combined with Skeena's proposed 2024 seismic survey.

2024 Seismic Survey

The Company is aiming to perform a surface based seismic survey in Summer 2024. It has been proven by previous operators that more conventional geophysical methods such as electromagnetics and induced polarization are unable to directly discern the Eskay Creek gold-silver mineralization. However, the Company is investigating the potential for a seismic survey to indirectly target mineralization by better defining the rift and Contact Mudstone at depth that is critical for hosting Eskay Creek style deposits. Additional Eskay Deeps drilling will be driven by the results of the seismic survey.

2024 Regional Exploration Plans

During H1 2024, Skeena will be finalizing a large airborne magnetics survey and data compilation for the new 74,633 hectare Hoodoo Project which was staked in October 2023. Remarkably, this ground was unclaimed mineral tenure with virtually no historical exploration despite possessing very high prospectivity for alkalic porphyry deposits. Alkalic gold-copper porphyry deposits in the cordillera of British Columbia typically rank as the higher-grade end members such as Galore Creek and New Afton. These specific deposits are attractive exploration targets based on their atypically high gold tenor.

An accelerated exploration model will be employed in H2 2024 that judiciously ranks and ultimately culminates in drilling targets on the KSP and Hoodoo properties. The successes of the 2023 field program in discovering new gold-copper mineralization and increasing the geological understanding of the KSP and Hoodoo properties warrants augmented exploration in these areas. Overall, 14,000 metres has been budgeted for this regional program.

About Skeena

Skeena Resources Limited is a Canadian mining exploration and development company focused on revitalizing the Eskay Creek and Snip Projects, two past-producing mines located in Tahltan Territory in the Golden Triangle of Northwest British Columbia, Canada. The Company released a Definitive Feasibility Study for Eskay Creek in November 2023 which highlights an after-tax NPV5% of C$2B, 43% IRR, and a 1.2-year payback at US$1,800/oz Au and US$23/oz Ag.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Skeena Resources Limited,

Walter Coles Randy Reichert Executive Chairman President & CEO

Contact Information

Investor Inquiries: [email protected]

Office Phone: +1 604 684 8725

Company Website: www.skeenaresources.com

Qualified Persons

Exploration activities at the Eskay Creek Project are administered on site by the Company's Exploration Managers, John Tyler, P.Geo., Raegan Markel, P.Geo. and Vice President of Exploration, Adrian Newton, P.Geo. In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Paul Geddes, P.Geo., Senior Vice President, Exploration & Resource Development, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has prepared, validated, and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release. The Company strictly adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines in conducting, documenting, and reporting activities on its projects.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

Certain statements and information contained or incorporated by reference in this press release constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or our future performance. The use of words such as "anticipates", "believes", "proposes", "contemplates", "generates", "progressing towards", "in search of", "targets", "is projected", "plans to", "is planned", "considers", "estimates", "expects", "is expected", "often", "likely", "potential" and similar expressions, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "might", "will", "could", or "would" be taken, achieved, or occur, may identify forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on material factors and/or assumptions which include, but are not limited to, the estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, the realization of Mineral Resource and Mineral reserve estimates, metal prices, exchange rates, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory and shareholder approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and the assumptions set forth herein and in the Company's MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2022, its most recently filed interim MD&A, and the Company's Annual Information Form ("AIF") dated March 22, 2023. Such forward-looking statements represent the Company's management expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances on the date the statements are made, and are necessarily based on several estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date hereof, are not guarantees of future performance. Actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein, and are subject to significant operational, business, economic, and regulatory risks and uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others: the inherent risks involved in exploration and development of mineral properties, including permitting and other government approvals; changes in economic conditions, including changes in the price of gold, silver and other key variables; changes in mine plans, significant legal developments adversely impacting shareholder rights plan generally and other factors, including accidents, equipment breakdown, bad weather and other project execution delays, many of which are beyond the control of the Company; political developments; social unrest; environmental risks and unanticipated reclamation expenses; technological developments; and other risk factors identified in the Company's MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2022, its most recently filed interim MD&A, the AIF dated March 22, 2023, the Company's short form base shelf prospectus dated January 31, 2023, and in the Company's other periodic filings with securities and regulatory authorities in Canada and the United States that are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or on EDGAR at www.sec.gov .

Readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and the Company does not undertake any obligations to update and/or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws.

Cautionary note to U.S. Investors concerning estimates of Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources

Skeena's Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources included or incorporated by reference herein have been estimated in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") as required by Canadian securities regulatory authorities, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. The terms "Mineral Reserve", "Proven Mineral Reserve", "Probable Mineral Reserve", "Mineral Resource", "Measured Mineral Resource", "Indicated Mineral Resource" and "Inferred Mineral Resource" are defined in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") "CIM Definition Standards - For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves" adopted by the CIM Council (as amended, the "CIM Definition Standards"). These standards differ significantly from the mineral property disclosure requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Regulation S-K Subpart 1300 (the "SEC Modernization Rules"). Skeena is not currently subject to the SEC Modernization Rules. Accordingly, Skeena's disclosure of mineralization and other technical information may differ significantly from the information that would be disclosed had Skeena prepared the information under the SEC Modernization Rules.

In addition, investors are cautioned not to assume that any part, or all of, Skeena's mineral deposits categorized as "Inferred Mineral Resources" or "Indicated Mineral Resources" will ever be converted into Mineral Reserves. "Inferred Mineral Resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and a great amount of uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to assume that any "Inferred Mineral Resources" that Skeena reports are or will be economically or legally mineable. Under Canadian securities laws, estimates of "Inferred Mineral Resources" may not form the basis of feasibility or prefeasibility studies, except for a Preliminary Economic Assessment as defined under NI 43-101.

For these reasons, the Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates and related information presented herein may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Table 1: Eskay Creek Project 2023 Exploratory Drilling Length-Weighted Drillhole Composites:

Hole-ID From (m) To (m) Sample Length (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) SK-23-1182 1019.22 1024.60 5.38 3.92 5.21 SK-23-1182 1045.30 1046.50 1.20 0.95 51.70 SK-23-1182 1050.00 1051.50 1.50 1.85 1.80 SK-23-1182 1084.50 1086.00 1.50 1.88 1.60 SK-23-1182 1144.30 1148.90 4.60 0.77 12.54 SK-23-1194 NSA SK-23-1195 1592.50 1594.00 1.50 1.17 0.50 SK-23-1196 1439.37 1440.85 1.48 0.79 11.90 SK-23-1196 1442.00 1443.28 1.28 1.30 17.10 SK-23-1196 1452.21 1453.50 1.29 0.78 4.70 SK-23-1197 TDNR SK-23-1198 NSA SK-23-1199 NSA SK-23-1200 60.00 61.40 1.40 0.47 19.90 SK-23-1200 63.77 65.00 1.23 0.34 88.50 SK-23-1200 69.00 83.50 14.50 0.63 86.10 SK-23-1200 88.40 89.30 0.90 0.71 10.70 SK-23-1200 92.00 93.00 1.00 0.85 72.70 SK-23-1200 123.00 128.00 5.00 1.37 7.55 SK-23-1201 157.00 158.50 1.50 0.88 12.10 SK-23-1202 89.00 90.00 1.00 0.64 5.30 SK-23-1202 111.00 112.50 1.50 0.68 1.30 SK-23-1203 92.55 95.50 2.95 19.87 59.05 INCLUDING 92.55 93.40 0.85 64.80 132.00 SK-23-1203 102.50 104.00 1.50 0.62 13.10 SK-23-1203 151.50 153.00 1.50 0.65 4.70 SK-23-1203 154.50 157.50 3.00 1.08 3.75 SK-23-1203 162.00 163.50 1.50 21.10 15.40 SK-23-1203 171.06 171.56 0.50 1.70 17.00 SK-23-1203 176.00 177.00 1.00 0.67 30.40 SK-23-1203 181.50 183.00 1.50 0.53 15.80 SK-23-1203 195.00 196.50 1.50 1.75 34.10 SK-23-1203 198.00 201.00 3.00 1.21 11.80 SK-23-1204 NSA SK-23-1205 72.00 74.50 2.50 0.60 366.20 SK-23-1205 76.00 76.50 0.50 1.42 5.00 SK-23-1205 92.00 93.50 1.50 0.31 38.00 SK-23-1205 105.00 107.22 2.22 0.70 108.84 SK-23-1205 111.50 113.00 1.50 0.23 192.00 SK-23-1206 159.60 164.00 4.40 0.22 87.94 SK-23-1206 166.20 168.00 1.80 0.36 61.52 SK-23-1206 169.00 170.10 1.10 0.45 30.60 SK-23-1207 39.70 42.20 2.50 0.86 0.50 SK-23-1207 81.70 84.00 2.30 3.52 55.20 SK-23-1208 NSA SK-23-1209 132.00 133.50 1.50 0.68 43.00 SK-23-1209 134.50 135.18 0.68 0.97 11.60 SK-23-1209 161.00 165.50 4.50 0.81 5.40 SK-23-1209 190.00 192.00 2.00 0.65 36.65 SK-23-1210 35.50 37.00 1.50 0.94 4.20 SK-23-1210 73.50 76.50 3.00 0.12 106.80 SK-23-1210 103.50 105.00 1.50 0.28 33.10 SK-23-1211 NSA SK-23-1212 NSA SK-23-1213 NSA SK-23-1214 NSA SK-23-1215 NSA SK-23-1216 ABANDONED SK-23-1217 NSA SK-23-1218 ABANDONED SK-23-1219 TDNR SK-23-1220 NSA

True widths and zone geometries cannot be definitively determined at this time. Grade-capping of individual assays has not been applied to the Au and Ag assays informing the length-weighted composites. Samples below detection limit were nulled to a value of zero. NSA - No Significant Assays. TDNR - Target Depth Not Reached.

Table 2: Mine Grid Drillhole Locations and Orientations:

Hole-ID Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (m) Length (m) Azimuth () Dip () SK-23-1182 9979.5 11939.6 813.5 1166.5 337.0 -90.0 SK-23-1194 9979.5 11939.6 813.5 1306.7 337.0 -90.0 SK-23-1195 9953.9 12438.7 769.0 1649.2 287.2 -87.6 SK-23-1196 9988.5 12258.7 793.0 1513.0 262.1 -88.0 SK-23-1197 9949.3 12449.3 770.3 1601.6 272.9 -79.2 SK-23-1198 9988.2 12259.5 793.3 1327.0 276.7 -81.0 SK-23-1199 9660.8 8961.2 1121.5 153.0 22.0 -44.5 SK-23-1200 9661.9 8960.0 1121.5 165.0 22.2 -45.1 SK-23-1201 9661.0 8958.2 1121.5 201.0 117.0 -69.7 SK-23-1202 9666.8 8902.2 1115.1 151.3 136.7 -50.0 SK-23-1203 9664.7 8899.9 1115.1 228.0 167.4 -50.3 SK-23-1204 9667.3 8904.6 1115.1 108.1 97.0 -49.9 SK-23-1205 9582.9 8945.8 1137.4 125.0 97.2 -55.0 SK-23-1206 9581.8 8943.4 1137.4 184.2 147.4 -50.1 SK-23-1207 9581.3 8992.3 1139.0 120.7 96.9 -49.9 SK-23-1208 9579.1 8995.6 1139.2 224.5 52.0 -70.0 SK-23-1209 9668.6 8903.9 1115.1 210.3 96.9 -49.8 SK-23-1210 9628.1 9171.1 1147.5 124.5 126.8 -55.0 SK-23-1211 9614.7 9235.7 1142.0 199.0 247.4 -50.0 SK-23-1212 9632.1 9347.2 1145.6 153.2 257.1 -44.7 SK-23-1213 9827.4 12059.6 825.2 1003.0 188.9 -87.9 SK-23-1214 9826.8 12060.5 825.2 1430.3 212.6 -79.6 SK-23-1215 10502.3 7697.6 1042.6 120.9 247.1 -44.8 SK-23-1216 9990.8 5307.3 1006.2 24.9 66.9 -44.8 SK-23-1217 9990.8 5307.3 1006.2 250.8 66.0 -44.9 SK-23-1218 9934.7 12711.4 780.8 23.0 282.0 -86.0 SK-23-1219 9935.1 12712.3 780.8 1739.3 264.8 -86.0 SK-23-1220 9998.9 12094.1 810.9 1050.2 277.7 -84.1

SOURCE: Skeena Resources Limited



View the original press release on accesswire.com




Cathie Wood is a renowned investor who specializes in disruptive technologies and runs the ARK Invest family of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). One of her flagship funds, ARK Genomic Revolution ETF, focuses on companies that are innovating in the fields of biological engineering, synthetic biology, next-generation genomic medicines, and the interplay between artificial intelligence (AI) and drug discovery.

Two of the companies that make up a significant portion of the Genomic Revolution portfolio are Recursion Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: RXRX) and Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings (NYSE: DNA). Both of these companies are platform biotechs, meaning they use advanced technologies to discover and develop novel therapeutics for a wide range of diseases.

Are these two Cathie Wood-owned biotech stocks worth buying at this early stage of their development? Let's take a closer look at what they offer to find out.

Image source: Getty Images.

A leading TechBio company

Recursion Pharmaceuticals is a TechBio company that combines biological data and artificial intelligence to discover new drugs. The company has two overarching goals during its initial ramp up: to collect and analyze large amounts of genetic data that can help its AI models find novel targets for diseases and to build one of the world's most powerful supercomputers, BioHive-1, to run these models.

To achieve these goals, Recursion has recently inked a data-sharing agreement with Tempus, a precision oncology company. It has also collaborated with Nvidia, a leader in graphics processing units, to increase the computing power of BioHive-1 by four times. This upgrade is expected to be completed in the first half of 2024.

What does this mean for investors? This requires some vision and imagination from the shareholders.

Recursion's data/supercomputing approach is unconventional and unpredictable. This could lead to breakthroughs in areas that are underexplored or neglected by the industry or result in failures or dead ends.

Story continues

However, if Recursion's AI models do identify one or more novel therapeutic targets, the company's stock could soar in value. The U.S. healthcare industry is projected to grow to $8 trillion, and a significant portion of this revenue will come from innovative biologics like those being developed at Recursion. In short, early shareholders could be getting in on the ground floor of a game-changing effort in medical science.

The next step in synthetic biology

Ginkgo Bioworks is a pioneer in synthetic biology. The company aims to create customizable cell lines that can serve various industries, such as biosecurity, medical science, and more.

The challenge with the company's investment thesis is that it needs a large enough scale to benefit from the network effects of its platform. Ginkgo has secured some top-notch clients such as Pfizer, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Boehringer Ingelheim, and others. But it still hasn't quite achieved the critical mass necessary to produce unique insights for its customers.

However, it may be close to doing so. By partnering with Google Cloud last year, Ginkgo should be able to leverage the tech giant's AI platform known as Vertex to optimize its operations and deliver a unique value proposition to its growing roster of clients.

That said, Ginkgo stock is a long-term buy and hold. The true potential of its synthetic biology platform is not likely to be realized anytime soon. However, those willing to hold for 10 years or more could reap huge rewards.

There's no doubt that synthetic biology will eventually become a major force in the field, and big pharma has already invested billions in this groundbreaking area in different ways. Ginkgo, as a leader in synthetic biology, stands to benefit from this powerful trend in the coming decades.

This tiny biotech has often been compared to some of the world's most dominant tech giants in their early formative days. This underscores Ginkgo's enormous potential as a long-term investment.

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2 Cathie Wood Stocks With Jaw-Dropping Growth Potential was originally published by The Motley Fool
Paris, February 8, 2024

Air France-KLM and KLM take note of the judgment of the General Court of the European Union rendered on February 7th, 2024, annulling a 2021 Commission decision which approved various Dutch State aid measures during the Covid-19 crisis.

Air France-KLM and KLM will carefully study this judgment and assess its implications. They will consider whether to lodge an appeal on points of law before the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Air France-KLM reminds that KLM has fully repaid the loans granted under the Covid-19 Temporary Framework for State aid in June 2022, and that Air France-KLM complied with and fulfilled all exit requirements of all State aid granted under the Covid-19 Temporary Framework for State aid on April 19, 2023.

Investor Relations

Michiel Klinkers Marouane Mami

[email protected] [email protected]

Website: www.airfranceklm.com

Attachment
Vancouver, British Columbia, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AISIX Solutions Inc., (AISIX or the Company) (TSXV: AISX) (OTCQB: AISXF) (FSE: QT7), a leading global climate risk and data-analytics solutions provider, is proud to announce its plan to augment its existing AI-powered climate risk datasets and launch an enterprise-level AI solution tailored to ensure compliance with the newly introduced IFRS S1 and S2 reporting standards, which have been in effect since January 2024. This innovative platform will be designed to assist businesses in managing the complexities associated with environmental and climate-related financial disclosures, underscoring AISIX Solutions' dedication to fostering sustainable business practices amid changing regulatory landscapes.

The advent of IFRS S1 and S2 standards is a shift in corporate sustainability and climate-related financial reporting. In response, AISIX Solutions is adding functionality to its existing software to create a new robust software suite that will simplify the adaptation process for companies facing these new reporting standards. AISIXs solution aims to streamline data gathering, analysis, and reporting workflows, ensuring compliance with global standards and promoting transparency and accountability in environmental stewardship.

"Our initiative to develop and launch an AI-driven solution is set to revolutionize enterprise compliance with the IFRS S1 and S2 reporting requirements," said Mihalis Belantis CEO of AISIX Solutions. "As these standards usher in a new era of financial reporting, our platform will provide an ideal tool for companies committed to delivering precise, comprehensive environmental and climate-related financial information. We aim to empower businesses to not only meet these regulatory requirements but to excel in sustainability and operational resilience."

The AISIX Solutions platform will utilize domain expertise paired with cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate the aggregation and analysis of relevant data, facilitating the generation of reports compliant with the IFRS S1 and S2 guidelines while ensuring model and data transparency for auditing and managing climate risks. This approach is expected to significantly alleviate the administrative burden on companies, enabling them to provide stakeholders with insightful, actionable information on climate risks and opportunities.

Key features and benefits of the AISIX Solutions software include:

Data collection and integration from a variety of sources for enhanced accuracy and completeness.

Advanced analytics for assessing and reporting on climate-related risks and opportunities.

Customizable reporting templates designed to meet IFRS S1 and S2 requirements.

Continuous updates to ensure compliance with evolving regulations and standards.

"As we complete the development and forthcoming launch of our AI platform, AISIX Solutions is poised to support global businesses in mastering the challenges and seizing the opportunities presented by the IFRS S1 and S2 reporting standards," added Mr. Belantis. "Our technology aims to blend environmental responsibility and corporate reporting."

For more information about AISIX Solutions and its climate risk solutions, please visit their website, www.aisix.ca, or connect on Twitter or LinkedIn.

About AISIX Solutions

AISIX Solutions, is a leading global climate risk and data-analytics solutions provider trusted by organizations seeking a more predictive future. Leveraging the advancements of artificial intelligence, data analytics, and risk assessment, AISIX Solutions is on a mission to provide accurate assessments to help people, businesses and governments effectively analyze, manage, and mitigate climate-related risks. By empowering organizations with real-time insights, AISIX Solutions aims to foster resilience and sustainability in the face of climate change.

For further information: Mihalis Belantis, Chief Executive Officer +1 (604) 620-1051 [email protected]

Forward Looking Statements

Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, the forward-looking statements) within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, and is subject to numerous risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, many of which are beyond the Company's control. This forward-looking information includes, among other things, information with respect to the Company's beliefs, plans, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions. The words may, could, should, would, suspect, outlook, believe, anticipate, estimate, expect, intend, plan, target and similar words and expressions are used to identify forward-looking information, including the Companys expected product offerings, the functionalities of the AI Climate Risk Consumer Interface and the Companys expected growth opportunities. The forward-looking information in this news release describes the Company's expectations as of the date of this news release.

The results or events anticipated or predicted in such forward-looking information may differ materially from actual results or events. Material factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, among others, the Company's ability to engage and retain qualified key personnel, employees and affiliates, the Companys ability to obtain capital and credit on reasonable terms, the Companys ability to compete and the Companys ability protect its intellectual property rights.

The Company cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward-looking information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company has assumed a certain progression, which may not be realized. It has also been assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time.

Media Contact

[email protected]

Investor Relations

[email protected]

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release

Source: Aisix Solutions Inc.
COQUITLAM, British Columbia, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Rental Protection Fund (the Fund) and the Province of British Columbia announce the Funds inaugural housing acquisition. This announcement marks the transition of 290 co-operative housing units into non-profit mission-driven ownership with the Community Land Trust of B.C. and a new legacy of community-held assets that protect housing outside of market forces in perpetuity.

The Fund has committed an equity contribution of up to $224,000 per home to protect these homes and preserve the co-op tenure and a renewal grant of $22,000 per home to support building renewal costs to extend its useful life. This impact is further multiplied by a contribution of $5.8 million from the City of Coquitlam. It is far easier to maintain affordability than to achieve it once it has been lost, and with this investment, these buildings will be able to operate sustainably and affordably, without ongoing subsidies, for decades to come.

The impact of the Rental Protection Fund can already be seen and felt  and these are just the first of thousands of homes will grow our Community Housing sector while freeing up capital that can be redeployed into new supply, said Katie Maslechko, CEO of the Rental Protection Fund. This is a transformative model to address the housing crisis that is already delivering results  enacting real change both quickly and effectively by preserving attainable housing for those at risk of losing their housing security.

Every dollar invested through the Fund not only moves into the community housing sector but is leveraged within it, growing the capacity of our non-profit, co-op and indigenous-led housing providers. To date, the Fund has approved funding to preserve nearly 700 homes across British Columbia that will be announced in the coming months that leverages over $150 million in private capital, with more than 2,000 homes in the pipeline for funding consideration and nearly 100 community housing sector applications in less than six months since launching applications. Over the next year, this could see the expansion of the community housing sector by over $1 billion dollars, all for a fraction of the cost of building new.

Community housing is more than a social good, it is also critical economic infrastructure, according to a new report from Deloitte Canada commissioned by the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA) and Housing Partnership Canada, which found that increasing the community housing stock by just 1.5 percent would contribute as much as an additional $136-billion to Canadas GDP. Like roads and bridges, community housing is a long-term asset that contributes to the overall development and prosperity of our country.

For every new affordable home we create in Canada, were listing 11 affordable rents in the private market  were actually falling behind. Acquisition programs help us protect tenancies and stabilize rents  we need to see this everywhere in Canada, shares Ray Sullivan, Executive Director, Canadian Housing and Renewal Association. Moving apartment buildings into non-profit and co-op ownership protects tenants and stabilizes rents. British Columbia is showing leadership that the rest of Canada needs to follow.

Recently, a broad cross-section of community housing, private sector and philanthropic organizations aligned behind a federal budget proposal that builds on the proof of concept established by the Rental Protection Fund in British Columbia but showcases how this process can be applied at a national level. The proposal would capitalize the Canadian Housing Acquisition Fund, a solution ready to deliver an acquisition facility that is cost-effective, fast, scalable, and flexible  and through which public, private philanthropic and non-profit organizations can work together toward the creation and preservation of affordable housing.

In the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporations (CMHC) January 2024 Rental Market Report, the need for these solutions is becoming more paramount, as Canada witnessed record-low vacancy rates (1.5%) and record-high average rent growth (8.0%) in 2023. Overall rent growth also outpaced wage growth, decreasing affordability, while low-income renters among the country's major markets are most at risk for affordable housing options due to below-average vacancy rates.

Far too many renters live in fear that their homes will be sold out from under them, said Premier David Eby. Thats why we created the Rental Protection Fund to defend peoples homes against profit seeking speculators like big real estate investment corporations, and preserve safe, secure and affordable homes for generations to come. This landmark acquisition protects 290 affordable homes in the heart of Coquitlam, ensuring people can continue living in the community they helped build.

The first acquisition of 290 housing units at the Coquitlam co-operatives showcases the value of investing in innovative solutions like the Fund and the transformative impact of community-held assets. The most affordable housing we have is the affordable housing weve already got  and preserving existing rental units is one of the fastest and most impactful ways to quickly and meaningfully address the housing crisis.

Media ContactJennifer KimTalk Shop Media778-898-4395[email protected]

About The Rental Protection Fund:

Endorsed by the provincial government with a groundbreaking $500 million investment, the Rental Protection Fund is B.C.'s direct response to the housing crisis. Spearheaded by CEO Katie Maslechko, the Fund's core mission is to safeguard tenants and ensure attainable rental homes are available for future generations. It empowers non-profit housing organizations and co-operatives with capital contributions, facilitating the acquisition of existing rental buildings. This initiative aims to sustain housing attainability and stability for B.C.'s renters over time.

Source: Rental Protection Fund
Admirals Group AS has announced a change to its Supervisory and Management Board structure.

The Supervisory Board of Admirals Group AS has accepted the resignation letter of the Chairman of the Management Board Sergei Bogatenkov, with his last day at the company at 29.02.2024. Also, the Supervisory Board of the Company accepted the resignation of the Management Board member, Andreas Ioannou. His last day at Admirals will be February 25, 2024, as it was the date his mandate was to end according to the initial decision when he was appointed in 2021.



The Supervisory Board of Admirals Group AS has appointed Alexander Tsikhilov as the new Chairman of the Management Board of Admirals Group, effective from March 1, 2024.



Besides Admirals group, Alexandr Tsikhilov has the following positions: Order of Malta Foundation in Estonia (Supervisory Board member), DVF Group OU (Management Board member), Historica Foundation (Management Board member).



According to the Companys general meeting of shareholders decision, Eduard Kelvet and Olga Senjuskina are the new members of the Supervisory Board of Admirals Group AS, effective from February 5, 2024.



Olga Senjuskina joined Admirals in 2014 as a Financial Controller. Since 2020, she has been an invited member of the audit committee of Admiral Markets AS.



Olga Senjuskina has more than 20 years of experience in accounting, tax consulting and asset management. She has previously worked as a financial controller in mechanical engineering and logistics industry.



Senjuskina also holds a Management Board member position in Osauhing OIS Buroo and OIS Meedia OU.



Prior joining Admirals, Eduard Kelvet has been the Head of Compliance and Administrative Director at the Estonian branch of Citadele banka. He was also the member of management of AS TBB bank.



Since August 2022, Eduard has been associated with the Admirals group, serving as a member of the board of MoneyZen OU and as the head of compliance for Admiral Markets AS. He holds a Management Board member position in AETERNUM OU.

The Supervisory Board of Admirals Group AS will operate from February 5, 2024 until February 29, 2024 in the following composition: Alexander Tsikhilov, Anatolii Mikhalchenko, Dmitri Laus, Priit Rohumaa, Eduard Kelvet and Olga Senjuskina. From March 1, 2024 the Supervisory Board will operate in the following composition: Anatolii Mikhalchenko, Dmitri Laus, Priit Rohumaa, Eduard Kelvet and Olga Senjuskina.



The Management Board of Admirals Group AS will operate as of March 1 2024 in the following composition: Alexander Tsikhilov, Andrey Koks and Anton Tikhomirov.



Additional information:

Kaia Gil

Communication Manager of Admirals Group AS

[email protected]

+372 53 413 764

https://www.admirals.group/


















This news release constitutes a "Designated News Release" incorporated by reference in the prospectus supplement dated September 19, 2023 to Fortis' short form base shelf prospectus dated November 21, 2022.

ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland and Labrador, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors of Fortis Inc. ("Fortis" or the "Corporation") (TSX/NYSE: FTS) has declared the following dividends payable on June 1, 2024 to the Shareholders of Record of the following Shares of the Corporation at the close of business on May 17, 2024:

$0.3063 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series "F";

$0.3826875 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series "G";

$0.11469 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series "H";

$0.408392 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series "I";

$0.2969 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series "J";

$0.3418125 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series "K", provided that if no such Series K shares are outstanding on such date as a result of the exercise of Shareholders of their right to convert Series K shares into Cumulative Redeemable Floating Rate First Preference Shares, Series L of the Corporation effective March 1, 2024 (the Conversion Right), no such dividend shall be payable;

$0.4462000 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series L, provided that if no such Series L shares are issued on March 1, 2024 pursuant to the Conversion Right, no such dividend shall be payable;

$0.2445625 per share on the First Preference Shares, Series "M"; and,

$0.59 per share on the Common Shares.

The Corporation has designated the common share dividend and preference share dividends as eligible dividends for federal and provincial dividend tax credit purposes. All amounts are given in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.

About FortisFortis is a well-diversified leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry with 2022 revenue of $11 billion and total assets of $66 billion as at September 30, 2023. The Corporation's 9,200 employees serve utility customers in five Canadian provinces, ten U.S. states and three Caribbean countries.

Fortis shares are listed on the TSX and NYSE and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com, www.sedarplus.ca, or www.sec.gov.

For more information, please contact:

Investor EnquiriesMs. Stephanie AmaimoVice President, Investor RelationsFortis Inc.248.946.3572 [email protected] Media EnquiriesMs. Karen McCarthyVice President, Communications & Government RelationsFortis Inc.709.737.5323 [email protected]

A .pdf version of this press release is available at: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/202754e4-8ecb-46a9-917c-6a4a7a76e192

Source: Fortis
TORONTO, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Despite the federal governments commitment to raising the labour force participation rate of women through the expansion of childcare, employment in the industry has not been boosted nor has female labour force participation, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

To date, the federal government initiative to expand childcare and raise the labour force participation rate of women has produced few results, nor has the roll-out of day care accelerated employment in the industry, said Jake Fuss, director of Fiscal Studies at the Fraser Institute and co-author of A Case for Spending Restraint: How the Federal Government Can Balance the Budget.

The study finds that the federal governments initiative to expand childcare and raise the labour force participation rate of women has produced little to no results, despite the federal governments intentions.

 gg commented Grady Munro, co-author and policy analyst at the Fraser Institute.

The roll-out of day care, an area under provincial jurisdiction, has failed to accelerated employment in the industry. Meanwhile, female labour force participation has shown little change to no change, with critically, the most notable increase in participation having been for women in Quebec and women with older childrentwo groups unaffected by the federal childcare program.

This program was meant to be modelled after Quebecs childcare program that started in 1997 with the promise of low-cost day care. However, Quebec today benefits from a hybrid system with about half of all children cared for in government subsidized non-profit day care, family-based caregivers, and subsidized for-profit day care centres.

The problem with programs like day-care expanded at the federal level, is that at a certain point the provinces who adopted it are the ones left holding the bag when said program fails to provide as intended, said Fuss.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jake Fuss, Director, Fiscal StudiesFraser Institute

Grady Munro, Policy Analyst Fraser Institute

To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact:Drue MacPherson, Media Relations, Fraser Institute604-688-0221 ext. 721[email protected]

Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter | Like us on Facebook

The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian public policy research and educational organization with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal and ties to a global network of think-tanks in 87 countries. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families and future generations by studying, measuring and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship and choice on their well-being. To protect the Institutes independence, it does not accept grants from governments or contracts for research. Visit www.fraserinstitute.org

Source: Fraser Institute
LONDON, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gaming Intelligence has named Motti Colman, Optimoves VP of Revenue - Gaming, to its 2024 Hot 50 list published. The Gaming Intelligence Hot 50 annually highlights the significant achievements of individuals within the gaming sector. Optimove is the #1 CRM Marketing Solution for iGaming; its software ensures that marketing always starts with the customer instead of a campaign or product.

In partnership with Bragg Gaming, the Gaming Intelligence Hot 50 recognizes individuals who have made notable contributions to their companies or the gaming industry in the past year. With a history spanning over a decade, this accolade acknowledges professionals across diverse roles, including C-Level executives, customer support staff, game designers, HR managers, legal professionals, and advocates for responsible gambling.

The news comes on the heels of Colmans promotion to Vice President of Revenue - Gaming at Optimove, having spent nine years with the company. In total, Colman has over fifteen years of experience in sales and business development, spanning online and offline gaming.

I am humbled to be recognized in the prestigious Gaming Intelligence Hot50 list for 2024, said Motti Colman, VP of Revenue, Gaming. This acknowledgment is a testament to the collective efforts of the incredible team at Optimove and our commitment to driving innovation within the iGaming industry. As we continue to help drive the iGaming industry to excellence in CRM Marketing Solutions, we look forward to contributing to the industry's growth and success in the coming year."

The announcement follows the recent release of the 2023 EGR Power 50 list, revealing that 56% of the operators listed work with Optimove. With a CDP at its core, Optimove helps data-rich brands manage large-scale CRM marketing frameworks. By personalizing thousands of campaigns to hundreds of segments, Optimove allows brands to reach their customers with the right message on the right channel, improving player loyalty, retention, and player lifetime value.

About Optimove

Optimove is the first Customer-Led Marketing Platform. Its solutions ensure that marketing always starts with the customer instead of a campaign or product. Customer-led marketing has been proven to deliver brands an average increase of 33% in customer lifetime value.

It is the only customer-led marketing platform powered by the combination of 1) rich historical, real-time, and predictive customer data, 2) AI-led multichannel journey orchestration, and 3) statistically credible multitouch attribution of every marketing action.

In Gartner's 2023 Magic Quadrant for Multichannel Marketing Hubs, Optimove was positioned the highest in execution and furthest in vision among Challengers. In Gartner's companion report and ranked #1 by Gartner for Multichannel Marketing Journey Orchestration.

Optimove provides industry-specific and use-case solutions for hundreds of leading brands including bet365, Kindred, Kaizen, Betfred, Entain, Sisal, Pennsylvania Lottery and others across the gaming sector.

For more information go to Optimove.com

Attachment

Guy Leshno Optimove +447716089172 [email protected]

Source: Optimove
Company announcement 03/2024

Green Hydrogen Systems signs order for 8.1 MW electrolyser capacity

Kolding, Denmark, 8 February 2024  Green Hydrogen Systems A/S announces an order covering 9 units of the HyProvide A-series electrolyser for a total capacity of 8.1MW. The units are scheduled for delivery in 2024 and 2025.

The electrolyser order is signed with one of the Companys existing customers in the UK, specialising in renewable off-grid energy generation.

We are excited to announce this new order. It reaffirms the competitive position of our standardised, modular, pressurised alkaline electrolysers, says Green Hydrogen Systems CCO, Sren Rydbirk.

Green Hydrogen Systems will be responsible for delivering the electrolyser units as well as on-site maintenance, remote monitoring and operational support as part of a multi-year service agreement.

For more info, please contact:

Sren Rydbirk, CCO, +45 5084 5202, [email protected]

Peter Friis, CEO, +45 2282 7031, [email protected]

Green Hydrogen Systems in brief

Green Hydrogen Systems is a clean technology company and a leading provider of standardised, modular electrolysers to produce green hydrogen based on renewable energy. Green hydrogen plays a crucial role in the ongoing fundamental shift in energy systems towards net-zero emission in 2050. Founded in 2007 and building on years of technology development, Green Hydrogen Systems has a commercially proven and cost-competitive electrolysis technology endorsed by leading green energy companies.

Source: Green Hydrogen Systems

Ticker: GREENH

Tag: Company announcement

Attachment
Nokia Corporation

Inside information

8 February 2024 at 16:15 EET

Inside information: Nokia concludes smartphone patent license renewal cycle

Nokia Technologies has signed its last major smartphone agreement that remained under negotiation. This is Nokias seventh major smartphone patent license agreement in the past thirteen months

Nokia Technologies expects significant catch-up payments in Q1 2024 and now has an annual net sales run-rate of approximately EUR 1.3 billion

Nokias licensing business has long-term stability with no major smartphone license agreements expiring for a number of years



Espoo, Finland  Nokia today announced it has signed its last remaining major smartphone patent license agreement and concluded its smartphone patent licence renewal cycle which began in 2021. Nokia Technologies  Nokias licensing business  will now enter a period of stability with no major smartphone agreements expiring for a number of years.

Todays announcement follows recent agreements with Honor, OPPO, vivo, and the new agreement now concluded with a company whose license expired earlier, as well as the license agreements signed with Apple and Samsung last year, and Huawei in December 2022.

As a result, Nokia Technologies currently has an annual net sales run-rate (contracted recurring net sales) of approximately EUR 1.3 billion, excluding catch-up net sales. In addition to the remaining addressable smartphone market, it will continue to focus on opportunities to grow the annual net sales run-rate through patent licensing in areas such as automotive, consumer electronics, IoT and multimedia, to reach a run-rate of EUR 1.4-1.5 billion in the mid-term.

Considering the many agreements Nokia Technologies has signed in the quarter, its Q1 net sales are expected to benefit from significant catch-up net sales in excess of EUR 400 million related to prior periods of non-payment. This is consistent with the assumption that Nokia provided in its Financial Report for Q4 and Full Year 2023 for Nokia Technologies to generate at least EUR 1.4 billion of operating profit in 2024 including the benefit of catch up net sales.

Jenni Lukander, President of Nokia Technologies, said: We are delighted to have successfully completed our smartphone license renewal cycle. These seven major agreements demonstrate the strength of Nokias patent portfolio and the smartphone industrys continued reliance on Nokias technology in their devices. Conclusion of our smartphone license renewal cycle will enable us to focus on growing our licensing run-rate in new areas. We have already made significant progress in these growth areas and have a strong pipeline of future opportunities.

Nokias industry-leading patent portfolio is built on around 150 billion invested in R&D since 2000 and is composed of around 20,000 patent families, including over 6,000 patent families declared essential to 5G. Nokia contributes its inventions to open standards in return for the right to license them on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms. Companies can license and use these technologies without the need to make their own substantial investments in the standards, fueling innovation and the development of new products and services for consumers.

About Nokia

At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today  and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

Inquiries:

Nokia Communications

Phone: +358 10 448 4900

Email: [email protected]

Kaisa Antikainen, Communications Manager

Nokia Investor Relations

Phone: +358 40 803 4080

Email: [email protected]

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect Nokia's current expectations and views of future developments and include statements regarding: A) expectations, plans, benefits or outlook related to our strategies, product launches, growth management, licenses, sustainability and other ESG targets, operational key performance indicators and decisions on market exits; B) expectations, plans or benefits related to future performance of our businesses (including the expected impact, timing and duration of potential global pandemics and the general or regional macroeconomic conditions on our businesses, our supply chain and our customers businesses) and any future dividends and other distributions of profit; C) expectations and targets regarding financial performance and results of operations, including market share, prices, net sales, income, margins, cash flows, the timing of receivables, operating expenses, provisions, impairments, taxes, currency exchange rates, hedging, investment funds, inflation, product cost reductions, competitiveness, revenue generation in any specific region, and licensing income and payments; D) ability to execute, expectations, plans or benefits related to changes in organizational structure and operating model; E) impact on revenue with respect to litigation/renewal discussions; and F) any statements preceded by or including "continue", believe, commit, estimate, expect, aim, influence, "will, target, likely, intend, may, could, would or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from such statements. These statements are based on managements best assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to them. These forward-looking statements are only predictions based upon our current expectations and views of future events and developments and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. Factors, including risks and uncertainties that could cause these differences, include those risks and uncertainties specified in our 2022 annual report on Form 20-F published on 2 March 2023 under Operating and financial review and prospects  Risk factors.
MENLO PARK, Calif., Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Joveo, a global leader in AI-powered recruitment marketing, announced the expansion of its senior leadership team with the addition of visionary leaders, Cindy Songne and Yazad Dalal. Songne joins as the leader of recruitment marketing agency partnerships, bringing over two decades of experience in talent acquisition and recruitment technology. Dalal joins as the head of new business and strategic growth, bringing a wealth of global scaling experience and AI expertise.

At the helm of Joveos recruitment marketing agency partnerships, Songne is set to drive a new era of partnership excellence. With over two decades of experience as a talent acquisition practitioner and advertising agency executive, she is uniquely equipped to understand the evolving needs of both agencies and their clients. Songnes role will be vital in ensuring that Joveo not only meets but exceeds the expectations of its agency clients, thereby solidifying its position as a leader in recruitment marketing.

I am thrilled to join the team at Joveo at such a pivotal moment in the companys growth trajectory. The opportunity to lead agency partnerships at Joveo is not just about expanding our market presence; it's about creating meaningful connections and pioneering innovative AI-led solutions in recruitment, said Songne. Together, we will work towards transforming the way organizations connect with top talent, delivering exceptional experiences for employers, agencies, and candidates alike.

Songnes career includes strategic leadership roles such as Chief People and Culture Officer at Communo, and executive positions at Talroo, Jibe, and JobTarget. At Monster Worldwide, she established the industrys first global agency relations program. Her leadership journey also includes serving as Arizona SHRM/EMA President and as a TAtech board member.

Dalal will lead all new business and strategic growth initiatives for the company. With over two decades of international experience in consulting, P&L leadership, and business development, including roles from New York to Singapore, he is uniquely positioned to drive adoption of Joveos AI-powered, fully-integrated recruitment marketing platform. Recognized as a thought leader in AI in talent acquisition and human capital management, DE&I, and the future of work, Dalal has influenced the industry through numerous publications and advisory roles.

I am excited to embark on this journey with Joveo, a company that stands at the forefront of innovation in recruitment marketing, talent attraction, and candidate experience, thanks to the power of AI. My role in leading strategic growth demonstrates our commitment to pushing the tech boundaries of what's possible in recruiting, remarked Dalal. The future of work is evolving rapidly, and at Joveo, we are not just keeping pace but setting the pace, ensuring that our AI-led solutions remain at the cutting edge of efficiency, inclusivity, and effectiveness.

Prior to Joveo, Dalal served as Managing Director in Accentures Technology and Innovation group and led strategy for Oracles HCM Cloud across the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions. At Joveo, Dalal is set to leverage his extensive subject matter expertise in architecting effective and efficient talent acquisition systems, HR client experience, and innovative growth strategies to drive strong outcomes for clients, scale for Joveo, and consistent market leadership.

We are thrilled to welcome Cindy and Yazad to Joveo, said Kshitij Jain, Founder and CEO of Joveo. Their exceptional expertise and visionary leadership are pivotal to our continuous growth and innovation. They join us at a crucial time as we expand our global reach and strengthen our commitment to leveraging AI in transforming talent attraction and recruitment media buying for employers.

About Joveo

As the global leader in AI-powered recruitment marketing, we are transforming talent attraction and recruitment media buying for the worlds largest and smartest employers, staffing businesses, RPOs, and media agencies.

The Joveo platform enables businesses to attract, source, engage, and hire the most relevant candidates on time, within their budget. Powering millions of jobs every day, our data-driven recruitment marketing platform uses advanced data science and AI to dynamically manage and optimize talent sourcing and applications across all online channels, while providing real-time insights at every step of the job seeker journey, from click to hire.

To learn more about Joveos award-winning platform and services, visit www.joveo.com or email [email protected].

Media Contact

Heather van Werkhooven Director, Content & Thought Leadership, Joveo [email protected]

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0da5b0bd-7521-415e-a4aa-ab254203e7a9

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/135c0b16-c737-4c1e-b319-8657e1c3a965

Cindy Songne Joveo Yazad Dalal Joveo

Source: Joveo, Inc
In this article, we will take a look at the 25 best states for job seekers right now. If you want to skip our discussion, you can go directly to the 5 Best States for Job Seekers Right Now.

American Job Market

The job market around the world is changing with new work dynamics and the involvement of AI. Increasing hybrid work models and remote jobs are defining a new era for jobs and how employers need to find the best fit for the company. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the US labor market recorded 8.6 million occupational shifts, with most people looking to work from home. AI is going to create jobs and people will have to go through occupational transitions to find relevant jobs in the coming years. According to a study by McKinsey, current activities that account for almost 30% of hours worked across the US could be automated by 2030 - mainly driven by generative AI. In addition, 12 million occupational transitions may be necessary by 2030.

The US states with the most competitive job markets also tend to be the hardest states to find a job. California, Illinois, and New York are competitive marketplaces with high unemployment rates of 5.1%, 4.8%, and 4.5%, respectively. Due to high market saturation, it is difficult to obtain jobs in such states.

At the moment, the US economy seems to be getting better compared to the last few years, especially since the pandemic. S&P Global Market Intelligence now expects the US GDP growth forecast to be 2.4% in 2024 compared to its previous forecast of 1.7%. Economists at S&P Global Intelligence expect the US economys late 2023 growth momentum to continue into 2024. The boosting economy of the US is helping the job market as well.

In January 2024, US employers added 353,000 new jobs, as per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over the last three months from November 2023 to January 2024, the US economy has added approximately 900,000 new jobs. Since March 2023, this is the fastest three-month period of job growth. Between November 2023 to January 2024, the unemployment rate remained steady at 3.7%. In 2023, payroll employment surged by an average of 255,000 jobs per month.

Story continues

In January 2024, job growth was high in professional and business services, health care, retail trade, and social assistance. Each of the following segments added 74,000, 70,000, 45,000, and 30,000 jobs in January 2024, respectively. These numbers reflect the US economys resilience. In January 2024, the average hourly earnings on private nonfarm payrolls was almost $34.55. Whereas, the average hourly earnings of private-sector production and nonsupervisory employees was $29.66 in January.

Americas job market is improving despite elevated interest rates maintained by the Fed. As we mentioned earlier, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell mentioned that the central bank will proceed carefully with interest rate cuts in 2024. Powell said the Fed wants to see more evidence that inflation is heading towards 2%.

Most In-Demand Jobs

America is the land of opportunities and it has some of the most competitive job markets in the world across 50 states. Medical and Health Services Managers, Data Scientists, AI and Machine Learning Specialists, Software Developers, and Cloud System Engineers were some of the most needed jobs in America in 2023. Companies are prioritizing big data and generative AI in upgrading their offerings. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:PYPL), and Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) are some of the leading American companies that provide top work opportunities.

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) the giant e-commerce giant has created thousands of jobs across the US over the years. On February 6, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) updated that it is accepting grant applications from nonprofit literary organizations through Amazon Literary Partnership. The applicants can apply through April 15, 2024. Amazon Literary Partnership has aided more than $16 million in grant funding to empower writers by helping them learn, teach, create, publish, and experiment.

PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:PYPL) is one of the leading financial services companies in the US. The company has several technical and non-technical job openings in the US. On January 25, the company announced six innovations that it is bringing to the market in 2024. The company wants to revolutionize commerce via AI-driven personalization for both merchants and consumers. Such developments in AI will pave the way for experts in AI and Machine Learning.

Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) is one of the top computer software companies in the US. On January 16, Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) and the Adobe Foundation announced their first-ever Adobe Film & TV Fund. Adobe Inc.s (NASDAQ:ADBE) fund will be granting $6 million to support underrepresented creators and filmmakers in finding career opportunities in the film and TV industry.

Now, lets take a look at the best states for job seekers right now.

25 Best States for Job Seekers Right Now

25 Best States for Job Seekers Right Now

Our Methodology

To compile or list the 25 best states for job seekers right now, we considered three metrics: Unemployment Rate, Labor Force Participation Rate, and Change in Nonfarm Employment by State, or Job Growth Rate.

Firstly, we sorted the states based on the unemployment rate and gathered a list of 28 states with the lowest unemployment rates, as of December 2023. The unemployment rate measures the percentage of the labor force that is out of work.

After forming the list of states with low unemployment rates, we ranked the states based on the year-over-year job growth rate, as of December 2023. The job growth rate shows the percentage change in employment between December 2022 and December 2023. The job growth rate potentially reflects the dynamism and expansion of the job market.

The Labor Force Participation Rate represents the proportion of each states working-age population that is either looking for jobs or actively engaging in the labor market. The data for the Labor Force Participation Rate is also from December 2023.

We have ranked the states in ascending order of their year-over-year job growth rate, primarily. We used the unemployment rate, our secondary metric, for tie-breaking. Finally, we used our tertiary metric, the labor force participation rate, for further tie-breaking if it was needed.

The data for both the unemployment rate and job growth rate for the states is taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the data for Labor Force Participation Rate is collected from the Federal Reserve Economic Data. We have also mentioned the annual average salary of each state and the data for that is taken from Forbes.

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25 Best States for Job Seekers Right Now

25. Iowa

Unemployment Rate: 3.2%

Job Growth Rate: 0.6%

Labor Force Participation Rate: 67.7%

Iowa is one of the best states for job seekers right now with a job growth rate of 0.6%, as of December 2023. Iowa has an average salary of $53,520.

24. Colorado

Unemployment Rate: 3.4%

Job Growth Rate: 0.8%

Labor Force Participation Rate: 68.4%

Colorado has a 0.8% job growth rate and an unemployment rate of 3.4%. Colorado has a $67,870 average salary in the state.

23. Kansas

Unemployment Rate: 2.8%

Job Growth Rate: 0.8%

Labor Force Participation Rate: 66.4%

Kansas has an unemployment rate of 2.8% and a job growth rate of 0.8%, as of December 2023. Kansas has an average salary of $52,850.

22. Oklahoma

Unemployment Rate: 3.4%

Job Growth Rate: 1%

Labor Force Participation Rate: 62.7%

Oklahoma has an average salary of $50,940 and a job growth rate of 1%. Oklahoma ranks 22nd among the best states for job seekers right now.

21. Nebraska

Unemployment Rate: 2.3%

Job Growth Rate: 1%

Labor Force Participation Rate: 68.9%

Nebraska has an unemployment rate of 2.3% and a job growth rate of 1%, as of December 2023. With an average salary of $55,070, Nebraska is one of the best states to find a job.

20. Arkansas

Unemployment Rate: 3.4%

Job Growth Rate: 1.1%

Labor Force Participation Rate: 57.6%

Arkansas has an average salary of $48,570 and a job growth rate of 1.1%. Arkansas is ranked 20th among the best states for job seekers right now.

19. Virginia

Unemployment Rate: 3%

Job Growth Rate: 1.1%

Labor Force Participation Rate: 66.9%

Virginia has a job growth rate of 1.1% and an unemployment rate of 3%. Virginia has an average salary of $65,590 and is one of the best states to find a job.

18. Hawaii

Unemployment Rate: 2.9%

Job Growth Rate: 1.1%

Labor Force Participation Rate: 60.1%

Hawaii has an average salary of $61,420 and a job growth rate of 1.1%. Hawaii is one of the best states to search for a job.

17. Maryland

Unemployment Rate: 1.9%

Job Growth Rate: 1.2%

Labor Force Participation Rate: 65.2%

Maryland has a job growth rate of 1.2% and an unemployment rate of 1.9%, as of December 2023. Maryland has an average salary of $69,750 and is one of the states with the highest average salaries.

16. Wisconsin

Unemployment Rate: 3.3%

Job Growth Rate: 1.4%

Labor Force Participation Rate: 65.9%

Wisconsin has an unemployment rate of 3.3% and a job growth rate of 1.4%, as of December 2023. Wisconsin has an average salary of $56,120.

15. Maine

Unemployment Rate: 3.2%

Job Growth Rate: 1.5%

Labor Force Participation Rate: 59%

Maine is one of the states with the highest year-over-year job growth, as of December 2023. Maine has an average salary of $55,960.

14. Missouri

Unemployment Rate: 3.3%

Job Growth Rate: 1.6%

Labor Force Participation Rate: 63.3%

Missouri is one of the best states to search for a job. Missouri has a job growth rate of 1.6% and an average salary of $54,620.

13. Montana

Unemployment Rate: 3.2%

Job Growth Rate: 1.6%

Labor Force Participation Rate: 62.7%

Montana has a similar job growth rate as Missouri. Montana has an average salary of $52,200 and ranks 13th among the best states for job seekers right now.

12. Alabama

Unemployment Rate: 2.6%

Job Growth Rate: 1.6%

Labor Force Participation Rate: 57.2%

Alabama has an average salary of $50,620 and a job growth rate of 1.6%. Alabama is one of the best states to find a job.

11. Minnesota

Unemployment Rate: 2.9%

Job Growth Rate: 1.7%

Labor Force Participation Rate: 68.1%

Minnesota has a job growth rate of 1.7% and an unemployment rate of 2.9%, as of December 2023. Minnesota has an average salary of $63,640.

10. New Hampshire

Unemployment Rate: 2.5%

Job Growth Rate: 1.7%

Labor Force Participation Rate: 64.8%

New Hampshire has an average salary of $62,550 and a job growth rate of 1.7%. New Hampshire is one of the best states to find a job.

9. Massachusetts

Unemployment Rate: 3.2%

Job Growth Rate: 1.9%

Labor Force Participation Rate: 64.9%

Massachusetts is placed ninth among the best states for job seekers right now. Massachusetts has a job growth rate of 1.9% and an average salary of $76,600.

8. Utah

Unemployment Rate: 2.8%

Job Growth Rate: 1.9%

Labor Force Participation Rate: 69.3%

Utah has a job growth rate of 1.9% and an unemployment rate of 2.8%, as of December 2023. Utah has an average salary of $57,360.

7. Georgia

Unemployment Rate: 3.4%

Job Growth Rate: 2%

Labor Force Participation Rate: 61.6%

Georgia has an unemployment rate of 3.4% and a job growth rate of 2%, as of December 2023. With an average salary of $58,000, Georgia is one of the best states to search for a job.

6. North Dakota

Unemployment Rate: 1.9%

Job Growth Rate: 2.2%

Labor Force Participation Rate: 69.1%

North Dakota has an average salary of $55,800 and a job growth rate of 2.2%. North Dakota is ranked sixth among the best states for job seekers right now.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Best States for Job Seekers Right Now.

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Disclosure: None. 25 Best States for Job Seekers Right Now is published on Insider Monkey.
Salt Lake City, UT, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SALT LAKE CITY, February 7, 2024/GlobeNewswire/  Novarad, GlobalRad, and Saving African Families Enterprise (SAFE) traveled to rural Zimbabwe to provide an affordable X-ray solution to the Rusitu Mission Hospital.

Watch the video that tells the story of this humanitarian effort in Rusitu Mission Hospital in rural Zimbabwe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWmr7HrL1ho

Imagine a world where one is injured, goes to a hospital, but there is no access to routine X-ray imaging. They may have a fracture, but there is no way to tell, and no way to decide proper treatment. This is the case for hundreds of millions across the world. Many rural medical facilities like Rusitu cannot afford expensive digital imaging. Even if they could, their technology and resources cannot support the maintenance and upkeep which cost tens of thousands of dollars. So, GlobalRad and Novarad worked together to design an affordable solution that can be implemented in areas of the world where this technology has not previously been accessible.

The story begins a decade ago with the idea inspired by Dr. Harry Barrett to use a digital camera as the detector for X-ray imaging. Dr. Wendell Gibby, board member of the GlobalRad Foundation and founder of Novarad, had been performing tuberculosis screening remotely for many years. He was introduced to Dr. Barretts idea while working as faculty at the University of Arizona and was approached by Cole Capener, the founder of Saving African Families Enterprise (SAFE). SAFE was supporting a small rural hospital in the mountains of Zimbabwe with a catchment population of 10,000 people that was treating about 200-300 HIV patients, many of which are at risk for tuberculosis and other infections.

They needed a low-cost, robust X-ray solution.

GlobalRad and Novarad took that idea, and four years ago, as a humanitarian effort, created a digital X-ray system based on a Nikon digital camera, a phosphor plate from Hamamatsu Corp, the Novarad Chameleon DR processing system, and a portable X-ray generator from MinXray Inc. This digital X-ray system was installed in November 2019 in Rusitu. Unfortunately, while there, the electrical power was highly unreliable. The doctor and nurses who had limited training on the system left the facility as the Covid-19 pandemic struck just months later, and the digital X-ray system sat unused for a four-year period.

Dr. Gibby and Novarad engineers recently traveled to Zimbabwe to re-instigate this program. Despite it sitting dormant, the system was still functional. The only casualty in four years of sitting in a humid, dusty environment was the keyboard  a testament to the durability of the product. The power for the facility was more reliable, as they had installed a solar panel array with battery backup.

Novarad Corporation provided funding for software development and the detector design, which allowed fairly good quality medical images using an off-the-shelf Nikon D200 purchased on eBay for about $230. A Pixel 7 cell phone camera from Google was also successfully tested. The simplicity and elegance of the solution is that the detector has no moving parts and is readily field serviceable by simply swapping out a digital camera. GlobalRad provided a teaching system to use with the software to help train doctors on the diagnosis of tuberculosis. In total, the cost of the camera in a box detector system was less than $2000, which included the phosphor plate, a digital camera, and the dark box created from materials easily purchased online. A small PC with a monitor completed the required elements.

Patients lined up for hours to have various ailments checked. Images included chest, fractures that hadn't healed properly, degeneration of knees and shoulders, etc. The X-ray dosage had to be increased relative to modern digital detector systems, but image quality was still well within acceptable range and more than adequate for areas of the body that did not require more powerful penetration.

The doctors and staff at Rusitu expressed gratitude and appreciation for this innovative addition to their hospital. Mr. Chikamhi highlighted that the machinery will aid communities in Vhimba, Hlabiso, Dzingire, and the adjacent regions of Rusitu in obtaining X-Ray images.

One final coda of good news was that Dr. Mugari, who previously left this facility, has decided to return after finding out that X-ray imaging is now available. The hope is that this simple, yet elegant blueprint can extend the power of medical imaging to hundreds of millions of patients in need, at a cost that is affordable.

About Novarad Corporation

Novarad is a global healthcare technology company specializing in the development and deployment of innovative medical imaging and informatics solutions.

For more information about Novarad Corporation and its PACS, RIS, Practice Management, AI, or revolutionary VisAR augmented reality surgical navigation system, please visit novarad.net/

Attachment
3 million upfront payment and a total of a further potential 27.5 million in milestones

Tiered royalties on net sales of 7% to 12%

Kowa to be responsible for all development and commercialization costs for NCX 470 in Japan

Upfront payment extends Nicox cash runway to September 2024 February 8, 2024  release at 7:30 am CET Sophia Antipolis, FranceNicox SA (Euronext Growth Paris: FR0013018124, ALCOX), an international ophthalmology company, today announced the signature of an agreement granting Kowa Company, Ltd., a Japanese company with a global pharmaceutical business engaged in ground-breaking research, development and marketing, exclusive Japanese rights to develop and commercialize NCX 470, Nicoxs nitric oxide (NO)-donating bimatoprost eye drop, for the lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension.We are very pleased to welcome Kowa as an exclusive partner for our lead asset, NCX 470, for the Japanese market. The interest of such an established ophthalmology player confirms the scientific and commercial opportunity for NCX 470 specifically for Japanese patients. said Emmet Purtill, Vice President of Business Development at Nicox. Japan represents one of the largest regional markets for ophthalmic therapeutics and therefore this collaboration significantly strengthens the global potential revenue for NCX 470, which we estimate to be over $300 million in peak annual net sales.Terms of the Exclusive License AgreementUnder the terms of the exclusive licensing agreement, Kowa has the rights to develop and commercialize NCX 470 in Japan. Kowa shall make a non-refundable upfront payment of 3 million to Nicox, with a further potential 10 million in development and regulatory milestones, 17.5 million in sales milestones and tiered royalties from 7% to 12% on net sales. Kowa shall be responsible for all development, regulatory and commercialization costs for NCX 470 in Japan.The collaboration will be managed by a Joint Steering Committee. Kowa expects to conduct additional clinical trials in Japanese patients as required for regulatory approval of NCX 470 in Japan in addition to the development data from Nicox. Nicox Corporate Status UpdateIncluding the upfront payment from the Japanese licensing deal for NCX 470, the Company estimates it is currently funded until September 2024, exclusively based on the development of NCX 470. The Company is pursuing business development discussions which could further extend the cash runway, exploring multiple strategic options and is also discussing with its creditors to restructure its debt.About NCX 470NCX 470, a novel NO-donating bimatoprost eye drop, is currently in Phase 3 clinical development for the lowering of IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Results of Mont Blanc, the first of the two Phase 3 clinical trials, were announced in October 2022. The second Phase 3 clinical trial, Denali, is currently ongoing, and the results are expected in 2025, based on current recruitment rates. Mont Blanc and Denali have been designed to fulfill the regulatory requirements for safety and efficacy Phase 3 trials to support NDA submissions in both the U.S. and in China, where NCX 470 is exclusively licensed to Ocumension Therapeutics. In addition to the Japanese and Chinese licensees for NCX 470, Nicox is also looking for a commercial partner in the United States.NCX 470 is protected worldwide by a composition of matter patent until 2029, with potential extension of up to 5 years in the U.S. and Europe, and by a patent covering the eye drops formulation until 2039 in the U.S., EU, Japan and China as well as other territories.
PHOENIX, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solera Health, the premier technology platform for connecting people seamlessly and easily to health solutions that work, today announced a leadership transition as Mary Langowski steps down from the role of Chief Executive Officer and assumes the position of Chairman of the Board. An interim CEO will be named in the coming days.

Langowski will embark on a new role with Walgreens Boots Alliance, a lead investor in Soleras 2022 Series D funding round, in March. "The past four years have been some of the most rewarding of my career, said Langowski. It was such an honor to lead one of the best companies in the business, with a team that has such devotion and focus on helping people live their healthiest lives. I am delighted to guide this outstanding team during its transition and am privileged to continue to serve and lead as Chairman of the Board.

Solera continues to accelerate its market momentum with solution, customer, and partner growth. In October 2023, the company announced the Solera HALO Platform, a next generation omni-condition management solution that - for the first time - creates a seamless and highly flexible method for payers and employers to add and categorize their own contracted solutions to Soleras platform and curated point solution network. The company recently announced an expansion of the HALO Platform to enable payers and employers to address high-cost conditions requiring specialty care by accessing a convenient, lower cost virtual specialty network.

Solera has also introduced GLP-1 Step Therapy Support, a groundbreaking solution designed to combine evidence-based weight management programs with operational support for health plans implementing step therapy and prior authorization for GLP-1s. In addition, the company has acquired large national and regional customers and grown existing customers while advancing its top network provider partnerships.

The Board of Directors would like to extend its gratitude to Langowski, who was appointed after serving as an Independent Board Director. Her leadership has been instrumental in transforming the company  providing payers and employers the only value-based technology in the market that delivers evidence-based digital condition management solutions in a single, turnkey platform.

Marys transformational leadership and focused execution has been critical to Soleras maturation, said Matt Downs, who is stepping down from his post as Board Chairman, while remaining a voting member. We look forward to her continued involvement as the companys next Chairman of the Board and are incredibly confident in the companys future.

About Solera HealthSolera Health empowers every person to live their healthiest life. Our transformative HALO platform offers value-based, omni-condition management for the top evidence-based programs in a single, turnkey solution. By consolidating member engagement, only Solera creates personalized experiences that optimize outcomes across the most common chronic conditions. For more information, visit www.soleranetwork.com.

Contact:BOCA Communications for Solera[email protected]

Source: Solera Health, Inc.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire  Splash Beverage Group, Inc. (NYSE American: SBEV) (Splash or the Company), a portfolio company of leading beverage brands including SALT Naturally Flavored Tequila, Copa di Vino Single Serve Wines, Pulpoloco Sangrias, and TapouT Cognitive Energy Drink, is excited to announce its distribution partnership with Armada Distributing, a prominent distributor in the state of Oklahoma.

The collaboration with Armada Distributing marks a significant expansion of Splashs brands distribution footprint, specifically covering the entire state of Oklahoma. With a dedicated team of 25 salespeople, Armada Distributing brings unparalleled expertise and market knowledge to the partnership, positioning Copa di Vino, SALT Tequila, Pulpoloco and TapouT for growth and increased market penetration in the region.

"We are thrilled to join forces with Armada Distributing to further expand our reach and accessibility in the Oklahoma market," said Bill Meissner, President and CMO at Splash. "This partnership underscores our commitment to expanding and enhancing our distribution network and providing consumers with convenient access to our premium beverage offerings."

The launch of this partnership is slated to occur here in the first quarter of 2024, and adds strong support to our 2024 growth plans. Leveraging Armada Distributing's extensive reach in the state and dedicated sales force, Splash anticipates ready access for its brands into retail and on-premise outlets across Oklahoma, ultimately enhancing brand visibility and driving consumer engagement.

Robert Nistico, CEO of Splash, commented, This is a tremendous partnership and spot on strategically as we build out distribution across the country. The long road to coast-to-coast availability takes time and each announcement is a piece of the national distribution puzzle. This process is critical and over time builds meaningful revenue. Additionally, retail chains play into this  each time we can cover a new geographic area with distribution, we can cover local accounts and start the process to activate certain chain authorizations previously announced. This is how the beverage business works and why it takes time to do it right building a long-term sustainable business.

As Splash continues to pursue strategic distribution partnerships and expand its network, the collaboration with Armada Distributing exemplifies its commitment to driving growth and delivering value to shareholders.

For more information about Splash and its premium beverage offerings, please visit:

www.SplashBeverageGroup.comwww.copadivino.comwww.drinksalttequila.comwww.pulpo-loco.comwww.tapoutdrinks.com

About Splash Beverage Group, Inc. (NYSE American: SBEV):

Splash Beverage Group, an innovator in the beverage industry, owns a growing portfolio of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage brands including Copa di Vino wines by the glass, SALT Naturally Flavored Tequila, Pulpoloco Sangria, and TapouT Performance Hydration & Recovery Drinks and Cognitive Energy drinks. Splashs strategy is to rapidly develop early-stage brands already in its portfolio as well as acquire and then accelerate brands that have high visibility or are innovators in their categories. Led by a management team that has built and managed some of the top brands in the beverage industry and led sales from product launch into the billions, Splash is rapidly expanding its brand portfolio and global distribution.

Forward-Looking Statement:

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. Words such as expect, estimate, project, budget, forecast, anticipate, intend, plan, may, will, could, should, believes, predicts, potential, continue and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These forward-looking statements and factors that may cause such differences include, without limitation, the risks disclosed in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 8, 2021, and in the Companys other filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update or publicly announce any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

RETAIL AND DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIESSplashbeveragegroup.com[email protected]

MEDIA INQUIRIESElev8 New Media[email protected]

Source: Splash Beverage Group, Inc.
Mahe, Seychelles, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tectum Blockchain hit the threshold of 1.3 million transactions per second while completing the Guinness World Record attempt phase 1. Earlier in January, the company announced that it would confirm its decentralized network as the fastest blockchain in the world.

As promised, the tech firm began the process by completing the first stage of the process. Meanwhile, this is just one aspect of the event. There will be a sequel, which will conclude the record attempt on the 25th of February.

Report of the Tectum Blockchain Guinness World Record Attempt Phase 1

Following the completion of the first stage, Tectum is issuing a report on the results. The team understands that not everyone may have participated in the live event. In addition, certain individuals are not technically inclined and may not understand the process. Hence, there is a need to give a simplified summary of everything that happened on the 5th of February.

The Tectum Blockchain Guinness World Record Attempt Phase 1 began with the team processing transactions on the blockchain. It began with running 500,000 transactions, which were processed in less than one second. After the initial result, testers steadily increased the transaction volume in subsequent trials.

Below is a breakdown of the results from different tests:

500,000 transactions - completed in 0.75 seconds

1,500,000 transactions - completed in 1.65 seconds

3.000,000transactions - completed in 3.07 seconds

6,000,000 transactions - completed in 4.62

Going by the numbers, the Tectum blockchain was able to process 1,298,701 transactions in one second. To understand how the team arrived at this figure, simply divide 6,000,000 by 4.62. The answer is the average transaction speed.

Details of the Final Event

Following the completion of Tectum Blockchain Guinness World attempt, phase 1, the Tectum will be conducting the second and final stage on the 25th of February. This is a key part of the process for official recognition as the fastest layer-1 blockchain.

While sharing the report, the team also stated that there will be a separate announcement for the second phase.

About Tectum

Tectum is the fastest layer-1 blockchain, with a speed of 1.3 million transactions per second. It uses proof of utility consensus to process transactions through trusted nodes. Unlike most web3 networks, this blockchain processes transactions in layers, ensuring that there are no traffic congestions or delayed transactions. In addition, Tectum also utilizes zero-knowledge proofs to maintain the privacy of transactions on its network.

This blockchain is developed by Crispmind- an intellectual property and software development firm with decades of experience developing cost-effective and customer-centric solutions. For several years, the company has leveraged the experience and expertise of the best developers to create ground-breaking products and services.

This ranges from secure messaging and user authentication to blockchain, distributed ledgers, and cryptocurrency. Its innovative approach has seen Crispmind have private companies and governmental institutions as clients. Regardless of the project, the principle of this company has always been to create simple solutions for complex problems.

Some of Crispminds projects include:

Tectum - the fastest layer 1 blockchain in the world with a proof of utility consensus protocol and zero-knowledge proof system.

Tectum Wallet - a comprehensive blockchain wallet that is simple to use and enables people to manage their digital assets in one place.

SoftNote Bills - crypto cash that makes Bitcoin more spendable.

X-Factor Authenticator - a quantum-proof three-factor authentication protocol that utilizes a human-machine security algorithm to ensure maximum security.

Social Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tectum.io/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tectumsocial

Telegram: https://t.me/tectumglobal

Website: https://tectum.io/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn17IrKSqmIFn8illLRR2-g

SOURCE: Crispmind

Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities.

Andrew Erikashvili Tectum support-at-tectum.io

Source: Tectum
TORONTO, Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 2024 marks the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac. A legendary creature with the fantastic ability to roam the sky and sea, the dragon is regarded as the most prestigious entity of the 12-animal Chinese zodiac; its corresponding year holds a significant place in Chinese culture. As the Year of the Dragon signifies a positive outlook and dynamic, it is the best time to broaden your horizons through travelling. With this Ultimate Guide to a Prosperous Year of the Dragon curated by feng shui master Mak Ling Ling, you can effortlessly unlock a perfect new year while immersed in the festive bliss around Hong Kong!

1. To pray for success in career and education

No Chinese New Year trip to Hong Kong is complete without a visit to the temple! The city has many historic temples, including the Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan. Widely regarded as a sanctum to pray for success in career and education, this declared monument remains one of the most popular attractions despite its relatively compact interior. Undoubtedly, its convenient location in the bustling tourist hotspot of Central and Sheung Wan has also contributed to its unwavering popularity. Man Mo Temple is dedicated primarily to the Civil God (god of literature) and the Martial God (god of martial arts): office workers who wish for career advancement can pray to the Civil God and touch the Man Cheong Writing Brush for good luck. At the same time, business owners can pay homage to the Martial God and touch his sword on the statue to pray for success. Students can bring their stationery and pencil case to the altar for academic achievement and let the deity bless the items to achieve better results.

2. To pray for prosperity

Honouring Kwun Yum (the Goddess of Mercy) is the right way to pray for prosperity and happiness for the entire family. Among the numerous temples in Hong Kong dedicated to Kwun Yum, the one in Hung Hum is the largest and most famous in Kowloon. The 26th day of the first lunar month this year, March 6, is known as the Kwun Yum Treasury Opening Festival (the day that is believed when Kwun Yum opens her treasury and lends money to people). On this particular occasion, you will find worshippers flocking to this Grade 1 historic building and eagerly queueing up in front of the temple starting at midnight, all hoping for wealth that is symbolized by the money (an imaginary loaned amount written on a red paper note) they can borrow from the Goddess. Even on days other than the Treasury Opening Festival, tourists can still visit this historical temple to pray for the Kwun Yums blessing on fertility, love life and health.

3. To pray for health and smooth sailing

With nearly 300 years of history, Hau Wong Temple in Kowloon City is favoured by worshippers who wish for good health. The temple is especially packed during the Hau Wong Festival, which falls on the 16th day of the sixth lunar month. Apart from the main deity of Hau Wong, the temple also houses Tai Sui, the 60 deities in charge of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs combined with the five elements of Chinese astrology. Every year, Chinese zodiac signs are considered fan Tai Sui (clash with that years ruling deity), and people with those signs are at risk of bad luck. For the Year of the Dragon, the unlucky signs include Dragon, Dog, Rabbit and Ox. If you were born in one of these years, you may appease the ruling deity by performing a sip Tai Sui ritual, which involves writing your name and date of birth on a Tai Sui yi (joss paper), followed by offering incense sticks to the Tai Sui deities, praying to be protected against adversity in the year ahead.

4. To pray for perfection and fruitfulness

Renowned for its supposed ability to make worshippers requests come true, Wong Tai Sin Temple is the ideal place to pray for a perfect Year of the Dragon. During Chinese New Year, the festively adorned temple is home to one of the citys most significant traditions  the first incense offering. Locals believe those who enter the temple first and burn the inaugural incense sticks will receive the biggest blessings. Thus, crowds of worshippers gather at the temple around midnight on Chinese New Years Day to participate in a sacred running race. While the first place may be quite challenging, you can still burn incense sticks at Wong Tai Sin Temple any day during Chinese New Year to pray for a propitious Year of the Dragon.

Wong Tai Sin Temple also houses the statue of Yuelao, the deity in charge of love and marriage. Believers who long for a breakthrough in their love life can make a wish by offering flowers and fruits to the Statues of Yuelao, flanked by the statues of Couples named mythical lovers Golden Boy and Jade Maiden. Legend has it that Yuelao will tie a red thread on the feet of couples destined for marriage, so after making your wish to Yuelao, dont forget to conclude the ritual by touching the feet of either Golden Boy or Jade Maiden!

5. Good fortune galore

If you want to boost your luck during the Chinese New Year trip in Hong Kong, make a beeline for Che Kung Temple! On the third day of the Chinese New Year, droves of worshippers crowd the iconic temple, whose signature feature is the copper fan-bladed wheel of fortune. Even though Che Kung Festival falls on the second day of the Chinese New Year, many locals prefer to visit the temple on the third day instead as it is believed to be a day when people are prone to quarrel, so they opt to visit the temple to avoid meeting friends or family on this conflict-prone day.

There are specific rituals to pray for good luck at Che Kung Temple. Upon entering the temple, beat the drum three times before spinning the fan-bladed wheel of fortune. If you had an excellent previous year, spin the wheel clockwise to keep the upward trend; otherwise, spin the wheel counterclockwise to spin away the misfortune. Before you go, take a pinwheel home and place it at this years auspicious position on the southwest or northeast for an extra boost of luck!

In the art of feng shui, it is believed that the prosperity of a place is connected with its mountain and water, so a stroll in nature during the first lunar month is considered a promising way to kick off the new year. To embrace the beauty of Hong Kongs majestic mountain and water landscape, hop on the Peak Tram at Central for a birds eye view of the Victoria Harbour, or visit the Big Buddha on Lantau Island, followed by a charming stroll in the Venice of Hong Kong  Tai O fishing village, which is just a 30-minute ride away.

Another fascinating place where you can tap into natures spiritual energy is Tai Tam Reservoirs. This declared monument is renowned for its magnificent dams and hundred-year-old masonry bridges, which can be admired along an easy hiking trail sprinkled with picture-perfect spots.

Hong Kong has many attractions waiting to be explored this Chinese New Year. Take action now for planning your trip to Hong Kong. Dont miss out on the festivities and temple-hopping itineraries to usher in good fortune for the Year of the Dragon!

A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

Images can be accessed at: https://assetlibrary.hktb.com/assetbank-hktb/action/browseItems?categoryId=1405&categoryTypeId=2&cachedCriteria=1

For media inquiries, please contact: Jorge Lee [email protected] Tel: (416) 366-2389 ext 206 Carol Lam [email protected] Tel: (416) 366-2389 ext 201

Source: Hong Kong Tourism Board Canada
SPRINGDALE, Ark., Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) announced the results of its Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which was held today. Kate B. Quinn was newly elected to its board of directors, effective immediately. Shareholders also reelected all 13 incumbent directors, with each receiving strong shareholder support according to preliminary voting results.

Quinn most recently served as the Vice Chair and Chief Administrative Officer of U.S. Bancorp from 2017 through 2023, joining U.S. Bancorp in 2013. Prior to U.S. Bancorp, Quinn served as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Anthem, a health benefits company, where she directed marketing, customer communications, digital, customer experience and retail strategies. Quinn currently serves on the board of Rite Aid and has previously served on the board of Ontrak, Inc. and Taylor Communications.

Were pleased to welcome Kate to the Tyson Foods board, said Chairman John H. Tyson. Kates expertise in financial markets, business strategy, marketing and customer experience will bring a fresh perspective to the board. She has a proven track record of driving success in these key areas and her strategic insights will be valuable.

In addition to Quinn, other board members elected today include Chairman John H. Tyson, Les R. Baledge, Mike Beebe, Maria Claudia Borras, David J. Bronczek, Mikel A. Durham, Donnie King, Jonathan D. Mariner, Kevin M. McNamara, Cheryl S. Miller, Jeffrey K. Schomburger, Barbara A. Tyson and Noel White. As noted in the companys most recent proxy statement, of the 14 directors, 10 are independent.

Shareholders ratified the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the company for the 2024 fiscal year. They also voted against shareholder proposals regarding corporate climate lobbying, corporate labor practices, deforestation-free supply chains and a circular economy for packaging.

About Tyson Foods, Inc.Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is one of the worlds largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under four generations of family leadership, the Company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright, Aidells, ibp and State Fair. Tyson Foods innovates continually to make protein more sustainable and affordable to meet customers needs worldwide and raise the worlds expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the Company had approximately 139,000 team members as of September 30, 2023. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit www.tysonfoods.com.

Media Contact: Laura Burns | [email protected] |479-713-9890

Category: IR, NEWSROOM

Source: Tyson Foods, Inc.
Surrey, BC/Territories of the Coast Salish (Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen First Nations), Feb. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westland Insurance (Westland), Canada's fastest growing independently-owned brokerage, has partnered with SGI CANADA (SGI) to publish a comprehensive guide that aims to demystify the world of home insurance. The ultimate guide to home insurance in Canada provides homeowners with valuable insights and practical advice on navigating the world of home insurance in 2024.

Covering a wide range of topics, the easy-to-understand guide breaks down complex concepts into user-friendly language, empowering homeowners to make informed decisions about protecting their most valuable asset.

Key topics covered include:

 The benefits of home insurance

 The various types of policies available

 What home insurance typically covers

 How to file a home insurance claim

 And much more!

"Were thrilled to join forces with SGI CANADA on creating this guide," said Cari Watson, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Client Experience for Westland Insurance. "At Westland, were driven by the desire to make insurance straightforward and stress-free. Our goal with this guide is to empower Canadian homeowners with the knowledge they need to protect their homes and belongings in a clear, approachable way."

The ultimate guide to home insurance in Canada is available on the Westland Insurance website. Whether someone is a first-time homeowner or a seasoned property owner, this guide is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to navigate the world of home insurance with confidence.

For more information about Westland Insurance and to access the guide, please visit www.westlandinsurance.ca.

- 30 -

About Westland Insurance Group Westland Insurance Group is one of the largest and fastest-growing independent insurance brokers in Canada. Trading over $3 billion of premium, Westland continues to expand coast to coast. Westland's brokers provide expertise and advisory-based services across commercial, personal insurance, employee benefits, farm, and specialty insurance segments. Since its founding in 1980, Westland has remained committed to supporting its clients, industry partners, and local communities. For more information, please visit westlandinsurance.ca.

Jessica Thiessen Westland Insurance Group Ltd. 7782887894 [email protected]

Source: Westland Insurance Group Ltd.
Wells Fargo's senior global market strategist Scott Wren told investors in a note this week that there are three sectors ...

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A pump jack operates at a well site leased by Devon Energy Production Company near Guthrie, Oklahoma September 15, 2015. REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo

By David French

(Reuters) -U.S. oil and gas producer Devon Energy has approached Enerplus , a peer with a market value of C$4 billion ($3 billion), with an acquisition offer, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

Such a combination would continue the dealmaking spree seen in the North American oil patch in recent months, which has included many of Devon's rivals -- including Exxon Mobil, Chevron and Occidental Petroleum -- making major acquisitions.

There is no certainty that Devon and Enerplus will negotiate a deal, the sources said, requesting anonymity because the matter is confidential. Devon's proposed acquisition terms could not be learned.

Devon declined comment. Enerplus, which is headquartered in Calgary, did not immediately respond to a request for a comment.

Enerplus shares traded up 8.6% higher at C$20.93 on the news. Devon Energy shares rose 2.6% to $42.39.

Kimmeridge Energy Management, an investment firm that according to LSEG data is Enerplus' second-largest shareholder with a 3.8% stake, said Enerplus should make sure any deal price it agrees to values the company fairly.

"Any potential transaction for Enerplus would need to reflect the quality of their remaining core inventory in the Bakken," Kimmeridge managing partner and lead portfolio manager Mark Viviano said in a statement.

TD Securities analysts wrote in a research note that Devon could afford to pay $3.5 billion for Enerplus with cash on hand and cash flow it expects to generate this year.

"We would expect a deal to be accretive across the board and add at least 90 basis points to Devon's free cash flow yield," the TD Securities analysts wrote. A basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point.

Enerplus operates mainly in the Bakken Basin in North Dakota, and also has a footprint in the Marcellus shale region in Pennsylvania. Were a deal to materialize, it would complement Devon's existing presence in North Dakota and reduce its reliance on the Delaware Basin in Texas and New Mexico.

Enerplus sold its Canadian assets to Journey Energy and Surge Energy in 2022 to focus on its more lucrative U.S. acreage.

The bet has paid off, generating strong cash flow and allowing Enerplus to return $307 million to shareholders in 2023. The company has said it expects to return approximately 70% of its free cash flow to shareholders through share buybacks and dividends in 2024.

Enerplus shares have underperformed many of those of its peers as investors fret about the company spending more to generate the same levels of production. Its capital spending totaled $532 million in 2023, up from $432 million in 2022.

Prior to news of the potential deal with Devon, Enerplus shares had dropped 18% in the last 12 months, compared to a 6% drop in the S&P 500 Energy Index.

Devon's shares have performed even worse, down 34% in the last 12 months. The Oklahoma City-based company, which has a market value of $26 billion, has also been grappling with high production costs and struggled to meet performance goals.

The hunt for better reserves and economies of scale has fueled consolidation in the U.S. oil and gas sector over the course of the past year.

Exxon agreed to pay $59.5 billion for Pioneer Natural Resources and $4.9 billion for Denbury. Chevron inked a $53 billion deal for Hess and bought PDC Energy for $6.2 billion. Occidental clinched a $12 billion deal for CrownRock.

(Reporting by David French in New York; Editing by Mark Porter, Chizu Nomiyama and David Ljunggren)
In this article, we look at 25 countries where Muslim population will increase the most by 2030. You can skip our detailed analysis on the economic potential of the Islamic world and head over directly to the 10 Countries where Muslim Population will Increase the Most by 2030.

Islam is the second largest and the fastest growing religion in the world, with 1.8 billion Muslims, who account for 24% of the global population. Driven by fertility rates and the proportion of youth among the major religions, the worlds religious profile is rapidly evolving. According to the PEW Research Center, by 2030, the worlds Muslim population is likely to be proportionate to 26.5% of the worlds population, while by 2050, it will account for nearly 30% of the share and come close to equaling the total number of Christians in the world  which is currently an estimated 2.4 billion people.

The population of Muslims in 2030 will be 38% higher than in 2010, while the Christian population is projected to grow 19% during this period. The population of Hindus will be expanding by 23%, while the number of Jews in the world will have risen by 10% in these two decades. Moreover, if the current trends were to continue, by 2050, 10% of Europes population will be Muslim, and Islam would become the second largest religion in the United States, surpassing Judaism.

Economic Potential of the Muslim World

The Muslim world contributes 8.51% of the global economy. While this is disproportionate to the size of the groups overall population, the Islamic world is full of economic potential. 53% of the globes proven oil and gas reserves are found in the Middle East. These two natural resources alone contribute to over half of all exports from the region.

Several large energy-sector corporations operate in the resource-rich region. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) has pumped over $30 billion in gas projects in Qatar since the 1990s, which has resulted in the development of 12-14 facilities in the country. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) has been present in Saudi Arabia for the last 90 years as well, and has played a pivotal role in what is today Saudi Aramco  the second largest company in the world in terms of revenue, which generated $161 billion in profits in 2022, which was thrice of what Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) earned that year.

Story continues

British Petroleum, or BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) spearheaded oil discovery in the UAE in 1958. In March 2023, the company alongside Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC) jointly offered $2 billion to acquire fifty-percent of the stake in NewMed Energy, an Israeli natural gas producer. Later that year in July, BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) invested $10 million in a California-based biofuel firm that plans to set up its first plant in Dubai. Israel has also awarded BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) license to explore gas off the Mediterranean coast.

Islam is a major religion in south and southeast Asia as well, especially in countries like Bangladesh, Malaysia and Indonesia, where it is the predominant religion. Tech companies, such as Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) for example, have been tapping into investment opportunities in the region due to the abundance of talented, skilled human resources, coupled with cheap labor.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) in 2021 announced opening a data center in Indonesia, which it expects would contribute an additional $6 billion to the companys overall revenue. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) also signed a $1 billion partnership program that year with the government in Malaysia to establish several data centers across the country between 2021 and 2026.

Several other tech and IT related companies operate in the region as well. Samsung, for instance, manufactures its top-tier Galaxy series smartphones in both Bangladesh and Pakistan.

25 Countries where Muslim Population will Increase the Most by 2030

Methodology

Countries where Muslim population will increase the most by 2030 are listed in ascending order of the estimated increase in population of Muslims in these countries between 2020 and 2030. Figures have been sourced from projections made by the PEW Research Center.

If interested, you can also take a look at the 25 Countries where Muslim Population will Increase the Most by 2050.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

Lets now head over to the list of countries where Muslim population will increase the most by 2030.

25. Uzbekistan

Muslim Population in 2030: 32.9 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2030: 2.72 million

Percentage Increase: 9.01%

Over 97% of the population in Uzbekistan comprises Muslims. That share is likely to hold by 2030 with a 9% increase in the groups population.

24. China

Muslim Population in 2030: 30.82 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2030: 2.81 million

Percentage Increase: 10.03%

Muslims form a religious minority in China, accounting for barely 1-1.5% of the countrys overall population. Despite that, their population is still a sizable number  around 28 million in 2020, and forecasted to get close to 31 million by 2030.

23. Algeria

Muslim Population in 2030: 42.66 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2030: 3.23 million

Percentage Increase: 8.19%

Nearly 98% of Algerias population is Muslim. The African nation will be among countries where Muslim population will increase the most by 2030, according to forecasts by the PEW Research Center.

22. Syria

Muslim Population in 2030: 26.2 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2030: 3.61 million

Percentage Increase: 15.98%

93% of Syrias population comprises Muslims, of which three-fourth are adherents of the Sunni sect of Islam. Muslim population is forecasted to grow about 16% between 2020 and 2030, and by 38% between 2020 and 2050.

21. Iran

Muslim Population in 2030: 84.54 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2030: 3.66 million

Percentage Increase: 4.53%

Iran is among countries where Muslim population will increase the most by 2030. About 99.4% of the population in Iran is Muslim  a majority of them belonging to the Shia sect.

20. Somalia

Muslim Population in 2030: 15.81 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2030: 3.7 million

Percentage Increase: 30.55%

Somalias birth rate of 6.42 births per woman is one of the highest in the world. It is a predominantly Muslim-majority country, where the population of the group is forecasted to grow by over 30% between 2020 and 2030, and a whopping 116% by 2050.

19. Senegal

Muslim Population in 2030: 19.33 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2030: 3.85 million

Percentage Increase: 24.87%

Over 96% of the population in Senegal identified as Muslim in 2020 according to PEW. That share is likely to grow further to 98.87% by 2030 due to a significant increase in the groups population during the time period.

18. Malaysia

Muslim Population in 2030: 26.05 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2030: 3.98 million

Percentage Increase: 18.03%

Malaysia is known for its religious diversity, harmony, and coexistence. Muslims account for about two-thirds of the population currently. That proportion is likely to rise to 68.4% by 2030, with Hindu and Buddhists groups projected to experience a dip in their share of the population.

17. Saudi Arabia

Muslim Population in 2030: 35.45 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2030: 4.76 million

Percentage Increase: 15.51%

Saudi Arabia is home to Islams holiest sites. It is the largest producer of oil in the Middle East, which has attracted labor from around the globe, in particular the Muslim world. The population of Muslims is forecasted to increase by 15.51% between 2020 and 2030.

16. Burkina Faso

Muslim Population in 2030: 19.24 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2030: 5 million

Percentage Increase: 35.11%

Burkina Faso is a diverse country. 63% of the population in this African country is Muslim, while Christians and adherents of folks religions form sizable minorities  21.7% and 15% respectively. The countrys Muslim population is forecasted to grow exponentially from 14.2 million in 2020 to 19.24 million in 2030, and 32.2 million by 2050.

15. Turkiye

Muslim Population in 2030: 84.75 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2030: 5.66 million

Percentage Increase: 7.16%

Turkiye is known for its rich Islamic history and Ottoman architecture. 98% of the population in the country is Muslim. This proportion is likely to hold in 2030, helped by a 7.16% increase in the groups population compared to 2020.

14. Mali

Muslim Population in 2030: 25.6 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2030: 5.99 million

Percentage Increase: 30.55%

Muslims make up 95% of the population in this West African country, while Christians account for 2.4% of the share. Malis Muslim population is projected to increase by nearly one-thirds between 2020 and 2030, and grow by over 100% to touch 40 million by 2050.

13. Tanzania

Muslim Population in 2030: 27.27 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2030: 6.32 million

Percentage Increase: 30.17%

Tanzania is next on the list of countries where Muslim population will increase the most by 2030. The number of Muslims in the country will grow 30.17% by 2030 and more than double their current population of 20.95 million by 2050.

12. Ethiopia

Muslim Population in 2030: 44.21 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2030: 7.92 million

Percentage Increase: 21.82%

Ethiopia is a Christian-majority country in Africa (62%), where Muslims form a sizable minority and account for 36% of the population. Muslim population is rapidly growing, however. By 2030, they will make up 37.3% of the population, and are forecasted to touch the 40% by 2050.

11. Niger

Muslim Population in 2030: 30.15 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2030: 8.49 million

Percentage Increase: 39.20%

Niger is among countries where Muslim population will increase the most by 2030, with an expected increase of 39.20% in the groups population between 2020 and 2030.

Click to continue reading and see the 10 Countries where Muslim Population will Increase the Most by 2030.

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Disclosure: None. 25 Countries where Muslim Population will Increase the Most by 2030 is originally published on Insider Monkey.
Key Weighted Average TREO Concentrations: 0-100 Metres 3,577 PPM, 0-18 Metres 9,445 PPM, Including 7 Metres 18,275 PPM, 3 Metres 25,317 PPM, and 1.5 Metres 30,642 PPM

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2024) - Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp.(CSE: API) (OTCQX: APAAF) (FSE: A0I0) (MUN: A0I0) (BER: A0I0)(the "Company" or "Appia")is pleased to report significant assay results from its discovery Diamond Drill Hole (DDH) PCH-F01, located within the highly prospective Target IV zone at its PCH ionic adsorption clay project in Brazil. Appia has re-assayed the entire hole PCH-F01 as part of its due diligence, and assay results from surface to 18 metres include 9,445 parts per million (ppm) Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO), 2,786 ppm Magnet Rare Earth Oxide (MREO), 787 ppm Heavy Rare Earth Oxide (HREO), and 8,658 ppm Light Rare Earth Oxide (LREO).

DDH PCH-F01, originally drilled vertically to 100 metres depth during the vendors' exploration campaign in 2021, has been re-assayed and updated with the nomenclature DDH PCH-F01R. This hole intercepted a high-grade mineralized weathered profile to bedrock, spanning from the surface to 18 metres. The re-assaying confirmed the presence of continued high-grade mineralization throughout the intercepted hard rock zone, with the mineralization continuing until the end of drill hole at 100 metres depth.

Highlights:

Composite results across 100 metres: 3,577 ppm or 0.36% TREO including 968 ppm or 0.10% MREO, 293 ppm or 0.03% HREO, and 3,284 ppm or 0.33% LREO.

Composite results from 0-18 metres: 9,445 ppm or 0.94% TREO including 2,786 ppm or 0.28% MREO, 787 ppm or 0.08% HREO, and 8,658 ppm or 0.86% LREO.

Composite results 0-7 metres: 18,275 ppm or 1.83% TREO, 5,640 ppm or 0.56% MREO, 1,550 ppm or 0.16% HREO, and 16,725 ppm or 1.67% LREO Including 3 metres at 25,317 ppm or 2.53% TREO, 8,473 ppm or 0.85% MREO, 2,102 ppm or 0.21% HREO, and 23,215 ppm or 2.32% LREO from 1.5m to 4.5m; and Including 1.5 metres at 30,642 ppm or 3.06% TREO, 11,219 ppm or 1.12% MREO, 2,434 ppm or 0.24% HREO, and 28,208 ppm or 2.82% LREO from 2m to 3.5m.



DIAMOND DRILLHOLE PCH-F01R (ASSAY IN OXIDE_PPM, BY SGS LAB) Interval 0-18m with 0-7m with 1.5-4.5m with 2.0-3.5m 18-100m with 27-47m with 51-78 with 82-100m 0-100m TREO 9,445 18,275 25,317 30,642 2,289 2,695 2,815 2,165 3,577 MREO 2,786 5,640 8,473 11,219 568 711 680 519 968 LREO 8,658 16,725 23,215 28,208 2,105 2,444 2,600 2,009 3,284 HREO 787 1,550 2,102 2,434 184 251 215 156 293 Magnet REO Interval 0-18m with 0-7m with 1.5-4.5m with 2.0-3.5m 18-100m with 27-47m with 51-78 with 82-100m 0-100m Nd 2 O 3 1,624 3,202 4,440 5,150 361 446 434 333 589 Pr 6 O 11 751 1,627 2,923 4,780 111 134 134 104 226 Sm 2 O 3 246 487 678 786 58 77 68 52 92 Dy 2 O 3 139 272 361 421 32 45 37 26 51 Tb 4 O 7 27 53 71 82 6 8 7 5 10 Light - LREO Interval 0-18m with 0-7m with 1.5-4.5m with 2.0-3.5m 18-100m with 27-47m with 51-78 with 82-100m 0-100m La 2 O 3 2,167 4,119 5,730 6,784 550 626 683 529 841 CeO 2 4,116 7,777 10,122 11,495 1,082 1,237 1,349 1,044 1,628 Pr 6 O 11 751 1,627 2,923 4,780 111 134 134 104 226 Nd 2 O 3 1,624 3,202 4,440 5,150 361 446 434 333 589 Heavy - HREO Interval 0-18m with 0-7m with 1.5-4.5m with 2.0-3.5m 18-100m with 27-47m with 51-78 with 82-100m 0-100m Sm 2 O 3 246 487 678 786 58 77 68 52 92 Eu 2 O 3 65 127 175 202 16 22 19 14 25 Gd 2 O 3 181 359 492 565 43 60 50 37 68 Tb 4 O 7 27 53 71 82 6 8 7 5 10 Dy 2 O 3 139 272 361 421 32 45 37 26 51 Ho 2 O 3 26 51 66 76 5 8 6 4 9 Er 2 O 3 60 117 151 175 14 19 16 10 22 Tm 2 O 3 7 14 18 21 1 2 2 1 3 Yb 2 O 3 32 63 81 94 8 10 9 6 12 Lu 2 O 3 3 7 8 10 1 1 1 1 1

Table 1 - Diamond Drill Hole PCH-F01R Composite Assay Results.

Click HERE for a complete listing of the full assay results.

"These results from DDH PCH-F01R confirm the presence of an alkaline breccia with significant concentrations of REE throughout the hard rock beneath the clay and saprolite zones," commented Stephen Burega, President. He continued, "DDH PCH-F01R is situated northeast of the previously reported PCH RC-063 hole, located in the southwest quadrant of Target IV. This Reverse Circulation (RC) hole revealed TREO results as high as 92,758 ppm from 10-to-12 metres, with a total weighted average of 38,655 ppm TREO from 0 to 24 metres, remaining open at depth." (See press release dated January 16, 2024 HERE)

Burega continued, "We have seen remarkable grades across Target IV, spanning from RC to DDH results. Numerous intercepts surpass 10,000 ppm TREO, including PCH-F01R, where the results support the ultra-high grade weathered profile. The team has identified two high-grade zones within Target IV, approximately 300 metres apart, interconnected with mineralization at shallow depths."





Figure 1 - Strip log of DDH PCH-F01R

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5416/197230_d78b397f34aadb8f_002full.jpg



Map 1 - Map of RC drilling location.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5416/197230_d78b397f34aadb8f_003full.jpg





Image 1 - Photograph of Alkaline Breccia from DDH PCH-F01

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5416/197230_d78b397f34aadb8f_004full.jpg

Table 2 PCH-F01R collar details - SIRGAS 2000 - UTM zone 22S.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5416/197230_d78b397f34aadb8f_005full.jpg

Appia is committed to transparent communication and will continue to provide timely updates on the progress of our exploration efforts and the development of a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate in partnership with SGS Canada. We are dedicated to sharing advancements in our exploration program and will release assay results from RC, DDH, and auger drilling as they become available.

Background on the PCH Project

The PCH Project is located within the Tocantins Structural Province in the Braslia Fold Belt, more specifically, the Arenopolis Magmatic Arc. The PCH Project is 40,963.18 hectares in size and located within the Goias State of Brazil. It is classified as an alkaline intrusive rock occurrence with highly anomalous REE and Niobium mineralization. This mineralization is related to alkaline lithologies of the Fazenda Buriti Plutonic Complex and the hydrothermal and surface alteration products of this complex by supergene enrichment in a tropical climate. The positive results of the recent geochemical exploration work carried out to date indicates the potential for REEs, niobium (Nb), scandium (Sc) and cobalt (Co) within lateritic ionic adsorption clays.

QA/QC

The historic diamond drill holes, including DDH-PCHF01, are NQ size (47.6 mm diameter) vertical and reported intervals are true widths. It has been sampled at approximately one metre intervals, resulting in average sample sizes of approximately 1 - 5 kg. Drill core is geologically logged, photographed, marked for sampling and cut by diamond saw. One half of the core is taken for sampling at Appia's logging facility, bagged in a resistant plastic bag, labeled, photographed, and stored for shipment. The remaining half is stored at Appia's secure core storage facility.

Appia re-assayed the entire hole using pulp from original samples and updated nomenclature to PCH-F01R. The samples were sent to the SGS laboratory in Vespasiano, Minas Gerais. In addition to the internal QA/QC of the SGS Lab, Appia has used its own control samples in each batch sent to the laboratory.

Quality control samples, such as blanks, duplicates, and standards (CRM) are inserted into each analytical run. For all analysis methods, the minimum number of QA/QC samples is one standard, one duplicate and one blank, introduced every batch. The rigorous procedures implemented during the sample collection, preparation, and analysis stages underscore the robustness and reliability of the analytical results obtained.

All analytical results reported herein have passed internal QA/QC review and compilation. All assay results of DDH samples were provided by SGS Geosol, an ISO/IEC 17025:2005 certified laboratory, which performed their measure of the concentration of rare earth elements (REE) analyses by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analytical methods.

The technical content in this news release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Don Hains, P.Geo, Consulting Geologist, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. (Appia)

Appia is a publicly traded Canadian company in the rare earth element and uranium sectors. The Company is currently focusing on delineating high-grade critical rare earth elements and gallium on the Alces Lake property, as well as exploring for high-grade uranium in the prolific Athabasca Basin on its Otherside, Loranger, North Wollaston, and Eastside properties. The Company holds the surface rights to exploration for 113,837.15 hectares (281,297.72 acres) in Saskatchewan. The Company also has a 100% interest in 13,008 hectares (32,143 acres), with rare earth elements and uranium deposits over five mineralized zones in the Elliot Lake Camp, Ontario. Lastly, the Company holds the right to acquire up to a 70% interest in the PCH Project (See June 9th, 2023 Press Release - Click HERE) which is 40,963.18 ha. in size and located within the Goias State of Brazil. (See January 11th, 2023 Press Release - Click HERE)

Appia has 136.3 million common shares outstanding, 144.1 million shares fully diluted.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements: This News Release contains forward-looking statements which are typically preceded by, followed by or including the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance as they involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements and shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For more information, visit www.appiareu.com.

As part of our ongoing effort to keep investors, interested parties and stakeholders updated, we have several communication portals. If you have any questions online (X,/Facebook,/LinkedIn)/please feel free to send direct messages.

To book a one-on-one 30-minute Zoom video call, please/click here.

Contact:

Tom Drivas, CEO and Director

(c) (416) 876-3957

(e) [email protected]

Stephen Burega, President

(c) (647) 515-3734

(e) [email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/197230
Parent Company of Newchip Accelerator, Prepares for Strategic Divestiture of $760M Warrant Portfolio, Charting a Renewed Path for Stakeholders

Austin, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2024) - In a definitive ruling by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division, the Honorable Judge Shad Robinson ruled in favor of ASTRALABS, the parent company of the Newchip Accelerator, in Case No. 23-10164-smr, authorizing the unencumbered sale of its investment warrant portfolio, thereby releasing it from all liens, claims, and legal encumbrances. This decisive judgment, quashing challenges to the sale of ASTRALABS' warrant asset portfolio, unequivocally affirms the company's adept strategic management and innovative handling of the Newchip warrants, marking the onset of a revitalized strategy aimed at enhancing creditor and investor returns.

In the judgment, Judge Robinson laid out several pivotal directives: the Warrants are now distinctly separated from and not subject to any obligations linked to prior client agreements, enabling the trustee to proceed with their sale free from any performance obligations or penalties for non-compliance specified in client contracts. Moreover, ex-clients must prove adherence to all reporting requirements detailed in the Warrant agreements for them to be considered expired or to avoid their extension to a 10-year term. Additionally, the trustee is relieved from the obligation to observe any right of first refusal; thus, the trustee has the authority to sell Newchip's warrant without needing to offer a right of first refusal, a right that will now be transferred to the purchaser of the warrant.

Andrew Ryan commented on the ruling, stating, "Reflecting on this nine-month legal challenge, it was the toughest period of my life to be honest, but we have not only emerged victorious but have also been fortified by the steadfast support of our shareholders and the wider investor and startup community. This solidarity and shared commitment to our mission played a pivotal role in navigating the intricacies of the bankruptcy proceedings. This court's ruling represents a monumental victory for Newchip, ASTRALABS, and unequivocally validates our decisions as a leadership team. This judgment opens the door for us to capitalize on our warrant portfolio, aiming to surpass our ambitious nine-figure sales goal and catalyze this substantial win."



Ryan further added, "The court's unambiguous validation of the Warrant Portfolio's value and integrity, as meticulously documented in the bankruptcy by Sputnik ATX's warrant report, lays the groundwork for maximizing the proceeds from the imminent sale, with the objective of delivering substantial returns to creditors and shareholders in the upcoming months. This essential verdict facilitates a methodical sale of assets, dedicated to maximizing returns for all stakeholders and achieving the optimal sale value of ASTRALABS' portfolio holdings."

Joshua Lawton, an early angel investor and a leader at Newchip over the years that testified at the hearing, offered his insights, saying, "Throughout my tenure investing in startups, I've seen many founders falter under pressures akin to what we've faced. Andrew Ryan, on the other hand, has showcased an extraordinary level of commitment to both his shareholders and employees, all of whom have poured their hearts and souls into our collective vision and the mission to empower founders. Despite the hurdles this year has presented, my admiration for the employees, investors, and clients-who've shown unwavering support and patience throughout this intricate legal journey-has only deepened."

Andrew Ryan's final statement underscores his and his investors' shared goals moving forward: "Moving forward, my aim, in collaboration with my investors, is to focus efforts on developing groundbreaking technologies at ARVC that disrupt the norm and make significant, enduring impacts on society. This ambition not only promises to advance us technologically but also sets us on a path to reach the stars."

Judge Robinson's ruling and prior case documents may be accessed via PACER: https://pacer.uscourts.gov/file-case/court-cmecf-lookup/court/TXWBK or here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v_s0kj-Bgu_u7ZQEBoSDOZaLREIg4-uU/



For more information on the warrant sale process or bidding procedures, please contact Chad Harding at Peak-Tech Investment Bank [email protected]. ARVC is represented by the Hayward Firm (https://haywardfirm.com/) for additional details on the case please contact Ron Satija [email protected] and for media inquiries, reach out via email to [email protected].

Access the Final Warrant Report here: (https://drive.google.com/file/d/181ZECs0N2PEXLyklmM8-FoRxzMIIwBaV/ )

About ARVC

Founded by tech visionary Andrew Ryan, ARVC emerges as a leader at the nexus of technology and sustainability, holding the reins as the principal investor in ASTRALABS. ARVC exercises majority control over ASTRALABS, which in turn fully owns Newchip and its extensive investment portfolio. This strategic positioning allows Ryan, wielding the majority vote, to steer both entities towards a future where technological advancements and ecological stewardship converge.

ARVC's mission is to broaden humanity's horizons beyond our terrestrial confines while safeguarding the Earth's wellbeing and vitality. It commits to fueling innovations that align with this dual objective. By championing sustainable technologies that mend our planet and leading initiatives for space exploration and settlement, ARVC does more than just fund the future. It actively shapes it, crafting a legacy of discovery, innovation, and environmental preservation for generations to come.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/197226
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2024) - Coho Collective Kitchens Inc. (TSXV: COHO) ("Coho" or the "Company"), a leader in the food and beverage industry, is thrilled to report a significant milestone in Purebread's business, fueled by the successful launch of new holiday products, enhanced marketing efforts, and a loyal customer base.

Purebread Operational Highlights for December 2023:

Purebread saw a 45% increase in customer traffic compared to last year, showcasing the brand's growing appeal.

The new YVR location demonstrated exceptional performance, seamlessly serving over 15,000 customers during the bustling holiday season.

Existing stores outperformed growth expectations with a notable 15% rise in same-store activity, underscoring consistent consumer demand.

The gift card program saw an impressive 85% jump in year-over-year orders, indicating strong brand loyalty and customer engagement.

Boosted by increased marketing and promotional strategies, online orders climbed by 29% YOY, enhancing revenue and operational efficiency.

Management Commentary:

"In December 2023, Purebread's performance exceeded our expectations, marking a season of remarkable achievement," says CEO Andrew Barnes. "This success is a testament to our dedication to innovation, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction. The strategic acquisition of Purebread has allowed us to extend our market reach and improve efficiency, establishing new industry standards. This initiative has fortified our position in the market, heralding a future of robust growth and unparalleled value for our customers and shareholders. We are excited about the journey ahead."

Looking Forward:

Coho anticipates releasing the next quarter's financial results by the end of February 2024. This forthcoming report will provide deeper insights into the company's financial health and the strategic impact of recent initiatives, including the Purebread acquisition. Shareholders and interested parties are encouraged to stay tuned for these updates, as Coho continues to navigate a path of growth and innovation.

About Purebread and Coho Collective Kitchens Inc.

Coho is a growing player in commercial real estate and food technology, operating fast casual restaurants and shared-kitchen facilities. As Canada's largest shared-kitchen company, Coho is expanding its presence and services. Through their combined efforts, Coho and Purebread strive to positively impact the communities in which they operate.

For more information, please visit cohocollectivekitchens.com or contact:

Andrew Barnes, Chief Executive Officer

Coho Collective Kitchens

[email protected]

(778) 877-6513

Forward-Looking Information

This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflect management's current expectations regarding future events. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Company to execute on its strategy, the growth and performance of the ghost kitchen industry globally and in Canada; risks inherent in the ghost-kitchen, retail bakery, or coffeehouse sectors in general; that future results may vary from historical results; and competition in the markets where Coho operates. Except as required by securities law, Coho does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/197236
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2024) - The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) welcomes the next phase of the rollout of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). Oral health providers have now received more specific details and are preparing to sign up to participate in the plan. While hopes are high that the plan will reduce barriers to accessing oral health care for vulnerable populations, there are concerns about some of the details surrounding the basket of eligible services for different populations and their unique needs and the reimbursement rates for independent dental hygienists.

Throughout the development process over the past many months, CDHA, representing more than 31,000 dental hygienists across the country, has consulted regularly with Health Canada and government officials. CDHA has advocated for the plan to cover preventive services, feature reasonable reimbursement rates for services provided, ensure cost of services are fully covered, not rely heavily on predetermination/pre-authorization of services, and offer equitable reimbursement rates for dental hygiene services whether provided by dental hygienists practising independently of a dentist or practising in a dentist/dental office.

An overarching concern is the lack of emphasis on prevention in the current iteration of the plan. There is no reimbursement for oral health education and counselling, limited number of reimbursements for oral examinations, anticariogenic treatments, and scaling and/or root planing units without pre-authorization for additional care. Dental caries is among the most common, yet preventable chronic diseases in children and adults as is periodontal disease. While the CDCP does cover treatment after disease occurs, it limits the services aimed at preventing disease before it arises, which would reduce upstream health system costs and burdens of illness.

Another concern is that the CDCP will only pay for oral health care services covered within the plan at the established CDCP fees. Based on the information released, the CDCP-established fees for dental hygienists practising independently are, on average, 15% lower than the published fees for general dentists. Furthermore, the reimbursement rate for eligible dental hygiene services provided by a dental hygienist working in a dental clinic owned by a dentist or a corporation is higher than that for the same services provided by an independent dental hygienist. Even though the plan does not encourage balanced billing, it will allow providers who do not want to absorb the difference between the CDCP reimbursement rates and the current suggested provincial or territorial fees to pass this cost along to their patients.

Many dental hygienists operate a mobile practice and are the best-placed providers to care for the most vulnerable populations, such as seniors in long-term care or in their own homes and those with physical or mental impairments, and complex medical needs. "The goal of the dental hygiene profession is very much aligned with the government's plan to reduce barriers to access oral health care," said Francine Trudeau, president of CDHA. Canada's dental hygienists are committed to participating in this plan to help support the estimated 9 million people expected to enroll, "but we have to get the plan right," adds Trudeau.

CDHA and the provincial dental hygiene associations feel strongly that dental hygienists have a key role to play in providing essential oral health care under this plan. We will continue to closely monitor further developments and actively engage with government and other stakeholders to enhance the CDCP.

About the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA):

CDHA is the national voice of dental hygienists in Canada. Representing over 31,000 dental hygienists across the country, CDHA advocates for the advancement and promotion of the dental hygiene profession while maintaining a commitment to the public's oral health. Dental hygiene is the sixth largest regulated health profession in Canada with professionals working in a variety of settings, including independent dental hygiene practice, with people of all ages, addressing issues related to oral health. For more information on oral health, visit dentalhygienecanada.ca. For more information on the work of CDHA, visit cdha.ca.

Media Contact

Angie D'Aoust, Director of Marketing and Communications 613-878-3607

[email protected]

https://linktr.ee/thecdha

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/197279
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2024) - Impact Development Group Inc.(TSXV: IMPT) ("IDG" or the "Company"), a leading Panamanian developer of affordable housing solutions, is pleased to announce that, further to its press release of December 29, 2023, the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") has approved issuance of secured debentures for proceeds up to USD$4,500,000 (the "Financing") and the Company has issued the secured debenture to an arm's length lender in connection with the Financing.

Pursuant to the terms of the Financing, funds advanced as a loan to the Company shall bear interest at a rate of 12% per annum, payable quarterly, with a scheduled maturity date of November 30, 2025. Interest payments shall be deferred and accrued with the first interest payment occurring on January 31, 2025. Funds representing the loan pursuant to the Financing shall be advanced each month (each a "Tranche"), with the final Tranche to be advanced on or before July 31, 2024.

In connection with the Financing, the Company shall issue warrants exercisable for the purchase of common shares of the Company upon receipt of each Tranche (the "Warrants"). The amount of Warrants issued by the Company in connection with each Tranche will be equal to the Canadian dollar value of the Tranche divided by the closing price of the Company's common shares on the funding date of each Tranche. The Warrants shall have an exercise price equal to a 10% premium to the 10-day volume weighted average trading price of IDG's common shares on the TSX-V on the 10 trading days prior to the funding date of each Tranche. The Warrants shall be exercisable for a period of three years from the date of issue, subject to accelerated expiry in accordance with the policies of the TSX-V.

Market Maker

The Company is pleased announce that it has retained Integral Wealth Securities Limited ("Integral") to provide market-making services in accordance with TSX-V policies. Integral will trade common shares of the Company on the TSX Venture to maintain an orderly market, improve the liquidity of the Company's common shares and provide the Company with market intelligence.

Under the terms of its agreement, Integral will receive a $7,500/month cash fee for minimum period of three (3) months. After the three (3) months, the agreement with Integral may be terminated by the Company at any time upon 30 days' written notice.

The Company and Integral are unrelated entities. Integral has no present, direct or indirect interest in the Company or its securities. There are no performance factors in the agreement, and Integral will not receive shares or options as compensation. Integral is a member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization ("CIRO"). Integral is a member firm of the Toronto Stock Exchange, TSX-V, TSX Alpha Exchange and others, giving it access to all trading platforms across Canada.

About Integral Wealth Securities Limited

Integral Wealth Securities Limited is a full-service securities dealer engaged in wealth management, market making and investment banking with offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver, Kitchener-Waterloo, Burlington, Sidney and Nanaimo.

Issue of Restricted Share Units

The Company further announces today that it has issued a total of 116,568 restricted share units of the Company ("RSUs") to directors and consultants of the Company pursuant to the omnibus equity incentive plan of the Company dated June 21, 2023. Each RSU is exercisable into one common share of the Company. The RSUs will vest in varying amounts over a two year period from the date of issuance.

About Impact Development Group

Impact Development Group is a Panamanian based real estate developer that provides affordable housing solutions to Panama's growing middle-class supported by a longstanding subsidized government program. The vision of IHC Panama is effectuated by a vertically integrated model which coordinates all services necessary to develop high-quality residential and commercial buildings, including land acquisition, financing, architectural, engineering, off-site manufacturing, general contracting, property management, and administration.

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.

For further information, please contact:

Tom Wenz, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Phone: +1 (702) 329-8038

Email: [email protected]

Forward-Looking Information

The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to trading in the common shares of the Company.

Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. Risks and uncertainties exist that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied in the forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: the limited business history of IHC; reliance on key management; risks related to IHC's growth strategy, including that previous and future acquisitions do not meet expectations or potential acquisitions cannot be completed; dependence on and availability of third party financing; the business of IHC is subject to broader economic factors; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; financial results of IHC's operations; unanticipated costs and expenses; and general market and industry conditions.

The forward-looking statements, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, that the Company will be able to carry out its business plan as contemplated. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, they can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct.

The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

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/197331
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2024) - Lake Victoria Gold Limited. (TSXV: LVG) ("LVG", or the "Company") is pleased to report that at the annual general meeting of shareholders of the Company (the "Meeting") held on February 7, 2024, the shareholders elected incumbent directors Marc Cernovitch, Simon Benstead, David Scott, Frank Hgel and Seth Dickinson to the Board. In addition, shareholders elected new director Dean Comand. Mr. Comand is a self-employed consultant providing support to executive teams in a variety of sectors (mining and metals, utilities, energy, construction, infrastructure).

Shareholders also passed resolutions to re-appoint Grant Thornton LLP as auditor of the Company and ratify the existing 10% rolling stock option plan, pursuant to which the Company may grant stock options up to 10% of its issued and outstanding common shares at the time of the grant.

Following the Meeting, the directors appointed Marc Cernovitch as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Simon Benstead as Executive Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, David Scott as Managing Director Tanzania, Seth Dickinson as Chief Operating Officer and Nick DeMare as Corporate Secretary.

About Lake Victoria Gold (LVG):

Lake Victoria Gold is a rapidly growing gold exploration and development company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol LVG. Leveraging our unique position and experience, the Company is principally focused on growth and consolidation in the highly prolific and prospective Lake Victoria Goldfield in Tanzania.

The Company has a 100% interest in the Tembo project which has over 50 thousand meters of drilling and is located adjacent to Barrick's 20Moz Bulyanhulu Mine. The Company recently announced the acquisition of two deposits that support our objective of accretive growth and consolidation. The Imwelo project and Dora project both have potential for significant growth.

LVG has assembled a highly experienced team with a track record of developing, financing, and operating mining projects in Africa with management, directors and partners owning more than 60% of the shares. Notably, the Company is grateful for the validation that comes with the support and equity investment from Barrick Gold and recent strategic partnership with Taifa Group.

Taifa Group (a diverse group of companies with interests in amongst others, Mining, Telecoms, Oil & Gas, Agri Business, Pharmaceuticals and Leather) has entered into an agreement with the Company to obtain an equity stake in the Company and through its wholly owned subsidiary Taifa Mining (a wholly Tanzanian owned company), or other nominees. Taifa Mining will also carry out all the contract mining and civil works for the Imwelo project. Taifa Mining is Tanzania's largest mining contractor with over 30 years mining related experience. Taifa have been the contractor of choice to most mines in Tanzania and have maintained long and successful relationships with companies such as Petra, De Beers, Barrick, and AngloGold Ashanti. In addition, Taifa also owns the largest fleet of mining equipment in Tanzania. As a company, Taifa is committed to adopting and adhering to the latest internationally recognized standards throughout all aspects of its business.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company,

Simon Benstead

Executive Chairman & CFO

Phone: +1 604-685-9316

Email: [email protected]

For more information please contact:

Simon Benstead

Executive Chairman & CFO

Phone:+ 1 604-685-9316

Email:[email protected]

Marc Cernovitch

CEO & Director

Phone: +1 647-203-7868

Email: [email protected]

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/197196
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2024) - LithiumBank Resources Corp. (TSXV: LBNK) (OTCQX: LBNKF) ("LithiumBank" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has obtained funding from Next Generation Manufacturing Canada ("NGen") to acquire and supply brine from its Boardwalk lithium project for use in advanced carbon sequestration cement products. The funding is part of a combined commitment of $2.76 million awarded to LithiumBank, ZS2 Technologies Ltd. ("ZS2"), Progressive Planet (TSXV: PLAN), Occam's Technologies Inc., and Falkbuilt Ltd. by NGen within its Advanced Manufacturing Projects program that aims to de-risk, commercialize, and scaling-up innovative manufacturing capabilities in Canada.

The non-repayable grant supports a collaborative project by these five companies which aims to disrupt the construction industry by developing an advanced manufacturing solution to address the pressing global need for affordable, climate-adaptive, energy-efficient, and sustainable housing both by capturing and storing carbon into magnesium cement board and by utilizing waste streams.

The consortium leader ZS2, has a Memorandum of Understanding with LithiumBank (see release dated April 13, 2023) to deploy their proprietary and patented CO 2 Direct-Air-Capture ("DAC") technology to capture carbon dioxide emissions from the Boardwalk and Park Place projects in central Alberta, Canada. ZS2 will also further process treated brine to collect magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) for use in their proprietary magnesium cement products.

This rebate on drilling and sampling costs, up to $185,000, to be reimbursed by NGEN and the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development, is the first federal funding obtained by LithiumBank. The Company expects to commence drilling at Boardwalk by May 2024 to obtain brine for the consortium and to support and upgrade the resource classification.

The Honourable Franois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry commented, "Our government is working hard to ensure that Canadians have access to a safe and affordable place to call home. Innovative projects like this, that create sustainable, affordable and durable building materials, take us one step closer to achieving that goal. We will continue to be there to make life more affordable for Canadians, like on housing."

"It is an honour to be working with NGen. LithiumBank appreciates the financial support provided by the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development," commented Rob Shewchuk, CEO of LithiumBank. "We are excited to be supplying Boardwalk brine for a process that has the potential to create innovative building products while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions from a future lithium production plant. We look forward to working together with government and stakeholders to make it a reality."

About LithiumBank Resources Corp.

LithiumBank Resources Corp. (TSXV: LBNK) (OTCQX: LBNKF), is a publicly traded lithium company that is focused on developing its two flagship projects, Boardwalk and Park Place, in Western Canada. The Company holds 2,480,196 acres of brown-field lithium brine licenses, across three districts in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

About NGen

NGen is the industry-led, non-profit organization leading Canada's Global Innovation Cluster for Advanced Manufacturing. One of five national networks supported by Canada's ambitious Global Innovation Clusters Initiative. We are founded on the principle that digital transformation in advanced manufacturing will enrich the lives of Canadians, delivering better products and good jobs while generating the economic growth essential to a better future. See www.ngen.ca for more information.

Contact:

Rob Shewchuk

CEO & Director

[email protected]

(778) 987-9767

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 Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/197251
Las Vegas, Nevada--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2024) - Noble Studios is thrilled to unveil the 2024 Noble Deeds initiative, opening its application window on February 1, 2024. This unique program presents an unparalleled opportunity for 501(c)(3) organizations in Nevada to access expert pro-bono digital marketing services worth over $200,000. Applications close on February 16, 2024.

The Noble Deeds program has empowered nonprofit organizations across Nevada over the last 11 years, helping them amplify their impact and reach. This year, Noble Studios is to award one or more local nonprofits with tailored services such as advanced branding strategies, cutting-edge website development, SEO optimization, dynamic integrated marketing campaigns, engaging video content, and much more. "Our goal is to meet the unique needs of each nonprofit, aligning our expertise with their mission and objectives," said Kelsey Audas, the 2023 Noble Deeds Chair.

"At Noble Studios, we believe in continuing to invest in our community the way we know best, through Creative Digital Performance Marketing," said Season Lopiccolo, COO & CoFounder of Noble Studios. "We have a lot to be thankful for in our community and the investment is so impactful."

Noble Deeds is an employee-led council within Noble Studios that focuses on identifying in-state nonprofits that need the support of a nationally recognized agency to help them meet their long-term and short-term goals and objectives. "I'm looking forward to seeing our 2024 list of nominees," Lopiccolo continued. "The decision-making is never easy, but it is so great to hear and see how many wonderful and committed members of our community are focused on making things better here, living and working in our great state."

Over the years, Noble Studios has supported a diverse range of recipients in the past, including Family Respite Care of Nevada (2023), Communities in Schools of Nevada (2022), JOIN Inc. (2021), Green Our Planet (2020), SPCA of Northern Nevada (2019) and Crisis Support Services of Nevada (2018).

"We are here to uplift every Nevada nonprofit, from the heart of our rural communities to the vibrant Las Vegas Strip," says Kelsey Audas. "We understand the challenges nonprofits face in raising awareness, funds and connecting with their audience. Noble Deeds is our way of contributing to these vital efforts."

If a nonprofit organization is ready to take its digital marketing to the next level, Noble Studios invites them to apply for the Noble Deeds program. Visit noblestudios.com/company/noble-deeds from February 1, 2024 to February 15, 2024, to access and submit an application.

Contact:

William Crozer

Marketing Manager

Noble Studios

[email protected]

1-702-830-1762

About Noble Studios

Noble Studios is an award-winning creative digital performance marketing agency that helps organizations in Travel and Tourism and B2B Tech (Fintech, Health Tech and Saas) develop better practices and achieve inspiring results. Since 2003, the agency has completed work for global brands such as Travel Nevada, Tahiti Tourism, Yosemite Mariposa County, Autodesk, Adobe, Google, the University of California and more. With offices in Reno, Las Vegas and Bristol, U.K., the agency offers brand strategy and services, web design and development, search engine optimization, creative services, content marketing services, paid media marketing and conversion rate optimization. Noble has been honored to be recognized as one of Ad Age's "Best Places to Work 2024" and by Inc. as a "Best in Business - Advertising." Noble Studios is an approved Google Partner and HubSpot Solutions Partner.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/197282
Sydney, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 7, 2024) - Quadrent, a non-bank lender with Australian and New Zealand offices specialising in equipment finance and lease accounting software, today announced the signing of its first Quadrent Green Lease agreement in Australia with Allens, one of the largest Tier 1 corporate and commercial law firms in the Asia-Pacific region.

Quadrent Green Lease

This new arrangement will initially see 50 of Allens' high-quality, end-of-lease laptops donated to The Smith Family's Learning for Life program for young Australians who are experiencing economic disadvantage, to help with their education needs - in particular digital devices.

The Quadrent Green Lease agreement ensures all Allens' laptops, computers, monitors and mobile phones that are leased through Quadrent, are securely wiped and environmentally repurposed, recycled or redistributed after they are retired from corporate use. This means that the best portion of devices flow into the Australian communities that need them most.

Quadrent's Australian General Manager, Simon Cubbin, recognised that rising cost of living pressures are hitting many families hard, so this program is one way to help children access devices for their education.

"I am delighted to have Allens come onboard and are proud to work with people who are committed to making a positive difference to communities and the environment. As one of Australia's early adopters to our Quadrent Green Lease, Allens and Quadrent have agreed to make an immediate donation of 50 laptops to The Smith Family's Learning for Life program.

"As Allens continue to refresh their current devices through the Quadrent Green Lease, together we are creating 'a river of digital devices' into the future. Collaborating at this level with our customers means that together we can reduce Australia's digital exclusion problem in a sustainable manner." Cubbin concluded.

Allens and Quadrent have been working together since 2017, when Quadrent helped Allens migrate their technology procurement to a leasing model, removing capital expenditure, reducing the total cost of use, allowing them to renew their hardware more regularly and empowering the creation of a more flexible workplace for their people.

The Quadrent Green Lease also gives organisations peace of mind that their technology is appropriately managed throughout its lifecycle, along with a full range of reporting that complies with cybersecurity and ESG policies.

Allens has a longstanding focus on environmental sustainability and is committed to being a sustainability leader in the legal sector. Their Australian offices have been certified as carbon neutral since December 2014, and in 2022, they committed to reducing firm-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent by 2030, a target independently assessed and approved by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Allens' Chief Operating Officer, Matt Graham, added, "Our commitment to Quadrent's Green Lease initiative combines two of the strategic pillars of our community strategy - alleviating disadvantage and promoting sustainability. We are delighted to work with Quadrent and The Smith Family as we combine our efforts to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young Australians."

The Smith Family, CEO, Doug Taylor, was enthusiastic about the signing, "Agreements like this go a long way to ensuring all Learning for Life students are equipped with a laptop and have access to reliable internet, a necessity for a 21st century education. It is The Smith Family's goal to reach 100,000 students through the Learning for Life program by 2027, and all of them will need proper digital access. Our partnership with Quadrent is very important to help us achieve this and we congratulate their efforts and the customers who have joined this initiative."

ENDS

About Quadrent

Founded in 2002, with offices in Australia and New Zealand, Quadrent is a non-bank lender specialising in equipment finance and lease accounting software. Our core leasing services have reshaped equipment financing with a series of products that provide their customers with greater insights on how to finance, use and manage their assets better.

For further information on the Quadrent Green Lease please contact:

Marty Jaynes - Quadrent Head of Marketing

[email protected]

+64 027 298 2160

For media inquiries please contact:

Amber Daines, Bespoke Co. [email protected] or +61 404 145 939.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/196980
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2024) - QYOU Media Inc.(TSXV: QYOU) ("QYOU" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed the final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement of units of the Company ("Units"), as announced on January 16, 2024, January 22, 2024 and February 6, 2024 (the "Offering"). The Company issued 10,999,571 Units at a price of $0.07 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $769,970 in the final tranche of the Offering, bringing the total size of the Offering to 26,299,571 Units for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $1,840,970.

Each Unit is composed of one (1) common share in the capital of the Company (a "Share") and one (1) common share purchase warrant of the Company (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one (1) additional Share (a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.10 per Warrant Share for a period of twenty-four (24) months, subject to an accelerated expiry date at the option of the Company in the event that the ten (10) day volume weighted average trading price of the Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") for any ten (10) consecutive trading days is $0.25 or more.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to build out its Maxamtech and QGamesMela gaming business, and for general working capital purposes.

The Units issued under the Offering were offered to purchasers pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption (LIFE) under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions and therefore the securities issued to such purchasers in the Offering are not subject to a hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. There is an offering document (the "Offering Document") related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and at www.qyoumedia.com.

In connection with the final tranche of the Offering, the Company paid an aggregate of approximately $46,898 and issued finder's warrants to acquire up to an aggregate of 669,970 Units on the same terms as the Units issued in the Offering (the "Finder's Warrants") as finder's fees to certain persons who assisted the Company with the final tranche of the Offering. Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one (1) Unit, comprised of one (1) Share and one (1) Warrant, at a price of $0.07 per Unit for a period of twenty-four (24) months. The Warrants issuable upon exercise of the Finder's Warrants entitle the holder thereof to acquire one (1) Share at a price of $0.10 per Warrant Share for a period of twenty-four (24) months. The Finder's Warrants, and the Shares and Warrants underlying the Units which are issuable upon exercise of the Finder's Warrants, are subject to a statutory four-month hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. The Offering is subject to the final approval of the TSXV.

The securities issued pursuant to the Offering have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or U.S. persons absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws or compliance with the requirements of an exemption therefrom. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About QYOU Media

One of the fastest growing creator-media companies, QYOU Media operates in India and the United States producing, distributing and monetizing content created by social media influencers and digital content stars. In India, under our flagship brand, The Q and on connected TV, via channels Q Kahaniyan, Q GameX, Q Comedistaan & Sadhguru TV, we curate, produce and distribute premium content across television networks, VOD and OTT platforms, mobile phones, smart TV's and app-based platforms. In addition, QYOU has numerous additional content destinations, apps and gaming platforms engaging over 125 million Indian households weekly. Our influencer marketing company, Chtrbox, has been a pioneer in India's creator economy, leveraging data to connect brands to the right social media influencers. QGamesMela is a recently launched casual gaming business leveraging access to the large audience enjoyed by Q India products. In the United States, we power major film studios, game publishers and brands to create content and market via creators and influencers. Founded and created by industry veterans from Lionsgate, MTV, Disney and Sony, QYOU Media's millennial and Gen Z-focused content reaches more than one billion consumers around the world every month. Experience our work at www.qyoumedia.com.

Investor Relations Contact:

Dave Gentry

RedChip Companies Inc.

1-800-RED-CHIP (733-2447)

Or 407-491-4498

[email protected]

Source: QYOU Media Inc.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Words such as "expects'', "anticipates" and "intends" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on QYOU's current projections and expectations about future events and other factors management believes are appropriate. Although QYOU believes that the assumptions underlying these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect, and readers cannot be assured that the offering and the closing thereof will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, including certain risk factors, many of which are beyond QYOU's control. Additional risks and uncertainties regarding QYOU are described in its publicly-available disclosure documents, filed by QYOU on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) except as updated herein. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent QYOU's expectations as of the date of this news release, or as of the date they are otherwise stated to be made, and subsequent events may cause these expectations to change. QYOU undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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/197286
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Where can retirees live where their Social Security dollars will stretch the furthest for them? The good news is most retirees have their pick of cities throughout the country that would allow them to enjoy a comfortable retirement.

Read Next: 9 Ways Frugal Retirees Spend Their Social Security Checks

For You: Do This To Earn Guaranteed Growth on Your Retirement Savings (With No Risk to Your Investment)

To determine which six cities Social Security goes the farthest for its retirees, GOBankingRates reviewed U.S. News & World Reports ranking of the 25 Best Places to Retire in 2024. We also cited cities mentioned in previous GOBankingRates pieces on the best cities in various states to live in on just Social Security.

In no particular order, check out six cities where Social Security goes the farthest for retirees.

DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Lancaster is one of two Pennsylvania cities to receive a mention in this roundup. This year, it was ranked by U.S. News as the third-best city to retire in the United States.

Aside from not taxing Social Security, Lancaster is considered an attractive city for retirement because of its housing affordability. According to the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors, the median Lancaster home price is $290,354 and the median monthly rent is $1,114 as of November 2022.

In January 2024, Zillow reported the average Lancaster home value is $331,346. This is a 6.8% increase from the past year, which may suggest theres a growing interest in the Lancaster real estate market.

Learn More: Heres the Cost To Retire Comfortably in Every State by Age

Try This: Cutting Expenses in Retirement: 9 Things To Downsize (That Arent Your Home)

Sponsored: Protect Your Wealth With A Gold IRA. Take advantage of the timeless appeal of gold in a Gold IRA recommended by Sean Hannity.

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

While retirees can take their pick of cities in North Carolina to settle in for their retirement years  since there is no tax on Social Security income  they cant pass up Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Story continues

Winston-Salem offers retirees a much more affordable housing market when compared to cities like Raleigh, Charlotte or Asheville, all of which are retirement hot spots. According to Zillow, the average Winston-Salem home value is $240,744. This is up just 5.0% over the past year.

Check Out: 7 Bills You Never Have To Pay When You Retire

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Lakeland, Florida

Several cities in Florida received high rankings from U.S. News as the best places to retire this year. Lakeland, ranking in 22nd place, has an average home value of $314,148, which is only up 0.9% over the past year.

Aside from offering affordable housing and fantastic year-round weather to retirees, Lakeland does not have state taxes on Social Security. The state does not tax pension income or income from an IRA or 401(k) either.

Shutterstock.com

Daytona Beach, Florida

The second Florida city in this roundup, Daytona Beach, benefits from a combination of retirement-friendly benefits including Social Security tax advantages, good weather and affordable housing costs.

According to Zillow, the average Daytona Beach home value is $254,480, which is down 0.4% over the past year. Daytona Beach is the only Florida city in the top 10 cities ranked by U.S. News, holding the eighth spot as the best place for retirement this year.

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

San Antonio

If youre planning to retire on just Social Security and want to move to Texas, where retirement income is not taxed on the state level, your best bet is to head to San Antonio.

In a previous GOBankingRates article ranking the 10 best places to live in Texas for couples on Social Security, San Antonio ranked in sixth place. Its average total monthly cost of living is $3,187. The average rent is $1,476. Retirees interested in buying a home will note the average home value of a San Antonio home is $251,545, according to Zillow.

Be Aware: Robert Kiyosaki: Why Saving Money Is the Wrong Way To Prepare for Retirement

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

We wrap up this list with Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, which took the first-place spot in the U.S. News ranking for the best places to retire in 2024.

With Social Security tax-exempt and Pennsylvania enjoying the lowest flat tax rate in the U.S., Harrisburg also benefits from its proximity to the Susquehanna River, quality healthcare and affordable median monthly mortgage costs ($945) and median monthly rent ($1,019), according to U.S. News.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Cities Where Social Security Goes the Farthest for Retirees
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DUBAI, UAE , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 3DMakerpro Medical, a sub-brand from the 3D scanning technology pioneer 3DMakerpro, has unveiled four new products at the AEEDC Dubai 2024 Conference, the world's largest annual scientific dental conference and exhibition, held from February 6-8, 2024 .

Among the showcased products, the JMO1 intraoral 3D scanner, known for its superior user experience and exceptional cost-performance ratio, attracted significant attention from attendees. During the exhibition, 3DMakerpro Medical also previewed a facial scanner set to launch in July this year. The brand's desktop scanner JMA1 and handheld body scanner JMM1 also garnered considerable interest.

"Digital dental care is the future of the dental industry, and 3D scanners have and will continue to play a crucial role in this evolution," said Yong Ding , CEO of 3DMakerpro. "In 2024, 3DMakerpro Medical is committed to expanding into international markets. We look forward to engaging with industry professionals at various global exhibitions to collectively advance the development of digital dental care."

3DMakerpro Medical has an ambitious exhibition schedule for 2024, including:

EXPODENTAL 2024 : The benchmark trade fair for the international dental sector, taking place in Madrid from March 14-16, 2024 .

: The benchmark trade fair for the international dental sector, taking place in from . IDEM Singapore 2024 : The leading dental exhibition and conference for the Asia Pacific , happening from April 19-21, 2024 , in Singapore .

: The leading dental exhibition and conference for the , happening from , in . IDEX Istanbul 2024 : One of the most prestigious exhibitions dedicated to oral & dental healthcare industries, from May 8-11, 2024 , in Istanbul .

: One of the most prestigious exhibitions dedicated to oral & dental healthcare industries, from , in . Dental World : The International Dental Exhibition in Budapest held from October 10-12, 2024 .

: The International Dental Exhibition in held from . AAO 2024 : The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) Annual Session 2024 will be held from May 3-6, 2024 , in New Orleans .

: The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) Annual Session 2024 will be held from , in . Vietnam International Dental Exhibition & Congress (VIDEC 2024): the most important dental event in Vietnam , taking place in Hanoi from Aug 21-23, 2024 .

About 3DMakerpro Medical

3DMakerpro Medical, a sub-brand of 3DMakerpro, offers high-quality solutions in the realms of dental care, plastic surgery, laboratory work, and orthodontics, among others. The team comprises over 100 R&D members who have independently developed industry-leading software algorithms. The brand emphasizes the combination of innovation and technology to meet the evolving needs of the medical industry.

For more information, please visit:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3dmakerpro-medical/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/official3dmakerpromedical/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/3DMakerproMedical

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@3DMakerproMedical

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SOURCE 3DMakerpro
HARTFORD, Conn. , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AXA XL has announced that Anne Marie Elder will take on the newly created role of Global Chief Underwriting Officer, Specialty, effective April 1 .

In her new role, Ms. Elder will collaborate with regional underwriting operations to set the strategic direction, and support business development, of AXA XL's collective Marine, Aerospace, and Specialty Niche portfolios, under a newly created Global Specialty branch, part of AXA XL's Global Chief Underwriting Office (GCUO). The GCUO works with AXA XL's regional underwriting teams to support profitable growth, assisting with underwriting discipline, pricing, risk aggregation and global product strategy.

Based in Hartford, Connecticut , Ms. Elder will report to Libby Benet , Global Chief Underwriting Officer.

Commenting on the appointment, Ms. Benet said: "Under Anne Marie's leadership, this new structure will allow us to leverage the synergies between these portfolios, driving better alignment amongst those product lines and strengthening the size of our Specialty business. Anne Marie brings a wealth of market knowledge, insight and technical expertise gained from over 30 years in the insurance industry. Her underwriting management skills and strong leadership will be invaluable in helping us achieve our global growth ambitions and further enhance our offering to clients in the specialty market."

Ms. Elder currently serves as AXA XL's Global Chief Underwriting Officer, Marine. She joined the business in 2011 and has led the Global Marine team since 2019. Prior, she held positions with The Hartford , Allianz and CNA Insurance.

Ms. Elder sits on the board and Executive Committees of several Marine Insurance organizations and associations and is an alum of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, having served in the United States Naval Reserve.

To learn more, visit www.axaxl.com.

Follow AXA XL on LinkedIn.

ABOUT AXA XL[1] AXA XL1, the property & casualty and specialty risk division of AXA, provides insurance and risk management products and services for mid-sized companies through to large multinationals, and reinsurance solutions to insurance companies globally. We partner with those who move the world forward. To learn more, visit www.axaxl.com ABOUT AXA XL1 INSURANCE AXA XL1 Insurance offers property, casualty, professional, financial lines and specialty insurance solutions to mid-sized companies through to large multinationals globally. We partner with those who move the world forward. To learn more, visit www.axaxl.com

1AXA XL is a division of AXA Group providing products and services through four business groups: AXA XL Insurance, AXA XL Reinsurance, AXA XL Art & Lifestyle and AXA XL Risk Consulting.

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SOURCE AXA XL
First Luxury Salon Location to Open In New York City this February

NEW YORK , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Barberino's, the innovative barbershop chain that has transformed the grooming profession in Italy with 18 successful locations, is set to revolutionize the U.S. market. Filling a void in high-end grooming experiences for men, Barberino's announces the opening of its latest salon at 520 Madison Avenue in the heart of New York on February, the 8th.

The groundbreaking venture is the brainchild of Eric Malka , co-founder of The Art of Shaving, marking his return to the world of grooming and Michele Callegari and Niccolo Bencini , co-founders of Barberino's.

"Our goal is to revolutionize the barber profession in the United States , just as we have done in Italy ." explains Michele Callegari , CEO di Barberino's . "With this new opening, we aim to provide Americans with a haven where they can escape the chaos of daily life and relive the grooming experience 'like in the old days'a touch of Italian craftsmanship, elegance, and attention to detail".

Eric Malka , who today is at the helm of Strategic Brand Investments, an angel fund that provides capital and guidance for early-stage companies, shares "When we discovered Barberino's, it was clear to me that they were perfectly situated to spearhead the next wave of high-end men's grooming salons in the US. The closure of The Art of Shaving Barber Spa in mid-town was the perfect opportunity for us to enter the American market and elevate the standard of men's grooming experiences in this area".

The strategically located salon, between the Upper East Side and Rockefeller Center, is poised to address the decline in quality and choices within the US landscape. The 70-square-meter space, adorned in Barberino's signature shade of green, will feature three barber chairs and offer tailored services and products designed for American guests. The space was formerly a top performing location for The Art of Shaving which closed its doors in January.

In addition to the in-store experience, Barberino's introduces a dedicated website for U.S. customers, enhancing accessibility and convenience for a seamless connection with the brand.

Michele Callegari highlights the historical connection between the brand and the United States . In 1910, his great-grandfather, Giovanni Callegari , left Italy to become a renowned barber in the U.S. , adopting the name "Barberino." The revival of the same style, quality, and attention to detail pays homage to Giovanni Callegari's legacy and marks the realization of a dream that spans two countries and two generations.

An Italian barber will take the helm at the New York salon, guiding and training U.S. professionals to blend skills and customer knowledge, ensuring a complete and memorable experience. To support this goal, Barberino's has initiated an apprenticeship project, fostering an ongoing exchange between barbers of different nationalities. Italian barbers will gain experience in Manhattan , while their U.S. counterparts will have the opportunity to train in Italy . Barberino's will facilitate the entire process, managing permits and providing dedicated accommodations for this distinctive cultural and professional interchange.

As Barberino's fills a void in the U.S. grooming industry, Eric Malka's endorsement and strategic guidance promise an exciting future for the brand and a revitalization of the American grooming experience.

About Barberino's

Barberino's is the chain that is revolutionizing the barber profession in Italy . It allows people to live an experience that is old-fashioned and luxury, but at the same time accessible. Barberino's barbershops provide a 360-degree experience.

About Strategic Brand Investments

Strategic Brand Investments (SBI) is a purpose-driven Angel Fund founded by Eric and Myriam Malka , renowned for their entrepreneurial success with The Art of Shaving, which was acquired by Procter & Gamble/Gillette.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2336424/Barberinos.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2336425/SBI_Logo.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2336344/4535236/Barberinos_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE Barberino's
SARATOGA, Calif. , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cattler ( www.cattler.farm ) announces the launch of its interface with Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN), as part of the agreement reached September 2023 , to provide data collaboration for customers participating in Elanco Knowledge Solutions (EKS) services that include (but are not limited to) Benchmark TM and Experior TM Data Services. This interface provides Cattler customers with a streamlined access to comparability in these trusted Elanco services and is designed to deliver continuous data to help cattle feeders optimize their practices, paving the way for smarter and more integrated tools and solutions.

Beef 'agtech' company Cattler launches interface with Elanco for its Benchmark program

EKS Executive Director Michael Genho said, "we're excited to begin this data collaboration partnership with Cattler to better serve our joint customers. Their innovative cattle management platform will give more global cattle producers access to Elanco's various data services and products. Through this partnership we can better serve our customers and enhance the producer's experience with the Cattler platform".

Elanco's Benchmark converts data into information to help cattle feeders identify strengths and opportunities to pursue and measure performance over time.

Cattler is an Agtech company providing a management platform to cattle farmers across the Americas , from USA & Canada , all the way to Brazil , Argentina , Uruguay and Paraguay .

Co Founder and CEO of Cattler Ignacio Albornoz shared his view on this partnership. "We are looking forward to this agreement with such an important partner in Elanco as a global leader in the industry", he said. "We are convinced that there is an opportunity to really place value on all the available data around what other farms are doing. This is very powerful because it allows every farmer participating in this program to obtain actionable insights at the right moment he needs it, not just a random set of compiled statistics. The partnership will also allow our members to have access to Elancos data services and products, and in this regard, test themselves with the pool of users in the space."

Cattler Corporation is an 'agtech' startup company providing digital technology to the beef cattle industry. Its track record includes having been selected in the 2022 SVG Thrive Agrifood VIII global startups cohort as well as selection in 2023 by Plug and Play in the seventh batch of Agtech Programs. Investors like Hustle VC and Startupist Ventures have been recently added to the pool of companies backing Cattler. Innovation is at the core of this company, having also developed an AI-based prototype of an animal weight prediction system using imagery and machine learning.

Elanco Animal Health (NYSE: ELAN) is a global leader in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets, creating value for farmers, pet owners, veterinarians, stakeholders, and society as a whole. Elanco's 'Benchmark' is a renowned Program that provides critical benchmark information to farmers, coming from hundreds of other beef cattle farms across North America that voluntarily participate sharing its own data to an anonymized database.

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SOURCE Cattler
The Alluring Shimmer of Blue Salt Marks the First KitchenAid Color of the Year with a Unique Finish

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, KitchenAid unveils its 2024 Color of The Year: Blue Salt. Blue Salt is a periwinkle blue with a subtle iridescent, reddish-pearl finish that softly shifts hues depending on the angle or lighting. It's a living color that is bound to break the monotony in the kitchen. Available today in the Artisan Stand Mixer, Blue Salt is an ever-shifting hue that reflects the versatility that the kitchen plays in our lives.

"At KitchenAid, we aim to create extraordinary kitchen experiences, and that often starts with the color and design of our products. The 2024 Color of the Year is no different, it's the first color selection to feature a unique finish," said Chad Ries , Global Brand Marketing Director at KitchenAid Small Appliances. "Inspired by how a pinch of salt opens your senses to new depths of flavor, Blue Salt is a sensory reminder to see every day in a new light."

Blue Salt marks the sixth KitchenAid Color of the Year announcement. KitchenAid has championed the power of color to fuel creativity since introducing the first Stand Mixer colors in 1955. Today, the brand's Color of the Year taps global trends to capture the current moment and inspire makers around the world.

"We began the 2024 KitchenAid Color of the Year research process in early 2021," said Brittni Pertijs, Color, Finish, and Material Manager at Whirlpool. "Warm tones like the two previous KitchenAid Color of the Year selections, Beetroot and Hibiscus, had been so dominant that we knew cooler tones were going to have a resurgence. We wanted the 2024 Color of the Year to reflect the shifting tones and senses of nature, like air, or the ocean."

The Artisan Stand Mixer is now available on KitchenAid.com.

Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer (available in Blue Salt) KSM195PSOA  MSRP $499.99



About KitchenAid

Since the introduction of its legendary stand mixer in 1919 and first dishwasher in 1949, KitchenAid has built on the legacy of these icons to create a complete line of products designed for those with a passion to make. Today, the KitchenAid brand offers virtually every essential for the well-equipped kitchen with a collection that includes everything from countertop appliances to cookware, ranges to refrigerators, and whisks to wine cellars. To learn more, visit KitchenAid.com or follow us on Instagram, @KitchenAidUSA.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is committed to being the best global kitchen and laundry company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. In an increasingly digital world, the company is driving purposeful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, JennAir, Indesit and InSinkErator. In 2023, the company reported approximately $19 billion in annual sales, 59,000 employees and 55 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

Media Contact:

MSL

[email protected]

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SOURCE KitchenAid
OAKLAND PARK, Fla. , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- GK Hair, a renowned leader in the hair care industry, is excited to announce a suite of exclusive benefits specifically designed for stylists looking to enhance their business and skills. With a focus on empowering stylists worldwide, GK Hair introduces a comprehensive package that includes Online Classes, a Profit Calculator, and an Affiliate Program, each tailored to meet the evolving needs of today's beauty professionals.

Online Classes for Continued Education: GK Hair is committed to the ongoing education of stylists. Our online classes are crafted to help stylists stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of hair care and styling. Led by industry experts, these classes cover a range of topics from advanced coloring techniques to innovative styling methods, ensuring stylists have the knowledge they need to succeed.



Profit Calculator  Maximizing Your Business Potential: Understanding the financial aspects of salon business can be challenging. GK Hair's Profit Calculator is a revolutionary tool designed to help stylists and salon owners accurately calculate potential earnings, manage expenses, and optimize pricing strategies. This intuitive tool is a game-changer for those looking to enhance their business acumen and profitability.



Affiliate Program  Grow with GK Hair: The GK Hair Affiliate Program presents an extraordinary opportunity for stylists to grow alongside our brand. This program allows passionate stylists to earn commissions by recommending GK Hair products , fostering a mutually beneficial relationship. It's not just about selling products; it's about being part of a community that values quality and innovation.

Why GK Hair?

GK Hair stands out in the beauty industry for its dedication to quality and innovation. Our products are developed with the finest ingredients and advanced technology, ensuring that stylists have the best at their fingertips. By joining forces with GK Hair , stylists gain access to products and tools that are at the forefront of hair care science, along with a community that supports and inspires professional growth.

Join Us Today

We invite stylists and salon owners to explore these exclusive benefits and join the GK Hair family. Together, let's embark on a journey of growth, excellence, and unparalleled success in the beauty industry. For more information, visit our website or contact our support team.

For more information, visit GK Hair website on:

Website: https://www.gkhair.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gkhair

Instagram: https://instagram.com/GKhair

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GKhair

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/gkhair

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/GKhair/

Media Contact

Company Name: GK Hair

Contact Person: Meghan McHugh

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +13053900044

Country: United States

Website: https://www.gkhair.com/

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SOURCE GK Hair
Raising money for research on heart disease, the #1 killer in the United States

CLEVELAND , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the number one killer of women and men in the United States , causing one in every five deaths. For the second year running, in celebration of Valentine's Day and Heart Month, Cleveland Clinic and American Greetings are proud to collaborate in ways that may improve cardiovascular health everywhere by offering a selection of beautiful Creatacard virtual greetings cards for those who donate to support Cleveland Clinic's cardiovascular research.

With each $20 donation, individuals will have the opportunity to send personalized Valentine's Day Creatacards, designed by artists at American Greetings, to all the loved ones on their list. Creatacard is an easy-to-create custom virtual greeting card that replicates the most-loved features of paper cards such as adding a personal message, signing your name, and including photos.

One hundred percent of the money raised will be donated to cardiovascular research through Cleveland Clinic, which is aimed at furthering research to discover new treatments and identify preventive measures that will stop heart disease before it begins. Donations can be made at https://give.ccf.org/valentinesday24.

Since 1995, Cleveland Clinic has ranked number one in cardiac care, according to U.S. News & World Report. Patients travel from all 50 states and 136 countries to Cleveland Clinic's Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute for expert care and exceptional outcomes. Continued research is vital to the fight for improved heart health.

The campaign to donate and send Valentine's digital greetings runs from February 1 - 16 .

About American Greetings

American Greetings is a global leader in the large and enduring Celebrations marketplace. The company helps people celebrate holidays, each other, and all of life's special moments, in-person and online, guided by a mission to "make the world a more thoughtful and caring place every single day." American Greetings offers products wherever and however people wish to purchase them  online, in-store, or curbside pickup. Celebrations happen throughout the year, driven by traditional holidays, key milestone moments such as weddings, baby showers, and graduations, as well as recurring everyday events such as birthdays and anniversaries. The company's brands include American Greetings, Papyrus, Recycled Paper Greetings, Paper Rebel, Carlton Cards, Today and Always, DesignWare party goods, and Plus Mark gift wrap and boxed cards. Its digital business unit, AG Interactive, is a leading provider of digital greetings and premium Celebrations content through proprietary technology platforms and apps. Our popular digital brands include American Greetings, Blue Mountain , SmashUps, justWink, Pics & Wishes, and Creatacard. For more information, visit corporate.americangreetings.com and follow American Greetings @AmericanGreetings on Facebook and @amgreetings on Instagram.

About Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio , it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs , including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation's best hospitals in its annual "America's Best Hospitals" survey. Among Cleveland Clinic's 77,000 employees worldwide are more than 5,658 salaried physicians and researchers, and 19,000 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,699-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland , 23 hospitals, more than 275 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio ; southeast Florida ; Las Vegas, Nevada ; Toronto, Canada ; Abu Dhabi , UAE ; and London, England . In 2022, there were 12.8 million outpatient encounters, 303,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 270,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic's health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org . Follow us at twitter.com/ClevelandClinic . News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.

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SOURCE American Greetings
SALT LAKE CITY , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DiscGenics, Inc., a privately held, late-stage clinical, biopharmaceutical company developing allogeneic, cell-based, regenerative therapies for musculoskeletal degeneration, today announced that Flagg Flanagan , Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of DiscGenics will present at Canaccord Genuity's 2024 Musculoskeletal Conference.

Date: Monday, February 12, 2024

Time: 3:30 PM PST

Location: Westin St. Francis , San Francisco

Flanagan will present an update on DiscGenics' lead product candidate, IDCT (injectable disc cell therapy, or rebonuputemcel), a standalone, single-injection biologic treatment designed to halt progression of lumbar disc degeneration and regenerate the disc from the inside out. He will also provide a brief overview of the Company's pre-clinical development of a follow-on allogeneic cell platform and a total biologic disc replacement in development with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The presentation will be webcast and available at: https://wsw.com/webcast/canaccord92/discg/2629242.

About DiscGenics

DiscGenics is a privately held, late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company developing allogeneic, cell-based regenerative therapies for musculoskeletal degeneration. It's lead product candidate, IDCT (injectable disc cell therapy, or rebonuputemcel), is a standalone, single-injection biologic treatment designed to halt progression of lumbar disc degeneration and regenerate the disc from the inside out. IDCT is entering pivotal Phase III trials in the U.S. to target pain and disability in patients with lumbar disc degeneration. The active ingredient in IDCT is a live, manufactured progenitor cell population derived from donated adult human intervertebral disc tissue, mixed with a viscous carrier. IDCT has been granted regenerative medicine advanced therapy (RMAT) and Fast Track designations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. DiscGenics is also developing a follow-on allogeneic cell platform to enable new musculoskeletal indications. To further development of these unique therapies, and to maintain control over compliance, cost, and production timelines, DiscGenics has built and validated an in-house scalable, allogeneic cell manufacturing process and cGMP facility at its headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah . For more information, visit discgenics.com.

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SOURCE DISCGENICS, INC.
 Owners of outdoor hospitality, RV park, multi-family/entry-level housing assets, or raw land zoned for RV parks, accessible housing, or vacation rentals in mountain and resort markets may be eligible for the program 

VAIL, Colo. , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fortius Capital , a real estate private equity and development company, launches new property acquisition initiative in mountain and resort markets, including Colorado , Utah , Idaho , and Oregon . The firm is actively acquiring entry-level housing and outdoor hospitality assets that meet the following criterion: 50+ site RV parks, 40+ site manufactured housing communities, 10+ unit multi-family opportunities, or entitled land zoned for selective assets in mountain and resort markets. Transaction sizes typically range between $2,000,000 to $25,000,000 .

Fortius Capital invites property owners to engage in discussions about potential asset sales. Qualifying sellers may contact Fortius' team ( [email protected] ) to inquire about a mutually-beneficial transaction, or submit a property for review online.

"We understand that in today's market environment, sellers may be struggling to maximize the value of their original property investment, and our firm is well equipped to help. Our team endeavors to forge partnerships that resonate with the diverse financial narratives of our clients, whether amplifying investment returns, securing retirement, optimizing cash flow, or navigating tax intricacies," said Mike Pearson, Fortius Capital's Founder & President.

Fortius Capital has a long and notable history of developing accessible housing products across Colorado's western slope. As Eagle County residents, local investors, and outdoor enthusiasts, the firm is closely connected with the real estate solutions needed most in mountain and resort communities, like the Vail Valley . Recent projects include River Dance , the Vail Valley's newest outdoor hospitality destination, Two Rivers Village , a 130-acre lakefront single family bedroom community, Aspen Ridge , a 110-unit single family subdivision within Buckhorn Valley , and Rocky Mountain Commerce Park , a 28-acre light industrial subdivision adjacent to the Eagle County Regional Airport in Gypsum, Colorado .

"Our approach harmonizes the aspirations of sellers with the broader goals of mountain communities," said Rick Cherry, Fortius Capital's VP of Marketing. "We're in the business ensuring every asset is a mosaic of mutual success and desirability for sellers, municipalities, investors, and future end users," he went on to say.

Notably, Fortius has demonstrated an organization-wide proficiency in creating hybrid RV/extended stay facilities with the active management of the River Dance development. River Dance's formal expansion will begin this spring, significantly enhancing lodging availability in the Vail Valley .

For general media & seller inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

About Fortius Capital

Fortius Capital is a real estate private equity and development company with a focus on outdoor hospitality and entry-level housing within mountain and resort markets across the western United States . The company has delivered entry-level housing products to more than 1,000 Eagle County residents, while offering attractive, risk-adjusted returns for investment partners across a range of deal types since 2006.

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SOURCE Fortius Capital
(Bloomberg) -- Activision Blizzard Inc. had plans to lay off workers before its merger with Microsoft Corp., the tech giant said in a court filing Thursday, pushing back on claims by the Federal Trade Commission about the job cuts.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Consistent with broader trends in the gaming industry, Activision was already planning on eliminating a significant number of jobs while still operating as an independent company, Microsoft told a federal appeals court in San Francisco. The recent announcement thus cannot be attributed fully to the merger.

Last month, Microsoft announced internally that it was cutting about 8% of its games divisions 22,000 employees  thats about 1,900 workers at Activision Blizzard, Xbox and ZeniMax. The FTC, which failed to block the Activision deal last year, said Wednesday those job cuts contradict statements Microsoft made that it would operate Activision independently.

The agency is appealing its earlier loss.

In its letter, Microsoft said that while some of the layoffs relate to overlap between its existing staff and Activision, the company continues to operate its newly acquired unit in such a way that it could be spun off if later required to by the court.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
 After more than 20 years, the groundbreaking of Confluence at Two Rivers will mark the close of Dotsero's Two Rivers Village housing development that originally broke ground in 2003 

VAIL, Colo. , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fortius Capital , a premier real estate private equity group, proudly announces the groundbreaking of Confluence at Two Riversan innovative entry-level housing community in Dotsero, Colorado . With construction set to begin this summer, Fortius reaffirms its commitment to addressing the pressing need for housing solutions in Eagle County.

Confluence at Two Rivers, situated within the scenic landscape of Dotsero, will feature two- and three-bedroom townhomes, catering to the diverse needs of Vail Valley residents. With prices starting in the 300s to accommodate the region's average median income, these residences exemplify Fortius' vision of making homeownership a reality for a diverse demographic.

"We're not just constructing homes; we're laying the foundation for brighter futures and thriving communities," said Fortius Capital's Founder and President, Mike Pearson . "We're committed to creating sustainable and affordable housing solutions that make the goal of homeownership achievable for the working class."

Construction is scheduled to commence this summer and Fortius Capital is already accepting presale reservations from prospective residents. Interested parties can join the waitlist to secure first-come, first-served access to newly constructed homes.

"Confluence at Two Rivers is not just a housing development; it's a testament to our unwavering commitment to community and affordability," added Patrick Scanlan , Director of Development at Fortius Capital.

As part of Fortius' commitment to social responsibility, the housing units will be inclusively priced to accommodate median income families in the area, ensuring economic diversity is woven into the fabric of the community. This inclusivity aligns with Fortius' vision of creating spaces that empower individuals from all walks of life to realize property ownership.

The initiative is expected to garner regional investment interest as Fortius Capital continues to spearhead critical housing development and discourse with a wide range of stakeholders on affordable housing solutions at a broader scale. Simultaneously, the project aligns with regional employer workforce housing needs, while further addressing the housing affordability crisis of the Vail Valley community. The community also represents a legitimate closeout to the Two Rivers Village development that was purchased by Fortius Capital via a foreclosure sale in 2013.

Fortius Capital invites the community, stakeholders, and the media to join the groundbreaking ceremony this summer, more details will be announced this spring.

This momentous occasion marks the beginning of a transformative journey, bringing affordable housing options to the heart of Eagle County .

For general media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

About Fortius Capital

Fortius Capital is a real estate private equity and development company with a focus on outdoor hospitality and entry-level housing within mountain and resort markets across the western United States . The company has delivered entry-level housing products to more than 1,000 Eagle County residents, while offering attractive, risk-adjusted returns for investment partners across a range of deal types since 2006.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fortius-capital-unveils-confluence-at-two-rivers-a-new-affordable-housing-community-in-eagle-county-colorado-302058131.html

SOURCE Fortius Capital
SAO PAULO, Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FS Luxembourg S.a r.l. (the " Issuer "), a wholly-owned finance subsidiary of FS Industria de Biocombustiveis Ltda. (" FS Ltda. "), announces the early results of the cash tender offer (the " Tender Offer ") conducted by Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (the " Offeror ") for any and all of the outstanding US$446,317,000 aggregate principal amount of 10.00% senior secured notes due 2025 (the " Notes ") issued by the Issuer and guaranteed by FS Ltda. and FS I Industria de Etanol S.A. (together with FS Ltda., the " Guarantors ").

Concurrently with the Tender Offer, the Offeror, with the consent of the Issuer, solicited consents from holders of the Notes (the " Consent Solicitation ") for the adoption of proposed amendments (the " Proposed Amendments ") to the indenture governing the Notes (the " Indenture "), which Proposed Amendments would (i) eliminate the collateral package under the Indenture; (ii) eliminate substantially all of the restrictive covenants, as well as various events of default and related provisions contained in the Indenture; and (iii) reduce the minimum notice period to Holders (as defined in the Indenture) in the case of an optional redemption pursuant to Section 3.05 of the Indenture from 30 days to three Business Days (as defined in the Indenture).

As of 5:00 p.m. , New York time, on February 7, 2024 (the " Early Tender Deadline "), holders of 70.68%, or US$315,456,000 , of the aggregate principal amount outstanding of the Notes had tendered their Notes and validly delivered and not validly revoked their Consents (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), upon the terms and conditions described in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, dated January 25, 2024 (the " Offer to Purchase ").

Because the Two-Thirds Consent (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) was obtained, the Issuer and the Guarantors, among others, will execute a supplemental indenture to the Indenture (the " Supplemental Indenture ") containing the Proposed Amendments; however, the Supplemental Indenture and the Proposed Amendments will not be effective and operative until the Final Settlement Date (as defined below) and consummation of the Exchange (as defined below). Adoption of the Proposed Amendments will have adverse consequences for holders who elect not to tender Notes in the Tender Offer.

Certain information regarding the Notes and the results of the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation, as determined as of the Early Tender Deadline, is summarized in the following table:

Description

of Notes CUSIP/ISIN Outstanding

Principal

Amount of

Notes Prior

to the

Tender Offer Principal

Amount

of Notes

Tendered as

of the

Early Tender

Deadline Outstanding

Principal Amount

of Notes

Following

the Exchange Tender Offer

Consideration(1) + Early Tender

Payment(2) = Total

Consideration(3) 10.00%

Senior

Secured Notes

due 2025 144A: 30315X AB0 /

US30315XAB01 Reg S: L40756 AB1 /

USL40756AB19 US$446,317,000 US$315,456,000 US$130,861,000 US$996.25

US$50.00

US$1,046.25





(1) The amount to be paid for each US$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered (and not withdrawn) and accepted for purchase, not including accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount of Notes accepted for purchase from the most recent interest payment date on the Notes to, but not including, the Settlement Date for the Notes accepted for purchase (" Accrued Interest "). (2) The additional amount to be paid for each US$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered (and not withdrawn) at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline and accepted for purchase, not including Accrued Interest. (3) For each US$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered (and not withdrawn) and accepted for purchase, the Total Consideration equals the Tender Offer Consideration plus the Early Tender Payment, not including Accrued Interest.

The Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation will expire at 5:00 p.m. ( New York City time) on February 23, 2024 , unless extended by the Offeror (such time and date, as the same may be modified, the " Expiration Time "). Holders validly tendering Notes and delivering Consents in the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation after the Early Tender Deadline and at or prior to the Expiration Time will only be eligible to receive payment of the Tender Offer Consideration, which equals the Total Consideration less the Early Tender Payment. Tendered Notes could be withdrawn and delivered Consents could be revoked at any time prior to the Early Tender Deadline (such time and date, the " Withdrawal Deadline "), but not thereafter, unless required by applicable law. The Offeror will not extend the Withdrawal Deadline.

The Offeror has accepted for purchase all Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) in the Tender Offer at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline and intends to make payment in cash of an amount equal to the Total Consideration plus Accrued Interest for all such Notes on February 8, 2024 or as promptly as practicable thereafter (the " Early Settlement Date "). Assuming acceptance by the Offeror of all Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) after the Early Tender Deadline, but at or prior to the Expiration Time, the Offeror intends to accept such Notes for purchase and the Issuer expects to directly make payment in cash of an amount equal to the Tender Offer Consideration plus Accrued Interest for such accepted Notes on the final settlement date, which is expected to be one business day after the Expiration Time or as promptly as practicable thereafter (the " Final Settlement Date ").

On January 30, 2024 , the Issuer priced an offering of US$500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 8.875% senior unsecured notes due 2031 (the " New Notes ") and it is intended that the Notes purchased by the Offeror in the Tender Offer will be exchanged by the Offeror with the Issuer (the " Exchange ") for a portion of the New Notes to be issued on February 12, 2024 . When issued, the New Notes will not have been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the " Securities Act "), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the New Notes or any other securities and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which, or to any person to whom, such an offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful. Any offers of the New Notes were made only by means of a private offering memorandum.

The Offeror has the right to amend or terminate the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation at any time, subject to applicable law.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is acting as dealer manager in the Tender Offer and as solicitation agent in the Consent Solicitation and can be contacted at its telephone numbers set forth on the back cover page of the Offer to Purchase with questions regarding the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation.

Copies of the Offer to Purchase are available to holders of Notes from D.F. King & Co., Inc., the information agent and the tender agent for the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation. Requests for copies of the Offer to Purchase should be directed to D.F. King at +1 (800) 283-9185 (toll-free), +1 (212) 269-5550 (collect) or [email protected].

Neither the Offer to Purchase nor any related documents have been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, nor have any such documents been filed with or reviewed by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority of any country. No authority has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the Offer to Purchase or any related documents, and it is unlawful and may be a criminal offense to make any representation to the contrary.

Under no circumstances shall this press release constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell the Notes or any other securities of the Issuer, the Guarantors or any of their affiliates. The Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation are not being made to, nor will the Offeror accept tenders of Notes or deliveries of Consents from, holders in any jurisdiction in which the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction. This press release also is not a solicitation of Consents.

Important Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are information of a non-historical nature or that relate to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. No assurance can be given that the transactions described in this press release will be consummated or as to the ultimate terms of any such transactions. None of the Offeror, the Issuer nor the Guarantors undertakes any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or for any other reason.

DISCLAIMER

This press release must be read in conjunction with the Offer to Purchase. This press release and the Offer to Purchase contain important information that must be read carefully before any decision is made with respect to the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation. If any holder of Notes is in any doubt as to the action it should take, it is recommended to seek its own legal, tax, accounting and financial advice, including as to any tax consequences, immediately from its stockbroker, bank manager, attorney, accountant or other independent financial or legal adviser. Any individual or company whose Notes are held on its behalf by a broker, dealer, bank, custodian, trust company or other nominee or intermediary must contact such entity if it wishes to participate in the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation. None of the Offeror, the Issuer, the Guarantors, the dealer manager, the solicitation agent, the information and tender agent or any person who controls, or is a director, officer, employee or agent of such persons, or any affiliate of such persons, makes any recommendation as to whether holders of Notes should participate in the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fs-luxembourg-sa-rl-announces-early-results-of-cash-tender-offer-and-consent-solicitation-302056878.html

SOURCE FS Luxembourg S.a r.l.
BEIJING , Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese President Xi Jinping highly values culture and has a profound understanding of culture which has strengthened over time. Culture plays a vital role in inspiring national spirit, carrying forward civilizations, and promoting social development and well-rounded personal development.

As the most important traditional Chinese festival, the Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year , is viewed as particularly important by President Xi. During this time, he celebrates with both government service people and ordinary citizens, extending well wishes of good luck to them.

For a non-Chinese person, nothing does better to help understand the people and culture of China than viewing ordinary people's Spring Festival stories. At this special occasion of the year, Chinese people travel for family reunions, celebrate in various forms, and share cohesive feelings about home and the country.

On the afternoon of February 1 ahead of Spring Festival, President Xi arrived at Tianjin's Ancient Culture Street . Walking along this street that possesses an air of antiquity, he stepped into several shops such as Guifaxiang 18th Street Mahua, Nut Products Zhang, Clay Figurine Zhang, and Yangliuqing New Year Painting, asking about the categories and sales of their products, as well as the inheritance and development of China's traditional cultural heritages.

On the streets, drums and music were clanging, and dragon dance and lion dance performances were lively. Xi walked closer to everyone and extended Chinese New Year greetings to the people of Tianjin and the people of all ethnic groups in China.

Xi said that seeing local residents and tourists beaming as they enjoyed traditional folk performances, he could feel the rich flavor of the Chinese New Year . The Chinese leader attaches great importance to the festival, which is celebrated by all Chinese in and outside of the country every year.

The Spring Festival has a long history, not only containing profound cultural connotations, but also carrying historical and cultural heritages during the process of Chinese modernization, experts said. Chinese New Year is a time when people bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, and a time that carries deep friendship and emotional bonds. Various Chinese New Year celebrations and customs are being held across the country with strong regional characteristics and around the world. These activities are mainly about removing the old and bringing in the new, exorcising evil spirits, receiving blessings and praying for good luck. The holiday is rich and colorful and embodies the essence of traditional Chinese culture, experts said.

From fortune to prosperity

Thousands of kilometers away from Tianjin, in the bustling cities and verdant countryside of South China ' Guangdong Province, streets teem with life as communities prepare for the festivities ahead.

The Chinese New Year festivities come alive with the exhilarating rhythm and vibrant spectacle of performances such as dragon and lion dances, as well as the captivating Yingge dance in the Chaoshan region in the east of Guangdong.

These time-honored art forms, deeply rooted in Chinese culture, play a central role in ushering in the auspicious occasion of the Chinese New Year.

Pointing out the coming lunar year is the Year of the Dragon, Xi noted that in Chinese culture, the dragon has multiple connotations, such as representing courage and endeavor, infinite vitality, and good luck and carries people's good wishes for and visions of the future. He said that everyone should have confidence in the coming year and live a better life.

The dragon dance, with its sinuous movements and spectacular dragon costumes, symbolizes power, prosperity, and good fortune. Accompanied by the rhythmic beats of drums and cymbals, the dragon weaves its way through streets and alleyways, captivating audiences with its majestic presence.

Similarly, the lion dance, characterized by its colorful lion costumes and acrobatic feats, is performed to ward off evil spirits and bring blessings for the year ahead.

The tantalizing aroma of local delicacies often attracts thousands of tourists to Guangdong, but during the Chinese New Year , the region has a lot more to offer.

Families gather to feast on niangao, or glutinous rice cakes, symbolic of prosperity and advancement in the new year.

A top go-to destination for local people is the flower markets, a vibrant place brimming with a kaleidoscope of colorful blooms and fragrant blossoms.

The choice of going to the flower market is also embedded with auspicious expectations for the Chinese New Year , noted Wei Zhiyi, a Shenzhen local, as the pronunciations of the word "flower" and "prosperity" are the same in Cantonese.

"Families flock to the flower markets in search of auspicious plants and flowers to adorn their homes," Guangzhou local Chen Wenxia told the Global Times.

Symbolism plays a crucial role in the selection of floral decorations, with certain blooms believed to bring prosperity, good fortune, and happiness in the coming year.

"Peach blossoms, representing longevity and vitality, are a popular choice; while kumquat trees, laden with golden fruits, symbolize wealth and prosperity," Chen noted. "Orchids, with their delicate beauty, are cherished for their association with refinement and elegance."

The diversity of colors is also echoed in Zigong in Southwest China's Sichuan Province , where the local people keep the tradition of going to the lantern festival, a tradition that dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

Every Chinese New Year , the city brings up some giant and mesmerizing lanterns that transform the city into a luminous wonderland with intricate lanterns casting rays of different colored lights.

"The lantern festival attracts not only locals but also visitors from afar who come to marvel at the stunning array of lanterns," a local official surnamed Xie told the Global Times.

The lanterns feature a diverse range of themes, from traditional Chinese motifs such as a 202.4-meter-long Chinese dragon that was made using nearly 200,000 used plastic bottles to modern interpretations of cultural symbols like the flying Apsaras icons from Dunhuang murals.

Close blood bonds

Xi has previously addressed a festival reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing , where he extended his greetings to all Chinese in the mainland, in Hong Kong , Macao , Taiwan and abroad.

His greetings to all Chinese people with references to hard work and family values have struck a chord with overseas Chinese.

Until now, overseas Chinese keep the Chinese New Year traditions well and intact. The tradition of staying up late during Chinese New Year's Eve has also been kept by many families overseas that boast Chinese ancestry.

Even among second or third generation overseas Chinese, most young people follow these traditions and customs for the traditional Spring Festival just as their fathers, grandfathers and even great-grandfathers did.

Vindy Marcelina , a 24-year-old student from Indonesia , told the Global Times that many of her distant ancestors came from East China's Fujian Province , while her grandpa went to Indonesia from China when he was a child.

Until now, they still keep a lot of traditions to celebrate the Spring Festival.

According to Marcelina, in the morning of the day before the Chinese New Year , the family will have a prayer ceremony to god and their ancestors. At night they will have a family dinner together.

"We also have dishes that are a must have at Chinese dinners like fish, noodles, dishes with 10 types of food, and a sweet niangao [ Chinese New Year sweet rice cake]. After having dinner we will stay up until midnight."

During the Chinese New Year, Marcelina's family will also visit her relatives' homes for bainian, which means to greet and wish each other luck during the new year. The big family will gather in the home of Marcelina's oldest aunt. They will have lunch together, express wishes for the New Year in the southern Fujian dialect, and members of the family that have already gotten married will give the younger members some red envelopes full of money.

Global celebration

Shan Jixiang , former curator of the Palace Museum, told the Global Times that the Spring Festival is the most traditional festival of the Chinese nation as it is a kind of cultural inheritance and embodies Chinese people's wishes to "go home for the New Year."

The 78th United Nations General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution in December, officially designating the Lunar New Year , also known as the Spring Festival, as a UN floating holiday. Chinese experts said the decision indicates the increasing global recognition of China's culture and its influence, which will contribute to the promotion of the Global Civilization Initiative.

As the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi says, in spite of differences in histories, cultures, political systems and development phases, countries around the world share a common aspiration for peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, the common values of humanity.

This Lunar New Year belongs to China and the world as well, as it is becoming a global celebration that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. With rich cultural connotations such as paying tribute to one's ancestors, praying for good luck, respecting nature and expelling evil spirits, the Spring Festival has aroused emotional resonance among many people in the world.

"The Spring Festival is always a time that all the people hope to share happiness and hope with close families, friends and relatives," Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Read more: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202402/1306911.shtml

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SOURCE Global Times
With these matters now resolved the company looks forward to educating and training America's workforce for years to come

IRVINE, Calif. , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- International Education Corporation (IEC), one of America's leading providers of career and technical education for over 40 years, today announced that the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) has recertified UEI College and United Education Institute to continue receiving Title IV funds for the next three years as part of a comprehensive resolution that ends a dispute over federal funding.

"This recertification for UEI and UEI College reaffirms our commitment to providing access to quality education and to our students, empowering them to pursue their academic goals and achieve success in their chosen fields," said IEC spokesperson Joseph Cockrell .

IEC's short-term, hands-on skills training has allowed generations of workers to fill some of America's most important entry-level jobs by educating Electrician Technicians, Dental Assistants, Automotive Technicians, Medical Assistants, Pharmacy Technicians  and more  at laboratory-based campuses, with most programs designed to be completed in as few as 10 months.

IEC participates in the Higher Education Act's Title IV student lending program, which allows eligible students of all backgrounds and experience levels who qualify for access to federal financial aid. The USDOE alleged in 2023 that IEC's Florida Career College violated federal rules to qualify students for enrollment and financial aid.

"IEC vigorously contested the claims made against it but appreciates its partners at the US Department of Education for reviewing the school's evidence and engaging in the productive dialogue that culminated in the resolution announced today," Cockrell said. "This outcome allows us to continue our crucial mission serving students, student employers, and our campus communities throughout the United States ."

The agreement resolves all outstanding administrative actions brought by the USDOE against all IEC school groups and allows IEC to focus on its critical mission of student success through exemplary graduation and student employment rates. As part of the process, IEC made the very expensive but responsible decision to complete the training for all enrolled Florida Career College students with quality and integrity.

"We have secured what we believe to be the very best outcome for IEC's students, employers, and our campus communities of educators and staff," said IEC Chairman and CEO Dr. Fardad Fateri. "In our unwavering commitment to our students, employees, and employer partners who depend on us to prepare well-trained graduates for the modern workforce, this outcome with the Department is a testament to IEC's dedication to transparency, accountability, regulatory compliance, and strong student graduation and employment rates."

Fateri continued: "The integral role IEC plays in educating America's workforce cannot be overstated. We have been a stalwart champion of our students, making substantial contributions to reshaping the post-secondary educational landscape of this country. We have been a beacon of hope for students who have felt left behind by traditional higher education. Today, I stand with immense pride as we reflect on our superior track record of regulatory compliance and student success. IEC's collective student completion and placement rates, along with our consistent compliance with national accreditation, state, and federal agency regulations validate IEC as a premier provider of career education in America. We look forward to providing quality education and career training for many more years in the future."

About International Education Corporation

Founded in 1982, International Education Corporation (IEC) is a national leader in postsecondary career education, offering short-term training programs in high-demand verticals such as healthcare, skilled trades, business, technology, and criminal justice. Headquartered in Irvine, California , IEC is the parent company for United Education Institute (UEI), UEI College, SAGE Truck Driving Schools, and U.S. Colleges. As an employee-owned organization, International Education Corporation and its subsidiaries are dedicated to the success of our students, our employees, and the communities we serve. We strive to drive personal and community transformation by empowering students to make a positive and enduring life change. We do this by preparing our students with the knowledge and skills they need  both personal and professional  to work in today's most promising and in-demand career fields. To learn more visit ieccolleges.com.

CONTACT: Joseph Cockrell [email protected] 949.812.7749

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/international-education-corp-resolves-all-issues-with-us-department-of-education-302058021.html

SOURCE International Education Corp.
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- International Isotopes Inc. (OTCQB: INIS) ("International Isotopes," "INIS" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell all of its assets related to its depleted uranium deconversion and fluorine processing venture ("DUF 6 Assets") to American Fuel Resources, LLC ("AFR") for $12,500,000 cash at closing. AFR is a leading trader of nuclear fuel components (U3O8, UF6) and services (conversion and SWU).

Shahe Bagerdjian, President & CEO of INIS commented, "We are happy to have found a great home with AFR for our DUF 6 assets. We believe AFR is well positioned to bring the deconversion facility into operation. For INIS, this is a pivotal time to focus on the growth of our medical device and theranostics business lines and this deal will strengthen our balance sheet to do just that."

Under the terms of the transaction, AFR will pay INIS a $50,000 prepayment at signing and the remaining $12,450,000 at closing. The parties expect closing to occur in 12 to 24 months, in order to properly transfer all related licenses, patents, agreements, and obtain NRC approval. Closing is contingent on various conditions being met, including approvals and agreements by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other third parties.

Additional information about the transaction with AFR will be provided in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by the Company with the SEC.

About International Isotopes Inc.

International Isotopes Inc. (INIS), established in 1995, with its headquarters in Idaho Falls, ID , USA, manufactures a wide range of radioisotope-focused products. INIS manufactures and supplies generic sodium iodide I-131 radiopharmaceutical drug product for hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. INIS manufactures and distributes a complete line of calibration and reference standards for nuclear pharmacies and SPECT/PET imaging systems as well as industrial calibration standards. The Company also manufactures Cobalt-60 sealed source products and provides contract manufacturing of various drug products as well as radioisotope API supply for 3rd party theranostics clients. The Company recently purchased the Swirler and Tru-Fit Mouthpiece assets, medical devices for radioaerosol applications, from AMICI, Inc.

International Isotopes Inc. Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements with respect to the Company's future growth expectations. Information contained in such forward-looking statements is based on current expectations and is subject to change. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, or achievements of International Isotopes Inc. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements of the Company expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Other factors, which could materially affect such forward-looking statements, can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 . Investors, potential investors, and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are only made as of the date of this press release and International Isotopes, Inc. and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT INIS, CONTACT:

David Drewitz

Creative Options Communications Investor and Public Relations

[email protected]

www.creativeoptionsmarketing.com

Phone: 972-814-5723

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SOURCE International Isotopes Inc.
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

Grand Cherokee wins Best Midsize Utility for second year in a row for its on- and off-road capability and extensive model lineup, including plug-in hybrid Grand Cherokee 4xe and three-row Grand Cherokee L

Grand Cherokee 4xe represents the most technologically advanced and 4x4-capable Jeep Grand Cherokee yet, delivering 375 hp, 470 lb.-ft. of torque, 25 miles of all-electric range and 56 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe)

With extended 121.7-inch wheelbase, three-row Grand Cherokee L delivers seating for up to seven, class-leading second-row legroom and maximum cargo space of 84.6 cu. ft.

Grand Cherokee lineup delivers refined on-road driving dynamics and unrivaled capability, courtesy of three 4x4 systems  Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is the winner of Best Midsize Utility vehicle in the 2024 MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Awards, earning the honor for the second consecutive year.

"The Jeep Grand Cherokee is our back-to-back winner as Best Midsize Utility of the year," said John Davis , creator and host of MotorWeek. "We are convinced that the Grand Cherokee lineup can handle just about anything adventure-loving families can throw at it! After existing for decades as a rough-around-the-edges, take-it-or-leave-it SUV, the fifth-generation Grand Cherokee arrived with all kinds of surprises, including an extended L version with three rows of seating, and even an available 4xe plug-in powertrain. That PHEV Grand Cherokee is not only proving to be very popular, but it adds serious breath to Jeep's already substantial environmental posture. For a brand that survived on tradition for many years, the Grand Cherokee makes a truly modern statement by all measures."

Now in its 43rd season as TV's and digital media's original automotive magazine series, MotorWeek holds the annual Drivers' Choice competition to evaluate vehicles based on driving performance, technology, practicality, fuel efficiency and value.

"To have MotorWeek recognize the Jeep Grand Cherokee as Best Midsize Utility for the second-straight year as part of its prestigious 2024 MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Awards is especially rewarding as it gives third-party validation that we're delivering the best, most capable and most awarded SUV ever to our customers," said William Peffer , senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee's 4xe plug-in hybrid electric vehicle technology enhances the fun, freedom and adventure that the Jeep brand is known for, while providing unprecedented performance, fuel economy and environmental friendliness:

Three selectable driving modes: Electric, Hybrid and e-Save

25 miles of all-electric range and 56 MPGe

375 hp and 470 lb.-ft. of torque

Quadra-Trac II 4x4 system with two-speed transfer case and 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio

47.4:1 crawl ratio

6,000-lbs. max towing capability

Trail Rated Grand Cherokee 4xe delivers up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance and 24 inches of water fording with water-sealed battery pack

The 2024 Grand Cherokee L expands the Grand Cherokee family into the popular three-row segment, delivering exceptional performance, comfort and functionality while continuing Grand Cherokee's legacy as the most awarded and celebrated SUV ever, with legendary 4x4 capability, on-road refinement, and premium styling and craftsmanship inside and out. Built on an advanced architecture, the three-row Grand Cherokee offers spacious seating capacity for up to seven passengers, individual climate zones throughout the cabin and advanced safety and next-gen technologies, including night vision, rear-seat monitoring camera, power-folding third row and a premium 19-speaker McIntosh audio system. With the available class-exclusive 5.7-liter V-8 powertrain, Grand Cherokee L delivers best-in-class max towing capacity up to 7,200 pounds.

The 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the most technologically advanced and 4x4-capable Jeep Grand Cherokee yet. This fifth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee brings a purpose-built architecture, plug-in hybrid powertrain, three-row L model, iconic design with world-class craftsmanship and first-to-market technologies to the full-size SUV segment.

Jeep Brand

Built on more than 80 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV brand that delivers legendary off-road capability, interior refinement, high-tech features and versatility to people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a broad portfolio of vehicles that continues to provide owners with a sense of safety and security to handle any journey with confidence. Jeep Wave, a premium owner loyalty and customer care program that is available to the entire Jeep 4x4 lineup, is filled with benefits and exclusive perks to deliver Jeep brand owners the utmost care and dedicated 24/7 support. The legendary Jeep brand's off-road capability is enhanced by a global electrification initiative that is transforming 4xe into the new 4x4 in pursuit of the brand's vision of accomplishing Zero Emission Freedom and added 4x4 capability. All Jeep brand vehicles will offer an electrified variant by 2025.

Follow Jeep and company news and video on:

Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Jeep brand: www.jeep.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeep

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeep

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jeep

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/jeep

YouTube: www.youtube.com/thejeepchannel or https://www.youtube.com/StellantisNA

For more information, please visit the Stellantis media site for North America at https://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com.

Contact:

Ron Kiino

(248) 944-0641 (office)

(248) 202-9291 (cell)

[email protected]

Kristin Starnes

(248) 512-0889 (office)

(248) 202-9906 (cell)

[email protected]

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SOURCE Stellantis
King Johnnie Casino Takes Player Experience to the Next Level with the Launch of its Cutting-Edge VIP Loyalty Program

SYDNEY , Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- King Johnnie Casino, a frontrunner in the online casino industry, is thrilled to unveil its latest offering: an innovative VIP Loyalty Program that promises to redefine player rewards and elevate the overall gaming experience. With a focus on personalized benefits, exclusive promotions, and exceptional customer service, the King Johnnie VIP Loyalty Program aims to provide players with an unmatched level of recognition and appreciation.

As an online casino that consistently strives to exceed player expectations, King Johnnie Casino has gone above and beyond to create a VIP Loyalty Program that truly stands out. The program is designed to cater to the most dedicated and loyal players, offering them a host of privileges that reflect their commitment to the casino.

King Johnnie Casino's commitment to providing an extraordinary gaming experience goes beyond offering a wide range of exciting games and exceptional customer service. The casino understands that its most dedicated and loyal players deserve special treatment, which is why King Johnnie Casino has developed a VIP Loyalty Program that goes above and beyond expectations.

The VIP Loyalty Program is designed to reward its most devoted players for their continued support and loyalty. From the moment players join the program, they are welcomed into an exclusive community where they can enjoy a host of exceptional privileges and benefits that truly set them apart.

To provide a truly luxurious experience, the casino has also partnered with prestigious brands to offer its VIP members exclusive access to high-end events and luxurious gifts. Whether it's attending VIP-only concerts, or sporting events, or receiving special gifts and experiences, the program ensures that you receive the VIP treatment you deserve.

"Our VIP Loyalty Program is all about recognizing and rewarding our valued players for their ongoing support," said Sarah Miller , Marketing Director at King Johnnie Casino. "We wanted to create a program that not only offers tangible benefits but also makes our players feel truly special and appreciated."

One of the key advantages of our VIP Loyalty Program is its customized approach. The casino understands that different players have different preferences and expectations, so they have tailored our program to suit the individual needs of our VIP members. Whether you prefer table games, slots, or a mix of both, the King Johnnie VIP Loyalty Program will cater to your gaming preferences and ensure an unforgettable experience.

Other key features of the King Johnnie VIP Loyalty Program include personalized account managers, exclusive access to high-stakes tournaments, tailored promotions, and expedited withdrawals. Players who join the program will also enjoy enhanced comp points, which can be exchanged for various rewards and perks.

In addition to the tangible benefits, the King Johnnie VIP Loyalty Program offers a level of personalization that sets it apart from traditional loyalty programs. Each player will be assigned a dedicated account manager who will cater to their individual needs, ensuring that their gaming experience is as seamless and enjoyable as possible.

As a VIP member at King Johnnie Casino, you will enjoy a range of exclusive perks and privileges. From personalized account managers who are dedicated to providing you with top-notch service and assistance, to faster withdrawal times and higher withdrawal rates, everything is designed with your satisfaction in mind.

Additionally, the casino's VIP members have access to exclusive promotions, tournaments, and events that are not available to regular players. These promotions often include generous bonuses, cashbacks, and free spins, allowing you to maximize your enjoyment and winning potential.

"Personalization is at the heart of our program. We understand that each player is unique, and our goal is to create a tailored experience that matches their preferences and playing style," Miller explained. "From arranging personalized bonuses to providing expert guidance, our account managers are here to make our players' journey truly exceptional."

To further enhance the sense of community among VIP players, King Johnnie Casino has planned a series of exclusive events and experiences that are accessible only to program members. These events will provide players with the opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts, participate in exciting challenges, and enjoy unforgettable moments.

As the online gaming landscape continues to evolve, King Johnnie Casino remains committed to staying ahead of the curve and delivering innovative solutions that cater to the changing needs of players. The VIP Loyalty Program is a testament to this commitment, offering a glimpse into the casino's dedication to enhancing the player experience.

"Our players are the heart of our casino, and we want to show our appreciation in a meaningful way. The VIP Loyalty Program is just the beginning of what we have in store for our players," Miller revealed.

King Johnnie Casino understands that loyalty should be rewarded, and its VIP Loyalty Program aims to do just that. This online gambling platform is committed to providing an unparalleled gaming experience and ensuring that our VIP members feel valued and appreciated.

Join this VIP Loyalty Program and experience the pinnacle of online casino rewards  the King Johnnie way. To learn more and join the program, visit KingJohnnie online casino.

About KingJohnnie

King Johnnie Casino is a leading online casino that offers a diverse range of games and exceptional player experiences. With a focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, King Johnnie Casino continues to set industry standards.

One key aspect that sets King Johnnie Casino apart from other online casinos is its extensive game selection. At King Johnnie Casino, they offer a diverse range of games to cater to all types of players. Whether you enjoy classic table games like blackjack and roulette or prefer the excitement of online slots, you'll find it all here. King Johnnie Casino's games are powered by some of the most respected software providers in the industry, ensuring that you enjoy cutting-edge graphics, smooth gameplay, and immersive sound effects.

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SOURCE King Johnnie Casino
Levy Konigsberg Attorneys Jerome Block and Clark Binkley have filed a lawsuit on behalf of 63 men and women who suffered sexual abuse when they were confined as children at Maryland's juvenile detention facilities, bringing the total number of claims to 200.

NEW YORK , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Levy Konigsberg has filed a lawsuit against the State of Maryland , alleging that the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services ("DJS") failed to protect children from rampant sexual abuse at 15 of the state's juvenile detention facilities. The lawsuit, brought on behalf of 63 men and women who were abused as children at various detention facilities, is the latest in a string of Maryland juvenile detention abuse lawsuits spearheaded by Levy Konigsberg .

As detailed in the lawsuit, Maryland's juvenile detention system has for generations "allowed a culture of abuse to flourish" across its many prison-like detention facilities. Widespread reports and investigations into the traumatizing environment and violently abusive staff went ignored by DJS, allowing untold numbers of children to suffer sexual abuse at the hands of guards, counselors, and other staff members who were supposed to be looking out for them.

The suit filed by Levy Konigsberg , and co-counsel Brown Kiely LLP, was brought under the recently enacted Maryland Child Victims Act ("CVA"), a law that eliminated the statute of limitations for filing civil lawsuits in cases of child sexual abuse. Many of the survivors seeking justice in this lawsuit were abused years, even decades, ago, suffering in silence until their claims were finally made possible last year by the CVA. Despite the years and decades separating their experiences, the 63 men and women whose claims were filed today experienced disturbingly similar patterns of abuse across 15 different facilities, evidencing a systemic failure by DJS to protect the children in its care.

In announcing today's lawsuit filed on behalf of 63 men and women, Levy Konigsberg Partner Jerome Block stated:

"A child who is sent to any juvenile facility should be provided with a safe environment. Instead, our clients were sexually abused as children by State employees that were supposed to keep them safe. The sexual abuse inflicted on our clients was horrific and occurred at juvenile detention facilities throughout the State of Maryland going back many decades."

Levy Konigsberg has filed hundreds of lawsuits on behalf of survivors of sexual abuse nationwide, and is at the forefront of CVA litigation in Maryland , having filed some of the first lawsuits about the widespread sexual abuse in Maryland's juvenile detention facilities. The Baltimore Sun and The Associated Press have covered Levy Konigsberg's recent lawsuits on behalf of dozens of men and women who had been sexually abused as children at Maryland's Cheltenham Youth Detention Center, Thomas J.S. Waxter Children's Center, and Charles H. Hickey , Jr. School. Interested parties can read the articles here, here, and here.

Levy Konigsberg represents over 400 survivors of sexual abuse at Maryland's juvenile detention facilities and plans to continue fighting tirelessly on their behalf.

For additional information about childhood sexual abuse lawsuits spearheaded by Levy Konigsberg , media members and journalists are encouraged to reach out to Attorney Jerome Block by using the law firm's contact form: https://www.levylaw.com/contact-us/

Media Contact: Attorney Jerome Block ; [email protected]

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Leading Math-Only Supplemental Education Franchise Positioned for Substantial Growth in Booming Education Sector

LOS ANGELES , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mathnasium Learning Centers has announced that its largest multi-unit franchisee, Mo Khalil , has received a strategic investment from Snapdragon Capital Partners, a private equity investment firm that partners with the founders and executives of high growth consumer companies.

Through the investment, Khalil and Snapdragon will sign a development plan to open 25 additional Mathnasium centers over the next five years.

Khalil comes from humble beginnings as an immigrant from Egypt who experienced homelessness at a young age, but has now grown to become a successful entrepreneur  and has been a top-performing franchisee for nine consecutive years in the Mathnasium network. Khalil established Khalil Ventures in 2010, and what began as one center in Central Florida has now grown to a portfolio of nearly 55 centers throughout the United States . With the brand's established curriculum and teaching methods, combined with its proven business model, Khalil has built a multi-unit empire. He's also been recognized by Mathnasium for "Best Turnaround of a Resale" and "Top Multi-Unit Operator by AUV."

With the global education market expected to reach $8 trillion in value by 2030, prospects or prospective franchisees are looking to stake their claim in Mathnasium's franchise opportunity.

"I am extremely excited to begin working with Snapdragon to add to Mathnasium's next chapter of growth," said Khalil. "When I first immigrated to the United States , learning English and assimilating into New York City's Bronx County was challenging. But with an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion to achieve the American dream, I was able to open my first Mathnasium and do what I love most  teach math. This signed development plan will be monumental not only for me, but also for the entire brand. We look forward to bringing Mathnasium to new markets and helping even more students."

Snapdragon is a trusted partner for growth companies seeking to achieve their full potential. Having been primarily focused on health and wellness brands, this alignment also serves as a milestone for Snapdragon as it marks the brand's entrance into the education industry. Through this partnership, Mathnasium is groomed to provide additional resources to support its fast-growing franchise network.

"We are incredibly excited to partner with Mo and his talented team," said Mark Grabowski , Managing Partner of Snapdragon. "He has built an incredible portfolio and has an unparalleled track record of success. We look forward to entering the education sector and supporting the next stage of growth for Mo and Mathnasium."

Mathnasium Learning Centers specializes in math-only tutoring and is committed to providing the world's best instruction. The goal: teach children math in a way that makes sense to them. For decades the Mathnasium Method  has transformed the way kids learn math  building students' understanding of math concepts through personalized instruction and a customized learning plan  all while producing tremendous results and helping students achieve their full potential in math and in life.

"The partnership between Mo and Snapdragon showcases Mathnasium's healthy franchise model, strong AUV, and new center growth potential in the industry," said Mike Davis , CEO of Mathnasium. "The investment by Snapdragon is a signal to existing franchisees of the value of their center/portfolio and speaks volumes about the strength of the network at a center level, as well as territory expansion opportunities. The best upside with the deal is that 25 new communities will get a Mathnasium, and many more kids and families will change their lives through math."

With prime territories available, Mathnasium provides franchisees with comprehensive training and support, including an initial training program, ongoing training, a balanced approach between corporate and locally driven marketing to capture the addressable market, and access to proprietary software tools and resources. Company leadership has identified California , Illinois , New York , and International as prime regions for growth, and is actively seeking both single and multi-unit operators looking to stake their claim in the growing education sector.

For information about Mathnasium's franchise opportunities, visit  https://mathnasiumfranchise.com/ .

For more information on Mathnasium, visit https://www.mathnasium.com/ , or visit their social pages on Facebook , Twitter , or Instagram .

About Mathnasium

Mathnasium Learning Centers is North America's leading math-only supplemental education franchise. Since 2002, the Mathnasium Method  the result of decades of hands-on instruction and development  has been transforming the lives of children in grades K-12 by offering comprehensive assessments, fully individualized learning plans, and teaching true math comprehension. With more than 1,100 learning centers worldwide in 10 countries, Mathnasium has been ranked on Entrepreneur Magazine's list of top 500 franchises 16 times since 2004. For more information about Mathnasium franchise opportunities, visit https://mathnasiumfranchise.com/ .

About Snapdragon Capital Partners

Snapdragon is a private equity investment firm that partners with the founders and executives of high growth consumer companies to become category leaders. The principals of Snapdragon have a long history of scaling multi-unit businesses, including Xponential Fitness, the largest franchisor of boutique fitness studios globally; Spartan Fitness Holdings, the largest Club Pilates franchisee, Corepower Yoga, the largest operator of yoga studios; ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers, the largest nationwide network of dental implant centers; MACS, the largest operator of convenience stores in the mid-Atlantic; and First Watch Restaurant Group, the largest breakfast/lunch restaurant chain nationally. Learn more about Snapdragon here: https://snapdragoncap.com/.

Media Contact: Paige Stark , Fishman Public Relations, [email protected]

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SOURCE Mathnasium
CHICAGO , Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, McDonald's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.67 per share of common stock payable on March 15, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 1, 2024 .

Upcoming Communications

For important news and information regarding McDonald's, including the timing of future investor conferences and earnings calls, visit the Investor Relations section of the Company's Internet home page at www.investor.mcdonalds.com. McDonald's uses this website as a primary channel for disclosing key information to its investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information.

About McDonald's

McDonald's is the world's leading global foodservice retailer with over 40,000 locations in over 100 countries. Approximately 95% of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business owners.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains certain forward-looking statements, which reflect management's expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors discussed in Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Form 8-K filing on February 5, 2024 . The Company undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements, except as may otherwise be required by law.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mcdonalds-announces-quarterly-cash-dividend-302056822.html

SOURCE McDonald's Corporation
Saudi Arabian Military Industries Company (SAMI) has announced that one of its key units, SAMI Land Systems, has signed a strategic partnership agreement with South Koreas Kia Corporation in a move that will see the duo build light tactical vehicles through collaboration, research, and development.

Announcing the deal at the ongoing World Defence Show 2024 in Riydh, SAMI said its Land Systems unit is building and enhancing local industrial capabilities, as well as strengthening national talents to offer products and services of high quality in the field of land systems.

Its products include wheeled and tracked combat systems; wheeled and tracked artillery systems; tactical logistics trucks; unmanned ground vehicles; turrets and remote weapon stations; maintenance, repair, and overhaul services; and integrated logistics support.

One of the oldest vehicle manufacturers in South Korea, Kia Corporation has proven strengths in developing chassis for light tactical military vehicles and other land systems.

Through the agreement, SAMI aims to drive enhanced cooperation to produce military vehicles within the Kingdom and thereby strengthen the support provided by the SAMI Land Systems division to the Kingdoms defense and security sector.

On the global partnership forged at WDS 2024, SAMI Chief Executive Officer Engineer Walid Abukhaled said: "As the Kingdoms defence and security champion, we are committed to strengthening the company's skills and competencies to build high quality products within Saudi Arabia."

"This is part of our strategy to deliver on the goal of Saudi Vision 2030 to localize 50 per cent of the Kingdoms defense spending by 2030," stated Abukhaled.

According to him, the MoU with the Korean auto giant is aimed at strengthening the competencies of SAMI Land Systems, which focuses on building national industrial capabilities, to build light tactical vehicles through collaboration, research, and development.

"It will help us build on our strengths in developing land systems products," he added.

SAMI has set up a 3,000-sq-m pavilion at the World Defence Show 2024 where it is showcasing its latest products and innovations in five defence sectors: SAMI Aerospace, SAMI Defence Systems, SAMI Advanced Electronics, SAMI Land and SAMI Sea.

Abukhaled pointed out that SAMI remains dedicated to develop and enhance the national capabilities, staying at the forefront of the future by providing services, products, and innovations to support the readiness of the Saudi Armed Forces.

The company is working to be among the top 25 defense industries companies in the world by 2030, he added.

Commenting on the deal, Kia Senior Vice President Ik Tae Kim said: "We are a global mobility brand with extensive experience and high-level technological expertise not only in passenger vehicles but also in military vehicles."

"Through our 50 years of experience in manufacturing military vehicles and alongside the collaboration tied during WDS 2024 with SAMI, Kia hopes to establish a new paradigm and system for Saudi military vehicles," he noted.

"Based on this partnership, Kia will continue to develop special vehicles based on our global leading mobility technologies to provide safe and reliable transportation at all circumstances," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
FILE - The seal of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seen before an FCC meeting to vote on net neutrality, Dec. 14, 2017, in Washington. The Federal Communications Commission is outlawing robocalls that contain voices generated by artificial intelligence. The decision sends a clear message that exploiting the technology to scam people and mislead voters wont be tolerated. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

NEW YORK (AP)  The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday outlawed robocalls that contain voices generated by artificial intelligence, a decision that sends a clear message that exploiting the technology to scam people and mislead voters wont be tolerated.

The unanimous ruling targets robocalls made with AI voice-cloning tools under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, a 1991 law restricting junk calls that use artificial and prerecorded voice messages.

The announcement comes as New Hampshire authorities are advancing their investigation into AI-generated robocalls that mimicked President Joe Bidens voice to discourage people from voting in the state's first-in-the-nation primary last month.

Effective immediately, the regulation empowers the FCC to fine companies that use AI voices in their calls or block the service providers that carry them. It also opens the door for call recipients to file lawsuits and gives state attorneys general a new mechanism to crack down on violators, according to the FCC.

The agency's chairwoman, Jessica Rosenworcel, said bad actors have been using AI-generated voices in robocalls to misinform voters, impersonate celebrities and extort family members.

It seems like something from the far-off future, but this threat is already here, Rosenworcel told The Associated Press on Wednesday as the commission was considering the regulations. All of us could be on the receiving end of these faked calls, so thats why we felt the time to act was now.

Under the consumer protection law, telemarketers generally cannot use automated dialers or artificial or prerecorded voice messages to call cellphones, and they cannot make such calls to landlines without prior written consent from the call recipient.

The new ruling classifies AI-generated voices in robocalls as artificial and thus enforceable by the same standards, the FCC said.

Those who break the law can face steep fines, with a maximum of more than $23,000 per call, the FCC said. The agency has previously used the consumer law to clamp down on robocallers interfering in elections, including imposing a $5 million fine on two conservative hoaxers for falsely warning people in predominantly Black areas that voting by mail could heighten their risk of arrest, debt collection and forced vaccination.

Story continues

The law also gives call recipients the right to take legal action and potentially recover up to $1,500 in damages for each unwanted call.

Josh Lawson, director of AI and democracy at the Aspen Institute, said even with the FCCs ruling, voters should prepare themselves for personalized spam to target them by phone, text and social media.

The true dark hats tend to disregard the stakes and they know what theyre doing is unlawful, he said. We have to understand that bad actors are going to continue to rattle the cages and push the limits.

Kathleen Carley, a Carnegie Mellon professor who specializes in computational disinformation, said that in order to detect AI abuse of voice technology, one needs to be able to clearly identify that the audio was AI generated.

That is possible now, she said, "because the technology for generating these calls has existed for awhile. Its well understood and it makes standard mistakes. But that technology will get better.

Sophisticated generative AI tools, from voice-cloning software to image generators, already are in use in elections in the U.S. and around the world.

Last year, as the U.S. presidential race got underway, several campaign advertisements used AI-generated audio or imagery, and some candidates experimented with using AI chatbots to communicate with voters.

Bipartisan efforts in Congress have sought to regulate AI in political campaigns, but no federal legislation has passed, with the general election nine months away.

Rep. Yvette Clarke, who introduced legislation to regulate AI in politics, lauded the FCC for its ruling but said now Congress needs to act.

I believe Democrats and Republicans can agree that AI-generated content used to deceive people is a bad thing, and we need to work together to help folks have the tools necessary to help discern whats real and what isnt, said Clarke, D-N.Y.

The AI-generated robocalls that sought to influence New Hampshires Jan. 23 primary election used a voice similar to Bidens, employed his often-used phrase, What a bunch of malarkey and falsely suggested that voting in the primary would preclude voters from casting a ballot in November.

New Hampshire had a taste of how AI can be used inappropriately in the election process, New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan said. It is certainly appropriate to try and get our arms around the use and the enforcement so that were not misleading the voting population in a way that could harm our elections.

The state's attorney general, John Formella, said Tuesday that investigators had identified the Texas-based Life Corp. and its owner, Walter Monk as the source of the calls, which went to thousands of state residents, mostly registered Democrats. He said the calls were transmitted by another Texas-based company, Lingo Telecom.

According to the FCC, both Lingo Telecom and Life Corp. have been investigated for illegal robocalls in the past.

Lingo Telecom said in a statement Tuesday that it acted immediately to help with the investigation into the robocalls impersonating Biden. The company said it had no involvement whatsoever in the production of the call content."

A man who answered the business line for Life Corp. declined to comment Thursday.

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Associated Press writers Christina A. Cassidy in Washington and Frank Bajak in Boston contributed to this report.

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WASHINGTON , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has awarded $3.7 million to 11 teams to support new collaborations between the agency and United States institutions not historically part of the agency's research enterprise. These are the first awards given through a new program from the agency's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) to improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the science and engineering communities, as well as NASA's workforce.

"As the agency continues to build relationships with under-resourced institutions through initiatives like the bridge program, we are intentionally increasing equitable access to NASA for the best and brightest talents in our nation," said Shahra Lambert , NASA senior advisor for engagement. "These partnerships will help NASA develop a diverse and capable workforce to further our understanding of the cosmos."

NASA's SMD Bridge Program provides seed funding for research projects that will build strong foundations for long-lasting relationships with the agency. The projects offer hands-on training and mentorship for students, as well as new research opportunities for faculty, to help science and engineering students transition into graduate schools, employment by NASA, or science, technology, engineering, and math careers generally.

The teams are led by faculty at institutions that represent new collaborations for NASA. These include Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions, and primarily undergraduate institutions. The research projects connect these institutions to seven NASA centers and could impact more than 100 students.

"We applaud this inaugural cohort of grant recipients for their innovative research projects, which will make important connections between students, faculty, and NASA," said Michael New , Science Mission Directorate deputy associate administrator for research at NASA Headquarters. "These awards are a first and important step for the SMD Bridge Program in supporting long-term relationships toward creating a more diverse and robust STEM workforce."

There is an additional opportunity to apply for seed funding through the SMD Bridge Program. Applications are open until Friday, March 29 .

The following projects were selected as the first cohort to receive seed funding:

"Diversifying Student Pipelines in STEM: Environmental Pollution Reduction Inspired by Planetary Science"

This project, a collaboration that brings California State University, Los Angeles, together with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California , and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, draws from the field of planetary science to address environmental pollution.

"FireSage: SJSU-NASA ARC Bridge Seed Program"

FireSage is a collaboration between San Jose State University's Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center and the Earth Science Division at NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley . It engages students in a computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning research project and training activities in wildfire science.

"Hampton University STEM Experience with NASA Langley Research Center Doppler Aerosol Wind Lidar"

This collaboration between Hampton University and NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia , offers a foundation in the advancement of planetary boundary layer studies with Lidar remote sensing.

"Development of Antireflection Coatings for Future NASA Missions"

This project is a collaboration between Delaware State University and NASA Goddard, working with transparent, electrically conductive films to design and produce an environmentally durable anti-reflection coating for guidance, navigation, and control Lidar.

"CUBES: Capacity Building Using CubeSats for Earth Science"

This collaboration between Tuskegee University, the Laboratory for Atmospheric Science and Physics at University of Colorado, and NASA Ames uses CubeSats to provide faculty and students with experience designing and executing science mission flight projects.

"Space Materials and Microbiome Research: A Bridge to Future JSC Workforce"

In this project, the University of Houston-Clear Lake collaborates with NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston . The project's Composite Materials track will develop a protective nanocomposite shield for spacecraft materials, while the Microbiome track will create a comprehensive library of draft bacterial genomes.

"The HALOQUEST: Halobacterium Astrobiological Laboratory for Observing and Questioning Extraterrestrial Signatures and Traits Project"

This collaboration between California State University, Northridge , and NASA JPL will study Halobacterium salinarum NRC-1 grown under simulated stressful environmental conditions, which could help understand possibilities for life on other planets.

"Observations of Ice-Water and Isotopes Using Mid-Infrared Laser Heterodyne Radiometer LIDAR"

In collaboration with NASA Goddard, Delaware State University will develop Earth science, planetary exploration, and sensing technologies, including a lunar rover payload with instruments to simultaneously detect and correlate water isotopes with other trace gas species.

"Application of Remote Sensing for Predicting Mosquito-Borne Disease Outbreaks"

This project is a collaboration between Southern Nazarene University and NASA JPL to identify areas at risk for mosquito-borne disease outbreaks using remote sensing data.

"Building a Diverse, Sustainable, and Robust Undergraduate-to-Graduate STEM Network through Inter-Institutional, Interdisciplinary Research Collaborations in Complex Fluids/Soft Matter"

This project is a collaboration between Colorado Mesa University and NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland to strengthen and grow a research, education, and training network centered around problems in complex fluids and soft matter, with initial emphasis on heat transfer and multiphase flows.

"Additive Manufacturing of Electronics for NASA Applications"

This project, a collaboration between Florida A&M University and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama , and NASA Goddard, will explore technology solutions through additive manufacturing approaches to manufacture strain and gas sensors.

Learn more about the SMD Bridge Program at:

https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/smd-bridge-program/

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SOURCE NASA
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Press Club Journalism Institute is pleased to announce its 2024-25 Board of Directors. Five new directors join the 15-member body, which provides the strategic direction and oversight of the nonprofit affiliate of the National Press Club.

Coming from public and nonprofit newsrooms and academia, the new board members bring years of experience and leadership to help the Institute achieve its mission: To power journalism in the public interest.

The Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. Work includes producing training and published resources for journalists and the public, administering scholarships and opportunities for new journalists, and convening experts on topical issues facing the industry.

The new board members are:

Mike Balsamo , U.S. Law Enforcement News Editor at The Associated Press

, Editor at The Associated Press Jamila Bey , Editorial Director at WHYY Philadelphia

, Editorial Director at WHYY Philadelphia Ed Kelley , Dean Emeritus at Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication , University of Oklahoma

, Dean Emeritus at , Alison Fitzgerald Kodjak , Assistant Managing Editor at ProPublica and past National Press Club president

, Assistant Managing Editor at ProPublica and past president Delano Massey , Managing Editor of Local at Axios

"These accomplished professionals join a distinguished group of individuals committed to advancing the Institute's mission of promoting excellence in journalism and support for journalists across the country," said Institute President Gil Klein . "Their collective expertise will help guide the Institute in fulfilling its vital role in supporting and strengthening the journalism profession."

The five new members join existing board directors:

Danielle Coffey , President and CEO at News/Media Alliance

, President and CEO at Sam Feist , Washington Bureau Chief and Senior Vice President at CNN

, and Senior Vice President at Mara Gassmann , Senior Staff Attorney at Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

, Senior Staff Attorney at Tom Huang , Assistant Managing Editor for Journalism Initiatives at The Dallas Morning News

, Assistant Managing Editor for Journalism Initiatives at Jen Judson , Land Warfare Reporter at Defense News and past National Press Club president

, at and past president Paul Merrion , former Washington Bureau Chief for Crain's Chicago Business and Institute Treasurer

, former for Crain's Chicago Business and Institute Treasurer Eileen Drage O'Reilly , Managing Editor of Standards and Training at Axios and past National Press Club president

, Managing Editor of Standards and Training at and past president Mizell Stewart III , President and CEO of Emerging Leaders, LLC ; Professional-in-Residence, School of Media and Journalism at Kent State University ; and Institute Secretary

, President and CEO of ; Professional-in-Residence, at ; and Institute Secretary Emily Wilkins , Washington Correspondent at CNBC and National Press Club president

For more information about the National Press Club Journalism Institute and its programs, please visit pressclubinstitute.org .

About the National Press Club Journalism Institute

The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. As the non-profit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute powers journalism in the public interest.

The Institute depends on grants, foundation funds, and contributions from individuals like you. Your donation today allows the Institute to offer the majority of its programming at no cost.

Contact: Beth Francesco , National Press Club Journalism Institute executive director, [email protected]

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SOURCE National Press Club Journalism Institute
MIDLAND, Texas , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. ("Next Bridge," "our," "we," or the "company"), an oil and natural gas exploration and production company with interests in Texas and Oklahoma today provided the following statement:

Our company has reviewed recent written responses from FINRA and SEC regarding the U3 halt of the Series A Preferred Shares of Meta Materials, Inc. that traded under the symbol "MMTLP" and potential outstanding short positions in Next Bridge . We have further been made aware of calls by Congressman Ralph Norman for a Congressional hearing regarding MMTLP, which we and our Chairman would gladly participate in to help supplement the factual record on relevant events. Next Bridge management has differing perspectives on certain key points expressed by FINRA in its letter. We will share these perspectives if given the opportunity in a meeting we are actively working to schedule with representatives of FINRA and the SEC's Office of the General Counsel. However, we hope the meeting can largely be devoted to discussing forward-looking and productive options for jointly addressing ongoing investor concerns.

Next Bridge firmly believes that we and our investors have a right to know, and Congress and the SEC have an interest and duty to understand, the total aggregate outstanding uncovered short positions held by foreign and domestic institutions that exceed the issued and outstanding shares of our company. Unfortunately, this important figure remains unknown. We call on FINRA and the SEC to take a more proactive ownership role in completing the necessary accounting for several key reasons:

First, FINRA and the SEC have access to resources, investigatory powers, and foreign information sharing tools, and we rely on them to serve as champions of the full and complete trading facts for the investing public and US companies whose securities are publicly traded under their oversight.

Second, we believe this information is necessary to help clarify potentially misleading information that has been disseminated to investors and the public. FINRA issued an "Investor Insights" FAQ on its website stating that "there was an aggregate short interest position in MMTLP in accounts held at broker-dealers as of December 12 of approximately 2.65 million shares out of 165.47 million total shares outstanding." FINRA went on to characterize this volume as "not significant." We infer no intent to mislead by FINRA, but we note that this statement was not qualified to make clear that the scope of the data available to FINRA under the investigatory powers it cited was limited, and thus it implied a categorical summation of the entire uncovered short interest position in Next Bridge . Subsequent to our most recent press release of January 19, 2024 calling for short interest data from all sources, foreign or domestic, whether registered with FINRA or not, we observed that FINRA clarified in its letter to Congressman Norman that the short interest figure it cited was only based on U.S. member data and not that of "domestic or foreign non-member entities that could act as custodians or agents holding securities for others, including foreign-registered broker-dealers." However, it repeated its assertion that the short interest position it saw was "nominal." Unfortunately, we believe this is a consequential blind spot in FINRA's data, because foreign firms have approached Next Bridge about procuring more than 2.65 million shares.

If FINRA is unable to report on the entire universe of the outstanding uncovered short positions in Next Bridge , including short interest positions held via foreign brokers, we request that they maintain full transparency of this fact in communications with interested parties and refrain from descriptions of the short interest as inconsequential until this is borne out via a comprehensive investigation. We also believe further clarification regarding the limits of the data available to FINRA would be helpful for investors.

Our company is also concerned that uncovered short selling activity might have been carried out by entities that are also exempt from SEC registration or via transactions that are otherwise exempt from reporting. We understand that the SEC does not disclose any details regarding its investigatory activities, but our concern is that the SEC's letter refers Congress to FINRA and our company for the share data Congress seeks, which as explained, will likely not result in the full picture. We are happy to provide information that may be beneficial in helping the SEC scope the necessary sources for data collection in any investigation it may elect to undertake in the future, including any that may require the cooperation of foreign counterparts.

Third, we believe there is an onus on FINRA to help resolve ongoing investor concerns due to the role it played in the events that led to the U3 halt, and the subsequent confusion resulting from the halt itself. FINRA stated that it determined the U3 halt was "necessary and appropriate to protect investors and ensure a fair and orderly marketplace." Unfortunately, many investors continue to communicate great frustration that the halt accomplished quite the opposite and could have been avoided. We do not intend to litigate FINRA's decision-making in this release, but we also would like to ensure that we clarify certain points on which we have a divergent view from FINRA in regards to the corporate action announcing the NBH spinoff and subsequent U3 halt, since the issues are actively being discussed in public releases to our investors and publicized letters to Congress. As an initial matter, we take issue with FINRA's repeated assertion that "FINRA's role is limited to reviewing and processing the (corporate action) submission and announcing the corporate action to market participants (unless the corporate action documentation is found to be deficient under Rule 6490, in which case FINRA may determine not to process the corporate action)." We do not believe this describes the role that FINRA played in the MMTLP corporate action submission process, nor does it offer a complete recitation of FINRA's authority under Rule 6490. First, FINRA drafted the initial and revised corporate action notices on December 6th and 8th of 2022, with an instruction that the issuer was not to edit or interpret it, and included language that we believe itself became the source of market confusion. For example, while FINRA describes the notice to Congressman Norman as "consistent with the information provided by Meta Materials," it is notable that the notice actually introduced a new instruction that MMTLP shares would be "deleted" on December 13th  a date never before contemplated or referenced by the issuers, and which many found difficult to reconcile with Meta's announcement that the distribution of Next Bridge shares would take place the next day- on December 14th . Indeed, it was never proposed to FINRA to add a December 13 cancellation date or deletion date, and adding such a date created an unnecessary restriction to the corporate action and shareholders of MMTLP. In addition, FINRA's Rule 6490 allows it to refrain from processing requested corporate actions altogether if it "determines not processing is necessary to protect investors and the public interest and to maintain fair and orderly markets." In other words, the justification FINRA ultimately used for issuing the U3 halt was available to it at the outset of the process, when any concerns could have been addressed by the issuer. Instead, they evidently did not discern a compelling reason to reject the processing of the announcement, crafted a different announcement, and allowed trading to continue through December 8th, 2022 , then initiated the U3 halt shortly thereafter when the markets were closed and all participants, short and long, were frozen. Since nothing regarding the corporate action and the issuers' contemplated record or distribution dates changed between when the corporate action was submitted to FINRA for review, and when the U3 halt was issued (aside from the introduction of FINRA's own announcements), we remain confused as to why FINRA did not simply reject the corporate action announcement at the outset rather than issuing a halt for "extraordinary circumstances" to the great surprise of the issuer and retail investors. The end result was mass confusion that persists to this day amongst our investor base, many of whom feel they were unnecessarily and unfairly denied two days of trading, and which would have also given parties with millions of short positions an opportunity to cover or close.

About Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc.

The Company is an independent public reporting energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation and/or development of oil and natural gas properties in the United States . Our primary focus has been the development of interests in an oil and gas project consisting of 134,000 contiguous gross acres we hold in the Orogrande Basin in West Texas in Hudspeth County, Texas . In addition, we have minor interests in the Eastern edge of the Midland Basin in Texas , and two minor well interests in Oklahoma . Please visit www.nextbridgehydrocarbons.com for more information.

Next Bridge is a private company insofar as its shares of common stock are not traded on a public stock exchange of any kind. The Company is expected to update its shareholders about certain operational and financial updates related to the Company's business. To receive timely emails with respect to these corporate developments, please visit https://www.nextbridgehydrocarbons.com/investors and complete the Email Alert/Investor Form. You may also choose to follow our social media channels at @nbhydrocarbons on Twitter and "Next Bridge Hydrocarbons" on LinkedIn.

This statement may contain "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described herein. Although the Company believes the expectations in such statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Information concerning the assumptions, uncertainties and risks that may affect the actual results can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") available on the Company's website or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Contact:

Dennard Lascar Investor Relations

[email protected]

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/next-bridge-hydrocarbons-inc-releases-statement-302058038.html

SOURCE Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc.
Transformational Travel Planning Solution Blends AI With Travel Advisors To Deliver Unprecedented Efficiency & Personalization

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nicer, a transformational travel planning and booking solution that supercharges travel advisors through the power of AI, announced today that it has raised $2 million in seed funding led by Trip Ventures and a group of travel industry leaders. The funding will be used to scale travel advisors with Nicer's underlying technology.

Nicer is democratizing access to the benefits of working with elite travel advisors by augmenting their irreplaceable human touch and access to exclusive perks with artificial intelligence to grow capacity, expand profit margins and deliver bespoke travel experiences.

"Travel is a trillion-dollar industry plagued by inefficiencies that cost time and money," said co-founder and CEO Ragan Stone, a career travel advisor. "Nicer solves this problem by harnessing the power of AI to craft highly customized experiences while preserving the personalization and insights of travel advisors. We are thrilled to have the support and confidence of our investors who share our vision of introducing more travelers to the benefits of working with travel advisors."

A recent survey of travel advisors revealed that 60 percent view AI positively and nearly half want to use it in their business. "Nicer is on the leading edge of the next wave of innovation that will fundamentally transform the way travel advisors do business," said Shane O'Flaherty , Microsoft's Global Director of Travel and Hospitality and member of Nicer's board of directors.

"AI is changing the world around us, and Nicer is changing how travel advisors blend high-tech with high-touch to deliver more perfect travel experiences," said Angie Licea, President of Global Travel Collection, the most influential collection of international luxury travel advisors. "We are thrilled to collaborate with them, and we know this partnership will enhance and enrich the support we provide to our travel advisors."

Nicer boasts a board of directors and advisors composed of leading figures in travel and tech, including:

Shane O'Flaherty , Global Director of Travel, Microsoft

Angie Licea , President, Global Travel Collection an Internova company

Gilad Berenstein , Founder at Brook Bay Capital and Board Member of Virtuoso

Javier Villamizar , Operating Partner, Softbank

Lee Thomas , Former COO of ALTOUR, an Internova company

Carlos Garcia , General Partner , Trip Ventures

About Nicer

Nicer is a pioneering travel planning platform and agency that blends traditional travel advising with cutting-edge AI technology. Our mission is to democratize access to expert travel advisors. Nicer empowers travel advisors with artificial intelligence and modern technology to elevate travel experiences. By combining the power of human expertise with cutting-edge AI and RPA (Robotic Process Automation), Nicer unlocks a more robust and efficient travel business.

If you are a travel advisor interested in joining Nicer's platform, or a traveler looking for a nicer travel experience, visit nicer.travel .

Contact: [email protected]

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SOURCE Nicer
Partners PG&E, PG&E Foundation, UC Berkeley and Mills College at Northeastern to Celebrate Graduates of Program Aimed at Closing Wealth Gap

OAKLAND, Calif. , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Two dozen high school students will receive $8,000 scholarships as they graduate from the Economic Equity and Financial Education Program on Saturday ( Feb. 10 ). The program is a two-semester advanced financial education course taught at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, created and funded by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and The PG&E Corporation Foundation (PG&E Foundation).

This is the second class of students to successfully complete the rigorous academic program that accepted its first cohort in fall 2022. Each student will be awarded a college scholarship for completing the program.

The Economic Equity and Financial Education Program began as a pilot program in fall 2022 to address wealth inequality and the racial wealth gap affecting African Americans in particular. PG&E and The PG&E Foundation partnered with the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley and Berkeley Executive Education, Mills College at Northeastern University, and Amenti Capital Group to prepare African American high school students from Oakland and the Greater Bay Area for future financial success and academic leadership. The program supports PG&E and The PG&E Foundation's Better Together Giving Program dedicated to bolstering people, the planet, and California's prosperity, and ensuring a safe and inclusive future for all.

Erikah Washington , a 17-year-old senior at Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland with a 4.0-plus GPA, is one of the new graduates. She said she's grateful to have been part the program and wished that financial education was routinely taught in school.

"Through this program I have gained so much confidence and no longer view finances as something scary. With the knowledge obtained from the program I know I will make good financial decisions moving forward," said Washington.

PG&E created the program after two years of planning as a racial justice initiative following the George Floyd tragedy to help address economic challenges faced by African Americans, and together with The PG&E Foundation provided more than $500,000 in funding through its community charitable Better Together Giving Program to the program each year. Funding for the program comes from PG&E shareholders, not PG&E customers. This program is one of several funded by PG&E and The PG&E Foundation that provide support and scholarships to students throughout PG&E's service area as they pursue their higher education goals.

Students took courses taught by Berkeley Haas professors Panos Patatoukas and Sunil Dutta and financial industry professionals on topics including personal finance, capital markets and wealth creation, financial data analysis and investments. African American Haas undergraduates also mentored the high schoolers.

Mills College at Northeastern University TRIO Programs recruited the student participants as part of the Upward Bound program  which helps underserved high school students and first in their families attending college to succeed  and the Mills Educational Talent Search  which supports high school students achieving their higher education goals.

The curriculum was developed in collaboration with Patatoukas and Jason Miles , an African American venture capitalist with more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry and founder of Amenti Capital Group.

"Addressing the challenge of access inequality and the wealth gap in the African American community is at the heart of our collaborative initiatives with PG&E and The PG&E Foundation," said Patatoukas of Berkeley Haas . "Our commitment to expanding financial education is unwavering, as we strive to create diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environments. I look forward to celebrating the second graduating class of students from Oakland and the Bay Area in this impactful program."

"There is a tremendous pool of young African Americans who represent shining examples of future leaders. They must be empowered with practical investing knowledge early in their lives. We continue to be energized by the opportunity to catalyze generational wealth creation alongside like-minded partners and this talented class of students," said Miles of Amenti Capital Group.

Information from the 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances helped to shape the program's intent. The survey looked at disparities in wealth by race and ethnicity and noted that the typical white family had eight times the wealth of a typical Black family. The survey cites a number of complex factors across generations, including how individual savings and investment decisions contribute to wealth accumulation. The 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances released last year showed ratios slightly narrowed with white families having six times as much wealth as the typical Black family, but that "we remain far from racial equality, reflecting the large differences that have persisted for decades."

"We understand how the racial wealth gap contributes to inequality in California and we want to be part of the solution in narrowing that divide. Gaining early access to financial education is a critical step to helping these students create generational wealth. We also hope that these scholarships will support their access to college and continued academic success," said PG&E Senior Vice President of Customer Experience Vincent Davis .

One student already charting success is Otis Ward , a graduate of last year's program who shared his journey in the PG&E short film "Change the System: Building Black Wealth."

The program is designed to provide wealth creation tools through an advanced financial education curriculum for high school students, and also to support post-secondary education achievement through scholarships for participants, funded by PG&E. It is hoped the program can serve as a model for future high school education curriculum.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California . For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news

About The PG&E Corporation Foundation

The PG&E Corporation Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, separate from PG&E and sponsored by PG&E Corporation.

About the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley

As the second-oldest business school in the United States , Berkeley Haas has been questioning the status quo since its founding in 1898. Berkeley Haas offers outstanding management education to about 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students from around the world to attend one of its six degree-granting programs and join the school's network of 41,000 alumni worldwide.

About Berkeley Executive Education

UC Berkeley Executive Education serves leaders and organizations who aspire to redefine the future of business, delivering over 150 programs annually to a global audience. Its immersive learning experiences, led by renowned UC Berkeley faculty, equip global executives and their organizations with the vision and capabilities to thrive in an evolving world.

About Northeastern University

Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experience-driven lifelong learning. Our world-renowned experiential approach empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create impact far beyond the confines of discipline, degree, and campus.

Northeastern's comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programson-campus, online, and in hybrid formatslead to degrees through the doctorate in nine colleges and schools. Among these, we offer more than 140 multi-discipline majors and degrees designed to prepare students for purposeful lives and careers.

About Amenti Capital Group

Amenti Capital Group is an emerging merchant bank that provides independent advisory services and venture capital to early-stage technology companies in high growth ecosystems. We leverage deep industry knowledge, operational expertise, and longstanding relationships to deliver attractive returns through our end-to-end model. We serve entrepreneurs and sophisticated investors while following our core principles of innovation, integrity and inclusion.

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SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Woman-owned small business (EDWOSB) government consulting company expands its client base within the Department of Defense

ANNAPOLIS, Md. , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Significance Inc. announces its most recent contract win, supporting the Navy's Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness Division (N81). The contract is specifically focused on Navy Medicine, which provides well-trained medical experts in support of Navy Operations. Navy Medicine is integrated into the Naval Force across the range of military operations, providing maritime dominance for the nation. Its team is trusted by warfighters to build and sustain medical readiness as a critical component of Integrated American Naval Power.

"We've significantly expanded our reach by securing this prime contract, broadening our impact and influence. This new venture perfectly aligns with our core strengths and capabilities. We're enthusiastic about this growth and look forward to delivering exceptional services to fortify our commitment to excellence," declared Mary Ahern-Snyder , Significance President, and CEO.

Significance will provide Navy Medicine financial management support services; Integrated Risk Management (IRM); Audit Response; and Remediation and Federal Information System Controls Audit Manual (FISCAM) compliance services. Through its program management and operation support services, financial management, business process improvement, change management and information management support, Significance will deliver optimized accounting operations and address critical audit remediation challenges.

About Significance Inc.

Significance Inc. is designated an Economically-Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business with offices in Old Town Alexandria, VA and Annapolis, MD. Founded in 2014 by Mary Ahern Snyder , the company provides government consulting services in the areas of Financial Management & Audit Support; SAP; Business Systems; Program & Project Management; Emerging Technologies & Cybersecurity; Transformation & Strategy; and Systems Support Training. To learn more, visit www.significanceinc.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/significance-wins-bumed-financial-services-and-business-operations-management-contract-302057424.html

SOURCE Significance, Inc.
WASHINGTON , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling holding that whistleblowers do not need to prove that their employer acted with "retaliatory intent" to be protected under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). The decision in the case, Murray v. UBS Securities, LLC, has immense implications for a number of whistleblower protection laws .

"This is a major win for whistleblowers and thus a huge win for corporate accountability," said leading whistleblower attorney David Colapinto , a founding partner of Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto .

"A ruling in favor of UBS would have overturned more than 20 years of precedent in SOX whistleblower cases and made it exceedingly more difficult for whistleblowers who claim retaliation under many similarly worded federal whistleblower statutes," Colapinto continued.

"Thankfully, the Court was not swayed by UBS' attempt to ignore the plain meaning of the statute and instead upheld the burden of proof that Congress enacted to protect whistleblowers who face retaliation," added Colapinto.

In an amicus curiae brief filed in the case on behalf of the National Whistleblower Center , the founding partners of Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto outlined the Congressional intent behind the burden of proof standard in SOX.

"In crafting the unique 'contributing factor' test for whistleblowers, Congress left an incredibly straight-forward legislative history documenting the value of whistleblowers' contributions, the risks and retaliation whistleblowers faced, the barriers the previous burden of proof presented for whistleblowers, and Congress' explicit intention to lower that burden of proof for whistleblowers," the brief states .

In the Court's opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor likewise pointed to the Congressional intent of SOX's contributing-factor burden of proof standard:

"To be sure, the contributing-factor framework that Congress chose here is not as protective of employers as a motivating-factor framework. That is by design. Congress has employed the contributing-factor framework in contexts where the health, safety, or well-being of the public may well depend on whistleblowers feeling empowered to come forward. This Court cannot override that policy choice by giving employers more protection than the statute itself provides."

Mr. Colapinto is available for further comment on the case.

Contact: Geoff Schweller

[email protected]

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SOURCE Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto LLP
MONROVIA, Calif. , Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Trader Joe's of Monrovia, CA is recalling certain products containing cotija cheese, as the cheese used to make these products has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriage and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The cotija cheese that was used to produce the products below was manufactured by Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc. On 2/5/2024, Rizo-Lopez Foods initiated a recall of dairy items, including cotija cheese, under multiple brand names. As a result, Trader Joe's is recalling all codes of the products listed below that were manufactured with cotija cheese.

The recalled products were sold in Trader Joe's stores nationwide.

Recalled products include all lots of the following products:

Trader Joe's Chicken Enchiladas Verde (SKU 58292)

Trader Joe's Cilantro Salad Dressing (SKU 36420)

(SKU 36420) Trader Joe's Elote Chopped Salad Kit (SKU 74768)

(SKU 74768) Trader Joe's Southwest Salad (SKU 56077)

No illnesses have been reported related to these products, to date.

If you purchased any of these products, please discard them or return them to any Trader Joe's for a full refund.

Customers with questions may contact Trader Joe's Customer Relations at (626) 599-3817 [Monday through Friday, 6:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time ].

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SOURCE Trader Joe's
OMAHA, Neb. , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Union Pacific Railroad has appointed Andrew Brady to vice president-External Relations, following Printz Bolin's retirement at the end of February.

Based in Union Pacific's Washington, D.C. , office, Brady is responsible for communicating inside the Beltway about national and state-specific industry issues and projects, including economic and safety regulation, passenger rail, security and labor. He previously served as Union Pacific's assistant vice president-External Relations. Prior to joining the railroad five years ago, Brady was assistant vice president-Government Affairs at the Association of American Railroads. He also served in various roles in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011-2016, after beginning his career in the Congressional and Public Affairs division of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Bolin was appointed Union Pacific's vice president-External Relations in 2018, promoting and defending the railroad's interests as the primary liaison between elected officials, key Congressional committees and Executive Branch agencies, including the U.S. Department of Transportation and Surface Transportation Board. He joined Union Pacific in 1991, holding various roles with the railroad after serving as a senior staff member in the U.S House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.

"Printz's experience and relationship-building with elected officials and regulators were invaluable to Union Pacific," said Union Pacific Chief Executive Officer Jim Vena . "I'm thankful for his contributions and looking forward to Andrew's leadership in D.C."

ABOUT UNION PACIFIC

Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at www.up.com .

www.up.com

www.facebook.com/unionpacific

www.twitter.com/unionpacific

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SOURCE Union Pacific Railroad
RICHMOND, Va. , Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Virginia Green , a leading provider of premium lawn care and exterior pest control, announces its first acquisition outside of Virginia with the purchase of L.S.L. Lawn Service in Maryland . This exciting move marks a significant milestone in the company's growth and opens doors to serving new customers in a vibrant new market.

"We are thrilled to welcome L.S.L. Lawn Service and its dedicated team to the Virginia Green family," says Gil Grattan , CEO of Virginia Green . "Their longstanding commitment to customer satisfaction and their deep understanding of the Maryland landscape perfectly align with our values. This acquisition allows us to not only expand our reach, but also offer L.S.L. customers access to our comprehensive suite of services, designed to make their outdoor spaces more enjoyable."

L.S.L. customers will experience a smooth transition, retaining their familiar service leaders, staff, and current pricing plans.

The acquisition of L.S.L. Lawn Service brings immediate benefits:

Experienced Technicians: Virginia Green gains a team of skilled technicians with deep knowledge of the Maryland landscape and its unique needs. This ensures seamless service continuity for L.S.L. customers while expanding Virginia Green's expertise in the region.





landscape and its unique needs. This ensures seamless service continuity for L.S.L. customers while expanding expertise in the region. Expanded Service Offerings: L.S.L. customers will have access to Virginia Green's full suite of services, including aeration and seeding, tree and shrub care, soil testing and amendments, all-natural flea, tick, and mosquito control, and more.





full suite of services, including aeration and seeding, tree and shrub care, soil testing and amendments, all-natural flea, tick, and mosquito control, and more. Local Focus, Regional Strength: Virginia Green will remain committed to serving L.S.L.'s customers with personalized attention, now backed by the strength of a regional leader.

"We are excited to join forces with Virginia Green and offer our customers an even wider range of high-quality lawn care solutions," says Larry Lawrence , former owner of L.S.L. Lawn Service. "Together, we share a commitment to sustainability, customer satisfaction, and building strong relationships within the communities we serve."

About Virginia Green

Since its inception in 2004, Virginia Green has been at the forefront of delivering specialized residential and commercial lawn care services across Virginia. With a robust team of over 350 dedicated professionals, including an expert agronomy department, Virginia Green is committed to achieving 100% client satisfaction. The company's reputation for excellence is underscored by its multiple accolades in the "Best Lawn Service/Landscaping" category by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, a testament to its unwavering commitment to quality and community.

About L.S.L. Lawn Service

L.S.L. Lawn Service has served the residents of Maryland with reliable and personalized lawn care solutions for 17 years. Their commitment to customer satisfaction and expertise in the local landscape made them a trusted partner for their clients.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/virginia-green-expands-beyond-virginias-borders-with-acquisition-of-lsl-lawn-service-in-maryland-302057572.html
Apple CEO Tim Cook walks at the Apple Fifth Avenue store as customers queue to buy Apple's Vision Pro headset, in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., February 2, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit accusing Apple of overpaying Chief Executive Tim Cook and other top executives by tens of millions of dollars by miscalculating the value of performance-based stock awards.

U.S. District Judge Jennifer Rochon in Manhattan said the iPhone maker described its pay methods in detailed compensation tables in its 2023 proxy statement, "precisely" as securities laws and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules require.

Rochon also found no proof that Apple's board of directors acted improperly in awarding pay, and said the plaintiff, a pension fund affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, did not give the board enough time to consider its objections before suing.

Lawyers for the pension fund did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The plaintiff said Apple in 2021 and 2022 awarded a respective $92.7 million and $94 million of performance-based restricted stock units to Cook and four other executives, though its compensation committee intended to award just $77.5 million each year.

It attributed the alleged error to the committee's improper calculation of the RSUs' fair values at the time of the grants, and said it misled shareholders who would be casting advisory votes on executive compensation, known as "say-on-pay."

Cook's compensation totaled about $99 million in both 2021 and 2022, including more than $82 million of stock awards each year, Apple proxy filings show.

His total pay declined to $63.2 million for 2023. The four other Apple executives were each awarded more than $26 million in each of the three years.

The case is International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Garage Employees Local 272 Labor Management Pension Fund v Apple Inc et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 23-01867.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Stephen Coates)
FILE PHOTO: A woman poses with a cigarette in front of BAT (British American Tobacco) logo in this illustration taken July 26, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - British American Tobacco has submitted an application to market its Glo Hyper device as a reduced-risk product in the United States, its first movement in years on heated tobacco in the world's biggest market for smoking alternatives.

The maker of Dunhill and Lucky Strike cigarettes had previously applied to market Glo in the U.S. in 2021 but has yet to receive approval.

Chief Executive Tadeu Marroco subsequently said that heated tobacco did not have huge potential there and BAT would instead focus on vaping.

He said on Thursday that while that perspective had not changed, BAT had submitted a modified risk tobacco product application for Glo Hyper to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December.

It was clear that BAT's competitors would launch heated tobacco products in the market, he told Reuters by phone.

"We also want to be prepared in case the category surprises us," he added.

If granted, the application would allow BAT to make certain health claims about Glo in its U.S. marketing, such as that it is lower risk or reduces exposure to harmful chemicals compared with smoking.

The company is under pressure to better compete in heated tobacco, where rival Philip Morris International (PMI) has taken some 70% of the market and plans to launch its IQOS device in the U.S. this year.

Altria and Japan Tobacco International have also announced a partnership to launch a heated tobacco device in the United States.

Heated tobacco devices warm up packages of ground up tobacco but do not burn them in an attempt to avoid the harmful chemicals produced via combustion.

BAT's shares rose almost 8% on Thursday, when it announced it could sell-down some of its stake in India's ITC and reported full-year results.

(This story has been officially corrected to say 'Glo Hyper,' not 'Glo Hyper Pro,' in paragraphs 1 and 4)

(Reporting by Emma Rumney; Editing by Tom Hogue, Kirsten Donovan)
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks during an event at the White House in recognition of Black History Month, in Washington, U.S., February 6, 2024. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

By Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden mistakenly referred on Wednesday to a conversation he had with Angela Merkel in 2021 as having taken place with the late German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, who died in 2017, his second such mix-up this week.

At a New York reception that raised money for his reelection bid, the 81-year-old Biden changed a story that is a staple of his stump speech to include Kohl instead of Merkel, who was in power at the time of the reported conversation, at the G7 summit in 2021.

The reference occurred when Biden was talking about the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of then-President Donald Trump, the frontrunner for this year's Republican presidential nomination.

When I first got elected president, I went to a G7 meeting with the seven heads of state in Europe and Great Britain. I sat down and I said, Well, Americas back and the president of France looked at me and said, For how long?' I never thought of it this way," Biden said.

"Then Helmut Kohl of Germany looked at me and said, What would you say Mr. President, if you picked up the London Times tomorrow morning and learned that 1,000 people had broken down the doors, the doors of the British Parliament and killed some (people) on the way in,'" Biden said.

Asked about the incident, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that "as it relates to the names and what he was trying to say, many people, elected officials, many people, you know, they can misspeak sometimes."

She listed several politicians who have misspoke similarly.

"It happens to all of us, it's common," she said.

She waved off a question about Biden's overall health, saying his previous physical examinations had given him a clean bill of health and noted he would get another exam.

The mix-up came a day before Special Counsel Robert Hur said in a report that he opted against bringing criminal charges against Biden for taking classified documents, citing among mitigating factors the president's "poor memory."

In remarks to reporters after the release of the report on Thursday, Biden called Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi the leader of Mexico.

On Sunday, while talking about the 2021 G7 summit, Biden mixed up French President Emmanuel Macron with the late Francois Mitterrand, who was in power from 1981 to 1995 and died in 1996.

Trump, 77, has misidentified people as well, recently confusing Republican opponent Nikki Haley with Nancy Pelosi, the California Democrat who was speaker of the House of Representatives when he was in power.

(Reporting by Steve Holland; Additional reporting by Jeff Mason and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Heather Timmons, Jonathan Oatis and Christian Schmollinger)
Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth Greg Hands leaves after a radio interview in Westminster, London, Britain, April 8, 2022. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson/ File photo

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain on Thursday said it would extend tariff-free trade with Ukraine on almost all goods until 2029, giving continued favourable trading terms to Kyiv in the wake of Russia's invasion.

Britain removed tariffs on all its trade with Ukraine after the war with Russia started two years ago, and previously they had agreed the arrangement would last until March 2024.

Britain's business and trade ministry said tariff-free trade would be extended on all goods for five years, except eggs and poultry which will be extended for two years, and that British firms would also benefit from the removal of tariffs for exports to Ukraine too.

"This agreement provides much needed long-term economic support to Ukraine, its businesses and people  critical to its recovery," junior trade minister Greg Hands said, adding Britain's support would continue "for as long as is needed."

Britain has backed Ukraine's war effort by providing weapons and aid, as well as favourable trade terms including a new digital trade deal.

(Reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by Kate Holton)
Puzzle with printed EU flag and BREXIT words is placed on displayed stock graph in this illustration taken, November 8, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/ File photo

By Huw Jones

LONDON (Reuters) - A superwatchdog is needed as part of Britain's post-Brexit reset to better hold "increasingly politicised" watchdogs to account, though without impinging on their ability to act independently, a report from the upper house of parliament said on Thursday.

The report was triggered by concerns in previous inquiries over the independence from government of regulators - who set rules and standards for aspects of British life such as education and care, as well as finance and utilities provision - and the clarity of their remit.

Some of Britain's 90 regulators have too many duties and objectives, but without a clear sense of priority at a time of finite resources, the House of Lords' Industry and Regulators Committee report said.

"Our report raises concerns about the functioning of the three-way relationship between the regulators, the government, and parliament, particularly the role and performance of regulators, their independence, and their accountability," said Clive Hollick, who chaired the inquiry.

Government and lawmakers should make clear to regulators how objectives should be prioritised, given concerns over "increasing politicisation" of regulation, the report said, which did not spell out any specific areas of concern.

"We are concerned at the perception that the appointment and reappointment of some regulatory leaders reflects their political loyalties more than their suitability for the role," it added.

The report said some of the regulators had inherited additional responsibilities from EU institutions following Brexit, with implications for both resources and accountability.

It called on the government create a new independent statutory Office for Regulatory Performance - effectively a superwatchdog - that would be accountable to parliament, helping it check on the other watchdogs in a more systematic and thorough way and "plug the gap in regulatory accountability".

Temporary "embedding" by parliament's Treasury Committee of specialist advisers at financial regulators, such as on two occasions in the past, could be explored by other parliamentary committees to improve scrutiny, the report said.

Parliamentary committees should also play a greater role in scrutinising appointments at regulators, it said.

The lawmakers spoke to 15 regulators, including the Competition and Markets Authority, Financial Conduct Authority, and regulators for communications, schools and energy.

The government has already begun reviewing UK regulators under its "Smarter Regulation" programme, with accountability for financial watchdogs already reformed, with new parliamentary committees to scrutinise them.

(Reporting by Huw Jones; Editing by Alison Williams)
By Saleh Salem

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (Reuters) - With one million Gazans displaced from their homes by Israeli bombardments seeking refuge in the border town of Rafah, five families have moved into a chicken farm, living in its long concrete sheds, the battery coops transformed into bunk beds.

The war that began on Oct. 7 with a Hamas attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people - drawing an Israeli military assault on Gaza that local health authorities say has killed more than 27,800 Palestinians - has devastated the enclave.

More than 85% of Gaza's 2.3 million inhabitants have fled their homes, with about one million flocking into Rafah, hard against the Egyptian border. Many of them live in tents crammed into empty lots or patches of beach.

For the Hanoon family, one of five in an extended clan that have moved in there, the chicken farm feels close to rock bottom.

"We're living in a place meant for animals," said Umm Mahdi Hanoon, standing among the cages. "Imagine a child sleeping in a chicken crate."

"The place is very bad. Water leaks down on us. The cold is really harsh for the children, for the old people, for those who are ill... sometimes we wish the morning won't come," she said.

Her son Mahdi said they had lived in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood of Gaza City, an area that came under the path of Israel's military offensive early in the war.

"We moved to al-Zawayda. Due to the shelling we looked for another place but couldn't find one because there are a lot of us. Then an acquaintance, a friend of my cousin's, told me there's a chicken farm in Rafah with cages," he said.

"We struggled at first. There were insects. We have children," he said, initially thinking they would only be there for a couple of days.

But as the time went by they had to accept that the chicken sheds would be their home for much longer. They used the metal frames of the cages as beds and cook bread, when they manage to find flour, on a metal stove on the floor.

"It is hard to live in a place like this, a place which was designed for chicken and birds. You find yourself in a cage," Mahdi said.

(This story has been refiled to fix the headline)

(Reporting by Saleh Salem and Ibraheem Abu Mustafa, writing by Angus McDowall and Angus MacSwan)
By Hadeel Al Sayegh, Andres Gonzalez and Pablo Mayo Cerqueiro

DUBAI/LONDON (Reuters) - U.S private equity firm Apollo Global Management Inc is in talks to buy a minority stake in the Middle East, North Africa and central Asia Starbucks franchise operated by Kuwait's AlShaya Group, three sources close to the matter said.

Dubbed "Project Emerald", according to two of the people, the privately owned retailer is looking to sell a minority stake of about 30% in the business, Reuters reported previously.

Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has previously been shortlisted to buy the stake, is also still involved in the talks, one of the people and a third one said.

The Starbucks unit runs around 2,000 outlets in 13 countries, across the Middle East and North Africa, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. It was valued at between $4 billion and $5 billion in 2022, Reuters reported previously, before it exited Russia.

Starbucks said in January that the Israel-Hamas war has hurt its business in the region as it missed market expectations for first-quarter results.

It said sales were significantly impacted due to the conflict, in the Middle East and in the U.S., as some consumers launched protests and boycott campaigns asking the company to take a stance on the issue. However it added it remained committed to its growth ambitions in its international segment.

In the wake of the boycotts, Starbucks in October said it was a non-political organisation and dismissed rumours that it had provided support to the Israeli government or army.

A deal would widen the investor base of the privately-owned business held by the Alshaya family since 1999. Some of the Middle East's biggest private companies have increasingly been looking to bring in outside investors through listings or strategic stake sales.

In 2022, AlShaya pulled out of Russia and shuttered 130 stores to comply with Starbucks' decision to withdraw from the sanctioned country after its war with the Ukraine.

Established in 1890, Alshaya is one of the biggest retail operators in the region with rights to operate businesses of popular Western brands including The Cheesecake Factory, Shake Shack and Pottery Barn.

(Reporting by Hadeel Al Sayegh in Dubai, Andres Gonzalez Estebaran and Pablo Mayo Cerqueiro in London. Editing by Anousha Sakoui and David Evans)
By Maya Gebeily

(Reuters) - A force that has been the backbone of the U.S.-led campaign against Islamic State said additional air defences should be deployed in northeast Syria after six of its fighters were killed in a drone attack it blamed on pro-Iran factions.

Mazloum Abdi, commander of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, said his force considered it "a dangerous development when our camps are targeted in drone attacks by factions backed by Iran."

Abdi's remarks to Reuters from northeast Syria suggest the force's fighters -- deployed alongside U.S. troops to fight remnants of Islamic State -- are increasingly vulnerable to widening regional instability in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Palestinian group Hamas.

Bases across Syria's east and northeast hosting U.S. troops and SDF fighters have faced a slew of drone and rocket attacks as pro-Iran militias declaring support for the Palestinians seek to attack U.S. and Western interests and fight Israel.

A drone strike by Iran-backed militants on a U.S. outpost in Jordan on Jan 28 killed three U.S. forces. On Feb. 4, the SDF said an explosive drone attack by Iran-backed armed groups in eastern Syria killed six of their fighters.

Asked whether he had requested additional military backing to fend off such attacks, Abdi said his Kurdish-led force would "require technical capabilities and an increase in the aerial defensive systems" deployed in northeast Syria.

"From their (the U.S.) side, they confirmed they would try and expend efforts to prevent these attacks," he told Reuters.

In Washington, the Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Spearheaded by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and including Arab fighters, the SDF has been a major partner for the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State over the last decade. It holds a quarter of Syria, including oil fields and areas where some 900 U.S. troops are deployed.

Following rumours that the U.S. was considering pulling those troops out, Abdi said he had received reassurances by the State Department, White House and the Pentagon that their mission would continue.

But he said a withdrawal "is possible in the future... Truthfully, we don't ask for American troops to stay here forever. That's not possible."

Abdi warned that any U.S. troop pull-out would "multiply several times over" the threats that the SDF faces from Iran-backed troops, Islamic State and Turkey, which considers the YPG and the SDF by extension to be "terrorist" groups.

"If American forces do withdraw, depending on the circumstances, naturally we will go towards the plans that suit the interests of our people and the make-up of the region," Abdi added.

But that would not include a long-term partnership with the Syrian armed forces, which he said did not have the capacity to defend against IS.

The Syrian military has been gutted following more than a decade of fighting off rebel and hardline factions seeking to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, an opposition struggle that began following Assad's brutal crackdown of protests against him.

(Reporting by Maya Gebeily, Additional reporting from Phil Stewart in Washington, Editing by William Maclean)
FILE PHOTO: Workers assemble a string of buoys, to deter migrants from crossing the Rio Grande river, at the international border with Mexico in Eagle Pass, Texas, U.S. July 27, 2023. REUTERS/Adrees Latif/File Photo

By Daniel Wiessner

(Reuters) -Efforts by Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott to stem a record number of migrants illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border has set off a series of legal battles with the administration of President Joe Biden, a Democrat.

Those cases could ultimately determine how much power, if any, states possess to police international borders when they disagree with federal immigration policies.

NEW LAW

The most sweeping effort made by Texas to address illegal migration is a new law known as SB4 that Abbott signed in December, making it a state crime to illegally enter or re-enter Texas from a foreign country. A federal judge on Feb. 29 blocked the law from taking effect, agreeing with the Biden administration and civil rights groups that SB4 would interfere with the federal government's enforcement of U.S. immigration laws.

The law would give state law enforcement the power to arrest and prosecute violators and allows judges to order migrants to leave the U.S., with up to 20-year prison sentences for migrants who refuse to comply. Abbott and many other Republicans have said border states have no choice but to act in the face of alleged failures by Biden to address the increase in border crossings, which have reached record highs in recent years.

Texas will likely appeal the ruling by U.S. District Judge David Ezra blocking SB4, but the state will have to contend with a 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling cited by the judge that struck down key provisions of an Arizona immigration law. The court in that 5-3 decision said states cannot make their own laws that interfere with the federal government's ability to enforce U.S. laws.

The Supreme Court has become more conservative since then, so Texas could have a more sympathetic audience if the justices ultimately take up the case.

WIRE FENCING

Texas is also seeking to prevent the federal government from destroying or removing concertina wire fencing that the state has placed along a 30-mile (48-km) stretch of the Rio Grande river near Eagle Pass, Texas, which forms the border with Mexico. Texas sued the Biden administration in October over what it said was an intensified practice by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents of destroying fencing that the state had strategically placed on private land with the landowners' permission.

The administration has said the fencing interferes with the ability of U.S. Border Patrol agents to reach migrants who are in distress and to access patrol boats. A New Orleans-based U.S. appeals court temporarily blocked federal agents from disturbing the fencing while litigation over the issue proceeds, but the Supreme Court on Jan. 22 paused that ruling pending the outcome of the case.

Texas in its lawsuit claims that by destroying the wire, federal agents are violating the state's property rights. A key issue in the case is whether the federal government is immune from facing the state's claims.

FLOATING BARRIER

Texas is also defending its ability to maintain a 1,000-foot-long 1,000 feet (305-meter) floating barrier in the Rio Grande river that divides the U.S. and Mexico near where it has placed concertina wire. Days after four migrants drowned in the river last July, the state installed the string of buoys, prompting a lawsuit by the Biden administration.

The lawsuit claims that Texas was required to seek permission from the federal government before installing the buoys because they were placed in navigable waters, which are governed by federal environmental laws.

A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals - the same court that is hearing the razor wire case - sided with the Biden administration in December and said the buoys had to be removed to Texas' side of the river bank. But the full appeals court, which is made up mostly of Republican appointees, has said it will reconsider that decision and is scheduled to hear arguments in May.

(Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Colonel general Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, attends an interview with Reuters, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine January 12, 2024. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo

KYIV (Reuters) - Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, who has led Ukraine's ground forces since 2019, was promoted to commander of the armed forces on Thursday as the war with Russia nears its third year. He replaces Valeriy Zaluzhnyi.

Here are some facts about Syrskyi, already a key Ukrainian figure throughout Russia's full-scale invasion.

EARLY YEARS

Syrskyi was born in July 1965 in Russia's Vladimir region, which was then part of the Soviet Union. He has lived in Ukraine since the 1980s. Like many people of his age in Ukraine's armed forces, he studied in Moscow - at the Higher Military Command School - among peers who have since become Russian commanders, graduating in 1986 and serving for five years in the Soviet Artillery Corps. Some military analysts believe his battlefield tactics reflect his hierarchical Soviet training.

THE SNOW LEOPARD

Syrskyi became head of Ukraine's land forces in 2019. He had previously commanded Ukrainian troops fighting a Moscow-backed insurgency in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions that began in 2014, and was given the call sign "Snow leopard".

BIGGEST VICTORIES

Some of Ukraine's biggest victories of Russia's full-scale invasion were overseen by Syrskyi. He led the successful defence of the capital Kyiv in the early months and was named a Hero of Ukraine, the country's highest honour, in April 2022. In July 2022, Syrskyi planned and executed a lightning counteroffensive that pushed Russian troops away from the city of Kharkiv and retook swathes of land to the east and southeast.

BAKHMUT

Early last year, Syrskyi led Ukraine's defence of the eastern city of Bakhmut, where thousands of soldiers on both sides were killed in one of the bloodiest battles of the war so far. Some military analysts questioned whether fighting for a ruined city was worth so many dead and wounded. Syrskyi said Ukraine's dogged defence of Bakhmut had damaged Russia's overall war effort by tying down the Wagner mercenary group.

TROOP MORALE

Syrskyi says his priority is the morale of his troops, whom he is regularly pictured visiting at the front. He has told Western media that he sleeps four-and-a-half hours a night and relaxes by going to the gym. Syrskyi is married and has two sons.

(Reporting by Olena Harmash and Yuliia Dysa; editing by Tom Balmforth and Jon Boyle)
do not disturb phone

Australians have been given the legal right to throw another shrimp on the barbie rather than answer calls from their boss out of hours.

A bill proposing the right to disconnect was passed by the Commonwealth nations Senate on Thursday.

The law gives workers the right to ignore calls, emails and other messages from their bosses outside of work hours.

However, many business leaders have criticised the legislation as rushed and flawed given the advent of flexible working.

Similar laws giving employees a right to switch off their devices are already in place in France, Germany and other countries in the European Union.

Sydney resident Colvin Macpherson said: I think its a wonderful idea.

We all need to relax, we all need to be able to switch off and not be disturbed by emails and phone calls in the middle of the night.

Both of my kids are lawyers as well, so they work horrendous hours as it is and you get things coming in at night time.

Another worker, Ivan Karajas, added: In general, I think the idea that you should be able to switch off when you get to the end of your work day and when you are at home doing your own thing over the weekend or on leave, that seems like a generally reasonable thing to me.

The bill, which will need to go back to the House of Representatives to vote to approve some amendments, also includes other provisions like a clearer pathway from temporary to permanent work and minimum standards for temporary workers and truck drivers.

However, a joint statement from Australias chambers of commerce urged the Senate to carefully reconsider the implications of what it called a rushed and flawed legislation.

They said: Modern technology has provided flexibility to the workforce and many employees no longer need to sit behind a desk from nine to five.

We cannot allow industrial relations laws to make it harder for hard-working business owners to generate the wealth we enjoy as a nation.

Bran Black, the chief executive of the Business Council of Australia, told reporters in Canberra that the provisions were anti-business and come at a time when Australia can least afford it.

He said: Business is not opposed to the idea that people should be able to switch off, I know I like to switch off... but you need to be able to make sure that you get these policies right in terms of how theyre implemented and the type of consultation that is required to do that.

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Travellers walk with their luggage past a display showing departure flights information at the Beijing Capital International Airport, during the Spring Festival travel rush ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year, in Beijing, China February 2, 2024. REUTERS/F

By Casey Hall and Sophie Yu

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Yuwei Zhangzou represents a new type of Chinese tourist.

Last month, the Shanghai-based fashion influencer had close encounters with reindeer, visited Santa's village and stayed in a glass-enclosed treehouse during a trip that she organised herself to Finland. Very little shopping was involved.

"I was hoping to get lucky and see the Northern Lights and I got it! I was happy," she said.

As Chinese travellers gear up for the Lunar New Year holiday, which this year runs from Feb. 10 to 17, more of the people who can afford to travel abroad are eschewing the group tours and shop-til-you-drop holidays that were popular before the pandemic and opting for more adventurous, experience-based trips like Zhangzou's, industry experts say.

"Independent travellers might be spending a bit more on travel and accommodation and so on, but they may well offset it by not spending as much in the luxury goods shops," said Steve Saxon, a Shenzhen-based partner at McKinsey & Co.

"There's a trend to be more active and that is flowing through into the types of trips people want to take," he added. "You don't just go to Thailand, you go to Thailand to do a kayaking or diving trip. Or if you go to Europe, you're going to ski."

While a record high number of Chinese will be holidaying at home amid a lacklustre economy, a smaller, wealthier but still significant number of people are opting for adventure, gourmet or cultural holidays abroad as flight schedules, and visa processing times, return to their pre-pandemic "normal".

China's international travel recovery remains a tick under 70% of 2019 levels, McKinsey's Saxon said, and that percentage would be higher without the United States, where levels are at just 19% of pre-pandemic levels due to limited flight capacity and geopolitical tensions.

On flights between Europe and China, seat bookings are at 93% of pre-pandemic levels, according to the data, independent travelers, rather than tour groups, driving the increase.

Zhou Weihong, deputy general manager at Shanghai-headquartered Spring Tour, the tour agency arm of budget airline Spring Airlines, said its Lunar New Year offers for Europe sold out weeks before the festival, even though prices remain above pre-pandemic levels.

Trips that involve a chance to see the Northern Lights have been particularly popular, Zhou added.

SHIFTING PRIORITIES

Globally, more younger travellers have embraced the trend towards more bespoke, "special interest" holidays since the pandemic ended, and Trip.com, China's largest online travel agency, has taken note.

Chief Executive Jane Sun told Reuters the agency was changing its approach to group tour offers to accommodate travellers' desire for more independence and flexibility.

"Consumer behavior is changing. So we have new products... private tours where the family will hire a driver, a tour guide, and design their own tour. For young families, these are very popular," Sun said, adding that such trips were growing in the "triple digits".

Younger travellers were gravitating to trips focused on meditation, cooking or photography, Sun said. Trip.com data shows popular outbound destinations for this year's Lunar New Year holiday include Southeast Asia, Japan and Australia.

European luxury brands that relied on big-spending Chinese tourists for growth before the pandemic have resigned themselves to making fewer sales to Chinese travellers. Last month, Louis Vuitton owner LVMH CFO Jean-Jacques Guiony told analysts sales to Chinese consumers in France were at about 70% of 2019 levels.

"It's not the same customers, fewer groups, much more independent travelers with a higher worth," he said. "We don't see the big bus loads of Chinese customers coming in groups."

For fashion influencer Zhangzou, the less packaged and more off the beaten track the holiday, the better.

This year, she is planning a safari trip to Kenya over the summer, and maybe a trip to Mexico or Cuba before Christmas."In 2023 I went to places I was familiar with, 2024 for me is about going somewhere different, I want to do some new things," she said.

(This story has been refiled to add the dropped word 'diving' in paragraph 6)

(Reporting by Casey Hall and Sophie Yu; editing by Miral Fahmy)
Marion Marechal, Marine Le Pen's niece and Executive Vice President of far-right party 'Reconquete', takes part in a protest by French farmers outside the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium January 24, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

PARIS (Reuters) - The French anti-Islam Reconquete party has said its sole European lawmaker will sit with the eurosceptic group that is home to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy, as alliances on Europe's right shift ahead of elections.

The move comes as far right parties across the continent, divided into two main groups inside the European Parliament, grapple with how they might coalesce into a more cohesive force ahead of a June vote in which polls show populists making gains.

Polls show the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR), which also counts Poland's Law and Justice, Spain's Vox and Finland's The Finns among its ranks, may overtake French President Emmanuel Macron's Renew Europe party in size.

"Reconquete shares ECR's political DNA! The real political right which acts upon its convictions: defence of the identity of nations and our civilisation when faced with immigration and Islamisation, defence of economic freedoms, ...the safeguarding of our values against wokeism," Reconquete co-chair Marion Marechal said on Wednesday.

Marechal is the niece of Marine Le Pen, leader of France's biggest far-right party, Rassemblement National (National Rally), which is aligned with the hard right Identity and Democracy (ID) group in the European Parliament.

A late January opinion survey for Les Echos newspaper showed Reconquete winning 7% of voter support in France compared with 27% for the Rassemblement National.

Analysts say Europe's far right will remain somewhat hobbled as a political force if the two factions do not work together.

Veteran Hungarian leader Viktor Orban has said his Fidesz party is in talks to join ECR, though not before the June elections. Orban, who maintains close ties to Moscow despite its invasion of Ukraine and for weeks stood in the way of a European financing package for Kyiv, would likely bring a sizeable cohort of lawmakers.

"There is the possibility that Fidesz will converge towards the ECR group if it supports our Euro-Atlantic stance," Carlo Fidanza, a eurodeputy with Meloni's Brothers of Italy party, told Reuters.

However, Orban would also bring risks for Meloni, whose stature as a European leader alongside Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has grown at past EU summits.

"How successful (Meloni) is will rest on her ability to ... engage the EU's periphery while being a core member," Eurointelligence wrote in a briefing note.

Marechal's Reconquete party was founded by Eric Zemmour who ran for president in 2022 on a nationalist programme promising to save France from a downward spiral that he blamed largely on what he described as unfettered immigration and the increasing influence of Islam. He holds several convictions for inciting racial hate.

(Reporting by Elizabeth Pineau, Richard Lough and Angelo Amante; Editing by Nick Macfie)
FILE PHOTO: Guatemala's new President Bernardo Arevalo attends a ceremony where he will be recognised as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, in Guatemala City, Guatemala, January 15, 2024. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas

By Sofia Menchu

GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Guatemala has no intention of breaking diplomatic relations with Taiwan despite seeking closer economic links with China, President Bernardo Arevalo said on Thursday, pledging to boost ties with both players in parallel.

Guatemala is one of only a handful of nations that still maintains formal ties with Taiwan. Next-door Honduras last year switched allegiances to China, which claims Taiwan as its own, after seeking almost $2.5 billion in aid from Beijing.

Arevalo assumed office in mid-January vowing to end corruption and establish relations with China, raising the possibility that those ties might come at the expense of historic diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Such an outcome looked closer this week when Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez told Reuters Guatemala was considering reaching out to China to develop formal trade ties, prompting the opposition to seek clarification on Guatemala's foreign policy plans.

Publicly reaffirming the country's Taiwan ties for the first time since taking office, Arevalo said his administration will not change course.

"We are not choosing," Arevalo told Reuters in an interview in Guatemala City's National Palace. "Diplomatic relations are with Taiwan and with the People's Republic of China there are trade relations that will continue to develop."

Arevalo, an academic and former diplomat, has promised to tackle the root causes of migration, especially rampant poverty that has fueled a huge exodus of Guatemalans to the U.S. mostly through illegal routes. In 2022, about 233,000 Guatemalans arrived at U.S. borders.

To broaden legal migration options, Arevalo's administration is now seeking a "significant increase" in quotas for temporary worker visas that Guatemalans can obtain under an agreement with the United States, the president said.

"We want to make this a pretty significant initiative," he said, adding that the two countries are in talks about "mechanisms" that Guatemala can use to sate the demand for labor in cities and rural areas in the United States.

(Editing by Drazen Jorgic; Editing by Josie Kao)
GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) -Guatemala on Wednesday said it reaffirmed its ties with Taiwan, days after its foreign minister told Reuters the government would seek official trade ties with China while maintaining relations with Taiwan, which China claims as a province.

The ministry said in a statement that Guatemala continues to recognize Taiwan as an independent nation, hours after opposition party Todos said it was seeking to question Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez in congress for him to clarify the government's plans regarding China.

"We are going to continue working with Taiwan at the levels we have been doing," Martinez said in the interview on Monday, while adding "the president has pointed out that we cannot ignore the weight and power China represents."

Martinez said Guatemala is interested in developing trade relations with China which could result in the creation of an office of trade interests.

China has in recent years increased its economic influence in Latin America, with many Central American countries such as Honduras and Panama switching loyalties from Taiwan to China.

(Reporting by Sofia Menchu and Valentine Hilaire; Editing by Sarah Morland)
FILE PHOTO: A worker stands on a temple rooftop adjacent to the Gyanvapi Mosque in the northern city of Varanasi, India, December 12, 2021. REUTERS/Pawan Kumar/File Photo

By Saurabh Sharma and Krishna N. Das

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Thousands of Hindus have been flocking to the site of India's 17th century Gyanvapi mosque where Hindu priests have been allowed to say prayers from a cellar in the latest sectarian dispute over holy sites.

A court ruled on Jan. 31 that Hindu priests can use that part of the mosque in the holy city of Varanasi, in India's most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, after an archaeological survey said it was built following the destruction of a temple there.

Conflicting religious claims have been dividing India - which has a Hindu majority of about 80% of its 1.42 billion people but also the world's third largest Muslim population - since independence from British rule in 1947.

Hindu priests in the adjoining Kashi Vishwanath temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, now offer prayers at the Gyanvapi mosque's cellar five times a day, said priest Ashutosh Vyas, who comes from one of the petitioner families in the legal case.

"Every day, more than 10,000 people visit the Gyanvapi area to get a glimpse of their lord from a distance," he said. "The number has been increasing since the court order. People are very desperately waiting to see a temple at the site."

Reuters could not independently verify the number of visitors. A government official, who declined to be named, said many among the tens of thousands of devotees who come to Kashi Vishwanath now also visit an area near the mosque from where the Hindu praying site can be seen.

DEITIES 'NOT GOING TO WAIT'

Senior police officer Ashok Mutha Jain said there had been no change in the security arrangement of the area with plainclothes officers in three shifts, as well as armed and unarmed forces, guarding it like before.

Syed Mohammad Yaseen, joint secretary of the Gyanvapi mosque committee, said Muslims are still praying there five times a day. "But I am a bit worried about the security of the mosque because pooja (Hindu prayers) have started and some objectionable slogans were once raised," he added, without specifying.

Syed Tufail Hasan, a Muslim lawmaker from the opposition Samajwadi Party, said the mosque-temple disputes must be resolved amicably. "Where does this end? Don't they realise how such conflicts will weaken the country?" he told reporters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a champion of Hindu causes who is likely to win a third term in an election due by May, last month led the consecration of a temple to the Hindu deity Ram on the site of another mosque razed by a Hindu mob in 1992.

Many Hindus believe Lord Ram was born there and the mosque in Ayodhya city, also in Uttar Pradesh, was built over a temple demolished by Muslim invaders. Muslim groups deny that.

Another dispute over another mosque in the state, in the Hindu holy city of Mathura, is also in court.

Muslim advocates say their minority rights and places of worship, plus India's secular society, are under threat. They dispute historical versions of destructions of Hindu temples.

About 14% of the population are Muslim.

Muslims accuse Modi's Hindu nationalist party of discriminating against them and imposing laws interfering with their faith. Modi denies this but the situation has led to sporadic violence between the two communities.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a Hindu monk from Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, told the state assembly on Wednesday that now that the Ayodhya temple has been inaugurated, the deities of the other two sites, Shiva of Varanasi and Krishna of Mathura, "were not going to wait".

(Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Italian Ilaria Salis, 39, smiles as she appears in court, after facing charges of taking part in an anti-fascist assault on far-right militants, in Budapest, Hungary, January 29, 2024. Zsofia Szollar/Index via REUTERS/File Photo

ROME (Reuters) - An Italian woman who is being held in a Budapest prison is getting better treatment after a protest last week to the Hungarian authorities, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told parliament on Thursday.

Images of Ilaria Salis, 39, being led into court with her feet and hands bound and a chain round her waist, drew widespread condemnation in Italy, and the Hungarian charge d'affaires was summoned to the foreign ministry in Rome.

Tajani said the Italian ambassador had met Salis on Wednesday and she had told him of improved hygiene and sanitary conditions and a friendlier approach by prison staff.

Salis can also "speak freely with her family and the embassy" and now has access to the videos supporting the prosecution case against her.

She is however yet to receive the Italian translation of her trial documents. "The embassy will come back to raise this issue," Tajani added.

Salis, an elementary school teacher from near Milan, is accused of taking part in a serious assault on two far-right militants by a group of anti-fascist activists in Budapest last February. She has pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors are seeking an 11-year sentence for Salis, who is next due in court on May 24.

The case is politically difficult for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as she and deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini have close ties with nationalist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

The family of Salis and opposition parties have accused the government of not having paid enough attention to the case and are pressing for her to be released to house arrest.

(Reporting by Claudia Cristoferi; Editing by Keith Weir)
(Reuters) -Investigators on Thursday said six members of a family were unaccounted for and feared dead in the charred ruins of a house in a Philadelphia suburb after the home was set ablaze by a suspect who shot and wounded two responding police officers.

The family, whose surname is Le, were residents of the house, according to Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer. Investigators also found the charred torso of one individual and have recovered a rifle, he said.

The incident began on Wednesday when police officers responded to a home in East Lansdowne, a suburb just west of Philadelphia, after receiving a call that an 11-year-old girl was shot, local officials said.

When police arrived, a suspect opened fire from inside the home, striking two officers, and set fire to the two-story, wood-frame home.

The fire burned too intensely for firefighters to enter as flames and smoke billowed out of the home, Stollsteimer told reporters on Wednesday.

The two wounded police officers were "doing very well" in the hospital, he said on Thursday, noting that one was wounded in the forearm and the other suffered a wound to his leg.

"We got the thumbs up from them," said Stollsteimer, the chief prosecutor for the county, which has a population of about 575,000.

(Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; editing by Christina Fincher)
Britain's Queen Camilla attends a musical evening at Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury, Britain February 8, 2024. The evening is being held to celebrate the work of local charities including The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust, The Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Communi

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's King Charles is doing "extremely well", his wife Queen Camilla said on Thursday, in her first public engagement since the 75-year-old monarch was diagnosed with cancer.

Speaking to a well-wisher at a charity concert at Salisbury Cathedral in southern England, Camilla said Charles was touched by the messages of support from the public.

"He's doing extremely well under the circumstances," she said. "He's very touched by all of the letters and the messages the public have been sending from everywhere. That's very cheering."

Charles' son and heir to the throne, Prince William, on Wednesday thanked the British public for their kind messages both about his father as well as his wife Kate following her recent surgery.

Kate, 42, underwent planned abdominal surgery on Jan. 16, and then spent two weeks in hospital recovering.

Since then, Charles has undergone treatment for an enlarged prostate, before Buckingham Palace announced on Monday that subsequent tests on the monarch had revealed he had a form of cancer.

With the king postponing public duties to undergo outpatient treatment and Kate not expected to return to engagements until after Easter, the onus is on the remaining royals, especially William and Camilla, to provide the public face of the monarchy.

(Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Lawyer David Cortman speaks with the media next to his client Liam Morrison, after arguments before a federal appeals court concerning a middle school's decision to not allow him to wear a t-shirt that says, "There are only two genders", in Boston, Massac

By Nate Raymond

BOSTON (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Thursday appeared skeptical that a Massachusetts middle school violated a student's right to free speech by requiring him to stop wearing a T-shirt that said, "There are only two genders."

A lawyer for Liam Morrison, 13, told the three judges of a 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel in Boston that officials at the Nichols Middle School in Middleborough violated the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment by censoring him when he expressed a view opposing its pro-LGBTQ stances.

The lawyer, David Cortman, said Morrison wore the shirt in seventh grade to show he disagreed with the school's support of "views that biology alone does not determine sex," which it expressed via pro-LGBTQ posters and Pride Month celebrations.

"What the school cannot do, even though they could share their own views, is decide that only students who agree with those views can speak, but anyone who disagrees should be silenced," Cortman said.

Yet Cortman, a lawyer with the conservative Christian legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, said that's what the school did when it told him to either remove the shirt or leave for the day, which he did.

The same thing happened when a few days later he wore a shirt saying There are [censored] genders," Cortman said. He said a lower-court judge got it wrong when she declined to block the school's shirt ban last year.

The case is one of a growing number of lawsuits by conservative litigants challenging school policies aimed at protecting LGBTQ students from harassment and respecting their pronouns and gender identities.

The judges in Morrison's case, all appointed by Democratic presidents, questioned why the school's actions were not justified to ensure a safe educational environment for nonbinary students and deter disruptions the shirt would prompt.

U.S. Circuit Judge Lara Montecalvo contrasted the shirt with a brochure handed out by students expressing a particular message, saying unlike those pieces of paper, a student could not throw away the shirt that Morrison was wearing.

"A T-shirt that is worn all day is worn all day," she said. "You have to look at it, you have to read it."

Deborah Ecker, a lawyer for the Middleborough School Committee, said the school officials' actions were motivated by concern for the mental health of LGBTQ students, "who are captive in this classroom looking at it."

"I think that this message, that there are only two genders, is vile and it says to someone who is nonbinary that you do not exist, that your validity does not exist, and it attacks the very core characteristic," she said.

U.S. Circuit Judge David Barron noted that, following news reports about the incident with Morrison's first shirt, the school received threatening messages and was forced to call in a police detail as protests began.

"That's all traced back to the shirt," he said. "Had that not happened, none of it would have happened."

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Jonathan Oatis)
FILE PHOTO: SpaceX logo and Elon Musk photo are seen in this illustration taken, December 19, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

(Reuters) - The Mongolian government said on Thursday it is in talks with Elon Musk's SpaceX to launch the country's first national telecommunications satellite, its latest move to improve connectivity and develop its "domestic space economy."

The satellite, currently being constructed by French company Thales Alenia Space, is tasked with improving Mongolia's disaster management and emergency response, increasing broadband internet access and supporting its scientific research and education among other purposes, the government said in a statement.

"Launching our own satellite marks a defining moment for Mongolia's journey towards becoming a spacefaring nation," Mongolia's Minister of Digital Development and Communications Uchral Nyam-Osor said in the statement.

"It signifies Mongolia's commitment to fostering a thriving domestic space industry and its pursuit of a digital future driven by cutting-edge innovation," Nyam-Osor added.

The talks came after Mongolia granted two licences for SpaceX to operate as an internet service provider using low-orbit satellites last year, which would enable millions of internet users in the country to access high-speed connection via Starlink.

"SpaceX's investment in Mongolia demonstrates the confidence they have in the digital transformation and sustainable development programmes at the centre of Mongolia's New Recovery Policy and Vision2050," Nyam-Osor said.

Starlink services in Mongolia are expected to be available from late February.

The satellite communications service operated by SpaceX has built a fast-growing network of more than 3,500 satellites in low-Earth orbit that can provide connectivity in remote areas.

Resource-rich Mongolia has extensive deposits of rare earth minerals and copper, which are critical materials in the electric vehicle supply chain.

(Reporting by Ethan Wang, Ella Cao and Ryan Woo; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Boeing Commercial Sales and Marketing Vice President Ihssane Mounir attends a news conference at the 53rd International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport near Paris

Boeing Commercial Sales and Marketing Vice President Ihssane Mounir attends a news conference at the 53rd International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport near Paris

By Valerie Insinna

SEATTLE (Reuters) - A top Boeing executive on Wednesday urged suppliers to maintain the pace of the current 737 production schedule, but acknowledged that an ongoing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) audit of the company's 737 MAX production line could force changes to the schedule.

Boeing reaffirmed its 737 master schedule in a Jan. 22 email to its suppliers following the Jan. 5 mid-air cabin panel blowout on a MAX 9, Reuters previously reported.

The supplier master schedule, which lays out the expectation for when suppliers should be at a given production rate, calls for a production rate for the 737s of 42 per month, starting this month.

However, the FAA capped Boeing's 737 production line at its current rate of 38 aircraft per month while the regulator investigates Boeing's manufacturing practices -- a situation which could leave Boeing lagging behind its supply chain, depending on how long the limit on production lasts.

"I would ask all of you to bear with us," Boeing supply chain head Ihssane Mounir said at an aerospace supplier conference outside Seattle, adding that the planemaker understands suppliers have had to hire workers and make investments ahead of the planned ramp-up.

"We will work with you on an individual basis in terms of what you need to do, whether that is building inventory, whether that is your business requirements," he said.

Boeing has been embroiled in a full-blown safety and reputational crisis following the Jan. 5 accident involving a recently delivered Alaska Airlines MAX 9.

Mounir, in his first public remarks since the accident, struck a tone of unity, imploring suppliers to be transparent about problems that could lead to a breakdown in quality.

"Please raise your hands, talk to us," he said. "If there are business requirements we need to address to help your stability and help the quality, we'll sit down and we'll go through those discussions."

In addition to a Jan. 17 memo directing suppliers to ensure that bolts are properly tightened, which Reuters reported last month, Mounir said Boeing recently issued guidance to its supply chain to reduce traveled work on the 737 program. Traveled work is the practice of completing work on a production line out of the ordinary sequence.

(Reporting by Valerie Insinna; Editing by Leslie Adler and Bill Berkrot)
Participants attend a commemorative rally for people killed a year ago inside the building of Mariupol's Drama Theatre by Russian air strike, amid a siege on the city during Russia's invasion, in front of the Opera Theatre in Kyiv, Ukraine March 16, 2023.

By Emma Farge

GENEVA (Reuters) - At least 8,000 people were killed by fighting or war-related causes in Russia's months-long conquest of Mariupol, one of the biggest battles of the nearly two-year war between Russia and Ukraine, according to Human Rights Watch.

Mariupol became a byword for horror during a nearly three-month-long Russian siege for control of the strategic port city between March and May 2022, with trapped civilians forced to bury their dead by the roadside.

The Human Rights Watch assessment, based on satellite and other images of grave sites, is one of the only independent estimates of the death toll so far.

Ukraine has said tens of thousands were killed but that it cannot give an exact number without access to the city, now under Russian control.

The United Nations, which has rights monitors on the ground in Ukraine, has so far documented more than 10,000 civilian deaths in the country overall since Russia's invasion but says it has not yet been able to corroborate reports of high civilian deaths in Mariupol due to access constraints.

Russia has vigorously denied committing atrocities or targeting civilians in Ukraine.

Human Rights Watch said the total could be significantly higher than its estimate since some graves have been known to contain multiple bodies and some sites might not have been identified.

The full 224-page report 'Our City Was Gone: Russia's Devastation of Mariupol, Ukraine' compiled with NGO Truth Hounds and architecture practice SITU, also draws on some 240 interviews with mostly displaced Mariupol residents.

HRW documents attacks that struck civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, a supermarket and a theatre sheltering civilians. It found no evidence of a Ukrainian military presence at these sites or nearby, which it said made the attacks unlawful.

"Russian forces' devastation of Mariupol stands out as one of the worst chapters of their full-scale invasion of Ukraine," said Ida Sawyer, crisis and conflict director at Human Rights Watch, calling for governments to investigate.

The report names 10 people with "command responsibility" it said should be focus of possible war crimes investigations.

(Reporting by Emma Farge; Additional reporting by Thomas Balmforth; Editing by Peter Graff)
Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks during a pre-Super Tuesday rally at a Hollywood American Legion Post in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 7, 2024. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci

By Alexandra Ulmer and Gram Slattery

(Reuters) - Nikki Haley finished a disappointing third in the Iowa Republican nominating contest and a distant second in New Hampshire, while in Nevada - where she was the only candidate in Tuesday's primary - she finished behind ballots marked "none of these candidates."

And if opinion polls are correct, the 52-year-old former South Carolina governor faces certain defeat to Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, 77, in her home state on Feb. 24.

Despite her performance to date and no sign of a clear path to overtaking the former president in the race, some donors are continuing to bankroll her. During a two-day swing through California this week she raked in $1.7 million, according to her campaign.

The financial spigots remain open in part because donors believe Trump's multiple criminal cases could yet end up pushing him out of the race, according to interviews with around a dozen donors, fundraisers and advisers to donors.

"Haley needs to keep accumulating delegates and either persuade primary voters to support her or be there when Trump stumbles," said donor Eric Levine, a New York-based litigator.

Trump faces four pending criminal cases, including two related to his efforts to reverse his 2020 presidential election loss. He could potentially be convicted, or acquitted, before his likely rematch in the November election with Democrat Joe Biden. Trump says he is the victim of persecution, but the Justice Department says it acts without political bias.

Haley's campaign says it raised $16.5 million in January alone, its strongest month to date. Reuters was not immediately able to verify those numbers. The campaign had just under $15 million in the bank at the end of last year, federal disclosures show.

North Carolina retail businessman Art Pope, who most recently gave money toward Haley's campaign last week, said the idea of the former U.N. ambassador being an "insurance policy" in case Trump is convicted comes up in conversations with other donors.

That rationale also came up repeatedly in Reuters interviews with donors and fundraisers, who cited Trump's age as another risk. Some said they still saw a path through the remaining primary states for Haley to win the nomination.

"The polls are not favorable but they don't decide," Pope said.

To be sure, some Haley donors have already jumped ship and are being courted by Trump.

In a statement to Reuters, Haley's campaign said Trump would lose against Biden in a general election and that the United States needed a "new generational leader."

Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said Haley was a "useful idiot" for Democrats and "Never Trumpers."

"She would rather see the world burn than to unify the party," Cheung said.

'HALEY REPUBLICANS'

Silicon Valley venture capitalist Tim Draper held one of the fundraisers for Haley at his home on Tuesday. About a third of those present, Draper estimated, were Democrats.

"The Democrats are now called 'Haley Republicans,'" Draper said.

Trump and his allies have blasted Haley, a relative moderate in the current Republican Party, for her support from centrist Republicans repelled by Trump, as well as Democrats keen for her to continue distracting the Republican frontrunner.

Since losing the New Hampshire primary to Trump on Jan. 23, Haley has ramped up her attacks on him, calling into question his cognitive abilities and describing him as "unhinged."

In addition to making comments about Haley seen as sexist and racist, Trump has threatened to banish her donors from his orbit. But that backfired when Haley launched a fundraising drive off the warning.

One recent Haley donor is Adam Kinzinger, a Trump critic and former U.S. representative.

Kinzinger said on social media platform X that Trump's warning to Haley's donors showed her getting under Trump's skin.

"The more we get in his head ... the more he cracks," Kinzinger said.

While Haley appears to have the will and the funds to keep going, her path may start to fray after her expected defeats.

If that happens, at some point "donors will reconsider," said Pope.

For now, though, Haley appears to be all in.

"This is going to hurt, and it's going to leave some bruises," Haley said at campaign event in Los Angeles on Wednesday. "I don't mind taking that, if you'll go right along with me."

(Reporting by Alexandra Ulmer and Gram Slattery; additional reporting by Luc Cohen; editing by Ross Colvin and Jonathan Oatis)
FILE PHOTO: New Nokia logo is displayed before GSMA's 2023 ahead of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain February 26, 2023. REUTERS/ Albert Gea/File Photo

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Finland's Nokia has reached agreement in its last remaining major smartphone patent license negotiation, it said on Thursday.

"Nokia Technologies  Nokia's licensing business  will now enter a period of stability with no major smartphone agreements expiring for a number of years," it said in a statement.

(Reporting by Anna Ringstrom, editing by Terje Solsvik)
By Kanishka Singh

(Reuters) - The stabbing of a Palestinian-American man in Austin, Texas, over the weekend meets the definition of a hate crime and local prosecutors will determine charges, Austin police said on Wednesday.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) advocacy group said a group of Muslim Americans were driving home from a pro-Palestinian protest on Sunday when the suspect attacked their vehicle at a stop sign.

The suspect, identified by police as Bert James Baker, shouted obscenities and stabbed a 23-year-old Palestinian-American in the chest, CAIR said.

Baker was arrested on Sunday, booked into county jail and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, police said. He could not be reached for comment.

A police statement on Wednesday said the police Hate Crimes Review Committee had determined the incident met the definition of a hate crime. It said local prosecutors will determine any further charges.

The victim's father, Nizar Doar, identified the victim as Zacharia Doar. The father told a CAIR-hosted press conference on Tuesday his son was trying to subdue Baker and suffered a broken rib. The son had since undergone surgery.

Human rights advocates cite a rise in Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian bias and antisemitism in the U.S. that began with a Palestinian Hamas attack in Israel on Oct. 7 in which 1,200 people were killed, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel has responded with a ground and air attack on Hamas-ruled Gaza, killing more than 27,000 people, according to the local Palestinian health ministry.

Previous U.S. incidents include a November shooting of three students of Palestinian descent in Vermont and the fatal October stabbing of a 6-year-old Palestinian American in Illinois.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Howard Goller)
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape attends the Lowy Institute think tank in Sydney, Australia December 11, 2023. REUTERS/Kirsty Needham/ File photo

By Kirsty Needham and Peter Hobson

SYDNEY/CANBERRA (Reuters) -Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said on Thursday his nation's economic growth would make Australia more secure, but that it also could not ignore the opportunities China that offered.

Marape was speaking during a visit to Canberra, that comes as Australia competes with China for influence and security ties in the Pacific region.

He addressed the national parliament, a first by a Pacific Island leader, where he told Australian lawmakers that PNG needs to become a self-sustaining economy.

"A strong economically empowered Papua New Guinea means a stronger and more secure Australia and Pacific," he said in the televised speech. "In a world of many relations with many nations, nothing will come in between our two countries because we are family."

In a speech later at the Australian National University, Marape said a close relationship with Australia and the United States did not mean Papua New Guinea could ignore the huge commercial opportunities offered by China.

"We will not compromise our relations with China just as much as we will not compromise our relations with the USA," he said. "We also believe that someone else's enemy is not my enemy. We maintain good relations with all nations."

"They (China) totally respect our security arrangements with the USA, our security arrangement with Australia," he said.

"When I went to Beijing they steered clear of security conversations. They honoured us in the economic space. That is simply because we were transparent with them, we don't play nations against each another."

PRIMARY PARTNER

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted the historical and geographic closeness of the two nations, and Australia's support for PNG roads, port upgrades, clean energy and hospitals, as well as new undersea telecommunications cables.

Australia wanted to secure PNG's future as its "primary partner", he said.

Australia is the largest aid donor to PNG, and struck a security agreement covering policing and defence in December. Both nations count China as a major trading partner.

After deadly riots in the PNG capital Port Moresby in January during a police strike, Marape is seeking progress during his visit in implementing the A$200 million ($131 million) security and policing agreement.

In a joint statement on Thursday, Marape and Albanese said they had discussed defence and security, with A$100 million to be spent by Australia on boosting PNG's internal security, including new police training facilities and barracks.

The statement noted deepening links between the two nations' defence forces, including joint exercises, naval base construction and Australia's provision of a patrol boat and two aircraft.

Earlier, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong told reporters Marape's speech to the parliament showed Australia wanted greater engagement with the Pacific.

"We know that China is a great power asserting its interests. What we are doing is re-emphasising our part in the Pacific family and the importance of that engagement," Wong said.

Foreign Minister Justin Tkachenko last week told Reuters that PNG had been approached by China with an offer to assist its police force with training, equipment and surveillance technology, although no decision had been made. He told the Australian Broadcast Corporation on Wednesday that PNG would not proceed with a security deal with China.

($1 = 1.5326 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham and Peter Hobson; Editing by Stephen Coates and Gerry Doyle and Miral Fahmy)
WARSAW (Reuters) - Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Thursday that Republican senators in the United States should be ashamed for blocking a $60 billion aid package for Ukraine, saying former U.S. President Ronald Reagan would be "turning in his grave".

Republicans in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday defeated a bipartisan effort to bolster border security that had taken months to negotiate, but said they could still approve aid for Ukraine, and Israel, that had been tied up in the deal.

"Dear Republican Senators of America. Ronald Reagan, who helped millions of us to win back our freedom and independence, must be turning in his grave today," Tusk wrote on social media platform X. "Shame on you."

Poland has been one of Ukraine's staunchest allies since Russia invaded the country in 2022.

Ronald Reagan, a Republican, was the 40th president of the United States, holding the role from 1981 to 1989. He was known for taking a tough stance against the Soviet Union, which he famously described as the "evil empire".

U.S. Republicans for months have insisted that any additional U.S. aid to Ukraine, and Israel, must also address the high numbers of migrants arriving at the U.S-Mexico border - a top voter concern.

Donald Trump, far and away the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, has said he would ask European allies to reimburse the United States for around $200 billion worth of munitions sent to Ukraine.

That has raised fears that U.S. funding for Kyiv in its war against Russia would dry up completely during a potential second Trump administration.

(Reporting by Alan Charlish; Editing by Susan Fenton)
FILE PHOTO: Exxon Mobil logo and stock graph are seen through a magnifier displayed in this illustration taken September 4, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

By Ross Kerber

(Reuters) -A group of religious investors urged Exxon Mobil to drop a lawsuit against climate activists, saying in a letter to the energy company's board seen by Reuters on Thursday that the action is a broad threat to shareholder rights.

"This unprecedented suit risks alienating shareholders, harming Exxons reputation, and undermining the Securities and Exchange Commission" (SEC) by sidestepping the usual regulatory path companies use to block resolutions, states the Feb. 7 letter from the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility.

The group represents religious investors and other socially minded institutions with some $4 trillion in total assets.

Members include Arjuna Capital of Massachusetts. It and Amsterdam-based activist group Follow This had filed a shareholder proposal calling on Exxon to strengthen its targets for emissions cuts.

On Jan. 21, Exxon sued to block the resolution, breaking with the traditional process in which companies ask U.S. regulators for permission to skip votes at their annual meetings. The filers then withdrew their proposal, but Exxon has continued the lawsuit seeking to recover legal costs and other relief.

In a motion on Monday, Exxon said the activists hope to constrain its business rather than increase shareholder value. In response to the letter from the religious investors, an Exxon spokesperson said it hopes the suit will motivate the SEC to re-evaluate how it interprets the rules about what shareholder motions can come to vote.

"We share the same concerns about shareholder rights being preserved, which is why we want clarity on a process that has become ripe for abuse. Proposals like this are obviously not in investors' best interests," the spokesperson said.

Shareholder proposals have put environmental issues at the center of many corporate meetings, winning some support from top asset managers concerned about climate change.

Josh Zinner, CEO of the Interfaith Center, said Exxon is trying to silence investors rather than grapple with how to lower emissions as other companies are doing. "This is not some fringe idea, that's why it (Exxon's suit) is particularly troubling," Zinner said.

Late on Thursday the Council of Institutional Investors, representing big state pension funds and other asset managers, also offered support for the SEC but stopped short of calling for an end to the lawsuit.

While companies have the right to go to court, "experience suggests that most market participants view the SECs Division of Corporation Finance as a fair arbiter," the council said in a statement posted to its website.

Council members include Exxon and other companies with employee retirement plan assets. But Exxon had no input on Thursday's statement, said the council's executive director Amy Borrus.

Exxon has made traditional requests with regulators to skip seven other resolutions so far this year. In addition to their resolution at Exxon, Arjuna and Follow This filed a similar resolution with rival oil major Chevron.

In contrast to Exxon's suit, Chevron asked the SEC for permission to skip a vote on the resolution and noted a similar proposal won little investor support last year, disclosures show. The activists then withdrew the proposal, citing the Texas litigation.

Chevron did not respond to requests for comment.

(Reporting by Ross Kerber; Editing by David Gregorio)
FILE PHOTO: A view shows residential buildings heavily damaged by permanent Russian military strikes in the front line town of Avdiivka, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine November 8, 2023. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty/Serhii N

KYIV (Reuters) - Russian troops are engaged in fighting with Ukrainian forces inside the beleaguered town of Avdiivka, which has been under sustained Russian assault since mid-October, Ukraine's military said on Thursday.

Russian forces have been trying to advance on the town, noted for its vast coking plant and seen as a gateway to the Russian-held city of Donetsk, 20 km (12 miles) to the east.

"I can confirm this -- yes, there are clashes going on not only in the area of private homes north of the city but already within the town itself," Dmytro Lykhovyy, a Ukrainian military spokesperson, told national television.

Russian troops were concentrated north of the city, he said, with the aim of severing the sole road supplying Ukrainian forces in the town. The situation, he said, was "difficult but controllable".

Pounded by fighting in the region since 2014 that surged in February 2022 when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Avdiivka has sustained heavy damage.

Avdiivka Mayor Vitaliy Barabash said there were now 941 residents in the town that was once home to 32,000 people. The town was briefly seized by pro-Russian forces when they captured large chunks of territory in eastern Ukraine in 2014 but was retaken by Ukrainian troops who later installed major fortifications.

Barabash had earlier told national television that Russian forces were pressing from all directions, and the situation was increasingly difficult for Ukrainian troops defending the town.

"The enemy is pressuring from all directions. They are storming with very numerous forces," Barabash said, describing the situation as "very difficult and hot".

Avdiivka's fall would be hailed by Russian authorities as a hard-fought victory before an election next month in which President Vladimir Putin is almost certain to be re-elected.

The Ukrainian military's general staff, in its evening report, said its forces had repelled 17 attacks on Avdiivka and five more in nearby areas.

The general staff also reported heavy Russian shelling near Bakhmut, another devastated town that fell to Russian troops last May with heavy loss of life on both sides.

Ukraine's ground forces said the situation was tense across the east, with Russian troops trying to break through defences near Chasiv Yar, a town west of Bakhmut.

(Reporting by Olena Harmash and Tom Balmforth; Editing by Timothy Heritage, Ron Popeski and Jonathan Oatis)
A still image from video, released by the Russian Defence Ministry, shows what it said to be captured Russian service personnel in a bus following the latest exchange of prisoners of war at an unknown location in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict, in

(Reuters) -Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 100 prisoners of war from each side in the nearly two-year-old war, with the United Arab Emirates acting as an intermediary, both countries said on Thursday.

Russia's Defence Ministry, in a post on the Telegram messaging app, said returning soldiers would undergo medical examinations in Moscow.

It noted the UAE's "humanitarian mediation", as did Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and the Ukrainian body overseeing exchanges of POWs.

Zelenskiy, writing on Telegram, said the majority of those brought home had taken part in the three-month defence of the Sea of Azov port of Mariupol, eventually captured by Russian forces in May 2022.

"We always remember our people in captivity, everyone. We need to get everyone back. We are working on that every day," Zelenskiy wrote, singling out the help extended by the UAE.

Pictures alongside the post showed servicemen draped in the blue and yellow national flag, embracing and speaking on mobile phones.

A Russian Defence Ministry video posted on Telegram showed servicemen boarding a bus and chatting animatedly among themselves and on phones.

Ukraine's Coordinating Committee on Dealing with Prisoners of War said 28 of the returning servicemen were injured or ill.

It said 84 had taken part in the defence of Mariupol, with the others serving in other parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, partly occupied by Russian forces.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry's Intelligence Directorate, told reporters at the site of the servicemen's return that 3,135 Ukrainian POWs had now been brought home.

In a video posted online, he urged Ukrainians to disregard scepticism about the time involved in a complicated process.

"As you can see, it has taken a bit of time, but the only thing that matters is the result. Look over there and you have the answer to your question," Budanov said.

"As for how we are achieving this, sorry. You won't get such answers until all the heroes are home."

(Reporting by Maxim Rodionov, Yuliia Dysa and Ron Popeski; Editing by Hugh Lawson, Cynthia Osterman and Jonathan Oatis)
U.S. President Joe Biden meets with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., March 3, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

By Andreas Rinke and Sarah Marsh

BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said his talks with U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington on Friday will focus on how to strengthen support for Ukraine to help it battle Russia's invasion.

Ukraine, which is outmanned and outgunned on the battlefield in a war about to head into its third year, relies heavily on its Western allies for military and financial support.

The United States has to date been Kyiv's biggest backer but Scholz's visit to Washington comes as worry is mounting over its commitment to Ukraine, with Congress stalling over an aid package request made by Biden in October amid political infighting.

The possible return of Donald Trump to the White House could further damage that commitment, European politicians worry.

"What has so far been agreed in Europe and the U.S. Congress is not enough so far," Scholz said at the airport in Berlin shortly before flying off to Washington. "So we need to find a way for us all to do more together."

Scholz's visit will start on Thursday with a dinner with U.S. lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. On Friday morning he will have breakfast with U.S. business leaders before meeting with Biden in the afternoon.

The European Union approved a four-year 50 billion euro ($54 billion) facility for Ukraine last week in a boost for Kyiv which depends heavily on its Western allies for military and financial support.

Germany alone has so far delivered or committed to some 28 billion euros in aid for Ukraine, government officials say.

"Germany has already made a very large contribution," Scholz said. "But that will not be enough on its own."

Ukrainian military officials have said they face an acute shortage of ammunition and artillery shells as Russian forces press on with renewed assaults on several areas in the east and southeast of the country.

Scholz warned that a potential Russian victory was not just of concern for Ukraine and Europe but the whole world, in an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal published on Thursday.

"Russia's brutal attempt to steal territory by force could serve as a blueprint for other authoritarian leaders around the globe," he said. "More countries would run the risk of falling prey to a nearby predator."

Scholz aimed to also discuss plans for strengthening the western NATO defence alliance and the Israel-Hamas war in his meeting with Biden, German government officials said.

Scholz said both felt the responsibility to stand by Israel's side while developing the conditions necessary for a sustainable peace in the region, such as a two-state solution and humanitarian aid for Gaza.

(Reporting by Andreas Rinke, Sarah Marsh, Miranda Murray and Madeline Chambers, Editing by Rachel More and Angus MacSwan)
The analysts might have been a bit too bullish on BP p.l.c. (LON:BP.), given that the company fell short of expectations when it released its annual results last week. Results look to have been somewhat negative - revenue fell 8.4% short of analyst estimates at US$208b, and statutory earnings of US$0.86 per share missed forecasts by 9.1%. Following the result, the analysts have updated their earnings model, and it would be good to know whether they think there's been a strong change in the company's prospects, or if it's business as usual. So we collected the latest post-earnings statutory consensus estimates to see what could be in store for next year.

Check out our latest analysis for BP

Following the latest results, BP's 18 analysts are now forecasting revenues of US$215.8b in 2024. This would be a satisfactory 3.6% improvement in revenue compared to the last 12 months. Statutory earnings per share are forecast to decrease 7.3% to US$0.84 in the same period. In the lead-up to this report, the analysts had been modelling revenues of US$222.4b and earnings per share (EPS) of US$0.86 in 2024. It's pretty clear that pessimism has reared its head after the latest results, leading to a weaker revenue outlook and a minor downgrade to earnings per share estimates.

The analysts made no major changes to their price target of UK6.12, suggesting the downgrades are not expected to have a long-term impact on BP's valuation. It could also be instructive to look at the range of analyst estimates, to evaluate how different the outlier opinions are from the mean. The most optimistic BP analyst has a price target of UK9.97 per share, while the most pessimistic values it at UK5.00. This is a fairly broad spread of estimates, suggesting that analysts are forecasting a wide range of possible outcomes for the business.

One way to get more context on these forecasts is to look at how they compare to both past performance, and how other companies in the same industry are performing. For example, we noticed that BP's rate of growth is expected to accelerate meaningfully, with revenues forecast to exhibit 3.6% growth to the end of 2024 on an annualised basis. That is well above its historical decline of 4.2% a year over the past five years. What's also interesting is that our data suggests that other companies (with analyst coverage) in a similar industry are forecast to see their revenue decline 0.8% annually for the foreseeable future. So although BP is expected to return to growth, it's also expected to grow revenues during a time when the wider industry is estimated to see revenue decline.

Story continues

The Bottom Line

The biggest concern is that the analysts reduced their earnings per share estimates, suggesting business headwinds could lay ahead for BP. Unfortunately, they also downgraded their revenue estimates, and our data indicates that is expected to perform better than the wider industry. Even so, earnings per share are more important to the intrinsic value of the business. There was no real change to the consensus price target, suggesting that the intrinsic value of the business has not undergone any major changes with the latest estimates.

Keeping that in mind, we still think that the longer term trajectory of the business is much more important for investors to consider. We have estimates - from multiple BP analysts - going out to 2026, and you can see them free on our platform here.

You should always think about risks though. Case in point, we've spotted 2 warning signs for BP you should be aware of, and 1 of them 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.
A person wears stickers of Fine Gael candidate Emer Currie as votes are counted in Ireland's national election, at a counting centre in Citywest, near Dublin, Ireland, February 9, 2020. REUTERS/Lorraine O'Sullivan/File Photo

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Support in Ireland for Sinn Fein fell six percentage points to 28% in an opinion poll on Thursday, the second survey in the last two weeks to show a narrowing of its still wide lead ahead of an election due early next year.

Sinn Fein has led each of its two main rivals by around 10 percentage points for the last two years, putting the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army on course to enter government for the first time and lead the next coalition.

Despite falling on Thursday to its lowest level of support in three years in an Irish Times/Ipsos B&A poll, Sinn Fein was still eight points clear of Fianna Fail and nine clear of Fine Gael, the centre-right parties that currently share power.

The slip in support followed a four-point Sinn Fein fall to 25% in a Jan. 28 Business Post RED C poll, which put its nearest rival in that series, Fine Gael, within five points of the leftwing party.

However Ireland's third major opinion poll series, conducted by the Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks, showed Sinn Fein slipping by just one point to 29% last week and maintaining a 10-point lead.

Neither of its two main rivals made more than a one percentage point gain in any of the three polls. The governing Greens and smaller centre-left parties advanced in Thursday's poll, while independent candidates, who tend to be more conservative, were the chief beneficiaries in the Jan. 28 poll.

A narrower Sinn Fein lead, if repeated at the next election, would make its task of forming a coalition much more difficult and buoy the current three-party government's hopes of returning to power.

Immigration topped the list of issues getting the attention of respondents in Thursday's poll, ahead of the long-time dominant theme of housing that Sinn Fein has particularly capitalised on.

"Even if the next general election is a year away, it is visible on the horizon, and a significant drop in support for Sinn Fein may be the first sign of cold feet, but it is far too early to say," Ipsos managing director Damian Loscher said.

(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Nick Macfie)
FILE PHOTO: Demonstrators attend a protest against the government's proposal to cancel a branch of prosecution which the opposition says will let serious economic crimes remain unpunished and protect government figures, in Bratislava, Slovakia, February 7

By Jan Lopatka

(Reuters) - The Slovak parliament approved reforms scrapping a special prosecution branch dealing with high-level crime and lowering punishments for financial crimes in a fast-track procedure on Thursday, amid public protests and concerns from the European Commission.

The government of Prime Minister Robert Fico, who took power last October for the fourth time after a stint in opposition, has argued the changes are necessary to end what it called excesses at the Special Prosecutor's Office and bias against the now-ruling SMER-SSD party.

"The past government ... disrupted principles of the rule of law and violated human rights," SMER deputy Tibor Gaspar, a former police president who has been the subject of ongoing investigations, told parliament.

The government said the changes modernise the criminal code by lowering long prison terms and preferring alternative punishments.

President Zuzana Caputova immediately signalled she would try to stop the changes, possibly through a veto or a court challenge.

The opposition, and tens of thousands of Slovaks who protested at rallies across the country in the past weeks, say the changes will protect Fico's political and business allies from investigations.

The law was a "monstrous amnesty" for that circle, said deputy Michal Sipos from the opposition Slovensko party.

The European Commission called on the government in December not to fast-track the changes, and raised concerns over some of the reforms including continuity of investigation of high-level corruption and sufficient protection of EU funds, according to a letter sent to the Slovak government and seen by Reuters.

An EU official said on Thursday the commission's concerns remained, which could possibly lead to legal action and budgetary consequences. It has taken similar steps against Poland and Hungary in past years.

The government has said it was consulting the EU on the reform and made some last-minute changes to its proposal, but it was not clear whether this would ease the concerns.

President Caputova called the approval "bad news for Slovakia and all its citizens".

"I will consider all possible courses of action, with the sole purpose of this law not to enter force at all," she said in a statement.

The proposal would lower sentences, for example for misuse of money from EU funds, corruption, tax fraud, theft, or manipulation of public tenders.

Sentences for many crimes would be changed to suspended sentences or home detention, and statues of limitations that make crimes unpunishable after given periods would be shortened.

"The combination of these changes will cause a significant change in how property and economic crime is evaluated," non-government organisation Via Iuris said.

The Special Prosecutor's Office, which is to be scrapped in weeks, opened over 100 cases against business leaders, members of the judiciary and police following a 2020 election victory by parties promising to fight graft.

In opposition at the time, Fico himself faced police charges which were later dropped.

(Reporting by Jan Lopatka in Prague; additional reporting by Gabriela Baczynska in Brussels; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
The United Nations headquarters building is pictured with a UN logo in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., March 1, 2022. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo

By Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber

GENEVA (Reuters) -The U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child on Thursday urged Russia to end the forcible transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine in violation of international law, and return them to their families.

Kyiv says 20,000 children have been taken from Ukraine to Russia without family or guardians' consent, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) is seeking the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin for alleged illegal deportation, an accusation the Kremlin denies.

In a report on Russia, the U.N. committee said Moscow should provide information about the precise number of children taken from Ukraine and their whereabouts, so they can be identified and returned.

The committee also said Russia should ensure that no child was deprived of their Ukrainian nationality, and that their identity, name and family relations must be preserved.

Moscow, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, says it has only been protecting vulnerable children from a war zone.

Committee chair Ann Skelton said the committee and a Russian delegation that travelled to Geneva last month for talks on child issues had been "talking past one another".

"We found often in the dialogue that we were using one type of terminology and they were using another," she said.

"We were using the word 'adoption' and they were denying that it's adoption and talking about 'fostering children'."

She said the delegation had acknowledged that many children had been given Russian citizenship, "which would also in itself mean that these children were losing their identity and being given a Russian identity".

The ICC issued arrest warrants last March for Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's commissioner for children's rights, on charges of illegally deporting children from Ukraine.

The ICC's chief prosecutor said Russia had transferred "at least hundreds" of children from orphanages and care homes in occupied regions of Ukraine, and that many had been given up for adoption.

The Kremlin dismissed the ICC allegations as "outrageous and unacceptable".

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Mark Potter)
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks during Prime Minister's Questions, at the House of Commons in London, Britain, February 7, 2024. UK Parliament/Maria Unger/Handout via REUTERS

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declined on Thursday to apologise for a gender identity jibe at opposition leader Keir Starmer, which drew criticism in the light of the widely reported recent murder of a transgender girl.

Sunak's Conservatives, trailing badly in opinion polls ahead of an election this year, have increasingly sought to weaponise identity politics and cast the Labour Party as excessively liberal or "woke".

On Wednesday, Sunak said Labour's leader had changed course on "defining a woman", during a parliamentary exchange that the mother of the murdered girl, Brianna Ghey, had been invited to watch.

Sunak's team said the prime minister had been trying to illustrate how Labour had changed its mind on major policies.

However, political opponents immediately accused Sunak of insensitively exploiting a family tragedy. Ghey's father told Sky News he had been shocked and felt Sunak should apologise.

Asked about his comments, Sunak told reporters: "I've nothing but the most heartfelt sympathy for her entire family and friends.

"But to use that tragedy to detract from the very separate and clear point I was making about Keir Starmer's proven track record of multiple U-turns on major policies because he doesn't have a plan, I think, is both sad and wrong, and it demonstrates the worst of politics."

Asked a second time, he said his remarks were "absolutely legitimate" in the political context.

(Reporting by William James; editing by Elizabeth Piper and Kevin Liffey)
Men wait for their turn to cast a vote at a polling station during the general election in Karachi, Pakistan February 8, 2024. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro

By Michelle Nichols and Kanishka Singh

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday expressed concern about violence in Pakistan and the suspension of mobile communications services on election day in the South Asian nation, his spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

Pakistan counted votes after polling ended on Thursday in a general election marred by militant attacks and suspension of mobile phone services, with no indication of a clear leader hours after voting closed - an unusual delay compared to previous polls.

Mobile phone services were suspended early on Thursday and were being partially resumed late into the night, the Interior Ministry said late on Thursday, citing security reasons for the suspension, which was also condemned by rights groups such as Amnesty International.

The main contest was expected to be between candidates backed by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, whose party won the last national election, and the Pakistan Muslim League of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, whom analysts say is backed by the powerful military.

"As Pakistan awaits the results of the elections, the secretary-general encourages all political leaders and society segments to maintain a calm atmosphere, as well as refrain from the use of violence and any actions that could increase tensions," U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

"It is important for all candidates and supporters to ensure that human rights and the rule of law are fully respected in the interest of the Pakistani people and (to) resolve any disputes that might arise through established legal procedures," the spokesperson added.

Earlier this week, the U.N. human rights office denounced violence against political parties and candidates in the lead-up to Thursday's vote.

It particularly voiced concern over the "pattern of harassment, arrests and prolonged detentions of leaders and supporters" of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) party.

Multiple legal cases have been brought against Khan, which disqualified him as a candidate and sentenced him to long prison terms. He denies wrongdoing. Khan was ousted in 2022 after falling out with the country's powerful military, which denies meddling in politics.

Thousands of troops were deployed on the streets in Pakistan and at polling stations across the country.

Despite the heightened security, nine people, including two children, were killed on Thursday in bomb blasts, grenade attacks and shootings.

At least another 26 were killed on Wednesday in two explosions near electoral candidates' offices in the southwestern province of Balochistan. Islamic State later claimed responsibility for those attacks.

Earlier on Thursday, the U.S. State Department also said it was concerned about steps taken to "restrict freedom of expression" in Pakistan, especially related to phone and internet access.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; writing by Kanishka Singh; editing by Sandra Maler and Lincoln Feast.)
A hooded man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture taken on May 13, 2017. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of key leaders in the Hive ransomware organized crime group, the State Department said in a statement on Thursday.

"The Hive ransomware variant targeted victims in over 80 countries, including the United States," the State Department said. "Beginning in late July 2022, the FBI penetrated Hives computer networks, obtained its decryption keys, and offered them to victims worldwide, preventing victims from having to pay up to $130 million in ransoms demanded."

(Writing by Paul Grant; Editing by Susan Heavey)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has a right to choose who leads Ukraine's military and the United States will work effectively with his new military chief, a senior Pentagon official said on Thursday.

"President Zelenskiy is the president of his country and Ukraine, unlike Russia, has a democratic civilian control of the military," said Celeste Wallander, the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs at the Pentagon.

Zelenskiy promoted Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the ground forces commander, to lead the military, replacing Valeriy Zaluzhnyi.

Wallander called Syrskyi "an experienced, successful commander".

"The United States respects and will work with whoever the democratically elected government, the leader, President Zelenskiy, chooses to be his commander in chief and we will work effectively with General Syrskyi, we already have," Wallander added.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali; Editing by Peter Graff)
FILE PHOTO: Flags of Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali are seen during a demonstration that was called by Mali's Junta to support their decision to leave the Economic Community of West African States regional bloc ''ECOWAS'', in Bamako, Mali, February 1, 2024.

By Camillus Eboh

ABUJA (Reuters) -The West African regional bloc ECOWAS pushed junta-led Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali to reconsider their decision to quit the political and economic alliance, it said on Thursday, warning of the hardships the move would force on their citizens.

The three countries' self-appointed military leaders jointly announced on Jan. 28 they were abandoning the bloc after it pressured them to restore constitutional order following a string of coups.

Their departure threatens to further weaken ECOWAS, which has struggled to curtail a retreat of democracy in West Africa that started with a military takeover in Mali in 2020.

Its mediation and security council met in Nigeria's capital Abuja to discuss the issue and an electoral crisis in Senegal, where the unprecedented postponement of a presidential vote has sparked public outcry and international alarm.

Regarding the withdrawal, council chairman Yusuf Maitama Tuggar said the juntas' move "would bring more hardship and will do more harm to the common citizens of those three countries."

"And that is why we continue to urge those three countries to remain ... And ECOWAS is going to redouble its efforts towards diplomacy, towards dialogue, towards reconciliation," he said after the closed-door meeting.

Before talks, ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray described the juntas' decision as hasty and said they had failed to abide by the rules for quitting the bloc.

Touray did not specify which withdrawal conditions had been ignored.

Member states wishing to withdraw must give a written one-year notice.

On Wednesday the juntas said they planned to leave "without delay" as they did not feel bound by treaty terms, increasing the chances of a messy disentanglement from the region's trade and services flows, worth nearly $150 billion a year.

In separate statements, they said ECOWAS had violated its own texts by imposing excessively punitive sanctions, including border closures, in the wake of the coups.

A swift departure also raises pressing questions for the millions of nationals from the three poor and landlocked nations who have settled in neighbouring states as the bloc allows visa-free travel and right to work.

"These are all things that you cannot just undo overnight ... it takes more than pronouncements," ECOWAS' Tuggar said.

None of the officials commented on what they had discussed in private about Senegal's postponement of a Feb. 25 election to December, although Touray described the move as a threat to regional peace and stability.

(Writing by Sofia Christensen and Alessandra PrenticeEditing by Alexander Winning, Andrew Cawthorne, Angus MacSwan and Cynthia Osterman)
By Dave Sherwood

HAVANA (Reuters) - Western Union confirmed on Thursday it had temporarily suspended remittances from the United States to Cuba more than a week ago, blaming what it described as technical issues with processing transactions there.

Western Union said its services had been disrupted since Jan. 28. Several other companies which offer similar services have also reported outages in recent days, paralyzing a lifeline for Cubans suffering through the worst economic crisis in decades. Cuba's state-run Banco Metropolitano and Fincimex have also reported outages.

"The technical issues exist with the processing of transactions on the island," a Western Union spokesperson said in an email. "Western Union operations are stable, hence this being an isolated issue with money transfers sent from the US to Cuba only."

Cuban officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the outage.

The administration of Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel reported a cyberattack on Jan. 31, which it said had led it to put off a five-fold increase in gasoline prices planned for Feb. 1. Officials have not discussed a link between the reported cyberattack and remittance processing.

Western Union, among the world's top providers of money transfer services, resumed remittances to the communist-run island in 2023, nearly three years after the Trump administration put in place sanctions that had triggered a halt in service.

Remittances have long been a crucial source of income for Cuban families, but the need has become even more acute of late amid a severe economic crisis resulting from tighter U.S. sanctions, the coronavirus pandemic and floundering tourism.

Studies show that almost 70% of the Cuban population receives remittances in varying forms, according to a 2023 Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)report, though there are no official figures available from the Cuban government.

The Western Union spokesperson told Reuters the company was seeking to contact customers who have had transactions impacted.

(Reporting by Dave Sherwood)
Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskiy attends the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 16, 2024. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/ File photo

(Reuters) - Ukraine has returned 100 prisoners from Russian captivity, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday.

Most of those who returned were taking part in defense of Mariupol, he said on Telegram.

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa)
BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wine is the physical embodiment of every BuDhaGirlstrong, contemplative, joyful and present. (Photo: Business Wire)

New wine offerings reimagine the art of celebration with intentionality and gratitude at the center

DALLAS, February 08, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BuDhaGirl, the lifestyle brand behind the ever-popular All Weather Bangles, announced today its expansion into the wine category with the launch of BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wines. The new wine portfolio offers premium California Brut, Demi-Sec and Sparkling Rose. The wines are available for purchase at www.budhagirlsparkling.com and at select retailers.

Founded in 2013, the BuDhaGirl brand was built on the belief that lifes everyday routines can be transformed into meaningful rituals, a philosophy its now applying to BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wines and the art of celebration. By taking a moment to breathe, be present and express gratitude for both the big milestones and daily moments in life, a meaningful ritual of celebration is created. It brings a sense of belonging, connecting us to ourselves, our people and our intentions.

"A vital element of the BuDhaGirl brand DNA is the focus on meaningful rituals and the benefits they bring to our lives. Rituals are simply small, contemplative ceremonies that help us be both present and intentional in our attitudes and actions each day," said BuDhaGirl founder & CEO, Jessica Jesse. "It is the bedrock of our brand and universally applicable to categories far beyond jewelry. BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wines is our latest step in sharing the beauty and purpose of ritual by instilling the BuDhaGirl values into the art of celebration. What better way to do that than with sparkling wine?"

BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wines are thoughtfully crafted in Healdsburg by premier California Sparkling Wine producer Rack & Riddle using the methode champenoise for refined, but lively bubbles. The BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Brut and Brut Rose are blends of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, while the BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Demi-Sec is primarily Chardonnay with a touch of Pinot Blanc. These award-winning wines engage all the senses, from the first "pop" of the bottle to the aroma, flavor and tantalizing sensation they deliver. Presented in feminine, yet uniquely bold bottles adorned with a gold dragon, BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wine is the physical embodiment of every BuDhaGirlstrong, contemplative, joyful and present.

Story continues

BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wine is the next phase in bringing the BuDhaGirl vision of Mindful Glamour into practice. Beyond wine, the brand plans to share its philosophy through diverse products and experiences across new categories in the years to come.

To learn more about BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wines, visit the BUDHAGIRL Sparkling website at www.budhagirlsparkling.com or on social media at @budhagirlsparkling.

About BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wines

BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wine is a new brand of sparkling wines, from the BuDhaGirl Lifestyle brand, that believes in the art and ritual of celebrationtaking a pause to breathe, be present and express gratitude in commemorating both the big milestones and the daily moments in life. Founded by Jessica Jesse, a contemplative practitioner, luxury retail expert and creative powerhouse, the BuDhaGirl brand believes lifes everyday routines can be transformed into meaningful rituals. BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wines offers traditional Methode California Brut, Demi-Sec and Sparkling Rose. To learn more about BUDHAGIRL Sparkling Wines, visit the BUDHAGIRL Sparkling website at www.budhagirlsparkling.com or on social media at @budhagirlsparkling.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208083945/en/

Contacts

Double Forte Wine

Patricia Denci, 401-965-9125

pdenci@double-forte.com
The 2031 Notes will bear interest at a rate of 5.750% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on February 8 and August 8 of each year, commencing on August 8, 2024. Unless earlier redeemed, the 2031 Notes will mature on February 8, 2031.

Interest will accrue on the Notes from February 8, 2024.

The Company may not redeem the Floating Rate Notes prior to maturity.

Prior to maturity, in the case of the 2027 Notes, or December 8, 2030 (the date that is two months prior to the stated maturity date for the 2031 Notes) (the Par Call Date), in the case of the 2031 Notes, the Company may redeem the 2027 Notes and the 2031 Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to the greater of: (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed; and (ii) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes being redeemed, discounted to the date of redemption (assuming the 2031 Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis at the applicable U.S. treasury rate plus 20 basis points, in the case of the 2027 Notes, or 25 basis points, in the case of the 2031 Notes, less (b) interest accrued to the date of redemption, plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of redemption.

On or after the Par Call Date, the Company may redeem the 2031 Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the date of redemption.

The Indenture contains covenants, among others, that limit the Companys ability to sell all or substantially all of its or its subsidiaries assets or merge or consolidate with or into other companies, and that prohibit the Company and certain of its subsidiaries from granting liens to other creditors, unless the Notes are secured on an equal and ratable basis with the obligations so secured.

The Indenture provides for customary events of default, including nonpayment, failure to comply with covenants or other agreements in the Indenture and certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency. If an event of default occurs and continues with respect to a series of Notes, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of such series may declare the entire principal amount of all the Notes of such series to be due and payable immediately (except that if such event of default is caused by certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, the entire principal of the Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice).

The foregoing descriptions are brief summaries of the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and the Notes, and do not purport to be complete statements of the parties rights and obligations thereunder. The foregoing descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Underwriting Agreement, the Base Indenture, the Supplemental Indenture and the forms of the Notes, copies of which are attached as Exhibit 1.1, Exhibit 4.1, Exhibit 4.2, Exhibit 4.3, Exhibit 4.4 and Exhibit 4.5, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated by reference herein.

The legal opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP related to the offering of the Notes pursuant to the Registration Statement is filed as Exhibit 5.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G



Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 2)*

Forest Road Acquisition Corp. II

(Name of Issuer)

Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001

(Title of Class of Securities)

34619V103

(CUSIP Number)

December 31, 2023

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

[X] Rule 13d-1(b)

[X] Rule 13d-1(c)

[ ] Rule 13d-1(d)

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

Potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.

1

CUSIP No. 34619V103

1. Names of Reporting Persons.





Beryl Capital Management LLC

2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)



(a) X



(b) ______

3. SEC Use Only

4. Citizenship or Place of Organization Delaware

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With: 5. Sole Voting Power 0 6. Shared Voting Power 0 7. Sole Dispositive Power 0 8. Shared Dispositive Power 0

9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 0

10. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See

Instructions) ______

11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9) 0%

12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) IA, OO

2

CUSIP No. 34619V103

1. Names of Reporting Persons.





Beryl Capital Management LP

2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)



(a) X



(b) ______

3. SEC Use Only

4. Citizenship or Place of Organization Delaware

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With: 5. Sole Voting Power 0 6. Shared Voting Power 0 7. Sole Dispositive Power 0 8. Shared Dispositive Power 0

9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 0

10. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See

Instructions) ______

11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9) 0%

12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) IA, PN

3

CUSIP No. 34619V103

1. Names of Reporting Persons.





Beryl Capital Partners II LP

2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)



(a)



(b) ______

3. SEC Use Only

4. Citizenship or Place of Organization Delaware

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With: 5. Sole Voting Power 0 6. Shared Voting Power 0 7. Sole Dispositive Power 0 8. Shared Dispositive Power 0

9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 0

10. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See

Instructions) ______

11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9) 0%

12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) PN

4

CUSIP No. 34619V103

1. Names of Reporting Persons.





David A. Witkin

2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)



(a) X



(b) ______

3. SEC Use Only

4. Citizenship or Place of Organization U.S.A.

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With: 5. Sole Voting Power 0 6. Shared Voting Power 0 7. Sole Dispositive Power 0 8. Shared Dispositive Power 0

9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 0

10. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See

Instructions) ______

11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9) 0%

12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) IN, HC

5

CUSIP No. 34619V103

Item 1.

(a) Name of Issuer



Forest Road Acquisition Corp. II



(b) Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices



1177 Avenue of the Americas, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10036



Item 2.

(a) The names of the persons filing this statement are:



Beryl Capital Management LLC (Beryl), Beryl Capital Management LP (Beryl GP), Beryl Capital Partners II LP (the Partnership) and David A. Witkin (collectively, the Filers). Each Filer disclaims beneficial ownership of the Stock except to the extent of that persons pecuniary interest therein. In addition, the filing of this Schedule 13G on behalf of the Partnership should not be construed as an admission that it is, and it disclaims that it is, a beneficial owner, as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act, of any of the Stock covered by this Schedule 13G.

(b) The principal business office of the Filers is located at:



225 Avenue I, Suite 205, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

(c) For citizenship of Filers, see Item 4 of the cover sheet for each Filer.

(d) This statement relates to the Issuers Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 (the "Stock").

(e) The CUSIP number of the Issuer is: 34619V103

6

CUSIP No. 34619V103

Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to rule 240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:

(a) [ ] Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o).

(b) [ ] Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c).

(c) [ ] Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c).

(d) [ ] Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8).

(e) [X] An investment adviser in accordance with section 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E), as to Beryl and Beryl GP.

(f) [ ] An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with section 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F).

(g) [X] A parent holding company or control person in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G), as to Mr. Witkin.

(h) [ ] A savings association as defined in section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813).

(i) [ ] A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3).

(j) [ ] A non-U.S. institution in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(ii)(J).

(k) [ ] Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K).

If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution _______________________________________________________________.

Item 4. Ownership.

See Items 5-9 and 11 of the cover page for each Filer.

Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class

If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following [ X ].

Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.

Not applicable.

Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company.

Not applicable.

Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.

Beryl is the investment adviser to the Funds and other accounts. Beryl is the general partner of Beryl GP, which is the general partner of one or more of the Funds. Mr. Witkin is the control person of Beryl.

Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group

Not applicable.

Item 10. Material to Be Filed as Exhibits

Exhibit A Joint Filing Agreement.

Item 11. Certification of Beryl, Beryl GP and Mr. Witkin.

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under  240.14a-11.

Certification of the Partnership.

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under  240.14a-11.

7

CUSIP No. 34619V103

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated: February 8, 2024

BERYL CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC BERYL CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LP By: Beryl Capital Management LLC General Partner By: /s/ Andrew Nelson Andrew Nelson By: /s/ Andrew Nelson Chief Operating Officer and CFO Andrew Nelson Chief Operating Officer and CFO BERYL CAPITAL PARTNERS II LP By: Beryl Capital Management LP /s/ David A. Witkin General Partner David A. Witkin By: Beryl Capital Management LLC General Partner By: /s/ Andrew Nelson Andrew Nelson Chief Operating Officer

8

CUSIP No. 34619V103

EXHIBIT A

AGREEMENT REGARDING JOINT FILING

OF STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 13D OR 13G

The undersigned agree to file jointly with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") any and all statements on Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G and Forms 3, 4 or 5 (and any amendments or supplements thereto) required under section 13(d) or 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in connection with purchases by the undersigned of the securities of any issuer. For that purpose, the undersigned hereby constitute and appoint Beryl Capital Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as their true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority for and on behalf of the undersigned to prepare or cause to be prepared, sign, file with the SEC and furnish to any other person all certificates, instruments, agreements and documents necessary to comply with section 13(d) and section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in connection with said purchases, and to do and perform every act necessary and proper to be done incident to the exercise of the foregoing power, as fully as the undersigned might or could do if personally present.

Dated: February 8, 2024
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 4)

Koil Energy Solutions

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock

(Title of Class of Securities)

24372A305

(CUSIP Number)

December 31, 2023

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

x Rule 13d-1(b)  Rule 13d-1(c)  Rule 13d-1(d)

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

CUSIP No. 24372A305 1. Names of Reporting Persons I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Persons (Entities Only) Aegis Financial Corporation 54-1712996 2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) (a)  (b) x 3. SEC Use Only 4. Citizenship or Place of Organization Delaware



Number of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned by

Each

Reporting

Person With 5. Sole Voting Power 0 6. Shared Voting Power 813,000 7. Sole Dispositive Power 0 8. Shared Dispositive Power 813,000 9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 813,000 10. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)  11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9) 6.8% 12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) IA





2

CUSIP No. 24372A305 1. Names of Reporting Persons I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Persons (Entities Only) Scott L. Barbee 2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) (a)  (b) x 3. SEC Use Only 4. Citizenship or Place of Organization United States



Number of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned by

Each

Reporting

Person With 5. Sole Voting Power 0 6. Shared Voting Power 813,000 7. Sole Dispositive Power 0 8. Shared Dispositive Power 813,000 9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 813,000 10. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)  11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9) 6.8% 12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) IN

3

Item 1. (a) Name of Issuer Koil Energy Solutions (b) Address of Issuers Principal Executive Offices

1310 Rankin Road, Houston, TX 77073 Item 2. (a) Name of Person Filing (i) Aegis Financial Corporation ("AFC") (ii) Scott L. Barbee ("Barbee")



(b) Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence 6862 Elm Street, Suite 830 McLean, Virginia 22101



(c) Citizenship (i) AFC: Delaware (ii) Barbee: United States



(d) Title of Class of Securities:

Common Stock (e) CUSIP Number: 24372A305



Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to 240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a: (a)  Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o); (b)  Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c); (c)  Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c); (d)  Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8); (e) x An investment adviser in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E); (f)  An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F); (g)  A parent holding company or control person in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G); (h)  A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813); (i)  A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3); (j)  A non-U.S. institution in accordance with  240.13d1(b)(1)(ii)(J); (k)  Group, in accordance with  240.13d1(b)(1)(ii)(K). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with  240.13d1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution:____________________________

4

Item 4. Ownership Provide the following information regarding the aggregate number and percentage of the class of securities of the issuer identified in Item 1. (a) Amount beneficially owned: 813,000 shares may be deemed beneficially owned within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Act by (1) Aegis Financial Corporation by virtue of its investment discretion and/or voting authority granted by certain clients; and (2) Scott L. Barbee by virtue of his control of Aegis Financial Corporation. Mr. Barbee disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares reported on the Schedule. (b) Percent of class: 6.8% (c) Number of shares as to which the person has: For information on voting and dispositive power with respect to the above listed shares, see Items 5-9 on the Cover Pages. Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following o . Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person The clients of Aegis Financial Corporation, a registered investment adviser, including one investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other managed accounts, have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends and proceeds from the sale of shares included on this Schedule. The Aegis Value Fund, a registered investment company, owns 766,584 shares or 6.4% of the class of securities reported herein. To the best of Aegis Financial Corporation's knowledge, no other account owns more than 5% of the outstanding stock. Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company or Control Person Not Applicable Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group Not Applicable Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group Not Applicable

Item 10. Certification

By signing below, the undersigned certify that, to the best of their knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under 240.14a-11.

5

Signature

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Aegis Financial Corporation Date: February 8, 2024 By: /s/ Justin P. Harrison Justin P. Harrison Chief Operating Officer

Scott L. Barbee Date: February 8, 2024 By: /s/ Scott L. Barbee Scott L. Barbee

6

EXHIBIT 1

JOINT FILING AGREEMENT AMONG AEGIS FINANCIAL CORPORATION, AND SCOTT L. BARBEE

WHEREAS, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(k) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act"), only one joint statement and any amendments thereto need to be filed whenever one or more persons are required to to file such a statement or any amendments thereto pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Act with respect to the same securities, provided that said persons agree in writing that such statement or amendments thereto is filed on behalf of each of them;

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Aegis Financial Corporation, AND SCOTT L. BARBEE hereby agree, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(k) under the Act, to file a statement on Schedule 13G relating to their ownership of Common Stock of the Issuer and do hereby further agree that said statement shall be filed on behalf of each of them.

Aegis Financial Corporation Date: February 8, 2024 By: /s/ Justin P. Harrison Justin P. Harrison Chief Operating Officer

Scott L. Barbee Date: February 8, 2024 By: /s/ Scott L. Barbee Scott L. Barbee

ATTENTION Intentional misstatements or omissions of fact constitute Federal Criminal Violations (See 18 U.S.C. 1001).
The undersigned hereby agree that this Schedule 13G (the Schedule 13G) with respect to the common stock of Orange County Bancorp, Inc is, and any additional amendment thereto signed by each of the undersigned shall be, filed on behalf of each undersigned pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of 13d-1(k) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that all subsequent amendments to the Schedule 13G shall be filed on behalf of each of the undersigned without the necessity of filing additional joint filing agreements. The undersigned acknowledge that each shall be responsible for the timely filing of such amendments, and for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning it contained therein, but shall not be responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning the other, except to the extent that it knows or has reason to believe that such information is inaccurate. It is understood and agreed that the joint filing of the Schedule 13G shall not be construed as an admission that the persons named herein constitute a group for purposes of Regulation 13D-G of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor is a joint venture for purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940.




CUSIP No. 95790A101 SCHEDULE 13G/A Page 3 of 8 Pages

1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS The Walt Disney Company Retirement Plan Master Trust 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) o (b) o 3 SEC USE ONLY 4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware, United States NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH 5 SOLE VOTING POWER 771,571 6 SHARED VOTING POWER 0 7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 771,571 8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 0 9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 771,571 10 CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES o 11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9) 7.1% 12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON EP CUSIP No. 95790A101 SCHEDULE 13G/A Page 4 of 8 Pages Item 1. (a) Name of Issuer Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. (b) Address of Issuers Principal Executive Offices 620 Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor New York, NY 10018 Item 2. (a) Name of Person Filing 1607 Capital Partners, LLC The Walt Disney Company Retirement Plan Master Trust (b) Address of Principal Business Office, or, if none, Residence 1607 Capital Partners, LLC 13 S. 13th Street, Suite 400 Richmond, Virginia 23219 The Walt Disney Company Retirement Plan Master Trust 500 South Buena Vista Street Burbank, CA 91521-050 (c) Citizenship Please refer to Item 4 on each cover sheet for each filing person (d) Title of Class of Securities Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (e) CUSIP No.: 95790A101 CUSIP No. 95790A101 SCHEDULE 13G/A Page 5 of 8 Pages

Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to 240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:

(a)  Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o); (b)  Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c); (c)  Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c); (d)  Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8); (e) x An investment adviser in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E); (f) x An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F); (g)  A parent holding company or control person in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G); (h)  A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813); (i)  A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3); (j)  A non-U.S. institution in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J); (k) x A group, in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution:

CUSIP No. 95790A101 SCHEDULE 13G/A Page 6 of 8 Pages Item 4. Ownership

Provide the following information regarding the aggregate number and percentage of the class of securities of the issuer identified in Item 1.

1607 Capital Partners, LLC, an investment adviser, is the beneficial owner of these shares based on having voting power which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security and investment power which includes the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition of, such security. The Walt Disney Company Retirement Plan Master Trust is a client of 1607 Capital Partners, LLC and is the beneficial owner of shares solely due to being able to terminate without condition the investment management agreement with 1607 Capital Partners, LLC in less than sixty days.

1607 Capital Partners, LLC

(a) Amount beneficially owned: 1,355,326

(b) Percent of class: 12.5%

(c) Number of shares as to which the person has:

(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote: 1,355,326

(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 0

(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 1,355,326

(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 0

The Walt Disney Company Retirement Plan Master Trust

(a) Amount beneficially owned: 771,571

(b) Percent of class: 7.1%

(c) Number of shares as to which the person has:

(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote: 771,571

(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 0

(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 771,571

(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 0

Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than 5 percent of the class of securities, check the following [ ]. Item 6. Ownership of More Than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person 1607 Capital Partners' clients that hold these securities in their investment advisory accounts managed by 1607 Capital Partners, LLC have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of the securities reported herein. The Walt Disney Company Retirement Plan Master Trust is the only client account that has an interest in the securities reported herein that exceeds 5%. Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person Not Applicable Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group Not Applicable Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group Not Applicable Item 10. Certification

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.

CUSIP No. 95790A101 SCHEDULE 13G/A Page 7 of 8 Pages SIGNATURE After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. Dated: February 8, 2024

1607 Capital Partners, LLC By: Kevin Rutherford Name: Kevin Rutherford Title: Chief Compliance Officer

The Walt Disney Company Retirement Plan Master Trust By: Melody Lim Name: Melody Lim Title: VP, Pension & Investments

CUSIP No. 95790A101 SCHEDULE 13G/A Page 8 of 8 Pages JOINT FILING AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-1(k) The undersigned acknowledge and agree that the foregoing statement on Schedule 13G/A is filed on behalf of each of the undersigned and that all subsequent amendments to this statement on Schedule 13G/A shall be filed on behalf of each of the undersigned without the necessity of filing additional joint acquisition statements. The undersigned acknowledge that each shall be responsible for the timely filing of such amendments, and for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning him or it contained therein, but shall not be responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning the others, except to the extent that he or it knows or has reason to believe that such information is inaccurate. This agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, one and the same instrument. Date: February 8, 2024
Soldiers stand in formation during an activation ceremony for the 5th Transportation Company at Yokohama North Dock, Japan, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2023. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)

YOKOHAMA NORTH DOCK, Japan  A U.S. Army unit that will operate landing craft throughout the Indo-Pacific began work Thursday at this waterfront base south of Tokyo.

A bell rang out from the deck of the USAV Calaboza, a landing craft utility vessel, while about 40 soldiers stood in formation on shore, signaling the activation of the 5th Transportation Company, which had been inactive since 1997.

The unit will strengthen maritime maneuver capabilities in contingencies, including disasters in the Indo-Pacific Region, U.S. Army Japan said in a statement provided at the ceremony.

The company traces its lineage to Mechanical Repair Shop Unit 306, constituted in 1917 at Newport News, Va. It saw service in World War II, including at Normandy, and on the Saigon and Mekong rivers during the Vietnam War, according to the ceremony program.

Army Capt. Miata Schenaker commands the 5th Transportation Company, which was reactivated aboard the USAV Calaboza at Yokohama North Dock, Japan, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) Army Warrant Officer 2 Jason McElrath gives a tour of the USAV Calaboza, a landing craft utility vessel, at Yokohama North Dock, Japan, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)

The unit, led by Capt. Miata Schenaker, is evidence that the Army can fight on land, air and sea, U.S. Army Japan commander Maj. Gen. David Womack told dignitaries gathered at the dock.

A crew of 13 noncommissioned officers can deliver equipment and supplies to beaches using vessels like the Calaboza, he said.

The Calaboza and another vessel like it, the USAV Fort McHenry, which is deployed to Cairns, Australia, are the only watercraft operated by the newly activated company so far, Col. Ned Holt, commander of the Okinawa-based 10th support Group, said after the ceremony.

LCUs move personnel, gear and supplies to shore. They are small but boast the same payload capacity as seven C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. One LCU can carry up to five M1 Abrams tanks, 24 double-stacked shipping containers or 400 combat-equipped troops.

These boats are older than most of these soldiers, Womack said of the 1970s- and 80s-era landing craft.

Soldiers on the Calaboza sleep four to a room, although Warrant Officer 2 Jason McElrath, the vessel master, gets his own cabin, he said during a post-ceremony tour of the landing craft.

It is equipped with a pair of .50-caliber machine guns, a bow engine that enables it to maneuver in tight spaces, and an aft anchor that can winch the watercraft away from a beach, he said.

McElrath took charge of the Calaboza in June. He said the vessel had been on temporary assignment in the region and moved cargo, vehicles and troops to Sasebo, Okinawa and the Philippines last year.

Watercraft are integral to the Armys annual Pathways training deployments of U.S.-based units to the Indo-Pacific, Holt said.

The 280 soldiers assigned to the company will live at Camp Zama, headquarters for U.S. Army Japan, and Yokosuka Naval Base, home of the U.S. 7th Fleet, each about 45 minutes drive from North Dock, he said.

A composite watercraft company includes five landing craft utility vessels, two tugboats, four maneuver support vessels and a harbormaster operations detachment to provide maintenance, according to an Army news release May 24, 2021.
Two soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard, were arrested on charges of stealing Pride flags from an Arlington, Va., couples home, according to local police. (Screen capture from Michelle Logan post on X)

WASHINGTON  Two soldiers assigned to the Armys oldest active-duty infantry unit have been arrested on charges of stealing Pride flags from an Arlington, Va., couples home, according to local police.

Matthew Henshaw, 20, was charged last week on three of five thefts that occurred between September and January. He was charged with three counts of bias-motivated unlawful entry and three counts of petit larceny, the Arlington County Police Department said.

Joseph Digregorio, 23, was charged last week with one count of petit larceny in connection with one of the thefts.

Both men are members of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard, which serves as the Armys premier ceremonial unit tasked with burials at Arlington National Cemetery.

We recognize the significance and impact of their actions and take these charges seriously, the Army said in a statement. The actions of those involved in no way represent the values and character of The Old Guard or our Army. We will continue to work with the Arlington County Police Department throughout this ongoing investigation.

In July, Michelle Logan moved into the Arlington home of her girlfriend, Jenna Burnett, and the couple decided to display a Pride flag outside the house. On Sept. 16, the couple woke up to find the rainbow flag had been ripped from its pole. Footage from their security camera showed a man approaching the home at about 2:30 a.m. and stealing the flag, Logan told NBC News.

The flagpole was completely destroyed, Logan told the network. We reviewed the footage, and it looked like someone in a cowboy hat and like a flannel just kind of running up and ripping it down, and then sort of running away with his friends.

The police said the investigation remains active. Henshaw was released on a secured bond, and Digregorio was released on a summons. Online court records show Henshaw was scheduled to appear Thursday afternoon for an arraignment at Arlington General District Court.
A jet launches from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea on Feb. 3, 2024. U.S. forces made two new strikes against targets in Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen on Feb. 7, U.S. Central Command said in a statement the following day. (Janae Chambers/U.S. Navy)

U.S. forces carried out two more preemptive strikes on missiles that Houthi militants in Yemen were preparing to launch in their ongoing campaign of attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, according to U.S. Central Command.

At 9 p.m. Wednesday, U.S. strikes targeted two mobile anti-ship cruise missiles in Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen, CENTCOM said in a statement Thursday.

Another strike at 11:30 p.m. was made against a mobile land-attack cruise missile, which was determined to be an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels, CENTCOM said, without specifying what forces were involved.

The U.S. has launched at least seven strikes in recent days that CENTCOM has described as self-defense. They include targeting 11 anti-ship cruise missiles and one land-attack missile last weekend.

On Monday, U.S. forces also preemptively destroyed two Houthi explosive surface drones, CENTCOM said Tuesday.

The Houthi fighters have said they are attacking commercial and military shipping in the Red Sea as a show of support for Gaza, where war between Israel and Hamas has raged since Oct. 7.

Between Nov. 19 and Feb. 2, the Iran-backed proxy group had attacked or threatened at least 41 commercial vessels in the Red Sea, a Pentagon spokeswoman said Tuesday.

That assessment didnt include three Houthi attacks Tuesday with anti-ship ballistic missiles that targeted a Marshall Islands-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier in the Gulf of Aden, CENTCOM said Wednesday.

The first missile exploded near the vessel and caused minor damage but no injuries, military officials said. A subsequent missile landed harmlessly in the water near the ship and the third was shot down by the destroyer USS Laboon, which was nearby, according to CENTCOM.

In a separate attack, the Houthis appeared to target a Barbados-flagged, British-owned cargo ship in the southern Red Sea. All three missiles fired in that attack landed without incident, CENTCOM said.
The expeditionary fast transport vessel USNS Brunswick arrives at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek in Fort Story, Va., on Feb. 3, 2024. (LaShawn Sykes/U.S. Navy)

The USNS Brunswick cruised into Chesapeake Bay last week, concluding more than seven years of Pacific operations, including the first circumnavigation of the world by an expeditionary fast transport, according to the Navy.

Previously based on Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands, the vessel arrived Saturday at its new home port, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek in Fort Story, Va., Military Sealift Command announced in a news release Tuesday.

The Brunswicks arrival marked the culmination of a seven-year deployment that began when it left Little Creek in January 2017.

Since then, the 338-foot-long transport has traveled more than 21,600 nautical miles and circumnavigated the globe.

During its Pacific deployment, the ship participated in numerous large-scale operations, including: Operation Triggerfish in Micronesia; Noble Jaguar and Resolute Dragon in Japan; Talisman Sabre in Australia; and region-wide exercises like Pacific Partnership and Valiant Shield.

Last year, it was one of at least three Navy ships positioned off the coast of Sudan to help evacuate American citizens caught in the North African countrys civil war that broke out in April 2023. The Brunswick evacuated 300 people, including American citizens, to Saudi Arabia. It was part of a larger effort to evacuate foreign nationals from the war-torn country.

The ships performance throughout the deployment was rock-solid and helped to foster trust and cooperation with partner nations, the command said.

In May 2015, the Brunswick became the sixth joint high-speed vessel launched from Australian shipmaker Austal USAs yard in Mobile, Ala. It was part of a $1.6 billion Navy contract for 10 vessels, according to the companys website.

The Brunswick is part of a ship class designed to provide high speed, shallow draft transportation capabilities to include personnel, supplies and equipment, according to the Naval Sea Systems Command website.

The Brunswick can average 35 knots, has a flight deck large enough for a CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter and can operate at austere port facilities, according to Austal.

The ship is built for speed and can support operations including humanitarian relief missions, logistics support and larger global operations, according to the commands news release.

It can also bridge the gap between airlifts and standard sealift transportation, the command said. Airlifts are fast but suffer from low capacity, while sealifts can shuttle much more cargo at much slower speeds.
A Classic Babe's bubble tea and children's chocolate milk with boba pearls at Babe's Boba Tea in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Heather Benit/Stars and Stripes)

Move over, designer cupcakes, expensive donuts, rolled ice cream and gourmet marshmallows. Kaiserslautern is catching up on the bubble tea trend.

Like doner eateries, tattoo parlors and chic convenience stores, bubble tea shops keep popping up around town. One of these spots is Babes Boba Tea on Schillerplatz.

Bubble teas signature ingredient is texture-making tapioca pearls that are either chewy or pop in your mouth. They are gluten-free and usually made of tapioca starch, water and brown sugar or other sweeteners.

Babe's Boba Tea serves a full menu of bubble teas in a traditional plastic cup and wide straw for sucking up the boba pearls. (Heather Benit/Stars and Stripes)

Also known as milk tea and boba tea, the drink originated in Taiwan in the 1980s. The concoctions are now big on social media, thanks in part to the tea shops bright colors and Instagrammable decor.

I was a boba tea novice when I walked into Babes. The menu was full of options, combinations and insider terminology. I was overwhelmed. How can one drink be so complicated?

I asked for a popular boba with caffeine-free tea, regular milk and sweet jelly beads. Although Im not exactly sure what I got, the drink was sweet and sensory. The beads rushed up the straw and popped in my mouth. My order was a success.

With my newfound ordering confidence, I returned with my son to try a customized drink. Babes usually has a steady stream of take-away customers, but we were the only patrons that evening.

A bubble tea from Babe's Boba Tea, with the cafe in the background, at Schillerplatz in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Heather Benit/Stars and Stripes)

Our combined wish list was simply tapioca pearls and lots of chocolate. I asked the bobarista for help. Her English was excellent and she was full of suggestions.

I ended up with the Classic Babes with original tapioca, medium sweetness, lactose-free milk  despite asking for regular milk  and coconut jelly. The chewy tapioca beads added a desirable texture but lacked the same burst of joy the popping beads had.

My sons drink was a tea-free chocolate milk, conveniently ordered off the kids section of the menu, with strawberry popping beads and normal sweetness.

Even at the smallest size of roughly 17 ounces, the order was too large for him, so I drank the rest after he went to bed. It tempted me from the fridge like sugary dessert.

Curiosity about the possibility of bubble oolong tea drew me back a third time. Since bubble tea is a Taiwanese drink, I expected to see oolong on the menu, but alas, it wasnt. Babes serves black and green teas.

The upstairs lounge at Babe's Boba Tea offers a nice view of Schillerplatz in downtown Kaiserslautern. The bubble tea pictured is a Create Your Own with milk, jasmine green tea and other flavors for about 7 euros. (Heather Benit/Stars and Stripes)

I bravely ordered a small create-your-own with jasmine green tea, peach popping pearls, lavender and mango flavors, regular sweetness and no added sugar.

My drink tasted like a pina colada with a price tag to match, 6.85 euros. It came with ice, which trapped the boba pearls and stopped them from flowing up the straw and popping in my mouth, making each sip delicious but disappointing.

Babes cafe-style indoor seating sets it apart from the takeout bubble tea places downtown. The view over Schillerplatz was good for people-watching.

Art on the walls at Babe's Boba Tea in Kaiserslautern features entries from an art competition. (Heather Benit/Stars and Stripes)

The walls were decorated with cute artwork from an art competition, giving the interior a community feel. But the area is a bit rundown and not Instagram-inspiring.

Because bubble teas are served in a plastic cup with a plastic covering and straws, tossing more waste from this latest drink killed my sugar buzz. Bubble tea was turning into an expensive indulgence. The thrill was gone.

Sampling the Valentines Day specials might tempt me to go back in February, but its unlikely Ill make bubble tea a habit. For a sweet treat, Id prefer an ice cream cone for 2 euros a scoop, zero plastic waste and no decision fatigue.

Babe's Boba Tea adds a splash a color to Schillerplatz in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Heather Benit/Stars and Stripes)

Babes Boba Tea Address: Schillerstrasse 5 67655 Kaiserslautern

Hours: Monday-Friday 1 p.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 12 p.m.-7p.m.

Prices: Varies but expect to pay 5 to 7 euros per drink

Delivery: Available via Lieferando.de

Online: Babes website at https://babesbobatea.simplywebshop.de/storedata/listStore; Instagram; Facebook
BANGKOK (AP)  Chinese shares rose Thursday as investors appeared to welcome Beijing's choice of an industry veteran to head its securities watchdog, in its latest effort to boost confidence in ailing markets.

Wu Qing, a former chair of the Shanghai Stock Exchange with a reputation for being tough on market misbehavior, was named chairman and Communist Party chief of the China Securities Regulatory Commission late Wednesday.

He replaced Yi Huiman, who presided over months of turmoil as share markets slumped, losing trillions of dollars of value.

The official Xinhua News Agency gave no reason for Yis departure.

Earlier this week, the CSRC said that it was cracking down on insider trading, market manipulation and other crimes and would protect small investors. A state investment fund pledged to step up buying of exchange-traded funds and regulators also imposed limits on short-selling.

Chinese stocks still had been trading near five-year lows despite those measures, making buying shares feel "like catching a falling knife, Ipek Ozkardeskaya of Swissquote said in a commentary.

Investors registered their enthusiasm in online comments, with some saying they expected Wu, whose full name is a homophone for characters meaning ruthless in Chinese, to live up to his nickname of Broker Butcher.

Markets in Shanghai and Shenzhen have languished, partly because of heavy selling of property shares following a crackdown on excessive borrowing by developers as defaults among dozens of developers undermined confidence in the governments efforts to revive the economy following the pandemic.

Authorities recently have sought to relieve some of the pressure on the real estate market by freeing up financing that might enable developers to finish projects imperiled by their financial woes.

China's CCTV state television network reported that banks were extending nearly $2.5 billion in loans to 83 real estate projects chosen for support as part of measures to rescue the industry.

Story continues

The shakeup at the CSRC came during a week that has seen wild swings in share prices and despair among investors who have seen their investments evaporate. Chinas leaders may be hoping to turn a new page: markets are due to be closed for a week beginning Friday for the Lunar New Year holiday, allowing the dust to settle.

Recently, thousands of investors vented their frustrations on the U.S. Embassys blog, lamenting about the stock markets woes in a seemingly unrelated post about protection of giraffes  a tactic reflecting the narrow scope for expression in Chinas Communist Party-controlled media environment.

The effort to calm the markets has gained urgency as top officials prepare to gather in Beijing in early March for the annual meeting of the national congress, a time when the Communist Party showcases its accomplishments and sets new financial targets.

The ruling party has been exhorting state media and others with influence to promote confidence in the markets and the economy, which is forecast to slow further this year from the 5.2% official growth rate reported for 2023, one of the lowest in decades apart from the years of the pandemic.

In further evidence of weakness, the government reported Thursday that consumer prices fell 0.8% in January from a year earlier, the lowest level since September 2009 amid the global financial crisis.

In a New Year's address on Thursday, President Xi Jinping urged fellow leaders to "effectively strengthen economic vitality, prevent and resolve risks, improve social expectations, consolidate and enhance the upward trend of economic recovery, continue to improve peoples well-being, and maintain harmony and stability in the overall social situation.

Economists say that restoring strong and sustained growth will hinge on reforms needed to make China less reliant on investments in construction and export manufacturing. Prolonged weakness in the property market and share prices has dented consumer confidence, hindering that transition.

Given the selloff in the stock market, many could be tempted to take their loss and walk away in the slightest recovery. In summary, the road to a sustainable recovery seems far away, Ozkardeskaya said.
Maerklineum in Goeppingen features hundreds of different types of model trains, spanning the course of the companys long history. (John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes)

The fancy model trains produced by renowned toymaking company Maerklin were a hit with GIs in the aftermath of World War II when U.S. forces set up shop around the German town of Goppingen.

Nowadays, the Maerklineum museum is dedicated to telling the companys history and showcasing some of the toys that made its reputation.

On a recent visit, I arrived with an awareness of the model trains but little else pertaining to the Maerklin story. Luckily, the information panels in English did a good job of filling me in on the details.

Founded in 1859, the company made its name on the high quality of the metal toys developed at its factory about 30 miles southeast of Stuttgart.

Although Im not a model train aficionado, knowing some of the background and Goppingens history as an old U.S. Army garrison town made my tour more enriching.

There are hundreds of models on display, some dating back well over 100 years. They have the sturdy look of toys from a bygone era when things were built to last.

Maerklineum, the museum focused on the history of the Maerklin model train making company in Goeppingen, includes other items such as model cars. (John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes)

In the early 1900s, the company was already a major name for high-end toys. A few cargo car models that caught my eye were made for U.S. export from around 1910.

The models advertised the big American beer brands of the time: Pabst Blue Ribbon, the beer of quality, Schlitz, the beer that made Milwaukee famous, and Budweiser, which even then was called the king of beers.

In addition to trains, the museum also displays some of the other toys it was known for in the early days of the company, such as dollhouses and miniature sets to decorate them.

Some of the model trains made by the German toy making company Maerklin were made especially for export to the United States, such as this beer car advertising Pabst Blue Ribbon. (John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes)

There also are model cars and replicas of German train stations. On the ground level, there is an elaborate setup of a model train track coursing around a German town.

Toy companies, incidentally, werent immune from becoming part of the Nazi war machine during World War II. Maerklin was required to use its manufacturing prowess to develop telecommunications equipment, vehicles and weapons.

And it did so with the forced labor of foreign workers, according to the museum.

One of the highlights of the Maerklineum museum in Goeppingen is a large model train track that features a detailed replica of a German town. (John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes)

I noticed a mix of ages during my visit. Young and old alike seemed to check out the displays in earnest, a sign of the multigenerational appeal of model trains.

The gift shop has a huge collection of model trains, tracks and various assembly kits. I left empty-handed, but probably wouldnt have if I was more of an enthusiast.

Maerklineum, a museum in Goeppingen, is about the history of the German toy making-company Maerklin and the model trains it is famous for. (John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes)

Maerklineum

Address: Reuschstrasse 6, Goppingen, Germany

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Cost: Admission is 10 euros for adults, 6 euros for children

Information: Online: maerklineum.de
President Donald Trump, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in meet at the Joint Security Area of the Demilitarized Zone, June 30, 2019. (Shealah Craighead/White House)

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  North Koreas refusal to relinquish its nuclear weapons should not bar the two Koreas from talking again, but any meeting of the nations leaders must be more than political showmanship, the South Korean president said this week.

A top-down approach to hosting a summit is difficult and a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ought to be held after working-level officials thoroughly discussed their respective agendas, President Yoon Suk Yeol said Wednesday in an interview with the Korean Broadcasting System.

Meeting Kim without preparation can end up being a show without a conclusion or result, Yoon said. South Korea gained nothing from a series of four summits by Kim and Yoons predecessor, Moon Jae-in, and three by Kim and former President Donald Trump between April 2018 to June 2019.

Kim first met with then-President Moon at the Joint Security Area inside the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South on April 27, 2018. The two signed the Panmunjom Declaration, which broadly stated the two Koreas will work toward a permanent and stable peace.

The pair met again at the DMZ on May 26, 2018, and June 30, 2019, and in Pyongyang on Sept. 18, 2018.

Trump first met Kim in Singapore on June 12, 2018. Immediately afterward, Trump said he would freeze joint military exercises with South Korea, which the North routinely criticizes as a rehearsal of an invasion.

The two met again in Vietnam on Feb. 27, 2019, and at the Joint Security Area on June 30, 2019, when Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to step across the border and into the North.

Critics called Trumps summits with Kim rushed and lacking a negotiation strategy.

The Trump-Kim summits were large photo ops as opposed to meaningful steps toward achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula, Victor Cha of the Center for Strategic and International Studies and Sue Mi Terry, former CIA senior analyst, wrote in a column on the centers website June 11, 2020.

The fanfare associated with the Singapore joint statement both leaders agreed on belied the lack of substance and commitment by both sides to reach a meaningful deal, the pair wrote.

Many of the agreements reached by Moon and Kim have evaporated.

The U.S. and South Korea resumed large-scale military exercises in 2022 and have reportedly discussed plans to include Japan in future drills.

The two Koreas have also walked back their 2018 military deconfliction agreement that included a ban on armed guards and flights near the border.

South Koreas Ministry of National Defense said the military will resume reconnaissance flights near the border in November; The North redeployed armed troops at guard posts and said it would scrap all reunification efforts with Seoul.
Russian President Vladimir Putin. Getty Images

One key Chinese bank used by Russian importers for transactions has halted all transactions with Russian firms, per Vedomosti.

Chinese lenders have stepped up compliance checks following US secondary sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Kremlin has acknowledged the issues and said it's working with Beijing to solve them.

China's banks appear to be having cold feet about dealing with Russian firms.

One key Chinese bank  Zhejiang Chouzhou Commercial Bank  used by Russian importers has halted all transactions, Vedomosti, a Russian business media outlet, reported on Wednesday, citing three businessmen who were affected.

Bank clients were informed of the move last week, according to Vedomosti.

Russian businesses are now worried about a "logistics collapse" should the bank not resume payment settlements after the weeklong Chinese New Year holiday that starts on Friday, an unnamed source told Vedomosti.

Other Chinese banks are also tightening compliance checks when dealing with Russian businesses, per the media outlet.

The Kremlin has acknowledged the issues, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov saying authorities are "working" on addressing them with Beijing.

"We have a close dialogue with our Chinese friends and, of course, we will solve all the problems that arise," Peskov said in a press briefing on Wednesday, per AFP.

Russia's issues with Chinese banks came weeks after the US in December authorized secondary sanctions targeting financial institutions that help Russia skirt sanctions, proving the effectiveness of these controversial trade restrictions.

Russian firms trading internationally have become more dependent on Chinese institutions and the Chinese yuan since some Russian banks withdrew from the SWIFT global financial-messaging system .

Since Russia  a major energy exporter  has managed to keep its trade activity humming, its economy still appears resilient despite primary Western sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine.

Story continues

However, with the West ramping up sanctions against Russia, even Chinese firms are trying to stay out of trouble.

Following the US' new restrictions in December, at least two state-owned Chinese banks ordered a review of their Russian businesses following the new restrictions, Bloomberg reported on January 16.

It's not the first time China's banks have stepped up on Western sanctions compliance.

In June, at least one major Chinese bank  Bank of China  started restricting transfers from Russia.

Zhejiang Chouzhou Commercial Bank did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Palestinians with foreign passports wait to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border gate on Nov. 1, 2023. (Loay Ayyoub for The Washington Post)

Two years ago, with Russia pummeling Ukraine and nowhere else to flee, 24-year-old Yulia saw her husbands hometown, Gaza City, as a sanctuary.

The couple moved to the seaside strip with their young son and built a comfortable life despite the hardships of a long-running Israeli blockade. Yulia became a manicurist and bonded with other Ukrainian women married to Palestinians. Her husband found engineering work. In Gaza, they welcomed a second child, another blue-eyed boy. Photos show the brothers smiling together on a sunny patch of grass.

Today, those boys  ages 5 and 1  are displaced, hungry and terrified, their insides churning from contaminated water and their faces pocked with shrapnel wounds. Again plunged into war, Yulia, who spoke on the condition that her last name not be used because of security concerns, said the main difference in Gaza is that, unlike in Ukraine, there is no way out.

Yulia is part of a once-vibrant Ukrainian community in Gaza whose remaining members are trapped between two wars, facing conditions so dire that theyre pleading to return to a country under Russian invasion, which is for now the safer option.

Yulias sons, ages 5 and 1, play outside in Gaza before war upended their lives. (Family photo)

The Ukrainian government says about 300 citizens have left Gaza in staggered evacuations since war erupted on Oct. 7 with a devastating Hamas attack on Israel. Others have fled by private means or through aid groups. Dozens more Ukrainians remain trapped under Israeli bombardment, along with spouses and children, as evacuations dwindle and the death toll climbs past 27,000, according to figures from the Gaza Health Ministry.

As days tick by with no word on an exit, Yulias messages are increasingly despairing.

I hear explosions, the walls are shaking, she said via text when cell service flickered on one recent day. I understand that at this moment someone is dying. And Im waiting for my turn.

Gazas Ukrainian population, estimated as high as 1,500 in recent years, emerged as an outgrowth of a Soviet-era program for Palestinians to study medicine in Ukrainian universities. Graduates often returned with Ukrainian spouses, a migration that has occurred for so long that many of the families are now multigenerational, including dozens of children. Some of those children have Ukrainian citizenship, but many more have no official recognition from Kyiv because, even before the war, it was difficult for families to travel to the Ukrainian consular office in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

The lack of documentation is one of many snags for Ukrainian-Palestinian families who are desperately awaiting approval to cross into neighboring Egypt. Diplomats from around the world must navigate hurdles  chiefly from Israel  to get their citizens out of Gaza, a labyrinthine process that, for Ukrainians, comes with extra logistical and political sensitivities from the war with Russia.

Yevgen Korniychuk, Ukraines ambassador to Israel, said embassy personnel are running evacuation efforts while Israel is still conducting military operations. At least four Ukrainians have died in Gaza and another six have been wounded, he said, adding that firm casualty figures are hard to come by. Ukraine is working closely with Israeli and Egyptian officials to get citizens out, he said, but theres little recourse if the names submitted are rejected for security reasons.

They are not necessarily providing a straight answer. This is their policy, Korniychuk said of Israeli officials. In some cases, they will say clearly, Those people have been working with Hamas closely. In some cases, they deny even to speak about it.

After months of war, Yulia says, her once-happy 5-year-old is traumatized by the Israeli strikes that have left shrapnel wounds on him and his baby brother. (Family photo)

Korniychuk said 315 people  mostly Ukrainians, plus a handful of Palestinians and Moldovans  have gotten out through the governments three coordinated evacuations. About half of them returned to Ukraine, he said, while the rest made their own arrangements in Arab or European countries. Several hail from Ukrainian cities that are now under Russian occupation, another wrinkle.

An additional 29 Ukrainian citizens who wanted to leave were not approved by Israeli and Egyptian security officials, Korniychuk said. A few other citizens were rejected twice, but on the third try were approved for crossing  subject to extra questioning inside Egypt, he said.

An Israeli military spokesperson deferred requests for comment to COGAT, the wing of Israels Defense Ministry that oversees Palestinian civil affairs. A COGAT spokesperson did not return a message seeking comment.

Typically, governments seek evacuation approval not only for citizens but also their immediate family members to leave Gaza, offering to rush or waive the necessary paperwork for spouses and children so that families stay together. But there are no guarantees about who gets approved and Korniychuk said Israeli officials are up front about prioritizing foreign nationals over noncitizen spouses, especially Palestinian men.

About 50 Ukrainians who were approved to join the evacuations did not go, mostly in cases where leaving would mean breaking up a family, Korniychuk said. He said he understands their distress but advises those who are approved to try to make it across the border and worry later about reuniting.

Im not a magician, unfortunately. Im a human being, said Korniychuk, with a note of frustration. Im trying hard but if they are not listening, what should I do?

Ukrainian citizens and humanitarian workers in Gaza say that the diplomats arent pushing harder because they dont want to upset their mutual ally, the United States, whose continued support is crucial for Kyivs fight against Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered immediate and forceful support for Israel after the Oct. 7 attack, telling a NATO parliamentary assembly two days later that Hamas and Russia are the same evil, and the only difference is that there is a terrorist organization that attacked Israel and here is a terrorist state that attacked Ukraine.

A child runs alongside sewage near tents for displaced people on the Egyptian-Palestinian border, south of Rafah, on Jan. 21, 2024. (Loay Ayyoub for The Washington Post)

Women and children account for about 70 percent of the deaths in Gaza, according to United Nations estimates. Zelenskyy, who has been outspoken about Russias assault on civilians, has kept quiet about Israels targeting, which some analysts interpret as a reflection of Kyivs precarious situation: Ukraine is trying to shore up U.S. support amid Republican-led opposition to sending additional aid.

I can imagine how difficult this has been for the Ukrainian government  theres a war at home, and then you also have to save people from a foreign war, said Anton Naumliuk, a Ukrainian writer and humanitarian activist who has interviewed families stuck in Gaza.

Ukrainian officials have said privately that theyre reluctant to push back on Israeli counterparts given Kyivs carefully calibrated response to the Gaza war, said Amed Khan, a philanthropist and humanitarian whose aid network is assisting about a dozen Ukrainian families requesting evacuation.

Theyre beholden to the United States, and Israel is the United States, Khan said. Im pretty sure they dont want to ruffle any feathers. Human empathy is out the window  its all geopolitics.

The State Department declined to comment. An Israeli spokesperson in Washington did not respond to requests for comment.

Korniychuk rejected the idea that Ukraine was hamstrung because of the war in Russia, citing his own thorny record with the Israeli government as proof that he speaks up over diplomatic concerns. Early in the war, the ambassador said, he sent a note of protest to the Israeli government after a carefully coordinated evacuation effort was called off two hours before it was scheduled.

The chief difficulties, Korniychuk said, come from the reluctance of some families to leave, Israeli security rulings, and the complexities of trying to move a large number of people with missing or expired travel documents from a war zone.

Believe me, I was going all the way up to the president with this question, Korniychuk said, noting that he raised the need for more evacuations during a meeting in December between Israeli President Isaac Herzog and dozens of foreign diplomats.

The answer was that they believed the evacuation is over, Korniychuk said of the Israeli response.

Despite that position, Korniychuk said, we are not giving up. Ukraine is still pushing for approval of 90 names on the latest list  about 50 citizens, plus family members, he said. New requests continue to arrive, such as one from a woman in Kharkiv who claims her Palestinian spouse kidnapped their children a decade ago and took them to Gaza, where theyre now stranded.

We received this request just last week and were working on it, Korniychuk said.

A woman inspects the damage caused by an Israeli airstrike on a home in Rafah on Jan. 18, 2024. (Loay Ayyoub for The Washington Post)

Khan, the humanitarian, said the process is essentially paralyzed; weeks pass without movement on Ukrainian evacuations.

The messages are all the same: I give up, I cant go on anymore, if its my time, its my time,  he said. Theyre just trying to get through the day, live through the night and start again tomorrow.

Many families have grown too scared to give interviews or personal details for fear that speaking out might harm whatever slim chance remains of getting out.

Naumliuk, the activist journalist, documented the story of Leyla, a 24-year-old beautician who was born in Kharkiv to a Ukrainian mother and Palestinian father. After her father graduated from medical school, the family moved to Gaza, where Leyla grew up and eventually married a Palestinian. Her husband was in Egypt when war broke out; she and the couples infant daughter were stuck in Gaza.

Leyla tried to get a Ukrainian passport in hopes it would help the family resettle together, but the process was delayed, according to Naumliuks report, when it became clear that Leylas registration address in Ukraine is located on territory occupied by Russia.

On Oct. 17, Leyla was killed in an airstrike where she and her daughter were sheltering with in-laws. The baby survived, sparking a scramble among relatives and humanitarian workers to get her across the border to be reunited with her father.

The girl is alone, her family was dead, it was unclear how to get her out, Naumliuk said.

Khans network helped the family obtain a birth certificate showing Ukrainian heritage and found a reliable escort  a physician  who agreed to accompany the child if approved to cross into Egypt. Before those plans could materialize, the girl was killed in an Israeli strike, days after her mother. She died, Khan said, in a nursery.

Leylas Ukrainian and Palestinian relatives declined to comment, saying through intermediaries that they were too devastated to be interviewed. Her brothers public Instagram account memorializes Leyla and his niece with photos and heartbreak emojis.

Yulias husband and 5-year-old son at home in Gaza before war erupted on Oct. 7, 2023. (Family photo)

Yulia, the only Ukrainian reached in Gaza who agreed to be quoted by name, said her family has waited, waited, and waited, with her husband making risky trips to other neighborhoods for internet access to check for updated evacuation orders.

In their many applications to leave, their names have never appeared together on the approval list, and the family refuses to be separated. One attempt resulted in the children approved for crossing, but without Yulia and her husband.

Can you imagine? How are children of 1 and 5 years old supposed to leave separately, without Mom and Dad? she said.

These days, survival is the only focus. Their home in Gaza City was destroyed; its now a pile of gray, dust-colored rubble in Yulias videos. Theyre sheltering with distant relatives in the city of Deir al Balah, where the buzz of warplanes can be heard in the background of Yulias sporadic calls and voice messages.

Yulia said that weeks of explosions and the constant fear have affected her older sons speech and sleep. She cant find diapers for her youngest; the only ones left are marked up to exorbitant prices or too small for a 1-year-old. Both boys are sick, she said, from the lack of clean water and nutritious food. In one episode, the baby fell dangerously ill after drinking contaminated water.

He was unconscious for four days. We couldnt do anything, because there are no hospitals, no cars, no fuel, theres nothing, Yulia said. You just had to sit there and cry.

Yulia said it infuriates her to see strangers on social media casting judgment on trapped families, as if Ukrainians in Gaza were to blame for their plight because they traded one volatile place for another. She said her family had no choice. Her husband had been studying in Ukraine, first in Vinnytsia, then Dnipro, the site of some of the most intense combat of the war.

Where could we go? Yulia said. The couple had no family anywhere but Gaza. We ended up here only because of the war in Ukraine.

Heba Farouk Mahfouz in Cairo contributed to this report.
Palestinians line up for free food distribution during the ongoing Israeli air and ground offensive in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Hatem Ali/AP)

The arrest this week of an American woman in the West Bank by the Israel Defense Forces has prompted an outcry in the United States.

Samaher Esmail was arrested Monday for incitement on social media during an operation in the Silwad village area, the IDF told The Washington Post on Wednesday.

Suspects arrested in the operation were transferred to the security forces for further questioning, the IDF said, without providing more information about Esmails alleged social media activity. Rep. Troy A. Carter (D-La.) said he was extremely concerned about the detention of Esmail, a resident of Louisianas 2nd Congressional District.

I have been in contact with the American Embassy and the State Department to inquire why a U.S. citizen is being held. I am praying for her safety, he said Tuesday in a social media post.

On Wednesday, the State Department told The Post that it was seeking additional information and was aware of the reported detention of a U.S. citizen in the West Bank. It declined to share more information, citing privacy considerations.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations said in a statement Wednesday that it had written to the State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem requesting that they demand Esmails immediate release.

As an American citizen, Samaher Esmail deserves the full protection and support of her government, the civil rights group said.

Esmails family told the Associated Press that Israeli forces broke into the 46-year-olds home in the West Bank on Monday and pulled her out of bed. On Wednesday, they said they remain unaware of her whereabouts. The Post could not immediately confirm the circumstances of Esmails arrest.

While the toll of Israels military operation in Gaza has captured global attention, Israel has also stepped up military activity in the West Bank, including a raid at a hospital last month by Israeli security forces disguised as medics and patients. Settler violence in the area has also risen at an unprecedented rate since Hamass Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Tawfic Abdel Jabbar, a 17-year-old U.S. citizen also from Louisiana, was fatally shot in the head in the West Bank in January. In a statement that shed little light on the circumstances surrounding his death, Israeli police said an off-duty law enforcement officer, a soldier and an Israeli settler had all been involved in a firearm discharge  directed towards a perceived threat.
House lawmakers said during a hearing Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, that they want to see more public-private partnerships in military housing to address poor living conditions and allow service members to focus on warfighting rather than maintaining aging barracks. (Defense Department, Government Accountability Office)

WASHINGTON  Lawmakers said Wednesday that they wanted to see more public-private partnerships in military housing to address poor living conditions and allow service members to focus on warfighting rather than maintaining aging barracks.

Members of the House Armed Services Committees readiness subpanel suggested such changes could help fix a military housing system that continues to grapple with mold, cockroach and rodent infestations, sewage overflow, broken air conditioning and other issues.

Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., the chairman of the panel, said he was put off by conversations with service leaders that discussed how Marines, for example, could be better trained to oversee heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

I want those Marines better trained to do bad things to bad people and not managing buildings, Waltz, a former Green Beret, said Wednesday during a hearing on military infrastructure. We have entities in the United States of America that can do this incredibly well.

The Army intends to lead the way in lessening the burden on service members by creating a robust workforce of trained civilian barracks managers, according to Rachel Jacobson, the services assistant secretary for installations, energy and environment.

We will no longer ask soldiers to perform these functions as a collateral duty, she told lawmakers.

The Army is also hoping to use a pilot project for privatized junior enlisted housing at Fort Irwin in California as a blueprint for barrack privatization. Privatized barracks in the Army are now mostly limited to older enlisted personnel.

Meanwhile, the Navy is building on its ongoing privatization efforts with a pilot housing program for unaccompanied sailors in San Diego and Norfolk, Va., said Meredith Berger, the services assistant secretary for installations, energy and environment.

Lawmakers said public-private partnerships are key for remedying systemic problems in military housing that have left living quarters chronically neglected and underfunded, particularly for junior troops.

Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., said Congress needs to give more authority to the military to pursue contracts with private companies to repair, renovate, construct and operate barracks.

We can make it happen, he said. Right now theres limitations on what each of the departments can do. We need to tell them to get on with it in the next [National Defense Authorization Act].

But, Garamendi cautioned, the services must be equipped to avoid the highly publicized problems that have plagued privatized military family housing in recent years. Congress has had to enact a slew of reforms to address mold, asbestos, sewage backups and other issues at homes owned by private companies.

The military began turning to the private sector to provide housing services in the 1990s as its own housing stock aged and became unfit for residency.

The Defense Department continues to pour investments into its housing and installations but a significant gap persists between expected standards and the reality on the ground, said Brendan Owens, the assistant secretary of defense for installations, energy and environment.

The [Defense Department] has in too many instances failed to live up to our role in making sure the housing we provide honors the commitment of the service members and their families and enables them to bring their best versions of themselves to their critical missions, he said.

Jacobson, the Army official, said a combination of factors have contributed to substandard living conditions, including the sheer size of the militarys inventory, a growing backlog of deferred maintenance and ineffective management practices.

Pressure to improve barracks has grown since a government watchdog report last year revealed squalor in rank-and-file base housing. Owens said the Pentagon anticipates implementing 28 of the reports 31 recommendations this year and has assembled a team to determine habitability standards.

Owens told lawmakers that he was not aware of anyone who was fired in response to the findings in the report.

Waltz said the lack of accountability was unacceptable and a critical part of why service members are forced to live with mold, feces, broken sewage lines and other unsafe conditions.

I dont think anybody on this committee or any of you are expecting our service members live in the Taj Mahal, I dont think thats their expectation, he said. But this is disgusting, this is unsatisfactory.
The Senate voted down a sweeping national security and border reform package on Wednesday after most Senate Republicans banded together with a handful of Democrats to reject the legislation their leadership helped negotiate for months.

The bill included more than $60 billion in aid for Ukraine as it fends off a Russian invasion and $14 billion for Israel in its war in Gaza, and has long been a top national security priority for President Biden.

Senators were set to proceed to another vote on the national security aid without the border reforms before Republicans emerged from a closed-door meeting Wednesday afternoon deeply divided about a path forward. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) held a vote open for hours, hoping Republicans could come to an agreement on how to proceed. He finally adjourned the chamber after 7 p.m. and said the vote would be held Thursday to give Republicans a night to figure themselves out.

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said there was a very spirited debate within the Republican conference over lunch about whether to vote to proceed to the original supplemental now or delay until the lawmakers have more information about the amendment process. Some lawmakers also argued that they felt they had been led into a political disaster in which they were now being blamed for the chaos at the border, according to Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.). At one point, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) stood up to plead with her colleagues during the heated meeting to stop vilifying each other, according to a person in the room who spoke on the condition of anonymity to reveal internal discussions. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) spent much of the lunch meeting listening to his members, Rounds said. Some Republicans want a chance to vote on border-related amendments to the supplemental.

We just hope they can come to a yes on something, Schumer said Wednesday.

The vote caps an embarrassing week for Senate Republicans, after Republicans who said they would not aid U.S. allies before addressing the influx of migrants at the U.S. border promptly slammed the very deal they had demanded hours after it was released. Former President Donald Trump, who has made the border a core campaign issue, criticized and mischaracterized the bill, arguing that only reelecting him president can fix the border, which contributed to its rapid collapse of support. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) also made it clear the bill would not receive a vote in his chamber.

This whole thing is outrageous, said Sen Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.). Its really embarrassing for the United States Senate. She said the Republican suggestion to delay the vote for after the Senates two-week recess would be a gift to Vladimir Putin.

In an angry floor speech ahead of the vote, Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), the bills chief GOP negotiator, said he was disappointed that some of his colleagues were deciding not to try to solve the border crisis simply because its a presidential election year. Lankford also said he was threatened by a popular commentator, who told him, If you try to move a bill that solves the border crisis during this presidential year, I will do whatever I can to destroy you.

Lankford was joined by fellow Republicans Collins, Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Mitt Romney (Utah) in voting for the bill. McConnell, whose staff helped write the legislation, voted against it. On the Democratic side, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Bob Menendez (N.J.), Alex Padilla (Calif.), and Edward J. Markey (Mass.) voted against, alongside Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

The $118 billion bill includes sweeping changes to the nations asylum system and a mechanism to effectively shut down the border to most migrants when crossings are particularly high. It was endorsed by the staunchly conservative union for Border Patrol officers and slammed by refugee rights groups, including Amnesty International USA, as containing the most extreme anti-immigrant proposals this country has seen in 100 years.

But a growing number of Republicans on Capitol Hill painted the legislation as too soft.

Johnson and his leadership team  who initially demanded House-passed border reforms be attached to Ukraine funding  spelled out their grievances in a joint statement, saying the legislation fails to secure the border and would encourage more illegal immigration.

Those in support of the legislation slammed what they saw as hypocrisy. Sunday morning, there was a real crisis at the border. Monday morning, that crisis magically disappeared, said Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), who helped negotiate the deal with Lankford. It turns out border security is not actually a risk to our national security. Its just a talking point for the election.

Johnson did not say how he would handle the supplemental bill without the border provisions. Well see what the Senate does, he told reporters.

Trump also slammed the bills lead negotiator as he derided the final product.

This is a very bad bill for his career, Trump said of Lankford, who is among the conferences most conservative members, in an interview with radio host Dan Bongino on Monday.

The incident has been embarrassing for McConnell, given that just four Senate Republicans voted for it. McConnell, the longest-serving party leader in the Senate, has made backing Ukraine and the U.S. commitment to NATO a core issue. But he has had trouble finding a way to deliver the votes from his conference, given the issues unpopularity among his partys base and Johnsons insistence that the House would not pass it without strict border reforms attached.

I dont think that the last three months could have been handled any worse than it has been handled from a leadership perspective, said Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), a McConnell critic and skeptic of Ukraine funding. Its just been a total disaster.

A number of Senate Republicans are headed next week to the Munich Security Conference, where Ukraines fate will be top of mind.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and several other Republicans said on Tuesday they planned to vote to proceed on the original national security supplemental after the border bill fails. Now I think we have to move on to Ukraine, Israel and continue to govern, he said.

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said he believed that Ukraine funding was largely supported in this chamber, but that no consensus on the issue had emerged.
Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., speaks during an event Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, at the headquarters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Washington, D.C. Looking on from left are American Legion National Security Commission Chairman Matthew Shuman, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and at far right Pat Murray, the VFWs director of the National Legislative Service. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes)

WASHINGTON  A group of lawmakers said Thursday that they will push to include a path to U.S. residency for Afghan allies in a national security aid bill moving through the Senate.

Senate leaders on Wednesday stripped provisions that would have helped Afghans who worked with U.S. forces during the war in Afghanistan after Republicans voted down a bill that paired aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with a crackdown on immigration.

But a standalone foreign aid bill moved forward with some Republican support on Thursday and opened the door to an amendment process that could reinstate measures aimed at fulfilling promises to Afghan allies.

This is a national security issue, said Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas, the top Republican on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. It sends a message to our allies that were dependable and a message to our adversaries that were united.

Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Chris Coons, D-Del., are also lobbying for the amendment, alongside veterans and advocacy groups. Klobuchar said the senators are touting the unique bipartisan nature of the legislation, but it was unclear Thursday whether Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., would put it to a vote.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., speaks during an event Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, at the headquarters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Washington, D.C., as she urged members of Congress to pass an amendment that would provide a path out of immigration limbo for tens of thousands of Afghan refugees. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes)

The proposed amendment would provide a long-awaited path out of immigration limbo for tens of thousands of Afghan refugees evacuated to the U.S. during the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

Advocacy groups and lawmakers had tried for years to move Afghans from humanitarian parole status to legal residency via a bill called the Afghan Adjustment Act, but the legislation stalled amid resistance from Republicans who insisted on strict vetting for refugees.

The deal that Senate Republicans rebelled against this week would have coupled extensive vetting procedures with a way for qualified Afghans to apply for American citizenship eventually. It also extended special immigrant visa eligibility to Afghan forces who fought alongside the U.S. military, including female members of the Afghan National Security Forces.

About 152,000 Afghan interpreters and others who assisted the U.S. in its fight against the Taliban are believed to still be in Afghanistan, according to the State Department. Some 90,000 Afghan refugees were resettled in the U.S. and only about 20,000 have been approved for visas that give them the right to remain and work in the U.S.

We are essentially asking our Afghan partners  people who took bullets to the face and shrapnel across their body  to rebuild their lives on top of a trapdoor that could fall out from under them any second, Klobuchar said. Without a path to permanent residency, all of it: their jobs, their homes, their safety could disappear.

Veterans groups have expressed dismay at the sudden collapse of the Senates original national security legislation, which was negotiated for months after Republicans said they would not vote for a bill to aid Ukraine until it included tightened security at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Republican Senators turned their backs on the legislation after former President Donald Trump, who is expected to win the Republican nomination for president, publicly denounced it.

Holding our allies who stood beside our troops in our nations longest war hostage to our dysfunctional politics on immigration is morally bankrupt, said Tom Seaman, a Marine Corps veteran and legislative director for the nonprofit veterans group With Honor Action. If we miss this opportunity right now, today, tomorrow and the following days, it could be months or even years before we can fix this.

Marine veteran Tom Seaman, the legislative director for the nonprofit veterans group With Honor Action, speaks during an event Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, at the headquarters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Washington, D.C., where he urged members of Congress to pass an amendment that would provide a path out of immigration limbo for tens of thousands of Afghan refugees. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes)

Schumer said an amendment process is being negotiated with Republicans and work on the bill will continue until the job is done.

The legislation that the Senate advanced Thursday would send $60 billion to Ukraine for its war against Russian aggression, $14 billion in security assistance for Israel, $10 billion in humanitarian aid for civilians in conflict zones and nearly $5 billion to support Taiwan and deter China.

An additional $2.4 billion would boost U.S. military operations in the Middle East, where American forces are carrying out strikes against Iran-affiliated militias in Yemen, Iraq and Syria.

The legislation is expected to face a difficult path in both chambers as some Senate Republicans conditioned their support on the addition of immigration-related amendments and House Republicans increasingly oppose any further aid to Ukraine.
St Clair told gardai she had been asked by a former schoolmate to carry two large suitcases containing clothing to London, for which she was due to be paid 5,000.

A 30-year-old American woman who brought over 460,000 of cannabis into Dublin Airport just before Christmas told gardai she wasn't fully aware of what was in her suitcases.

Adrianne St Clair of Denker Avenue, Los Angeles, has been in custody since December 22 last, when a customs sniffer dog detected over 22 kg of drugs in her luggage on arrival from the US.

She had been due to travel onward to London Gatwick Airport, where she told her counsel she understood she would be working as a masseuse in a corporate setting for several days.

St Clair told gardai she had been asked by a former schoolmate to carry two large suitcases containing clothing to London, for which she was due to be paid 5,000.

When asked by gardai if she had been aware there might be something illegal in the suitcases, St Clair replied: I was aware it could be.

Michael Bowman SC, defending, described St Clair as naive and vulnerable and said her deep-seated Christian faith compelled her to take the best view of others and believe that nobody would take advantage of her.

At a hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today Judge Martin Nolan said St Clair must have suspected that there were illicit substances in her luggage.

She was enduring some financial distress; an opportunity was placed before her, and she succumbed to temptation, said Judge Nolan.

He added: Obviously, she didn't want to believe it, but it would be nonsensical to think she didn't believe there were some illicit substances in her baggage.

St Clair came forward on signed pleas from the District Court and admitted possessing 460,880 worth of cannabis on the date in question.

She has no previous convictions in Ireland or abroad.

Garda James Connor told Joe Barnes BL, prosecuting, that a customs sniffer dog intercepted the two large suitcases and that St Clair cooperated fully with the garda investigation.

When asked by Judge Nolan if it was unusual to find such large amounts of cannabis coming through the airport, Gda Connors replied that it was a recent trend over the past few months.

The court heard St Clair told gardai it was scary travelling on her own but that she was looking forward to doing some shopping in London.

She said she didn't know what was in the suitcases and that the only reason she brought them was because a woman with whom she went to school had asked her.

The court heard that this acquaintance booked her flights and sent a driver to collect her for the airport in Los Angeles.

On the day of her flight, St Clair dropped her five-year-old daughter off to school, relaxed at home, picked up her daughter later and did her homework with her, and then was collected by a driver whom she did not know.

The luggage was already in the car, the court heard.

Gda Connor agreed with the prosecution that they were not dealing with a criminal mastermind.

'The garda also agreed with Mr Bowman, defending, that St Clair came from a deeply religious, decent, hardworking family, none of whom had ever been in trouble before.

St Clair's mother, who travelled to Ireland to support her daughter, took the stand and told the court that her family were part of the Church of the Harvest Gathering.

Mrs St Clair said her daughters' car had been stolen, and she found herself in a difficult financial situation as a single mother of a young child.

The court heard that members of the family's church community are praying that God will guide St Clair through this difficult situation and are praying for her.

Multiple letters were handed in from family and friends testifying to St Clair's good character and strong Christian faith, including one from her church pastor asking the court for mercy.

St Clair herself wrote a letter to the court apologising and setting out her personal circumstances and church background.

I was taken advantage of; my vulnerability was taken for granted, said St Clair, explaining that she has never been away from her daughter before and finds it particularly challenging to share a prison cell with three others.

Judge Nolan accepted that serving time in an Irish prison, with no connections in this country, is very lonely for a foreign national.

He said St Clair had a very good work history, a very impressive range of testimonials and was unlikely to reoffend.

It seems this was a one-off incident, said Judge Nolan, setting a headline sentence of six or seven years.

He said St Clair's culpability was one of recklessness rather than actual knowledge and sentenced her to three and a half years in prison, backdated to when she went into custody on December 22 last.
Evan Little has been on remand in custody since last September after being first refused bail in the district court and in the High Court in November

A father of three school going children has pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of an M16 machine gun used in war zones, 179 rounds of ammunition and a 30 round capacity magazine in a forested area at Shannon last September.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Evan Little (32) of Inis Eagla, Shannon, Co Clare entered the guilty pleas in connection with the three firearms charges from September 15th last.

With a number of supporters in the courtroom for his brief hearing, Mr Little pleaded guilty to having in his unlawful possession an M16 assault rifle and 179 rounds of ammunition in a forested area at Clonmoney West, Shannon on September 15th.

Evan Little (32)

Mr Little has also pleaded guilty to having in his unlawful possession a 30 round capacity magazine at Clonmoney West, Shannon on September 15th last.

After Mr Little entered his guilty pleas, counsel for the accused, Pat Whyms BL told Judge Francis Comerford that his client "is in custody on these matters alone and there is some pressing urgency in that regard.

Mr Whyms said that a Probation Report is essential in the case as the offences "represent a very serious escalation of his previous engagements with the criminal justice system.

Mr Little went forward to the circuit court on signed pleas of guilty which removed the need of the State to draw up a Book of Evidence in the case.

Mr Little was first arrested arising from a joint operation between the Emergency Response Unit and the Clare Divisional Drugs Unit.

Mr Little has been on remand in custody since last September after being first refused bail in the district court and in the High Court in November.

Stock photo

At the district court bail hearing last September, Mr Littles solicitor, Daragh Hassett said that his client is a law abiding PAYE worker and that his clients time in custody is the first time Mr Little has ever spent time in prison.

Det Garda Ger Cunningham told the court at the bail hearing that Gardai were objecting to bail due to the seriousness of the charges and the significant calibre weapon involved which he said is commonly used by military personnel.

On the weapon seized, Judge Alec Gabbett commented in court last September: This is a machine gun. This is the type of automatic rifle used in war zones.

Mr Little is a qualified tree surgeon. Judge Comerford remanded Mr Little in custody to appear via video-link at Ennis Circuit Court on March 8th to fix a date for sentence.
A man in his 20s was taken to Tullamores Midland Regional Hospital for treatment to non-life threatening injuries as a result of the incident

A judge has refused to extend legal aid to allow a man charged in connection to an alleged car ramming incident in a Longford housing estate to undergo a psychiatric assessment.

Forty-two-year-old Tommy McGinley, of Palace Drive, Ardnacassa, Co Longford appeared at a sitting of Longford District Court charged with dangerous driving at Legion Terrace, Longford on September 16 last year.

A man in his 20s was taken to Tullamores Midland Regional Hospital for treatment to non-life threatening injuries as a result of the incident.

The court had previously heard how the State was facing a race against time to ascertain directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) owing to the strict conditions McGinley was confined to.

Tommy McGinley

Judge Bernadette Owens was told that while the DPP had consented to summary disposal, meaning the case could be heard at District Court level, those directions also included four further road traffic charges to be levelled against the accused.

Garda Vincent OLeary gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution, revealing how McGinley made no reply to each of the charges when they were put to him.

Sgt Enda Daly, for the prosecution, said the State had no difficulty in complying with full disclosure, in releasing documentary evidence to the defence.

Brid Mimnagh, acting for McGinley, asked the court to consider extending legal aid to cover the cost of carrying out a psychiatric report on her client.

She said the move would help advance the case very significantly between now and when McGinley next returns before the court.

Judge Owens, however, refused the application on the basis a report could potentially prejudice the court without knowing if McGinley was pleading guilty or seeking a full hearing on the matter.

The case was adjourned until April 9 with McGinley being remanded on continuing bail.
The court heard that Mr Griffin was arrested upon arrival at Dublin Airport yesterday

Philip Griffin (37) of no fixed abode has been charged with the murder of Anthony OBrien and his daughter, Nadine, at Killeen Heights, Tralee, in 2012.

The court heard that Mr Griffin was arrested upon arrival at Dublin Airport on February 7 on foot of an arrest warrant issued by Judge David Waters last November.

Detective Sgt Ernie Henderson told the court Mr Griffin was brought to Tralee Garda Station at 9.15pm and was charged with two counts of murder. In reply, he said he had nothing to say at this time.

He is also charged with arson on the same date on a property at Killeen Heights.

Anthony O'Brien and daughter Nadine, who were killed in a house fire in Tralee in 2012.

Mr Griffin, who is represented by solicitor Brendan Ahern, was remanded in custody and will appear at Tralee District Court by video link on February 14.

Mr Ahern sought legal aid, which was granted. He said his client is of no fixed abode and has no income.

Sgt Stephen OBrien sought a reporting restriction to not identify the child in this case. He said this was on foot of a request by the DPP.

The childs mother, Kelly, who was present in court, interjected. Other family members were also in court.

Judge Waters said he did not think he had the power to do so. He said it would also not be appropriate to do so given both victims had been identified by the media already.

Therefore, he refused to impose a reporting restriction.
None of the dogs had ever seen a vet and, from their fear, they had very little human interaction

A Kilkenny man has pleaded guilty for cruelty to animals after a hero ISPCA inspector discovered four dogs living in a shed covered in faeces with their teeth falling out.

Clement Stone (60) with an address of Aughamuckey, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, admitted four charges under sections 11, 12 and 13, of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 (AHWA) on Tuesday at Kilkenny District Court.

Senior Inspector Fiona Conlon discovered four Yorkshire Terrier dogs living in horrendous conditions on the mans property last December.

Credit: ISPCA

Giving evidence to the Court, Ms Conlon described how she found the dogs living in stables hidden away down a lane way by the dwelling house behind a padlocked gate and galvanised fencing.

"The stables were covered with excrement, old white moulding faeces interspersed with fresher faeces. There was an overpowering smell of faeces and urine.

The dogs were also extremely fearful, showing signs that they had very little socialisation and were difficult to catch.

Ms Conlon said the animals were severely matted, smelly with bald patches revealing irritated skin and they also foul breath.

The senior ISPCA Inspector described how Mr Stone told her the dogs were his deceased fathers dogs, and that he had bred the dogs to keep the line.

Credit: ISPCA

Mr Stones father is dead 15 years.

The dogs were surrendered and taken for immediate veterinary assessment, where they were found to have advanced dental disease.

This was so severe that one dogs teeth fell out during the veterinary examination, and three of the dogs were booked in for urgent dental treatment two days later.

The abused animals were administered with pain relief, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics.

Looking at photographs provided by Senior Inspector Conlon, Judge Geraldine Carty said, that they made unhappy viewing and that the facts of the case were stark. The animals were in a chronic state of neglect and the Court was satisfied that the dogs would have been neglected for a very long period of time.

Credit: ISPCA

Judge Carty imposed a disqualification order for all dogs apart from a single pet dog, which Mr Stone was permitted to keep for the remainder of its life but cannot replace.

She also imposed a fine of 500 on each of four summonses and ordered that Mr Stone pay 1,221 ISPCA costs and 1,000 towards prosecution costs.

Speaking after the case Senior Inspector Conlon said The condition of these four little dogs, and their living environment was horrendous. They were commercial entities, used for breeding.

Credit: ISPCA

"None of the dogs had ever seen a vet and, from their fear, they had very little human interaction. Thankfully these dogs are now in loving homes.

"If you are thinking of getting a dog, please consider rescuing, there are so many dogs in Ireland right now looking for homes, lets make Rescued our favourite breed.

Donations to help the ISPCA can be made here at: www.ispca.ie/donate.

Animal welfare concerns can be reported to the ISPCAs National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 0818 515 515, online at: www.ispca.ie/cruelty_complaint or email helpline@ispca.ie.
Errol H V was jailed for 9.5 years in absentia in 2021 for his role in the biggest heist in Dutch history

Schiphol diamond thieves are seen driving away in 2005

European police in Ibiza have arrested the alleged brains behind one of the biggest diamond heists of all time.

70 million worth of diamonds were taken from Schiphol airport in 2005 in what is officially the largest ever robbery in the history of Holland.

Cops ran alleged mastermind Errol H.V. (59) off the road yesterday as he drove his car around the party Balearic island of Ibiza.

The criminal has been hiding out in the sunshine for the past number of years.

Errol H V was jailed for just under a decade in absentia in 2021 for his role in the monster heist by appeal court judges. He had disappeared in 2020 after he was released from jail to wait for his appeal.

Schiphol diamond thieves are seen driving away in 2005

Sources close to the criminal told Dutch media he had been picked up on the side of the road.

Seven other gang members were arrested in Spain and Amsterdam in 2017 in connection with the diamond job after a major intelligence operation. Two years later, four were jailed, two were found not guilty and one had passed away.

Errol HV was handed down a seven-year prison sentence but in 2020 he and the other gang members were released from jail and allowed to wait for their appeals whilst on the loose.

Another alleged criminal, Marlon D, who reportedly committed the theft alongside Errol H V, was arrested in Amsterdam last year.

The theft took place on February 25, 2005 when armed robbers dressed as KLM staff hijacked an armoured car in a secure area of Schiphol airport and stole uncut diamonds said to be worth in excess of $72m.

The mammoth pile of jewels was about to be flown to Belgium when the crime occurred before loading.

Part of the diamond haul was recovered from a getaway car but most of the expensive loot is still missing to this day.

No has an extradition date been set for the Ibiza based criminal. According to the Telegraaf newspaper, he still has to serve about 6.5 years of his sentence.
She asked the dealer can we have 5 bags of coke and 3 bags of ket please

A gangster's glamorous moll who helped run a ketamine drug ring has avoided jail after a judge found her to be a an intelligent, hardworking, insightful, and remorseful individual.

Pavandeep Nijjar (29) a former fashion buyer and recruitment specialist was said to have treated ketamine, cocaine and ecstasy like a shopping commodity as she peddled drugs to her friends through underworld associates of boyfriend Charlie Jacob.

A judge at Manchester Crown Court compared her activities, carried out over a three-year period between 2019 and 2022, to a shopper going to a supermarket and asking friends does anybody want anything?.

The university graduate, known as 'Pav', was identified when police arrested her 27-year-old boyfriend Jacob over a 40,000 shipment of MDMA which was intercepted by border force officers.

Jacob was jailed for 10 years at an earlier hearing after he admitted conspiracy to supply, cocaine, ketamine, cannabis and MDMA.

When her phone was examined during the investigation into Jacob, investigators discovered a series of incriminating messages she had exchanged with pals including one while she was on holiday in Croatia in which she placed a drugs order for herself and her friends.

She asked the dealer can we have 5 bags of coke and 3 bags of ket please.

She also placed orders as her social circle were heading to a music festival.

Jacob himself had lived a 'lavish' lifestyle from his own drug dealing and had enjoyed holidays to Amsterdam, Dubai, and America as well as stays at luxury hotels. His girlfriend had boasted of going to Miami and Ibiza and enjoying a glass of wine on the beach.

Nijjar admitted drug dealing under questioning but insisted she made no profit, saying, my friends and I would go out drinking and clubbing very frequently and this included recreational drug use.

"I accept that there were times when I took responsibility for purchasing drugs for these occasions and this is shown in the text messages from my mobile phone. But it did not go further than this."

Pavandeep Nijjar

Nijjar pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine MDMA and ketamine but insisted she was now leading a completely different lifestyle.

She was given a two year jail sentence suspended for 23 months.

Sentencing Judge Mark Savill told Nijjar: You are a woman not only lacking in previous convictions but you are of absolutely positive character apart from this.

I have also read the pre-sentence report which shows you to be an intelligent, hardworking, insightful, and remorseful individual.

The Manchester Evening News reported how a receptionist who had worked for the Great Manchester Police Digital Investigation Unit was tipping off Jacob and his accomplices, warning them they were being investigated by detectives and not to use Snapchat.

When Border Force officers intercepted a parcel from the Netherlands addressed to a property Jacob rented out in Denton, the package appeared to contain cat food but was found to contain a haul of MDMA tablets.

Police then raided the rental property and found 28 cannabis plants growing inside

They then arrived at Jacob's home in nearby Droylsden in December 2021 where they arrested him.

They discovered found Nijjar hiding in an upstairs bedroom who initially refused to engage with the police or provide her details.

However, she later admitted that she was Jacob's girlfriend and had stayed the night at his house, before eventually handing over her phone and the password for it.

Examination revealed that she was a recreational user of controlled drugs and was involved in the social supply of these substances with several of Jacob's know drug contacts stored in her phone.

Nijjar was arrested at her flat in July 2022 after locking herself in the bathroom when police burst in.

Another mobile phone was seized which contained more messages saying she could still sort drug orders but warning friends not to mention them in any group chats.
Italian drug trafficker Bruno Carbone was the right-hand man of his fellow countryman Raffaele Imperiale

A close associate of Kinahan ally Raffaele Imperiale has given evidence in court of his involvement in a multi-million drug-trafficking network stretching around the globe from South America to Europe, the middle east and Australia.

Italian drug trafficker Bruno Carbone was the right-hand man of his fellow countryman Imperiale and had been on the run since 2003 before he was captured by jihadists in Syria in 2022 before being extradited to Italy.

Like Imperiale, a mafia boss who was arrested in Dubai in 2021 before being extradited to Italy, he has agreed to give evidence of his involvement in the international drugs network.

Imperiale headed up a mafia group who formed a supercartel with the Kinahans, the Dutch Moroccan mafia and the Bosnian Tito and Dino cartel.

Carbone appeared in court in Italy this week by video link from a secret location where he is being detained.

He told how he transferred money for the purchase of cocaine from Panama, from Ecuador, from Colombia simply with a click, or with a chat message, through exchange dealers with whom enormous trust had been established. This is how the money for drugs was transferred to any part of the world, I supplied all of Naples with my cocaine.

He also spoke about the transfer of a ton of cocaine which was supposed to arrive in Australia from on board two containers after being organised by Imperiale.

Gang boss Raffaele Imperiale

Carbone was captured in Syria by a militia once linked to al Qaeda in 2022. He was later extradited to Italy after behind-the-scenes negotiations with the Hayat Tahrir al Sham militia group who captured him.

Speaking this week about his release, he said: I was freed thanks to an agreement, I believe with the secret services, an agreement with the jihadists who kidnapped me: I am grateful to Italy

On November 4, 2022, I was picked up and put in front of a camera with a sign in my hand. Ten days later, on November 14, I was handed over to some people who took me to Italy. In that prison, a close collaborator of mine, Anass Zamouri, remained there. I dont know what happened to him, maybe hes still there, maybe hes dead.

After his capture he was detained in a room with 40 other people.

He said Italian authorities intervened in the situation but he is still not aware of all the details that led to his release.

It is believed an agreement may have been reached with the assistance of Turkish authorities who mediated with the jihadi group.

Carbone also gave evidence that the port of Gioia Tauro in Calabria, Italy was under the command of Bartolo Bruzzaniti, an Italian national suspected of being a high-level international drug trafficker.

Bruzzaniti was arrested in Lebanon last year, months after being placed on a Most Wanted list for allegedly trafficking tons of cocaine into Italy with the help of the mafia mob Ndrangheta.

The port of Gioia Tauro was under the command of Bartolo Bruzzaniti, Carbone said.

Meanwhile, Italian businessman entrepreneur Giovanni Fontana denied allegations that he was involved in the drug network.

He said he knew Imperiale, who had used his transport company for shipments but said it was stone and not drugs being transported.

In my life I have always worked, I have a company with over 150 employees with an already high turnover, I didnt need to lend myself to making illicit shipments for Imperiale

Those five to six transports for me were as clean as all the others that my company carried out, I have always worked honestly and I ask that my position be evaluated.
AUSTIN, Texas, February 08, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Closinglock, a leading fintech and fraud prevention technology provider for the real estate industry, proudly announces the successful closure of its $12M Series A funding round. Led by Headline and backed by LiveOak Ventures, RWT Horizons and GTMfund, this investment drives forward Closinglocks mission to revolutionize the transfer of funds and information in real estate.

This marks a pivotal moment for Closinglock, validating its innovative approach and robust platform aimed at fortifying the real estate industry against fraudulent activities and financial risks.

Andy White, Co-founder and CEO of Closinglock, expressed excitement and gratitude for the support, stating, "This Series A funding is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our team, as well as the relevance of our solutions in combating fraud in real estate. We are thrilled to add Headline as a partner as we continue to innovate and strengthen our offerings to better serve our clients."

This significant infusion of capital will empower Closinglock to accelerate product development, expand its technological infrastructure and further enhance its capabilities in safeguarding and streamlining real estate transactions.

As fraudulent schemes continue to evolve, Closinglock maintains a steadfast commitment to advancing its product offerings and improving security at every corner, leveraging cutting-edge technology and a customer-centric approach.

"When we first met with Closinglock, we were immediately impressed with their dedication to solving the increasingly complex problems in real estate - spanning fraud, trustworthy payments and software," claimed King Goh, partner at Headline. "Complemented by their industry expertise, technology and product depth, we knew right away that Closinglock was up to this challenge. We couldnt wait to partner with them and get started."

About Closinglock

Closinglock provides fraud prevention technology to the real estate industry, modernizing transactions through a secure, easy-to-use platform. With Closinglock, settlement companies can exchange wire instructions, receive earnest money and cash-to-close payments, validate payoff accounts, verify identities, share documents and collect eSignatures. Trusted by over 400 title companies and law firms, and supported by leading financial service providers such as J.P. Morgan, Closinglock has protected hundreds of thousands of transactions totaling more than $250 billion. Learn more at Closinglock.com.

Story continues

About Headline

Headline is a venture capital firm that uses its own technology and international team to discover and invest in rising founders around the world. With ~$4B of assets under management, Headline is composed of a network of four regionally-focused early-stage funds in the US, Europe, Brazil, and Asia and a Global Venture Growth fund that invests worldwide. Since its founding in 1999, Headline has proudly worked alongside teams with global aspirations from Silicon Valley to Sao Paulo, Beijing to Berlin. Its portfolio includes category creators across both B2B and B2C such as Acorns, Angies List, AppFolio, Bitwarden, Bumble, Creditas, Farfetch, Gopuff, Honeycomb, Pismo, The RealReal, Scopely, Segment, SEMrush, Sonos, Stafffbase, and Yeahka, among others. Learn more at Headline.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208890058/en/

Contacts

Abigail White

VP of Communications

(512) 270-3917

press@closinglock.com
Bryonny Sainsbury (25) suffered a serious brain injury after being struck by her horse

The Sainsbury family - Chris (father), Alison (Mother) and Gregory (brother) - hold a photo of Byronny at the Coroner's Court inquest on Store Street, Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Bryonny Sainsbury, who died after being kicked by a horse in August 2021, was described by her mother as someone who was full of life

A verdict of medical misadventure has been recorded at an inquest into the death of a young Longford woman who experienced a catalogue of failures while being treated at the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar two and a half years ago.

Bryonny Sainsbury (25), a salon owner from Briskil, Newtownforbes, Co Longford who suffered a serious brain injury after being struck by her horse, died in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin on August 31, 2021.

Ms Sainsbury sustained her injuries while holding her horse as a vet tried to put a tube into the animals mouth at a riding stables in Keenagh, Co Longford on August 26, 2021.

She was initially brought to hospital in Mullingar and was only transferred to Beaumont three days later after a serious deterioration in her condition.

Following two days of evidence from over a dozen witnesses at an inquest at Dublin District Coroners Court, corner Crona Gallagher returned a verdict of medical misadventure.

The Sainsbury family - Chris (father), Alison (Mother) and Gregory (brother) - hold a photo of Byronny at the Coroner's Court inquest on Store Street, Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Counsel for Ms Sainsburys family, Esther Earley BL, told the hearing that the combination of failures and shortcomings in the care of the patient during her stay in Mullingar had led to a death which was treatable and salvageable.

Had she been treated appropriately in Mullingar, she would not have died, said Ms Earley.

The barrister claimed the evidence had demonstrated that staff in Mullingar had failed to keep experts they consulted in Beaumont apprised of changes in the patients condition which she said had begun early on August 27, 2021 when Ms Sainsbury was vomiting and complaining of the pain in her head.

She said they had also failed to inform staff in Beaumont of the results of various scans on the patient.

Ms Earley acknowledged that there was a dispute between the two hospitals over advice that had allegedly been given for regular checks to be carried out on Ms Sainsbury which would have highlighted her falling sodium levels.

The barrister said there was also confusion between consultants in Mullingar over who was responsible for the care of the patient at a time when it was obvious that her condition was deteriorating.

She noted that one witness  a consultant neurosurgeon at Beaumont, Donncha OBrien  had given evidence that his medical team were powerless to act to treat Ms Sainsbury due to lack of communication by staff at Mullingar and not following the advice given by their colleagues in Dublin.

Ms Earley criticised the system which seemed to exist in Mullingar where there was a fundamental breakdown over who was responsible for the patients care.

She said such a system cant be acceptable or safe.

Counsel for the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar, Caoimhe Daly BL, had called for a narrative verdict to reflect what she claimed was the complexity of the case as well as to explain how Ms Sainsbury had sustained her original injury.

She was supported by solicitor for Beaumont Hospital, Kevin Power, who claimed a finding of medical misadventure would be a blunt tool which could not encapsulate the full picture.

Earlier, Dr Gallagher observed that she had heard diametrically opposite evidence about who had responsibility for the care of Ms Sainsbury over the weekend she was in the hospital in Mullingar.

There is a problem if two people each thought the other was in charge, Dr Gallagher remarked.

A consultant surgeon on call in Mullingar at the time, Shahbaz Mansoor, gave evidence that Ms Sainsbury was not his patient but he was available to treat her if requested.

Prof Mansoor was adamant he would not interfere with the patients of other consultants as it would be insulting, although the inquest heard he had seen Ms Sainsbury during his rounds and believed her condition was deteriorating.

However, another consultant surgeon, Muhammad Majeed, under whose care Ms Sainsbury was admitted to the hospital, told the inquest on Wednesday that he expected Prof Mansoor would have been called about the patient if needed as he was off-duty over the weekend.

Bryonny Sainsbury (25). Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

In reply to questions from the coroner, Dr Majeed said he believed the ultimate responsibility for the patient rested with the on-call consultant in Mullingar.

Returning a verdict of medical misadventure, Dr Gallagher noted that the deceaseds parents, Alison and Chris Sainsbury had raised concerns about their daughters condition throughout her stay in Mullingar as well as questioning why she was not being transferred to Beaumont.

She also acknowledged that a consultant neurosurgeon from Beaumont had assessed scans taken of Ms Sainsbury as showing her condition was deteriorating, while radiologists in Mullingar had interpreted them as indicating she was stable.

The coroner recommended that the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar should carry out a review of its on-call arrangements.

It is clearly very important that staff know who to contact, said Dr Gallagher.

Offering her condolences to Ms Sainsburys family, she said the inquest had been very harrowing as is every day for you since this tragic incident.

Welcoming the verdict, Bryonnys mother said it had been a long while fighting to get answers why our daughter died and why she didnt get the adequate medical treatment that she should have had for the injury she sustained.

To find out two and a half years later that with a simple medical intervention she could still be here. You cant put it into words  it's life changing, she added.

The doctors have got to listen to nurses and listen to the specialists, said Ms Sainsbury.

Her husband said it was tough to find out for the first time at the inquest that their daughters life could have been saved.

Mr Sainsbury also called for additional on-call staff to be made available in hospitals over weekends.

The family, who were accompanied by their solicitor, Karen Clabby, said they would be taking further action over the circumstances of their daughter's death.
Brolly has spoken out previously about the ongoing situation in Israel and Gaza and last November said President Joe Biden should be ashamed

Joe Brollys accusation that Bono and U2 are the musical wing of the Israeli murder machine has sparked a furious debate online.

The controversial pundit made the comment in relation to a tweet by the British-Israeli writer Michael Dickson who had praised the band for paying tribute to the victims of the October 7 attacks.

Dickson had written: Following the Grammys tribute to so many innocent young people murdered and brutalized by the Palestinian terrorists of Hamas, heres U2s heartfelt tribute.

Stars of David, they took your life - but they could not take your pride. Thank you, U2. We are bereaved and heartbroken here in Israel - but they will never take our pride."

He also included a clip of Bonos tribute that was actually made from the stage during a concert at The Sphere in Las Vegas in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

Brolly shared the post with a message reading: Bono and U2. The musical wing of the Israeli murder machine.

Some people took issue with Brollys post with one writing: Joe, I was at this gig and it was the night after 7th Oct.

He just made a tribute to the young people at a music festival. Its not his fault Israel have been trying to constantly use it as propaganda months later.

Another added: In fairness, he said this the night after people were killed at that music festival where at the time a lot of people felt sorry for the people killed at it. This was not the same night as the Grammys.

Another pointed out: This was recorded the day after 7/10, before the invasion of Gaza. Maybe don't believe everything you see on the Internet without question.

Bono

At a show at the Las Vegas Sphere on the night after the attacks, Bono dedicated the song Pride to those beautiful kids at that music festival, speaking and singing about the hundreds of dead, missing and captured participants in the Supernova music event near Reim.

In the light of whats happened in Israel and Gaza, a song about non-violence seems somewhat ridiculous, even laughable, but our prayers have always been for peace and for non-violence, said Bono.

But our hearts and our anger, you know where thats pointed, said the U2 front man. So sing with us and those beautiful kids at that music festival, he continued, before launching into Pride (In the Name of Love).

Bono added new words to the opening stanzas of the 1984 song that is a tribute to Martin Luther King.

Early morning, October 7, as the sun is rising in the desert sky, Stars of David, they took your life, but they could not take your pride, could not take your pride

Lets sing for our brothers and sisters who themselves were singing for the Supernova Sukkot festival in Israel. We sing for our kind of people, music people, playful experimental people, our kind of people, we sing for them, he added.

Brolly has spoken out previously about the ongoing situation in Israel and Gaza and last November said President Joe Biden should be ashamed and accused him of having twisted the truth.

He said the US President could have stopped this mass murder of defenceless civilians in Gaza and questioned the crumbs of aid provided by the US to Gaza.

Mr Brolly is married to podcaster Laurita Blewitt, who is a third cousin of Joe Biden.

Mr Brolly said: You should be ashamed of yourself @potus you could have stopped this mass murder of defenceless civilians but instead have twisted the truth, and perverted the norms of morality & international law.

"If a few crumbs of aid salves your conscience, what does that make you?

Mr Brolly also tagged the US President in a video showing the impact of the conflict on Palestinians and the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes on a refugee camp in Gaza.
We have reached crisis point

One of Irelands rarest birds of prey is about to disappear for eternity.

Latest stats from Birdwatch Ireland show there are only 85 confirmed pairs of Hen Harrier left on the entire island of Ireland.

This is a decline of one-third in just seven years since the last national survey.

John Lusby, Conservation Officer, said this morning: "We have reached crisis point. The situation could not be more serious, and we need to act accordingly if we are to stand any chance of ensuring Hen Harriers dont become extinct within our lifetimes.

Hen harrier (Photo by: Sven-Erik Arndt/Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The latest Birdwatch report provides a stark warning that under the current rate of decline, Hen Harriers may be extinct within 25 years.

Birdwatch Ireland say that urgent interventions are needed if we are to stand any chance of saving Irelands Skydancer.

The fifth national survey of Hen Harriers published by the National Parks and Wildlife Service revealed shocking declines in this iconic bird of prey of our hills and mountains.

Only 85 confirmed pairs of Hen Harrier were recorded throughout the country, representing the most severe decline of any national survey to date.

The Hen Harrier is now at the edge of extinction. The current national population estimate of 85-106 breeding pairs represents a decline of one-third in the total population since the 2015 survey.

Eight years ago, 108-157 pairs were recorded which showed a 27pc contraction in their breeding range for the same previous period.

Hen harrier (Circus cyaneus) (Photo by: Sven-Erik Arndt/Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Hen Harrier numbers have declined by a shocking 59pc since the first national survey in 1998-2000.

At the current rate of decline, there could be fewer than 50 breeding pairs of Hen Harrier remaining within the next 10 years.

In 2007, as a requirement under the EU Birds Directive, Ireland designated six sites as Special Protected Areas (SPAs), based on their importance for breeding Hen Harriers at that time.

The latest survey revealed that Hen Harrier populations in five of these SPAs have declined by between 20pc and 80pc since 2007, when they were identified for designation.

Beautiful bird of prey faces extinction

Overall, the SPA populations have declined by more than half (54 pc) in the same period.

Hen Harriers are one of the best studied bird species in Ireland, Mr Lusby said.

"We know the main reasons why their populations have declined to such low levels, which has been primarily driven by land-use changes resulting in the loss of habitat in our uplands, due to afforestation on important habitats for Hen Harrier and other wildlife inside and outside the Special Protection Area network, as well as associated disturbances from forest management activities and other pressures including wind energy developments.

"These pressures in combination have affected the integrity of our uplands, which are some of our most important areas for biodiversity and we are now seeing the very real effects of poor spatial planning and management of our uplands on Hen Harrier populations.

Oonagh Duggan, Head of Advocacy with BirdWatch Ireland, commented, We know what needs to be done to save this species. Government knows what needs to be done but it is not acting.

"Government recently issued a draft Threat Response Plan for Hen Harrier for public consultation which was ten years in the making. During this time the species declined by a third.

"It has vague actions and is lacking ambition. It is just not good enough. This is a litmus test for government and its new National Biodiversity Action Plan which has an objective to halt the deterioration of 30pc of species with unfavourable status by 2030.

We will be launching a campaign soon so that members of the public can offer support to save the skydancing Hen Harrier from extinction. All national Hen Harrier breeding and wintering sites must be protected from afforestation, forest management activities and wind energy development.

"Habitat restoration for these important areas is also critical and we need long-term and well-funded agri-environment scheme to support farmers for their conservation efforts.

Conservationists said today they are dismayed by the report.
"I picked up a basket of washing that was right by my bed and under the basket of washing. There was this peculiar looking insect that looked up at me.

The woman who came back from a horse-riding trip to Kenya with a hitch-hiking scorpion has revealed the moment she came face-to-face with the venomous creature.

Lorraine Dempsey, from Wicklow, had unwittingly brought The Fisher's Fat Tailed Scorpion back in her luggage.

Ms Dempsey told Newstalks Lunchtime Live she couldn't believe her eyes when she spotted the eight-legged scorpion staring back at her.

Lorraine and her search team PIC: @LorDempsey/X

"It's just not the kind of thing you expect to see on a Saturday morning in your nightie," she said.

"I picked up a basket of washing that was right by my bed and under the basket of washing. There was this peculiar looking insect that looked up at me.

Ms Dempsey said that it took a couple of seconds to understand what she was looking at before she thought to herself, 'You're just back from Kenya - it is a scorpion'.

As she backed away, where she just got hysterical giddy, Ms Dempsey said the scorpion scuttled under a couch next to her bed.

She then spent an hour and a half pacing around by my bedroom door while doing the most ridiculous Google search of, 'What to do when you find a scorpion in Ireland'.

When she got no result she rang a botanist friend who led her to the National Reptile Zoo in Kilkenny.

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They offered instructions on how to conduct a safe search and told her they would help with the identification and then take the scorpion.

Ms Dempsey said she rallied five friends to help while she sealed the bottom of the bedroom door and closed it.

"I got my youngest out of the house because from the description that I had given, there was a concern that this was a Kenyan Death Stalker. And this would be fatal to children and older people, she explained.

"Once I secured kids, animals and everything. I waited for the crew to arrive and then we put a plan together".

In a bid to calm herself down she gave the scorpion the name Kenny while the search team took everything out of the bedroom.

After carefully going through the clothes and mattress they realised it had to be under the bed and thats where they found Kenny hunkered down.

The small creature is now secure in the venomous unit at the National Reptile Zoo in Co Kilkenny.

Zoo Director at the National Reptile Zoo, James Hennessy explained that while the scorpion's sting in not deadly, it does pack a punch.

"This type of scorpion is not lethally dangerous but the venom can cause breathing difficulties, severe pain and some localised swelling. Thankfully it would not be life-threatening if you got a sting.

It probably would have survived pretty well in the house due to the underfloor heating, the only issue is the scorpion might have dried out since floors like that are very dry.

He added: We are going to hang onto the scorpion, he is only small and he is not a danger as we have him in venomous unit where he is nice and secure. We can use him for education for third level colleges.

"He doesnt have a name yet as we don't know if he is a boy or a girl. We dont want to annoy him by checking just yet.

He is only small, little under an inch long, about 2cm long. Hes already had a bit of an ordeal travelling over to Ireland so we want to leave him alone for a bit while he settles in.
Gardai and emergency services rushed to the scene of the incident on Ballinteer Avenue, Dublin 16 just after 7am

A woman has been seriously injured after she was hit by a car in Dublin early this morning.

Gardai and emergency services rushed to the scene of the incident on Ballinteer Avenue, Dublin 16 just after 7am.

The road, near the Grange Road/Brehon Field Road junction, which was closed for a time this morning following the accident, has since reopened.

The woman, who is in her 40s, has been brought to St James' Hospital.

A Garda spokesman said: "Gardai and emergency services are attending the scene of a serious road traffic collision in Ballinteer, Dublin 16 this morning.

"The collision involving a single vehicle and a pedestrian occurred at a service station on Ballinteer Avenue shortly after 7am.

"The pedestrian, a female in her 40s, has been transferred to St James' Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

"Ballinteer Avenue, which had closed for a period of time, has since reopened. No further information is available at this time.
The Normal People stars mum was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2022.

Paul Mescal has opened up about processing his mums cancer diagnosis when shooting his latest film.

The Normal People stars mum Dearbhla, who retired from An Garda Siochana last year, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer affecting many parts of the body, back in 2022.

Paul stars alongside Andrew Scott in the new flick All of Us Strangers, and the pair discussed the films themes of grief and losing parents in a recent interview with Australian journalist Thuy Ong.

Ong asked if the actors had personal experiences that informed your performances while working on the movie.

Its out in the world now and my mums doing great, but at the time that we were filming it, I found out that my mum had become quite sick, Paul explained.

Its so interesting now, looking back. I wasnt able to process it at the time, but my body was processing it in kind of real time.

Like in the scene where Andrew talks about the death of his mother, I was just going to work thinking it was fine and I was just going to get through it.

Grief is an amazing thing because it has nothing to do with your head. Its a physical thing. In my head, I was like, Im fine, Im fine, and Andrew was, as you would expect, utterly generous with all of that.

But something that Ive learned about grief is that its a physical thing and you can say that youre fine in your head, but it has to manifest itself some way.

Andrew added: The body keeps the score. I think thats so brilliant. You can say whatever you want but your body will tell you the truth.

Last summer, Pauls mum praised her family for supporting her throughout her cancer battle, with kids Paul, Donnacha, and Nell getting special shoutouts.

"Of course I have days of concern, of what ifs & then I remember I am human & move on! My kids help me keep it real. I am still mum. Cancer is second place & although it sits at the table it is quiet & has no voice. Feeling connected really helps on the hard days.

"I am lucky those hard days are few & far between. I work hard at staying positive, part of that is accepting this new guest. I dont want to hide from it but my life is too important not to be actually lived.

"My joy seeking keeps me feeling blessed. Everyday my eyes are constantly seeking a magic moment to add to my treasure trove of joys. I never in my wildest dreams believed that my 28 days of finding joys; which I started so many years ago would become a way of life & that way of life would help me through this past 365 days.

"I was gifted this past year & as naff as that sounds, I mean every word. Every life lesson I experienced brought me to a new way of thinking, feeling & being. Am I a better person? I am not sure but I most definitely want to be."
NZ Certified Builders encourages apprentices nationwide to get their entries in before the 25 March deadline for its annual Apprentice Challenge sponsored by ITM.

The regional heats of the competition will be held in multiple locations across the country on 6 April, with great prizes up for grabs and the winner of each going on to compete for the coveted title of national champion in June.

With the significant increase in the number of carpentry apprentices in the last few years, theyre proud to be championing the development of the industry through programmes such as the Apprentice Challenge and their new NZCB Apprentice Network, says NZCB industry pathways and apprenticeship manager, Nick Matthews.

The Apprentice Challenge is a huge highlight of our year at NZCB, and we love coming together with our members to recognise and celebrate the next generation of builders.

The competition is a fantastic way for apprentices to demonstrate the technical skills that theyve learnt.

As well as technical carpentry skills, apprentices need a broad range of business competencies to be successful in the industry, says Nick.

Thats why weve set up our new Apprentice Network and were really looking forward to seeing many of our Apprentice Network members take part in this years Challenge.

The Apprentice Network is designed to complement the learning that apprentices receive through their studies, by reinforcing learning on the job and offering access to industry and networking events, wider professional development opportunities, mentoring and health and wellbeing support.

While any building apprentice is welcome to enter the NZCB Apprentice Challenge, our Apprentice Network members can sign up for the challenge at no cost, which is one of the great benefits of being part of the network, says Nick.

All apprentices that compete in the regional heats will receive an ITM prize pack and additional prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place-getters.

Regional winners also win an all-expenses-paid trip to the national final, held at the NZCB Annual Conference and Expo in Wellington in June, where they will compete for the Ken Read Memorial Trophy and $50,000 worth of prizes.

A week before the regional heats, competitors will be advised of the project they are to build.

On the day of the heats, each competitor will have eight hours to complete that project using durable, trade-quality timber and materials courtesy of ITM.

The finished projects must meet minimum safety standards and will be judged by a panel of experienced building practitioners and industry educators.

The judges will be assessing a range of building elements, including quality of the craftsmanship, assembly, ability to work to a detailed plan, safe working technique and time management.

The projects made by the apprentices will be offered for sale to raise money for NZCBs Apprentice Trust, which is designed to financially support Apprentice Network members by providing access to scholarships and grants.

Apprentices can enter by visiting apprenticechallenge.nz and filling out the entry form. Entries must be received by Friday, March 25 2024.
Every class, every day, for a bright future. Thats the aim of the campaign Kura Lets Do It Tauranga Moana.

Kura Lets Do It Tauranga Moana is a back-to-school campaign, encouraging kids to attend school every day, which is a fresh way to improve regular attendance rates in the Western Bay of Plenty.

It is based on a similar campaign run in the Eastern Bay of Plenty in 2022 and 2023 led by Apanui School principal Simon Ackroyd through Putauaki ki Rangitaiki Whanui Kahui Ako, says Otumoetai Primary School principal Zara McIndoe.

The campaign is being run by Whakatane-based advertising company Whippet Digital and is being supported by WBOP schools and the Tauranga Moana Attendance Service.

Otumoetai Primary School principal Zara McIndoe. Photo supplied.

Weve made use of our local and national celebrities to send out some positive messaging telling children why schools important and why they should come every day.

The aim is to improve attendance and reduce absenteeism across the Western Bay, says Zara.

The campaign will benefit all Western Bay of Plenty schools, especially those who have chosen to share and promote the content on their social media pages.

Weve used Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Tik Tok and advertising through pop-up ads on gaming apps and electronic billboards across the bay and back-of-bus advertising, says Zara.

Back-of-bus advertising. Photo: supplied.

This campaign is running for a month from January 15 to February 15 and will run again for a week in April and another week in the July school holidays.

Covid-19 throughout 2020 to 2022, and teacher strikes in 2023 have meant that some children and families have not attended school regularly and have fallen into repeat patterns of absenteeism from school.

This is a tangible strategy to address that issue and put out the messaging in a positive way.

In the next few months, data will be gathered which they will use to see how effective the strategy has been.

There will be comparisons made between 2023 and 2024 attendance data.

Back-of-bus advertising. Photo: supplied.

If this really makes a difference then wed look at perhaps doing it again.

Zara says that targeting young audiences means the advertising company suggested moving away from radio, TV and newspaper advertising and into online advertising as it is far more effective with the target demographic.

And Zara says the statistics show how desperate the issue is. Tauranga Citys regular attendance data  students attending school nine days out of ten  is approximately 52 per cent. Its really low.

This is a tangible strategy to address it, rather than the schools asking how they can get kids to school, lets try something a bit different.

Missing school means missing out. Photo: supplied.

The campaign is being funded through Regional Response Funding from the Ministry of Education.

Kura  lets do it!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KuraTaurangaMoana

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kura.taurangamoana

Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/kuramoanabop

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/

Tauranga Attendance Service: https://www.facebook.com/TaurangaAttendanceService
Mike Motz

Sidney Sun-Telegraph

SIDNEY-- Christy Pinatelli was sentenced on Wednesday, January 17, in Cheyenne County District Court in connection with a Burglary case at Haupt Storage in May of 2023. Pinatelli appeared before Judge Derek Weimer, and was represented by defense attorney Don Miller. Pinatelli was in custody for 46 days after her arrest for Aiding and Abetting Burglary, a Class II Felony. After Miller noted that Pinatelli had successfully completed probation stemming from a 2018 arrest, Cheyenne County Attorney Amber Horn noted that Pinatelli had committed this recent offense while out on bond, and the State was looking for a higher level of supervision.

Miller had requested probation as Pinatelli has been in treatment for the past few months, and has tested negative for Methamphetamines and Marijuana in all of her required tests. Miller explained that Pinatelli's drug addiction and her association with another man involved in the case, who is currently in custody, contributed to her drug problems and involvement with the burglary. Miller noted the defendant was currently going through divorce proceedings, has children, and is currently working at two jobs. She plans on getting a third job once the new Dominos restaurant opens in Sidney at the end of January. She currently attends Narcotics Anonymous and Celebrate Recovery regularly and seems to have gotten her life turned around and back in order. She does not associate with the man involved in the burglary and cooperated with the State with her testimony in that case.

Judge Weimer addressed the defendant before passing the sentence, saying that the driving factor in her behavior was her drug addiction. If your need to consume narcotics is not stopped, you are going to jail, he said. He noted that the defendant must do everything possible to stay off of drugs and alcohol and that if she ever appeared before him again, she would go straight to prison. She was sentenced to 36 months of probation with no drugs or alcohol allowed, a regular testing requirement, and maintenance of employment as conditions for her probation. She was ordered to pay $40 per month in administrative fees and court costs and must undergo substance abuse and mental health evaluations. She was incarcerated for 46 days and that period was credited as time served.

Another sentencing hearing was held on Tuesday, January 23, for Michelle Doetker, for her involvement with the Winner's burglary back on January 2, 2023. She was charged with two misdemeanors in the incident. She was represented via Zoom by Stacy Bach, who said that it was an unusual case, as Doetker had no real criminal record and no drugs, alcohol, or violence was involved. Bach said the Doetker was influenced by the male defendant in the case, Matthew Cole, through intimidation. Bach said that Doetker was afraid of the defendant, and acted in a way not consistent with her history due to this fear. Cole is currently incarcerated in eastern Nebraska on an unrelated charge.

Judge Weimer sentenced Doetker to 24 months of bench probation, with $40 in administrative fees and $164 in court costs. Doetker must also provide a DNA sample to be included in a law enforcement database as per Nebraska state statute.
MIKE MOTZ

Sidney Sun-Telegraph

SIDNEY-- On Monday, February 5, the Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners held their regular meeting, and several topics, including the Cheyenne County Audit, updates on the progress of Sidney Regional Medical Center initiatives, and the status of federal and state grant applications by Adams Industries supporting infrastructure work in the county.

First up, Emergency Management Coordinator Ron Leal addressed the commissioners about approving the closeout of the Bronson and Lorenzo Outdoor Siren project. The work is completed, and the commissioners approved the closeout of the project, which had been ongoing for six years.

The commissioners then approved a Representation Letter from Dana F. Cole regarding the 2022-2023 Cheyenne County audit, which was a standard representation letter, and approving such a letter was a standard matter. The commissioners then denied a request for an Application for County Burial for Adan Romero, Jr. County Attorney Paul Schaub said that applications for County Burial can only be approved if the deceased has assets totaling less than $1500. After review, it was found that the applicant had a checking account totaling about $1450 plus owning a car that was worth approximately $3000, assets well above the $1500 threshold. The commissioners approved the resolution denying the County Burial request. The commissioners then approved the Federal-Aid Urban Boundary map, confirming the boundaries represented were accurate.

Sidney Regional Medical Center CEO Jason Petik then gave an update on the Nursing Home project and other initiatives. He said SRMC is working diligently to ensure they are meeting their goals financially and with quality scores to best serve the community. He referenced re-admission and turnover rates, and stated that their operating margin came in a -1.1%, budgeted from 3.6% He said there was a significant surgery revenue disruption with the loss of Dr. Jansen. He also said that SRMC's cash on hand was adequate and that the facility was doing a good job of keeping labor costs down. He also noted the facility's debt service fell within USDA guidelines. He also spoke about the addition of new doctors, including Dr. Heller from Tampa who is in the process of moving, Dr. Prado who is returning to SRMC along with Dr. Thayer, Dr. Novak who is an addiction specialist is coming to SRMC, and Dr. Polk, who will expand orthopedics and spinal surgeries. Petik briefly explained the expansion phases, noting Radiology will have a large expansion with the addition of two operating rooms and a DaVinci robot for surgery. Regarding the Nursing Home project, Petik noted that General Contractor Samson has done an excellent job, quickly getting the building ready for occupancy. He stated that the facility should be fully powered by June, and be ready for occupancy by September. He also discussed future plans, including a new Community Center Building, which is still in the discussion stages with no concrete timeline for starting.

Next, Kim Matthews, Business Development Director of Adams Industries, gave an update on grant applications the company had submitted regarding the infrastructure work the company was undertaking to accommodate its expansion. She noted they were denied the INFRA grant they applied for, but it was not unusual for this grant to be denied at first pass. They plan on reviewing the application and re-submitting it shortly. They were approved for a RAISE grant, which adds $21 million to the 2024/2025 budget although the funds would likely come through in the 2025/2026 fiscal year. Commissioner Randall Miller asked why the amount was significantly higher than previously discussed, and Matthews said that they had to add in a lot of other infrastructure spending besides the roads they were initially focused on, increasing the costs. Miller said that in July there will be a reconciliation of the amounts, and he stressed the public needs to understand that the commissioners are just a pass-through for the funding, and none of these monies will come from the Cheyenne County budget. Matthews was confident the CRISI grant would be approved, as the RAISE and CRISI grants are usually funded together. She said updates on the CRISI grant should be available within the next month or two.

Matt Silverman of Vistabeam Internet next addressed the commissioners, seeking letters of support from the commissioners as Vistabeam seeks grants to help fund their rural internet services, and fiber-optic service, into underserved and unserved rural areas. The areas in question are east of Sidney to Lodgepole and the other is approximately 37 square miles of area north and west of Sidney. Both commissioners Sanders and Miller said they were current Vistabeam customers, and that their service had been good. Silverman said that two grants with the Nebraska DOT Broadband Bridge Program were being applied for, and they will be able to provide 8 gigs of speed and would be able to expand upon that, as the technology gets better and service needs grow. The commissioners agreed that internet and fiber-optic services needed to be expanded in the rural parts of Cheyenne County, and approved a motion to write letters in support of the company's attempts to secure grant funding.

Cheyenne County Tourism Director Kendra Mitchell gave an update concerning the 2024 All Is Bright event at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds. She said the past year's All Is Bright event was very successful, with over 2500 people attending during the days they were active. Although there is still some breakdown and storage work from last year's event that still needs to be done, she said that work should be completed soon. Next year's event should be even more successful, as they have much longer to plan and have added additional days of operation, including the Sunday before Christmas. The commissioners agreed last year's event was successful and they are looking forward to an even better event next year.

Kevin Sylvester of Dana F. Cole and Company then reviewed the Cheyenne County audit with the commissioners. He noted the cash-in and cash-out numbers, not including assets, for Cheyenne County add up to $8,553,200. $3,409,963 are in restricted funds, and $5,143,237 are in unrestricted funds. He noted the only weakness the audit shows, as it has in years past, is the lack of diversity in the number of people and departments in charge of the collection and spending process throughout all stages, meaning the money coming in, and money going out, is handled by the same person or group of people, which has the potential for inefficiency, waste and theft. This has been an ongoing concern in Cheyenne County, like many other rural counties, because of the small size of staff handling collections, payments, and orders. There were no indications of any actual problems, however, but Sylvester noted the commissioners should be mindful of potential issues in this area. Nathaniel Terman then addressed the commissioners and requested a road be opened that has been closed since 1983. The road is a small offshoot of Road 117, between sections 3 and 4 and 3 and 10. The county still owns the roads, and Cheyenne County Highway Superintendent Doug Hart said that all it needed was a bit of graveling and some cleanup to be fully functional. The commissioners approved the opening of the road. Hart then addressed the commissioners, saying the CAT Motor Grader recently purchased has been delivered as well as the Road 111 culverts. He said his department has one CDL-approved operator, and another is finishing up the CDL training. He noted a few accidents in the county, citing the truck rollover the other week in the northern part of the county, and his workers have been graveling and repairing shoulder areas to make the roads safer.

The commissioners then went into Executive Session to discuss Court House Security and to Tour the Cheyenne County Jail.
Bahri Logistics has signed two strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with Boeing Saudi Arabia and GDC Middle East on the sidelines of the World Defense Show (WDS) held in Riyadh.

The collaboration between Bahri Logistics and Boeing Saudi Arabia aims to explore potential opportunities within the supply chain and distribution landscape of Saudi Arabia, while the strategic partnership with GDC Middle East envisions establishing a framework for collaboration in the field of freight forwarding services by mutually leveraging each others expertise, capabilities, and resources.

Eng Soror Basalom, President of Bahri Integrated Logistics, said: " Bahri Integrated Logistics is always keen to showcase our industry-leading capabilities and innovative services before the world. The leading event served as a leading platform to showcase our services and expertise and network with global industry leaders. We are delighted to sign MoUs with Boeing Saudi Arabia and GDC Middle East, which reflect our ongoing commitments to enhancing our services, consolidating our prominent position as an industry leader, and actively contributing to achieving the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030.

Maritime capabilities

Showcasing its world-class maritime capabilities and expertise before a global audience from over 115 countries, Bahri Logistics concluded its successful participation at the second edition of WDS from February 4 to 8.

Bahri Logistics, one of Bahri's six business units, showcased its cutting-edge logistics solutions and services at the global biennial defense and security event attended by over 750 exhibitors and more than 100,000 visitors.,

Among the prominent displays by Bahri Integrated Logistics at WDS 2024 were its remarkable logistics capabilities and expertise in transporting diverse military cargoes, a comprehensive suite of end-to-end solutions.

Organised and founded by Saudi Arabias General Authority for Military Industries, WDS is touted to be the ultimate B2B platform for the defense industry that showcases the future of the sector through technological developments from around the world. The second edition of the global event featured about 750 exhibitors from over 45 countries and was attended by over 100,000 international delegations.--TradeArabia News Service
MIKE MOTZ

Sidney Sun-Telegraph

SIDNEY- A series of crimes in Sidney has caused concern among many residents, and the violent nature of some of the incidents has locals wondering about the future of our quiet and relatively safe community. The first incident that caused much concern was the late-night attack of an 84-year-old woman residing at the Western Heritage Apartments in Sidney. According to Sidney Police, the suspect in the crime, Nathan Robinson, 23 years old, of Sidney, banged repeatedly on the door of the woman's residence after 2 a.m. on the morning of Wednesday, January 17. The woman opened the door and it is alleged that Robinson assaulted the woman, seized her keys, and stole her 2012 Chevrolet Cruz. Medical personnel were called to the residence at approximately 3:25 a.m. and the victim was treated for injuries believed to have resulted from the assault, which were not life-threatening.

Over the next few days, the Sidney Police Department, and the Cheyenne County Sheriff's Department worked on leads received from Robinson's former associates and relatives. Social media posts were also shared with Robinson's name, image, and the red Chevrolet he was thought to still be driving. Sidney Police entered Mr. Robinson's information, and the information for the stolen vehicle, into the National Crime Information Center database.

Sidney Police Chief Joe Aikens said, "From the start, we received tips from people in Kimball and around the county about those locations where the suspect could be heading, and advised officers in their respective departments to be on the lookout for Robinson." Both Sidney Police and the Cheyenne County Sheriff's Department received numerous calls and tips concerning the whereabouts of Robinson during that period, from Colorado, and kept up with the tracking of the suspect. On January 23, Robinson was placed in custody at 11:35 p.m. in Colorado by Canon City Police. According to Canon City Police, officers received a call from a convenience store clerk who said that the occupants of a red Chevrolet Cruz were acting suspiciously in the area of the store. Officers responded and Robinson was found with another male passenger in the car. Robinson was placed under arrest and held at the Fremont County jail. The passenger was not charged with a crime and was released at the scene.

Robinson was then transported back to Cheyenne County and appeared before the Honorable Judge Randin R. Roland on January 31 to face charges stemming from the incident. He was advised of charges including Class 3A Felony Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult, Class 2 Felony Robbery, and Class 2A Felony Theft for shoplifting $5,000 or more. He was issued a $100,000 bond and next scheduled for a

Status of Waiver of Preliminary Hearing on February 12 at Cheyenne County Court. The victim's car was brought back by Sidney Police for further search and investigation.

Sidney Police Chief Joe Aikens stated that residents should install doorbell-style cameras in their places of residence and be aware of any suspicious or unknown individuals. He also stressed that elderly residents should not answer their doors for strangers at hours they are unaccustomed to having visitors, and do not hesitate to call the police if they are unsure about a person or persons appearing at their doorstep.

Another violent crime occurred in Sidney on January 25. According to Sidney Police, Matthew L. Cleays, of Sidney, was arrested and charged with six counts, including Assault, False Imprisonment, Impersonating a Peace Officer, and Possession of Methamphetamine. Cleasy allegedly trapped a woman inside a hotel room at the Quality Inn, and when two employees attempted to intervene, Cleasy assaulted the two workers. Sidney Police responded to the scene, and Chief Joe Aikens said, "When I arrived, the individual committing the assault, and committing several other crimes, was identified by hotel staff." Cleasy was arrested and transported to the Cheyenne County Jail, where upon processing it was discovered, according to Sheriff's Deputy Zach Goodrich, that Cleasy was allegedly in possession of a small bag of a white crystalline substance, believed to be Methamphetamine, hidden in his sock. Two other bags of the same substance were also found during processing. Cleasy was described by officials as being uncooperative during his booking and processing.

On January 31, Cleasy appeared before the Honorable Judge Randin R. Roland in Cheyenne County Court and was advised of the charges against him: Attempt of a Class 2 Felony, First Degree False Imprisonment, Terroristic Threats, Attempt of a Class 3 or 3A Felony, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Cleasy is no stranger to the judicial system as he has been arrested before on felony drug charges, including an arrest in March of 2019 for a series of controlled substance sales facilitated by the Western Nebraska Narcotics Intelligence Group.

In additional news, a 30-year-old on probation subjected to a random search by probation officers was discovered to have methamphetamine. The subject was arrested and taken to the Cheyenne County Jail and is awaiting a court hearing. Another incident occurred on Sunday, January 28, concerning a disturbance at Applebees that night. A patron was intoxicated and causing a disturbance, and refused to leave the premises. Cheyenne County Sheriffs were called and escorted the individual, described as a 60-year-old man not from Cheyenne County, out of the establishment and back to the Best Western Hotel. The next day, in the afternoon, the individual made a series of 911 calls to the Sheriff's Department and Nebraska State Patrol in North Platte and Kearney, allegedly complaining about the treatment he had received on Sunday. The calls persisted until Sheriff's Department personnel arrived and arrested the man for Misuse of the Emergency Services System.

Coupled with recent sprees of vandalism by juveniles and young adults in the area and fuel thefts, law enforcement personnel have been very busy lately trying to prevent and stop crimes in Cheyenne County. Incidents like those above seem to occur in bunches, so please keep aware of your surroundings and make note of any persons or actions that seem out of the ordinary. Details and information provided by citizens are often key components to stopping crime and apprehending suspects after the fact.
Eleanor Christine (Ortiz) Olsen, age 71 of Sidney, NE passed away at Swedish Medical Center in Denver, CO surrounded by her family on Friday, January 26, 2024.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, February 2, 2024 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Sidney, NE with Pastor Brenda Pfeifly officiating. Services will conclude at the church. Services will be livestreamed on the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel Facebook page and recorded for later viewing on our website.

Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Thursday from 1-6:00 P.M. to sign Leanor's book.

You may view Leanor's Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Leanor's care and funeral arrangements. Memorials can be made in care of the family for a later designation.

Leanor was born June 28,1952, in Santa Fe, NM to her parents John and Dolores (Alarid) Ortiz. She was the third of six children and graduated from Highland HS in Albuquerque, NM, in 1970.

Leanor and Chris met in Albuquerque, NM, 1971 and got married in 1974. Their story was like a movie, he was on the search for his biological sister (who was adopted out in their young life), and just happened to be Leanor's childhood best friend. Together they had three wonderful children, Natalie Marie, Gabriel Christian and Chase Christopher. Chris passed away after his battle with cancer, December of 2016. They would have celebrated 50 years of marriage on February 9th this year.

After living in New Mexico and Colorado, they moved to Sidney where they spent their remaining years. Leanor had multiple jobs through the years, but her main career was working 26 years at Sidney Public Schools as the beloved lunch lady. She loved caring and serving the elementary kids, even breaking the rules to ensure that they never went hungry. She retired, finishing out the school year in May of 2022.

Leanor professed her love of the Lord from an early age and you couldn't leave her sight without a quick blessing with a goodbye. She was a very hard worker and was never afraid to jump in and lend a hand. She played a mean hand of cards, loved her Denver Broncos and Nuggets and spent some summers with her sis back home in Albuquerque. More than anything, her children and grandchildren were what her life revolved around. There was nothing that brought her more joy and for that, she was everyone's Grandma and she will be forever missed.

Leanor was survived by her children: Natalie Olsen-Jobman and partner Todd Schrotberger of Sidney; Gabriel and wife Laura Leah Olsen of Loveland, CO; Chase and wife, April Olsen of Casper, WY. Her beloved grandchildren: Cayden and Cooper Jobman, Payton Schrotberger; Trey and Olivia Olsen; Riggs and Nash Olsen. Her siblings Judy and husband Tim Rizek of Albuquerque, NM. Brothers John and Jerry Ortiz. In laws Kathy and husband, Rick Nienhuser of Greeley, CO; Dain and wife Ruth Olsen of Potter, NE and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Chris, her parents, John and Dolores Ortiz, twin siblings, Robert & Roberta Ortiz and her Granny, Carmen Alarid.
Eugenio Cabezas Axarquia Thursday, 8 February 2024, 20:27 Compartir Copiar enlace

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The Guardia Civils Operation Chaak, which is investigating illegal wells in the Axarquia area to the east of Malaga province is just the tip of the iceberg according to those involved in the investigation. It started in May 2023 and neither public bodies nor environmental organisations dare put a figure to the number of undetected and undeclared water resources that continue to irrigate the areas booming subtropical fruit industry, despite the drought crippling the province.

So far Operation Chaak has resulted in the arrest of 26 people and the investigation of 44 others for alleged crimes against natural resources, the environment and use of public water, with more than 250 illegal wells, ponds and boreholes detected.

However, it should be noted that these figures relate to a very small area in the Axarquia: just 222 hectares of the estimated 14,000 hectares of subtropical crops, including 8,000 hectares of avocados and 6,000 hectares of mangoes have been investigated so far.

Water restrictions

Coordinator of the Gabinete de Estudios de la Naturaleza (GENA-Ecologistas en Accion) environmental group, biologist Rafael Yus suspects that there are "thousands" of illegal wells. In the context of an extreme drought, with Malaga's reservoirs at their lowest reserves ever and with the real threat of increased restrictions on water supply on top of those which are already in place in some fifteen towns and villages in the province, illegal wells are in the spotlight.

In this operation, which began following reports from private individuals, the Guardia Civils nature protection service (Seprona) estimates the alleged illegal use of up to 25 cubic hectometres of water extracted from 250 illegal wells and boreholes, to irrigate the 222 hectares of subtropical crops in the Axarquia, specifically in the area around the Benamargosa river valley.

Illegal wells do not only exist in the Axarquia, but also in the other two large agricultural regions of Malaga province: the Guadalhorce Valley and the Vega de Antequera. To add to the problem in the eastern region of Malaga is the existence of thousands of illegal houses. According to GENA estimates, there are around 25,000 houses built without the correct licences in the Axarquia and a total of 50,000 in the province as a whole. These properties also tend to have wells for water supply, many of which are illegal, according to Yus.

Environmental damage

International environmental NGO Greenpeace has been warning for some years that the theft of water through illegal wells "could jeopardise the future supply of the population". In January 2019 the organisation warned that this situation not only affects the quantity, but also the quality of the water: "The continuous reduction of the water level and the increasing depth of the wells can increase the concentration of salt and reduce the quality of the water, and even contaminate it."

In addition to jeopardising the water supply, extractions can cause other environmental damage. "For example, drying out the land, which would cause cracks and earth movements, such as subsidence," says Antonio Amarillo, coordinator of Aguas en Andalucia de Ecologistas en Accion (waters in Andalucia environmentalists in action).

Greenpeace points out that the illegal and indiscriminate overexploitation of water for irrigation and urban development - especially groundwater - is what has led to the proliferation of illegal wells and boreholes in recent years.

Subtropical boom

"The subtropical boom" is a term first used by Yus in 2016 to describe the explosion of mango and avocado plantations in the Axarquia which came after the construction boom collapsed and Spains financial crisis that started in 2008. "People search the farms, dig wells and use them to irrigate in very high places, above the level of the La Vinuela reservoir," he says. The environmentalist calculates that at least 60 per cent of those wells are illegal. However, he acknowledges that it is currently "impossible" to know exactly how many there are.

"The Junta has a list of legal wells and all the others are illegal. This is fairly common in smallholdings, both to avoid the tax authorities and because of the difficult administrative procedures," Yus explains. "In addition to this they are located on private property and people keep quiet. Nobody is going to report their neighbour, he adds.

Yus has called for additional surveillance and more personnel and Greenpeace is asking the public, through its online platform, to provide information and documents that can prove the existence of illegal wells which can be sent anonymously and confidentially.

Inflexible against environmental crimes

When the illegal well story first broke out last May, the Junta de Andalucia said that they would be "inflexible against any type of crime, especially against environmental ones". Speaking during a recent visit to Caleta de Velez (Velez-Malaga), the Juntas environmental spokesperson, Fernandez-Pacheco, said that he has an "obsession with continuing to provide new water resources, through planning and investment that will allow all farmers to maintain their activity and to do so in sustainably".

He showed his support to the ongoing Operation Chaaka and said, "Our position is clear and categorical, we are against the extraction of water that depletes our wells.
Farmers protests across Malaga province intensified overnight after a lorry was set on fire in Antequera on Wednesday evening (7 February).

Farmers part of the so-called #6F movement, in reference to 6 February are angry at the EU's strict agricultural policies and the low prices they receive from distributors and supermarkets, which do not allow them to cover their costs and could see the sector squeezed out of business. Protests are also happening in other European countries.

Images of the area after the intervention of the riot police. Salvador Salas

Tractors formed a blockade in front of a Mercadona logistics centre in Antequera yesterday despite a heavy police presence. They also cut off the A-92 motorway in Antequera for almost an hour, leaving traffic backed up for several kilometres. Tension escalated about 8pm when riot police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to clear the protesters. SUR can confirm that amid the chaos a lorry carrying chemicals and plastics was burnt at the entrance to the Mercadona logistics centre.

Lorries forced to queue outside the area were finally able to enter about midnight after the protesters dispersed. Farmers have since criticised police for their action. "There were whole families and children here, Sebastian Ramos said, one of the many farmers. Protesters told SUR they intend to return today to block the site again, in what would be the third day of protests.

Images of the rally and the subsequent clash with the riot police. SUR

Image of the traffic jams on the A-92 motorway towards Antequera from Seville. SUR

Malaga city

Elsewhere, some 38 tractors that had blocked the Paseo Maritimo Antonio Machado in Malaga on Tuesday rolled out of the city towards the Palacio de Deportes Martin Carpena. They were followed by an escort of police vehicles and a helicopter. That move came 24 hours after they had blocked off access to the Port of Malaga as they protested against current EU agricultural policies and called for greater control over the entry of non-EU products, among many other demands. They intended to hold out until Wednesday, but increased police pressure caused some to reconsider.

Image of the tractors leaving Malaga city towards Palacio de Deportes. Salvador Salas

Most of the 200 tractors that had taken part in the protest the day before had already left overnight. "Do you know what it's like to spend two days trying to sleep in a tractor?" asked Maria Dolores Bravo, one of the farmers who held out until the end. Before midday, the port was accessible again, with traffic returning to normal.

The national government sub-delegation in Malaga province confirmed fines of up to 400 euros could be handed out as a result of the protests.
Right-wing federal Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk relied on now-retracted studies to overturn FDA approval of an abortion medication. (Associated Press)

If the effort to ban medication abortion now before the Supreme Court demonstrates anything, it's that the damage caused in our society by junk science can be disastrous indeed.

That's the implication of the retraction of two scientific studies, announced Monday by the journal publisher Sage. The studies provided the purported rationale for a Texas federal judge's ruling overturning the approval of the abortion drug mifepristone



by the Food and Drug Administration.

It's impossible to overstate the potential ramifications of the ruling issued April 7 by federal Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk of Amarillo, Texas, which invalidated FDA approvals of mifepristone dating back to 2000.

Experts identified...unjustified or incorrect factual assumptions, material errors in the authors analysis of the data, and misleading presentations of the data that...demonstrate a lack of scientific rigor and invalidate the authors conclusions in whole or in part.

Retraction notice of research on mifepristone

Kacsmaryk's ruling was the basis for an outstandingly loopy decision by the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Aug. 19, which narrowed his ruling somewhat but not entirely. The Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments on the case for March 26.

The worst-case scenario is that the Supreme Court will follow Kacsmaryk in revoking the FDA's approval. That would block access to what has become the most common abortion method in the U.S. Providers would have to shift to other medications that are not as effective as mifepristone.

The court could also narrow the reach of the FDA's actions in 2000, when it declared mifepristone safe and effective, and in 2016 and 2021, when it allowed patients to order the drug online and receive it by mail or from pharmacies rather than at doctors' offices.

The court could restore previous rules limiting the use of mifepristone to the first seven weeks of gestation instead of the current 10 weeks. It could require that it be administered only through a physician's prescription and only directly by doctors.

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The damage could go further. An expansive Supreme Court ruling could cripple the FDA's authority to determine the safety and efficacy of drugs and subject its judgments to increasingly partisan challenges. It could bring an antique, long-disregarded 150-year-old antipornography law to legal prominence.

Let's start at the beginning, with Kacsmaryk's 2023 ruling. As I've reported in the past, Kacsmaryk's jurisprudence has been a blot on the judicial system since he joined the court in 2019 as a Trump appointee. Kacsmaryk is the only federal judge in the Amarillo district of the federal court in the Northern District of Texas.

That has made his courthouse a favored venue for right-wing litigants. A former functionary of a conservative Christian legal group, he has been a dependable foe of efforts to protect LGBTQ+ legal rights and access to contraceptives.

Read more: Column: Elon Musk is suing to stop the government from enforcing labor laws. The Supreme Court might agree with him

His record made him the ideal judge for a coalition of antiabortion groups waging an attack on medication abortion, including the American Assn. of Pro-Life Obstetricians & Gynecologists and the Christian Medical & Dental Assns.

Kacsmaryk's April 7 ruling bristled with antiabortion terminology such as the terms "unborn human" and "unborn child"; abortion providers were labeled "abortionists." By contrast, a ruling protecting access to mifepristone issued the same day by federal Judge Thomas Owens Rice of Washington state, an Obama appointee, used neutral language, such as a reference to "institutions and providers who provide abortion care."

Kacsmaryk accepted common talking points of the antiabortion movement as legal conclusions. He cited the Comstock Act, an antipornography law enacted in 1873, no fewer than 29 times. He accepted the antiabortion movement's contention that it barred the shipment of mifepristone through the U.S. mail, even though federal courts had rejected that interpretation for more than 100 years.

He questioned the FDA's judgment that the drug was safe and effective, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. The core of Kacsmaryk's findings questioning the FDA's approval of the drug came from two studies led by James Studnicki, director of data analytics at the Charlotte Lozier Institute, which says in the mission statement on its website that it "advises and leads the pro-life movement with groundbreaking scientific, statistical, and medical research."

Among the institute's principal aims is "to warn women about the dangers of chemical abortion and expose the harms of the FDAs current abortion pill policy that simply ignores the known risks."

Read more: Column: Why anti-vaxxers are pretending a flawed study on vaccine deaths has been vindicated

Kacsmaryk cited the Studnicki papers to endorse the plaintiff organizations' conclusions that adverse reactions to mifepristone could "overwhelm the medical system and place 'enormous pressure and stress' " on doctors due to "significant complications requiring medical attention," and that women taking the drug were reporting to emergency rooms at much greater rates than those who had undergone surgical abortions.

Sage's retraction notice explodes those claims. The papers were published in 2021 and 2022 in Sage's Health Services Research and Managerial Epidemiology journal. (A third Studnicki paper published in 2019 but not cited by Kacsmaryk was also retracted.)

Sage's inquiry was triggered by Chris Adkins, a pharmaceutical sciences professor at South University School of Pharmacy in Savannah, Ga.

Among the flaws Adkins pointed to was that one study appeared to inflate claims about adverse reactions to the drug by failing to distinguish ER visits for routine complaints from those due to the drug. Nor did the Studnicki research factor in the increases in medication abortions starting in 2000 or the increase in Medicaid enrollments in the same period, which was a factor in the growth of medication abortions.

Sage said that in its pre-retraction review, "experts identified fundamental problems with the design ... and methodology" of the questioned papers, as well as "unjustified or incorrect factual assumptions, material errors in the authors analysis of the data, and misleading presentations of the data that ... demonstrate a lack of scientific rigor and invalidate the authors conclusions in whole or in part."

Read more: Column: How right-wing judges in Texas are erasing Americans' rights everywhere

Sage also noted that the papers declared that the authors had no conflicts of interest in researching and writing the papers. In fact, all but one of the authors of the studies Kacsmaryk cited were affiliated with the Charlotte Lozier Institute, the American Assn. of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or the Elliot Institute, which are antiabortion advocacy organizations. Although the authors had disclosed their affiliations, Sage reported, they had not acknowledged that these posed a conflict.

Studnicki objects to the retractions, responding that the action is "unjustified" and that his data are "accurately reported."

Kacsmaryk's ruling has caused immense confusion in the administration of mifepristone. The 5th Circuit appeals court overturned his rejection of the FDA's original 2000 conclusion that mifepristone is safe and effective, but upheld his overturning of the FDA's loosening of restrictions on the use of the drug issued in 2016 and 2021. It stayed injunctions on those uses until the Supreme Court rules, however.

The appeals court opinion featured one of the more curious flights of fancy by a federal judge  a separate opinion by Appellate Justice James C. Ho, another Trump appointee. He advocated overturning the 2000 FDA approval as well as the 2016 and 2021 revisions, on the grounds that abortions cause "aesthetic injury" to doctors forced to participate in the procedure, even if only by treating patients for adverse reactions.

"Unborn babies are a source of profound joy for those who view them," Ho wrote. "Doctors delight in working with their unborn patients  and experience an aesthetic injury when they are aborted."

The real injury that could arise from the Supreme Court's consideration of mifepristone would be to the use of science to validate judicial opinions by substituting junk science for rigorous research.

More than 20 years of medical practice has established that the drug is safe and effective for its purpose  indeed, safer than many other drugs in common use in the U.S. Revoking its approval would be based on no scientific evidence at all, only on politics. And that won't be good for anyone.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- An 18-year-old was sentenced Thursday for his role in a robbery that led to the death of a 25-year-old in Syracuse in 2022.

Geremiah Burrell, 18, was the last of the three teens to be sentenced for his part in luring Isaiah Hudson to Carbon Street so the boys -- who were 17 at the time -- could buy weed.

Instead, the trio decided to rob Hudson at gunpoint which escalated to Tremaine Davis shooting Hudson.

Davis was sentenced to 17 years to life in prison for second-degree murder. Corlito Wall -- the third codefendant -- pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and was sentenced to 1 to 4 years in prison and granted youthful offender status.

Hudson was shot in the head while trying to drive off, according to the court documents. He was later taken to Upstate University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

All three teens pleaded guilty to their role in Hudsons death. Burrell, who is not accused of shooting Hudson, originally pleaded guilty to the murder charge and first-degree attempted robbery.

On Thursday, the murder charge was dropped as part of the plea agreement because Burrell agreed to testify against Davis if his case went to trial. Burrell was sentenced to 10 years for the attempted robbery.

Before the judge read his sentence, Burrell took the opportunity to apologize to Hudsons family in the courtroom.

Hudsons sister also read a letter written by Hudsons mother. In the letter, Hudsons mother said that all three boys are equally responsible for her sons death and the pain that his family feels.

Judge Matthew Doran told Burrell that he hopes Burrell can do his best to live the best life he can because Hudson never got that opportunity.

Doran said that Hudsons death is especially tragic because he died over essentially nothing. The robbery was motivated by a small amount of weed, prosecutors have said.

Prosecutor Rob Moran said that unfortunately, Burrells situation is not unique. He said that his office has seen an increase in young men committing violent crimes and he doesnt see an obvious solution for this trend.

Isaiah Hudson

****

Isaiah Hudsons obituary

***

Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com.
Syracuse, N.Y.  A Syracuse man was arrested Wednesday and charged with spraying pepper spray toward a line of Capitol police on Jan. 6, 2021, federal prosecutors said.

Aaron Donald Sauer, 43, was a member of the Central New York Proud Boys chapter when he brought a bulletproof vest, Kevlar gloves and a balaclava to the U.S. Capitol on the day that rioters attempted to halt the certification of the 2020 presidential election, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia said in a news release.
Marcus King performs on stage during the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year gala at the LA Convention Center in Los Angeles, February 2, 2024. (Photo by Michael TRAN / AFP via Getty Images)Michael TRAN / AFP via Getty Images
While former Syracuse drug kingpin Tyrone Hines was serving time in Pennsylvanias Lewisburg Federal Prison, he took a class in script writing.

He learned about story structure, dialogue and script formatting. He practiced writing scenes  first with a pencil and paper, then hed type up pages on a prison typewriter.

Hines was arrested in April 1994 for running a major crack cocaine ring in Syracuse. Script writing was just one of his many interests while incarcerated.

During his 26 years in prison, Hines self-published four books, kept a spotless disciplinary record, earned his GED and became a stand-in prison lawyer for dozens of fellow inmates, according to court filings.

I couldve been in prison doing what everyone else was doing... gambling, shooting drugs, stabbing, you know? Hines told syracuse.com. But I took time to learn and educate myself on something. Now Im here sitting with you, doing something positive to have an impact on this city.

Cut to 2019. He was released from prison that November, thanks to the First Step Act.

He got a job at Embassy Suites, reconnected with family and friends, and starting talking to people about turning his book Trust No One into an independent film.

From left to right, Nykeace Bachus, Johnny Bachus and Tyrone Hines pose on the set of "Trust No One," an independent film set in the city of Syracuse. (Katrina Tulloch | ktulloch@syracuse.com)

For years, Hines had wanted to turn one of his books into a movie. Now, he will.

Trust No One will debut at the Palace Theatre in Eastwood on Saturday, Feb. 24.

The gritty urban drama follows a group of friends and enemies living in Syracuse, whose dreams of a better life are destroyed when theyre targeted in a murder investigation.

This is mainly a story about not letting your guards down, and always being aware, said Nykeace Bachus, the films director. The title sums up the movie.

Filming began in 2020, but stalled during Covid. It picked back up in 2021, but took several more years to gather steam. For a couple years, it didnt seem like the film would ever hit the big screen.

We had Covid, peoples schedules, jobs and families... but we also had advantages for how long it look, Hines said, the films executive producer. We had winter scenes, then we had the opportunity to film at the fair in the summer. We came up with ideas we wouldve overlooked if we had finished earlier.

Several scenes were shot on location at Destiny USA, Gannons Ice Cream and the New York State Fair.

Were a small city, but I wanted to show we have a lot to offer, Bachus said. Man, we got a lot of talent here.

The films cast is large. There are 10 leading roles and over 50 speaking parts. The stars include Maurisha Stenson, Fong Owens, Summer Blu, Taneera Newton, Johnny Bachus, Ekim Simpson, Dwayne Eure, Sean Ratliff, Ron Seymore, Terri Usherwood, Tyrone Bacon, Rashaun Brown and Christopher Morman.

Over a hundred people worked on the film, including extras and crew members, with nearly all them hailing from Syracuse. Some children (as young as six) appear in the film.

I want people to feel included, Bachus said. People tell me they want to be photographers or do movies but dont know how to start. Most people see the finished results, but not the work that goes into it.

Hines agreed.

No matter where you are in your life, you can make things happen, Hines said. I want people to take away from this movie that you can start off with a small idea, put time and energy into it, and these are the end results.

Fong Owens and Taneera Newton appear in a scene in the movie "Trust No One" by Tyrone Hines and Nykeace Bachus.Provided photo

Antonisha Fong Owens, owner of Afica Pure Artisan and Hair Clinique, is one of the actors in the film. She plays Ronette, a lead characters ride-or-die friend who Owens says is loyal to a fault.

Im ecstatic, Fong Owens said. I dont know if I can watch myself because Im so overcritical of myself, but Hines and Ny gave me confidence. I cant wait to see the finished product.

Trust No One film premiere

Where: Palace Theater at 2384 James St., Syracuse.

When: Saturday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. The red carpet starts at 7 p.m., hosted by Lamisha Adams and Deejay Lasheem.

How much: Tickets are $10 online or $15 at the door.

Katrina Tulloch is the editor of This is CNY. She also shoots videos and writes stories for Syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Contact her: Email | Instagram | Facebook
A Syracuse-area landlord has agreed to pay for lead paint cleanup at 22 low-income properties under the watch of an independent monitor, while also paying $5,000 apiece to 16 children suffering from lead poisoning.

William DAngelo, 76, of Liverpool, promised to foot the bill for $230,000 in cleanup and $80,000 in payments to the families of poisoned children, the state Attorney Generals Office announced in court Thursday.

The deal marks a new strategy for the AGs office in pursuing Syracuses worst lead-paint landlords. Instead of forcing the offending landlord out of business, the state actually went to court to keep DAngelo as the landlord until he completed necessary repairs at his expense.

Under the deal, DAngelo is barred from selling 22 properties with lead-paint violations until he pays for cleanup and hires a third-party monitor to confirm the repairs were made properly, Assistant AG Patrick Omilian said in court.

The other $80,000 will be placed in a tenant relief fund that will be distributed to families with children who have documented high lead levels, Omilian said.

DAngelo has been under investigation by the Attorney Generals Office after local authorities cited him for 336 lead paint violations in 7 1/2 years. The AG sued DAngelo last year, demanding he pay for cleanup.

William DAngelo cut corners and failed to address serious lead hazards at his properties, putting countless children and their families in danger, AG Letitia James said in a news release.

The AG has placed liens on the 22 properties with lead violations that wont be lifted until the repairs are made.

Its a different strategy than ones used in the past to go after landlords with lead-paint violations.

The first recent prosecution came from the Onondaga County District Attorneys Office in 2017 against Brooklyn landlord Mendy Kletzky. He walked away a year later with no conviction, no punishment and no requirement he make lasting repairs to his properties.

The AG took former Syracuse landlord John Kiggins to court in 2021, getting an agreement a year later that barred him from owning or managing residential properties in the state. Kiggins also paid $215,000 into a fund with a vague mission: preventing lead poisoning in the region and/or provide assistance to families affected by lead poisoning.

By comparison, DAngelos settlement is much more focused on fixing the problems: He must make $230,000 in repairs while under scrutiny from a third-party monitor. He must also pay $80,000 to a fund that will directly benefit 16 kids poisoned in his apartment.

The AG appears to be pursuing a similar strategy with another landlord with a history of lead-paint violations: Todd Hobbs. The AG sued Hobbs last year. The case remains pending.

Children exposed to lead paint can experience problems with growth, behavior and ability to learn. Lead paint can also cause anemia, kidney damage and hearing loss. The most common way children are poisoned is by breathing in or swallowing dust from old lead paint.

Oceanna Fair has an adult brother who still deals with the effects of lead poisoning as a child. She attended DAngelos court appearance Thursday with other residents and advocates fighting for better lead-paint enforcement.

Forcing DAngelo to fix up his properties is a step in the right direction, she said. But only $5,000 for a poisoned kid who might suffer a lifetime of diminished abilities is a drop in the bucket, Fair added.

State Supreme Court Justice Joseph Lamendola wasnt expecting a settlement Thursday. Hed scheduled the case to hear arguments over whether DAngelo could sell his roughly 40 properties while being sued for lead paint violations.

Instead, the assistant AG stood up in the courtroom and announced the settlement. DAngelo will be able to sell 17 properties with no lead paint violations. And once he fixes up the 22 properties with violations, he can sell those, too.

All the terms of the settlement will be put in writing in coming weeks before it goes to the judges desk for approval.

Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or (315) 470-6070.
A senior couple reviewing a financial power of attorney in Wisconsin.

A financial power of attorney can be a valuable tool to help protect your finances and empower you to make important financial decisions for a loved one who cant make decisions for themselves. Its often used as part of an estate plan, but might also be needed to sell a house, pay bills or even make investment decisions. Here is how it works in the state of Wisconsin. In order to make sure you do this correctly, you may want to talk to a lawyer or financial advisor.

Understanding a Financial Power of Attorney

A financial power of attorney is a legal document that empowers an individual (known as the principal) to designate another person (referred to as the agent) to manage their financial affairs for a specific period of time.

One common use of a financial power of attorney is to appoint an agent when the principal is away from home for long periods of time. So, if you travel frequently for work, you could appoint a trusted individual as your agent to handle financial transactions like paying bills or managing investments.



While a financial power of attorney is a common estate planning tool used across the country, laws governing this legal document can be specific to the state. In the case of Wisconsin, statute 244 outlines how a power of attorney can be created, used and terminated.

When You Might Need a Power of Attorney

You might need a financial power of attorney for many reasons, including physical or mental incapacity, extended travel or managing complex financial transactions.

One common example, if a principal is diagnosed with a progressive illness like Alzheimers, a financial power of attorney can ensure that their finances are properly managed as their condition worsens.

The legal requirements to establish a financial power of attorney vary by jurisdiction, or state. In Wisconsin, for example, the document must be signed by the principal and two adult witnesses, and it must be notarized.

Wisconsin law also identifies unique forms for granting financial powers to an agent and even allows for the designation of a monitor. This individual can request a copy of the power of attorney document and ask the agent to provide a record of all actions taken on behalf of the principal.



When choosing an agent, its important to select a trustworthy individual who understands your financial goals and is willing to act in your best interest. Making this decision carefully can help you ensure that your financial affairs are handled responsibly and effectively.

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Unique Power of Attorney Rules in Wisconsin

A senior designating his wife as an agent in a financial power of attorney for Wisconsin.

The scope of the authority that a power of attorney provides is determined by the principal. It can range from managing bank accounts to buying or selling property and making decisions about investments.



In Wisconsin, a power of attorney is valid when the principal signs in the presence of a notary public. This rule, stipulated under Wisconsin Statutes Section 244.05, ensures a level of impartiality in the process of establishing a POA and aims to minimize potential coercion or undue influence.



Comparatively, a power of attorney in some states only requires the principals signature. This can complicate the process for non-residents who have assets in Wisconsin or for residents who move out of state and wish to establish a power of attorney elsewhere. Its therefore important to seek legal advice to ensure compliance with Wisconsins power of attorney laws.

How to Obtain a Financial Power of Attorney in Wisconsin

You may need to get a power of attorney when the principal becomes incapacitated due to illness or injury. The process to receive your power of attorney can vary by state. In Wisconsin, it can be broken down into these three steps:

The principal must complete a Power of Attorney for Finances and Property form, available on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website. The form must be signed by the principal and two adult witnesses. Wisconsin does not require the document to be notarized unless it is used to transfer real estate. The completed and signed document should be kept in a safe place and made available to the attorney-in-fact when needed.

Choosing your attorney-in-fact is an important decision. Ensure that the person chosen is trustworthy and capable of making sound financial decisions. Its also a good idea to have a conversation about responsibilities and expectations. Consulting with a legal professional is recommended to ensure that all requirements are met and the document is legally sound.

Bottom Line

A senior couple signing a financial power of attorney in Wisconsin.

A financial power of attorney is a legal document that can empower you to make financial decisions for others when they become incapacitated. For those residing in Wisconsin, having a financial power of attorney is particularly beneficial as it can prevent you from undergoing the often costly and lengthy court procedure of appointing a conservator in the event of incapacity.

Tips for Financial Planning

A financial advisor can help you create a comprehensive financial plan to manage your interests. Finding a financial advisor doesnt have to be hard. SmartAssets free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you're ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

One of the most important things to do to reach any financial goal is to save enough money to help you get there. Consider using a savings calculator to help determine how much your future savings might grow.

Photo credit: iStock.com/wavebreakmedia, iStock.com/simonkr, iStock.com/Prostock-Studio

The post How to Create a Financial Power of Attorney in Wisconsin appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
After operating in Liverpool since 2016, a medical marijuana dispensary plans to open in a larger location in DeWitt and begin selling recreational cannabis.

PharmaCann, which operates the Verilife dispensary at 642 Old Liverpool Road, wants to move to a larger location at 5841 Bridge St. Thats the same plaza as the Veterinary Medical Center of CNY.
Katie Motta is the CEO of Jade Stone Branding, a company that seeks to disrupt tradition within the cannabis industry by replacing archaic stereotypes with sophisticated and innovative designs.

In the newest entry of NYs women in cannabis, Motta talks about the importance of products appealing to women, underrepresentation in leadership, and her favorite resources within the industry.

Women are vastly underrepresented in cannabis, and not just in New York. From 2019 to 2022, executive-level females have seen their industry wide status drop from 37% to 23%. Yet the MRTA makes things very clear: women-owned businesses are a key component of the states social and economic equity plan.

NY Cannabis Insider is seeking to elevate women in cannabis through a hyper-focus on female story sourcing and balanced representation in articles.

This series will last for as long as submissions come in.

Why did you launch your career in the cannabis industry? Were there any women who inspired you to do so? How did you do it?

I started my general branding and design agency, Alluring Media Co., a few years ago to work with businesses of varying industries. It gained some momentum, and as I talked with my clients, colleagues, and friends, I noticed a recurring theme  it became clear to me that we could put our skills to use for good in the cannabis industry.

To put it simply, there hasnt been enough branding and design that appeals to me in the current market, and I wasnt the only person with this sentiment. The legions of cannabis brands that were entering the market lacked appeal to the segment that represents 80% of purchasing decisions: women.



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Stereotypical designs such as slime drips, neon colors, and cartoons do not appeal to sophisticated, modern, and feminine consumers. Furthermore, these outdated design standards perpetuate negative stereotypes associated with cannabis, severely limiting the industrys growth. Ushering in a new era of cannabis brand design is the only way to disprove the stereotypes and educate the masses on the numerous benefits of cannabis.

This inspired me to create a branding and design agency that focuses on creating appealing, feminine-focused, modern designs within cannabis/CBD.

What do you think is the most significant barrier to women leadership? Are the barriers different in cannabis than any other industry?

Unfortunately, the greatest barrier to womens leadership in cannabis is the presence of discriminating double standards. In business conversations, men tend to be seen as leaders taking initiative when they speak their minds freely. When women do the same, they can be seen as pushy or rude, and their input is often dismissed.

Men in leadership positions tend to reward male employees in these situations with praise, bonuses, or promotions. But by discouraging the creativity and drive of female employees, they impede their businesses growth and stifle the passion of promising future leaders. This makes women feel like they should keep their thoughts to themselves, which perpetuates this cycle of discrimination.

Although these barriers exist everywhere, they are particularly brutal in cannabis because the industry is guided by archaic gender stereotypes. The cannabis industry used to be illegal and lawless, and there was no traditional, formal structure around leadership. In cannabis today, there is still the mindset that women cant handle themselves in such an aggressive industry, which is simply not true.

Why do you think women are so underrepresented in leadership roles in cannabis?

Women are underrepresented in cannabis leadership roles because of the lingering stereotype that women cannot handle the pressures of these positions. Despite the countless examples of women CEOs successfully leading Fortune 500 companies, there is still a perception that women lack emotional intelligence, assertiveness, and decision-making skills.

Instead of waiting around for the recognition they deserve in traditional jobs, many women over the past few years have started their own businesses. This trend has started to flip the script for women in business, and this is becoming especially prominent in cannabis. Although it will take time to completely debunk the stereotypes, there is a bright future for women in the cannabis industry, and I am proud to stand with them at the forefront of innovation.

What are some ways in which companies can support gender diversity at senior levels?

Gender diversity should be a focus of everyones business, from the ground up. Hiring a diverse group of people can benefit your business in so many ways while also creating jobs and opportunities for those who are underrepresented or underserved. Ensuring that you are hiring open-minded individuals who are understanding of different backgrounds is one of the best ways to do this. Make sure that whoever is doing your hiring is required to talk to people of different genders, backgrounds, and cultures. All qualified applicants should be spoken to and considered.

Shout out your other favorite women-owned or women-led businesses in the industry.

Over my time in the industry so far I have met so many amazing women in cannabis that this is only a very small sampling of the many women I follow, look up to, and praise in the industry: Miss Grass (CEO Kate Miller), Astraea & Co. (CEO Tamar Builder-Brown), Coast Cannabis Co. (CEO Angela Brown), Lady A (Founder Alexandra Dunhill), High Skincare (CEO Melissa Jochim), Aurora Elixirs (CEO Victoria Pustynsky), Mask Skincare (CEO Sarah Mirsini) and so many more!

Who/what are your favorite tools and resources in the industry?

Katherine J. Bierwas of Bierwas Law and Meghan Sheehan of Sheehan and Associates are fantastic for reviewing contracts or agreements, as well as general cannabis licensing and information. If youre looking for bespoke packaging solutions, reach out to MariJane Packaging and talk to Kami Castro, she has been unbelievably helpful at sourcing new packaging, helping to answer questions, and providing low-cost solutions with high-quality results. The WEIC (Women Empowered in Cannabis) Facebook group is also an incredible resource for meeting others in the industry with similar business mindsets.

What advice would you give your 25-year-old self? What advice would you give to the next generation of women leaders?

The best advice I can give would be to give yourself time and enjoy the ride while youre waiting for your moment. Since I was very young, I set age limits on my goals; while setting SMART goals is an important skill set in business, I used to put all of my self-worth in those goals. But as Im getting older I realize that instead of being upset that the goal wasnt reached, I should evaluate what could have been done better, and pivot to make it work in my favor.

Dont be afraid of a change of plans. I thought I had my entire life planned out, but in 2020, everything changed and I decided to create my first business. Whatever is meant to happen will happen and theres no time limit on greatness!

If youd like people to connect with you, please share your favorite methods of contact.

Please reach out to me however you see fit! I love connecting with new people in cannabis. LinkedIn, Instagram, Website.
Jeanette Epps was nine years old, living on Syracuses South Side, when the door to space first cracked open.

Her older brother was home at the familys West Kennedy Street house, on a break from college. One day you can become an aerospace engineer, maybe even an astronaut, he told Epps and her twin, Janet, after seeing how good their grades were in science and math.

Jeanette Epps wasnt sure what an aerospace engineer was, and an astronaut sounded close to impossible. But her eyes were forever open to the potential of a life bigger than Syracuse.

That moment really stuck with me, Epps said.

More than 40 years later, that little girl from West Kennedy Street is finally going to space.

Later this month, Epps will launch on a SpaceX-Crew 8 mission to the International Space Station. She will be a mission specialist, one of four astronauts on the Dragon spacecraft, and five astronauts who will be living on the station for six months. U.S. astronaut Tracy Dyson will be coming later on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

Epps will be the second Black woman to live on the space station, and the sixth Black woman to fly into space.

Epps is Syracuses first astronaut. But at every opportunity she tells Syracuse kids they can be the next one.

I am Syracuse, born and bred, Epps said. I love to tell the little girls, Hey, look, if Im doing this, theres absolutely no reason you cant do this.

8 1 / 8 Jeanette Epps' journey from Syracuse to outer space

Epps was selected to be an astronaut in 2009, but that did not mean space was a guarantee. She has trained the past 14 years in caves and underwater, places that most resemble space. She was selected for missions to space, then moved off the crew list more than once without explanation. She fought through that disappointment.

It was fuel for the missions ahead.

She did not think about giving up. Does she ever, shes asked?

Her answer tells you everything you need to know about how she got to where she is.

The thing is making sure you never let yourself get to that point, Epps said. For me, the way I do that is I practice a lot.

Epps, 53, evangelizes hard work. If you have a dream, follow it. Put in the work. Listen to the people who believe in you, support you and help you.

Those people made all the difference for Epps.

We had a lot of people rooting for us

Jeanette Epps has maintained close ties with Le Moyne College since her graduation in 1992. Here, Epps is speaking at the 66th Commencement. Epps currently serves on the college's Board of Trustees and will attend a board meeting from space. May 22, 2016. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.comDennis Nett

Epps and her sister were successful because of Syracuse, not in spite of it.

We had a lot of people rooting for us, people at Corcoran (High School), who really were proponents of us, Epps said.

That continued when the sisters went to Le Moyne College through the colleges Urban League scholarship.

That support started at home with their mom, Luberta Epps, a keypunch operator for a local computer company. She and Epps father, Henry, had seven children; the twins were the babies. Henry and Luberta Epps moved to Syracuse from Mississippi during the Great Migration, found jobs in Syracuse and raised their children here.

When Jeanette Epps launches into space later this month, a photograph of her mother, Luberta, will be with her. She did not live to see her daughter go to space, but she knew shed realized part of her dream: Luberta Epps died five days after finding out that Jeanette was named to the NASA Astronaut Corps in 2009.

My mom was never a mom who said, You cant do that because youre female, or (because) youre Brown. She never once told my twin sister or me that what we were doing was not for us, Jeanette Epps said.

Luberta Epps told the girls that the path they were carving for themselves in the sciences was exactly where they belonged. The more I think about it  I realize how amazing it was because she was not a scientist or an engineer, Epps said. She really didnt have any idea what Janet and I really, really wanted to do.

She didnt need to, Epps said. Luberta kept encouraging them and supporting them. She even went with the twins to Maryland where they both attended University of Maryland for graduate school. Both sisters have doctoral degrees. Janet Epps is a molecular biologist.

My mother actually moved with us. When we had late nights and experiments that we had to conduct, my mother would be making the coffee for us, helping us with phone calls, making sure everything else was taken care of, Epps said.

Then, it was a little embarrassing. Now its among the things that Epps knows made the difference.

Jeanette Epps went to Corcoran High School with Hillary Hunter, to Epps' left. She often returns to Syracuse to visit Hunter. This photo is from 2019. Hunter's husband, Kay Hilsberg, and her mother, Fran Hunter, are to the left.provided photo

Hillary Hunter and her family are also on that list. The twins were best friends with Hunter when they attended Corcoran High School. The three were in a college preparatory program at Corcoran that Hunter recalls as being more intense than college. Hunter and her husband run Hunter & Hilsberg, a Central New York company that makes boutique jams and preserves sold nationwide.

The teens all had extra-curricular activities and after-school jobs on top of the rigorous course work, Hunter said. Through it all, Jeanette maintained tremendous grades.

Epps remembers herself and her twin being shy then. She credits Hunter with helping her find her voice: She was vice president when Hunter was president of the student body.

Epps also credits Hunter with encouraging her to keep going when the college application process seemed daunting.

Hunters mother, Fran, too, became a part of the support system Epps still thinks about 40 years later. When Hillary Hunter told Epps about her interview for this story, she asked Hunter to include this: More than once, Fran Hunter drove to Epps home in Syracuse to pick her up and drive her out to Baldwinsville for her internship at the Anheuser-Busch plant.

Dont have to come from Harvard

Carmen Giunta was in his first years of teaching chemistry at Le Moyne College when he had Jeanette and her sister, Janet, in his physical chemistry class.

Janet, who now works for the U.S. Patent Office, was a chemistry major and took Giuntas class as a requirement. Jeanette, a physics major, took the chemistry class as an elective.

They gave me the impression that our best students are as good as students anywhere, said Giunta, who came to teach at Le Moyne after receiving his doctorate from Harvard University.

You dont have to come from Harvard or MIT to do extraordinary things, he said.

Epps and her sister, Janet, went to the University of Maryland for graduate school. Epps entered the aerospace program at the Clark School of Engineering. She studied smart materials that were being used for helicopter blades at the time.

Epps had always wanted to be an astronaut, but she knew it was an incredibly limited pool. She decided not to focus so completely on that one goal that it made other successes feel like failures. She worked to become the best scientist she could be.

I figured that Id become a great scientist and then maybe, maybe, maybe in the future Ill be able to apply, if I establish myself well enough, Epps said in an interview for a NASA oral history project.

Epps first job out of school was an engineer at Ford Motor Co. She worked with the same types of materials she studied in graduate school, but applied that knowledge to cars instead.

She was only there for two years when the Central Intelligence Agency recruited her to do technical analysis of foreign weapons systems. In 2004, while still with the CIA, she volunteered to go to Iraq to help with the search for weapons of mass destruction.

In 2009, at the age of 39, Epps was accepted into the 20th class of the Astronaut Corps at NASA.

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata, and NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps participate in a training session in 2015. . NASAprovided photo

She was the second Black woman to participate in CAVES. This is whats called an analog mission, where astronauts learn about space through experiences simulated on earth. She lived for five days in a cave deep in Slovenia.

Its dark and cold, and beautiful. Much like she imagines space will be. There were rivers and mountains. The terrain was treacherous.

It just looks otherworldly to me  like, what you would see if you were on the moon, Epps said.

From finding a role model to becoming one

Throughout her career, Epps has looked up to Mae Jemsion, the first Black woman to go into space.

Epps remembers being in college when Jemison was on the cover of Jet magazine in her spacesuit. A woman who looked like her had made it to the place Epps had been dreaming of: That door to space that cracked when she was a child opened wider.

In 1992, Jemison was the first Black woman to go into space.

Later, when Epps became an astronaut, Jemison became a friend and mentor.

Its always difficult to be the first anything. And so I really admire her even to this day, Epps said.

She and Jemison have talked about what its like to be part of a crew

You know, what things can you expect? What should you do? You know, how do you build a team cohesiveness, Epps said.

Epps knows her career has been built on the grace of people from Jemison to Hunter, and she strives to do the same for other kids.

She serves on Le Moyne Colleges Board of Trustees, and has continued a strong relationship with the school and its students. She returns there and to Syracuse to speak with students as often as she can. She plans to attend a trustees meeting from space.

She does not have an arrogant bone in her body, said Sharon Kinsman Salmon, who serves on the Le Moynes Board of Trustees with Epps.

Epps dedication to kids and their dreams follows her wherever she goes.

Shes just a remarkable human being, said Le Moyne President Linda LeMura, who speaks with Epps frequently and is planning to attend her space launch this month.

When LeMuras niece, Alexis Smith, was considering going to the U.S. Naval Academy with the end goal of being an astronaut, she met with Epps to talk about it.

Jeanette Epps visited with Alexis Smith and Le Moyne College President Linda LeMura. Smith, LeMura's niece, was a student at Fayetteville-Manlius High School when this picture was taken. Now, Smith is studying mechanical engineering at the U.S. Naval Academy. She said she was inspired by Epps to take that path to be an astronaut someday.provided photo

Meeting someone from your small hometown, its really inspiring to see what theyve achieved, Smith said. I know the same people they know. Thats amazing to be inspired by a person like that.

Smith, who graduated from Fayetteville-Manlius, is now studying electrical engineering at the academy. She said Epps made her see that being an astronaut was attainable, but that she should not be so focused on the end goal that it ruins the successes along the way. You get there through hard work at every step, Epps told her. Build skills, build character, Epps told her.

Grant Farrokh had been considering a career at NASA, but it felt out of reach when he was a senior at Le Moyne College.

He met Epps when she came to speak with students about her experiences working at NASA. Farrokh was interested in a career at NASA, but he didnt think hed be able to get his foot in the door. After hearing about Epps path, and how her relentless work paid off, Farrokh said he focused on getting internships and a masters degree in aerospace.

But Dr. Epps inspired me, Farrokh said. I remember her saying you can learn anything if you put the time into it.

Farrokh now works at the Mission Control Center at Johnson Space Center. Hell likely be there during her launch.

I dont think I would have had this career trajectory if not for Dr. Epps, Farrokh said.

Epps has these conversations wherever she goes, and they change peoples lives.

She remembers a young woman coming up to her after she spoke at a conference in New Orleans.

The woman told her she really wanted to be an aerospace engineer, but she just wasnt sure she could do it.

They talked for a while, Epps recalls. Epps told her it wasnt going to be easy, but she could do it. The reasons not to were simply excuses.

Everything is hard work until you learn it, Epps recalls telling her. Later, she worried she was too harsh.

Five years later, while Epps was on a visit to Collins Aerospace Engineering in Iowa, the same young woman came up to her. You wont remember me, the woman told her. She had become an aerospace engineer because of that conversation.

I was stunned, Epps said.

A dream paused

NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps prepares for a spacewalk training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory in 2016. Robert Markowitz, NASAprovided photo

This space mission will be Epps first, but it is not the first time shes been announced as part of a mission. In 2018, Epps was scheduled to be part of a Russian Soyouz mission to the International Space Station. She trained. She was ready. She was excited.

Then, a few months before the launch, she was pulled. NASA gave no specific reason. Usually, when this happens, it is for an illness or other medical reason.

If Epps had been on that flight, she would have made history as the first Black woman on the Space Station. In 2019, Jessica Watkins took that distinction.

At the time, Epps brother, Henry, and others speculated that the decision was based on race.

Epps, herself, has not talked publicly about the reason, except to say it was not health or family related. NASA has never given a specific reason.

She and her friends said the move was one of the hardest things shes had to deal with in her life.

That was a big setback, Epps said. I think the big thing was, wrapping my head around what happened and why it happened. And getting through that.

Hunter, who is still close with Epps and her sister, recalled her friends struggle.

I remember great disappointment, Hunter said. She worked very hard and checked all the boxes, so to speak  I was saddened by what happened to her, but I knew deep down, greater things were in store for Jeanette.

Epps kept moving forward, working hard. She did the thing she always told others to do.

Consistency over time is what won the day, doing the work and doing it consistently over time, and you chop away at this big mountain that you think is ahead of you  And you can get just about anywhere you want, Epps said. Youre not limited to that little world that you live in now. But the entire world is an option  You know the sky is not just the limit, the moon is the limit. And then hopefully after that Mars.

When she blasts off faster than a fighter jet, shell be speeding into the possibility shes dreamed of her entire life. But shell also be thinking about the girls on the ground in Syracuse, hoping they see that the door is open for them now.

Space can be theirs, too.

Marnie Eisenstadt writes about people and public affairs in Central New York. Contact her anytime email | Twitter| Facebook | 315-470-2246.
David Dyssegaard Kallick is director of the Immigration Research Initiative, based in New York City. Jessica Maxwell is executive director of the Workers Center of Central New York, based in Syracuse.

Congress seems to be grinding to a halt on immigration policy, with any kind of action on immigration reform and aiding new arrivals caught up in a politicized debate. As Washington deadlocks, its all the more important for the states and localities to step up and work together to seize the opportunity that new immigration presents.

As newcomers arrive in this state, New Yorkers have a chance to live up to the melting pot ideals weve long aspired to achieve and recognize that our state is stronger and more vibrant when diverse groups of people live, work and play together.

Every newcomer group has faced challenges. It was true for Irish immigrants who helped build the Erie Canal. It was true for African Americans who came during the Great Migration. Now with the latest arrivals of Venezuelans, West Africans and others seeking asylum, we have an opportunity to help address the challenges they face. And as happened with past arrivals, the state will emerge better for it in the long run.

The No. 1 priority must be working in concert to integrate immigrants into the workforce and community. Helping immigrants successfully establish roots in Central New York will also help stabilize and reverse the longtime challenges of a shrinking population.

Immigration is nothing new Upstate. Look only down the road at Utica, where refugees have helped stabilize the population after decades of decline. In Syracuse, the citys foreign-born population, which has increased 42% since 2000, similarly has helped stabilize the region.

Dollars and cents help tell the story.

A 2017 study by New American Economy for CenterState CEO and the International Institute of Buffalo showed that foreign-born people in the Syracuse metro area contributed $1.7 billion to the local economy. Nearly 1,700 foreign-born entrepreneurs generated more than $22 million in business income as of 2014, with the broader immigrant population helping create or preserve nearly 1,900 local manufacturing jobs that may have left the area otherwise. The same group found that as of 2019, spending power among the more than 40,000 immigrants calling Onondaga, Oswego and Madison counties home totaled $780 million.

Recently released economic data from the Immigration Research Initiative shows that this impact continues with the newest arrivals. Projecting the future of new arrivals today, IRI estimates that immigrants will have a median wage of $17,000 per year when they first join the workforce. For every 1,000 workers, that means generating $1.9 million in state and local taxes on $17 million in total wages. After five years in the state, wages increase to $30,000 annually, with $3.4 million in state and local taxes paid per 1,000 workers.

Getting people to work quickly  with the protections New York affords all workers to prevent exploitation  clearly is of benefit to both migrants and the communities theyve arrived in. In addition to the economic impact for both, migrants also can fill roles that augment and support the skills of those in key industries.

But to get to work, it is essential newcomers have access to the support network that puts them on solid footing within the community. That includes access to affordable housing and language support.

Especially important is access to attorneys who can help them apply for temporary protected status if they are seeking asylum, obtain work authorization and ultimately work toward citizenship. The statistics are clear that legal representation can be the difference between becoming a member of the community and being denied the opportunity this nation and state promises to all people. Some 60% of non-detained immigrants with an attorney during deportation proceedings win their cases, versus just 17% without a lawyer, according to the New York Immigration Coalition.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, in her State of the State address, spent a lot of time talking about ensuring that people feel safe and have access to economic opportunity. Yet her executive budget set aside only $44.2 million to address immigrant legal service needs statewide. Thats not nearly enough. Its critical that final negotiations lead to funding akin to the $150 million those who are performing and coordinating this work are seeking.

Ignoring whats necessary to embrace immigrant families is actually a disinvestment in the future of our state. We must deliver the opportunity for families to succeed as New York promises.
By Tim Balk and David Goldiner | New York Daily News

Albany, N.Y.  The New York State Board of Elections on Tuesday granted former President Donald Trump a spot on the states GOP presidential primary ballot, allowing him access two days before the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a mammoth case determining his ballot eligibility nationwide.

The two Republican commissioners on the state Board of Elections approved Trumps ballot line in a brief meeting at the boards Albany offices. The bipartisan board has four members, but its two Republicans have control over eligibility decisions for GOP presidential candidates.

The Republicans on the board, Peter Kosinski and Anthony Casale, said they had received correspondence urging them to keep Trump off the ballot, but that their decision was confined to state rules on ballot access based on candidates national prominence and campaign finances.

While we understand the opinions shared in these letters, the matter before this board is confined to the law for ballot access in New York State, Casale said.

The decision came after two states, Maine and Colorado, acted to remove the former president from their Republican primary ballots this winter. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear oral arguments in the Colorado case on Thursday.

In late December, Colorados top court disqualified Trump from the states ballot, finding in a 4-3 decision that Trump is not eligible to return to the presidency due to his role in the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the U.S. Capitol.

On Jan. 6, Trump gave an incendiary speech to supporters massed on the Ellipse, baselessly asserting he had won the 2020 presidential election in a landslide and urging his supporters to fight like hell and take back our country. His supporters later barged into the U.S. Capitol building, overwhelming police officers.

The Colorado court was the first court of its kind to accept the argument that Trumps relationship with Jan. 6 runs afoul of a constitutional provision barring people from holding office if they violate an oath to the Constitution by engaging in insurrection. Maines secretary of state reached the same conclusion, and also barred Trump from the ballot in December.

On Tuesday, City Councilman Shekar Krishnan of Queens and state Sen. Brad Hoylman of Manhattan, two Democrats, filed objections with the Board of Elections in opposition to Trumps placement on the New York ballot.

Donald Trump engaged in an insurrection against the United States of America, Krishnan said by phone. The 14th Amendment clearly states that no one can hold the office of the presidency who has engaged in a national insurrection.

Elections officials and judges in other states, including deep-blue California, have turned back challenges to Trumps eligibility. The eyes of the nation are to fall on the Supreme Court on Thursday as it reviews the question.

Court watchers have expressed skepticism that the nations top court would sweep the 45th president off the ballot. But it is unclear how the court might address the novel and high-stakes question.

Perhaps not since Bush v. Gore, the 2000 case in which the court reviewed the fate of a recount in Florida in the presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore, has the Supreme Court heard such a politically explosive case.

If the court were to remove Trump from the ballot, or to allow him to be removed in some states, it could supercharge the candidacy of his one remaining Republican rival, former Gov. Nikki Haley. She has pledged to keep up her fight after losing to Trump in Iowa and New Hampshire but is far behind in the polls.

Haleys spot on New Yorks Republican ballot was also approved Tuesday.

New Yorkers are not due to vote in this years Republican primary until April 2, and it is unclear if Trump will still have a challenger in a month. If Trumps ballot status is reaffirmed and he continues to hold yawning leads over Haley, she may face growing pressure to drop out.

Trump maintains modest leads over Biden nationally, according to polling. In 2020, Biden beat Trump by 74 electoral votes and more than 7 million votes in the popular vote.

Trump insists that he won, claiming the election was rigged against him, but independent reviews have found no evidence of widespread voter fraud or election rigging.

______

2024 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com.
By Tim Balk | New York Daily News

Albany, N.Y.  Mayor Eric Adams visited Albany on Tuesday to urge New York state lawmakers who hold sway over city resources to increase aid for the migrant crisis, asking for the state to cover 50% of the citys migrant costs.

The trip, an annual affair known as Tin Cup Day when city mayors make their demands of the powerful state Legislature, is Adams third as mayor and comes as the city struggles to shelter an estimated 66,200 asylum seekers in some 216 shelters.

We are not out of the woods, Adams, a former state senator, testified at a joint hearing of the state Senate and Assembly in the Legislative Office Building.

The city has projected it will spend at least $10.6 billion to support the migrants by summer 2025, and the state has already pledged about $2 billion in the current budget cycle. Adams expressed appreciation for those investments, but added that the city needs more than the state pledge so far, which he said covers about one-third of the citys migrant costs.

Gov. Hochul, a Buffalo Democrat and close political ally of the Democratic mayor, has proposed that the state invest $2.4 billion to assist with the migrant crisis in the next budget cycle, but the states finances have not been fully hammered out with the left-leaning Legislature.

The investment Adams requested would appear likely to represent an increase in city investments from the ledger that Hochul has proposed, based on city projections. The mayors office said Hochuls budget proposal was $600 million short of what the city needs in its next budget cycle.

The citys shelter population has almost tripled since Adams took office, Adams testified.

The mayor, who has by turns warned the migrant crisis could destroy New York City and emphasized the citys historic role as a global place of refuge, said Tuesday that he was mindful of the citys reputation as a city of migrants.

But he added that the city has found itself in an unsustainable position. Since spring 2022, the city has welcomed more than 170,000 migrants, according to government tallies, a figure that surpasses the number of residents that live in the city of Syracuse.

Many of asylum seekers have streamed to the five boroughs after fleeing political and economic upheaval in Central and South America, apparently aware that shelter awaits them in New York under the citys unique right-to-shelter rule.

The city has sought to reduce costs related to the migrant crisis by instituting limits on how long asylum seekers can stay in city shelters before they have to reapply to spend more time in the shelter system. The city has also instituted painful budget cuts that have affected New Yorkers access to services including libraries.

Adams has also relentlessly criticized the federal government for not offering more support with what he has characterized as a national issue hoisted upon the city. He has not spared President Biden, a Democrat, from his critiques, driving a wedge in their relationship going into a presidential election year.

Last year, Adams asserted that Biden had failed the city. On Tuesday, Adams said the city cannot assume the federal government will increase its limited financial assistance to the city.

While we appreciate the commitment the governor made last year to cover one-third of the citys asylum seeker costs, this was based on the premise that the city, the state and the federal government would split the cost three ways, Adams said.

The federal government has only committed $156 million, he added. The vast majority we have yet to receive.

_____

2024 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com.
By Michael Gartland | New York Daily News

New York  Accusations that migrants beat NYPD officers late last month and the arrest Monday of five other migrants in a string of brazen moped robberies have Republicans demanding the repeal of three of New Yorks so-called sanctuary city laws  and Mayor Eric Adams signaling hes open to changes on that front as well.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has also said that deportation should be looked at when migrants commit crimes against cops. Most of the suspected attackers in the Times Square attack were released without bail.

But immigration experts contend that such actions could have a negative impact on public safety  the very thing Republicans, Adams and Hochul say theyre trying to improve.

We have fought to ensure there is process because it is the bare minimum that immigrants, and the communities they are a part of, deserve before the extreme outcome of deportation, said Yasmine Farhang, the Immigrant Defense Projects advocacy director. The idea, espoused by the governor, that we would deport people without considering the ramifications is very reckless.

The Daily News broke down the citys existing sanctuary city policies and their impact on the case:

What do the current sanctuary city provisions say?

The citys sanctuary city laws are complex and can be difficult to understand.

The foundation for them was laid during Mayor Ed Kochs administration when he signed an executive order restricting city employees from sharing information about undocumented people with federal authorities. Those restrictions came with caveats and did not apply when the undocumented were suspected of engaging in criminal activity.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg altered that policy slightly in 2003 in an attempt to comply with federal law, and Mayor Bill de Blasio also switched gears during his eight years in City Hall through three laws that placed more restrictions on city agencies cooperating with federal officials.

Do the same rules that apply to undocumented immigrants also apply to asylum seekers?

Sanctuary city laws apply equally to all noncitizens.

What are Republicans objecting to?

Its the provisions signed into law under de Blasio that Republicans are demanding be rolled back.

Those laws limit the citys ability to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as that federal agencys ability to compel the city to turn migrants over. The city is permitted to transfer custody of migrants to the feds if theyve secured a judicial warrant and if the accused falls into one of several categories, including having been convicted of a violent or serious crimes or currently being a defendant in a criminal case involving such a crime.

Councilman Joe Borelli, R-Staten Island, wants to do a basic repeal of the de Blasio-era provisions. He said that the prohibitions against cooperating with ICE and the requirement that a judicial warrant be obtained to transfer custody to the feds has resulted in violent criminals being released from city custody, when from his perspective, they should be in the feds hands.

But he conceded that, given the likelihood such a repeal is a non-starter in the majority Democratic City Council, hes open to a compromise.

Something has to give. We cant have everything from assaults on police officers to scooter gangs robbing women indiscriminately and being arrested multiple times before we can send these folks packing, he said.

What are sanctuary city proponents saying?

Advocates like Murad Awawdeh, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, disagree with Borelli. Awawdeh said the provision in the 2014 laws that requires a judicial warrant represents basic due process and that the laws serve to encourage migrants to come forward to the NYPD as witnesses when they otherwise wouldnt if they were subject to deportation as a result of such an interaction.

Sanctuary policy at the end of the day is public safety policy, he said. Regardless of your immigration status, if you are a victim of a crime, if you want to report a crime, you can do so without having fear of the NYPD or the law enforcement youre speaking to  that they wont call ICE or immigration officials on you for simply reporting a crime.

Would those changes  or rollbacks  have had any effect on the Times Square attack?

Its not entirely clear how the aftermath of the Times Square attack against the NYPD would have played out under the iteration of sanctuary city law in place prior to de Blasio. The individual discretion of law enforcement could have played a role.

If those laws had not been in place, there may have been more cooperation between city law enforcement authorities and the feds prior to the release of some of the accused.

Before the laws were enacted, ICE typically relied on administrative warrants to facilitate the handover of migrants into federal custody  a much lower standard and logistical burden than judicial warrants. That fact could have led to the migrants accused of the crimes being turned over to the feds and facing the immigration court system.

Why are Republicans and ICE agents focused on the current requirement to secure judicial warrants?

Borelli and his fellow Councilman David Carr, R-Staten Island, contend that judicial warrants take too much time to get  and hamper ICEs ability to detain migrants suspected of committing crimes. Administrative warrants  which are issued by ICE itself and dont require a judges sign-off  are what they would prefer.

Emilio Dabul, an ICE spokesman, said immigration officers are authorized by the Immigration and Nationality Act to issue administrative arrest warrants.

Congress has established no process, requirement or expectation directing ICE to seek a so-called judicial warrant from the already overburdened federal courts before an alien can be arrested for a civil immigration violation, Dabul said. This idea is simply a figment created by those who wish to undermine immigration enforcement and excuse the ill-conceived practices of sanctuary jurisdictions (sanctuary cities) that put politics before public safety.

Advocates argue that administrative warrants are a far cry from due process  and would lead to more migrants being deported and more undocumented people refusing to cooperate with law enforcement as witnesses.

_________

2024 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com.
Washington  House Speaker Mike Johnson will headline a private fundraising event for first-term Republican Rep. Brandon Williams later this month at a country club in Oneida County.

Tickets to the Feb. 22 morning event at Yahnundasis Golf Club in New Hartford start at $1,000 per person, according to an invitation obtained by syracuse.com | The Post-Standard.
Pulaski in Oswego County is among the first 20 municipalities in New York to win state certification as a pro-housing community, making the village eligible for extra state funding.

Pulaski is the only municipality in Central New York to make the initial list announced Wednesday by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The municipalities will now receive priority over other cities and towns when competing for up to $650 million in discretionary spending from state programs like the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward.

Hochul came up with the incentive program last year as part of her executive actions to increase the states housing supply.

The governor took action after failing to gain support for a more aggressive approach that would have allowed the state to override local zoning decisions. Hochul wants to address New Yorks housing shortage by building 800,000 new homes over the next decade.

The state is reviewing the applications of 60 other municipalities that have applied to be certified as pro-housing communities.

To be certified, downstate communities must document that their housing stock increased by at least 1% in the previous year or 3% over the previous three years. In Upstate New York, communities must increase housing by 0.33% in the last year or 1% over the previous three years.

The list of the first 20 communities includes the cities of Binghamton, Dunkirk, Kingston, New Rochelle, Newburgh and Poughkeepsie.

Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Mark Weiner anytime by: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751
RTX Corp's diversified aerospace and defense portfolio offers resilience and growth potential.

Global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions present significant challenges.

Investments in R&D and advanced technologies position RTX for future opportunities.

Cybersecurity threats and reliance on global supply chains pose persistent risks.

On February 5, 2024, RTX Corp, a leading aerospace and defense company, filed its 10-K report with the SEC, revealing a comprehensive overview of its financial and operational status. As a merged entity of United Technologies and Raytheon, RTX Corp operates through three primary segments: Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon, each contributing to a balanced exposure to commercial aerospace and defense markets. The financial tables within the filing indicate a robust balance sheet, with significant market capitalization of approximately $142.5 billion as of June 30, 2023. The company's diverse product offerings and services, including advanced systems for commercial, military, and government customers, underscore its financial resilience and strategic positioning in the industry.

Decoding RTX Corp (RTX): A Strategic SWOT Insight

Strengths

Market Position and Diversification: RTX Corp's merger has created a powerhouse with a balanced portfolio in both commercial aerospace and defense sectors. The company's market capitalization of over $142 billion reflects its strong position in the industry. Its diversified business model allows it to weather sector-specific downturns, as evidenced by its robust performance in the defense segment, which can offset volatility in the commercial aerospace market. This diversification is a strategic advantage that provides stability and growth potential.

Research and Development (R&D) Prowess: RTX Corp's commitment to R&D is evident in its innovative product lineup and advanced technology services. The company invests substantial amounts in R&D, both from its funds and through contractual arrangements, to enhance existing offerings and develop future technologies. This focus on innovation ensures that RTX remains at the forefront of the aerospace and defense industries, maintaining its competitive edge and driving future growth.

Story continues

Global Presence and Workforce: With operations in approximately 30 countries and a global workforce comprising 57,000 engineering professionals, RTX Corp has a significant international footprint. The diversity of its workforce, with 25% women and 33% people of color in the U.S., enhances its ability to innovate and cater to a global customer base. The company's inclusive work environment and focus on DE&I initiatives contribute to its reputation as an employer of choice, aiding talent acquisition and retention.

Weaknesses

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: RTX Corp's reliance on a global supply chain exposes it to risks associated with material availability and supplier performance. The 2023 disruptions, driven by market constraints and macroeconomic conditions, have impacted the company's ability to procure essential components, leading to production delays and increased costs. These supply chain challenges, if not adequately addressed, could continue to affect the company's operational efficiency and financial performance.

Geopolitical Sensitivities: The company's defense segment is subject to geopolitical risks, including changes in U.S. government budgets and foreign policy decisions. Sanctions against RTX, such as those announced by China in response to arms sales to Taiwan, could disrupt business operations and affect sales. The sensitivity of the defense business to international relations and political decisions is a weakness that requires constant strategic management.

Intellectual Property Risks: While RTX Corp has a robust portfolio of intellectual property (IP), the risk of IP theft or infringement, particularly in an era of heightened cybersecurity threats, remains a concern. The company must continuously invest in protective measures to safeguard its IP, which is critical to maintaining its competitive advantage and operational integrity.

Opportunities

Advancements in Defense and Space Technologies: RTX Corp is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for defense and space technologies. With products like the Patriot air and missile defense system and the AN/TPY-2 radar, the company can leverage its expertise to secure contracts for next-generation systems, including hypersonics and space-based solutions. The defense sector's expansion into new domains presents significant growth opportunities for RTX.

Commercial Aerospace Recovery: As the commercial aerospace industry recovers from the impacts of the pandemic, RTX Corp stands to benefit from increased demand for aircraft engines and aftermarket services. The company's Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney segments are poised to capture a larger market share as airlines renew their fleets and ramp up operations, signaling a potential upswing in revenue.

Global Expansion and Partnerships: RTX Corp's global presence provides a platform for further expansion into emerging markets. Strategic partnerships and joint ventures can facilitate entry into new regions, allowing the company to tap into local demand and diversify its revenue streams. Collaborations with local firms can also help navigate regulatory landscapes and foster innovation through shared expertise.

Threats

Cybersecurity Threats: The increasing sophistication of cyber threats poses a significant risk to RTX Corp's operations. Cyber-attacks on the company's IT infrastructure could lead to the compromise of sensitive data, operational disruptions, and financial losses. RTX must continue to invest in robust cybersecurity measures to protect its assets and maintain customer trust.

Regulatory and Compliance Burdens: RTX Corp operates in a highly regulated industry, with stringent requirements across various jurisdictions. Compliance with export controls, anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws, and other regulatory obligations is essential but burdensome. Non-compliance could result in fines, sanctions, and reputational damage, threatening the company's operational viability.

Economic and Market Fluctuations:

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


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Evans Hodges was recently demoted from president to community developer at the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.

The Jefferson County Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce recently decided the president of the chamber will remain employed after admitting to misappropriating more than $11,000 while attending Mercer University.

Evans Hodges, 23, admitted to misappropriating more than $11,000 from Mercer University's 2022 Camp for a Cause event while serving as philanthropy chairman for the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, according to previous reporting.

Randi Beckworth, chairman of the board, wrote in a statement that Hodges has "done a great job for the chamber in recruiting new members and in creating new ideas for community engagement." He noted the incident occurred while Hodges was in college and the fraternity admitted internal issues which allowed for the misuse of funds.

"Although, initially, Evans did not admit to his actions to the fraternity, ultimately he did confess, and signed an agreement to that effect and began re-paying the organization," Beckworth wrote in the statement. "Everything has been paid back in full, and Evans has extended an apology letter to the fraternity and to Mercer University. ... The chamber board felt that because of Evans youth and his willingness to correct his actions, he should be given another opportunity to regain the trust and confidence of the community."

Previous report: Jefferson County chamber president accused of misappropriating funds at Mercer University

While Hodges will remain on staff, certain stipulations have been put in place, including:

Title changed from president to community developer. Greg Sellars will serve as interim president of the chamber of commerce.

No access to funds in the future.

Probationary period extended. During this time, Hodges will not accrue paid leave, is not eligible for insurance benefits and may be dismissed without cause.

Submit to monthly evaluations by either the interim chamber president or the executive board.

Participate in various courses or training, as determined by the board, to improve skills in organization management.

"I ask that this situation does not impact your view of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, its integrity, or its mission," Hodges wrote in a statement. "I plan to continue to work to rebuild your trust in me and hope that we can continue to work together to build a great community."

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Jefferson County chamber president demoted after investigation
RahulNagaraj Senior - BHPian



Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,046 Thanked: 20,019 Times

LEGO to offer racing-inspired products; Includes Senna's MP4/4 & Mercedes-AMG W14



Starting with the BMW cars, LEGO will offer a BMW M4 GT3 and a BMW M Hybrid V8 race car and will include minifigure drivers. Both BMW sets will be priced at $44.99, with each of them consisting of 676 pieces.







Coming to the Formula 1 cars, LEGO will offer the 2023 McLaren F1 race car with the iconic black & papaya orange livery. This model will be made up of 245 pieces, will be 7 inches long and be priced at $26.99. Another F1 car will be the Mercedes-AMG W14 E Performance - offered in two versions. The first is a small 9.5-inch, 240 pieces, pull-back version for younger kids, priced at $26.99. The second is the Technic Line 1:8 scale LEGO model with authentic livery details. The 1:8 scale model also comes with a V6 engine with moving pistons, opening wing, individual suspension, functioning steering and slick tyres. This model consists of 1,642 pieces, retails at $219.99 and is 25 inches in length.







For the younger fans aged 4 and up, LEGO offers its LEGO City sets. This includes a City Green Race Car with sporty tyres and rear spoiler, along with a driver and photographer. There will also be a City Race Car with a Carrier Truck. The transporter comes with a ramp and two minifigure drivers. The City Race Car is 4.5 inches in length, made up of 56 pieces and priced at $9.99. The City Race Car with the Carrier truck set has 328 pieces, is 6.5 inches in length and retails at $29.99.







However, the most anticipated product in LEGO's new range is the 1988 McLaren MP4/4 developed by McLaren & Senna Brand. Part of the Icons model, the MP4/4 LEGO model features a working steering, rod suspension, adjustable rear wing, slick tyres, gearshift, mirrors, a detailed V6 turbocharged engine and a display stand. The set even comes with an Ayrton Senna minifigure. The set is made up of 693 pieces, is 12.5 inches long and retails at $79.99.



All models can be pre-ordered, with LEGO launching the motorsport-inspired product range on March 1, 2024.



Source:



Link to Team-BHP news LEGO has revealed a range of motorsport-inspired products. The new range of products includes two Speed Champion sets in partnership with McLaren Racing and BMW, two LEGO Technic cars from the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 team, one LEGO Icons car from McLaren & Senna brand and two racing cars from LEGO City.Starting with the BMW cars, LEGO will offer a BMW M4 GT3 and a BMW M Hybrid V8 race car and will include minifigure drivers. Both BMW sets will be priced at $44.99, with each of them consisting of 676 pieces.Coming to the Formula 1 cars, LEGO will offer the 2023 McLaren F1 race car with the iconic black & papaya orange livery. This model will be made up of 245 pieces, will be 7 inches long and be priced at $26.99. Another F1 car will be the Mercedes-AMG W14 E Performance - offered in two versions. The first is a small 9.5-inch, 240 pieces, pull-back version for younger kids, priced at $26.99. The second is the Technic Line 1:8 scale LEGO model with authentic livery details. The 1:8 scale model also comes with a V6 engine with moving pistons, opening wing, individual suspension, functioning steering and slick tyres. This model consists of 1,642 pieces, retails at $219.99 and is 25 inches in length.For the younger fans aged 4 and up, LEGO offers its LEGO City sets. This includes a City Green Race Car with sporty tyres and rear spoiler, along with a driver and photographer. There will also be a City Race Car with a Carrier Truck. The transporter comes with a ramp and two minifigure drivers. The City Race Car is 4.5 inches in length, made up of 56 pieces and priced at $9.99. The City Race Car with the Carrier truck set has 328 pieces, is 6.5 inches in length and retails at $29.99.However, the most anticipated product in LEGO's new range is the 1988 McLaren MP4/4 developed by McLaren & Senna Brand. Part of the Icons model, the MP4/4 LEGO model features a working steering, rod suspension, adjustable rear wing, slick tyres, gearshift, mirrors, a detailed V6 turbocharged engine and a display stand. The set even comes with an Ayrton Senna minifigure. The set is made up of 693 pieces, is 12.5 inches long and retails at $79.99.All models can be pre-ordered, with LEGO launching the motorsport-inspired product range on March 1, 2024.Source: Road&Track Last edited by RahulNagaraj : 7th February 2024 at 12:55 .
furyrider BHPian

Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 195 Thanked: 1,010 Times

Re: Middle-aged gents & heart attacks | Bird Automotive boss passes away at just 48 Quote: Thad E Ginathom Originally Posted by

The irony is --- that you are more influenced by a handful of (yes, genuine) numbers of vaccine side effects, rather than by the huge number of deaths and long-lasting symptoms caused by the disease itself.



Let me put my perspective. I work in clinical development - area of focus being drug safety/Pharmacovigilance i.e., the adverse effect/risk part. Let me start from the basics: adverse events are broadly classified into 2 categories - serious and non-serious. Situations where death has occurred; life-threatening conditions (which have the potential to cause death); hospitalizations; conditions which cause (any) disability or other medically important events are classified as serious. Any adverse event which does not fulfill any of the above situations is classified non-serious.



The next important measure is causality - i.e., the cause which explains the event: that is to say, whether the drug in question caused it or if some other underlying condition explains the event. If the drug is found or suspected to be the culprit, the causality will be deemed related. If not, it will be considered not related. This is a very superficial overview and there will be a lot of algorithms used to determine causality. I won't go in-depth into those; else people will start snoring by the time they finish reading this post.



Now that the basics are out of the way, let me explain how companies collect these adverse events. You see, during clinical trials, the sponsoring company aka sponsor will oversee all the activities right from the day a subject gets enrolled to the day the subject leaves the study. All the vital parameters will be monitored, and any adverse events will be monitored closely by the principal investigator. All the data collected will promptly be reported to the regulatory authorities. Any serious adverse event which is deemed related will be reported on an expedited basis and the ones deemed not related will be reported periodically - typically once a year as an aggregate report. The regulatory authority will then go through the data and will deem if the drug can be approved for a particular indication. Any adverse events noticed during the clinical trial will be mentioned in the Reference Safety Information post approval - you know the pamphlet we discard without even reading once we open the box of medicines - yes, that one!



Now that the drug is approved and released into the market, what happens then? The post marketing phase now starts. The marketing company - called marketing authorization holder (MAH) now can't call each and every patient who takes the drug, right? The MAH is still obliged to report adverse events to the concerned regulatory authorities. How will they do that? Well for starters, MAHs typically conduct surveys from the physicians via their medical representatives. This is called solicited reporting. The physicians can share their experiences with the company. Any adverse events reported will be recorded. What about the large number of patients who take the drug? What if they experience an adverse event? There will be two scenarios here. The patient reports to the physician who reports to the company directly or the company representative or the patient reports to the company directly. Also, companies usually sift through online forums or social media to gather information on adverse reactions. They might not respond back to you, but they usually check reviews posted online.



You see, in the developed world, consumers and most importantly physicians are usually aware that they can report any adverse reaction however minor they may be directly to the company or to the regulatory authorities (who in turn routes it back to the company). In countries such as ours, the awareness is lacking. The manufacturer name will be specified on the package and one can usually find a contact page on the website through which an adverse event can be formally reported or to the regulatory authority directly. This is called unsolicited reporting.



In our country, we have a programme called Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) through which adverse drug reactions can be reported directly to the CDSCO (



To the original question: why do we need this data? For starters, without data on adverse events, safety profile of a drug cannot be ascertained. There is an important aspect in Pharmacovigilance called Signal detection - where in data is pooled and signals or events that have a high possibility of being caused by the drug are identified. Safety bulletins are usually issued with this data. If people hardly report adverse events, there simply is no data on it and the safety profile of the drug will remain the same. I understand that a lay man can find this information overwhelming, but trust me, it isn't. If you feel that a drug might've caused something to you, you can still report it. Reports obtained from post marketing are usually considered to be related by default - the logic being that the patient took the effort to report it. Also, if the regulatory authority notices that the drug has the potential to cause some serious adverse effects, the marketing approval can be withdrawn.



Apologies for being off-topic and the long post. Since I saw people reporting their experiences here, I wanted to make them aware that a system to report your experiences exists. For any drug/vaccine to be approved for release, the company developing it should show that the benefits outweigh the risks. What you have mentioned is the same sir.Let me put my perspective. I work in clinical development - area of focus being drug safety/Pharmacovigilance i.e., the adverse effect/risk part. Let me start from the basics: adverse events are broadly classified into 2 categories - serious and non-serious. Situations where death has occurred; life-threatening conditions (which have the potential to cause death); hospitalizations; conditions which cause (any) disability or other medically important events are classified as serious. Any adverse event which does not fulfill any of the above situations is classified non-serious.The next important measure is causality - i.e., the cause which explains the event: that is to say, whether the drug in question caused it or if some other underlying condition explains the event. If the drug is found or suspected to be the culprit, the causality will be deemed related. If not, it will be considered not related. This is a very superficial overview and there will be a lot of algorithms used to determine causality. I won't go in-depth into those; else people will start snoring by the time they finish reading this post.Now that the basics are out of the way, let me explain how companies collect these adverse events. You see, during clinical trials, the sponsoring company aka sponsor will oversee all the activities right from the day a subject gets enrolled to the day the subject leaves the study. All the vital parameters will be monitored, and any adverse events will be monitored closely by the principal investigator. All the data collected will promptly be reported to the regulatory authorities. Any serious adverse event which is deemed related will be reported on an expedited basis and the ones deemed not related will be reported periodically - typically once a year as an aggregate report. The regulatory authority will then go through the data and will deem if the drug can be approved for a particular indication. Any adverse events noticed during the clinical trial will be mentioned in the Reference Safety Information post approval - you know the pamphlet we discard without even reading once we open the box of medicines - yes, that one!Now that the drug is approved and released into the market, what happens then? The post marketing phase now starts. The marketing company - called marketing authorization holder (MAH) now can't call each and every patient who takes the drug, right? The MAH is still obliged to report adverse events to the concerned regulatory authorities. How will they do that? Well for starters, MAHs typically conduct surveys from the physicians via their medical representatives. This is called solicited reporting. The physicians can share their experiences with the company. Any adverse events reported will be recorded. What about the large number of patients who take the drug? What if they experience an adverse event? There will be two scenarios here. The patient reports to the physician who reports to the company directly or the company representative or the patient reports to the company directly. Also, companies usually sift through online forums or social media to gather information on adverse reactions. They might not respond back to you, but they usually check reviews posted online.You see, in the developed world, consumers and most importantly physicians are usually aware that they can report any adverse reaction however minor they may be directly to the company or to the regulatory authorities (who in turn routes it back to the company). In countries such as ours, the awareness is lacking. The manufacturer name will be specified on the package and one can usually find a contact page on the website through which an adverse event can be formally reported or to the regulatory authority directly. This is called unsolicited reporting.In our country, we have a programme called Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) through which adverse drug reactions can be reported directly to the CDSCO ( Link ). While filing a report, 4 minimum criteria are required - an identifiable patient, a reporter (can be the patient), a suspect drug and an adverse event. If one is unwilling to share personal information, age and gender, or age group and gender will also suffice.To the original question: why do we need this data? For starters, without data on adverse events, safety profile of a drug cannot be ascertained. There is an important aspect in Pharmacovigilance called Signal detection - where in data is pooled and signals or events that have a high possibility of being caused by the drug are identified. Safety bulletins are usually issued with this data. If people hardly report adverse events, there simply is no data on it and the safety profile of the drug will remain the same. I understand that a lay man can find this information overwhelming, but trust me, it isn't. If you feel that a drug might've caused something to you, you can still report it. Reports obtained from post marketing are usually considered to be related by default - the logic being that the patient took the effort to report it. Also, if the regulatory authority notices that the drug has the potential to cause some serious adverse effects, the marketing approval can be withdrawn.Apologies for being off-topic and the long post. Since I saw people reporting their experiences here, I wanted to make them aware that a system to report your experiences exists.
Something to look forward to: Because DirectML and Neural Processing Units (NPUs) were specifically designed to facilitate machine learning and other AI applications, it was only a matter of time before these two technologies became integrated. Microsoft and Intel have announced the initial step in this collaboration, enabling developers to begin creating applications that support both technologies.

Developers with Windows 11 PCs running on Intel Core Ultra processors can now leverage the NPUs introduced in this new CPU lineup while working with the DirectML preview. Despite some limitations, this update broadens the possibilities for AI developers.

The new functionality has been incorporated into DirectML version 1.13.1 and ONNX Runtime 1.17. Not all machine learning models are currently compatible with NPUs, but Microsoft is actively working to expand support and is open to feedback through the DirectML GitHub repository. Additionally, the NPUs in AMD's recent processors are not yet compatible with DirectML, and there is no clear timeline for when they might be.

Microsoft introduced DirectML as part of its push toward machine learning in DirectX 12. The technology is usually mentioned in connection to video game resolution upscaling methods like Nvidia's DLSS, AMD's FSR, and Intel's XeSS, all of which DirectML can facilitate. Until now, DirectML has mostly targeted graphics cards, but supporting NPUs should enhance its versatility.

Intel has demonstrated how its NPUs can leverage XeSS to significantly improve graphics performance without the need for dedicated GPUs. However, DirectML could further enhance performance.

Beyond graphics, Microsoft's machine learning toolkit is designed to support various AI workloads, promising more applications as the technology advances through its preview phase and as developers investigate its potential.

Also read: Understanding DirectML, DirectX Raytracing and DirectStorage

Samsung, in collaboration with Microsoft, has provided an early example of DirectML NPU integration using open-source models. The company's Galaxy Book 4, powered by an Intel Core Ultra processor and NPU, can perform face and object recognition tasks  functions typically handled by other components  potentially enhancing performance and maximizing battery life.

As Microsoft continues to develop DirectML, the advantages of Intel Core Ultra NPU support are expected to grow, especially as Intel aims to significantly boost AI performance with each new processor generation.

Upcoming Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake CPUs are expected to triple the performance of the recently released Meteor Lake chips when they launch later this year and 2025. Panther Lake, which will arrive after those two series and may still arrive in 2025, could double AI performance again over Lunar/Arrow Lake processors.
WTF?! It's not unusual to hear about people being charged with defrauding companies, but what is strange is when said corporation publicly thanks the accused two weeks after they were arrested. That's what happened with Apple and a security researcher accused of defrauding $2.5 million worth of gift cards and electronics from the Cupertino giant.

San Francisco security researcher Noah Roskin-Frazee and a co-defendant were charged with allegedly defrauding Apple by using a password reset tool to break into the account of an employee from a company that helped the iPhone maker with customer support, reports CourtWatch and 404 Media.

The accused are alleged to have then used employee credentials to access the company's VPN servers, which in turn allowed them to access Apple's systems. Once inside, they used its Toolbox program to edit orders. They changed some orders' monetary values to zero and added products such as phones, laptops, and gift cards to existing orders without cost.

In some instances, the defendants had the items shipped to fake addresses using false names so they could be resold. It's also alleged that the pair extended existing service contracts for friends and family.

The indictment states that the pair attempted to fraudulently obtain over $3 million from Apple through more than two dozen fraudulent orders. For orders that did complete, they obtained around $2.5 million in electronic gift cards and more than $100,000 in "products and services." The scheme started in December 2018 and continued until at least March 2019.

Apple isn't named in the indictment as the company involved, but it is listed as being headquartered in Cupertino, California, and that it "developed, manufactured, licensed, supported and sold computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and services."

What's unusual about this case is that Apple thanked Roskin-Frazee by name in a security update on January 22, even though he had been arrested for allegedly defrauding the firm almost two weeks earlier. Roskin-Frazee had received acknowledgments from Apple in the past for identifying vulnerabilities in its products, including macOS Ventura and macOS Sonoma.

It's unclear why Apple thanked the defendant after he was arrested  the most likely explanation is that it was just a mistake. The company has not responded to request for comment.
What just happened? After deliberating for around four years, Denmark's data protection agency, Datatilsynet, has finally ruled that Google cannot easily access students' personal data. The US corporation is prohibited from exploiting children's data for commercial purposes.

Four years ago, Jesper Graugaard alerted Datatilsynet that his children's data was being sent to Google through Chromebook devices and other internet services. The Danish data protection authority has now decided that personal data must be treated with due respect for Denmark and the EU's privacy laws (GDPR), and that the current transfer process must stop.

According to Datatilsynet's decision, municipalities have confirmed that personal data belonging to primary school students has been collected by Google, and Google has used such data for its own (commercial) purposes. The authority has now ordered 53 municipalities across Denmark to change the data processing practices, potentially hindering Google's ability to offer its services in the first place.

In particular, schools are ordered to stop the transfer of their students' personal data to Google if there isn't a clear legal basis for the transfer. They also have to check (and document) how personal data is processed before using digital tools like Google Workspace and ensure that Google won't process data for non-compliant purposes.

Local municipalities will have until August 1 to comply with Datatilsynet's order, but they must explain how they intend to comply by March 1. Google can still use students' data to provide its services, enhance security and reliability, and fulfill other legal obligations.

What Google cannot do anymore, the data protection agency explains, is process data for improving Google Workspace, ChromeOS, and the Chrome browser. The corporation will not be able to legally use personal data for performance measurement or feature development.

Datatilsynet notes how modern IT services are essentially built to facilitate personal data transfer and processing, and personal data transfer is often the prerequisite for getting the "full benefits" of productivity and educational products, and that the products aren't always focused on protecting the privacy of citizens the data belongs to.

However, nothing can justify Google's inability to comply with data protection rules enforced in Europe, Datatilsynet says. The authority is not banning the use of Chromebooks and Google services from Denmark's schools right away, but Mountain View could be forced to stop providing its educational products in the country anyway.
A federal appeals court ruled that the First Amendment does not protect people from New Jersey who refused to wear face masks at school board meetings during the COVID-19 outbreak.

George Falcone and Gwyneth Murray-Nolan sued the Freehold and Cranford authorities in two related instances, which the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals decided on Monday, per Fox News. These cases claimed school boards retaliated against plaintiffs for refusing to wear masks during public meetings. One case was returned to a lower court, while the other held that the plaintiff failed to prove retaliation.

Not Wearing a Mask During Pandemic is Not Part of Free Speech

The court emphasized that refusing to wear a mask during a public health emergency is not free speech. The court agreed with previous courts that there is no First Amendment right to oppose obligatory mask-wearing amid a public health emergency.

The appeals court underscored that skeptics can express their opposition through various means, but disobeying a mask mandate is not one of them. Drawing analogies, it stated that just as one cannot refuse to pay taxes to express the belief that 'taxes are theft,' nor can one refuse to wear a motorcycle helmet as a symbolic protest against a state law requiring them.

(Photo : JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)US President Joe Biden looks on prior to presenting the Medal of Honor to former US Army Captain Larry Taylor, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on September 5, 2023.

In response to the ruling, Ronald Berutti, an attorney for the appellants, announced their intention to petition the US Supreme Court to hear the case.

One of the litigants, George Falcone, attended a Freehold Township school board meeting in early 2022 when masks were still mandatory in New Jersey. Refusing to comply with the mask mandate, he received a summons on a trespassing charge. Falcone also alleges that a subsequent school board meeting was canceled in response to his non-compliance. His initial lawsuit was deemed lacking in standing by a lower court, leading to his appeal.

Read Also: Tinder Launches New Warnings to Enhance Respectful Dating Etiquette

Similarly, Gwyneth Murray-Nolan attended a Cranford school board meeting without a mask in early 2022, when mask requirements were still in force. Less than a month later, at the board's subsequent meeting, she was arrested on a defiant trespass charge for attending without a mask. A lower court determined that the police had probable cause to arrest her due to her non-compliance with the mask mandate, prompting her appeal.

Court Decision Lauded

Eric Harrison, legal counsel for the individuals implicated in the lawsuit, expressed approval for the verdict on Tuesday. In a written statement sent via email, According to an AP News report, Harrison remarked that declining to wear a mask in contravention of a public health directive "does not align with the type of 'civil disobedience' envisioned by the architects of the First Amendment as protected speech."

After the court procedures, New Jersey's statewide mask requirement ended in March 2022.

Meanwhile, health officials recommend immunization, hand washing, and physical distancing to avoid COVID-19. A face mask is essential for slowing viral transmission.

The CDC promotes mask-wearing, especially in certain situations. According to Mayo Clinic, the CDC advises wearing face masks in public locations, particularly in high-COVID-19 hospitalization regions. This advice is a component of the comprehensive strategy that health authorities advise using to lessen the effects of COVID-19.

Related Article: French Healthcare Giant Hacked, Millions of Health Data at Risk

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Researchers from prestigious institutions like the Georgia Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Northeastern University, and the Hoover Wargaming and Crisis Simulation Initiative recently conducted a study that sheds light on alarming trends in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for foreign policy decision-making.

The study reveals that various AI models, including those developed by OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta, exhibit a propensity for rapidly escalating conflicts, sometimes leading to the deployment of nuclear weapons. According to Gizmodo, the findings reveal that all AI models demonstrated indications of sudden and unpredictable escalations, often fostering arms-race dynamics that ultimately culminate in heightened conflict.

AI Prefers to Use Nukes to Promote Peace

Particularly noteworthy were the tendencies of OpenAI's GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 models to escalate situations into severe military confrontations. In contrast, models like Claude-2.0 and Llama-2-Chat exhibited more pacifistic and predictable decision-making patterns.

(Photo : JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP via Getty Images)Peace activists wearing masks of Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and newly elected US President Joe Biden pose with mock nuclear missiles in front of the US embassy in Berlin on January 29, 2021 in an action to call for more progress in nuclear disarmament.

During simulated war scenarios, GPT-4, for example, justified initiating nuclear warfare with explanations that raised concerns, such as expressing a desire for global peace or advocating for nuclear weapon use simply because they were available.

The study emphasizes the risks associated with AI decision-makers displaying arms-race dynamics, leading to increased military investments and rapid escalation. OpenAI's models, renowned for their sophisticated language capabilities, elicited concerns with their unconventional reasoning, prompting researchers to liken the logic to that of a genocidal dictator.

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An AP News report indicated that apprehensions mount over AI's potential to hasten warfare escalation as the US military explores AI integration, reportedly experimenting with secret-level data. Research stated that the development of AI-controlled kamikaze drones and the universal use of AI in military operations imply that hostilities might escalate faster.

In reaction to the study, academics and experts warn against unfettered AI use in military decision-making, emphasizing the need for careful deliberation and ethical monitoring to avoid unforeseen effects and disastrous results.

Pentagon: No Need to Panic

The Pentagon currently oversees over 800 unclassified AI projects, many of which are still undergoing testing. Primarily, machine learning and neural networks play a crucial role in aiding human decision-making, providing valuable insights, and streamlining processes.

Missy Cummings, Director of George Mason University's robotics center and a former Navy fighter pilot, emphasized that the current role of AI within the Department of Defense is extensively utilized to enhance and support human capabilities. "There's no AI running around on its own. People are using it to try to understand the fog of war better," Cummings said.

In a media release, the US Department of Defense stated it has assumed a leadership role in shaping global policies on military AI and autonomy, unveiling the Data, Analytics, and AI Adoption Strategy.

This strategy lays out non-legally binding rules to ensure the military uses AI responsibly. The regulations stress audibility, clear uses, rigorous testing, finding unintended behaviors, and senior-level review for applications with a lot of consequences. Hailed as a pioneering initiative, the strategy comprises ten concrete measures to steer the responsible development and deployment of military AI and autonomy.

"The declaration and the measures it outlines are an important step in building an international framework of responsibility to allow states to harness the benefits of AI while mitigating the risks. The US is committed to working together with other endorsing states to build on this important development," the Defense Department stated.

Related Article: Fears Grow About AI Taking Over Human Tasks Ranging from War to Jobs

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In the wake of Tucker Carlson's revelation on X (formerly Twitter) regarding his upcoming interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the social media app, experienced a remarkable download surge, swiftly ascending to the summit of the US App Store overnight.

The former Fox News host's impending interview, slated to air on Thursday, sparked a frenzy of installations, propelling X to the pinnacle of the App Store charts and displacing Instagram Threads.

Preliminary data from Appfigures indicates that X witnessed a staggering 117,000 new downloads on Tuesday, up from 93,000 the day prior, based on a TechCrunch report. With the app's momentum continuing into the evening, further installation increases are anticipated.

(Photo : Ian Maule/Getty Images)Tucker Carlson speaks during RiskOn360! GlobalSuccess Conference at Ahern Hotel and Convention Center on November 20, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Elon Musk, the owner of X, jubilantly declared the app's newfound status as the "#1 most downloaded app of any kind!" Carlson, in a video shared on X, delivered insights from central Moscow, explaining his rationale for securing Putin's first interview with a Western media outlet since the onset of Russia's incursion into Ukraine.

Notably, the Kremlin endorsed the interview, foreseeing Carlson's approach as a departure from Western media's perceived biased reporting on Ukraine. Given their interest in the Russia-Ukraine war's consequences, Carlson emphasized the need to enlighten Americans about Putin's objectives.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the recording happened Tuesday.

Tucker Carlson Criticized By Media

Amid the Ukraine crisis, Vladimir Putin's first interview with a Western journalist garnered attention. According to Steve Rosenberg, the BBC's Russia Editor, despite ongoing efforts by major media outlets to secure interviews with Putin, the Kremlin has consistently rejected requests, per the BBC.

The anticipation surrounding Tucker Carlson's interview with Vladimir Putin reverberated in Russian state media, marking a significant development in media coverage of the conflict. However, Carlson faced criticism from American and Russian journalists alike, with Anne Applebaum denouncing him as a propagandist with a history of bolstering autocrats.

If true, this would be disturbing indeed.



One may agree with Tucker or not, but he is a major American journalist and such an action would greatly offend the American public. https://t.co/IYqOzfWHf9  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 7, 2024

Read Also: EU Seals Clean Energy Tech Deal to Boost the Bloc's Green Industry

While Carlson's interview with Putin marks a milestone, journalists underscored persistent endeavors by major outlets to secure interviews, underscoring the scrutiny surrounding the media personality's role and its potential impact on public perception of the Ukraine conflict.

Tucker Carlson has emerged as a prominent supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Known for his vocal defense of Putin, he previously asserted that anti-Putin sentiment had become a central focus of US foreign policy.

Human Rights Violations Continue

In the aftermath of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the United Nations has reported severe humanitarian crises, citing Russian forces for widespread atrocities, including rapes, torture, and killings in Ukraine. Russia, in violation of international law, has further annexed four additional regions in Ukraine, adding to its earlier illegal takeover of Crimea in 2014.

Amid new censorship laws criminalizing critical war coverage, over 1,000 independent Russian journalists have fled, while Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich faces espionage charges. Foreign reporters, including the BBC's Sarah Rainsford, were expelled.

Carlson is known for interviews with global leaders. His past interviews with Argentina's President Javier Milei and Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban garnered hundreds of millions of views, according to Politico.

Related Article: KoBold Metals, Backed by Gates and Bezos, Unearths Massive Copper Deposit in Zambia

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Disney plans to invest billions of dollars into expanding the capacity of its theme parks and cruise lines, executives said during a first-quarter earnings call Wednesday.

You can pretty much conclude [the investments] will be all over, meaning every single one of our locations will be the beneficiary of increased investment and thus increased capacity, including [Halloween] on the High Seas, where its building three more ships, said Disney CEO Bob Iger.

Disney plans to invest $60 billion in its parks and experience division over the next decade. About 70% of that investment is earmarked for incremental capacity-expanding investments. Every Disney theme park and cruise line will receive a portion of the investment.

Iger continued to build on comments he made last November that he wants Disney to focus on turbocharging growth at its parks and experiences division.

During the first quarter, Disney Parks and Experiences operating income and revenue reached all-time records, said Iger. The division generated $9.1 billion in revenue, up 4% from last year.

Operating income on the domestic side totaled $2.1 billion, down 2% from last year. Disney executives largely attributed the decline to lower attendance and fewer room nights spent at Walt Disney World Resort.

For the international side, operating income amounted to $328 million, up from $79 million last year. Higher attendance and average ticket prices at Shanghai Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort were major contributors to the growth in operating income.

Cruise and Tours Sector Stock Index Performance Year-to-Date

What am I looking at? The performance of cruise and tours sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including both cruise lines and tour operators.

The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more cruise and tours sector financial performance.

Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.

Get breaking travel news and exclusive hotel, airline, and tourism research and insights at Skift.com.
Apple has developed an innovative AI image tool, known as MGIE (MLLM-Guided Image Editing, enabling users to make edits through simple descriptions.

(Photo : Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

The Apple logo is displayed outside company's Regent Street store on September 29, 2016 in London, England.

Editing Through Simple Descriptions

Developed in collaboration with the University of California, Santa Barbara, MGIE allows users to convey desired changes to a photo using plain language, eliminating the need for traditional photo editing software.

With the MGIE model, The Verge reported that users can perform various editing tasks such as cropping, resizing, flipping, and applying filters to images solely through text prompts.

This versatile tool can handle both straightforward and complex editing tasks, including altering specific objects within a photo to change their shape or enhance their brightness.

The model seamlessly integrates two distinct functions of multimodal language models: interpreting user prompts and envisioning the desired edits. For instance, a request for a bluer sky in a photo translates into increasing the brightness of the sky portion of the image.

Users utilizing MGIE for photo editing simply need to input their desired changes using text. For instance, when editing an image of a pepperoni pizza, users can type the prompt "make it more healthy," resulting in the addition of vegetable toppings.

Similarly, a photo depicting tigers in the Sahara may appear dark initially, but instructing the model to "add more contrast to simulate more light" yields a brighter image.

Enhancing Performance While Maintaining Competitive Efficiency

The researchers behind MGIE highlighted its effectiveness in translating explicit visual-aware intentions into tangible image edits, moving beyond vague directives.

Through comprehensive studies across various editing aspects, they demonstrated MGIE's ability to enhance performance while maintaining competitive efficiency.

Furthermore, they expressed optimism regarding the potential of the MLLM-guided framework to contribute to future vision-and-language research endeavors.

According to a report from VentureBeat, Apple has taken a significant step in the realm of AI image editing by making MGIE accessible for download via GitHub and unveiling a web demo on Hugging Face Spaces.

While Apple has remained tight-lipped about its future plans for the MGIE model, this move underscores the company's foray into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and digital image manipulation.

Also Read: Apple's AI is Set to Run on Hardware, Not the Cloud-Here's Why

In comparison to other platforms like OpenAI's DALL-E 3, which can execute basic photo editing tasks through textual prompts, Adobe, the renowned creator of Photoshop, has also ventured into AI-powered editing with its Firefly AI model.

This model introduces generative fill capabilities, allowing users to seamlessly incorporate generated backgrounds into their photos.

Despite not being as prominent in the generative AI space as industry giants such as Microsoft, Meta, or Google, Apple has demonstrated its commitment to advancing AI technology.

CEO Tim Cook has previously indicated the company's ambition to integrate more AI features into its devices in the coming years, as reported by Bloomberg.

This strategic move aligns with Apple's broader efforts to leverage AI capabilities, as evidenced by the release of MLX, an open-source machine learning framework aimed at facilitating AI model training on Apple Silicon chips, introduced by Apple researchers in December.

Related Article: Apple CEO Tim Cook Addresses Growth of AI, Potentially Coming to More Products

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Verizon Communications has reportedly notified authorities that it suffered an insider data breach after one of its unnamed employees gained unauthorized access to 63,206 employees' sensitive data.

According to a data breach notification that was given to the Office of the Maine Attorney General, on September 21, 2023, a Verizon employee obtained unauthorized access to a file that contained confidential employee data. It was only on December 12, 2023, almost three months after the incident, that Verizon became aware of the insider breach.

(Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 21: A sign is posted on the exterior of a Verizon store on July 21, 2021 in San Francisco, California.

Verizon said that as soon as it became aware of the problem, it examined the pertinent file to identify the kinds of data that were affected. The unnamed worker reportedly gained access to a database containing private data on 63,206 workers, including full names, residential addresses, national identification numbers, Social Security numbers (SSNs), genders, union memberships, dates of birth, and pay details.

Looking ahead, Verizon said in its email notification that it is working to ensure that its technical controls are improved to prevent this kind of thing from happening again.

Read Also: Verizon Catches Up to 5G Speeds Alongside AT&T,-Is T-Mobile Losing the Lead?

Verizon's Protective Measures

Thankfully, sources indicate that Verizon claims the data theft appears not to have affected consumer information. Furthermore, according to reports, Verizon said that while there aren't any signs of malicious exploitation or evidence that the data has been publicly disclosed, it is actively working to strengthen internal security to prevent future occurrences of this kind of incident.

As a protective measure, Verizon included information on how to sign up for a credit monitoring and identity theft protection service through Allstate Identity Protection for a period of two years with the breach notification email.

Allstate identification Protection is stated to offer thorough identification and financial monitoring to assist shield finances and personal information from threats like in Verizon's case. Victims may be eligible for complete service restoration and up to $1 million in costs and money returned.

Verizon spokesperson Rich Young stated in a statement that there was no sign of malicious intent, thus the company did not report it to the authorities.

Nonetheless, the company advised those who are impacted to keep an eye out for instances of fraud and identity theft by checking their account statements and free credit reports.

Verizon's Cybersecurity Woes

This incident follows after Verizon's subsidiary, Verizon Business Network Services, reportedly agreed to pay $4.1 million last September to settle claims made by the United States that it did not adhere to mandatory cybersecurity standards.

The settlement settles claims that a Verizon service, which offers secure internet connections and other external networks to federal agencies, did not fully comply with three cybersecurity requirements in contracts spanning from 2017 to 2021.

Over 150 million people in the United States reportedly receive internet, phone, and cable TV services from Verizon, an American media and telecommunications giant. The corporation generates 136.8 billion in a revenue year and employs about 117,000 people.

Related Article: Verizon Settlement: $100 Per Customer from $100M Payout for Extra Charges, How to Get

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The new update to the Copilot AI comes one year after Microsoft debuted its generative AI to the world, with the AI assistant now offering a cleaner and sleeker look, alongside new features. Previously introduced as Bing AI, Microsoft saw a long and winding journey with its machine learning developments, best known for having OpenAI as part of its team to deliver this technology for all.

With this update to Copilot, users will get a more intuitive experience with all generative AI needs, offering insights about what it has to offer for all.

Microsoft Copilot AI gets a Cleaner Look in Redesign

As detailed in the latest blog post from Microsoft, Copilot is seeing a significant upgrade today, and this is with the redesigned version of the famed AI chatbot from the Redmond company. Through this redesign, the AI assistant is now offering a cleaner and sleeker look, and this will help make the experience simpler for users to get straight to the point with the chatbot.

Microsoft also showcased the latest changes for Copilot in their latest Super Bowl ad, with the company offering a commercial for the first time in years to highlight the AI.

Both the web and mobile versions of Copilot get a redesign and it boasts of improved responses to fewer prompts by users, similar to the "less is more" ideology.

Read Also: Microsoft's Copilot AI Upgrades with GPT-4 Turbo, DALL-E 3

New Features on Copilot AI's Redesign

First off, Microsoft's Copilot offers a new carousel that displays the suggested prompts that it can do for a user, also highlighting the topics users may ask the chatbot for help. Additionally, this new version brings more generative features like image creation and editing, with the Designer experience also allowing users to tweak a generated image on the chatbot alone.

Microsoft's AI Developments

Going all-in for AI is a huge step for the many companies that offer this technology now, with Microsoft among the pioneers in this development alongside OpenAI, its trusty partner. The company later rebranded its AI chatbot to Copilot from being known as the Bing AI or Bing Chat, a new focus that embodies what Microsoft has to offer, and it is to assist users in their AI needs.

This massive move from Microsoft was seen when it killed its Cortana AI assistant, best known for being the feature on Windows 11 that rivals the likes of Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa, Samsung's Bixby, and more.

Since then, Microsoft delivered Copilot to various products of the company, including and more importantly with the Windows operating systems, both for Windows 11 and 10.

Copilot's arrival marked a new journey for Microsoft as its focus centered on improving more of the chatbots trained by OpenAI's renowned large-language model, GPT. In this redesign, Microsoft does not only change the looks of the chatbot, but Copilot also gets a more personal approach towards interacting with users, as well as offering more power and assistance for those in need.

Related Article: Microsoft Copilot for Android is Now Available, Here's Why It's Better than Bing

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New York Attorney Jae Lee is reportedly the latest lawyer caught using ChatGPT after citing a nonexistent case in a legal filing. Attorney Lee was caught after they failed to provide a copy of the ChatGPT-fabricated case when requested by the court.

Lee was reportedly appealing the dismissal of her client's medical malpractice lawsuit by a district court. The judges of the 2nd Circuit stated that she had mentioned two decisions in the appeal, one of which, Bourguignon v. Coordinated Behavioral Health Services, was a nonexistent case.

(Photo : MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

A photo taken on March 31, 2023 in Manta, near Turin, shows a computer screen with the home page of the artificial intelligence OpenAI web site, displaying its chatGPT robot.

When the court in November could not locate the case, it directed the attorney to provide a copy of the decision in question. In response, she said she could not provide a copy of the ruling.

Before turning to ChatGPT, which recommended the fictitious Bourguignon case, Lee told the court she had had trouble finding a pertinent case. The justices concluded that Lee had not read the ruling she quoted or taken any other action to verify its accuracy.

Read Also: Lawyer Uses ChatGPT for Legal Filing, Cites Non-Existent Cases

Sanctions Against ChatGPT-Fabricated Cases

According to reports, she cited the nonexistent state court ruling in an appeal to bring her client's lawsuit alleging a Queens doctor performed an improper abortion, back to life. Although the attorney acknowledged that they had included a ChatGPT-recommended case, he or she insisted that there had been no malice or bias against the other side or the legal system.

The US Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit found that the actions of attorney Jae Lee of the JSL Law Offices, located in Uniondale, New York, were substantially below what is expected of counsel. Lee was forwarded by the court to a grievance panel, which decides on potential sanctions like fines and suspensions.

A request for comment regarding the 2nd Circuit's order, which also maintained the dismissal of the original case, was not immediately answered by the doctor defendant's attorney.

ChatGPT Lawyers

The order is the most recent instance of a lawyer filing a bogus case citation mistakenly using an AI tool. It has been discovered that generative AI systems "hallucinate" information, which means they may create writing that is false but yet compelling.

Recently, two Manhattan attorneys, Steven Schwartz and Peter LoDuca, were penalized $5,000 by US District Judge P. Kevin Castel in June of last year for submitting a court brief created by ChatGPT that contained false statements from cases that never happened.

According to court documents made public last month, Michael Cohen, the former attorney for Donald Trump, inadvertently included fictitious cases produced by Google's AI technology in a brief supporting the president's release from post-prison supervision.

Last June, Forbes also reported that the lawyer for a man suing Colombia-based Avianca Airlines in a standard personal injury suit used ChatGPT to prepare a filing. However, in a similar fashion, the chatbot delivered fabricated cases that the attorney presented to the court, prompting the judge to consider sanctions.

Related Article: British Judge Uses ChatGPT to Write Ruling, Hails AI's Vast Potential

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The Department of Justice (DOJ) has leveled serious accusations against an engineer associated with a Los Angeles-based firm who allegedly stole trade secret technologies intended for the US government's use in space to detect nuclear missile launches and to monitor ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

According to CNBC, the person charged with theft of trade secrets was 57-year-old Chenguang Gong, residing in San Jose, California, who obtained US citizenship in 2011. Gong's arrest occurred on Tuesday, with a scheduled detention hearing on Wednesday.

"In his submissions to the Talent Programs, Gong proposed projects that mirrored his work for several of these companies, and repeatedly touted that his proposals would be useful to China's military and that China did not yet have the technologies he was proposing to develop himself or share with Chinese companies," the complaint reads.

'Talent Programs'

According to federal prosecutors, Gong's actions, if successful, could pose a significant threat to US national security, especially if the technology falls into the hands of foreign entities.

US Attorney for Los Angeles, Martin Estrada, highlighted Gong's previous attempts to share valuable information with the military of the People's Republic of China.

The criminal complaint asserts that from 2014 to 2022, Gong submitted numerous applications for Chinese government-run "talent programs," while employed by prominent US technology firms and a major defense contractor.

These programs are designed to attract skilled individuals from abroad to contribute to China's economic growth and military advancements.

The complaint suggests that Gong proposed projects to the Talent Programs that mirrored his work for US companies, emphasizing their potential benefits to China's military capabilities.

It also notes that Gong transferred over 3,600 digital files from his former workplace in Malibu, a research and development company, to personal storage devices between March and April last year.

More than half of these transfers occurred after Gong had accepted a position at a competitor firm, allegedly violating proprietary and export-controlled regulations.

Read Also: US, China, Join Forces to Possibly Forbid AI in Autonomous Weaponry

Blueprints for Infrared Sensors

The technology allegedly stolen by Gong includes blueprints for advanced infrared sensors crucial for space-based systems to detect nuclear missile launches and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

It also contained blueprints for sensors designed to help US military aircraft detect incoming heat-seeking missiles and deploy countermeasures effectively.

During his tenure at the company, Gong was tasked with overseeing the design and advancement of readout integrated circuits for the company's sensors. Numerous files that were unlawfully obtained bore labels such as "proprietary," "for official use only," and "export controlled."

After searching his office following a network activity and finding a flash drive with files that had been transferred, Gong was terminated in late April.

He was also swiftly let go by another company, which hired him on May 1, after just nine days, due to revelations regarding his involvement in the transfer of files.

Further investigations revealed that investigators found some of the files Gong was accused of stealing at his home last year.

Related Article: US Military Must Embrace AI to Stay Ahead, Says Former Army General Mark Milley

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According to a recent intelligence report from six US agencies and Five Eyes partners (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom), Chinese state-sponsored hackers have successfully infiltrated critical infrastructure networks in the United States, retaining access for at least five years.

The hacking campaign, attributed to a group known as Volt Typhoon, has raised significant concerns among cybersecurity experts and government officials, prompting allied nations to issue a joint cybersecurity alert.

Growing Threat of Chinese Hackers

The campaign, which targeted critical sectors including communications, energy, transportation systems, and waste management, represents a significant escalation in China's cyber capabilities.

According to the report, Chinese hackers sought to position themselves for potential disruptive or destructive cyberattacks that could impact national security, economic stability, or public safety.

Their activities included breaching security cameras at undisclosed facilities, indicating a meticulous approach to gaining unauthorized access.

The hackers' "choice of targets and pattern of behavior is not consistent with traditional cyber espionage or intelligence gathering operations," the report warned.

The response from allied nations has been swift, with cybersecurity advisories issued to critical infrastructure operators urging heightened vigilance.

Recommendations include implementing software updates, multi-factor authentication, and enhanced logging to detect suspicious activities. However, challenges remain in ensuring comprehensive cybersecurity measures across all infrastructure sectors.

Read Also: Verizon Suffers Insider Data Breach, Critical Data Of More Than 63,000 Employees at Risk

Growing US-China Tensions

The geopolitical context of the hacking campaign is crucial, with tensions between the US and China escalating over issues such as Taiwan. CNN tells us that US officials have expressed concerns that China could exploit cyber capabilities to disrupt responses during potential conflicts.

Additionally, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have acknowledged similar threats to their own critical infrastructure, highlighting the global nature of cybersecurity challenges.

Despite denials from the Chinese Embassy in Washington, evidence from intelligence reports suggests a sustained and sophisticated cyber campaign orchestrated by Chinese state actors. The use of "living off the land" techniques, which minimize traceability on networks, further complicates detection efforts.

US Agencies Respond to Threats

In response to the threat, government agencies, including the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the National Security Agency (NSA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), have intensified efforts to thwart the hackers' access. The said agencies recently released a joint advisory.

The collaboration between these agencies underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing cybersecurity threats.

As the investigation into the hacking campaign continues, cybersecurity experts emphasize the need for ongoing vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard critical infrastructure.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Data Breach Alert: 'ResumeLooters' Hack 65 Legitimate Job Sites, Stealing Personal Info of 2 Million Users

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A recent leak of radioactive water from Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has drawn sharp criticism from Chinese officials, who lambasted both the plant's operator and the Japanese government for what they called "lacking and ineffective" responses (via South China Morning Post).

The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, saw approximately 5,500 liters of contaminated water leak from the tsunami-damaged plant. According to reports, the leak stemmed from a valve left open during routine cleaning work.

Chinese Official Blasts Fukushima Plant Operators

In a statement, a spokesman for China's embassy in Japan accused Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco), the operator of the Fukushima plant, of internal mismanagement, stating, "Japan's repeated accidents in the process of treating Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water have fully exposed the chaos and disorder of Tepco's internal management."

The embassy spokesman also criticized the Japanese government's oversight measures, describing them as inadequate and ineffective. "The Japanese government's supervision measures are lacking and ineffective, which once again proves that the nuclear-contaminated water treatment equipment lacks long-term reliability," the spokesman said.

This latest incident has reignited concerns over Japan's handling of the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which led to multiple meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi plant and the release of radioactive material into the environment.

Read Also: Chinese Scientist Reveals World's First AI Child 'Little Girl' in Beijing Showcase

Japan's Controversial Radioactive Water Release

Japan has been grappling with the challenge of managing the vast amounts of contaminated water generated in the process of cooling the reactors. In response, the country announced plans to discharge treated wastewater from the plant into the Pacific Ocean, a decision that has sparked international dispute.

China has been among the most vocal critics of Japan's plan, expressing concerns about the potential environmental and health implications of releasing the wastewater into the sea.

The Chinese embassy spokesman reiterated Beijing's opposition to the discharge, stating, "The discharge of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the sea is related to the health of all mankind, the global marine environment, and international public interests."

The ongoing tensions between China and Japan over the Fukushima issue have escalated into a geopolitical dispute, with China imposing a ban on seafood imports from Japan last August in response to Tokyo's decision.

Despite assurances from Tepco that there is no immediate risk to the public and that the surrounding environment has not been significantly affected by the recent leak, the incident has raised questions about the long-term reliability of the plant's infrastructure.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Japan's nuclear regulator are currently conducting investigations into the incident, underscoring the importance of international oversight in nuclear safety matters.

According to Tepco, the leaked water is a combination of contaminated water from the plant's absorption system and filtered water used for cleaning. It is estimated to have approximately 0.022 Terabecquerels (TBq) of radioactive substances.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Japan's Fukushima Nuclear Plant Faces Tougher Challenge Beyond Water Release: Removing Melted Nuclear Fuel

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The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has recently raised concerns over Microsoft's decision to implement significant job cuts within its gaming division following its acquisition of Activision Blizzard (via VGC).

This move by Microsoft has drawn scrutiny from the FTC, as it appears to contradict previous assurances made during the acquisition process.

FTC Opposes Microsoft's Recent Massive Layoffs

Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard was completed in October 2023, following a long and arduous approval process from competition watchdogs. However, the recent announcement of plans to cut 1,900 jobs across Xbox, Bethesda, and Activision Blizzard has raised eyebrows at the FTC.

According to Bloomberg, the FTC has filed a complaint with the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, highlighting discrepancies between Microsoft's promises and its actions. The FTC argues that the job cuts undermine the assurances given by Microsoft regarding the independent operation of Activision Blizzard post-acquisition.

These layoffs have impacted various studios within Activision Blizzard, including Sledgehammer Games, Toys for Bob, and Blizzard. Notably, over 100 employees working on an untitled survival game at Blizzard were reportedly let go.

Microsoft's gaming chief, Phil Spencer, addressed the layoffs in a message to staff, citing the need to align priorities and identify areas of overlap. However, the FTC maintained that this move was "inconsistent with Microsoft's suggestion to this Court that the two companies will operate independently post-merger".

Read Also: Microsoft's Satya Nadella Plans to Empower 2 Million Indians with AI Skills by 2025

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

The FTC's complaint comes amidst ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the acquisition. While a federal judge initially ruled in favor of Microsoft, allowing the merger to proceed, the FTC has appealed this decision. The federal appeals court in San Francisco is currently reviewing the case.

Furthermore, the FTC expressed concerns that the layoffs could hinder its ability to address any potential antitrust violations related to the acquisition. The agency believes that the job cuts indicate areas of overlap created by the merger, which could have broader implications for competition within the gaming industry.

Industry Layoffs

Microsoft's decision to cut jobs within its gaming division also reflects a broader trend of layoffs across the gaming industry. Companies such as Riot Games, Unity, Discord, and Twitch have also announced layoffs, signaling a significant shake-up within the sector.

In response to inquiries regarding the cancellation of Blizzard's Odyssey project, a spokesman explained that it was part of a strategic focus on projects with higher growth potential.

Microsoft intends to redirect some employees to other early-stage projects at Blizzard, indicating a shift in the company's priorities.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Tech Job Cuts Signal a Shift in Industry Focus: Why Tech Giants Layoff Despite Soaring Stock Values

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Recent scientific findings have revealed a startling fact about Antarctica's ancient past: around 8,000 years ago, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet experienced a rapid and dramatic thinning.

This remarkable discovery, detailed in a study published in Nature Geoscience, sheds light on the possible consequences of accelerated ice melting in response to climate change.

200 Years of Rapid Ice Melting

The study, led by researchers from the University of Cambridge and the British Antarctic Survey, analyzed a 2,000-foot-long ice core extracted from Skytrain Ice Rise, a location on the edge of the ice sheet.

By meticulously examining the chemical composition and air bubbles trapped within the ice, scientists were able to reconstruct the ice sheet's thickness and track its historical changes.

What they found was astounding: over a span of just 200 years, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet thinned by a staggering 450 meters (1,476 feet) - equivalent to the height of the Empire State Building. This rapid ice loss, previously unknown in Antarctic history, underscores the region's vulnerability to environmental shifts.

Read Also: China Establishes Antarctic Outpost to Study Earth's Largest Marine Protected Area

'It Could Happen Again'

According to Professor Eric Wolff, one of the study's senior authors, this direct evidence of past ice loss serves as a sobering reminder of the potential impacts of climate change. "This scenario isn't something that exists only in our model predictions," Wolff explained. "It could happen again if parts of this ice sheet become unstable."

Isobel Rowell, a co-author of the study and an ice core scientist at the British Antarctic Survey highlighted that once the runaway scenario occurs, "there's really very little, if anything, that we can do to stop it," she told CNN.

The implications of such rapid ice melting are profound, particularly regarding the rise in sea levels. The West Antarctic Ice Sheet contains enough freshwater to raise global sea levels by approximately 5 meters (16 feet). Should similar melting occur, coastal communities worldwide could face devastating flooding and displacement.

Moreover, the study highlights the unique vulnerability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet to climate change. Warmer temperatures can trigger the destabilization of ice shelves, leading to accelerated melting and further rise in sea levels.

Rowell emphasized the urgency of understanding these dynamics: "It's now crucial to find out whether extra warmth could destabilize the ice and cause it to start retreating again."

The findings also have significant implications for improving our predictive models of ice sheet behavior. By incorporating data from past warming periods, scientists hope to refine their understanding of how the Antarctic ice sheet may respond to future climate scenarios.

While the study focused on events that occurred millennia ago, its relevance to the present cannot be overstated. As David Thornalley, an ocean and climate scientist, noted, the study provides valuable insights into the potential consequences of ice sheet collapse in the face of ongoing climate change.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: NASA Scientists Are Surprised to Detect More Greenland Ice Lost than Previously Thought

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Google has recently revamped its AI chatbot, previously known as Bard, and rebranded it as Gemini. The company is also rolling out an app for Android.

This shift signals Google's aggressive foray into advanced artificial intelligence, accompanied by a subscription model designed specifically for US users.

Gemini: What You Need to Know

Gemini represents a significant step forward in Google's AI ecosystem with the introduction of Gemini Ultra 1.0, the pinnacle of Google's AI capabilities.

Google says Gemini Ultra 1.0 is 'more capable at reasoning, following instructions, coding, and creative collaboration', and it also comes with a slew of advanced features.

The subscription model, called Gemini Advanced, is priced at $19.99 per month and includes access to the powerful Ultra 1.0 AI model, along with 2TB of cloud storage. Gemini Advanced is available in English in 150 countries as of Thursday.

This move by Google signals a shift towards offering premium AI services to consumers, competing directly with Microsoft and OpenAI in the growing market for paid AI subscriptions.

As The Verge points out, the rest of the changes to Gemini are primarily about branding. Google will no longer use the Bard name, but its chatbot will continue to work as usual.

Gemini's integration into popular Google services such as Gmail and Google Workspace further enhances its appeal, potentially replacing Google Assistant as the default assistant for users who opt for the new AI subscription.

Google says Android users can set Gemini as their phone's default digital assistant by accessing it via an app, the power button, or saying "Hey Google."

Read Also: Apple Launches Cutting-Edge MGIE: AI Image Editing Tool Revolutionizes Photo Editing

Gemini's Impressive Features

Gemini Advanced boasts various features, including advanced coding capabilities, logical reasoning, tutoring functions, and creative collaboration tools.

In blind evaluations, Gemini Advanced with Ultra 1.0 has emerged as the preferred chatbot among leading alternatives, highlighting its superior performance and versatility.

Despite these advancements, Google ensures that a free version of Gemini, known as Gemini Pro, remains available to all users. Powered by Gemini Pro 1.0, this version offers basic AI functionalities for those who prefer not to subscribe to the premium service.

The rebranding of Bard to Gemini reflects Google's commitment to simplifying its AI offerings and providing users with a more cohesive experience. The updated interface and navigation of gemini.google.com aim to enhance user accessibility and engagement with the AI platform.

What's Next?

Looking ahead, Google plans to expand Gemini's capabilities further, including adding multimodal features and deeper data analysis capabilities.

Reuters reports that Product Lead Jack Krawczyk confirmed that Gemini's smartphone rollout began in the United States and will expand internationally next week to Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and other regions, with additional language support in Japanese and Korean.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Google, Apple Default Search: Judge Rules Against User Lawsuits Claiming Bad Experience

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In this video, I will go over Walt Disney's (NYSE: DIS) fiscal first-quarter earnings report for the period ended Dec. 31, which showed great progress on profitability. Disney also plans to invest $1.5 billion in Fortnite maker Epic Games. This is a smart move.

*Stock prices used were from the trading day of Feb. 7, 2024. The video was published on Feb. 8, 2024.

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Disney Stock Is Ready to Have a Magical 2024 was originally published by The Motley Fool
Scientists at UC Riverside have unveiled a new weapon in the fight against crop pests: a tiny nematode species capable of infecting and eliminating insects.

Named Steinernema adamsi after American biologist Byron Adams, this tiny worm holds the key to eco-friendly pest control in warm, humid regions where traditional methods falter.

Worms in Pest Management

Nematodes are not new to the scene of pest management. For decades, species within the Steinernema genus have been deployed in agriculture to combat insect parasites, offering a pesticide-free alternative. However, the discovery of Steinernema adamsi marks a significant advancement in this field.

Professor Adler Dillman, head of the nematology lab at UC Riverside, explains, "We spray trillions of them on crops every year, and they're easy to buy." Despite the availability of over 100 Steinernema species, researchers are continually seeking new variants with unique capabilities suited for specific climates and insect species.

The discovery of Steinernema adamsi began with an unexpected turn of events. Dillman's team initially sought to study a different Steinernema species but received samples from colleagues in Thailand. Through DNA analysis, they unearthed a novel nematode species, distinct from any previously described.

The researchers shed light on the worm's remarkable attributes in the Journal of Parasitology. Steinernema adamsi is so small that several thousand individuals in a flask resemble nothing more than dusty water. Yet, despite their size, these nematodes pack a powerful punch against their insect hosts.

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How the Worm Eliminates Pests

Intriguingly, Steinernema adamsi employs a sinister yet effective strategy for eliminating its prey. As juveniles, they lie dormant in the soil until they encounter a suitable host.

Upon infection, they unleash pathogenic bacteria, swiftly incapacitating the insect within 48 hours. The host's body becomes a breeding ground for the nematodes, facilitating their rapid multiplication.

Laboratory experiments validated the nematode's effectiveness in combating pests. Even at low concentrations, Steinernema adamsi proved lethal to wax moths within a mere two days. Such efficacy bodes well for its potential application in agriculture, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides.

Looking ahead, researchers aim to unravel Steinernema adamsi's resilience to environmental stressors and its range of insect targets. Despite the lingering questions, optimism abounds regarding its role in bolstering pest management efforts worldwide.

Related Study

In a related study, researchers explored the effectiveness of another nematode species, Steinernema feltiae, against rose weevils. Results indicated that nematode treatments outperformed traditional insecticides, hinting at a paradigm shift in pest control strategies.

With Steinernema adamsi poised to transform pest management, the prospect of a greener, more sustainable agricultural future is enticing. Farmers armed with these specimens may soon say goodbye to harmful chemical pesticides.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Deep-Sea Researchers Discover New Isopod Species in the Bahamas: Here's How It Looks

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If customers look hard enough, they'll find a tiny Easter egg on each bottle of milk at their local Kwik Trip.

It's a small, hard to see smiley face, a reproduction of a drawing that former President and CEO Don Zietlow drew during annual meetings when he announced the company's year-end results, future goals and the amount employees would receive through the company's profit sharing program. It also appears on bottles of tea, juice and other drinks.

The smiley face is a nod to Zietlow, who retired in 2022, and to the company's employee-focused culture. But it's also an add-on that's only possible because of a business strategy Zietlow introduced more than two decades ago and continues to underpin the company's rapid growth.

Known as vertical integration, it's a do-it-yourself strategy of controlling as much of the production, warehousing, distribution and sales as you can. In Kwik Trip's case, that's grown from a small bakery at the back of an early store to a production and distribution network that extends across six states from Kwik Trip's sprawling La Crosse campus.

The La Crosse operation includes a dairy, a bread bakery, a sweets bakery, a commissary that makes all of the chain's hot food items and salads, warehousing and a distribution center, food safety and quality assurance labs, offices, a call center and other backroom functions. It all operates seamlessly to send custom ordered shipments six days a week to 872 convenience stores in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota and Michigan.

Each bottle of Kwik Trip's Natures Touch milk and other drink products has a small, smiley face imprinted on the bottom of the bottle. Former CEO Don Zietlow drew the face when he announced employee profit sharing at the company's annual meetings.

One of the benefits of doing all of that food preparation and packaging in house: the dairy operation also makes its own plastic bottles, which allowed Kwik Trip to easily add Zietlow's smiley face.

"Don asked people to smile at every guest and ask them to come back. So he started drawing smiley faces on stage and that kind of became his signature, his trademark, the early part of his personal brand," said Carl Rick, Kwik Trip's training manager and a third-generation owner of the business.

Story continues

A changing convenience-store business needed a new model

Kwik Trip began making sandwiches for its stores in the back room of a La Crosse location in the 1970s, and it bought a small dairy in Caledonia, Minnesota in 1981. The full embrace of vertical integration didn't really come until 2000, said John McHugh, Kwik Trip's vice president of external relations.

That's the year that Zietlow concluded the exiting model for convenience stores, based on sales of cigarettes, snacks, gasoline and household staples sold at "insult prices," wasn't a recipe for long-term success. Instead, McHugh said, Zietlow decided to focus on in-house food and drink production and cutting out the middle man as a way to overcome two traditional barriers to growing a convenience store business: cost and freshness.

"If you're having a third party deliver that loaf of bread and you're only doing a handful of loaves in a traditional convenience store, you have to charge so much for that loaf of bread to make it worthwhile that, in our industry, we have something called insult pricing  we have it and you need it, we're convenient, and you're gonna pay through the nose to get it," McHugh said.

Controlling production, storage and transportation reduces those costs and puts Kwik Trip prices on equal footing with grocery stores.

It also helps ensure freshness and food safety. In the case of milk, that means 24 hours from the dairy to the store shelf. For the company's signature Glazers donuts, it means delivery the same day they're made.

The result: customers know that they can get consistently fresh food items at a competitive price.

"Don knew that for us to be successful in our business model, you had to beat everybody on price, and you had to beat everybody on freshness, and that's where the vertical integration model comes in," McHugh said.

The success of the model can be seen in the shopping trends of Kwik Trip's 11.5 million weekly customers, he said.

"What happens now is, especially if you look at some of our small and rural markets, from 1 in the afternoon until 4, the demographic is people in their late 70s and 80s with grocery carts in our stores buying eggs, milk, butter, bread, onions, kind of thing," McHugh said. "People are just coming here for their their basic commodities."

The company does not make its annual sales public. However its profit sharing plan provides a glimpse into the its finances. Last year employees received about $200 million as their 40% share of Kwik Trip's pre-tax profit, which puts the company's annual profit at about $500 million.

Nearly 8,000 employees keep Kwik Trip stores stocked and the business humming

What began as a small food production operation in what is now the company's training center has grown to take up most of the company's sprawling 140 acre campus. Much of that growth has occured since 2017, when the company first tapped Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Enterprise Zone tax incentives to fuel its expansion.

Since then, the company has spent more than $325 million to expand the operation and created nearly 1,800 new, full-time jobs, according to WEDC records.

WEDC Secretary Missy Hughes said that growth is all the more impressive because the company has maintained its employees-first focus and even doubled down by providing on-site child care and a health clinic in La Crosse.

"They're a model Wisconsin company, and their decision to continue to expand here is just a huge win for us," Hughes said.

Today, the La Crosse workforce includes:

700 production employees in the kitchen, also known as the commissary, who produce pizza, burritos, salads and take-home meals.

150 dairy workers who pasteurize and homogenize milk, package it and make ice cream.

320 people who make doughnuts on two lines: one dedicated to Glazers in the morning and Dunkers in the afternoon, the other focused on Bismarks and Long Johns, cookies, cinnamon rolls and other sweet treats.

117 workers in the bread and roll bakery.

600 drivers who handle deliveries to retail locations with a fleet of 350 tractors and 250 trailers.

Kwik Trip's plan for continued growth and expansion

The seamless system that gets products to the stores' shelves is a product of 20 years of growth, experimentation and learning, one that company leaders acknowledge would be hard to reproduce today.

"This whole process grew organically," McHugh said. "To re-establish our140-acre campus with everything that we have here, someplace else in the Midwest, would be cost prohibitive."

Kwik trip has more than doubled its retail stores in the past decade and keeping up with that growth required continued investment in all of the behind-the-scenes support operations.

The company recently announced plans to spend another $151 million to support its plan to continue to add about 50 new stores a year.

That includes a recently completed expansion of Kwik Trip's burrito production line to make up to 90,000 burritos a day, a new 40-foot production line for Dunkers and cake doughnuts and additional packaging automation in the sweets bakery and a cooler expansion in the dairy.

For the first time, Kwik Trip will move some of the La Crosse operation off campus by building a new distribution center in De Forest and renovating an office building in Onalaska that the company recently bought.

The office building will house training, accounting and operations support, including a 24/7 help line for the stores, which in turn frees up more space for other overcrowded office functions. In time, the current training center will likely be torn down for an expansion of the dairy, McHugh said.

That expansion is being aided by an additional $15 million in tax credits from WEDC. The credits are tied to completing the $151 million investment and creating more than 500 new jobs by 2027.

"What I love is Kwik Trip's commitment to Wisconsin and the Midwest. They clearly have confidence that they can continue to grow," Hughes said.

The De Forest distribution center will help Kwik Trip better support its stores in southeastern Wisconsin, McHugh said. The company plans to eventually set up two additional distribution centers to better serve Kwik Trip's retail expansion. Likely locations are in western Wisconsin near Twin Cities and in Iowa, he said.

"We think we can double our footprint of stores and still be able to service it with this campus and the satellite distribution centers, but after that I think we're going to have to start thinking about other logistic concerns," McHugh said. "First, maybe you do a dairy or a bakery - you can't just replicate this campus."

Tapping automation increases efficiency without cutting workforce

Automation has helped the company expand production, while the company's growth has ensured that the efficiencies robotics bring don't cost employees their jobs.

"We're going to spend a lot of money on automation in years to come not to create jobs, but to free up those people to do jobs that we need people to do," Rick said. "Nobody's going to get fired because the robot's doing a job. We're taking those manual jobs, those highly repetitive jobs, and we're going to use robots for that. And that frees people up to do more, a different line of work."

Keeping the existing workforce is critical for a company expects to hire 500 more workers in a competitive regional labor market. Opportunities for career advancement and personal growth, and the company's commitment to sharing its profit with with employees has resulted in annual employee turnover of about 30%, far below the industry average, and is a key to attracting new workers, Rick said.

"When you go back to when Don was very first starting in business in the '50s and '60s, we were a major manufacturing community and Don watched friends, he watched family, he watched people lose jobs, because those facilities were bought, sold and had those jobs left La Crosse and never came back," Rick said. "And, so, one of the reasons we're committed to owning and growing the business going forward is we want to provide that long term stability for our co-workers and for the communities that we call home."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Kwik Trip's DYI approach to food, logistics primes its future growth
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They simply had nowhere to evolve: a Russian paleontologist on the progress of scientific ideas about dinosaurs

A business manager suspected of having ordered the attack on an elected official from Saint-Denis

Tigrane Seydoux, the Frenchman behind the fashionable Italians in Madrid in which you always have to visit the bathroom

Energy transition: The experts say so, the Court of Auditors says so

The Police open an investigation in Andorra after the Investigative Team's report on OnlyFans: "If they are minors, the better"

The Spanish Society of Allergology predicts an intense Spring for those allergic to grass pollen in the center and southwest of the peninsula

The "egg-beating" trend brings new opportunities to the traditional poker industry in small towns in Zhejiang

Guangxi's 15 cultural tourism projects plan to attract investment in Guangdong with a total investment of more than 80.7 billion yuan

International newspapers: Gaza is bringing Washington back to the region, and Netanyahu may lose his position

Annoyed by a kissing couple: woman attacks the person sitting next to her on the train

Defeat in the FA Cup: Klopp breaks off interview  I have no nerves for you

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9th day of the Grand Sumo Spring Tournament New entrant with only one winner Takafuji 9 consecutive wins

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Putin: all traitors fighting against Russia will be identified by name and they will not be given peace

Urgent | Al Jazeera obtains exclusive photos showing the Qassam tracking the movements of officer in the Shaldag unit, Yitzhar Hoffman, before he was killed by a snipers bullet.

War in Sudan: community kitchens to help each other during Ramadan

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Investment in Infrastructure : DTE Energy Co (NYSE:DTE) invested a record $3.8 billion in electric and gas infrastructure improvements in 2023.

Earnings Growth : Reported earnings of $1.4 billion, or $6.76 per diluted share in 2023, up from $1.1 billion, or $5.52 per diluted share in 2022.

Operating Earnings : Operating earnings for 2023 were $1.2 billion, or $5.73 per diluted share, compared with $1.2 billion, or $6.10 per diluted share in 2022.

Customer Savings : Achieved $300 million in fuel and transportation cost savings for customers.

Energy Assistance : Secured nearly $160 million in energy assistance for vulnerable customers.

Renewable Energy Milestones : Recognized for MIGreenPower program and operationalized Michigan's largest wind park.

2024 Outlook: Confirms operating EPS guidance of $6.54 - $6.83 for 2024.

DTE Energy Co (NYSE:DTE) released its 8-K filing on February 8, 2024, detailing a year of strategic investments and solid financial performance. The company, which owns two regulated utilities in Michigan, has made significant strides in improving infrastructure and advancing clean energy initiatives. DTE Electric serves approximately 2.3 million customers in southeastern Michigan, including Detroit, while DTE Gas serves 1.3 million customers throughout the state. The company's nonutility businesses and investments include energy marketing and trading, renewable natural gas facilities, and on-site industrial energy projects.

DTE Energy Co Reports Increased Earnings and Strategic Investments in 2023

Performance Highlights and Challenges

DTE Energy's commitment to infrastructure enhancement is evident in its historic investment of over $3.8 billion in 2023. This investment has been crucial in improving service reliability and transitioning to cleaner energy sources. The company's earnings report reflects a robust financial performance with reported earnings increasing to $1.4 billion, or $6.76 per diluted share, up from $1.1 billion in the previous year. This growth is significant for a utility company, as it demonstrates the ability to manage large-scale investments while delivering shareholder value.

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However, the company's operating earnings saw a slight decrease from $6.10 per diluted share in 2022 to $5.73 in 2023. This could be attributed to the substantial investments that exceeded the cash generated by the business, a challenge that DTE Energy is addressing through its regulatory construct. The company's efforts in reducing customer bills by $300 million through fuel and transportation cost savings are particularly important, as they directly benefit consumers and enhance the company's reputation for affordability.

Financial Achievements and Industry Impact

The utility industry is capital-intensive, and DTE Energy's financial achievements in 2023 underscore the company's commitment to long-term growth and sustainability. The investment in infrastructure not only improves service quality but also positions the company as a leader in the transition to clean energy. The operationalization of Michigan's largest wind park and the recognition of the MIGreenPower program as a top utility green tariff program in the U.S. are testaments to DTE Energy's industry leadership in renewable energy.

Moreover, the company's support for vulnerable customers through nearly $160 million in energy assistance, and its contribution to job creation with investments in Michigan businesses, reflect a broader impact on economic development and social responsibility.

Financial Metrics and Importance

Key financial metrics from DTE Energy's earnings report include:

Financial Aspect 2023 2022 Reported Earnings $1.4 billion $1.1 billion Operating Earnings $1.2 billion $1.2 billion Reported EPS $6.76 $5.52 Operating EPS $5.73 $6.10

These metrics are crucial for understanding the company's profitability and operational efficiency. Earnings per share (EPS) is a key indicator of a company's financial health and its ability to generate profits for shareholders. The increase in reported EPS reflects DTE Energy's successful management and strategic initiatives, while the slight decrease in operating EPS highlights the challenges of balancing investment with operational costs.

Analysis and Outlook

Looking ahead, DTE Energy confirms its operating EPS guidance for 2024, projecting continued growth and stability. The company's strategic investments in infrastructure and clean energy, along with its commitment to customer affordability and community support, position it well for future success. As DTE Energy navigates the challenges of a dynamic energy landscape, its focus on reliability, affordability, and sustainability will remain critical to its long-term performance.

For a more detailed analysis of DTE Energy Co (NYSE:DTE)'s earnings and future prospects, investors and interested parties can access the full earnings announcement and presentation slides at dteenergy.com/investors.

Explore the complete 8-K earnings release (here) from DTE Energy Co for further details.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


ICC prosecutor wants court to try 'environmental crimes'



Paris, Feb 7 (AFP) Feb 07, 2024



The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor told AFP on Wednesday that he wants the tribunal to start trying suspects for "environmental crimes" without having to modify its founding statutes.

Karim Khan said chemical attacks or assaults on nuclear plants could come under the existing terms of offences the court is authorised to prosecute: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity or crimes of aggression.

Major environmental destruction or pollution could therefore lead to prosecutions for war crimes or crimes against humanity, alongside rape or the deportation of children.

The latter allegation was made against Russian President Vladimir Putin, against whom the Hague-based ICC issued an arrest warrant last year.

The ICC's Rome Statute mainly focuses on crimes against individuals or protected objects like churches, mosques, synagogues or UNESCO heritage sites, but during conflicts "we have to see a horizon which is more wide", Khan said.

Struggles for resources often drive conflicts, which themselves frequently target the environment, he said when asked if large-scale bombardment in Ukraine or Gaza might come under the definition of environmental crimes.

Khan recently visited war-torn Sudan's Darfur, a province exposed to growing desertification for more than 50 years, where he said droughts and water shortages between different communities "triggered animosity".

The environment is also a victim when gold, wood, timber and rare earth metals are coveted during conflicts, while harmful substances such as cyanide and mercury are used to extract valuable ores, the British prosecutor added.

"That leads to whole ecosystems being disrupted, degraded and indeed destroyed. Rivers vibrant, full of wildlife, plants and fish, become wastelands of death and despair," Khan said.

Khan intends to issue a general policy paper in December that would set the legal framework for environmental crimes without having to add a fifth offence to the four listed in the Rome Statute.

"This is the first time in the history of the International Criminal Court that we would have a considered policy paper on the forms that environmental crimes can take," he said.

In 2016, former ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said the court would focus on ecological damage, the illicit exploitation of natural resources or the illegal expropriation of land, a warning that had little visible impact.

But Khan insisted his initiative was a step further as it was a thought-out policy rather than a promise or hope.

Khan was speaking in Paris on the sidelines of a gathering of around 100 prosecutors and senior judges who were discussing behind closed doors the role of young people in environmental justice.
Mexico sees big fall in monarch butterfly numbers



Mexico City, Feb 7 (AFP) Feb 07, 2024



Population numbers of endangered monarch butterflies have fallen sharply at their wintering sites in Mexico, experts said Wednesday, blaming the "sobering" drop primarily on climate change and the use of pesticides.

The orange, black and white-spotted insects covered 0.90 hectares (2.2 acres) of forest in the 2023-2024 season, Gloria Tavera, conservation director at the National Commission for Natural Protected Areas, said.

That marked a decline of 59 percent from the previous year, she told a news conference.

"Much has to do with climate change -- drought and high temperatures at breeding sites and in habitats along the migration route," Tavera said.

The use of herbicides in fields of milkweed -- the plant that it feeds on as a caterpillar -- in the United States and Canada is also considered a major factor.

Gregory Mitchell, research scientist at Environment and Climate Change Canada, described the figures as "sobering news."

But conservationists "have the tools and we have the drive" to help the monarch's recovery, he said.

In 2022, the migratory monarch butterfly was added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species.

The insects travel more than 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) from Canada to spend the winter in Mexico before returning.

Wildlife defenders say that logging presents a major threat to their habitat in Mexico, one of the world's most dangerous countries for environmental activists.

The suspected murder of prominent butterfly conservationist Homero Gomez in 2020 underlined the dangers of standing up to illegal loggers in the Latin American nation.
Poland's 'Bat-mum' saving bats from climate change



Szczecin, Poland, Feb 8 (AFP) Feb 08, 2024



A Polish pensioner has been dubbed "Bat-mum" for taking care of ailing bats from her ninth-floor flat as the nocturnal mammals increasingly struggle with the effects of climate change.

Barbara Gorecka, 69, runs a bat sanctuary in the residential building where she lives and says she has now taken care of around 1,600 animals.

"It all started exactly 16 years ago, on a very cold January... It was when bats started emerging out of the ventilation ducts into my apartment," Gorecka told AFP in her flat as bats chirped and fluttered around her.

She currently keeps around three dozen bats that are sick or injured, or have abruptly woken up from hibernation.

"It's mostly bats that are exhausted that end up here, those that have been woken up -- for example, by fireworks," she said.

To Gorecka, there is a visible link between climate change and the increasing number of bats that need help in her shelter.

"With the warm weather and unusually high temperatures, they think that spring is already here and there will be food. Unfortunately, they lose so much energy that they can't even fly anymore," Gorecka said.



- Bat in her sleeve -



The pensioner said she initially shared the prejudice and popular beliefs about bats, including about getting infected with rabies, before consulting with a microbiologist friend who "calmed her down".

She has now surrounded herself with experts and built a network of volunteers who help in her sanctuary with the bats -- each of which has its own name, a feeding routine and a medicine plan.

"Some bats stay here for a very short time, say two weeks... but some, like those suffering from fractures, need to undergo long-term rehabilitation," Gorecka said as one bat scampered up and down the jumper she wore.

The "Bat-mum" has grown so accustomed to having bats under her blouse that she sometimes forgets and leaves her flat with one still in her sleeve.

"Once, I even went like that to the church," she said.

Gorecka also takes her bats to schools for science lessons with children.

"I must admit that I simply love them... I can get up in the middle of the night to give them an antibiotic," Gorecka said.

"It's the way you love a child."
Azerbaijan vote 'not competitive', held in 'restrictive environment': OSCE



Baku, Feb 8 (AFP) Feb 08, 2024



Azerbaijan's presidential election, which saw President Ilham Aliyev secure a fifth term, lacked political competition and was marred by serious electoral shortcomings and media restrictions, election observers said Thursday.

Aliyev was re-elected on Wednesday with 92 percent of the vote, in a ballot held during a crackdown on independent media and in the absence of any real opposition.

His win was an expected outcome after his country's historic victory over Armenian separatists last year.

The election "was not competitive", monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said at a news conference in Baku.

"While six other candidates participated in the campaign, none of them convincingly challenged the incumbent president's policies in their campaigns, leaving voters without any genuine alternative," the monitors said.

The vote "was held in a restrictive environment," they added, with election day marred by "significant shortcomings".

Monitors noted "issues of secrecy of the vote, a lack of safeguards against multiple voting, indications of ballot stuffing", raising "serious questions about whether ballots were counted and reported honestly".

The observers also said that "recent arrests of critical journalists have hindered the media from operating freely".

Aliyev was heralded at home after his troops in September wrested the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region from Armenian separatists who had controlled it for decades.

But the oil-rich nation's main opposition parties boycotted the vote, which one opposition leader, Ali Kerimli of the Popular Front party, called an "imitation of democracy".

The six other candidates who were running were little-known and had praised Aliyev as a great statesman and commander-in-chief since he announced the election in December, a year ahead of schedule.

In recent months, Azerbaijani authorities have intensified pressure on independent media outlets, arresting several critical journalists.

Aliyev, 62, was first elected president in 2003 after the death of his father, Heydar Aliyev.

He was returned to office in 2008, 2013 and in 2018 in elections opposition parties denounced as rigged.
Rescuers use bare hands to search for Philippine landslide survivors



Manila, Feb 8 (AFP) Feb 08, 2024



Rescuers used their bare hands and shovels to dig through mud on Thursday in a desperate search for survivors of a landslide that has killed 11 people in the Philippines, officials said.

Two days after the rain-induced landslide hit the mountainous gold-mining village of Masara on southern Mindanao island, searchers were in a race against time and weather.

Latest figures from the local municipal government showed that 11 people were killed, 31 injured and 110 were still missing after the landslide destroyed houses and engulfed three buses and a jeepney on Tuesday night. The destroyed vehicles had been waiting for workers from a nearby gold mine.

"It is everybody's hope that people are still alive," disaster agency official Edward Macapili of Davao de Oro province told AFP.

"Our rescue team is in a hurry because every second counts when it comes to human life."

The landslide left a deep, brown gouge down the mountain. Rescuers pulled a person alive from the mud 11 hours after it hit, Macapili said.

"So there's a chance," he added.

Police, soldiers and rescuers from Davao de Oro and the adjacent Davao del Norte province have been deployed to Masara to help the search and retrieval operation.

While rescuers were using heavy earth-moving equipment in places, they had to rely on their bare hands and shovels in areas where they believed there were bodies, Macapili said.

"The soil that covered the buses was very thick -- it could almost cover a two-story building," he said.

- Landslides are frequent hazards -



At least 20 mine workers are believed to be entombed in the vehicles.

Landslides are frequent hazards across much of the archipelago nation due to the mountainous terrain, heavy rainfall, and widespread deforestation from mining, slash-and-burn farming and illegal logging.

The area hit by Tuesday's landslide was about four kilometres (2.5 miles) from the gold mine operated by a local company Apex Mining, and had been declared a "no habitation" zone, Maco Mayor Arthur Carlos Rimando said.

"Since 2007 the area was prone to landslides... but the livelihoods of the people are there," Rimando told AFP.

Rain has pounded parts of Mindanao on and off for weeks, triggering dozens of landslides and flooding that have forced tens of thousands of people into emergency shelters.

Massive earthquakes have also destabilised the region in recent months, Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum said Wednesday.

Hundreds of families from Masara and four nearby villages have had to evacuate from their homes and shelter in emergency centres for fear of further landslides.

Schools across the municipality have suspended classes.

The state weather forecaster has also warned that flash floods and landslides caused by moderate to heavy rain could strike the province in the coming days.

"I'm worried that there will be more heavy rains," Macapili said.

"Of course that will affect the operations."
World sees first 12 months above 1.5C warming level: climate monitor



Paris, Feb 8 (AFP) Feb 08, 2024



Earth has endured 12 consecutive months of temperatures 1.5C hotter than the pre-industrial era for the first time on record, Europe's climate monitor said Thursday, in what scientists called a "warning to humanity".

Storms, drought and fire have lashed the planet as climate change -- supercharged by the naturally-occurring El Nino weather phenomenon -- stoked record warming in 2023, making it likely the hottest in 100,000 years.

The extremes have continued into 2024, Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) service said, confirming that February 2023 to January 2024 saw warming of 1.52 degrees Celsius above the 19th century benchmark.

That is an alarming foretaste of future impacts even if global warming can be capped at the Paris climate deal's crucial 1.5C threshold, scientists said. It also underscores the urgent need to reduce planet-heating emissions.

But it does not signal a permanent breach of the limit, which is measured over decades.

"We are touching 1.5C and we see the cost -- the social costs and economic costs," said Johan Rockstrom, of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.

"1.5 is a very big number and it hurts us really badly in terms of heat waves, droughts, floods, reinforced storms, water scarcity across the entire world. That is what 2023 has taught us."

Recent months have seen a global onslaught of extremes, including devastating drought gripping the Amazon basin, sweltering winter temperatures in parts of southern Europe and deadly wildfires in Canada and South America.

"It is clearly a warning to humanity that we are moving faster than expected towards the agreed upon 1.5C limit," Rockstrom told AFP.

He said temperatures will likely fall back somewhat after the El Nino ends in coming months, but added: "we're very, very close to a longer term breach."

The UN's IPCC climate panel had already warned that the world will likely crash through 1.5C in the early 2030s.

Planet-heating emissions, mainly from the burning of fossil fuels, have risen in recent years, even as scientists say they need to fall by almost half this decade.

"Rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are the only way to stop global temperatures increasing," said Samantha Burgess, C3S deputy director.



- 'Off the charts' -



Scientists have increasingly warned that impacts accelerate with every fraction of a degree of warming.

At just under 1.2C of warming so far, the world today has already seen a crescendo of destructive extreme weather. The most vulnerable populations have already been hit hardest.

Breaching 1.5C could signal extinctions on land and in the oceans, crop failures, and the triggering of so-called "tipping points" in the climate system, including the death of biodiversity-rich coral reefs and irreversible melting of the polar ice sheets feeding sea level rise, experts say.

Tim Lenton, an Earth system scientist at the University of Exeter, said temperatures are spiking higher than he would expect from El Nino amplifying the underlying global warming.

"This clearly is putting some elements of the climate system at greater risk of tipping -- for example we saw an extraordinary area of the Canadian boreal forests burning last year, and we saw drought afflicting even what is usually the wettest (northern) part of the Amazon," he told AFP.

Scientists are concerned that the Amazon basin -- beyond a certain level of warming -- could rapidly transition into a savannah-like state.

Copernicus said January was the eighth record-breaking month in a row, with temperatures 1.66C warmer overall than the January average for 1850-1900 reference period.

While parts of the world experienced an unusually wet January, swathes of North America, the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula saw drier conditions.

In Chile, which has struggled with a brutal summer heatwave and drought, the dry conditions have stoked out-of-control wildfires, Copernicus said.

Those conditions have continued into February, with fires that started on Friday whipping into a deadly inferno in the coastal Valparaiso region over the weekend leaving more than 130 people dead.

The El Nino, which warms the sea surface in the southern Pacific leading to hotter weather globally, has begun to weaken in the equatorial Pacific, Copernicus said.

Meanwhile, sea surface temperatures have continued to smash records.

Rockstrom said 2023 "is a year where ocean dynamics have simply gone berserk, it's off the charts".

Oceans cover 70 percent of the planet and have kept the Earth's surface liveable by absorbing 90 percent of the excess heat produced by the carbon pollution from human activity since the dawn of the industrial age.

Hotter oceans mean more moisture in the atmosphere, leading to increasingly erratic weather, like fierce winds and powerful rain.
Call for Swiss 'super rich' tax to finance climate change fight



Geneva, Feb 8 (AFP) Feb 08, 2024



Switzerland should impose a 'super rich' inheritance to finance efforts against climate change, young Socialists said on Thursday as they presented the signatures needed to put the issue to a popular vote.

The youth wing of Switzerland's Socialist Party (JS) said they had gathered more than 140,000 signatures on their "For the Future" initiative.

That initiative calls for a 50-percent inheritance tax on amounts of over 50 million Swiss francs ($57 million) to help fund an ecological transformation of the Swiss economy.

According to the group's calculation, such a tax would rake in around six billion Swiss francs annually, which they said could be used to renovate buildings, develop renewable energy sources and boost public transportation.

The large number of signatures gathered "shows that the population wants a coherent and socially equitable climate policy" JS vice president Melanie Rufi said in a statement.

Under Switzerland's famous direct democratic system, 100,000 signatures are needed to put virtually any issue to a popular vote.

While the validity of the signatures still needs to be checked, JS voiced confidence that the vast majority of them would be approved, leaving little doubt that Swiss voters would eventually get their say on the matter.

In a vote last June, Swiss voters overwhelmingly backed a new climate bill aimed at steering the wealthy Alpine nation towards carbon neutrality by 2050.

Mirjam Hostetmann, another JS vice president, insisted that more was required, pointing out in Thursday's statement that 2023 was the hottest year on record.

"The climate crisis is here, and it is obvious that immediate and vast action is needed."
London Metal Exchange faces 'dirty metals' lawsuit



London, Feb 8 (AFP) Feb 08, 2024



The London Metal Exchange faces a lawsuit brought by campaigners on Thursday over the trading of "dirty metals", whose mining they claim sparks environmental disasters in Indonesia.

The LME denies the allegations.

London Mining Network, comprising green and human rights campaigners, is filing the "landmark" legal action at the High Court along with NGO grouping Global Legal Action Network, a statement said.

The pair "argue that, by enabling the global sale of 'dirty metals', the exchange is in breach of UK anti-money laundering and proceeds of crime legislation".

The statement added: "If successful, this case will force the LME to revisit the rules under which it lists metal for trading on its exchange.

"This in turn will force metal producers to adapt their mining practices if they want to keep being able to access this platform which is essential for them to reach customers and to sell their products."

The lawsuit highlights the LME's trade in metals from the Grasberg mine in Papua, eastern Indonesia, which has had "environmentally devastating" consequences and harmed "indigenous communities".

- 'Fight against destruction' -



West Papuan community leader Adolfina Kuum said the "case is about our fight against those who profit from the destruction of our people's rivers, our forests and way of life".

"Our communities are experiencing the life-threatening effects of mining, we have no choice but to take up this fight because if we remain silent who will speak for us?"

The lawsuit said forests and rivers were disappearing as a result of mining of "dirty metals".

It noted that "sedimentation resulting from toxic mining waste is causing widespread health problems for the community", also alleging that heavy metal pollution was causing "skin diseases and other health conditions" in the community.

The global mining industry faces regular criticism over its environmental and social impact.

"The environmental harms in West Papua highlighted in this case are symptomatic of a deeper systemic problem across the world," the statement said.

Global Legal Action Network said it had "identified similar problematic patterns with mining corporations operating in Brazil, Peru, Guinea and the Russian Federation to name only a few".

The LME said that it would rebutt what it describes as a "misconceived" lawsuit.

"Over and above its existing regulatory requirements, the LME's brand-listing requirements reflect the international consensus on best practice in respect of ethical and sustainability issues."

The exchange added it had "undertaken extensive discussion" with the industry regarding the inclusion of "further environmental requirements" in its listing regulations.
Noxious fumes at night aren't a pollinating moth's delight



Washington, Feb 8 (AFP) Feb 08, 2024



Certain plants have flowers that open only in the evening, and depend on nocturnal pollinators such as moths to thrive.

But a new paper published in Science on Thursday finds an atmospheric pollutant that is much more prevalent at night drastically reduces the fluttering creatures' ability to track floral scents.

It adds to a growing understanding of how human activities, including not just air but also light and noise pollution, are negatively impacting the natural world.

"Our impacts on the environment are affecting human health, etc, that we tend to concentrate on, but they're also affecting ecosystem functioning through these plants and pollinators," senior author Jeff Riffell, a biology professor at the University of Washington, told AFP.

Riffell said the role of nitrate radicals (NO3) on flower scents hadn't been well studied, because the chemical is around at night and prior research focused on the impacts of pollution on daytime pollinators like bees.

Nitrate radicals form when nitrogen dioxide reacts in the atmosphere with ozone -- both of which come from burning fossil fuels, and have natural sources too.

Unlike nitrogen dioxide and ozone, however, nitrate radicals rapidly degrade in sunlight, making them virtually absent in daytime.

For their study, Riffell and colleagues chose the pale evening primrose (Oenothera pallida), a wildflower that grows in arid settings across the western United States.

Its white flowers emit a strong, piney scent that attracts the white-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata) and the tobacco hawk moth (Manduca sexta), species which use their powerful antennae to sniff out pollen from miles away.



- Pollinator crisis -



First, the team chemically analyzed the wildflower's scent to unravel its chemical recipe, revealing a complex bouquet of chemicals.

Next, they separated out the individual chemicals and exposed them one at a time to the moths, to determine exactly which ones were responsible for attracting the winged insects.

This revealed a subset of the chemicals, known as monoterpene compounds, were largely responsible for the scent, and further tests showed that nitrate radicals decimated the levels of these compounds.

Finally, the team carried out wind tunnel experiments involving the moths and the scent chemicals that they emitted at controlled levels from a fake flower.

"What we found is that the moths really were very sensitive to the flower scent and would kind of navigate upwind and try to feed from this artificial flower," said Rifell.

"But if we added NO3, then all of a sudden, for one species of moth, it totally eliminated their ability to recognize the flower. And for another species, it reduced their attraction to the flower by 50 percent."

The nitrate radicals were comparable to those found at night in a typical urban environment, modeled on Seattle. When the team ran the experiment with the pollutants typically present during the day, they saw far less of an impact.

Overall, the experiment revealed a strong impact on pollination activity, at a time when the world's pollinators are in crisis.

Around three-quarters of the more than 240,000 species of flowering plants depend on pollinators, and over 70 pollinator species are endangered or threatened, said Rifell.

The team also ran computer simulations to determine which parts of the world would be most likely to experience problems as a result of this effect.

Areas identified include much of Europe, the Middle East, Central and South Asia, and southern Africa.

"Outside of human activity, some regions accumulate more NO3 because of natural sources, geography and atmospheric circulation," said co-senior author Joel Thornton, a professor of atmospheric sciences.

"But human activity is producing more NO3 everywhere. We wanted to understand how those two sources - natural and human - combine and where levels could be so high that they could interfere with the ability of pollinators to find flowers."
Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur behind SpaceX and Tesla Inc., has often credited his challenging upbringing with shaping his resilience and determination to tackle some of the worlds most formidable challenges. Despite his astounding success, Musk harbors concerns about his children not experiencing the same level of adversity, which he believes is crucial for personal development.

At a 2011 awards ceremony hosted by the Churchill Club, Musk discussed the adversity he faced growing up and its role in his journey.

I had a terrible upbringing. I had a lot of adversity growing up, Musk said.

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His words hint at the difficulties he overcame, from being the youngest and smallest guy in his school, as his mother told Esquire in 2012, to enduring the hostility of his peers. Musks ex-wife Justine Wilson reportedly shared in a Goalcast YouTube video that the other kids liked to follow him home and throw soda cans at his head, illustrating the extent of the challenges he faced.

Despite these hardships, Musk found solace and strength with his family. Wilson revealed that Musks family cultivated a mental escape by talking about themselves as a special family that could do anything, according to Business Insider. This sense of familial support and self-belief was instrumental in Musks ability to survive and thrive amid adversity.

Musks journey from selling his first company Zip2 for over $300 million in 1999 to spearheading groundbreaking ventures like SpaceX and Tesla is a testament to his visionary outlook and unwavering ambition. Yet, its his reflection on the importance of adversity that offers a deeper insight into his character.

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One thing I worry about with my kids is they dont face enough adversity, Musk said, expressing concern over his childrens upbringing in contrast to his own.

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This worry underscores Musks belief in the value of overcoming challenges as a fundamental component of personal and professional growth. As Musk navigated his path from a struggling immigrant to a leading figure in technology and space exploration, the lessons learned from his childhood adversities played a crucial role. When you're trying to attract the world's best talent, it helps to have a challenge that's world-changing, Musk said, emphasizing the importance of a world-changing vision to keep employees motivated and attract top talent.

As of 2024, with Musk being a father of 11, his concerns about his childrens exposure to adversity reflect his understanding of its role in shaping resilience and ambition. Despite his remarkable achievements, Musks reflections on his upbringing and its impact on his outlook on parenting highlight the complex interplay between adversity, ambition and the drive to change the world. His story is a narrative of technological innovation and an exploration of the human experience and the transformative power of overcoming hardship.

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This article Elon Musk Was Bullied And Tormented As A Kid For Being The 'Youngest And Smallest Guy,' According To His Mom  He Worries His Children 'Don't Face Enough Adversity' originally appeared on Benzinga.com

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Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the worlds leading pharmaceutical companies, announced on Thursday (Feb 8) the transfer of manufacturing operations of one of its innovative medicines for the treatment of type 2 diabetes to Alpha Pharma in Saudi Arabia.

The announcement, under the patronage of the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority, follows Boehringers 2023 memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Investment, focusing on boosting cooperation in pharmaceutical localisation and knowledge transfer to enhance the health of communities in the Kingdom.

The collaboration with the leading Saudi pharmaceutical manufacturer, Alpha Pharma, aims to combat type 2 diabetes in the Kingdom and is fully aligned with the Kingdoms Vision 2030 pillars, said a statement.

The announcement was formalised through a signing ceremony that took place in Jeddah with the presence of key representatives from the Ministry of Investment, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and National Center for Industrial Development, the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority, in addition to leadership figures from Alpha Pharma and Boehringer Ingelheim.

The medicine is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. As a research-driven company that believes in partnering for success, this collaboration reinforces Boehringer Ingelheims commitment to patient-centricity in Saudi Arabia where it takes a holistic view of the broader therapeutic needs in the field of interconnected cardio-renal-metabolic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, it said.

Waleed Mashak, General Manager and Head of Human Pharma at Boehringer Ingelheim, said: Today marks a momentous occasion for both our company and Alpha Pharma as we stride forward in our journey of improving human health across the Kingdom. Aligned with Vision 2030 and Boehringer Ingelhiems objectives, todays announcement reflects our ongoing commitment to drive focused investments towards local manufacturing and bring cutting-edge medications to Saudi patients.

Mashak added: Transfering the production of our treatment to Saudi Arabia also means integrating Saudi talent further into the pharmaceutical industry, driving greater impact and building on our belief of partnerning for success.

Shaikh Yaser Al Naghi, Chairman of Alpha Pharma and Group CEO of Cigalah Healthcare, said: I am proud of the collabration that Alpha Pharma has established with Boehringer Ingelheim. Localising the manufacturing of an innovative medication by a leading global pharmaceutical firm marks an important milestone in our commimtent to advancing healthcare accessibility in Saudi Arabia. By bringing the type 2 diabetes medication directly to patients in Saudi Arabia, we reinforce our dedication to improving health outcomes in the Kingdom.

Saleh Al-Khabti, Deputy Minister of Investment Transactions at the Ministry of Investment, said, We are pleased to witness the collabartion between Alpha Pharma and Boehringer Ingelheim, symbolizing a journey of self-sufficieny and a more diversified economy in Saudi Arabia. This localization effort aligns seamlessly with the objectives outlined in Vision 2030.  Al-Khabti added: We recognize the vital role of such partnerships in advancing the healthcare sector and fostering continuous transformation within the Kingdom.

Dr. Raed Al-Soweid, Vice President of the National Industrial Development Center for Drug and Biotechnology Sector at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, said: The commitment demonstrated by Alpha Pharma and Boehringer Ingelheim underscores the significance of localising healthcare production in the kingdom, contributing to the advancement of technological and pharmaceutical capabilities. This effort signifies a shared dedication to elevating manufacturing standards, ensuring excellence, and adhering to international best practices in the production of essential treatments for our communities.

Ashraf Al Qrein, Head of the Medical Devices and Supplies Sector from the Local Content & Government Procurement Authority, said: Todays announcement extends far beyond localized production efforts; it reflects vast potential in empowering the local healthcare ecosystem. By investing in the development of local expertise, we are able to collectively contribute to the long-term growth of the pharmaceutical sector, and more importantly, enhance our ability to meet the unique healthcare needs of the Saudi population.  TradeArabia News Service
Key Insights

The projected fair value for Yenher Holdings Berhad is RM0.99 based on Dividend Discount Model

With RM0.86 share price, Yenher Holdings Berhad appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value

The average premium for Yenher Holdings Berhad's competitorsis currently 35%

How far off is Yenher Holdings Berhad (KLSE:YENHER) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for Yenher Holdings Berhad

Is Yenher Holdings Berhad Fairly Valued?

We have to calculate the value of Yenher Holdings Berhad slightly differently to other stocks because it is a food company. In this approach dividends per share (DPS) are used, as free cash flow is difficult to estimate and often not reported by analysts. Unless a company pays out the majority of its FCF as a dividend, this method will typically underestimate the value of the stock. We use the Gordon Growth Model, which assumes dividend will grow into perpetuity at a rate that can be sustained. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a company's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In this case we used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.6%). The expected dividend per share is then discounted to today's value at a cost of equity of 9.0%. Compared to the current share price of RM0.9, the company appears about fair value at a 13% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

Story continues

Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate)

= RM0.05 / (9.0%  3.6%)

= RM1.0

dcf

The Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Yenher Holdings Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Yenher Holdings Berhad

Strength

Currently debt free.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Food market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

No apparent threats visible for YENHER.

Next Steps:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Yenher Holdings Berhad, we've put together three pertinent aspects you should consider:

Risks: Be aware that Yenher Holdings Berhad is showing 2 warning signs in our investment analysis , you should know about... Future Earnings: How does YENHER's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the KLSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
The Denka Performance Elastomer plant is seen in the background as Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan, right, speaks during a press conference in LaPlace on Thursday, April 6, 2023. On Tuesday, June 27, EPA announced it was ending civil rights investigations of the Louisiana Departments of Environmental Quality and Health, involving their actions in issuing permits and regulating Denka and the proposed Formosa Plastics Sunshine Project in St. James parish. (Photo by Brett Duke, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
FICTION PICK OF THE WEEK

The Circle

Katherena Vermette, UQP, $24.99

Credit:

Cultural urgency and precarity often lend unique creative vitality to indigenous literature around the world, a drive to reveal truths past and present no one else has the power and perspective to tell. Its strength in Canada mirrors the flowering of First Nations fiction here, and Metis novelist and poet Katherena Vermette is among its most ambitious and accomplished luminaries. The Circle is the third in a cycle of companion novels, following The Break and The Strangers, embedded within a fractious Metis community struggling with the effects of intergenerational trauma. In this, Cedar-Sage Stranger awaits her sister Phoenixs release from prison  an event she welcomes and fears, and that will disturb the community enough for Phoenix to disappear again. Vermette writes in the voices of a large cast of Metis characters, all realised with immediacy and exceptional vividness. Refusing to look away from the desolating legacy (sometimes inflicted by indigenous people against each other) left by the shadow of colonial dispossession, the novel offers tentative, hard-earned hope, structured and patterned as it is by restorative justice and First Nations ceremony.





Credit:

The Singularity

Balsam Karam; trans., Saskia Vogel, Text, $32.99



A Swedish novelist with Iranian-Kurdish heritage, Balsam Karam makes her debut in English-speaking world with a supple and finely wrought narrative that takes in questions of motherhood, migration, and the plight of refugees. Its set in a nameless city starkly divided by wealth. Skyscrapers glitter in the business district, while refugee children on the corniche by the sea scrabble to survive. A mother from one displaced family searches desperately for her daughter, who has vanished from nearby cliffs. That search becomes obsessive: she neglects other children, whose vulnerability in this bleak and exploitative landscape is savagely exposed. The story shifts suddenly to another grieving woman, in the city on a business trip, with links to the mother, and then shifts again, back in time, to snippets of this second womans childhood as a war refugee, and the sharp realities of making a new home in a distant land. Its a free-flowing and intensely empathetic novel that seeks out submerged connections and, importantly, resists the easy cliches and tropes that sometimes diminish fictional portrayals of migrant experience.
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Eating outPizza Eight new (and new-ish) Melbourne pizza places serving styles beyond Neapolitan Chicago deep dish? A New York slice? What about Italo-Australian? We scoured the city to find Melbournes emerging pizza styles. Daniela Frangos February 9, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Anyone whos watched David Changs Ugly Delicious episode on pizza knows how contentious the act of pie-making is, as is the question of who does it best. Were not picking favourites today; we believe (almost) all pizza styles are made equal. But after decades of domination by floppy Neapolitan-style pizzas (ubiquitous in Melbourne, and for good reason  theyre delicious!) other regional Italian styles are emerging, including crisp Roman pizzas (plus their oval-shaped cousin, pinsa) and the focaccia-like Sicilian sfincione, not to mention the many riffs on Nap pie using Australian flours, electric ovens and non-traditional toppings. Thats Melbourne, right? Da Paolo pizzaiolo Kitisak Iacuzi says of the cross-cultural pollination. Chef-owner Jean-Paul Aziz and James Ness, restaurant manager at Pizzeria Magma. Joe Armao Its something  lets call it Italo-Australian  Pizzeria Magmas Jean-Paul Aziz has seen emerging too. If we want to talk about Australias own pizza identity, its that buttery, spongy, slightly dense suburban classic  I think prior to the Neapolitan boom, thats what all of us grew up thinking pizza was, he says. Neapolitan is still a relatively new phenomenon here, and its obviously steeped in tradition and theres obviously a specific way of doing things, and if we want to be truly Neapolitan I dont think anyone in Melbourne really is. I think its something far more interesting and its more about interpretation.

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Pizzeria Magma Jean-Paul Azizs Fitzroy North pizza place opened last year in the former Supermaxi site, as a progression of his roving pop-up, The Travelling Pizza Pie. His menu sticks to six pizzas (soon to be seven; a braised ox tongue number with confit chilli and garlic is landing soon) made with 24-hour proofed dough and classic toppings like margherita and marinara alongside flavours inspired by his Egyptian heritage that also veer into Sicilian territory. Think mint and pistachio sauce (with stracchino cheese, roasted eggplant, pecorino Romano and red onion) and pine nut cream and currants (alongside pickled and braised fennel, salsa verde and lemon zest). Signature slice: Marinara with San Marzano tomatoes, garlic, basil, Sicilian oregano and EVOO. You can add Cuca anchovies or parmigiano reggiano but Aziz reckons order it straight up as a bit of a litmus test. On its own its the perfect representation of what Im trying to do, he says. Theres nothing to hide behind. 305 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North, pizzeriamagma.com

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Da Paolo Kitisak Iacuzi took the name of his pop-up from the pizzeria his dad owned in late 80s Liguria, in Italys north-west. But his pies are breaking from tradition with dough made from local Australian grains, fermented for 48 hours, then blasted in an electric oven to produce a thin, crisp base with puffy edges that sits somewhere between Neapolitan and Roman alla pala. Score a slice at his Bahama Gold residency, where hes serving up a vegetarian number with zucchini, stracchino, capers, marjoram and mint sauce; and a pizza topped with XO sauce (made with Italian charcuterie and anchovies), fior di latte and pickled pineapple. My mum is from Thailand, so I like finding that balance of spicy, sweet, salty, says Iacuzi. Signature slice: The crowd-favourite so far is the gamberi, a white base with puffy, charry edges topped with local prawn meat, garlic, parsley and dollops of fermented chilli sauce. Bahama Gold, 135 Lygon Street, Brunswick East, instagram.com/da.paolopizza Grazia restaurant is a pizza-forward newcomer to Glen Iris. Bonnie Savage

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Grazia Its not strictly a pizza place, but this Italian newcomer in Glen Iris specialises in Roman-style pies alongside plates of tempura-battered zucchini flowers, grilled WA scampi, vitello tonnato, and pappardelle with lobster, king prawns and cherry tomato in a lobster bisque. The pizza dough (a blend of 00-type flour and a whole grain, stone-wheat flour) is slowly fermented for up to 72 hours before its fired in an Italian-made Castelli oven. The light and crunchy result is a vehicle for classic Italian toppings such as mortadella, pistachio pesto, fior di latte, and oozy burrata; or king prawns with rocket pesto, green olives and chef Joey Di Cintios chilli crisp (another Italianate spin on XO, with balsamic vinegar and oregano). Signature slice: Vegetarians arent forgotten here, with a stand-out Zucca featuring pumpkin puree, pine nuts, mozzarella, whipped ricotta, caramelised onion and hot honey. 159 Burke Road, Glen Iris, graziarestaurant.com.au

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Madonna Electric Pizzaiolo John Tummino wants diners to become as acquainted with the concept of Italo-Australian pizzas as they are with the term Italo-American. The creations at his Sydney Road pizzeria are close to the thin, crisp Roman style, but theyre also their own thing, inspired by the suburban Aussie pizza bars he loved growing up. The base is light and slightly chewy, made with Australian-grown 00 flour, fresh yeast, salt and a little olive oil before a three to four day fermentation process, then baked in an electric oven. Toppings include the Absolute Peak Capricciosa with triple-smoked ham, porcini and truffle oil and seasonal specials like the unorthodox Summer edition: mozzarella, grapes, pork sausage, gorgonzola and rosemary. Signature slice: The Guanciale, Gran Sale (named in honour ofthe late Franco Cozzo, whose furniture kits out the pizzeria) with mozzarella, guanciale, cracked pepper and grana padano. Simplicity at its best, says Tummino. 833 Sydney Road, Brunswick, madonnaelectric.com.au Deep End pizzeria in Fitzroy specialises in three different styles of US pizza: Chicago, New York and Detroit (pictured). Supplied

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Deep End Pizza This ones not so new, but it gets across the line for its dedication to American pies of all (stars and) stripes. The Fitzroy pizza bar comes from chef and co-owner Paul Kasten, whos from the US. At Deep End Pizza, hes bringing three all-American pizza styles to Brunswick Street: cheesy Chicago-style deep-dish; crisp Detroit-style pan pies topped with the likes of nduja and hot honey or potato and guanciale; and thin-crust New York-style rounds with nine cheeses and truffle oil, say, or Wagyu brisket with mozzarella and comte. Flours are single-origin from NSW miller Provenance, and each style has its own dough and cooking process. Tip: if youre riding solo, you can grab a slice of any style from the shop window. Signature slice: Go with a crew and split the hefty deep-dish (a pie in the truest sense) stuffed with sausage, mushrooms, mozzarella, pecorino, black olives and red sauce. 412A Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, 03 8589 2983, deepend.pizza

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Hotel Lombardo Coburgs Italo-American pizza bar takes inspiration from New York hotspots like Robertas and Via Carota. Its a nostalgic, dive-y setting, with black-and-white photos of 1970s New York, retro stylings, a pool table and a disco ball overhead, but the menu includes new-school hybrids like vegan bechamel, miso and mushroom, or crisp-baked mortadella with pineapple, golden syrup and mozzarella alongside a customary margh and classic New York pepperoni. The base, though, is a little closer to Neapolitan, with a 72-hour-fermented Caputo dough, stretched, then fired in an electric deck oven to produce a classically floppy base and puffy, spotty crusts you can hold in one hand while you nurse a Guinness in the other. Signature slice: Go the Patata, with a sweet onion-cream base and layers of potato and parmesan (and if youre a meat-eater, add the guanciale for a salty hit) 11-13 Sydney Road, Coburg, hotellombardo.com.au Owner of Pinsabella takeaway, Carmine Costantini. Penny Stephens

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Pinsabella Technically, this isnt pizza. Pinsa, its Roman cousin, uses a blend of grains (wheat, soy and rice flour) with higher hydration and a longer fermentation. Its also oblong-shaped (more like a pide), twice-baked (without toppings and then with) and ultra-light and crunchy (due to the air bubbles that form in the dough). In case you forget, chef Carmine Constantini is here to remind you, with a sign on his St Kilda shop declaring Pinsa is not pizza. His toppings are familiar though, with combos like boscaiola (mozzarella, ham and mushroom), a margherita, and carbonara. And we reckon well be seeing a whole lot more pinsa in Melbourne soon. Review Melbournes new ace of base: Pinsabella brings pinsa to town (just dont call it pizza) Signature slice: Chilli fans should order the Diavola (meaning devil, named for its spicy notes) featuring mozzarella, hot salami and nduja. 100 St Kilda Road, St Kilda, pinsabella.com

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Pizzas are a star on the menu at the renovated and revamped Gertrude Hotel. Supplied The Gertrude Hotel The hyper-coloured pub on the corner of Gertrude and Napier streets has had an extreme makeover, the David Bowie-esque lightning bolt replaced by a lick of classic cream thanks to new owners Iza Dawkins and chef Andy Lockyear. The interior has changed too, and with it, a new Italian menu leaning on parmas, pastas and pizzas. The latter (not Roman, nor Neapolitan) are made with Aussie 00 flour milled in NSW, proofed for 48 hours and hand-stretched, then blasted in a gas-powered oven to achieve a light, thin, chewy base with a crunchy crust carrying toppings like sopressa, stracciatella, fior di latte, chilli and honey, or lamb shoulder, goats cheese, fior di latte, onion, olives and rosemary. Signature slice: Theres a quattro formaggio situation starring fior di latte, gorgonzola, smoked scarmoza and grana padano, plus caramelised onion and chives. Its sweet, salty and smokey, says Lockyear. 148 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, thegertrude.com.au

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A Brisbane festival celebrating queer art and culture is looking for people to join the first River Pride Parade.

The parade, to feature a flotilla of vessels of all shapes and sizes travelling the river from William Jolly Bridge to Brisbane Powerhouse, will be led by singer, model and reality TV star Courtney Act.

Executive producer Pieta Farrell said Brisbane should prepare for a dazzling spectacle with the River Pride Parade.

Picture dykes on jet skis, drag-clad waterskiers, iconic queer boat parties and thats just the beginning, she said.
But by the end of his rambling tirade in June 2019, devoid of his usual attempts at blokey humour, nothing would be the same again for Setka or the union.

Setka was in his comfort zone here, in the John Cummins Building, the Elizabeth Street offices named in honour of the legendary former Victorian president of the CFMEU. Setka also thought he was safe speaking to the national executive of the union, away from the prying eyes and ears of the media.

And the domestic violence charges against him? He had nothing to be ashamed of. He even raised how the activism of anti-domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty had meant men now had fewer rights .

So what if he was friends with underworld figure Mick Gatto, he demanded rhetorically. If you dont like it tough f---ing luck, too f---ing bad. As for the Labor Party and other opponents, if they dont like how he conducts himself, he said, you can suck me off.

His deep voice booming across the cavernous room, his tattooed biceps bulging from one of his trademark T-shirts, Setka leant forward over a table facing a nearly all-male audience at the head office of the CFMEU in Melbourne, where he is the state secretary, sticking it to his enemies, his disloyal friends, and defending his more colourful social connections.

John Setka was at full throttle  not an unusual thing for the outspoken and divisive trade unionist. But this time it was different.

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Setka likes to say to colleagues: You throw a stone at me and Ill throw a mountain back. Since the leak of his speech, Setka has tossed back many mountains.

Private investigators have been engaged by Setka to hunt down leakers and a climate of deep paranoia has enveloped the union. Many of his critics  and even his staff  reckon they are being bugged or followed. Some have quit their positions or been forced out. Even those remaining silent, as has the unions deposed national secretary Michael OConnor, have still felt Setkas wrath.

Central to its decline is 57-year-old John Setka, a proud Croatian-Australian with a thirst for revenge and an almost superhuman refusal to yield. That refusal has led to a schism in the labour movement over the issue of domestic violence, with a noisy minority doggedly offering Setka support despite the allegations.

The leaks and internal fighting triggered a series of chain reactions that has now left one of Australias most powerful unions and important forces on the left wing of Labor politics a smouldering ruin. Two years after that speech, the CFMEU is likely to split into at least three smaller unions, the biggest upheaval of a major union in decades. Its days as a national political force are over.

Instead, Setka dug in further. For people to try to portray me as some misogynist pig that bashes women is absolutely disgraceful, he told another national executive meeting a year later , also leaked to The Age . I aint going to wear that; thats just absolute bullshit.

Leaks from the meeting to The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald and graphic details of his criminal charges for domestic violence sparked a rolling national story that ultimately led to calls from Labor leader Anthony Albanese for Setka to quit the party, and from ACTU secretary Sally McManus and much of the union movement for him to resign from his union role.

We found out later that the fire brigade never actually said it was safe to come back to work  I was very young and naive and just believed the company because we were told it was safe.

Kruschel became a committed unionist after one of the factories she worked at, Rocklea Spinning Mills in Moe, caught fire in the late 1980s when she was in her 20s. The workers were told it was safe to return to work. An hour later the factory went completely dark. And so then the roof went up, and we had to run for it, she recalls.

Outside the room, boxes are stacked up. This is an office and a union in transition. I realised how powerless women really are, she continues. And we think we are further along than what we are, and we are not. 

I think women dont have the rights they think they have, says Kruschel, who is in her late 50s, from a meeting room in a nondescript three-level office building in Carlton. Its the space where her manufacturing union recently moved to escape the building it shared with Setkas branch.

Jenny Kruschel is struggling to hold it back. Her voice is breaking. Until now she has been plain-speaking and direct, what you would expect from a working-class woman from country Victoria who spent much of her life labouring in textile factories.

That leaked Batty comment  and the subsequent weeks of media and political fallout  obscured the seriousness of the 30 domestic violence charges against Setka, which included recklessly causing injury and a pattern of harassment through breaching court orders and threats. The harassment included 45 texts in which he called his wife a weak f---en piece of shit and a treacherous Aussie f---en c--- . Setka was later convicted of two of the charges after many of the charges for breaching a court order were combined and his wife, Emma Walters, was no longer a co-operative witness because the couple had reconciled. The remaining charges were dropped.

The Batty statement came towards the end of the meeting. I just couldnt really believe it, Kruschel says. Shocked, wanting to just really get out of the room, I wanted it to finish.

Kruschel had previously been on friendly terms with Setka but did not know him well. Kruschel refuses to even say what Setka said about Labor (the suck me off comment). I think the comment about the ALP was absolutely disgusting and offensive, and I dont think anyone should have had to put up with that.

Setkas speech at the June meeting was one of Kruschels first on the national executive. It was a male-dominated space, she recalls. He just went on this big rant and there was fear if anyone tried to say anything it would have just got a lot worse.

The CFMEU itself had been created in the 1990s as one of the Bill Kelty-inspired super unions that was meant to give the already sliding movement greater clout. It notched up considerable successes, securing world-leading wages and conditions for its members, improving safety on the job and campaigning against deadly asbestos. Since its creation, its been the countrys most influential blue-collar union.

Kruschel went on to become a senior official with the textile union. (I didnt really choose this path; it chose me. ) When her 15,000-member union, along with the maritime union, merged with the CFMEU in 2018, she was hopeful about its future in a bigger, more powerful entity, the clunkily named CFMMEU and its 100,000-plus members nationwide in mines, construction sites, wharves and factories.

For weeks, Ive been asking for an interview but my role in reporting Setkas charges and his Rosie Batty comments has clearly soured his enthusiasm (we had previously been on reasonable terms). Early in 2019, outside a courtroom at the Magistrates Court in Melbourne was the last time we spoke and for half an hour Setka had provided me with his side of the domestic violence case against him. In this, and other meetings with me, Setka could be charming and self-deprecating, but also cunning. His reputation for threats and intimidation preceded him.

Im sitting in Cafe John in Carlton on a bleak day in July waiting for Setka to arrive. Theres no sign of him. Peering through the window I can see his construction union office across the road as officials mingle on a balcony.

Kruschel says the denials by Setka and his allies over the Batty comments reflects on them very poorly. The response from then national secretary Michael OConnor and other leaders at the union was silence. They would neither defend Setka nor speak out about domestic violence.

Setka added to the confusion, at times angrily denying he had made them and at other times conceding he had, but they were taken out of context, and that his was essentially a mens rights argument.

And yet, the public debate became about what Setka actually said about Batty, whose son was murdered by her estranged husband in 2014. Setkas allies, including the maritime divisions Chris Cain, said the Batty allegations were false and rubbish.

In Setkas stead, his offsider Mick Myles, a Queenslander in his 40s, built like a bear with a greying beard, arrives. He thinks youre biased as f--- , Myles tells me by way of explaining Setkas absence. Myles agreed to the interview to give Setka and the construction branchs view on why the overall union was so split.

People tried to use Johns personal life against him to try to move him on and they just didnt get the internal dynamics of our organisation  they got it badly wrong, Myles says. I think one of the issues stems from the fact [Bill] Shorten lost the [2019 federal] election and there are certain elements within our union who dont have the strength we have  and they thought it was the end of the world.

The legends of struggle and victory  construction workers on big sites in Melbourne have enviable pay and conditions  run through Setkas own life. His father, Bob, was nearly killed in the West Gate Bridge collapse in 1970 that claimed 35 lives. He rode it [the span] down, John Setka told the Financial Review in 2012. Thats why my lucky numbers 18. There were 18 survivors that day.

Westgate Bridge collapse, 1970: A victim is carried from a massive pile of twisted girders by civil defence men and workmates. Credit: Fairfax

Setka grew up in rough, working-class Footscray the son of Croatian migrants, and by his own telling, got into trouble with the police. By the time he was 19 he was following his fathers footsteps into the industry as a labourer (a son from a previous marriage, David, now also works in the industry).

Setka witnessed the demise of the Builders Labourers Federation (BLF) first hand as young muscle for the union in the 1980s on city building sites. He was later convicted of dozens of trespass-related offences, and some for assault, for entering building sites once the BLF was banned but still operating.

From there he worked for decades in the building union, rising to assistant secretary and later leader from 2012, a story of success for Melbournes large Croatian community. Much of Setkas extended family work in construction, and tales of Croatians getting cushy jobs on sites swirl around the rumour-filled industry.

Along the way he garnered notoriety as a senior official shutting Melbournes CBD in 2012 in a dispute with Grocon that required nearly 1000 police. In 2003 he was fined after threatening a Grocon manager, stating: You just f---ing watch, Ill get you. Ive got a 12-year-old son and I swear on his f---ing life, I swear on my sons life, you watch, Ill fix you up.

When Tony Abbott as opposition leader called him a thug, Setka sued for defamation and lost.

A prominent supporter, who asked not to be named, said: John is as rough as guts ... a western suburbs working-class kid. Hes going to get his words wrong. But, the supporter says, Setka is incredibly effective and helped make the union the strongest in the country by a long way.

Setkas spokesman Mick Myles echoes the point. The views of Albanese, McManus and the 13 national unions that Setka should have resigned do not matter, he says. A lot of people would have, 95 per cent of union leaders would have at least. But he had massive support from rank and file members  and in the end that is all that matters, all the bullshit written in the papers, all the ALP statements, statements from ACTU  it all doesnt matter.

When asked why Setka was convicted of two charges related to domestic violence, Myles says, Hes a CFMEU leader, suggesting the legal and political systems are stacked against them. (Magistrate Belinda Wallington said during his sentencing that Mr Setkas behaviour had been nasty and misogynistic.)

Myles says Walters public support for Setka outside court on the day he was convicted should be the last word on it. Everyone wants to go on about women and their voices ... people dont take what she said and her condition and all that sort of stuff into account when they view this.

As for the case against Setka, he dismissively calls it texting, a reference to the string of abusive texts and calls Setka made to his wife. Setka himself, in leaked recordings to union activists, has dismissed the conviction as a few bad text messages.

I mean, big deal.

Emma Walters reconciled with Setka and appeared in solidarity with him in 2019 when he pleaded guilty to harassing her. Credit: Jason South

No insight into his behaviour

A few weeks before Christmas in 2018, Emma Walters, Setkas estranged wife, took out an intervention order against him. She had accused him in sworn statements of a pattern of violence and a campaign of harassment (Setka and later Walters denied there was any violence in their relationship at that time). He had obscured her face out of family photos, and she said she feared she was under surveillance including at home.

On the day Walters got the intervention order, she put a safety device under her front door of her house to stop him getting in, according to a sworn witness statement from Walters friend Anne Gooley.

When John arrived back at the house, he broke the door in while I was sitting in the front room of Emmas house. I yelled out to Emma and she ran into the downstairs bathroom and locked herself in. Emma then called the police.

Gooleys statement, which was leaked to The Age in 2019, continued: Seeing Johns anger  whilst yelling at Emma I was extremely distressed. Most of these details are now reported for the first time, due to the lifting of legal restrictions.

Gooley, in her statement, said Walters had accused Setka of throwing her against a wall, throwing her down the stairs and also tossing an iPad at her, striking her in the head. Walters took refuge at Gooleys house a number of times through this period, according to the statement, and had been physically shaking, catatonic and at times barely able to speak.

Gooley is as credible a witness as you could get. She sat on the Fair Work Commission, had been a senior lawyer and a respected figure in the industrial relations world for decades. The language in her statement is careful, formal and lawyerly.

When I contacted her for this article she emailed a response, which described the severity of Setkas conduct.

Johns behaviour was not simply a few abusive emails or text messages, she wrote. His conduct drove my friend out of her home and at one time out of the state. I was not surprised that John did not stand down or that he targeted those who did not support him as I never believed that he had any real insight into his behaviour. It was always someone elses fault or he downplayed his conduct.

Gooley explained that she had sat on the Fair Work Commission full bench that dealt with the ACTUs claim for paid family violence leave  a world-leading entitlement.

She said the union movement had made significant progress on the issue of domestic violence but was concerned about what message was being sent by Setkas supporters. My concern about their support for John is the message this sends to those in the movement who experience family violence that their experiences will not be believed, she wrote. It also tells those in the movement who are perpetrators of family violence that their conduct will be condoned.

But the matter does not end with the events of 2018. In late August this year, Walters provided a new sworn statement to police. We started having a verbal argument and it was getting very heated and aggressive. We were arguing about issues with our relationship, the statement read. We were standing near a small circular table in the outdoor area. John was on my left side, and he grabbed the back of my head and my hair and forced my head into the table.

John was out of control. He hit my head against the table about five times. It was very painful. John is a lot bigger and stronger than me and he can totally physically control me. When he loses his temper, there isnt anything I can do but submit to him.

An image of the bruise on Emma Walters head.

Police are investigating the most recent incident. Walters, who has two children with Setka, told police the couple had a long troubled relationship and have separated at times. I have grave concerns for my physical safety and that of my children.

Within hours of the allegations being published by The Age, Setka issued a statement to fellow union officials attacking the credibility of his wife, calling the allegations false and stating he would not stand down. I would never harm my wife and I have done nothing but stand by her.

Mindful militancy

A recognisable Scottish accent echoes down the line from his home in Hobart, barely dimmed despite nearly five decades living in Australia. Doug Cameron, the feisty left-wing unionist and later Labor senator, is now retired but as sharp as ever. I just find it really tragic, he says of whats happened at the CFMMEU.

In the last year, the unions national secretary Michael OConnor has been driven out by the Setka-backed construction division and their allies in the maritime division with the idea of replacing him with Setkas ally, Chris Cain.

The mining division under veteran leader Tony Maher has meanwhile applied to the Fair Work Commission to quit the broader amalgamated union. It is expected the manufacturing division, where OConnor has retreated, will do the same.

Cameron says this union should be at the forefront of a labour movement seeking to re-energise itself. We had a union with the resources and capacity to provide so much leadership and it is focused on this stuff (infighting). With OConnor and Maher as leaders, the union had been rebuilt into a national political force, he says. These are two of the most effective union officials Ive come across.

With Bill Shorten as Labor leader, OConnor had used his factional influence to protect him from his rival Albanese as part of an unusual left-right factional alliance. He had supported Shorten on contentious issues such as boat turn-backs, moving the party closer to the Coalition, while extracting concessions on some of the unions key claims.

If Shorten had won in 2019 it would have given the CFMMEU unprecedented influence over a Labor government. OConnor, whose brother Brendan is a Labor frontbencher, is also close to ACTU secretary Sally McManus, while Maher has the ear of Albanese. It was quite the contrast to when Labor was last in government and the union had been openly attacked by Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd. That influence is now all but gone.

Cameron says its not enough for a union to be tough and uncompromising. Looking at whats happened, I think its a perfect example of what the old metal workers union (now the AMWU) used to teach me: you had to be a mindful militant. Its alright being a militant but you have to be mindful.

Tony Maher has been with the CFMEU since it was created in the 1990s. Now, his mining branch remains uncomfortably part of the union, and has been operating completely independently of the union since late November ... We are better already from the informal divorce  we will never go back.

Maher blames Setka and his allies for wrecking a good political strategy after the 2019 federal election loss by changing the whole basis of the CFMEU and what made it successful.

When Michael OConnor took over from John Sutton, he actually breathed life into what was really a latent political force, he says. Michael was shrewd enough to work out we could have a bigger impact if we pooled our political activities and he was dead right about that.

He says the strategy worked. If you look at the [2018] Adelaide ALP conference. I wont say we ran the show, but we succeeded in most policy areas we identified.

Surveillance concerns

Im sitting across from a nervous-looking employee of Setka. He looks at my phone and wants me to turn it off, worried it could be accessed remotely as a listening device. I comply. He tells me hes convinced the cameras at the union office are used to monitor staff and the office is bugged. Hes not alone; several other employees have passed on similar messages of concern that theyre being surveilled at work and their phones are being monitored. Many use second or third phones, or devices with special encryption.

Shop stewards at CFMEUs Elizabeth Street office in Melbourne. Credit: Justin McManus

The office itself has a windowless secure room for senior leadership to avoid surveillance and in which phones are not allowed to be used. Suspicion runs deep  of authorities, of journalists and of each other.

Soon after his national executive comments were leaked to The Age, Setka engaged former homicide detective Stephen Curnow to hunt down the leakers. Setka did not respond to written questions about who is paying for Curnows services and a range of other issues raised in this article.

Even so, national executive meetings were routinely taped and leaked to The Ageand even meetings of union activists were recorded and passed on. In 2019, Setka was recorded saying in a private meeting to activists that theres a full-on investigation going on by Curnow, which was almost like a f---ing murder investigation.

It is unclear how much of this was bluster, but the pressure on perceived enemies has been real. The Age and Herald have confirmed that Setkas former deputy, Shaun Reardon, who quit in June 2019, felt he had been unable to get work in the construction industry because of pressure from Setkas branch. Reardon declined to comment with the information relayed by others.

Reardon and Setka had been close  he even ran Setkas Twitter account for him  and the pair had faced possible jail together over blackmail charges that collapsed in 2018.

When Reardon, a long-term campaigner against family violence, quit, he said he made the decision as it related to personal values I will live and die by. Hes now working outside the industry.

Blackmail charges against Setka and his deputy, Sean Reardon, were dropped in 2018. Credit: Justin McManus

Other staff quit Setkas branch soon after Reardon, including three senior women, one of whom was the head of the legal team. As part of this piece, The Age and Herald interviewed more than 30 people and many noted that those who stood up to Setka had suffered most. Hes absolutely driven by revenge, said one senior union figure.

Kruschel, whose branch had been sharing an office with Setkas at that time, said the atmosphere was oppressive. Within the building there were jokes about domestic violence. It was very uncomfortable to the point where our division had to leave the building.

Others have said Setka would swear, then ask sarcastically: Is that domestic violence?

The ACTU leadership  which called for Setkas resignation in 2019 along with 13 national unions  have also been targeted. ACTU secretary McManus was dismissed as a stooge by Setka, while president Michele ONeil was attacked in a Facebook post by Setkas union as talking shit while visiting and helping public housing tenants locked down in Flemington last year.

There has been a recent election challenge supported by Setkas branch to try to remove OConnor from his manufacturing division job  OConnor won comfortably. Setka has also offered support to a small rival union to the Australian Services Union, a union that had called on him to resign.

The Setka charges  and his subsequent pushback against opponents  have exposed surprising fault lines. A host of factionally aligned Victorian unions  part of the Industrial Left sub-faction  supported Setka, including the Electrical Trades Union and Rail, Tram & Bus Union.

Victorias Trades Hall did not join the chorus calling for Setka to resign despite its leader Luke Hilakari typically taking a progressive stance on social issues while the construction division and its national secretary, Dave Noonan, also fell in behind Setka. Friendships have been severed.

Senior union sources say Noonan and others from his own branch in June 2019 wanted Setka gone but then changed their position. The expectation was Dave Noonan was going to deal with it and should have dealt with it, Kruschel says. In a brief statement, Noonan denied he wanted Setka gone.

Senior union leaders have even described Noonan and Hilakari  who was filmed at a meeting of building union delegates chanting John Setka here to stay in 2019  as Setkas enablers.

Without their support, they say, not even Setka could survive.

Friendship with Gatto

Mick Gatto occupies an uncomfortable place in Melbourne somewhere between underworld figure and minor celebrity. After being acquitted of murder in 2005 during the citys gangland wars, hes continued his side-hustle of mediating building industry disputes.

When two CFMEU organisers were attacked by up to seven men on a Hawthorn East building site last year, the expectation was that the union would live up to its motto, If Provoked Will Strike, and shut the developers down. One of the organisers was bashed so badly  thought to be either with a piece of wood or metal bar  that hes been unable to work for more than a year.

But after an initial protest, the issue died away. Instead of industrial action or a police complaint, a meeting was held within days at the unions office between Setka, his friend Gatto and developer Raman Shaqiri, one of the men who demolished the 159-year-old Corkman pub in Carlton without approval.

The demolished Corkman hotel immediately after Kutlesovski and Shaqiri demolished it. Credit: Eddie Jim

By the end of it, the only apparent concession was the flying of a union flag on the site. The union did not co-operate with police.

Setkas links to Gatto seem to work to keep people quiet. (One source mentioned it nervously on why they would not speak publicly). Its a mix of myth-making and reality that the union harnesses in other ways too, or as Setkas late mentor John Cummins used to say: This job is 90 per cent bluff and 10 per cent bullshit.

Everyone likes to say the union is tough. It suits the agenda of the union itself as well as employers and the Liberals who use it as a bogeyman. But in many trades such as plastering, underpayment and exploitation of migrant labour is rife. Afghan or Chinese workers can labour alongside union members on a fraction of the rates.

Strikes are rare (made extremely hard by restrictive laws) and the unions membership and coverage in parts of the industry is weak to non-existent and has been falling, according to a recent shop stewards meeting.

Yet when faced with this reality, Setka  whose attitude towards internal enemies is unrelenting  can play a smarter, more subtle game when he needs to.

CEO of the Master Builders of Victoria Rebecca Casson. Credit: Scott McNaughton

Rebecca Casson, head of industry group Master Builders Victoria, said the relationship with the union had been very combative, with a long turbulent history. But when the pandemic hit Victoria, that all changed. Instead of confrontation, co-operation became the byword to work with government, workers and employers to keep the industry open.

Very much in our conversations, John has always treated me with respect and we have had some very robust discussions. We agreed very early on that the biggest thing would be for us to talk.

Casson has welcomed the rapprochement, which allowed construction to tick over even during Melbournes long second lockdown. Fair play to John, Casson says. It was the first time in history weve got that level of trust, and it enabled us to be agile and to do things that no other industry was able to.

Times changing?

Maybe even a decade ago, John Setka would not have faced the same intense pressure to quit. Domestic violence was still often regarded as a private matter, but that has changed after decades of feminist advocacy and social, legal and political change.

Unions have played an admirable role. In 2010, Surf Coast Shire Council in regional Victoria became the first place in the world to offer staff paid domestic violence leave. That entitlement has now spread throughout much of the workforce.

A typical unionist now is more likely to be a woman and a nurse  the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation is by far the nations biggest union  than a burly bloke on a building site. Kruschel says if the male-dominated CFMMEU had a different gender balance on its national executive, maybe things would have been different.

Kruschel draws on a broader narrative of why that gender balance matters. Women think about all the women we know who have been murdered, raped or abused.

For decades, the union has survived concerted attacks from conservative governments and big business. Theres been royal commissions, police charges and special industrial regulators. It endured all that was thrown at it. In the end, though, it has destroyed itself in a climate of payback, deep paranoia and a failure by some of its leaders to adapt to changing social mores or to stand up.

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Mining division chief Maher says the union has been destroyed by the ambition of some and the personal vendettas of others. The CFMEU will probably go down as a worthwhile experiment but probably a failed one, he says.

Yet if Setka had resigned two years ago it is almost certain the union would have survived. Instead, one mans will to power and refusal to bend has now brought it undone. In 2019 he told hundreds of activists that he wanted to confront the scandal swirling around him head-on. I was going to call a media conference today, get all the media here, sit down and they probably expect me to say ... I was resigning, Setka said in secretly recorded comments. But that was not his real message.

Listen. I just want to say I want to tell everyone to get f---ed.
Perth councils are being urged to provide cool shelters to offer refuge to those who dont have access to a space for relief on days when the mercury hits 40 degrees.

The warning comes as Perth residents brace for a second heatwave similar to the one which washed over the city last week, when a stationary trough drove temperatures to a record-breaking 45 degrees in the Swan Valley.

Iluma Estate in Bennett Springs is largely devoid of trees. Credit: Ross Swanborough

By Friday, the temperature is forecast to rise into the 40s, with temperatures expected to be around two degrees hotter for residents living in the eastern suburbs and housing estates on the urban fringe.

While the Perth metro area is forecast to reach a top of 41 degrees on Friday and Saturday, it will hit 43 degrees in Hilbert, Brabham and Ellenbrook.
The crowd outside Parliament House gave Barnaby Joyce a heros welcome on Wednesday morning when the former Nationals leader told them to build a movement that could topple the Labor government. What he did not tell them, though, was that they might only trouble the Liberals.

Youre coming out and youre gonna change our nation, Joyce hollered from a makeshift podium on the lawn. Their cause? To stop every wind and solar power project in regional Australia. Change your local electorate, change your state, and were going to change what happens in this building.

Illustration: Simon Letch Credit:

The rally against reckless renewables only drew about 400 people to hear Joyce and a handful of other Nationals speak about the threat to prime agricultural land from wind turbines and solar panels, so it does not look ready to sweep anyone out of office.

But it displayed a hint of the anger from the lockdown years. At least two red ensigns stood above the crowd, giving the protest the look of a sovereign citizen rally from the pandemic, and a few people called out complaints about vaccine mandates. Others had genuine concerns about the rollout of wind and solar because the questions about the community impact are real.
If you ever needed a clear sign that the Andrewsian era  that is, the period during which Dan reigned over us all  has ended, you neednt look further than last Monday.

Outside 1 Treasury Place, members of Victorian Labors frontbench expressed their opposition to duck hunting, with the full knowledge that they were about to enter a cabinet meeting where Premier Jacinta Allan would lead a push for the practice to continue.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan says offshore wind is a key part of both the state and federal governments renewable energy targets. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Regardless, Disability Minister Lizzie Blandthorn told media she was vehemently opposed to the sport. Local Government Minister Melissa Horne agreed, saying she was fundamentally opposed to the practice.

The idea of ministers publicly abandoning a slavish devotion to the leader, in favour of critical thinking, was simply unheard of under Andrews.
Key Insights

HWA's estimated fair value is 5.82 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

HWA's 6.65 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate

Peers of HWA are currently trading on average at a 21% discount

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of HWA AG (ETR:H9W) as an investment opportunity by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

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.

View our latest analysis for HWA

Is HWA Fairly Valued?

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 3.12m 3.17m 3.21m 3.25m 3.28m 3.31m 3.33m 3.36m 3.38m 3.40m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ 2.24% Est @ 1.73% Est @ 1.38% Est @ 1.14% Est @ 0.96% Est @ 0.84% Est @ 0.76% Est @ 0.70% Est @ 0.66% Est @ 0.63% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 9.8% 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.2 2.1 1.9 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.3

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 20m

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The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (0.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 9.8%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 3.4m (1 + 0.6%)  (9.8% 0.6%) = 37m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 37m ( 1 + 9.8%)10= 15m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is 35m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 6.7, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

The Assumptions

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 HWA as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.8%, which is based on a levered beta of 2.000. 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.

Next Steps:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. 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. For HWA, there are three additional items you should assess:

Risks: Be aware that HWA is showing 1 warning sign in our investment analysis , you should know about... Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! Other Top Analyst Picks: Interested to see what the analysts are thinking? Take a look at our interactive list of analysts' top stock picks to find out what they feel might have an attractive future outlook!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every German stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Hyundai IONIQ 6 Named Favorite Plug-In Vehicle by Midwest Automotive Media Association

Award category includes battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles

Consensus pick of around 240 automotive media

IONIQ 6 features ultra-fast 800-volt/350kW charging capability

CHICAGO, Feb. 8, 2024 -- Hyundai's award-winning, all-electric IONIQ 61 sedan was today named Favorite Plug-In Vehicle by the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA). The IONIQ 6 stood out to the nonprofit organization's automotive media membership for its eye-catching design, intuitive connectivity, ultra-fast charging capabilities and spacious interior. Over 100 new vehicles were evaluated over the course of the past year at various drive programs by MAMA members.

"It's important to note that the IONIQ 6 battled a long list of other EVs and plug-in hybrids (both powertrains are eligible for MAMA's Favorite Plug-In Vehicle category award), and after analyzing all the votes, the IONIQ 6 came out way ahead of the rest of the pack," said Robert Duffer, MAMA president. "As MAMA's Favorite Plug-In, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 never stood still at the drive event and impressed media with its technology and design."

About the Midwest Automotive Media Association

Founded in 1991, the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) comprises about 240 automotive journalists and industry professionals from approximately 25 states and the District of Columbia. Though based in the Chicago area, MAMA welcomes members from all over. The organization's purpose is to provide a forum for newsworthy people, current issues and new products in the auto industry.

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (in development in Georgia), and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai's 835 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

1 The 2024 IONIQ 6 is available in limited quantities and at select dealers in select states only. Contact your Hyundai dealer for availability details.
Everest Group (EG) came out with quarterly earnings of $25.18 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $14.63 per share. This compares to earnings of $12.21 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 72.11%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this reinsurance company would post earnings of $10.18 per share when it actually produced earnings of $14.14, delivering a surprise of 38.90%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.

Everest Group , which belongs to the Zacks Insurance - Multi line industry, posted revenues of $3.66 billion for the quarter ended December 2023, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.66%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $3.19 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates two times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Everest Group shares have added about 7.7% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 3.9%.

What's Next for Everest Group?

While Everest Group has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

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Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Everest Group: mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $16.52 on $4.13 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $61.66 on $17.12 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Insurance - Multi line is currently in the top 40% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Assured Guaranty (AGO), another stock in the same industry, has yet to report results for the quarter ended December 2023.

This insurance holding company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.01 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +359.1%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

Assured Guaranty's revenues are expected to be $193 million, down 33.9% from the year-ago quarter.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

Everest Group, Ltd. (EG) : Free Stock Analysis Report

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To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Zacks Investment Research
By Riham Alkousaa

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's Economy Ministry informed Rosneft earlier this week that it was considering expropriating shares in the company's German assets, the Russian oil giant's law firm in Germany said on Thursday.

Here is what is known about the potential plan and how Germany may proceed:

Why has Berlin decided to expropriate Rosneft assets in Germany?

In the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the German government put Rosneft's German business, including its 54.17% stake in Berlin's Schwedt refinery, under a so-called trusteeship in September 2022. This expires in March.

Germany's economy ministry told Rosneft it was considering expropriation because of a risk of jeopardizing the refineries' operation if Russia regained control over the companies.

How much would Berlin have to pay for Rosneft assets in Germany?

Vedomosti newspaper said in 2022, citing an unnamed consultancy, that Rosneft's assets in Germany may amount to $7 billion. Berlin declined to say how much it would need to pay to compensate Rosneft and how it could finance this. Rosneft did not reply to a request for comment.

How would expropriation work legally?

Rosneft already filed a case against the trusteeship in December and has said before it was preparing other appeals to the European Court of Human Rights, Investment Protection Arbitration Court and the European Court of Justice.

Joachim Wieland, a professor of constitutional, administrative and public commercial law at German University of Administrative Sciences Speyer, said an expropriation would be based on Germany's Energy Security Act which was amended following Russia's war in Ukraine.

The law allows expropriation to secure the energy supply in Germany, Wieland said, and could be enforced under a clause of the Constitution as it is for the benefit of the general public.

However, Bertrand Maliender, Rosneft lawyer in Germany, said Russia and Germany have an investment protection treaty which gives the same rights as the German Constitution to companies and an expropriation decision would be a violation of that treaty.

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How did Russia react to the possibility of expropriation?

Rosneft will take all measures to protect the rights of its shareholders, its law firm in Germany said, adding expropriation would forever damage investment security in the country.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Germany's plans would have negative consequences and undermine investor confidence and Europe's investment attractiveness.

What could Russia do in retaliation?

President Vladimir Putin has signed decrees to take temporary control of assets belonging to some Western companies in Russia, in retaliation against foreign moves against Russian companies abroad, and warned the Kremlin could seize more.

The companies include Finnish utility company Fortum, Denmark's Carlsberg, France's Danone, and Germany's Uniper and Wintershall Dea among others.

Asked if Russia will expropriate German assets in Russia to retaliate, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow didn't rule out any steps to defend its interests.

Some 277 German companies still had business in Russia as of the end of 2022, data by Kyiv School of Economics published this month showed.

How have Russian interests already been affected in Europe?

Following the invasion of Ukraine, the European Union, the United States, Japan and Canada froze some $300 billion of Russian central bank assets.

In November 2022, Germany nationalised Gazprom Germania, a subsidiary of Russia's gas giant Gazprom, after Gazprom terminated its participation in the company without explanation.

Last December, German prosecutors said they would move to confiscate more than 720 million euros from a Frankfurt bank account of a Russian financial institution, while Finland's state-owned railway company VR said it had seized four trains it co-owned through a joint venture with its Russian counterpart, Russian Railways (RZD).

(Reporting by Riham Alkousaa; Additional reporting: Vladimir Soldatkin and Alexander Marrow in Moscow, Vera Eckert in Frankfurt; Editing by Rachel More, Alexandra Hudson)
When it comes to parallel parking, you're on your own now.

Ford Motor Co. announced this week during the 2023 earnings call the automaker is reviewing what customers like and actually use to determine which features on vehicles may be excessive or unnecessary.

Say goodbye to the driver-assist parallel parking feature.

"Very, very few people are using it. So we can remove that feature. It's about $60 per vehicle,another $10 million per year (in savings)," Kumar Ghalhotra, Ford chief operating officer, said Tuesday in an effort to illustrate how Ford is making little changes for big savings.

Kumar Galhotra, president of Ford Blue, talks with John McElroy, host of "Autoline After Hours" webcast and podcast, prior to the Capital Markets Day at the Ford Experience Center on May 22, 2023.

Ford studies consumer behavior with data provided by vehicles connected to its wireless network.

"Connected vehicle data here is very important because it helps us see what we're providing, whether the customers are using it or not," Galhotra said.

Will anybody notice?

For example, the 2024 Explorer offers the active park assist feature as an option for a one-time cost of $355, Ford spokesman Alan Hall told the Free Press on Thursday. But the 2025 Explorer will not have it available, he said.

The 2025 Ford Explorer ST with a 2.3-liter turbocharged engine at Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024.

The feature comes as an option for some vehicles and standard as part of a package on certain high-end versions, and no one will miss it, Ford dealers told the Free Press.

Here's their reaction:

"My kids use it when theyre driving my car. Most people my age and older cant trust it. This has been an available option going back 10 or 12 years now. Each generation gets a little different. Sometimes its hold the button, take your hands off the wheel. Sometimes hold onto the wheel. Theres never been any consistency to it and nobody ever learned to trust it. This decision doesnt hurt anything. Nobody is losing sleep over it," said Chad Wilson, general manager of Wilson Ford in Saginaw and Midland Ford.

"Hmm. Ive never used it on any car Ive had. I remember showing somebody how it worked one time. Honestly, I dont think anybodys going to notice. They have to do things to stay competitive ... the tweaks theyre making, as long as Ford continues to build cars and trucks people want, Im all about it," said Jeff King, vice president and general manager at Bozard Ford Lincoln in St. Augustine, Florida.

"If the public doesnt utilize some of these features, weve got to find a way to get some of these prices down. We need to pass those savings along to the consumer," said Thad Szott of Szott Auto Group, which sells Ford, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Toyota vehicles in White Lake, Highland Township, Holly, Waterford and New Hudson.

Story continues

Thad Szott takes a break from selling cars for Szott Auto Group in Holly to fish on Otsego Lake in Gaylord, Michigan, with his dog Nicki on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020. He sees more and more customers shopping for vehicles to carry dogs.

The Ford website says active park assist "helps take the anxiety out of parallel parking" and just requires drivers to shift, accelerate and brake while the system does the steering. The steering wheel moves back and forth on its own.

Ford explains the decision

"We are always evaluating our vehicles to make sure were giving customers more of what they love  and less of what they dont," Ford said in a statement issued after the earnings call. "Connected vehicle data, that our customers opt-in to share with us, helps us understand this and, after evaluating the data for Active Park Assist across our vehicle lines, we found the overwhelming majority of customers arent using Active Park Assist in the way it is currently offered. As a result, at this time were going to focus resources on developing and improving other features."

Also read: Old Ford truck led to Tracy Chapman, Luke Combs emotional 'Fast Car' Grammy performance

A good place to start

Analysts applauded the decision.

"Self parking, in many cases, is difficult to use. Its not as simple as it shows up in commercials," said Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting for AutoForecast Solutions, speaking from personal experience. "The setup is not as simple as turning on a turn signal or changing a radio station. It becomes more of a hassle to figure out how to use it than just pulling into a parking space. Very few people will miss the feature. It's a good place to start. It's low-hanging fruit."

Also read: Ford execs cut their own performance bonuses after weak 2022 earnings

Michelle Krebs, executive analyst at Cox Automotive, said parallel parking assist is not worth the $10 million that Ford will save with the cut. "I dont think its a feature that many people are familiar with or opt for."

But that's not all

In addition to cutting parallel parking assist, Galhotra said Ford found millions more in savings by replacing a vehicle part that consumers rarely see.

"In one of our vehicle lines, we were using certain aero shields for fuel economy," he said this week. "... The team came up with a different way of delivering the same aero and save $40 per vehicle. So that's equivalent to about $10 million per year."

Ford CEO Jim Farley said during the call that his team is committed to making more cuts in ways that don't disrupt the customer experience.

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: Ford to cut parallel parking feature in vehicles, save $10M
New American whiskey global marketing leadership at Brown-Forman

Brown-Forman has announced new global marketing leads for its American whiskey brands. Mark Bacon becomes global managing director of Jack Daniels Brands, and Mia Simpson Culp will be managing director of Woodford Reserve and Old Forester. Sophia Angelis also moves into a new role as global director, marketing excellence.

Bacon joined Brown-Forman in 1989 as a sales representative. Over his time with the company, Bacon has held a number of sales and marketing roles. His most recent role was managing director, super premium American whiskey.

Speaking on Bacons appointment, Mathias Bentel, chief brands officer, commented Marks depth and breadth of experience, as well as the strong relationships he has built across the organization, our industry, and our communities uniquely positions him to serve as chief steward of this iconic trademark.

Culp has been managing director, tequila, at Brown-Forman since 2021, and originally joined the company on the North America region marketing team in 2012. She has also previously been chief of staff to the CEO and the chief brands officer, helping shape Brown-Formans agenda and communications strategy.

Bentel added: Mias business strategy knowledge, coupled with the foundational experience she gained in early roles leading brand strategy and execution will serve her well in leading this portfolio.

Angelis moves into her new position from her previous role as managing director, Jack Daniels marketing, as which she led the creation of global Jack Daniels campaign Make it Count.

As Bentel observed: The global spirits industry remains highly competitive, and Im excited to see these brands thrive under the leadership of such talented individuals.

8 February 2024 - Lucy Schofield
Over 25 PAK'nSAVE and New World locations in the North Island will trial facial recognition technology (FRT) over the next six months. The hope is that the tech will allow the supermarkets to detect and ward off any criminals that want to enter.
A day before Pak polls At least 30 killed,52 injured in twinblasts in Balochistan





Security officials examine the scene of a bomb blast in Khanozai in Pakistans Balochistan province on Wednesday.

KARACHI :

AT LEAST 30 people were killed and 52 others injured on Wednesday in two devastating bomb blasts targeting election offices in Pakistans restive Balochistan province, a day before the general elections in the coup-prone country. In the first incident, a powerful blast outside the office of Independent candidate Asfandyar Khan Kakar in Pishin district killed 20 people and wounded 30 others. Less than an hour later, another bomb blast took place outside the election office of a Jamiat-Ulema Islam-Pakistan in the Killa Abdullah area claiming the lives of ten people and injuring 22 others. Abdullah Zehri, a senior police official in Balochistan Panjgur, said that the blast outside the election office of candidate Asfandyar Khan Kakar was detonated remotely and was placed in a bag outside the building. The condition of some of the injured is critical and they have been rushed to Quetta for treatment, he said. He said so far the body count from the blast was 20 but the casualties could rise.

Terrorists are targeting the election candidates to deter people from going to the polling stations but security personnel are being increased further to ensure the elections go ahead on schedule, Zehri said. According to local media reports, a powerful blast had ripped through the election office of a JUI candidate in the Killa Abdullah area and caused great damage in which eight people had already been killed. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) confirmed the two blasts and said security had been further enhanced in the province for Thursdays elections. The perpetrators of these terror attacks will be caught and dealt with, a spokesperson of the ECP said. In a statement, Balochistans Home Minister Jan Achakzai condemned the attacks and announced that elections would be held as per schedule. In light of the tragic Pishin blast, which claimed the lives of 20 individuals and left 30 others injured, and Qilla Saifullah blast, which killed 10 people, it is important to emphasize that the scheduled elections will proceed as planned, he said in a statement on X.

Allow me to reiterate our unwavering commitment to relentlessly pursue terrorists until every last one of them is eliminatedRest assured, we will not allow terrorists to undermine or sabotage this crucial democratic process, he further said. Caretaker Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz has strongly condemned the blast outside the election office of an independent candidate in Pishin. According to a post on X, the Interim Minister offered his condolences to the families of the deceased. The attacks came ahead of elections on Thursday for which elaborate security measures have been taken by the authorities. Violence has been at its peak in Balochistan, bordering Afghanistan and Iran, in the lead-up to the February 8 general elections in Pakistan. On Tuesday, 10 grenade attacks were carried out at security posts, election campaign offices and rallies in different areas of the province. Since Sunday, there have been around 50 such attacks carried out in the province.
Congress party alone opposing the BJD-BJP combine: Rahul





ROURKELA,

RAHUL Gandhi on Wednesday alleged that the BJP and BJD has a partnership in Odisha and the Congress has been opposing them to protect the interest of the people of the State. Gandhi resumed his Bharat Joda Nyay Yatra in Odishas steel city here. In a brief speech, he said: As you know Naveen Patnaik and Narendra Modi run a partnership Government in Odisha. They both have joined hands and work in tandem. I find in Parliament that BJD supports the BJP. The BJD people also disturb us at the instance of BJP.

Gandhi claimed that it is the Congress party alone which has been opposing the BJD-BJP combine for the people of Odisha. Gandhi said: I have come to Odisha to open a shop of love in the market of hatred. (Nafrat ki bazaar me mohabbat ki dukan khulne aaya hu). The Congress leader also came down heavily on Odishas BJD Government saying that as many as 30 lakh people from the State have migrated as labourers to other States for livelihood as the State Government was not working for them. While 30 lakh people have migrated to other States for their livelihood, 30 crorepati from outside Odisha have come here to loot the States wealth, Gandhi said.

He said Odisha has a huge population of tribals, but they along with Dalits are being neglected in the State by the Government. I have come here to listen to your Maan ki baat for 6/7 hours and speak a little for 15 minutes, Gandhi said. He said the biggest problem in Odisha is unemployment as industries are not functioning properly. Earlier, Gandhi began his Bharat Joda Nyay Yatra in Odishas steel city by offering prayer at Vedvyas Shiv shrine.
EAM Jaishankar calls on Guyana PM





NEW DELHI,

EXTERNAL Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday called on Guyanas Prime Minister Brigadier (Retd) Mark Phillips and discussed partnerships in the fields of economy, energy, security and development cooperation. EAM Jaishankar and Guyanas PM further exchanged views on the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the United Nations (UN).

Taking on social media X, Jaishankar posted, Called on Prime Minister Mark Phillips of Guyana this afternoon. Good discussion on our partnership in the fields of economy, energy, security and development cooperation. Also exchanged views on the CARICOM and UN. Guyanas PM arrived in India on Tuesday and received a warm welcome. As per the Ministry of External Affairs, PM Phillipss visit to India will further strengthen the multifaceted relationship between the two countries. Guyanas PM Mark Phillips is scheduled to hold a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu later in the evening at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
German Demonstrations





By Satyaki Chakraborty

THE continuing joint demonstrations by the anti-Right parties of Germany in major cities of the country during the week end for the last few months have made its impact on the German political mood as the latest opinion poll has put the voting intention figure for the far Right party AFD at around 20 per cent, the lowest in the last six months. Last Saturday, the demonstrations were massive in Berlin before the Bundestag with the participation of more than 1,50,000 people while other cities like Hanover, Freiburg witnessed equally militant demonstrations organised by the trade unions, the German Social Democratic Party, the Leftwing parties de Linke and the newly-set up Left party BSW. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised the protests writing in the social platform X former Twitter that the presence of large number of citizens in the protests is a strong sign for democracy and our constitution. The pro-democracy demonstrations started three weeks ago after investigative journalists group Correctiv revealed that Right-wing extremists had recently met to discuss deporting millions of immigrants, including some with German citizenship. Some member of AFD were present at the meeting. Since AFD is an important party represented in Parliament, its participation and support for a racial demand on the lines of the earlier Nazi days in Germany led to unprecedented protests by the common German people.

The political situation in Germany has been turning in favour of the far Right in the last months of 2023 with the popularity of the ruling Social Democratic Party declining and the vote intention figure of the Right wing Conservatives and the far Right AFD increasing. There are apprehensions that the Conservatives along with far Right AFD will sweep the European Parliament elections in June this year and they will also do well in September polls to the three States in eastern part of Germany dominated by the SPD and the Leftwing de Linke. Presently, out of the 736 seats in German Parliament Bundestag, the SPD has got 207 seats, followed by Conservatives CDU 197, the Green Alliance 118, the FDP 92, the far Right AFD 78 and the others including de Linke 44. The de Linke has 28 seats out of which the newly-set up BSW has 10 members. So effectively the parent party has 18 seats in the current Bundestag. But the de Linke popularity has dipped in the recent months. After the split, the opinion poll put de Likes voting intention figure at 3 per cent while it was 14 per cent for the new Left party BSW. The last German national elections were held in September 2021, so the next national elections are due in September 2025.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz is running the coalition Government in alliance with the Greens and the FDP. The opinion polls have put SDP at around 15 per cent which is a bad signal for the ruling coalition in view of the coming elections to both European Parliament in June and the regional elections later this year. In the Saturday demonstrations, the newly-set up Left party BSW took part in a big way and the party focused its campaign on the working class support base of AFD also. The BSW leaders say that the AFD has been able to take away the lowly paid workers to its far Right fold because the de Linke lost its connect with those workers. According to BSW leaders, German workers have to be taken away from the clutches of AFD and by weakening AFD base only, the shift to the Right can be halted. Though the far-Right AFD has posed as a peace party, BSW leaders say that. AFD is for drone wars and opposed to ceasefire in Gaza. They are in favour of military interventions abroad. They are in favour of NATO membership, and even the requirement to spend 2 per cent of GDP on the military. The foreign policy of the AFD and the other parties is actually almost the same, BSW points out. Political observers are closely monitoring the activities of BSW these days. There are some hopes that the march of far Right might be halted if the anti-Right forces work in close cooperation to halt the expansion of AFD. The unity shown in the anti- far Right demonstrations in the last few weeks has to be taken forward to get electoral benefits in the EU parliament elections in June this year. (IPA)
Ford (F) reported strong earnings and an upbeat 2024 profit outlook and said the company will keep spending more on its EV transformation. But it's the details of this last strategy shift that have investors most excited.

"We think there has been a seismic change in the past six months, Ford CEO Jim Farley said on the conference call regarding the EV market in the US, in which EV manufacturers [are] cutting their price by 20% across all major geographies, and a tremendous amount of capital is flowing and a ton of new capacity into one single segment  two-row crossovers.

Fords rethink of the EV market is still to invest, and somewhat heavily, it seems, into its Model e business unit but focus more on its Gen 2 EVs, which will bypass that two-row crossover market dominated by Tesla and other manufacturers. Farley said Ford will push into larger EVs like trucks and also try to capitalize on the new space.

We're going to focus those large EVs on geographies and product segments where we have a dominant advantage like trucks and vans, Farley said, then revealing that Ford is also adjusting our capital, switching more focus on to smaller EV products.

This means Farley and Ford essentially are abandoning that middle market for EVs.

Unsold 2024 F150 Lightning electric pickup trucks sit in a long row at a Ford dealership Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, in Broomfield, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The pivot to smaller EVs is a new wrinkle for Ford, which had pulled out of the entry-level sedan/compact market for its gas-powered cars in recent years, focusing its EV efforts on upmarket products like the Mustang Mach-E crossover and full-size Lightning pickup.

Farley revealed more of Fords small EV plans, claiming they had been in the works for some time. Over the past two years, Ford has had a hidden startup, or "skunk works" team, working internally on making a low-cost EV platform, he said.

This was music to the ears of Morgan Stanleys Adam Jonas. The analyst has criticized Ford for using its profitable Ford Pro commercial business, which he dubbed Fords Ferrari, to subsidize its EV science project.

Story continues

What matters for the Dearborn re-rating story? More efficient build-partner-buy decisions on Model e, where we see scope for Ford to leverage its strong relationships with Chinese EV partners who we think can give them the best chance, Jonas wrote on Wednesday morning.

Attendees admire the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, on Sept. 14, 2023. (Photo by MATTHEW HATCHER/AFP via Getty Images) (MATTHEW HATCHER via Getty Images)

Farley didnt say whether the Ford team would collaborate with its Chinese partners, only that they were a threat to the business. All of our EV teams are ruthlessly focused on cost and efficiency in our EV products because the ultimate competition is going to be the affordable Tesla and the Chinese OEMs, Farley said, adding that Fords next Gen 2 products will be profitable in the first 12 months of their launch.

Barclays analyst Dan Levy also liked Fords change in EV spending.

While the EV transition remains central for Ford, commentary on the call indicated some pivot on EV strategy for Ford  reflecting the broader market challenges in EV demand. Overall, Ford is pushing to be more mindful of capital requirements and vehicle economics, Levy wrote.

The pivot to making a smaller EV poses a risk, however, Levy noted. While there is a white space for this offering, this is a sharp contrast from Fords efforts to electrify with its leading franchises, and begging the question of what type of economics Ford could ultimately achieve with such a vehicle, he said.

From a competition point of view, Tesla is the only Western-based automaker that makes EVs with a healthy profit margin. The thinking goes that Tesla is likely the only automaker (aside from Chinese rivals like BYD) that can make a cheap EV affordable. At least thats the goal for Tesla and its upcoming $25,000 EV.

Whether Ford can accomplish its pivot  abandoning the middle market for EVs and going high-end with trucks and low-end with small EVs  is the risk investors in the long-term are making with Ford. But as Ford indicated, for the near term at least, the auto business will be strong based on the performance of its traditional gas-powered business and Ford Pros continued growth  now its most profitable business with $1.8 billion in EBIT last quarter alone.

Count Barclays Levy in the group that is happy to see Ford soldier on with its ICE (internal combustion engine) business, while the EV world sorts itself out.

While we believe an overhang remains on the EV transition for Ford and other legacy automakers, we nevertheless appreciate the near-term benefits of stronger ICE earnings, Levy said.

For Ford and Farley, hopefully the profits from the ICE and Pro businesses can keep funding an EV transformation thats seemingly evolving in real time.

Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.

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HISTORIC Ukhand Assembly passes UCC Bill





Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami speaks during a special session of the State Assembly in Uttarakhand, in Dehradun on Wednesday

DEHRADUN :

THE Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill was passed on Wednesday in the Uttarakhand Assembly with a comfortable majority during a special session. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, during the debate on the Uniform Civil Code, said on Wednesday that the State Legislature is going to create history with the passing of the Uniform Civil Code and that every citizen of the State is filled with pride. The Uniform Civil Code which proposes similar or uniform laws for all communities, was tabled on Tuesday during the special session by the Chief Minister.

Today, I want to congratulate all the people of the State on this occasion, because today the legislature of our Uttarakhand is going to create history. Being witnesses to this historical moment today, not only this House but every citizen of Uttarakhand is filled with pride. It is a feeling. Our government had promised to bring a uniform civil code to Uttarakhand to realise the mantra of One India, a Better India, CM Dhami said. The Chief Minister thanked all Assembly members, including those of Opposition, for sharing their thoughts on the UCC. The godlike people of the State have given us the opportunity to fulfil this objective; he gave his blessings and gave us a chance to form the Government again. Immediately after the formation of the Government, in the first Cabinet meeting itself, an expert committee was constituted to create a uniform civil code. On May 27, 2022, a five-member committee was constituted under the leadership of retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai.

This Jan Samvad Yatra, which started in the border village of Mana, ended in New Delhi after about nine months by conducting 43 Jan Samvad programmes, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said. More than 2.32 lakh suggestions were received. About 10 percent of the families in the State gave their suggestions for the formulation of a law. It is a direct proof of the awareness of the godlike people of our state, he added. The Chief Minister further asserted that the Ganga of equal rights emerging from the House will nurture the lives of the citizens. Just as the Mother Ganga emerging from this Devbhoomi irrigates all the living beings living on its banks without any discrimination, this Ganga of equal rights emerging from this House will nurture the lives of all our citizens. We will ensure constitutional rights, he said. CM Dhami stated that the UCC is not an ordinary bill but an outstanding one. It is a dream that is going to become reality and will start in Uttarakhand, the Chief Minister said. Meanwhile, taking potshots at the previous State and Central Governments, CM Dhami said, A long period of time passed.

We celebrated Amrit Mahotsav. But the truth was not accepted even after the Shah Bano case of 1985. The truth for which Shayara Bano struggled for decades... The truth that could have been achieved earlier but was not done for reasons unknown... Why were the attempts to bring about the Uniform Civil Code not made even when there were Governments with full majorities? Why the women not given equal rights? Why was the vote bank kept above the country? Why the differences between the citizens allowed to continue? Why was a valley dug between communities? The CM added that the Uniform Civil Code Bill can be amended in the future if there is a need to include specific clause. We can amend UCC (act) in future if there is need to include specific clause, CM Dhami said.
Illegal grazing is a cause of human-wildlife conflict too





By Kaushik Bhattacharya

Often, illegal grazing is portrayed as locals vs outsiders conflict. But, in forests of Vidarbha, human-wildlife conflict is more prevalent due to high human population and incompatible land use practices in the forest fringes. And, illegal grazing in forest areas and its fringes causes direct conflict between wildlife, livestock, and human beings. Wildlife-human conflict can be described as a situation wherein the use of land resources by humans and wildlife affect each other in a negative manner. A majority of people living near forest areas depend on natural resources available in the area and on agriculture. In this situation, it is difficult to keep human beings away from forests for their livelihood. Therefore, Maharashtra Forest Department has come up with a rule under which the department allows locals to graze their cattle on a limited area. Forest Department also recovered some official charges from the farmers and villagers for grazing of cattle. But, when illegal grazing or mass grazing takes place in forest areas, which is against the rule, it becomes a major contributing factor for human-animal conflict in the region.

When the herbivorous animals in the jungle do not get grass in forest areas or in corridors, which they frequently use, then they naturally turn towards farmlands thereby raising the threat of human-animal conflict. Illegal grazing by Kathiyawadi cows and sheep in Vidarbha and especially in Nagpur division has seen a tremendous rise in the last couple of decades. All territorial forests are connected with corridors. This helps wildlife to travel from one forest to another. These corridors which are comprised of patches of grasslands, forests and agricultural fields have a majority of grasslands and the wildlife depends on these grasslands for grazing. But, due to illegal grazing the grass lands are now overgrazed in our region, said Udhamsingh Yadav, Honorary Wildlife Warden, Nagpur. Kathiyawadi as well as other sheep-hearding tribes from outside states are permanently settled in Vidarbha region with their livestock. They normally start illegal grazing in forest areas during monsoon when new grass starts growing. The mass illegal grazing by Kathiyawadi cattle as well as sheep stunts the growth of grass in that particular area, due to which wildlife does not get grassland to graze after monsoon, Yadav told The Hitavada.

According to him, grasslands in Vidarbha have overgrazed drastically and illegal grazing is a big reason. Lack of natural grass in grasslands compel the animals in Schedule-I to enter farmlands, leading to human-animal conflict. In recent time, electrification of agriculture fields by local farmers has increased because of interference of wildlife near human settlements. The cases of electrocution of wildlife also have increased and the Forest Department has no data of such wildlife deaths, said the Honorary Wildlife Warden. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of livestock that has a significant economic impact on those rearing cattle. The disease affects cattle, swine, sheep, goat, and other cloven-hoofed ruminants. Illegal or over grazing by these sheep and cows may cause FMD among wild animals too. Though the Forest Department has no mechanism to detect FMD among wild animals, it may claim lives of herbivores in the forest, Yadav feared. Ajinkya Bhatkal, Honorary Wildlife Warden, Nagpur, also felt that there was utmost need to conduct a study on regeneration of grasses in forest area and also to conduct space-sharing studies. Such studies will help map the effect of illegal or over grazing in grasslands, he said.

To avoid illegal or over grazing in forest area, the department should provide fodder alternatives for livestock to villagers. The department must also strengthen the mechanism to monitor illegal grazing by outsiders, he emphasised. Illegal grazing helps spread toxic shrubs like West Indian Lantana and Congress Grass in forest area. These shrubs have serious impact on both agricultural and natural systems of the forest, Bhatkal explained. According to another wildlife expert, The situation with respect to sheep grazers is particularly alarming. Fresh grass is the main fodder of Chinkara fawns and other herbivores which inhabit these forests. The issue of livestock disease transmission to wild animals is never considered by the authorities who turn a blind eye towards such transgressions. These pose a great threat to the survival of the wild animals and species. All these concerns are genuine, but have not been looked at as challenges for grassland dynamics as well as for wildlife. Will it happen now?
Staff Reporter

In a major breakthrough, the Anti-Vehicle Theft Squad of the Crime Branch nabbed a notorious vehicle-lifter, involved in theft of 111 two-wheelers over the last two years. The accused was identified as Lalit Gajendra Bhoge (24), a resident of Vikas Nagar, Kondhali. Bhoge used to sell the stolen vehicles at a meager price and assured the purchasers of handing over the documents in two months. However, according to the police, he did not provide the documents to any purchaser. Bhoge was arrested following theft of a two-wheeler near Hotel Rahul in Wadi a few days ago. Following registration of a case of vehicle theft by Wadi Police, the Anti-Vehicle Theft Squad intensified efforts to get a clue about the rising wave of vehicle thefts in the city. Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Singal, who assumed office recently, expressed concern over the escalating number of vehicle thefts. Daily, about 10 such cases are registered at various police stations across city.

At a press conference, on Wednesday, Dr Singal commended the efforts of the squad and highlighted the unprecedented scale of the operation. This is the first time in the history of the city police force that such a large number of crimes have been uncovered, and a large number of stolen vehicles have been seized in one go, Dr Single said. The arrest of Bhoge revealed a pattern of thefts centered around the weekly market in Wadi. Bhoge strategically targeted the market, where a high volume of vehicles would be parked, especially on Sundays. His preferred method involved breaking the handle locks during market days. Bhoge also stole vehicles from the parking lot under Dhantoli bridge.

Acting on a tip-off of Kapil Tandekar and Rahul Kusrame, the police officials launched a hunt to arrest Bhoge. The investigation included the identification of hotspots, with officers checking CCTV footage to track his movements after each theft. The operation ultimately led to the arrest of Bhoge and recovery of 111 stolen two-wheelers. During interrogation, Bhoge revealed his modus operandi and motive behind turning to the crime. He cited financial difficulties post marriage three years ago. His actions were driven by the inability to maintain his family which pushed him to resort to stealing and selling vehicles in various cities across Vidarbha at just Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. The arrest was made by PSI Anil Ingole, Vilas Kokate, Ajay Shukla, Pankaj Hedau, Kapil Tandekar, Rahul Kusrame, Abhay Dhone, and PSI Balram Zadokar.
Merchandise exports set to moderate to USD 435 bn in FY24: Exim Bank





Business Reporter

INDIAS merchandise exports are likely to moderate to USD 435.3 billion in FY24 against 447.46 billion in FY23, the Exim Bank said on Wednesday. The merchandise exports are set to grow by nearly 3 per cent to USD 118.2 billion in the March quarter compared to the same period a year ago. It can be noted that the merchandise exports declined for the first two quarters of the ongoing 2023-24.In its quarterly study on the overall exports, the policy bank said the non-oil exports will grow 4.55 per cent to USD 95 billion in the January-March 2024 quarter. Positive growth in India's exports could be as a result of India's strong GDP growth fundamentals and outlook and expected global easing of monetary tightening spurring global demand, the bank said in the report.

The oil exports are likely to remain subdued during the year, contracting by USD 12.5 billion compared to FY23, the bank said. The outlook is subject to risks of uncertain prospects for advanced economies, geopolitical shocks, and the Middle East crisis, leading to the intensification of the Red Sea crisis and deepening geo-economic fragmentation, among other factors, the report noted.
Public sector general insurance employees stage demonstrations





Business Reporter

The Public Sector General Insurance (PSGI) employees held demonstrations under the banner of Joint Forum of Trade Unions and Associations (JFTU) in PSGI companies in front of the Regional Office of National Insurance Company Ltd situated at Sadar for their long pending demands on Wednesday. The aggrieved employees demanded immediate discussion on Wage Revision due from August 1, 2022, uniform 30% Family Pension, scrapping of National Pension System (NPS) and demanding 1995 Pension Scheme for all and till then increase employers contribution to 14% in NPS, merger of public sector general insurance companies for strengthening the companies and adequate recruitment in all cadres. After the demonstrations a gate meeting was organised. In the meeting, Vinod Sakhare of All India SC/ST Employees Parishad appealed to the employees to unite and struggle for their legitimate demands.

Prashant Dixit, General Secretary of General Insurance Employees Union, Western Zone informed about the meeting with Nirmala Sitaraman, Finance Minister of India with leaders of General Insurance Employees All India Association along with Binoy Vishwam, MP Rajya Sabha held on February 5, 2024. A memorandum of above mentioned demands was also submitted to the Finance Minister.He informed that the Joint Forum of Trade Unions and Associations has planned to intensify the struggle and decided to hold countrywide demonstrations on February 15 followed by dharna on February 21 at all Regional Centres and walk out strike on February 28, 2024. After the meeting, a memorandum addressed to the Chairman, General Insurance Employers (All India) Association (GIPSA) was submitted through the Chief Regional Manager of National Insurance Co Ltd.

Surendra Kamble of All India General Insurance SC/ST Employees Association conducted the meeting. Members of all the JFTU constituents from the offices of the city participated in the demonstrations and gate meeting. Vinay Karpe, Sheetal Bhopale, Gurudas Hemrajani, Mangesh Karanjkar, Omkar Shende Saurabh tatekar, Homraj Ade, Devendra Dhakate, Pankaj Sawalkar, Yogesh Junghare and others have taken efforts for the success of the meeting.
Sikh man shot dead by terrorists in Srinagar, another injured





SRINAGAR,

IN THE first targeted killing of the year, terrorists on Wednesday shot dead a worker from Punjab while another sustained injuries in Habba Kadal area of the city, officials said here. Amritpal Singh, a resident of Amritsar, was shot by the terrorists from point blank range and Shalla Kadal locality in Habba Kadal around 7 pm, the officials said. They said Singh died on the spot while another non-local worker identified as Rohit, aged 25, sustained injuries in the incident. Rohit also hails from Amritsar. He was hit by the bullets in the abdomen and is undergoing treatment at SMHS hospital here.

In a post on X, Kashmir Zone Police said, Terrorists fired upon a non-local identified as Amritpal Singh resident of Amritsar at Shaheed Gunj Srinagar, who succumbed to the injuries. One more person is grievously injured and evacuated for medical attention. Area has been cordoned off. Further details shall follow. The police have taken cognisance of the incident and cordoned off the area to track down the assailants. National Conference leaders Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah condemned the attack on the non-locals.

JKNC President Dr Farooq Abdullah and VP @OmarAbdullah are shocked and disgusted by the barbaric incident that took the life of Amrit Pal Singh in Shala Kadal, Srinagar. Their heartfelt condolences go out to his family, the party said in a social media post. Violence should have no place in our society and such acts of barbarity only serve to hinder the progress & peace we strive for, the post added. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the dastardly attack and prayed for swift recovery of the injured person. Peoples Conference leader Sajad Lone also condemned the attack. This is the first attack by terrorists on a non-local in Kashmir this year.
STOP Dividing country in North-South: Modi to Cong





NEW DELHI :

This nation is not just a piece of land for us. It is like the human body, if there is pain somewhere, the hand doesnt say that the thorn is in the foot and it doesnt concern me...If there is pain anywhere in this country, pain should be felt by everyone, said PM in Rajya Sabha

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged the Congress and its Government in Karnataka to stop creating a narrative to divide the country into North and South saying it jeopardises the countrys future. Replying to the debate to the Motion of Thanks in the Rajya Sabha, he lamented that the Karnataka Government was building such a narrative through advertisements. Modi was referring to the protest dharna by the Congress led by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over alleged injustice meted out by the Centre on devolution of tax share to the state.

Today I want to share my pain on a specific matter...The way language is being spoken these days to break the country, these new narratives are being made for political gains. An entire State is speaking this language, nothing can be worse for the country than this...What language have we started saying, he said. Modi said such narratives were not good for the country and could jeopardise its future. He lamented that a vaccine is made in one part of the country and someone says that it cant be given to other parts. What is this thinking? And it is very painful that such language is emerging from a national party, it is very sad, he noted. This nation is not just a piece of land for us. It is like the human body, if there is pain somewhere, the hand doesnt say that the thorn is in the foot and it doesnt concern me...If there is pain anywhere in this country, pain should be felt by everyone. If one body part does not work the entire body is dubbed as handicap, If any part of the country is left without development, then the country cannot become developed. Therefore we should look at the country as one and not separate parts, Modi said. He cited the example of the Himalayas, saying what if one starts saying that rivers flow from there and they wont be shared with others. What will happen to the country, where will this stop? States which have coal if they say that we wont share it with others, how will the country function? If eastern States had said that we wont share oxygen with other regions what would have happened.

Desh ke andar yeh bhav todne ka kya prayas ho raha hai? (What is this narrative being played to break the nation). Hamara tax hamara money, (Our tax, our money) what is this language being spoken? Stop giving such new narratives to break the nation. It poses a threat to the future of the country. Make efforts to take the country along, the Prime Minister noted. Launching a scathing attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged that the opposition party has become outdated and has always been against any kind of reservation. The Congress thought has become outdated and it has outsourced its work. We are not happy at such a downfall of the party and we express our sympathies, he said. Citing a letter written by Jawaharlal Nehru to Chief Ministers, Modi said it clearly states that the first Prime Minister was against reservation of any kind, especially in jobs, as it adversely affected the functioning of the Government. Modi said President Droupadi Murmu, in her address in Parliament, talked about solving the problems of the four largest sections of society -- the poor, farmers, the youth and women. The Congress strangled democracy for power and dismissed democratically elected Governments. The Congress has been against Dalits, backwards, tribals and had it not been for Babasaheb Ambedkar, they would not have got any reservation, he said. Modi also accused the Congress of creating narratives to divide the country and alleged that it was now trying to give such statements that sought to create a North-South divide. The party that ceased large chunks of the countrys land to an enemy nation is now giving sermons to us on internal security, he said, attacking the Congress.

The Congress does not have guarantee of its own leaders and policies but is questioning Modis guarantees, he said. The Prime Minister said the Congress was aware of the problems facing the country but did nothing to resolve them. We have come out of a difficult time and have brought the country out of its problems, the PM said. Modi said the Congress was inspired by the British and that is why it continued with the symbols of slavery for decades. The Congress gave such narratives that those following Indian traditions were looked down upon, he said. Confident of securing a massive majority in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Prime Minister outlined his vision for his next five-year term saying the Modi 3.0 Government will put all its might to strengthen the foundation of Viksit Bharat or a developed nation. Coming down heavily on previous Congress-led Governments of mismanagement of the economy, Modi told Rajya Sabha his Government in the past 10 years has worked for development of all sections of the society. He said India has moved out of Fragile Five during the Congress-led UPA Government to be among the top five economies of the world. Sabka saath is not a slogan, it is Modis guarantee, the Prime Minister said in his spirited 90-minute reply to the discussion on motion of thanks to the Presidents address in the Rajya Sabha.

The Government, he said, aims to make India a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) by 2047, when the country completes 100 years of Independence. The Modi Government is completing its second five-year term and next general elections are due in April-May. Third term of our Government is not far away. Some people calls it Modi 3.0. Modi 3.0 will put its all might to strengthen foundation of Viksit Bharat, the Prime Minister said. Elaborating on his vision for the next five years, Modi said all flagships programmes, like PM Kisan, PM Awas Yojna, free ration, Auyshman Bharat, and cheaper medicines (Jan Aushadhi Kendra), will continue. He said India will witness many fold increase in number of doctors as well as medical colleges.

The Prime Minister said the medical treatment will become more accessible and cheaper. He promised to cover the entire nation with piped gas network, tap water in poor households, and no power bill through use of solar power. Modi said India will see more startups, one lakh unicorns, record number of patents, best universities, greater participation in international sports, transformation in public transportation, and bullet trains. In Modi 3.0, the Prime Minister said, India will be extensively using AI, nano-fertilizers, green technologies, natural farming, and supper food. He said India will make remarkable progress in the semiconductors sector, electronic goods, and green hydrogen.
GBP/USD Forecast Video for 08-02-2024

British Pound vs US Dollar Technical Analysis

The British pound has had a positive session during the day on Wednesday, as it looks like the market is trying to threaten the 50 day EMA. The 50 day EMA, of course, is an indicator that a lot of algorithms will pay attention to, but perhaps more importantly, in this area we have previous support, so it should now be resistance. Market memory could become a thing at this point.

Well have to sort out whether or not that recent sell off was the real deal or if it was just a short term blip on the radar. If we get a daily close above the 50 day EMA, then I think we probably go looking to the 1.2750 level again, which is an area thats been pretty resistive. Breaking above that would be very bullish obviously, but we could not do that for the better part of a month. So I dont know if it happens anytime soon, well have to wait and see.

But it certainly seems as if Jerome Powell last week did spook a lot of traders as he was talking about perhaps staying tight for longer than anticipated. That being the case, of course, the British pound had to be readjusted in its pricing. Underneath we had the 200 day EMA that has offered significant support right out the crucial 1.25 level, while I think overall we are starting to see currency markets settle into a tightening phase.

In other words, they are going to be consolidating and unfortunately that might be the case this year as now most central banks look likely to cut. With this I mean it might be like it was a couple of years ago when there wasnt a whole lot of action in currencies other than range bound trading. If thats the case, you have to adjust accordingly and the British pound certainly is making an argument for that to be the case in this currency pair, so pay attention to those levels.

For a look at all of todays economic events, check out our economic calendar.

This article was originally posted on FX Empire

More From FXEMPIRE:
Consumer Reports is urging General Mills to reduce plastic chemicals in its pre-packaged foods.

In a letter sent Wednesday to General Mills, the advocacy group said it found "concerning" levels of phthalates in several General Mills products, including Annie's Organic Cheesy Ravioli. Other General Mills products that tested positive for high levels of chemicals include Yoplait Original Low Fat Yogurt, Cheerios Original and Green Giant Cream Style Sweet Corn, according to Consumer Reports.

"When you buy organic, the last thing you'd expect is that you would be eating plastic chemicals," Consumer Reports Food Policy Director Brian Ronholm said in a statement.

General Mills did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Phthalates, also known as plasticizers, are chemicals that can be used to make plastics more durable and flexible, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some studies have linked the chemicals to adverse health outcomes such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

Consumer Reports also launched a petition on Wednesday calling on General Mills and its subsidiary, Annie's, to eliminate plasticizers from their products.

The organization in January published a report listing the plastic chemical contents of more than 80 popular snacks and other pre-prepared foods. The study found that 99% of supermarket and fast foods contain phthalates, while 79% contain traces of another potentially harmful substance called bisphenol A.

"In a recent test of a wide variety of foods, Consumer Reports found plasticizers in every food product at very high levels, including several General Mills products," the group said in its February 7 letter to General Mills CEO Jeffrey Harmening.

"Because of the number of ways that plasticizers can enter our food supply, we recognize that these chemicals cannot be completely avoided," Consumer Reports add. "However, our test results revealed that some products had much lower levels compared to others. This demonstrates that, even though these chemicals are ubiquitous in food, it is possible to reduce their presence, and consumers expect the industry to achieve these lower levels."
e&, Telecom Egypt, Telin and a major Indian operator have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form a consortium to develop the ICE IV Project. This new Data Centre (DC) to DC system will seamlessly connect the Intra Asia region to India and the Middle East on a unique route that demonstrates the true spirit of collaboration between these regions.

Spanning approximately 11,000 km, this new system plans to deploy the latest open cable technologies and subsea ROADMs to interconnect Indonesia and Singapore to India, Oman, Egypt and the UAE. The ICE IV Project will adopt an entirely new route through the Sunda Strait and become the first international cable to land in Kochi, India in decades; offering an alternative resilient route and new international gateway.

Terrestrial extensions are being considered also include links between the Middle East and Egypt and between Kochi and Chennai, together making this ICE IV Project unique. The target ready for service date is Q4, 2027.

PoP to PoP design

In recent years, the surge in demand, coupled with inventory scarcity has moved the global bandwidth market to thrive and become the main driver for the construction of new subsea cable systems. As subsea connectivity evolves, the PoP to PoP design sets the new standard, where this architecture serves the requirements of content providers and large data consumers much better.

The ICE IV Project shall adopt these principles providing seamless connectivity, extraordinary bandwidth, and network security through diversity.

This very significant milestone for the project took place during the prestigious Capacity Middle East event where the MOU was signed by top officials from the four market leading companies; Nabil Baccouche - Group Chief Carrier & Wholesale Officer at e&, Seif Mounib Vice President of International and Wholesale at Telecom Egypt, Budi Satria Dharma Purba, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Telin, and the Indian operator. The signing event demonstrates all parties commitment to invest and grow the global bandwidth market to better serve their customers.

Redrawing connectivity map

Nabil Baccouche, Group Chief Carrier and Wholesale Officer at e&, said: With ICE IV Project, we're redrawing the connectivity map, bringing continents closer than ever before, and unlocking bandwidth access for billions of people. With our commitment to making SmartHub a location of choice as one of the largest neutral carrier hub, the ICE IV Project will further accelerate connectivity. The new DC to DC system will enable us to increase capabilities and global capacity further to meet the evolving requirements of customers across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia and Americas.

Mohamed Nasr, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Telecom Egypt, commented: Since the start of subsea fibre optic evolutions more than 30 years ago, Telecom Egypt has been instrumental in enabling and supporting the formation of subsea projects, particularly those connecting Southeast Asia to Europe. This particular route is considered the core infrastructure connecting the largest continents, and one of the major and continuously expanding subsea routes.

Telecom Egypt is honoured to collaborate with ICE partners on the construction of this remarkable project. Being a founding member of ICE IV is a testament of our profound belief of the importance of this critical infrastructure. We are providing open-access to more than 20 subsea cables landing in Egypt with unique, diverse landing and state-of-the-art transit international infrastructure that will be part of the planned design. Furthermore, ICE IV Project will enable us to extend our footprint and further diversify our subsea infrastructure portfolio to promptly address the ever-growing demand for global connectivity.

Customer demands

Budi Satria Dharma Purba, CEO at Telin, stated: Customers nowadays demand the utmost best user experience, pushing providers to innovate and build low latency network on diverse and unique routes. This compels Telin to envision Indonesia as the future hub in this Indo-Pacific region.

We can create new opportunities for all ICE cable systems by integrating it with relevant countries and systems. Indonesian Cable Express will be the bridge. The Telin ICE initiative ensures an efficient cost structure and faster deployment. The ICE program involves 7 separate cable systems connecting Indonesia to all potential markets. During the next 5 years, the system deployment will start, each adhering to 4 fundamental principles: DC to DC Access, Ultra Low Latency, Different Landings and Unique Routes.--TradeArabia News Service
Google (GOOG, GOOGL) is bringing big changes to its generative AI bot Bard, rebranding the software as Gemini to match the underlying AI model that powers it and announcing a new premium version for consumers.

Gemini Advanced is a paid version of the companys bot that gives users access to Googles largest AI model, Gemini Ultra, for $19.99 per month as part of the companys Google One AI Premium plan.

In addition to access to Gemini Ultra, the subscription includes 2TB of Google Cloud storage and, in a future update, adds Gemini in Google Docs, Gmail, Slides, and Sheets.

What you're seeing is really a phase of maturation for Google's holistic approach to AI, explained Google senior product director Jack Krawczyk. And Gemini is really the most direct way to access it.

Google's Gemini is a new AI model meant to take on the likes of OpenAI's GPT-4. (Image: Google) (Google)

Google launched Bard last March as an AI platform that allows users to type in text prompts and get replies as text, code, and images. In December, Google debuted its Gemini AI model, with more advanced multimodal capabilities, including the ability to recognize text, images, video, and code, and began running Bard on the software.

Now Google is fully rebranding Bard as Gemini as the company seeks to build out an ecosystem around the platform. Gemini is available in three versions: Gemini Nano, designed to run on smartphones; Gemini Pro, for businesses; and Gemini Ultra, for high-end AI applications like the Gemini chatbot.

As an example of Geminis improved capabilities, Krawczyk offered a situation in which a user got a flat tire on their car. A person could then take a photo of the tire, upload it to Gemini, and ask how to change the tire. The bot would then provide step-by-step instructions for how to put on a doughnut.

Android users will be able to access Gemini via the new Gemini app through the Google Play store or by pulling up the Google Assistant and opting into using Gemini rather than Google Assistant.

If you want to go back to using Google Assistant, you cant opt out of Gemini.

Story continues

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If youve got an iPhone, youll be able to use Gemini via the Google app and use the toggle at the top of the screen to switch over to the bot. On the web you can go to Geminis website.

At first, Gemini will be available in the US in English and then launch in Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Africa.

While the rebranding of Bard to Gemini is important, its the availability of a paid version that is most intriguing. It serves as a new revenue source for Google, as it looks to monetize its increased investment in generative AI.

The move also puts Googles consumer offering into direct competition with Microsofts (MSFT) Copilot Pro AI bot for consumers. That platform also costs $19.99.

Google and Microsoft already compete in the enterprise space via their respective generative AI bots, which they attach to their productivity suits. Adding the consumer edition sets up yet another battleground for the AI giants to square off.

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.

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That release could not be found.
The federal government should stop allowing pre-tax contributions to retirement savings, abolishing the 401(k) and Individual Retirement Account, two economists from opposing ideological camps argued in a research brief in January.

Allowing people to shelter their retirement money from taxes is a policy that largely favors the well-heeled, they said. Congress could use that money, nearly $200 billion a year in lost tax dollars, to shore up the underfunded Social Security program.

Their suggestion created a stir. One social media post has drawn more than 700,000 views.

My new paper with Alicia Munnell argues for rolling back the federal tax expenditure for retirement plan contributions and redirecting the savings to Social Security. Full repeal would fix roughly 3/4 of Social Securitys long-term funding gap. @aeiecon @RetirementRsrch pic.twitter.com/q6nVgk5lko  Andrew G. Biggs (@biggsag) January 17, 2024

"We do not think that this subsidy, which you can only rationalize if it increases saving ... we don't think it does increase saving very much," said Alicia Munnell, an assistant treasury secretary under President Clinton. She co-wrote the brief with Andrew Biggs, a senior fellow at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute.

Here's why economists are coming for your 401(k)

Why, then, are economists coming after your 401(k)?

That employee retirement plan and its personal savings counterpart, the Individual Retirement Account, were created to help Americans save for retirement.

But federal data suggests tax-favored retirement accounts help only some Americans, and wealthy Americans in particular.

For households in the top 10% by income, the median retirement account held $559,000 in 2022, according to the Survey of Consumer Finances. An overwhelming 93% of those households held retirement plans.

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For middle-income Americans, those in the 40th to 60th percentile by income, the median retirement plan held just $39,000, and nearly half of that group had no retirement savings.

Many smaller employers don't offer 401(k) plans. Even when they do, workers might balk at participating, because they can't spare the income or they're afraid they might need to withdraw it later on, triggering tax penalties.

"Income for a lot of workers is very unpredictable," said Monique Morrissey, senior economist at the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute.

A looming crisis in retirement savings

Many researchers believe America faces a crisis in retirement savings. Fewer than half of us have retirement accounts, Census data show. Even among those nearing retirement, ages 56 to 64, the share with retirement accounts lagged below 60% in 2020.

Without a retirement account, most retirees depend on Social Security. But monthly Social Security checks averaged about $1,800 in 2023. The typical household run by someone 65 or older spends $4,345 a month, according to a BlackRock analysis of federal statistics.

The 401(k) and IRA emerged in the 1970s and gained popularity as tools for Americans to build savings for retirement. Over the years, the plans have gradually replaced traditional pensions, which deliver monthly benefits to retired workers. From 1975 to 2019, active private sector pension participants dwindled from 27 million to fewer than 13 million, according to a congressional report.

As investments, tax-advantaged retirement plans are a really good deal, said Damon Jones, a University of Chicago economist. The government doesnt tax income contributed to a traditional 401(k) or IRA. You pay taxes when you withdraw the money in retirement.

The tax breaks cost the federal government about $185 billion a year in lost revenue, according to Treasury Department estimates for 2020.

Yet, millions of Americans dont take advantage of tax-favored retirement savings  or can't. Nearly half of workers have no access to a retirement plan at work, according to one AARP analysis.

401(k): A retirement account offered by an employer that allows employees to save a portion of their salary which their employers can match.

Lower-income Americans miss out on retirement tax breaks

And many lower-income Americans have more pressing priorities.

Most people, middle-class or lower, struggle to put food on the table and a roof over their head, and they dont have the money left over to save, said Steve Rosenthal, a senior fellow in the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center.

Wealthier Americans, on the other hand, tend to take full advantage of the tax perks. According to research by the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, three-fifths of the retirement savings tax benefits go to people in the top 20% of Americans by income. More than four-fifths go to people in the top 40%.

The fundamental problem with our retirement system is it rewards people who need no help, Rosenthal said. All the schemes are oriented toward rewarding those who have the savings or the income to reap the benefits.

The whole point of the tax subsidies was to encourage more Americans to save for retirement, say the authors of the research brief, published by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.

But that hasnt happened. From 1989 to 2022, the share of workers ages 25 to 64 who participate in employer-sponsored retirement plans has risen 2 percentage points, from 51% to 53%, the researchers found.

Theyre basically saying we ought to call it quits on our retirement tax system because its broken. And it is broken, Rosenthal said.

Many in the financial industry applaud tax-favored retirement plans

Agreement on that point is far from unanimous, and some in the retirement industry greeted the new research with vitriol.

Brian Graff, chief executive of the American Retirement Association, flagged the paper on LinkedIn with the comment, "No, it's not April 1st. . . and I personally cannot think of a more preposterous idea."

Much of the financial services industry applauds tax-favored retirement plans, saying they deliver a dignified retirement to millions of lower- and middle-income Americans.

Its not only the rich, said Craig Copeland, director of wealth benefits research at the Employee Benefit Research Institute, a nonprofit that works with benefit providers. A lot of middle-class people have 401(k)s, and typically, thats the bulk of their savings outside of their homes.

Strip away the tax benefits, Copeland says, and employers would lose their incentive to offer retirement savings in the first place. Companies use 401(k) plans to attract workers, and employers reap their own tax savings by administering the plans.

Most of these plans wouldnt exist if there wasnt a tax preference for them, he said.

Abolishing the tax subsidies is not going to hurt the wealthy, Copeland said, because the wealthy are going to save. Its going to hit those middle-quartile people  the middle class.

Even the economists who wrote the brief concede theres little chance Congress will abolish tax-favored retirement savings anytime soon.

I know theyre not going to repeal it tomorrow, Munnell said. But it should be part of the debate.

Instead of eliminating the tax benefits, the economists say, Congress could modify the subsidies so the programs reward responsible saving without lavishing tax breaks on the wealthy.

For example, the tax subsidy could be capped for savers who amass $500,000 or $1,000,000 in retirement money. Or, the tax benefit could be limited to the first $10,000 or $20,000 in annual contributions.

'The economy is different now': Parents pay grown-up kids' bills with retirement savings

Alternatively, Congress could lower the age by which savers must begin drawing down their retirement accounts. Instead of lowering that age, Congress has been raising it, from 70 in 2019 to 75 in 2033.

If youre troubled by how large these retirement plans are, you can limit what goes in, Rosenthal said, or you can limit what comes out.

Daniel de Vise covers personal finance for USA Today.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 401(k) and IRA retirement tax breaks don't benefit many Americans
Are you guys paying your student loans back? A Brooklyn woman forgot about paying her student loans and is overwhelmed by her balance. What to do if you cant afford to pay back your own

Some people lose sleep thinking about the bills that are piling up, while others seem to forget they even have bills.

Lohanny Santos is one of the latter people.

Im sure Im not the only person in the world who completely forgot about student loans, the Brooklynite says in her viral TikTok. I just checked and I owe a lot of money. And apparently, Im late on my payments.

Dont miss

However, Santos is not the only person who either delayed or forgot to pay back her student loans. President Joe Biden only resumed student loan payments in October 2023, after a three-year pause that began during the Trump presidency.

So, paying back loans is a new concept for many recent graduates  and some are struggling to manage the outstanding balances.

Many purposefully forget to pay student debt

Santos is overwhelmed by her student loan balance because she currently doesnt have a job. She asked her TikTok viewers: Are you guys paying your student loans back?

Surprisingly, a significant number of people who commented admitted they arent paying their loans back. Some, like Santos, appear to have forgotten completely, while others have purposefully sent their loans to collections or ignored their payments altogether.

Many of those who commented said they havent started paying their student loans back because they cant even afford their monthly payment.

With the Federal Reserve reporting that the median student loan balance ranges from $20,000 and $24,999, you can understand why that may be hard for people to pay off.

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In fact, some people are so fed up with their outstanding balances that theyre looking to abolish student loans entirely. The Debt Collective is one such group. Theyre a national debtors union, who organize debt strikes and campaigns to cancel student loans, according to their website.

And their activism appears to be working. A press release details how they wiped out nearly $10 million worth of student loans in collections for the alumni and students of the Atlanta-based Morehouse College, a historically Black mens liberal arts institution. Not to mention the ongoing pressure theyve put on President Biden, who seems to be listening.

As Braxton Brewington, a spokesperson for the Debt Collective was quoted as saying in the press release, [this] student debt cancellation will put thousands of Black folks in a better position to be able to save for retirement, purchase a home or start a small business.

Read more: Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now cash in on prime real estate  without the headache of being a landlord. Here's how

Uncle Sam lends a hand

Biden has worked toward decreasing student debt. His administration has wiped out $136.6 billion in student debt for more than 3.7 million Americans, according to a recent press release.

Part of the reason hes doing this is because student loan relief is a major voting issue for young people and Black Americans, according to the New York Times. With an upcoming election, there are hints at more student loan forgiveness  despite the lack of Supreme Court support for it.

The Biden-Harris Administration is not going to stop until weve helped all of those harmed by the broken student loan system, U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal said in the aforementioned press release about student loan forgiveness.

But what can you do now?

If youre like Santos and are feeling overwhelmed by your student loan payment, there are ways to SAVE  a.k.a. Saving on a Valuable Education Plan. This is a Federal Student Aid-sponsored plan to calculate your monthly student loan payment based on your income and family size rather than just on what you owe.

Several commenters on Santos video mention that SAVE has deferred their student loan payments until the end of the year or heavily reduced their monthly fees.

The government is encouraging any student loan borrower to sign up for SAVE. Getting on it will make it easier to receive your automatic student loan forgiveness, something Biden has done several times throughout his presidency.

Though Biden has forgiven a lot of student debt, its likely that youll still have some payments left over. If youre like Santos and are unsure how to go about paying them, you can start small.

Use platforms that automatically round up every purchase you make and put the remaining change into a savings account. You can use that saved-up money to start paying off your student loan in gradual increments.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Meira Paibis of Manipur

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Colonel Haorungbam Sarat Singh (Retired)

Contd from previous issue

So many innocent persons have lost lives and cases have been pending in the Courts of the State and of the country (India).

Since 1980, cases of arrest & oppression, sexual harassment, rape, unilateral murder continue to pressure the civil society in Manipur. To achieve peace, especially in form of positive peace in Manipur, the Meira Paibi movement came to provide resistance. This movement significantly applies the non-violent approach to carrying out its guidance.

The reciprocal expression of the public, after any unfortunate incident, is displayed by the Meira Paibis in a very symbolic manner through parades carrying torches, hunger strike, shouting slogans, showing placards of PEACE, extreme actions like naked protest in public platform. Meira Paibis struggles continue as torch parades as a sacred symbol of the peace movement are still carried out to achieve positive peace in Manipur.

One land-mark achievement of the Meira Paibis followed the arrest, torture, rape and murder of Miss Th Manorama Devi on 15th July 2004. In an unprecedented move, 12 women stripped naked and staged an angry demonstration, holding a banner Indian Army Rape Us outside the gate of Headquarters of the Assam Rifles. The custodial death of Miss Th Manorama Devi (32 years of age) was unbearable to the whole society. The State was in total chaos for more than a month.

On 2 November 2000, ten innocent civilians were allegedly shot and killed by the Assam Rifles ( Para-military forces of India ) at Malom, a small town in Imphal valley. Miss Irom Sharmila Chanu, a social activist started her hunger strike from that day for the removal of Armed Forces Special Power Act 1958 from Manipur. Meira Paibis fought vigorously against human rights violation. The uniformed personnel tortured innocent persons inhumanly. There were countless incidents for their ill treatments of the people of Manipur. Few shocking incidents are narrated here.

In 1997, during a routine cordon and search operation, Indian security forces raped a woman , holding her husband at knifepoint outside the room, while her seven year old son, bedridden with polio, witnessed the crime. Hundreds of Meira Paibis protested on the streets of Imphal for months together against the crime.

There were reports of acts of sexual violence, forced killings and other human rights violations committed by the Armed Forces personnel. It is suspected that more than 1528 people were eliminated in extrajudicials killings by the Indian Army in Manipur.

Meira Paibi is a womens association and one of the largest grassroots human rights movement in Manipur. It is the watchdog of civil rights violation at the community level, initiating and engaging in campaigns against human rights violations such as arbitrary detention, cordon, and search operations, tortures committed by the Indian security personnel of the Central Government of India.

Meira Paibi suffered a lot for their gender, and they are not accorded adequate protection. They fought the battle in their own style, that is, non-violent movement.

Activities of Meira Paibis are multifold and numerous in nature. They have been performing unparalleled selfless service for helping the innocent people and for upliftment of the society since 1904, till date which is 120 years of yeomen service for mankind. During such a long period of time, Meira Paibis have suffered countless problems and solved issues at various levels.

Their ability, bravery, determination to face any unprecedented problem is well known to all of us. The activities carried out by them at any given situation and their judgement is unparalleled. Meira Paibis are still performing tremendous tasks in the present conflict situation in Manipur. They are guarding and checking the movements of unwanted list of equipments. They are working round the clock by rotation. If they were not actively involved , the situation would have exploded and been beyond control. They are trying at the best level to end the burning issue. At present Manipur is in turmoil.

Since 03 May 2023, the whole State, Manipur, is in total chaos and just like a lawless place. Curfews were imposed indefinitely. Internet services were shut down for months and cut-off from the rest of the world. Peoples lives are unsafe.

More than 200 youths have been killed. Many persons are still missing. And 50,000 to 60,000 people are living at shelter homes. People are living day to day life. The armed conflict between the two communities is still going on. Nobody knows when the conflict will end.

They are unknown, unsung, unseen womens social reformation movement of the society. They are preserving the customs, traditions and identity of our Meitei society. They are the Guardians and Mothers of our society. It is not possible to write 120 years of social selfless women social movement activities in a few pages.

For this self sacrificing social service of Meira Paibis, who have been battling for human beings safety and security for 120 years, a recognition may be acknowledged by all of us. As such this citation is forwarded for considering the Noble Peace Prize 2024 Award.

I have requested the qualified nominators as per your nomination criteria.

There is NONE in Manipur to forward this citation to your office.

Thus, I, Colonel HAORUNGBAM SARAT SINGH (Retired) Army officer is forwarding this citation. I am a Human Rights Activist & Communist for more than 30 years or so. Guiding and shaping the discipline of the youths of Manipur.


Today

Sunny with gusty winds developing this afternoon. High 68F. NW winds at 5 to 10 mph, increasing to 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.

Tonight

Clear skies. Low around 35F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.

Tomorrow

Mostly sunny skies. High 64F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.
The tune has a deep connection to Neil Finn's support for So They Can, an international non-profit focused on building schools in remote parts of Kenya and Tanzania. "I was inspired by children and thinking how much we need to let them learn and grow in safety and love" Neil says. "Then we could learn from them. There are so many out of view that can be magnificent if only given a microphone and a lightbulb"
Consumers often view their money in the bank as being safe, but they're increasingly losing big bucks in sophisticated banking-related and payment app scams.

One in 5 victims reported losing more than $5,000 as a result of financial exploitation that involved peer-to-peer payment apps, such as Zelle, PayPal and Venmo, according to a new survey released Thursday by AARP.

The speed of such P2P payment transactions makes them attractive for easily splitting costs with friends. But that same speed is proving to be a gold mine for those engaging in fraud. What's worse for consumers: The transactions are generally not reversible.

One doesn't have to look far to find a neighbor, friend or family member who has endured some sort of havoc involving a payment app or their bank accounts.

Earlier this year, I wrote a column about how Andy Cohen, the buzz-generating executive producer of the "Real Housewives" franchise, publicly disclosed that that cyber-crooks made off with his money using three wire transfers out two of his bank accounts. He did not say how much money was lost but indicated it was significant. Scammers engineered the scheme by initially impersonating someone from his bank's fraud department.

Celebrity Andy Cohen says he was hit by a scam where crooks impersonate bank employees. File: Cohen attends iHeartRadio z100's Jingle Ball 2023 Presented By Capital One at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 8, 2023. (Photo by Manny Carabel/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)

In late January, a Troy resident reported losing $4,500 from his credit union account after being hit by scammers, according to a report made to the Troy police.

The man said he was contacted by a suspect posing as a representative of Navy Federal Credit Union.

Earlier, someone had contacted him about another issue, delivery problems with a package. But the man told police he contacted the U.S. Postal Service and was told the delivery issue was fraud, according to Sgt. Ben Hancock, of the Troy Police Department.

After that, he heard from someone impersonating his credit union. The call seemed real and like it could be related to the earlier scam involving the delivery. He ended up buying gift cards to solve some issue that was raised by the person impersonating the credit union.

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The reason given and the amount requested weren't disclosed in the police report.

Later as part of that same scam, the Troy man was tricked into handing over his credit union information. Once the man became suspicious, he contacted his credit union directly. The credit union told him that $4,500 had been withdrawn from his savings account, according to the Troy police report.

The victim reported the fraud, Hancock said, and the credit union will attempt to recover the money.

Hancock said police have seen an uptick in this type of fraud, which often involves using computers or mobile phones to facilitate the scam.

"The best advice we can provide is to never provide gift cards as any form of payment and to never provide your banking information," Hancock said.

Many consumers don't get their money back

The big problem for consumers is that many times they're out of luck when it comes to getting their money back after being hit by cyber-crooks who gain access to their cash through scams involving peer-to-peer apps.

I've written several times in recent years about these complex money app scams that steal significant savings from consumers. While don't-click-on-links warnings to consumers are important, more oversight is needed to fix the loopholes that make stealing money way too easy for scammers.

Jilenne Gunther, the national director of AARP's BankSafe program, said regulators need to look at the concept of shared responsibility  and cost  when it comes to reimbursing consumers who lose money on some complex P2P-related scams.

The fraud can start on social media. Or criminals post fake websites on the internet and make sure those sites pop up at the top when you search for a customer service number or other contact. Instead of contacting a legitimate outfit, you're suddenly dealing with a scammer. Or some telecommunications companies don't properly block calls coming from known scammers.

Many companies, in addition to the money apps, need to be held accountable, Gunther said, for cracking down on fraud in their universe.

"It's really going to take the entire industry to stop this and shut it down. And there needs to be an incentive for them to participate," Gunther said.

Scammers, Gunther said, often try to scare consumers into acting quickly, such as pretending to be from a utility and threatening to shut off their heat in the winter. Or they take advantage of your trust, such as faith in a romantic relationship that developed online or a natural reaction to a text that appears to be from your bank or credit union.

Jilenne Gunther, the national director of AARP's BankSafe program, said consumers want peer-to-peer payment platforms to offer more protection from financial exploitation, and they want to be reimbursed for losing money.

Not many years ago, scammers would direct a victim to go to the bank to withdraw money to put on a gift card. Or trusting relatives would take them to the bank to take advantage of them.

In 2019, AARP launched a new BankSafe training module for bank and credit union employees to prevent financial exploitation at brick-and-mortar branches. The objective is to enable tellers and other front-line staff to better understand a possible problem and take direct action when they suspect a case of financial exploitation.

In some cases, the bank employee takes the customer to another office where the two can discuss whether the customer feels threatened.

Gunther said more than $300 million has been protected as a result of BankSafe training programs.

Now, sophisticated crime rings are able to get your cash using peer-to-peer payment apps and they don't need you to show up at a bank branch to withdraw money.

So, AARP's BankSafe program has expanded, Gunther said, and has already trained employees at PayPal and Venmo to stop some fraudulent transactions on the front lines at call centers.

"No one protection is a silver bullet," she said.

But she maintains that more employee training and consumer education can solve some problems involving P2P platforms, too.

Consumers want more protection for their money

AARP surveyed more than 2,000 adults ages 18 or older in June and July of 2023 to better understand what consumers are facing when it comes to financial exploitation involving peer-to-peer payment platforms.

The report noted that consumers want payment platforms to offer more protection from financial exploitation, including reimbursements, alerts to potential problems, temporary holds on suspicious digital transactions and employee training. Consumers who are 50 and older are even more likely than adults 49 and under to want these services.

How current banking rules don't always fix the problem

Right now, many consumers are often blocked from getting reimbursed in a variety of situations by industry jargon and regulations relating to what's deemed an "authorized" or "unauthorized" transaction.

Peer-to-peer payment apps are protected under federal law from "unauthorized transfers," which would be initiated by someone who does not have authority to do so. The consumer isn't making the transfer and receives no benefit from this transfer.

Typically, you would think many scams would be treated as unauthorized. But banks become far more difficult for consumers to deal with when they have been tricked into giving access to an account, say, by providing codes that are texted during the scam or other key account information.

The AARP report notes that peer-to-peer payment platforms are not responsible for what's called "authorized fraud." That's when perpetrators deceive consumers into transferring money.

The AARP report recommends that government regulators and P2P providers collaborate to "better define the distinctions between these types of fraud and expand reimbursements for authorized fraud."

In late June, Zelle expanded protection to some fraudulently induced transfers by requiring 2,100 bank and credit union participants to reimburse consumers for "qualifying imposter scams," according to a statement from a spokesperson for Early Warning Services, the network provider of Zelle. Specifics on what's covered as an "imposter scam" were not disclosed.

"The reimbursement policy pertains to certain imposter scams like when a criminal could be posing as an institution you already do business with, such as your bank, mobile phone or utility provider," the spokesperson for Early Warning Services said. Qualifying criteria applies.

The change, according to the spokesperson, "ensures consistency across our network and goes beyond legal requirements."

In November, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said it wants to be able to supervise the largest payment platforms that are not run by traditional banks to make sure these digital wallets and payment apps follow applicable federal consumer financial protection laws.

Financial fraud can be devastating for victims," according to a statement sent to the Free Press by a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau spokesperson

"The CFPB is working to prevent further harm by ensuring that financial institutions are living up to their obligations to the law and to their customers. Payment networks and financial institutions should do everything they can to ensure their networks are not facilitating fraud  including kicking fraudsters off their services, investing in the appropriate technology, and coordinating closely to ensure that problems are resolved quickly.

We're dealing with tech and customer support scams, romance scams, job scams and more that can involve P2P payments. The crooks "take advantage of victims unfamiliarity with technology, online banking and newer payment methods, like cryptocurrency, to quickly take as much money as possible," according to a report by the Federal Bureau of Investigations Internet Crime Complaint Center.

On Feb. 1, the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee held a hearing on "Examining Scams and Fraud in the Banking System and Their Impact on Consumers."

Carla Sanchez-Adams, a senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center, gave testimony noting that "consumers are plagued by problems with unauthorized transactions as well as fraudulently induced transactions over peer-to-peer payment applications, bank-to-bank wire transfers, check alterations and forgeries, and Electronic Benefits Transfer card skimming."

Warning to consumers, she said, are insufficient, given the increasing sophistication of fraud schemes.

She said it's essential to address the current gaps and ambiguities in the Electronic Funds Transfer Act that leave consumers unprotected.

Some problems could be addressed by rulemaking or guidance from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, she said, but added that "Congressional action would be faster and less subject to challenge."

Right now, consumers, unfortunately, cannot simply hope that they'll easily get their money back in many cases. They need to take action as quickly as possible, though, because some losses are covered and some changes, including those made by Zelle, now work in the customer's favor.

If you spot an unauthorized transfer on your peer-to-peer account, you should contact the company and dispute the authorized transfer, according to Lauren Saunders, associate director for the National Consumer Law Center.

If the money came out of a linked bank account due to peer-to-peer transfers that you did not authorize, she said, you can contact either your bank or payment platform, and should probably do both.

The company has 10 days to respond to your complaint, Saunders noted, and then they must restore the money if it was not authorized. Or they can take up to 45 days but need to give you a provisional credit in the meantime.

If you're dealing with a lost or stolen debit card or PIN, you should report it within two business days of when you discover it is missing. If you do that, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau notes that you will limit your losses to $50 or less, no matter how much is charged to your card.

If you notify your bank or credit union after two business days about the lost or stolen debit card, you could be responsible for up to $500 in unauthorized transactions.

When it comes to those "authorized" transactions connected with a scam or fraud, you should still report it and seek to get your money back, if you can.

If you're having trouble getting your money, you can submit a complaint online or call the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau toll-free at 1-855-411-2372.

Consumers affected by a criminal wire fraud scheme, according to the CFPB, should contact state or federal law enforcement, including their state attorney general, as well as the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

It's unsettling when you realize how easily criminals have been able to pull off some of these schemes. And, it's clearly not enough to put all the blame on the consumer.

Contact personal finance columnist Susan Tompor: stompor@freepress.com. Follow her on X (Twitter) @tompor.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Consumers lose money in Venmo, Zelle, PayPal app scams
In a major breakthrough, the Special Task Force (STF) of the Bengal Police has uncovered an intricate web of fraud involving the illegal sale of OTPs (One-Time Passwords) on WhatsApp. The alleged culprits were apprehended following a complaint filed in Murshidabad. The scam, known for its sophisticated operations, is believed to have international links, extending to Pakistan and China. The accused persons are accused of creating a network where they clone SIM cards, generate OTPs, and then sell them through WhatsApp or Telegram, facilitating unauthorized access to personal information.

The investigation began after multiple reports of mobile-based financial fraud emerged, prompting the STF to take action. The victims, primarily from Murshidabad, Hooghly and East Burdwan districts, fell prey to the scam, resulting in the arrest of nine individuals, two weeks ago.

Gaurav Sharma, a key player in the illegal trade, was arrested from Himachal Pradesh, and the STF, in collaboration with local police, executed the operation successfully. Sources reveal that Sharma sourced OTPs from various online service providers and conducted transactions using the UPI (Unified Payments Interface) method, connecting with individuals in Pakistan and China. The accused are suspected of employing SIM card cloning techniques to gather OTPs easily, exploiting vulnerabilities in the system. While some individuals were involved in SIM cloning, others focused on selling OTPs, indicating a well-coordinated effort to exploit technology. The STF is coordinating with law enforcement agencies from other states to determine the full extent of the network.

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Sharmas arrest sheds light on the international dimension of the operation, raising concerns about the security of personal information in the digital age. The police advise caution against SIM cloning and OTP trading, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and cybersecurity measures. The investigation is ongoing and Gaurav Sharma is set to appear in the Berhampore court on Tuesday.
A Tesla Inc. Megapack battery system recently led the state of Hawaii to bid farewell to its last coal power plant, ushering in a new era powered by clean, renewable energy. The system, called the Kapolei Energy Storage (KES), is now operational on the west side of Oahu, Hawaii, signaling the end of an era dominated by polluting power sources.

Driving Hawaii's Clean Energy Goals

Owned and operated by Plus Power, this groundbreaking project represents the pinnacle of grid-scale battery energy storage technology, boasting unparalleled specifications and capabilities. With a capacity of 135 megawatts (MW) and 540 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy, the system also has additional features like fast frequency response and black start capabilities. Its implementation facilitates an additional 10% of new utility-scale renewables beyond what previous models from Hawaiian Electric predicted.

KES sits on 8 acres in Kapolei, Oahu. Approved by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission in May 2021, it is now operational and serves as a crucial replacement for the last coal-fired plant. Supporting Hawaiis transition to 100% renewable energy by 2045, KES garnered unanimous support from the local community and received the necessary permits.

Jim Alberts, senior vice president and chief operations officer of Hawaiian Electric, said in a press release, "KES is an important part of a portfolio of resources that work together to provide reliability and energy security on Oahus isolated island grid. Energy storage technology that responds quickly to constantly changing conditions is an essential tool for us to use to manage the grid and operate it as efficiently as possible.

Tesla's Megapack Pushing Out Coal

The Megapack ensures grid stability and resilience. Its innovative design enables seamless integration of renewable energy sources, facilitating the transition toward a sustainable energy future. By storing excess energy during periods of low demand and delivering it when needed most, the Megapack plays a pivotal role in optimizing energy usage and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. It's a testament to Teslas commitment to revolutionizing the energy sector with innovative, eco-friendly solutions.

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This transitions significance extends beyond Hawaiis shores, resonating with global efforts to mitigate climate change. As coal plants across the United States shutter, the rise of clean energy sites heralds a shift toward a sustainable future. The affordability and accessibility of renewable energy sources incentivize homeowners and energy producers to embrace greener alternatives,

Key stakeholders involved in the realization of this project express their pride and optimism for the future. Mark Glick, Hawaii's chief energy officer, lauds the states leadership in the clean energy transition.

This project provides another example of Hawaiis leadership in the clean energy transition," Glick said. "The grid modernization strategies employed by Plus Power support a cleaner, more reliable and more affordable energy system.

Brandon Keefe, Plus Powers executive chairman, encapsulates the sentiment surrounding this historic moment, describing it as a landmark milestone in the transition to clean energy.

"It's the first time a battery has been used by a major utility to balance the grid: providing fast frequency response, synthetic inertia and black start," Keefe said. "This project is a postcard from the future  batteries will soon be providing these services, at scale, on the mainland."

Photo Honolulu beach, courtesy of Maureen Meehan

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When the Hill-based Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), a close ally of the NDA, is politically working with the BJP, the Congress may beg votes from the Hill people highlighting the dream of founder GNLF president the Late Subash Ghisingh.

According to political observers, apparently there is no ray of hope for seat adjustment between the Congress and the Trinamul Congress, the former will field its candidate for Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat showcasing the Sixth Schedule status to fulfil Ghisinghs dream.

Observers have come to the conclusion following the speech of Congress Leader of Opposition Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in the Parliament on the issue of the Sixth Schedule.

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Mr Chowdhury drew the attention of the Union home minister Amit Shah, especially yesterday, describing the issue as a long-standing demand of the Hill people.

Mr Chowdhury raised the issue of Ladakh and the problem of Darjeeling Hills.

Notably, the Gorkha leader as well as the general secretary of Pradesh Congress, Binoy Tamang, who had joined hands with the Trinamul Congress allegedly betraying Bimal Gurung during 104-day-long agitation, said, On behalf of the Gorkhas and the Darjeeling Hills, I express my sincere gratitude to the Leader of Oppositions in Parliament Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. The Congress party is the party that always supports the Gorkhas, Darjeeling Hills, Siliguri Terai, and Dooars.

As in the past, in future as well, the Congress and its top leaders will definitely raise the voice for the constitutional and political justice of the Gorkhas and the regions as a whole for finding out solutions  we are confident, Mr Tamang added.

Notably, Mr Ghisinghs last dream was that the DGHC (Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council) should have come under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Significantly, as Ghisingh was trying hard to obtain the Sixth Schedule status for the Hill, finally this issue had split his party and his close associates, led by Bimal Gurung and Roshan Giri, who started demanding a separate setup for Gorkhaland during the Left regime in West Bengal.

Interestingly, both the GNLF president Mann Ghishing and Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha president (GJMM) Bimal Gurung extended their support to the BJP on the issue of permanent political solution (PPS) ahead of Lok Sabha Polls in 2019.

But very significantly, not only the anti-BJP forces but also Bimal Gurung himself frequently asks, Where is PPS?

On this issue, the Darjeeling MP Raju Bista has recently said, While the Congress has only diverted and deceived, the BJP is committed to justice for the people of the North Bengal region. Let there be no doubt, the BJP stands for progress, equality, and genuine representation for the people.

It is the BJP-led government that is working towards granting Schedule Tribe Status to the 11 left-out Gorkha sub-tribes and constitutional solution for our region, Mr Bista added.
A massive fire broke out at an administrative building of the Central Dairy in Milk Colony in Belgachia today. The fire broke out at a building that was close to a plastic packet manufacturing unit of the dairy in Milk Colony.

At least 12 engines were rushed to the spot to douse the flames.

The fire broke out this afternoon and a vast stretch of the area was covered in thick black smoke. The state fire and emergency services minister Sujit Bose rushed to the spot to take a note of the fire fighting process. Our firemen are trying to douse the flames from three points. This is the administrative building where the fire has occurred. The fire had started from some inflammable substances like plastic. Fire has been arrested from inside to a great extent. But the entire fire would take some time to bring under control because of the presence of plastic, said Mr Bose.

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The shooting flames allegedly triggered panic among the workers and the local residents. A section of workers claimed that a major number of his fellow staff was away attending a political programme and the factory had a skeletal presence of employees. Considering the fact, some of the workers also alleged sabotage behind the devastating fire demanding an investigation into the matter.
Springdales School, Dhaula Kuan on Thursday celebrated the International Childrens Festival in the Rajni Kumar Hall of Peace and Friendship at the school premises.

The festival which is held every year in memory of schools founder Y Kumar, celebrates the essence of the school motto Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam  The World is a family and is a dedication to the ideals of internationalism and a better future for our planet.

Johannes Hober, Cultural Counsellor, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, graced the occasion.

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Speaking on the occasion, Hober said exposure to language and culture leads to empathy which in turn builds meaningful connections.

Considering youth as the architect of hope and future, the Cultural Counsellor hopes that the spirit of peace and friendship continues to inspire us for the betterment of mankind.

Earlier, Jyoti Bose, Director of Springdales Schools in her address, affirmed that the festival reiterates the necessity of World Peace amidst an ever-

increasing division amongst people with xenophobia and the negation of human rights.

Emphasizing on the need to recognize and value diversity, Dr Bose said, At Springdales we build reservoirs of hope by multiplying our efforts in human welfare, peace and respect for others.

The versatile choir of the school spread the fragrance and hues of world culture through their musical rendition of songs in Bulgarian, Spanish and French languages. The students from the Pusa Road unit of the school envisioned an Earth, where humanity will win through their presentation of German song Mein Lied.

During the programme, an appealing and comprehensive power-point presentation Quest for Peace traced the significant milestones in the schools quest for International Understanding.

The finale by the seniors of Springdales School, Dhaula Kuan entitled Our hope for the future emphasized the need to live in a spirit of brotherhood and

togetherness so that our shared future is one of peace and harmony.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor Swaminathan Janakiraman on Thursday said that the action against the Paytm Payments Bank was a result of the persistent non-compliance of regulatory norms.

This is a supervisory action on a regulated entity for persistent non-compliance, he said.

The RBI said that sufficient time was given to Paytm for compliance and the regulatory action was taken after it failed to comply with the rules.

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We give sufficient time to every entity to comply and sometimes more than sufficient time to the entities for compliance. If they would comply, why would a regulator like us would have to take action? RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said at a press conference.

Last week, the Reserve Bank has ordered Paytm Payments Bank to stop accepting new deposits in its accounts and digital wallets with effect from February 29. The central bank also barred the entity from onboarding new customers.

When such constructive engagement does not work or when the regulated entity doesnt take effective action, we go for imposing supervisory or business restrictions, Das said.

The RBI clarification came two days after Paytm founder and chief executive officer Vijay Shekhar Sharma met RBI officials and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in order to seek some respite.

However, according to reports, Sitharaman told Sharma that this was a regulatory action and that the government cannot anything to help the company.

Meanwhile, a group of startup founders and CEO has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and RBI Governor Das, saying the action could have far-reaching consequences for the FinTech ecosystem in the country.

RBIs current, seemingly punitive, regulations levied against Paytm Payments Bank could have far-reaching and detrimental consequences for the entire FinTech ecosystem. The recent directives also impact millions of users of Paytm Payments Bank and such harshness needs to be re-evaluated to safeguard the best interests of customers and merchants, the letter stated.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has approved the proposal to nominate the district magistrates as Responsible Sanitation Authority (RSA) in their respective jurisdiction and to establish Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSU) to ensure elimination of hazardous manual cleaning of sewers, septic tanks and drains.

The proposal of the Urban Development Department of the GNCTD was received at the LG Secretariat on the last week of January 2024 despite the fact that Government of India and the Prime Minister himself had also reviewed the progress made on the issue on 2nd June 2, 2022, and the Administrative Department, GNCTD submitting a status report in this regard, the LG office said in a communique on Thursday.

To effectively address the menace of manual scavenging and addressing the needs of one of the most marginalized sections of the society, a Group of Ministers (GoM), set up by the Government of India in its meeting held on 19th February, 2020, had decided that DMs in every district should be designated as the RSA with the role and responsibility clearly defined as per the provisions of The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation (PEMSR) Act, 2013, it said.

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The LG office said further, through an e-mail dated 20th May, 2022, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs informed that that the UT Government was bound by directives of the GoM which stated that each Distinct Magistrate/DC will be nominated as the RSA and there will be an ERSU in each district and an additional ERSU in district which caters to only the sanitation needs of any Municipal Corporation within the district.

It was also informed that Delhi Jal Board (DJB) as parastatal can provide its dedicated holding of each type of manpower and machinery earmarked/prioritized for working for this purpose in the territorial jurisdiction of each district separately, it said.

After receipt of the e-mail dated 20th May, 2022 the UD Department, GNCTD made modification in the notification to nominate DM as RSA and submitted the instant proposal to the then Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in June 2022 which remained with him till February 2023, the LG office said.

It further said, The file remained pending for more than a year and a request was made to the current (Delhi) UD Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj on 19th September, 2023, to expedite the matter. After four months, the minister (UD) cleared the proposal on 19th January, and subsequently by the Chief Minister before it reached the Raj Niwas on 24th January.
Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi on Thursday said the final budget of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) was passed in the House with a focus on development, making the city clean, welfare of the youth and establishing a solid health and education system.

According to Shelly Oberoi, Rs 1,000 crore has been allocated to the maintenance of roads, Rs 400 crore for waste management, Rs 500 crore for the development of the wards while Rs 1,500 will be given by the Delhi government to take care of salaries of teachers, while Rs 15 crore has been allocated for the betterment of cow shelters in the city.

Oberoi said for the first time a budget was passed which lays emphasis on making the city clean.

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There will be double entry accrual accounting for transparency into the finances of the MCD.

The MCD will use Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the maintenance of the roads, the Mayor said, adding that the civic body will put an end to illegal parking in the city.

The final budget was presented by the leader of the house and passed in the MCD, albeit in absence of the Commissioner.

A total income of Rs 15,686.99 crore and expenditure of Rs 16,683.01 was approved by the House for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Director Edward Zwick has reflected on directing Brad Pitt, 60, in Legends of the Fall.

In his upcoming memoir, Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions: My Forty something Years in Hollywood, the Blood Diamond director wrote that the 1994 film was in limbo after Tom Cruise, who was in talks to play Tristan Ludlow, dropped out due to issues with the characters ethics.

In an excerpt from his upcoming memoir, the director wrote, I never gave up hope on getting Legends made, however, and was always looking for the right actor to play Tristan, reports People magazine.

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The excerpt has been published by Vanity Fair. After meeting with Brad Pitt, Zwick observed that he had a genuine passion for the script and a strong attraction to the character.

Growing up in rural Missouri, he had known men like Tristan, he said. When he left the meeting, I felt I had found the right actor. I was more determined than ever to push it over the line, Zwick wrote. According to Zwick, Pitts feelings about the film changed after a table read.

As per People, he recalled Pitts agent calling the studio saying he wanted to quit and producer Marshall Herskovitz talking him off the ledge.

Zwick wrote that it was the first augury of the deeper springs of emotion roiling inside Brad, expressing that he could be volatile when riled.

Sometimes, no matter how experienced or sensitive you are as a director, things just arent working, wrote Zwick. You think the actor is being oppositional, while he finds you dictatorial. Some actors have problems with authority, but just as many directors are threatened when intelligent actors ask challenging questions that reveal their lack of preparation. Both are right and both are wrong.
Cecilia Gentili, a prominent transgender activist known for her role in the FX series Pose, has passed away at the age of 52. The sad news was shared on Tuesday via a heartfelt statement posted on her Instagram account, where she was described as our beloved Cecilia Gentili, now watching over us in spirit. The post respectfully requested privacy to allow time and space for grieving.

GLAAD, a leading LGBTQ+ advocacy group, also confirmed Gentilis passing, hailing her as a pillar in the trans community. According to GLAAD, Gentili, who hailed from Argentina, bravely came out as transgender in 1984 and sought asylum in the United States in 2012.

Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cecilia Gentili (@ceciliagentili72)

In addition to her acting career, Gentili believed in advocacy work. She co-founded Decrim NY, a coalition dedicated to the decriminalization, decarceration, and destigmatization of sex work. Moreover, she established the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, which provides vital healthcare services to LGBTQ communities in New York, regardless of their financial circumstances. Notably, Cecilias Occupational Inclusion Network within the center also offered free healthcare to sex workers.

Gentilis commitment to community service extended to her involvement with organizations such as The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center and the APICHA Community Health Center, both based in New York City.

In her literary pursuits, Gentili penned a memoir titled Faltas: Letters to Everyone in My Hometown Who Isnt My Rapist, which garnered acclaim, including the prestigious American Library Associations Stonewall Book Award in 2023. Additionally, she ventured into solo performance with her show Red Ink, scheduled to return to The Public Theater in New York City this April.

Cecilia Gentilis legacy as a trailblazer in the LGBTQ+ community and a tireless advocate for marginalized groups will continue to inspire and resonate for years to come. Her contributions to activism, healthcare, and the arts leave an indelible mark on the world.
Mojo Nixon, the spirited musician recognized for his quirky tunes like Elvis Is Everywhere, passed away at the age of 66 while aboard the Outlaw Country Cruise, where he was a familiar face as both a performer and co-host. His real name, Neill Kirby McMillan Jr., might not have been as widely known as his stage moniker, but his impact on the music scene was significant.

His family confirmed his passing due to a cardiac event, expressing their sentiments on Facebook, stating, Mojo Nixon was full-tilt, wide-open rock hard, root hog, corner on two wheels + on fire How you live is how you should die. They painted a vivid picture of his final moments, describing him after a blazing show, a raging night, closing the bar, taking no prisoners + a good breakfast with bandmates and friends.

Born in North Carolina and later moving to Virginia, Nixons musical journey took him through Ohio, England, and eventually to Denver, where he kickstarted his career in a punk band called Zebra 123. His migration to San Diego led him to join forces with Country Dick Montanas group, the Snuggle Bunnies, which marked the beginning of his rise to prominence.

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Nixons breakthrough arrived with his 1987 album Bo-Day-Shus!!!, featuring the iconic track Elvis Is Everywhere. The songs catchy beats and humorous lyrics caught the attention of music enthusiasts, earning Nixon a spot on The Arsenio Hall Show, where he captivated the audience with his energetic performance, complete with cardboard Elvis masks.

Throughout his career, Nixons irreverent style and satirical songs made waves, with titles like Don Henley Must Die and Debbie Gibson Is Pregnant With My Two-Headed Love Child showcasing his unique perspective on pop culture. Collaborations with notable figures like Jello Biafra further solidified his status as a trailblazer in the alternative music scene.

As fans mourn the loss of Mojo Nixon, his legacy lives on through his music, which continues to inspire and entertain audiences worldwide. From his rebellious spirit to his fearless approach to creativity, Nixon will be remembered as an icon who dared to challenge conventions and make a lasting impact on the world of music.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday announced the names of candidates for three Lok Sabha seats in Assam for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Talking to the mediapersons at the party headquarters, Aam Aadmi Partys Rajya Sabha MP and Organization General Secretary Dr. Sandeep Pathak said, Today we are announcing candidates for three Lok Sabha seats in Assam. Manoj Dhanover from Dibrugarh Lok Sabha seat, Bhaben Chaudhary from Guwahati Lok Sabha seat, Rishiraj from Sonitpur Lok Sabha seat will be the candidates of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

We will start an election campaign on these three Lok Sabha seats as soon as possible, he said.

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We hope that the INDIA alliance will accept this and extend its support to the AAP candidates on these seats. We are fighters and we go to the polls not to fight but to win. The purpose of forming an alliance is to win the elections, that is why everything should happen in a time bound manner, the AAP leader said.

Dr. Pathak further said talks regarding seat sharing have been going on for a long time.

We must take this conversation to a conclusion as soon as possible. The Aam Aadmi Party will remain a part of the India alliance with full honesty and strength, the AAP leader said.

AAP will follow the dharma of alliance. The date of Lok Sabha elections has almost been decided. A few months are left for the Lok Sabha elections, in such a short time we must prepare for the elections and contest the elections. We have formed an alliance to win the elections and to win the elections the names of the candidates will have to be announced, he said.

The AAP Organisation General Secretary said, We are in talks regarding seat sharing in other states. I hope and request that this dialogue will be completed as soon as possible. If we keep talking only, then when will we contest elections?

Dr. Pathak further said while the party will go alone in Punjab, it is in talks regarding seat sharing in Delhi.

We are a responsible and understanding partner of the INDIA alliance. For Punjab, the state units of Aam Aadmi Party and Congress had agreed that both the parties would contest elections separately in the state. In Punjab, Aam Aadmi Party and Congress will contest Lok Sabha elections separately and there will be no alliance there, he said.

Dr. Pathak expressed his desire for an early seat sharing as the Lok Sabha polls are nearing fast.

The way the deadline for Lok Sabha elections has been fixed, the time limit for seat sharing should also be fixed in the same manner. Seat sharing talks with the constituent parties of the INDIA alliance should be completed as soon as possible. The sooner the decision regarding seat sharing is taken, the sooner preparations for the elections can be started. India alliance will contest elections with full strength, he said.
It's common for many investors, especially those who are inexperienced, to buy shares in companies with a good story even if these companies are loss-making. Sometimes these stories can cloud the minds of investors, leading them to invest with their emotions rather than on the merit of good company fundamentals. Loss-making companies are always racing against time to reach financial sustainability, so investors in these companies may be taking on more risk than they should.

So if this idea of high risk and high reward doesn't suit, you might be more interested in profitable, growing companies, like Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI). While profit isn't the sole metric that should be considered when investing, it's worth recognising businesses that can consistently produce it.

See our latest analysis for Motorola Solutions

How Quickly Is Motorola Solutions Increasing Earnings Per Share?

The market is a voting machine in the short term, but a weighing machine in the long term, so you'd expect share price to follow earnings per share (EPS) outcomes eventually. That means EPS growth is considered a real positive by most successful long-term investors. Impressively, Motorola Solutions has grown EPS by 30% per year, compound, in the last three years. As a general rule, we'd say that if a company can keep up that sort of growth, shareholders will be beaming.

One way to double-check a company's growth is to look at how its revenue, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins are changing. The good news is that Motorola Solutions is growing revenues, and EBIT margins improved by 3.1 percentage points to 25%, over the last year. Both of which are great metrics to check off for potential growth.

The chart below shows how the company's bottom and top lines have progressed over time. Click on the chart to see the exact numbers.

Fortunately, we've got access to analyst forecasts of Motorola Solutions' future profits. You can do your own forecasts without looking, or you can take a peek at what the professionals are predicting.

Story continues

Are Motorola Solutions Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

Owing to the size of Motorola Solutions, we wouldn't expect insiders to hold a significant proportion of the company. But we are reassured by the fact they have invested in the company. Indeed, they have a considerable amount of wealth invested in it, currently valued at US$162m. We note that this amounts to 0.3% of the company, which may be small owing to the sheer size of Motorola Solutions but it's still worth mentioning. So despite their percentage holding being low, company management still have plenty of reasons to deliver the best outcomes for investors.

Should You Add Motorola Solutions To Your Watchlist?

For growth investors, Motorola Solutions' raw rate of earnings growth is a beacon in the night. With EPS growth rates like that, it's hardly surprising to see company higher-ups place confidence in the company through continuing to hold a significant investment. On the balance of its merits, solid EPS growth and company insiders who are aligned with the shareholders would indicate a business that is worthy of further research. However, before you get too excited we've discovered 2 warning signs for Motorola Solutions that you should be aware of.

There's always the possibility of doing well buying stocks that are not growing earnings and do not have insiders buying shares. But for those who consider these important metrics, we encourage you to check out companies that do have those features. You can access a tailored list of companies which have demonstrated growth backed by recent insider purchases.

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

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 Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Thursday, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved six projects of the Ministry of Railways with an estimated total cost of Rs 12,343 crore (approximately) with 100 per cent funding from the Central Government.

The multi-tracking proposals will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing the much-required infrastructural development on the busiest sections across Indian Railways.

The projects are in line with Prime Minister Modis vision of a New India which will make people of the region Atmanirbhar by way of comprehensive development in the area which will enhance their employment/ self-employment opportunities.

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The six projects covering 18 districts in six states, Rajasthan, Assam, Telangana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Nagaland, will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by 1020 kms and will provide employment of about three crore man-days to the people of the states.

The projects are result of PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-model connectivity which have been possible through integrated planning and will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services.

These are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as food grains, food commodities, fertilizers, coal, cement, iron, steel, fly-ash, clinker, limestone, POL, container, etc.

The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 87 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum).

The Railways being environment friendly and energy efficient mode of transportation will help both in achieving climate goals and minimising logistics cost of the country, reduce oil import and lower CO2 emissions.
In a fresh attack on the Modi Government, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accused the Centre of unleashing all its agencies against him as if he is the biggest terrorist in the country.

Speaking at a function in Dwarka here on Thursday, the AAP convener said in recent times, scores of allegations have been made and cases registered against him with all the agencies like the ED and the Delhi Police after him.

You must have been seeing in the newspapers that Kejriwal has received an ED notice, a CBI notice, a Delhi Police notice. They have unleashed all the agencies against me as if I am the biggest terrorist, he said.

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Taking a dig at the Centre, the AAP chief said while everyone comes on the Earth with a purpose, he has come to work for the people, making schools, and doing other such things, while the purpose of the ruling dispensation at Centre is to level false allegations and foist cases against him.

He further said he would be launching a doorstep delivery scheme for ration in Punjab, which the party could not do in Delhi as the Centre stopped them from doing so.

Kejriwal pointed out that the AAP Government gave free electricity and provided free medical treatment and education to the people of Delhi.

The Delhi CM also said he had been labelled corrupt and a thief, despite all the good things that he and his party have been doing for the people.The more they try to stop us, the more work we will deliver, today we are laying the foundation of a new school in Dwarka, Kejriwal said.

Every ounce of my body and every drop of my blood is dedicated to the nation, Delhi CM asserted.
The wait is over for book lovers in the national capital as the stage is set for the New Delhi World Book Fair which will commence on February 11 at Pragati Maidan and conclude on February 18.

Organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), India, the mega event is expected to witness a 25 per cent increase in footfall compared to the previous year, NBT Director Yuvraj Malik said.

Briefing the media on Thursday, NBT said that Saudi Arabia has been designated as the guest of honor for this years event. Representatives from countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Turkey, Italy, Russia, Taiwan, Iran, UAE, Austria, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and several others, will also take part in the World Book Fair.

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A specially designed pavilion for children will focus on enhancing communication skills. Workshops covering topics like news writing, script writing, story writing, animation story development, and others, have also been planned for children.

Participants, particularly children, will also have the opportunity to take part in panel discussions and engage themselves in public-speaking activities.

The event will also showcase cultural programmes from Saudi Arabia. More than seven publishers from the guest of honour countries will participate in the book fair.

According to NBT, the entry ticket price for adults is Rs 20 and for children Rs 10. Entry will be free for school children in uniform and those on school-organised tours, Divyang jan (persons with disabilities), and senior citizens.

The timing of the book fair is 11 am to 8 pm.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has announced the complimentary distribution of Exam Warriors, a book authored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to students in grades 9th to 12th, starting from the upcoming academic session.

On Tuesday, the corridors of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly resonated with youthful vigor as students from the tribal-dominated Jashpur district, fresh from their educational voyage to eminent institutions like ISRO and IIT Madras, experienced the legislative proceedings for the first time.

Guided by the vision to ignite a passion for science and technology among students,

Chief Minister Sai facilitated the enlightening journey of students from Jashpur to ISRO and IIT Madras.

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Representing various schools including Swami Atmanand English Medium School, Pathalgaon, Bagicha, and Jashpur, Sankalp Shikshan Sansthan Kunkuri, and Higher Secondary Girls School Bagicha, these students embarked on a captivating exploration of space research and technical innovation.

During their interaction with Chief Minister Sai, students conveyed their delight at the enriching experiences garnered during their visits to ISRO and IIT-Madras.

They recounted their awe-inspiring encounters with space technology at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota and the insightful immersion into the heritage and achievements of IIT Madras.

The initiative received commendation from School Education Minister Brijmohan Agrawal, who emphasized the transformative potential of such educational escapades.

He underscored the significance of broadening students horizons beyond conventional academics, nurturing holistic development, and fostering a spirit of inquiry among them.

Capturing memorable moments with Chief Minister Sai, the students expressed gratitude for the opportunity to witness democracy in action and engage with visionary leaders.

As they departed from the hallowed halls of the Legislative Assembly, they carried them not only cherished memories but also a renewed zeal to pursue knowledge and contribute to the progress of their communities and the nation at large.
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday announced its decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime between India and Myanmar to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of Indias north eastern states bordering Myanmar.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a social media post, said, It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi Jis resolve to secure our borders, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided that the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar be scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of Indias North Eastern States bordering Myanmar. Since the Ministry of External Affairs is currently in the process of scrapping it, the MHA has recommended the immediate suspension of the FMR.

Manipur, which has witnessed ethnic clashes since May last year, has been constantly demanding scrapping of the FMR that allows citizens on both sides of the India-Myanmar international border to travel up to 16 km into the other country without any travel document.

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The FMR has been attributed as a factor of illegal immigration in the state as it enables individuals to cross over from Myanmar and allegedly acquire Indian citizenship through fraudulent means and to avail benefits that are meant for the Scheduled Tribes (ST) of Manipur under the Indian constitution.

India shares a 1,643-km long border with Myanmar. Four northeast states  Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal  share international borders with the neighbouring country. While Manipur shares a 398-km long border with Myanmar, Mizoram shares 510 km, Nagaland 215 km and Arunachal Pradesh 520 km.

Along with illegal immigration, these porous borders and the FMR also pose a threat to illegal activities like smuggling of various contraband items from Myanmar to India.
The World Defence Show (WDS) 2024, currently being held in Riyadh, witnessed Tri-Service women representation, a testament to the governments vision of leveraging Nari Shakti across domains.

Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth, Colonel Ponung Doming and Lieutenant Commander Annu Prakash represented the armed forces in the various seminars of the WDS 2024 especially in the International Women in Defence themed events.

On Wednesday, Squadron Leader Kanth, a fighter pilot from the Indian Air Force, took centre stage as a panelist at the seminar titled International Women in Defence  Investing in an Inclusive Future, hosted by Saudi Ambassador to the United States Princess Reema bint Bandar Al-Saud.

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She shared her inspiring journey of breaking barriers and soaring through the skies, thus becoming a part of the revered fighter pilot club in India. Her insights on leadership, resilience and the evolving role of women in modern warfare resonated with the diverse audience, who were impressed to know about her journey. She is the first woman fighter pilot to take part in the Republic Day Parade (2021). She also participated in the Republic Day 2024 Flypast.

Colonel Ponung Doming from the Indian Army is the first woman officer to command the worlds highest Border Task Force located above 15,000 feet in the Northern sector with multiple firsts to her credit in over 20 years of service. She has been at the forefront of many challenging assignments being an Engineering officer.

Lieutenant Commander Annu Prakash of the Indian Navy brought her expertise in maritime security and operations to the forefront. Her participation underscored the crucial role women play in safeguarding Indias vast coastline and ensuring regional stability. Her presence at the event helped in fostering stronger ties and collaboration between India and other nations in the maritime domain
Indian military personnel stationed in Maldives will be replaced by competent Indian technical personnel, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said at a weekly press conference on Thursday.

I would like to say that the present personnel will be replaced by competent Indian technical personnel, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

After pro-China Mohamed Muizzu came to power, Maldives has asked India to withdraw its military personnel from the archipelagic state by March 15.

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On February 2, a high-level core group formed by the two countries to finalise the troops withdrawal had met for the second time and agreed to find a mutually workable solutions for operating the three aircraft  ALH helicopters and a Dornier aircraft.

While India has not announced any deadline, the Maldivian foreign ministry said that military personnel operating one of the three aircraft will be replaced by March 10 and the entire process will be completed by May 10.

Earlier in January, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, the public policy secretary at the Maldivian Presidents Office had said, Indian military personnel cannot stay in the Maldives. This is the policy of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and that of this administration.

Soon after being elected as the president, Muizzu had asked India to withdraw its troops from the archipelagic state.

The development comes in the backdrop of a diplomatic row between India and Maldive over derogatory remarks against PM Modi by some of Muizzu governments ministers.

It also came just days after Muizzu returned from China. The new Maldivian president is perceived to be pro-China.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Kochi on Wednesday found Palakkad resident Riyas Aboobacker guilty of planning to carry out suicide attacks in Kerala in 2016.

Riyas Aboobacker (34) was found guilty under IPCs Section 120 (b) for conspiracy, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) Section 30 for having membership of a terrorist organisation and section 39 for giving support to terrorist organisations. The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on Thursday.

Riyas Aboobacker was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2019 as a part of the probe against 14 persons from Kasaragod district, who joined Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) in 2016.

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As many as 22 witnesses, 37 documents and one material object were examined by the court during the trial of the case.

The investigation revealed that Riyas Aboobacker was inspired by Amal-Istishhadi and was planning a fidayeen attack at a religious place in Kerala.

He was in touch with Keralites, who joined ISIS in Afghanistan and his handlers in Afghanistan inspired him for a suicide attack.

He was following radical speeches of Sri Lankan Easter Sunday bomb blast mastermind Zaharan Hashim and preacher Zakir Naik.

Earlier, two persons were also convicted in the same case. First, a Bihar native Yasmeen Mohammed Zahid who attempted to reach Afghanistan, was sentenced to seven years imprisonment by the NIA Court in 2018.

Later, in 2021 the court awarded five-year imprisonment to Kalpetta native Nashidul Hamzafar, who was deported from Afghanistan after being caught there while attempting to cross the border from Iran in 2017.
After Shiv Sena Uddhav Thackeray faction leader Abhishek Ghosalkar was shot dead on Thursday, party leader Sanjay Raut alleged there is Goonda Raj (rule of goons) in Maharashtra and demanded resignation from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

In a post on X in Marathi, Raut wrote, Maharashtra Gooda Raj! Morish Narohna, who shot Abhishek Ghosalkar four days ago, was at the bungalow. The Chief Minister met him.

Ghosalkar was reportedly shot three times while he was live on Facebook and was taken to Karuna Hospital in Borivali where doctors declared him dead.

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Morrish was invited to join the Shinde Sena! Fadnavis is a complete failure as Home Minister! Resign!, Raut added.

The incident comes just days after a sitting BJP MLA opened fire at Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) leader inside a police station at Ulhasnagar, raising serious questions over law and order situation in the Maharashtra.

According to purported video of the incident, Ghosalkar is heard talking about resolution of differences between him and the shooter. As soon as he stands up and asked him to join him outside, the shooter, not visible in the short viral video clip, fired multiple shots.

The first bullet appeared to hit him at above the abdomen, and the other between neck and right shoulder. Around two more bullets were fired as he moved out of the camera frame.

The incident has triggered severe criticism of the Shinde government and the Opposition Congress has also questioned the prevailing law and order situation in the state.

The death of former corporator Abhishek Ghosalkar, son of Vinod Ghosalkar, is shocking. The manner in which he was killed is horrific. Is there law and order in the state? This question is getting bigger, said Congress leader Sachin Sawant.

After the Ulhasnagar firing incident, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said that the incident marks the beginning of Jungle Raj in the state.

There is no rule of law in Maharashtra. 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 had said. QA
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh expressed his appreciation for the Union Home Ministrys decision to abolish the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar.

In a tweet, Singh conveyed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for their dedication to border security.

He emphasised the significance of scrapping the FMR, citing its importance in preserving internal security and the demographic integrity of North Eastern States.

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Immensely grateful to Honble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji and Honble HM Shri @AmitShah

Ji for their commitment to securing our borders. The decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar, as recommended by @HMOIndia , is crucial for our internal security and the demographic integrity of our North Eastern States, Singh tweeted.

Singh also hailed the decision as another milestone in the governments efforts to tackle illegal immigration and enhance internal security, following the recent announcement to fence the 1643 km Indo-Myanmar border.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the termination of the Free Movement Regime, emphasising the need to safeguard internal security and maintain Indias border region demographics. The Ministry of Home Affairs promptly recommended the suspension of the FMR in alignment with this objective.

The FMR, which allowed unrestricted movement of people in designated areas along the India-Myanmar border, had raised concerns about security threats and demographic changes. Shah, in line with Prime Minister Modis vision, highlighted the move as part of broader strategies to strengthen border security and management.

India and Myanmar share a largely unfenced 1,643 km border, which goes through the states of Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
Investors are often guided by the idea of discovering 'the next big thing', even if that means buying 'story stocks' without any revenue, let alone profit. But the reality is that when a company loses money each year, for long enough, its investors will usually take their share of those losses. A loss-making company is yet to prove itself with profit, and eventually the inflow of external capital may dry up.

If this kind of company isn't your style, you like companies that generate revenue, and even earn profits, then you may well be interested in Grand Banks Yachts (SGX:G50). Even if this company is fairly valued by the market, investors would agree that generating consistent profits will continue to provide Grand Banks Yachts with the means to add long-term value to shareholders.

Check out our latest analysis for Grand Banks Yachts

How Fast Is Grand Banks Yachts Growing Its Earnings Per Share?

In the last three years Grand Banks Yachts' earnings per share took off; so much so that it's a bit disingenuous to use these figures to try and deduce long term estimates. Thus, it makes sense to focus on more recent growth rates, instead. Outstandingly, Grand Banks Yachts' EPS shot from S$0.022 to S$0.055, over the last year. It's a rarity to see 152% year-on-year growth like that. Shareholders will be hopeful that this is a sign of the company reaching an inflection point.

One way to double-check a company's growth is to look at how its revenue, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins are changing. The good news is that Grand Banks Yachts is growing revenues, and EBIT margins improved by 9.2 percentage points to 13%, over the last year. That's great to see, on both counts.

You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. For finer detail, click on the image.

Grand Banks Yachts isn't a huge company, given its market capitalisation of S$54m. That makes it extra important to check on its balance sheet strength.

Story continues

Are Grand Banks Yachts Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

Seeing insiders owning a large portion of the shares on issue is often a good sign. Their incentives will be aligned with the investors and there's less of a probability in a sudden sell-off that would impact the share price. So those who are interested in Grand Banks Yachts will be delighted to know that insiders have shown their belief, holding a large proportion of the company's shares. Actually, with 39% of the company to their names, insiders are profoundly invested in the business. This should be a welcoming sign for investors because it suggests that the people making the decisions are also impacted by their choices. To give you an idea, the value of insiders' holdings in the business are valued at S$21m at the current share price. That's nothing to sneeze at!

Does Grand Banks Yachts Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist?

Grand Banks Yachts' earnings per share have been soaring, with growth rates sky high. This level of EPS growth does wonders for attracting investment, and the large insider investment in the company is just the cherry on top. The hope is, of course, that the strong growth marks a fundamental improvement in the business economics. Based on the sum of its parts, we definitely think its worth watching Grand Banks Yachts very closely. What about risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Grand Banks Yachts you should know about.

There's always the possibility of doing well buying stocks that are not growing earnings and do not have insiders buying shares. But for those who consider these important metrics, we encourage you to check out companies that do have those features. You can access a tailored list of Singaporean companies which have demonstrated growth backed by recent insider purchases.

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

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.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said under the former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru-led government, a 40-km free entry was allowed under the Free Movement Regime between India and Myanmar.

Cong does not seem to recollect contributions of Pt Nehru. The Free Movement Regime with Myanmar had its genesis in 1950 vide Notification no. 4/15/50-F.I. In fact Nehru Govt allowed 40 km visa free entry under FMR, which was reduced to 16 km in 2004 and set for scrapping in 2024, he said in a post on X.

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday announced its decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of Indias north eastern states bordering Myanmar.

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Manipur, which has witnessed ethnic clashes since May last year, has been constantly demanding scrapping of the FMR that allows citizens on both sides of the India-Myanmar international border to travel up to 16 km into the other country without any travel document.

The FMR has been attributed as a factor of illegal immigration in the state as it enables individuals to cross over from Myanmar and allegedly acquire Indian citizenship through fraudulent means and to avail benefits that are meant for the Scheduled Tribes (ST) of Manipur under the Indian constitution.

India shares a 1,643-km long border with Myanmar. Four northeast states  Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal  share international borders with the neighbouring country. While Manipur shares a 398-km long border with Myanmar, Mizoram shares 510 km, Nagaland 215 km and Arunachal Pradesh 520 km.

Along with illegal immigration, these porous borders and the FMR also pose a threat to illegal activities like smuggling of various contraband items from Myanmar to India.
Starting the Chhattisgarh leg of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Rahul Gandhi addressed the concerns of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the light of the Prime Minister Narendra Modis assertions in Parliament.

The Congress leader, who embarked on his yatra from Thoubal in Manipur on January 14, 2024, reached Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, on Thursday.

Speaking on the occasion, Gandhi called Narendra Modis claims on the OBCs questionable. He said Modi belongs to the Teli caste from Gujarat, which was later classified as OBC by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in 2000.

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He also raised concerns over the representation of OBC communities in Parliament and called for a caste-based census to rectify the underrepresentation of OBCs, Dalits, and Adivasis in the management of top 200 companies and governmental positions.

Reiterating his partys commitment to social justice, Gandhi called upon the audience to critically evaluate the promises made by the BJP and take an informed decision at the hustings.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Acharya Srila Prabhupada ji who played a pivotal role in preserving and spreading the fundamental tenets of the Vaishnava faith and founded the Gaudiya Mission.

Modi paid floral tribute at the statue of Acharya Srila Prabhupada and released a commemorative stamp and a coin in his honour.

He said that Bharat Mandapams magnificence had grown manifold with the presence of so many great saints. The concept of Bharat Mandapam is based on the Anubhav Mandap of Lord Basweshwara, a center of spiritual discussions in ancient India, he said.

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On the 150th birth anniversary of Srila Prabhupada ji, a similar energy can be witnessed inside Bharat Mandapam, he said. The celebrations have come in the wake of consecration of the Shri Ram Temple at the Ayodhya Dham. Happiness on the faces of people can be seen on the completion of the project due to blessings of the saints, he said.

The Prime Minister lauded the contributions of spiritual leaders towards Indias cultural and societal fabric. They played a pivotal role in Indias freedom struggle and the shaping of its national ethos. Our Bhakti Margi saints have played an invaluable role, not only in the freedom movement but also in guiding the nation through every challenging phase, he said.

Throughout Indias tumultuous history, eminent saints and spiritual leaders have emerged to provide direction to the nation in various capacities, he said. He underlined the role of Saints in the difficult medieval times.

Amid centuries of adversity, they upheld the virtues of sacrifice and perseverance, safeguarding the nations cultural values. Their teachings reinstilled in us the belief that when everything is sacrificed in the pursuit of truth, falsehood inevitably fades away, and truth prevails. Hence, the victory of truth is inevitable  as we say, Satyamev Jayate, the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi recalled that during the struggle for Independence, spiritual luminaries such as Swami Vivekananda and Srila Prabhupada infused boundless energy into the masses, guiding them towards the path of righteousness. Personalities like Netaji Subhas and Mahamana Malviya sought guidance from Srila Prabhupada.

He said Srila Prabhupada Jis life was an example of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. The saint was born in Puri, took initiation in the tradition of Ramanujacharya Ji of the South and carried on the tradition of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu while establishing the center of his spiritual journey, his monastery in Bengal.

Bengal is a source of constant energy from spirituality and intellectuality, PM Modi said. The land of Bengal gave the nation saints like Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, Guru Rabindranath Tagore and Raja Rammohan Roy, he said.

He said Bhakti is a grand philosophy given by our sages. It is not despair but hope and self-confidence. Bhakti is not fear, it is enthusiasm. Devotion is not despair, it is hope and confidence, he said.

Bhakti is not defeat but a resolution for impact; it involves victory over oneself and working for humanity, he said. This spirit was behind India never attacking other nations for the expansion of its borders.

Modi paid tributes to the saints for reintroducing people to the glories of Bhakti. Today, in the Amrit Kaal of independence, the country is taking forward the resolve of the saints by taking the pledge of freedom from the mentality of slavery, the Prime Minister said.
A curfew has been imposed and shoot-at-sight orders have been issued in Uttarakhands Haldwani after violence over demolition of a madrasa.

Authorities had declared the madrasa built on a government land in the Banbhoolpura area illegal and ordered its demolition.

However, when authorities reached there to demolish the structure, an angry mob resisted and started pelting stones.

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At least 50 police personnel were injured in the clashes. They have been evacuated for medical treatment at a local hospital.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has appealed for calm and warned strict action against rioters.

In Banbhoolpura area of Haldwani, a team from the administration had gone for an anti-encroachment drive, following Courts order. Anti-social elements there entered into a brawl with the Police. A few Police personnel & administrative officials sustained injuries. Additional companies of Police and Central Forces are being sent there. We have appealed to everyone to maintain peace. Curfew is in place. Strict action will be taken against rioters & encroachers who committed arson, Dhami said.

As tension gripped the state, former Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat said that he was concerned over the prevailing situation and appealed people to maintain peace and harmony.

I am very concerned and sad looking at the situation in Haldwani. The history of Haldwani has been that of peace, harmony, brotherhood and progress. Today, we are ashamed of the situation that has arisen thereAll the sides should maintain peace and try to have harmony once again. I have contacted a lot of people. The people in Haldwani are sad, Rawat said.

Meanwhile, the curfew has come into force in Haldwani from 9 PM and will remain into force untill further orders.

People have been asked to stay inside their houses. Shops and other businesses have also been asked to stay closed until further orders.
In the intricate chessboard of Bihar politics, chief minister Nitish Kumars recent dalliance with the BJP has set off a seismic shift, prompting a re-evaluation of power dynamics and emerging leaders. Once the reigning leader, he now finds himself in a precarious position, donning a crown of thorns as Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav rises as a formidable alternative.

The chief ministers strategic move, characterised as opportunistic and met with widespread opprobrium, has seemingly tilted the scales against him. However, the real undercurrent of change lies in the broader political landscape of Bihar. Mr Yadav, seen as more dynamic, has managed to position himself as the icon of the youth, embodying hope through his commitment to job creation. In the 2020 Assembly elections, the RJDs high-voltage campaign, centred on the promise of jobs, propelled his party to the top position, leaving the BJP in a close second and Mr Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United) trailing as a distant third.

This shift marked a significant downturn for the JD (U) which had fared better in 2015 when aligned with the RJD. Mr Yadavs ability to deliver on job promises as the deputy chief minister, recruiting around four lakh youths, has granted him valuable political capital and elevated him as a youth-centric leader. The BJP, coupled with Mr Kumars seemingly opportunistic manoeuvres, struggles to counter Mr Yadavs appeal. Despite the Modi regimes promises on job creation, results appear elusive in Bihar. The JD (U)s own record on this score is not sterling either, leaving a void that the RJD has adeptly filled. As the spectre of the upcoming Lok Sabha and state Assembly polls looms, the issue of job creation is poised to be a critical factor, potentially reshaping Bihars political landscape. Mr Kumars motivations for the crossover, driven by the fear of diminishing political relevance and aspirations of a national role, have left him vulnerable. The JD (U)s departure from the opposition alliance can be traced back to apprehensions raised by key alliance members like Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal, who opposed his ambitions for the Prime Ministership. Amidst this political chess game, Bihar, historically devoid of a BJP chief minister, faces the prospect of a changing narrative.

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Mr Yadav, backed by the solid social base of the RJD and alliances with Congress and Left parties, remains a potent force. The shifting support dynamics, particularly the erosion of minority support for JD (U), underscore the challenges the Chief Minister faces in retaining his voter base. As Mr Kumar grapples with the consequences of his political somersault, the looming uncertainty of defections within his JD (U) and potential shifts among other political factions add complexity to his predicament. The crown of thorns Mr Kumar now wears may symbolise more than just political adversity. It could signify a turning point in Bihars political history, with Mr Yadav emerging as the torchbearer for a new era.
More than 17,000 candidates will be contesting todays elections in Pakistan, Dawn reported.

Voters will elect 266 candidates to the Pakistan National Assembly, who will later, by a majority vote, elect the next prime minister.

Simultaneously, voters will also elect representatives to their respective provincial assemblies, who will then elect the provincial chief executives under a similar process.

Meanwhile, elections have been postponed in one national and three provincial assembly constituencies due to the deaths of contesting candidates. This includes NA-8 (Bajaur), PK-22 (Bajaur), PK-91 (Kohat) and PP-266 (Rahim Yar Khan). Voters elsewhere will cast two votes each  one for each of the two assemblies.

In all, 17,816 candidates are in the running, of which 12,695 will be contesting for provincial assembly seats and 5,121 for the National Assembly, as per Dawn.

They include 16,930 males, 882 females and four transgender persons. Of these, 6,031 candidates  5,726 males and 275 females  are contesting on a political partys ticket. The remaining 11,785 are contesting as independents, of which 11,174 are males, 607 females and four transgender persons.

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Meanwhile, Pakistans Caretaker Interior Ministry has established a control room to monitor the overall situation in Pakistan during the general elections, Pakistan Today reported.

The control room includes representatives of all relevant institutions, including the Interior Department, police and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to perform their duties in the control room. Furthermore, information sharing between law enforcement agencies and other relevant agencies is being ensured in this room, according to Pakistan Today report.
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%.
Have an interesting bit of news youd like to see mentioned in the Along the Way column? Email it to Natasha Connolly at news@thesunchronicle.com.
HOLLAND  Customers stopping at Hollands B2 Outlet Store will find heavily discounted items and half empty shelves as the store prepares to close in the coming weeks.

Rumors the shop at 710 Chicago Drive would shutter came as other locations across West Michigan began to close. According to reporting from WOOD TV-8, the majority of B2's shops have closed, citing low sales.

The challenges and complexities of navigating a sluggish retail economy has resulted in significant declined sales, a note on the Hasting locations social media page, similar to the other closing announcements, says. This has impacted nearly every retailer and B2 is not immune.

Customers visiting Holland's B2 Outlet Store will find significant markdowns as the location prepares to close.

During a visit to the store Wednesday, an employee informed The Sentinel the store is officially closing in the next week or two. At one point, Holland had two outlet stores  one in Holland Town Center and another on Washington Avenue. They consolidated in September 2022, filling suites on Chicago Drive left vacant when Reliable Sport closed in 2019.

The B2 Outlet Store at 710 Chicago Drive in Holland will close in the coming weeks.

In all, more than 15 of the stores have closed since November, including locations in Muskegon, Kentwood, Battle Creek, Plainfield Township and Kalamazoo.

In Ohio, a location in Toledo closed just three months after its grand opening, according to WOOD TV-8.

These closures will allow B2 to focus energies on remaining stores that can be profitable, a post signed by B2 President Duane Smith and CEO Matt Smith on another social media account read. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our valued customers who shopped stores that may be closing.

Customers visiting Holland's B2 Outlet Store will find significant markdowns as the location prepares to close.

According to employees in Holland, the store has already received items from other shuttered locations, and likely won't see more stock.

It's unclear whether a location in Hudsonville remains open. The stores social media page remains active, but there've been no posts since a "big sale" announced Feb. 2. The stores phone is disconnected.

Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage

Story continues

B2 Outlet Stores was started by father-and-son duo Duane and Matt Smith a decade ago in Hudsonville when they purchased Grand Valley Online Action. The store was originally called Benefit Twice Outlet Stores but later became B2. Some locations expanded in 2022 and 2023 to include "bargain bin" shops, which also seem to be closing en masse.

The bargain shops offered items for decreasing prices depending on the day of the week.

 Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland's B2 Outlet joins others closing en masse
Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Coordinator

Organisation: Restless Development

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

Salary: UGX 72,312,491 Gross per annum

Preferred start date: March 2024

Length of contract: 24 months initial contract

Visa requirements: Will have the right to work in Uganda.

Reports to: Programme Manager

Geographical scope: 15 intervention countries, 14 in Africa, and 1 in Europe. (Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Cameroon, Tunisia, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Southern Sudan, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Belgium).

Direct reports: Four (4) In-country programme MEL leads from , Sierra Leone, Zambia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

Expected travel: Fairly regular international travel

About Restless Development:

Restless Development is a global non-profit agency. We support the collective power of young leaders to create a better world. We are independently registered and governed in nine countries (India, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, UK, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe) bound together by our vision for youth power. We run youth-led programmes to tackle the issues that young people care about the most  We also run the Youth Collective  a growing network of over 4000 local youth civil society groups and organisations in 185 countries. We are committed to creating an agency that walks the talk on power shifting, using the power shifting checklist, both internally and externally.

About the Programme

The four-year Youth Voices Lab (YVL) programme seeks to create a more youth responsive and inclusive society. The programme focuses primarily on interventions to support young Africans, both in the continent and across the diaspora in Europe, in their journey towards increased engagement, connection, and empowerment. The programme will focus on interventions that support decision-makers (for example, AU and EU personnel, government officials, civil society organisations, corporations and others) in their journey to develop equal partnerships with young people and to create the conditions to address the key needs and priorities of the younger generation. In turn, these outcomes contribute to the availability and implementation of budgeted and relevant youth-responsive policy frameworks (AU-EU cooperation plans/partnerships, strategies, etc), leading to a more youth-responsive and inclusive society in which the aspirations of existing and future development frameworks are delivered, leaving no one behind.

The programme is driven by a consortium of five partners; OXFAM (Lead), Restless Development, SEARCH for Common Ground (SEARCH), Youth Makers Hub (YMH), and Makesense Africa, with in-country programming in 15 intervention countries, and youth and stakeholders engagement outside the intervention countries across Africa and Europe.

The programme has two interrelated objectives:

Young people and youth-led groups and networks effectively advocate their concerns and priorities at various levels, including local, national, continental and cross-continental, and around the AU-EU partnership in Africa.

Institutions, governments, partners, and corporations are more youth centered and meaningfully collaborate with youth in the development and implementation of their policies/decision-making moments and spaces.

Job Summary: The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Coordinator is an exciting role which will be central to achieving the above programme objectives. She/he will lead the Monitoring, Reporting, Evaluation and Learning functions across Restless Developments implementing countries, working directly with the Programme Manager and supported by MEL leads in the implementing countries. The successful candidate will ensure that AU-EU programme impact and learning is documented and used for designing and adapting our programmes to bring transformative change, and ensure that these are shared across the global agency and with consortium partners to ensure scale and sustainability.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Monitoring, and Reporting.

Design and oversee all project monitoring and reporting systems and tools in line with internal and external grant management requirements.

Lead the implementation of the programmes monitoring, evaluation and learning framework, ensuring monitoring and learning processes are effectively followed.

Ensure effective systems for monitoring programme performance are in place, bringing relevant insights for effective decision making.

Act as Restless Developments MEL focal point for the programme within the wider consortium, responding to reporting requirements and participating in consortium working group meetings.

Perform data quality checks for all internal and external reports in line with reporting guidelines and donor requirements.

Coordinate with and support MEL leads for the programme to ensure high quality generation of quarterly and annual programme reports through DevResults (Restless Developments online data management system), in line with the global strategy and Results Framework)

Generating Strategic evidence and learning

Ensure programme wide MEL systems are integrated into Restless Developments organisational MEL system and reporting processes.

Ensure evidence and learning generated through the AU-EU programme contributes to Restless Developments organisational evidence and learning strategy.

Be an active member of Restless Developments Impact team, participating in quarterly meetings; sharing best practice across the agency; and supporting global initiatives.

Share best practices and insights based on Restless Developments expertise to inform the consortium wide approach to MEL.

Lead in preparing impact data to inform programme design and organizational capacity statements on voice and youth participation in governance/decision making.

Ensure in-depth evaluations are accompanied by impact briefs to share the key highlights.

Lead the AU-EU Monitoring, Evaluation and learning team.

Coordinate with and support programme MEL leads to develop clear MEL plans for the programme.

Design and lead regular capacity-building initiatives, ensuring that programme staff are able to use M&E systems to assess progress, identify challenges/opportunities and take action.

Provide M&E guidance and expertise to the Programme management team as required.

Support staff capacity development efforts to build the capacity of MEL leads.

Other

You may occasionally be required to work on weekends and/or public holidays, for which time off in lieu will be granted

Other duties as required.











Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Essential

Experience in a monitoring, evaluation and learning role, preferably of multi-country programmes

Knowledge and experience of youth-led development programmes

Experience in qualitative and quantitative analysis, with the ability to generate insights to inform decision-making

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write and present high quality report

Ability to build strong and supportive relationships with a range of colleagues

Desirable

Past experience on implementing an EU-funded programme

Experience in conducting programme evaluations.

Experience conducting training in areas related to monitoring, evaluation and learning

Restless Development is an Equal Opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community. Restless Development will ensure that no applicant or staff member receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, social status, caste, race, ethnic origin, religious belief, age, HIV status, disability, or any other factor that cannot be shown to be relevant to performance.

How to Apply:

Please submit your CV (2-3 Pages)and a cover letter (using no more than 750 words) that provides tangible examples of how your skills, knowledge and experience will support your ability to perform the key priorities outlined in the above job description (For more tips on how to apply visit our website here.)

Click Here

Deadline: 21st February 2024

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline
The way cryptocurrency trading is growing day by day and how more people are turning their interests in this trading is calling for technologies and assistance that would assist a person with trading. One such technology that traders are quite fond of is crypto trading software or bots. Crypto trading software is a platform through which people trade in digital assets and the platform provides its users with the necessary assistance and support needed for profitable trading. The development of crypto trading software has allowed novice traders to trade in cryptocurrencies without any prior experience or skills.

At present, there are hundreds of crypto trading software that are said to assist people with trading. One such platform that has been receiving quite a hype on the internet is Immediate Intal. It is claimed that Immediate Intal is highly effective software that would aid traders in earning profits easily by providing them with the necessary analysis and assistance needed for profitable trading. Immediate Intal is said to be a platform that has a success rate of over 90%.

In this Immediate Intal review, we will be talking about various aspects and features of the software and see whether the platform is worth the hype or not. Through this review, we intend to give a clear picture of the software and help you decide whether Immediate Intal is the right platform for you or not. So without further ado, lets dive in!

Immediate Intal Review - An Overview

Trading platform name Immediate Intal Robot Type Crypto Robot Platform type Web-based trading platform Success Rate 93% Verification required Yes Minimum deposit required $250 Payout time 24 hours Customer care support Via mail and phone Withdrawal fee No fee Main geos Most countries except the USA Deposit options PayPal, Wire Transfer, Credit Card Official Website Click Here

What Is Immediate Intal?

Immediate Intal is an online web-based trading platform that was created to aid people in crypto trading. The platform is designed by using advanced technologies which would give its users real-time data and information on the trading which would assist them in making informed decisions when trading. Immediate Intal is a platform that is suitable for new and experienced traders as the platform gives all the necessary support that one needs with trading. Immediate Intal is a highly secured platform that has many security and privacy protocols. The platform keeps all your data and the personal data that you have shared on the official website safe and secure. Immediate Intal is free software that anyone can use without paying any fee on any smart device that they want.

Click Here To Trade With Immediate Intal For Free

Features Of Immediate Intal

We have already told you that Immediate Intal is an advanced technology that is highly secure and effective. These are two main features of the platform. In this section, we will be talking about these features in detail and will also discuss the other features of the software.

Algorithmic Analysis

One of the main features of Immediate Intal that makes the platform a highly effective one is its algorithmic analysis. Immediate Intal has been developed by using advanced trading technologies that are created specifically to aid traders in pinpointing profitable trading opportunities. Immediate Intal uses algorithmic algorithm tech and artificial intelligence which will help in analyzing the crypto trade prices. The platform also gives you a technical analysis of the market and price charts of the currency and will compare it to the price history of the currency to know more about the current market conditions.

Customizable

One of the main aims of Immediate Intal is to make the platform suitable for both new and experienced traders. We have already talked about the advanced technology that the platform and the services that it provides you. Here the users of Immediate Intal have the option to customize the assistance that they need from the platform depending upon the experience and skills that they have in trading. If you are a new trader, you can set up the Immediate Intal platform to a higher level of assistance and experienced traders can set up the platform to the level of assistance that they require.

Safety Protocols

When it comes to using software, especially one that is for crypto trading, the main thing that people look for is safety and security. As with any online space, there are risks involved in using online software but the team of Immediate Intal has put in advanced safety and security protocols in the platform that ensure that you are trading in a safe and comfortable space. In addition to this, the platform will also keep your personal information and financial details safe and private. This ensures that every data of yours and your Immediate Intal is safe and protected from any outside threats.

Try Immediate Intal For Free

How Does Immediate Intal Work?

Now lets see how Immediate Intal works. When you register your account on Immediate Intal, you will be able to sign into your account from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. After signing into your account, the first thing that you need to do is to set up your profile and then invest capital into your account. Once these two things are done, then you can start trading. While you are trading through Immediate Intal, the platform will provide you with algorithmic analysis of the market which includes real-time data about the market, any changes or fluctuations in any crypto currency's values, the historical value of a digital asset, and so on. The software will also notify you of any profitable opportunities when they arise.

On Immediate Intal, the users can customize the assistance that need from the software. If you are a new trader, then you can get a higher level of assistance from the platform which includes doing everything for you including trading. If you are someone who has experience in trading, then you can make use of the information and real-time analysis that the platform gives you to make profitable decisions. So here the users have the option to customize the support that they require from Immediate Intal depending upon their experience, risk tolerance, and skill.

How To Use Immediate Intal?

Immediate Intal is a platform that is very easy to use and you can get started with the platform in three simple steps. The steps are the following:

 Step 1 - Sign up: The first step in using Immediate Intal is signing up on the platform. You can open an account on the Immediate Intal official website by completing a registration form. Once your account has been registered, you can then sign up to the platform from any smart device that you want. The registration process for Immediate Intal will only take a few minutes. Signing up on Immediate Intal is free of any cost or subscription fee.

 Step 2 - Deposit trading funds: The second step in using Immediate Intal is depositing funds into your account. Once you have successfully registered your account on Immediate Intal, you will have to invest funds into your account to begin trading. This fund will be used as capital when you are trading. The minimum fund required to trade on Immediate Intal is 250.

 Step 3 - Trade Now: The last step is trading with the capital that you have invested. When you are trading, you will be provided with real-time data and insights into the market. One unique feature of Immediate Intal is that you can adjust the assistance that you require from the platform based on your experience, skill, and risk tolerance.

How To Register Your Account On Immediate Intal?

Registering your account on Immediate Intal is very simple. When you open the official website of Immediate Intal, you will see a registration form that needs to be filled out to open your account on the platform. While filling out the form, you will be asked to provide the platform with some details like your name, phone number, email ID, and your residential country. After filling out these things, you can click on the trade now button and your account will be registered with Immediate Intal in a few minutes. Once your account is registered, you will receive a confirmation mail from the team of Immediate Intal and you can then access your account on the platforms official website by using your email id.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Immediate Intal

Advantages Of Immediate Intal

 Immediate Intal is equipped with advanced technologies that will assist you in making profitable trading decisions.

 Immediate Intal is free software that anyone can easily use.

 Immediate Intal can be used by both experienced and novice traders as the platform provides you with the assistance needed for crypto trading.

 Immediate Intal has multiple options when it comes to investing in your account.

 You can withdraw money from Immediate Intal at any time that you want.

Disadvantages Of Immediate Intal

 Immediate Intal is not available in some countries.

Click Here To Trade With Immediate Intal For Free

Why Use Immediate Intal?

Here are a few reasons why Immediate Intal is worth giving a try:

Free Software

One main reason why one should use Immediate Intal is that it is free software. There is no fee or charge that one needs to pay to use Immediate Intal. They can get services and assistance that the platform offers free of cost.

Compatible With Any Device

Immediate Intal is compatible with any smart device that you want. You can sign up for your account on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or PC. The only thing that you need to access your Immediate Intal account and trade is a smart device and a good internet connection.

Quick Account Registration

The registration process on the official website of Immediate Intal is simple and quick. To open your account on the platform, you only have to give some personal information and then it will be made within a few minutes.

The Minimum Investment Is 250

The minimum investment that is needed in your account to trade through Immediate Intal is only 250. This is a small investment, so new traders can try out the platform and also crypto trading without risking a huge amount of their money. The traders, if they want, can invest a huge amount of their capital.

Suitable For Both Novice And Experienced Traders

Immediate Intal is suitable for both novice and experienced traders. The software is equipped with modern technologies that will assist new traders with everything related to trading and will help them earn profits easily. Experienced traders can make use of the assistance that they get from the software to find profitable trading opportunities.

Developed By Using Advanced Technologies

Immediate Intal is created by using advanced technologies such as highly efficient algorithm analyzers, artificial intelligence, and technical indicators. These advanced technologies are efficient in analyzing the market and collecting data from the market within a few seconds. This will help the users stay ahead of profitable opportunities.

Immediate Intal Cost, Investment, And Profit

Immediate Intal is a free trading platform. So anyone can use the software for free and make use of the features and assistance that the software gives you. As Immediate Intal is free software, anyone can try out the software without worrying about losing any money. As for trading, you will require a minimum deposit of 250 in your Immediate Intal. This is the minimum deposit and if you want, you can begin trading with a large amount.

Unlock Immediate Intal For Free

Final Verdict On Immediate Intal Review

Crypto trading bots are one of the main things that traders have been using a lot lately and they are found to be highly helpful while trading. Immediate Intal is a free trading platform that is designed with advanced technologies which make it an efficient support that traders can make use of while trading. In this review of Immediate Intal, we have looked at various features of the platform, and taking all of them into consideration, it seems that the platform is worth trying out.

Immediate Intal has many unique features that would help any trader in making profitable trading decisions. The traders also have the liberty to customize the assistance that they need from the software based on their experience, requirements, and risk tolerance. So this suggests that Immediate Intal is a user-centered platform that would aid them in trading. Considering all of these, it seems that Immediate Intal is worth trying out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I open my account on Immediate Intal?

You can open your Immediate Intal account on the official website of the platform. To open your account, you only have to give out some details and then the account will be created within a few minutes.

Does Immediate Intal have any subscription fee?

No, Immediate Intal does not have any subscription fee because the software is free to use.

Can Immediate Intal be used by new traders?

Yes, Immediate Intal can be used by both new and experienced traders.

Does Immediate Intal have a mobile app?

Immediate Intal is a web-based software, so it does not have a mobile app.

Can I withdraw money from my Immediate Intal account at any time that I want?

You can withdraw money from Immediate Intal at any time you want.
While selling your home can trigger capital gains taxes, the IRS lets you deduct a portion of the gain if the home was your primary residence.

When you sell your primary home, the IRS allows you to exclude a significant portion of the profit from your taxes. This exclusion  $250,000 for single filers and $500,000 for married, joint filers  is large enough that many sellers don't end up paying federal taxes on the capital gains from a home sale. But if youre netting $620,000 from the sale of your house as you downsize for retirement, you will probably owe capital gains taxes on some of that profit.

A financial advisor can help you make financial decisions, like optimizing the sale of real estate within the context of your financial plan. Find a fiduciary financial advisor today.

Taxes on the Sale of Property

When you sell an asset, including real estate, you may owe capital gains taxes on the profit from the sale. The capital gain can be calculated by simply subtracting the assets cost basis from its sale price.

In the case of real estate, youll have to calculate the propertys adjusted cost basis  the amount you paid for the home, plus any additional investments or improvements that you made to it. This can include any upgrades, expansions or additions that you've made to the property. It does not include repairs and maintenance, interest payments or temporary changes.

Essentially, if you spent money to improve the property's value, expand its utility or extend its lifespan, you can add that to the property's cost basis. If you spent money to maintain the property's status quo, you cannot.

For example, say that you spent $500,000 on a house. Then, you spend $50,000 to renovate the kitchen and $10,000 on a new roof. You later sell the house for $700,000. Your taxable capital gain would be: $700,000  ($500,000 + $50,000 + $10,000) = $140,000.

If you need help calculating your capital gains or planning for taxes, consider speaking with a financial advisor.

The Home Sale Tax Exclusion

A retired couple moves out of their home after agreeing to sell it for a $620,00 profit.

When you sell a primary residence, the IRS allows you to exclude a considerable chunk of the profit from your capital gains taxes and only pay taxes on the remaining net profit. In 2024, this exclusion is $250,000 for single filers and $500,000 for married couples filing jointly.

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For example, say that you are a single filer and you sell your home and make $300,000 in profit. After the exclusion, you would owe taxes on just $50,000 ($300,000 capital gain  $250,000 exclusion). Again, note that this is not the amount you owe, just the remaining amount on which you pay taxes.

This is known as the Section 121 Exclusion. While you can find the full details in Publication 523, to qualify for this exclusion you generally must be selling your primary home (so, not something like a vacation house or an investment property). You must have owned and used the house as your primary residence for at least 24 out of the last 60 months, although this time does not have to be consecutive. And in most cases, you wont qualify for a Section 121 Exclusion if youve taken one in the previous two years.

If you sell real estate that doesn't meet these requirements, you may pay capital gains taxes on the entire profit. However given how large these exclusions are, most households pay little, if any, taxes when selling a primary residence. A financial advisor with tax expertise can potentially help you determine whether youre taking advantage of the proper deductions and exemptions when selling your home.

Do You Owe Taxes on Your Home Sale?

A couple calculates how much they'll owe in capital gains taxes when they sell their home for a $620,000 profit.

If youre selling your home and pocketing $620,000 in capital gains, youll likely owe taxes on a portion of these profits. How much will depend on a pair of important questions:

Have you calculated your adjusted cost basis correctly?

Are you single or married?

First, ensure that youve added all applicable investments or improvements to the original cost basis (how much you paid for the home). As we discussed above, this includes any upgrades, additions and improvements you've made over the years.

You can also factor in the cost of selling the property. These expenses can be applied to the sales price, lowering it on paper. For example, you can subtract appraisal fees, attorney's fees, advertising costs, closing fees, broker commissions and other costs "directly associated with selling your home from the sale price.

If you have calculated your profit correctly, your taxable profits will depend on your Section 121 eligibility and your marital status. You will pay taxes on:

$620,000 if no exclusion applies

$370,000 if youre a single filer and qualify for the $250,000 exclusion

$120,000 if youre married and file jointly and qualify for the $500,000 exclusion

Your choice to downsize will not change this tax status. Years ago, Congress allowed home sales to take a tax exemption on what's called a "like-kind exchange." Under this law you could sell one house and use the proceeds to buy a new one, only paying taxes on any remainder. While you can still use a like-kind exchange on investment properties, you cannot do this with a primary home sale any longer.

The amount you will owe in taxes will depend on your capital gains tax rate. This sale will put you at least in the 15% tax bracket, which begins at $47,025 for single filers and $94,050 for married, joint filers in 2024. If you have significant profits from other assets, they may push you into the 20% tax bracket. If you have a high enough overall income, you might also be subject to the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax.

Finally, if you owned this home for less than a year, the profit will be taxed as a short-term capital gain and be subject to ordinary income tax rates. But if you need additional help managing your tax liability from a home sale, consider meeting with a financial advisor before selling your home.

Bottom Line

The IRS allows you to exempt either $250,000 or $500,000 in capital gains that are realized when selling your primary residence. If the net profits exceed the exemption, youll pay capital gains taxes on the remaining gain. A single person who nets $620,000 from their home sale could pay capital gains taxes on up to $370,000 of the profits, while a married couple who files their taxes jointly could end up owing taxes on just $120,000 of the profits.

Capital Gains Tax Tips

A financial advisor can help you determine how buying and selling real estate can impact your long-term financial plans. Finding a financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you're ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

If you need help calculating your capital gains tax liability on the sale of stocks and other securities, SmartAssets capital gains tax calculator can simplify the process for you, whether your profits are long- or short-term gains.

Photo credit: iStock.com/gorodenkoff, iStock.com/Daisy-Daisy, iStock.com/PonyWang

The post Im Selling My House to Downsize for Retirement, and I'll Net $620k. Do I Have to Pay Capital Gains Taxes? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
How do you choose the right Web Hosting Solution for Your Business in India?



In today's digital age, having a solid online presence is critical for company success. The often-overlooked choice of a web hosting provider is essential to this quest. The significance of this choice cannot be emphasized for enterprise decision-makers and business owners preparing to enter the online sphere. This thorough guide is designed to assist you in navigating the complicated web hosting market and ensuring that your selected solution matches smoothly with your company goals. Join us as we dig into the critical parts of web hosting, allowing you to make informed decisions that will create the groundwork for a thriving online presence.



Why Does Choosing the Right Web Hosting Matter?

The web hosting provider you choose is like a keystone in the complicated web management puzzle; it affects every part of your online existence. Web hosting packages vary in storage, security, and functionality. The hosting features you require should determine your provider choice. Security is essential since security breaches, faulty data or coding, and stolen material can lead to extra labour on the back end and lost revenue during recovery.

Your website will be technically stable with the correct web host. Hosting troubles can cause extended downtimes, lowering search ranks. You can't get search engines to index your outstanding material if your website is down. It might hurt your website's search ranking and reputation. Both conditions may reduce sales and online customer involvement.

A good web hosting service in India provides security, site performance, response times, and tech assistance. Revenue increases when you invest in site performance and visitor experience. Remember that engaged customers enhance revenue. Therefore, company owners should aim to keep them on their websites.

Identifying Your Company's and Website's Requirements



Understanding your business needs and website's complexities is essential to choosing the right web hosting option. Recognising your site's complexity will help you select a hosting option for your dynamic e-commerce platform, instructive blog, or comprehensive corporate portal. These are the key points you should remember while identifying your requirements.



 Compatibility

Correct selection requires compatibility. Understanding your website's purpose may help evaluate compatibility. Must websites integrate with other platforms? Which ones? WordPress helps with these choices. If a browser displays a website incorrectly, it may hurt its experience. It impacts website traffic and visitor experience. Different browsers show websites differently, so be consistent. Customers like consistent browser layouts since they know how to navigate. Finding ways to do things without gadgets is hard. It is another reason to hire a web developer.



 Usability

Usability is critical to website success. An effective website must have been designed for users. Knowing your audience helps you pick a solution. There are several audience analysis methodologies. Web traffic analytics is ideal for data collection. Web traffic statistics reveal your audience. Check your site's performance, as this part of marketing demonstrates what works and doesn't. It may also help you adapt your business to trends. Increased website traffic does not ensure better sales or profitability. The opposite is often true.

Restrictions



Content behaviour should match website constraints. With more content, your website needs paragraphs. User-friendly applications are needed for interactive web pages. Desktop websites are frequently more dynamic and content-rich. Mobile gadgets are smaller than computers. Designs don't have to match, but they should look similar. Using content media/marketing to complement their look is smart. Content marketing is key to advertising. Knowing and appealing to your audience is essential. Engaging in online media may promote your startup.

Additionally, social media is less casual than in-person talks, making it helpful. Your brand might attract devoted fans. Most social networking networks allow webpage sharing. Media has several meanings. Pictures, movies, articles, blogs, and other helpful communication can be employed.



 Reviews

When picking a website, read user reviews. Visit goal-related websites. Learn what people enjoy and dislike. Other websites' reviews may help you understand yours. Pages and user reviews are available on Yelp and other sites. Reviews are on Reddit. Websites ask for feedback after utilizing a service or product. Not all reviews are accurate. Individuals have varied standards and tastes. Choose a site that fits public preferences or dislikes.



 Customer Support

If you build one, use a website that streamlines user communication.

The website's main search box simplifies customer service. It helps people discover what they need without spending hours on the page. For customer assistance, include a corporate email at the bottom. You must be accessible to customers for website difficulties.



Understanding the Different Types of Web Hosting

Web hosting provides various solutions, each catering to different requirements and interests. Understanding the various forms of web hosting is essential for making an informed selection. Each plan caters to the demands of other groups, and understanding your needs from your website are can help you select the proper plan for you and your business. The type of website you have, the resources you require, your budget, and expected traffic are all important considerations when choosing a web host. Here's a quick rundown of the benefits of each type of hosting:



 Shared hosting is the most affordable solution for low-traffic websites.

 Managed hosting is ideal for non-technical customers who prefer to delegate more technical duties to professionals.

 VPS hosting is the finest solution for websites that have outgrown shared hosting.

 Cloud hosting is ideal for websites that are fast expanding and require scalable resources.

 Dedicated hosting is an expensive solution for large websites that require complete management.

 Colocation hosting is the most expensive option, but it provides you with complete control over both the hardware and software.

Web Hosting Plans and Packages Decoded

After determining your company's and website's needs and getting a basic grasp of hosting kinds, the next critical step is deciphering the complexities of web hosting plans and packages. Each plan has many options that can significantly influence your website's performance and functioning. Storage and bandwidth allocation, the number of domains and websites you may host, email accounts, and the inclusion of an SSL certificate are all critical factors in defining your online presence. Most hosting providers will provide you with a detailed guide on purchasing the best plan for your website.



Compatibility with WordPress and other CMS Platforms

Content Management Systems (CMS) significantly influence website creation and administration in the ever-changing web development industry. WordPress is popular because of its user-friendly interface and huge plugin ecosystem. Understanding the compatibility between your selected web hosting option and CMS systems is critical. It is especially true for WordPress users because not all hosting companies are equally proficient at handling its complexities. The synergy between web hosting and platforms like WordPress may significantly improve your website's efficiency and usefulness. Proper compatibility ensures your vision becomes a smooth, user-friendly platform corresponding to your web development goals.



Additional Aspects to Consider Before Selecting Web Hosting

Aside from the core concerns of server types and feature-rich plans, other subtle variables should be considered while choosing an optimum web hosting option.



Customization options are essential for adapting the hosting environment to your unique demands and allowing for a personalized online experience.

Scalability is also important, ensuring that your hosting solution can easily support your website and business expansion.



Robust security measures, complete backup services, and integrated analytics around the hosting experience. These extra factors offer a review of the nuances that might improve your web hosting experience. With this information, you'll be better prepared to select a web hosting provider that not only meets but surpasses your expectations, assuring the smooth maintenance of your online presence.

Budget and Cost Considerations

Understanding the financial picture of web hosting is critical before starting your online enterprise. Hidden expenses frequently catch organizations by surprise, emphasising the importance of carefully scrutinising price structures. You shouldn't jump at the most expensive or cheapest plan to start your website journey. Understanding the financial consequences of your selected hosting plan ensures that you satisfy your budgetary requirements and secure a long-term investment to expand your digital presence.



By researching web hosting prices in-depth, you'll be better able to make educated judgments that correspond with your financial objectives, achieving a healthy balance between excellent service and economic prudence. Do keep in mind that many hosting providers bundle in extra features in their deal, which can lead to FOMO. It can keep you overspending on add-on services that you may not need that often.

Choosing a Third-Party or a Bundle

When it comes to choosing a web hosting solution, a critical decision must be made: whether to go with a third-party hosting provider or embrace the ease of bundled packages that include both a website builder and hosting services. Each path has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Third-party hosting providers frequently give greater flexibility and specialized services, but packaged solutions simplify the process by providing an integrated solution. The decision mainly comes down to selecting WordPress from WP.org or Wordpress.com. In the former, you can apply your own hosting to the website; in the latter, you select WordPress as your hosting provider. By weighing the pros and cons of each option, you can select the best solution for your use case.



Decision Makers' Checklist

A detailed checklist becomes essential in the final phases of picking a web hosting service for decision-makers directing their firm's direction into the digital arena. Are there any customizing options? Is the hosting provider capable of handling several websites? This quick-reference guide summarizes critical concerns, such as aligning with business goals and assuring scalability and security.



1. How big is my site?

Websites might have a few or hundreds of pages and a complex infrastructure. Hosting needs vary for larger, more complex websites. Consider how extensive and complicated your website is and what you intend it to become.



2. How secure must it be?

All websites need security to avoid risks like hacking and leakage of confidential data. But any website that collects visitor data must be exceptionally secure, especially if you sell there. If clients trust you with credit card information, be sure your website is secure.



3. Will my website sell products?

E-commerce websites must allow customers to choose and buy things. If your website aims to sell, choose a web hosting service with the functionality, security, and compatibility with your e-commerce software.



4. How much traffic can I expect?

Estimating traffic isn't exact, but you can make some educated guesses. A new website will attract little traffic unless you have a strong brand. You can use your analytics to predict what to expect if you have an established website.



5. How fast should it load?

Visitors demand rapid website loading. They may not bother if they have to wait to see what you have. You need fast web hosting for your website. More traffic requires more hosting power than new websites with a small audience.



6. Will I design it myself or hire one?

If you're building a basic site yourself, templates or a website builder will help. If you're employing a professional designer to develop your website, ask them about web hosting platform compatibility.



7. Will I blog?

If your website will feature or be primarily a blog, choose a blogging platform and ensure your hosting package works with it.

8. How customized do I want?

Many cheaper shared plans limit website functionality. For most website owners, it won't affect what they can create and accomplish, but for those with the skills to undertake website development on their own, VPS plans or dedicated servers make it possible.



9. Do I need many domains?

Many website owners have company or website ideas they want to explore. If so, a multi-domain web hosting plan will pay off. You'll also need a plan that allows multiple parked domains to register all the domains someone searching for your brand name might try (so you can direct them to your website). All HostGator Baby and Business, web host plans, come with unlimited domains.



This concise yet thorough checklist will be a trusted companion as you prepare to select, ensuring that no key component is ignored and that your selected web hosting option fits flawlessly with your overall business plan.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

The path to discovering the appropriate answer in the ever-changing web hosting environment is complex and critical. As we get to the end of this thorough guide, the importance of selecting a web hosting provider compatible with your company's demands cannot be stressed. Every step defines the basis of your online presence, from comprehending the subtleties of different hosting kinds to analyzing feature-laden plans and evaluating compatibility with CMS systems. We've looked into extra factors, evaluations, and pricing considerations to give you a complete picture. Finally, choosing the appropriate web hosting option is a strategic decision tightly knit into the fabric of your digital success. It's time to think and decide, equipped with a simple checklist and insights. Choose cautiously, adopt the popular web hosting service that best fits your needs, and begin a digital adventure that will catapult your company to new heights.
Research out today from Finland suggests women may find it harder to adjust to later-life divorce and break-ups than men.

The study used population data from 229,000 Finns aged 50 to 70 who had undergone divorce, relationship break-up or bereavement and tracked their use of antidepressants before and after their relationship ended.

They found antidepressant use increased in the four years leading to the relationship dissolution in both genders, with women experiencing a more significant increase.

But it's too simplistic to say women experience poorer mental health or tend to be less happy after divorce than men.

Remind me, how common is divorce?

Just under 50,000 divorces are granted each year in Australia. This has slowly declined since the 1990s.

More couple are choosing to co-habitate, instead of marry, and the majority of couples live together prior to marriage. Divorce statistics don't include separations of cohabiting couples, even though they are more likely than married couples to separate.

Those who divorce are doing so later in life, often after their children grow up. The median age of divorce increased from 45.9 in 2021 to 46.7 in 2022 for men and from 43.0 to 43.7 for women.

The trend of late divorces also reflects people deciding to marry later in life. The median duration from marriage to divorce in 2022 was around 12.8 years and has remained fairly constant over the past decade.

Why do couples get divorced?

Changes in social attitudes towards marriage and relationships mean divorce is now more accepted. People are opting not to be in unhappy marriages, even if there are children involved.

Instead, they're turning the focus on marriage quality. This is particularly true for women who have established a career and are financially autonomous.

Similarly, my research shows it's particularly important for people to feel their relationship expectations can be fulfilled long term. In addition to relationship quality, participants reported needing trust, open communication, safety and acceptance from their partners.

Grey divorce (divorce at age 50 and older) is becoming increasingly common in Western countries, particularly among high-income populations. While factors such as an empty nest, retirement, or poor health are commonly cited predictors of later-in-life divorce, research shows older couples divorce for the same reasons as younger couples.

What did the new study find?

The study tracked antidepressant use in Finns aged 50 to 70 for four years before their relationship breakdown and four years after.

They found antidepressant use increased in the four years leading to the relationship break-up in both genders. The proportion of women taking antidepressants in the lead up to divorce increased by 7%, compared with 5% for men. For de facto separation antidepressant use increased by 6% for women and 3.2% for men.

Within a year of the break-up, antidepressant use fell back to the level it was 12 months before the break-up. It subsequently remained at that level among the men.

But it was a different story for women. Their use tailed off only slightly immediately after the relationship breakdown but increased again from the first year onwards.

The researchers also looked at antidepressant use after re-partnering. There was a decline in the use of antidepressants for men and women after starting a new relationship. But this decline was short-lived for women.

But there's more to the story

Although this data alone suggest women may find it harder to adjust to later-life divorce and break-ups than men, it's important to note some nuances in the interpretation of this data.

For instance, data suggesting women experience depression more often than men is generally based on the rate of diagnoses and antidepressant use, which does not account for undiagnosed and unmedicated people.

Women are generally more likely to access medical services and thus receive treatment. This is also the case in Australia, where in 20202022, 21.6% of women saw a health professional for their mental health, compared with only 12.9% of men.

Why women might struggle more after separating

Nevertheless, relationship dissolution can have a significant impact on people's mental health. This is particularly the case for women with young children and older women.

So what factors might explain why women might experience greater difficulties after divorce later in life?

Research investigating the financial consequences of grey divorce in men and women showed women experienced a 45% decline in their standard of living (measured by an income-to-needs ratio), whereas men's dropped by just 21%. These declines persisted over time for men, and only reversed for women following re-partnering.

Another qualitative study investigating the lived experiences of heterosexual couples post-grey divorce identified financial worries as a common theme between female participants.

A female research participant (age 68) said: [I am most worried about] the money, [and] what I'm going to do when the little bit of money I have runs out [] I have just enough money to live. And, that's it, [and if] anything happens I'm up a creek. And Medicare is incredibly expensive [] My biggest expense is medicine.

Another factor was loneliness. One male research participant (age 54) described he preferred living with his ex-wife, despite not getting along with her, than being by himself: It was still [good] knowing that [the] person was there, and now that's gone.

Other major complications of later-life divorce are possible issues with inheritance rights and next-of-kin relationships for medical decision-making.

Separation can be positive

For some people, divorce or separation can lead to increased happiness and feeling more independent.

And the mental health impact and emotional distress of a relationship dissolution is something that can be counterattacked with resilience. Resilience to dramatic events built from life experience means older adults often do respond better to emotional distress and might be able to adjust better to divorce than their younger counterparts.

(The Conversation: By Raquel Peel, RMIT University)
The ruling Left Democratic Front of Kerala (LDF) will organise a protest in Delhi against the Centre's alleged neglect towards the southern state in financial matters.

Left front ministers, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, legislators and parliamentarians from Kerala, will actively partake in the protest being held at 11 am on Thursday. Though the LDF invited Kerala's Congress-led Opposition front to join the protest, they rejected the proposal. The UDF had stated that it does not agree with the Left narrative blaming the Centre for all of the state's financial problems. It had cited other reasons, including the state government's alleged mismanagement in tax collection, gold sales, and issues related to receiving its share of the IGST, for Kerala's financial distress.



'Undermining federal principles'



A statement from the Kerala chief minister said the agitation is intended to safeguard the constitutional rights of all states, not merely Kerala's. "The aim of this struggle is not to triumph over anyone, but to secure what we rightfully deserve instead of surrendering," the Kerala CM said in Delhi according to a statement issued by his office.



He added that Stalin's support was a boost to the Left front's efforts to "stand up and resist the vicious efforts to undermine the federal principles enshrined in our Constitution".



Vijayan alleged that the Union government's actions have weakened cooperative federalism, stating that BJP and NDA-ruled states are getting favourable treatment. Vijayan expresses hope that the protest will get massive support and that many leaders from non-BJP-ruled states are expected to participate in it.



"The Centre's discriminatory approach is impacting the state's social welfare efforts, and such practices should stop, Vijayan said. "The situation should not be seen as a divide between the North and the South. It is about getting the rights of the states," Vijayan said against the backdrop of differences among Opposition parties.



"Kerala is being neglected in all areas. The discrimination and the financial woes have forced the state to resort to the protest," the chief minister said.



State finance minister K N Balagopal also refuted the allegation that the protest was a political drama.



Kerala's protest comes as Congress legislators and MPs from Karnataka, including Ministers from Siddaramaiah-led government, staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Wednesday, demanding that the union government set right the losses allegedly incurred by the State to the tune of Rs 1,87,000 crore, during five years under the 15th finance commission.

(With PTI inputs)
The Centre has suspended with immediate effect the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the external affairs ministry has also started the process to scrap FMR.



Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, It is Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji's resolve to secure our borders. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided that the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar be scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of Indias North Eastern States bordering Myanmar.

Shah added that the ministry of external affairs will be scrapping FMR. Since the Ministry of External Affairs is currently in the process of scrapping it, MHA has recommended the immediate suspension of the FMR, he tweeted.

The decision comes amidst ongoing ethnic clashes in Manipur. The Centre had blamed free movement with Myanmar as the cause of recurring violence in the northeastern state.

Welcoming the decision, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh tweeted, Immensely grateful to Honble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji and Honble HM Shri @AmitShah Ji for their commitment to securing our borders. The decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar, as recommended by @HMOIndia, is crucial for our internal security and the demographic integrity of our North Eastern States. This is yet another historic decision in curbing illegal immigration and strengthening our internal security after the recent announcement to fence the 1643 Km Indo-Myanmar border by Government of India.
The government has adopted a three-pronged approach while framing the new criminal laws to ensure speedy delivery of justice, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said, adding that delays in the criminal justice system will soon become a thing of the past.

In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, Shah noted that timelines have been added in 35 sections of the new laws at various stages of police investigation, prosecution and judiciary.

Timelines have been set for investigation, arrest, chargesheet, proceedings before magistrate, plea bargaining, appointment of assistant prosecutor, trial, bail, judgement, punishment and mercy petition, he said.

The home minister pointed out that in cases related to sexual assault, it has been made mandatory to submit the medical examination report within seven days. Similarly, in all criminal cases, within 45 days after the hearing is complete, judgement has to be delivered.

Read full interview in the latest issue of THE WEEK (issue dated Feb 18) now on stands, or CLICK HERE.

The three lawsthe Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Actwill replace the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872. President Draupadi Murmu gave her assent to the bills on December 25, after they were cleared by Parliament.

I am confident that once the new laws are completely implemented, any citizen who lodges an FIR will be able to get justice within three years. Delays in the criminal justice system will become a thing of the past, Shah said.

Elaborating on the measures taken to strengthen the justice delivery system, the home minister said the use of technology and forensics has been given thrust in the new laws to ensure transparency and accountability and to improve the quality of evidence during police investigations.

Under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Shah said, a complaint received through electronic communication will be taken on record as an FIR within three days. Also, there will be an audio or video recording of the evidence, which will be produced before the magistrate immediately.

From FIR to case diary, chargesheet and judgement, the entire process is digitised. Forensic evidence collection at the crime scene has been made mandatory in offences attracting a jail term of seven years or more, he said, adding that it will ensure the prosecution has scientific evidence, which in turn will speed up the entire process.

The home minister asserted that the three new laws were framed with the spirit of citizen first, dignity first, and justice first and that they would bring an end to the "slave mentality" brought by the British Raj.

The priority of the British Raj, Shah alleged, was to punish citizens to protect the crown. But that isnt the case today. We have called it Nyay Sanhita, or justice-centric, and the laws are based on the spirit of the Constitution, focusing on citizens right to access justice, equality before law, and justice for all, he said.

Under the new laws, offences against women and children, criminal assault, slavery and forced labour are prioritised above offences against the state. All this reflects the citizen-centric approach where justice is the fulcrum, the home minister claimed.
India on Thursday strongly rejected the recent claims of Canada alleging New Delhi's interference in its elections. India asserted that Ottawa's meddling in India's internal affairs has always been the core issue.

Recently, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service in its report has named India as a foreign interference threat.

"We have seen media reports about the Canadian commission enquiring into...We strongly reject all such baseless allegations of Indian interference in Canadian elections," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

According to the CTV News, the Canadian federal commission's terms of reference is primarily to examine the possible interference by China, Russia and other foreign states or non-state actors in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.

"It is not the government of India's policy to interfere in democratic processes of other countries. In fact, quite on the reverse, it is Canada which has been interfering in our internal affairs," Jaiswal said.

"We have been raising this issue regularly with them. We continue to call on Canada to take effective measures to address our core concerns," he said.

The Canadian intel report also alleged that China sought to influence its last two federal elections as well.

India and Canada diplomatic relations became tense after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the former's involvement in the death of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Following the allegations and counter-allegations, Canada had expelled an Indian diplomat posted in Ottawa. India had also asked Canada to reduce its number of diplomats in India as well.

India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.
An 18-day-old girl child in Madhya Pradeshs Indore was abandoned by her father in bushes as he did not want another daughter. The Indore police, however, recovered the child within three hours and handed her back to the mother. Medically, the infants condition is good, police sources said.

The incident occurred in Hira Nagar of Indore on Thursday. The father, Rohit Yadav, a computer operator in a private firm, has confessed to the crime. A case has been registered against Yadav, in-charge of Hira Nagar police station, P.L. Sharma told THE WEEK.

Sharma said that the mother of the infant, Anita, was working outside and when she returned home, she found the baby missing. Anita called the police who launched a search for the child.

While scanning the CCTV, the cops found Yadav leaving the house with a big bag. Finding his actions suspicious, the police interrogated him in detail.

Yadav first feigned ignorance about his missing daughter and said that he had taken the bag to bring some things from the market. However, a stole of the infant was found in the bag and the babys mother confirmed that she had been wrapped in the stole on Thursday.

After further interrogation, Yadav confessed to have taken away his daughter and abandoned her in bushes near the under-construction new airport on Sanver Road. He said that he did not want another girl since the couple already has a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter.

The police recovered the baby in good health from the spot and handed her over to her mother.

Earlier, in January this year, a man in Betul of Madhya Pradesh killed his newborn son, apparently because he wanted a daughter. The newborn boy was the third child of the accused, both the elder children being boys aged seven and five years.

The accused Anil Uikey, a resident of Bajarwada under Padhar police post, was reportedly in an inebriated condition when he strangled his 12-day-old son to death. He was arrested by the Betul police.

According to the Crimes in India report of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), in the year 2022, a total 83 cases of infanticide (killing of children below 1 year of age) were reported in the country, of which 11 were in Madhya Pradesh. Similarly, 104 children were killed before being born (foeticide) in the country, five among them in Madhya Pradesh.
The possibility of a united front by the INDIA bloc against the BJP seems difficult in Jammu and Kashmir, as the National Conference, the main regional party of the alliance, insists that seat-sharing will be restricted to only those seats won by the BJP in the last Lok Sabha polls.

The NC won three of the six Lok Sabha seatsSrinagar, Anantnag, and Baramullain the previous Lok Sabha polls.

The remaining two in Jammu and one in Ladakh were bagged by the BJP. After Jammu and Kashmir was split into two Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh following the abrogation of Article 370, there are five Lok Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir and one in Ladakh.

The Congress wants the regional parties, the NC and the PDP, to put up a joint front against the BJP on all five seats.

There have been no talks on seat-sharing within the INDIA bloc so far, said the NC vice president and former chief minister, Omar Abdullah, on Tuesday. Congress is interested in dialogue.

In the coming days, there will be a discussion, especially about the three seatsJammu, Udhampur, and Ladakhwhich are with the BJP.

He said the NC has also contested elections from Jammu, Udhampur, and Ladakh constituencies in the past. He said the NC has won the Jammu Lok Sabha seat once and Ladakh more than once.

We will sit and discuss which formula we should adopt so that we can regain the seats currently held by the BJP, he said. The seats won by the NC in 2019 are INDIA bloc seats. What do I have to discuss with the INDIA bloc about these seats? he asked, adding, The fight is not within the INDIA bloc.

The fight is to reclaim those seats held by the BJP. Since three seats are with the INDIA bloc, I do not need to discuss those with them.

Mehbooba Mufti-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is also keen on joining forces against the BJP, but the NC's refusal to agree to seat-sharing in Kashmir will make the party rethink its strategy.

The recent thaw in relations between the PDP and Muzaffar Hussain Baig, former PDP leader and MP, who commands support among the tribal population, suggests that the latter might be seeking a mandate from the PDP for the Lok Sabha polls in Baramulla or Anantnag-Pir Panjal, comprising districts of Rajouri and Poonch, which have sizeable Gujjar and Pahari-speaking populations.

Mehbooba, like Omar Abdullah, has also vowed not to contest the assembly polls until the restoration of Article 370 and statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Observers believe that Mehbooba could be a good choice for the PDP for the Anantnag-Pir Panjal constituency due to the support the party commands in south Kashmir and among sections of tribals in Pir Panjal.

Parliament recently passed a bill conferring Scheduled Tribe status to Paharis, intending to wrest the Anantnag-Pir Panjal seat from regional parties. While most Pahari-speaking Hindus are likely to vote for the BJP, it remains to be seen how many Pahari-speaking Muslims will vote for the saffron party.

On February 2, senior Congress leader and chairman AICC screening committee for Lok Sabha elections in J&K Bhakta Charan Das (ex-MP), arrived in Jammu along with other two screening committee membersBharat Singh Solanki (AICC general secretary and incharge J&K affairs of the party) and senior AICC leader Neeraj Dangi (Rajya Sabha MP), for shortlisting and recommending party candidates for Lok Sabha elections.

Das held a meeting of the 26-member J&K Pradesh Election Committee. We will submit our report to the five-member alliance/screening committee which was constituted for the purpose, he said.

Das also said the dialogue is ongoing with the alliance partners to address any confusion. We are not a decision-making committee. That is not our domain. We are for technical work while the political negotiation and finalisation of candidates (with alliance partners) will be done by a separate committee, he said.

The INDIA bloc is significant for J&K UT and the country, he said, and all the alliance partners must move together. Sources said JKPCC leaders G.A. Mir, Raman Bhalla, Tara Chand, Vikar Rasool Wani, Tariq Hamid Karra, Balbir Singh and Peerzada Mohd Sayeed are among the frontrunners for the five Lok Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir.
Former minister and Maharashtra Congress leader Baba Siddique has announced his resignation from the party. The former minister tweeted that he is ending his 48 years of journey with Congress.

I joined the Indian National Congress party as a young teenager and it has been a significant journey lasting 48 years. Today I resign from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress Party @INCIndia with immediate effect, Siddique tweeted. He added, Theres a lot I would have liked to express but as they say some things are better left unsaid. I thank everyone who has been a part of this journey.

Siddique was serving as the Chairperson and Senior Vice President of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee and Parliamentary Board of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee. He was elected to the Maharashtra Assembly for three consecutive terms.
Bidding farewell to members retiring from the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lauded the contribution of his predecessor Manmohan Singh to the House and the country, and said he will be remembered whenever democracy is discussed.



Singh, he noted, came to vote in the Rajya Sabha in a wheelchair to help strengthen democracy.

As he gave his best wishes to the retiring members, he expressed the hope that they will scale new heights after getting educated in this 'eternal university'. He also hoped that the country and the new generations would benefit from their experience.

The prime minister said while the Lok Sabha changes every five years and is adorned with a new look, the Rajya Sabha gets a new vitality and energy after every two years, that fills it with an atmosphere of new excitement and enthusiasm. That is why, he said the farewell every two years in this House is not a farewell, but leaves a priceless legacy with the indelible memories left behind for the new members. "This House is a symbol of continuity," he noted.

Hailing Singh, Modi said, "I would especially like to remember Dr Manmohan Singh ji. For six times he has been a member of this House and has made a huge contribution to this House with his valuable thoughts."

"As a leader and also as the Leader of the Opposition, he has made a very big contribution. Whenever our democracy will be discussed, he will be one of those few esteemed members whose contribution will always be remembered," Modi said.

The prime minister said Singh coming in a wheelchair to vote in the House was an inspiring example of a member's dedication to his duties. "I believe he came to impart strength to democracy", Modi said as he conveyed his good wishes for the former prime minister's long and healthy life.

Singh was first elected to the Rajya Sabha in October 1991 after he became the Finance minister. He had six terms in the Rajya Sabha - 1991, 1995, 2001, 2007, 2013 and 2019. He is currently a member of the Council of States from Rajasthan and his term ends on April 3, 2024. Singh was Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha from May 2004 to 2014 when he was prime minister. He also remained as Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha from March 21, 1998 to May 21, 2004.

Prime Minister Modi also urges current and future MPs of both houses to view the lives of senior, retiring MPs as a guiding light and learn from their conduct in life and from the talents they exhibited in their careers. Marking the significance of the moment, the prime minister said members who are leaving today had the opportunity to be in both the old and the new building and they are leaving bearing witness to the 'Amrit Kaal' and 75 years of the Constitution.

Recalling the time of the Covid pandemic when uncertainties loomed large, he lauded the commitment of MPs for not letting any hindrance come in the way of the functioning of the House. He noted the huge risks undertaken by the Members of Parliament to fulfil their responsibilities.

Modi also expressed deep grief for those members who lost their lives to coronavirus and said the House accepted it with grace and continued to move forward.

Quoting ancient scriptures, the prime minister explained that those who keep good company inculcate similar qualities, and those surrounded by bad company become flawed. 68 members of Rajya Sabha are retiring between February and May after completing their term.
The ruling LDF alliance in Kerala, led by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday, held a protest in the national capital against the alleged neglect by the Centre towards the southern state in financial matters.

The chief minister, LDF MPs, MLAs and senior Left Front leaders, including CPI general secretary D. Raja and CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, marched to the Jantar Mantar from the Kerala House in the heart of New Delhi, braving the cold winter morning.

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah, Tamil Nadu's Minister of Information Technology and Digital Services Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and leaders of various other Opposition parties also joined the protest at Jantar Mantar.

Vijayan, speaking on the occasion, said that February 8, 2024, will be a "red letter day" in the history of the Republic of India. A democracy that was envisaged as a 'Union of States' is slowly and steadily being crippled into an undemocratic 'Union over States'. "We are seeing its manifestations around the country, especially in opposition-ruled states," he said.

"We have all come together to register our strong protest against this and to preserve the federal structure of India. Today we are marking the beginning of a renewed fight that would herald a dawn of ensuring equitable treatment of the States. This fight would also strive to maintain a balance in the Centre-State relations," Vijayan said.

Vijayan charged, "Multinational agreements are being entered into on issues that affect the states, without seeking the states' opinion, let alone getting their consent. The body blow to the country's federal structure is coming from the union government eating into the states' financial resources. Vijayan said that the same people who wax eloquent about cooperative federalism have tried to undercut the resources to be allocated to the states by the Finance Commission. "On top of that, we are seeing the Union's allocation for their own schemes coming down year after year, while the states are being forced to chip in more and more, he said. "Even in the interim budget that was presented a few days ago, the states are being further squeezed as the loans given for capital expenditures have been reduced," he added.

Addressing at the event, Kejriwal said, The BJP has waged a war against the opposition-ruled states. They have created an India-Pakistan situation with us. The Centre is using all the tactics to harass the opposition governments.

Kejriwal said, "I have come here to ask for the rights of two crore people. If you do not give us funds how will we build roads, provide electricity and work for development. How can you snatch the people's rights?" He alleged that the Centre is not giving funds to the state governments, using Governors and Lt Governors to meddle in the functioning of the state governments and unleashing central agencies on the opposition leaders.

Bhagwant Singh Mann said at a time when they should have been at their respective secretariats preparing for the budget, they are here to protest at Jantar Mantar. "We should have been at our respective secretariats and attending to work as this is the time for budget preparation. But, here we are at Jantar Mantar asking for our rights. They have withheld Rs 5,500 crore of our funds and we had to approach the SC. "Where the BJP has no MLAs, the governors start ruling," he alleged at the protest.
Independent Lok Sabha MP and actor Sumalatha Ambareesh on Thursday met BJP national president J P Nadda and party general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh giving rise to speculations about her pitching for a BJP ticket.

The Mandya MP, who defeated JD(S) scion Nikhil Kumaraswamy in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, called on the two BJP leaders in New Delhi, and later posted photographs with them on the social media website X.

"Today I met BJP National President J P Nadda and BJP National General Secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh informally and discussed about Mandya constituency and Lok Sabha elections. I thank Nadda Ji and Santhosh Ji for giving their precious time and listening to me. Thanks again for your kind words," Sumalatha said in her post.

Sumalatha has been cozying up to the BJP and is aspiring for a ticket from the party, sources close to her said, adding that she has kept her options open in case she is rebuffed.

In a recent interview to a news channel, she had said that some senior Congress leaders were also in touch with her. Mandya constituency has become a contentious issue for the BJP, its alliance partner Janata Dal (Secular) and Sumalatha for the upcoming Lok Sabha election, which is about two months away.

During the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Sumalatha disturbed the political equations of the JD(S) and Congress in Mandya after she announced that she would contest the election.

Mandya was traditionally considered as a JD(S) bastion as it is dominated by the Vokkaliga community, which the JD(S) first family of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda belong to. In the 2019 polls, the JD(S) tried to use the Mandya seat as a political launch pad for Gowda's grandson and former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil.

However, Sumalatha poured cold water over their plans by defeating him. The latest speculations of Sumalatha seeking a BJP ticket to contest from Mandya is likely to be a vexatious issue in the 2024 polls for JD(S), which is now an ally of the BJP.

JD(S), which had won all the seven seats in 2018 assembly elections from Mandya district, suffered another serious setback in 2023 when it lost six seats to Congress and its ally.

Despite this, the party is not keen on giving up its stronghold. With its tally in the state assembly reducing from 37 seats in 2018 to a mere 19 in 2023, the JD(S) joined the NDA in September last year after a meeting between H.D. Kumaraswamy, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Nadda in New Delhi. Both parties have said they would fight the coming Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka together.
NASA's cutting-edge climate satellite, Pace, was successfully launched into orbit by SpaceX on Thursday. With a budget of USD 948 million, this cutting-edge satellite aims to transform our comprehension of Earth's oceans and atmosphere, providing unprecedented insights into our planet's dynamic environment.

Ascending into the skies before dawn, the Falcon rocket carried Pace on a rare polar orbit trajectory, heading south over the Atlantic. Over the next three years, the satellite will meticulously observe the oceans and atmosphere from an altitude of 420 miles (676 kilometers), providing crucial insights into our changing climate. Employing its three high-tech science instruments, Pace will scan the globe daily, capturing invaluable data that promises to reshape our comprehension of Earth's delicate ecosystems.

Lead project scientist, Jeremy Werdell, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "It's going to be an unprecedented view of our home planet." By analyzing the oceans and atmosphere, Pace will enhance our ability to predict and prepare for severe weather phenomena such as hurricanes. Moreover, it will enable scientists to closely monitor the effects of rising temperatures on Earth's ecosystems, offering critical information on the occurrence of harmful algae blooms.

While NASA already boasts an impressive fleet of Earth-observing satellites, Pace's advanced capabilities will provide a new dimension to these endeavors. By delving into the intricate relationship between atmospheric aerosols, including pollutants and volcanic ash, and marine organisms such as algae and plankton, Pace will unlock invaluable insights into our planet's intricate web of life.

Karen St. Germain, NASA's director of Earth science, emphasized the significance of Pace, stating, "Pace will give us another dimension to what other satellites observe." By employing its innovative technology, including the ability to perceive an astounding 200 colors compared to the seven or eight colors observed by current satellites, Pace will enable scientists to discern different types of algae in the sea and identify various particles in the air.

The world eagerly anticipates the wealth of data Pace will provide, with scientists estimating that initial findings will be available within a month or two. Furthermore, NASA is collaborating with India on the launch of another advanced Earth-observing satellite named Nisar later this year. By utilizing radar technology, Nisar will focus on measuring the impact of rising temperatures on glaciers and other melting icy surfaces.
Russia's election commission on Thursday rejected Vladimir Putin's challenger, Boris Nadezhdin's candidature for the upcoming presidential election.

The Central Election Commission declared over 9,000 signatures submitted by Nadezhdin was flawed.

Nadezhdin, 60, has been critical over Putin's full-scale war in Ukraine. He had openly called for a halt to the Ukraine conflict.

After the CEC disapproval, Nadezhdin said that he would appeal to the Supreme Court. He also added that he did not agree with the CEC's decision. "I collected more than 200,000 signatures across Russia. We conducted the collection openly and honestly - the queues at our headquarters and collection points were watched by the whole world," Nadezhdin said on his official Telegram channel.

"Taking part in the presidential election in 2024 is the most important political decision of my life. I am not giving up on my intentions," he added.

Nadezhdin called on his supporters to keep their faith as well. "I ask you not to give up. Something has happened that many people could not believe in: citizens have sensed the possibility of change in Russia," he said.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said CEC's decision to refue Nadezhdin's candidature was in line with all the rules, reported Reuters. "What we heard today from the CEC is that there were a large number of errors in the signatures and a large number of signatures were invalid," he said.

The Russia's election is set to take place in March, in which Putin is expected to win. He chose to run as an independent rather than as the candidate of the ruling United Russia party. Reportedly, Putin had already collected more than 3.5 million.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken left the Middle East on Thursday with public divisions between the United States and Israel at perhaps their worst level since Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza began in October.

Wrapping up a four-nation Mideast trip - his fifth to the region since the conflict erupted - Blinken was returning to Washington after getting a virtual slap in the face from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said the war would continue until Israel is completely victorious and appeared to reject outright a response from Hamas to a proposed cease-fire plan.

Relations between Israel and its main international ally, the United States, have been tense for months, but Netanyahu's public dismissal of a plan the US says has merit, at least as a starting point for further negotiation, highlighted the divide.

Yet Blinken and other US officials said they remained optimistic that progress could be made on their main goals of improving humanitarian conditions for Palestinians civilians, securing the release of hostages held by Hamas, preparing for a post-conflict Gaza and preventing the war from spreading.

Officials said Blinken's optimism was based on his first four post-Oct 7 trips to the Middle East. None of those visits resulted in immediate visible successes, but they brought limited but significant improvements in the delivery of humanitarian aid and a weeklong cease-fire in November in which scores of hostages were released.

Clearly there are things that Hamas sent back that are absolute non-starters, Blinken said of the response the militant group delivered Tuesday to a cease-fire and hostage release proposal that was endorsed last month by Egypt, Qatar, the US and Israel itself.

But, at the same time, we see space to continue to pursue an agreement, Blinken said late Wednesday. And these things are always negotiations. It's not flipping a light switch. It's not yes' or no.' There's invariably back and forth.

Shortly before Blinken spoke, though, Netanyahu took direct aim at the Hamas response, calling it delusional and vowing that Israel would fight on to achieve absolute victory over the militant group, no matter what.

Compounding Blinken's dilemma, Netanyahu also appeared to dismiss concerns from the US and others about expanding Israel's military operations in southern Gaza, particularly in Rafah, the area on the Egyptian border to which over a million Palestinians have fled.

On all of my previous visits here and pretty much every day in between, we have pressed Israel in concrete ways to strengthen civilian protection, to get more assistance to those who need it. And over the past four months, Israel has taken important steps to do just that, he said. And yet...the daily toll that its military operations continue to take on innocent civilians remains too high.

Netanyahu also called for the dismantlement of UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, which is the main distributor of international assistance to Gaza, because of its alleged hostility toward Israel and allegations that a dozen of its employees took part in the Oct 7 Hamas attack that ignited the war.

The US and other donor nations have suspended new assistance to UNRWA pending completion of a UN investigation into the allegations, but Blinken has nonetheless said the agency's role is critical to getting desperately needed humanitarian supplies into Gaza.

Blinken appealed to Netanyahu and other Israelis still reeling from the Hamas attack not to allow vengeance to dictate their continued response.

Israelis were dehumanised in the most horrific way on October 7, he said. And the hostages have been dehumanized every day since. But that cannot be a license to dehumanise others.

Blinken came to Israel just hours after the receipt of the Hamas counter-proposal to the framework cease-fire agreement put forward late last month. That proposal includes a three-phase plan to de-escalate the conflict.

In Qatar on Tuesday, both Qatar's prime minister and Blinken said the proposal had promise as a starting point for further negotiation.

And Blinken talked up Saudi Arabia's interest in normalising relations with Israel, provided the Gaza war ends and the Palestinians are given a clear, credible and time-bound pathway to an independent state.

We remain determined as well to pursue a diplomatic path to a just and lasting peace, and security for all in the region, and notably for Israel, Blinken said in Tel Aviv.

However, Netanyahu is opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state and has said Israel will maintain open-ended security control over Gaza.
Counting of votes began in Pakistan after the polling, marred by violence and terror attacks, ended on Thursday evening. According to Interior Ministry, the mobile phone services have been partially restored in parts of the country.

Amid the unrest and violence in many constituencies, the government had suspended mobile and internet services across the nation.

Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja said internet suspension will not affect the compilation of election results. The electoral watchdog has an exclusive and independent networking system, said Raja.

A countrywide public holiday was declared to enable maximum voters to participate. The polling, that began at 8 am, started off with a low voter turnout. However, as the day proceeded, the voter turnout improved in many regions. The voting concluded by 5 pm but the polling percentage is not yet known.

A party must win 133 seats out of 265 being contested to form the next government.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party's Nawaz Sharif, 74, is likely to win the polls securing a record fourth term.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said it has resolved 76 poll-related complaints, which were received throughout the day. Complaints dominated scuffle between political workers and officials in various regions.

After the voting ended, Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said, "Even though the illegitimate, fascist regime tried every low tactic to scare & dissuade people from voting, the people of Pakistan came out today in unprecedented numbers to vehemently reject the system of oppression, lawlessness & fraud!".

A day after the twin blasts in Balochistan province, over 6,50,000 security personnel were deployed across the country.

Despite the mobile, internet suspension, a large number of people turned up for voting to elect lawmakers for national and provincial assemblies- on 855 constituencies.

As voting got underway in Pakistan, six people including policemen were killed were killed in two separate attacks during the voting in Pakistan. In the first incident, unidentified gunmen set off a bomb and then opened fire at a vehicle of security personnel deployed for election security in the restive Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

In another incident, two Levies and police personnel were killed in Balochistan's Kharan when their vehicle hit a landmine en route to a polling station.

In the 2018 elections, overall voter turnout across the nation was 51.7 per cent.
Former Malaysian finance minister Daim Zainuddin and his wife have reportedly been charged for failing to disclose assets. This was part of an anti-corruption investigation launched based on revelations in Pandora Papers, reported ICIJ.



Zainuddin and his associates came under the lens of the country's Anti-Corruption Commission in 2023 after Malaysiakini, a media partner of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, exposed their links to companies and trusts based in British Virgin Islands, holding assets worth $31 million.

Who is Daim Zainuddin?

Zainuddin, 85, was the Malaysian finance minister during 1984-1991 and 1999-2001.

He could get up to five years imprisonment along with a fine if found guilty. He is charged with not declaring 71 assets, including dozens of companies, real estate and luxury cars, according to Malaysiakini.

The former minister has denied all the charges against him and pleaded not guilty. Wheelchair-ridden Zainuddin was granted bail after his lawyer cited health issues, reported Reuters. His wife Naimah Khalid has also pleaded not guilty.

The anti-graft panel said it is also probing another Cayman Islands-registered offshore family trust worth about $52.5 million. The couple's two youngest sons are the beneficiaries of this trust which was used for investments in the US and the UK, reported ICIJ, citing documents.

Naimah, in a statement, alleged that the assets "were product of legitimate business and investment activities, going back long before Daim joined politics in 1984."
Over 128 million Pakistanis will vote on Thursday to elect their representatives for the National Assembly, and four provincial legislatures in an election marred by militant attacks, crisis and a deeply polarised political environment.

The voting will be held from 8 am to 5 pm for 266 seats in the 336-seat National Assembly. The remaining 70 are reserved seats. While 60 are for women, 10 are for non-Muslims and would be allotted according to the strength of each party in the house.

The main contests are likely to be between the candidates backed by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan and the Nawaz Sharif-led Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N). Khan's candidates are facing the electoral battle without the party symbol and name after the election commission banned PTI from using it on the technical grounds that it did not hold an internal leadership election.

Others in the fray include Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's Pakistan People's Party. The 35-year-old son of former premier Benazir Bhutto was the foreign minister with the PML-N-PPP coalition government which ruled Pakistan for over one year after the ouster of Imran Khan.

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, center, and his daughter Maryam Nawaz, right, waves to their supporters as they arrive to address an election campaign rally in Hafizabad |AP

While unofficial results would be out a few hours after voting closes at 5 p.m., local media reports claim that the PML-N is likely to emerge as the single largest party and the PPP as a distant second. Nawaz Sharif has been projected as the future prime minister if the PML-N manages to secure an absolute majority. Pakistan's former premier Shehbaz Sharif has made it clear that his brother Nawaz Sharif would become prime minister if his party gets the majority. If it is a split mandate, the decision about a new leader would be taken after talks with coalition partners.

However, in Pakistan, the Army holds a major sway and could become the deciding factor. In Pakistan, which was under martial rule for half its existence, the Army is the major power. It pulls the strings and allegedly picks the Prime Minister depending on his willingness to cooperate.

"The deciding factor is which side the powerful military and its security agencies are on," Abbas Nasir, a columnist told Reuters. "Only a huge turnout in favour of PTI can change its fortunes." Many believe Nawaz Sharif is being backed by the generals.

Economic crisis, terrorism

Pakistan is in severe economic turmoil and needs a stable government for recovery. "Historically, engineered electoral exercises have not produced stability," Nasir said. "The country's economic challenges are so serious, grave, and the solutions so very painful that I am unsure how anyone who comes to power will steady the ship."

It was the $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that saved the country from a sovereign default last year and Pakistan desperately needs an extended programme as the lender's support ends in March.

Militancy is also a huge threat to Pakistan's stability. Raising concerns over security, two explosions rocked Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan on Wednesday, killing 26 people and wounding dozens. Over the past 18 months, several such attacks have been reported, including by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group which reorganised in Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power there in 2021. Islamabad's limited fiscal space limits its ability to fund another sustained military operation is helping the group. Besides TTP, an ethnic-nationalist Baloch insurgency in the southwest too is a headache for Pakistan.
The politics that unfolded in the Telugu lands in the last decade and a half have been very eventful and dramatic, resulting in the rise or downfall of leaders and parties. It is a Herculean task to pack in the important political milestones and associated emotions that occurred between 2009 and 2019 in a two-hour movie. Yatra 2, directed by Mahi V. Raghav, attempts to capture the journey of the current Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, from the time he was thrust onto the political stage immediately after the sudden death of his father Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR).

The movie is a sequel to Yatra, which showed how former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy stormed to power in 2004 with his signature padayatra (walkathon). In both installments, senior Malayalam actor Mammootty plays YSR convincingly. To a great extent, Yatra 2 is a biopic of Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, played by Jiiva. The basic plot of Yatra 2 is public knowledge, and probably that is also the USP of the film, as politics is a keenly followed subject in the southern states.

The movie opens with the final days of YSR when he gets re-elected as the chief minister of a united AP in 2009. In the simultaneous elections held for Parliament, his son Y.S. Jagan gets elected as an MP of Progress Party (a fictionalised name for the Congress). It is here that Jagan gets a bitter taste of dealing with the high-handedness of the Delhi central leadership. The audience is introduced to the bond that the son and the father share.

Post the tragic helicopter accident of YSR, a young Jagan is seen absorbing the shock of losing his father while those around him indulge in scheming and planning. It is here that some controversial revelations are made, which makes the movie interesting. For a long period, Y.S. Jagans opponents had alleged that it was Jagan who wished to be the CM after the demise of his father.

According to the movie, it was the leaders in the Congress party who hastily wrote a letter to Sonia Gandhi to make him the CM without his knowledge. And it was senior leaders close to Sonia Gandhi who provoked and misled her into antagonizing Jagan.

The film is full of real-life politicians like K.V.P. Ramchandar Rao (Subhalekha Sudhakar) who add intensity and depth to the narrative that Jagan was the victim of a witch-hunt by both Sonia Gandhi and Chandrababu Naidu (Mahesh Manjrekar). The movie also lays bare the alleged backdoor dealings between Congress and Naidus Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to sideline Jagan. Mirroring reality, Jagan defies the Progress Party high command and starts his own party, and then lands up in jail on corruption charges.

Yatra 2 also has interesting details about how Jagan was asked to support a bill of the Central government in return for bail, and how he turned down the offer. The second half of the movie follows Jagan reviving himself while following his fathers strict ideals, values, and a padayatra to clinch power. The filmmakers used original footage of Jagan and YSR family in bits and pieces, which is a good value addition to the movie.

Jiiva as Jagan gives his best shot emulating his expressions and body language. The movies background music is average and on many occasions fails to elevate the scenes. The screenplay is good. Whether it is showcasing his 2017 padayatra or the aftermath of the release of Jagan on bail or when he started a party, the movie looks to be in a hurry to capture all the elements of Y.S. Jagans political life, and in the process fails to mete out special treatment to some of his high moments.

Though the director does try his best to keep the movie as realistic as possible, Yatra 2 makes for an interesting watch even for those who are not political enthusiasts.

Movie: Yatra 2

Cast: Mammootty , Jiiva, Mahesh Manjrekar, Subhalekha Sudhakar

Director: Mahi V. Raghav

Rating: 3.5/5
Mumbai/Panaji, Feb 8 (PTI) Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) on Thursday announced signing of a sub-license agreement for a 300-key Ginger Hotel at Manohar International Airport (MOPA) in Goa.

The 60-year sub-license agreement was signed between GMR Goa International Airport (GGIAL) and Roots Corporation (RCL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of IHCL. The property is slated to open in 2027, the company said in a statement.

"With the rapidly growing country's airport infrastructure, the signing of a Ginger at the new Manohar International Airport, Goa, is in line with our growth plan of being present across key transit hubs.

"This will be the third large format Ginger hotel at an international airport after Mumbai and Bengaluru, catering to the growing demand that these nodal centres generate," IHCL Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Puneet Chhatwal said.

With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 15 hotels in Goa, including four under development.
A substantial 51% of business leaders in the Middle East are concerned about lack of funding as the primary obstacle for cybersecurity, compared to only 36% of global leaders who face similar challenges.

This is according to Deloitte, which has released its Future of Cyber report, providing crucial data based on extensive Middle East and global surveys, as well as analysis and insights by Deloitte experts.

Moreover, a substantial 69% of Middle East respondents emphasised the strategic need for training and certification programs to engage, retain and develop cyber talent within organisations.

Huge impact

The report showcases the current levels of awareness around cyber needs in the market, with a notable 52% of respondents in the Middle East emphasising the huge impact of cybersecurity on the success of digital transformation initiatives. In addition, 61% of respondents highlighted the integral role of cybersecurity in supporting comprehensive business disruption planning. The study also revealed that 55% of regional leaders reported achieving a positive business impact as a result of implementing cybersecurity strategies.

Tariq Ajmal, Cyber leader at Deloitte Middle East, said: As organisations face a constant barrage of cyber threats in today's rapidly evolving digital world, its important to adopt a strategic approach to effectively safeguard critical assets. A proactive approach to cybersecurity is paramount, as it focuses on building long term value and is considered an essential part of the framework for businesses to produce their desired outcomes."

"Businesses need to build resilience against disruption by planning for complex events and developing proactive incident response plans. Theres a need to view cybersecurity as a key business enabler through adequate funding, as well as training existing talent and actively recruiting top professionals."

--TradeArabia News Service
India will be the largest source of oil-demand growth for the next 7 years, IEA says

India is going to be a key driver in global oil demand growth for the next seven years, IEA said.

The country's oil demand is expected to increase by 1.2 million barrels a day by 2030, roughly a third of global demand gains.

That demand will come from India's growing economy and mounting energy security concerns.

Move over, China. India is going to be the foremost driver of global oil-demand growth over the next seven years.

According to a new report from the International Energy Agency, India's oil demand is expected to grow by 1.2 million barrels a day through 2030, which would make up roughly a third of the projected total over the period. The country was already the world's second-largest crude oil net importer in 2023.

"India will become the largest source of global oil demand growth between now and 2030, while growth in developed economies and China initially slows and then subsequently goes into reverse in our outlook," the IEA report said.

That shift is expected to arrive as India's economy keeps growing, along with its population and demographics. The country's massive industrial expansion is also a harbinger of soaring oil demand  through 2030, the sector is expected to account for about half the rise of India's oil demand and over a sixth of total global oil demand growth.

Meanwhile, China's economy has been going the other way. Beijing's blemished post-Covid growth and a fracturing property sector has tanked its stock market. Foreign investors have also fled the market.

But beyond economic muscle, India's oil demand growth is also a symptom of the global energy crisis, the IEA noted, which has forced countries around the world to prioritize energy security. That concern is a big one for India, a country highly dependent on oil imports. It only produces 13% of its supply needs.

Delhi has been pouring money into its refining sector in anticipation of that surging demand. The country is expected to add about 1 million barrels a day of new refinery distillation capacity by 2030, more than any other country besides China.

According to the IEA, India's oil demand would be even stronger  about 480 kilo barrels a day  if it wasn't for their investment in the energy transition.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Sonipat, 8 February, 2024: Jindal Global Law School (JGLS) of the O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) continues its knowledge production with a shifting focus on interdisciplinarity.

JGLS researchers published over 175+ publications in a variety of Scopus-indexed sources in 2023, representing an increase of over 25% over the previous year and has surpassed the total number of similar publications from the top 4 National Law Schools in the country by over 60%. The research has been published in some of top ranking and renowned journals globally.



In previous years, JGLSs faculty members had published highly impactful research in some of the worlds most renowned law journals. While they continue to influence decision-making through similar publications, mindful of the larger global reconstitution of human socialization, JGLS has strategically shifted its focus on knowledge that goes beyond conventionally set disciplinary boundaries.



On the shifting focus and this result, Prof. (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University and Founding Dean of Jindal Global Law School, reflects, It is a strong and well-informed conviction that contemporary global issues require global approaches. Being global in willing and acting is the founding motto and functional style of JGU. We also strongly feel that limiting oneself to the parochialism of disciplinary loyalty is epistemic injustice, at least in our times. It is with such equitable sentiments that the faculty members of JGLS and JGU engage in interdisciplinary research. There is no disciplinary disloyalty here. That is to say, instead of breaking their own disciplinary convictions, they have invited expertise from other disciplines in the form of collaborations. Their openness to knowledge, in the spirt of, and reiterating, the classical Indian wisdom, Aano bhadra krtavo yantu vishwatah (Let noble thoughts come to us from everywhere), has caused this extraordinary result. I thank and congratulate the faculty members of JGU for their extraordinary contributions to this achievement.



The various law journals where JGLS faculty members have published their legal and interdisciplinary research include:



 Kings Law Journal



 Statute Law Review



 Oxford University Commonwealth Law Journal



 Liverpool Law Review



 International Arbitration Law Review



 Journal of Intellectual Property Rights



 Asian Journal of International Law



 Australian Feminist Law Journal



 International Review of Law, Computers and Technology



Prof. (Dr.) C Raj Kumar has also highlighted that, Interdisciplinarity being the future approach to knowledge production, JGU has established the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies for building frameworksclusters, networks, loops, and incubatorsfor the production and dissemination of interdisciplinary knowledge. All schools of JGU, including JGLS, will be the beneficiaries of this Office.



The interdisciplinary forums where JGLS faculty members have published include:



 Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs



 Onati Socio-Legal Series



 Social Science and Medicine



 Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters



 Healthcare



 Journal of Religion and Popular Culture



 Sophia Studies in Cross-cultural Philosophy of Traditions and Cultures



 The Routledge Handbook of Mega-Sporting Events and Human Rights



 Legal Pluralism and Critical Social Analysis



 Handbook of Research on Exploring Gender Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Through an Intersectional Lens



 Women and Criminal Justice



 European Journal of Risk Regulation



 Canadian Journal of Development Studies



 Contemporary South Asia



 Journal of Data Protection and Privacy



In the year 2023, over 50% of the publications by JGLS that featured in Scopus-indexed forums were achieved through inter-institutional collaborations with various national and international institutes of repute.



The school has built a research ecosystembased on the slogan of publish and flourishthat is more congenial for the production of interdisciplinary knowledge, which includes faculty conversation series, writers boot camps, research colloquia, meet the author/publisher series, and reading groups.



Prof. (Dr.) Kumar has added that, Interdisciplinary is achieved by making interdisciplinary connections to happen. This includes opportunities for faculty members with diverse disciplinary backgrounds to connect and collaborate. JGUs infrastructural design has many nudges that bring highly resourceful faculty members, who would have otherwise remained in their silos of production, to come together and discover possibilities.



Prof. Dipika Jain, Vice Dean (Research) at JGLS explains how school prompts research among faculty members. Research is not an art that can be taught. It is an urge, an urge to self-express and to break the silence. In order to have that urge there should be inspiration. Hence, the school has been inviting inspiriting writers and scholars to speak to aspiring writers and share their writing experience, their ways of breaking the silence, and their styles of expressing with the latter. Along with providing orientations in methods and materials, we invest faith in producing that essential sparkthe flowwhich could ignite ideas and help young writers to recognize their voice.



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with O.P. Jindal Global University and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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PUNE, India, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Switch Off Mattresses, an iconic name in the bedding industry, announces a groundbreaking move as it introduces its Magnet Infused Mattress line to the online market in India. The launch marks a significant leap forward for the 87-year-old legacy brand, renowned for its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction.





Harnessing the power of magnets to enhance the sleep experience, Switch Off Mattresses' Magnet Infused Mattress line offers a revolutionary approach to achieving restful nights and rejuvenating mornings. Unlike traditional mattresses, these innovative creations incorporate strategically placed magnets that are believed to promote relaxation, alleviate discomfort, and improve overall sleep quality.



"Magnets have long been associated with various health benefits, and we've harnessed their potential to create a truly transformative sleep solution," explains Mr. Anirudh Shah, CSO and Partner, at Switch Off Mattresses. "Our Magnet Infused Mattresses are designed to provide a unique combination of support, comfort, and wellness, ensuring that our customers wake up feeling refreshed and revitalised each morning."



The integration of magnets in mattresses is rooted in the principles of magnetic therapy, which suggests that exposure to magnetic fields can stimulate circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation. By incorporating this technology into their mattresses, Switch Off aims to offer holistic sleep solutions that address both physical and mental well-being of the smart-working Indians.



Switch Off's Magnet Infused Mattress line is meticulously crafted using the brand's signature blend of 100% organic cotton and the highest grade of foam, ensuring unparalleled comfort and durability. Available in every size to accommodate diverse needs, Switch Off Mattresses also offers custom-sized mattresses for delivery across India, ensuring that every customer experiences the perfect fit for their sleep sanctuary.



In addition to the Magnet Infused Mattress line, Switch Off Mattresses offers a comprehensive range of sleep solutions, including premium quality spring mattresses, bonded foam mattresses, cotton mattresses at a price range starting from INR 6000. Each product is meticulously designed to provide optimal comfort, support, and durability, reflecting the brand's commitment to excellence in every aspect of the sleep experience.



"For someone who has dedicated his entire life to this industry, I am proud of us to pioneer the integration of magnet therapy in the bedding industry, and our online launch signifies our commitment to innovation and customer-centricity," adds Mr Haresh Shah, MD and Partner, New Poona Cotton Factory. "With our Magnet Infused Mattress line now available online, we're excited to bring the benefits of magnetic therapy to a wider audience, empowering individuals to achieve their best sleep yet."



For more information about Switch Off Mattresses and to explore the transformative benefits of the Magnet Infused Mattress line, visit their official website www.theswitchoff.com or connect with them on social media platforms.



About Switch Off Mattresses:



Switch Off Mattresses is a revered name in the bedding industry, celebrated for its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. With over 87 years of experience and over 2 Lakh Happy Customers, the brand offers a diverse range of sleep solutions crafted using premium materials and cutting-edge technology. Backed by The New Poona Cotton Factory, Switch Off Mattresses continues to redefine comfort and wellness for customers across India. In addition to the Magnet Infused Mattress line, Switch Off Mattresses offers a comprehensive range of sleep solutions, including premium quality spring mattresses, cotton mattresses, pure cotton quilts, and premium pillows, available in 80+ sizes and custom-made options. Each product is meticulously designed to provide optimal comfort, support, and durability, reflecting the brand's commitment to excellence in every aspect of the sleep experience.



Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2336407/SwitchOffMattress.jpg



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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NEW DELHI, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- New Delhi will be hosting a two-day Good Governance Festival, Sushasan Mahotsav'24 on 9-10 February. This festival is organised by Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini and supported by Poonawalla Fincorp, a Cyrus Poonawalla group promoted non-banking finance company. This festival will be inaugurated by BJP National President J P Nadda. ISKCON Govardhan Ecovillage is the associate partner of this festival.



Besides UP CM Yogi Adityanath, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav, Union Ministers Mansukh Mandavia and Jammu-Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha will also be sharing their thoughts and ideas at this festival in different sessions. Many Members of Parliament and Ministers will also be participating.



Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Vice-Chairman, Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini while talking to the media at the press conference said, "Sushasan Mahotsav 2024 is aimed at enhancing governance literacy and will also help participants analyse the success achieved by various governments on the front of implementation."



Abhay Bhutada, Managing Director, Poonawalla Fincorp, said, "It is a matter of great pride for us to be associated with this festival. This unique event is a celebration of good governance and innovation. Just like governments and bureaucracy, good governance and ethical practices are equally important in the corporate world. At Poonawalla Fincorp, corporate governance and compliance are of paramount importance, and we are leaving no stone unturned in building a compliance resilient organisation with a strong risk framework and constantly integrating technologies and innovation."



This festival will also feature launch of a book at the hands of BJP President J P Nadda. It will be an anthology of articles edited by Vinay Sahasrabuddhe and Mukul Priyadarshi, entitled 'The Art of implementation: as mastered by PM Narendra Modi'.



Besides interactive sessions, this festival will also feature an exhibition on various Good Governance initiatives by State Governments, Union Ministries, PSUs and NGOs. Supported by Poonawalla Fincorp, and ISKCON Govardhan Eco Village, this conclave will also discuss as to how Good Governance is reaching every nook and corner of the country, particularly the North East India and all sections of the society, especially the youths.



This Sushasan Mahotsav would facilitate dialogue between students, young social workers, policymakers and government functionaries, explained Vinay Sahasrabuddhe.



About Poonawalla Fincorp:



Poonawalla Fincorp Limited ("the Company") is a Cyrus Poonawalla group promoted non-deposit taking systemically important non-banking finance company (ND-SI-NBFC), registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The Company started operations nearly three decades back and is listed on the BSE Limited (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE).



The Company's identity "P" stands for Passion, Principles, Purpose, People and Possibilities. The Company has widespread coverage across 19 states. The Company has standalone AUM of 21,946 crore as on December 31, 2023, and employs around 2300 people. The Company's financial services offerings include pre-owned car finance, personal loans, loan to professionals, business loans, loan against property, supply chain finance, machinery loans, medical equipment loans and consumer loans.



For more information, please log on to: www.poonawallafincorp.com



About Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini



Registered as a Society in 1982, Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini (RMP) (www.rmponweb.org) was initiated as a unique leadership development academy with an aim to nurture, impart training and capacity building of elected representatives, social workers, as well as people running institutions, organizations, and start-ups. RMP has also been active in conceiving and executing research projects concerning socially pertinent issues including those of the backward classes and rural communities. Additionally, RMP also focuses on undertaking public awakening activities. RMP is one of the unique institutions in the entire South Asia and South East Asia having a special consultative status provided by the United Nations Economic and Social Council.



Since its inception, RMP has trained more than 35,000 people comprising of MPs, MLAs, their associated staff, panchayat office bearers, NGOs, corporate, entrepreneurs, youth, etc.



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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New Delhi, Feb 8 (PTI) Shares of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) jumped more than 6 per cent on Thursday, with its market valuation climbing to Rs 6.99 lakh crore, making the firm the fifth most valued company.

The stock climbed 5.86 per cent to settle at Rs 1,106.25 apiece on the BSE. During the day, it zoomed 9.51 per cent to hit its record high of Rs 1,144.45.

On the NSE, it jumped 6.46 per cent to Rs 1,112 a share.

The company's market valuation went up by Rs 38,740.62 crore to Rs 6,99,702.87 crore. With this, the company became the fifth most valued firm by market capitalisation (mcap), beating ICICI Bank.

Taking into account the record high of Rs 1,144.45 per share, the company's market valuation reached Rs 7.23 lakh crore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that the opposition spread rumours about LIC, but today its shares are trading at record-high prices.

Reliance Industries is the country's most valued firm with a market valuation of Rs 19,64,044.94 crore, followed by Tata Consultancy Services (Rs 15,13,218.99 crore), HDFC Bank (Rs 10,66,150.51 crore), Infosys (Rs 7,02,754.66 crore) and LIC (Rs 6,99,702.87 crore).

Last month, LIC surpassed State Bank of India (SBI) to become the country's most-valued PSU firm by market valuation.

The country's largest insurer was listed in May 2022. The government had sold over 22.13 crore shares, or a 3.5 per cent stake in LIC, through an Initial Public Offering (IPO).

The government holds a 96.5 per cent stake in the company.

The share price of LIC on Monday jumped nearly 6 per cent to hit the Rs 1,000 mark for the first time.

So far this year, the stock has jumped nearly 33 per cent.
New Delhi, Feb 8 (PTI) The government has issued notices to NHIDCL officials for the shortcomings pointed out by a panel in the under-construction Silkyara-Barkot tunnel a portion of which collapsed last year, Parliament was informed on Thursday.

A total of 41 workers were trapped after a portion of the under-construction tunnel collapsed on November 12. The workers were rescued on November 28.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said the expert committee visited the site and submitted a preliminary report.

"Accordingly, instructions have been issued to the concerned to take necessary action to restart the project with necessary safeguards.

"Based on the preliminary report, show cause notices have been issued to DPR Consultant, Authority's Engineer, EPC Contractor and project supervisory officials of NHIDCL for the shortcomings pointed out by the Committee," Gadkari said.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) are primarily responsible for the construction of national highways and expressways across the country.

The minister said an expert committee consisting of experts from the BRO, Ministry of Railways, MoRTH, and premier academic institutions has been constituted to investigate the Silkyara tunnel collapse.

The minister said NHAI has conducted a preliminary safety audit of all existing and on-going tunnel projects.

NHIDCL is constructing the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel through Hyderabad-based Navayuga Engineering Company Ltd.

It is a single-tube tunnel divided into two inter-connected corridors by a partition wall. Each inter-connector corridor can work as an escape passage for the other.

The 4.5 kilometre-long tunnel project in Uttarakhand, which is part of the Centre's 900 kilometre-Char Dham Yatra All Weather Road, aims to improve connectivity to the four pilgrimage sites.
New Delhi, Feb 8 (PTI) Airlines faced 478 technical snags related to their planes in the last one year, with IndiGo experiencing 246 glitches, according to official data.

The data for the period from January 2023 to January 2024 was submitted to Lok Sabha in a written reply by Minister of State for Civil Aviation V K Singh.

During this period, IndiGo grappled with 246 glitches while Air India faced 63 technical snags, Vistara (79), SpiceJet (47), AirAsia (India) Ltd (22), Alliance Air (7), Akasa Air (6), Fly Big (5), BlueDart Aviation (2) and the grounded Go First (1).

AirAsia (India) has been rebranded as AIX Connect and is being merged with Air India Express while Go First stopped flying from May 2023.

"Technical snags in aircraft are normal industry phenomenon. Technical snags are mainly caused due to improper function/ malfunction of components/ accessories fitted on the aircraft.

"There are various factors affecting the reliability of the engine/ components/ accessories/ aircraft systems such as operational environment of the aircraft, build standards, frequency of operation etc," Singh said in the written reply.

Whenever technical snags occur, airlines are required to rectify the snag/ defects as per the guidance provided by the manufacturer before releasing the aircraft for operations.

In a separate written reply, Singh said there was a relative increase in airfares on certain routes in November and December last year.

"As per the analysis carried out by Tariff Monitoring Unit (TMU) established by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on the selected routes, there is relative increase in the airfares on certain routes in the months of November and December 2023 in comparison to the corresponding months in the year 2022," he said.

According to the minister, the main reasons were an increase in Air Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices, reduction in value of the rupee against the US dollar and suspension of operations by Go First which has resulted in demand-supply mismatch and consequently, a higher airfare.

He also noted that at present, airfares are neither established nor regulated by the government.

"With the repeal of Air Corporation Act in March 1994, the process of airfare approval by Government has been dispensed with," he added.
New Delhi, Feb 8 (PTI) A Parliamentary panel on Thursday proposed route-specific capping of airfares and setting up of a separate entity to exercise control over air ticket prices, amid concerns in various quarters about surging fares.

After considering the responses from the civil aviation ministry on airfares, the committee said that self regulation of ticket prices by airlines has not been effective.

The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture on Thursday tabled the report on the action taken by the government on its recommendations/observations on the issue of fixing of airfares.

In the report, the panel said it has come across various instances where there has been abnormal increase in airfares especially during festivals or holidays, and is of the opinion that self regulation by airlines has not been effective and also recommended that a mechanism may be evolved whereby DGCA is empowered to regulate air tariffs.

Currently, airfares are neither established nor regulated by the government.

The panel also reiterated its recommendation and urged the ministry to explore the feasibility of establishing a separate entity with quasi-judicial powers to exercise control over airfares being charged by the airlines.

Further, the report said the committee is of the opinion that a route-specific fare ceiling can be examined, keeping in mind the interests of both the airlines and the customer.

"It also recommends that in order to protect the commercial interests of the airlines, the feasibility of modifying the ceiling during the peak/festival season, with prior intimation, may be examined," the report added.

According to the committee, revenue management and commercial interests such as maximising shareholders' value determines the fixing of airfares, and passenger interests do not play a role in airfares fixation.

"Hence, it strongly recommends that Ministry may formulate a mechanism to ensure the compliance of Rule 13(1) of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 and thereby ensuring a control on surge in airfares.

"Again the term 'reasonable profit' is used without a clear definition or specific criteria, making it a subjective measure," it noted.

The panel also said it is still of the opinion that the policy on variation in prices of seats for the same flight needs a relook as it is against the principle of equity.

The claim that unbundling reduces the cost of air travel for consumers who desire only the basic product needs to be scrutinised, the committee said, adding that while the practice may reduce costs for some passengers, the same may also lead to increased costs for others who end up paying for various add-ons.
New Delhi, Feb 8 (PTI) Parliament on Thursday completed the exercise of passing the interim Budget for 2024-25, with Rajya Sabha returning the Finance Bill 2024 and the relevant appropriation bills.

The Upper House also returned the appropriation bills related to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The bills were returned to Lok Sabha after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's reply on the discussion.

On Wednesday, Lok Sabha passed these bills.

Rajya Sabha returned the Appropriation (Vote on Account) Bill, 2024; The Appropriation Bill, 2024; The Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation (No.2) Bill, 2024; The Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation Bill, 2024; and The Finance Bill, 2024.

With Rajya Sabha returning all these money bills to Lok Sabha, the Budget process has been completed.
Islamabad, Feb 8 (PTI) Amnesty International on Thursday described Pakistans decision to suspend mobile internet services throughout the day as the country held its general elections a blunt attack on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

In a statement, the UK-based international rights watchdog's South Asia office urged the Pakistan authorities to urgently lift the blanket restrictions on access to the internet.

Livia Saccardi, Interim Deputy Director for South Asia at Amnesty International, said, The decision to suspend telecommunications and mobile internet services on an election day is a blunt attack on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

She said it is reckless to impede access to information as people head out to polling stations on the heels of devastating bomb blasts and what has been an intense crackdown on the opposition in the lead-up to the elections. Saccardi said unwarranted restrictions on the dissemination of information are in breach of peoples human rights at this critical time in Pakistan.

Blanket shutdowns impacts peoples mobility, livelihood and ability to navigate through a difficult time further undermining their trust in authorities. Amnesty International calls on the authorities of Pakistan to adopt a rights-respecting approach and urgently lift all blanket restrictions on access to the internet to enable peoples access to timely information and report on any election-related matter throughout the polling process, she added.

Soon after the voting started, mobile services in Pakistan were suspended due to the "deteriorating security situation", a day after twin terror attacks killed at least 30 people.

On Thursday, four policemen on election duty were killed in a terror attack in Dera Ismail Khan. A security officer was also killed after gunmen opened fire at soldiers in the Tank area of Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region.

Pakistan had on Wednesday dismissed UN human rights body concerns about violence and the right to fundamental democratic freedom ahead of general elections in the country.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights had earlier expressed concern over violent incidents ahead of the general elections. "We deplore all acts of violence against political parties and candidates, and urge the authorities to uphold the fundamental freedoms necessary for an inclusive and meaningful democratic process," spokesperson Liz Throssell said in a statement.

However, such claims were dismissed by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch who said Pakistan upholds the rule of law and protects the human rights and fundamental freedoms guaranteed by its laws and constitution.
Peshawar, Feb 8 (PTI) At least four policemen were killed and six others injured on Thursday when unidentified gunmen set off a bomb and then opened fire at their vehicle deployed for election security in Pakistan's restive Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, bordering Afghanistan.

According to police, the vehicle was stationed in the jurisdiction of Kalachi police station in Dera Ismail Khan. The policemen were deployed for the security of Graha Aslam polling station, the Express Tribune newspaper reported.

The attack happened a day after at least 30 people were killed in twin terror attacks in the restive Balochistan province.

Indiscriminate shooting was reported in the area after the bomb attack, the paper said.

The bodies of the victims of the attack and the injured were shifted to the hospital.

Security forces have cordoned off the area and started a search operation.

No group or individual claimed responsibility for the attack but the area is a former stronghold of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. The group carried out multiple attacks targeting security forces in recent years.
Credit - Courtesy Karim Beguir

For an industry that trades on newness, tech can be remarkably staid. Many of the big players are headquartered in a Northern California valley, and world-changing innovations are often produced by goliaths like Apple and Google. In just a decade, however, decision-making AI company InstaDeep has challenged that status quo. Led by co-founder and CEO Karim Beguir, the company set up shop in Tunis, far from the Bay Areas tech bubble. InstaDeep also operates in a complex domain: deep tech, meaning it is creating novel technology through its own scientific and engineering innovations. The company builds AI systems that can make decisions for businesses, which could have applications from identifying the most promising drug candidates to test, to optimizing an electric grid for energy efficiency.

InstaDeeps work not only demonstrates how far AI has come, but also signals the kind of world such technology might create. In founding the company 10 years ago, Beguira mathematician who had previously worked in financesays he set out to prove that deep tech innovation is possible in the developing world by publishing AI research, creating new algorithms, and deploying it practicallyall with a team largely based in Africa.

Today, InstaDeeps efforts hint at the fields AI could most reshape, ranging from a paper on protein bindingwhich is relevant for drug discoveryto research on robotics with Googles DeepMind. The company has moved its headquarters to London, but maintains a substantial presence in Africa, including offices in Cape Town, Lagos and Tunis. In 2022, it unveiled an AI-based program with BioNTech which can identify COVID-19 virus variants of concern two months earlier, on average. Subsequently, in July 2023, BioNTech acquired InstaDeep for $680 million.

It's little surprise, then, that Beguir is so attuned to the breadth of AIs potential. While ChatGPTs conversational capabilities awed people around the world, he is focused on developing technologies that can serve a wider range of purposes and industries. One promising area is transportation. InstaDeep is working on a project in Germany that aims to use AI to plan train routes, and reschedule them when service is disrupted. The goal, according to German national railway Deutsche Bahn AG, is to ultimately create a nationwide system that can efficiently address delays and operate more trains.

Story continues

This Is a very exciting time where a business that focuses on AI and invests in the technology can have [disproportionate] outcomes, says Beguir. A critical part of making sure AI is going to be beneficial for economies, and not just for the few which are at the forefront of its development, is to have many businesses adopt AI. In particular, he says, AI could unlock major economic opportunities for the developing world. But if a diverse group of businesses don't take advantage of AIs growth, they might then become dependent on technology created in other countries. As some experts have warned, AI that is built by a predominantly white, male and Western workforce runs the risk of embedding biases, such as by failing to create AI that doesnt operate well in languages millions of people speak.

For this reason, Beguir believes it is essential for people all across the world to help shape the developing technology, to ensure it will better serve their communities and minimize the potential for bias. For InstaDeep, that includes fostering efforts to build the first natural language processing models for languages from Nigeria and Tunisia. Beguir also argues that getting local communities involved in building AI is especially important. Hes worked as a Google For Startups Accelerator mentor, and is a steering committee member for Deep Learning Indaba, an organization which builds community around machine learning in Africa. InstaDeep has opened an outpost in Kigali, Rwanda, to tap into more young talent in the region.

If we want to avoid dependencies, and if we want to avoid a rise of inequalitiesbecause this is one of the major risks with artificial intelligencewhat is important is that multiple communities all across the world, actually appropriate the technology and learn how to use it for their own needs, says Beguir. He hopes InstaDeeps success and the growing global recognition has shown it is possible for a large, innovative company with a sizable presence in Africa to build a bridge to tech hubs in other parts of the worldthus encouraging more investment in similar startups. The company was able to grow so rapidly since its 2014 founding in part because of the interest and engagement from local talent, says Beguir.

I do believe things change when you see positive examples of success, positive examples of what creativity, innovation can bring to the table, that inspires you to go and build, says Beguir. Thats the future Im fighting for.

This profile is published as a part of TIMEs TIME100 Impact Awards initiative, which recognizes leaders from across the world who are driving change in their communities and industries. The next TIME100 Impact Awards ceremony will be held on Feb. 11 in Dubai.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
Athens, Feb 8 (AP) More than 15,000 protesters gathered in central Athens Thursday to oppose plans by Greece's conservative government to allow private universities in the country starting next year.

The mostly young demonstrators chanted hands off education as they gathered outside the main building of the University of Athens. A giant protest banner draped above the entrance read Their Profits or Our Education.

The government wants to allow overseas universities to set up branches in Greece that would operate under the national exam system for student candidates. The branches would charge fees but operate under a non-profit structure.

Opponents argue that it would undermine public universities, many of which already have funding difficulties, and threaten freely available higher education for undergraduate students in the future.

Student protest groups have organised multiple demonstrations in cities across Greece and occupied dozens of university faculty buildings, forcing classes and exams to be held online.

Parliament is expected to vote on the education bill at the end of the month. (AP) SCY

SCY
Warsaw, Feb 8 (AP) Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Thursday that US Republican senators should be ashamed for leaving about $60 billion in wartime aid for Ukraine in limbo in a recent vote.

Poland borders Ukraine and has been pressing the US and Europe for unwavering support for Kyiv's struggle against Moscow's aggression as security concerns mount in the region.

A vote in the US Senate on Wednesday failed to back a $95 billion package for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies due to Republican opposition.

Dear Republican Senators of America. Ronald Reagan, who helped millions of us to win back our freedom and independence, must be turning in his grave today. Shame on you, Tusk wrote on X, formerly called Twitter.

By invoking Reagan, a former Republican president, and his efforts in the 1980s to support Poland's struggle to shake off Moscow's dominance, Tusk sought to underscore Washington's global role and previous Republican values.

The roughly $60 billion that President Joe Biden is seeking in support for the Ukrainian armed forces has been stalled in Congress for months because of growing opposition from hard-line conservatives in the House of Representatives and Senate who see it as wasteful and demand an exit strategy for the war.

As a result of the impasse, the US has halted arms shipments to Ukraine at a crucial point in the nearly two-year conflict. (AP) SCY

SCY
Helsinki, Feb 8 (AP) Finland's government said on Thursday that it would extend the closure of its long border with Russia for another two months until April 14, because it sees no signs that Moscow was stopping its hybrid operation of funnelling migrants toward the frontier with the Nordic nation.

Finland closed the 1,340-kilometre land border late last year after about 1,300 migrants without proper documentation or visas had arrived across the frontier since September  an unusually high number, just months after Finland joined the NATO alliance.

Most of the migrants hail from the Middle East and Africa. The vast majority of them have sought asylum in Finland, a nation of 5.6 million people.

The government said in Thursday's statement that instrumentalised migration from Russia poses a serious threat to Finland's national security and public order.

Based on the information provided by the border, security and other authorities to the Cabinet, it is likely that instrumentalised migration would resume if border crossing points were opened at the eastern border, the government said.

We have seen no signs that Russia is changing its behaviour. On the contrary, the information we have received confirms our assessment that Russia is continuing its hybrid operation, Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said. We have reason to believe that this situation will continue for some time.

According to Rantanen, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of migrants who are currently staying close to the border on the Russian side and waiting for the chance to cross into Finland.

Finland has earlier accused Russia of deliberately ushering the migrants to its normally heavily controlled border facing the Nordic country. The Kremlin has denied the allegation, and says it regrets the Finnish border closures.

All eight Finland-Russia border crossing points for people have been closed since December 15. The southeastern rail checkpoint for cargo trains in Vainikkala remains open for now.

In January, the government agreed to keep the crossing points closed until February 11.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's government originally chose to close the border with Russia in November, citing security concerns and Moscow's hybrid warfare. It later opened two selected checkpoints in eastern and northern Finland on a trial basis, but the migrant influx continued.

Finland acts as the European Union's external border in the north and makes up a significant part of NATO's northeastern flank. (AP) GSP NPK

NPK
Seoul, Feb 8 (AP) South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol reiterated that the country would not seek its own nuclear deterrent in the face of threats from nuclear-armed North Korea as he vowed further efforts to sharpen nuclear deterrence strategies with ally United States.

In a pre-recorded interview with KBS television that aired on Wednesday night, Yoon insisted that South Korea clearly has the technology to quickly acquire nuclear weapons capabilities if it ever decides to do so. But taking that step isn't a realistic option as it would ruin a trade-dependent economy, he said.

If we develop nuclear weapons, we will receive various economic sanctions like North Korea does now, and our economy will be dealt a serious blow, Yoon said, while emphasising Seoul's commitment to the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

Yoon, a conservative who took office in 2022, has made similar comments before as he pushed for stronger reassurances from Washington that it would swiftly and decisively use its nuclear capabilities to defend its ally in the event of a North Korean nuclear attack.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are at their highest point in years, as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un continues to accelerate his country's weapons tests while issuing provocative threats of nuclear conflict with the South.

South Korea has responded by expanding its combined military exercises with the United States and Japan, and the countries have also been upgrading their nuclear deterrence strategies built around strategic US military assets.

In a fiery speech at North Korea's rubber-stamp parliament last month, Kim declared that the North was abandoning its long-standing objective of reconciliation with the war-divided South and ordered the rewriting of the North Korean constitution to define the South as its most hostile foreign adversary.

Pyongyang's rubber-stamp parliament during a meeting on Wednesday formally abolished laws on economic cooperation with South Korea, according to the North's Korean Central News Agency on Thursday.

Some experts say Kim is seeking to drive up pressure in an election year in South Korea and the United States. There are concerns about a direct provocation in border areas, including the disputed western sea boundary between the Koreas that has been the site of bloody naval skirmishes in past years.

In his interview with KBS, Yoon described Kim's government as irrational forces who are putting further strain on North Korea's broken economy by aggressively expanding the country's collection of nuclear weapons and missiles.

We need to keep that in mind as we prepare to counter their security threats or provocations, preparing not just for actions based on rational judgments but also actions based on irrational conclusions, Yoon said.

South Korean experts and officials say Kim's aggressive nuclear push despite limited resources has battered an economy already crippled by decades of mismanagement and US-led sanctions over his nuclear ambitions. In a separate report, KCNA said Kim during an inspection on Wednesday of factories producing foodstuff, paper and basic necessities in a rural eastern region berated officials there for unspecified shortcomings in production.

Yoon said the South was willing to provide economic assistance if the North displays genuine willingness to wind down its nuclear weapons and missile programme.

He said he has no intentions to chase a summit with Kim if it's just for show, saying that previous meetings between Korean leaders did nothing to stop North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

The top-down way is not ideal, Yoon said. We need a bottom-up structure where there are exchanges and discussions between working-level officials to create agendas and prepare (substantial) results, and summits should come after that." (AP) PY

PY
Panaji, Feb 8 (PTI) A doctor and three others allegedly assaulted a fellow customer at a restaurant in Old Goa and created a ruckus there, police said on Thursday.

The incident took place around 11 pm on February 7, following which a case was registered against the four persons, they said.

The accused were identified as Dr Ajeya Mundhekar, Shubham Sawant, Swapnil Naik and Abraham Gaikwad, a police official said.

The accused doctor works as an interventional cardiologist in a private hospital near Panaji, he said.

"As per the probe conducted so far, the main accused in the case, Dr Mundhekar, started abusing his fellow customer and even broke the table of the restaurant located in Old Goa village," the official added.

The police did not specify the motive behind the assault.

Based on a complaint filed by the victim, the police registered a case against the four accused on the charges of trespassing, provocation, damage to property, assault and wrongful restraint.
Dantewada, Feb 8 (PTI) A Naxalite, who was active in the outlawed Maoist outfit for nearly three decades and carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh, was killed in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarhs Dantewada district, a senior police official said on Thursday.



The face-off took place on Wednesday on a forested hill between Gondpalli, Parlagatta and Badepalli villages on the Dantewada-Sukma districts border, when a joint team of security forces was out on an anti-Naxal operation.

Dantewada Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai said in a press conference that the operation was launched based on inputs about the presence of Naxalites along the inter-district border.

After the exchange of fire stopped, the body of a Naxalite, identified as Chandranna, alias Satyam, along with a country-made pistol, its four live rounds and other Maoist-related materials were recovered from the spot, he said.

Chandranna, aged around 50 years and a resident of the Golapalli area in Sukma district, was active in the banned outfit for over 30 years and had been involved in several instances of Naxal violence, he said.

He was active as a divisional committee member in the Mad division of the Maoist organisation before 2013, and more recently, in the Jagargunda area of south Bastar division, Rai said, adding that he was carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh.

Personnel belonging to the District Reserve Guard and Bastar Fighters  both units of state police  and the 231st battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were involved in the operation, the official said.
Nagpur, Feb 8 (PTI) Congress secretary Dr Vineet Punia on Thursday asserted that there was good coordination and understanding among the members of opposition INDIA bloc, but the BJP was deliberately creating an opposite narrative about the alliance.

He said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was doing so it as knows that people like the INDIA grouping.

Punia was addressing a press conference to give information about the Congress's 'Jai Jawan' campaign that was launched by party leader Rahul Gandhi last week with an aim to provide "justice" to 1.5 lakh youth in the country who were selected for defence services but "not allowed" to join after the launch of the Agnipath scheme.

When asked about the allegation of discord among the INDIA allies, the Congress functionary said, "This is BJP's narrative, which it is creating deliberately."

"The constituents of the INDIA bloc have good coordination and understanding among themselves. There is no problem among them. When discussions happen, it is natural that partners would ask for more opportunities and there is nothing wrong in it. It does not mean that the allies are against each other," he said.

"BJP is getting desperate and its efforts are in desperation. Whatever they are doing reflects their insecurities. They themselves know they are not on a sound wicket. They know that people, farmers and youth are not happy with them. They are only playing with this narrative that there is no alternative. But basically they know themselves that INDIA is a real organisation and people are liking it," Punia added.

Talking about the 'Jai Jawan' campaign, he alleged that the Narendra Modi government has shattered the dreams of 1.5 lakh youths who had cleared gruelling mental and physical tests for regular recruitment in defence forces.

"Congress demands that the jobs that were snatched away from 1.5 lakh young men and women when the Agnipath scheme was introduced be returned to them and the previous recruitment system for armed forces be restored," Punia said.
Mumbai, Feb 8 (PTI) Following are the top stories from the Western Region at 1700 HRS.













BOM9 CG-RAHUL-LD YATRA

* BJP's 2-point programme is to encourage injustice, spread hatred and violence: Rahul



Raigarh: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday hit out at the BJP, alleging the ruling party's two-point programme is to encourage injustice and spread hatred and violence. *















BOM17 MH-BABA SIDDIQUE-2NDLD RESIGN



* Another blow for Mumbai Congress as Baba Siddique quits; to join Ajit Pawar-led NCP









Mumbai: Congress leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Ziauddin Siddique, popularly known as Baba Siddique, on Thursday said he had resigned from the party and will be joining the Ajit Pawar led-NCP.





BOM14 MP-ASSEMBLY-BLAST-CM

MP CM says won't spare anyone found guilty in Harda blast probe; Cong walks out of House



Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday said in the assembly that his government will not spare anyone found responsible for the Harda firecrackers factory blast, but the opposition Congress members expressed dissatisfaction over the reply and walked out of the House.















BOM12 MH-INDIA BLOC-CONGRESS

There's good coordination among INDIA members, but BJP creating opposite narrative: Cong





Nagpur: Congress secretary Dr Vineet Punia on Thursday asserted that there was good coordination and understanding among the members of opposition INDIA bloc, but the BJP was deliberately creating an opposite narrative about the alliance.













BOM13 MH-HC-FAKE NEWS

3rd HC judge to decide on stay on setting up Fact Checking Unit to identify fake news









Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday said a third judge will decide on the issue of stay on formation of a Fact Checking Unit under the recently amended Information Technology Rules to identify fake and false content on social media concerning business of the Union government.















BOM11 CG-NAXAL-ENCOUNTER

Naxalite carrying Rs 8 lakh bounty killed in encounter in Chhattisgarhs Dantewada









Dantewada: A Naxalite, who was active in the outlawed Maoist outfit for nearly three decades and carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh, was killed in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarhs Dantewada district, a senior police official said on Thursday.













BOM10 CG-ASSEMBLY-ECONOMIC SURVEY

Chhattisgarh's GSDP estimated to grow by 6.56 pc in FY 2023-24: Economic Survey





Raipur: The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at constant prices is estimated to grow by 6.56 per cent in Chhattisgarh and the per capita income is likely to reach Rs 1,47,361 in the financial year 2023-24, as per the state's Economic Survey Report presented in the assembly on Thursday.















BOM16 GJ-ASSEMBLY-DEMANDS



Gujarat Assembly approves supplementary demands for grants worth over Rs 7,500 crore



Gandhinagar: The Gujarat Assembly on Thursday approved supplementary demands for grants worth over Rs 7,500 crore which were incurred as additional expenditure during the financial year of 2023-24.









BOM3 MH-NAXAL-ENCOUNTER



Gadchiroli police seize detonators, explosive materials after encounter with Naxalites





Gadchiroli: Police have recovered some explosive materials, detonators and other items after an encounter with Naxalites in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district, an official said on Thursday. ***
Bhuj, Feb 8 (PTI) A court in Gujarat's Kutch district on Thursday remanded Mumbai-based Islamic preacher Mufti Salman Azhari in three-day police custody in a case of allegedly delivering a provocative speech.

Kutch-East police took Azhari in custody on Wednesday after a court in Junagadh granted him bail in a similar case after the completion of one-day remand.

He was brought here and formally arrested, said an official of the Local Crime Branch of Kutch-East police.

The LCB then produced him before judicial magistrate Yogita Sharma at Bhachau and sought his 14-day remand, but the judge granted police his custody only till Sunday.

Gujarat police first arrested the preacher from Mumbai on February 5 for allegedly delivering a hate speech at a religious event at Junagadh on the night of January 31.

Junagadh police registered the FIR after a video of his speech went viral on social media.

Subsequently on February 6, Kutch-East police registered a second first information report (FIR) against Azhari for allegedly delivering a provocative speech at a religious event at Samakhiyari village in Bhachau taluka in Kutch district on January 31, the same day he delivered a speech at Junagadh.

In both cases, he was booked under sections 153B (promoting enmity between different religious groups) and 505 (2) (making statements conducive to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code.
Mumbai, Feb 8 (PTI) Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday demanded Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis' resignation after a party leader was shot in Mumbai.

Former minister Aaditya Thackeray, who said he met the injured leader, Abhishek Ghosalkar, earlier in the evening, claimed there was no longer any fear of law in Maharashtra.

Abhishek, the son of Sena (UBT) leader Vinod Ghosalkar, was shot in suburban Dahisar on Thursday evening and was undergoing treatment at a local hospital. A Facebook Live video of the incident went viral.

In a post on X, Raut said mobsters were ruling Maharashtra. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde meets mobsters and welcomes them into his party, the Rajya Sabha member alleged.

"The home minister is absent. The state is in the clutches of mobsters," he further said, demanding Fadnavis' resignation.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former state minister Aaditya Thackeray said he met Abhishek earlier in the evening.

There was no fear of law in the state, he said, reacting to the incident.

"If this is the case, then who is secure in Maharashtra," Aaditya asked.
New Delhi, Feb 8 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the Centre has decided to scrap the India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime (FMR) to ensure the country's internal security and maintain the demographic structure of the Northeastern states.

As the Ministry of External Affairs is currently in the process of scrapping it, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recommended the immediate suspension of the FMR Shah said.

The FMR allows people residing close to the India-Myanmar border to venture 16 km into each other's territory without any documents.

"It is Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji's resolve to secure our borders. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided that the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar be scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of India's North Eastern States bordering Myanmar," Shah said on X.

The announcement came two days after Shah said that India has decided to fence the entire 1,643-km-long India-Myanmar border.

The India-Myanmar border, which passes through Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, currently has FMR. It was implemented in 2018 as part of India's Act East policy.

Fencing along the border has been a persistent demand of the Imphal Valley-based Meitei groups which have been alleging that tribal militants often enter into India through the porous border.

The Meitei groups also allege that narcotics are being smuggled into India taking advantage of the unfenced international border.
Jammu, Feb 8 (PTI) The Rashtriya Bajrang Dal (RBD) held protests here on Tuesday against the killing of two Punjabi workers by the terrorists in the latest targeted attack in Srinagar, officials said.

Several political parties also condemned the attack and demanded stern action against the terrorists involved in the act, and increased security set up around the minority community people in Kashmir.

In the first targeted killings of the year, the terrorists on Wednesday shot dead two workers, including a Sikh, from Punjab, in Srinagar.

Amritpal Singh, a resident of Amritsar, was shot by the terrorists from point blank range in Shalla Kadal locality and died on the spot, while Rohit (25), who sustained injuries in the firing, succumbed to his injuries in the hospital today.

Dozens of RBD activists led by their leader Rakesh Bajrangi assembled in the city and held protests and demonstrations against Pakistan and the terrorists.

Raising anti-Pakistan slogans, the protestors set afire the Pakistan flag.

"The targeted killings have begun again. Two non-locals, including a Sikh and Hindu, were killed in targeted killing. The aim is to create fear and force non-locals to flee Kashmir. This won't happen again," Rashtriya Bajrang Dal president Rakesh Kumar told reporters.

Kumar said that Pakistan and its terror infrastructure is trying to revive terrorism in Kashmir.

"This is an attempt to create fear psychosis among the minorities in the valley. They will not be allowed to be successful again," he said.

The political parties also condemned the attack and said that stern action should be taken against those involved in the act.

Jammu and Kashmir Congress working president Raman Bhalla has strongly condemned the killings and said that "a befitting reply should be given to the perpetrators of heinous crime on innocent people".

Bhalla said that Kashmiris are sick of death and destruction unleashed by radicals.

"They wish to live in peace and pick up peaceful life and ensure no more Kashmiris or non-locals are killed by the terrorists. Kashmir calls for peace and sustainable inclusive development for the betterment of future generations," he said.

Bhalla said that this killing yet again raises the troubling question on the security apparatus and the law and order situation in Kashmir.

"Any killing, especially a targeted killing, is a matter of grave concern and condemnable. We condemn it, he said.

Gaurav Gupta, former general secretary of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also condemned the attack and said that terrorists have no regard for humanity and do not adhere to any religion.

He urged the police department to act swiftly and bring the perpetrators to justice without delay.

Gupta said that such inhuman acts of violence must not be tolerated in Kashmir or anywhere else.
New Delhi, Feb 8 (PTI) The daily wages paid under the flagship rural employment scheme - Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme - are inadequate and not in consonance with the rising cost of living, a parliamentary panel told government on Thursday.

It said this may be one of the reasons for dearth of workers under the scheme.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, in a report tabled in Lok Sabha, pointed out the high range of variations in MGNREGA wages across the states.

"The committee finds the range of wages vary from as little as Rs 221 in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Rs 224 in Arunachal Pradesh, Rs 228 in Bihar and Jharkhand to Rs 354 in the three gram panchayats of Sikkim (Gnathang, Lachung and Lachen), Rs 328 in Nicobar and Rs 311 in Andaman," it said.

"Observing the quantum of wages since 2008, the committee finds the wages inadequate and not in consonance with the rising cost of living. At this juncture, the agricultural labourers and other labourers involved in masonry/ miscellaneous works command a daily wage more than the wage guaranteed under MGNREGA," they said.

"Perhaps, one of the reasons for the dearth of workers... may be the insufficiency of the wage rates under MGNREGA," the panel said.

The panel also quoted a report of the Anoop Satpathy Committee - a central government committee on minimum wages - which had recommended that the wages under MGNREGA should be Rs 375 per day.

"The need for suitable increase in the wages under MGNREGA has been felt and echoed from various quarters and also highlighted by this committee in its earlier reports," the committee said, adding that the department of rural development (DoRD) should take a considered view on the issue of suitable increase in the wage rates.

The committee noted that Government of India notifies the wage rate under MGNREGA using Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labour (CPI-AL) and by keeping the wage rates thus obtained on April 1, 2009 or Rs 100, whichever is more, as the base for indexation for the states. They said this method of calculation is obsolete.

The panel, which is headed by DMK's Kanimozhi, also raised concern over the budget allocated for the flagship scheme.

They said the budgetary allocation to MGNREGA for the financial year 2023-24 seems to be inadequate to cover all the expenditure bases of a scheme of such magnitude.

"Rs 60,000 crore has been allocated to MGNREGA at BE (budget estimate)stage against the proposed demand of Rs 98,000 crore made by DoRD for the financial year 2023-24. While BE for the financial year 2022-23 was Rs 73,000 crore for MGNREGA, which got increased to Rs 89,400 crore at the RE (revised estimate) stage," they said.

"The reduction in budgetary allocation under the scheme for the current financial year is puzzling and needs to be looked into," they said.

While agreeing that MGNREGA is a demand driven scheme, they said, "The pruning of funds at BE stage itself does have a cascading effect on various important aspects such as timely release of wages, release of material share etc which have a telling impact on the progress of the scheme".
New Delhi, Feb 8 (PTI) The Congress on Thursday termed as "misleading" Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks that it did not recognise B R Ambedkar's contribution, saying that he became the chairman of the drafting committee of the Constitution and a law minister with the support of the party and Jawaharlal Nehru.

Replying to the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address in Rajya Sabha, the prime minister had said the Congress has been against Dalits, backwards, tribal community and had it not been for Babasaheb Ambedkar, they would not have got any reservation.

Citing a letter written by Jawaharlal Nehru to chief ministers, Modi said it clearly states that the first prime minister was against reservation of any kind, especially in jobs.

"The Congress, which never gave complete reservation to the OBCs, which never gave reservation to the poor of the general categoryand which did not consider Baba Saheb worthy of Bharat Ratna, kept giving Bharat Ratna only to its family. They are now preaching to us," he had said.

Congress spokesperson Udit Raj said it is a matter of fact that the Congress encouraged and supported Dr B R Ambedkar.

"Whatever PM Modi said about Congress and B R Ambedkar, was untruthful and misleading. B R Ambedkar became a member of the constituent assembly and subsequently member and chairman of the drafting committee on Constitution and the law minister in the government with the support of Congress party and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Ambedkar himself acknowledged that in his speech in the Parliament," Raj said.

Ambedkar was not a member of the Congress and yet he got this opportunity, the Congress leader added.

"PM Modi wants to mislead Dalits by stating untruthful things. The Congress and Ambedkar were complementary to each other. Another misinformation about Ambedkar and the Congress that the party caused his defeat in first election in 1952 is incorrect as it was veteran CPI leader S A Dange who defeated him," Raj said.

"Ambedkar's differences were with the Hindu society and he became a Buddhist. This incident is much more important than him quitting the Congress.

The same misinformation was propagated by another political party and Dalits got antagonised with the Congress," he said.
New Delhi, Feb 8 (PTI) The overall strategy for the development of Lakshadweep islands is based on achieving sustainable growth, preserving the unique cultural and environmental characteristics, and enhancing the quality of life for the islanders, the government informed Parliament on Thursday.

Union Tourism Minister G Reddy said this in a written response in Rajya Sabha to a query on whether the government intends to develop Lakshadweep as a major tourist destination in a big way.

He was also asked whether at present the infrastructure and unique nature of the place allows the Islands to sustain huge inflows of tourists, and its strategy to exploit the tourism potential of the island keeping in view the eco-sensitivity of the region.

"The overall strategy for the development of Lakshadweep Islands is based on achieving sustainable growth, preserving the unique cultural and environmental characteristics, and enhancing the quality of life for the islanders," he said.

It aspires to "position Lakshadweep as a model" for responsible and inclusive development, balancing economic progress with environmental conservation, the minister said.

The strategy includes leveraging the islands' natural beauty to promote tourism, creating a robust and resilient economy, and fostering a sense of pride and well-being among the local communities, he added.

"The holistic development, through strategic planning and community engagement, envisions a future where Lakshadweep Islands thrive in harmony with nature and sustainable economic practices. The projects for development of Lakshadweep Islands are structured taking into consideration requirements under various applicable kaws including environment, forest and CRZ clearances, etc," the minister said.

The Ministry of Tourism has revamped the Swadesh Darshan Scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations, following a destination and tourism-centric approach and has notified 57 destinations in the country including Lakshadweep for development under SD 2.0, Reddy said in his response.

In line with the National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism formulated by the Ministry of Tourism, 'Travel for LiFE' initiative has been launched with the aim to promote sustainable tourism in the country, through mindful and deliberate actions mobilized toward tourists and tourism businesses in the consumption of tourism resources, he said.

In order to promote sustainable and responsible tourist destinations and promote sustainable tourism in the country, Ministry of Tourism in association with Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, United Nations Environment Programme and Responsible Tourism Society of India also organised regional workshops covering states and Union territories, he added.

Workshop for states and Union territories of southern region including Lakshadweep was organised at Hyderabad in February 2023, Reddy said.
New Delhi, Feb 8 (PTI) Leh and Kargil in Ladakh have been identified as destinations for development under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, the government informed Parliament on Thursday.

Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy in a written response to a query in Rajya Sabha also said the Ministry of Tourism has taken several steps to boost the tourism sector in the Union Territory of Ladakh.

These projects include development of Jammu-Srinagar-Pahalgam-Bhagwati Nagar-Anantnag-Salamabad Uri-Kargil-Leh under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. The total project cost of Rs 77.33 crore includes development of tourist facilities at Kargil and Leh in Ladakh for an amount of Rs 13.43 crore. The project was sanctioned in 2016-17, the minister said.

It also includes development of tourist facilities at Anantnag-Pulwama-Kishtwar- Pahalgam-Zanskar-Padum-Daksum-Ranjit Sagar Dam under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. The total project cost of Rs 86.39 crore includes development of tourist facilities at Zanskar-Padum in Ladakh for an amount of Rs 9.45 crore. The project was sanctioned in 2016-17, he added.

The Ministry of Tourism has revamped its Swadesh Darshan Scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible destinations. Leh and Kargil have been identified as destinations for development under SD 2.0 in Ladakh, Reddy added.

The ministry has been promoting Ladakh and its various tourism products on the Incredible India website and through the social media handles of the Ministry of Tourism. It has been showcasing Ladakh in the India pavilion at international travel fairs and exhibitions held overseas, he said.

The UT administration through a notification dated August 6, 2021 has "removed the requirement of permit for visiting restricted areas for domestic tourists". As on date whole of Ladakh except a few pockets along the LAC and LoC (for security reasons) are open for domestic tourists.

However, permit for foreigners is still a requirement to visit the restricted areas within the UT, the tourism minister said in his response to the query.

The UT administration in collaboration with the concerned security forces has established police check posts at spots identified collectively. Further, the UT administration issues advisory from time to time regarding precautions to be taken for health reasons, safety and security, the minister said.

In response to another query, Reddy said the "Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has launched 'Harit Nauka' guidelines for development of Green Vessels for complete transition to Green Vessels by 2047 and the roadmap for River Cruise Tourism in the country on January 8, 2024".
New Delhi, Feb 8 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Thursday said the curative pleas against the 2013 judgement, which had re-criminalised consensual gay sex in private, have become "infructuous" keeping in mind the subsequent 2018 verdict decriminalising the act.

A five-judge constitution bench, on September 6, 2018, had unanimously decriminalised a part of Section 377 of the IPC, which criminalises consensual unnatural sex, saying it violated the right to equality and "manifestly arbitrary". The pleas were filed by dancer Navtej Singh Jauhar and others.

Prior to this, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court, in 2013, had overruled an earlier 2009 Delhi High Court judgment that had decriminalised consensual gay sex in private.

The review pleas against the 2013 judgement were also dismissed and that had led to filing of the curative petitions in 2014.

A five-judge bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and justices BR Gavai, Bela M Trivedi, Pankaj Mithal and Manoj Misra on Thursday said the subsequent judgement in the Navtej Singh Jauhar case by which consensual gay sex was decrimnalised has made these curative petitions infructuous.

"We will say this curative petition became infructuous in view of the constitution bench judgment we rendered in Navtej Johar," the CJI observed.

The case, seeking decriminalisation of gay sex, has a significantly long legal history.

Initially NGO Naaz Foundation in 2001 filed a PIL in the Delhi High Court seeking legalisation of gay sex among consenting adults. The PIL was dismissed.
Chennai, Feb 8 (PTI) The Madras high court, dismissing a petition filed by state BJP President K Annamalai on Thursday to quash the summons issued to him in a case, expressed the opinion that the psychological impact on an individual or a group must also be considered under the definition of hate speech.





Justice N Anand Venkatesh made this observation while dismissing Annamalai's petition, in which he sought the quashing of the summons issued by a magistrate in Salem.



The summons had been issued based on a complaint by a person named V Piyush, who accused Annamalai of making a hate speech against Christians in an interview to a YouTube Channel on October 22, 2022, with regard to the bursting of crackers, just two days before Diwali.





Arriving at his observation, the judge noted that Annamalai had given an interview to a YouTube channel, whose runtime is nearly 44.25 minutes, a 6.5-minute extract of which was shared on the BJP's twitter handle on October 22, 2022. This date is significant as it was just two days before Diwali, the judge added.







The content of the message was that there was an internationally-funded Christian Missionary NGO that is allegedly involved in completely destroying Hindu culture by filing cases in the Supreme Court to prevent Hindus from bursting crackers.



Prima facie, the statements disclose a divisive intent on the part of the petitioner to portray a Christian NGO as acting against Hindu culture, the judge said.



The intent can be inferred from the timing of the statements, made two days before the festival of Diwali, the judge added, saying it was also evident from the fact that this particular extract of the interview was culled out from the main interview and shared on the twitter handle of the BJP.







Justice Venkatesh said the petitioner, having formerly been a senior IPS officer and the current president of the BJP state unit in Tamil Nadu, was expected to know the laws of the land. Moreover, being a well-known leader and mass influencer, he would have been aware that his statements would have a wide reach and influence on the people, particularly those belonging to the Hindu religion, the judge said.



The target of Annamalai's speech was a particular religious group and what they were told by him was that the minority religious group was attempting to destroy the culture of the majority religious group, the judge further pointed out.







It is clear that there exists a prima facie intent to create hatred towards a particular religion, the judge asserted saying, "These statements were made by a person of stature, whose words have a lot of impact on the masses and, as a result, they, prima facie, have a psychological impact on the targeted group."





Stating that the petitioner's counsel would argue that there was no material to show that the statements made by his client created enmity or hatred or ill-will or disturb public tranquility, the judge cited the significance of the Supreme Court decision in the case of Pravasi Bhalai Sangathan. The apex court made it very clear that every such hate speech need not immediately result in violence or disturbance to public order and that it can have various impacts on the group to which such statements are aimed at, he recalled.



The Supreme Court warned that such statements can act like a ticking bomb, which would wait to explode at the appropriate point of time by creating violence, and in the most extreme cases, even lead to genocide. These observations are more relevant in this social media era, Justice Venkatesh said.







Noting that the twitter handle in which the shortened and focused version of the speech had been posted is a permanently available record of the data, he pointed to the possibility of it being used at an appropriate time, to be circulated. "The ticking bomb will have its desired effect at that point of time," he cautioned.



The psychological impact of a statement made by a popular leader must not merely be confined by testing it only on the basis of immediate physical harm, the judge said, adding that it is the duty of the court to see if it has caused a silent harm in the psyche of the targeted group, which, at a later point of time, will have its desired effect in terms of violence or even result in genocide.





Therefore, the "non-physical impact of the statements made" will also come within the scope of Section 153A of the IPC (promoting enmity between groups), the judge added.
Bengaluru, Feb 8 (PTI) Independent Lok Sabha MP and actor Sumalatha Ambareesh on Thursday met BJP national president J P Nadda and party general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh giving rise to speculations about her pitching for a BJP ticket.



The Mandya MP, who defeated JD(S) scion Nikhil Kumaraswamy in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, called on the two BJP leaders in New Delhi, and later posted photographs with them on the social media website X.



Today I met BJP National President J P Nadda and BJP National General Secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh informally and discussed about Mandya constituency and Lok Sabha elections. I thank Nadda Ji and Santhosh Ji for giving their precious time and listening to me. Thanks again for your kind words, Sumalatha said in her post.



Sumalatha has been cozying up to the BJP and is aspiring for a ticket from the party, sources close to her said, adding that she has kept her options open in case she is rebuffed.



In a recent interview to a news channel, she had said that some senior Congress leaders were also in touch with her.

Mandya constituency has become a contentious issue for the BJP, its alliance partner Janata Dal (Secular) and Sumalatha for the upcoming Lok Sabha election, which is about two months away.



During the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Sumalatha disturbed the political equations of the JD(S) and Congress in Mandya after she announced that she would contest the election.

Mandya was traditionally considered as a JD(S) bastion as it is dominated by the Vokkaliga community, which the JD(S) first family of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda belong to.



In the 2019 polls, the JD(S) tried to use the Mandya seat as a political launch pad for Gowdas grandson and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamys son Nikhil. However, Sumalatha poured cold water over their plans by defeating him.



The latest speculations of Sumalatha seeking a BJP ticket to contest from Mandya is likely to be a vexatious issue in the 2024 polls for JD(S), which is now an ally of the BJP.



JD(S), which had won all the seven seats in 2018 assembly elections from Mandya district, suffered another serious setback in 2023 when it lost six seats to Congress and its ally.



Despite this, the party is not keen on giving up its stronghold.



With its tally in the state assembly reducing from 37 seats in 2018 to a mere 19 in 2023, the JD(S) joined the NDA in September last year after a meeting between H D Kumaraswamy, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Nadda in New Delhi.



Both parties have said they would fight the coming Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka together.
New Delhi, Feb 8 (PTI) Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said bills were getting passed in haste and demanded proper discussions in the House.

He also expressed concern over opposition members not being given enough time to raise important issues in Upper House.

Kharge, who is also the Congress president, was making his remarks while giving farewell to retiring members in Rajya Sabha.

Kharge alleged bills are getting passed in the House by suspending opposition members.

"Please do not pass bills in a hurry," he said.

Without proper discussion on the bills, Kharge said, there are chances of mistakes in the laws. Amendments are being brought later to correct them, he added.

Talking about former prime minister Manmohan Singh who is also retiring, the Congress president said the country achieved high growth during his tenure between 2004-14.

Singh, he said, will be remembered for various important legislation passed during his tenure, including food law and right to information. Kharge also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for praising the good works done by former PM.
The fate of former President Donald Trumps attempt to return to the White House is in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court.

On Thursday, the justices will hear arguments in Trumps appeal of a Colorado Supreme Court ruling that he is not eligible to run again for president because he violated a provision in the 14th Amendment preventing those who engaged in insurrection from holding office.

Many legal observers expect the nations highest court will reverse the Colorado ruling rather than remove the leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination from the ballot. But its always tricky to try to predict a Supreme Court ruling, and the case against Trump has already broken new legal ground.

Some of the main issues involved in the 14th Amendment case:

WHAT DID TRUMP POTENTIALLY VIOLATE?

Its called Section 3 and its pretty brief. It reads:

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. But Congress may by a vote of two thirds of each House, remove such disability.

Nice and simple, right?

Not so fast, Trumps lawyers say.

TRUMPS DEFENSE

Trumps lawyers say this part of the Constitution wasnt meant to apply to the president. Notice how it specifically mentions electors, senators and representatives, but not the presidency.

It also says those who take an oath to support the United States, but the presidential oath doesnt use that word. Instead, the Constitution requires presidents to say they will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. And finally, Section 3 talks about any other officer of the United States, but Trumps lawyers argue that language is meant to apply to presidential appointees, not the president.

That was enough to convince the Colorado district court judge who initially heard the case. She found that Trump had engaged in insurrection, but also agreed that it wasnt clear that Section 3 applied to the president. That part of her decision was reversed by the Colorado Supreme Court.

The majority of the states highest court wrote: President Trump asks us to hold that Section 3 disqualifies every oath-breaking insurrectionist except the most powerful one and that it bars oath-breakers from virtually every office, both state and federal, except the highest one in the land.

OTHER TRUMP ARGUMENTS

Trumps lawyers contend that the question of who is covered by a rarely used, once obscure clause should be decided by Congress, not unelected judges. They contend that the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol wasnt an insurrection. They say the attack wasnt widespread, didnt involve large amounts of firearms or include other markers of sedition. They say Trump didnt engage in anything that day other than in exercising his protected free speech rights.

Others who have been skeptical of applying Section 3 to Trump have made an argument that the dissenting Colorado Supreme Court justices also found persuasive: The way the court went about finding that Trump violated Section 3 violated the former presidents due process rights. They contend he was entitled to a structured legal process rather than a court in Colorado trying to figure out if the Constitution applied to him.

That gets at the unprecedented nature of the cases. Section 3 has rarely been used after an 1872 congressional amnesty excluded most former Confederates from it. The U.S. Supreme Court has never heard such a case.

Arguments about legal precedents go back to a lone 1869 opinion from Chief Justice Salmon Chase, who was hearing an appeal as a circuit judge rather than for the high court.

The Trump case is historic and is expected to create new law.

ISNT THIS JUST A PARTISAN CASE?

Not really. A lot of Democrats are rooting for Trump to get kicked off the ballot and a lot of Republicans are angry about the campaign against him. The case was filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a left-leaning group.

But some of the most vocal proponents of removing Trump from the ballot are conservative legal scholars who believe in following the strict words of the Constitution. Theres no way around the insurrection disqualification for Trump, they argue, adding its there in the plain text and was intended by the authors. The plaintiffs in Colorado are all Republicans or unaffiliated voters.

All seven of the justices on Colorados Supreme Court were appointed by Democrats. But they split 4-3 on the decision, a stark demonstration that this case doesnt divide neatly along partisan lines.

The majority quoted a ruling from Neil Gorsuch, one of Trumps conservative Supreme Court nominees, from when he was a federal judge in Colorado. He ruled then that the state properly kept a naturalized citizen born in Guyana off the presidential ballot because the he didnt meet the constitutional qualifications.

In Maine, the Democratic secretary of state also removed Trump from the ballot. But in Illinois, a Republican retired judge serving as a hearing officer for the state Board of Election suggested keeping Trump on, but only because he thought courts should decide on eligibility. The retired judge found it was likely Trump was disqualified due to Section 3, making him a notable Republican to side with those trying to remove the former president.

The U.S. Supreme Court is comprised of six justices nominating by Republican presidents, including three by Trump. Partly because this is completely new legal ground, its hard to predict how individual justices will rule based on their ideology.

WHAT COULD THE COURT DO?

Several outcomes are possible but they generally fall into three areas.

The first is the court could uphold Colorados ruling. That would require wins for the plaintiffs on the whole array of Trumps defenses.

The second is the court could rule that Trump cannot be disqualified under Section 3, period. There are a lot of ways the court could do this, but the result would be to end the case against him, as well as dozens of similar challenges filed across the country.

The third possibility unnerves a lot of legal experts. The court could effectively punt and not make a final decision on whether Trump is qualified to serve as president. That could kick the question down the road to Jan. 6, 2025, if he wins the election and Congress has to decide whether to certify his victory.

It also would keep alive many of the challenges across the country. A number of them are on hold because state courts are waiting to see what the U.S. Supreme Court will do. Places where a Trump challenge could be rekindled if the high court doesnt squelch it include Illinois, Minnesota and Oregon. It could add further pressure to challenge Trumps position on the ballot in other Democratic strongholds such as California and New York, where there have been pushes to invalidate his candidacy that have been comparatively muted.

While the Trump campaign says more than 60 Section 3 cases have been filed nationally, most are by low-profile figures and have generally been dismissed for procedural issues. Uncertainty from the nations highest court could encourage a new wave of cases in those states, too.

The lack of a clear ruling also could create counter-challenges. Republicans have warned that Section 3 also can be applied to Democrats.

Some already have proposed filing against Biden under the theory that his inability to stem the flow of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border amounts to providing aid and comfort to the countrys enemies. Vice President Kamala Harris also could be targeted under the theory that her raising bail money for people arrested during the protests over George Floyds 2020 murder by Minneapolis police amounts to engaging in insurrection.

Unless the high court shuts this down, they warn, Trumps case might only be the start.

(AP)
The Biden administration is setting tougher standards for deadly soot pollution, saying that reducing fine particle matter from tailpipes, smokestacks and other industrial sources could prevent thousands of premature deaths a year.

Environmental and public health groups hailed the new Environmental Protection Agency rule finalized Wednesday as a major step in improving the health of Americans, including future generations. Industry groups warned it could lead to loss of manufacturing jobs and even shut down power plants or refineries.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the rule would have $46 billion in net health benefits by 2032, including prevention of up to 800,000 asthma attacks and 4,500 premature deaths. He said the rule will especially benefit children, older adults and those with heart and lung conditions, as well as people in low-income and minority communities adversely affected by decades of industrial pollution.

The rule really does represent what the Biden-Harris administration is all about, which is understanding that healthy people equal a healthy economy, he told reporters Tuesday. We do not have to sacrifice people to have a prosperous and booming economy.

The rule sets maximum levels of 9 micrograms of fine particle pollution per cubic meter of air, down from 12 micrograms established a decade ago under the Obama administration.

The rule sets an air quality level that states and counties must achieve in the coming years to reduce pollution from power plants, vehicles, industrial sites and wildfires. The rule comes as Democratic President Joe Biden seeks reelection, and some Democrats have warned that a tough soot standard could harm his chances in key industrial states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Administration officials brushed aside those concerns, saying the industry has used technical improvements to meet previous soot standards and will be able to adapt to meet the new standard as well. Soot pollution has declined sharply in the past two decades, even as the U.S. gross domestic product has increased by more than 50%, Regan said.

So weve heard this argument before, but the facts are well-established that these standards really will increase the quality of life for so many people, especially those who are disproportionately impacted, he said.

Manish Bapna, president and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental group, said the EPA was putting public health first by requiring polluters to cut soot from the air we all breathe.

Ben Jealous, executive director of the Sierra Club, said that opponents resistance is a stark reminder that the fight for clean air and a healthier future is far from over.

Industry groups and Republican officials said before the rule-making that a limit of 9 micrograms per cubic meter could sharply increase the number of U.S. counties in violation of the soot standard. Companies in those places would have difficulty obtaining permits to build or expand industrial plants.

Significantly lowering the standard for soot emissions would threaten or prevent modernization projects and other major improvements to paper mills, the American Forest and Paper Association said in a statement.

As our industry modernizes paper mills, were improving air quality, including reductions in particulate matter, the group said.

The paper lobby and other industry groups said in a letter to the White House that a lower soot standard could force companies to locate new facilities in foreign countries with weaker air-quality standards, thereby undermining the Biden administrations economic and environmental goals.

We urge you to ensure EPA maintains the existing fine particulate matter standards to ensure both continued environmental protection and economic growth, 71 groups, led by the National Association of Manufacturers, said in an Oct. 31 letter to White House chief of staff Jeffrey Zients.

The standard for particle pollution, more commonly known as soot, was set in late 2012 under Democratic President Barack Obama and left unchanged by Republican President Donald Trump, who overrode a scientific recommendation for a lower standard in his final days in office.

EPA scientists have estimated exposure at current limits causes the early deaths of thousands of Americans annually from heart disease and lung cancer, along with other health problems.

The new EPA rule would require states, counties and tribal governments to meet a stricter air quality standard for fine particulate matter up to 2.5 microns in diameter  far smaller than the diameter of a human hair.

The standard would not force polluters to shut down, but the EPA and state regulators could use it as the basis for other rules that target pollution from specific sources such as diesel-fueled trucks, refineries and power plants.

A 2023 report by the American Lung Association found that nearly 64 million Americans live in counties that experience unhealthy daily spikes in soot pollution and nearly 19 million live in counties that exceed annual limits for soot pollution. Most of those counties were in 11 Western states, the report said. People of color were 61% more likely than white people to live in a county with unhealthy air quality, the report said.

Bakersfield, California, displaced Fresno, California, as the metropolitan area with the worst short-term particle pollution, the report found. Bakersfield tied with Visalia in Californias San Joaquin Valley as the most polluted city for year-round particle pollution.

Wildfires in the western U.S. were a major contributing factor to increased levels of particle pollution, the report said. Six of the 10 cities with the most soot pollution were in California, and two more were in the West: Medford, Oregon and greater Phoenix.

(AP)
Chinese and U.S. officials have met in Beijing for talks on tough issues dividing the two largest economies, as trade and tariffs increasingly draw attention in the runup to the U.S. presidential election.

Chinas Ministry of Finance said Beijing raised objections to higher tariffs on Chinese exports, two-way investment restrictions and other limits on trade and technology during the talks by the countries Economic Working Group. In a statement, it characterized the Monday-Tuesday talks as constructive.

The talks sent a positive signal, the Global Times, a newspaper of Chinas ruling Communist Party, said in an article published late Tuesday.

This positive trend, despite lingering disputes, offers much-needed reassurance for businesses of the two countries as well as the international community amid rising global challenges, it said.

The U.S. Treasury Department said U.S. officials reiterated concerns over Chinese industrial policy practices and overcapacity, and the resulting impact on U.S. workers and firms.

That reflects worries that as Chinas economy slows, partly due to a prolonged crisis in its property market but also longer term trends such as an aging population, its leaders are likely to rely more heavily on boosting export manufacturing to make up for weak demand at home.

Given Chinas already huge market shares in many industries, that could boost capacity to unsustainable levels and crowd foreign manufacturers out of many industries, some economists say.

One example: photo-voltaic solar panels, where massive investment means that China controls about 80% of the market share for all manufacturing stages, according to a recent report by the International Energy Agency. The rapid ascent of Chinese suppliers has raised proposals in Europe for import controls, but those could slow the regions progress in combating climate change but cutting carbon emissions.

The two sides said the talks in Beijing also touched on issues such as debt problems in developing countries, financial cooperation and economic policies.

U.S. officials reaffirmed that the U.S. is not seeking to decouple the two economies and instead seeks a healthy economic relationship that provides a level playing field for American companies and workers, the Treasury Department said.

It said both sides agreed to meet again in April.

Exchanges between the two powers picked up last year, gaining momentum after President Joe Biden met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at a November summit in San Francisco, California.

But despite the slight improvement in relations, tensions remain high, particularly over Taiwan. Biden has kept in place most of the tariffs on Chinese imports that former President Donald Trump imposed when he launched a trade war in 2018.

His administration has also tightened controls on Chinese access to advanced computer chips and the technology to make them, along with other strategically sensitive know-how.

Reports that Trump would raise tariffs even higher if he is elected have shaken fragile investor sentiment in China, where the financial markets are in the midst of a prolonged slump.

The Economic Working Groups meeting was its third since it was established in September and its first in Beijing. A Treasury delegation met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng while in Beijing and conveyed a message that Yellen hoped to visit China at an appropriate time.

(AP)
Senate Republicans blocked a bipartisan border package Wednesday, scuttling months of negotiations with Democrats on legislation intended to cut back record numbers of illegal border crossings.

Many Republicans said the election-year compromise wasnt enough, even as supporters of the bill insisted it was the best possible in divided government.

The 49-50 vote, far short of the 60 ayes needed to take up the bill, came after most Republicans said they would vote against the legislation, which also includes $60 billion in wartime aid to Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel. GOP lawmakers had insisted that the money for conflicts abroad be paired with help for the U.S. border.

Forcing the showdown with Republicans, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said earlier that he would try to salvage the wartime funding, and would next push ahead on a crucial test vote for tens of billions of dollars for Kyiv, Israel and other U.S. allies  a modified package with the border portion stripped out.

It is unclear if enough Republicans will vote to move ahead with the standalone legislation for the wartime aid, which also would need 60 votes in the 51-49 Senate. If it did pass, it would still take days for the Senate to reach a final vote.

As some Republicans have grown skeptical of sending money to Ukraine in its war with Russia, Schumer said that history will cast a permanent and shameful shadow on those who attempt to block it.

Will the Senate stand up to brutish thugs like Vladimir Putin and reassure our friends abroad that America will never abandon them in the hour of need? Schumer asked as he opened the Senate.

The roughly $60 billion in Ukraine aid has been stalled in Congress for months because of growing opposition from hardline conservatives in the House and Senate who criticize it as wasteful and demand an exit strategy for the war.

We still need to secure Americas borders before sending another dime overseas, Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah wrote in a post on X.

The impasse means that the U.S. has halted arms shipments to Kyiv at a crucial point in the nearly two-year-old conflict, leaving Ukrainian soldiers without ample ammunition and missiles as Russian President Putin has mounted relentless attacks.

Ukraines cause still enjoys support from many Senate Republicans, including GOP leader Mitch McConnell, but the question vexing lawmakers has always been how to craft a package that could clear the Republican-controlled House.

A pairing of border policies and aid for allies  first proposed by Republicans  was intended to help squeeze the package through the House where archconservatives hold control. But GOP senators  some within minutes of the bills release Sunday  rejected the compromise as election-year politics.

The wartime funding also would invest in domestic defense manufacturing, send funding to allies in Asia, and provide $10 billion for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, Israel, Gaza and other places.

Schumer said the revamped package would include legislation to authorize sanctions and anti-money laundering tools against criminal enterprises that traffic fentanyl into the U.S. A separate section of the compromise border legislation that would have provided a long-awaited pathway to residency for tens of thousands of Afghan refugees was dropped in the slimmed-down bill.

It was not clear whether the new plan, even if it passed the Senate, would gain support from House Speaker Mike Johnson. House Republicans are still insisting on a border plan, even though they rejected the deal negotiated in the Senate as insufficient.

Well see what the Senate does, Johnson told reporters Wednesday morning. Were going to allow the process to play out.

Some were skeptical that a standalone aid package would be viable in the House.

I dont see how that moves in this chamber. I dont know how the speaker puts that on the floor, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., said, adding that he still wanted tougher border policies attached.

After Donald Trump, the likely Republican presidential nominee, eviscerated the Senates bipartisan border proposal, Johnson quickly rejected it. Trump has also led many Republicans to question supporting Ukraine, suggesting he could negotiate an end to the war and lavishing praise on Russian President Vladimir Putin, including after Moscows February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Johnson said this week he wanted to handle wartime aid for Israel and Ukraine in separate packages, but a bill he advanced that only included funds for Israel failed on the House floor Tuesday night.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Wednesday that the only path forward is a comprehensive approach that includes funding for U.S. allies around the world, as well as humanitarian support for civilians caught in conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.

The White House said that President Joe Biden believes there should be new border policy but would also support moving the aid for Ukraine and Israel alone, as he has from the start.

We support this bill which would protect Americas national security interests by stopping Putins onslaught in Ukraine before he turns to other countries, helping Israel defend itself against Hamas terrorists and delivering live-saving humanitarian aid to innocent Palestinian civilians, said White House spokesman Andrew Bates.

Even if some congressional Republicans commitment to border security hinges on politics, President Bidens does not.

(AP)
U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that he and his NATO counterparts cautioned Hungary on Wednesday against further delaying Swedens membership in the military alliance, and he warned that patience in Washington has its limits.

Lawmakers from the party of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban boycotted an emergency session of parliament on Monday where a vote was scheduled to place Swedens bid to join NATO on the legislative agenda, adding to 18 months of delays that have angered Hungarys allies.

The governing Fidesz party, which holds an absolute majority in Hungarys parliament, has stalled Swedens bid since July 2022, alleging that Swedish politicians have told blatant lies about the state of Hungarian democracy. The party insists that Swedens prime minister must come to Hungary first.

We heard security adviser after security adviser say that its past time for Sweden to get in, and to directly address the representative from Hungary, Sullivan told reporters after a meeting of the organizations top security officials at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Sullivan said that he and his colleagues had impressed upon Hungary that its a matter of credibility and obligation that they take the necessary steps to complete the parliamentary procedures to ratify Swedens accession.

Sweden, along with neighboring Finland, set aside decades of military nonalignment to seek protection under NATOs collective security umbrella after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

Finland has since joined the trans-Atlantic alliance. The country, along with the other 30 allies, must all agree that Sweden should stand among NATOs ranks. Hungary is the only member standing in its way.

Sullivan said that he wouldnt stand here today and make particular threats, or speculation about steps that we would take down the road, but of course our patience on this cant be unlimited either.

He said the U.S. will continue to watch it carefully, but hope that there is a constructive resolution to this issue in the very near term.

Orban, who has broken ranks with NATO allies by adopting a Kremlin-friendly stance toward Russias war in Ukraine, has said that he invited Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to Budapest to discuss future cooperation in the field of security and defense as allies and partners.

Unless another emergency session of Hungarys parliament is called to debate Swedens bid, the assembly is due to sit for its regular session on Feb. 26.

(AP)
A U.S. drone strike hit a car in the Iraqi capital Wednesday night, killing three members of the powerful Kataib Hezbollah militia, including a high-ranking commander, officials said.

The strike came on a main thoroughfare in the Mashtal neighborhood in eastern Baghdad. A crowd gathered as emergency response teams picked through the wreckage. Security forces closed off the heavily guarded Green Zone, where a number of diplomatic compounds are located, amid calls for protesters to storm the U.S. embassy.

Two U.S. officials familiar with the matter said that a senior Kataib Hezbollah commander was targeted in a U.S. strike on Wednesday in Iraq. They were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Two officials with Iran-backed militias in Iraq said that one of the three killed was Wissam Mohammed Abu Bakr al-Saadi, the commander in charge of Kataib Hezbollahs operations in Syria. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to speak to journalists.

The strike came amid roiling tensions in the region and days after 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 in retaliation for a drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan in late January.

The U.S. has blamed the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a broad coalition of Iran-backed militias, for the attack in Jordan, and officials have said they suspect Kataib Hezbollah in particular of leading it.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has regularly claimed strikes on bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria against the backdrop of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, saying that they are in retaliation for Washingtons support of Israel in its war in Gaza that has killed 27,707 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

Kataib Hezbollah had said in a statement that it was suspending attacks on American troops to avoid embarrassing the Iraqi government after the strike in Jordan, but others have vowed to continue fighting.

On Sunday, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed a drone attack on a base housing U.S. troops in eastern Syria killed six fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led group allied with the United States.

The latest surge in the regional conflict came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday rejected terms proposed by Hamas for a hostage-release agreement that would lead to a permanent cease-fire, vowing to continue the war until absolute victory.

Also on Wednesday, the media office of the Houthi rebels in Yemen reported two airstrikes in Ras Issa area in Salif district in Hodeida province.

(AP)
Ukrainian forces claimed Thursday to have shot down a Russian attack helicopter in eastern Ukraine near the city of Avdiivka, where soldiers are fighting from street to street as Russias army steps up its four-month campaign to surround Kyivs defending troops.

Ukrainian soldiers used a portable anti-aircraft missile to take down the Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter, one of the Russian air forces deadliest weapons, according to Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, the commander of Ukrainian units fighting on the southeastern front line.

The roughly 1,500-kilometer (930-mile) line of contact has shifted little during recent months of wintry weather. But as the war in Ukraine nears its two-year anniversary, Avdiivka has become a primary focus of Moscows forces, the U.K. Defense Ministry said in an assessment Thursday.

Street-to-street combat is taking place in the city as Ukrainian troops seek to keep open their main supply route amid intense bombardment, the ministry said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The General Staff of Ukraines armed forces reported Thursday that its troops had fended off 40 enemy assaults around Avdiivka over the previous 24 hours. That is roughly double the number of daily Russian assaults at other points along the front line.

Russias Pravda newspaper reported Thursday that the Russian army was attempting to cut a key logistics supply route for Ukraine in the village of Lastochkyne, about 6 kilometers (4 miles) west of Avdiivka.

The Russian military has used electronic warfare to take out the Starlink communications system which Ukrainian troops use to communicate, Pravda said.

Ukraine has built multiple defenses in Avdiivka, complete with concrete fortifications and a network of tunnels. Despite massive losses of personnel and equipment, Russian troops have slowly advanced since October.

The fight has evolved into a gruesome effort for both sides. It has been compared to the nine months of fighting for Bakhmut, the Ukraine wars longest and bloodiest battle. It ended with Russia capturing the bombed-out, deserted city last May in what Moscow hailed as a major triumph.

Both Bakhmut and Avdiivka are located in Ukraines Donetsk region. Moscow-backed rebels seized part of the region in 2014 and Russia illegally annexed all of it in 2022 with three other Ukrainian regions.

Russia wants to capture the entire Donetsk region, where it currently holds just over half of the territory.

(AP)
North Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 7, 2024) - Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) (ASX: LLO) ("Lion One" or the "Company") announces that it is commencing an overnight marketed public offering of units (the "Offered Units") of the Company for anticipated gross proceeds of up to C$10.0 million (the "Offering"). The Offering is expected to be completed pursuant to an underwriting agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") to be entered into between the Company, Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation ("CFCC"), as lead underwriter and sole bookrunner (the "Lead Underwriter"), and a syndicate of underwriters to be determined (collectively with the Lead Underwriter, the "Underwriters").

The number of Offered Units to be sold, the Offering price (the "Offering Price"), and the terms of the Offered Units will be determined in the context of the market and there can be no assurance as to completion of the Offering. In addition, the Company will grant the Underwriters an over-allotment option (the "Over-Allotment Option") exercisable, in whole or in part, in the sole discretion of the Underwriters, to purchase up to an additional 15% of the number of Offered Units sold in the Offering for up to 30 days after the closing, on the same terms and conditions as the Offering.

The net proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Offered Units will be used for development and ramp up expenses at the Tuvatu Gold project located in Fiji, as well as for general corporate expenses & purposes.

The Offering will be made by way of a prospectus supplement (the "Prospectus Supplement") to the Company's existing Canadian short form base shelf prospectus dated May 13, 2022 (the "Base Shelf Prospectus"). Upon completion of pricing of the Offering and the signing of the Underwriting Agreement, the Prospectus Supplement will be filed with the securities commissions in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta and will be available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Alternatively, the Prospectus Supplement and related Base Shelf Prospectus may be obtained upon request by contacting the Company or Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation in Canada, attention: Equity Capital Markets, 181 University Avenue, Suite 1500, Toronto, ON, M5H 3M7, email: ecmcanada@cantor.com. The Offered Units will not be offered or sold in the United States except under Rule 144A or Regulation D or in such other manner as to not require registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Offered Units may also be offered in those jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States as agreed to by the Company and the Underwriters provided that no prospectus filing or comparable obligation arises and the Company does not thereafter become subject to continuous disclosure obligations in such jurisdictions. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. No securities may be offered or sold in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer or sale would be unlawful absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom or qualification under the securities laws of such other jurisdiction or an exemption therefrom.

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The closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about February 13, 2024 and is subject to the completion of formal documentation and receipt of regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Lion One Metals Limited

Lion One Metals is an emerging Canadian gold producer headquartered in North Vancouver BC, with new operations established in late 2023 at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. The Tuvatu project comprises the high-grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Deposit, the Underground Gold Mine, the Pilot Plant, and the Assay Lab. The Company also has an extensive exploration license covering the entire Navilawa Caldera, which is host to multiple mineralized zones and highly prospective exploration targets.

As disclosed in its "Technical Report and PEA Update for the Tuvatu Gold Project" dated April 29, 2022, the 2018 Tuvatu resource estimate comprises 1,007,000 tonnes indicated at 8.50 g/t Au (274,600 oz. Au) and 1,325,000 tonnes inferred at 9.0 g/t Au (384,000 oz. Au) at a cut-off grade of 3.0 g/t Au. The technical report is available on the Lion One website at www.liononemetals.com and under the Lion One profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca.

In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Alex Nichol, MAIG, VP Geology and Exploration for Lion One, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has reviewed and is responsible for the technical and scientific content of this news release.

Contact Information

Investor inquiries: info@liononemetals.com

Phone:1-855-805-1250 (toll free North America)

Website: www.liononemetals.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Lion One Metals Limited's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Lion One Metals Limited and on assumptions Lion One Metals Limited believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the results of the Offering and associated marketing efforts, the use of proceeds of the Offering, actual results of exploration projects being equivalent to or better than estimated results in technical reports, assessment reports, and other geological reports or prior exploration results, and results of ongoing production operations. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Lion One Metals Limited or its subsidiaries to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: prevailing capital markets conditions, the stage development of Lion One Metals Limited, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current research and development or operational activities; competition; uncertainty as to patent applications and intellectual property rights; product liability and lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting mining, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; not realizing on the potential benefits of technology; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labor or loss of key individuals. Although Lion One Metals Limited has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Lion One Metals Limited does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO US NEWSWIRES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/197187
Nikki Haley is launching a bus tour before South Carolinas Republican presidential primary on Feb. 24, hoping the two-week push will show the former governors commitment to her home state heading into the first-in-the-South vote.

Its a tall order in a state where support remains strong for former President Donald Trump, the GOP front-runner who has won the years earliest nominating contests and is poised to pick up more delegates in Nevadas caucuses on Thursday.

Haleys bus tour kicks off Saturday, with its first stops planned in Newberry, Greenwood, Lexington and Orangeburg counties. According to the campaign, visits are also planned for Bamberg, Clemson and Lexington, to mark the places where Haley grew up, attended college and raised her children.

The tour is aiming to ramp up interest in South Carolinas early-voting period, which begins Monday, according to Haleys campaign. Its also a complement to her repeated critiques of Trump for not spending time in the state, as shes crisscrossed it, holding nearly a dozen campaign events across South Carolina in the past two weeks.

That reality will change this weekend, with Trump planning a get-out-the-vote rally in Conway  a city inland from Myrtle Beach, where his support is deep  before more events lined up in the weeks that follow. In his absence, Trumps campaign has traveled the state with some of his high-level endorsers, including U.S. Reps. Nancy Mace, Russell Fry and William Timmons, all of whom have levied criticisms at Haley and, like Trump, called on her to end her 2024 bid.

Haley, who served for two years as Trumps ambassador to the United Nations, has escalated her own attacks against her former boss, arguing to audiences at her events that Trumps various legal cases mean that hes been in court, while shes been campaigning.

Shes poked fun at Trump for declining to debate her, a tack also taken by a super political action committee supporting her bid.

(AP)
An article by the Wall Street Journals Editorial Board published on Tuesday slams the Biden administration for pressuring Israel to reach a ceasefire/hostage deal with Hamas.

The article states: President Biden called Hamass reply a little over the top, perhaps forgetting that hes dealing with jihadists, not Republicans. He called Hamas the opposition before he was corrected. Qatar tried to spin Hamass answer as a positive response, but its a repetition of the standard pattern in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations: Following Palestinian terror, the U.S. pressures Israel into risky concessions, only for the Palestinians to turn down the offer at their own peoples expense.

Hamas says it wants a comprehensive and complete cease-fire, but it certainly doesnt want peace. If theres one point on which Hamas has been consistent, it is that it will repeat its Oct. 7 massacre again and again, as Politburo member Ghazi Hamad said on Oct. 24.

The article then quotes senior Hamas official Ali Baraka, who after the massacre said on Hezbollahs Al-Manar TV in Lebanon: We can repeat Oct. 7 many times, because once you storm, they collapse. This is how it works with IsraelThey stormed [Southern Israel] and tomorrow, they will storm the Galilee. They will storm in from wherever they can.

Thats what makes the Americans blocking traffic with Cease-Fire Now signs todays example of people who in the time of the Soviet Union were known as useful idiots. Israels best reply is to push forward on the ground, the article concludes.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Wednesday unequivocally rejected Hamass latest conditions for a hostage deal, but said he remains open to continuing negotiations to secure the freedom of the 136 hostages still held in Gaza.

Hamas had outlined a three-phased process for a permanent ceasefire, beginning with the release of specific groups of hostages and prisoners and concluding with full withdrawal and the exchange of bodies and remains. However, the proposal hinges on indirect talks and guarantees from international mediators for the ceasefires durability.

Addressing the press, Netanyahu commented on the unacceptability of Hamass proposal, suggesting that the terms were so unfavorable that they would be rejected universally. From what I saw, even you would say no, he told a reporter, arguing that acceding to Hamass illusionary demands would set the stage for further massacres reminiscent of the deadly attack on October 7.

There is no other solution than total victory, Netanyahu said, highlighting the broader threat posed by the evil axis of Iran and its affiliates.

Netanyahu also denied reports saying that Israel had agreed to release from prison Palestinians who have been convicted of killing Israelis, saying nobody has obligated to the crazy terms Hamas is talking about.. including the part about those terrorists with blood on their hands. He added that there is supposed to be a process of negotiation through mediators but from what I have seen, Hamas is not there.

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri responded to Netanyahus remarks, accusing him of political posturing and insisting that Hamas is prepared to deal with all options.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant criticized Hamass response as intentionally unacceptable. Its position will lead to the continuation of the war and send our forces to other places in Gaza soon, Gallant said, hinting at potential broadening of Israeli military actions in Gaza, particularly near Rafah by the Egyptian border.

However, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, currently in Israel to advance hostage negotiations and a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia, offered a more optimistic view.

Theres a lot of work to be done, but we are very much focused on doing that work and, hopefully, being able to resume the release of hostages that was interrupted so many months ago, Blinken told Herzog.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
In a Wednesday press conference held in Tel Aviv, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Israel to intensify efforts to protect civilians amidst its ongoing conflict with Hamas, which he accused of embedding itself among civilian infrastructures and actively targeting innocent lives.

We urge Israel to do more to help civilians, knowing full well that it faces an enemy that would never meet those standards, Blinken said. He acknowledged out Hamass strategy of launching attacks from hospitals, mosques, and schools, emphasizing the groups disregard for civilian life and its declared intent to kill civilians and eliminate Israel.

Blinken labeled Hamas as an organization that not only shields itself with hostages but also has openly proclaimed its objective to massacre innocents and erase Israel from the map. Thats why weve made clear that Israel is fully justified in confronting Hamas and other terrorist organizations, Blinken said.

Despite his firm backing of Israels defensive measures, Blinken also expressed strong criticism of some of Israels wartime actions in Gaza.

Israelis were dehumanized in the most horrific way on October 7. The hostages have been dehumanized every day since. But that cannot be a license to dehumanize others, he said.

Blinken asserted that the majority of Gazas population is innocent of the atrocities of October 7.

The overwhelming majority of people in Gaza had nothing to do with the attacks of October 7, Blinken said, ignoring the fact that the overwhelming majority of Gazans support Hamas, thereby implicating themselves in the murderous rampage that occurred on October 7.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
IDF and Border Patrol units have successfully neutralized a high-profile terrorist operative, Muazzam Ali, along with two associates in the Nur a-Shams refugee camp located in the Menashe regional Brigade, following intelligence and directions provided by the Shin Bet.

The targeted operation, which lasted over four hours, involved a tactical maneuver known as a pressure cooker procedure. This approach was employed to safely manage the situation involving the barricaded individuals. Despite the use of various means to compel the wanted terrorists to surrender, Ali and two armed terrorists attempting to flee the premises were killed during a gunfight.

The IDF Spokespersons Unit and Police Spokespersons Unit said they confiscated weapons found during the raid and transferred the arms to security forces for further examination.

There were no Israeli casualties.

Muazzam Ali had been a significant target for Israels security forces, having been implicated in previous attacks against Israeli personnel and involvement in other terrorist activities.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Police in suburban Chicago arrested 33 people Wednesday after they blocked streets for more than six hours outside a company protesters say has a role in the deaths of thousands of civilians in Gaza.

Seven men and 26 women were charged with misdemeanor unlawful assembly following the protest outside Woodward MPC, the Niles Police Department said in a news release

The protesters claimed that Woodward manufactures parts for Boeing that are used in bombs and missiles being used in Gaza.

Police said protesters were arrested after they ignored repeated orders to disperse. The 33 protesters were released after being booked, police said, and there were no injuries. About 100 people participated in the protest, WBBM-TV reported.

A call to Woodward MPC for comment was met with a receptionist saying We have no comment before she hung up.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem & AP)
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday told Jewish leaders that Moscow has engaged in diplomatic efforts to free Israeli hostages in Gaza and achieved certain results.

Putin discussed the issue during a meeting at the Kremlin with Russian Chief Rabbi HaRav Berel Lazar and the head of the Federation of Jewish Communities, HaRav Alexander Boroda, in honor of a conference of Jewish kehillos currently being held in Moscow.

Putin said: Youre aware that following the escalation of the situation in the Middle East, Russia is doing everything it can to aid the people being held hostage. Our Foreign Ministry is using its contacts with Hamass political wing and we achieved certain results. Of course, were prioritizing Russian citizens but not only them  but all the citizens of other countries  and this includes the elderly who survived the Holocaust and their relatives.

Putin continued: As I said, there are already certain results  but I understand that we need to continue these efforts. Thats what were doing and I wanted to discuss these efforts with you personally.

In November, Roni Krivoi, a 25-year-old Israeli with Russian citizenship, was released from Gaza at Putins request. He is the only adult male hostage who was freed from captivity in Gaza.

Screenshot

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
A non-commissioned IDF officer was severely injured and two reserve soldiers were lightly injured from an anti-tank missile fired by Hezbollah at Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel on Thursday morning.

Also, two reserve soldiers were lightly injured from projectiles launched by Hezbollah at the IDF Biranit base and Har Chermon  also on Thursday morning.

Hezbollah took responsibility for the attacks and claimed that it hit an IDF base in Kiryat Shmona.

In response, IDF forces carried out strikes against Hezbollah terror targets in the Khiam region of southern Lebanon, from where the missile was launched at Kiryat Shmona. The IDF also targeted the sources of fire at Biranit and Har Chermon with artillery fire.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
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Snap shares fell by more than a third yesterday as it grapples with an advertising slowdown  leaving founder Evan Spiegel and his wife Miranda Kerr nursing losses of 200million.

The social media giant saw shares fall 35 per cent after Wall Street was left frustrated by its latest quarterly performance.

On Tuesday Snap said that its revenues hit 1billion in the three months to the end of December, a figure that was up by 5 per cent on a year earlier but below the expectations of the market.

Snap bosses said this reflected the challenging operating environment including pressures on the advertising business from conflict in the Middle East.

And although it narrowed its quarterly losses to 196million, down from 228million the year before, shares tumbled when Wall Street opened yesterday.

Snapcrash: Snap saw shares fall 35.2% leaving founder Evan Spiegel and his wife Miranda Kerr (pictured) nursing losses of 200m

The update came just days after Snap announced plans to cut 10 per cent of its global workforce  or 500 employees.

Jasmine Enberg, an analyst at Insider Intelligence, said: The rebound hasnt kept pace with the big tech titans.

Snap is trying to distance itself from social media, but it still must compete for social ad dollars.

Snap is a smaller, less essential player for advertisers than Meta, and it has struggled to build a robust ad business.

Last week rival Meta released bumper figures, as the owner of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram reported a 25 per cent rise in ad revenues in the final three months of last year.

Susannah Streeter, an analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: Its clear fewer are optimistic about Snaps ability to bounce back from the ad slump.

A nagging worry about the way Snap is being run has turned into a crisis of confidence.

Snap was launched in 2011 by Spiegel and Bobby Murphy.

The tech founder, who is worth an estimated 2.1billion, married model Kerr in 2017.
Jiang Jianqing, a name synonymous with the remarkable transformation of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) into the worlds largest bank by assets, has a story that reads like a testament to resilience and visionary leadership.

Born in Shanghai in 1953, Jiangs early life was marked by the hardships of the Cultural Revolution during which he was sent to work in the fields of Jiangxi Province and the coal mines of Henan Province. This period of labor education, far from breaking his spirit, seemed to have instilled in him a resilience that would define his career.

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In 1984, after graduating from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and later obtaining his masters and doctorate degrees from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Jiang embarked on his journey with ICBC as a teller in Shanghai. His ascent through the bank's ranks was rapid. By 1993, he was appointed vice president of ICBCs Shanghai Branch, and by 1999, he had risen to the position of vice president and deputy committee secretary of the entire ICBC. In 2000, he became president, and when ICBC restructured for public listing in 2005, Jiang was appointed chairman of the Board of Directors, a position he held until 2016.

Jiangs tenure at ICBC was marked by transformative changes that propelled the bank into the global financial spotlight. Under his leadership, ICBC navigated the waters of near insolvency and emerged as a banking behemoth with $3.5 trillion in assets and generating $45 billion in annual profit, outstripping its international rivals, including JPMorgan Chase & Co. This turnaround was no small feat and involved a strategic overhaul of the banks operations, including addressing the issue of nonperforming loans and leveraging technology to modernize its services. In 2003, Jiang spearheaded a partnership with Microsoft Corp. to develop ICBCs personal online banking services, a move that significantly enhanced the banks e-banking system and competitive edge.

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Trending: Cheddar was acquired for $200 million yielding a return of 370.37% for its investors. This startup aims to replicate and potentially surpass this success.

Jiangs strategic vision extended beyond the borders of China, with ICBC opening a branch in London in 2003 and establishing a joint credit card program with American Express in 2004. These steps were part of Jiangs broader ambition to position ICBC as a global banking giant, akin to Citibank, catering not just to Chinese nationals abroad but to a worldwide clientele.

Jiangs contributions to the financial industry have been widely recognized, including being named one of the worlds best online finance business persons by Institutional Investor. Beyond his professional achievements, Jiang has dedicated himself to education and thought leadership, serving as a guest professor and adviser at several prestigious institutions, and as an author of numerous publications on banking innovation and corporation theory.

Jiang's journey from the coal mines to the pinnacle of global finance is a narrative of extraordinary determination, strategic foresight and a commitment to innovation. His legacy at ICBC is a testament to the impact visionary leadership can have on the fortunes of a financial institution and the global banking industry at large.

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This article This Little-Known Chinese Billionaire Went From Working In The Coal Mines To Being One Of The Most Powerful Bankers In The World, Commanding $3.5 Trillion In Assets originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
The five biggest oil producers in the West raked in almost 100billion of profit last year despite a slump in energy prices.

Total Energies yesterday reported the biggest haul of its 100 years as it became the latest major to post bumper figures.

The French company said profit came in at 17billion in 2023, up 4 per cent on the previous year  but below predictions of around 19billion.

The update rounded off another remarkable earnings season for the industry, though total profits were sharply lower than in a record-breaking 2022.

BP this week posted profits of 11billion for 2023, which was half what it made in 2022 but its second-highest in a decade.

Gushing profit: French firm TotalEnergies reported a profit of 17bn - the biggest haul in its 100-year history - as it became the latest major to post bumper figures

And Shell last week said profits were down 30 per cent year-on-year, to a still stonking 22billion.

In total, the top five Western oil companies, which also include Exxon Mobil and Chevron, made 95billion in profits in 2023.

This was down from the 142billion they made in 2022 after the Russian invasion of Ukraine sent oil and gas prices soaring.

But it did not stop companies lavishing handsome rewards on shareholders, with the five Western oil giants returning over 88billion in dividends and buybacks in 2023.

That was slightly higher than the 87billion they doled out to investors in 2022.

During a time of geopolitical turmoil and economic uncertainty, our objective remained unchanged: safely deliver higher returns and lower carbon, Chevron chief executive Mike Wirth told investors last Friday.

BP has been under particular pressure to keep investors on-side following the scandal surrounding former chief executive Bernard Looney.

He was forced to quit in September after failing to be fully transparent about his relationships with colleagues.

The board later found Looney to be guilty of serious misconduct and stripped him of 32million in pay and bonuses.

He has since been replaced by Murray Auchincloss.

But these large payouts to company shareholders have long drawn criticism as consumers grapple with a cost of living squeeze and money is needed to tackle the threat of climate change.

Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, said the sector has a massive PR problem.

There are 95bn reasons many cash-strapped households might be feeling a bit miffed at the good fortunes of the top five Western oil producers, she said.

Between them BP, Shell, Chevron, Exxon Mobil and Total Energies have enjoyed another year of bumper profits, not as mind-blowingly huge as those dished up last year, but still a massive amount of cash at a time when many people are still struggling.

Kathleen Brooks, research director at the XTB trading platform, said Totals update had scant mention about renewables but a key focus on sweeteners for shareholders.

Total chief executive Patrick Pouyanne said the performance at its natural gas unit was particularly robust  thanks to strong production.

This helped to offset declining margins and weak demand for chemicals in Europe, he said.
Seven-month slump: Industrial output in Germany fell a further 1.6% in December

Germany reinforced its status as the sick man of Europe as the once-mighty industrial sector clocked up its longest downturn since the aftermath of reunification three decades ago.

Europes largest economy and one-time driving force said official data showed that output fell a further 1.6 per cent in December.

That was the seventh monthly slump in a row, marking the longest downturn for German industry since the early 1990s.

Production is now 10 per cent below pre-pandemic levels, under- lining the crisis sweeping Germanys industrial heartlands.

Melanie Debono, an economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, branded the figures ugly and said: The recession in industry will continue.

The sector was heavily reliant on cheap Russian gas and has been plunged into crisis since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 sent German energy costs soaring.

The Germany economy shrank 0.3 per cent last year  making it the worst performing of the G7 industrialised nations  and it looks set for further decline in 2024.

Franziska Palmas, senior Europe economist at Capital Economics, said: High energy costs and weak domestic and external demand will cause German industrial output to decline further in 2024.

In energy-intensive industries, production fell by 5.8 per cent in December. In the chemical industry, production plunged by 7.6 per cent in the same month and construction dropped 3.4 per cent.
Iman models a De Beers necklace

The recovery in the beleaguered diamond market is likely to be slow, says the boss of De Beers.

Demand cooled last year  sending prices tumbling  as global economic issues took their toll.

It marked a sharp reverse in fortunes following the boom during lockdowns when people stuck at home with time and money splashed out on diamonds such as De Beers necklaces like the one modelled by Iman and other luxuries.

Looking to the prospects for this year, De Beers chief executive Al Cook told Bloomberg TV: We see 2024 as a year of recovery. We expect that upturn in diamond demand to be gradual rather than sudden.

That came as Pandora, the worlds biggest jeweller, said trading so far this year had been healthy.

The company, known for its charm bracelets, sold 107m pieces of jewellery last year, up from 103m in 2022.

Despite the worldwide uncertainties, the company is manoeuvring strongly and better than the market, said analyst Soren Lontoft Hansen, from Danish bank Sydbank.
Sainsburys is planning a major overhaul of its stores as it steps up the fight to win back shoppers from rivals Aldi and Lidl.

The countrys second- biggest grocer, which also owns Argos, will slash costs by 1billion over three years so that it can lower prices.

Boss Simon Roberts did not rule out redundancies as he pledged to place food back at the heart of Sainsburys.

It also promised better returns for investors and will launch a 200million share buyback scheme over the next financial year. But shares fell 6.1 per cent, or 16.7p, to 258.9p.

Sainsburys wants to transform its supermarkets so stores have more space to sell groceries and less for clothes and general merchandise.

Overhaul: Sainsbury's boss Simon Roberts (pictured) said the supermarket chain will slash costs by 1bn over three years so that it can lower prices

Under its new Next Level Sainsburys blueprint, it will close more stand-alone Argos stores and instead open more Argos click-and-collect points in supermarkets to trim costs.

And it said it will save money by replacing slow, outdated technology with modern systems, including more automated robots in warehouses.

No job cuts were announced yesterday but, when asked whether they could come, Roberts said: We cant afford to be carrying any inefficiencies.

He said these savings will be used to lower prices in the hope it willl be the first choice for food for more people.

Roberts said that the grocer had attracted more shoppers away from Aldi and Lidl in recent months, including over a bumper Christmas.

Sales increased 8.1 per cent over the 12 weeks to January 21, data from the market insights firm Kantar showed.

Sainsburys has a 15.7 per cent slice of the market, up 0.3 percentage points on last year.

It hopes to build on this by selling more fresh food and expanding aisles so it can stock more popular products.

Currently, only 15 per cent of Sainsburys supermarkets offer its full range.

And it is going to open around 75 convenience stores to attract more shoppers who are looking for food on the go.

The growing popularity of the German discounters Aldi and Lidly prompted Sainsburys to launch its Nectar Prices loyalty scheme last April. Customers receive lower prices if they belong to it.

Now, more than 550 items are benchmarked against Aldi in a price match scheme.

But there have been suggestions in the City that Sainsburys should sell Argos to focus on its grocery arm.
Uber has posted its first ever full-year profit as demand for its cabs soars.

The San Francisco-based company reported a profit of 870million for 2023  after a loss of 1.4billion the year before.

Total revenues for the group, which also owns food delivery service Uber Eats, was up 17 per cent year-on-year to 37billion.

The company enjoyed a bumper performance in the final quarter, making more than 2.6bn journeys in the three months.

Uber chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi hailed the milestone, citing a stand-out quarter to cap off a stand-out year.

Uber reported a profit of 870m for 2023 - after a loss of 1.4bn the year before. Total revenues for the group was up 17% year-on-year to 37bn

He added that customers were more engaged than ever, with the total number of monthly users hitting a record 150m.

Uber, founded in 2009, has traditionally struggled to turn a profit as it focused on global expansion and cheap fares.

But pressure has mounted since it listed in New York in 2019.

Its taxi service suffered during the pandemic when travel was at an effective standstill.

This was offset by a strong performance from Uber Eats, which thrived during lockdown.

Khosrowshahi took over as chief executive six years ago following scandals that led to the exit of Travis Kalanick, the companys co-founder.

He has vowed to cut costs and drive towards profitability, saying: 2023 was an inflection point for Uber, proving that we can continue to generate strong, profitable growth at scale.
StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Hess (NYSE:HES  Free Report) in a research report released on Wednesday. The firm issued a sell rating on the oil and gas producers stock.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on HES. Raymond James reissued a market perform rating on shares of Hess in a research report on Tuesday, October 24th. Sanford C. Bernstein lowered Hess from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $189.00 to $166.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Argus upgraded Hess from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $171.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an equal weight rating and issued a $171.00 price objective (up from $170.00) on shares of Hess in a research note on Tuesday, October 24th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price objective on Hess from $210.00 to $195.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $172.71.

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View Our Latest Analysis on Hess

Hess Stock Down 0.4 %

HES stock opened at $149.11 on Wednesday. Hess has a twelve month low of $113.82 and a twelve month high of $167.75. The company has a market cap of $45.80 billion, a PE ratio of 33.14 and a beta of 1.28. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $144.00 and its 200 day simple moving average is $148.16. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88.

Hess (NYSE:HES  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The oil and gas producer reported $1.63 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.43 by $0.20. Hess had a return on equity of 17.00% and a net margin of 12.98%. The business had revenue of $3.04 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.76 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.78 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Hess will post 8.01 earnings per share for the current year.

Hess Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 29th. Investors of record on Monday, December 18th were given a dividend of $0.4375 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 15th. This represents a $1.75 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.17%. Hesss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 38.89%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hess

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Raymond James Trust N.A. acquired a new position in Hess during the 1st quarter worth $446,000. Blair William & Co. IL lifted its holdings in Hess by 17.1% during the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 4,276 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $458,000 after buying an additional 625 shares in the last quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH lifted its holdings in Hess by 3.7% during the 1st quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 114,120 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $12,216,000 after buying an additional 4,027 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers acquired a new position in shares of Hess in the 1st quarter valued at $410,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Hess by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 30,928,530 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $3,310,590,000 after purchasing an additional 667,979 shares during the period. 81.72% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Hess Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Hess Corporation, an exploration and production company, explores, develops, produces, purchases, transports, and sells crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and natural gas. The company operates in two segments, Exploration and Production, and Midstream. It conducts production operations primarily in the United States, Guyana, the Malaysia/Thailand Joint Development Area, and Malaysia; and exploration activities principally offshore Guyana, the U.S.

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Key Insights

Deutsche Telekom's estimated fair value is 26.18 based on Dividend Discount Model

With 22.36 share price, Deutsche Telekom appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value

Analyst price target for DTE is 26.99, which is 3.1% above our fair value estimate

How far off is Deutsche Telekom AG (ETR:DTE) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. 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 Deutsche Telekom

The Model

We have to calculate the value of Deutsche Telekom slightly differently to other stocks because it is a telecom company. In this approach dividends per share (DPS) are used, as free cash flow is difficult to estimate and often not reported by analysts. Unless a company pays out the majority of its FCF as a dividend, this method will typically underestimate the value of the stock. We use the Gordon Growth Model, which assumes dividend will grow into perpetuity at a rate that can be sustained. The dividend is expected to grow at an annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 0.6%. We then discount this figure to today's value at a cost of equity of 4.2%. Relative to the current share price of 22.4, the company appears about fair value at a 15% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

Story continues

Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate)

= 1.0 / (4.2%  0.6%)

= 26.2

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. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Deutsche Telekom 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 4.2%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Deutsche Telekom

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows.

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 Telecom market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 4 years.

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the German market.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Deutsche Telekom, we've compiled three further items you should further examine:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Deutsche Telekom that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does DTE's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every German stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Key Insights

The projected fair value for DRA Global is AU$1.35 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of AU$1.60 suggests DRA Global is potentially trading close to its fair value

The average discount for DRA Global's competitorsis currently 36%

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of DRA Global Limited (ASX:DRA) as an investment opportunity by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple!

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. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for DRA Global

Crunching The Numbers

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. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (A$, Millions) AU$9.55m AU$7.37m AU$6.23m AU$5.60m AU$5.24m AU$5.03m AU$4.93m AU$4.89m AU$4.89m AU$4.92m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ -33.56% Est @ -22.86% Est @ -15.38% Est @ -10.14% Est @ -6.48% Est @ -3.91% Est @ -2.11% Est @ -0.85% Est @ 0.03% Est @ 0.64% Present Value (A$, Millions) Discounted @ 8.6% AU$8.8 AU$6.2 AU$4.9 AU$4.0 AU$3.5 AU$3.1 AU$2.8 AU$2.5 AU$2.3 AU$2.2

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = AU$40m

Story continues

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 2.1%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 8.6%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = AU$4.9m (1 + 2.1%)  (8.6% 2.1%) = AU$77m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= AU$77m ( 1 + 8.6%)10= AU$34m

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 AU$74m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of AU$1.6, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

Important Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at DRA Global 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 8.6%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.300. 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.

Next Steps:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For DRA Global, we've put together three relevant items you should look at:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 2 warning signs for DRA Global (1 is potentially serious!) that you should be aware of before investing here. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! Other Environmentally-Friendly Companies: Concerned about the environment and think consumers will buy eco-friendly products more and more? Browse through our interactive list of companies that are thinking about a greener future to discover some stocks you may not have thought of!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Australian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
NORFOLK  A man who used other peoples identities to obtain roughly $600,000 in pandemic relief aid was sentenced this week to 3 years in federal prison. Among his victims was a Norfolk judge.

The sentence was issued Wednesday to Obinna Nwafor, 50, in U.S. District Court in Norfolk by Judge Roderick C. Young, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Nwafor, a resident of New York, pleaded guilty in September to a single count of theft of government property. The crime carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

According to prosecutors, Nwafor used names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses and phone numbers of about 20 people to secure government loans and benefits meant to help small businesses and unemployed individuals during the pandemic.

A Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court judge was among those whose identity was stolen by Nwafor and used to get funding, according to the Department of Justice statement. The judge is listed in court documents as L.H. The only Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court judges with those initials is Chief Judge Lauri Hogge.

In September 2020, the judge received a statement from the U.S. Small Business Administration saying she owed on a $150,000 loan received through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, according to prosecutors.

The judge reported the information to law enforcement and an investigation began. Investigators then discovered Nwafors other fraud, which included getting another $150,000 small business loan through another persons personal information, and roughly $300,000 in pandemic-related unemployment benefits using information from at least 18 other people, according to prosecutors.

Jane Harper, jane.harper@pilotonline.com
Mary Lou McDonald expects Irish unification referendum by 2030

The Sinn Fein president said an Irish unification referendum can be expected in this decade.

As Sinn Fein is now the largest caucus in Belfast since the Good Friday Agreement came into effect, Mary Lou McDonald spoke to Sky News and said she expects the referendum to take place in the next ten years.

"What I firmly believe is - in this decade - we will have those referendums, and it's my job and the job of people like me who believe in reunification to convince, to win hearts and minds and to convince people of that opportunity - part of which, by the way, will be really consolidating our relationship with Britain as our next door neighbour and good friend, she said.

When asked if she meant the referendum would take place before 2030, Ms McDonald answered yes.

Speaking to RTE on Sunday, she said that the issue of the referendum was live and that the conversation was under way.
Fresh off a mixed fourth quarter but a big 2023, no-nonsense Mattel (MAT) chairman and CEO Ynon Kreiz is keeping an open mind about an activist investor who is challenging his stewardship of the iconic toymaker.

"We always welcome feedback from our shareholders and are happy to have a conversation with our investors," Kreiz, Mattel's CEO for about six years, said on Yahoo Finance Live Thursday. "We are focused on executing our strategy, and our goals are very much aligned with all our shareholders to create long-term value."

The comments followed Mattel's fourth quarter results, in which the toymaker reported a 16% sales increase on the back of the blockbuster Barbie movie. However, profits did fall short of analyst estimates.

Mattel faces an activist agitator.

Here's how Mattel performed in the all-important holiday quarter.

The earnings rundown

Net sales: +16% year over year to $1.62 billion vs. estimate of $1.64 billion

Adjusted gross margin: 48.8% (43.1% last year) vs. estimate of 49%

Adjusted EPS: +61% year over year to $0.29 vs. estimate of $0.31

What else caught our attention

Stat to know : Worldwide gross billings in 2023 for the infant, toddler, and preschool segment (Fisher-Price) were $1 billion, down 10% year over year

Full-year sales guidance: About $5.44 billion vs. estimate of $5.54 billion

Full-year adjusted EPS guidance: $1.35 to $1.45 vs. estimate of $1.37

Enter a very interested onlooker.

After the publicly celebrated release of "Barbie" last year  which has since grossed more than $1.4 billion worldwide in theaters  Mattel was surprised by a well-documented agitator, Barington Capital founder and chairman James Mitarotonda, earlier this month.

Mitarotonda  who reportedly has built up an undisclosed stake in Mattel  unleashed a list of demands in a pointed letter to Kreiz.

Mattel faces an activist agitator.

The demands include the sale of the Fisher-Price and American Girl toy brands, which Barington believes are underperforming relative to their potential.

Story continues

Barington estimated that Fisher-Price's sales have dropped by 40% from 2015 to the 12 months ended Sept. 30, 2023. American Girl sales are believed to have fallen by 61% during that span, according to Barington's math.

"In our view, this long-run market share cession suggests that Mattel may not be the right owner of these brands. Indeed, we believe that these brands are now detracting from the success at Mattels other segments, and hurting shareholder value," Mitarotonda wrote in the letter.

"SpinMasters recent acquisition of Fisher-Price competitor, Melissa & Doug, for $950 million or 2x revenue and 10.5x EBITDA [earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization], suggests now is the time to consider the sale of Fisher-Price and American Girl," Mitarotonda added. "In our view, there could be strong demand for these highly recognized brands, and a sale would not only free up capital for other activities, but would change the growth profile of the company and yield a higher multiple of earnings for the stock."

Other areas of contention for Barington include "excessive" stock-based compensation awarded to top execs such as Kreiz. Barington said Kreiz should cede the chairman role to a lead director and also enact a new $2 billion share buyback plan.

Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz attends the World Premiere of "Barbie" at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on July 9, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage/Getty Images) (Rodin Eckenroth via Getty Images)

If Mattel were to undertake these actions, Barington estimates Mattel's stock could "more than double" in three years' time.

Prior to its Mattel agitation, Barington earned its reputation among investors in 2019 by driving the board shake-up and eventual breakup of L Brands, the onetime owner of Victoria's Secret (VSCO) and Bath & Body Works (BBWI). Both are now standalone public companies after their breakup in July 2021.

And in 2013, Barington pushed for a breakup of restaurant behemoth Darden (DRI). By May 2014, Darden unloaded its Red Lobster chain to private equity outfit Golden Gate Capital for $2.1 billion.

Mitarotonda didn't reply to several requests by Yahoo Finance to comment on this story.

Kreiz has extended a small olive branch to Barington.

On Wednesday evening, Mattel revealed a new $1 billion stock buyback plan and $200 million in fresh cost cuts.

Kreiz says the smaller buyback  in relation to Barington's demands  is the right one financially for Mattel.

"The $1 billion share repurchase program that we announced is the right amount in our mind that is in sync with our capital allocation priorities and with our balance sheet and reflects our confidence in the continued execution of our strategy in that we'll be able to continue to position the company for long-term value creation," Kreiz said.

Mattel didn't bite on putting Fisher-Price and American Girl up for sale, however.

A girl wearing an "American Girl" doll and backpack visits the 2022 Macy's Flower Show at Macy's Herald Square on March 27, 2022, in New York City. (Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images) (Alexi Rosenfeld via Getty Images)

In fact, the company said it would no longer report American Girl as a standalone segment and integrate it more tightly into its North American operations. Kreiz told Yahoo Finance that Mattel will continue to invest in Fisher-Price at a good clip and just shook up the brand's leadership team.

These are clear signs from Kreiz that he doesn't agree with unloading two iconic brands to appease an activist.

"As a management team, we always evaluate our portfolio," Kreiz said. "We would like to have all of our brands grow and be in a strong position. We do have work to do on Fisher-Price, and we are doing it." Kreiz added that Fisher-Price is a "valued asset."

Brian Sozzi is Yahoo Finance's Executive Editor. Follow Sozzi on Twitter/X @BrianSozzi and on LinkedIn. Tips on deals, mergers, activist situations, or anything else? Email brian.sozzi@yahoofinance.com.

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Al Habtoor Motors, the official partner of Rimac Automobili in the UAE has launched Nevera, the first of its kind luxury electric hypercar.

In a special preview event at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort, Sultan Al Habtoor, President of Al Habtoor Motors, Joseph Tayar, Director of Al Habtoor Motors Prestige Division, and Mate Rimac, Founder and CEO of Rimac Group welcomed guests at the unveiling of the Rimac Nevera.

Named after the sudden and short Mediterranean storms off the coast of Croatia, the Nevera is designed, engineered, and handcrafted in-house from the ground up in Croatia, representing a paradigm shift in hyper performance, and embodying the intersection of technology and luxury.

Nevera showcases the efficiency of the electric drivetrain compared to the internal combustion engine, establishing itself as a revolutionary category of high-performance vehicles.

The Nevera is officially the worlds ultimate record-breaking hypercar, having secured over 27 acceleration and braking records during 2023, including 0-100km/h in 1.81 seconds, 1/4-mile time of 8.25 seconds and the new EV production car record at the famous Nurburgring. It also achieved the highest top speed for a roadgoing electric car at 412km/h.

Joseph Tayar, Director of Al Habtoor Motors Prestige Division said: It is with great enthusiasm that we introduce the Nevera to the UAE, as we proudly join forces with Rimac as their official partner. As a region known for its passion for exclusive supercars, we are thrilled to bring this exceptional model to our customers. Electric cars represent the evolution of automotive technology, and the Nevera symbolizes this with its unparalleled performance and lavish refinement."

Mate Rimac, Founder and CEO of Rimac, added: "In Al Habtoor Motors, we have found the perfect partner to introduce the groundbreaking Nevera to the UAE market. With the UAE's forward-thinking environment, it serves as the perfect destination for our revolutionary hypercar. The Nevera goes beyond conventional boundaries, redefining the driving experience and setting an unparalleled performance standard in the world of hypercars. By joining forces with Al Habtoor Motors, we will showcase the potential of the Nevera to clients and prospects in the UAE, offering an unrivaled hypercar experience.

When we set out to engineer the Nevera, our performance targets were incredibly ambitious, and weve now managed to overshoot all of them. What Im most proud of though, is that this isnt a car purely designed for straight line performance. The Nevera can go from breaking records to driving over 300 miles on a charge, re-charging from 0-80% in less than 20 minutes and keeping the most demanding drivers in the world engaged. The Nevera is a fully rounded next-generation hypercar that has been praised time and again by the worlds media for reinventing the world of performance. Not just faster than traditional competitors, but, surprising for a fully electric car, engaging and capable too, he added.

Key to the Neveras performance is its advanced battery system, powertrain and software, all developed in-house at the Rimac Group. The front and rear powertrains  each composed of two individual motors  provide power to each wheel individually.

At the rear, a 1MW dual inverter enables 900Nm and 470kW per motor, while an entirely bespoke front powertrain is designed to deliver optimum power and control. All systems are overseen by a complex web of in-house developed electronic control units, working in conjunction with an NVIDIA Pegasus-based supercomputer to calculate and send output to the four powertrain systems 100 times a second. The combination of all these systems, and the software that controls them, is known as Rimac All-Wheel Torque Vectoring 2.

Limited volume Nevera production is advancing at pace at the Rimac headquarters in Croatia, with deliveries taking place to customers around the world.  TradeArabia News Service
Semafor Signals

Insights from Bloomberg, McKinsey, The New York Times, and Wall Street Journal

The News

McDonalds will open roughly 1,000 new outlets in China this year  part of what Bloomberg called a breakneck expansion in lower-tier cities in the country, where demand for Western fast food remains high.

The American fast-food chain has stated its ambition to have 10,000 restaurants in China by 2028. However, McDonalds faces stiff competition from rivals such as Yum China  which owns Pizza Hut and KFC in the country, and which is also targeting cities outside of the economic hubs of Beijing and Shanghai.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Consumers want cheap eats and discounts as economic growth remains slow

Sources: Bloomberg, The New York Times, McKinsey, The Associated Press

Growing competition between fast-food chains in China is spurred in part by the countrys ongoing economic woes, Bloomberg reported, with shoppers flocking to brands that offer promotions, cheap or discounted goods. Chinese consumers remain cautious about spending, a McKinsey report published late last year found, but will splurge on discounted goods  and companies are taking note. [Chinese] consumers have over the last nine months been getting discounts on a steady day-to-day basis, Shaun Rein, the managing director of a market research group in Shanghai, told the Associated Press in November, saying that omnipresent promotions had even led to waning interest in the countrys Singles Day shopping extravaganza.

Burgers and lattes are a bright spot for foreign investment in China

Sources: The Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal

As major Western brands such as Adidas and Apple consider moving manufacturing out of China over security concerns and amid tense U.S.-China relations, American fast-food chains see the 1.4-billion strong market as simply too delicious to pass up, the Associated Press reported.

Beijing may be looking to advanced industries such as semiconductor technology to modernize its economy, but it is the surge of fast-food chains that is a bright spot for foreign investment in the country, the AP said.

As you try to interpret the signals from McDonalds and Starbucks, note what the industries are: These are not high-tech burgers, an economist at an American supply chain company told the news agency. Many companies committing to investing in China are consumer-facing, The Wall Street Journal reported, and view the market as a promising long-term bet despite Chinas hard-hit economy. I remain more confident than ever that we are still only in the early chapters of our growth story in China, Starbucks longtime leader Howard Schultz told the Journal last year.
A major air carrier is bringing a new seasonal route to and restarting another flight at Memphis International Airport.

Southwest Airlines has announced it will offer seasonal nonstop service between Memphis and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas starting Oct. 3. The flight is set to operate five times weekly from Thursday through Monday. Tickets are on sale at www.southwest.com. Las Vegas is touted as the airports third-most popular flight.

Dan Landson, public relations advisor for Southwest Airlines, told The Commercial Appeal that the airline has seen demand from local travelers wanting more nonstop service to the places they want to visit.

Southwest Airlines is bringing a new seasonal route to Las Vegas and restarting its flight to Phoenix at Memphis International Airport.

In addition to the Vegas flight, the Dallas-based airline is set to bring back its service between Memphis and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Oct. 3. The Memphis-Phoenix route will also operate Thursday through Monday.

Landson said the Phoenix route is a seasonal route and operates during peak travel periods of the year.

With the addition of Las Vegas and return of Phoenix, Southwest now serves 10 destinations from Memphis International Airport, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Orlando and Tampa.

Southwests announcement of Las Vegas service is wonderful news for MEM passengers, Michael Keeney, chairman of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority Board of Commissioners, said in a news release. The new LAS route coupled with the return of PHX service provides service to popular destinations as well as new connectivity to the West Coast."

MANE STREET MEMPHIS: Memphis Airport lands $16.1 million for terminal improvements

Spirit Airlines adding new Memphis flight

Spirit Airlines will offer seasonal nonstop service between Memphis and Tampa International Airport (TPA) during the spring break travel period.

Spirit Airlines announced this week it will offer seasonal nonstop service between Memphis and Tampa International Airport (TPA) during the spring break travel period. The flight is set to operate March 7-April 9, three times weekly on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. The airline will operate a 182-seat Airbus 320 aircraft for the Memphis-Tampa service. Tickets are on sale at www.spirit.com.

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Spirit will also add a second frequency between Memphis and Orlando International Airport (MCO) during that same March 7-April 9 time period.

Were excited to offer our Memphis Guests More Go to Florida this spring break with affordable, nonstop flights to Tampa and its many popular attractions, John Kirby, vice president of Network Planning at Spirit Airlines, said in a news release. It also makes it easier for our Tampa guests to discover the Home of the Blues this spring.

Corey Davis is the Collierville and Germantown reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Corey.Davis@commercialappeal.com or 901-293-1610.

Memphis Airport flight schedule

Southwest Airlines

Memphis to Las Vegas

Departs: 1:10 p.m. (CT) Thursday-Monday

Arrives: 2:45 p.m. (PT)

Las Vegas to Memphis

Departs: 1:05 p.m. (PT) Thursday-Monday

Arrives: 6:30 p.m. (CT)

Memphis to Phoenix

Departs: 4:15 p.m. (CT) Thursday-Monday

Arrives: 5:45 (MT)

Phoenix to Memphis

Departs: 10 a.m. (PT) Thursday-Monday

Arrives: 3 p.m. (CT)

Spirit Airlines

Memphis to Tampa

Departs: 5:15 (CT) Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday

Arrives: 8:05 (ET)

Tampa to Memphis

Departs: 3:20 (ET) Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Arrives: 4:15 (CT)

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Southwest, Spirit Airlines add 3 new flights out of Memphis: Here's where
The Minneapolis iron foundry that was accused of breaking pollution rules after a surprise inspection last year has made improvements, but still hasn't done everything it must to comply with the law, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Brian Dickens, an EPA employee with the agency's Chicago office, said at a public meeting Wednesday in the East Phillips neighborhood that the federal government is moving toward a settlement with Smith Foundry.

Still, he added, "Compliance is not yet achieved" at the foundry, and the settlement will likely take months to complete. Dickens did not further detail the issues Smith has left to fix.

Smith has made iron castings in the East Phillips neighborhood, at 1855 E. 28th St., for roughly a century. Neighbors have been concerned for years about Smith and neighboring asphalt plant Bituminous Roadways, complaining of strong smells and other air pollution. Bituminous announced last year it planned to leave its site by the end of 2025.

A spokesman for Smith said the company would continue to work with the EPA to address its remaining concerns.

The foundry became the center of renewed attention in East Phillips after a Sahan Journal article revealed that the EPA had conducted a surprise inspection last spring, finding issues with record-keeping errors, broken ductwork, open doors and windows that allowed dust to escape. The agency also accused the foundry of exceeding air quality limits for lung-damaging fine particles.

The revelation sparked a wave of anger in the neighborhood, with many saying the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency should have caught the problems itself. Activists and some neighbors are now insisting the foundry has to close.

"Until we have a direct answer to this concrete demand, all the rest of this is theater," said Charlie Berg, a member of the activist group Climate Justice Committee (CJC), during a press conference Wednesday.

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During one of the two public forums held Wednesday by the MPCA and EPA, one woman in the crowd asked whether operations could even be paused temporarily while improvements were made. Assistant MPCA Commissioner Frank Kohlasch said that would require going to court.

"We don't feel like we've got the evidence that would stand up in front of a judge right now," Kohlasch said, but he added the MPCA would consider court action if it had the appropriate evidence.

Foundry officials, meanwhile, have said they're committed to doing whatever regulators require so that it can keep operating. The plant was bought by the Canadian firm Zynik Capital in December 2022.

"I want people to know that we are committed to ensuring clean air and providing people in Minneapolis, including the East Phillips neighborhood, with well-paying, good union jobs," said Adolfo Quiroga, president of the foundry, in a statement Wednesday.

State officials have publicly disagreed with the EPA over one part of the alleged violations at Smith: whether the foundry actually did break air quality standards. But on Wednesday, MPCA Commissioner Katrina Kessler said that those disagreements no longer exist.

"We now understand and that has been resolved," Kessler said. "I also want to apologize for any mixed messages that may have been sent."

Smith Foundry officials did not participate in the public meetings. The company touted in its release a recent analysis by state and federal officials showing that it was not currently exceeding air pollution limits in its permit for fine lung-damaging particles.

But the facility's permit dates to 1992. On Wednesday, the EPA separately announced it was tightening national standards for fine particles, and state regulators said those tighter rules would be part of Smith's new permit, which will be completed by the end of 2024.

The testing also revealed the plant is releasing lead into the air  though far less than it had reported in the past, using industry estimates. The neurotoxin was a clear concern for people who attended the meetings.

"There is no level of lead that is acceptable for a child, a youth, and adult or an elder," said Stacey Gurian-Sherman, a CJC member.

Kessler said earlier at the meeting that the MPCA was expanding its enforcement focus beyond Smith this year, and would conduct more surprise inspections of facilities with air permits.

She said the drop-in visits would be focused on environmental justice neighborhoods in Hennepin and Ramsey counties, or in areas that have faced the twin historical burden of pollution and racial marginalization.

The renewed focus would also include asking the Legislature for more funding to allow the agency to maintain the work for the long term, Kessler added. MPCA officials did not immediately respond to follow-up questions on how many inspections could be conducted or how much additional funding it might ask for.
The centerpiece of the 2024 "State Of The City" speech by Mayor Quinton Lucas was a pledge to increase salaries for Kansas City Police in the aftermath of the deadliest year for homicides in local history. However, insiders familiar with the process remind us that, under the current configuration of the KCPD, the mayor has absolutely no power to implement this plan. Those who listened carefully understand the Mayor was only highlighting a "proposal" sent to policy makers.



Thankfully, insiders make it plain for our www.TonysKansasCity.com blog community:



THE MAYOR HAS NO POWER TO DELIVER ON HIS POLICE PAY HIKE PROMISE!!! HE'S RELYING ON WORD PLAY & VOTER APATHY!!!



Again, insiders know how this works and we were waiting for other media outlets to point out the duplicity but so far the coverage hasn't offered any detail or specifics on the process.

For instance . . .



Check headlines on the topic . . .

Fox 4: Mayor proposes 30% starting salary increase for Kansas City police officers



KSHB41: Crime prevention, housing, new opportunities -- KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas delivers 5th State of the City address



Kansas City Star: Lucas proposes pay raises for all Kansas City police officers. Here are the details



Sadly, there are few details about how this process REALLY WORKS.

Thankfully, trusted insiders tell us . . .

"I've never seen something so duplicitous. He's literally making promises for other people and media is reporting his words without any questions. The FACT IS THAT THE MAYOR HAS NO DIRECT AUTHORITY OVER KCPD SALARIES . His word "proposal" is nothing more than a suggestion."

With this knowledge . . . Listening to the Mayor's words takes on new meaning.

This statement from Mayor Q tacitly admits the decision isn't up to him.

"Our budget proposes the most aggressive salary increase for police in more than a generation. And we hope and expect that the Board Of Police Commissioners will ensure that money goes only to salaries not contracts."

Again, KICK-ASS KANSAS CITY INSIDERS have been generous to us and taken us through the process.

The Mayor along with the Kansas City Police Board typically conduct a salary study and work with lobbyists & Missouri state legislators to propose a bill increasing salaries.

Insiders share this fun fact . . .

AGAIN, THE MAYOR DOESN'T DETERMINE KANSAS CITY POLICE SALARIES, THE MISSOURI GENERAL ASSEMBLY APPROVES INCREASES AND THEN SENDS LEGISLATION TO THE GOVERNOR!!!

Proof of concept . . .

"Last year the Missouri General Assembly approved a bill that would give Kansas City more control over how much it pays its police chief and officers. The bill, which passed 151-3, is joint legislation filed by state Rep. Mark Sharp, a Kansas City Democrat, and state Rep. Chris Brown, a Kansas City Republican. It would remove the maximum salary cap for the Kansas City police chief and its officers in an attempt to attract and retain talent."

Actually . . . According to this action there's more cash in there for new KCPD officers.

From the legislation . . .

Here's the ceiling for the rank & file given the new pay hike:

Detectives, Investigators and Police Officers ($87,636)

So the mayor's PROPOSED increase to $65,000 starting salary for KCPD officers isn't so impressive in retrospect . . . $70K per year probably would have grabbed more attention from prospective cops.



To be fair, at www.TonysKansasCity.com we're glad the Mayor made public safety the focus of his recent remarks.

However . . .

It's important for voters to know how Kansas City government works. The implication put forward by Mayor Q's office and local media is that the state of the city speech was the announcement of a grandiose effort give police more cash. The reality is that Mayor Q is merely offering policy makers another idea and hoping to build from work accomplished by Missouri elected officials in Republican-dominated Jefferson City.



Developing . . .


Lots to catch up with in this blast that's mostly bad news including a rodent taking the wrong path.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Teen rushed to hospital after shooting near 107th and Blue Ridge Boulevard Kansas City Police are working to determine what led up to the shooting.

New concerns over incidents of slashed tires in Waldo Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department detectives are investigating a new connection to a string of car vandalism cases late last year in Waldo.

Why was a Kansas City public library branch closed for days? Here's the reason The Westport branch of the Kansas City Public Library closed for days after an incident that resulted in a police response.

Opioid settlement funds shouldn't bolster Kansas law enforcement budgets - Kansas Reflector It's unfortunate that law enforcement programs receive money over chronically underfunded community-based organizations.

Kansas Bureau of Investigation arrests teacher on suspicion of rape, aggravated criminal sodomy The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has arrested a teacher in the State of Kansas accused of sex crimes.

3 middle schoolers arrested after allegedly firing weapon in Gladstone Three juvenile males were arrested after allegedly firing a weapon near 66th Street and Prospect Avenue in Gladstone.

Lenexa rape results in 12-year prison sentence for man found guilty A 2019 rape in Lenexa has resulted in a 12-year prison sentence for the man found guilty.

Timothy Haslett Jr.'s attorney files motion requesting case to be sealed The attorney for the suspect charged in a kidnapping and rape case out of Excelsior Springs has requested the case file to be sealed.

Springfield gang leader found in possession of guns used in KC shootings A gang leader and rapper has been sentenced to more than six-and-a-half years in prison for the possession of illegal firearms that had been used in multiple Kansas City and Springfield shootings.

Missouri Police Respond to a Squirrel That Tripped an Intruder Alarm Missouri's Liberty Police Department says they were dispatched due to an intrusion alarm. Officers reported hearing noises coming from the inside of the home. They entered the house and the noises continued.

Developing . . .
North Dakota regulators dealt a blow to opponents of an Ames-based companys proposal to build a $5.5 billion pipeline across the northern state, saying local cities and counties cannot restrict where the project is built.

The North Dakota Public Service Commission decision Wednesday clears a significant hurdle for Summit Carbon Solutions, which seeks to build a 2,000-mile pipeline across five states, capturing carbon dioxide from about 50 ethanol plants, liquefying it under pressure and transporting via the pipeline to be sequestered deep underground in North Dakota.

Echoing an argument that emerged in a December work session, North Dakota commissioners issued an order Wednesday that said the commission's approval of a liquid or gas pipeline project automatically supersedes and preempts local land regulations.

Wright County farmer Julie and Paul Glade stand during a rally against carbon capture pipelines Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, at the Iowa State Capitol.

I know its not very popular to say local control is superseded, but when it comes to pipelines  we dont have flexibility, given changes to the state law in 2019, said Randy Christmann, chair of the North Dakota Public Service Commission.

Emmons and Burleigh counties said that pipeline companies like Summit need to meet local restrictions outlining where a project can be built. Bismarck, located in Burleigh County, joined the counties in arguing that Summit and similar companies must meet local setback requirements.

Summit said the local county ordinances were unreasonably restrictive, effectively blocking out extensive areas where the company could build. The company has said federal law also preempts local ordinances that establish setbacks requirements.

More: With Navigator out, POET proposes to connect 12 Iowa ethanol plants to Summit pipeline

Its an issue thats emerged in Iowa, where Shelby and Story counties are appealing a federal judges order that permanently bars them from enforcing local ordinances that would restrict the path of carbon dioxide pipelines.

Among their arguments, Iowa counties have pointed to a letter from federal regulators to pipeline companies saying it recognizes local governments' authority to restrict "land use and development along pipeline rights-of-way through zoning, setbacks and similar measures."

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More: Iowa bill would let lawmakers halt eminent domain use by carbon capture pipelines

Iowa regulators are now considering Summits request to build the hazardous liquid pipeline after holding a hearing in Fort Dodge for several weeks.

Opponents in Iowa and elsewhere have fought the project, concerned about pipeline safety and damage to drainage tile beneath farm fields, as well as Summit's possible use of eminent domain to force unwilling property owners to sell access to their land for the project.

North Dakota regulators rejected Summits proposal in August but decided about a month later to reconsider its decision.

Summit has said it is addressing shortfalls in its application, including moving the proposed pipeline route nearly 5 miles away from Bismarck, after critics said the project would be too close to existing homes and could quash future residential development in the fast-growing city of 74,140.

Christmann said no hearing date has been set yet on Summit's request for reconsideration.

Donnelle Eller covers agriculture, the environment and energy for the Register. Reach her at deller@registermedia.com or 515-284-8457.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: North Dakota decision on Summit pipeline overrules local restrictions
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning shoppers across Canada Wednesday evening (Feb. 7) about a national recall on certain salads due to possible Listeria contamination.

The recall involves President's Choice brand and Taylor Farms brand Mexican-Style Street Corn Salad Kits.

The Presidents Choice affected product information is: Chopped Mexican-Style Street Corn Salad Kit, 285 g, UPC 0 60383 03491 7, with all best before dates up to and including 2024 FE 19.

The Taylor Farms affected product information is Mexican Style Street Corn Salad Kit (2 pack), 2 x 335 g, UPC 0 30223 06191 5, with all best before dates up to and including 24 FE 19.

The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, the CFIA said in its food recall warning.

In an email to Metroland, Loblaw Companies Limited confirmed Wednesday night the President's Choice salad kits were sold at Real Canadian Superstore, Fortinos, Loblaws, Valu-Mart, Your Independent Grocer, Zehrs, No Frills, Affiliate, Wholesale Club and Shoppers Drug Mart in Ontario.

"The impacted product has been pulled from shelves," a spokesperson said.

Here are the other Loblaw banners in Canada that sold the product:

 Atlantic: Atlantic Superstore, Dominion, Atl Your Ind Grocer, No Frills, Affiliate, Shoppers Drug Mart

Quebec: Provigo, Maxi, Axep, Intermarche, Shoppers Drug Mart

Western Canada: Superstore, Your Ind Grocer, Extra Foods, No Frills, Independents (Retail), Retail RCWC, Wholesale Club, Shoppers Drug Mart

Loblaw-owned stores don't sell either Taylor Farms products or the Taylor Farms salad kits under recall.

This recall is in relation to an outbreak in the U.S.

The products were made using cheese recalled by Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc. in association with an outbreak investigation of Listeria monocytogenes in the U.S., the CFIA said.

"Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled brands of cheeses, sour creams (cremas), or yogurts manufactured by Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc.," the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in its recall warning.

The CFIA is warning shoppers to contact a doctor if you think you became sick from eating a recalled product.

Check to see if you have the recalled products, the CFIA said, and if you do, "do not consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute recalled products. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased."

Listeria symptoms usually start within two weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after, the FDA said.

Mild symptoms may include a fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting, and diarrhea. If the more severe form of listeriosis develops, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, the FDA added.

Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk, according to the CFIA.

"Check your refrigerators and freezers for any recalled products and throw them away. If you froze a product without the original packaging and cant tell if it is part of the recall, throw it away," the FDA added.
The Women

By Kristin Hannah

St. Martins Press, 480 pages, $40.00

Its 1966 and young nurse, Frankie McGrath, raised in sheltered privilege in California, decides to defy her conservative parents and follow her brother Finley to Vietnam. Encouraged by Finleys best friend Rye, she considers that with the changing times women can be heroes.

Frankies first 24 hours at the 400-bed evacuation hospital 60 miles from Saigon are shocking ones, but like the nurses she bunks with, she quickly adjusts to the demands of triage. The team treats the wounded in the order of who can be saved first; sometimes holding a dying soldiers hand is all Frankie can do to make a difference. In spite of heartbreak and horror, she stays on and develops unexpected medical skills.

Tough re-entry to civilized society in 1971 leads to the cognitive dissonance between real work trying to save lives and the vapid concerns of her peers. Like other Vietnam vets Frankie struggles with PTSD and addiction.

An absorbing coming-of-age novel about courage in the chaos of war, it reclaims the little-known history of women enlisted as nurses at that divisive time.

Sisters of Belfast

By Melanie Maure

Harper Paperback, 320 pages, $23.99

When Belfast is bombed at Easter in 1941, 10-year-old identical twins Aelish and Isabel McGuire are orphaned. They are raised by nuns in the Sisters of Bethlehem Orphanage, a place where Aelish thinks shes found belonging and from which Isabel longs to escape.

To create distance between the abuse she suffered at the hands of the nuns, Isabel moves to Newfoundland with her husband Declan Kelly to embrace a new life. As shes hospitalized with tuberculosis, Declan writes to Aelish, now a nun known as Sister Clare, to beg her to come and help him with her sisters babies and to try to break Isabels increasingly dark moods.

Tragedy befalls the sisters again and both boil with grief, questioning faith and love. They return to Ireland where long-guarded secrets about the neighbouring Bon Secours mother and baby home are exposed, leading to unexpected redemption for the McGuires.

A blistering debut that exposes the legacy of institutional cruelty and the emotional strength of its survivors.

The Curse of Pietro Houdini

By Derek Miller

Avid Reader Press, 384 pages, $38.99

Secrets drive the narrative in this engrossing WWII novel that pairs 14-year-old Massimo recently orphaned in the bombing of Rome, and fifty-something Pietro Houdini, a self-proclaimed master artist and confidant of the Vatican who finds the youth wandering near Monte Cassino. Houdini takes Massimo on as his assistant to help preserve some of the artistic treasure in the Benedictine abbey on the hill, where the Nazis are busy looting paintings and music manuscripts.

Planning a heist within a heist, Houdini decides to paint over three studies for Titian paintings, among the greatest of Renaissance masterpieces, to safely hide them. As the abbey is bombed into ruins by the US, strangers gather and form a community out of circumstance, including Ada, a nurse, Bella, a cafe owner, Tobias, an imposing monk, Harald, a German POW, and a limping mule named Ferrari.

Wonderfully immersive with a chosen family of memorable characters.

Mrs. Lowe-Porter

By Jo Salas

JackLeg Press, 268 pages, $23.00

Helen Lowe-Porter, credited in her day as H.T. Lowe-Porter, her gender obscured by choice on A.A. Knopf editions, translated Thomas Manns work from German for 36 years, bringing his writing to the English-speaking world.

Here we follow her from 1906 when she meets her paleographer husband Elias in Munich through their life in Oxford raising three daughters and on to Princeton where they are neighbours to Albert Einstein  for whom Helen also translates speeches and academic papers  we feel Helens dilemma. Her desire to follow her own artistic impulse to create is juxtaposed against the expectations and needs of others both professionally and personally.

She is told by Mann that its as if she were born to the sensitive work: the labor of the researcher, the linguist, the archaeologist, the scholar, the historian  the artist too.

With a richly imagined interior life and insight into the creative collaboration of translation Lowe-Porters voice is uplifted for a new generation.
Its important to make something clear from the start: "Alphabetical Diaries," the new novel from Toronto writer Sheila Heti, is sublime, a truly unique and genuinely affecting reading experience.

Its important to make that clear because, from a brief description, "Alphabetical Diaries" seems like it might be an indulgent experiment, a protracted gimmick masquerading as a novel.

Heti described the work in early 2022, when the novel was serialized (over ten installments) in the New York Times. She wrote, by way of an introduction, A little more than 10 years ago, I began looking back at the diaries I had kept over the previous decade. I wondered if Id changed. So I loaded all 500,000 words of my journals into Excel to order the sentences alphabetically. Perhaps this would help me identify patterns and repetitions. A perfectly reasonable project, for increased self-knowledge. She continues, As I returned to the project over the years, it grew into something more novelistic. I blurred the characters and cut thousands of sentences, to introduce some rhythm and beauty.

The resulting novel, published this week (in a slightly different form than appeared in the initial serialization, and with differences between the American and Canadian versions of the text), follows that initial impulse: a series of isolated sentences from her diaries, printed in alphabetical order.

It definitely seems like a gimmick.

In the reading, though, "Alphabetical Diaries" is a marvel.

Heti has long been both an inward-looking writer, and open to experimental approaches in her writing. Her 2015 novel "Motherhood," for example, focused on Hetis attempt to determine if she should have a child (the unnamed narrator was clearly a version of Heti herself). Heti used a version of the "I Ching" not only to confront the questions around her potential future as a mother, but as a means of shaping the novel itself. The book was shortlisted for the Giller Prize; her next novel, 2022s "Pure Colour," was longlisted for the Giller, and won the Governor Generals Award.

"Alphabetical Diaries" takes both Hetis internal focus and the nature of the novel itself to what seems like their very limits. Page after page of disconnected sentences, organized only by the alphabet, strips each individual utterance of context, both narrative and emotional. Consider an example, chosen almost at random:

I have never known what a relationship is for. I have never worn such dark lipstick before. I have no money. I have no one. I have spent the whole night in my hotel room, eating chocolate cereal. I have started playing Tetris, which feels halfway between writing and drinking. I have sunk to the bottom of my ambition, career-wise. I have to learn to value the grey pallor of existence. I have to move my body.

At first, the disparate sentences seem to blur together, to wash over the reader. Over a surprisingly short time, however, elements begin to recur  writing, relationships, sex, publishing, Toronto, New York, among others  and to call attention to themselves. As readers, we begin to make connections, to craft senses of narrative, senses of character, from these barest of glimpses.

As the book continues, those senses accrue weight, lives and stories coming into a strange sort of focus, an understanding which defies the rational, but which settles comfortably into the intuitive part of the imagination. Every individual reader will create the novel of "Alphabetical Diaries" in their own way, resulting in a potentially infinite number of narratives.

Its a dizzying effect, which simultaneously subverts the idea of a singular meaning while creating, in its wake, a fractalized understanding of meanings, plural, each tiny constituent part containing multitudes. "Alphabetical Diaries" is a reading experience like no other, a book of rare power and genuine emotional connection.
In recent years, Spain has become a popular destination for digital nomads and retirees. This country is known for its culture, good weather, and affordability, making it a great choice for those looking for a new place to live. Spain's technology setup is excellent, ensuring that people working remotely have the internet access they need. Retirees find the lower cost of living beneficial, allowing them to enjoy a comfortable life without spending too much.

Aside from those things, Spain offers a range of places to live, from lively cities to quiet villages, providing a range of experiences for people from other countries. Here are the reasons WHY Spain has emerged as the perfect destination for digital nomads and retirees.

Affordability and Cost of Living

One of the most compelling reasons to consider Spain is its affordability. The cost of living in Spain is significantly lower than in many other Western European countries. For digital nomads and retirees, managing expenses is crucial, and Spain offers a cost-effective solution. From housing to healthcare, the savings are considerable.

Additionally, everyday expenses like groceries and transportation are reasonably priced, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle without breaking the bank.

Staying Connected in Spain

In today's digital age, staying connected is more than a convenience; it is a necessity. Spain excels in this area, offering a robust travel technology infrastructure. With widespread high-speed internet and advanced telecommunications services, digital nomads can work seamlessly from anywhere in the country.

This technological advancement ensures that whether you are in a city or a village, you will always be just a click away from the rest of the world.

Related Article: Spain Opens Doors for Kosovo Passport Holders, Relieving Travel Restrictions

Climate and Natural Beauty

Spain's climate is another significant draw. The country boasts a diverse range of weather patterns, from the warm beaches of the Costa del Sol to the mild temperatures of the northern regions. This variety ensures that everyone can find their ideal weather preference.

The stunning natural beauty of Spain, from its coastline to its mountains, provides a backdrop for both work and leisure.

Culture and Lifestyle

Spanish culture is lively and full of variety, offering many experiences for both digital nomads and retirees. The country is known for its festivals, delicious cuisine, and historical sites. Living in Spain means immersing yourself in a culture that values leisure and social connections, providing a balanced lifestyle that is both fulfilling and relaxing.

Healthcare System

Spain's healthcare system is among the best in Europe. It offers high-quality medical services at an affordable cost. For retirees, this is a critical factor, as access to healthcare becomes increasingly important with age. Even for younger digital nomads, knowing that excellent healthcare is available provides peace of mind.

Community and Networking

Spain hosts a growing community of expatriates, including digital nomads and retirees. This community provides an instant network for socializing and professional opportunities. Various groups and meetups cater to expats, allowing for easy integration and networking.

Safety and Stability

Spain is a safe and politically stable country. The low crime rates and the sense of security in daily life add to its appeal as a destination for long-term stays. If you are working late into the night or exploring the country, you can feel secure in your surroundings.

Spain offers a unique combination of affordability and other things, making it an attractive destination for digital nomads and retirees seeking a high-quality life at a reasonable cost. With its doors open and a world of possibilities awaiting, Spain invites you to explore what could be your next home away from home.

Read Also: Why You Can't Miss the Stunning Beauty of the Royal Alcazar of Seville
The Tet holiday, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is a significant time in Vietnam, marking the start of spring according to the lunar calendar. This celebration, deeply embedded in Vietnamese culture, transforms the country with colorful decorations and bustling markets.

As the most important festival in Vietnam, the Tet holiday is a time for renewal, family bonding, and honoring ancestors.

Through this blog, you will learn about the various ways Vietnamese people celebrate this special time, from preparation to festivities. Understanding the Tet holiday allows you to see how traditions continue in modern Vietnam.

Preparations for Tet

In the weeks before the Tet holiday, Vietnamese families are busy preparing. They clean and decorate their homes, a practice symbolizing the removal of bad luck from the previous year to make room for good fortune. Homes are decorated with kumquat trees and peach or apricot blossoms, symbolizing prosperity and happiness.

Shopping for the Tet holiday is also a significant activity, with markets full of traditional foods and decorative items.

Traditional Foods of the Tet Holiday

Food is central to the Tet holiday celebrations. Families come together to cook and share traditional dishes. Banh chung, a square sticky rice cake with mung beans and pork, is a common dish. This food symbolizes the Earth and honors ancestors when placed on family altars. Other foods include pickled onions, boiled chicken, and various sweets and fruits, each with its own meaning for luck and prosperity.

Tet Customs and Activities

The Tet holiday includes customs and activities focused on good fortune. A unique tradition is the giving and receiving of red envelopes containing money, known as "li xi." This is mainly for children and symbolizes good luck and prosperity.

Visiting relatives and friends is also common, strengthening family bonds and community ties. People wear their best clothes, visit temples, and join local festivities.

Related Article: Why Vietnam is Considered the Safest Country to Visit in 2024

Festive Atmosphere and Decorations

The atmosphere during the Tet holiday is lively. Streets and homes are brightly decorated with red and yellow, colors representing good luck and wealth. Lanterns, calligraphy banners, and ornamental kumquat trees are common. The air is filled with traditional music and the sounds of people celebrating.

Respect for Ancestors

Respecting ancestors is an essential part of the Tet holiday. Vietnamese families visit graves, clean ancestral altars, and offer food and incense to honor those who have passed. This practice reflects the Vietnamese value of filial piety and respect for family lineage.

Why Tet Holiday is So Important to Vietnamese People

The Tet holiday is an important cultural event in Vietnam. It is a time for family, reflection, and hope. As you observe the customs and activities during Tet, you gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese traditions and values. The Tet holiday is a memorable experience that showcases the spirit of Vietnamese culture.

It brings families together, highlights the importance of heritage, and fills the air with joy and celebration. From the colorful street decorations to the intimate family gatherings, each aspect of Tet plays a role in creating a festive and meaningful atmosphere. This holiday not only marks the beginning of a new year but also strengthens the sense of community and national pride among the Vietnamese people.

Read Also: Everything You Need To Know About This Vietnamese Religion That Worships Women
Thailand is making a big move to change travel in Southeast Asia. Together with Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia, they are planning a new visa system. This means tourists can visit all these countries with just one visa. Thailand is also talking with the European Union about making it easier for Europeans to visit without a special visa. This plan could make Southeast Asia a more popular place for tourists.

Thailand Leads Major Travel Change in Southeast Asia

Thailand is working on a big project with its neighbors - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia. They want to make traveling easier in Southeast Asia. Soon, tourists might be able to visit all these countries using just one visa. This idea will help people travel between these countries without the hassle of getting different visas for each one.

The person leading this plan in Thailand is Prommin Lertsuridej. Travel and Tour reported that he works closely with the Prime Minister. They got this idea when Vietnam asked for help to get more tourists. Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos are close together and already have good relationships. This makes it easier to start this kind of travel plan.

Thailand has had success before with making it easier for tourists to come in. Last year, they let more people in without visas. It worked well - 28 million tourists came, more than they expected. This new plan could bring even more tourists.

Just recently, Thailand's government said yes to working with other ASEAN countries on this. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is really supporting this idea. He thinks it will help tourism in the whole Mekong area, not just Thailand.

Other leaders in Southeast Asia like this idea too. They believe it will make their countries more attractive to tourists from all over the world. If this plan works, Thailand could become an even bigger tourist spot in Southeast Asia.

Related Article: Thailand's Hotel Industry Adapts to New Travel Trends Amidst Market Shifts

Thailand and Cambodia Boost Tourism Cooperation

In a historic move, Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to work more closely in the tourism industry. This plan, known as 'Two kingdoms, one tourism destination,' was announced by Jean-Francois Tan, a Cambodian minister, during a press conference. He spoke about the visit of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to Thailand.

This visit by Prime Minister Hun Manet was important for strengthening ties with Thailand. As per BNN, he met with Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn and signed several agreements, focusing on improving economic and trade relations, transportation, and tourism. The two countries also talked about making their relationship stronger.

This was Hun Manet's first official trip to Thailand as Cambodia's leader. He met with Thailand's leader and discussed ways to make their partnership stronger, especially in tourism. But there were also worries about human rights and political freedom.

Even though the visit aimed to improve relations, some were concerned about how this might affect political freedom. There have been cases of Cambodian activists being held in Thailand. Still, the talks also covered topics like oil and gas in the Gulf of Thailand and the treatment of Cambodian workers in Thailand. This shows that the cooperation is about more than just tourism.

Read Also: Here's the Cheap Yet Delish Street Foods in Thailand That You Must Try
As you plan your visit to Philadelphia, the Eastern State Penitentiary should be at the top of your list, especially if you are intrigued by the mysterious and the unexplained. This historic site, once a groundbreaking institution, now stands as a haunting monument to a bygone era of penitentiary reform. From its inception in 1829 to its closure in 1971, the penitentiary has been a witness to countless stories, some of which have left an indelible mark on its very walls.

Originally designed for solitary confinement, an approach meant for rehabilitation, the penitentiary often became a space of mental anguish for its inmates. These stories of solitude and sorrow are a part of the building's essence, contributing to its status as one of the most haunted places on earth.

Here, you will find a setting that is both engaging and slightly unsettling. As a former prison, now standing in silent decay, Eastern State provides a glimpse into the darker chapters of penal history and human experiences. The silent cells and towering guard posts speak of a time when reform was sought through isolation, a concept that resonates throughout the structure.

In this guide, you will learn why the Eastern State Penitentiary is one of the most haunted places on earth.

A Glimpse into the Past

Eastern State Penitentiary's story begins in 1829, a time when the concept of imprisonment was undergoing a significant change. Designed to instill penance, the prison's architecture and regimented routine were intended to reform inmates.

However, the isolation and silence often led to psychological distress, a factor that contributes to the penitentiary's haunted reputation. As you walk through the now-quiet cell blocks, you can sense the heavy history that these walls have witnessed.

Tales of the Inmates

The prison was home to some of the most notorious criminals, including Al Capone and Willie Sutton. Their stories are well-known, but it is the tales of the unnamed thousands who passed through Eastern State Penitentiary that add to the haunted aura. Many inmates experienced harsh conditions, and the despair and anger that grew within these walls seem to linger in the air.

Related Article: Ghost Hunting? Try These Philippine's Most Haunted Places!

The Hauntings of Eastern State

Visitors and staff have reported various paranormal experiences within the prison. From unexplained noises and shadowy figures to chilling whispers and sudden cold spots, these occurrences have fueled the belief that Eastern State Penitentiary is haunted. T

ouring the prison, you might hear about the infamous Cellblock 12, where echoing voices and cackles have been reported. Or Cellblock 6, known for sightings of shadowy figures darting along the walls.

Modern-Day Encounters

Despite closing in 1971, the penitentiary continues to captivate those who visit. Paranormal researchers and those who are simply curious have explored its confines, hoping to encounter something unexplainable. The prison's current state, with its peeling paint, rusted bars, and crumbling structures, only adds to the atmosphere of a place lost in time.

Why Eastern State Penitentiary Stands Out

Eastern State Penitentiary distinguishes itself from other historic sites in Philadelphia with its combination of detailed history and spooky atmosphere. Many haunted places have stories based on rumors or hearsay, but the tales from Eastern State Penitentiary are well recorded, giving more credibility to the reports of ghostly encounters.

Its role as one of the earliest prisons to use solitary confinement contributes to its reputation for being haunted. This method of isolating prisoners had a strong psychological effect, adding to the eerie feel of the place.



For those who want to visit Philadelphia's Eastern State Penitentiary, click here.

Read Also: Why These 5 Haunted Places in Japan Attract Thrill Seekers and Ghost Hunters
Mexico is home to numerous archaeological sites that have fascinated scientists, historians, and travelers alike. Many of these sites are found in Campeche, one of the country's 32 federal entities.

While the archaeological sites in Campeche have yet to be extensively explored, we are learning more and more about them through time. For those interested to visit such sites when in Mexico, here are five of them that you shouldn't miss.

Becan

First documented in 1934 by John Denison and Karl Ruppert, Becan actually got its name from these archaeologists. In Yukatek Maya, the name means "ravine formed by water." Its ancient Maya name is not known.

The archaeological site is an example of the Rio Bec style of architecture. This style was commonly seen in the central Maya lowlands from 7th century AD until the early 12th century.

Calakmul

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Calakmul can be found in the jungles of the Peten Basin region. Located near the Mexico-Guatemala border, it is one of the largest and most powerful ancient cities to be uncovered in this area.

Calakmul is home to 6,750 identified structures, including a great pyramid where four tombs have since been found. This ancient city once had a population of 50,000 people.

Related Article: Mexico City's Best Museums, Street Walks, and Neighborhood Bistros

Chicanna

Rediscovered in 1966 by Jack Eaton, the town of Chicanna got its name from its most famous structure. This structure, a near-perfect monster mouth temple, is now known as Structure II. In Mayan, it is known as "House of the Serpent Mouth."

It is believed that it reached its peak from 300 BC to 250 AD, but the structures visible today were built from 600 AD to 830 AD. Chicanna was eventually abandoned by its inhabitants in 1100 AD.

Edzna

Discovered in 1907, Edzna is a Maya archaeological site. It is 25 square kilometers in size and is believed to have housed up to 25,000 inhabitants. However, it was eventually abandoned by its inhabitants, and the reason behind the act is still a mystery up to this day.

Edzna has been open to travelers since the 1970s.

Hochob

Located in the region known as The Chenes, Hochob can be translated to "the place where corn is harvested." It can be found southwest of the town of Dzibalchen.

One of the best examples of Chenes-style architecture, it features stone blocks in different sizes that were arranged to form emotional masks of Itzamna, an upper god in Maya mythology.

Read Also: 5 Must Visit Tourist Attractions in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
If the cold never bothered you anyway and you really can't stay away from the beach even when it's snowing, there is one place you should head to in Norway. It's none other than Lofoten!

An archipelago located in the county of Nordland, Lofoten is one of the most popular places to head to for those who want to catch the aurora borealis. However, it has also become a go-to destination for anyone who wants to enjoy the water and the beach even during the winter.

Beaches in Lofoten

Beaches in Lofoten have become very popular among visitors for their clear waters and white sand. Here are some examples of beaches that can be found in Lofoten:

Haukland Beach

Kvalvika Beach

Ramberg Beach

Skagsanden Beach

Unstad Beach

Uttakleiv Beach

Ytresand Beach

Related Article: How Norway's Approach to Sustainable Tourism Sets a Global Example

Water-Related Activities in Lofoten

Due to its nature as an archipelago, travelers can enjoy a number of water-related activities while in Lofoten. And yes, these activities can be enjoyed even when it's snowing.

These water-related activities include diving, fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, and surfing. For those who enjoy fishing in particular, head to the archipelago during the start of the year as it is the time the Northeast Arctic cod heads back to the fjords to spawn.

You can also go on a winter sea safari while Lofoten. Many operators offer a sea safari experience, which you are recommended to book prior to heading to the archipelago. For more information, head here.

Read Also: Here are the Top 5 Sustainable Travel Destinations in Norway You Must Visit for Your Next Adventure
Developer Nir Meir, who dreamed of leaving his mark on the Manhattan skyline, is now facing serious jail time after authorities accused him Wednesday of running a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme.

Meir  whose luxury real-estate company HFZ Capital Group collapsed amid plans to build $2 billion luxury towers near the High Line  was set to be extradited to New York after being arrested in Miami earlier this week.

Four of Meirs alleged accomplices were arraigned Wednesday in Manhattan Supreme Court.

Roy Galifi, John Mingione and Kevin Stewart  executives with a construction company that worked with Meir  were accused of grand larceny, conspiracy and criminal possession of stolen property and falsifying business records, charges they denied.

Meirs colleague Anthony Marrone was hit with the same charges and pleaded not guilty.

Meir, 49, is accused of orchestrating schemes that ripped off $86 million from investors, contractors and the city, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

An ambitious project to build a mega-development near the High Line allegedly warped into a hotbed of fraud and theft under Meirs leadership of HFZ, where he was the managing director.

He allegedly used funds intended for the project covering a whole square block of Chelsea  from W. 17th to W. 18th Sts. and 10th to 11th Aves.  to shore up HFZs other struggling projects. Meir and his accomplices hid the fraud through phony invoices and forged bank statements, prosecutors said.

In all, $37 million was allegedly stolen as the project reportedly went into foreclosure in 2021. Other developers took over and opened it as One High Line last year.

Similar schemes played out involving projects from Midtown to San Francisco, according to Braggs office.

All told, the frauds entailed over $86 million in stolen funds, prosecutors said. That included $15 million in city property taxes that allegedly went unpaid.

Meir was reportedly arrested at a swanky Miami hotel on Monday.

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It marked a stunning fall from grace for a man whod stood out for his aggressive approach in the citys cutthroat real-estate business, according to Curbed.

These indictments depict allegations of widespread fraud within the real estate industry primarily spearheaded by one man: Nir Meir, Bragg said in a statement.

Along with the six men, HFZ and an affiliate plus the construction company, Omnibuild, were hit with charges. The businesses pleaded not guilty.

Even though Omnibuild is in the same indictment as HFZ, three counts of that indictment allege that HFZ stole from Omnibuild and others, an Omnibuild spokesperson said in a statement.

This is in addition to the three other indictments charging HFZ alone. We reiterate that Omnibuild is a victim of, and not acting in concert with, HFZ.

The construction company previously filed a lien against HFZ saying it was owed $100 million in unpaid bills, according to The Real Deal.

Following Wednesdays arraignments, Stewart, 48, was released without bail, Galifi, 62, paid $100,000 bail, Mingione, 54, coughed up $500,000 to be freed and Marrones wife promised to pay his $300,000 bail.

An additional defendant, former HFZ project manager Louis Della-Peruta, 69, was expected to surrender to authorities on Thursday.

Meir himself is set to appear in court later this month, prosecutors said.
Fox News host Sean Hannity on Tuesday night was interviewing the founder of a New York City-based vigilante group known for its targeting of migrants when a disturbance suddenly broke out behind the live shot.

As the camera panned around at Times Square, a group of men in red jackets were seen physically engaging with a person, eventually tackling the individual to the ground as he struggled and the group attempted to restrain him.

Well, in fact our guys have just taken down one of the migrant guys right here on the corner of 42nd and 7th while all this has taken place, Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels group and a former GOP mayoral nominee, told Hannity. Theyve taken over!

As the disturbing altercation played out on national television, Hannity blasted Democrats for the surge of Joe Bidens unvetted illegals in New York. And that could be because the so-called border czar is a little distracted right now, alluding to Vice President Kamala Harris.

Moments later, after the situation had calmed down, Hannity returned to the scene where the shocking altercation had taken place, asking Sliwa for more information on what had just happened.

What was happening in front of you while you were on the air with us? Hannity asked.

He had been shoplifting first, Sliwa replied. The Guardian Angels spotted him, stopped him and he resisted. Lets just say we gave him a little pain compliance. His mother back in Venezuela felt the vibrations. He is sucking concrete.

Sliwa, who has in the past fabricated stories of criminal behavior  by his own admission  to sensationalize the issue, continued on, blaming the altercation on the groups of migrants being bussed to the city from border states.

Weve got to take 42nd Street back, he said. These illegals think they own this state and rule the night. This is our country. If they cant abide by the rules than we will kick them back from where they came.

As he spoke, a Fox News banner blared, MAN ARRESTED IN TIMES SQUARE AFTER GUARDIAN ANGELS APPREHEND HIM

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But the person tackled by the group was neither a migrant nor arrested for shoplifting as Sliwa had claimed, New York Police Department officials confirmed to CNN.

On Tuesday February 6 at 21:33 police responded to a 911 call for a disorderly male, police said in a statement. Upon arrival officers were informed that the male had repeatedly attempted to interfere with and disrupt a live interview. The male was issued a summons for disorderly conduct.

A law enforcement official told CNNs Mark Morales the man was not a recent migrant. Instead, he was a 23-year-old from the Bronx who moved to the US when he was 10 years old. The man had attempted to get Sliwas attention while he was on the air Tuesday night, when the group confronted him, the official said.

The Guardian Angels is a New York City based volunteer organization whose stated goal is to prevent crime. The group was founded by Sliwa- a conservative talk show host and former Republican mayoral candidate- in the late 1970s, but in recent months has taken aim at migrants being bussed to the city. Last summer, Sliwa was arrested while protesting migrant housing in the city and called for them to be sent to the notorious Rikers Island jail.

The Guardian Angels and Sliwa did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Fox News also did not comment on the report, but the scene was illustrative of the anti-immigrant rhetoric that has frequently been promoted on the right-wing networks air.

Last month, Fox News host Pete Hegseth, from a Manhattan studio, compared the atmosphere in New York to after the nations worst terror attack.

Sometimes I walk through public areas, I walk through differently now. Its kind of like after 9/11, he said.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Those people are our people too. The words of UNC Senator David Nakhid, following the deadly
The enemy is trying to break through the Ukrainian defenses in the area of Chasiv Yar and is resorting to localized actions by small assault groups.

The Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this on Facebook, Ukrinform reported.

Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi once again visited military units and subdivisions holding defense in the Bakhmut direction.

"The enemy is trying to break through our defenses in the Chasiv Yar area and is resorting to localized actions by small assault groups under the cover of drones and artillery. They are widely using kamikaze drones and electronic warfare. The situation is tense, requiring constant monitoring of the overall situation and prompt decision-making on the ground," the statement said.

The commander briefed the brigade commanders on the current situation, assessed the effectiveness of firepower, and considered new ways to improve the combat capabilities of Ukrainian troops.

He also discussed with unit commanders the enemy's likely tactics and options for further development of the fighting. After that, they jointly planned scenarios to repel the aggressor and prevent its advance.

Based on the results of his work in the Bakhmut direction, Colonel General Syrskyi made several decisions. In particular, he decided to concentrate the main efforts on the threatened areas and to use firepower maneuvers.

As always, the commander drew the attention of the commanders to the key priority of saving the lives of Ukrainian soldiers and minimizing losses.

As Ukrinform reported, 92 combat engagements took place in the frontline yesterday.
Taiwan has added 77 items to the list of machine tools restricted from being exported to Russia and Belarus in a bid to prevent the Russian military from using Taiwan's high-tech products in its war in Ukraine.

That's according to the Taiwanese Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ukrinform reports, citing the CNA news agency.

The items added to the new export controls list include sophisticated equipment called CNC machine tools, machining centers, lathes and turning machines, milling machines, and grinding machines.

The decision is set to take effect on March 8.

Taiwan's government began implementing controls on exports of high-precision machine tools to Russia and Belarus last year and continues to expand their list in parallel with sanctions from the European Union, the United States and Japan.

According to the Taiwanese government, Taiwan's exports of the 77 items to Russia reached $45 million last year, accounting for 1.47 percent of Taiwan's total exports to Russia.

According to the ministry, it has also requested Taiwanese manufacturers exporting to countries such as Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, which are considered to have a high risk of reshipping the products, to agree not to redirect shipments to Russia and Belarus.

With increasing global awareness of the risk posed by weapon proliferation, if Taiwan's machine tools were found to be exported to Russia for the production of military weapons, this could affect German and Japanese key component manufacturers' willingness to sell their products to Taiwan and thus impact the upstream and downstream supply chain in the machine tool industry.

Photo: Unsplash
In Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk region, unidentified person shot at the car of a deputy mayor, the car caught fire. The body of a man was found in the burned-out car.

This was reported by the Dnipropetrovsk region communication department, according to Ukrinform.

"On February 8, at about 9 a.m., the police received a report that an unknown person had shot at a car belonging to the deputy mayor of Nikopol. At the scene, the police found that the attacker had used unidentified arms, as a result of which the car caught fire. After the fire was extinguished, the body of a 59-year-old man was found inside the car," the statement reads.

It is noted that police services are working at the scene of the murder of the deputy mayor. The leadership of the regional police, KORD special police forces and law enforcers arrived at the scene to detain the armed attacker.

The collection and analysis of material evidence is underway. Operative and investigative measures are being taken to detain the suspect.

Information on this fact has been entered into Unified register of pre-trial investigations under Clause 5, Part 2 of Article 115 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (intentional homicide).

Photo: National Police
Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Occidental Petroleum fair value estimate is US$81.98

Occidental Petroleum's US$57.62 share price signals that it might be 30% undervalued

Analyst price target for OXY is US$66.92 which is 18% below our fair value estimate

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Occidental Petroleum

The Method

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$5.35b US$5.84b US$6.25b US$5.12b US$5.17b US$5.00b US$4.92b US$4.90b US$4.91b US$4.96b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x4 Analyst x3 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ -3.27% Est @ -1.60% Est @ -0.43% Est @ 0.38% Est @ 0.96% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 8.4% US$4.9k US$5.0k US$4.9k US$3.7k US$3.5k US$3.1k US$2.8k US$2.6k US$2.4k US$2.2k

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$35b

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.3%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 8.4%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$5.0b (1 + 2.3%)  (8.4% 2.3%) = US$83b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$83b ( 1 + 8.4%)10= US$37b

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 US$72b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of US$57.6, the company appears a touch undervalued at a 30% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

Important Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Occidental Petroleum as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.4%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.326. 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 Occidental Petroleum

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows.

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 Oil and Gas market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 4 years.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the American market.

Next Steps:

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. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Occidental Petroleum, we've compiled three essential factors you should further examine:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 2 warning signs for Occidental Petroleum that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does OXY'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 NYSE 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.
Ukraine has started negotiations with Denmark on the conclusion of a bilateral security agreement.

That's according to the press service of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

"Pursuant to the instruction of the President of Ukraine and the Head of the President's Office, Ukraine has started detailed negotiations with Denmark on the conclusion of bilateral security commitments," the statement reads.

The Ukrainian delegation was led by Ihor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the President's Office. The Danish delegation was headed by Lisbet Zilmer-Johns, State Secretary for Foreign Policy.

The negotiations began as part of the implementation of the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine, which Denmark, together with the Nordics, was among the first countries to join.

Denmark's security commitments reaffirm the unwavering and powerful support, including military assistance, that Denmark has been providing to Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian aggression.

The parties discussed the main elements of the future bilateral security commitments and agreed on a schedule for further negotiations.
Ukraine and Denmark have signed a declaration on strengthening the development of medical partnership.

That's according to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

"Today we signed a document that lays the foundations for the further development of a sustainable medical partnership. We have outlined the following key areas: improving access to medical care, including primary medical care, with a special emphasis on mental health, regulating the circulation of medicines and medical devices, combating resistance to antimicrobial drugs," said Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko.

The declaration of intent signed by the parties envisages the exchange of experience between medical experts, cooperation with non-governmental organizations, particularly with academic institutions, charitable organizations and civil society institutes, the holding of training sessions, seminars and master classes, participation in conferences, etc.

During the bilateral meeting, Minister of the Interior and Health of Denmark Sophie Lohde announced the transfer of 3,000 hearing aids to Ukraine. They will be aimed at supporting Ukrainian military personnel who have lost their hearing due to war-related injuries.

During the third Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, held in Ukraine in September 2023, Denmark became one of the 16 countries to support the statement on building a sustainable international partnership in the field of health care.
Northwestern University, known for its vibrant academic environment, is currently embroiled in a heated controversy as two students face criminal charges for their involvement in crafting a parody newspaper titled "The Northwestern Daily."

The situation has ignited debates on freedom of expression, censorship, and the disproportionate legal consequences now looming over the heads of the student satirists.

Parody Provocation

The spark that ignited the fire came in the form of a parody front page, strategically placed over "hundreds" of legitimate copies of The Daily Northwestern on October 23. The headline was a scathing criticism, accusing the university of being "complicit in the genocide of Palestinians." This audacious statement was paired with a fabricated advertisement for Birthright Israel, an organization facilitating trips to Israel for individuals with Jewish heritage. The provocative nature of the parody aimed to challenge the university's stance on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

However, what began as a bold exercise in satire quickly escalated into a legal battleground when the parent company of The Daily Northwestern, Students Publishing Company, reported the incident to law enforcement. The repercussions have been severe, especially for the two students responsible for the parody, both of whom are Black. They now find themselves charged with theft of advertising services under an obscure statute initially created to deter the Ku Klux Klan from distributing recruitment materials in newspapers. This statute carries a maximum sentence of a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.

READ ALSO: Florida Honors MLK Jr. Amid Controversial Ban On Diversity Programs In State Colleges

Outcry on Campus

The shockwaves from the criminal charges have reverberated across Northwestern University's campus, sparking widespread outrage and mobilization. A petition denouncing the university police department's handling of the situation has garnered support from over 6,000 individuals. Even The Daily Northwestern's editorial board, typically a bastion of institutional loyalty, has taken an unprecedented stance by urging its publishers to seek the dismissal of the case.

This outcry reflects a deep concern not only for the students directly involved but also for the broader issues at stake: the limits of free speech, the role of satire in academic discourse, and the appropriateness of resorting to legal action for what many perceive as an act of protest.

Legal Ramifications and Historical Context

The application of an obscure statute, originally designed to combat a different form of extremism, raises important questions about the appropriateness of using outdated legal frameworks in contemporary contexts. The statute's historical context, rooted in efforts to thwart the Ku Klux Klan's recruitment efforts, seems incongruous when applied to a satirical critique.

The severity of the potential punishment also prompts reflection on the disproportionate consequences facing these students for what appears to be a form of protest through satire. The original intent of the statute aimed at suppressing hate speech from a notorious hate group does not align with the circumstances of a parody seeking to engage in critical dialogue about the university's policies.

Freedom of Expression on Campus

University campuses have traditionally been spaces where robust discussions and dissent flourish, fostering an environment where students can explore diverse perspectives. The current situation at Northwestern University, however, highlights the challenges students face when attempting to push the boundaries of conventional discourse through provocative means.

The dichotomy between freedom of expression and the repercussions of pushing against established norms underscores a broader societal tension. As academic institutions grapple with how to navigate the evolving landscape of free speech and dissent, this case becomes emblematic of the ongoing struggle to find a balance between fostering an environment of open dialogue and maintaining order within the academic community.

The unfolding saga at Northwestern University serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities surrounding freedom of expression, satire, and the potential legal consequences faced by those who dare to challenge the status quo. As the university community grapples with the fallout from this incident, the case raises profound questions about the role of dissent in academic settings and the need for institutions to strike a delicate balance between upholding order and preserving the spirit of open discourse.

RELATED ARTICLE: Massachusetts' Free Community College Program: Enrollment Surge Strains System, Raises Questions
In a groundbreaking move, the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) is set to launch the "UNC Tuition Promise," a program designed to revolutionize the landscape of higher education accessibility in Colorado.

This initiative is a beacon of hope for aspiring students, promising to eliminate financial barriers and make college attendance a tangible reality.

The UNC Tuition Promise Unveiled

Scheduled to commence in the Fall of 2024, the UNC Tuition Promise is a transformative step towards inclusivity. The program covers standard tuition and mandatory fees, offering eligible students the opportunity to take up to 16 credits or a maximum of $5,836 per semester. This bold move has sparked excitement across the UNC campus, as it signifies a departure from traditional financial constraints that often deter students from pursuing higher education.

To qualify for the program, students must be Colorado residents or eligible ASSET students. Meeting specific financial criteria is crucial, including completing FAFSA (or CASFA) on time, applying and receiving the College Opportunity Fund, maintaining enrollment in at least 12 credits, achieving satisfactory academic progress, and having an adjusted gross income of no more than $65,000 or a student aid index of 3,000 or less.

READ ALSO: Revitalizing New York's Tuition Assistance Program: Legislators Call For Reforms To Aid Lower And Middle-Class Students

Diverse Impact and Benefits

The UNC Tuition Promise is designed with a particular focus on supporting students of color. By offering financial relief, the program aims to alleviate academic stress and contribute positively to mental health. The initiative serves as more than just a financial aid package; it becomes a catalyst for change, fostering diversity, and reducing disparities in access to higher education.

The program holds the potential to significantly impact the trajectory of students' lives by addressing concerns about accumulating student debt. By allowing students like Gabriella Lopez, a junior, to take up to 16 credits without the burden of tuition fees, the UNC Tuition Promise presents a pathway to graduation with reduced financial stress. Lopez envisions the program as a tool to encourage first-generation students to explore and embrace the possibilities of higher education.

Building a Stronger Future

For students who will benefit from the program, like Alondra Aguirre, the implications are far-reaching. Aguirre, set to graduate before the program's launch, acknowledges how the Tuition Promise could offer future students greater flexibility in their academic journeys. Her strategic approach of taking extra courses to graduate early was driven by the desire to minimize student debt, and she sees the UNC Tuition Promise as a game-changer for those who follow in her footsteps.

The UNC Tuition Promise is not merely about easing financial burdens; it is about empowering students to become valuable contributors to society. For Lopez, the program is a transformative force that extends beyond her academic experience, preparing her for a successful professional life. By taking out fewer loans and focusing on her studies, Lopez envisions being a positive force in the community, contributing to societal betterment.

As the UNC Tuition Promise prepares to take flight in the Fall of 2024, it symbolizes a paradigm shift in higher education accessibility. By removing financial barriers, UNC is demonstrating its commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. The program serves as a testament to the university's dedication to empowering students, fostering diversity, and ensuring that education remains a pathway open to all. In a world where education is often hindered by financial constraints, UNC's Tuition Promise stands as a promising model for the future of higher education.

RELATED ARTICLE: Temple University Announces Transformative Tuition Promise, Promoting Affordable Higher Education In Pennsylvania
February 8 2024

Artisan Real Estate has shared developing designs for a new residential development at the former Caledonian Brewery site on Slateford Road, Edinburgh.

A design team led by Sheppard Robson with Simpson & Brown, Atelier Ten and RankinFraser has been assembled for the 1.9-acre triangular site in Shandon.

The B-listed industrial complex was, until 2022, the last large-scale brewer in the city. Surviving heritage will be retained with new construction rising alongside the characterful Maltings Building.

In a concept statement, Artisan wrote: "Our vision for the site embraces its history, advocating for the retention of the earliest brewery buildings to transform the site into a significant and livable urban area. Through the replacement of the currently abandoned structures with residential development, our proposal aims to cultivate a diverse and engaging environment, enriching the areas character."

Draft proposals call for the removal of later additions, opening up views of industrial elements while making space for newly built apartment blocks set around green space and access routes.
February 8 2024

Drumchapel town centre is to benefit from a new public plaza, improved transport and new homes after receiving funding from the UK government's Levelling Up fund.

Councillors will press ahead with the 16.5m initiative after agreeing to top up the 14.98, award with an additional 1.664m, opening the way to a raft of focussed improvements including community facilities, flood defences and public realm centred on Kinfauns Drive.

Council leader Susan Aitken, said: Im delighted that having worked hard to secure this funding the long-overdue regeneration of Drumchapel town centre will soon be going ahead.

The people of Drumchapel have every right to expect that their town centre meets their needs and aspirations for a vibrant and healthy environment."

A design team will now be assembled to begin works by spring 2025.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Feb, 2024) Overcrowding was witnessed at various polling stations across the country, including the capital, as long queues of male and female voters turned out to be fully excited to cast their votes for their favourite candidates for the National Assembly.

Talking to the ptv news channel, the voters have expressed satisfaction over the elaborate arrangements made by the Elections Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for conducting the General Elections 2024.

A Presiding officer of Islamabad said that polling started at the right time and process was going smoothly and security officials were fully alert, no mismanagement or mishandling was observed.

Polling started at 8 am and will continue till 5 pm without any break; however, the voters inside the polling station are casting their vote in large, said a official.

"I am very excited to cast my first vote in General elections," said 19 years-old boy.

"Casting of vote is our national obligation and I came here to poll my first vote by fulfilling our national responsibility," said another youngster.

"My friends also came with me and are casting their votes," he added.

Great enthusiasm was being seen in women voters for whom Election Commission has made elaborate arrangements, said another citizen.

An influx of citizens actively participating in the electoral process has been observed at polling stations, said a police official standing outside polling station.

The enthousism of the senior citizens and even special persons is worth mentioning as they gathered at the polling stations to cast votes, said another citizen.

The women are not far behind men and have queued up despite cold weather in morning, said a presiding officer.

The supporters of candidates have arranged free transport for the facilitation of senior citizens, women, and persons with disabilities, said an official.

The candidates have established private booths outside the premises of polling stations to facilitate young voters, he added.
(@FahadShabbir)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Feb, 2024) Pakistan and Russia have expressed satisfaction on the similarity of views on range of issues of global strategic stability, regional security including matters related to arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.

The two sides, during the 14th meeting of the Pakistan-Russia Consultative Group on Strategic Stability held in Moscow on Wednesday expressed readiness to continue close coordination at relevant international platforms.

Moreover, the two sides also emphasized importance of regular meetings of the Consultative Group, a joint statement issued by the spokesperson of foreign office said on Thursday.

The 14th round of Pakistan-Russia Consultative Group on Strategic Stability was held under the chairmanship of Additional Foreign Secretary (Arms Control and Disarmament) Mohammad Kamran Akhtar and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs S.

A. Ryabkov.

The parties had an in-depth exchange of views on international security and regional stability challenges, as well as on various aspects of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.

The two sides discussed issues related to the agenda of the First Committee of the UN General Assembly, the Conference on Disarmament, the IAEA and the OPCW.

The issues concerning biological, space and international information security, as well as new and emerging technologies, including the military use of artificial intelligence, came under discussion at length.

It was agreed to hold the 15th meeting of the Group next year in Islamabad.
(@FahadShabbir)

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Feb, 2024) Like other provinces of Pakistan, polling of votes for the General Election 2024 was started in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including merged tribal districts on Thursday.

The polling began at 8 a.m. and would continue till 5 p.m. without any break in all districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In Peshawar, the voters including male and female are coming to polling stations in large numbers and exercising their right of franchise in a free, fair and transparent atmosphere.

" I have fulfilled my national obligation after casting my vote at my native polling station,' said Manzoorul Haq, former Ambassador while talking to APP.

He advised voters not to wait for the afternoon to avoid the rush and come out from their homes in large numbers by polling their votes and play role in the decision process.

" Polling starts exactly at 8am and voters are coming in large number at their respective polling booths since then," said Sundas Amin, Presiding Officer of Govt school Bara Lines Peshawar polling station.

She said water and seating facilities were arranged for voters inside polling stations. She said identity of voters are being checked also through polling agents of candidates.

In Nowshera and Mardan, polling of votes was also started where voters including male, female and youth besides persons with disabilities are coming to polling stations.

According to APP Correspondents, polling was also started in Khyber, Mohmand, and other tribal districts where voters were coming to polling stations in large numbers.

A great rush of voters are being seen at Parachinar Kurram, Orakzai, DI Khan, Mardan, Swat, Dir, Malakand, Chitral, Abbottabad, Buner, Shangla, Kohat, Charsadda and other districts of the province.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has set up over 15, 696 polling stations for 21.928 million registered voters set up in KP. These voters are deciding the fate of 713 candidates contesting for national assembly seats and 1,814 candidates for provincial assembly seats.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, there are around 11.944383 million male and 99,83,737 million female voters who would exercise the right to vote today.

Similarly, 4,180 polling stations were set up for males, 4,287 polling stations for females and 6600 combined polling stations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,

The voters are being facilitated by over 1,80,000 trained polling staff deployed for polling duties.

The supporters of candidates have set up polling camps some 200 meters outside of polling stations for education and guidance of voters, especially youth.

Police! Frontier Corps, Frontier Constabulary and other law enforcement agencies were deployed for the security of polling stations and voters. Carrying arms and ammunition inside the polling stations were banned.

The election in NA 8 Bajaur was postponed due to the death of a candidate.
KHYBER, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Feb, 2024) Vote polling for General Election 2024 was started in all seven merged tribal districts including Khyber on Thursday.

The polling began at 8 am and continued till 5 pm without any break. Since morning, the voters are coming to polling stations at Govt High school Bara and Govt Boys School Jamrud polling stations and casting their votes.

Great enthusiasm is being witnessed among young voters. " I was eagerly awaiting the 2024 general election and was happy after polling my first vote today," Asghar Afridi, a voter of tehsil Bara told APP.

"The enthusiasm of young voters is overwhelming in this election 2024 compared to the 2018 election and he came here in groups with friends to cast our votes," he said.

Azam Shinwari, another voter who came with his father to cast his first vote in the 2024 General Election at Govt School Jamrud polling station was jubilant to cast his first vote.

The voters including senior citizens, persons with disabilities and youth were standing in queues to poll their votes.

The voting will continue till 5 pm without a break.

Voting also continued in South Waziristan; North Waziristan, Kurram, Orakzai, Bajaur and Mohmand tribal districts.

The candidate's supporters setup polling camps outside of polling stations for the guidance of young voters.
Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Feb, 2024) Certain plants have flowers that open only in the evening and depend on nocturnal pollinators such as moths to thrive.

But a new paper published in Science on Thursday finds an atmospheric pollutant that is much more prevalent at night drastically reduces the fluttering creatures' ability to track floral scents.

It adds to a growing understanding of how human activities, including not just air but also light and noise pollution, are negatively impacting the natural world.

"Our impacts on the environment are affecting human health, etc, that we tend to concentrate on, but they're also affecting ecosystem functioning through these plants and pollinators," senior author Jeff Riffell, a biology professor at the University of Washington, told AFP.

Riffell said the role of nitrate radicals (NO3) on flower scents hadn't been well studied, because the chemical is around at night and prior research focused on the impacts of pollution on daytime pollinators like bees.

Nitrate radicals form when nitrogen dioxide reacts in the atmosphere with ozone -- both of which come from burning fossil fuels, and have natural sources too.

Unlike nitrogen dioxide and ozone, however, nitrate radicals rapidly degrade in sunlight, making them virtually absent in daytime.

For their study, Riffell and colleagues chose the pale evening primrose (Oenothera pallida), a wildflower that grows in arid settings across the western United States.

Its white flowers emit a strong, piney scent that attracts the white-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata) and the tobacco hawk moth (Manduca sexta), species which use their powerful antennae to sniff out pollen from miles away.

- Pollinator crisis -

First, the team chemically analyzed the wildflower's scent to unravel its chemical recipe, revealing a complex bouquet of chemicals.

Next, they separated out the individual chemicals and exposed them one at a time to the moths, to determine exactly which ones were responsible for attracting the winged insects.

This revealed a subset of the chemicals, known as monoterpene compounds, were largely responsible for the scent, and further tests showed that nitrate radicals decimated the levels of these compounds.

Finally, the team carried out wind tunnel experiments involving the moths and the scent chemicals that they emitted at controlled levels from a fake flower.

"What we found is that the moths really were very sensitive to the flower scent and would kind of navigate upwind and try to feed from this artificial flower," said Rifell.

"But if we added NO3, then all of a sudden, for one species of moth, it totally eliminated their ability to recognize the flower. And for another species, it reduced their attraction to the flower by 50 percent."

The nitrate radicals were comparable to those found at night in a typical urban environment, modeled on Seattle. When the team ran the experiment with the pollutants typically present during the day, they saw far less of an impact.

Overall, the experiment revealed a strong impact on pollination activity, at a time when the world's pollinators are in crisis.

Around three-quarters of the more than 240,000 species of flowering plants depend on pollinators, and over 70 pollinator species are endangered or threatened, said Rifell.

The team also ran computer simulations to determine which parts of the world would be most likely to experience problems as a result of this effect.

Areas identified include much of Europe, the middle East, Central and South Asia, and southern Africa.

"Outside of human activity, some regions accumulate more NO3 because of natural sources, geography and atmospheric circulation," said co-senior author Joel Thornton, a professor of atmospheric sciences.

"But human activity is producing more NO3 everywhere. We wanted to understand how those two sources - natural and human - combine and where levels could be so high that they could interfere with the ability of pollinators to find flowers."
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev secured a fifth consecutive term in elections on Wednesday, partial official results showed, an expected outcome after his country's landmark victory over Armenian separatists last year

Baku, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Feb, 2024) Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev secured a fifth consecutive term in elections on Wednesday, partial official results showed, an expected outcome after his country's landmark victory over Armenian separatists last year.

The early tallies showed that Aliyev won the election with 92.1 percent of the votes after 54.5 percent of electoral precincts declared results, in a ballot held amid a crackdown on independent media and in the absence of any real opposition.

Turnout was 67.7 percent, Central Election Commission chief Mazahir Panahov told a press conference.

Aliyev was heralded at home in September after his troops recaptured the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region from Armenian separatists who had controlled it for decades.

But the oil-rich nation's main opposition parties boycotted the vote, which one opposition leader, Ali Kerimli of the Popular Front party, called an "imitation of democracy".

"There are no conditions in the country for the conduct of free and fair elections," he said.

The six other candidates who were running are little-known and have praised Aliyev as a great statesman and commander-in-chief since he announced the election in December, a year ahead of schedule.

Singing patriotic songs, several thousand of Aliyev supporters gathered on Wednesday evening in the streets of central Baku to celebrate his re-election.

Some demonstrators held signs that read "Karabakh's liberator" and "We are proud of you!"

The president and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva went to Karabakh on Wednesday to cast their ballots in the region's main city of Khankendi.

For the first time in Azerbaijan's post-Soviet history, 26 polling stations opened in Karabakh.

The enclave has been largely deserted after its entire ethnic-Armenian population -- more than 100,000 people -- fled to Armenia after Baku's takeover.
Vancouver, Canada --News Direct-- Pegasus Resources Inc.

Pegasus Resources' CEO, Chris Timmins, joined Steve Darling from Proactive to announce the company has secured a key expert in Uranium exploration with the addition of Mike Magrum to its Board.

Magrum is a highly experienced expert in uranium exploration with nearly 50 years of professional experience. He is a graduate of the Haileybury School of Mines and the University of Alaska, with a degree in Geological Engineering. Throughout his career, Magrum has worked extensively in various commodities, particularly uranium, and has conducted exploration and mining activities across North America, Central America, South America, and southern African countries.

Timmins highlighted Magrum's significant contributions to the uranium exploration industry. He mentioned that Magrum was part of the team that made the discovery of the Roughrider uranium deposit in the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan, which was later acquired by Rio Tinto and subsequently Uranium Energy Corp. Magrum also served as the Chief Operating Officer of Xemplar Energy, a notable uranium explorer in Namibia, with a market cap exceeding $1 billion at its peak.

The addition of Mike Magrum to Pegasus Resources' board is expected to bring valuable expertise and insights to the company's uranium exploration efforts, further strengthening its position in the industry.

Contact Details

Proactive Canada

+1 604-688-8158

action@proactiveinvestors.com

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/pegasus-resources-secures-expert-in-uranium-with-addition-of-mike-magrum-to-board-of-directors-219839983
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Barcelona, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Feb, 2024) Thousands of farmers used tractors to block roads across Spain for the second day running on Wednesday amid Europe-wide protests against cheaper imports and heavy regulation.

Farmers gathered at dawn on dozens of roads, snarling traffic, mainly in Andalusia in the south, the northeastern region of Catalonia and Navarra in the north, according to the Spanish General Directorate for Road Traffic.

Almost 1,000 tractors drove slowly to the centre of Spain's second city Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, where they rallied in front of the headquarters of the regional government.

"Bureaucracy is suffocating us... you need to think more about documents and paperwork demanded by the administration than work on the ground," 45-year-old protester Joan Maia Sala told AFP.

After meeting regional president Pere Aragones, some farmers said they intended to sleep on site and were determined to continue demonstrating.

Tractors were also used to block roads leading to the southern port of Malaga in Andalusia and the eastern port of Castellon, authorities said.

There were some tense moments between demonstrators and police, particularly in the southern city of Granada. The interior ministry reported 12 arrests across the country.

Spain's CETM goods transport association urged the authorities to take steps to prevent the sector from being held "hostage to the protests".

"We understand" farmers, but "the big victims" were transport companies, it added in a statement.

Another transport sector federation, Fenadismer, said 80,000 lorries were affected by the blockades and estimated the financial impact at 120 million Euros ($129 million).
Madrid, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Feb, 2024) Farmers blocked roads across Spain for the third day running Thursday in protest over heavy regulation and cheaper imports, with the main farmers' unions joining the demonstrations for the first time.

Following a day in which protesters converged on Barcelona, they were out again on Thursday with several columns of slow-moving tractors snarling traffic on roads in the eastern Valencia region, Asturias in the north and the central region of Castilla la Mancha.

Although the protests earlier this week were rallied by activists on WhatsApp, some of Thursday's actions were organised by Spain's three main farming unions Asaja, Coag and UPA who pointed to the difficult and precarious nature of agricultural work.

"If the tractors are protesting, it's because the rural world feels suffocated," Asaja posted on X, in a message echoed by UPA's deputy Marcos Alarcon.

Farmers, he said, were hoping that this "huge demonstration will give us significant clout that we can use at the negotiating table".

Union officials said the main demonstrations were taking place in central areas such as Salamanca, Ciudad Real and Avila.

In Barcelona, almost 1,000 tractors rallied in the city centre Wednesday with dozens of farmers spending the night there although most left early on Thursday.

Barcelona is the capital of the drought-hit northeastern region of Catalonia.

Some demonstrations deteriorated into scuffles when police moved in to remove roadblocks, prompting several arrests, with the interior ministry raising to 19 the total number detained since the start of the protests.

In Ciudad Real, local media said hundreds of protesters dumped 25,000 litres of French wine into the street in front of the local water authority in protest at the central government's policies on water.
Piedmont Office (PDM) reported $145.33 million in revenue for the quarter ended December 2023, representing a year-over-year decline of 1.3%. EPS of $0.41 for the same period compares to $0.61 a year ago.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $146.37 million, representing a surprise of -0.71%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of -2.38%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $0.42.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how Piedmont Office performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

Revenues- Rental and tenant reimbursement revenue : $139.45 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $140.77 million.

Revenues- Other property related income : $5.50 million versus $5.18 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +16.7% change.

Revenues- Property management fee revenue : $0.39 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $0.42 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -1.5%.

Net income per share applicable to common stockholders-diluted: -$0.23 versus the two-analyst average estimate of -$0.04.

View all Key Company Metrics for Piedmont Office here>>>



Shares of Piedmont Office have returned -10.7% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +5.6% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating that it could outperform the broader market in the near term.

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We are reporting on the situation in the Middle East. The U.S. and Britain have launched missile strikes against Iranian-backed Houthi fighters in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. Meanwhile, in the U.S., a divided Congress is debating a bipartisan Senate bill that addresses the border crisis and provides funding for Ukraine. This week on The Inside Story, Strikes and Counterstrikes.
Iranian state-backed hackers interrupted TV streaming services in the United Arab Emirates in December to broadcast a deepfake report on the Israel-Hamas war, Microsoft said this week.

Hackers led by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps interfered in streaming platforms in the UAE with a news broadcast generated by artificial intelligence. The pseudo news anchor showed unverified photos that claimed to show Palestinians who were injured and killed by Israeli attacks on Gaza.

A message on the affected channels said, We have no choice but to hack to deliver this message to you, according to the Dubai-based newspaper the Khaleej Times.

This marked the first Iranian influence operation Microsoft has detected where AI played a key component in its messaging and is one example of the fast and significant expansion in the scope of Iranian operations since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict, a Microsoft blog post said.

Irans Foreign Ministry did not immediately reply to VOAs email requesting comment.

Beyond the UAE, the disruption also reached audiences in the United Kingdom and Canada, according to Microsoft.

These incidents underscore Tehrans broader efforts to influence public opinion about the Israel-Hamas war, Microsoft said. Through a combination of cyberattacks and propaganda campaigns, the Iranian government has sought to weaken Israel and help Hamas since October 7, when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, the report said.

Irans work in support of Hamas seems to be as much about the appearance of having influence on the global stage as it is about concrete impact, Microsofts blog post said.

Microsoft warned that Tehran could deploy AI in an effort to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

In 2020, Iran launched several cyber operations intended to incite violence against U.S. government officials and divide voters.

The incidents identified by Microsoft also highlight broader concerns from technology experts about how AI can be used to turbocharge the spread of disinformation.

For instance, deepfakes have impersonated various news anchors  including some from VOA  as a way to spread false stories and sow distrust in news, analysts say.
Some activists and analysts are saying Mondays sentencing of a prominent Chinese feminist activist to more than three years in jail shows Beijings increasing retaliation against those closely associated with detained activists.

A court in Chinas eastern province of Shandong Monday sentenced Li Qiaochu to three years and eight months on the charge of incitement to subvert state power. In the judgment, the court accused Li of being deeply influenced by detained activist Xu Zhiyong, who is Lis boyfriend and was sentenced to 14 years in jail on the charge of subversion of state power last April.

This is a typical case of how someone who is closely associated with a detained activist can get into trouble for simply expressing concerns about their detained partner or friend, Patrick Poon, a visiting researcher at the University of Tokyo, told VOA by phone.

He said the lengthy jail sentence that Li received shows the domestic environment in China has become very restrictive.

Her case shows that speaking up for other human rights defenders in China has now become a red line in the Chinese governments eyes, he said.

Some activists say the heavy sentence that Li received is a clear retaliation for her attempt to talk about the torture that Xu allegedly experienced in detention. The authorities are purely retaliating against Li for exercising her basic rights and freedom of speech, Luo Shengchun, the wife of detained human rights lawyer Ding Jiaxi, told VOA by phone.

Since the ruling came after a closed-door trial last month, Luo characterized the length of the jail sentence as unjust and despicable.

I originally thought the authorities may consider allowing Li to go home and celebrate Chinese New Year with her family but they ended up handing her an outcome that is very serious, she said.

Li, who was a long-time labor rights and feminist activist, has been in detention since February 2021. Although the time she has already spent in custody will count toward her sentence, Luo says she is still concerned about Lis mental health.

Li suffers from depression and the treatment that she received during detention has caused hallucinations, Luo said.

Her parents applied for bail 10 times but the Chinese authorities denied all of their applications, she said, adding that Li was in a very bad state when her family members briefly saw her during the court proceeding on February 5.

Apart from Li, her boyfriend Xu Zhiyong and Luos husband, Ding Jiaxi, have both been sentenced to more than 10 years in jail for participating in a private gathering in the Chinese city of Xiamen in December 2019. Both been denied permission to meet with their lawyers or family members for several months.

Their family members in China are facing multiple threats and the authorities continue to postpone their meetings with lawyers, Luo told VOA. The authorities have threatened Xu and Dings family members in China not to share any information about their cases with the outside world.

Some researchers see the decision by Chinese authorities to target those associated with detained activists and deny them the right to meet with lawyers or family members as part of a broader effort to increase pressure on activists.

In the past, the family members and friends of Chinese human rights defenders could still advocate for them, but now, these people are all facing an immense amount of pressure for trying to speak up for the detained activists, Yaqiu Wang, research director for China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan at Freedom House, told VOA by phone.

In her view, the Chinese government hopes to limit the influence of detained activists by cutting off their communication with the outside world.

When Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo was sentenced to 12 years, many people still knew what he had achieved despite Chinese authorities crackdown on him, Wang said. But nowadays, the Chinese government is trying their best to limit the influence of activists by cutting off all communication channels.

Apart from Li, several human rights activists in detention and their family members are still awaiting judgments from Chinese courts . Prominent human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife Xu Yan were arrested by police in April on their way to meet with European diplomats.

On the day Ding and Xu were sentenced to more than 10 years in jail, Yu condemned the Chinese authorities decision on X (Twitter at the time), and a day before his arrest, Yu wrote on Twitter, that local police visited him because of the tweet.

As it becomes much more difficult for people in China advocate for detained human rights activists, Poon in Tokyo said it is important for outsiders to raise concerns about these cases.

The only chance for detained activists to receive better treatment in prison is if the international community or overseas activists can bring attention to their cases, he told VOA.

On the day that the court in Shandong announced judgment on Lis case, the EU mission to China urged Chinese authorities to release her due to her deteriorating health conditions.

Li suffers from physical and mental problems and is in urgent need of long-term treatment, the mission wrote on its official Weibo account.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment from VOA regarding Lis sentence or concerns the EU raised on Weibo. There has been no mention of the case in state media.

Since some activists continue to face government surveillance and harassment after being released from jail, Luo said she worries that Li will still face some form of house arrest after she is released later this year.

She expressed hope that outside pressure will force Chinese authorities to respect some basic legal principles and let Li live a life free from harassment and surveillance with her parents.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to Washington from the Middle East on Thursday with no new deal in hand for a cease-fire in the four-month Israel-Hamas war in Gaza or release of any more hostages held by the militants.

Blinken and other U.S. officials said they remained optimistic a halt in the fighting can be achieved and 100 or so remaining hostages freed. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu derided a Hamas plan that would leave the militants in control of the Gaza Strip as delusional and said Israeli forces would fight to win absolute victory.

Meanwhile, the White House announced that President Joe Biden would host Jordan's King Abdullah II in Washington on Monday for talks on resolving the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Blinken wrapped up a four-nation Mideast trip by meeting with Netanyahus war cabinet, including former military chiefs Benny Gantz and Gabi Eisenkot. The top U.S. diplomat said he would focus on the hostages and the strong desire that we both have to see them returned to their families, the work that's being done to that end.

But late Wednesday, Blinken acknowledged sharp differences between a cease-fire plan offered by Israel, the U.S., Qatar and Egypt that would last several weeks and free hostages and Hamas response calling for an Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, an end to its bombardment of Gaza and the right for Hamas to govern the territory and rebuild its military capability.

"Clearly there are things that Hamas sent back that are absolute non-starters," Blinken said at a news conference. "But, at the same time, we see space to continue to pursue an agreement.

"And these things are always negotiations, he said. It's not flipping a light switch. It's not 'yes' or 'no.' There's invariably back and forth."

A senior Hamas official said a Hamas delegation was in Cairo on Thursday to continue negotiations with Egyptian and Qatari officials.

The United States has been Israels staunchest ally in its fight against Hamas following the militants shock October 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people. But Netanyahu was dismissive of Blinkens assessment that the Hamas plan could at least serve as a starting point for cease-fire discussions.

We are on the way to an absolute victory. There is no other solution, Netanyahu said at a news conference after meeting with Blinken. He said Israels war effort would take months, not years.

The Israeli leader also appeared to dismiss concerns from the U.S. and others about expanding Israel's military operations in southern Gaza, particularly in Rafah on the Egyptian border, where more than a million Palestinians have fled at Israels demand to escape fighting further to the north.

Blinken said, "On all of my previous visits here and pretty much every day in between, we have pressed Israel in concrete ways to strengthen civilian protection, to get more assistance to those who need it. And over the past four months, Israel has taken important steps to do just that," he said. "And yet  the daily toll that its military operations continue to take on innocent civilians remains too high."

In rejecting the Hamas cease-fire plan, Netanyahu also called for the dismantlement of the United Nations relief agency for Palestinians, the main distributor of international humanitarian assistance in Gaza, after allegations that a dozen of its employees took part in the Hamas October attack.

Blinken appealed to Netanyahu and other Israelis not to let vengeance dictate their continued response.

"Israelis were dehumanized in the most horrific way on October 7," he said. "And the hostages have been dehumanized every day since. But that cannot be a license to dehumanize others."



The Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry says Israels counter-offensive has killed more than 27,500 people and displaced about 2 million Palestinians in Gaza from their homes.

In its proposal, Hamas called for three 45-day phases, first releasing all remaining women and children, as well as older and sick men, in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

The Hamas plan calls for Israel to withdraw from populated areas and end its aerial bombardment while also allowing far more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza and permitting Palestinians to return to their homes, including in devastated northern Gaza.

The second phase, to be negotiated during the first, would include the release of all remaining hostages, mostly soldiers, in exchange for all Palestinian detainees over the age of 50, including senior militants, to be freed by Israel.

Israel would release an additional 1,500 prisoners, 500 of whom would be specified by Hamas, and complete its withdrawal from Gaza.

In the third phase, the sides would exchange the remains of hostages and prisoners. Israel says it believes more than two dozen of the remaining 130 or so hostages in Gaza have already died or been killed.

Blinkens trip to the Mideast was his fifth since the war started.

He has reiterated the U.S, stance that creation of a Palestinian state is the best way to ensure lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and greater integration for the region. According to the State Department, Blinken also emphasized the urgent need to lower tensions in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and prevent the conflict from expanding.

Critics have attacked Netanyahu for having no definitive plan for governing Gaza after the war ends.

He said Wednesday, "The day after is the day after Hamas. All of Hamas."

Netanyahu has rejected any arrangement that would leave Hamas in full or partial control of Gaza. He also said Israel is the only power capable of guaranteeing security in the long term.

Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Cameroon separatist fighters Wednesday claimed responsibility for the killing of four government workers, including a policeman abducted Tuesday in the country's restive English-speaking North-West region. Government officials say two of the hostages, including a government official the military freed, are responding to treatment in a hospital. The abduction and killing followed renewed separatist attacks that have claimed several dozen civilians within two weeks.

Cameroon on Wednesday said one of its officials who had been abducted Tuesday evening in the restive English-speaking North-West region bordering Nigeria has been freed by government troops.

Nicholas Nkongho Manchang, the divisional officer for the regions Bamenda Second District was kidnapped at gunpoint with five others, including a policeman, on their way to an official ceremony in Nkambe town, the government said.

Deben Tchoffo, governor of the North-West region, told a crowd in Nkambe Wednesday that Manchang and another captive were freed after a swift military operation.

"The head of state [president Paul Biya] instructed the security services to set free the hostages," Tchoffo said. "Four hours later, the said administrative authority was freed thanks to the bravery of our military as well as the bravery of the abducted victims. Authorities, living forces (should) continue providing the military with all information to free the hostages that are not yet released."

Tchoffo said the divisional officer known locally as the D.O and the other freed captive are responding to treatment in a hospital in Bamenda, where they were rushed to by government troops.

Christopher Achobang is the spokesperson for the Ambazonia Governing Council, fighting for independence for Cameroon's English-speaking regions from the French majority country.

Achobang said Manchang saved his life by escaping.

"The D.O staged an escape because he fell into a ravine and the fighters were not so ready to get into the ravine to rescue him so they left him there wounded and dying," Achobang said. "He escaped and walked for a long distance where the Cameroon military then found him and took him to a helicopter which evacuated the D.O to Bamenda."

Achobang said separatist fighters should have killed the D.O if he did escape.

English speaking separatists say they consider divisional officers, who are heads of districts, to be government troops because they undergo military training and as such constitute a legitimate target to fighters.

But Cameroon government officials say divisional officers are civil administrators who represent the Yaounde central government and work for the development of their districts.

Government troops say Manchang drove past the military-led convoy of government officials travelling to Nkambe and fell into an ambush mounted by fighters. Manchang has not explained why he left the convoy.

Separatists say after Manchang escaped, four companions, including a police officer were killed.

The Ambazonia Governing Council said that separatist forces killed the captives to send a message to government troops that claims that separatists fighting for an independent English-speaking have been defeated are unfounded.

The government and military have not commented on the alleged killing of the four captives but on Wednesday night separatists shared pictures of four dead bodies on social media including Facebook and WhatsApp. VOA could not independently verify the authenticity of the pictures.

Civilians, however, say the pictures appear to be those of the abducted government workers.

Cameroon has within the past two weeks reported that separatists killed several dozen people in northwestern towns including Bamenda, Kumbo and Ndop.

The government says at least eleven separatists were killed in military raids in Kumbo and Oku, both northwestern towns.

Separatists acknowledge their fighters were killed and say several governments troops also died in fighting.

Edward Nfor is a member of the Cameroon Civil Society Group and a road contractor working in the Northwest region. He says the current wave of abductions and killings is either unreported or underreported by local media that fear persecution from rebels and the Cameroon government.

"Killings are on the rise, kidnapping is on the rise. If heavily guarded government officials are kidnapped, then what about the ordinary civilian. People are moving but they can't move freely," Nfor said. "These boys [separatist fighters] will go out to the village[es]. get out people and say that they are supporting the military and execute them in public. Let the government try to do something and get this thing [crisis] to an end."

Nfor said several dozen people have either been abducted or killed since fresh attacks began in January.

Separatists on social media say they will not spare anyone who reports fighters hiding in towns and villages to government troops.

The separatist conflict broke out in 2016 when Anglophone Cameroonians protested discrimination by the Francophone majority.

The United Nations says more than 6,000 people have been killed and the unrest has deprived 600,000 children of education.
To find a multi-bagger stock, what are the underlying trends we should look for in a business? One common approach is to try and find a company with returns on capital employed (ROCE) that are increasing, in conjunction with a growing amount of capital employed. Basically this means that a company has profitable initiatives that it can continue to reinvest in, which is a trait of a compounding machine. So when we looked at Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW), they do have a high ROCE, but we weren't exactly elated from how returns are trending.

Understanding Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)

Just to clarify if you're unsure, ROCE is a metric for evaluating how much pre-tax income (in percentage terms) a company earns on the capital invested in its business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for Illinois Tool Works:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.37 = US$4.0b  (US$16b - US$4.7b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2023).

Therefore, Illinois Tool Works has an ROCE of 37%. In absolute terms that's a great return and it's even better than the Machinery industry average of 13%.

See our latest analysis for Illinois Tool Works

roce

Above you can see how the current ROCE for Illinois Tool Works compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you're interested, you can view the analysts predictions in our free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

How Are Returns Trending?

Over the past five years, Illinois Tool Works' ROCE and capital employed have both remained mostly flat. Businesses with these traits tend to be mature and steady operations because they're past the growth phase. So it may not be a multi-bagger in the making, but given the decent 37% return on capital, it'd be difficult to find fault with the business's current operations. This probably explains why Illinois Tool Works is paying out 49% of its income to shareholders in the form of dividends. Unless businesses have highly compelling growth opportunities, they'll typically return some money to shareholders.

Story continues

The Key Takeaway

Although is allocating it's capital efficiently to generate impressive returns, it isn't compounding its base of capital, which is what we'd see from a multi-bagger. Yet to long term shareholders the stock has gifted them an incredible 105% return in the last five years, so the market appears to be rosy about its future. Ultimately, if the underlying trends persist, we wouldn't hold our breath on it being a multi-bagger going forward.

Illinois Tool Works does have some risks though, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Illinois Tool Works that you might be interested in.

If you want to search for more stocks that have been earning high returns, check out this free list of stocks with solid balance sheets that are also earning high returns on equity.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
China has replaced the head of its securities watchdog with veteran regulator Wu Qing, known as the Broker Butcher for his tough enforcement of trading regulations in the past. Wus appointment comes as policymakers in China are struggling to stabilize the country's stock markets.

State-run Xinhua news agency announced the replacement on Wednesday. Wu previously served as acting vice mayor of China's major financial hub, Shanghai, and as chairman of the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

The ousted chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission or CSRC, Yi Huiman, was chairman of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and appointed to the top job at CSRC in January 2019, tasked with undertaking a spate of sweeping capital markets reforms.

The reason for Yi's removal was not announced, but analysts say it was due to his failure to rescue Chinas stock markets, which have recently hit five-year lows and left institutional and retail investors scrambling to cut their losses. Analysts say China's struggling economy and a lack of government stimulus measures have taken a toll on investor confidence.

Francis Lun, CEO of Geo Securities Ltd. in Hong Kong, tells VOA that Wu now has the unenviable task of rescuing Chinas equities markets.

Wu must do a good job in the stock market, and the stock market must rise, says Lun. Otherwise, he will not be able to stay on the job."

Beijing this month announced high-profile market rescue measures, including lowering the deposit reserve ratio by 0.5 percentage points on February 5, equivalent to releasing one trillion yuan, roughly $140 billion, into the capital market.

In response, Chinas stock markets rallied Tuesday, with the largest one-day gain in two years, after officials talked up additional support for markets.

Bloomberg estimates that over the past three years, markets in China and Hong Kong have lost about $6.3 trillion in value since peaks in 2021.

The People's Bank of China says the total value of Chinese stocks and bonds held by foreign investors from the end of 2021 until June 2023 dropped from 8 trillion yuan, roughly $1.124 trillion USD, to 6.6 trillion yuan, about $928 billion USD, a net outflow of 18%.

Foreign investors have also reportedly sold tens of billions of dollars in China's stocks every month in the past six months.

Lun said that if Beijing really wants to pull the market out of the swamp, more substantial rescue measures must be taken.

Bloomberg in January reported Chinese authorities were considering a 2 trillion yuan, roughly $281 billion, stabilization fund to rescue equity markets. VOA could not independently confirm such a plan was being considered.

"If Beijing really announces the 2 trillion yuan stabilization fund bailout, the stock market will definitely revive for some time, says Lun. But the local economy and domestic demand must [also] be stimulated. The two must be done at the same time. Otherwise, it would be like setting off fireworks, he says. They would disappear eventually."

Christopher Balding, founder of U.S.-based research group New Kite Data Labs and a former professor at Peking Universitys HSBC Business School, says usually when the central government sets the tone, companies and the Chinese people will obediently follow it, whether it is the housing market or the stock market.

But lately, he says, Beijings repeated announcements of measures to stabilize the markets have failed to move investors, indicating that the government "has lost all credibility." And China's stock market slump may benefit markets elsewhere, he added.

"As the Chinese stock market has gone down, Chinese investors have tried to get into foreign indexes, he says. So the more the Chinese market goes down, the more it might help the U.S. or the Tokyo or other markets."

Balding says the central government's rescue measures have so far been "empty, lacking tangible and concrete policy" while the capital injection is only a drop in the bucket of the total market value.

Meanwhile, he says the connection between China's stock markets and global stock markets has been significantly reduced, so Chinas market crash is unlikely to systemically affect global stocks unless individual markets or listed companies have a certain degree of exposure to China.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told the CBS program 60 Minutes on February 1, "As long as what happens in China doesn't lead to significant disruptions in the economy or the financial system, then the implications for the United States  we may feel them a bit, but they shouldn't be that large."

After the news of Yi's removal Wednesday, Reuters reported the FTSE China A50 Index Futures rose by a slight 0.2%, as of 1027 GMT, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng futures showed little change.



Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report.
China-linked hackers targeting key sectors of the U.S. economy appear to have been hiding in key computer systems and networks for at least five years, according to a new warning from the United States and key allies, who urge companies to take urgent action to mitigate the risk.

The cybersecurity advisory issued Wednesday by multiple U.S. agencies, including the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), states that a cyberthreat group known as Volt Typhoon has been "positioning itself to launch destructive cyberattacks that would jeopardize the physical safety of Americans."

In particular, the advisory warns that China-linked Volt Typhoon hackers have successfully infiltrated the computer networks of private companies linked to critical sectors of the U.S. economy, including communications, energy, water and wastewater, and transportation.

The advisory further warns that Volt Typhoon hackers have been "maintaining access and footholds within some victim IT environments for at least five years." And CISA acknowledged the penetrations may be more extensive than is currently known.

Officials said other industries, including construction, information technology and education are also being targeted.

"What we've found to date is likely the tip of the iceberg," CISA Director Jen Easterly said in a statement. "CISA teams have found and eradicated Volt Typhoon intrusions into critical infrastructure across multiple sectors."

In addition to the FBI and CISA, the advisory  and its findings  were endorsed by the U.S. National Security Agency, as well as cyber officials from Canada, Australia and New Zealand, who said that their own critical infrastructure could also be at risk.

One CISA official called the advisory "a stark warning to critical infrastructure organizations."

"The information that we are releasing with this advisory is reflecting a strategic shift in PRC [People's Republic of China] malicious cyber activity from a focus on espionage and IT theft," said Eric Goldstein, CISA executive assistant director for cybersecurity.

"Our evidence strongly suggests that these PRC actors are positioning to launch future disruptive or destructive cyberattacks that could cause impact to national security, economic security or public health and safety," he told reporters, adding he expects the number of victims to grow.

Goldstein and other U.S. officials said that so far, there are no indications that hackers with Volt Typhoon have attempted to launch any sort of disruptive attacks on critical infrastructure. But they also said the way the Chinese-linked cyber actors infiltrated critical networks means it is likely just a matter of time.

"This stealthy access increases our concern that they are lurking, waiting for the right moment to cause devastating impacts," said FBI Deputy Assistant Director Cynthia Kaiser.

Kaiser also warned that Volt Typhoon "is certainly not the only Chinese group conducting this type of activity."

She said the FBI has identified additional threats by using surveillance capabilities authorized under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, a controversial law that allows the FBI and U.S. intelligence agencies to gather electronic data of non-Americans without first obtaining a warrant.

"In fact, we only know about many critical infrastructure entities compromised by the Chinese because of FBI FISA 702 collection," she said.

The latest warning comes just a week after top U.S. law enforcement and cyber officials told lawmakers that they are bracing for a "cyber onslaught" from China.

"The risk that poses to every American requires our attention  now," FBI Director Christopher Wray told the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party last Wednesday. "China's hackers are positioning on American infrastructure in preparation to wreak havoc and cause real-world harm to American citizens and communities, if or when China decides the time has come to strike."

China has repeatedly denied such allegations.

"The Chinese government has been categorical in opposing hacking attacks and the abuse of information technology," Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, told VOA via email after last week's hearing. "We urge the U.S. side to stop making irresponsible criticism against other countries on the issue of cyber-security."

But officials in Washington have been steadfast in their warnings, saying they believe Beijing would have few reservations about carrying out an attack on U.S. critical infrastructure in the event of a conflict.

Specifically, they cite the possibility of such attacks in the event China decides to invade Taiwan as a way to damage Washington's ability to provide military assistance.

The just-released U.S. cybersecurity advisory urges companies to fix security vulnerabilities that could allow hackers, like those with Volt Typhoon, to infiltrate and hide  a tactic known as "living off the land."

It also encourages companies to search their systems in case hackers have already broken through.

But officials admit there are significant challenges, pointing to a just-disrupted Volt Typhoon malware campaign, which targeted common computer routers used by homes and small businesses across the United States to access critical infrastructure.

"These devices were no longer patched by the manufacturers, making them vulnerable," said the FBI's Kaiser. "That's why the FBI recommends that network owners remove and replace any end-of-life devices to minimize the risk of the device being compromised again by Volt Typhoon or other malicious cyber actors."
On February 7, the government cybersecurity and intelligence agencies of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand said the Chinese government has for years been carrying out cyber operations, with state hackers seeking to pre-position themselves on IT networks for disruptive or destructive cyberattacks against their nations critical infrastructure.



On February 5, the Philippine government said it had warded off cyberattacks from China targeting the websites and email systems of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and various government agencies.



A government spokesperson told local media that they are not attributing hacking activities to any specific state but have traced the attack to an undisclosed location in China.



On February 6, Dutch intelligence agencies disclosed that Chinese state-backed cyber spies gained access to a Dutch military network in 2023. It is the first time the Netherlands has publicly attributed cyber espionage to China.

In response, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines and the Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands dismissed the accusations in identically worded statements:



The Chinese government ... allows no country or individual to engage in cyberattacks and other illegal activities on Chinese soil or using Chinese infrastructure.



That is false.



China has a documented history of malicious and espionage cyberattacks around the world, most of which are linked to Chinese government actors.

The most notorious Chinese state cyber actors include:



Volt Typhoon

(Aka: Vanguard Panda, BRONZE SILHOUETTE, Dev-0391, UNC3236, Voltzite, Insidious Taurus)



In May 2023, Microsoft detected and identified Volt Typhoon as a Chinese state-sponsored actor. Volt Typhoon has been active since mid-2021 targeting the United States critical infrastructure. [T]he affected organizations span the communications, manufacturing, utility, transportation, construction, maritime, government, information technology and education sectors, Microsoft said.



The cybersecurity company CrowdStrike traced Volt Typhoons activities in the U.S. back to at least mid-2020 and said one of the groups tradecraft tactics was masquerading as a legitimate IT help desk software. This allowed the Chinese hackers to conduct advanced intrusions and stay undetected.



Microsoft also reported that Volt Typhoons stealthy activities included the use of a sophisticated technique known as living off the land, by which the invaders leave no traces of their presence on the disks and are nearly invisible to antivirus systems.



Volt Typhoons choice of targets and pattern of behavior is not consistent with traditional cyber espionage or intelligence gathering operations, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, said in a February 7 public cybersecurity advisory.



The U.S. authoring agencies are concerned about the potential for these actors to use their network access for disruptive effects in the event of potential geopolitical tensions and/or military conflicts, the CISA advisory said.



STORM-0558



Ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinkens trip to Beijing in June 2023, state-backed Chinese hackers dubbed Storm-0558 hacked the email accounts of U.S. government officials at multiple U.S. agencies that deal with China.



The Washington Post reported that the hacked officials included Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, whose agency is in charge of imposing export controls on foreign markets. The United States currently maintains a sweeping set of export controls aimed at limiting the transfer of advanced computing and semiconductor manufacturing items to China.



Microsoft later admitted that the Chinese hackers used a stolen Microsoft account consumer signing key to forge authentication tokens for Outlook Web Access and Outlook.com. The attackers also exploited a token validation issue to impersonate Azure Active Directory users and gain access to their email.



Storm-0558 maintained access to email accounts of about 25 organizations, including government agencies, since mid-May, the report said.

APT 41

(Aka: Amoeba, BARIUM, BRONZE ATLAS, BRONZE EXPORT, Blackfly, Brass Typhoon, Earth Baku, G0044, G0096, Grayfly, HOODOO, LEAD, Red Kelpie, TA415, WICKED PANDA, WICKED SPIDER)



APT 41 is the most notorious hacker group identified as part of the Chinese Communist Party cyber espionage apparatus, whose members often pose as rogue actors. Cybersecurity watchdogs trace the groups activities back to at least 2012.



Its favorite tactics include spear phishing, water holes, supply chain attacks and backdoors, the U.S. Office of Information Security said in a September 2022 report detailing the groups recent activities, which reach across at least 14 countries.



In 2019, the cybersecurity company FireEye Threat Intelligence assessed with high confidence that APT41 is a Chinese state-sponsored espionage group that is also conducting financially motivated activity for personal gain."



The group has established and maintained strategic access to organizations in the health care, high-tech and telecommunications sectors, the report said.



In 2020, the U.S. Justice Department brought charges against five Chinese nationals and two Malaysians with connections to APT 41, for hacking into more than 100 companies across the world to steal proprietary source code, customer data and other valuable business information.

According to the FBI arrest warrant for five members of APT 41, the group had conducted illegal cyber activities in Australia, Brazil, Germany, India, Japan and Sweden, the United States, Australia, China (Tibet), Chile, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.
Hungarys prime minister, Viktor Orban, has long been a thorn in the European Unions side, his many critics say, with attacks on press freedom, judicial independence, immigration and the LBGTQ community among others flouting the EUs rule of law and democratic values.

Orban has a friendly relationship with Russian and Chinese leaders  even as ties between Brussels and Moscow are in a deep freeze, and those with China are tense. Time and again, Hungarys 60-year leader has obstructed or watered down a raft of EU sanctions against Russia, along with the blocs support for Ukraine.

But last week, Orban backed down, voting in favor of a $54 billion aid package for Ukraine, after what was reportedly extensive pressure and lobbying by the EUs other 26 members. Still uncertain is whether the rare victory was a one-off, or will embolden the blocs leaders to keep their black sheep counterpart in line. Analysts say a tough approach is needed, as the EU faces new threats ahead of European Parliament and U.S. elections this year.

I fear the EU member states drew the wrong lesson from this case, said Daniel Hegedus, senior fellow for the German Marshall Fund policy institute, referring to the blocs win on Ukraine aid. The widespread interpretation within EU capitals would be that at the end of the day Orban gives in, that its possible to forge a compromise with the Hungarian government.

Rather than negotiating with Orban to reach bad compromises, Hegedus added, the message should be clear [that] hes just one step away from the red line. And if he crosses it, there will be far-reaching consequences.

Right now, Hungarys leader shows few signs of marching in lockstep with his mainstream EU counterparts. On Monday, his right-wing Fidesz party boycotted a Hungarian parliamentary session called to ratify EU member Swedens NATO bid.

On Wednesday, the European Commission, the EUs executive arm, announced it was beginning legal action against Hungary over new sovereignty legislation that critics see as a threat to political opponents and others  and which Brussels says violates the blocs democratic principles.

Over the years, the EU has fined and withheld funds from Hungary over similar concerns, with mixed success. Critics say Orban has been adept in securing concessions from the EU, in what the bluntest describe as blackmail.

Those talents have helped keep Hungarys prime minister popular at home. Meanwhile, EU membership allows the small, central European country to hit well above its political weight, striking investment deals with major powers like China.

Isolated - for now

Yet today, Orban is more isolated than ever within the bloc, many say. His ideological ally, Polands populist and conservative Law and Justice party, lost October elections to a pro-EU opposition party. Unlike Orban, however, Law and Justice was staunchly anti-Russia.

Two other EU nationalist leaders  Italys prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, and Slovakias prime minister, Robert Fico  both voted in favor of the Ukraine aid package last week.

Fico is not a follower of Orban when it comes to, for example, foreign policy, says Zsuzsanna Vegh, a central Europe analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations research group, referring to the Slovak prime minister who has been seen as pro-Russian. He has other considerations.

For her part, Meloni strongly supports both Ukraine and NATO.

Vegh and other analysts believe Hungarys leader is looking ahead  setting his sights on European Union parliamentary elections in June, and a U.S. presidential vote in November, when allies could come into power.

Polls suggest right-wing, populist parties in Germany, France and elsewhere could score strongly in the EU legislative vote, which could influence the blocs foreign policy, including on Russia.

Obviously, the new European Parliament will be less left-leaning and liberal minded, less progressive, the German Marshall Funds Hegedus said. The nationalist conservative forces will have a much larger representation.

The European Commission is also set for renewal. The new right-wing governments in Europe  able to pick European commissioners  will help shape its makeup.

Orban also hopes former President Donald Trump, a NATO skeptic, will score a second term in office, many say.

Prime Minister Orban can allow himself to play the long game, Hegedus said. And sit out uncomfortable periods, waiting for the better times when allies are coming into power in the European parliament and the United States  when the environment will be much more favorable for him.

Tougher response needed

Against this backdrop, he and others believe, mainstream Europe needs to toughen its response.

None of us really knows why Orban is being such a disruptive, anti-EU, anti-Ukraine, anti-democratic force inside the EU, said Judy Dempsey, senior fellow at Carnegie Europe.

Its puzzling. But whats also puzzling is why [member states] didnt take on these questions earlier on.

There was a lack of strategy, a lack of courage, she added, and just a lack of consensus to say to a member state, Sign up to our values and democratic institutions  take them or leave them.

Beyond withholding funds, the EU has a last resort nuclear option that suspends voting rights of a member state, but only through a unanimous vote.

It would be a very messy process, we know that Slovakia would block it, fearing it could be vulnerable as well, said analyst Vegh. But theres a growing realization the situation is not sustainable.

She believes the EU should stay tough with Hungary, as it was last week on Ukraine aid, and consider ways to shift to majority  rather than unanimous  voting on foreign policy matters. But the only way to really handle Orban, she believes, is through the ballot box.

Ultimately, its up to Hungarians to change their government, Vegh said. As long as Orban is in power, the EU can expect the behavior hes displayed for over a decade.
Hungary has rejected criticism of its new sovereignty protection law after the European Union instigated legal action against Budapest on Wednesday over concerns the legislation breaches basic democratic rights.

Hungary passed the Defense of National Sovereignty Act in December 2023, creating a new investigative body with sweeping powers to gather information on any groups or individuals that receive foreign funding and influence public debate. Hungary's intelligence services can assist in investigations with little or no judicial oversight.

The legislation says that "the use of foreign funds in the context of elections should be punishable under criminal law" with a penalty of up to three years in jail.

Critics say the law could potentially target a broad range of people in public life.

"We have very vague provisions about a potential threat to sovereignty coming from foreign funding which might affect the voters in Hungary. So, we're using very broad definitions here," Barbara Grabowska-Moroz, senior fellow at Central European University's Democracy Institute, said in an interview with VOA.

EU criticism

The European Union, which has repeatedly criticized what it sees as democratic backsliding in Hungary in recent years, announced Wednesday it had launched infringement proceedings against Budapest.

"The [EU] Commission considers that the laws violate EU law, in particular when it comes to the principle of democracy and the electoral rights of the EU citizens, the fundamental rights enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, the EU Data Protection Law and several rules applicable to the internal market," EU spokesperson Anitta Hipper told reporters in Brussels.

"In addition, the setup of a new authority with the wide-ranging powers, and a strict regime of monitoring enforcement and sanctioning, also risks to seriously harm the democracy in Hungary. In terms of the process, Hungary has now two months to reply to the letter of formal notice," Hipper said.

Hungary repeatedly refused VOA requests for an interview.

Writing on X, government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs said the law was introduced after Hungarian opposition parties took foreign funding during the 2022 election, including from Hungarian-born U.S. financier George Soros, a frequent target of the ruling Fidesz Party. Opposition parties deny acting illegally.

The law states that "Hungary's sovereignty is increasingly under unlawful attack. ... In order to ensure democratic debate, transparency in public and social decision-making processes, disclosure of foreign interference attempts and the prevention of such attempts, an independent body should be set up to investigate them, and the use of foreign funds in the context of elections should be punishable under criminal law."

Critics have compared the legislation to Russia's foreign agents law, which has forced out several nongovernmental organizations and shuttered civil society.

Consolidating power

The new investigative body is another tool for the government to consolidate its grip on power, according to journalist Andras Petho, founder of the Direkt36 investigative journalism center, one of the few independent journalism organizations left in Hungary.

"Its responsibilities and its role is very vague. Basically, it can look into the activities of anyone  it can be private individuals, it can be organizations, the media, it can be civil society organizations. So, it's very vague. That's why we and a lot of other people think that it's dangerous for the public discourse," Petho told VOA.

"The government has been building this story, this narrative, for years now, that Hungary  by which they mean themselves  they are under attack from foreign interests, forces. And basically, anyone who criticizes them, or anyone who is not actually serving their interests, is part of that foreign operation," he said.

Miklos Ligeti, head of legal affairs at Transparency International in Budapest, said the new law could target organizations like his.

"We believe that the new regulation  the whole sovereignty package  was designed to put further constraints on operations and activities of those civil society organizations which are successfully embarrassing the government," he said.
Muscatine, Iowa, High School student Cole Loos had never traveled beyond the United States when the question put before him in January was, Would you like to go to China?

I was lucky I had my passport to go, Loos explained to VOA.

The invitation, he learned, wasnt for a date in the distant future. If he and 24 other students from his high school were to make the trip, they had less than 10 days to commit and prepare to fly.

It was very spontaneous, Loos said.

Spontaneous, but by no means an accident.

In 1985, Sarah Lande hosted a group from China visiting Muscatine for several days on an agricultural research tour of the United States. One of the participants was Xi Jinping, now president of the Peoples Republic of China. Then, Xi was party committee secretary of Zhengding County, Hebei Province. Lande helped organize his stay in Muscatine.

Good things happen when you are a good friend to people, I guess, Lande said during a recent interview in her Muscatine home, where in 2012, Xi  by then vice president of China  returned to visit his old friends from Iowa.

"Old friend" is a common phrase Chinas communist party uses as a tribute to foreigners considered helpful to their interests. Its also an expression of nostalgia for longtime companions or acquaintances.

During Xis 2012 reunion with the old friends he met during his first trip to the U.S., they spent an evening in front of a warm fire in Landes living room remembering their eventful visit some 30 years earlier.

Then last November, Lande was invited to a dinner on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. In his remarks at the event, Xi expressed his desire to welcome thousands of American students to China, prompting Lande to follow up with a letter to her old friend.

And I got a reply to that letter, she explained.

So, Lande took the opportunity to advocate for Muscatine.

I hope Muscatine could be a part of this. So, that probably was the incentive for this invite, she said.

In January, the China Daily reported that Xi was extending a personal invitation for students and staff from Muscatine High School to come to China.

The invitation came with few strings attached to the all-expenses paid trip. They spent eight days visiting with local students, touring the Great Wall of China and other landmarks and cities, and participated in a conference for students learning the Mandarin language.

The trip comes amid increased tensions between the United States and China in the wake of tariffs imposed on the communist country during the Trump administration; the overflight of a Chinese observation balloon across the United States in early 2023; Chinas warming relations with Russias Vladimir Putin amid the ongoing war in Ukraine; and the countrys ongoing human rights abuses of the predominately Muslim Uyghur minority in Chinas western territories.

Both of our countries, you could say, are trying to be number one, Lande says. I think our challenge is to grow a curiosity and understanding and find ways to work together."

She believes trips and culture exchanges build bridges and encourage dialogue that could lead to change.

I hope if there are ways that we find that China is really transgressing, we can at least bring that up, so it will not lead to conflict, she said.

Loos said it was hard to find any sign of U.S.- China tensions during their trip.

You felt very special over there, said Loos, who is in his second year of Mandarin language studies at Muscatine High School.

Actually, I'm very, very proud of them. Seems like they grew super-fast in a few days, said Heidi Kuo, Loos Mandarin teacher.

Kuo is originally from Taiwan and accompanied the students on the trip. Of the many lessons they learned, she hopes one stands out.

The world is super big, not only us here, she said.

Ann Edkin grew up in Muscatine, which has a population of about 23,000 and is situated along the banks of the Mississippi River. She now teaches physical education at Muscatine High School and was one of four staff members who made the trip to China.

She thinks the connection between her small town and Chinas leader is a baffling but welcome relationship.

The fact that he came here, thats cool, she told VOA. But to have that ongoing relationship, its not just a blip, but a continuing relationship that makes it so unique and special.

As more students prepare for more trips to China, Landes next goal is to encourage her old friend to return to Muscatine, which she thinks is a perfect location for a future summit with U.S. President Joe Biden.

Were open, she said. Xi Jinping is open. He might be willing to come here. I think Biden would. Muscatine would welcome it!

A potential venue could be the Muscatine home where Xi stayed in 1985, now preserved as a museum  mostly visited by Chinese tourists.
Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian will travel to Lebanon and Syria to discuss various regional issues, Iranian and Syrian media reported on Thursday.

Iranian media said he would be in Lebanon on Friday. Syrian daily Al-Watan, which is close to the government, said Amirabdollahian would be in Damascus "early next week" for a visit with senior officials.

Al-Watan said the foreign minister would discuss current developments, including Israeli attacks on Syria and the ongoing war in Gaza, and that he would travel onward to Qatar.

Sources told Reuters last week that Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps had pulled back some of its officers from Syria following a string of Israeli strikes there that had killed senior commanders.

Iran's ambassador to Syria Hossein Akbari said in remarks on Thursday that Iran remained "present in Syria."

"We will not take any step without coordination with the government. And wherever the Syrian side asks us, we will be present. We are present in Syria with the same force, and we have never withdrawn," Akbari said.

The Guard has suffered one of its most bruising spells in Syria since arriving a decade ago to aid President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian civil war. Since December, Israeli strikes have killed more than half a dozen of its members, among them one of the Guard's top intelligence generals.
Former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlons announcement on Tuesday that he interviewed Russian President Vladimir Putin has been met with disapproval from an array of journalists, some of whom say the Kremlin may use the interview for propaganda purposes.

In a video posted on the social media platform X, Carlson said he wanted to interview the longtime Russian leader because Americans have a right to know all they can about a war they are implicated in.

In mid-March, Russia is set to hold presidential elections, which Putin is all but guaranteed to win. Putin likely agreed to the interview with Carlson because he thinks it will help his campaign, according to Mikhail Rubin, deputy editor-in-chief of the Russian investigative outlet Proekt Media.

Carlson needs to understand that hes a part of the presidential election campaign, and hes going to help [Putin], unfortunately, Rubin told VOA.

Rubin added that Carlsons interview is likely to be used to paint Moscow in a positive light.

The most important is to show that Putin is open and that American journalists can work inside Russia because Russia is an open and free country, Rubin said.

But that narrative is plainly false, said Rubin, who fled the country in 2021 for safety reasons.

If I go to Russia, as far as I understand, I will be arrested the next day, said Rubin, who is now based in Washington. Im not sure that I will ever see my father again.

Other Russian journalists shared similar critiques on social media.

I am like hundreds of Russian journalists who have had to go into exile to keep reporting about the Kremlins war against Ukraine. The alternative was to go to jail, said Russian journalist Yevgenia Albats on X. Meanwhile, Carlson was shooting from the $1,000 Ritz suite in Moscow, she said.

Carlson also drew criticism for appearing to ignore the poor state of press freedom in Russia, which has led to the arrests of scores of reporters inside the country and forced many others into exile.

Quite something to complain about how not enough American journalists are reporting on the Russian side of Putins invasion of Ukraine when two of them  Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva  are in jail right now for doing just that, Max Seddon, Moscow bureau chief for the Financial Times, said in a post on X.

The Wall Street Journals Gershkovich was arrested in March 2023 on espionage charges that he, his employer and the U.S. government vehemently deny.

Kurmasheva, an editor at VOAs sister outlet Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, was jailed in October 2023 and is facing charges for failing to register as a foreign agent and spreading false information about the Russian military. She and her employer reject the charges.

Besides Kurmasheva and Gershkovich, at least 20 other journalists were jailed in Russia as of the end of 2023, according to data from the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the interview was recorded on Tuesday.

The interview will likely be published Thursday, according to the Wall Street Journal. Carlson said it will be uploaded live and unedited to X, where he launched a show after he was abruptly fired from the conservative channel Fox News last year.



The right-wing television personality hosted a prime-time show on Fox News from 2016 until his firing in 2023. Carlsons departure came shortly after Fox News agreed to pay over $787 million to Dominion Voting Systems to settle a defamation lawsuit over false election claims, many of which Carlson himself propagated.

The Tucker Carlson Network did not immediately reply to VOAs email requesting comment.

After accusing U.S. media of fawning pep session interviews with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Carlson went on to claim that not a single Western journalist has bothered to interview the president of the other country in this conflict, Vladimir Putin.

Journalists took to social media to criticize that claim, as well.

Does Tucker really think we journalists havent been trying to interview President Putin every day since his full-scale invasion of Ukraine? CNNs Christiane Amanpour said in a post on X. Its absurd  well continue to ask for an interview, just as we have for years now.

Even the Kremlin fact-checked that claim from Carlson.

No, Mr. Carlson is wrong. In fact, he cannot know this, Peskov, the spokesperson, said, adding that the Kremlin receives many requests for interviews with Putin.
Meta on Thursday said it had removed the Facebook and Instagram accounts of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for violating its content policy.

"We have removed these accounts for repeatedly violating our Dangerous Organizations and Individuals policy," a Meta spokesperson told AFP.

Though Meta did not mention the Israel-Hamas war, the company has been under pressure to ban the leader ever since the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel.

After the attack, Khamenei supported the bloody rampage by Hamas but denied any Iranian involvement.

He has also publicly supported Palestinian retaliation against Israel's bombardment of Gaza, as well as attacks on shipping in the Red Sea by Yemen's Houthi rebels.

Khamenei, in power in Iran for 35 years, has 5 million followers on Instagram.

"In an effort to prevent and disrupt real-world harm, we do not allow organizations or individuals that proclaim a violent mission or are engaged in violence to have a presence on our platforms," says the policy on which Meta based its decision.

It also says it will "remove glorification, support and representation of various dangerous organizations and individuals."

Hamas is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States.

Instagram and Facebook are banned in Iran, but Iranians use virtual private networks, or VPNs, to evade restrictions and access prohibited websites or apps, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Thousands of migrants rescued in international waters by Italy can be sent to Albania, Albanias Constitutional Court announced Wednesday.

Albanias parliament will vote Thursday on an agreement reached in November between Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

If the deal passes, the migrants will wait in a former Albanian navy port in Shengjin on the northern Adriatic seacoast while their Italian asylum applications are processed. From there, migrants will be taken inland to Gjader, where they will be accommodated and supported by a staff of Italian personnel, ensuring Italy maintains its legal responsibility for their well-being.

This deal is the first instance of a non-European Union country accepting migrants for a member of the EU. The European Commission in Brussels announced that the Italian-Albanian program complies with EU law. It is part of an EU-wide campaign to mitigate irregular immigration, which it argues has increased the popularity of far-right beliefs.

These developments come with concerns from human rights groups and some international leaders about living conditions, the potential for arbitrary detention and putting undue stress on migrants. The lengthy process of asylum procedures and appeals could be more difficult with migrants living in another country.

Organizations such as Amnesty International and the International Rescue Committee voiced their opposition to the deal, stating that it would push "people onto ever more dangerous routes in search of safety."

The International Organization for Migration has reported that nearly 100 people have died or disappeared in the Central and Eastern Mediterranean since the beginning of 2024, which is twice the recorded amount this time last year.

The deal would span five years during which Albania would shelter up to 3,000 migrants at a time.

Rama expressed gratitude to Italy, referencing Albanians who sought refuge there after the collapse of communism in the 1990 and "escaped hell and imagined a better life."

With Ramas left-wing party holding the majority of parliaments seats, the deal is expected to pass. It has sparked comparisons to Britains plan to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda in East Africa, which was declared unlawful in November by the United Kingdoms Supreme Court.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press and Reuters.
If we want to find a stock that could multiply over the long term, what are the underlying trends we should look for? Amongst other things, we'll want to see two things; firstly, a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and secondly, an expansion in the company's amount of capital employed. Ultimately, this demonstrates that it's a business that is reinvesting profits at increasing rates of return. However, after briefly looking over the numbers, we don't think Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings (NYSE:CCO) has the makings of a multi-bagger going forward, but let's have a look at why that may be.

What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)?

If you haven't worked with ROCE before, it measures the 'return' (pre-tax profit) a company generates from capital employed in its business. To calculate this metric for Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, this is the formula:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.062 = US$222m  (US$4.6b - US$1.0b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to September 2023).

Thus, Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings has an ROCE of 6.2%. In absolute terms, that's a low return and it also under-performs the Media industry average of 8.2%.

See our latest analysis for Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings

roce

Above you can see how the current ROCE for Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you'd like, you can check out the forecasts from the analysts covering Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings here for free.

The Trend Of ROCE

There hasn't been much to report for Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings' returns and its level of capital employed because both metrics have been steady for the past five years. It's not uncommon to see this when looking at a mature and stable business that isn't re-investing its earnings because it has likely passed that phase of the business cycle. With that in mind, unless investment picks up again in the future, we wouldn't expect Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings to be a multi-bagger going forward.

Story continues

The Bottom Line On Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings' ROCE

In a nutshell, Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings has been trudging along with the same returns from the same amount of capital over the last five years. And investors appear hesitant that the trends will pick up because the stock has fallen 68% in the last five years. In any case, the stock doesn't have these traits of a multi-bagger discussed above, so if that's what you're looking for, we think you'd have more luck elsewhere.

If you'd like to know more about Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, we've spotted 2 warning signs, and 1 of them is potentially serious.

If you want to search for solid companies with great earnings, check out this free list of companies with good balance sheets and impressive returns on equity.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Growing apprehension is palpable in Bangladesh as the civil war in neighboring Myanmar inches closer to its border, with two deaths reported Tuesday when stray shells from Myanmar landed in a village in the hilly Bandarban District.

Aware of the rising threat, Bangladesh placed security forces on high alert along its 270-mile frontier with Myanmar's restive Rakhine state, with particular focus on the Naf River that serves as a natural boundary.

Historically known as Arakan, Myanmar's Rakhine state was the site of a brutal military crackdown in 2017 that drove more than 1 million ethnic Rohingyas to seek refuge in Bangladesh. Initially welcoming them with open arms, Bangladesh has since grown restless over their prolonged presence.

"Bangladesh shares a small border but a big issue with Myanmar," said Touhid Hossain, former foreign secretary of Bangladesh, describing the challenges of repatriation.

Although Myanmar's ruling military junta has agreed to take back the displaced Rohingyas, it has not agreed to grant them citizenship, while many of the Rohingya themselves refuse to return to life under a military junta they distrust.

A grim picture

Reports from the sprawling Rohingya camps in coastal Cox's Bazar, the southernmost district of Bangladesh, paint a grim picture of the nearby conflict. The sounds of gunfire and explosions in Rakhine resonate within the makeshift shelters, underscoring the reality of the situation.

The Arakan Army, a predominantly non-Rohingya rebel group fighting for an autonomous Rakhine state, launched a significant offensive last October, coordinating with other ethnic armed groups to place immense pressure on Myanmar's ruling military, known as the Tatmadaw. Reports suggest the Tatmadaw has retaliated with artillery bombardments, causing civilian casualties, including Rohingyas in Rakhine.

The death of villagers caused by stray shelling has increased domestic pressure on the Bangladesh government. Myanmar's ambassador in Dhaka was summoned on Tuesday to hear a "strong protest," Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters.

The Associated Press reported Monday that more than 100 members of Myanmar's border police force, many of them wounded, have taken refuge in Bangladesh, while regional news outlets put the number at more than 225.

Concerns conflict will spread

The primary concern in Dhaka, however, is that the conflict may spill over into Bangladesh itself.

Despite these fears, some observers call it unlikely.

"There is no chance of the fighting spilling over into Bangladesh," stated Mohammad Emdadul Islam, a retired army major who headed Bangladesh's consulate in Sittwe, Rakhine's capital, during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He argued that the Arakan Army would likely retreat north to Chin state and then onward to Kachin, avoiding direct confrontation with Bangladesh.

Former Secretary Hossain added that armed groups and any new influx of refugees would no longer be welcome in Bangladesh, which has grappled with displaced Rohingyas three times in four decades, most recently in 2017.

The scale and duration of the latest crisis, however, far exceeds previous scenarios. In 1979 and 1992, some quarter-million Rohingya refugees were repatriated within a year of arrival. Since 2017, Dhaka's diplomatic efforts have been stalled by the absence of safety guarantees and denials of citizenship, while broad international condemnation of Myanmar's military as perpetrators of genocide has failed to soften the junta's stance.

Even Dhaka's efforts to have China broker a deal with the Tatmadaw have yet to produce results.

But Islam, who has experience working with Myanmar's military, said the southeast Asian country's history of self-sufficiency and its insular outlook make it unusually resistant to international pressure, regardless of China's stance.

Against this backdrop, observers like Hossain in Dhaka see the recent escalation in fighting as a potential opportunity for change.

"Bangladesh has nothing to gain from the status quo," said Hossain, emphasizing the need for progress in negotiations.

Others, such as Dhaka-based international affairs researcher Md Himel Rahman, view the situation with trepidation.

"If the [Arakan Army] wins this war, Bangladesh will share borders with an unrecognized statelet," he wrote in The Diplomat. "If the [Arakan Army] loses this war, Bangladesh could witness an influx of disguised [Arakan Army] fighters into its territory."

Hossain, however, remains hopeful that negotiations involving the pro-democracy National Unity Government (NUG), formed by elements of the ousted civilian government, could play a significant role in resolving the crisis. He also sees the Arakan Army as a potential key player in the process.

On the eve of the coup's third anniversary, the NUG has reiterated its commitment to ending the military's political rule and transitioning the country back to civilian governance through negotiations. That potentially leaves the door open for talks, provided Myanmar's military accepts the NUG's political objectives.

Hossain believes that both the NUG and the Arakan Army could be pivotal in resolving the Rohingya crisis, pointing out that the NUG has already recognized the Rohingyas as citizens and promised them security and rights. He calls for Bangladesh to establish an informal channel of communication with the groups.

Islam, on the other hand, remains skeptical that the fighting bodes well for Bangladesh. He believes the Tatmadaw's policy toward Bangladesh is driven by deeply rooted concerns that a massive influx of Bangladeshi migrants  including the displaced Rohingya whom they often demean as "illegal Bengalis"  will return to Rakhine. (The Rohingya are a Muslim minority seen by many Myanmar Buddhists as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, a contentious claim that lacks strong historical evidence.)

Further complicating Dhaka's management of the crisis  the geopolitical rivalry between India and China.

Beijing's $7.3 billion Bay of Bengal deep-sea port in Kyaukphyu on the Rakhine coast, which has been in development since 2010, is expected to give China strategic access to the Indian Ocean, allowing it to bypass the narrow Strait of Malacca through which some 80% of its oil imports now arrive from the Middle East.

Meanwhile, India's development of a port in Sittwe got underway in 2023. It is the first node of a $484 million project aimed at connecting greater India with its landlocked northeast through western Myanmar's Rakhine and Chin states, bypassing Bangladesh.

Amid those challenges, Bangladesh is left to manage a delicate balancing act while hoping for a resolution to the Rohingya crisis and a peaceful resolution to the conflict on its border with Myanmar.

This story originated in VOA's Bangla Service.
A new bill would permit Russian authorities to confiscate money, valuables and other assets from people convicted of inciting extremist activities and deliberately spreading false information to discredit the countrys military and hurt state security.

Following a quick approval from the lower house last week, the upper house of Russias parliament unanimously endorsed the bill Wednesday. President Vladimir Putin is expected to sign it into law.

Vyacheslav Volodin, the lower house speaker, said the measure would strengthen punishments for "traitors who sling mud at our country and our troops" and "strip those scoundrels of honorary titles, confiscate their assets, money and other valuables."

He also said that those found criticizing Moscow have betrayed their homeland.

A law passed following the onset of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, which sought to crack down on dissent and silence Putins critics, made discrediting the Russian military a criminal offense. This led to many Russians, including some activists and bloggers, being sentenced to long prison terms.

The Kremlin has said Russian society is firmly behind the military campaign in Ukraine. Simultaneously, it has intensified its suppression of dissent, targeting individuals who express opposition. Prominent critics of the Kremlin have been imprisoned or forced into exile.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly has voted to scrap all agreements with South Korea on promoting economic cooperation, the North's official KCNA news agency reported on Thursday, as the two Koreas' ties continue to deteriorate.

The assembly, which takes formal steps to adopt policy decisions of the ruling Workers' Party, also voted to abolish laws governing economic ties with Seoul, including the special law on the operation of the Mount Kumgang tourism project.

The tours to the scenic mountain just north of the eastern border were a symbol of economic cooperation that began during a period of engagement between the two Koreas in early 2000s, drawing nearly 2 million South Korean visitors.

The project was suspended in 2008 after a South Korean tourist who strayed into a restricted zone was shot and killed by North Korean guards.

Hyundai Asan, an affiliate of the Hyundai Group conglomerate which invested more than 750 billion won ($564 million) in developing the Kumgang project, declined to comment on the report.

South Korea's Unification Ministry, which handles ties with Pyongyang, said the North's action was not surprising and would only deepen its isolation. Seoul does not recognize the unilateral move, an official added.

The KCNA report did not mention the North's special law governing another major joint economic project, the Kaesong industrial zone, which at its peak housed the factories of 125 South Korean companies employing 55,000 North Korean workers.

The companies pulled out and the factory zone shuttered in 2016 when Seoul suspended the project after the North's fifth nuclear test and long-range ballistic missile launches.

In January, South Korea closed a state-run foundation that supported the development and operation of the Kaesong industrial zone, which at the time was considered a sign that Seoul viewed the project was unlikely to be revived.

'Not rational'

North Korea has said it considers the South as an enemy at war and last year scrapped a military pact signed in 2018 aimed at de-escalating tensions near the military border drawn up under a truce ending the 1950-53 Korean War.

In a pre-recorded interview with state TV KBS aired late Wednesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol called the shift in North Korea's inter-Korea policy "an extraordinary change" but said it was hard to understand the thinking behind the move.

"What hasn't changed is that the North has tried for more than 70 years to turn us into communists, and while doing that, it realized its conventional weapons were insufficient so they went onto nuclear development to threaten us," he said.

Yoon, who has taken a hard line against Pyongyang, said he remains open to engaging the North, even by holding a summit meeting with Kim, and provide aid if it would help its economy, but said the North Korean leadership is "not a rational group."

Since taking power in 2011, Kim has pushed the North to develop nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles even as its economy languished.

KCNA separately reported that Kim on Wednesday toured factories producing consumer goods and food, and gave guidance on modernizing the facilities as part of implementing a new regional development policy.
Pakistanis voted Thursday for provincial and national assemblies. This was only the 12th general election in the countrys 76-year history. VOAs Pakistan bureau chief Sarah Zaman spoke with voters in Lahore, who expressed a mix of disappointment and hope as the country reels from political and economic instability amid mistrust in the electoral process. Camera: Wajid Asad. Video editor: Ali Hashmi.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke on the phone Thursday, according to the Kremlin, reiterating their strong diplomatic ties while rejecting what they called "U.S. interference" in other countries' affairs.

The two also discussed creating a "multipolar, fairer world order," and how they would continue to maintain "close personal interaction" in the future, said Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov during a press briefing on Thursday.

Russia and China declared a no limits partnership two years ago during a visit by Putin to Beijing. That visit came just days before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. Ushakov said there were no plans now for any upcoming visits. The two leaders held in-person talks twice last year.

The phone call comes as both countries have faced sanctions in recent years. The U.S. and its allies have imposed sanctions on Beijing in connection with human rights abuses against the majority Muslim Uyghur population in Chinas Xinjiang province. Russia was sanctioned for its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The two spoke about their burgeoning economic ties with China-Russia relations being at "an unprecedentedly high level," said a Kremlin readout.

Chinese customs data show that trade between China and Russia reached $218.2 billion between January and November of 2023, meeting a goal that had originally been set for 2024, according to the Reuters news agency.

In addition to that, last year Russia passed Saudi Arabia as China's top crude oil supplier, highlighting their growing energy ties as other European countries find oil alternatives amid sanctions.

Ushakov said in the briefing that China and Russia are planning to continue joint energy projects this year. He added that Putin and Xi spoke about building "financial infrastructure that ensures reliability of payments." Both countries have increased trade using the Russian ruble and the Chinese yuan.

During the call, the two leaders discussed the war in Ukraine and growing conflict in the Middle East. According to Reuters, Ushakov said the two leaders see "eye-to-eye," on these conflicts, but that he did not elaborate.

Russia also supports China's Taiwan policies, said Ushakov.

Chinese state media issued similar comments, reporting that Xi told Putin the two countries should pursue close strategic communication to defend their sovereignty and security and oppose outside interference in their internal affairs.

Chinese state media also quoted Xi as saying, China and Russia had "weathered many storms together."

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
Zimbabwe's Cabinet decision to abolish the death penalty, announced on Wednesday, is being hailed by human rights advocates, but not all Zimbabweans are in favor of the move.

Amnesty International  one of the rights groups which has pushed for the abolition of capital punishment in Zimbabwe  welcomed the announcement this week by Harare.

"Zimbabwe has taken the right step towards ending this abhorrent and inhuman form of punishment that has no place in today's justice system," said Roselina Muzerengi, campaigns coordinator at Amnesty International in Zimbabwe. "Now that the Cabinet has given its nod, Parliament must ensure the death penalty is truly abolished by voting to pass legislation that will make this a reality. We are happy that the abolition debate is gaining momentum. So, as an organization, we are waiting to see the response by the Parliament of Zimbabwe."

In a message via WhatsApp, U.N. Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor, who reports and advises on the situation of human rights advocates, also expressed her support for the move.

"I am delighted that Zimbabwe has decided to abolish the death penalty. The death penalty is always wrong. It has never been shown to be a deterrent and many innocent people around the world have been executed," Lawlor said.

But not everyone is happy with the decision, given that Zimbabwe's crime rate is rising as the economy continues to decline.

A senator for the ruling Zanu-PF party, who asked not to be identified for fear of losing her position, said she is against abolition of the death penalty.

"As a people, as a nation, and are we not perpetuating wanton killing? Life is precious. Life imprisonment in itself is torture," she said. "We have a parole system, which is there in place, that can review some of these judgments [life imprisonment]. Peace and closure to the affected families can only be achieved if they know that the perpetrator is made the same fate as their relatives."

Zimbabwe's information minister, Jenfan Muswere, this week told reporters that the move to abolish the death penalty was made after countrywide consultations.

"The circumstances attracting death penalty options include where murder has been committed against a prison officer, police officer, a minor or a pregnant woman, or it is committed in the commission of other serious crimes. Or where there is pre-meditation," Muswere said. "In view of the need to retain the deterrent element in sentencing murderers, it is expected that the new law will impose lengthy sentences without violating the right to life."

Some Zimbabweans, such as Tinei Mukuri, want the death sentence to remain in the statute books.

"There are circumstances when it is really aggravated, it's gruesome, it's pure cruelty when someone kills someone. ... And then we say that person needs to be rehabilitated, spending the rest of his time in jail surviving on taxpayers' money, when the best would be just to also to face the same death that would have been inflicted on other people," Mukuri said.

Vincent Mazilankatha holds a similar view.

"It's very sad that our government decided to abolish death penalty when there is a rise of premeditated murder cases here in Zimbabwe," Mazilankatha said. "People are killing each other, people are killing some other people with impunity. Some of them are walking scot free.

Parliament is expected to take up legislation soon that officially bans the death penalty. The bill is expected to sail to approval, as the ruling Zanu-PF party now has a two-thirds majority, and President Emmerson Mnangawa supports abolishment.
Russian and Iranian government officials have not been invited to this year's Munich Security Conference, as they did not seem open to meaningful dialogue, according to the chairperson of the annual event.

The conference, attended by the world's defense and security elite and sometimes known as "Davos for defense," will take place in the southern German city on February 16-18.

The event will open days before the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and four months after the start of the Israel-Hamas war, which has deepened instability across the Middle East as Western nations battle Iran-backed groups in Iraq, Yemen and Syria.

Christoph Heusgen said Tuesday he hoped the meeting would discuss these conflicts as well as others that received less attention but were causing major humanitarian crises, such as the 10-month-old war in Sudan that has displaced millions.

U.S. and Chinese officials, for example, had spoken with one another for the first time in a long while at last year's event, which led to further engagement, he told Reuters.

"So we hope Munich offers the opportunity to make these small steps," said Heusgen, who was a longtime foreign policy adviser to former Chancellor Angela Merkel.

He also expected the attendance of high-ranking Chinese officials. Last year top diplomat Wang Yi attended the event.

Heusgen told German press agency DPA the Iranian and Russian governments had not been invited because they had not shown a serious interest in negotiations. However, Iranian and Russian non-governmental organizations had been invited, he said.

Heusgen, roundly condemned by Israel's ambassador to Germany for warning in October against an Israeli ground offensive in Gaza, said he expected high-ranking Israeli officials to attend.

Germany was in a dilemma on Israel, he said, as it was committed to the country's security but also disagreed with its current leadership on a number of issues and had therefore suspended bilateral government consultations.

Heusgen praised Germany's support for Ukraine, as the second biggest provider of military help to Kyiv. However it would need to have a discussion throughout society on the importance of higher defense spending and how to finance this, he said.
Antiwar politician Boris Nadezhdin was rejected Thursday as a candidate in next month's presidential balloting by Russian election authorities, a strong signal from the Kremlin that it would tolerate no public opposition to the invasion of Ukraine.

The move by the Central Election Commission provides an even smoother path for President Vladimir Putin to win a fifth term in power. He faces only token opposition from pro-Kremlin candidates in the March 15-17 vote and is all but certain to win, given his tight control of Russia's political system.

Nadezhdin, a local legislator in a town near Moscow, had needed to gather at least 100,000 signatures of supporters  a requirement that applies to candidates of political parties that are not represented in the Russian parliament.

The Central Election Commission declared that more than 9,000 signatures submitted by Nadezhdin's campaign were invalid, which was enough to disqualify him. Russia's election rules say potential candidates can have no more than 5% of their submitted signatures thrown out.

Nadezhdin, 60, has openly called for a halt to the war in Ukraine and for starting a dialogue with the West. Thousands of Russians lined up across the country last month to sign papers in support of his candidacy, an unusual show of opposition sympathies in the country's rigidly controlled political landscape.

Speaking to officials at the election commission on Thursday, Nadezhdin asked them to postpone their decision, but they declined. He said he would appeal his disqualification in court.

"It's not me standing here," Nadezhdin said. "Hundreds of thousands of Russian citizens who put their signatures down for me are behind me."

Putin is running as an independent candidate, and his campaign was required to gather at least 300,000 signatures in his support. He was swiftly allowed on the ballot earlier this year, with election officials disqualifying only 91 out of 315,000 that his campaign submitted.

Most of the opposition figures who might have challenged Putin have been either imprisoned or exiled abroad, and the vast majority of independent Russian media outlets have been banned.

Three other candidates registered to run were nominated by parties represented in parliament and weren't required to collect signatures: Nikolai Kharitonov of the Communist Party, Leonid Slutsky of the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party and Vladislav Davankov of the New People Party.

The three parties have been largely supportive of the Kremlin's policies. Kharitonov ran against Putin in 2004, finishing a distant second.

Exiled opposition activists threw their weight behind Nadezhdin last month, urging their supporters to sign his nomination petitions.

Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said the Kremlin doesn't view Nadezhdin as "a rival."

Nadezhdin urged his supporters not to give up despite the setback.

"One thing happened which many could not believe: citizens sensed the possibility of changes in Russia," he wrote in an online statement. "It was you who stood in long lines to declare to the whole world: 'Russia will be a great and a free country.' And I represented each of you today in the auditorium of the Central Election Commission."

Nadezhdin is the second antiwar hopeful to be denied a place on the ballot. In December, the election commission refused to certify the candidacy of Yekaterina Duntsova, citing problems such as spelling errors in her paperwork.

Duntsova, a journalist and a former legislator from the Tver region north of Moscow, had announced plans last year to challenge Putin. Promoting a vision of a Russia as "peaceful, friendly and ready to cooperate with everyone on the principle of respect," she said she wanted to end the fighting in Ukraine swiftly and for Moscow and Kyiv to come to the negotiating table.

Abbas Gallyamov, a former Putin speechwriter who became a political analyst, said the decision to keep Nadezhdin off the ballot showed how hollow the support for Putin was.

"All of Putin's mega-popularity, which official sociology constantly broadcasts, all that 'rally around the national leader' that Peskov regularly talks about is, in fact, a highly artificial and unstable structure that does not withstand any contact with reality," he said.
Taliban officials remain opposed to the possible appointment of a U.N. envoy but say they are considering meaningful participation in an upcoming international meeting on Afghanistan.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will convene a meeting of various countries special representatives for Afghanistan in Qatar on February 18 to discuss engagement strategies with de facto Taliban authorities.

A key agenda item for the two-day session is the potential appointment of a U.N. envoy who would coordinate increased international engagement with Taliban leaders in Kabul. The appointment, recommended in an independent U.N. assessment, is backed by the United States and its European allies.

China and Russia abstained in a December 2023 U.N. Security Council vote on a resolution that authorized the secretary-general to appoint a special envoy for Afghanistan.

In the presence of UNAMA [the U.N. Assistance Mission for Afghanistan], there is no need for the appointment of a new envoy, Talibans deputy chief minister, Abdul Kabir, told Tomas Niklasson, the special envoy of the European Union for Afghanistan, on Wednesday.

UNAMA, a political mission headed by a special representative of the secretary-general, was established in 2002 and its mandate is annually renewed by the Security Council.

While the U.N. has not said whether it has invited the Taliban to the Qatar meeting, a statement from the Afghan foreign ministry said Kabul is mulling meaningful participation.

Overall, the Islamic Emirate [of Afghanistan] has a positive view about this meeting, the statement quoted Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Afghan foreign minister, as saying on February 3.

The Taliban's request to represent Afghanistan at the U.N. has been denied for the past two years and no country has formally declared its recognition of the Taliban government.

Intransigence

Since reclaiming power in 2021, Taliban leaders have largely ignored international and domestic calls to form an inclusive Afghan government and ensure womens rights to work and education.

Human rights organizations caution that increased engagement with the Taliban risks legitimizing a leadership accused of maintaining discriminatory practices and committing a range of human rights violations, including what some have labeled "gender apartheid."

The Taliban are not in a position to set conditions for the international community. The Taliban need the international community more than vice versa. They should think and act rationally, Hugo Llorens, a former U.S. charge de affairs in Afghanistan, told VOA.

Should the Taliban refuse to cooperate with a new U.N. envoy, it could further limit the international communitys capacity to respond to the political and humanitarian crises in Afghanistan, Llorens said.

The Taliban must show they are worthy of recognition.

However, Taliban officials accuse Western governments of disregarding Afghan realities and imposing their own agendas.

Anyone who tries to hurt Afghanistans security and economy, and impose political and external pressures, will get no results, Yaqub Mujahid, Afghanistans defense minister, said on Wednesday at a gathering in Kabul.

The United States and the U.N. have imposed distinct sets of sanctions on Taliban leaders and entities, citing concerns related to terrorism. The Taliban have rejected those accusations and say the sanctions disproportionately burden the Afghan economy, hindering humanitarian aid and economic development.
After days of speculation in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday fired General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the countrys top military commander who has led the two-year fight against Russias invasion, and replaced him with Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi.

With the war seemingly at a stalemate, Zelenskyy said in a statement that he met with Zaluzhnyi, seen by some as a national hero for defending Ukraine, and thanked him for leading the battle against Moscows forces when many military analysts thought Ukraine would quickly be overrun.

Nonetheless, Zelenskyy said it was time for a change in the militarys leadership.

The time for such a renewal is now," Zelenskyy said on the X social media platform.

"We discussed the renewal that the Armed Forces of Ukraine require. We also discussed who could be part of the renewed leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, he said.

Zelenskyy added that he asked Zaluzhnyi to remain "part of the team."

In his own statement, Zaluzhnyi said that he had an "important and serious conversation" with Zelenskyy and that a decision was made to change battlefield tactics and strategy.

"The tasks of 2022 are different from the tasks of 2024. Therefore, everyone must change and adapt to new realities as well. To win together, too," his statement said.

Zaluzhnyi, 50, was viewed favorably by Kyivs troops, and some political analysts in Ukraine have speculated that he could someday oppose Zelenskyy for the presidency when elections resume after the war.

The switch to Syrskyi, 58, could be jarring for troops. He commanded Ukraines ground troops and was credited with protecting Kyiv in the first month of the war and a successful counteroffensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region in fall 2022.

But rank-and-file troops are said to view him as a Soviet-style commander who kept troops under fire too long in the eastern city of Bakhmut when Ukraine should have withdrawn.

Zelenskyy and Zaluzhnyi posted a picture on their social media accounts of them smiling and shaking hands. Zaluzhnyi wrote, A decision was made about the need to change approaches and strategy.

Russian drones strike

On the battlefield, Ukrainian officials reported Thursday that Russia attacked overnight with 17 drones, leaving damage in Mykolaiv and Odesa but no reported casualties.

The Ukrainian air force said the countrys air defenses destroyed 11 of the drones over the Mykolaiv, Odesa, Vinnytsia and Dnipropetrovsk regions.

Vitaliy Kim, the regional governor in Mykolaiv, said on Telegram there was damage to residential and industrial buildings.

In Odesa, Regional Governor Oleh Kiper reported damage to an unfinished high-rise building and a school.

Russias military said Thursday it shot down a Ukrainian drone that was targeting Crimea.

The attacks came hours after Zelenskyy vowed in his nightly address to retaliate against Russia for every missile and drone it launches. Zelenskyy also said Ukraine will work to bolster its air defenses.

The EU and NATO

After talks with Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Wednesday, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the Ukrainian leader asked for additional ammunition, drones and air defense systems.

Borrell said his top priority is mobilizing European Union military aid for Ukraine.

United States and NATO officials on Wednesday reaffirmed their strong support for Ukraines continued battle against Russia as top humanitarian leaders denounced a wave of missile attacks Zelenskyy said killed at least five people.

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan, speaking at NATO headquarters, sounded a confident tone, despite the dramatic collapse Wednesday of a Senate deal to fund Ukraines defense and buttress the southern U.S. border.

In remarks delivered before the bill cratered, U.S. President Joe Biden said the lapse in U.S. support is just what Putin wants.

Sullivan, though, said he was hopeful.

Even in the last 24 hours, you've seen a significant number of Republicans come out and say that no matter what else happens, we need to move forward a package of support for Ukraine, he said. As President Biden said [Tuesday], history will record any failure to deliver the type of assistance that's contained in the package that was put forward this week.

He also stressed, as have other administration officials, that if Washington does not deliver, there is no Plan B.

At the end of the day, there is no alternative to the United States stepping up to the plate and providing a level of resources that allow Ukraine to have the artillery, the air defense systems and the other capabilities they need, Sullivan said in Brussels. And time is of the essence in this regard. So, we're going to stay focused on that, and we believe that we still can and will deliver it.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad and a prominent investment strategist, recently disclosed he is $1.2 billion in debt, a revelation that sparked widespread discussion and analysis.

In the YouTube video Robert Kiyosakis $1.2B Debt Explained By His Tax Advisor Tom Wheelwright, Wheelwright delves into the nuanced understanding of debt that Kiyosaki employs, challenging misconceptions and showcasing the strategic advantage of leveraging debt in investment.

If I go under, the bank goes under. Its the banks problem, not my problem, Kiyosaki said.

This statement encapsulates his stance on using debt not as a burden but as a strategic component of his investment portfolio, which is primarily focused on acquiring assets rather than liabilities. Wheelwright expands on this, explaining the distinction between good and bad debt and emphasizing how effectively managed debt can serve as a powerful tool for wealth accumulation.

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One of the most compelling aspects of Wheelwrights explanation is the concept of leveraging debt to amplify investment returns. He provides a simple yet profound illustration: If 2 plus 2 equals 4 when using your own money, with debt, 2 plus 2 can equal 8 or even 16 when combined with tax strategies. This exemplifies the potential exponential growth that can be achieved through savvy debt management and tax planning.

Wheelwright also discusses the critical difference between recourse and nonrecourse debt. In Kiyosakis case, engaging in large-scale investments with nonrecourse debt means that the only thing [the bank] can come after is the property that the debt relates to. This type of debt minimizes personal risk and underscores Kiyosakis claim that in the event of a financial downturn, the responsibility largely falls on the bank, not the borrower.

Story continues

The video explores how taxes play a pivotal role in the strategic use of debt. Depreciation, a tax deduction available for real estate investments, can significantly enhance returns by reducing taxable income.

Not only do we pay no tax on this $4,000 [return], but we dont pay tax on our other income as well, Wheelwright said, highlighting how intelligent debt and tax strategies can work hand in hand to maximize wealth.

Wheelwrights detailed breakdown of Kiyosakis debt philosophy offers a compelling argument for reevaluating the role of debt in investment strategies. By leveraging debt intelligently and understanding its interplay with tax regulations, Kiyosaki exemplifies how perceived financial liabilities can be transformed into powerful assets.

This approach, while requiring a deep understanding of financial principles and risk management, presents a paradigm shift in wealth-building strategies, challenging traditional views and encouraging investors to think more critically about the potential of debt as a tool for financial growth.

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Image source: Screenshot from Rich Dad Radio Show on YouTube

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This article Robert Kiyosaki's Tax Adviser Explains Why 'Rich Dad Poor Dad' Author Is $1.2 Billion In Debt originally appeared on Benzinga.com

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U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres renewed his appeal Thursday for a humanitarian cease-fire before a "gigantic tragedy" develops in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where Israel's military is reported to be planning to expand its offensive.

"Looking into the situation in Rafah, where you have now more than half the population of Gaza that were pushed there  they didn't go because they wanted to, they were pushed there," Guterres told reporters.

"Looking at that situation, it is time to have a humanitarian cease-fire before a gigantic tragedy develops in Gaza  if we have the same kind of intensity of military operations in Gaza as we've seen in Khan Younis and other parts of Gaza's territory."

More than half of Gaza's population of 2.2 million people have crammed into the city along the border with Egypt in search of safety, despite some Israeli strikes there.

At the White House, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the Biden administration has not seen any convincing signs that Israel is about to conduct imminent military operations in Rafah.

But on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to signal an operation, saying at a news conference that his government had "instructed the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] to operate also in Rafah," as it is one of the "two last strongholds of Hamas"  Khan Younis being the other.

Some in Israel have suggested that Egypt should open its border to admit fleeing Gazans, an idea Guterres rejected.

"I think that we should push to avoid a tragedy, instead of pushing for things to facilitate a tragedy," he said.

The U.N. chief also questioned the force Israel's military is using in Gaza, noting that Israeli leaders have said they are fighting Hamas and not the Palestinian people.

"If that is the case, I can't understand how this is conducted in such a way that has led in Gaza to reportedly around 28,000 people killed, to 75% of the population displaced, and to a level of destruction of entire neighborhoods at the level that it has happened," he said.

"I think that there is something wrong in the way the military operations have been conducted."

Israel launched its air, ground and sea invasion of Gaza after Hamas fighters infiltrated the country on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking another 240 hostage. In late November, about 100 hostages were released during a brief humanitarian pause.

Netanyahu said on Wednesday that his military is "on our way to an absolute victory" and needs only months to finish the job of eliminating Hamas.

No replacement for UNRWA

The U.N. agency that assists Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has come under intense scrutiny and criticism in recent weeks, since Israel accused a dozen staffers of participating in the October 7 terror attacks. At least 16 countries, including top donor the United States, have suspended their funding to the agency.

Guterres and UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini acted immediately upon receiving information from Israel and fired nine of the accused. Another staffer was confirmed dead, and officials are clarifying the identity of two others. An internal U.N. investigation has begun, as well as an independent review of the agency's operations.

At Wednesday's news conference, Netanyahu called for UNRWA to be dismantled.

Guterres said UNRWA is critical and irreplaceable.

"There is no other organization that has a presence in Gaza that is capable of being able to respond to the needs," he said.

There have been several media reports of a "dossier" containing evidence about the 12 UNRWA staff implicated in the October 7 attacks, but the U.N. says it has not seen it, nor has it received anything in writing from the Israeli government about the allegations, which it said, nonetheless, are credible.

Guterres said he terminated the contracts of the individuals before an internal investigation, in the "best interests" of the United Nations.

"We couldn't run the risk not to act immediately as the accusations were related to criminal activities that are really dangerous," he told reporters.

Political trap?

The secretary-general said he was surprised to read press reports that Israel's military and Foreign Ministry were not willing to share the dossier with the United Nations.

"And even worse, I read in the press that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs didn't expect me to act," Guterres said. "I can't imagine that this was a trap."

He said if Israel presents him with any further credible allegations about Hamas infiltration at any level of the United Nations, he will act on it immediately.

Israeli officials have been unrelenting in their criticism of the United Nations and Guterres since the war began. Israel's U.N. ambassador has repeatedly called for his resignation.

But Guterres, a longtime politician and a former prime minister of Portugal, has appeared unmoved by the barrage of criticism. He has repeatedly called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire, the release of all hostages and for both sides to abide by international law.
A U.N. watchdog group Thursday accused Russia of violating the rights of Ukrainian children in both Russian occupied territories in Ukraine and in Russia.

The U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child, a body of 18 independent experts that monitors implementation of the convention, raised many concerns about the killings and injuries of hundreds of children by the indiscriminate use of explosive devices by Russia in Ukraine.

The committee also strongly criticized the forcible transfer and deportation of thousands of Ukrainian children to the Russian Federation "in violation of rights under the convention."

Russia was one of six states parties whose record came under review during the committee's latest three-week session. The states parties are the countries that ratified or acceded to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

In presenting its major findings, committee Vice Chair Bragi Gudbrandsson highlighted "measures that Russia has taken, including the presidential decree from January 2024 providing Russian citizenship to forcibly transferred or deported children in a simplified procedure."

He said the committee also was concerned about "evidence that suggests that children are deprived of their Ukrainian nationality in violation of the rights of a child."

According to the Ukrainian government, at least 20,000 children have been forcibly deported to Russia. Gudbrandsson said several reliable sources have confirmed the number.

"However, Russia denied this," he said. "They submitted information that over 700,000 children had fled to Russia, to safety, as they defined it."

He said the committee assessed the information and evidence that was presented and "it is our conclusion that there is evidence of forceful transfer of children from Ukraine to Russia."

"We cannot identify the number of these children, but we know there are many and we can support this with the actual measures Russia has taken to simplify procedures to acquire Russian citizenship and to place Ukrainian children with Russian families," he said.

Russia stands accused of trying to erase Ukraine's cultural and national identity, a charge that the committee corroborates.

Committee Chair Ann Skelton told journalists in Geneva that the Russian delegation denied that Ukrainian children were being adopted. It said that the children were being fostered by Russian families.

"On the other hand, they also acknowledged that there were a lot of children who were being given Russian citizenship, which would also in itself mean that these children were losing their identity and were being given a Russian identity. We consider it to be a very big risk for the future  these children who are being indoctrinated."

To ensure that no child is deprived of their Ukrainian nationality in violation of their rights under the convention, the committee has asked the Russian delegation to provide information about the precise number of children taken from Ukraine and about the whereabouts of each child.

Gudbrandsson said that was important so "parents and other legal representatives can track them, including through identification of such children  so the children can be returned to their families as soon as possible."

The committee says it has received worrying reports of sexual violence, arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, and torture of children by the Russian authorities in the occupied Ukrainian territory.

The human rights experts say they also are seriously concerned about reports of violations of children's rights in Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, including "arbitrary arrests of children by Russian law enforcement officers, including for participation in peaceful assemblies."

In both instances, the committee is calling on Russian authorities to investigate the crimes against children and to punish the perpetrators.

In his concluding remarks, committee Vice Chair Gudbrandsson urged the state party "to cease military operations in Ukraine without delay, to avoid further devastating consequences for children in Ukraine, Russia, and all over the world."

In response, Alexey Vovchenko, deputy minister of labor and social protection of the Russian Federation and head of the delegation, said he valued the work of the committee and that "The state would be attentive to all the recommendations made by the committee."

"However, the Russian Federation would not consider itself obliged to fulfill recommendations which were not aimed at fulfilling the rights of children in Russia," he said, "but were biased and sought to interfere in the affairs of the sovereign state."
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Thursday about whether likely Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is ineligible for the office and must be excluded from states ballots because of his role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

On that day, a mob of the former president's supporters who believed his rhetoric that the November 2020 election was stolen stormed the Capitol to try to prevent lawmakers from certifying Joe Bidens victory.

Earlier this week, a federal appeals court rejected Trumps claim that he has absolute immunity from prosecution on criminal charges in a separate election interference case, United States of America v. Trump.

That case was brought by special counsel Jack Smith in U.S. District Court in Washington, resulting in four indictments in connection with Trumps widespread efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Trump is likely to also appeal this case to the Supreme Court. He maintains the various criminal and civil lawsuits brought against him are part of Bidens witch hunt to eliminate a political opponent  a claim the White House and Democrats deny.

Trump v. Anderson

Trump v. Anderson, to be brought before the Supreme Court on Thursday, addresses whether Trump must be barred from participating in the Colorado primary election under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The case began as Anderson v. Griswold, filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington on behalf of Norma Anderson, a former Republican lawmaker in Colorado, with five other Republican and independent voters, against Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold.

Both cases look at whether Trump is an insurrectionist who tried to stop the peaceful transfer of power and whether under Section 3 he should be barred from holding office again.

Section 3 was written in 1866 after the end of the Civil War to keep former Confederates  officials from the 11 Southern states that seceded from the United States to protect the institution of slavery  from returning to power.

It provides: 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. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

Trumps lawyers argue that Section 3 does not apply to presidents, that January 6 was not an insurrection, and that Trump was only exercising his free-speech rights.

In November, a Colorado judge ruled that Trump engaged in insurrection. But she ruled against blocking him from the states 2024 presidential primary ballot, finding that Section 3 did not apply to the president. That part of her ruling was appealed and later reversed by the Colorado Supreme Court.

Amicus briefs

Various scholars, election officials, lawmakers and other political figures have filed amicus  friend of the court  briefs to share their views in support of or against Trump.

One of them is Mark Graber, Regents professor at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and a leading expert in constitutional law on insurrections and the 14th Amendment. His brief argues that the Colorado Supreme Courts ruling is consistent with how the legal community understood insurrection at the time Section 3 was framed, and that it correctly ruled an insurrection occurred.

Donald Trump incited that insurrection, Graber told VOA.

He was told his tweets were inspiring violence against election workers. He responded by intensifying his tweets. He was told there were people in the crowd with weapons who intended to invade Congress. He responded by saying, When there's fraud, you don't use the usual means. You fight  you fight like hell,'  he said. A reasonable person could say given Trump's behavior, he intended to inspire an insurrection and participate.

In response to another central question in this case  whether the 14th Amendment applies to the president  Graber said the answer was obvious.

Every member of Congress who used the phrase officer of the United States in the 39th Congress said that the president was included, he underscored.

Others argue that enforcement of the 14th Amendment is for Congress to determine, including Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, who filed a brief with 26 other Republican attorneys general.

Section 3 is not self-executing textually, he said during a Wednesday event hosted by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. He argued that under Section 5 that provides, Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article, lawmakers should determine how the 14th Amendment is to be enforced.

Alan Dershowitz, Felix Frankfurter professor of law at Harvard Law School who defended Trump during his Senate impeachment trial, supports this argument.

In the absence of congressional action, I don't believe the 14th Amendment is self-enforcing, he told VOA. Otherwise, why would you need Article 5 of the 14th Amendment that explicitly gives Congress the power to make these decisions?

A group of 25 leading historians, including Allan J. Lichtman, distinguished professor of history at American University, argued in their brief that Section 3 covers Trump and does not require another act of Congress or a conviction of insurrection.

Lichtman told VOA its clear that Section 3 is designed to guard against not just ex-Confederates but future insurrectionists.

They wanted an amendment that would last in perpetuity and couldn't be tampered with by future congresses because it's part of the Constitution, Lichtman said.

Legal questions aside, the American people should have the right to choose their president, not judges, said Rokita. Voters will lose all confidence if judges decide that voters cannot even consider one of our nation's two leading presidential candidates, he warned.

Far-reaching impact

Although the Supreme Court will only decide on the Colorado case, the impact would be far-reaching, including for the state of Maine, whose secretary of state ruled in December that Trump should be taken off the state's primary ballot, and pending cases in 11 other states that challenge his electoral eligibility, as well as others in the future.

The Supreme Court could uphold the Colorado ruling, which would be a devastating blow to Trumps reelection bid. Or it could rule that Trump cannot be disqualified under Section 3 and put him back on the ballot.

The justices could also decline to make a final decision and leave it to lawmakers - for example, let Congress decide whether to certify Trumps victory should he win in November.

Six of the nine Supreme Court justices were appointed by Republican presidents, including three by Trump. But since the question has almost no legal precedent, its difficult to predict the justices individual rulings based on their ideology.

It will be difficult for the justices to contradict the historical evidence, said Lichtman. However, given the political magnitude, the Supreme Court is likely to take a technical off-ramp and punt on this issue.

Dershowitz agreed, predicting the justices would either say the 14th Amendment just doesn't apply absent congressional action, or they will figure out some way of putting off the ultimate issue.

He underscored the importance of a unanimous decision by the Supreme Court.

A split decision would keep the country very divided, he said. That means we're likely to see a narrow decision that doesn't decide broad issues.

It is unclear how long the Supreme Court will take to rule. In the coming months, the high court also will likely deliberate on Trumps appeal of the election interference case prosecuted by Smith, which was rejected Tuesday by a federal appeals court.
The United States military says it carried out a drone strike on a vehicle in Baghdad, killing a leader of an Iranian-backed militant group.

U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East, said the strike on Tuesday killed a commander of the militant group Kataib Hezbollah who was responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on U.S. forces in the region.

Two U.S. officials confirmed to VOA that the commander was operations officer Wisam Mohammad al-Saedi. Photos on social media allegedly showed his Iraqi identification card that was pulled from his body.

VOA had earlier reported the United States military was involved in an airstrike against a high-value target in the Middle East but had not identified al-Saedi by name.

Video shared on social media showed a vehicle engulfed in flames on a Baghdad highway.

The U.S. strike was in response to the almost 170 drone, rocket and missile attacks against U.S. forces in the Middle East since mid-October, one of which killed three U.S. service members and wounded dozens more in northern Jordan last week.

A wave of U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria on Friday pounded targets associated with Iranian-backed militias responsible for the attacks. The strikes targeted three locations in Iraq, as well as another four in Syria, and they destroyed more than 80 individual targets, ranging from command-and-control centers and intelligence hubs to missile and drone storage facilities, according to the latest U.S. assessments.

But while U.S. officials have defended the strikes as necessary following a drone attack that killed three U.S. soldiers at a base in Jordan last month, Iraqi officials have voiced increased anger, summoning the U.S. charge d'affaires in Baghdad to protest. They have charged that some of the U.S. strikes hit elements of Iraqs own security forces.

The U.S. State Department said Monday that Iraq was not given any warning but added the U.S. strikes should not have come as a surprise.

Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder said Monday the U.S. had no plans for a long-term military campaign against the militias in Iraq and Syria, but he noted the U.S. response to the killing of its service members was not complete.

The U.S. has about 2,500 troops in Iraq tasked with advising and assisting Iraqi security forces as they pursue the remnants of the Islamic State terror group, also known as ISIS or Daesh.

And while talks between the U.S. and Iraq are underway to eventually reduce the U.S. military footprint and transition from the counter-IS mission to what officials describe as more traditional military-to-military relationship with Baghdad, the process has been complicated by the attacks.

On Tuesday, Iranian-backed Houthi militants once again ignored U.S. calls to stop attacking international shipping lanes or face consequences, this time firing six anti-ship missiles from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

U.S. Central Command said late Tuesday that one of the missiles caused minor damage to the Marshall Islands-flagged, Greek owned-and-operated bulk carrier MV Star Nasia in the Gulf of Aden, while another missile landed in the water near the ship. U.S. forces shot down a third missile in the area.

There were no reported injuries, and the ship was able to continue toward its destination, CENTCOM said in a statement.

In the southern Red Sea, CENTCOM said three missiles likely targeting the Barbados-flagged, U.K.-owned cargo ship MV Morning Tide landed in the water without causing any damage.

The latest Houthi launches came as an unclassified Defense Intelligence Agency report released Tuesday confirmed that Houthi militants in Yemen were using various missiles and drones of Iranian origin in its recent attacks across the region. The report compares publicly available images of Iranian weapons to those employed by the Houthis and highlights the strengthening relationship between the Houthis and Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Earlier Tuesday, the U.S. military said it conducted its latest self-defense strikes against two Houthi kamikaze drone boats that were laden with explosives.

CENTCOM, which oversees U.S. forces in the region, said the vessels presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region.

The Houthis have said their Red Sea attacks are in solidarity with the people of Gaza and have vowed to continue them, despite the U.S. and British strikes.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Thursday outlawed robocalls that contain artificial intelligence-generated voices, citing their capacity to misinform voters.

The ruling, which takes effect immediately, targets robocalls made with AI voice-cloning tools under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The 1991 law regulates junk calls that use artificial and prerecorded voice messages.

Bad actors are using AI-generated voices in unsolicited robocalls to extort vulnerable family members, imitate celebrities, and misinform voters. Were putting the fraudsters behind these robocalls on notice, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement announcing the unanimous decision.

The ruling will give state attorneys general new tools to target perpetrators behind these calls and ensure the public is protected from fraud and misinformation, Rosenworcel said in the statement.

The ruling comes after AI-generated robocalls that impersonated President Joe Biden sought to discourage people from voting in the New Hampshire primary election last month. The New Hampshire attorney general announced this week that the calls were traced to companies in Texas.

We need to protect voters from deepfake AI technology disenfranchising them or manipulating their thought processes, Theresa Payton, CEO of cybersecurity company Fortalice Solutions, told VOA.

This is a step in the right direction, and I would like to see more debate and open discussion on what the guard rails for the usage of this technology should be, added Payton, who previously served as the White Houses Chief Information Officer during the George W. Bush administration.

Under the new regulation, the FCC can fine companies that use AI voices in their calls or block the service providers that carry the calls.

The agency has previously used the law to hold robocallers accountable for election interference, including imposing a $5 million fine on two conservative hoaxers who used robocalls to try to reduce Black voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election.

Deepfake AI technology has also been used in attempts to influence voters around the world.

Just days before elections in Slovakia in September 2023, for instance, a deepfake audio circulated online imitating a politician who appeared to be discussing how to rig the election.

The FCC had been considering banning AI voices in robocalls due to a rise it saw in these types of calls. In January, a bipartisan group of 26 state attorneys general urged the FCC to go ahead with a ruling.

While the ruling is a positive development, according to Payton, she added that there still may be the threat of foreign forces using AI-generated robocalls in attempts to influence elections.

This is going to be helpful as it relates to American political operatives, but I am not clear how this would be enforced against non-Americans that may choose to abuse this technology and interfere in our political process, she said.
The U.S. Senate advanced a stand-alone $95 billion foreign assistance bill Thursday by a vote of 67-32, setting up a final vote on $60 billion in aid to Ukraine and $14 billion in assistance for Israel.

After hours of negotiations, the Senate cleared the 60-vote threshold needed to advance to a final vote on the aid package that includes billions of dollars in assistance for Indo-Pacific countries to confront Chinese aggression.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced the measure late Wednesday after a $118 billion bipartisan border security agreement failed in the Senate, despite months of negotiations.

Schumer said he consulted the White House about a backup plan after former President Donald Trump reportedly contacted Republican senators asking them not to vote for the bipartisan agreement.

We knew about a week ago when Trump mixed in and said, you know, wanted it to be political. He said he preferred chaos at the border because he thinks it helps him electorally. We knew that we might have to have a separate option, Schumer told reporters.

If passed, the bipartisan agreement would have increased immigration detention capacity, ended the practice of allowing migrants to remain in the United States while claiming asylum and allowed presidents to temporarily shut down the U.S.-Mexico border if crossings reached certain levels. Conservative Senate Republicans said the bill didnt do enough.

This bill doesn't fix it, Senator Ted Cruz said earlier this week. Understand this border crisis is deliberate. Joe Biden caused it. He caused it by his own unilateral decisions.

The immigration issue, long unresolved by Congress and succeeding Republican and Democratic presidencies, quickly became embroiled this year in the politics of the 2024 presidential election campaign.

The Senate is expected to work through this weekend, as lawmakers add amendments on border security to the foreign aid legislation.

Biden said at a Tuesday news conference he would hold Trump accountable for the arrival of more migrants. Under existing law, many who enter illegally and claim asylum are able to remain in the United States for months or years before backlogged immigration courts can consider their cases.

With the defeat of the immigration bill, the Senate now is set to consider legislation that would provide the aid to Ukraine and Israel, minus any border immigration provisions.

Biden on Tuesday urged Congress to show some spine and pass the broader bill, which was developed during months of negotiations by a small group of Democratic and Republicans senators.

Even if the Senate had passed the bill, House Speaker Mike Johnson, leader of the narrow Republican majority in the House of Representatives, said the measure would have been dead on arrival in the lower chamber. He said the migration restrictions were not tough enough.

In his Tuesday speech, Biden said, All indications are this bill won't even move forward to the Senate floor. Why? The simple reason: Donald Trump."

He added, "Because Donald Trump thinks it's bad for him politically."

Biden said if the legislation is defeated, Every day, Americans will know why the border is not secure  Donald Trump.

Trump had urged Republicans to oppose the proposed migration controls as weak. Trump said he would impose tougher rules to keep migrants out of the U.S. if he reclaims the presidency in the November election, where he is likely to again face Biden.

The United States has been Ukraines biggest benefactor, and Biden said it was important to send the new $60 billion in aid to Kyiv to help it fend off Russias nearly two-year-old full-scale invasion.

We cant walk away now, he said, adding that to deny the additional aid would be a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

History is watching, Biden said. If we dont support Ukraine, history will never forget.
Key Insights

Romande Energie Holding's estimated fair value is CHF40.99 based on Dividend Discount Model

Romande Energie Holding is estimated to be 28% overvalued based on current share price of CHF52.60

The CHF64.40 analyst price target for REHN is 57% more than our estimate of fair value

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Romande Energie Holding SA (VTX:REHN) by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for Romande Energie Holding

What's The Estimated Valuation?

We have to calculate the value of Romande Energie Holding slightly differently to other stocks because it is a electric utilities company. Instead of using free cash flows, which are hard to estimate and often not reported by analysts in this industry, dividends per share (DPS) payments are used. This often underestimates the value of a stock, but it can still be good as a comparison to competitors. The 'Gordon Growth Model' is used, which simply assumes that dividend payments will continue to increase at a sustainable growth rate forever. The dividend is expected to grow at an annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 0.1%. We then discount this figure to today's value at a cost of equity of 3.8%. Relative to the current share price of CHF52.6, the company appears slightly overvalued at the time of writing. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

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Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate)

= CHF1.5 / (3.8%  0.1%)

= CHF41.0

dcf

The Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Romande Energie Holding 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 3.8%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Romande Energie Holding

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Electric Utilities market.

Opportunity

Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the Swiss market.

Good value based on P/E ratio compared to estimated Fair P/E ratio.

Threat

Paying a dividend but company has no free cash flows.

Annual earnings are forecast to decline for the next 4 years.

Next Steps:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. Why is the intrinsic value lower than the current share price? For Romande Energie Holding, we've put together three further elements you should look at:

Risks: As an example, we've found 2 warning signs for Romande Energie Holding (1 shouldn't be ignored!) that you need to consider before investing here. Future Earnings: How does REHN's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Swiss stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
The trip was an opportunity for students to learn about careers in the paper industry

Submitted by Jessica Vik

On Jan. 31, a group of nine juniors and seniors from Wahkiakum High School visited the Georgia Pacific (GP) Mill across the river at Wauna, Oregon. Their Career and Technical Education teacher, Kyle Hurley, accompanied them along with Jessica Vik, the school district's 4-H Liaison who organized the trip.

The tour started off with a slideshow of the history of the mill in the meeting room. The students received safety guidelines and everyone put on neon yellow hats (which participants got to keep) and vests. Participants also received safety glasses, earplugs, and a radio headset so the group could hear the audio from our guides Kristi Ward, Paul Lyon, and Brandon Clark as we toured the facility single file.

Trekking around the mill in the liquid sunshine, the group learned about the cooking and bleaching of wood chips. Students toured the paper maker. The technicians who are surrounded by several computer screens explained to the kids how the paper maker machine works. Here the watery pulp mixture comes out. Four-and-a-half seconds later it is rolled into a "parent roll" of made paper. This roll is moved around by forklift with a rotating grabber system to help it load the roll on the machine into our next stop, the converting building.

Students experienced the converting buildings for both paper towels and for toilet paper. The machines in this building take the parent rolls of paper and marry them together into two-ply, cut them to size, emboss them, and package them.

Imagine a building full of machines and conveyor systems to make this happen. This particular branch of GP makes Brawny Paper Towels, Angel Soft toilet paper, and their own brand of napkins called Vanity Fair. Each product has its own recipe. Large robots take jobs that are too heavy for humans, very mundane, repetitive, or dangerous. Laser guided vehicles are programmed to take four pallets at a time from the end of the line in converting to the barges where they are shipped out for delivery all over this side of the Rockies.

Operators and engineers work together to keep the mill running smoothly. Everyone's job is important. Kids heard from several of the workers along the tour that if you show up on time, work hard and are reliable, you can move up in the company. It is up to the employee; they have to earn it. Mr. Hurley pointed out to the students that if they are not sure what they want to do after high school, this is a good starting place that offers opportunities for growth. Entry level workers make between $40,000 and $70,000 with no college debt and you can be trained through their internship programs. The engineers that work here talk about their jobs with enthusiasm, which stood out to students.

"Brandon Clark. He is so happy. That made my day!" senior Makayla wrote on her feedback form.

Living across the river, community members often wonder what the mill looks like inside. These students were given the chance not only to see the workings inside but to hear directly from the human resources department on what it takes to be hired over a pizza lunch provided by the mill.

One environmental science student was excited to hear GP's regional environmental manager talk with them over lunch. Another senior plans to be a millwright after graduation. This was a great opportunity for him to see the inside workings of a mill and hear directly about the hiring process. Helping students make connections before they graduate high school is a goal of the Career Connect Washington work that WSU Wahkiakum County Extension and 4-H Liaisons. Hearing these comments from and about the students is a win in the career exploration work they are doing in Wahkiakum County and Naselle.

For more information on this program, contact Jessica Vik at jessica.vik@wsu.edu, 360-560-4668, or P.O. Box 278 Cathlamet, WA, 98612.
Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked a $118 billion package of border reforms and foreign aid a deal they had insisted was needed to unlock more funding for Ukraine in its war against Russia. In a 49-50 vote, most Senate Republicans and a handful of Democrats rejected the bipartisan compromise that negotiators had crafted over months of talks, despite the inclusion of many of Republican demands on border policy and the endorsement of some solidly conservative groups, including the union of Border Patrol officers.

The collapse of the deal leaves the fate of near-term funding for Ukraine and Israel in doubt, though Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer moved quickly to bring up a foreign aid package that strips out the border measures, a Plan B that had at one point been Plan A.

Republicans have said they cant pass Ukraine without border. Now they say they cant pass Ukraine with border. Today, Im giving them a choice, Schumer said on the Senate floor. I urge Republicans to take yes for an answer.

Its not clear when or whether Republicans would get to yes on the foreign aid, even as many GOP senators support that funding. An afternoon procedural vote was held open for hours as Republicans sought to regroup and get on the same page. Even if the Senate can pass an aid bill, it would face challenges in the House, where many Republicans oppose more funding for Ukraine.

Well see what the Senate does, House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters earlier in the day. Were allowing the process to play out and well handle it as its sent over.

Dialing up the Republican dysfunction: The Senates border deal was doomed even before it was released. Yes, many Republicans had insisted on tougher laws to address the surge of migrants coming through the southern border as a prerequisite for foreign aid funding. But any momentum for a deal in the Republican conference faded fast after former president Donald Trump, intent on using the border as a potent political weapon in his campaign to win back the White House, blasted the bill and warned senators against backing it. Many Republicans rejected the deal even before it was final, while others did so within hours of its release.

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The damage Republicans have done this week to their credibility cannot be understated, Schumer said.

Reaganite Republicans like to cite the former presidents willingness to accept half a loaf and go back for more, but many in todays Republican Party prefer to starve so they can tell their base theyre on a hunger strike, standing up for conservative principles and refusing to work with Democrats.

Sen. James Lankford, the Oklahoma Republican who was a lead negotiator on the deal, said Wednesday that an unnamed popular commentator had threatened him, saying, If you try to move a bill that solves the border crisis during this presidential year, I will do whatever I can to destroy you.

Lankford and Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah were the only Republicans voting for the bill. Democratic Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Bob Menendez of New Jersey, and Alex Padilla of California voted against it, as did Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent.

Politics used to be the art of the possible, Romney told reporters. Now its the art of the impossible. Meaning, lets put forward proposals that cant possibly pass so that we can say to our respective bases, Look how Im fighting for you.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, the Arizona independent who spent months negotiating the Senate border deal, slammed Republicans in the Senate for also kowtowing to Trump and choosing to campaign on the border crisis rather than address it.

Less than 24 hours after we released the bill, my Republican colleagues changed their minds, she said on the Senate floor. Turns out they want all talk and no action. It turns out border security is not actually a risk to our national security, its just a talking point for the election. After all of their cable news appearances, after all those campaign photo ops in the desert, after all those trips to the border, this crisis isnt actually much of a crisis after all. Sunday morning, there was a real crisis at the border. Monday morning, that crisis magically disappeared.

Bicameral chaos: The dysfunction hasnt been limited to the Senate. It has been even more pronounced in the House.

Democracy is messy, Johnson told reporters Wednesday morning in trying to explain away the embarrassing double debacle of Tuesday nights pair of failed House votes, one to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and the other on a standalone aid package for Israel. Youre seeing the messy sausage-making, the process of democracy play out, Johnson said. Its not always clean. Its not always pretty. But the job will be done at the end of the day.

But messy doesnt fully describe the magnitude of current Republican dysfunction. Axios termed Tuesdays failed votes, which happened in quick succession, 10 minutes of humiliation that will live in House lore, adding: Even in an era of ousted speakers and wild, daily internal disarray, Tuesday night's back-to-back defeats for House Republicans were epic.

The humiliation reportedly has intensified the questions swirling about Johnsons leadership, well beyond his ability or inability to count votes. Inside Johnsons leadership circle, there are plenty who doubt his decision-making capability while being forced to begrudgingly execute his questionable strategies, Punchbowl News reported. And among rank-and-file House GOP lawmakers, there are a lot of people scratching their heads about where hes leading them.

Johnson tried to downplay the significance of Tuesdays failures. Were governing here, he said, urging everyone to take a deep breath. Its painfully obvious, though, that House Republicans are not governing and instead are trying to somehow use their unworkably thin majority to extract unadulterated conservative victories or lay the groundwork for a win by Donald Trump in November.

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Nestled amidst the rolling hills of the Lazio region, just a short drive north of Rome, lies the picturesque town of Bracciano.

Perched majestically above the serene waters of Lake Bracciano, this charming destination offers visitors a perfect blend of history, natural beauty, and authentic Italian charm.

From its well-preserved medieval castle to its idyllic lakeside setting, Bracciano beckons travelers to immerse themselves in its timeless allure and discover the secrets hidden within its cobblestone streets. Join us as we embark on a journey to uncover the treasures of Bracciano.

A Medieval Marvel: Castello Orsini-Odescalchi

At the heart of Bracciano stands the imposing Castello Orsini-Odescalchi, a medieval fortress that exudes grandeur and history. Dating back to the 15th century, this architectural masterpiece boasts formidable ramparts, majestic towers, and a richly decorated interior that offers a glimpse into the noble heritage of its former inhabitants.

Explore the castle's opulent halls, adorned with frescoes, tapestries, and period furnishings, and ascend to its battlements for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and shimmering lake below. Don't miss the opportunity to witness a fairytale wedding, as the castle serves as a popular venue for romantic ceremonies against the backdrop of its timeless beauty.

Lakeside Serenity: Lake Bracciano

Stretching languidly along the outskirts of town, Lake Bracciano captivates visitors with its tranquil waters, lush shoreline, and pristine natural surroundings. Embark on a leisurely boat excursion to explore the lake's hidden coves, secluded beaches, and charming lakeside villages, or rent a kayak or paddleboard for an up-close encounter with its scenic beauty.

Anglers will delight in the abundance of fish species that inhabit the lake, while birdwatchers can observe a diverse array of avian species that call its shores home. Whether you're seeking relaxation, adventure, or simply a moment of serenity amidst nature, Lake Bracciano offers an idyllic retreat for all.

Old World Charm: Historic Center and Piazza

Wander through the winding streets of Bracciano's historic center and discover a treasure trove of architectural wonders, quaint shops, and inviting cafes. Admire the elegant facades of centuries-old buildings adorned with vibrant bougainvillea and fragrant jasmine, and pause to admire the intricate craftsmanship of the town's medieval churches and palazzos.

Make your way to Piazza IV Novembre, the beating heart of Bracciano, where locals gather to socialize, shop at the weekly market, or enjoy a leisurely meal at one of the many outdoor trattorias. Take a moment to savor a gelato or espresso as you soak up the ambiance of this charming square and watch the world go by.

Culinary Delights: Gastronomic Adventures

No visit to Bracciano would be complete without indulging in the delectable flavors of its local cuisine. Sample traditional dishes such as freshly caught lake fish, homemade pasta, and hearty stews infused with the aromatic herbs of the region.

Savor the renowned wines of the Lazio region, including the crisp white wines of the Castelli Romani and the full-bodied reds of the Tuscia hills, and toast to the joys of Italian gastronomy amidst the warm hospitality of Bracciano's trattorias and osterias.

A Hidden Gem Awaits

As our journey through Bracciano draws to a close, we are left with a profound appreciation for this hidden gem nestled on the shores of Lake Bracciano. From its majestic castle to its tranquil lakeside vistas, Bracciano offers a timeless escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life, inviting travelers to slow down, savor the moment, and embrace the beauty of la dolce vita.

Whether you're exploring its historic landmarks, soaking up the sun on its beaches, or savoring its culinary delights, Bracciano promises an unforgettable experience that will linger in your heart long after you've said arrivederci.
In a move that blends the rich viticultural heritage of Tuscany with cutting-edge sustainable architecture, Florence's Amerigo Vespucci Airport is set to unveil a groundbreaking feature that is as innovative as it is unexpected: a 19-acre rooftop vineyard.

This ambitious project, spearheaded by the renowned Rafael Vinoly Architects, promises to transform the airport into a landmark that celebrates the region's storied wine-making tradition while pushing the boundaries of green design.

Embracing Sustainability with a Twist

The rooftop vineyard is more than just a nod to the surrounding landscape; it's a fully integrated aspect of the airport's sustainability strategy. The vine-covered roof is designed to provide natural thermal insulation, reducing the building's energy consumption and aiding in the pursuit of a

A guide to the 'poor cuisine' in Tuscany

This initiative aligns with a growing trend in airport design that sees these spaces not just as transit hubs but as part of the travel experience itself, offering unique attractions and amenities that reflect local culture and commitment to the environment.

A Green Gateway to Tuscany

Scheduled to begin construction this year, with the first phase, the new terminal will serve as a modern gateway to Tuscany, welcoming nearly 6 million passengers annually. Beneath its sloping green expanse, the terminal will feature a central piazza, embodying the Italian tradition of gathering spaces, and will be illuminated by natural light streaming through strategically placed skylights.

Florence local news

Local Vintners at the Helm

A New Vision for Airports

To ensure the vineyard remains true to Tuscany's enological excellence , a leading local vintner will oversee the cultivation of grapes and the production of wine, which will be aged in specialized cellars beneath the terminal. While the specific grape varieties and winemaking techniques remain under wraps, the involvement of regionally renowned experts promises wines that embody the terroir of this unique location.The project reflects a broader vision of airports as destinations in their own right, incorporating elements that enhance the traveler's experience while promoting sustainability. The Florence airport vineyard is poised to become a model for future developments worldwide, showcasing how functional infrastructure can harmoniously coexist with nature and cultural heritage.

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This initiative not only highlights Florence's status as a hub of innovation and artistry but also offers passengers a unique welcome to the heart of Tuscany, where the spirit of the region is celebrated even before they step outside.

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In sum, Florence's new terminal, with its pioneering rooftop vineyard, represents a bold reimagining of what airports can be. It is a testament to the possibilities that emerge when traditional values meet modern sustainability practices, creating spaces that are both functional and reflective of their environment. As the world watches, Florence's Amerigo Vespucci Airport is set to redefine the intersection of travel, architecture, and viticulture, offering a taste of Tuscany to travelers from around the globe.
Assessing the Sustainability and Prospects of Siemens AG's Dividend

Siemens AG (SIEGY) recently announced a dividend of $2.56 per share, payable on 2024-02-20, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-02-09. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into Siemens AG's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does Siemens AG Do?

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How to calculate the intrinsic value of a stock?

Siemens AG is a multi-industry company focused on the areas of automation, electrification, mobility, and healthcare. Its top three geographic regionsthe United States, Germany, and Chinacontribute over half of group revenue. Siemens has a 75% investment in separately listed Siemens Healthineers. Recent portfolio activity included the listing of Siemens Energy, spinning out its power and gas and Siemens Gamesa business divisions in 2020.

Siemens AG's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at Siemens AG's Dividend History

Siemens AG has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 1998. Dividends are currently distributed on a yearly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

Breaking Down Siemens AG's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Siemens AG currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 2.52% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 2.83%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, Siemens AG's annual dividend growth rate was 2.90%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate decreased to 2.10% per year. And over the past decade, Siemens AG's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 3.10%.

Based on Siemens AG's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Siemens AG stock as of today is approximately 2.80%.

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Siemens AG's Dividend Analysis

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-09-30, Siemens AG's dividend payout ratio is 0.44.

Siemens AG's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Siemens AG's profitability 7 out of 10 as of 2023-09-30, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability.

Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

Siemens AG's growth rank of 7 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors. Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Siemens AG's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Siemens AG's revenue has increased by approximately 12.80% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 66.85% of global competitors.

The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, Siemens AG's earnings increased by approximately 20.40% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 62.57% of global competitors.

Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 0.60%, which outperforms approximately 32.38% of global competitors.

Next Steps

In conclusion, Siemens AG's dividend payments, dividend growth rate, payout ratio, profitability, and growth metrics all point towards a stable and potentially growing dividend in the future. The company's consistent track record, combined with its strategic positioning in various industries, supports the likelihood of continued dividend payments. Investors looking for a mix of income and growth potential may find Siemens AG an attractive option. With robust profitability and a commitment to innovation and expansion, Siemens AG appears well-equipped to navigate the dynamic global market landscape. Will Siemens AG continue to be a reliable source of dividends for value investors? Only time will tell, but the current indicators suggest a positive outlook.

GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


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.
Name: Airlie Chapman

The profession: Rocket scientist

The organisation: University of Melbourne

The title: Deputy director of Melbourne Space Lab (MSL) and director of Melbourne Flight Lab

The pay: $169,000 - $186,000 (salary bracket reflective of a managerial role involving managing a lab and multiple staff)

Rocket scientist Airlie Chapman says a common theme in her research is working with many small things that, together, accomplish big things.

8:30am: My day starts with some solo reading time on the latest paper draft from the lab and new research in the field of space and robotics. Theres more out there than you can consume: I recently enjoyed exploring a paper on safe operation of swarm robotics  many robots working together.

9:30am: I meet with one of my PhD [students], Rob Mearns, and catch up on his innovations in satellite communications. Traditionally, small satellites can traditionally only communicate twice a day with a ground station  hes trying to use existing satellite communications networks to communicate outside those precious windows.

10.15am: Today, my next meeting at MSL is with my research engineer, Clint Therakam, to discuss his work on the thermal analysis of the new Australian moon rover prototype (the Roover). The moon experiences extreme swings in temperature so keeping the rover at a nominal temperature is critical to keeping it operational.
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Eating outHot & new The Gold Coast welcomes a new contender for Australias best beach bar Hit this thrumming seaside spot for imaginative cocktails, a seafood-focused menu, and knockout water views of Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise. Matt Shea February 5, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Kirra Beach House captures in a single venue the changes sweeping across the southern end of the Gold Coast. For years, Kirra and Coolangatta have been the more relaxed counterpoints to Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise, whose towering skyscrapers sit in the distance to the north as you look out over the surf. Out there, the razzle-dazzle end of the city might as well be a different world. Kirra Beach House opened in early December. Courtesy of Kirra Beach House Ive spent a lot of time in this part of the Gold Coast over the past five years, says Kirra Beach House owner Dave Galvin. You never want to take away from this nostalgic coastal beach town that Kirra is. Its such a beautiful region. The people are different. Theres a relaxedness to it.

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But over that time theres been a lot of migration to the area, and through a hospitality lens Ive watched some of the old-school hospitality turn, and we have some new things coming in. Probably in the last 18 to 24 months, it just feels like theres a genuine shift where people expect more, and they want to experience more cool things happening down here. 10 of the best places to eat on the Gold Coast right now Galvin opened Kirra Beach House in early December. Its part of the larger Kirra Point precinct on Marine Parade that also includes a rebooted Kirra Beach Hotel. Kirra Point Stays, a hotel-apartment development, is scheduled to open in the coming months, as will a retail complex. Its been so busy since we opened, Galvin says.

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Maybe its because weve created something that everyone can enjoy. It attracts a really mixed crowd of all ages. The venue is split into numerous smaller spaces, helping it retain a sense of intimacy. Courtesy of Kirra Beach House With three bars and an events room spread over 1200 square metres, Kirra Beach House could have easily turned into a soulless drinking barn. But the design, by Techne Architecture & Interior Design (which previously worked on the revamped Hotel Esplanade in St Kilda), splits the venue into a series of clearly defined spaces. Outside, theres a north-facing terrace with three bookable cabanas, plenty of greenery and knockout views towards the beach and Surfers and Broadbeach beyond. A western terrace overlooks Percy Pease Memorial Park and has a more secluded vibe, and can be booked for functions. Inside, in the wine bar, its all mosaic tile floors, terrazzo bench tops, fluted bar fronts, arched entranceways and booth-style seating.

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The chilled seafood platter at Kirra Beach House. Courtesy of Kirra Beach House Its a venue that has the capacity to retain a sense of intimacy even when it gets a pump on. Drinks are led by the cocktails, with a big focus on signatures and twists on the classics. Theres the Melon Shakerato (tropical rum, honeydew melon, fresh grapefruit), a Beach House Negroni (gin, strawberry vermouth, blood orange, wattle seed), a Kirra Beach House Martini (citrus gin, vermouth, fino, verjus, served with a coastal olive gilda) and a Kirra House Old Fashioned (whiskey, maple, rooibos and black walnut). A relatively tight but thoughtful wine list is well priced and mixes Old World with New. For food, theres everything from share plates and bowls to wood-fired pizza, main plates and items from the grill. Much of it is the kind of approachable, snackable stuff that looks just as good on the Gram as it does on the plate: a tempura bug milk bun with smoked cocktail sauce; burrata with peach, aged balsamic and sorrel; and kingfish ceviche with citrus dressing, orange and thyme.

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Pizza comes from a Marana Forni pizza oven, and is cooked Roman-style with a relatively light and crispy base. Larger plates and the grill menu include a couple of burgers; orecchiette with zucchini, cherry tomatoes, chilli, lemon and pangrattato; steak frites with a leaf salad; and a half roast chicken served with gremolata, charred corn, chicken jus and a watercress salad. A western-facing terrace can be booked for private functions. Courtesy of Kirra Beach House Were here to please, not educate, is always my mantra with food, Galvin says. So you can go there for a dining experience, or you can go there for the ultimate seaside grazing menu as well. And everything is prepared to be shared. I want this to be Australias best beach bar. People wanted something like this, where there was a reason to go out to bring people together.

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A lot of people are proud its in the region; Im certainly very proud. And I think the southern Gold Coast, in particular, is about to really blossom. Open Sun-Thu 11am-late, Fri-Sat 11am-1am. 4 Marine Parade, Coolangatta. kirrabeachhouse.com The author was a guest of Kirra Beach House.
Understanding the Dividend Prospects of Singapore Exchange Ltd

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SPXCF) recently announced a dividend of $0.09 per share, payable on 2024-02-20, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-02-09. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into Singapore Exchange Ltd's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does Singapore Exchange Ltd Do?

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with SPXCF.

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How to calculate the intrinsic value of a stock?

Singapore Exchange is a vertically integrated securities exchange business, offering listing, data, trading, clearing, and settlement services across equities, debt, and derivatives. Singapore Exchange, like Singapore itself, is remarkably outward-facing and offers some of the most liquid and widely traded equity derivative products for various regional markets, including the FTSE China A50 Index Futures and the Indian Nifty 50 Index Futures.

Singapore Exchange Ltd's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at Singapore Exchange Ltd's Dividend History

Singapore Exchange Ltd has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2008, with dividends currently distributed on a quarterly basis. To track historical trends, below is a chart showing the annual Dividends Per Share for Singapore Exchange Ltd.

Breaking Down Singapore Exchange Ltd's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Singapore Exchange Ltd currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 3.51% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 3.65%, suggesting an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, Singapore Exchange Ltd's annual dividend growth rate was 2.20%. When extended to a five-year horizon, this rate decreased to 0.70% per year. Moreover, over the past decade, the annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 1.80%.

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Based on Singapore Exchange Ltd's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Singapore Exchange Ltd stock as of today is approximately 3.63%.

Singapore Exchange Ltd's Dividend Analysis

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. As of 2023-12-31, Singapore Exchange Ltd's dividend payout ratio is 0.70, which may suggest concerns about the sustainability of the company's dividend.

Singapore Exchange Ltd's profitability rank of 8 out of 10, as of 2023-12-31, suggests good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability.

Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Singapore Exchange Ltd's growth rank of 8 out of 10 suggests a good growth trajectory relative to its competitors. However, Singapore Exchange Ltd's revenue has increased by approximately 3.30% per year on average, a rate that underperforms approximately 59.26% of global competitors. Similarly, its 3-year EPS growth rate of 1.70% per year on average also underperforms approximately 64.02% of global competitors. Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 5.60% underperforms approximately 65.76% of global competitors.

Next Steps

In conclusion, while Singapore Exchange Ltd's dividend payments and yield are attractive, the modest growth rates and payout ratio raise questions about the long-term sustainability of its dividends. Investors should consider these factors alongside the company's strong profitability and competitive position in the market. As the financial landscape evolves, will Singapore Exchange Ltd be able to maintain its dividend attractiveness, or will it need to adjust its strategy to sustain its payouts? Value investors may wish to keep a close eye on the company's performance and future announcements.

GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


The Ballarat community is weary but still hopeful of finding missing mother Samantha Murphy, six days after she disappeared.

State Emergency Service volunteers mustered not far from Buninyong golf course about 4.30pm on Friday, exhausted after a day combing through local bushland in dry heat.

The search for missing Ballarat mum Samantha Murphy continues.

Vehicle after vehicle came down Somerville Road, with groups of volunteers piling out. They had nothing much to report.

A few dozen volunteers were still in good spirits as a local unit leader checked there were no injuries from the days operation, reminding them to take care of themselves.

Murphy, a 51-year-old mother-of-three, is described as mentally and physically strong. She was last seen leaving her Eureka Street home in Ballarat East about 7am on Sunday to go for a run.

Search crews homed in on Buninyong on Friday after working through the Eureka and Canadian state forest areas in recent days.

The community was still out in force to aid the search effort on Friday, with many locals heading into bushland to scope out dirt paths for any sign of Murphy.

Police are yet to make a breakthrough, but its hoped the detectives, who are experienced in conducting complex bushland searches, will make ground in the case.

Investigators havent identified any sinister circumstances surrounding Murphys disappearance and homicide detectives were not involved in the investigation.

Detectives are working with telecommunications technicians to identify the route Murphy travelled after confirming she had a smartwatch and phone on her.

Murphys distraught eldest daughter Jess on Thursday called for help to bring her mother home.

I know shes out there somewhere, she said.

AAP
An aged care worker has been charged with assault after allegedly stomping on a 95-year-old resident last month.

A WA Police spokesman said the Cannington man, 33, was employed at an aged care home in Como when he repeatedly stomped on the feet of a woman.

He has since been sacked from Bethanie Aged Care and an internal inquiry has been launched into the incident.

The man has been charged with aggravated common assault is due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on March 5.

The assault is one of several police incidents to have occurred at an aged care facility in recent months.
My girlfriend and I want to go to Malta this year. Should we book a tour or wing it when we get there? Is it safe to drive over there? Whats the best time to go? We were thinking five days might be enough, then to Italy for a week  does that sound reasonable? L. Corradin, Penrith, NSW

Three days is not long, so my choice would be the handsome Georgian city of Bath. Its pocket-sized and easy to get around yet has plenty of cultural and scenic attractions to keep you busy for the time you have, and its location fits well with your needs. The highlights of this World Heritage-listed city include the Roman baths, Number One Royal Crescent, the Jane Austen Centre, the Victoria Gallery, Bath Abbey and Sally Lunns Historic Eating House and Museum. Take a look at Visit Bath for an in-depth view of what the city has to offer. Bath to Heathrow is just over two hours by train. You can book tickets easily through Rail Europe .

After a family visit in Wales, I have three days before a night-time flight from Heathrow. I will have already seen London. Any suggestions for locations in the UK or Europe to fill in the time? S. Lessing, Caulfield South, Vic

Malta is incredibly user-friendly. English is widely spoken, the food is heavily influenced by Italy and, by European standards, prices are a bargain. Youre probably going to stay somewhere in or close to Valletta or Sliema, where most main attractions are located, and these you can easily explore on foot. From there, you can take a tour to places further away such as the Blue Grotto, Marsaxlokk, Mdina and Hagar Qim, but Malta is compact and there really arent too many reasons to hire a car. Take a boat tour to the nearby islands of Gozo and Camino. Unless you go in peak season, you dont need to book tours in advance. Malta Tours covers everything you need and Viator has more options. Either April-May or October until mid-November would be my choice  the weather should be comfortable and warm  although theres a greater chance of rain in November. Five days is perfect.

From Malta, you could take the ferry to Pozzallo, in the south of Sicily. The trip takes less than two hours aboard Virtu Ferries. From Pozzallo, you might take the one-hour train journey to Syracuse using the Omio website, and stay on the nearby island of Ortigia, which is beyond gorgeous. From here, you can easily make trips to explore other parts of Sicily. Noto, Ragusa, Modica and Taormina are all essential viewing. A week here is ideal.

We are looking at a cruise in the Arctic and Norwegian waters, preferably on a smaller vessel up to 100 passengers and ideally for seven to 10 days.

R. Dawson, Wollongong, NSW

One of the smaller vessels operating in the polar regions is Aurora Expeditions Greg Mortimer, which carries about 132 passengers. Launched in 2019, this is a state-of-the art expeditionary vessel that offers a high level of comfort as well as the ability to cruise safely in the worlds most challenging regions. One of the unique features of this vessel is the curving Ulstein bow, which cuts through the swell for greater passenger comfort.

Another possibility is the Ortelius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions and which carries just over 100 passengers. Built in Poland, the Ortelius was originally used as a research vessel by the Russian Academy of Science. Facilities on board are more basic than aboard some of the other vessels cruising polar regions but the price reflects that difference. Quark Expeditions Ocean Adventurer is a 128-passenger vessel that has recently undergone a multimillion-dollar renovation.
What in the World, a free weekly newsletter from our foreign correspondents, is sent every Thursday. Below is an excerpt. Sign up to get the whole newsletter delivered to your inbox.

China has spent much of this year telling the world it is open for business. Nothing could have damaged that image further than the suspended death sentence it handed down this week to Australian academic and Chinese government critic Yang Hengjun.

Yang Hengjun has been detained in China since January 2019. Credit: Tanya Lake

Chinese Premier Li Qiang told world leaders at Davos in January that China was a country most worthy of trust and that choosing to do business there is not a risk, but an opportunity.

Big business no longer shares his optimism. Last year, for the first time, foreign companies not only failed to reinvest in China, but started selling their existing investments, pulling more than $152 billion out of its economy, according to the Peterson Institute for International Economics.
Queen Camilla has spoken for the first time about her husband King Charles IIIs cancer diagnosis, saying he is doing extremely well under the circumstances and has been cheered by the messages of support.

Charles has stepped back from all public duties while he undergoes treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, Buckingham Palace announced this week. Senior royals, including the Queen and the Kings eldest son, William, the Prince of Wales, will take on his duties at some events.

Queen Camilla hands her umbrella to an aide as she arrives to attend a musical evening at Salisbury Cathedral. Credit: AP

Asked how her husband was doing at an event at Salisbury Cathedral on Thursday evening (Friday AEDT), Camilla told Ben Abbott, 40, from Wiltshire Air Ambulance: He is doing extremely well under the circumstances. He is very touched by all of the letters and messages the public has been sending from everywhere. Thats very cheering.

Camilla, 76, had made a six-hour car journey to attend a charitable musical evening after bad weather grounded her planned helicopter flight. She had been staying in Sandringham, where Charles is recuperating after this weeks cancer treatment.
BraunS / Getty Images

Social Security recipients had plenty of bad news to digest in 2023, from an overpayment scandal that got the attention of Congress to a government employees union calling Social Security an agency in crisis. Flying a little further below the radar was a report by the nonprofit Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimating that some retirees could face a Social Security cut of more than $17,000 a year due to an upcoming funding shortfall.

Discover: 7 Best Cars for Retirees on a Budget

Revealed: How to Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy

Theres still time to correct all that, of course. But for now, the prospect of lower Social Security benefits has many retirees and near-retirees thinking about how they can cut their own expenses. One option is to move someplace cheaper  including overseas.

Explore: 6 Frugal Living Tips Retirees Should Avoid in 2024

Here are five of the best places to retire abroad in 2024, according to International Livings latest Annual Global Retirement Index. Countries are listed in ascending order based on factors such as affordability, healthcare access, climate, culture, things to do and expat experience, and you can live in any of them for under $3,000 a month.

Sponsored: Owe the IRS $10K or more? Schedule a FREE consultation to see if you qualify for tax relief.

5. Spain

If you venture away from the pricey cities of Madrid and Barcelona, you can live a comfortable lifestyle in Spain for $2,000 to $3,000 a month while enjoying the countrys world-renowned culture, cuisine and scenery. Regions such as Valencia and Andalucia are among the most affordable.

4. Panama

Expats have been flocking to this Central American country for its abundant sunshine, welcoming vibe and low living costs. One expat told International Living that they were able to buy a 1,130-square foot apartment for only $155,000. A two-bedroom apartment can be had for less than $170,000.

3. Mexico

Mexico is a land of great diversity in terms of geography, culture, food and history, which is why tourists and expats come here in droves. You can also find plenty of affordable areas  even in hotspots like the Riviera Maya, where you can purchase a brand-new condo in the low $200,000s. That price moves even lower if you move farther away from the beach.

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2. Portugal

Portugals popularity as an affordable retirement destination used to be something of a secret, but that secret is now out all over the world. Expats are attracted to its temperate climate, charming towns and stunning scenery as well as its low prices. Healthcare is both high-quality and affordable here, and couples can live comfortably on $30,000 or less in many regions of the country.

1. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is another country known for the quality and affordability of its healthcare, which is available for a fraction of what Americans pay. You can find affordable housing not too far from Costa Ricas world-famous beaches, which draw tourists from around the globe.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Social Security Cuts Are on the Table: 5 Best Places To Retire Abroad for Less Than $3,000 a Month
The inaugural meeting of the WCO Performance Measurement Mechanism Project Team (PMMPT) marked a significant milestone in ensuring the successful implementation of the first WCO Performance Measurement Mechanism. Held from February 5 to 6, 2024, this gathering showcased a remarkable assembly of participants, underscoring a shared commitment to actively contribute to the realization of the WCO Performance Measurement Mechanism (PMM) through the deployment of an innovative, fully digitized PMM Platform.

Deputy Secretary General of the WCO, Mr. Ricardo Trevino Chapa, set an inspiring tone by warmly welcoming delegates and acknowledging their outstanding contributions thus far. He emphasized the pivotal role of the PMM in assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of Customs competences, evaluating the application of key WCO instruments, and aligning the PMM with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mr. Trevino Chapa stressed the imperative need for active participation and insightful contributions to effectively mould the future trajectory of the PMM.

Mr. Sean BORG from the Canada Border Service Agency and Mr. Shinji ODA from Japan Customs were elected as Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson for the PMMPT, respectively.

The first PMMPT meeting unfolded with robust discussions, particularly focusing on the inception phase of the inaugural assessment cycle under the PMM. Delegates shared national practices on performance measurement and highlighted early applications of PMM deliverables at the national level. The delegates delved into the maintenance procedure and explored ways to preserve the PMM's asset value, meet emerging needs, ensure feasibility, and exceed the expectations of Customs administrations. The adoption of the PMM Communication and Engagement Plan further underscored the commitment to effective implementation and inclusivity of the PMM.

The discussion also encompassed the strategic utilization of PMM results as a foundation for evidence-based decision-making, providing a roadmap for impactful investments on a national scale.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Taeil KANG, Director of the Capacity Building Directorate, urged Members to actively participate in the first cycle of the PMM. He highlighted the myriad benefits, including its capability to inform evidence-based decisions, secure impactful investments, identify process strengths and weaknesses, set reform agendas, and facilitate evidence-based benchmarking for continuous improvements.

As the meeting concluded, Mr. Sean BORG from Canada Border Service echoed the collective sentiment of enthusiasm and commitment, setting the stage for a transformative journey towards excellence in global customs practices.

For more information, please contact pmm@wcoomd.org.
South Korea Financial Authorities Probes Crypto Exchange OKX for Alleged Unregistered Operations

South Korea's financial authorities are investigating global crypto exchange OKX for potentially operating illegally within the country, according to local news reports. This follows accusations that OKX promoted its services to South Korean users without proper registration.

The Digital Asset Exchange Association (DAXA), representing leading South Korean crypto exchanges, reportedly brought OKX's activities to the attention of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) in February 2024. This triggered an investigation into whether the exchange violated regulations by targeting South Korean investors without being registered.

News1, a South Korean news outlet, reported that OKX specifically promoted its "Jumpstart" token sales platform to local users, despite not offering a Korean-language website and lacking proper registration. The report claims OKX even used South Korean influencers on Telegram to attract investors.

South Korea has strict regulations requiring crypto exchanges to register before offering services to residents. Failure to adhere to these regulations can result in hefty penalties from financial regulators. Recently, the authorities announced that crypto executives have to be registered before being able to commence their position.
Lost cultural relic returns home after 40 years of retrieval efforts

Xinhua) 08:45, February 08, 2024

This undated photo shows the ancient bronze ritual vessel "Feng Xingshu Gui". Recently, an ancient bronze ritual vessel that had been lost overseas after being stolen 40 years ago finally made its way home, the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) said Wednesday. (National Cultural Heritage Administration/Handout via Xinhua)

BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Recently, an ancient bronze ritual vessel that had been lost overseas after being stolen 40 years ago finally made its way home, the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) said Wednesday.

Unearthed in 1978 at an archaeological site dating back to the late Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 BC) in Famen Township of Baoji City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, the bronze vessel, named "Feng Xingshu Gui" was classified as the top-grade cultural relic of the state.

However, it was stolen in November 1984, and an ongoing search and retrieval effort has been underway ever since.

In January 2023, a repatriation procedure was initiated by the NCHA following the information of the bronze's appearance in New York, United States.

The then-holder of the relic Raymond King and his mother agreed to unconditionally return the artifact to the Chinese government after learning about the story behind it, said the NCHA.

The NCHA has pledged further efforts to protect, study, publicize and display relevant cultural relics in the future.

This undated photo shows the inscription inside the ancient bronze ritual vessel "Feng Xingshu Gui". Recently, an ancient bronze ritual vessel that had been lost overseas after being stolen 40 years ago finally made its way home, the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) said Wednesday. (National Cultural Heritage Administration/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated photo shows the ancient bronze ritual vessel "Feng Xingshu Gui". Recently, an ancient bronze ritual vessel that had been lost overseas after being stolen 40 years ago finally made its way home, the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) said Wednesday. (National Cultural Heritage Administration/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated photo shows a part of the ancient bronze ritual vessel "Feng Xingshu Gui". Recently, an ancient bronze ritual vessel that had been lost overseas after being stolen 40 years ago finally made its way home, the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) said Wednesday. (National Cultural Heritage Administration/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated photo shows the inscription inside the ancient bronze ritual vessel "Feng Xingshu Gui". Recently, an ancient bronze ritual vessel that had been lost overseas after being stolen 40 years ago finally made its way home, the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) said Wednesday. (National Cultural Heritage Administration/Handout via Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
An Airbus A321 converted freighter operated by Lufthansa CityLine for Lufthansa Cargo lands at Malta airport on Jan. 19, 2023. (Photo: Shutterstock/InsectWorld)

Two Lufthansa Cargo narrowbody freighters remain sidelined for a third week because of technical problems discovered after the aircraft entered a maintenance hangar to repair small cracks in rear floor boards, FreightWaves has learned.

Lufthansa repaired the cracks within a couple days of their discovery in mid-January, but inspectors subsequently discovered other technical issues with the planes, spokeswoman Katharina Stegmann wrote in an email. She did not provide specific details about the necessary fixes.

At the moment, we are still waiting for spare parts for which reason the aircraft are not operating at the moment. Both aircraft will be repaired as soon as possible. As things stand at the moment, there will only be minimal short-term cancellations of individual frequencies in the cargo flight schedule, Stegmann said.

The cargo subsidiary of Deutsche Lufthansa AG (DXE.LHA) in November accepted its fourth Airbus A321 converted freighter, which is deployed in the new short- and medium-haul network that stretches from Northern Europe to North Africa. Two planes are currently operating, but aircraft tracking site Flightradar24 shows that the other two have not flown since Jan. 18 and Jan. 20.

Its not unusual for airlines to extend planned maintenance layovers because its an opportunity to correct other problems noticed during regular operation without having to take the aircraft out of service again.

The spare parts are taking longer to arrive than normal because of ongoing supply chain constraints  labor shortages, scarcity of raw materials, inflated costs for materials and labor, and extensive lead times  that have plagued manufacturers, maintenance organizations and airlines around the world since the COVID crisis.

Everyone involved is working at full speed to ensure that the aircraft can be put back into service as quickly as possible, said Stegmann.

Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH, the aircraft maintenance company owned by Airbus and an engineering partner, last month said the cracked shear plates detected in the rear floor structure on Jan. 9 during a routine check were unrelated to its work converting the former passenger planes to carry main-deck cargo.

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Our aircraft are safe, there is currently no indication that the damage is related to the passenger-to-freighter modification, said EFW Chief Operating Officer Jordi Boto in a statement. The detailed loads analyses have meanwhile shown that the A321 freighter certified mechanical loads are similar, or even lower, compared to the passenger aircraft results.

There is no specific action required for operators, EFW said, adding that such damage is not unusual for mid-age A321 aircraft. The leased planes are 12 and 15 years old, which is young for conversion to freighter configuration.

Airbus said the cracks were related to corrosion, according to Aviation Week.

Lufthansa Cargo launched its regional cargo network for same-day e-commerce customers two years ago with a single A321 converted freighter capable of transporting 14 pallets on the main deck. The latest freighter enabled the airline to add Amman, Jordan, and Stockholm to its winter schedule that began on Oct. 29.

An A321 cargo jet connects Lufthansas central cargo hub in Frankfurt, Germany, to Amman once a week. Stockholm, a key export location for pharmaceutical and temperature-sensitive goods, has freighter service three times per week. In late November, Lufthansa Cargo added Stavanger, Norway, to its short- and medium-haul network. Stavanger has been part of the airlines long-haul network, which utilizes Boeing 777 freighters, but is now served once a week by A321s operating to Frankfurt via Copenhagen, Denmark.

When the A321 fleet is fully restored, Lufthansa Cargo will again serve 18 destinations in the regional network on more than 32 weekly flights.

Lufthansa Cargo currently operates 16 Boeing 777 freighters  11 under its own brand and five for DHL Express joint venture Aerologic. It is scheduled to receive two more 777s from Boeing this winter.

Meanwhile, a one-day strike by ground workers against Lufthansa at airports in Germany has impacted the majority of passenger and freighter operations. The Loadstar reports that shippers should expect delays.

Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch.

Sign up for the weekly American Shipper Air newsletter here.

RELATED READING:

Lufthansa Cargo adds cities to new intra-European freighter network

The post Spare part delays keep Lufthansa Cargo A321 freighters grounded appeared first on FreightWaves.
WSU chemistry student finds path, support to achieve lifelong goals

February 8, 2024

OGDEN, Utah  Norlito Ranchez Jr. has lived in Utah for just two years, but during that short time, hes accomplished things he never thought possible.

Ranchez Jr. was born and raised in Hawaii on the island of Maui. Since high school, he knew he wanted to pursue a career in chemistry, though he wasnt always sure how.

I am a first-generation student coming from a low-income family, Ranchez Jr. said. So, applying to colleges and trying to do adult things felt very difficult.

But Ranchez Jr. was committed to his goals. He watched two older siblings go to college, an d he wanted the same for himself.

He was first drawn to Weber State University for its affordable tuition. Plus, his sister lives nearby, so he was excited to gain some independence while maintaining family connections.

Since moving here and starting classes, Ranchez Jr. has found support in various clubs and organizations, seen snow for the first time, traveled abroad, and excelled in several on-campus jobs  all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

Ranchez Jr. said hes proud of his dedication: Do it for you, he said. Thats what I always like to say.

Ranchez Jr. credits some of his educational success to TRIO Student Support Services, a federally funded program through the U.S. Department of Education that offers tutoring, textbook loans, financial aid and advising.

Through TRIO, Ranchez Jr. has been accepted to selective leadership training programs, both nationally and internationally. Last summer, he spent three weeks in the Netherlands, learning about Dutch culture and education as part of TRIOs Keith Sherin Global Leaders Program. He said these opportunities helped him overcome shyness and recognize the value he brings to a group.

He tries to use the skills hes learned to help others, whether thats through his campus tutoring job or simply talking to his peers.

I feel like no one should go through anything alone, Ranchez Jr. said. Especially with how many resources there are here at Weber.

His dream career also revolves around supporting communities. He hopes to be a forensic scientist, assisting with crime scene investigations and contributing to a safer society.

My mantra is Turn passion into action, he said. Ive been learning to come out of my shell, raise my voice and help others in my community.
Revenue: $145.0 million in Q4 2023, a 19% increase year-over-year.

Net Income: $19.0 million in Q4 2023, up from $15.9 million in Q4 2022.

Recurring Revenue: Grew by 19% in Q4 2023, indicating strong customer retention.

Non-GAAP Income Per Diluted Share: Rose to $0.75 in Q4 2023 from $0.63 in Q4 2022.

Adjusted EBITDA: Increased by 20% to $42.0 million in Q4 2023.

Fiscal Year Revenue: Reached $536.9 million, a 19% growth over the previous year.

Guidance: Q1 2024 revenue expected to be between $145.9 million and $146.7 million.

On February 8, 2024, SPS Commerce Inc (NASDAQ:SPSC), a leading provider of cloud-based supply chain management services, released its 8-K filing, showcasing its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The company continued its impressive streak of growth, marking its 92nd consecutive quarter of revenue increase.

SPS Commerce Inc is renowned for its innovative solutions that enhance supply chain performance, optimize inventory levels, and meet the demands of omnichannel retail experiences. The company's platform offers Fulfillment, Analytics, and other products such as Assortment and Community, alongside one-time services like professional services and testing and certification. SPS Commerce's revenue primarily comes from recurring monthly fees and setup fees.

SPS Commerce Inc (SPSC) Reports Steady Growth Amid Economic Headwinds

Financial Performance and Future Outlook

SPS Commerce Inc reported a 19% increase in both quarterly and annual revenue, reaching $145.0 million for Q4 and $536.9 million for the fiscal year. This growth is a testament to the company's robust business model and its ability to attract and retain customers. The recurring revenue growth of 19% and 20% for the quarter and year, respectively, underscores the company's strong customer loyalty and the sticky nature of its services.

Net income also saw a significant uptick, with a 19% rise to $19.0 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, in Q4 2023, up from $15.9 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, in the same period last year. For the full year, net income climbed to $65.8 million, or $1.76 per diluted share, from $55.1 million, or $1.49 per diluted share, in 2022. The company's ability to increase its profitability while expanding its revenue base is a positive sign for investors.

Story continues

Adjusted EBITDA, a key metric for evaluating a company's operational efficiency, rose by 20% to $42.0 million in Q4 and by 19% to $157.6 million for the full year. This indicates that SPS Commerce is not only growing its top line but is also managing its expenses effectively to improve its bottom line.

Looking ahead, SPS Commerce provided guidance for the first quarter of 2024, with revenue expected to be between $145.9 million and $146.7 million. For the full fiscal year 2024, the company anticipates revenue to be in the range of $616.5 million to $619.0 million, representing a 15% growth over 2023. This forward-looking guidance suggests that SPS Commerce is confident in its ability to continue its growth trajectory despite the uncertain macroeconomic environment.

Challenges and Strategic Moves

Despite the positive results, SPS Commerce acknowledges the ongoing macroeconomic challenges. However, the company has strategically positioned itself for sustainable growth by closing two acquisitions and investing in future capabilities to strengthen its competitive edge in a large, addressable market.

CEO Chad Collins expressed enthusiasm for the company's long-term growth opportunities, highlighting SPS Commerce's role in enabling retailers' and suppliers' transition to omnichannel retail and international expansion. CFO Kim Nelson emphasized the company's delivery of profitable growth amidst these challenges.

Investors and potential GuruFocus.com members should note that while SPS Commerce's performance is robust, the company's forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may vary materially. Nonetheless, SPS Commerce's consistent performance and strategic investments position it as an attractive company for those interested in the software and retail network industry.

For a more detailed analysis of SPS Commerce Inc's financial results, including the full income statement and balance sheet, please refer to the company's 8-K filing.

Explore the complete 8-K earnings release (here) from SPS Commerce Inc for further details.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


A Westport councillor says local hotels and restaurants need to "cop themselves on" if they are to avoid losing business over their high prices.

Independent Cllr John O'Malley told a recent meeting of the Westport-Belmullet Municipal District that businesses in the town are losing footfall because they are charging "exorbitant" prices for food and accommodation. Cllr O'Malley cited a recent survey showing that over 60% of Irish people would prefer to holiday abroad rather than take a so-called staycation.

"I know of one person who came to Westport and was charged 235 for one night. That sort of thing puts people off when they can go abroad and spend less and get better weather.

"I had dinner out in Westport recently and paid 24 and I was still hungry afterward," he said.

Cllr O'Malley fears the current prices will have a devastating impact on tourism in Westport.

"It is time for businesspeople to cop themselves," he added.

Fine Gael Cllr Peter Flynn said he wanted to add a little "caution" to his colleague's comments.

"To be fair to business owners, they have been through a lot, when you consider energy costs and the increase to our minimum wage, which is the highest in Europe. That increase has to be borne by business owners.

"The VAT rate has gone from 9.5 to 13.5% and that was a ridiculous decision by the Government and I am part of that party. There is also a rate increase that has fallen onto many businesses around the county," said Cllr Flynn.
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.
To explore the best and worst states for youth mental health care, MoneyGeek analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the CDC, as well as Google trends data on searches for relevant mental health terms.

The South and Northeast are leading in youth mental health care, while the Midwest struggles Key findings Top 5 states for youth mental health are clustered in the South and Northeast The Midwest has some of the worst states for youth mental health care

Originally published on moneygeek.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
Beijing's dilemma over Taiwan has deepened with the election of a new leader who looks poised to steer the self-ruled island further away from mainland China.

William Lai Ching-te's win adds to pressure on Beijing's fragile detente with Washington, at a time when the Chinese economy is sputtering.

Beijing has described Lai - who takes over from Tsai Ing-wen as president in May - as a "troublemaker" and "stubborn 'Taiwan independence' activist", and framed the election as a choice between war and peace.

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.

As tensions have soared across the Taiwan Strait in recent years, the Communist Party has repeatedly rejected calls for talks from the Tsai administration.

And while many expected Beijing to react forcefully after the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party was voted in for an unprecedented third term in January, the response has been subdued so far.

According to analysts, that restraint reflects the conundrum Beijing faces in balancing domestic challenges, the US factor and the leadership change in Taipei. They expect Beijing to be closely watching and reviewing cross-strait policy ahead of Lai's inauguration, but say major changes are unlikely.

Zhiqun Zhu, an international relations professor and director of the China Institute at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, said it was a dilemma for Beijing.

"It has to respond and send some kind of warning to the incoming Lai administration. On the other hand, if it overreacts, its relations with Washington will suffer and cross-strait relations will further deteriorate," he said.

"It is hard to predict what Beijing will do next, but it is clear that Lai's election has posed a very serious challenge for Beijing - and probably Beijing officials in charge of Taiwan affairs are having some sleepless nights."

Story continues

After Lai secured 40 per cent of the vote on January 13, the immediate response from Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office was that the "DPP does not represent the mainstream public opinion" and the result would not "change the basic landscape and development trend of cross-strait relations".

There was a brief lull in military drills near Taiwan around election day but they have again ramped up, with the People's Liberation Army sending more than 30 warplanes and a group of navy ships towards the island over the weekend, according to the Taiwanese defence ministry.

Diplomatic pressure has also continued, with the tiny Pacific island nation of Nauru the latest to switch allegiance from Taipei to Beijing - just two days after the vote.

Supporters of William Lai at a campaign rally in Taipei. Photo: Elson Li alt=Supporters of William Lai at a campaign rally in Taipei. Photo: Elson Li>

Yun Sun, co-director of the East Asia programme and director of the China programme at the Washington-based Stimson Centre, said domestic concerns were behind Beijing's "very moderate" reaction to the election.

"I think China does want to prioritise domestic challenges this year and an escalation of tension with Taiwan, and hence the US, is not conducive to that agenda," she said.

Sun said there could be a more assertive response to come, "but I don't think China will act without provocation".

It will also be a test for Washington as to whether it can prevent Lai, seen as US-friendly, from doing something provocative. "Given the positive tone achieved at the San Francisco summit, my sense is that the US does not want to see Lai starting a new round of tension either," she said, referring to talks between the US and Chinese leaders in November.

Amid signs of improvement in US-China ties, the Taiwan issue has remained a top irritant, overshadowing a flurry of exchanges between the two powers in the lead-up to the election, including the first high-level talks between their militaries in more than a year.

Cross-strait tensions were also raised in talks between senior Chinese diplomat Liu Jianchao and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken a day before Taiwan went to the polls.

And while President Joe Biden sought to reassure Beijing after the election - saying the US did not support independence for the island - he sent a delegation of former American officials to congratulate Lai on his victory. The move angered Beijing, which said it "firmly opposed" countries having any official exchanges with Taiwan.

In Bangkok last month, Foreign Minister Wang Yi also sought to downplay the election's significance in talks with national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

"The Taiwan question is China's internal affair, and the election in the Taiwan region cannot change the basic fact that Taiwan is part of China," Wang said, according to Beijing's readout.

Neil Thomas, a Chinese politics fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute's Centre for China Analysis, said the relatively muted response suggested President Xi Jinping wanted to "preserve the fragile stabilisation of US-China relations" ahead of Lai's inauguration and the US election.

"If Lai maintains the pro-autonomy yet relatively restrained cross-strait policy of his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen, Xi may decide to hold off on intensifying Beijing's trade penalties or military activities against Taiwan, to avoid creating an international outcry that would further erode confidence in China's economy," he said.

China has in recent weeks sought to dial down its rivalry with the West as it tries to woo overseas investors back to the country and restore confidence in its sluggish economy.

"However, if China's economy roars back to life, I'd expect a more pugnacious diplomacy - although such a recovery seems unlikely any time soon," Thomas said.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of its territory and has never renounced the use of force to achieve reunification. While most countries, including the US, do not recognise the island as an independent state, Washington is opposed to any attempt to take it by force and is committed to arming Taiwan.

Following Washington's lead, a growing number of countries in Asia, Europe and beyond have recently sought to develop unofficial ties with the island, creating new headaches for Beijing.

According to Thomas, given all the congratulatory messages sent from world leaders to president-elect Lai, it could now be more costly for Beijing to step up pressure on Taiwan.

"China's economic problems and need for foreign markets, investment and technology mean that Beijing could lean more towards carrots than sticks in cross-strait policy this year," he added.

The Chinese leader has himself signalled that Beijing will take a less confrontational approach.

Three days after Taiwan's election, parts of a 2022 speech by Xi were published in the party's flagship magazine, Qiushi, calling for more efforts to build a united front with "the patriotic, pro-unification forces in Taiwan" and win the hearts of Taiwanese.

Xi also commented on the Taiwan issue twice in the last week of December, calling reunification with mainland China a "historical inevitability".

On the speech excerpts, Sourabh Gupta, a senior policy expert with the Institute for China-America Studies in Washington, said the timing was "just as important as its purpose".

He said it basically confirmed that "forceful methods are firmly off the table - for the time being at least".

According to Gupta, the election result shows that Taiwanese voters remain fundamentally against disturbing the status quo - and to Beijing that means peaceful reunification is still achievable.

"Taiwan may be at the core of its core interests, but Beijing is essentially a reactive actor on the Taiwan question," he said. "It still believes (with some justification) that time is on its side, and this stance will not shift markedly any time soon so long as it believes that the door to peaceful reunification remains ajar and the status quo has not shifted to its detriment."

He expected Beijing would stick to a "mix of continuity of the existing approach paired with a wait-and-watch stance".

Zhu from Bucknell University echoed that view. "Beijing will continue to promote peaceful reunification - unless Taipei, emboldened by the US, crosses a red line such as changing the constitution or changing the official name," he said. "The DPP government can continue to claim that Taiwan is already independent, but as long as it does not take legal steps to change the status quo, Beijing is unlikely to use force."

As for the united front strategy, Sun from the Stimson Centre said it was "unlikely to succeed in the near future, as it has not worked in the past decade in the case of Taiwan".

But Takashi Hosoda, an assistant professor with the Institute of Intelligence Studies at the University of Defence in the Czech Republic, said Beijing would slowly try to expand pro-China forces in Taiwan.

"It is noteworthy that even after so much military pressure from China through military aircraft flights and naval exercises, and economic intimidation and harassment ... Taiwanese society was not united in its anti-China stance," he said. "This is an opportunity for China."

While Lai was elected as the island's next leader, his party failed to retain its majority in the 113-seat parliament, with gains made by the Kuomintang, the Beijing-friendly opposition.

Hosoda also said that for Beijing, "the longer it takes, the more it recognises that the conditions are becoming more favourable to China - such as expectations for [Donald] Trump's return to power in the US presidential election and the West's fatigue in supporting Ukraine".

He expected Beijing's sabre-rattling to continue, but also efforts to bring "division and instability into Taiwanese society" including by supporting the opposition KMT and Taiwan People's Party and anti-DPP campaigns.

While analysts agreed that Taiwan was a flashpoint for an armed conflict between the US and China, they did not think that was likely in the short term. But they were divided over the implications for Beijing of Taiwan's growing international support.

Gupta said most of the countries that congratulated Lai on his election win were "the usual Euro-Atlantic suspects".

"And none seems ready to touch - let alone overturn - their declared one-China policy," he said. "If Beijing feels that time is not on its side, that the status quo is shifting or has shifted to its detriment, and that 'something needs to be done', it will take recourse to forceful or radical measures - regardless of the Taiwan question becoming internationalised."

However, Philippe Le Corre, a non-resident senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute's Centre for China Analysis, said Nauru's move to cut ties with Taipei showed that Beijing did not pay much heed to international support for Taiwan.

"[A bigger spotlight on the island] may be annoying, but at the end of the day the Chinese leadership thinks it can control the Taiwan agenda," he said. "China wants to take its time to see how it can influence things in Taiwan, through the economy and by putting pressure on the local political scene. Beyond what has been taking place, it is hard to predict."

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.
READING, Pa. - A bad trip to the doctor is something many can relate to.

"I had a negative experience, or bad experience, with the health care provider I was going to for many, many years, said Reading City Council President Donna Reed.

Couple it with that voice in your head that says you're probably fine.

"I always thought, as an old farm kid, I was invincible. However, none of us are, said Reed. My hesitance to go to doctors' appointments and be bogged down with that came back to bite me with this diagnosis and the treatment that followed."

Donna Reed is battling cancer following a diagnosis last year. She says she wants to keep people informed.

"I thought it was important because you hold the public trust. When they noticed you're missing in action for some meetings, when your physical appearance has changed. Now, I'm wearing a wig, but my hair is going because of chemo, Reed said.

An American Cancer Society rep says stories like Donna's are important to hear.

"When public officials, people in the public eye, share their personal experiences, it really helps open the door for other people to talk to their health care provider, said Donna Greco with the American Cancer Society.

And the society says it hopes that recently proposed state funding to help people cover medical bills will become more common.

"We see the investments outlined in the governor's budget proposal really helping to address barriers for Pennsylvanians, said Greco.

Meanwhile, Reed says she's in a good place health-wise but will still have more treatments ahead of her. Through it all, she's encouraging others to take their health seriously.

"Fifty and beyond, Reed said. Don't do what I did. Go and get checked. A regular yearly physical. It pays off in the long run.
READING, Pa.  Small businesses in Reading may soon have a big opportunity to receive funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.

"It's a great new program that the governor announced," said state Rep. Manny Guzman (D-Berks).

City officials are encouraging small businesses to jump on the opportunity to secure ARPA funding. The announcement aligns with Shapiro's commitment to support businesses across the state.

"And this is part of his initiative to help small, disadvantaged businesses  minority-driven businesses, women-owned businesses  to really help them get a leg up, especially after the pandemic," said Guzman.

Officials said the funding is separate from Reading's small business grants. But eligible businesses are encouraged to apply for a share of the $10.5 million available for businesses that experienced disadvantages following the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Think of it as like, your nail salons, your bodega owners down the street, your your hair salon," Guzman said.

The ARPA funding will provide grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000.

Officials said there are specific requirements.

"Businesses that will be eligible are businesses that generate less than a million dollars and have less than 25 employees, full-time employees," Guzman explained.

Businesses also had to have been operating on or before March 17, 2020.

ARPA grant funds can be used for working capital, equipment, safety and security measures, operational costs and more.

It's funding that Guzman said a number of small businesses in Berks County can really use.

"I'm an individual that, you know, goes to a barber for the last couple of years and been faithful to that barber, and this barber had a very tough time during the COVID pandemic," Guzman said. "A lot of these businesses are still struggling to get on their feet. "

Officials said priority will be given to businesses located in low-income census tracts and municipalities with crime rates higher than the state average.

Reading does fall into these categories.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 23.
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - One day after delivering his budget address, Governor Josh Shapiro stopped at New Holland Equipment in Lancaster County where he talked about opportunity.

"When I think about opportunity across Pennsylvania, the thing is we need to be more competitive than we have been in recent decades," said Gov. Shapiro.

He said economic development and opportunity are what the state needs to invest in.

Governor Shapiro is proposing a $10.3 million investment in agriculture and conservation innovation.

"If you want to think about being more competitive, if you want to think about Pennsylvania being able to lead the nation more, you've got to think about our farms and you got to think about the companies that support our farms," said Governor Shapiro.

"Pennsylvania has a very unique opportunity to become independent and really build a more resilient food hub and infrastructure right here in the commonwealth," said Jeff Tkach, CEO of the Rodale Institute in Maxatawny Township, Berks County.

The non-profit is dedicated to growing the regenerative organic agriculture movement.

He supports the proposed investment in the ag industry.

"There's been a surge in consumer demand for organic products and Pennsylvania currently ranks third in the nation for organic sales," said Tkach. "We are embarking on significant programs to build farmer training and workforce development that is going to really set this state up for success," said Tkach.
ALLENTOWN, Pa.  Allentown City Council heard a presentation Wednesday about a feasibility study for a new police headquarters.

Team members of Alloy5 Architecture, Bethlehem, conducted the study. Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca said members of the police department worked with Alloy5 to provide feedback.

"Tonight, you are seeing a vision that I fully stand behind and support so that Allentown can be on the forefront of modernization to provide effective and constitutional service to our citizens," Roca said.

The current 29,000-square-foot building at Fourth and West Hamilton streets was constructed in 1963 and needs significant upgrades and repairs to meet current codes as well as police and safety standards.

Bekah Rusnock, Alloy5 director of development, said the current facility is deficient in its ability to house all of the current 212 officers.

"You are actually authorized for 232 officers," Rusnock said. "And in discussions with the police department and with other officials at city hall, we talked about how an appropriate number of officers for a city of this size is, is closer to that 250 number."

Councilmember Daryl L. Hendricks said he had a concern about whether 250 officers will be sufficient 50 years from now.

Architect Randy Galiotto said the plan would include growth for the future.

"I can't tell you what those details would be at this moment, but we would make sure that you have a path for growth in the future, and we will show you how to do that on this site," Galiotto said.

Michelle Mozingo, senior architectural designer with Alloy5, explained that the feasibility study looked at several possible locations for a new police station, but found the best scenario would be to renovate the existing station and construct a new addition to create a 50,000-square-foot building.

By doing so, the plan would locate all staff under one roof, be adjacent to city government in the main downtown area and provide ample parking.

"We really wanted to engage in the existing plaza outside of the police department and look at removing that earth and putting another addition on, about 22,500 square feet," Mozingo said. "So just shy of doubling the square footage of the building to about 50,500 square feet."

"This option also proposes creating a new pedestrian bridge that will get from the parking garage to the city hall plaza, as well as a new Allentown Police Department plaza that will be handicap accessible that will also get everyone from off of the street, which is that steep hill," Mozingo explained.

She said the proposed designs submitted by Alloy5 draw inspiration from city hall, the courthouse and the historic post office.

Total projected construction costs are between $28.3 million and $36.9 million, but would escalate by 5% per year starting in 2025.

Councilmembers questioned from where the funds would come.

Roca said he is working closely with the finance director and other city agencies to look at what investments can be made to make the project happen.

"I want to make sure that we make investments into infrastructure, and I think it's something important that as we consider the things that already happened in the station, that we take this very seriously, and we look to make sure that funds are made available through our investments," Roca said.

City Finance Director Bina Patel explained she has already started to have conversations with the city's financial advisor regarding this capital project.

"We are exploring different avenues," Patel said. "Currently, you have approved ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act funds) monies that the city was awarded to start the project, and then we are anticipating by the end of the year or early 2025, whether we would issue bonds to fund this project and what would that look like."

The design and approval phase of the project would take about 10 months, with construction taking between 12 to 18 months.

Council did not take any actions Wednesday night on the next steps needed to approve such a project.

Lease agreement for Bicentennial Park

In other business, council approved a lease agreement with Muhlenberg College to allow the college to use Bicentennial Park stadium at 1126 Lehigh St. at a cost of $15,000 per year.

The agreement calls for the college to pay for all the necessary improvements and upgrades needed to use the stadium.

Currently, the city cannot use the site because of the significant improvements needed.

The agreement will allow the city parks department or youth organizations to use the facility for 20 days each year, providing they do not conflict with collegiate events.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A school in Allentown has a greenhouse to call its own.

69 News stopped by St. Thomas Moore School Wednesday.

The school's "life science program" will use the greenhouse to grow food to donate to shelters in the Lehigh Valley.

A donor helped pay for the irrigated and temperature-controlled greenhouse.
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Gov. Josh Shapiro is asking his fellow lawmakers to join New Jersey, New York, and Maryland in making recreational marijuana legal and taxable.

"Our failure to legalize this only fuels the black market, drains much needed resources for law enforcement, it's time to catch up. I ask you to come together and send a bill to my desk that legalizes marijuana," Shapiro said.

We spoke with the company TerrAscend, which currently sells medical marijuana through stores like the Apothecarium. They're excited about the possibility of a bigger market.

"Pennsylvania's adult use market is forecasted to bring in about $475 million in 2025, which would make it TerrAscend's largest market yet," said Chantelle Elsner, President of TerrAscend Northeast.

But state Sen. Rosemary Brown says, not so fast.

"I do not think the votes are there for that legalization of marijuana," Brown said.

Brown is one of many Pennsylvania lawmakers who supported medical but oppose recreational marijuana.

"There are concerns with full legalization, coming from law enforcement concerns, coming from brain development concerns, and science is coming out every day on the impacts of continued marijuana usage," Brown said.

Elsner says they try to do what they can to ease those concerns.

"We've got packaging that doesn't appeal to children, right? Even if we're making edibles, they're not in the shape of a gummy bear. There's very clear warnings just like there would be in a standard medicine, and it's sold in a very controlled environment," Elsner said.

It's a debate that will carry on in the legislature this year, but Elsner says they're ready if it's approved.

"As soon as the state says go we're ready to execute our strategy," Elsner said.
HARRISBURG, Pa. - What if every child born in the U.S. had a bank account from birth they could access at 18 with money for school, starting a business, or buying a home?

That's the goal of the 401Kids Savings Act, led by Sen. Bob Casey.

"Most families have virtually no savings at all generation after generation, and a very small group of Americans have all the wealth accumulated at the top," Casey said.

"So in the interest of our national security and the strength of our economy, this is vital to give families the opportunity to save and 401Kids allows us to do that on a national scale."

Under the bill, families could contribute up to $2,500 per child annually until they're 17.

Families making under $75,000 for single filers or $150,000 if married, would receive $500 per year per child. Those eligible for the earned income tax credit would receive an additional $250 per year.

Funds could also be rolled into a retirement account.

The 401Kids accounts would be managed by state treasuries.

Several states, including Pennsylvania, already have a form of Children's Savings Accounts.

"Especially for lower-income families, there are already many, many programs and many, many phases of bureaucracy that they need to go through, and this is adding yet another one, potentially," said Brad Barnhorst, Chair of Finance at DeSales University.

Barnhorst sees the benefit but thinks there might be issues implementing the plan and making sure lower-income families are taking advantage of it.

"So I sometimes wonder is this the best method or should we continue with something like the expansion of the child tax credit or the IETC credit, which are already implemented," Barnhorst said.

"It's been a bipartisan idea, the question is can we get enough bipartisan support to pass it?" Casey said.
EAST LANSDOWNE, Pa. - As many as eight people are missing and feared dead following a chaotic scene in Delaware County that involved a house fire and two police officers getting shot.

The chaos erupted Wednesday afternoon in East Lansdowne, on the outskirts of West Philadelphia. Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said police rushed to a house on Lewis Ave. in East Lansdowne when they got a disturbing report.

"At 3:57 this afternoon, a call to respond to the 911 center that an 11-year-old girl had been shot," said Stollsteimer.

But when police got to the scene, the shooter started firing on them. Two officers were hit, one in the leg and one in the arm, but thankfully they're recovering in the hospital.

"We actually walked through the rooms where they are being held. They gave us the thumbs up. Those guys are going to be okay. The good guys are going to be fine," said Stollsteimer.

But after the shooting stopped, the flames began. Police believe a person inside the house started the fire. Firefighters couldn't immediately move in to put it out because of the danger from the gunman, and now the concern is there could be several people dead inside.

"We are aware that there are at least 6 to 8 people who are unaccounted for from that family. It is our terrible fear that they may be inside that house when it was burned. We are hopeful that that is not true," said Stollsteimer.

Stollsteimer said they'll find out the truth when they do a full investigation Thursday morning.

"We are going to methodically go through that scene and hopefully, and look for bodies and look for evidence of what actually happened," said Stollsteimer.

The District Attorney's Office is not releasing the identity of the shooter, the family members, or the officers who were shot at this time.
WARRINGTON, Pa.  A group of Bucks County students teamed up with a state representative to craft a bill about social media. It aims to empower parents, protect children and hold tech companies accountable.

Sometimes logging off isn't on the table.

"It's addictive, said Luka Jonjic, a student at Central Bucks High School South.

"It becomes necessary for a lot of activities, said Max Jin, another student at Central Bucks High School South.

"Society is kind of built around it, said Dylan Schwartz, who also goes to Central Bucks High School South.

The students say that all prompts a need for change within social media.

"That is being piped into the brains every day, at all hours of the day, said state Rep. Peter Schweyer.

State Rep. Brian Munroe announced his newest legislation at Tamanend Middle School, because he wrote it with three of its former students.

They describe what House Bill 2017 would require social media companies to do for young users.

"Monitoring social media accounts for red flags, notifying parents or guardians of harmful content, and especially strengthening the proof of age verification, said Jonjic.

It would also prohibit data mining of kids.

Social media companies that don't follow the rules would get fined anywhere from a couple thousand to $50 million.

"I believe this legislation will help provide parents with the necessary resources to intervene in the event of a dangerous situation, said Jin.

This all started when the trio was in middle school. They won an award from C-SPAN for a video they made about mental health. It was a fictional storyline involving a congressman, and Representative Munroe said, why not make it a reality.

"This was a cry for help for a generation, suffering the brunt of social media's impact, soaring rates of anxiety, self-esteem issues, and depression, all while social media companies raking the profits with minimal accountability, said Munroe.

"Last year, I was suffering through the worst part about my life, stuck in a never-ending depression spell, said Schwartz.

Schwartz is hopeful the bill could help students in similar situations.

"There's so much that we can do too, said Schwartz. Kids can find the light within a dark tunnel.

"We will absolutely be moving this legislation as quickly as possible in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, with the hopes that we could get some buy in from our friends in the state Senate, so that we no longer are putting another generation of students at risk, said Schweyer.
NORRISTOWN, Pa. - Officials in Montgomery County say a Plymouth Meeting woman is under arrest, charged in the robbery and murder of her boyfriend.

29-year-old Katherine Emel is charged with second-degree murder, robbery and conspiracy for the January 20 killing of William Carter in Norristown.

3 arrested in connection with shooting death of man in Norristown Damon Brantley Jr., 18, of Norristown; Daquan Allen, 29, of Norristown; and Jerry Butler, 28, of Philadelphia, were arrested on first-degree murder, robbery and other charges.

Authorities say on that evening, police responded to a call for shots fired at West Wood and Powell streets and arrived to find Carter dead on the sidewalk.

A joint homicide investigation by Norristown Police and Montgomery County Detectives uncovered that prior to his death, Carter left a nearby residence to get some money out of a car.

As the victim crossed the street, detectives say three males ran out of a gray Toyota RAV-4 and robbed Carter. A fourth male remained in the vehicle.

After the defendants robbed Carter, one of them shot him once in the head, killing him.

The investigation found that Damon Brantley Jr. and Daquan Allen of Norristown, Jerry Butler of Philadelphia and a fourth male were involved in the crime, with Brantley identified as the alleged shooter.

Detectives learned that the vehicle Carter was driving belonged to his girlfriend, Katherine Emel, who allegedly placed a GPS tracking device inside the vehicles trunk.

Investigators found that Emel communicated with co-defendant Daquan Allen multiple times before Carters robbery and murder, telling him the victim recently won $3,000 gambling and provided the location where Carter was going to be on the evening he was killed.

Following the murder, detectives say they found video surveillance from a business on North Broad Street in Philadelphia that allegedly shows Allen giving $700 to Emel.

All defendants are being held at Montgomery County Correctional Facility without bail.
Tapestry Inc. chief executive officer Joanne Crevoiserat expressed concerns over the companys Stuart Weitzman footwear label during a call with analysts on Thursday.

On the companys second quarter conference call, Crevoiserat noted that top-line results at the footwear brand were pressured, reflecting in part the ongoing strategic reduction in off-price wholesale shipments. These headwinds were partially offset by growth in China against last years COVID-impacted results and an expanded gross margin versus the prior year, the CEO said.

More from Footwear News

Other wins at Stuart Weitzman include growth in the brands core boot classification, fueled by gains in the Soho and 5050 families. The shoe brand also continued to build out its assortment with more seasonless casual styles, including loafers and ballet flats.

During the quarter, we also launched a new sneaker assortment featuring a range of innovative designs, engineered to combine fashion and function, Crevoiserat said. At the same time, our handbag collection, while still a small portion of the assortment, drove growth at high AUR. As we move forward, we will deliver more newness into the core assortment in keeping with rapidly evolving consumer trends.

Still, we remain unsatisfied with the brands pace of recovery, and we continue to focus on prioritizing brand health and delivering innovation for consumers, Crevoiserat added.

This sentiment comes as Stuart Weitzman saw net sales in the second quarter dip 4 percent to $82.2 million, down from $85.4 million the same time last year.

Overall, the Stuart Weitzman team is focused on executing against its strategic priorities, fueling brand heat and deepening customer engagement through a stronger, more diversified foundation of differentiated product and emotional purpose-led storytelling to drive enhanced growth and profitability long term, Crevoiserat said.

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As for the rest of the company, Tapestry Inc. reported a 3 percent increase in net sales in the second quarter to $2.08 billion, compared to $2.03 billion the same time last year. However, net income for the quarter slipped to $322 million from $330 million a year ago.

Tapestry added on Thursday that its on plan to close its buyout of Capri, parent to Michael Kors, Versace and Jimmy Choo, this calendar year.

The company took on $6.1 billion in debt in November to help fuel the transaction, but remains committed to getting its gross leverage ratio below 2.5x debt/adjusted earnings before interest, taxes depreciation and amortization within two years of the deals closing.

Separately, Capri Holdings reported late on Thursday that its total revenue decreased 5.6 percent in the third quarter to $1.43 billion, down from $1.51 billion the same period last year.

Capri noted that total company retail sales declined in the mid-single-digits with trends being impacted by softening luxury consumer demand primarily in the Americas as well as by the Michael Kors Americas e-commerce implementation issues discussed last quarter. In wholesale, revenue decreased in the low-teens driven by softer demand in the Americas and EMEA, Capri said.

Best of Footwear News
EAST LANSDOWNE, Pa. -- The search for at least six people in a suburban Philadelphia home is underway Thursday after a shooting and fire Wednesday afternoon.

Two police officers were hurt after someone opened fire on them as they were responding to a report of a shooting in East Lansdowne, Delaware County, authorities say.

The district attorney identified the injured officers as Officer David Schiazza, with the Lansdowne Police Department. The 54-year-old was shot in the leg and will be released from the hospital Thursday afternoon.

Officer John Meehan, 44, with the East Lansdowne Police Department, was shot in the arm and required a lengthy surgery. He is still being treated and his release date is unknown, the DA said.

Both are 22-year police veterans.

The DA says it all started just before 4 p.m. Wednesday when officers were called to Lewis Avenue for a report of an 11-year-old girl who was shot.

When officers arrived on the scene, a gunman started shooting at them. The two officers were shot and were rushed to the hospital.

Neighbors say they heard the gunfire, and ran to safety.

"I had to tell my two children to duck in the house," Ivanka Vaucon said.

"I said, 'girl leave them groceries, and let's get in the house because they're shooting,'" another witness said.

Law enforcement agencies swarmed the neighborhood, holding rifles and wearing tactical gear.

"When you see all the cops and coming from all different directions and townships you know, something's going on," said Marshall Hopkins, neighbor.

Neighbors tell us they heard dozens of shots go off, somewhere between 30 to 50.

Shortly after the gunfire ended, fire erupted inside of the home. The house was engulfed in flames.

Six to eight people, believed to be in the home at the time of the fire, are still unaccounted for.

"Unfortunately, I'm very confident that we're going to find at least one body in there. And I think we're going to find many more, several more," said Jack Stollsteimer, Delaware County district attorney.

It could take a while before authorities find out exactly how many people were inside when the home caught fire.

Stollsteimer says the home has six feet of water in it, the walls are close to collapsing and it's too unsafe for investigators to go inside.

"We're going to make sure that we methodically, carefully get inside the house and recover whatever gruesome things we find," he said. "...We don't want anybody going into that building until we're sure it's not going to collapse on anybody."

He says it could take anywhere between a few hours to a few days before they can answer how many people died inside the home, and what happened.
The widow of a state trooper who was killed in a DUI crash on I-95 is taking legal action against the driver.

Brittney Sisca, the wife of Trooper Branden Sisca has filed a wrongful death lawsuit, saying his death was "100% preventable."

Back in 2022, Sisca and Trooper Martin Mack were helping an Allentown man into their cruiser when the crash happened.

All three of them died.

The driver, Jayana Webb, was sentenced to at least 27 years in prison for the accident.

Sisca's wife is suing Webb, the bar Webb was at before the crash, and others.
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. - "It was a little bit of a shock because you certainly don't expect the state police to be involved in that kind of thing."

That was Bob Kurack's reaction to Monday morning's crash near his Hackettstown, New Jersey neighborhood.

The New Jersey Attorney General's Office says an unmarked New Jersey State Trooper SUV collided with a bicyclist on Willow Grove Street near Brook Hollow Drive in Hackettstown just before 6 a.m. Monday.

"There is a little bit of a hill here so, it's possible if he's coming from that direction he just didn't see them. Probably dark at that hour too," Kurack speculated.

Speculation, as the AG's office hasn't said if the trooper was responding to a call or if the sirens were on. The victim was taken to nearby Hackettstown Medical center, where he died an hour later.

At this time the victim's identity and trooper's name are not being released.

Neighbors say bikers along the busy stretch are common. The owner of a nearby deli says the victim, who would stop in often wearing all black, was one of the nicest guys you could meet.

Kurack says this is the first time in his 25 years living here that something like this has happened.

"This definitely got people I think a little shaken," Kurack said.

How this happened or who was at fault has not been released.

The AG's office says it investigates all deaths involving an officer while that officer is on duty.
The military says efforts are underway to recover the remains of five U.S. Marines who were killed when their helicopter went down during stormy weather in the mountains outside of San Diego. The military confirmed the five deaths Thursday. Authorities say the CH-53E Super Stallion vanished late Tuesday night while conducting a flight training on their way back to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar from Creech Air Force Base. The craft was discovered Wednesday morning near the mountain community of Pine Valley. The names of those killed have yet to be officially released.
Key Insights

The projected fair value for technotrans is 13.87 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

technotrans' 18.10 share price signals that it might be 31% overvalued

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of technotrans SE (ETR:TTR1) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for technotrans

The Model

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To 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:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 13.1m 9.20m 7.14m 6.04m 5.39m 5.00m 4.75m 4.59m 4.50m 4.44m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ -22.37% Est @ -15.49% Est @ -10.68% Est @ -7.31% Est @ -4.95% Est @ -3.29% Est @ -2.14% Est @ -1.33% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 6.0% 12.4 8.2 6.0 4.8 4.0 3.5 3.2 2.9 2.7 2.5

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 50m

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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 0.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 6.0%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 4.4m (1 + 0.6%)  (6.0% 0.6%) = 82m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 82m ( 1 + 6.0%)10= 46m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is 96m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 18.1, the company appears potentially overvalued at the time of writing. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

Important Assumptions

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 technotrans as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.183. 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 technotrans

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 Machinery market.

Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the German market.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by cash flow.

Next Steps:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Can we work out why the company is trading at a premium to intrinsic value? For technotrans, we've compiled three relevant elements you should look at:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for technotrans that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does TTR1'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.
If we want to find a potential multi-bagger, often there are underlying trends that can provide clues. One common approach is to try and find a company with returns on capital employed (ROCE) that are increasing, in conjunction with a growing amount of capital employed. If you see this, it typically means it's a company with a great business model and plenty of profitable reinvestment opportunities. So on that note, Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad (KLSE:TGL) looks quite promising in regards to its trends of return on capital.

What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)?

For those who don't know, ROCE is a measure of a company's yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business. To calculate this metric for Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad, this is the formula:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.13 = RM16m  (RM148m - RM24m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to September 2023).

Thus, Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad has an ROCE of 13%. In absolute terms, that's a pretty normal return, and it's somewhat close to the Specialty Retail industry average of 14%.

See our latest analysis for Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad

roce

Historical performance is a great place to start when researching a stock so above you can see the gauge for Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad's ROCE against it's prior returns. If you want to delve into the historical earnings, revenue and cash flow of Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad, check out these free graphs here.

What Can We Tell From Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad's ROCE Trend?

Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad is displaying some positive trends. The data shows that returns on capital have increased substantially over the last five years to 13%. Basically the business is earning more per dollar of capital invested and in addition to that, 40% more capital is being employed now too. So we're very much inspired by what we're seeing at Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad thanks to its ability to profitably reinvest capital.

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The Key Takeaway

A company that is growing its returns on capital and can consistently reinvest in itself is a highly sought after trait, and that's what Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad has. And with the stock having performed exceptionally well over the last five years, these patterns are being accounted for by investors. Therefore, we think it would be worth your time to check if these trends are going to continue.

Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad does come with some risks though, we found 4 warning signs in our investment analysis, and 1 of those is a bit unpleasant...

While Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad may not currently earn the highest returns, we've compiled a list of companies that currently earn more than 25% return on equity. Check out this free list here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
The European Union is making life a lot more challenging for businesses across the globe.

The 27-nation bloc has aggressively adopted new laws meant to police personal data, social media content, and the dominance of Big Tech. It has sued to block mergers. And it has readied the worlds first comprehensive legislation to police artificial intelligence.

The actions are raising the stakes for how companies operate both inside and outside the EU. Just last month, EU opposition to a union of two American tech companies  Amazon (AMZN) and robot vacuum maker iRobot (IRBT)  was enough for the firms to call off their $1.4 billion merger.

EU opposition to a union of two American tech companies  Amazon and robot vacuum maker iRobot  was enough for the firms to call off their $1.4 billion merger. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Resistance from the EU was also enough to persuade Silicon Valley-based Photoshop maker Adobe (ADBE) to give up on plans to acquire San Francisco-based web-based design platform Figma and motivate US biotech giant Illumina to sell off a cancer-screening company called Grail.

Big companies in the US and across the globe now face a critical decision: Do they adjust the way they make products and provide services to the EUs more aggressive laws or bet that more lenient regulations will take hold in other countries where they operate?

'The Brussels effect'

Some giant companies that operate globally arent willing to take the chance of tiptoeing around the EU, which remains the worlds third-largest economy and is home to roughly 450 million people.

"We've seen businesses say, I'm going to build my products, my widgets, my service, to align with the most restrictive guidelines and not have different jurisdictional approaches,'" said Jordan Fischer, a lecturer on cross-border information governance at the University of California Berkeley and partner at Constangy.

This pressure to adopt the EUs version of business compliance even outside its jurisdiction is growing, though isn't new. It's known as "the Brussels effect," a term coined in 2012 by Columbia Law School professor Anu Bradford to describe how the EU's aggressive legislation exerts unprecedented and deeply underestimated global power."

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Brussels, in Belgium, is considered the unofficial capital of the EU.

The Berlaymont building that hosts European Commission in Brussels, Belgium. (Getty Images) (Bosca78 via Getty Images)

"Companies with customers, or hopes of future business, in the EU decide to comply with the regulations in order to be able to continue selling into the EU, and interacting with potential EU consumers," said Meredith Kolsky Lewis, director of cross-border legal studies at University at Buffalo School of Law.

The EU, which was created in 1993, has a long history of moving more aggressively in its regulation of businesses than the US.

It even chalked up some early victories. In 2001, its antitrust stance doomed a $42 billion proposed merger between GE and Honeywell, even though that industrial union had received approval in the US. In 2007, it adopted broad environmental legislation that pushed chemical companies around the globe to adhere to new restrictions.

GE Chairman and CEO John Welch, left, and Honeywell Chairman and CEO Michael Bonsignore, right, shake hands during a press conference in 2000 where GE agreed to acquire Honeywell. (DOUG KANTER/AFP via Getty Images) (DOUG KANTER via Getty Images)

'It's not a big problem for the Googles of the world'

In more recent years, the EUs attempt to rein in tech giants has become a core focus. The EU's first major tech legislation, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), went into effect in 2018.

It is designed to protect consumer privacy and security and imposes obligations on companies anywhere in the world as long as they "target or collect data related to people in the EU."

The EU then added two more laws in subsequent years  the Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act that attempt to curb the dominance of Big Tech companies like Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN), Meta (META), and Microsoft (MSFT), and the content of major online social media and e-commerce sites.

"Where regulation like the GDPR has the biggest effect  it's actually outside of Europe, in countries in the developing world," said Charles Kenny, an economist and senior fellow at the Washington think tank Center for Global Development.

"And I think that's sad. I think it's something that European rule makers and regulators tend not to take into account."

In response to tech regulations that include GDPR, which Kenny said made no exceptions for startups, a group of African Union nations formed an alliance to advocate for rules more friendly to entrepreneurs in poor nations like Sierra Leone and Ghana.

"It's not a big problem for the Googles of the world or the Facebooks of the world to comply. It is a big problem for small tech startups," Kenny said, adding that he agrees that certain levels of regulation are needed.

"I worry the same might happen with these AI regulations."

The EU does intend to apply new legal restraints around artificial intelligence this year after EU members last week signaled their agreement on the worlds first comprehensive legislation to regulate AI.

The new rules will focus on the uses of AI technology and classify how heavily they are regulated depending on how risky the application is, with facial recognition and certain medical innovations requiring approval before being made available to customers.

Federal laws specific to AI dont exist yet in the US, and its unknown whether that will happen.

The combination of the added tech regulations from the EU and confusion within the US as to its own intentions means more uncertainty and further complexity for global businesses, Lewis said.

Despite the hard line that the EU has taken with its tech laws, Fischer said there is reason for companies to hope that the EU and the US will come into greater alignment. She pointed to a framework concluded with the US this year known as the Trade and Technology Council.

"I think that makes a lot of companies breathe a little bit easier. Not easy. But easier," Fischer said.

Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on Twitter @alexiskweed.

Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices.

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Tim Cook, Steve Ballmer and Jamie Dimon are among the few US billionaires who didn't found a company or inherit a fortune

Almost all American billionaires are founders or heirs to family fortunes.

Forbes identified just 26 out of 760 US billionaires who made it big by climbing the corporate ladder.

They include Apple's Tim Cook, JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon, and ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

Virtually all of America's billionaires either founded a wildly successful company or inherited a vast fortune. Apple CEO Tim Cook, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, and former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer are among the few exceptions.

Forbes identified only 26 people on its list of 760 US billionaires who are neither entrepreneurs nor scions, yet still managed to amass 10-digit net worths by working at companies they didn't create.

Their routes to fabulous riches range from being hired as early employees or executives at big tech companies, to climbing the corporate ladders at hedge funds, private equity firms, and investment banks.

Ballmer leads the pack with an estimated fortune of $143 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index largely due to his near-4% stake in Microsoft. He first joined the software company in 1980 as an assistant to then-president Bill Gates, and was CEO from 2000 to 2014.

Remarkably, Ballmer ranks sixth on the Bloomberg list, just one spot and $3 billion behind the Microsoft cofounder.

Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt, ($21 billion), Microsoft former chief software architect, Charles Simonyi ($7.3 billion), former Facebook vice-president Jeff Rothschild ($5.7 billion), and ex-eBay president Jeff Skoll ($4.3 billion) are also among the richest hired-hand billionaires according to Forbes' list.

Other industry stalwarts include Meta's former operating chief, Sheryl Sandberg ($2 billion), and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman ($3 billion).

Former Meta COO Sheryl Sandberg. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Tech leaders on the Forbes list include Snowflake CEO Frank Slootman ($3.5 billion), Apple's Cook ($2.1 billion), Oracle CEO Safra Catz ($1.8 billion), and AMD chief Lisa Su ($1.1 billion).

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Elite financiers also feature heavily, ranging from Veritas Capital CEO Ramzi Musallam ($9 billion) to JPMorgan's Dimon ($2 billion), ex-Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein ($1.2 billion), and the top brass at Blackstone, KKR, and Silver Lake.

Only two people on the list struck gold outside of tech and finance. Those are Tor Peterson ($2.4 billion), the former head of coal trading at commodity behemoth Glencore, and Paul Saville, executive chairman and former CEO of homebuilder NVR.

A vanishingly small number of employees get filthy rich working for someone else, but this group show it's possible to join the three-comma club without being a founder or an heir.

Read the original article on Business Insider
BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday sent a congratulatory letter on the completion of the building of the Qinling Station and its operation in Antarctica.

Qinling Station, the country's fifth research station in Antarctica, started operation on Wednesday.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, extended his sincere greetings and Chinese Lunar New Year wishes to people working for polar research.

Noting that this year marks the 40th anniversary of China's polar expedition, Xi said China's polar research cause has achieved fruitful results and the completion of the building of the Qinling Station will provide a strong guarantee for scientists in China and around the world to continue to explore the mysteries of nature and bravely ascend the peak of science.

Xi called for better understanding, protection and utilization of the polar regions to make new and greater contributions to the benefit of humanity and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

He Lifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier of China, attended the opening ceremony in Beijing marking the launch of the Qinling Station, during which he read out President Xi's congratulatory letter, announced the name of the station and delivered a speech.

The vice premier urged efforts to improve supporting facilities of the station, improve work safety management, deepen scientific investigations and research, and strengthen international exchanges and cooperation.

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends the opening ceremony marking the launch of the Qinling Station in Antarctica, in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 7, 2024. He Lifeng read out a congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping, announced the name of the station and delivered a speech during the ceremony. [Xinhua/Zhang Ling]

(Source: Xinhua)
BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday sent a message of condolences to Chilean President Gabriel Boric over the passing of former Chilean President Sebastian Pinera.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi extended deep condolences and expressed sincere sympathies to the Chilean people and Pinera's family.

In his message, Xi pointed out that Mr. Pinera was an outstanding politician of Chile and had devoted himself to the development of China-Chile relations and the mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation, actively contributing to the friendship of the two countries.

The Chinese people have lost an old friend, a good friend after Pinera's passing, Xi said.

"I highly regard the development of China-Chile relations, and stand ready to work with President Boric to continue to promote the ongoing consolidation and development of the China-Chile comprehensive strategic partnership," Xi said.

(Source: Xinhua)
BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping has congratulated Nayib Bukele on his re-election as El Salvador's president.

In his congratulatory message sent on Monday, Xi said that in recent years, China-El Salvador relations have developed comprehensively and rapidly with fruitful results from practical cooperation, which has brought tangible benefits to the local people.

It has fully demonstrated that the establishment of China-El Salvador diplomatic relations is in line with the fundamental and long-term interests of the two countries and their people, Xi said.

Noting that he highly appreciates Bukele's firm adherence to the one-China principle, Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-El Salvador relations and is ready to work with Bukele to strengthen strategic guidance, deepen cooperation in various fields, and continuously lift bilateral relations to higher levels, so as to better benefit their people.

(Source: Xinhua)
Huang Xiaowei, Vice-President and First Member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), and Vice-Chairperson of the National Working Committee on Children and Women (NWCCW) under the State Council, met Dennis Francis, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, on January 31 in Beijing.

Huang said Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, which dovetail the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Xi attaches great importance to women and children's development, and raised China's proposals and pledged China's actions during the important speeches he delivered when he attended, twice, the UN's events to commemorate the Fourth World Conference on Women (held in Beijing in 1995). We expect to enhance communications and cooperation with the UN, and to make contributions to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, to fulfill the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Huang noted.

She outlined the 13th National Women's Congress of China (held in October 2023), noting that Xi, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attended the congress' opening with Standing Committee Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Xi delivered an important speech during a talk with ACWF's new leadership, which provided guiding principles for women's cause and women's federations' work on a new journey and in the new era. Women's federations at all levels and numerous women and their families have been greatly inspired and encouraged by the Party's care. Huang also outlined Xi's discourses on the work related to women and children as well as the work of women's federations, and Xi's discourses on the importance of family, family education and virtues. Huang mentioned the achievements reached in the cause of women in the new era and ACWF's major work. In particular, she introduced the Spring Bud Project, which received the 2023 UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Prize for Girls' and Women's Education.

Francis highly appreciated the proposal by Xi on promoting women's all-round development, and he praised CPC's leadership. China, as an active advocate and powerful facilitator to the cause of women worldwide, has made remarkable achievements in developing women's undertakings, of which the good experience are worth sharing by the ACWF with other UN Member States, especially good practices on women's economic empowerment and on narrowing the gender-based digital divide. He said the UN is willing to work with China to promote gender equality and women's empowerment and to speed up the fulfillment of the 2030 SDGs.

After their meeting, Huang and Francis wrote calligraphies and drew paintings with children at the China National Children's Center (CNCC) to welcome the coming Chinese New Year.

Lin Yi, Vice-President and Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF, and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, relevant ACWF departments, the NWCCW Office and the CNCC, attended.

(Source: Liaison Department of the All-China Women's Federation)


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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.
Net Sales : Increased to $1,789 million, a 28% rise from the previous year.

Net Income : Grew significantly to $382 million, marking a 67% increase year-over-year.

Earnings Per Share (EPS) : EPS stood at $4.87, up 46% from the prior year's quarter.

EBITDA As Defined : Rose by 30% to $912 million, with a margin of 51.0%.

Adjusted EPS : Adjusted earnings per share climbed to $7.16, a 56% increase from the previous year.

Fiscal 2024 Guidance: TransDigm raises its net sales and EBITDA As Defined guidance for the fiscal year.

On February 8, 2024, TransDigm Group Inc (NYSE:TDG), a leading global designer, producer, and supplier of highly engineered aircraft components, announced a robust start to its fiscal year with the release of its 8-K filing. The company, which operates in segments including power and control, airframes, and nonaviation, reported a 28% increase in net sales to $1,789 million for the first quarter ended December 30, 2023, compared to the same period last year.

TransDigm's net income for the quarter saw a remarkable 67% increase to $382 million, while earnings per share rose by 46% to $4.87. The company's EBITDA As Defined also experienced a significant boost, increasing by 30% to $912 million, resulting in an EBITDA As Defined margin of 51.0%. Adjusted earnings per share followed suit, with a 56% increase to $7.16. These financial achievements underscore TransDigm's strong performance in the Aerospace & Defense industry, where aftermarket demand and proprietary products play a critical role in driving profitability.

TransDigm Group Inc (TDG) Reports Stellar Fiscal 2024 First Quarter Results

Operational Highlights and Financial Metrics

TransDigm's President and CEO, Kevin Stein, expressed satisfaction with the company's first-quarter results, highlighting the expansion of commercial aftermarket revenues and a 100 basis-point increase in EBITDA As Defined margin compared to the prior year. The company's focus on its operating strategy and cost management was evident in its financial outcomes. The acquisition of Calspan in May 2023 and the pending acquisition of CPI's Electron Device Business, expected to close this fiscal year, are strategic moves that reinforce TransDigm's market position.

Story continues

The company's financial strength was further supported by a successful private offering of $1.0 billion of 7.125% senior secured notes and the issuance of $1.0 billion in new Tranche J term loans. These funds are intended to finance the CPI acquisition and for general corporate purposes.

Forward-Looking Financial Guidance

TransDigm has raised its fiscal 2024 guidance, reflecting strong first-quarter results and positive expectations for the remainder of the year. The company now anticipates net sales to be between $7,575 million and $7,755 million, a 16.4% increase at the midpoint from fiscal 2023. Net income is expected to range from $1,560 million to $1,662 million, marking a 24.0% increase at the midpoint. Earnings per share are projected to be between $25.25 and $27.01, an 18.6% increase at the midpoint, while EBITDA As Defined is forecasted to be between $3,920 million and $4,050 million, a 17.4% increase at the midpoint, corresponding to an EBITDA As Defined margin of approximately 52.0% for fiscal 2024.

TransDigm's outlook is based on market growth assumptions that include commercial OEM revenue growth around 20%, commercial aftermarket revenue growth in the mid-teens percentage range, and defense revenue growth in the high-single digit to low double-digit percentage range.

Conclusion

TransDigm Group Inc (NYSE:TDG) has demonstrated a strong start to fiscal 2024, with significant increases in net sales, net income, and EBITDA As Defined. The company's strategic acquisitions and effective cost management have positioned it well for continued success in the Aerospace & Defense sector. With upward revisions to its full-year guidance, TransDigm is poised for sustained growth and value creation for its shareholders.

For more detailed information on TransDigm's financial performance and future outlook, investors and analysts are encouraged to attend the earnings conference call scheduled for February 8, 2024.

For inquiries, please contact TransDigm Group's Investor Relations at 216-706-2945 or email ir@transdigm.com.

Explore the complete 8-K earnings release (here) from TransDigm Group Inc for further details.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


UBS Hong Kong and Crypto Exchange OSL Tokenize Investment Warrant on Ethereum

UBS Hong Kong, in collaboration with crypto exchange OSL, has successfully tokenized an investment warrant on the Ethereum blockchain. The tokenized product, an options call warrant linked to Chinese tech giant Xiaomi, was sold to OSL Exchange after its creation on the Ethereum network. This pilot project successfully simulated the entire lifecycle of a tokenized warrant, from minting to settlement, demonstrating the practical potential of the technology.

Both UBS and OSL emphasized the numerous benefits of tokenization, including increased accessibility for investors through new channels to access structured products, enhanced efficiency through automated processes enabled by smart contracts, and improved transparency leveraging the blockchain's immutable ledger.

This initiative builds upon UBS's sustained research and exploration of tokenization since 2015, following previous issuances of tokenized notes. OSL, a key player in the cryptocurrency space, is also actively exploring tokenization options, showcasing its commitment to innovation and expansion into retail fund products through its "Fund Token" initiative.

Head of Sales of UBS Global Markets for APAC Public Distribution, Winni Cheuk, said:

The introduction of the UBS tokenized warrant reinforces the banks position as the leading derivative products issuer in Hong Kong1. Created natively on a public blockchain in a permissioned environment, this innovative product enhances transparency, reduces transaction fees, streamlines settlement processes, and allows for more flexible trading hours.
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron told the Foreign Affairs Select Committee last month that the resettlement of Chagossians back in their homeland, including on the island of Diego Garcia, was not possible.

In November 2022, the former foreign secretary, James Cleverly said that Britain was negotiating with Mauritius over the future of the Chagos Islands, including resettlement of the former inhabitants of the Chagos archipelago, while retaining control of Diego Garcia. Camerons statement caused shock and anger among the Chagossians who had welcomed Cleverlys announcement as long overdue.

David Cameron speaks with the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak as he is appointed as Foreign Secretary as the Prime Minister reshuffles his cabinet from 10 Downing Street. [Photo by Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street/Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Cameron told the committee, We face a very insecure and dangerous world and there is a need to maintain our security and strengthen our alliances to protect ourselves, and we should think of Diego Garcia in that context. It is an important national asset that we share with the Americans. Any negotiations we have with the Mauritians, the overriding question must be the security, safety and usability of this base. We must look at all risks that there could be in any change of circumstance and that is how we must proceed.

His purpose is to ensure that the USs military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the 60-plus Chagos Islands that lie halfway between Tanzania and Indonesia in the Indian Ocean, can continue to operate unimpeded. It also appears that London has dropped plans to hand the Chagos Islands back to Mauritius, citing concerns over its relations with China.

Camerons statement comes as the US and Britain have launched attacks on the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. The US has also conducted strikes in Syria and has not ruled out hitting targets inside Iran. This rapidly expanding US-led war in the Middle East is part and parcel of the emerging global conflict involving Washingtons war against Russia in Ukraine and advanced military preparations targeting China. It is for this reason that the former prime minister, who held office from 2010 to 2016, was brought back into government, ennobled and appointed foreign secretary.

Diego Garcia houses one of the USs largest airbases, with 4,000 US as well as British troops, which serves as a launching pad for its criminal operations in the Middle East. It played a crucial role during the Gulf War, the Afghanistan War, and the Iraq War. Washington views it as essential for maintaining delicate military balance in the Indo-Pacific region in the face of the rise of China and escalating disputes in the South China Sea and for maintaining the supply of oil from the Persian Gulf. Britain allowed the CIA to use Diego Garcia as a dark site, where it detained and tortured people and refuelled extraordinary rendition flights, and recently extended the lease on the islands to 2036.

A US Air Force B-1B Lancer taking off from Diego Garcia as part of Operation Enduring Freedom during October 2001 [Photo: enior Airman Rebeca M. Luquin, U.S. Air Force]

Therefore, the UKs mooted decision to return the Chagos Islands was always dependent upon Washington. Without a green light from the Biden administration, London, even if willing, would not dare to return them. Hence the British government will supposedly only return the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius when it is no longer required for defence purposes, without indicating when that might be.

Britains purpose in granting Washington the 50-year lease on Diego Garcia in the 1960skept secret from both Parliament and the US Congresswas to secure an $11 million discount on the US-made Polaris nuclear weapons system, which Labour had pledged to scrap when in opposition. In 1973, the government forcibly removed the entire population of the Chagos Islands so that the US could establish a military base on Diego Garcia.

As Liseby Elyse, one of the Chagossians, who was 20-years-old and pregnant at the time, told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague in 2018, Britain shut down the islands plantations and cut off food supplies. The Chagossians were told that they had to leave by ship by April 27, 1973 or slowly starve. She said, We were like animals in that slave ship, adding, People were dying of sadness. Her child was stillborn.

It was the investigative journalist, the late John Pilger, who first brought their plight to the worlds attention with his film Stealing a Nation in 2004. The 2,000 Chagossians were exiled in Mauritius and the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean and eventually the UK, where, denied support and compensation and subject to racial discrimination at the hands of officialdom, they have lived in impoverished conditions ever since. Some 50 years after expelling them, the British government finally announced in 2022 that the Chagossians could apply for British citizenship.

Ever ruthless and duplicitous in protecting Britains imperialist interests, in 2009 Gordon Browns Labour government unilaterally declared the Chagos Islands a Marine Protected Area (MPA), thereby outlawing fishing and the extractive industries, including oil and gas exploration. The MPA was deliberately created to prevent Chagossians from returning to their homeland by destroying their potential livelihoods. WikiLeaks cables exposed this ruse in 2011, once again earning its publisher Julian Assange the British governments undying hatred.

The ICJ ruled that the separation of the islands from Mauritius, before it became independent in 1968 by Harold Wilsons Labour government in 1965, and their subsequent incorporation into the specially created British Indian Ocean Territories (BIOT) violated the 1960 United Nations resolution 1514 banning the breakup of colonies before independence. The Court excoriated the UKs method of gaining control over the islands as coercive and the removal of the residents to make way for the US base as shameful and urged the UK to end its administration of the Chagos Islands as rapidly as possible.

While the overwhelming majority of the UN General Assembly supported the ICJ, Britain with its customary imperial arrogance and hypocrisyit routinely invokes the importance of international law against its foesrefused to accept the ICJs rulings and the UN decision.

This was not the first time Britain had defied the UN. In February 2016, Britain rejected a UN human rights panel ruling that WikiLeaks founder Assangewho sought asylum inside the Ecuadorean embassy in London due to his persecution by the Swedish and British authoritieshad been subjected to arbitrary detention. This is in line with a broader assault, led by the US, on the institutional arrangements established in the aftermath of World War II viewed as an unacceptable constraint on the pursuit of predatory imperialist interests.

Following the ICJs ruling and the UN vote against Britain, Mauritius took the case to the UN International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg, which in 2021 likewise confirmed the legitimacy of Mauritiuss claim to the Chagos Islands, calling Britains continuing administration of the islands unlawful, and criticised its failure to hand the islands back. The ruling implies that the UKs leasing of Diego Garcia to the US is also illegal.

Britain is determined to hold onto its remaining 14 colonial possessions and to support the US, which has five, in pursuit of their predatory geostrategic interests. It fears claims from the Mauritian government for compensation and the implications for other sovereignty disputes, including with Spain over Gibraltar and Argentina over the Falklands/Malvinas.

Camerons statement exposes once again the hypocrisy of the British government that has lambasted China for its abuse of democratic rights in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, while it uses humanitarianism as a pretext for wars waged in pursuit of its sordid commercial interests.
On January 25 and 30, Brazils Federal Police (PF) raided homes and offices connected to the criminal operation dubbed parallel Abin. The scheme is described as an unofficial, undercover structure inside the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (Abin) operating from at least 2020, the second year into the government of fascistic former president Jair Bolsonaro. For the first time, PF agents raided Bolsonaros own beach house in Angra dos Reis, in southern Rio de Janeiro state, in search of documents and devices of his son Carlos, a city counselor in Rio seen by investigators as the head of the parallel Abin.

Ex-president Jair Bolsonaro speaking to media outside of the Federal Police headquarters in Brasilia on October 18, 2023 [Photo: Valter Campanato/Agencia Brasil]

The scheme amounted to the illegal surveillance of at least 1,500 individuals, including Supreme Court (STF) justices, leading Congress members and state governors, both those opposed to, and in a few cases allied with, former president Bolsonaro. While the primary source of surveillance was the illegal use of Israeli-made First Mile software to remotely track the location of the targeted individuals, spies were also deployed to follow and monitor an unknown number of targets.

Since October 20, 2023, when the scheme surfaced, raids had mainly targeted Abin agents involved in the use of First Mile, a software capable of following someones movements by hacking into the countrys telephone and internet networks. The software is not capable of intercepting communications, and the Abin itself is ostensibly banned from doing so by law. But movement tracking would still require a formal judicial authorization, and the 1,500 targeted individuals were spied upon without any formal procedure within the agency, let alone formal communication to other state bodies tasked with overseeing the Abin, including the courts.

At the time, no formal connection to Bolsonaro-appointed officials had been made by the PF. However, the abuse of power by Bolsonaro to both target opponents and fend off criminal charges through the Abin had been taken for granted since at least April 22, 2020, when the former president boasted of having his own intelligence in a recorded cabinet meeting.

The January raids have definitely confirmed those suspicions. The first main target, on January 25, was the House member for Rio de Janeiro Alexandre Ramagem, of Bolsonaros Liberal Party (PL). Ramagem is himself a career PF agent, appointed by Bolsonaro to head the Abin in 2020. He won his House seat in the 2022 general elections after a campaign based on political loyalty to the former president. The PF has found him in possession of Abin devices officially registered as being under the intelligence agencys custody.

The second raid, on the 30th, targeted several addresses tied to Carlos Bolsonaro, including his offices in the Rio City Council building and the Angra dos Reis home where the entire Bolsonaro family, including the former president, were vacationing. The Bolsonaros left the property on three jet-skis shortly before the raid, and the PF suspects they had been tipped off. A number of cell phones and laptops were seized.

The PF investigation has found that among the goals of the parallel Abin was the production of evidence to support Bolsonaros bogus election fraud charges tied to Brazils electronic ballot boxes. These claims were at the center of his attempt to stay in power after his October 31, 2022 presidential election defeat, which led to the fascist assault on the national capital Brasilia by his fascist supporters on January 8, 2023. The illegal spying also gathered counterintelligence against state officials leading corruption investigations against the Bolsonaro family, possibly to be used in blackmailing them.

In one of the most prominent cases, it spied on prosecutors of the still-unresolved case of the murder of Rio City Counselor Marielle Franco, of the Socialism and Freedom Party (PSOL), in 2017. The murder was carried out by members of Rios retired and off-duty police gangs, the militias, but no mastermind has so far been charged. Bolsonaro has extensive ties to Rios crime underworld and the far-right officers who lead the militias, which originated in political death squads organized under the 1964-1985 US-backed military dictatorship.

The PFs investigation line is that Ramagem and Carlos Bolsonaro were heads of different task forces (nucleos) in the illegal spying scheme. One of these task forces was in charge of monitoring STF justices to attempt to tie them to Brazils most prominent drug cartel, the PCC, by recording their meetings with human rights lawyers charged by the far-right with being PCC figureheads.

Among those followed by on-spot spies was current Education Minister Camilo Santana, a close ally of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the Workers Party (PT). While he was governor of Ceara state, Santana had Abin personnel camped outside of his private home in the capital Fortaleza as he hosted a series of meetings before the launch of Lulas 2022 presidential bid. Senators leading the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPMI) into Bolsonaros herd immunity policy during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 were also spied upon.

Among Bolsonaros allies, his former Justice Minister Anderson Torres was one of the targets. Torres was later named as head of the security forces of Brasilia, a post he occupied during the January 8, 2023 fascist assault on the Brazilian capital. He was arrested shortly afterwards for complicity in the stand-down of police that allowed the fascist mob to overrun the main government buildings.

Bolsonaro himself has yet to be named in the investigations, but on February 2 the UOL news website revealed that the PF has evidence that Bolsonaro received information gathered by the parallel Abin.

Despite all efforts by the political establishment, and above all the PT government, to pin full blame for the revelations on Bolsonaro, the PF investigations are only scratching the surface of what is a vast and deep conspiracy of the Brazilian bourgeois state against democratic rights.

The October 20 raids brought to the fore wide rifts within that state apparatus, with Abin officials complaining off the record that the PF exceeded its authority in carrying out an operation inside the agencys headquarters. Now, the PF is stating that an emergency meeting of the Abin board of directors on the very day of the raids against Ramagem could amount to obstruction of justice, implicating the entire agency and not only the members of the undercover spy scheme. At the same time, the association representing the Abin spies has publicly called on authorities to stop the leaking of information from the investigation, stating that public knowledge of who was targeted by the agency could affect its standing among international spy organizations with which it cooperates. The crisis could be deepened if, as suspected, foreign diplomatic figures are also named among the targets of illegal spying.

As the various sections of the Brazilian state, from the Army to the police and the Abin, try to blame each other for the illegal spying, what is being exposed is the rot pervading the entire bourgeois-democratic setup produced by the so-called Citizens Constitution of 1988.

The Abin crisis is also revealing the critical collaboration of capitalist corporations in the buildup of the state repressive apparatus, whose fundamental target is the Brazilian working class. On January 31, Folha de S. Paulo revealed that the three largest network providers in the country, Tim, Vivo and Claro, had been aware that their data was hacked by the First Mile software, but deliberately refrained from reporting it to the communications regulating body Anatel.

Bolsonaros effort to spy upon and blackmail opponents, as well as to shield his familys numerous ties with organized crime, could only thrive in the environment of deep hostility to democratic rights that prevails among the Brazilian capitalist elite and within its state apparatus.

As the international capitalist crisis deepens, and the Brazilian ruling class gears up for decisive clashes with the working class, the democratic mask of a state built for the protection of the interests of a tiny capitalist oligarchy is falling. In this context, the PT and its aligned factions of the political establishment and justice system are above all dedicated to preventing internal disputes within the state from being exposed, compromising bourgeois rule in the country.

The attempt to solve the crisis by means of secretive machinations within the state is epitomized by the all-embracing classified inquiry into far-right activities led by STF justice Alexandre de Moraes, who authorized the PF raids. Meanwhile, the very fascistic breeding grounds in which Bolsonaro emerged and thrived, the Army and the Military Police forces, are promoted by the PT government as the chief guardians of democracy.

Brazilian workers must reject this perspective entirely. The latest revelations show ever more clearly that the struggle for democratic rights and social equality is a struggle against the capitalist state itself.
Work at Factory Zero? Fill out the form below to tell us about your workplace conditions. All sources will be kept confidential. To discuss joining or forming a rank-and-file committee at your plant, contact the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter today.

Electric Hummers on the assembly line at GMs Factory Zero [Photo by Jeffrey Sauger/GM]

The intense fire at GMs flagship Factory Zero electric vehicle plant on the Detroit-Hamtramck border in December caused $1.3 million in damages and exposed scores of Detroit firefighters to toxic smoke according to recent reports. One firefighter was injured fighting the fire. All plant employees were evacuated.

More details have emerged about the blaze, which raged for seven hours inside the new, state-of-the-art facility that produces the electric Hummer SUV and pickup truck and the Chevy Silverado EV pickup truck. According to press reports, content losses at Factory Zero were estimated at $1 million, while property losses were estimated to be $300,000. These amounts do not count the cost of actually fighting the fire or the cancellation of production shifts.

In the wake of the blaze the Detroit chief of fire prevention, Dennis Hunter, said the constant fires at the factory were taxing the resources of the already undermanned department.

The fire started when a fork truck hit a pallet of lithium ion batteries near a loading dock. The resulting blaze created highly toxic smoke that quickly filled the plant, forcing the shutdown of production. All of the firefighters who responded, as many as 100, were exposed to the fumes. The fire was the eighth run that the Detroit fire department had made to the plant since summer.

President Biden at the GM Factory Zero in Detroit-Hamtramck in 2021 [Photo by General Motors / CC BY-NC 3.0

There is an acute lack of safety protocols for dealing with fires involving lithium ion batteries, which power most electric vehicles as well as many consumer electronic products. These fires burn hotter and faster than those involving other materials and are harder to extinguish. One danger is thermal runaway, a rapid and unstoppable increase in temperature in EV batteries that can lead to fires that are hard to put out and that can re-ignite.

It is a drain on our resources if we have four, eight or 12 fire apparatuses at their location, depending on the size of the fire, which is why we are working with them to have a better internal protocol for handling these electric vehicle batteries, Hunter told Crains Detroit Business.

Detroit firefighters initially had a hard time finding the fire and had to waste precious time searching the plant while deadly smoke continued to billow. Plant management apparently had no emergency procedures or trained personnel in place to provide direction.

In comparison to the multiple fires at Factory Zero there were no fire runs reported in all of 2023 to the much larger Stellantis Detroit Assembly Complex, which builds gas-powered vehicles on the east side of Detroit.

The hazards of lithium ion batteries are well known. However, the auto companies have seemingly paid little attention to safety in their drive to increase output and profits, putting both workers and consumers at risk.

Recently, General Motors decided to halt all production of the Chevrolet Bolt EV due to a spate of battery fires.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Commission is investigating multiple complaints about fires in the 2017-18 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrids. The vehicles had supposedly been repaired in an earlier recall.

In December, a fire broke out on a cargo ship carrying lithium ion batteries from Vietnam to Dutch Harbor, Alaska. The fire started in the cargo hold where the batteries were stowed. While the cause of the fire has not been officially reported, Dutch broadcaster RTL released a recording where an emergency responder said the fire started in the battery of an electric car.

The production of batteries is also hazardous. Workers face exposure from a witches brew of hazardous chemicals, often with few or inadequate protections on the part of companies eager to cut costs. In October, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Ultium Cells in Warren, Ohio, the joint venture between GM and South Korea-based LG Energy Solution, for 17 serious safety violations. Workers have reported being directly exposed to dangerous chemicals, including one worker who was sprayed in the face with toxic electrolyte and suffered difficulty breathing.

Workers who produce standard car batteries also face hazards, including lead poisoning and heightened risk of cancer.

During its campaign to secure union recognition at the Ultium Cells plant, which supplies batteries to Factory Zero, the United Auto Workers attempted to leverage the issue of worker safety as part of its pitch to the Biden administration and corporate management that unionization would provide a more stable workforce. The UAW leadership under President Shawn Fain warned of growing worker discontent, reflected in high turnover, in the face of unsafe conditions.

As part of its strategy of using the union apparatus to suppress the class struggle, the Biden administration pressed GM to put its joint venture EV battery plants under the UAWs master contract, ensuring a continued flow of dues to the UAW bureaucracy. The deals have resulted in a small increase in the poverty wages of the workers at these plants, with the 1,110 workers at the Ultium plant in Lordstown, Ohio, getting an increase from $16.50 an hour to a $26.91 maximum, with lower starting wages.

In an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek, Fain made it clear the UAWs chief concern was securing a steady supply of cheap labor for these modern-day sweatshops. If a worker is not going to leave their house to work at McDonalds for $15 an hour and make burgers and fries, he said, why the hell are they going to go in some battery factory and be exposed to chemicals that make them vomit and pass out?

The UAW bureaucracy used a reportedly large vote by Ultium workers in favor of its deal with GM to declare a narrow ratification of 55 percent for its contract with GM nationally. GM workers have raised challenges to the legitimacy of the results, given that Ultium workers were not GM employees at the time they voted on the contract.

As soon as the national agreements at GM, Ford and Stellantis were rammed through by Fain, the UAW predictably dropped the issue of safety.

Over a month since the fire and evacuation at Factory Zero, the UAW has yet to issue a statement, despite the potential exposure of the more than 1,800 workers at the plant. There has been no public acknowledgment by GM management or its UAW partners over the extent of the threat to workers posed by the fire or if the health of employees potentially exposed to toxic fumes is being monitored.

The alarming extent of the unknown risks posed to workers health due to the transition to EV production underscores the call by the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees for Rank-and-file control over line speed and production standards, to be negotiated by local rank-and-file committees, to ensure that workers health and safety comes first.

Work at Factory Zero? Fill out the form below to tell us about your workplace conditions. All sources will be kept confidential. To discuss joining or forming a rank-and-file committee at your plant, contact the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter today.
Malaysias government of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is confronting mounting debt. In response, the administration is introducing various tax increases and cost-cutting measures, which include behind-the-scenes discussions over the reintroduction of the widely despised goods and services tax (GST). This means intensifying the cost-of-living crisis facing Malaysian workers and the poor.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the East Asia Summit at the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sept. 7, 2023 [AP Photo/Yasuyoshi Chiba]

The key concern for the Pakatan Harapan coalition government, the Malaysian ruling class and global investors is the high central government debt of RM1.5 trillion ($US318 billion) and its ability to repay. This is coupled with historically high budget deficits that necessitate further government borrowing. The deficit for 2024 is forecast to be about RM85 billion ($US18 billion), which represents only a marginal reduction of the last three years of budget deficits, with each exceeding RM90 billion ($US19.1 billion).

The government plans to increase Malaysias service tax rate from 6 percent to 8 percent on March 1, which is expected to raise an additional RM900 million this year. This tax is a component of the sales and service tax (SST) introduced by a previous Pakatan Harapan government on September 1, 2018.

While the tax on food, beverages, and telecommunication services will remain at 6 percent, Anwars government has already slashed subsidies on key foodstuffs, fuel, and utilities. Chicken price subsidies, for example, were removed in October with prices rising by as much as 17 percent by November.

The working class, the poor, and even less well-off layers of the middle class rely on these subsidies to make ends meet as cost-of-living increases. However, Anwar has targeted the subsidies for drastic reduction in order to foist the government debt onto the shoulders of the most vulnerable. The subsidy program for 2023 was estimated to cost RM81 billion ($US17.2 billion). The 2024 budget has allocated only RM52.8 billion ($US11.2 billion).

In a January 22 article, the Straits Times quoted a 40-year-old middle-income earner, saying: I am surprised that now, when I buy daily goods such as milk, eggs, bread, and vegetables, the bill is already between RM50 and RM100, which is double (what it was) six months ago. About 30 per cent of my total expenditure goes into buying groceries.

The government also plans to introduce a targeted subsidy mechanism for petrol in the second half of 2024, Minister of Economy Rafizi Ramli announced on November 27. At present, regular petrol is subsidised and sold at RM2.05 per litre. Without subsidies, the cost could increase by 57 percent. The government estimates it could save between RM9.8 billion to RM12.2 billion ($US2.1 billion to $US2.6 billion).

In this context the Anwar administration is contemplating a new GST, which it has hinted at but then denied. The long-planned reintroduction of the GST is a political hot potato that the government needs to carefully stage manage. Rafizi indicated as much on January 9 when he noted that we are open [about GST], but we need to consider every angle before making a decision.

At the same time, the ruling elites both in Malaysia and abroad are pressuring Anwar to move more quickly in imposing the debt crisis on workers and the poor. In September, for example, Sim Kwang Gek, the country tax analyst at major accounting firm Deloitte Malaysia, demanded a cut in the corporate tax rate from 24 to 20 percent in line with the reintroduction of the GST.

Sim noted, Until and unless GST is reintroduced, the corporate income tax rate may remain at 24 percent, which is not competitive with countries in the region such as Singapore (17 percent), Thailand (20 percent) and Vietnam (20 percent). The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers has also consistently called for such a reduction, along with the reintroduction of the GST.

In its yearly assessment of Malaysia in mid-2023, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) lists fiscal policy consolidation, that is major government spending cuts, as its first policy recommendation. Further into its report, the IMF notes that with no plans to reinstate the GST this year, the preparatory work for its reintroduction should be promptly initiated to lay the ground for effectively activating this indispensable source of revenue.

With talk of GSTs reintroduction heating up last year, Anwar provided a written parliamentary statement on November 1 to head off mounting criticism. He stated that the government has yet to revive the GST. Any changes to tax policy will have to take into account the impact on the economy and the cost of living of the people. Anwars carefully worded statement did not rule out the re-introduction of the widely hated tax.

The repeal of the GST was Pakatan Harapans first out of ten campaign pledges when it defeated the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) in the May 9, 2018 election. UMNO had previously ruled Malaysia since independence in 1957. The new government repealed the GST while imposing the SST scheme.

The former UMNO government of Prime Minister Najib Razak introduced the GST on April 1, 2015, setting it at a rate of 6 percent on goods and services. Unlike the current SST, which only covers approximately 38 percent of goods and services, the GST was much broader, covering approximately 68 percent of goods and services.

In 2016 and 2017, the first and second full years of the GST, the government collected RM41 billion ($US8.7 billion) and RM44 billion ($US9.3 billion), contributing approximately RM25 billion ($US5.3 billion) more in revenue than under the previous tax system. In a tweet on X/Twitter on October 4, Apurva Sanghi, the World Bank Lead Economist for Malaysia, estimated that the reintroduction of the GST would raise approximately RM19 billion ($US4 billion) in additional revenue.

One of the key reasons for the first introduction of the GST was falling dividend revenue from the state-owned petroleum company, Petronas. Faced with another growing economic crisis, the Pakatan Harapan government and the business elite promote the idea that the regressive impact of the GST can be mitigated through cash and other transfers to poorer households. This, however, is a fraud since the aim is to increase government revenue overall by taxing everyday goods and services.

No one should be fooled by the governments cynical expressions of concern for the peoples welfare. If the GST is introduced, the winners will be the wealthy few and the financial markets at the expense of workers and the poor who will be forced to bear the brunt of the economic crisis.
The Israeli military continued its bombardment Wednesday of Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza where 1 million displaced people are sheltering, as US and Israeli leaders publicly rejected any cessation of hostilities.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a visit to Israel, said a proposal by Hamas to release all Israeli hostages in exchange for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza was full of non-starters, once again giving Israel a green light for its ongoing genocide.

Weve made it clear that Israel is fully justified in confronting Hamas and other terrorist organizations, Blinken said, adding that the US has done more than any other country to support Israels right to ensure that October 7th never happens again.

Blinken will stay in Israel on Thursday, continuing to hold meetings and coordinate US support for the ongoing genocide.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was even more explicit in rejecting a ceasefire, declaring, there is no other solution but a complete and final victory.

By giving in to Hamas demands, we will only invite another massacre, Netanyahu said. Surrendering to the delusional demands of Hamas  will not only fail to bring about the release of the hostages, but it will also invite another massacre.

Netanyahu told Israeli troops on Wednesday to prepare to operate in Rafah, declaring, There will not be any sector in Gaza that will not be covered by the Israeli offensive.

Last week, Miki Zohar, a minister from Netanyahus Likud party, explained that Israel would not accept any demand for a withdrawal from Gaza and would only accept a temporary cessation of one month or 1 months because we have no intention of stopping the fighting.

In his remarks, Blinken effectively endorsed Israels stated goal of destroying Hamas and barring it from having any influence in Gaza. When asked if the US would accept a post-war Gaza in which Hamas played any role in the government, Blinken replied, The short answer is no.

As US and Israeli officials condemned any cessation of hostilities, bombs continued to rain down in Rafah amid massive shortages of food, water and medical care. According to Gazan officials, two Israeli airstrikes destroyed houses in the city, killing seven people and injuring 11.

Palestinians mourn their relatives, killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, outside a morgue in Rafah, southern Gaza, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. [AP Photo/Fatima Shbair]

Between the afternoons of February 6 and 7, 123 Palestinians were killed, according to Gazas Ministry of Health. It said that the official death toll since the start of the invasion reached 27,708. Adding the 7,000 people who have been missing for more than two weeks, the death toll stands near 35,000, in addition to 67,147 wounded since October 7.

In remarks Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that Israeli military operations have resulted in destruction and death in Gaza at a scale and speed without parallel since I became secretary-general.

He added, I am especially alarmed by reports that the Israeli military intends to focus next on Rafahwhere hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been squeezed in a desperate search for safety. Such an action would exponentially increase what is already a humanitarian nightmare with untold regional consequences.

Over 1 million people are sheltering in Rafah, which the Israeli military had previously designated a safe zone into which the displaced population of Gaza was told to move. On Tuesday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned that the offensive against Rafah would lead to large-scale loss of civilian lives and could constitute a war crime.

The ongoing mass murder is accompanied by the systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure. Gazas government media office said on Wednesday that the Israeli military had burned over 3,000 housing units throughout Gaza as part of a systematic policy of making the area uninhabitable.

The burning operations took place and are being carried out according to clear and direct instructions and orders from the commanders of the Israeli occupation army, the Government Media Office said in a statement. The losses from the burnings alone exceed tens of millions of dollars.

On Wednesday, the UNs Palestinian refugee agency said that Israeli forces have carried out 290 attacks on its premises, and that 389 displaced people have been killed while taking shelter at its facilities.

The intensification of Israels genocide is accompanied by an expansion of the USs regional war throughout the Middle East, targeting Iran. On Wednesday, US forces once again carried out an illegal airstrike in Iraq, killing three people.

In a menacing statement announcing the strike, US Central Command threatened, The United States will continue to take necessary action to protect our people. We will not hesitate to hold responsible all those who threaten our forces safety.

The Pentagon claimed that the target of the strike was the commander of the Iraqi militia group Kataib Hezbollah, and that US President Joe Biden approved the strike last week. Iraqi officials said that the strike had targeted a civilian car, killing everyone inside.

Iraqi officials were not informed ahead of time about the strike on Iraqi soil, and Maj. Gen. Tahseen Al Khafaji, an Iraqi military spokesman, called the strike a clear aggression and violation of Iraqi sovereignty. He added that Iraq would hold the American side and the coalition forces responsible for the repercussions of these dangerous actions that threaten the security and safety of the country.
President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act in the State Dining Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, in Washington. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci]

Speaking to the press Tuesday afternoon, in the midst of the collapse of his proposed legislation to provide $118 billion in supplemental war funding and carry out a major crackdown on migrants crossing the US-Mexico border, President Joe Biden declared that he would hold Republican front-runner Donald Trump to blame every day between now and November for the failure.

Biden was making it clear that he will place the US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine at the center of the Democratic Party campaign in the 2024 elections, as well as moving sharply to the right on the treatment of migrants, seeking to match the fascist Trump in pledging to militarize the southern US border against them.

Im calling on Congress to pass this bill and get it to my desk immediately, Biden said. But if the bill fails, I want to be absolutely clear about something: The American people are going to know why it failed Every day between now and November, the American people are going to know that the only reason the border is not secure is Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican friends.

It was only a few weeks ago that Biden was claiming that he would fight the election on the basis of Trump representing a threat to American democracy, because of his role in the January 6, 2021, attack on Capitol Hill, and other actions threatening democratic rights. Trump was a would-be dictator, he declared.

But now Biden has abruptly changed course, presenting himself as an intransigent defender of the borderpreviously Trumps signature issue, as Trump denounced migrants as rapists and murderers, vilifying them in Hitlerian terms as vermin who were poisoning the blood of the American people.

Biden appealed to the Republicans to move past this toxic politics, referring to Trumps intervention to torpedo the bipartisan deal on war spending. We cant continue to let petty partisan politics get in the way of our responsibility. Were a great nation thats not acting like a great nation.

But while Biden pleads for bipartisanship, his Republican colleagues have just voted to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, and, stymied by a tie vote, they plan to take up the matter again in the coming week. Next on the agenda of House Republicans is the impeachment of Biden himself, over the corrupt business practices of his son Hunter.

And Biden bemoans petty partisan politics under conditions in which Republican governors, led by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, are in open revolt against the authority of the federal government over immigration.

Previously, Biden put on a show of concern over the causes of mass migration, particularly the violence, poverty and oppression endemic in the countries of Central America. He dispatched Vice President Kamala Harris to those countries, although her task was not to offer help to alleviate the harrowing conditions of life in the region, but to read the riot act to right-wing governments, telling them to take their marching orders from their American embassies and block refugees moving north.

Now Biden has embraced the position of Trump, doing everything but slap on a red MAGA cap when he came out to address the press. For much too long, he said, the immigration system has been broken. The result of protracted bipartisan negotiations in the Senate, he claimed, was the toughest set of reforms to secure the border ever. The legislation was the strongest border bill this country has ever seen. It would include 100 more immigration judges to speed the processing of casesand consequent mass deportations.

Biden boasted that the bill had the support of the Wall Street Journal, the US Chamber of Commerce, and even the Border Patrol union, a hotbed of fascist bigotry, which endorsed Donald Trump in the 2020 electionsand of course, of a substantial section of the Republican Party.

Biden spent most of his time berating the Republicans for blocking the anti-migrant provisions that they had insisted on in the negotiations with the White Houseone Senate Democrat tweeted, Ive never seen anything like it They literally demanded specific policy, got it, and then killed it.

But the real concern of the White House is that the defeat of the bipartisan Senate deal likely closes the door on the supplemental military aid package, which includes $60 billion for Ukraine, $17 billion for Israel, and nearly $10 billion for Taiwan. A Senate procedural vote on the military aid, without the border provisions, is set for Thursday morning, and is expected to fail.

Biden appeared before the press wearing a tie and a lapel pin both displaying the colors of the Ukrainian flag. He said of the Kiev regime, installed in a US-backed right-wing coup in 2014, theyre in dire straits right now, defending themselves against the Russian onslaught and brutal conquest. The clock is ticking. Every week, every month that passes without new aid to Ukraine means fewer artillery shells, fewer air defense systems, fewer tools for Ukraine to defend itself against this Russian onslaught. Just what Putin wants.

He added the claim that the bill would provide funds urgently needed for Israel to defend itself, that is, intensify the genocidal slaughter in Gaza, financed by the US and carried out with US-supplied weapons.

The pro-Democratic Party media celebrated Bidens new line of attack on Trump and the Republicans. A headline in the New York Times read, Trumps Border Intervention Gives Biden a Chance to Shift from Defense to Offense.

The shift to the right exposes the pseudo-left supporters of Biden in the Democratic Socialists of America, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Less than three years ago, the New York City congresswoman denounced anyone on the left who criticized the new Democratic administration, citing in particular Bidens pledge of a far different policy towards migrants and asylum seekers than the brutal repression of the Trump administration.

Bidens opponents were engaged in a really privileged critique, she claimed.

For anyone who brings that up we really have to ask ourselves, what is the message that you are sending to your Black and brown and undocumented members of your community, to your friends, when you say nothing has changed? When you say nothing has changed, you are calling the people who are now protected from deportation no one. And we cannot allow for that in our movement.

Now, those whom Ocasio-Cortez said were protected from deportation by the Democratic-controlled White House are being served up to the Border Patrol in order to obtain the support of the fascist Republicans for Bidens proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, which threatens humanity with the danger of nuclear war. Alongside that is the arming of the genocidal Netanyahu government in Israel, a policy backed to the hilt by both big business parties.

The pseudo-left has lined up behind the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine, and has made only mealy-mouthed criticism of the US-Israel mass murder in Gaza. They will likewise find the necessary language to apologize for Bidens embrace of the targeting of migrants and asylum seekers, the most vulnerable section of the working class.

All of this underscores the reality that in the 2024 presidential election, there is no lesser evil in the choice between the Republican fascist Trump and the Democratic warmonger Biden. Both candidates represent and defend the interests of a ferociously reactionary corporate ruling elite. Both candidates will employ the most violent and repressive methods, both within the United States and around the world.

The working class must prepare itself for a political struggle throughout this election year and beyond, to establish its political independence from the capitalist two-party system and mobilize its class strength on the basis of a socialist and revolutionary program.
Widespread popular outrage exploded in the wake of malicious anti-Palestinian remarks made last week by Selina Robinson, a prominent leader in British Columbias New Democratic Party (NDP) government. After several failed efforts at damage control, she was forced to resign from her cabinet position.

NDP MLA Selina Robinson [Photo: Selina Robinson Facebook page]

In an appearance on a podcast sponsored by the Zionist Bnai Brith Canada, Robinson repeated the right-wing founding myth of the state of Israel that Palestine was essentially a blank territory which the Palestinians had proven incapable of responsibly cultivating, thereby justifying 75 years of occupation and repression. She declared that the British-controlled territory, then home to nearly 2 million people, was a crappy piece of land with nothing on it before it was carved out by the imperialist powers as a Jewish homeland in the aftermath of World War II and the Holocaust.

NDP Premier David Eby, after stubbornly refusing calls for her immediate resignation as the cabinet minister for Post-Secondary Education, announced Monday afternoon that Robinson had tendered her resignation.

Both Eby and Robinson had for several days attempted to contain growing opposition to her continued cabinet membership with a series of statements that resisted dismissal in favor of sincere apologies, promises to listen, take a class and do better, excuses about poor word choices and other examples taken from the playbook for politicians caught red-handed in unconscionable scandal.

Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh also intervened over the weekend with a social media post scolding about hurtful comments but stopping short of any meaningful discipline against Robinson, let alone a denunciation of the criminal assault on the Palestinian people by the Israeli state.

But what caused such an abrupt change of course on Monday afternoon?

Sunday evening, the BC NDP was forced at short notice to cancel an important fundraising event for the upcoming autumn election. Already, 18 mosques had announced that no NDP candidate would be allowed to speak at any of their facilities unless Robinson was fired. Indigenous leaders made similar threats. The following morning, the partys caucus retreat was interrupted by a demonstration outside their hotel that presented an 11,000-name petition, gathered in only two days, calling for Robinsons dismissal.

The BC Civil Liberties Association, Independent Jewish Voices, the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) and BCs Federation of Post-Secondary Educators also called for Robinsons ouster from the cabinet. Robinson was now an electoral liability.

The full content of Robinsons arrogant, anti-Palestinian remarks deem close inspection. During her appearance on the podcast organized by Bnai Brith Canada, Robinson lamented how young people who dont understand history should get a few things straight. As a Jewish minister, to have this [education] file . . . its a damn good thing that Im here, because I understand whats happening better than any of my colleagues would, she said.

Speaking about Palestine prior to the formation of the Israeli state in 1948, she went on. People dont understand that it was a crappy piece of land with nothing on it. You know, there were several hundred thousand people but other than that, it didnt produce an economy. It couldnt grow things it didnt have anything on it, and that it was the folks [the Jewish diaspora] that were displaced that came and had been living there for generations and together they worked hard and they had their own battles, she pontificated.

Only days after the International Court of Justice ruled it plausible that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza, Robinson then embarked on a twisted attempt to misdirect the podcast audience. If there was a conflict between the Tsleil-Waututh and the Squamish nations over a piece of land, would we weigh in? she asked. The answer is no. Its between these nations, the Indigenous nations.

Of course, as amply displayed in her Zionist diatribe, Robinsons views on colonialist history resemble nothing less than the theories of terra nullius (so-called empty lands)first espoused in 11th century Papal edicts and used throughout the ensuing centuries by conquistadors, colonialists and invading armies alike to legally dispossess, enslave and/or exterminate local populations. None of Robinsons remarks were refuted by the assembled public figures on the podcast including Deborah Lyons, Liberal Prime Minister Trudeaus Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, who gushed about the wonderful Robinson.

Robinsons poisonous remarks at the January 30 podcast was only the latest in a string of reactionary actions. On October 10, after a large demonstration in Vancouver against the Israeli assault on Gaza, Robinson appeared at a counter-rally alongside politicians from all stripes, including federal Liberal cabinet minister Harjit Singh, where Vancouver mayor Ken Sim, to much approval, denounced the anti-Israeli rallies spreading across the city.

Shortly thereafter, a local Vancouver area professor, Natalie Knight, was suspended from her job at Langara College for remarking at a rally that Palestinians have a right to resist occupation under international law. A three-month investigation eventually lifted the suspension noting that Knights remarks were protected under freedom of speech guarantees. Robinson immediately intervened with college leadership to press for dismissal. The following day, college officials announced they had fired Knight. Both Eby and Robinson denied any inappropriate interference.

The unfolding events in British Columbia are not outliers. Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles unilaterally expelled her own MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly), Sarah Jama, from the partys provincial parliamentary caucus last October. Federal NDP leader and onetime Ontario NDP deputy leader Jagmeet Singh signalled his approval for Stiles action by remaining silent on the entire affairincluding a Progressive Conservative government-authored censure motion that strips Jama of the right to speak in Ontarios legislature.

Jamas crime from the standpoint of the Canadian political establishment was her issuing of an October 10 statement on social media comparing the oppression of the Palestinians with apartheid and demanding an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. In the past, Jamas statement would hardly have seemed exceptional. As numerous United Nations resolutions have affirmed, Israels occupation of Palestinian lands captured in the Six Day War of 1967including its de facto imprisonment of 2.3 million Palestinians in Gazais illegal.

At every point, this right-wing political witch-hunt has been facilitated by the NDP. Before Jamas expulsion, Stiles had insisted that Jama enter into an agreement with her, the purpose of which was to effectively muzzle Jama from expressing her views on the massacre in Gaza.

This treatment is typical for a party that has consistently barred pro-Palestinian candidates from contesting elections on an NDP ticket and suppressed discussion of pro-Palestinian motions and resolutions at its conventions.

There is unanimous support within Canadian ruling circles for Israels genocide. The NDP is propping up the Trudeau government, has supported all of Canadian imperialisms wars over recent years and aggressively suppresses all pro-Palestinian positions. The trade union bureaucracy, for which the NDP serves as a mouthpiece, has responded to the eruption of protests in support of the Palestinians by casually releasing statements urging protesters to put their faith in the Trudeau government calling for some version of a ceasefire. This is the same government that has massively hiked Canadas military spending and positioned Ottawa as a key player in US imperialisms war on Russia in Ukraine and preparations for war with China.

But the positions of the ruling class cannot be confused with the mass popular support expressed for the Palestinians at protests across the country and indeed, across the globe.

Under these circumstances the NDP is losing what little remains of its political credibility as a left and oppositional force. Under conditions of a growing political radicalization, some elements of the labour bureaucracy calculate Canadas social democrats will better be able to perform their assigned task of diverting and derailing the development of genuine left-wing opposition to the ruling class, if they allow certain limited criticisms of the Israeli onslaught to be voiced. For Eby in British Columbia, this cynical re-calculation was brought home with particular force this past weekend.

As the Socialist Equality Party in Canada has written, The critical task facing young people and workers outraged by the NDPs bitter hostility to the rights of the Palestinians and contempt for democratic rights is to draw a political balance sheet ofand break fromthis right-wing party of austerity and war. Like social democratic parties around the world, the NDP long ago abandoned even the most tenuous association with a reformist program aimed at ameliorating capitalisms worst excesses in favour of an open embrace of unrestrained corporate profiteering and imperialist war.

Workers must repudiate the Liberal-union-NDP alliance, which for decades has served as one of the key political mechanisms for suppressing the class struggle, as well as the Canadian and Quebec nationalist politics of the unions and pseudo-left which divide workers within Canada and from their class brothers and sisters in the US, Mexico and around the world.
On January 29, the Faculty Senate of the University of Michigan (U-M) approved a resolution calling on the university to cut its financial ties with companies involved in the Israeli genocide in Gaza.

The resolution cites evidence from the Gaza Ministry of Health, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International that documents the horrific loss of civilian lives in Gaza and the United States shared responsibility with the Israeli state for the mass slaughter of defenseless Palestinians.

The Faculty Senate resolution calls on the university leadership to divest from its financial holdings in companies that invest in Israels ongoing military campaign in Gaza. The final section of the resolution emphasizes that the call for divestment is not a request to end support, academically or financially, for any of U-Ms partnerships with Israeli colleges or universities

The resolution passed by a vote of 38-17, with five abstentions. The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) at the University of Michigan supports the principled stand taken by the Faculty Senate.

It is an expression of the breadth and depth of opposition among workers, students, educators and faculty members in the US and internationally to the mass murder and ethnic cleansing being carried out by the fascist Netanyahu regime, with the indispensable and full support of the Biden administration and all of the imperialist powers.

Anti-genocide protesters march in Ann Arbor, Michigan November 17, 2023.

The vote is all the more significant in the context of the bipartisan witch-hunt against students, professors and campus workers involved in protests against the US-Israeli genocide, including police attacks on peaceful demonstrators and efforts to criminalize and ban campus organizations that defend the Palestinian people and oppose the Zionist apartheid state. Theyas well as artists, musicians, actors, authors and others in public life who speak out against the genocideare being libeled with the vile and false accusation of antisemitism.

The U-M administration has joined the attack on free speech, publicly denounced by the ACLU of Michigan as McCarthyite, by calling out the police to arrest peaceful protesters and shutting down the referendum organized by the student government on resolutions on Gaza, including one calling on the university to acknowledge that the Gaza war is a genocide and divest from corporations tied to the Israeli regime.

The Faculty Senate vote was in direct defiance of the administrations repressive campaign. This was crystal clear at the Faculty Senate meeting that voted for the resolution. Speaking on behalf of U-M President Santa Ono and the Board of Regents, U-M Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Geoffrey Chatas spoke against the divestment resolution, saying:

It has been the universitys unwavering policy to shield the endowment from political pressures and to base its investment decisions on financial factors such as risk and return and applicable law.

In other words, Cash Uber Alles, genocide notwithstanding.

To support the humane and democratic spirit of the faculty resolution requires that it not be used to promote illusions that the governments, universities, political parties and other official institutions such as the UN that uphold the world capitalist system can be forced by pressure from below to halt the genocide and end the decades-long oppression of the Palestinian masses.

It would be a disastrous mistake to believe that simply passing more such resolutions and making more appeals to the powers that be will either stop the mass murder in Gaza or halt the rapidly expanding US-led war that is engulfing the Middle East.

All attempts by phony progressive politicians like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to peddle the notion that pressure from below can shift the war-mongering policies of Biden, the Democratic Party and the openly fascistic Republican Party are a deadly trap designed to paralyze and dissipate the mass opposition. The same applies to the illusions promoted by fake socialist groups (the Democratic Socialists of America, Left Voice) and by the pro-war, pro-capitalist trade union bureaucraciessuch as the apparatuses that run the American Federation of Teachers and the United Auto Workers.

There have already been four months of mass global demonstrations against the Zionist-imperialist mass murder. The IYSSE supports, participates in and calls for the expansion of these protests. But to be effective, the mass opposition must be guided by a political perspective that is based on the realities of the unprecedented global crisis of the capitalist system. This system seeks to resolve its contradictionsbetween social needs and ever greater wealth concentration in a parasitic oligarchy, and between the nation-state and the global integration of economic lifeby plunging the world into the barbarism of war, genocide, mass poverty and fascism.

The official response to the worldwide wave of mass protest has been: More genocide in Gaza, an ever-widening war in the Middle East that now targets Iran, escalation of the US-NATO proxy war in Ukraine against Russia, and repression, intimidation, lies and slander within the US and its imperialist allies against the popular opposition. This is joined with an intensifying assault on the jobs and living standards of the working class, with mass layoffs of autoworkers, UPS workers and other sections of the working class.

As for the United Nations, South Africa brought a devastating and incontrovertible case to the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide. The UN court called the case plausible (as opposed to the White House, which called it meritless) but then refused even to demand that Israel carry out a ceasefire.

Within hours of the UN ruling, the US and the other major imperialist backers of Israel defunded the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinians in the Near East (UNRWA), ensuring the mass starvation of the Palestinians, not only in Gaza but in refugee camps across the Middle East. Then the US and UK began bombing Yemen, and now the US is bombing Iraq and Syria and is preparing to bomb Iran.

Palestinians crowded together as they wait for food distribution in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. Since October 7, 2023, Israel has limited the amount of food and water allowed to enter the territory, causing widespread hunger across the strip. [AP Photo/Hatem Ali]

In the US, Biden and the Democrats have adopted the fascist refugee policy of Trump and the Republicans in a bid to win Republican votes for tens of billions more for the US proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, the final solution of the Palestinian problem in Gaza, and the transformation of Taiwan into a platform for war against mainland China.

Conclusions must be drawn! Mass layoffs are compelling millions of workers in the US and around the world to expand their struggles. This is the social force to which students and youth must turn to halt the descent into capitalist world war and barbarism. The same contradictions that threaten mankind with destruction in nuclear war, a climate catastrophe, genocide and fascism drive masses of workers all over the world into struggle against capitalism, creating the objective conditions for the revolutionary overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of world socialism.

World War III, whose initial stages we are already witnessing, as well as fascism, oligarchy and mass poverty can only be stopped by going to the root of the problemthe bankruptcy of the world capitalist system.

In the 2024 US elections, there is no lesser evil. The choice between the war criminal Biden and the fascist Trump is no choice at all.

We repeat: It is necessary to mobilize the only social force that can put an end to war, genocide, fascism and oligarchy by putting an end to their sourcecapitalismand establishing international socialism. That force is the American and international working class.

The IYSSE has been holding anti-genocide/anti-war rallies at auto plants, where our message receives an overwhelmingly positive response. The working class opposes the genocide in Gaza, and the working class does not want war. But just as students are being silenced and intimidated by university administrations, workers voices are shut out by the union bureaucracies.

Last week, without so much as taking a poll of the workers, UAW President Shawn Fain gave Genocide Joe Biden a full endorsement, telling the president that the union was prepared to go to war for him. The American Federation of Teachers millionaire president, Randi Weingarten, is likewise campaigning for the war criminal Joe Biden.

United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain, shakes hands with President Joe Biden during a campaign stop at a phone bank with UAW members in the UAW Region 1 Union Hall, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in Warren, Michigan. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci]

That is why the IYSSE, the youth movement of the Trotskyist International Committee of the Fourth International and the Socialist Equality Party in the US, supports the building of a global network of workers rank-and-file committees, the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), to abolish the union bureaucracies and return power to the rank-and-file workers on the shop floor.

We must build a mass, socialist anti-war movement based on the working class, not to pressure governments but to overthrow them and replace them with governments of, by and for the working class, the vast majority of humanity. That means fighting for an international political general strike against genocide and war. It means abolishing the pro-war union bureaucracies and building the new socialist leadership in the working class. That is the fight of the IYSSE. Join us today!

The IYSSE at U-M is holding a public meeting tonight titled: The Global Fight Against Israels Genocide in Gaza: The Way Forward

Thursday, February 8, 7:00 p.m. ET

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

East Quadrangle, Room #1405

701 E University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Over recent weeks, the sordid activities of small but politically-influential Zionist organisations that function as propagandists for Israeli war crimes have come under greater scrutiny.

A key turning point was the revelation last month that the December sacking of journalist Antoinette Lattouf was carried out by Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) management at the behest of Zionist activists in the Lawyers for Israel group. They had coordinated a series of vexatious complaints to have Lattouf fired, merely because she had made factual posts about Israels mass killings and other genocidal acts in Gaza.

Sarah Schwartz and Max Elliott Kaiser [Photo: @Sarah_Schwartz / The Conversation]

An article published in the Age on Wednesday was a notable expression of the shift. Written by human rights lawyer and University of Melbourne academic Sarah Schwartz and historian Max Elliott Kaiser, it was forthrightly headlined: As Jews, we dont accept that criticism of Israels government is antisemitic.

That assertion, branding all opposition to the Israeli state as an expression of anti-Jewish prejudice, has formed the central political and ideological plank of attempts to shut down widespread opposition to the levelling of Gaza.

Schwartz and Kaiser begin by writing: Today, talk about antisemitism is everywherein newspapers, conversations between friends, and especially on social media. Many Jews feel scared. They are told to see antisemitism in the scarves worn in solidarity with Palestine, in the words Free Palestine voiced at protests, and in the stickers calling for the boycott of Israeli products.

But while reports of antisemitism have increased in Australia since the Hamas October 7 attack on Israelas have those of anti-Palestinian racism and Islamophobianone of these are examples of it. They are instead legitimate expressions of support for Palestinians who are facing overwhelming levels of violence and displacement.

Directly addressing the line of the Zionist organisations, identifying Judaism and the Israeli state, the academics write: As proud Jews who are committed to combating real racism, we know these are not the same thing. Jewish people have identities separate from the state of Israel and our cultures and practices are far older than Zionism.

They note that The truth is that the Jewish community is not a monolith. We might better speak of multiple Jewish communities with unique histories, diverse expressions of Jewishness, andin our view increasinglyconflicting views on Israel.

In fact, the authors state that differences within the Jewish community are widening, but that this reality is covered-up and obscured by the media, which uncritically echoes the line of the Zionist groups. Opposition to Israels criminal actions was expressed in an open letter by one thousand Jewish Australians, condemning the assault on Gaza.

Among other significant points, two in the article are particularly striking. Firstly, the authors note that Jews who speak out against Israel have themselves been subjected to venomous attacks by the Zionists, including threats, social exclusion, intimidation, campaigns for sacking or attempts to discredit them. That reality explodes the narrative of a monolithic Jewish community, united by Israel. It also completely refutes claims that the ardent Zionists are defenders of Judaism and all Jewish people.

Secondly, the authors note that the cynical misuse of the term antisemitism, to legitimise war crimes and to suppress opposition to them, risks undermining the fight against genuine anti-Jewish bigotry.

The history and concept of antisemitism risks becoming confused and devalued amid a very real fight worldwide against genuine anti-Jewish racism and an increase in fascist activity. It will lead to real instances of antisemitism being dismissed, they write.

That risk is evident from the fact that the would-be dictator Donald Trump is the presumptive Republican Party candidate in this years US presidential election. Figures such as Trump hail Israel, as an imperialist outpost and a fascistic ethno-state, while promoting classic antisemitic tropes, such as the need for a national struggle against rootless globalists.

Schwartz announced the establishment of a new Jewish Council of Australia, founded because our Jewish representative organisations fail to represent Jews who are critical of Israel and support a free Palestine.

This has been shown in spades in the Lattouf case, when it was revealed that Robert Goot, vice-president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) was heavily involved in the conspiracy to have the journalist sacked, including by participating in the secret Lawyers for Israel WhatsApp group.

ECAJ claims to be the peak representative body of Australian Jews, and receives substantial government funding on that basis, even as its executives function as de facto agents of the criminal Israeli state.

This week, a December speech by ECAJ co-CEO Alex Ryvchin was highlighted by freelance reporter Alex McKinnon. It was delivered to a webinar organised by a foundation that funds Moriah College in Sydney and posted to the ECAJ website. After McKinnon reported on it, ECAJ took down the video yesterday.

The video revealed that the students of Moriah College, who range from kindergarten to Year 12, the final year of school, have been directed to write congratulatory letters to Israel Defence Forces (IDF) soldiers involved in the onslaught against Gaza. The International Court of Justice found last month that those IDF forces and the Israeli state as a whole have a plausible charge of genocide to answer.

Ryvchins remarks were identical to those that would be delivered by a representative of the Israeli government. He declared that the Hamas military operation on October 7 retroactively legitimised the illegal Israeli siege on Gaza, as well as the apartheid-like occupation of the West Bank, which is not governed by Hamas.

In chilling comments, Ryvchin declared: To speak absolutely bluntly, if you had a population in the state that it is described by our opponents, and an army of the status and power that we know Israel is, it would take a matter of days to complete that genocide. In the first instance, those remarks display a disturbing contempt for the Palestinian civilians who have been murdered, in one of the most intensive bombardments of modern history.

More generally, though, Ryvchins remarks were contrary to the established definition of genocide under international law. The Genocide Convention states: genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, and lists several actions, including Killing members of the group; Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part

That is undeniably what Israel is carrying out, with its genocidal intent clearly enunciated by government leaders who have declared they are at war with an entire nation, whom they describe as human animals.

The terrible irony is that the Genocide Convention was explicitly developed in response to the Nazi Holocaust of the Jews. Ryvchins comments go in the direction, not only of denying the Gaza genocide in real time, but even of downplaying the genocidal character of the Holocaust itself, given that the Nazi regime was unable to murder all Jewish people in the world.

Ryvchins most telling remarks, though, were about the Australian Labor government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The speech was delivered shortly after the government shifted its position, voting for a token and toothless ceasefire resolution at the United Nations in December.

But Ryvchin effectively dismissed this as window-dressing. If you look at the words of the Prime Minister he has been very consistent, very consistent in supporting Israel at this time, both in the immediate aftermath of October 7 and since. Despite certain developments about voting at the UN General Assembly, about a ceasefire, the position of the Australian government remains to not support a permanent and unconditional ceasefire. Their position is that Hamas must be destroyed, dismantled in their language, which means it has to be destroyed, theres no other way to dismantle it

Interestingly, Ryvchin also referenced experiences with official politicians, who have sometimes postured as defenders of the Palestinians. He said: In my work Ive sat across from many politicians [and] civil society leaders who have tweeted horrible things, signed horrible petitions. And when you sit across [from] them and ask them and poke them and scrutinise their conduct, half the time they wilt and crumble, express embarrassment and regret.

In other words, an ardent defender of Israel and its genocide was making plain that Labors occasional statements of concern over civilian casualties, and its references to a pathway towards a ceasefire were lies aimed at dampening down public anger.
In a continuation of the far-right attack on democratic rights in the American school system, Floridas public universities and college systems voted in January to remove introductory sociology as a core course in the states public higher education curriculum. This class will no longer fulfill a social science requirement at institutions serving around 430,000 students. Thousands of people who would have taken a class on the principles of the discipline and the research methods it employs in order to meet specific graduation requirements can no longer do so.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference along with Florida House Speaker Chris Sprowls, right, at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

In his remarks explaining the university and college systems decision, Florida Commissioner of Higher Education Manny Diaz Jr. sought to justify the states actions by taking advantage of the widespread presence of racialism and identity politics in the discipline of sociology. Sociology has been hijacked by left-wing activists and no longer serves its intended purpose as a general knowledge course for students, he said. Floridas higher education system will focus on preparing students for high-demand, high-wage jobs, not woke ideology, added Diaz. Simultaneous to the announcement regarding introductory sociology, the state banned the use of public funds on campuses to support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming.

The action by the administration of far-right Republican Governor Ron DeSantis is an assault on freedom of thought. Responding to the attack on their discipline in a public statement, the the American Sociological Association declared the politicization of education to be a dangerous practice for democracy.

The decision by Floridas university and college system lays the groundwork for ultimately canceling sociology as a subject matter in public education across the state and throughout the country. If one follows the logic of Diazs remarks, the discipline as a whole is dangerous. The same can be said about all the social sciences, as well as the humanities. Already, departments and courses in these fields are being axed around the country, with higher education leaders from both parties having determined them to be irrelevant to training a productive workforce.

The change in the status of introductory sociology courses in Florida will result in a dramatic fall in the number of students taking the class. Many programs and majorsnot just the social scienceshave historically required students to complete a first-year sociology course. This includes fields like health and medicine, whose practitioners view an introduction to the field as valuable in terms of exposing students to a systematic approach to understanding human populations. Thus, the move will have a major impact on course enrollment numbers, full-time faculty positions and adjunct and part-time employment. The state governments decision is not just about suppressing the teaching of sociology, but about terrorizing educatorsacross all disciplinesover their jobs.

By justifying this latest attack on higher education as a strike against woke ideology, Diaz is articulating the agenda and methods of the Republican Party in Florida and elsewhere. On the one hand, it seeks to whip up anti-democratic social forces, from the police to arch-reactionary Christian fundamentalists, who hate anything that might lead to criticism of capitalist society or foster a scientific approach to understanding social problems, including phenomena like the rise of fascism.

On the other hand, it tries to channel, in a right-wing direction, popular disgust over the endless prattling on within privileged layers of academia about one or another aspect of someones personhood, in which invariably White workers and White men are identified as the source of oppression.

The discipline of sociology is highly vulnerable along a number of fronts.

At its best, students taking introductory courses in this subject will gain exposure to data and analyses of some of the most fundamental aspects of modern reality. They generally learn something about social inequality, the nuts and bolts of a capitalist social structure, the ways in which socialization integrates people into the unequal world into which they are born, the power of institutions like the educational system or the media to shape popular thinking, the character of the criminal justice system, the changing nature of the contemporary family and so forth.

There are few aspects of the human experience for which there is not a sub-field of sociology. Many of the topics covered in the discipline speak directly to social problems, particularly those facing the youth, who confront the task of having to sort through all the complexities and difficulties of the society in which they find themselves.

And despite the phony leftism that became a hallmark of the discipline beginning in the 1960s, Karl Marx is considered a founding theorist in sociology classes. Marxism is almost uniformly included in the curriculum of an introductory class, albeit at its most basic level and quite frequently distorted. In addition, scientific approaches to gathering and considering evidence are also generally taught in first-year courses. Students are encouraged to examine data, statistics, findings and conclusionsor at least some of themcarefully.

To the extent that the above are done well and with intellectual honesty and objectivity, the far right finds the discipline of sociology threatening. These forces prey upon ignorance, backwardness, demoralization and appeals to violence.

At the same time, however, the field has become vulnerable to a right-wing attack because it has been overtaken to a significant extent by the worst stupidities of postmodernism, racialism, feminism and myriad forms of identity politics. In a manifestation of the anti-Marxism that has permeated sociology from its earliest days, the discipline has now turned to race, gender and sexuality to assault Marxs discovery of the class origins of oppression in capitalist society.

There is a great deal of harping on about White privilege and patriarchy in introductory sociology courses. These conceptions are usually not taught as ideas with social origins that must be critically analyzed but as a sort of new religion about which a student ought not to pose a challenging question lest they fall afoul of condemnation, more or less severe, more or less overt, as an oppressor.

Sociology, and the social sciences more broadly, are thus a bastion of Democratic Party and pseudo-left politics on the campuses. They lend an intellectual cover to those layers of the ruling class that perceive the stoking of divisions on the basis of race and gender as the best way to prop up capitalism and hold onto power. The right wing, tilting towards fascism as the more effective method to achieve the same outcome, attacks them and tries to tap into popular anger over the efforts of liberalism to offload onto a layer of the working classWhite menits decades-long attack on living standards.

The assault on sociology in Florida is the latest in a series of decisions by the administration of far-right Republican Governor Ron DeSantis attacking freedom of speech and thought on campuses. In October, he ordered the dissolution of the campus club Students for Justice in Palestine.

The Dont Say Gay and Stop WOKE acts passed by Floridas Republican-dominated legislature in 2022 and 2023 have banned the teaching of curriculum in public schools dealing with struggles for racial and gender equality, as well as issues related to human sexuality. Far-right groups like Moms for Liberty have been given carte blanche to hound school systems into submission on the basis of parents rights legislation, such that educators have been pulling Shakespeare from their lesson plans and issuing apologies for showing students images of Michelangelos greatest works.
The fascistic president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele was reelected for another five-year term in violation of the countrys constitution, but much else remains uncertain about Sundays general elections.

Two hours after the polls closed, Bukele announced that he had won and his party, New Ideas, had taken 58 of the 60 seats of Congress. But as of Wednesday, there were still no official results.

Nayib Bukele meets with the leadership of the Supreme Electoral Court of El Salvador, October 26, 2023 [Photo: Supreme Electoral Court]

On Monday, the electoral court announced that its software for preliminary counting crashed after recording 70 percent of votes for the Presidency and only 5 percent for Congress. As a result, it is manually counting 30 percent of the ballots for president and 100 percent of those for the legislature.

Then on Tuesday, the electoral authorities announced that three voting centers would be reopened on a future date in the US, where 2.5 million Salvadorans live, compared to 6.5 million in El Salvador, citing complaints that many did not get to vote. The far-right party Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) has threatened to request the invalidation of the elections if this takes place.

Bukele has so far received 83 percent of the votes for the presidency, followed by Manuel Flores of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) with 6.95 percent and Joe Sanchez of ARENA with 6.15 percent. New Ideas is currently leading the congressional race with 61 percent of the votes.

The election took place under what was effectively martial law. A state of exception has been in place for 22 months, suspending the freedoms of association and assembly, due process, and other fundamental democratic rights.

Having placed loyalists in the Constitutional Court and winning a super-majority in Congress in 2021, Bukele was allowed to name his private secretary Claudia Rodriguez as president for six months, pretending to respect the constitutional ban on consecutive terms.

Enjoying free rein, the military and police have arrested more than 75,000 people, or 1 in every 45 adults. Currently there are 110,000 people behind bars in overcrowded and inhumane conditions, including 40,000 in a new Terrorism Confinement Centerone of the largest prisons in the world.

At least 224 people have died in custody during the 22-month state of exception, according to the NGO Socorro Juridico, amid numerous legal complaints of torture.

El Pais reported recently on the case of Veronica Reyes, whose husband Roberto, a 38-year-old worker at a cooking oil company with no criminal record, was detained in December 2022 while buying groceries. While waiting for a hearing in 2025, Veronica sent him food and supplies every two weeks, but on January 27 she was notified that her husband had passed away.

Asked to identify him, she said, I was looking at a body that died of starvation... When it was discovered, it was a skeleton.

Inmates in the new Terrorism Confinement Center, March 2023 [Photo: Office of the President of El Salvador]

Governments and politicians across Latin America, from the openly right-wing Daniel Noboa in Ecuador to the pseudo-left Xiomara Castro in Honduras, have openly embraced the political formula of Bukeles hardline on organized crime.

Bukele himself was in turn widely described as El Salvadors Trump and was evidently inspired by the Hitler-emulating billionaire and his efforts to mobilize fascistic layers within the state apparatus and the lumpen middle class.

The Biden administration had declared in September 2021 that a reelection would undermine democracy in El Salvador, but Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Bukele on Monday. Clearly, earlier criticisms had nothing to do with democracy or human rights, but were aimed against Bukeles growing ties with China.

While his balancing act with Beijing continues, a shift away from seeking Chinese credits to requesting an IMF loan and the exclusion of Chinese companies from the development of 5G telecommunications have led to a warming of ties with Washington. Bukele has also collaborated with the US on blocking migrants heading north.

Bukele is the descendant of a Palestinian bourgeois family, which developed a textile business in the 1970s that later grew into a major conglomerate. His father became a sponsor of the FMLN following the end of the civil war in 1992, when the former Stalinist-led guerrillas handed in their weapons and took up seats in Congress as a right-wing bourgeois party.

After dropping out of college and running the family businesses, Bukele entered politics and was elected mayor of Nuevo Cuscatlan in 2012 and then of the capital San Salvador as a candidate of the FMLN.

Having decided to run for the Presidency in 2017, internal scuffles led to his fortuitous expulsion from the party. Ever since, Bukele has capitalized above all by targeting the FMLN and its rival ARENA, the far-right party founded by the infamous army torturer Maj. Roberto DAubuisson. The two former enemies had shared power since 1992 and become extremely discredited as a result of their policies of social austerity, deals with gangs and corruption.

Two incidents from his first term sum up his political program. In February 2020, he led troops invading Congress to demand at gunpoint a loan for the military, while his fascistic hardline supporters rallied outside demanding the heads of legislators.

Shortly after, in May 2020, he held an extraordinary meeting with El Salvadors three richest oligarchsRoberto Kriete, Ricardo Poma and now deceased Roberto Murray Mezato draw up plans to let COVID-19 run rampant by reopening all workplaces. During the first two years of the ongoing pandemic, Bukele sacrificed the lives of 23,245 people to profits, according to excess death estimates.

While claiming to oppose the corrupt oligarchy, Bukeles policies have all been tailored to serve its interests and those of its imperialist paymasters on Wall Street. The same handful of inbred families of the local aristocracy have long used the state for one purpose: to protect their wealth and power against the oppressed classes. The ruling elite used it to enslave the indigenous population into semi-feudal estates and armies in the early 1800s. Toward the end of the century, they expropriated peasants to exploit them in the rapidly expanding coffee plantations.

Throughout the 20th century US imperialism and its junior partners in the coffee oligarchy crushed all opposition by installing a series of military dictators and set up death squads that massacred over 100,000 workers, peasants and youth between 1932 and 1992.

In response to globalization, the oligarchy has only deepened its subordination to imperialism, after branching out as local administrators for multinational corporations and banks. The economy is heavily dependent upon the US market and remittances from migrants.

Today, Bukele seemingly enjoys unlimited popularity due to an enormous reduction in gang activity like homicides and extortion. But this is merely a byproductand a tenuous one at bestof the establishment of a police state and dictatorial forms of rule.

The ruling class in El Salvador and internationally support Bukelismo knowing they have no other answer than dictatorship to the deepening crisis of global capitalism and the emerging upsurge of the class struggle globally.

Under Bukele, employment, education and healthcare have continued to deteriorate as poverty has risen. Foreign direct investment has not increased. A majority of exports to the US, generally clothing, are produced by about 60,000 workers in extremely oppressive sweatshops that have seen thousands of layoffs in the past two years.

About three out of every 10 Salvadorans remains under the official poverty line, and seven out of 10 scrape by in the informal sector. The cost of basic goods rose 30 percent in three years, with real wages falling behind. Public spending stands at 22 percent of GDP, remaining one of the lowest rates in the region, and the IMF is demanding further cuts as a condition for a loan given a growing deficit.

The molecular processes that will push Salvadoran workers into struggle against Bukele and to join their class brothers and sisters internationally in fighting social inequality, war and fascism are already far advanced.

What is urgently required is a political leadership in the working class that gives conscious expression to this process. This means the building of sections of the International Committee of the Fourth International in El Salvador and across Central America, armed with the program of Trotskyism and the historical lessons of its struggle against Stalinism, all forms of bourgeois nationalism like the FMLN and their Pabloite apologists who have repeatedly paved the way to fascist reaction.
Thomas Indelicarto, the EVP, Gen Counsel & Secretary of VeriSign Inc, has sold 613 shares of the company on February 6, 2024, according to a recent SEC filing. The transaction was executed at a price of $199.05 per share, resulting in a total sale amount of $121,999.65.

VeriSign Inc, listed under the ticker symbol VRSN on the NASDAQ, is a global provider of domain name registry services and internet infrastructure, enabling internet navigation for many of the world's most recognized domain names. The company ensures the security, stability, and resiliency of key internet infrastructure and services, including the .com and .net domains, as well as two of the internet's root servers.

Over the past year, the insider has sold a total of 10,434 shares of VeriSign Inc and has not made any purchases of the stock. The recent sale by the insider is part of a trend observed over the past year, where there have been no insider buys and 63 insider sells for the company.

On the day of the sale, VeriSign Inc had a market capitalization of $20.448 billion, with the stock price closing at $199.05. The company's price-earnings ratio stood at 28.53, which is above the industry median of 26.43 but below the company's historical median price-earnings ratio.

The stock's price-to-GF-Value ratio was 0.81, with a GF Value of $246.87, indicating that VeriSign Inc was considered Modestly Undervalued according to the intrinsic value estimate developed by GuruFocus. The GF Value takes into account historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past returns and growth, and future business performance estimates from Morningstar analysts.

VeriSign Inc EVP, Gen Counsel & Secretary Thomas Indelicarto Sells Company Shares

The insider's recent transaction aligns with the overall selling trend among VeriSign Inc insiders over the past year, as depicted in the insider trend image above.

VeriSign Inc EVP, Gen Counsel & Secretary Thomas Indelicarto Sells Company Shares

The GF Value image above provides a visual representation of VeriSign Inc's current valuation in relation to its intrinsic value, further supporting the stock's status as Modestly Undervalued.

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.


Weatherford International (NASDAQ:WFRD) Full Year 2023 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: US$5.14b (up 19% from FY 2022).

Net income: US$417.0m (up by US$391.0m from FY 2022).

Profit margin: 8.1% (up from 0.6% in FY 2022). The increase in margin was driven by higher revenue.

EPS: US$5.79 (up from US$0.37 in FY 2022).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Weatherford International EPS Beats Expectations

Revenue was in line with analyst estimates. Earnings per share (EPS) surpassed analyst estimates by 11%.

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 5.6% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 7.9% growth forecast for the Energy Services industry in the US.

Performance of the American Energy Services industry.

The company's shares are up 4.9% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

It's still necessary to consider the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 3 warning signs with Weatherford International, and understanding these should be part of your investment process.

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.
 There are big spoilers for Griselda ahead! 

1.First, Sofia Vergara originally connected with director Andres Baiz and showrunner Eric Newman about portraying Griselda Blanco way back in 2012 when they were working on Narcos. Andres, who is also Colombian, said he was initially "nervous" because, "Sofia is a national treasure in Colombia, and then suddenly she's taking this very brave stance. This big leap in her career to do something dramatic."

Eric added, "I believe anything she sets her mind to doing, she will do." Not only does Sofia star in the series, and is in practically every scene, but she's also an executive producer. Elizabeth Morris / Netflix

2.Then, in 2015, Sofia invited showrunner Eric Newman to her home in Los Angeles to pitch the series. After watching the documentary Cocaine Cowboys in 2006, Sofia said she realized that Griselda had "so many layers," and she loved the idea of showcasing "this innocuous-looking woman [who] was raising four kids while building this insane, brutal empire."

Prior to the pitch meeting, Sofia had "done her research" on Griselda and knew this was a story she wanted to pursue telling. She added in an interview with the New York Times, "I was like, 'What are the odds that this guy is going to think that Gloria Pritchett can play this ruthless, crazy character?'" Elizabeth Morris / Netflix

3.Speaking about portraying the drug trafficking trade in the US and Colombia during the 1970s through the 1990s, Sofia said she had a first-hand experience seeing it unfold while growing up in Colombia. She explained, "My brother was killed during that time. My brother was part of that business. I know what it feels like. I know what that world is."

"I know those people. I was surrounded by them. I know what they did. I know what that kind of business can do to a family to a person to a country," she added. Sofia's brother, Rafael, was shot and killed in Bogota in the 1990s, while her younger brother, Julio, was deported from the US to Colombia in 2011 after being arrested "nearly 30 times" while living with a drug addiction. Netflix

4.Filming the series was "challenging" for Sofia for a number of reasons, specifically she said, "I had never acted in Spanish or a drama or with prosthetics." She also added that it was "exhausting" staying in "the mood that Griselda was in" during the length of filming.

Sofia explained that staying in the mindset of playing Griselda was hard because she was going through a lot of emotions in every scene, and her body doesn't know she's acting. Netflix

5.From the initial pitch meeting, Sofia knew she wanted to have this story told in half English and half Spanish, which gave her the opportunity to act in Spanish for the first time. She said her real-life accent has made it "hard" to find characters to portray, so this was the perfect time to lean into it.

She explained in an interview with the New York Times, "It's hard for me to find characters because of my accent, and because I'm known for comedy. So in a selfish way I was like, 'Oh, this is perfect for me.'" Netflix

6.In order to transform Sofia into Griselda Blanco, it took "three hours" to apply the prosthetics in the morning before filming. Then, it took an additional hour at the end of the day to remove everything. The idea was to make Sofia look different enough from herself IRL, but not hide her performance under a ton of prosthetics and makeup.

"I could not take the wig off and it was 16, 17 hour day shoots. So everything was really, really challenging for me," Sofia added. She wore five different wigs throughout Griselda. Netflix / Via youtu.be

7.In the end, the prosthetics used on Sofia to turn her into Griselda included a fake nose, false teeth, and covering her eyebrows. "My eyebrows are very thick, and I wanted me to disappear, and I think that is one of my features that is very strong," she explained.

"The teeth were horrific," Sofia added. She also explained she "had plastic" from the top of her eyelids to the middle of her forehead in order to hide her eyebrows. Then, false eyebrows were added on. Netflix / Via youtu.be

8.After playing Gloria on Modern Family for 11 seasons, Sofia wanted to make sure Griselda was completely different. So, she learned how to walk differently because she didn't "want to walk [like herself] or Gloria." She added, "I created this body position that after three months got me in trouble. I had to get injected in my lower back from walking in this bad position."

She added, "I thought that the character needed me to change my body. Needed me to use Spanx to try and hold my butt and my boobs, and kind of shape my body different than me and Gloria Pritchett." Netflix

9.Sofia, who had never smoked a cigarette in real life, had to learn how to "hold it, turn it on, [and] get it out of the box," especially because in almost every scene Griselda is shown smoking. The cigarettes used in the show don't contain tobacco, but Sofia added that she smoked the fake ones "for six months straight nonstop."

She explained that director Andres Baiz is the one who had to teach her. She told Netflix's Tudum, "Andi was the one who taught me. He came to my house. He taught me how to smoke. He taught me how to do the [fake] cocaine." Netflix

10.Griselda was filmed entirely in Los Angeles with the creative team transforming LA into '70s and '80s Miami. According to showrunner Eric Newman, the reason they filmed in LA was because it was easier to recreate retro Miami there. He explained, "When we couldnt go to Miami, because Miami looks nothing like pre-cocaine explosion Miami, where our story is set."

The director of photography for Griselda, Armando Salas, was raised in Miami, so he used his expertise to help make sure the series felt like Miami, all the way down to getting the correct coloring for the sky. Netflix

11.The title cards for each episode appear whenever we see the first closeup of Griselda in the episode. Director Andres Baiz explained they decided to have this "unifying formal element" in each episode because, "Every time I closed my eyes and I thought about Griselda, I saw a closeup. I saw Sofia Vergara in Griselda. This is a character-driven show. It's a very intimate piece."

Andres and Sofia agreed that one of their favorite title cards is in Episode 6 when "Griselda is smoking crack and she pulls her head back." They also loved the one in Episode 4 with Griselda in the car wash. Netflix

12.The show was original titled Emerald, which was meant to be a reference to Griselda fleeing Colombia with her children, cocaine, and some jewels seen in the show. Due to the original title, a lot of "meticulous back-and-forth discussions" went into designing Griselda's emerald earrings and the necklaces she gives her sons in the series finale.

Looking at Griselda's jewelry throughout the show, you'll notice they aren't "dainty or delicate" pieces, but rather a lot of statement pieces, which were prominent in 1980s fashion. Elizabeth Morris / Netflix

13.One of the things Sofia really wanted to do with Griselda was showcase Latin American talent. She explained, "I never thought I was going to be able to [work with them] because I rarely work in Latin America. To be able to bring them and for them to be part of this huge production for Netflix for me was amazing."

Sofia added, "I hope this is going to open so many doors for all of these actors that maybe they haven't gotten the opportunity to come to the United States and to be in big, big productions like this one." Elizabeth Morris / Netflix

14.The most "nerve-racking" scene for Sofia to film in Griselda was when Griselda shoots and kills one of Papo's men in Episode 4. She said she was "horrified" having to kill someone on screen, but knew it was important to showcase Griselda's transformation into a "ruthless monster."

Speaking about the scene, Sofia said she thought it was a "genius" twist that it seems like Griselda's going to kill the man with a sword, but instead shoots him. Netflix

15.It took "five days" to film the entire party sequence in Episode 5 due to the amount of extras and "technical aspects" that went into filming scenes where characters had to move "through the whole party."

Reflecting on filming the episode in an interview with Men's Health, Alberto Guerra, who plays Dario, said, "I remember it was one of those moments when I saw Sofia's 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." Netflix

16.The real June Hawkins was a consultant on the series, and chatted extensively with Juliana Aiden Martinez, who portrays her in Griselda. In real life, Juliana was born and raised in the largely Cuban area of Hialeah in Miami-Dade County, so she connected with June over their shared upbringing.

Speaking about her conversations with June, Juliana said, "Shes navigating being the first female homicide detective in this world of men. Shes also Cuban American, and she understands the cultural authenticity and the cultural factors that are happening in these conversations with the witnesses." Netflix

17.Sofia came up with the subtle nervous habit Griselda has throughout the show. If you watch closely, anytime "Griselda feels nervous or uneasy, she starts playing with one of her rings on her right hand. It means that her head is spinning," according to Sofia.

The ruby ring that Griselda wears throughout the series, and she's shown fidgeting with most often, is actually from Sofia's personal jewelry collection. Netflix

18.Crown Liquors, which is the location for the famous Dadeland Mall Massacre where German Jimenez Panesso and his bodyguard were notably killed, was recreated in a Sears in Cerritos, California. The production design team referenced footage from the original newscast to match the exterior, the van Griselda's men pulled up in, the guns, and more.

While the outside looks exactly like the actual news footage, the team had more liberty to play around and make the interior their own. The store only sold liquor, so they filled it with "real brands of that period and really [reflected] what was becoming popular at that time in Miami," according to set decorator Kim Leonard. Netflix

19.In order to get the costumes as authentic to the real time period in Miami, the costume team studied documentaries, old newspapers, vintage catalogues, and more. They also took inspiration from photographers Guy Bourdin and Larry Sultan, and films like Scarface and The Godfather.

For June Hawkins's wardrobe, Juliana Aiden Martinez, who spoke with the real June, provided real photos of June at her wardrobe fittings so they could find similar outfits for the series. Netflix

20.In terms of where Griselda's wardrobe came from, a lot of it was "custom-made based on vintage items," according to costume designer Sarah Evelyn. There were a ton of custom dresses, especially in the beginning, mostly due to how much Griselda is going through.

There's a clear shift in Griselda's wardrobe in Episode 5, when she's now running things at the Mutiny nightclub, with costume supervisor and designer Safowa Bright Bitzelberger explaining, "Instead of her going there to talk to the king, she is the queen now." Netflix

21.In order to prepare for the more emotionally intense scenes between Griselda and Dario, Alberto Guerra explained that he and Sofia would sometimes deliberately spend time apart on set before filming. Director Andres Baiz even told them, "Don't talk to each other. I don't want you guys to talk to each other before this argument."

Alberto explained to Men's Health, "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.'" Netflix

22.Griselda marks the acting debut for musician Karol G, who stars as Carla. To prepare for the role, Karol said she spent months in acting and body movement classes in order to hone her acting skills for the role.

She told Billboard that the classes "totally opened my eyes to a different perspective. Theyve helped my career as an artist and my development onstage." Netflix

23.And finally, Paulina Davila, who plays Isabel, one of the women who smuggles cocaine from Colombia to the US for Griselda and begins working for her in Miami, is actually Sofia's cousin in real life. Apparently, Sofia and Paulina hadn't seen each other "in 20 years" prior to the filming of the show.

"So the last time I saw her, she was 10. And it was heartwarming for me," Sofia said. The Griselda team had no clue Sofia and Paulina knew each other when they were casting the show, Andres Baiz had never worked with Paulina before but was friends with her and thought she'd be perfect for the role. Netflix

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Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said a recovery mission is underway

Matt Rourke/AP Firefighters work at the scene in East Lansdowne, Pa.

At least six people are unaccounted for and presumed dead following a house fire and shooting Wednesday in East Lansdowne, Pa.

Two officers who responded to the scene were struck by gunfire and are expected to survive

Authorities have yet to identify a suspect

At least six people are unaccounted for and presumed dead after a Pennsylvania home went up in flames and two police officers responding to the scene were shot.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said at a press conference streamed by 6ABCthat officers were called to an East Lansdowne home around 3:45 p.m. Wednesday after a 911 caller reported that an 11-year-old girl had been shot.

Once at the scene, officers from three local police agencies were immediately met by gunfire, Stollsteimer said, per 6ABC. He added that two officers were struck and subsequently hospitalized.

The veteran officers were later identified as 54-year-old David Schiazza of the Lansdowne Police Department and 44-year-old John Meehan of the East Lansdowne Police Department, authorities said, according to 6ABC, the Associated Press and CBS News. Both are expected to recover.

It was because of the Upper Darby Police Department, who also responded to that call, that these officers are alive today, Stollsteimer told reporters. They were dragged out of danger by Upper Darby police officers.

Matt Rourke/AP

At some point after that, the home was set on fire, Stollsteimer said, noting that it remains unclear as to who was responsible for igniting the fire, as well as who the shooter was and how many people were inside the home.

In a Thursday update, Stollsteimer said at least six members of the same family, including three children who were living in the home, remain unaccounted for and are believed to be dead, CBS News reports.

Charles Fox/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP

Authorities have yet to publicly identify a suspect or victims. As a recovery mission is underway, Stollsteimer said investigators have so far found a human torso and a rifle in the house, CBS News reports.

Neighbors described the chaos at the scene, with one telling 6ABC that a SWAT vehicle was parked on his lawn.

Matt Rourke/AP



"I saw the SWAT team, they were parked up on my lawn, they packed into the back of the SWAT vehicle," Derrick Richardson said, per the outlet. "I think they were attempting to use the SWAT vehicle as shield, but the fire just got to be out of control,"

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Another neighbor shared how in shock they were at how everything unfolded.

"Seeing an incident like this happen is like, nobody would've ever seen this type of thing coming," a neighbor, identified only as Tayvon, told 6ABC. "It's shocking, it's still shocking. Loss for words, so prayers and condolences."



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Abramorama has acquired the global theatrical rights  with the exception of the U.K. and Ireland  and direct-to-consumers rights to Getting It Back: The Story of Cymande, the award-winning music documentary directed by Tim MacKenzie-Smith. Abramorama will launch its U.S. and Canadian theatrical release in early April, following its upcoming U.K. theatrical release.

Abramorama is honored to bring Tim MacKenzie-Smiths heartfelt documentary about the band Cymande to fans around the world. Their music has influenced artists of all genres and is as impactful today as it was when first released. Cymande continues to reach new fans and I think 2024 is going to be a huge year for the band, with sold out concerts around the world, a new record coming out soon, and the global release of their documentary, Abramoramas president and head of international distribution Evan Saxon said in a statement.

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A group of Black British musicians who all came to the U.K. from the Caribbean as children, Cymande released three albums in succession in the early 1970s, which were embraced in the U.S. However, the band faced prejudice in U.K. and were largely ignored. Although they split in 1975, their music lived on as successive generations of artists and fans of hip hop, house, R&B and more found their songs.

The documentary will explore the bands impact and legacy, featuring interviews with band members and influential figures such as Mark Ronson, Laura Lee and Mark Speer (Khruangbin), DJ Maseo (De La Soul), Jazzie B (Soul II Soul), Cut Chemist, Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Louie Vega and Kool DJ Red Alert. Their influence can be heard in dozens of samples taken from their albums from those such as DJ Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash, The Wu-Tang Clan, Norman Cook/Fatboy Slim and The Fugees.

In support of the film, Cymande will go on a worldwide tour in 2024 and is currently working on new music to be released this year as well.

We are delighted to be partnering up with Abramorama to bring the film to a global audience. As soon as we started discussions with Evan and the team, we knew they would be a great fit. They immediately understood how it important was that we spread the message of Cymande far and wide, and we cannot wait to get started, MacKenzie-Smith said in a statement.

John Battsek and Daniel Gordon serve as executive producers, with Matt Wyllie producing and editing. Getting It Back: The Story of Cymande had its world premiere at the 2022 SXSW Festival, followed by a U.K. premiere at the 2022 BFI London Film Festival. It has also screened at Doclisboa and Doc n Roll Festival, where it won the documentary of the year jury award in 2022.

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Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the correct standard ticket price.

Legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, whose 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature is just one in a long list of accolades including multiple Grammys, an Oscar and a Pulitzer, makes a stop at the Crown Theatre in Fayetteville next month on his Rough and Rowdy Ways tour.

The man dubbed the "Voice of Generation" and the "Boy Bard," and who captured the spirit of the 1960s in his lyrics, appears in the city for one show on March 18, with standard ticket prices starting at $57.50 and VIP packages available from $327.50 to $677.50, according to the Crown Coliseum's website.

Dylan's music and trademark undulating vocals were the soundtrack of life during an era when the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights movement changed the fabric of the country.

Bob Dylan will be in Fayetteville next month for a concert at the Crown Complex.

His extensive discography includes hits still treasured today like 1962's "Blowin' In The Wind," 1965's "Like A Rolling Stone," and 1966's "Just Like A Woman" and Everybody Must Get Stoned, the latter of which bemoaned judgment from others, with music laden with harmonica and tambourine.

Now 83 years old, Dylan and His Band will make at least 22 stops  including two others in North Carolina  in the Rough and Rowdy Ways tour from March 1 to April 6, according to his website, www.bobdylan.com. The night before his Fayetteville appearance, Dylan appears at the Belk Theater in Charlotte. On March 21, he'll be in Asheville at the Harrah's Cherokee Center.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Bob Dylan coming to Fayetteville, NC
OnlyFans was Brandi Glanville's knight in shining armor after finding herself in a financially draining hot water.

The reality star reportedly experienced some blowback after she was accused of sexual harassment by colleague Caroline Manzo while on the set of "The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip" in Morocco.

Brandi Glanville Bared It All On Her Podcast

The reality star acknowledged OnlyFans' role in saving her from a severe financial crisis on the most recent episode of her "Brandi Glanville Unfiltered" podcast.

Glanville disclosed that she was not earning any money after her sexual harassment allegation broke out, which led her to subscribe to the "life-saving" platform in July 2023.

However, she got an epiphany about her image upon joining the controversial platform, which is popularly known for its content. "I thought I was, like, being desperate, and then when I got on it, I was like, 'I'm really feeling my sexual being at 51," Glanville explained.

She, however, clarified that her confidence on the platform happened gradually as she could only post her feet pictures at first, no thanks to her stress-induced angioedema, which caused her face to swell.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brandi Glanville (@brandiglanville)

The source of her stress is not far-fetched, as her former co-star Manzo came out with serious allegations involving Glanville kissing her without consent and forcing her private parts against her back during the filming of the fourth season of their reality show last January.

Manzo added that the production network Bravo also aided and abetted the "sexually offensive and harassing content" by supplying them with alcohol regularly and causing them to be intoxicated.

The Blast noted that the 62-year-old claimed Glanville mounted her on the couch and pinned her down with her body in her lawsuit. Manzo claimed that the actions of Glanville and the production team brought back unpleasant memories of her sexual assault experience when she was only seven years old.

However, sources close to the show disclosed that the housewives were playing a game in a private location during filming when the encounter between Glanville and Manzo occurred.

Glanville immediately debunked the claims through her rep, who described the lawsuit as "defamatory" and containing "false accusations about her." The rep added:

"While filming, Brandi followed what the producers asked of her, and there was no sexual assault. She is innocent of these absurd accusations that have weighed on her mental and physical health for far too long without a word of support from Peacock, Shed, or Bravo."

Glanville's Legal Team Accused Bravo Of Fueling The Drama

MEGA

Manzo was not the only one with a vendetta against the show's production company. Glanville's lawyers also accused the show of withholding evidence to boost drama and ratings instead of vindicating the reality star.

The Blast confirmed that the lawyers demanded to see video footage from the taping themselves despite reports that the incident happened far away from the camera, stating:

"In that bathroom, as the audio will confirm, nothing inappropriate or illegal whatsoever occurred. As you know both from your [investigation] and the audio and video that you possess, the four women washed their hands before returning to the party, where they enjoyed some food and chatted."

The team added that Manzo was in great spirits that night and did not alienate herself from the group, adding that:

"Throughout, Ms. Manzo appeared to be having a great time and didn't telegraph any signs whatsoever that she wanted Ms. Glanville to leave her side. Overall, the entire incident was comprised of some flirtatious conduct and kissing between Ms. Manzo and Ms. Glanville, and all of it was absolutely mutual and consensual."

Glanville's lawyers accused the companies of being insensitive towards her reputation, tagging the act as unacceptable in the statement directed to Shed Media and Warner Bros company.
The Utah city also scored a spot on the list of friendliest places in the world

Booking.com Moab, Utah

Booking.com just announced one Utah desert town is the most welcoming city in America.

Moab, Utah, topped the list of the top 10 most welcoming American cities in Booking.coms Traveler Review Awards. The recent award recognizes various destinations for their accommodation and transport partners that go above and beyond providing incredible stays for guests, per Booking.com. These destinations have an above average amount of properties with exceptional reviews for friendly hospitality.

Located in Utahs Southeastern region, the desert oasis is a true outdoor enthusiast's paradise, per Booking.com. The town invites visitors and residents to explore some of the U.S.'s various beautiful landscapes  including red rock formations, natural sandstone arches and mesa landforms.

Related: This City Just Won Best U.S. Destination for the 11th Year in a Row

Travelers can explore the national parks of the Arches and Canyonlands or head to the Colorado River, allowing visitors to explore the rock formations on foot or kayak, paddleboard, or raft their way through the environment. Other activities include mountain biking and horseback riding.

For those who want to relax after a day of exploring, travelers can head into the town and wander amongst the many boutique shops and dining options. Visitors can indulge in anything from bakeries, breweries, taco trucks to fine dining.

Along with a reputation for being the most welcoming town in the U.S., the region around Moab also has some of the darkest skies in the country, allowing visitors to have an ideal night of stargazing.

Booking.com Moab, Utah

Related: This City Was Just Named the 'Best Foodie City in America'  and It's Not What You Expect

While Moab topped the list, a couple more desert towns made the top 10 friendliest in the U.S., including Joshua Tree, Calif. and Sedona, Ariz. The remaining seven cities include Estes Park, Colo.; Bryson City, N.C.; Pagosa Springs, Colo.; Asheville, N.C.; Bar Harbor, Maine; and Leavenworth, Wash.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories

The top U.S. friendliest town also scored a spot on the most welcoming cities on Earth, trailing behind Arraial d'Ajuda, Brazil; Ermoupoli, Greece; Viana do Castelo, Portugal; Daylesford, Australia; and Grindelwald, Switzerland. Meanwhile, the remaining four include Uzes, France; Mazatlan, Mexico; Jaisalmer, India; and Fujikawaguchiko, Japan.

To learn more about every city on the Welcoming City on Earth list, visit Booking.com.

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CNN anchor Jake Tapper left his fellow panelists in stitches on Thursday when he cut away from Donald Trumps rambling response to the Supreme Court oral arguments on the Colorado ballot case.

OK, I think we have gotten all the legal analysis were going to get out of President Trump, Tapper sardonically noted while dumping out of the ex-presidents speech, prompting conservative anti-Trump lawyer George Conway to laugh uncontrollably.

While the Supreme Court seems poised to back Trumps challenge to Colorados decision to remove him from its ballot under the Constitutions ban on insurrectionist office-holders, the GOP frontrunner seemed more interested in holding an impromptu campaign rally and making bizarre claims than discussing the merits of his case.

Trump Bizarrely Claims Jan. 6 Riot Was Caused by Nancy Pelosi

CNN, meanwhile, aired Trumps press conference live for a few minutes before deciding to pull away when it was clear he was going on an unrelated and incoherent tangent, as theyve done with several of the ex-presidents speeches in recent weeks.

You wouldnt have any of the problems that we have today, Trump bellowed in front of Mar-a-Lago while speaking to reporters. Iran was broke when I left, and they had no money to give to Hamas.

At that point, the network stopped taking Trump live and returned the broadcast to the studio, leading Tapper to joke about the ex-presidents legal analysis of the Colorado case.

While Conway chortled, anchor Kasie Hunt reacted to Tapper saying its odd that Trump wasnt taking the opportunity to boast about the high court seeming to agree with his lawyers argument.

Is it? Is it odd, Jake? a laughing Hunt responded.

No, its not becausehe wants to talk about himself, a still giggling Conway added. He doesn't want to talk about the Supreme Court. And say, Oh, the Supreme Court did a nice job today. He just wants to talk about whats on his mind there.

CNN correspondent Jamie Gangel, meanwhile, suggested that Trump wasnt even aware that it seems likely the Supreme Court will tell Colorado to put him back on the ballot.

Can I just say someone didnt tell him that this sounded like good news for him today, she said. I mean, it wasnt just the rambling sort of campaign speech, but if he had simply listened to the analysis afterwards, he would know that it sounds like hes in good shape.

The network did return to the former presidents press conference moments later when he began answering questions about the actual case, only to pull away once again when he veered towards other subjects.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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"The foundation attached to the house broke away and fell, pinning" Gerceir Osvaldo DeFaria underneath it, the Plymouth District Attorney's Office said

Gerceir Faria/Facebook Gerceir Osvaldo Faria

A construction worker died on Wednesday in Massachusetts after a partial foundation collapse, officials said

He was pronounced dead at the scene and identified as 51-year-old Gerceir Osvaldo DeFaria

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Massachusetts State Police and local police are investigating the fatal incident



A 51-year-old construction worker died on Wednesday after the foundation of a Massachusetts home collapsed on him, officials said.

The Plymouth District Attorney's Office said in a release shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Hanson Police received a 911 call around 11:30 a.m. for a report of a man trapped at a construction site at 50 Dwight Street.

"Hanson Police and Hanson Fire responded and found a single-family home with a partial foundation collapse on one side, and a male worker trapped," the release said.

The DA's office said the man was pronounced dead at the scene. He has been identified as Gerceir Osvaldo DeFaria.

Related: Mom of 16-Year-Old Who 'Was Severely Injured and Killed' While Working at Poultry Plant Files Lawsuit

Hanson Police, the local fire department and the Plymouth County Technical Rescue Team worked for over three hours before the victim's body was removed around 2:50 p.m.

"Preliminarily, it appears that the property homeowner was having the basement waterproofed today, and a trench was being dug on the side of the home when the foundation attached to the house broke away and fell, pinning DeFaria underneath," officials added.

It's unclear how much weight was on top of the 51-year-old before he died.

Related: Fla. Mom Whose Husband Died in Construction Accident Welcomes Their First Son Exactly 1 Week Later

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Massachusetts State Police and Hanson Police investigating the incident.

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An OSHA spokesperson told PEOPLE that an inspection was opened on Wednesday and will "determine if there were any violations of workplace safety standards." The agency has up to six months to complete its inspection.

The Massachusetts State Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Hanson Police referred requests for comment to the DA's office.

Related: 3 Workers Dead from 70-Ft. Fall as Scaffolding Collapses at Construction Site in Charlotte, N.C.

Gerceir Osvaldo only moved to Massachusetts from Brazil months ago and now leaves behind a wife and two children, ABC affiliate WCVB and Fox affiliate WFXT reported.

"The heart is broken," his brother, Elias, told NBC affiliate WBTS. "Every day, he called to his family, every day."

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I thought for sure wed never see each other again," good Samaritan Mark Mikkelson said of the the prospect of reuniting with the couple at their upcoming wedding

Getty Generic image of an engagement ring

Just minutes after Donald Carman popped the question to fiancee Brittney Delegado at the beach, her engagement ring got lost in the ocean. Another couple, Mark and Vicky Mikkelson, saw what happened and rushed over to help, ultimately saving the day by using metal detectors to locate the ring, according to a Bradenton, Florida, Patch site.

The two couples lost contact after their chance meeting that day in May 2022, but they will soon be reuniting for a special occasion  Delegado and Carman's wedding.

When the soon-to-be bride and groom began planning their nuptials, they were determined to track down the Mikkelsons and extend them an invitation to their destination wedding, which is set to take place in November in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Delegado found the Mikkelsons by posting on a Facebook group for Florida's Anna Maria Island  where they got engaged  that included a photo of the two couples posing together on the beach after their triumphant recovery of the ring.

Related: Womans Lost Wedding Ring Found at a South Carolina Recycling Center: Needle in a Haystack

Vicky spotted the post within hours and exclaimed, "That's us!" per Patch. Now, the Mikkelsons have marked their calendars for Carman and Delegado's big day and plan to travel to Punta Cana to watch the couple say "I do."

Were so excited and cant wait for it, Vicky said of the wedding, according to the outlet.

Mark added, I thought for sure wed never see each other again.

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Carman and Delegado also recounted the story of their engagement and how the unfortunate mishap with the ring happened. During their visit to Anna Maria Island, one of their favorite vacation spots, Carman had arranged for a photographer to take pictures of the pair, per Patch. Delegado had no idea her then-boyfriend had a big surprise up his sleeve.

The photographer had the couple wade into the water out to a sandbar. We were pretty far out there and the waves were pretty high around us, Delegado recalled to the outlet. The photographer told me to look into the sunset and when I turned, [Carman] was down on one knee.

She immediately said "yes," but as the photographer was capturing another shot, a wave "knocked into" Delegado's hand and the ring box dropped into the water. "It was just gone, she told Patch.

As luck would have it, the Mikkelsons happened to be passing by at the time and quickly jumped into action. We came up to them and Brittney was crying, I lost the ring, I lost the ring,  Mark remembered.

Related: Six Strangers Help a Michigan Couple Find Missing Wedding Ring: 'It Just Rekindled Hope'

The Mikkelsons rushed to their nearby condo and brought back a pair of metal detectors. After a few minutes of searching, Mark homed in on an area of seagrass close to where Carman had proposed.

I heard that bing, bing, bing, and said, Here it is! I used the sand scooper, picked out the ring and washed it off with water, Mark said.

He found it in five minutes," Delegado told Patch. "Thats the moment I finally started to cry.

The two couples snapped a photo together to capture the happy moment, and then went their separate ways. Since that day nearly two years ago, both have enjoyed telling their friends and family about the lost ring.

We tell people that story all the time," Delegado said.



Soon, the foursome will be able to reminisce about it in person when they come together again to celebrate Carman and Delegado's wedding.

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Woman injects herself with her weekly dose of Wegovy

Weight loss drugs are making patients lose muscle, the boss of AstraZeneca has claimed, raising concerns over whether the jabs are actually making people leaner.

Obesity drugs including Wegovy are currently being used by hundreds of thousands of people, but need to be more targeted to help patients lose more fat and less muscle, AstraZenecas Pascal Soriot said.

He added: Today you lose weight but you lose fat and you lose muscle. The problem with many of [the treatments] is when you stop, you regain weight, because obesity is a chronic disease.

Most people as soon as they stop taking the medicines, they regain fat, but not so much the muscle that they have lost unless, of course, they go to the gym.

He said pharmaceutical companies needed to improve the quality of weight loss with their treatments to make them last longer and target them more towards fat loss.

It comes amid a boom in demand for the treatments, with experts expecting the industry to be worth $90bn (74bn) within the coming years.

Market leader Novo Nordisk, which also makes Ozempic, a diabetes drug which is used off-label to treat against obesity, has been struggling to keep up with appetite in recent months.

The Danish pharmaceutical company revealed late last month that it was making 32m a day in profits as countries race to get their hands on the drugs to help ease pressure on their health systems.

In the UK, around 64pc of adults are either obese or overweight, according to official figures, while in the US, the figure stands at around 70pc.

Mr Soriot said there was a risk that the huge level of demand could lead to a glut of plastic packaging.

Each Wegovy pen, for example, is single use only and patients are told to dispose of them after use.

Mr Soriot said: If you think about a billion people using one plastic pen every week, thats a lot of plastic. All these plastic pens will become an issue at some point.

It comes as AstraZeneca develops its own weight-loss treatments, with the aim of leapfrogging rivals with a new, potentially cheaper, obesity drug.

Story continues

AstraZeneca struck a deal worth up to 1.6bn for an experimental pill being developed by Chinese biotech company Eccogene in November.

Mr Soriot has said the plan is to create drugs which could be used in poorer countries rather than only Western nations, claiming AstraZeneca is developing the next generation and the next wave of obesity and diabetes treatments. However, he previously admitted that AstraZeneca is a few years behind rivals.

It is gearing up for the next stage of trials for the medicines, which it said would be more about protecting peoples organs than focusing purely on weight loss.

Mr Soriot said AstraZeneca would be looking to combine its other medicines to help with other issues related to peoples weight, such as hypertension or heart disease.

Mr Soriot was speaking about the companys weight loss ambitions days after it emerged that rival Novo Nordisk had bought production facilities to bolster its manufacturing. The facilities were part of a deal which saw Novo Nordisks parent company buy US drugmaker Catalent and sell three of its production sites to the Novo Nordisk business.

Other pharmaceutical companies have raised concerns over what the means for competition, given Catalent makes drugs for Novo Nordisks rivals.

Mr Soriot said the deal cemented the importance of it producing more of its own drugs.

It really means for us that we have to be as independent as we can in terms of our own supply, and thats what weve been working on. We have investments and a capital expenditure plan to increase our capacity.

This includes a potential investment in its UK production facilities near Liverpool. Last month, the company was holding talks with ministers over potentially receiving state aid to help make the site bigger.

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Crowded House - Credit: Courtesy of BMG

Crowded House have unveiled a new single, Oh Hi. The buoyant song, the bands first original music in two years, was influenced by band leader Neil Finns support for So They Can, an international nonprofit focused on building schools in remote parts of Kenya and Tanzania.

Im hoping the song comes across without needing to know the backstory, Finn said in a statement. But its very much inspired by these incredible kids and their magnificence.

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Crowded House last dropped new music in 2021 with studio LP Dreamers Are Waiting. The group was previously on pause, with Finn joining Fleetwood Mac in 2018. But the musician decided to bring back Crowded House in 2021 with his sons Liam and Elroy as official members.

We dont want to be that same band now, Finn told Rolling Stone. I like to think the songs can be equally as good. Some people will find them not as immediately catchy or classic-sounding, but its worth remembering that when we handed our first record into Capitol, nobody was saying it was going to go straight onto the radio. They were like, I dont know if you have the singles. Sometimes hits and popular songs arent obvious until they happen.

He added of his future plans for Crowded House, We feel a tremendous potential in the band. Weve done these shows and weve grown. Its filled us with wonder about the whole thing. Wed like to get together and have another album next year, hopefully.

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The 'Fifty Shades' actress wore the sheer dress while appearing on 'Late Night with Seth Meyers' on Wednesday

Lloyd Bishop/NBC via Getty Images Dakota Johnson on 'Late Night with Seth Meyers'

Dakota Johnson is showing her daring side.

On Wednesday, the actress, 34, stepped out in a sheer black Tom Ford dress teamed with a black leather jacket as she appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers to talk about her new movie Madame Web.

The star added some height to her outfit with a pair of over-the-knee black boots and wore a black bodysuit underneath her ensemble.

Johnson also added a pop of color by carrying a scarlet Gucci bag.



Related: Madame Web Exclusive Video: Dakota Johnson and Cast Tease a 'Different Kind of Superhero Story'

Gotham/GC Images Dakota Johnson leaves 'Late Night with Seth Meyers'

Johnson's appearance on the show came after she stopped by the Today show on Wednesday, wearing a pair of high-waisted red Carolina Herrera pants, which she teamed with a matching high-neck top.



Talking to host Hoda Kotb, Johnson  whose parents are Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson  spoke about the "nepo baby" conversation and insisted she finds conversations about celebrities whose parents are also celebrities "incredibly annoying and boring."

"Like, if youre a journalist, write about something else," she told Kotb.

Related: Dakota Johnson's Parents: Everything She's Said About Her Famous Family

Lloyd Bishop/NBC via Getty Images Dakota Johnson talks to Seth Meyers

Johnson poked fun at having celebrity parents during her recent Saturday Night Live hosting stint on Jan. 27.

She joined the show's group Please Don't Destroy, and comedians John Higgins and Martin Herlihy  sons of SNL producer Steve Higgins and former head writer Tim Herlihy, respectively  for one video.

Johnson, Higgins and Herlihy struck a "nepo truce" with matching rings while otherwise roasting each other.



Lloyd Bishop/NBC via Getty Images Dakota Johnson on 'Late Night with Seth Meyers'

Johnson and her father Don, 74, have spoken openly about his decision to cut her off financially when she chose to pursue acting rather than attend college after she graduated high school.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

"He said, If you go to college, youll still get an allowance,' " the Fifty Shades star recalled on the Today show. "And I was like, Well, Im going to be an actress. So he was like, Alright, well youre on your own.' "

Madame Web, directed by SJ Clarkson, is in theaters Feb. 14.

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Haley, who participated in the state-run primary on Tuesday instead of the party-run caucuses, was barred from receiving any delegates in Nevada

Brandon Bell/Getty Donald Trump

Donald Trump is all but guaranteed to win Nevada's Republican caucuses on Thursday evening, adding to his recent victories in the lead-up to the November election. But unlike in other states, he'd be winning the Nevada contest practically by default.

In an unusual move, Nevada held both a state-run primary and party-run caucuses this year. While voters could participate in each, candidates had to select one.

Trump opted to participate in the caucuses, meaning he did not appear on ballots in the state's primary earlier this week. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley chose to appear on the primary ballot and, despite receiving fewer votes than "None of These Candidates," was declared the winner of that contest.

Related: Trump's 2024 Veepstakes Have Begun: A Look at His Top Choices for Running Mate

Because the Nevada GOP oversees delegate allocation  and Republican leadership favored the caucuses over the primary  Haley is ineligible to receive any of Nevada's 26 delegates based on her primary win.

Trump won't automatically receive all of the delegates, though. Little-known candidate Ryan Brinkley is also participating in the caucuses and could siphon off one delegate for every 3.85% he earns.

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Nikki Haley addresses New Hampshire voters on Jan. 23, 2024

As former Biden-Harris adviser Symone Sanders-Townsend explained to PEOPLE earlier this month, Trump lobbied to change Nevadas voting process to work in his favor, which ultimately led to the dueling caucus-primary contests this week.

"Some of the Trump campaigns efforts include Trump spending a lot of time schmoozing with state party chairs like the chair of the Nevada Republican party who  after having dinner with Trump  made a lot of changes to the way Republicans run their nominating contest in the state," Sanders-Townsend said.

"One of those changes: This year the Nevada Republican Party is hosting a caucus, and made candidates choose between participating in their caucus or the Nevada secretary of staterun primary," she continued. "Caucuses benefit candidates with some of the most dedicated supporters  like Trump."

Related: Symone Sanders-Townsend Shares 4 Things Everyone Should Pay Attention to This Election Year (Exclusive)

Trump's expected victory in Nevada would come on the heels of his primary and caucus wins in New Hampshire and Iowa. The Virgin Islands is also holding its Republican contest on Thursday, with four delegates up for grabs.

Even after Thursday's caucuses, only 92 of 2,429 Republican delegates will have been assigned. A candidate needs to win half the total delegates to secure the party's presidential nomination.

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"I would be a liar if I said its 100% out of my mind," Erika Jayne said of her estranged husband Toms legal woes

Denise Truscello/Getty for Live Nation Las Vegas Erika Jayne arrives at the grand opening of her Las Vegas residency, "Bet It All On Blonde" at House of Blues Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on August 25, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The pressure is on for Erika Jayne.

In the new trailer for her upcoming documentary Erika Jayne: Bet It All on Blonde, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star is gearing up for the opening night of her Las Vegas residency.

Nothing is making me happy, she says as she struggles to recall the lyrics to her own songs.

With the show just weeks away, Erikas list of problems is only increasing. I know what my problem is  were over budget," she says.

Dennis Leupold/Bravo Erika Jayne

Related: Erika Girardi Admits She's 'at a Loss' in Long-Awaited Sit-Down Over Ex Tom's Alleged Multi-Million-Dollar Fraud

In addition to her Vegas residency, Erika is also awaiting word on the trial of her estranged husband Tom Girardi, the disgraced and disbarred lawyer who was indicted on fraud charges for allegedly stealing from the victims' families of a 2018 plane crash. (Last month, Tom was deemed competent to stand trial in the fraud case.)

"Tom's behavior was bad for three years," Erika says in the trailer. The s--- this man did. The fallout is great. His family  he hurt them too.

When a producer informs her that Toms hearing was happening, she responds, I would be a liar if I said its 100% out of my mind.

Related: RHOBH: Erika Wins Legal Battle Over $750K Earrings  but Her Pals Think She Should Cough Up Some 'Good Karma'

As for Erika, she has maintained she was unaware of Tom's alleged criminal actions. Her RHOBH costars were quick to question her involvement as criminal and civil suits were filed, the latter of which some named Erika as well. She's since been cleared in a few of those cases, though other civil battles continue.

Despite Toms ongoing legal woes, Erika is embracing a "show must go on" mentality, saying, Now I have to pick up and do a show.

But, Mikey Minden, Erika's creative director, worries it may be too little too late, telling her, I dont think we can do it. He adds, No one was killing it  including you."

She then requests an off camera meeting with Minden, saying, They cannot be micd for this conversation.

As she continues to rehearse, she says, It's not like it's going to get any f---ing better."

Dennis Leupold/Bravo Erika Jayne

Related: Erika Girardi's Vegas Residency Comes to Life in New RHOBH Spinoff, Erika Jayne: Bet It All on Blonde

Bravo announced the two-hour documentary  which chronicled the lead up to Erikas provocative stage show at the House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay  during a panel celebrating her extensive music career at BravoCon 2023 in November.

Looking to reclaim her life both personally and professionally, the stakes could not be higher for Jayne in the wake of her tumultuous separation and ongoing legal battles, an official synopsis reads. With their sights set on her upcoming residency at the famed House of Blues in Las Vegas, Jayne and her tight-knit team must navigate the challenges that come with putting on a show of this scale.

Their frenzied six-week run-up to opening night sees them tackle every detail  from putting together songs and choreography, to nailing down wardrobe and glam, and countless rehearsals  all while working against the realities of budget constraints and a ticking clock, the synopsis continues. With no shortage of backstage drama, tensions run high under the pressure to deliver a show with potential for an extended run.

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Erika Jayne: Bet It All on Blonde premieres March 6 at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.



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The Eurovision Song Contest is facing growing calls for a boycott after entrant Israel announced its representative this week.

Eden Golan, 20, was picked to perform for the country after a TV talent show in which she covered Aerosmiths I Dont Want to Miss a Thing.

In a politically charged performance, she dedicated the song to the Israeli hostages taken by Hamas following attacks on 7 October.

Golan, who was born in Israel but raised in Russia, would mark the countrys 46th appearance in the competition, Israel being the first non-European entrant in the competitions history when it joined in 1973.

However, organisers are facing growing calls to have the country kicked out over its military operations in the Gaza strip as Palestinians face an ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Last month, Icelands Association of Composers and Lyricists called for Israel to be suspended from the competition in a statement saying its participation in an event characterised by joy and optimism would be incompatible with its military actions.

They said they would be opposing their countrys inclusion in the contest unless Israel is disqualified and a petition calling for the same gathered over 10,000 signatures.

Israels last entrant Noa Kirel during the opening of the grand final for the Eurovision Song Contest final at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool in 2023. (PA)

Iceland isnt alone in its condemnation as musicians from multiple countries including Sweden, Finland and Denmark called for the country to be pulled from the competition.

Over 1,400 music industry professionals in Finland have signed a petition to ban the country, accusing their national broadcaster of double standards as it was among the first to demand a ban on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

In 2022, Russia was banned from taking part in the competition following its military action in Ukraine following criticism from a number of countries for it to be suspended. It did not return to the competition following its exit.

Danish and Norwegian musicians have composed similar letters with Swedens artists including Robyn, Fever Ray and First Aid King signing an open letter accusing Israel of war crimes.

Olly Alexander signed a letter accusing Israel of genocide and being an apartheid state (Getty Images)

Responding to the calls, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which runs the contest, said: The Eurovision Song Contest is a competition for public service broadcasters from across Europe and the Middle East. It is a competition for broadcasters  not governments  and the Israeli public broadcaster has participated in the contest for 50 years.

The Eurovision Song Contest remains a non-political event that unites audiences worldwide through music.

Noel Curran, the director general of the European Broadcasting Union, told The New York Times situations in Ukraine and Gaza were different insisting: Comparisons between wars and conflicts are complex and difficult and, as a nonpolitical media organization, not ours to make.

An Israeli official told the Daily Telegraph that calls for a boycott and its justifications were absurd accusing signatories such as Alexander of anti-Israel bias.

The Independent has reached out to Eden Golans team for comment.

The Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Malmo, Sweden in May this year.
Model Kendall Jenner gives out drink Wednesday night at The Swamp Restaurant in Gainesville.

Kendall Jenner is serving drinks!

The model was spotted in Athens, Georgia and Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Tuesday and in Gainesville, Florida Wednesday serving shots and promoting her liquor brand 818 Tequila as part of "Kendall's College Tour". Jenner had undertaken a similar tour in October last year, visiting four college campuses across the Midwest.

The Los Angeles-based celebrity's appearance in college towns across the Southeast sent crowds flocking to bars near the campuses of the University of Georgia, University of Alabama and University of Florida.

'Its Coca-Cola, only spiced': New Coke flavor with hints of raspberry and spice unveiled

Room for growth? We're in the era of celebrity-backed booze

First stop: Alabama

Jenner, 28, first stopped in Tuscaloosa, according to AL.com, where she served $2 shots of 818 Tequila Blanco and $4 margaritas at two bars that afternoon.

Just got margs with Kendall Jenner at @innisfreettown  pic.twitter.com/e1rMT2UgkO  sierra  (@omgilysierra) February 6, 2024

Up next: Athens, Georgia

Just a few hours later, Jenner was in Athens serving shots of liquor at a local bar in a red and black Georgia crew neck, according to Athens-Banner Herald, part of the USA TODAY Network.

She was later also seen signing bottles of her 818 Tequila at a liquor store.

Packed bar in Gainesville

The next day, Jenner traveled to Gainesville in Florida, where she served drinks at packed bars.

Fans had lined up as early as 1 p.m. outside the bar she was visiting to get a prime spot, reported The Gainesville Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network.

As Jenner's arrival neared, the crowd inside and out began chants of "Kendall" and "818." People outside got a quick glimpse of her before she slipped inside the restaurant. She made her way to the inside bar to the music of "Jaws" and "Go Gators."

Dozens of people at the back of the room stood on chairs with cellphones held high hoping to see the star.

Kendall Jenner promotes her tequila brand, 818, to patrons of The Swamp Restaurant on Wednesday evening in Gainesville.

As she later moved outside, people began to fight through the crowd for position. The tables that were once full remained covered with plates of food and purses left behind. Jenner served shots, signed autographs and posed for pictures.

A 21-year-old fan Amy Smith told the Gainesville Sun that she grew up watching Jenner on "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," and was excited to catch a glimpse of the star.

"She definitely holds a lot of nostalgic memories for me, so I'm excited to see her in person," Smith said.

It's complicated: Kendall Jenner's tequila brand is facing cultural appropriation claims

Kendall Jenner signs a bottle at The Swamp Restaurant on Wednesday in Gainesville.

What is 818?

Jenner launched her tequila brand in 2021, with the name inspired by an area code in the Los Angeles metro area.

The area code 818 is home to me, Jenner says on the 818 website.

818 works "closely with local, family-owned farms in Jalisco, Mexico" to create "the smoothest, most natural, and best tasting tequila possible," says the brand on the website, adding that "only the highest quality ingredients are used in its creation".

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kendall Jenner 'College Tour': Model serves drinks in Gainesville, FL
Las Vegas has long attracted tourists for the obvious reasons, but its more recently also become a foodie destination as well as an immersive experience hub. Right off the Strip, you can be transported to Derry, Maine and have your own horrifying encounter with Pennywise the dancing clown, thanks to Warner Bros. Escape It Las Vegasan escape room that takes you into the world of Andy Muschiettis It films.

Perfect for the horror fiend couple or a Galentines girls trip, Escape It Las Vegas is unlike any escape room youve ever been in. Created in collaboration with Warner Bros., it boasts a pair of hour-long experiences inspired by It: Chapter One and It: Chapter Two, with three difficulty settings. io9 recently visited to see how it elevates popular puzzle rooms that often have a horror theme but nothing really scary happens in them. This is no pop-up where a stroll through the Neibolt Street house ends with a janky Pennywise animatronic jumping out at you; Escape It not only has real actors playing Derry townfolk, there are also Pennywise actors lurking about... and they often do more than jump. One of the scariest moments I experienced came in the sewers of Chapter One; I was trying to figure out a code on a lock while I felt a presence behind me that I was told was Pennywise. Did I turn around? Nope. Take a look at the video below to see Pennywise in action.

Really fusing a haunt element into the escape roomswhich were full-on elaborate sets recreating iconic moments from the filmmakes this a not-to-be-missed Las Vegas experience for haunt and horror fans alike. Its so well done, and theres so many Easter eggs it will make any Stephen King fan giddy. Whats great is that even if it all become overwhelming as youre distracted by how cool and gory gross the rooms are, or are recovering from Pennywise chasing you down, theres always someone around to help you propel the story. We loved the dash of interactive theater, which you can play into as much as youre comfortable with.

Escape It is open Wednesday through Sunday with reservation slots available throughout February. If you happen to be in Vegas for the Super Bowl or Valentines Day and want some frightful fun, be sure to check it out. As more studios set up satellite immersive expansions, were curious to see if Warner Bros. will rotate its horror properties in the space as time goes byThe Conjuring Universe would be a perfect future theme. For now, Pennywise takes on Sin City and its all the better for It.

To book the experience visit EscapeIt.com.





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BALTIMORE -- The moment Sarah Abigail Giroux heard the announcer say the words Baltimore, Maryland, she knew she was taking home the top prize from last years National History Day.

Right before they announced the first place winner, my mother turned to me, she gave me a hug. And she was like Its okay, Abigail. Youll win next year. And then they announced the first place winner, Giroux, 16, said. I like completely freaked out. And I turned to my mom. And I was like, Thats me!

Giroux, a junior at The Bryn Mawr School in Roland Park who lives in Baltimore City, won first place in the senior individual documentary category for her film Wade in the Water: How African Americans Got Back Into the Pool last June. The week-long national contest took place in College Park with over 2,600 students and 600 teachers, according to a National History Day news release.

Giroux also received an award from the Better Angels Society, which secured her a mentorship session in December with filmmaker Ken Burns. The conversation with the acclaimed director made Giroux realize she wants to pursue documentary filmmaking as a career.

Katherine Malone-France is president and CEO of the Better Angels Society, a national nonprofit focused on promoting American history and civic engagement through documentary filmmaking. She said Girouxs film was shown at the Student History Film Festival in Philadelphia in November; it was also included in a docuseries from the 400 Years of African-American History Commission. Additionally, the film has been registered with the Library of Congress as an unpublished work and is considered a federal record, Malone-France said.

Its so important to give young people an opportunity not just to study history but to really engage with it by telling the stories that are meaningful to them in their own way and in their own voices, Malone-France said.

Cathy Gorn, who has headed National History Day for over 40 years as its executive director, said the competition draws about half a million participants annually, with about 3,000 middle and high schoolers making it to the national level after clearing their school, regional and state competitions. Students can submit a paper, tabletop exhibit, documentary, performance or website.

In each category, the third, second and first place winners take home $250, $500 and $1,000, respectively, in addition to a medal, bragging rights and a shiny new accomplishment for their college resumes.

But thats not the primary point of the competition, Gorn said. Students take the theme each year  for the 2022-2023 school year, it was frontiers in history  and examine a topic theyre passionate about while applying a critical lens to answer why their choice is important.

It also helps young people develop a sense of empathy when they see what other people have gone through and how they struggled or made adjustments or sacrificed.  It helps kids find their everyday heroes, Gorn said. Theyre not doing it for the money. Theyre doing it because they want to tell these stories.

Storytelling is what inspired Giroux to produce her 10-minute documentary on segregated recreation and the legacy left behind by the barring of Black Americans from equal access to swimming pools, including disproportionate drowning rates for Black children. The film includes an interview with Eva Scott  the first Black teacher hired at Baltimores Western High School  who says she was the first Black female lifeguard hired to work at the integrated No. 1 pool in Druid Hill Park, previously reserved for white swimmers, in 1956.

Giroux said she was volunteering at the Maryland Zoo in Druid Hill Park when she noticed one of its abandoned swimming pools. It piqued her curiosity, and the pools tie to a very deep-rooted history of segregation led to her eventual award-winning film.

A lot of times people just kind of talk about the fight to desegregate schools or the fight to desegregate places where you eat. But a lot of times, people dont talk about the fight to reclaim these recreational spaces, even though they were just as important, Giroux said. A large part of the reason why I even made the project in the first place was to be able to get it out there so that people can kind of hear about this story.

At Bryn Mawr, all seventh and eighth graders are required to enter the National History Day competition. But Giroux entered for the first time as a sixth grader.

Matt Hetrick, a history teacher at the school who coordinates its National History Day participation, said Giroux is the first Bryn Mawr student hes aware of thats taken home the national prize. He said last year, Giroux worked almost entirely on her own on the project, which she started researching over summer 2022.

What I think is very impressive is that each year that Abigail has worked on it, she has taken what seems to be a very familiar topic and found a new angle or a new approach that adds more insight and a new understanding, Hetrick said, adding that she finds connections that are often surprising and unexpected.

Giroux is sitting out the competition this year but is going to speak with middle school students about her experience and help prepare them for the upcoming regional and state events, Hetrick said.

[Abigail] just covers this long span of time and she does this with just this rich variety of sources and then she knits them all together into this I mean incredibly compelling ten minutes, Malone-France with the Better Angels Society said. She just demonstrates the potential of what happens when young people are really engaged with their history and given the tools to tell those stories from their perspectives.
A volcano in Iceland that lies northeast of Sylingarfell has erupted again, marking the third time it has erupted since December.

According to reports, the eruption commenced from a nearly two-mile-long fissure in the early morning hours following intense small earthquake activity in the region. Authorities evacuated tourists due to the natural disaster, with no reports of any loss of life at this time.

The eruption also occurred close to the small fishing town called Grindavik, which was evacuated back in December due to a prior eruption.

How The Iceland Volcanic Eruption Began

Footage from the eruption in Iceland and our evacuation from the area.  We are grateful to be safe and to have experienced such a thrilling event! #grindavik #iceland #volcano #volcaniceruption #lava pic.twitter.com/HrIm94FmWj  Paul Zizka (@PaulZizkaPhoto) February 8, 2024

Around 5.30 in the morning, the area that covers the northeast of Sylingarfell in Iceland experienced an intense small earthquake activity. This event was part of a series of seismic activities that the region had been experiencing since the previous Friday, as documented by the Icelandic Met Office.

Within 30 minutes of the earthquake, an eruption commenced from a 1.9-mile-long fissure northeast of Mount Sundhnukur in the same region.

Videos that captured the eruption revealed jets of lava flying out of the fissure and reaching as high as 165 feet into the darkened skies. Additionally, a plume of vapor ascended about one mile above the volcano, heightening the intensity of the natural disaster.

Due to the eruption, tourists visiting the nearby renowned Blue Lagoon thermal spa, one of Iceland's major attractions, were evacuated to hotels for safety. At the time the eruption had begun, a stream of steaming lava was seen spreading across the exit road from the spa, justifying the safety measures taken earlier.

The Eruption Occurred Near Grindavik In Iceland

My view from the  as we took off from #Reykjavik this morning. Incredible to see the power of nature like this. #Iceland #eruption #volcano  pic.twitter.com/vocMS9PuN1  Dr Bryony Mathew (@BryonyMathew) February 8, 2024

The most recent eruption also occurred just two and a half miles northeast of the coastal town of Grindavik, which is home to 3,800 people. The town had been evacuated before a previous eruption on December 18, and it has been reported that no one was in the area at the time of the latest eruption.

"They weren't meant to be, and we don't know about any," said Iceland's Civil Defense head, Viir Reynisson, in a statement to the Icelandic national broadcaster RUV, per Daily Mail.

As of now, there have been no reported casualties. However, the Iceland Met Office has noted that the lava from the volcano is moving towards a pipeline from the Svartsengi geothermal plant that provides hot water to communities on the peninsula.

As a precaution, residents have been urged to minimize the use of hot water while the authorities are working on installing an underground water pipe.

Grindvadik Residents May Be Unable To Return To Their Land Permanently

Icelandic volcano erupts for third time in two months. A volcanic eruption has started again in Iceland close to an already severely damaged fishing town and the countrys top tourist attraction, the Blue Lagoon spa. [ Doug Jewell]pic.twitter.com/11T4xaP03B  Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) February 8, 2024

The eruptions around Grindavik have caused severe damage to buildings in the town and have sunk the land in the area due to magma movement. Given the extensive destruction and the ongoing possibility of future eruptions, an expert has stated that the permanent return of Grindavik's residents to their land is uncertain.

"I think at the moment there is the resignation, the stoical resignation, that, for the foreseeable future, the town is basically uninhabitable," said volcanologist Dave McGarvie, per AP.

He added that people had initially thought that this "area was fairly safe" due to the absence of eruptions from the volcano for centuries and have now experienced "a bit of a shock that it has come back to life."

McGarvie continued, "Evidence that we gathered only quite recently is that eruptions could go on for decades, if not centuries, sporadically in this particular peninsula."

Iceland Has Experienced Volcanic Eruptions In Recent Years

Another volcano erupted in southwest Iceland, marking the third eruption in the last two months  pic.twitter.com/DoTiZR9uwz  DW News (@dwnews) February 8, 2024

Iceland's current ordeal isn't surprising, as it is highly susceptible to natural disasters because it lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This is a divergent plate boundary where the North American Plate and the Eurasian Plate are shifting away from each other, thereby spurring earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

The country has experienced eruptions multiple times across the last decade, with the most disruptive occurring in 2010 when the Eyjafjallajokull volcano shot up 15 lava fountains, reaching heights of up to 185 meters.

It resulted in huge clouds of ash being spewed into the atmosphere and the closure of widespread airspace all over Europe due to visibility issues.
Kevin Spacey has struck a deal with MRC, the production company behind House of Cards, to slash a $31 million judgment against him for on-set sexual misconduct involving young crewmembers to $1 million, according to court documents. In return, Spacey will back arguments from MRC in a legal battle against its insurer that he was written out of the show because he was too sick to return, which would trigger its insurance policy.

The settlement, which was first reported by Puck, opens a new front in labyrinthine litigation over recovering money for increased expenses and lost revenue tied to MRC shortening and rewriting the final season of House of Cards as a result of Spaceys exit. With the deal, MRC is looking to collect on a $150 million policy from Firemans Fund Insurance, as well as punitive damages for fraudulently denying its claim.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

In 2021, an arbitrator ruled that Spacey must pay MRC nearly $31 million for sexual misconduct behind the scenes of the show. It was found that the actor breached his contract by violating anti-harassment policies, causing the sixth season to be shortened from 13 to eight episodes, and that he was not entitled to be paid for the remainder of his contract.

Spacey appealed the decision but agreed in December to pause it for one year after reaching a deal with MRC, according to court filings. After paying $1 million of the judgement, which has since grown to $36.5 million with interest, Spacey and his production houses will have the rest of the debt canceled, per the documents. In exchange, he will testify on whether he could have resumed his role in the political series and produce medical records on his condition at the time.

The testimony is intended to bolster claims from MRC against Firemans Fund that Spacey was unavailable to shoot the final season of House of Cards because he was too sick to perform, which would trigger its hefty insurance policy. The company pointed to the actor checking into The Meadows, a facility known for treating sex addiction.

In November, before the agreement with Spacey was reached, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mark Epstein dismissed the MRC suit, which was filed in 2022. He found that MRCs policies do not insure against this particular risk and that neither side contemplated coverage for this sort of thing.

But the court allowed MRC one more chance to amend its complaint to clarify Spaceys illness and how it prevented him from returning to the series. In December, the company teamed up with the actor, who had previously resisted turning over his medical records to any party, and added allegations to its suit that his unavailability while getting treatment was the reason it removed him from the show and rewrote it without his character.

Firemans Fund has now moved for the court to disregard the new claims, stressing MRCs about-face over the cause of Spaceys departure from the series, according to a court document filed Monday. Per the filing, it claimed that MRCs allegation that Spaceys illness was the cause of its financial losses tied to House of Cards is directly contradicted by their previous insistence that it was not.

The insurer alleged in its Monday filing that MRC had, in the arbitration with Spacey, previously explicitly denied that his removal from the series was based on his unavailability. It said that his removal was due to Netflixs refusal to air the series with him in it, forcing MRC to indefinitely suspend the actor.

On Nov. 3, 2017, Netflix announced that it would not release any new House of Cards episodes that featured Spacey. The decision was allegedly made the night before, with the streamer calling it a brand decision regardless of whether the claims were true.

In a deposition cited in the Fireman Funds court filing, Netflixs former head of original content strategy Cynthia Holland allegedly said, We had an obligation to protect our reputation and that the concern was bad press.

Firemans Fund also cited a 2017 email from Todd Rubenstein, a lawyer representing the actor, allegedly stating that his client would be excited to complete the sixth season and awaits notice of his start date, per court filings. MRC allegedly responded, Under the circumstances, Kevin Spacey is suspended pending a further investigation.

According to the court documents, Bryan Freedman, another lawyer for Spacey, allegedly sent MRC a letter shortly after Netflixs announcement denying that the actor was ill.

For your edification, Mr. Spacey has no known illness that has not been disclosed, he reportedly wrote. Your continued publication of false information about him being ill takes inappropriate liberties with the public statement that we did release; is disparaging, defamatory and violates his privacy rights.

Last month, a lawyer for the insurer allegedly accused MRC of manufacturing a fraudulent insurance claim, according to the same court filings from Firemans Fund.

A trial is tentatively set to start in June.

Lawyers for Spacey, MRC and Firemans Fund did not respond to requests for comment.

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Felix Cesare/Getty Images

The G7 and its allies are working with governments to tighten price cap enforcement, Olga Dimitrescu said in a NorthStandard podcast.

"What we want to do is force volumes back into the G7 fleet," the sanctions official said.

Enforcement is likely to tighten in the second quarter, curbing Russia's ability to bypass restrictions.

The Group of Seven and its allies are working to draw down Russia's secretive fleet of oil vessels, curbing the country's ability to circumvent sanctions, a UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation official said.

The Western coalition is engaging governments to drive up compliance with the $60 oil price cap, a measure implemented in 2022 to limit Russia's crude export revenue, Olga Dimitrescu explained in a podcast interview with NorthStandard, a maritime insurance firm.

"What we want to do is force volumes back into the G7 fleet," she said, adding: "One of the reasons why the price cap is so effective is because we have this prevalence of services provided by G7 service providers; it is difficult to make trades or gain significant market share without using G7 services at all. So this is why we're talking to industry."

The mystery fleet has been a thorn in the side of efforts to restrict Moscow's trade, a Western objective after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Ownership of these vessels is hard to track, and frees Russia to trade oil without any reliance on Western insurance and tankers.

But though the Kremlin has amassed hundreds of these ships, Dimitrescu added that it's a weighty expense for the regime. In just one year, Moscow spent $2.25 billion on tankers, she estimated.

Despite its cost, the strategy's effectiveness may be waning. Tighter price cap enforcement from the US, which sanctioned a number of non-compliant ships in late 2023, has beared down on Russia's trade partnerships. For instance, India has begun sourcing crude from the Middle East, citing Moscow's failure to conform.

Story continues

To bolster international efforts to keep the industry compliant, the West is working to make governments aware of the maritime and environmental risks associated with the price cap's breach, Dimitrescu said. Meanwhile, the price cap's attestation process will be updated on February 19th, which is how tankers demonstrate they're conforming to the sanction.

"In the second quarter will very likely up the ante on enforcement and continue taking action against actors engaged in deceptive practices," she noted.

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The 'And Just Like That' star has been a patron of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, with its renowned Orphans' Project, since 2009

Courtesy of Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Kristin Davis is reunited with an abandoned elephant named Ndotto almost 10 years after she first met him.

When Kristin Davis first met an orphaned elephant named Ndotto at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's Nairobi Nursery in Kenya in November 2014, he was only three months old and required round-the-clock care.

Almost ten years later, on Feb. 6, the And Just Like That star, 58, returned to the Trust in Kenya to reconnect with Ndotto, whom she had been fostering through donations since he was abandoned as a newborn.

"I was at the mud bath, and I didn't realize that the tall, handsome bull standing behind me was Ndotto!" Davis tells PEOPLE exclusively. "Then he lifted his trunk to say hello, and I realized the tiny baby had grown into a majestic bull elephant. I was so amazed and impressed by him. And he still has his sweet personality."

Related: Kristin Davis Goes Makeup-Free with 'Fluffy Safari Hair' in Kenya Days After Glam Paris Fashion Week Appearance

Now beginning his transition to living in the wild, Ndotto is among more than 320 orphaned elephants that the Trust's Orphans' Project has successfully rescued.

"I will never forget when I first met Ndotto," Davis adds. "He was the smallest baby elephant ever rescued by the Sheldrick Trust. And he was so sweet and adorable!"

Courtesy of Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Kristin Davis with then three-month-old Ndotto and another orphaned elephant in 2014.

Born premature, Ndotto was found with a fresh umbilical cord among the sheep and goats of a surprised Samburu tribesman. Unable to be reunited with his herd, Ndotto was brought to the Trust's Nairobi Nursery, where a dedicated team of keepers nurtured him day and night, even sleeping in his stable to provide comfort and milk. Davis began fostering Ndotto the day she met him and has continued to follow his journey through the SWT Orphans' Project monthly updates.

At age 3, Ndotto graduated to the Trust's Voi Reintegration Unit, where the rescued elephants stay with their keepers during the day and return to the safety of their stockades in the evening. As they grow older and more independent, they are weaned off milk and spend more time away from their keepers.

Courtesy of Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Kristin Davis and Ndotto in 2014.

The reintegration process can take up to a decade and happens at an elephant's chosen pace until they are re-wilded into Tsavo East National Park, Kenya's largest national park and a fully protected habitat known for its thriving elephant populations.

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is a global leader in elephant conservation and one of Africa's most established wildlife charities. Founded in 1977 by Dame Daphne Sheldrick, it is best known for its ground-breaking work rescuing orphaned elephants and rhinos and reintegrating them back into the wild. It has successfully raised more than 320 orphaned elephants through its Orphans' Project, and its habitat preservation programs and anti-poaching, aerial surveillance, and mobile veterinary Units have helped secure a future for all manner of wildlife.

With a $50 annual donation, you can foster an orphaned elephant like Ndotto in the Trust's care. If you are interested in helping, donate to the Trust here.

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EXCLUSIVE: The organizers of MIPTV are in advanced talks over setting up a new event, MIP London, in 2025, Deadline can reveal.

The move would bring the curtain down on MIPTV in Cannes following the upcoming 2024 edition, which goes ahead as planned.

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MIPTV and its larger sibling Mipcom, which will continue to run in Cannes in October, are operated by RX France, which Deadline understands has been holding top-level talks with stakeholders about setting up in London, creating a new market aligned with the London TV Screenings in February.

MIPTV has long been a fixture in the diaries of international TV folk. The industry traditionally descended on Cannes for springtime deal-making, lunches and hobnobbing. However, it has been in the eye of a perfect post-Covid storm, with industry belt-tightening and successful new events forcing the events organizers to take stock.

The move to London would be part of RX Frances long-term plans for its TV events. It has not made a final call on the London move, but plans are understood to be well-developed and advanced. MIPTV has existed for more than six decades and been in Cannes since 1965, making this, potentially, end of an era stuff.

Multiple sources confirmed the MIP shakeup and talks about a London relocation. RX France would not be drawn, but issued a statement to Deadline: We are always looking to evolve our markets to meet the global industrys needs. At present RX France has no announcements to make regarding new or existing markets. We are committed to delivering stellar editions of MIPTV this April and Mipcom this October in Cannes, France in 2024 and have announced that MipCancun will return for its 11th edition in November this year.

Organizers have worked hard to reinvent MIPTV, leaning into coproduction, FAST, and other trends. With over 5,000 attendees from 80 countries last year and 2024 is tracking at similar levels, it remains the second largest industry event in international TV. It is still a draw, but this level of attendance is less than half of that of the market in its heyday. The discussions about a London move are a sign that RX France is getting onto the front foot in the face of an international TV business that is fast-changing.

The Content London event in November has enjoyed success with the international crowd, and Marchs Series Mania in Lilles goes from strength to strength, putting yet more pressure on stretched travel and expenses budgets.

The London TV Screenings, meanwhile, has evolved from a boutique get-together to a full-fledged show-and-tell for the main international content companies. Created and organized by All3Media, Banijay, Fremantle and ITV Studios, there will be 29 distributors involved this year.

There isnt an official market outside of the events each distributor puts on at the London TV Screenings, which was originally started as a means of capitalizing on the hundreds of buyers in the UK for the BBC Studios Showcase. A start-of-year market coinciding with and complementing the Screenings would bring even more buyers and sellers to town, making London in February a huge international TV shindig.

Any discussions around MIPTV, Cannes, and London will not have any impact on Mipcom in October, which remains the biggest international TV event of the year and a fixture in the calendar. The big distributors all have a major presence at the event, which annually attracts hundreds of U.S. execs as well.

The future of MIPTV has been debated in international circles for several years and swapping London for Cannes would change the whole cadence of the international biz. If 2024 is the last April outing for MIP in the south of France, it will be bittersweet for a lot of execs and many will be booking flights for the Cannes farewell.

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For its third classical concert of the season, the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra is exploring sounds inspired by Spain on Monday, Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m. at Troy University's Davis Theatre.

"Three out of the four pieces are basically related to Spanish culture," said Jamie Reeves, MSO's music director and conductor. "They're in some way built off of Spanish rhythms or melodies."

Montgomery Symphony Orchestra will perform music inspired by Spain on Monday, Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m. at Troy University's Davis Theatre.

Performances will include:

Beethovens "Overture to Egmont," is based on the 1787 play by Johann Wolfgang Goethe. It tells the tragic and heroic story of a nobleman who, as a martyr, inspired a national uprising that contributed to Dutch independence.

The orchestral showpiece "Capriccio Espagnol," based on spanish folk melodies, was composed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korakov in 1887. It features virtuosic displays of Spanish flare.

Composer Arturo Marquez's "Danzon No. 2" is popular Mexican orchestral contemporary classical music.

"It's a very fun and upbeat program that I think is exciting and fun to listen to," Reeves said.

A solo performance for cello fellow Jiaoyang Xu

Jiaoyang Xu, MSO's new cello fellow, is performing Edward Elgar's "Cello Concerto in E minor" on Feb. 12.

The Feb. 12 concert will also be the first concerto performance for Jiaoyang Xu, MSO's new cello fellow, who is performing Edward Elgar's "Cello Concerto in E minor."

"We're all very excited to hear her," Reeves said.

Xu, a native of Beijing, China, said she joined MSO in September of last year. She's been playing the cello for more than 20 years.

"I started when I was about five years old," Xu said.

Instead of picking the instrument herself, it was picked for her by a music teacher in her community.

"She was saying that, 'You have great physical features for the cello. Your hands fit the cello perfectly,'" Xu recalled. The teacher introduced Xu to another music teacher at the conservatory.

"We went to the teacher, and the teacher said, 'Yes, okay, I'll take you.' And that's how it all started," Xu said.

Xu is also known by the nickname Sunny, and said it came from attending English classes in China.

"I just randomly picked this name, and I didn't even know what it meant until later on when I started to get to know more about English," Xu said. "I realized that the meaning of Sunny is actually almost the same as my Chinese name."

Xu came to the U.S. as an undergrad student in 2011.

"I have learned so much after coming to the States to study," said Xu, who lives in Boston.

She said being a cello fellow in Montgomery has helped her progress as a performer. She's also playing with several area churches.

"It's a very different experience than what I had in China," Xu said.

She said the Elgar piece is one that she's always dreamed of performing with an orchestra.

"Now it's a dream come true," said Xu.

Give your valentine the gift of music

With Valentine's Day just ahead, Reeves said this show is a warm start to the almost-spring season and would make for a great gift for someone you love.

"It's the kind of concert that I believe if you don't normally come to the symphony, you haven't been to one of our concerts before, this is a good time to come," Reeves said. "It kind of gives you everything you'd expect in an orchestra concert  serious, very emotionally heightened, expressive classical music, But at the same time, there's pieces that are lighthearted and fun, and shorter in duration. It's an easy one to listen to as well."

Tickets range from $15 to $40, and are available online at eventbrite.com/o/montgomery-symphony-orchestra-54815016853. Call the MSO office at 334-240-4004 for more information.

More ahead from Xu in April

Just ahead on April 14, Xu will perform her fellowship series concert at 2:30 p.m. at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. General admission tickets are $17 for the public, and are free to students.

A highlight of this for Xu is the opportunity to program her own concert.

"We have the freedom to pick whatever we want to perform and then program them," Xu said of the fellowship series.

Learn more online at montgomerysymphony.org.

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery Symphony Orchestra explores sounds of Spain
The massive cover shoot marks editor in chief Edward Enninful's last in his post at the magazine

Steven Meisel; Ned Rogers 'British Vogue' March 2024 cover and images

Edward Enninful wanted to go out with a bang  and all his buds.

The British Vogue editor in chief marked the end of his tenure at the magazine with a massive cover shoot for the March 2024 issue with 40 stars. Yes, 40. He gathered women from every corner of the celebrity world to be a part of the most epic photo shoot the magazine has ever seen, and they all came together on one day in New York this past December.

Ned Rogers Linda Evangelista and Salma Hayek for British Vogue

Related: Selma Blair Poses for 'British Vogue' Cover with Her Cane on Full Display: 'It's an Extension of Me'

"When it came to my last issue, I knew the cover would be dedicated to women. Of course! Women have shaped British Vogue for close to 108 years now, and have certainly informed every moment of my six and a half year tenure here, to say nothing of leading and guiding me through my entire life," Enninful wrote for British Vogue.

He called upon 40 people from British Vogue's storied history from while he was at his post at the magazine, and everyone showed up. He wrote that he held his breath "for weeks" after sending out the asks, but they came, as did photographers Steven Meisel and Ned Rogers, as well as hair creative director Guido Palau and team and makeup artist Pat McGrath and team.

Oprah Winfrey, Jane Fonda, Miley Cyrus, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Kaia Gerber, Victoria Beckham, Dua Lipa, Gigi Hadid, Salma Hayek, Iman and so many more came together to celebrate Enninful's final cover feature and to celebrate the power of women and British Vogue's history.



Ned Rogers Christy Turlington, Maya Jama, Salma Hayek and Precious Lee for British Vogue

Women understand the importance and power of the collective, Fonda shared with the magazine of working with the outlet on this shoot and in the past.

I love being around younguns. I love their energy, I love their spirit, Naomi Campbell added of the shoot in New York.

Enninful wrote in the magazine that Crawford and daughter Gerber carpooled to the shoot together, as did Evangelista and Hayek, as Hayek had stayed the night with Evangelista the night before. (Hayek is stepmom to Evangelista's son Augie and Evangelista has been open about how helpful the actress has been when it came to the model's health over the last few years.) Enninful even noted that they made sure to stay on schedule so that Hadid could get home to daughter Khai.

Related: Rihanna's Baby Boy, 9 Months, Joins Her and A$AP Rocky on British 'Vogue' Cover  See the Photos!

Ned Rogers Miley Cyrus for British Vogue

The cover stars all spoke about some of their favorite of Enninful's moments with the magazine, and many of them gushed about his first cover, which stared Adwoa Aboah. Aboah, who also took part in this epic final cover, said it felt like an "absolute whirlwind" to be that first cover star.

The other stars cited plenty of magazines in Enninful's six years at the outlet, including Stormzy and Rihanna, but Oprah, ever the icon, highlighted her own cover for August 2018 as Enninful's best.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Ned Rogers Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham and Christy Turlington for British Vogue

We are getting better at celebrating women of all ages, Turlington said of the women-forward feature in the magazine.

Hayek adds, This shoot, its a statement of sisterhood."

Related: 'Harry Potter' Star Miriam Margolyes, 82, Poses Nude for British Vogues Pride Issue: 'I Cant Resist Naughtiness'

Steven Meisel British Vogue March 2024

Crawford, who had her daughter with her for the shoot (one of two mother-daughter duos  Kate and Lila Moss were also on hand for the shoot!), also spoke highly of the work British Vogue has done to empower women in its pages. But she still believes there's plenty of work to be done.

I think where we can do better in 2024 is recognising were more the same than we are different, she said.

Related: Priyanka Chopra Sweetly Snuggles Baby Malti for British 'Vogue' : 'Another One of Our Many Firsts'

Ned Rogers Gemma Chan, Simone Ashley, Rina Sawayama, Anya Taylor-Joy, Maya Jama, Paloma Elsesser and Jameela Jamil for British Vogue

As he signs off from his post as editor in chief, Enninful writes in his final letter from the editor, "So here it is: my 76th and final edition of Vogue, six and a half years and 153 cover stars later, including the 40 legendary women who feature on this cover. Its been an extraordinary ride and an absolute honour. As I step into my new role, as Conde Nasts global creative and cultural advisor for Vogue, Im determined to keep championing the incredible array of voices in fashion and media, and ensure we keep the energy explosion of the last few years going. We always say it, because it always needs to be said: there is a great deal yet to be done.

The March 2024 issue stars Aboah, Adut Akech, Simone Ashley, Beckham, Selma Blair, Campbell, Vittoria Ceretti, Gemma Chan, Jodie Comer, Laverne Cox, Crawford, Cyrus, Ariana Debose, Cara Delevingne, Jourdan Dunn, Paloma Elsesser, Karen Elson, Cynthia Erivo, Evangelista, Fonda, Gerber, Hadid, Hayek, Iman, Maya Jama, Jameela Jamil, Karlie Kloss, Precious Lee, Dua Lipa, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Kate Moss, Lila Moss, Rina Sawayama, Irina Shayk, Anya Taylor-Joy, Turlington, Amber Valletta, Serena Williams, Oprah, and Anok Yai.

The March issue of British Vogue is available via digital download and on newsstands from Feb. 13.



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Pamela Anderson is returning to the big screen. The Barb Wire and Baywatch star is set to lead Gia Coppolas third feature film The Last Showgirl, described as a redemption story about an aging Las Vegas dancer looking to connect with her adult daughter after her show is abruptly canceled. Seemingly part Hacks and part The Wrestler, the film is written by Up Here and The Good Place scribe Kate Gersten and directed by Coppola.

The Last Showgirl marks Andersons first lead role in years, and her latest feature after 2022s Alone at Night. In addition to Anderson, the star-studded cast includes Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis, Dave Bautista, Brenda Song, Kiernan Shipka, and Billie Lourd.

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The official logline for the film reads: A seasoned showgirl (Anderson) must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a thirty-year run. As a dancer in her fifties, she struggles with what to do next. As a mother, she strives to repair a strained relationship with her daughter, who often took a backseat to her showgirl family.

Palo Alto and Mainstream director Coppola called Andersons role a daring and heartfelt performance, saying in a press statement, Ive always wanted to make a movie in Vegas. Im so proud of our cast and crew, especially Pamela.

The Last Showgirl is produced by Robert Schwartzman and Natalie Farrey. Producer Schwartzman said in his own statement, Dream project, dream cast. We couldnt be more honored and appreciative of the chance to tell an authentic Las Vegas story that pays homage to the iconic Showgirl, told through Gias unique sense of style and visual storytelling.

The film recently wrapped production in Las Vegas, Nevada. CAA is handling sales.

Anderson previously released Netflix documentary Pamela, A Love Story and spoke out about the viral Hulu limited series Pam & Tommy that fictionalized her tumultuous relationship with Tommy Lee.

Anderson told Variety earlier in February 2024 that she finally feels seen and embraced by Hollywood.

Ive had some incredible opportunities come our way, Anderson said. But again, we like to do things in our own unique way. Theres no formula that were following. Were really going on gut instinct and keeping it like it always has been, just authentic and doing our best. Theres a lot of things in the works that Im really excited about. I finally feel like Im able to show a little bit of what Im made of and not settling for thats all there is. So this is the time to really embrace who I am. Myself. I think you can kind of live in a character, and you start believing what other people say about you. Ive finally been able to strip all that away and feel really free. So this has been an incredible time for me and Im happy with where things are. Its a just an empowering time. I feel like were just stepping into all the things that were meant to be and all of that was for a reason. And here we are.

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Polands major public broadcaster, TVP, is breaking new ground by heading its European Film Market slate with a bittersweet comedy about two middle-aged women.

The Love Buzz (Miosc Jak Miod) focuses on what happens when two women in their 50s with very different approaches to life agree to swap homes and lifestyles after hitting the menopausal doldrums.

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Commissioned and financed by TVP and exec produced by Warsaws Akson Studio, The Love Buzz is directed by Maciej Migas (Scratch, Life Must Go On), produced by Michal Kwiecinski (Filip) and co-written by Hotel 52 writers Aneta Glowska and Katarzyna Lezenska.

Aleksandra Kazmieruk, head of global distribution at TVP, said: Were expanding into the rom-com space with this hilarious and heart-warming film. It seems unusual these days to see two women in their 50s finding love and new friendships, and The Love Buzz really highlights that age is just a number.

The film centers around the lives of two women, Maika (Agnieszka Suchora) and Agata (Edyta Olszowka), who have as much in common as they do apart. One lives on the Baltic coast, the other in the Tatra Mountains. One runs a candy shop, the other is a successful interior designer. One is a widow, the other has just been ditched by her partner for a younger woman. One is immersed in the lives of her children and grandchildren, the other childless and cares only about her spiritual development.

When the two women meet at a mutual friends funeral, Agata persuades Maika to spice things up and do a life swap  with both comic and dramatic results. Distributor TVP Intl., plans a wide European release in territories including the U.K., Ireland, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark, Greece and German-speaking countries.

TVPs slate also includes previously announced espionage thriller series The Bay of Spies, directed by Michal Rogalski.

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The Duke of Sussex traveled abroad without his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two young children

Lukas Schulze/Getty Images Prince Harry at the Invictus Games in Duesseldorf, Germany on September 15, 2023.

Prince Harry is back in the U.S. after spending a day in the U.K. to see King Charles.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, returned to California after a quick trip to see his father following the news that the King was diagnosed with cancer, revealed earlier this week.

Prince Harry was photographed at Londons Heathrow Airport on Wednesday, reportedly leaving London after spending about 24 hours in his home country.

Harry made the trip to the U.K. without his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children, Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 2. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex settled in her home state of California after stepping back from their royal roles in 2020.

Prince Harry arrived in the U.K. on Tuesday after catching a flight from Los Angeles on Monday. He reportedly traveled to Clarence House, King Charles and Queen Camillas home base in London, where the father and son are believed to have had a brief private meeting, reportedly reuniting for the first time since the coronation ceremony in May 2023.

"That is good," a source close to the royal household tells PEOPLE exclusively in this week's cover story. Hopefully [Harry] will bring the grandchildren at some point too, as that would be lovely for all of them."

DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Prince Harry at the Royal Courts of Justice in London in March 2023.

Related: Prince Harry Leaves U.K. 24 Hours After Seeing Dad King Charles But Not Prince William

Its understood that King Charles, 75, personally informed his sons, Prince Harry and Prince William as well as other family members of his diagnosis before Buckingham Palace made the public announcement. On Monday, the palace released a 138-word statement to share that the monarch is receiving treatment for a form of cancer.

The cancer diagnosis news came shortly after King Charles underwent a procedure to treat a benign enlarged prostate on Jan. 26, and one week after he left the London Clinic following a three-day stay following the surgery. However, the palace clarified that he does not have prostate cancer.

King Charles commenced treatment as an out-patient in London on Monday, and he met with Prince Harry the next day. The King and Queen Camilla returned to Sandringham after that meeting, spending Queen Elizabeths Feb. 6 Accession Day at the private royal residence in the Norfolk countryside like his mother traditionally did.

HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images Queen Camilla and King Charles leave Clarence House in London on February 6.

Related: King Charles' Cancer Diagnosis Caught Even Palace Insiders Off Guard: 'Shocked' (Exclusive)

Prince Harrys latest trip marked his second solo visit to London in five months. In September 2023, Prince Harry traveled from California to attend the WellChild Awards in London. The charity works to support seriously ill children and their families, and the annual awards celebrate the inspirational qualities of the young people and those who care for them. Harry has been a patron of WellChild since 2007, and the affiliation is one of the few he retained from his royal life after stepping back from his royal role in 2020.

While Prince Harry attended the event solo, he told one family that his wife was "very upset that she couldnt be here," Hello! magazine reported.

The Duke of Sussex made a similarly short solo trip to London last spring to see his father crowned at Westminster Abbey on May 6. He headed to the airport shortly after the coronation, returning home on the day that doubled as his son Prince Archie's 4th birthday.

Andy Stenning - WPA Pool/Getty Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex arrives for the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023 in London.

During Prince Harrys latest visit, a royal source said there were "no plans" for the Duke of Sussex and his brother, Prince William, to get together.

It's not confirmed where Harry stayed overnight, as he and Meghan were requested to vacate their Frogmore Cottage home in Windsor in March 2023 three years after moving to the U.S., a spokesperson said at the time.

On Wednesday, Prince William made his first public engagements since Kate Middleton returned home from the hospital following abdominal surgery and Buckingham Palace publicized the news about the Kings health. William had stepped away from royal duty to help care for his three children  Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5  while his wife, Princess Kate, recuperates. The Princess of Wales, 42, is not expected to return to public life until at least Easter, Kensington Palace previously said.

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The Prince of Wales conducted an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on behalf of his father and attended Londons Air Ambulance Charity gala dinner later in the day. Its a cause close to heart for Prince William, who was an air ambulance pilot for around two years in East Anglia and serves as the organizations patron.

As heir to the throne, Prince William may undertake some duties on behalf of his father in addition to his own diary of engagements in the coming weeks, PEOPLE understands. However, there are currently no plans to appoint Counsellors of State to act on King Charles behalf. Counsellors of State are members of the royal family who can carry out constitutional duties for the monarch if they are abroad or unwell.

PEOPLE magazine, February 19.

William will do his best, but the King will want to carry on with his duties as best he can, a source close to the royal household tells PEOPLE exclusively in this weeks issue.

The Buckingham Palace statement said that while the King has "been advised to postpone public-facing duties," he would "continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual."

It's understood that Prince William has not seen his father since the news was announced, but they are in regular contact.



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Hi again! Lets jump right into The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 13, Episode 15 recap. Last week, Sutton apologized to Kyle for not being a better friend to her. This weeks episode, titled Ashing It Out, concludes the ladies trip to Barcelona. Sutton prepared to release her friends ashes, and Kyle talked to Dorit about her marital problems. Heres everything that you need to know about RHOBH Season 13, Episode 15!

Sutton prepares to say goodbye to Merce

Photo by: Casey Durkin/Bravo

Sutton and her friend, Trevor, transferred Merces ashes to a box. Unfortunately, some of Merces ashes landed on the table. A horrified Trevor watched as Sutton swept them up in her hand. Meanwhile, Sutton realized that she needed to let go of her fathers death. And she has spent too long being angry about her divorce from Christian Stracke. Now that he is moving to London, Sutton must stand alone.

The group arrived at Sitges, Spain. The location overlooking the ocean was stunning. Sutton shared her feelings about her late father and her marriage. She acknowledged that her father, Christian, and Merce were three very important men in my life. Im glad that Sutton is starting to release all of these emotions, and is encouraging her friends to do the same.

As Sutton started to cry, Kyle quickly embraced her. I think that Sutton has been in a lot of pain regarding her divorce, much more so than any of us could have imagined, Kyle said in her confessional.

As Sutton and Trevor release Merces ashes, the winds blow them towards the RHOBH cast. Thats the way the wind blows, Sutton quipped. Now everyone has a little Merce. Kyle was freaked out and kept re-checking her clothes. This scene reminded me of when The Real Housewives of New York City star Sonja Morgan had the funeral for her dog, and the ashes blew everywhere.

Some surprising confessions

Photo by: Casey Durkin/Bravo

Garcelle was up next. She wanted to release her fear of abandonment, feeling lonely, and not having her father in her life.

Crystal was emotional about her brothers move to Thailand. Then Dorit talked about her PTSD, and that she would try to leave it there. In her confessional, Dorit said that she needs to let go of her expectations of her husband, PK. No, Dorit. Maybe PK needs to meet your expectations.

Then it was Erikas turn. And I guarantee that no one expected this speech. Im here to let this go in representation of all the hurt from the last two-and-a-half years that I feel many of you have contributed to. I have turned a new page in my life. I always knew I would, she stated. So my hurt, my anger, my old life Erika added as she tossed the flower necklace into the sea.

Erika finally receives an apology

Photo by: Casey Durkin/Bravo

Kyle wanted to let go of the guilt that she felt over the death of her friend, Lorene. She also released any hurt from her sister or her Beverly Hills co-stars.

In her confessional, Kyle talked about how strange it was to not share her marital problems. I dont know if my marriage is going to survive, but when Im ready to share with everyone, I will, she said.

Crystal and Erika went for ice cream, and Crystal apologized for adding to Erikas pain. As Erika noted, she was the only lady to man up and apologize. But she still wanted an apology from the rest of the group.

Lady in red orange

Photo by: Casey Durkin/Bravo

The ladies will be attending a flamenco dinner where they will perform their dance. All the ladies were wearing red, except for Kyle, who was sporting orange. Way to ruin the vibe, Kyle.

Annemarie asked Garcelle and Sutton if they would ever get married again. While Sutton doesnt hold out much hope of that happening, Garcelle doesnt want to split her earnings with a man. She would rather leave it all for her sons.

Then the discussion moved to signing papers your husband asks you to sign. Hold on. Can we get Teresa Giudice from The Real Housewives of New Jersey on the phone for this convo? Kyle signs whatever Mauricio tells her to because he handles all the bills. I sign stuff and hope for the best, she said.

Sutton was aghast. I dont care if you have married the pope. Do not sign the popes document, she advised in her confessional. And Erika warned that this is how she landed in hot water with her estranged husband, Tom Girardi. Yikes!

The flamenco dinner

During dinner, Annemarie asked the ladies about their favorite part of the trip. For Kyle, she appreciated the healing ritual at the ocean and everyone sharing and being open. Erika felt happy and relaxed on this trip, as opposed to the dumpster fire in Aspen last season. But Annemarie didnt understand what Erika was alluding to about being hurt by the group, so she asked her to explain.

Erika said, The last few years I was in this group, I felt very mischaracterized and very misunderstood. Erika was still salty that she won her appeal regarding the infamous earrings, and no one other than Crystal apologized. Garcelle asked Erika if she trusted the group more now, and she responded that trust was built up over time.

A shady toast to Erika

Sutton proposed a toast to Erika, even though some of the ladies didnt receive door invitations to Erikas Vegas residency. Sutton congratulated Erika on her residency and added that the entire group was proud of Erika.

Erika remarked how supportive the group was when she was on Broadway, and pointed out that Sutton arranged for their private jet. In her confessional, Erika said that Sutton was invited and that she wouldnt be the only one excluded. Ha! Sure, Erika.

Hitting the stage

Some of the ladies were a bit nervous about performing onstage after dinner. Splits Richards was bemoaning the fact that she is no longer drinking and cant rely on her favorite party trick. And Dorit tried to ditch performing by claiming that she couldnt dance in her dress and shoes. Erikas solution for Dorit? Go barefoot and hold up her dress.

Sutton was thrilled and admitted how much she loved these ladies. Nothing is more important than friendship, because friends become your family. And right now, this is my family, Sutton stated in her confessional. She wanted it to stay fun like this. There is zero chance of that happening. Zero!

Kyle confides in Dorit

Photo by: Casey Durkin/Bravo

Back in Beverly Hills, Dorit visited Kyle. Dorit asked how Kyles relationship with Mauricio was going.

Kyle shared that she has been in therapy. And Mauricio also joined in, but Kyle wasnt sure if it was helping. Dorit wanted her friend to know that she had her back. Kyle revealed that she and her husband dont fight. But their workload and traveling have taken their toll. Dorit agreed because traveling affected her marriage to PK.

So, Im like, If we are having an issue, why cant you give that energy that you give to the company? Kyle commented. But when Kyle told Mauricio that their marriage was in trouble and that they needed to work on it, she didnt feel like she was a priority. In her confessional, Kyle stated, If theres no effort made or put into us, were not going to end up together. Well never survive this, she said.

That is sad, but at least Kyle was finally sharing exactly what went wrong with her marriage.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please call 988.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills continues on Wednesdays at 8/7c on Bravo.

TELL US  WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT RHOBH SEASON 13, EPISODE 15? SHOULD ERIKA STILL BE UPSET THAT NO ONE OTHER THAN CRYSTAL APOLOGIZED TO HER? WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT KYLE SAID ABOUT HER MARITAL PROBLEMS? WILL KYLE AND MAURICIO END UP DIVORCING?

The post Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 13, Episode 15 Recap: Kyle Shares Her Marital Woes With Dorit appeared first on Reality Tea.
The Real Housewives of Miami Season 6 reunion is nearly upon us and Bravo revealed this years looks on February 8. With outfits inspired by this seasons cast trip to Mexico, there are some MAJOR serves. Even when its hard to admit for some cast members

Guerdy Abraira

Photo Credit: Clifton Prescod/Jocelyn Prescod/Bravo

Fristly, Guerdy Abraira, undeniably fabulous as ever. She sported a shoulderless ivory dress with a high leg slit. Garnishing the hips and chest were pearls ranging from pink to brown. The dress and jewelry were credited to her stylist, Celestino Couture, with shoes by Gianviti Rossi and makeup by Gina Nicole.

Photo Credit: Clifton Prescod/Jocelyn Prescod/Bravo

With a dress and shoes from Laura Rudovic and jewelry from Lauras Boutique & Bridal, Larsa Pippen wore a black dress with a voluminous, poofy wrap. The dress neckline sported evergreen leaves and red roses to compliment her tiara and, additionally, cross-shaped earrings with red jewels.

Alexia Nepola

Photo Credit: Clifton Prescod/Jocelyn Prescod/Bravo

Thirdly, Alexia Nepola sported a lacy, black sheer dress with a train following her at her feet, along with dangling silver earrings. Alexias look was perhaps the most collaborative, with a dress by Alessandra Rich, shoes from Dolce & Gabanna, jewelry from Wish & Starvin Marvin, hair by Stephanie Parizot, and makeup by Katie Nova. Modesto Abreu & Coulson Bingham were credited as stylists, with inspiration/vibe described as Paris runway couture meets Mexican lace veil.

Lisa Hochstein

Photo Credit: Clifton Prescod/Jocelyn Prescod/Bravo

From there, Lisa Hochstein had a thin, simple red dress with a high leg slit and a train. She was photographed with a rose whose shade of red markedly matched the dress. Credit for the dress went to Di Petsa via Fwrd, with shoes by Rene Caovilla, jewelry from Bvlgari, and hair and makeup by Barbara Moura. With Stefani Strnad via Fwrd as stylist, the inspiration/vibe was described as Chic, modern, fluid.

Julia Lemigova

Photo Credit: Clifton Prescod/Jocelyn Prescod/Bravo

Julia Lemigovas look was perhaps the most audacious of the bunch, with leopard print pants, a black corset, and a leopard print cape interspersed with flower prints. With an outfit from Naeem Khan, shoes from Jimmy Choo, and jewelry from her vintage collection, Julia said the look was all about being you and [punching] your fears straight in the face.

Dr. Nicole Martin

Photo Credit: Clifton Prescod/Jocelyn Prescod/Bravo

Dr. Nicole Martin also wore a deep red dress from ATU Body Couture, showing off her baby bump with an eye-catching silver necklace and other jewelry from Princess Miami Jewelry. With shoes from Aquazurra and hair and makeup from Grace Aguado, Nicole said comfort was her goal. It may not be the most fabulous or the most blinged-out dress, but it is comfortable. And my jewelry is pretty spectacular, Im not gonna lie.

Kiki Barth

Photo Credit: Clifton Prescod/Jocelyn Prescod/Bravo

Staying with the pattern thus far, Kiki Barth wore another red dress, with a gold wreath pattern around the waist, two red flowers on either side of her head, and a black veil over her forehead. The dress was by Oscar Lopez, with the jewelry/belt from Maxine Denker. Stylist Tasha Poupee described the inspiration/vibe as Haitian Queen meets Mexico in House of Dolce.

Adriana de Moura

Photo Credit: Clifton Prescod/Jocelyn Prescod/Bravo

As for Adriana de Moura? The Bravo veteran said, My reunion look has a lot of meaning to me, taking inspiration from Frida Kahlo. Her art was so powerful and unique and she overcame all her difficulties and disabilities and made of herself an icon example of what a strong woman is. The black dress with a sleeve wrap connected in the back was credited to Milly. Wish took credit for the rosy halo crown and other jewelry, with shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti, hair and makeup from Fidel Alvarez, and Carole Phillips as stylist.

Marysol Patton

Photo Credit: Clifton Prescod/Jocelyn Prescod/Bravo

Lastly, Marysol Patton wore a long-sleeved, white, off-the-shoulders dress by Michael Fausto with a golden grid-like chest piece. She wore her own jewelry, shoes by Rene Caovilla, hair by Julius Michael, and makeup by Caroline Blanchard.

Real Housewives of Miami continues Wednesdays at 9/8c on Bravo.

TELL US  WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THIS YEARS LOOKS?

The post Real Housewives of Miami Season 6 Reunion Looks Revealed appeared first on Reality Tea.
Dave Kroupa  who tells his story in the new Netflix documentary "Lover, Stalker, Killer"  never expected that a woman he met online would harass him for years

Netflix; Nebraska Department of Correctional Services From left, Cari Farver, Dave Kroupa and Liz Golyar

Leaving for work around 6:30 a.m. on a chilly fall morning in 2012, Omaha auto repair shop manager Dave Kroupa said goodbye to Cari Farver, a single mother he had been dating for two weeks. Farver, who planned to head to work at a telecommunications company, had made it clear that she wasnt looking for a serious relationship. So later that morning when Kroupa received a text message from herDo you want to move in together now?it came as a puzzling surprise.

I was like, What the hell?  recalls Kroupa, 47, who was busy at work and wrote a dismissive reply. That apparently uncorked a well of anger in Farver, who replied: I hate you. You ruined my life. I never want to see you again.

All morning my text messages were pinging, pinging, pinging, and its all this nasty stuff, says Kroupa, who was annoyed but also relieved to have discovered so quickly that Farverwhom he would never see againwas not the woman for him. Im thinking, Wow, I dodged a bullet. 

But nothing could have been further from the truth. Over the next four years Kroupa became the target of a campaign of terror. He received more than 18,000 intimidating emails and some 50,000 texts from accounts associated with Farver. He also was deluged with phone calls and threats against his on-again, off-again lover Shanna Liz Golyar as well as his former partner Amy Flora and the two children they share.

The harassment resulted in vandalism, burglary, arsonand a murder. Kroupa moved out of state and changed his phone number and email address but could not escape his stalker until police made a shocking arrest in 2016. Now Kroupa is telling his story in the new Netflix documentary Lover, Stalker, Killer, premiering Feb. 9. She ruined my life, he tells PEOPLE, as much as you can without actually killing me.

***

In early 2012, Kroupa moved from Wisconsin to Nebraska after getting out of a long-term relationship and decided to give online dating a try.

Within days he met Golyar, a housekeeper who was also recently single and the mother of two children close in age to Kroupas. They dated on and off for about six months, Kroupa says, until Cari Farver, a customer at the garage where he worked, accepted his invitation to have a drink with him. There was definitely a spark there, says Kroupa. But the night of their first date, as Kroupa and Farver made their way back to his apartment after drinks, Farver passed Golyar, who had stopped by Kroupas place unexpectedly, as she was leaving the apartment.

Related: Upcoming Netflix Doc Lover Stalker Killer Goes In-Depth on Disturbing Story of Digital Love Triangle-Turned-Deadly

Netflix Dave Kroupa and Liz Golyar

That encounter would radically change the course of three lives. Farver was reported missing to police by her family, having vanished without a trace, leaving her bank accounts untouched and her teenage son Max in her mothers care. But Farvers harassment campaign against Kroupa continuedresulting in thousands of hang-up calls to his work and home.



Soon Golyar, whom Kroupa continued to date, was also receiving frightening messages. Wed be hanging out on a Saturday, and both of our emails would start blowing up at the same time, says Kroupa.

Eventually those threats of violence turned real. In late 2012 someone claiming to be Farver began vandalizing cars and property owned by Kroupa and Golyar, and in 2013 Golyars house was burned down, killing her pet dogs, a cat and a snake. Frightened for his safety, Kroupa, whose apartment had been mysteriously burgled that year, moved away for a fresh start in a new city, but after he posted his photo on a dating website, his tormentor found him, and the harassment continued.

Police were unable to pinpoint the source of the messages, despite the fact that the texts made it clear the person sending them was often within sight of Kroupa, Golyar, his former partner Flora and their two children. Kroupa believed the case had gone coldbut the dangerous behavior escalated.

In April 2015, Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office detectives Ryan Avis and Jim Doty began looking into Farvers disappearance and came to the devastating conclusion that she had most likely been dead since that fateful day in Nov. 2012, when the text messages to Kroupa began.



Netflix Sgt. Jim Doty

After coming to this conclusion, they began to look at the slew of emails and texts seemingly sent by Farver, and with the help of digital forensic specialist Anthony Kava, they traced thousands of the messages to a single IP address linked to a surprising source: Liz Golyar.

This is a once-in-a-career type of case, Doty, who is now a sergeant at the department, tells PEOPLE. I think Liz was stone-cold. Anything she did to show kindness was an act and she had an ulterior motive to get something she wanted out of it. I think deep down, she's just evil and cold.



Although they knew Golyar was the culprit, detectives didnt have enough evidence to arrest her immediately. But in Dec. 2015, Golyar unsuspectingly helped make the case against herself when she was shot in the leg and blamed Flora, who she claimed was now harassing her too. The officers quickly discovered that Golyar shot herself and was trying to frame Flora in the same way she framed Farver for years.

Netflix; Pottawattomie County Sheriff's Office; Netflix (2) Top left: Liz Golyar's house after it was set on fire. Top right: Dried blood found under Cari Farver's seat covers in her vehicle. Bottom right: Kroupas stalker left menacing messages scrawled on the walls of his home. Bottom right: Detectives recovered deleted photos from an SD card, including one of a decomposing foot with a tattoo like Farver had

For more on Dave Kroupa's story, subscribe now to PEOPLE, or pick up this week's issue, on newsstands Friday.



Armed with a slew of search warrants, investigators found communications software that allowed Golyar to mask her identity for years and to schedule texts and emails in advance in an effort to impersonate Farver. Even more troubling was the grisly evidence they unearthed pointing to Golyars involvement in the sudden disappearanceand murderof Farver, her romantic rival. Detectives told Kroupa that Golyar was responsible for the years of harassment and for murdering Farver.



RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD Liz Golya at the Douglas County courthouse in Omaha on May 10, 2017

Farver's body was never found, but authorities believe Farver was killed within days of the 2012 fateful encounter in Kroupas apartment building. Up till then, every time Caris name came up I wanted to throw up, says Kroupa. Then to learn that shes not only not at fault, but shes been murdered? And Liz, the person who I leaned on, was responsible for killing Cari? Its still hard to even process.

Nebraska Department of Correctional Services / PCSO Liz Golyar's mug shot

Golyar was convicted of first-degree murder and second-degree arson at trial in 2017 and sentenced to life without parole plus 20 years for arson.

To us as detectives, it's a win because we have somebody behind bars, but at the same time, we're also telling a mother that her daughter has been killed, Doty says. It's a very sad outcome for [Cari's mother]. I'm sure there was a part of her that still had hope that maybe Cari would come back someday. It wasn't a joyous occasion by any means.

Netflix Dave Kroupa

According to Kroupas current girlfriend Margie Hover, who lives with him in Nebraska, it was only on a trip to California that she noticed Kroupa was finally able to relax. He said, I dont have to be looking over my shoulder,  she tells PEOPLE.

Still, Kroupa closely guards his phone number and email address. I dont mind watching a movie with a terrible twist, he says, but I never want that in my life again."

Lover, Stalker, Killer premieres Friday, Feb. 9 on Netflix.

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Read the original article on People.
Shares of JD.com (NASDAQ: JD), the Chinese e-commerce giant, were falling again today. This time, it was in response to a disappointing earnings report from Alibaba (NYSE: BABA), its close competitor and peer.

As of 1:19 p.m. ET, JD stock was down 4.5%, while Alibaba stock had fallen 6.4%.

Image source: Getty Images.

China is still weak

Investors were hoping that Alibaba's December quarter would give investors a reprieve from a brutal sell-off in Chinese tech stocks, but that was not the case. Instead, Alibaba disappointed the market again, showing that the Chinese e-commerce sector remains weak.

Revenue in the quarter grew just 5% to $36.7 billion, which was in line with estimates. At Alibaba's core commerce group, Taobao and Tmall, which competes directly with JD, revenue rose just 2% to $18.2 billion, which seems to bode poorly for JD's own fourth-quarter earnings report, which is not expected until March. Alibaba said it had a successful 11.11 Shopping Festival and that order volume grew by double digits in the second half of the quarter, which it attributed to its price-competitive strategy.

On the bottom line, Alibaba reported adjusted earnings per share of $2.67, which was down 2% and short of the consensus at $2.69.

What it means for JD.com

Revenue growth at both Alibaba and JD has slowed sharply in recent quarters because of challenges with the Chinese economy and intensifying price competition in the e-commerce sector. Alibaba's report indicates that the price war with peers like Pinduoduo hasn't improved, and that's likely to weigh on JD's results as well, which managed just 1.7% revenue growth in its third quarter.

We'll learn more when JD releases its third-quarter earnings report, which is expected in March. Analysts see revenue falling 1.5% to $42.1 billion, and earnings per share slipping from $0.70 to $0.63. If there's any good news for JD investors heading into the report, it may be that low expectations are already baked in.

Story continues

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Why JD.com Stock Followed Alibaba Lower Today was originally published by The Motley Fool
Snapped Season 26 is the twenty-sixth addition to this American true-crime series that originally premiered in 2019. The show focuses on real-life murder cases where a woman with a motive turns out to be the prime suspect. This time out, the police investigate the 1988 roadside murder of a man in Virginia. After failing to make much progress, the detectives finally uncover a clue when a long-buried secret, miles away from the crime scene, is revealed.

Heres how you can watch and stream Snapped Season 26 via streaming services such as Peacock.

Is Snapped Season 26 available to watch via streaming?

Yes, Snapped Season 26 is available to watch via streaming on Peacock.

The crime documentary-style series returns with another set of terrifying murder cases that involve a female perpetrator at the center. Through a combination of dramatic re-enactments and interviews of case-related people, the show conveys details of a new crime in every episode, also highlighting the accused womans motivation. This term, we see police investigate the murder of a philanthropic entrepreneur. The authorities finally have a breakthrough when the appearance of an unexpected visitor at the funeral leads the police to a charming yet deceptive culprit.

Jody Flader returns to the setup to lend her voice to the series, once again, as its narrator. Real-life law enforcement officials, journalists, friends and family of the victims and the criminals, and other personnel involved in the cases being investigated round up the remaining cast of the show.

Watch Snapped Season 26 streaming via Peacock

Snapped Season 26 is available to watch on Peacock.

The American streaming service features content from NBCUniversal studios as well as other third-party content providers. Launched in 2020, Peacock is home to multiple celebrated titles such as Fast X, Botched, Downton Abbey, and more.

You can watch via Peacock by following these steps:

Go to PeacockTV.com Click Get Started Choose your payment plan $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year (premium)

$11.99 per month or $119.99 per year (premium plus Create your account Enter your payment details

Peacocks Premium account provides access to over 80,000+ hours of TV, movies, and sports, including current NBC and Bravo Shows, along with 50 always-on channels. Premium Plus is the same plan but with no ads (save for limited exclusions), along with allowing users to download select titles and watch them offline and providing access to your local NBC channel live 24/7.

The synopsis for Snapped Season 26 is as follows:

The fascinating cases of everyday, seemingly average moms, wives, and girlfriends accused of murder. Did they do it? And if so, why?

NOTE: The streaming services listed above are subject to change. The information provided was correct at the time of writing.

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Lifei Huang was reported missing on Sunday

LASD Mt. Baldy, California on Feb. 5, 2024.

Three hikers were rescued after spending a cold night on Mt. Baldy in Southern California on Monday, reports the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD). However, a solo hiker who embarked on a trip is still missing, reports the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department (SBCS).

The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department confirmed on Wednesday that they have yet to locate solo traveler Lifei Huang. The 22-year-old woman also left on Sunday and was reported missing around 11 p.m.

Huang "set out on a hike alone at about 2 p.m. and had not been heard from since about 4 p.m., said the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Related: Missing Hiker, 78, Who Was Separated from Group in California Gets Rescued After Nearly 48 Hours

Nearly 12 hours after she started her hike, around 2:30 a.m. on Monday, the Sheriffs West Valley Search and Rescue Crew began the search for Huang.

On Tuesday, search and rescue crews continued the search in extremely heavy snowfall, however, avalanche risks hindered the search efforts, and the crews were pulled off the mountain, continued the statement. Search and rescue personnel will remain at the trailhead and will resume searching when it is safe to do so.

Additionally, the SBCS recommends that people not embark on hikes during "this inclement weather."

LASD Rescue team on Mt. Baldy, California on Feb. 5, 2024.

Three other hikers were rescued on the Bear Canyon Trail by the San Dimas and Sierra Madre Search and Rescue teams on Monday around 1 p.m.

The Search and Rescue teams navigated through the rain, snow, and a 4,000-foot gain in elevation during the 4-mile hike to the lost hikers, the LASD said. After a four-hour search, the victims were located at approximately 8,200-8,400 feet elevation.

The hikers, who spent the night hunkered down, were assessed and determined able to be escorted back down the trail through the snow and wet elements to safety," the sheriff's department continued.

Once at the mountain's post, the hikers and Search and Rescue team members were evaluated and medically cleared by emergency medical personnel.

LASD San Diamas Mountain Rescue on Mt. Baldy, California on Feb. 5, 2024.

Before the trios hike, they left their itinerary with relatives, who notified authorities, the Sierra Madre Search and Rescue said in a statement. Given adverse weather and the potential difficulty of the operation, San Dimas Mountain Rescue requested assistance from Sierra Madre Search and Rescue.

The hikers were instructed to shelter in place overnight until SAR personnel could meet them and hike out with them. They were then told to mark their location via a CalTopo link. The San Dimas Mountain Rescue team remained in contact with the hikers throughout Sunday night.

The following morning, five members of Sierra Madre Search and Rescue and three San Dimas personnel hiked the four-mile path and met the hikers at their location at approximately 1 p.m.,

As the crews and hikers descended the mountain, another team joined them and brought hot chocolate, tea and sandwiches, per the Sierra Madre Search and Rescue. By 5 p.m., the hikers and rescue teams were off the mountain.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

LASD Rescue teams and missing hikers on Mt. Baldy, California on Feb. 5, 2024.

On Tuesday, search and rescue crews continued the search in extremely heavy snowfall, however, avalanche risks hindered the search efforts, and the crews were pulled off the mountain, continued the statement. Search and rescue personnel will remain at the trailhead and will resume searching when it is safe to do so.

Additionally, the SBCS recommends that people not embark on hikes during "this inclement weather."

LASD

Anyone with information regarding Huang is urged to contact the Fontana Sheriffs Station at 909-356-6767. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com.

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Droll singer James McMurtry is a complex man who turns out cutting, precise story songs yet will write himself off as a beer salesman because he prefers to play his music in establishments that have bars.

I just feel more comfortable in those places, McMurtry, 61, matter-of-factly said.

Texas songwriter James McMurtry heads to Tallahassee for a show at The Moon on Feb. 15, 2024.

McMurtrys idiosyncratic career path may have left the pop-music audiences baffled or indifferent but his faithful followers, most of whom will be at The Moon when he visits for a concert on February 15, cant get enough.

They know McMurtry is one of the best songwriters of his generation. Up there with Randy Newman, Richard Thompson or John Prine. Noted fussy critic Robert Christgau singled out McMurtrys searing song We Cant Make It Here, all about forgotten war veterans and the quiet rage of the working poor in America, as the No. 2 song of 2005.

Cant Make It Here did not crack the commercially ranked Billboard Hot 100, though.

Im pretty wordy with my song lyrics, McMurtry said. Thats one of the reasons (Ive never had a Top 40 hit). But writing hits are a different thing from what I do.

Amen.

Entertainment: Looking for fun events? Top 5 things to do around Tallahassee

North Florida connection

McMurtry may hail from the heart of Texas near Austin, but he knows this colorful corner of the Florida Panhandle well.

McMurtrys loping, catchy song Forgotten Coast is all about North Floridas peculiar hideaways. It even namechecks Port St. Joe and Wewahitchka. The video for the tune includes shots of McMurtry driving a vintage Ford Falcon along Alligator Point, stopping in Carrabelle, and hopping a ride on a fishing boat in Apalachicola Bay. Rolling Stone magazine called the video the perfect Visit Florida postcard. At least until the Percodan and wine make an appearance.

Well, that is typical McMurtry.

James McMurtry's most recent album is The Horses and the Hounds. McMurtry will play at The Moon on Feb. 15, 2024.

In the fast-paced, relentless Ft. Walton Wake-Up Call, from his most recent album The Horses and the Hounds, McMurtry follows a bickering husband and wife as they pass through such familiar locales as Apalachicola, Sopchoppy and a roadside stand selling tupelo honey.

I used to run around there (North Florida) for a while, McMurtry said. I had two friends who lived down there, and they would take me around St. George Island and Apalachicola.

Creativity runs in the genes

If anyone is looking for a songsmith who writes about love and romance, McMurtry is not that guy. Most of his songs have a lived-in, jaded, slightly worn quality. Starting his music career in 1989, McMurtry has mostly written tunes told from a characters point of view. They are like capsulated short stories  sorta.

My father (novelist Larry Lonesome Dove McMurtry) couldnt write short stories. McMurtry said. He preferred long fiction. He said it was easier. ... I write fiction, too. They are called my songs.

James McMurtry's song Forgotten Coast is all about North Floridas peculiar hideaways. McMurtry plays The Moon on Feb. 15, 2024.

The opening lyrics to Choctaw Bingo are quintessential McMurtry: Strap them kids in/ Give em a little bit of vodka in a Cherry Coke/ Were going to Oklahoma to the family reunion for the first time in years/ Its up at Uncle Slaytons cause hes getting on in years/ You know he no longer travels but hes still pretty spry/ Hes not much on talking and hes just too mean to die.

The nearly nine-minute long Choctaw Bingo, a road-trip rocker first released in 2002, has become a staple of McMurtry live shows. An article in Slate magazine in 2009 said its blunt depiction of Middle America qualifies it to become the new National Anthem. McMurtry just shrugs when asked about the song.

My medley of hits  Choctaw Bingo, McMurtry dryly added.

Still, the man knows how to craft characters.

His song Copper Canteen from 2014 starts with the memorable opening lines: Honey dont you be yelling at me when Im cleaning my gun/ Ill wash the blood off the tailgate when deer seasons done.

In Childish Things, written in 2005, an elderly aunt keeps her Holy Bible near the telephone in case she needs a quick quote. The recent song Canola Fields from The Horses and the Hounds features the second-best surfer from the Central Coast as a supporting player.

I had been carrying around the second-best surfer line for a while and I knew I wanted to use it, McMurtry said. Usually, I get into songs with a couplet  two lines and a melody. And then I think, Who said that?

Whenever McMurtry can sing the lyrics from a characters viewpoint without cringing, he knows he has a keeper.

Grammys: Tallahassee's Scotty Barnhart and band take home Grammy for 'Basie Swings the Blues'

Putting on the dress

When McMurtry is not on tour he performs live every Tuesday and Wednesday nights at the famed Continental Club in Austin.

Im their artist-in-residence, he said.

In conversation, McMurtry is much more comfortable talking about Old Town canoes, bow fishing, the Seussian machines used to harvest canola fields in Western Canada and drag shows.

When he and his band hit the road last May for a series of live gigs in Tennessee, a state that had recently passed an anti-drag show law, McMurtry donned a red dress for his encores. Opening act BettySoo, who will also open the evening of songs in Tallahassee, wore a tux and a painted-on mustache to join McMurtrys act of civil disobedience.

One patron at the Knoxville stop was apparently offended by McMurtrys stage gear (one fellow songwriter dubbed him The Old Rugged Cross-Dresser) and went outside to flag down a police officer. The policeman essentially shrugged when he was told about the drag incident and did nothing.

That policeman is the real hero of the story, McMurtry said.

McMurtrys drag protest ended up in the pages of Rolling Stone and on TVs The Rachel Maddow Show.

I hadnt been on TV since I did The Letterman Show in 89, McMurtry said with a pleased tone in his voice.

The drag-ban law was eventually shot down by a federal judge who ruled it as being unconstitutional, but McMurtry said he wanted to make a point.

Fascists always single out a group that they think everyone wants to gang up on, McMurtry said. Drag performers are an easy shot.  The other thing about drag shows is those things will fill a club. They help the owner pay his rent and his payroll, so when I need a gig next month, the club will still exist. If I dont stick up for the drag queens, who is going to stick up for me?

James McMurtry is one wise beer salesman.

Mark Hinson is a former senior writer at The Tallahassee Democrat. He can be reached at mark.hinson59@hotmail.com

If you go

What: James McMurtry in concert with opening act BettySoo

Where: The Moon, 1105 E. Lafayette St.

When: Thursday, Feb. 15. Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m.

Cost: $25 and $30; visit moonevents.com

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: James McMurtry's songbook of characters lands at The Moon
Created by J. T. Rogers and based on the 2009 book Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan by Jake Adelstein. Tokyo Vice is a crime drama series streaming on HBO Max. The plot revolves around Adelstein, a young American reporter who joins a major Japanese-language newspaper in Tokyo in 1999. He becomes close to both the yakuza and a police detective. Season 1 premiered on April 7, 2022, and was received positively. Season 2 debuted on February 8, 2024, and is set to air until early April. If you are wondering about Tokyo Vice Season 3 Release Date, this is what we have discovered.

Heres all the Tokyo Vice Season 3 release date information we know so far, and all the details on when it is coming out.

Is there a Tokyo Vice Season 3 release date?

Tokyo Vice Season 3 does not have an official release date. However, it can be announced in the future.

As of early February 2024, Tokyo Vice hasnt been greenlit for season 3. This is expected as the second season just premiered. HBO Max will likely assess how it performs with the audience before making any decision. Tokyo Vice is part of a trilogy of books by Adelstein and has two sequels  The Last Yakuza: Life and Death In The Japanese Underworld and Tokyo Noir: In and Out of The Japanese Underworld (slated for a 2024 publication).

However, Tokyo Vice Season 2 is not based on The Last Yakuza. Tokyo Vice the book covers 12 years of Aelsteins career. The first season of the series is set in 1999. It only scratches the surface. However, Season 2 picks up where Season 1 concluded. If season 3 does happen, it will likely follow this precedence and focus on Jake and other characters introduced in the previous two seasons.

The sophomore season was greenlit in June 2022, about five weeks after the first season concluded. Considering this, if everything goes well and season 2 manages to replicate the success of the inaugural season, the announcement for season 3 can come sometime in May 2024.

The cast includes Ansel Elgort as Jake Adelstein, Ken Watanabe as Hiroto Katagiri, Rachel Keller as Samantha Porter, Hideaki Ito as Jin Miyamoto, Show Kasamatsu as Sato, Rinko Kikuchi as Emi Maruyama, Ella Rumpf as Polina, Tomohisa Yamashita as Akira, Kosuke Toyohara as Baku, and more.

Where is Tokyo Vice Season 3 coming out?

Tokyo Vice Season 3 could come out on HBO Max.

This is because the first two seasons premiered on the same platform. ComingSoon will provide an update if and when season 3 is officially announced.

The official synopsis for Tokyo Vice reads:

A first-hand account of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police beat following Jake Adelstein, an American journalist who embeds himself into the Tokyo Vice police squad to reveal corruption. Based on Jake Adelsteins non-fiction book of the same name.

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The post Will There Be a Tokyo Vice Season 3 Release Date & Is It Coming Out? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Bobi Wine, the 41-year-old musician and leader of the Ugandan National Unity Platform, cant recall how many times hes been arrested since he first became the voice and then the face of the movement to remove President Yoweri Museveni from office in his home country. Yet as the film documenting his plight, Bobi Wine: The Peoples President (formerly titled Bobi Wine: Ghetto President), received an Academy Award nomination for best documentary feature on Jan. 23, Wine was living out a harsh reality of his political activism and a reminder of its necessity.

On the day when the Oscar nominations were announced, we were under house arrest, my wife and I, Wine tells The Hollywood Reporter. Its only the other day that the military withdrew from our home.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Wine, born Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, grew up in a slum in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. He rose to prominence as a musical artist whose songs often carried socially conscious messages over afrobeat, reggae and dancehall rhythms. In 2017, he became a member of parliament, representing the Kyadondo County East constituency, just ahead of Musevenis successful introduction of a constitutional amendment bill that removed the presidential age-limit cap, effectively allowing the military official who first took office in 1986 to remain in power for life. In a song Wine wrote at the time, he sang:

What is the purpose of the constitution

When the government disrespect the constitution

It was Wines music career that initially attracted the attention of filmmakers Christopher Sharp and Moses Bwayo, who wrote and directed the National Geographic documentary. When Wine formally announced his bid to run for president against Museveni in Ugandas 2021 general election, however, the project took on a much larger tale.

It was an opportunity to invite the world into our struggle, says Wine of allowing Sharp and Bwayo to document his journey. Initially, it was a story about how we inspire the young people of a political transformation in Uganda, but the more we went on, the more unbelievable scenarios unfolded, and it turned out to be the film that it is now.

Here, Wine speaks with THR about the documentary and his continued efforts to bring true democracy to Uganda.

Its been almost a year and a half since the documentary had its world premiere on Sept. 1, 2022. Where are you in your journey now?

Ever since the documentary was released, it has created more awareness about the situation back home. For us, it is continued protection. The more the world knows about the situation back home, the safer we feel because then we know that at least the world is following. And now, its even more overwhelming that the film has been nominated for an Oscar. It is much, much more than we ever imagined.

The film starts in 2014 when you were already using your music as a vessel for political change. When did you first get the spark to take up this charge?

It developed over time, but one moment that I remember was at the height of my music career, around 2005, when I was a young man of about 23 or 24 years, I bought the latest Cadillac Escalade with 24-inch spinning wheels, the first of its kind in East Africa, and I parked it outside the nightclub. Of course, all the girls were looking at me as the boy of the moment. That offended one of the security operatives who came and slapped the hell out of me. And when I asked why he was beating me, he asked me why I was showing off as if I did not know that the country had owners. He beat me some more before he ordered I drive off. Of course, I was humiliated, especially before the girls. But it spoke to me and reminded me that regardless of my music or financial success, I was not any different from the ordinary Ugandans whose rights were constantly abused by the same people that I hub-nubbed with, because I was friends with most of those people, including General Musevenis son and his brother. So it was at that time that I decided that I will use my music to sing and address injustices.

For more than 10 years, I was just singing about those things. However, it continued evolving and growing in me until 2016 when the presidential election was rigged, when all human rights violations were rampant. I said, Ive been singing about these things, but nothing is changing. It was high time for me to go and find an official platform to address these things. And I said, as its been famously quoted, Since the Parliament refused to come to the ghetto, the ghetto will go to the Parliament. So, I ran, boom, won the parliamentary election with 80 percent of the vote. From then, the race is history. One thing led to another, but when I went to Parliament, I realized firsthand that all institutions had been captured and the only way we could free our nation and institutions from state capture is by removing General Museveni. And the only way we could remove him is to challenge him officially and democratically. Having been established and made my intentions clear through my music all those years, it was not new when I came to the young people of Uganda and told them, Yo, I want to be your president. Here I am talking to a population which is 85 percent under the age of 35. Eighty-five percent has never seen another president because General Museveni has been in power for 38 years now. So I was preaching to the converted.

Upon your release from the military barracks in 2018, you told the press, I am going to fight on. We shall get our freedom, or we shall die trying to get our freedom. How do you maintain such strong conviction in the face of constant threats from the governments military regime?

I honestly cannot give you a formula. I think its stubbornness. We also have so many lessons. For example, the great Nelson Mandela teaches us that bravery is not the absence of fear, but the ability to overcome it. We get scared. And every now and then, when they beat me today, I dont want to go back tomorrow. But I hope that, ultimately, the lessons that we get from history will get through to them. The massive support and solidarity that we get from the population back home encourages us to keep going. The encouragement that we get even from those that work for our oppressors, many soldiers, police officers reach out to us privately, even in our jail cells. A high-ranking police officer will come to you with a mean face only to whisper to you, Hey, dont give up, so many people are with you. Those little things keep us going.

How do you find space for your musical artistry amid your political pursuit?

Music is part of me. When Im sad, I sing. When Im excited, I sing. When Im scared, I sing. And when Im confident, I sing. Every time I get personal time, I express myself musically. When my heart is heavy, I offload it in the studio.

Afrobeats is increasingly growing in popularity globally. Have you had conversations with any of the artists at the forefront of this movement about what youre doing?

In the past, Ive had conversations with fellow artists like Davido and Burna Boy and others. We hope to continue to have such voices not just speaking up for me or speaking up for the situation in Uganda alone, but speaking out about injustice and oppression from all corners of the world, especially in Africa because now the most moral voices and the most influential voices are the voices of art.

Your wife, Barbie Kyagulanyi, is featured very prominently in the documentary. Talk about her importance in the movement.

First, my wife and I are very close friends and we have been living our life in complementarity. When she is shown in our struggle, I believe it communicates to all women how much of a driving force they can be to their husbands, how much of a pillar of strength and confidence they can be to their partners. Barbies role speaks of the importance of the women of Uganda in our struggle. They are the majority, they outnumber us. So its not just the power and confidence and drive that she gives me, but also the depiction and representation of women and their role in all of our struggle for freedom.

We also see the tough choices youve both had to make to protect your children. How do they handle the realities of your activism?

My children have had to grow up much faster than their age. Initially, my wife and I had decided to keep all this mess away from the children, but we failed because even when they went to school, the news would find them there, and the news would reach them in more disturbing and unfiltered ways. So we decided that whatever they get to know, they know it from us. We decided to tell them the truth right from our youngest daughter up so that when they hear that their dad is arrested or is in prison, they at least know that their dad is not in prison for committing a crime or for any immoral thing, but for the right thing and that has helped us. They have now been less traumatized. Theyve learned to look at the challenges and the stress they go through as a process and as a badge of honor.

In the film, you expressed your desire to have a conversation with General Museveni as you discussed how hard it is to be at odds with someone who was once your favorite politician. Has that conversation happened?

The conversation has not happened. Probably because the conversation is such a challenge to General Museveni. I wouldnt want to have that conversation in privacy because all the people that have criticized General Museveni and resisted him, but later had conversations with him, it has only ended in co-optation. His kind of talk has always been, how much money do you want or what position do you want? I want my conversation to be, what changes do we effect and when do you leave power? It must not be between me and him, it must be between him and the people of Uganda. I dont mind representing that, but I can only be sure that Im representing the people of Uganda if the conversation is public and transparent.

What do make of the remarks General Museveni made in the documentary?

Well, that is General Museveni. All the comments that he made, thats him. He speaks with so much confidence because hes so powerful and Im sure hes convinced that, ultimately, he is all powerful. Thats why he has the confidence to speak with that, for lack of a better word, arrogance and dismissiveness. Hes very different from the man that we all love. Hes very different from the man that my father and my grandfather and my elder brother joined in a war that took half a million of our people. Hes very different from the man he was when he was my age.

Should you not succeed in removing the current president from office in future elections, what will happen when he dies?

Well, I cannot be sure, but from what we see, hes trying to build a monarch. He has promoted his son to the highest rank in the military. He is running a parallel army, the elite army, which is in charge of guarding General Museveni and hes the most funded and most equipped. So we think that if General Museveni dies in power, then it will be just like the same precedent that has been set by other African dictators like Ali Bongo, who was succeeded by his son, Omar Bongo, in Gabon, and in Chad, and in many other countries.

What keeps your hope up in this fight?

The belief in good over evil and the belief that oppressed people cannot be oppressed all the time. The solidarity and support that we get from millions of people everywhere we go, including those working within the regime, supporting asylum. The majority of the people, both in Uganda and internationally, agree with us and confirm to us that this is a just fight. That keeps me going knowing that everything is worth it, including my life.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter
Vinyl Group now has a fourth pillar.

Following the completion of its acquisition of The Brag Media, the Sydney-based music and tech specialist doubles-down on its mission to build revenue and integrate its new asset.

More from Billboard

As previously reported, the transaction is funded with a new investment by billionaire WiseTech Global founder and CEO Richard White, by way of an A$11 million ($7.5 million) placement and debt facility, uniting the only music specialist company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) with the market leader in premium youth content and events.

Our real mission or vision that we all have in the company is to empower and power all facets and parts of the music ecosystem, Vinyl Group CEO Josh Simons tells Billboard.

When the group, previously known as Jaxsta, prior to a rebrand in early December, spotted an opportunity with The Brag Media, we also knew that the company was going to evolve into more of a portfolio music company, Simons continues.

Prior to the purchase, Vinyl Groups portfolio was built on the three pillars of its music credits business Jaxsta; the leading music industry social-professional network and talent marketplace Vampr; and Vinyl.com, the online record store. The Brag Media, with its range of titles including Rolling Stone AU/NZ, Variety Australia, Tone Deaf and trade title The Music Network, is its fourth pillar.

Vinyl.com is a very fast growing ecommerce platform, it speaks to the fan, Simons continues, but a huge part of connecting the dots here is connecting fans as creators, and media and events and everything that The Brag does, fills that gap. When the opportunity came across the table, and when we knew what direction they were boldly headed in, it made a lot of sense and got us excited very quickly.

The amalgamation of both business presents some really obvious low hanging synergies, he explains, pointing to sales synergies between Vampr and The Brag Media as one example, but broadly speaking, it plugged a hole in this broader flywheel of servicing all participants in the music ecosystem.

People, product and process  thats really always my focus, explains Simons.

The co-founder of Vampr, Simons was elevated from chief strategy officer to CEO in June 2023, succeeding Beth Appleton, who stepped down as CEO with immediate effect.

Revenue, cost efficiency and profitability remain the top priorities for Jaxsta, Simons commented at the time of his ascension, and I look forward to building on the current momentum.

The agenda remains the same.

The headline KPI was four quarters of consecutive revenue growth and moving towards profitability, Simons says. Under my tenure, weve released three quarters of performance. And in each quarter, weve averaged 104%, quarter over quarter. The Brag deal turbo charges that.

The completion of the acquisition was confirmed with a statement Feb. 1, when stock was trading at $0.063. At the close of trading today (Feb. 8), VNL stock was trading at $0.066, for a market cap of $41.73 million.

Prior to the deal going through, The Brag Media bolstered its executive team with a triumvirate of appointments. Dane Robertson returned to the company in the newly-created role as head of client and event partnerships in Australia and New Zealand, following a stretch at media firm Pedestrian Group. Also, Denise Barnes joined as client projects director following six-plus years with lifestyle site Man of Many, most recently as head of branded content, and Anan Salvarinas joined the team as senior creative strategist, following two-and-a-half years with LADbible Australia, including a recent run as senior creative (brand).

This year is an important one for the business as we focus on integrating The Brag Media into Vinyl Groups properties as well as continued strong growth of our technology products, explains Simons in the Feb. 1 statement to the ASX. We now have a very clear path to profitability.



Best of Billboard
Discussion of a relatively obscure clause in the U.S. Constitution that would disqualify certain individuals from holding office began shortly after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the U.S. Capitol.

It began among law professors and lawyers who had been looking at Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which was ratified into the Constitution after the Civil War to keep former Confederates out of federal and state government.

The clause was reintroduced into the legal debate during the 2022 midterm elections, when government watchdog groups mounted serious challenges to elected officeholders -- efforts that some lawyers have called a "test run" for applying the legal theory to former President Donald Trump.

The theory behind the ban has recently been used by secretaries of state, considered by lower level state judicial systems and even accepted by leading conservative law scholars. In December, Section 3 was finally applied to Trump in Colorado, where the top court disqualified him from running on the state's GOP presidential primary ballot.

MORE: Should Justice Thomas recuse in Trump 14th Amendment case because of wife's Jan. 6 role?

The use of Section 3 has now hit a fever pitch, with the nation's highest court considering a blockbuster case involving Trump's ballot eligibility under the clause.

The possibility that this clause could disqualify a candidate, let alone a front-runner, has been met with widespread skepticism. Many legal scholars maintain that the U.S. Supreme Court will demur under the very high bar it sets to take someone off a ballot. But others have maintained that the legal theory can withstand scrutiny.

PHOTO: Former President Donald Trump speaks to the press as he arrives at the New York State Supreme Court during the civil fraud trial against the Trump Organization, in New York City, Jan. 11, 2024. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)

"A lot of people said this was a long shot case," said Noah Bookbinder, the president of the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), which filed the Colorado case with six voters."But legally and factually, this is a very strong case."

The Section 3 question has faced a number of key inflection points over the past three years as it wound its way to the Supreme Court.

Some legal scholars have long anticipated that Section 3 would end up at the US Supreme Court

Josh Blackman is one of two conservative law professors who authored the widely cited paper that popularized the argument that Section 3's reference to "an officer of the United States" does not include the president -- a theory at the center of Trump's argument before the Supreme Court.

He and his co-author, Seth Barrett Tillman, have explored the argument since 2008. On Jan. 6, 2021, the scholar said that he connected with Tillman and began writing -- on the First Amendment, Trump's Jan. 6 speech, and then Section 3.

Blackman, who wrote an amicus brief on behalf of Trump ahead of the Colorado Supreme Court hearing and another ahead of Thursday's U.S. Supreme Court arguments, said he anticipated that Section 3 might be applied following the Capitol riots, but just didn't know when.

"I didn't know when it would happen -- the primary or the general election and which state it would be in," he told ABC News.

PHOTO: United States Supreme Court building (STOCK IMAGE/Getty Images)

MORE: Experts dissect key arguments in Colorado Supreme Court 14th Amendment ruling

"But the target's too attractive -- that the way to knock out the leading candidate of a political party is the courts, not the ballot box. it was just because it was too attractive of a target. It was not not going to happen. And I knew as soon as any court knocked him off the ballot the U.S. Supreme Court would have to take it," Blackman said.

Mark Graber, a constitutional scholar and law professor at the University of Maryland, had also been studying the framing of Section 3 for almost a decade.

He said that he wasn't surprised that the clause in its application to Trump had made its way to the Supreme Court, and that the Colorado decision had really exposed the strength of some of the challengers' arguments.

"Before, before Colorado, people weren't really engaged with the argument. They were sort of saying it's never gonna work. Once people started to look at the arguments, they realized the arguments for this disqualification are quite strong," he said.

Disqualification attempts in 2022

Several disqualification clause cases in 2022 -- against Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and former-Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina, and Arizona Reps. Paul Gosar and Andy Biggs due to their alleged support for the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol -- were tossed out.

But one public official, former Otero County, New Mexico, Commissioner Couy Griffin, was disqualified in 2022 after CREW sued to eject him from his role under Section 3.

Griffin's case was a bench trial decided by a state judge and he has since twice appealed to the New Mexico Supreme Court with no success. Griffin was convicted of trespassing at the U.S. Capitol two years ago, though he said he did not enter the building with the mob. He was found not guilty of disorderly conduct.

MORE: Official removed from office under 14th Amendment speaks out as Trump case looms

It was after Griffin's disqualification that some constitutional experts suggested that section of the law could have wide-ranging implications, especially for Trump if he ran again for the White House.

"Just the fact that this has happened one time, if it stands up on appeal, makes the future challenges more credible than if no one had ever been disqualified for their participation in January 6  Up until now it seemed like more of a hypothetical," Gerard Magliocca, a constitutional scholar at Indiana University who is one of the paramount experts on the clause, told ABC News in 2022. He later testified during the Colorado evidentiary hearing.

PHOTO: Sean Grimsley, attorney for the petitioners, delivers closing arguments during a hearing for a lawsuit to keep former President Donald Trump off the Colorado ballot in district court, Nov. 15, 2023, in Denver. (Jack Dempsey/AP, FILE)

"If Griffin is disqualified, then it's a little hard to see why Trump wouldn't be disqualified," Magliocca added.

Others, like conservative lawyer James Bopp Jr., who represented Greene and Cawthorn, said the "test run" cases were simply political stunts that wouldn't carry much weight.

"I've never felt that there was any legal basis for these challenges," Bopp Jr. said to ABC News.

"You can get traction particularly in the context in which this is highly politically charged and ideologically charged. And the reality is we have some very left wing judges and left wing state officials that could be expected to entertain this idea," he added.

Conservative scholars further popularized the theory

In August, a growing body of conservative scholars raised the constitutional argument that Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election make him ineligible to hold federal office ever again.

Two members of the conservative Federalist Society, William Baude and Michael Stokes Paulsen, endorsed the disqualification clause in the pages of the Pennsylvania Law Review.

Then, two more legal scholars -- retired conservative federal appeals court judge J. Michael Luttig and Harvard Law Professor Emeritus Laurence Tribe -- made the same case in an article published in The Atlantic.

Many consider this to be sort of a turning point in the provision's lifecycle.

"What Baude and Paulson did was made clear this was not simply a lot of lefties. They made clear that for many others, Donald Trump was not qualified to be president," said Graber.

Blackman agreed: "[The scholars] bent the arc of history. If it wasn't for the article, I don't think the Colorado court would have ruled the way it did," he said.

About a month later, the legal theory further gained steam, with election officials in key states preparing for or starting to respond to legal challenges to Trump's candidacy.

Colorado case

In September, lawsuits were filed in Colorado by CREW and in Minnesota by Free Speech For People (FSFP), the watchdog group who led Greene and Cawthorn's challenges. Another FSFP suit followed shortly after in Michigan, but the two midwestern challenges were ultimately rejected.

PHOTO: Colorado Supreme Court building (STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images)

The Colorado case was assigned a evidentiary hearing in Colorado District Court. Over five days, experts like Magliocca testified, along with witnesses including two police officers who were at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and California Rep. Eric Swalwell, who was inside the chamber and retiring Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado.

In November, state District Judge Sarah B. Wallace ruled that Trump could remain on Colorado's GOP ballot, but stunningly wrote that he had "engaged in insurrection" on Jan. 6. The decision was quickly appealed to the Colorado Supreme Court, who ordered in a 4-3 decision that Trump had engaged in insurrection and was thus disqualified under Section 3 -- a ruling that was quickly appealed by the former president's team and was taken up by the Supreme Court.

Now, the Supreme Court could have the final say in on the clause as it pertains to Trump, or how it applies to the U.S. presidency in the future.

How did the Trump 14th Amendment case reach the US Supreme Court? originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The news that Prince Harry -- now living in California -- quickly boarded a flight to London to see his father King Charles III after he was diagnosed with cancer has sparked immediate hopes of a reconciliation for many royal watchers.

Harry, 39, had not seen his 75-year-old father in nearly one year, since the king's coronation last May at Westminster Abbey.

His trip last year to the United Kingdom was a short one for Harry, who did not participate in his father's coronation ceremony and who was not seen interacting publicly with either Charles or his older brother Prince William, the heir to the throne.

Harry's trip to the U.K. this week proved to be a short one as well.

Harry reportedly met with his father privately for less than an hour before Charles and his wife Queen Camilla left London to travel to Sandringham, the royal residence in Norfolk, England.

Harry himself flew out of London just over 24 hours after arriving, reportedly staying in a hotel overnight and leaving on Wednesday out of Heathrow Airport.

Though the visit was brief, ABC News royal contributor Robert Jobson noted it was a "heartfelt decision" by Harry to reach out to his father.

"Harry and the king, I think they were always very close," Jobson said. "So deep down, I'm sure he's quite relieved that Harry has reached out to him."

PHOTO: In this Sept. 10, 2022 file photo, Prince William and Prince Harry are seen on the long Walk at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England. (Chris Jackson/POOL/AFP via Getty Images, FILE)

During his time in London, Harry did not meet with William, who is coping with not only their father's cancer diagnosis but also the recent hospitalization of his wife Kate, the Princess of Wales, following abdominal surgery.

William stepped in for his father Wednesday at Windsor Castle, leading an investiture ceremony, and later attended a charity fundraising gala held at a London hotel.

MORE: Prince William makes 1st official appearance amid King Charles, Princess Kate health issues

In his remarks at the gala, William thanked people for the "kind messages of support" for his wife -- who is now recovering at home -- and father, and made no reference to Harry.

The last time the public saw the two brothers -- the only children of Charles and the late Princess Diana -- closely together was in 2022, at the funeral for their beloved grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. At the funeral, Harry and William, along with other royal family members, were part of the procession that followed behind the queen's coffin.

PHOTO: In this Sept. 14, 2022 file photo, (L-R) Peter Phillips, Prince Harry, Prince William and Edward, Earl of Wessex follow the bearer carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II into Westminster Hall ahead of her funeral in London. (Jacob King/WPA Pool/Getty Images, FILE)

Over the past four years, since Harry's departure from his role as a senior working royal, those few formal and brief glimpses of William and Harry are all the public has seen of the once publicly bonded brothers.

When Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, left their royal roles in 2020, they moved to California, where they now live full-time with their two young children, Archie and Lilibet.

William and Kate live in Windsor, England, with their three children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte.

The thousands of miles physically separating the brothers seem to exist on a personal level too.

Harry laid bare the rift between himself and William in his memoir "Spare," in which he refers to William as his "beloved brother and arch nemesis" and recalls verbal and even physical disputes between them.

MORE: Prince Harry flies out of London after quick visit with King Charles

He also wrote of a fractured relationship with Charles, telling "Good Morning America" co-anchor Michael Strahan last year that he did not believe the details shared in "Spare" could make things any worse with his family.

"I don't think that we can ever have peace with my family unless the truth is out there," Harry told Strahan last January, just before "Spare" was released. "There's a lot that I can forgive, but there needs to be conversations in order for reconciliation, and part of that has to be accountability."

PHOTO: In this April 9, 2017 file photo, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry attend the commemorations for the 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge in Lille, France. (Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage via Getty Images, FILE)

Neither Kensington Palace -- William and Kate's office -- nor Buckingham Palace, the office of Charles and Queen Camilla, have commented on the claims Harry made in "Spare."

The absence felt by Harry's departure from his senior royal role has been seen most recently with both Kate and Charles temporarily out of the public eye due to their health issues. In their absence, and without Harry and his wife Meghan to take on official engagements, it has fallen to William and Camilla, along with Charles' siblings, to be the public faces of the royal family.

When William eventually becomes king, the monarchy will be even slimmer, but Jobson said he does not anticipate a reconciliation between William and Harry.

"I think the relationship is already so bad that I don't believe that as king or as regent he would reach out to Harry for support," Jobson said. "I think that as far as he's concerned, Harry's made his bed and he has to lie in it."

Prince Harry's visit with King Charles III, absence of Prince William sparks reconciliation questions originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
The number of tents housing internally displaced people in the southern Gaza border town of Rafah has grown significantly over the past few weeks, according to an ABC News review of satellite images.

Two photos, taken by Planet Labs on Jan. 14 and Feb. 4, reveal the growing number of tents in just one small area outside of Rafah.

Rafah's population has grown amid intense fighting and expanding evacuation orders to the north in the past few weeks. International aid organizations tracking the increase in internally displaced people (IDPs) in Rafah have warned about the potential humanitarian consequences of a threatened incursion by the Israel Defense Forces.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had told the IDF "to prepare to act" in the southern city which he said was among "the last remaining strongholds of Hamas" in remarks on Wednesday.

PHOTO: Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Feb. 8, 2024. (Fatima Shbair/AP)

MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu rejects hostage deal proposal, freed hostages react

Rafah, the site of the only border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, has grown in importance as a refuge for Gaza residents fleeing fighting elsewhere in the enclave. It is seen as one of the last safe places to go in Gaza by many now sheltering there amid the ongoing conflict.

The city's population has increased five-fold since Hamas' terror attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and the initiation of hostilities in Gaza.

At least 27,840 people have been killed and 67,317 have been injured in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. In Israel, at least 1,200 people have been killed and 6,900 others have been injured by Hamas and other Palestinian militants since Oct. 7, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

Some 1.4 million Palestinians, or about two-thirds of Gaza's population, are sheltering in the area, according to a statement Wednesday from the Norwegian Refugee Council.

A review of the conditions in some Rafah shelters revealed issues like a lack of drinking water and the spread of several infectious diseases, according to the NRC.

"Conditions in Rafah are already dire, and a full-scale Israeli military operation will lead to even more loss of civilian life," Angelita Caredda, the NRC's director for the region, said in the statement.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Wednesday that any Israeli military operation "needs to put civilians first and foremost in mind," adding that that was especially true concerning Rafah due to the number of people sheltering there at a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Gaza residents taking refuge in Rafah have described the city as their last option in interviews with ABC News.

Feryal Mahmoud Al-Najjar said he and his family had been displaced multiple times by fighting elsewhere in Gaza.

"Then we came here, to the end of the world, at the Egyptian border, in the end we don't know where to go," he said.

While Rafah has been described as a last refuge and so far has not seen an Israeli ground incursion, the city has not been spared from aerial bombardment so far.

The International Rescue Committee said on Wednesday that in the two days prior, at least 11 people, two of them children, had been killed by airstrikes on residential areas.

ABC News' Victoria Beaule, Samy Zyara, and Helena Skinner contributed to this report.

Satellite images show significant growth in tent housing around Gaza border city originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday is considering a historic challenge to former President Donald Trump's ability to seek the Republican presidential nomination under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment due to his actions around the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

It will be the first time that Trump's status, or that of any presidential candidate, will be considered under this "insurrection" constitutional clause at the nation's highest court, and it is one of the largest presidential election cases heard by the high court since 2000, when they confirmed the election of President George W. Bush over Al Gore.

The landmark case began in September in Colorado, when a group of six Republican and unaffiliated voters represented by the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a challenge against Trump and Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat who oversees the primary election process in the state.

Their lawsuit centered on Section 3, a rarely-invoked, Civil War-era clause that states that someone isn't eligible for future office if, while they were in office, they took an oath to support the Constitution but then "engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or [gave] aid or comfort to the enemies thereof," unless they are granted amnesty by a two-thirds vote of Congress.

PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gestures at a campaign event Jan. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (John Locher/AP, FILE)

Proponents of this theory claim it applies to Trump because of his actions after he lost the 2020 election but sought to reverse the results, including on the morning of Jan. 6. Trump maintains he did nothing wrong and notes that he was acquitted of insurrection by a majority of Republicans in the Senate in 2021.

Colorado's Supreme Court decided in December that Trump would be barred from their GOP primary ballot, ruling that he had "engaged in insurrection" on Jan. 6. They said that Secretary Griswold would commit a "wrongful act" under state election law if she placed his name on the list. The order was quickly appealed by the Colorado Republican party and Trump's legal team to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The case could have lasting implications on the upcoming 2024 general election cycle. It puts Trump (the Republican front-runner) and the justices (including three whom Trump himself named) face to face ahead of what's shaping up to be a consequential rematch between Trump and current President Joe Biden.

The Supreme Court justices are expected to consider some unprecedented constitutional questions during this case and will be confronted with debate over whether Trump engaged in insurrection on Jan. 6. There are sweeping ramifications for the court's reputation, public trust and ongoing litigation against Trump.

PHOTO: The Supreme Court, Feb. 4, 2024. (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images)

What is the Supreme Court deciding?

Did the Colorado Supreme Court rule correctly in ordering Trump is off of the 2024 presidential primary ballot under the 14th Amendment? Is it therefore a "wrongful act" under state election law for him to be placed on the ballot by the Secretary of State?

How will the case be heard?

The Supreme Court agreed in early January to hear this case, docketed as Trump v. Anderson, on Thursday.

After the court convened at 10 a.m. on Thursday, oral arguments were set to start around 10:20 a.m. The arguments are formally allotted 80 minutes total but are expected to exceed this time frame.

Trump's attorney will begin the hearing with an opening statement, followed by questioning from the justices. Next, each justice is called on in order of seniority to have an uninterrupted opportunity to question counsel. This process will replicate for the legal counsel of the Colorado voters and Secretary of State Griswold's representation. The arguments will end with rebuttal by one of Trump's attorneys.

The case will be submitted at the conclusion of oral arguments. The court is not expecting to issue an opinion on the case immediately, though there is a non-binding deadline for a decision: March 5, when Colorado will hold their 2024 primary election.

PHOTO: Sean Grimsley, attorney for the petitioners, delivers closing arguments during a hearing for a lawsuit to keep former President Donald Trump off the Colorado ballot in district court, Nov. 15, 2023, in Denver. (Jack Dempsey/AP, FILE)

Who is representing each side?

Trump will be represented by Jonathan F. Mitchell, a former clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia and a former Texas solicitor general who is credited with devising SB8, Texas' novel anti-abortion law which deputized everyday citizens to bring suits against anyone involved with the procedure. He has previously argued cases before the Supreme Court and has been on the law school faculties of Stanford University, the University of Texas, the University of Chicago and George Mason University.

The Colorado voters who sued to have Trump removed from the ballot will be represented by Jason C. Murray, a Harvard Law graduate and former clerk to Justice Elena Kagan and to Justice Neil Gorsuch, while he was on the 10th Circuit. Murray has extensive trial lawyer experience.

Colorado Secretary of State Griswold will be represented by the state Solicitor General Shannon W. Stevenson, a Duke University law graduate and former appeals court clerk who has a prestigious career in Colorado state law.

Central arguments

The hearing will likely address a number of disputed questions, including whether Section 3 is considered "self-executing" -- meaning, if elections officials wouldn't need special permission from lawmakers to disqualify Trump from the ballot -- the precise application and definition of the "officer" language in the provision, the definition of an insurrection and, most importantly: the application of Section 3 to a presidential candidate.

How did the case play out in Colorado?

The Supreme Court is the final stop in Trump v. Anderson's monthslong journey from a Denver district court.

After the Colorado voters filed their lawsuit in September, a blockbuster five-day evidentiary hearing starting on Oct. 30 was the first time that Section 3 was tried in court against a candidate for the U.S. presidency -- and the first legal test of escalating efforts to keep Trump off GOP primary ballots during the 2024 election.

CREW President Noah Bookbinder has said that his organization brought its suit in Colorado because "it is necessary to defend our republic both today and in the future." Trump and his campaign have dismissed the 14th Amendment clause being used against him, calling it anti-democratic.

Ahead of the Colorado evidentiary hearing, both sides said this case was likely to be punted up to the U.S. Supreme Court.

District Judge Sarah B.Wallace ruled against the group of Colorado voters on Nov. 17, citing "competing interpretations" of the constitutional clause and a "lack of definitive guidance in the text or historical sources" in order to rule its application to Trump.

But she also issued a first-of-its-kind decision that Trump, or any presidential candidate, had engaged in insurrection.

Both the legal team for Trump and the group of Colorado voters then appealed to the Colorado Supreme Court over the lower court's ruling -- the voters over Wallace's final judgment and Trump over her ruling that he engaged in insurrection.

The state Supreme Court took up the case and on Dec. 6 they heard a two-hour hearing. The seven-justice court posed sharp questions central to the case, including on the definition of insurrection; whether the Capitol riot that occurred on Jan. 6 was an insurrection; and whether the "insurrectionist ban" applies to a U.S. president.

A four-justice Supreme Court majority decided on Dec. 19 that the former president "engaged in insurrection" and was thus disqualified from the primary ballot.

"President Trump's direct and express efforts, over several months, exhorting his supporters to march to the Capitol to prevent what he falsely characterized as an alleged fraud on the people of this country were indisputably overt and voluntary," the justices wrote in the majority.

"Moreover," they wrote, "the evidence amply showed that President Trump undertook all these actions to aid and further a common unlawful purpose that he himself conceived and set in motion: prevent Congress from certifying the 2020 presidential election and stop the peaceful transfer of power."

The predicted that the matter would wind up in Washington -- staying the ruling until Jan. 4, saying it would maintain the status quo pending any review from the nation's high court.

What happens to the outstanding 14th Amendment challenges following a Supreme Court ruling?

Dozens of similar challenges to Trump's 2024 candidacy -- filed by individual voters, former politicians, a current Republican presidential candidate and government oversight and watchdog organizations -- have been weighed by lower courts, election boards or secretaries of state over the past year across roughly 34 states.

Trump has been declared ineligible to participate in a state's primary process only twice: by the Colorado Supreme Court and Maine's secretary of state, though he is still on the ballot in both places as each challenge is pending appeal.

Maine was the second state to order Trump off their ballot, with Secretary Shenna Bellows issuing her decision on Dec. 28, a little over a week after Colorado's ruling. That order was appealed by Trump's team to the state's top trial court, which on Jan. 17 deferred ruling until after the Colorado case was settled at the Supreme Court, a ruling that still stands.

At least nine legal challenges related to the 14th Amendment are pending -- 11 total with the Maine and Colorado cases included.

A number of the outstanding challenges were brought by Republican write-in presidential candidate John Anthony Castro, who told ABC News on Tuesday that he has only five pending challenges, in Arizona, New Hampshire, New Mexico, South Carolina and West Virginia. There are also pending challenges in Wyoming, Illinois and Massachusetts courts. Another voter's challenge with the North Carolina State Board of Elections is also pending.

Castro said that his efforts are intended to serve as an insurance policy in the event that the U.S. Supreme Court dismisses the Colorado case on purely procedural grounds. In that case, he could still mount 14th Amendment challenges on merit-based issues, he believes.

If the Supreme Court rules on decisive questions, like that Trump engaged in insurrection, all of the pending challenges could be declared moot. But if the court rules on the case because of election scheduling or state-based election law, 14th Amendment challenges could ostensibly continue across states outside of Colorado.

US Supreme Court hears Trump 14th Amendment case: What to know originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A pair of encouraging news items pushed chipmaking powerhouse Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing's (NYSE: TSM) stock notably higher on Wednesday. The company's shares rose by almost 5% in price, handily beating the 0.8% increase of the bellwether S&P 500 index.

Taiwan Semi posted encouraging sales for January

The first item was Taiwan Semi's latest monthly revenue report.

The company reported that it earned just under 216 billion new Taiwan dollars ($6.9 billion) in January, which was up significantly on both a sequential and an annual basis. The figure was 22% higher than the December 2023 tally and represented a nearly 8% year-over-year improvement.

That alone was a heartening development. Demand for chips remains high, particularly now that there's an arms race in the tech sector to develop compelling artificial intelligence functionalities and apps. This plays very well into the hands of chipmakers like Taiwan Semi.

The second piece of news, divulged a bit earlier than the revenue update, is that a trio of top Japanese corporations is collaborating on an investment in one of the company's business units in that country.

Sony Semiconductor Solutions, Toyota, and former Toyota-owned auto parts company Denso are investing in a second semiconductor factory for Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing (JASM). The latter company is majority-owned by Taiwan Semi. The overall investments into JASM's two factories, located in Kumamoto Prefecture, should exceed $20 billion.

The right kind of company, in the right place

According to Taiwan Semi's press release on the Kumamoto property's investments, they will enjoy "strong support from the Japanese government." Although it wasn't entirely clear what was meant by that, it's a sign that both big business and high officialdom in Asia are able and willing to bolster the continent's chipmaking king.

Should you invest $1,000 in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing right now?

Before you buy stock in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, consider this:

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Why Taiwan Semiconductor Stock Raced Nearly 5% Higher Today was originally published by The Motley Fool
For years, most emerging fashion brands that made an impact came out of New York, Paris, or sometimes Scandinavia or Berlin. But the democratization of the industry has given designers all over the world a platform, meaning it doesnt take a fashion week show or a celebrity placement to find a wider audience. As it turns out, some of the most compelling small brands of late are ideal for winter shopping.

Take Mimchik, for examplethe polished streetwear-adjacent label from Emma Marciano (yep, that Marciano) and Mia Kazovsky thats gained popularity for its oversized leather bombers and double-belt skirts. Its latest collection's longline outerwear and genderless sweaters are ideal for layering. Meanwhile, Shanghai-based brand Short Sentence as well as Ukrainian labels Ienki Ienki and Gushka have found audiences for their off-beat cold-weather basics.

All that goes to say that if you're on the hunt for innovative takes on winter essentials, there's nowhere better to start than with the industry's freshest brands. Ahead, check out 17 emerging fashion labels to discover just in time for winterplus, the best pieces to buy from each.

Gushka

Founded in 2016 by Oleh Lukaniuk and Daryna Furmaniuk, Gushka honors the livestock that graze at the base of the Carpathian mountain range. The heritage brand aims to modernize the traditional craftsmanship that local artisans have used for centuries while also creating beautifully warm, cruelty-free pieces like rugs, pillows, coats, and vestsall designed for harsh Ukrainian winters. Gushkas shaggy coats, with their voluminous plumage, are a highlight for anyone who wants a charming alternative to a classic fur coat.

Short Sentence

After Shanghai-based designer Lin Guan graduated from Parsons, she set out to change the perception of the phrase "Made in China." Guan distributed the line of comfortable, off-kilter basicswhich favors natural materials like wool and cottonat home before landing in e-commerce stores overseas. Nearly a decade after its 2015 launch, Short Sentence is available at Net-a-Porter, IINC, and Seouls SolSol.

Halfboy

Milan-based brand Halfboy, which toes the line between streetwear and normcore with its 80s- and 90s-inspired cold-weather separates, is popular on fashion favorites Net-a-Porter, SSENSE, and Farfetch. The brands aesthetic isnt exactly singular, but its genderfluid designs capture the best of several worlds: boxy, oversized outerwear, exaggerated suiting, and sheer button-down tops inspired by various Italian music-driven subculturesand are sized as such.

Rus

Sustainable knitwear brand Rus, founded by two sisters in Galicia, Spain, has such a fun point of view. Each knit takes inspiration from the fluidity of naturewhich is beautifully evident in the labels almost-unfinished, boxy silhouettes. Many of the brand's sweaters boast frayed edges in a reverse-weave motif, while other standout pieces hang off the shoulder asymmetrically.

Ienki Ienki

You may or may not have seen this Ukrainian, ski-centric outerwear brand on your feed before. Its retro, colorful aesthetic is almost instantly recognizable on the slopes in Europe, but it still has a way to go stateside. Still, each of Ienki Ienki's pieces are made for the elements: Its signature padded separates are insulated with down filler and are about as water- and wind-resistant as it gets.

Tolu Coker

British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker is an artist first and a designer second, though both go hand in hand. Her work focuses on deconstructing the complexities that surround diasporic Black identity, and many of her collections give back to marginalized communities while pushing the boundaries of what it means to be "well-dressed." Sustainably designed from upcycled deadstock in London, Cokers pieces are nothing short of a delight to wearand her eye landed her a spot in Net-a-Porters covetable Vanguard global mentorship program.

Arakii

This knitwear-forward brand by Stockholm-based content creator Hanna Schonberg is just, well, fun. Each piece feels like the epitome of quiet luxury meets Scandi street styleand with materials like vegetable-tanned scrap leather and mohair wool, each piece is made to last.

Mimchik

Founded by Emma Marciano and Mia Kazovsky, LA-based label Mimchik has been co-signed by Emily Ratajkowski and Renee Rapp, who wore the brands beloved leather moto jacket on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert in mid-January. Now stocked at FWRD, the brand has made a name for itself by creating easy-to-wear, almost genderless separates, dresses, and outerweareach with a small, albeit enchanting detail. (A teeny bow at the collarbone adorns an otherwise simple tank, while the brands Maria Jean boasts a subtle D-ring on the belt loop for a throwback feel.)

Anne Isabella

L.A.-based shoppers may recognize Anne Isabella from concept store Maimoun, a trove of emerging brands with a smart POV. Berlin-based designer Anne Isabella Rasmussen graduated from Central Saint Martins and studied under labels like Jil Sander, Kenzo, and Courregesand the elevated refinement shows. Not only is every piece handmade, but each consciously crafted design has a nostalgic, almost-psychedelic vibe.

Tach

A fun and imaginative knitwear-forward brand out of Uruguay, Tach is available at the likes of SSENSE and Shopbopand Kendall Jenner even just gave the label a try. Its only a matter of time before this brand as recognizable as, say, Lisa Says Gah.

Amomento

Amomento is technically a concept shop out of Seoul, but its in-house line of outerwear and knits make it one to know for the colder seasons. While styling them well is key, the vintage-inspired designs make for chic cozy separates that keep you warm while looking cool.

Ree Projects

Amsterdam-based designer Desiree Kleinen is reimagining the way the industry uplifts women of color with Ree Projects, her eponymous luxury label of sumptuous, on-trend handbags. Made in northern Italy from fine Italian leather, each bag is equal parts sculptural and easy to wear.

Kimeze

Founded by London-based sister duo Christina and Claire Kimeze, this genderless eyewear brand draws inspiration from the founders' African heritage. Each pair of sunglasses and opticals are hand-made from Mazzucchelli acetate by a family of artisans in the foothills of the Italian Alps.

Wynn Hamlyn

Auckland designer Wynn Hamlyns eponymous label will celebrate its ten-year anniversary this year, and in that time, its become a go-to for it-girls who gravitate towards relaxed, feminine silhouettes with a modern twist. Hamlyn takes simple designslike boxy, single-breasted blazersand makes them feel fresh.

Anton Belinskiy

Kyiv-based artist (and 2015 LVMH Prize semifinalist) Anton Belinskiy isnt exclusively a handbag designer, but some would argue its what he does best. Either way, all his pieces reflect modern-day Ukraine with playful, avant-garde details like inside-out labelsand cool kids cant get enough of it.

Eenk

Founded by Hyemee Lee, Eenk champions refined style thats equal parts timeless and special. Its bold silhouettes and pliable knits feature details that you just can't help but notice.

Danz

Founded at the dawn of the pandemic, this easy-to-wear, Y2K-inspired brand out of New York champions community. Designer Danica Zheng makes each piece in small batches from materials like bioleather and Seacell, a sustainable, closed-loop biodegradable fabric.

Up Next: Affordable Cashmere Dupes Are Taking Over TikTokHere's How to Choose a Quality Piece

Read the original article on Byrdie.
Tucson chef Mateo Otero leads T+L to the best Sonoran food you'll find stateside.

Casey James/Courtesy of Rollie's Mexican Patio

Mesquite wood, cactus paddles, beans, chiltepin, and Sonoran flour are a few of the building blocks of the dynamic and delicious Sonoran cuisine that focuses on chili-laden sauces, smoky grilled meats, and large flour tortillas. The Sonoran Desert is a sprawling geographical region that encompasses Southern Arizona up to the Mogollon Rim, the southeastern corner of California, the entire state of Sonora, Mexico, the Baja California peninsula of Mexico, and the Gulf of California and its islands. So it tracks that Tucson, Arizona, is one of the best places in the United States to sample Sonoran cuisine. In fact, in 2015 Tucson was designated a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, in large part due to its Sonoran food culture.

Nobody knows this better than Mateo Otero, a Tucson native whose grandfather immigrated from Hermosillo, Mexico, which is right in the center of Sonora.

The influence of Sonora is the backbone of our family, Otero said. Thats where most Tucsonians families come from.

Casey James/Courtesy of Rollie's Mexican Patio

Otero, who learned to cook from his grandfather, is the founder and owner of Rollies Mexican Patio on the south side of the city. The hot pink and teal restaurant serves his namesake rollies tacos (which are similar to taquitos, but covered in either a queso sauce or a brothy enchilada sauce and other toppings); flat enchiladas (a Sonoran specialty where deep-fried masa corncakes are topped with enchilada sauce, cheese, cabbage, and olives); Nonnas tacos (a classic Sonoran taco with ground beef and peas); and birria ramen (a combination of birria meat and sauce and ramen), among other Sonoran-influenced creative creations.

When I met Otero at his restaurant last year, I made sure to get all his recommendations for the best Sonoran restaurants in Tucson. Here, some of the best places to eat Sonoran food in Tucson, according to a local.

Courtesy of Visit Tucson

For Sonoran fine dining, this is Oteros top pick. I just love the service over there, you always know you're going to get A-one service, he said. Aside from an excellent mesquite-grilled rib-eye served with roasted tomato salsa and flour tortillas, one of Oteros favorite dishes is their lobster tamalada. Its a whole lobster thats stuffed with a green-corn tamale, and it comes out with a butter candle, which is a cup of melted butter with a candle underneath, he said.

Jackie Tran/Courtesy of Visit Tucson

I'm a breakfast guy, Otero said, and his favorite spot for the most important meal of the day is this cafe with two locations. Its known for its inventive pancake flavors and Sonoran-fusion egg dishes. Otero usually goes for one of their Benedicts, of which they have a whopping 14 different options. These include the Mesquit, which features a grilled tamale pie on New Mexico sauce, topped with lightly smoked short ribs, poached eggs, and smoked gouda cheese sauce, and garnished with pico de gallo, cotija, and crisp corn tortilla strips, and the Coyote, with a toasted English muffin topped with Hatch green chilies, three slices of jalapeno bacon, and two poached eggs, smothered in a chipotle hollandaise sauce. A lot of their dishes have different chilies in the different sauces, Otero said. It's all about the sauces."

This coffee spot on the citys west side is known for its breakfast burritos as much as its coffee, with a near-constant line outside. Its [run by] this awesome family, and they have a little hole in the wall, like a 20-foot by 20-foot building, Otero said. Instead of giving one big burrito they give two little burritos and they're pressed, like in a panini press. It's delicious, and they use a chiltepin salsa for the burritos. I usually get the chorizo burrito."

Ive been going here since I was probably 19, Otero said. Nowadays, theres a bunch of new-style mariscos. And thats good, but you just cant go wrong with the classic Mariscos Chihuahua. This long-standing seafood spot has dishes like shrimp and octopus cocktails, various seafood soups, marlin and shrimp tacos, and their famous Camarones Culichi, with shrimp sauteed in their house spices and served in a creamy green chile sauce.

When Otero wants more modern seafood with a twist, he goes to one the three locations of this new-school mariscos restaurant owned by his friend, Bochas, who is from Sonora. He does crazy stuff, like sushi-style mariscos, he does mariscos towers, and he uses a lot of salsa negra, Otero said. The cocktails here are funky and tasty as well, he added.

Jackie Tran/Courtesy of Visit Tucson

This family-owned Mexican bakery has been holding it down in Tucson since 1986 and is known for its flour tortillas, doughnuts, and traditional pan dulce like concha, chamuco, and the Mexican flag cookie, the bandero. "I always like a good glazed doughnut and a concha," Otero asid.

Although BKs was not the first to bring the Sonoran hot dog to Tucson (that would be El Guero Canelo, which won a James Beard Foundation Americas Classics award in 2018), BKs is still legendary. Otero loves their robust condiment bar with loads of toppings. Otero remembers having his first taste of a Sonoran hot dog  a bacon-wrapped hot dog thats grilled and topped with beans, onions, tomatoes, and various other condiments  in Hermosillo, and his dad used to make them at home.

Another Tucson icon, El Minuto has been around since the 1930s, and Otero used to work for them as a teenager. If we want that traditional classic Mexican food, wed go to El Minuto," he said. Menu items include tostadas, chimichangas, tacos, burros, and enchiladas.

For incredible spices, Otero drives about an hour south to this store in a small town called Tumacacori. They have the best chiltepins, and New Mexican chili, all ground down to a powder, or you can get them fresh in the pods, he said.

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When one hears Lunar New Year is near, one thinks of Chinese dragon dancing, firecrackers, dumplings, and red envelopes. But what are you drinking during these celebrations? Luckily were in a renaissance of Asian-American cocktails. You can find flavors that distill Chinese medicinal herbs, baijiu, and Korean citruses at your neighborhood bar these days. Whether its your first time celebrating Lunar New Year, or youve got centuries old family traditions to honor, weve found the best bars in New York City to ring in the Year of the Dragon.

Asian-Americans are pulling their drinking culture and cuisine out of the categorization of niche and into the embrace of mainstream consumers. Sean Ro, the co-founder of Lunar Hard Seltzer, is an innovator in the alcohol and beverage industry. He went back to his South Korean roots to find inspiration for the flavors that made his hard seltzer company a staple not only amongst Asian-Americans but young seltzer aficionados across the country

I spent some of my childhood in Korea, and I still have family there, so it's very much a big part of my identity and who I am," says Ro. So, the yuzu and the Korean plum are flavors that I grew up with. And Kevin Wong [co-owner], drew inspiration from the summertime visits that he would make to see his grandmother in Taiwan for the lychee and passion fruit seltzers. We wanted to share the things that make us who we are.

A cocktail can tell a story about the past and where weve been, or weave a new narrative for the future. The following establishments are not only going to be a blast to celebrate in, but they all boast cocktail menus using heritage inspired flavors from Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong in bold flavor combinations.

Bonnies

Justin Sisson

Bonnies is cementing itself as the go-to place to celebrate Lunar New Year in Williamsburg. Their specially crafted cocktail for this Year of the Dragon is the Dragon Dreamsicle, a delightful mix of Chinese and American flavors just like the rest of Bonnies menu. It features D'Usse Cognac, Ming River baijiu, Cointreau and a mandarin orange milk blended with some vanilla. Its sweet, tangy, with a deep undercurrent from the strong floral notes of the baijiu. Calvin Eng, chef and owner, found inspiration for the new cocktail from the Chinese tradition of gifting oranges as a symbol of good luck to loved ones for Lunar New Year. Mandarin oranges are such a symbolic fruit during Lunar New Year," says Eng. "The leafy Mandarin oranges are all over Chinatown. It's what we give as gifts, and it's what we have in the house." Eng suggests pairing the Dreamsicle with the salt and pepper squid and the BLT fried rice.

Reception Bar

Minu Han (@minu.gentlerain)

Reception Bar, has become an integral part of the Chinatown neighborhood in Lower Manhattan. Owner Katie Rue looks forward to every Lunar New Year, when the lion dancers from Chinatown come down her street and come into the bar to bless their space for the year to come. Rue uses South Korean flavors from her culture to flavor the soju forward cocktails in her bar. She recommends the Yuja 88 to get the citrus flavor many people associate with Lunar New Year. Its made with yuja, and the whole point is for us to showcase that yuja is different from yuzu, Rue says. Everyone kind of knows the Japanese yuzu, but they aren't familiar with other citrons from different parts of Asia. It's a little bit sweeter than the yuzu counterpart. The cocktail Yong Blood, also reminds Rue of the festive occasion. Yong in Korean means dragon, says Rue. It's also a red colored drink, and it's called Yong Blood because it has a deep purple color from our bokbunja wine, which is a Korean wild berry wine. It also has a little bit of spiciness with the Korean pepper infused soju.





Ms. Yoo

Courtesy: Sirena He

With splashes of neon pink signage and dangling flowers and vines adorning the ceiling, Ms. Yoo feels like an indoor greenhouse and a disco in one. The upstairs, nicknamed Mr. Yoo, boasts DJs every weekend. The first floor space is where you'll find their extensive cocktail menu as well as many Korean-American bites. Karl LaMarca, resident bartender, recommends the Stairway to Heaven, a Thai basil infused vodka drink thats sweetened with pineapple juice and topped by Gochugaru powder. Gochugaru is a chili powder often used to flavor kimchi, and it gives a deliciously tart and spicy bite to the sweet cocktail. The Winter Sonata is another fun venture in combining South Korean flavors with American favorites. It's an old fashioned that adds plum vinegar to the mix and glazed with a tiny drop of sesame oil that gives it a decadent and nutty flavor.

Hutong

Tsingtao USA

Hutong mixes authentic Chinese dishes with chic elegant interiors to make you feel like youre dining at Jay Gatsbys house, if Gatsby had chef well trained in Northern Chinese cuisine. This Year of the Dragon there will be even more to celebrate, as Tsingtao, one of the most recognizable Chinese beers, partners with Hutong for custom cocktails and dishes. The Xingreng Pijiu is a drink that combines Tsingtao with tomato juice with a spiced rim made of ground Sichuan peppercorns and chilis. For a lighter more sweet refreshment, the Qingfu Pijiu features passion fruit mixed with the classic light flavor of Tsingtao. The Lunar New Year menu includes lobsters, roasted pork belly, and smoked tiger prawns.

Yes Apothecary

Faith Baker

Entering Yes feels like stepping into a Chinese herbal medicine shop in a 1970s neo-noir film. Its lit by fringed lampshades, and the bar is stacked high with wooden drawers. You wouldnt be surprised if a bartender reached into one of the drawers to pull out a bottle of herbs youve never heard of before and distilled it into a concoction of your liking. Robert Lam-Burns, beverage director at Yes Apothecary, is an expert on baijiu. He recommends the Red Sorghum and the Fortunella Sazerac for your Lunar New Year night out. The Red Sorghum is a staple on our baijiu menu, Lam-Burns says. It's a really simple cocktail with Ming River baijiu, Aperol, pineapple juice, lime, and osmanthus jelly, which is like osmanthus tea and a syrup. It's a really nice introduction to baijiu. The Fortunella Sazerac brings Chinese flavors to a classic recipe. Fortunella is the kumquat tree," Lam-Burns says, "so we use a kumquat syrup, cognac, amaro and bitters.

Wenwen



Wenwen

Wenwen is serving Taiwanese authentic dishes with a twist in Greenpoint, and their cocktails are no different. They can dish up a classic whole striped bass with black sugar yuzu vinaigrette and a BDSM fried chicken sandwich which stands for Brined, Deboned, Soy Milk-Battered Yellow-Fat Chicken. Wenwen's new cocktail for the Lunar New Year is aptly named Year of the Dragon cocktail for its spicy elements.

The main spirit is tequila, and it has lime juice, a little bit of bird's eye chili for that kick, and ancho reyes poblano liqueur, which is another spice, and garnished with a few dots of our housemade chili oil, says General Manager Farid Subandi. The cocktail may have you breathing fire. But you can put the flames out with the fixed menu that Wenwen will be serving on Lunar New Year, which features a whole cooked fish and noodles.

Mood Ring

Bushwicks most cosmic bar, Mood Ring, has been celestially aligned ever since its opening. Their dance floor has plenty of room to dirty dance or talk about your astrological sign. Owners Bowen Goh, who is Chinese-American, and Vanessa Li, whose family is from Hong Kong, bonded over their mutual love of Wong Kar-Wai films. The lounge space and the cocktail menu boast influences from the iconic auteur and astrological seasons. Gohs favorite cocktail is The Days of Being Wild. It's one of Wong Kar-Wai's films from the early 90s," says Goh. "We really wanted to pay homage to his work through the cocktails in terms of how we come up with the recipes and the names."

This Lunar New Year try the Bathtub. It's Mood Ring's Aquarius season cocktail, a fun play on the scandalous scene from the film Saltburn. "We use spicy Serrano tequila with grapefruit soda and a lychee liqueur," says Goh. "So it's a little bit sweet, slightly bitter, a little bit spicy as well."

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Bulgari and Save the Children celebrated their 15th anniversary working together on Wednesday night at Casa Cipriani in New York with an intimate cocktail party hosted by Veronica Bulgari.

The fine jeweler brought together a group of industry executives and creatives to celebrate the charitable milestone. During the 15-year partnership, Bulgari has raised $105 million benefiting roughly 2 million children in 37 countries, aiming to provide educational opportunities, youth empowerment, emergency responses and to fight against poverty.

More from WWD

I vividly remember when we began the partnership and I remember thinking  I had children who were quite young  and I thought this is what we should be doing, supporting children, Bulgari said during the event. Its such an important cause and its our future. They are the most vulnerable in our world. I also think it was one of the first partnerships and, really for a big company, to start giving back and really doing it with rigor and seriousness. Now 15 years later, we can say that weve accomplished that and will continue to do so.

Bulgaris new pendant necklace.

In addition to the cocktail party, Bulgari celebrated the anniversary with the release of a new pendant necklace as part of its Save the Children collection. The necklace was showcased in Bulgaris #WithMeWithYou campaign starring Anne Hathaway, Law Roach, Eva Herzigova, Jon Kortajarena and Beatrice Venezi.

The Bulgari partnership helped build Save the Children in Italy because it gave us credibility, it gave us a reputation where we started from scratch there, said Janti Soeripto, the president and chief operating officer of the organization. We started in Italy only in the late 90s, early 2000s, so having Bulgari with us side-by-side gave us so much more than the funding, the brand, the awareness, the events, the amazing collection that brings so much to so many, but it also gave us a real foundation and a circle of support in Italy, which is now one of the strongest countries in the Save the Children global movement.

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Taking care of our kiddos doesnt come cheap, to put it lightlyand if youre feeling the burn, youre far from alone. Childcare costs are expensiveand on the rise across the country, especially after the childcare cliffbut the prices also vary a lot based on where you live and what type of childcare provider you choose.

A new report finds that, on average, families dole out more than $11,000 a year per child in center-based care. That means families spend approximately 13% of their income in order for their child to receive care from a daycare center. On the flip side, home-based care is about $8,500 a year per kiddothats about 10% of the average familys income each year.

But whats actually considered affordable childcare for most US families is far lesshighlighting an urgent need for greater federal investments in childcare.

The data comes from ChildCare Awares Child Care Data Center and the U.S. Census, and was analyzed by GOBankingRates. The costs assessed were care for infants, toddlers and 4-year-olds, and the report breaks down the states where childcare is most expensive and most affordable.

Which states have the most expensive childcare costs?

According to the report, the priciest states for care were New Mexico, California, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Washington. States with the most affordable care included North and South Dakota, New Hampshire, Utah, Maryland and Missouri.

In South Dakota, for example, the median family income is $81,470. Center-based care costs $7,1768.81% of a familys incomewhile home-based care runs $5,429.

In New Mexico, the median family income is $59,007. There, center-based daycare costs $9,243 a yeartaking up 15.66% of incomeand home-based care costs $8,101.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, affordable childcare is defined as no more than 7% of a persons income. Based on that criteria, not a single state provides affordable childcare for residents.

A separate 2023 Care.com survey of 3,000 parents found that 67% of parents are spending 20% or more of their annual household income on childcareup from 51% of parents in 2022. Also, 89% of parents pay 10% or more of their yearly income on childcare, and thats up from 72% of parents in 2022. Its clear that care costs are becoming a bigger line item on families budgets, with no end in sight.

You can see the full breakdown of childcare costs in every state here.

How more spending on childcare affects women in the workforce

The average child care payment went up 32% since 2019, the Bank of America Institute reported, and the childcare cliff (the ending of pandemic-era childcare support in 2023) surely impacted childcare costs and accessibility for millions of families across the country.

Even though households seem to be saving more money in general since 2019, families who have to shoulder childcare costs have been spending at a slower pace since May 2023, the report showed.

The costs of care surely have a significant ripple effect for women in particular. The high prices could be forcing some people to leave work to care for their kids. And though the report didnt evaluate sex or gender to see if women were bearing the brunt of the workforce exit, its likely that this is the case, per Motherlys previous reporting.

Wendy Chun-Hoon, Womens Bureau Director at the National Database of Childcare Prices at the Department of Labor, acknowledges this direct effect when it comes to womens workforce participation. [W]here childcare prices are highmothers are less likely to be employed outside the home, even in places with higher wages, she says in a statement. Reducing out-of-pocket childcare expenses for families would support higher employment, particularly among women, lift more families out of poverty, and reduce disparities in employment and early care and education.
Premium lounges will be in New York's JFK, Boston, and Los Angeles airport.

Courtesy Delta Airlines

Delta Air Lines passengers will soon have another, more "premium," lounge to head to in major airports throughout the United States this year.

The new spaces are coming to New Yorks John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), the airline shared with Travel + Leisure on Thursday.



Opening first at JFK, the premium lounge will feature a chefs kitchen, wellness area, and a large outdoor terrace that can be utilized all year. The lounge, which is scheduled to open in June 2024, will be the largest-ever for Delta, at 38,000 sq. feet.



Courtesy Delta Airlines

The LAX and BOS lounges are both scheduled to open towards the end of 2024, with all three including "elements inspired by and unique to its host city."

Parameters and guidelines as to who is eligible to enjoy the premium spaces are still finalized.

Premium lounge customers should feel welcomed and known when they walk in the door, just as they would at their favorite hotel or restaurant," Deltas Vice President for Sky Club and Lounge Experience Claude Roussel said in a statement. "We look forward to providing that warm welcome and making premium feel personal for each guest.

Courtesy Delta Airlines

The new, premium lounges will complement the portfolio of Delta Sky Clubs, which are also expanding. Delta announced a list of new openings and expansions of the traditional Delta Sky Club in the following markets:

New York - LaGuardia Airport (LGA) - New expansion opening early summer 2024 in Terminal C

Miami - Miami International Airport (MIA) - New expansion opening in the middle of 2024

Charlotte - Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) - New 15,000 sq. foot lounge that can accommodate 250 people opening towards the end of 2024

Seattle - Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) - Delta will open a second lounge, in Terminal A, towards the end of 2024

Delta began modifying the access procedure for Delta Sky Clubs in 2022, by limiting visits for cardholders. In 2023, the airline announced additional changes that starting in February 2025, American Express Platinum cardholders will be limited to ten visits to the Delta Sky Club annually.



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Every morning at sunrise, a monk named Samting practises his puja on a remote mountain in the Nepali Himalayas. He performs three prostrations, touches his forehead to the altar cloth, then settles himself down cross-legged and starts to chant. One morning at 6am, I joined him.

It was just us, surrounded by 500-year-old frescoes  crumbling, cracked but bright in colour  in the shrine room of Khutsab Terenga, the oldest Nyingma Buddhist monastery in Lower Mustang. This sparse, grey plateau, swept with the scent of juniper, is the gateway to the Kingdom of Lo, which was a semi-autonomous state until Nepal became a federal republic in 2008. Westerners were allowed in only 30 years ago.

500-year-old frescoes on the oldest Nyingma Buddhist monastery in Lower Mustang

James Hiltons Lost Horizon was a book I grew up with. Childhood curiosity rekindled, I was longing to visit this remote region, which contains eight of the 14 highest peaks in the world over 8,000m (26,000ft) but has so many other tales to tell.

Its just 60 miles from the city of Pokhara, but adventurous travellers have to brave a 15-minute plane or helicopter flight described by one as terrifying, exhilarating but quick or a nine-hour drive along a narrow, muddy track with a 1,000ft drop in order to arrive at a place that seems more Tibetan than Tibet itself (which is less than 60 miles away, but has been occupied by China since 1959).

Heseltine: A second Buddha passed this way in the eighth century, cementing Buddhism in Tibet

After meditating for an hour, Samting leapt up. Today is an auspicious day, when we honour our ancient legacy, he said, pointing to a footprint in stone beside the altar left here by Guru Rinpoche. The scowling second Buddha passed this way in the eighth century, vanquishing demons and cementing Buddhism in Tibet. Just at that moment, the notion of a 21st century felt very far away indeed.

And thats just how the team at Shinta Mani Mustang, which opened here last summer, wants me to feel. Every day, I would jump into chapters of living history accompanied by Sagrit, my personal guide from the hotel. We followed in Guru Rinpoches footsteps, treading ancient spice routes, exploring Tibetan communities, sitting in dark meditation caves, walking through scented pine forests, or just chatting with pilgrims on their way to the Vishnu temple of Muktinath.

But first comes breakfast, served in the lee of three stupas, Buddhisms stone burial mounds.

A typical Thakali lunch

Welcome to the windy valley, Ong Annabel, teased Abhishek, my butler, as he attempted to conquer a billowing green tablecloth. Yogurt laced with chia seeds, granola and honey was the only concession to European food I was allowed. Thakali lunches of rice drizzled with oil, curries, dhals and kimchi were eaten on the hoof, while evening meals celebrated ingredients farmed and foraged locally (including, on one night, nine courses of momos  pillows of soft dough  the last gooey with chocolate).

Our guests can afford to dine anywhere, so we give them a taste of the Himalayas, explained explorer and hotelier Jason Friedman, one of a trio of men whose vision created Shinta Mani Mustang.

Bill Bensley, the compelling design genius, who zip-wires his guests over a waterfall into his Cambodian lodge, Shinta Mani Wild, was invited by Friedman and Namgyal Sherpa, the hotels owner, to bring sympathetic, sustainable luxury to the Nepali Himalayas.

State of the art: the bar at Shinta Mani Mustang

Everything that could be, was repurposed, even the low stone building, originally a 100-room hotel designed by Nepali architect Prabal Thapa. Now it is state of the art, with 29 richly carpeted bedrooms, sheets flown in from Thailand, blankets made in cashmere (and also sold in Hermes) and floor-to-ceiling windows. Imposing close up, it is nevertheless but a speck on a magnificent landscape gleaming across a valley cut by the Kali Gandaki river, fast, wild and milky grey.

Anywhere along that riverbed, you might find a black ammonite pushed up from sea level by the Indian and Eurasian plates crashing together. Theres a huge one in the sleek black bar, from where you can look out over the silvery slopes of the sacred Niligiri mountain.

A black ammonite in Shinta Mani Mustangs bar

Indeed, everything inside the walls tells a tale of the outside, from the yaks tails feathering the bamboo seat where I wrote under a landscape painting by artist Robert Powell, to the soothing pink Himalayan salt bricks beside my bathtub, and the staggered paving that slows the pace and my thoughts. Even the protective colours of orange, white and black  daubed on to stacked pebbles and painted in stripes down the side of the puja room  have been chosen by Bensley for a reason.

Stripes on the side of the puja room

On the way to the Vishnu temple of Muktinath you will see three Bodhisattva buddhas painted in these colours, which symbolise the trinity of gifts for good meditation practice, explained the doctor Tsewang Gyurme Gurung when I met him for my health check-up. The walls have to be repainted every time it rains, signalling the impermanence of life.

Amchi Tsewang Gyurme Gurung is an 11th-generation doctor of traditional Tibetan medicine who leads the wellness centre at Shinta Mani. He felt my pulse in order to read my health. (This isnt a gimmick to entertain guests. At 10,000ft, altitude sickness is taken seriously around here.) Shinta Mani is attracting a different kind of visitor; not just young trekkers and climbers but those drawn to stay for a while, to explore a kind of Shangri-La, a utopian lamasery. (Bill Gates has already sent his family here.)

Amchi Tsewang Gyurme Gurung, a doctor of traditional Tibetan medicine

I had spent two days acclimatising at the palatial Newari-style Dwarikas hotel in Kathmandu, followed by some gentle hiking at Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge high above the busy town of Pokhara, gateway to the Himalayas. The plantation-style building, opened by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1998, near where the then Prince Charles camped on his private 1981 trek, has just celebrated its 25th anniversary. It was, until the arrival of Shinta Mani last year, Nepals leading mountain destination, welcoming royals, conservationists and writers, including Isabella Tree when she was researching her book The Living Goddess.

Heseltine: The protective colours of orange, white and black are chosen for a reason

Today, co-owner Marcus Cotton is happy to accept a new role, welcoming adventurers before and after their visits to the high Himalayas. He recognises the benefits of the arrival of a new high-end hotel for a Nepal keen to banish its reputation as a $10-a-day budget paradise for travellers.

Marpha, an hours walk from Shinta Mani, is a typical Tibetan village draped with fluttering prayer flags. The clean, white roofs are piled with gnarled wood and hung protectively with brightly painted animal skulls. Stone irrigation channels built by Shinta Mani are one of its contributions to improving local life.

The writer Annabel Heseltine with prayer flags in Marpha

But on the day I visited, the village was almost empty. After a Thakali curry cooked by Kamala Lalchan, the owner of the Apple Paradise Teahouse, who also owns a farm and runs a womens co-operative, I found out why. Outside, prayer wheels were rattling clockwise, flipped by men shouldering a shrouded stretcher.

They are burying an important man, I was told by Sagrit, my personal SMM guide. Its only a half sky burial; his body will be burnt up there. He pointed to a stupa hewn from the rocks. (A full sky burial is when a priest portions a body and leaves it out on the mountain to be eaten by vultures. It seems innately practical in a landscape hard with permafrost and scant of tree.)

The next day, we hiked  there was no road  into Lubra, a village founded in the 12th century. Here, 14 families living in rammed-earth houses practise the animistic Bon religion, elements of which are 18,000 years old, predating Buddhism. The story of an 800-year-old walnut tree planted by its founder, the great Bon Lama Tashi Gyalzen, is vividly re-enacted in paintings on the wall of a small temple overlooked by hundreds of sky caves.

Monastery on hill top overlooking Thini village, oposite Shinta Mani

High above the track, these have been honed out of curious serpentine cliffs for more than a millennium, first as places to leave dead bodies, then as places to hide, and then as meditation chambers. The tension between the beautiful but ruthless mountains surrounding us and the brave and profound spirituality of the mountain people living here was brought home to me again and again in my visit to Shinta Mani. It was humbling and challenging; there is absolutely nothing here which reminds me of my own real life. Not praying with an amchi, talking to a lama or in my meeting with the former king of Lo at the end of my stay in Nepal.

Call me Jigme, he said, when I met him outside the Himalayan Java coffee shop near the Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu.

Over tea at his home within a monastery created by his great-uncle, he told me of his sons marriage last July.

I wanted to hold his wedding to a Nepali princess in Kathmandu, but the people came to me and asked me to hold it in Mustang in the old way, he said. So we put her on a horse. He showed me a photo that showed him escorting his sons bride, wearing a huge silk hat trimmed in fur. Behind them, set out on an almost lunar landscape, dressed in brocade and wearing khatas (white ceremonial scarves) were 200 men on horseback. A wedding day like no other, in the land of lost horizons.

Essentials

Annabel Heseltine travelled with Cazenove+Loyd (020 7384 2332; cazloyd.com), which offers a tailor-made 10-day trip to Nepal including five nights at Shinta Mani (full board with all guides, transfers, excursions and spa treatments), two nights at Tiger Mountain and three nights at Dwarikas from 8,395 excluding flights

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Style Points is a weekly column about how fashion intersects with the wider world.

Of all the fashion archetypes to come revving back, the society swan was perhaps the least expected. Mile-high Kenneth updos and double strands of pearls may be relegated to the distant past, but only a few episodes into the FX series Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans, the looks of the novelists smart set, as incarnated by an all-star cast that includes Naomi Watts and Chloe Sevigny, are all over my timeline.

Tonights episode was set at the social apex of that epoch: the Black and White Ball Capote held in at the Plaza Hotel in 1966. And who better to bring back the fashion of that bygone gala than Zac Posen? Its definitely in my vernacular, the designer tells me of the era. While Posen was having dinner with his friend Gus Van Sant, who directed the majority of the series, the auteur mentioned that he was working on a project about Capote and his swans. I was like, Well, Gus, if youre going to make some gowns, lets make sure that the Charles James gowns are done right. And then a few days later, hes like, Actually, its Answered Prayers [Editors Note: an unfinished novel by Capote], and its a later period of time. Soon enough, Posen had secured the job of outfitting the swans for the event. (The costume designer for the overall series is Lou Eyrich.)



Courtesy of FX

He went into what he calls this crazy web of research, he tells me. You know when you see people mapping out a murder mystery, where its like a spiderweb? He dug into everything from Ron Galellas photographs of social fixtures to illustrations by Paul Block and Joe Eula and Cecil Beatons writings. (In his apartment, Posen is sitting in front of wall-to-wall shelves of books, and our conversation is punctuated with cries of hold on, Im going to go to my library.)

Courtesy of Zac Posen

It helped that, as Posen says, the party was the most documented social event of its time. Truman curated his list with Old World society, New World media, celebrities, and subcultures that he thought were interesting. And that had really never been done in New York. One source even gave Posen VHS recordings of CBS live broadcast from the entrance to the ball, a true marker of its mainstream importance.

They all wanted to outdo each other, he says of the boldfaced, elaborately masked names who attended. It was playful. To bring this fashion-as-competition element to life, Posen created boards for each character based on all his research, but he still had to use his imagination. For example, in the case of Slim Keith, played by Diane Lane, Posen was unable to find any extant images of her at the event. (Certain people did not get photographed, he explains. There was an option for them to go through a side entrance to not get photographed, because it was maybe considered tacky.)



Courtesy of Zac Posen

Next, he says, I went on a crazy swatching spree, where I started collecting materials and textures, because this all had to be made in four and a half weeks. I went to the last remaining silk flower place in New York, trying to find the dead stock of molds that were made at that time period, He constructed pieces on mannequins sculpted to resemble each actress body, building each character as if they were evil aquatic birds. (It helped that he knows, and has dressed, several of the actresses in the cast.)

When show creator Ryan Murphy visited Posens fathers painting studio in New York Citys SoHo neighborhood, where he was building the dresses, he said, This is amazing, I love it. But I didnt hire you to recreate history. Which was exciting for Posen to hear, because it gave him even more creative license. This is the first time in my career I think Ive ever heard more, jokes Posen. It was an Oliver moment.



Courtesy of Zac Posen

Feeling free to heighten and embellish led him down interesting creative paths. For Sevigny, as C. Z. Guest, he created a gown with 3-D flowers that resembled equestrian prizes. For C. Z., as an equestrian, as a classicist, that was my homage and kind of a glass of milk to Mainbocher, he says, referencing the couturier she often wore.



For Demi Moores scandal-plagued character Ann Woodward, who is a bit of an outsider to the scene, Posen asked himself, What would make that feel vulnerable? The result was a psychedelic outfit with feathers, and crystals, and sparkle, because she was Miss Hollywood. It was a little bit of somebody who had been a star. Moore loved her headpiece, which was this crystal veil with these amazing Artemis plumages, because I wanted to show the fragility of somebody nervous. Truman, in the show, calls her a peafowl, not a swan, somebody who wants to be swanning, but is just not.



Courtesy of FX

Babe Paley, as played by Watts, was a supermodel, in a way, of her time, he says. So I started looking at actual swan wings and their construction, and thought we could make this giant, revealing, very theatrical opera coat, something that had a life of its own and cocooned her. That way she could have a real unveiling, a Ryan Murphy fabulosity moment that we could bring to the silver screen, to your homes. This was really my chance to do it at the highest craft level and give my best Edith Head, Adrian, Irene, or even Bob Mackie moment. I looked at drawings of wings by Leonardo da Vinci, and we built this wing shape into the coat, while the interior was a riot of color.



He calls Calista Flockharts look, for her role as Lee Radziwill, the surprise star of the outfits. Sparkle and metallic always looks good on film. It was really a lesson for me in creating textures and dimensions that got layered on each other to create effect. And it has a gorgeous opera coat, he says, noting that her costume is close to what Radziwill actually wore. And as Slim Keith, who was a famous pants aficionado, Lane wore a billowing coat with trousers. Posen decided, She wouldnt wear a mask, shed just wear black glasses. Shes too cool for school as a character, as a style icon.

Fairchild Archive - Getty Images

What Posen deems the real jewel of this moment and scene, however, is the apparition of Trumans mom, played by Jessica Lange, who is a good friend and somebody Ive dressed before. And what a dream to be able to theatrically costume Jessica Lange, he says. Ive made her beautiful pieces before, to wear on the red carpet, but thats very different from getting to do a surrealist ghost of a mother. Truman Capotes mother was such a force in his life and had such history herself. And because it was an apparition, it was like, What era is she? And I thought, Shes the black swan. I wanted to combine every era, from the turn of the century up until the sixties.

Santi Visalli

Seeing Lange arrive on the Plaza Hotel set and begin to rehearse her waltz, Posen says, was like, I dont know, Fellini meets Amadeus in Ryan Murphy world slash Zeffirelli. I was having a full moment walking her down the stairs. As she rehearsed her waltz, Posen watched with his fiance, ballet dancer Harrison Ball. I introduced them, and she said, When youre watching my dance, if you have any notes, just tell Zac and hell pretend to fix my feathers.



The show feels simultaneously like a valentine to a lost time (the entrances, the long, bitchy lunches!) and an analogue to ours, which might explain why its resonating so strongly with viewers. I think were living in a time like 1966, Posen says. The bubbling up of a deep unrest. And huge amounts of great wealth, different self-made dynasties. Were seeing that again today.



Fairchild Archive - Getty Images

Posen, who was announced as The Gaps new EVP and creative director a few weeks after our interview, has been busying himself creating one-of-a-kind pieces after shuttering his namesake brand in 2019). He designed costumes for the 2022 film The Outfit and has seen his work appear onscreen countless times. Im definitely interested in producing and directing as well in the future. And it was an incredible experience to feel really part of the production, he says. Ryan took me under his wing, and I was able to sit next to Gus and watch the takes. The AD turned out to be somebody Id gone to high school with. Posen sat there, taking it all in, watching how movie magic happens. And my three-person team and I took every moment to make sure that our swans were as taken care of as the grand ladies they were portraying.



Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans is now streaming via FX on Hulu.

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Things got messy pretty quickly.

Getty Images

Earlier this month, farmers in France participated in widespread protests to express their collective anger over a number of issues, including European trade policies, economic challenges, and a set of newly proposed environmental regulations that they say would further damage their ability to earn a living. In addition to blocking roadways and snarling traffic by driving their tractors on highways, the protesting farmers also destroyed crates of imported tomatoes, cabbages, and cauliflower.

France is also involved in a very specific tomato-based argument with Spain, and the farmers arent the ones who kicked this one off. This juicy disagreement started when Segolene Royal, Frances former Minister of Ecology and a one-time presidential candidate, called out Spanish tomatoes during a TV interview.

Related: The Best Heirloom Tomatoes Are in Virginia

Have you tasted the so-called organic Spanish tomatoes? Theyre inedible, she said before adding that, Spanish organic is fake organic. She also said that the fruits and vegetables that France imports from Spain, do not meet French standards and should not be on [supermarket] shelves.

Spain, which is the worlds sixth largest tomato producer, didnt take Royals words lightly. I think Mrs. Royal has not had the good fortune of tasting the Spanish tomato, Spains Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said. Im inviting her to come to Spain and try any of Spain's tomato varieties, and she will see that the Spanish tomato is unbeatable.

Related: New York's First Rice Farm Uses West African Farming Traditions

Sanchez also said that Spain had to follow the same regulations for organic produce that France and other European countries had to follow.

The Association of Spanish Professionals of the Organic Sector (Ecovlia) released a statement criticizing Royal's unfounded declarations before filing an official complaint against Royal with the European Commission. Spains Minister of Ecological Transition called Royals comments inappropriate, while one Spanish farmer simply said, That lady has a palate problem.

Related: We Tried 100 Jarred Tomato Sauces  These Are 15 of the Best

According to The Local, in recent years, Morocco has actually overtaken Spain as the European Unions top tomato supplier, and France is the main importer of Moroccan tomatoes. Whew, nobody tell Segolene Royal or international relations might get even messier.



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Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Andy Wong-Pool/Getty Images

Beijing replaced the boss of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the country's markets regulator, on Wednesday.

The development followed news from Bloomberg that Xi was to be briefed on the state of the markets.

China and Hong Kong's stock markets have lost trillions of dollars since hitting their peaks in 2021.

China's extended stock market rout was so bad that leader Xi Jinping was set to personally pay attention to it  and it looks like his solution was to fire the country's top markets regulatory late on Wednesday.

The new boss of the China Securities Regulatory Commission is Wu Qing, who is nicknamed "Broker Butcher" for leading a crackdown on traders over regulatory breaches during the 2000s, per Bloomberg.

The announcement of a new securities regulatory chief surprised insiders, the media outlet reported on Thursday, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter. The development followed news from Bloomberg that Xi was to be briefed on the state of the markets that have lost trillions of dollars since hitting their peaks in 2021.

The news of Xi's personal attention  an unusual development  stoked traders' hopes of a forceful market rescue plan. After all, there were suggestions earlier that authorities are considering a stabilization fund to rescue the flailing stock market.

"Instead, Xi's involvement predictably produced a personnel change, showing that the impulse at the political level is to tighten administrative controls rather than address core challenges," wrote analysts at the Eurasia Group, a political risk consultancy, in a note on Wednesday seen by Business Insider.

This could be a problem for China, which needs to engineer a convincing recovery. The country has been unable to sustain a growth spurt more than a year after lifting COVID-19 lockdowns, denting investor confidence.

Stock markets in China and Hong Kong have accelerated losses into 2024.

Story continues

While Beijing has pulled more than a dozen moves since January to try to stabilize a stock market rout and support downbeat property market demand amid its real-estate crisis, sentiment remains in the dumps.

"The lack of clarity on policy direction and the bias toward control and security-oriented policy will continue to weigh on confidence and disappoint expectations, entrenching a sense of economic malaise," the Eurasia Group analysts wrote.

The analysts at the Eurasia Group aren't the only ones who say China needs to double down on economic reforms to shore up its economy.

"Chinese government moves to restore private-sector confidence and boost the economy still lack a broad reform framework," Eswar Prasad, a professor at Cornell University and a former International Monetary Fund official in charge of China, told Nikkei in an interview published on Monday.

The Eurasia Group analysts added that it wasn't clear what conditions could trigger Beijing's perception that it needs to move beyond administration controls to "more extreme measures," but suggest it could be a sharp market slump that that causes systemic financial risks.

"Such an event can morph from a financial market issue to seriously affecting the real economy, driving up unemployment, and increasing public discontent," they wrote. "Ultimately, it may require social instability to shake loose the broader macroeconomic policy response function."

The Hang Seng Index was trading 1.1% lower at 3:25 p.m. local time on Thursday. It's down about 7% year to date.

China's bluechip CSI 300 Index was up 0.6% after falling about 2% so far this year.

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange will be closed for the second half of Friday until Tuesday for Chinese New Year holidays.

Mainland China's markets will be closed Friday and all of next week.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The seed of inspiration for author Grace Lins ninth and newest childrens book was actually planted almost 20 years ago, right after the release of her 2004 book Fortune Cookie Fortunes. She found that in so many cases, when speaking about fortune cookies, people would say, Oh, fortune cookies arent really Chinese . . . with some sort of disdain or disgust. Lin added as an American-born Asian person who has struggled with her identity . . . I could easily see the same words about me.

So, Lin took it upon herself to show this kind of food some respect, though she says that it took her many years to ultimately put this book together because she needed to find self-acceptance in her own identity before she could make it.

Because just like being an Asian American, Asian American food is not something to be ashamed of or to scorn, Lin said. Yes, every Chinese dish served in an American restaurant has been adapted and changed. Yes, most do not have the flavors of traditional Chinese cuisine and are unlike what you would find in China. But American Chinese cuisine is the flavor of resilience, the flavor of adaptability, the flavor of persistence and triumph. Above anything, this food is the flavor of America. So, I hope the book gives people a new respect for this part of our culture  or, at the very least, I hope it makes eating Chinese food more enjoyable!

The result is Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods, which explores the folklore behind your favorite Chinese dishes  and is a magnificent book to read through as a way to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year on Feb. 10.

Chinese Menu by Grace Lin cover

To compile Chinese Menu, Lin worked with Izabelle Brande, a research assistant, in order to ensure that some of the lore and stories she's heard over the years especially ones linked with particular dishes, recipes or ingredients  were as factually-based as can be. "With her help, I was able to obtain and read secondary sources for the stories I had so I could verify what was accurate about them, she said. She also found a lot of stories that I didn't know about, so she was invaluable. I know that the book would not have the quality it does without her help.

Want more great food writing and recipes? Subscribe to Salon Food's newsletter, The Bite.

Lin's favorite story in the book is the tale about White Hair Silver Needle tea, "which involves an evil dragon and an Ingenious girl who outwits the dragon to collect the tea needed to save her village. The reason I love it is because I can remember how enthralled my daughter was when I read the story to her.

Dragon Well Tea

One particular tale from Chinese Menu tells of how dumplings once apparently cured a villages frostbitten ears. When I asked for clarification, Lin said that dumplings were actually invented by an ancient Chinese doctor named Zongjin, who made the dumplings with warming herbs and peppers and he made his dumplings ear-shaped to help them remember what the medicine was for.

Of course, it's unclear if this worked as originally intended. But people couldn't stop eating them, Lin said. And now, we still eat them!"

Author Grace Lin

Working through the research for this book also helped Lin parse through stories she had been told as a child and assess which were actually grounded in truth. This also speaks to the way in which the line between factual and fictional gradually blurs as the years go by, in everything from the details of family histories to the histories of beloved foods For instance, she grew up thinking that Marco Polo ate scallion pancakes in China, loved them and then, upon arriving back in Italy, tried to get chefs to make them for him  who inadvertently invented pizza.

"I discovered that [this story] is just a made-up myth, Lin said. "The first printed version I could find . . . is a parody in a Chinese newspaper."

When speaking about the link between Chinese food and Chinese-American food, Lin says that "This food is something unique to the United States but has roots, a history and a tradition in China." She adores her mom's scallion pancake recipe (which is included in the book!), but noted that "the food my mother served at home and the food that was served at our local Chinese restaurant was not that similar"  except for the scallion pancakes. On special occasions, Lin's family would also celebrate at a Chinese restaurant, though, so foods like Mu Shu Pork and Kung Pao Chicken are "celebration food, delicious and special" for Lin. "Even though I eat from Chinese restaurants fairly regularly now, I still have that feeling that this is food of joy."

Daji Invents Chopsticks

With "Chinese Menu," Lin wanted to present Asian folktales with "respect and appreciation . . . not from the stance of 'isn't this story weird?', [but instead] the attitude of 'isn't this story so marvelous?

According to Lin, when she began working in the publishing industry in 1999, there was a dearth of childrens books centered on Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage, and those that did exist were difficult to find or sometimes included cringeworthy stereotypes, or  just as bad  portrayed Asian culture incorrectly." Its taken the work of many children's authors, including Laurence Yep, Linda Sue Park and Lisa Yee, to change some of those perceptions. Through Chinese Menu, Lin hopes to build upon their work and show the common humanity that Asian characters have with readers.

And what better way to do that than with food? Lin asked.


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The European Organization for Nuclear Research, CERN, has put a $21.5 billion price tag on its proposed Future Circular Collider.

At more than three times the size of the current Large Hadron Collider, scientists say it is needed to create a more powerful accelerator.

Proponents say the possibilities of a sizable collider are too great to understand, but opponents are concerned about the intimidating financial costs.

The Large Hadron Collider still has experiments scheduled into 2040, but CERNthe European Organization for Nuclear Researchalready has plans to iterate on the LHC and making something much bigger: the Future Circular Collider.

And bigger might be an understatement.

The proposed $21.5 billion Future Circular Collider (FCC) would push the energy and intensity frontiers of particle colliders, with the aim of reaching collision energies of 100 TeV, in the search for new physics, CERN wrote. Expected to have a 56-mile circumference, compared to the 16.5 of the LHC, it would be able to handle energy levels about seven times those of the LHC.

The FCC will not only be a wonderful instrument to improve our understanding of fundamental laws of physics and of nature, CERN director general Fabiola Gianotti said during a briefing, according to the Financial Times, it will also be a driver of innovation. Much like the LHC before it.

The LHC, an underground circular tunnel near the border between Switzerland and France, started smashing subatomic particles together at nearly the speed of light in 2008. The force it generates is greater than anywhere else in the world, and it allows scientists to study extremely hard-to-observe collisions. In 2012, the LHC helped confirm a 1964 theory about the existence of a fundamental particle called the Higgs boson, a.k.a. the God particle. And while there hasnt been a monumental breakthrough of that magnitude in the last decade, the worlds largest collider is an ongoing lab for physics experiments that simply wouldnt be possible if the collider didnt exist.



But even the LHC has its limits. For those physicists who believe colliders can potentially teach us about things like dark matter or about how particles gain mass, the LHC just might not be hefty enough to do the job. Thats where the FCC steps inthree times larger and seven times more powerful.

The FCC, carved deeper underground in the same region, would be built in two phases. The first would begin colliding electrons together in the 2040s. If all goes well, the second phase could begin smashing protons in the 2070s, using powerful magnets not yet invented. All of this would open up a fresh wave of potential experiments.

While its almost all upsides in the world of physics, the FCC does have its downsidesnamely, its financial cost. The $21.5 billion is just for construction, and doesnt account for things like operational expenses.

Proponents say thats the price for science, but not everyone is on board. David King, a former UK government chief scientific advisor, told the BBC that spending that kind of money on the FCC is reckless. He believes that with so many other more pressing issues facing our worldsuch as the current climate emergencyresearch should focus on helping to manage our future.

Sabine Hossenfelder, of the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy, has a similar sentiment. She told the BBC that particle physics research has ballooned well beyond whats neededabout 10 times the size of what it warrants.

But for those on the particle search, the FCC represents the gateway to the next frontier. It is a tool that will allow humanity to make enormous steps forward in answering questions in fundamental physics about our knowledge of the universe, Gianotti said, according to the BBC. And to do that we need a more powerful instrument to address these questions.

Well soon see if officials decide that the potential benefits outweigh the costs.

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'When it comes to the wine, the supermarkets have little to offer in the way of good nebbiolo,' says Moore - Chiara Brazzale

The first question Im asked when people find out what I do for a living is always the same: Whats your favourite wine? To save you putting it to me if ever we meet, Ill tell you that my answer is always, The last good bottle I enjoyed.

A more interesting question is: Whats your favourite wine region to visit? There are quite a few contenders, though if we control the longing for heat and sunshine, felt especially strongly at this time of year, it narrows things down. My answer shifts but at the front of the pack, always, are: South Africa (for the landscapes, the energy and the excitement of the wines); the Douro (its so beautiful); and Barolo and Barbaresco in Piedmont (I am an Italophile and also love the food and wine of this area).

Barolo and Barbaresco are places I have only ever visited in winter, when the days are short and the air is crisp. Just to the south of Turin, within sight of the snowy caps of the Alps, they are regions of narrow, misty valleys and hearty, cold-night food.

When I cant be there, I like to travel to Piedmont in my kitchen. In icy weather, as the long winter goes on, a glass of nebbiolo (the grape used to make Barolo and Barbaresco) with cheese fondue, or quail rolled in salt and fresh sage leaves then roasted, feels like a compensation for the perma-darkness. With the wine in mind, I have also been cooking onions stuffed with rosemary, cream, Parmesan and the chopped, fried inside of the onion, and serving them with veal chop; also Italian butchers sausages or bagna cauda.

The Wine Society Barbaresco (14%, 34); The Society Exhibition Langhe Nebbiolo 2020, Italy (14%, The Wine Society, 14.50)

Tannic, high in acidity and gorgeously perfumed, nebbiolo is brilliant with creamy or cheesy dishes. It works well with mushroom and herbal flavours too, so it was a hit with chicken fricassee with morels (I used a Rick Stein recipe) and guinea fowl with porcini bread sauce (a Claire Thomson recipe). None of this is cheap  and the wines arent either  but it is no more expensive and much nicer than going out for a pizza or ordering Deliveroo.

When it comes to the wine, the supermarkets have little to offer in the way of good nebbiolo. Sainsburys  briefly  had an excellent Langhe Nebbiolo for 12 last summer, but only as part of its limited Discovery range and it has already gone. Its existence was a welcome aberration. Mostly, the big retailers aim to stock the names everyone knows (Barolo and Barbaresco) and to do so at the lowest possible price.

Rocche Costamagna Langhe Nebbiolo 2021, Italy (13.5%, Private Cellar, 21.95); Garesio Langhe Nebbiolo 2020, Italy (14%, Swig, 24)

If youre spending about 20 or less, though, and want the most pleasure for your pound, youre almost always better off getting a high-quality Langhe Nebbiolo (a younger, earlier-drinking wine made in Piedmont) over a Barbaresco or Barolo. I recommend The Societys Exhibition Langhe Nebbiolo 2020, Italy (14%, The Wine Society, 14.50), a pale nebbiolo made from the fruit of younger Barbaresco vines.

Rocche Costamagna Langhe Nebbiolo 2021, Italy (13.5%, Private Cellar, 21.95), is good too, with a fruity kick, along with the suggestion of tar. Garesio Langhe Nebbiolo 2020, Italy (14%, Swig, 24), is beautifully elegant, with fine tannins and graceful notes of wild rose. It improves overnight.

Finally, look out for any wine from the Produttori di Barbaresco cooperative. Many independent shops stock their generously flavoured Langhe Nebbiolo; The Wine Society has the Barbaresco (14%, 34)  a serious treat.

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Whether your pet is a dog, a cat, a bird, or even a reptile, it can be difficult to imagine them feeling sad. All loving pet parents want their four-legged friends to have as much fun and as many naps as they want, but the heartbreaking reality is that many pets experience depression sometime throughout their life.

The good news is that there's a lot you can do to help a pet who's feeling blue! While each animal's journey will look a bit different, one Maine Coon cat's mom is sharing the signs that she noticed when her cat, Mango, was suffering from depression. Even if concern for your pet's mental health isn't on your radar, it's always smart to know what to keep an eye out for!

Aww--it's so difficult to imagine a sweet cat like Mango feeling depressed, but it's a good thing he had a caring cat owner looking out for him. As @mangoandheramainecoons' mom explains in a later video, she knew something was wrong when she noticed these signs because she's a therapist herself! Once she noticed, however, she brought Mango to multiple veterinarians to rule out physical illness or injury. He was one healthy cat!

Related: Precious Signs of a Happy Cat Are a Win for Pet Parents

However, this Maine Coon was not a happy cat. Apparently, his change in behavior happened after both of his owners began working at the office once more (he was adopted during the pandemic), and he was incredibly lonely. Once kitten sister Hera arrived, though, things began to turn around again.

Since Hera--who is also a Maine Coon cat--arrived in his life, Mango has been feeling like himself again. Now, his owner can share their story to inspire other cat owners to keep an eye out for feline depression.

What does depression in cats look like?

As Mango's owner found, depression in cats looks an awful lot like depression in humans. It can have both physical and mental symptoms and can cause a debilitating lack of interest in life. This can appear to be a subtle change for cats who are already on the grumpy end of the spectrum, but it's cause for alarm when any cat starts becoming disinterested in food, water, toys, touch, or even relieving themselves.

As many concerned commenters pointed out, visiting a vet is always better than self-diagnosing a pet's problem. A vet visit will help you determine whether an underlying issue is causing their moodiness or if something like loneliness or a cat's boredom is what needs to be addressed.

In Mango's case, what he needed most was a friend. Maine Coons are one of the more social cat breeds, after all, and he was likely having a difficult time adjusting to his parents being back in the office. Luckily, his mom's diligence helped him begin feeling better--and it brought little Hera into their lives, too!

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos.

Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
MILAN  Ever the catalyst of cross-cultural conversations, Milan-based art dealer, curator and gallerist Nina Yashar and her gallery Nilufar landed in Mexico City this week for a takeover of the modernist home designed and lived in by the late acclaimed architect Pedro Ramirez Vazquez.

Situated in El Pedregal de San Angel, considered a design-forward enclave in the 40s, the home is characterized by its impressive courtyard, volcanic stone and the seductive, contemporary furniture Vazquez designed, alongside the crucifixes, Madonnas and religious paintings of his wife Olga.

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Nilufars presence there, along with Italian rug company Cc-Tapis, is a testament to the rising importance of Zonamaco Mexico 2024, the largest art fair platform in Latin America, which closes in Mexico City on Sunday. Conceived by Mexico City based design retailer Studio 84, the event presented an opportunity for Nilufar to introduce its furniture creations to the market.

Until Sunday, pieces from Nilufars Open Edition have been placed around the home and offer visitors a glimpse into the ultra-high-end European designs that include the Necklace ceiling glass lamp by Milans Analogia Project; the Piero wall lamps by Copenhagens Vibeke Fonnesberg Schmidt; the Tenet and Mensa tables by Milanese designer Filippo Carandini; the Levitation Alchemia vases by Parisian architect Sophie Dries, and a selection of modular low-seating sofas, low tables and armchairs by design studio David/Nicolas, based in Lebanon, Italy and the U.S.

Inside the home of Pedro Ramirez Vazquez.

WWD caught up with Yashar about the landmark event and the growing importance of Mexico Citys design and art scene.

WWD: During his long career, Pedro Ramirez Vazquez designed some of Mexicos most iconic buildings, such as the Azteca Stadium in 1961, the National Museum of Anthropology in 1963 and the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1974. How were you personally attracted to his life? What were the first conversations like with his son Javier?

Nina Yashar: I was initially drawn to Pedro Ramirez Vazquezs life through his prolific contributions to modernist architecture in Mexico. When I first talked to Javier together with Cc-Tapis art director and partner Daniela Lora, we had an enlightening conversation about Pedros captivating translational style. I see this collaboration as a tribute to that vision. Its an honor to be welcomed into someones home and invited to contribute to its narrative through the Open Edition creations that match perfectly with Cc-Tapis carpets.

WWD: How does the Vazquez residence distinguish itself among the iconic contemporary homes around the world?

N.Y.: The Casa Pedro Ramirez Vazquez is unique in its association with a renowned Mexican architect and the rich history it encapsulates. Each architectural gem has its own cultural context, and my collaboration with Studio 84 is a celebration of this specific Mexican legacy.

The Maurice armchair chaise by David/Nicolas.

WWD: What inspired you to partner with Studio 84?

N.Y.: Studio 84s work has always been admirable, especially the efforts and dedication from [Studio 84s founder] Maria Dolores Uribe, aligning with our values but in a completely different context here in Mexico. The decision to partner with them was driven by their commitment to timeless and captivating design. This collaboration provides a platform to showcase our creations in a setting that resonates with the narrative of design evolution. It was the perfect scenario to showcase the pieces from the Open Edition that includes meticulously crafted pieces in bright hues and rich patterns, including sofas, dining tables, carpets and lighting, all art-directed by me and designed by some of the most interesting designers in the industry.

WWD: What did you hope to convey with the selection of Open Edition pieces brought to Mexico for the event?

N.Y.: The overall purpose of the pieces transcends temporal and geographical boundaries, resulting in a modern, multicultural perspective that seamlessly blends diverse styles and aesthetics, which is exactly what we intend to do here with Studio 84. We are also very pleased to share the exhibition space with one of the most thriving rug companies out there, Cc-Tapis. We share some design signatures, among them our dear David/Nicolas that designed a modular sofa and armchair for us as well as magnificent carpets for Cc-Tapis, all blended in the same space.

WWD: What was your impression when you first entered the home? How did you put your mark on it without altering it?

N.Y.: Entering Casa Pedro Ramirez Vazquez was a profound experience. I approached it with respect, acknowledging its historical and architectural significance. Our mark on the space was subtle, a careful curation of Open Edition pieces that complemented the existing design without altering its essence. It was about creating a temporary coexistence and dialogue between past and present.

WWD: Mexico City is influencing the design world more and more; why is that?

N.Y.: Mexico Citys increasing influence on the design world is a result of its vibrant culture, rich artistic heritage, and a community of innovative designers. The citys unique blend of tradition and modernity creates a dynamic environment that fosters creativity and pushes the boundaries of design.

WWD: What is your opinion of Zonamaco as a global event, in comparison to other design fairs and festivals?

N.Y.: Zonamaco is an international fair that plays a pivotal role in bringing together diverse expressions from the design and art disciplines. It provides a platform for international collaborations, fostering a global conversation about the design field and its continuous evolution.



Nina Yashar and Studio 84 founder Maria Dolores Uribe.

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A plate of fresh seafood normally demands a cool beer or a crisp bottle of white wine, but for this year's Lobsterfest, Red Lobster thinks what your crustacean really needs is coffee. The seafood chain's popular celebration of all things lobster is returning for 2024, and while the focus of the food menu is exactly where you'd expect, a surprise has shown up on the drink menu in the form of an espresso martini.

It's a little less of a left turn when you consider the cocktail world's current love of all things '90s -- as well as the renaissance that the espresso martini, specifically, has had over the past few years -- with even the likes of Martha Stewart and Dunkin' getting in on the trend. Red Lobster's choice of including an espresso martini as part of Lobsterfest's cocktail lineup makes a little more sense once you see the chain's unique twist on the recipe.

While most versions pair espresso and coffee liqueur like Kahlua with vodka, Red Lobster's version takes more of a dessert angle. According to the company's press release, its Mocha Espresso Martini is a "chocolatey take on a modern classic." It's made with RumChata, Disaronno amaretto, an espresso blend, and then garnished with a bit of brownie. Think of the chocolate coffee cocktail as a sweet after-dinner cap instead of a pairing with a plate of creamy lobster linguine or grilled shrimp. And, of course, the espresso martini is just the beginning of the Lobsterfest revelry.

Read more: Restaurant Foods That Always Taste Better Than What You Make At Home

Red Lobster's 2024 Lobsterfest Is Adding Three New Cocktails And Five New Dishes

A plate of Red Lobster Lobster Lover's Dream - Red Lobster

This year's Lobsterfest menu will feature returning classics like the Lobster Lover's Dream, but, of course, what people are really interested in are the new creations. Headlining the offerings, according to the press release, are two overflowing combo plates: the Crispy Lobster & Shrimp Stack and the Lobster & Shrimp Lover's Dream. The former is a plate of crispy fried lobster tail meat, shrimp, hush puppies, and fries with coleslaw, honey-jalapeno butter, and a malt vinegar aioli, while the latter mixes roasted lobster with shrimp linguini alfredo.

There is also the Dueling Southern Tails, which puts one lobster tail over grits and another over mac and cheese, topping the first with shrimp, and the second with a bacon bourbon glaze. The final two more straightforward dishes are the Lobster Lover's Duo with a Maine lobster tail and a Caribbean rock lobster tail along with two sides, and a Lobster Flatbread that tops the crispy base with Maine and langostino lobster, mozzarella, Parmesan, tomatoes, and basil.

There are also two new cocktails joining the Mocha Espresso Martini for Lobsterfest. The Deep Sea Lobsterita mixes tequila with Malibu coconut rum and blue curacao, while the Mango Berry Sangria pairs sparkling wine with pineapple juice and purees of mango and strawberry. Unlike Red Lobster's disastrous Ultimate Endless Shrimp promotion last year, Lobsterfest will end, so if you want to wash down your lobster with an espresso martini, the clock is ticking.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Kohls Corp. has another major shareholder.

GIC Private Ltd., which represents the Republic of Singapore, has taken just over a 5 percent stake in Kohls, an accumulation of 5.5 million shares, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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On Thursday, Kohls stock kicked up 3.2 percent, or 85 cents, to $26.91 at the close of the stock market.

According to its website, GIC is one of the three investment entities in Singapore that manage Singapores reserves, alongside the Monetary Authority of Singapore and Temasek. We manage most of the governments financial assets, investing for the long term with an aim to preserve and enhance the international purchasing power of the funds placed in our care, the site reads.

Some major institutional holders of Kohls stock are Blackrock, Vanguard, T. Rowe Price, Dimensional Fund Advisors, State Street and Macellum Advisors.

On Tuesday this week, Reuters reported that Vision One Management Partners, an investment management firm based in Miami, has built a stake in Kohls and expressed concerns to the company about its future. The report, which cited anonymous sources, indicated that Vision One has asked Kohls to launch a sale process and also give it board representation. Vision One takes a private equity approach to public market investing through active shareholder engagement primarily in midcap equities in North America, with a sector-focus on consumer and Industrial businesses, its website indicates.

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Negotiations were underway for Whakapapa skifield at Mt. Ruapehu in New Zealand, home of New Zealand's longest gondola, and the only ski field in the North Island besides the club field in nearby Taranaki, "but unfortunately, the buyer of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts "has confirmed he has walked away from negotiations".

Check out some of the terrain at the New Zealand resort below.

Previously, New Zealand's Acting Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced $5 million would be loaned to Ruapehu Alpine Lifts to keep the mountain open for the 2023 ski season, after the business was put into liquidation last week.

This was done so New Zealanders could still enjoy the resort, even as its financial state was shaky.

The funding issues could be due to travel restrictions, but at the end of the day, the problem, regardless of finger-pointing, needed a solution. The loan was to float the ski resort until a real buyer stepped in.

People's hopes were high, when this week, there was news of a potential buyer. Radio New Zealand even reported that "Tom Elworthy and his partners were the government's preferred bidder for assets of the Whakapapa skifield on Mount Ruapehu."

But Elworthy said the deal was not worth it and "no one would be willing to take on a business with more than $15 million of debt repayments and other risks."

The ski resort is in political turmoil as Sam Clarkson, of Ruapehu Skifield Stakeholders Association, was "furious" at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) for refusing to engage with "the group's idea to run both slopes together as a not for profit, using crowd funding and having iwi on board, saying officials favoured private for-profit bids."

Solutions are being sought out. The Skifield association wanted to meet with Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Maori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka, without MBIE officials, to discuss potential options.

If the debt of the resort is lowered and the terrain is still accessible, there is a possibility that Whakapapa will be a viable business moving forward.

Related: First Ski Descent Completed Of Jackson Holes Corahs Couloir

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In Bridgend, Wales, United Kingdom, a tiny dog was discovered abandoned in a distressed state. An individual rescued the dog near a hedge on January 24, took her to safety, and called the RSPCA. She is currently under the organizations care.

10-year-old dog abandoned and left to die

The small dog was found with a severely matted coat with fecal contamination and in near-death condition, as per Wales Online. A passer-by noticed the 10-year-old elderly dog near a hedge in the Coytrahen area in Bridgend. The rescuer alerted the RSPCA immediately, who have launched an investigation regarding the matter.

Additionally, the canine is believed to be a Shih Tzu mix and has been affectionately named Patsy Pancake. Patsys survival hung in the balance, described as touch and go. However, she has since received the necessary care and is currently under the care of an RSPCA foster caregiver.

RSPCA investigation has begun

RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben, in collaboration with deputy chief inspector (DCI) Gemma Cooper, is working on this investigation. According to Hogben, the dogs discovery was in an area notorious for fly-tipping.

Hogben further expressed gratitude towards the individual who rescued Patsy, noting their understandable distress upon witnessing her condition. He mentioned that the person even took the initiative to trim the hair around Patsys eyes to allow her to see better. Moreover, he acknowledged that the tiny dog had endured a challenging few weeks.

In his words, As soon as she came into RSPCA care, she started to receive the much-needed vet care  She was firstly clipped to remove her heavily matted coat, which was contaminated with feces. Continuing, he explained, Worryingly, she did take a turn for the worst and became poorly with sepsis. However, she is now recovering well. She is now with a foster carer and has settled in well to her new environment.

Finally, Hogbeth urged for information regarding the incident. He said, If anyone can help us with our inquiries and has first-hand information about this dog and who her owner was, please do get in touch by calling 0300 123 8018 and can quote 01213820.

The post Tiny Dog Rescued, Sparks RSPCA Inquiry After Near-Death Experience appeared first on DogTime.
It doesnt take much digging through the vast array of coffee-making apparatuses, either at your local kitchen store or online, to get overwhelmed. There are drip machines, pod-machines, French presses  even this odd-looking contraption.



When selecting the best brewer for you, youll want to consider a variety of factors: How fast is it? How much cleanup is required? How much coffee does your household consume? And of course, theres taste.

For Me, Great Coffee Tastes Like Italy

Since I started drinking coffee in college, Ive cycled through practically every way there is to brew and enjoy the stuff. When convenience was a priority, I frequented vending machine dispensers and used K-cups. Eventually I got into higher-quality coffee, and wanted to make it at home. I bought a pourover (more on that, below) and started grinding my own beans.

I thought I knew everything. Then I went to Italy.

Italy changed my ideas about what good coffee was, and about what it was worth doing to get that good cup. Even the stuff you buy at rest-stop gas stations there tasted infinitely superior to anything Id ever had stateside.

When I got back, I was motivated to improve my home-coffee game. So I consulted with a couple coffee-making experts, Dan Pabst at Melitta and Giorgio Milos, master barista for Illy, to see where I could improve my brew.

What Makes Great Coffee, According to Experts

Pabst and Milos broke it down to its simplest components for me. A brews flavor derives from two primary things: Theres where and how the beans are grown (the terroir, like wine) and how darkly or lightly its roasted.

When it comes to roasting, Milos takes the view that there is no right or wrong level, it comes down to personal taste. He compared the preference for lighter roasts versus darker ones to liking steak rare versus well-done.

But what about the brewing process itself? With so many methods, surely there were differences in the taste of the final cup that went beyond the bean. There, Pabst and Milos had opinions, but to really find out firsthand, I decided to stage a cage-match style cup-off. I chose five of the most popular home-brewing methods to compete against each other for my own personal single best cup of coffee. Best cup, in this case, being the one that tasted most like I had enjoyed in Italy.

Credit: Joe Lingeman Credit: Joe Lingeman

How I Tested Coffee Methods

There are a lot of considerations that go into choosing a coffee-making method, including quantity, economy, and convenience. But for this test I wanted to determine which method simply yields the single-best cup of coffee. And my basis for consideration was my platonic ideal: the rich, smooth, complex, just slightly bitter brew I found in Italy.

In order to remove as many extraneous variables as possible, I didnt give any consideration to whether a method makes a lot of coffee or a single cup, and I didnt pay much attention to how complicated or time-consuming a method might be. Taste was the goal, although I realize that a coffee method is often more about how many people you need to serve or how long you have.

Then there was the choice of coffee beans and roast. Although my own preferences tend toward something a little more locally-sourced, I wanted to make this as even-handed as possible. I decided to use a high-quality, but widely available medium roast coffee: Starbucks Pike Place medium roast beans. If you decide to repeat my methods, you should most certainly use the beans (and the roast level) you prefer.

I bought my beans whole and used a burr grinder (see our current favorite here) to grind each batch fresh, and to the recommended level of coarseness. (To find the correct grind size for each method, I consulted this guide from the home-brewing blog Home Grounds.) Both experts agreed that a burr grinder, which crushes the beans and results in an even-sized grind, is infinitely better than a blade grinder. Both also noted that pre-ground beans can work perfectly well for most methods (though some require a particular size grind), and will be perfectly fresh if used within a week or so.

I used the amounts recommended by the manufacturer, unless otherwise specified, and tap water, heated with a gooseneck kettle, in all tests. All brews were judged black, without sugar or cream, also to reduce the variables.

I also followed Pabsts advice to use paper filters for every method that needed them, not the reusable ones the eco-conscious cook in me loves. He explained that paper absorbs some of the oils from the beans, which can interfere with the taste. Armed with this knowledge, a bag of beans, and a kettle, I prepared to get my buzz on and determine the best way to brew once and for all.

OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

$99.95 at Williams Sonoma

Credit: Joe Lingeman Credit: Joe Lingeman

Method: Drip Machine

Time: 8 minutes

Flavor Rating: 5/10

There are some high-tech coffeemakers out there, but the one I used was a standard- issue drip machine, the kind youre likely to encounter in waiting rooms and other public places. Its most forward-thinking feature is probably a charcoal filter for the water. Adjustable settings allow you to pick your desired java strength (regular or bold) and temperature. After consulting the chart, I added three tablespoons of medium-grind coffee to the refillable filter basket, chose the regular strength and medium heat, and commenced brewing.

Drip Machine Results: I wasnt expecting much, but I was secretly hoping to be pleasantly surprised so I could shock the coffee snobs. Alas, despite a deep appreciation for programmable machines that let you have a hot cuppa waiting for you, the flavor really was lacking. The coffee was much thinner and more translucent than all my other tests, and the taste was equally watered down.

Glass Carafe Handle Programmable Coffeemaker

$99.95 at Williams Sonoma

Credit: Joe Lingeman Credit: Joe Lingeman

Method: French Press

Time: 5 minutes

Flavor Rating: 7/10

I was on a daily French press kick for a while so the process was familiar. I added 42 grams of coffee, ground to the French press setting on my grinder, to the carafe. Then, I poured in water that was just below boiling, around 175F. I let it steep for four minutes, using a timer. While steeping, I swirled the grounds in the water, which is supposed to give better extraction than stirring. Then I depressed the plunger to trap the grounds at the bottom, and poured my coffee. The whole process seems fussy, but honestly waiting is the toughest part.

French Press Results: Given that the grounds come into the most prolonged contact with the water in this method, I expected it would be the boldest tasting. It wasnt, but it wasnt bad. The color and aroma were both lighter than pour over, and I could see the oils from the coffee beans on top, left behind because there was no paper filter to trap them. The taste was enjoyable, smoother and noticeably less bitter than drip  but it also lacked a certain depth and punch.

Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker

$49.95 at Sur La Table

Credit: Joe Lingeman Credit: Joe Lingeman

Method: Moka Pot

Time: 10 minutes

Flavor Rating: 8/10

The Bialetti Moka Pot, that iconic little metal two-story hexagonal stovetop coffee maker, uses pressure extraction  similar to espresso. This is the classic Italian method, and the one Ive been using to make my daily brew since I went to Italy last year, so I thought I had this method down pat. But on talking with Pabst and Milos, I discovered that I could be doing a few things differently.

The base holds water, which I learned should be just below boiling before you put it on the stove. When the water boils, it generates steam, which forces the water up through the basket of grounds resting on top of it and into the top chamber. I had also been told not to pack the grounds too tightly, because it can block the water, and cause too much pressure to build up. And I discovered that you can get a better cup of coffee if you brew with the lid open; then, as soon as the coffee starts flowing out of the spout, you remove it from the heat, close the lid, and wrap the base with a chilled towel or run it under cool water to stop the extraction process. This prevents the coffee from being too bitter.

Moka Pot Results: I still love this method, maybe even a little more now that Im using this new method. Its kind of Zen to set it up, the cleanup is easy, and the sputtering of coffee brewing will forever remind me of Italy. It makes a darn good cup, too: The coffee is steamy, thick, and dark brown with a strong, pure aroma. A sip delivers that classic robust, slightly bitter flavor to my tastebuds. The main problem Ive found is that the metal filter cup leaves some sediment in my cup, but I consider that a small price to pay. Ironically, however, two methods seemed to yield a cup that was even better than the classic Italian way: The pourover and the Aeropress, below.

Bialetti Moka Expresso Espresso Maker

$39.95 at Williams Sonoma

Credit: Joe Lingeman Credit: Joe Lingeman

Method: Pourover

Time: 5 minutes

Flavor Rating: 9/10

Ive been a pourover fan for a long time, mainly because cleanup is so easy. I suffered eco-guilt at the thought of paper filters, though, and switched to reusable ones a while back. This test convinced me to switch back, and compost the filters I use instead.

Following these directions, I placed a paper filter in my pour over and poured right-off-the-boil water into wet the filter to remove any paper taste. Then I added the grounds, 21 grams of a medium-fine grind, the consistency of table salt. (This was actually much finer than what I had typically used.) The first pour of the pourover process is supposed to bloom the grounds, or wet them and allow them to release their flavors. I stirred the grounds at this point, something I had also never done before. Then I added more water in a longer, swirling pour, followed by smaller quick hits until the mug was full.

Pourover Results: If this process seems a bit extra for your basic morning cup of coffee, Im with you. But its not actually difficult. Its slow, making only one cup at a time, but with practice it almost becomes second nature  and the results are unbelievable. The pourover yields a dark, thick liquid with a rich, robust taste. I never noticed the thin sheen of oils on coffee before, but using a paper filter definitely eliminates them.

Kalita Wave 185 Dripper

$42.48 at Amazon

Credit: Joe Lingeman Credit: Joe Lingeman

Method: AeroPress

Time: 2 minutes

Flavor Rating: 10/10

About: Ill admit that, after my pourover test, I was convinced it couldnt get better. But this device, designed by a Stanford University professor, has a cult-like following among certain coffee enthusiasts.

It certainly doesnt look fancy. It looks like a plastic bike pump and works somewhat like a French press. After adding a paper filter to the bottom of the chamber, you put the coffee (ground midway between espresso and a drip coffeemaker) and hot water in, stir, and then use the plunger to force the water through the grounds into your cup. While a French press, requires a four minute steep, this method only sits 10 seconds before plunging (though its recommended that you wet the filter first).

Aeropress Results: The AeroPress, like a pourover or Moka pot, makes only one cup at a time, but its one superb cup. Its dark, smooth, and rich with very little bitterness. (Because brewing happens so quickly, theres no time for any undesirable elements to be extracted.) Its fast, cleanup is easy, and you can pretty much use it anywhere which is why its a favorite among camping enthusiasts. The only drawback I can see is the need to buy specialty filters. For coffee this good, its worth it.

Aeropress Results: The AeroPress, like a pourover or Moka pot, makes only one cup at a time, but its one superb cup. Its dark, smooth, and rich with very little bitterness. (Because brewing happens so quickly, theres no time for any undesirable elements to be extracted.) Its fast, cleanup is easy, and you can pretty much use it anywhere which is why its a favorite among camping enthusiasts. The only drawback I can see is the need to buy specialty filters. For coffee this good, its worth it.

AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker

$39.95 at Williams Sonoma

Final Thoughts

Learning how to better my brew was an eye-opening experience, and not just because of the combined caffeine of six-plus cups of coffee. Its good to know that Italian cafe-level quality isnt out of reach for a home brewer, if thats what youre going for, and that there are choices that fit every lifestyle and need, from the six-cup-a-day family to the guy or gal who just wants a halfway-decent grab-and-go option. Like me, your coffee needs will probably change over your lifetime, and now you know how to get the maximum flavor out of any brewing method. And once you have good coffee, everything else is pretty much cake.

Your turn: Whats your favorite method of making coffee, and why? Tell us in the comments, below.



This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: What Coffee-Brewing Method Makes the Best-Tasting Cup?
Maui's Archie Kalepa is a legendary waterman, former lifeguard, Polynesian voyager, water rescue instructor, and respected big wave surfer.

When wildfires ravaged Maui and destroyed Lahaina last August, Kalepa made national headlines with his "volunteer army" that helped rebuild the island neighborhoods and gather supplies for survivors.

As Maui still faces a long road to recovery, Kalepa's still spreading aloha with a new nonprofit aiming to help rebuild historic Lahaina.

Related: Clip: Foil Surfers Cruise Through a Pod of Playful Killer Whales

Island News captioned the news report above:

"Aging Well: Lahaina resident Archie Kalepa focuses on his Maui lahui."

Opening the video, a reporter says, "Archie Kalepa has lived in the public eye as a legendary waterman, then as a Hawaiian leading his lahui (community) to healing after the Maui wildfires."

While Kalepa's previously mentioned "volunteer army" was more of a grassroots effort, he's now launched a new nonprofit called, Lele Aloha.

In the video above, the organization holds its first community gathering and Kalepa discusses its goals.

He says to the camera:

"As you rebuild Lahaina it is the hope that Lahaina can become the example of how we rebuild Hawaii in the future. What I mean by that is, with Hawaiian values and respect to Hawaiian culture."

In August, he told the Los Angeles Times that he advises people facing a crisis to focus on whats immediately in front of them and solve problems one at a time

And that's exactly what he's doing.

Press play above for details.

In 2012, Kalepa was inducted into the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundations Hawaii Waterman Hall of Fame.

He also set a world record of being the first person to stand-up paddle 187 miles through the Grand Canyon.

***

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Many Americans consider Chick-fil-A to be one of their favorite restaurants of all time. That popularity is apparent, with the brand boasting one of the busiest drive-thrus out of any fast food chain, and its sales exceeding well over $10 billion every year. And that's all without being open on Sundays.

With all this success, there's one thing about Chick-fil-A that leaves us scratching our heads. Why hasn't the chain seen success beyond the U.S.? Its current 2,800+ restaurants open in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada seem to be doing quite well, so what's stopping the brand from going global? What you might not know about Chick-fil-A is that it has tried opening locations abroad but has not had the same luck as it's seen with its U.S. stores. Why? Well, the reasonings differ per location.

When it comes to the brand's six-month trial run in the UK in 2019, which began in a mall in Reading, a town west of London, it was successful sales-wise and had a steady stream of customers, but protestors were unhappy with then-CEO Dan T. Cathy's comments opposing same-sex marriage. After a six-month trial and backlash from LGBTQ+ rights activists, it was shut down. No permanent location has opened since the trial, and that was just one of Chick-fil-A's failed expansion efforts.

Read more: The Ultimate Ranking Of The Best Fried Chicken Chains

Other Barriers Chick-Fil-A Has Faced While Expanding Abroad

Outside of a Chick-fil-A - Wolterk/Getty Images

While Chick-fil-A's temporary location in London didn't lead to anything permanent, the problems didn't begin there. Looking beyond the UK, Chick-fil-A also attempted to expand to South Africa in the mid-1990s. But while it lasted in South Africa for much longer than it did in London, it moved out after six years. In this case, it's believed that Chick-fil-A failed to build enough brand awareness to properly sustain the location.

While Chick-fil-A couldn't generate success in these two markets, the brand was able to build new locations beyond the United States in Canada and Puerto Rico, so expansion is not impossible. In fact, Chick-fil-A recently rolled out new plans to expand into Europe and Asia in the years to come. Maybe after learning a few lessons, these new locations will fare better than those from the past.

The Chicken Chain's Plans To Take Things Global In The Near Future

A Chick-fil-A food truck - George Rose/Getty Images

Chick-fil-A has faced its fair share of problems while trying to expand in the past, but that hasn't stopped its expansion efforts completely. The chicken chain recently rolled out a new plan to take things international by 2025, with the brand setting its sights on locations in Europe and Asia.

Sometime in early 2025, the chain intends to start its latest expansion project by opening five new stores in the UK. These establishments will pop up sometime in the span of two years, with each location being locally owned and operated. The brand plans to expand across the UK from there, with Chick-fil-A planning to invest over $100 million in the project within the next 10 years. This expansion will be a milestone for the brand and marks the first permanent store Chick-fil-A will have outside of North America.

By 2030, Chick-fil-A hopes to explore the option of opening stores in additional locations, too. So while you might not be able to find the chicken chain while on a trip to Ireland or Japan quite yet, the day where you can grab a classic Chick-fil-A sandwich while abroad might be in sight.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.
[Source]

Mexico is now the leading source of goods imported by the U.S., outpacing China for the first time in 20 years.

What the figures say: According to data sourced from the U.S. Commerce Department, the value of goods imported from Mexico has reached over $475 billion in 2023 (up 5% from 2022), while Chinese imports plummeted by 20% to $427 billion, reported the Associated Press. In addition to Mexico, American businesses and consumers have sought alternative suppliers for goods in Europe, South Korea, India, Canada and Vietnam.

Economic tensions: Observers attributed the dramatic change to economic friction between the U.S. and China. The tension between the two countries has been mounting over the past few years, exacerbated by a series of trade tariffs initiated by the Trump administration and maintained under President Joe Biden. These tariffs, aimed at addressing what the U.S. sees as unfair trade practices by China, have prompted American businesses to explore alternative manufacturing bases.

There was a period where geopolitics didnt really matter for trade much, but as uncertainty increases in the world, we do see that trade becomes more sensitive to these positions, noted Stela Rubinova, a research economist at the World Trade Organization, as per the New York Times.

Trending on NextShark: Viral video of daughter slapped by her father after return home from Tet sparks debate

Impact on Mexico: Mexico has emerged as a key beneficiary of this shift due to its proximity and favorable trade agreements like the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement. Some Chinese manufacturers have recognized the benefits of this trade agreement and even established operations in Mexico to maintain duty-free access to the U.S. market.

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Three Chicago residents are the latest to be indicted in a string of violent carjackings amid a surge of vehicle thefts and robberies in cities across the nation.

According to the federal indictment, the Chicago group attempted several carjackings in September 2020, used guns to threaten drivers, fatally shot two people, and made fast food runs using the stolen vehicles and the carjacking victims credit cards.

Carjackings have spiked in some U.S. cities since the COVID-19 pandemic, including in the nations capital where incidents have multiplied by over five times from 2019 to 2023, according to the Council on Criminal Justice. Recent carjacking victims in Washington, D.C., include a former Trump administration official, a congressperson from Texas and an FBI agent.

Ernesto Lopez, research specialist at the council, told USA TODAY that carjackings and motor vehicle thefts can be a gateway to other violent offenses such as murder, burglary or another robbery, which was demonstrated in the string of carjackings in Chicago, according to the indictment announced Monday.

Indictment: Chicago residents robbed multiple cars

Three Chicago residents  Edson Resendez, Maverick Cela and Prezila Apreza  could be eligible for the death penalty if convicted in an indictment charging them with conspiring to commit multiple carjackings in Chicago and surrounding suburbs. It also accuses them of committing murder during a carjacking and murdering a second person while using a carjacked vehicle.

According to the indictment filed in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Illinois, the group attempted at least five carjackings over 11 days in September 2020. They also set one car on fire to dispose of it after robbing another one.

The group fatally shot Nabil Mahouar during an attempted carjacking in the Chicago neighborhood of Dunning, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office, and they allegedly used a car taken in another carjacking to fatally shoot Eduardo Triano in the North Park neighborhood.

Resendez, 22; Cela, 22; and Apreza, 23, are in law enforcement custody, according to prosecutors.

Carjackings soar around nations capital

Carjackings in Washington, D.C., far surpassed other cities, rising by a whopping 565% from 2019 to 2023, according to the Council on Criminal Justice.

In a recent high-profile case, Michael Gill, who served under Trump as the chief of staff of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, died on Saturday after he was shot by a man on a carjacking spree on Jan. 29. In November, an FBI agent was carjacked at gunpoint in Washington, D.C., one month after U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar was carjacked by armed assailants near the Capitol building. On Friday, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced Antwon Haynie, 26, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to crimes related to two armed carjackings.

The Metropolitan Police Department said there have been 57 carjacking offenses in Washington, D.C., so far in 2024, and eight carjacking arrests. Thirty of the carjackings have involved firearms, according to police.

Carjackings spiked during pandemic

From 2019 to 2023, carjackings spiked by 93% across 10 cities, according to the Council on Criminal Justice.

While carjackings fell in 2023 by 5% in the 10 reporting cities, they were still at unusually high levels, council data showed. Motor vehicle thefts continued to rise, up by 29% in 2023 from the previous year.

Lopez told USA TODAY the data on carjackings was limited since it was not a common offense compared to other crimes, and law enforcement agencies often report carjackings as robberies rather than the specific crime type.

However, he noted available data points to an unusual phenomenon in some cities, including Washington, D.C., where both motor vehicle thefts and carjackings are rising. A carjacking and motor vehicle theft both involve illegally taking a car, but carjacking is robbing an occupied car by force.

Lopez said he expected the two offenses to move in opposite directions  as more people are illegally taking cars by theft, fewer are generally robbing by force. However, both offenses spiked in some U.S. cities from 2019 to 2023, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver and Chicago.

Carjackings reportedly rose in 2020, even though people were in their cars less in the early months of the pandemic, Lopez said. And while preliminary data suggests carjackings tapered slightly last year, they remain at unusually high levels, though Lopez noted they still only account for a small number of robberies.

When it comes to carjackings, its important to keep in mind that while these are shocking, violent and can be very brutal events, they tend to be fairly rare events as well, Lopez said.

Bigger picture in carjackings across nation

Despite the recent spike in carjackings, federal data indicates there are much fewer incidents than two decades ago.

According to a report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics spanning from 1995 to 2021, carjackings have generally been on the decline, although the data doesnt fully reflect the recent spike since the pandemic.

The data also shows that Black and Hispanic people are more likely to be the victim of carjackings than white people, but men and women are equally as likely. About 1 in 4 nonfatal carjackings result in the victim getting hurt, the report said, and carjackings are more likely to happen near a victims home than in any other place.

Auto theft prevention

The National Insurance Crime Bureau recommends four safety measures to prevent vehicle theft:

 Common sense: Remove your keys from the ignition, lock the doors, close the window, park your car in a well-lit area, and don't leave the key in the car, even if it's hidden.

 Warning device: You can deter a thief by installing audible alarms, steering wheel locks and decals. You can also etch the vehicle identification number onto the windows, which will lower the vehicle's value to thieves, as they have to spend time and money on removing it before reselling the car.

 Immobilizing device: You can also install immobilizing devices, such as fuse cut-offs, kill switches and ignition disablers, which prevent the vehicle from starting unless a hidden switch or button is activated.

 Tracking device: If a thief steals your car, tracking devices can help get it back. When your car is stolen, they help notify the police or a monitoring station to recover it.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 3 indicted in string of Chicago carjackings amid nationwide surge
The State Bar of South Dakota Disciplinary Board and lawyers for Jason Ravnsborg, the former South Dakota Attorney General who was involved in a fatal 2020 car crash that killed a pedestrian, have made formal recommendations ahead of oral arguments expected before the state's Supreme Court next week.

Ravnsborg will be appearing before the court to take on the board at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the state Capitol.

The crux of two court documents obtained by the Argus Leader indicate retired judge Bradley Zell has recommended the former attorney general should not lose his ability to practice, a conclusion at odds with the disciplinary board's view that a 26-month suspension is appropriate.

Instead, Zell, who was appointed by the judicial tribunal in June to furnish a decision on the matter, concluded the court should issue a public reprimand without suspension, the documents read.

The complaint against Ravnsborg, which was filed by Alexis Tracy, the former State's Attorney for Clay County, is centered on the state's Rules of Professional Conduct statute, particularly about whether Ravnsborg's actions fall under various misconduct rules.

Those rules include the following:

committed a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects;

engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation;

engaged in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice;

or stated or implied an ability to influence improperly a government agency or official or to achieve results by means that violate the Rules of Professional Conduct or other law.

Of the four rules Zell weighed in on, the appointed referee found Ravnsborg only violated one, in which he stated or implied an ability to influence improperly a government agency or official or to achieve results by means that violate the Rules of Professional Conduct or other law.

Based on the brief provided by Ravnsborg's attorneys, Zell reviewed three incidents in which Ravnsborg's identified himself as the then-South Dakota Attorney General first rather than by name. That included:

a June 2019 traffic stop in Nebraska,

a July 2020 traffic stop in Iowa,

and the Sept. 12, 2020 911 call following the crash that killed 55-year-old Joseph Boever.

The attorney's brief states the former attorney general did violate one misconduct rule by consistently identifying himself first by his title, as a means of possibly gaining favorable treatment by law enforcement. However, the referee said the effectiveness of this tactic would be "speculation" and "unclear."

In regards to the other three rules at hand, the appointed referee concluded he had no confidence that Ravnsborg was "dishonest, misleading, uncooperative, disrespectful or otherwise conducting himself in a manner not befitting of an attorney."

"This was an extremely unfortunate fatal automobile/ pedestrian accident. Ravnsborg's failure to resign from an elected position, show 'sufficient' expressions of sympathy or condolences to the victim's family, acknowledge publicly culpability, etc., are not standards upon which to administer attorney discipline," Zell wrote.

The disciplinary board holds that Ravnsborg should still receive the 26-month suspension on his law license.

If the court agrees with the board, the former attorney general's suspension would be retroactively prorated back to June 21, 2022, the day the state Senate removed him from office.

The documents put a spotlight on underrepresented aspects of the case.

This includes Zell's findings of fact, conclusions of law and recommendation, as well as original date of the complaint's filings  Sept. 6, 2022, less than two months after his impeachment.

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What is the State Bar of South Dakota Disciplinary Board arguing?

In response to Zell's conclusion that the state Supreme Court should not suspend Ravnsborg from practicing as a lawyer, the disciplinary board disagreed for multiple reasons.

On Nov. 13, Zell held a referee hearing in Sioux Falls, where the retired judge asked questions and took the testimony of Ravnsborg on the events leading up to the fatal car crash that killed Boever.

The brief from the disciplinary board paints a picture that, unlike Ravnsborg's hearing with them, which was held on March 30, 2023 in Aberdeen, the hearing before Zell was, at least, less tense.

"The demeanor and presentation by Ravnsborg before Judge Zell was substantially different than what was displayed before the Board," the board's brief reads. "This is difficult to glean from the transcripts but was apparent to those who observed both. Before the Board, Ravnsborg was defensive and dismissive of the Board's role."

In a May 19 state Supreme Court filing, in which the board made the recommendation to strip Ravnsborg of his law license for a time, Ravnsborg's perspective on the board's investigation into his conduct was based in a "political conspiracy." It was only after "persistent prompting from the Board" that Ravnsborg was dissuaded from the thought.

Still, the board contends the former attorney general's behavior during the March hearing was one of "self-promotion as opposed to giving pertinent information to the Board about his background."

Disciplinary board: 'Ravnsborg's conduct left a black eye on the legal system'

The board's brief later distinguished certain parts of Ravnsborg's testimony as "troubling."

Specifically, the state's Rules of Professional Conduct, which encompass lawyer misconduct, were an afterthought in the mind of Ravnsborg, the board asserted.

"Ravnsborg told the Board he had only briefly reviewed the Rule prior to the hearing," Ravnsborg said. "He also indicated that he never thought about the Rules of Professional Conduct throughout the ordeal which ultimately led to his impeachment."

Ravnsborg was also questioned by the board about why he consistently identified himself by his Attorney General position when interacting with law enforcement, the document states.

The former attorney general, according to the document, answered that he felt it was easier to refer to himself as "attorney general" on account of wanting to avoid confusing others with the spelling of his surname.

"[I] didn't get a course on etiquette about when you are supposed to say you are the Attorney General and when you are not," Ravnsborg said. "It is just who I was at the time, it was more of an identifier, not that I was trying to gain favor for it, it's just this is who I am, because again, my name does suck. Sorry, Dad."

Ravnsborg was asked by Zell in November a similar question, though the board found his answer "more evasive."

To the retired judge's question, which was focused on the board's struggle to understand Ravnsborg's use of "attorney general" as an identifier, the man addressed his 911 call following the accident involving Boever.

"I was seeking to get help to - - [sic] I just had an accident. You're calling to get assistance. I have had a lifetime of people not being able to say my name," Ravnsborg told Zell. "And the first thing they do is, 'Well, can you spell that for me?' Well, I didn't want to take the time to spell it."

In this, the board and Zell both agree Ravnsborg had no reason to introduce himself as the state's Attorney General when stopped by law enforcement "if it is not to seek favorable treatment."

"The actual stops and context provide a different perspective. If the Board and Referee Zell found as much, imagine the view of the public," the board wrote. "Ravnsborg's conduct left a black eye on the legal system."

Continuing with Ravnsborg's testimony, the board makes a second argument that, although having previously conceded the point, the former attorney general demonstrated his belief the complaint, the board's recommendation and the disciplinary process were political motivated.

According to the court document, which cites the transcript of the board hearing, Ravnsborg "felt there was a need to prosecute someone with money which never happened.

Similarly, the board cites the Zell hearing transcript, in which Ravnsborg told the judge he believed Tracy filed the original complaint "to further her career."

"Ravnsborg even went so far as to suggest that the complainant violated Board rules by not submitting a response to his initial reply to the Board," the board noted.

Zell and the board disagreed on whether Ravnsborg was truthful when speaking with investigators.

The board's assessment of Ravnsborg, as regards his interview with North Dakota investigators in the weeks after his fatal car crash, was that the Yankton attorney was not truthful with said investigators.

Based on previous Argus Leader reporting, then-attorney general had told the investigators he was not using his cellphone while traveling from Redfield to Pierre the night of the crash, and that he'd not become aware that what he'd struck was a human until the following day when he returned to the crash scene.

However, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation Agent Joe Arenz said cellphone forensics showed he'd been looking at news articles during the drive. The detectives said they also determined he was lying about when he discovered the body based on an inadvertent admission made during the second interrogation.

"Although Ravnsborg argued the inconsistencies were mistaken memory or his recollection of the accident, the Board found the statements lacked openness and candor and, in this case, was conduct which impugned the integrity of the legal profession as a whole," the board said.

The board also expressed concern about Ravnsborg's conduct regarding Boever and his family. Their brief indicates that, while Ravnsborg publicly stated he attempted to reach out to victim's family, this never happened, "primarily due to his advisors telling him not to do so."

"Even after the civil, criminal, and political decisions had been finalized, Ravnsborg's response to the Board was that the accident changed 'my life,'" the board said. "The Board concluded that comments such as this displayed an attitude lacking remorse and sincerity. Their view is different than Judge Zell which was likely influenced by Ravnsborg's different demeanor before Judge Zell."

Judge Zell rules of conduct

According to the brief, Zell made the recommendation to not suspend Ravnsborg's practicing license, in part because his accident and post-accident conduct was unrelated to legal career.

The board disagreed. They argued misconduct can be considered violations of the state's conduct rules regardless of whether it occurs in one's personal or professional capacities.

The board pointed to cases in Kansas and Nebraska, in which the states' Supreme Courts found that attorneys may be subjected to discipline for conduct unrelated to a lawyer's practice.

Judge Zell discipline

In the board's third and final argument, the council argued Zell skimmed over the disciplinary process, and viewed it instead as one of many "punishments" for Ravnsborg.

During the March hearing, board members outlined to Ravnsborg "its duty" when considering disciplinary measures over misconduct, with a view that the legal system as a whole was impugned.

The board continues that Ravnsborg "could not acknowledge that his conduct and not politics was the main reason he was before the Board."

However, "Zell did not address this, and the Board felt strongly that Ravnsborg's lack of awareness of how his conduct impacted the legal profession was in and of itself indicative of Ravnsborg's overall erroneous perception that he was somehow a victim."

In other out-of-state comparisons, the board looked to former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann, who was suspended for six months by the state's Supreme Court in 2012. According to The Columbus Dispatch, Dann's service in office was plagued by scandals, including allegations two female employees were sexually harassed by a manager in his department, as well as his own extramarital affair and mishandling of campaign funds for personal use, the last of which resulted in two misdemeanor convictions.

"Like the Ohio Supreme Court, the Board was notably concerned about the impact on the legal system and felt compelled to let it be known that the image of the legal system, the profession and the bar association are of great importance," the board said. "The fact that Ravnsborg was a public official was an aggravating factor which influenced the Board's recommendation."

The board also related Ravnsborg's ordeal to that of William Janklow, former South Dakota attorney general and four-term governor of the state.

In a similar fashion to Ravnsborg, Janklow's political career came to an end when he struck a motorcyclist with his car after running a stop sign while speeding in August 2003. A U.S. Representative for South Dakota at the time, he resigned from his congressional seat on Jan. 20, 2004 after being found guilty of second degree felony manslaughter and three misdemeanors, including speeding, running a stop sign and reckless driving by a Moody County jury.

Janklow's law license was suspended by the South Dakota Supreme Court on Dec. 15, 2003, one day after he was convicted.

In a case that came before the state Supreme Court in October 2005, the State Bar's Disciplinary Board recommended Janklow should have his law license suspended for a 26-month prorated period. It was later reinstated in January 2006, about a month before the suspension would formally expire.

"In Janklow, this Court did not feel compelled to protect the public from fraudulent or dishonest acts of Janklow in his capacity as a lawyer," the board said in its Ravnsborg brief. "They did, however, feel that the damage his conduct caused to the integrity of the legal system must be considered."

The board argued its 26-month suspension recommendation follows precedent.

The cumulative effect of Ravnsborg's conduct should not be set aside, but rather serve as a basis for appropriate discipline consistent with the discipline ultimately received by William Janklow," the board wrote.

Ravnsborg brief

Lawyers representing Ravnsborg, in a separate brief, align the majority of their argument that the former attorney general did not violate conduct rules with Zell's view on the matter.

Based on Zell's findings that three out of four professional conduct rules being weighed were broken by Ravnsborg, the former attorney general's lawyers argued any perception their client acted dishonestly or disrespectful is not related to his legal professional.

Zell, likewise, concurred: "[A]ll of this 'perceived' conduct is of Ravnsborg the person who happens to be an attorney, and not Ravnsborg the practicing attorney."

However, on the one item the board and Zell agree upon  Ravnsborg's use of his title of attorney general in an attempt to curry favor with law enforcement  the lawyers disagree.

The attorneys related the suspension of Deuel County State's Attorney Bert Olson in 1995.

Two years prior, Olson faced drug charges after he was found to be growing marijuana at his home.

Among his home-grown cache, investigators found one box of marijuana plants with the words "immunity granted" and his name etched on one side.

Ravnsborg's lawyers explained, in this case, Olson attempted to use his office to circumvent drug possession charges, "jokingly or otherwise."

However, based on the reasons given by Ravnsborg as to why he identified himself by title  that his surname "sucks"  and the video evidence of his traffic stops, his attorneys argued it is not certain the man tried to influence others.

"The officers in Nebraska and Iowa did issue Respondent warning citations. However, there is no evidence that Respondent's references to his title had any causal relationship to the independent decisions of the officers to issue a warning," the lawyers wrote.

Context

Ravnsborgs impeachment, the first in South Dakotas history, unfolded in the state Senate and was based on two articles, including crimes causing death and malfeasance in office.

The decision to impeach came from the Senate after Ravnsborgs involvement in a Sept. 12, 2020, car crash that killed 55-year-old Joseph Boever.

In August 2021, Judge John Brown found Ravnsborg guilty of two class 2 misdemeanors after the attorney general took a plea deal that allowed him to plead no contest to driving outside his lane and driving while using an electronic device.

The state dropped a third charge of careless driving.

The Crash

The fatal crash took place around 10:30 p.m. Sept. 12, 2020, when Ravnsborg was travelling to his home in Pierre from a political function in Redfield in a 2011 Ford Taurus, according to past Argus Leader reporting.

According to police investigations, Ravnsborg was going westbound on U.S. Highway 14 and was passing through Hyde County when his vehicle went outside the lane markings and struck Boever, who had been walking beside the roadway with a flashlight in hand to get to his truck near the city of Highmore when he was killed that night.

Senators look at an image of the damage to Ravnsborg's vehicle during a witness testimony at the impeachment trial of Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre.

Boevers body was found in a ditch the next morning.

Ravnsborg made a call to 911 moments after the collision took place, saying he wasnt sure what he had collided with, according to police. He said he thought it was a deer and didnt realize it was a human being till the body was found in the ditch the next morning.

However, he did not provide an explanation for why his car had departed from the lane, according to the investigations. And the fact that his car was outside the lane at the time of impact was contrary to the information he provided when he called 911 that night.

The Investigation

The crash investigation was led by out-of-state investigators that South Dakota Highway Patrol brought in to examine crash circumstances. This was because Ravnsborg himself was in charge of the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation at the time, a body which investigates matters involving public officials and law enforcement.

Through investigation, it was determined that Ravnsborg had been distracted while driving that night, but the exact cause and nature of distraction was unclear and not disclosed. Police also said that Ravnsborg had been using his phone while driving that night, but not at the time when the crash took place.

It was also determined during the investigation that Boevers face had made impact with Ravnsborgs cars windshield after Boevers glasses were found inside the car by police, an importance piece of evidence in the case. However, Ravnsborg continued to maintain for months after the crash that he didnt realize he had struck a human until the morning after.

According to Pennington County States Attorney Mark Vargo's and Clay County States Attorney Alexis Tracys case as presented in the impeachment trial to the 33 out of 35 senators in attendance, the more important concern was how Ravnsborg had displayed a pattern of abuse of power since the incident.

Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg, center, appears for the first day of his impeachment trial on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre. Lawyers Ross Garber and Mike Butler sit alongside him at the defense table.

In opening arguments the day of the trial, Tracy disclosed how the then attorney general had made use of state resources to get information related to the crash investigation. He had also identified himself by his position in office to law enforcement officers and 911 dispatchers that night as well as in police encounters before and after the crash took place, she said.

A man lost his life due to the attorney generals distracted driving. The seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks and beyond this transpired, (he) has had countless occasions to do the right thing and at virtually every opportunity, he has chosen not to, Tracy said in the trial. Hes used his title in an attempt to gain influence, lied, misled and misdirected law enforcement officers, committed crimes of dishonesty, utilized resources within (his) office for his own personal gain in this criminal investigation.

The Impeachment

The impeachment trial, a first in South Dakotas history, took place in two 12-hour-sessions on June 21 and June 22 of 2022, where the Senate voted to convict and remove Ravnsborg from office. Led by Vargo and Tracy on the prosecutors side, the trial took place months after state Gov. Kristi Noem had formally asked Ravnsborg to resign from his position as attorney general.

Jenny Boever, widow of the deceased Joe Boever, cries as the senate vote passes to impeach and remove Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg from office on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre.

In the days and months after the crash, the governor had made her disappointment with the pace of the slow investigation clear, saying they were making inquiries on a regular basis but had not received any answers. About three months after the crash, she expressed her unhappiness to the Argus Leader about South Dakotans still not knowing if their attorney general was going to be charged criminally.

I share the South Dakotans frustration about the amount of time (this) has taken, she said. To have more than 100 days go by without resolution on this is a disservice to the victims family.

Kristi Noem and Jason Ravnsborg

Ravnsborg, on the other hand, was attempting to convince the public of his innocence. About three months after the crash, on Dec. 16, 2020, he spoke publicly for the first time after the incident and told media members he was confident he hadnt committed a crime that night.

I believe I have not committed any crime, he said. I believe that we will, when we have all the facts, not a selected amount of facts, know the full story and well make a full statement.

Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg consults with his attorney, Mike Butler, before Butler responds to a senator's question during the impeachment trial of Ravnsborg on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre.

Once the impeachment decision took place which removed Ravnsborg, 46 at the time, from his post as attorney general, a second vote was cast on whether he should be permanently disqualified from holding any office of trust or profit in South Dakota. This decision also came out against Ravnsborg.

Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg reacts to the successful vote to impeach and remove him from office on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre.

Although the first-ever impeachment trial in South Dakota took place in June 2022, Ravnsborg had been suspended from his duties since April that year when the two articles of impeachment were passed down. This was after months of numerous public officials making formal statements about how it was the honorable thing for the then attorney general to resign from his post and that he did not belong in that office anymore. Through it all, Ravnsborgs spokespeople responded by saying he had no intention of resigning.

The impeachment decision required the result of a two-thirds majority vote for each of the two impeachment articles, crimes causing death and malfeasance in office. The articles had been passed by South Dakota House of Representatives earlier that year.

At the trial, defense attorneys Mike Butler and Ross Garber, the latter a nationally renowned legal expert in political investigations and impeachments, accepted the wrongdoings of their client since the crash had occurred but maintained that it did not merit his removal from office. However, the Senate saw more weight to the prosecutors arguments.

The Senate voted 24 to 9 in favor out of 35 votes on the first article of impeachment of crimes causing death and the removal of Ravnsborg from his post, and 31 to 2 in favor out of 35 votes for the second article of impeachment of malfeasance in office.

Breaking News Reporter Prerana Sannappanavar contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: State bar recommends Jason Ravnsborg's law license be suspended
ZincFive has been named a finalist in the 2024 Edison Awards in the Resilient & Sustainable Solutions category for its safe, reliable, powerful and sustainable nickel-zinc battery technology. (Photo: Business Wire)

Nickel-zinc battery technology earns industry excellence recognition in Resilient & Sustainable Solutions category

PORTLAND, Ore., February 08, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZincFive, the world leader in nickel-zinc (NiZn) battery-based solutions for immediate power applications, has been named a finalist in the 2024 Edison Awards. The company is being honored in the Resilient & Sustainable Solutions category for its safe, reliable, powerful and sustainable nickel-zinc battery technology.

The Edison Awards, named after the American inventor Thomas Alva Edison, recognizes some of the most innovative products and business leaders in the world. This prestigious accolade honors excellence in new product and service development, marketing, human centered design, and innovation.

ZincFives nickel-zinc battery technology has been recognized for its breakthrough innovation in delivering high-performance, safe, reliable and sustainable immediate power solutions to the global mission critical backup and energy markets. ZincFives patented nickel-zinc electrochemistry sets a higher standard for battery technology that not only meets todays growing power demands but does so safely and sustainably, challenging the dominance of its predecessors, lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries.

"We're thrilled to be named finalists for the 2024 Edison Awardsa testament to the innovation behind our technology," said Tim Hysell, CEO and Co-Founder of ZincFive. "This distinction underscores the transformative potential of our nickel-zinc battery technology. Our commitment continues to center around providing the global energy markets with high-performance, safe, and sustainable immediate power solutions."

All nominations are reviewed by the Edison Awards Steering Committee and an executive judging body. The panel is comprised of more than 2,000 senior business executives and academics from the fields of product development, design, engineering, science, marketing and education, as well as past winners.

Story continues

Gold, Silver and Bronze winners will be announced at the Edison Awards Gala on Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Fort Myers, Florida.

About ZincFive, Inc.

ZincFive is the world leader in innovation and delivery of nickel-zinc batteries and immediate power solutions. Supported by an impressive portfolio of international patents, ZincFive technology harnesses The Power of Good Chemistry to propel the world forward. ZincFive technology leverages the safety and sustainability of nickel-zinc chemistry to provide unparalleled high power density and performance for mission critical applications. ZincFive is a privately held company based in Tualatin, Oregon. For more information, visit www.zincfive.com.

ZincFive is a registered trademark and the ZincFive logo and The Power of Good Chemistry are trademarks of ZincFive, Inc.

Follow ZincFive: LinkedIn | Twitter | Youtube

About The Edison Awards

Established in 1987, the Edison Awards are dedicated to recognizing, honoring and fostering innovations and innovators. Named after Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931), the annual competition honors excellence in new product and service development, marketing, human-centered design and innovation. Past award recipients include Jony Ive, Martha Stewart, Carmichael Roberts and companies leading in innovation including Nest, now part of Google, AMD, Intel, Naqi, 3M and Cargill. In 2021, the Edison Awards introduced the inaugural Lewis Latimer Fellowship program designed to celebrate, connect and bring together a community of innovative Black thought leaders. For more information, visit www.edisonawards.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208117610/en/

Contacts

Media Contact: media@zincfive.com
Volunteers have been canvassing Government Square to engage young people in the wake of Downtown violence.

In the wake of recent attacks involving juveniles in Downtown, both police and activists have focused on Government Square as part of the problem. After school, students from across the city catch Metro buses to get home and many have to make transfers at the downtown hub.

But a Cincinnati charter school that tried to alleviate students congregating there by purchasing its own busses was told a few months ago by the state to stop.

Dohn Community High School is a nonprofit charter school with about a dozen locations in the city, including one campus on Fourth Street, blocks from Government Square. The school was called out in the public safety and governance committee Tuesday for not meeting with Cincinnati's police chief to address the issue of youth violence.

Dohn's director, Ramone Davenport, told The Enquirer there are deeper issues than a one-time meeting. He said while many in the city are ignoring the problems or placing the blame on other parties, his educators are dealing with youth and the problems they face every day.

He said the bussing issue is a prime example. Last year, Dohn spent $400,000 to create a bussing service for its students, Davenport said, only to have it shut down.

The school purchased older Metro buses and had them repainted. The drivers took students to and from school like a regular school would  avoiding transfers in Government Square.

"We wanted to fix the problem," Davenport said.

State education officials ask Dohn to 'cease and desist' bus program

In a letter dated Oct. 25, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce said Dohn must "cease and desist" from operating any vehicles carrying more than nine students unless certain conditions were met.

"If a community school is using a vehicle designed for more than nine passengers to transport students to and from school or school-related events, it must be a yellow bus which complies with the requirements for operation of a 'school bus,'" the letter said.

The agency said the vehicles must be inspected by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, be operated by properly licensed drivers and "meet or exceed all applicable federal regulations and the Ohio school bus construction standards."

Davenport said he is still fighting to bring the busses back, but it has been hard to determine what exactly needs to be done to bring the bussing program back.

The Enquirer contacted the Department of Education and Workforce for more information about the situation. The agency replied with the letter sent to Dohn and a link to the 127-page "Ohio School Bus Standards and Inspection Manual." The agency said no one was available Wednesday to further explain the letter.

Cincinnati Public Schools have contracted with Metro for at least 30 years to provide some busing for its students. In 2021, Metro's contract with the school changed, leading to more students having to transfer buses. The transit agency reports 25% of students have a transfer and most transfers happen at places other the Government Square.

There are about 199 CPS students transferring buses at Government Square in the afternoon, the agency said. It is unclear how many Dohn students and students from other schools are using the transit hub each day.

Davenport said Chief Teresa Theetge and others are looking for a scapegoat when it comes to juvenile violence Downtown, but he refuses to allow them to say Dohn isn't working to make things better.

What is Dohn Community High School?

Dohn serves about 2,000 students in the Cincinnati area and has operated here for 22 years. Davenport said it's the biggest charter school in Ohio.

According to Public Schools Review, enrollment at the school has more than doubled since 2020.

Davenport said the school has many students on their "second, third, fourth or tenth chances."

"Do you just throw these kids away?" he asked. "Every kid is not going to be perfect."

The school is able to customize an education plan for every student, Davenport said, instead of forcing all students to conform to the same program.

"You can't do that in a public school because of the red tape," Davenport said.

He said not every student has the same support system, some kids have more trauma than others and many of his students can't relate to traditional English, math, science and social studies education.

He said his curriculum focuses on life skills and job skills so the student can go on to become "responsible taxpayers, not tax users." Getting an apartment, communicating with adults, operating a motor vehicle and applying for a job are all things taught at Dohn.

Davenport says the students are even offered gun safety courses in an effort to curb gun violence in the city.

Davenport said he is willing to work with police and other city leaders to address the ongoing issues of violence, but noted his school is addressing them every day. He said many of his students were at Cincinnati Public Schools, but could no longer attend.

"If they didn't come to us, who knows where they would go," he said.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Dohn school tried to start student bus service, but state shut it down
The claim: Trump

A Feb. 6 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) from the conservative account America First claims the election fraud case against former President Donald Trump in Fulton County, Georgia, came to an abrupt ending.

BREAKING: the case Is OVER - Fani Willis Finally Admits It," the posts text reads.

It was shared more than 70 times in two days.

More from the Fact-Check Team: How we pick and research claims | Email newsletter | Facebook page

Our rating: False

The Georgia case remained open as of Feb. 8, 2024, two experts and a Fulton County Superior Court staff attorney said.

Georgia case against Trump, co-defendants remains on the docket

Trump and 18 co-defendants were charged in Fulton County with trying to steal the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. Four have pleaded guilty in the case. Trump and the 14 remaining co-defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Attorneys for the former president and one of his co-defendants asked Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee to throw out the case, citing a personal relationship between Willis, Fulton County's district attorney, and special prosecutor Nathan Wade.

But that disclosure did not bring the proceedings to an end, as the Facebook post claims. As of Feb. 7, the case was ongoing, with a hearing on the dismissal motion scheduled for Feb. 15, said Austin Bragg, a judicial staff attorney for the court.

Fact check: Baseless claim Trump had DA in Georgia election conspiracy case impeached

"Any such claim is mistaken," said John Banzhaf, a professor emeritus of law at George Washington University who has been following the case closely. "The criminal case against Trump remains on the docket, Willis is DA and Wade is still a prosecutor."

The phrasing of the Facebook post, which includes the word breaking and the declaration of the case as over," suggests a new development  the end of the proceedings  took place. But experts and a court official say the status has not changed.

The case is still pending, Melissa Redmon, a law professor at the University of Georgia and a former deputy district attorney in Fulton County, told USA TODAY.

The Facebook post includes a link to an article that describes the court filings seeking the removal of Willis and mentions the February hearing on the motion to dismiss filed by an attorney for Michael Roman, one of Trumps 2020 campaign officials. But that article cites the wrong date for the hearing and does not include any evidence to support the claim.

Willis acknowledged her personal relationship with Wade in a Feb. 2 court filing. She refused to step down, saying she has done nothing wrong, faces no conflict of interest and received no direct or indirect financial benefit from the relationship. She stated in the document that there is no basis whatsoever to dismiss the indictment or disqualify her, her office or the special prosecutor.

Elections in Georgia have been a frequent subject of misinformation. Among the false claims USA TODAY has debunked are assertions that a lawsuit discovered thousands of duplicate ballots were found in Fulton County, that Georgia is Democrats test site for 2024 private takeover of election offices and that Georgia Gov. Brian Kemps office acknowledged invalid ballots were counted in 2020.

USA TODAY reached out to America First but did not immediately receive a response.

Our fact-check sources:

Austin Bragg, Feb. 7, Email exchange with USA TODAY

John Banzhaf, Feb. 7, Email exchange with USA TODAY

Melissa Redmon, Feb. 7, Email exchange with USA TODAY

The Associated Press (DocumentCloud), Feb. 2, Willis Wade response

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here.

USA TODAY is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network, which requires a demonstrated commitment to nonpartisanship, fairness and transparency. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump election case in Georgia is ongoing, not 'over' | Fact check
A fire at the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Floridas mens shelter will likely leave the facility uninhabitable for about 10 days, creating a temporary strain on the regions available shelter beds.

The Wednesday fire sparked up in the dorms of the Terry Avenue facility which houses about 237 men who are experiencing homelessness. The fire suppression system doused the flames but left a few inches of water across the facility, including in the kitchen, leaving it closed as well, CEO Allison Krall said Thursday.

The kitchen serves meals daily to the men, as well as about 200 women and children at the Coalitions Center for Women and Families. Krall said the mens shelter may partially reopen before its back to full capacity.

Our hope is that at some point were able to open some of it in advance of that, Krall told reporters gathered on the campus.

Men housed at the shelter have since been scattered to nearby Shiloh Baptist Church, All Saints Episcopal Church in Winter Park, the Orlando Union Rescue Mission and the Salvation Army. Living arrangements are taken care of for the next few days, she said.

On Thursday hazard mitigation crews were on site assessing the damage, while Orlando Police and Fire officials investigated the cause of the blaze. While its unclear what started the fire, Krall said, she also said she had no indication that it was suspicious so far.

Many of the men who sleep at the Coalition have jobs and were concerned about their ability to get to work following the fire, an official said.

The Orlando region is faced with a rising homelessness crisis, which has increased roughly 75% over five years. In the last month alone, 1,800 people contacted the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida seeking help, with about half accounting for people experiencing homelessness for the first time, said CEO Martha Are.

The mens facility accounts for roughly 20% of the available shelter beds in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties, which are normally full every night.

Our shelters are already full, so when we have a shelter like this that loses some capacity, it just exacerbates that.  Martha Are, CEO of Homeless Services Network of Central Florida.

It does highlight however the ongoing crisis our community is facing with people experiencing homelessness, Are said. Our shelters are already full, so when we have a shelter like this that loses some capacity, it just exacerbates that.

As the Coalition grapples with the fires aftermath, the provider is accepting monetary donations at www.centralfloridahomeless.org, as well as non-perishable food items, mens clothing, bedding, blankets, pillows, hygiene products and meals.

The guys who were living here, the fire alarm went off, they ran out of the building and they werent able to go back in again, Krall said. They literally just had the clothes on their back and much of the clothing they left behind was damaged in the fire.

rygillespie@orlandosentinel.com
A trip to the grocery store to purchase some fruit resulted in a Florida father being hospitalized after an interaction with police.

Anjelica, Joseph Lees daughter, described the incident that led to him being on dialysis and suffering an acute kidney injury, NBC News reported. It happened last month while they were washing clothes at a laundromat in Lakeland, about 36 miles from Tampa.

The 55-year-old went to a nearby Save A Lot store on Jan. 23 to get some bananas because his body was cramping from an infection, Anjelica told NBC. The potassium from the banana helped relieve his symptoms, so he grabbed four of them while in the store.

Angelica Lee and Joseph Lee were involved in an incident with police officers in front of a Lakeland, Florida, Save A Lot store. (Photos: Facebook)

Anjelica told the outlet that while walking to the register, her father ate one of the bananas but told the cashier that he needed to pay for four. Despite this, another employee, who was white, claimed he was stealing.

Lee denied the accusation, but the employee started to follow him outside, which prompted Anjelica to confront her. According to the report, the employee allegedly said: People like you and him shouldnt come into the store if you dont have money to pay for things.

The employee called law enforcement when she saw Anjelica grab a bat from her car, although she noted that she didnt threaten her but knocked items off of the shelves with her hands.

According to arrest affidavits obtained by Atlanta Black Star, when police responded to a report of a woman with a bat accompanied by a man, Anjelica was sitting inside her vehicle while Lee was standing outside on the sidewalk when cops arrived.

The police got out with their guns drawn, repeatedly saying, Get out of the effin car, Anjelica told NBC News. My dad said to me: Dont get out of the car until they can fully see you, because theyre going to shoot. And after he said that, nine or 10 of them jumped on him, and then they slammed him on the car.

Lakeland Police Department spokesperson Stephanie Kerr told Atlanta Black Star that the officers told Lee to back up several times, but he refused to comply, resisted the officers attempts to handcuff him, and was placed against the hood of a vehicle to obtain control of his person.

During efforts to handcuff Mr. Lee, Anjelica struck the arresting officer. Only one officer was needed to handcuff Mr. Lee, Kerr said in an email to Atlanta Black Star.

Anjelica said she overheard her father, who has a pacemaker, repeatedly tell the officers that he was struggling to breathe.

Lakeland Police say Lee didnt show any signs of physical distress when he was placed in the patrol vehicle.

After approximately five minutes, officers checked on Mr. Lee and asked if he needed anything. He spoke with the officer and did not complain of any physical discomfort but asked for their cards, Kerr said.

However, Kerr said Lee complained of chest pain and requested medical assistance based on a previous medical condition about five and a half minutes later. The officers sought him medical assistance. Lee was alert and responsive when an ambulance responded within a few minutes of the call, Kerr said.

Yet, Anjelica said her fathers injuries were severe.

He doesnt know where hes at. He can no longer feed himself, she said to NBC News. We have to do that for him. Theyre saying that some of the injuries could be long-term.

Lee was charged with resisting officers without violence after police said he was interfering with their investigation when he didnt comply with their orders to step away from the car, per the outlet.

A representative for Save A Lot said they are working with police on the investigation. Anjelica was also taken into custody and was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, the arrest documents show. She reportedly denies all allegations against her.

The Lakeland Police spokesperson said the incident was captured on body-camera video but would not be released until after both cases have been processed through the criminal justice system.

We are aware of Anjelicas allegations. There were no firearms drawn, there was no protective action (OC or Pepper Spray, Baton or Taser) used with Mr. Lee, and at no time was Mr. Lee placed on the ground, Kerr said.

A Florida Father Is on Dialysis After a Grocery Store Employee Confronted Him About Eating a Piece of Fruit, Called the Police
Michelle ONeill called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and declared Gaza a graveyard for children - Ben Stansall/AFP

Hamas will eventually be regarded as a partner for peace in the Middle East, Michelle ONeill, the new First Minister of Northern Ireland, has said.

In an interview with Andrew Marr on LBC radio, Ms ONeill, the Sinn Fein vice president, said the example of the Northern Ireland peace process proved how important dialogue was in ending conflict.

She called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and declared Gaza a graveyard for children, saying: Let it not be the graveyard for international law.

Mr Marr asked Ms ONeill: A long time ago, the IRA was seen as a terrorist organisation that the British government and everybody else could not ever talk to, and yet we know what followed from that.

Do you think that Hamas, although regarded as a terrorist organisation by many people around the world, are going to be eventually a partner for peace, have to be a partner for peace?

She said: Yes  I think you only have to look to our own example to know that how important dialogue is, and it is the only way youre going to ever bring an end to conflict.

If the British government didnt talk to republicans or republicans didnt talk to the British government in the past, in Ireland we would not be in the scenario that we are in today, enjoying a peaceful and far more equal society.

So, what we need to see in the Middle East, in particular in relation to Palestine, is that we need to see a ceasefire now. And we need the international community to be singing in chorus and harmony in terms of ceasefire now.

Sinn Fein has historically been supportive of Palestinians, drawing parallels to their struggle with a larger, occupying power and the struggle for independence.

Gerry Adams, the partys former leader, met Hamas officials in 2009 in spite of Israeli demands.

After the Oct 7 attacks by Hamas, which killed 1,139 people, some Sinn Fein representatives in the Republic of Ireland were criticised for expressing solidarity for Palestinians without condemning the group.

Mary Lou McDonald, the Sinn Fein president, eventually condemned the attack and hostage-taking outright.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the DUP leader, has suggested the UK could step forward and use the experience of the Troubles to end the Middle East conflict, but that Palestinian groups would have to forswear violence first.

Israel has the right to defend itself, and we will defend that right, Sir Jeffrey, told the Telegraph in October. But ultimately, our experience in Northern Ireland is that people feel more secure when there is peace.

Ms ONeill was in Britain for the first time since taking up the role of first minister at the weekend after the Northern Ireland Assembly was restored.

The DUP ended its two year boycott of Stormont over post-Brexit trading arrangements, which meant Ms ONeill could take the post after winning elections in May 2022.

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Muagututia Tuala-Tamaalelagi, better known as Chef T, moved to the mainland United States to learn how to be a chef, and still plans to take his skills back to American Samoa one day. For the time being, hes changing Sacramentos dining scene.

Fresh Off Da Boat by Chef T, Tuala-Tamaalelagis brick-and-mortar restaurant after a year of catering, opened to hourslong lines on Jan. 21 in a nondescript North Natomas business park next to Federico Beauty Institute.

The counter-service restaurant at 1515 Sports Drive, Suite 300 is not only a rare Sacramento concept dedicated to Hawaiian and Samoan foods, but a burgeoning cultural touchpoint for Pacific Islanders around the region.

Its like youre walking into a street market in the islands, Tuala-Tamaalelagi said. Everybody knows each other, everybody greets each other, and thats the atmosphere I want to bring in here in this place.

Fresh Off Da Boat is Tuala-Tamaalelagis way to bring Polynesian street food to mainlanders without much knowledge of Hawaiian or Samoan cuisines. Menu descriptions are straightforward, but attentive diners can find Tuala-Tamaalelagis stamp on just about every dish.

Fresh Off Da Boat by Chef T is located in North Natomas business park next to Federico Beauty Institute.

Starchy taro replaces potatoes in Fresh Off Da Boats chips and fries, which accompany ruby-red tuna poke or mahi-mahi fish and chips. The FOB Shrimp, a dish Tuala-Tamaalelagi likens to Polynesian shrimp-and-grits, comes on top of the coconut cream rice (alaisa faapopo) that the chef grew up eating. Corned beef and cabbage might not seem like an island dish, except that the meat is actually a Samoan variation called povi masima thats brined and braised in-house.

Tuala-Tamaalelagi and his cooks make all they can from scratch, from the sriracha ginger aioli drizzled on poke to the cassava cakes supporting lau lau. Beef patties for the two loco mocos, a breakfast option with country gravy or a lunch item with the traditional brown gravy, are ground and formed in-house.

The breakfast Loco Moko includes two beef patties and country gravy served at Fresh Off Da Boat by Chef T on Tuesday.

Tuala-Tamaalelagi came to the mainland to attend Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena, and stuck around Southern California to work as a sous chef for Wolfgang Pucks catering operation.

He was the chef de cuisine at Ledlow, a now-closed modern diner in downtown Los Angeles, then followed his wife Jacinta Seiuli  another native of American Samoa, and Fresh Off Da Boats business manager  up to Sacramento after she became pregnant with their first child in 2016.

An executive chef gig at Rancho Cordovas Marriott hotel followed, then the COVID-19 pandemic put Tuala-Tamaalelagi out of work. He began throwing Fresh Off Da Boat pop-ups around the Sacramento region, attracting fans with and without island roots. When traditional dancers celebrated the restaurants grand opening on Jan. 21, some customers waited three hours for food, Tuala-Tamaalelagi said.

Tuala-Tamaalelagi is already scouting future Fresh Off Da Boat locations around the area. For now, the new restaurant is open from 9 a.m to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, until 4 p.m. on Saturday and closed Sunday and Monday.

What Im Eating

Southeast Asia has monsoon season; Sacramento had the 60 mph gusts and sporadic rainfall that whipped the region on Sunday. I braved the elements for a bowl of noodle soup at Saigon Oi, Hung Kieus Vietnamese restaurant that opened in a Little Saigon shopping center in 2021.

Faux green shutters decorate some of Saigon Ois walls, showcasing illustrations of the historic, sprawling Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City. Another wall bears faux brick and a neon sign with the restaurants name, and others have the fake foliage made for Instagram shots (real potted plants line the floor, too).

Its a restaurant for the 2020s that pays homage to Vietnamese comfort foods. Take the banh mi chao ($19), a skillet of filet mignon, pork roll, meatball and a mound of pate swimming in a sweet-savory sauce with a fried egg peeking skyward. Typically eaten for breakfast (Saigon Oi opens at 9 a.m. daily), its served with an airy baguette that delivers an ASMR-worthy crunch with a gentle squeeze.

Youre more likely to find banh khot ($16) in Sacramentos Vietnamese American households than its restaurants, so try the savory miniature pancakes topped with shrimp while you have the chance. Served sizzling in their skillet, the small cup-like pancakes are chewy with a thin crispy exterior, the result of rice flour used in baking.

Saigon Oi doesnt make pho, but offered bun bo Hue ($18) as a soul-warming special given the outdoor elements. A noodle soup stocked with thinly-sliced steak, meatballs and coagulated pork blood, it tasted woodsier and less spicy than some other Little Saigon renditions.

Saigon Oi

Address: 6835 Stockton Blvd., Suite 450, Sacramento.

Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Tuesday, closed Wednesday.

Phone: (916) 594-7757.

Website: https://www.saigonoisac.com/

Drinks: Vietnamese coffee, dessert drinks known as che, tea, and soda.

Vegetarian options: No mains. Appetizers include egg rolls and sweet potato fries.

Noise level: Medium-loud.

Openings & Closings

 I Heart Mac & Cheese opened its first area location Monday at 1631 K St. in midtown Sacramento. The Florida-based chain whips up loaded flatbreads, grilled cheese sandwiches and bowls of cheesy pasta, with vegan options for the lactose-averse.

 Holaloha Fusion Restaurant & Bar will begin greeting customers Sunday at 9580 Oak Avenue Parkway, Suite 8 in Folsom ahead of its grand opening on Feb. 17. The Hawaiian-Mexican fusion concept will have a cocktail bar and will release its food menu in the coming days.

 Happy Dumplings House is now open at 8469 Elk Grove Blvd., Suite 8 in Elk Groves Laguna 99 Plaza. The Chinese restaurant specializes in dumplings filled with pork, chives or shrimp.

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A volcano spews lava and smoke as it erupts, near Grindavik, on Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland, February 8, 2024. Iceland Civil Protection/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.

By Frank Nieuwenhuis and Stine Jacobsen

NORTH OF SYLINGARFELL, Iceland (Reuters) -A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted on Thursday for the third time since December, spraying streams of lava up to 80 metres (260 feet) into the air and triggering an emergency warning as thousands of households lost heating in the middle of winter.

Bright orange molten rock spewed from cracks in the ground in the Reykjanes peninsula and lava crossed a road near the Blue Lagoon - a luxury geothermal spa - which had to close due to the eruption.

The intensity of the outbreak had eased by Thursday afternoon, said the Icelandic Met Office which is tasked with monitoring volcanoes.

Still, the lava flow hit water pipes in the region just south of the capital, disrupting the supply of geothermally-heated water used to warm homes and leading the Civil Protection Agency to raise its alert level to emergency status.

Reykjavik's Keflavik Airport also lost access to hot water but said it had otherwise maintained operations as usual.

The temperature in the area stood at -7 degrees Celsius (19 Fahrenheit) and was forecast to drop to -10 C (14 F) in the evening.

Rikke Pedersen, who heads the Nordic Volcanological Centre research group based in Reykjavik, said more than 20,000 people had lost access to hot water.

The Civil Protection Agency asked people in the affected area to only use one small electrical heater per households to prevent blackouts.

Restoring hot water via an emergency pipeline that was already under construction could take days, it said.

Volcanic outbreaks in the Reykjanes peninsula are so-called fissure eruptions, which do not usually cause large explosions or significant dispersal of ash into the stratosphere.

However, scientists fear they could continue for years, and Icelandic authorities have started building dykes to divert burning lava flows away from homes and critical infrastructure.

The lava stream also came within 1 km (0.6 miles) of the peninsula's Svartsengi geothermal power plant, Pedersen said.

As the lava flowed, workers were trying to fill in gaps in the protective dykes built along the road.

"So they are really doing all they can to prevent lava reaching the power plant," she said.

HISTORY OF ERUPTIONS

The latest eruptive fissure, the sixth outbreak since 2021, was roughly 3 km (2 miles) long, Iceland's meteorological office said. Intense earthquake activity began around 5:30 a.m. and the eruption itself 30 minutes later.

A plume of smoke rose 3 km into the air, according to the Met Office.

Reykjanesbaer, Iceland's fifth largest municipality, said it would close all kindergardens and schools on Friday.

The previous eruption in the area started on Jan. 14 and lasted roughly two days, with lava flows reaching the outskirts of the Grindavik fishing town, whose nearly 4,000 inhabitants had been evacuated, where some houses were set alight.

Thursday's eruption took place some way from Grindavik and was unlikely to pose a direct threat to the town, Icelandic geophysicist Ari Trausti Gudmundsson told Reuters.

Iceland's President Gudni Johannesson posted an image of flames and smoke in the distance on social media, saying that was the view from his residence.

"As before, our thoughts are with the people of Grindavik who cannot reside in their beautiful town. This too shall pass," Johannesson wrote.

Despite downgrading the volcanic system's threat level, authorities have warned of further eruptions as land continued to rise in the area due to magma accumulating underground.

The Reykjanes peninsula alone has six active volcanic systems and could see eruptions on-and-off for decades or potentially even centuries, Gudmundsson said.

Other parts of the country have more powerful volcanoes.

In 2010, ash clouds from eruptions at Eyafjallajokull in the south of Iceland spread over large parts of Europe, grounding some 100,000 flights and forcing hundreds of Icelanders to evacuate homes.

But unlike Eyafjallajokull, the Reykjanes volcano systems are not trapped under glaciers and are thus not expected to cause similar-sized ash clouds.

Iceland, which is roughly the size of the U.S. state of Kentucky, boasts more than 30 active volcanoes, making the north European island a prime destination for volcano tourism - a niche segment that attracts thousands of thrill seekers.

(Reporting by Frank Nieuwenhuis in Iceland, Stine Jacobsen and Tom Little in Copenhagen, writing by Terje Solsvik; Editing by Toby Chopra)
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP)  A Michigan jury convicted a school shooters mother of involuntary manslaughter Tuesday in a first-of-its-kind trial to determine whether she had any responsibility in the deaths of four students in 2021.

Prosecutors say Jennifer Crumbley was grossly negligent when she failed to tell Oxford High School that the family had guns, including a 9 mm handgun that her son, Ethan Crumbley, used at a shooting range on the weekend before the Nov. 30, 2021, attack.

The jury  six men and six women including some gun owners or people who grew up with guns  began deliberations Monday morning. They sent a note to the judge that afternoon asking if they could infer anything from prosecutors not presenting Ethan Crumbley or others to explain specifically how he got access to a gun at home to shoot up Oxford High School.

The answer is no," Oakland County Judge Cheryl Matthews said. Youre only allowed to consider the evidence that was admitted in the case.

Prosecutors say Jennifer Crumbley had a duty under Michigan law to prevent her son, who was 15 at the time, from harming others. Shes accused of failing to secure a gun and ammunition at home and failing to get help for her sons mental health.

The morning of Nov. 30, 2021, school staff members were concerned about a violent drawing of a gun, bullet and wounded man, accompanied by desperate phrases, on Ethan Crumbleys math assignment. He was allowed to stay in school following a meeting with his parents, who didn't take him home.

A few hours later, Ethan Crumbley pulled a handgun from his backpack and shot 10 students and a teacher, killing four peers. No one had checked the backpack.

The gun was the Sig Sauer 9 mm his father, James Crumbley, purchased with him just four days earlier. Jennifer Crumbley took her son to a shooting range that same weekend.

You're the last adult to have possession of that gun, assistant prosecutor Marc Keast said while cross-examining Jennifer Crumbley last week. You saw your son shoot the last practice round before the (school) shooting on Nov. 30. You saw how he stood. ... He knew how to use the gun."

The teen's mom replied, Yes, he did."

Ethan Crumbley, now 17, pleaded guilty to murder and terrorism and is serving a life sentence. Prosecutors were not required to call him as a witness to try to prove their case against Jennifer Crumbley.

Her lawyer argued last week that the teen actually might be able to help her defense. It didn't matter: The judge kept him off the witness stand because attorneys for Ethan Crumbley said he would cite his right to remain silent. He still might appeal his sentence.

Jennifer and James Crumbley are the first parents in the U.S. to be charged in a mass school shooting committed by their child. James Crumbley, 47, faces trial in March.

Jennifer Crumbley, 45, told jurors that it was her husband's job to keep track of the gun. She also said she saw no signs of mental distress in her son.

We would talk. We did a lot of things together," she testified. "I trusted him, and I felt I had an open door. He could come to me about anything.

In a journal found by police, Ethan Crumbley wrote that his parents wouldnt listen to his pleas for help.

I have zero help for my mental problems and its causing me to shoot up the ... school, he wrote.
Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on the Israel-Hamas war for Thursday, Feb. 8. For the latest news on the conflict in the Middle East, view our live updates file on the war for Friday, Feb. 9.

An overnight attack that killed at least 13 in Rafah underscored Israel's determination to defy warnings and press into the southern Gaza city, where more than 1 million Palestinians have fled to escape the fighting.

The deadly airstrikes Wednesday into Thursday came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Hamas cease-fire proposal and said Israel Defense Forces are preparing to pursue militants in the city, which borders Egypt.

After meeting Netanyahu on Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed once again the importance of protecting Palestinian civilians. About 85% of Gaza's prewar population of 2.3 million has been displaced, the majority of them now in and around Rafah after instructions from the IDF to leave combat areas to the north. Aid organizations have warned about the catastrophic consequences of a major military operation in Rafah.

Where do we go after Rafah? Do we go to sea? Warda Abu Warda said outside Kuwaiti Hospital, where casualties from the overnight strikes were taken.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters Thursday that the administration has seen no indication Israel has imminent plans for a ground operation in Rafah, even though Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has advocated for one.

A responsible military plan would factor in making sure that you can protect the civilians,'' Kirby said. "Given the circumstances and the conditions there that we see right now, we think a military operation at this time would be a disaster for those people.'

Besides the human toll, Israel might have to contend with the wrath of Egypt, which worries about a massive surge of Palestinians into its territory and has warned such an event would threaten its four-decade-old peace treaty with Israel.

Netanyahu calls Hamas plan 'delusional': Blinken sees 'space' for deal

Developments:

 The Senate was poised to vote on a foreign aid bill that included Israel. A stand-alone, $17.6 billion package for Israel was defeated Tuesday in the House. The Senate blocked a broader bill Wednesday that included border security and other funding.

 Jordan's King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein will meet with President Joe Biden in Washington on Monday to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations and discuss the war, humanitarian assistance, and a long-term, two-state solution to the conflict, the White House said in a statement.

 U.S. forces conducted preemptive strikes against two anti-ship cruise missiles Houthi rebels were ready to launch against ships in the Red Sea, and later against one of their land attack cruise missiles also ready to be fired, Central Command said Thursday. The missiles "presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region," it said.

 Germany is sending the Hessen, a Navy ship with 240 service members, to patrol the Red Sea as part of a European Union mission expected to begin later this month to help defend cargo vessels from Houthi attacks.

Argentine President Javier Milei tours Kibbutz Nir Oz, one of the places targeted by Hamas in the Oct. 7 attacks, with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Feb. 8, 2024.

Israel not close to goal of eradicating Hamas, report says

Netanyahu told a national TV audience Wednesday that Israel is "on the way to an absolute victory over Hamas and it would be just "a matter of months.''

U.S. officials don't share that assessment, according to a New York Times report that says Israel is not close to destroying Hamas and also questions whether that goal is feasible. The report, which cites unnamed American officials, is based on an intelligence briefing delivered to members of Congress this week.

The U.S. has been pressing instead for Israel to negotiate a halt in the fighting and a deal that would free the hostages in Gaza in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners, similar to the weeklong truce of late November. Netanyahu has rejected the Hamas terms outright, increasing the frustration of hostage relatives who have been pushing him to prioritize their freedom over beating Hamas.

'Blatant assassination': Iraq livid with US after Baghdad drone strike

The U.S. drone strike that killed an Iraqi-based militant leader was a "blatant assassination" that showed no regard for international law, the Iraqi government said Thursday.

The strike blew up a car in a Baghdad neighborhood late Wednesday, killing a commander of the Kataib Hezbollah militia responsible for planning and participating in attacks on American troops in the region, the U.S. military said. Hezbollah in Lebanon condemned the killing as "a continuation to the US previous crime and continuous aggression against our people in Iraq, Syria and Yemen."

Major General Yehia Rasool, spokesman for Iraq's government, said the strike violated Iraqi sovereignty and showed disregard for the safety of civilians. Rasool said in a social media post that the U.S.-led military coalition in Iraq consistently deviates from "the reasons and objectives" for its presence in the country, which is to prevent an ISIS resurgence.

"This trajectory compels the Iraqi government more than ever to terminate the mission of this coalition, which has become a factor for instability and threatens to entangle Iraq in the cycle of conflict," he said.

The U.S. has blamed the Iran-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a loose association of insurgent groups, for a series of strikes on U.S. bases in the region  including the attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. military personnel Jan. 28.

Is Israel willing to let Hamas leaders walk in exchange for hostages?

Israel is willing to allow Oct. 7 attack mastermind Yahya Sinwar and other top Hamas leaders in Gaza flee into exile in exchange for the release of all remaining hostages and an end to Hamas rule in the enclave, NBC News reported, citing multiple Israeli officials it did not name.

Netanyahu vowed as recently as this week to continue fighting until the Hamas leadership is killed. Israel says Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, leader of the Hamas military wing, directed the rampage that killed 1,200 people in Israel border communities. Over 240 others were kidnapped and spirited away to Gaza, though more than 100 of them were released during a weeklong November truce.

Two sources familiar with discussions inside the Israeli government told NBC that other proposals Israelis raised with U.S. officials included replacing Hamas with hand-picked civilian leaders. The U.S. has lobbied for a revamped Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, to take control of Gaza.

The U.S., Qatar, and Egypt have been working to broker a cease-fire and long-term peace plan since the war began. Netanyahu on Wednesday rejected a Hamas-proposed cease-fire plan that would include the release of the remaining hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, and an end to the war.

Apparent creation of buffer zone by Israel is a war crime, UN official says

Israel's reported effort to destroy Gaza buildings along the border to create a buffer zone is a war crime, United Nations rights chief Volker Turk warned Thursday. He said his office had recorded "widespread destruction and demolition" of civilian infrastructure including residential buildings, schools and universities in areas where fighting is not taking place.

The Israeli government has not formally confirmed that a buffer zone is being created, but the military has alluded to it while destroying buildings along the border. The U.S has opposed the creation of a buffer zone or any permanent change in Palestinian territory.

"I stress to the Israeli authorities ... the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits destruction by the occupying power of property belonging to private persons, except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations," Volker said.

Blinken issues warning to Israel after Netanyahu rejects peace deal

The daily toll Israel's military operations are taking on innocent civilians remains too high, Blinken said at a briefing in Tel Aviv late Wednesday. Blinken said that while in Israel he raised "profound concerns about actions and rhetoric, including from government officials, that inflame tensions," jeopardize international support and add to Israel's security concerns.

Blinken acknowledged Israelis were "dehumanized in the most horrific way" by the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and that the hostages seized by the militants continue to be mistreated.

"But that cannot be a license to dehumanize others," Blinken said. "The overwhelming majority of people in Gaza had nothing to do with the attacks of October 7th. ... Theyre mothers and fathers, sons and daughters (who) want to earn a decent living, send their kids to school, have a normal life. Thats who they are; thats what they want. And we cannot, we must not lose sight of that. We cannot, we must not, lose sight of our common humanity."

At least 27,840 Palestinians have been killed and 67,317 wounded by the Israeli military in Gaza since Oct. 7, the Hamas-run Health Ministry says. Israeli officials say about 10,000 of them were Hamas militants and blame civilian deaths on Hamas using them as human shields.

Contributing: Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel Hamas war updates: Airstrikes on Rafah may foretell 'disaster'
As her estranged husband held her against the wall, squeezing her neck with both hands, a Barberton woman kept thinking, I have to get free.

She tried to grab his head and face as he stared at her with an odd, toothy smile.

Lily Holderbaum, a forensic nurse at Cleveland Clinic Akron General, demonstrates how strangulation victims use a mannequin to show what happened to them.

He then grabbed her arms with one hand, keeping his other hand on her neck.

I just wanted desperately to breathe, the 46-year-old woman recalled.

He finally let go, and she gasped for air. As soon as she could scream, she yelled for her roommate to call 911.

Police took her estranged husband into custody, charging him with domestic violence and strangulation in the May incident.

The man, who isnt being named to protect the victims identity for safety reasons, was among the first people in Summit County charged under a law effective in April that made strangulation a felony.

Victim advocates and forensic nurses lobbied for years to toughen charges related to strangulations, which typically involve domestic violence and too often are followed by murders. Ohio was the last state to make strangulation a felony.

Strangulation injuries can linger long after visible bruises have faded, leaving victims at risk of a stroke and mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder and, in severe cases, traumatic brain injuries.

Twenty-two percent of the people killed by their partners in Ohio between June 2022 and July 2023 died from strangulation or traumatic brain injuries, according to the Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN).

Strangulation is not okay, said Rachel Ramirez, the director of health and disability programs for ODVN. Strangulation is not something were willing to tolerate. If you do it, there will be consequences.

The Barberton woman was sore and bruised after the altercation with her husband, which ruptured one of her breast implants.

The 56-year-old man, who told police he grabbed his wife by the neck after she tried to hit him, took a plea deal in November. He received two years of probation, with the conditions including $12,702 in restitution for his wifes ruptured implant.

Strangulation punishable by up to 8 years in prison

Ohios strangulation law prohibits a person from causing serious harm or creating a substantial risk of harm through strangulation or suffocation.

It defines strangulation or suffocation as impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood by applying pressure to the throat or neck or by covering the nose and mouth.

Depending on the severity of harm and the relationship between the person charged and the victim, strangulation can be a second- to fifth-degree felony. A second-degree felony carries a penalty of up to eight years in prison, while a fifth-degree felony can result in up to 12 months in prison but doesnt require incarceration.

Lily Holderbaum, a forensic nurse and the head of the PATH, or Providing Access to Healing, program at Cleveland Clinic Akron General, said strangulation is dangerous because it involves intentional deadly force.

That patient could have died within minutes, she said.

Lily Holderbaum, a forensic nurse at Cleveland Clinic Akron General, says strangulation victims could die within minutes.

Holderbaum said her program, which assists victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and elder abuse, sees about 1,000 patients a year from Summit and surrounding counties, and about 25% have been strangled.

When strangulation victims are examined, Holderbaum said hospital staff take photographs of their injuries, swab for DNA, get details about the incident and have them demonstrate how they were strangled with a mannequin.

Holderbaum said strangulation victims are at risk of a blood clot or stroke that might not happen until a week or month later.

She also said victims of strangulation arent always seen in the emergency department and may end up seeking treatment in another department, such as physical or occupational therapy. The hospital plans to offer training on strangulation in March to departments outside of the ER.

There isnt enough of a discussion of the injuries that can happen with strangulation, she said.

Strangulation law reflects the seriousness of the crime, prosecutor says

Elliot Kolkovich, the community outreach prosecutor for the Summit County Prosecutors office, said strangulations often happen in volatile domestic situations that could also involve multiple forms of injury, such as punching, slapping and throwing a person onto the ground or against something.

Prior to the strangulation law, Kolkovich said a person could have been charged under the domestic violence, assault or felonious assault statutes, depending on how seriously the victim was injured. He said strangulation victims, though, might not immediately have visible injuries beyond something like petechiae, or ruptured blood vessels, in the eyes.

Now that strangulation is at least a fifth-degree felony, Kolkovich said, it has stiffer penalties than domestic violence, which is a first-degree misdemeanor for a first offense with a minor injury.

It reflects the seriousness of the crime, Kolkovich said. Some of the domestic violence incidents involve hitting and punching. When you have a strangulation, you could be close to taking a persons life.

Implementation of Ohios new law varies

Victim advocates say some communities are charging a lot of people under the new strangulation law, while others have been slower to implement it.

There have been some great success stories and frustrations, Ramirez said. Law enforcement has a lot on their hands. I do think we need to give them a little bit of time and grace.

Ramirez pointed to Columbus as one of the cities that has been the most proactive in responding to the law. The city used an $800,000 federal grant to create a multi-agency strangulation task force and to train officers about strangulation.

Columbus took this step after seeing a 200% increase in homicides involving domestic violence in 2023.

More: Columbus domestic violence homicides up 200% in 2023. How one family is finding hope

Though few strangulations cases have gone to trial so far across Ohio, a Canton man was sentenced to four years in prison in December after being convicted in a jury trial of choking, punching and slapping a woman.

Devion Williams, 31, was convicted of two counts each of strangulation and domestic violence for incidents that happened in Canton in April, just a few weeks after the strangulation law took effect.

Police say Williams choked the victim and shoved a sock down her throat to prevent her from breathing, then punched and slapped her.

Devion Williams, left, of Canton, is escorted from the courtroom after being sentenced to four years in prison for strangulation and domestic violence in December in Stark County Common Pleas Court.

Williams attorney argued for probation, but prosecutors said he couldnt be trusted in the community.

Stark County Common Pleas Judge Natalie Haupt said she thought prison time was warranted.

I think this case demonstrates the very reason that strangulation is now a felony in Ohio, Haupt said.

Williams, whose strangulation case is the only one to go to trial so far in Stark County, plans to appeal.

How many strangulation cases are prosecuted in Summit County?

In the 48 strangulation cases filed so far in Summit County, most were charged with strangulation and domestic violence. Some also faced other charges, such as felonious assault, criminal damaging and kidnapping, according to court records.

Among these cases, as of Jan. 31:

Nine people pleaded guilty and were sentenced to probation.

Five people pleaded guilty and were sentenced to jail or prison time.

All involved male defendants, except for a Richfield woman who was charged for a September incident involving her elderly mother.

The people charged were from Akron and numerous surrounding communities, including Massillon, Streetsboro, Wooster, North Canton, Tallmadge, Northfield, Barberton, Richfield and Kent.

Kolkovich said the sentences are up to the judges who consider a variety of factors, including the potential for the person to reoffend, the severity of the victims injuries, and whether the defendant accepted responsibility.

Akron man weeps when hes sentenced to prison in strangulation case

Brandon Mackey, 27, of Akron was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in November to strangulation, a fourth-degree felony, and an amended count of aggravated assault, also a fourth-degree felony, for an incident involving his former girlfriend.

Brandon Mackey of Akron cries after being sentenced to prison in December in Summit County Common Pleas Court. Mackey pleaded guilty to strangulation and aggravated assault for an incident involving his former girlfriend.

Prosecutors dismissed a domestic violence charge.

During Mackeys sentencing in December, Kolkovich shared photos of the injuries to the victim, which included a gash on her neck that required six stitches. He said Mackey held the woman down and strangled and punched her.

Brandon Mackey, left, talks to his attorney, Troy Reeves, during his sentencing in December in Summit County Common Pleas Court.

Kolkovich suggested that prison time would be warranted, saying Mackeys conduct was egregious enough.

Troy Reeves, Mackeys attorney, urged the judge to consider probation, noting that his client had no prior record.

Im sorry any of this happened, Mackey said. Im doing what I can.

Judge Joy Malek Oldfield sentences Brandon Mackey to prison in December for an incident involving his former girlfriend.

Judge Joy Malek Oldfield said Mackey showed no remorse and smoked weed before he met with the probation department prior to his sentencing.

You do not inspire me as someone who would respond to probation, Oldfield told Mackey, who sobbed as he was taken into custody.

Oldfield said the victim was severely injured, and the incident happened in front of children. She sentenced him to 18 months in prison.

I dont think thats disproportionate to the circumstances we have here, the judge said.

After the sentencing, Reeves, who also has another client charged with strangulation, questioned the need for this new law. He said people previously were charged in cases like this with crimes like domestic violence and assault.

Barberton man gets probation for strangulation incident involving his wife

The Barberton woman said she didnt know about the felony strangulation law until her estranged husband was charged with it.

It is a good thing, she said. If it was a misdemeanor, if he reoffended again, it would just be the same.

I dont want him to ever hurt another woman, she continued.

The two were separated at the time of the May 13 incident and are now going through a divorce.

Her husband told police he got into an argument with her and she threw a bowl at him, which didnt hit him. He said she tried to escort him out of the house and, when he stopped, she attempted to hit him a few times. He said he grabbed her by the neck so she would stop, according to an incident report.

The victims roommate told police she heard the couple arguing and, when she came downstairs, saw the husband holding his wife by the neck and then taking her to the ground. She said her friend asked her to call 911 and she did, according to the report.

The woman had red marks on her neck and arms, while her husband had no injuries, according to the report.

The man pleaded guilty in Summit County Common Pleas Court in November to strangulation, a fourth-degree felony, and domestic violence, a first-degree misdemeanor.

John Alexander, the mans attorney, said his client agreed to the plea after prosecutors said he could be charged with felonious assault because of his wifes ruptured breast implant. He said his client claims he didnt intend to strangle his wife but was trying to restrain her.

Judge Kathryn Michael sentenced the man to two years of probation, with a reserved prison sentence of 18 months possible if he violates the terms of his probation. She ordered that he complete a 26-week Conflict Resolutions Program, pay restitution to his wife, and have no contact with her except for during court proceedings pertaining to their divorce.

The woman said shes still having nightmares in which she sees her husbands grinning face. She recently started counseling, which she thinks she should have done sooner.

I basically took my healing and hid it and let it go and shouldnt have, she said. I could be in a better place in my head right now.

She urged other strangulation victims to access the help available to them as soon as they can.

There are programs to help you, she said. And, youre not alone. Thats the most important thing.

Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com, 330-996-3705 and on Twitter: @swarsamithabj.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio strengthens penalties for strangulation charge
More Kentucky teens charged with serious felonies involving guns, like robbery or assault, could be prosecuted harsher as adults in circuit court under a bill headed to the state Senate.

Senate Bill 20, which was approved Thursday by a Senate committee, would reverse a criminal-justice reform that Kentucky adopted just three years ago in order to show juvenile offenders some leniency.

In 2021, the legislature ended the automatic transfer of youths from juvenile court to circuit court in certain criminal cases. Judges now have to hold a hearing to determine, based on the evidence, whether a transfer is appropriate. Once in circuit court, teens are classified as youthful offenders and can face the same penalties an adult would, including prison.

The national trend of automatically transferring youths to different courts to be prosecuted as adults for serious felonies started in the 1990s. Subsequent studies found that automatic transfers did little to deter juvenile crime, and in fact, the practice frequently stigmatizes youths for life and exposes them to hardened adult criminals.

But a rise in gun-related violent crime involving teens justifies a more serious response, the sponsor of SB 20, Sen. Matthew Deneen, R-Elizabethtown, said Thursday.

Sen. Matthew Deneen, R-Elizabethtown, spoke about his Senate Bill 20 to a Senate committee on Thursday.

Many victims of teen shootings are themselves other teens, who either are killed or who spend the rest of their lives coping with physical injuries and trauma, Deneen told the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection.

It is our responsibility, I believe, to draw a line in the sand and say for these types of crimes, these adult crimes, that the punishment should be fitting of the crime, Deneen said.

One of the senators who objected Thursday was Republican Whitney Westerfield of Fruit Hill.

Westerfield, who helped change the law three years ago, said an automatic transfer to circuit court would not let judges use their own discretion in cases and consider different factors, such as a youths personal history, possible intellectual disabilities and whether a gun offense was a property crime or a crime that caused physical harm.

I find this (bill) repugnant, Westerfield said. Not poorly intended. I dont question the intent at all.

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There also was some discussion among members of the committee as to who else should be held accountable when teenagers roam the streets with guns.

In many cases, they said, parents seem to have disappeared from their childrens lives. Also, they said, people too often leave their guns in their vehicles outside, where they are easy targets for theft.

Sen. Karen Berg, D-Louisville, said the Senate bill seems like a clumsy attempt to punish youths for living in a society thats awash in guns without doing anything to curb their access to guns.

Senate Bill 56, which would require safe and secure storage of firearms by Kentucky gun owners, was assigned to the same Senate committee more than a month ago, but it hasnt budged.

To say simply that were going to throw up our hands and theres nothing that we can do but put these kids away for the rest of their lives ... you are guaranteeing that these kids spend longer in our incarceration system, Berg said. And they do not come out better. They come out worse.

Among its sections, the Senate bill would send cases from juvenile to circuit court for defendants ages 15 to 17 if a district court judge found that a firearm was used during the commission of a Class A, B or C felony. These include the most serious violent crimes, such as homicide, rape, assault, robbery and kidnapping.

If convicted in circuit court, the teen would face the same penalties as an adult, except if they are sentenced to prison, they would serve their time in a juvenile facility until they turn 18, at which point they move to an adult facility.

Under an amended version of the bill approved Thursday, a teens case later could return to juvenile court if prosecutors determine that is in the best interest of the public and the child. Deneen said he made that change at the request of his county attorney in Hardin County.

Also, the bill would expand Kentuckys violent offender statute to include attempted murder  a proposal found in several different pieces of legislation this winter  as well as several serious felonies involving firearms: first-degree burglary, second-degree assault and first-degree wanton endangerment when a gun is fired. In these cases, at least 50% of a sentence would have to be served before parole eligibility could be considered.

Finally, the bill would elevate the crime of first-degree wanton endangerment from a Class D felony, bringing up to five years in prison, to a Class C felony, bringing up to 10 years in prison, if the discharge of a firearm is involved.
The Nicolas Maduro regime has arrested at least three of Maria Corina Machados closest collaborators and has ruled that she will not be able to compete in this years presidential elections, but the opposition leader says she feels great optimism about Venezuelas immediate future.

The regime is extremely weak at this moment, suffering from very low popularity and counting with very few tools to face the rebirth of hope in Venezuela, Machado said on Wednesday at a roundtable organized by the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs subcommittee.

We do have a real opportunity for a peaceful transition in Venezuela through presidential elections that according to the Constitution should take place this year. The regime is in its weakest position ever due to the current correlation of forces. Even though the shout, they only resources they have is the use of violence and their efforts to generate terror. We, within the opposition forces, are stronger today than ever, she said.

The latest polls published in Venezuela suggest that Machado is correct. The opposition would defeat Maduro in a possible presidential election by a ratio of 72% to 8%, according to an opinion poll published this week by the firm Meganalisis.

Finding itself outmatched in the electoral field is the reason why the regime ended up turning its back on the commitments it made in Barbados in favor of holding free and fair elections this year under the supervision of international observers, Machado said.

Despite this, Machado told a small group of US representatives that 2024 will be a defining year for Venezuelans.

The time to act is now. We have a huge opportunity, first because the regime is breaking down because they have completely lost their social support, and second because they are suffering internal clashes between the different criminal groups they consist of, because they are fighting over the few sources of income that are left after having pillaged the whole country, she said.

A third element that is dragging the country towards a democratic transition is enormous international pressure, which Machado described as truly global.

Maduro, meanwhile, has been showing few signs of being willing to reverse his decision not to run against Machado in a presidential election, and his regime is not moving forward in the implementation of a electoral system reform, despite agreeing to do so in Barbados.

The United States has said that the Venezuelan government has until April to honor its commitments, otherwise Washington will reimpose the previously lifted sanctions on Venezuelan oil sales.

During the round table, Machado said she feels confident the Biden administration and the bulk of the international community will continue to support her, dismissing fears that in the face of the regimes refusal to allow her to run in an election she would be tossed aside in favor of another opposition candidate the regime would find more agreeable.

I trust that I will continue to have the support of the international community, because in reality this is not about me. This is about the choice of the three million Venezuelans who voted for me in the primaries, in what was a historic process, she said. So this is not about me, but about the right of the Venezuelan people to choose the leader and the candidate they want to run against Maduro.

Despite Machados optimism, her followers in Venezuela continue to be the target of a wave of repression launched by the regime. As of now, at least three members of her party, Vente Venezuela, are missing and are presumably under the regimes custody.

What we have here is a state that has decided to crush its opponent, crush it. That means taking three Venezuelans, who were detained or kidnapped as of today, Machados campaign manager, Magalli Meda, said in a video published on Thursday on her X account.

Describing the detentions of the three Vente Venezuela leaders as kidnappings, Meda said that these actions demonstrate the Maduro governments fear to compete against Machado.
The man seen tackled by members of the vigilante group Guardian Angels in a viral Fox News clip is not a migrant and is from New York City, a New York Police Department spokesperson told the Associated Press.

The information arrives after former GOP New York City mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa, the groups founder, pointed out the man as one of the migrant guys before members brought him to the ground during a live TV interview in Times Square with Fox News Sean Hannity on Tuesday.

Sliwa claimed that the man had been shoplifting before the Guardian Angels gave him a little pain compliance, adding that the mans mother back in Venezuela felt the vibrations.

But the man, according to an NYPD spokesperson, is from the Bronx and police didnt have evidence to support the claim that he had been shoplifting.

Officers were informed that the male had repeatedly attempted to interfere with and disrupt a live television interview, the spokesperson told NBC News, noting that the man was detained by bystanders and issued a summons as officers saw him acting in a loud, disorderly threatening manner on the sidewalk.

what the fuck did i just watch pic.twitter.com/FxVUPmEDte  Andrew Lawrence (@ndrew_lawrence) February 7, 2024

Sliwa, who founded the group in the 70s and lost to New York Mayor Eric Adams (D) in the citys 2021 mayoral election, criticized Adams in the interview for the citys prepaid card program for migrants.

He has previously admitted that several of the groups early crime-fighting exploits were actually faked and once staged his own kidnapping, The New York Times reportedin the early 90s.

Sliwa was arrested in August during a protest over migrant housing in the city.

He told NBC News that the man hit a female Guardian Angel before other members went and took the person down, adding that the shoplifting allegation stemmed from what those in the crowd told him.

Sliwa said he believed the man was a migrant because he had been speaking Spanish and members had previously come across him with other Spanish speakers, according to The Associated Press.

Police did not respond to APs questions on whether members of the group were under investigation following the altercation.

Related...
Medical marijuana grows in Oklahoma have been told time is up to get in compliance with fire and building codes.

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control is now refusing to renew their registrations unless they submit proof they have passed inspection.

Three manufacturers sued Jan. 29 after they were given 30 days to request administrative hearings to produce the required paperwork.

The bureau sent letters Jan. 19 to 2,176 marijuana businesses, according to the lawsuit. The marijuana grows complained that the state fire marshal's office can't keep up with inspections through no fault of its own.

Suing are Lucky Rhino Farms, which is in Pittsburg County, and two other grows. Their lawsuit is asking an Oklahoma County judge to order the bureau not to penalize grows over the issue until the state fire marshal clears the backlog.

A hearing on the lawsuit is set for April 4.

Oklahoma attorney general describes 'a culture of noncompliance' with building codes in marijuana industry

Fires at marijuana businesses led to a safety crackdown in 2023. Attorney General Gentner Drummond complained in September there is "a culture of rampant noncompliance" with building codes in the marijuana industry.

"I am aware of building code violations that have created fires, explosions, burn victims, exposure to dangerous chemicals and combustible gasses, and the loss of thousands of acres," he wrote in a letter to the state fire marshal.

The state fire marshal, Keith Bryant, told The Oklahoman last year regulators had been letting medical marijuana manufacturers operate without going through his office.

"Ever since medical marijuana was legalized, most of the grow operations are in rural areas," he said. "Well, in most cases, the counties don't have any building codes. ... And so their paperwork got signed off on for that piece of it, and they were given a license.

More: Driver testifies to using fake Amazon van to move black-market marijuana out of Oklahoma

"And they never had obtained a certificate of occupancy from our office."

He said the stricter stance by regulators has resulted in a record number of submissions to the state fire marshal's office for building permits.

The attorney for the grows, Ronald Durbin, of Tulsa, said the state fire marshal's office still hasn't even opened inspection requests submitted in July.

"We've got a mess," the attorney said.

The narcotics bureau's public information officer, Mark Woodward, said administrative hearings probably won't start until April.

"I know every day the fire marshal's doing everything they can to knock more of them out," Woodward said about inspections. "So there's a very good chance that by March or April many of these businesses that got a letter will hopefully be up to code by then."

He also said the businesses can grow outdoors until they get certificates of occupancy from the state fire marshal for their buildings.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma marijuana grows sue state over safety inspections backlog
There are 138 state legislators in Kentucky. Most of them spend a majority of their time during session in Frankforts Capitol Annex, where their offices are located.

But even in the heat of the legislative session, those lawmakers make up a minority of the nicely dressed patrons of the Capitol Annex Cafeteria.

Instead, the basement food hall is frequently filled with lobbyists, organization leaders and other advocates. Theyre there to educate and make the case to officeholders on behalf of clients or organizations.

Theyre also there to build relationships with lawmakers, which act as something of a currency for those looking to make change in Frankfort.

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Time after time, theyve brought legislators information on issues and the information has at least borne out to be trustworthy, said Tres Watson, a Frankfort regular and former spokesperson for the Republican Party of Kentucky. When youve built up that level of trust, theres value for people to say, Hey, can you go present this information to them?

Companies from all across the state and nation spend millions to leverage the strong relationships Frankforts lobbying corps has built with legislators and bureaucrats. In 2023, a short non-budget session year, they spent a record $24.7 million on lobbying the state legislature, according to the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission.

But its not just contract legislative lobbyists that work hard to build relationships with legislators. Executive branch lobbyists and full-time special interest group staffers also crowd the halls of Frankfort to make their pitches and build relationships.

The Herald-Leader spoke with six different lobbyists and advocates for various causes and of different political stripes. Heres what they had to say about how Frankfort works.

Amy Wickliffe, partner at McCarthy Strategic Solutions

Since the Republican Party took full control of the state legislature in Kentucky in 2016, Amy Wickliffe has regularly ranked among the top-paid legislative lobbyists in the state. Shes often been the highest-ranked woman on those lists, clearing $400,000 and $500,000 in contracts the past two years.

Wickliffe, 43, is partner at the Frankfort-based McCarthy Strategic Solutions, a firm founded by John McCarthy. McCarthy has worked his way up the Kentucky Republican political world since serving on Gov. Ernie Fletchers staff in the early 2000s  hes been among the highest-paid legislative lobbyists in Kentucky over the past decade and was recently selected as the state partys national committeeman.

What does a day in the life of a successful lobbyist look like? When session is in, it means meetings and research 24/7, Wickliffe said.

My attitude is, if legislators are in Frankfort, so am I. So that makes for very long days with most of my day spent at the annex in committee hearings or meeting with legislators about issues my clients are interested in, and I may have a committee or floor vote Im preparing for thrown in there at least once a week I thrive in the busy season and if Im not busy I feel like Im missing something, she said.

Like McCarthy, Wickliffe has deep roots with the state Republican cause. Like many other lobbyists, Wickliffe has appeared regularly on Kentucky Educational Television arguing on behalf of her preferred party. Also like other lobbyists, shes been a regular financial contributor to her state party.

Wickliffe said that one misconception about her business is that lobbyists are seen as mercenaries for whoever will pay to leverage their relationships. Not true, she said.

Thats just not the case with our firm. We all have our own set of values, and when it comes down to it, if youre going to advocate effectively for a client, you need to believe in and align with what they stand for, Wickliffe said.

An example of believing in the end goal for her is the passage of Marsys Law, a bill and constitutional amendment that enshrined certain rights for crime victims.

I have the privilege of working in the victim-centered policy space, representing those who work with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse, Wickliffe said. Carrying their voices, experiences and needs to policy makers is some of the most important work I get to do.

Ashli Watts, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce President and CEO

The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is regularly the biggest legislative lobbying spender in Frankfort, spending more than $400,000 in each of the last two years to advocate for a pro-business agenda.

At the head of the organization, which serves member businesses across the state, is Frankfort veteran Ashli Watts. The 41-year-old has held her role as president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber since late 2019 and was recently named chair of the U.S. Chamber of Commerces Committee of 100. The organization has its headquarters in Frankfort.

Under Watts, the chambers biggest Frankfort push was cutting the states personal income tax to zero. That process began with a bill from House Appropriations and Revenue Chair Jason Petrie, R-Elkton, passed in 2022.

Ashli Watts, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce CEO, speaks during a media conference Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, in the rotunda at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort announcing the results from a study detailing the growth and impact of Kentuckys bourbon and distilled spirits industry.

Such outside groups as the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy worry that reducing the tax will lead to service cuts and budget vulnerability should a recession occur. However, the chamber has held steady in its belief that getting the income tax  the states largest single source of revenue  to zero will benefit its member businesses and the state.

Watts told the Herald-Leader that part of her success in Frankfort in such areas as tax reform can be attributed to the relationships she and others at the chamber have built with lawmakers.

Everything is built on relationships and trust, she said.

My point of view is to not necessarily look at the letter behind someones name, but get to know them, get to know what area theyre from and the constituents they represent. The nice thing about working for the chamber and representing businesses is everyone has businesses in their area and everyone has a local Chamber of Commerce  there is going to be something that we agree on.

When it comes to taking stances on certain issues or bills, Watts emphasized the organization takes its stances based on a very rigorous membership-led process subject to chamber board approval.

Sometimes that includes taking stances against, or staying relatively quiet on, socially conservative bills.

Eleven years ago, we probably werent talking about any social issues, or anything dealing with the LGBTQ community, or criminal justice reform or even childcare issues. Watts said.

I do think at the end of the day, our main point is: What does it have to do with business? If it has to do with business, we can draw that line if our members feel strongly about it. But some of those issues really havent impacted business.

Sara Osborne, lobbyist at MML&K Government Solutions

There are 138 members of the state legislature and more than 1,000 bills are likely to be filed this year. Helping each member understand the impact of that many bills is a math problem that Sara Osborne, 40, said lobbyists play a role in solving.

Somebody has to help people understand what those are what they mean, and I think this job gives you a lot of opportunities to do that, she said.

Osborne works for MML&K Government Solutions, the Frankfort-based lobbying arm of the politically prominent McBrayer firm. She has experience in two Democratic governors offices in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Under former governor Steve Beshear, the current governors father, Osborne served as executive director for the Office of Intergovernmental Services in the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet.

In general, lobbyists with Democratic backgrounds are more likely to lobby the Executive Branch while Republican-leaning individuals focus more on lobbying the GOP-dominated state legislature.

I guess its just the nature of of where our country and our state is right now, but I dont think it has to be that way. I have plenty of Republican friends and colleagues and legislators I have great relationships with  and I had folks in the Bevin administration like that, too, Osborne said.

In the past fiscal year, Osborne made about $154,000 in executive branch lobbying contracts according to records from the Executive Branch Ethics Commission.

MML&Ks Sara Osborne

She said the biggest thing she communicates to others looking to make a difference in Frankfort is to be honest at all times.

If you dont have an answer, its OK to say you dont know. Dont lie. The biggest thing is, once you get that kind of reputation, you never get to take that back, Osborne said.

Osborne takes particular pride in helping clients understand the states COVID-19 regulations, as well as lobbying on behalf of the bourbon industry. In the bourbon space, she said the interests of clients (looking to entice more visitors to their distillery) and the state (looking for more tourism dollars) align.

Shes been involved in efforts to change pass laws that allow distilleries to provide a fuller experience to Kentuckys Bourbon Trail visitors.

Ten years ago, you could take a tour and that was it. You couldnt have any experiences, you couldnt taste anything. We wanted to surpass Napa and the wine industry, and I think were on our way to doing that, but it took year after year of taking small bites at the apple to create the experience in the industry, Osborne said.

Thats created a reason, a major reason, for people to come to Kentucky.

Richard Nelson, Commonwealth Policy Center Executive Director

The Commonwealth Policy Center has a vague name. However, its stance on social issues is always crystal clear.

As executive director Richard Nelson, 54, tells it, the four pillars of the conservative organization are:

Sanctity of life (manifesting largely as anti-abortion policy.)

Religious freedom.

Man-Woman marriage.

Sound fiscal policy.

Thats a relatively straightforward list, but the ways in which the Commonwealth Policy Center in Frankfort has engaged in the political arena are myriad and varied.

The center hosts candidate trainings for like-minded conservatives, puts on events at churches decrying the alleged dangers of transgender ideology while also promoting private faith-based schooling.

It also directly lobbies legislators, distributes template letters to send to local school boards, provides direct support to candidates  all of this and more for the purpose of advancing social conservatism in the state.

Helping to make Kentucky an abortion-free state (the states ban offers very limited exceptions) and playing a role in flipping the House to become Republican in 2016 are two of the organizations greatest achievements, Nelson said.

Nelson also fights the social conservative fight in the public arena, making occasional appearances on Kentucky Educational Television and commentary in other outlets in the state.

Nelson founded the Commonwealth Policy Center in 2012, after more than 14 years at the states other primary social conservative organization: the Family Foundation of Kentucky. Both organizations were involved in pushing for Senate Bill 150, a bill that outlawed gender affirming care for minors among other things.

LGBTQ rights advocates in Kentucky and across the nation called the bill one of the most anti-trans pieces of legislation in the nation while social conservatives cheered it for being pro-parental rights.

He said a defining feature of the group is civility in its public discourse, which he said plays in important role in persuading folks.

The two biggest upcoming legislative pushes for the center: Passing a school choice constitutional amendment that allows the legislature to fund non-public and charter K-12 education, as well as getting a bill passed to limit diversity, equity and inclusion (known as DEI) in the state.

What does diversity have to do with the centers set of issues?

Our colleges and universities should be welcoming to people of all ethnicities, races, genders, and we should be inclusive in that regard. But the problem we have with DEI is the equity part. As I understand that, its equal outcomes, instead of equal opportunity, Nelson said.

Other influential lobbyists

There are dozens of prominent and influential contract lobbyists in Frankfort not highlighted in this story. Heres a sampling of some of the big names who also are power brokers.

Kelley Abell, Partner at The Rotunda Group: A longtime Frankfort lobbyist, Abell is regularly listed among Frankforts top lobbyists. Many of the contracts she carried out in the last year centered around health care, with a particular focus on adult day care. At $582,000, Abell was the highest-paid woman in Frankforts legislative lobbying corps.

Bob Babbage of Babbage Cofounder, former Democratic auditor and secretary of state: Babbage regularly ranks among the highest-paid lobbyists in Frankfort, and was even more consistently high on the list when Democrats controlled both the governors chair and the House. Between the 2023 calendar year lobbying the legislature and the 2023 Fiscal Year, Babbage made more than $1.2 million from lobbying contracts according to ethics commissions in both branches of government. Major clients are in the health care, technology and nonprofit advocacy sectors.

John Y. Brown, III, Owner and Managing Partner of JYB3 Group and former Democratic secretary of state: Brown has spent a lot of time in Frankfort. As the son of the late governor John Y. Brown, Jr., and an officeholder serving for two terms as secretary of state in the 1990s and early 2000s, hes now one of the states top executive branch lobbyists. With 11 contracts of $24,000 or more, Brown cleared $400,000 from executive branch lobbying alone in Fiscal Year 2023.

Jason Bentley, attorney and lobbyist at MML&K Government Solutions: Like Osborne, Bentley is part of the wider McBrayer firm network. Hes both an attorney, focusing on utility issues, for the firm and a lobbyist for its MML&K Government Solutions. Bentley served as general counsel to the Public Service Commission and as executive director of the Kentucky Office of Energy Policy under Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher in the mid-2000s.

Stephen Huffman, Managing Partner at HCM Government Solutions: Huffman has become a go-to lobbyist for many in the racing industry, with contracts including Keeneland, The Red Mile, and the Breeders Cup. Like many other legislative lobbyists, Huffman has ties to the Republican Party and to Ernie Fletcher. In 2023, Huffman was the third-highest paid legislative lobbyist in the state, according to the Legislative Ethics Commission.

Patrick Jennings, Managing Partner at Commonwealth Alliances: Jennings began his political career in U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnells office, handling tobacco and agriculture issues as a legislative aide. At the turn of the century, he began in Frankfort as the chief lobbyist for the Kentucky Farm Bureau, later founding his own lobbying firm. Between the 2023 calendar year lobbying the legislature and the 2023 Fiscal Year lobbying the executive branch, Jennings made $1.5 million from lobbying contracts.

Marc Wilson, partner at Top Shelf Lobby: Before taking on his current role, Wilson was the managing partner of Commonwealth Capitol Group, LLC. Hes worked on expanding gaming in the state, tax increment financing and a litany of other issues. Some of his biggest contracts from last year include companies in the financial services industry and the behavioral health care space. Wilsons employer, Top Shelf, has an office in Frankfort branded in the style of the bourbon trail.

Sherman Brown, partner at McCarthy Strategic Solutions

Sherman Brown has the longest client list of any person lobbying the executive branch. He has contracts to lobby for 109 businesses and organizations. In fiscal year 2023  which began July 1, 2022  Brown made just over $333,000 on executive branch contracts, according to Executive Branch Ethics Commission records.

In total, corporations and other groups paid Executive Branch lobbyists $8.2 million in Fiscal Year 2023 while they spent $24.7 million lobbying the legislature in calendar year 2023.

Like Wickliffe, Brown is a partner at McCarthy Strategic Solutions.

Unlike Wickliffe and McCarthy, though, Brown is a loyal Democrat. He was involved in Democratic campaigns for a decade before becoming a lobbyist. He held vital roles as finance chair and deputy campaign manager in former Democratic governor Steve Beshears 2007 and 2011 campaigns.

This experience is part of what makes him such a sought-after lobbyist for clients looking for help with administrative regulations, bending the ear of a cabinet official, state contracts and more. McCarthys website calls Brown a trusted resource to Governor Andy Beshear.

My day focuses almost exclusively on Kentuckys Executive Branch, Brown said.

I have known Gov. Beshear for almost 20 years. Over all that time I have been very fortunate to have developed great relationships with him and members of administration. Having that long relationship with Gov. Beshear makes assisting clients with the various levels of his administration that much more satisfying.

The campaign world still comes calling, though  albeit in an unpaid and informal fashion.

I do get calls from time to time from candidates and campaign staff, and Im happy to pass on tips about messages or strategy. I do that because I enjoy helping, Brown said. Once youve experienced the thrill of a campaign - even years later its still something I enjoy.

Whats been Browns greatest success as a lobbyist? One of the most talked about pieces of legislation 2015, Senate Bill 192 an omnibus opioid bill that also expanded the states Good Samaritan law, barring someone rendering aid to someone overdosing from being charged with possession of a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia.

Brown worked late in session to get that language added  and its personal for someone whose family has been affected by drugs.

I pleaded with the sponsor in the House to listen to our version of the language. Just recently, my nephew, a police officer in Northern Kentucky, was telling me about how the Good Samaritan law saved someone that he responded to, administering Narcan and saving their life. He had no idea that his uncle had helped write that language, Brown said.

Aaron Thompson, Council on Postsecondary Education President

Dr. Aaron Thompson has one of the best stories in Frankfort.

The reason why I do what I do really comes deeply from a value proposition based on where I came from. My father was illiterate, my mother had an eighth-grade education. I was born in a log cabin in a segregated Appalachian community.

Given that background, Thompson, 67, sees it as his calling to trumpet the benefits of education in changing your station in life. The former professor has been the president of the Council on Postsecondary Education  the state-funded organization that oversees Kentuckys public universities and colleges  since 2018.

The council, based in Frankfort, is overseen by a governor-appointed board.

In Thompsons capacity at the Capitol, that means working with those in government that have the power to invest in and regulate higher education. Thompson says hes built a solid rapport with many legislators.

Whether its behind closed doors or in committee, they know Im going be transparent, honest, straightforward. They know Ill do whatever I can to make sure the role higher education plays in the state will be valuable for the state, Thompson said.

But how that will play out on two major topics facing Kentucky higher education this session  the budget and anti-diversity, equity and inclusion legislation  remains to be seen.

Dr. Aaron Thompson, President Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education

Thompson said after years of colleges tightening their belts post-recession, the last couple of sessions weve done pretty good, but we still arent where we need to be. This year, hes pitching universities and colleges to policymakers as a smart return on investment.

On anti-DEI legislation, Thompson argues against both the material effect of anti-diversity, equity and inclusion legislation and the message it could send.

He said that while bill sponsors dont mean it this way, some people in the state from marginialized groups could interpret anti-DEI legislation as not wanting diversity at all.

Its already hard for us here in Kentucky to get people to believe theres a value to education, especially in higher education, he said. But if you have people thinking that youre saying, Well, we dont want you here, whether thats what youre saying or not, theyll feel even less likely to want to be a part of those institutions.

Though he said he would prefer that no legislation takes an anti-DEI posture, he aims to work with the legislature to discuss such a bill that wouldnt hurt higher education in the state.
There's a bottlenose dolphin swimming through Australia's waters that's anything but typical. Researchers say the marine mammal is covered in a rare coloration that only a handful of other dolphins that have been photographed have and that earned it a unique name: Speckles.

While surveying Southern Queensland's Hervey Bay in September 2022, researchers with Australia's University of the Sunshine Coast said they spotted a pod of half a dozen dolphins. That's when one dolphin leapt out of the water  and left the researchers stunned.

"Speckles leapt out of the water three times in an upright, vertical position, while the rest of the group traveled in a 'porpoising' movement," researcher and lead author of the study documenting the dolphins, Georgina Hume, said in a news release from the university. "This allowed us to get a very clear look at its underside which had many white areas, along with white stripes across its dorsal and lateral sides."

A bottlenose dolphin named

The "near-symmetrical white patches" hadn't previously been seen in their years-long research of the species. And because the dolphin appeared to be healthy overall  aside from a healed shark bite on its side  researchers said that eliminated the possibility the discoloration could have been caused by disease or sunburn.

So what caused it? An "extremely rare skin condition" called piebaldism, the university said. It's so rare that Speckles is one of only 24 reported cases in dolphins and one of only six photographed cases of dolphins having the condition in the world. This is the first documented case among the species in Australia, and the second documented in the southern hemisphere.

Behavioral ecologist Alexis Levengood said in the university's news release that the condition is similar to albinism, a genetic mutation that results in the absence of melanin, and leucism, the partial loss of pigmentation that, unlike albinism, doesn't affect the eyes.

This dolphin spotted in Australia's waters is one of only a handful in the world photographed with what's believed to be an extremely rare skin condition. / Credit: Georgina Hume/University of the Sunshine Coast

"Piebaldism is a partial-loss of pigmentation so the individuals show this patchy coloration," Levengood said in the release. She also told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that "the best part of science happening in real life is where you get to see something for the first time and really experience it."

"I've worked in this field for about 15 years across three different continents," Levengood told ABC, "and I've never seen it myself firsthand, so once we brought back the photos it was a pretty exciting afternoon for us."

The discovery was published in the scientific journal Aquatic Mammals.

Researchers don't yet know the dolphin's sex, but they hope to get more images, as well as conduct genetic sampling, to learn more about the condition.

While Speckles is one of only a few dolphins known to have the condition, there are more documented cases among other species.

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The Melbourne City Council is joining a legal challenge to a new state law requiring municipal mayors and council members to file extensive financial disclosure reports.

The law went into effect on Jan. 1, with the first "Form 6" disclosure report due on July 1. More than 100 municipal elected officials statewide resigned because of the law, including two each in Grant-Valkaria and Melbourne Village.

Many other elected officials in Florida  from the governor down to county commissioners  already are required to file Form 6 financial disclosures. But some municipal officials thought the requirement was too much for their positions, which are part time and typically offer only small stipends or are done on a volunteer basis.

The completed forms are available for public viewing on the Florida Commission on Ethics website.

The form details an elected official's total net worth, sources of income, ownership in businesses, real estate holdings, stock and bond investments, and bank accounts. It also requires listing the total value of all household goods and personal effects, such as jewelry; collections of stamps, coins and guns; art objects; household equipment and furnishings; clothing; and vehicles. Filers also must disclose their liabilities, such as mortgages, car loans and student loans.

Officials say requirement is too much: Form 6 fallout: New financial disclosure requirements lead elected officials to resign

"I find this to be an invasion of privacy," Melbourne City Council Member Mark LaRusso said during a recent City Council meeting, at which he urged his fellow council members to support joining the lawsuit. "I'm sorry. My life is not that open of a book, and I don't believe any of yours are, either. I think you can see I'm pretty revved up about this."

Other Melbourne City Council members agreed, and plan to vote next week to allocate $10,000 toward the legal action, to have Melbourne named as a municipal plaintiff and to have LaRusso named as an individual plaintiff in the case.

So far, 20 other Florida municipalities and 47 elected officials from those municipalities have committed to being plaintiffs in the lawsuit, according to Fort Lauderdale-based attorney Jamie Cole, who is spearheading the legal action.

Each municipality that becomes a plaintiff is committing $10,000 toward the case.

Cole said he expects to file the case next week, challenging the state law approved by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis last year. Cole said the suit will allege that the law violates the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment free-speech right to not compel someone to say something, as well as the Florida Constitution's right to privacy.

Cole said he is still determining whether to file the case in U.S. District Court, state Circuit Court or both, because the case has both federal and state issues to adjudicate. The suit will be filed against members of the Florida Commission on Ethics, which is the state agency designated to enforce the law.

Cole said he will ask the court for an injunction against the law's enforcement and a declaration that the law is invalid.

He contends that the less-detailed "Form 1" financial disclosure report that municipal elected officials previously were required to file should be sufficient in helping guard against corruption and conflicts of interest by those officials.

Fort Lauderdale-based attorney Jamie Cole is spearheading the legal action challenging expanded financial disclosure requirements for municipal elected officials.

What you need to know about Form 6: What is Form 6? Here's why so many elected city officials are abruptly resigning across Florida

Melbourne City Council members didn't appear hesitant to join the suit during their recent City Council meeting  an action which will be formalized in a vote next Tuesday.

They said the new disclose requirements open them up to robberies if people know what valuables they have at their residence, and could force them to betray the confidence of their business customers, because the disclosure form asks that customers providing more than 10% of their income be listed. It also could cost them many hours of time to fill out the disclosure form or require them to hire an accountant to compile the information.

LaRusso said the requirement also could "weaponize" a political opponent, who may want to challenge the accuracy of a mayor or council member's Form 6, forcing a hearing before the Commission on Ethics.

Under the law, if a municipal official required to file a Form 6 does not do so after a grace period that ends Sept. 1, that official faces a fine of $25 a day. In addition, willful violation can subject the official to more severe penalties, including removal from office.

Some officials also fear the Form 6 requirement will discourage people from running for municipal office, because the candidates would have to file the form when qualifying for a spot on the ballot.

According to Florida Commission on Ethics Chair Ashley Lukis, the new law increased the number of officials required to file a Form 6 from about 2,600 to about 5,200.

Dave Berman is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at dberman@floridatoday.com, on X at @bydaveberman and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Suit will seek to overturn new financial disclosure requirements
Scottsbluffs sole remaining TV news station closed quietly last week.

NBC Nebraska, also known as KGWN Scottsbluff and KNEP in Sidney, was closed after Gray Television announced its plans to sell its TV stations in Scottsbluff, Sidney, Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Casper, Wyoming, to Marquee Broadcasting Group in exchange for an FCC permit authorizing the construction of a new TV station in Salt Lake City, according to a Gray Television press release on Thursday, Feb. 1.

The deal is not expected to be finalized until the second quarter of this year. While the deal is pending approval from the FCC, changes are already underway. The news station here in Scottsbluff has been closed, Jim Beck, general manager for KGWN Wyoming News Now, confirmed to the Star-Herald Monday.

Beck said Gray Television opted to close the Scottsbluff news station as it was no longer able to maintain a separate news bureau from its Cheyenne station.

Given the many challenges facing news media, particularly in small communities, it is no longer possible to continue to underwrite the investments necessary to keep that news bureau open, Beck said in an email.

Beck said Marquee is not currently making any personnel or operations decisions for Gray and that they are trying to find other positions for the Scottsbluff news staff in Cheyenne or other stations. He said there are four news professionals in the Scottsbluff bureau that are being offered other employment opportunities.

As viewers may have noticed, since the Scottsbluff station was shuttered, the channel has been airing news broadcasts from Wyoming News Now. Beck said in an email the plan is to air those newscasts produced in the Cheyenne newsroom in the eastern part of its market, including Scottsbluff.

In terms of Scottsbluff, we are proud of the very good work that our Scottsbluff news bureau has provided over the past several years, he said.

Beck indicated that other employees would be staying and working out of Scottsbluff, though he did not go into specifics. Per the sale agreement, Marquee is required to offer employment to the employees of the stations at the time of closing and maintain similar pay and benefit packages for those employees.

In the agreement, both parties also agreed not to make any public statements or announcements without the consent of the other.

Marquee Broadcasting was founded in 2013 and will own 17 broadcasting stations when the deal with Gray TV is finalized.

In the press release, Marquee Broadcasting CEO Patricia Lane said, Marquee is excited to acquire Grays leading stations in Wyoming and western Nebraska. We are looking forward to building on the legacy there.

The press release made no mentions of the future plans for the Scottsbluff (KSTF), Sidney (KNEP), Casper (KCWY) or Cheyenne (KGWN) stations that will be acquired once the agreement is finalized.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2024
BOSTON  Liam Morrison  the Middleboro student whos suing the school district for sending him home last year after wearing his there are only two genders T-shirt to school  only has three full months left as a student at Nichols Middle School. But the eighth grader still plans to fight for his right to wear his controversial shirt.

Morrison and his lawyers from Alliance Defending Freedom met in a courtroom Thursday morning at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First District in Boston, where judges heard oral arguments in L.M. v. Town of Middleborough for and against the student and his removal from school.

In March 2023, when Morrison was a 12-year-old seventh grader at the school, he wore a shirt to school reading there are only two genders after Nichols Middle School held a Pride day and hung Pride flags up in classrooms. School officials sent Morrison home, stating his shirt targeted a protected group of students who identify as gender nonbinary.

Liam Morrison of Middleboro, Massachusetts, right looks on as his attorney David Cortman of the Alliance Defending Freedom takes questions from the media following oral arguments in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston on Thursday morning, Feb. 8, 2024. Morrison is appealing a lower court ruling that said he does not have a First Amendment right to wear a "There are only two genders" T-shirt to school.

Then on May 5, he was sent home again for wearing a modified version of the T-shirt that taped over only two with the word "censored."

Morrisons attorneys argued school administrators violated his right to freedom of speech. They appealed a ruling from June made by the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts Eastern Division against Morrison's request to continue wearing the shirt, bringing the case up to the next level of courts.

The lawsuit sparked a major debate among parents in Middleboro, who spoke out passionately at a School Committee meeting in May on both sides of the issue, in support of school officials, on the one hand, and Morrison on the other.

His T-shirt did not target any individual, it merely addressed the same subject matter the school already raised, said David Cortman, Morrison's attorney, who is senior counsel and vice president of U.S. litigation at the Alliance Defending Freedom.

Eighth-grader Liam Morrison of Middleboro, Massachusetts, stands outside the courthouse after oral arguments in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston on Thursday morning, Feb. 8, 2024. Morrison is appealing a lower court ruling that said he does not have a First Amendment right to wear a "There are only two genders" T-shirt to school.

Inside Nichols Middle School: A bullying epidemic in Nichols Middle has students, superintendent calling for intervention

What did Middleborough Public Schools say in court?

When he first wore his T-shirt to school, then-acting Principal Heather Tucker told Morrison the shirt violated the school's dress code  which states that clothing must not state, imply, or depict hate speech or imagery that target groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or any other classification.

The attorney representing Middleborough Public Schools Deborah Ecker said the school received several email complaints about Morrison's T-shirt, and that the message on his shirt would significantly harm students in the school who identify as transgender or nonbinary.

"It says to someone who is non-binary that you do not exist, that your validity does not exist. And it attacks the very core characteristic," Ecker said in court Thursday.

Melissa Oddi-Morrison told the Middleboro School Committee in the high school auditorium on Thursday, May 18, 2023, that the T-shirt 12-year-old Liam Morrison wore to school that said "There are only two genders" is hurtful to people.

What's Massachusetts Family Institute? Why it backs Middleboro boy in free speech fight

Ecker said his shirt would make students in that community feel unsafe in the building, and the school administrators were aware that a portion of the student body identified as nonbinary. Morrison said in a brief press conference following the hearing that he has heard about and seen students "of that nature."

Ecker said the school knew the mental health impacts that Morrison's message could have on students given the young age of the school's student body. The attorney said the school could "reasonably forecast" that his shirt could cause disruption and "invade the rights of other students."

In particular, the school could use predictive judgment that the message on his shirt could lead a young student to have suicidal ideation, according to Ecker, so the school acted preemptively which is allowed by law.

School lawyers argued that the school should develop an inclusive environment for all students, especially given the knowledge that some students identify as gender nonbinary. They said the school's Pride day was an example of fostering an inclusive environment.

Some people wore "I stand with Liam Morrison" T-shirts at the Middleboro School Committee meeting on Thursday, May 18, 2023.

'Im calling it whack-a-mole:' Nichols Middle School in chaos as students damage building

What did Morrison's lawyers say?

Morrison's attorneys argued that Morrison's T-shirt was a nonviolent way to express his views on the issue of gender identity  a view that "there are only two genders."

Cortman said the district violated Morrison's First Amendment right to free speech by banning his T-shirt, and that his viewpoint was being censored. Since the school held a Pride day and hung Pride flags, he should be allowed to publicize his views on the same subject.

T-shirts are the most passive way to speakYou can avert your eyes," Cortman said in court on Thursday. School is a marketplace of ideas.

Eighth-grader Liam Morrison of Middleboro, Massachusetts, right, leaves the courthouse with his attorney, David Cortman of the Alliance Defending Freedom, following oral arguments in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston on Thursday morning, Feb. 8, 2024. Morrison is appealing a lower court ruling that said he does not have a First Amendment right to wear a "There are only two genders" T-shirt to school.

Cortman argued that the school disregarded Morrison's viewpoint  in what he called "viewpoint discrimination." He said Morrison's voice was restricted and the school wasn't fostering an inclusive environment for someone outside of this "protected class."

Its an interesting definition of inclusivity, Cortman said in the post-hearing press conference, which earned national media attention, with news crews from Arizona and Washington D.C. in attendance. Where is that for Liam?

The promise of inclusivity should be across the board," he said.

According to Morrison's lawyers, the message on his shirt wasn't invading the rights of others but was a passive way for Morrison to share his opinion. If the school wanted his shirt to be removed, administrators would have to ban "the topic as a whole" not just one argument.

Liam Morrison, 12, on Friday, May 5 wearing a "censored version" of the T-shirt he wore to school the day he was sent home.

Liam's case gets national attention

Since he spoke at a Middleboro School Committee meeting in May 2023, Morrison's "two genders" T-shirt and his lawsuit have gone viral, gaining national attention. Morrison at one point appeared on Fox News to discuss his case.

"This case could have national effects," Cortman said in the press conference following the oral arguments Thursday. "Even though people might be offended by what you say, you're still allowed to say it."

A small group of teenage students and their teachers attended Morrison's hearing on a field trip.

"One side was censored," Cortman said. "That's not the way we should be going in this country."

Middleboro, Massachusetts, middle schooler Liam Morrison, right, speaks at a press conference outside of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston on Thursday morning, Feb. 8, 2024, following oral arguments in his appeal of a lower court ruling that said he does not have a First Amendment right to wear a "There are only two genders" T-shirt to school. His attorney, David Cortman, left, is senior counsel and vice president of U.S. litigation at Alliance Defending Freedom.

U.S. Supreme Court would be next step

If either side wishes to appeal the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First District ruling it would be to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The U.S. Supreme Court does not have to accept a case. They have to vote to take the case  and it requires four of the nine justices to take it.

If they don't take it, then the previous ruling stands, in this case the First Circuit's.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Middleboro free speech v. hate speech case in schools argued in Boston
University of Florida students from the 2023 cohort of the Mississippi Freedom Project gathered Wednesday to discuss their experiences of collecting interviews throughout the South.

The gathering was held in Pugh Hall on UFs campus and hosted by the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program. The discussion featured UF students who were taken through Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi to conduct interviews, visit civil rights sites and engage in research activities.

For 16 years, SPOHP's Mississippi Freedom Project (MFP) has taken UF students on a week-long fieldwork trip in July. The trip last year included Tallahassee; Pensacola; Elaine, Arkansas; Glendora, Mississippi; Money, Mississippi; Montgomery, Alabama; and Tuskegee, Alabama.

Each year the research team records new interviews for the Mississippi Freedom Project Archive, which has archived more than 700 interviews.

The discussion Wednesday feature six panelists  two in-person and four via Zoom.

The panelists were JoAnn Almonte, Rey Audrel Zeth Tamayo Arcenas, Vanessa Obando, Ashley Sanguino, Asha Clark and Krystin Anderson.

In academia, its hard to see the scope of injustice, Obando said. The trip was a way to speak to them head on. I love to listen to peoples lives and take lessons from them.

Sanguino said she experienced firsthand how powerful oral history can be.

Mississippi Delta: Students discuss trip to Mississippi Delta

Theres so much power in community, Sanguino said. It was grounding to understand the importance of having these talks. You are seeing, living, breathing history.

Anderson said the trip helped her gain a better understanding of the impact oral history has on generations.

It (the trip) changed my perspective on what it means to be in a small community, Anderson said. It goes beyond oral history. Its about generational understanding and tying back to your roots.

Paul Ortiz, Ph.D., has been the SPOHP director since 2008 and will be leaving the position to join Cornell University in the summer.

According to UF, under his leadership, SPOHP has received several national academic awards.

Ortiz has helped raise more than $2 million in grants, donations and contracts for the program, according to UF.

In an external review of SPOHP conducted in 2020, the Doris Duke Charitable Trust noted that, The programs social justice research methodologies are the focus of scholars and oral history programs across the globe.

Paul Ortiz, Ph.D, who has been director of the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program at the University of Florida since 2008, talks about the origins of the Mississippi Freedom Project during a town hall meeting held Wednesday at UF. Ortiz will be leaving the position to join Cornell University in the summer. (Credit: Photo by Voleer Thomas, Correspondent)

The Mississippi Freedom Project has been one of the most meaningful projects, Ortiz said. It has become a model for other history programs, and it has inspired a lot of fieldwork. This program has launched many careers.

Community members, University of Florida students and others attended the 16th Mississippi Freedom Project discussion hosted by the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program on Wednesday in Pugh Hall on UFs campus.

Matthew Jacobs, Ph.D., SPOHPs interim director, teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on 20th century U.S. foreign relations, particularly with the Middle East, and international and world history more broadly.

This years Mississippi Freedom Project will be on a hiatus and students will take a trip to the Panhandle for three to four days to learn about sustainable gulf communities, Jacobs said.

I have a passion for experiential learning, Jacobs said. This type of learning is more intensive than the classroom setting. Trips like this are amped up by 100. You hang out with people, and you hear narratives. It can be emotionally taxing. Im not saying it to scare you, but for you to embrace it. The intensity is the meaning of it.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: UF students conduct interviews during trip through Mississippi Delta
Missouri prohibits pregnant women from finalizing a divorce, but the restriction is coming under renewed scrutiny after the state in 2022 imposed a near-total abortion ban.

A state law prevents judges from finalizing a divorce if a woman is pregnant, since a custody agreement must first be in place. And a custody agreement cannot be completed until the child is born. The law contains no exceptions for survivors of domestic violence.

Missouri lawmakers on Wednesday considered a bill from Rep. Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat, that would undo what she describes as an archaic loophole in state law. The bill would clarify that pregnancy status does not prevent a judge from finalizing a divorce or legal separation.

I was horrified and confused, Aune said of learning about the state law.

The current law, she said, is intended to guarantee child support for the mother and the child. But it has unintended consequences for people in domestic violences situations, she said.

Women in domestic violence situations can potentially be trapped in a marriage and be unable to sever that legal tie with somebody if theyre pregnant, she said.

Aune said she learned about the state law from Synergy Services, a Kansas City nonprofit that provides services to domestic violence survivors. Sara Brammer, the organizations vice president of domestic violence services, said her group has long noted issues with the restriction.

Brammer said the law puts families in a bad position by prolonging the separation process. It puts survivors of domestic violence in a bind, she said, and allows abusers greater control over their reproductive freedom.

However, its not just a hurdle for women. Men and families are also affected by the legislation, she said.

This rule broadly impacts families, she said. It does impact women in domestic violence situations potentially disproportionately, but when families in general need to seek a divorce or a formal separation  I think we really struggle.

The law, she said, is contrary to the idea that life begins at conception  an argument used by defenders of Missouris near-total ban on abortion, which went into effect in 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal right to an abortion.

It kind of flies against the idea that life begins at conception, she said. If were going to go with that, then we need to really support the idea that conception is when life begins. We can move on from the needing to establish paternity (after birth).

Under the current state law, there are eight questions asked of people when they file for divorce in Missouri, including whether the wife is pregnant. If so, the divorce can continue if the attorney chooses but it cannot be finalized until the woman is no longer pregnant, according to previous reporting.

The Star highlighted this issue in 2022 shortly after Missouris abortion ban went into effect, speaking with advocates, attorneys and survivors of domestic violence, including many who called the law outdated.

Arizona, Arkansas and Texas have laws similar to Missouris, according to the American Pregnancy Association.

The Missouri House Emerging Issues Committee held a hearing on Aunes bill on Wednesday. Rep. Bill Hardwick, a Dixon Republican who chairs the committee, said he doesnt expect a partisan divide on Aunes bill.

I dont think its an entirely crazy idea, he said of Aunes legislation. I think shes raised an important issue.

But if the legislation passes the House it could face an uphill battle in the Senate, which has been gripped by GOP infighting.

Sen. Denny Hoskins, a Warrensburg Republican, said in an interview that he would support allowing divorces in cases of domestic violence, but was not in favor of closing the loophole that prevents pregnant women from getting divorced.

I think that those would be very rare and infrequent circumstances, Hoskins, who is a member of the hard-right Missouri Freedom Caucus, said of divorces in cases of domestic violence.

Just because the husband and wife are not getting along, or irreconcilable differences, I would not consider that that would be a good reason to get divorced during a pregnancy.

Aune on Wednesday acknowledged that shes not an attorney and that her bill is still a work in progress. But, she said, its an important piece of legislation  especially in Missouri.

In a state where we are currently forcing women to carry babies to term, I think its important that, you know, women who are in that position who are also looking to get out of a marriage have the capacity to do so, she said.
Rio de Janeiro has declared a state of public health emergency due to an epidemic of dengue fever, just days before Carnival celebrations are set to take place across Brazil.

The citys mayor Eduardo Paes announced the move on Monday, according to CNN affiliate CNN Brasil, in an effort to contain the spread of the mosquito-borne disease, which causes flu-like symptoms and can lead to death in extreme cases.

The surge in dengue cases has added urgency to a planned nationwide vaccination drive and also comes as Rio gears up for its world-famous Carnival, which officially starts on Friday. The pre-Lent festivities are held across Brazil, with Rios colorful parades and block parties renowned for being among the worlds biggest parties as millions of revelers pour onto the streets.

This year, Rio has already registered more than 11,200 dengue cases, according to the city councils epidemiological observatory panel, compared to nearly 23,000 for the whole of 2023.

In January alone, 362 people were hospitalized in Rio due to dengue  a record that tops the previous high from 2008, CNN Brasil reported.

In a single month of 2024 we already have almost half the cases of the entire previous year, which generated intense concern, Rios Municipal Health Secretary Daniel Soranz said last Friday.

To curb further spread of the disease, the city said it would open 10 care centers across Rio and the Health Ministry has set up an emergency center to coordinate operations, Reuters reported.

Rio is one of three states to declare public health emergencies because of the rise in dengue infections, including the second most populous state Minas Gerais, and the Federal District, where the capital Brasilia is located, according to Reuters.

In the first five weeks of the year, nearly 365,000 dengue infections were reported across the country  four times that of the same period last year, Reuters reported, citing the Health Ministry. Forty deaths have been confirmed, the ministry reportedly said.

Several Brazilian cities are facing an emergency situation due to the large increase in dengue cases, Brazils Health Minister Nisia Trindade said in a statement Tuesday.

Record heat and above-average rainfall since last year have increased mosquito-transmitting outbreaks This is the time to intensify care and prevention. Now its time for all of Brazil to unite against dengue.

Vaccination drive

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the same insect responsible for spreading Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever.

It causes piercing headaches, muscle and joint pains, fever and rashes, though only 25% of those infected show symptoms. Extreme cases can bring bleeding, shock, organ failure, and potentially death.

Dengue is the most common virus transmitted by mosquitos, infecting millions of people worldwide every year, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While there is no specific treatment for the disease, Brazil is planning to roll out a mass vaccination campaign against dengue.

Brazil approved the vaccine in March 2023, and became the first country to offer a dengue vaccine in the public health system, according to the Health Ministry.

The ministrys plan is to inoculate 3.2 million people in 2024, starting with children ages 10 to 14, with the Qdenga vaccine from Japanese drugmaker Takeda.

Vaccination will take place progressively, given the limited number of doses produced by the manufacturing laboratory, Nisia said in a statement. At the same time, the Ministry of Health will coordinate a national effort to expand production and access to dengue vaccines.

Brasilia will start vaccinations as early as Friday, Reuters reported.

Rios Municipal Health Department said it was also planning to vaccinate children as soon as the doses are released by the Health Ministry, CNN Brasil reported.

Clinical trials have shown the vaccine reduced the risk of severe dengue requiring hospitalization by 80-90%, according to an article published in the Lancet journal last month.

Speaking in Brasilia on Wednesday, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Brazils current dengue outbreak is being fueled by the El Nino phenomenon, a natural climate pattern that originates in the Pacific Ocean and influences global weather. The current El Nino has become one of the strongest on record, according to new data from the NOAAs Climate Prediction Center.

In fact, this outbreak of dengue is part of a global surge in dengue with more than 5 million cases and 5,000 reported last year from 80 countries in every region in the world, except the Europe region, Tedros said.

Of those 5 million global cases reported, almost 3 million were in Brazil, according to WHO data.

The global number of dengue cases has increased eightfold in the past two decades, according to WHO, driven by higher temperatures and prologued rainy seasons.

As the human-caused climate crisis worsens, mosquito-borne diseases will likely spread further and have an ever-greater impact on human health.

This story has been updated with additional developments. Additional reporting by Reuters.

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An alleged Russian spy was evacuated from Afghanistan by the UK two years after officials told him he would be stripped of his British citizenship, legal documents claim.

The refugee from Afghanistan, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was accused of acting as a spy while working for GCHQ and MI6 and stripped of his citizenship in 2019.

He is appealing against this decision, in a hearing before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.

The legal documents claim the man, who is known as C2 in this case, worked in several high-clearance roles during the 2000s and met two ministers along with then-Prince Charles and Prince William while working for the British Government in Afghanistan.

However, paperwork submitted by his lawyers states that C2 was evacuated from Kabul by the UK when it was captured by the Taliban in the summer of 2021  despite having had his citizenship stripped from him for allegedly acting as a spy in 2019.

Following the fall of Kabul, C2 was evacuated from Afghanistan by the UK ... it being recognised that owing to his previous activities on behalf of the UK he would be at risk from the Taliban, the documents read.

Having previously sought to challenge C2s account of the circumstances of his evacuation, the Respondent no longer disputes it.

C2 denies ever being an agent of the Russian Military Intelligence Services.

Potential corruption case

His legal paperwork states that he was no longer working for the British Government and was based in his birth country of Afghanistan in January 2019, when he claims he was informed by US Homeland Security that the London-based FBI wanted to discuss a potential corruption case with him.

While visiting his family in London in April of that year, he was called by someone who claimed to work for the FBI, whom he agreed to meet, C2s documents claim.

However, instead, C2 was driven to a helicopter site in Battersea where he met a man who identified himself as Robert from the British Intelligence Services  before he was flown to Brize Norten and driven to a hotel in Buckinghamshire where he met a man who identified himself as Andy, another FBI agent, it is claimed.

C2 claims the men initially questioned his relationship with various individuals and agencies before accusing him of being trained as an agent for the Russian military intelligence agency GRU from the age of 5.

In a separate London encounter in the summer of that year, C2 claims Robert took him to the roof of a hotel where he informed him he would need to do a polygraph test.

He then claims he was asked various questions which included whether he had worked for Russian intelligence services.

C2 then claims he was told he had failed without being shown proof.

Posed a risk to national security

His legal paperwork then states that he received notice of the UK Governments decision to deprive him of his British citizenship on Sept 11, 2019 after being asked to visit the British Embassy in Kabul.

Paperwork submitted by the Governments lawyers states that the Security Service assessed that the Appellant was an agent of the Russian Military Intelligence Services (GRU) and that, should he return to the UK, there was a real risk he would undertake activity on behalf of the GRU and that he therefore posed a risk to UK national security.

Referring to the claim that C2 was evacuated from Afghanistan, the paperwork read: It is an undisputed fact that in 2021, approximately 2 years after the Decision and the deprivation order, the Appellant re-entered the UK.

The way in which the appellant did this, and the events which preceded the appellants return are irrelevant.

For that reason, this skeleton does not engage with the Appellants account of what happened in 2021.

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U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., questions Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testifying before a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing to examine the national security supplemental request, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema angrily denounced the swift demise of the bipartisan border security bill she helped negotiate, blaming partisanship  especially from Republicans  for neglecting the conditions in her home state.

We produced a bill that finally, after decades of all talk and no action, secures the border and solves the border crisis. Our bill was ready for prime time, Sinema, I-Ariz., said Wednesday on the Senate floor.

But less than 24 hours after we released the bill, my Republican colleagues changed their minds. Turns out they want all talk and no action. It turns out border security is not actually a risk to our national security. Its just a talking point for the election.

It was a bitter disappointment to Sinema that seemed to display limits to her bipartisan negotiations and raises anew questions about her political future.

Sinemas $118 billion bill would have included a new border shutdown authority and made asylum claims more difficult to sustain and would have processed them more quickly. The bill did little to address immigration policies more broadly and included substantial military aid to Ukraine and Israel for their ongoing wars, as well as funds for Taiwan, which is seeing heightened tensions with mainland China.

The bill drew only 49 votes in the Senate and could not overcome the 60-vote threshold required by the legislative filibuster Sinema has long supported. It left Sinema blaming her colleagues for yielding to the pull of politics over national needs.

When we work together, we can solve problems, she said at the close of her remarks. We did that here, and you decided no. You decided you dont even want to debate it. You dont want to amend it. You dont want to tackle the problem. Partisanship won. The Senate has failed Arizona. Shameful.

Sinema worked closely with Sens. James Lankford, R-Okla., and Chris Murphy, D-Conn., on the measure, but their final product quickly collapsed.

Former President Donald Trump vaporized its prospects when he urged Republicans to deny President Joe Biden a legislative victory ahead of this year's election. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., made clear the bill was dead in his chamber. By then, Senate Republicans saw little upside to supporting a bill headed nowhere.

In Phoenix, Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake, a former TV news anchor who is running for Sinemas seat, hailed the bills failure. She said it didnt include funding for a needed border wall and would have instead fueled war efforts abroad while ignoring the threat of fentanyl in America.

Lake called the bill 300 pages of pure garbage, before tossing it in a waste basket placed near her podium.

No money for a border wall to stop people from coming across; $90 billion to kill people overseas, she said. This is not an Arizona problem. This is happening in Utah, California, in Iowa, New Hampshire, in New York, in Florida. And its all coming through Arizona because the politicians in Washington, D.C., care more about funding a war than they do about solving the problems of the American people.

Sinema's office pointed out that the bill included more than $670 million for border wall funding, although some Republicans called the amount insufficient.

Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., who also is challenging for Sinemas seat, has said he would have voted for the bill if it proceeded in the House. He offered no public reaction to the bills defeat on Wednesday.

The bills abrupt failure and Sinemas 11th-hour efforts to avert it with rare national media appearances also raised questions about her reelection plans. Sinema has sidestepped such questions since she quit the Democratic Party in December 2022 and she faces an April deadline to submit more than 42,000 signatures to qualify for the November ballot.

Steven S. Smith, a political science professor at Arizona State University who studies party politics in Congress, said Sinema emerges from the debate over border security with more appeal to centrists and moderate Republicans, but its unclear whether it is enough to assist her political fortunes.

Shes received such great publicity that it certainly would be the basis for a claim that a middle-of-the-road senator whos managed to bring the two sides together from time to time  not always successfully  but sometimes, should be reelected, he said.

She certainly has boosted her chances in the Senate race. Of course, she was so far behind that its not clear that anything like this could in the end make a difference.

Sinemas words on Wednesday seemed to acknowledge a limit to her effectiveness in policymaking when too few are willing to join her in striking a deal. Sinema played a central role in the $1.2 trillion national infrastructure law that drew bipartisan support. She also was a key negotiator in a law that brings more scrutiny to gun sales for young adults and provides potential funding for mental health needs.

But her latest bill seems to have ended like others over the past 20 years that sought to tackle elements of immigration and border security.

Sinema, who has joined Republicans on tours of the border conditions, urged those who rejected her bill to go elsewhere for what she views as a photo opportunity.

I have a very clear message for anyone using the southern border for staged political events, Sinema said. Dont come to Arizona. Take your political theater to Texas. Do not bring it to my state because in Arizona were serious. We dont have time for your political games.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kari Lake revels in border bill's defeat as Kyrsten Sinema blames GOP
The Senate voted Thursday to advance a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine and Israel.

The 67-32 vote came after hours of deliberation among Senate Republicans, who tanked a vote Wednesday to pass the foreign aid along with a bipartisan border security deal.

But after that package failed, some Senate Republicans said they could only support the standalone foreign aid with assurances that they would have the chance to add new border provisions and others raised concerns with the distribution of aid. Eventually, 17 Republicans joined with Democrats to advance the aid on its own  though additional changes are expected.

"This is a good first step. This bill is essential for our national security, for the security of our friends in Ukraine, in Israel, for humanitarian aid for innocent civilians in Gaza, and for Taiwan," Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor Thursday.

He pledged to continue to work with Republicans to tweak the package: "We are going to keep working on this bill until the job is done."

The Thursday vote advanced a bill that would send $60 billion to Ukraine, which has been beating back attacks from Russia since early 2022. It would also appropriate $14 billion to Israel, which has been targeting Hamas in Gaza, $9 billion for humanitarian aid in Gaza and elsewhere, and nearly $5 billion for Taiwan.

The package still must undergo a final majority vote in the Senate chamber, and more changes can be considered as lawmakers consider the proposal. However, Thursday's vote clears the most significant hurdle in the chamber  clearing the 60-vote threshold necessary to overcome the filibuster.

If it survives the Senate, it is unclear how the package would fare in the House, where Republicans proposed (and failed to pass) standalone aid for Israel. Republicans in both chambers have divisions over additional support for Ukraine, but there is a stronger cohort of isolationist-leaning members in the House.

Proponents of aid to Ukraine argue that it is a bulwark for democracy in the region, and that a Russian victory would open the floodgates for additional challenges to democracies in Europe. Critics of additional aid fear extended U.S. involvement in a foreign war and growing the federal debt.

Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, is one of several Republican senators who has argued it is in the United States' best interest not to continue to support Ukraine's war effort.

"The way this process unfolded  secret negotiation for months, weak border policy, abandonment of the border for Ukraine immediately  confirms every worst fear our voters have about Washington," he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, ahead of the vote Thursday. "A vote to fund Ukraine today is a middle finger to voters."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Senate advances $95 billion in standalone Ukraine, Israel aid
In a region plagued by volatility, Senegal had long been praised for its political stability.

But the West African country now finds itself at a dangerous crossroads with tensions escalating after its outgoing President Macky Sall postponed the upcoming general election just three weeks ahead of its scheduled date.

News of the election delay, which came as official campaigning for the February 25 vote was due to start, sparked widespread anger in the country with angry youths burning tires in the streets in protest.

Sall, whose second and final term runs out in April, announced Saturday that the vote would not be held as planned, citing disputes over a final list of presidential candidates that excluded dozens of opposition aspirants.

That has angered opponents, who see the move as a bid by Sall to extend his tenure and raised fears of a repeat of the deadly protests last year that were sparked by rumors he intended to run again for office.

Experts say the latest unexpected turn of events has not only put in doubt Senegals role as a regional anchor, but also raises concerns about the potential ripple effects in other parts of West Africa, which has seen numerous military takeovers in recent years.

Senegal remains an outlier as the sole mainland West African country never to have experienced a military coup.

Dakar-based analyst Oluwole Ojewale of the Institute of Security Studies told CNN that while a military putsch is highly unlikely in Senegal, the events of recent days were tantamount to an unlawful seizure of power.

Amending the law at the eve of an election and allowing the incumbent to stay in power past when his tenure is supposed to end is a constitutional coup, Ojewale said.

He added that the situation in Senegal would be watched very closely by France, the countrys former colonial ruler, with which it maintains very close ties.

The conversations going on in France right now will be to quickly find a solution to this self-inflicted dilemma. Nobody wants democracy in Senegal to degenerate, Ojewale said.

Senegal is the most enduring democracy in West Africa. It is a poster boy for France and they will not want any instability that will disrupt their interests there.

Clashes in Dakar

Heightened tensions in Senegal since the announcement have put the capital Dakar on high alert after protests erupted on Sunday and Monday.

The Ministry of Communications and Telecommunications has shut down mobile internet services, citing the need to stop the spreading of several hateful and subversive messages on social media in a context of threats of disturbances to public order.

Clashes between police and protesters have seen riot police use tear gas to disperse crowds. Schools and businesses are shut in parts of the country.

The government has also withdrawn indefinitely the broadcasting license of private television channel Walf TV, the network said, adding that its screens suddenly went black on Sunday as its guests analyzed the arrest of opposition members during the weekend protests.

Amnesty International described the internet cuts and suspension of Walfs broadcasting as a blatant assault on the right to freedom of expression and press rights.

It called on Senegalese authorities to respect and protect the right to peaceful assembly and refrain from resorting to excessive use of force during protests, urging them to ensure that demonstrators and political opposition figures are not arbitrarily arrested at demonstrations.

Dakar-based journalist Amadou Barry told CNN Tuesday that fresh protests could happen at any time.

Due to internet access restrictions, it is not easy to mobilize but at any moment there can be demonstrations, he said.

Democracy in balance

President Salls decision to postpone the elections stems from disputes over the final list of presidential candidates, which notably excluded several opposition aspirants.

The exclusion of popular and prominent figures like Ousmane Sonko and Karim Wade has sparked allegations of unfairness.

Sall, who has previously denied rumors that he planned to run again for office, said he planned to have a national discussion to set clear and fair rules for the upcoming election.

He expressed concerns over how the candidate list was compiled and said he postponed the vote to allow an inquiry into how the candidates were approved.

The candidate list, released last month by the countrys Constitutional Council, which oversees elections, had included incumbent Prime Minister Amadou Ba, who was handpicked by Sall as his potential successor, as well as former Prime Minister Idrissa Seck.

However, it excluded Sonko, who enjoys widespread support among Senegalese youth, and Wade, son of former President Abdoulaye Wade.

Wade, who was disqualified by the council for holding dual citizenship, had complained he was unfairly excluded saying he had renounced his French citizenship in October last year.

He and his party are among those calling for a delay in the polls to allow for an investigation that will restore his candidacy.

Sonkos opposition PASTEF Party, however, criticized the postponement of the election, describing it as a serious threat to Senegals democracy. Sonko was barred from the polls after the Senegalese Supreme Court upheld his conviction over a defamation case.

Furious opposition

Opposition figures, including presidential candidate Malick Gackou, have vowed to challenge the voting delay by all means, and have mounted a legal challenge amid a widening rift within the countrys political landscape.

Amnesty International reported that two opposition figures, Aminata Toure and Anta Babacar Ngom, were arrested by the police at a protest.

PASTEFs Yassine Fall said Senegals democratic process had hit a nadir after its parliament approved the delay to the election.

Very sad day for Senegals democracy, which reached rock bottom last night with the use of force to get a parliamentary vote canceling the election process, Fall said in a post on X Tuesday.

Senegals parliament on Monday voted to delay the presidential election until December 15, according to state media RTS.

Several opposition lawmakers were unable to take part in the vote Monday after being forcibly removed from the legislative chamber during the debate, according to state media reports and footage of the session.

Sall will remain in office until his successor is installed.

International response

Senegals domestic and international partners are closely monitoring the situation.

The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said Tuesday in a statement it was following with concern the unfolding events in Senegal and will take all necessary steps to support the country in their efforts to sustain democracy.

France said it was following the situation in Senegal very closely.

We call on the authorities to remove the uncertainties regarding the electoral timetable so that the election can be held as soon as possible and in compliance with the rules of Senegalese democracy, a statement from the French Foreign Ministry said.

The United Nations urged stakeholders to speedily resolve differences through consensus and especially in line with Senegals longstanding tradition of democratic governance.

It also urged all parties to uphold a peaceful environment and refrain from violence and any action that can undermine the democratic process and stability in Senegal.

With elections pushed back to the end of the year, Senegal faces an uncertain future marked by political uncertainty and potential social unrest.

Ojewale says unless he backpedals, Sall is likely to have a fight on his hands because of the resilience of the Senegalese people to sustain political protests and their democracy.

The people are going to rise up and resist any form of tenure elongation, he said.

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PROVIDENCE  Its 10:10 on a bitterly cold Tuesday morning and Shanelle Saraceno is already worrying about the night ahead.

I have no clue where were going tonight, Saraceno said minutes after stepping off a bus at Kennedy Plaza with her boyfriend, Dylan Ballou. All their possessions fit into three Stop & Shop grocery bags.

Saraceno, 29, is six months pregnant and desperate. She and Ballou had been sleeping in a tent near the Apex building in Pawtucket  that is, until someone stole their tent and blankets two weeks ago. They try to keep each other warm, but it doesn't always work.

Were literally sleeping on cement, she said.

Shanelle Saraceno and her boyfriend, Dylan Ballou, leave Burnside Park with all their possessions stuffed in grocery bags.

First winter outside

This has been Saracenos plight since she was evicted for nonpayment last March. Every night since, she hasn't known where she will sleep.

Im pregnant. I dont think I can do another night like this. Ill jump in the Pawtucket River, Saraceno said the next day, having spending yet another night frigid on the street.

She has not been able to find an apartment they can afford on $1,833 in monthly Social Security income they receive based on their disabilities. And now she has an eviction on her record due to her misunderstanding a court stipulation, she says.

Theres nothing out there. They want first and last months' rent, a W-9, a lease, she says.

This is Saracenos first winter outside, and shes had enough.

Six months' pregnant, Shanelle Saraceno sits among all of her and her boyfriend's possessions in grocery bags on a bench in Providence's Burnside Park.

'Nowhere near enough shelter beds'

Saraceno and Ballou are stark evidence of the housing crisis gripping the state as rents have climbed precipitously over the last several years, putting apartments out of the reach of many low- and middle-income Rhode Islanders.

The number of people lacking shelter in the state rose from 377 in November to 436 in December, according to the monthly report of the Coalition to End Homelessness. The waiting list for shelter has 720 people on it, amounting to 472 households.

They are evidence, too, of an emergency shelter system that can leave people languishing for months on the coordinated entry system list. Saraceno says she has been on the list for nearly five months, and that she called the organizers so often she felt like she was harassing them. They directed her to check in once a month.

More: A Woonsocket man was declared incompetent. It took advocates months to get him out of the hospital.

I have a baby on the way. Ive reached out to everyone, Saraceno said. Im worried. Im stressed. Im frustrated.

She ticks off the organizations she says she's reached out to, and its impressive: Amos House, BH link, Better Lives, the Catholic Church, Emmanuel House, CES, Blackstone Valley Advocacy, OpenDoors, Crossroads Rhode Island, housing hotline Newport, Lucys Hearth in Middletown, House of Hope, Gov. Dan McKees office  the list goes on.

Nick Horton, co-executive director of OpenDoors, has been trying to help Saraceno for the last week after hearing about her situation from an outreach worker at the House of Hope. She is on a waitlist for that agency's 14-bed transitional housing program, but the list is months long and has no open beds.

"It is clear she needs help now," Horton said in an email. "Our agency has checked and double-checked the state-wide coordinated entry system for shelter beds to try to help her, and the truth is this: our homelessness crisis is so large that our system cannot even help a six-months' pregnant woman sleeping on the streets for four months in the middle of winter."

OpenDoors Co-Executive Director Nick Horton stands in the living room of his group's new shelter on Elmwood Avenue in December.

He said he looked into trying to make a special exception to get Saraceno a bed at the OpenDoors Motel 6 shelter, and was told that, not only is it full, but there are actually three pregnant woman sleeping right now at the agency's warming center, which is not a place any pregnant woman should have to stay.

While the state has made a lot of progress adding new shelter beds over the past year, it is nowhere near enough, according to Horton.

"Most people in this state have no idea how bad the homelessness crisis is because we have cleared most encampments, but there are hundreds of people out of sight living deep in the woods, in their cars, or in other unsafe locations. Shanelle's experience is awful, but sadly it is not unique," Horton said.

'Weve been here, there, everywhere'

The bleakness of their situation is taking a toll on the couples mental health, as is evident in Saraceno's increasing desperation. It was so bad for Ballou weeks earlier that he was admitted to Butler Hospital, she says.

Saraceno, who has diabetes, wonders if she would be better off in jail, where shed have regular meals, a bed and heat.

Weve been here, there, everywhere, she said.

Occasionally, a family member will take them in for a night or pay for a hotel stay. Rumford Motor Inn is the most affordable at $96 to $103 a night, she said. Ballous mother sometimes makes or orders them food.

But she has bills too, Saraceno said.

Saraceno doesnt want to be around people using illicit drugs due to her exposure as a child and because of the baby on the way. Ballou is trying to remain substance free, limiting some of the emergency-shelter options at which they are willing to stay.

Im just trying to stay as clean as I can, Ballou, 23, says. He says cant find a job because he has a felony record and has been without consistent shelter since age 18.

'Sometimes you want somewhere warm to go'

Their days are spent finding places to keep warm, such as libraries, and Project Weber/RENEW in Pawtucket, where they can heat up food.

Sometimes you want somewhere warm to go, she says.

They take bird baths in public restrooms to remain clean. Saraceno goes to the doctor to get prenatal care and sees a therapist.

I dont trust the doctors. I dont tell them what were going through, she says. Shes afraid they will contact the state.

Saraceno says she isnt looking for much, just a safe, reliable, warm place to stay.

The only thing I could say is I want a roof over my head for my baby, she said.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI's homeless crisis is so bad, there's nowhere for an unhoused pregnant woman to go
The special counsel investigating President Joe Bidens handling of classified documents has concluded that no criminal charges are warranted in the matter and said they wouldnt be even if the Department of Justice didnt have a policy barring the prosecution of sitting presidents.

That conclusion was revealed in a 345-page report that the Justice Department released on Thursday.

But while the report withheld condemnation of Biden on legal grounds, it presented a harsh portrait of his conduct and mental faculties. Biden improperly took classified material related to the 2009 Afghanistan troop surge and shared classified information with the ghostwriter of his 2017 memoir. The report also includes photos of classified documents in insecure places, including a cardboard box in Bidens garage and a filing cabinet under his TV.

In the report, Special Counsel Robert Hur, a well-respected former U.S. Attorney, explained the presidents lapses in attention and vigilance demonstrate why former officials should not keep classified materials unsecured at home and read them aloud to others, but jurors could well conclude that Mr. Biden's actions were unintentional."

But he said that Biden would make a defense that many jurors would find sympathetic.

[A] trial, Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview of him, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory, reads the report.



Bidens memory lapse was a common theme throughout Hurs report. He writes that Biden did not remember when he was vice president or, even within several years, when his son Beau died. Biden, Hur writes, appeared hazy when describing the Afghanistan debate that was once so important to him. He predicted that Bidens attorneys would emphasize these limitations in his recall if they were called upon to defend him at trial.

One of those attorneys, Bob Bauer, took umbrage with the portrayal, accusing Hur of essentially, trashing the subject of an investigation with extraneous, unfounded and irrelevant critical commentary. Bidens attorneys also wrote directly to Hur and his team before the reports publication to complain about the focus on the presidents memory lapses. As documented in the report, they called the focus gratuitous and urged Hur to revise his summarizations, saying it was beyond his expertise and remit.

While Hurs portrayal of Biden will no doubt provide ample fodder for the presidents critics, it also rebuts some anticipated criticisms head-on. The report notes that Biden cooperated with the federal probe. And in its very first pages, it drew a sharp contrast between the president and former President Donald Trump, who faces criminal prosecution for deliberately retaining classified material.

Trump allegedly refused to return classified documents for months and directed other people to destroy evidence and then to lie about it, reads Hurs report. In contrast, Mr. Biden turned in classified documents to the National Archives and the Department of Justice, consented to the search of multiple locations including his homes, sat for a voluntary interview, and in other ways cooperated with the investigation.

Biden addressed the report during an appearance at a retreat for House Democrats on Thursday afternoon. I was pleased to see the special counsel make clear the stark differences between this case and Trump's," he said, The special counsel in my case decided against moving forward with any charges. This matter is now closed." He banged the podium with a fist.

Hur produced the report as part of his investigation into the discovery of classified documents at Bidens home and think tank. The documents date back to Bidens time as vice president and involve then-President Barack Obamas decision to send more U.S. troops to fight in Afghanistan. As Vice President, Biden staunchly opposed the decision and believed history would exonerate his view. He saved materials documenting his opposition to the troop surge, including a handwritten classified memo he sent to President Obama.

The report also said that during Bidens time as vice president, he created agita among his national security staff by mishandling classified briefing books and sometimes failing to return them. In the first six months of 2010, almost 30 classified briefing books were outstanding, according to the report. One staffer became so frustrated by the disappearances of books  or, in some cases, by the return of some books without all their contents  that she created more security procedures. But even after that, the team continued to struggle to retrieve classified briefing books from Mr. Biden.

Biden shared classified materials with the ghostwriter of his 2017 memoir, Promise Me, Dad. Investigators reviewed an audio recording of a conversation Biden had with the ghostwriter in February 2017, a month after he left office, where he told the writer that he just found all the classified stuff downstairs. He was referring to his home office.

Hurs report said jurors could have been persuaded that Biden didnt return those materials because he forgot he had them in his house.

Mr. Bidens memory was significantly limited, both during his recorded interviews with the ghostwriter in 2017, and in his interview with our office in 2023, the report reads. And his cooperation with our investigation, including by reporting to the government that the Afghanistan documents were in his Delaware garage, will likely convince some jurors that he made an innocent mistake, rather than acting willfullythat is, with intent to break the lawas the statute requires.

Richard Sauber, the special counsel to Biden, called elements of the Hur report inaccurate and inappropriate but noted that the White House was pleased with the conclusion. The most important decision the Special Counsel madethat no charges are warrantedis firmly based on the facts and evidence, Sauber wrote.
Joe Bidens lawyer called special counsel Robert Hurs report commenting in part on the presidents age and health off the rails and shabby on Sunday.

An angry and animated Joe Biden previously hit back at the Republican prosecutors claim that his memory is faulty during a last-minute and at-times chaotic press conference on Thursday.

The president hit out at parts of the report released earlier in the day by Justice Department special counsel Robert Hur into his handling of classified documents and became infuriated at a suggestion that he did not remember the year his late son, Beau Biden, died from brain cancer.

On Friday, Kamala Harris joined the White House fight back, slamming the report as politically motivated, and saying she found details in it gratuitous, inaccurate and inappropriate.

She said she has been privileged and proud to serve as vice president of the United States under Mr Biden, and said Mr Hurs remarks on Mr Bidens age and memory were gratuitous, inaccurate, and inappropriate.

Mr Hurs report concluded that Mr Biden will not face charges for willfully holding onto documents after he left office as Barack Obamas vice president in January 2017.

The report, which was delivered to Congress after many months of investigation and preparation, recommended no criminal charges for the incumbent president, even were he not protected by immunity from prosecution due to his current stature.

However, the investigators painted a picture of a senile president with severe memory issues whose innocence was less clear than his supporters would have hoped, while not necessarily coming across to a potential jury as malicious or criminal.

It stated that the materials included files on military policy in Afghanistan and handwritten notes on national security, also suggesting that Mr Biden would look like an elderly man with a poor memory to a jury if he were to be hit with criminal charges.

Key Points

Watch: White House doesnt rule out releasing transcripts of Bidens special counsel interview

Friday 9 February 2024 19:10 , Oliver O'Connell

White House counsel spox Ian Sams does not rule out releasing the transcript of President Bidens interview with special counsel Robert Hur:



I think that its important to know that were dealing with classified materials in this conversation  but its a reasonable question. pic.twitter.com/ggrlHwcjfV  The Recount (@therecount) February 9, 2024

Watch: White House says DOJ staffers say report gratuitous and inconsistent with policy

Friday 9 February 2024 19:28 , Oliver O'Connell

Sams: These are experienced people at the justice department who spent decades working at the justice department and they're saying it's gratuitous, this isn't appropriate. This is inconsistent with the doj policy and practice. That's them saying it. We agree. pic.twitter.com/Y0d7O9jCmW  Acyn (@Acyn) February 9, 2024

Democrats use Mike Johnsons Iran-Israel gaffe to take heat off Biden

Friday 9 February 2024 19:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Democrats are rushing to defend President Joe Biden after he appeared to confuse Mexico with Egypt during a press conference called to refute claims about his poor memory.

Following the release of Special Counsel Robert Hurs report on Thursday  which claimed Mr Bidens memory was significantly limited  Democratic lawmakers pointed to House Speaker Mike Johnsons own gaffe, where he confused Iran with Israel last week.

Martha McHardy has the story:

Democrats share Mike Johnsons Iran-Israel gaffe in bid to take heat off Biden

Friday 9 February 2024 19:37 , Oliver O'Connell

WH's @IanSams46 on Hur report: "When you are the first special counsel in history not to indict anybody there is pressure to criticize and to make statements that maybe otherwise you wouldn't make."  Joey Garrison (@joeygarrison) February 9, 2024

Biden launching task force to prevent classified doc mishaps

Friday 9 February 2024 19:45 , Oliver O'Connell

President Biden will soon name a high-level task force to recommend procedures that will prevent classified materials from being mishandled or inadvertantly lost during presidential transitions in the future, White House spokesperson Ian Sams said on Friday.

Mr Sams, who serves as a spokesperson for the White House Counsels Office, was addressing reporters at the daily White House press briefing following the release of a report from Special Counsel Robert Hur in which Mr Hur, a Republican who served in the Trump administration, assailed Mr Bidens memory while declining to charge him with any crime stemming from the discovery of classified materials at his Wilmington, Delaware home.

He told reporters that the National Archives has found that the misfiling of classified materials during transitions has been a common occurrence which Mr Biden believes should be fixed.

Andrew Feinberg reports:

Biden launches task force to prevent future classified document mishaps

Analysis: Biden just denied he was mentally unfit  then made things even worse

Friday 9 February 2024 20:00 , Oliver O'Connell

John Bowden writes:

Joe Biden tried to brush off concerns about his mental fitness and memory on Thursday at an impromptu press conference  but he made a glaring mistake that undermined his indignant defence of his abilities.

In isolation, it was perhaps just another relatively minor moment of misspeaking for the president, but it came at exactly the wrong moment.

Continue reading...

Joe Biden just tried to deny he was mentally unfit  but he made a glaring mistake

Watch: What do Democrats do now?

Friday 9 February 2024 20:15 , Oliver O'Connell

On what Democrats do now:



Joe Biden gave the strategy in 2012  He said, Dont compare us to the almighty, compare us to the alternative.  They gotta tell Democrats, Look, vote for the old guy, support the old guy. Its important. https://t.co/H4tHOEbBte  The Recount (@therecount) February 9, 2024

Harris launches into fiery defence of Biden as she slams integrity of special counsel

Friday 9 February 2024 20:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Andrew Feinberg, our White House correspondent, filed this report:

Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday came out swinging with a full-throated defence of President Joe Biden in the wake of an unflattering report on his conduct by a Republican special prosecutor.

Ms Harris was speaking in the Indian Treaty Room at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at an event hosted by the White Houses gun violence prevention office when she addressed the matter of Mr Hurs report, which critics have assailed as including gratuitous attacks on the president even as it announced that he will not face any criminal charges stemming from the discovery of classified documents at his Delaware home.

She said she has been privileged and proud to serve as vice president of the United States under Mr Biden, and said Mr Hurs remarks on Mr Bidens age and memory were gratuitous, inaccurate, and inappropriate.

Continue reading...

Kamala Harris gives fiery defence of Biden and slams integrity of special counsel

Biden: Failure of Congress to not support Ukraine is criminal neglect and outrageous'

Friday 9 February 2024 20:38 , Oliver O'Connell

Biden: The failure of the United States congress, if it occurs, not to support Ukraine is close to criminal neglect. It is outrageous. pic.twitter.com/fphGnDBrLL  Acyn (@Acyn) February 9, 2024

Key takeaways from the report into Bidens classified documents

Friday 9 February 2024 21:00 , John Bowden

A report on the Justice Departments investigation into Joe Bidens unauthorised retention of classified materials was made public on Thursday  and it was as troubling for the president and his public image as it was vindicating for those who argued he had committed no crimes.

The report was authored by Robert Hur, a former US attorney appointed by Donald Trump and later elevated to the rank of special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Delivered to Congress this week after many months of investigation and preparation, it recommended no criminal charges for the incumbent president, even were he not protected by immunity from prosecution due to his current stature.

It did, however, contain much that will concern many Americans and was overall far from complimentary of the incumbent president.

The investigators painted a picture of a senile president with severe memory issues whose innocence was less clear than his supporters would have hoped, while not necessarily coming across to a potential jury as malicious or criminal.

Lets take a look at the key takeaways from Mr Hurs report:

Classified documents kept by dog bed and memory troubles: Takeaways from Biden report

Watch: That part of the report does not live in reality'

Friday 9 February 2024 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell

.@PressSec on the Special Counsels report: "The reality is, that report, that part of the report does not live in reality. It just doesn't...it is gratuitous." pic.twitter.com/byjKjg8Np7  CSPAN (@cspan) February 9, 2024

ICYMI: Biden mixes up Mexico and Egypt at surprise presser

Friday 9 February 2024 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden appeared to confuse Mexico with Egypt, in a press conference on Thursday called to refute allegations of his poor memory.

The president made reference to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, saying: The president of Mexico did not want to open up the gate to allow humanitarian material to get in. I talked to him. I convinced to open the gate.

I talked to Bibi [Benjamin Netenyahu] to open the gate on the Israeli side. Ive been pushing really hard, really hard to get humanitarian assistance into Gaza.

There are a lot of innocent people who are starving, innocent people or in trouble and die, and its got to stop, number one.

Number two... Im the guy that made the case that we have to do much more to increase the amount of material going in, including fuel, including other items. Ive been on the phone with Qataris. Ive been on the phone with the Egyptians.

Mike Bedigan reports:

Biden mixes up Mexico and Egypt at surprise presser to address claims of memory loss

Watch: White House press secretary asserts The president of the United States runs the country'

Friday 9 February 2024 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Fox News Peter Doocy: If the special counsel says President Bidens got significant limitations on his memory, then who is helping him run the country?



White House Press Sec. Karine Jean-Pierre: The president of the United States runs the country. pic.twitter.com/uPPyBPhtoI  The Recount (@therecount) February 9, 2024

Recap: Biden comes out fighting over claims about his memory

Friday 9 February 2024 23:00 , Oliver O'Connell

An angry and animated President Joe Biden on Thursday hit back at a Republican prosecutors claim that his memory is faulty in last-minute remarks to reporters on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, the Department of Justice released a report by Special Counsel Robert Hur, the former Maryland US Attorney who Attorney General Merrick Garland charged with probing how classified documents ended up at Mr Bidens home in Delaware and former office in Washington.

Mr Hur did not recommend that Mr Biden face criminal charges, citing what he described as significant mitigating factors which led him to state that charges were not warranted and would not have been warranted even if Mr Biden were not president and barred from being prosecuted by Department of Justice policy.

Andrew Feinberg filed this report from Washington, DC:

Biden comes out fighting over claims about his memory at surprise press conference

Could the race for George Santos congressional seat offer clues to how suburbs will vote in November?

Friday 9 February 2024 23:30 , AP

A special election in the suburbs of New York to replace disgraced former Rep. George Santos could offer clues about the mindset of suburban voters everywhere as 2024 election contests ramp up across the country.

The Tuesday contest for the House seat held by Santos until his recent expulsion is shaping up to be a bellwether in the fight for control of Congress, as candidates test political messages their parties hope will appeal to suburban voters in the fall. It not only could subtract one more vote from Republicans narrow majority in the short run but will be monitored carefully for any signals it sends about what suburban voters elsewhere may be thinking entering the highly volatile 2024 election year.

Continue reading...

Might George Santos ex-congressional seat offer clues for the presidential election?

Bidens age is now under scrutiny. His campaign needs to respond with careful candor

Saturday 10 February 2024 00:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Eric Garcia writes:

President Joe Biden probably hoped that the 388-page report from special counsel would put a lingering question  the one of his handling of classified documents  to bed.

And indeed, while Special Counsel Robert Hurs report said that Biden willfully held onto classified materials at his home in Delaware and the office of a think tank, it also said it would not recommend crimiminal charges for the president.

The good news ended there for the president. It should be noted that Attorney General Merrick Garland nominated Hur, a Republican whom Trump nominated to serve as the US Attorney for Maryland. Garland did so after Trump sought to use the entire department as his personal legal defense arm. It was supposed to be a show of impartiality toward the current president.

But nominating Hur might have given Republicans their most potent weapon yet. It forced a conversation on Bidens age and whether it makes him fit to be the president for another term into the foreground. The report became the equivalent of a rubber hose beating: it may not be fatal, but it will bruise him up a bit.

Continue reading the full article...

Saturday 10 February 2024 01:00 , Oliver O'Connell

In pictures: Classified documents found in Bidens garage and home

Democrats use Mike Johnsons Iran-Israel gaffe to take heat off Biden

Saturday 10 February 2024 02:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Democrats are rushing to defend President Joe Biden after he appeared to confuse Mexico with Egypt during a press conference called to refute claims about his poor memory.

Following the release of Special Counsel Robert Hurs report on Thursday  which claimed Mr Bidens memory was significantly limited  Democratic lawmakers pointed to House Speaker Mike Johnsons own gaffe, where he confused Iran with Israel last week.

Martha McHardy has the story:

Democrats share Mike Johnsons Iran-Israel gaffe in bid to take heat off Biden

Special counsel: Biden wilfully held on to classified material

Saturday 10 February 2024 03:00 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden wilfully held on to classified materials that were discovered at his home in Delaware and the office of a think tank in Washington DC, but should not face criminal charges for doing so, a special prosecutor appointed by the attorney general found in a report released on Thursday.

The special counsel, former Trump appointee and ex-Maryland US Attorney Robert Hur, did not recommend that Mr Biden face criminal charges, citing what he described as significant mitigating factors which led him to state that charges were not warranted and would not have been warranted even if Mr Biden were not president and barred from being prosecuted by Department of Justice policy.

John Bowden reports from Washington, DC:

Special counsel says Joe Biden wilfully held on to classified material

Harris launches into fiery defence of Biden as she slams integrity of special counsel

Saturday 10 February 2024 04:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Andrew Feinberg, our White House correspondent, filed this report:

Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday came out swinging with a full-throated defence of President Joe Biden in the wake of an unflattering report on his conduct by a Republican special prosecutor.

Ms Harris was speaking in the Indian Treaty Room at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at an event hosted by the White Houses gun violence prevention office when she addressed the matter of Mr Hurs report, which critics have assailed as including gratuitous attacks on the president even as it announced that he will not face any criminal charges stemming from the discovery of classified documents at his Delaware home.

She said she has been privileged and proud to serve as vice president of the United States under Mr Biden, and said Mr Hurs remarks on Mr Bidens age and memory were gratuitous, inaccurate, and inappropriate.

Continue reading...

Kamala Harris gives fiery defence of Biden and slams integrity of special counsel

Saturday 10 February 2024 05:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Biden reacts angrily over special counsel claim he couldnt remember son Beaus death

Biden is elderly man with poor memory, says special counsel

Saturday 10 February 2024 07:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Special Counsel Robert Hur revealed in his report on President Joe Bidens handling of classified documents that the president has a poor memory and at times could not recall when he was vice president or when his son, Beau Biden, died.

In his report, released on Thursday, Mr Hur declined to prosecute Mr Biden for his mishandling of classified documents  saying that though the president retained documents containing sensitive information, he was not guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Mr Hur also included that if Mr Biden were to appear in front of a jury he would seem like a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.

Ariana Baio has the story:

Special counsel says Biden has poor memory and cant recall when son died

Why is Trump charged over his classified documents and Biden isnt?

Saturday 10 February 2024 09:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Why Trumps being charged over classified papers and Biden is not

Read the full special counsel report

Saturday 10 February 2024 11:00 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden will not face charges for willfully holding onto classified documents after he left office as vice president, according to the final report released by Special counsel Robert Hur.

On Thursday, Mr Hur released the findings from his investigation into the alleged mishandling of classified Obama-era materials, which were found at two locations tied to the president.

In the 388-page report, Mr Hur said that Mr Biden had willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen.

Read the special counsels report in full here:

Read the special counsels report into Biden classified documents in full

Key takeaways from the report into Bidens classified documents

Saturday 10 February 2024 13:00 , John Bowden

A report on the Justice Departments investigation into Joe Bidens unauthorised retention of classified materials was made public on Thursday  and it was as troubling for the president and his public image as it was vindicating for those who argued he had committed no crimes.

The report was authored by Robert Hur, a former US attorney appointed by Donald Trump and later elevated to the rank of special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Delivered to Congress this week after many months of investigation and preparation, it recommended no criminal charges for the incumbent president, even were he not protected by immunity from prosecution due to his current stature.

It did, however, contain much that will concern many Americans and was overall far from complimentary of the incumbent president.

The investigators painted a picture of a senile president with severe memory issues whose innocence was less clear than his supporters would have hoped, while not necessarily coming across to a potential jury as malicious or criminal.

Lets take a look at the key takeaways from Mr Hurs report:

Classified documents kept by dog bed and memory troubles: Takeaways from Biden report

Bidens age is now under scrutiny. His campaign needs to respond with careful candor

Saturday 10 February 2024 14:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Eric Garcia writes:

President Joe Biden probably hoped that the 388-page report from special counsel would put a lingering question  the one of his handling of classified documents  to bed.

And indeed, while Special Counsel Robert Hurs report said that Biden willfully held onto classified materials at his home in Delaware and the office of a think tank, it also said it would not recommend crimiminal charges for the president.

The good news ended there for the president. It should be noted that Attorney General Merrick Garland nominated Hur, a Republican whom Trump nominated to serve as the US Attorney for Maryland. Garland did so after Trump sought to use the entire department as his personal legal defense arm. It was supposed to be a show of impartiality toward the current president.

But nominating Hur might have given Republicans their most potent weapon yet. It forced a conversation on Bidens age and whether it makes him fit to be the president for another term into the foreground. The report became the equivalent of a rubber hose beating: it may not be fatal, but it will bruise him up a bit.

Continue reading...

Bidens age is now under scrutiny. His campaign needs to respond with careful candor

Saturday 10 February 2024 15:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Biden shouts at reporters as he defends mental competence: My memory is fine

Democrats use Mike Johnsons Iran-Israel gaffe to take heat off Biden

Saturday 10 February 2024 16:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Democrats are rushing to defend President Joe Biden after he appeared to confuse Mexico with Egypt during a press conference called to refute claims about his poor memory.

Following the release of Special Counsel Robert Hurs report on Thursday  which claimed Mr Bidens memory was significantly limited  Democratic lawmakers pointed to House Speaker Mike Johnsons own gaffe, where he confused Iran with Israel last week.

Martha McHardy has the story:

Democrats share Mike Johnsons Iran-Israel gaffe in bid to take heat off Biden

Verbal gaffe or sign of trouble? Mixing up names like Biden and Trump have done is pretty common

Saturday 10 February 2024 16:35 , Graig Graziosi

Any parent whos ever called one of their children by the others name  or even the family pets name  likely could empathize when President Joe Biden mixed up the names of French leaders Macron and Mitterrand.

The human brain has trouble pulling names out of stuffed memory banks on cue. But when are those and other verbal stumbles normal, and when might they be a sign of cognitive trouble?

When I see somebody make a flub on TV, Im really not all that concerned, said well-known aging researcher S. Jay Olshansky of the University of Illinois at Chicago. What science will tell you about flubs is that theyre perfectly normal, and they are exacerbated by stress for sure.

READ MORE

Verbal gaffe or sign of trouble? Mixing up names like Biden and Trump have done is pretty common

Harris launches into fiery defence of Biden as she slams integrity of special counsel

Saturday 10 February 2024 17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Andrew Feinberg, our White House correspondent, filed this report:

Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday came out swinging with a full-throated defence of President Joe Biden in the wake of an unflattering report on his conduct by a Republican special prosecutor.

Ms Harris was speaking in the Indian Treaty Room at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at an event hosted by the White Houses gun violence prevention office when she addressed the matter of Mr Hurs report, which critics have assailed as including gratuitous attacks on the president even as it announced that he will not face any criminal charges stemming from the discovery of classified documents at his Delaware home.

She said she has been privileged and proud to serve as vice president of the United States under Mr Biden, and said Mr Hurs remarks on Mr Bidens age and memory were gratuitous, inaccurate, and inappropriate.

Continue reading...

Kamala Harris gives fiery defence of Biden and slams integrity of special counsel

Watch: '

Saturday 10 February 2024 19:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Failed Republican presidential primary candidate Vivek Ramaswamy claims Dems will run Michelle Obama instead of Joe Biden in November

Saturday 10 February 2024 20:20 , Graig Graziosi

Vivek Ramaswamy, a right-wing businessman who launched a doomed presidential primary and has since become a mainstay on conservative media, has claimed that Democrats will run Michelle Obama instead of Joe Biden in November.

Mr Ramaswamy made the claims during a Fox News appaearance.

According to Mr Ramaswamy, Democrats want to use a report issued by special counsel Robert Hur concerning Mr Bidens possession of classified government documents following his vice presidency as a way to justify the replacement.

Mr Hurs report claims charges wont be brought against Mr Biden in part because he will be viewed as a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory, by a jury.

Mr Ramaswamy said the natural backup pick for replacing Mr Biden is Vice President Kamala Harris, but he claims due to her poor primary performance in 2020 they instead will opt for Ms Obama.

If race and gender are your basis for selecting someone for a job, and the identity of your party is tied to that temple of identity politics, then they will risk looking hypocritical if they sideline her after they sideline Biden. And I do think Michelle Obama offers them a convenient path out of that problem, somebody who checks the boxes that they need to have checked per their own ideology, while also selecting an alternative to Biden that they may view as more palatable in a general election . . . its looking increasingly like its not going to be Biden as the nominee. And I think that it should not be shocking to see someone like Michelle Obama take the role of the nomination, he said.

There is no evidence that Democrats are planning on running anyone other than Mr Biden in November.

Biden launching task force to prevent classified doc mishaps

Saturday 10 February 2024 21:00 , Oliver O'Connell

President Biden will soon name a high-level task force to recommend procedures that will prevent classified materials from being mishandled or inadvertantly lost during presidential transitions in the future, White House spokesperson Ian Sams said on Friday.

Mr Sams, who serves as a spokesperson for the White House Counsels Office, was addressing reporters at the daily White House press briefing following the release of a report from Special Counsel Robert Hur in which Mr Hur, a Republican who served in the Trump administration, assailed Mr Bidens memory while declining to charge him with any crime stemming from the discovery of classified materials at his Wilmington, Delaware home.

He told reporters that the National Archives has found that the misfiling of classified materials during transitions has been a common occurrence which Mr Biden believes should be fixed.

Andrew Feinberg reports:

Biden launches task force to prevent future classified document mishaps

Recap: Biden comes out fighting over claims about his memory

Saturday 10 February 2024 22:30 , Graig Graziosi

An angry and animated President Joe Biden on Thursday hit back at a Republican prosecutors claim that his memory is faulty in last-minute remarks to reporters on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, the Department of Justice released a report by Special Counsel Robert Hur, the former Maryland US Attorney who Attorney General Merrick Garland charged with probing how classified documents ended up at Mr Bidens home in Delaware and former office in Washington.

Mr Hur did not recommend that Mr Biden face criminal charges, citing what he described as significant mitigating factors which led him to state that charges were not warranted and would not have been warranted even if Mr Biden were not president and barred from being prosecuted by Department of Justice policy.

Andrew Feinberg filed this report from Washington, DC:

Biden comes out fighting over claims about his memory at surprise press conference

Saturday 10 February 2024 23:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Biden wants to use border deal collapse as campaign weapon against Trump

Sunday 11 February 2024 03:00 , AP

How it began: President Joe Biden was urgently seeking more money from Congress to aid Ukraine and Israel. He took a gamble by seizing on GOP demands to simultaneously address one of his biggest political liabilities  illegal migration at the U.S.-Mexico border.

How it ended: Biden came close to succeeding, before it all fell apart spectacularly. Now the president is trying to make the best of it after a major congressional deal was scuttled once Republican front-runner Donald Trump got involved. And Biden is intent on showing that the former president and his Make America Great Again Republican acolytes in Congress arent really interested in solutions.

In between: There is a story of a president willing to anger his own partys activist class in an election year, rare hope for bipartisan progress on one of the third rails of American politics, and a sudden, stunning collapse publicly engineered by Trump that Bidens team now sees as a political gift.

Continue reading...

Biden determined to use Trump-backed border deal collapse as weapon in 2024 campaign

Sunday 11 February 2024 07:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Special counsel: Biden wilfully held on to classified material

Sunday 11 February 2024 11:00 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden wilfully held on to classified materials that were discovered at his home in Delaware and the office of a think tank in Washington DC, but should not face criminal charges for doing so, a special prosecutor appointed by the attorney general found in a report released on Thursday.

The special counsel, former Trump appointee and ex-Maryland US Attorney Robert Hur, did not recommend that Mr Biden face criminal charges, citing what he described as significant mitigating factors which led him to state that charges were not warranted and would not have been warranted even if Mr Biden were not president and barred from being prosecuted by Department of Justice policy.

John Bowden reports from Washington, DC:

Special counsel says Joe Biden wilfully held on to classified material

Recap: Biden comes out fighting over claims about his memory

Sunday 11 February 2024 14:00 , Oliver O'Connell

An angry and animated President Joe Biden on Thursday hit back at a Republican prosecutors claim that his memory is faulty in last-minute remarks to reporters on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, the Department of Justice released a report by Special Counsel Robert Hur, the former Maryland US Attorney who Attorney General Merrick Garland charged with probing how classified documents ended up at Mr Bidens home in Delaware and former office in Washington.

Mr Hur did not recommend that Mr Biden face criminal charges, citing what he described as significant mitigating factors which led him to state that charges were not warranted and would not have been warranted even if Mr Biden were not president and barred from being prosecuted by Department of Justice policy.

Andrew Feinberg filed this report from Washington, DC:

Biden comes out fighting over claims about his memory at surprise press conference

Harris launches into fiery defence of Biden as she slams integrity of special counsel

Sunday 11 February 2024 17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday came out swinging with a full-throated defence of President Joe Biden in the wake of an unflattering report on his conduct by a Republican special prosecutor.

Ms Harris was speaking in the Indian Treaty Room at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at an event hosted by the White Houses gun violence prevention office when she addressed the matter of Mr Hurs report, which critics have assailed as including gratuitous attacks on the president even as it announced that he will not face any criminal charges stemming from the discovery of classified documents at his Delaware home.

She said she has been privileged and proud to serve as vice president of the United States under Mr Biden, and said Mr Hurs remarks on Mr Bidens age and memory were gratuitous, inaccurate, and inappropriate.

Continue reading...

Kamala Harris gives fiery defence of Biden and slams integrity of special counsel

Biden calls on Netanyahu to hold off on Rafa invasion

Sunday 11 February 2024 18:29 , Graig Graziosi

Joe Biden has reportedly advised Isreali Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to invade Rafah, where 1.4m Palestinians have been forced to seek shelter from Isreali bombardment, until he has a credible plan for doing so without causing massive civilian casualties.

Mr Biden reportedly said a military operation in Rafah should not proceed without a credible and executable plan for ensuring the safety of and support for the more than one million people sheltering there, according to a White House synopsis of a call between the two men.

Biden urges Netanyahu not to advance into Rafah without a plan to avoid massive civilian casualties

Sunday 11 February 2024 21:01 , Graig Graziosi

Joe Biden has called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold off invading Rafah until a plan is in place that would prevent massive civilian casualties.

Gazans fleeing Israels bombardment and military advances have sought shelter in Rafah, a city in the south of the Gaza Strip. An estimated 1.4m Palestinians are currently in the region after being displaced by Israels campaign against Hamas.

The White House released a synopsis of a call between Mr Biden and Mr Netanyahu on Sunday.

Mr Biden reportedly raffirmed his view that a military operation in Rafah should not proceed without a credible and executable plan for ensuring the safety and support for the more than one million people sheltering there, according to the White House report.

READ MORE:

Biden urges Netanyahu not to advance into Rafah, citing risk to civlians

Biden lawyer says special counsel report was off the rails and shabby'

Sunday 11 February 2024 22:00 , Graig Graziosi

Bob Bauer, Joe Bidens personal lawyer, said a report issued by special counsel Robert Hur that sparked concerns over the presidents age was off the rails.

This is a report that went off the rails, he said on CBSs Face the Nation. A shabby work product.

The report cleared Mr Biden of criminal wrongdoing in handling classified documents after leaving the Obama administration, but included comments on the presidents age and mental acuity.

It described Mr Biden as well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory and said he had diminished faculties in advancing age.

Mr Hur noted that a jury might be unwillig to convict Mr Biden because his age and diminished faculties could potentially make him sympathetic.

Mr Biden responded by saying there was nothing wrong with his memory, and Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris, have gone on the offensive to defend the president in the media.

Why is Trump charged over his classified documents and Biden isnt?

Sunday 11 February 2024 23:00 , Graig Graziosi

Why Trumps being charged over classified papers and Biden is not

Read the full special counsel report

01:00 , Graig Graziosi

President Joe Biden will not face charges for willfully holding onto classified documents after he left office as vice president, according to the final report released by Special counsel Robert Hur.

On Thursday, Mr Hur released the findings from his investigation into the alleged mishandling of classified Obama-era materials, which were found at two locations tied to the president.

In the 388-page report, Mr Hur said that Mr Biden had willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen.

Read the special counsels report in full here:

Read the special counsels report into Biden classified documents in full

Key takeaways from the report into Bidens classified documents

03:00 , Graig Graziosi

A report on the Justice Departments investigation into Joe Bidens unauthorised retention of classified materials was made public on Thursday  and it was as troubling for the president and his public image as it was vindicating for those who argued he had committed no crimes.

The report was authored by Robert Hur, a former US attorney appointed by Donald Trump and later elevated to the rank of special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Delivered to Congress this week after many months of investigation and preparation, it recommended no criminal charges for the incumbent president, even were he not protected by immunity from prosecution due to his current stature.

It did, however, contain much that will concern many Americans and was overall far from complimentary of the incumbent president.

The investigators painted a picture of a senile president with severe memory issues whose innocence was less clear than his supporters would have hoped, while not necessarily coming across to a potential jury as malicious or criminal.

Lets take a look at the key takeaways from Mr Hurs report:

Bidens age is now under scrutiny. His campaign needs to respond with careful candor

04:59 , Graig Graziosi

Eric Garcia writes:

President Joe Biden probably hoped that the 388-page report from special counsel would put a lingering question  the one of his handling of classified documents  to bed.

And indeed, while Special Counsel Robert Hurs report said that Biden willfully held onto classified materials at his home in Delaware and the office of a think tank, it also said it would not recommend crimiminal charges for the president.

The good news ended there for the president. It should be noted that Attorney General Merrick Garland nominated Hur, a Republican whom Trump nominated to serve as the US Attorney for Maryland. Garland did so after Trump sought to use the entire department as his personal legal defense arm. It was supposed to be a show of impartiality toward the current president.

But nominating Hur might have given Republicans their most potent weapon yet. It forced a conversation on Bidens age and whether it makes him fit to be the president for another term into the foreground. The report became the equivalent of a rubber hose beating: it may not be fatal, but it will bruise him up a bit.

Continue reading...

Bidens age is now under scrutiny. His campaign needs to respond with careful candor

Biden shouts at reporters that his memory is fine

07:00 , Graig Graziosi

Biden shouts at reporters as he defends mental competence: My memory is fine

Democrats use Mike Johnsons Iran-Israel gaffe to take heat off Biden

09:00 , Graig Graziosi

Democrats are rushing to defend President Joe Biden after he appeared to confuse Mexico with Egypt during a press conference called to refute claims about his poor memory.

Following the release of Special Counsel Robert Hurs report on Thursday  which claimed Mr Bidens memory was significantly limited  Democratic lawmakers pointed to House Speaker Mike Johnsons own gaffe, where he confused Iran with Israel last week.

Martha McHardy has the story:

Democrats share Mike Johnsons Iran-Israel gaffe in bid to take heat off Biden

Verbal gaffe or sign of trouble? Mixing up names like Biden and Trump have done is pretty common

11:00 , Graig Graziosi

Any parent whos ever called one of their children by the others name  or even the family pets name  likely could empathize when President Joe Biden mixed up the names of French leaders Macron and Mitterrand.

The human brain has trouble pulling names out of stuffed memory banks on cue. But when are those and other verbal stumbles normal, and when might they be a sign of cognitive trouble?

When I see somebody make a flub on TV, Im really not all that concerned, said well-known aging researcher S. Jay Olshansky of the University of Illinois at Chicago. What science will tell you about flubs is that theyre perfectly normal, and they are exacerbated by stress for sure.

READ MORE:

Verbal gaffe or sign of trouble? Mixing up names like Biden and Trump have done is pretty common

Harris launches into fiery defence of Biden as she slams integrity of special counsel

13:00 , Graig Graziosi

Andrew Feinberg, our White House correspondent, filed this report:

Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday came out swinging with a full-throated defence of President Joe Biden in the wake of an unflattering report on his conduct by a Republican special prosecutor.

Ms Harris was speaking in the Indian Treaty Room at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at an event hosted by the White Houses gun violence prevention office when she addressed the matter of Mr Hurs report, which critics have assailed as including gratuitous attacks on the president even as it announced that he will not face any criminal charges stemming from the discovery of classified documents at his Delaware home.

She said she has been privileged and proud to serve as vice president of the United States under Mr Biden, and said Mr Hurs remarks on Mr Bidens age and memory were gratuitous, inaccurate, and inappropriate.

Continue reading...

Kamala Harris gives fiery defence of Biden and slams integrity of special counsel

Failed Republican presidential primary candidate Vivek Ramaswamy claims Dems will run Michelle Obama instead of Joe Biden in November

14:00 , Graig Graziosi

Vivek Ramaswamy, a right-wing businessman who launched a doomed presidential primary and has since become a mainstay on conservative media, has claimed that Democrats will run Michelle Obama instead of Joe Biden in November.

Mr Ramaswamy made the claims during a Fox News appaearance.

According to Mr Ramaswamy, Democrats want to use a report issued by special counsel Robert Hur concerning Mr Bidens possession of classified government documents following his vice presidency as a way to justify the replacement.

Mr Hurs report claims charges wont be brought against Mr Biden in part because he will be viewed as a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory, by a jury.

Mr Ramaswamy said the natural backup pick for replacing Mr Biden is Vice President Kamala Harris, but he claims due to her poor primary performance in 2020 they instead will opt for Ms Obama.

If race and gender are your basis for selecting someone for a job, and the identity of your party is tied to that temple of identity politics, then they will risk looking hypocritical if they sideline her after they sideline Biden. And I do think Michelle Obama offers them a convenient path out of that problem, somebody who checks the boxes that they need to have checked per their own ideology, while also selecting an alternative to Biden that they may view as more palatable in a general election . . . its looking increasingly like its not going to be Biden as the nominee. And I think that it should not be shocking to see someone like Michelle Obama take the role of the nomination, he said.

There is no evidence that Democrats are planning on running anyone other than Mr Biden in November.
Chihuahua state police investigators arrested a man known as "El Diablo" accused in an abduction and quadruple-murder at a house in southeastern Juarez last week, officials said.

Angel Alberto M., nicknamed "El Diablo" (the devil), along with others allegedly abducted four men found strangled to death on Thursday, Feb. 1, at a house on Arquitecto Luis Romero Soto Street in the Horizontes del Sur area, the Chihuahua Attorney General's Office said in a press statement.

More: 'El 80' pleads guilty in US court, case gives view into Juarez drug cartel

The group also abducted a man, a woman and a girl, who managed to escape and ask for help after they had been taken to houses in the southeastern neighborhoods of Salvarcar and Cerrada del Parque, prosecutors said.

Angel Alberto M., nicknamed "El Diablo," was arrested for allegedly taking part in the killing of four men on Feb. 1 at a house in the Horizontes del Sur section of Juarez, Mexico.

Agents with the State Investigations Agency arrested "El Diablo" on Sunday as part of the ongoing investigation into the mass killing.

The man's last name was not disclosed by authorities due to rules in Mexico regarding the naming of crime suspects. The names of the victims were not released.

The order for the murders reportedly came from a gang incarcerated in the Cereso No. 3 state prison in Juarez. The suspects allegedly filmed video sent to an imprisoned gang leader of two women who had been taken to the house and made to dance nude, El Heraldo de Chihuahua reported citing an unnamed state police commander.

The Horizontes del Sur case was the second mass killing in Juarez in a week, following a shooting by gunmen who killed five people at a house during a funeral vigil for a homicide victim.

Juarez murders top 120 in January

There were more than 120 murders in Juarez in January, making it the deadliest month since August 2022.

It has been a complicated month in terms of homicides, which fundamentally involve organized crime," Juarez Mayor Cruz Perez Cuellar said in a news conference last week, adding that public safety strategies are being continuously evaluated.

Violence in Mexico: Juarez gang accused of removing hearts, mutilating more than 20 murder victims

There were more than 1,160 killings in Juarez in all of 2023, an increase from the more than 1,000 murders a year prior, according to local news tallies.

Violence continues to be a concern in Juarez, Mexico, with more than 120 murders in January 2024. Mexican army troops patrol the border city's streets following a deadly shooting in this file photo from 2022.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: 'El Diablo' arrested in mass killing in Juarez, Mexico
The U.S. Supreme Court Thursday seemed likely to allow former President Donald Trump to remain on Colorados ballot, with both conservative and liberal-leaning justices questioning whether a single state should be allowed to decide a national candidates legitimacy.

Colorados Supreme Court had decided to remove Trump from the ballotunder , arguing that he engaged in insurrection and thus is banned from being president because of an 1868 constitutional amendment.

Justices heard oral arguments Thursday. There isnt a time frame for justices to release a decision, though major ones are typically released in early summer.

But because Colorado and many other states primaries, including Californias, are occurring in early March, the court might work more swiftly to provide clarity.

Depending on the outcome, California and other states could go through similar legal processes to attempt to remove the former president from the general election ballot.

California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis had hoped to accomplish that for the March 5 primary. California ballots have already started being mailed with Trumps name on them.

The case heard Thursday, Trump v. Anderson, involved having the Supreme Court to determine if Colorado was wrong in ruling to exclude Trump from the ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which was enacted after the Civil War to bar former Confederates from holding public office.

Colorado and Maine moved to pull Trumps name from the ballot, but their actions are on hold pending the Supreme Courts ruling.

A decision to disqualify the candidacy of Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, has broader legal and political implications.

This is the first time the Supreme Court will rule on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which was enacted after the Civil War to bar former Confederates from holding public office.

Today the conservative-leaning court is ideologically split 6-3. Trump appointed three of the sitting justices.

The initial case to pull Trump from Colorados ballot came from four Republican and two independent voters working with watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW).

Their lawsuit claimed Trump provoked the Jan. 6, 2021, attack to subvert the peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 presidential election and that this amounts to insurrection, an act of uprising against the government. Under Section 3, they say, this makes him ineligible to be president again and thus should not be on the primary ballot.

In December, the Colorado Supreme Court agreed in a 4-3 decision Trump engaged in insurrection and could not appear on the states ballot.

On Thursday, Trumps lawyer relied heavily on the language of Section 3 to argue that it does not apply to Trumps unique circumstance. First, he argued, Section 3 does not apply to the president as the clause does not name the nations highest office. Second, he claimed that Trump never took an oath to support the Constitution because he only has held the public office of the president, which does not use that language.

Most importantly, he said, Section 3 does not apply to presidential candidates. The clause, he said, only applies to elected officials, which means that the issue should not preclude anyone from being on the ballot at all.

The lawyer, Jonathan Mitchell, said that Jan. 6, 2021, was a riot and while Trump had not engaged in insurrection, it wasnt up to Colorado or any other state to determine if he did. Rather that power lies with Congress, he said, which can, by a two-thirds vote, grant amnesty for someone who engaged in insurrection. Mitchell claimed Congress would have to pass a law allowing states to bar candidates from the ballot in this circumstance.

Section 3 reads:

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. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

The lawyer for CREW and the six Colorado voters said that Section 3 should certainly apply to the nations highest office, even if there are not examples of insurrectionists seeking the presidency.

What happened in California?

Lawsuits in dozens of states including California challenged Trumps ballot ability, but Colorado and Maine were the only two states that moved to bar him. Both are on hold pending the Supreme Courts decision.

After the Colorado Supreme Court ruling, Californias lieutenant governor asked the secretary of state to explore every legal option to take Trump off the ballot. Secretary of State Shirley Weber kept him on the Republican primary ballot when she released the certified list of candidates.

Weber responded to Kounalakis in a Dec. 22 letter saying that challenges to ballot eligibility are to be resolved by courts and that her office was continuing to track legal actions, including that of the Supreme Court. Weber told the Los Angeles Times that blocking Trump from the ballot could be seen as political.

There are pending court cases in California over his ballot status.

Trump would likely not win the general election vote in California given its overwhelming Democratic voter registration. But in states with high Republican concentrations, removing Trump from the ballot would significantly hinder is election odds.

The last time the Supreme Court was thrust into a presidential election was in 2000  Bush v. Gore  when the justices effectively ruled former President George W. Bush won and stopped a Florida recount. The decision then too was criticized as polarized, sparking similar public debate about the Supreme Courts role and fair elections.
WASHINGTON  The U.S. Supreme Court was in an uncomfortable position Thursday as it considered whether former President Donald Trump is disqualified from being president again.

Allowing states to take him off the ballot  as Colorado and Maine have moved to do  would be anti-democratic and violate the rights of the tens of millions of Americans who want to vote for the GOP frontrunner, Trumps lawyers have told the court.

But allowing him to run again after he refused to accept his 2020 loss  which led to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol  would violate an anti-insurrectionist provision of the Constitution, the other side argues.

The stakes for this year's election are enormous: Not since an almost entirely different Supreme Court decided Bush v. Gore in 2000, effectively handing the presidency to George W. Bush, has the court wielded such potential power over presidential politics.

At issue: whether Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, an anti-insurrection provision added after the Civil War to keep government officials who sided with the Confederacy from returning to power, applies to Trump. The provision bars people who took an oath to support the Constitution from holding office again if they engaged in insurrection.

Former President Donald Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 GOP nomination, speaks at a campaign event Jan. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas.

Other Trump issues before the Court

The ballot eligibility issue is not the only time the Supreme Court could decide Trumps future.

Its considering a challenge to how federal prosecutors are going after Jan. 6 rioters in a case that could also affect the federal charges against Trump for allegedly trying to overturn the 2020 election.

In addition, Trump is expected to ask the Supreme Court to rule that, as a former president, he's immune from prosecution. A three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals determined Tuesday that Trump does not have absolute immunity and can face charges that he attempted to unlawfully overturn the 2020 election.

--Maureen Groppe

Election experts to Court: Don't punt

Dont punt. That was the message three prominent election law experts sent to the court in one of the many filings by outside interests weighing in on this case.

The experts  Edward Foley, Benjamin Ginsberg and Richard Hasen  said they often dont see eye to eye on matters of law or policy. But they joined together to make the single, urgent point that the court must definitively resolve  one way or the other  whether Trump is qualified under the Constitution to be president again.

Ruling in Trumps favor on procedural or jurisdictional grounds would risk political instability not seen since the Civil War, they warned.

We appreciate fully that the Members of this Court would prefer not to be thrust into the midst of a presidential election like this, they wrote. But there is no avoiding it.

--Maureen Groppe

Low approval ratings

The momentous decision before the justices comes as the court has been rocked by ethics scandals, criticism over its 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and low public approval ratings.

At the start of the current term, Americans approval of the Supreme Court and their trust in it remained near their historically lowest points, according to Gallup surveys.

Last September, nearly six in ten Americans said they disapproved of the Supreme Court is handling its job. About four in ten approved.

--Maureen Groppe

'They don't really represent the people'

While plaintiffs attorneys are confident, some anti-Trump demonstrators are skeptical that this Supreme Court will act observation to exclude Trump from the ballot.

So far, theyve shown that they dont really represent the people, said Mor Pipman, 55, who traveled to D.C. from Hudson Valley, New York, for the protest in front of the Supreme Court.

And Trump,'' she said, ''has appointed quite a few of them.

-- David Jackson

Justices find moments of levity in serious debate

Despite the seriousness of the case, the justices found several opportunities for modest jokes during the argument.

Chief Justice John Roberts predicted that removing former President Donald Trump from the ballot would spur other states to remove other candidates.

Although my predictions never have been correct, Roberts said to laughter.

When lawyer Jason Murray hesitated in an answer, Justice Neil Gorsuch told him Im asking you to laughter.

The argument was longer than usual, stretching more than two hours. But at one point, Justice Elena Kagan wanted to make sure there would be debate about the definition of federal office holder, a central element to Trumps argument.

Absolutely, Roberts assured her, to laughter.

--Bart Jansen

'A few giggles'

Attorneys and plaintiffs brushed off questions about the critical queries from court members. Murray said he was confident the justices would dig in into the law and make the right decision. Were confident the court will apply the law, he said.

Asked about the atmosphere inside the courtroom, Anderson said things were quiet and intense. There were, she said, ''a few giggles once in a while.

-- David Jackson

Two justices voice impatience with lawyer trying to keep Trump off ballot

Most of the debate occurred without justices interrupting the lawyers, as is common in other cases. But perhaps the biggest clash came when two of the justices accused Jason Murray, a lawyer arguing to keep former President Donald Trump off the ballot, of not answering their questions. It was his first argument before the Supreme Court.

Justice Neil Gorsuch seemed to run out of patience as he asked how an official should be treated after participating in an insurrection but before a criminal conviction.

After several false starts by Murray, Gorsuch thrust out his right hand while holding a pen.

Gorsuch asked about being disqualified the moment somebody participates in insurrection.

I'm not going to say it again, so just try and answer the question, Gorsuch said. Please don't change the hypothetical, okay?

Murray eventually replied that impeachment would be the remedy to validate an official isnt qualified for office.

Justice Samuel Alito also scolded Murray after asking what would happen if different states had different standards for candidates that could determine who is elected president for the entire country. Alito asked if the Supreme Court would have to hold its own trial.

Yeah, but you're really not answering my question, Alito said. It's not helpful if you don't do that.

Murray replied that different states often have different standards for whose name can be on a ballot. He said the Supreme Court could ultimately resolve disputes about who is on the ballot.

--Bart Jansen

Secretaries of state criticize Colorado case

The rush to the Supreme Court microphones has begun.

A group of Republican secretaries of state approached the media to argue that the Colorado Supreme Court - and the Maine secretary of state - erred in excluding Trump from their state ballots.

Secretaries of state should not be determining who is on the ballot, said Jay Ashcroft, who holds that title in Missouri. As Ashcroft and others made their case, a nearby protester shouted things like Trump is a traitor.

-- David Jackson

'Something he did to himself'

The Colorado plaintiffs expressed confidence - or at least hope - that the Supreme Court would rule in their favor.

Im going to trust them to do the right thing, said Norma Anderson, a 91-year old voter who helped bring the Colorado case.

Jason Murray, the attorney, who argued the case before the U.S. Supreme Court, said the Colorado Supreme Court did not do anything to Trump in excluding him from the ballot: That is something he did to himself.

--David Jackson

Spectators include lawmakers, spouses of justices

Spectators attending the historic argument included participants in the case, lawmakers and spouses of the justices.

Norma Anderson, a former Republican state senator in Colorado who is a named plaintiff in the case, sat in the second row on right side of the courtroom facing the justices. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, who ruled Trump ineligible for the ballot, also attended.

Interest in the case was bipartisan. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md. and a constitutional scholar, sat in the front row on the right side of the courtroom facing the justices. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, sat in the fourth row in the center section of seats.

Trump didnt attend the argument. But aides such as Boris Epshteyn and Jason Miller sat in the center section of seats.

Guests of the justices, on the right side facing the bench, included spouses Jesse Barrett, husband of Justice Amy Coney Barrett; Ashley Kavanaugh, Justice Brett Kavanaughs wife; and Patrick Jackson, husband of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Mark Paoletta, a lawyer who represents Ginni Thomas, the wife of Justice Clarence Thomas, also sat in the guest section.

--Bart Jansen

Former Supreme Court lawyer predicts decisive Trump victory

Former Principal Deputy Solicitor General Neal Katyal was very critical of Colorado Voters attorney Jason Murray, both in the substance of his arguments and lack of forcefulness about bringing attention to the broader threat of potential insurrections in the future.

In a running commentary on X, formerly known as Twitter  and as an MSNBC legal analyst  Katyal said he believed the court will rule decisively in Trumps favor.

Court asking technical questions about Colorado election law more than anything. Not even bothering asking questions about the big questions about the 14th amendment, Katyal said in one tweet. Seems like even they feel like it's over.

In another, Katyal wrote toward the end of the session, Um, I think right now maybe I want to go back to reading about Taylor and Travis and April 19.

--Josh Meyer

Justices took the bench seemingly aware of significance of the landmark case

The justices stepped to their raised mahogany bench at 10 a.m. ready for more than two hours of argument and seemingly aware of the landmark case before them.

While still standing, Justice Sonia Sotomayor glanced over at the press section to her right, filled with about 100 reporters at desks flanked by marble pillars and on wooden chairs behind the pillars.

After taking their seats, Justice Clarence Thomas, the most senior member sitting at the right hand of Chief Justice John Roberts, organized a stack of pamphlets in red and turquoise covers holding written arguments in the case.

As decisions in two previous cases were read, Justices Elena Kagan and Brett Kavanaugh, to Roberts left, shared comments and smiled while looking out at the courtroom packed with spectators.

At 10:09 a.m., Jonathan Mitchell, one of Trumps lawyers, began two minutes of uninterrupted introduction to the case as Roberts looked over his glasses and Justice Samuel Alito rocked in his chair.

Thomas asked the first question, about whether the disputed provision in the Constitution was self-executing and the debate was off.

--Bart Jansen

Justice Clarence Thomas' fans

As the nine Supreme Court Justices probed attorneys about their arguments, some supporters of the key players took to social media to rally around their Supreme Court favorites.

'Justice Clarence Thomas is a national treasure,' the conservative Heritage Foundation posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, after his questions.

Perhaps the support was prompted by calls from some Democrats for Thomas to recuse himself from the case because of his wife's political advocacy.

More: Clarence Thomas should recuse himself from Trump Supreme Court case: Democrats

'We have to have faith in our system'

Shannon Stevenson, Colorados solicitor general, dismissed the concern raised by some justices that letting Colorados decision stand will lead to a mismatch of actions across the country.

We have to have faith in our system that people will follow their election processes appropriately, she said, that they will take realistic views of what insurrection is under the 14th Amendment.

Courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, can review decisions by states. So the high court, she said, shouldnt take those threats too seriously.

-- Maureen Groppe

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said shes troubled

Justice Ketanji Brown said shes troubled by the fact that Section 3 doesnt specifically mention the president in the list of positions barred to insurrectionists, including presidential electors. Were the authors of the provisions not concerned about an insurrectionist president or did they think that could be stopped by barring presidential electors, she asked.

Jason Murray, the attorney for the Colorado voters, responded that when the provision was being debated, a member of Congress asked why it didnt name the presidency. He was told that the presidency is covered because access is barred to any office, civil or military, under the United States.

But doesnt the fact that that question had to be asked show that the text is ambiguous, Jackson asked.

--Maureen Groppe

Justice Brett Kavanaugh: Knocking Trump off the ballot would be anti-democratic

Justice Brett Kavanaugh raised the argument that allowing Colorado to knock Donald Trump off the ballot would be anti-democratic because it would disenfranchise the millions of voters who want to vote for Trump.

Attorney Jason Murray said the reason the Colorado voters he represents brought its challenge is because Trump tried to disenfranchise the millions of Americans who voted against him in 2020, a decision he refused to accept by trying to overturn the results of the election.

The Constitution doesnt require that he be given another chance, Murray said.

--Maureen Groppe

When will the Supreme Court make a decision?

The court has no deadline. The justices have been urged to settle the issue before more voters go to the polls. Colorados and Maines primaries are March 5, otherwise known as Super Tuesday, when more than a dozen states will hold primary elections.

-- Maureen Grope

Huddled around a speaker, listening to the legal arguments

Some of the protesters outside the Supreme Court are huddled around a small speaker that is playing audio of the legal arguments inside.

Most of the listeners are opposed to Trump, and are nodding along with statements that support their views.

-- David Jackson

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson presses question on letting Colorado's decision stand

Jason Murray, lead attorney for the Colorado voters, walks past anti-Trump demonstrators outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday as the court consideres whether former President Donald Trump is eligible to run for president.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson continued to press the concern that letting Colorados decision stand would result in different ballots across the country.

Why, she asked, would the authors of Section 3 have created a situation that would result in disuniformity in which elections are pending and different states suddenly say one candidate is eligible and another is not?

What the authors were concerned about was ensuring that insurrectionists and rebels not hold office again, responded Jason Murray, the attorney for the Colorado voters. Letting states enforce Section 3 is an additional layer of safeguard against that, he said.

-- Maureen Groppe

Justice Amy Coney Barrett expresses frustration

Justice Amy Coney Barrett expressed frustration that the court is stuck with the record the Colorado courts used in deciding Trump engaged in an insurrection. What if that record isnt complete or Trump didnt get enough due process, she posed.

Jason Murray, the attorney for the Colorado voters, said Trump didnt ask for other witnesses at the district courts five-day trial.

The essence of the case against him, Murray said, are Trumps own words, which are not disputed.

-- Maureen Groppe

'It will come down to just a handful of states that will decide the election'

If the court allows Colorados decision to stand, wouldnt other states undertake their own proceedings with potentially different outcomes, Chief Justice John Roberts asked the attorney for the Colorado voters. That could lead to some states striking the Republican candidate from the ballot while others knock off the Democrat under their own standard of insurrection, Roberts said.

It will come down to just a handful of states that are going to decide the presidential election, he added.

Jason Murray, the attorney for the Colorado voters, said the Supreme Court can limit how Section 3 can be applied by making clear that an insurrection against the Constitution is something extraordinary, requiring a concentrated group effort to resist through violence.

-- Maureen Groppe

'Love Train' and 'We are Family' playing outside the Supreme Court for an impromptu dance party

A few dozen anti-Trump and pro-Trump demonstrators are milling around in front of the Supreme Court building, waiting for the arguments to end. But theyve also been joined by another kind of demonstrator.

Don Folden has pulled up a chair and posted a sign saying Stop Hating Each Other Because You Disagree.

Folden, 71, a D.C resident who conducts black history tours of the city, said too many people in these fractious times are talking at each other instead of with each other.

Usually Im at the White House, he said. But this is where the crowd is, and these are the people who need to unite.

Folden, who describes himself as the Truth Conductor, brought along a stereo system that played songs of unity; the soundtrack included Love Train and We Are Family, generating small dance parties on the sidewalk.

-- David Jackson

Why does one state get to decide who is president?

Justice Elana Kagan asked what she called a central question for the Colorado voters who argue Trump is disqualified.

Why, Kagan asked, does one state get to decide who is president?

It sounds awfully national to me, she said of that key determination.

Jason Murray, the attorney for the voters, said the decision will be a national one once the U.S. Supreme Court rules whether Colorado had the ability to take Trump off the ballot.

-- Maureen Groppe

Were the Constitution's authors focused on the presidency?

Because Section 3 doesnt specifically mention the office of president, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson asked if theres any evidence that the authors were focused on the presidency when they wrote that provision.

Jonathan Mitchell, Trumps attorney, said there was some concern about Confederate insurrectionists ascending to the presidency.

But, Mitchell said, his argument that Section 3 doesnt apply to the presidency is based more on the text of the provision because the final language was a compromise. Also, Mitchell said, the thought process of the drafters is unknowable.

-- Maureen Groppe

Was Jan. 6, 2021, an insurrection?

Jacob Chansley, aka the QAnon Shaman, holds the American flag inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, after a violent mob broke through police lines and tried to stop congressional certification of Joe Biden's election to the presidency. A lawyer for Donald Trump argued Thursday that the assault on the Capitol was a riot, but not an insurrection.

What happened on Jan. 6, 2021, was not an insurrection, Trumps lawyers told the court.

For an insurrection, there needs to be an organized, concerted effort to overthrow the government through violence, Jonathan Mitchell said.

This was a riot, he said. It was not an insurrection.

-- Maureen Groppe

'Office of United States'  a term of art?

Trumps lawyer was probed on his argument that Section 3 doesnt apply to the presidency because the president is not an officer of the United States.

Section 3 doesnt specifically mention president. It bars from office insurrectionists who have previously taken an oath as an officer of the United States to support the Constitution.

Jonathan Mitchell called office of the United States a term of art that doesnt refer to federal office holders but only to those who are appointed.

Trump also never swore an oath to support the Constitution, he argues, because presidents promise to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution.

While Trump would fall through the cracks in a sense, Mitchell said, if officer of the United States means appointed officials, theres no way he can be covered under Section 3.

-- Maureen Groppe

A third term as president? Was there an insurrection? Questions from justices spark laughter

The justices probed the attorneys for Donald Trump on different scenarios that would lead to him being disqualified from the ballot, with spirited debate about hypotheticals sparking laughter in the courtroom.

The opening discussion included questions from all nine Supreme Court justices.

Protestors gather outside the United States Supreme Court on Feb. 8, 2024 as the court reviews a ruling by a Colorado court that barred former President Donald Trump from appearing on the states Republican primary ballot due to his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attacks on the U.S. Capitol.

Discussing the 14th Amendment

Even if a candidate admitted to being an insurrectionist, a secretary of state cannot remove him from the ballot because Congress could later absolve him of the disqualification under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, Trumps lawyer said in response to a question from Chief Justice John Roberts.

That section allows Congress, with a two-thirds vote, to let an insurrectionist hold office again.

That may be unlikely, attorney Jonathan Mitchell said, but a secretary of state is not allowed to predict whether Congress will act before a candidate assumes the office.

-- Maureen Groppe

Was Trump an insurrectionist? Debate focuses on key provision in Constitution

The anti-insurrectionist provision of the Constitution does not apply to former President Donald Trump because the provision refers only to appointed officials and not elected officials, Trumps lawyer, Jonathan Mitchell, told the Supreme Court in his opening argument Thursday.

In a historic case with potentially major repercussions for this years presidential election, the Supreme Court is deciding whether Colorados Supreme Court correctly concluded that Trump is disqualified from the presidency because of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

Trump has given the court multiple reasons why they think that decision was wrong. If the justices agree with him on any one of those reasons, he will remain on Colorados presidential primary ballot.

"We dont know whether President Trump will be excused (from disqualification) before hes sworn in, if he wins the election, Mitchell said. Section 3 bans him only from holding office.

-- Maureen Groppe

Dig deeper: Calling himself `presumptive nominee,' Trump tells Supreme Court to keep him on the ballot

Protestors carry signs blasting a 'Failed Coup' from Trump

As the arguments inside the courtroom began, about two dozen anti-Trumpers demonstrated outside, carrying signs like Failed Coup and Trump Led A Riot, and urging the court to rule their way.

Just a few Trump supporters showed up, most of them displaying 2024 election signs.

Demonstrators of all stripes were outnumbered by reporters and student tour groups, one of the latter from Belgium. Still, people who showed up said it was important for their voices to be heard. Were a country of laws - hopefully, said Jennifer Hobbs an anti-Trump lawyer from New York.

-- David Jackson

Colorado, where the issue began, is watching Supreme Court argument

Coloradoans are waiting to see if the Supreme Court will put Donald Trump back on their presidential ballot this year  or leave him off, as the state Supreme Court ruled in December.

Richard Maes, 52, said he hopes the former president is kept off the ballot.

"I think its great that wealthy and powerful people can be held to the same standards and rules that your average ordinary person is," said Maes, an unaffiliated voter who works in banquet operations. "I believe that someone who doesnt respect the desires of the American people, as a whole, doesnt deserve to hold its highest office."

But some voters thought the court decision was made too hastily while criminal cases alleging Trump tries to steal the 2020 election are still pending. The Colorado court knocked Trump off the ballot Dec. 19, Trump appealed Jan. 3, the high court accepted the case Jan. 5 and set oral arguments for Thursday.

"He hasn't been convicted of anything yet, it's all allegations until proven guilty so, its setting the stage to make accusations," said Bill Waugaman, 61, a retired engineer and registered Republican .

Regardless of the U.S. Supreme Courts decision, Deborah Klein, 68, said she would vote for Trump by writing in his name if he isnt on the ballot.

"I will still vote for him no matter what, I think he's the only one who can do something about how corrupted the Department of Justice and FBI is for that matter," said Klein, a business owner and Republican voter in El Paso County.

--Natasha Lovato

Bush v. Gore

Justice Clarence Thomas is the only current member of the court who was on the bench in 2000 when the court ruled 5-4 along ideological lines that vote recounts in Florida had to stop. The majority said a recount of the presidential election wasn't feasible in a reasonable time period. That decision came a day after oral arguments.

After Thursday's oral arguments on Trump's ballot eligibility, the justices are expected to issue an opinion quickly, but not as fast as in 2020.

--Maureen Groppe

People line up outside the U.S. Supreme Court in hopes of attending the debate over a ruling by a Colorado court that barred former President Donald Trump from appearing on the states Republican primary ballot due to his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attacks on the U.S. Capitol..

Supreme Court seals off its plaza, crowds line the streets hoping for 'landmark' case

The spacious marble plaza in front of the Supreme Court building is a No Persons Land. Court security sealed off the plaza, leaving demonstrators, police - and many reporters - to fend for themselves on the sidewalk in front of the iconic court setting.

So far, anti-Trump protesters are dominating the crowds. Nearly two dozen people were carrying signs, accusing the former president of being a traitor, and breaking out in occasional chants on this theme.

Meanwhile, a few Trump supporters were walking up and down the sidewalk carrying signs advertising the former presidents 2024 campaign. The good news: Skies are clear and temperatures are in the mid-30s - chilly but not horrible.

-- David Jackson

Kelli Walk (center) and Rylee Walk (left) of Forest, VA, carry signs as protesters gather outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Feb. 8, 2024.

Waiting on folding chairs in for two freezing nights to attend arguments

Hundreds of spectators lined up  for as long as two nights in freezing temperatures  to attend the Supreme Courts argument Thursday about whether Donald Trumps name should appear on Colorados presidential ballot this year.

Third in line and sitting on a folding chair, Landon Eckard, 22, a law student at Elon University Law School in Greensboro, North Carolina, said he was eager to attend to hear a historic case.

Landon Eckard, 22, a law student at Elon University Law School in Greensboro, N.C., was one of the first people in line to attend on Feb. 8, 2024, the Supreme Court's oral arguments on whether former President Donald Trump is disqualified for the presidency.

Its going to be a landmark, Eckard said. It highlights both the political and the legal spheres. Not a lot of people can say theyve seen a landmark case and its going to be historic.

A crisp, clear dawn broke Thursday beneath blue skies, with temperature about 32 degrees. Eckard said he joined the line about 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Two cold nights, Eckard said with a laugh.

--Bart Jansen

What is Section 3 of the 14th Amendment?

The provision bars people who took an oath to support the Constitution from holding office again if they engaged in insurrection. The clause says:

"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. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability."

--Maureen Groppe

Trump to speak on Supreme Court arguments later today at Mar-a-Lago

Donald Trump will not be attending todays arguments before the Supreme Court. Instead, hell be monitoring events from his Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach Florida.

The former president is expected to address the public via television after the arguments, according to his schedule. Trump is also scheduled to travel to Nevada for tonights 2024 campaign caucuses, which he is expected to win easily.

-- David Jackson

What time does Supreme Court hearing start?

The court is scheduled to debate Trump v. Anderson at 10 a.m. EST Thursday. The allotted time is 80 minutes but is expected to run much longer. Audio is available through the courts website: www.supremecourt.gov.

Anti-Trump demonstrators protest outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Feb. 8, 2024, as the court considers whether former President Donald Trump is eligible to run for president in the 2024 election.

Trump not expected to attend Supreme Court arguments

Donald Trump has confronted judges, disparaged opponents and given hallway speeches during recent trials, employing his legal battles as an extension of his presidential campaign.

But dont expect provocations and off-the-cuff drama when the Supreme Court hears arguments Thursday about whether Trump should be on Colorados ballot.

Trump, who has shown up at two of his civil trials recently, isn't expected to attend the Supreme Court arguments, scheduled for the same day as Nevada's GOP presidential caucuses. And the high court conducts its arguments much more strictly than the lower courts do  making it less likely Trump will be the star of a similar courthouse drama.

Also, the Supreme Court updated its rules in 2013 to codify the practice that only lawyers can present arguments.

--Bart Jansen

More: 'Open mic night' at the Supreme Court? Don't expect Donald Trump to let loose at the marble palace

How are the Supreme Court justices leaning in the Trump Colorado ballot case?

Determining which way the justices are leaning will be difficult from the oral arguments, lawyers for the Colorado voters said Wednesday. The issues being debated are all new, said attorney Sean Grimsley, as this is the first time the nations highest court will hear a case on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

I think it'll be a little hard to predict or to tea leaf read tomorrow, Grimsley told reporters. I think there are certainly some who are going to be very interested in the textual analysis, the historical analysis, others in some of the policy arguments.

Noah Bookbinder, president of the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), which is representing the voters, expected really probing questions in all directions.

-- Maureen Groppe

MoveOn members hold signs that say "Disqualify Trump" during a rally outside of the U.S. Supreme Court on Feb. 1, 2024 in Washington, D.C.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court Trump case updates: Latest news on historic arguments
The Supreme Court grapples with leaving Donald Trump on Colorado's ballot. The Justice Department finished its investigation into President Joe Biden's handling of classified documents. And five Marines were confirmed dead after a helicopter crash.

Oh wow, Thursday already? Laura Davis here! Its time for the news.

But first: 50 pounds of gum.  The seats at Red Rocks Amphitheater are looking super spiffy, but it took some elbow grease.

Is Trump disqualified from being president again?

The U.S. Supreme Court was in an uncomfortable position Thursday as it considered whether former President Donald Trump is disqualified from being president again.

What Trump's lawyers say: Allowing states to take him off the ballot  as Colorado and Maine have moved to do  would be anti-democratic and violate the rights of the tens of millions of Americans who want to vote for the GOP frontrunner.

But on the other side: Allowing him to run again after he refused to accept his 2020 loss  which led to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol  would violate an anti-insurrectionist provision of the Constitution.

Heres the issue: Whether Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, a provision added after the Civil War to keep government officials who sided with the Confederacy from returning to power, applies to Trump. The provision bars people who took an oath to support the Constitution from holding office again if they engaged in insurrection.  Our takeaways from the hearing.

Protestors gather outside the Supreme Court on Thursday as the court reviews a ruling by a Colorado court that barred former President Donald Trump from appearing on the states Republican primary ballot due to his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attacks on the U.S. Capitol.

Biden won't face charges for classified records at office, home

The Justice Department notified President Joe Biden it wouldnt pursue criminal charges for his handling of classified documents, which were found at his former office in Washington, D.C., and his home in Delaware, but the report contained multiple comments that may reinforce public concerns about the 81-year-old president's age and memory. In a report made public Thursday, special counsel Robert Hur said charges would not have been warranted even if department policy didn't foreclose criminal charges against a sitting president. "Our investigation uncovered evidence that President Biden willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen," according to the report, which noted in particular classified documents about military and foreign policy in Afghanistan.  Everything we know from the report.

The Justice Department's report said President Biden's document practices "present serious risks to national security," and that Biden presented himself "as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory."

Real quick

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A shooting, an inferno, 6 missing

Investigators on Thursday began searching a house they believe was intentionally set on fire during a shooting that left two police officers injured and six people, including children, unaccounted for. Police responded to a call Wednesday afternoon that an 11-year-old child had been shot in East Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia. They were met with gunfire when they arrived at the house, and two officers were wounded. Then, smoke and flames erupted at the house  a blaze authorities believe was deliberately set. Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer called the search for remains in the house "gruesome," describing it as a recovery operation.  Here's everything we know.

Firefighters work at the scene where two police officers were injured while responding to reported standoff in East Lansdowne, Pa., on Wednesday, Feb. 7.

5 Marines confirmed dead after helicopter crash

Five U.S. Marines who were aboard a military helicopter that went down in the mountains near San Diego were found dead, authorities said Thursday. The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter was reported missing Tuesday night during a "routine training flight" from Creech Air Force Base, northwest of Las Vegas, to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, according to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Efforts to recover the remains of the Marines and equipment have begun and an investigation is underway, officials said. The cause of the crash is still unknown.  What we know.

Graphics and maps show flight path, crash site.

A break from the news

Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Say hello: laura@usatoday.com. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Election 2024, Marine helicopter crash: Thursday's news
An American air strike in the Iraqi capital on Wednesday killed a senior commander from a pro-Iran armed group who was involved in attacks on Washingtons troops in the region, the US military said.

Washington launched a wave of strikes on Iran-linked targets in Iraq and Syria last week following the killing of three American troops in neighbouring Jordan on Jan 28. The US Central Command (Centcom) said the commander killed on Wednesday was targeted in response to the attacks on US service members.

The strike killed a Kataib Hezbollah commander responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on US forces in the region, according to Centcom, which said there are no indications of collateral damage or civilian casualties at this time.

It added: The United States will continue to take necessary action to protect our people. We will not hesitate to hold responsible all those who threaten our forces safety.

Kataib Hezbollah, which announced it was suspending violence against US forces after the deadly Jordan attack, confirmed a commander who was responsible for the military file in Syria had been killed, identifying him as Abu Baqr al-Saadi.

The Hashed al-Shaabi, a coalition of mainly pro-Iran paramilitaries  of which Kataib Hezbollah is part  now integrated into Iraqs regular security forces, also confirmed Saadis death in a statement.

An interior ministry official said a total of three people, including two Kataib Hezbollah leaders and their driver, died in the strike, which was carried out by a drone in the east Baghdad neighbourhood of Mashtal.

An AFP photographer said security forces were deployed in the neighbourhood, barring access to it after the attack.

Later in the evening, the remains of a car were removed from the area.

Iraqi authorities slammed the strike as a blatant assassination in a residential neighbourhood of Baghdad on Thursday.

The car's wreckage was later removed from the area - Hadi Mizban/AP

Yehia Rasool, the military spokesman for the Iraqi prime minister, said: This path pushes the Iraqi government more than ever before to end the coalitions mission which has become a factor of instability for Iraq.

Iraqs pro-Iran Al-Nujaba movement promised a targeted retaliation, assuring that these crimes will not go unpunished and added that American violations will not cease without a firm official position from the Iraqi government.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas also condemned a violation of Iraqs sovereignty and security, according to a statement.

US and allied troops have been attacked more than 165 times in the Middle East since mid-October in a campaign waged by Iran-backed armed groups angered by US support for Israel in the war in Gaza.

The Lebanon-based and Iran-backed Hezbollah said resistance movements in the region have total confidence in their Iraqi counterparts and the commanders killing will only encourage them to continue acts they say are in support of Palestinians.

The United States considers Kataib Hezbollah a terrorist group.

US is playing with fire

The Hashed al-Shaabi has said that 16 of its fighters were killed and 36 people wounded in US strikes on Friday, which Washington said hit 85 targets at seven different sites in Iraq and Syria.

Targeting the Hashed al-Shaabi is playing with fire, Faleh al-Fayyad, the groups leader, warned on Sunday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said at least 29 pro-Iran fighters were killed in Syria.

The United States and Iraq opened talks on the future of the US-led troop presence in January, following a request by the Iraqi prime minister for a timetable of their withdrawal.

Washington has some 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq as part of an international coalition against the Islamic State group.

Its troops in Iraq are deployed at the invitation of Baghdad, but those in Syria are located in areas outside Syrian government control.

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5 US Marines are dead after their Super Stallion helicopter crashed

The US Marine Corps says five Marines are dead following a helicopter crash on Tuesday.

Their CH-53E Super Stallion crashed in California during a training flight.

An investigation into the cause of the incident is underway, the Marines said.

Five US Marines are confirmed dead after their heavy-lift helicopter crashed in California during a training flight on Tuesday.

The Marines, which were assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, were flying a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from Creech Air Force Base, just north of Las Vegas, to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, near San Diego, but they didn't arrive when expected.

The aircraft was reported "overdue," a Marine Corps spokesperson told Business Insider on Wednesday.

In a statement released later on Wednesday, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing confirmed that the helicopter had crashed and the five individuals on board were dead.

"It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines," said Maj. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. "These pilots and crewmembers were serving a calling greater than self and were proud to do so."

The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said the identities of the Marines have not yet been released, but efforts to recover their remains are underway, as well as an investigation into the cause of the fatal crash.

A spokesperson for the San Diego County Sheriff's Department told Business Insider on Wednesday that it was notified after 1 a.m. local time that there was an overdue helicopter. The aircraft was last seen in the mountainous Pine Valley area, where search and rescue operations were conducted.

Super Stallions are heavy-lift helicopters that are designed to transport Marines and equipment from land to ships and can be used to facilitate amphibious assaults and other missions.

The Super Stallion has a questionable safety record. Navy Safety Command records indicate that the Super Stallion has had an average mishap rate of 50.43 percent, most being Class C mishaps, for the past 10 years. In that time, there were 17 fatalities.

The past year has been problematic for helicopter and tiltrotor aircraft. Last year, at least 30 American troops were killed and many more were injured in helicopter and tiltrotor crashes.

Read the original article on Business Insider
If recent rains and cold temperatures make you feel blue, consider a winter visit to the eastern Sierra and down to Death Valley National Park, where youll find pleasant winter temperatures, scenic splendor in golden canyons and wildflowers, and the most interesting of history.

Your scenic route will take you east up Highway 88 to Highway 395, then south (with passes on Highway 89, 108, and 120 closed until late spring). The drive down Highway 395 paralyzes the lofty eastern Sierra, offering many highlights. If the road is open, turn off to the Ghost Town of Bodie, perhaps the most well-preserved ghost town in the West. Just a bit further south, youll pass Mono Lake. Stop at the Mono Visitor Center, then take a several-mile detour eastbound on Highway 120 to the lake's south shore, where a short hike takes you to view the strange towers, looming like ghost pirate ships from this prehistoric lake.

For lunch, stop, choose Mammoth Lakes, and one of our favorites, Mammoth Brewing Company, and the adjoining Eatery, offering local vibe, great salads, pizza with goat cheese on flatbread, and other delectables  Yum! The town lies just below the Wests big ski area, Mammoth Mountain, which usually runs deep into springtime or even summer for skiing and boarding die-hards.

Wildflowers blooming in Death Valley in February 2024.

Back on Highway 395, stop at Manzanar National Monument, the World War II resettlement camp. That was the wartime home to well over 10,000 Japanese Americans and nationals  including many from the Stockton area. Several buildings are preserved, including the old gymnasium and re-created dormitories sharing the melancholy stories of incarcerated Japanese citizens. Not emblematic of our nations finest hour.

Southbound on 395, youll pass through Lone Pine with a selection of inexpensive motels, decent restaurants, and the lovely Alabama Hills area just west of the city. Mount Whitney looms 14,494 feet in the distance and provides the backdrop for scores of Western movies filmed in the Hills; take a tour; a short or longer hike takes you to places like Mobius Arch, making for a bonus in this beautiful area; its also BLM land, offering free, dispersed camping.

From Lone Pine, follow Highway 136 into Death Valley. The park got its name during the 1849 California gold rush when an immigrant wagon train, hoping to save miles, cut across the arid valley and suffered a fatality. Departing the valley, one of the prospectors looked back, declaring, Goodbye, Death Valley,  and the name stuck. Youll enter the national park at Panamint Springs and then move onto Stovepipe Wells at sea level, where the land continues to drop downward, eventually reaching Badwater Basin, at 282 feet below sea level, the lowest point in the US.

Make the Death Valley Visitor Center a stop to discover the best mountain biking, hiking, and wildflower viewing destinations. Youll also get a feel for the parks variety of campgrounds, most of them first-come, first-served, and lodging accommodations for those who dont want to camp.

For campers, an earlier option is Stovepipe Wells, where just a quarter mile away is the 3-mile dusty road up to Mosaic Canyon, a hiking destination, taking in a gold, purple, and orange-hued desert canyon with polished marble walls that serpentine their way into the arid desert mountains. Another is our favorite campground, Texas Springs, which offers more traditional campsites in the rolling hills of the park's eastern side. Add location related to nearby lodging.

If youre a wildflower nut, check the website desertusa.com, offering frequent weather updates and predictions. Wildflower blooms depend on recent rains, daytime sunshine and temperatures, and southern exposure. Still, youll likely find wildflowers sprinkled over miles of desert moraine, with Desert Lantana, Pink Five-spot, California Gold, and other wildflowers throughout the park.

Harmony Borax Works water tanker and borax wagons in Death Valley.

Death Valley was home to indigenous peoples thousands of years ago, and the gold rush brought more recent settlers. Silver was discovered in the park in 1873, causing Panamint City to swell to more than 5000 residents. After silver played out, "white gold," borax, was discovered. A stop at the parks Harmony Borax Works reveals the refinery and huge 20 mule-team wagons operated from 188388.

Gold was found within the park; the Keane Wonder Mine is open to exploration, a gold mine that boomed from 1907 to 1912, producing over $1 million in gold inside the park. In 1904, gold was discovered on the parks east side, leading to the last real American gold rush. Rhyolite, on the parks eastern edge and worth the visit, is one of the more interesting ghost towns in the West. The town quickly expanded with thousands of miners, and several roads and a railroad were built into the district; a financial failure led to the end of the era by 1912.

Remains of three story hotel in Rhyolite ghost town, just east of Death Valley.

Dont miss the parks points of interest, including Badwater Basin, 282 feet below sea level, and Golden Canyon  just a short hike off Highway 190. Hike the canyon in late afternoon when the setting sun offers spectacular colors and shadows. South is Natural Bridge, just off the main road, where another short hike takes you to this natural wonder. And, tour Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, a vast sandy desert expanse, wonderful for photo taking.

For an extended trip, continue south to Joshua Tree National Park and Anza Borrego State Park, two additional lovely winter destinations; more on those parks in future features! With the recent atmospheric river inundating southern California, check the parks websites for trip planning.

Contact Tim, tviall@msn.com. Happy California travels!

Information

Anza Borrego State Park, parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638; Joshua Tree National Park, nps.gov/jotr; Death Valley National Park , nps.gov/deva.

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Visiting Death Valley in the winter? Here's what you need to know
WASHINGTON  Wisconsin Rep. Mike Gallagher is facing intense criticism from Republicans in his district and around the state following his vote this week against impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas  with some on the right flank of his party calling for a primary challenge.

Gallagher joined three other House Republicans and every Democrat Tuesday evening in voting against impeaching Mayorkas for his handling of the U.S.-Mexico border. He argued that Mayorkas' performance has been a "disgrace" but that Mayorkas' actions have not risen to the level of crimes necessary for impeachment.

He warned that impeaching a cabinet official could set a precedent for future administrations.

Rep. Mike Gallagher leaves a House Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 6, 2024 in Washington. The House failed to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas by a vote of 216-214, with three Republicans including Gallagher voting with all of the Democrats to block the resolution.

That decision drew swift criticism. One county GOP chairman in the Green Bay Republican's 8th Congressional District sent a letter to other county chairs disavowing Gallagher. Conservative talk radio hosts on Wednesday ridiculed his explanation. And some prominent Republicans have suggested Gallagher should face a primary challenge.

"I can no longer tolerate nor support someone who will not follow his constitutional duties and the wishes of his constituents," Oconto County GOP chairman Ken Sikora wrote in a letter to other county chairs in Gallagher's district. "I am calling on all District 8 Chairs to unite and condemn this betrayal."

Doug Reich, chairman of the Republican Party of Brown County, which includes Green Bay, said the party was "deeply concerned" with Gallagher's vote. He acknowledged Gallagher's "apprehension regarding impeachment's misuse as a tool for settling policy disputes" but said the party believes a vote for impeachment "serves as a powerful affirmation of our members grave concerns about the federal governments dereliction of duty."

"We respectfully call on Representative Gallagher to reconsider his stance on this important issue and to continue his vital efforts to secure our nations border," Reich told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Republican Reps. Tom McClintock of California and Ken Buck of Colorado also voted against impeaching Mayorkas. Utah Rep. Blake Moore, the House GOP's vice chair, changed his vote to no after it was clear the measure was fail, a move made to allow the House to reconsider the resolution at a later date.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has said Republicans will try again to impeach Mayorkas once they have the votes to do so.

Asked Wednesday whether he was worried about backlash in his district for his vote, Gallagher told a small group of reporters: "That cant be the North Star that guides your votes and guides your principles.

"I don't live online, guys," he replied when asked if he's seen feedback on a Wall Street Journal op-ed explaining his vote. "Get offline. It's not healthy for you. I talk to human beings."

Still, Gallagher has faced vocal pushback. Conservative talk show host Vikki McKenna called out Gallagher multiple times on her Wednesday show and labeled the Republicans who voted against impeachment "a bunch of feckless, spineless RINOS," using the acronym for Republicans In Name Only.

These three do not want us to have the border as an issue," McKenna said. "It is absurd to think they had any principles driving this except their principle that they do not want Trump to win this election by using the border as an issue.

Dan O'Donnell on his eponymous talk show on Wednesday called Gallagher a "very good congressman" but said he was "flat out wrong" to vote against impeaching Mayorkas.

"Does Gallagher deserve to be removed from office for this? No. No he doesnt," O'Donnell said. "Would I consider if I were a primary challenger in the Green Bay area a challenge to Gallagher in 2024? Sure. Maybe. You know what, youd have to be pretty well funded to take him on.

In fact, Alex Bruesewitz, a GOP political consultant and supporter of former President Donald Trump, is reportedly considering a primary challenge to Gallagher, and has repeatedly attacked Gallagher on social media since the vote.

Roger Stone, a former Trump advisor currently under investigation for calling for the deaths of two Democratic lawmakers, wrote on X Wednesday that Bruesewitz "would have the full support of the MAGA movement" if he ran. Bruesewitz has described Wisconsin as his "home state," but Bruesewitz in 2022 told the Select Committee Investigating the Jan. 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol that he lived in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Sec. Mayorkas

Gallagher in explaining his vote said President Joe Biden "has created a disaster" at the southern border and said Mayorkas is "faithfully implementing the presidents ruinous policies." But he disputed his colleagues' claims that Mayorkas' actions were criminal.

A day before the vote, he introduced legislation that would require the Biden administration to finish the southern border wall started by Trump.

"Creating a new, lower standard for impeachment, one without any clear limiting principle, wouldnt secure the border or hold Mr. Biden accountable," Gallagher said. "It would only pry open the Pandoras box of perpetual impeachment."

Gallagher represents a safe Republican district in northeastern Wisconsin. He is chairman of the select committee investigating the Chinese Communist Party and had been Republicans' top choice to run for Senate in 2024 until he announced last summer he would not run.

In 2022, Democrats didn't field a candidate in the 8th District, and Gallagher won with 73.5% of the vote over an independent candidate and a Libertarian candidate.

De Pere physician Kristin Lyerly, a Democrat, has said she is weighing a challenge to Gallagher. An OB-GYN, Lyerly has been an outspoken proponents of abortion rights in the state.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mike Gallagher faces GOP backlash after blocking Mayorkas impeachment
The Springfield school board has experienced unprecedented turnover and conflict in the past few years. That may continue, or start to stabilize, depending on the outcome of the April 2 election.

Seven candidates, including three incumbents, are vying for three open seats.

Members sworn in mid-April will join a relatively inexperienced governing body  six of seven current members are in their first three-year term  with a history of split votes, contentious debates, and different approaches to leadership and board service.

The slate of candidates elected to the Springfield school board in April will quickly face a series of decisions, primarily about spending, that will impact the classroom.

"I am certainly concerned with the board and the way it functions. I think the kids deserve better and the community deserves better than what is happening at the board table right now," said Gerry Lee, who served on the school board from 2006 to 2021.

"How can we accomplish what we want to accomplish instead of drawing lines in the sand and (saying) 'Thou shall not go past that line'? That is somehow par for the course for our whole political system and I don't think our school board is any different. It is kind of a microcosm of what is going on in the political world right now."

High interest in the school board race is evident by the number of candidates, the early campaign start, the elevated fundraising amounts reported by candidates and political action committees, and a slew of endorsements released publicly, with more to come.

Nationally, school board races have become political battlegrounds with outside and largely partisan groups trying to influence the outcome. Springfield has not been immune.

"One of the gifts Missouri was given in our constitution and in our statutes is an attempt to keep public education nonpartisan," said Melissa Randol, executive director of the Missouri School Boards' Association, noting candidates cannot declare a party affiliation. "Instead, their focus should be exclusively on students and what is needed to prepare students for the future."

Randol said amid a "hyper partisan atmosphere" in 2024  a presidential election year  school board candidates and members must remain vigilant.

"It is critical that as we proceed through the selection of local elections in April for school boards, that we stay focused on what is best for our communities and the children that we're responsible for in our education system," she said. "We must avoid getting drawn into partisan battles that don't benefit our kids."

Lee, associate executive director at MSBA, said divisiveness in school board meetings and elections has become "a trend that we're seeing in our society" but it is not productive.

"This is not unique in Springfield. We see it in different places in the state," he said.

The 2024 Springfield school board candidates include, clockwise from top left, Susan Provance, Scott Crise, Landon McCarter, Chad Rollins, Danielle Kincaid, Maryam Mohammadkhani, and Kyler Sherman-Wilkins.

Finances, student success and board's ability to function

Elections have far-reaching implications for public schools because boards set the priorities and the direction of the district through strategic plans and policies. The panel also approves an annual spending plan, hires and evaluates the superintendent, sets minimum graduation requirements, signs off on labor contracts and serves as a liaison with the community.

The next board will immediately face a slate of consequential decisions, primarily related to spending, in the months after the election.

The end of federal pandemic relief funds, and state and federal funding shifts based on enrollment, are expected to prompt the district to examine its priorities related to staffing, support services, and programs.

"There might be more crucial decisions made in the next several years, from a financial standpoint, than really in the last 20 years of our district because of all the funding that we're losing and all the changes that are happening," said board candidate Landon McCarter.

Landon McCarter

He said the district is "at a breaking point" and if the right decisions are not made, the learning environment will suffer and the district will experience the loss of more students and teachers.

"There is almost a perfect storm from a financial perspective for our district. It is very important, in my opinion, that we have someone with a proven track record of being through this, understanding what it takes to make tough decisions, looking at capital allocation, looking at staffing issues, and be able to meet the goals of the district while dealing with real financial challenges."

In separate interviews last month, candidates agreed there was much at stake and the outcome of the election will likely influence next steps to improve student achievement, address discipline issues, determine the scope of facility projects, and impact the ability to recruit and retain teachers and support staff.

"What is at stake in this election is the same thing that is at stake with every school board election," said board vice president Scott Crise, who is running for a second term.

Scott Crise

"Springfield citizens are choosing board members to make important decisions that will impact current and future SPS students. The stakes couldn't be any higher. The success of the Springfield community hinges on the success of the public education system."

The election has the potential to reshape board leadership, alter the tense relationship between the district and the teachers union and may, over time, shake up the administration.

The board recently voted 4-3 to extend the contract of Superintendent Grenita Lathan through the end of the 2026-27 school year.

It was the latest in a series of split votes.

Tim Rosenbury, who served on the board from 2014 to 2020, said the public has taken note of the splits. He worries what the impact may be over time.

"I don't think it's absolutely necessary that a board always vote 7-0 but there have been a whole lot of split board votes, mostly at 4-3, and I feel like there is a divided board," said Rosenbury, an architect and the city's director of quality place initiatives.

"A school administration sometimes acts differently when they have a divided board and when I say different I am not talking about a good different. I am talking about they may not take the kind of risks they need to advance the district, that there is just so much uncertainty for the administration."

Susan Provance

Susan Provance and Kyler Sherman-Wilkins, who are both running for the first time, singled out the functionality of the board when asked why this election matters.

"The election is as important to the teachers as it is to the students and those are the two (groups) that are the most important," Provance said. "We need to portray with the election results that everyone is willing to work together to accomplish great things. I don't want to see the results of an election that divides."

Sherman-Wilkins said there are "forces that seek to weaken our public schools" and he said the board must work to protect public education and provide much-needed supports for "our most vulnerable students."

"What is at stake with this election is whether we see a board that is stable. The board is shaky right now. We are at a tipping point, one way or the other," Sherman-Wilkins said.

Kyler Sherman-Wilkins

"What is at stake in this election is a different philosophy of how a board of public education should operate. Is it one where we have the board be micromanagers and try to control every aspect of the district, or do we have a board that is committed to empowering the superintendent and empowering experts to do their job and to hold them to account to a strategic plan that they set?"

In a number of recent votes, Crise and Kincaid were in the majority along with board members Judy Brunner and Shurita Thomas-Tate. Mohammadkhani was in the minority with board members Kelly Byrne and Steve Makoski. The votes included:

Extending the contract of the superintendent;

Rejecting a request made by Mohammadkhani for the board to support Senate Bill 814, which seeks to strip the Missouri Board of Education of the authority to use state-mandated tests, or other measures, to accredit districts;

Adding "gender identity and sexual orientation" to the list of reasons the district cannot discriminate against students when it comes to providing school meals, a change required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for districts that participate in the federal free and reduced-price lunch program;

Joining the Alliance for Healthcare Education with partners CoxHealth, Missouri State University and Ozarks Technical Community College;

Electing Kincaid as president and Crise as vice president of the board.

Asked what was at stake in this election, Kincaid pointed to support for the superintendent hired in mid-2021.

"Dr. Lathan is moving the needle but moving a cruise ship is harder than moving a kayak and SPS is the largest cruise ship in Missouri. Dr. Lathan needs the support of our board and there is not only a teacher shortage, there is a superintendent shortage," Kincaid said.

"We are lucky to have Dr. Lathan in this district and my concern is that if she does not have the board support, she will leave our community. That is my concern. I have not discussed this with her, she has not expressed it to me but it is common sense. Why would you stay if you do not have board support? She has the experience and expertise of a fantastic superintendent and there is no doubt that other districts nationwide are looking at her to come lead their district."

Mohammadkhani, Byrne and Makoski voted against the contract extension. Collectively they spoke highly of Lathan and their support for her skills but questioned the longstanding practice in Missouri of giving superintendents a rolling, three-year contract. Byrne and Makoski also singled out ongoing concerns about student achievement and behavior as factors in their decision.

Maryam Mohammadkhani

Asked what is at stake with this election, Mohammadkhani said student achievement. She said the district continues to outperform many of its large peers in the state but has not yet recovered from a multi-year decline exacerbated by the pandemic.

She said if reading and math scores do not improve, the district will become increasingly vulnerable to competition from existing and new schooling options.

"We are at a critical point in Springfield Public Schools, where we can drop off. We are sitting at the top of the comparable schools at this point," she said.

"We have not recovered from the decline and if we don't recover, we are leaving the door wide open to slipping further and it is an open invitation to charter schools."

Chad Rollins

Chad Rollins, a candidate, said the outcome of this election will have an impact on the classroom.

"We have an opportunity to really advance and make a positive impact on the students and the teachers and the environment in our classrooms. I am going to strive for students reaching their potential," Rollins said. "I feel like I was called to do this and I feel like when I am on the board, I will be able to be an example by my actions that will hopefully make everybody around me want to be better."

Board candidates, members

A look at the seven candidates running for the Springfield school board. The three elected April 2 will join four existing members. The candidates include:

Danielle Kincaid, an attorney and partner with the Elder Law Group. She was elected in 2021;

Scott Crise, manager of gas plant operations, Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. He was elected in 2021;

Landon McCarter, a business owner and entrepreneur, is running for the second time;

Maryam Mohammadkhani, a retired pathologist who formerly worked at CoxHealth. She was elected in 2021;

Susan Provance, a retired Springfield teacher and coach, is running for the first time;

Chad Rollins, director of pharmacy and facility manager for Healthdirect Institutional Pharmacy Services, is running for the second time;

Kyler Sherman-Wilkins, associate professor at Missouri State University, is running for the first time.

Existing board members:

Judy Brunner is a a retired Springfield teacher and principal and chief education officer of Edu-Safe and Instructional Solutions Group. Elected in 2023, her term expires in 2026;

Kelly Byrne is the principal and managing partner of the Say You Can companies, which specializes in real estate investment and development. Elected in 2022, his term expires in 2025;

Steve Makoski is director of compliance for Rapid Robert's Inc. Elected in 2022, his term expires in 2025;

Shurita Thomas-Tate, associate professor of Missouri State University. First elected in 2020, her second term expires in 2026.

Claudette Riley covers education for the News-Leader. Email tips and story ideas to criley@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield school board candidates say district's future at stake
Legislation that aims to ban civilian oversight of police officers throughout the state is currently moving through the Florida Legislature.

Civilian oversight agencies, or COAs, are citizen-led groups that provide external oversight to local police departments. Some conduct independent investigations into the complaints of misconduct against police officers.

The legislation seeks to put an end to those investigations.

Opponents of House Bill 601 and Senate Bill 576 say that the legislation could upend progress made towards police accountability and establishing trust between citizens and their local police departments. But proponents say that civilian oversight agencies across the state lack uniformity, and that there are other efficient measures in place to review police misconduct.

The House Judiciary Committee voted favorably on HB 601 on Wednesday. The Senate bill passed Tuesday in the Community Affairs Committee.

Heres what to know about the bills and the implications.

Whats in the House bill?

HB 601 would effectively prohibit any current civilian oversight agency from conducting investigations into complaints of misconduct of a police officer and would prevent any local government from passing ordinances or rules that relate to the investigation of misconduct complaints against police officers.

It says that any civilian oversight agency that is currently conducting an investigation would need to bring it to an end by July 1.

Investigations into police misconduct will still be able to be performed by the accused officers employing agency or the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, which is an entity within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement that has the authority to revoke an officers certification.

The bill also says that it will not prohibit any local, state or federal law enforcement agency from conducting criminal investigations as a result of a complaint of misconduct of an officer.

Whats in the Senate bill?

The Senate bill is similar, but was amended Tuesday so that police chiefs and sheriffs can create civilian boards to provide input on policies and procedures.

What do critics say?

Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson, D-Gainesville, debated the bill during the House Judiciary Committees Wednesday meeting and said shed vote against it in part because of the trust issues between police and citizens.

Like in any other industry were going to always have some bad players. How on earth are we going to deal with them without some level of balance and trust, said Hinson.

Those who lead COAs say that getting rid of the civilian input that COAs give to local law enforcement would roll back efforts towards police accountability.

Rodney Jacobs, executive director of the Miami Civilian Investigative Panel, Ursula Price, executive director of the Miami-Dade County Independent Civilian Panel, and Philip C. Harris, executive director of the North Miami Citizens Investigative Board, wrote in an opinion piece in the Miami Herald about their opposition to the legislation.

The impartiality of these civilian oversight agencies allows them to bring stakeholders together to work collaboratively and proactively, making policing more effective and responsive. Because of this, elected officials throughout the country are increasingly establishing robust, independent civilian oversight to promote public trust in law enforcement and reduce exposure to misconduct risks. These bills show a lack of understanding of the basic tenets of civilian oversight, the group wrote.

What do proponents say?

Rep. Robert Charles Brannan, R-Macclenny, said during the House Judiciary Committee meeting that police already have multiple layers of review when it comes to complaints of misconduct before voting in favor of the bill.

Brannan is a former U.S deputy marshall and previously was a chief investigator at the Baker County Sheriffs Office.

Somebody from the audience said that we need to give the power to the people, not the police. Well, folks, policemen are people and they have a hard job to do, said Brannan. I want somebody thats been in the mud, in the blood and had to roll around and understands what it takes to put a set of handcuffs on a person to judge me.
An unofficial coalition of civil rights, political and advocacy groups are launching a multifaceted counter to the growing cries to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion efforts stoked by billionaires like Elon Musk and Bill Ackman, among others.

The quests to abolish DEI are a literal slap in our face, Marc H. Morial, president of the National Urban League, told NBC News. Were up against an effort to contort and misrepresent what DEI really means.

Morial said Black organization leaders like himself began contacting one another in recent weeks, as the attacks on DEI began to gain momentum. Out of those communications came a commitment to create or increase existing efforts to support diversity, equity and inclusion. Their goal is concrete, and based on what Morial calls fairness: to assure Black people receive equal opportunities  not less  in the workforce.

Musk and Ackman, in particular, have been outspoken in their opposition to DEI. Last month, Musk called DEI another word for racism. He and Mark Cuban have engaged in a spat on Musks X platform, with Musk calling the former Dallas Mavericks owner a racist for supporting diversity and inclusion in businesses. Musk did not respond to a request for comment but did acquiesce to Cuban that if merit for a given job is roughly the same, then the tiebreaker should be diversity (of all kinds).

Last month, Ackman said Martin Luther King Jr.s I Have a Dream speech proves that the civil rights icon would have opposed DEI, baffling experts in the field. Ackman also led the charge to push Claudine Gay, the first Black president of Harvard, out after what he and others deemed a lacking response to antisemitism on campus, as well as an uproar over allegations of plagiarism in Gays academic work. After stepping down from her position, Gay wrote in an op-ed for the New York Times that she continues to stand by her research.

Ackman declined to comment for this article.

Morial counters that Black people have received fair opportunities because of legislation like the Civil Rights Act and equal employment opportunity programs created to balance the workforce. That opportunity might get you in the door, but it cant sit for the test, Morial said. It cant do the homework. It cant sit for the bar exam or the medical board. You have to do that, and Black people have succeeded in doing the work when given the chance.

So, when you attack DEI, you are literally slapping us in the face. Youre literally saying that we dont deserve an opportunity.

The National Action Network led by MSNBC host Al Sharpton, protests at Ackmans offices every Thursday. And youre going to see a lot more action, Morial said. The National Urban League, Congressional Black Caucus and the Black Economic Alliance are among the groups that have been quietly working together to counter this latest front in the culture war.

The caucus took the first step in this multipronged approach in December when its members sent a letter to each of the Fortune 500 companies querying them about their commitments to DEI. The letter asks the companies that pledged commitments to support diversity, equity and inclusion during the social justice movement of 2020 after George Floyds murder to share data on their progress.

We need to assess and evaluate who remains committed to diversity, equity and inclusion to determine a path forward, Morial said. They are still acquiring responses from those businesses, some of which did not make pledges in 2020. He said the results of the responses will determine the Black organizations actions.

Morial was not willing to share other specific plans to counter the calls for imploding DEI initiatives, but he said part of it is directly addressing business leaders. He said he has asked to speak at a meeting of the Business Roundtable  made up of 200 CEOs of top U.S.-based companies  to share the importance of DEI and gauge their views. Business Roundtable did not comment to NBC News on the record.

Ken L. Harris, president of the National Business League, a not-for-profit trade association for Black-owned businesses and professionals, said the anti-DEI movement has, in essence, always existed.

Id say businesses never really supported DEI anyway, Harris said. His organization, founded in 1900 by Booker T. Washington, is going to do business with folks who want to do business with us, people who want to benefit from the $1.5 trillion consumer patronage and buying power that is expended in the U.S. by Black people.

He added that the Business League will increase its effort to finding corporations who want to do the right thing, who are vested in doing the right thing.

Twelve Black business advocates also sent a letter to Fortune 500 CEOs on Wednesday urging them not to abandon their companies DEI efforts, making the argument that diversity benefits the bottom line.

Morial said this upheaval around DEI, specifically, began with the Supreme Courts decision last June banning affirmative action, or race-based selection, in college admissions. That ruling has led to similar challenges to race-consciousness in business, prompting some companies and business owners to downplay their own inclusion efforts to avoid lawsuits.

These shifts have made the work of these advocacy groups, like the National Black Chamber of Commerce, even more crucial, said its president, Charles H. DeBow III.

Its one thing to throw rocks at a fortress, DeBow said. Anti-DEI agents are dropping bombs. And now the reality is Black businesses are getting killed. And so weve got to lift them up. So were focused on developing a whole new generation of entrepreneurs that are sustainable in their communities.

Morial said he has spoken to some corporate heads (who he did not want to name) who say they remain committed to DEI and wont be pressured into abandoning what they think is best for their companies, Morial said.

Still, Morial knows his opponents have momentum.

Were in for a long, long fight, he said. We dont need to persuade most businesspeople on diversity. We just have to encourage them to be courageous and not be intimidated by politicians, mainly a bunch of politicians, billionaires and right-wing actors.

Especially since the battle is bigger than DEI, Morial said.

Theres going to be more to be said, but the organizing phases are here, and steps are being taken, he said. Were going to fight. Were going to battle because this is also about the soul of America.

For more from NBC BLK, sign up for our weekly newsletter.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A 3-D printed figures are seen in front of displayed Tik Tok logo in this picture illustration

By Daniel Wiessner

(Reuters) - A former top marketing executive at TikTok sued the social media company and its China-based parent ByteDance on Thursday, claiming she had been forced out of her job after she complained about sex, age and disability discrimination.

Katie Puris said in a complaint filed in Manhattan federal court that her 2022 firing was the culmination of a series of incidents where she reported bias and, in one case, sexual harassment to supervisors and human resources.

Puris, who was nearing 50 when she was fired, claims she was subjected to derogatory comments about her age and that ByteDance chairman Zhang Lidong believed women "should remain quiet and humble at all times" and preferred "docility and meekness" in female employees.

She also claims TikTok refused to grant her leave to address medical conditions spurred by the stress and pressure of her job.

TikTok and ByteDance did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Marjorie Mesidor and Monica Hincken, lawyers for Puris, said in a joint statement that she faced swift retaliation for complaining about discrimination despite being "enormously successful" at her job.

"TikToks actions against Ms. Puris are illegal and we look forward to vindicating her rights," they said.

Puris previously worked at Alphabet's Google, Meta's Facebook and major advertising agencies, according to her complaint.

The lawsuit accuses TikTok and ByteDance of violating U.S. and New York state and city laws prohibiting workplace discrimination and retaliation. Puris is seeking unspecified damages for economic losses, pain and suffering, and harm to her reputation and career.

(Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Bill Berkrot)
Space industry executive Rob Meyerson speaks at a 2016 space conference. (ISPCS via YouTube)

A stealthy space venture co-founded by the former president of Jeff Bezos Blue Origin space venture says its raising funds to move ahead with its plan to harvest resources on the moon and bring them back for use on Earth.

Former Blue Origin executive Rob Meyerson is listed among the executive officers for Interlune in a financial form filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Feb. 1. The form reports that the startup is offering $17.7 million in equity, and that $15.6 million of that total was sold as of the filing date.

The SEC filing says 18 investors have taken part in the offering but does not identify those investors. Weve reached out to Meyerson for more information and will update this report with anything we can pass along.

Interlune was founded in 2020, but details about the venture were shrouded in secrecy until last October  when one of the ventures other co-founders, Blue Origin engineer Gary Lai, discussed the companys vision during an awards banquet at Seattles Museum of Flight.

We aim to be the first company that harvests natural resources from the moon to use here on Earth, Lai told the audience. Were building a completely novel approach to extract those resources, efficiently, cost-effectively and also responsibly. The goal is really to create a sustainable in-space economy.

This isnt the first time Interlune has turned to the investment market. A form that was filed with the SEC in 2022 focused on an investment offering that involved an agreement for future equity.

Interlune has also been awarded a $246,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to work on a system to sort out moon dirt by particle size.

This months SEC filing lists a Seattle address for the venture, but previous reports have mentioned connections to Tacoma, Wash.; and to Estes Park, Colo.

Meyerson has a long history in the aerospace industry: Hes best-known for his role as Blue Origins president from 2003 to 2018, but before joining Bezos space company, he served as senior program manager for Kistler Aerospaces K-1 rocket program and as an aerospace engineer at NASAs Johnson Space Center.

Since leaving Blue Origin, Meyerson has been a consultant to several aerospace ventures. In 2021 he became a member of the board of directors for Texas-based Axiom Space, which is wrapping up its third crewed mission to the International Space Station this week.

Other executive officers listed on Interlunes SEC filing include Harrison Schmitt, who walked on the moon during the Apollo 17 mission in 1972; Indra Hornsby, who previously served as an executive at Rocket Lab USA; and Katelin Holloway, who is a founding partner at Seven Seven Six, an early-stage venture capital firm backed by Alexis Ohanian.

NASAs Artemis program to send astronauts to the moon has heightened interest in concepts for extracting raw materials on the moon.

The top item on the list is water ice  which could theoretically be converted into drinkable water as well as hydrogen fuel and breathable oxygen. But there are other potential resources. For example, Blue Origin is looking into a process for manufacturing solar cells and transmission wire from lunar materials  and some experts say the moon could be mined for resources suitable for export to Earth, ranging from precious metals to helium-3 for future fusion power plants.

More from GeekWire:
By Praveen Menon

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Meta's oversight board said on Friday it will examine two cases on how the social media giant handled potentially misleading posts that were shared ahead of the Australian referendum on Indigenous recognition in October last year.

The board, which is funded by Meta but run independently, said the cases were selected to assess Meta's content moderation policies on false or misleading voting information and voter fraud.

Australians in October last year decisively rejected a proposal to constitutionally recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people. The vote was held amid a deeply divisive debate in the country, and amid fears that a misinformation campaign was influencing voters.

The board said two Facebook users separately posted screenshots showing partial information shared by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) on X (formerly Twitter).

The board said screenshots from the AEC posted by the Facebook users included the following language: If someone votes at two different polling places within their electorate, and places their formal vote in the ballot box at each polling place, their vote is counted.

They also show another comment that the secrecy of the ballot prevents the AEC from knowing which ballot paper belongs to which person.

However, the screenshots did not show that voting multiple times is an offence in Australia, the board said.

The first Facebook user shared the screenshot with the accompanying caption: Vote early, vote often, and vote NO. The second user posted the same screenshot saying: so you can vote multiple times  they are setting us up for a rigging  smash the voting centres  its a No, No, No, No, No.

In both cases, Meta proactively identified the posts, which were automatically sent for human review, the board said, adding that following human review, the posts were both removed.

Both users appealed Meta's decisions to remove their posts. In their statements to the board, both users claimed they were posting content from the AEC.

The board said these cases fall within its strategic priority of Elections and Civic Space.

As part of its decisions, the Board can issue policy recommendations to Meta. While recommendations are not binding, Meta must respond to them within 60 days.

There will be more scrutiny on social media firms this year as countries making up more than half of the world's population hold elections, including the U.S., India and Russia. Social media platforms such as Facebook and X have become more popular platforms for election campaigns around the world.

(Reporting by Praveen Menon)
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.
Patricia Lopez is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering politics and policy. She is a former member of the editorial board at the Minneapolis Star Tribune, where she also worked as a senior political editor and reporter.
If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules:

Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy.

The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party.

We will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste.

Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Yakima Herald-Republic cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters.

Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month.
Two bills, one introduced in the Colorado House and one in the Senate, seek to tackle two very different issues related to the same concern  vaping and electronic smoking devices.
By P.J. GLISSON

[email protected]

Ironwood - From the moment the public arrived at the annual La Rosa spaghetti dinner this past weekend at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, they encountered enticing aromas, welcoming signs and friendly faces.

The major fundraiser took place Saturday and Sunday, bringing dozens of volunteers and hundreds of hungry folks together.

"It was a very good success," said Alison Schlag later. "It was a beautiful day. We were very happy with the results."

Schlag, who organized the event, said that 1,116 dinners were sold. Some diners sat and ate in the church hall, while others enjoyed the meal by way of takeout, drive-up or delivery.

"It's definitely something people look forward to," she said. "It's just a fun event."

Schlag estimated that about 60 to 70 people helped with the process, whether before, during or after, and she was grateful for their contributions, which included anything from decorating to cooking to cleaning up.

"In this day and age, volunteers are very special," said Schlag. "Time is very precious. I think for most people this is a labor of love."

Several generations of an Ironwood family were among the volunteers, along with other church members.

Michael Schmaltz was washing dishes while his daughter, Stacy Saari, was serving and clearing tables with the help of her son, Nick, 10.

"I've been doing the coffees," said Nick.

Saari's daughter, Emily, 13, also was bagging to-go orders with her friend, Christina Braucher, 13.

Also at that table was Mark Kolesar of Minnesota. "I come up every year to help - and to see Don," he said, referring to Don Pelkola, who said, "I've been doing it almost 50 years."

The guys were teamed up with Joanne Kovales in filling the serving containers with spaghetti and meatball sauce, which was served with Italian bread and salad.

Mary Ann Niemi of Ironwood was running the cupcake table, which featured a variety of prettily swirled frostings and flavors. "Everybody donates them," said Niemi. "They bake them at home and bring them here."

Selling 50/50 tickets during the event was William Perkis, a member of the Knights of Columbus of Ironwood, which helps to support the event.

"We just brought it back after three years," said Perkis of the drawings that he said occurred every hour and resulted in about $50 or so of winnings each time.

He said "a huge part" of the event is "to build cohesion in the parish."

Schlag said an anonymous donor helped with this year's expenses. Hence, she added, "We didn't have to raise the price. So we're very blessed with that."

Schlag, who is the church's faith formation coordinator, said the dinner's profits go to help church members and others. "Most of the proceeds benefit the faith foundation education of children, adults and the community."

Schlag has been running the dinner for 24 years.

This year was the 49th annual event, so the church is already planning for an extra-special celebration of next year's 50th anniversary of the dinner.

"We are going to be planning some special activities," said Schlag. "We're looking forward to it."

Anyone still wishing to donate to this year's fundraiser, or to volunteer for the church, may call Schlag at 715-367-2540 or the church at 906-932-0174.
Big Powderhorn Mountain hosts annual gathering of sno-cats

By MEGAN HUGHES

[email protected]

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP - The Cat Clowder, a gathering of sno-cats and similar vehicles built to move through and on deep snow, celebrated it's 10th year gathering at Powderhorn this past weekend. More than 30 vehicles made the trip up to Big Powderhorn Resort for the celebration of all things sno-cat.

Big Powderhorn general manager Bruce Noren said the clowder is a highly anticipated event each year, as it draws people from across the country.

"We had some come from Washington state, we had some come from New York state. Most of them are from the Midwest,...
By P.J. GLISSON

[email protected]

A lack of snow has inspired officials in the tri-county area to allow ORV riding in February.

The unusual action has been inspired by fewer than 3 feet of snow during this season  a measly allotment that has allowed trail bases to melt in the face of extended warm spells.

Iron and Ontonagon counties have issued formal statements in the past week.

Were doing the same here, said Jerry Nezworski, president and trail boss of the Gogebic Range Snowmobile Authority.

Unfortunately, theres no script for this kind of winter because its t...
Multiple bills tied to the state's majority Democrats' focus on gun control made their way to the state Capitol this week, with the first hearing on what is expected to be at least a half-dozen measures this year.
Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business.
Preturile la aproape 900 de medicamente vor creste de la 1 aprilie

Preturile maxime ale unui numar de aproape 900 de medicamente din Catalogul national al preturilor medicamentelor vor creste de la 1 aprilie. Este vorba, mai precis, despre 892 de medicamente, in general foarte scumpe, in pericol de retragere de pe piata. In cazul [citeste mai departe]
Supermarketurile investesc in educatie. Cu cinci lei, liceenii beau sampanie frantuzeasca

1. Piedone se simte atacat din toate partile, dar ne-a asigurat ca am lunetistii pe casa. Mai bine avea toate tiglele pe casa. Piedone, vrei sa ne distram? Am inteles ca urmeaza vreo doua zile friguroase, dar in [citeste mai departe]
Members of the Colorado Supreme Court on Thursday considered whether the state law that broadly shields the government from civil lawsuits applies to upgrades of public parking garages, raising the possibility of cities and counties being increasingly on the hook for personal injury claims in the future.
The fresh newsletter for the International Community in Hungary - described by readers as a "Great read each week" - is now available for your interest and use via the link below.

You can see the new edition of the Xpat E-Magazine here:

https://xpatloop.com/newsletters/2024/8-february.html



1. First up, here are 5 handy articles with ideas and inspiration for the upcoming Valentine's Day:

E.g. Superluminal Exhibition, Fashion & the City, Little Prince, Dragon Lanterns Fest, Garden of Lights.



2. You can also see a wide selection of events happening these days in it and in your Xpat Calendar:

E.g. Makers' Market, SwingGirls Concert, Arabella Opera, Live Painting by Zeus Salas + Busojaras Fest!



3. Also for your interest there are new Movies and Specials, plus News, Information & Inspiration:

E.g. Fake Currency Warning, New 1-Day Highway Vignette, Record Temperatures, Pecs Flights Resume.



Now we hope you like what's in it for you below.

Yours with best wishes, Team XpatLoop



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Notes:



You're in good company together with thousands of expat readers + high-level locals = a cosmopolitan group of internationally-minded folks, known as the Xpat Community.



Feedback:



Your feedback is always welcome. Here are a few examples:



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Just a short note of deep appreciation to you all at XpatLoop. At these difficult and potentially solitary times your mailings are doing a wonderful job at keeping us expats in the loop, and ensuring that we still feel part of the vibrant community which is Budapest.



Rough Guide To Budapest, the most knowledgeable & entertaining guidebook:

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Since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, I have heard from countless Nebraskans who believe we must support Israels fight against Hamas. I agree. Part of that is making sure American foreign policy doesnt undermine our support for Israel or their efforts to destroy Hamas. Yet, regrettably, thats exactly what appears to have happened under the Biden administration. President Biden has allowed American tax dollars to go to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which has been called effectively a branch of Hamas.

According to The Wall Street Journal, at least 12 employees of UNRWA had direct connections to Hamas October 7th terror attack that murdered 1,200 Israelis and at least 33 Americans. The Journal also reported around 10% of all UNRWAs Gaza staff had ties to Islamic terror groups. Some of these werent even tied to Hamas, but Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a terrorist group that thinks Hamas is too moderate for them. These are outrageous connections.

Of the twelve UNRWA staff who had direct involvement on October 7th, six were part of the wave of terrorists who murdered Israelis. The others helped kidnap Israelis, were tracked to sites where scores of Israeli civilians were shot and killed, or coordinated logistics for the assault, including procuring weapons. According to Israel, one UNRWA Arabic teacher was a Hamas terrorist commander who participated in a terror attack on a Kibbutz where 97 people were murdered and 26 people were taken hostage.

Even before October 7th, UNRWA had been known to employ registered Hamas members. Its schools were found storing Hamas weapons.

Its facilities were used as staging grounds for attacks against Israel. Its educators regularly called for the murder of Jews. Its textbooks glorified terrorism, encouraged martyrdom, demonized Israelis, and incited antisemitism.

UNRWA is an irredeemable organization that plays a critical role in Hamas terrorist infrastructure. Former President Donald Trump understood this. In 2018, the Trump administration rightly ended American aid to UNRWA. Inconceivably, President Biden reversed course and has given more than $730 million to UNRWA since taking office.

Despite all this new evidence about UNRWAs involvement on October 7th, the Biden administration has only committed to a temporary pause in funds. This is not enough.

No Nebraskan wants their hard-earned money to fund kidnappers, weapons distributors, and murderers. I believe not one penny more of American tax money should go to supporting an organization with ties to terrorism. Not now. Not ever.

Im fighting in the U.S. Senate to permanently ban U.S. taxpayer dollars from funding UNRWA and supporting Hamas terrorism. My Stop Support for Hamas Act, which I introduced with Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), would correct the Biden administrations mistake by permanently ending U.S. funding for UNRWA. I also led 26 fellow Senators in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) demanding the supplemental aid bill must include a permanent ban of U.S. aid to UNRWA.

We must stand with Israel. We need to support their right to defend themselves. We need to stop undermining their efforts. Lets permanently ban U.S. taxpayer funding of UNRWA and the Hamas fighters working there. Lets pass my Stop Support for Hamas Act.

My team and I are here to serve you. Contact us anytime by phone at 202-224-4224 or on my website at www.ricketts.senate.gov/contact.
In 1988, the American frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts struck an Iranian mine in international waters. The explosion severely damaged the boat and injured several Americans. Thankfully, no one was killed  but wisely, President Reagan didnt wait for tragedy to occur before acting. Just four days later, the United States launched Operation Praying Mantis. Our Navy destroyed two Iranian oil platforms, three warships, two fighter jets, and multiple other vessels.

President Reagans message was clear: if you put American lives in danger, you will be destroyed. In response to Operation Praying Mantis, there was no escalation. The conflict did not spiral into an uncontained war, and deterrence was restored.

Compare that powerful and effective example of deterrence to where we are today. Another Iran-backed group, Hamas, attacked our ally Israel on October 7th. After the attack, President Biden promised that the United States would stand with Israel. He promised he would not tell Israel how to conduct its war against this terror, and that Israel could make its own decisions as a sovereign nation.

But since October 7th, the Biden administration has all but folded to the demands of those in his party who want to condition aid and support to our ally. And after October 7th, the president didnt only fail Israel  he failed Americas military.

In the four months after October 7th, Iran-backed militias attacked U.S. troops not once, not twice  but more than 150 times. President Biden allowed not days, not weeks, but months of unanswered attacked by Iran-backed Houthis on U.S. ships and civilian cargo vessels in the Red Sea.

What was the inevitable result of the presidents hesitation? The tragic deaths of three American troops at the hands of an Iran-backed militia, with dozens more seriously injured in the same drone attack. And just days earlier, two Navy SEALS gave their lives trying to stop Iran from supplying weapons to militia groups just like the one responsible for the drone attack. Those deaths add to a tally of at least 31 Americans killed in Israel on October 7th, not to mention the Americans still being held hostage in Gaza.

The Biden administration repeatedly says that it doesnt want to escalate the situation in the Middle East. The administration has said it wants to avoid escalation so much that its beginning to seem like President Biden is more afraid of being blamed for escalation than hes afraid of Americans being killed. But we should be clear: In the months following October 7th, President Biden failed to deter Irans support for terror, and he failed to deter attacks by the groups Iran supports. Ultimately, the only attacks President Biden deterred were our own.

Nearly a week after the tragic deaths of these servicemembers, the president ordered airstrikes on seven sites in Iraq and Syria connected to militia groups and Iranian forces. While these strikes might temporarily degrade some of Irans capability in the region, the regimes proxy organizations  including the Houthis  continue to attack U.S. forces and commercial ships. The U.S. also warned for days where these attacks would happen, which no doubt allowed our enemies to prepare and escape. Again, Presidents Bidens response was too little, too late.

Its time to understand that our enemies have already escalated, and they will continue to escalate. Whatever steps President Biden takes next, he must respond strongly enough to restore deterrence. To stand up for our country, to stand against the murder of Americans, and to stand with Israel, we must clearly demonstrate to Iran that they will pay a price for their continued support of terrorism.

President Biden must finally restore credible deterrence  which is the only way to prevent escalation.

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.
New Delhi: Today, February 8, 2024 (Thursday), during the MPC Meet, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das shed light on the regulatory action taken against Paytm Payments Bank, stating that ample time was provided for corrective measures before the intervention.

Supervisory Approach

Governor Das emphasized the RBI's reliance on bilateral engagement with regulated entities, focusing on nudging them towards corrective actions. He highlighted that the central bank intervenes only when such engagements fail to yield results or when the regulated entity fails to take effective action. (Also Read: RBI's Big Announcement On MSME Loan Processing Fees & Documentation Charges: Check Here)

Proportionate Measures

Das reiterated that any restrictions imposed by the RBI are proportionate to the seriousness of the situation, stressing that regulatory actions are taken only when necessary. He emphasized the importance of compliance with regulations and reaffirmed the RBI's commitment to responsible regulation. (Also Read: Apple iPhone 13 Gets Massive Price Cut; Now Available At Rs...)

While refraining from divulging specific details regarding the action against Paytm Payments Bank, Das mentioned that the RBI would issue a FAQ document in the coming week to address related queries.

No Cause Of Concern To Fintech Firms

Governor Das assured other fintech firms that there is no cause for concern amid the ongoing situation with Paytm. He reiterated the RBI's support for innovation and technology in the financial sector, emphasizing its commitment to promoting fintechs.

Regulatory Action Against Paytm

On January 31, the RBI initiated strict regulatory action against Paytm Payments Bank, instructing it to suspend certain key services from March 1. This development has resulted in a crisis for Paytm, which relies heavily on the payments bank for various operations such as wallet services and FASTag.
Mauni Amavasya 2024: Amavasya means the day of the new moon or no moon when the moon is not visible. According to the North Indian calendar, Mauni Amavasya falls in the middle of Magha month and is also known as Maghi Amavasya. It is an important Hindu festival dedicated to honouring one's ancestors. Apart from their ancestors, devotees on this day worship Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.

Mauni Amavasya 2024: Date And Timings

Mauni Amavasya falls on Friday, February 9, 2024.

Amavasya Tithi Begins - 8:02 AM on February 9, 2024

Amavasya Tithi Ends - 4:28 AM on February 10, 2024

(Source: Drik Panchang)

Mauni Amavasya 2024: Significance

Mauni Amavasya is also known as Mauni Amavas. It is also the day of silence in Hinduism when people take a pledge to observe one day maun vrat - that is fasting by not uttering a word throughout the day.

Amavasyas have a special significance in Hindu religion. Puja rituals like hawan, pitru dosha puja and pind daan are done on these days. But it's discouraged to perform events such as marriage, engagement, mundan and griha pravesh on amavasyas. It is also believed that Mauni Amavasya is a very auspicious day to take a holy dip or 'snana' in a holy river, especially the Ganga. As Drik Panchang mentions, "It is believed that the water of the most sacred and holy river in Hinduism, the Ganga, turns into the nectar on Mauni Amavasya day. Due to this belief, Mauni Amavasya day is the most important day in the Hindu calendar to take a holy dip in the Ganges."

Overall, Magha month is considered very important in the Hindu calendar. On the day of Mauni Amavasya, tarpan is done in the name of ancestors, which gives them peace. People do charity and take a dip in holy water.
New Delhi: Apple TVs latest psychological sci-fi thriller not only boasts of an amazing ensemble cast which includes Noomi Rapace of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo as well as JamesD Arcy of Oppenheimer fame, but also brings together the best creative minds in Hollywood.

Directed by Michelle MacLaren of Breaking Bad fame, it was created and written by Peter Harness (Wallander, The War of the Worlds). In an exclusive interview with Zee News English, Peter Harness and Michelle Maclaren spoke about the casting and making process.

Q: Peter and Michelle Congratulations! How did this idea come about and what was the challenge of bringing this from word to screen?

Peter Harness: I've always been very interested in space and the reality of space travel, and things around it. But I've also been aware that there are some kind of spooky stories surrounding space as well as several conspiracy theories. I don't mean, whether we go to the moon or not, but there are odd things that go on up there that are not often reported because astronauts might be a bit afraid to report them. You know, they see light flashes going through the capsule or they see weird things outside in space. I thought it would be really interesting to, write something about what it's like to go into space, the effect that it has on your mind, and then what it's like to come back to Earth because there's this thing called the Overview Effect, which I think all astronauts go through, which is seeing the Earth from a distance seeing everything you've ever known and everybody you've ever known from a distance, that changes you and one comes back changed. I wondered whether, you know, we could do something like ask the question Is it the astronaut who changes or is it the Earth who changes?

Michelle Maclaren: What was challenging was doing zero gravity. But most importantly, it was about the character and relationships, Peter's beautiful writing inspires us visually. So the task was taking this very realistic story, on a level that has a somewhat fantastical element and making it very grounded. In doing so we did a lot of research on real space travel. We consulted Scott Kelly, who's an astronaut and has been up there longer on ISS ( The International Space Station) and talked to him about his personal experiences of being there, and how it affected his life after he got back to Earth. There were many, many different challenges in approaching it but we started with a visually inspiring script.

Q: What is the thrill of making a sci-fi film?

Peter Harness: think it's very thrilling necessarily. It was hard, because like Michelle says there are all kinds of wirework and things like that. We built it very accurately, but it is quite hard to shoot a version of the ISS and I mean it's very authentic, but difficult to shoot. We got a lot of great landscapes as well. We went above the Arctic Circle in Finland, which was huge and epic and we went to Morocco.

Michelle MacLaren: I would say it's thrilling for me since it was way outside of my comfort zone. I love to be challenged. I had never done Zero Gravity before and the thing about doing something that is a grounded, character-driven action thriller, that has a sci-fi element to it, so you get to stretch reality a little bit further than we normally do. It was thrilling and exciting to play with multiple realities. Shooting in the Arctic Circle and shooting in Morocco, which anywhere you can point the camera is fantastic, and its one off my bucket list. It's amazing. We would go into the woods and get on snowmobiles and ride through these trails and then come out on an open lake and see the stars and sometimes see the northern lights and it was epic.

Q: What was the casting process like, and getting Noomi Rapace to play Jo?

Peter Harness: Noomi was I think always in our heads for Joe because the character is Swedish. Shes a very strong character with a very vulnerable side, it always seemed to me that Naomi was the perfect, casting for it and as soon as we, and as soon as we shared it with her, she was desperate to do it. I think she felt that while she said that it's like you've read my mind, she also felt very much that the character was. I mean constellation is about the stars aligning, and it felt that the stars aligned with that.

Michelle Maclaren: I think Naomi was at a place where she was considering taking a break from her last project. And she read this and she felt as did I that it was written for her. She is a very strong, powerful woman and she's a mother, which is so important to this character that first and foremost, she's a mom, and then she's an astronaut. And so she's got to be this powerful, survival-fighting character who's trying to get back to Earth to be with her daughter, and Noomi just related to that on so many levels.

Q: What are the challenges or do you feel as creators there is more liberty when you have a platform like Apple TV to tell the story across episodes?

Peter Harness: It is challenging to get anything made. This is an original story and it's not a known concept, and it's challenging because it's in space, and it's challenging because it's in a whole bunch of different countries. But we overcame the struggle because we had, such a fantastic team.

Michelle Maclaren: It's a massive, massive collaboration. Peter wrote a nonlinear story and that was a huge challenge in itself. We had to work closely together because our stories were interwoven and that was exciting.We're dealing with multiple locations, and multiple time zones. I think we were constantly checking each other and it was worth every minute.

Constellation premieres on February 16 On Apple TV.
For that reason, many bloggers are looking for ways to improve YouTube views on their videos. As a rule, replacing the organic views is not the goal, but rather a means to an end, to promote content, so it can be seen by real users. Buying views is a method that some people actively promote, another option is using YouTube Booster.

YouTube Booster  Your Personal View Bot

YouTube Booster is a specialized program that works automatically and can run in the background. With the use of bots, this YouTube video views booster can increase your views, add likes/dislikes to a video, subscribe to a channel, leave comments and so much more. Lets have a look at some of its unique features.

The Functionality

Unlike the simple bots that only view videos and can maybe leave a reaction to them, Booster is a whole set of tools that takes care of everything from farming profiles to watching or skipping ads.

Among many features of this program we can highlight:

Boost video views, reactions (likes, subscribers, comments), and monetization clicks for your channel. The bots can do everything you can expect from the real users.

Emulation of different traffic sources. Since people come to videos from different sources, like recommendations, search engines, other sites, etc., the bots emulate this behavior to make the traffic seem realistic.

Farming accounts. YouTube will immediately notice if your channels get views and reactions from faceless profiles that act like robots. For this reason, the Booster developers included automated farming of profiles and human behavior emulation. Such accounts do not go into action immediately, first, they are warmed up and only then allowed to interact with the channel.

Proxy. If you are a US or EU-based creator, it is unnatural when most views come from non-English areas, such as Asia or even Africa. To make viewers appear to be closer to your home, the program includes proxy support which allows you to change the IP of bots to any country.

Solving Google captcha. The place where most bots stop working is when Google asks to confirm the user that it is not a robot. The simple bot is not able to solve Google captcha but the views booster YouTube does it flawlessly.

Scheduler. It is frustrating to constantly be on alert and start/stop the bots manually. The Booster allows scheduling when the views will start generating, on what video, and in what quantity.

The full list contains for than 25 items. With such an extensive range of features, the whole process can be automated, and you can concentrate your attention on making a quality content instead of worrying about how well you channel is performing.

The only downside to using YouTube views increase online is the rather steep learning curve of the program. Luckily, there is an official tutorial that offers an in-depth explanation of all the preparations the user needs to do. However, if you are even a bit technologically savvy, you will have no problem with setting up the bots yourself as the interface is very intuitive.

Why Use the Booster?

YouTube Booster is a powerful program that can significantly improve your channels ranking, so it gets the views you deserve. There are other ways to boost YouTube video views, but no other method will be able to provide results this fast.

If nothing else is working for you, or you are just tired of patiently waiting for people to accidentally stumble onto your channel, this is the perfect tool for the job. We highly recommend this YouTube views increase site to every inspiring content creator who wants to jump-start their YouTube career without unnecessary waiting periods and frustration.

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Ltds Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility, liability or claims for any errors or omissions in the content of the article. The IDPL Editorial team is not responsible for this content.)
NEW DELHI: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar once again reaffirmed that he will now stay with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and won't dump it ever again. Speaking to reporters, the Bihar CM said, "I have already told you that we (BJP-JDU) were together earlier. Twice in the middle I went "idhar udhar." But now, once again I have come "udhar" (to the NDA). I will permanently be there now..."

#WATCH | Patna | Bihar CM Nitish Kumar says, "I have already told you that we (BJP-JDU) were together earlier. Twice in the middle I went "idhar udhar." But now, once again I have come "udhar" (to the NDA). I will permanently be there now..." pic.twitter.com/bnVAR4k95O  ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2024

Replying to a question on securing a special package for Bihar, the Janat Dal-United supremo said, "Don't worry about us. We have been working on the development of Bihar since 2005. Work has been ongoing since then. So, you don't need to worry. All the discussions have been done very well..."

#WATCH | Patna | When asked if he raised the issue of any special package in his meeting with PM Modi, HM Amit Shah & BJP chief JP Nadda in Delhi yesterday, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar says, "Don't worry about us. We have been working for the development of Bihar since 2005. Work has pic.twitter.com/Hfg28cDEyB  ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2024

The Bihar Chief Minister met PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah & BJP chief JP Nadda in Delhi yesterday. In a post shared on X, Home Minister Amit Shah said, ''Met the Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar. I am confident that the NDA government under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Nitish Kumar will expedite good governance and development in Bihar."

This was also the first visit of the Janata Dal (United) supremo after he dumped the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) and the INDIA bloc to form a new government with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Bihar.

The meeting took place five days ahead of Nitish Kumar's government's scheduled floor test which is on February 12.

During his stay in the national capital, the Bihar Chief Minister also met veteran BJP leader LK Advani. Saffron stalwart and senior BJP leader LK Advani will be conferred the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour.

Nitish Kumar took the oath as Chief Minister of Bihar for the ninth time in Raj Bhawan, Patna, switching sides again, this time with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). It was for the second time in two years that Nitish Kumar had jumped the ship, his fifth crossover in a little over a decade.

Two Deputy Chief Ministers from the BJP, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, and six other ministers, including Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Santosh Kumar Suman, Shrawan Kumar, and others, also took the oath earlier.
Farmers from villages in Noida will be heading towards Parliament in Delhi today against Noida authority and to put their demands in front of the government. While farmers will be moving towards Parliament on their tractors and buses, the Noida police has imposed Section 144 in the city besides route diversion to stop them from visiting the national capital. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police said that it has not given any permission to farmers to enter the natinal capital. The Delhi Police has already deployed its personnel on the city borders to stom inside movement of farmers. The Delhi Police also said that no permission was sought by formers for the rally in the national capital.

Farmers said that their primary demands include increased land compensation and improved rehabilitation facilities for their families affected by land acquisition for the city's development over the past four decades. They have already assembled at Mahamaya flyover, the starting point of the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, and will march towards Delhi from there.

In anticipation of the protest using the Delhi-Noida link road, the Gautam Budh Nagar police have implemented necessary measures to manage the security and policing of the route during the demonstration, according to statements from senior police officers.

Sukhbir Yadav, one of the protesting farmer and leader of Bharatriya Kisan Ekta Sangh said that the Uttar Pradesh government is not addressing their demand for 10% of total land acquired for residential purposes, 64.7% hiked land compensation, permission for commercial activities on residential plots and other benefits.

On September 20, 2023, the farmers concluded their protest following assurances from the Noida authority that their demands would be addressed in the coming months. However, they reinstated their protest on December 18 when it became apparent that both the state government and the Noida authority were not actively addressing their concerns.

Farmers claimed that the Noida authority had prolonged the process of allotting residential flats and had also delayed the distribution of the increased land compensation, leading them to recommence their protest.
Commissioner Carrie Geitner is running for reelection to represent El Paso County's District 2, with a focus on advancing work she started during her first term to improve roads, maintain low taxes, and elevate the county voice at the state level, among others.

"I have two teenage boys and I want to make sure that they get to continue to grow up in and raise their families in an environment that has as much opportunity as the one that I grew up in," said Geitner, a Republican and self-described constitutional conservative who was first elected in November 2020 to the Board of El Paso County Commissioners in District 2.

The district encompasses the northeast portion of the county, extending from eastern Colorado Springs through the communities of Cimarron Hills, Falcon, Peyton, Calhan and Ramah.

"In terms of the reelection ... I've started some work and I really want to see that through. Four years sounds like a long time, but ... there are a lot of things we've put work into  especially things like taking care of our roads  that take time to accomplish. I want to be able to see those projects through," she said.

On her campaign website, Geitner, 41, highlights roads, water, taxes and public safety as four main categories she intends to focus on if reelected.

She commended steps commissioners have taken in recent years to improve county roads, particularly in unincorporated areas.

For example, major improvements are underway on Marksheffel Road along Colorado Springs' eastern edge, including expanding a nearly 3-mile stretch of the thoroughfare. The city owns Marksheffel, but it previously belonged to the county. Funds from the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority's 1-cent sales tax that funds regional road projects are largely paying for the work.

Another project will improve safety and extend drivers' line of sight at the intersection of Rex and Meridian roads north of Falcon, a fast-growing area of the county.

Geitner wants to continue elevating El Paso County's collective voice at the state level, including providing input on various bills and mandates that counties are often asked to fund, she said.

Featured Local Savings

"We've taken a much more active role in state-level policy in the last few years. I think that work continues to be incredibly important ... to make sure that El Paso, being the largest county in Colorado, has a seat at the table and a voice in what's happening with policy," she said.

In 2023 the county, like more than 50 Colorado municipalities including Colorado Springs, opposed a wide-ranging land use bill proposed by Gov. Jared Polis that would have required communities to adopt "flexible minimum standards" for accessory dwelling units, known as granny flats, and "middle housing" like duplexes, triplexes and townhomes. Leaders across Colorado said the bill would remove local authority over land-use planning and zoning decisions. The housing bill ultimately failed.

Geitner was also among a dozen county commissioners who spoke in 2022 at the state Capitol, opposing legislation mandating counties engage in collective bargaining for most county employees. Like most other commissioners, Geitner was concerned about the bill's so-called unfunded mandate requiring counties to either ask voters for tax increases, cut services or lay off employees to pay for costs arising out of the legislation. The bill went into effect July 1, 2023.

"Being able to accommodate all of those choices by the state Legislature, it's really just not possible without funds," she said Wednesday. "Our community likes their low taxes. We want to support that. ... We hear a lot about the cost of living in Colorado continuing to rise and every time the government puts in place more mandates, someone has to pay for that. I think that's going to continue to be a big challenge, as well as working to do what we can to reduce the cost of living."

Among other challenges, Geitner said the county must continue balancing its exponential growth with available infrastructure, public safety and health. Water availability needs to remain top of mind and El Paso County, which does not provide water to residents, must continue working with various water districts to ensure there is long-lasting and clean water available, she said.

"What I really want to see is a community that continues to thrive and kind of beat to its own drum. We are unique in Colorado. We're still a conservative area where we are very focused on law and order. ... I think we've been able to do that differently because of the policies we have in place. I look forward to maintaining that for our residents," she said.

Geitner faces Republican challenger Garfield Johnson, an Army veteran and teacher, for the District 2 seat.
New Delhi: Uttarakhand's Haldwani city witnessed chaos and arson on Thursday, as a group of people belonging to a particular religion attacked the administration and police team after they demolished an illegal madrasa in Malik Ka Bagicha area of the city. The SDM, several policemen and municipal workers were injured in the stone-pelting by the protesters. The youth and women of the community also staged a massive protest against the police and administration team. The miscreants set fire to the vehicles parked outside the Banbhoolpura police station.

A video of the incident is also going viral, in which it can be seen that hundreds of women, children and men are pelting stones from the front and the policemen and municipal workers are trying to save themselves. During this, the glass of the JCB bulldozer also broke. But despite the heavy opposition, the municipal corporation continued the campaign and razed the madrasa and prayer place to the ground.

#WATCH | Uttarakhand | Violence broke out in Banbhoolpura, Haldwani following an anti-encroachment drive today. DM Nainital has imposed curfew in Banbhoolpura and ordered a shoot-on-sight order for rioters. Details awaited. pic.twitter.com/Qykla7UO65  ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2024

The injured policemen were taken to the Haldwani Base Hospital for treatment, where they are undergoing treatment. The situation in the area remains tense.

Dhami Gives Shoot At Sight Orders

Seeing the matter escalating, additional police forces were sent to Haldwani and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami called a meeting with senior officials, in which the chief secretary and the police director general along with other senior officials of the police and intelligence reviewed the situation. Along with appealing to the people to maintain peace, instructions were given to deal strictly with the unruly elements.

In addition, the DM imposed a curfew in Banbhoolpura and ordered to shoot at sight the rioters. The officials of Haldwani Municipal Corporation demolished the madrasa and prayer place on Thursday. It is believed that this madrasa was built illegally near the Banbhoolpura police station. After surrounding the Banbhoolpura police station from all sides, the troublemakers pelted stones and also set fire to the transformer, due to which the entire area was plunged into darkness.

Tear Gas Shells Fired

The Pushkar Dhami government of Uttarakhand is running bulldozers on illegal encroachments. During the campaign in Malik Ka Bagicha area, the officials tried to convince the agitated people. But they did not listen to anyone. After that, the police fired tear gas shells to control the unruly elements. According to the officials, the prayer place and madrasa are completely illegal. The Haldwani Municipal Corporation had earlier taken possession of three acres of land. While the prayer place and madrasa were sealed, which were demolished today.
Jharsuguda: In a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that the former was not born into an OBC family but instead hails from the general caste. The Congress MP urged his followers to confront BJP workers with this revelation, accusing the Prime Minister of deceiving the nation regarding his caste identity.

"Whenever BJP workers come to you, tell them one thing our Prime Minister lied to the entire country that he belonged to the backward class. He was not born in a backward class, he belongs to the general caste. You tell this to every BJP worker." Rahul made these remarks while speaking at a public rally during the Odisha leg of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Jharsuguda.

#WATCH | Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, "PM Modi was not born in the OBC category. He was born Teli caste in Gujarat. The community was given the tag of OBC in the year 2000 by the BJP. He was born in the General caste...He will not allow caste census to be conducted in his pic.twitter.com/AOynLpEZkK  ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2024

Rahul Gandhi's remark on PM Modi evoked a sharp response from the ruling BJP and its media cell in-charge Amit Malviya called Congress MP's claim a ''blatant lie.'' ''Prime Minister Narendra Modi got his caste notified as an OBC after he became the Chief Minister of Gujarat: Rahul Gandhi. This is a blatant lie. PM Narendra Modi's caste was notified as an OBC on Oct 27, 1999, a full 2 years BEFORE he became the Chief Minister of Gujarat,'' Malviya said in a post on X. Malviya also claimed that the ''entire Nehru-Gandhi family, starting from Jawaharlal Nehru to Rahul Gandhi, have been against the OBCs.''

Prime Minister Narendra Modi got his caste notified as an OBC after he became the Chief Minister of Gujarat: Rahul Gandhi.



This is a blatant lie. PM Narendra Modi's caste was notified as an OBC on Oct 27, 1999, a full 2 years BEFORE he became the Chief Minister of Gujarat. pic.twitter.com/lDU3uJrHwJ  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) February 8, 2024

Congress Vs BJP Over OBC

This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently in Parliament called himself 'Sabse Bada OBC' (the biggest OBC) and accused the Congress of indulging in hypocrisy and adopting double standards while dealing with leaders of Backward communities.

"Congress party and UPA government did not deliver justice with OBCs. A few days ago, Karpoori Thakur ji was conferred with Bharat Ratna. In 1970, when he became Bihar CM, what was not done to destabilise his government? Congress can't tolerate OBCs...They keep counting how many OBCs are there in the government. Can't you (Congress) see the biggest OBC here (pointing towards himself)?" PM Modi said in his reply to the 'Motion of Thanks' on the President's Address in Lok Sabha on Monday.

Congress' Failures And Allegations Of Bias

PM Modi continued his attack on the UPA government and said that the previous government did not deliver justice to OBCs. "During the UPA Government, an extra-constitutional body was formed. The government could not have its way before that body. National Advisory Council - did it have any OBC members? Find out," he added.

Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra

The Odisha leg of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is scheduled to be completed this afternoon before going on a two-day break from February 9-10. The yatra will resume on February 11 from Chhattisgarh. Earlier on Wednesday, the 25th day of the Nyay Yatra, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, visited Vedvyas Dham in the Sundergarh district of Western Odisha. The cave of this temple is considered to be the place where sage and poet Ved Vyas ji composed the Mahabharata.

Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra rolled out from Manipur's Thoubal on January 14. The yatra will cover over 6,700 kilometres over 67 days, traversing through 110 districts. It will cover a distance of 6,713 km, straddling 100 Lok Sabha constituencies and 337 assembly segments and covering 110 districts. The yatra will conclude in Mumbai on March 20, after 67 days.

A follow-up to the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' which saw Rahul Gandhi cover more than 3,000 kilometres on foot--from Kanya Kumari to Srinagar--the Yatra 2.0 is following a hybrid format.
New Delhi: Achieving success is a journey that demands unwavering determination and relentless effort. The narrative of Ranjith Ramachandran serves as a testament to this truth, illustrating how resilience and hard work can pave the path to extraordinary achievements. From his humble beginnings as a night watchman at a BSNL telephone exchange in Panathur, Kasargod district, Ranjith's story is a remarkable saga of transformation, culminating in his esteemed position as an assistant professor at IIM Ranchi.

Ranjith's journey was fraught with challenges, yet he persevered with unyielding resolve. Born into modest means, he resided in a modest mud hut, with his father working as a tailor and his mother as a daily wage earner under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). Despite these obstacles, Ranjith pursued his education diligently, graduating with honors in Economics from St Pious College, Kanhangad, Kerala.

However, his pursuit of higher education faced a formidable hurdle when he enrolled for a doctoral program at IIT Madras, a renowned institution where he struggled due to his limited proficiency in languages other than Malayalam. Despite contemplating quitting, Ranjith found encouragement from his mentor, Dr. Subhash, which propelled him to persist. Eventually, his perseverance bore fruit as he secured a coveted position as an assistant professor at IIM Ranchi.

Ranjith's professional journey was marked by numerous trials and tribulations, including a brief stint at Christ University, Bangalore, before finding his calling at IIM Ranchi. Although he faced setbacks, such as narrowly missing out on a professorial position at Calicut University, Ranjith remained undeterred, fueled by his unwavering determination to succeed.

In a poignant reflection shared on social media, Ranjith bared his soul, recounting the hardships he endured and attributing his success to the sacrifices made by his impoverished parents. His candid post resonated deeply with thousands, garnering widespread acclaim and admiration.

Ranjith's story transcends geographical boundaries, resonating with individuals from all walks of life. Hailing from a remote village in Kerala, his remarkable ascent serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, positioning him as a role model for countless aspiring minds.

As his narrative continues to captivate hearts and minds, Ranjith Ramachandran stands as a living testament to the transformative power of perseverance and hard work, proving that no obstacle is insurmountable on the path to success.
New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs for creating a ruckus in the State Assembly on Thursday, preventing her from presenting the Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25. She accused the BJP of playing dirty politics and being against the interests of the state and its people.

"If the Opposition has any opinion, they can discuss it after the completion of the Budget. They have the freedom to express their opinion but this is not a BJP party office. This is not the space for Opposition to do politics. People have the right to know what work we have done. We condemn this dirty politics. They are against the State, anti-Bengal. They don't want good for the people of Bengal," Banerjee said in a fiery speech.

#WATCH | As BJP MLAs create ruckus in the State Assembly, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says, "If the Opposition has any opinion, they can discuss it after the completion of the Budget. They have the freedom to express their opinion but this is not a BJP party office. This is pic.twitter.com/nA8v7x2aBq  ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2024

She also questioned the BJP's moral authority to disrupt the proceedings, reminding them that they had suspended 147 MPs from Parliament for protesting for a statement by Home Minister Amit Shah on the Parliament security breach. "Aren't you ashamed that you are not allowing us to present the Budget? Your opinion can be expressed in your speech but this is not your BJP party office, this is the Assembly. They should remember that they have suspended 147 MPs from Parliament but we do not want to go down that path. You can be weak but we are not, we will fight it out. If you have the courage, speak after Budget presentation, not before that," she said.

Banerjee also claimed that her government had done a lot of development work for the state, despite the Centre's neglect and discrimination. She said that her Budget would reflect the aspirations and needs of the people of Bengal, especially the farmers, women, youth, and the poor. She urged the BJP to respect the democratic norms and let the Budget session continue without any hindrance.

The Budget session of the West Bengal Assembly began on Wednesday and is scheduled to end on February 12. The BJP, which is the main Opposition party in the state, has been raising various issues such as law and order, corruption, and violence against its workers.
New Delhi: Farmers who are seeking developed plots from the government as compensation for their land acquisition staged 'kisan mahapanchayats' in Noida and Greater Noida on Wednesday to intensify their agitation. They also declared that they will march to Parliament on Thursday, which is expected to cause traffic snarls on the Noida Expressway and the Delhi borders. The police have issued a traffic advisory for the commuters on the expressway, Udyog Marg, DND Flyway and near Chilla Border, as they have imposed restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC in the district to prevent any untoward incident.

The farmers, under the banners of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha and Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Sabha, assembled outside the NTCP office in Noida Sector 24 and the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority's office to press for their demand of 10% of abadi land. They have announced that around 4,000 farmers will converge at the Harola community centre in Sector 5 on Thursday at noon and proceed towards Sandeep Paper Mill in Sector 5 before taking Udyog Marg to reach the Sector 15 roundabout and the Delhi border.

Traffic Advisory For Noida:

Two sections of roads from Sector 15 roundabout to the Sector 6 police post and from Sandeep Paper Mill to Harola Chowk will be completely blocked for vehicles. Officials said that they will also regulate traffic movement as needed during the protest at some critical locations like the Sector 15 roundabout, Rajnigandha Chowk, Jhundpura Chowk, Sector 6 police post, Harola Chowk and the Sector 8/10/11/12 Chowk.

Vehicles going from Sector 15 to Jhundpura will be rerouted towards Rajnigandha Chowk from where they can proceed to their destinations. Likewise, vehicles from Sandeep Paper Mill will be rerouted towards IGL Chowk in Sector 1 and Rohan Motors T-point. From there, vehicles can go towards Golchakkar Chowk or Ashok Nagar to go to their destination, said Anil Yadav, deputy commissioner of police (traffic).

He added that vehicles using Rajnigandha Chowk to go towards Sector 18, 27, 37 and other nearby areas will not be affected unless there is a law and order situation.

Moreover, in case of traffic congestion near the Noida-Delhi border on DND flyway, vehicles using the Noida-Greater Noida expressway and Master Plan-1 road will be rerouted towards the Chilla border. Similarly, in case of congestion near Chilla border, traffic will be rerouted towards DND flyway.

They will be joined by other farmers in tractors, which will likely worsen the traffic situation, both on the route they have planned and the expressway, where the police are likely to erect barricades.
The Congress party is planning to bring a 'Black Paper' against the BJP government after the ruling party said it will present a 'White Paper' on earlier UPA government's economic mismanagement. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is likely to present the report. As the government plans to present the white paper, the ongoing budget session of the Lok Sabha has been extended until Saturday, February 10. There will be no Question Hour session on the extended date. As per a Lok Sabha Secretariat notification issued on Wednesday, extension of the current session of Lok Sabha, as announced by the Chair today (7.2.2024) and agreed to by the House, the current session of Lok Sabha has been extended up to Saturday, February 10, 2024, in order to provide sufficient time for completion of essential items of Government Business.

The BJP has planned to present the White Paper which will show the mismanagement of the economy by the earlier UPA government and the steps taken by the Modi government to improve the situation. It may be notable that under PM Narendra Modi, the Indian economy has become the fifth largest in the world from 11th in 2014.

The last session before Lok Sabha polls expected to be held in April-May this year was started with the address by President Droupadi Murmu to the joint sitting of two Houses on January 31. It was earlier to be concluded on February 9.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, stated that his party is prepared to address any papers the government brings to the House. "Narendra Modi has Congressphobia. We are ready to fight. The government can bring a 'White Paper', Red paper, black paper, we have no problem. However, Mehul Choksi's papers should also be presented to the House," Chowdhury told ANI.

Welcoming the idea of bringing a 'White Paper' to the House, BJP Lok Sabha MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy said that the document is a much-awaited call and should be brought so that the public becomes aware of the corruption that occurred during the UPA tenure before 2014. "The government has passed the finance bill and the interim budget. If I recall correctly, the PM mentioned in his speech that they would present a White Paper on the mess that prevailed prior to 2014. I think it is likely to be listed tomorrow. It is a much-awaited call," said Rudy.
New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remark that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not born in an Other Backward Class (OBC) family has drawn sharp criticism from Narhari Amin, a former Congress leader who is now with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Amin, who is a member of Rajya Sabha from Gujarat and a former deputy chief minister of the state, took to Twitter to slam Gandhi for "insulting the OBC communities by cooking up mindless lies on this issue".

He said that he was serving as the deputy chief minister of Gujarat in the Congress government when the state government notified Modh-Ghanchi as OBC on July 25, 1994. He said that this is the same caste that Prime Minister Modi belongs to.

He also said that the central government's notification to include Modh-Ghanchi in the OBC list came when Modi was not even an MP or an MLA, let alone the chief minister of Gujarat.

I was serving as the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat in the Congress Government when GoG notified Modh-Ghanchi as OBC on 25th July 1994. This is the same caste our respected Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi belongs to. Mr. @RahulGandhi is insulting the OBC communities by February 8, 2024

"I demand Rahul Gandhi immediately withdraw his lies. He should stop defaming OBCs and also apologise to the people of Gujarat for being filled with hate towards our popular Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Amin tweeted.

Gandhi had made the controversial statement on Thursday while addressing a rally in Odisha as part of his 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra'. He claimed that Modi was born in a family that belonged to the general caste and that he changed his caste to OBC after becoming the chief minister of Gujarat in 2001.

He also alleged that Modi will never conduct a caste census in the country, which is necessary for ensuring social justice. He said that only the Congress party will conduct the caste census and provide justice to the oppressed sections of the society.

       OBC 



    5    OBC  



            pic.twitter.com/BkT8TRfZaN February 8, 2024

He further accused Modi of lying about his OBC status and favouring the rich over the poor. He said that Modi does not shake hands with OBCs, but hugs billionaires. He also said that the BJP and the BJD, the ruling party of Odisha, are two sides of the same coin and that they are conspiring to snatch the land of the tribals.

Gandhi's yatra, which started from Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, covered about 200 km in Odisha and entered Jharkhand on Thursday. He was accompanied by senior Congress leaders Ajoy Kumar and Sarat Pattnayak.
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New Delhi: Google is set to roll out a new fraud protection feature for Android users soon. Available within Google Play Protect, the purpose of this feature is to combat the growing scam problem these days. However, the fraud protection feature is under development. Notably, this feature will initially be tested in Singapore in the next few weeks, the first country to trial the feature.

Android users in Singapore won't have access to downloading apps considered unsafe. The company collaborates with the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore to develop the feature, contributing to the government's initiatives against scams.

Financial Fraud Feature

Google has also initiated a fresh pilot project aimed at combatting financial fraud. This project targets the prevention of side loaded Android APK files that seek access to potentially risky permissions. These Android Package (APK) files are commonly distributed through third-party sites, allowing you to install apps outside of Google Play. (Also Read: Mozilla Monitor's New Service Will Protect Your Personal Data Online; Details Here)

These APK files serve as the format for distributing Android apps, permitting their installation within the operating system. In the meantime, Android users are encouraged to minimize APK downloads, carefully review permissions during app installations, and conduct regular Play Protect scans.

In October 2023, a new security enhancement was introduced to Google Play Protect, enabling real-time scanning of APKs acquired from third-party app marketplaces and websites. This functionality has been deployed in major markets such as India, Thailand, Brazil, and Singapore, with plans for further expansion to additional countries throughout the current year. (Also Read: LinkedIn To Roll Out New AI-Powered Feature To Boost Networking)

What is Google Play

Google Play is an online marketplace run on Google to bolster its Android ecosystem. The primary cog in the Google Play machine is the Google Play Storean online marketplace where users can download, buy, and rent a host of digital content.
New Delhi: The iQOO Neo 9 Pro, which was introduced in China in December 2023 alongside the vanilla iQOO Neo 9, will make its debut in India on February 22. The smartphone will be available for sale via Amazon and through iQOO Indias online store. Ahead of the official launch, the price of one of the variants of the iQOO Neo 9 Pro has leaked.

A tipster has shared a product image on X (formerly Twitter) which shows the price of the smartphone. For the 8GB + 256GB variant, the price is listed at Rs 37,999. Moreover, the effective price of this variant can go down to Rs 34,999 after a bank offer of Rs 3,000. Previous reports suggest that the phone will be priced in India at under Rs. 40,000 for the second variant.

[Exclusive] iQOO Neo9 Pro price in India (8GB/256GB variant)

Effective price - 34,999 (Including 3,000 bank offers). Pre-booking starts tomorrow (additional offers and extended warranty).

Crazy deal at around 35,000 IMO.#iQOO #iQOONeo9Pro pic.twitter.com/NO3rPsJYsB  Mukul Sharma (@stufflistings) February 7, 2024

iQoo Neo 9 Pro Pre-Bookings

The pre-bookings of the smartphone started today. Customers can pay a refundable Rs. 1,000 to pre-book the handset. Additionally, they will receive a Rs. 1,000 discount on their final order. (Also Read: Google To Block Android Users From Installing 'Risky' Apps; Details Here)

Chinese smartphone maker iQOO hasnt disclosed key specifications of the iQOO Neo 9 Pro smartphone

iQOO Neo 9 Pro Camera

In the camera department, the smartphone features a 50MP main camera with OIS support and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens. However, the Amazon listing doesnt provide any details about the selfie camera that will be packed with the smartphone.

iQOO Neo 9 Pro Colour

The upcoming handset will be available in Fiery Red and Conqueror Black colors.

iQOO Neo 9 Pro Battery

The handset is equipped with a 5,160mAh battery, similar to the China variant. Notably, it supports rapid 120W charging, and users can expect the adapter to be bundled in the box.

iQOO Neo 9 Pro Processor And Storage

Powering the device is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 System-on-Chip (SoC), coupled with options for either 8GB or 12GB of RAM and a capacious 256GB storage.

iQOO Neo 9 Pro For Gaming Fans

Gaming enthusiasts will appreciate the addition of a dedicated Q1 gaming chip, enhancing the gaming experience by optimizing the device for increased gaming rates. This chip will be able to offer a 144 fps frame rate and 900p resolution to provide an immersive gaming experience. (Also Read: Redmi A3 Price In India Leaked, Set To Launch On Valentines Day; Check Tipped Specs, Colour)

iQOO Neo 9 Pro AnTuTu Score

The Indian version of the iQOO Neo 9 Pro has achieved an impressive score of 1.7 million on the AnTuTu benchmark platform, according to the company. This score is claimed to be the highest in its segment.
A national organization dedicated to honoring U.S. mothers recently named a Colorado Springs resident as its Colorado Mother of the Year for 2024.

Magan Grigg, who serves as the in-house occupational physician assistant for Colorado Springs Utilities, was tapped as the latest Colorado honoree, according to a news release from American Mothers, Inc.

I was shocked when I heard, said Grigg, a mother of three. Im thankful that people feel Im deserving, but there are a lot of mothers out there who are probably just as deserving.

Each year, American Mothers, Inc. reviews nominations from across the U.S. and honors a Mother of the Year from each state. The organization has been honoring U.S. mothers for more than 90 years, according to its website, and counts Sarah Delano Roosevelt, J.C. Penney, and U.S. first ladies Mamie Eisenhower and Hillary Rodham Clinton among its former leaders, members and supporters.

Grigg, 33, was nominated for the award by her former professor, Jennifer Harrington, who was named Kentuckys Mother of the Year in 2017.

(American Mothers, Inc.) does a really great job of picking moms who are not just doing mom things  although that can be a big job by itself  but are also serving their communities and making other peoples lives better, Harrington said. Thats why I thought Magan was a great candidate.

As Colorado Springs Utilities in-house physician assistant, Grigg cares for employees who suffer from on-the-job injuries and illnesses, and manages employees' medical surveillance programs.

Our utility workers are industrial athletes, working a job thats physically demanding and high-risk, doing the work that provides us with water, gas, waste water and electricity, she said. I enjoy helping them.

As the mother of three small children Griggs home life is a busy one, but her caring instinct extends beyond the home  sometimes far beyond.

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In April 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she traveled to New York City, where she served on the rapid-response teams that provided medical care on field hospitals in Brooklyn and the Bronx. Upon returning to Colorado, she volunteered with International Medical Relief in Denver, where she cared for homeless patients living in temporary housing.

In addition to being a mom, Magan focuses a lot on using her medical skills to help people, Harrington said.

That includes operating pop-up clinics on several mission trips to poverty-stricken communities in Haiti, Peru, and Guatemala, where access to even basic medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen is limited.

Its fulfilling because it satisfies my inner desire to care for people who need help, said Grigg, who also volunteers at her church nursery. But more than that, I come away with a huge sense of humility and thankfulness for what I have.

We are so blessed in this country. If the average American goes to a clinic and is only given Tylenol or ibuprofen for a problem, they might feel like they havent been properly served. But these people are so grateful for the medicines and education we can give them. It really renews my desire to continue practicing medicine.

Grigg will represent Colorado at the AMI National Mothers Convention in Omaha, where the 2024 National Mother of the Year will be selected and named on April 27, officials said.

Im really humbled by this award, and grateful, she said. It shows me that someone recognizes the impact Im trying to make in the community, and in the world.
New Delhi: Mozilla Firefox introduces a new subscription service model that will help people to locate and remove their personal and sensitive information from data broker websites across the internet. This new subscription model is dubbed Mozilla Monitor Plus.

According to the company, the new Mozilla Monitor Plus subscription model allows users to eliminate their phone numbers, email, home addresses, and other exposed information typically sold for profit on data broker platforms. It's worth noting that Mozilla already provides a free privacy monitoring service called Mozilla Monitor, previously known as Firefox Monitor. Now, these services have been revamped to bolster user privacy. (Also Read: Redmi A3 Launch Date Confirmed In India, Check Expected Specs, Colours, Camera And More)

Mozilla Monitor Plus will allow over 10 million existing Mozilla Monitor users to conduct scans to detect potential leaks of their personal information and then offer users a tool to help make that information private again. The primary objective of Mozilla Monitor is to simplify this process by actively searching across 190 data broker websites known for trading individuals' personal and private information.

To initiate a scan, users have to provide Mozilla with their first and last names, current city and state, date of birth, and email address. This information undergoes encryption and adheres to Mozilla's privacy policy. Utilizing this data, Mozilla conducts a scan that identifies instances where personal information is exposed, including through data breaches and broker's websites.

Notably, the company highlights that 233 million individuals fell victim to data breaches in 2023 alone, underscoring the importance of such a tool these days. (Also Read: CEO Satya Nadella Wants Microsoft To 'Copilot' India's AI Journey To Foster Innovation)

Subscribers to Mozilla Monitor Plus will enjoy the benefits of monthly scans and automatic removals. Initially, both the free scan and paid service will be available exclusively to users within the United States.
New Delhi: Xiaomis sub-brand Redmi is set to launch its budget smartphone 'Redmi A3' on Valentine's Day, which is February 14th, in India. Along with the reveal of the launch date, the brand has a microsite detailing some of the expected specifications of the upcoming smartphone. The Redmi A3 will be a follow-up to last years Redmi A2, which was launched in May 2023.

As we all know, Chinese smartphone makers usually offer a "Plus" model for these devices, but it isnt immediately clear if the Redmi A3 will have a Redmi A3 Plus variant as well. Moreover, the Redmi A3 is likely to come in three colour options: Green, Blue, and Black. (Also Read: Xiaomi 14 Series Global Launch Date Confirmed; Check Expected Price, Specs, Camera And More)

Let's uncover the expected key specifications of the Redmi A3 Smartphone

Redmi A3 Display

The device features a 6.71-inch HD+ display, offering a resolution of 1,600720 pixels along with a smooth 90Hz refresh rate. It ensures clarity with 400 nits of peak brightness and durability with Gorilla Glass protection.

Redmi A3 Processor

The upcoming smartphone is powered by the MediaTek Helio G36 SoC processor, delivering reliable performance.

Redmi A3 Memory

The smartphone comes with up to 6GB of RAM paired with 6GB of virtual memory, alongside ample storage space of 128GB eMMC 5.1.

Redmi A3 Software

The smartphone is likely to operate on Android 13 Go out of the box. (Also Read: Realme Offers Valentine's Day Sale on Amazon; Announces Deals On Narzo Series; Check Bank Offers, Coupons)

Redmi A3 Camera

The smartphone houses a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front shooter.

Redmi A3 Battery

The device is equipped with a substantial 5000mAh battery, supported by 10W USB-C charging for extended usage without frequent recharging.
New Delhi: The concept of "premium" takes on a whole new significance with Samsung's latest flagship phone, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, a standout in the Galaxy S24 Series. Boasting cutting-edge camera technology and robust performance within a sturdy titanium frame, the S24 Ultra represents a substantial upgrade from its S23 predecessors.

Its distinction is further emphasized by the incorporation of new Galaxy AI features. Beyond featuring Samsung's most advanced mobile CPU, the S24 Ultra leverages AI to ensure seamless and effortless mobile functionality.

In this comprehensive review, we will delve into the various aspects of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, including its design, display, software, camera, performance, and battery life, to determine if it lives up to the hype.

Design

In terms of design, the Galaxy S24 Ultra epitomizes a sleek and lightweight profile that exudes premium quality. Samsung has gone the extra mile to ensure that every detail of the phone's design is meticulously crafted.

It is offered in Titanium Black, Titanium Grey, Titanium Violet, and Titanium Green, ensuring a seamless match with any desired stylish aesthetic. While retaining its distinctive premium touch, this year's model introduces a slightly more angular frame, crafted from titanium for both a robust grip and a lighter feel in your hand. The back glass is layered with metallic paint, giving it an intriguing depth and a touch of elegance.

Situated at the smartphone's base, the Samsung S-Pen discreetly resides within the titanium frame. A seamless push effortlessly releases the stylus, offering a convenient avenue for capturing handwritten notes, jotting down ideas, or skilfully sketching out designs and objects. Additionally, the phone features a single SIM slot, compatibility with eSIM, and an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor for convenient unlocking.

Display

The Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts an outstanding display, rivalling the quality one anticipates from a top-tier smartphone. The display is protected by Corning's cutting-edge "Gorilla Armor," an anti-reflective and anti-scratch glass.

It also comes with numerous enhancements, featuring adaptive brightness and colour tones that assess the surrounding lighting conditions, ensuring optimal visual performance.

Featuring a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen and reaching a peak brightness of 2,600 nits, the S24 Ultra delivers a visually captivating experience. The display is vibrant, showcasing rich colours and impressive contrast, bringing videos, games, and photos to life with exceptional clarity.

Galaxy AI Features

Samsung has incorporated several new AI features into its flagship smartphones, enhancing convenience and accessibility. The introduction of Circle to Search, Photo Assist, Note Assist, and Live Translate under the Galaxy AI umbrella reflects a commitment to improving everyday mobile experiences, ranging from seamless searches to proficient translation of foreign languages

The "Circle to Search" functionality offers a quick and effortless approach to searching for images or products, eliminating the necessity to navigate to Google and input descriptions manually.

Just press and hold the home button, and then employ your finger or the provided S-Pen to encircle the target image, triggering a thorough search. This feature is especially handy when you come across a photo of a product, like shoes or a hat, that you want to buy online.

The integration smoothly spans the entirety of the phone and its applications, guaranteeing a seamless journey from the initial curiosity to acquiring information within secondsall without having to directly open the Google app.

At the same time, Samsung's AI photo editing tools facilitate prompt adjustments, alignment, and object removal for photos taken on the smartphone or within the Samsung Gallery app. In my experience, the tool is easy to navigate, functions swiftly, and substantiates its worth.

Capture any photo, proceed to the Samsung Gallery app, select the Samsung AI button, and use your finger or S-Pen to encircle the object you wish to eliminate. Afterwards, tap the "Generate" button, and witness the magic as the object seamlessly disappears.

Camera

The cameras of the Galaxy Series have consistently stood out as one of the frontrunners in the industry. Much like its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 Ultra, the Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a formidable camera setup, including a 200-megapixel main camera, a 12MP wide-angle lens, and a 10MP telephoto camera for 3x optical zoom capabilities.

The standout hardware enhancement is the introduction of a cutting-edge 50MP telephoto camera, enabling an impressive 5x optical zoom and delivering exceptional optical quality for 10x zoom photos. Under the hood, Samsung has integrated advanced features such as the ProVisual Engine, Super HDR, and a suite of Galaxy AI editing tools, ensuring unparalleled photo enhancement both during and after the capture.

The most significant hardware shift revolves around the switch from a 10x periscope camera to a 5x optical periscope telephoto lens, completing the S24 Ultra's extensive array of photography tools and cementing its status as a top-tier device for capturing stunning moments.

When utilizing the primary and wide-angle cameras, the S24 Ultra operates similarly to its predecessor, the S23 Ultra. It captures vibrant and dynamic photos ideal for social media, while also retaining depth and detail, providing ample material for enhancement through applications like Lightroom for a refined and polished final appearance. Additionally, the S24 Ultra excels in night photography, maintaining the integrity of light sources and preserving intricate details in the shadows.

Loaded with a plethora of video functionalities, the camera on the Galaxy S24 is a powerhouse. It offers UHD resolution recording with seamless access to various zoom levels, 8K video at 30 frames-per-second (fps), and UHD slow-motion video capturing at 120 fps.

Performance

The S24 Ultra is equipped with the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC from Qualcomm, delivering exceptional performance. In a benchmark test, we observed multi-core scores that surpassed last year's chip by 30 to 35 percent, resulting in a remarkably responsive experience for activities ranging from gaming to seamless app switching.

The incorporation of a vapor chamber, now 92 percent larger, ensures that the S24 Ultra maintains a consistently cool temperature even under sustained workloads. Samsung has also elevated the phone's RAM across all configurations to 12GB, a notable increase compared to the S23 Ultra's 8GB base. Storage options remain consistent, with choices of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.

Also, it runs on Android 14 operating system, accompanied by the latest iteration of its One UI software, One UI 6.1. Notably, Samsung has taken a significant stride by aligning with Google's commitment to support, offering seven years of both software and security updates.

Battery Life

The S24 Ultra boasts a substantial 5,000mAh battery, aligning with the evolving standards for premium smartphones and maintaining parity with its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Impressively, the phone delivers outstanding battery life, with the potential for a full two-day span on a single charge, and a day and a half is comfortably achievable even with a mix of light and moderately heavy usage. Even when fully embracing its sophisticated features, the S24 Ultra reliably powers through an entire day without necessitating a recharge.

Despite its commendable battery performance, charging speeds are capped at 45W in the latest Ultra model. Charging up to 60-65 percent in just 30 minutes and reaching 100 percent in approximately 65 minutes, the S24 Ultra offers swift charging, yet there's an opportunity for Samsung to consider advancing to at least 65W charging. Additionally, there's a call for improvement in wireless charging speeds, which have remained stagnant at 15W for the past five years.

Conclusion

The Galaxy S24 Ultra stands out as the ultimate all-in-one device, resembling a sleek monolith crafted from premium titanium and glass, capable of handling a multitude of tasks effortlessly.

With its robust software, cutting-edge AI features, integrated stylus, cutting-edge processor, extended battery life, impressive display, and a highly versatile camera that surpasses competitors in zoom capabilities, the S24 excels in nearly every aspect. Moreover, the assurance of a full seven years of software support ensures prolonged and secure use of the phone.

Despite a few minor quirks, if you're willing to invest Rs 1,39,999 for the best Android smartphone of 2024, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the undisputed choice.
India, presently, facing different kinds of challenges from its neighbours. While at the one side, there is Pakistan which has been trying to foment unrest in India and is riddled with a socio-economic crisis, then there is Maldives whose leader Mohamed Muizzu is trying hard to break the archipelago's relationship with India. Then there is Myanmar which is causing troubles not only to India but also to Bangladesh. While India has decided to fence its entire border with Myanmar and end the Free Movement Region, Bangladesh has sought New Delhi's help.

Amid the deteriorating situation in Myanmar, India has advised its citizens to not travel to the Rakhine State in Myanmar. Meanwhile, Bangladesh has sought assistance from India regarding the continuous influx of Rohingya refugees and Myanmar's military into the country.

Bangladesh's Foreign Minister, Hasan Mahmud, visited Delhi and held discussions not only with Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar but also with India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. The Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry reported that the talks focused on maintaining stability in the region with the assistance of India and ensuring regional security. Bangladesh's Foreign Minister addressed the crisis of the rapidly increasing Rohingya refugee population in his country.

Myanmar civilians and military soldiers are entering into Bangladesh area amid Burmas civil war



Many of them are wounded, hungry and in poor condition



// Myanmar already has fallen, junta govt is escaping the throne



Bangladesh Myanmar border, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh



// pic.twitter.com/Sq0hb8hA76  imtiaz (@imtiaz1899) February 4, 2024

During discussions at the diplomatic level, the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister raised the issue of Rohingya refugees with both Doval and Jaishankar. He expressed concern that this crisis could pose a significant challenge for both countries. Mahmud told journalists that the situation in Myanmar is worrisome for both countries.

This is not the first time that Bangladesh has brought up this issue with India. More than 1.2 million Rohingya refugees are currently residing in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Bangladesh wants India's assistance in resolving this issue and sending the Rohingya back to their homeland. On the other hand, India is facing increasing tension as there is a rise in illegal entry by Myanmar nationals into Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland. While they may enter as refugees, it can pose a security threat. Bangladesh has now decided not to accept Rohingya anymore.

Since the military coup on February 1, 2021, there have been violent protests in Myanmar demanding the restoration of democracy. Not only in the Rakhine State, but reports of conflict between armed ethnic groups and Myanmar's military have been coming in since October last year from other areas as well. It is estimated that around 1.2-1.5 million Rohingya have left the country. It is said that under military rule in Myanmar, crimes such as human trafficking, drug trafficking, and online scams are on the rise. Amid the deteriorating situation in Myanmar, the country's soldiers are also entering Bangladesh and are clashing with Bangladesh's soldiers. There are reports that many bordering posts inside Bangladesh have been captured by Myanmar's soldiers.

Now, Bangladesh, which got liberation from Pakistan in 1971 due to the Indian Army, is now again seeking New Delhi's support in dealing with this crisis.
Supplies from Home Depot and a book titled Fireworks Cookbook helped Edward Kiley allegedly extend a decade-plus set of crimes involving homemade explosive devices, according to arrest records obtained by The Gazette.

Colorado Springs police said Kiley, 69, set off a homemade explosive device outside of a business in late January.

Kiley was arrested on Jan. 23 on suspicion of causing an explosion the evening of Jan. 12 at a Colorado Springs business at 548 E. Costilla Street, located just east of the citys downtown area.

An arrest affidavit obtained by The Gazette said an employee of Colorado Springs Wholesale Florist told authorities that security camera footage had captured an explosion occurring overnight in the parking lot of the establishment and that four of the businesss windows had been broken overnight.

According to officials, at roughly 10:10 p.m., the security footage captured, what appears to be an improvised hot-air balloon with an object hanging from it on fire, getting caught on a fence bordering the parking lot located between 548 and 542 East Costilla Ave.

A flash of light can then be seen in the footage, presenting an apparent explosion.

Police said the explosion is believed to have caused the damage to all four windows and a garage door of the business  about 50 feet from where the explosion occurred.

Police found the make-shift explosive balloon still attached to the fence from which it was detonated.

Police said they discovered a piece of charred, fibrous material that appeared to have been the explosive's fuel source.

According to police, the explosive balloon consisted of, what appeared to be 3M plastic sheeting, with corners tied to a piece of PVC Pex tubing that was fashioned into a hoop, the affidavit states, adding that a pencil had been inserted into the ends of the tubing to connect the tubes, which were eventually wrapped completely in electrical tape. Wires were tied across the diameter of the balloon to support the fuel source.

The incident in January follows at least two similar investigated cases occurring in the area surrounding 548 E. Costilla St. over the past 12 years.

According to police, Kiley was charged and pleaded guilty to possession of explosive charges in late December 2011 and was sentenced to four years in the Department of Corrections.

According to the affidavit, residents in the area told police at the time that they had been hearing explosions in the area for months. .

Kiley admitted to officials at the time to setting off homemade M80s, the affidavit states. Police also said Kiley was making homemade explosive devices, and even admitted to launching some of them into the air utilizing a homemade mortar tube.

According to police, Kiley was charged and pleaded guilty to possession of explosive charges and was sentenced to four years in the Department of Corrections.

Over six years later, in February 2018, Kiley was arrested and pleaded guilty to the marijuana concentrate extraction charge and sentenced to another six years in the DOC.

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Police were able to confirm through utility records that Kiley remained the sole occupant of the residence at 750 East Vermijo Avenue and had been out of prison since at least July 2020.

The residence is roughly one block northeast of the most recent explosion along Costilla Street, the affidavit states.

On Jan. 18, less than a week following the most recent explosion, police obtained security camera footage that shows Kiley driving a Dodge Ram pick-up truck, registered to himself, south on S. El Paso Street just before 10 p.m. on Jan. 12.

Also, an object of plastic material could be seen in the back of the truck.

Footage shows Kiley proceeding to turn west onto East Costilla Street before turning north into an alleyway between 548 and 542 East Costilla Street  the location of the parking lot where the explosion detonated.

The affidavit states after Kileys truck is seen driving into the alleyway. A short time after he is seen driving into the alley the same homemade-style hot air balloon can be seen rising from the area, the affidavit states.

The footage then shows the truck registered to Kiley exiting the alley and traveling back in the direction of Kileys residence along East Vermijo.

No other vehicle or person is observed entering or leaving the alleyway where the explosion occurs in the available video, the affidavit states.

In addition to linking Kileys truck to the scene on the night of the explosion, police discovered a receipt from the Home Depot at 102 N. Academy Blvd., listing pieces of purchased Pex tubing  the same tubing found at the scene of the explosion, and discovered in the bed of Kileys truck.

Additionally, while searching Kileys home, investigators discovered several, cans of black explosive powder commonly used for reloading ammunition, along with multiple other canisters of mixed explosive, energetic material.

Police also discovered a large amount of drug paraphernalia on top of Kileys bedside table consisting of smoking pipes, scales, torches and a plastic baggie containing a white crystalline substance.

According to the affidavit, the substance tested positive for methamphetamines.

Lastly, the affidavit states law enforcement discovered a book titled, Fireworks Cookbook, sitting in the kitchen inside Kileys residence.

Through a joint investigation with Home Depot, Kiley appears on security camera footage purchasing the Pex piping on the same date listed on the discovered receipt, along with other items used to create the most recent explosive device.

According to the affidavit, Kiley was arrested on multiple charges pertaining to arson, possession of explosive devices, possession of a controlled substance and criminal mischief. He is scheduled for his first appearance in court Thursday afternoon.
In 1999, Childrens Hospital Colorado launched a workforce development initiative to introduce high school students to the wide variety of career opportunities in the health care profession. On Tuesday, the hospital system announced that the program is expanding to include several school districts in Colorado Springs.

The Medical Career Collaborative program, or MC, is currently accepting applications from high school sophomores at all El Paso County schools, Childrens Hospital officials said.

So many students and future professionals located in the Denver metro region have discovered their passion and talent in health care through this program, so bringing it to Colorado Springs is a dream come true, said Arnold Butiu, regional Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Childrens Colorado.

A primary purpose of the program, according to operations manager Brittnee Merritt, is to create a workforce as varied and diverse as the communities it serves.

The goal of this program, and why it was built in the first place, was to have our communities be reflected in our hospitals, Merritt said. The way to do that is to create more exposure to the industry for students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Students selected for the multi-year program will begin a paid Childrens Colorado internship at the start of the 2024-2025 academic year, when they are juniors. During their 11-grade year, the selectees will gain exposure to the array of different health care fields through monthly field trips, workshops, and certifications. They will also participate in regular debriefing sessions where they can discuss what they see.

Sometimes theyll see things on the (hospital) floors that are really scary, up to and including death, Merritt said. Sometimes theyll see amazing things, like watching a baby being born, and theyll have the opportunity to talk about that.

During their senior year, MC students will receive mentorship and professional development training, including resume and cover letter writing, job interviewing, guidance for post-secondary education programs, Merritt said.

Even if they ultimately decide that a career isnt for them, they will still benefit from the program, she said. These students will learn basic life skills that will carry over into whatever field they choose.

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Ashley Sportel, career-connected learning coordinator for Harrison School District 2, said the MC program could open up a world of new possibilities for local students.

This level of exposure to the health care field is unbelievable, Sportel said. We hope many of our sophomores consider applying for MC to not only benefit from the expanded knowledge of whats possible to pursue in and career support from health care professionals, but to also provide organizations like Childrens (Hospital) Colorado with their unique perspectives, skillsets and diverse ideas.

One of the programs goals is to infuse the profession with a more diverse workforce, but that doesnt mean that only students of color should apply, Merritt said.

People often think of diversity as just being race, she said. We think of diversity in terms of ability, gender, sexuality, economics  just the gamut of what makes a person a person. It runs so much deeper than just skin color.

More than 110 MC alum have returned to the hospital system to serve as nurses, physicians assistants, nurse practitioners, radiology technologists, research nurses and lab scientists, social workers, medical interpreters, and more, officials said. The hope is that the programs expansion will bolster the next generation of Colorado Springs health care workers  at Childrens Colorado and beyond.

We believe the MC program will help build a talented and compassionate workforce that will impact the southern Colorado region for decades to come, Merritt said. Were super excited about it.

Applications for the 2024-2025 MC cohort must be submitted by March 6 at 5 p.m. The application, and more information about the program, can be found at chidrenscolorado.org.
L. Song Richardson, the first woman of color to lead Colorado College, announced Wednesday that she will be leaving the private, liberal arts Colorado Springs school following the 2023-24 academic year.

Richardson, who is Black and Korean, was hired late in 2020 from the University of California Irvine School of Law, where she was the dean and chancellors professor of law. She took over as the 14th president of Colorado College on July 1, 2021.

Richardson's resignation will take effect June 30. In her email announcement, she noted her limitations to discuss certain issues as the leader of a college playing into this decision.

"My legal and academic career has focused on the pursuit of equity and fairness," Song wrote. "As our national dialogue about these topics continues to intensify, I find myself increasingly torn between my desire to pursue that work as an academic with the freedom to fully engage in these debates, express my personal views, and challenge the status quo, and my responsibilities to CC as president.

Richardson will return to a position at UC Irvine, where she can fulfill a "moral obligation" and resume engaging in a number of contentious topics "as a law professor, scholar, and director of an Institute."

The same day, the CC Board of Trustees announced that Manya Whitaker, executive vice president and chief of staff, had accepted the boards request to serve as interim president for the next two years, effective July 1. Since joining Colorado College in 2011, Whitaker has also been its director of the Crown Faculty Center, director of graduate studies and chair of education, and interim director of the Butler Center.

The reasons for our appointment of Dr. Whitaker are many, and are grounded in her knowledge of CC, her commitment to its mission, and the drive and skill that have earned her the respect of the board and people across our campus community, Colorado College Board of Trustees Chair Jeff Keller wrote in a separate email.

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Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Whitaker is widely recognized for her collaborative leadership style, the confidence and support she has earned from her fellow faculty, and the close working relationship she has built with our students and staff. The board and I are unanimous in our conviction that she is the ideal person to serve as interim president and advance the colleges goals over these next two critical years.

Richardson came to Colorado College with a goal of making it a national leader in equity, inclusion and educational access. Among her initiatives over the past two years, the university began Project 2024, a series of discussions with faculty, staff, students and alumni concerning the current challenges facing higher education and CC specifically to identify the decisions, investments and commitments needed going forward.

Topics identified during this time include the health and wellbeing of the campus community, anti-racism, ensuring equity and access, protecting the environment, and prioritizing effective communication.

For the first time, CC last year received Insight Into Diversity magazines annual Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award. Colorado College was one of two institutions in Colorado to receive the award last year and one of 102 American colleges and universities in total.

Between now and her resignation, Richardson will work with Whitaker and the board to continue the college's progress toward meeting these goals.

"We have much work to do in the months ahead, and we will do it together. When I leave Colorado College, it will be with love and appreciation that will stay with me all my life," Richardson said.
While city and county leaders reemphasized Wednesday that neither Colorado Springs nor El Paso County are designated as sanctuaries for illegal immigrants crossing the nations borders, and county commissioners urged that community assistance be limited to only whats necessary by law, local nonprofit leaders say theyll continue to do what they always do: serve anyone in need.

I understand what the commissioners were saying: that were already stretched, Andy Barton, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, said Thursday.

At the same time, as to the request that nonprofits just not serve migrants, if someone comes up cold and hungry and asks for help, were not going to let them go unserved, he said. Thats what were called to do.

Springs Rescue Mission, the citys largest homeless-services campus, also wont stop aiding those in need, regardless of their backgrounds, President and CEO Jack Briggs said in a statement.

As long as they pose no harm to others or themselves, we extend our support to help people, he said.

In a news conference announced one hour before it was held Wednesday, county commissioners said that a busload of 30 border immigrants recently had arrived in Colorado Springs.

The Pikes Peak region has not received masses of people crossing the southern border like other cities across the nation.

City spokeswoman Vanessa Zink said Thursday that their arrival was not coordinated by the cities of Colorado Springs or Denver, or nonprofits.

The Salvation Army, which is hosting families from Venezuela according to people staying at the R.J. Montgomery Family Hope Center, a shelter for homeless families, had no part in bringing the newcomers to town, said Capt. Doug Hanson, who leads the El Paso County church.

No Salvation Army staff or officer has or will transport vulnerable people between cities, such as from Denver to Colorado Springs, as has been alleged, he said in a statement issued Thursday.

The Salvation Army is apolitical and is a mission organization responding to the needs and crises of our communities with a ministry motivated by the love of God, he said.

Zink said The Salvation Army alerted the city that some immigrants had entered their shelter over the weekend because the city is a partner of nonprofit service providers.

The shelter accepted the families because it had capacity, she said, but added that the city is not experiencing a crisis regarding new arrivals.

Barton and Briggs said they had not heard of the situation prior to Wednesday.

To date, we have not observed a substantial influx of known migrants, Briggs said.

Said Barton: There was not a busload of folks that showed up at our doors for services.

Over the last six months, Barton said, the occasional migrant family from Venezuela will come through looking for food.

On Sept. 20, 2023, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced an extension and re-designation for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months for Venezuelan nationals already living in the U.S. who have the designation. New arrivals who qualify can apply for the status, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

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A man with a baby strapped to his chest and who was panhandling near downtown Thursday morning said he, his wife and four children came from Venezuela and have been at the shelter for five days.

The man, who declined to give his name, said his family didnt know anyone in Colorado Springs. When asked how and why they ended up here, he said God brought them to the region.

While our dedication allows for short-term assistance in caring for the homeless, it's crucial to recognize that we are not a sustainable long-term solution for migrant populations, said Briggs of Springs Rescue Mission.

The issue becomes a moral one, The Salvation Armys Hanson said.

In working with any state and its agencies, The Salvation Army seeks to promote biblical values, including justice, truth, mercy, equity, human rights and peace, as part of its religious convictions and practice, he said.

El Paso County spokeswoman Natalie Sosa said the commissioners call for local nonprofits to refrain from providing aid to arriving immigrants and their position on the matter had not changed Thursday, despite statements from charitable organizations that they would continue to respond to those seeking assistance.

Sosa and county spokesman Vernon Stewart said Wednesdays news conference was an opportunity for the Board of County Commissioners to articulate its position on the immigration crisis in the U.S. and on migrants arriving in El Paso County.

Over recent weeks the board had considered releasing its official position on immigration and declaring El Paso County will not harbor migrants, but news from the city over the weekend that immigrants had arrived in El Paso County escalated our desire to make our position and stance known, Stewart said.

At least one local nonprofit does not assist border immigrants. Lutheran Family Services office in Colorado Springs has worked and continues to work only with immigrants who are legally in the United States, not those who enter the country illegally, said Floyd Preston, program director of refugee, asylum and disaster response.

At a time when the need for food, shelter and other emergency services is high and could increase if more immigrants make their way to Colorado Springs, Catholic Charities coincidentally issued a public appeal on Thursday for financial contributions for overall operations.

With five months remaining in its fiscal year, the organization, which typically feeds 1,200 people a month in its soup kitchen and provides a food pantry, employment services, maternity and baby items, homeless family services, and assistance for immigrants who have a legal pathway to citizenship for hundreds more clients, is facing a shortfall of $628,000 for its $8 million annual operating budget, Barton said.

As a result, the organization has instituted a hiring freeze, left five positions unfilled and cut supplementary services such as providing gas cards, diapers and rent assistance for clients.

Theres a perception that we got through COVID and now things are going to get better, but for the folks we serve, the impact of COVID is longer than for some of us, he said.

More people are struggling, he said, because of continuing high costs of food and housing, lagging salaries and federal COVID-relief funds expiring.

Donations have decreased across the board, Barton said, from grantors, government programs and individuals. The soup kitchen and other emergency services have taken the biggest hits.

Philanthropic giving is down or stagnant for many area nonprofits, Barton said, yet everyone in the sector of homeless and poverty reduction is seeing an increase in need from residents already living in the region.

To donate to Catholic Charities, go to https://www.ccharitiescc.org/donate/.

To donate to The Salvation Army, go to https://coloradosprings.salvationarmy.org/colorado_springs_corps/ways-to-give/.

To donate to Springs Rescue Mission, go to https://www.springsrescuemission.org/secure/give-today.
The Fourth Judicial District Attorney's Office ruled on Thursday that the actions of a Fountain Police Department corporal in fatally shooting a man on May 20, 2023, were "concerning" but did not support criminal charges.

The shooting occurred the day after officers made contact with James Boyle, 51, regarding a domestic disturbance. The DA statement read that officers met Boyle outside the residence at 3 Taos Circle in Fountain, where he claimed that his wife, Shawna Boyle, had locked him out of the house. Boyle told officers that he did not want them on the property and that his dog was aggressive, according to the district attorney's office.

The next day two different officers, corporal Zachary Corey and officer Destin Alvarez, returned regarding another disturbance call. According to the district attorney's office the officers were in the process of leaving since the alleged victim in the disturbance, Shawna Boyle, had later said she did not want officers to respond. The officers met the Boyle's adult son Bret Boyle near the residence, where he shared concerns that his father was threatening to kill his mother and had sexually assaulted her in the past.

Bret Boyle also shared video of his father allegedly making threats towards his mother. He told officers that Shawna Boyle's mother was in the residence in hospice care and discussed plans for obtaining an emergency protection order for Shawna. He also told the officers that James Boyle had recently been on a methamphetamines binge and had access to firearms in the house.

The officers confronted Boyle and his wife outside the residence after contacting Shawna Boyle by phone. Body worn camera footage released shows Boyle asking whether he was under arrest. When the officers said no, Boyle started towards the door. The officers attempted to grab Boyle, starting a physical altercation in which Boyle was pushed on top of his wife to the side of the door.

At the same time a pit bull owned by Boyle attacked Alvarez, biting him on the face and arm, according to the district attorney's office. Alvarez shot the dog four times, killing the animal.

Boyle crawled off his wife despite the officers telling him to stop moving, and Alvarez is shown using a taser on Boyle in the footage. Boyle starts toward the door again, at which point Corey shoots Boyle twice in the back.

Editor's Note: Warning, the video includes scenes of graphic violence.

The officers render aid to Boyle in the footage, where he can be heard telling the officers "I'm dying. Just leave me alone."

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An autopsy investigation later confirmed that Boyle died of the gunshot wounds inflicted by Corey.

The district attorney's office ruled that Alvarez was justified in shooting the dog since he reasonable believed he was in "imminent danger" from the attack.

The ruling on corporal Corey's actions was less clear cut. The DA statement read that it was "difficult to analyze under the given facts in this investigation and in light of the law. To be clear, [Corey's] actions are concerning but ultimately, they do not rise to the level sufficient to support criminal charges."

In a partial interview shared in the DA statement, Corey said that he shot Boyle because of a perceived threat in the possibility of Boyle obtaining a weapon inside the house.

"Well, he starts turning and I know what hes going to do," Corey said. "Hes going to try to go back into the house. He was fighting us to get back into the house. And in that moment like, it was like time slowed down a little bit, like your adrenaline and everything. He was moving in slow motion, but I saw what he was going to do, and I knew that, I was afraid if he got back inside, he was going to kill somebody. I could not let him get back inside. So, I shot him twice in the torso."

The DA said that the facts of a case against Corey did not have "reasonable likelihood of success at trial."

Daniel Kay, an attorney representing the Boyle family, released the following statement to The Gazette regarding the findings from the Fourth Judicial District Attorney's Office:

"The Boyle family is saddened and disgusted by the District Attorneys rubber stamping the killing, beating and repeated tasing of James Boyle. The Fountain Police department was supposed to protect and serve Mr. and Mrs. Boyle instead they showed up concerning a possible civil Restraining Order and every decision they made after that was the wrong one. Officer Alvarez repeatedly tased Mr. Boyle for over 35 seconds straight and Officer Corey shot Mr. Boyle in the back 2 times standing within 3 feet of him. Mr. Boyle had not committed a crime and he did not have a warrant. There was no reason for him to have been beaten, tased and shot in the back resulting in his death by two Fountain Police officers."

Kay additionally provided The Gazette with a copy of the civil complaint filed by his office on behalf of the Boyle family against the city of Fountain and officers Corey and Alvarez.

Corey and Alvarez were placed on administrative leave following the shooting per department policy. The Fountain Police Department said that both officers were no longer on leave and still with the department.
Migration patterns of the bald eagle combined with the typical winter cold will give Coloradans plenty of great chances to spot this majestic bird species over the next few weeks  if they know where to look.

Each year, between November and March, more than 1,000 bald eagles migrate into the Centennial State, joining Colorado's roughly 200 nesting pairs that claim local residency year-round. Not only does this mean that there are many more eagles to see during the winter months, weather-related factors tend to make them easier to spot.

As winter hits and mountain lakes freeze, eagles get pushed to lower elevation areas in search of fish that aren't trapped beneath an icy surface that forms on high-elevation bodies of water. Many of the lower elevation lakes that these eagles tend to seek out are often in places found closer to human development, thus more accessible for hopeful birders.

This change of location isn't the only factor that makes spotting eagles during early February easier.

The colder temperatures that tend to move in during this time of the year also mean less overall activity for the eagles, making eagles easier to spot at predictable roosts during particularly frigid days. Given how eagles tend to congregate in branches of shoreside trees overnight, spotting them in these areas during the coldest hours of dusk or dawn is a good strategy.

Looking for a place to find Colorado's bald eagles? Lake Pueblo, John Martin Reservoir, Eleven Mile Reservoir, and Barr Lake are several popular spots, but it's recommended that you chat with a local expert at any of those destinations to know exactly where to look.

Find a full list of places in Colorado where eagles are known to frequent here.

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Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade gives a progress report from his downtown office in July on his First 100 Days blueprint, an outline of 42 goals Mobolade has for his first roughly three months in office.
Lisa LaBriola is a principal at Husch Blackwell Strategies and was a Senate Democrat staffer for close to a decade. She served as chief of staff to former Senate Minority Leader Lucia Guzman and former Senate President Leroy Garcia. Opinions expressed here are her own and do not reflect the opinions of any other organizations. Sage Naumann is a conservative commentator and strategist. He operates Anthem Communications and was previously the spokesman for the Colorado Senate Republicans. Follow him on Twitter @SageNaumann.
In the days leading up to the U.S. Supreme Court's historic consideration of whether Donald Trump is constitutionally barred from seeking another term as president, 73 sets of legal briefs representing thousands of individuals and organizations flooded in to offer perspectives on the Colorado Supreme Court's finding of Trump's ineligibility.
The extraordinary Colorado election case now headed for the U.S. Supreme Court to decide if former President Donald Trump is disqualified from the ballot had its humble beginnings three years ago in the Maryland basement office of a self-proclaimed legal nerd.
One of Colorado's great nature shows is returning for its annual, brief run.

Later this month, greater sandhill cranes are due back en masse to the San Luis Valley, where they stop along their migratory path for the nutritious fields and wetlands. And also for a chance at love. The majestic birds famously mate for life, showing their affection through ancient dances.

Commonly standing 4 feet tall with wings spanning 7 feet, sandhill cranes are thought to be one of the world's oldest species. And many fans say there is no better place to view them and hear their songs than in the world's largest alpine valley.

From around the end of February through March, binocular-wielding watchers and photographers head to the area's wide-open refuges to behold mass flights backdropped by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It is said some 20,000 cranes moving south to north are on the valley floor in early March.

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The 41st annual Monte Vista Crane Festival is set for the weekend of March 8. It's a three-day celebration of ticketed tours and seminars, with free entry to arts and crafts in the Ski Hi Complex.

But anyone can drive themselves around lands set aside for the migrators: the most popular Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge along with the Alamosa and Baca national wildlife refuges. While the birds can be seen at all hours of the day, photographers know the best viewing to be around sunrise and sunset.

The San Luis Valley cranes arrive from their winter nests in New Mexico, Arizona and Mexico. By April, they will have mostly left for breeding grounds around Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.

While the Monte Vista Crane Festival celebrates "unmatched scenery" for viewing, Kearney, Neb. (about a five-hour drive from Denver) calls itself "the sandhill crane capital of the world." The town's viewing guide maintains 80% of the world's sandhill crane population gathers along the Platte River through central Nebraska from mid-February to mid-April.
The extraordinary person in your life deserves the most extraordinary chocolates.

You could head to the nearest gas station to grab a KitKat or Hershey's bar. Or you could even get a Toblerone or a box of Ferrero Rocher on Amazon.

But, because Valentine's Day only happens once a year, celebrate the right way and head to a chocolatier!

Here are seven places to go for the best bon bons, truffles, fudge, ice cream and other chocolate-covered goodies in Colorado Springs:

Cacao Chemistry Chocolatier & Patisserie

In the heart of downtown Colorado Springs at 109 North Tejon St., lies a sweet-smelling, chocolate-filled store. According to their website, Cacao Chemistry uses "organic, fair-trade Valrhona chocolate sourced from partnership farms located in 12 equatorial countries."

Chocolate Bark  Hot Chocolate Mixes  Chocolate Pearls  House-made Truffles

High-end Colorado Springs chocolate-maker hoping for sweet success Sam Lang is the co-owner of Cacao Chemistry, a local business that makes creative gourmet chocolates. Some of the chocolates created by Lang a

Pikes Peak Chocolate & Ice Cream

Head over to Manitou Springs at 739 Manitou Ave. for a chocolate tasting adventure, ice cream included. According to their website, Pikes Peak Chocolate & Ice Cream's "chocolatiers create over 70 different delectable homemade chocolates on premise each and every day."

Bear Paws  Coconut Haystacks  Truffles  Toffee  Hand-rolled Salted Caramels

b7c0d731a1c5e6bdf2e667e2acca929b Otho Spencer mixes ingredients to be microwaved while making homemade Cracker Jack Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at Pikes Peak Chocolate and Ice Cr

Patsy's Original Candies

Located west of downtown Colorado Springs at 1540 South 21st St., Patsy's has been in the Pikes Peak region since 1903. According to their website, Patsy's treats "start with the best ingredients; real butter, pure chocolate, real cream and no additives, or preservatives."

Coconut Snowballs  Almond Toffee Milk Chocolate  Assorted Truffles  Assorted Chocolates

Legendary Colorado Springs candy business back in family's hands Patsy's Candies has a more than 100-year history in the area. It had been in the hands of the Niswonger family since the '50s. They sold the b

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

With two locations around the Colorado Springs area at 1605 Briargate Parkway Suite 111 and 2431 West Colorado Ave., Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has been a staple franchise for chocolate around Colorado. What all started in 1981 as a small chocolate shop in Durango is now a well-known chocolate hub.

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Ganache Truffles  Milk Chocolate Caramels  Nut Patties  Chocolate Peanut Butter Buckets

f7f6b04b621160a002fc332a40cc5f88 Norma Jean Parker dipped a strawberry into white chocolate Friday afternoon, increasing the Valentine's Day treat inventory where she works at

The Candy Bar on Tejon

On the west side of Tejon, across from Cacao Chemistry, one can find The Candy Bar at 124 North Tejon St., which was established in 2012. Among their chocolate truffle flavors are wedding cake, birthday cake and carrot cake.

Dark Chocolate Toffee  Cappuccino Truffles  Milk Chocolate Cake Batter Bites  Malt Balls

021521-news-valentines 01.JPG You cant have Valentines Day without candy, even if its on of the coldest Valentines Days on record. Shahnee Foltz shovels snow for custom

See's Candies

Located at 7630 North Academy Blvd., See's Candies chocolate shop features a candy counter where you can create your own custom box of assorted chocolates. Choose between fruity combinations like lemon, key lime and pineapple truffles or nutty flavors like almond and cafe hazelnut. Visit here to view more.

Dark Caramel Patties  Milk Rum Nougat  Chocolate Coffee Beans  Dark Peanut Crunch

FOOD-SEES-CANDIES-3-LA A box of Sees Candies commemorating 100 years. (Ricardo DeAratanha/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Cole Market

Head to 7830 North Academy Blvd. in north Colorado Springs for artisan chocolate made in-house at Cole Market. Gourmet popcorn is also offered within the categories of buttery, kettle, cheese & savory, candied, caramel, chocolate drizzle and more.

Mexican Hot Chocolate Bar  Butter Rum Truffles  Churro Bark  Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Popcorn

Other Valentine's Day lists:
When Navy Petty Officer Thomas James jumped into action at great risk to himself to stop the Club Q shooter on Nov. 19, 2022, Richard Fierro did the same, tackling the shooter to the ground and almost certainly saving lives.

That's why both men have now been recognized by the Colorado Springs Police Department for their bravery and decisiveness. Following a previous ceremony for James, on Feb. 7 the CSPD awarded Fierro the civilian medal of distinction.

Fierro was among other CSPD personnel and civilians awarded this year for service to the community. The ceremony honored 10 officers and two other civilians for life-saving actions, as well as a civilian, officer and honor guard member of the year for outstanding service in the CSPD.

"Your accomplishments inspire us all," said Mayor Yemi Mobolade at the ceremony. "Your commitment to sacrificial service sets a shining example for all of us to follow."

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Among the other award recipients were CSPD officers that administered medical aid that saved lives, including officers that applied tourniquets, gave Narcan for overdoses, and otherwise stabilized patients until emergency services could arrive.

The two civilians honored with an citizen's award of appreciation also took life saving action: Lance Lazoff, a retired police officer, helped prevent a suicide at the top of a five-story parking garage, while Steven Biery gave first aid to a pedestrian hit by a car.

CSPD Chief Adrian Vasquez said a main point of the ceremony was to highlight the positive effects of community policing in Colorado Springs.

"It is about bringing community and police together to make the best, safest city, and really that's what this celebrates," Vasquez said.
As Corvallis Clinics proposed merger into Optum Oregon awaits state approval, leaders at the local medical offices appear to be preparing for a transfer of ownership to the 10th largest corporation in the world.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people, including patients, some medical doctors and Oregon Senate Majority Whip Sara Gelser Blouin are asking the states health department to block Optums attempted buyout of the doctor-owned clinic founded in 1947.

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.

Fearing the worst, Gelser Blouin, who represents Albany and Corvallis, wrote in public comments submitted to Oregon Health Authority that many companies have skeletons in their closet. She joined many others who focused on well-documented lawsuits or clinic closures associated with Optum's parent company, UnitedHealth Group, a Minnetonka, Minnesota-based multinational corporation.

They are a massive organization that is not shy about repeatedly cutting corners, skirting the law and putting the well-being of patients at risk, Gelser Blouin wrote.

Sellers say little

In its first public acknowledgment of the attempted buyout, the clinics current board of directors blamed financial pressures, citing increased demand for health care as the company sought a solution to keep the business solvent.

Corvallis Clinic representatives have said little about the proposed merger or the circumstances at the clinic that led to Optums offer to buy out shares in the providers ownership.

But directors and shareholders unanimously agreed to the merger, according to a Jan. 30 letter sent to patients, signed by six board representatives, including President Carol Morcos.

We are proud of our contributions to the health and well-being of the residents of the mid-Willamette Valley, board members said in the letter. Our intention is to continue our legacy.

Morcos, board secretary Christine Rivers and an employee who manages public communication for Corvallis Clinic did not respond to multiple emails and voicemails seeking comment before deadline.

In the letter, they describe Optum as a leading information and technology-enabled health services business.

The letter neither mentions that Optum is the largest employer of doctors in the United States, nor that its parent company, UnitedHealth Group, is the 10th largest company globally.

Proposed changes

Optum Oregon expects to spend more on marketing, hire more health care providers and replace and add equipment and software at the clinic, according to a Dec. 28 public notice.

Oregon Health Authority began a review of the merger that could take as many as 180 days from the time the notice was filed.

The submission was heavily redacted: Authors blacked out such information as projected revenue, number of patients and entire pages of the document they submitted to Oregon Health Authority.

The proposed deal is under scrutiny per a state program put in place in 2021 to review potential mergers between extremely large health care providers and Oregon clinics that made at least $10 million in every of the previous three years.

OHA's Health Care Market Oversight program is designed to prevent buyouts from increasing a patients time or distance to get medical care, or reducing the services and providers available to that patient.

In hundreds of comments received and published by OHA, just 10 authors encourage the merger.

Chere Pereira, a Corvallis resident who once sat on the Oregon Medical Board and was the principal adviser to pre-medical students for 21 years at Oregon State University, said in a comment that Corvallis Clinic reached out for a buyer and Optum was the only response.

The clinic is absolutely on the verge of closing, and this sale is the lesser of two evils, Pereira wrote.

Carrie Bolin, who manages patient services at Corvallis Clinic, said in a comment she hopes the practice will offer better wages after the buyout.

Just this week, I am losing three staff  all going to work in Salem for more money, Bolin wrote.

Public pushback

But the vast majority of 327 public comments collected by Feb. 4 specifically ask the state health regulator to deny the merger application.

Most negative comments focus on UnitedHealth. Frequently, commenters are worried about the arrival of the largest publicly traded health care company in the mid-Willamette Valley.

I do not have any alternatives if this happens, which means my health will suffer significantly as a direct result of this buyout, wrote Nathan Waugh, who described himself as a badly disabled adult getting health care under Oregons Medicaid program.

Do not let these greedy insurance scumbags buy our clinic! Waugh wrote.

Wendy Byrne, who has served on advisory boards to the Corvallis City Council and is a physical therapist, said some in her immediate family profited by working for UnitedHealthcare and Optum.

I have seen the wealth that is generated for their upper-level employees by their miserable business practices, Byrne wrote.

Several medical doctors and retired physicians warned that they believe a buyout by UnitedHealth-backed Optum could reduce the level of care seen by Corvallis Clinic patients.

Several more complained about United's insurance subsidiary UnitedHealthcare, that it was slow to pay out or never paid out claims from their offices for services provided to covered patients.

Anesthesiologists are suing UnitedHealthcare in Colorado and Texas for attempting to force physicians out of the insurance giants network.

Locally, hospitals in Albany, Corvallis and Lebanon dropped support for nearly 18,000 customers in 2023 after health care system Samaritan Health Services ended its contract with UnitedHealthcare.

Lloyd Wiggins, a medical doctor and aviation medical examiner based in Corvallis, wrote that he was a physician at Corvallis Clinic when pitched a different merger, one between that provider and two other clinics, Willamette in Eugene and Metropolitan in Portland, into a super clinic.

He said doctors were told the merger would increase business efficiency  and their investments.

However, the only way to squeeze profit from health care is to refuse/delay care and to replace excellent physicians with cheaper resources, Wiggins wrote. This will certainly lower the quality of care.

Encouraging caution

About 25, including Speaker of the state House of Representatives Dan Rayfield, urge caution in the process.

They ask Oregon Health Authority for more public comment time or to carefully consider how ownership by a company that is both a health care provider and an insurance company could affect patients who saw a nearly 50% increase in health care costs between 2013 and 2019, according to a Health Authority report.

Oregon Health Authority lumps The Corvallis Clinic together with three other providers that each have between 10,000 and 20,000 patients, including Samaritan Health Services.

Corvallis Clinic has 11 locations in Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon, Lincoln City, Philomath and Newport.

In its paperwork, Optum stated the physician-owners took a 15% cut in pay and that Corvallis Clinic expects to lose money over the next 12 months.

Corvallis Clinic will retain health care providers who can pass a background check, according to Optums notice. The company did not say what will happen to employees who are not health care or medical providers.

The company began expanding into Oregon in 2020 with the purchase of Oregon Medical Group in Eugene, where it also owns OHR Physician Group. Optum bought GreenField Health System in the Portland area in 2021.

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According to two state agencies, the Oregon Employment Department and Health Authority, estimate as many as one in eight Oregonians works in a health care-related job. Private health care was on track to pay nearly $18 billion in wages in Oregon in 2023, according to Employment Department figures.

In Benton and Linn counties, the same estimates projected private health care wages will total more than $800 million.

Optum netted in 2023 a $16 billion profit on $226 billion in revenue. UnitedHealth, the parent company, made $371.6 billion.

Only nine companies took in more revenue, including Amazon at $574.8 billion; Apple ($383 billion); China National Petroleum ($483 billion); and Walmart ($611 billion).

Disclosure: Staff writer Alex Powers is a patient of Optum's clinic in Eugene.

Related stories:

UnitedHealth subsidiary will buy out doctor-owned Corvallis Clinic The state's health regulatory agency still has to sign off on the deal. The public has until Jan. 18 to comment.
First United Methodist Church of Mason City serves as a spiritual home for its congregants and a welcome refuge for those in need of comfort.

Along with regular services, Sunday school and Bible study, the church works behind the scenes to bring comfort and warmth to children in need of a cozy bed to call their own.

Lori Elbermawy serves as First United's Christian administrator, a position that entails working closely with area service agencies. During the pandemic in 2020, parishioners were looking for ways to positively impact the community and eventually landed on building bed frames for children.

The group states its mission as: "To offer a warm, safe sleeping environment and a sense of ownership to children in need."

Dr. Jim Coddington took on the role of chief bed-builder early on.

"He would build the twin bed frames, and then we would provide a mattress and bedding for the kids. Of course, for a doctor, the pandemic was a pretty busy time, so it wasn't long before we changed our tactics a little," Elbermawy said.

Elbermawy's position means she spends time with families and parishioners to hear about their struggles and successes. "We don't just serve our church members," she said, "we serve our community."

Any service agency can refer a family to the Beds for Kids program. "If a client is working with Crisis Intervention, Friends of the Family, Prairie Ridge, DHS, NICAO or another agency, their worker can reach out for a consultation," Elbermawy explained.

The church gets extraordinary support from local business Furniture Mattress Outlet. The furniture store places orders for platform bed frames and twin mattresses to meet families needs.

"We're so grateful for Jack (Klemsrud, owner of FMO)," Elbermawy said. "Over the life of this program, we've given out over a hundred beds. Dr. Coddington couldn't keep up that pace, so to have the option to purchase these inexpensively has allowed us to continue the program."

Beds for Kids is a donor-based program, although Elbermawy has written the occasional grant request to fill out the coffers. "We have been blessed by our community that they see this need and want to do their part to help meet it," Elbermawy said.

Donors have the option to make a donation directly to First United Methodist Church to purchase bed frames and mattresses, or they can purchase a new bed-in-a-bag bedding set or a pillow to complete the gifts. Bedding and pillows can be dropped off or shipped directly to the church.

Total cost for a frame and mattress is just $220, meaning donations from the community can make a huge impact. Twin size bed-in-a-bag sets generally include a fitted and flat sheet, comforter and pillowcase. Online, the cost can be from just $20 on up.

By January's end, Beds for Kids gave out eight twin size bedframes with mattress and bedding, giving children a sense of ownership. "It's a place that's just for them," Elbermawy said. "Think of how satisfied you are to slip under the covers after a hard day. Kids deserve that, too."

Donations can be sent to First United Methodist Church c/o Beds for Kids at 119 S Georgia Ave., Mason City, IA, 50401 or call Elbermawy at (641) 423-4905. To receive a bed, contact the support agency you are working with to get a referral.

This story has been updated with a correction.
DES MOINES  A public employees union could be nullified if its public employer  like the state, school board or local government  fails to submit a list of workers eligible to vote in a recertification election under legislation advanced Wednesday by Republican lawmakers.

The bills manager said during a legislative hearing the measure is needed to plug a loophole in the state collective bargaining law by which public unions were avoiding required elections. But one Democratic critic called it union-busting.

From 2020 through 2022, the state did not receive information on union-eligible employees in more than 40% of instances in which a union was required to be recertified by a vote of its eligible workers, according to the Public Employment Relations Board, the state board that manages public employer-worker relations.

That means in 40% of instances in which a union was required to be recertified, no election was conducted, according to the board.

Sen. Nate Boulton, a Democrat from Des Moines and a lawyer, said that typically happens when the public employer is certain a bargaining unit would recertify or has a good working relationship with the unit and its workers, and thus does not feel compelled to force the election.

Sen. Jason Schultz, a Republican from Schleswig, however, interprets it differently. Schultz said he believes some public employers are allowing unions to skip recertification elections to maintain harmony with workers and the unions that represent them.

Schultz said he believes that after statehouse Republicans in 2017 passed a state law that stripped public worker unions of most of their collective bargaining rights, some of those bargaining units have been gaming the system. Schultz said his bill, Senate Study Bill 3158, would address that by decertifying a union if the employer fails to provide the list of eligible employees.

I believe, and I think the data shows, that the majority, if not all public employers who are not submitting the list are in sympathy with the union and not wanting to put them through a retention election, possibly because they know that the employees dont feel they need representation. So we have removed the motive for a sympathetic employer to not submit the list, Schultz said.

The rate at which an eligible employee list was not provided to the state and a recertification election was not held fell to 26% in 2023, according to state data. Representatives of labor unions who spoke at the hearing on Schultzs proposal at the Iowa Capitol said that figure dropped after the law was tweaked through the rule-making process by putting pressures on employers with hearings and penalties.

Boulton called Schultzs proposal an attempt to break up public worker unions. Boulton noted that in the years since the 2017 state law change, public worker unions have voted to recertify unions at high rates. Over the past four years, more than 700 bargaining units voted to recertify, while only 58 voted against recertification, according to state figures.

But now, Republicans are pushing (Schultzs bill), which allows employers to cancel union elections before they even happen. The agenda is obvious: eliminate workplace rights, limit wages and benefits, and bust unions, Boulton said in a statement.

We fought against the Republican union-busting agenda in 2017, filling the Capitol with workers and debating the bill all through the night. We wont let them make another anti-worker power grab without a fight, Boultons statement said. We know Iowans want higher wages, better workplace protections, and a higher quality of life  not weaker laws and fewer rights. Now is the time for Iowans to stand up and speak out against Republican politicians anti-worker agenda.

Schultz, after Wednesdays hearing, insisted his intention is not to break up public employee unions, but to ensure compliance with state law. He noted that, under the proposal, if an employer fails to submit the list of union-eligible workers, the bargaining unit can ask the state courts to compel the employer to comply.

My intent is not to beat up or beat down on any further (bargaining) units. But I want this loophole closed because I do believe labor organizations are gaming the system, Schultz said.

Schultz and fellow Republican Sen. Adrian Dickey, of Packwood, signed off on advancing the bill out of subcommittee Wednesday, making it eligible for consideration by the full Senate Workforce Committee. The third legislator on the subcommittee panel, Democratic Sen. Todd Taylor of Cedar Rapids, declined to put his support behind the bill.

Representatives for labor organizations representing teachers, police officers and firefighters were among those who spoke in opposition to the bill during the public comment period of Wednesdays hearing. Some expressed concern that a public employer could put a bargaining unit on a path to decertification by intentionally withholding the required list of union-eligible workers.

Schultz said he does not believe any public employer would do that. But if it did happen, the bargaining unit would have the ability to petition the courts.

The only groups who spoke in favor of the bill are financed by the conservative Americans for Prosperity and the Michigan-based Mackinac Center for Public Policy, both of which advocate across the country for conservative, limited government and free-market policies. The Mackinac Center in 2020 published a report titled, Top 20 State-Level Labor Reforms.

What the Hollywood strikes tell us about the state of unions in the US What the Hollywood strikes tell us about the state of unions in the US Union support reaches levels last seen when Ronald Reagan led striking Hollywood actors Union drives grow more effective Clashes between workers and employers rising Union membership still below prepandemic levels
VF Corp. disclosed Tuesday that a December cyberattack of customer data led to a 2% reduction in third-quarter revenue, or $59.2 million.

VF is based in Denver, but used to have its headquarters in Greensboro. The company owns such brands as The North Face, Timberland, Dickies and Vans.

Hackers were able to steal the personal data of at least 35.5 million customers during a December cyberattack, the company said Jan. 18. The breach disrupted its distribution operations, including its ability to fulfill customer orders that played a role in lower quarterly sales.

The cyberattack disrupted briefly VFs ability to fulfill certain orders during the holiday-shopping period.

Bracken Darrell, in his second reporting quarter as VFs president and chief executive, told analysts in Tuesdays conference call that the cyber incident obviously impacted us, but it could have been much worse.

Darrell provided few new details other than to praise VFs response to mitigate the impact.

I dont think it could have been handled much better, and Im really proud of the team, Darrell said. Weve instituted a range of additional control to de-risk the potential for any future incidents.

Matt Puckett, who is stepping down as chief financial officer, told analysts the cyberattack lowered third-quarter earnings per share by 4 to 5 cents, representing nearly half of the 11-cent quarterly loss.

The company did not report making any ransomware payments as part of the breach. It said it believes the extent of the identity theft is limited since it does not collect or retain in its IT systems any consumer Social Security numbers, bank account information or payment card information as part of its direct-to-consumer practices.

VF said it is cooperating with federal law enforcement and regulatory authorities. It is pursuing reimbursement of costs, expenses and losses stemming from the cyber incident from its cybersecurity insurers.

Reinvent VF

VF provided more details on its latest restructuring initiative known as Reinvent in which it said in its second-quarter report that it is evaluating which of its portfolio brands to retain and which to sell.

Darrell said Tuesday that we are well along the way on this portfolio review that he said in November did not have any sacred cows.

While we havent hired bankers beyond the discussion that you know of, were certainly downstream on discussions on exactly what we do from a portfolio standpoint.

Stifel analyst Jim Duffy said the top divestiture target for VF could be Timberland.

Duffy said VF delivered in the third-quarter report the anticipated bad news, but failed to pair this with any meaningful update on intention to divest assets to expedite debt reduction.

Our sum of the parts and self-help thesis on value creation opportunities still holds despite near-term brand challenges centered around U.S. wholesale. Specifically, we view willingness to divest the Timberland business as a potential catalyst for shares.

In regards to the Reinvent initiative, Darrell said VF has four primary goals: fix the U.S.; deliver the Vans turnaround; lower our costs base; and strengthen our balance sheet.

We are objectively assessing what fits and what doesnt as we look to reshape our business toward the greatest opportunities for near- and long-term profitable growth and value creation.

Darrell said that the brands VF retains will deliver industry-leading innovation in products and marketing, enabled by much more efficient operations.

Darrell said VF is on track to deliver the $300 million fixed cost savings target, which is entirely within our control.

This quarter, we began to simplify and right-size the companys structure, real estate and other non-strategic areas. Weve also identified noncore physical assets, which will be monetized in the coming quarters.

Those include the closing of its corporate aviation program, Puckett said.

Darrell said VF has eliminated revenue and profit guidance for now on both fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2025.

CFRA Research analyst Zachary Warring lowered his 12-month share-price target for VF from $22 to $15, as well as lowered his fiscal 2024 earnings forecast by 25 cents to $1.25 and fiscal 2025 forecast by 50 cents to $1.50.

By brand in third quarter, Vans declined 28% year over year, The North Face declined 10%, Timberland declined 21%, and Dickies declined 16%, Warring said. One bright spot for the quarter was improvement in inventory (down 17% year over year).

We lower our opinion due to continued disappointing operating performance, and will wait and see what management does during its portfolio review.
What do you do when the Supreme Court of United States tells you not to do something you want to do?

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that the answer is simple: Just ignore it.

Roy expanded on Fox News: Its like, if someones breaking into your house, and the court says, Oh, sorry. You cant defend yourself. What do you tell the court? You tell the court to go to hell, you defend yourself and then figure it out later.

I am neither a lawyer nor the son of a lawyer, but while figure it out later is a message I might have once been willing to put on my bumper, I doubt that it is sound legal advice.

Roy was offering advice to Texas regarding how to respond to the Supreme Court decision that federal authorities could remove razor wire that the state put along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Texas should ignore it, he advised.

The GOP seems to be following Roys lead.

When asked by CNNs Jake Tapper whether elected officials should just ignore rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court with which they disagree, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) said, We all agree that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. And if the Supreme Court gets something wrong  for example, if they tried to ban and say that we didnt have a Second Amendment right to bear arms  I think the Constitution supersedes somebody in Washington, D.C., telling us, you know.

Presumably, the somebody in Washington, D.C. is the Supreme Court.

Twenty-five Republican governors issued a statement assuring Gov. Greg Abbott that they had his back in this struggle between state and federal jurisdiction. They said: 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.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) posted on X a picture of razor wire. Beneath the picture was a challenge: Come and take it.

Donald Trump suggested that other states send National Guard troops to help protect the Safety, Security, and Sovereignty of Texas.

Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) tweeted that the feds are staging a civil war, and Texas should stand their (sic) ground.

A few weeks ago, I noted that in June 2023 the U.S. Supreme Court ordered Alabama  a state in which Black voters constitute 27% of the population  to redraw its congressional districts and create a second majority-Black district.

The Republican-dominated legislature redrew the map  with only one majority-Black district.

GOP Gov. Kay Ivey offered her rationale for the states defiance of the Supreme Court: The Legislature knows our state, our people and our districts better than the federal courts or activist groups.

The Supreme Court appointed a special master to redraw the map, as it had ordered.

The standoff at the Rio Grande is the latest conflict generated by the theory that the authority to decide when Supreme Court decisions are binding on states rests in the states themselves rather than in federal courts, a theory with an ignominious history.

It can be traced to John C. Calhoun in the early 19th century, going through Jim Crow, segregation, Orval Faubus and George Wallace, governors of Arkansas and Alabama, respectively, and the Civil War, enroute.

As early in our history as 1803, Chief Justice John Marshall claimed in Marbury v. Madison that the federal judiciary is supreme in the exposition of the law of the Constitution.

It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is, he said.

Pointedly, he added, If the legislatures of the several states may, at will, annul the judgments of the courts of the United States, and destroy the rights acquired under those judgments, the constitution itself becomes a solemn mockery.

That principle, he said, has ever since been respected by this Court and the Country as a permanent and indispensable feature of our constitutional system.

Till now, evidently.
A months-long process of research and petitioning the U.S. Forest Service proved fruitful for a group of C.R. Anderson Middle School students seeking National Recreation Trail Registry designation for the Mann Gulch Trail.

One student said they hoped the application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service for National Recreational Trails would be approved in June.

Instead, the 3 1/2-mile trail was approved Tuesday night as a surprise to the students from the Forest Service and they were presented with a formal plaque.

The students started the project as a part of the C.R. Anderson Mann Gulch Club, which focuses on studying the history of the Mann Gulch Fire. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the fatal wildfire near Gates of the Mountains.

The students met twice a week during lunch to talk about the project and what they needed to research or look into regarding the fire.

Two of the lead educators for the club were Shannon Thomas and Dick McMahon.

McMahon said the project was a "get-to-do type of thing," because they got to work with the kids and work on the project together as a unit.

He said he liked that the kids involved wanted to learn more about the project and the events that happened in 1949.

Smokejumper recounted Mann Gulch recovery effort in photos On Aug. 6, 1949, the U.S. Forest Service sent a recovery mission to the site of the Mann Gul

The Mann Gulch Fire took place in the Helena National Forest, where 15 smokejumpers were dispatched to the scene. They met with James Harrison, a fire guard, who quit the smokejumpers program a year before the fire started.

Thirteen people died as a result of the fire, 12 were smokejumpers and the other was Harrison.

The fire covered 3,000 acres when the wind picked up, causing the crew of firefighters to retreat up the hillside. The crew was ordered to drop their gear and run uphill to find safety. Crew foreman Wagner Dodge survived after he lit an escape fire and took refuge in the ashes; Walter Rumsey and Robert Sallee made it to safety in a rocky area of the canyons wall. These three were the only survivors.

Thomas said the units had students find the slope and speed of some of the firefighters involved in the fire.

The students were able to travel to the site of the fire and hike the trail, while smelling ponderosa pines, which, according to the students, "smelled like vanilla."

C.R. Anderson students Braeden Burke and Grace Shanks said a part of the project was to read books about the events to gain more background information.

Another part of of the project was to create topographical maps using cardboard and paper that showed Mann Gulch along with nearby hills to display in a handheld form.

Students said the hike took about an hour and 45 minutes, but it took "way less time to get back down."

They described their adventures during the presentation with photographs showing a bighorn ram, ponderosa pines and their boat trip to the site. They also wrote about the history and their findings in a historical narrative.

Burke, Shanks, Melissa Klatt, Zaila Carlson, Shyloh Smith, Cayden Jones, Oliver Kamp, Ryan Driscoll, Gabe Mattern, Damian Rumbold, Zuriah Elkins, Savannah Savage and Lynsey Renney were the students involved in what was called the "Mann Gulch Overlook Trail Project."

Survivors return to Mann Gulch after tragic day In late July of 1978, while Norman MacLean was doing research for his book "Young Men and Fi

There are almost 1,300 designated trails throughout the country, which are land-based or water-based trails. The recreation trails give residents a "close to home" opportunity to go hiking in nature.

"This is a legacy thing for the kids," McMahon said.

He said this will be a project that their children will be able to be a part of and it will continue to grow.

Editor's note: Story updated to clarify the number of smokejumpers who died.
Forest seeks campground hosts

The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest is recruiting volunteers to serve as campground hosts this summer.

Volunteers are needed for the Logging Creek and Dry Wolf campgrounds in the Little Belt Mountains, Thain Creek Campground in the Highwood Mountains and Crystal Lake Campground in the heart of the Big Snowy Mountains.

Campground hosts provide their own trailer and occupy a prominent campsite in a campground. The host help answer visitor questions, explain and encourage compliance with the rules, and provide light maintenance of campground.

Ideally, the forest would like to have a host in each of the campgrounds before Memorial Day and through Labor Day weekend. The host would be able to take days off throughout the week, however, they would need to be at the campground over the weekends.

This position could be filled with a couple of hosts spanning the duration of the summer, so those interested in serving at least a month are encouraged to reach out.

This is a volunteer position only; there is no compensation for expenses. The ideal candidate will enjoy helping people, value a spirit of hospitality, love the outdoors, and will be able to explain and remind people about relevant rules for the good of everyone enjoying the campground.

Contact Recreation Management Specialist Bob Gliko at 406-236-5103 for more information.

Spotted Dog comment due Feb. 12

FWP is seeking public review and comment through 5 p.m. Feb. 12 of its proposed approach to livestock grazing and associated water development on Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

The draft EA for the plan outlines how cattle grazing agreements with neighboring private landowners would be implemented for the overall benefit of wildlife. The plan also prescribes how water sources for livestock would be developed on the WMA.

The draft plan does not approve specific grazing agreements on the WMA, instead it provides a framework for where it could be allowed, what types of practices would be used and how grazing would be monitored and managed. Any future grazing agreements would require public review and Fish and Wildlife Commission approval as part of a separate process.

Email comments to: fwprg22@mt.gov

Or mail comments to:

FWP Region 2

Attn: Liz Bradley

3201 Spurgin Road

Missoula, MT 59804

FWP fishing for comments

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on open water fishing contests proposed for the 2024 open water season.

Participants must comply with state fishing regulations, including daily and possession limits.

Applications for fishing contests may be approved, approved with conditions or denied by the FWP Fisheries Division in Helena. Conditions placed on contests may help to minimize fish mortality, regulate harvest, reduce user conflicts and/or require additional access site maintenance when needed.

Information on the proposed fishing contests can be found on the FWP Fishing Contest webpage, fwp.mt.gov/fish/regulations/contests. All comments must be received on or before Feb. 8.

Comments can be mailed to FWP Fisheries Division, Attn: Fishing Contests, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701, or emailed to FWPFishComments@mt.gov.

122 elk blood samples test negative for brucellosis

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff recently captured elk in the Highland Mountains south of Butte as part of a multi-year Targeted Elk Brucellosis Surveillance Project.

All 122 blood samples collected from captured elk tested negative for brucellosis.

Capture operations in the Highland Mountains were conducted in late January. Thirty elk were outfitted with GPS collars that will be active for one year to help wildlife managers better understand their seasonal ranges, migration routes and potential mixing with other elk herds.

These operations evaluate the presence and understand the movement of brucellosis in Montanas elk populations. The research also helps wildlife managers and animal health officials understand the overlap between elk and livestock on the landscape.

Brucellosis is a bacterial disease that can infect humans, cattle, bison and elk and can result in abortion or the birth of weak calves. The disease is primarily transmitted through contact with infected birth tissues and fluids.

The Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) administers a brucellosis surveillance program for livestock in an area of southwest Montana called the designated surveillance area (DSA). Requirements within the DSA protect the state and national livestock industry from the spread of brucellosis. Livestock within the DSA are at risk of exposure to brucellosis from infected wildlife and are therefore subject to additional brucellosis testing requirements for movement and change of ownership, as well as additional traceability requirements.

Live elk captures in and around the perimeter of the DSA inform decisions on boundary adjustments by DOL. The Highland Mountains are outside of the DSA. The recent test results from the Highland Mountains provide support for keeping the current DSA boundary unchanged.

Montanas Targeted Elk Brucellosis Surveillance Project is a joint effort between DOL and FWP, with support from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. In addition, this project and capture operation would not be possible without the generous support and permission from landowners to capture elk on their property.

More information about the surveillance project can be found online at fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/elk.

For more information about how brucellosis is managed in Montana livestock, visit liv.mt.gov/Animal-Health/Reportable-Animal-Diseases/Brucellosis.

Park tour promises a rocky road

If you want to learn the difference between pictographs and petroglyphs and get a firsthand look at both, join First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park for one of their guided rock art hikes on 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday.

A ranger will lead a guided hike to the pictographs and petroglyphs found on cliffs in the park, and participants will learn about two distinctive methods for producing the rock art found in the area, along with the symbolism and meaning behind the art.

Reservations are required. The cost for this program is $4 and there are 20 spots available for the strenuous off-trail hike along the cliffs. The hike is weather dependent and may be canceled due to poor conditions. Hikers may wish to use Yaktrax or similar cleats for the hike if snowy and slippery conditions occur the day of the hike.

First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park is now in winter hours of operation, and open Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday from 12-4 p.m. and closed Monday and Tuesday.

Admission to the park for Montana residents is free. Nonresidents pay $8 per vehicle. The park is 3.5 miles north of Ulm, just off Interstate 15 at Exit 270. For directions or more information about First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park visit: stateparks.mt.gov/first-peoples-buffalo-jump/

For questions or to reserve a spot for this program, contact First Peoples Buffalo Jump State at 406-866-2217 or andy.keller@mt.gov
After 20 years as the director of the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, Mac Minard is retiring.

During that time, Minard advocated for the state's hunting and fishing guides. He worked through several state administrations, countless changes to wildlife policy and witnessed a transition in the way the organization sought victories in those arenas.

Before his tenure at MOGA, Minard spent more than 20 years as a biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. He planned to pursue a career in furbearer biology, but his knack for statistics and scientific sampling ushered him into a career studying salmon.

Initially he worked studying salmon in the commercial fishing division, but eventually made his way to the sport fishing division and to the inland waters of Alaska. This shift was Minard's introduction to the outfitting and guiding industry.

After bush piloting around his remote 56,000-square-mile study area, Minard and his family moved to Montana where he eventually landed the position at MOGA.

Minard recently sat down to talk about his perspectives and opinions on hunting, outfitting and wildlife policy that hes developed over the last two decades.

The following interview has been edited for clarity.

In your 20 years at MOGA, how have things changed in the state for outfitters and why?

To examine that would be to examine what things were like 20 years ago 

There was just this incredible dissension among organizations that represented themselves as conservation or sportsmen, and had some political clout, because we were coming into the Schweitzer, and then ultimately, the Bullock administration.

The political views of the people I represent are largely conservative, rural values and the House and the Senate were always kind of conservative. So we could essentially pass any responsible legislation we thought we needed, but we couldn't get it signed.

Nobody trusted anybody. Personal relationships really didn't exist among different viewpoints. The common thing, and I was guilty of it and I was good at it, was go to your corner, sharpen your knife and come out fighting.

Fast forward to 2010. I-161 was a ballot initiative brought forward to eliminate what was the outfitter-sponsored license. The outfitter-sponsored license was ... limited to about 5,500 and change on big game combination nonresident licenses.

So it was an effort to sort of cap the industry. The issue wasn't the industry service as much as it was leasing of private land and rank-and-file Montanans not being able to gain access to lands they'd had before.

Ultimately, what happened was the ballot initiative increased the nonguided individual and decreased the guided component. So we ended up in a situation where we had unlimited licenses within the 17,000 that are allocated to nonresident hunters.

Those licenses became available to us at a reduced price. So for seven years the department lost money on nonresident license sales, we weren't selling out, we weren't in a draw. And that was a bit of a boon probably for the industry.

They began to do estimates of tourism revenue and where different segments of tourism fit into the overall fabric of Montana. Well, it was astounding that all of a sudden, outfitting was, at that time, the (sixth) largest in the state only behind food, fuel, (restaurants/bars), lodging and retail sales. That was a stunner.

Then what happened beyond that was a pivotal change in the way MOGA leadership wanted to engage. What emerged was an interest in building relationships with people that might not agree with you or don't agree with you.

Rather than scurrying to our corners and sharpening our knives and coming out fighting, how about we start the process of sitting down and talking? And how about we do it in a way where we agree not to weaponize the information that we're sharing with each other? What do you say we put a measure of trust out there. That is a relatively new phenomenon within this policy space.

Fast forward to the last legislative session where all of a sudden you've got MOGA, youve got the Montana Wildlife Federation, you've got any number of organizations that have usually lined up on policy issues in different spaces coming together on a package of six or eight bills that didn't change the world but they demonstrated to the Legislature, they demonstrated to the governor's office, they demonstrated to the people of Montana, that diverse interests can come together and make things happen. And that is the way to do business.

Whats the greatest challenge MOGA faces going forward?

Well, the threats that come at this industry are in part not any different than threats in any other industry. It doesn't matter if you're a contractor or a restaurant or an outfitter. Recruitment and retention of good quality employees and adapting to a younger, changing workforce and their value systems has become incredibly challenging. Especially in the cowboy world of outfitting where, you know, it's normal to work seven days, 10 days, 20 days straight.

The other ones are regulatory in nature.

There's been sort of a departure from the passion of outdoor recreation as it was 10 or 20 years ago, and moving more toward a different kind. From a less consumptive style to something else.

So we do a tremendous amount of work on the regulatory and permitting side. Those are challenges as well as the reaffirmation of the relationship between the outfitters and the Forest Service. We serve a segment of the public who seek to access their public treasures, but who don't have the ability to do it. They may not have the time. They may not have the skill set, and they may not have the equipment. So we're an important piece of those people enjoying their own national treasures. And by doing that you maintain a level of support for those land bases. So we've got to remind ourselves of that.

From an industry standpoint, the challenges on the hunting side are stability in licensing. If you're running a business where you've marketed, you have repeat clientele, you provided a good service, but you have to roll the dice before you can tell whether you're going to be able to book a client or not, it's an unsustainable business model.

On the fishing side, the growth curve on clients is pretty large, and whether we slingshot into a level post-COVID remains to be seen.

But the challenges that we're seeing in the Jefferson River, the Big Hole and in the Beaverhead, these are real and crowding can be an issue. But also water quality and fish health.

The number of operators on the fishing side of things is really exploded, and we've had conversations. But difficult problems do not get solved the first go around.

What do you think about public land hunters concerns that Montana is trending toward more monetization of wildlife?

You hear this all the time, the monetization side of it, and you can't dismiss it. There's some reality there.

An outfitter makes his money by providing a service. Monetization of a resource in my mind starts with the sale of fish by the pound, for example. If I'm commercial fishing I get paid by how many pounds of fish I produce, right? That's not the case with outfitting, it is a service oriented thing. You are buying my service, my tent, my horse, my knowledge, and I am assisting you to go out and enjoy an outdoor experience. I'm gonna get paid whether you kill something or not.

How does money changing hands for that service differ in any way than a community who bases its hotel sales, restaurant sales on hunters, or sporting goods stores that put on a whole host of specials on hunting gear and equipment, and all (catered) to the hunter?

If MOGA outfitters were getting paid by the pound or by the inch of horn, which they don't, that would be one thing. But that's not the case.

I do think the industry needs to be damn mindful of what the perception is when you're in the field. And make no mistake about it we've got some really, really great people. But we have got some idiots too. Every industry does.

And those guys can undo the good that really good operators have done. And it takes one off to change the whole thing.

I think the larger challenge, from a policy standpoint going forward, is how do you manage the space that the outfitting industry in the tourism market brings to the table economically without disenfranchising those that don't do outfitted hunts.

Do you see more out-of-state leasing of private lands as a concern for the outfitting business?

Well, private leasing of property for the purpose of your own recreation, whether it's hunting or fishing, or some other thing is not new.

To answer your question, yeah, I do. But it's way bigger than just outfitting. It's all of us.

In every form it runs right into the core value of landowner and property rights. It's their property, they choose to do what they want to do with it. Many of them, and this is true with the outfitter leasing that goes on to that revenue stream, can have the benefit of making sure that those lands remain in a working landscape as opposed to subdivisions and and some other way to break them up.

So the trends in this stuff and the new models that are out there are trouble. It's certainly a new landscape that you have to work with, and it's going to change things.

In the outfitter community you are offering these services which require that you have someplace to provide them, and you might be a public land outfitter or you're a private land outfitter. You may own that property yourself or you may have adjacent ranches tied into it. The price that you can do that for from a business standpoint may necessarily be less than what you and I could do if we were a couple of big hotshots and didn't need to worry about a margin.

So generally speaking, the outfitter community can't compete with the prices that some of these hunt clubs or individuals choose to pay. So it has impacted it.

Does the national decline in hunter numbers concern you or the industry?

Not really, because I don't think it's a reality here in the American West. And I don't know that it's a reality in our nation, per se.

People are hunting in greater numbers, if they have it available to them and have some mentoring systems available, for the purpose of providing high-quality protein. And you gotta love that.

I don't know if it makes up for the decline in hunter numbers. But what it does at the ballot box on pro-hunting or anti-hunting issues is that people are now going to favor it. They're going to lean that way, because there's a great value in equality and a clean food source.

Big Hearts Under the Big Sky holds a special place in your heart. Can you tell me about the organization and the work it does?

The Big Heart Under the Big Sky program falls under MOGAs philanthropic arm. So like any trade association, they wanted to find a way to give something back. When you start putting down the markers on the table of what would constitute a model, you realize that the donated trip is the currency that the outfitting community can trade in.

Then when you think about the nature of rural Montana values, it was a matter of identifying a couple of areas that we could serve.

In 2008 we stood up a program that served military servicemen and women who had provided extraordinary service to our country and children facing a life-threatening illness, defined as if something doesn't change they may not see their 18th birthday. Those were the two core groups.

What makes Big Hearts unique in the nation is no other organization in the country that combines professional outfitted services given to the military side and the youth and their family. At the absolute center of this entire discussion is the family.

I think everyone is going to agree that Montana heals.

Many organizations focus on the veteran, many focus on the groups of veterans. We focus on the family in its entirety.

One of the things that I began to realize, having administered this thing 17 years now, is that it is the most important work I've ever done in my life. Bar none.

Does this mean youll have more time for hunting and fishing?

Yeah, that's the idea. At least hunting and fishing without worrying about MOGA.
Anderson will present her program, "More Than a Color: The Marginalization of African Beauty Through History", which focuses on women of color in 1760 French America who figured out how to legally free themselves from slavery only to be bound by government laws. Anderson will also reflect on a recent development: our society has started to see women of color as beautiful.
CHICAGO  Demand for Chicago office space kept falling in 2023, a sign that a true recovery for downtown could be years away.

The drop-off comes even as some high-flying cities like New York City saw demand nearly return to 2019 levels, while tech-heavy markets on the West Coast remain stuck in the doldrums far behind Chicago, according to a new study by VTS, a New York-based software firm that tracks the number of companies checking out potential new office space.

Being in the middle of the pack is what we expected from Chicago, said Max Saia, vice president of investor research for VTS.

New York buildings are packed with finance, banking, private equity and other investment firms, and these industries have returned to the office at a high rate, Saia said, while work-from-home strategies are still popular with the many high-tech companies headquartered in San Francisco and Seattle. Chicagos economy isnt dominated by any of these businesses, so its record is mixed.

As of December, demand in Chicago stood at 45% of the pre-pandemic norm, a 10% decline from the previous year, VTS found. Demand for New York office space was 75% of its pre-pandemic level, followed by Los Angeles at 69%, with San Francisco and Seattle at the bottom with 34%.

With so many workers still attached to their home offices, especially on Mondays and Fridays, few companies in downtown Chicago feel the need to sign big new leases and fill the markets many vacancies. If Chicago offices stay empty for years, it could make it difficult for many owners to continue making mortgage payments, and the restaurants and stores that depend on office workers may not survive.

At the end of 2023, downtowns vacancy rate was steady at just over 22%, a near-historic high, according to Colliers, a real estate firm.

VTS did detect some signs of life in the office market, Saia said. Nationwide, largely driven by the gathering strength of New York City and Los Angeles, overall demand for office space in 2023 hit 55% of its pre-pandemic level, a nearly 20% year-over-year increase.

And even though VTS doesnt expect any sudden shifts away from work-from-home in other cities, including Chicago, companies will in 2024 continue trying to pull workers back to the office.

Its going to be very slow and measured, Saia said. But we feel that at some point it will carry the day.
CHICAGO  Families of gun violence victims are asking the state legislature to reform how police handle unsolved murder investigations through legislation introduced this week.

House Bill 4753, sponsored by Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, would establish a procedure for families to request a review of open unresolved murders or cold cases.

Buckner, whose uncle died in a yet-unsolved shooting, said the bill began as a passion project in 2019 that has gained new momentum since several advocacy groups have begun supporting it.

Last year, we began to talk about what it would look like to beef up the legislation and to put a full press on the legislature to get it done, Buckner said Tuesday.

Another bill from Buckner, House Bill 4754, would require law enforcement agencies to publish monthly data on how many homicides occurred and how many homicides were cleared through an arrest or were otherwise closed.

Hopefully, it allows us to create some accountability in that space so there can be some real consistency between the way law enforcement and communities deal with each other, Buckner said.

In Chicago, police announced last month that in 2023, the department reached a 51.7% clearance rate, the highest since 2019. Clearance rates are an oft-maligned metric, as they reflect crimes which occurred in past years but were solved recently.

The bills, which were introduced Monday, are far from passing. They would need to go through legislative committees in the House and Senate before receiving a vote.

Gun control advocates, who have celebrated several legislative wins the past few years, are throwing their support behind these proposals.

We wont stop until this bill becomes law, Valerie Burgest, a deputy state lead with Moms Demand Action and fellow with Everytown Survivor Network, said on Tuesday. This bill has become our organizations number one legislative priority for this legislative session.

But some law enforcement advocates are wary of the proposals. Jim Kaitschuk, head of the Illinois Sheriffs Association, said his organization has opposed previous versions of Buckners cold case bill.

The intentions are good, but there are a lot of other cases, Kaitschuk said Tuesday.

The bills, Kaitschuk said, would strain sometimes under-resourced law enforcement agencies because they do not provide funding to implement them. He further warned that the bills might adversely impact smaller agencies.

Traffic stops

An unrelated bill, House Bill 4603, concerning police departments drew criticism over the past week. The legislation would have barred police from making minor traffic stops. This would have barred stops for failing to display registration, improper lane usage, tinted windows, defective mirrors or failing to wear a seat belt. It would have also barred officers from pulling over someone for speeding, unless the speeding violation was a felony or misdemeanor offense.

Police groups registered swift and public opposition to the proposal. Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge President Chris Southwood called the bill anti-police and said that it takes the pro-criminal cake.

We urge the members of the Illinois General Assembly to never let such a potential legal lunacy rear its unhinged head, Southwood said in a Monday news release.

State Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, who introduced the bill, has since indicated it would not pass without a substantial amendment. He told the Arlington Heights Daily Herald the bill was just a first iteration or draft meant to start discussions.

Coalition pushes to eliminate tipped wage

An advocacy coalition is once again pushing for legislation requiring employers to pay their tipped employees a base wage at least equal to the minimum wage.

Under current Illinois law, employers can pay their employees as low as 60% of the minimum wage as long as the workers tips make up the difference. In 2024, the statewide minimum wage is $14 per hour and the tipped minimum wage is $8.40.

In October 2023, Chicago City Council leaders passed the One Fair Wage Ordinance to increase tipped workers salaries by 8% each year until it reaches Chicagos minimum wage of $15.80. One Fair Wage wants to pass similar legislation statewide.

At a news conference outside the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday, One Fair Wage leader and restaurant worker Corrine Terrell said the Chicago ordinance is helping support her family.

Well to be honest, I think since it passed in Chicago the workers are happier. We dont have to work as hard to make as much money, she said. We have more time with our families. Its easier to save now. At first, I was only able to afford bills and food, now I can afford other things for my family.

One Fair Wage leader Saru Jayaraman said legislative leaders could introduce the legislation by Friday.

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 2021 State Fair 2021 State Fair
THUMBS UP! To closure and forgiveness. After receiving a 10-year prison sentence, Rashean D. Vorties apologized in court directly to Amber (Johnson) Hooker, the woman he almost killed in a street-racing collision at more than 100 mph. The April 2022 crash left Hooker with multiple fractures and internal injuries, including brain bleeds and being left in a coma for five weeks. Hooker accepted the apology and said, "I didn't think he would apologize to me, and he did, and it was very genuine." That's an admirable sentiment that we know takes courage to express.

THUMBS UP! To Amazon Prime shipping. Amazon delivered packages to its Prime customers at the fastest speeds ever in 2023 thanks to better inventory placement, a new regionalization model for shipments and more same-day warehouses. Amazon said it delivered 7 billion items with same or next-day shipping last year. That's a consumer boon, particularly in remote and rural locations.

THUMBS DOWN! Meanwhile, to Amazon Prime shipping. We also understand the price being paid for that prompt shipping. There's the obvious $15 per month paid by subscribers. Amazon struggles to fully match delivery bodies or drones to locations. Amazon's focus on speed has put it in the crosshairs of labor advocates, who argue the company's fast-paced warehouses lead to more injuries among warehouse workers. We make our choices with our wallets.

THUMBS DOWN! To outgrowing infrastructure. A study has revealed electric vehicles that typically weigh more than gasoline-powered cars can easily crash through steel highway guardrails that are not designed to withstand the extra force. Electric vehicles typically weigh 20% to 50% more than gas-powered vehicles and have lower centers of gravity. Because of these differences, guardrails can do little to stop electric vehicles from pushing through the barriers typically made of steel.

THUMBS DOWN! To a labor shortage. The United States needs an estimated 7 million more homes to house everyone who needs shelter. But to build all those homes, experts say, America would need many more construction workers. The shortage of skilled tradespeople has been blamed on encouragement to attend four-year colleges. Learning a trade is valuable, and we will continue to see these shortages until we can direct people with those skills to those jobs.

THUMBS DOWN! To tax scams. State Comptroller Susana Mendoza has warned of email, telephone and mail tax scams as the 2024 filing season begins. Telephone scammers often target recent immigrants and threaten arrest or deportation if the person doesn't send payment, often in the form of a gift card or wire transfer. Neither the state nor the federal government will call taxpayers, threatening them and demanding payment via a wire transfer, or credit or debit card.

THUMBS UP! To an investment in our agricultural future. Heartland Community College's 29,500-square-foot Agricultural Complex will support the school's agriculture programs and the next generation of students. The $23 million complex includes the McLean County Farm Bureau Agriculture Lab, the GROWMARK FS Atrium and the Funk Family Foundation Outdoor Learning Center.

THUMBS UP! To funding for improvements to the Lake Mattoon marina area. A $599,800 grant will pay for paving the Lake Mattoon Marina parking lot, installing playground equipment, placing erosion prevention stones along the shoreline and making other improvements at the lake.
Begun in 1948, the Crazy Horse Memorial was slow to take shape in the first few decades of its existence. But it's clearly, if agonizingly, getting there. The front half of Crazy Horse's massive stone head  easily visible with a zoom-in on Google Earth or Google Maps  was completed in 1998, his eyes staring sternly to the southeast across the hills. A yet-to-be-finished outstretched arm points his way.

When the sculpture is finished  it's still probably decades away, at least  it will depict the chief, from the torso up, on the back of a horse. The horse's head, with flowing mane, will forever rest under Crazy Horse's arm.

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"It really has been getting there. And people are starting to see that now. It's grown and changed so much in the last four or five years, it's incredible to see," Jadwiga says. "In the next six to 11 years, [we'll be finishing] the hand, the Indian's arm ... going back and finishing up the hairline at Crazy Horse's scalp, and always working on the horse's head, working down toward the horse's head and mane. You start at the top and work down."

The Crazy Horse Memorial (in non-pandemic years) is visited by more than 1 million people annually. The site now includes a welcome center, theaters, a Native American museum, a restaurant, an educational and cultural center, a "university" that sponsors educational programs that allow Native Americans to earn college credit and the inevitable gift shop.

Though there has been some controversy about the memorial throughout its history. Some Native Americans object to its place in the sacred Black Hills, some wonder whether it's all just a big money-making scheme, some bristle at the massive tribute to such a humble and mysterious man and some say that non-Indians should not be running the place. Though it's important to note that the project, on private land, never has accepted any federal or state money for its work. It's supported entirely by donations and visitors' fees.

For those who have long been working on the project  a crew of 15 spends five days a week blasting and chiseling the mountain into what Standing Bear and Korczak imagined all those years ago  the doubters, the impatient, the critics have proven to be not nearly as difficult to shape as the rock itself.

"There's a lot of people that never thought it would be done," Jadwiga says. "And it's not always been easy. You have your moments. My dad had a line; 'Everybody has a mountain ...' Each one of us in life has something that we're struggling with, that we have to get over."

Now That's Interesting How massive is the Crazy Horse Memorial? The entire carving is to be 641 feet long (197.5 meters) and 563 feet (171.6 meters) high. Crazy Horse's face alone is more than 87 feet (26.5 meters) high. In comparison, if you stacked the busts of Mount Rushmore's George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln atop of each other, they wouldn't stand half as tall as Crazy Horse and his trusted steed.
Community BRIDGE at Crossover Kannapolis

KANNAPOLIS - The Community BRIDGE Project was begun by a group of area ministers, lay leaders and City of Kannapolis representatives after the civil unrest stemming from George Floyds death.

The groups purpose is to serve as a bridge to build positive and healthy relationships among diverse groups within the Kannapolis community. As a result, with February being Race Relations Month, the group is taking part in the 26th Annual Crossover Kannapolis service on Sunday evening, Feb. 25, at 6 p.m. The worship service will be held at Centerview Baptist Church, 415 Walter Street in Kannapolis.

Crossover Kannapolis is an annual worship service, among Kannapolis area churches that seek to crossover barriers, i.e. race, denomination and worship styles, that sometimes divide churches. One of the goals of the Crossover Kannapolis service is to demonstrate that unity is possible even in diversity. This goal fits well with the purposes of the Community BRIDGE Project.

The Crossover Kannapolis service will consist of special music from various church choirs and praise teams, Scripture readings about unity, prayers for revival and spiritual awakening and a mass choir with representatives from all the churches will conclude the service. Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant and Kannapolis Police Chief Terry Spry, will participate in the service.

The participating churches include Marable Memorial AME Zion, Centerview Baptist, Living Water Church of God and Macedonia Baptist. The dozen pastors and church leaders from the Community BRIDGE Project in Kannapolis will take part in the service as well.

For more information about the Community BRIDGE Project or the Crossover Kannapolis service, please contact Pastor Willie Rash at centerviewbaptist@gmail.com or call 704-933-2331.

Duke professor at Houston Preaching Mission

The Houston Preaching Mission will feature Dr. Luke Powery Dean of the Chapel and Professor of Homiletics and African and African American Studies at Duke University

as the guest preacher on Sunday, Feb. 25, at Cenral United Methodist Church.

Powery is a national leader in the theological study of the art of preaching and is often a keynote speaker and lecturer at educational institutions, conferences, symposia, and retreats.

Sunday school classes will meet with Powery at 9:30 a.m. in the Youth Room and he will be speaker at the 10:30 a.m. worship service.

It will be followed by a congregational meal. The meal of baked chicken, green beans, macaroni & cheese, green salad, rolls, and sheet cake, will be catered by Second Course. The meal is offered as a gift of the Houston Preaching Mission, but reservations are requested.

New GriefShare program starting

A GriefShare program will be hosted by Cold Springs Global Methodist on Sundays through April 21, from 3:30-5 p.m. for those dealing with life stresses following the loss of a loved one. For more information and to register, go to griefshare.org/findagroup or call the church office at 704-782-1811.

Oak Grove starting GriefShare program

GriefShare Support Group spring sessions will be on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church, room 23. Sessions will be on Saturdays through May 11. Register at GriefShare.org, use ZIP code 28075. The church is located at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. For more information, call 704-455-2763.

Mt. Mitchell pancake supper

The Women of Mt. Mitchell Global Methodist Church will be sponsoring a pancake supper Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 5:30-7 p.m. The church is located at 6001 Old Salisbury Concord Road, Kannapolis. For more information, call 704-933-0155.

Tyro puppets coming to Cold Springs

The Tyro Methodist puppets will perform at Cold Springs Methodist Church at 6.30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25.

All ages are Invited. There is no charge for this exciting show, but a donation to the Tyro puppet ministry is appreciated.

Community breakfast

The first Saturday monthly community breakfast will be held at Cold Springs Global Methodist, 2550 Cold Springs Rd, Concord from 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday, March 2.

The cost is a donation to help support community

Loss of a Spouse seminar

GriefShare Loss of a Spouse is a helpful, two-hour seminar for people grieving a spouses death. The seminar will be held Tuesday, Feb. 20, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Pitts Baptist Church, 140 Pitts School Road, Concord. For more information, call Linda Bounds at 704-793-8155.

Apocalyptic Bible study

James Fore hosts Uncovering Apocalyptic weekly Bible study every Monday at 1:30 p.m. in the parlor at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord. All are welcome.

How Great Thou Art drawing class

James Fore leads a weekly drawing class, How Great Thou Art, every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Fresh produce and more

The Bulb Market at Grace Lutheran Church is open every Friday from 3-4 p.m. with fresh produce for the community.

Cabarrus Rowan Community Health Center will be offering primary care and basic health screenings on-site at the church on the second Friday of each month. Grace Lutheran is at 58 Chestnut Drive, Concord.

Sportscenter weekly Bible study

Join Calvary Lutheran Church for its Sportscenter weekly Bible study. Pastor Debbie Frye hosts the study every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at the Sportscenter, 233 Country Club Drive NE, Concord.

Centering Prayer weekly via Zoom

This Centering Prayer Group meets every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. All are welcome. For the Zoom link, check the Calvary Lutheran Church Facebook page or website http://www.clconcord.org, or call the church office at 704-782-6923.
SALISBURY  The Rowan County Sheriffs Office is the recipient of a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) grant which will allow the county to hire a new school resource officer (SRO) in the Rowan-Salisbury School System for the 2024-25 school year. The $125,000 grant comes from the DOJs COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) Hiring grant program.

The countys grant application received full support from both U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis and Sen. Ted Budd. Said Tillis, Funding law enforcement is one of my key priorities, and I am proud of Rowan County for working to keep their schools safe by hiring a new SRO through the COPS Hiring program.

Budd commented, I am thrilled that the Rowan County Sheriffs Office was awarded this competitive grant funding. SROs play a critical role in fostering trust and safety in the countys schools, and Im proud to have played a part in improving officers relationships with the student body.

According to Sheriff Travis Allen, the new SRO will attend court and juvenile hearings, conduct welfare checks, provide back-up to other SROs, and provide education and training for students and staff.

We are prioritizing school safety in Rowan County and adding this new SRO will greatly enhance these efforts, Allen said. This DOJ funding is certainly a boon, and I appreciate Senators Tillis and Budd for their support.

It is important that our students are safe in school. A new SRO will help relieve responsibilities of the primary SRO, thus furthering the development of positive relationships with the students which will, in turn, help to build trust, Allen said.
SALISBURY  Investigators with the Rowan County Sheriffs Office have ruled the May 28, 2023, killing of 23-year-old Matthew Tyler King an act of self-defense.

Deputies were called to the residence of Jeremy Calvin Kepley on Old Beatty Ford Road near Rockwell at around 8:22 p.m. A female witness reported the shooting by calling 911, but King had already died from his injuries when first responders arrived.

King reportedly came over to Kepleys residence and an argument escalated to King grabbing a firearm in the home, pointing it at Kepley. When he did, Kepley fired a single shot from another firearm located close to him during the argument and struck King, causing his death.

According to the sheriffs office, evidence at the scene as well as accounts of the events from Kepley and the witness prevented immediate charges in the case. Further analysis of the evidence was conducted at the state crime lab and detectives reviewed the investigation with the Rowan County District Attorneys Office.

It was determined that Kepley was justified in shooting King based on the deadly threat he was faced with, however the weapon that Kepley used was a sawed-off shotgun, which is illegal to possess. As such, Kepley was arrested on charges of possessing a weapon of mass destruction on Feb. 5, 2024, and has since been released on a $2,000 secured bond.

No further charges will be filed in the matter and the sheriffs office is closing the investigation.
All Peoples Church of Jesus Christ

Worship at 11 a.m. Sunday at American Legion Post 172. Pastor: Prophet Roland Jordan delivers the message.

Ann Street United Methodist Church

335 Ann St., Concord. Pastor: Rev. Randy L. Wall. In person and Facebook Live worship at 11 a.m. Sermon: I have a friend who has family that does not come with them to church. Scripture: James 2:14-26.

Bethpage United Methodist Church

109 Fellowship Ave. at West C St., Kannapolis. 704-932-5296. Pastor: Rev. McKenzie Sefa. Christian Education at 9 a.m. Worship at 10 a.m.

Bogers Chapel United Methodist Church

1775 Flowes Store Road E, Concord. Pastor: Pastor Eric Shaver. Sunday school 9 a.m. Worship service 10 a.m. (In person or Facebook).

Calvary Lutheran Church

950 Bradley St., Concord. 704-782-6923. Pastor: Rev. Debbie Frye. In-person worship at 8:30 a.m. (casual worship) and 11 a.m. (traditional worship with Childrens Church). Coffee/Cookie Social 9:30-11 a.m. Sunday school for all ages 9:45 a.m. Childrens Area and Nursery available at all times. All services live-streamed and available anytime on the Calvary Lutheran Concord Youtube channel  easy access through our website www.clconcord.org or church app Calvary Lutheran ChurchNC. All are welcome. Sermon Series: Listen God is Calling.

Center United Methodist Church

1119 Union St. S, Concord. Pastor: Rev. Brian Crady. Sunday school for In Betweens and young adults at 9 a.m. Worship at 10 a.m. Nursery is provided during the worship service. Website is www.centerumcconcord.org. Look forward to you joining us for our service! Sermon: Bonafide Glory. Scripture: II Peter 1:12-21.

Cold Springs Global Methodist Church

2550 Cold Springs Road, Concord. Pastor: Rev. Cliff Wall. Worship at 10 a.m. on Sundays. Visit online at https://youtube.com/@coldspringschurchconcord.

Crossroads Church

220 George W. Liles Parkway, Concord. Pastor: Lowell McNaney. Live worship streamed on Facebook, Crossroads Concord Church app or mycrossroads.co website at 9:30 a.m. and 11:11 a.m.

Crown Pointe Baptist Church

703 Tennessee St., Kannapolis. Pastor: Rev. Doug Crawley. Sunday school at 9 a.m. Worship at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary, or view online at our Facebook page. Series: The Supremacy, Sovereignty, and Sufficiency of Christ. Sermon: The Sovereignty of Christ. (Week Two). Scripture: Colossians 2:9-15 ESV.

Eastside Missionary Baptist Church

199 Elgin Drive, Concord. Pastor: Rev. Stephen Burrow. In person services: Sunday school 9:30 a.m. Worship services 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Recorded worship services and other information at EastsideMissionaryBaptist.org. You will be welcomed. Practice social distancing.

Epworth United Methodist Church

1030 Burrage Road NE, Concord. Pastor: Rev. Dennis Marshall. Sunday school at 9 a.m., followed by worship at 10 a.m. We welcome all to join us in person, or you may livestream or watch the recorded service at our website at www.epworthnc.com.

Forest Hill United Methodist Church

265 Union St. N., Concord. Senior Pastor: Rev. Mandy Jones. Associate Pastor: Rev. Wes Judy. We are open for in-person worship. Contemporary worship, 9 a.m. Sunday school/small groups, 10 a.m. Traditional worship, 11 a.m. Both the contemporary and the traditional worship services will also be live-streamed at foresthillumc.org or facebook.com/foresthillumc, in case you dont feel like being here in person.

Grace Church of Concord  A Global Methodist Community

28-B Branchview Drive NE, Concord. Lead Pastor: Michael Dominick. Guest Speaker: Pastor David Wildes (TMS Global). Worshipping every Sunday at 10 a.m. For information about the church visit www.graceconcord.org where you will find links to our Sunday Morning LiveStream and more. Series: Grace Church and Missions. Topic: We want to be an Acts 1:8 Church. Sermon: Upside Down. Scripture: Acts 17:1-7.

Harmony Church Concord

101 White St. NW, Concord. Pastor: Rev. Thad Brown. Sunday school is at 10 a.m. followed by our worship service in the sanctuary at 11 a.m. Sermon: We Were Warned. Scripture: Ephesians 6:12, Matthew 12:43-45. 2 Kings 17:16-17, Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Ephesians 6:13-15. We welcome you to join us in worship! Service is live on Facebook.com/HarmonyUnitedMethodistChurch and we welcome all who are unable to join us in person to worship with us online. For more information, you can call 704-791-2883.

Jackson Park United Methodist Church

715 Mable Ave., Kannapolis. Pastor Laurie Knoespel. Adult Sunday school 9:30 a.m. Worship at 10:30 a.m. Nursery will be provided during worship service.

Kirkwood Presbyterian Church

900 Klondale Ave., Kannapolis. Pastor: Rev. Dennis B. Craft. Worship at 11 a.m. in church sanctuary on Sundays. No mask restrictions.

McGill Baptist Church

5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord, in-person services. Pastor: Rev. Steve Ayers. McGill will stream a worship service Sunday at 10 a.m. on www.facebook.com/mcgillbaptistchurch/ and on YouTube. The services will be live and also available on recording afterwards. Transfiguration Sunday. Sermon: A Glimpse. Scripture: Psalm 50:1-6, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9.

Midway United Methodist Church

108 Bethpage Road, Kannapolis. Pastor: Rev. Craig Allen. Come join us on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. for Sunday school and 10:30 a.m. for worship. Our service is also livestreamed on the web at midwayunitedmethodistchurch.org or facebook.com/midwayUMC. Transfiguration Sunday. Worship theme: Staying Faithful in the low moments (Mark 9:9). Sermon: It Aint All Mountaintops and Sunsets. First Reading: Psalm 50:1-6. Second Reading: Mark 9:2-9. Suggested Hymns: UMH 140, Great is Thy Faithfulness, TFWS 2161, To Know You More.

Mt. Mitchell Global Methodist Church

6001 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Kannapolis. Pastor: Joel Locklear. Office phone: 704-933-0155. Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. (Adult and Children classes.) Worship at 11 a.m. in person or Facebook. Sermon: Transfiguration of Jesus. Scripture: Mark 9:2-9. Ash Wednesday Service will be Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.

Multiply Church Concord

150 Warren C. Coleman Blvd. N, Concord. Pastor: Rev. Douglas Witherup. 8:30 a.m. service held at 280 Concord Pkwy S, Suite 15, Concord. Services at 150 Warren C. Coleman Blvd. N, are Worship and Sermon at 9:30 a.m. and Worship and Sermon at 11:15 a.m.

New Gilead Reformed Church

2400 Old Salisbury-Concord Road. Pastor: Jeremy Churchill. 10 a.m. Sunday School followed by 11a.m. worship in the sanctuary or worship live on YouTube. We hope that you can connect with us online if you cant be with us in person.

Oak Grove Baptist Church

200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. Pastor: Rev. Franklin D. Watkins. 10 a.m. In-Person Worship Service. Also available on Facebook Live and YouTube Live. Sermon: The Power Of His Story. Scripture: Acts 2:32-39.

Rodgers Park Baptist Church

309 E 24th St., Kannapolis. Weekly message from KJV Bible, by Pastor Joel Ervin. Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. Worship at 10:45 a.m. Facebook Live at 11 a.m.

Second Presbyterian Church

1578 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., Kannapolis. Pastor Sue Black, minister. Assistant Minister: Rev. Aaron Price. Sunday school at 10 a.m. Worship at 11 a.m. Sermon: What is Your Name? Scripture: Genesis 32:22-30.

St. Johns Reformed Church

901 N. Main St., Kannapolis. Pastor: Rev. Chris King. Sunday school for all ages, 9 a.m. Worship Service, 10:30 a.m. Website  www.ourstjohns.org. Email/Phone- ourstjohns@gmail.com / 704-932-3656. Sermon: Jesus Deals with Marriage. Scripture: Matthew 19:3-6.

Trinity United Church of Christ

38 Church St., Concord. Pastor: Rev. Nathan King. Worship at 11 a.m., in person or Facebook (live or watch later). Website: commachurch.com. Sermon: The Day I Became A Swiftie by Rev. Dr. Cathy Cook. Youre invited! Bring a friend; we have friendship bracelets to share. Also, join us in Super Sunday fun by wearing your favorite teams shirt (even if theyre not in the big game), or wear purple. See you Sunday!
Leveraging the power of Microsoft Cloud and its Azure OpenAI capabilities, and built in our secure platforms to protect consumer privacy, One Sentence Summary and Ask Telstra were designed with Telstra to arm frontline teams to support customers more effectively, Telstra announced, adding that utilising Azure OpenAIs large language model, One Sentence Summary transforms recent customer notes, interactions, and transactions into a concise summary of a customers recent history and status, and the solution enhances the efficiency and quality of interactions, reducing the need for customers to repeat information.

Telstra says that trials during 2023 showed 90% of employees using the tool saved time and increased effectiveness, resulting in 20% less follow-up contact, and team members also noted the tool enabled them to more quickly understand and tactfully engage with challenging or sensitive circumstances, such as those in need of priority or financial assistance.

Telstra is now extending the roll-out of One Sentence Summary to all contact centre and store teams throughout 2024.

Similarly, Ask Telstra enables employees to search the companys extensive internal knowledge bases quickly and easily for information. Powered by the latest Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service and Azure AI Search, Ask Telstra gives AI generated responses to employee queries, presented via a simple search interface. The technology is grounded in Telstras trusted and secure corporate information resources, notes Telstra.

Team members involved in the pilot were able to more quickly and easily gather information to support customers, with over 80% agreeing the technology has a positive impact on customer interactions. Initially available to 200 Telstra frontline team members in late 2023, Ask Telstra will begin to roll out to all contact centre and store teams through 2024.

Telstras ability to quickly innovate and unlock the power of AI solutions has been enabled by the radical simplification and modernisation of the data ecosystem, in collaboration with partners including Microsoft and Accenture. Underpinning this transformation are robust frameworks and controls ensuring the responsible, ethical, and secure development of AI solutions.

Kim Krogh Andersen, Telstra's Group Executive Product & Technology, says this work has positioned the business to effectively and responsibly harness the power of generative AI.

Were at a profound juncture in a new era of transformation, and it's one that we're navigating in lockstep with our partners. Our deep, strategic relationship with Microsoft is positioning us well to unlock value and growth as technologies like generative AI proliferate at speed.

Weve been on a journey of simplification and modernisation over a number of years. We've simplified our technology architecture and shifted to a 100% API-first approach to product development. Were also migrating workloads to the public cloud and building reusable AI capabilities. Our collaboration with Accenture is now helping to accelerate the work we have ahead. It's a massive undertaking, but it has put us in a position to now rapidly scale bespoke generative AI tools, like Ask Telstra and One Sentence Summary, that can really shift the dial when it comes to helping our teams provide quicker, more effective, and more personalised customer interactions.

Strong, strategic partnerships, like ours with Microsoft and Accenture, are critical to our shared success. By collaborating and leveraging each others strengths, we can ignite innovation and deliver the best products and services for our customers."

Its exciting to see Telstra continue its leadership in AI, by harnessing the power of the Microsoft Cloud and Azure OpenAI Service to enhance their employees productivity and increase customer satisfaction," said Steven Worrall, Managing Director, Microsoft Australia & New Zealand. We are proud to be a part of this journey and look forward to seeing the continued impact these AI solutions have on Telstras frontline workers and more broadly across the organisation.

Karthik Narain, Group Chief Executive, Technology at Accenture, said Our deep partnership with Telstra is focused on accelerating its efforts to become an AI-fuelled organisation. By radically simplifying and modernising legacy data estates, Telstra is building a secure digital core to adopt and scale more advanced generative AI capabilities. In addition, Telstras approach to developing and maintaining responsible and ethical AI is recognised by global industry bodies and will serve as a benchmark. We hope this market-leading work will encourage further advancements through data and AI.

For more information visit www.telstra.com
Security firm Malwarebytes has been one of the few companies or individuals that refused to swallow a bogus report about three million smart toothbrushes being used in a DDoS attack.

A large number of so-called tech publications simply regurgitated the report which first appeared in the Swiss newspaper, Aargauer Zeitung.

Malwarebytes posted a blog [screenshot below] with a single line about the bogus story; under the heading "How to tell if your toothbrush is being used in a DDoS attack" the company's Mark Stockley wrote: "It's not." And the post ended there.

Veteran tech journalist Steven Vaughan-Nichols, senior contributing editor at ZDNet, was among those who fell for the bogus tale, breathlessly writing, "While the details are scarce, we know that the compromised toothbrushes were running Java, a popular language for Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

The only DDoS these toothbrushes were involved in happened on my feed this morning. Be real.https://t.co/610mHcArFD pic.twitter.com/Fgi5vfXEkZ  Jake Williams (@MalwareJake) February 7, 2024

"Once infected, a global network of malicious toothbrushes launched their successful attack. The repurposed toothbrushes accomplished this by flooding the Swiss website with bogus traffic, effectively knocking services offline and causing widespread disruption."

Veteran technology practitioner Robert Graham, better known as Errata Rob in the industry, was scathing in his reaction to the spate of journalists who swallowed the tall tale and spread it.

"Every 'journalist' who has repeated this story has demonstrated their lack of journalism," he wrote on X [formerly Twitter].

"Firstly, they are all just copying the original story providing no additional details. This is already shit journalism.

"Secondly, they don't care whether it's actually true. The original story suggests it isn't - it's a hypothetical.

"Thirdly, as this story does, they push some grander narrative about cyber security dangers and 'how to protect yourself' that is itself garbage."

FIRST THEY CAME FOR YOUR PLAQUE, NOW THEY'RE COMING FOR YOUR STACK pic.twitter.com/gZbwIVMOkT  Rik Ferguson ??? (@rik_ferguson) February 7, 2024

Former NSA hacker Jake Williams dismissed Vaugh-Nicholls hysterics with a single line: "The only DDoS these toothbrushes were involved in happened on my feed this morning. Be real."

The bogus story provided more insight into the current state of security reporting than anything else has in recent times.
GUEST OPINION: Every second, vast amounts of data are being collected, and businesses are working to use that data to advance their operations and meet business objectives. The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies allow companies to transform industries through greater agility, predictability, and insights from unstructured data. In Australia, businesses have been embracing these emerging innovations, with 90% of employees already using AI tools, including 68% using generative AI, including GPT models.

Any AI project requires an investment of time, money, and specialised skills to operationalise. In 2022, companies worldwide spent US$45.8 billion funding AI projects. To justify that spend, businesses need to estimate the potential business value and impact of the solution before making significant development investments. Deloitte Access Economics and the Deloitte AI Institute expect more than a quarter of the Australian economy to be rapidly and significantly disrupted by generative AI. This means nearly $600 billion of economic activity will face some form of generative AI disruption.

Leaders need to understand the pain points they are solving, ensuring they are not building AI tools just for the sake of having AI. This can lead to minimising outcomes and creating barriers to scale that doom initiatives to failure. In fact, its estimated that anywhere from 60-80% of AI projects fail. Despite the growing levels of investment in and adoption of AI, there have been no substantial increases in reported mitigation of any AI-related risks, according to a study by McKinsey.

This idea that technology can solve any issue is known as technological solutionism," a term coined by the technology critic Evgeny Morozov. Technological solutionism, according to Evan Selinger, a professor of philosophy at Rochester Institute of Technology, creates a false belief that we can make great progress on alleviating complex dilemmasif not remedying them entirelyby reducing their core issues to simpler engineering problems.

When companies think that AI can solve any problem, they can wind up on the technological solutionism bandwagon, especially because it is reassuring and financially enticing to have the promise of a one-size-fits-all solution.

Creating an AI strategy prior to investing in a new solution will increase the likelihood that new AI projects and investments deliver on their promise to generate business value. A thorough AI strategy will also limit the possibility of technological solutionism, strengthening the overall investment and helping companies solve actual issues with their tools.

The most common mistakes to look out for

The primary constraint to driving growth and boosting productivity is time. Businesses, their leaders, and employees give up on ideas daily because of a lack of time and resources. Here is where AI can step up to the plate: new, efficient ways to work and reduce mundane tasks through automation. To put it simply, AI can transform operations. The successful implementation of AI provides businesses with new revenue streams, allowing profit margins to grow and maximising return on investment.

But companies, unfortunately, often adopt too many tools at once. AI is not a set it and forget it software; quickly jumping in on the latest solutions will mean you are not getting the best out of your investment. Additionally, AI is only as good as the data used. Data lacking detail or insufficient data will limit AIs value. This will yield unsatisfactory results that undermine investments in AI tools and solutions, so it is critical that data is sourced and vetted correctly.

Part of the challenge is the countless applications for AI within a business, and its often difficult for business leaders to determine where to start. Without a proper roadmap that looks for automation opportunities across the entire value chain, the need for AI spend is jeopardised in the future. With a strategy focused on problem-solving, businesses can set the stage for quickly developing and operationalising AI solutions.

The best path forward

Companies seeing the highest returns from AI will likely follow best practices for strategy, data, models, tools, technology, and talent. By building a plan that clearly prioritises AI initiatives linked to business value across the company, organisations can focus on any projects based on the relative effort and estimated return on investment (ROI). Besides looking for opportunities across the entire value chain, todays leaders in AI adoption also strive for a more mature implementation that blends automation with other restructuring techniques like policies, roles, and company-wide behaviour. With this, each new project with AI will have the potential to deliver a clear outcome for the organisation that can help justify more investment in other AI initiatives to any relevant stakeholders, including the C-Suite and the board.

A comprehensive AI strategy should include architectural and best-practice guidance to help employees develop and leverage robust solutions that fit their needs. Training on AI will ensure employees are bought in on this new technology and can champion its use across the organisation. Because of this, many employees see AI as a solution to enhance job satisfaction. UiPath recently polled 6,400+ global workers and found that 58% of respondents believe AI-powered automation can address burnout and improve job fulfillment.

AI can help employees decrease workloads, learn new skills, and create opportunities for collaboration. When employees can be upskilled, organisations will see a significant and positive impact on the edge of their workforce. When employees can reach beyond low-hanging fruit with their automation capabilities, they can help the company seek opportunities beyond cost savings. These opportunities can allow organisations to build out automation for customer service, a product launch, and think bigger within the overall customer journey through these newfound digital channels.

As technology continues its rapid advancement before us, businesses cant afford to delay the strategic implementation of AI. For organisations that have yet to start investing in AI solutions, its not too late to use this technology to your advantage. However, scaling AI across the business will be difficult without a clear technology deployment strategy. Rather than hastily using the latest trending solution, work with your executive team to develop a clear vision, investment strategy, and objectives for AI to create more efficient operations for both employees and customers.
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Top administration officials plan to meet Arab and Muslim community leaders in Michigan, amid tensions over President Joe Biden's Israel policy in the critical battleground state.

The group includes some of Biden's most senior advisers, including US Agency for International Development head Samantha Power and Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, according to a list obtained by Bloomberg News. The meetings are scheduled to take place Thursday, according to a White House official, who did not disclose which community members would attend.

Biden is facing vocal opposition to his handling of the Israel-Hamas war from Arab and Muslim Americans, criticism that poses an obstacle to his 2024 reelection bid. Michigan is home to one of the nation's largest Arab and Muslim populations, and some Democrats have told the president's team they're worried Biden's stance is alienating a key voter group in a state that he won narrowly in 2020 and is expected to be close this year as well.

White House Office of Public Engagement Director Steve Benjamin, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Director Tom Perez, White House liaison to American Muslim communities Mazen Basrawi and White House aides Jamie Citron and Dan Koh also plant to participate in the meetings, according to the list. CNN first reported on the meetings.

Several leaders in Michigan's Arab and Muslim communities have been invited for a series of meetings beginning at 1 p.m., said two people familiar with the matter. Politicians and other civic leaders from the community are among those invited, one of the people said.

Biden trails Republican frontrunner Donald Trump 47% to 42% in Michigan in a hypothetical rematch, according to a January Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll. The president's team argues his strength with other groups, including older voters and union workers, could offset losses among Arabs and Muslims and say Trump's past inflammatory statements about those communities could turn them back toward the president.

Biden has been confronted by pro-Palestinian protesters in nearly every city he has visited since war broke out following Hamas's deadly Oct. 7 massacre. Critics of the administration's policy have also picketed appearances by top officials, including Power. The US and European Union have designated Hamas a terrorist group.

The president's advisers are meeting with local leaders in Michigan to speak about a range of issues important to them and their families, including the Israel-Hamas war, according to a White House official. The meetings are part of a series of engagements by Biden's team with the community since the outbreak of the war.

Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez met with some Arab-American community leaders in the Detroit area last month, but another meeting was canceled after some who were invited declined to attend, according to the Associated Press.

The president has sought to acknowledge the concerns of protesters, who have interrupted several of his speeches this year.

"I understand their passion," he said during a January speech at Mother Emanuel AME Church in South Carolina. "I've been quietly working with the Israeli government to get them to reduce and significantly get out of Gaza."

(COMMENT, BELOW)
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Nikki Haley titled her 2022 book after the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's assertion that "If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman." She's made a point of projecting that Iron Lady toughness in the 2024 race, from her Reaganesque foreign policy views and 5-inch heels she calls ammunition, to her response when Donald Trump said anyone supporting Haley after New Hampshire would be " permanently barred from the MAGA camp."

"Well in that casedonate here. Let's Go!" the former South Carolina governor said on X, and linked to a contribution page. Within less than 24 hours, $ 1 million had poured in.

Sometimes Haley has struck me as too tough, too harsh. Still, I felt for her when the top politicians from her state  the governor, the lieutenant governor, the attorney general, the treasurer, two congressmen, the speaker of the state House and even the senator she appointed  traipsed to New Hampshire last month to endorse and celebrate Trump. He carried the state easily and is on track to win even bigger in her home state primary on Feb. 24.

Why doesn't South Carolina love Nikki Haley? Or maybe it does, just not enough?

A humiliating home-state loss is sometimes the final straw in a nomination race (see: Marco Rubio, Florida, 2016). It can also make the difference between winning or losing the presidency itself (see: Al Gore, Tennessee, 2000).

Gore and his state had grown apart politically, on guns and many other issues, over his decades in Congress and as vice president. Haley is facing more of a Rubio-style Rubicon moment. In South Carolina, she has trailed Trump by crushing margins in every poll.

At the same time, like Rubio, who easily won a third Senate term in 2022, Haley has not been unpopular in her state. In a Winthrop University poll in November, 59% of registered voters had a very or somewhat favorable view of her, and that rose to 71% for Republicans. And while a new Washington Post-Monmouth University poll of potential South Carolina primary voters shows her approval rating slipping as Trump has attacked her, 54% still say they'd be enthusiastic or satisfied if she became the GOP nominee.

"She is a very conservative Republican and that has made her beloved among South Carolina Republicans," Scott Huffmon, director of Winthrop University's Center for Public Opinion & Policy Research, told me. "They just want Donald Trump to be president again."

That's one problem. The other is that Haley has endeared herself to South Carolina voters far more than to her colleagues in politics. "She really curried popularity among rank-and-file Republicans, while at the same time cultivating disaffection among the political elite," Huffmon said.

Haley's political career took off in 2004 when she defeated a 30-year legislative veteran in a state House primary. Six years later, she became governor after besting a field that included the lieutenant governor, the attorney general and a congressman.

As governor a dozen years ago, Haley chose one-term House member Tim Scott, a conservative Black Republican, to fill a Senate vacancy. He dropped his own presidential bid in November and is now an enthusiastic Trump backer.

"You must really hate her," Trump said as Scott smiled behind him on victory night in New Hampshire. "I just love you," Scott replied. He must be quite madly in love, because just a few days earlier, Scott had asserted that the quadruply indicted Trump would " restore law and order."

Then there's Gov. Henry McMaster, another Trump lover and another politician who has a history with Haley. He was the state attorney general she defeated in the 2010 gubernatorial primary. Four years later, he was elected lieutenant governor, and he endorsed Trump early in the 2016 race. By late November that year, President-elect Trump named Haley to be his United Nations ambassador  allowing McMaster to become governor.

"I don't get too angry, I get even ," he said in his "victory" speech after the New Hampshire vote  then threatened that if Haley didn't drop out, she'd be under investigation in 15 minutes for "a little stuff that she doesn't want to talk about." Scott told CBS News the race would solidify for Trump in South Carolina and "I would love for her to join the Trump team and go ahead and endorse now and not wait any time." But, as Scott also said, "she's tenacious."

The most astonishing thing about the Trump-versus-Haley finale is that, while I personally disagree with her on nearly everything outside of supporting Ukraine and removing the Confederate flag from the state Capitol, she is a candidate tailor-made to nudge the Republican Party into the future: the smart, conservative, 50-something daughter of immigrant Indian parents, with a multiracial family and a husband in the National Guard, who sees the world clearly and wouldn't hand Ukraine to Vladimir Putin.

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Jill Lawrence is an opinion writer and author of "The Art of the Political Deal: How Congress Beat the Odds and Broke Through Gridlock."
2-Story Outhouse

Fest breakfast set

GAYS  The Two-Story Outhouse Festival committee will host a biscuit and gravy fundraiser breakfast from 8-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Village Hall, 815 Front St. in Gays.

The menu will include biscuits and gravy, bacon, sausage links, hash browns, cinnamon rolls, coffee, juice and milk for a free-will donation. Take out is available.

Unitarians mark

Black history

CHARLESTON  The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will celebrate Black History Month with guest speaker Taneya Higginbotham from The RealiTea Project at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, at the First Presbyterian Church in Charleston.

This local group has been instrumental in promoting discussions about racial injustice and racial inequity, intended to stimulate righteous actions and transform communities.

The event is open to the public. Attendees should park in the back lot and use the adjacent door.

For more information about The RealiTea Project and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Eastern Illinois, go to their Facebook pages.

Alpha Upsilon

to meet

MATTOON  The Alpha Upsilon Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha will hold a business meting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, at at the K of C Clubhouse, 312 N 20th St., Mattoon.

The speaker will be John Geib from Veterans Affairs.

If you would be interested in learning more about Epsilon Sigma Alpha (a philanthropic service organization), or becoming a member,

Epsilon Sigma Alpha is an International leadership and service organization that supports local causes. For more information about the group, contact Chapter President Kathleen Grissom at 217-848-2774.

Signup open

for Polar Plunge

EFFINGHAM  The 20th annual Effingham Plunge at Lake Sara Beach for Special Olympics will be held at noon, Saturday, Feb. 24, at Lake Sara Beach, North Beach Road, Effingham.

Attendees at this event help support Special Olympic Illinois athletes across the state with year-round training and competition, as well as leadership, personal development, and health education opportunities.

Event schedule is as follows:

10-11:45 a.m.  Plunger check-in & walk-up registration at the Lake Sara Pearson Building, 15250 N. Beach Road, Effingham.

Noon  Polar Plunge kick-off, including costume judging.

12:30 p.m.  Post-plunge party with free meal for plungers at American Legion, 200 W. Washington, Effingham.

The cost for meals for non-participants is $6 for adults and $3 for children under 12.

For more information or to pre-register, find this event on the calendar at soill.org/event-calendar/

Photos: A look back at 50 years of the Special Olympics Vintage: Special Olympics turn 50 Special Olympics turn 50 Special Olympics turn 50 Special Olympics turn 50 Special Olympics turn 50 Special Olympics turn 50 Special Olympics turn 50 Special Olympics turn 50 John Glenn Special Olympics 1970 Special Olympics 1973 SULROTH, VANTONGEREN, CAMPBELL ASHLEY KILL PRUITT ZABALA PECOR Yao Ming Kennedy Special Olympics 1976 Special Olympics Bush Reeve 1981 MURRILLS GREECE SPECIAL OLYMPICS PA Special Olympics Special Olympics Opening Ceremony 1995 SPECIAL OLYMPICS HAYNES Arnold Schwarzenegger
100 years ago,

Feb. 8, 1924

MATTOON  The Lions organization has decided not to dedicate the new Lincoln monument in Shiloh cemetery on Feb. 12, Abraham Lincoln's birthday, on account of the winter season. Instead, it now is thought the dedication will be made on Decoration Day, May 30. Plans contemplated are for an unusually auspicious occasion, when people from afar will be given opportunity to visit this Coles county shrine of Lincoln...HIDALGO  Prompt denial that any broomcorn has been sold at or near Hidalgo at $250 a ton recently is made in a letter received by the JG on Feb. 5 from P.A. Killough and wife, broomcorn buyers at Hidalgo, and is an answer to a news story in Monday's JG relative to broomcorn matters, "There have been but three small lots sold here since about Thanksgiving. These were about forty bales sold by John Mathews to Herman Cable, agent for Thomas Monahan of Arcola, at $200 a ton; Charles Allison, about forty bales to Jimmie Nunamaker, Greenup, at $150 a ton, and the third sale was twelve or fifteen bales by Charles Spraggins to Elya McComas, of Rose Hill, with J.O. Reynolds of Mattoon at $130 a ton," said Killough.

50 years ago, 1974

MATTOON  A group of Mattoon businessmen has pledged to raise the $55,000 needed to send the Jefferson Junior High School Band to Holland. Duane Alexander, of Alexander's Office Equipment Co., told the Journal Gazette today that the money was "guaranteed." Alexander is a member of the Jefferson band parents association. He said he could not release at this time the name of the businessman who contacted him. Ray Lane, Mattoon school superintendent, told the JG Wednesday that money for the trip to Holland was not readily available. He said that was one reason the board rejected the invitation. Alexander, however, said that the fact that $55,000 has already been offered makes that argument invalid. Alexander said he hoped the school board would "reconsider" its decision. He admitted that getting the band ready would put Jefferson Band director Richard Isenogle "under a lot of pressure." The JG asked Isenogle today if the band could ready in time to go to Holland if the trip were approved. "No way," he replied. "I have already sent in a letter that we are not going. I think I have just about had it with Holland and I don't believe we will go this year," he added. The Mattoon School board apparently plans to issue a statement in connection with the trip Tuesday night. That was what the JG was told today by a spokesman in the superintendent's office.

25 years ago, 1999

TUSCOLA  About 100 Korean War veterans from six states gathered Saturday at the site of the proposed first-ever Korean War Veterans National Museum and Library with dreams of making the project happen. The veterans are confident the 161,000-square-foot, seven gallery museum will become a reality, but the project will cost about $32 million and only $104,000 has been collected so far. A nationwide campaign for funds is underway. Why build a museum in Tuscola dedicated to the Korean War? The national director of the Korean War Veterans Association, John M. Settle of Ft. Wayne, Ind., is concerned that young people are not getting a full American history lesson. Settle says a centrally located museum with everything from small artifacts to uniforms to tanks is what America needs...MATTOON  Contestants aged from birth to 27 years competed in the Sunburst USA preliminary pageant at the Cross County Mall Saturday. For some contestants it was a tiresome event, as with 16-month-old Peyton McCoy of Mattoon who rested on her mother's lap after her division passed before the judges. Sleeping peacefully on her mother's lap, her mother, Jamie McCoy, said Peyton tied for first place with Taylor Rippey of Charleston in the Tiny Girl Queen division contest.
CHARLESTON  Multiple search groups have been helping look for a missing Edgar County man who was last seen in southeast Coles County.

Coles County Chief Deputy Tyler Heleine said law enforcement officers and more than 45 other searchers spent Tuesday combing through approximately 400 acres in the vicinity of where Chad N. Brooks was last sighted on Jan. 31 outside of Westfield in Coles County. White was seen at the time walking away from his white Dodge pick-up truck, which has been recovered.

"We have put a lot of resources into trying to locate this individual," Heleine said.

Brooks was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with reflective stripes, the Edgar County Sheriff's Office reported. Brooks has no known cellphone. He has brown hair, blue eyes and several tattoos; stands 5 feet, 8 inches tall, and weighs 160 pounds. A "missing person" poster shared Thursday afternoon said Brooks lives in Marshall, which is near the county line of Edgar and Clark counties.

Tuesday's search party included personnel from the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and search and rescue teams from McLean and St. Clair counties. Heleine said they also fielded four drones, three canine units, and the Lincoln Fire Protection District-based dive team, which searched ponds and other small bodies of water.

Heleine said local law enforcement agencies are continuing to pursue this missing person case, which is being led by the Edgar County Sheriff's Office. He said family members of Brown have been helping with the search, including by posting flyers throughout Coles County. Anyone with information about Brown's whereabouts is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency.

Who are they? IL children reported missing as of January 28 These are recent reports of missing children made to local law enforcement. If you think you have seen a missing child, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
CHICAGO  When longtime state legislator Annazette Collins left office a decade ago, she went through a revolving door thats practically a tradition in Illinois, forming a lobbying and consulting firm that helped major companies such as AT&T and ComEd gain traction with her former colleagues in the General Assembly.

Like many politicians who traveled the same well-worn path, Collins did very well. In the first year, her firm pulled in $90,000 in receipts, a figure that had more than doubled by 2016, federal prosecutors say.

In addition to paying herself a salary, Collins used her firms funds to pay for personal expenses like her mortgage, gym membership, day care and private school tuition for her daughter, according to prosecutors.

But when it came time to file her federal income taxes, Collins company, Kourtnie Nicole Corp., suddenly looked far less lucrative, prosecutors said in opening statements in Collins tax fraud case Tuesday.

Between 2014 and 2018, Collins vastly underreported her income on tax returns, including one return showing shed made as little as $11,500, according to prosecutors. She also failed to file a personal return in 2016 and filed no corporate income tax return for her firm in 2015 or 2016, even though the company was annually making six figures, according to prosecutors.

In all, prosecutors allege, Collins avoided paying $99,800 in federal taxes over the five-year period in the indictment.

(Collins) was a former Illinois state senator and representative who for years had been trusted with making the laws of the state of Illinois, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Parthum said in her opening statement. But when the time came for her to follow the law she chose not to.

Collins, 61, who represented Chicagos West Side before losing in the Democratic primary in 2012, is charged with three counts of filing a false individual income tax return, two counts of failing to file a corporate income tax return, and one count of willfully failing to file an individual income tax return. The most serious charges carry up to three years in prison.

In his opening remarks Tuesday, Collins attorney, Shay Allen, described his client not as some sophisticated ex-lawmaker but as an everyday wife, mother and colleague who is a hard-working citizen of this country.

He said like most people clueless about tax laws, Collins placed her trust in a pair of accounting experts to file accurate returns, and that any discrepancies or failures to file rest at their feet.

The government expects you to believe that Ms. Collins willfully shafted the government out of a hundred thousand dollars, Allen said. This isnt some large, overarching scam or scheme that Ms. Collins was a part of. This was bad accounting.

Pointing to the prosecution table stacked with folders full of documents, Allen said the governments strategy was to wheel in big carts of stuff and say look at this paper, look at that document. But its not going to prove anything, he said.

Its gonna prove they have damn good copiers, Allen said sarcastically. Its gonna prove they dont care much about the environment.

Collins was indicted in 2021 amid the sprawling investigation into an alleged scheme by ComEd to bribe then-House Speaker Michael Madigan.

The charges came as federal authorities were closing in on Madigan, indicting a string of ex-lawmakers and lobbyists with ties to the then-powerful speaker and ComEd, including Collins former colleague, ex-state Rep. Edward Acevedo and his two sons, who were convicted on tax-related counts stemming from their lobbying business.

Madigan himself was indicted a year later on racketeering charges alleging his elected office and political operation were a criminal enterprise that provided personal financial rewards for him and his associates, including through bribery schemes arranged by ComEd and AT&T.

Also charged was Madigans longtime confidant, Michael McClain. Their trial is set for October.

Meanwhile, Collins name has surfaced in two other recent public corruption trials, including the ComEd Four case that ended in May 2023 with the convictions McClain and three former ComEd executives and lobbyists.

Evidence in that trial featured a so-called magic lobbyist list found during a raid on McClains Quincy home that had the names of former Madigan staffers, associates and allies  including Collins  whod gone on to lucrative lobbying careers scrawled on stationery from a boutique hotel in Chicago.

Collins was also listed as a potential defense witness in the trial last year of James Weiss, a son-in-law of former Cook County Democratic boss Joe Berrios, who was convicted of bribing two state legislators in an effort to pass a bill that would benefit his sweepstakes gaming business.

Collins was not called during the trial, but jurors heard evidence she had lobbied for Weiss business, Collage LLC.

Collins case will be decidedly more dry, as the jury is not expected to hear any evidence of the Madigan or Weiss probes. U.S. District Judge Jorge Alonso told the jury they could get the case as soon as Friday.

On Wednesday a series of prosecution witnesses testified about income Collins received as a lobbyist and consultant from 2014 to 2018, including more than $200,000 from ComEd alone.

She was also paid thousands of dollars in 2014 and 2016 as a contract lobbyist by consulting firms run by staunch Madigan allies: Cullen Inc., run by Thomas Cullen, a former top Madigan staffer and longtime political strategist; and Roosevelt Group, headed by Democratic political operative Victor Reyes, according to testimony Wednesday.

Another witness, Dr. Twin D. Green, testified she hired Collins as a $2,500-a-month consultant in 2018 to gain inroads with the General Assembly for her company, Link & Option Center, a mental health and behavioral clinic based in South Holland.

I knew the work she had done in the legislature, Green testified, saying Collins had worked diligently with the Illinois Department of Corrections and state Department of Children and Family Services particularly on issues facing the Black community. I knew she already had those relationships.

In addition to her income as a lobbyist, Collins also failed to report nearly $100,000 she had separately earned as an agent for American Income Life Insurance Co., according to prosecutors.

After discovering the omitted income in 2016, the IRS hit Collins with $26,000 in assessments and penalties. She entered into a payment plan but stopped making payments, and currently owes more than the original assessment, prosecutors say.

Prosecutors allege that Collins filed an amended return that claimed nearly 23,000 miles in business-related travel and $50,000 in alleged expenses for her job as an insurance agent, including nearly $8,000 for work clothes, $1,000 for cleaning of work clothes, and nearly $9,000 for repairs and maintenance.

Collins was fired from her insurance job for cause in September 2014, but the specific reason for being let go has not been made public.

Collins was a longtime state representative before being appointed to fill a vacancy in 2011 left by state Sen. Rickey Hendons abrupt resignation.

Records show Collins registered as a contract lobbyist for ComEd in 2014, a year after she left office. Her last year registered for the utility was in 2019, when news of the federal bribery probe began to surface.

She collects an annual state pension of about $40,000, records show.
THUMBS UP! To America's farmers, especially those in the Midwest. U.S. farmers produced a record 177.3 bushels of corn per acre in 2023. Illinois can take a bow as the No. 2 producer in the country, behind Iowa and ahead of Nebraska and Minnesota. Those four states are responsible for more than half of the country's production

THUMBS UP! To closure and forgiveness. After receiving a 10-year prison sentence, Rashean D. Vorties apologized in court directly to Amber (Johnson) Hooker, the woman he almost killed in a street-racing collision at more than 100 mph. The April 2022 crash left Hooker with multiple fractures and internal injuries, including brain bleeds and being left in a coma for five weeks. Hooker accepted the apology and said, "I didn't think he would apologize to me, and he did, and it was very genuine." That's an admirable sentiment that we know takes courage to express.

THUMBS UP! To Amazon Prime shipping. Amazon delivered packages to its Prime customers at the fastest speeds ever in 2023 thanks to better inventory placement, a new regionalization model for shipments and more same-day warehouses. Amazon said it delivered 7 billion items with same or next-day shipping last year. That's a consumer boon, particularly in remote and rural locations.

THUMBS DOWN! Meanwhile, to Amazon Prime shipping. We also understand the price being paid for that prompt shipping. There's the obvious $15 per month paid by subscribers. Amazon struggles to fully match delivery bodies or drones to locations. Amazon's focus on speed has put it in the crosshairs of labor advocates, who argue the company's fast-paced warehouses lead to more injuries among warehouse workers. We make our choices with our wallets.

THUMBS DOWN! To outgrowing infrastructure. A study has revealed electric vehicles that typically weigh more than gasoline-powered cars can easily crash through steel highway guardrails that are not designed to withstand the extra force. Electric vehicles typically weigh 20% to 50% more than gas-powered vehicles and have lower centers of gravity. Because of these differences, guardrails can do little to stop electric vehicles from pushing through the barriers typically made of steel.

THUMBS DOWN! To a labor shortage. The United States needs an estimated 7 million more homes to house everyone who needs shelter. But to build all those homes, experts say, America would need many more construction workers. The shortage of skilled tradespeople has been blamed on encouragement to attend four-year colleges. Learning a trade is valuable, and we will continue to see these shortages until we can direct people with those skills to those jobs.

THUMBS DOWN! To tax scams. State Comptroller Susana Mendoza has warned of email, telephone and mail tax scams as the 2024 filing season begins. Telephone scammers often target recent immigrants and threaten arrest or deportation if the person doesn't send payment, often in the form of a gift card or wire transfer. Neither the state nor the federal government will call taxpayers, threatening them and demanding payment via a wire transfer, or credit or debit card.

THUMBS UP! To an investment in our agricultural future. Heartland Community College's 29,500-square-foot Agricultural Complex will support the school's agriculture programs and the next generation of students. The $23 million complex includes the McLean County Farm Bureau Agriculture Lab, the GROWMARK FS Atrium and the Funk Family Foundation Outdoor Learning Center.

THUMBS UP! To funding for improvements to the Lake Mattoon marina area. A $599,800 grant will pay for paving the Lake Mattoon Marina parking lot, installing playground equipment, placing erosion prevention stones along the shoreline and making other improvements at the lake.

THUMBS DOWN! To crushing a childhood memory. Chicago-based Ferrara Candy Co. announced it will stop making Fruit Stripe Gum and Super Bubble. The chewing gums, introduced in the 1960s, have been discontinued, according to Ferrera Candy. The company said the decision was based on "consumer preferences, and purchasing patterns. Some supplies of Fruit Stripe and Super Bubble may still be available at stores, but the brands will disappear forever from store shelves once the existing supply is gone. What are we going to be missing? One snack aficionado said, "That mediocre, neon, sugary gum really captures childhood for multiple generations."

THUMBS DOWN! To blaming the customer. The genetic testing service 23andMe suffered a significant data breach last year. The company has blamed the breach on its victims. 23andMes position is that the 7 million users whose personal information was revealed were lax about their passwords, using passwords across multiple sites. Blaming the customer for 23andMe's own lack of security takes some nerve.
Federal and state regulatory challenges to menthol flavoring in tobacco products prompted British American Tobacco Plc to take its stunning $31.5 billion write-down in the fair market value of six prominent Reynolds American Inc. brands.

BAT disclosed Dec. 6 that the write-down would affect R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.s traditional cigarette brands Newport, Camel, Pall Mall and Natural American Spirit.

According to the fiscal 2023 report released Thursday, the write-down also included Camel Snus and Grizzly moist snuff of Reynolds American subsidiary American Snuff Co.

Notably, the write-downs did not involve R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co.s Vuse, the top-selling U.S. and global electronic cigarette.

Taking into account the current macro-economic pressures impacting the U.S. combustibles industry, the growth of illicit single-use vapor products and uncertainty around a potential menthol ban in the U.S., we have taken a non-cash impairment charge mainly relating to our acquired U.S. combustibles brands, president and chief executive Tadeu Marroco said in prepared remarks.

In June 2017, BAT paid $54.5 billion to acquire the 57.8% of Reynolds American that it did not already own. That acquisition converted Reynolds from BATs largest outside investment to its largest and most profitable global subsidiary.

To put the BAT $31.5 billion write-down decision into perspective, the 10 largest goodwill write-downs at S&P 500 companies were a combined $35.4 billion during 2022 and a combined $6.1 billion in 2021, according to data cited by consultancy Kroll.

As of Dec. 31, the total fair market value of Reynolds American and the six brands was $104.5 billion.

For Reynolds American, there was a $5.42 billion write-down for a new fair-market value of $39.01 billion.

Newport had the largest write-down at $14.05 billion to a new fair-market value of $26.17 billion.

Natural American Spirit had a $2.44 billion write-down to a new fair-market value of $13.16 billion.

Grizzly had a $687 million write-down to a new fair-market value of $11.61 billion.

Camel had a $7.21 billion write-down to a new fair-market value of $9.86 billion.

Pall Mall had a $4.36 billion write-down to a new fair-market value of $3.29 billion.

Camel Snus had a $238.3 million write-down to a new fair-market value of $1.38 billion.

California menthol ban

In November 2022, Californians voted to ban the sale of any flavored tobacco product other than tobacco. The ban was specifically focused on menthol traditional cigarettes, of which Newport is by far the top-selling brand.

On Jan. 8, the U.S. Supreme Court declined without comment for the second time to hear Reynolds appeal of a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals.

The California menthol ban carries significant financial weight for not only Reynolds, but all tobacco manufacturers with flavored products, given California represents about 8% of U.S. tobacco volume.

In the fiscal 2023 report, BAT said the California menthol ban has been reflected in the cash flow forecasts used in the impairment model.

Meanwhile, the prohibition is projected to cost California at least $100 million in annual state tobacco-tax revenue, according to the states independent Legislative Analysts Office.

Marroco said in July that the long-term impact of the flavor ban continues to evolve in California.

Due to our menthol skew, 45% of our portfolio had to be delisted at the end of last year in California, Marroco said.

Menthol products are reportedly still being sold illicitly due to lack of enforcement. We have also seen elevated flavor volume in surrounding states, despite the industrys best effort to avoid this.

FDA regulatory action

Reynolds petition claims California acted pre-emptively in assuming a Food and Drug Administration ban on menthol tobacco products was forthcoming.

More specifically, Reynolds claimed state and local laws banning the sale of flavored tobacco products are preempted by the federal Tobacco Control Act of 2009, and that the Ninth Circuit made textual errors in its ruling. The act gives the FDA authority to regulate certain tobacco products.

The FDA first disclosed its regulatory plans in June 2022 with the goal at that time of having the menthol prohibition in place by May 2023.

In October 2023, the FDA sent its recommended regulatory rules to the White House Office of Management and Budget for final review, with analysts and public-health advocates expecting a December or early January announcement.

However, on Dec. 6 the Biden administration delayed  at least until March  its decision.

BAT said in the fiscal 2023 report that BAT has a long-standing track record of managing regulatory shifts and, in the event of regulatory change, the Group remains confident in its ability to navigate that environment successfully.

BAT said its fair-market value assessments incorporate varying assumptions on potential timing for a final product standard to prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes becoming effective.

However, the impact of any potential menthol ban was not deemed to be a key assumption.

More write-down details

BAT also changed from indefinite to finite the value status of the four brands, as well as shift the value lifespan from perpetual to about 30 years  or until 2054, according to Marroco.

Since the disclosure, BAT is facing the potential of multiple shareholder lawsuits claiming the write-down had caused harm to the share price. The firms are requesting a class-action period of Feb. 9 to Dec. 6 for purchasers of BATs publicly traded securities.

The common denominators for the potential lawsuits is that BAT made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that British American Tobacco materially understated the risks and potential likelihood of an impairment to its premium American cigarette brands as a result of various longstanding headwinds.

The write-down becomes the clearest sign that the accelerating decline in U.S. traditional cigarette consumption is proving increasingly worrisome to BAT while it attempts to shift the use of smoke-free nicotine and tobacco products into a higher gear.

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 11.5% of U.S. adults  roughly 28.3 million  were considered smokers in 2021. Thats down from 20.9% in 2005.

Reynolds management has been facing increasing pressure from BAT to improve the overall performance of its traditional cigarette portfolio.

For example, David Waterfield was promoted as Reynolds president and chief executive on July 1, marking the fourth top-executive change under BAT ownership. That shakeup came about five weeks after the sudden appointment of Marroco as BATs chief executive on May 15.
President Joe Biden willfully retained and disclosed highly classified materials when he was a private citizen, but the Justice Department nonetheless says no criminal charges are warranted for him or anyone else.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa  The Sioux City Community School Board violated open meeting laws in January 2022, District Judge Jeffrey Neary ruled Wednesday.

In January 2023, former Superintendent Paul Gausman, who is now superintendent of Lincoln Public Schools, filed a lawsuit against school board members Dan Greenwell, Jan George, Taylor Goodvin and Bob Michaelson stating they violated open meeting laws. A trial took place on Jan. 16.

The lawsuit dealt with two separate closed sessions, which Gausman claimed were illegal meetings citing the wrong Iowa code sections in order to avoid notifying him of their discussion and decision to file a complaint against him with the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

Neary ruled the meeting on Jan. 24, 2022, violated open meeting laws but a Nov. 30, 2022, meeting did not violate the law.

"We're pleased that the court ruled in our favor regarding the Nov. 30, 2022, meeting, and the filing of the BOEE complaint," George, who currently serves as board president, said in a statement. "Were currently reviewing our options with respect to the Jan. 24, 2022, ruling with our legal counsel regarding our future actions and affirmative defense of that meeting."

Gausman said the matter is still ongoing and cannot comment on pending litigation.

"However, even after being gone from Sioux City for over 18 months, I continue to have pride and respect for the work that was done by the team during my 14-year tenure with the Sioux City School District, staff, students, families and community, he said in a statement.

"It is because of that respect, that I felt it was important to model the behavior of standing up for myself when an illegal meeting was conducted by the Sioux City School Board. I look forward to bringing final resolution to this matter, and allowing both parties to focus on what is important providing educational opportunities for all children through service to our students and communities.

Neary said the Jan. 24 meeting went beyond its purpose of Gausmans professional evaluation.

"The court is hard-pressed to see the discussion surrounding the filing of an ethics complaint with the IBOEE as part of a performance and competency evaluation process," Neary said in the ruling. "This court holds that that first portion of the meeting in closed session on January 24, 2022, was a violation of the (Iowa Open Meetings Act) as it did not comport with the publicly stated reason and notice of the reason for the closed session."

Neary ruled the Nov. 30 session was a legal closed session because documents filed with the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners should be treated as confidential and discussed in a closed session.

Because Neary found the district did violate the open meetings law in January 2022, a second phase trial could be conducted to determine remedies, penalties or mitigation.

On Jan. 24, 2022, Gausman stated the board met in a closed session to discuss him and his professional qualifications and proposed to file a complaint against him with the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

To go into the closed session, the board cited the Iowa Code stating the closed session was to "evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individuals reputation."

The code section specifically states the individual being reviewed must request the closed session, and Gausman claimed that did not occur. He contended items other than his appointment, hiring, performance or discharge were discussed. Documents reviewed in court showed the Jan. 24 meeting was set as a quarterly review of Gausmans performance while he was still the superintendent. Greenwell and Goodvin testified the meeting included a discussion of Gausman's quarterly review, as well as a discussion of the information filed in a Board of Educational Examiner's complaint.

The discussion claimed Gausman attempted to bribe Michaelson and George on Nov. 17, 2021, before their official swearing-in on Nov. 22, 2021. The letter to the educational examiners stated it was an attempt to solicit their support to re-elect Perla Alarcon-Flory to the board president. If they were to support him in this, they would be able to "make any of their desired changes in school operations, programs, activities and other matters," according to the complaint.

Gausman testified he was not attempting to bribe the board members, and instead, lobby them toward voting for two individuals for board leadership based on ongoing work.

Evidence and testimony at the trial showed Gausman knew of the meeting but did not know of the conversation regarding a bribery attempt, which took place during the first half hour of the meeting. Testimony showed Gausman was not in attendance for the first half hour.

"(Gausman) asserted at trial that had he known about what was to be discussed in the first half hour of the closed session on January 24, 2022, he would not have agreed to the session being closed and he would have taken that opportunity to respond to the discussion with his input and perspective," Neary said in his ruling.

Neary ruled discussing the alleged bribery attempt goes beyond the general evaluation of professional competency and performance.

On Nov. 30, 2022, the board held another special meeting and closed session to discuss Gausman, he claimed.

The board cited another section of the state code, saying the meeting was to "review or discuss records which are required or authorized by state or federal law to be kept confidential." That code section specifically says public bodies are only allowed to discuss confidential records and Gausman claimed the school board went beyond the specification. Testimony confirmed the meeting on Nov. 30 was regarding the bribery accusations made against Gausman and the process of filing a complaint with the BOEE.

After the closed session ended and the board went into an open session, Goodvin made a motion to direct Greenwell to file the BOEE complaint. Board members Monique Scarlett and Bernie Scolaro abstained from the vote. Perla Alarcon-Flory was not present. The motion did not publicly identify who the complaint was being filed against.

"The court concludes that the complaints at issue here and which were the subject of the closed session on Nov. 30, 2022, . Are covered by the statutory protection establishing and maintaining their confidentiality," Neary said.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2024
Militia leader killed in U.S. drone attack in Iraqi capital

Xinhua) 08:50, February 08, 2024

BAGHDAD, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed on Wednesday in a drone attack on a car of paramilitary Hashd Shaabi Forces in eastern Baghdad, Iraq's capital, an Interior Ministry source said.

The attack occurred in the evening when a drone bombarded a sport utility vehicle of the paramilitary forces in the al-Mashtal neighborhood, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The blast caused a fire and killed three people inside the vehicle, the source said, adding that Iraqi security forces sealed off the scene and a civil defense team rushed to put out the fire.

The source identified one man killed in the car as Abu Baqir al-Saadi, a commander of Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed armed group in Iraq that has links to Hashd Shaabi Forces, or the Popular Mobilization Forces.

After the attack, Iraqi security forces intensified security measures around the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses some of the main government institutions and foreign diplomatic missions, including the U.S. embassy, in anticipation of any security breaches, according to the source.

The Iraqi Joint Operations Command said in a statement via its affiliated media outlet Security Media Cell that a bombardment targeted a civilian car at 9:35 p.m. local time (1835 GMT) in the al-Mashtal neighborhood, killing those aboard.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command said in a post on the social media platform X that its forces conducted a unilateral strike at 9:30 p.m. (Baghdad Time), killing a Kataib Hezbollah commander "responsible for directly planning and participating in attacks on U.S. forces in the region."

It said the strike caused no collateral damage or civilian casualties and that "the United States will continue to take necessary action to protect our people."

The strike was part of the ongoing U.S. retaliation to a recent drone attack on its military base in Jordan, in which three U.S. soldiers were killed and over 40 others were injured.

The White House assessed that an Iran-backed umbrella group known as Islamic Resistance in Iraq - of which Kataib Hezbollah is a part - carried out the attack.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
A group of low-income housing owners got their day in court Wednesday in their fight against the Lancaster County Board of Equalization getting the OK to change how their properties are assessed, which resulted in huge jumps in their valuations.

The decision at issue came last March, when the Tax Equalization and Review Commission granted the county permission to use a market-based approach to value 21 rent-restricted properties, rather than the income-based approach outlined in state statute.

The skyrocketing values that resulted alarmed not only the property owners but also affordable housing advocates such as Legal Aid of Nebraska, which argued the decision "clearly defeats the intent of the statute."

Attorney Nathan Clark, who represents the property owners, told the Nebraska Supreme Court on Wednesday that the statute was enacted in the first place because traditional mass appraisal methods fail to accurately capture the value of properties approved for low-income housing tax credits.

"The TERC's order effectively repealed section 77-1333 for a class of properties, giving the county license to ignore that statute when valuing those properties," he said.

The law says assessors "shall use" an income-approach calculation to determine the actual value of a rent-restricted housing project when determining the assessed valuation.

But if a county assessor believes that doesn't reflect the actual value of a rent-restricted housing project, the county board of equalization can petition the Tax Equalization and Review Commission to consider whether the county assessor can use "another professionally accepted mass appraisal technique."

That's what happened in Lancaster County when, in some cases, the income-based approach resulted in zero or even negative values.

Last year, the commission said Lancaster County could use a market-based approach, which pushed up the value of many properties dramatically  in some cases more than 500%.

In a friend-of-the-court brief, Legal Aid Attorney Scott Mertz said that to uphold the decision would jeopardize the future construction of low-income housing properties in Nebraska and the ability to maintain current properties, "and therefore jeopardizes the availability of affordable housing to low-income Nebraskans."

In court Wednesday, Clark said these properties serve wide-ranging groups of low-income tenants, from the elderly, to the mentally ill and impoverished. And the county's preliminary assessment, which followed the TERC decision, created a new method, imputing a "typical" income per unit and a "typical" expense ratio.

"Given the wide range of circumstances and restrictions these properties face, it is incoherent to speak of a 'typical' expense or income, and that approach fails to account for the realities facing these properties and recognized by section 77-1333," Clark said.

He said the property valuations "spit out by the county" now are many multiples higher than what they've been valued at in the past.

Chief Justice Michael Heavican asked if, hypothetically, a value of zero was "somehow incredibly improper?"

Clark countered with another hypothetical, where someone offered to sell a restaurant for $5, warning that it came with federal restrictions that put conditions on the property, like not being able to change the menu or prices, which has resulted in the restaurant operating at a loss.

"Would that person be willing to pay money for the ability to lose money? I submit that that is not an uncommon occurrence in these types of properties," he said.

He said it underscores that this is a class of properties for which it's difficult to talk about "typicality."

But a question by Justice John Freudenberg suggested they may not even get to the merits of the issue if they find the TERC ruling was just a step in the process and not a final order that could be appealed.

Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Dan Zieg said it is the county's position the Supreme Court doesn't have jurisdiction for that reason.

"This is just a step in the process," he argued.

Zieg said property owners could challenge the valuations at the board of equalization, where the burden would be on them to present evidence to rebut the county's valuation was correct.

He said at the TERC hearing the county had to present evidence that, if it followed the statute, it would not give them market value, so that's what they focused on.

"When you have zero-dollar values sometimes to negative values on these properties, that kind of stands out like a sore thumb. It was hard to ignore that," Zieg said.

He said the question was what interest are we seeking to value here: the property or how it's operated?

Justice Lindsey Miller-Lerman said there could be property owners OK with not making a profit for tax reasons or beneficent purposes.

Zieg agreed, saying for instance if the People's City Mission was turning a profit every year there may be some concern. But they're considered charitable.

He said the county always is willing to consider new ways to think about these types of properties, which states are struggling with how to value because of their uniqueness and the public good they serve.

Zieg said it's about finding a balance between everyone paying their fair share of taxes and taking into account what they provide.

The Supreme Court took the matter under advisement.

Nebraska lawmakers also are currently considering a bill (LB1217) that would make changes to the law going forward if passed.

Metros where homes are selling for the most over asking price #50. Warren, Michigan #49. Los Angeles, California #48. Olympia, Washington #47. San Diego, California #46. Vallejo, California #45. Rockford, Illinois #44. Charlottesville, Virginia #43. Durham, North Carolina #42. Washington, DC #41. Cincinnati, Ohio #40. Lancaster, Pennsylvania #39. Baltimore, Maryland #38. Seattle, Washington #37. Lansing, Michigan #36. Elgin, Illinois #35. New Brunswick, New Jersey #34. Omaha, Nebraska #33. Minneapolis, Minnesota #32. Allentown, Pennsylvania #31. St. Louis, Missouri #30. Providence, Rhode Island #29. Columbus, Ohio #28. Santa Rosa, California #27. Ann Arbor, Michigan #26. Montgomery County, Pennsylvania #25. Camden, New Jersey #24. Reading, Pennsylvania #23. Bridgeport, Connecticut #22. Frederick, Maryland #21. Albany, New York #20. Rockingham County, New Hampshire #19. Richmond, Virginia #18. New Haven, Connecticut #17. Boston, Massachusetts #16. Madison, Wisconsin #15. Springfield, Massachusetts #14. Milwaukee, Wisconsin #13. San Francisco, California #12. Worcester, Massachusetts #11. Green Bay, Wisconsin #10. Grand Rapids, Michigan #9. Syracuse, New York #8. Portland, Maine #7. San Jose, California #6. Newark, New Jersey #5. Manchester, New Hampshire #4. Oakland, California #3. Hartford, Connecticut #2. Buffalo, New York #1. Rochester, New York
Standing at the podium with a crowd of about 50 people silently watching, Imari Harris and Dacia Reed harmonized, singing Cynthia Erivos reprise of The Color Purple.

Rising; Like the sun; Is the hope that sets us free, they belted together.

As two students from Lincoln Northwest High School finished the song from the popular Broadway musical with the final notes of Amen, applause erupted.

This was the first time Reed and Harris have performed at the annual African American Read-In put on by Lincoln Public Schools and Lincoln City Libraries, and they were excited for the opportunity to hopefully inspire others  especially youths.

I want to put myself out there so that kids can see that they don't need to be afraid to talk to someone if they feel like they're being bullied for the color of their skin or if certain topics are hard to bring up because of the color of their skin, Reed said.

The duo's performance was just one of more than a dozen at the event Wednesday afternoon intended to honor and uplift African American voices, literature and music.

A variety of people from across Lincoln  including those from LPS, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and from within the community  came together to read excerpts from books such as Ben Jealous Never Forget Our People Were Always Free and Michelle Obamas Becoming.

The Belmont Community Scholars also gave a performance based on Justice Is... a book by Preet Bharara featuring speeches from famous activists like Sojourner Truth and Nelson Mandela.

Throughout the speech, students told the stories of history, ranging from the 1958 sit-in at the Dockum Drug Store in Wichita, Kansas, to the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020.

Participating in the event has helped Jaztus Fisher, a fifth grade student at Belmont Elementary, learn the importance of being part of the conversation, even as a kid.

I've been meeting new people. I've been getting more brave, more courageous. It's just great, he said. It makes you feel like you fit in the right place and always will.

Students have not only played a big role in the success of the event for all 11 years, said Pete Ferguson, co-organizer of the read-in, but they have been at the heart of big movements throughout history.

Theyre absolutely essential, said Ferguson, who is also the coordinator of culture, inclusion and scholar development for LPS. They have been instrumental in not only the past, but the present, and they are definitely going to be instrumental in the future.

While the event aligns perfectly with Black History Month, Ferguson said the importance of it goes beyond just celebrating in February.

The fact of the matter is this can happen on any day, any month, any year, he said. Our plans should be each and every day. It's not waiting till Feb. 7 for us to celebrate. So our teachers and administrators will celebrate our Indigenous youth every single day. They'll celebrate our Asian youth every single day. We should celebrate our immigrant population every single day.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2024
The man accused of killing a Fort Calhoun priest has pleaded not guilty.

Kierre Williams, 43, pleaded not guilty to the charges of first-degree murder, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person and burglary in a Washington County courtroom in Blair on Thursday.

The charges against Williams stem from the Dec. 10 murder of Rev. Stephen Gutgsell, a Roman Catholic priest in Fort Calhoun. Williams has been accused by police of breaking into the churchs rectory and fatally stabbing Gutgsell multiple times with a knife.

Williams next court appearance is scheduled for March 5.
Social media messages about homosexuality, race and abortion prompted heated exchanges Wednesday at a confirmation hearing for the new CEO of Nebraska's Health and Human Services Department.

"It's not just a handful of things," state Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha said at Steve Corsi's confirmation hearing. "It is a pattern."

Corsi has drawn fire for his social media activity since his August appointment. He didn't write any of the posts in question, but Cavanaugh and other critics noted that he liked messages that cast doubt on COVID-19 treatments, referred to homosexuality as a sin, and claimed that transgender individuals were mentally ill.

Gov. Jim Pillen appointed Corsi to replace former DHHS CEO Dannette Smith. Corsi made his Twitter account private after critics began to highlight his activity on the social media platform  now known as X  which he said he had considered a private matter. He said he did so because a "press firestorm" had become a distraction.

Corsi previously held multiple public leadership roles, including leading the Missouri Department of Social Services and the Wyoming Department of Family Services.

On Wednesday, Cavanaugh distributed binders showing examples of Corsi's previous social media activity to members of the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee. She said the posts Corsi liked exemplify "deep-rooted held beliefs" that she believes are problematic for the head of DHHS.

Corsi said people shouldn't jump to conclusions about his character based on the posts. He said he has been fighting for vulnerable populations since the 1980s, when he began his nine years of active duty for the U.S. Air Force.

"I don't care who somebody is. I don't care what they look like," Corsi said. "I don't care who they love. I don't care if they're big, tall, short, small  it doesn't matter to me what color their skin is. I am here to serve Nebraska citizens."

When Cavanaugh questioned him about multiple posts, Corsi stood by them all. She started with several posts that addressed race relations, including one that said "race is preposterous nonsense."

Corsi said that as a Christian, he believes all humans descend from Adam and Eve, and therefore all exist within one race.

"I believe there is one race, and it is the human race," Corsi said.

Cavanaugh said the leader of DHHS should recognize the health disparities in Nebraska that are based in racial divides. Corsi said that he does recognize that, and had to deal with those disparities while leading social services in Missouri.

Cavanaugh also pressed Corsi on a post he liked that said "abortion isn't health care because pregnancy isn't a disease." Corsi said he still agreed with that post.

That response spurred Cavanaugh to explain why she believes abortion is health care. She said miscarriages are considered abortions, and noted that there are women who need abortions because their pregnancies pose serious risks to their health.

"You want to be the head of the Department of Health and Human Services, and you do not understand what is essential health care for reproductive health," Cavanaugh said. Corsi did not respond further to her abortion comments.

Cavanaugh and Sen. Jen Day of Omaha also questioned Corsi about the job he held immediately before his appointment  executive leader for Utah consulting company Epiphany Associates. Corsi said he worked for the company from Jan. 2 to Sept. 7, and his first day as DHHS CEO was Sept. 11.

Cavanaugh noted that he did not list his position with the company in any of his bios or accountability and disclosure forms, and said she first learned about his work with Epiphany just a few hours before the hearing. Corsi called his lack of disclosure an "error in oversight."

Pillen has entered Nebraska into a $10 million contract with Epiphany to work on ways to reduce government waste. Although news of the contract broke after Corsi stopped working at the company, the contract had been signed in June. Cavanaugh said it was an emergency contract, which meant the state didn't consider any other bids.

"Are you the right person for this position when you are working in darkness with an organization that you yourself did not disclose that you were employed by, days before you received this position?" Cavanaugh asked. "It's very, very concerning."

The Health and Human Services Committee did not vote Wednesday to advance Corsi's confirmation to floor debate. A vote is expected soon.

Photos: Nebraska Legislature gavels in for first day of 2024 session
Could the path to Nebraska's promised transformational property tax relief run through the Legislature's Judiciary Committee?

Sen. Justin Wayne hopes so.

The Omaha lawmaker has introduced a package of bills that would make dramatic changes to the structure of Nebraska's criminal justice system as a means of reducing the financial burden the system places on county governments  and on county taxpayers.

Wayne said his legislation, which he has dubbed the Safer Towns And Reducing Taxes Plan  or START Plan  would deliver more than $250 million of annual property tax relief while streamlining judicial processes.

The plan is made up of three bills, including one (LB996) that would place all county jails under the management and supervision of Nebraska's Department of Correctional Services and another (LB993) that would replace the state's county attorney system with a district attorney system, which would in turn be under the purview of the attorney general.

A third component of the plan (LB25) would authorize Nebraska judges or juries to award punitive damages in civil cases  the legality of which is disputed under current state law, Wayne said  and direct the proceeds to local school districts, penalizing wrongdoers and simultaneously providing additional funding for schools.

Wayne indicated his proposals could work in lockstep with Republican Gov. Jim Pillen's ambitious plan  that some opponents, including conservatives, have suggested is "unworkable"  to cut Nebraskans' collective property taxes by 40% this year by raising sales taxes and capping local government spending.

The Legislature's Revenue Committee heard more than a dozen bills related to Pillens plan last week, including measures that would apply state sales taxes to more goods and services, bringing in an estimated $265 million annually when fully implemented.

And the Appropriations Committee heard a bill that would sweep nearly $274 million out of 31 state agency cash funds to fill the budget gap until the new sales tax revenues come in.

Wayne's proposal would not replace the need for the sales tax hike and other tax-shifting measures making their way through the Revenue Committee.

But by shifting the financial cost of the criminal justice system onto the state  forcing Nebraska to pay for the prosecution, defense and jailing of a defendant, rather than counties footing the bill  the plan would allow counties to lower their property tax levies.

"Those are, most of the time, state laws that were charging people with," he said. "So when its a state law, I think the state should pay for it.

Wayne said his proposal to put county jails under the purview of the state's prison system would also create efficiencies and increase the capacity of a currently overcrowded system  which, he suggested, could eliminate the need for the $350 million, 1,500-bed prison the state plans to build in Lincoln.

We dont have to open a new prison," Wayne said. "We can close exemptions. We can increase our sales tax. I mean, theres different options on the table out there that the governor is looking at, right?

"So if the governor wants to lower property taxes by 40%, it cant just be giving money to people. We have to change systems in order to make it sustainable.

A state-commissioned report released last week also suggested housing some state prison inmates in local county jails as a means of reducing prison overcrowding  a policy change that was recommended to lawmakers nearly a decade ago.

Reducing overcrowding or halting the construction of the state's next prison would only be an added bonus, though, Wayne said.

His foremost goal, he said, is to reduce property taxes.

Nebraska's Sheriff's Association and the Nebraska Association of County Officials testified in opposition to LB996 at a Wednesday hearing, where no one lined up in support of the bill.

"Currently, most county jails in this state  unlike the Department of Corrections  are not over their assigned maximum capacity, which lends itself to less issues involving violent acts or harm to the individuals who are placed there," said Sheriff Neil Miller of Scotts Bluff County, a vice president of the Sheriff's Association.

"County jails, with state oversight, has proven to be the most efficient way to administer the duties of local jails," Miller said, before pointing to the fiscal note on Wayne's LB996, which includes an estimated annual cost of more than $185 million for the state to run the counties' jails.

That's about $17 million more than what county governments spent running the state's 63 local jails in 2021, according to the Association of County Officials.

Elaine Menzel, who serves as legal counsel for the Association of County Officials, told the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday that while counties "appreciate Sen. Wayne's recognition" that the burden of prosecuting violators of state laws amounts to an "unfunded mandate" the state has placed on counties, they remain opposed to the plan over the questions it leaves unanswered.

The Legislature's fiscal analysts noted that bill doesn't address the status of the real property used for county jails, leaving costs related to the state's potential purchase or rental of physical jail facilities unaddressed.

Its a big idea," Wayne acknowledged. "A big idea takes a couple years. But so does decreasing property taxes by 40%.

Nebraska's prison system, which came up with the $185 million cost estimate mentioned in the bill's fiscal note, didn't offer actual testimony on the bill.

But the department did request a $1 million study to evaluate the state's jail facilities and formulate an implementation plan  a suggestion Wayne is taking in stride in his last year in the Legislature before he's term-limited.

"What I would at least like to (advance to) the floor is the $1 million for the study, and let them come back next year to you all and tell you how they can do it," he told the committee, which took no action on the bill Wednesday.
YORKVILLE  A family that has been selling and fixing cars in the Union Grove area for nearly 100 years has closed its Ford dealership.

The owners of Martin Ford Sales Inc., 19215 Spring St., are not saying much about the closure, except that they expect the now-idled property to be sold soon.

The five-acre site along U.S. Highway 45 just north of Union Grove has a fair-market value of more than $1 million, according to Racine County tax assessors.

Nancy Spiering, whose family owns the car dealership, said the new property owner could have the site in hand within a month or two, and will not be in the automobile business.

Theres a lot of people interested in the property, Spiering said, declining to elaborate.

Martin Ford Sales closed its doors Dec. 30. A message on the dealerships telephone answering machine states: We appreciate your business, and thank you very much for being a customer.

Mike Palmen, general manager of Roger Palmen Chevrolet, located across the street at 19212 Spring St., said that he was surprised to learn about Martin Ford closing.

Palmen said he walked across the street and offered his goodbyes when he heard the news.

Although the two car dealerships have been competitors for more than 25 year, Palmen said he feels a close connection to the Martin family.

Theyre more like family and friends, he said. So, yeah, Ill miss them.

Union Grove Village President Steve Wicklund said he was unsure why the car dealership was closing. Wicklund, however, said he, too, was sorry to see Martin Ford go.

Im really bummed out, he said.

Yorkville village officials could not be reached for comment.

Spierings grandfather, William Martin, started the business in 1930 when he opened a car repair shop. The family later started selling cars and eventually created two dealerships, including the Ford dealership, which was launched in 1998.

The closure of Martin Ford does not affect the familys Chrysler and Dodge dealership at 1422 Main St. in Union Grove.

Spiering said she and her siblings found it difficult to close the Ford dealership. County tax records show the property is owned by a Martin family trust fund.

Spiering said the family does not want to discuss its reasons for shutting down.

We did what we did, she said.

Racine County has two other Ford dealers: Porcaro Ford, 6001 Washington Ave., Racine, and Miller Ford, 1196 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington.

Chris Snyder, general counsel of the Wisconsin Auto & Truck Dealers Association, said former Martin Ford customers can take their vehicles to any other Ford dealer for service needs.

If a vehicle purchased through Martin Ford has not been delivered yet, Snyder said, the customer should contact Ford Motor Company to arrange delivery through another dealership.

Customers will warranties on used cars purchased at Martin Ford can ask other repair shops if they will honor the warranty, or contact the warranty administrator to identify another repair shop, Snyder said.

You didnt lose your rights to what you paid for, he said. (tncms-asset)ea168a18-5a19-5a03-aa64-5d9f91f27027[0](/tncms-asset)
SOMERS  Despite resistance from the Village of Somers and Kenosha County, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation will move ahead with plans to reduce the number of lanes on Sheridan Road.

WisDOT notified Somers in 2021 that it planned to refurbish Sheridan Road from Alford Drive in the City of Kenosha to 21st Street in the City of Racine, running through Somers.

As plans moved forward, village officials expressed concerns over the reduction in the number of lanes and addition of bike lanes. In October last year, the board passed a resolution expressing opposition to modifications to Sheridan Road beyond resurfacing and reducing speed limits.

Presentations from WisDOT staff pointed to the number of fatalities in the corridor in the last five years, three of which involved cyclists or pedestrians. The reworking of the road is meant to address those issues, according to WisDOT. The changes were described as traffic calming measures.

Village President George Stoner previously argued the bike and pedestrian crashes were alcohol and drug related. The bike lanes would only incentivize biking which is not appropriate for this kind of road.

During a work session on Tuesday, Stoner said a similar resolution from the Kenosha County Board of Supervisors along with efforts by local officials including state representative Tip McGuire, D-Kenosha, had failed to change the states position.

Staff informed the board WisDOT was moving forward with the project as planned.

The project will include resurfacing the road, replacing pavement markings and adding new signage, restriping the corridor as a two-lane roadway with a two-way left-turn lane in the middle, adding bicycle lanes and reducing the speed limit from 45 mph to 40 mph.

Board members expressed their frustrations Tuesday, but Stoner admitted they had limited options to address the issue.
RACINE  Over Our Head Players at Sixth Street Theatre is celebrating its 20th season of Snowdance 10 minute Comedy Festival this year.

The comedy playwriting competition kicks off Friday, Feb. 9 and runs until Sunday, March 10.

The completely sold-out festival is a five-week run of 24 shows. Each show features 10 original plays, which last about 10 minutes each.

The 10-minute plays are based on scripts submitted by playwrights all over the world. Of the 571 scripts submitted, playwrights from 41 states and 11 foreign countries, across four continents, entered the competition.

In 2004, Over Our Head Players announced the 2005 Snowdance 10 Minute Play Festival and received about 50 submissions, which resulted in 10 plays, said Rich Smith, artistic director at Sixth Street Theatre and one of the founding members of Over Our Head Players.

The next year it caught on. Playwrights want to have their play produced, and 10-minute comedies are so easy for the audience to digest and they like it  if you dont like this one, the next ones coming  so its just a fun format. Playwrights caught on, and the Dramatists Guild of America knows what were doing; they love it and support it, Smith said. The biggest year, we had like over 800 plays that we read.

When Over Our Head Players committee reads the scripts, they do not see the names or locations of the playwrights.

We dont let them see the name or location, said Ron Schulz, a founding member of the Over Our Head Players. So anytime someone from Racine has gotten in  which has been quite often  its not homefield advantage.

Traditions

Every year, Snowdance is set somewhere else.

A few years ago it was set inside of a giant salmon so that salmon was two parts of the stage, said Michael Retzlaff, public relations officer for Over Our Head Players. Every year, a lucky person gets to dance with a real salmon at Snowdance.

During the opening ceremony of the show, there is a running of the snow cone, where someone runs the 427 feet from the Kewpee Sandwich Shop, 520 Wisconsin Ave., to the theater at 318 Sixth St. holding an oil funnel filled with snow, either fresh or from a snowbank, depending on the weather.

Over Our Head Players features high jinks in between each of the 10-minute plays to keep the audience engaged during scene changes.

The high jinks change annually and include local-based humor or topical jokes about current events.(tncms-asset)6b104eb0-c4fd-11ee-8b97-0bc7ecc30ae9[0](/tncms-asset)

It never stops; if someone comes to Snowdance for the first time, they can expect a constant energy from the time it starts to the time it ends, Smith said. Theres a lot of running jokes in those sketches in-between where we have fun. People expect it and like it  a lot of local humor. Even people from out of town, theyll say, I didnt know anything about Racine, but the little sketch things you were doing still made me laugh.

Audience members vote on their favorite play at the end of each Snowdance performance. The votes are stored in a large mayonnaise jar, and the top three plays are announced shortly after the final show.

Its all based on the audience votes, so were not choosing these winners, Schulz said. We will read a script and think, oh my god, this ones going to win, and it turns out that they come in fourth or fifth.

The last show of the run ends with a closing ceremony and the announcement of the top three winners.

A cash award goes to Best in Snow, with additional prizes awarded to second and third place. Each finalist receives a stipend royalty for their inclusion in Snowdance.

The faces behind the show

Schulz has been involved in every Snowdance since its inception in 2005. He has played a Roman being crucified on a cross, an astronaut, a devil and a gay dolphin.

During this years Snowdance, he will be playing Satan, a flower, a singing telegram guy dressed as a skunk and an 1850s English debutante.

New to Snowdance, Kimberly Gibson is participating in two plays  one involving the onboarding of a new hire over Zoom and another that gives a satirical take on the cell phone age.

From Racine, Gibson first attended Snowdance on a father-daughter date and knew she wanted to be involved.

I just remember laughing so stupidly hard the entire time, she said. The interactions that the actors and actresses had with the audience make it highly unique, especially when they were planted out in the audience. My dad got pulled in during one of the high jinxes. I thought, Wow, this is special.(tncms-asset)66a274ca-c4fd-11ee-b01a-1b7026e4bfdd[1](/tncms-asset)

Starting at Sixth Street Theatre in 2005, Melissa Hughes Ernest has acted in 10 of the 20 Snowdance seasons and is playing four roles during this season.

Part of the reason why I love Snowdance so much is that its such a unique opportunity as a performer to have multiple roles in one evening  sold out for five weekends to enthusiastic houses that are happy to be here and participate with the voting, she said. Theres really nothing else like it as a performer.

Though Ernest has volunteered and done shows at many different theatres, she said the opportunities offered at Sixth Street Theatre are something she wouldnt get to experience elsewhere because of the risk-taking by Over Our Head Players.

Ive had tremendous opportunities to do true bucket-list roles at Sixth Street Theatre. They do really progressive, contemporary work that nobody else is able to do, she said. Things that I never thought Id ever get to play, as an actress, have been produced here, and Ive been given great opportunities to participate in.

From Racine, Elizabeth Bitner is participating in two plays this year: Oh, Say Can You (TH)C? by playwright Rick Park in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Two Yards of Satan by playwright Kelly McBurnette-Andronicos of Peralta, New Mexico.

Bitner said shes looking forward to acting in these two plays because the roles are different from her previous roles. Shes been in five Snowdance festivals, dating back to 2009.

As a living, breathing show that changes based on the audience, Bitner said that Snowdance is always such a different experience every year.

Its totally different from show one to show 24, she said.
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
All events at Kearney Public Library at 2020 First Ave. 308-233-3282; KearneyLib.org. Admission is free unless noted.

Writers Block  noon-1:30 p.m., today. This group, for writers of all abilities, meets twice a month. Guest leaders will join the group periodically. Patrons can bring their own lunch to the event.

Knot Just Knitting  6:30-8:30 p.m., today. Features informal sessions with other creative people sharing tips on knitting, crochet and cross-stitching. Youth participants are welcome but those 12 and younger must be accompanied by a participating adult.

Stories for Families with Mo Reynolds  7 p.m., today. Part of the Kearney Area Storytelling Festival.

Stories for Children with Joe Hayes  10:30 a.m., Friday. Part of the Kearney Area Storytelling Festival.

Open Book Club  6:30-8 p.m., Monday. A library-sponsored group that meets to discuss a wide variety of books and meet new people. The book for February is I Must Betray You. The book for March is Indigo Girl. The book for April is Better Than the Movies. For more information contact Sarah Haack at Shaack@KearneyGov.org.

Knot Just Knitting  1-3 p.m., Tuesday. Features informal sessions with other creative people sharing tips on knitting, crochet and cross-stitching. Youth participants are welcome but those 12 and younger must be accompanied by a participating adult.

Shutterfly Study Hall  1:30 p.m., Tuesday. Connie Jelkin is available to help with Shutterfly projects or patrons can work on their own. Use your own computer or a library computer. Register in advance.

STEM: Build, Connect, Create  6:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday. Explore the librarys collection of STEM toys including KEVA Planks, Straws & Connectors, Snap Circuits, Magna-Tiles and more. For ages 5-14. Register in advance.

STEM: Tinker Tots  6:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday. A hands-on STEM program for preschoolers and a caregiver. Register in advance.

Alphabet Adventures P Week  10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Enjoy stories, rhymes and other activities. Patrons are welcome to bring an item that starts with the weeks special letter. For ages 3-10.

Watercolor Wednesdays  10 a.m., Wednesday. Brush up on watercolor skills and learn new techniques. Register in advance. For patrons 18 and older.

Brown Bag History Series  Noon-1:30 p.m., Wednesday. Monthly presenters will focus on various historical topics. Patrons are invited to bring lunch to the event. This months topic: Sioux Ordinance Deport presented by Tatiana Moore.

Toddler Storytime  9:30-9:50 a.m., Feb. 15. For ages 0-2, this lapsit program introduces little ones to the sounds and rhythms of the spoken word. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Preschool Storytime with Kearney Police Department Chief Waugh  10:30-11 a.m., Feb. 15. For ages 3-6. Parents are welcome, but need not attend, the actual event. They do need to stay in the building.

Legos at the Library  3:45-4:45 p.m., Feb. 15. Design and build your own creations. The library supplies the Lego pieces. Just bring your imagination. For ages 3-12.

Knot Just Knitting  6:30-8:30 p.m., Feb. 15. Features informal sessions with other creative people sharing tips on knitting, crochet and cross-stitching. Youth participants are welcome but those 12 and younger must be accompanied by a participating adult.

Knot Just Knitting  1-3 p.m., Feb. 20. Features informal sessions with other creative people sharing tips on knitting, crochet and cross-stitching. Youth participants are welcome but those 12 and younger must be accompanied by a participating adult.

Genealogy Quest  2 p.m., Feb. 20. Volunteers from the Buffalo County Historical Society and the library will assist in digging into your ancestral past.

Arts and Crafts for Adults  7 p.m. Feb 20. This workshop gives patrons a chance to explore creativity with different craft projects. For patrons 18 and older. Register in advance.

Pub Quiz @ Cunninghams Journal  7:30-9:30 p.m., Feb. 20. The theme for February: I Like You Very Much: A Rom-Com Quiz. Teams will answer 30 trivia questions. The team with the most correct answers will win a prize. Devices and notes are not allowed to help answer questions. Register by emailing James at JTidei@ KearneyGov.org.

Arts and Crafts for Adults  10 a.m. Feb 21. This workshop gives patrons a chance to explore creativity with different craft projects. For patrons 18 and older. Register in advance.

Alphabet Adventures Q Week  10:30 a.m. Feb. 21. Enjoy stories, rhymes and other activities. Patrons are welcome to bring an item that starts with the weeks special letter. For ages 3-10.

The Power of Positivity  noon, Feb. 21. Krista Fritson, clinical psychologist and professor at the UNK Psychology Dept., will talk about creating an optimistic outlook that will elevate your attitude. Register in advance.

Toddler Storytime  9:30-9:50 a.m., Feb. 22. For ages 0-2, this lapsit program introduces little ones to the sounds and rhythms of the spoken word. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Preschool Storytime  10:30-11 a.m., Feb. 22. For ages 3-6. Parents are welcome, but need not attend, the actual event. They do need to stay in the building.

Knot Just Knitting  6:30-8:30 p.m., Feb. 22. Features informal sessions with other creative people sharing tips on knitting, crochet and cross-stitching. Youth participants are welcome but those 12 and younger must be accompanied by a participating adult.

Writers Block  noon-1:30 p.m., Feb. 22. This group, for writers of all abilities, meets twice a month. Guest leaders will join the group periodically. Patrons can bring their own lunch to the event.

B.Y.O.B Book Club  10:30 a.m., Feb. 23. Share your favorite books and listen to recommendations from other readers. Register in advance. This months theme: Self-Help & Motivational books.
HOLDREGE  The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation Districts Board of Directors heard reports on water conservation efforts and education from an irrigation water management specialist at Mondays board meeting.

Curtis Scheele, irrigation water management specialist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, presented his annual conservation report, summarizing activity related to the federal Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). He also reported on the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSTwP).

Scheele then gave the board an overview of the local UNL Testing Ag Performance Solution (UNL Taps) teams yield from this past season. He presented the directors with results from a nitrogen testing program that was conducted across the state by UNL featuring pivot bio solutions.

In addition, he highlighted the weekly irrigation newsletter that is emailed throughout the summer. Central provides a weekly update in that emailed newsletter that reaches more than 700 customers.

Also at Mondays meeting:

 The board approved a bid of $366,760 for a 2024 CAT 330-07 Excavator from NMC, Inc. of Doniphan.

 Directors gave approval for the purchase of two quarter-ton pickups and four half-ton pickups from Pony Express Chevrolet Buick of Gothenburg.

 It was approved by the board to give $3,750 from Lake Improvement Fund to Johnson Lake EMS for Life Saving Device Installation. They also approved committing $15,596 to the Johnson Lake Playground Committee to assist with installation of a new well to supply a drinking station and underground sprinkler system. Directors approved adding Merriweather and Lakeview Acres to the current transfer, renewal and rental schedule policy.

 Civil Engineer Tyler Thulin reported that Lake McConaughys elevation was at 3238.8 feet on Monday (60.8% capacity), which is up 1.1 feet since Jan. 26. Inflows are around 1,475 cubic feet per second (cfs) and outflows are about 150 cfs. Thulin reported that 1,775 cfs is being diverted at Centrals diversion dam, which is well above the FERC requirement. Most of the water is flowing from the South Platte River. Snowpack in the upper North Platte basin is currently at 84% of median average, the lower North Platte is at 65% and 94% in the South Platte basin.
As Valentines Day nears, one UW-La Crosse alumna is using her skills with paper, scissors and glue to build stronger connections between people.

Renee Smith, 2008 and 2010, has about 500 different cards and crafts to share with someone you care about in her online store, including greeting cards, Valentines Day decor and a set of 52 date night cards featuring a different date idea for every week of the year.

But Smiths shop, PartyHappier, isnt all about celebrating holidays. Instead, its about the simple joy she finds in creating connections through art.

I try to send a card when someone is not expecting it. Something to say Hey, Im just thinking about you, she says. And I think that is what most of my customers look for as well. I hope that what I create will brighten someones day.

This stationery set is the first thing Smith started making when she launched PartyHappier. Ive always loved snail mail, so I started by making pretty cards and envelopes for family and friends and eventually started selling them, she says.

About three years in, Smiths Etsy shop began to take off with orders piling up, particularly around Christmas and graduation time. Even though shed spent a full day at work and was often tired as she walked in the door to her apartment, she always looked forward to digging into her crafts at night.

Despite her love for working in higher education, she realized this hobby should be a full-time business when it became difficult to balance the two and orders began to produce more money than she was making in her day job. In March 2022, she quit her career in advising and became a full-time entrepreneur.

Smith says her educational experience at UW-L  with an undergraduate degree in Communication Studies and a graduate degree in Student Affairs Administration factored into her entrepreneurial abilities. She had a well-rounded education with classes that spoke to diverse interests in writing, psychology, advising, and more. She has a great mentor in Communications Studies Professor Linda Dickmeyer, who has always supported and encouraged her along the way, even after she graduated. Most of all, her educational path helped her find and fully explore her love of communication, which is at its root, is all about connection.

I interact with people all the time through my business  communicating effectively and understanding peoples needs has played a huge role in PartyHappiers success, she says.

Smiths shop grew out of a childhood passion for paper crafts. The youngest of three, she would sit at her desk in the bedroom of her Colby, Wisconsin, home building scrapbooks, coloring and journaling. That childhood hobby emerged again after college when she started working full time. She would stay up late after work mixing and matching paper colors and patterns to create cards for friends and family.

You can do a lot with a single sheet of paper. Manipulating it, it becomes something original ... something exciting, she says.

In August 2014, Smith opened a shop on Etsy as a hobby filling orders for her various products such as stationery, cards, envelopes, banners, bookmarks, calendars, confetti, magnets and more. Over the years, the orders continued to grow, and it eventually became another full-time job outside of work.

At the time, Smith was working as a college career advisor, including a stint in UW-L Career Services.

I was often meeting with students and asking them, What are your goals and passions and where do you see yourself?, she recalls. As I was having these conversations, I realized maybe I needed to be having them with myself, too. It helped me uncover the things I was most passionate about.
Workers with disabilities in Wisconsin could see a change to their work standards in the coming years. Businesses that employ them are preparing for this shift and what it means for their employees.

ORC Industries Inc., 2700 Commerce St., is one of these businesses. Settled in a business park featuring other prominent Wisconsin manufacturers, ORC has been in La Crosse since 1966, biding its time in relative silence.

ORCs new CEO Scott Iverson is ready to open up his companys story.

In 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Act established a federal minimum wage, the right to overtime work and the prohibition of minors working in dangerous conditions. Inside the Fair Labor Standards Act is section 14, labeled handicapped workers.

This section allows businesses to pay employees with disabilities a wage under the federal minimum wage if their disability prohibits them from normal productivity levels. Businesses must apply for a 14 certificate, and only some jobs within a business qualify for 14 pay.

In Wisconsin, 44 businesses hold 14 certificates. There are 2,458 employees working under 14 status across these businesses.

Working at ORC

Iverson defends the use of 14 across the state. To Iverson, the law helps people with disabilities retain employment and fulfillment in their lives. He said that without 14, employers would completely pass up on people with disabilities because of their lower production levels.

The problem is, nobodys found a solution, Iverson said. If youre not a 40 to 50 percent producer, youre going to daycare. Youre not getting hired.

ORC Industries currently holds 48 14 certificates across facilities in La Crosse and Arcadia in Wisconsin and Brownsville, Texas. In La Crosse, employees at ORC work a wide variety of jobs that are nearly invisible in the picture of American labor.

Pick-and-pack workers assemble toolkits used across the nation for assembling furniture at home. When you open a plastic bag with a hex wrench in it, this was assembled by such workers, who make up the bulk of 14 licenses.

Textile workers at ORC are tasked with creating Dixie hats, the little white sailor caps worn by U.S. Navy students and graduates. Currently, ORC is the sole manufacturer of these hats. Federal contracts are not allowed to be fulfilled by 14 workers.

Finally, some workers assemble Redfeather Snowshoes, the largest U.S. manufactured snowshoe company. Workers help print vinyl cuts and piece together aluminum tubes for the shoes.

Depending on the job, some of these workers are paid on a piece-rate schedule, which is based on how many products they assembled in a day. Iverson said that based on industry-established piece-rate wages, some workers end up making much more than minimum wage.

Only about 5 percent of ORCs revenue comes from 14 worker products. Many workers with disabilities work for regular wages.

Were not your typical 501(3) business that lives off of donations. Were a manufacturer. We, as employees, we build for our customers, Iverson said.

Workers at ORC seem very happy to be there. They are offered breakfast, lunch, a wellness center with personalized workouts and several community bonding opportunities.

I really really enjoy it. As long as I can continue to do what Im doing, Im sure that itll be a good thing, said Michael A. Herold, a pick and pack worker. Herold was disassembling returned toolkits to be returned to a contracted furniture company. Hes worked for ORC for two years now.

Herold used to work at Aptiv Inc. until they stopped contracting assembly work. Many of Herolds pick and pack coworkers also came from Aptiv.

I enjoy that everything we do here is for the community and how wonderful La Crosse is. I think its a lot of fun because its an active thing to do. Its also important to work hard, Herold said.

Tools for success

Iverson is preparing for the end of 14 in Wisconsin. So far, 14 states in the U.S. have signed legislation to overturn 14 as of May 2023. Four more states have introduced similar legislation, including Minnesota.

Wisconsin has not introduced legislation yet, but Iverson said he does not want to be caught by surprise when it happens.

For some workers, 14 falling through means a regular wage that threatens their social services status. If workers make too much, they will be disqualified for the security payments they receive on a regular basis.

Its all coming down and if we dont have a plan, a lot of these people will be without work and relying totally on social services, Iverson said.

His plan is to give his workers adaptable tools to increase their production levels. ORC engineers and maintenance staff create ergonomic tools that help workers complete assembly tasks with physical disabilities.

For example, makeshift wooden sleeves help assembly workers insert cardboard into beverage koozies with just one hand. Labels on assembly tables have thorough visual cues that help make sure workers have the correct pieces for their assembled toolkits.

Iverson and Herold have been testing new robotic assistance tools that will help pick-and-pack workers with assembling pieces. The robots would provide similar help to the table cues by providing accountability for assembly. A robot will help a worker identify the correct pieces and signal with green lights and audio if they have brought the right piece to the right sorting box.

Iverson said that other manufacturers are creating their own care facilities as they prepare for the unemployment that will come with 14s repeal. He said he would rather help people with life skills and employment for their self-fulfillment.

ORC is part of several vocational training and work-to-school programs. Corey Anthony, a textile worker creating elastic bands for Dixie hats, came from Viroqua School Districts work-to-school program. He has been at ORC for 18 years and is planning on moving to Onalaska to be closer to work.

By upgrading productivity, Iverson can afford to employ people who would normally not meet production levels to keep the manufacturer open.

Ive never really been in a place where Ive been in a business I love. I was there because it was business, Iverson said. For me, this place kind of fills that void of what Ive had my entire career with business. This is more human.

Close Scott Iverson walks through the snow shoe production area of the ORC Industries production facility in La Crosse. Sue weber separates plastic bags during her shift at the ORC Industries manufacturing facility on Thursday, Feb. 1. While the main trade of the company is manufacturing, the organization also provides services such as sorting building parts for Ashley Furniture. Corey Anthony sews the strip that makes up the sweat band of the Dixie Cup sailor hats made by ORC industries in La Crosse on Thursday, Feb. 1. Anthony is one of several workers with a disability who are employed by the company. CEO of ORC Industries Scott Iverson observes a stack of finished Dixie Cup hats made for the U.S. Navy. The company is the sole producer of the Navy's classic white caps. Michael John Herold, an employee at ORC Industries, sorts hardware into bins on Friday. Various elements that make up the iconic Dixie Cup Nay hats are displayed on the wall at ORC Industries in La Crosse, where the hats have been produced since 1991. Workers with disabilities find a welcoming workplace at La Crosse manufacturer Scott Iverson walks through the snow shoe production area of the ORC Industries production facility in La Crosse. Sue weber separates plastic bags during her shift at the ORC Industries manufacturing facility on Thursday, Feb. 1. While the main trade of the company is manufacturing, the organization also provides services such as sorting building parts for Ashley Furniture. Corey Anthony sews the strip that makes up the sweat band of the Dixie Cup sailor hats made by ORC industries in La Crosse on Thursday, Feb. 1. Anthony is one of several workers with a disability who are employed by the company. CEO of ORC Industries Scott Iverson observes a stack of finished Dixie Cup hats made for the U.S. Navy. The company is the sole producer of the Navy's classic white caps. Michael John Herold, an employee at ORC Industries, sorts hardware into bins on Friday. Various elements that make up the iconic Dixie Cup Nay hats are displayed on the wall at ORC Industries in La Crosse, where the hats have been produced since 1991.
A contaminated land parcel in Rock County has garnered state funding for an environmental assessment, one of several steps in the protracted process toward remediating a former gas station site.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Feb. 1 announced the department has awarded brownfield assessment services to the Village of Clinton to assist with the investigation of environmental contamination at the former site of the Dougs Standard gas station, 135 Milwaukee St. (County Hwy. X) in 2,200-resident Clinton.

The vacant 0.18-acre site is located on the southeast corner of Milwaukee and East streets, bordered to the north and west by Milwaukee Street and East Street respectively, and bordered to the east and south by residential properties.

The award is from the DNRs Wisconsin Assessment Monies Program (https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Brownfields/wam.html), which provides contractor services for the environmental assessment of eligible brownfield sites.

That Dougs Standard projects been going on for about 35 years, said Clinton Village Administrator Dan M. Risse. Its gone that long and were still trying to work with the DNR to get a true and accurate picture of any contamination that does exist. Any funding we can receive, non-budgetary, certainly is excellent for the village. Were hoping that once they complete their consultant study well have a much better overall picture of what needs to be done, hopefully to get a final resolution on the issue.

A brownfield is a property where expansion, redevelopment or reuse is complicated by real or potential contamination. Brownfields vary in size, location, age and past use; they can be anything from a 500-acre former automobile assembly plant to a small, abandoned gas station.

The award will support the assessment of environmental conditions at the former Dougs Standard gas station site, where there is confirmed environmental contamination from past use. Historically, the property was a gas station from its development in 1929 until it became a repair shop and convenience store in the 1980s. In the 1990s, the underground storage tanks were removed and some environmental work was completed before the owner at the time ultimately declared bankruptcy.

In 2021, the Village of Clinton acquired the tax delinquent property, and, with funds from the Wisconsin Assessment Monies program, conducted a limited site investigation that confirmed the presence of trichloroethylene (TCE) groundwater on the site. The current award will continue the environmental investigation at the site and will provide a plan for the cleanup of the property.

Conducting a full environmental assessment at this brownfield will be an important first step towards cleaning up and redeveloping the property, said Jodie Thistle, DNR Brownfields, Outreach and Policy Section Chief. The DNR applauds the villages continued efforts at this property and looks forward to a continued partnership in developing a plan to clean it up.

Risse said the Dougs Standard site, once zoned commercial, is now zoned residential but no longer fits within current zoning, the lot now too small with current setback requirements to allow anything to be built on the site.

Many years ago the building was razed, dirt was brought in, grass was planted and it sits..., Risse said. Really what we want to do is were trying to prevent contamination, and if it does exist, from entering into either the right-of-ways or to neighboring properties ... Its been an ongoing process working with the Department of Natural Resources to get an accurate picture of what actually is the contaminant and how far it has spread, and were hoping that this study may give us the definitive picture so we can determine what, if any, remediation needs to be done.

Learn more

Since 2009, the DNRs Wisconsin Assessment Monies Program has provided over $3.3 million in services and grant funds to over 70 communities across Wisconsin, partnering to help clean up and redevelop often run-down or underused properties that detract from a communitys potential.

Because there is no local financial match required, the Wisconsin Assessment Monies Program grants present an attractive opportunity for communities to learn about environmental conditions. Applications for assistance may be submitted to the DNR at any time.

Interested in learning how cleaning up brownfields can help your community? The DNRs series of on-demand Brownfield Fundamentals webinars at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Brownfields/TrainingLibrary.html cover planning, cleanup, liability, and other topics as part of a well-rounded crash course in Wisconsin brownfield redevelopment.

The DNR has a wide range of financial and liability tools available to help local governments, businesses, lenders and others clean up and redevelop brownfields in Wisconsin, including Ready for Reuse (https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Brownfields/rlf.html) financial awards, which may be used for environmental cleanup.

DNR staff around the state are available to meet with community leaders, bankers, developers and private individuals to discuss brownfield projects through Green Team meetings (https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Brownfields/GreenTeam.html).

More information about the DNRs brownfield cleanup programs and services is available on the DNR Brownfields webpage at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Brownfields/Brownfields.html.

In 57 Photos: Scenes along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Bumble bee feeds on Dame's Rocket along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Black Raspberry along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Black Walnut along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Box Elder along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Overgrown Milwaukee Road concrete electrical box base along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Canadian Anemone along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Carolina Rose along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Cleavers (Catchweed bedstraw, stickyweed) along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Common Burdock (Cuckoo-button) along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Common Milkweed along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Common Yarrow along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Cow Parley (Wild Chervil) along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Dame's Rocket along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Eastern Daisy Fleabane along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Eastern Trailhead signs at Farmer's Gateway Park in downtown Clinton Milwaukee Road electrical box along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail American elm along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail End of the line at the western trailhead of the Pelishek-Tiffany nature trail at North Road at Allens Grove near Darien Scenic farm view along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Ground Ivy (Creeping Charlie) along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Hoary Alyssum patch along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail PT Looking south at the Milwaukee Road switching station at Bardwell rail line junction near Darien, June 1983..jpg Milwaukee Road freight train heading northeast on the Southwest Division toward the Bardwell junction near Darien, 1976..jpg Multiflora Rose along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Nature overtakes old Milwaukee Road telegraph polealong the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Ohio Spiderwort along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Old Milwaukee Road concrete box drainage culvertalong the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Oxeye Daisies along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Old Milwaukee Road telegraph pole along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail between Allens Grove and Clinton still bears its "54" mile marker Prickly Wild Rose.along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Patch of purple and white Dame's Rockets along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Circa-2000 Tiffany/Turner Memorial Rest Area along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Riverbank Grape (Frost Grape) along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Milwaukee Road signal stand remnants hidden in the brush along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Shaded trail section along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Abandoned Milwaukee Road signal control box hidden in undergrowth along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Sulphur Cinquefoil along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Telegraph pole with enduring wires and glass insulators along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Traces of the old Milwaukee Road line along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail near Clinton in Rock County Trail view along the rails-to-trails Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Trail view along the rails-to-trails Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Trail view along the rails-to-trails Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Trail view along the rails-to-trails Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Treacle Mustard along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail White Campion along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Wild Asparagus along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Wild Four O'Clock along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Wild Parsnip along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Wild Parsnip along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Dames Rocket along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Discarded Milwaukee Road telegraph wire along the Peleshek-Tiffany Nature Trail Paradise apple along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail main trailhead at Farmers Nature Trail Gateway in Clinton Honey Locust along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail White Mulberry.along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Smooth Solomon's Seal along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail Farming scene along the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail
This transcript appears in the February 9, 2024 issue of Executive Intelligence Review.

The ICJ Ruling Is a Mandate for All of Humanity

[Print version of this transcript]

This is an edited transcript of Schiller Institute founder Helga Zepp-LaRouches opening and closing remarks to the 35th weekly meeting of the International Peace Coalition on Friday, February 2, 2024.

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CC/Saleh Najm and Anas Sharif

Let me greet all of you. I think everybody is aware of the extraordinary, unprecedented escalation of the situation in Gaza, where you had the historic finding of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on January 26th, where the Court issued an Order which has binding effect mandating provisional measures after finding that there is plausible cause to assume that there is genocide going on. They defined a whole set of measures which Israel was instructed to implement to remedy the situation and prevent genocide from happening, including massively increasing the humanitarian aid, preventing any further deterioration of the situation and similar things. Then the Court gave Israel 30 days to report back to the Court about the success of the implementation of these measures. Now, that was clear; it was an historic ruling; it was really a relief that there was justice possible by the highest Court of the world.

The Genocidal Response: Shutting Down UNRWA

But then, the same evening, the Israeli government accused 12 members of UNRWA, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, of cooperating with Hamas in the terror attack on October 7th. Then immediately, without waiting for any confirmation of this report from any independent side, several governmentsincluding the United States, Great Britain, Germany, France, and some othersimmediately cut off all funding for UNRWA. This means that the only organization which has been in charge of providing food deliveries, medicine, and any other kind of deliveries, had its funding cut off; that money will now run out at the latest by the end of this month.

Immediately afterwards, [according to the Wall Street Journal, the number] was increased by accusing 10% of all UNRWA staff members of having connections to Hamas. Now, this is playing on the ignorance of people. Hamas is, in fact, the elected government in Gaza. If UNRWA or any other aid organization wants to do anything, Hamas is the only existing partner with which to do such dealings. But that was naturally not reported by the mainstream media. There are several countries that did not cut aid; those were Norway, Ireland, and Spain. The German Foreign Ministry said that while they cut financial aid to UNRWA, they would continue the humanitarian aid through organizations like UNICEF and some others. But that is completely fraudulent, because if you dont have anybody to deliver the food and medicine, then it is a total cut-off.

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UNRWA Facebook page

Flooding Gaza Tunnels with Salt Water

Then, four days later, on January 30th, the IDF made public that they are flooding the tunnels of Hamas [with seawater]. This had been discussed as an option already in newspaper articles before, and several hydrologists had clearly warned what the effect would be. If you are flooding the very long and numerous tunnels of Hamas with salt water, that completely destroys the aquifers, the groundwater for a hundred years or more to come. It makes the water undrinkable for 85% or so of the population.

In any case, the whole policies of the IDF have resulted in more than 1.5 million Palestinians being driven into a very tiny area near Rafah. This results in them being completely dependent on any kind of aid supply, which now is cut off. The effect of this is that what was threatening to become a famine, and starvation and dying by thirst is now actually happening in these very hours and days.

This [flooding of the tunnels] is an escalation which is so unbelievable that it goes beyond any imagination. The mainstream media in Germany, for example, are pretty much blacking it out, having instead stories about the anniversary of the Holocaust, the anti-Semitism on the rise in Germany. All of these things may have some merit, but they serve at this point as a major deflection of what the ruling was in The Hague, which was never really discussed, nor what the effect is of cutting the funding to UNRWA, nor flooding the tunnels. There is an almost complete press blackout. Maybe there is a tiny bit of news here and there, but its not entering the publics perception.

So, I think that the measures by Israel, the accusations against UNRWA and the flooding of the tunnels, for sure will be mentioned in now less than three weeks when the Court in The Hague is reconvened. They for sure will take note that Israel not only did not do all the measures they were supposed to, to prevent genocide from happening, this was the formulation by the Court, but that the opposite has occurred.

Now, we should really be aware that, given the fact that most of the countries involved have signed the Genocide Convention, they are actually obliged to prevent this genocide, but they are doing the opposite. Now, what that will mean, I dont want to predict the decision of the court, but it could very well be that all of these governments that are doing these things right now will be found complicit in genocide. What that will do to the international order is just again beyond imagination. Already now, there are many signs that Germany is becoming completely isolated; culturally, artists are pulling out of any cooperation with Germany. In the Global South, the opinion is horrified, but it will mean that the West is losing moral standing or has already lost moral standing, and that will escalate tremendously.

War with Russia, China, Iran?

So, it does aggravate the whole strategic situation because at the same time, we have now almost every defense minister of all the NATO countries coming out with absolutely hysterical warnings that there will be war with Russia in 18 months, in two years, three years, five years; it varies according to the country. But they alland naturally also NATO itself; Admiral [Rob] Bauer who is the Chair of the [NATO] Military Committee, is warning that people must get ready to live through the first 36 hours of a Russian attack, by stocking up on batteries and water and whatnot. So, a certain amount of fear is being instilled. This whole supposed threat of a coming war with Russia could become, and likely will become a self-fulfilling prophecy, if we do not change course.

I think that the situation in Ukraine, from NATOs standpoint, is that the war is scheduled to continue for many years. The European Union (EU) just this morning agreed on a budget of providing another 50 billion to Ukraine in the next four years. This totally disregards the fact that the Ukrainian population is not there to conduct such a war. Ukraine has a tremendous shortage of soldiers, a tremendous shortage of workers, because they are either dead or abroad. So, its a completely cynical approach. There is no discussion about a diplomatic solution coming from these circles.

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NATO

I think that the danger is that if we stay on this geopolitical confrontation against Russia, against China, it is almost certain that the situation is going to end up in a Third World War. I should mention that the situation in the Middle East is all geared up about a potential war with Iran which, if it would come to that, could also escalate that war into a global war much more rapidly.

I should mention that the New York Times today reports that over 800 officials, civil servants, have put out a statement protesting the action of their governments. This includes officials from the United States, Great Britain, and several European countries, where these 800 civil servants say that they are dedicated to the constitution of their country and that they regard what the present government policies are doing as detrimental to the interests of their countries and very dangerous. They come out in a wave of protest.

So, there is some opposition developing, but I think we need to really come to the conclusion that, on the one side, we absolutely have to do something to stop what is happening in Gaza, because the three weeks left until The Hague Court meets again may not see many Palestinians alive if this is not changed. We need an immediate, absolutely urgent mobilization to all possible channels, contacting religious leaders, different civil organizations, elected officials. There must be an intervention to stop this and resume the situation by implementing all the measures which the International Court of Justice had mandated that Israel must do to prevent genocide. That must happen immediately.

But more generally, I think that we need to change the directionality of the whole situation. If you want to make an enemy, you just have to keep repeating: you are the enemy. And you will make an enemy. I think we need an absolute change.

The way out would be very easy if the people of Europe and the United States would declare firmly that we want to cooperate with the Global South, the Global Majority, and that we can find a solution in this cooperation very easily. That could happen: It could happen tomorrow, because Im 100% certain that the BRICS-Plus, the Global South countries would absolutely welcome any such gesture coming from the Global North.

We need to also really seriously think of how we can put the international security and development architecture as the only way out, on the agenda. But I think the immediate situation now really is the saving of the people of Palestine.

In Closing

I would also like to point to the fact that Hamas is the elected government of Gaza. If you are an aid organizationit doesnt matter if its Caritas or UNRWAif you are operating in a country with international people, any relief situation, you always have to coordinate with the government which is in charge of that place. So, the argument that 10% of the UNRWA people have relations with Hamas is a completely bogus issue. If you want to say, I have a truck with milk powder, and I want to go through the following road, you have to contact the bureaucracy which is in charge of that road. Im just saying that you can twist any statement to mean the opposite.

Furthermore, we should not forget that, in the meantime, in the last three months since the attack by Hamas occurred in Israel, there were reports, even in the Israeli media pointing to the fact that it was Netanyahu himself who had funded Hamas and helped to build it up as a counter to the Palestinian Authority, with the specific intention of having Hamas become stronger so it would preclude the idea of a Palestinian state.

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Netanyahu Facebook page

People nowadays think you should forget the history of every conflict and just believe the narrative which is being put out on that day. That is the case for Gaza, and thats the case for Ukraine, and for any other conflict. But we have a memory, because we are not stupid. Thats one thing one can say.

I think we should really take this to our hearts because every minute, every hourI saw some of the movie footage from other countries from China, from Al-Jazeerawhen you see some of the interviews, people are sitting there, running from place to place. They are being told Go to the south, its safe there. Then they are being bombed there, driven away. It is just unbelievable what is happening.

Take Personal Responsibility for a Better Solution

Therefore, I think we should all feel a personal responsibility to bring this to a better solution. In a certain sense, once you know what is going on, we are all part of the one human family, and you can always say, What do I have to do with Palestine? But its our humanity, we are before the world court, which is history. We are all responsible for the outcome of what happens. I think you should think about that, because nowadays people do not think as world historical citizens: They tend to think I have my private life, and thats good enough for me to take care of. But from the standpoint of universal history, we are world citizens, and what we do or not do makes our history. Thats our one humanity, and one mankind.

So, I would really urge you to take it to your heart. You may know other organizations which have been involved in peace efforts. I think we all need unified actions. If all the other organizations which we have not yet managed to bring into the International Peace Coalition would also all work together in common actions, with the aim to put pressure on the governments to undo this cutoff of financing to UNRWAyou know all the names, I dont need to elaborate them allI think we can turn this into a very powerful force, and I think thats the best thing I can think about in the moment to intervene.

So, please do the very best you can.
This article appears in the February 9, 2024 issue of Executive Intelligence Review.

Chicago City Council Strikes the Moral Nerve, Passes Gaza Ceasefire Resolution

[Print version of this article]

Feb. 3As the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in no uncertain terms Jan. 26, Israel is in grave danger of causing a genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Even without this monumental decision, this fact had already been clear for the world to see as Israel has continued to bombard defenseless civilians and literally starve them and deprive them of the most basic essentials required for life. However, the most glaring aspect of the ruling was not merely that Israels actions are plausibly causing genocide, but that the most powerful and so-called leading nations of the world may soon be shown to be complicit in genocide.

With such an overwhelming situation, many are prone to feelings of helplessness and apathy, especially given the decades of moral and cultural decay of the American psyche. Indeed, this reaction has been reinforced by efforts of the military-industrial-financial complex and its defenders to censor, dox, and otherwise intimidate those speaking out. However, to the surprise of many, a contrary response is now taking place, and is even accelerating.

An explosive political environment has been unfolding in the United States, where citizens are increasingly pushing back against the environment of pragmatic complicity on the one hand, and intimidation on the other. From demonstrations to sit-ins to lawsuits, citizens have taken increasingly bold and determined actions to make clear that the Biden Administrations military and financial support for Israels war of extermination does not have their approvaland its working.

The wave of resolutions demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, being passed by city councils and other local bodies, is noteworthy. The third largest city in the country, Chicago, became the latest to pass such a resolution on Jan. 31. It was the result of an all-out brawl over the last couple of months, and shows the power that a determined and passionate group of organizers can wield. Titled Uniting for Peace, the resolution was introduced by Alderman Rosanna Rodriguez-Sanchez and Alderman Daniel La Spata on Dec. 13, 2023. It simply asserts:

BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the members of the Chicago City Council, support the United Nations implementation of Resolution 377, known as Uniting for Peace, which called an emergency session of the General Assembly which voted in favor of immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and

BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Chicago City Council, do hereby call upon President Joseph J. Biden, Jr. and the United States Congress to call for and facilitate a lasting Peace in Gaza starting with a permanent ceasefire to end the ongoing violence and to promptly send and facilitate the entry of humanitarian assistance including medicine, food, and water, into the impacted region....

A coalition of organizations across the country met in Chicago Jan. 1213 for an emergency summit hosted by Jesse Jacksons organization, Rainbow PUSH. The event brought together faith leaders, peace leaders, civil rights leaders, and other organizers to have a serious dialogue on how to actually achieve peace in Gaza, with this Chicago resolution as a highlighted focus. It was very clear that those who gathered were very determined, despite a snowstorm and below-freezing temperatures. Organizers in Chicago reported that tons of money was being pumped in to stop the resolution, and even worse, aldermen were being threatened with the withdrawal of funding from schools and local projects if they voted yes for a ceasefire.

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Block Club Chicago/John Vondruska

Organizers efforts went into high gear in the wake of the conference. Overall, 165 organizations in Chicago participated in organizing for the resolution, representing a broad array of the citys population. This included student organizations; teacher associations; community organizations; Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faith-based organizations; organizations representing various nationalities; and more. It was obvious that this effort truly did represent a mass-mobilization across Chicagos diverse communities, determined to unite for a common cause.

The vote was scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 24, but was postponed one week due to Holocaust Remembrance Day, which had never before been acknowledged or cared about by the city, according to the organizers. But the organizers didnt get discouraged and instead used the extra time to approach Chicagos Mayor, Brandon Johnson, who subsequently came out publicly endorsing the ceasefire resolution. Two letters were also circulated to all the aldermen, one signed by over 1,000 Jewish Chicago citizens demanding a ceasefire and calling upon the best of humanity to prevail for peace, and the second, a personal letter from Jesse Jackson endorsing the resolution.

Young people, especially highschoolers, turned out in force, with 10 schools organizing a walk-out in support of the ceasefire resolution today. One thousand students lined up early in the cold Chicago morning before City Hall even opened, having marched from their schools. Organizers reported that, by their count, there were at least 5,000 people assembled outside and inside City Hall, waiting for three hours to hear the news of the vote. In the lobby, protesters were chanting Ceasefire now! and directed calls at Alderman Silversteinthe main opponent of the ceasefire resolution, saying: Silverstein, you cant hide, youre supporting genocide!

After a long debate and many passionate testimonies, the votes were cast, one by one. It came down to a tie! Twenty-three in favor, and 23 opposed. Mayor Johnson cast the tie-breaking vote, pushing the resolution over the threshold to pass. Chicago, a city of 2.75 million people, thus became the largest city in the United States, so far, to pass a ceasefire resolution. Mayor Johnson, in speaking to his remarkable tie-breaking vote, asserted,

I condemn the actions of Hamas. But at this point now, I believe were at 25,000 Palestinians that have been killed during this war, and the killing has to stop. Yes, we need a ceasefire.

According to Reuters, there are now 48 cities in the U.S. that have passed similar resolutions. Given the significance of the Chicago resolution and the energy that went into its passage, this vote promises to add to the momentum sweeping the country and the world, as pressure builds for the U.S. to change policy. As an example, the news was picked by Arab News, one of the leading Saudi newspapers, which titled a Feb. 1 article: Chicagos Mayor Casts Tie-Breaking Vote to Ensure Passing of Humanitarian Ceasefire Gaza Resolution.

Most importantly, however, the Chicago resolution serves as proof that history is not pre-determined or fixed, but can be seized upon by those willing to commit themselves to making it.
On 7 February Nicaragua's government led by Presidentsaid it had granted political asylum to Panama's right-wing former president(Cambio Democratico, 2009-2014), a leading contender in the 5 May 2024 presidential race.

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On 7 February Argentinas presidential spokesperson,, said the government was evaluating all constitutional tools to carry out Presidents economic reforms, after congress dealt a blow to his omnibus reform bill.

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At one point, it was nearly impossible to see sea otters along the west coast of the United States.

The animals were hunted nearly to extinction in the 1800s. People paid for their fur. At one point, only about 2,000 remained. Most lived in the waters off Alaska.

But by the 1980s, the animals started to recover. Three programs helped increase their population in northern California. First, hunters were banned from killing the otters. Next, an environmental program restored the wetlands where the otters once lived. And finally, Californias Monterey Bay Aquarium began to raise otters and release them into the wild.

For about 40 years, the animals have been back in the seaside area called Elkhorn Slough. It is between Monterey and San Francisco.

Brent Hughes is studying how the otters return affected the environment. He is a marine ecologist at nearby Sonoma State University.

He recently published a report in the science journal Nature. Hughes and his team looked at a wetland area called a tidal estuary. The researchers found that the otters perform a service that keeps the area from eroding -- or wearing away.

Hughes said the otters feed on a destructive shellfish called the striped shore crab. The crabs dig into the mud and sand and bite the roots of a marsh grass known as pickleweed. Pickleweed holds the soil in place during coastal flooding.

The holes the crabs make cause the area to look like Swiss cheese, Hughes said. Swiss cheese is a kind of cheese with many holes.

For the new study, researchers examined erosion rates dating back to the 1930s. The historical data help the researchers understand the effects of sea otters return to the area.

The researchers also set up fences that prevented the otters from entering certain areas for three years. In the fenced-off section of the estuary, the scientists say the soil eroded much more quickly.

Hughes said the otters dont completely reverse erosion but slow it down to natural levels.

The otter study is one of several research projects that follow what happens to an area when a top predator returns after a long period of time.

A famous past study looked at the return of gray wolves to Yellowstone National Park. The wolves hunted elk and moose that ate small trees along riverbanks. With fewer elk and moose, the trees started growing again and the riverbanks did not erode as quickly.

Something similar happened when the otters returned.

Johan Eklof is a Swedish marine biologist from Stockholm University who reviewed the study. Other studies, he noted, depended only on observation. But this new study leaves no doubt that the otters limit erosion.

Other studies show that otters can be helpful for plants. One study said the otters eat sea creatures called urchins that feed on kelp. The return of the otters permitted the kelp to grow again.

Brian Silliman is a coastal ecologist from Duke University in North Carolina. He co-wrote the new study. He described the otters as amazing finders and eaters.

Im Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report by the Associated Press.

________________________________________________

Words in This Story

extinction n. the state or situation that results when something (such as a plant or animal species) has died out completely

affect v. to produce an effect on something

certain n. a known place or area

predator n. an animal that lives by killing and eating other animals

We want to hear from you. Have you ever seen a sea otter up close? What did you think?
New Park in Louisville, Kentucky

Alberta O. Jones Park offers a brand new playground!

For parents seeking a peaceful retreat in the heart of Louisville, Alberta O. Jones Park is a haven that offers family-friendly activities. Named after the inspiring civil rights activist, Alberta O. Jones, this park invites parents to explore its natural beauty and engage in recreational fun.

Alberta O. Jones Park is a great destination for parents looking to sit in the sunshine or play with their families. The playground is a mix of structures that really will be fun for older kids as well as toddlers and preschoolers. We hope you will check it out!

Honoring Alberta O. Jones:

The park pays homage to Alberta O. Jones, a trailblazer in civil rights who left an indelible mark on Louisville. Her legacy is celebrated in this green space, reminding parents of the positive impact one person can have on a community. According to the Louisville Parks Alliance website, she was the first Black women to pass the Kentucky Bar exam and opened a practice in Louisville at 2018 West Broadway just blocks from the site of the new park.

Address: 717 South 23rd St 40211

Alberta O. Jones Park offers meandering walking trails surrounded by trees to create a lovely space to spend an afternoon or morning playing. Its an ideal setting for parents to take a break, reconnect with nature, or enjoy a relaxing family picnic. Everyone is always looking for a new playground to explore in Louisville so head to this one next time you have a sunny day. There is street parking and its free. Bathrooms as well, yay!

Active families will appreciate the brand-new playground at Alberta O. Jones Park. It opening in 2023 and has equipment for all ages. They have a giant slide, so much for climbing, plenty of space, and unique playground equipment that combines music with play. The colors are so bright, its really inviting. When you pull up, your kids are going to be so excited to run and play.

Amenities:

Exercise stations Grills Multipurpose field Outdoor classroom Pavilions (2) Playground Restrooms Walking path Free WIFI

The park serves as a community gathering spot. Throughout the year, look for various events and celebrations bringing families together. Alberta O. Jones Park is a wonderful new addition for outdoor fun for Louisville families. While you are there, be sure to see the Alberta Jones Photomosaic Mural. Love the art that is there alongside the playground.

Looking for more playgrounds? Here are some really good ones. You can spend time at a different one each week during when the weather is warmer!
Before the debut of Netflix's ambitious sci-fi series "3 Body Problem" on March 21, the critically acclaimed Chinese adaptation of Liu Cixin's novel "The Three-Body Problem" will premiere first for American audiences.



A poster for the NBCU debut of the "Three-Body" series. [Photo courtesy of Tencent Video]

This epic sci-fi drama, titled "Three-Body," will be available on Peacock, NBCUniversal's flagship streamer, starting Feb. 10, the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year. All episodes will be accessible in the United States from that date.

Many sci-fi fans have lauded the Chinese series for its faithful adaptation of the book, which was the first Asian novel to win the Hugo Award. Since its debut in January 2023 on China's Tencent Video platform and Chinese Central Television (CCTV), the series has received high praise for its quality, imagination, humanity and artistry. As of Feb. 6, 2024, it has received a high score of 8.7/10 based on ratings from over 430,000 users on Douban, China's major review aggregation website.

As word-of-mouth spreads, it has ignited a "Three-Body" craze both domestically and internationally. On YouTube, the series "Three-Body" has amassed over 10 million views, with a total viewing time exceeding 2.6 million hours. On IMDb, each episode has received high scores above 7/10, with episode 29 achieving a rating of 8.5/10, the highest among all 30 episodes.

Tencent Video spent more than seven years crafting the series, blending international vision with Chinese culture. In their press release on Wednesday, Tencent Video stated that the series has introduced the Chinese style of "cosmic imagination" to the world, opening up new avenues for the overseas expansion of Chinese content and pop culture. In the future, Tencent Video aims to continue advancing artistic creation and technological innovation, further exploring and developing cutting-edge sci-fi series. This commitment will contribute to the growth of diverse television shows and the creation of more high-quality masterpieces, it stated.

Back in June 2023, Tencent Video and The Three-Body Universe, the rights-holding company, announced plans to develop two additional TV series. The first will be "Three-Body II: The Dark Forest," a sequel derived from the novel of the same name, which is the second installment in Liu Cixin's "Remembrance of Earth's Past" trilogy. The other will be a spin-off series focusing on police officer Shi Qiang, one of the protagonists in "The Three-Body Problem."
Although lots at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridges East Parking do not usually require prior booking, booking is now required when the remaining number of available lots drops below 600. The parking is built for arriving drivers whose cars are not permitted to enter Macau. Parking at the venue is free-of-charge but is for period of no more than eight days. Once a booking is confirmed, when such is required, the registered car must enter the parking facility within three hours. Details on entry and booking are available on the Transport Bureaus (DSAT) website.

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China replaced the head of its market watchdog yesterday in an apparent attempt to restore confidence in financial markets following a prolonged downturn.

Official media said Wu Qing, a former chairman of the Shanghai Stock Exchange, would replace Yi Huiman as chairman and Communist Party chief of the China Securities Regulatory Commission.

Chinese stocks have been trading near 5-year lows despite various measures to stabilize the markets.

The official Xinhua News Agency gave no reason for Yis departure but Chinese media said Wu was nicknamed Broker Butcher for his tough stance on enforcing rules against various abuses.

Wu, a banking industry veteran, is also a former vice mayor of Shanghai.

Markets in Shanghai and Shenzhen have languished, partly due to heavy selling of property shares following a crackdown on excessive borrowing by developers.

Earlier this week, the CSRC said it was cracking down on insider trading, market manipulation and other crimes and would protect small investors.

The appointment came during a week that has seen wild swings in share prices and despair among investors who have seen their investments evaporate.

Thousands have vented their frustrations on the U.S. Embassys blog, lamenting about the stock markets woes in a seemingly unrelated post about protection of giraffes  a tactic reflecting the narrow scope for expression in Chinas Communist Party-controlled media environment.

Buying Chinese equities feels like catching a falling knife, Ipek Ozkardeskaya of Swissquote said in a commentary.

The efforts so far have been inefficient to trigger a sustained recovery and they will hardly bring investors back on board, Ozkardeskaya said of measures that included a pledge by a state investment fund to step up purchases of exchange-traded funds. Throwing money into the mix is a clumsy quick fix, it wont fix confidence.

China faces both short and longer-term challenges that economists say will require substantial reforms to keep its economy growing at a robust pace.

The property market, a major driver provider of jobs and consumer demand, fell into crisis when developers defaulted on debts and became unable to deliver apartments to buyers who had already paid for them with their life savings.

By removing Yi, Chinas leaders may be hoping to turn a new page with the beginning of the Lunar New Year. The country will close down for a week-long holiday from Friday, leaving time for markets to settle.

The effort to calm the markets has gained urgency as top officials prepare to gather in Beijing for the annual meeting of the national congress, a time when the Communist Party seeks to showcase its leadership and set new financial targets.

That image has been tarnished in recent years by an erratic and often heavy-handed approach to COVID-19, including monthslong lockdowns that restricted travel and work for tens of millions of people. MDT/AP
Chinese and U.S. officials have met in Beijing for talks on tough issues dividing the two largest economies, as trade and tariffs increasingly draw attention in the runup to the U.S. presidential election.

Chinas Ministry of Finance said Beijing raised objections to higher tariffs on Chinese exports, two-way investment restrictions and other limits on trade and technology during the talks by the countries Economic Working Group. In a statement, it characterized the Monday-Tuesday talks as constructive.

The talks sent a positive signal, the Global Times, a newspaper of Chinas ruling Communist Party, said in an article published late Tuesday.

This positive trend, despite lingering disputes, offers much-needed reassurance for businesses of the two countries as well as the international community amid rising global challenges, it said.

The U.S. Treasury Department said U.S. officials reiterated concerns over Chinese industrial policy practices and overcapacity, and the resulting impact on U.S. workers and firms.

That reflects worries that as Chinas economy slows, partly due to a prolonged crisis in its property market but also longer term trends such as an aging population, its leaders are likely to rely more heavily on boosting export manufacturing to make up for weak demand at home.

Given Chinas already huge market shares in many industries, that could boost capacity to unsustainable levels and crowd foreign manufacturers out of many industries, some economists say.

One example: photo-voltaic solar panels, where massive investment means that China controls about 80% of the market share for all manufacturing stages, according to a recent report by the International Energy Agency. The rapid ascent of Chinese suppliers has raised proposals in Europe for import controls, but those could slow the regions progress in combating climate change but cutting carbon emissions.

The two sides said the talks in Beijing also touched on issues such as debt problems in developing countries, financial cooperation and economic policies.

U.S. officials reaffirmed that the U.S. is not seeking to decouple the two economies and instead seeks a healthy economic relationship that provides a level playing field for American companies and workers, the Treasury Department said.

It said both sides agreed to meet again in April.

Exchanges between the two powers picked up last year, gaining momentum after President Joe Biden met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at a November summit in San Francisco, California.

But despite the slight improvement in relations, tensions remain high, particularly over Taiwan. Biden has kept in place most of the tariffs on Chinese imports that former President Donald Trump imposed when he launched a trade war in 2018.

His administration has also tightened controls on Chinese access to advanced computer chips and the technology to make them, along with other strategically sensitive know-how.

Reports that Trump would raise tariffs even higher if he is elected have shaken fragile investor sentiment in China, where the financial markets are in the midst of a prolonged slump.

The Economic Working Groups meeting was its third since it was established in September and its first in Beijing. A Treasury delegation met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng while in Beijing and conveyed a message that Yellen hoped to visit China at an appropriate time. ELAINE KURTENBACH, BANGKOK, MDT/AP
Since Jan. 26, the Hengqin Border Checkpoint has recorded 670,000 border crossings, equating to over 67,000 crossings each day on average.

According to a report by Macao Daily News, the borders clearance services have been operating to high capacity since the aforementioned date, which marks Spring Festival Travel in mainland China.

During Lunar New Year, which represents seven days of holiday on the mainland, workers in Macau will travel back to their native homes, reuniting with friends and families. This practice is where the name Spring Festival Travel comes from.

The border control entity also attributed the rise in traffic to the simultaneous openings of the intercity railway from Zhuhai Airport to Hengqin, and the Jinhai Highway Bridges connecting Jinwan and Hengqin. This has driven more travelers to use the checkpoint out of convenience.

There were about 11,000 tourists passing through the border with passports, a month-on-month increase of about 25.3%. As the holiday period draws closer, the number of tourists going to Macau has also increased. Since Jan. 26, more than 10,000 people have passed through the Hengqin checkpoint every day, travelling to Macau. AL
A member of the Urban Planning Committee (CPU) has expressed concerns over the possibility of urban renewal projects adding pressure to the capacity of construction waste landfills, he said yesterday during the CPUs first meeting of the year.

While addressing the first project through analysis for approval of the urban conditions plan (PCU), the member expressed concerns that such a project, as well as others of the same kind, could lead to extensive demolition works, consequently resulting in a large volume of construction waste.

The member noted that the government had recently presented a project for the construction of a new construction materials landfill, to be built offshore of Coloane. The justification for such a project was that the current landfill is almost full.

The same member suggested the CPU potentially impose conditions, in some cases, for the limited demolition of existing structures, providing for more extensive renovation projects rather than full demolitions.

Such an idea did not gather much support from other committee members, with the head of the Department of Urban Planning of the Land and Urban Construction Bureau (DSSCU), Leong Io Hong, refuting the idea that Macaus construction waste management is in dire straits.

Leong said that rules already exist that prevent people from creating unnecessary waste, such as the payment of a fee for the deposit of such waste in the landfill.

The same official also noted that as part of such work, the department in charge of managing construction waste landfill is also evaluating which types of waste are able to be treated and recycled instead of just being buried.

As the Times has previously reported, the new, offshore waste landfill project has received many opinions, particularly from ecologists and environmental advocacy groups, as well as some lawmakers. All have expressed concerns that the project poses potential damage to the marine ecosystem.
As the Lunar New Year rolls in during February, MGM has launched a fresh revitalization initiative Barra Spring Fest  in which MGM has extended its arts & culture ingenuity and network into Barra district, and collaborated with local SMEs, artists, and performers to jointly inject contemporary, trendy, artistic and lifestyle elements to celebrate the concept of Living Art in Style. The Barra Spring Fest gives fresh impetus to Navy Yard No. 1 & 2 of Barra District, by bringing in fun-filled, exclusive CNY happenings ranging from arts & culture, leisure, refreshments, shopping, and more  with a view to revitalizing Barra district into a novel social and cultural hub.

The Reminiscences of Barra: A Visual Journey Archives and Arts Exhibition (Exhibition)  co-organized by MGM and the Cultural Affairs Bureau (ICM), and co-hosted by the Macao Cultural Development Promotion Association  is a signature event among all happenings of Barra Spring Fest. It made its grand debut today at Navy Yard No. 1, with its opening ceremony attended by a line-up of guests, including Leong Wai Man, President of ICM; Bai Bing, Director of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central Peoples Government in the Macao SAR; Kenneth Feng, President and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited; Lok Hei, Vice President of the Macao Cultural Development Promotion Association; and Fong Man Wai, Curator of the Exhibition.

The Exhibition revolves around themes of architectural conservation, community development and cultural promotion; and displays artworks created by local artists that document the histories of Barra. They include documentary materials carefully singled out by ICM, as well as a total of 70 watercolor paintings, traditional Chinese paintings, and photography works by Macau artists. Such a collection enables audiences to explore Barras heritage from various angles through multiple art forms. The Exhibition itself is also intended to offer a widened stage for local artists to better showcase their creations to the public. Free guided tours are available at specific time slots on weekends, allowing people to experience the remarkable stories of Macau behind each artwork under the guidance of docents without the need for advance reservation.

Kenneth Feng, President and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited, said Barra was the origin of Sino-Western fusion in Macau, a pivotal node on the maritime Silk Road, and also a center of local maritime industry. MGM joins hands with ICM and the Macao Cultural Development Promotion Association to present this joint exhibition, where we draw on art to reimagine Barras history into a new limelight of the city, guiding everyone to rediscover the cultural and historical allure of Barra. MGM is always committed to its development commitments. This time, we have combined this Exhibition with multiple festive experiences to create a vibrant hub at Barra district, where culture, tourism and business can collectively thrive. Our goal here is to entice more people to visit Barra via walking routes connecting the Inner Harbor and the Historic Centre of Macao, and thus further revitalizing the Barra district.

Leong Wai Man, President of ICM, said The Barra district bears tangible testimony to Macaus industrial development. It once played a key role in local shipbuilding and now stands as a rather intact area of Macaus maritime culture and industrial facilities. The SAR government has collaborated with MGM to initiate the Barra Revitalization Plan since last year. We have endeavored to incorporate heritage conservation and creativity to render the area new and vital functions. Through this Exhibition that embraces histories and local artworks, we aim to showcase the historical transitions and cultural richness of Barra district, beckoning more people to support and participate in its future development.

To further enhance Barra districts artistic ambiance and encourage the use of public transportation, MGM taps into the synergy of culture + tourism + transportation and establishes a dedicated gallery at LRT Barra Station  using in-station lightboxes to display artworks related to Barra for passengers to appreciate on-the-go during their commutes. Besides, MGM also partners with local renowned artist Lok Hei to introduce a novel Macao: Back to Common Roots AR Experience onto the MGM Macau Cruise sightseeing cruise that launched last year  enabling passengers to utilize innovative technology to enjoy aboard Loks paintings depicting eight First milestones of Macaus East-West cultural fusion. Such a travel mode also offers facilitated travel between two historical heritage areas in just 30 minutes, opening up a new sea-land arts route traversing the ancient and modern times, allowing residents and tourists to immerse into a breezy, cozy Barra CityWalk journey!

Community Revitalization Benefitting Macau SMEs

The MGM Barra Spring Fest is also designed with the purpose to support and benefit local SMEs. MGM has invited multiple SMEs to participate in this CNY initiative. It features local flower shop A.O. Flower, which brings in flower stall and Floral Workshops where participants can style festive flowers to welcome the new year. In addition, many local well-known brands, like Choi Heong Yuen Bakery Macau, F. Rodrigues (suc.res) LDA and Yau Kei Dragons Bear Candy, station in Barra district to offer local specialties like Almond Cookies, Portuguese Sardine Pate, and Dragon Beard Candy. MGM also invited local coffee shop Fill Cafe and creative beverage studio ASAP to transform Navy Yard No. 2 into a Day Cafe & Night Bar pop-up for visitors to enjoy specially brewed coffee during daylight and delight in Chinese tea-infused cocktails at night, fully embracing the charm of Barra district all day long.

Flower Ieong, Founder of local SME coffee shop Fill Cafe, said I am delighted to participate in MGM Barra Spring Fest, which provides local SMEs within Barra like us a broader business platform. The event prompts more residents and tourists to pay visits into our community, which in turn drives visitation and consumption. It not only expands business opportunities for us, but also allows more international guests to experience the creativity of Macau SMEs first-hand. I am happy to see many people are getting more interested in Barra district because of this event, which helps transform it from once a lesser-known place to now a popular leisure spot.

The Barra Spring Fest also features an array of diverse and interactive Spring Festival activities. MGM puts up a Bamboo Lion Head Installation, which plays as both a photo spot and music stage, in the open space opposite Navy Yard No. 2. During weekends and public holidays of CNY, local musicians  including Aiden, Iron Son, Winnie, Coco, FIDA, and local band Third Impact  will grace the stage and bring busking performances to the public. There will also be interactive and fun activities, along with surprises from the God of fortune, ensuring a memorable cultural tourism experience for visitors.

For detailed information about the Barra Spring Fest, please visit:

https://www.mgm.mo/en/cotai/entertainment/BarraSpringFest
This year, MGM has again been awarded seven Forbes Travel Guides Five-Star Awards. This is a testament to the Companys leading position in the hospitality industry and its commitment to providing the finest service and resort amenities.

For the ninth and fifth consecutive year, MGM MACAU and Tria at both MGM MACAU and MGM COTAI have received Forbes Travel Guides Five-Star honors, respectively. Additionally, the Company has won four Five-Star Awards between both properties for three years in a row: the Emerald Tower, the Skylofts, and Sichuanese restaurant Five Foot Road at MGM COTAI; and Chinese Lingnan restaurant Imperial Court at MGM MACAU.

Mr. Hubert Wang, President and Chief Operating Officer of MGM China Holdings Limited, said, MGM is honored for being recognized as Forbes Travel Guides Five-Star for nine consecutive years. I sincerely thank the Golden Lion Team for their concerted efforts and innovative thinking in creating top-notch, world-class hospitality and gastronomic experiences. This global accolade not only enhances Macaus international image and its allure for tourists, but also has a positive impact on MGM for further expanding its foreign tourist markets.

Skylofts at MGM COTAI, which has won the Forbes Travel Guides Five-Star Award for the third time, features unique loft-style accommodation located atop the resorts M Tower. Its one-of-a-kind design elements is inspired by New York Citys lofts and reimagines exceptional moments for the most discerning guests through its unique facilities, impeccable services, and multi-sensory experience, making it the New Haven of modern luxurious hospitality. Another Forbes Travel Guides Five-Star Award winner in MGM COTAI is theEmerald Tower, which blends modern luxury with east-meet-west cultural elements. The 547 guest rooms, including suites and villas, are designed with minimalism in mind, creating a contemporary casual elegance.

Five Foot Road at MGM COTAI, one of MGMs two restaurants awarded with Forbes Travel Guides Five-Star for three consecutive years, is a unique dining concept that enable guests to experience the most sophisticated side of the Sichuanese culinary craftsmanship, while paying tribute to the century-old classics from Chengdu. Another Five-Star awardee, Imperial Court, with unique positioning of Lingnan specialties and chefs dedication to sourcing the best and seasonal ingredients, redefines time-honored classics from Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan and Hakka origins under unconventional spark.

MGM MACAU has been awarded the Forbes Travel Guides Five-Star honor for the ninth consecutive year. It has around 600 guest rooms and suites, boasting distinguished features and world-class facilities, including the iconic European-inspired Grande Praca, seven signature restaurants and bars, and venues ideal for diverse events. The two spas at both MGM hotels  Tria at MGM MACAU and MGM COTAI, also earned Five-Star ratings for five consecutive years. Both feature a unique and exclusive spa concept focusing on tailor-made treatments.

MGM received the following 2024 Forbes Travel Guides Five-Star Awards:

MGM MACAU MGM COTAI MGM MACAU

Imperial Court

Tria Emerald Tower

Skylofts

Five Foot Road

Tria

For a detailed explanation of how Forbes Travel Guide compiles its Star ratings, click here.
Many local residents are unhappy with the transformation of the Sai Van Bridge, which now includes flashing, colored lights placed on its towers.

The new lighting system was first activated Tuesday evening and went viral on social media, with many videos of the lights surfacing on many platforms.

Netizens opinions on the lights novelty were immediate, with most making jokes or expressing anger.

Comments included, How much did they spend on this?, Why cant we be normal?, and Before was elegant, now is just lousy and pathetic!. Some netizens also expressed concerns over how the lights, in their intensity, affected drivers.

Others went further, stating the lights resemble the Chinese representation of hell.

Others expressed sadness over the loss of the bridges former golden arches.

For many years, the bridge enjoyed the nickname McDonalds bridge. Now, netizens think it resembles something from a mainland village.

The Times found almost half of about 3,000 Facebook reactions were angry emoji faces, followed by laughing and sad ones.

The Times approached several people for comment about their criticisms.

Central District Community Advisory Board member Antonio Monteiro told the Times that he believes that when residents saw the bridge undergoing maintenance, they were expecting general renovations, given it is almost two decades old.

Public opinion speaks loudly, he added, and I believe that most consider the bridges new aesthetic negatively in comparison with its former beauty. Additionally, people view these changes as distracting for drivers, as well as light polluting.

Monteiro also noted previous criticism about excessive light from some buildings on the Hengqin bank.

It must be even more surprising for the population to see this sudden, very bright lighting, this time on the Macau bank, he said.

He also noted that lighting colors change at a very high frequency, causing several people to comment that it looked like they were living in a nightclub.

The same community advisor also noted that, aside from the authorities decision to enact this change, he believes the population is currently very concerned by the existing challenges related to traffic and transportation.

He admitted to already hearing strong opinions of disappointment, with people remarking, Instead of working to transform the bridge into a rainbow, it would make much more sense to invest in solutions for public parking, improve the parking meters, the taxi service and the mobile applications to call taxis. These are the very concerning problems for both locals and tourists that need to be addressed.

He said it was difficult to understand the purpose behind the aesthetic change, as well as its timing.

Joe Chan, environmental activist and president of the Macau Green Students Union, told the Times the change is a devastating example of light pollution.

Its not necessary to change the light decoration of the bridge. The way it was before was simple and sufficient, Chan said.

He noted his group would not mind if the color of the bridges light changed to mark special occasions, such as Womens Day or Ocean Day.

But we are firmly against the idea that we use the bridge or its lights as an advertisement board, said Chan.

The high frequency with which the lights flash is irritating and annoying. It hurts the eyes of citizens and easily distracts drivers, which increases the risk of accidents, he said.

He saw no benefit to the change apart from luring more tourists through flashy attractions. But, sadly, this just ruins Macaus culture as a leisure city.

For Chan, local peoples strong social media opinions prove they are unwilling to sacrifice their living standards just for the sake of earning money.
When it comes to dealing with a Florida college student who uses public data and social media to track the private jets of billionaires, politicians and other celebrities, Taylor Swift apparently cant just shake it off.

In late December, Swifts camp hit Jack Sweeney, a junior studying information technology at the University of Central Florida, with a cease-and-desist letter that blamed his automated tracking of her private jet for tipping off stalkers as to her location. In the letter, attorneys from the law firm Venable accused Sweeney of effectively providing individuals intent on harming her, or with nefarious or violent intentions, a roadmap to carry out their plans.

Sweeney provided the link to that letter in an email to The Associated Press. In that message, he emphasized that while he has never intended to cause harm, he also believes strongly in the importance of transparency and public information.

One should reasonably expect that their jet will be tracked, whether or not Im the one doing it, as it is public information after all, he wrote.

A spokesperson for Swift echoed the legal complaint, saying that the timing of stalkers suggests a connection to Sweeneys flight-tracking sites. The spokesperson did not respond to questions seeking elaboration of that charge, such as whether stalkers have been seen waiting for Swift at the airport when her plane arrived or, alternatively, if there is evidence that stalkers have somehow inferred Swifts subsequent location from the arrival time of her flight.

The legal letter likewise accuses Sweeney of disregarding the personal safety of others; willful and repeated harassment of our client; and intentional, offensive, and outrageous conduct and consistent violations of our clients privacy.

Such statements are difficult to square with the fact that Sweeneys automated tracking accounts merely repackage public data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration, a government agency. That fact did not dissuade the Venable attorneys, who demanded that Sweeney immediately stop providing information about our clients location to the public.

The Swift spokesperson did not reply to a question inquiring whether the attorneys had issued the same demand to the FAA.

At one point Sweeney had more than 30 such accounts on Twitter, now known as X after Elon Musk purchased the site for $44 billion in 2022. Musk subsequently had his own dustup with Sweeney, tweeting at one point that his commitment to free speech required him not to ban Sweeneys @elonjet account even though he considered it a direct personal safety risk.

But it wasnt long before Musk abruptly about-faced and effectively banned the student from X, accusing Sweeney of endangering his personal safety. DAVID HAMILTON, SAN FRANCISCO, MDT/AP
For the first time in more than two decades, Mexico last year surpassed China as the leading source of goods imported by the United States. The shift reflects the growing tensions between Washington and Beijing as well as U.S. efforts to import from countries that are friendlier and closer to home.

Figures released Wednesday [today, Macau time] by the U.S. Commerce Department show that the value of goods imported by the United States from Mexico rose nearly 5% from 2022 to 2023, to more than $475 billion. At the same time, the value of Chinese imports tumbled 20% to $427 billion.

The last time that Mexican goods imported by the United States exceeded the value of Chinas imports was in 2002.

Economic relations between the United States and China have severely deteriorated in recent years as Beijing has fought aggressively on trade and made ominous military gestures in the Far East.

The Trump administration began imposing tariffs on Chinese imports in 2018, arguing that Beijings trade practices violated global trade rules. President Joe Biden retained those tariffs after taking office in 2021, making clear that antagonism toward China would be a rare area of common ground for Democrats and Republicans.

As an alternative to offshoring production to China, which U.S. corporations had long engaged in, the Biden administration has urged companies to seek suppliers in allied countries (friend-shoring) or to return manufacturing to the United States (reshoring). Supply-chain disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic also led U.S. companies to seek supplies closer to the United States (near-shoring).

Mexico has been among the beneficiaries of the growing shift away from reliance on Chinese factories. But the picture is more complicated than it might seem. Some Chinese manufacturers have established factories in Mexico to exploit the benefits of the 3-year-old U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement, which allows for duty-free trade in North America for many products.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said this week that the trade status gives Mexico new leverage, saying it would make it hard for the U.S. to close the two countries border to limit immigration, as suggested in negotiations on a border bill in the U.S. Senate.

The negotiation is proposing closing the border, he said. Do you think Americans, or Mexicans, but especially the Americans, would approve that? The businesses wouldnt take it, maybe one day, but not a week.

Some industries  especially auto manufacturers  have set up plants on both sides of the border that depend on each for a steady supply of parts.

Derek Scissors, a China specialist at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, noted that the biggest drops in Chinese imports were in computers and electronics and chemicals and pharmaceuticals  all politically sensitive categories.

Scissors suggested that the drop in U.S. reliance on Chinese goods partly reflects wariness of Beijings economic policies under President Xi Jinping.

Overall, the U.S. deficit in the trade of goods with the rest of the world  the gap between the value of what the United States sells and what it buys abroad  narrowed 10% last year to $1.06 trillion.

MDT/AP
Sci-fi writers from multiple countries are writing dragon-themed original sci-fi stories for the 2024 Science Fiction New Year Gala, celebrating the upcoming Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac.



A poster for the 2024 Science Fiction New Year Gala designed by Xun. [Image courtesy of Future Affairs Administration]

Dragons are present in both Chinese and Western cultures. However, in China, dragons are seen as more divine and auspicious, while in the West, they are often portrayed as monsters or evil beings. The varied interpretations from writers of diverse backgrounds promise to offer unique visions of dragons.

"What's special this time is our invitation for both Chinese and foreign writers to come together and write about China's highest spiritual totem, the dragon," said Ji Shaoting, founder and CEO of the Future Affairs Administration, a company that produces and promotes sci-fi works and supports new sci-fi writers in China. "The dragon is a mystical creature that resides in our spiritual world. Through this, we aim to achieve a new spiritual consensus among Chinese and foreigners during this moment," Ji added.

According to the organizer, the Future Affairs Administration, the ninth edition of the sci-fi New Year gala began on Feb. 6. From that day, one dragon-themed sci-fi story has been published daily and will continue for 11 consecutive days. The participating writers include China's Han Song, Cheng Jingbo, Zhou Wen, and Cai Jianfeng; Japan's Taiyo Fujii and Sayuri Ueda; as well as Canada's Derek Kunsken and Australia's Samantha Murray.

The authors are exploring topics such as logistics, the workplace, the Spring Festival travel rush, space stations, and intergenerational relationships. They are delving into science fiction themes, including interstellar exploration, artificial intelligence, spaceship rescue, and genetic technology. The stories are being published on WeChat official accounts managed by the Future Affairs Administration and will subsequently be released simultaneously on multiple platforms across the internet.

The company's podcast has also invited nine other renowned podcasts to join forces to present a program entitled "The Dragon in Your Heart." More than 50 brands and platforms that pay attention to or contribute to China's sci-fi development are also providing merchandise, toys, and books as gifts to sci-fi fans.

Since its inception in 2016, the Science Fiction New Year Gala has become a prominent platform for global sci-fi enthusiasts. Over the past eight years, the gala has invited more than 110 writers from over 10 countries and regions, showcased over 140 fiction pieces, and exhibited more than 70 pieces of artwork. It has collaborated with 30 podcast hosts from 21 different podcasts to produce over 60 hours of podcast content.

Notable figures in the sci-fi community, including Liu Cixin and Han Song, as well as renowned directors like Denis Villeneuve and Frant Gwo, have shared their greetings. According to statistics, in the past eight years, all the short stories published for the gala event accumulated a phenomenal 300 million views.

"The Science Fiction New Year Gala has always been our attempt to localize sci-fi. We aim for everyone to tell stories of human emotions in the most profound way, capturing the nostalgia of family reunions amidst the atmosphere of the Spring Festival. This is our method of telling Chinese stories through the medium of science fiction," Ji further commented.
Wynn actively works with the local community and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to progressively advance the development of community tourism, and a specific focus of this objective is to develop the Rua da Felicidade Pedestrian Zone into a multi-level tourist destination. Wynn collaborated with the Industry and Commerce Association of Macau to organize a daytime cultural market in the district and invited many local cultural and creative brands to come and promote their products. To increase interaction and marketing opportunities for SMEs, Wynn has developed an interconnected business district WeChat mini program with nearly 60 check-in signs set up across the district. Wynn also partnered with MPay to launch instant mobile payment discounts covering nearly 300 SMEs in the district and set up a dedicated business networking and purchasing consultation counter for procurement staff and representatives from the Industry and Commerce Association of Macau to meet with nearby merchants and cultural and creative companies to facilitate future collaboration opportunities.

Since September 2023, Wynn has organized and rolled out five large-scale festive campaigns on the main streets of the Rua da Felicidade Pedestrian Zone and extensively collaborated with local artistic and cultural associations to support performances from around 200 local artists. Moreover, Wynns marketing team partnered with SMEs in Rua da Felicidade to invite widely influential figures such as stars, celebrities, and key opinion leaders to film promotional and music videos in the district, which generated a total of 37,000,000 online and offline views and interactions, further raising the visibility of the district, and bringing more business opportunities to SMEs.

Wynn supportsprioritized procurement from local SMEs

As a commercial partner of the 28th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (the 28th MIF), Wynn specially co-hosted a live streaming platform with local e-commerce operator Aomi at the Wynn booth, inviting around 70 Macao brands, SMEs, designers, and entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services. The hosts also exchanged live streaming experiences with local businesses to help them better integrate into the digital era, expand market presence, and increase competitiveness.

Wynn teamed up with the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center to invite eight local designers to display their brands and designs so as to propel the development of Macaos cultural and creative industries and promote local designs by mobilizing online and offline resources. Wynns procurement team also set up a consultation counter at the booth to facilitate their meeting with local SMEs to create new business opportunities.

Inviting local enterprises for exhibition design to showcase the strength of Macao

Wynn joined hands with local innovative technology and design SMEs to hold The Contour of Light: A Re-Encounter with Leonardo Da Vinci exhibition last year to showcase Macaos culture. Producer of TheNookStudio said that the company was responsible for a two-minute immersive video to highlight the contemporary aspects of Macao in tandem with technological themes. By working with Wynn, a globally renowned brand, local cultural and creative companies can gain increased exposure as they showcase their talents to both local and international communities.

The co-founders of Qoos Technology Limited expressed their deep appreciation for Wynn inviting their company to combine technologies to jointly conceive the creative elements featured in the exhibition. Wynns support and trust gave them a valuable opportunity to demonstrate their technological strength to the public.

Becoming Macaos first integrated resort operator to recycle shredded playing cards with local SME

Wynn has partnered with a local SME to recycle and convert used and shredded playing cards from its premises into raw materials for paper products. This initiative helps minimize solid waste and reduce pressure on the Macao Refuse Incineration Plant, and marks Wynn becoming the first integrated resort operator in Macao to recycle shredded playing cards locally.

Offering business opportunities for SMEs by hosting roadshows in back-of-house areas

Wynn launched a series of SME roadshow events in the back-of-house areas of Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace in 2023, inviting more than 110 local SMEs to promote their brands and businesses to Wynn team members. Examples of this included cultural and creative products, electronic and household products, food and drinks, festive products, etc. The roadshow series was a great success where it provides another channel for local SMEs to generate revenue by selling their products directly to the team members, helping local SMEs generate over MOP2.7 million additional revenue throughout the year.
Responses to the Wisconsin State Journals candidate questionnaire. The primary is Feb. 20, after which the top two candidates will advance to the general election on April 2.

Loreen Gage

Age: 48

Hometown: Cottage Grove

Family: I have three daughters: Jasmine, Kennedy and Leah

Job: English language arts, middle school teacher

Prior elected office: Monona Grove School Board, five years; three years as board president (2019-present)

Other public service: Chair, Core Committee (Homeless Services Consortium), six months

Education: Bachelors degree in communication from UW-Parkside; masters degree in human services from Springfield College

Andrew McKinney

Age: 55

Hometown: Cottage Grove

Family: Married, six children

Job: President/CEO of McKinney Resource Consulting LLC

Prior elected office: None

Other public service: Past two-time president and two-time vice president of the Monona Grove School Board, five years; past board member of the Dane County Credit Union (now Heartland), three years

Education: Bachelors degree in business management and a masters degree in education-counseling, both from Concordia University

David Peterson

Age: 40

Hometown: Cottage Grove

Family: Married to Dawn (14 years); three sons, Jack (14), Cole (12) and Shane (9)

Job: Azure specialist at Microsoft

Prior elected office: Village of Cottage Grove trustee, two terms

Other public service: ADRC Governing Board chair, 1 years; Library Planning Committee member, 1 years; Autism Society of South Central WI Education Committee, five years

Education: Bachelors degree in English studies, Illinois State University; masters degree in technical writing, Illinois State University

Q&A

What unique expertise or experience would you bring to this office?

Gage: I am highly skilled and possess extensive experience in several key areas, including affordable housing, working with the homeless, management, leadership, education and community advocacy.

McKinney: I have extensive experience in working with youth in education, social services, mental health and lived experience in homelessness. I would address the racial disparities that exist in child poverty, education, infant mortality and incarceration. I would also work with nonprofit organizations to address homelessness and expand on programs to help single-parent households and veterans.

Peterson: I offer local expertise from two terms on the Cottage Grove Village Board. My commitment to restorative justice through the Peer Court Steering Committee and my mission to connect the Glacial Drumlin to Cottage Grove demonstrate my dedication to enhancing bike and pedestrian infrastructure. My role as a parent of special-needs sons strengthens my commitment to equitable accommodations for all.

What is the most pressing problem facing the community, and how would you fix it?

Gage: The county can reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system by advocating for policies that tackle systemic inequalities, promote equity and uplift marginalized communities. Also, allocate funds to programs addressing root causes of inequality, such as affordable housing, job training, education and health care for marginalized communities.

McKinney: I feel that addressing the racial disparities in our criminal justice system should be a priority. As an African American male who works in the educational and social services sector, I witness the impact this has on our community. We must introduce bills and change laws to help eradicate this issue that is placing a socioeconomic burden on minority households.

Peterson: The county should continue to promote restorative justice, maintain collaborations with nonprofits like Briarpatch and seek additional partnerships. Further strengthening relationships with law enforcement and supporting initiatives like CARES, while expanding how we engage with diverse community voices, will enhance our efforts to reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system.

What do you most want for your community?

Gage: It is of utmost importance that the county place additional attention to assist the homeless and allocate supplementary funding to organizations that provide support, in order to effectively tackle the housing crises.

McKinney: I believe that we put forth effort to address homelessness and other housing issues. I experienced homelessness as a teenager and as a veteran. I would utilize my experiences in this area to address this issue. I would meet with individuals with lived experience to collaborate and develop policies and solutions to address this issue.

Peterson: Affordable housing, despite notable efforts, still requires increased funding and focus. While progress has been made, the scope of the issue demands more comprehensive solutions. Further, housing plays a central role in addressing various challenges faced by our county residents. Strong municipal partnerships will be key to finding sustainable solutions to this pressing issue.
Gabrielle is a bit gun-shy about getting into a relationship. But after a chance meeting with Ric, shes intrigued. Problem is, Ric is the brother of her best friends husband. And hes also a psychopath.

Thus begins The Red Flags, a romantic thriller opening Thursday at Verona Area Community Theater. The play is also a world premiere: VACT, an all-volunteer group, is the first to perform it, thanks to its win in a recent national competition.

This is my first play (produced) since the pandemic, said playwright Catherine Castellani, who wrote The Red Flags on a challenge from a friend. Im really so grateful to be back in rehearsal rooms and theaters, because it all went away there for a while.

Last month Castellani traveled from New York City, where she lives, to Verona to attend three rehearsals of The Red Flags. She and VACT got connected through the American Association of Community Theatre, or AACT, which holds a national festival every other year for a broad range of community theaters from across the country.

As part of that event, AACT holds a new play festival, in which the top-ranked scripts are selected for publication and matched with community theaters to be produced. Castellani was one of the hundreds of playwrights who submitted a new work, and VACT was one of only six theaters selected to produce one.

It was a pretty big deal for us, because we are a smaller community theater compared to a lot of the theaters that are normally selected as producing theaters, in large part because we dont have paid staff, said Sara Ward-Cassady, vice president of the VACT board and also the producer for The Red Flags.

A lot of the theaters that are selected have a paid, full-time artistic director, and we are mostly volunteers, she said. But we have a lot of passionate people in our organization and are big supporters of the concept of AACT. I think that came across in our application.

Rom-com turned thriller

Founded in 1992, Verona Area Community Theater now produces 10 shows a year. Most have large casts in order to involve as many volunteer performers as possible. The typical season includes youth plays, musicals, a production featuring residents ages 55 and older, and sometimes a drama or theatrical classic.

In the AACT play competition held last year, 314 playwrights submitted scripts, and they winnowed it down to 12 or 13, Ward-Cassady said. Those plays were sent out to the selected producing theaters, who ranked them in order of preference. The Red Flags was one of VACTs top choices.

The start of The Red Flags finds Chloe (played by Marsha Heuer) and Philip (Steve Fecteau) as a blissfully married couple, Ward-Cassady said.

Chloe really wants to find a match for her best friend Gabrielle (played by Natalie Coombs) and Philip wants to find a match for his brother Ric (Scott Wieland). But the problem is  and Im not giving anything away, because its said right off the bat  that Ric is a diagnosed psychopath, she said. Clearly, when Chloe finds out that Philip has tried to set up her friend Gabrielle with Ric, Chloe is not happy about it.

The action then veers from romantic comedy to thriller.

There are some amusing moments, but it is definitely sort of a thriller-comedy, Ward-Cassady said. Publicity materials describe The Red Flags as a psychological roller coaster.

A lot of our shows are family-friendly, but Ive been trying to tell people, Maybe not so much with this one, she said.

A playwriting friend challenged Castellani to write what started out as a rom-com, the playwright explained in a call from New York.

Once it was in my brain, it kind of stuck there, Castellani said. I think weve all had the kind of friend or been the kind of friend who is determined to get into something they really should not. So I was drawing on that, and this was the play that came to be.

The character of Ric grew out of an article Castellani read about a book by the late neuroscientist James Fallon. While studying brain scans, Fallon discovered the patterns in his own brain scan perfectly matched those he had found in the brains of serial killers. Later, he found murderers on his family tree.

While not the least bit violent himself, Fallon got himself tested, and he tested very high" for being psychopathic, said Castellani.

It turns out that thats not an uncommon trait among surgeons and CEOs, which I thought was absolutely bizarre, she said. I started following that up: What would that be like if you were living in that mind, in such a different mind than the people around you? (Fallon) was not bothered in the slightest by rejection, for example.

I knew I wanted him

Allen Ebert, the executive director of Childrens Theater of Madison as well as a freelance director, is directing The Red Flags for VACT.

He has a pretty deep connection to the American Association of Community Theatre, so when we were applying for that program, in my head, I knew I wanted him to direct, Ward-Cassady said of Ebert.

Hes a really talented director, and since this is a new work, it has some additional challenges. I thought he would be a great fit to use his extensive skill set to bring this story to life.

Some of those challenges include rapid-fire set changes and costume changes in the 90-minute play, as the two couples lives intertwine over time. Another was the fact that this is a world premiere, Ward-Cassady said.

You dont have any (history) to go on. You cant just Google the play and see what kinds of sets other people have used, or if anyone has written an essay about this play, she said. So it takes a really good director to think, How do I bring this to life? What does this look like?

At the same time, Madison has such a great base of theaters doing new works, Ward-Cassady said. Forward Theater does new stuff. Music Theatre of Madison does new stuff. I always look at those theaters and think, Gosh, its so exciting to be able to do something new that nobodys ever done before. That was a big inspiration for us.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct a reference to neuroscientist James Fallon's findings from his own brain scan. The results showed he tested very high" for being psychopathic.

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
Waunakee nurse practitioner Amy Pease has considered herself a writer since the second grade, but with the recent release of her first book, she has something to show for her interest.

I think I had been wanting to do it for so long and I was getting to the point where its now or never, Pease said.

For the past five years, Pease had been steadily working on her debut novel, a murder mystery titled Northwoods.

Since the books release last month, it has attracted interest from readers and national publications like The New York Times and People Magazine. Northwoods, which was released by the New York City publisher Simon & Schuster, is set in a small resort town in northern Wisconsin. The book follows the story of Eli North, a sheriffs deputy, who looks into the murder of a young boy, and soon discovers that larger forces may be at play.

The FBI gets involved, so what was a small-town mystery has now become something much bigger, Pease said. I always say its Dopesick meets Ozark meets The Firm or The Fugitive.

So far, the positive responses from readers and critics have been a welcome surprise, Pease said. An article from The New York Times described Northwoods as an indelible debut and it was also selected as a January pick for the Book of the Month Club, a national book subscription service.

It was really like a little ego boost when people like something that you like so much and that you created, she said. Its so different than anything Ive ever experienced.

Pease spoke with the State Journal about her creative process, and what else she might have up her sleeve for readers.

How did the plot of Northwoods come to you?

One day I was stuck in traffic and I said, Im going to just picture any scene because I was bored, and it was the opening scene of the book. It was so vivid to me and within a few days, I had sat down and written that scene and the first three chapters.

I didnt ever intend to set out to write a murder mystery, but thats just the story that came out of my mind. At that same time, I had a vague idea of a finale that I wanted and so then it was years and years of trying to piece together the in-between.

What was the writing and publication process like?

The drafting stage was probably like three years. I just wrote when I had a little bit of time here and there. Then it got to a certain point where Im like, OK, am I gonna go for this or not? So I took a workshop at the Madison Writers Studio on revising your manuscript. When I got a really solid fourth or fifth draft, I recruited about 10 people to be beta readers, and then in January of 2022, I started querying agents. It went pretty fast from there because I got my agent in a couple of months and then by June, I had gotten a contract with my publisher.

Why should people read Northwoods?

This is a book that is very character-driven, these are people that readers care about. There are themes of love and redemption. Its a dark book, but not bleak. Its hopeful, even if its about some dark topics. Ive found that people are surprised to find a mystery book thats like that.

Whats next for you?

Northwoods is the first in the series, so Im negotiating a book contract with my same publisher for books two and three in the series and Im in the second draft of book two right now. A lot of these mystery series are very long-running and I would like to do something like that. I would like to have it be my full-time job, but I dont think just Northwoods itself is going to allow me to do that quite yet. At some point, I would like to do that.
After talks with the city and neighbors, a developer has refined ambitious plans to redevelop a block that holds the beloved but aging Essen Haus German restaurant Downtown for a hotel, housing and parking.

JCap Real Estate of Eau Claire proposes redeveloping properties at 506, 510, 514, 516 and 518 E. Wilson St. and 134, 140, 148 and 150 S. Blair St., including a large surface parking lot, for a six-story, 100-room hotel along East Wilson Street and an eight-story residential building with 170 units, including 39 lower-cost ones, on South Blair Street.

The landmark Hotel Ruby Marie, 524 E. Wilson St., and its Up North Bar would be remodeled and remain a separate structure. But now the facades of the venerable Come Back In and J.B. Drives Store Building along East Wilson Street would be preserved and incorporated into the design of the hotel.

A new alley or promenade between the buildings, called a living street, offers a chance to create a sense of place for hotel guests, residents and Up North Bar patrons.

Its the fourth redevelopment proposal for the block since 2000. None of the previous three came to fruition.

This project offers new hotel and commercial vibrancy along East Wilson Street, much needed residential opportunities and affordable housing while preserving the historic Hotel Ruby Marie, integrating two contributing facades and responding to the surrounding historic context, JCaps new submittal to the city says.

JCap founder Brian Johnson could not be reached for comment.

The submittal is getting a positive first-blush reaction from the neighborhood.

The proposal has incorporated important historic elements on East Wilson Street, which many neighbors support, said Juli Wagner, interim chair of the First Settlement District of Capitol Neighborhoods Inc.

The development team improved the building design, and the living street has been well received, she said, adding that the team also considered impacts on the adjacent residents facing potential new structures.

But neighbors continue to have concerns about traffic management and operational questions about waste vehicles and delivery trucks navigating the site and potential negative impacts to residential South Franklin Street, Wagner said.

Overall, I think the developer has been very responsive and may have finally solved how to do preservation and development on this important block in the First Settlement neighborhood, said Ald. Marsha Rummel, 6th District, who represents the site.

Three distinct buildings

The project is designed to fit into the neighborhood context through the creation of three distinct buildings: a new residential building along South Blair Street, a new hotel, its front on East Wilson Street, that integrates the contributing facades of 506-508 E. Wilson St. and 518 E. Wilson St., and the preserved Hotel Ruby Marie.

The hotel, with the preserved facades, will include a lower-level fitness room and first-floor bar/lounge with pre-function space and a conference room.

The development team heard the community and the alders interest in preserving the contributing facades of the East Wilson Street National Register Historic District, Rummel said.

The Essen Haus and Come Back In are filled with countless items of memorabilia  including the famous hanging beer steins at Essen Haus  as well as brickwork and tin ceilings.

Robert Worm has owned the buildings and the popular establishments since 1983. The landmark building at the corner of East Wilson and South Blair streets, built in 1875, was renovated and reopened in September 2000 as the Hotel Ruby Marie  named after Worms mother  and has 15 rooms and first-floor commercial space. The Up North Bar with its northern Wisconsin decor is also part of that structure.

The housing will be eight stories with townhomes facing Blair Street and step back to four stories facing the Germania condominiums on South Franklin Street.

The 170 units will include 31 efficiencies, 114 one-bedroom and 26 two-bedroom apartments. The 39 units set aside for those making up to 60% of Dane County median income, or $58,620 for a household of two, is achieved by using the citys new Downtown height definition that allows extra stories in exchange for low-cost housing. The low-cost units will occur on every level of the residential building.

Structured parking will provide 54 spaces for hotel guests and 157 spots for residences.

Seeking extra stories

The citys Downtown Height Map limits development along the front of Blair and Wilson streets to six stories, with the rear of the site limited to three stories. The project will seek approval to exceed the height limits in return for providing the low-cost housing.

Three of the parcels involved in the potential redevelopment are located in the First Settlement Historic District, so the proposal will require review by the Landmarks Commission as well as the Plan and Urban Design commissions, along with City Council approval of a zoning map amendment.

The project team has worked closely with city staff to develop a design approach that draws from the character of the historic district while developing a critical noncontributing surface parking lot, city preservation planner Heather Bailey said.

If land-use approvals are secured, JCap hopes to start construction in the late summer or fall of 2024 and complete work in 2026.
Three people face OWI charges as a result of two crashes in Dane County on Tuesday, authorities reported.

At about 5:45 p.m., a 911 caller reported a vehicle had struck power poles, causing power lines to fall near the intersection of Highway J and Witte Road in the town of Cross Plains, leading to a 68-year-old driver facing a first offense of OWI, Dane County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Elise Schaffer said in a statement.

While deputies were at the scene waiting for Alliant Energy crews to repair the power lines, another vehicle drove through and a deputy contacted the driver, who was intoxicated and had a gun in the vehicle. The 47-year-old Middleton man was booked into the Dane County Jail on a tentative charge of OWI with an enhancer of having a firearm, Schaffer said.

The second crash happened just before 11:30 p.m. on Highway 19 in the town of Medina when a driver lost control and drove off the roadway, hitting several trees, seriously injuring one of his three passengers, Schaffer said.

The 29-year-old Sun Prairie man who was driving was arrested and jailed on a tentative charge of OWI  causing injury and cited for operating without a license and failure to maintain control, Schaffer said.
Madison Area Technical College President Jack Daniels planned retirement is being postponed until the end of 2024, as the colleges board looks to extend the timeline for naming his successor.

MATCs district board announced the decision at its monthly meeting Wednesday night, with board chair Donald Dantzler saying in a statement that selecting the colleges next president is the most significant responsibility facing the board.

We cannot compromise on process, timeline, or our ability to attract a highly qualified and talented pool of candidates, Dantzler said. Our priority, and our commitment to the 12 counties we serve, is finding a leader who will champion our mission, strengthen our community and workforce partnerships, and guide us toward continued excellence. Madison College plays too important a role throughout our region to not ensure we have the best possible leadership at the helm.

The board had requested Daniels stay on for an additional six months past his original retirement date of June 30. Daniels is now expected to serve until Dec. 31, 2024.

Daniels announced his intent to retire in October after a decade in the role. He came to Wisconsin at a time when four other prominent higher education roles, including UW-Madisons chancellor and the Wisconsin Technical College System president, were undergoing turnover, prompting concerns about the stability of the states higher education systems.

Daniels is the second high-profile administrator at MATC to retire in recent years. Former provost Turina Bakken, who was effectively second only to Daniels as overseer of all academic programming, retired last June after spending 25 years at the college.
UW-Madison plans to add at least 120 new roles in the next three to five years to accelerate the hiring of faculty in artificial intelligence and other high-demand areas.

Its a level of faculty growth that would have progressed naturally over the next decade, UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin said, but an increase in university enrollment, which topped 50,000 students last fall, makes it necessary to be more aggressive in hiring.

The initiative is titled Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence, or RISE.

UW-Madison will start with 50 new faculty in artificial intelligence as soon this spring but wont stop there: Mnookin said the university hopes to announce other focuses of the initiative in the coming months. The university is launching RISE with artificial intelligence, though, as it felt like the obvious choice, Mnookin said.

There are so many ways in which it is likely to change an awful lot about what all of us do, Mnookin said. And its an area where we have pretty substantial existing strengths on which to build.

RISE, anticipated to initially cost $30 million for the artificial intelligence faculty cohort, will be paid through a mix of tuition dollars, philanthropic support and anticipated support from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation. The full cost of the initiative hasnt been determined, UW-Madison spokesperson John Lucas said.

RISE hiring will be an addition to UW-Madisons traditional faculty hiring processes, which brings in 130 new people a year, either as successors for retirees or resignations, or in new roles. The RISE hiring initiative represents a 40% increase in hiring over normal levels.

RISE faculty will be spread across campus academic units, from computer science to law and engineering, as multiple disciplines are being affected by artificial intelligence, UW-Madison Provost Charles Isbell said.

(Artificial intelligence has) affected everything, medicine to journalism ... and everything that we do, so its new in that way, said Isbell, who has spent his research career on human-based machine learning. The kind of people were looking for, what they need is not just the knowledge in a discipline, not just the knowledge in AI, but they need to understand what it means to work across and have these conversations across disciplines, which arent easy.

Through the RISE initiative, UW-Madison also hopes to increase its standing with research funding among the nations top universities.

Right now, UW-Madison sits as eighth among 900 public and private universities, with $1.5 billion in annual research expenditures, with a goal to be sixth. During the 2022 fiscal year, UW-Madison added $143 million in expenditures and closed the gap between itself and University of California, San Diego by $35 million over the two prior fiscal years.

As part of the Universities of Wisconsins workforce plan, artificial intelligence programming is set to expand at multiple universities. The workforce development plan has yet to be approved by the state Legislatures Joint Finance Committee, which withheld $32 million from the UW systems budget over the systems diversity, equity and inclusion programming.

UW-Parkside plans to create a Center for AI and Business and UW-Stout will establish a cluster hire, where faculty are hired as a group, to integrate artificial intelligence into five of its departments. Other campuses, including UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay and UW-Whitewater, would also offer new degrees in artificial intelligence, robotic automation or both.
Dane County Sup. Dana Pellebon has joined the race for county executive, a race that has expanded from two candidates to four candidates in less than a week.

Pellebon kicked off her campaign at the Concourse Hotel on Wednesday morning, surrounded by colleagues on the board and community leaders. A supervisor who has represented Fitchburg on the board since 2022, she said shes running for county executive because the position needs someone who has experience working with county employees and agencies.

I think that is the thing that sets me apart, Pellebon said in an interview. Ive been hand to hand, person to person, shoulder to shoulder doing the work with our county employees for almost 30 years.

Beyond her time on the board, she works as executive director of the RCC Sexual Violence Resource Center and is on the boards of various social justice nonprofits.

If elected, Pellebon would be only the second Black woman in the entire United States to serve as a county executive, she said. The first was Angela Alsobrooks, who is the county executive of Prince Georges County, Maryland, outside Washington, D.C.

I believe that my experience and knowledge far surpasses the fact that Im a Black woman, Pellebon said. But it is definitely a perspective that is missing in a lot of spaces, and I want to make sure that perspective is heard and a part of decision-making.

Pellebons announcement brings the number of declared candidates for county executive to four. She joins state Sen. Melissa Agard, Dane County Equity and Inclusion Director Wes Sparkman and West Side Madison Ald. Regina Vidaver. Sparkman joined the race Feb. 1.

The entrance of Sparkman and now Pellebon will send the contest to an Aug. 13 primary. The two candidates who receive the most votes will then compete in an election on Nov. 5.

The most-anticipated countywide race in years was set up by the retirement of longtime County Executive Joe Parisi, who will step down in May. An interim county executive appointed by the Dane County Board chair will serve until an elected county executive is sworn in.

Until last week, the contest to succeed Parisi had mostly been marked by Agards continued consolidation of support from current and former county officials and some organized labor groups. Parisi endorsed her last month.

During her time on the board, Pellebon has helped lead efforts to get a smaller, five-story jail included in the countys 2023 budget, though Parisi ultimately vetoed it. She and other members of the boards Black caucus have supported key funding votes that have kept the project alive in exchange for commitments to criminal justice reform from Sheriff Kalvin Barrett.

As county executive, Pellebon said she would rely on her managerial experience to get different stakeholders across courts, law enforcement and social services to better band together to chip away at persistent racial disparities.

We can get toward the root causes of crime and incarceration, she said. All the people Ive talked to want to do that. Its coalescing those wants and working together to make sure we can do that.

Other priorities for Pellebon include expanding access to mental health care and affordable housing, according to a statement from her campaign.

She is not running for reelection to the county board this spring.

Today in history: Feb. 7 1948: Omar Bradley 1962: John F. Kennedy 1964: The Beatles 1984: Spacewalk 1985: Enrique "Kiki" Camarena 1991: Jean-Bertrand Aristide 2009: Lake Erie 2014: Sochi Olympics 2018: Los Angeles Times sale 2020: Donald Trump 2021: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A view of Nansha Port in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong province. [Photo/Xinhua]

Following the docking of two car-carrier ships recently at the automobile terminal berth of the Nansha automobile port in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, exports of automobiles through the port are expected to increase significantly, the port company said.

After their successful docking in early February, both ships will be fully loaded with cars bound for Central America, South America and the Middle East, imparting strong momentum to China's automobile exports, according to the port company.

The Bahamian ships  Gravity Highway and Progress Ace  became the largest car carriers to dock at the Nansha automobile port since its opening, as they are widely regarded as "super behemoths" and "super cargo kings".

Gravity Highway, with a total length of 199.96 meters and total tonnage of nearly 59,000 tons, can carry nearly 6,000 fully loaded vehicles.

Progress Ace has a similar carrying capacity to that of Gravity Highway, according to data provided by the shipping company.

According to statistics from local commerce authorities, the import and export volume of automobiles in Nansha increased by about 3.9 times in 2023, with a 68 percent year-on-year growth in the number of cars exported through the automobile port.

The annual capacity of passenger vehicles passing through the Nansha automobile logistics hub is close to 2 million units, making it the largest automobile export hub in the country in terms of throughput.

Over the years, Nansha's international shipping and logistics capabilities have risen, establishing it as a core area for building an international shipping hub in Guangzhou and an important gateway for external trade, the port company said.

The Nansha automobile port serves as a vital link connecting cities on both sides of the Pearl River estuary, as well as a key hub radiating across Guangdong and neighboring Hainan province and the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, making it the largest cluster of roll-on/roll-off terminals in the country and the largest RoRo automobile hub port in South China.

The port's capacity to handle automobile imports and exports increased significantly following cooperation agreements signed on Sunday between the local commerce authorities and two subsidiaries of COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers Co Ltd.

Guangzhou Ocean Shipping Co, one of the subsidiaries and a key player in car shipping, currently operates six professional car carriers in Nansha, with an annual car export capacity of 110,000 vehicles.

Additionally, the company plans to build several new car carriers in Nansha, aiming to establish a professional car carrier fleet with more than 30 ships capable of handling an annual export capacity of over 700,000 vehicles.
Facing ongoing calls to resign in part for praising Republican efforts to depress turnout among Black and Hispanic voters, Wisconsin Elections Commissioner Bob Spindell on Thursday claimed no white Republican has done more for the Black community.

Spindells comments came after officials representing the liberal voter-advocacy group All Voting is Local and the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, which tracks campaign spending, once again called for Spindell to resign from the six-member agency hes served on since 2019.

Spindell has faced calls for his resignation for more than a year for acting as a fake elector for former President Donald Trump in 2020 and for comments he made crediting GOP efforts he said were responsible for depressing minority voter turnout in Milwaukee in the 2022 election.

Sam Leibert, Wisconsin state director with All Voting is Local, said Spindells actions raise serious concerns about his fitness to serve on the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

Wisconsinites deserve officials who uphold the sanctity of our elections, and we call on you esteemed members of the elections commission to take the necessary steps to restore further faith in our democratic processes, Liebert said.

Spindell, who was one of 10 Republicans to sign official-looking documents in late 2020 seeking to hand the states Electoral College votes to Trump, had said in an email that Republicans can be especially proud of lowered turnout in Milwaukee during the 2022 election, with the major reduction happening in the overwhelming Black and Hispanic areas.

Spindell told The Associated Press last year that the email was an attempt to detail positive steps Republicans took to counter the Democratic message in Milwaukee. Spindell said that was a result of a well thought out multi-faceted plan that included recruiting strong Republican candidates and efforts to boost them, and a presence on Black talk radio shows along with Biting Black Radio Negative Commercials.

Past record

On Thursday, Spindell pointed to his experience on the elections commission and previously on the Milwaukee Election Commission as evidence of his commitment to minority voters, but he did not offer specifics.

There is no white Republican that has done more for the Black community than me, so I suggest you go back and take a look at my past record, Spindell said.

Nick Ramos, Wisconsin Democracy Campaign executive director, told the Wisconsin State Journal after Spindells comments, which were made during Black History Month, that its absurd that there isnt more outrage about this.

Myself and other Black- and Brown-led organizations that serve those communities, we are going to definitely mobilize behind this and make sure we bring the ruckus to this situation, Ramos said. For him to stand on his two feet and make that comment is just appalling.

Liebert said in an email Spindells remarks only further prove how disconnected he is from our community and our needs when it comes to voting and elections in our state.

Whether there is no white Republican that has done more for the Black community than [him] absolutely doesnt matter, Liebert continued. What matters is whether hes done enough to safeguard our democracy and prioritize protecting our sacred right to vote and have that vote be counted.

Fake elector scheme

Spindell and nine other Republicans were sued after they gathered at the state Capitol on Dec. 14, 2020, to sign documents declaring Trump the winner on the same day Democratic electors cast the states actual Electoral College votes for Joe Biden.

As part of a December settlement in that case, the 10 Republicans agreed to never serve as electors in any presidential election involving Trump, who is seeking the partys nomination this year. They also acknowledged Biden won the election and admitted their actions furthered a scheme to illegally overturn the election.

Its been what weve all been saying since Day 1: The commission ran fair and accurate elections in 2020, and Im just glad that, Bob, you finally came around on that and that youre here to declare that 2020 was legit and Biden won, Democratic Commissioner Mark Thomsen said Thursday.

Spindell said the settlement speaks for itself.

Obviously President Biden is President of the United States, and I think, in terms of the agreement, the people just basically need to read that and well carry on from there, Spindell continued.

Calls to resign

Ramos said Spindells acknowledgement does not absolve him from the fact that he sits on the most powerful election oversight body in the state of Wisconsin.

If Wisconsinites want to have any faith in our institutions here, they cant have individuals who serve as fake electors, who brag about voter suppression against our BIPOC communities  and think that those individuals have our best interests in mind, Ramos said.

Calls for Spindells resignation have come from close to a dozen Democratic state senators, Democratic members of the commission and groups such as Voces de la Frontera, an advocacy group for immigrants, and Milwaukee-based Black Leaders Organizing for Communities.

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, reappointed Spindell to a five-year term in 2021. LeMahieu has rejected calls to rescind the appointment.

Elections 101: Video series explains how elections are carried out in Wisconsin The Wisconsin Elections Commission put together the following series of instructional videos and accompanying lesson plans for use in high school civics classes and the general public. Elections overview An overview of elections administration in Wisconsin. Voting Security Let's take a look at how we maintain security and integrity with all of our elections. Nuts and bolts The ins-and-outs of voter processes like registering to vote and requesting a ballot to vote absentee. A Day at the Polls See what it is like to go to the polls and vote.
This Madison Express editorial ran on Feb. 15, 1844, four years before Wisconsin became a state. The weekly Express became the daily Wisconsin State Journal in 1852:

Martin Van Burens old friends (says the New York Courier) are dropping off like rotten pears, and if the fall season lasts much longer, there will be nobody left to him by the time Henry Clay goes to the ballot boxes.

Even Isaac Hill, the former New Hampshire senator and now editor of the Patriot, published in Concord in that state, says: With Van Buren as a candidate, Mr. Clay will carry every New England state except New Hampshire.

No doubt about it.
The water level at Twin Falls Reservoir will drop about 18 inches, Feb. 12, to allow a routine annual dam inspection by Idaho Power on Tuesday. Once the survey is complete, the reservoir will refill by Feb. 14. Visitors to Twin Falls Park should use extra caution in or near the water. Idaho Power inspects all of its dams on a regular basis to ensure the safety of customers, employees, and the electrical system. Some dams are inspected on a biannual rotation while others are surveyed annually.
For someone pursuing law enforcement as a career, a vague desire to want to help people isnt good enough for College of Southern Idaho law enforcement program director Robert Rausch.

Rausch instructs 18 students this semester, and early on, he asked them lots of hard questions.

They will say they want to help people and I will tell them you can help people by fixing cars, you can help people by putting bread on the shelves at Walmart, he told the Times-News.

Someone can help people in a lot of ways, so why have they chosen law enforcement?

What you are looking for is something that will sustain them? because this job is going to be hard, said Rausch, who has 26 years of law enforcement behind him.

As for Rausch, who recently retired from the Idaho State Police and last summer was named director of the CSI program, his reasons go back to his involvement in health care. And he admits to reviewing them on occasion during trying times of his career.

As a nurse he would see people walk into the emergency room with injuries due to incidents including domestic disputes. He could help repair what happened to them physically but couldnt fix mental scars of victims of violent crime.

Becoming involved in law enforcement put him in a position where he could play a role in preventing those kinds of violent incidents.

Now as director of the program, he wants to help his students make a positive impact when they get into the law enforcement field.

He said he has a good group of students, ranging from 18 to 33 in age. Eleven are pursuing careers as patrol officers, while the other seven are taking the program to be trained as jail staff.

Among them was Tyler Elderkin of Twin Falls. He previously worked as a firefighter in Nevada but moved to Idaho in 2018 and was working in small engine repair.

Something was missing in his life, though and Elderkin felt the call of law enforcement.

I know you can help fix someones lawnmower but it isnt the same as getting a DUI off the street, he said.

He said he and his fellow students are up to face the challenges law enforcement will bring.

Monday morning they were in the mat room  similar to a wrestling room with the floor covered in mats  and were learning arrest-and-control moves to take someone safely to the ground and into custody when they resist.

Strength works great until someone is bigger and stronger than you, Rausch said. You need to have technique.

Besides the know-how to handle suspects when they get physical, students will be trained in both academics and skills. In their quest to become certified in Peace Officers Standard and Training (P.O.S.T.), they will study criminal law, discuss how to treat people with disabilities, learn first aid, and how to respond to domestic violence situations. Theyll learn how to write police reports, shoot and care for firearms, and drive emergency vehicles. The list goes on.

The program for patrol officers is a 16-week-long semester, while the program for those wanting to work in jail facilities lasts six weeks.

Its been difficult for law enforcement to find enough recruits to accomplish their staffing goals, nationally and locally.

There has been a change over probably the last decade on career choices for people based on a lot of things including economics and climate, Rausch said.

The number of people interested in law enforcement plummeted with the pandemic and tight labor market, a October 2023 Department of Justice report said. Even though hiring has rebounded some, departments nationwide have often faced retention issues, still leaving law enforcement with a net loss.

The Twin Falls Police Department is down seven positions, Lt. Craig Stotts told the Times-News in an interview. Stress results when the department is short-handed, especially when other members of the department are in training or on vacations.

Despite the difficulty in hiring, Stotts said the department is not going to relax its standards.

We prefer quality over quantity, he said.

At the Twin Falls County Local Emergency Planning Committee January meeting, several law enforcement personnel spoke about the situation.

A number of reasons for hiring difficulties surfaced, from potential recruits inability to pass background checks, drug-use issues  one officer said he has been asked by a potential recruit whether it was OK to smoke marijuana  to people having a lack of respect for law enforcement.

Recruits are also required to pass strict fitness tests. Some young people cant do a mile and a half run to save their lives, one law officer said.

Pay can also be an issue. Buhl Police Chief Jeremy Engbaum said his son works in construction, earning more than what his departments starting wages of about $21 per hour and hes usually off by 5 or 6 in the afternoon.

Engbaum said hell be happy when the Twin Falls Police Department and the Twin Falls County Sheriffs Office hit their hiring quotas.

Then there is the prospect of a law officers actions always being held under the microscope, and several incidents nationwide through the years have cast a negative light on law enforcement.

Law enforcement is one of the few professions where you have to start out perfect then get better as you go along, Rausch said during his interview with the Times-News.

In the heat of the moment, police officers sometimes make mistakes.

He cited a case in Minnesota where office Kimberly Potter was sentenced to prison in the fatal shooting of officer Daunte Wright. Potter had mistaken Wrights service weapon for a stun gun during a traffic stop.

Although mistakes can come with tragic consequences  and Rausch said police need to be held accountable for errors  almost all the incidents have one common factor: the subject who was being apprehended wasnt obeying the orders of law enforcement.

In Wrights case, he attempted to drive away from a traffic stop as officers tried to arrest him.

Rausch said that officers are trained in de-escalation techniques, and they can be vital tools to keep both law officers and suspects safe.

You want them to use effective strategies, he said, but on the other hand, there are very few incidents that you can trace back that didnt begin with a situation for the officer where a person chose to act unlawfully.

He urged people to get both sides of the issue before making a judgment. Investigations take time, and sometimes when results come out, people have already made up their minds, and they believe its just cops covering for cops.

When it comes to a successful law enforcement recruitment program, Rausch said, its a three-pronged effort: You have to gain support of the community. You have to win over parents. And finally, you need to win over the individuals who will be serving as police officers and sheriffs deputies.

Rausch said law enforcement officers need to become a part of the community and, with some of the negative stories about law enforcement that appear in the media, we have to really work on our relationship with our communities because that is so important to whether or not someone thinks this career is honorable.

He said most Magic Valley residents appear supportive of law enforcement.

We want that to continue and the way we do that is to continue to put out quality people, Rausch said, and that is what we try to do here.

Among the high points of Rauschs career are positive interactions with the community, whether its speaking to a group of senior citizens or church members.

Ive wanted to interact with everyone, even if it is someone who was inclined to criminal behavior, because a positive interaction might change something, he said.

Hes had interactions with people in his own neighborhood who he was not acquainted with. He didnt know them, but they knew him as being the guy down the street who is a cop.

And while stress can be high, a lot of what kept him going is attitude.

So much of any job  or any calling  is your attitude, is what you make of it, Rausch said.

He invites people interested in law enforcement as a career to contact their local law enforcement agency or to talk to him.

Im usually here early in the morning until late in the afternoon.

PHOTOS: CSI trains recruits for law enforcement CSI trains recruits for law enforcement CSI trains recruits for law enforcement CSI trains recruits for law enforcement CSI trains recruits for law enforcement CSI trains recruits for law enforcement CSI trains recruits for law enforcement CSI Law Enforcement program

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.
Every legislative session brings some new school choice scheme that is touted as a way to improve elementary and secondary education in Idaho by offering more choices to families. Sometimes the plan is called a voucher, sometimes a stipend, sometimes a grant, sometimes a savings account. This year the scheme is called a refundable tax credit. What every plan has in common is the use of taxpayer money to subsidize private schooling, including religious and home schools. Because of the chronic failure of our legislatures in the last several decades to adequately fund public schools, the cost of such schemes will ultimately end up being forced upon local property taxpayers.

The framers of the Idaho Constitution undoubtedly thought they had definitively dealt with the school choice issue. They placed a high priority on providing a foundational education for every Idaho child. The Constitution states: The stability of a republican form of government depending mainly upon the intelligence of the people, it shall be the duty of the legislature of Idaho, to establish and maintain a general, uniform and thorough system of public, free common schools. The framers gave nary a hint that public monies could ever be used to pay for private education.

Idaho law has always required parents to send their school-age kids to public schools.

Parents can get around the compulsory attendance requirement by having their kids educated in a private school. So, Idaho parents have always had a school choice  they can either send their kids to taxpayer-funded public schools, or they can pay out of pocket for any authorized form of private schooling.

Idahos constitutional framers made it an overriding responsibility for the Legislature to properly fund the public school system, both for the instruction of Idaho kids and for the construction and maintenance of school buildings. They undoubtedly believed that future legislatures would honor the constitutional mandate to maintain a thorough system of education, primarily funded out of the state treasury. They would be profoundly amazed and saddened to learn that legislators have seriously and consistently violated this sacred duty.

Thanks to the school funding lawsuit filed against the state in 1990, it is well known that Idaho legislators have failed to adequately fund the instructional side of public education during the last three decades. Because of pressure brought to bear by the Reclaim Idaho school funding initiative, the state significantly upped the ante of public funding in the special legislative session in 2022, but there is still a shortfall. Local school districts have been left with the choice of doing without adequate resources or saddling local property taxpayers to make up the difference.

In 2005, the Idaho Supreme Court ruled that the Legislature had flat failed to fulfill its duty to fund the construction and maintenance of school buildings, improperly placing the giant share of that burden upon local property taxpayers. The cost of bringing existing buildings up to just good condition is about $1 billion, let alone funding new buildings for a growing population. School districts either have to try to educate kids in substandard, sometimes hazardous buildings, or hit up local property owners with hefty school bonds.

The current school choice tax credit boondoggle, House Bill 447, would give private school parents $50 million in tax credits or payments right off of the top of the state budget. Providing a tax credit or deduction of taxes owing under the tax code, is using public monies for a private purpose. And, just who do you think will ultimately end up footing the bill? You got it, those long-suffering local property taxpayers who just dont seem to have a strong voice in our legislature. The bill sponsors say the $50 million is a ceiling, but experience in other states shows that it is the first step of many on a costly escalator.

We ought to simply follow the choice plan adopted by Idahos constitutional framers  finance a high-quality public school system with public money. And allow those who wish to opt for private, religious and home schooling to pay the expenses with their own funds. If they want Idaho taxpayers to fund their private education costs, they should try to change the Constitution instead of defying it.
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PANAMA CITYSmoking cessation efforts in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are disrupted due to pressures from non-government organizations funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, tobacco harm reduction advocates said, as delegates from 183 countries convene for the 10th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in Panama to discuss novel and emerging tobacco products.

The WHO continues to solely focus on supply and demand eradication tactics as a means to eradicate smoking, and is opposed to the adoption of harm reduction strategies, going as far to equate and treat cigarettes and novel and emerging tobacco products as one and the same, suggesting that reduced-risk alternatives be banned altogether.

Anti-harm reduction narratives are perpetuated by Bloomberg-backed and funded organizations, particularly in LMICs, where the majority of smokers around the world can be found, according to tobacco harm reduction (THR) proponents.

Will Godfrey, executive director of FILTER, a group advocating for rational and compassionate approaches to drug policy and human rights, described the most severe impact of Bloomberg funding as the interruption of smoking cessation efforts in countries in the global south with high smoking rates, where relatively lower amounts of money will buy more influence.

I do think its sickening that so many people in these countries are being deprived of their best chance to quit cigarettes and to see Bloomberg-affiliated groups actually celebrating the bans that accomplish it, he said.

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The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA), a US non-profit advocacy group, is hosting GOOD COP/BAD COP, where leading voices on consumer issues, national and global policies and harm reduction representing 14 countries have a platform to discuss relevant tobacco control issues.

The event takes place on the sidelines of the ongoing COP meeting, where participation has been strictly limited, and advocates with views differing from the WHO, such as Godfrey, have struggled to be included.

Advocates criticized Bloomberg Philanthropies policy interventions in countries such as Mexico, India, Kenya and Pakistan, including efforts to block an essential legislation in the Philippines.

Tomas OGorman, co-founder of Pro-Vapeo Mexico, highlighted the stagnation of smoking rates in Mexico in the absence of harm reduction practices. He attributed the push for vaping bans to the influence of the Bloomberg Initiative.

OGorman said the Mexican president even proposed an amendment to the Mexican Constitution to ban the commercialization of vaping products. We all know that the prohibitionist idea or the prohibitionist narrative comes mainly from the Bloomberg Initiative. I was quite surprised that on the first day of the COP, the Mexican delegate acknowledged when he took the floor, that they were having the support of the Bloomberg Initiative, he said.

There have been several indications that foreign NGOs are the ones dictating how should Mexico proceed regarding the regulation of these products, OGorman said. I believe that Mexico is following the suggestions and the policies that have been created by these foreign entities in order to ban vaping and THR products in LMICs.

Dr. Rohan Andrede de Sequeira, a professor of Medicine in India, criticized the pressure from organizations linked to Bloomberg Philanthropies to reject harm reduction principles, emphasizing the urgent need for India to make its own decisions regarding tobacco control.

So if any country practically needs a THR policy, it would be India because this is where it would have the biggest impact, he said. What is really needed right now is for the country to make its own decision rather than be bullied by some major organizations They need to look at their own population.

Dr. de Sequeira said India even received an award from the World Health Organization for banning vaping. I would call it pernicious influence because that is influencing your politics? he said, despite the fact that India had 1.2 million deaths last year due to smoking.

I dont think that what Bloomberg is doing is legitimate. Hes putting money into a cause that he believes is justified. The problem is that hes not subjected to any accountability, and it is affecting the democratization of the society, said Dr. Roberto Sussman, a senior researcher at the Institute of Nuclear Sciences at the National University of Mexico. Second, it is a massive conflict of interest.

Jeannie Cameron, CEO of UK-based strategic advocacy group JCIC International said that in the Philippines, Bloomberg-funded groups were caught trying to influence the government policy during the enactment of the Vape Law. They were actually caught writing policy to the government, which was against the Constitution of the country. And they reacted very badly to that, she said.

Martin Cullip, an international fellow at TPAs Consumer Center, criticized Bloomberg-funded groups for their efforts to restrict nicotine pouches in markets with heavy smoking rates such as Kenya and Pakistan, labeling such actions as detrimental to public health and driven by ideology.

These seem to me very good markets for nicotine pouches because theyre low cost and they can get in places where theres heavy smoking rates, and yet they seem to be trying to damage the potential market in Pakistan and Kenya and trying to get the government to kick those products out and prohibit them, which is so anti-public health. This is ideological and it is damaging, said Cullip.

According to an article published by The Lancet authored by Robert Beaglehole and Ruth Bonita, one of the oldest peer-reviewed medical journals, tobacco harm reduction should be a central strategy of the WHO FCTC in addition to the measures for demand and supply reduction which are necessary, but not sufficient.

The WHOs lack of endorsement of tobacco harm reduction limits healthier choices for 1.3 billion people globally who smoke and who are at an increased risk of early death, it said.
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Rescuers used their bare hands and shovels to dig through mud on Thursday in a desperate search for survivors of a landslide that has killed 11 people in the Philippines, officials said.

Two days after the rain-induced landslide hit the mountainous gold-mining village of Masara on southern Mindanao island, searchers were in a race against time and weather.

Latest figures from the local municipal government showed that 11 people were killed, 31 injured and 110 were still missing after the landslide destroyed houses and engulfed three buses and a jeepney on Tuesday night. The destroyed vehicles had been waiting for workers from a nearby gold mine.

It is everybodys hope that people are still alive, disaster agency official Edward Macapili of Davao de Oro province told Agence France Presse (AFP).

Our rescue team is in a hurry because every second counts when it comes to human life.

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The landslide left a deep, brown gouge down the mountain. Rescuers pulled a person alive from the mud 11 hours after it hit, Macapili said.

So, theres a chance, he added.

Police, soldiers and rescuers from Davao de Oro and the adjacent Davao del Norte province have been deployed to Masara to help the search and retrieval operation.

While rescuers were using heavy earth-moving equipment in places, they had to rely on their bare hands and shovels in areas where they believed there were bodies, Macapili said.

The soil that covered the buses was very thick  it could almost cover a two-story building, he said.

Landslides are frequent hazards

At least 20 mine workers are believed to be entombed in the vehicles.

Landslides are frequent hazards across much of the archipelago nation due to the mountainous terrain, heavy rainfall, and widespread deforestation from mining, slash-and-burn farming and illegal logging.

The area hit by Tuesdays landslide was about four kilometres (2.5 miles) from the gold mine operated by a local company Apex Mining, and had been declared a no habitation zone, Maco Mayor Arthur Carlos Rimando said.

Since 2007 the area was prone to landslides but the livelihoods of the people are there, Rimando told AFP.

Rain has pounded parts of Mindanao on and off for weeks, triggering dozens of landslides and flooding that have forced tens of thousands of people into emergency shelters.

Massive earthquakes have also destabilised the region in recent months, Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum said Wednesday.

Hundreds of families from Masara and four nearby villages have had to evacuate from their homes and shelter in emergency centres for fear of further landslides.

Schools across the municipality have suspended classes.

The state weather forecaster has also warned that flash floods and landslides caused by moderate to heavy rain could strike the province in the coming days.

Im worried that there will be more heavy rains, Macapili said.

Of course, that will affect the operations.
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JakartaPrabowo Subianto is accused of rights abuses while serving as a military chief during Indonesias dying days of the Suharto dictatorship a generation ago, but is now the favourite to win next weeks presidential election.

The Indonesian defense minister has opened a wide lead in polls owing to his vast wealth, nationalist verve in populist speeches and strongman credentials as chief of the influential military.

At 18, I signed a vow, I was ready to die for the people and the nation. I have not revoked the vow. I am ready if God summons me, the front-runner told a campaign rally last month, touting his military service.

NGOs and former army bosses have accused him of ordering the abduction of democracy activists at the end of Suhartos rule in the late 1990s. He also remains accused of ties to the Suharto family as an ex-husband of one of the dictators daughters.

But the 72-year-old candidate has rehabilitated his imageas a cute grandpa who dances on social mediain a bid to lead the worlds third-biggest democracy and replace his former rival Joko Widodo.

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While Subianto is promising more of Widodos economic development, the prospect of his presidency is causing alarm among rights groups that democratic gains made since the end of authoritarian rule could be rolled back.

I am still concerned that Prabowofully backed up by Jokowicould roll back reforms achieved with tears and blood of my fellow student activists, said Usman Hamid, executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia, using the current presidents nickname.

This could be the end of our hard-won freedom, he added.

Subianto has amassed a 20-point lead over his two opponents at around 46 percent, according to several polls, after picking Widodos eldest son Gibran Rakabuming Raka as his running mate.

Analysts say Subiantos chances are being helped by Widodos popularity and support, as well as younger Indonesiansmore than half of nearly 205 million eligible voterswho did not come of age under Suharto.

People over 40 are more careful when considering voting for Subianto, Alexander Arifianto, senior fellow of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, told AFP.

There is a gap between voters.

For Subianto, victory would cap a decades-long battle to win high office in Southeast Asias largest economy.

In 2004 he failed to become the presidential candidate of the Golkar party, Suhartos former political vehicle.

He ran for vice president in 2009 with ex-president Megawati Sukarnoputri, who failed to win. He would lose the next two presidential elections to Widodo.

Subianto was born in 1951 to a wealthy family and a father who served as finance and trade minister, while his grandfather established the countrys first state-owned bank.

After living in Switzerland and England as a child, he returned to Indonesia in 1970 and joined the military.

He married one of Suhartos daughters, Siti Hediati Hariyadi, in 1983. They have since divorced.

Between 1997 and 1998, when some of the kidnappings of activists took place, Subianto led the elite army force known as Kopassus, used by Jakarta for special operations aimed at tamping down internal unrest.

More than a dozen activists remain missing and feared dead, and witnesses accuse his military unit of committing atrocities in East Timor.

He was dismissed from the military in 1998 over the abductions but was never charged, and went into voluntary exile in Jordan.

On his return several years later, he launched a business career with interests in palm oil and energy before jumping into politics.

Indonesian ally the United States once refused a visa over his rights record and he was also reportedly included on a visa blacklist in Australia before the 2014 election.

But he has since been allowed to visit Canberra and Washington, and has in turn hosted his American and Australian counterparts. AFP
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned against forces outside the democratic processes that might mess up the first Bangsamoro elections in 2025, saying these should not be allowed to deviate our dreams.

The preparations we have made will be tested in May 2025 when we will hold the very first elections for the BARMM parliament, Marcos said during the 17th meeting of the national governmentBangsamoro government Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) in Pasay City.

On this, let me be blunt that, perhaps, we must remind ourselves that we are now operating under different rules and that we cannot allow forces outside of the democratic process to deviate our dreams and our aspirations from a democratic process, Marcos said.

The President said no voter should be disenfranchised by violence, intimidation, or bribery.

I urge all of you, and we will be by your side, to make this very historic election, this very historical and important event a success. Let us show the world that it is peaceful and it is credible, he said.

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And after the elections, it will be a new chapter for BARMM. I face the future with optimism. What gives me hope is the belief that you have prepared well, you are ripe, and you are ready, Mr. Marcos added.

The first-ever election in the Bangsamoro region was originally scheduled in May 2022 but was postponed due to the pandemic.

A stronger BARMM means a stronger Mindanao. A stronger Mindanao means a stronger Philippines bringing us closer to achieving our agendas, Mr. Marcos said.

Bagong Pilipinas, the President said, would be incomplete without a progressive Bangsamoro region.
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Experts said international cooperation is needed to protect the marine environment because the widely celebrated High Seas Treaty to conserve marine diversity has not yet come into force.

Nishimoto Kentaro, an International Law professor at Tohoku University, said the High Seas Treaty, signed in June 2023 by 86 countries, including the Philippines, is not yet being implemented.

At least 60 countries are needed to ratify it.

This treaty is very important not only in the context of biodiversity because when it enters into force, that will add another layer to the rule of law that applies to the oceans. There is a continuing relevance of the South China Sea arbitral award in the context of this treaty, Nishimoto said, in a forum jointly hosted by the Japanese Embassy in Manila and the think tank Stratbase ADR Institute.

The roundtable discussion tackled the so-called The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement and its implications on the South China Sea at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City, unraveling the complexities of international maritime law, with a particular focus on the BBNJ Agreement and its impact on the dynamic region.

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Minister Kenichi Matsuda, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, reaffirmed Japans commitment to the rule of law and collaboration with like-minded partners in ensuring maritime freedom and environmental protection.

As enhancing the rule of law is one of Japans foreign policy pillars, we are determined to work together hand-in-hand with other like-minded partners, especially with the Philippines, to ensure that universally accepted values and principles, Matsuda stressed.

Kentaro offered a lecture that illuminated the intricate facets of the BBNJ Agreement and its direct relevance to the West Philippine Sea and the expansive South China Sea.

Dindo Manhit, president of think-tank Stratbase Institute, agreed with the observation of Kentaro, noting that issues persist in the West Philippine Sea despite laws to protect maritime territories and their resources.

According to Manhit, the Philippines understands the value of countering the loss and degradation of marine biodiversity and resources after the countrys military reported in 2023 the massive illegal coral harvesting in Rozul Reef and the dumping of dead corals at Sandy Cay in the West Philippine Sea.

The Stratbase ADR Institute considers these as acts of aggression and coercion, he said, adding that international cooperation is expected to protect the marine environment beyond their countrys jurisdiction.

The depths of the ocean call on the international community to work together in protecting shared marine resources. Let us equip ourselves with the knowledge and share technical expertise to protect the global common, he said.

Manhit admitted that there are still challenges in sustaining the states commitment to the High Seas Treaty.

Our united stance in caring for our waters reflects our deep interconnectedness, transcending national borders. Let us remain committed to the conservation and sustainability of marine resources. Together, let us protect our interconnected waters beyond national jurisdiction, he said.

In June 2023, the United Nations adopted the High Seas Treaty. With the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the guidepost, the agreement recognizes the need to address biological diversity loss and degradation of ocean ecosystems in a coherent and cooperative manner.

The treaty emphasizes the need for a comprehensive global regime, under UNCLOS, to better address conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond jurisdiction.
You are here: Business

People choose products in a duty-free shop in Haikou, South China's Hainan province on Sept. 30, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Several interesting trends and phenomena are emerging related to some of this year's luxury and consumer brand designs amid the highly lucrative Chinese New Year shopping season.

Luxury and consumer brands are gearing up to enhance revenues with designs for the Year of Dragon, which begins on Feb 10 this year.

The symbolism of the mythical beast, deeply rooted in Chinese culture, embodies power, prosperity and a promising future.

A designer working for a world-renowned consumer brand, who asked to be identified only as Zhang, emphasized the importance of respecting the dragon's symbolism in design rather than excessive innovations.

"The dragon's symbolism is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and folklore. It is probably the most significant zodiac sign and has a majestic presence," Zhang said.

As Chinese customers will account for 35-40 percent of the personal luxury goods market globally by 2030, it is vital to drive growth in the Chinese market, according to the latest Bain & Company report with Altagamma, an Italian luxury goods industry association.

The global luxury market is projected to reach 1.5 trillion euros ($1.62 trillion) in 2023, an 8-10 percent growth over 2022, setting a new record for the industry and proving its unparalleled resilience.

The report found that in 2023, the Chinese mainland posted a strong performance after its first quarter, but slowed progressively as the year moved forward. Looking ahead, the tropical island province of Hainan is expected to grow as a shining luxury goods shopping hub, and is set to become an entirely duty-free island by 2025.

Brands are seeking inspiration from dragon-related themes by integrating traditional Chinese culture with modern aesthetics.

However, some brands have faced less than glowing reviews online.

For example, the Burberry Chinese New Year series, including turtleneck sweaters sporting houndstooth patterns, is considered by many netizens to resemble braided polypropylene bags  often used to carry bulk items during holiday journeys.

A short-sleeved shirt graced with rosy floral patterns is likened to a large plate of pork. One online observer wrote: "The shirt reminds me of fresh pork ready for the hotpot."

Summer Liu, a financial analyst in Beijing, however, said she likes Burberry's seasonal rosy floral prints accentuated by vibrant reds.

"I like how subtly they combine the iconic Burberry elements with symbolic colors of the Chinese Lunar New Year," Liu said.

Dior's collaboration with Otani collections sparked debate on whether dinosaurs equate to dragons. Japanese cosmetic brand Shu Uemura's lipsticks incorporate dragon scales into their designs.

Some designs from luxury houses have led to more complimentary reviews.

Louis Vuitton's gilded dragon installations, crafted by artisans in China and inspired by Pharrell Williams' collection, display a successful strategy in connecting cultural narratives with product offerings to attract Chinese New Year shoppers.

Cristina Wang, a marketing executive who visited Louis Vuitton installations in Beijing, said she was impressed by the giant dragons.

"It shows LV is confident about the market and they have a respect for local culture," said Wang.

Designer Zhang said it is all about knowing your audience and offering real value.

"Modern Chinese consumers seek value not only in the brand itself but also in packaging and design," he said.

"For international brands to thrive locally, it goes beyond brand power. Productivity is essential. Understanding the needs of Chinese consumers requires trust in designing teams that are well-versed in the nuances of the local market. Striking a balance between breakthrough innovations and maintaining the loyalty of existing consumers while gaining new ones is crucial for sustained success in the Chinese market," Zhang added.
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Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra on Thursday said no one in the Philippines can enforce the warrant of arrest that may be issued by the International Criminal Court aside from members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies.

The PNP members and other law enforcement officers are the only persons authorized to serve warrants of arrest in Philippine territory, Guevarra said, in a text message to reporters.

On Wednesday, Feb. 7, PNP Spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo made it clear that the PNP will not enforce the arrest warrants that will be issued by the ICC against persons including former President Rodrigo R. Duterte over allegations of abuses, including killings, committed during the drug war under his administration.

The PNPs statement that it will not enforce any warrant that may be issued by the ICC is simply in obedience to the directive of President Marcos who exercises control over the executive department, including the national police, the Solicitor General stressed.

Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV had earlier claimed that the ICC may soon issue arrest warrants after having concluded its investigation against those accused of crimes against humanity.

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Lawyer Harry Roque who served as presidential spokesperson under Duterte, on the other hand, said that they also received information that there is already an arrest warrant from the ICC.

Last year, the government, through the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), asked the ICC to stop the conduct of an investigation of Duterte due to lack of jurisdiction.

The OCG told the ICC that the Philippines already withdrew as a party from the Rome Statute that the created the ICC and the withdrawal took effect on 2019 before any order to conduct an investigation probe was made.
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Rody-backed move doomed to fail, a constitutional travesty

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday slammed calls for Mindanao to separate from the country, saying such a move is doomed to fail.

During his keynote speech during the commemoration of Constitution Day, Mr. Marcos said the call for Mindanao to secede from the rest of the country was a constitutional travesty.

The new call for a separate Mindanao is doomed to fail for it is anchored on a false premise not to mention a sheer constitutional travesty, he said.

The current leadership of BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) itself has repudiated this preposterous proposal, he added.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte earlier called for a separate and independent Mindanao republic amid calls to amend the 1987 Constitution.

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Duterte assured the breakaway would be peaceful and bloodless as he vowed to follow the processes established by the United Nations.

President Marcos, however, said calls for a separate Mindanao should be stopped, noting it is not part of the Bagong Pilipinas he was aiming for the country.

This is not the New Philippines that we are shaping, but rather it is the destruction of our country, the Philippines, he said.

The Constitution calls for a united undivided country. It calls for eternal cohesion. For this reason, unlike in other constitutions there is nothing in ours that allows the breaking up of this union, such as an exit provision, Mr. Marcos added.

The President said his administration is ready to protect the country from any threats, including external and internal.

Ive said it before and Ill say it again. Our national territory will not be diminished, even by one square inch. We will continue to defend from any threats, external and internal. We will not allow even an iota of suggestion of its breaking apart, the President said.

This is my guarantee not only throughout this term but up to my dying breath, he added.

Earlier, the President warned against forces outside the democratic processes that might mess up the first Bangsamoro elections in 2025, saying these should not be allowed to deviate our dreams.

The preparations we have made will be tested in May 2025 when we will hold the very first elections for the BARMM parliament, Marcos said during the 17th meeting of the national government-Bangsamoro government Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) in Pasay City.

On this, let me be blunt that, perhaps, we must remind ourselves that we are now operating under different rules and that we cannot allow forces outside of the democratic process to deviate our dreams and our aspirations from a democratic process, Mr. Marcos said.

The President said no voter should be disenfranchised by violence, intimidation, or bribery.

I urge all of you, and we will be by your side, to make this very historic election, this very historical and important event a success.

Let us show the world that it is peaceful and it is credible, he said.

And after the elections, it will be a new chapter for BARMM. I face the future with optimism. What gives me hope is the belief that you have prepared well, you are ripe, and you are ready, Mr. Marcos added.

The first-ever election in the Bangsamoro region was originally scheduled in May 2022 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A stronger BARMM means a stronger Mindanao. A stronger Mindanao means a stronger Philippines bringing us closer to achieving our agendas, Mr. Marcos said.

Bagong Pilipinas, the President said, would be incomplete without a progressive Bangsamoro region.

Mr. Marcos enumerated the projects being made in BARMM and Mindanao, including international investments such as the Non-Project Grant Aid for the acquisition of $6.8 million worth of Construction Equipment for Road Network Improvement and Disaster Quick Response Operation in BARMM, and the Joint award of Petroleum Service Contracts and Coal Operating Contracts for energy security in the region.

Mr. Marcos said that the IGRB meeting, the sixth under his administration, reaffirms our shared commitment not just to peace, but peace with progress.

For her part, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said, All these efforts are directed at making Mindanao a shining example of peace and development in the Philippines. Thus, we will not leave our future vulnerable to threats that will undermine the developments that we have painstakingly pushed. Pangandaman added the importance of solidarity.

We must not forget that democracy requires solidarity. It means that as we strive for a better future for our country, we  a nation united despite religious differences  are all in this together.

We subscribe to the profound idea of a Bagong Pilipinas, as envisioned by President Bongbong Marcos, where solidarity transcends partisan divides and mobilizes citizens from all walks of life to engage actively in the pursuit of common goals, she added.

Mr. Marcos commended the IGRB for activating all seven mechanisms needed to complete its transition in less than two years.

We are acting with dispatch not because of the deadlines we have set, but because a people, battered by war for years, should not be denied their destiny to live in peace, he added.

He commended IGRB co-chairs Pangandaman and Iqbal for pursuing our commitments with urgency in anticipation of the election for BARMM ministers to be held for the first time in May, saying this was fueled by mutual trust between the National Government and BARMM, and inspired by the shared vision for the Bangsamoro.
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has thrown his full support behind the ongoing efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution, underscoring the move as crucial for the nations future development and prosperity.

Speaking to lawmakers, government officials, and members of the Philippine Constitution Association, President Marcos outlined his vision for a reinvigorated Philippines, one that can better navigate the challenges of the 21st century through essential constitutional reforms.

Our countrys economic well-being is a distinctly important concern.

Many sectors of our society, particularly business, have pointed to certain economic provisions in the Constitution that inhibit our growth momentum, Mr. Marcos said.

The President emphasized that the current Constitution, while having served the country well for over three decades, contains provisions that now pose limitations to economic growth, foreign investment, and governance efficiency.

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Anchored on these restrictive provisions, there are laws that prohibit certain kinds of foreign investments, thus limiting our economic potential and our global competitiveness, he said.

That is why since the 8th Congress, there have been no less than 300 measures filed in the House of Representatives calling for the amendment of these economic provisions of our Constitution, he added.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, who was at the same event as Philconsa president, welcomed the Presidents statement on the need and urgency for amending the Constitutions restrictive economic provisions.

The President made it clear that these provisions hinder the entry of foreign investments and the potential for faster and inclusive economic growth, which in turn could translate into a better life for every Filipino, he said.

We are happy that he also took note of our consistent advocacy in the House of Representatives for changing those restrictive provisions for more than three decades since the 8th Congress, or since 36-37 years ago, the leader of the 315-strong House said.

Romualdez also lauded the Presidents assurance that his support for reform, to quote him, extends to economic matters only nothing more.

At the risk of being makulit (stubborn), we have been saying that we do not advocate any political amendment, he said.

President Marcos highlighted the need for amendments that would allow greater flexibility in the economy, particularly in opening up sectors currently restricted to foreign investors.

We must allow this healthy and democratic debate to rage on, engaging and informing the minds of our citizenry, especially since the socio-economic development of our country is directly involved, he stressed.

I will neither hinder this dialogue, nor encroach on the prerogatives of Congress and the sovereign will of the Filipino people. Ourbicameral Congress and our built-in system of checks-and-balances are wonders to behold. We must allow our democratic institutions and mechanisms, made possible by our constitutional order, to take their natural course, he added.

Mr. Marcos expressed his belief that changes in the 1987 Constitution are vital to attract more foreign direct investments, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth.

I want to make it clear: This Administrations position in introducing reforms to our Constitution extends to economic matters only, or those strategically aimed at boosting our countrys economy. Nothing more, he pointed out.

In any event, this Administration is going to continue to push hard to attract more foreign investments to significantly help us achieve our ambition of upper middle-class income status by 2025, he added.
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Ano reminds us that our strength lies in unity, and any attempt to sow division must be unequivocally rejected by all sectors

In the echoes of discord, National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Ano emerges as a modern-day Roman centurion, standing vigilant against the looming threat to our Republics integrity.

The call for secession by former President Rodrigo Duterte has cast a shadow over the Philippines, and Ano, with unwavering determination, vows to defend the sovereignty and unity that define our Republic.

Ano, a seasoned commander who once led the Armed Forces of the Philippines and served as Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, brings a resolute force to bear against any attempt to dismantle our Republic.

His statement resonates like the clang of a centurions armor, declaring the government will not hesitate to use its authority to quell such attempts.

As the Roman centurion protects the boundaries of the empire, Ano emphasizes the importance of national unity, security, and stability.

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His words become a rallying cry, urging Filipinos to reject divisive calls and unite behind the principles enshrined in our Constitution.

Ano reminds us that our strength lies in unity, and any attempt to sow division must be unequivocally rejected by all sectors.

Duterte, once the leader of our nation, now emerges as the most sinister threat to our security.

His proposal to separate Mindanao from the Philippines, like a dark specter, haunts the principles of democracy and territorial integrity.

Anos stance, reminiscent of a centurion guarding against a treacherous foe, underscores the gravity of this moment in our nations history.

Mindanaos leaders, recognizing the perilous path suggested by Duterte, raise their voices against secession.

Governors Bai Mariam Sangki Mangudadatu and Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu stand as beacons of unity, rejecting the idea that division is the answer to the regions problems.

In their spirit of peace and unity, they emphasize the commitment to democracy and the collective objective of stability and progress for a united Philippines.

The Romualdos, likewise senators of old, brand Dutertes call as seditious, warning of criminal liability for advocating divisive secession.

Governor Xavier Jesus Romualdo and Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo demand accountability, questioning why, if things were as dire as claimed, action was not taken during Dutertes six years in power.

In this tale of political intrigue and potential sedition, Ano emerges as the Roman centurion commander, embodying the steadfast defense of our nations values.

As we stand at the crossroads of unity and division, Anos call echoes through the annals of history, urging Filipinos to unite behind the banner of our Republic.

The centurions armor clinks with resolve, symbolizing the collective strength needed to thwart any attempt to dismember our beloved Philippines.

Let the call be heard across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao  a united front against the shadows of division, protecting the hard-won gains of peace and development.

As we face this pivotal moment, let Anos rallying cry be our guiding light.

For in unity, we find strength, and in the defense of our Republic, we become the guardians of our nations destiny.

United, we stand against the specter of secession, ensuring that the principles of sovereignty, unity, and the rule of law prevail.
Art contest

Voting is now open in UScellulars 9th annual Black History Month Art Contest with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Blue Ridge. Community members can vote for their favorite piece of original art online at newsroom.uscellular.com/black-history-month-art-contest/.

The top three winners will be announced in late February and prizes include gift cards in the following amounts: $250 for first place, $150 for second place and $100 for third place.

New to the 2024 contest, the top three first-place submissions with the most votes will also be named national winners and will receive an additional $250, bringing their total winnings to $500, while their home Club will also receive a $1,500 donation.

Up to 10 finalists from each Boys & Girls Club, including Boys & Girls Clubs of the Blue Ridge, were chosen by Club representatives and local UScellular leaders based on creativity, quality, interpretation, clarity of theme and overall impression. Voting will remain open until Feb. 15, and anyone 18 or older can vote for their favorite. The finalists artwork is also digitally displayed at the Martinsville UScellular store.

Boys & Girls Club members created original pieces of artwork representing influential Black STEM icons. These included historical figures, world leaders, scientists and educators who have made vital contributions to the world of science, technology, engineering and math.

Recruitment webinar

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, the Martinsville Henry County Chamber of Commerce and the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) are partnering to provide Chamber members an opportunity to learn about the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP) and EmPOWER work-based learning framework.

Both V-TOP and EmPOWER are designed to assist employers in recruiting talent and strengthening regional talent pipelines.

V-TOP is funded through the Commonwealth Innovative Internship Fund and Program. The purpose of the program is to expand paid and credit-bearing student internships and other work-based learning opportunities in collaboration with Virginia employers and facilitate the readiness of students, employers and institutions of higher education to participate in internship and work-based learning.

This webinar is a direct result from requests of Chamber members in our annual membership survey, Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Anne Moore-Sparks said. Listening to the needs of business and responding with high quality, in-demand programming is a top priority. We are excited to partner with the Martinsville Henry County Chamber of Commerce and are fortunate to have IALR as a partner because of their experience and reputation in facilitating work-based learning opportunities.

There are several resources available through V-TOP to support businesses internship and work-based learning efforts, including modules to assist employers with developing an internship program, free mentor training, staffing agency services and internship stipend matching funds (for employers of certain sizes).

Many of our chamber members are looking for ways to bring awareness to the talent pipeline. Our members are willing to utilize work-based learning opportunities as a valuable tool for introducing the workforce to their organizations, Martinsville Henry County Chamber of Commerce President Brenell Thomas said. Partnering on this event made sense because it provides an efficient and convenient way for the members of both chambers to gain insight about the valuable resources available through V-TOP.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research is the regional V-TOP facilitator for the Danville Pittsylvania County (and greater GO Virginia Region 3) region. EmPOWER is IALRs employer-driven system to empower and connect students to careers and provides employers with a variety of opportunities and formats to connect with their future talent.

Work-based learning is an amazing way to connect with young talent and develop employees with the skills employers need. Work-based learning is incredibly diverse  its not just internships. IALRs EmPOWER team is passionate about connecting employers to programs and resources that work for their organization, Institute for Advanced Learning and Research Program Manager Jessie Vernon said.

The one-hour webinar will be facilitated by both Vernon and Kiana Dillard, Work-Based Learning Coordinator, at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.

While this webinar is designed for Chamber members only, non-Chamber businesses who are interested in additional information should contact Vernon at Jessie.Vernon@ialr.org or 434.766.6722.

There is no cost to attend but registration is required at https://bit.ly/V_TOPWebinar.

Burn Law goes into effect

Virginias statewide law that restricts outdoor burning will take effect on Feb. 15.

The annual restriction will end April 30. Outdoor burning is only permitted between 4 p.m. and midnight, as long as the burner takes precautions and attends to the fire at all times, a release from Henry County stated.

Fires are more likely during late winter and early spring because winds are usually elevated, the relative humidity is lower, and the fuels on the forest floor are extremely dry because they have cured all winter without the shade of tree leaves, said Henry County Fire Marshall Lisa Garrett in the release. After 4 p.m., winds usually calm down and the relative humidity levels rise, both of which reduce the potential for a debris fire or any outdoor open-air fire to escape.

Violation of this law is a Class 3 misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $500.

Charity auction

Carlisle School launched its 55th Annual Charity Auction A Night to Dream this week that will be open until 5 p.m. on Saturday.

The public can purchase passes for $30 to bid on over 100 items including dinner parties, local gourmet food, gift certificates to several uptown businesses, art, jewelry, fishing experiences, home decor items and more.

To purchase a pass visit charityauction.bid/carlisle2024.
The Martinsville City Council has issued a proclamation recognizing February as Black History Month in the city of Martinsville.

At a regular meeting Jan. 23, Fayette Area Historical Initiative (FAHI) Executive Director Charisse Hairston received the proclamation urging all citizens to join in celebrating the significance of African American culture in its past, present, and future.

FAHI, located uptown at 211 Fayette St., was founded in 2004 with help from the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities for the purpose of collecting preserving and interpreting Black history in the Fayette Street community through recorded oral history, public forums and workshops, lectures and other special programs.

At the other end of uptown, the Rev. Tyler Millner, retired pastor of the Morning Star Holy Church in Axton, has been setting up a Black history display at the Blue Ridge Regional Library at 310 Church St.(tncms-asset)1be79e98-c524-11ee-bad5-1f55e153067c[1](/tncms-asset)

This obviously has an emphasis on what we are reading and newsmakers in Virginia, Millner said. It includes an imagery of Black history and what it is.

Millner described part of the display as a photo essay and includes Carter Godwin Woodson, a Black-American historian, author, journalist, and the founder of the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History. The display also includes Irene Amos Morgan, an African-American woman from Baltimore, Maryland, who was arrested in Middlesex County in Virginia in 1944 under a state law that imposed racial segregation in public facilities and transportation.

This is a bit of Virginia history that people dont know, Millner said. This lady sat down on the bus more than 20 years before Rosa Parks and it went all the way to the Supreme Court and they had the same ruling that they had with Rosa Parks.

The display, still in the making, will also include Douglas Wilder, the first African-American to serve as governor of a U.S. state since the Reconstruction era and the first African-American ever elected as Virginias governor. Wilder served as Virginias 66th governor from 1990 until 1994.

The Baldwin Building, at 191 Fayette St., is home to the New College Institute and the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corp. and is named after Dr. Dana O. Baldwin, a Martinsville pioneering African-American physician.

In recognition of Black History Month, the EDC is celebrating Black history with some tidbits of Martinsvilles history from the book Fayette Street: A Hundred-Year History of African American Life in Martinsville, Virginia, 1905-2005, published in 2006. The book includes the story of Baldwin, the citys only African-American physician for many years.(tncms-asset)1a05b754-c524-11ee-a9fc-075cd2a990cb[2](/tncms-asset)

The residents were very nice to me, but they didnt have much confidence in me; and of course, I didnt blame them, Baldwin said in 1961. It was a real struggle  I came back from the war [when] my practice began to pay.(tncms-asset)16c82644-c524-11ee-8569-fbf8854f3d78[3](/tncms-asset)

The book features the West End Theatre, a building now occupied by the Divine Faith Holiness Church at 1002 Fayette St., and brought the latest movies to the big screen for predominantly Black audiences for 35 cents a ticket.(tncms-asset)1e3466a4-c524-11ee-9c67-73cc1d8d2ac0[4](/tncms-asset)

The June German Ball grew in popularity throughout the 1940s bringing legendary acts to the Fayette Street area including Cab Calloway, Erskine Hawkins, Ella Fitzgerald, County Basie, James Brown, and Ike and Tina Turner.

Attendees could purchase burgers, ham biscuits, fish sandwiches, and snowballs from street-side vendors into the early morning hours, the book stated.

The 121 page historical account can be read online, free of charge, through the Virginia Humanities website at discoveryvirginia.org/book-fayette-street.
HONG KONG  At this very moment, millions of people around the world are busy preparing for one of the years biggest festivals  Lunar New Year, which marks the first new moon of the lunar calendar.

This year, it falls on Feb. 10, kicking off the 15-day Spring Festival.

Whether youre unfamiliar with Lunar New Year or need a refresher, this guide will highlight some of the most common traditions associated with the occasion.

Why is it the Year of the Dragon?

Though incredibly complex, the Chinese zodiac calendar is best described as a 12-year cycle represented by 12 different animals, in this order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

Your personal zodiac animal sign is determined by your year of birth, meaning 2024 will welcome plenty of baby dragons to the world. Those born in 2025 will be snakes, and so on.

Followers believe that for each Chinese zodiac sign, luck will depend largely on the positions of the Tai Sui  a collective name for the stellar deities thought to rotate parallel to and in the opposite direction of Jupiter.

Different geomancy masters may interpret the data differently, but there is usually a consensus on what the year means for each zodiac animal based on the positions of the stars.

Why light firecrackers and wear red? Meet Nian

There are countless folk tales attached to Lunar New Year, but the myth of Nian stands out as one of the most fun.

Legend has it Nian was a ferocious underwater beast with sharp teeth and horns. Every Lunar New Years Eve, it crawled onto the land and attacked a nearby village.

On one such occasion, as the villagers rushed into hiding, a mysterious old man showed up and insisted on sticking around despite being warned of impending doom.

To the villagers surprise, the old man and the village survived utterly unscathed.

The man claimed to have scared Nian away by hanging red banners on the door, lighting firecrackers and donning red clothing.

This is why wearing the fiery color, along with hanging red banners and lighting firecrackers or fireworks, are Lunar New Year traditions, all of which are still followed today.

The preparation

Fun aside, Lunar New Year can actually be a lot of work. Festivities often last for 15 days  sometimes even more  with different tasks and activities taking place over that period.

It all begins about a week ahead of the new year.

Festive cakes and puddings are made on the 24th day of the last lunar month (Feb. 3 in 2024). Why? The word for cakes and puddings is gao in Mandarin and gou in Cantonese, which sound the same as the word for tall.

As a result, eating these treats is believed to lead to improvements and growth in the coming year. (If you havent prepared your own gou yet, heres an easy recipe for turnip cake, a beloved Lunar New Year dish.)

And dont forget about our friend Nian. No Lunar New Year preparation would be complete without the aforementioned hanging of red banners bearing auspicious phrases and idioms (called fai chun in Cantonese, or chunlian, in Mandarin) at home  beginning with ones front door.

These will perform double duty  keep Nian away and invite good fortune.

Not all prep work is fun. According to Lunar New Year tradition, a big cleanup should be carried out in homes on the 28th day of the last lunar month, which falls on Feb. 7 this year.

The aim is to rid your home of any bad luck thats accumulated over the past year.

And dont clean anything again till Feb. 12, or youre washing away all that good luck that came in at the start of the new year.

On a related note, some say you shouldnt wash or cut your hair on the first day of the new year either.

Why? The Chinese character for hair is the first character in the word for prosper. Therefore washing or cutting it off is seen as washing your fortune away.

Youll also want to avoid purchasing footwear for the entire lunar month, as the term for shoes (haai) sounds like losing and sighing in Cantonese.

Lunar New Years Eve: The big feast

A big family reunion dinner is usually held on Lunar New Years Eve, which falls on Feb. 9 this year.

The menu is carefully chosen to include dishes associated with luck, including fish (the Chinese word for it also sounds like surplus), puddings (symbolizes advancement) and foods that look like gold ingots (like dumplings).

In China, the foods served at these classic dinners vary from north to south. For instance, northern Chinese tend to have dumplings and noodles, whereas southern Chinese cant live without steamed rice.

But no matter which dishes you prefer, Lunar New Year foods are a feast of wordplay.

Lunar New Years Day: Family visits and red packets

The first few days of the Lunar New Year, especially the first two days, are often a test of ones stamina, appetite and social skills, as many people have to travel and visit immediate family, other relatives and friends.

Bags are stocked with presents and fruits to give out at homes visited. Visitors will in turn be showered with gifts after exchanging conversations over Lunar New Year treats.

Married people also have to give out red packets to those who havent yet tied the knot  both children and unmarried juniors.

Its believed these envelopes  known as hongbao/lai see  could protect children by warding off evil spirits called sui.

Day 3: Visit a temple

Day three of the Lunar New Year (which falls on Feb. 12 in 2024) is named chi kou/cek hau, or red mouth.

Its believed that arguments are more likely to happen on this day, so people will avoid social interactions and instead visit temples.

While there, some will use the opportunity to make offerings to offset any potential bad luck. As noted earlier, for many people Lunar New Year is a time to consult the stars to find out what lies ahead in the coming months.

Every year, certain Chinese zodiac signs clash with the stars negatively so temple visits are considered a good way to resolve those conflicts and bring peace in the coming months.

Day 7: The peoples birthday

The seventh day of the Lunar New Year (Feb. 16 in 2024) is said to be when the Chinese mother goddess, Nuwa, created humanity. Thus, its called renri/jan jat (the peoples birthday).

Different communities in Asia will serve various birthday foods on that day.

For instance, people in Malaysia enjoy yeesang, or a Prosperity Toss of raw fish and shredded vegetables, whereas Cantonese people eat sweet rice balls.

Day 15: The Lantern Festival

The highlight of the whole Spring Festival, the Lantern Festival happens on the 15th and final day (Feb. 24 in 2024).

Called Yuan Xiao Jie in Mandarin Chinese, its considered the perfect ending to the weeks-long Lunar New Year preparations and celebrations.

The Lantern Festival celebrates the first full moon of the year  hence the name (Yuan means beginning. Xiao means night).

It marks the departure of winter and the beginning of the spring season.

On this day, people light lanterns to symbolize driving out darkness and bringing hope to the coming year.

In ancient Chinese society, it was the only day when young girls were allowed to go out to admire the lanterns and meet boys. As a result, its also been dubbed Chinese Valentines Day.

Nowadays, cities worldwide still put on massive lantern displays and fairs on the festivals final day.

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Chinese New Year in 30 stunning images
Namibias new interim president, Nangolo Mbumba, has said he has no plans to run in the presidential elections in November following the death of President Hage Geingob on Sunday (4 February), with experts predicting the ruling South West Africa Peoples Organisation (SWAPO) will likely keep its majority.

Namibia has been hailed for managing a peaceful transition of power after the death of the 82-year-old leader, in power since 2015, who died after a brief battle with cancer. But his successor, Nangolo Mbumba, has announced he has no plans to run for the presidential election due in November this year. I am not going to be around for the elections, so dont panic, Mbumba said at his swearing-in ceremony. Mbumbas decision is rare among African leaders, who tend often to take any chance they have of clinging to power.

Mbumbas appointment as interim president didnt come as a surprise as experts say he is an ideal choice for the sake of continuity and democratic stability. Mbumba had been Geingobs deputy since 2018, although the spotlight was usually on the charismatic late president. Geingobs first term coincided with a stagnant economy and high levels of unemployment and poverty, according to the World Bank. His party also faced several corruption scandals during his time in office. Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, a former deputy prime minister and the ruling SWAPO partys presidential candidate, will assist Mbumba. Should she be elected in November, the 71-year-old politician would become the countrys first female president.
Africas trade deficit with China has widened to $64 billion as the Asian economic powerhouse recorded a drop in trade with top partners on the continent which are predominantly resource rich, with analysts predicting African countries have a long way to go to find a trade balance.

Chinas total trade with Africa grew a modest 1.5% in 2023 from 2022 to $282.1 billion, but Africas trade deficit with China has increased, according to the latest Chinese customs data. Chinese exports to Africa have increased by 7.5% over 2022, reaching $173 billion, while its imports from the continent dropped by 6.7% to $109 billion, figures from the General Administration of Customs showed. While the US$100 million year-on-year increase made 2023 bilateral trade a record, Africas trade deficit with China continued to expand, from US$46.9 billion in 2022 to US$64 billion last year.

Chinese trade officials tried to strike an upbeat tone, hailing Chinas role as Africas largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. But not many in Africa are happy about this development. Analysts said the drop in imports from Africa could partly be attributed to the drop in the price of key minerals, metals and oil that China mostly imports from some African countries. China imports raw materials from the continent, including oil, copper and aluminum, whose prices dropped in the past year. China has come under fire for its vast trade surplus with most parts of the world, with some accusing it of promoting an unhealthy balance by selling finished products to Africa while buying mostly raw materials. But experts caution that it would take long-term effort for both sides to find a trade balance, and China might also need to offer something new.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Health officials in Gaza are growing increasingly concerned about the spread of disease among displaced communities in the besieged enclave.

Doctors have reported hundreds of thousands of cases of Hepatitis A, a senior WHO representative told SciDev.Net, as well as widespread outbreaks of diarrhea and other illnesses common among children.

WHO regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Ahmed Al-Mandhari, said there was "a need to open all crossings and send huge field hospitals as soon as possible" as doctors grapple with shortages of antibiotics and other medicines.

Khalil Al-Dakran, spokesman for the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Gaza, told SciDev.Net: "Every day, we wait for a new epidemic to spread."

Around 1.9 million people85 percent of the total populationhave been displaced since the Gaza Strip came under bombardment from Israel in October last year, following attacks and hostage-taking by Hamas militants in Israel.

Many of the displaced have sought refuge in shelters provided by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

However, areas sheltering the displaced are becoming overcrowded and lack clean water, food, and electricity, raising the risk of dangerous epidemics spreading, explains Al-Dakran.

In January, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said 24 cases of Hepatitis A had been confirmed, while there were "several thousand" suffering from jaundice, likely linked to the disease.

Doctors in Gaza now believe there are about 7,500 possible cases of Hepatitis A, Al-Mandhari told SciDev.Net.

He said medics had informed the WHO that about 224,000 people in areas sheltering the displaced were infected with upper respiratory tract infections. About 159,000 were reported to have diarrheaaround half of them children under the age of fivewhile around 69,000 had lice and scabies and 66,000 chickenpox.

Hepatitis A is a viral disease caused by eating contaminated food and water or coming into direct contact with an infected person. Its symptoms include fever, diarrhea and jaundice, and it can be fatal.

Tedros attributed the high prevalence of Hepatitis A in Gaza to "inhumane" conditions, including "the absence of clean water and latrines" and said there was limited capacity to respond to the disease.

Al-Dakran said the lack of laboratories and diagnostic tools was making epidemiological detection extremely difficult and exacerbating the health situation.

"Doctors diagnose patients randomly, patients mix with healthy people without the slightest restrictions, and with internet and communications cut off, it is difficult to guide the public," he explained.

'No safe drinking water'

"The sewage plants were out of service due to power cuts, which led to the overflow of sewage between the tents, and the displaced had to rely on seawater for washing," Al-Dakran added.

Gazans are having to rely on untreated well water, which they transport using non-sterile pots, he said, adding that they cannot boil it due to the absence of fuel.

"[There is] no safe drinking water," he said.

A report by the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor published in January found that the people of Gaza and the north were facing a catastrophic shortage of drinking water after Israel cut off water supplies, bombed wells, and blocked fuel supplies, which are needed to operate water conversion and distribution plants.

Only eight liters of water are available per person per day, compared to 100 liters before the current crisis, and this share drops to 1.6 liters in shelters, Al-Mandhari said, citing UNRWA estimates.

The Monitor noted that many parents boil water on wood fires in an attempt to sterilize it and make it drinkable, especially following the outbreak of diseases, including frequent cases of colic and diarrhea among children.

Al-Dakran said that infant formulathe only source of nutrition for babies without food and water needed to produce breast milkis not available to buy. Where families have existing supplies, it is prepared using unclean water, which again can lead to illness.

Concerns about waterborne and infectious diseases, such as cholera and chronic diarrhea, are particularly high.

However, Al-Dakran also highlighted the spread of diseases such as gastroenteritis, meningitis, and respiratory infections. "It is difficult to fight these diseases due to the absence of antibiotics and medicines, which has led to the death of a large number of patients," he said.

As well as Hepatitis A, Al-Mandhari warns that further epidemics are likely as a result of the absence of clean water and proper nutrition, plus the inability to diagnose diseases and prevent their spread.

Provided by SciDev.Net
Members of the British Chamber of Commerce pose for a photo at the Sentiment Survey Launch in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, Jan. 22, 2024. [Photo/British Chamber of Commerce Guangdong]

British businesses in China reported increased optimism in 2023, driven by increased revenues, market openness and regulatory changes, according to a recent survey by the British Chamber of Commerce in China.

The British Business in China Sentiment Survey, encompassing over 300 British companies across various sizes and sectors, revealed the proportion of companies reporting optimism rose by 15 percentage points, from 31% in 2022 to 46% in 2023, closely mirroring the Chinese economy's gradual return to normalcy post-pandemic.

The retail sector reported the highest levels of optimism among British businesses, with 75% expressing high optimism, according to the survey. This aligns with recent data from China's National Bureau of Statistics that showed record retail sales in China of 47 trillion yuan ($6.53 trillion) in 2023. This trend is evidence that China's transition from an investment-driven to a consumption-driven economy is progressing, despite economic headwinds.

More broadly, 45% of British companies across all sectors anticipated increased revenues in 2023, further buoyed by China's GDP growth of 5.2% last year.

Other sectors like energy and healthcare also reported increased optimism, reflecting a positive response to changes in China's regulatory environment.

The State Council of China unveiled guidelines for attracting foreign investment in August last year, aiming to create a more favorable environment for foreign companies. These guidelines, focusing on a range of policies, including a level field for government procurement practices and R&D investment opportunities, were well received by British businesses, with 21% of survey respondents reporting a positive effect just months after their release.

In the energy sector, for example, there has been a significant reduction in the number of businesses facing market access difficulties, with a decrease from 66% to 40% compared to the previous year, marking a notable 26 percentage point improvement, according to the survey.

Meanwhile, Chinese industrial policy is attracting high levels of R&D investment from British businesses, including in technology and healthcare, with many companies encouraged by China's growth objectives in such sectors. One-quarter of healthcare companies told the chamber they were considering boosting R&D investment.

Elsewhere, 27% of British businesses reported seeing opportunities to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, in line with China's goals to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2060. In fact, 70% of British energy companies were positive about China's dual carbon goals, suggesting that there is plenty of room for foreign private engagement.

Despite these encouraging developments, geopolitical tensions continue to impact relations between China and the West, fostering some business hesitancy. The survey revealed that 42% of companies felt constrained by unpredictable trade policies toward China in the past year. However, 2023 also saw positive signs for China-U.K. relations, highlighted by then-Foreign Secretary James Cleverly's visit to Beijing in August, signaling a renewed commitment to high-level engagement.

Trade between the U.K. and China has shown robust growth, with total trade in goods and services reaching 108.7 billion pounds ($137 billion) in the four quarters to the end of the second quarter of 2023, according to the British Department for Business and Trade. This marks an 8.4% year-on-year increase, solidifying China's position as the U.K.'s fourth largest trading partner, accounting for 6.5% of the country's exports and imports.

The optimism found in the survey was reflected in the wider international business community in China. Throughout 2023, the U.K., as well as Canada, France, Switzerland and the Netherlands, significantly increased their investments in China, said Wang Wentao, Chinese minister of commerce, at a press conference on Jan. 26. He also noted that the number of newly established foreign-funded enterprises in China from the European Union, the United States and Japan has seen growth.

Over the coming months, the British Chamber of Commerce will discuss their findings with government departments and businesses. In May, they then plan to release a position paper outlining specific challenges and recommendations to further improve the business climate for all organizations operating in China.
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Provider perceptions that patients do not want ORS are the most important barrier to ORS prescribing. The figure shows that if all patients showed a preference for ORS, it would increase ORS prescribing by 24.5 percentage points, from 42 to 66.5%. Thus, provider perceptions of patient preferences explain 42% of the problem, whereas stock-outs and financial incentives explain only 6.4 and 5%, respectively. Estimates are based on the effects of removing each barrier combined with estimates on the prevalence of each barrier. The parameters used for these calculations are listed in table S21. In the status quo, 16% of patients showed a preference for ORS, 42% of providers had ORS in stock, and all providers had a financial incentive. Credit: Science (2024). DOI: 10.1126/science.adj9986

Health care providers in developing countries know that oral rehydration salts (ORS) are a lifesaving and inexpensive treatment for diarrheal disease, a leading cause of death for children worldwideyet few prescribe it.

A new study published in Science suggests that closing the knowledge gap between what treatments health care providers think patients want and what treatments patients really want could help save half a million lives a year and reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics.

"Even when children seek care from a health care provider for their diarrhea, as most do, they often do not receive ORS, which costs only a few cents and has been recommended by the World Health Organization for decades," said Neeraj Sood, senior author of the study, senior fellow at the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics and a professor at the USC Price School of Public Policy.

"This issue has puzzled experts for decades, and we wanted to get to the bottom of it," said Sood, who also holds joint appointments at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the USC Marshall School of Business.

A closer look at childhood illness in India

There are several popular explanations for the underprescription of ORS in India, which accounts for more cases of child diarrhea than any country in the world:

Physicians assume their patients do not want oral rehydration salts, which come in a small packet and dissolve in water, because they taste bad or they aren't "real" medicine like antibiotics.

The salts are out of stock because they aren't as profitable as other treatments.

Physicians make more money prescribing antibiotics, even though they are ineffective against viral diarrhea.

Credit: University of Southern California

To test these three hypotheses, Sood and his colleagues enrolled over 2,000 health care providers across 253 medium-size towns in the Indian states of Karnataka and Bihar. The researchers selected states with vastly different socioeconomic demographics and varied access to health care to ensure the results were representative of a broad population. Bihar is one of the poorest states in India with below-average ORS use, while Karnataka has above-average per capita income and above-average ORS use.

The researchers then hired staff who were trained to act as patients or caretakers. These "standardized patients" were given scripts to use in unannounced visits to doctors' offices where they would present a case of viral diarrheafor which antibiotics are not appropriatein their 2-year-old child. (For ethical considerations, children did not attend these visits.) The standardized patients made approximately 2,000 visits in total.

Providers were randomly assigned to patient visits where patients expressed a preference for ORS, a preference for antibiotics or no treatment preference. During the visits, patients indicated their preference by showing the health care provider a photo of an ORS packet or antibiotics. The set of patients with no treatment preference simply asked the physician for a recommendation.

To control for profit-motivated prescribing, some of the standardized patients assigned as having no treatment preference informed the provider that they would purchase medicine elsewhere. Additionally, to estimate the effect of stockouts, the researchers randomly assigned all providers in half of the 253 towns to receive a six-week supply of ORS.

Provider misperceptions matter most when it comes to ORS underprescribing

Researchers found that provider perceptions of patient preferences are the biggest barrier to ORS prescribingnot because caretakers do not want ORS, but rather because providers assume most patients do not want the treatment. Health care providers' perception that patients do not want ORS accounted for roughly 42% of underprescribing, while stockouts and financial incentives explained only 6% and 5%, respectively.

Patients expressing a preference for ORS increased prescribing of the treatment by 27 percentage pointsa more effective intervention than eliminating stockouts (which increased ORS prescribing by 7 percentage points) or removing financial incentives (which only increased ORS prescribing at pharmacies).

"Despite decades of widespread knowledge that ORS is a lifesaving intervention that can save lives of children suffering from diarrhea, the rates of ORS use remain stubbornly low in many countries such as India," said Manoj Mohanan, co-author of the study and professor of public policy, economics, and global health at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. "Changing provider behavior about ORS prescription remains a huge challenge."

Study authors said these results can be used to design interventions that encourage patients and caretakers to express an ORS preference when seeking care, as well as efforts to raise awareness among providers about patients' preferences.

"We need to find ways to change providers' perceptions of patient preferences to increase ORS use and combat antibiotic resistance, which is a huge problem globally," said Zachary Wagner, the study's corresponding author, an economist at Rand Corp. and professor of policy analysis at Pardee Rand Graduate School. "How to reduce overprescribing of antibiotics and address antimicrobial resistance is a major global health question, and our study shows that changing provider perceptions of patient preferences is one way to work toward a solution."

More information: Zachary Wagner et al, What drives poor quality of care for child diarrhea? Experimental evidence from India, Science (2024). DOI: 10.1126/science.adj9986 Journal information: Science
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While you may not associate lush greenery with the winter months, incorporating plants into your home can beautify your space and help combat the winter blues. Various indoor plants thrive during the winter months and can provide color in your home during an otherwise dreary time of year.

Dr. Charlie Hall, professor, and Ellison Chair in International Floriculture in the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences, has conducted research on the health benefits of plants and nature. Hall said plants can improve your quality of life and should be perceived as a necessity due to the range of positive physical and mental impacts plants have on humans.

How plants impact the mind and body

Adding plants in your home this winter will not only create a beautiful space to avoid the cold elements but surrounding yourself with plants can provide positive stimulation. Hall said this positive effect can be compared to the happy emotions one feels when interacting with a dog or cat. These actions trigger the same responses in our brains when we are around plants.

"Biophilia is the innate love of living things, both animals and plants," Hall said. "There is a positive impact on the brain whenever there is a number of biophilic stimuli, such as plants, in the area."

Greenery can have a positive influence

Shorter days and colder temperatures keep people inside their homes for long periods of time, and many people feel as if their moods are affected by the winter season. Plants can help boost our mood, Hall said.

Hall said nature and being around house plants can help lower cortisol, the stress hormone. He has also published articles reviewing the benefits of plants, including enhanced memory retention, reduced effects of dementia, and greater life satisfaction.

"It's amazing that just having plants in your home can have such a measurable impact on stress reduction," Hall said. "Being in nature, going for walks in a park or going camping in a national forest provides an increased level of this impact, but we know that we can help reduce stress daily by bringing nature to us with plants in our home."

Low-maintenance house plants

Whether you're a beginner at caring for indoor plants or you struggle to keep plants alive in the winter, there are plenty of good options for low-maintenance plants that will brighten up your space.

Succulents are a common low-maintenance plant that can sustain a variety of temperatures and can survive well indoors if kept away from drafts in a brighter area of your home. Philodendrons can also survive the cold weather when brought indoors, with an ideal temperature of 75-85 degrees.

Hall said pothos and dracaenas are go-to low-maintenance houseplants and added that poinsettias and Easter lilies are also good seasonal choices for the winter. To enhance your outdoor space, you can plant cool-season annuals.

"All of these plants are adept at creating these responses, and they are relatively easy to take care of," Hall said.

When finding the right spot for your plants around the house, it's best to keep them away from any drafty areas. Placing a plant near a heating vent can dry the plant out and shorten the plant's life.

Hall said even if you find that you struggle to keep plants alive, don't let that deter you from purchasing a house plant this winter. Plants can still provide various benefits, no matter how long they last.
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Which of the many beliefs, myths and assertions about sexual health are actually true or false? Medical doctor and PhD student Sedrah Butt Balaganeshan has agreed to take a closer look at some of the myths you are likely to have come across at one point or another. Credit: Sascha Kael Rasmussen

Is herpes always contagious or only during outbreaks? Does the pill cause long-term infertility issues? And was female "hysteria" really treated with orgasms by doctors in the past? Every year, there is an entire week dedicated to sex education across Denmark called "week sex" for all ages. So we asked a medical doctor and researcher to dispel or confirm six myths about sex.

They are abundant and fascinating. Myths, fun facts and jokes. But which of the many beliefs, myths and assertions about sexual health are actually true or false?

Sedrah Butt Balaganeshan, who is a medical doctor and a Ph.D. student at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, has agreed to take a closer look at some of the myths you are likely to have come across at one point or another. According to Balaganeshan, it is important to avoid misunderstandings and taboos:

"Practicing medicine, I have come across a lot of alternative beliefs and strange stories. For instance, pregnant women from a number of different cultures will avoid eating pineapple for fear of miscarriage, especially in the first and second trimesters," Balaganeshan says.

"The enzyme bromelain is said to be the cause, but aside from giving some pregnant women heartburn, there is nothing to suggest that pineapples are bad for pregnant women. As a 'newbie' in science, I think it is fun and important to keep an open mind and address some of these stories and myths by checking the facts."

1. Frequent ejaculations reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men

"Yes, there is evidence to suggest that this is in fact the case. For instance, the Harvard Ejaculation Study has been collecting data on men of different ages for a number of years. Their questionnaire-based surveys show that adult men who ejaculate 21 or more times a month appear to have a lower risk of prostate cancer. This includes both sexual intercourse, masturbation and nocturnal emissions," Balaganeshan explains. "However, a similar study conducted in Australia did not arrive at the same conclusion, so there may be more to it than that."

2. A circumcised penis is more hygienic than an uncircumcised penis

"No. A man who has been circumcised is not by definition more hygienic than a man who still has his foreskin intact. A penis with foreskin does require more frequent cleaning, though. The foreskin is pulled back and the penis cleaned to avoid secretion accumulation or infection," Balaganeshan explains.

3. Long-term use of contraceptive pills negatively affects fertility in women

"No. Long-term use of contraceptive pills does not affect women's chances of getting pregnant. This was the conclusion of a large-scale Danish study from 2013. Some women may experience a temporary delay in fertility after they stop taking the pill, but there was no evidence that it reduced their overall chances of getting pregnant," Balaganeshan says.

4. Genital herpes is only contagious during outbreaks in the form of sores

"No. Unfortunately, you can transmit genital herpes, that is, herpes on the genitals, even if you do not have any symptoms and you use a condom. This is due to a process known as viral shedding, where the virus is shed from skin and mucosa not covered by a condom. Some studies have found that treatment with antiviral drugs can reduce viral shedding and thus transmission to partners, but at the moment medication is not prescribed to lower transmission between partners in Denmark yet. And vaccination against genital herpes is still not an optiondespite the huge potential," Balaganeshan says.

5. Victorian doctors treated 'hysteria' in women with orgasm

"No. This is a myth propagated by the book "The Technology of Orgasm" by Rachel P. Maines published in 1999. Here, Maines claims that orgasm was central to Western doctors' treatment of women suffering from hysteria up until the beginning of the 20th century. This was disproved by Hallie Lieberman and Eric Scatzberg in the article "A Failure of Academic Quality Control: The Technology of Orgasm" from 2018, which stresses the importance of critical peer review processes and fact-checking to limit the spread of false historical narratives," Balaganeshan explains.

6. Orgasm can decongest a blocked nose

"Yes. According to the study 'Can Sex Improve Nasal Function?An Exploration of the Link Between Sex and Nasal Function' by Olcay Bulut, MD, from 2021 sexual intercourse with climax can clear the nasal passage just as effectively as nasal decongestant up to one hour after orgasm. Scientists have long suspected the existence of a physiological naso-genital relationship, and this study tested the relationship between sexual activity and nasal airflow. It won the Nobel Prize in 2021 for studies that 'first make people laugh, then think,'" Balaganeshan concludes.
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Viewing e-cigarette advertisements and content on social mediaoften endorsed by celebrities and social media influencersis fueling the popularity of vaping among young users, according to a study from researchers at the University of York.

The work is published in the journal PLOS Global Public Health.

In their review, which included 11 research studies looking at social media networks such as Twitter, YouTube, Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram, the researchers found evidence that commonly used marking strategies for e-cigarettes resulted in more users and more intentions to use the products among young people.

They also found these strategies resulted in more young people starting to vape and increased how much vaping took place overall.

Some of these marketing strategies included celebrity and social media influencer sponsorship, and a focus on the appeal of e-liquids, including flavors and nicotine levels, were observed.

Lead author of the study, Luana Chacon Santos from the Department of Health Sciences at the University of York, said, "It's becoming clear that the normalization of e-cigarettes among young people could lead to a repeat of the harmful pattern we saw in the old tobacco industry. Social media platforms have become a strong marketplace for the sale of e-cigarettes, and stricter laws to tackle this area are needed urgently."

The researchers looked at studies analyzing the effects of social media promotion of e-cigarettes on individuals over the age of 10 years old from English-speaking countries.

Most of the studies included in the review were conducted in the United States, where there has been a rise in vaping research, possibly linked to a 2019 outbreak of hospitalizations and deaths from lung injury associated with e-cigarette use, or vaping.

Dr. Su Golder, Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at the University of York, said, "In a scoping review, it's common to see several different substories emergingbut it was notable that all of our studies said the same thing. Seeing this type of promotion does affect young people; as a result, they are more likely to experiment with, start or even increase vaping habits. While it's tempting to say more research is needed, we've already got a very clear indication here of what is happening, and action is needed sooner rather than later."

The UK Government has recently announced it will bring in measures to ban disposable vapes, as well as they ways they are marketed to children in shops. However, these do not include targeting social media campaigns.

Santos added, "Any measures to reduce underage access should include restricting these products online on social media."

More information: L. Chacon et al, The commercial promotion of electronic cigarettes on social media and its influence on positive perceptions of vaping and vaping behaviours in Anglophone countries: A scoping review, PLOS Global Public Health (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002736 Journal information: PLOS Global Public Health
So much pressure  too much money.

Why not skip Valentines Day entirely and celebrate romance whenever it is convenient? That also means you can define romance any way you like  self-love perhaps; the romance of long friendships; of sharing a passion, an adventure, or a new experience with those you love most.

In case you were wondering, according to History.com, February has long been celebrated as a month of romance and St. Valentines Day. Although no one is certain of the truth behind the Valentine legends, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and romantic figure. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome and defied Emperor Claudius II when he outlawed marriage for young men, believing single men made better soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice, continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret and later was killed. Other stories say Valentine was killed for helping Christians escape Roman prisons. Some believe when imprisoned himself, Valentine sent the first valentine greeting after he fell in love with a young girl who visited him before his death, signed From your Valentine.

Some believe Valentines Day commemorates the anniversary of Valentines death. Others suggest the idea hundreds of years later was to Christianize a festival that honored Juno, the pagan goddess of love and marriage on Feb. 14; men would draw womens names and court them during the festival.

The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. By the middle of the 18 th century, it was common for friends and lovers of all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes, and by 1900 printed cards began to appear. Hallmark first sold Valentines Day cards 1913 and today, 145 million cards are exchanged (not counting those you supply for your childs entire class); some 250 million roses are grown just for the holiday, and 58 million pounds of chocolate are consumed. According to the National Retail Foundation, Americans spent nearly $26 billion on Valentine's Day gifts in 2023.

Wow! Of course, there is nothing wrong with cards, flowers, or chocolate. But there are lots of other ways to show your love, including for yourself. If you find yourself unattached and your kids (and grandkids) are elsewhere, sign on for a solo trip you have always wanted to go on. The idea is to choose a trip with like-minded travelers. The Journeys With Purpose team is hosting their first all-women-for-women journey to Kenya on March 20. There are a handful of places available for those interested in a trip focusing on the women working to protect and restore the West African environment. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, which has seen a more than 30 percent increase in solo travelers, has just waived a single supplement on select itineraries in Europe on these all- inclusive trips. For active travelers, small group adventure trips from companies like Backroads, Overseas Adventure Travel, and REI Adventures are guaranteed to satisfy your wanderlust in an atmosphere conducive to making new friends. Backroads and REI both have women-only trips and REI has some designed for the 35 and under crowd.

In Slovenia, known for its natural beauty, where the Alps, the Mediterranean and the Pannonian Plain meet in the heart of Europe, St. Valentine's Day is not just a celebration for couples but also a day to express love and appreciation for friends and family. The country embraces the spirit of togetherness, making it a delightful destination for everyone seeking love and connection. Check out the packages at the Slovenian spas and wellness centers. Explore historic town centers with cobblestone streets and unusual cafes and restaurants. (Perhaps deep underground or in the countrys wine region?)

Help support Mauis recovery. Respectful travel to Maui is welcomed and encouraged, now more than ever. With the exception of Lahaina, destroyed by the devastating wildfire, Maui is open and there is plenty to see and experience. Visit www.mauifirst.com for suggestions on how to support local businesses. You are likely to find hotel deals. See packages from Pleasant Holidays.

If you want bragging rights to be the first somewhere, Naya Travelers experts craft unique experiences far beyond the well-trodden romance resort path. Discover Naya Travelers romance-inspired journeys, a different and refreshing take on couples travel to unchartered destinations, including Cambodia, Myanmar, Kashmir and Ladakh, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay and more. Each curated trip is fully tailor-made.

If you opt for a getaway rather than a pricey Valentines Day dinner out, you might even snare a deal. If you ache for a wellness getaway, the Lake Austin Spa Resort is touting a $200 spa and personal experience credit. Stay by Feb. 29 get 20 percent off and a $400 credit. I love the Fairmont Mission Inn in Sonoma, California, in the middle of Wine Country, and famous for its geothermal pools and spa, is offering up to 25 percent off, as long as you book by the end of March and stay by the end of April. (You can also book a second room at half price.)

Find your perfect tropical beach with BeachBound Vacations and save $100 with a four- night stay as long as you book in February and travel through the end of August. Visit Washington states San Juan Islands for lodging deals, unique dining specials, shopping experiences and galleries and spectacular scenery. Leave all your stress behind as you take the ferry to San Juan Island, Orcas Island or Lopez Island where you can bike, kayak, gallery hop or possibly see some whales. The islands are home to five species.

The best Valentines Day gift: Knowing you have a trip planned.

(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The fourth edition of The Kids Guide to New York City and the third edition of The Kids Guide to Washington D.C. are the latest in a series of 14 books for kid travelers published by Eileen.)
Here's some business news in the Missoula area:

The company that owns fast-food chains Del Taco and Jack in the Box has announced that it has reached an agreement for six Del Taco restaurants in Montana and Wyoming and six Jack in the Box restaurants for Montana and Wyoming. The Missoulian was unable to get a response about how many stores would be in Montana and which cities would get locations.

We achieved several important milestones for our business in 2023 including positive unit growth, successful new market openings, accelerated Del Taco refranchising, strong same stores sales performance and improvements in restaurant-level profitability, said CEO Darin Harris. Despite some industry headwinds, we are excited about our opportunity in 2024 to expand both brands into new markets and continue driving our transformational growth strategy.

Here Montana, a Missoula-based nonprofit, is hosting a Lunar New Year event at the Missoula Public Library's Cooper room on Feb. 10 from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30. This free community event will have family-friendly activities like lantern making, calligraphy, traditional guzheng and gamelan performances. 2024 is the Year of the Dragon.

Draught Works Brewery in Missoula has acquired a license that allows them to stay open later, serve wines and ciders and serve each customer more than 48 ounces per day. Draught Works is now open from noon until 10 p.m. and will extend hours in the summer. Their beverage options now include red, white and sparkling wines to go along with offerings from Western Cider. Bartenders are always looking out for safety, but they are allowed to serve customers more than 48 ounces. And they will also be expanding their events as well. The brewery is hosting a Wednesday Night Trivia on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. They'll also host Tuesday Night Jazz every Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. starting in March.

A new food truck called Boboblastic has popped up at 4570 N. Reserve St. in Missoula. They serve boba tea, poke bowls and other items like hot dogs, chicken wings and nachos. Their website says they're open from Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. until 7 p.m., then on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Big Creek Coffee has closed its shop on Russell Street in Missoula.

"Looking back to the uncertainty that surrounded 2020, its hard to believe we were able to move forward with opening a second shop, something we had hoped to do for a long time," said owner Randy Lint in an Instagram post. "Despite the challenges, we chose to move forward, seeking a new challenge and the opportunity to bring our concept to a larger market. Our Missoula shop boasts a remarkable 4.8 Google rating, a testament to the incredible community weve become a part of."

He said they've hired "wonderful young people from the Missoula community and we have formed lasting relationships with patrons, neighbors, other small businesses and nonprofits alike."

"But, at the end of the day, we have decided not to renew our lease, and to close the doors on this chapter and this dream," Lint said. "Our website, subscription service, wholesale business and Hamilton cafe will all continue to thrive. We look forward to serving you through these outlets and staying connected on Instagram and Facebook pages."

Their last day was Jan. 28.

Hobby Lobby, which is currently in the process of opening a new store at Southgate Mall in Missoula, is holding a hiring event here. The location will be at the Fairfield Inn at 5252 Airway Boulevard, and they'll be accepting applications from Feb. 5 through Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on Feb. 10 from 8 a.m. until noon. People can also apply online at careers.hobbylobby.com. A company representative did not respond when asked when the new store would be open.

Missoula Outdoor Learning Adventures, known as MOLA, has been sold to a Wyoming company called Wilderness Adventures. MOLA has been providing outdoor adventure camps and classes for kids for many years.

Porter Hammitt, who was the former owner of MOLA, said it's good news for the community.

"Wilderness Adventures operate adventure travel programs for teens all over the world," he said. "They are one of the leading providers of those programs in the U.S., and really, the world. I know that while Wilderness Adventures is keeping things much the same for MOLA (including the name), they also have plans for some exciting changes. It will really change the landscape of summer camps in Missoula."
The Montana Supreme Court recently overturned the conviction of a Missoula man who had been found guilty of sexual intercourse without consent and he may get a new trial.

Bryce Caleb Hamernick was convicted in Missoula County District Court in 2021 of raping a subordinate employee at the Missoula restaurant where they both worked while the two were alone. The woman reported Hamernick had raped her to the Missoula Police Department in July 2018.

Hamernick and his attorneys later appealed the conviction. They argued the jury was instructed that to reach a guilty verdict, they needed to find that Hamernick was aware of the high probability the victim did not consent to sexual intercourse. Hamernick argued the instruction improperly lowered the prosecutions burden of proof by relieving it from proving that he knew his sexual conduct was without consent.

Thus, the Supreme Court had to consider whether the District Court erred in its instructions to the jury, voting 4-3 in late December to reverse the lower courts decision.

Justice Jim Rice wrote the majority opinion.

We conclude that the District Court erred by giving the jury a high-probability-of-a-fact definition of 'knowingly' for the element of 'without consent,' rather than a conduct-based definition and thus failed to 'fully and fairly instruct the jury as to the applicable law', Rice wrote. We further conclude the error, when considered in conjunction with Hamernicks trial testimony, 'prejudicially affected the defendants substantial rights' because it undermined his defense by improperly lowering the States burden of proof.

Rice was joined by Justices Mike McGrath, Ingrid Gustafson and Dirk Sandefur.

Justice Beth Baker wrote the dissenting opinion.

(Hamernicks argument) suggests that (the victim) telling Hamernick no and stop, even her trying to get away from him and expressing visible discomfort, would not be enough to find that Hamernick knowingly raped her and effectively gives Hamernick a pass to not comprehending the basics of consent, Baker wrote.

However, Rice wrote that under the instructions as given, the jurys ability to find Hamernick not guilty even under his version of the incident was seriously eroded.

Ryan Mickelson, a deputy Missoula County attorney, said his office has filed a motion for a new trial.

We are now back proceeding with the case at the state level again, he said.

Bail was set and Hamernick was released on his own recognizance in early February.

I would say we were disappointed with the Supreme Courts decision, and we had three justices agree with the jury instructions the court gave, Mickelson said. Ultimately, they make the decisions and we abide by them. Going forward, we will obviously take to heart any issue as directed by the Supreme Court.

Hamernick is scheduled for a renewed omnibus (scheduling) hearing on Feb. 15 in Missoula.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  A Dillon man was found guilty Wednesday of several felony and misdemeanor charges related to his conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.

Henry Phillip Hank Muntzer, 55, was found guilty in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia of obstruction of an official proceeding and civil disorder, both felonies, following a bench trial before U.S. District Judge Jia M. Cobb.

Muntzer was arrested by the FBI on Jan. 18, 2021.

In addition to the felonies, Judge Cobb found Muntzer guilty of misdemeanor charges of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

According to evidence presented at trial, Muntzer traveled from Montana to Washington, D.C., to attend the Stop the Seal rally at the Ellipse on Jan. 6, 2021, with a group of friends in order to hear the former Presidents speech. After the speech, Muntzer joined the crowd in walking from the Ellipse, a park south of the White House, to the restricted grounds of the Capitol. Muntzer entered into the restricted perimeter and made his way to the West Plaza. After other rioters had breached the scaffolding erected at the West Plazas north side, Muntzer joined the mob in surging up the northwest stairs before reaching the Upper West Terrace at approximately 2:35 p.m.

After reaching the Capitols Upper West Terrace, Muntzer recorded multiple videos in which he commented that he had passed through all the tear gas to tak[e] the Capitol by storm. From there, he entered the Capitol building via the Upper West Terrace Door.

Muntzer then proceeded through the Rotunda and toward the Senate Chamber. Once inside the Chamber, Muntzer was involved in a series of physical confrontations with law enforcement officers. He then entered into the Rotunda by approximately 2:55 p.m. In the Rotunda, Muntzer joined a crowd of rioters in confronting a group of police officers blocking a doorway leading to the Capitols Upper West Terrace. Muntzer positioned himself at the front of this crowd and joined in a collective effort to push back the officers, who had their backs to a set of stairs.

By approximately 3:03 p.m., police had begun attempting to clear the Rotunda of rioters and had established a line across the middle and instructed rioters to exit through the East Rotunda Door. However, the crowd of rioters, including Muntzer, resisted. He continued to resist police efforts to clear the Rotunda and was one of the very last rioters present in the area. At approximately 3:22 p.m., he exited the Capitol building via the Rotunda Doors.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section.

Judge Cobb will sentence Muntzer on June 20.
For those Montanans with good memories, the recently announced acquisition of the Teck Resources coal mines in British Columbia's Elk Valley by Swiss international megacorporation Glencore might bring an unwelcome sense of deja vu.

Why? Because it's eerily reminiscent of the 1977 acquisition of the Anaconda Company by ARCO  another international megacorporation that acquired an environmental nightmare which continues nearly 50 years later.

When ARCO bought the Anaconda Company, it's likely its interest was in the company's vast assets in land and minerals  not Butte's Berkeley Pit. Assuming the environmental sins of the past would go unaddressed, as was the standard operating procedure back then, ARCO decided to simply throw the switch to shut off the massive pumps that kept the Berkeley Pit from flooding, and cease the mining operations.

But soon toxic brown water began to fill the bottom of the pit, a 1,000 feet below the surface of the surrounding land, and it hasn't stopped since.

Undeterred by what it didn't see as a problem, ARCO likewise shut down the Anaconda smelter because you don't need a smelter if you're not mining copper to feed it. The "gold" for ARCO was in Anaconda's copper mines in Chile, not Montana. Until that is, Chile nationalized those copper mines.

ARCO's next surprise came on Dec. 11, 1980, when President Jimmy Carter signed the newly-passed Superfund Act into law. Suddenly, ARCO's acquisition didn't look so great since the law mandated that those who buy industrial sites are deemed the "responsible party" for cleaning up those environmental disasters. Many decades and hundreds of millions of dollars later, ARCO continues to struggle with its responsibilities and Montana continues to wait for the fulfillment of its constitutional mandate that "all lands disturbed by the taking of natural resources shall be reclaimed."

Comes now Glencore to the enormous environmental disaster created by Teck Resources  including its significant cross-border pollution into the Kootenai River. So far, the feeble efforts by our federal government to deal with the on-going pollution have failed miserably. The mining goes on, the drainage continues, and the pollution follows the water downhill across the border into Montana.

Anyone who has been to this once-lovely area of "Beautiful British Columbia" can attest to vast environmental destruction and the deadly consequences of the significant selenium pollution. Even though a stream may sparkle, don't waste a lot of time looking for the rising trout. As reported, selenium "accumulates in fish and bird ovaries, which leads to fewer eggs hatching, animals hatching with birth defects, and young that die before they can reproduce."

Despite the fact the U.S. and Canada have had a Boundary Water Treaty since 1909, there is no credible enforcement mechanism that seems to be working  and without enforcement treaties and laws are just words on paper.

Unfortunately, Canada doesn't have a Superfund law to hold polluters responsible for the environmental disasters they leave in the wake of their industrial profiteering  and Canadian mining companies, sad to say, are notorious for creating environmental disasters.

What it means for the future of that cross-border pollution is dismal indeed. It's unlikely the Swiss corporation is willing to spend the hundreds of millions of dollars it's going to take to clean up the Elk Valley mines.

But perhaps Canada can learn from the mistakes we made in allowing extractive industries to walk away from their environmental destruction  and hold those industrial polluters financially responsible for costly but necessary remediation.

In light of a toothless Border Treaty, what's really needed, both for us, them, and the Kootenai River, is a Canadian version of Superfund.
Chinese vice premier meets with ITU secretary-general

Xinhua) 08:56, February 08, 2024

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Doreen Bogdan-Martin, secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing on Wednesday met with Doreen Bogdan-Martin, secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in Beijing.

Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China attaches great importance to global cooperation in the field of information and communication, and China will, as always, support the ITU in playing its role as the United Nations specialized agency in charge of information and communication technology (ICT) affairs.

China stands ready to deepen exchanges and cooperation with other parties concerning the development and utilization of global frequency and communication resources, the formulation of international ICT standards, the construction of digital infrastructure and the governance of emerging digital technologies, so as to jointly build an open, inclusive, interconnected and common development world, he said.

For her part, Bogdan-Martin highly appreciated the great achievements in the development of China's information and communication industry, thanked China for its long-term support for the work of the ITU, and expressed willingness to further strengthen cooperation with China.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
The Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) will hold its eighth session in Beijing on Feb. 26 and 27.

This decision, announced on Wednesday, was made during a meeting of the Council of Chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee, which was presided over by Zhao Leji, chairman of the standing committee.

According to an agenda proposed by the meeting, an important task at the upcoming standing committee session will be to prepare for the second session of the 14th NPC, to be held in March.

Lawmakers at the February session will deliberate a report on the work of the NPC Standing Committee, a draft agenda for the second session of the 14th NPC, a draft name list of people being considered for the presidium and the role of secretary-general, and a draft name list of non-voting delegates.

Lawmakers will also review revisions to the Law on Guarding State Secrets, a report on the qualifications of some NPC deputies and personnel-related bills.

Also reviewed at Wednesday's meeting were both a report on the task of handling public complaints since the 14th NPC Standing Committee assumed its duties, and a report on the 14th NPC's work on international exchanges in 2023 and the plan for its international exchanges in 2024.
Bozemans radical leftist city commission provides a stern warning to the residents of other Montana communities. If you think it cant happen there, you are wrong. We didnt think it would happen here, either. Read on, and take heed.

I used to think that I lived in a socially and intellectually open community, a town of free-thinking individualists, who celebrated the right of every individual to think, speak and live as they chose. Bigotry  by definition the rejection of individualism and the judging of people based on the group to which they belong  would find no home in Bozeman, I asserted.

I was wrong. Bigotry, hatred and group demonization are alive and well among the members of our Bozeman City Commission. Bozeman is not the welcoming community it claims to be, precisely because its own government targets and demeans a large segment of its own population.

On Dec. 19, 30 local residents showed up to express their concerns about the Belonging in Bozeman Diversity and Inclusion Plan the city had been working on  and investing $400,000 of our taxes in  for the past two years. The document includes 98 separate proposals for city intervention into our lives, at costs no one was prepared discuss.

Apparently by some divine calling, our commissioners believe they have been put on this Earth as our moral overlords, to mold and reshape our wretched consciences. Thus, they saw no reason to listen to what this group of citizens had to say. Their plan is filled with the usual DEI trigger words and judgmental jargon, condemning America, our white ancestors and the culture erasing colonists who built our country around such archaic, inherently racist notions as merit, virtue, hard work, capitalism and freedom. Commissioners insisted the plan did not discriminate against anybody, but in fact, its entire assumption is that straight whites are the only segment of society capable of racism and bigotry, and all other human categories are, by definition, victims.

These citizens came before their elected officials assuming they would at least give their views respectful consideration before voting. Instead, they were browbeaten by five arrogant, agenda-driven politicians who were utterly dismissive of everything they had to say. The icy stare-down and ear-splitting gavel slamming by Mayor Cyndy Andrus perfectly represented their collective animus.

How would you feel if, after speaking from your heart to these commissioners, you then witnessed them delivering insulting, sanctimonious speeches that were obviously written well in advance of the meeting? Is this how government is supposed to work? Does getting elected give you a mandate to put partisan plugs in your ears and run roughshod over anyone with whom you disagree?

These good people were blasted by one commissioner for intimidating the other side into silence by some mild clapping. She said she was deeply hurt by their behavior. A second commissioner used his prepared notes to apologize to the various self-identified minorities in the room for the painful and racist things they were forced to hear, which he referred to as racist, sexist and homophobic talking points that do nothing but hurt people 

Still, the best performance of the night was reserved for the end, when gavel-wielding Andrus, who again stared down these wrong-thinking locals, instructing them to consider the following. She then read lengthy passages from the Bible, admonishing them to  judge not, that you be not judged and asking  why do you judge your brother or sister, and why do you treat them with contempt?

Can you imagine what the reaction would have been if those same verses were directed at the commissioners? Howls of outrage! Yet these are the kind of authoritarian, agenda-obsessed blind guides were electing to our city commissions these days. Arrogance and bigotry on steroids, utterly incapable of self-examination while judging the rest of us. Utterly incapable of seeing people as individuals  only as social categories requiring the governments special notice and special treatment, depending on whether you are the oppressor or the oppressed.

Dont let the radical takeover that happened in Bozeman happen to you.
Dear Commissioners:

Maclay Bridge is closed and engineers are not providing assurance that it, or its replacement will open any time soon. I believe that the decisions that must be made now are above engineers pay grades, hence I am addressing you because as Missoula County Commissioners, you are the first level of authority for this decision, and therefore you have a greater influence at the state level than area residents.

I became involved with Maclay Bridge in 2011. Montana Department of Transportation engineers were discovered under the bridge discussing its replacement. They favored a location on the extension of South Avenue that had been favored during a previous effort to replace the bridge in 1994. A study was conducted in 1994 but the report was never approved for undisclosed reasons and the plan was abandoned. Nevertheless, MDT engineers picked up where that consultant left off in spite of considerable new construction of homes, school facilities, and hospitals that would be impacted. The impetus for MDT was the Missoula Long Range Plan which called for diversion of traffic from Reserve Street and Russell Street by alternate routes. Blue Mountain Road and Big Flat Road combined seemed to fill that requirement at first glance, but if these were to become viable alternate routes, MDT engineers needed a substantial bridge to replace the old, single-lane Maclay Bridge. That meant a two-lane structure, and the most likely location was the extension of South Avenue to the west. MDT engineers adopted this plan and were excitedly joined in promotion of the concept by the county commissioners and public works director of that time.

In the beginning, state and county engineers held weekly meetings in the Missoula office of MDT. Several of us were involved in those meetings, taking advantage of a transparency policy. During the first or second meeting, an MDT planner said an environmental impact statement, or even an environmental assessment would not be necessary. A Categorical Exclusion from NEPA and MEPA would be sufficient. The county public works director also advocated the CE approach to environmental issues. That implies there are NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS by construction of this bridge.

The public works director applied for the position of project manager for the South Avenue Bridge. He met the MDT requirements for a bridge project manager and was appointed, bringing the project under county administration, which the current board inherited. A study conducted by Robert Pecia and Associates of Helena rubber stamped the SAB concept in spite of numerous vocal and written objections by area residents.

Maclay Bridge Alliance was formed by residents of the Target Range and Big Flat Neighborhoods. We strongly felt that the South Avenue Bridge created more problems than it solved because it brings its own inherent safety issues. MBA has frequently reminded engineers of safety concerns regarding South Avenue as well as roads west of the river. Our concerns have largely been ignored, and now, as the project nears completion of the preliminary design phase, the safety issues have yet to be recognized. What we are left with is a plan for a $20 million bridge connecting urban Missoula to 2 cow paths. Granted they are paved cow paths but compared to county road standards, for the purposes to be served, they are too narrow, too steep, too winding, and poorly drained. We would be happy to escort you over these roads to point out subtle hazards that will be encountered by much more of the traveling public if this bridge is built. Construction of the SAB is very likely to encourage more heavy truck traffic because it would offer a direct route into midtown Missoula. These roads already rank very high in accident statistics, and they may have the most roll-over accidents of any roads in the state. What is more, there are few, if any practical improvements that can be made to alignments, widths, or grades of Blue Mountain and Big Flat Roads.

Please ask your engineers how they can mitigate the grade on Big Flat immediately north of the intersection of Blue Mountain, Big Flat, and OBrien Creek, or how they will repair Blue Mountain Road where the river is cutting into the road embankment, or how they will straighten Big Flat so that trailer trucks and semis can pass through without drifting across the centerline? And, of course, the other side of the river has its problems too. Short driveways that require backing into South Avenue across both traffic lanes, heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic along South Avenue and narrow right-of-way that also must contain ditches.

The question now is, should available federal grant money be used for a substandard alternate route to divert traffic from Reserve and Russell Streets? What will be the results of building the South Avenue Bridge and doubling the traffic volume on these substandard back roads?

Alternatively, a fraction of the money to be spent on SAB could be used to rehabilitate Maclay Bridge. While it does not meet modern bridge standards, it is historically and functionally consistent with the roads it serves. It allows reasonable passage of emergency vehicles and it slows traffic in that transition area from urban streets to old rural roads. Best of all, construction can begin immediately.

We understand the Board of County Commissioners is concerned about the Payback clause in the project agreement with MDT. I would like to point out that our attorney has said that clause is unenforceable. I would also like to point out that MDT is complicit in pursuing the categorical exclusion which prevented recognition of these significant environmental impacts. A thorough EIS would have included recognition of these latent safety issues in accordance with both NEPA and MEPA requirements. We would very much like the Board of Missoula County Commissioners to join us in bringing a halt to the SAB in favor of rehabilitation of Maclay Bridge for the sake of historical and safety concerns.
A man convicted of multiple counts of indecent exposure was charged again Wednesday.

Tristan Douglas Coffey, 25, of 2520 Burke Smokey Creek Road, Lenoir, was charged with misdemeanor indecent exposure Wednesday, according to a copy of an arrest warrant filed at the Burke County Courthouse.

Officers with the Morganton Department of Public Safety were dispatched to Walmart in the Morganton Heights Shopping Center around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday for a report of an indecent exposure, according to an arrest report from the department.

The warrant said three women indicated Coffey exposed his penis to them inside the store.

Coffey was released from prison to be on probation on Dec. 23 for convictions in 2022 of second-degree kidnapping and felony indecent exposure, according to records from the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

That felony indecent exposure conviction stemmed from an incident where he exposed himself to a child care worker at Morganton First Church of God off Summers Road, according to a previous News Herald article.

The victim was outside with kids who were waiting to be picked up by their parents when Coffey exposed himself, according to the previous article.

But that wasnt his first round of indecent exposure charges.

About a month after he was convicted of those two crimes, Coffey was convicted of six counts of misdemeanor indecent exposure, NCDAC records showed.

In 2020, he was convicted of three other counts of misdemeanor indecent exposure. The same was true in 2019, according to NCDAC records.

In total, Coffey has been convicted of 12 counts of misdemeanor indecent exposure. Coffey has been convicted of exposing himself to:

A U.S. Census worker as she was leaving his home after conducting the census

A woman after trying to run the woman off the road

A woman who approached his car, which was stopped on the side of the road

A woman at a car wash

A woman working at a business in Rutherford College

A woman walking her dogs in Rutherford College

Coffeys previous conviction of felony indecent exposure required him to register as a sex offender for 30 years, according to a previous News Herald article.

He appeared before a judge Thursday and was assigned Charles Bostian as his court-appointed attorney. Hes due back in court March 21.

Coffeys bond for the new indecent exposure charge is $2,000 secured, according to jail records, but he was held without bond on a probation violation.
VALDESE  Its a celebration that has played out over decades in Valdese and one whose roots stretch back nearly 200 years to the Cottian Alps in Italy on the French border.

On Saturday, Feb. 17, the Edict of Emancipation celebration will start at 5:30 p.m. at the Old Rock School in Valdese.

The evening will start with a catered Italian dinner in the Waldensian Room at the school, followed by a program in the auditorium at 6:30 p.m., Gretchen Costner, director of the Waldensian Heritage Museum, told the town council on Monday night. The program will include showing a newly updated introductory movie of the Waldensian history and the early days of Valdese, she said. The program also will include singing French hymns and a presentation by the the Rev. Dr. Kevin Frederick on the 850 years of the Waldensian movement, Costner said.

Costner noted that it is appropriate the celebration will be at the Old Rock School, which the Waldensian settlers built.

The evening celebrates the Waldensian Edict of Emancipation signed by King Carlos Alberto on Feb. 17, 1848, that gave them the right to hold public office, choose their profession, purchase land outside of the Waldensian valleys and acquire a higher education, Costner said.

Upon receiving this news in Italy, they celebrated by having bonfires throughout their villages on the mountainsides and still carry on this tradition, Costner said.

The evenings celebration will end with a bonfire, or falo, behind the Old Rock School with a special presentation to honor the first 29 settlers of the town, Costner said.

We invite each of you in this community to celebrate this historic event with us, Costner said.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children and can be purchased at the Waldensian Heritage Museum at 208 S. Rodoret St. or at the Old Rock School at 400 W. Main St., Valdese.
Just up the long rise in Arlington National Cemetery is the grave of President John Kennedy, his wife and two young Kennedy children who did not live long. The place is filled with both grief and promise. For who can forget, liked or not, the energy the administration brought to the country.

Just past the Eternal Flame, on a well-marked path, is the single white cross of Robert Kennedy on the edge of a small plaza. Opposite his grave are parts of two of his most eloquent speeches etched in granite.

It is hard not to hear those words still from his speech in South Africa in 1966 and his remarks in Indianapolis on the night Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed. The words help the rest of us see one mans learning and vision through the course of his own humanity. They also continue to offer challenge and hope.

In his Day of Affirmation speech in South Africa, Kennedy spoke about the importance of history and the necessity of individual action in the world. In a country which then espoused to racial separation, he addressed the importance of individual freedoms, warning his audience about obstacles to inaction.

There are many inspirational lines in his speech, but the one most mentioned and memorialized at his gravesite reads, It is from numberless diverse acts of courage such as these that human history is thus shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.

He goes on to quote the ancient Pericles who argued great societies come from the glories purchased from valiant men who understand their duty. Kennedy says such is the source of greatness and progress over time.

There is definitely something to those truths spoken so many years ago. Effective societies stem from good men and women performing their various and wide-ranged duties. The father loves his wife and his children. People perform work. Each individual attempts to understand and carry out their responsibilities as citizens. People dedicate themselves to participating in their communities in larger ways. They think about doing good, and thus, contribute to the life of the whole.

And in the process, each individual learns their duties  the ones they are more capable of participating more fully in and the ones they can follow and support. Living in a republic means each person has a role to play at the table. Most immediately, Kennedy was addressing the racial system of apartheid in Dutch South Africa, but he can also speak to us. We have things to do and acts of courage to complete.

I know a gentleman who has a sticky note on his desk with Did you do good today? written on it. The daily challenge for him is to complete his duty by accomplishing some acts of goodness. In this way, he is fighting against the subtle belief in futility which Kennedy addresses in his speech. It is easy to not believe one can make a difference, and life at times is a battle against such feelings.

It is healthy to remember a quote by Holocaust survivor Victor Frankl, who writes, Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated; thus, everyones task is unique as his specific opportunity to implement it. One part of both addressing and completing duty is to for each of us to find our concrete assignments.

Kennedys ripple of hope language matches Frankls ideal. Each of us has something to do in our limited time on earth. Our examples are powerful things. So are our words and actions.

Here are some healthy questions to ask: Did you create a ripple of hope today? Did you make your day about completing duty? Did you represent citizenship today? Did you attempt to do good?

Most times, we answer these questions in the affirmative, and it is also true, sometimes, through the course of the day, we do not know everything we need to do to help others along. Yet, we can offer them our best.

Robert Kennedys life is an example of an individual who moved from selfishness to a larger understanding of the world around him. After his brothers death, he grew both in his toughness and compassion. He was by no means a perfect person, but he became more intentional in his thinking and actions as he grew.

Such should be encouragement for us in our time as we continue to find our own courage.
REC Silicon isnt saying how many workers could lose their jobs because of its decision to shut down its polysilicon production capacity at its Butte facility.

The plant employs 235 people in Butte-Silver Bow County and is one of the top private employers in the county. The company would not say how many of those workers might be affected.

"We have not developed our future staffing plan," DeeAnna Worley, vice president of REC's Butte operations, said in a Thursday morning email to The Montana Standard. "Our goal is to minimize the impact to employees. And not all employees in Poly will be affected.

"We have informed employees we will have a better idea of what our staffing will look like in March/April," she said.

J.P. Gallagher, Butte-Silver Bows chief executive, said REC is shutting down the polysilicon chip-making part of the plant but not functions related to silicon gas. He wasnt sure how many employees work on polysilicon production.

Theyre not closing down the whole plant, Gallagher told The Standard late Wednesday afternoon. We want to make sure people understand that part of it.

Todd Tregidga, a professor of economics and accounting at Montana Tech, thinks its too soon to discuss any potential fallout from REC Silicons announcement.

It is far too early to predict the economic outcome of the announced shutdown, said Tregidga. Market conditions for both upstream purchases, such as electricity, and downstream sales, change all the time and it is very common and economically responsible to shut down production when the market changes result in a net loss on production.

Tregidga said the layoffs could be very short-lived as market conditions continue to change, especially in the electricity market as it is normally quite volatile.

Therefore, it shouldnt be automatically assumed this is permanent and will result in significant long term layoffs and negative economic impacts, said Tregidga.

REC said the shutdown of the polysilicon business in Butte is primarily necessary due to the regional structural imbalance in supply and demand for electricity and is part of REC Silicon's strategy to ensure long-term profitable operations. Discontinuing the polysilicon production at Butte will significantly reduce annual energy consumption and operating costs, it said.

The company said it will continue to produce for approximately six to nine months to fulfill polysilicon supply obligations to the companys customers.

After the supply obligations are satisfied, the company expects that the workforce in Butte will be reduced accordingly, along with some others across the company that support the Butte business line. The company says it is working out the details with respect to the shutdown and will provide additional information to impacted stakeholders as it becomes available.

The short and mid-term increased electricity pricing in the region is not expected to abate and will not allow for profitable operations in the polysilicon business line, the company said.

Northwestern Energy provided the following statement: "NorthWestern Energy only provides transmission service to REC Silicon. They secure electricity supply from a third party market provider.

Montanas shortage of capacity resources, on-demand generation, along with the volatility of the energy market, is a situation NorthWestern Energy has been sounding the alarm about since 2017. It is a risk for the states economy."

Gallagher said he has asked for a meeting with REC management to discuss the situation.

Gallagher told commissioners Wednesday night the shut-down is due to open-market prices and what the cost of energy is for them but does not affect the silicon gas side of the Butte facility.

The gas side of the (business) is still very productive, he said. They made a huge investment (in that) over the last couple of years and that will continue.

Gallagher told The Standard he didnt believe the partial shutdown would negatively affect the chances of Cenate, a Norwegian battery materials company, choosing Butte as the site of its first American factory.

Cenate  pronounced Sin-NAH-Tah  is developing silicon-based materials for higher-density batteries with faster and longer-lasting charges and would rely on raw materials from the REC facility in Butte. Gallagher said those materials are from the gas side of the REC business.

Cenates other potential landing spots are Moses Lake or Tri Cities in Washington state and Hermiston, Oregon. REC also has facilities in the Moses Lake area and produces silane gas, which it calls the purest form of silicon on the world, among other things.

Butte-Silver Bow commissioners approved millions of dollars in tax abatements for Cenate in late June and the company is now seeking additional tax breaks available because of a new law the Montana Legislature enacted last year. The company has said that financial incentives at the various sites will play a part in its location decision.

If it chooses Butte, it would build a factory on a 40-acre site in the Montana Connections Business Park. It says it would employ 100 to 250 people here and county officials estimate annual pay for the first 100 jobs at about $70,000, based on the job mix and average wages for such positions in southwest Montana.

Gallagher said one of Cenates challenges here is finding enough qualified workers.

They need employees much like what REC has, he said. If we have people that are leaving that workforce but have that type of training, that could be to our advantage in having people come to work for them (Cenate).

Gallagher said the county would work with REC management in trying to help any displaced employees.

Reporter Tracy Thornton contributed to this story
A judge accepted a plea agreement Thursday and gave a Butte man accused of starving two dogs to death a two-year deferred sentence.

District Judge Kurt Krueger said as a condition of the sentence for two felony convictions of aggravated animal cruelty, 31-year-old Kurtis Frank Podgorski cannot own animals for the rest of his life.

Prosecutor Mike Clague recommended the deferred sentence and animal ban and Podgorski and a public defender agreed to the terms.

If Podgorsk abides by all other requirements over the next two years, including lawful behavior and completing 80 hours of community service, he can have the convictions expunged from his record.

Clague said the offenses were pretty egregious conduct but there were mitigating factors. They werent reasons or excuses for the offenses, Clague said, but should be considered in sentencing.

We know that what led to his conduct and his abuse of animals is that he had severe emotional distress in his life and that led to where we are here today, Clague said.

He said that since the animals were found, Podgorskis conduct has been exemplary. He surrendered other animals to animal control, paid all necessary fees, admitted what he did and had a previous clean record, Clague said.

Hes lived his 31 years without contact with law enforcement, Clague said. We do believe he can be a law-abiding citizen. And we know that through the investigation he was extremely remorseful with the officers, he was straight-forward with the officers and took full responsibility for his actions.

Prosecutors initially charged Podgorski with three felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty after two dogs were found dead in his house in March 2023 and a third was near death from malnourishment and starvation. That dog, named Noggin, received medical attention and ultimately recovered.

Podgorski later pleaded guilty to two counts and as part of the plea deal, the third was dropped. Each count was punishable by up to two years in prison and fine up to $2,500.

On March 29 last year, police and animal control were dispatched to the Podgorski residence in the 300 block of Granite Mountain Road.

They were called after a male family member reportedly opened a back bedroom door and found two dead adult dogs, one brown and the other black-and-white, and a young German Shepherd near death, lying atop one of the dead canines.

The relative left quickly, went to a neighbor, and the neighbor went and saw the dogs and called police, according to charging documents.

The relative told police he had been staying with Podgorksi for about 10 days and was told not to enter the back bedroom because it was messy and Podgorski didnt want anyone in there. He said he opened the door on March 29 because he heard a sound coming from the room.

In an initial interview, Podgorski told police he had locked the dogs in the back bedroom three weeks before because he was having a hard time with life lately and just couldnt handle the dogs anymore.

He also said he bought dog food every couple of weeks but admitted that it had been over a month since he had had any interaction with the animals. During that time, said he thought other people were feeding the trio and providing water.

Prosecutors alleged that Podgorski had purposefully or knowingly killed or inflicted injury on the dogs with the purpose to torture or mutilate them.

The surviving dog, Noggin, was severely emaciated when brought to a local veterinarian. The vet said Noggin would have passed away within two days to a week if he had not received medical intervention.

During Thursdays sentencing hearing, Podgorski stood next to his public defender, Eleanor Maloney, but never spoke.

He has relinquished his animals, she said. He does not intend to adopt any new animals, care for any animals, from this point forward.

Podgorski has also taken steps to address all issues that led to this unfortunate series of events, she said.

Kreuger said in reviewing the matter, he had to consider the nature of the offense as well as prior criminal record. As part of the sentence, Podgorski must pay $1,754 in restitution for veterinary services for Noggin.

Phyllis Hargrave, a longtime animal advocate who lives in Butte, said she sent Judge Krueger a letter recently asking him to impose something harsher than a deferred sentence. She said Thursday it is good that Podgorski cant own animals anymore but she is disappointed he can get his record expunged in two years.

I think that man had plenty of opportunity to find homes for his dogs or to even turn them over to a shelter. He could have walked them to the shelter, said Hargrave, who has served with the Humane Society and now volunteers at Pintler Pets.

Im not buying his excuses, that he was having a hard time in life, she said. We all have hard times in our lives. Those were his dogs and he betrayed them.
A young Butte woman charged criminally in a fatal hit-and-run in Uptown Butte last July now faces a civil wrongful death lawsuit, too, and it names two of her friends, her father and others as defendants.

The lawsuit says Shania Rose OBrien, now 21, was intoxicated and speeding in a Jeep when she struck two brothers on West Granite Street, killing one, but she and two friends who were passengers fled the scene.

The suit says OBriens father unlawfully helped her hide the Jeep at a couples house overnight and they didnt contact police until the next afternoon, a delay that destroyed the evidence of Shanias intoxication at the time of the accident.

The lawsuit was filed against OBrien, her father, the two friends in the Jeep, the couple at the house where the Jeep was parked overnight, and another woman who allegedly took part in events immediately following the hit-and-run.

Austin Nieves, 23, was killed that night. His brother, 21-year-old Connor Nieves, landed on his back but got up immediately and chased the Jeep. He was later treated for minor injuries and released.

The lawsuit was filed in District Court in Butte-Silver Bow County by Butte attorney Lawrence Henke on behalf of Connor Nieves and the brothers mother and father. It seeks unspecified compensatory damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of income and medical costs, among other things.

Defendants tortious conduct in this accident and the aftermath were extreme and outrageous, the lawsuit says.

It was filed Tuesday and Henke said Wednesday that efforts are being made to serve all defendants. Once that is done they will have 21 days to file an initial response.

The Montana Standard left a phone message Wednesday with Palmer Hoovestal, Shania OBriens attorney in her criminal case, seeking comment and/or referral to other lawyers who might represent her and the other defendants in the civil case.

The hit-and-run occurred on the night of July 3, when Butte was alit with fireworks. Austin and Connor Nieves were lighting fireworks themselves on West Granite Street when they were struck.

Prosecutors charged OBrien with vehicular homicide under the influence, or negligent homicide in the alternative, as well as criminal endangerment and failure to render aid in an accident involving death. All are felonies.

She pleaded not guilty to all charges and is free on $200,000 bond. A jury trial initially scheduled for January is now set for May 13.

Vehicular homicide under the influence has a maximum 30-year prison term while negligent homicide has a 20-year maximum. The other charges are each punishable by up to 10 years.

According to prosecutors, witnesses said OBrien was drinking alcohol before and during a concert at the Original Mineyard that night and at a house party, then got behind the wheel.

One passenger in back said the front passenger grabbed the wheel and told OBrien to stop because she had hit someone. OBrien sped off instead, parked the Jeep near the World Museum of Mining and all three took off, prosecutors say.

They say OBrien called her father and he and a woman picked them up, drove them to his house in Buxton and said they would take care of things in the morning.

After contacting police the next day, the father brought the Jeep to the police station and his daughter spoke with police. Blood evidence was found in three distinct locations on the vehicle.

The lawsuit alleges that the Jeep was retrieved from the Mining Museum location and hidden overnight at another residence with knowledge of the couple who lived there.

Each of the unlawful acts had the unlawful purpose of trying to conceal, or even destroy evidence of, Shanias involvement in the fatal accident, the lawsuit says, adding that it likewise destroyed the evidence of Shanias intoxication.

It alleges that OBrien was negligent in causing the accident and says she and her friends fled the scene without rendering aid and hid evidence and involvement in the hit-and-run.

It accuses OBriens father and the others of conspiring to hide the Jeep and taking other steps to obstruct a police investigation, among other things.
The Department of Veteran Affairs Office of Inspector General on Tuesday released a report stating the former chief of staff at the Montana VA Health Care System in Helena practiced without privileges when providing pregnancy care for a patient during her second and third trimesters.

The 70-page report, Chief of Staffs Provision of Care Without Privileges, Quality of Care Deficiencies, and Leaders Failures at the Montana VA Health Care System in Helena, also found deficiencies in leaders oversight, resulting in failure to detect quality of care concerns and take action on those concerns, which presented risks to patient safety.

Montana VA at Fort Harrison put out a news release Tuesday shortly after the report was posted, saying from Jan. 7, 2022, through June 22, 2022, the Office of Inspector General received four complaints regarding then-Chief of Staff Dr. J.P. Maganito, which included the allegations:

The COS provided pregnancy care outside of approved privileges.

The COS provided substandard advanced pregnancy care to a female patient.

The COS provided substandard care during gynecologic surgery and post-operative care for another female patient, resulting in a negative clinical outcome.

Appropriate credentialing and privileging processes were not followed for the COS.

The COS providing pregnancy care outside the scope of the COSs privileges.

Specifically, ongoing professional practice evaluations (OPPEs) were not completed; privileging processes were not followed; and, when deficiencies in the COSs care were identified, the concerns were not reported to the SLB as required, it stated.

Attempts to reach Maganito on Tuesday were unsuccessful.

Montana VA said that prior to the release of Tuesdays report, it had initiated aggressive actions to address the allegations against the former chief of staff. They also said they have been closely monitoring the investigations progress.

Montana VA deeply regrets the circumstances that led to the investigation by the Office of Inspector General (OIG), the Montana VA said in an email.

We take such incidents with utmost seriousness, as the well-being of our patients is our top priority, said Duane Gill, Montana VA Health Care Systems interim executive director.

They said the Office of Inspector General began an inspection in June 2022 and visited the site in August of that year.

Montana VA said the report found that Maganito violated VHA policy by acting outside of approved privileges and gave deficient quality of care to a pregnant patient as well as deficiencies in the quality of gynecologic surgery and post-operative care he provided for another patient.

The report also found that facility leaders failed to follow the privileging processes and VHA policy on state licensing board reporting.

Overall, there are 10 OIG recommendations that Montana VA, Veterans Integrated Services Network 19, and Veterans Health Care Administration and all are working on action plans for.

The recommendations include having the Montana VA Health Care System Medical Center director ensure that all providers, including the chief of staff, practice within their approved privileges and ensure adherence to Veterans Health Administration and facility policies for pregnancy care. They also called for ensuring expert review of endometrial ablation procedures performed by the facility chief of staff to determine whether standards of care were followed.

Maganito resigned from the Montana VA in August 2022, Montana VA officials said. They said MTVA has sent notifications to all the state licensing boards in states that Maganito is licensed in.

He had served as chief of staff since 2019. He cited personal reasons for leaving, a Montana VA spokesman said at the time. He had also served at one time as chief medical officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana.

The report noted the Office of Inspector General made several attempts to interview Maganito, both before and after the COS ended employment at the VA. After his resignation, the OIG issued a subpoena to compel testimony and scheduled an interview in October 2022.

After Maganitos attorney said he he would not appear, the U.S. Attorney, District of Montana, filed for enforcement of the subpoena and a U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge ordered Maganito to appear and testify.

The interview occurred on June 8, 2023.

Maganito's name is used once in the 70-page report, and then only in a footnote regarding the U.S. Attorney's lawsuit. He is referred to as "CSO" in the report. Montana VA identified him in its news release released Tuesday afternoon.

Tuesday's news was another in a series of misfortunes for the Montana VA, which serves over 47,000 enrolled veterans across Montana and has a staff of 1,400 at 18 care sites. Judy Hayman, the previous executive director, retired Dec. 2. In July, she was removed from her position as executive director following mounting pressure from Montanas congressional delegation.

Hayman had been director since June 2019, a tenure plagued by crisis-level staffing shortages, a high rate of leadership turnover, and a fourth investigation by the VA Office of Inspector General into allegations of patient abuse at the Miles City VA care home.

Recently it was announced a new $6.5 million veteran living center will be built in Miles City. It will be a 17-bed nursing home in the shadow of Holy Rosary Healthcare.
You are here: China

China's tertiary public hospitals nationwide have further enhanced accessibility of their medical services, according to an official assessment report.

The report, released on Wednesday by the National Health Commission and six other departments, was formulated based on the performance of the country's 2,817 tertiary public hospitals in 2022.

The document highlighted an improvement in the capability of these hospitals to address complex and difficult diseases.

It also noted that there's been an increase in the number of physicians across various departments, including anesthesia, pediatrics and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

China has a three-tier system to grade hospitals, with tertiary hospitals -- which have the largest number of beds and provide comprehensive medical services -- at the top of the system.

The hospitals covered in the assessment consisted of 2,112 Western medicine-based hospitals and 705 TCM hospitals.
Late last month 24 students from Muscatine High School had the opportunity to visit China for one week after being formally invited by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The visit happened through the coordination of the Chinese Ministry of Education and the Chinese Consulate in Chicago.

With the trip being fully funded by the Chinese government, MHS had the chance to participate in several youth events and see many famous Chinese sites.

Both Sienna Stoneking and Cole Loos, two students who went on the trip, were offered a place on the trip through being Chinese language students at MHS, with Stoneking being in Chinese 1 and Loos being in Chinese 3.

I was so happy and excited that I got to go, Stoneking said.

While she was a bit nervous about being in an entirely different part of the world, she said that quickly felt welcomed by the people there. She enjoyed having a chance to speak with the students there, making new connections with them, even if it was only in small ways like being able to thank the hotel staff in Chinese.

It was really cool to see how they live their day-to-day lives and how we live ours, and then try to find some similarities between us, Stoneking said.

Although Loos had already planned on going to China for a month in the summer, he saw this brief week-long trip as something that would give him a good preview for his upcoming trip. Having now experienced a bit of what China has to offer, he said that hes now even more excited to go back and see different things there.

It was really cool to see all of the different things there and learn about their culture, how the cities were built and brought up along with their background, he said. I feel like its important to get a first-hand idea of what a place is like. People have all these ideas of what its like in other countries, so seeing first-hand and being there is different than just learning about it from a book or class. You get to learn a lot more about them instead of just hearing the ideas that others have about them.

Another student, Leo Regennitter, felt similarly. Although he is not a Chinese language student, he said that he was able to still speak with students and some of the teachers there, as most of them knew English. Both he and Stoneking also had the opportunity to both give a brief speech, and afterwards he had the chance to speak with the countrys head of education.

Even though were so far away from each other, were still close to each other too because of the Internet and other stuff, Regennitter said. I met a few students from other schools who watch the same shows that we watch here and listen to the same music. A lot of them liked Taylor Swift.

Asked about some of their favorite parts of the trip, all three students brought up their visit to the Great Wall of China.

Ive never really been anywhere with mountains before, so it was just amazing getting to be up there and take a second to bring the whole view in. It was just absolutely gorgeous, Stoneking said.

The view is awesome. When I was in Germany this summer I got to see mountains, but not mountains like those. It was beautiful there, Regennitter added.

Other highlights included playing volleyball with Chinese college students, visiting different high schools, visiting the Forbidden City and Shanghai Tower, and participating in different activities related to the Chinese New Year, such as learning how to make dumplings.

Through all the new memories and new friendships that they have made during the trip, each of the students agreed they would love to return one day, with Stoneking saying she is now inspired to not only continue learning the language but to also attend college in China after high school. She has already gotten the chance to see Fudan University and speak with its president.

(China) is just so beautiful to see in-person. When youre in a classroom, you dont actually get to experience it, so actually going there is just something so different and something that you dont really appreciate until youre there, Stoneking said.

'Short burst' tutoring in literacy shows promise for young readers 'Short burst' tutoring in literacy shows promise for young readers As districts continue to look for ways to boost reading scores and curb pandemic losses, findings strengthen the case for incorporating tutoring into the regular school day 'That time adds up'
DES MOINES  Iowa lawmakers want to add a raft of regulations on the sale of hemp-derived cannabis products.

House Study Bill 665 was advanced by Republican House lawmakers on Wednesday. The bill would allow the Department of Health and Human Services to regulate sale and distribution and set a maximum potency limit for products derived from hemp, which the bill calls consumable hemp products.

It would also ban the use of consumable hemp products by people under 21 and impose criminal penalties on people and businesses that sell or give those products to minors.

Consumable hemp refers to a range of products legalized under the 2018 federal Farm Bill, and the later Iowa Hemp Act. The laws allow for the sale of hemp products that contain less than 0.3% THC by weight. THC is the main chemical in marijuana that causes the high.

While the law was intended to address low-potency CBD sales, it also legalized the sale of hemp-derived THC products that have a similar psychoactive effect to products sold in states where recreational marijuana is legal.

Republican lawmakers said the bill was necessary to regulate an industry that is not heavily regulated by state law. Rep. Steve Holt, a Republican from Denison who led the subcommittee meeting, said lawmakers did not expect the products currently being sold in Iowa when they passed the Iowa Hemp Act.

We thought we were dealing with the intoxicating aspect, only to find out that there are ways to get around that, Holt said. So its sort of the wild, wild west out there in a lot of ways, with THC-infused drinks being able to be served to minors, a lot of other things going on that are not acceptable.

Holt and Republican Rep. Phil Thompson of Boone advanced the bill for consideration by the full House Public Safety Committee. Rep. Bob Kressig, a Democrat from Cedar Falls, did not vote to advance it.

Kressig said he supported the stricter rules around licensing and restrictions on sales to minors, but he was worried it would limit access for people who need the products.

Ill just admit, I use it. I use it to sleep at night, he said. Because this job and the stress and stuff  and it works.

The bill would create criminal and civil penalties for selling consumable hemp products without first registering with the state. It also allows the HHS department to confiscate products from retailers that it deems to be in violation of the law.

Manufacturers, sellers object to the rules

Hemp growers and owners of shops that sell CBD and THC products in Iowa told lawmakers during the subcommittee meeting they had no problem with some of the bills provisions, but that others were overly punitive and vague.

A major point of contention was the rule allowing the HHS Department to set a cap on the potency of products. While the law limits products at 0.3% by weight, there is currently no cap to the amount of THC in each package or unit sold by Iowa retailers.

Phil Gauthier, who grows and sells consumable hemp products in central Iowa, said the rules and regulations in the bill are too vague and the cap on product potency was unnecessary.

This takes into account no reason for why the person is consuming it, how theyre consuming it or anything like that, he said. ...So when we take steps backwards, why are we then taking away independence, choices and freedoms that Iowans have currently?

Some people also objected to the fact that the prohibition on use by minors offers no exception for CBD and other non-psychoactive hemp products.

Scott Booher, who operates Four Winds Farms in Amana, produces CBG, another non-psychoactive hemp product. He said some parents buy the products for their children to help with medical issues.

Lets look at what needs to be taken care of instead of just sweeping everybody under the rug, he said. We have patients that are kids, we have parents that buy our hemp products for their children. For ADD, for behavioral problems.

CBD products have been approved for medical use for children with certain seizure disorders, but medical authorities say there are risks associated with its use in minors.

Bill proponents say products are unregulated, unsafe

The bill was proposed by the Iowa Department of Public Safety. Josie Wagler, the departments legislative liaison, said it was necessary to regulate the high-potency products that are available to Iowans.

Weve seen an emergence of high potency, high-THC products hit the market, Wagler said. And coupled with that, there are no age restrictions for purchasing these products. So really the purpose is to get at that, and to give HHS and law enforcement some additional tools to help regulate these highly intoxicating products.

Some Iowa mental health groups are registered in favor of the bill. Leslie Carpenter, the co-founder of Iowa Mental Health Advocacy, said at the meeting that the availability of potent THC products, especially to minors, poses a risk for psychotic disorders and schizophrenia.

There is some evidence that frequent cannabis use in adolescence is linked to higher rates of schizophrenia.

As THC levels have risen, we have seen an increase in the number of people who develop psychosis and schizophrenia, even in families where they have no genetic tie to any mental illness in their family, she said.

Marijuana violations have taken over 10,000 truck drivers off the road Marijuana violations have taken over 10,000 truck drivers off the road this year, adding more supply chain disruptions Truck drivers are being tested more and the consequences for drug-related violations have increased Differing marijuana laws by state are causing confusion among truck drivers Truck drivers with violations tend to not return, adding to the shortage and supply chain woes
The court has approved a consent agreement by the majority of Naivasha tycoon Fai Amarios children, acknowledging Ms. Salome Wanjiku as a beneficiary of his Sh760 million estate.

In his ruling, Justice Samuel Mohochi dismissed an application by Marsha Dee Amario, one of Amarios children and the co-administrator of the estate, who opposed the inclusion of Ms. Wanjiku as a beneficiary.

Ms. Dee contended that Ms. Wanjiku was not a spouse to her late father but rather a girlfriend who had only parented a child with him.

The relationship was not a marriage recognisable under the Kenyan law. Ms Dee submitted.

The Estates co-administrator also objected to the inclusion of another child, Sheilla Wangare, arguing that her mother had remarried and she was not her fathers biological daughter.

Justice Mohochi, however, ruled that these objections indicated dysfunctionality in the administration of Amarios estate.

The judge observed that Ms. Dee seemed to oppose all joint proposals made by her co-administrators, Miki Nganga, and Sheena Euston. The court stated that it would align with the majority of the beneficiaries based on the principle of the balance of convenience.

The court criticized her for not considering the perspectives of the other majority parties.

Salome Wanjiku Mwangi and Debbie Jolly Amario, are hereby regarded as beneficiaries of the deceased estate, pursuant to the Summons for Rectification of Grant dated May 4, 2022, ruled justice Mohochi.

As per the proposals adopted by the nine beneficiaries, Ms. Wanjiku is entitled to five percent of the estate.

The remaining nine beneficiaries of the estate comprise Miki Nganga, Bernice Njeri, Debbie Jolly, James Kimani, Dee Marsha, Sheena Euston, Yuri Gilbert, Sheila Wangari, and a minor.

According to the consent, Mr. Nganga, Dee, Njeri, Jolly, Kimani, Euston, and Yuri are each entitled to 11.85 percent of the estate, while the minor will receive 6.05 percent. Ms. Wanjiku is allocated 5 percent, and Wangari will receive 6 percent.

Amario(born Peter Njoroge) was a winemaker and the founder of Fai Amarillo Ltd, one of the indigenous alcohol distillers. He left behind a Winery worth an estimated Sh500 million and Den Hotel, both located in Naivasha, worth Sh94.75 million.

His former residence in Naivasha is appraised at Sh16.5 million, and he owned a homestead in Naivasha worth Sh75.65 million.

Additionally, he owned two plots in Naivasha town valued at Sh44 million and trading centers in Naivasha and Embu worth Sh7.1 million. The undeveloped land in his possession is estimated to be worth Sh117.6 million.

Amarios life was marked by controversy, frequently leading to clashes with authorities. In 2005, he served a nine-year prison sentence at Kamiti Maximum Prison for possessing unlicensed guns discovered on his compound.

He also faced arrest by the Flying Squad, who raided his compound under suspicion of murdering his wife, Sarah Wanjiru, with suspicions of her being buried in a secret grave.

In 2004, Amario gained notoriety when he published a newspaper advertisement seeking a wife, making headlines at the time.

Upon succumbing to illness in 2010, Amario was laid to rest in a dramatic burial ceremony that he had meticulously planned. Notably, he was interred in a gold coffin that he had personally acquired for himself.
Seven men and five women in a Napa courtroom will decide the future of Benjamin Casas, the former Pope Valley School employees who faces years in state prison if convicted of sexually abusing five children.

Prosecutors and defense lawyers completed their cases Wednesday afternoon in the trial of the 34-year-old Casas, who faces 22 felony counts of molesting two boys and three girls between 2013 and 2017. A jury will begin deliberating in Napa County Superior Court Thursday morning, according to Carlos Villatoro, spokesperson for District Attorney Allison Haley.

Individual counts against Casas, who was arrested in October 2022 and has since been held in the Napa County jail, carry sentences ranging from one to 10 years. But the district attorneys office is seeking various enhancements  including for victimizing multiple children  that could result in a sentence of 25 years to life.

Jurors received the case after Casas closed out the defense argument by testifying in his own defense Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning. Under cross-examination from Deputy District Attorney Kecia Lind, he sought to deny and bat away accusations that he hugged, fondled or had intercourse with underage victims over several years.

Speaking from behind a glass pane in the witness box, Casas endured unyielding and graphic questions from Lind about his behavior with the five accusers, as well as four others who testified about his behavior when they were minors.

Despite being confronted with what prosecutors said were incriminating written notes, text messages and web searches  Casas admitted only to having poor judgment about boundaries with students and other youth, not to committing crimes.

Im not here to weasel my way out of your accusations, he said Wednesday morning as Lind completed more than two hours of cross-examination over two days. Im not here to save my reputation  my reputation is gone. Im here to defend myself, to show my son I wont be pushed around by whatever this is.

Unconvinced by Casas testimony, Lind, in her closing statement, labeled him a predator, one who hid in plain sight.

He was everybodys best friend at school, the tech guy, he hung out with the kids, Lind told jurors. Parents trusted him; his family trusted him. He was the one everyone thought it was OK to leave their friends with.

Casas not only molested several children but homed in on those he felt were most vulnerable and thus likeliest to keep the abuse a secret, Lind continued  children with few friends, who came from broken homes or were bullied at school.

Public defender Andy Rubinger, giving the defenses closing argument, asserted the absence of physical or medical evidence of sexual assault weakens the accusers case against Casas. He also pointed to the testimony of Susan Eakle, a retired teacher, superintendent and principal who worked at Pope Valley for 42 years and said Tuesday the accusations are inconsistent with the person I saw and heard.

(When Lind asked if her feelings about Casas would change were the accusations against him proven true, Eakle replied: It would not change my feelings of my contact with him. I trust the justice system, and if the evidence is found to the contrary, I wouldnt reject the evidence out of hand.)

During his testimony Tuesday, Casas denied having sexual intercourse with one girl at the school and her home, or giving oral sex to the girls brother. He also denied fondling two other girls whose accusations formed the basis for other charges against him. (The Napa Valley Register does not identify people who say they have been sexually abused.)

However, Lind pressed him on allegations that his behavior had caused the Pope Valley School to reprimand him and put him on paid leave in 2016, six years before he was arrested at his Pope Valley home.

You are expected to conduct yourself as an adult, not as a peer, during school hours, Lind read from the schools letter to Casas, which among other requirements ordered him not to play music with adult topics with students present.

Before the reprimand, according to prosecutors, Casas had hugged a second boy against his will. On the witness stand, Casas said the hug was a misguided attempt to comfort the boy after he complained that schoolmates were bullying him for being gay.

It really feels awkward when someone doesnt hug you back, he recalled under questioning from Rubinger.

(On the trials opening day Jan. 23, the boy testified that about a month after the hug, Casas twice rubbed his bare leg, saying I cant help it; youre just so smooth  a claim Casas also denied Tuesday.)

Lind asked Casas  whose many school duties included overseeing computers and internet at a rural campus with barely 50 students  to account for alleged web searches and bookmarks for sex with and between underage boys, which prosecutors said were recovered from his computer. Casas replied that such bookmarks could have been installed automatically with illicit key loggers and online ads, but he also conceded using an encrypted Tor browser that obscures a users online traces.

So you were not the one who bookmarked for searches for  replied Lind, who then named five different alleged queries about boys and sex acts. Casas answered no when presented with each phrase.

Lind also told Casas to account for child sexual abuse images prosecutors say also were found on his computer, to which Casas said he presumed Google searches would turn up only lawful pictures and denied searching for anything illegal.

As Casas resumed testifying Wednesday morning, Lind displayed on a courtroom screen a yellow Post-It note with a handwritten message.

Hey gorgeous, I need you to lie for me, the message begins before adding We can be together if were careful. The message is signed, Your future boyfriend, Justin XOXO. (Prosecutors allege Casas kept a Facebook page under the pseudonym Justin Smith.)

Prosecutors have said Casas had sex with the recipient both at the school and at her home, where he gave music lessons to her and her brother. But Casas, under cross-examination, insisted he had only made an empty promise of a future relationship to avoid having the girl become dark and distraught.

Lind later displayed what she said was a crush the girl had developed on Casas while she was a Pope Valley student, and alleged Casas had taken advantage of the girls feelings to have an inappropriate relationship with her.

Later, Lind displayed what she said were message exchanges in 2020 and 2022, after the girl had gone on to high school. In one exchange from 2022, Casas writes Long hugs in the office though, and the girl replies I miss the hugs so much. Uno mas  according to Lind, a phrase the girl and Casas often shared in reference to one more hug or kiss.

Before Casas testimony, his cousin Mindy Esparza took the stand Tuesday to deny that Casas had ever shown signs of inappropriate behavior with children  and declared that even the testimony of five accusers would not change her mind, and that only direct video evidence would.

When Lind described explicit text messages Casas allegedly sent a 13-year-old boy in 2010, Esparza remained unmoved. No, thats not true; they can be made up, she said. (The boys parents informed Calistoga Police but did not pursue charges to avoid subjecting their son to interviews, prosecutors have said.)

Photos: Anger and questions after former Pope Valley school worker arrested Pope Valley Emergency School Board Meeting Pope Valley Emergency School Board Meeting Pope Valley Emergency School Board Meeting Pope Valley Emergency School Board Meeting Pope Valley Emergency School Board Meeting Pope Valley Emergency School Board Meeting Pope Valley Emergency School Board Meeting Pope Valley Emergency School Board Meeting Pope Valley Emergency School Board Meeting Pope Valley Emergency School Board Meeting Pope Valley Emergency School Board Meeting Pope Valley Emergency School Board Meeting Pope Valley Emergency School Board Meeting Pope Valley Emergency School Board Meeting Pope Valley Emergency School Board Meeting Pope Valley Emergency School Board Meeting
The Napa County Board of Supervisors signaled it supports legalizing rule violations at Rutherford Ranch winery and allowing a further boost in visitors.

Supervisors on Tuesday heard an appeal of a June 21, 2023, Planning Commission approval of the winerys requests. Water Audit California filed the appeal, citing environmental concerns.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously decided to tentatively deny the appeal. A final decision is scheduled for March 26, when a resolution reflecting the boards direction is drawn up.

Rutherford Ranch winery is located at 1680 Silverado Trail. It took part in the countys 2019 code compliance program that encouraged wineries to voluntarily step forward to correct rules violations.

The winery had too many employees and visitors and some structures illegally within a stream setback. The board agreed with the Planning Commission decision to legalize the violations and allow for growth.

Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza said the county should stand by its voluntary code compliance program.

This applicant is doing the right thing, he said.

Supervisor Ryan Gregory agreed.

The system has worked, Gregory said. The Planning Commission got it right, 5-0.

A major issue brought up by Water Audit California was making certain a Rutherford Ranch winery well doesnt sap water from a nearby stream or Conn Creek.

Water Audit California attorney William McKinnon pointed out the group wasn't challenging such things as how many visitors the winery can have. It wanted tests to determine if the well is linked hydrologically to Conn Creek, which runs to the Napa River.

The only thing I care about is the environment, McKinnon said. I care about Conn Creek because Conn Creek had steelhead in it, and it doesnt have steelhead in it (now). It would be nice to have them back again because they are a federally protected species. You had them for hundreds of thousands of years here. Why dont you have them now?

The county should start looking at people who are pumping thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of gallons of groundwater and see if that is having an impact, he said.

Consultant Katherine Philippakis represented Rutherford Ranch winery.

The winery owners want to come into compliance and set the winery up for years to come. The project proposes to improve structures along the creek, restore riparian habitat and reduce well water use, she said.

These are all good things, Philippakis said. They should not be punished for doing them.

After the hearing, McKinnon said some good came out of the proceedings, despite the denial. For example, the board added a pumping rate cap and Swainsons hawk preconstruction survey.

Water Audit California based part of its appeal on the public trust doctrine. Courts have held that, under the public trust doctrine, California has a duty to protect certain resources, such as waterways, for the people.

Supervisor Belia Ramos during the hearing mentioned the public trust doctrine. The county needs to do a better job making the doctrine known, she said.

After the hearing, Mike Hackett of Save Napa Valley Foundation said the public trust doctrine is coming to the forefront.

I believe that is a huge success, bigger than this one project, Hackett said.

The county issued a Jan. 10 letter describing how the county applies the doctrine for projects involving wells near streams. The doctrine is triggered by local groundwater use only if that groundwater is hydrologically connected to the Napa River, it said.

Napa County had previously approved the Rutherford Ranch winery to have 250 tasting room visitors weekly. The Planning Commission increased this to 1,500 visitors weekly from May through October, and 1,190 visitors weekly from November through April.

Among other things, the commission required Rutherford Ranch winery to remove 15 structures from a stream setback and restore these areas. It capped well use at 14.4 acre-feet annually and required well monitoring.

McKinnon during the Board of Supervisors hearing voiced several complaints with how the county handles project applications and approaches environmental issues.

"Smoke and mirrors," he said at one point.

The county released a 28-page report in which it responded to 25 grounds of appeals raised by Water Audit California.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers a speech at a Spring Festival reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 8, 2024. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council held the reception on Thursday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, on behalf of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council, extended Spring Festival greetings to all Chinese Thursday at a reception in Beijing.



Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered a speech at the gathering at the Great Hall of the People, greeting Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese.

The outgoing Year of the Rabbit marked the beginning of the full implementation of the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress on all fronts, Xi said, noting that the country faced an exceptionally complicated international environment and arduous tasks of reform, development, and maintaining stability.

"We pooled strength from Chinese modernization, kept in mind both domestic and international imperatives, overcame multiple difficulties and challenges, and made solid progress on a new journey toward building China into a modern socialist country in all respects," Xi said.

Li Qiang presided over the reception. Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng were also present at the event.

Over the past year, China adhered to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability and promoted economic recovery, Xi said.

Listing the progress made, Xi said the country's total grain output reached a new high, employment and prices have been kept generally stable, and breakthroughs were made in scientific and technological innovation.

Reform and opening up continued to deepen in China, a new round of reform of Party and state institutions has been basically completed, the country's ecological environment continued to improve, and new steps have been taken on modernizing national defense and the armed forces, he said.

Xi also praised deepened efforts on exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance and fighting corruption.

By putting the people first, authorities worked hard to address the pressing difficulties and problems that concerned people most, and made all-out efforts in responding to natural disasters and advancing post-disaster recovery and reconstruction, thus maintaining overall social stability, Xi said.

"We actively support Hong Kong and Macao in better integrating into the overall situation of national development, firmly oppose separatist acts of 'Taiwan independence' and interference by external forces, and vigorously defend our country's sovereignty, security and development interests," Xi said.

Lauding China's solid efforts on advancing major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, Xi said the country has added certainty and positive energy to a world of change and disorder.

Xi said that looking back at all the hard work over the past year, we have more deeply realized that building a strong country and realizing national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization is not only a bright road for the Chinese people to pursue a better and happy life, but also a just way to promote world peace and development.

Xi pointed out that the year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and is a key year for achieving the goals and tasks in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025).

He stressed the need to adhere to the general tone of the work that seeks progress while maintaining stability, effectively enhance economic vitality, prevent and resolve risks, improve social expectations, consolidate and enhance the positive trend of economic recovery, continue to improve people's livelihood and well-being, as well as maintain overall social harmony and stability.

Underscoring the need to deepen reform across the board, Xi said efforts must be made to encourage entrepreneurship and creativity among all members of society, injecting great vigor into Chinese modernization.

As the totem of the Chinese nation, dragon is deemed strong, fearless and benevolent, Xi noted.

Xi highlighted that dragon not only embodies the spirit of ceaselessly pursuing self-improvement, hard work and enterprise of the Chinese nation for 5,000 years, but also demonstrates the determination and aspiration of hundreds of millions of Chinese people to build China into a strong country and realize national rejuvenation.

Xi expressed the hope that in the Year of the Dragon, all Chinese people will pioneer and forge ahead with great endeavor and dedication, collectively writing a new chapter in advancing Chinese modernization.

This year's Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, falls on Feb. 10.

Party and state leaders Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng attend a Spring Festival reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 8, 2024. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council held the reception on Thursday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, gestures as he attends a Spring Festival reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 8, 2024. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council held the reception on Thursday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers a speech at a Spring Festival reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 8, 2024. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council held the reception on Thursday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Chinese Premier Li Qiang presides over a Spring Festival reception at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 8, 2024. The Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council held the reception on Thursday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Thursday met with Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot, in The Hague, the Armenian foreign ministry informs Armenian News-NEWS.am.

They exchanged views on the Armenian-Dutch bilateral agenda and the perspectives of expanding the political dialogue. The steps taken to strengthen democracy and the rule of law in Armenia and the readiness for further bilateral cooperation in that regard were emphasized. In this context, as well as in the context of the fight against impunity, Armenia's membership in the International Criminal Court was also noted with satisfaction.

The FMs of Armenia and the Netherlands discussed also the partnership between Armenia and the European Union. Mirzoyan emphasized the continued development of cooperation in various domains, including the further strengthening of Armenia's resilience.

The interlocutors reflected also on the latest developments in the South Caucasus and the overall security situation. In this regard, FM Mirzoyan presented to his Dutch colleague Armenia's vision for establishing stability and peace in its region. Referring to the work on the draft of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, Mirzoyan emphasized that the clear commitment of not only Armenia, but also of Azerbaijan is necessary on key issues. The Armenia FM stressed the fundamental principles for the Armenian side in the process of normalizing Armenia-Azerbaijan relations; in particular, the importance of unequivocal respect for territorial integrity and indivisibility of borders.

In the context of unblocking transport and economic communications in the region and Armenia's peace agenda, FM Mirzoyan drew his colleague's attention to the popular principles underlying the Crossroads of Peace project developed by the Armenian government.

In addition, the FMs of Armenia and the Netherlands agreed to continue active contacts and discussions on all matters of mutual interest.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan delivered a statement at the official welcoming ceremony for Armenia as the 124th State Party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Mirzoyan noted as follows, in particular:

In 1998, the international community made a historic decision to put an end to the most serious international crimes by adopting the Rome Statute. In 2023, Armenia ratified the Rome Statute with a sincere belief in its high power to eliminate the most serious crimes and end the impunity. On the 1st of February, the Rome Statute entered into force for Armenia. A fundamentally important occasion that brings us here today. I am grateful to each of you for sharing this special day with us.

The Nuremberg Tribunal stated at its time crimes against international law are committed by men, not abstract entities, and only by punishing individuals who commit such crimes can the provisions of international law be enforced. As we embark on this journey, let us embrace the responsibility that comes with ensuring that no one is above the law. Today, the International Criminal Court stands as a bastion against the horrors of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. In this regard, Armenias consistent cooperative approach to the ICC is based on the following major objectives: 1) preventing the most serious crimes which are of concern to the international community as a whole, 2) strengthening the rule of law in the international community, 3) achieving more universality of the ICC.

Armenia believes that it is extremely important to establish an international judicial system which ensures punishment for persons who have committed genocide and other serious crimes. For decades, Armenia has been an initiator and pioneer in the processes of prevention and condemnation of the crime of genocide, both within the framework of the United Nations and other international organizations and forums long before acceding to the International Criminal Court.

ICCs role in crime prevention and ensuring fair and impartial justice process for peaceful resolution of conflicts is significant. Unfortunately, in our region, we were confronted not only by complete unwillingness to resolve the issue by peaceful means but also with a clear intent to proliferate war, hatred and terror. Continued aggressions against the Republic of Armenia and occupation of our sovereign territories, heinous atrocity crimes perpetrated against Armenians, ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh, as a result of which over 100,000 Armenians had to escape their homes to find shelter in Armenia, had devastating humanitarian consequences and continue to pose imminent risks for our region. In this context, we are convinced that the Rome Statute among other mechanisms has real potential to prevent any further escalation and atrocities, becoming a milestone towards stability and sustainable peace in our region.

(...)

We highlight the Courts important role for delivering justice to victims of unimaginable atrocities, giving them a voice by enabling them to participate in its proceedings, providing assistance and awarding reparations. There is no doubt that the Rome Statute and the ICC, in the quest for accountability, have contributed greatly to the effective functioning of the international criminal justice system.

Today, let us celebrate not only Armenia's commitment but also the shared vision of a world where justice prevails, and the dignity of every individual is protected. As a new State Party to the Rome Statute Armenia will be an active member of the Court and will significantly contribute to the works of the Assembly of the States Parties. Together, we move forward in solidarity, bound by the ideals of the Rome Statute, as we strive for a future defined by fairness and the rule of law."
The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on Thursday announced its six decisions and rulings on complaints from Azerbaijan.

According to the decision of the ECtHR, the Azerbaijani government must pay 66,450 euros in compensation to the applicants, Turan reported.

The case of Fuad Ahmadli and others against Azerbaijan is related to the dispersal of protests in which the applicants participated at various times and their conviction. According to the decision, the government must pay Fuad Ahmedli 3,400 euros for moral damages and 300 euros for legal costs. The applicants: Elchin Teymurov, Ilham Huseynov, Sayyad Guliyev, Elkhan Aliyev, Agali Yahyaev, Imran Mammadli, and Elgiz Mammadov must be paid 2,600 euros each for moral damage and 250 euros as legal costs.

The case of Nariman Ismayilov and others against Azerbaijan also concerned participation in peaceful protests. During the communication, the Government acknowledged the violations and offered to pay compensation to the applicants. According to the decision, the government must pay 2,340 euros for moral damages and 225 euros for legal costs to each of the applicants: Nariman Ismailov, Tariel Malikzada, Zamin Salaev, Elshan Tahmezli, and Farzali Asadov.

The case against Yalchin Abdullayev and others was also related to their participation in protest actions. The Government has submitted a statement to the ECHR acknowledging violations. According to the decision, the government will pay 2,340 euros for moral damages and 225 euros for legal costs to each of the applicants: Yalchin Abdullayev, Ilham Huseynov, Murad Sultanov, Emil Maniev, and Yalchin Abdullayev.

The case of Salima Jalilova against Azerbaijan is related to the ban on the journalist from leaving the country. Journalist Jalilova worked for Meydan TV and, like other employees of this media resource, was banned from leaving the country in 2015. This ban was lifted in 2019. The Azerbaijani government acknowledged the violations and offered to pay compensation. According to the court's decision, the government must pay the journalist 5,000 euros.

The court case of Khalid Bagirov and others against Azerbaijan was related to the ban on peaceful assembly. In 2019, the applicant lawyers appealed to the executive authority to hold a protest action, but they were refused. The Azerbaijani government demanded that the application be excluded from the list of those under consideration, but the ECtHR refused this and ruled that there had been a violation of article 11 of the Human Rights Convention. According to the decision, the government must pay: Khalid Bagirov, Samira Agayeva, Namizad Safarova 1,500 euros each, and Ilham Huseynov, Ali Kerimli and Vahid Maharramov 1,750 euros each.

The case of Elman Guliyev against Azerbaijan was also connected with the illegal dispersal of participants in peaceful protests. The Azerbaijani government acknowledged the violations and offered to pay compensation to the applicant. According to the ECtHR decision, the applicant should be paid 5,200 euros for moral damages and 500 euros for legal costs.
01:10

A three-member team of Union ministers on Thursday held a detailed discussion in Chandigarh with the leaders of farmer organisations which plan 'Delhi Chalo' march to press for their demands, including a law to guarantee a minimum support price for crops.





After the meeting, the farmer leaders said the Central ministers have assured them that they would hold second round of the meeting soon.





However, the farmer leaders said their proposed 'Delhi Chalo' march on February 13 still stands. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who coordinated with the farmer leaders for arranging the meeting, also participated in it.





Mann, however, said the ministers and farmer leaders agreed on many things including withdrawal of cases registered against farmers during the previous agitation against the now-repealed farm laws and strict punishment for fake seeds and chemicals.





The Central team comprised Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda and Nityanand Rai, who flew down to Chandigarh to reach out to farmer leaders.





The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha had announced 'Delhi Chalo' march by more than 200 farmers' unions on February 13 to press the Centre for accepting several demands, including enactment of a law to guarantee a minimum support price (MSP) for crops.





Speaking to reporters after the meeting, SKM (Non-Political) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said the meeting with the Union ministers was held in a positive atmosphere.





"We presented our demands with facts," said Dallewal, claiming that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the Gujarat chief minister, he had constituted a committee which had recommended the legal guarantee to the MSP.





"We also put forward how farmers were getting burdened with debt. The Centre heard us and they (Union ministers) said they will discuss the facts which were presented along with their demands," said Dallewal.





On farmers' proposed 'Delhi Chalo' march on February 13, Dallewal said it still stands.





"The Centre assured that they will soon hold another meeting with them. If the Centre resolves our issues by holding a meeting before February 13, then it is right. Otherwise, our February 13 programme still stands," said Dallewal.





He further said that they will share the proceedings of the meeting with other farmer bodies which were associated with them.





CM Mann said the Union ministers and farmer leaders reached consensus over various issues during the first round of deliberations. A general consensus emerged on rolling back the cases registered against farmers during the agitation against the now-repealed farm laws, Mann told reporters.





He said the deliberations were held in a congenial atmosphere and the Union ministers gave in-principle approval to sympathetically consider the demands of farmers.





Mann said exemplary punishment was sought against the manufacturers of the spurious seeds so that interests of the food growers is safeguarded, adding that the issue of paddy straw burning was also vehemently raised. Mann said it was the first round of the meeting.





"Being the CM of Punjab, it is my responsibility to keep the side of farmers and I put their side as a lawyer. If any need arises to hold a meeting with farmers at Punjab level, it will be done," he added.





Replying to a question on farmers' demand on MSP, Mann said, "It was a big demand."





Since policy decisions cannot be taken here, the ministers said that they will hold a detailed discussion on this matter, said Mann.





Thanking the Union government and farmer leaders for coming on the table to discuss issues, the CM said this is the right platform for solving the issues.





"We do not want that we should again take tractors, face barricades and water cannons for acceptance of demands," he said.





Mann said there is a scope for holding more meetings, expressing hope more such discussions will take place in the larger interests of the farmers and the people.





The CM said he batted for giving major push to the crop diversification and said that India imports pulses from countries like Mozambique and others whereas if farmers get remunerative prices then they can produce these pulses here.





Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher said, "If the Centre wants to continue to have dialogue with us, our doors are always open. We want resolution of all our issues with dialogue."





Pandher said he apprised the ministers that the Haryana police was making arrangements for barricading at the Punjab and Haryana borders and allegedly harassing farmers.





On their demands, Pandher said, "If the prime minister wants, the law on guaranteeing MSP can be framed now as Parliament session is going on. It is a matter of will power."





He further said farmers were making preparations for the 'Delhi Chalo' march on February 13.





Besides a legal guarantee for the MSP, the farmers are also demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pensions for farmers and farm labourers, farm debt waiver, withdrawal of police cases and 'justice' for victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.





In 2020, a large number of farmers from Punjab and nearby areas of Ambala gathered at the Shambhu border and broke police barriers to march towards Delhi.





Farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, had held a year-long protest on Delhi's border points -- Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur -- against the three now-repealed farm laws. -- PTI





IMAGE: Members of the Bhartiya Kisaan Union (Ugrahan) and other farmer unions stage a protest against the Punjab government over their various demands and blocked the road outside the Mini Secretariat, in Patiala on Thursday. Photograph: ANI Photo


VMPL New Delhi [India], February 8: The startup framework in India is a dynamic effort of creativity and enterprise. This thriving industry has grown at a rate never seen before, giving rise to innovative businesses that are changing the Indian and international markets. These firms, which operate in a variety of sectors including technology, healthcare, e-commerce, and financial services, demonstrate the depth and breadth of Indian entrepreneurial ability. You'll learn a variety of things about the Indian startups from this piece of content. This page provides a starting point for comprehending the scope of India's startup scene, even though it does not include a ranking of the top 10 or most recent Indian businesses. Zepto: Mumbai startup Zepto, founded by 19-year-old dropouts Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, is revolutionizing grocery delivery with its rapid 10-minute service. Despite talks with Zomato and Swiggy for a potential acquisition, Zepto continues to thrive independently. The company achieves profitability in 15-18 months, outpacing traditional grocery chains, with monthly sales exceeding Rs 400 crore. Zepto's success underscores the increasing demand for quick and efficient grocery delivery services, making it a key player in India's competitive market. Foster Times: Foster Times, established on 2023, has swiftly become India's most esteemed news media company. Committed to journalistic integrity, it has gained the trust of millions by delivering unbiased, meticulously researched news. With a mission to provide accurate and impartial reporting, Foster Times values integrity, impartiality, credibility, and innovation. They invite readers to join their journey, emphasizing the importance of an informed society and their dedication to shaping a better world through impactful journalism. Stay tuned for the latest, comprehensive, and insightful news from Foster Times. Visit - www.fostertimes.com BluSmart: BluSmart, India's premier all-electric ride-hailing service, secures the second spot on the annual list for the third consecutive year. Backed by Mukesh Ambani and Tata Motors, BluSmart recently raised Rs 200 crore in a fresh equity round. Founded in 2019, BluSmart aims to revolutionize urban transportation with sustainable, efficient, and reliable mobility solutions. Meanwhile, newcomer Exponent Energy debuts at the 15th position, highlighting the burgeoning interest and investments in the electric vehicle sector. The achievements of these startups signal a shift towards greener and more innovative transportation in India. Onetech Solution: Onetech Solution, based in Indore and led by Kuldeep Prajapat, is a beacon in the IT industry, celebrating a 12-year legacy of innovative solutions. Specializing in Website Design, Digital Marketing, and Mobile Application Development, the agency has a track record of thousands of successful projects. Known for consistent 5-star ratings and exceptional client satisfaction, Onetech Solution exemplifies digital excellence. Visit www.onetechsolution.in to explore their transformative services, reflecting their dedication to quality and cutting-edge technology. This Indore-based agency is redefining the digital landscape with its unparalleled expertise. Visit - www.onetechsolution.in Meserii: Leading the Charge Towards a Sustainable Future with Bamboo Products. Meserii, led by Deepak Jangid, champions sustainable living with eco-friendly bamboo products like soft-bristled brushes and bottles designed for green tea enthusiasts. This movement, collaborating with major brands like ICICI and Wikipedia, is not just about business but a commitment to a greener future. Meserii's products, celebrated for their ecological benefits and consumer satisfaction, encourage a shift towards environmentally responsible choices. By supporting Meserii, consumers join a global effort towards sustainability, proving that eco-conscious living can be seamlessly integrated into our daily lives. Meserii embodies the vision of a world where sustainable choices are the norm. Visit website - www.meserii.com Ditto Insurance: Established in 2021, Ditto Insurance, founded by Pawan Kumar Rai and team, is gaining acclaim for its customer-centric approach. With an impressive overall rating of 5.0, Ditto excels in work-life balance. Ditto stands out for its personalized service, delving into customers' medical history to provide meaningful advice. Despite a lower rating in Salary & Benefits (3.0), the company's affiliations with Ditto Insurance Broking Services LLP and Tacterial Consulting Private Limited ensure a solid foundation. As Ditto continues to redefine the insurance landscape, its founders remain dedicated to offering advice as if they were in the customer's shoes. Watch Ditto for a fresh take on insurance with a personal touch. MagzinOpedia: MagzinOpedia, the digital news platform, celebrates a year of insightful reporting with a sleek makeover. Focused on unbiased discussions, it emphasizes key areas of India's socio-economic landscape. Shaped by user feedback, the revamped platform enhances visual content and layout. MagzinOpedia.com aims to be a catalyst for ideas, steering clear of polarizing opinions. It recognizes the government's role, providing informative critiques of policies, emphasizing a secure and stable India. Despite global achievements, challenges persist in ensuring basic amenities and economic inclusiveness. MagzinOpedia.com is committed to being an independent and vibrant platform, shaping the narrative of digital India. Visit - www.magzinopedia.com GrowthSchool: Unleash your potential with GrowthSchool's Performance Marketing Workshop, featuring experts Deppan Siddhu and Ashwin Palo. Led by CEO Vaibhav Sisinty, this transformative experience delivers immediate, practical insights and invaluable networking opportunities. Customized for all skill levels, the workshop unveils cutting-edge strategies that keep you ahead in the dynamic world of performance marketing. While a financial investment and time commitment are considerations, the benefits far exceed, making this workshop a must for professionals seeking rapid career growth. Elevate your skills in under 100 words with GrowthSchool - your key to mastering performance marketing. YugPatrika: Welcome to YugPatrika, India's rising news powerhouse founded in 2023. Trusted for unbiased reporting, we prioritize integrity, impartiality, credibility, and innovation. Join our revolution for precise, thought-provoking news shaping an empowered society. Stay tuned for YugPatrika's latest wave of impactful journalism. Visit - www.yugpatrika.com 99Wholesale: Revolutionizing Affordability, 99Wholesale.com Unveils a Treasure Trove of Budget-Friendly Products Across Categories In a groundbreaking move, 99Wholesale.com is taking the Indian e-commerce market by storm, offering an extensive array of products at unbelievable prices, with the majority priced under Rs 99/-. The platform caters to diverse needs, boasting an impressive range spanning home and kitchen essentials, toys, stationery, home utility, cleaning supplies, bags, organizers, and much more. At the core of 99Wholesale.com's mission is the commitment to solving the affordability challenge faced by the Indian consumer. By keeping the majority of products priced under Rs 99/-, the platform ensures that quality goods are accessible to a wide audience without breaking the bank. Not just a marketplace, 99Wholesale.com also emerges as a solution to stock liquidation issues faced by businesses. With a unique approach to helping sellers liquidate surplus stock, the platform creates a win-win situation for both buyers and sellers. "We understand the importance of affordability in today's market and aim to make quality products accessible to everyone. Our pricing strategy and commitment to solving stock liquidation problems set us apart," says the founder of 99Wholesale.com. Customers are invited to explore the vast selection of products on 99Wholesale.com, where every purchase is a testament to the brand's dedication to affordability without compromising on quality. Visit the website today and experience a shopping spree like never before! (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)
NewsVoir Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], February 8: World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) -- an international trade organization connecting more than 300 World Trade Center (WTC) locations in nearly 100 countries -- and World Trade Center Bengaluru will host the 54th annual WTCA Global Business Forum (GBF) in Bengaluru, India from March 3-6. This will be the first time WTCA presents its newly rebranded Global Business Forum (formerly called the "General Assembly") in India to focus on the B2B aspect of the event. The rebrand further accentuates WTCA's core mission, "Connecting Businesses Globally", by shifting focus to the expansion of Members' international trade presence and integration into various global supply chains. The association's premier annual event will bring together WTCA Members and their global networks consisting of leaders in business, government, academia, media and international organizations -- reflecting WTCA's diverse global footprint. Over 80 WTC businesses from 30 countries/territories have already confirmed their participation with more to follow. This includes representations from: Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China Mainland, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Ghana, Guyana, Iraq, Ireland, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Palestine, Panama, the Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Syria, Taiwan, Tunisia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Vietnam and Yemen, with several WTC businesses bringing delegations to participate in the B2B matchmaking aspect of the event. With the theme of "EPIC: Empowering Progress through Innovation & Collaboration", the Forum will feature an engaging keynote address and panel discussions, including a special address from the Honorable Chief Minister of Karnataka Sri. Siddaramaiah and felicitations from the Honorable Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka Sri. D.K. Shivakumar on Monday, March 4. Romal Shetty, CEO of Deloitte South Asia, will provide the keynote address to set the theme of this year's GBF and unveil the new Deloitte research report ''India as an Investment Destination'.' Other notable speakers include M.R. Jaishankar, Executive Chairman, Brigade Enterprises Limited who will provide the opening address alongside John E. Drew, Chair, WTCA Board of Directors. A robust agenda of panel discussions on AI & tech start-ups, exporting overseas, agritech, and real estate will include moderators and panelists: Nirupa Shankar, Joint Managing Director, Brigade Enterprises Limited and Brigade REAP; Remy Swaab, Vice-Chair, WTCA (WTC Panama); Uma Reddy, Vice President, Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI); Prashanth Gokhale, President, Buhler Group India Private Limited; Pavitra Shankar, Managing Director, Brigade Enterprises Limited; Mr. Naresh V. Narasimhan, Managing Partner & Principal Architect, Venkataramanan and Associates (VA); Dr. R. Srinivas, Subject Matter Expert on Smart Cities; and Dr. Tuan Anh, CIO/CXO, Becamex (WTC Binh Duong New City). "This year's GBF will not only showcase India, specifically Karnataka, as a rising investment destination of the world, but also serve to strengthen relationships between industry leaders," said Vineet Verma, Managing Director of World Trade Center Bengaluru, Chennai and Kochi; and newly-appointed WTCA Board Member. "This will be an invaluable opportunity to interact with leading innovators and invest in India's growing economy -- backed by our dynamic and skilled workforce." The Forum will demonstrate the strength of the global WTCA network, facilitate business relationships and focus on investment opportunities in Karnataka across 12 diverse industry sectors including: Agriculture & Food Processing; Automotive; Aviation & Aerospace; Biotech; Education; Heavy Engineering; IT, ITeS & Electronics; Manufacturing; Real Estate & Construction; Tech Startups; Textile & Garments; and Travel & Tourism. In partnership with the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC), the event will offer onsite B2B matchmaking services, connecting international delegates with business opportunities in the state of Karnataka. The full GBF program agenda is available here. India stands as the world's fifth largest economy by nominal GDP, and the third largest by purchasing power parity. Bengaluru, often referred to as the "Silicon Valley of India", is renowned for its cutting-edge advancements and innovation hub status. The GBF's strategic location in Bengaluru will afford WTCA Members and attending delegates with the opportunity to tap into the region's dynamic and rapidly growing business landscape. "India is experiencing rapid economic growth, coupled with a surging demand for commercial infrastructure and global business connectivity. As a result, our network has grown phenomenally in the country during the past decade. Today, we have our second largest membership cluster here with 40 Members representing most of India's major cities and contributing to India's sustainable development," said John E. Drew, Chair, WTCA Board of Directors. "Bengaluru's entrepreneurial spirit makes it an ideal setting for fostering synergies and exploring lucrative business opportunities in one of the world's most promising economic regions." For more information about the 2024 WTCA Global Business Forum, please visit wtca.swoogo.com/2024gbf/4132448. Also, follow along on social media via #WTCAEvents. World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) is a network of more than 300 highly connected, mutually supporting businesses and organizations in 91 countries. As the owner of the "World Trade Center" and "WTC" trademarks, WTCA licenses exclusive rights to these brands for Members to use in conjunction with their independently owned, iconic properties, facilities and trade services offerings. Through a robust portfolio of events, programming and resources that it offers its Members, the goal of WTCA is to help local economies thrive by encouraging and facilitating trade and investment across the globe through Member engagement. To learn more, visit www.wtca.org. World Trade Center (WTC) Bengaluru is a licensed member of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), headquartered in New York. Promoted by the Brigade Group, it was set up in 2010 to help develop an international business platform specific to the region of Bengaluru and Karnataka as a whole. WTC Bengaluru meets specific needs of its clients & partner organizations by providing international market research, business matchmaking and connections to valuable public and private resources, as well as through the planning of strategic trade missions, trade educational programs and networking events. In addition to Bengaluru, the Brigade Group has operational WTC businesses in Chennai & Kochi along with upcoming locations in Hyderabad, Devanahalli and Thiruvananthapuram. To learn more, visit www.wtcbengaluru.org. (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)
NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 8: The global aviation fuel market, estimated at USD 252.39 billion in 2022, is projected to reach around USD 935.67 billion by 2032, with a 14 per cent CAGR during the forecast period from 2023 to 2032, according to the Precedence Research report. The Indian aviation sector, too, is witnessing a sustained high consumption rate of jet fuel by carriers. As per the ICRA Limited report, India's jet fuel consumption has consistently increased since September 2023, rising from 657,000 metric tons to 691,000 metric tons in October. Subsequently, it has stabilized at 690,000 metric tons for the next month. A recent report from S&P Global Commodity Insights attributes the sustained demand for jet fuels to the absence of additional long-haul routes and an increase in the number of short-haul flights. The fuel efficiency of an airplane is directly influenced by the aerodynamic drag experienced during flight. The aircraft encounters significantly higher drag during climb and descent compared to level flight. For example, in a six-hour flight, an aeroplane takes 30 minutes ascending and 30 minutes descending while maintaining a steady level at a high altitude for approximately 85 percent of its total fuel consumption time. In contrast, a short-haul flight ascends to a relatively lower altitude in 20 minutes, followed by a shorter steady-level flight of 1 hour and 20 minutes before landing. This means that 33 per cent of its fuel consumption time occurs during a high drag period. "Flying at a lower cruising altitude means the air density would be relatively higher, resulting in greater aerodynamic drag. Short-haul flights have relatively lower fuel efficiency," says Jaideep Mirchandani, Chairman of the UAE-based aviation conglomerate Sky One. However, with the consistent increase in demand for point-to-point travel, air carriers are now operating more short-haul flights. He says that long-haul flights, with a journey time exceeding six hours, play a key role in this scenario, and an increase in such flight routes could meet India's jet fuel demand to some extent. "Along with the focus on boosting domestic travel, there is also a need to expand flight routes to more international travel destinations. A collaborative effort among stakeholders in civil aviation, tourism, and travel service providers can formulate strategies to enhance connectivity for long-haul travel, particularly to destinations in Europe and other regions," says Mirchandani. He says that India must take cues from some of the leading airports, including London Heathrow, which actively promotes long-haul routes. Last year, it introduced 11 new routes, including the UK's only nonstop connection to Peru. Mirchandani adds that an increase in long-haul flights will necessitate more wide-body aircraft. The recent order by Air India, as per reports, includes 70 wide-body aircraft. The civil aviation ministry has also taken favourable decisions, like allowing Indian airlines to take wide-body planes on wet leases. This will surely help to address supply chain issues and increase the number of long-haul flights. Mirchandani believes that supportive government policies and infrastructure development could also contribute to the expansion of long-haul routes. "Another favourable approach could be to develop India as an aviation hub. The government has already appointed a committee to assess the possibilities of transforming Delhi into a major transit hub, akin to global facilities like Dubai and Doha. If the plan materialises, it could make significant changes in India's aviation sector by facilitating seamless domestic-to-international and international-to-international transfers," he concludes. (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)
Adarsh Gourav, who was recently seen in the movie 'Kho Gaye Hum Kahan' alongside Ananya Panday and Siddhant Chaturvedi, has set foot in Thailand and started shooting for the highly anticipated TV series 'Aliens'. He well bonded with the cast and enjoyed the vivid local cuisine. While expressing his excitement for the project, he said, "I am thrilled to be part of 'Aliens' and embark on this exciting journey with such a talented cast and crew. The opportunity to work alongside renowned creators like Noah Hawley and Ridley Scott is truly humbling, and I look forward to bringing this gripping narrative to life." "I'm excited to shoot for the project after a brief schedule we had last year. There's a great energy amongst the team and the cast and we can't wait to put all the energy into making the series as iconic as the franchise is," he added. Adarsh Gurauv will be working with the international cast and crew to bring the captivating story of Aliens to life. The shooting will be happening in Thailand for the next four months. Adarsh received a positive response for his work in 'Kho Gaye Hum Kahan'. Helmed by debutant director Arjun Varain Singh, 'Kho Gaye Hum Kahan' is a 'coming-of-digital-age' story about three friends in their mid-20s navigating life in the world of social media. Gourav earlier said, "I am incredibly grateful to producers and filmmakers like Zoya Akhtar, who believe in actors like me who have carved their own paths. Zoya is a dynamic director with an impeccable eye for talent, and I feel privileged to be a part of her much-awaited project, 'Kho Gaye Hum Kahan'. I find myself lucky to be working and collaborating with such great minds and the fact that they recognise my work and have given me roles like the one in Kho Gaye". Talking about 'Aliens', it is helmed by the renowned writer and director Noah Hawley and produced by the visionary Ridley Scott, Aliens promises to captivate audiences with its enthralling storyline and stellar performances. Joining Adarsh Gourav in this project are actors Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Samuel Blenkin, and Essie Davis. Scheduled to stream on FX on Hulu, 'Aliens' is poised to redefine the sci-fi genre. (ANI)
Predicting the development of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric illnesses such as autism or schizophrenia is challenging since they are influenced by a wide range of hereditary and environmental factors. A new study, led by Penn State researchers, shows that evaluating parents for their manifestation of these disorders -- and related diseases like depression and anxiety -- may be a more accurate method of predicting the prevalence, and potential severity, of the disorders in affected children than screening for genetic variants alone. This is most likely attributable, at least in part, to genetic variations passed down from parents to children that would not be detected by a genetic screen and would result in more severe disease, according to the researchers. The American Journal of Human Genetics published a paper that described the research. According to the researchers, understanding how both parents contribute to their child's diagnosis can help with genetic counseling and the formulation of therapeutic intervention strategies for children affected by these conditions. "We looked at the presence of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric traits in children and parents from a large set of families," said Santhosh Girirajan, interim department head and T. Ming Chu Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the Penn State Eberly College of Science and lead author of the paper. "We saw an increase in the presence of neurodevelopmental disorders in children whose parents both report having the trait, including psychiatric traits like anxiety or depression." The team looked at 97,000 families, many including children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism or intellectual disability and evaluated how risk factors -- genetic features and the presence of the traits -- in both parents impact the trajectory of the disease in the children. The datasets included genetic information and questionnaire data from families in a large public biobank, as well as from families from specific studies of neurodevelopmental disorders. The researchers evaluated parents and their children for symptoms of the various disorders and assessed known genetic mutations that can give rise to such disorders. Their analysis revealed that parents tend to select partners with the same or related disorders, leading to increased prevalence and, potentially, severity of the disorder in their children. "Most neurodevelopmental disorders are genetically complex, meaning that they aren't caused by a single gene," Girirajan said. "This makes it hard to trace the exact genetic underpinnings of a disorder in an individual and even harder to predict how the disorder will play out in affected children." The researchers explained that complex genetic diseases can be caused by mutations in many genes, each of which could be inherited from one or both parents, or occur spontaneously in the newly formed genome of the child. The child's disease prognosis results from the combination of mutations that they inherit and how they interact with one another during development. This is called the "multi-hit model" because the disease results from multiple different mutations in many different genes. "We have been studying one such mutation -- a deletion of a small segment of chromosome 16 -- that has been implicated as a risk factor for several neurodevelopmental disorders," Girirajan said. Symptoms of these disorders can manifest as seizures, schizophrenic features, depression and anxiety, along with characteristics related to addiction. "This mutation is often passed from a parent to a child, but the child regularly has more severe symptoms of the disorder than the parent. We wanted to know if other 'hits' for the disorder could be coming from the other parent. So, we looked at the traits of both parents in a large cohort of families with children with neurodevelopmental disorders." The research team found that the parent that had passed on the deletion had less severe symptoms than their child or even different but related psychiatric disorders like depression or anxiety. They also found that the other parent often had similar psychiatric traits. "What we realized, and it's been studied for a long time, is that in people there is a phenomenon called 'assortative mating,'" said Corrine Smolen, a graduate student at Penn State working with Girirajan and the first author of the paper. "Whether it's consciously or unconsciously, people with similar features preferentially find each other as partners. Although there could be other explanations, we see this in our data and that is probably what is leading to what we are seeing in the families that we studied." The parent that doesn't have the deletion must have these traits because of some other genetic mutations, the researchers explained, and when these mutations are combined with the deletion in the genome of the child, the result is more severe disease. By assessing the traits in both parents, the researchers could more accurately predict the trajectory of the disease in their children than would be possible via genetic screening alone. They also could eventually use this information to try to identify new mutations -- those inherited from the parent without the deletion -- that are involved in causing these traits. "We found that there is a good correlation between the traits in the parents," Girirajan said. "Someone with schizophrenia is more likely to find a partner with schizophrenia, someone with anxiety and depression is more likely to find a partner with anxiety and depression. This is well-known for other things, like tall people marrying other tall people. Because all of these traits have at least some genetic component that could be similar between the partners, this leads to a situation that is akin, but less pronounced, to consanguineous marriage, when people who are related through ancestry marry." (ANI)
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has said that all Anganwadi Workers and Helpers across the country will get the benefits of the public health insurance scheme Ayushman Bharat. In a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, the ministry said that the provisions for health insurance coverage have been made for the Anganwadi Workers in the Interim Budget for the financial year 2024-25. "The government has expanded the coverage of Ayushman Bharat to include all Anganwadi Workers and Helpers across the country. This will provide health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family annually to all AWWs and AWHs for secondary and tertiary medical care," the Ministry said in its written reply in the Upper House. Ministry further informed that the honorarium of Anganwadi Workers at main Anganwadi centres has been enhanced from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,500 per month. Anganwadi Services is a Centrally Sponsored scheme and the implementation of the scheme falls under the ambit of the State Government/UT administration. The ministry also informed that there were 13,48,135 Anganwadi workers and 10,23,068 Anganwadi Helpers in the country as of December 31, 2023. "As per Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 Guidelines issued by the Ministry, promotional opportunities for Anganwadi Workers have been enhanced. 50 per cent of posts of Anganwadi Workers shall be filled by promotion of Anganwadi Helpers with 5 years of experience and 50 per cent of posts of Supervisors shall be filled by promotion of Anganwadi Workers with 5 years of experience subject to fulfilment of other criteria," Women and Child Ministry said. (ANI)
The passage of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill in the Legislative Assembly marked a "historic day in the history of Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Wednesday. He emphasized that the legislation benefits every section of society, asserting that a government promise to the people has been fulfilled. The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill was passed with a comfortable majority during a special session of the Uttarakhand assembly on Wednesday. Speaking to ANI, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, "This is a historic day in the history of Uttarakhand. The resolve we had taken before the people of the state and the promise we had made to the people of the state has now been met. Uttarakhand has made history today. The State Assembly passed the UCC Bill today, going a step ahead towards making this a law." "The provisions ensure women's empowerment and children's safety. Parents, elders won't face problems going further," he added. The Uniform Civil Code which proposes similar or uniform laws for all communities, was tabled on Tuesday during the special session by the Chief Minister. Once the proposed UCC Bill is in place, "live-in relationships" will have to get registered under the law within 1 month from the "date of entering into the relationship." To live in a live-in relationship, adults will have to obtain consent from their parents. The bill also imposes a complete ban on child marriage and introduces a uniform process for divorce. The Code provides equal rights to women of all religions in their ancestral property. The CM added that the Uniform Civil Code Bill can be amended in the future if there is a need to include specific clauses. As per the UCC Bill, the age for marriage will be 18 for women and 21 for men in all communities. Marriage registration is mandatory in all religions and marriages without registration will be invalid.No divorce petition will be allowed to be filed after one year of marriage. Uttarakhand CM Dhami, during the debate on the Uniform Civil Code, said that the state legislature is going to create history with the passing of the Uniform Civil Code and that every citizen of the state is filled with pride. "Today, I want to congratulate all the people of the state on this occasion, because today the legislature of our Uttarakhand is going to create history. Being witnesses to this historical moment today, not only this House but every citizen of Uttarakhand is filled with pride. It is a feeling. Our government had promised to bring a uniform civil code to Uttarakhand to realise the mantra of 'One India, a Better India'," he said. The Chief Minister thanked all assembly members, including those of opposition, for sharing their thoughts on the UCC. (ANI)
Following the passage of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) during the special session of the Uttarakhand assembly, state minister Prem Chand Aggarwal on Wednesday said that all 'ill-societal' norms would be eradicated once the law comes into force. Earlier, the UCC, which proposes to formulate and implement similar laws for all communities, was passed during the special session of the Uttarakhand assembly with a comfortable majority on Wednesday. "When the law is implemented, all ill societal norms will be eradicated and women will be empowered. Everyone supported it because this was a topic that could not be opposed," Aggarwal said while speaking to ANI. "The bill will first go to the Governor, then to the President and then we will implement it in the state as a law," he added. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, during the debate on the Uniform Civil Code, said on Wednesday that the state legislature is going to create history with the passing of the Uniform Civil Code and that every citizen of the state is filled with pride. The Uniform Civil Code which proposes similar or uniform laws for all communities, was tabled yesterday during the special session by the Chief Minister. "Today, I want to congratulate all the people of the state on this occasion, because today the legislature of our Uttarakhand is going to create history. Being witnesses to this historical moment today, not only this House but every citizen of Uttarakhand is filled with pride. It is a feeling. Our government had promised to bring a uniform civil code to Uttarakhand to realise the mantra of 'One India, a Better India'," CM Dhami said. The Chief Minister thanked all assembly members, including those of opposition, for sharing their thoughts on the UCC. The bill contains the laws relating to marriage, divorce, succession, live-in relationships, and related matters. Among the many proposals, the Uniform Civil Code Bill makes it compulsory for live-in relationships to be registered under the law. Once the proposed UCC Bill is in place, "live-in relationships" will have to get registered under the law within 1 month from the "date of entering into the relationship." To live in a live-in relationship, adults will have to obtain consent from their parents. The bill also imposes a complete ban on child marriage and introduces a uniform process for divorce. The Code provides equal rights to women of all religions in their ancestral property. As per the UCC Bill, the age for marriage will be 18 for women and 21 for men in all communities. Marriage registration is mandatory in all religions and marriages without registration will be invalid. No divorce petition will be allowed to be filed after one year of marriage. Highlighting the ceremonies for marriage, the proposed UCC Bill noted that marriage may be solemnised or contracted between a man and a woman in accordance with religious beliefs, practices, customary rites and ceremonies including but not limited to "Saptapadt", "Ashirvad", "Nikah", "Holy Union", "Anand Karaj" under the Anand Marriage Act 1909 as well as under, but not limited to, The Special Marriage Act, 1954 and Arya Marriage Validation Act, 1937. However, nothing contained in the proposed UCC Bill will be applied to the members of any Scheduled Tribes within the meaning of clause (25) of Article 366 read with Article 342 of the Constitution of India and the persons and group of persons whose customary rights are protected under Part XXI of the Constitution of India. (ANI)
On the occasion, Assam Rifles also distributed Foldable Microscopes (Foldoscopes) to the students and teachers of Chiru Public School.

"The distribution of Foldoscopes was initiated following a request from the local school, which lacked access to crucial educational resources," HQ IGAR (EAST) said in a press release on Wednesday.

Also, a medical team comprising Assam Rifles personnel and local healthcare professionals provided essential medicines to the residents of Chiru Village.

"Subsequently, the team distributed 60 Foldoscopes to Chiru Public School and conducted a comprehensive workshop and training camp, offering hands-on guidance to both teachers and students," HQ said.

Earlier a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) and the Assam Rifles at Rashtriya Raksha University in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on February 5.

The MoU was signed by Bimal N Patel, Vice Chancellor, RRU and Lt Gen PC Nair, Director General Assam Rifles. (ANI)
According to officials, Mumbai police had launched a probe after a fishing boat was suspiciously found roaming near the city's coast area on Tuesday.

The suspicious boat named "Abdullah Sharif" was found roaming near the Gateway of India.

The boat had three people on board, all of them hailing from Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari, who were being interrogated in the case.

However, for now, nothing suspicious has been found from the suspects.

"The boat arrived from Kuwait and has been impounded," officials had said, adding that further investigation is underway. (ANI)
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a press conference at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem, on Feb. 7, 2024. Netanyahu rejected Hamas's proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. [Photo/Xinhua]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas's proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.

"Caving into the delusional demands of Hamas will result in another massacre," said Netanyahu at a press conference.

Netanyahu's remarks came hours after Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that runs Gaza, presented a set of terms in response to a ceasefire proposal brokered by Qatar.

It included the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners and the reconstruction of Gaza, which has been devastated by the Israeli strikes. Hamas also seeks a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and an end to the ongoing war, proposing a ceasefire plan consisting of three phases, each lasting 45 days.

Netanyahu repeated his stance that Israel will continue the war until "a total victory" over Hamas. "Tonight, I came to tell you one thing: We are on the way to a total victory. Victory is within reach. It's not a matter of years but of months," said Netanyahu.

According to the Israeli prime minister, since Oct. 7, 2023, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) killed or wounded 20,000 militants in Gaza, which constitute "more than half of the Hamas forces."

"We instructed the IDF, which is now in Khan Younis, the last stronghold of Hamas, to prepare to operate in Rafah as well," he said.

Rafah is Gaza's southernmost city, a zone previously designated as a safe zone by the Israeli army and to which more than half of Gaza's over 2 million population had fled.

Netanyahu said he told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during their meeting in Jerusalem earlier on Wednesday, that after Hamas is "eliminated," Gaza should be demilitarized to ensure it will not pose a security threat to Israel.

"It means that Israel will stay in Gaza," he said.

Netanyahu also repeated his call to close the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Last week, Israel accused 12 UNRWA employees of taking part in a fierce onslaught by Hamas on southern Israeli communities on Oct. 7, 2023, leading to at least 17 countries suspending UNRWA funding.

The Israel-Hamas conflict has so far claimed the lives of 27,708 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry on Wednesday.
The Sri Lankan Navy apprehended 19 fishermen from Tamil Nadu's Rameswaram along with two boats on Thursday. The fishermen were apprehended while they were fishing near Delft Island in Palk Bay Sea, the fishermen's association said. The arrested fishermen have been identified as Jolson (42), Mcdon (40), Bismar (26), Muniyasamy (36), Muniyasamy (48), Shekhar (49), Sesu Raja (41), Flower Sun (28), Prashant (32), Arogya Prabhakaran (47), Selva Thomas (50), Selvaraj (46), Anton Sasikumar (43), Muniasamy, Health (50), Oswald (36) and Orissa (36). "480 fishermen from Rameswaram went to the sea yesterday to catch fish. They were fishing near Neduntivu in the Bagjalasanthi Sea area. The Sri Lankan Navy arrived there. 19 fishermen were arrested and taken to Kangesanthurai Naval Camp for investigation," CR Senthilvel, state secretary, AITUC Fishermen Association said. "Fishing boats INT.TN 10 MM 324 is owned by K Alex of Thangachimadham and INT.TN 10 MM 925 owned by S Anton Sasikumar were taken," he added. Earlier on February 6, twelve fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy on January 13, were released and reached Chennai airport. According to officials, a total of 23 Indian fishermen and two boats were held by the Sri Lankan Navy from Rameswaram while they were fishing near Delft Island in the Palkbay Sea area. The recurring arrests of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy have become a source of concern, not only for the Central government but also for the authorities in Tamil Nadu. On February 5, in a move aimed at drawing attention to their longstanding grievances, Rameswaram fishermen held a symbolic strike and outlined a series of demands to address the challenges they face. The fishermen also declared their intent to return their voter ID cards to the central government and boycott the elections if their demands remain unmet. The Rameswaram All Boats Fishermen's Association highlighted the plight of fishermen, claiming that over 150 mechanised boats from Tamil Nadu, seized by the Sri Lankan Navy between 2018 and 2024, remain in the possession of the Sri Lankan government. The fishermen demanded immediate intervention from both the central and state governments to secure the release and restoration of seized boats in good condition.They emphasised the need for adequate compensation for damaged vessels and permission for rescue teams to retrieve boats held by the Sri Lankan Navy. The fishermen also urged the central government to immediately grant permission to the rescue team to go to Sri Lanka to rescue the 10 boats freed by the Sri Lankan Navy and give appropriate compensation to the boats sunk by the Sri Lankan Navy. The issue had previously been reflected upon during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, held during the latter's visit to India in July last year. (ANI)
Stroke remains the second-leading cause of death and the third-leading cause of death and disability combined. Aphasia or the loss of language function, can be caused by brain damage due to stroke in 21-38 percent of acute stroke patients, as per neurology experts at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Early and timely speech and language rehabilitation can aid in a better recovery, they said. Music therapy has been shown to improve verbal fluency in various parts of the world.However, in India, there is a lack of similar adaptive strategies, as per experts. The Department of Neurology, AIIMS, New Delhi, in collaboration with IIT-New Delhi, is conducting a study on the customization and adaptation of the treatment strategies that such patients need for the recovery of their global speech and language functions. This will be provided free of charge to the patients under the ICMR-funded study. Meanwhile, stroke, a highly preventable and treatable condition, could lead to nearly 10 million deaths annually by 2050, primarily affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This projection comes from the collaborative effort of the World Stroke Organization and the Lancet Neurology Commission under which four studies have been published. Four research papers emphasizing pragmatic recommendations to reduce stroke burden globally have been published under this Commission. This report was published in the esteemed Lancet Neurology journal. The report underscores that stroke deaths are expected to surge from 6.6 million in 2020 to a daunting 9.7 million by 2050. By 2050, it is estimated that the contribution of stroke deaths in LMICs will see an increase from 86 per cent to 91 per cent. (ANI)
A Delhi court has recently dismissed a bail plea of a businessman accused of cheating the Republic of Djibouti (RoD) of USD 5 million. The FIR was registered in 2018 based on the complaint filed by the Ambassador to the Republic of Djibouti (RoD) in India. The businessman surrendered before the court in terms of the order of the Supreme Court of India. Kiran Gupta, Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) of Patiala House Court, on Tuesday dismissed the bail plea of Sai Ramakrishna Karuturi. "The applicant was given the bank guarantee or loan to the tune of USD 6.5 million for performing the agricultural activities that he had failed to perform," ASJ Kiran Gupta said in the order dated February 6, 2024. The court also said that the applicant had neither returned the amount nor supplied the agricultural produce as agreed between the parties under the aegis of the agreements dated September 10, 2011, and February 23, 2012. " The applicant, even after executing the acknowledgement of debt dated February 10, 2013, for an amount of 5 million USD, has not paid the said amount to RoD," the 1Court remarked in the order. The court also noted that he had not supplied any accounts of losses purportedly incurred by him due to floods, except the newspaper clippings. The applicant had failed to show that he had supplied substantial machinery and equipment to RoD as agreed between the parties, as further noted. It was stated in the bail application that he has clean antecedents and has no previous involvement. He is a married man with three daughters. He has a medical history. He has been in custody since October 16, 2023, when he surrendered to the custody and jurisdiction of the court in terms of an order dated September 25, 2023, of the Supreme Court of India, the plea stated. It was argued by counsel for Karatiri that the complaint is from 2018 and no final report has been filed by the IO to date. Despite lodging the FIR in 2018, no efforts were made by the IO to arrest the appellant or accused. The applicant or accused cooperated in the investigation on every date and stage. The IO had issued a Letter of Retogatory, which would take a long time and until the same is received, no sanction can be procured under 188 IPC. It was submitted that the applicant may not be suffering incarceration for an indefinite period. The dispute, if any, is premised on the agreements and is civil. There is a clause for international arbitration; however, the same has not been invoked by the complainant. The KOL is under IBC at present, the counsel argued. It was also submitted that the applicant had no intention to cheat anyone. The crops could not be grown due to the conditions beyond his control. He has duly compensated the complainant by providing sufficient machinery. The bail plea was opposed by the Additional Public Prosecutor for the State and advocate Raman Gandhi, Counsel for the complainant, stating that the applicant, who is the Director of KOL, had cheated the complainant of an amount of US $ 5 million without performing any act under the agreements dated September 10, 2011, and February 23, 2012, executed by him through his company. Though he claimed to have taken on lease 3,00,000 hectares of land from theGovernment of Ethiopia at Gambella, but it was subsequently revealed that the entire land was in a flood plain and unfit for any agricultural activity, the prosecution said. It was also stated by the prosecution that the accused did not have any land left aside for 10,000 hectares of land. He never showed the 10,000 hectares of land that were allegedly earmarked for agricultural activity to be performed for the complainant as per the agreement dated September 10, 2011. No agricultural activity was ever done or started by the applicant. He neither started any agricultural activity norrepaid the credit facility or loan and thus pocketed the amount of US $ 6.5 million. It was further submitted that the applicant is a flight risk as he has no permanent residence in India. He has substantial assets in Kenya and Africa, where ICICI Bank has initiated proceedings for recovery. The complaint is dated May 4, 2018, and is premised on a civil transaction that took place between Karuturi Global Ltd. (KGL) and Karuturi Overseas Ltd., Dubai (KOL) onthe one hand and RoD and its appointed advisory/consultant firm, namely Multiflex Biotech FZC (MBF), on the other hand. It is also stated that the genesis of the dispute is two tripartite agreements dated September 10, 2011, and February 23, 2012, entered into between parties. Under these agreements, KOL was to develop about 15,000 hectares of agricultural land in Ethiopia and supply the agricultural produce to Djibouti. Accordingly, RoD had issued bank guarantees to the tune of US $ 3 Million from the Central Bank of Djibouti under the agreement dated September 10, 2011, and US $ 3.5 Million under the agreement dated February 23, 2012, as securities infavour of KOL. It further stated that KOL has invested huge sums in cultivating the lands and has grown crops in full compliance with the terms of both agreements; however, unfortunately, the crops were destroyed as a result of floods, causing huge losses to KOL. Hence, KOL, as per Clause 8 of the agreement dated September 10, 2011, is not liable for any acts of God. KOL, in compliance with the agreement, had planted about 1200 ha of maize but unfortunately, the crops were destroyed due to floods, resulting in the submergence of crops. The said fact has been acknowledged on behalf of RoDvia email dated November 18, 2012. Despite suffering heavy losses, since KOL was unable to supply the food material, it supplied the requisite machinery to the government of Djibouti, which is evident from various e-mails exchanged between the parties. (ANI)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not belong to the Other Backward Caste (OBC) community as he was born in a general category. Addressing a public rally during the Odisha leg of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra here, the Wayanad MP said, "Whenever BJP workers come to you, tell them one thing that our Prime Minister lied to the entire country that he belonged to the backward class. He was not born in a backward class, he belongs to the general caste. You tell this to every BJP worker." This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently in Parliament called himself 'sabse bada OBC' (the biggest OBC) and accused the Congress of indulging in hypocrisy and adopting double standards while dealing with leaders of Backward communities. "Congress party and UPA government did not deliver justice with OBCs. A few days ago, Karpoori Thakur ji was conferred with Bharat Ratna. In 1970, when he became Bihar CM, what was not done to destabilise his government? Congress can't tolerate OBCs...They keep counting how many OBCs are there in government. Can't you (Congress) see the biggest OBC here (pointing towards himself)?" PM Modi said in his reply to the 'Motion of Thanks' on the President's Address in Lok Sabha on Monday. PM Modi continued his attack on the UPA government and said that the previous government did not deliver justice to OBCs. "During the UPA Government, an extra-constitutional body was formed. The government could not have its way before that body. National Advisory Council - did it have any OBC members? Find out," he added. The Odisha leg of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is scheduled to be completed this afternoon before going on a two-day break from February 9-10. The yatra will resume on February 11 from Chhattisgarh. Earlier on Wednesday, the 25th day of the Nyay Yatra, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, visited Vedvyas Dham in the Sundergarh district of Western Odisha. The cave of this temple is considered to be the place where sage and poet Ved Vyas ji composed the Mahabharata. Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra rolled out from Manipur's Thoubal on January 14. The yatra will cover over 6,700 kilometres over 67 days, traversing through 110 districts. It will cover a distance of 6,713 km, straddling 100 Lok Sabha constituencies and 337 assembly segments and covering 110 districts. The yatra will conclude in Mumbai on March 20, after 67 days. A follow-up to the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' which saw Rahul Gandhi cover more than 3,000 kilometres on foot--from Kanya Kumari to Srinagar--the Yatra 2.0 is following a hybrid format. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi while bidding farewell to the retiring members in Rajya Sabha on Thursday lauded the "immense contribution" of his predecessor Manmohan Singh. "I wish to remember Dr Manmohan Singh today, his contribution in the House, with his invaluable thoughts, both as a leader and in the opposition has been immense. For such a long time, the way he has guided this House and country, Dr Manmohan Singh will always be remembered for it," PM Modi said during his speech in the upper house. In his speech in Rajya Sabha, PM Modi praised former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's commitment to his duties as a parliamentarian. "It doesn't matter who he was supporting, I believe that he was supporting our democracy," PM Modi said. In August 2023, Manmohan Singh had arrived in Rajya Sabha on a wheelchair to cast his vote on the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Recalling the incident, PM Modi in his speech today said, "Dr Manmohan Singh ji came to the parliament in a wheelchair. How conscious he is of his responsibilities, not only this, I was watching, whenever committee elections were held, he came to vote, the question is not to whom he came to give strength, I believe, to give strength to democracy." Retiring Rajya Sabha members will attend a farewell function this evening at Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar's residence in the national capital. The parliament will continue the discussion on the Union Interim Budget 2024-25 today, and the Interim Budget of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The ongoing Budget Sessions of Parliament has been extended a day to February 10 to bring in a white paper on the state of the economy before and after 2014, when the BJP came to power after defeating the Congress-led UPA. During his reply in both Houses of Parliament to the motion of thanks on President's address, PM Modi slammed the UPA government's alleged mishandling of the economy and its corruption and policy paralysis. As per the List of Business in the Upper House for the day, Union Minister Bupender Yadav will move a motion today for election to the Central Advisory Committee. (ANI)
He had been associated with the grand old party for 48 years.

Siddique made the announcement in a post on his official social media account, X.

He thanked everyone who had been a part of this journey.

https://x.com/BabaSiddique/status/1755456516746850437?s=20

"I joined the Indian National Congress Party as a young teenager and it has been a significant journey lasting 48 years, he said in his post. "Today I resign from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress Party @INCIndia with immediate effect," Baba Siddiqui posted on X.

His post added, "There's a lot I would have liked to express but as they say some things are better left unsaid. I thank everyone who has been a part of this journey". (ANI)
In a strong response to the Centre's 'White Paper' to be presented in Parliament, Lok Sabha MP Danish Ali launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJP, accusing the party of attempting to cleanse its alleged decade-long record of corruption. The central government is set to present the 'White Paper' that will compare the economic performance of 10 years of the Congress-led UPA government with that of 10 years of the BJP-led NDA government. "BJP will wash their black deeds of past 10 years and bring a White Paper," Danish Ali said while speaking to ANI on Thursday. "BJP has a washing machine and a washing powder called 'Modi Washing Powder' that whitens all the corruption as soon as someone enters the BJP. They are going to do the same thing in the Parliament," he added. Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge earlier in the day released the 'Black Paper' highlighting the alleged 'failures' during the 10-year rule of the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre. While releasing the Black Paper, Kharge said that it contains details about the failures of the BJP government including unemployment. "We are releasing a Black Paper against the government because the government always glorifies itself in Parliament and hides its failures. And when we say something about their failure, we are not given a chance, so today we are bringing out the Black Paper here. It contains details about unemployment, which the BJP government never discusses," the Congress chief said in a press briefing. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Black Paper, released by Congress, is a 'Kaala Teeka' for him since everything is going so well in the country. The Prime Minister's remarks came while he was giving farewell to the retiring members of the Rajya Sabha. "When a child gets ready for some good occasion by wearing some nice clothes, then a family member says to go after applying a Kaala Teeka, to ward off an evil eye. Today, as the country is touching new heights of prosperity over the last ten years, an attempt has been made to put a Kaala Teeka, so that no one can cast an evil eye on it. I thank Kharge Ji a lot for (bringing a Black Paper)," PM Modi said. The budget session, which is the last Parliament session before Lok Sabha polls expected in April-May this year, is slated to conclude on February 10. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that in Amrit Kaal, we have resolved to make our India developed (Viksit Bharat). 'Amrit Kaal' of 25 years is the period when the country will complete 100 years of Independence in 2047. The Prime Minister, while addressing an event on the 150th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada Ji at Bharat Mandapam here in the national capital, said that today crores of Indians have entered Amritkaal with the energy of patriotism inside them. "Today, crores of countrymen have entered Amritkaal with the energy of patriotism. In this Amritkaal, we have resolved to make our India developed. We are moving forward considering the nation as God and taking the vision of the country from God," PM Modi said. "We are celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Prabhupada Goswami ji at a time when, just a few days ago, the hundreds of years old dream of a grand Ram temple has been fulfilled. The joy and enthusiasm visible on your faces today, I am sure, also includes the happiness of Ram Lalla's presence," he said. During his speech, Prime Minister Modi also took note of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the 15th-century saint who is considered to be the combined avatar of Radha and Krishna by his disciples. "Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was the epitome of love for Krishna. He made spirituality and spiritual practice accessible to the common people. He told us that God can be attained not only through renunciation but also through joy," PM Modi said. He said, "Chaitanya Mahaprabhu showed us how to become happy by celebrating the pastimes of Lord Krishna in our lives. Many seekers today are directly experiencing how one can reach the pinnacle of spirituality through Sankirtan, Bhajan, song and dance." The Prime Minister said that today it is a privilege to host the World Vaishnav Convention at Bharat Mandapam, where a new India was seen through the G20 Summit. "This is the picture of the new Bharat, where there is a confluence of 'Vikas' and 'Virasat," he added further. (ANI)
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], February 8 [ANI]: VK Pandian the former IAS officer turned politician is now preparing the ground for another Naveen Patnaik victory in both the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and the state assembly elections that will be held simultaneously. Pandian who has led several of the efforts of the state including the 5T initiatives feels that Naveen Patnaik has been the singular force behind the state's transformation. "So during our Chief Minister's time, the face of Kalahandi actually changed. He brought in irrigation in a large scale. So he transformed the grey areas of drought-prone areas into green areas. So we have food surplus in Kalahandi. When I was posted there in 2003-04, We have to sell a lot of paddy. That was a big challenge and ensuring minimum support price for the farmers" Pandian said in an interview with ANI. "We used to depend on Punjab, Haryana, other states for our own food security. The public distribution system will wait for rail wagons to come from other states. So if the wagons are delayed, the food security and the public distribution system will get delayed. So he invested heavily in irrigation, he invested in agriculture practices. And in seven years, eight years, Odisha had become self-sufficient in food grain production. In 11 years, Odisha became food surplus. And now we are the third largest contributor to the country's food security" he added. Pandian says that though the Chief Minister is a hard-task master he supports good work done in a transparent manner. "I think he supports good work, transparent work. I can give an example of what happened with me when I was a young sub collector in Dharmagarh in Kalahandi, 2003-04. I was going all out against rice millers who are doing mischief in ensuring minimum support price. So all of them joined together and came to the state headquarters and met the food and civil supplies minister. These millers had an idea as to how officers used to get transferred overnight during the Congress regime. So when they met the minister, food and civil supplies, he laughed and said that this is Naveen Patnaik's government, you can't get an officer transferred for doing good work" Pandian recalled. "So, the narrative was very clear that if you do good job, honest job, he will stand behind you. He is very clear about where to draw the line between bureaucracy and the political executive. He knows what has to be done through the political executive, how much you have to respect the political executive, and how much work you have to get done by the administration, the bureaucrats" Pandian added. Prior to seeking Voluntary retirement VK Pandian served as 5T Secretary to the State Government. 5T is a charter of governance which emphasises Transparency, Technology, Teamwork, Time leading to Transformation. Pandian is also said to be the man behind the Odisha governments flagship program Mo Sarkar. "5T is the governance principle of the Chief Minister. He deploys this in every public service. And one classic example you can say is Jagannath Temple renovation or any major project where every process is transparent. By teamwork, the Chief Minister means is involving the community, involve all the stakeholders and make them own the project. He introduced the concept of time audit for projects. If it is three years, you have to complete it in three years. If it is six months, you have to complete in six months. Otherwise, accountability will be fixed" Pandian explains. "Naveen Odisha is an empowered Odisha where a poorest of poor person also will dream big and he will be empowered to achieve his dreams. Whatever is your ambition, aspiration, you should be able to achieve. We should create an environment, we should empower you, the government should empower you to achieve that. That is the kind of narrative the Chief Minister wants to leave. When he took over in 2000, the state was affected by super cyclone in 1999. He decided that Odisha should not be known for mishandling disasters. Odisha should be known for handling disasters in the best possible way. He put systems in place. He did a vulnerability mapping of the entire coast. Put up systems, put up cyclone shelters, put up flood shelters, put up advance warning systems" Pandian says. "In 2012, when Phailin super cyclone hit, everyone predicted that Odisha will be hit very badly. The cyclone came, hit with 230-240 kilometres per hour. But, not a single life was lost. And Odisha was back into action in 10 days. Electricity was restored, water supply was restored. That is New Odisha. An Odisha which sets benchmark in anything. New York Times wrote a front page editorial saying that if you want to save a million lives, learn it from a state called Odisha" Pandian added. It is these qualities the BJD leader says that will ensure that Naveen Patnaik wins a historic sixth term in office. "I think people were very happy with whatever he was doing in every field. Whether it is disaster management, where he has set global benchmarks, or food security. Our tribal empowerment, our education, every field. That is why perhaps he got pro-incumbency instead of anti-incumbency which sets in even after one term. He is now a five term chief minister and in every election his margins go higher, his vote percentage is going high and perhaps he will repeat the same in 2024 as well" Pandian said. "In fact, in 2019, his entire campaign was just one line. Are you happy with me? It became an iconic word. That's the kind of politics he believes in. Work hard, from the day you get elected" Pandian added. As Naveen Patnaik braces himself and his party for a tough election, Pandian who is now a part of the BJD will be a crucial cog in ensuring that Patnaik goes down in history books with another big win. (ANI)
The Principal Executive Director of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Anuj Dayal, on Thursday grieved the death of a man in the Gokulpuri metro station wall collapse incident and announced the suspension of two managers and one junior engineer after the incident. The Principal Executive Director of DMRC, Anuj Dayal, also announced modified compensation that will be given to the victims and relatives of the deceased. The suspended officials of the DMRC belong to the Civil Department and a junior engineer. "An unfortunate incident took place at Gokupuri Metro Station today around 11 am in which five people were injured. One of them has died. They were all rushed to the nearest hospital. The debris that had fallen as a result of this incident was cleared up immediately so that traffic movement would not be affected," he said. "Two DMRC officials from the Civil Department of Manager Level and Junior Engineer have been immediately put on suspension, pending inquiry. We have shared the details of the Commission for Metro Railway Safety," he added. "DMRC has now decided to pay Rupees One lakh for minor injury, Five lakhs for grievous injury and an amount of 25 lakhs to the next of kin of the deceased," said Dayal. "As an abundant safety precaution on this particular line, we are running trains on a single line on this particular stretch between Maujpur to Shiv Vihar, the rest of the pink line is unaffected. DMRC will further investigate the circumstances that led to this incident and we will ensure that proper remedial measures are undertaken so that such incidents do not happen in the future," he said. Earlier today, a portion of the boundary wall of the Gokulpuri metro station collapsed, resulting in one person's death and injuries to four others. The deceased has been identified as Vinod Kumar, a resident of Karawal Nagar, New Delhi. The other four injured people have been identified as Ajit Kumar (21), Monu (19), Sandeep (27) and Mohd Tazir (24), all residents of New Delhi. (ANI)
 Flash

Pakistani security personnel are seen ahead of Pakistan's general elections in Lahore, Pakistan, on Feb. 7, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Just a day before Pakistan's general elections, two powerful explosions hit election campaign offices in the country's southwest Balochistan province on Wednesday, killing at least 26 people while injuring over 45 others, said police and hospital officials.



The deadly bombings, targeting the offices of candidates contesting the elections, occurred in Pishin and Qila Saifullah districts of Balochistan province, Inspector General of Balochistan Police Abdul Khalique Shaikh told Xinhua.

In the first explosion in Pishin, at least 14 people lost their lives, and over 25 others were injured, whereas at least 12 people were killed and over 20 others injured in the second blast in Qila Saifullah district, said the official.

The "terrorist attacks" happened when a large number of workers and supporters of political leaders were gathered for meetings regarding the general elections, he added.

Soon after the explosions, security forces and rescue teams rushed to the sites and shifted the injured to nearby hospitals in the districts.

According to hospital sources, critically injured people were being transferred to Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan province, via a helicopter for better treatment.

The law enforcement agencies, police, and bomb disposal squad cordoned off the area and began collecting evidence to ascertain the exact cause of the explosions, which, according to preliminary investigations, were caused by planted explosive devices.

Mehmood Khan, an eyewitness and resident of Qila Saifullah, said that he was standing near the election office of a religious political party along with his cousin when a loud bang shook him up.

"Everything was going pretty normal until I heard a thundering sound of blast. For a moment, I could not comprehend the situation as thick black smoke blocked my eyesight, but I could hear the screams of injured people, asking for help," he told Xinhua.

Khan, whose cousin also got injured in the blast, said that after gaining consciousness, he and other residents of the area helped the rescue workers in shifting the injured to a hospital. "It was nothing but chaos," he added.

The provincial government announced a 3-day mourning period for the loss of lives in both attacks, according to Jan Achakzai, information minister of Balochistan.

Expressing deep grief and sorrow over the loss of lives in the blasts, caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar strongly condemned the blasts, vowing to foil every attempt of the elements to sabotage law and order in the country.

The prime minister reiterated the firm resolve of the government to hold the general elections in a peaceful environment.

A few days ahead of polls, the security situation in the country's Balochistan and northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained tense, with a number of attacks and casualties reported in several areas.

In order to provide a peaceful environment to the voters, the government has deployed a total of 596,618 personnel of law enforcement agencies, including police, army, and paramilitary forces to maintain law and order on election day.
On January 17, just days before the Pran Pratishtha of Shree Ram Lalla at the Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, Odisha government had inaugurated the renovated Jagannath Temple Heritage Corridor.The Rs 800 crore project is aimed at improving infrastructure for visiting devotees to the temple set in the Holy City of Puri. The Shree Mandir Parikrama includes a 75-metre corridor surrounding the Jagannath temple complex, which, will provide pilgrims with a visual connect with the temple. Getting this project executed was not an easy task, but in the hands of Naveen Patnaik's trusted aide VK Pandian the project took shape. "It was sometime in 2018. I was travelling with the Chief Minister to Puri. He goes to Puri on New Years' Day. When we were travelling to Puri, first I saw as we passed one hoarding of Lord Jagannath, he was closing his eyes and prayed. Then after that, in another one kilometre, there was one more hoarding and he closed his eyes and prayed. And then I saw that entire road of 50 kilometres, wherever he saw Lord Jagannath's photo in the hoarding, he closed his eyes and prayed. So that gave me the courage to ask him. You are such a big Bhakt of Lord Jagannath sir; you want to do something for the temple. So, he said, I would be very happy if we clean up this place. This is how it all started, because of his personal commitment" Pandian said. Pandian says his strong faith in Lord Jagannath and the courage of conviction shown by the Chief Minister were the main drivers behind the project. "I go to Lord Jagannath temple every Saturday and I have seen how much people want changes to happen in the surrounding. They wanted to do Parikrama. They could not do Parikrama because the main road is the road in which they must do Parikrama. And it is congested there. It was a thoroughfare. It is the main road of the Puri town. So, we called the then MP and MLA of Puri and I only discussed with them. CM wants to clean up 75 meters all surrounding the temple. 75 meters was suggested by a judicial commission that for the safety and security of the temple" Pandian said "The MP and MLA put their hands on their head and sat down and said that, we do not think it is a good idea. Taking 10 meters itself is a mammoth task. Nobody has attempted. I told them that, CM had said that if you lose, it is okay. If I lose also, it is okay. I want this thing to be done. That was the conviction he had, the courage of conviction he had in doing this project" Pandian added. "The Chief Minister was very clear and he said, I am in my fifth term. I want to do this for the people of Odisha. They have reposed so much faith in me and they have so much love, affection and respect and faith on Lord Jagannath" Pandian further said. Pandian also questioned political parties who he alleges ran a narrative that the temple would collapse if renovation works were carried out. "There was a huge political narrative being done. The temple is going to collapse. It is very easy to create this kind of negative rumours. And when you create a rumour, now you have a powerful social media. There are some people who are very good in social media narratives. So, when they do these things, it hits" Pandian said. Pandian said the state government carried out extensive survey partnering with IITs and studying similar projects in India. "We had ground penetrating radar study conducted by a Gujarat agency, which used to do it for archaeological survey of India as well. We had two rounds to find out if there is anything archaeologically important all surrounding the temple where we are planning to work. We had sent teams both to Amritsar and to Varanasi. Golden Temple. And learn about what kind of land acquisition processes they had undergone and what challenges they faced" Pandian said. "About the risks involved, one is the temple's safety and security. Second, playing with the sentiments of Sevaks. There was absolutely no problem from the Sevaks side. They cooperated willingly. They came forward. People cried, not because they are losing their lodges, which was giving them a livelihood, not because their houses are being translocated. They basically cried because when they get up, they must look at the Lord" Pandian added. The Rs 800 crore projected was funded by the state government. Pandian says that despite political opposition Naveen Patnaik was determined to do something that had not been done for 500 years. "The state government provided the funds. The Chief Minister provided generous funds to make people happy. We wanted to complete this temple project in January 2023. There was a Supreme Court case, which went on for six months to eight months. That is how it got delayed. There were vested interest groups who did not want this project to happen. There were political leaders who did not want this project to happen. They all thought that Naveen Patnaik will get name or Naveen Patnaik is doing it for elections. Naveen Patnaik does not have to do anything like this for elections. He wins otherwise also." Pandian said. "As the Raja of Puri mentioned, 500 years nobody has done anything substantial for the temple. It was Naveen Patnaik who did. He risked his political career and he did this. He did not do it for political mileage. This is a temple in which so many people's faith is there and one step going wrong, your politics is over and your government will fall. That is what people said" Pandian added. Pandian said the state was able to convince the Mutts of the benefits in the corridor redevelopment. "One of the biggest criticisms which we faced was that the Mutts are getting demolished. That was being politically raised to stall the project. But the Mutts are covered with commercial establishments. They had lodges, they had shops, they had mandaps, commercial activity. So, the government only removed the commercial part of the Mutt and compensated them handsomely. All the Mutts look like real Mutts now. The commercial portion is removed and they have started breathing again. That divine atmosphere is something to be seen to be believed" Pandian said. Pandian explained how the project was part of what he describes is Spiritual Governance that the Chief Minister ascribes to. "He appreciates every religion for whatever values it holds. And he supports everyone. If majority of the population is Hinduism, so you renovate temples, you restore temples. You are elected by the people. So you have to appreciate the faith of people. Some portion of the people want their mosques to be renovated, you do that. Some portion wants their churches to be restored, you do that. You can do everything. But you respect people's faith. That is very important for a leader. if 95 per cent of Odisha has a Hindu population and they believe in Lord Jagannath, you must do something for Lord Jagannath" Pandian said. "Naveen Patnaik does not believe in doing temple or church or mosque renovation to win elections. He does what he strongly believes in. He is very competent to win his election without doing all these things" Pandian added. The Heritage Corridor project ensures unobstructed corridors around the outer wall of the Jagannath temple and provides devotee visual connection with the shrine. It also provides amenities to the pilgrims and strengthens the safety and security of the temple and devotees. (ANI)
As the West Bengal government presented its annual budget on Thursday in the state Assembly, there was a huge uproar by the opposition MLAs that left the house in a chaotic situation, prompting a stern response from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Lashing out at BJP MLAs, Banerjee asserted that "This is not a BJP party office" and if the Opposition has any opinion, they can discuss it after the completion of the session. The budget session started with the ruling TMC MLAs singing the state song, while the BJP MLAs sang the national anthem simultaneously. The chaos, however, escalated as Minister of State for Finance Chandrima Bhattacharya was reading the budget and was interrupted by BJP MLAs, who started sloganeering in the House. Coming down heavily on opposition MLAs, the Bengal chief minister termed BJP MLAs' action an "anti-Bengal" activity. "If the opposition has any opinion, they can discuss it after the completion of the budget. They have the freedom to express their opinion, but this is not a BJP office. This is not the space for opposition to do politics. People have the right to know what work we have done. We condemn this dirty politics. They are against the state, anti-Bengal," she said. "They don't want good for the people of Bengal. Aren't you ashamed that you are not allowing us to present the budget? Your opinion can be expressed in your speech, but this is not your BJP party office, this is the Assembly, she added. Further hitting out at the Centre, Banerjee also recalled how 147 MPs got suspended from Parliament and said, "They should remember that they have suspended 147 MPs from Parliament, but we do not want to go down that path. You can be weak, but we are not, we will fight it out. If you have the courage, speak after the budget presentation, not before that." West Bengal government presented its annual budget. The financial assistance under Lakshmir Bhandar has been increased to 1,000 Rs for women in the general category and raised to 1,200 Rs for SC/ST women. State Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, who presented a budget of Rs 3,66,166 crore, made this announcement while presenting the financial budget in the state assembly on Thursday. (ANI)
After holding power for more than 20 years Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik continues to hold sway as he prepares for another electoral campaign in the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Patnaik, who was first elected Chief Minister in 2000, was inspired by his father the later Biju Patnaik when he decided to take the political plunge. Biju Patnaik was Chief Minister of the state for two terms, the first from 1961-1963 and then from 1990-1995. BJD leader VK Pandian who is seen to be close to the incumbent Chief Minister, in an exclusive interview with ANI, said that Naveen Patnaik was drawn to politics after seeing the love and respect the people had for his father. "Naveen Babu was very clear as to why he came to politics? In one of his interviews, he has said very clearly, he was never interested in politics, he had no exposure to politics. Biju Babu had kept them away from politics. So, he has said very clearly that, I came when after my father's death, they went to one of the orphanages, they met people, saw how much love and affection and trust they have for Biju Babu and suddenly they felt orphaned. The people felt orphaned. That is something which made him take this call, which he was otherwise not willing to do" Pandian recalls. Pandian says the late Biju Patnaik was a towering personality and stood out amongst the politicians of the time. "He was a phenomenon. He was way ahead of his times. He made some profit in his company when he was running so many companies. What he did? The first profit, what he made, he went all the way to Paris, mobilized some more funds and set up Kalinga Prize for popularization of science as an alternative for Nobel Prize. He went all the way to UN and set this up. He was very convinced that if India has to move forward, scientific temper has to come into the people. Anyone who wins this Kalinga UNESCO award, they have to come to India, spend about two months or so, going to the universities, giving speeches on why science is important, how innovative you can be" Pandian said. Pandian recalled the key role played by Biju Patnaik in Indonesia's freedom movement. The former Odisha CM founded the Kalinga Airlines that operated Dakota planes in the early years of Independence. In 1945, after liberation from the Dutch, Sukarno took over as President and Sutan Sjahrir as Prime Minister of Indonesia. However, in 1946 when the Dutch attacked Indonesia again Pt Jawaharlal Nehru asked Biju Patnaik to help rescue the freedom fighters. "So he trusted Biju Babu to go and rescue. His co-pilot was his wife, Gyana Devi. It was a daredevil mission all the way to Java in their Dakota flight to rescue the Indonesian freedom fighters. That is the commitment of this man. So he went all the way via Singapore, used all his techniques to fly low, to avoid the radar. He flew all the way with the freedom fighters to Singapore and then to India. That's how he has played a huge role in the Indonesian freedom struggle. President Sukarno awarded him the Bhumi Putra. And his daughter, Sukarno Putri, she was named by Biju Babu. She was named Meghawati," Pandian said. The bureaucrat-turned-politician said that during the Bangladesh war, Biju Patnaik played a key role in ensuring the Indonesians did not support Pakistan. "At that point of time, Indonesia was approached by Pakistan to support Pakistan in the war against India in Bangladesh. Pakistan wanted to deploy its Navy in the Bay of Bengal. If they were able deploy the Navy and give a deterrent, then it would cause problems in force deployment for India. So that time the Prime Minister asked Biju Babu, to speak with the Prime Minister of Indonesia. He spoke and he stopped Indonesia from getting into the war. And that was a big turning point at that point of time for the war. And that really helped India" Pandian recalled. Pandian also revealed that it was an understanding between APJ Abdul Kalam and Biju Patnaik that led to the DRDO using the Wheeler Islands in Odisha as the launch site of its Inter-Continental Missiles. "They selected these Wheeler islands. They thought that this cannot be identified, secure, and it won't hit the population even if some mistake happens. When the files were put up for giving Wheeler Islands to DRDO, none in the bureaucracy supported saying that it will cause serious dislocation to the fishermen" Pandian said "Abdul Kalam who was with the DRDO at that time, he came and met Biju Babu. The file had come to Biju Babu with every suggestion to reject it. Biju Babu asked him only one question, will you promise me that if we give the land you will make an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile from here, which will hit the heart of China? You promise me, then I will allot the land. So, Abdul Kalam promised that, sir, I will do it. We have plans and maybe in 15 years or so, we should have the ICBM tested from Wheeler Island," Pandian said. "Biju Babu signed the file, giving the land to them, free of cost, saying that this is in national security, it is very much important. In 2010 or 2011 they fired the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and they had given a special invitation to the chief minister, Naveen Patnaik. When Abdul Kalam passed away, Chief Minister named the Wheeler Island as APJ Abdul Kalam Islands" Pandian further recalled. With a legacy like this it wasn't easy for Naveen Patnaik to step into his father's shoes, but with his own determined ways he has shown that as long as he can deliver what the people want, the people will repose their faith in him. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday called for a report from the trial court hearing Larger Conspiracy of Delhi Riots 2020 case on the number of pleas seeking the supply of documents filed and the charge sheet till date. The High Court has also asked about their status. Mohd Saleem Khan was booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and sections related to riots and conspiracy. Delhi police special cell has been investigating the case since 2020. However, a main charge sheet and four supplementary charge sheets have already been filed. A division bench comprising justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain issued direction to registry for requisition of report from trial court. The High Court passed the direction while hearing the bail plea of Mohd Saleem Khan, who has been in custody since 2020. The high court has also asked as to when the charge sheet was filed against Khan. "Registry is directed to requisition a report from the learned trial court as to when the chargesheet was filed against the accused," the division ordered on February 7, 2024. During the arguments on bail, it was submitted by the counsel for accused that the accused had no role in the conspiracy of riots. It was also submitted that accused is in custody and trial is being delayed since long. Opposing the contention, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Amit Prasad submitted that the trial is being delayed by the accused persons only filing the applications seeking supply of documents. After recording the contentions, the division bench directed that the learned Trial Court shall apprise this Court about the number of applications filed by the accused for supply of documents under Section 207 Cr.P.C till date and shall also specify the status of those applications indicating as to how many such applications have been disposed of and how many of those are still pending. "Learned Trial Court shall also apprise this Court as to how many cases are listed before it on a day-to-day basis and about the total pendency to assess the workload of the said Court," the High Court ordered. The matter has been listed on March 5, 2024, for hearing. On May 23, 2022, the High Court issued notice to Delhi Police on an appeal filed by north east Delhi riots accused Mohd Saleem Khan. Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat of Karkardooma Court on 22 March 2022 dismissed the bail application. He challenged the order passed by the trial court. The appeal has stated that even though the FIR does not disclose the name or any role of the appellant, he was arrested on 25 June 2020 in the present case after a significant delay of 111 days. The appellant has been in incarceration for 687 days as of the date of filing the appeal. Further, the prosecution has submitted some piece of evidence of that CCTV video footage in which he can be seen carrying a wiper again, alleging that he has broken that CCTV camera, which was also produced as a substantial piece of evidence in a case registered at police station Dayalpur. It was alleged by the prosecution that the appellant, along with others, started the Chand Bagh anti-CAA protest and used to give provocative speeches. He along with others, was the person of responsibility in the protest and used to arrange food items and to bear the expense of the protest. Protest organisers used to secretly meet in his office in Chand Bagh. He attended a meeting in the night of 16/17 February 2020 to plan road block. In the night of 20/21 February 2020, he along with others went to a shop to order biryani of Rs. 10,000. The prosecution had alleged that he attended a meeting in the night of 20/21 February 2020, at the basement of Ayaz to plan riots. He along with others announced a march on 23 February 2020 which was cancelled due to lack of police permission. He along with others was present at the protest site on February 24, 2020, and was provoking the people. He along with others was involved in the riots. (ANI)
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Rajya Sabha MP T Siva on Thursday accused the Narendra Modi government at the Centre of suppressing States ruled by opposition parties. He made the remarks while participating in the Kerala ruling alliance, Left Democratic Front (LDF)'s protest in Delhi's Jantar Mantar against the central government's alleged discrimination towards Kerala. "I have participated on behalf of the DMK party, party president and the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu MK Stalin to show solidarity for the protest," Siva told ANI. "The BJP-led union government is behaving with an authoritarian approach and suppressing the states ruled by opposition parties. The union government is assuming more and more powers. The governors in opposition party ruling states behave in excess. Even the unanimously passed legislation from assemblies isn't getting the assent of governors," he alleged. Today's protest was led by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and saw participation of Ministers, legislators, and parliamentarians from the State. The legislators were seen raising slogans against the central government and holding banner that read "Fight to protect Federalism". Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann also joined the protest at Jantar Mantar. DMK Minister P Thiaga Rajan represented his party in the protest after Tamil Nadu Chief minister Stalin endorsed the protests led by his Kerala counterpart. Addressing the protestors at Jantar Mantar, CM Vijayan asserted that the fight will strive to maintain balance in Centre-State relations. "Today, we are at a historical juncture of the Indian republic. A democracy that was envisaged as a 'Union of States' is slowly and steadily being crippled into an undemocratic 'Union over States'. We are seeing its manifestations around the country, especially in opposition-ruled states," Vijayan said. "We have all come together to register our strong protest against this and to preserve the federal structure of India. Today we are marking the beginning of a renewed fight that would herald a dawn of ensuring equitable treatment of the States. This fight would also strive to maintain a balance in the Centre-State relations. Thus, February 8, 2024, is going to be a red letter day in the history of the Republic of India," he added. He also thanked the state governments and opposition political parties whose representatives have joined the LDF-led protest today. "At the outset, let me extend a warm welcome and convey greetings to all those who have gathered here representing various State Governments and opposition political parties. The fight to ensure that India remains a sovereign secular democratic republic, with federalism as its hallmark, will be a long-drawn one. Let this be an opportunity for all of us to reaffirm our commitment to this struggle," the Kerala Chief Minister said. Speaking on the protest, LDF convenor EP Jayarajan said that they are raising people's demands through the mega agitation. "We are raising the people's demands. Yesterday it was Karnataka, today it is Kerala, tomorrow other states will also come," Jayarajan said. Kerala Minister Kadannappalli Ramachandran said, "Due to the central government's activities, they are not in favour of keeping up the constitution. We wanted to get some help as far as the constitution is concerned, but they refused." (ANI)
According to the official, the injured are undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

"A sad incident took place today in Kanpur's Bilhaur when a truck rammed into a school van, leading to the death of one child and leaving eight others injured. The injured, meanwhile, were shifted to a local hospital," said Rakesh Kumar Singh, District Magistrate, Kanpur.

"We have also formed an investigation committee to probe the suitability of the van," he added.

More details are awaited. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami gave instructions to establish 'House of Himalayas' as an umbrella brand for the quality, branding and marketing of the products and to establish the state's products at the national and international level. As per the instructions of the Chief Minister, the Rural Development Department established a top-level organization and umbrella brand, House of Himalayas, a company to increase the reach of the products of all the brands prevalent in the state. On December 8, 2023, the House of Himalayas was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Investor Summit. To ensure the quality of products, branding and better marketing, marketing of products on a large scale based on long-term thinking of local stakeholders like self-help groups, livelihood promotion of farmers and fulfilment of targets set under Lakhpati Didi program, etc. Earlier, PM Modi said that the 'House of Himalayas' brand strengthens the concept of 'Vocal for Local and Local for Global.' He further said that the major development projects in the state have opened the doors for every investor. "Today in Uttarakhand, work on village roads is going on at a very fast pace. That day is not far when the Delhi-Dehradun expressway travel time is about to be two hours. The rail line here is about to be strengthened. All these paths have brought golden opportunities for every investor," he said. "Areas that have lagged in development are being brought forward, which means Uttarakhand has unmatched potential for every investor to reap maximum benefits. The state is going to emerge as a new brand of empowerment. There are possibilities here, like nature, culture, heritage, Ayurveda, and yoga," PM Modi said. He asserted that the third decade of the 21st century is the decade of Uttarakhand and all of you are also getting a huge opportunity to join this development journey of the state. (ANI)
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar today accused the BJP of not allowing Congress MP D K Suresh to raise in Parliament the purported injustice meted out to Karnataka. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, he said, "The BJP has not allowed MP D K Suresh to speak about injustice to Karnataka in Parliament today. They adjourned the session as soon as BJP MP Tejasvi Surya finished his points without giving a chance to the lone Congress MP from Karnataka." "It is a pity that BJP MP Tejasvi Surya did not speak on behalf of the state in the House, though given the opportunity. The BJP MPs must be ashamed of not raising their voice for the state in Parliament. While MLAs, MLCs and MPs from Karnataka are in Delhi to raise the voice for Karnataka, the BJP MPs are refusing to do so," he said. Responding to the BJP's allegations that the financial numbers given out by the Karnataka government are wrong, he said, "We are stating the facts. The BJP is demanding a white paper on this in the House; we will present a white paper on this." "We have not prepared the Union Budget; it was done by the BJP government in the Centre. The same budget had allocated Rs 5,300 crore for the Upper Bhadra project and the Finance Commission had recommended about Rs 5000 to Rs 6,000 crore for Bengaluru. Has this been given to the state?" he questioned. "The Centre has not released any funds for drought relief even though the Chief Minister and Revenue Minister have submitted a detailed report," he said. Asked about Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's statement that the Centre has released Rs 6,000 crores for drought relief in the state, he said, "They haven't given a single rupee. The Chief Minister will give an answer to this claim in the upcoming Assembly session," he added. (ANI)
Seeking to push Make in India in defence along with meeting its immediate requirements, the Indian Navy is pushing proposals to equip the Kalvari submarines with torpedoes through both the indigenous and the buy global routes. The proposals in this regard are expected to be discussed at a high-level defence ministry meeting next week. Two of the Indian Navy's proposals include buying 48 heavy-weight torpedoes through a global tender and acquiring the Made in India Electrical Heavyweight Torpedo, which was developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization, defence sources told ANI. This would be the third time that the Indian Navy would be trying to buy these torpedoes through the buy global route, as the earlier two attempts failed due to different issues. The first tender was almost finalised with the Navy having decided to go ahead with the Italian torpedo but it had to be cancelled due to corruption allegations against the entire Italian group in the VVIP Chopper scam case. The Indian EHWT programme is also expected to be used to arm strategic submarines in the future. India had earlier projected requirements for around 98 of these torpedoes but given the progress made in the indigenous torpedo programme, the numbers planned for imports have been slashed by more than 50 per cent. India has six Kalvari-class submarines and is going to get three more shortly, as announcements have already been made by India and France in this regard. India is also planning to build more strategic submarines under its indigenous military capability development programme. (ANI)
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said on Thursday that it has imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 43.30 lakh on Zoroastrian Co-operative Bank Ltd for violating the rules. The penalty was imposed on the bank on February 6, the central bank said in a press statement issued on Thursday. It further said that this action is based on a deficiency in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers. The RBI said that the Zoroastrian Co-operative Bank Ltd had recovered penal charges from the savings bank for non-maintenance of minimum balances therein without notifying the depositors. "The statutory inspections of the bank conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, and examination of the Risk Assessment Reports, Inspection Reports and all correspondence related thereto revealed that the bank had recovered penal charges from savings bank, accounts for non-maintenance of minimum balances therein without notifying the depositors, not paid interest on balances lying in the current accounts of deceased individual depositors and proprietorship concerns from the date of their death till the date of repayment of such balances to their claimants and reported a fraud with delay," RBI added. The central bank further said that a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why a penalty should not be imposed on it for non-compliance with the RBI directions. "After considering the bank's reply to the notice, its additional submissions and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI came to the conclusion that the charge of non-compliance with the aforesaid RBI directions was substantiated and warranted imposition of monetary penalty on the bank," it said. This penalty has been imposed in the exercise of powers conferred on RBI under section 47A(1)(c) read with sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. (ANI)
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) conducted a gathering for Members of Parliament in Delhi on crucial matters related to the health sector. According to IMA, over 60 MPs across the nation contributed their invaluable insights and perspectives on the health sector. "It was truly an honour to have esteemed leaders from various constituencies come together to discuss crucial matters concerning our nation's health sector," said Dr. RV Asokan, President of IMA and Dr. Anilkumar J. Nayak, Secretary of IMA. Amidst this enriching discourse, the top medical body unveiled the IMA Health Manifesto. "A significant step towards advocating for comprehensive healthcare reforms. This manifesto embodies our collective vision for a healthier and more equitable society," Finance Secretary Shitij Bali mentioned in a note issued by IMA officials. However, officials from the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) were also present in the meeting and tweeted, "FAIMA officials met the top brass of the medical fraternity, including president RV Ashokan and more than 50 members of Parliament, to discuss the issues of doctors. The key agenda item was Next, Bond Policy and Mental Health. We will work in collaboration with IMA on issues." Dr. Rohan Krishnan, chairman of FAIMA, gave an insight into the meeting held. He said, "Many issues were discussed, but one of the important issues that pertains to the resident doctors and the youth doctors is the NExT examination for which the NMC has also asked all the stakeholders to give their inputs. This was discussed in a meeting with the DGHS and the DGHS of India has assured that no action will be taken against the NExT examination unless and until there is a consensus between various medical associations and the ministry." He emphasised that issues related to mental health were discussed. The DGHS has also assured that the ministry will not take any action on NExT there is consensus with the Indian Medical Association. Apart from that, various issues like the mental health of doctors were also discussed," he added. (ANI)
In a post on 'X', Raut wrote, "Goon rule in Maharashtra! Morish Narohna, who shot Abhishek Ghosalkar four days ago, was at the bungalow. The Chief Minister met him."

"Morrish was invited to join the Shinde Sena! Fadnavis is a complete failure as Home Minister! Resign!" he added.

Ghosalkar was reportedly shot at by unidentified people in the Dahisar area of Mumbai. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to gunshot injuries.

The incident, meanwhile, has triggered sharp reactions from several opposition leaders in the state.

Congress leader Sachin Sawant took to 'X' and wrote, "The death of former corporator Abhishek Ghosalkar, son of Vinod Ghosalkar, is shocking. The manner in which he was killed is horrific. Is there law and order in the state? This question is getting bigger."

"The decline of Maharashtra from all sides is sad. May God give strength to Vinodji and his family to recover from this crisis caused by Abhishek's passing at a very young age. A touching tribute to Abhishek!" he added.

Notably, this is the second such incident in January. Earlier, BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad allegedly opened fire at Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) faction leader Mahesh Gaikwad at Hill Line Police Station in Ulhasnagar, triggering sharp reactions from the opposition leaders.

The BJP MLA is currently in judicial custody.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, meanwhile, put the state government on the dock and raised questions about the incident.

State Congress chief Nana Patole said that the incident marks the beginning of 'Jungle Raj' in the state.

"There is no rule of law in Maharashtra. 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 while speaking to ANI. (ANI)
At least 26 people have been killed, and several others injured after two back-to-back blasts jolted Balochistan on Wednesday, as reported by Dawn. According to the police, the first blast took place outside the election office of independent candidate Asfandyar Kakar in Pishin. Reportedly, Kakar is contesting elections from NA-265 constituency and Balochistan Assembly constituencies -- PB-47 and PB-48 in the February 8 elections. However, the second blast was reported in Qila Saifullah shortly after the first attack. Earlier, the city's deputy commissioner, Yasir Bazai said that 12 people were killed in the blast, which took place outside the JUI-F's election office. The injured people were to the Tehsil Hospital Khanozai, while the bodies have also been transferred, the hospital's MS Dr Habib told Geo News. Dr Habib said most of the injured are in critical condition. After the blast, an emergency has been imposed across hospitals in Quetta for which additional staff has also been called, the provincial health secretary told Geo News. Following the attacks, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari condemned the "terrorism" incident in Pishin, adding that the conspirators involved should be brought to justice, Dawn reported. "Targeting innocent people is a barbaric act," the former foreign minister said. He further said that the federal and Balochistan governments should identify the elements involved and bring them to justice. Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief and sorrow over the lives lost in two blasts in Pishin and Qila Saifullah in Balochistan, as reported by Dawn. "These cowardly terrorist attacks a few hours before the elections cannot dampen our spirits," he said. Caretaker Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz strongly condemned the attack outside the JUI-F's office in Balochistan's Qila Saifullah, adding that he shared the grief of the bereaved families. "Inciteful elements want to create chaos before the general elections and stop the public from exercising their right to vote," he said in a post shared on X. He further called the attack an "extremely cowardly act", Ejaz asserted that the government would "not let the evil intentions of the enemy succeed at any cost". The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken notice of the blast and summoned a report from the Balochistan chief secretary and Inspector General of Police (IGP), as per Geo News. An ECP spokesperson said that directives have been issued to take action against those involved in such incidents. Pakistan is set to witness the general elections tomorrow (February 8), ahead of which, such reports of blasts have been seen in the country. (ANI)
The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament has highlighted irregularities in the receipt and utilisation of compensation related to the renovation of the basement at India House in London, leading to undue benefits being extended to the contractor. Notably, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, MP, Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), presented the Eighty-seventh Report of the Committee (17th Lok Sabha) on Wednesday, on "Irregularities in receipt and utilisation of compensation" and "Grossly irregular and manipulated award and execution of work relating to the renovation of the basement at India House, London, leading to undue benefits being extended to the Contractor." In its recommendations, the Committee has urged for the initiation of criminal proceedings against those involved in such irregularities. "The Committee have noted from Audit's findings that the Mission took a decision to accept compensation of GBP 90,000 from a property developer without the approval of the Ministry and documented justification. It also irregularly authorised a private party to receive and retain government receipts amounting to Rs. 78.41 lakh and actions and decisions taken by Mission functionaries were not adequately documented to obscure these gross irregularities," Lok Sabha Secretariat said in a press release on Wednesday. According to the press release, the Committee noticed open violations of norms and practices, indicating supervisory failure. "In the other case, the Mission resorted to irregular splitting of works to evade approvals from higher authority and open bidding. It adopted a grossly manipulated process for award of works to allow undue benefits being extended to Contractors. The Committee have observed that there was open violation of rules and processes which is indicative of supervisory failure and possible collusion between Mission officials and the agencies. Considering these facts, the Committee have recommended that action be taken for initiating criminal proceedings against those involved in such irregularities and the Committee be apprised thereof," the release said. The PAC, one of India's oldest parliamentary committees, also stressed the urgent need to strengthen audit mechanisms within the Ministry and Missions. Expressing disappointment to note "the response of the Ministry to the Committee's recommendations in their earlier reports for strong and robust internal audit mechanism within MEA has been very casual," the Committee stated, "In the instant cases as well, the Ministry's response appears being oblivious to the deplorable state of its monitoring revealed by its performance evaluation and monitoring system not detecting any systemic vulnerability in its administrative and financial controls across its 206 Missions/Posts." The PAC has recommended a special audit of missions be conducted and actions taken accordingly. "The Committee have desired that the mandate/ terms of reference of internal audit may be extended to include transaction and compliance audit and specific timelines for taking action on the observations of internal audit may also be prescribed," the press release read. "The Committee is of the view that the irregularities highlighted by Audit point towards prevalence of systemic lapses and subversion of rules in the Missions," it added. "As the nature of these irregularities is very serious and has grave ramifications in terms of misuse of money of the public exchequer, the Committee has recommended that a special audit of the Missions may be carried out and appropriate action may be taken against defaulters on the basis of findings of such an audit, and the Committee may be apprised thereof," it concluded. (ANI)
Hailing the ties with India, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, currently on an official visit to India, said that India is an immediate neighbour, and the relationship is bonded by blood. While speaking to ANI, the foreign minister emphasized that India is not only a neighbour but also played a vital role in Bangladesh's independence war. On Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina visiting Indi's future visit, Mahmud said, "You are having elections... In the future, definitely, PM Shiekh Hasina will visit India... India is our immediate neighbour. We have a wide range of issues. India is not only our neighbour, but it also played a very vital role in our independence war. Indian people and the army shed their blood. Our relationship is bonded by blood. The invitation came from India first. That's why I chose India for my first foreign visit..." Regarding his meetings with his Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar, the Bangladesh Foreign Minister mentioned that they discussed all issues, including cross-border issues, Rohingya, as well as connectivity. "We had a very good discussion. We discussed all the issues including cross-border issues, Rohingya issues, security issues, powersharing and connectivity issues. We discussed all of these issues..." he told ANI. Meanwhile, when asked about the Pakistan General Elections, scheduled for Thursday, he said that "it is their internal issue." Earlier, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said that his visit to India will contribute to strengthening the ties between the two 'brotherly' countries, which have excellent ties. Mahmud, who is on a visit to India from February 7-9, arrived in the national capital in the early hours of Wednesday. Speaking to ANI, Mahmud said, "We are two brotherly countries. We have excellent ties between the two countries. Any visit of a Bangladesh minister or an Indian minister to Bangladesh definitely strengthens our ties." The Bangladesh Foreign Minister also thanked EAM Jaishankar and the Indian government for inviting him on Wednesday. "We value the visit because I have come here on the invitation of the Foreign Minister of India. We are thankful to the Indian Government and especially to the Foreign Minister for inviting me here. Definitely, this visit will contribute to the relationship," he added. Earlier in the day, FM Mahmud met with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.The two leaders held discussions on exploring avenues for enhanced regional cooperation to ensure security and foster greater stability not only within the region but also beyond. Notably, this is Mahmud's first foreign visit after being sworn into the new Bangladesh government following Sheikh Hasina's historic victory, securing a consecutive fourth term as Prime Minister. Hasan Mahmud, who hails from Chittagong in the southeast of Bangladesh, served as Deputy Foreign Minister during Sheikh Hasina's second term during 2009-2014. Hasina's party, the Awami League, secured 223 seats to form the government in the elections held on January 7. The Awami League government named its 36-member cabinet after President Mohammad Shahabuddin invited them to form the government. (ANI)
Dubai [UAE], February 8 (ANI/WAM): The fifth edition of the UAE SWAT Challenge, held at the Training City in Al Ruwayyah, Dubai, concluded today. The event, attended by Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, alongside tactical team leaders from various countries across the globe, featured the participation of 73 teams representing 41 countries. The last day of the challenge saw various teams competing in the 'Obstacle' challenge, the final leg of the five main challenges that began on 3 February. The competitions highlighted the remarkable capabilities of the participating teams and showcased their high levels of professionalism, training and competitive spirit. The UAE Swat Challenge 2024 was organised as part of a collaboration between the Ministry of Interior, led by His Highness Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Dubai Police. His Highness's commitment to organise the challenge for the fifth consecutive year contributed to the success of this edition. The event aimed to bolster the preparedness of police teams in the UAE and facilitate the exchange of experiences with other teams from around the world. Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri highlighted the success of the fifth edition of the UAE SWAT Challenge and expressed gratitude to the UAE leadership for its commitment to supporting Dubai Police. He added that the organisation of such global competitions further reinforces Dubai's position as a leading destination for hosting world-class events. Al Marri said that the UAE SWAT Challenge offers various tactical teams and special units worldwide a platform to compete and excel on an international stage. "The challenge provides an opportunity for police forces to engage with counterparts from around the globe, acquire new skills and strengthen cooperation at both regional and international levels," he said. The Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police also highlighted the remarkable increase in the number of participating teams and countries this year, as well as the high level of competition and preparedness demonstrated by all participants. (ANI/WAM)
The decision, disclosed by Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on Wednesday, aims to maintain stability during the polling process.

The FO spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, stated, "To ensure full security during the general elections to be held in Pakistan on February 8 , border crossings with Afghanistan and Iran would remain closed both for cargo and pedestrians, as reported by Dawn.

Normal operations would resume on February 9."

According to Dawn, authorities have duly informed both Afghanistan and Iran regarding the closure.

Notably, tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have led to frequent closures of border crossings at Torkham and Chaman in the recent past.

However, despite recent tensions and exchanges of missile fire, the border with Iran remained open last month.

With approximately 128 million voters poised to participate in electing members of the national assembly and four provincial assemblies, stringent security measures have been implemented.

Army troops have been deployed, and nearly half of the 90,000-plus polling stations nationwide have been marked as sensitive.

The province of Balochistan, in particular, has witnessed a surge in terrorist activity leading up to the polls.

Twin terrorist attacks in Pishin and Qilla Saifullah on Wednesday resulted in casualties and raised concerns about election security.

Despite challenges, authorities have affirmed their commitment to conducting the elections as scheduled in Balochistan.

Similarly, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) province has been on high alert following frequent terrorist incidents, including an attack on a police station in Dera Ismail Khan where 10 police officials were martyred.

Observers anticipate significant challenges for authorities and law enforcement agencies in ensuring trouble-free polls in both provinces, given the heightened violence.

However, authorities remain resolute in their determination to safeguard the democratic process from disruption by terrorist elements. (ANI)
One security personnel was killed in an attack on a security forces vehicle in Pakistan's Dera Ismail Khan on Thursday. Assailants attacked the vehicle which was on election duty, Samaa TV reported citing sources. The incident took place in the Kot Azam areaon the day when voting for national and state assemblies were underway, Samaa TV reported. More than 17,000 candidates are contesting in the polls in which voters will elect 266 candidates to the Pakistan National Assembly, who will later, by a majority vote, elect the next prime minister, according to Dawn. Simultaneously, voters will also elect representatives to their respective provincial assemblies, who will then elect the provincial chief executives under a similar process, according to Dawn report. Elections have been postponed in one national and three provincial assembly constituencies due to the deaths of contesting candidates. This includes NA-8 (Bajaur), PK-22 (Bajaur), PK-91 (Kohat) and PP-266 (Rahim Yar Khan). Voters elsewhere will cast two votes each -- one for each of the two assemblies. It is not the first attack that has been reported in Pakistan in recent days. At least 26 people have been killed, and several others injured after two back-to-back blasts jolted Balochistan on Wednesday, as reported by Dawn. According to the police, the first blast took place outside the election office of independent candidate Asfandyar Kakar in Pishin. Reportedly, Kakar is contesting elections from NA-265 constituency and Balochistan Assembly constituencies -- PB-47 and PB-48 in the February 8 elections. However, the second blast was reported in Qila Saifullah shortly after the first attack. (ANI)
The 17th Indian Navy and French Navy staff talks were held from February 6 to 7 in the national capital.

The meeting was co-chaired by Rear Adm Nirbhay Bapna, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff - Foreign Cooperation and Intelligence and Rear Adm Jean-Marc Durandau, Director of International Engagements, French Navy.

"Broadening the scope of naval engagements, the Staff Talks encompassed fruitful discussions on ongoing naval activities & new avenues of cooperation including operational, training & Subject Matter Expert exchanges," the Indian Navy shared a post on X.

https://x.com/indiannavy/status/1755477824537018420?s=20

Moreover, the talks witnessed active participation from both sides.

According to the post by the Indian Navy, both sides acknowledged the growing cooperation between the two navies and agreed to enhance collaboration and interoperability in the maritime domain.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the staff talks, Rear Adm Jean-Marc Durandau, Director International Engagements, FN called on Vice Adm Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff on February 7.

They underscored the high level of synergy and interoperability between the Indian Navy and the French Navy.

He also visited the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC IOR) on February 6.

The Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), hosted by the Indian Navy, was established by the Government of India in 2018 to address this need to promote collaboration for maritime safety and security. (ANI)
US-India Strategic Partnership Forum has congratulated Kurt Campbell on his US Senate confirmation for Deputy Secretary of State. USISPF noted that Campbell's new position as number 2 in the US State Department is testimony to his diplomatic skill and to the importance of the Indo-Pacific for India and the US. The US Senate confirmed US President Joe Biden's top Asia aide, Kurt Campbell, as the Deputy Secretary of State on Tuesday (local time), Voice of America (VOA) News reported.Campbell will replace Wendy Sherman, who retired on July 8 and will serve as the US State Department's second-ranking diplomat behind US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Praising his work in the US administration over the years, USISPF said Kurt Campbell has been a vital architect of Washington's increased focus on the Indo-Pacific. It said that various critical initiatives like Quad cooperation among the US, Japan, India and Australia started to bring meaningful benefits to the entire region with a focus on climate, health, technology and infrastructure. In a statement, USISPF stated, "Dr Kurt Campbell has been a vital architect of Washington's increased focus on the Indo-Pacific as it became the most important geostrategic and geopolitical region in the world." "Under Dr Campbell's leadership, critical initiatives like Quad cooperation among the U.S. and India, Australia, and Japan started to bring meaningful benefits to the entire region with a focus on climate, health, technology, and infrastructure. He also guided the creation of the I2U2 and the India Middle East Economic Corridor which will enhance stability and prosperity in the decades ahead," it added. USISPF stated that Kurt Campbell has consistently driven closer ties between India and the US, including across innovation and technology, through the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology. During his tenure as the White House National Security Council coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs, Kurt Campbell stressed that the US, while in competition with China, does not want conflict or confrontation. He stated that the US is committed to working with its allies and managing competition with China responsibly, according to VOA News report. In his testimony for his nomination hearing in December, Campbell stated, "Today's challenges are truly global. What happens in one region affects the others. Our competitors are collaborating - just look at China, Iran, and North Korea's support for Russia's war of aggression. We are stronger across-the-board due to our alliances and partnerships." During the nomination hearing, he said, "China believes that we are in hurtling decline. It is critical that we prove otherwise." He highlighted the urgency of advancing new 20-year funding agreements with three Pacific Island nations -- Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau to counter China's regional influence. He also expressed concerns over North Korea's actions, including supplying military equipment to Russia amid its ongoing war with Ukraine and bolstering Pyongyang's missile and nuclear capabilities, according to VOA News report. Earlier in November, US President Joe Biden picked Kurt Campbell to serve as Deputy Secretary of State, the White House said in a press statement. As per the White House statement, Campbell served as assistant secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific affairs from 2009-13 during the Obama administration. He played an important role in shaping US' "pivot to Asia" policy during former US President Barack Obama's administration, VOA News reported. Among the other positions, he has held during his distinguished career, Campbell served as US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Affairs, White House Fellow at the Treasury Department, and as Director of the Democracy Office at the National Security Council during the Clinton Administration. (ANI)
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval held a meeting with his Greek counterpart, Athanasios Ntokos, and discussed the shared vision of the Prime Ministers of India and Greece. The meeting between the two NSAs delved into various facets of collaboration, spanning security, technology, and infrastructure. They engaged in a comprehensive discussion, addressing key issues such as institutional linkages between their respective National Security Councils. Emphasising global and regional security, the dialogue encompassed cooperative efforts in the global commons of cyber, space, and seas. They also discussed prospects for cooperation in futuristic technologies, defence, ports and transnational connectivity projects. On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also exchanged views on key regional issues with Greece's National Security Advisor Athanasios Ntokos. EAM Jaishankar further stated that the key regional issues are very much in tune with our strategic partnership. "Delighted to meet NSA Dr Athanasios Ntokos of Greece. An exchange of views on key regional issues, very much in tune with our strategic partnership," Jaishankar said in a post on X. Earlier in December last year, Greece's Ambassador to India Dimitrios Ioannou said that India has a lot to offer to Greece and vice versa as there are certain complementaries between the two nations. Highlighting the ties between the two nations, Ioannou noted that the relations between India and Greece have always remained "very good" but added that there was a sentimental affinity there. He called Greece a gateway for India to Europe. He stated that Greece offers a lot of opportunities for Indians to come and invest in Greece and added that Greek cities like Athens and Thessaloniki can become the next Dubai for Indians in the future. In August last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Greece for his maiden visit to Greece at the invitation of his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis. He was the first Indian Prime Minister in the last 40 years to visit Greece. The last prime ministerial visit from India to Greece was in 1983. In modern times, the two countries have developed a warm relationship based on a common commitment to democracy, peace and development in the world and to a social system imbued with principles of justice and equality, The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted. Moreover, India and Greece share common approaches to many international issues, such as UN reforms and Cyprus. Additionally, Greece sees India to be a good potential economic and commercial partner. (ANI)
In a significant step towards addressing the challenges posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and drones, the first India-EU track 1.5 dialogue on current and emerging threats was successfully concluded in the national capital on Thursday. The discussions delved into various aspects, including the use of 'off-the-shelf' drones by extremists and non-state actors. Both India and the European Union expressed their commitment to continued collaboration on UAS-related issues, emphasising the importance of learning from each other's experiences and expertise. The collaborative effort aims to enhance preparedness and response strategies to mitigate potential threats associated with the evolving drone landscape. "1st India-EU track 1.5 dialogue on current and emerging threats associated with #UAS/#drones including 'off-the-shelf' drones by extremists & non-state actors comes to an end. Both sides agreed to continue collaborating on #UAS & learning from each other," said European Union to India in a post on X. Ambassador Herve Delphin, representing the Delegation of the European Union to India, shared insights into the discussions, describing the day as "very fruitful." "A very fruitful day of exchanges. #drones can be Dr Jekill and Mr Hyde: deliver public services & become criminal tools. Low cost but potentially damaging. This EU-India Seminar helped to refine ways of countering such threats," said Delphin in a post on X. He emphasised the dual nature of drones, comparing them to Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, capable of delivering public services while also posing criminal threats. Acknowledging the low-cost but potentially damaging aspects of drones, Ambassador Delphin outlined the seminar's role in refining countermeasures against such multifaceted threats. Notably, the day-long EU-India roundtable sought to better understand the range of current and emerging threats, particularly those involved with consumer-grade UAS technology. Participants from the EU and India also discussed best practices regarding regulatory, tactical and investigative responses to addressing UAS threats in both regions. Commercial UAS has been developing rapidly in recent years, both in terms of technological sophistication and consumer availability. Violent extremists have exploited these inexpensive and adaptable consumer devices for different purposes, including reconnaissance and violent attacks, according to an official release. This roundtable is part of a series of ongoing counterterrorism engagements between the EU and India, building on recent activities under the EU project Enhancing Security Cooperation in and with Asia (ESIWA). In the field of counter-terrorism and preventing violent extremism (CT-PVE), activities have included successful chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) risk management training for Indian security practitioners, and moderated expert discussions on countering online extremism, the release added. This EU-India roundtable was organised by the ESIWA project, in partnership with the National Security Guard of India, and the EU Delegation to India. The ESIWA project is co-funded by the European Union, the German Federal Foreign Office and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. It works to enhance the EU's security and defence cooperation with the Indo-Pacific in four thematic areas: counter-terrorism and preventing violent extremism, crisis management, cyber security and maritime security. The project is co-implemented by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) & Expertise France. ESIWA's activities in counter-terrorism and preventing violent extremism (CT-PVE) aims to contribute to information exchange, capacity building and mutual learning. In October 2023, the EU Commission issued a Communication to the Council and European Parliament on countering potential threats posed by drones. The document sets out the EU's commercial drone policy for the next several years. The communication specifically aims to "provide a comprehensive and harmonised policy framework; build a common understanding of applicable procedures to face the continuously evolving threats possibly posed by drones; and take into account the rapid developments in technology". (ANI)
Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud lauded the robust and diversified relationship between Bangladesh and India, attributing the success to the strong leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Minister Mahmud emphasised the substantial growth in bilateral ties, citing the collaborative efforts under the visionary leadership of PM Hasina and PM Modi. "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Modi, the relationship between Bangladesh and India has strengthened, diversified, bringing economic and social benefits for the people of our region," he said, addressing a presser on Bangladesh-India ties. Highlighting the progression of the relationship, Mahmud noted, "Our relationship has gone to new heights. The concepts of 10-15 years ago are the realities today, and political issues of the debate are the reality today." The Bangladeshi Foreign Minister expressed gratitude for India's support in the democratic process, stating, "Immediately after the elections, we were congratulated by PM of India Narendra Modi. We must remain thankful to the people of India, Indian civil society, and the government of India for standing beside us to continue the democratic process in Bangladesh and foiling the ploy to disrupt democracy. India was beside us for the continuation of democracy." The visiting foreign minister Mahmud also hailed the India-Bangladesh ties earlier in an interaction with ANI. On Bangladesh PM's future India visit, Mahmud said, "You are having elections... In the future, definitely, PM Shiekh Hasina will visit India... India is our immediate neighbour. We have a wide range of issues. India is not only our neighbour, but it also played a very vital role in our independence war. Indian people and the army shed their blood. Our relationship is bonded by blood. The invitation came from India first. That's why I chose India for my first foreign visit..." Regarding his meetings with his Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar, the Bangladesh Foreign Minister mentioned that they discussed all issues, including cross-border issues, Rohingya, as well as connectivity. "We had a very good discussion. We discussed all the issues including cross-border issues, Rohingya issues, security issues, powersharing and connectivity issues. We discussed all of these issues..." he told ANI. Mahmud, who is on a visit to India from February 7-9, arrived in the national capital in the early hours of Wednesday. The Bangladesh Foreign Minister also thanked EAM Jaishankar and the Indian government for inviting him. Notably, this is Mahmud's first foreign visit after being sworn into the new Bangladesh government following Sheikh Hasina's historic victory, securing a consecutive fourth term as Prime Minister. Hasan Mahmud, who hails from Chittagong in the southeast of Bangladesh, served as Deputy Foreign Minister during Sheikh Hasina's second term during 2009-2014. Hasina's party, the Awami League, secured 223 seats to form the government in the elections held on January 7. The Awami League government named its 36-member cabinet after President Mohammad Shahabuddin invited them to form the government. (ANI)
The police said that the arrests came as part of a "targeted operational activity" with the aim of thwarting the activities of a criminal assassination squad in Ashdod.

The two suspects, members of an alleged criminal organisation from the south, were seen riding a motorcycle and driving towards their target in the city. (ANI/TPS)
In a major shake-up of the Ukrainian military amid the ongoing war with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy removed his top general, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, on Thursday after weeks of feverish speculation about his fate, the New York Times reported. "Today, a decision was made to change the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov wrote in a post on Facebook. "War does not remain the same. War changes and requires changes," he added. Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a statement on social media saying he had met with the general and "thanked him for the two years of defending Ukraine." Notably, the upheaval comes at a precarious moment for Ukraine in the war, amid intensified Russian attacks, skepticism in the United States over providing aid to Kyiv and the tensions between Ukraine's civilian and military leadership. But it has remained unclear whether the commander, Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, who is widely popular in Ukraine's military and society, had resigned or been fired from the position. Gen. Zaluzhny led Ukraine's war effort from the initial, successful defence against Russia's attack through the past year of bloody, inconclusive fighting. Zelenskyy said in his statement that he and the general "discussed the renewal that the Armed Forces of Ukraine require. We also discussed who could be part of the renewed leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the New York Times reported. He further said he proposed that General Zaluzhny "remain part of the team," adding that, "We will definitely win! Glory to Ukraine!" Rumors had begun circulating online in Ukraine last week that General Zaluzhny (50) had been dismissed, prompting the president's office to issue a denial. A Ukrainian member of Parliament said the two met on January 29 but the fate of the country's top military commander was not decided. Two Ukrainian officials claimed that Zelenskyy's government was planning to dismiss the general all along. The decision was backed off briefly after the news was leaked and generated backlash from some Ukrainian political leaders and soldiers, as reported by NYT. Notably, friction between the president and general had simmered since early in the war. The schism deepened last fall, when General Zaluzhny published an essay declaring the fighting a 'deadlock', contradicting Zelensky's continual, hopeful assertions of progress. More recently, the two had publicly disagreed over a Ukrainian plan to draft as many as half a million men to replenish the army as a counter to Russia's renewed ground attacks in the eastern Donbas region. Ukrainian forces have in recent weeks been on the defensive as Russia launches fierce assaults along the front line. Kyiv did receive a boost to its war effort last week when the European Union approved a USD 54 billion aid package that will help avert a near-term Ukrainian financial crisis. However, US lawmakers this week have been unable to forge an agreement that would provide another USD 60 billion in aid to Ukraine, assistance that Ukrainian officials and military analysts deem critical to Kyiv's war effort. Zelensky's frustration with his top general burst into the public eye in early November, after General Zaluzhny published his essay calling the war a "stalemate." In a strong rebuke, the Ukrainian president said that the comment was helpful to the Russians. Criticism against General Zaluzhny reached a new level in late November, when Mariana Bezuhla, a lawmaker and former member of Zelensky's political party, appeared to call for the commander's departure, accusing him of "failing" to plan carefully for the next stage of the war. Opinion polls had consistently ranked the president and general as the most trusted figures in Ukraine during the war. But, through the fall, Zelensky's ratings had fallen while General Zaluzhny had retained consistently high levels of support. As per NYT, General Zaluzhny's high standing with the Ukrainian public even led to speculation that he could be a prospective challenger to Zelensky in future elections, prompting some in the country to regard them as political rivals. The military leader earned the nickname "Iron General" for his decisive leadership of the army during the war. But the general was also saddled with the failure of the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the south this summer -- a push that many in Ukraine and the West had hoped could split Russian troops and show that Ukraine was making steady gains in the war. Last November, General Zaluzhny said in an essay that unless Ukraine received more advanced weapons and technology, the country would be mired in a long war in which Russia would have the upper hand, the New York Times reported. (ANI)
Riyadh [Saudi Arabia], February 8 (ANI/WAM): EDGE, one of the world's leading advanced technology and defence groups, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Turkish Aerospace, a prominent Turkiye-based aerospace and defence technology company, at the World Defence Show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to work together on several aerospace-specific initiatives. The agreement represents a joint commitment to integrate EDGE's advanced payloads and sensors to Turkish Aerospace's products. Under the terms of the MoU, the two companies will provide continuous intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR). It also includes the potential for technology transfer (TOT), integration, and manufacturing. Khaled Al Zaabi, President of Platforms & Systems, EDGE Group, said, "Our agreement to collaborate with Turkish Aerospace as the partner of choice for advanced airborne projects strengthens our continued cooperation with Turkiye's defence industry ecosystem, and speaks volumes about the global appeal and trust placed in us as a leading international technology and defence company. Further to this, it highlights the state-of-the-art capabilities EDGE has developed and acquired since our inception only four years ago, including homegrown UAE technology. We look forward to the outcomes of our collaborative efforts with Turkish Aerospace and our continued advancements in the aerospace and defence sectors." President and CEO of Turkish Aerospace Prof. Temel Kotil stated, "I wish this memorandum of understanding between Turkish Aerospace and EDGE to be beneficial to both companies, and hope that this collaboration will be further expanded in the coming years." (ANI/WAM)
Tel Aviv [Israel], February 8 (ANI/TPS): On Thursday, Israel's Minister of Defence, Yoav Gallant, revealed envelopes filled with cash funds transferred from Iran directly to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. This came during a visit to the IDF's Document and Technical Means Collection Unit, where he was briefed on the latest findings gathered by troops in Gaza. There, Minister Gallant toured the various departments involved in sorting the materials and transferring their analysis and findings to the units operating in the Gaza Strip. "Our troops are uncovering unbelievable findings," he said. "There are enormous volumes of material here on computers and on paper. This information flows in, is decoded here by the IDF and ISA's top experts, and then the relevant information in relayed back to our forces on the field, informing them in their operations." "By assessing the materials that we have seized in Gaza, we learn that Sinwar takes care of himself first," added Gallant. "The Hamas terrorist organization continues to fight, the citizens of Gaza are suffering, meanwhile, Sinwar is celebrating with his family. This is now over - Sinwar is a terrorist on the run, a fugitive." Gallant went on to state that one thing Israel has learned from captured documents is the extent of the flow of Iranian funds to Hamas in Gaza. On this, he said, "There is clear evidence of funds that were transferred, when they arrived and to who they were transferred. And of course what we see is that Yahya Sinwar takes care of himself first and foremost." "Out of millions of dollars, one million goes to him [Sinwar]. Out of tens of millions - he puts what he needs into his pocket," said Gallant as he showed one envelope specially designated to Yahya Sinwar and his family filled with USD 20,000. (ANI/TPS)
The commando formation carried out hundreds of attacks during which they assaulted the homes of terrorist operatives, observation posts and many terrorists.

Maglan fighters also identified and followed a terrorist squad that fired an RPG rocket at Israeli forces and directed an aircraft at it which eliminated the squad.

During the fighting, fighters and snipers of the Egoz special forces unit eliminated terrorists in face-to-face battles. The fighters raided terrorist infrastructures and located many weapons, mortars, combat equipment, means for underground warfare, long-range missiles, RPG rockets and a Russian made "Fagot" type missile. (ANI/TPS)
STEWART COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  A Wednesday night collision between two tractor-trailers in Stewart County killed one driver and injured another, officials reported.

According to Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), the incident happened at approximately 9:37 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7.

Authorities said a 2022 International tractor-trailer was heading west on State Highway 79  a two-lane road  while a 2021 Volvo tractor-trailer was heading east.

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Then, at the intersection with Fort Henry Road, the International veered left across the double yellow line and hit the Volvo, THP said. Both vehicles reportedly came to rest across their oncoming travel lane and off the shoulder of the road.

According to officials, the driver of the International  identified as 75-year-old Paul L. Etherton of Tennessee  died after the crash.

Meanwhile, the driver of the Volvo  described by THP as a 32-year-old Florida man  was hurt in the crash, but there is no word on the nature of his injuries.

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Both drivers were reportedly wearing their seatbelts at the time of the collision. Authorities said no charges are pending in connection with the incident.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A man was injured after being shot outside an apartment complex in the Melrose neighborhood of Nashville, near Berry Hill.

Officers at the scene told News 2 the shooting happened near the intersection of 8th Avenue South and Craighead Street, but in an email the following morning, a Metro Nashville Police Department spokesperson said it happened at the intersection of 8th Avenue South and Hillview Heights.

According to authorities, while a 48-year-old man was on his way home, he stopped at a liquor store in the 2400 block of Franklin Pike. After making his purchase, the man started walking through the parking lot when a dark sedan reportedly pulled up next to him.

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The driver said something, but the victim had his headphones on, so he didnt hear it, officials reported. Then, the driver allegedly pulled out a pistol, so victim ran to a nearby apartment complex.

According to police, one of the passengers in the car followed the victim on foot, fired at him, and ran back to the car.

Authorities said the victim had wounds to his hand and hip, so he was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Investigators are trying to determine if the victim and suspect(s) knew each other. As of this writing, nobody has been taken into custody.

No other information was released.

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 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  One person was injured in a shooting early Thursday morning at an apartment complex in West Nashville.

The shooting happened just after 2 a.m. in the 5800 block of Maudina Avenue.

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(Photo: WKRN)

Metro police reported the 28-year-old victim was shot in the leg and has non-life-threatening injuries to the shin.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Authorities said the victim is not cooperating with the investigation, but a witness reported hearing an argument, followed by a shot.

No additional information was immediately released.

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 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Man shot after pointing gun towards officers responding to suspected drug activity in north Charlotte: CMPD

CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A man has been hospitalized with minor injuries following a shooting involving a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer on Thursday.

The shooting happened on Thursday morning, Feb. 8, in the 2100 block of Beatties Ford Road.

According to CMPD, officers had responded to the area for reports of suspected drug activity. As officers arrived, they observed two people standing in front of the Fast Mart #5 store. CMPD said as two officers approached, a man began to walk, and eventually run away from the area.

CMPD said this man pulled out a handgun from his right waistband and pointed it in the direction of the two responding officers at the scene.

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One of the CMPD officers perceived an imminent, lethal threat, and fired their service weapon, striking the man, CMPD said.

The armed man received medical attention from CMPD officers at the scene before being taken to the hospital by Medic. A gun and magazine were recovered from the area, CMPD said.

CMPD said they were happy to report that the man who was shot is awake, alert, and talking down at the hospital, and is receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

The NC State Bureau of Investigation has been called in to do an independent investigation.

This is a developing story; check back for updates

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  One person was rescued by the El Paso Fire Departments Rescue Team on Thursday morning, Feb. 8, after they reportedly fell into a canal at the Border Highway.

The Fire Department says they responded at around 8:30 a.m. to reports of a person who fell into a canal at the Cesar Chavez Border Highway and Yarbrough.

The Fire Department says the person was succesfully rescued and suffered minor injuries.

The scene was turned over to U.S. Border Patrol.

No further information has been released. This story will be updated once we learn more.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Photo: Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War

Ukraine has brought back another 100 Ukrainians from Russian captivity in the most recent prisoner swap with Russia.

Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on social media; Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War on Telegram

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Another 100 Ukrainians are back home, in Ukraine. National guardsmen, border guards and soldiers from the armed forces of Ukraine. Most of them had defended Mariupol.

All of them are our people, and all of them are back on their native land. We are working to free every one [of our defenders] and will not stop until we bring all of them back! Im grateful to the team working on prisoner swaps for the result our country has needed!"

Ukrainian prisoners of war who were brought back to Ukraine

Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Telegram

Ukrainian prisoners of war who were brought back to Ukraine

. Photo: Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War

Details: The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said that this is the 51st prisoner swap since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The prisoners released in this exchange include 49 national guardsmen, 25 border guards and 26 soldiers from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including 11 territorial defence personnel.

All of them are privates and sergeants. Eighty-four of them defended Mariupol (including 82 Azovstal defenders), while the rest carried out combat duty on the Donetsk and Luhansk fronts.

At least 28 of the freed prisoners have injuries or are seriously ill. The oldest one is aged 62 and the youngest is 20.

Quote from Coordination Headquarters: "Among others, we were able to bring back the medic who rescued two wounded brothers, Mykola and Roman, under the most difficult circumstances at Azovstal.

A total of 3,135 Defenders have been freed from Russian captivity since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion.

We are grateful to the United Arab Emirates for their help in organising this exchange."

Ukrainian prisoners of war who were brought back to Ukraine

. Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Telegram

Updated: Volodymyr Zelenskyy has published a reaction to the exchange of prisoners of war. He thanked everyone involved in the exchanges.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "I want to thank everyone on our team who participated in the exchanges. I'd like to thank Kyrylo Budanov and everyone at Ukraine's Defence Intelligence who participated in the exchanges. I thank Andrii Yermak and the Office team. I thank Dmytro Usov and the entire Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of POWs. Everyone involved and everyone who contributed. I am grateful to Dmytro Lubinets and the Ombudsman's team. I'd like to thank Ihor Klymenko and the Ministry of Internal Affairs team. I am grateful to Vasyl Maliuk and the Security Service of Ukraine team."

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A 12-year-old boy was found dead at a youth wellness therapy camp in North Carolina on Saturday, shortly after he enrolled in the program that has faced scrutiny over its practices.

Trails Carolina, a self-described therapeutic wilderness program, confirmed the 12-year-olds death in a statement to HuffPost, saying staff called 911 after finding him unresponsive and were unable to resuscitate him.

In a news release shared with HuffPost on Wednesday, the Transylvania County Sheriffs Office said the boy arrived at the camp Friday from New York and was assigned to a cabin with other campers. According to deputies, four adult staff members were also assigned to the cabin.

Toxaway Falls at the outfall of Lake Toxaway in North Carolina, with the Toxaway River below. The Trails Carolina camp is located at Lake Toxaway.

Toxaway Falls at the outfall of Lake Toxaway in North Carolina, with the Toxaway River below. The Trails Carolina camp is located at Lake Toxaway.

According to the news release, the boy was taken to a hospital for a preliminary examination and an autopsy was ordered. The sheriffs office added that his death appeared suspicious since he had arrived at the camp less than 24 hours prior to his death.

Forensic pathologist who conducted the autopsy Tuesday said the death appeared to not be natural, but the manner and cause of death is still pending, according to the news release, which added that the investigation is ongoing and that a report from the chief medical examiner may not be available for several months.

Deputies served search warrants at two Trails Carolina camp locations in Transylvania County on Tuesday, one where the teen was found and another where campers were relocated following the death.

Authorities said camp officials had not completely cooperated with the investigation but had told investigators that the staff members who were assigned to the cabin where the teen was found were placed on leave.

In a statement shared with HuffPost on Thursday, Trails Carolina said the sheriffs press release did not present an accurate account of the facts nor the current state of the investigation.

The camp maintains it has fully cooperated with local law enforcements investigation.

According to the camps statement, it had not been made aware of any suspicious preliminary findings by the medical examiner and claimed preliminary investigation indicated the 12-year-olds death was an accident.

The camp called public speculation into the death inappropriate and disrespectful to the family.

The family and their son deserve nothing less than a thorough, professional, fact-based investigation by law enforcement, other government agencies, and our program, the statement read. Speculation before the full results of these investigations are available is harmful, counterproductive, and irresponsible.

According to its website, Trails Carolina helps children and teens who are struggling with mental health and behavioral issues through its wilderness therapy program.

The camp has faced scrutiny for years. Camper Alec Lansing, 17, was found dead in a stream in 2014 after being missing for days.

The Jackson County Sheriffs Office said the Atlanta teen ran away from the Trails Carolina program and died of hypothermia, WYFF-TV in Greenville, South Carolina, reported at the time.

Jonathan Hyde, a former Trails Carolina Wilderness field instructor, told USA Today in a 2022 article that he believed most of the campers did not get the professional help they needed or what was advertised to parents.

Hyde said he felt unprepared to handle the level of care the campers needed.

Some of these kids are trying to kill themselves. I didnt feel really prepared for exactly what I was getting into, Hyde told USA Today.

According to federal court records reviewed by HuffPost, one South Carolina parent filed a lawsuit in 2022 against Trails Carolina, claiming the camp neglected their 14-year-old daughter when she tried to report being sexually assaulted by another camper.

The parents lawsuit claimed the camp negligently and wantonly permitted their daughters sexual abuse in 2019 when an older camper with a prior history of sexual assault attacked her while she was unconscious.

According to the lawsuit, the camp allegedly denied the 14-year-olds request to move to another cabin and she was sexually assaulted again several nights later.

The case was voluntarily dismissed by the parent months later, but their daughter filed the lawsuit againunder her name in 2023.

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Ethan Cakmak had just gotten home from school when he heard his father yell for help.

An SUV had just driven into the lake outside their Chandler, Arizona, apartment complex, the 16-year-old told KSAZ.

At that point, I was like, He needs help; he needs help, Cakmak told KNXV. He tore off his shirt and jumped into the frigid water.

The teen peered through a SUV window and could see the driver was breathing but not responding to his pounding on the glass, Cakmak told KSAZ.

He tried to break a window but couldnt before police and fire personnel, summoned by his fathers 911 call, arrived to rescue the man, KNXV reported.

The crash took place around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, Chandler police said in a statement to McClatchy News.

Two police officers suffered cuts and bruises while pulling the driver from the car, police said. A tow truck later removed the vehicle from the pond. No one else was in the SUV when it crashed.

The man was taken to a hospital, where he is in intensive care, police said. The crash may have been the result of a medical emergency, but the cause is still under investigation.

Police praised Cakmak for his prompt actions.

I think thats awesome. It goes to show that were out here looking out for each other, Sgt. Ricky Gonzales told KSAZ.

People need help sometimes and you should be, as a community, there for each other... and its really important to me. Its one of my values, Cakmak told KNXV.

Chandler is about 25 miles southeast of Phoenix.

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A trio of Democrats are vying to be their partys nominee in one of the Charlotte areas most closely watched 2024 races.

Yolonda Holmes, Nicole Sidman and Terry Lansdell will all be on the ballot in March as Democrats in state House District 105, which covers parts of southeastern Mecklenburg County. The winner will face Republican Tricia Cotham in November.

All three have political experience, and they all believe theyre Democrats best shot to unseat Cotham, who upended North Carolinas political landscape when she switched parties last year and gave Republican legislators a veto-proof majority.

We knew before any candidates filed that that was going to be one of the more interesting races to watch in the general, but also on the Democratic side in the primary, said Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University.

Although the newly redrawn District 105 is now more conservative-leaning, other factors could still make it a winnable seat for whomever emerges victorious from the Democratic primary, multiple experts told The Charlotte Observer.

Whos running to face Tricia Cotham?

One of the three Democratic primary candidates is no stranger to running against Cotham. Holmes competed with her in 2022, when both were looking to secure the Democratic nomination for House District 112. Although Cotham won the nomination, Holmes told the Observer the race was the political accomplishment shes most proud of.

With the odds seemingly stacked against me, I did very well for a first-time candidate, she said.

In addition to her 2022 run, Holmes has been involved with the Democratic Women of Mecklenburg County, the Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice Engagement Task Group and the American Cancer Societys Charlotte-area board.

She has a doctorate in public safety and criminal justice and is a family and community engagement specialist

Fellow candidate Sidman hasnt run for office before, but she served as campaign manager for Christy Clark during Clarks successful 2018 run for a seat in Raleigh. Clark is now the Huntersville mayor.

Sidman now serves as director of congregational life for Temple Beth El in Charlotte. A former teacher and lawyer, shes also worked with the New York Civil Liberties Union, an affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, and Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency.

Lansdell also has a background in local politics. Hes worked for years advocating for equitable and environmentally friendly transportation as executive director of BikeWalkNC. Hes also a member of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Commission.

Where do District 105 primary candidates stand on the issues?

Asked about the biggest issues facing District 105, Holmes said shes concerned about restrictions and bans imposed on healthcare access and freedom as well as the need for pay equity and investment in our public schools.

If elected, Holmes said, her first action would be to review current legislation and identify areas of collaborative opportunity and gaps or inequities that exist.

With a better understanding, I would begin formulating a plan of action to address the issues or concerns of the constituents, she said.

Sidman also brought up funding for schools as a key issue for the district, saying the Charlotte area is facing a struggling school system due to underfunding and that she opposes the Opportunity Scholarship program, which subsidizes private schools for the wealthy with our tax money.

The General Assembly tripled funding for the Opportunity Scholarship program in its budget in September and ended income restrictions for private school vouchers, the News & Observer reported previously.

I will also advocate for an increase in teacher pay and school staff and counselors so we can attract and retain the best teachers by providing a fair salary for what, I know from experience, is truly one of the hardest jobs around, she said. Vouchers are not just about funding the wealthy; they are part of a nationwide Republican playbook to resegregate our schools.

Sidman also said shes concerned about the lack of affordable housing in the district, threats to reproductive health care access, a lack of investment in infrastructure and a lack of accountability and trust in Raleigh.

Lansdell said the biggest issues facing the district in his view are transportation laws and funding priorities in Mecklenburg County. He added those issues are tied to land use, affordable housing, economic viability and the environment.

Who is the best position to take on Tricia Cotham in the fall?

In addition to laying out their platforms for voters, all three Democrats are also trying to make the case as to why theyre the strongest candidate to take on Cotham in the general election  and win in a Republican-leaning district.

Holmes cited her experience facing Cotham before and said shes confident her ideas will have mass appeal.

My platform is reasonable and resonates with constituents throughout the community, and my message is clear, she said. Your choice ultimately becomes your voice, and in the last election, the familiar choice left constituents without a voice or representation. Instead, the constituents, myself included, gained what we voted against. I stand on principle.

Sidman said she believes her mix of experiences gives her an understanding of the issues and the complexity around what it takes to legislate.

Frankly, we should all be tired of a small band of legislative leaders dictating our freedoms and taking them away for their own personal power, she said. I am in the strongest position to defeat Tricia Cotham because I have the conviction of a lifetime of passion for the issues that are important to my district  education, democracy, economic prosperity, bodily autonomy  combined with legal and advocacy experience that will guide me in addressing these matters in a thoughtful and pragmatic way.

Lansdell said his biggest strength in a fight against Cotham is that he understands the Cotham betrayal did not start last year when she formally switched parties.

She has been an opponent of the Democratic Party for some time in her lack of involvement in transportation issues, the approval of Republican rivals into key governmental roles, the lack of effort to protect North Carolinas environment as well as the complete betrayal of medical choice for women in North Carolina, he said. All hallmarks of failure to represent and serve this community.

Who will win?

Its particularly hard in the primary to predict which candidate will indeed appeal the most to voters, Cooper said.

The tea leaves tend to be wilted and hard to read in primaries, he said.

Democratic strategist Dan McCorkle said that while the district may be Republican-leaning on paper, he still thinks his partys eventual nominee could have a chance in November.

Its still a competitive district because youre gonna find very few areas in Mecklenburg County that are going to be totally favorable to a Republican, he said.

The right candidate, he said, will need to be well-funded and willing to take it to Cotham.

Republican strategist Larry Shaheen said he also thinks the general election could be more competitive than some have suggested. That has less to do with who wins the Democratic nomination than other factors.

Once youve gotten that far down the ballot, people are voting R or D, he said.

In a presidential election year, he explained, that means a likely rematch between former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden could affect the race.

If I was Tricia Cotham, I would have been begging for anyone but Donald Trump, because I think none of the Democratic candidates are going to do as much damage to her as Trump at the top of the ticket, he said.
(KRON)  Three people involved in an altercation that led to a shooting and a traffic collision Tuesday fled the scene, according to the Antioch Police Department. Antioch PD officers were dispatched at 6:50 p.m. to the area of E. 18th Street and Hillcrest Avenue.

Multiple callers reported gunshots followed by a vehicle collision with injuries.

Arriving on the scene, officers determined that two men assaulted another man in a nearby parking lot. As the two initial assailants got into their vehicle, the other man pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots at the vehicle as it was leaving the parking lot.

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While fleeing the gunshots, the vehicle did an illegal U-turn against a red light at the intersection and crashed into an uninvolved vehicle that was headed east on 18th street, police said.

The vehicle occupants got out, fled on foot and were not located, police said. The shooter also fled the scene in a vehicle and was not located. The driver of the uninvolved vehicle was taken to a nearby hospital with complaints of pain.

The Antioch Police Department asks anyone with information regarding the incident to call (925) 778-2441.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.